A geographic distribution database of the Neotropical cassava whitefly complex (Hemiptera,Aleyrodidae) and their associated parasitoids and hyperparasitoids (Hymenoptera)

Whiteflies (Hemiptera, Aleyrodidae) are represented by more than 1,500 herbivorous species around the world. Some of them are notorious pests of cassava (Manihot esculenta), a primary food crop in the tropics. Particularly destructive is a complex of Neotropical cassava whiteflies whose distribution remains restricted to their native range. Despite their importance, neither their distribution, nor that of their associated parasitoids, is well documented. This paper therefore reports observational and specimen-based occurrence records of Neotropical cassava whiteflies and their associated parasitoids and hyperparasitoids. The dataset consists of 1,311 distribution records documented by the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) between 1975 and 2012. The specimens are held at CIAT’s Arthropod Reference Collection (CIATARC, Cali, Colombia). Eleven species of whiteflies, 14 species of parasitoids and one species of hyperparasitoids are reported. Approximately 66% of the whitefly records belong to Aleurotrachelus socialis and 16% to Bemisia tuberculata. The parasitoids with most records are Encarsia hispida, Amitus macgowni and Encarsia bellottii for Aleurotrachelus socialis; and Encarsia sophia for Bemisia tuberculata. The complete dataset is available in Darwin Core Archive format via the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF).     

A new species of the brown lacewing genus Zachobiella Banks from China (Neuroptera,Hemerobiidae) with a key to species

The genus Zachobiella Banks, 1920 is reviewed and a new species Zachobiella yunanica sp. n. described from China. All species found in China are redescribed, and Zachobiella submarginata Esben-Petersen, 1929 is recorded from China for the first time. A key to the adults of Zachobiella is provided.     

Analyses of volatiles produced by the African fruit fly species complex (Diptera,Tephritidae)

Ceratitis fasciventris, Ceratitis anonae and Ceratitis rosa are polyphagous agricultural pests originating from the African continent. The taxonomy of this group (the so-called Ceratitis FAR complex) is unclear. To clarify the taxonomic relationships, male and female-produced volatiles presumably involved in pre-mating communication were studied using comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography with time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC×GC-TOFMS) followed by multivariate analysis, and gas chromatography combined with electroantennographic detection (GC-EAD). GC×GC-TOFMS analyses revealed sex specific differences in produced volatiles. Male volatiles are complex mixtures that differ both qualitatively and quantitatively but share some common compounds. GC-EAD analyses of male volatiles revealed that the antennal sensitivities of females significantly differ in the studied species. No female volatiles elicited antennal responses in males. The results show clear species-specific differences in volatile production and provide complementary information for the distinct delimitation of the putative species by chemotaxonomic markers.     

Revision of “Phyllobrotica” from Taiwan with description of Jolibrotica gen. n. (Coleoptera,Chrysomelidae, Galerucinae)

All Taiwanese species formerly classified the genus Phyllobrotica Chevrolat, 1836 are revised. Jolibrotica Lee & Bezděk, gen. n., is described for Phyllobrotica sauteri (Chûjô, 1935) (Taiwan, China: Guangxi) and Phyllobrotica chujoi Kimoto, 1969 (Taiwan). Phyllobrotica shirozui Kimoto, 1969 is transferred to the genus Haplosomoides. All species are redescribed and their diagnostic characters illustrated.     

A new genus and four new species of Eriophyidae from China (Acari: Eriophyoidea)

One new genus and four new species of eriophyoid mites from Hainan, China are described and illustrated in this paper: Dicoxiseta Wang, Tan & Yang, gen. nov., D. litsea Wang, Tan & Yang, sp. nov. infesting Litsea monopetala(Roxb.) Pers.(Lauraceae), Eriophyes casearius Wang, Yang & Tan, sp. nov. infesting Casearia glomerata Roxb.(Flacourtiaceae), Phyllocoptruta alstonia Wang, Gu & Tan, sp. nov. infesting Alstonia scholaris(L.) R. Br.(Apocynaceae) and Aculus paederius Wang, Gu & Tan, sp. nov. infesting Paederia scandens(Lour.) Merr.(Rubiaceae). Tegolophus artocarpi Keifer, 1977 is newly recorded from China. E. casearius Wang, Yang & Tan, sp. nov. distorts severely new foliage of its host plant. Three species, P. alstonia Wang, Gu & Tan, sp. nov., A. paederius Wang, Gu & Tan, sp. nov. and T. artocarpi, cause rust on the undersurfaces of host plants, while D. litsea Wang, Tan & Yang, sp. nov. is a vagrant on the undersurface of host plant leaves, without visible symptom.     

低镁胁迫对低温下黄瓜幼苗光合特性和抗氧化系统的影响

以‘津优3号’黄瓜幼苗为试材,以Hoagland全营养液处理为对照(CK),研究低镁(30％Mg)胁迫对低温(昼/夜温度12℃/8℃)下黄瓜幼苗光合特性和抗氧化系统的影响.结果表明:低温下30％Mg处理黄瓜幼苗叶片Mg含量显著低于CK,而根中Mg含量与CK差异不显著.随着低温胁迫时间的延长,黄瓜幼苗叶片的叶绿素含量、净光合速率(Pn)、气孔导度(gs)和羧化效率(CE)逐渐降低,胞间CO2浓度(Ci)趋于升高.与CK相比,低温下30％ Mg处理叶片叶绿素含量、Pn、gs和CE显著降低,C-变化不大,叶绿体膜损伤严重,叶绿体数、基粒数和片层数较少,淀粉粒数增加,淀粉粒较长,丙二醛(MDA)含量升高,而超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化物酶(POD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)、抗坏血酸过氧化物酶(APX)和谷胱甘肽还原酶(GR)活性降低.可见,低温下镁运输受阻引起的缺镁是叶片失绿的主要原因;低温引起Pn降低的主要原因是非气孔限制,低镁胁迫会加大低温对黄瓜Pn的影响,而由此引起的Pn降低的主要原因是气孔限制.     

Genetic Diversity and Pathogenicity of Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. melonis Races from Different Areas of Italy

Fusarium wilt caused by Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. melonis (FOM) is a devastating disease of melon worldwide. Pathogenicity tests performed with F. oxysporum isolates obtained from Italian melon‐growing areas allowed to identify thirty‐four FOM isolates and the presence of all four races. The aims of this work were to examine genetic relatedness among FOM isolates by race determination and to perform phylogenetic analyses of identified FOM races including also other formae speciales of F. oxysporum of cucurbits. Results showed that FOM race 1,2 was the most numerous with a total of eighteen isolates, while six and nine isolates were identified as race 0 and 1, respectively, and just one isolate was assigned to race 2. Phylogenetic analysis was performed by random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) profiling and by translation elongation factor‐1α (TEF‐1α) sequencing. The analysis of RAPD profiles separated FOM races into two distinct clades. Clade 1, which included races 0, 1 and 1,2, was further divided into ‘subclade a’ which grouped almost all race 1,2 isolates, and into ‘subclade b’ which included race 0 and 1 isolates. Clade 2 comprised only race 2 isolates. The phylogenetic analysis based on TEF‐1α separated FOM from the other formae speciales of F. oxysporum. Also with TEF‐1α analysis, FOM races 0, 1 and 1,2 isolates grouped in one single clade clearly separated from FOM race 2 isolates which grouped closer to F. oxysporum f.sp. cucumerinum. RAPD technique was more effective than TEF‐1α in differentiating FOM race 1,2 isolates from those belonging to the closely related races 0 and 1. Both phylogenetic analyses supported the close relationship between the three different FOM races which might imply the derivation from one another and the different origin of FOM race 2.     

Suitability of Zucchini and Cucumber Genotypes to Populations of Meloidogyne arenaria,M. incognita,and M. javanica

The host suitability of five zucchini and three cucumber genotypes to Meloidogyne incognita (MiPM26) and M. javanica (Mj05) was determined in pot experiments in a greenhouse. The number of egg masses (EM) did not differ among the genotypes of zucchini or cucumber, but the eggs/plant and reproduction factor (Rf) did slightly. M. incognita MiPM26 showed lower EM, eggs/plant, and Rf than M. javanica Mj05. Examination of the zucchini galls for nematode postinfection development revealed unsuitable conditions for M. incognita MiPM26 as only 22% of the females produced EM compared to 95% of the M. javanica females. As far as cucumber was concerned, 86% of the M. incognita and 99% of the M. javanica females produced EM, respectively. In a second type of experiments, several populations of M. arenaria, M. incognita, and M. javanica were tested on zucchini cv. Amalthee and cucumber cv. Dasher II to assess the parasitic variation among species and populations of Meloidogyne. A greater parasitic variation was observed in zucchini than cucumber. Zucchini responded as a poor host for M. incognita MiPM26, MiAL09, and MiAL48, but as a good host for MiAL10 and MiAL15. Intraspecific variation was not observed among the M. javanica or M. arenaria populations. Cucumber was a good host for all the tested populations. Overall, both cucurbits were suitable hosts for Meloidogyne but zucchini was a poorer host than the cucumber.