Peak Flight Research Articles

Refining Degree-Day Models for Sparganothis Fruitworm in Cranberry by Biofix and Variety

Timing insecticide applications with insect emergence is critical for the management of cranberry pests like Sparganothis fruitworm (Sparganothis sulfureana, Lepidoptera: Tortricidae). The annual peak flight of S. sulfureana has previously been predicted using a degree-day model with a biofix date of 1 March; however, this biofix is not suitable for regions where winter and spring temperatures are warmer and flooding of cranberry beds is relied upon, which inhibits S. sulfureana development. In this study, we present two new degree-day models for predicting S. sulfureana peak flight based on six years of trapping data from New Jersey (USA): one with a biofix of 15 April, a date when drainage of cranberry beds occurs on average, and another using individual bed drainage dates. These models project peak flights at 525.5 and 521.0 degree-days using 15 April and water draw date as biofixes, respectively. These models can be used interchangeably, with both biofixes being suitable for regional grower guidance. Furthermore, differences in S. sulfureana peak flight were observed across four cranberry varieties; however, the effect of variety was influenced by year (significant variety-by-year interaction). This year-to-year variation in peak flight was strongly associated with spring (April–May) temperatures. Using these models, we project that with climate change, the peak flight of S. sulfureana in New Jersey cranberry beds may occur up to a week earlier by 2050. The use of a region-specific biofix and variety-specific models will help to better refine degree-day models for S. sulfureana, allowing for improved timing of management strategies against this pest.

The Flight Pattern of Navel Orangeworm (Amyelois transitella Walker) 2008-2023 in California Pistachio.

The navel orangeworm, Amyelois transitella, is the principal pest of pistachio and almond in California. The timing of the insecticide application is challenging because there is no model that predicts when pistachio is vulnerable to infestation. Sixteen years of pistachio flight data from Madera and Fresno counties (541,892 adults) were analyzed to determine if there was a consistent starting point each year for flights that overlap pistachio vulnerability. This effort was complicated by changes in trap lures over this period, as unmated females were replaced by a combination lure consisting of the synthetic pheromone and phenyl propionate, which is needed because mating disruption suppresses pheromone lure trap capture. There were two additional complications: the increased degree day accumulation during the growing season and the three-fold hectarage expansion of pistachio. A biofix at 944.4 degree days °C from the beginning of the year was identified from the dataset, which was consistent across all years in both counties. Using the biofix, subsequent flight peaks occurred at 277.78 degree day °C intervals (generation time on new crop pistachios), corresponding to three weeks in the field. This biofix can be used to improve the timing of field scouting, which in turn will improve the timing of insecticide application.

Field releases of Trichogramma cacoeciae (Marchal, 1927) (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) against the codling moth, Cydia pomonella (Linnaeus, 1758) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae)

The codling moth, Cydia pomonella L. (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), is a key pest of apples in Tunisia and other countries around the world. Various management strategies have been applied to manage this pest including releases of parasitoids. Trichogramma wasps are known as efficient biocontrol agents tested against a large number of lepidopteran pests including C. pomonella. Two inundative releases of Trichogramma cacoeciae Marchal, at the rates of 25 000 and 50 000 parasitoids per ha, were performed when threshold was reached (2 to 3 adults per pheromone trap) in a commercial apple orchard, in 2018. Results indicated the occurrence of three flight peaks registered in the spring, summer and autumn of the growing season. The efficacy of the two release rates in reducing the infestation level of the population of the codling moth was proved herein. Average infestation level of fruits was significantly reduced after of the first release with reduction of about 27% for rate 1 and 22% for rate 2 compared to the untreated control (45%). Likewise, the average percentage of damaged apples was significantly reduced after the second release (23, 18.37 and 43.37 % respectively for the rate 1, rate 2 and the untreated control). The results showed the efficacy of T. cacoeciae parasitoids as efficient candidates to control C. pomonella.

Re-surging airport noise: understanding aircraft noise dynamics during and after the COVID-19 pandemic at Dublin airport

This paper explores the dynamics of aircraft noise patterns, examining the transformative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on flight numbers and noise contours during the years 2021, 2022, and 2023 at a European airport. Focused on both peak and low flight months, the study explores how the aviation landscape experienced shifts during the pandemic and post-pandemic scenarios. As a transport hub for an island nation Dublin Airport is a key piece of national infrastructure but as the global travel restrictions took effect, the airport witnessed a substantial reduction in flight numbers, resulting in a notable decrease in airport noise and subsequent lower population exposure to environmental noise. This paper analyzes the trends in noise contours and flight frequencies during this period, shedding light on the immediate effects of the pandemic on aviation-related noise. Furthermore, as the restrictions gradually lifted, the study investigates the extent to which flight numbers and associated noise contours rebounded in the post-pandemic era. This comprehensive examination provides insights into the evolving environmental soundscape, capturing not only the changes during the pandemic but also the subsequent rise in flight numbers. The potential impact on societal expectations of aircraft noise is discussed.

NAJVEČJE SILE ZA DOSEGANJE NAJBOLJŠE VIŠINI IN DALJAVE LETA NA PRESKOKU V MOŠKI ORODNI TELOVADBI

Analysing the take-off forces on the vaulting table can help to inform the athlete about the vaulting technique. A measuring device was used to measure the forces during the Artistic World Championships 2019. The greatest forces were measured during Forward handspring. The mean maximum values were 5.4 times body weight (BW). The highest peak height was calculated for Forward handspring (tucked) at 2.9 m. The longest flight distance was 3.62 m for forward handspring and 3.59 m for tsukahara/kasamatsu. The statistical correlations between the forces and the peak height and flight distance could only be verified for Forward handspring. For the Tsukahara/Kasamatsu and the Yurchenko vaults, no correlation could be proven.

Continental-scale patterns in diel flight timing of high-altitude migratory insects.

Many insects depend on high-altitude, migratory movements during part of their life cycle. The daily timing of these migratory movements is not random, e.g. many insect species show peak migratory flight activity at dawn, noon or dusk. These insects provide essential ecosystem services such as pollination but also contribute to crop damage. Quantifying the diel timing of their migratory flight and its geographical and seasonal variation, are hence key towards effective conservation and pest management. Vertical-looking radars provide continuous and automated measurements of insect migration, but large-scale application has not been possible because of limited availability of suitable devices. Here, we quantify patterns in diel flight periodicity of migratory insects between 50 and 500 m above ground level during March-October 2021 using a network of 17 vertical-looking radars across Europe. Independent of the overall daily migratory movements and location, peak migratory movements occur around noon, during crepuscular evening and occasionally the morning. Relative daily proportions of insect migration intensity and traffic during the diel phases of crepuscular-morning, day, crepuscular-evening and night remain largely equal throughout May-September and across Europe. These findings highlight, extend, and generalize previous regional-scale findings on diel migratory insect movement patterns to the whole of temperate Europe. This article is part of the theme issue 'Towards a toolkit for global insect biodiversity monitoring'.

A New Multiobjective A∗ Algorithm With Time Window Applied to Large Airports

Current airport ground operations, relying on single and fixed aircraft taxiing rules, struggle to handle dynamic traffic flow changes during peak flight times at large airports. This leads to inefficient taxiing routes, prolonged taxiing times, and high fuel consumption. This paper addresses these issues by proposing a new adaptive method for dynamic taxiway routing in airport ground operations. This method aims to reduce ground taxiing time and fuel consumption while ensuring the safety of aircraft taxiing. This study proposes a multiobjective A∗ algorithm with time windows which takes into account the allocation of resources on airport taxiways and introduces factors such as turning angles, dynamic turning speeds, and dynamic characteristics of the ground operations. Experiments conducted over the 10 busiest days in the history of Tianjin Binhai International Airport demonstrate that the algorithm excels in minimizing total taxiing time, differing only by 0.5% from the optimal solution. It also optimizes multiple objectives such as fuel consumption and operates at a solving speed approximately three orders of magnitude faster than the optimal solution algorithm, enabling real‐time calculation of aircraft taxiing paths. The results of the study indicate that the proposed multiobjective A∗ algorithm with time windows can effectively provide decision support for dynamic routing in airport ground operations.

Occurrence of Z‐ and E‐strain Ostrinia nubilalis in Sweden shortly after first detection of the Z‐strain

AbstractIntroductionThe European corn borer (ECB), Ostrinia nubilalis (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae), is a major pest insect in maize. New cultivars and climate change have allowed range expansion of the crop northwards in Europe, and a similar range expansion of associated pests has been predicted. ECB exists as two distinct pheromone strains using different blends of (E)‐11‐tetradecenyl acetate and (Z)‐11‐tetradecenyl acetate for sexual communication; in addition, the Z‐strain feeds almost exclusively on maize. In Sweden, the maize cropping area has increased tenfold during the last two decades, increasing the potential for spread of the Z‐strain, which was recorded for the first time in the country in 2010.Aim of the study/methodsIn this study, we performed trapping experiments with strain‐specific lures in maize fields in southern Sweden during 2013–2022 to monitor the presence and relative abundance of the two ECB strains and evaluate the potential increase of the Z‐strain. Trapping was also performed at least 5 km away from maize fields. Molecular markers were used to verify the strain identity of trapped males and larvae that fed on maize.ResultsCatch data revealed that both pheromone strains were present in the major maize cultivation areas of Sweden, as predicted by recent modelling studies. Our data indicate that the flight period of ECB in southern Sweden lasts from the middle of June to late August, with peak flight in July. Catches of both strains were low at all trapping sites and throughout the study period and decreased further during the years following the dry summer of 2018. No Z‐strain males were trapped far away from maize fields.ConclusionBased on our results, and the low levels of ECB‐related damage observed in local maize fields, the Z‐strain is currently not imposing a threat to Swedish maize growers.

Occurrence and Population Density of the Endemic Species Cordulegaster buchholzi (Anisoptera: Cordulegastridae) on the Cyclades Islands in Greece.

Our research was focused on determining the geomorphological characteristics of streams, characteristics of sediment in streams, habitat, emergence sites and flight period. Larvae were recorded in 19 streams (altitude of 35-680 m a.s.l.), with an average minimum width of 44.2 cm, an average maximum width of 352.9 cm, an average minimum depth of 9 cm and an average maximum depth (in pools) of 55 cm, with an average stream gradient of 12 grades (range 0.6-45 grades). In terms of grain size, the sediment in these biotopes can be characterized as sandy gravel, medium-grained gravel with an admixture of fine sand and an admixture of coarse-grained gravel prevails (with dominancy of fraction 2-5 mm with a representation of 47%). The larval density reached 0.1-62.2 larvae per 1 m2 of suitable sediment. Exuviae (100 exuviae found in total) occurred at an average of 66 cm horizontal distance from the shore and an average vertical height of 124 cm above the ground. The average total distance of larval movement was 190 cm. The emergence site was categorized as larvae-dominated tree trunks (57% of cases), rocks (51%) and overhanging rocks (11%). The flight period was recorded from 17th May to 15th July (literary record-to 15th August) with peak flight activity noted in the third quarter of June. Considering the size of the area-extent of occurrence, the population of C. buchholzi is strongly threatened; according to the IUCN categories it should be classified as endangered (EN).

Prediction of seasonal population dynamics of Grapholita molesta (Busck) and Adoxophyes orana (Fischer von Röslerstamm) in peach orchards using sex pheromone trap and degree-days and its implications in pest management

The successful management of lepidopteran moths in orchards usually depends on the precise forecast of adult activity. However, the seasonal phenology of moths varies between crop cultivars and years, making it difficult to schedule the control measures. Here, we monitored male flight activity of oriental fruit moth Grapholita molesta and summer fruit tortrix moth Adoxophyes orana by using sex pheromone traps in peach orchards of three different cultivars for three successive years. We developed a logistic multiple-peaks model to fit data and then calculated degree-days (DD) required for male activity and neonate emergency. Results show that G. molesta and A. orana males had 4–5 and 3 flight peaks per year, respectively. The seasonal phenology of G. molesta or A. orana was quite stable with an identical timing of each flight peak between cultivars in a year. The flight activity was usually higher in the second and third peaks for both moths, with a higher cumulative number of G. molesta males captured than that of A. orana. Compared to A. orana, G. molesta emerged early in spring and required lower degree-days to reach the subsequent flight peaks and for neonate emergency. Our results suggest that to decline the possibility of outbreaks of moths during the growing seasons, pheromone traps should be scheduled in April with a cumulative DD between 49.6 and 207.1 for G. molesta and in mid-May–early June with a cumulative DD between 450.4 and 866.7 for A. orana, aiming to trap the newly emerged male adults or disrupting female mating success of overwintered moths in orchards. Based on the thermal requirement for egg hatching (i.e., 79.4 DD for G. molesta and 90.0 DD for A. orana), insecticide treatments would be applied in late-April–early May and late May–early June to reduce the field population density of neonates of G. molesta and A. orana, respectively, to reduce fruit damage in orchards. Furthermore, pheromone traps set up in late July–early August (573.8–1025.2 DD) for G. molesta and in mid-September (1539.7–1788.9 DD) for A. orana may suppress overwintering populations and thus decrease pest infestation in next year.

Impact of 14 Days of Bed Rest in Older Adults and an Exercise Countermeasure on Body Composition, Muscle Strength, and Cardiovascular Function: Canadian Space Agency Standard Measures

Introduction: Head-down bed rest (HDBR) has long been used as an analog to microgravity, and it also enables studying the changes occurring with aging. Exercise is the most effective countermeasure for the deleterious effects of inactivity. The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of an exercise countermeasure in healthy older participants on attenuating musculoskeletal deconditioning, cardiovascular fitness level, and muscle strength during 14 days of HDBR as part of the standard measures of the Canadian Space Agency. Methods: Twenty-three participants (12 males and 11 females), aged 55–65 years, were admitted for a 26-day inpatient stay at the McGill University Health Centre. After 5 days of baseline assessment tests, they underwent 14 days of continuous HDBR followed by 7 days of recovery with repeated tests. Participants were randomized to passive physiotherapy or an exercise countermeasure during the HDBR period consisting of 3 sessions per day of either high-intensity interval training (HIIT) or low-intensity cycling or strength exercises for the lower and upper body. Peak aerobic power (V̇O2peak) was determined using indirect calorimetry. Body composition was assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, and several muscle group strengths were evaluated using an adjustable chair dynamometer. A vertical jump was used to assess whole-body power output, and a tilt test was used to measure cardiovascular and orthostatic challenges. Additionally, changes in various blood parameters were measured as well as the effects of exercise countermeasure on these measurements. Results: There were no differences at baseline in main characteristics between the control and exercise groups. The exercise group maintained V̇O2peak levels similar to baseline, whereas it decreased in the control group following 14 days of HDBR. Body weight significantly decreased in both groups. Total and leg lean masses decreased in both groups. However, total body fat mass decreased only in the exercise group. Isometric and isokinetic knee extension muscle strength were significantly reduced in both groups. Peak velocity, flight height, and flight time were significantly reduced in both groups with HDBR. Conclusion: In this first Canadian HDBR study in older adults, an exercise countermeasure helped maintain aerobic fitness and lean body mass without affecting the reduction of knee extension strength. However, it was ineffective in protecting against orthostatic intolerance. These results support HIIT as a promising approach to preserve astronaut health and functioning during space missions, and to prevent deconditioning as a result of hospitalization in older adults.

European Corn Borer (Ostrinia nubilalis Hbn.) Bioecology in Eastern Romania.

Between 2020 and 2021, we conducted research in eastern Romania to monitor the bioecology of the European corn borer (Ostrinia nubilalis Hbn.), an important pest of corn. The bioecology research established the pest stage duration (egg, larva, pupa, and moth), the flight curve, and the flight peak. The bioecological study occurred in the experimental corn field and a field cage. According to our findings, the insect has one generation per year. The European corn borer hibernates as a mature larva in corn residues and continues developing in the spring, when the weather warms. It pupates from May to July over 37 days. Analyzing the data recorded during the winters of 2020 and 2021, we observed that the warming trend favored the high survival of hibernating larvae (60.7%). Due to the large number of mature larvae that had favorable conditions during the winter, there is an intense flight, starting in June and ending in September. When the first moth was caught in the light trap, the ∑(tn-10) °C (sum of degree days) was 245.6 °C. In 2020, the flight was recorded for 94 days. In 2021, the European corn borer flight lasted 104 days. The initial egg masses were detected when the total of ∑(tn-10) °C reached 351.5 °C. Moths laid the eggs for 25 days, mostly during peak flight in late June and early July. The first larvae hatched when ∑(tn-10) °C totaled 438.4 °C, and stages III-V were recorded in the harvested crop. Understanding the bioecology of the European corn borer can offer valuable insights into managing population levels and identifying optimal timing for addressing infestations in corn crops.

Is the racewalking biomechanics significantly influenced by coaching?

The purpose of the study was to determine the differences between two different groups of racewalkers each in the variables describing the biomechanics of their gaits. The research method consisted of two groups of 7 athletes walking at an individually determined race speed across a force plate recorded by video cameras and the OptoJumpNext system. To determine the differences in 10 key variables between the two groups, a two-sample unpaired T-test was performed, which was also controlled by Cohens' effect size indicator. The main finding of the study is that 5 key variables unrelated to walking speed were statistically different between the two groups, with group A (predominantly "M"-shaped) having a lower ratio of peak ground reaction force (GRF) to GRF at 70% of the contact phase, a lower ratio of peak GRF to GRF at 70-80% of the contact phase, greater pelvic rotation and a more upright posture. There were no significant differences between the two groups on two variables describing upper body movement. Two other variables (peak GRF and flight time) were also statistically different between the two groups, but these variables depended on walking speed, which was not identical for the two groups. In conclusion, although the gait in racewalking is quite strictly defined by the rules, different training can lead to very different biomechanical indicators. We suggest that the above variables can and should be controlled and influenced by training to develop a smooth technique with lower peak ground reaction forces.

Drivers affecting habitat use in Afrotropical hipposiderid and pteropodid bats

AbstractAssessing how bats respond to habitat attributes requires an integrative approach to reliably predict direct community‐level effects. We focused on hipposiderid and pteropodid bats because of their diverse resource use patterns, body size ranges, and dispersal abilities. We combined an array of bat species‐level characteristics with key forest stand characteristics that may covary with habitat use. Twelve stations were sampled in the Lomami and Yangambi landscapes, Democratic Republic of the Congo. We investigated whether species‐level flight ability of bats and forest stand characteristics can affect bat commuting flights and community‐level estimates of both species detection and habitat occupancy. We captured bats for 108 trap‐nights. Three sampling events (early evening, middle of the night, and early morning) were replicated for each survey night. Hipposiderids showed an early evening flight peak, while flight activity of pteropodids was constant throughout the night, but increased around the middle of the night. Species capture probability decreased with higher wing loading in hipposiderids and was negatively correlated with higher wing aspect ratio in pteropodids. Forest occupancy of hipposiderids increased along the gradient towards waterways, while pteropodid occurrence was not directly linked to measured forest stand variables. This suggests a consequence of habitat patterns at larger spatial scales, which would need clarifying through additional data collection. We discuss these findings in terms of resource‐use strategies of clutter‐tolerant and clutter‐intolerant species. We argue that the occurrence of specific bat species and their habitat use patterns can serve as surrogate measures of ecosystem health.

Ecology and behavioral patterns of Luciola cruciate in a restored forest in a chemical plant

Efforts to restore firefly populations are ongoing; these populations have been declining due to the development of cities and industries. The first step in restoration is the development of a breeding system that can accommodate approximately 5000 hatched larvae of Luciola cruciate, an aquatic firefly species, until they reach the last instar larval stage. The bred larvae are released into a river in a restored forest in a chemical plant, where they can breed naturally. Firefly-viewing events are organized so that people can experience the pleasure of watching fireflies. Such events can be successful if the peak flight season of fireflies can be predicted accurately. There is scope to improve the methods used for flight season prediction, which have impaired prediction accuracy owing to the variability of regional characteristics. In this study, data on fireflies and meteorological data accumulated for the restored forest over 11 years were analyzed and the peak flight days of L. cruciate adults and climbing by L. cruciate larvae were discussed. The new regression equation-based method proposed in this study, which used the breeding temperature and minimum humidity, can estimate the peak flight date of adult fireflies better than the conventional method based on the effective cumulative temperature. As part of the ecology of fireflies, statistical analysis on climbing by larvae revealed that minimum air temperature and cumulative precipitation were significant predictors of climbing and that climbing occurred on a rainy night with a minimum air temperature of ≥ 10 °C.

Monitoring the courtship flight trajectory of Latham's snipe (Gallinago hardwickii) using microphone arrays.

This study is the first to quantitatively measure the courtship display flights of Latham's snipe (Gallinago hardwickii), which is a "near threatened" species as of 2022 (IUCN red list of threatened species). By using a 16-channel microphone array and 8-channel microphone arrays, we localized the fine-scale movements of courtship flights of one male performing at high altitude and high speed, and we estimated the direction from which each sound arrived using robot audition. Preliminary analyses of the azimuthal and elevation angles of the courtship flights partially revealed a fine-scale flight trajectory. First, a male Latham's snipe gradually gained altitude while vocalizing sharp and harsh repeating calls, until it reached the flight peak altitude, then dove down while producing winnowing sound to the ground along the wetland zones without tall vegetation. This observation method is methodologically useful to establish a better understanding of Latham's snipe courtship flight site selection. Furthermore, this method can be extended to investigate other rare nocturnal or crepuscular birds that are too timid to risk ringing or tagging.

Six-Year Study of a Nocturnal Flying Coleoptera Community in Southern Québec, Canada

The aim of this study is the quantitative assessment of temporal variations in the composition and structure of a nocturnal flying beetle community in northeastern North America. In southern Québec (Canada), we collected by blacklight trapping a total of 33,382 individuals representing 625 Coleoptera species or morphospecies belonging to 63 families from a grassland at Scotstown during six years (2007–2012). Carabidae and Staphylinidae were the most abundant families and had the highest species richness. This blacklight trapping throughout the April–September period over many years provides critical information for assessments of beetle diversity in southern Québec, based on 1) the large proportion of species collected in small numbers (1–2 adults), 2) nearly 60% of species flying for only 1–3 months over six years, and 3) the large proportion of dominant/subdominant species in spite of strong year-to-year fluctuations in the relative abundance of species. Consequently, light trapping investigations in the future should be extended across many years to improve the inventory of species in a region, aid in the evaluation of the rarity of some Nearctic species, and study long-term effects of certain environmental factors (e.g., anthropogenic disturbance, climatic changes). We also studied the seasonal flight pattern for the 57 most abundant species (at least 100 individuals) including two eudominant species, Bembidion versicolor (LeConte) (Carabidae) (7.5% of the total catches) and Ectopria nervosa (Melsheimer) (Psephenidae) (6.8%); the flight peak of many species was during mid-summer. We determined the sex ratio for 23 abundant species; 12 species presented a female-biased sex ratio.

The Euwallacea fornicatus species complex (Coleoptera: Curculionidae); emerging economic pests of tea in Taiwan

The Euwallacea fornicatus species complex is native to Asia but has invaded many countries globally. This complex includes four cryptic species that infest a wide range of economic crops, including tea. One of them is Euwallacea perbrevis Schedl, which has been a major pest of tea in Sri Lanka and India for over a century. The species complex was first recorded infesting tea in Taiwan over 80 years ago but the specific identity of that first record is unknown. Furthermore, although tea is an important industry in Taiwan, this pest has attracted limited attention. Hence, we surveyed tea gardens across the island, determining infestation rates, and identifying the Euwallacea species present. We also used sticky traps to monitor the annual flight dynamics of the beetles and of a parasitoid natural enemy, an undescribed species of Eucosmophorus. Levels of infestation varied even between neighboring gardens. Highly infested tea gardens were located mainly in central Taiwan and some in eastern Taiwan. The peak flight activity of the species complex occurred between October and March, when the parasitoid was also abundant. Molecular identification of the trapped beetles identified them as E. fornicatus sensu stricto Eichhoff and E. kuroshio Gomez & Hulcr, but E. perbrevis was not detected. In contrast to the situation in Sri Lanka, where E. perbrevis attacks the highly visible terminal branches of the tea plant, in Taiwan, E. fornicatus s. s. and E. kuroshio predominantly attacked the main bole and underground parts. We propose that the ‘hidden’ nature of this attack, and the similarities of the symptoms to a common fungal disease of tea, may have led to an underestimation of the impact of the species complex on tea, not only in Taiwan but also in other tea growing countries.

Orientus ishidae (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae): Biology, Direct Damage and Preliminary Studies on Apple Proliferation Infection in Apple Orchard.

The mosaic leafhopper, Orientus ishidae (Matsumura), is an Asian species widespread in Europe that can cause leaf damage in wild trees and transmit disease phytoplasmas to grapevines. Following an O. ishidae outbreak reported in 2019 in an apple orchard in northern Italy, the biology and damage caused by this species to apples were investigated during 2020 and 2021. Our studies included observations on the O. ishidae life cycle, leaf symptoms associated to its trophic activity, and its capability to acquire "Candidatus Phytoplasma mali," a causal agent of Apple Proliferation (AP). The results indicate that O. ishidae can complete the life cycle on apple trees. Nymphs emerged between May and June, and adults were present from early July to late October, with the peak of flight between July and early August. Semi-field observations allowed for an accurate description of leaf symptoms that appeared as a distinct yellowing after a one-day exposure. In field experiments, 23% of the leaves were found damaged. In addition, 16-18% of the collected leafhoppers were found carrying AP phytoplasma. We conclude that O. ishidae has the potential to be a new apple tree pest. However, further studies are required to better understand the economic impact of the infestations.

Spatio-temporal distribution and mass-trapping of leopard moth, Zeuzera pyrina in walnut orchards

Leopard moth Zeuzera pyrina L. (Lepidoptera: Cossidae) is a serious pest of walnut orchards in Iran. This study was conducted during two growing seasons, 2019 and 2020 in walnut orchards located in Ajabshir County, East Azarbaijan Province of Iran. At the beginning of the growing season, pheromone delta sticky traps (baited with female sex pheromone) were placed in the canopy of the treatment trees at 6 m above the ground (16 traps per hectare). The traps were checked weekly and the captured insects were counted and removed. Geostatistics was used to determine the spatial distribution pattern of male adults captured by pheromone traps. At the end of the growing season, damage of leopard moth larvae was assessed in 60 trees chosen from the control and treatment plots. Eight terminal branches were taken from each tree stratified in four cardinal directions (N, E, S, and W) and two canopy levels (upper and lower halves of the tree crown). The number of larval galleries in each sample was counted. The male trapping effect was not significant in the first year of the study, but it reduced leopard moth damage significantly in the second year (p < 0.01). Effects of cardinal direction, canopy level and their interactions were not significant on leopard moth damage (p > 0.05). The geostatistical analysis indicated that leopard moth male adults had random distribution at low populations, and were aggregated during flight peak with moderate to strong spatial autocorrelation. It can be concluded that distribution maps, prepared for spatially autocorrelated datasets, can be used for precision mass-trapping during the flight peak of leopard moth, as a safe method for the environment and natural enemies.