Aculus taihangensis is a potential biological control agent of Ailanthus altissima (Miller) Swingle. However, predatory mites found in Europe may affect the action this eriophyid agent. The aim present study was to evaluate biology two mites, Euseius stipulatus and Typhlodromus (Typhlodromus) exhilaratus, feeding on A. taihangensis. Rearing stocks were maintained germination chambers at 25 ± 1 ...

Recent research in community genetics has examined the effects of intraspecific genetic variation on species diversity in local communities. However, communities can be structured by a combination of both local and regional processes and to date, few community genetics studies have examined whether the effects of instraspecific genetic variation are consistent across levels of diversity. In thi...

As a common practice in urban landscape design, tree planting plays an important role improving the environment and microclimate. This study aimed to investigate thermal comfort effects provided by trees on surrounding environment. Using species Ficus altissima growing lower subtropical China, variation temperature, humidity, wind speed due canopy was summarized, intensity of transpiration cool...

The unique relationship between TDN and CP concentration (low CP relative to TDN) in the whole-plant of 'Floralta' limpograss (Hemarthria altissima) may provide an opportunity for improving cattle performance through protein supplementation. In each of three consecutive years, yearling Brahman x British crossbred steers (initial weight approximately 270 kg) grazed limpograss during the summer a...

Chlorophyllase from Ailanthus altissima leaves has been purified 63-fold by a combination of heat treatment, ultracentrifugation, gel filtration, and chromatography on diethylaminoethyl cellulose. While the enzyme is inhibited to some degree by Triton X-100, a modification of the assay procedure of Klein and Vishniac has been shown to be far superior to the use of aqueous acetone systems. The e...

Spotted Lanternfly, Lycorma delicatula (White) is a recently introduced pest of Tree-of-Heaven, Ailanthus altissima (Mill.) Swingle in North America. Natural enemy surveys for this pest in Pennsylvania in 2016 recovered an encyrtid egg parasitoid from both field collections and laboratory rearing of field-collected L. delicatula egg masses. Both molecular and morphological data confirm that the...

Ecosystem engineers affect ecological communities by physically modifying the environment. Understanding the factors determining the distribution of engineers offers a powerful predictive tool for community ecology. In this study, we examine whether the goldenrod bunch gall midge (Rhopalomyia solidaginis) functions as an ecosystem engineer in an old-field ecosystem by altering the composition o...