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Gastineau R, Lemieux C, Turmel M, Otis C, Boyle B, Coulis M, Gouraud C, Boag B, Murchie AK, Winsor L, Justine JL. The invasive land flatworm Arthurdendyus triangulatus has repeated sequences in the mitogenome, extra-long cox2 gene and paralogous nuclear rRNA clusters. Sci Rep 2024; 14:7840. [PMID: 38570596 PMCID: PMC10991399 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-58600-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 04/01/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Using a combination of short- and long-reads sequencing, we were able to sequence the complete mitochondrial genome of the invasive 'New Zealand flatworm' Arthurdendyus triangulatus (Geoplanidae, Rhynchodeminae, Caenoplanini) and its two complete paralogous nuclear rRNA gene clusters. The mitogenome has a total length of 20,309 bp and contains repetitions that includes two types of tandem-repeats that could not be solved by short-reads sequencing. We also sequenced for the first time the mitogenomes of four species of Caenoplana (Caenoplanini). A maximum likelihood phylogeny associated A. triangulatus with the other Caenoplanini but Parakontikia ventrolineata and Australopacifica atrata were rejected from the Caenoplanini and associated instead with the Rhynchodemini, with Platydemus manokwari. It was found that the mitogenomes of all species of the subfamily Rhynchodeminae share several unusual structural features, including a very long cox2 gene. This is the first time that the complete paralogous rRNA clusters, which differ in length, sequence and seemingly number of copies, were obtained for a Geoplanidae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Romain Gastineau
- Institute of Marine and Environmental Sciences, University of Szczecin, Szczecin, Poland.
| | - Claude Lemieux
- Département de Biochimie, de Microbiologie et de Bio-Informatique, Institut de Biologie Intégrative et des Systèmes, Université Laval, Quebec, QC, Canada
| | - Monique Turmel
- Département de Biochimie, de Microbiologie et de Bio-Informatique, Institut de Biologie Intégrative et des Systèmes, Université Laval, Quebec, QC, Canada
| | - Christian Otis
- Plateforme d'Analyse Génomique, Institut de Biologie Intégrative et des Systèmes, Université Laval, Quebec, QC, Canada
| | - Brian Boyle
- Plateforme d'Analyse Génomique, Institut de Biologie Intégrative et des Systèmes, Université Laval, Quebec, QC, Canada
| | - Mathieu Coulis
- CIRAD, UPR GECO, 97285, Le Lamentin, Martinique, France
- GECO, CIRAD, University Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Clément Gouraud
- UMR CNRS 6553 Ecobio, Université de Rennes, 263 Avenue du Gal Leclerc, CS 74205, CEDEX, 35042, Rennes, France
| | - Brian Boag
- The James Hutton Institute, Invergowrie, DD2 5DA, Scotland
| | - Archie K Murchie
- Sustainable Agri-Food Sciences Division, Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute, Belfast, BT9 5PX, Northern Ireland
| | - Leigh Winsor
- College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University of North Queensland, Townsville, QLD, Australia
| | - Jean-Lou Justine
- ISYEB, Institut de Systématique, Évolution, Biodiversité (UMR7205 CNRS, EPHE, MNHN, UPMC, Université des Antilles), Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, CP 51, 55 Rue Buffon, 75231, Paris Cedex 05, France
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Luke SH, Roy HE, Thomas CD, Tilley LAN, Ward S, Watt A, Carnaghi M, Jaworski CC, Tercel MPTG, Woodrow C, Aown S, Banfield‐Zanin JA, Barnsley SL, Berger I, Brown MJF, Bull JC, Campbell H, Carter RAB, Charalambous M, Cole LJ, Ebejer MJ, Farrow RA, Fartyal RS, Grace M, Highet F, Hill JK, Hood ASC, Kent ES, Krell F, Leather SR, Leybourne DJ, Littlewood NA, Lyons A, Matthews G, Mc Namara L, Menéndez R, Merrett P, Mohammed S, Murchie AK, Noble M, Paiva M, Pannell MJ, Phon C, Port G, Powell C, Rosell S, Sconce F, Shortall CR, Slade EM, Sutherland JP, Weir JC, Williams CD, Zielonka NB, Dicks LV. Grand challenges in entomology: Priorities for action in the coming decades. Insect Conserv Divers 2023; 16:173-189. [PMID: 38505358 PMCID: PMC10947029 DOI: 10.1111/icad.12637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2022] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 03/21/2024]
Abstract
Entomology is key to understanding terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems at a time of unprecedented anthropogenic environmental change and offers substantial untapped potential to benefit humanity in a variety of ways, from improving agricultural practices to managing vector-borne diseases and inspiring technological advances.We identified high priority challenges for entomology using an inclusive, open, and democratic four-stage prioritisation approach, conducted among the membership and affiliates (hereafter 'members') of the UK-based Royal Entomological Society (RES).A list of 710 challenges was gathered from 189 RES members. Thematic analysis was used to group suggestions, followed by an online vote to determine initial priorities, which were subsequently ranked during an online workshop involving 37 participants.The outcome was a set of 61 priority challenges within four groupings of related themes: (i) 'Fundamental Research' (themes: Taxonomy, 'Blue Skies' [defined as research ideas without immediate practical application], Methods and Techniques); (ii) 'Anthropogenic Impacts and Conservation' (themes: Anthropogenic Impacts, Conservation Options); (iii) 'Uses, Ecosystem Services and Disservices' (themes: Ecosystem Benefits, Technology and Resources [use of insects as a resource, or as inspiration], Pests); (iv) 'Collaboration, Engagement and Training' (themes: Knowledge Access, Training and Collaboration, Societal Engagement).Priority challenges encompass research questions, funding objectives, new technologies, and priorities for outreach and engagement. Examples include training taxonomists, establishing a global network of insect monitoring sites, understanding the extent of insect declines, exploring roles of cultivated insects in food supply chains, and connecting professional with amateur entomologists. Responses to different challenges could be led by amateur and professional entomologists, at all career stages.Overall, the challenges provide a diverse array of options to inspire and initiate entomological activities and reveal the potential of entomology to contribute to addressing global challenges related to human health and well-being, and environmental change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah H. Luke
- School of BiosciencesUniversity of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington CampusNr LoughboroughUK
- Department of ZoologyUniversity of CambridgeCambridgeUK
| | - Helen E. Roy
- UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, MacLean BuildingCrowmarsh Gifford, WallingfordUK
| | - Chris D. Thomas
- Leverhulme Centre for Anthropocene Biodiversity, Department of BiologyUniversity of YorkYorkUK
| | | | - Simon Ward
- Royal Entomological Society, The Mansion HouseSt AlbansUK
| | - Allan Watt
- UK Centre for Ecology & HydrologyBush EstateMidlothianUK
| | - Manuela Carnaghi
- Department of Agriculture Health and Environment, Natural Resources InstituteUniversity of Greenwich at MedwayKentUK
| | | | | | - Charlie Woodrow
- University of Lincoln, School of Life and Environmental SciencesJoseph Banks LaboratoriesLincolnUK
| | | | | | | | - Iris Berger
- Department of ZoologyUniversity of CambridgeCambridgeUK
| | - Mark J. F. Brown
- Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Behaviour, Department of Biological Sciences, School of Life Sciences and the EnvironmentRoyal Holloway University of LondonEghamUK
| | | | - Heather Campbell
- Agriculture and Environment DepartmentHarper Adams UniversityNewportUK
| | | | - Magda Charalambous
- Department of Life SciencesImperial College London, South Kensington CampusLondonUK
| | - Lorna J. Cole
- Integrated Land ManagementSRUC, Auchincruive EstateAyrUK
| | | | | | - Rajendra S. Fartyal
- Department of Zoology, Birla CampusHNB Gahrwal UniveristySrinagar GarhwalUttarakhandIndia
| | - Miriam Grace
- Department of ZoologyUniversity of CambridgeCambridgeUK
| | - Fiona Highet
- SASA (Science and Advice for Scottish Agriculture)EdinburghUK
| | - Jane K. Hill
- University of York, Leverhulme Centre for Anthropocene Biodiversity & Department of BiologyUniversity of YorkYorkUK
| | - Amelia S. C. Hood
- Centre for Agri‐Environmental Research, School of Agriculture, Policy and DevelopmentUniversity of ReadingReadingUK
| | - Eleanor S. Kent
- School of Biological SciencesUniversity of East AngliaNorwichUK
| | | | - Simon R. Leather
- Agriculture and Environment DepartmentHarper Adams UniversityNewportUK
| | - Daniel J. Leybourne
- Zoological Biodiversity, Institute of GeobotanyLeibniz University HannoverHannoverGermany
| | | | - Ashley Lyons
- RSPB Centre for Conservation ScienceHaweswater, Naddle Farm, BamptonCumbriaUK
| | | | - Louise Mc Namara
- Teagasc, Crop Science Department, Oak Park Crops Research CentreCarlowIreland
| | - Rosa Menéndez
- Lancaster Environment CentreLancaster UniversityLancasterUK
| | | | - Sajidha Mohammed
- Department of ZoologyM.E.S Mampad CollegeMampad, MalappuramKeralaIndia
| | - Archie K. Murchie
- Agri‐Food & Biosciences InstituteNewforge LaneBelfast, Northern IrelandUK
| | | | - Maria‐Rosa Paiva
- CENSE ‐ Center for Environmental and Sustainability Research, NOVA School of Science and TechnologyNOVA University LisbonCaparicaPortugal
| | | | - Chooi‐Khim Phon
- Entomology BranchForest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM)KepongSelangorMalaysia
| | - Gordon Port
- Newcastle University, School of Natural and Environmental SciencesNewcastle UniversityNewcastle upon TyneUK
| | | | | | | | | | - Eleanor M. Slade
- Asian School of the EnvironmentNanyang Technological UniversitySingapore
| | | | - Jamie C. Weir
- Institute for Evolutionary BiologyUniversity of Edinburgh Ashworth LaboratoriesEdinburghUK
| | | | | | - Lynn V. Dicks
- Department of ZoologyUniversity of CambridgeCambridgeUK
- School of Biological SciencesUniversity of East AngliaNorwichUK
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Vaux AGC, Johnston C, Dallimore T, McGinley L, Strode C, Murchie AK, Iyanger N, Pudney R, Chow Y, Brand M, Rea I, Medlock JM. Working towards a Co-Ordinated Approach to Invasive Mosquito Detection, Response and Control in the UK. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2020; 17:ijerph17145166. [PMID: 32708948 PMCID: PMC7400339 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17145166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2020] [Revised: 07/09/2020] [Accepted: 07/14/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The United Kingdom (UK) has reported a single detection of the eggs of the invasive mosquito vector Aedes albopictus in each of the three years from 2016 to 2018, all in southeast England. Here, we report the detection of mosquito eggs on three occasions at two sites in London and southeast England in September 2019. Mosquito traps were deployed at 56 sites, in England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, as part of a coordinated surveillance programme with local authorities, Edge Hill University, and government departments. Response to each detection was coordinated by Public Health England’s (PHE) local health protection teams, with technical support from PHE’s Medical Entomology group, and control conducted by the respective local authority. Control, including source reduction and larviciding, was conducted within a 300 metre radius of the positive site. The response followed a National Contingency Plan for Invasive Mosquitoes: Detection of Incursions. Although the response to these incidents was rapid and well co-ordinated, recommendations are made to further develop mosquito surveillance and control capability for the UK.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander G. C. Vaux
- Medical Entomology and Zoonoses Ecology Group, Emergency Response Department Science and Technology, Public Health England, Porton Down, Salisbury, Wiltshire SP4 0JG, UK; (C.J.); (L.M.); (J.M.M.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Colin Johnston
- Medical Entomology and Zoonoses Ecology Group, Emergency Response Department Science and Technology, Public Health England, Porton Down, Salisbury, Wiltshire SP4 0JG, UK; (C.J.); (L.M.); (J.M.M.)
| | - Thom Dallimore
- Department of Biology, Edge Hill University, Ormskirk L39 4QP, UK; (T.D.); (C.S.)
| | - Liz McGinley
- Medical Entomology and Zoonoses Ecology Group, Emergency Response Department Science and Technology, Public Health England, Porton Down, Salisbury, Wiltshire SP4 0JG, UK; (C.J.); (L.M.); (J.M.M.)
| | - Clare Strode
- Department of Biology, Edge Hill University, Ormskirk L39 4QP, UK; (T.D.); (C.S.)
| | - Archie K. Murchie
- Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute, Belfast BT9 5PX, UK; (A.K.M.); (I.R.)
| | - Nalini Iyanger
- North West London Health Protection Team, Public Health England, 61 Colindale Avenue, London NW9 5EQ, UK; (N.I.); (Y.C.)
| | - Rachel Pudney
- Public Health England Centre South East, Health Protection—Kent Surrey & Sussex, Civic Centre, Ashford, Kent TN23 1PL, UK;
| | - Yimmy Chow
- North West London Health Protection Team, Public Health England, 61 Colindale Avenue, London NW9 5EQ, UK; (N.I.); (Y.C.)
| | - Martin Brand
- Plant Health and Seeds Inspectorate, Animal and Plant Health Agency, Woodham Ln, Addlestone KT15 3NB, UK;
| | - Ian Rea
- Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute, Belfast BT9 5PX, UK; (A.K.M.); (I.R.)
| | - Jolyon M. Medlock
- Medical Entomology and Zoonoses Ecology Group, Emergency Response Department Science and Technology, Public Health England, Porton Down, Salisbury, Wiltshire SP4 0JG, UK; (C.J.); (L.M.); (J.M.M.)
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Vaux AGC, Dallimore T, Cull B, Schaffner F, Strode C, Pflüger V, Murchie AK, Rea I, Newham Z, Mcginley L, Catton M, Gillingham EL, Medlock JM. The challenge of invasive mosquito vectors in the U.K. during 2016-2018: a summary of the surveillance and control of Aedes albopictus. Med Vet Entomol 2019; 33:443-452. [PMID: 31361038 DOI: 10.1111/mve.12396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2018] [Revised: 05/21/2019] [Accepted: 06/28/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Mosquito-borne diseases resulting from the expansion of two key vectors, Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae), continue to challenge whole regions and continents around the globe. In recent years there have been human cases of disease associated with Chikungunya, dengue and Zika viruses. In Europe, the expansion of Ae. albopictus has resulted in local transmission of Chikungunya and dengue viruses. This paper considers the risk that Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus represent for the U.K. and details the results of mosquito surveillance activities. Surveillance was conducted at 34 points of entry, 12 sites serving vehicular traffic and two sites of used tyre importers. The most common native mosquito recorded was Culex pipiens s.l. (Diptera: Culicidae). The invasive mosquito Ae. albopictus was detected on three occasions in southern England (September 2016, July 2017 and July 2018) and subsequent control strategies were conducted. These latest surveillance results demonstrate ongoing incursions of Ae. albopictus into the U.K. via ground vehicular traffic, which can be expected to continue and increase as populations in nearby countries expand, particularly in France, which is the main source of ex-continental traffic.
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Affiliation(s)
- A G C Vaux
- Medical Entomology and Zoonoses Ecology Group, Emergency Response Department Science and Technology, Public Health England, Salisbury, U.K
| | - T Dallimore
- Department of Biology, Edge Hill University, Ormskirk, U.K
| | - B Cull
- Medical Entomology and Zoonoses Ecology Group, Emergency Response Department Science and Technology, Public Health England, Salisbury, U.K
| | - F Schaffner
- Francis Schaffner Consultancy, Riehen, Switzerland
| | - C Strode
- Department of Biology, Edge Hill University, Ormskirk, U.K
| | | | - A K Murchie
- Zoology Department, Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute, Belfast, U.K
| | - I Rea
- Zoology Department, Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute, Belfast, U.K
| | - Z Newham
- Medical Entomology and Zoonoses Ecology Group, Emergency Response Department Science and Technology, Public Health England, Salisbury, U.K
| | - L Mcginley
- Medical Entomology and Zoonoses Ecology Group, Emergency Response Department Science and Technology, Public Health England, Salisbury, U.K
| | - M Catton
- Medical Entomology and Zoonoses Ecology Group, Emergency Response Department Science and Technology, Public Health England, Salisbury, U.K
| | - E L Gillingham
- Medical Entomology and Zoonoses Ecology Group, Emergency Response Department Science and Technology, Public Health England, Salisbury, U.K
| | - J M Medlock
- Medical Entomology and Zoonoses Ecology Group, Emergency Response Department Science and Technology, Public Health England, Salisbury, U.K
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Murchie AK, Thompson GM, Clawson S, Brown A, Gordon AW, Jess S. Field Evaluation of Deltamethrin and Ivermectin Applications to Cattle on Culicoides Host-Alighting, Blood-Feeding, and Emergence. Viruses 2019; 11:E731. [PMID: 31398840 PMCID: PMC6722592 DOI: 10.3390/v11080731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2019] [Revised: 07/30/2019] [Accepted: 08/02/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The impact of topical applications of deltamethrin and ivermectin to cattle on Culicoides spp. landing and blood-feeding was studied in this work using sticky traps mounted on Friesian heifers' backs. There was no effect of the insecticides on total numbers of Culicoides trapped or the proportion engorged. Deltamethrin and ivermectin treatment did not prevent blood-feeding on these animals. Deltamethrin did result in significant Culicoides mortality as evidenced by the numbers of dead midges combed from heifers' upper flanks. The proximity of engorged midges on traps to dead midges in the hair suggests that blood-feeding took place despite midges receiving an ultimately lethal dose of deltamethrin. Ivermectin application resulted in a smaller proportion of nulliparous than parous females caught. There was no significant effect of ivermectin on the numbers of Culicoides that emerged from dung samples (but p was small at 0.095 for the Obsoletus group Culicoides). In cases of suspect animal imports, pour-on or spray applications of deltamethrin could reduce the risk of onward transmission of bluetongue virus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Archie K Murchie
- Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute, Newforge Lane, Belfast BT9 5PX, Northern Ireland, UK.
| | - Geoff M Thompson
- Ulster Farmers' Union, 475 Antrim Road, Belfast BT15 3DA, Northern Ireland, UK
| | - Sam Clawson
- Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute, Newforge Lane, Belfast BT9 5PX, Northern Ireland, UK
| | - Andrew Brown
- Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute, Large Park, Hillsborough BT26 6DR, Northern Ireland, UK
| | - Alan W Gordon
- Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute, Newforge Lane, Belfast BT9 5PX, Northern Ireland, UK
| | - Stephen Jess
- Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute, Newforge Lane, Belfast BT9 5PX, Northern Ireland, UK
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Jess S, Thompson GM, Clawson S, Forsythe IWN, Rea I, Gordon AW, Murchie AK. Surveillance of biting midges (Culicoides spp.) in Northern Ireland: influence of seasonality, surrounding habitat and livestock housing. Med Vet Entomol 2018; 32:48-60. [PMID: 28842922 DOI: 10.1111/mve.12258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2015] [Revised: 05/30/2017] [Accepted: 06/21/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Biting midges, Culicoides spp. (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae), are important vectors of viral pathogens. Following the outbreak of bluetongue serotype 8 in Europe between 2006 and 2009, many Culicoides surveillance programmes were initiated to identify vector-active periods, in accordance with European Commission regulation 2007/1266/EC. This study utilized surveillance data from 4 years of continuous light-trapping at 14 sites in Northern Ireland. The number of captured Culicoides varied from none during the vector-free period (December-April) to more than 36 000 per night during peak activity in the summer. The Obsoletus group represented 75% of Culicoides collected and the Pulicaris group represented 21%. A total of 91% of Culicoides were female, of which 42% were parous. Abundance data, sex ratios and parous rates suggested that both the Obsoletus and Pulicaris groups underwent three generations/year. The Obsoletus group was associated with cattle-rearing habitats and woodland, the Impunctatus group was found in habitats related to sheep rearing and the Pulicaris group were associated with both cattle and sheep. Housing did not reduce incursion of female Obsoletus group Culicoides but it did for males and for the Pulicaris group Culicoides. The influence of housing was strongly affected by time of year, probably reflecting the presence of livestock indoors/outdoors.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Jess
- Sustainable Agri-Food Sciences Division, Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute, Belfast, Northern Ireland
| | - G M Thompson
- Sustainable Agri-Food Sciences Division, Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute, Belfast, Northern Ireland
- School of Biological Sciences, Queen's University of Belfast, Belfast, Northern Ireland
| | - S Clawson
- Sustainable Agri-Food Sciences Division, Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute, Belfast, Northern Ireland
| | - I W N Forsythe
- Sustainable Agri-Food Sciences Division, Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute, Belfast, Northern Ireland
| | - I Rea
- Sustainable Agri-Food Sciences Division, Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute, Belfast, Northern Ireland
| | - A W Gordon
- Finance and Corporate Affairs Division, Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute, Belfast, Northern Ireland
| | - A K Murchie
- Sustainable Agri-Food Sciences Division, Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute, Belfast, Northern Ireland
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Murchie AK, Hall CE, Gordon AW, Clawson S. Black Border Increases Stomoxys calcitrans Catch on White Sticky Traps. Insects 2018; 9:insects9010013. [PMID: 29393889 PMCID: PMC5872278 DOI: 10.3390/insects9010013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2017] [Revised: 01/31/2018] [Accepted: 02/01/2018] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Stable fly, Stomoxys calcitrans, is a biting fly that can cause severe irritation to livestock resulting in reduced productivity. The most common method of monitoring S. calcitrans is through the use of sticky traps and many designs have been developed using different colours and materials such as alsynite fibreglass and polypropylene sheeting. Laboratory experiments and some field experimentation have demonstrated that colour contrast can attract S. calcitrans. However, this response has not been fully utilised in trap design. To test that simple colour contrast could increase trap efficacy, white sticky traps were mounted on three differently coloured backgrounds (white, yellow, and black) and positioned at five sites on a mixed livestock farm. White sticky traps on a black background caught significantly more S. calcitrans than the yellow or white backgrounds. An incidental result was that Pollenia sp. were caught in greater numbers on the yellow framed traps. The reasons for S. calcitrans attraction to black–white contrast are most likely due to conspicuousness in the environment although the extent to which flies are using this feature as a host-location cue or a perching site are unknown.
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Affiliation(s)
- Archie K Murchie
- Sustainable Agri-Food Sciences Division, Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute, 18a Newforge Lane, Belfast BT9 5PX, Northern Ireland, UK.
| | - Carol E Hall
- Sustainable Agri-Food Sciences Division, Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute, 18a Newforge Lane, Belfast BT9 5PX, Northern Ireland, UK.
| | - Alan W Gordon
- Sustainable Agri-Food Sciences Division, Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute, 18a Newforge Lane, Belfast BT9 5PX, Northern Ireland, UK.
| | - Sam Clawson
- Sustainable Agri-Food Sciences Division, Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute, 18a Newforge Lane, Belfast BT9 5PX, Northern Ireland, UK.
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Jess S, Kildea S, Moody A, Rennick G, Murchie AK, Cooke LR. European Union policy on pesticides: implications for agriculture in Ireland. Pest Manag Sci 2014; 70:1646-54. [PMID: 24753219 DOI: 10.1002/ps.3801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2013] [Revised: 04/04/2014] [Accepted: 04/10/2014] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
European Community (EC) legislation has limited the availability of pesticide active substances used in effective plant protection products. The Pesticide Authorisation Directive 91/414/EEC introduced the principle of risk assessment for approval of pesticide active substances. This principle was modified by the introduction of Regulation (EC) 1107/2009, which applies hazard, the intrinsic toxicity of the active substance, rather than risk, the potential for hazard to occur, as the approval criterion. Potential impacts of EC pesticide legislation on agriculture in Ireland are summarised. While these will significantly impact on pesticide availability in the medium to long term, regulations associated with water quality (Water Framework Directive 2000/60/EC and Drinking Water Directive 1998/83/EC) have the potential to restrict pesticide use more immediately, as concerns regarding public health and economic costs associated with removing pesticides from water increase. This rationale will further reduce the availability of effective pesticide active substances, directly affecting crop protection and increasing pesticide resistance within pest and disease populations. In addition, water quality requirements may also impact on important active substances used in plant protection in Ireland. The future challenge for agriculture in Ireland is to sustain production and profitability using reduced pesticide inputs within a framework of integrated pest management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen Jess
- Sustainable Agri-Food Sciences Division, Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute, Belfast, UK
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Murchie AK, Gordon AW. The impact of the ‘New Zealand flatworm’, Arthurdendyus triangulatus, on earthworm populations in the field. Biol Invasions 2012. [DOI: 10.1007/s10530-012-0309-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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Abstract
African horse sickness is an economically highly important non-contagious but infectious Orbivirus disease that is transmitted by various species of Culicoides midges. The equids most severely affected by the virus are horses, ponies, and European donkeys; mules are somewhat less susceptible, and African donkeys and zebra are refractory to the devastating consequences of infection. In recent years, Bluetongue virus, an Orbivirus similar to African horse sickness, which also utilises Culicoides spp. as its vector, has drastically increased its range into previously unaffected regions in northern Europe, utilising indigenous vector species, and causing widespread economic damage to the agricultural sector. Considering these events, the current review outlines the history of African horse sickness, including information concerning virus structure, transmission, viraemia, overwintering ability, and the potential implications that an outbreak would have for Ireland. While the current risk for the introduction of African horse sickness to Ireland is considered at worst ‘very low’, it is important to note that prior to the 2006 outbreak of Bluetongue in northern Europe, both diseases were considered to be of equal risk to the United Kingdom (‘medium-risk’). It is therefore likely that any outbreak of this disease would have serious socio-economic consequences for Ireland due to the high density of vulnerable equids and the prevalence of Culicoides species, potentially capable of vectoring the virus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geoffrey M Thompson
- School of Biological Sciences, Queen's University of Belfast, Belfast, BT7 1NN, Northern Ireland.
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Petrovskaya N, Petrovskii S, Murchie AK. Challenges of ecological monitoring: estimating population abundance from sparse trap counts. J R Soc Interface 2011; 9:420-35. [PMID: 21831888 DOI: 10.1098/rsif.2011.0386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Ecological monitoring aims to provide estimates of pest species abundance-this information being then used for making decisions about means of control. For invertebrate species, population size estimates are often based on trap counts which provide the value of the population density at the traps' location. However, the use of traps in large numbers is problematic as it is costly and may also be disruptive to agricultural procedures. Therefore, the challenge is to obtain a reliable population size estimate from sparse spatial data. The approach we develop in this paper is based on the ideas of numerical integration on a coarse grid. We investigate several methods of numerical integration in order to understand how badly the lack of spatial data can affect the accuracy of results. We first test our approach on simulation data mimicking spatial population distributions of different complexity. We show that, rather counterintuitively, a robust estimate of the population size can be obtained from just a few traps, even when the population distribution has a highly complicated spatial structure. We obtain an estimate of the minimum number of traps required to calculate the population size with good accuracy. We then apply our approach to field data to confirm that the number of trap/sampling locations can be much fewer than has been used in many monitoring programmes. We also show that the accuracy of our approach is greater that that of the statistical method commonly used in field studies. Finally, we discuss the implications of our findings for ecological monitoring practice and show that the use of trap numbers 'smaller than minimum' may still be possible but it would result in a paradigm shift: the population size estimates should be treated probabilistically and the arising uncertainty may introduce additional risk in decision-making.
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Cuthbertson AGS, Murchie AK. The phenology, oviposition and feeding rate of Anystis baccarum, a predatory mite in Bramley apple orchards in Northern Ireland. Exp Appl Acarol 2004; 34:367-373. [PMID: 15651532 DOI: 10.1007/s10493-004-0232-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
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Murchie AK, Burn DJ, Kirk WD, Williams IH. A novel mechanism for time-sorting insect catches, and its use to derive the diel flight periodicity of brassica pod midge Dasineura brassicae (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae). Bull Entomol Res 2001; 91:199-204. [PMID: 11415474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- A K Murchie
- Department of Entomology and Nematology:, IACR Rothamsted, Harpenden, Hertfordshire, AL5 2JQ, UK.
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Murchie AK, Smart LE, Williams IH. Responses of Dasineura brassicae and Its Parasitoids Platygaster subuliformis and Omphale clypealis to Field Traps Baited with Organic Isothiocyanates. J Chem Ecol 1997. [DOI: 10.1023/b:joec.0000006380.59526.bd] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
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