Plant morphological traits associated with field resistance to cardamom thrips (Sciothrips cardamomi) in cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum)

Cardamom thrips (Sciothrips cardamomi) is a major insect pest of cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum) causing severe economic losses to the crop in all cardamom producing countries. The present control measures rely heavily on chemical insecticides, which in addition to increased input costs also lead to pesticide residues in the produce and environmental hazards. Although the crop is of high commercial value, limited efforts have been made to identify sources of resistance to this major pest. Exploiting sources of resistance along with integrated pest management tactics will help to reduce pesticide usage in this crop promoting sustainable production. The present study aimed at identifying sources of resistance against cardamom thrips and the associated plant morphological traits conferring resistance against the pest. Field screening of 180 cardamom germplasm accessions for 3 years at Appangala, Karnataka, India, resulted in identification of eight accessions resistant to cardamom thrips. Differences in panicle type and the nature of adherence of leaf sheath to the pseudostem explained a significant amount of the variance in resistance and therefore are likely to play a major role in conferring resistance against this pest. Multiple regression analysis of the different traits indicated that accessions with prostrate panicles having leaf sheath loosely adhered to the pseudostems were found to have significantly less thrips damage, when compared with other panicle and leaf sheath types. However, persistence of flower bract did not have a significant additive effect on imparting resistance against thrips. Metabolomic analysis of the accessions may provide further insight into the existence of supplementary biochemical mechanisms, if any, in imparting resistance. The identified traits and accessions can be exploited in future breeding programmes for developing thrips resistant cardamom varieties.     

Evaluation of non-conventional treatments for control of the biting louse (Bovicola ovis) on sheep

variety of non-conventional treatments was applied to biting louse ( Bovicola ovis ) infested sheep in order to evaluate ways in which farmers could control the louse infestations and still maintain Organic Production Standards.
In one trial, louse scores of sheep shorn but kept dry or wetted by water alone or with water plus detergent were compared with unshorn sheep treated similarly. Shearing alone accounted for a 35.7–66.3% reduction in mean louse scores. Wetting alone either with water or with water and added detergent accounted for a 26.9–35.3% reduction in mean louse scores. The combined effects on mean louse scores of shearing and wetting, as opposed to shearing alone, were statistically significant on two of the three farms at 32–35 days post-treatment. The effects persisted for the duration of the trial (between 48 and 52 days), at which point shearing and wetting with detergent provided 95.3–99.6% control of lice. In a second trial, a range of insecticidal substances considered acceptable by Organic Production Standards, azadirachtin (neem), pyrethrum, soap, was applied to louse-infested sheep and their efficacy compared with that of a commercial formulation of cypermethrin. The sheep treated with azadirachtin and pyrethrum had significantly fewer lice than either the control or soap treated sheep over the 48 days of the trial. Neither azadirachtin nor pyrethrum were significantly less effective than cypermethrin. Control (reduction in louse score) of 85.0–100% was achieved over the period of the trial.
It is concluded that most of the non-conventional treatments evaluated had a useful and cost-effective role to play in reducing louse numbers on sheep for at least 40–50 days. The lack of persistence compared with that obtained with conventional insecticides was the only apparent drawback.     

No effect of the ectoparasite Crataerina pallida on reproduction of Common Swifts Apus apus

Previous studies have failed to ascertain negative effects of the Swift Lousefly Crataerina pallida parasitism on Common Swifts Apus apus. Abundances of C. pallida were experimentally manipulated to create broods experiencing either enhanced or reduced parasitism, and host life‐history traits were examined. No significant differences in clutch and brood size, rate of growth, asymptotic and fledging mass and size, or the number of fledglings per nest were observed. Reductions in parasite virulence may have developed due to the connection of C. pallida and host success, or costs may be borne by traits not influencing immediate fledging success.     

Stable isotopes reveal contrasting trophic dynamics between host–parasite relationships: A case study of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) and parasitic lice (Lepeophtheirus salmonis and Argulus foliaceus)

Across existing fish host–parasite literature, endoparasites were depleted in δ¹⁵N compared to their hosts, while ectoparasitic values demonstrated enrichment, depletion and equivalence relative to their hosts. δ¹³C enrichment varied extensively for both endo- and ectoparasites across taxa and host tissues. In our case study, sea lice (Lepeophtheirus salmonis) were enriched in δ¹⁵N relative to their farmed Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) hosts, although the value contradicted the average that is currently assumed across the animal kingdom. Common fish lice (Argulus foliaceus) did not show a consistent trend in δ¹⁵N compared to their wild S. salar hosts. Both parasitic species had a range of δ¹³C enrichment patterns relative to their hosts. Farmed and wild S. salar had contrasting δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N, and signals varied across muscle, fin and skin within both groups. L. salmonis and A. foliaceus subsequently had unique δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N, and L. salmonis from opposite US coasts differed in δ¹⁵N. Given the range of enrichment patterns that were exhibited across the literature and in our study system, trophic dynamics from host to parasite do not conform to traditional prey to predator standards. Furthermore, there does not appear to be a universal enrichment pathway for δ¹³C nor δ¹⁵N in parasitic relationships, which emphasizes the need to investigate host–parasite linkages across species.     

Ecological interactions among insect herbivores,ants and the host plant Baccharis dracunculifolia in a Brazilian mountain ecosystem

Insect–plant interactions occur in several ways and have considerable environmental and ecological importance. Many feeding strategies have evolved among herbivorous insects, with host–herbivore systems likely being influenced by trophobionts with ants. We investigated how these interactions vary across elevation gradients by evaluating the structure of the herbivorous insect community and ants associated with Baccharis dracunculifolia at three distinct elevations (800, 1100, and 1400 m a.s.l.) on a mountain in southeastern Brazil. Moreover, we evaluated the diversity and specialisation of interactions between herbivores and host plants along the elevational gradient. We sampled herbivores and ants on 60 plants at each elevation (totalling 180 plant individuals). Herbivore species composition differed among elevations, as did interaction diversity and specialisation. Richness and abundance of chewing insects increased with elevation, while β‐diversity among patches of the host plant was higher at the lowest elevation, probably due to the patchy occurrence of B. dracunculifolia. Richness and abundance of sap‐sucking insects were higher at the intermediate elevation, possibly due to local environmental conditions. We observed a positive relationship between ant and herbivore trophobiont richness on B. dracunculifolia. We found that interactions were more specialised and less diverse at higher elevations compared to the lowest elevation. Changes in vegetation and environmental variables shaped species distributions and their ecological interactions along the elevation gradient. Our study demonstrates that increased elevation changes the structure and patterns of interactions of the herbivore insect guilds associated with the host plant B. dracunculifolia. Ant effects depend on the context, the environment, and the species of ants involved, and are essential for the presence of insect trophobionts.     

母亲声音刺激联合非营养性吸吮对早产儿经口喂养的影响

目的:探讨母亲声音刺激联合非营养性吸吮对早产儿经口喂养的影响。方法:选取2018年1月至2018年12月间在本院新生儿科病房住院早产儿(200例)作为研究对象,随机分为对照组(70例)、研究组A(65例)、研究组B(65例)。对照组按照新生儿科常规管理,研究组A在常规管理基础上给予单纯母亲声音刺激,研究组B在常规管理、单纯母亲声音刺激基础上,给予非营养性吸允管理。比较各组的喂养进程、喂养表现、体质量增长情况、喂养不耐受评分。结果:研究组A、研究组B的完全经口喂养时的纠正胎龄(PMA)、过渡时间均明显短于对照组,且研究组B均明显短于研究组A,差异均有统计学意义(P0.05);研究组A、研究组B的开始经口喂养时喂养效率、完全经口喂养时喂养效率均明显高于对照组,且研究组B均明显高于研究组A,差异均有统计学意义(P0.05);研究组A、研究组B的完全经口喂养时体质量、出院时体质量均明显低于对照组,且研究组B均明显低于研究组A,差异均有统计学意义(P0.05)。研究组B与对照组间的喂养不耐受评分情况差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:母亲声音刺激联合非营养性吸吮可促进早产儿经口喂养进程,改善经口喂养表现,减少喂养不耐受发生率,加快恢复至出生体质量的时间。     

Minimizing cows’ stress when calves were early weaned using the two-step method with nose flaps

Early weaning may be used in beef cattle production to improve reproduction rates in range conditions. However, weaning causes a stress response in cows, which may be especially strong in early weaning management, as the bond between the cow and the calf is still strong. We hypothesized that weaning calves in two steps, with the aid of anti-sucking devices (nose flaps) would reduce the behavioural stress response in the cows separated from their calves 2 months after parturition. We compared the behaviour frequency and weight change in cows that were weaned abruptly, by separation of the calf on day 0 of the study, or in two steps, consisting of the use of anti-sucking nose flaps for 5 days before permanent separation; a third group was not weaned to serve as control. Thirty-six crossbred multiparous Aberdeen Angus×Hereford cows and their calves (n=12/treatment) were managed in three paddocks with similar pasture availability, with four dyads from each treatment per paddock. Cows’ behaviour was observed by direct visual instantaneous sampling, at 10 min intervals from days −3 to 11. Weaning the calves in two steps clearly attenuated the behavioural stress response observed in abruptly weaned cows, which included reductions in grazing and lying, and increases in pacing, walking and vocalizing. Our results corroborate those previously shown for cows nursing older calves, and indicate that step weaning can reduce the behavioural stress response of cows at weaning, even when the calf is weaned shortly after birth, when the bond between the cow and calf is still very strong.     

Negligible Egg Positive Rate of Enterobius vermicularis and No Detection of Head Lice among Orphanage Children in Busan and Ulsan,Korea (2014)

To determine whether pinworm infections and head lice infestations spread among children in orphanages, 117 children from 4 orphanages in Busan-si and Ulsan-si, Korea, were examined for enterobiasis and head lice infestation between January and February 2014. The overall rate of Enterobius vermicularis egg positivity was 0.85%, whereas none of the children had head lice infestations. The rate of pinworm infection was much lower among the orphanage children compared to the rates observed in previous studies among kindergarten and primary school students. Moreover, the risk factors for enterobiasis were less frequent among these subjects than previously reported. The personal hygiene and health of the orphanage children were supervised by a regular, employed nurse through a health education program. In conclusion, pinworm infection was efficiently controlled among the children in orphanages, and this might be related to good personal hygiene practices in Korea.     

Transmission of cotton seed and boll rotting bacteria by the southern green stink bug (Nezara viridula L.)

AIMS: To determine the ability of the southern green stink bug (SGSB) (Nezara viridula L.) to transmit Pantoea agglomerans into cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) bolls. METHODS AND RESULTS: An SGSB laboratory colony was kept on fresh green beans. A P. agglomerans variant resistant to rifampicin (Rif) (strain Sc 1-R) was used as the opportunistic cotton pathogen. Adult insects were individually provided green beans that were sterilized and then soaked in either sterile water or in a suspension of strain Sc 1-R. Insects were individually caged with an unopened greenhouse-grown cotton boll. After 2 days, live SGSB were collected, surfaced sterilized, ground, serially diluted, and then plated on nonselective media and media amended with Rif. Exterior and interior evidence of feeding on bolls was recorded 2 weeks after exposure to insects. Seed and lint tissue were harvested, ground, serially diluted, and then plated on media with and without Rif. Bacteria were recovered on nonselective media from all insects, and from seed and lint with signs of insect feeding at concentrations ranging from 10(2) to 10(9) CFU g(-1) tissue. The Sc 1-R strain was isolated only from insects exposed to the marked strain and from seed and lint of respective bolls showing signs of insect feeding. Evidence of insect feeding on the exterior wall of the carpel was not always apparent (47%), whereas feeding was always observed (100%) on the interior wall in association with bacterial infections of seed and lint. CONCLUSIONS: Nezara viridula readily ingested the opportunistic P. agglomerans strain Sc 1-R and transmitted it into unopened cotton bolls. Infections by the transmitted Sc 1-R strain caused rotting of the entire locule that masked internal carpel wounds incurred by insect feeding. Bacteria were recovered from penetration points by insects not exposed to the pathogen, but locule damage was limited to the area surrounding the feeding site (c. 3 mm). SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This is the first study that demonstrates the ability of SGSB to acquire and transmit plant pathogenic bacteria into cotton bolls.     

Exploring levels of egg parasitism and variation in egg cuticular chemistry in different Clavigralla spp.

Clavigralla spp. (Hemiptera: Coreidae) are major pests of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp, Fabacae), common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L., Fabacae) and pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan L., Fabacae) in Africa. Clavigralla spp. egg parasitoids, Gryon spp. (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae), have previously been reported as potential biological control candidates. Little is known about the parasitism levels and their potential relationship with cuticular chemistry of Clavigralla spp. The aims of this study were to determine parasitism levels of Clavigralla tomentosicollis Stål (Hemiptera: Coreidae) and C. elongata Signoret (Hemiptera: Coreidae) eggs, and to explore the relationship between egg parasitism and egg cuticular chemistry. High parasitism levels were determined for C. tomentosicollis by collecting eggs from plants in mono‐cropping and multi‐cropping systems in farmers’ fields in Bénin and Kenya between April and June 2016. Three species of Clavigralla were recorded: C. tomentosicollis, C. shadabi and C. elongata. Clavigralla tomentosicollis was the most common in both countries, while C. shadabi and C. elongata were only collected in Bénin and Kenya, respectively. An egg parasitoid (Gryon sp.) was recovered from egg batches collected from both countries. In parasitism assays using Gryon sp., the incidence of parasitism was higher in C. tomentosicollis eggs than that of C. elongata. Chemical analysis by coupled gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) of cuticular extracts obtained from C. tomentosicollis and C. elongata eggs identified fifteen compounds including ten alkanes of which the amounts varied between the two species. We speculate that Clavigralla spp. cuticular chemistry may serve as potential host location cues for Gryon sp.