Number Of Nests Research Articles

Achieving the Optimal AgO Concentrations to Modulate the Anti-Trypanosoma cruzi Activity of Ag-ZnO/AgO Nanocomposites: In Vivo Investigations

Background/Objectives: For the development of new treatments, the acute phase of Chagas disease (CD) in experimental models acts as a filter to screen out potentially effective interventions. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate ZnO nanocrystals and Ag-ZnO/AgO nanocomposites containing different proportions of silver (ZnO:5Ag, ZnO:9Ag and ZnO:11Ag) in an experimental model of the acute phase of CD. Methods: C57Bl/6 mice were infected with 1000 forms of the Colombian strain of T. cruzi. The treatment was carried out by gavage with 5 mg/kg/d for 7 consecutive days from the first detection of parasitemia. Weight, parasitemia and survival were assessed during treatment and up to the day of euthanasia. After euthanasia, the cardiac and intestinal parasitism, inflammatory infiltrate, collagen deposition and cytokine dosages were analyzed. Results: It was observed that the nanocomposites ZnO:9Ag and ZnO:11Ag were the most effective in reducing parasitemia and increasing the survival of the infected animals. However, pure ZnO induced the maintenance of parasitemia and reduced their survival. The ZnO:9Ag and ZnO:11Ag nanocomposites were able to reduce the number of cardiac amastigote nests. In addition, they were responsible for reducing TNF-α and IL-6 in situ. ZnO:9Ag and ZnO:11Ag induced a reduction in the intestinal inflammatory infiltrate and neuronal protection in the myenteric plexus, as well as reducing TNF-α in situ. Conclusions: Based on these results, it is suggested that there is an ideal concentration in terms of the proportion of Ag/AgO and ZnO in nanocomposites for use against CD. Thus, ZnO:9Ag or ZnO:11Ag nanomaterials are potential candidates for the development of new biotechnological products for the therapy of CD.

Warm winters lead to increased reproductive effort, but lower reproductive success: Hidden costs of climate warming in a threatened bird

Abstract Climate warming is affecting the phenology and life history of animals around the world. In birds, although warm winters have been shown to advance breeding dates and affect reproductive success in a diverse range of taxa, few studies document whether changes in breeding phenology are associated with variability in reproductive effort by breeders. We leveraged a 37-year dataset on the demography of Aphelocoma coerulescens (Florida Scrub-Jay) to investigate not only whether winter weather affects jay phenology and reproductive success, but also whether winter weather affects overall reproductive effort. Jays bred early but fledged fewer offspring in springs following warm winters. Surprisingly, this reduced reproductive success came at the expense of increased reproductive effort (number of nests built, number of eggs laid, and length of the breeding period across all attempts) by the breeders. Given the well-known trade-off between reproductive effort and survival, we highlight an important but typically unrecognized cost of climate warming on birds, as revealed by a long-term study of a large, well-protected population.

Nesting of White-rumped Vulture (Gyps bengalensis) in Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary, Kerala, India

Objectives: To study the breeding of critically endangered White-rumped vultures (Gyps bengalensis) in Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary, which is the only remaining natural habitat of vultures in Kerala State. Methods: A direct on-foot survey and a structured questionnaire survey were conducted among the residents within the sanctuary and forest department staff to locate the nesting locations. Findings: Three nesting locations of White-rumped Vultures were identified in three different forest ranges in Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary. Nest was seen in three tree species, Adina cordifolia, Dalbergia latifolia, and Stereospermum tetragonum. There is no significant change in the altitude of nest selection, all the nests were at an altitude of 820 m to 860 m. The nests were observed between 14 to 28 meters above the ground. The breeding success of this species in Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary is 64.7 percent. Novelty: Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary is the only place in Kerala State where White-rumped vultures are breeding. The study results show that the number of vulture nests in Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary has declined, which needs immediate intervention for the conservation of the remaining breeding population of the critically endangered White-rumped Vulture population of Kerala State. Keywords: White-rumped Vulture, Breeding, Nest site selection, Nesting trees, Breeding success

Predation of eggs and incubating females in willow ptarmigan Lagopus l. lagopus

Nest predation is a major cause of reproductive loss in many ground-nesting birds. During 15 consecutive years the predation of nests and females throughout the incubation season were recorded in a willow ptarmigan Lagopus l. lagopus population in central Norway. The temporal predation patterns, factors affecting the predation probability and age-specific nesting patterns in this species were studied. There was a large annual variation in predation rate of both nests (0-50%) and incubating females (0-29%) in this area during the study period. The mean annual predation rate of nests (15%) was on average three times higher than the predation of incubating willow ptarmigan females (5%). Predation rate was not constant throughout the incubation season, and the nest predation rate increased with increasing number of available nests. The predation events started after the mean initiation day of incubation, and coincided with the highest number of available nests. None of the parameters we tested in a logistic regression analysis (physical condition, nest cover, experience and date for initiation of egg-laying) could predict the predation probability of nests and incubating females. However, “good” nest cover tended to have some predictive value on the predation probability. Yearling incubating females had significantly lower physical body condition than adults, and also there were differences in choice of nest site in relation to cover between the two age groups. Initiation of egg-laying in adult females tended to be distributed more evenly over the season, whereas yearling females had a more aggregated egg-laying pattern, compared to adults.

Assessing the phenology and reproductive output of loggerhead turtles in relation to climatic variables at Patara Beach, Türkiye

AbstractLoggerhead turtles (Caretta caretta), being ectothermic organisms, could be especially susceptible to climate change effects, and may exhibit climate‐related variation in their reproductive behaviours such as phenology, annual nest numbers, clutch size, hatching success, incubation period and sex ratio. This study investigated the reproductive phenology and outputs of loggerhead turtles and their relationships with climatic variables over a 5‐year period (2019–2023) at Patara Beach, Türkiye. We found significant fluctuations in atmospheric temperature, sea surface temperature and relative humidity, and that female turtle emergences on Patara Beach could temporarily adjust their phenology in response to these minor environmental changes. We highlight the importance of understanding the impacts of phenological shifts on the ability to satisfy the conditions over the nesting season that determine reproductive output. Our statistical analyses also showed that increasing sea water temperatures and atmospheric temperatures, as well as decreasing precipitation and relative humidity, had direct and/or indirect effects on the nesting phenology and reproductive output of loggerhead turtles. The findings from this study indicate that atmospheric temperature significantly affected incubation period, hatching success rate, the number of dead embryos and the number of empty eggshells. Additionally, relative humidity had a significant impact on the incubation period and the number of empty eggshells. In this context, rising temperatures led to drier nest conditions, decreased incubation periods and increased nest temperatures, resulting in higher proportions of female offspring. In conclusion, there are still gaps in our understanding of the effects of climate change on the reproductive biology of loggerhead turtles, and more studies are needed at both the Mediterranean and global scales to better understand these effects.

The role of conservation agriculture in enhancing biodiversity and common beans productivity

Conservation of biodiversity in agricultural landscapes is vital for maintaining ecosystem stability and resilience. Conservation agriculture, a sustainable farming approach that involves minimum tillage and reduced use of synthetic pesticides, herbicides, and growth promoters, has gained attention as a potential strategy to enhance biodiversity and reduce production costs. This study investigated the role of conservation agriculture in enhancing biodiversity and common bean productivity in Tanzania. The study compared plots practicing conservation agriculture (minimum tillage and reduced agrochemical use) with those using conventional farming methods. Biodiversity metrics, that is, earthworm populations, bird species richness, bird nest abundance, bird species diversity, bee visitation rates, and bean yield were assessed. The results showed significant positive effects of conservation agriculture on biodiversity, emphasizing its potential role in promoting sustainable agriculture, biodiversity conservation, and household improvement due to reduced production costs and increased yield per unit area. Earthworms per meter square observed to increase from 12 in the non-conservation plots to 34 in the conservation plots, which is likely to improve nutrient cycling and productivity. Furthermore, conservation plots had a higher number of bird species flying around (36−76) compared with 14–32 in non-conservation plots (4000 m2) at 50 % bean flowering. The number of bird nests observed in the two plots during bean harvesting varied significantly (P<0.05), where the number of bird nests observed in 4000 m2 of non-conservation plots ranged from 14 to 36, compared to 12–62 in conservation plots. High bird nest numbers in conservation plots indicated higher bird habitat quality in conservation plots than in non-conservation plots. Bees as chief pollinators, bees visiting conservation plots during 50 % flowering per square meter ranged from 5 to 11, compared to 2–6 in non-conservation plots. Bee visitation to bean flowers has a significant influence on productivity, as it influences pollen transfer and fertilization. Common beans yield among plots ranged 0.9 tons/ha to 1.4 tons/ha in conservation plots compared to 0.35–1.01 tons/ha, in non-conservation plots. Land use conservation contributes considerably to economic growth through increased productivity and reduced production costs, where the production cost is reduced by 50 % in conservation plots compared with non-conservation plots. However, the present study was conducted in a single location with smallholder farmers; hence, further experiments over larger areas and longer time periods are needed for a more robust conclusion.

Accounting for continuous correlations among alternatives in the context of spatial choice modelling using high resolution mobility data

Accounting for similarity among alternatives is important for having unbiased estimates and behaviourally reasonable substitutions. Capturing similarity in a spatial context is a challenging task and the common approach of discretising space into a number of disjoint nests generally leads to uncaptured spatial correlations. On the other hand, relying on more complex error structures quickly leads to computational issues. In the present paper, we propose an alternative approach, where a Cross-Nested Logit (CNL) modelling framework with a flexible correlation structure is used, where space is treated as continuous, while the allocation can be parameterised based on a range of similarity factors. The proposed structure is applied in the context of mode and destination choices of shopping trips using a smart-phone GPS panel survey from Leeds, UK. Results indicate that in addition to the improvements in model fit, the proposed CNL specification is able to uncover interesting findings about individual mobility behaviour.

Anidación de aves y mamíferos arborícolas en el campus de la Universidad del Mar, Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca

Some faunistic species require certain characteristics of vegetation for the preparation of their nests and depending on their availabi- lity, nesting will occur more or less frequently. Some sites such as the Puerto Escondido campus of the Universidad del Mar (UMAR) represent an urban space of special interest because it maintains a green island character as surrounded by urban expansion offering potential for nesting fauna species. The aim was to learn about the nesting of birds and arboreal mammals present at the UMAR Puerto Escondido campus. From March to June 2024, we conducted systematic weekly walks in search of evidence of nests or the beginning of its construction. For each nest we recorded its location by using a GPS and the height in which they were observed, as well as the tree where they were built. A total of 104 nests were registered, 55 nests (52.8%) belonged to Sciurus aureogaster and the nests of Columbina inca and Pitangus sulphuratus were registered at a lower frequency. 60.3% (n=58) of the nests were recorded in heights below 10 m, 28% (n=27) were recorded in heights between 11 and 15 m, and the rest (11.7%, n=19) were found in heights higher than 16 m. Acacia cornigera was the tree species that presented the largest number of nests (n=21) recorded. The information resented in this work brings to the knowledge of the use of resources by faunastic species of interest, mainly because of the contribution to nesting behavior in anthropized environments.

Landscape structure and site characteristics influence whether the northern house martin Delichon urbicum occupies artificial nests.

Artificial nest sites can support populations of endangered species when they are correctly installed. Here we analysed the characteristics and conditions that determined whether the northern house martin Delichon urbicum occupied more than 300 artificial nests around the city of Münster, Germany. We found that artificial nest occupation rates were influenced by various environmental and temporal factors. Positive influences included a longer time since installation and, to a lesser extent, the number of artificial nests at the same site. Negative impacts were observed from higher proportions of sealed surface cover in the surrounding area and, to a lesser extent, southward exposure. The distance to the nearest water body and the number of occupied natural nests showed no significant effect. We compared our results with descriptive evidence from the grey literature and published reports, and we give recommendations for installing artificial house martin nests for conservation practitioners. Future studies should also investigate the potential negative effects of 'dirt boards' below the nests and of gaps between the roof and the artificial nests.

Impact of Weather Factors on Colony Inhabitation and Abundance of the Asian Weaver Ant &lt;i&gt;Oecophylla smaragdina&lt;/i&gt; (F)

Colony inhabitation and abundance of Oecophylla smaragdina (F) nest have been explored in the Krishnagiri district of Tamil Nadu through field studies. Twenty-seven species of plants under 17 families were observed to inhabit O. smaragdina. Colony inhabitation occurred in 20 plant hosts for all the six months: in Pongamia pinnata it was observed for only two months. Number of nests were maximum with Mangifera indica (42.67), Citrus limon (29.17), Azadirachta indica (23.50). Temperature has a significant relationship with colony inhabitation and nesting. Rainfall, rainy days, cloud and relative humidity substantially reduce the colony's composition. The colonies does not appear to be influenced by the maximum wind speed, average gust or UV Index.

First report of Trypoxylon clavicerum (Crabronidae: Hymenoptera) from the Indian subcontinent: its nesting behaviour and prey preference

Abstract A study was conducted to document the nesting behaviour and prey composition of a crabronid wasp, Trypoxylon sp. The wasp was molecularly characterised as T. clavicerum (NCBI Accession No. OQ913679.1). Nest acceptance rate was significantly higher in the reeds of Ipomea carnea (79.20%) and bamboo (84.80%). The mean number of brood cells (4.40 ± 0.89 cells/nest) and vestibular cells (1.06 cells/nest) built by the wasp was significantly higher in the reeds of I. carnea. Brood parasitisation by the nest parasite Amobia sp. was significantly higher in nests built by the wasp in paper straws (58.57%) compared to the nests built in the reeds of bamboo (23.33%). The mean durations of the egg, larval and pupal stages of T. clavicerum were 2.60 ± 0.55, 6.01 ± 0.71 and 4.80 ± 0.84 days. The number of nests recovered was observed to be the highest during the months of August (3.66 ± 1.53 nests), September (5.00 ± 4.36 nests), October (8.67 ± 2.89 nests) and November (6.00 ± 2.10 nests). The major species of spider from the occupied nests belonged to two families, viz. Salticidae (81%) and Oxyopidae (19%). During the nesting period the adult wasp provisioned a greater number of spiderlings (3.25 to 3.60 spiderlings/cell) than adult spiders (1.20 to 1.60 adult spiders/cell) to her brood. The time taken to complete a single nest provisioned with adult spiders and spiderlings (13.20 ± 6.83 hr/single nest) was significantly less than for the nests provisioned with adult spiders (46.80 ± 14.80 hr/single nest) only. This study is the first ever report of nesting behaviour and prey composition of the spider-hunting wasp T. clavicerum from India.

The Breeding colonies, population growth and breeding success of the Dalmatian pelican Pelecanus crispus in Greece: a country-wide perspective, 1967-2021

Greece holds the third larger breeding population of Dalmatian Pelican in the world. We present data about the establishment and growth, breeding performance and conservation status for all six colonies of the species in Greece for 40 years. Main features of wetlands and colonies are described. We discuss the local, regional and global natural and anthropogenic factors that may have affected colony growth. After 1982 colony surveys were carried out with various methods, adapted to the particularities of each wetland and availability of resources, and targeted estimating number of nests and number of near-fledged young via direct counting either during on-site visits or from vantage points, and recently, counts on photos taken by drones flown one or more times during breeding. Number of nests in Lake Mikri Prespa rose from ca. 100 to 1200-1500 and levelled-off. DPs from Prespa started breeding successfully in Kerkini in 2004 after placement of artificial nesting rafts. The Karla Reservoir was colonised in 2011, just two years after it started filling with water. The DP colony on Lake Chimaditis, an important stop over and feeding site, probably initiated around 2016 and continues growing. The two colonies at the western coastline have limited exchanges with those in the eastern part of the country. Amvrakikos increased and levelled off recently as conservation and management measures restricted disturbance, whilst emigrants re-established the old colony at Messolonghi in 2011 which continues to grow. The overall breeding population in Greece grew from ca 100 to over 2000 br pairs showing an annual growth rate of 7.9%. Younger colonies show high annual growth rates clearly attributed to immigration, while older colonies have growth rates less than 10%. Interacting natural and anthropogenic factors are assumed to have contributed to pelican increase in Greece the last 40 years: better legal protection status, increasingly effective protection, patrolling and conservation measures; public awareness campaigns; provision of artificial nesting structures; increased winter survival due to higher temperatures owed to climate change; less disturbance and persecution due to decline of fisheries; increasing abundance and availability of fish due to eutrophication and climate change; increasing numbers of sympatric great cormorants rendering pelican fishing more efficient; appearance of new wetlands and change of wetlands due to human intervention works.

Effect of neonicotinoid and fungicide strobilurin in neotropical solitary bee Centris analis

The indiscriminate use of pesticides is one of the factors directly impacting bee populations. However, limited information is available on the pesticide effects on solitary bees, especially in Neotropical countries. In this scenario, this study evaluated the survival and histopathological effects caused by the neonicotinoid insecticide acetamiprid (7 ng/μL) and the fungicide azoxystrobin (10 ng/μL) in the midgut and parietal fat body of the solitary bee Centris analis. Female and male newly-emerged bees were orally exposed for 48 h to the pesticides, or alone or in combination, under laboratory conditions. The exposure to the insecticide reduced the survival of males, while the mixture reduced survival in both sexes. Acetamiprid promoted a reduction in the number of regenerative nests in the midgut, alterations of fat body cells by increasing carbohydrates in trophocytes, and reduction of oenocyte size, and increased the frequency of pericardial cells in the advanced activity stage. Both pesticides caused changes in HSP70 immunolabelling of midgut from males at the end of pesticide exposure. Comparatively, the effects on males were stronger than in females exposed to the same pesticides. Therefore, acetamiprid alone and in mixture with fungicide azoxystrobin can be harmful to males and females of Neotropical solitary bee C. analis showing lethal and sublethal effects at a concentration likely to be found in the environment.

Landscape and habitat characteristics jointly drive the urban distribution of a nuisance species

Identifying environmental variables that affect the distribution of pest and/or nuisance species promotes effective management strategies by improving urban planning and the targeted application of direct interventions like population control. Australian white ibis Threskiornis moluccus are considered a nuisance species throughout Australia, having increased significantly in abundance in coastal urban landscapes following declines in their native inland habitats over the past three decades. Few management interventions thus far have successfully reduced conflicts between ibis and humans, necessitating a better understanding of conditions driving ibis distribution and abundance. We surveyed 26 ibis colonies throughout the Moreton Bay region in central eastern Australia and quantified the effects of a range of spatial (e.g. connectivity with waste management facilities, urban land and wetlands) and habitat (e.g. nesting tree species, density and size) variables on ibis and nest abundance. Ibis and their nests were most abundant at sites within 10 km of waste management facilities, and < 60 m from residential or industrial estates. Ibis were also more abundant at sites with tree canopy height < 10 m and lower tree species richness. Nests were most abundant on water bound islands with tree density > 0.5 trees/m2. Urbanisation had contrasting effects, with nest numbers increasing with higher connectivity (i.e. closer proximity) to urban land, while ibis numbers decreased (relative to waste management facilities). Multifaceted approaches are required for controlling ibis populations, including restricting access to anthropogenic food resources, managing the condition of remnant habitats, and considering population control at sites with high connectivity to foraging grounds.

Prve najdbe mirmekofilnega pajka &lt;i&gt;Thyreosthenius biovatus&lt;/i&gt; (O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1875) za Slovenijo in nove slovenske najdbe mirmekofilnega pajka &lt;i&gt;Mastigusa arietina&lt;/i&gt; (Thorell, 1871)

Ants from the Formica rufa group, also known as red wood ants, build large mound nests and play an important role in their environment, especially in forests. Their nests harbour a species rich and abundant myrmecophilous fauna, including a few European spider species. Myrmecophilous spiders in 40 nests of red wood ants from 25 sites were searched for in Slovenia. In each mound nest, four to five litres of material were collected, which were placed in a sifter, with the sifted material examined for the presence of spiders. Two myrmecophilous spider species were found in the nests: Thyreosthenius biovatus (fam. Linyphiidae), representing first records for Slovenia, and Mastigusa arietina (fam. Cybaeidae), previously known from several sites in western Slovenia, but never purposefully searched for in ant nests. The first spider species was found in half of the examined nests, belonging to all sampled species of red wood ants, most of them to F. aquilonia, and M. arietina was detected in 37.5% of the examined nests, belonging to F. aquilonia and F. lugubris. The two spider species are presumably not rare in Slovenia, especially in the areas with a high number of red wood ant nests.

Influence of Sphagnum harvesting on arthropod fauna and vegetation with a focus on beetles (Coleoptera) and ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

The harvesting of living peat moss (Sphagnum spec.) for various industrial applications has become increasingly prevalent. The harvesting process involves manual or mechanical extraction of Sphagnum fragments with minor to significant alterations of the habitats. This study investigates the impact of Sphagnum harvesting on arthropod fauna and vegetation structure at two donor sites with small-scale Sphagnum harvest in northwestern Germany. In the first year after the harvest, comparative surveys were carried out between harvested and unharvested reference areas. Arthropods living in and on the upper Sphagnum layer were studied by manually extracting quadrat samples. Vegetation surveys focused on the vascular plant composition and Sphagnum layer thickness as key habitat parameters. Results indicate no substantial effects on the total numbers for most arthropod orders. In contrast, the frequency of ant workers and the number of ant nests were considerably lower in harvested areas compared to reference areas. Vegetation analysis revealed that the shortening of the Sphagnum hummocks led to a homogenization of the vegetation structure and alterations in species composition in favor of moisture-loving species. Although no significant effects on total beetle populations were observed, the abundance of bog generalists and specialists was significantly reduced in harvest areas. Certain species displayed preferences for harvested or reference areas. Future harvesting practices should consider preserving vulnerable arthropod species and restricting harvesting to a small scale to mitigate adverse effects on bog ecosystems.

Nesting habits of Baya Weaver Ploceus philippinus (Linnaeus, 1766) on power and television cables in the agricultural landscape of Kallakurichi district, Tamil Nadu, India

The nesting habits of Baya Weaver Ploceus philippinus with nesting site (e.g., power and television cables), source of nest materials, various developmental stages of nests, abnormal nests, number of individuals and their association with other bird species, and threats to their nests were studied between March and September 2021 in the agrarian landscapes of 42 villages in Kallakurichi District, Tamil Nadu. A total of 155 nest colonies containing 1,725 nests of various developmental stages and 1,993 adult birds were counted on power/television cables. The number of nests per colony found varied from one to 57. The average number of nests per colony was eleven. Baya Weaver had preferred power/television cables as nesting sites in the study area in spite of availability of potential nest-supporting trees, such as Cocos nucifera and Borassus flabellifer within 500 m radii from cables bearing nests. Birds used fibres of sugarcane leaves (Saccharum officinarum) for the construction of nests. Out of 778 helmet stage nests observed, 90% (n = 716) helmet stage nests had clay deposits on their inner walls and no clay deposits were found in the remaining 10% (n = 62) helmet stage nests. Eleven types of abnormal nests constituted 17% (n = 286) of the total nests. Sixteen other bird species (e.g., birds of order: Passeriformes, Coraciiformes, Piciformes, Cuculiformes and Columbiformes) were found associated with the individuals of Baya Weaver. These bird species strictly shared similar roosting and foraging grounds. The avian predators such as House Crow Corvus splendens, Large-billed Crow Corvus macrorhynchos, Black Drongo Dicrurus macrocercus, Rufous Treepie Dendrocitta vagabunda, Coucal Centropus senegalensis, and Shikra Accipiter badius had damaged the nests, eggs and chicks. The study revealed that about 1.1% nests (n = 197) were probably damaged by these avian predators. Power cables in the study sites had provided suitable nesting sites for Baya Weavers. The causes for utilization of power cables as nesting sites in larger geographical areas require further studies.

Simultaneous mating disruption of two moth pests of the vineyard (Lobesia botrana and Cryptoblabes gnidiella) through a biodegradable sex pheromone dispenser

Lobesia botrana (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) and Cryptoblabes gnidiella (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) represent a threat to wine production in Mediterranean countries. In recent years, the development of new formulations promoted the spread of pheromone-based mating disruption (MD) as an effective tool for the management of several insect pests in different agricultural contexts. In this study, we investigated the efficacy of an experimental dispenser designed for simultaneous MD of these two pests. The biodegradable double-tube dispenser (Isonet® L CG-BIOX235) was tested for two years in two Italian wine-growing sites, the first in Apulia (Southern Italy), and the second in Tuscany (Central Italy). Isonet® L CG-BIOX235 efficacy was evaluated by testing different doses (i.e., 300, 400, and 500 dispensers/ha), on different varieties (i.e., Aglianico, Syrah, and Viognier), and comparing it with an untreated control. The MD performed using this dispenser significantly reduced the infestation of both L. botrana (i.e., percentage of infested bunches and number of nests per bunch) and C. gnidiella compared to the untreated control, although the occurrence of the latter fluctuated throughout the two-year trials. Overall, although our results underline the possibility of combining the pheromones of the two pests in a single dispenser for their simultaneous MD, they also highlight the need for further studies on some aspects of C. gnidiella biology and consequently improve the MD efficacy against this species.

Innovative monitoring scheme adapted to remote, scattered nesting aggregation reveals a major loggerhead turtle rookery in New Caledonia, South Pacific.

The loggerhead turtle Caretta caretta is a large marine turtle with a cosmopolitan repartition in warm and temperate waters of the planet. The South Pacific subpopulation is classified as 'Critically Endangered' on the IUCN Red List, based on the estimated demographic decline. This precarious situation engages an urgent need to monitor nesting populations in order to highlight conservation priorities and to ensure their efficiency over time. New Caledonia encompasses a large number of micro and distant nesting sites, localized on coral islets widely distributed across its large lagoon. Adequately surveying nesting activities on those hard-to-reach beaches can prove to be challenging. As a result, important knowledge gaps prevail in those high-potential nesting habitats. For the first time, an innovative monitoring scheme was conducted to assess the intensity of nesting activities, considered as a proxy of the population size, on an exhaustive set of islets located in the 'Grand Lagon Sud' area. These data were analyzed using a set of statistical methods specially designed to produce phenology and nesting activity estimates using Bayesian methods. This analysis revealed that this rookery hosts a large nesting colony, with a mean annual estimate of 437 nests (95% Credible Interval = 328-582). These numbers exceed that of the previous estimated annual number of loggerhead turtle nests in New Caledonia, highlighting the exceptional nature of this area. Considering the fact that similar high-potential aggregations have been identified in other parts of New Caledonia, but failed to be comprehensively assessed to this day, we recommend carrying out this replicable monitoring scheme to other locations. It could allow a significant re-evaluation of the New Caledonian nesting population importance and, ultimately, of its prevailing responsibility for the protection of this patrimonial yet endangered species.

Nest Site Preference of Lonchura striata acuticauda, in Semi Urban Areas of Kollam District, Kerala, India: A Case Study

Disturbances caused by man-made structures significantly influence the nest site selection of birds. However, the remarkable adaptability of Lonchura striata acuticauda to such disturbances is a fascinating aspect of its behaviour. This adaptability leads to the unique nest distribution of a bird’s community, often favouring human-associated bird species. The present investigation into the nesting preference of Lonchura striata acuticauda for garden plants was conducted in a semi-urban village, Tazhava of Kollam district in Kerala, between August 2021 and September 2022. Nesting affinity of white-rumped munia to different garden plants, the number of nesting attempts and renovation on different plant species, and nesting parameters, such as the number of completed and incompleted nests, clutch size, egg predated, and chick fledged on each plant species were recorded during their breeding period. A total of 45 nests of Lonchura striata acuticauda were observed on different garden plant species in 25 homes with well-maintained gardens; thirty-seven were completed, while eight nests were abandoned in the helmet stage. Lonchura striata acuticauda showed varying nest site preferences; with the highest nest site preference of 36 % on Callisia repens, followed by Epipremnum aureum (27%), Cleodendrum thomsoniae (18%), Bambusa multiplex (7%) and an equal preference of 4% for Plumeria pudica, Ixora taiwanensis and Melia azadirachta. Most of the nests recorded an average clutch size of 3-5 eggs. Eighty-eight percent of the nests constructed on Callisia repens were completed, with 87% of eggs hatched and chick-fledged, with a predation rate of 13%. Nesting munias are protected from the dense foliage and vines of the garden plants where the birds build a nest which also minimises the energy wastage in finding materials for nest building. Repeated nesting attempts and nest renovation on the same plant were observed mainly in hanging ornamental plants.