Multi-scale Challenges in the Food–Energy–Water Nexus

BF Zaitchik, D Bazzana, M Gebreyes, B Simane… - … Development Goals: The …, 2022 - Springer

This chapter addresses a critique of food–energy–water (FEW) nexus studies: that they often focus on large-scale dynamics that play out between powerful institutions at the scale of the nation, river basin, or beyond, thus marginalizing local concerns and reinforcing power imbalances in resource claims and management. Using a series of studies in Ethiopia as a platform, we draw out the importance of engaging local resource challenges and development objectives when analyzing FEW policy options and implications and propose …

Invasion of Popillia japonica in Lombardy, Italy: Interactions with soil entomopathogenic nematodes and native grubs

I Glazer, G Santoiemma, A Battisti… - Agricultural and …, 2022 - Wiley Online Library

The recent invasion of the Japanese beetle Popillia japonica Newman (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) in northern Italy offered the opportunity to explore the entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) associated with the soil of hay meadows. A total of 61 sites were considered for nematode sampling, and from 17 of them (27.9%) EPNs were isolated and further characterized with molecular and morphological techniques as well as with laboratory bioassays. Two main species, Heterorhabditis bacteriophora Poinar (Rhabditida …

Risk of establishment and potential impacts of transient populations of Spodoptera frugiperda in Europe

G Gilioli, G Sperandio, A Simonetto, M Ciampitti… - 2022 - researchsquare.com

2 of the species, with suitable areas reaching even higher latitudes, in the worst-case scenario. In 29 Europe, up to 4 generations per year were predicted. The predicted average yearly adult population 30 was 5 (±4), 17 (±5), and 139 (±22) in the best, median-, and worst- case assessment scenario, 31 respectively. Model results showed that Southern and Central Europe might be exposed to the risk of 32 transient populations, at least up to the 48th parallel north, in the worst-case scenario. Depending on 33 the latitude and on the period of …

Analysis of a Mathematical Model Arising in Plant Disease Epidemiology

N Bazarra, M Colturato, JR Fernández… - Applied Mathematics & …, 2022 - Springer

In this work we study from the mathematical and numerical point of view a problem arising in vector-borne plant diseases. The model is written as a nonlinear system composed of a parabolic partial differential equation for the vector abundance function and a first-order ordinary differential equation for the plant health function. An existence and uniqueness result is proved using backward finite differences, uniform estimates and passing to the limit. The regularity of the solution is also obtained. Then, using the finite element method and the …

Modelling diapause termination and phenology of the Japanese beetle, Popillia japonica

G Gilioli, G Sperandio, A Simonetto, M Colturato… - Journal of Pest …, 2022 - Springer

We deve loped a mechanistic, stage-structured model simulating the phenology of Popillia japonica. The model simulates the influence of soil temperature on the larval diapause termination and on the development rate function of post-overwintering larvae and pupae. Model parameters are estimated based on literature evidence for pupae development and on a parameterisation process that allows estimating parameters for larval diapause termination and for the development rate function (and the related uncertainty) of post …

Non-linear physiological responses to climate change: the case of Ceratitis capitata distribution and abundance in Europe

G Gilioli, G Sperandio, M Colturato, S Pasquali… - Biological …, 2022 - Springer

Understanding how climate change might influence the distribution and abundance of crop pests is fundamental for the development and the implementation of pest management strategies. Here we present and apply a modelling framework assessing the non-linear physiological responses of the life-history strategies of the Mediterranean fruit fly (Ceratitis capitata, Wiedemann) to temperature. The model is used to explore how climate change might influence the distribution and abundance of this pest in Europe. We estimated the …

Phenology, Seasonal Abundance, and Host-Plant Association of Spittlebugs (Hemiptera: Aphrophoridae) in Vineyards of Northwestern Italy

N Bodino, S Demichelis, A Simonetto, S Volani… - Insects, 2021 - mdpi.com

Simple Summary Spittlebugs are the most abundant and widespread xylem-sap feeder insects in Europe. They are also the only proven vectors of the notorious bacterium Xylella fastidiosa (Xf) in the Old World. Xf inhabits the xylem of hundreds of plant species and is the causal agent of severe diseases to several crop plants, including grapevines. Since the spread of Xf depends on insect transmission, the study of vector abundance and ecology in the vineyard is of key importance in assessing the risk of disease spread to grapevines. The …

A nonlinear model for stage-structured population dynamics with nonlocal density-dependent regulation: An application to the fall armyworm moth

G Gilioli, P Colli, M Colturato, P Gervasio… - Mathematical …, 2021 - Elsevier

The assessment and the management of the risks linked to insect pests can be supported by the use of physiologically-based demographic models. These models are useful in population ecology to simulate the dynamics of stage-structured populations, by means of functions (eg, development, mortality and fecundity rate functions) realistically representing the nonlinear individuals physiological responses to environmental forcing variables. Since density-dependent responses are important regulating factors in population dynamics, we …

How does the Emerald Ash Borer (Agrilus planipennis) affect ecosystem services and biodiversity components in invaded areas?

G Schrader, R Baker, Y Baranchikov… - EPPO …, 2021 - Wiley Online Library

Environmental risk assessment (ERA) is an important component of risk analysis for plant pests and invasive alien species (IAS), and a standardized and consistent methodology has recently been developed for evaluating their impact on ecosystem services and biodiversity. This paper presents the application of this innovative methodology for ERA to Agrilus planipennis, the emerald ash borer, which causes significant mortality to Fraxinus (ash) species in forests and urban areas of North America (here: USA and Canada, excluding …

Dispersal of Philaenus spumarius (Hemiptera: Aphrophoridae), a Vector of Xylella fastidiosa, in Olive Grove and Meadow Agroecosystems

N Bodino, V Cavalieri, C Dongiovanni… - Environmental …, 2021 - academic.oup.com

The introduction of the Xylella fastidiosa Wells bacterium into Apulia (South Italy) has caused the massive dieback of olive trees, and is threatening olive production throughout the Mediterranean Region. The key vector of X. fastidiosa in Europe is the spittlebug Philaenus spumarius L. The dispersal capabilities of P. spumarius are poorly known, despite being a key parameter for the prediction of the spread of the bacterium. In this study, we have examined the dispersal of P. spumarius adults in two different agroecosystems in Italy …

Development and calibration of a model for the potential establishment and impact of Aedes albopictus in Europe

S Pasquali, L Mariani, M Calvitti, R Moretti, L Ponti… - Acta tropica, 2020 - Elsevier

Abstract The Asian tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus) is one of the most invasive disease vectors worldwide. The species is a competent vector of dengue, chikungunya, Zika viruses and other severe parasites and pathogens threatening human health. The capacity of this mosquito to colonize and establish in new areas (including temperate regions) is enhanced by its ability of producing diapausing eggs that survive relatively cold winters. The main drivers of population dynamics for this mosquito are water and air temperature and …

Phenology, seasonal abundance and stage-structure of spittlebug (Hemiptera: Aphrophoridae) populations in olive groves in Italy

N Bodino, V Cavalieri, C Dongiovanni, E Plazio… - Scientific reports, 2019 - nature.com

Abstract Spittlebugs (Hemiptera: Aphrophoridae) are the dominant xylem-sap feeders in the Mediterranean area and the only proven vectors of Xylella fastidiosa ST53, the causal agent of the olive dieback epidemic in Apulia, Italy. We have investigated the structured population phenology, abundance and seasonal movement between crops and wild plant species of both the nymphal and adult stages of different spittlebug species in olive groves. Field surveys were conducted during the 2016–2018 period in four olive orchards located in …

Critical success factors for the adoption of decision tools in IPM

V Rossi, G Sperandio, T Caffi, A Simonetto, G Gilioli - Agronomy, 2019 - mdpi.com

The rational control of harmful organisms for plants (pests) forms the basis of the integrated pest management (IPM), and is fundamental for ensuring agricultural productivity while maintaining economic and environmental sustainability. The high level of complexity of the decision processes linked to IPM requires careful evaluations, both economic and environmental, considering benefits and costs associated with a management action. Plant protection models and other decision tools (DTs) have assumed a key role in supporting …

The effects of fecundity, mortality and distribution of the initial condition in phenological models

S Pasquali, C Soresina, G Gilioli - Ecological modelling, 2019 - Elsevier

Pest phenological models describe the cumulative flux of the individuals into each stage of the life cycle of a stage-structured population. Phenological models are widely used tools in pest control decision making. Despite the fact that these models do not provide information on population abundance, they share some advantages with respect to the more sophisticated and complex physiologically-based demographic models. The main advantage is that they do not require data collection to define the initial conditions of model …

Towards the development of an index for the holistic assessment of the health status of a honey bee colony

G Gilioli, G Sperandio, F Hatjina, A Simonetto - Ecological Indicators, 2019 - Elsevier

Honey bees play an important role in the maintenance of both, biodiversity and food security through pollination services and also represent an important source of income for rural areas. Despite several studies and monitoring projects gathering a large amount of data on the main factors/stressors influencing honey bee colonies, there is a lack of holistic and multidimensional statistical tools integrating different aspects which define honey bee colony health. Such tools are important to support the sustainable management of honey bees. In …

Multi-dimensional modelling tools supporting decision-making for the beekeeping sector

G Gilioli, A Simonetto, F Hatjina, G Sperandio - IFAC-PapersOnLine, 2018 - Elsevier

Honey bee colonies are fundamental for the provision of goods and ecosystem services. Honey bees are highly influenced by environmental conditions and quality, beekeepers' management practices, socio-economic conditions and policies adopted for cropping and land use. We propose a modelling framework aiming at assessing the bee health status and forecast colony outputs. Two modelling tools are here presented:(i) a Health Status Index (HSI) exploring the consequences of abiotic, biotic drivers and beekeeping actions on bee …