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More than 35 years of experience in the area of agricultural entomology and phytopathology, including graduate and post-graduate stays abroad, a MSc. degree (1987) in Entomology obtained at Purdue University, (West Lafayette, Indiana) and a Postdoctoral stay at University of California, Riverside (1989). A 1-year sabbatical stay at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (1997) completed the background in the area of applied entomology and insect vectors of plant pathogens. My fields of specialization include insect feeding behaviour, insect ecology, virus-vector-plant interactions, viruses epidemiology and integrated pest management
Trioza erytreae, the African citrus psyllid, is a vector of Candidatus Liberibacter spp., the causal agent of the citrus greening disease or Huanglongbing (HLB). The spread of the vector throughout the Iberian Peninsula has been continuous since its introduction in mainland Spain in 2014. The patterns of host preference and feeding behaviour largely depend on olfactory cues. Understanding these patterns is crucial to prevent further dispersion and develop management measures against the pest. In this work, a series of settlement, olfactometric, probing, and feeding experiments were conducted to assess the host preference of T. erytreae for lemon or bitter orange plants. The settlement experiment provided evidence on the preference of both sexes of T. erytreae for lemon plants, whereas males did not show any significant choice pattern in the case of the olfactometric assays. Forty EPG variables were analysed to describe and compare the probing and feeding behaviour of T. erytreae on lemon and bitter orange plants. The EPG variables indicated that T. erytreae has some difficulties in accepting the phloem of bitter orange plants. This suggests that lemon plants would be a better source for the acquisition of Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus (CLas) by T. erytreae since the psyllid spends much longer periods feeding from the phloem on lemon than on bitter orange.
Jacinto Benhadi-Marín; Elisa Garzo; Aránzazu Moreno; José Alberto Pereira; Alberto Fereres. Host plant preference of Trioza erytreae on lemon and bitter orange plants. Arthropod-Plant Interactions 2021, 1 -10.
AMA StyleJacinto Benhadi-Marín, Elisa Garzo, Aránzazu Moreno, José Alberto Pereira, Alberto Fereres. Host plant preference of Trioza erytreae on lemon and bitter orange plants. Arthropod-Plant Interactions. 2021; ():1-10.
Chicago/Turabian StyleJacinto Benhadi-Marín; Elisa Garzo; Aránzazu Moreno; José Alberto Pereira; Alberto Fereres. 2021. "Host plant preference of Trioza erytreae on lemon and bitter orange plants." Arthropod-Plant Interactions , no. : 1-10.
The bacterium Xylella fastidiosa (Xf) is an invasive insect-borne pathogen, which causes lethal diseases to important crops including olives, citrus, almonds and grapes as well as numerous forest, ornamental, and uncultivated plants. Outbreaks of Xf-related plant diseases are currently occurring in the Mediterranean region, causing substantial losses to various agricultural sectors. Several models have recently been published to identify which regions are at highest risk in Europe; however, such models did not consider the insect vectors, which constitute the key driver of short-range Xf spread. We fitted bioclimatic species distribution models to depict the macroclimatic preferences of the meadow spittlebug Philaenus spumarius L. (1978) (Hemiptera: Aphrophoridae), the major epidemiologically relevant vector currently responsible for Xf spread in the Europe. Many regions of Western Europe and Mediterranean basin are predicted by models as highly climatically suitable for this vector, including all regions where severe Xf have occurred so far. Conversely, the driest and warmest areas of the Mediterranean basin are predicted as little suitable for P. spumarius. Models forecast that agricultural-important parts of the southern Mediterranean area might experience a substantial decrease in climatic suitability for P. spumarius by the period 2040–2060. Areas predicted as highly suitable just for the bacterium but not optimal for this vector are apparently still free of severe Xf outbreaks, suggesting that climate tolerances of P. spumarius might partly explain the current spatial pattern of Xf outbreaks in Europe and should always be considered in further risk assessments.
M. Godefroid; M. Morente; T. Schartel; D. Cornara; A. Purcell; D. Gallego; A. Moreno; J. A. Pereira; A. Fereres. Climate tolerances of Philaenus spumarius should be considered in risk assessment of disease outbreaks related to Xylella fastidiosa. Journal of Pest Science 2021, 1 -14.
AMA StyleM. Godefroid, M. Morente, T. Schartel, D. Cornara, A. Purcell, D. Gallego, A. Moreno, J. A. Pereira, A. Fereres. Climate tolerances of Philaenus spumarius should be considered in risk assessment of disease outbreaks related to Xylella fastidiosa. Journal of Pest Science. 2021; ():1-14.
Chicago/Turabian StyleM. Godefroid; M. Morente; T. Schartel; D. Cornara; A. Purcell; D. Gallego; A. Moreno; J. A. Pereira; A. Fereres. 2021. "Climate tolerances of Philaenus spumarius should be considered in risk assessment of disease outbreaks related to Xylella fastidiosa." Journal of Pest Science , no. : 1-14.
Neophilaenus campestris is one of the spittlebugs (Hemiptera: Cercopoidea) able to transmit Xylella fastidiosa to olive trees. Considering its vector ability and the wide distribution of this species in Spain, N. campestris should be considered a serious threat to key crops such as olive, almonds and grapevines. Migration and dispersal abilities of insect vectors have profound implications in the spread of vector‐borne diseases. Thus, knowledge on the dispersal ability of N. campestris is essential to model, predict and limit the spread of the diseases caused by X. fastidiosa. A mass‐mark‐recapture technique was developed to track between‐field movements of N. campestris during its late spring migration from the ground cover grasses within olive groves to sheltered areas dominated by pine trees. The fluorescent dust used for marking did not affect the survival nor the flying ability of N. campestris. Spittlebug adults captured in olive groves during late spring were dusted with fluorescent colours and released in different locations. Six recapture samplings were performed 23–42 days after release in 12 different sites located within a maximum distance of 2.8 km from the release point. Results indicated that N. campestris was able to disperse a maximum distance of 2,47 m in 35 days. Furthermore, flight mill studies showed that N. campestris was able to fly long distances, reaching 1.4 km in an 82‐min single flight. Altogether, our findings suggest that eradication measures are of limited value because vectors are able to disperse rapidly over distances much longer than expected.
Clara Lago; Marina Morente; Daniel De Las Heras‐Bravo; Antonio Martí‐Campoy; Francisco Rodríguez‐Ballester; María Plaza; Aránzazu Moreno; Alberto Fereres. Dispersal of Neophilaenus campestris , a vector of Xylella fastidiosa , from olive groves to over‐summering hosts. Journal of Applied Entomology 2021, 145, 648 -659.
AMA StyleClara Lago, Marina Morente, Daniel De Las Heras‐Bravo, Antonio Martí‐Campoy, Francisco Rodríguez‐Ballester, María Plaza, Aránzazu Moreno, Alberto Fereres. Dispersal of Neophilaenus campestris , a vector of Xylella fastidiosa , from olive groves to over‐summering hosts. Journal of Applied Entomology. 2021; 145 (7):648-659.
Chicago/Turabian StyleClara Lago; Marina Morente; Daniel De Las Heras‐Bravo; Antonio Martí‐Campoy; Francisco Rodríguez‐Ballester; María Plaza; Aránzazu Moreno; Alberto Fereres. 2021. "Dispersal of Neophilaenus campestris , a vector of Xylella fastidiosa , from olive groves to over‐summering hosts." Journal of Applied Entomology 145, no. 7: 648-659.
Developing efficient sampling protocols is essential to monitor crop pests. One vector of the citrus disease HLB, the African citrus psyllid Trioza erytreae Del Guercio, 1918 (Hemiptera: Triozidae), currently threatens the lemon industry throughout the Mediterranean region. In this work, a pool of sampling methods devoted to monitoring the population of T. erytreae was compared, its spatial distribution in the orchard was assessed, and the minimum sampling effort for the best sampling method was estimated. Three lemon orchards in North‐western Portugal were sampled for one year using two types of yellow sticky traps (standard yellow and fluorescent Saturn yellow), B‐vac sampling and sweep net sampling. The method that best performed, in terms of cost‐efficiency, was the yellow sticky traps. The two colours of the sticky traps tested did not yield a significantly different number of catches. The spatial distribution throughout the orchards was found to be aggregated towards the borders. A minimum of three sticky traps per hectare was found to be enough to estimate the population at 90% accuracy for the mean during the outbreak. These results should help to monitor and anticipate outbreaks that may even colonize neighbour orchards. Studies on the local dispersion patterns of T. erytreae throughout the orchard are mandatory to further refine and optimize efficient monitoring protocols.
Jacinto Benhadi‐Marín; Luís F. Pereira; Isabel Rodrigues; Alberto Fereres; José Alberto Pereira. Sampling and distribution pattern of Trioza erytreae Del Guercio, 1918 (Hemiptera: Triozidae) in citrus orchard. Journal of Applied Entomology 2021, 145, 601 -611.
AMA StyleJacinto Benhadi‐Marín, Luís F. Pereira, Isabel Rodrigues, Alberto Fereres, José Alberto Pereira. Sampling and distribution pattern of Trioza erytreae Del Guercio, 1918 (Hemiptera: Triozidae) in citrus orchard. Journal of Applied Entomology. 2021; 145 (6):601-611.
Chicago/Turabian StyleJacinto Benhadi‐Marín; Luís F. Pereira; Isabel Rodrigues; Alberto Fereres; José Alberto Pereira. 2021. "Sampling and distribution pattern of Trioza erytreae Del Guercio, 1918 (Hemiptera: Triozidae) in citrus orchard." Journal of Applied Entomology 145, no. 6: 601-611.
The green peach aphid Myzus persicae Sulzer is the main vector of the semipersistently transmitted and phloem-limited Beet yellows virus (BYV, Closterovirus). Studies monitoring the M. persicae probing behavior by using the Electrical penetration graphs (EPG) technique revealed that inoculation of BYV occurs during unique brief intracellular punctures (phloem-pds) produced in companion and/or sieve element cells. Intracellular stylet punctures (or pds) are subdivided in three subphases (II-1, II-2 and II-3), which have been related to the delivery or uptake of non-phloem limited viruses transmitted in a non-persistent or semipersistent manner. As opposed to non-phloem limited viruses, the specific pd subphase(s) involved in the successful delivery of phloem limited viruses by aphids remain unknown. Therefore, we monitored the feeding process of BYV-carrying M. persicae individuals in sugar beet plants by the EPG technique and the feeding process was artificially terminated at each phloem-pd subphase. Results revealed that aphids that only performed the subphase II-1 of the phloem-pd transmitted BYV at similar efficiency than those allowed to perform subphase II-2 or the complete phloem-pd. This result suggests that BYV inoculation occurs during the first subphase of the phloem-pd. The specific transmission mechanisms involved in BYV delivery in phloem cells are discussed.
Jaime Jiménez; Aránzazu Moreno; Alberto Fereres. Semipersistently Transmitted, Phloem Limited Plant Viruses Are Inoculated during the First Subphase of Intracellular Stylet Penetrations in Phloem Cells. Viruses 2021, 13, 137 .
AMA StyleJaime Jiménez, Aránzazu Moreno, Alberto Fereres. Semipersistently Transmitted, Phloem Limited Plant Viruses Are Inoculated during the First Subphase of Intracellular Stylet Penetrations in Phloem Cells. Viruses. 2021; 13 (1):137.
Chicago/Turabian StyleJaime Jiménez; Aránzazu Moreno; Alberto Fereres. 2021. "Semipersistently Transmitted, Phloem Limited Plant Viruses Are Inoculated during the First Subphase of Intracellular Stylet Penetrations in Phloem Cells." Viruses 13, no. 1: 137.
The “citrus greening disease” or huanglongbing is caused by the Gram-negative bacterium Candidatus liberibacter spp. One vector of HLB, the African citrus psyllid Trioza erytreae (del Guercio, 1918), was recorded for the first time in 2014 in mainland Spain and since then it has spread throughout the Iberian Peninsula. Measures against T. erytreae include chemical treatments and quarantine although eradication programmes have been of limited success or even failed. The biological control of T. erytreae has been little developed yet. Among natural enemies, spiders may encompass a promising group of predators. The objective of this work was to assess the potential of spiders as natural enemies of T. erytreae. A Citrus limon orchard was selected in northwestern Portugal in the area colonized by T. erytreae. A total of 100 webs (50 above and 50 below 1.5 m) were visually inspected throughout the orchard in August 2020. The family of the web-builder, web size, number of adults of T. erytreae captured by each web, and the temperature and humidity were registered. Temperature and humidity did not significantly differ between the two vertical strata. Web size was significantly higher in the lower strata whereas the number of captured adults of T. erytreae was significantly higher in the upper strata. The dominant family in the upper strata was Theridiidae corresponding with the most successful webs capturing adults of T. erytreae. Our results suggest that web architecture was the only factor driving the number of captured adults of T. erytreae. Thus, space web builders could be the most successful natural enemies of T. erytreae among aerial web builders.
Jacinto Benhadi-Marín; Diogo Oliveira; Alberto Fereres; José Pereira. Observations on the Potential of Spiders as Natural Enemies of Trioza erytreae (del Guercio, 1918; Hemiptera: Triozidae) in the Citrus Agroecosystem in Portugal. Biology and Life Sciences Forum 2020, 4, 10 .
AMA StyleJacinto Benhadi-Marín, Diogo Oliveira, Alberto Fereres, José Pereira. Observations on the Potential of Spiders as Natural Enemies of Trioza erytreae (del Guercio, 1918; Hemiptera: Triozidae) in the Citrus Agroecosystem in Portugal. Biology and Life Sciences Forum. 2020; 4 (1):10.
Chicago/Turabian StyleJacinto Benhadi-Marín; Diogo Oliveira; Alberto Fereres; José Pereira. 2020. "Observations on the Potential of Spiders as Natural Enemies of Trioza erytreae (del Guercio, 1918; Hemiptera: Triozidae) in the Citrus Agroecosystem in Portugal." Biology and Life Sciences Forum 4, no. 1: 10.
The salicylic acid analog BTH (benzo-(1,2,3)-thiadiazole-7-carbothioic-acid S-methyl ester) induces systemic acquired resistance by promoting plant resistance against numerous plant pathogens and some insect pests. The objective of the research was to evaluate the activation of plant defenses with BTH on melon (Cucumis melo L., Cucurbitaceae) and its effects on the herbivore Aphis gossypii Glover, 1877 (Hemiptera: Aphididae) and on the aphid predator Chrysoperla carnea (Stephens, 1836) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae). Under laboratory conditions, plants were sprayed with BTH (50 g/ha) zero (B0), four (B4), and seven (B7) days prior exposure to insects. B0 treatment resulted in 100% mortality of aphid nymphs and disrupted adult feeding behavior (recorded by electrical-penetration-graphs technique), by prolonging the time to reach the phloem, requiring more probes to first salivation and reducing ingestion activities. There were no effects on feeding behavior of A. gossypii fed on B4 plants but on its life history because fewer nymphs were born, intrinsic rate of natural growth decreased, and mortality increased. There were no effects on biological parameters of aphids reared on B7 plants. Prey consumption by C. carnea larvae when predated A. gossypii fed on BTH-treated plants was not different among treatments. Therefore, BTH enhances the suppression of A. gossypii in the short term, without negative effects on the predatory larva C. carnea, which makes this plant strengthener a useful tool to be considered in integrated pest management programs.
Ana Moreno-Delafuente; Elisa Garzo; Alberto Fereres; Elisa Viñuela; Pilar Medina. Effects of a Salicylic Acid Analog on Aphis gossypii and Its Predator Chrysoperla carnea on Melon Plants. Agronomy 2020, 10, 1830 .
AMA StyleAna Moreno-Delafuente, Elisa Garzo, Alberto Fereres, Elisa Viñuela, Pilar Medina. Effects of a Salicylic Acid Analog on Aphis gossypii and Its Predator Chrysoperla carnea on Melon Plants. Agronomy. 2020; 10 (11):1830.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAna Moreno-Delafuente; Elisa Garzo; Alberto Fereres; Elisa Viñuela; Pilar Medina. 2020. "Effects of a Salicylic Acid Analog on Aphis gossypii and Its Predator Chrysoperla carnea on Melon Plants." Agronomy 10, no. 11: 1830.
Citrus exports to Europe are regulated enforcing that fruits shall be free from peduncles and leaves, as they represent an important pathway for the entrance of non-European (non-EU) Citrus tristeza virus (CTV) isolates into the European Community. Aphids, are the vectors of CTV and could potentially feed on peduncles of imported fruits and thus spread non-EU isolates of CTV across Europe. We studied the probing behaviour of the main vectors of CTV (Aphis (Toxoptera) citricidus and Aphis gossypii) on lime leaves and peduncles to assess whether they could potentially transmit the virus. Aphids placed on peduncles rejected probing and feeding, tried to escape and spent most of their time on non-probing activities. Our work demonstrated that both A. citricidus and A. gossypii could not ingest sap from the phloem of lime peduncles, as phloem ingestion was never observed. This implies that aphids would not be able to acquire CTV from an infected fruit peduncle and transmit it to a susceptible plant. Our study supports that citrus exports with fruit peduncles to Europe may not be a real risk for the introduction of non-EU isolates of CTV to the European Community.
Carolina Vázquez; Michele Carmo-Sousa; Joao Roberto Spotti Lopes; Alberto Fereres; Aranzazu Moreno. Aphids Are Unable to Ingest Phloem Sap from the Peduncles of Lime Fruits. Plants 2020, 9, 1528 .
AMA StyleCarolina Vázquez, Michele Carmo-Sousa, Joao Roberto Spotti Lopes, Alberto Fereres, Aranzazu Moreno. Aphids Are Unable to Ingest Phloem Sap from the Peduncles of Lime Fruits. Plants. 2020; 9 (11):1528.
Chicago/Turabian StyleCarolina Vázquez; Michele Carmo-Sousa; Joao Roberto Spotti Lopes; Alberto Fereres; Aranzazu Moreno. 2020. "Aphids Are Unable to Ingest Phloem Sap from the Peduncles of Lime Fruits." Plants 9, no. 11: 1528.
The Aphrophoridae family contains important vectors of Xylella fastidiosa, a serious bacterial plant disease. In olive orchards, nymphs usually feed on the ground-cover vegetation. However, detailed information about their populations and host/non-host plants in some regions threatened by Xylella, such as the northeast of Portugal, is very limited. The goal of our work was to identify the vector species, nymphal development period, and their host and non-host herbaceous plants in olive orchards from northeastern Portugal. Ground-cover plant species hosting or not hosting nymphs were identified during the spring of 2017 to 2019 in olive orchards. Nymphal development period, nymph aggregation, and nymph’s preferred feeding height of the ground-cover plants were recorded. The most abundant Aphrophoridae species was Philaenus spumarius followed by Neophilaenus sp. Nymphs developed from April to early May and showed a low number of individuals per foam (generally between one and three). They preferred the middle part of the plants. Philaenus spumarius feeds preferentially on Asteraceae and Fabaceae, and Neophilaenus sp. on Poaceae. Some abundant plants, such as Bromus diandrus, Astragalus pelecinus, Chrysanthemum segetum, Trifolium spp., Caryophyllaceae, and Brassicaceae, were barely colonized by Aphrophoridae nymphs. This knowledge is essential for the selection of the species composition of ground-cover vegetation to minimize the presence of vectors of X. fastidiosa in olive groves.
María Villa; Isabel Rodrigues; Paula Baptista; Alberto Fereres; José Alberto Pereira. Populations and Host/Non-Host Plants of Spittlebugs Nymphs in Olive Orchards from Northeastern Portugal. Insects 2020, 11, 720 .
AMA StyleMaría Villa, Isabel Rodrigues, Paula Baptista, Alberto Fereres, José Alberto Pereira. Populations and Host/Non-Host Plants of Spittlebugs Nymphs in Olive Orchards from Northeastern Portugal. Insects. 2020; 11 (10):720.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMaría Villa; Isabel Rodrigues; Paula Baptista; Alberto Fereres; José Alberto Pereira. 2020. "Populations and Host/Non-Host Plants of Spittlebugs Nymphs in Olive Orchards from Northeastern Portugal." Insects 11, no. 10: 720.
The development of herbivore insects is influenced by the quality of their host plants. Elevated CO2 alters plant metabolism, which may change the nutritional quality of the plant, modifying the life history and feeding behaviour of herbivore insects. Understanding how insect pests respond to increasing CO2 concentration is essential for predicting the impact of the pest on food security. In this study, we investigated the effects of elevated CO2 (eCO2) on the life history and feeding behaviour of the MEAM1 species of Bemisia tabaci on a Bt soybean cultivar. We found that eCO2 increased the egg to adult development time and reduced the reproductive responses (fecundity and fertility) of B. tabaci. The whitefly B. tabaci that fed on the soybean plants grown under eCO2 conditions was negatively influenced by several traits related to the host plant resistance, such as the time spent on phloem sap ingestion. Furthermore, we evaluated the changes in the C:N concentration and plant morphology of the Bt plants. The biomass (weight of leaves and stems) of the Bt soybean plants grown under eCO2 conditions was significantly increased, and the elevated C:N ratio in the phenological stage V6 (i.e. when the plants had six trifoliate leaves developed) was the most pronounced difference in the Bt soybean plants subjected to eCO2 treatment. Taken together, our results indicate that Bt plants cultivated under eCO2 inhibit B. tabaci feeding, which can reduce whitefly infestations of the soybean fields.
Paula Daiana De Paulo; Eliseu José G. Pereira; Eugenio E. Oliveira; Alberto Fereres; Elisa Garzo. Indirect effect of elevated CO 2 concentration on Bemisia tabaci MEAM1 feeding on Bt soybean plants. Journal of Applied Entomology 2020, 144, 941 -951.
AMA StylePaula Daiana De Paulo, Eliseu José G. Pereira, Eugenio E. Oliveira, Alberto Fereres, Elisa Garzo. Indirect effect of elevated CO 2 concentration on Bemisia tabaci MEAM1 feeding on Bt soybean plants. Journal of Applied Entomology. 2020; 144 (10):941-951.
Chicago/Turabian StylePaula Daiana De Paulo; Eliseu José G. Pereira; Eugenio E. Oliveira; Alberto Fereres; Elisa Garzo. 2020. "Indirect effect of elevated CO 2 concentration on Bemisia tabaci MEAM1 feeding on Bt soybean plants." Journal of Applied Entomology 144, no. 10: 941-951.
Assessing the potential of spread of an introduced crop pest in a new country is crucial to anticipating its effects on crop production and deriving phytosanitary management toward reducing potential negative effects. Citrus production represents a key agricultural activity throughout the Mediterranean basin. The African citrus psyllid Trioza erytreae (del Guercio, 1918) (Hemiptera: Triozidae) is a natural vector of Candidatusliberibacter spp., the causal agent of the harmful disease huanglongbing (HLB) or “citrus greening disease”. In continental Europe, T. erytreae was detected for the first time in northwestern Spain in 2014. Pest risk analysis (PRA) approaches, such as modeling, consider both time and space components to predict the potential distribution of pests in a given region. In this work, we aim to parameterize a model able to predict the expected spread of T. erytreae in the Iberian Peninsula using three types of PRA models. The kernel model with two hypothetical entry points accurately predicted the distribution of T. erytreae with respect to latitude. This model should be further refined and validated to support decision-makers in the adoption of timely and successful management and regulatory measures against the spread of T. erytreae to other citrus-producing areas in Europe.
Jacinto Benhadi-Marín; Alberto Fereres; José Alberto Pereira. A Model to Predict the Expansion of Trioza erytreae throughout the Iberian Peninsula Using a Pest Risk Analysis Approach. Insects 2020, 11, 576 .
AMA StyleJacinto Benhadi-Marín, Alberto Fereres, José Alberto Pereira. A Model to Predict the Expansion of Trioza erytreae throughout the Iberian Peninsula Using a Pest Risk Analysis Approach. Insects. 2020; 11 (9):576.
Chicago/Turabian StyleJacinto Benhadi-Marín; Alberto Fereres; José Alberto Pereira. 2020. "A Model to Predict the Expansion of Trioza erytreae throughout the Iberian Peninsula Using a Pest Risk Analysis Approach." Insects 11, no. 9: 576.
Zoophytophagous predators play an important, though sometimes controversial, role in pest management programs in different crops. In tomato crops, damage caused by phytophagy of the mirid Nesidiocoris tenuis has mainly been reported at high predator population levels or when prey is scarce. Previous research has focused on predator/prey ratios, stylet morphology and saliva composition to explain plant damage by N. tenuis. In this study, we investigated the behavioral and mechanical components of the damage. For this, we compared the feeding behaviors of males, females and fifth-instar nymphs of N. tenuis. Additionally, we investigated the type of stylet activities performed by each stage while probing in plant tissue, using the electrical penetration graph technique (EPG). Furthermore, stylectomy was performed and plant histology studied with the aim to correlate the feeding activities observed in the EPG recordings with stylet tip positions in specific tissues of the leaf petioles. Behavioral observations during a 30-min period showed that nymphs probed more frequently (38.6 ± 1.5 probes) than males and females (25.3 ± 1.1 and 24.3 ± 1.1 probes, respectively). Similarly, nymphs spent a higher proportion of time (656.0 ± 67.6 s) feeding on tomato apical sections compared to males and females (403.0 ± 48.8 s and 356.0 ± 43.7 s, respectively). The EPG recordings during 5 h indicated that cell-rupturing was the main stylet activity for all insect stages, and that fifth-instar nymphs spent a higher proportion of time on cell-rupturing events compared to adults. The histological studies revealed a trend of N. tenuis for the tissues within the vascular semi-ring. The stylet tips were found both in the vascular bundles and in the parenchyma of the interfascicular region. The findings of this study confirm an important role of fifth-instar nymphs feeding behavior in the damage potential of N. tenuis. Moreover, the increased time spent on cell rupturing behaviour suggests that stylet laceration and enzymatic maceration of the saliva occurring during this event might greatly contribute to the inflicted damage. A comprehensive understanding of the interactions of N. tenuis with the plant, at both the behavioral and mechanical levels, might shed light on new approaches to minimize its damage potential to tomato while maintaining its benefits as biocontrol agent.
Milena Chinchilla-Ramírez; Elisa Garzo; Alberto Fereres; Jorge Gavara-Vidal; Cindy J.M Ten Broeke; Joop J.A. van Loon; Alberto Urbaneja; Meritxell Pérez-Hedo. Plant feeding by Nesidiocoris tenuis: Quantifying its behavioral and mechanical components. Biological Control 2020, 152, 104402 .
AMA StyleMilena Chinchilla-Ramírez, Elisa Garzo, Alberto Fereres, Jorge Gavara-Vidal, Cindy J.M Ten Broeke, Joop J.A. van Loon, Alberto Urbaneja, Meritxell Pérez-Hedo. Plant feeding by Nesidiocoris tenuis: Quantifying its behavioral and mechanical components. Biological Control. 2020; 152 ():104402.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMilena Chinchilla-Ramírez; Elisa Garzo; Alberto Fereres; Jorge Gavara-Vidal; Cindy J.M Ten Broeke; Joop J.A. van Loon; Alberto Urbaneja; Meritxell Pérez-Hedo. 2020. "Plant feeding by Nesidiocoris tenuis: Quantifying its behavioral and mechanical components." Biological Control 152, no. : 104402.
Bacteria belonging to ‘Candidatus Liberibacter spp.’ are associated with various severe diseases in the five continents. The African citrus psyllid Trioza erytreae (Hemiptera: Triozidae) is an efficient vector of citrus huanglongbing-HLB disease, absent in the Mediterranean basin. This psyllid is currently present in the islands and mainland Portugal and Spain, where the prevalence of ‘Ca. Liberibacter solanacearum’ (CaLsol) associated to a carrot disease is high. Trioza erytreae normally feeds on citrus plants but has also been observed on other crops. It would be a great concern to the Mediterranean citrus industry if T. erytreae could transmit this bacterium from carrots to citrus and cause disease; therefore, the transmission of CaLsol from carrot plants to citrus plants was experimentally assessed. Although CaLsol was initially detected on receptor citrus plants in transmission assays by dodder and budding, the infection was not established. The feeding behavior by electrical penetration graphs and oviposition of T. erytreae on carrot plants versus citrus plants was evaluated. Trioza erytreae only reached the phloem in citrus plants. However, it was able to acquire CaLsol from infected carrots but unable to transmit it to citrus plants. CaLsol was detected in some carrot plants immediately after 7 and 14 days (inoculation access period), but it was not detected after one month. Trioza erytreae was unable to complete its life cycle on carrot plants. In conclusion, the efficient vector of bacteria associated to huanglongbing was unable to transmit CaLsol from carrot to citrus plants, but it acquired and transmitted the bacterium from carrot to carrot plants with low efficiency.
María Quintana-González De Chaves; Gabriela R. Teresani; Estrella Hernández-Suárez; Edson Bertolini; Aránzazu Moreno; Alberto Fereres; Mariano Cambra; Felipe Siverio. ‘Candidatus Liberibacter Solanacearum’ Is Unlikely to Be Transmitted Spontaneously from Infected Carrot Plants to Citrus Plants by Trioza Erytreae. Insects 2020, 11, 514 .
AMA StyleMaría Quintana-González De Chaves, Gabriela R. Teresani, Estrella Hernández-Suárez, Edson Bertolini, Aránzazu Moreno, Alberto Fereres, Mariano Cambra, Felipe Siverio. ‘Candidatus Liberibacter Solanacearum’ Is Unlikely to Be Transmitted Spontaneously from Infected Carrot Plants to Citrus Plants by Trioza Erytreae. Insects. 2020; 11 (8):514.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMaría Quintana-González De Chaves; Gabriela R. Teresani; Estrella Hernández-Suárez; Edson Bertolini; Aránzazu Moreno; Alberto Fereres; Mariano Cambra; Felipe Siverio. 2020. "‘Candidatus Liberibacter Solanacearum’ Is Unlikely to Be Transmitted Spontaneously from Infected Carrot Plants to Citrus Plants by Trioza Erytreae." Insects 11, no. 8: 514.
Climate change impacts crop production, pest and disease pressure, yield stability, and, therefore, food security. In order to understand how climate and atmospheric change factors affect trophic interactions in agriculture, we evaluated the combined effect of elevated carbon dioxide (CO2) and temperature on the interactions among wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), Barley yellow dwarf virus species PAV (BYDV-PAV) and its vector, the bird cherry-oat aphid (Rhopalosiphum padi L.). Plant traits and aphid biological parameters were examined under two climate and atmospheric scenarios, current (ambient CO2 and temperature = 400 ppm and 20 °C), and future predicted (elevated CO2 and temperature = 800 ppm and 22 °C), on non-infected and BYDV-PAV-infected plants. Our results show that combined elevated CO2 and temperature increased plant growth, biomass, and carbon to nitrogen (C:N) ratio, which in turn significantly decreased aphid fecundity and development time. However, virus infection reduced chlorophyll content, biomass, wheat growth and C:N ratio, significantly increased R. padi fecundity and development time. Regardless of virus infection, aphid growth rates remained unchanged under simulated future conditions. Therefore, as R. padi is currently a principal pest in temperate cereal crops worldwide, mainly due to its role as a plant virus vector, it will likely continue to have significant economic importance. Furthermore, an earlier and more distinct virus symptomatology was highlighted under the future predicted scenario, with consequences on virus transmission, disease epidemiology and, thus, wheat yield and quality. These research findings emphasize the complexity of plant–vector–virus interactions expected under future climate and their implications for plant disease and pest incidence in food crops.
Ana Moreno-Delafuente; Elisa Viñuela; Alberto Fereres; Pilar Medina; Piotr Trębicki. Simultaneous Increase in CO2 and Temperature Alters Wheat Growth and Aphid Performance Differently Depending on Virus Infection. Insects 2020, 11, 459 .
AMA StyleAna Moreno-Delafuente, Elisa Viñuela, Alberto Fereres, Pilar Medina, Piotr Trębicki. Simultaneous Increase in CO2 and Temperature Alters Wheat Growth and Aphid Performance Differently Depending on Virus Infection. Insects. 2020; 11 (8):459.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAna Moreno-Delafuente; Elisa Viñuela; Alberto Fereres; Pilar Medina; Piotr Trębicki. 2020. "Simultaneous Increase in CO2 and Temperature Alters Wheat Growth and Aphid Performance Differently Depending on Virus Infection." Insects 11, no. 8: 459.
The majority of plant viruses depend on Hemipteran vectors for their survival and spread. Effective management of these insect vectors is crucial to minimize the spread of vector-borne diseases, and to reduce crop damage. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of various systemic insecticides on the feeding behavior of Bemisia tabaci and Myzus persicae, as well as their ability to interfere with the transmission of circulative viruses. The obtained results indicated that some systemic insecticides have antifeeding properties that disrupt virus transmission by their insect vectors. We found that some of the tested insecticides significantly reduced phloem contact and sap ingestion by aphids and whiteflies, activities that are closely linked to the transmission of phloem-limited viruses. These systemic insecticides may play an important role in reducing the primary and secondary spread of tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV) and turnip yellows virus (TuYV), transmitted by B. tabaci and M. persicae, respectively.
Elisa Garzo; Aránzazu Moreno; María Plaza; Alberto Fereres. Feeding Behavior and Virus-Transmission Ability of Insect Vectors Exposed to Systemic Insecticides. Plants 2020, 9, 895 .
AMA StyleElisa Garzo, Aránzazu Moreno, María Plaza, Alberto Fereres. Feeding Behavior and Virus-Transmission Ability of Insect Vectors Exposed to Systemic Insecticides. Plants. 2020; 9 (7):895.
Chicago/Turabian StyleElisa Garzo; Aránzazu Moreno; María Plaza; Alberto Fereres. 2020. "Feeding Behavior and Virus-Transmission Ability of Insect Vectors Exposed to Systemic Insecticides." Plants 9, no. 7: 895.
Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus (CLas) is a phloem-limited bacterium that is associated with the Huanglongbing (HLB) disease of citrus and transmitted by the psyllid, Diaphorina citri. There are no curative methods to control HLB and the prevention of new infections is essential for HLB management. Therefore, the objective of our study was to determine the effects of systemic insecticides, such as the neonicotinoids imidacloprid, thiamethoxam, and a mixture of thiamethoxam and chlorantraniliprole (diamide) on the probing behavior of CLas-infected D. citri and their effect on CLas transmission. The electrical penetration graph (EPG-DC) technique was used to monitor the stylet penetration activities of CLas-infected D. citri on sweet orange [Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck] ‘Valencia’ treated with systemic insecticides. Systemic insecticides disrupted the probing behavior of CLas-infected D. citri, in a way that affected CLas transmission efficiency, particularly by negatively affecting the stylet activities related to the phloem phase. All insecticides reduced (by 57–73%) the proportion of psyllids that exhibited sustainable phloem ingestion (waveform E2 > 10 min), with significant differences observed on plants treated with thiamethoxam and thiamethoxam + chlorantraniliprole. The transmission rate of CLas with high inoculum pressure (five CLas-infected D. citri per plant and a seven-day inoculation access period) to untreated control plants was 93%. In contrast, CLas transmission was reduced to 38.8% when test plants were protected by systemic insecticides. Our results indicated that all insecticides tested presented a potential to reduce CLas inoculation by an average of 59%; therefore, these insecticides can be used to reduce the spread of HLB.
Michele Carmo-Sousa; Rafael Brandão Garcia; Nelson Arno Wulff; Alberto Fereres; Marcelo Pedreira Miranda. Drench Application of Systemic Insecticides Disrupts Probing Behavior of Diaphorina citri (Hemiptera: Liviidae) and Inoculation of Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus. Insects 2020, 11, 314 .
AMA StyleMichele Carmo-Sousa, Rafael Brandão Garcia, Nelson Arno Wulff, Alberto Fereres, Marcelo Pedreira Miranda. Drench Application of Systemic Insecticides Disrupts Probing Behavior of Diaphorina citri (Hemiptera: Liviidae) and Inoculation of Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus. Insects. 2020; 11 (5):314.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMichele Carmo-Sousa; Rafael Brandão Garcia; Nelson Arno Wulff; Alberto Fereres; Marcelo Pedreira Miranda. 2020. "Drench Application of Systemic Insecticides Disrupts Probing Behavior of Diaphorina citri (Hemiptera: Liviidae) and Inoculation of Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus." Insects 11, no. 5: 314.
SUMMARY Neophilaenus campestrisis one of the recently identified spittlebugs (Hemiptera: Cercopoidea) able to transmitXylella fastidiosato olive trees. Considering its vector ability and the wide distribution of this species in Spain,N. campestrisshould be considered a serious threat to key crops that are vital for Spanish agriculture such as olive, almonds and grapevines. Migration and dispersal abilities of insect vectors have profound implications in the spread of vector-borne diseases. Thus, knowledge on the dispersal ability ofN. campestrisis essential to model, predict and limit the spread of the diseases caused byX. fastidiosa. A mark-release-recapture technique was developed to track between-field movements ofN. campestrisduring its late spring migration from the ground cover grasses within olive groves to sheltered areas dominated by pine trees. An indoor assay showed that the fluorescent dust used for marking did not affect the survival nor the flying ability ofN. campestris. Spittlebug adults captured in olive groves at Los Santos de la Humosa (Madrid, Spain) during late spring, 2019 were dusted with four fluorescent colours and released in four different locations. Six recapture samplings were performed 23 to 42 days after release in 12 different sites located within a maximum distance of 2.8 km from the release point. Results indicated thatN. campestriswas able to disperse a maximum distance of 2473 m in 35 days from the olive groves to areas dominated by pine trees. Furthermore, our flight mill studies also showed thatN. campestriswas able to fly long distances, reaching almost 1.4 km in an 82 minutes’ single flight. Moreover, we carried out a survey of directional movement of potential vectors ofX. fastidiosain an olive grove located in Villa del Prado (Madrid). We used yellow sticky bands, a Malaise trap and a vertical yellow sticky net to assess the directional movement from olive groves to surrounding managed and unmanaged areas. The captures obtained in the yellow sticky bands showed that spittlebugs dispersal from the olive grove to surrounding vegetation matched with the time when the ground cover dried out. The highest number of spittlebugs was captured in the border between the olive grove and a vineyard close by. Altogether, our findings suggest that eradication measures by rooting-upX. fastidiosa-infected and non-infected trees in a radius of 100 m are of limited value because vectors are able to disperse rapidly over distances much longer than expected.
C. Lago; Marina Morente; Daniel De Las Heras-Bravo; Antonio Marti-Campoy; Francisco Rodriguez-Ballester; Maria Plaza; Aranzazu Moreno; Alberto Fereres. Dispersal ability ofNeophilaenus campestris, a vector ofXylella fastidiosa, from olive groves to over-summering hosts. 2020, 1 .
AMA StyleC. Lago, Marina Morente, Daniel De Las Heras-Bravo, Antonio Marti-Campoy, Francisco Rodriguez-Ballester, Maria Plaza, Aranzazu Moreno, Alberto Fereres. Dispersal ability ofNeophilaenus campestris, a vector ofXylella fastidiosa, from olive groves to over-summering hosts. . 2020; ():1.
Chicago/Turabian StyleC. Lago; Marina Morente; Daniel De Las Heras-Bravo; Antonio Marti-Campoy; Francisco Rodriguez-Ballester; Maria Plaza; Aranzazu Moreno; Alberto Fereres. 2020. "Dispersal ability ofNeophilaenus campestris, a vector ofXylella fastidiosa, from olive groves to over-summering hosts." , no. : 1.
Photoselective nets have proven to be effective for aphid pest control as they limit their dispersal ability. However, little is known on the impact of such nets on natural enemies of aphids. In this work, we study the effect of UV-absorbing nets on the syrphid fly Sphaerophoria rueppellii Wiedemann (Diptera: Syrphidae), a commercially available aphid biocontrol agent in Mediterranean horticultural crops. First, we released mature syrphid adults and evaluated density and dispersal of the resulting immatures in a turnip crop grown under either UV-blocking (Bionet) or standard net. Second, we assessed, under controlled conditions, the impact of UV radiation on fitness-related parameters, and on flight behavior of S. rueppellii adults. Results showed that, while syprhid immature density was higher, their dispersion was reduced under Bionet. UV-absorbing nets are known to influence the dispersion pattern of aphids, which may have indirectly conditioned the distribution of their predator S. rueppellii. On the other hand, the type of net had no influence on the performance of adults. We conclude that the use of photoselective nets and the release of syrphid predators such S. rueppellii are compatible strategies to be used in IPM aphid-control programs.
Rocco Amorós-Jiménez; María Plaza; Marta Montserrat; M. Ángeles Marcos-García; Alberto Fereres. Effect of UV-Absorbing Nets on the Performance of the Aphid Predator Sphaerophoria rueppellii (Diptera: Syrphidae). Insects 2020, 11, 166 .
AMA StyleRocco Amorós-Jiménez, María Plaza, Marta Montserrat, M. Ángeles Marcos-García, Alberto Fereres. Effect of UV-Absorbing Nets on the Performance of the Aphid Predator Sphaerophoria rueppellii (Diptera: Syrphidae). Insects. 2020; 11 (3):166.
Chicago/Turabian StyleRocco Amorós-Jiménez; María Plaza; Marta Montserrat; M. Ángeles Marcos-García; Alberto Fereres. 2020. "Effect of UV-Absorbing Nets on the Performance of the Aphid Predator Sphaerophoria rueppellii (Diptera: Syrphidae)." Insects 11, no. 3: 166.
Planting flower strips adjacent to crops is among the habitat-management practices employed to offer alternative floral resources to pollinators. However, more information is needed to understand their potential spill-over of pollinators on nearby insect-pollinated crops. Over the course of two consecutive years, the suitability of a flower mixture of 10 herbaceous plants for pollinators was evaluated on a weekly basis, in a randomized block design of two melon plots (10 × 10 m2) with or without 1 m-wide flower strips. Floral coverage and pollinator visits to the plant species, as well as pollinator visits and the yield and quality of the crop, were assessed. Additionally, the selected mixture was tested for 1 year in a commercial field in order to ascertain how far the flower strip could influence visitors in the crop. The most suitable species for a flower strip in central Spain based on their attractiveness, floral coverage and staggered blossom were Coriandrum sativum L., Diplotaxis virgata L., Borago officinalis L. and Calendula officinalis L. The flower strip can act as either pollinator competitor or facilitator to the crop, depending on their floral coverage and/or the predominant species during the crop bloom period. The concurrence of blooming of the rewarding plant C. officinalis with the melon crop should be avoided in our area. In the commercial field, the bee visitation rate in the melon flowers decreased with the distance to the flower strip. No influence of the specific flower strip evaluated on crop productivity or quality was found.
Celeste Azpiazu; Pilar Medina; Ángeles Adán; Ismael Sánchez-Ramos; Pedro Del Estal; Alberto Fereres; Elisa Viñuela. The Role of Annual Flowering Plant Strips on a Melon Crop in Central Spain. Influence on Pollinators and Crop. Insects 2020, 11, 66 .
AMA StyleCeleste Azpiazu, Pilar Medina, Ángeles Adán, Ismael Sánchez-Ramos, Pedro Del Estal, Alberto Fereres, Elisa Viñuela. The Role of Annual Flowering Plant Strips on a Melon Crop in Central Spain. Influence on Pollinators and Crop. Insects. 2020; 11 (1):66.
Chicago/Turabian StyleCeleste Azpiazu; Pilar Medina; Ángeles Adán; Ismael Sánchez-Ramos; Pedro Del Estal; Alberto Fereres; Elisa Viñuela. 2020. "The Role of Annual Flowering Plant Strips on a Melon Crop in Central Spain. Influence on Pollinators and Crop." Insects 11, no. 1: 66.
Mixed viral infections in plants are common, and can result in synergistic or antagonistic interactions. Except in complex diseases with severe symptoms, mixed infections frequently remain unnoticed, and their impact on insect vector transmission is largely unknown. In this study, we considered mixed infections of two unrelated viruses commonly found in melon plants, the crinivirus cucurbit yellow stunting disorder virus (CYSDV) and the potyvirus watermelon mosaic virus (WMV), and evaluated their vector transmission by whiteflies and aphids, respectively. Their dynamics of accumulation was analyzed until 60 days postinoculation (dpi) in mixed-infected plants, documenting reduced titers of WMV and much higher titers of CYSDV compared with single infections. At 24 dpi, corresponding to the peak of CYSDV accumulation, similar whitefly transmission rates were obtained when comparing either individual or mixed-infected plants as CYSDV sources, although its secondary dissemination was slightly biased toward plants previously infected with WMV, regardless of the source plant. However, at later time points, mixed-infected plants partially recovered from the initially severe symptoms, and CYSDV transmission became significantly higher. Interestingly, aphid transmission rates both at early and late time points were unaltered when WMV was acquired from mixed-infected plants despite its reduced accumulation. This lack of correlation between WMV accumulation and transmission could result from compensatory effects observed in the analysis of the aphid feeding behavior by electrical penetration graphs. Thus, our results showed that mixed-infected plants could provide advantages for both viruses, directly favoring CYSDV dissemination while maintaining WMV transmission.
Maria Luisa Domingo Calap; Ana Beatriz Moreno; Juan Antonio Díaz Pendón; Aranzazu Moreno; Alberto Fereres; Juan José López-Moya. Assessing the Impact on Virus Transmission and Insect Vector Behavior of a Viral Mixed Infection in Melon. Phytopathology® 2020, 110, 174 -186.
AMA StyleMaria Luisa Domingo Calap, Ana Beatriz Moreno, Juan Antonio Díaz Pendón, Aranzazu Moreno, Alberto Fereres, Juan José López-Moya. Assessing the Impact on Virus Transmission and Insect Vector Behavior of a Viral Mixed Infection in Melon. Phytopathology®. 2020; 110 (1):174-186.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMaria Luisa Domingo Calap; Ana Beatriz Moreno; Juan Antonio Díaz Pendón; Aranzazu Moreno; Alberto Fereres; Juan José López-Moya. 2020. "Assessing the Impact on Virus Transmission and Insect Vector Behavior of a Viral Mixed Infection in Melon." Phytopathology® 110, no. 1: 174-186.