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Prof. Roberto Romani
Department of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences

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0 Biological Control
0 Neuroanatomy
0 Ultrastructure
0 Insect Morphology and Anatomy
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Journal article
Published: 09 March 2021 in Insects
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Dryocosmus kuriphilus is a gall-inducing insect, which can cause significant damage on plants of the genus Castanea Mill., 1754. Antennae and ovipositor are the main sensory organs involved in the location of suitable oviposition sites. Antennal sensilla are involved in the host plant location, while ovipositor sensilla assess the suitability of the ovipositional bud. On both organs, diverse sensillar organs are present. Here, the distribution and ultrastructural organization of the sensilla were investigated by scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The antennae of D. kuriphilus are filiform and composed of 14 antennomeres, with the distal flagellomere bearing the highest number of sensilla. On the antennae, 6 sensilla types were found; sensilla chaetica, campaniformia, coeloconica-I, coeloconica-II, trichoidea and placoidea. The sensilla placoidea and trichoidea were the most abundant types. On the external walls of the ovipositor, gustatory and mechanoreceptive sensilla were observed. Internally, the egg channel hosted two additional sensory structures. The putative functional role of each sensilla in the context of insect’s ecology is discussed as well as the ovipositional mechanism used by this insect.

ACS Style

Milos Sevarika; Marco Rossi Stacconi; Roberto Romani. Fine Morphology of Antennal and Ovipositor Sensory Structures of the Gall Chestnut Wasp, Dryocosmus kuriphilus. Insects 2021, 12, 231 .

AMA Style

Milos Sevarika, Marco Rossi Stacconi, Roberto Romani. Fine Morphology of Antennal and Ovipositor Sensory Structures of the Gall Chestnut Wasp, Dryocosmus kuriphilus. Insects. 2021; 12 (3):231.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Milos Sevarika; Marco Rossi Stacconi; Roberto Romani. 2021. "Fine Morphology of Antennal and Ovipositor Sensory Structures of the Gall Chestnut Wasp, Dryocosmus kuriphilus." Insects 12, no. 3: 231.

6th international entomophagous insects conference
Published: 17 June 2020 in Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata
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Harmonia axyridis (Pallas) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) is a sub‐cosmopolitan species. Native to Asia, it has been released during the 20th century for classical and augmentative biological control of several herbivorous insects, mostly aphids and coccids. Despite its recognized positive impact on biological control, H. axyridis is now considered among the most dangerous invasive species in Europe and in most places where it has established. This is mostly due to its ability to reduce the populations of native predatory species of the same trophic guild. When exploring a new area, H. axyridis adults use semiochemical cues to acquire information about the habitat. Presumably, these cues are perceived by the sensilla located on the antennae. Surprisingly, in spite of the huge literature existing on H. axyridis , the antennal sensory organs have been poorly characterized. Here, we used scanning and transmission electron microscopy (SEM, TEM) techniques to study H. axyridis antennae, with focus on the various types of sensilla and their distribution in male and female individuals. The presence of various classes of antennal sensilla belonging to the main types described in insects (chemoreceptors, mechanoreceptors, and thermo‐hygroreceptors) was highlighted, as well as the widespread presence of antennal glands. The investigations showed some peculiar characteristics not known in Coccinellidae, such as the concentration of sensory structures at the level of the distal part of the apical antennomere and the discovery of antennal glands associated with it. No sexual dimorphism was revealed, neither for the general structure of the antenna (similar number of antennomeres and presence of modifications), nor for the total length and width of the antenna, the relative size of the antennomeres, the types of antennal sensilla, of their distribution and abundance. The potential relevance of these sensory structures and antennal glands, reported for the first time in Coccinellidae, is discussed in the context of intra‐ and interspecific communication.

ACS Style

Milos Sevarika; Gabriele Rondoni; Eric Conti; Roberto Romani. Antennal sensory organs and glands of the harlequin ladybird, Harmonia axyridis. Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata 2020, 169, 111 -124.

AMA Style

Milos Sevarika, Gabriele Rondoni, Eric Conti, Roberto Romani. Antennal sensory organs and glands of the harlequin ladybird, Harmonia axyridis. Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata. 2020; 169 (1):111-124.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Milos Sevarika; Gabriele Rondoni; Eric Conti; Roberto Romani. 2020. "Antennal sensory organs and glands of the harlequin ladybird, Harmonia axyridis." Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata 169, no. 1: 111-124.

Journal article
Published: 31 October 2019 in Journal of Hymenoptera Research
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The pores and associated glands on male antennae in species of Hymenoptera are involved in mate recognition and are diverse and widespread among taxa. However, nothing has been published about these structures in species of Aphelinus (Chalcidoidea: Aphelinidae), a genus of parasitoid wasps with a long history in biological control. Images from scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) of Aphelinus varipes revealed pores on the ventral side of the male scape that were connected to glands. A survey of the scapes of male antennae in 16 species in six species complexes of Aphelinus, as well as two outgroup species, Aphytis melinus and Centrodora sp., showed that pores were present in all except Centrodora sp. The pores varied in several characters: the shape of the structures that carried them, pore size, elevation of the cuticle surrounding the structures, the extent of a carina delimiting the area around the structures, and the number and position of pores. The shape of the pore-bearing structures, the elevation of cuticle around these structures, and the extent of the carina around them map well onto a molecular phylogeny of these Aphelinus species. Combinations of pore characters are diagnostic of species complexes, and in some cases, species of Aphelinus.

ACS Style

Xanthe A. Shirley; James B. Woolley; Keith R. Hopper; Nunzio Isidoro; Roberto Romani. Evolution of glandular structures on the scape of males in the genus Aphelinus Dalman (Hymenoptera, Aphelinidae). Journal of Hymenoptera Research 2019, 72, 27 -43.

AMA Style

Xanthe A. Shirley, James B. Woolley, Keith R. Hopper, Nunzio Isidoro, Roberto Romani. Evolution of glandular structures on the scape of males in the genus Aphelinus Dalman (Hymenoptera, Aphelinidae). Journal of Hymenoptera Research. 2019; 72 ():27-43.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Xanthe A. Shirley; James B. Woolley; Keith R. Hopper; Nunzio Isidoro; Roberto Romani. 2019. "Evolution of glandular structures on the scape of males in the genus Aphelinus Dalman (Hymenoptera, Aphelinidae)." Journal of Hymenoptera Research 72, no. : 27-43.

Journal article
Published: 14 June 2019 in Insects
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Sitophilus zeamais (Motschulsky) is considered as one of the most destructive foodstuff pests. Due to their efficiency, low toxicity for mammalians and low environmental impact, plant-derived essential oils (EOs) are promising tools for pest control. In particular, the OEs extracted from Lamiaceae are considered among the most bioactive in terms of repellent and/or insecticidal effect. Here, we investigated the repellence of the EOs extracted from two aromatic plant species typical of the flora of the Ecuadorian Andes, Clinopodium tomentosum and C. nubigeum, against adults of S. zeamais. The behavioral assays carried out at concentrations ranging from 0.7 to 23.9 μL L-1 air in a two-way static olfactometer showed a significant repellent effect starting from the concentration of 8.4 mL L-1 air both for the EO of C. nubigenum and C. tomentosum. We also carried out a complete structural analysis of the antenna of S. zeamais using scanning (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), in order to characterize the olfactory sensilla equipment. In this species, there is no sexual dimorphism also as regards to the antennal morphology and the sensilla type and distribution. We identified six type of sensilla, among which at least three types (Sensillum Trichoideum 1, Sensillum Trichoideum 2 and Grooved Peg Sensillum) can be considered as olfactory. Electroantennography (EAG) recordings carried out on S. zeamais revealed a positive dose-response to both EOs, without differences between the two sexes.

ACS Style

Roberto Romani; Stefano Bedini; Gianandrea Salerno; Roberta Ascrizzi; Guido Flamini; Maria Cristina Echeverria; Priscilla Farina; Barbara Conti. Andean Flora as a Source of New Repellents against Insect Pests: Behavioral, Morphological and Electrophysiological Studies on Sitophilus zeamais (Coleoptera: Curculionidae). Insects 2019, 10, 171 .

AMA Style

Roberto Romani, Stefano Bedini, Gianandrea Salerno, Roberta Ascrizzi, Guido Flamini, Maria Cristina Echeverria, Priscilla Farina, Barbara Conti. Andean Flora as a Source of New Repellents against Insect Pests: Behavioral, Morphological and Electrophysiological Studies on Sitophilus zeamais (Coleoptera: Curculionidae). Insects. 2019; 10 (6):171.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Roberto Romani; Stefano Bedini; Gianandrea Salerno; Roberta Ascrizzi; Guido Flamini; Maria Cristina Echeverria; Priscilla Farina; Barbara Conti. 2019. "Andean Flora as a Source of New Repellents against Insect Pests: Behavioral, Morphological and Electrophysiological Studies on Sitophilus zeamais (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)." Insects 10, no. 6: 171.

Preprint
Published: 26 May 2019
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Drosophila suzukii is an invasive agricultural pest species that lays eggs in fruit during ripening, while most closely related Drosophila species use rotten matter as oviposition substrates. This behaviour is allowed by an enlarged and serrated ovipositor that can pierce intact fruit skin. D. suzukii combines multiple sensory systems (mechanosensation, olfaction, and taste) to select oviposition sites. Here, we test the hypothesis that the D. suzukii ovipositor is involved in these sensory modalities. We first investigate the ovipositor gene expression using a comparative framework of four Drosophila species with gradual changes in ovipositor morphology to identify evolutionary adaptations specific to D. suzukii. Results show transcription of chemoreceptors and mechanoreceptors in the four species, with a common core of sensory receptors expressed in all of them. Then, we demonstrate that sensory structures present in the distal tip of the D. suzukii ovipositor are mechanosensory-like sensilla, and that the degenerin/epithelial sodium channel ppk is expressed in homologous structures in Drosophila melanogaster. Our results suggest the D. suzukii ovipositor playing a role in mechanosensation, which might be shared with other Drosophila species.

ACS Style

Cristina Maria Crava; Roberto Romani; Damiano Zanini; Simone Amati; Giorgia Sollai; Roberto Crnjar; Albrecht Haase; Marco Paoli; Marco Valerio Rossi-Stacconi; Omar Rota-Stabelli; Gabriella Tait; Gianfranco Anfora. Exploring multiple sensory systems in ovipositors of Drosophila suzukii and related species with different egg-laying behaviour. 2019, 651091 .

AMA Style

Cristina Maria Crava, Roberto Romani, Damiano Zanini, Simone Amati, Giorgia Sollai, Roberto Crnjar, Albrecht Haase, Marco Paoli, Marco Valerio Rossi-Stacconi, Omar Rota-Stabelli, Gabriella Tait, Gianfranco Anfora. Exploring multiple sensory systems in ovipositors of Drosophila suzukii and related species with different egg-laying behaviour. . 2019; ():651091.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Cristina Maria Crava; Roberto Romani; Damiano Zanini; Simone Amati; Giorgia Sollai; Roberto Crnjar; Albrecht Haase; Marco Paoli; Marco Valerio Rossi-Stacconi; Omar Rota-Stabelli; Gabriella Tait; Gianfranco Anfora. 2019. "Exploring multiple sensory systems in ovipositors of Drosophila suzukii and related species with different egg-laying behaviour." , no. : 651091.

Research article
Published: 28 February 2019 in PLOS ONE
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In phytophagous sap-sucking insects, the precibarial valve plays an important role in sap ingestion. We used light and electron microspcopy to study the morphology and the ultrastructure of the precibarial valve of the meadow spittlebug, Philaenus spumarius (Hemiptera, Aphrophoridae), in order to better understand the operative mechanism of this structure. The precibarial valve revealed to be a complex structure with a bell-like invagination in the middle of the precibarium (on the epipharynx). Unlike the current hypothesis, we propose that the valve opens by dilator muscles and closes through cuticular and fluid tensions, the latter leading to morphological changes to the plane of the valve based on sap flow. Moreover, the presence of a precibarial secretory structure is described for the first time for auchenorrhynchan insects. In light of these observations, functions are hypothesized and discussed for this secretory structure.

ACS Style

Sara Ruschioni; Emanuele Ranieri; Paola Riolo; Roberto Romani; Rodrigo P. P. Almeida; Nunzio Isidoro. Functional anatomy of the precibarial valve in Philaenus spumarius (L.). PLOS ONE 2019, 14, e0213318 .

AMA Style

Sara Ruschioni, Emanuele Ranieri, Paola Riolo, Roberto Romani, Rodrigo P. P. Almeida, Nunzio Isidoro. Functional anatomy of the precibarial valve in Philaenus spumarius (L.). PLOS ONE. 2019; 14 (2):e0213318.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Sara Ruschioni; Emanuele Ranieri; Paola Riolo; Roberto Romani; Rodrigo P. P. Almeida; Nunzio Isidoro. 2019. "Functional anatomy of the precibarial valve in Philaenus spumarius (L.)." PLOS ONE 14, no. 2: e0213318.

Journal article
Published: 19 June 2018 in European Journal of Entomology
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ACS Style

Sara Ruschioni; Paola Riolo; Roberto Romani; Donatella Battaglia; Nunzio Isidoro. Fine structure of the external sheaths of the ovipositor of Aphidius ervi (Hymenoptera: Braconidae). European Journal of Entomology 2018, 115, 296 -302.

AMA Style

Sara Ruschioni, Paola Riolo, Roberto Romani, Donatella Battaglia, Nunzio Isidoro. Fine structure of the external sheaths of the ovipositor of Aphidius ervi (Hymenoptera: Braconidae). European Journal of Entomology. 2018; 115 (1):296-302.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Sara Ruschioni; Paola Riolo; Roberto Romani; Donatella Battaglia; Nunzio Isidoro. 2018. "Fine structure of the external sheaths of the ovipositor of Aphidius ervi (Hymenoptera: Braconidae)." European Journal of Entomology 115, no. 1: 296-302.

Journal article
Published: 01 April 2018 in Micron
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Pimplinae are parasitoids belonging to the family Ichneumonidae that attack and develops inside hidden host; female wasps evolved a peculiar host recognition strategy, that involves the use of self-produced vibrations which are transmitted through the antennae on the substrate and perceived back as an echo using the leg subgenual organ. In this study we investigated, using both scanning and transmission electron microscopy, the antennal tips of a few Pimplinae. In all the investigated species, the antennal tips present peculiar apical pegs with different shape and number, often defining a flattened sole devoid of other antennal structures, such as sensilla. These pegs are present in both sexes with different number and development, are inserted on the antennal wall through an inflexible socket and present a cuticular shaft with cuticle of different thickness. We never found the presence of sensory neurons or glandular epithelium associated with these pegs. Because of their peculiar morphological features, we hypothesize for the antennal apical pegs a role in the context of host searching behavior (in the case of the female through the vibrational sounding strategy), as well as during mating behavior.

ACS Style

Roberto Romani; Sara Ruschioni; Paola Riolo; Nunzio Isidoro. Transmission and scanning electron microscopic observations on antennal apical pegs in the wasp species Pimplinae (Insecta: Hymenoptera). Micron 2018, 107, 72 -78.

AMA Style

Roberto Romani, Sara Ruschioni, Paola Riolo, Nunzio Isidoro. Transmission and scanning electron microscopic observations on antennal apical pegs in the wasp species Pimplinae (Insecta: Hymenoptera). Micron. 2018; 107 ():72-78.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Roberto Romani; Sara Ruschioni; Paola Riolo; Nunzio Isidoro. 2018. "Transmission and scanning electron microscopic observations on antennal apical pegs in the wasp species Pimplinae (Insecta: Hymenoptera)." Micron 107, no. : 72-78.

Journal article
Published: 17 May 2017 in PeerJ
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Several phases of herbivorous insect attack including feeding and oviposition are known to induce plant defenses. Plants emit volatiles induced by herbivores to recruit insect parasitoids as an indirect defense strategy. So far, volatiles induced by herbivore walking and their putative role in the foraging behavior of egg parasitoids have not been investigated. In this paper we studied the response of the egg parasitoid Trissolcus basalis toward volatiles emitted by Vicia faba plants as consequence of the walking activity of the host Nezara viridula. Olfactometer bioassays were carried out to evaluate wasp responses to plants in which the abaxial or the adaxial surfaces were subjected to walking or/and oviposition. Results showed that host female walking on the abaxial but not on the adaxial surface caused a repellence effect in T. basalis 24 h after plant treatment. The emission of active volatiles also occurred when the leaf was turned upside-down, indicating a specificity of stress localization. This specificity was supported by the results, which showed that oviposition combined with feeding elicit the induction of plant volatiles, attracting the parasitoid, when the attack occurred on the abaxial surface. Analyses of plant volatile blends showed significant differences between the treatments.

ACS Style

Francesca Frati; Antonino Cusumano; Eric Conti; Stefano Colazza; Ezio Peri; Salvatore Guarino; Letizia Martorana; Roberto Romani; Gianandrea Salerno. Foraging behaviour of an egg parasitoid exploiting plant volatiles induced by pentatomids: the role of adaxial and abaxial leaf surfaces. PeerJ 2017, 5, e3326 .

AMA Style

Francesca Frati, Antonino Cusumano, Eric Conti, Stefano Colazza, Ezio Peri, Salvatore Guarino, Letizia Martorana, Roberto Romani, Gianandrea Salerno. Foraging behaviour of an egg parasitoid exploiting plant volatiles induced by pentatomids: the role of adaxial and abaxial leaf surfaces. PeerJ. 2017; 5 ():e3326.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Francesca Frati; Antonino Cusumano; Eric Conti; Stefano Colazza; Ezio Peri; Salvatore Guarino; Letizia Martorana; Roberto Romani; Gianandrea Salerno. 2017. "Foraging behaviour of an egg parasitoid exploiting plant volatiles induced by pentatomids: the role of adaxial and abaxial leaf surfaces." PeerJ 5, no. : e3326.

Book chapter
Published: 13 January 2017 in Handbook of Major Palm Pests
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This chapter on Paysandisia archon behavior, ecology, and communication is presented in three parts. The first part deals with reproductive behavior and the sex pheromone. In this section, mating behavior is described with a consideration of optimal age and diel periodicity. Early observations have shown that mating can occur a few hours after adult molting, from noon to the beginning of the afternoon, according to timing of emergence. The female is described as flying close to perching males and the pair then fly together before mating. The male exhibits a scratching movement with the mid-legs while the female extrudes the abdominal tips. Putative sex pheromone production is discussed in relation to scanning electron microscopy (SEM) studies, electroantennography data, and chromatography-mass spectrometry analyses of extracts from females and males. The second part deals with insect-plant interactions. Oviposition behavior is described with respect to timing and the different events leading to host choice. Field observations are reported, showing that the female is attracted by several palm species, and egg-laying behavior after probing the host plant is described. The third part describes the visual system by means of electrophysiological and anatomical analyses, as well as spectral analysis of visual cues. Thus, the possible roles of P. archon eyes and ocelli in specific tasks, such as partner recognition, navigation, and host identification, are discussed. The visual system is generally suitable for diurnal activity, showing good resolving power and excellent color vision, probably tuned to the recognition of conspecifics

ACS Style

Brigitte Frérot; Rachid Hamidi; Nunzio Isidoro; Paola Riolo; Sara Ruschioni; Ezio Peri; Roberto Romani; Gregor Belušič; Primoz Pirih. Paysandisia archon: Behavior, Ecology, and Communication. Handbook of Major Palm Pests 2017, 150 -170.

AMA Style

Brigitte Frérot, Rachid Hamidi, Nunzio Isidoro, Paola Riolo, Sara Ruschioni, Ezio Peri, Roberto Romani, Gregor Belušič, Primoz Pirih. Paysandisia archon: Behavior, Ecology, and Communication. Handbook of Major Palm Pests. 2017; ():150-170.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Brigitte Frérot; Rachid Hamidi; Nunzio Isidoro; Paola Riolo; Sara Ruschioni; Ezio Peri; Roberto Romani; Gregor Belušič; Primoz Pirih. 2017. "Paysandisia archon: Behavior, Ecology, and Communication." Handbook of Major Palm Pests , no. : 150-170.

Journal article
Published: 01 September 2016 in Arthropod Structure & Development
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The meadow spittlebug, Philaenus spumarius (L.) (Hemiptera: Cercopoidea: Aphrophoridae), is a polyphagous species that transmits Xylella fastidiosa, a bacterium associated with "Olive Quick Decline Syndrome" in Southern Italy. In this study, the morphology and the ultrastructure of the antennal sensilla of P. spumarius were investigated. The antennae consist of three segments: a basal scape, a pedicel and a flagellum composed of a basal enlargement (ampulla) and a long segment (filament). The pedicel bears a single campaniform sensillum while the ampulla houses twelve coeloconic sensilla and three large basiconic sensilla. These latter sensilla show a smooth multiporous external cuticular wall and a total number of 27 sensory neurons per sensillum. The coeloconic sensilla belong to two morphologically distinct types: double-walled and single walled sensilla. The sensory peg of the double walled sensilla is smooth at the base and distally has a grooved cuticular surface with pores organized in spoke channels between each ridge. Three sensory neurons enter the lumen while at the basal level, before entering the peg, a fourth sensory neuron is found. The single walled sensilla show an aporous thick cuticular wall and two sensory neurons entering the sensillar lumen, with a third neuron ending at the sensillum base.

ACS Style

Emanuele Ranieri; Sara Ruschioni; Paola Riolo; Nunzio Isidoro; Roberto Romani. Fine structure of antennal sensilla of the spittlebug Philaenus spumarius L. (Insecta: Hemiptera: Aphrophoridae). I. Chemoreceptors and thermo-/hygroreceptors. Arthropod Structure & Development 2016, 45, 432 -439.

AMA Style

Emanuele Ranieri, Sara Ruschioni, Paola Riolo, Nunzio Isidoro, Roberto Romani. Fine structure of antennal sensilla of the spittlebug Philaenus spumarius L. (Insecta: Hemiptera: Aphrophoridae). I. Chemoreceptors and thermo-/hygroreceptors. Arthropod Structure & Development. 2016; 45 (5):432-439.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Emanuele Ranieri; Sara Ruschioni; Paola Riolo; Nunzio Isidoro; Roberto Romani. 2016. "Fine structure of antennal sensilla of the spittlebug Philaenus spumarius L. (Insecta: Hemiptera: Aphrophoridae). I. Chemoreceptors and thermo-/hygroreceptors." Arthropod Structure & Development 45, no. 5: 432-439.

Journal article
Published: 13 October 2015 in Journal of Morphology
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Neodryinus typhlocybae (Hymenoptera: Dryinidae) is a natural enemy of the planthopper Metcalfa pruinosa, which was introduced from North America into Europe and has become established in various regions as a pest species. Vibrational signals play a crucial role in the communication of M. pruinosa, which appears to be exploited by N. typhlocybae. Scanning and transmission electron microscopy have shown that the antennae of N. typhlocybae females have peculiar and complex sensory structures: deep longitudinal grooves that house long sensilla trichodea, termed here “Antennal Dorsal Organs.” Such structures were not present on male antennae. These sensilla extend for the length of the grooves, without contact with the groove cuticle. Their hair shaft is empty and aporous, and inserted into a specialized socket, underneath which there is a cuticular ampulla-like chamber. Each sensillum is associated with two sensory neurons: one terminates at the proximal end of the dendritic sheath; the other continues into the sensillum sinus and is enclosed in the dendritic sheath. This second sensory neuron then enters the ampulla-like chamber through the circular opening, and then terminates with a conspicuous tubular body at the shaft base. The possible involvement of this peculiar structure in the context of host recognition mechanism is discussed. J. Morphol., 2015.

ACS Style

Paola Riolo; Nunzio Isidoro; Sara Ruschioni; Roxana L. Minuz; Ferdinando Bin; Roberto Romani. Anatomy of the antennal dorsal organ in female ofNeodryinus typhlocybae(Hymenoptera: Dryinidae): A peculiar sensory structure possibly involved in perception of host vibration. Journal of Morphology 2015, 277, 128 -137.

AMA Style

Paola Riolo, Nunzio Isidoro, Sara Ruschioni, Roxana L. Minuz, Ferdinando Bin, Roberto Romani. Anatomy of the antennal dorsal organ in female ofNeodryinus typhlocybae(Hymenoptera: Dryinidae): A peculiar sensory structure possibly involved in perception of host vibration. Journal of Morphology. 2015; 277 (1):128-137.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Paola Riolo; Nunzio Isidoro; Sara Ruschioni; Roxana L. Minuz; Ferdinando Bin; Roberto Romani. 2015. "Anatomy of the antennal dorsal organ in female ofNeodryinus typhlocybae(Hymenoptera: Dryinidae): A peculiar sensory structure possibly involved in perception of host vibration." Journal of Morphology 277, no. 1: 128-137.

Journal article
Published: 01 September 2015 in Arthropod Structure & Development
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This paper provides the first comparative anatomical study of the explosive pygidial defensive system of bombardier beetles in species classified in three brachinine subtribes: Brachinus (Brachinina), Pheropsophus (Pheropsophina) and Aptinus (Aptinina). We investigated the morphology and ultrastructure of this system using optical, fluorescence, and focused ion beam (FIB/SEM) microscopy. In doing so, we characterized and comparatively discussed: (1) the ultrastructure of the gland tissues producing hydroquinones and hydrogen peroxide (secretory lobes), and those producing catalases and peroxidases (accessory glands); (2) the complex anatomy of the collecting duct; (3) the arrangement of the muscular bundles and the folding of the cuticle of the reservoir, suggesting a functional division of this chamber (dynamic part and storage part); (4) the great structural diversity of sculpticles inside the reaction chamber, where we could recognize six main types of microsculpture located in specific districts of the chamber. Additionally, using fluorescence microscopy, we highlighted the presence of resilin in two structures strongly subjected to mechanical stress during the discharge, the valve and the turrets of the reaction chamber. The results of this paper give a solid anatomic overview of the most popular beetle defensive system, contributing to the debate on its evolution within the Carabidae.

ACS Style

Andrea Di Giulio; Maurizio Muzzi; Roberto Romani. Functional anatomy of the explosive defensive system of bombardier beetles (Coleoptera, Carabidae, Brachininae). Arthropod Structure & Development 2015, 44, 468 -490.

AMA Style

Andrea Di Giulio, Maurizio Muzzi, Roberto Romani. Functional anatomy of the explosive defensive system of bombardier beetles (Coleoptera, Carabidae, Brachininae). Arthropod Structure & Development. 2015; 44 (5):468-490.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Andrea Di Giulio; Maurizio Muzzi; Roberto Romani. 2015. "Functional anatomy of the explosive defensive system of bombardier beetles (Coleoptera, Carabidae, Brachininae)." Arthropod Structure & Development 44, no. 5: 468-490.

Journal article
Published: 01 May 2015 in Environmental Entomology
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Adaptation of parasitoids to their phytophagous host is often mediated by environmental conditions and by the food plant of the phytophagous host. Therefore, the host food plant can indirectly affect the survival and fitness of parasitoids that also attack quiescent host stages, such as eggs, in which the resources available to the immature parasitoid stages are limited. Our aim was to investigate how two egg parasitoid species of the pine processionary moth, Thaumetopoea pityocampa (Denis & Schiffermüller), respond to variations in egg traits at the extremes of a west-to-east geographic gradient in northern Italy. We considered one specialist [Baryscapus servadeii (Domenichini)] and one generalist [Ooencyrtus pityocampae (Mercet)] parasitoid, which reproduce mainly by thelytokous parthenogenesis and are common throughout the whole range of this pest. The size and shell structure of the pine processionary moth eggs were studied under light microscopy and tested experimentally under controlled conditions. We can conclude that 1) the pine processionary moth egg shell thickness is inversely proportional to the parasitism performance; 2) the larger eggs from the pine processionary moth eastern population produce parasitoid females of a larger size, which have greater realized fecundity; 3) the generalist parasitoid performs successfully with either the "home" or "away" (i.e., from both extremes of the geographic gradient) pine processionary moth eggs, which is not the case for the specialist parasitoid. The implications of these responses in the regulation of phytophagous populations are numerous and should be considered in population dynamics studies and pest management programs.

ACS Style

S. Ruschioni; P. Riolo; N. Isidoro; Roberto Romani; E. Petrucco-Toffolo; D. Zovi; Andrea Battisti. Contrasting Patterns of Host Adaptation in Two Egg Parasitoids of the Pine Processionary Moth (Lepidoptera: Thaumetopoeidae). Environmental Entomology 2015, 44, 480 -487.

AMA Style

S. Ruschioni, P. Riolo, N. Isidoro, Roberto Romani, E. Petrucco-Toffolo, D. Zovi, Andrea Battisti. Contrasting Patterns of Host Adaptation in Two Egg Parasitoids of the Pine Processionary Moth (Lepidoptera: Thaumetopoeidae). Environmental Entomology. 2015; 44 (3):480-487.

Chicago/Turabian Style

S. Ruschioni; P. Riolo; N. Isidoro; Roberto Romani; E. Petrucco-Toffolo; D. Zovi; Andrea Battisti. 2015. "Contrasting Patterns of Host Adaptation in Two Egg Parasitoids of the Pine Processionary Moth (Lepidoptera: Thaumetopoeidae)." Environmental Entomology 44, no. 3: 480-487.

Research article
Published: 23 April 2015 in PLOS ONE
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Paysandisia archon (Lepidoptera: Castniidae) is a serious pest of palm trees. A comprehensive knowledge of the insect olfactory system is essential for the development of efficient semiochemical-based control methods. The olfactory sensilla are located particularly on the antennae, and these can detect plant volatiles that provide important cues for the insects in the search for their host plants. To date, the fine structure of P. archon antennal sensilla studies and their role in host-plant perception have not been investigated in great detail. Using light microscopy and scanning and transmission electron microscopy, the antennae of both sexes of P. archon are described here in detail, according to the different types, quantities and distributions of the sensilla. Six types of sensilla were identified. The most widespread are sensilla trichoidea, sensilla basiconica and sensilla auricilica, which are associated with olfactory function. These have cuticular shafts characterised by numerous pores, and they are innervated by two or three sensory neurons. Sensilla coeloconica, sensilla chaetica and sensilla ampullacea are associated with olfactory or olfactory-thermoreception, mechano-gustatory, and thermo-hygroreception functions, respectively. Moreover, the role of P. archon antennae in locating of the host palms was evaluated using electroantennograms, to monitor responses to ester and terpene compounds previously identified as volatiles of damaged/fermenting palm tissues. P. archon showed responses to all of the synthetic chemicals tested, with greater responses in the females, providing a significant sex*dose effect. Among the compounds tested, ethyl isobutyrate elicited the strongest antenna responses. The fine structure of the cuticular and cellular components of the P. archon antenna sensory equipment is described for the first time. The results of this study form an important starting point and complement physiological and behavioural studies, to provide valuable information of practical importance for the development of efficient semiochemical-based control methods.

ACS Style

Sara Ruschioni; Paola Riolo; Elisa Verdolini; Ezio Peri; Salvatore Guarino; Stefano Colazza; Roberto Romani; Nunzio Isidoro. Fine Structure of Antennal Sensilla of Paysandisia archon and Electrophysiological Responses to Volatile Compounds Associated with Host Palms. PLOS ONE 2015, 10, e0124607 .

AMA Style

Sara Ruschioni, Paola Riolo, Elisa Verdolini, Ezio Peri, Salvatore Guarino, Stefano Colazza, Roberto Romani, Nunzio Isidoro. Fine Structure of Antennal Sensilla of Paysandisia archon and Electrophysiological Responses to Volatile Compounds Associated with Host Palms. PLOS ONE. 2015; 10 (4):e0124607.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Sara Ruschioni; Paola Riolo; Elisa Verdolini; Ezio Peri; Salvatore Guarino; Stefano Colazza; Roberto Romani; Nunzio Isidoro. 2015. "Fine Structure of Antennal Sensilla of Paysandisia archon and Electrophysiological Responses to Volatile Compounds Associated with Host Palms." PLOS ONE 10, no. 4: e0124607.

Journal article
Published: 16 June 2014 in Acta Zoologica
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ACS Style

Pierfilippo Cerretti; Andrea Di Giulio; Roberto Romani; Diego Inclán; Daniel Whitmore; Filippo Di Giovanni; Massimiliano Scalici; Alessandro Minelli. First report of exocrine epithelial glands in oestroid flies: the tachinid sexual patches (Diptera: Oestroidea: Tachinidae). Acta Zoologica 2014, 96, 383 -397.

AMA Style

Pierfilippo Cerretti, Andrea Di Giulio, Roberto Romani, Diego Inclán, Daniel Whitmore, Filippo Di Giovanni, Massimiliano Scalici, Alessandro Minelli. First report of exocrine epithelial glands in oestroid flies: the tachinid sexual patches (Diptera: Oestroidea: Tachinidae). Acta Zoologica. 2014; 96 (3):383-397.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Pierfilippo Cerretti; Andrea Di Giulio; Roberto Romani; Diego Inclán; Daniel Whitmore; Filippo Di Giovanni; Massimiliano Scalici; Alessandro Minelli. 2014. "First report of exocrine epithelial glands in oestroid flies: the tachinid sexual patches (Diptera: Oestroidea: Tachinidae)." Acta Zoologica 96, no. 3: 383-397.

Comparative study
Published: 17 January 2014 in Chemical Senses
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We compared the morphology of the primary olfactory center, the antennal lobe (AL), in 2 homopteran insects, Hyalesthes obsoletus Signoret (Homoptera: Cixiidae) and Scaphoideus titanus Ball (Homoptera: Cicadomorpha). The comparison between the ALs of the 2 species is particularly interesting considering that, although both use volatile cues to locate their host plants, their feeding behavior differs considerably: specifically, H. obsoletus is a highly polyphagous species, whereas S. titanus is strictly monophagous (on grapevine). Our investigation of the AL structure using immunocytochemical staining and antennal backfills did not reveal any sexual dimorphism in either the size of the ALs or in the size of individual glomeruli for either species. Instead, the AL of H. obsoletus displayed numerous and well-delineated glomeruli (about 130 in both sexes) arranged in a multilayered structure, whereas the smaller AL of S. titanus contained fewer than 15 glomerular-like structures. This difference is likely to reflect the comparatively reduced olfactory abilities in S. titanus, probably as a consequence of the reduced number of volatiles coming from the single host plant. Instead, in H. obsoletus, the ability to distinguish among several host plants may require a more complex olfactory neuronal network.

ACS Style

Marco Valerio Rossi Stacconi; Bill S. Hansson; Jürgen Rybak; Roberto Romani. Comparative Neuroanatomy of the Antennal Lobes of 2 Homopteran Species. Chemical Senses 2014, 39, 283 -294.

AMA Style

Marco Valerio Rossi Stacconi, Bill S. Hansson, Jürgen Rybak, Roberto Romani. Comparative Neuroanatomy of the Antennal Lobes of 2 Homopteran Species. Chemical Senses. 2014; 39 (4):283-294.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Marco Valerio Rossi Stacconi; Bill S. Hansson; Jürgen Rybak; Roberto Romani. 2014. "Comparative Neuroanatomy of the Antennal Lobes of 2 Homopteran Species." Chemical Senses 39, no. 4: 283-294.

Journal article
Published: 09 January 2014 in European Journal of Entomology
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Morphological studies were carried out to determine whether females of the boxwood leafminer, Monarthropalpus buxi (Laboulbene) (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) have a pheromone gland, its position and ultra-structure. In addition, the reproductive beh...

ACS Style

Paola Riolo; Sara Ruschioni; Roxana L. Minuz; Roberto Romani; Nunzio Isidoro. Female sex pheromone gland of the boxwood leafminer, Monarthropalpus buxi (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae): Morphological and behavioural evidence. European Journal of Entomology 2014, 111, 75 -81.

AMA Style

Paola Riolo, Sara Ruschioni, Roxana L. Minuz, Roberto Romani, Nunzio Isidoro. Female sex pheromone gland of the boxwood leafminer, Monarthropalpus buxi (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae): Morphological and behavioural evidence. European Journal of Entomology. 2014; 111 (1):75-81.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Paola Riolo; Sara Ruschioni; Roxana L. Minuz; Roberto Romani; Nunzio Isidoro. 2014. "Female sex pheromone gland of the boxwood leafminer, Monarthropalpus buxi (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae): Morphological and behavioural evidence." European Journal of Entomology 111, no. 1: 75-81.

Journal article
Published: 19 February 2013 in Arthropod Structure & Development
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A transmission electron-microscopy study has been carried out on the pedicel of three homopteran species, with particular focus on the leafhopper Scaphoideus titanus Ball. The two other species, the planthoppers Hyalesthes obsoletus Signoret and Metcalfa pruinosa Say, were investigated in order to compare the ultrastructure of the Johnston's organ (JO) among representatives of the Auchenorrhyncha group. The results showed the presence of a well developed JO located within the pedicel. Depending on the species the JO is made of 25 up to 72 scolopidia arranged in a coronal array. Each scolopidium is connective, heterodynal, amphinematic and hosts three structurally dissimilar sensory neurons. Two of them have a type 1 ciliary segment while the third bears a type 2 cilium. The type 2 dendrite tip is associated with a tubular cap and is longer than the others, ending into the cuticle at the base of the flagellum. Other scolopidia with one or two neurons were found in S. titanus, forming an accessory organ. The presence of such a well developed mechanosensory apparatus is discussed in relation with the lifestyle of the three species.

ACS Style

Marco Valerio Rossi Stacconi; Roberto Romani. The Johnston's organ of three homopteran species: A comparative ultrastructural study. Arthropod Structure & Development 2013, 42, 219 -228.

AMA Style

Marco Valerio Rossi Stacconi, Roberto Romani. The Johnston's organ of three homopteran species: A comparative ultrastructural study. Arthropod Structure & Development. 2013; 42 (3):219-228.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Marco Valerio Rossi Stacconi; Roberto Romani. 2013. "The Johnston's organ of three homopteran species: A comparative ultrastructural study." Arthropod Structure & Development 42, no. 3: 219-228.

Research article
Published: 01 October 2012 in PLOS ONE
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In many insect species olfaction is a key sensory modality. However, examination of the chemical ecology of insects has focussed up to now on insects living above ground. Evidence for behavioral responses to chemical cues in the soil other than CO2 is scarce and the role played by olfaction in the process of finding host roots below ground is not yet understood. The question of whether soil-dwelling beetle larvae can smell their host plant roots has been under debate, but proof is as yet lacking that olfactory perception of volatile compounds released by damaged host plants, as is known for insects living above ground, occurs. Here we show that soil-dwelling larvae of Melolontha hippocastani are well equipped for olfactory perception and respond electrophysiologically and behaviorally to volatiles released by damaged host-plant roots. An olfactory apparatus consisting of pore plates at the antennae and about 70 glomeruli as primary olfactory processing units indicates a highly developed olfactory system. Damage induced host plant volatiles released by oak roots such as eucalyptol and anisol are detected by larval antennae down to 5 ppbv in soil air and elicit directed movement of the larvae in natural soil towards the odor source. Our results demonstrate that plant-root volatiles are likely to be perceived by the larval olfactory system and to guide soil-dwelling white grubs through the dark below ground to their host plants. Thus, to find below-ground host plants cockchafer larvae employ mechanisms that are similar to those employed by the adult beetles flying above ground, despite strikingly different physicochemical conditions in the soil.

ACS Style

Sonja Weissteiner; Wolf Huetteroth; Martin Kollmann; Bernhard Weißbecker; Roberto Romani; Joachim Schachtner; Stefan Schütz. Cockchafer Larvae Smell Host Root Scents in Soil. PLOS ONE 2012, 7, e45827 .

AMA Style

Sonja Weissteiner, Wolf Huetteroth, Martin Kollmann, Bernhard Weißbecker, Roberto Romani, Joachim Schachtner, Stefan Schütz. Cockchafer Larvae Smell Host Root Scents in Soil. PLOS ONE. 2012; 7 (10):e45827.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Sonja Weissteiner; Wolf Huetteroth; Martin Kollmann; Bernhard Weißbecker; Roberto Romani; Joachim Schachtner; Stefan Schütz. 2012. "Cockchafer Larvae Smell Host Root Scents in Soil." PLOS ONE 7, no. 10: e45827.