The study of parasites in recently established populations of invasive species can shed light on the sources of invasion and possible indirect interactions between the alien species and native ones. We studied parasites of the global invader Harmonia axyridis (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) in the Caucasus. In 2012, the first established population of Ha. axyridis was recorded in the Caucasus in Sochi (south of European Russia, Black Sea coast). By 2018, the ladybird had spread to a vast area: Armenia, Georgia and south Russia (Adygea, the Krasnodar territory, the Stavropol territory, Dagestan, Kabardino-Balkaria and North Ossetia). The examination of 213 adults collected in Sochi in 2018 showed that 53% were infested with Hesperomyces virescens fungi (Ascomycota: Laboulbeniales) and that 8% were infested with Parasitylenchus bifurcatus nematodes (Nematoda: Tylenchida, Allantonematidae). The examined Ha. axyridis specimens were free of the parasitic mite Coccipolipus hippodamiae. An analysis of the phylogenetic relationships of P. bifurcatus based on 18S rDNA confirmed the morphological identification of this species. Hesperomyces virescens and P. bifurcatus were first recorded in the Caucasus and Russia, although they are rather widespread in Europe. This likely indicates that they appeared as a result of coinvasion with their host because the populations of Ha. axyridis, He. virescens and P. bifurcatus in the Caucasus are isolated from the main parts of the ranges of these species in Europe. The nearest localities of Ha. axyridis is on another shore of the Black Sea, and the nearest localities of He. virescens and P. bifurcatus are more than 1000 km from the Caucasus. It is impossible to determine whether the first founders of the Caucasian population were infested with the parasites or whether the parasites were introduced by specimens of Ha. axyridis that arrived later from Europe. Harmonia axyridis was released in the region for pest control, but laboratory cultures are always free of He. virescens and P. bifurcatus. Therefore, the detection of He. virescens and P. bifurcatus indicates that the population of Ha. axyridis in the Caucasus could not have derived exclusively from released specimens. We did not find He. virescens on 400 specimens of 29 other ladybird species collected from the same localities as Ha. axyridis in the Caucasus. No reliable correlation between infestation by He. virescens and that by P. bifurcatus has been found. In addition to these two parasites, an unidentified species of the order Mermithida was recorded. This is the first documented case of Ha. axyridis infestation by a parasitic nematode of this order in nature.
Currently in the world there is no universal scientifically based criteria system aimed at assessing the dangers of waste. There are two waste classification systems adopted in Russia: SP 2.1.7.1386-03 on the degree of the impact on the environment and human health wastes are divided into 4 hazard classes; Criteria of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MNRE) of the Russian Federation on the degree of the negative impact of wastes on the environment are divided into 5 classes of danger. In the Russian practice in all areas of toxicology and health care, in justifying the MAC in the fishery waters 4 classes of dangerous substances are used. The least dangerous substances are referred to class 4 of danger, “a little dangerous.” Any chemical substance under certain conditions can have adverse effects on human health and nature. Introduction of hazard class V in Criteria MPR is contrary to the generally accepted concepts and practice of evaluation of substances. Examples of differences in the contents of two documents are given, indicating the intention of the authors of MPR Criteria to reduce the requirements for waste treatment conditions. The MNRE Criteria miss the very concept and method of the evaluation of substances that have carcinogenic properties. The SP 2.1.7.1386-03 in case of the presence in waste of substances with proven carcinogenicity for humans, assigns to the waste component the highest value of the danger index, other indices may not be considered. This approach is not proposed in MNRE Criteria. They completely ignore results of basic research, which showed the lack of the regular toxicity relationship for bioassays and mammals. MNRE criteria cannot be regarded as the only document on the determination of the waste hazard class. It is necessary to create a universal document to determine the hazard class of waste in production and consumption, ensuring safe conditions of human life and protection of the natural environment.
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