Evaluation of macadamia felted coccid (Hemiptera: Eriococcidae) damage and cultivar susceptibility using imagery from a small unmanned aerial vehicle (sUAV), combined with ground truthing.

BACKGROUND: Macadamia felted coccid, Acanthococcus ioronsidei (Williams) (Hemiptera: Eriococcidae), is a significant pest of macadamia nut, Macadamia integrifolia Maiden & Betche (Protaceae), in Hawaii, and heavy infestations can kill branches, resulting in characteristic dead, copper-colored leaves. Small Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (sUAV) or 'drones,' combined with spatial data analysis, can provide growers with accurate and high-resolution detection of plant stress due to pest infestations. We investigated the feasibility of using RGB (red-green-blue) color images from sUAV to detect dieback caused by macadamia felted coccid infestation and compared sUAV estimates with ground-based damage estimates (ground truthing). RESULTS: Spatial analysis showed clustering of foliar damage that reflected cultivar susceptibility to macadamia felted coccid infestation, with cultivars 344 and 856 being susceptible, and cultivars 800 and 333 being tolerant. sUAV and ground-based estimates of foliar damage were similar for the cultivar 344, but ground-based assessments were higher than sUAV for cultivar 856, possibly due to the differences in canopy architecture and significant early dieback in the lower canopy. At foliar damage levels <10%, sUAV and ground truthing data were significantly positively correlated, suggesting sUAV may be useful in detecting early stages of macadamia felted coccid infestation. CONCLUSIONS: Cultivars showed varying susceptibility to macadamia felted coccid infestation and the foliage damage appeared in clusters. sUAV was able to detect the foliage damage under high and low infestation scenarios suggesting that it can be effectively used for the early detection of infestations. © 2022 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry. This article has been contributed to by U.S. Government employees and their work is in the public domain in the USA.

FIRST REPORT OF GENUS Cryptosporidium IN CERVIDS SPECIES: Mazama americana, Mazama nana AND Blastocerus dichotomus.

We analyzed Cryptosporidium spp. in fecal samples of wild cervids (Ozotoceros bezoarticus, Blastocerus dichotomus, Mazama nana, Mazama americana, and Mazama bororo) from many Brazilian regions, a fact unprecedented in the literature. Sniffer dogs were used to collect 936 fecal samples of cervids from 14 Brazilian localities. Cervids species were identified using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) performed from genomic DNA extracted from 563 fecal samples of Ozotoceros bezoarticus, Blastocerus dichotomus, Mazama nana, Mazama americana, and Mazama bororo. Cryptosporidium spp. oocyst screening was performed using malachite green negative staining. Nested PCR (nPCR) protocols targeting the 18S rRNA and GP60 genes followed by genetic sequencing were performed for Cryptosporidium spp. detection and Cryptosporidium parvum subtyping, respectively. Nested PCR targeting actin gene and genetic sequencing were performed in samples with non-identified Cryptosporidium species by 18S rRNA amplicon sequencing. The association between the occurrence of Cryptosporidium and the presence of bovines in the same locality was evaluated using Fisher's exact test. The positivity rates of diagnostic methods were compared by McNemar test and the Kappa correlation coefficient. The prevalence rates of Cryptosporidium spp. in cervids were 1.42% (8/563) and 0.36% (2/563) by nPCR and malachite green negative staining, respectively. C. parvum IIaA16G3R1 isolate was identified in three fecal samples from M. americana, two from M. nana and one from B. dichotomus. Cryptosporidium ryanae were found in one sample from B. dichotomus. We identified a new Cryptosporidium genotype, named Cryptosporidium deer genotype BR, from one M. americana fecal sample.

Description of two new species of Cryptinglisia Cockerell (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha: Coccidae) associated with rosemary, Rosmarinus officinalis L. (Lamiaceae) in Colombia.

In this study, two new species of soft scale (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha: Coccidae) associated with rosemary, Rosmarinus officinalis L. (Lamiaceae) from Colombia, Cryptinglisia corpoica Kondo Montes sp. nov. and Cryptinglisia ica Montes Kondo sp. nov. are described and illustrated based on the adult female. Two other coccid species, namely Parasaissetia nigra (Nietner) and Saissetia coffeae (Walker), are newly recorded on rosemary. An identification key is presented to all species of soft scale that have been reported on Rosmarinus spp. An updated key to soft scale insects of the genus Cryptinglisia Cockerell is provided also.

Description of a New Genus and New Species of Soft Scale Insect (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha: Coccidae) from Cuba.

A new neotropical genus and species of soft scale insect from Cuba, Hamonicoccus Mestre and Kondo gen. nov. is described and Hamonicoccus alayoi Mestre and Kondo sp. nov. (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha: Coccidae) is described and illustrated based on the adult female. The species was collected in Cayos de las Cinco Leguas, Matanzas Province, on Capparis cynophallophora (Capparaceae), and in Surgidero de Batabanó, Mayabeque Province, on Rhizophora mangle (Rhizophoraceae). The affinities of H alayoi sp. nov. with closely related species is discussed based on published literature. An updated list of soft scale insects (Hemiptera: Coccidae) known from Cuba is provided.

On the biosynthetic origin of carminic acid.

The chemical composition of the scale insect Dactylopius coccus was analyzed with the aim to discover new possible intermediates in the biosynthesis of carminic acid. UPLC-DAD/HRMS analyses of fresh and dried insects resulted in the identification of three novel carminic acid analogues and the verification of several previously described intermediates. Structural elucidation revealed that the three novel compounds were desoxyerythrolaccin-O-glucosyl (DE-O-Glcp), 5,6-didehydroxyerythrolaccin 3-O-ß-D-glucopyranoside (DDE-3-O-Glcp), and flavokermesic acid anthrone (FKA). The finding of FKA in D. coccus provides solid evidence of a polyketide, rather than a shikimate, origin of coccid pigments. Based on the newly identified compounds, we present a detailed biosynthetic scheme that accounts for the formation of carminic acid (CA) in D. coccus and all described coccid pigments which share a flavokermesic acid (FK) core. Detection of coccid pigment intermediates in members of the Planococcus (mealybugs) and Pseudaulacaspis genera shows that the ability to form these pigments is taxonomically more widely spread than previously documented. The shared core-FK-biosynthetic pathway and wider taxonomic distribution suggests a common evolutionary origin for the trait in all coccid dye producing insect species.

Variation in life history traits and transcriptome associated with adaptation to diet shifts in the ladybird Cryptolaemus montrouzieri.

BACKGROUND: Despite the broad diet range of many predatory ladybirds, the mechanisms involved in their adaptation to diet shifts are not completely understood. Here, we explored how a primarily coccidophagous ladybird Cryptolaemus montrouzieri adapts to feeding on aphids. RESULTS: Based on the lower survival rate, longer developmental time, and lower adult body weight and reproduction rate of the predator, the aphid Megoura japonica proved being less suitable to support C. montrouzieri as compared with the citrus mealybug Planococcus citri. The results indicated up-regulation of genes related to ribosome and translation in fourth instars, which may be related to their suboptimal development. Also, several genes related to biochemical transport and metabolism, and detoxification were up-regulated as a result of adaptation to the changes in nutritional and non-nutritional (toxic) components of the prey. CONCLUSION: Our results indicated that C. montrouzieri succeeded in feeding on aphids by regulation of genes related to development, digestion and detoxification. Thus, we argue that these candidate genes are valuable for further studies of the functional evolution of ladybirds led by diet shifts.

Description of a new soft scale insect of the genus Pulvinaria Targioni Tozzetti (Hemiptera, Coccoidea, Coccidae) from Bogota, Colombia.

A new soft scale (Hemiptera: Coccoidea: Coccidae) species, Pulvinariacaballeroramosae Tanaka & Kondo, sp. n., is described from specimens collected on twigs of Ficussoatensis Dugand (Moraceae) in Bogota, Colombia. The new species resembles Pulvinariadrymiswinteri Kondo & Gullan, described from Chile on Drimyswinteri J.R. Forst. & G. Forst. (Winteraceae), but differs in the distribution of preopercular pores on the dorsum, the presence of dorsal tubular ducts, dorsal microducts, and reticulation on the anal plates; and in its feeding habits, i.e., Pulvinariacaballeroramosae feeds on the twigs whereas Pulvinariadrymiswinteri feeds on the leaves of its host. A key to the Colombian species of Pulvinaria Targioni Tozzetti is provided.

The sperm of Matsucoccus feytaudi (Insecta, Coccoidea): Can the microtubular bundle be considered as a true flagellum?

In the present work the spermiogenesis and sperm structure of Matsucoccus feytaudi, a primary pest of the maritime pine in southern eastern Europe, is studied. In addition to the already known characteristics of coccid sperm, such as the absence of the acrosome and mitochondria, and the presence of a bundle of microtubules responsible for sperm motility, a peculiar structure from which the microtubule bundle takes origin is described. Such a structure--a short cylinder provided with a central hub surrounded by several microtubules with a dense wall--is regarded as a Microtubule Organizing Centre (MTOC). During spermiogenesis, quartets of fused spermatids are formed; from each spermatid, a bundle of microtubules, generated by the MTOC, projects from the cell surface. Each cell has two centrioles, suggesting the lack of a meiotic process and the occurrence of parthenogenesis. At the end of the spermiogenesis, when the cysts containing bundles of sperm are formed, part of the nuclear material together with the MTOC structure is eliminated. Based on the origin of the microtubular bundle from the MTOC, the nature of the bundle as a flagellum is discussed.

A Third Species of Hemilecanium Newstead (Hemiptera: Coccoidea: Coccidae) from the New World, with Keys to Species in the Genus.

A new species of Hemilecanium Newstead, Hemilecanium guanabana Kondo & Hodgson n. sp., is described and illustrated based on the adult female, adult male and first instar. The specimens were collected in the municipality of Palmira, state of Valle del Cauca, Colombia, on soursop, Annona muricata (Annonaceae). Updated identification keys are provided for the adult females of all 28 species of the genus Hemilecanium, and for known adult males and first instars. An updated list of the 23 species of soft scales (Coccidae) known from soursop worldwide is included.

Description of a new species of Toumeyella Cockerell (Hemiptera, Coccidae) from Mexico, with a taxonomic key to mexican species / Descrição de uma nova espécie de Toumeyella Cockerell (Hemiptera, Coccidae) do México e chave do gênero para as espécies mexicanas

A new species of soft scale insect from Mexico, Toumeyella fontanai Kondo & Pellizzari sp. nov. is des-cribed and illustrated. A taxonomic key to the species of scale insects of the genus Toumeyella Cockerell known in Mexico is provided.

Uma nova espécie de coccídeo do México, Toumeyella fontanai Kondo & Pellizzari sp. nov., é descrita e ilustrada. Uma chave taxonômica para separar as espécies de cochonilhas do gênero Toumeyella Cockerell que ocorrem no México é fornecida.

Ocorrência de Eimeria ichiloensis em capivaras (Hydrochaeris hydrochaeris) de criatório / Ocurrencia de Eimeria ichiloensis en capibaras (Hidrochoerus hidrochaeris) de creación / Occurrence of Eimeria ichiloensis in capybaras (Hydrochaeris hydrochaeris) bred in farming

O objetivo deste trabalho foi relatar o parasitismo por Eimeria ichiloensis em capivaras (Hydrochaeris hydrochaeris). Foram analisadas 10 amostras de fezes de capivaras, provenientes de um criatório legalizado, onde eram criadas em ambiente com área de brejo e açude no município de Arroio do Meio, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil. As fezes foram analisadas através do método de centrífugo-flutuação com sulfato de zinco. Nas amostras, observou-se infecção leve por oocistos de E. ichiloensis, no entanto, os roedores não apresentaram sinais clínicos da enfermidade

This paper reports parasitism by Eimeria ichiloensis in capybaras (Hydrochaeris hydrochaeris). Ten fecal samples of animals from a legal nursery were analyzed. The animals were created in an environment with swamp and dam in the municipality of Arroio do Meio, Rio Grande do Sul state, Brazil. Feces were analyzed by the zinc sulphate centrifugalflotation method. Mild infection by oocytes of E. ichiloensis was observed in the samples, although rodents presented no clinical signs of the disease

El objetivo de esta investigación fue relatar el parasitismo por Eimeria ichiloensis en capibaras (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris). Fueron analizadas 10 muestras de excrementos de capibaras, provenientes de una creación legalizada, donde eran creadas en pantanos y represa en el municipio de Arroio do Meio, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil. Los excrementos fueron analizados a través del método centrífugo fluctuación con sulfato de zinc. En las muestras, se observó infección leve por oocistos de E. ichiloensis, sin embargo, los roedores no presentaron señales clínicos de la enfermedad