Explore the vast range of titles available.

Cyperus difformis L. is a Cyperaceae, annual, of natural occurrence in marshy environments in southern Brazil, considered a weed in irrigated rice crops. Studies on its development are scarce, especially regarding its cycle and thermal requirements. Therefore, the objective of this work was to determine the base temperature, the thermal sum and the duration of the different sub-periods of the biological cycle of the species. The experiment was carried out at the Campus of the Universidade Federal de Santa Maria – UFSM, Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul, in four sowing seasons. In a completely delineated design and factorial scheme involving five soil water conditions (water depth and 50% soil water retention capacity [WRC]) from the sowing, water depth and 50% WRC introduced 21 days after emergence and 100% WRC during the whole cycle, with six repetitions each. Each experimental unit consisted of a cultivated in pot plant with 11 L capacity filled with soil. The cycle of the plants was subdivided into the sowing-emergence sub-periods, emergence-emission of the floral tassel and emission of the floral-maturing physiological tassel, being estimated the thermal requirements for the species. The conditions of the soil water condition the base temperature, the sum of the degree-days and the duration of the species cycle. The base temperature varies for each treatment, the sum of degrees-day decreases with the water deficit and the plants under flood accelerate the biological cycle.

Coal plays a crucial role in global economic development and remains the most widely used fossil fuel worldwide. The exploitation of open-pit and underground coal mines certainly has an impact on the environment. This impact varies in the degree of their influence on the state and prospects of environmental services and biodiversity of coal-producing regions. Some researchers note a serious obstacle to the sustainable use of regional lands and the well-being of residents of such regions. Others believe that the problem lies in poor legislation and improper use of resources. It has been established that environmental change is the result of a combination of various factors, which determines the need for a differentiated approach to assessing their impact on specific ecosystems. The Tash-Kumyr coal mine has been in operation for almost a hundred years. Throughout this period, the economic activity of the mine has a significant impact on the environment of the region. At the same time, significant changes in local ecosystems occur, associated with the complete or partial destruction of plant species, degradation of land cover and changes in the distribution range of wildlife. Scientists began to study ecosystem changes in the region directly from the beginning of the two thousandth years. This article presents an analysis of the observations of the ecosystem of the Tash-Kumyr coal mine over the past 50 years. The history of the deposit formation, its variability, characteristics of the ecosystem and the impact of coal production on its development are given. Examples of the biological cycle of substances in the conditions of steppe ecosystems of the Tash-Kumyr coal deposit are given, and methods for restoring degraded areas are proposed. The result of the present research is the conclusion that changes in biocenoses in the area of the Tash-Kumyr coal mine are local in nature. They are not critical for the general ecosystem of the region, unlike the threats to nearby ecosystems noted in other studies. With regard to the further exploitation of the Tash -Kumyr coal deposit, we adhere to the point of view of the possibility of its further use subject to compliance with legislation and best practices. One of the options and the most promising, practically feasible way of restoring natural landscapes in the territo ry of the dumps and quarries observed in the study are artificial plantings of endemic plant species resistant to local conditions, a bright representative of which are plants of the genus Tamarix (Tamarix L.).

Abstract Galls by Leptocybe invasa Fisher & La Salle (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) reduce the productivity of Eucalyptus spp. plantations and Quadrastichus mendeli Kim & La Salle (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) parasitizes this pest. This study aimed to evaluate, under laboratory conditions, two biological control strategies against Leptocybe invasa using the parasitoid Quadrastichus mendeli: (i) inundative biological control (referred to here as applied biological control), consisting of the release of five mated females per seedling, and (ii) natural biological control, representing the action of naturally occurring populations of the parasitoid already established in the environment. Ninety-day-old seedlings of the clone 3025 (Eucalyptus grandis × E. camaldulensis), naturally infested by L. invasa, were placed individually in cages under controlled conditions (25 ± 2 °C; 70 ± 10% RH; 12 h photoperiod) in a completely randomized design with 22 replicates per treatment. The number of insects was adjusted using zero-inflated mixed nonlinear regression models. The emergence of L. invasa adults (p>0.05) was similar between treatments, but that of Q. mendeli greater with the release of five females of this natural enemy per seedling compared to the applied biological control. The controlled release of Q. mendeli reduced L. invasa damage on Eucalyptus seedlings, increasing the importance of applied biological control to manage this pest in cultivated forests. Resumo Galhas formadas por Leptocybe invasa Fisher & La Salle (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) reduzem a produtividade de plantações de Eucalyptus spp., e Quadrastichus mendeli Kim & La Salle (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) parasita essa praga. Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar, em condições laboratoriais, duas estratégias de controle biológico contra Leptocybe invasa utilizando o parasitoide Quadrastichus mendeli: (i) controle biológico inundativo (denominado aqui como controle biológico aplicado), consistindo na liberação de cinco fêmeas acasaladas por muda, e (ii) controle biológico clássico, representando a ação de populações naturalmente ocorrentes do parasitoide já estabelecidas no ambiente. Mudas com 90 dias de idade do clone 3025 (Eucalyptus grandis × E. camaldulensis), naturalmente infestadas por L. invasa, foram colocadas individualmente em gaiolas sob condições controladas (25 ± 2 °C; 70 ± 10% UR; fotoperíodo de 12 h) em delineamento inteiramente casualizado, com 22 repetições por tratamento. O número de insetos foi ajustado por meio de modelos de regressão não linear mistos com inflação de zeros. A emergência de adultos de L. invasa (p>0,05) foi semelhante entre os tratamentos, mas a de Q. mendeli foi maior com a liberação de cinco fêmeas desse inimigo natural por muda, em comparação ao controle biológico aplicado. A liberação controlada de Q. mendeli reduziu os danos causados por L. invasa em mudas de Eucalyptus, ressaltando a importância do controle biológico aplicado para o manejo dessa praga em florestas cultivadas.

The mosquito Aedes aegypti is the primary vector of dengue and is common throughout tropical and subtropical regions. Its distribution is modulated by environmental factors, such as temperature. This study aimed to evaluate the influence of temperature on the life cycle and expansion of Ae. aegypti populations in the cities of Campina Grande, João Pessoa, and Patos. Samples of Ae. aegypti were collected in the three cities and raised in the laboratory. We assessed the life cycles of the three Ae. aegypti populations under six constant temperatures (16, 22, 28, 33, 36, and 39° C), selected on the basis of historical temperature tendencies of each city. We also used existing climate data to calculate projected temperature increases for all three areas. Our results suggest that Campina Grande, João Pessoa, and Patos will experience, respectively, maximum temperature increases of 0.030° C/year, 0.069° C/year, and 0.061° C/year, and minimum temperature increases of 0.019° C/year, -0.047° C/year, and -0.086° C/year. These projected increases will result in temperatures favorable to the Ae. aegypti life cycle, causing rapid population growth. Therefore, Ae. aegypti populations are likely to expand in the mesoregions represented by these cities.

Properties of forest litter in the European larch stands planted in the Izmailovo Park specially protected natural area in Moscow were studied in two sites of 100–120-year-old larch plantations on the typical sandy loamy soddy eluvozems on sandy deposits underlain by moraine (Luvic Cambisols). One of the sites is the control and the other was subjected to human impacts typical of park areas as a result of recreation. A classification of litter structure and transformation characteristics is proposed to assess a stepwise change in organic matter corresponding to different periods of litter functioning. In seasonal dynamics, a uniform decrease in litter stock over the year is observed in control stands versus the disturbed plot, where the most significant decrease in stock is recorded in November–June. In the annual cycle, a considerable decrease in the stock of active fraction is observable in the annual cycle, suggesting an intensive biological turnover in the studied larch stands. The dynamics of the stocks of litter fractions are different. The recreational load in larch stands determines a decrease in the accumulation of litter organic matter and influences the dynamics of this process. A significant twofold decrease in litter thickness and stock during recreation is recorded and is accompanied by a significant simplification of the litter structure and changes in its typology, which is especially pronounced in the conditions of near-trunk spaces. The characteristics of structural and functional litter organization in larch stands are the informative criteria for the specific features of organic matter biogeochemical cycles appropriate for other types of tree stands both natural and urban.

The microlepidoptera, Bedellia somnulentella (Zeller), is an important pest of sweetpotato, Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam. Damage by B. somnulentella occurs in the larval stage and when consuming the foliar mesophyll of I. batatas make the leaves brown, wrinkled, and reducing the photosynthetic area and the yield.The detection and management of this pest depends on knowing its biological cycle and identifying its natural enemies.The objectives of this study were to determine the life history of B. somnulentella feeding on I. batatas leaves and to survey parasitoids of this pest in the field.The duration and viability of B. somnulentella egg, larva, prepupa, pupa, and adult stages were evaluated under laboratory conditions. Cephalic capsule width was measured to determine the number of B. somnulentella instars, based on the Dyar rule and analyzed by the Akaike statistical model (AIC). The developmental period of B. somnulentella was 32.5 ± 0. 21 d with a viability of 75, 84, 100, and 84% for the egg, larva, prepupa, and pupa stages, respectively.The identification of this pest on the plants is possible from the third instar and in the pupal and adult stages. The parasitoid Conura sp. (Hymenoptera: Chalcididae) was identified parasitizing pupae of B. somnulentella and could be considered a potential natural enemy for the integrated management of this pest.

Blueberry cultivation has recently become a rapidly expanding export industry in Peru. With few to no official records of phytosanitary problems up to date. Nevertheless, as observed in other major blueberry producer countries, pests occurrences have been already reported. This study presents a comprehensive biological and molecular characterization of a novel blueberry pest, identifying it as a member of the Tortricidae family in the genus Platynota . The insect’s average life cycle was determined to be 46.3 days for males and 48.6 days for females, with the larval stage being the longest (25.4 days on average), and the most destructive due to its feeding behavior, which significantly damages buds and fruits. Morphological analysis of the genitalia, along with a comparison of its complete mitochondrial DNA, further supports the conclusion that this pest is a new species. These findings represent the first report of a tortricid pest affecting blueberries in Peru and offer crucial insights for developing effective pest management strategies, contributing to the sustainable growth of blueberry production and exports in the region.

El género Copturomimus Heller, 1895 se distribuye en Brasil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, México y Panamá, e incluye algunas especies que en su estado larval barrenan tallos y ramas de Persea americana Mill. En Colombia, la especie asociada al daño de tallos y ramas de aguacate en cultivos comerciales y plantas de vivero ha sido identificada tradicionalmente como Copturomimus perseae Hustache, 1947; sin embargo, el nombre válido de la especie es Copturomimus hustachei Kissinger, 1957. Con el objetivo de actualizar la información sobre esta especie en Colombia, se determinó el ciclo biológico sobre ramas de aguacate cultivar Lorena y se describieron sus hábitos y estados de desarrollo. El tiempo total desde el huevo hasta la emergencia del adulto fue de 86,78 ± 25,41 días. La duración de los estados de desarrollo fue de 9,29 ± 1,22 días para el huevo, 66,18 ± 10,86 días para el desarrollo larvario y 13,08 ± 3,99 días para la pupa; la longevidad del adulto varió entre 15 y 49 días. La descripción de los hábitos, tiempos de desarrollo del ciclo biológico y la documentación fotográfica aportada pueden contribuir a mejorar el diagnóstico de C. hustachei para generar esquemas de manejo de sus poblaciones en cultivos de aguacate.

Babesiosis is one of the most important tick-borne diseases in veterinary health, impacting mainly cattle, equidae, and canidae, and limiting the development of livestock industries worldwide. In humans, babesiosis is considered to be an emerging disease mostly due to Babesia divergens in Europe and Babesia microti in America. Despite this importance, our knowledge of Babesia sp. transmission by ticks is incomplete. The complexity of vectorial systems involving the vector, vertebrate host, and pathogen, as well as the complex feeding biology of ticks, may be part of the reason for the existing gaps in our knowledge. Indeed, this complexity renders the implementation of experimental systems that are as close as possible to natural conditions and allowing the study of tick-host-parasite interactions, quite difficult. However, it is unlikely that the development of more effective and sustainable control measures against babesiosis will emerge unless significant progress can be made in understanding this tripartite relationship. The various methods used to date to achieve tick transmission of Babesia spp. of medical and veterinary importance under experimental conditions are reviewed and discussed here.

Abstract Carabids are recognized worldwide as biological control agents of agricultural pests. The objective was to compare the life cycle of Abaris basistriata Chaudoir (Coleoptera: Carabidae) on three substrates: soil, fine vermiculite, or paper napkins. The biological cycle of A. basistriata presented different durations in soil and paper. The viability of eggs and larvae survival of the first and second instars were similar on all three substrates, while the third instar and pupa in the soil presented higher survival when compared with vermiculite and paper. The soil substrate was more favorable for the longevity of the carabid beetle. Abaris basistriata showed a shorter pre-oviposition period and a higher oviposition and post-oviposition period in the soil. Fecundity and fertility were higher when A. basistriata was reared on soil. The soil was most favorable substrate for rearing of A. basistriata in the laboratory. This information may make this species useful for the biological control. Resumo Os carabídeos são reconhecidos mundialmente como agentes de controle biológico de pragas agrícolas. O objetivo foi comparar o ciclo de vida de Abaris basistriata Chaudoir (Coleoptera: Carabidae) em três substratos: solo, vermiculita fina, ou guardanapos de papel. O ciclo biológico de A. basistriata apresentou diferentes durações no solo e no papel. A viabilidade dos ovos e a sobrevivência das larvas do primeiro e segundo instares foram semelhantes nos três substratos, enquanto que o terceiro instar e a pupa apresentaram maior sobrevivência no solo quando comparados com vermiculita e papel. O substrato solo foi mais favorável à longevidade do carabídeo. Abaris basistriata mostrou menor período de pré-oviposição e maior período de oviposição e pós-oviposição no solo. A fecundidade e a fertilidade foram maiores quando A. basistriata foi criado no solo. O solo foi o substrato mais favorável para a criação de A. basistriata no laboratório. Estas informações são importantes e podem tornar essa espécie útil para o controlo biológico.