Explore the vast range of titles available.

Ecological dynamics are strongly influenced by the relationship between prey density and predator feeding behavior—that is, the predatory functional response. A useful understanding of this relationship requires us to distinguish between competing models of the functional response, and to robustly estimate the model parameters. Recent advances in this topic have revealed bias in model comparison, as well as in model parameter estimation in functional response studies, mainly attributed to the quality of data. Here, we propose that an adaptive experimental design framework can mitigate these challenges. We then present the first practical demonstration of the improvements it offers over standard experimental design. Our results reveal that adaptive design can efficiently identify the preferred functional response model among the competing models, and can produce much more precise posterior distributions for the estimated functional response parameters. By increasing the efficiency of experimentation, adaptive experimental design will lead to reduced logistical burden.

Simulations of large-scale brain dynamics are often impacted by overexcitation resulting from heavy-tailed structural network distributions, leading to biologically implausible simulation results. We implement a homeodynamic plasticity mechanism, known from other modeling work, in the widely used Jansen-Rit neural mass model for The Virtual Brain (TVB) simulation framework. We aim at heterogeneously adjusting the inhibitory coupling weights to reach desired dynamic regimes in each brain region. We show that, by using this dynamic approach, we can control the target activity level to obtain biologically plausible brain simulations, including post-synaptic potentials and blood-oxygen-level-dependent functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) activity. We demonstrate that the derived dynamic Feedback Inhibitory Control (dFIC) can be used to enable increased variability of model dynamics. We derive the conditions under which the simulated brain activity converges to a predefined target level analytically and via simulations. We highlight the benefits of dFIC in the context of fitting the TVB model to static and dynamic measures of fMRI empirical data, accounting for global synchronization across the whole brain. The proposed novel method helps computational neuroscientists, especially TVB users, to easily “tune” brain models to desired dynamical regimes depending on the specific requirements of each study. The presented method is a steppingstone towards increased biological realism in brain network models and a valuable tool to better understand their underlying behavior.

Apples depend on insect pollination but intensification of agriculture jeopardizes pollination services in agroecosystems. Concerns about the dependency of crop pollination exclusively on honey bees increase the interest in agricultural practices that safeguard wild pollinators in agroecosystems. The purpose of the study was to assess the potential of floral resource provision in apple orchards to enhance the conservation of hymenopterous pollinating insects and potentially the pollination service to the crop. For this reason, flowering plant mixtures sown in patches inside apple orchards were tested against wild plant patches. Pollinator taxa recorded on the sown and wild plant patches were honey bees, wild bees (Andrena, Anthophora, Eucera, Halictus, Lasioglossum, Megachilidae on both; Systropha only on wild plants; Bombus, Hylaeus, Sphecodes, Nomada, Xylocopa only on sown mixture), syrphids, bee flies. The most abundant pollinator of apple was A. mellifera but wild bees were also recorded (Andrena, Anthophora, Bombus, Xylocopa, Lasioglossum, Megachilidae). The sown mixture attracted a more diverse taxa of pollinators and in greater numbers compared to the weed flora, but it did not have an effect on pollinators visiting apple flowers. Groundcover management with patches of suitable flowering mixtures can enhance pollinator conservation in apple orchards.

Ochratoxin A (OTA) is the most toxic member of ochratoxins, a group of toxic secondary metabolites produced by fungi. The most relevant species involved in OTA production in grapes is Aspergillus carbonarius. Berry infection by A. carbonarius is enhanced by damage to the skin caused by abiotic and biotic factors. Insect pests play a major role in European vineyards, and Lepidopteran species such as the European grapevine moth Lobesia botrana are undoubtedly crucial. New scenarios are also emerging due to the introduction and spread of allochthonous pests as well as climate change. Such pests may be involved in the dissemination of OTA producing fungi even if confirmation is still lacking and further studies are needed. An OTA predicting model is available, but it should be integrated with models aimed at forecasting L. botrana phenology and demography in order to improve model reliability.

Background Tomato ( Solanum lycopersicum L.) is a vegetable of great economic value. The tomato leafminer Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) is a serious pest of tomato. Its control is difficult due to the protection of the larvae in the galleries they create its fast resistance development too many active ingredients and due to its many generations per year. Many entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) have been reported as endophytes for various plant pathogens and pests. In this study, the endophyticity of Beauveria bassiana Balsamo (Vuillemin ) (Hypocreales: Cordycipitaceae) and Metarhizium anisopliae (Metchnikoff) Sorokin (Hypocreales: Clavicipitaceae) isolated from the soils of Crete against larvae of T. absoluta in tomato plants was examined. Results As a result, the EPF isolates of Crete decreased both the distance of larval travel from the egg to the opening of the gallery and the weight of the T. absoluta larvae, but also colonized the tomato plants. The entomopathogenic fungi were isolated from tomatoes again. Mycelium began to appear 7 days later and had developed completely after 12 days at 25 ± 2 °C and in 95% RH. Interestingly, the period between the hatched egg and the emerged first instar T. absoluta larvae was affected significantly by the different treatments, but not by \"repetition\" or \"plant\". Interestingly, the distance was further significantly shortened after treatment with M. anisopliae isolate Crete and B. bassiana isolate Crete and the commercial strain. The development period of T. absoluta larvae varied significantly among the treatments, but not by repetition in time or plant. The treatments caused a significant variation in the weight of T. absoluta pupae. The lowest weight was recorded in the plants colonized by M. anisopliae isolate Crete. Conclusions The study demonstrated the ability of the B. bassiana and M. anisopliae from Crete to colonize the tomato plants and the wild strains of Crete affect the distance of larvae. With the presence of endophytic EPF, the period between the hatched egg and the emerged first instar T. absoluta larvae was decreased, as does the weight of the T. absoluta pupae.

Bactrocera oleae (Rossi) (Diptera: Tephritidae) is a key pest of olive groves. Adult monitoring is carried out by means of attractant traps of different shapes, which give relevant information for pest control such as the presence of adult flies in the field and their trend, female maturity and sex ratio. However, it is still not entirely clear whether a given density is sufficient for providing a reliable representation of flies in an olive grove. To investigate this question, an experiment was planned, consisting of arranging a high-density network of unbaited sticky panels (UTs) between panels baited with ammonium carbonate (BTs) deployed at a density of 2 traps/ha. The experiment was carried out in Greece, Italy, Lebanon, Spain and Tunisia. The percentage of BT over UT catches varied significantly among the different countries, with BTs ranging from 82% of catches in Italy to 27% in Greece. The Pearson correlation between BTs and UTs was significant under high captures but not significant at low densities. The index of aggregation showed an inverse relationship with baited catches. The distributions of males and females were nearly always positively spatially associated. According to the field data, BTs at the density of 2/ha provide a realistic estimate of the population in the field in the cases of established populations. However, in the periods without population establishment, a denser monitoring trap network is likely required to obtain a reliable estimation of the field population.

RNAi-mediated insect pest management has recently shown promising results against the most serious pest of tomato, the tomato leafminer, Tuta absoluta. This study aimed to investigate whether dsRNA (dsTa-αCOP) designed to target the T. absoluta-αCOP gene could cause adverse effects to its biocontrol agent, the mirid predator, Nesidiocoris tenuis. Oral exposure of N. tenuis to dsRNA (dsNt-αCOP) designed to target N. tenuis-αCOP resulted in a 61%, 67% and 55% reduction in its transcript level in comparison to the sucrose, dsGFP and dsTa-αCOP treatments, respectively. In addition, significantly higher mortality of 57% was recorded in dsNt-αCOP-treated N. tenuis when compared to the sucrose (7%), dsGFP (10%) and dsTa-αCOP (10%) treatments. Moreover, the predation rate of ~33–39 Ephestia kuehniella eggs per N. tenuis adult dramatically reduced to almost half in the surviving dsNt-αCOP-treated N. tenuis. This worst-case exposure scenario confirmed for the first time that the RNAi machinery is functional in this species and that the risk of exposure through the oral route is possible. In contrast, dsTa-αCOP did not cause any sub-lethal effects to N. tenuis upon oral exposure. Oral exposure of T. absoluta to dsTa-αCOP resulted in 50% mortality. In the context of a biosafety risk assessment of RNAi-mediated insect management, investigating the effects on non-target organisms is essential in order to include this method as part of an integrated pest management strategy. Based on our laboratory assays, RNAi-mediated control is compatible with the biological control of T. absoluta by its natural enemy N. tenuis, adding the RNAi approach in the armoire of integrated pest management of T. absoluta.

Origanum majorana is a medicinal and aromatic plant that belongs to the Lamiaceae family. It is cultivated in several parts of the world and, due to its splendid aroma and taste, is widely used for culinary purposes and in perfumes. The essential oil of the plant, to which is attributed its aroma, contains many secondary metabolites with valuable biological activity. One of them is the pesticide activity, which has attracted much interest. Given the necessity of replacing synthetic pesticides, essential oils are studied in an attempt to find naturally derived products. Thus, the aim of this review paper is to discuss the chemical profile of O. majorana essential oil and to present data regarding its insecticidal, repellent and fumigant activity. Data were collected from 1992 to 2022. Databases, including PubMed, Google Scholar, ScienceDirect and Scopus, were used for the research, and keywords, including O. majorana, sweet marjoram, essential oil, volatiles, pesticide, insecticide and repellent activity, were used. The results of this review paper indicate that O. majorana essential oil can be an alternative agent to manage pests. However, still, much research should be conducted to evaluate its toxicity against beneficial insects and to ensure its safety for human health.

Macrolophus pygmaeus ( Mp ) and Nesidiocoris tenuis ( Nt ) are valuable biological control agents against Tuta absoluta . However, their predation rate on T. absoluta eggs over the entire plant has not been sufficiently studied. The aim of our study was to record the density and map the T. absoluta egg distribution per plant under different female densities. We also explored the predation rates of single ( Mp / Nt ), conspecific (2 Mp /2 Nt ) or heterospecific pairs ( MpNt ) of predators on tomato plants on which T. absoluta eggs had been placed at the respective densities and sites as those selected by the T. absoluta females. The number of eggs laid per female was highest when the females were used singly. Females made active egg laying decisions preferring to oviposit on the 3rd and 4th leaves. Single M. pygmaeus showed a higher predatory efficacy than N. tenuis when 14 and 30 eggs were used per plant. Conspecifics of M. pygmaeus were more effective than N. tenuis at densities of 17 and 110 eggs. Interestingly, a pair was as effective as a single predator at 14, 17 and in many cases at the 30 and 110 egg/plant densities. The multiplicative model revealed that prey density has a strong impact on the effects of multiple predators on prey suppression. In all cases, 30% or more of the eggs were left unconsumed. These results suggest that the study of predation under field conditions and different pest pressure levels reveals useful information for the evaluation of predator efficacy in T. absoluta control.

In this study, the effects of paraffin oil, copper hydroxide, copper oxychloride, wettable sulfur, Beauveria bassiana and deltamethrin, as a toxic reference treatment, on the survival and predation rate of M. pygmaeus were investigated. In each treatment, the prey were classified as slightly, partially or fully consumed. The mortality rate after contact exposure was high (66.6%) when nymphs were treated with copper hydroxide but much lower after residual exposure (6.6%). B. bassiana caused 53.3% and 46.6% mortality via contact and residual exposure, respectively. The total prey consumption was significantly lower in the pyrethroid reference treatment control and B. bassiana treatments. The highest percentage of slightly consumed prey was recorded in the toxic reference and B. bassiana treatments, that of partially consumed prey in the copper hydroxide treatment and, finally, that of fully consumed prey in the paraffin oil treatment. Therefore, assessing the sub-lethal effects by separating the prey killed into slightly, partially and fully consumed is a sensitive approach to detect impacts which otherwise may remain unnoticed. The results provide information for the most appropriate use of M. pygmaeus in IPM programs and introduce more sensitive approaches in the detection of side-effects of pesticides on M. pygmaeus and other hemipteran predators.