Front-face fluorescence spectroscopy, directly applied on honey samples, was used for the authentication of 11 unifloral and polyfloral honey types (n = 371 samples) previously classified using traditional methods such as chemical, pollen, and sensory analysis. Excitation spectra (220-400 nm) were recorded with the emission measured at 420 nm. In addition, emission spectra were recorded between...

Few studies have evaluated the relative importance of bottom-up regulation for the population dynamics of mutualism. To address this, we tested the hypothesis that host plant quality affects the strength of the mutualism between Publilia concava (Say) (Hemiptera: Membracidae) treehoppers feeding on Solidago altissima L. and ants. P. concava is a phloem-feeding treehopper that excretes a sugary ...

The spotted lanternfly (SLF), Lycorma delicatula (Hemiptera: Fulgoridae), is a generalist phloem feeder that produces copious amounts of honeydew, which in turn coats the understory. These insects form large aggregations covering trunks some trees, while similar trees nearby mysteriously seem unattractive. We investigated whether volatiles from SLF honeydew are attractive to conspecifics by col...

Cantaloupe and honeydew melon cultivars were processed and stored under a high oxygen passive modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) or reduced oxygen controlled atmosphere (CA; 5 kPa O2 + 10 kPa CO2 and balance N2) for 14 days at 5 C. Atmosphere did not affect softening rate or soluble solids content and had a negligible effect on colour. Volatile compounds known as flavour-important in melons we...

Mutualisms between ants and sap-sucking insects generally involve clear benefits for both partners: the ants provide protection in exchange for honeydew. However, a single ant genus associates with armoured scale insects (Diaspididae) that do not excrete honeydew. We studied three colonies of Melissotarsus emeryi ants from two localities in Mozambique. Vast numbers of the diaspidid Morganella c...

Predicting the outcome of competitive interactions is a fundamental goal in ecology. Ecological stoichiometry, which relates nutrient balance to ecological processes, provides a framework for identifying mechanistic links among macronutrient availability, nutritional physiology and competitive performance. Because carbohydrates serve as a principal metabolic fuel, carbohydrate scarcity may impi...

RNA interference (RNAi) has great potential for use in insect pest control. However, some significant challenges must be overcome before RNAi-based pest control can become a reality. One challenge is the proper selection of a good target gene for RNAi. Here, we report that the insect ecdysone receptor (EcR) is a good potential target for RNAi-based pest control in the brown planthopper Nilaparv...

S I Aguiar1, M J Brito2, A N Horácio1, J P Lopes1, M Ramirez ([email protected])1, J Melo-Cristino1, on behalf of the Portuguese Group for the Study of Streptococcal Infections and the Portuguese Study Group of Invasive Pneumococcal Disease of the Paediatric Infectious Disease Society3 1. Instituto de Microbiologia, Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, ...

a Produce Quality and Safety Laboratory, Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Beltsville, MD 20705, USA b Crop Quality & Fruit Insect Research Unit, Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Weslaco, TX 78596, USA c Biometrical Consulting Service, Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Beltsville, ...