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The potential for using the entomopathogenic fungus Lecanicillium muscarium to control the sweetpotato whitefly, Bemisia tabaci has been well established in previous studies under both laboratory and glasshouse conditions. In the current study, five chemicals were assessed for their compatibility with L. muscarium for control of B. tabaci under glasshouse conditions. On treatments following the sequential application of chemical product and fungus high mortality of second instar larvae was obtained (the known most susceptible B. tabaci life-stage to fungal infection). Sequential treatment of Savona and Certis spraying oil with L. muscarium produced 95 % and 96 % larval mortality, respectively. Commercially, unacceptable poinsettia foliage damage was recorded seven days post application of Agri-50E. Other plant foliage may prove more tolerant to this product. Incorporation of these chemicals with L. muscarium into integrated control programmes for B. tabaci control in glasshouses is discussed. Further information has been added to the knowledge base for the combined use of chemicals and fungi for the control of B. tabaci.

The screening of potential chemicals for control of Bemisia tabaci on poinsettia ( Euphorbia pulcherrima c.v. Lilo Pink) plants using a leaf dipping technique was investigated. All relevant B. tabaci lifestages (eggs, larvae and adults) were investigated. In leaf dipping tests, Certis spraying oil was the only compound to show potential to be used as a control agent against B. tabaci eggs, with 81% obtained mortality. Oberon resulted in no mortality of B. tabaci eggs in the reported experiments. Leaf dipping against second instar and adult B. tabaci proved more effective for all chemical products. Dipping techniques using Majestik, Certis spraying oil and Agri-50 E all resulted in high second instar larval mortality (93, 87 and 85.5 %, respectively). Certis spraying oil again resulted in a high efficacy against adult B. tabaci with 100 % mortality obtained. The potential of the various chemicals to be incorporated into integrated pest management strategies for the control of B. tabaci is discussed.

IntroductionThe 2002 American Thoracic Society (ATS) 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT) guidelines advise ‘repeat testing should be performed about the same time of day to minimize intraday variability’. It is currently unknown if there is diurnal and/or seasonal variation in the 6MWT in pulmonary vascular disease (PVD).AimsTo investigate the association between 6-Minute Walk Distance (6MWD), time of day and season of testing.MethodRetrospective 6MWT data was collected from 2019–2025. The 6MWT was conducted in accordance with ATS 6MWT guidelines (2002). Independent sample t-test was performed to determine morning vs afternoon differences in 6MWD. One way ANOVA was performed to determine seasonal differences. Time of day and seasonal effects were further investigated using multivariate linear regression analyses, adjusted for age, sex, BMI and WHO functional class. Time was modelled as a continuous variable (per 1 hour increment) and as a binary predictor of morning (08:00–12:00 am) vs afternoon (12–18:00 pm).ResultsThe cohort consisted of 1618 patients, WHO PH Groups 1 (n= 322), 2 (n=72), 3 (n= 51), 4 (n = 946), and chronic thromboembolic pulmonary disease (n= 227). 6MWD was significantly higher in the morning (363 ± 134 meters; n=684) than in the afternoon (333 ± 144 meters; n=865) (p<0.001). 6MWD was not significantly impacted by season (p=0.75). Multivariable linear regression analyses demonstrated that the 6MWD decreased by 4.1 meters (95% CI 1.57–6.64) (p=0.002) for every hour increment in the time of the day, and by 16.34 meters (95% CI 5.72–29.95) (p=0.0003) in the afternoon compared to the morning.ConclusionThe time of day was found to impact 6MWD, with patients with PVD achieving higher 6MWD in the morning. 6MWTs should be conducted at the same time to eliminate this possible fatiguing effect and optimise interpretation of intertest differences in clinical practice and trials. Prospective studies are needed with repeated measurements in the same individuals at different times of the day to validate these findings.

A large number of facilities world-wide are permitted to use ionising radiation as a food treatment. For example, at the time of writing, there are 32 facilities approved to irradiate food for the EU market. However, radiation processing in the EU is carried out to destroy harmful microorganisms in spices, as well as on pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and medical equipment, but is not currently being used to control pests on fruit and vegetables. However, under the current EU regulatory framework it is possible for food commodities irradiated to prevent the spread of alien invasive pests, to be exported to the European Community. A common set of rules and procedures for controlling food irradiation has been accepted across all EU Member States and are given in EC Directive 1999/2/EC, these include allowing irradiation 'to rid foodstuffs of organisms harmful to plant or plant products'. However, some EU countries only allow dried aromatic herbs, spices and vegetable seasonings to be irradiated whereas other EU counties allow many more types of irradiated foods to be marketed. For example, in the United Kingdom the Food Irradiation (England) Regulations 2009 list seven broad categories of food which may be irradiated, including fruit (2 kGy maximum 'overall average' dose) and vegetables (1 kGy 'maximum overall average' dose). Elsewhere in the world, an increasing number of countries are using irradiation as a phytosanitary treatment for commercial exports of fresh commodities, and others are investigating its use for phytosanitary purposes. With increasing volumes of commodities being traded worldwide, there is an urgent need for effective disinfestations treatments to prevent the dissemination of alien invasive pests. The banning of the fumigant methyl bromide for all purposes (including phytosanitary and preshipment uses) in the EU has further increased the need for effective alternatives. This article discusses the pros and cons of irradiation from a phytosanitary perspective.

(1) Summer populations of the rose-grain aphid, Metopolophium dirhodum (Walker), were monitored in Bedfordshire (1978-80). Population density, age structure and distribution were studied by detailed sampling, and immigration and population development in different years are compared. (2) Population growth rates (intrinsic rates of increase and multiplication rates per week) are compared and contrasted with development temperatures. (3) The rate of spread of the population (the percentage of tillers infested related to aphid density) was the same function in each year. (4) Seasonal changes in feeding site distributions are given for 1979. The highest percentage of the total population occurred on flag leaves, and adaxial (upper) leaf surfaces were favoured. (5) Dislodgement of aphids by wind gusts appeared to be an important mortality factor. Rainfall (alone) was not a factor. Parasitism was greatest in 1978, but did not appear to be a controlling factor. Coccinellid predation appeared to limit population growth in 1978, and to severely reduce population density in 1980. (6) Maximum aphid densities varied enormously. The determining factors were growth regulated by temperature, in opposition to wind gusts, predators and parasites.