A5019910176- Insect-Plant Interactions and Control
- Insect behavior and control techniques
- Phytoplasmas and Hemiptera pathogens
- Forest Insect Ecology and Management
- Hymenoptera taxonomy and phylogeny
- Insect Pest Control Strategies
- Insect symbiosis and bacterial influences
- Species Distribution and Climate Change
- Biological Control of Invasive Species
- Spider Taxonomy and Behavior Studies
- Entomopathogenic Microorganisms in Pest Control
- Insect Utilization and Effects
- Plant Virus Research Studies
- Olfactory and Sensory Function Studies
- Lepidoptera: Biology and Taxonomy
- Insect and Arachnid Ecology and Behavior
- Mycorrhizal Fungi and Plant Interactions
- Plant and animal studies
- Insect Resistance and Genetics
- Advanced Chemical Sensor Technologies
- Cocoa and Sweet Potato Agronomy
- Insect and Pesticide Research
- Insect Pheromone Research and Control
- Diptera species taxonomy and behavior
- Animal and Plant Science Education
Polytechnic Institute of Bragança
2015-2025
University of Coimbra
2015-2019
Universidad de León
2011-2013
Societal Impact Statement Huánglóngbìng (HLB) is a bacterial disease of citrus that has significantly impacted Brazil and the United States, although production in Mediterranean Basin remains unaffected. By developing mathematical model spread Spain, we tested surveillance control strategies before any future HLB entry EU. We found while some might be maintained by roguing, this requires extensive significant chemical control, perhaps also including testing psyllids (which pathogen) for DNA....
Abstract Soil arthropods can provide ecosystem services, such as biological control of crop pests that spend part their life cycle in the soil. This is case Bactrocera oleae (Rossi) (Diptera: Tephritidae), one most important olives. The impact edaphic on abundance B. pupae was evaluated and contribution for pest quantified. Exclusion exposed boxes with were installed olive groves parallel pitfall traps used sampling percentage suppression from January to May 2014. Forficulidae dominated...
Abstract Farmland is a major land cover type in Europe and Africa provides habitat for numerous species. The severe decline farmland biodiversity of the last decades has been attributed to changes farming practices, organic low‐input are assumed mitigate detrimental effects agricultural intensification on biodiversity. Since farm enterprise primary unit decision making, management‐related at field scale need be assessed level. Therefore, this study, data were collected characteristics,...
Assessing the potential of spread an introduced crop pest in a new country is crucial to anticipating its effects on production and deriving phytosanitary management toward reducing negative effects. Citrus represents key agricultural activity throughout Mediterranean basin. The African citrus psyllid Trioza erytreae (del Guercio, 1918) (Hemiptera: Triozidae) natural vector Candidatusliberibacter spp., causal agent harmful disease huanglongbing (HLB) or “citrus greening disease”. In...
The citrus greening disease or Huanglongbing (HLB) is the most devastating of crops. Trioza erytreae a vector HLB. Since its introduction in Europe, insect reached northern region Spain and southern Portugal, threatening relevant production areas. Limiting spread HLB vectors mandatory to prevent this disease. In work, we assessed effect kaolin, white mineral clay, on landing, settling behavior feeding lemon plants.After kaolin application, number plants which was found significantly lower...
Carabid beetles are important predators in agricultural landscapes feeding on a range of prey items. However, their role as the olive fruit fly, Bactrocera oleae (Rossi) (Diptera: Tephritidae), one most serious pests olives, is unknown. In this context, preferences and functional responses two carabid beetle species, Calathus granatensis (Vuillefroy) Pterostichus globosus (Fabricius), were studied under laboratory conditions. Feeding preference assays involved exposing to different ratios B....
Chrysoperla carnea (Stephens) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) is a voracious predator of soft-bodied insects such as juveniles scale and the black Saissetia oleae (Olivier) (Hemiptera: Coccidae) an important pest several crops, olive tree. However, predatory efficiency C. on S. has been unstudied yet. The present work aimed to study functional response larvae fed nymphs. In controlled laboratory environment, increasing densities second third nymph stages were offered newly emerged specimens three...
Abstract Spiders are successful natural enemies in different crops. Research on the role of spiders as within agroecosystems needs to address distribution their communities across spatial scales, well dominant species. We studied community olive agroecosystem Northeastern Portugal and investigated potential species that could be used bioindicators agricultural management grove. found nine functional groups (ambushers, foliage runner hunters, ground orb‐web builders, sheet web sensing...
Abstract The almond tree is an economically important crop in Mediterranean regions. However, knowledge about the biodiversity of natural enemies that may be useful as biocontrol agents scarce. objectives this work were: (i) to study diversity predaceous arthropods; and (ii) establish a suitable sampling protocol for arthropods canopy. Between April October 2007 2008, 25 randomly selected trees were sampled organic grove located north‐east Portugal using beating technique. specimens...
Abstract Trioza erytreae , the African citrus psyllid, is a vector of Candidatus Liberibacter spp., causal agent greening disease or Huanglongbing (HLB). The spread throughout Iberian Peninsula has been continuous since its introduction in mainland Spain 2014. patterns host preference and feeding behaviour largely depend on olfactory cues. Understanding these crucial to prevent further dispersion develop management measures against pest. In this work, series settlement, olfactometric,...
Abstract The meadow spittlebug Philaenus spumarius L. (Hemiptera: Aphrophoridae) is a xylem‐sap feeder and the most abundant widespread vector of Xylella fastidiosa (Xanthomonadales: Xanthomonadaceae) throughout Europe. Control strategies for disease are based on containment eradication measures regulated by European Union. Within context biological control, use natural enemies aims at limiting insect population in agroecosystems. Spiders generalist predators with potential as control agents...
Abstract Huánglóngbíng (HLB; citrus greening) is the most damaging disease of worldwide. While production in USA and Brazil have been affected for decades, HLB has not detected European Union (EU). However, psyllid vectors already invaded spread Portugal Spain, 2023 species known to vector Americas was first reported within EU. We develop a landscape-scale, epidemiological model, accounting heterogeneous cultivation dispersal, as well climate management. use our model predict dynamics...
The olive grove is a key landscape across the Mediterranean basin. This agroecosystem threatened by Xylella fastidiosa, causal agent of tree quick decline syndrome, Philaenus spumarius being main vector. A way to limit pest populations relies on use biological control agents such as arthropods. Among them, spiders are generalist predators with different hunting strategies that feed mostly insects and can contribute pests. In this work, field laboratory data were used provide protocol aiming...
Abstract Spiders are successful natural enemies of pests occurring throughout the different strata an agroecosystem. The study their functional responses can provide information related to potential effectiveness species and guilds on reducing a pest population. However, multiple prey availability may change response predator. In this study, three spiders in single‐prey multiple‐prey experiments were modelled. spider Haplodrassus rufipes , Araniella cucurbitina Synema globosum chosen as...
Abstract Xylella fastidiosa , the causal agent of several diseases in crops economic interest, could be rapidly transmitted and spread throughout agroecosystem landscape by xylem sap‐feeding insects. Chemical signals environment drive behaviour Attractive or repulsive responses to may affect insects’ fitness, survival reproduction, elicit different movement patterns. Specific patterns derived from olfactory cues towards selection plants for feeding trigger transmission pathogen insect. Thus,...
The olive tree is perfectly adapted to the Mediterranean region, where it represents high economic, social, and landscape importance, orchards being an important repository of biodiversity. order Coleoptera encompasses families that provide ecosystem services, such as pest limitation. objective this work was compare assemblage Beetles between grove their surrounding semi-natural in Trás-os-Montes. ground beetles on four groves adjacent shrubland areas were sampled using pitfall traps near...
Abstract Philaenus spumarius is a vector of Xylella fastidiosa , one the most dangerous plants pathogenic bacteria worldwide. There currently no control measure against this pathogen. Thus, development strategies, like generalist predators, such as spiders, could be essential to limit spread vector-borne In study, polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based approach was developed principally detect DNA P. in spider’s gut. Accordingly, 20 primer pairs, targeting mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I...
Spiders are generalist predators that contribute to the control of pests in agroecosystems.Land use management determines habitats including refuges for hibernation and aestivation.The availability shelters on ground can be crucial maintaining populations spider within crops.We studied effect number stones surface soil community selected olive groves Trás-os-Montes (northeastern Portugal).The signifi cantly infl uenced overall diversity spiders, abundance immature individuals...