A5041213751- Insect and Pesticide Research
- Plant and animal studies
- Insect and Arachnid Ecology and Behavior
- Bee Products Chemical Analysis
- Insect-Plant Interactions and Control
- Species Distribution and Climate Change
- Insect Pest Control Strategies
- Forest Insect Ecology and Management
- Nematode management and characterization studies
- Plant Parasitism and Resistance
- Insect symbiosis and bacterial influences
- Pesticide Residue Analysis and Safety
- Date Palm Research Studies
- Coleoptera Taxonomy and Distribution
- Essential Oils and Antimicrobial Activity
- Insect behavior and control techniques
- Phytochemicals and Antioxidant Activities
- Plant Diversity and Evolution
University of Sassari
2017-2025
University of Palermo
2024
The interspecific transmission of pathogens can occur frequently in the environment. Among wild bees, main spillover cases are caused by associated with Apis mellifera, whose colonies act as reservoirs. Due to limited availability data Italy, it is challenging accurately assess impact and implications this phenomenon on bee populations. In study, a total 3372 bees were sampled from 11 Italian regions within BeeNet project, evaluating prevalence abundance major honey (DWV, BQCV, ABPV, CBPV,...
Nosema ceranae is a widespread obligate intracellular parasite of the ventriculus many species honey bee (Apis), including Western Apis mellifera, in which it may lead to colony death. It can be controlled A. mellifera by feeding antibiotic fumagillin colony, though this product toxic humans and its use has now been banned countries, so beekeeping, there exists need for alternative safe products effective against N. ceranae. Honeybees produce propolis from resinous substances collected...
Abstract Context The reduction in the abundance and diversity of flowering plant species, mainly due to landscape alteration consequent habitat loss, negatively affects honey bee populations is main driver their decline. To safeguard pollination service food security, we need know how characteristics affect availability pollen sources consequently colony performance across seasons. Objectives We therefore here explore seasonality, percentage semi-natural cover compositional heterogeneity...
Social distancing in response to infectious diseases is a strategy exhibited by human and nonhuman animals counteract the spread of pathogens and/or parasites. Honey bee (Apis mellifera) colonies are ideal models study this behavior because compartmentalized structure these societies, evolved under exposure parasite pressure need ensure efficient functioning. Here, using combination spatial behavioral approaches, we investigated whether presence ectoparasite mite Varroa destructor induces...
<title>Abstract</title> Social insects employ venom as an external immune defence against pathogens and parasites. Like other Hymenoptera, the gland of honey bee serves a reservoir antimicrobial substances, primarily melittin. This study investigates role associated with grooming behaviour in <italic>Apis mellifera</italic> workers infested by <italic>Varroa destructor</italic>. Using multi-step approach, we first confirmed presence on bees' bodies using melittin marker. We then examined how...
Honeybees use propolis collected from plants for coating the inner walls of their nest. This substance is also used as a natural antibiotic against microbial pathogens, similarly to many other animals exploiting products self-medication. We carried out chemical analyses and laboratory bioassays test if honeybees social medication major ectoparasite: Varroa destructor . found that applied brood cells where it can affect reproducing parasites, with positive effect on potential impact...
Abstract Social insects have evolved colony behavioral, physiological, and organizational adaptations (social immunity) to reduce the risks of parasitization and/or disease transmission. The collection resin from various plants its use in hive as propolis is a clear example behavioral defense. For Apis mellifera , an increased content may correspond variations microbial load downregulation individual bee's immune response. However, many aspects such antimicrobial mechanism still need be...
The European hornet, Vespa crabro L. (Hymenoptera: Vespidae), is a eusocial insect native to Eurasia that was accidentally introduced in the island of Sardinia (Italy) 2010. This alien generalist predator could impact on species through predation or competition by modifying interspecific relations sensitive ecosystems. As part Interreg project ALIEM, present work regarded first monitoring activity hornet conducted means verified citizen science. main goals this study were define distribution...
Infestations of the ectoparasitic mite Varroa destructor cause significant honey bee colony weakening, due to both host-feeding and virus transmission effects. In addition natural (i.e., behavioral) innate cellular humoral response) mechanisms defense against pathogens parasites, contribution maintain good health may derive from resident microbial community. The present study investigated variation in immune-related gene expression levels relative abundance representative bacterial taxa core...
Abstract The decline of pollinator insects in various parts the world has increased interest studies on bee sampling. Because management and conservation policies depend data representing their communities, knowledge systematic bias sampling methods relation to surrounding habitat is fundamental. This study examined performance standardized transect walks colored pan traps considering differences species richness, diversity, composition, potential due a different availability floral sources...
The German yellowjacket (Vespula germanica) is an opportunist predator and a scavenger, whose eclectic diet also includes honey, brood, dead live honey-bees. There no evidence in this species of coordinated attacks against bees involving other conspecifics, although intraspecific competition has been already reported between two or more individuals during feeding. Our aim was to gain further knowledge on the feeding behavior V. germanica order evaluate its role apiary. Sight observations...
The use of natural substances such as essentials oils against bee pathogens is great interest an alternative to traditional methods based on synthetic compounds like antibiotics and fungicides, in order minimize the risk having toxic residues hive products prevent development resistance phenomena. This study evaluated inhibitory, fungicidal sporicidal activity ten essential extracted from aromatic plants Ascosphaera apis, etiological agent chalkbrood, invasive honey mycosis. most effective...
Predator-prey relationships between sympatric species allow the evolution of defense behaviors, such as honeybee colonies defending their nests against predatory wasps. We investigated predator-prey relationship (Apis mellifera ligustica) and European wasp (Vespula germanica) by evaluating effectiveness attack which have coevolved in these species, well actual damage disturbance caused to under attack. Attack behaviors were recorded front hive observe attacks at entrance (68 279 h) ground...
Vespa crabro, also known as European hornet, is a eusocial Vespidae originally from Eurasia that was accidentally introduced on the island of Sardinia (Italy) in 2010. Currently, its distribution limited to northern area island. Considering non-harmful species native region can exhibit invasive behaviour when established new environments, bio-ethological observations were conducted better understand whether V. crabro could show traits Sardinia, which represents introduction area. Data...
Honey, a natural food with rich history, is produced by honeybees and other species of bees from nectar, plant fluids, honeydew sap-sucking insects. During foraging, these may be exposed to protection products (PPPs), metals, metalloids, potentially leading residues in honey hive that could have negative impact on human safety. Recognizing the lack an appropriate methodology for pesticide contamination products, this research aims support need studies pollen bee consumption establish safe...
The mite Varroa destructor, the main ectoparasite of honey bees, is a threat to apiculture worldwide. Understanding ecological interactions between and honeybees fundamental for reducing impact in apiaries. This work assesses bee colonies with various infestation levels apiaries determine: (1) relationship multi-infested brood cells level, (2) damage caused by parasitized pupae, (3) reproduction rate at levels. Data were collected from 19 worker combs, each different colony, ranging 160 1725...
Eucalyptus species are important worldwide as melliferous plants, a source of nectar and pollen, contribute to the production large quantities honey, especially in summer when E. Camaldulensis Dhnh., most common eucalyptus Mediterranean area, flowers. Its honey yield potential exceeds 200 kg/ha, sometimes accounting for more than 50% total apiary production. In Italy, plantations cover at least 50,000 hectares, corresponding 10,000 tons per year. Since 2000 several invasive pests have spread...
Hive thermoregulation is fundamental for the normal development of bee colonies and, consequently, hive productivity and honey health. External conditions mainly affect walls hive. Therefore, construction materials thermal conductivity features can influence its efficiency. The present trial made a comparison experimental hives (modified Dadant-Blatt 10 frames) with cork as insulator conventional entirely firwood to evaluate their effects on Apis mellifera ligustica in Northwerstern Sardinia...
In Sardinia, the second largest Mediterranean island, 316 species of bees are known. Here, for first time, following 20
The red palm weevil, Rhynchophorus ferrugineus , is the most devastating pest of Canary palm, Phoenix canariensis in Mediterranean Basin. Sporadic infestations have also been observed other cultivated species and, above all, endemic European fan Chamaerops humilis . Considering high ecological importance C. coastal ecosystems, present paper gives an update on status R. Sardinia (Italy). Since introduction into Sardinia, attacks this limited but increased last 2 years, including eight...
The human-wildlife conflict between beekeeping and wild birds is complicated, further detailed studies are needed for a deeper understanding of the role possible impact predation by on honey production bee colony health. Another potentially negative effect bees could be dissemination pathogens, such as Nosema ceranae. However, other important aspects complex relationship should considered. First, have developed behavioural defences against pressure native predatory birds. Second, ethology...
Stator limbatus is a phytophagous beetle native to warm regions of North and Central America, feeding on Fabaceae seeds one the most polyphagous species within subfamily Bruchinae, here reported for first time in Europe new hosts. Adult beetles emerged from Acacia spp. collected islands Corsica (France), Sardinia (Italy). The wide presence supports hypothesis that this alien was introduced several years ago. In both islands, S. mearnsii seeds, with infestation rates up 74.2 90.8% 2019 2020,...