• Ceratitis capitata is not a quarantine pest in the European Union • rapid identification of C. capitata at port of entry is needed • LAMP assays were developed that could aid in the rapid discrimination of C. capitata from related species

The broad mite (Polyphagotarsonemus latus (Banks)) is an important pest in many crops, including azalea (Rhododendron simsii Planch. hybrid). Broad mites cause the malformation of shoot tips, leaves and flowers in azalea. It is known that the jasmonic acid (JA)- and salicylic acid (SA)-dependent signaling pathways are related to the presence of herbivorous mites. Here, we describe the levels of the two main plant defense-related hormones, SA and JA, in mite-infested plants. The plant hormones were analyzed using liquid chromatography combined with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). We studied both short-term hormonal responses under controlled conditions with artificial inoculation, and long-term responses under culture conditions with natural infestation. The long-term development of broad mite populations and hormone response were studied during two subsequent growing seasons on 3 and 18 different cultivars, respectively. During the experiments on 18 azalea cultivars under natural infestation, the presence of different species of tarsonemid mites was also examined. JA concentrations only showed variation in the early phase of infestation. Subsequently, the SA levels increased significantly for all the cultivars where broad mites were detected. Based on the observed timing of the defense responses, we suggest that the interaction of the JA and SA pathways as a defense response for pot azalea against P. latus involves a primary plant response through the JA pathway. In the presence of the mites, the production of SA increased in the plants in a later phase as the P. latus population grew. Our results also show that the hormone response depends on type of mite. Changes in hormone levels were found upon infestation with P. latus, but not in the presence of another frequently occurring tarsonemid mite, Tarsonemus confusus Ewing.

Against the background of the phenomenon of globalisation, which has increasingly intensified in recent decades, invasive alien species (IAS) have led to biological invasions that have resulted in multiple negative effects on economies, human health, and especially on the environment. In order to control invasive alien species, preventive actions are considered the most effective methods. In this context, society can actively participate in the process of early detection and preventing the spread of these organisms, but there is a need to raise public awareness. In order for this process to take place in the most efficient way, it is necessary to initially evaluate the knowledge of the general public to IAS. Through a questionnaire that was circulated in ten European countries and had over two thousand respondents, this study aimed to investigate the level of knowledge of some stakeholders in the forestry sector regarding IAS. The results showed that a vast majority of respondents who participated in the study had heard about IAS and provided a correct definition of these organisms. Most of the respondents in this study heard for the first time about IAS from school, the Internet, or journal articles. Data analysis also showed that stakeholders in the forestry sector (foresters, forest owners, and members of environmental NGOs) were more likely than the other respondents to be aware of the impact of IAS. The results of this study offer an insight to researchers and decision makers assessing the differences of opinion regarding invasive alien species, and the necessary steps that could be adopted in the process of raising awareness in society.