Fructophilic lactic acid bacteria (FLAB) are strongly associated with the gastrointestinal tracts (GITs) of Apis mellifera L. worker bees due to the consumption of fructose as a major carbohydrate. Seventy-seven presumptive lactic acid bacteria (LAB) were isolated from GITs of healthy A. mellifera L. adults, which were collected from 5 different geographical locations of the Apulia region of Italy. Almost all of the isolates showed fructophilic tendencies: these isolates were identified as Lactobacillus kunkeei (69%) or Fructobacillus fructosus (31%). A high-throughput phenotypic microarray targeting 190 carbon sources was used to determine that 83 compounds were differentially consumed. Phenotyping grouped the strains into two clusters, reflecting growth performance. The utilization of phenolic acids, such as p-coumaric, caffeic, syringic, or gallic acids, as electron acceptors was investigated in fructose-based medium. Almost all FLAB strains showed tolerance to high phenolic acid concentrations. p-Coumaric acid and caffeic acid were consumed by all FLAB strains through reductases or decarboxylases. Syringic and gallic acids were partially metabolized. The data collected suggest that FLAB require external electron acceptors to regenerate NADH. The use of phenolic acids as external electron acceptors by the 4 FLAB showing the highest phenolic acid reductase activity was investigated in glucose-based medium supplemented with p-coumaric acid. Metabolic responses observed through a phenotypic microarray suggested that FLAB may use p-coumaric acid as an external electron acceptor, enhancing glucose dissimilation but less efficiently than other external acceptors such as fructose or pyruvic acid. Fructophilic lactic acid bacteria (FLAB), described only recently (1-9), belong to a special group of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) that prefer fructose instead of glucose as a carbon source. These bacteria have been isolated from specific ecological fructose-rich niches such as flowers, fruits, and fermented food based-fruits and, only recently, from the gastrointestinal tracts (GITs) of several insects (e.g., bumblebees, honeybees, tropical fruit flies, and Camponotus ants), which have a fructose-based diet (4, 10, 11). Among these insects, social honeybees are those of greater interest because of their economic and ecological importance for honeybee products (e.g., propolis, royal jelly, honey, and pollen) and especially for crop pollination. Despite a global increase in the population of domesticated bees according to the FAO data (12), honeybees are facing growing adversity. Localized declines in bee populations have occurred in many European countries (13-15). To understand and to prevent the decrease, several studies have been addressed to investigate the symbiotic and pathogenic microbial interactions (16-19). The observations made as of to date indicate the honeybees' GITs harbor a core microbiota dissimilar to those of other animals, including humans (16)(17)(18)(19)(20)(21)(22)(23)(24). FLAB are strongly as...
The effects of entomopathogenic nematodes EPN (Steinernematidae and Heterorhabditidae) and fungi EPF (Beauveria bassiana) strains were evaluated in laboratory assays against larvae of four xylophagous pests: the Asparagus moth Parahypopta caestrum, the European goat moth Cossus cossus, the pine longhorn Arhopalus syriacus and the black Buprestid Capnodis tenebrionis. Due to their biology and ethology, these insects may be included in the category of pests residing in cryptic habitats. The control of these species is considered difficult, due to the inability of chemical pesticides to penetrate the cryptic habitats and reach the targets. The pathogenicity of the entomopathogenic nematodes and fungi was tested in vitro against the pests. Two experimental models were considered and aimed to imitate the natural environment of the pests, in Petri dishes filled with plant material and inside wood galleries respectively. Main results showed that the majority of the tested strains of nematodes and fungi affected the insects' survival rate. Steinernema feltiae and B. bassiana caused the highest percentage of larval mortality (80-100%). Considering the lack of effective chemical control means, the microbial control of the xylophagous pests by EPN and EPF reveals promising perspectives. Nematodes and fungi are able to penetrate the cryptic habitats because they are living organisms and may be horizontally transmitted by infected hosts. The distribution of EPF as preventive control method and the injection of EPN suspensions to reach and infect the larvae inside the wood galleries can be a combined sustainable control system.
The Tomato Leaf Miner, Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera Gelechiidae), is actually a most dangerous pest of solanaceous crops.While demonstrating the Tomato Leaf Miner adults, both male and female, ability to feed on tomato leaves we report an unexpected behaviour for this microlepidoptera. This paper details also morphological adaptation of the proboscis involved in feeding and evidences of the action on the leaves.Observation were given by digital camera-equipped stereoscope and Cryo-SEM. We discuss the mean of adult feeding in respect to moth mating and egg laying. A possible use of adult feeding in Tomato Leaf Miner IPM is also discussed.The adult Tomato Leaf Miner is capable to feed by wounding tomato leaf by its proboscis.
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