A New Species of the Mealybug Genus Mirococcus (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha: Pseudococcidae) from the Cape Verde Islands, with New Records and an Updated Checklist of Scale Insect Species.

In this study, a new species of mealybug from the Cape Verde Islands, Mirococcus capeverdensis Lagowska and Hodgson sp. n., collected on Campylanthus glaber Benth. (Scrophulariaceae), a native plant to these islands, is described and illustrated based on the adult female. A taxonomic key to the mealybugs from the Afrotropical Region that lack cerarii is provided. In addition, seven scale insect species, namely Aulacaspis tubercularis Newstead, Hemiberlesia cyanophylli (Signoret), Pseudaonidia trilobitiformis (Green), Icerya aegyptiaca (Douglas), Maconellicoccus hirsutus (Green), Palmicultor palmarum (Ehrhorn), and Pseudococcus comstocki (Kuwana) are recorded for the first time from the Cape Verde Islands and an updated checklist of Coccomorpha species known from this region, along with their known island distributions and valid sources, is appended.

The Variation of Selected Physiological Parameters in Elm Leaves (Ulmus glabra Huds.) Infested by Gall Inducing Aphids.

Three aphid species, Eriosoma ulmi (L.), Colopha compressa (Koch) and Tetraneura ulmi (L.) induce distinct gall morphotypes on Ulmus glabra Huds.; opened and closed galls. Because the trophic relationship of aphids and their galls shows that throughout the gall formation aphids can elicit multiple physiological regulations, we evaluated the changes of hydrogen peroxide content (H2O2), cytoplasmic membrane condition, expressed as electrolyte leakage (EL) and concentration of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), as well as, the activity of catalase (CAT), guaiacol peroxidase (GPX) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) in gall tissues, as well as, in damaged and undamaged parts of galled leaves. All aphid species increased EL from gall tissues and significantly upregulated APX activity in galls and galled leaves. Alterations in H2O2 and TBARS concentrations, as well as GPX and CAT activities, were aphid- and tissue-dependent. The development of pseudo- and closed galls on elm leaves did not have a clear effect on the direction and intensity of the host plant's physiological response. The different modes of changes in H2O2, TBARS, CAT and GPX were found in true galls of C. compressa and T. ulmi. Generally, physiological alterations in new plant tissues were quite different compared to other tissues and could be considered beneficial to galling aphids.

An updated annotated checklist of scale insects (Hemiptera, Sternorrhyncha, Coccomorpha) of Poland.

A checklist of scale insects recorded to date in Poland is presented. The data provided here are based on literature records and include the latest taxonomic and nomenclatural changes and updates on Coccomorpha reported in Poland. Changes in comparison with ScaleNet and Fauna Europaea electronic databases are also discussed. A total of 185 species belonging to 98 genera and 16 families are included in the list. Of this group, 47 species are alien introduced species and live only indoors, and one species, Pulvinaria floccifera (Westwood), develops both indoors and outdoors.

Physiological Response of Basil Plants to Twospotted Spider Mite (Acari: Tetranychidae) Infestation.

The induction of plant resistance against pests is considered a potential method of controlling mite infestation as it restricts the use of chemical pesticides in herbal crops. Our goal was to investigate whether plant physiological response to mite feeding varied depending on basil cultivar and/or duration of mite infestation. The effect of plant acceptance, mite mortality rate, and changes in physiological parameters: malondialdehyde content (MDA), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) concentration, and antioxidant enzyme activities, including guaiacol peroxidase (GPX) and catalase (CAT) were examined in this study. Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acari: Tetranychidae) infestation induced oxidative stress in three Ocimum basilicum L. cultivars: 'Sweet basil,' 'Purpurascens,' and 'Fino Verde.' The analysis of mite behavior and alteration in metabolic plant profiles showed different sensitivities of basil cultivars to biotic stress that were dependent on the cultivar and duration of infestation. All basil plants were suitable as host plants for T. urticae, but they varied in the level of susceptibility to mite feeding. O. basilicum 'Fino Verde' was the most suitable host for the twospotted spider mite. In turn, O. basilicum 'Purpurascens' was characterized by the lowest level of susceptibility to T. urticae feeding. The lowest acceptance, the highest mortality of twospotted spider mite individuals as well as decreased levels of H2O2 and MDA, significantly increased GPX activity and low level of CAT activity were recorded in O. basilicum 'Purpurascens' leaves. Research on plant responses to biotic stress can inform breeding cultivars resistant to arthropod attack.

Tetraneura ulmi (Hemiptera: Eriosomatinae) Induces Oxidative Stress and Alters Antioxidant Enzyme Activities in Elm Leaves.

Gall formation is induced by an insect, which changes normal plant development and results in the formation of a new organ, following distinct stages of metabolic and developmental alterations. Research on mechanisms of recognition and responses to biotic stress may help to understand the interactions between galling aphids and their host plants. In this study, Tetraneura ulmi L. (Hemiptera: Eriosomatinae) galls and Ulmus pumila L. (Rosales: Ulmaceae) leaves were used as a model. Concentrations of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, electrolyte leakage, as well as the activity of ascorbate peroxidase, guaiacol peroxidase, and catalase (CAT) were determined in galls and two parts of galled leaves (with and without visible damage). Biochemical analyses were performed at three stages of gall development: initial, fully developed, and mature galls. A slight increment in H2O2 content with a strong enhancement of ascorbate peroxidase and CAT activities were observed in galls and galled leaves in the first stage. In subsequent stages of gall development, a progressing increase in H2O2 production and cell membrane damage was associated with declining antioxidant enzyme activities, especially in gall tissues. The stages of gall development are likely to be part of cell death triggered by aphid feeding. It seems that the gall is the result of a biochemical struggle between the host plant and the gall inducer.

Parasitoid complex associated with the overwintering generation of Swammerdamia pyrella (Lepidoptera: Yponomeutidae) in Poland.

The study was conducted on fruit trees where bands of corrugated cardboard were attached around the trunks of the trees, which were used to catch the larvae of overwintering generation of the rufous-tipped swammerdamia moth, Swammerdamia pyrella (Villers) (Lepidoptera: Yponomeutidae). Twenty-five species of parasitic Hymenoptera have been described from S. pyrella in Poland including the report in this article of seven species belonging to the family of Ichneumonidae (three species) and superfamily Chalcidoidea (four species). The parasitoids Gelis agilis F. (Ichneumonidae), Chrysocharis aquilegiae (Erdös) (Eulophidae), Catolaccus ater (Ratzeburg) (Pteromalidae), and Eupelmus urozonus (Dalman) (Eupelmidae) had not been reported from the host before. Triclistus pallipes Holmgren (Ichneumonidae), Dibrachys cavus Walker (Pteromalidae) had the greatest effect on the natural regulation of S. pyrella population. Parasitization for the wintering cocoons of S. pyrella changed each year, but it was high throughout the study. The contribution of secondary parasitoids was much higher than primary parasitoids.