A5035026592- Insect-Plant Interactions and Control
- Research on scale insects
- Insect behavior and control techniques
- Phytoplasmas and Hemiptera pathogens
- Hymenoptera taxonomy and phylogeny
- Forest Insect Ecology and Management
- Plant Physiology and Cultivation Studies
- Insect Pest Control Strategies
- Hemiptera Insect Studies
- Nematode management and characterization studies
- Horticultural and Viticultural Research
- Insect Resistance and Genetics
- Plant and Fungal Interactions Research
- Air Quality Monitoring and Forecasting
- Mycorrhizal Fungi and Plant Interactions
- Plant Pathogens and Fungal Diseases
- Biological Control of Invasive Species
- Water Quality Monitoring and Analysis
- Plant Disease Management Techniques
- Insect Pheromone Research and Control
- Parasite Biology and Host Interactions
- Invertebrate Taxonomy and Ecology
- Agriculture and Biological Studies
- Berry genetics and cultivation research
- Phytochemical compounds biological activities
University of Catania
1999-2025
Regione Siciliana
2018
Abstract The Opuntia cochineal scale or false carmine scale, Dactylopius opuntiae (Cockerell) (Hemiptera: Dactylopiidae), is spreading rapidly in many countries, especially the Mediterranean basin, where it has become a serious pest of prickly pear crops, ficus‐indica (L.) Miller (Cactaceae). This crop an important food resource both for humans and livestock. was originally used as biological agent to control cactaceous weeds countries Opuntiaceae had been introduced. Currently, some no...
The adult female of a new species armoured scale insect, Diaspidiotus aetnensis Nucifora, Watson and Mazzeo sp. n. (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha: Diaspididae), is described illustrated. It was collected in Sicily on the endemic birch, Betula Raf. (Betulaceae). We provide supplementary notes alni (Marchal), D. wuenni (Lindinger) lenticularis (Lindinger), key to recorded Betulaceae worldwide.
The insect genus Carulaspis MacGillivray, associated with Pinidae and Magnoliidae, includes six species: C. juniperi , minima visci atlantica taxicola silvestrii . first description of lacks key morphological features that are paramount importance for species identification. type specimens also remain undiscovered, suggesting a potential loss taxon information. This study provides detailed redescription including drawings, SEM images neotype designation taxonomic stability. For the time,...
The soil nematode community plays an important role in ecosystem services. objective of this study was to assess the effect Super-high density (SHD) olive orchards on five sites with different soils, climates, and cultivars. At each site, SHD management system compared adjacent orchard traditional (TRAD) system, which same phytosanitary measures were applied. Soil assessed by total organic carbon content (TOC), while evaluated using taxa abundances indicators. TOC significantly decreased...
The presence of the bronze bug Thaumastocoris peregrinus Carpintero and Dellapé (Heteroptera; Thaumastocoridae), a serious invasive pest Eucalyptus (Myrtaceae) plantations, was recently reported for first time in Europe Italian region Latium. This study provides information on its occurrence Sicily from camaldulensis Dehnh.
Environmental factors impact and incidence of parasitism Psyllaephagus bliteus Riek (Hymenoptera Encyrtidae) on populations Glycaspis brimblecombei Moore (Hemiptera Aphalaridae) in Mediterranean climatic areas
The establishment of the pineapple mealybug Dysmicoccus brevipes (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) in Italy is reported this paper. different instars found during winter Sicily on aerial roots adult date palms ( Phoenix dactylifera L.), suggests that D. has a strong capability to survive and continue its development even under cold temperatures. could represent serious threat for vineyards, considering damage observed South America ‘Italia’ grape variety, one most widely cultivated table grapes...
Most ambient air quality models are deterministic or rely upon simple regression based statistics. Their success, however, is limited either by their failure to capture the non-linear behaviour of pollutants, incomplete understanding physical and chemical processes involved. The APPETISE project aims develop test suitability novel statistical methods improve ability accurately forecast variations in quality. It also for handling missing data, which will have generic applications other real...
The nigra scale, Parasaissetia (Hemiptera, Coccidae), has occurred for a long time on many ornamental plants in continental Italy. Records of the presence this polyphagous scale island Sicily have remained unconfirmed. This study confirms establishment damaging insect Sicily, where been found new host, Syzygium myrtifolium .
ARMOURED SCALE INSECTS (HEMIPTERA: COCCOIDEA: DIASPIDIDAE) NEW TO SICILY: RECORDS AND OBSERVATIONS. The central location of Sicily in the Mediterranean basin makes studies its fauna particularly interesting. Recent collections from scrub vegetation on South-East coast and slopes Mount Etna have produced four new records Diaspididae for Sicily: Aonidia ?mediterranea (Lindinger), Ferreroaspis hungarica (Vinis), Mercetaspis isis (Hall) Chionaspis etrusca Leonardi. presence first three species...
Abstract The presence of the South African Obscure Scale, Melanaspis corticosa (Brain) (Hemiptera, Diaspididae), was detected infesting olive trees, in Portugal. identity scale insect confirmed based on both morphological and molecular studies. Until now, this species only known a few countries, including Guinea, Mozambique, Africa Zimbabwe. This is first record Europe Palearctic region. observed 15 different locations, Algarve, since its detection at end 2016. Samples were collected between...