Salmonella Yeerongpilly in a Chinese Owl (Columba livia domestica) in Jamaica.

Salmonella infection in bird species in Jamaica was studied. This revealed that very low prevalence of salmonellosis was found (0.32 %). Salmonella Yeerongpilly (newly reported in the country) was isolated from a bird collected at a bird aviary. This study showed that there was the presence of this Salmonella serovar in a Chinese owl (Columba livia domestica) in Jamaica. There were not published reports from Caribbean Islands of the presence of this serovar. Salmonella Yeerongpilly belongs to serogroup E1 and by molecular serotyping random amplification of polymorphic DNA (RAPD) fingerprinting belongs to A20, B17 and C21. This strain was isolated in Queensland Australia in the 1960s before the successful Salmonella eradication campaign. This study suggests that a larger investigation in pet birds as Salmonella carriers should be carried out in Jamaica. Mandatory screening or quarantine of birds entering the country should be institutionalized.

The effect of essential oils of sweet fennel and pignut on mortality and learning in africanized honeybees (Apis mellifera L.) (Hymenoptera: Apidae)

It was recently discovered that exposure to small concentrations of the essential oils of sweet fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill) or pignut [Hyptis suaveolens (L.) Poit] can be used to control aphids. What is not known is whether these oils also influence honeybee behavior. Experiments using both harnessed and free-flying foragers at concentrations used to control aphids showed that bees readily associated the odors with a reward, discriminated between them, and were not repelled. Honeybees, however, would not consume the oils when mixed with sucrose to create an unconditioned stimulus. An experiment in which harnessed bees consumed various concentrations showed that concentrations greater than 50 percent were detrimental. The experiments reported here provide further evidence supporting the use of conditioning techniques to evaluate the use of essential oils on honey bee behavior.

Recentemente foi descoberto que pequenas concentrações de óleos essenciais de erva-doce (Foeniculum vulgare Mill) ou alfazema [Hyptis suaveolens (L.) Poit] podem ser usadas para controlar pulgões. O que não se sabe é se esses óleos também podem influenciar o comportamento de abelhas melíferas. Experimentos utilizando abelhas encapsuladas ou livres, em diferentes concentrações usadas para controlar pulgões, mostraram que as abelhas rapidamente associaram o odor a um estímulo aprendendo a discriminá-lo, e não foram repelidas pelo mesmo. No entanto, as abelhas melíferas não consumiriam os óleos quando misturados à sacarose para criar um estímulo incondicional. Em um experimento, em que abelhas encapsuladas foram submetidas a várias concentrações dos óleos essenciais, concentrações maiores que 50 por cento foram prejudiciais às abelhas. Os experimentos relatados aqui reforçam a validade do uso de técnicas de condicionamento para avaliar a ação de óleos essenciais no comportamento das abelhas melíferas.