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Copyright of DYNA: Energía y Sostenibilidad is the property of Publicaciones Dyna SL and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Performance-based climatic zoning for building energy efficiency applications has shown significant advantages when compared to methods that only rely on climate data. However, previous studies have primarily focused on small regions, which raises questions about the effectiveness of this approach for larger countries. To address this gap, this paper presents the first application of performance-based zoning to Brazil, detailing the process of revising the Brazilian climatic zoning standard using an open-source toolbox. Results of simulations for 100 variants of a detached dwelling using climatic data for 298 locations were clustered and analysed in terms of energy demand, thermal comfort, and mould growth risk (not previously used in climatic zoning studies). The paper employed a methodical approach to incorporate expert insights with the aim of enhancing and validating the outputs of the climatic zoning. To compare the proposed method with the current zoning of Brazil, and the degree-days zoning, the mean percentage of potentially misclassified areas (MPMA) was used, and its calculation was improved to handle an arbitrary number of conflicting performance indicators. The involvement of local experts was crucial in developing the proposed zoning method as they played a key role in defining the number of zones and establishing zones boundaries. The feedback from local experts confirmed the proposed method as a significant improvement over the current zoning, which is supported by the MPMA results (14%), outperforming both the current Brazilian and degree-day zones. The zoning method is applicable to countries of any size and level of complexity. • Performance-based zoning was successfully applied in the zoning of a large country. • Performance-based zoning considers all climatic variables simultaneously, addressing their complex interrelationship. • Performance-based zoning correctly captures the impact of topography and continentality in the climate. • The use of indoor mould growth risk improves the differentiation between climates with low and high humidity. • Expert panels provide valuable input in the definition of zone boundaries where climate data is not available. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of DYNA - Ingeniería e Industria is the property of Publicaciones Dyna SL and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The effects of constant rearing temperatures on the development and survival of Amblypelta nitida , Amblypelta lutescens lutescens (Hemiptera: Coreidae) and their egg parasitoid, Anastatus sp. (Hymenoptera: Eupelmidae), were studied in the laboratory. Amblypelta nitida and A. l. lutescens survival and development were studied at 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 and 35 °C. The development rate of both species increased linearly with increasing temperature but insects only developed to adults at 20, 25 and 30 °C; at these temperatures, mean development times for A. nitida were 87, 64 and 29 days and for A. l. lutescens they were 93, 65 and 31 days respectively. No eggs of either species hatched at 10 °C and only A. l. lutescens eggs hatched at 35 °C. At all temperatures at which insects developed beyond the first instar, mortality rates were highest in the second instar for both species. Lower developmental threshold temperatures to complete development were 15.9 °C and 17.1 °C for A. nitida and A. l. lutescens respectively; A. nitida required 421 degree-days and A. l. lutescens required 404 degree-days to complete development. Anastatus sp. completed development at all six study temperatures and development times decreased from 54 days at 17.5 °C to 16 days at 30 °C; similarly Anastatus sp. survival increased with increasing temperature. The lower developmental threshold temperature and degree-days required for Anastatus sp. to complete development were 15.0 °C and 234 degree-days respectively. Results are discussed with respect to the different geographical distributions of A. nitida and A. l. lutescens and likely interactions with Anastatus sp. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Progress in Plant Protection is the property of Institute of Plant Protection and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Insect development times can only be compared over a relatively wide range of permissible temperatures. Both basic and applied branches of entomology widely adopt linear regression that describes the temperature-dependence of developmental rate, which is a reciprocal of time. There is a wealth of literature reporting these parameters for hundreds of economically important species, including leaf beetles. This study begins with a suspicion that the previously published parameters for the temperature-dependent development in the walnut leaf beetle Gastrolina depressa may be imprecise because they disagree with the general variation pattern typical of the family Chrysomelidae. Thus, the immature development in G. depressa is re-studied in order to verify the values of the lower temperature threshold and the slope of developmental rate on temperature. It is found that G. depressa requires 220.2 degree-days accumulated above the threshold of 8.2 °C for total immature development. For example, at 28 °C, the developmental period from oviposition to adult eclosion is as short as 11.4 days. Although development in G. depressa is indeed unusually fast, it does not depart from the general tendencies observed at the family level. Therefore, with extensive published evidence at hand, it has now become possible to approximately predict developmental rates in unstudied species and reveal questionable results in previous studies. In addition, rearing temperature is found to affect adult body mass and sex ratio in this species with males being less abundant at higher temperatures. The latter phenomenon is discussed in light of possible activity of a male-killing microorganism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The orange wheat blossom midge, Sitodiplosis mosellana (Géhin) (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae), is a wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.) pest that can cause significant yield losses. Several hymenopterous parasitoids are known to attack S. mosellana . For the effective biological control of this pest by its parasitoids, the host-parasitoid synchrony is particularly important. The synchronization between the emergence of S. mosellana and its parasitoids was studied under controlled conditions with soils sampled from two locations. For both sites, three parasitoid species were identified: Macroglenes penetrans (Kirby) (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae), Euxestonotus error (Fitch) (Hymenoptera: Platygastridae) and Platygaster tuberosula (Kieffer) (Hymenoptera: Platygastridae). The hypothesis that parasitoid emergence is triggered by the same rainfall that induces host emergence was tested by simulating three rainfall events, a week apart. The parasitoid M. penetrans emerged later than S. mosellana with a mean of 57 ± 7 DD (degree-days above 7 °C) for insects collected from Juprelle and 68 ± 10 DD for those from Veurne (i.e., 4–5 days after its host). M. penetrans was therefore closely synchronized with its host through the same inductive rainfall, but this was not the case for E. error or P. tuberosula . Depending on when the rainfall that triggered the emergence of S. mosellana occurred, E. error and P. tuberosula emerged either before or after their host. M. penetrans is a more effective biocontrol agent of S. mosellana compared to P. tuberosula and E. error . Greater knowledge about parasitoid emergence could lead to the better positioning of insecticide treatments against wheat midge that protect and conserve the parasitoid populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agronomists often underestimate the damage inflicted by the orange wheat blossom midge, Sitodiplosis mosellana (Géhin), a wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) pest. The main risk arises when the emergence of the adult midges coincides with wheat ear emergence. The emergence of adult midges was monitored in Belgium over four years and analysed against climate data, establishing the significance of specific rainfall events as triggers for the final phase of development prior to emergence. This discovery, combined with experience from previous models, was incorporated into a new forecasting model, described in this paper. The new model consists of three separate phases. The first phase comprised a temperature accumulation of 250 degree-days (DD) above 3 °C, starting from 1 January. Once this initial condition is satisfied, the second phase starts, and it lasts until the occurrence of a double signal consisting of a rise in the mean daily temperature up to 13 °C, followed by rainfall. This rainfall event triggers an accumulation phase of 160 DD above 7 °C. Once this last condition is met, the adults emerge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A simple population model was developed to evaluate the role of plastic and evolutionary life-history changes on sustainable exploitation rates. Plastic changes are embodied in density-dependent compensatory adjustments to somatic growth rate and larval/ juvenile survival, which can compensate for the reductions in reproductive lifetime and mean population fecundity that accompany the higher adult mortality imposed by exploitation. Evolutionary changes are embodied in the selective pressures that higher adult mortality imposes on age at maturity, length at maturity, and reproductive investment. Analytical development, based on a biphasic growth model, led to simple equations that show explicitly how sustainable exploitation rates are bounded by each of these effects. We show that density-dependent growth combined with a fixed length at maturity and fixed reproductive investment can support exploitation-driven mortality that is 80% of the level supported by evolutionary changes in maturation and reproductive investment. Sustainable fishing mortality is proportional to natural mortality (M) times the degree of density-dependent growth, as modified by both the degree of density-dependent early survival and the minimum harvestable length. We applied this model to estimate sustainable exploitation rates for North American walleye populations (Sander vitreus). Our analysis of demographic data from walleye populations spread across a broad latitudinal range indicates that density-dependent variation in growth rate can vary by a factor of 2. Implications of this growth response are generally consistent with empirical studies suggesting that optimal fishing mortality is approximately 0.75A/ for teleosts. This approach can be adapted to the management of other species, particularly when significant exploitation is imposed on many, widely distributed, but geographically isolated populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The longevity and fecundity of the overwintered arrowhead scale, Unaspis yanonensis (Kuwana) (Hemiptera: Diaspididae), was examined at constant temperatures. The total fecundity increased up to 24 °C and declined thereafter. Total fecundity reached a maximum of 260.9 eggs per female at 24 °C. Females demonstrated periodic oviposition activity but the pattern differed with temperature. The first cycle of fecundity was not significantly different between 16 and 28 °C. However, fecundity in the latter cycles, measured at rearing temperatures of 16, 20 and 32 °C, was lower than at 24 and 28 °C. The pre-oviposition period ranged from 49.0 d at 16 °C to 19.7 d at 32 °C, and was shortest (19.4 d) at 28 °C. The longevity was found to be greatest (87.3 d) at 16 °C and was as short as 48.9 d at 32 °C. Regression of the mean development rate vs. temperature provided a low-threshold temperature estimate of 8.7 °C for the pre-oviposition stage and a thermal constant of 358.4 degree days. The theoretical low threshold temperature and thermal constant applied to the calculation for the completion of the U. yanonensis pre-oviposition period predicted the appearance of first crawlers in the field. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Knowledge of the larval-age distribution in the field is important for prediction purpose and timing of insecticide applications for insect pest management. This studies acts by calculating the average of thermal units in degree-days (dd’s). The average of thermal units required for completion of generation is 544.98, 640.63 and 599.66 degrees-days (°C) as calculated from air temperatures derived from thermograph and satellite images, and soil temperatures from satellite images, respectively, considering 9.89°C as a developmental threshold. These were higher than the estimated value of dd’s based on laboratory data (524.27 degrees-days (°C)). There was a difference between degree days obtained from air temperatures derived from satellite images and thermograph by 59.2 dd’s, this value represented only about 2.85days. In order to improve the predictability, a factor was estimated between them which is 0.81, 0.96 and 0.87 in case of thermograph, soil and air temperature that derived from satellite images so the predicted stages was highly improved. Egg hatching was estimated to be 80% complete by ≈80.45 dd’s. At 174.85 DD, mostly all larvae in the field experiment were from the first to third instars. The presence of more mature larvae (fourth to sixth instars) was not noticed until 197.59 dd’s. These data indicate that, the best timing for control application against Spodoptera littoralis would be at 174.85–197.59 dd’s. The results are important for quick prediction purposes, control timing and also as valuable tools used in an integrated control program for managing S. littoralis in Egypt. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The oriental fruit moth, Grapholita molesta, is becoming a large threat to Korean pear production. Timely management of the egg and early larval stages from the spring emergence is critical to reduce the G. molesta population during the pear growing season. A model was developed to precisely predict the spring occurrence of G. molesta adults as a function of accumulated degree-days. The model was validated with male moth caught in sex pheromone-baited traps placed in pear orchards at two major pear production regions (Icheon and Naju) of Korea in 2010. We applied nine distribution models to describe the cumulative proportions of G. molesta males caught relative to accumulated degree-days. The observed phenology of the G. molesta spring population was well described by the nine models. The predicted dates for the cumulative 50% male moth catches were within a 5day period. Based on statistical information criteria (Akaike''s and Bayes–Schwartz information criteria), we recommend the sigmoid function referred by Brown and Mayer, because of its ease of use and meaningfulness; the parameter “b” denotes the degree-day accumulation at 50% moth emergence. The G. molesta spring emergence model could be applied to determine optimal chemical treatment timing for controlling G. molesta in fruit tree orchards and further help to develop a full-cycle phenology model of G. molesta. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A 3-parameter Boltzman and a 4-parameter Logistic non-linear regression model were constructed to simulate the emergences and seasonal dynamics of the major moth pest complex of peach including Anarsia lineatella (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae), Grapholitha (Cydia) molesta (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) and Adoxophyes orana (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae). Model development used 4 yr (2004–2007) climatic data and field observations in peach orchards located in two separate regions in northern Greece. Model performance was evaluated by using the Adjusted r2 and the Akaike and Bayes-Schwartz information criteria. Applied models had a very high prediction capability in most of the cases. The Akaike and Bayes–Schwartz information values of the 4-parameter Logistic model provided better estimates in most data sets. According to the Logistic equation, 50% of the cumulative number of male moths for the 1st, 2nd and 3rd generations of A. lineatella occurred at 151, 785 and 1513 degree-days respectively, for G. molesta at 654, 785 and 1251, and for A. orana at 406, 1260 and 2141 degree-days (Biofix: 1st March in all cases). In addition, a simplified theoretical degree-day model adjustment was attempted to generate simultaneously a multispecies moth phonological model for the above species, in order to outline perspectives in Integrated Pest management (IPM). The unique proposed model revealed differences in the phenology of the three species, and can simplify calculations and recommendations to pest control advisors, based on a common base temperature and biofix. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article reports on the study which examines the temperature-dependent development of cycad aulacaspis scale, Aulacaspis yasumatsui Takagi (hemiptera). The study notes that the lowest temperature which ranges from 8 to 12 degrees celcius and 538 degree-days are needed for female immature development in a linear model. The development rates of the scale of cycad aulacaspis scale, Aulacaspis yasumatsui Takagi and their natural enemies including Rhyzobius lophanthae are also presented.

The article presents a study which evaluates the spawning biology of female blue crabs (Callinectes sapidus) in Beaufort Inlet, North Carolina. The researchers collected female crabs at terminal molt which was held individually in the field for the duration of their lifetime, thus, presence of their eggs were monitored quickly. It correlated the time of the first clutch and the time between clutches with carapace and was described by degree-days then calculated the physiological time as a thermal integral. Study results show that reproductive output was observed in most crabs during the first few clutches. Moreover, it notes on the essentiality of realistic estimates of fecundity and reproductive potential for accurate spawning assessment and population modeling.

Abstract: A deterministic parameterized model of development of a greenhouse whitefly (Trialeurodes vaporariorum) population on field grown strawberry plants (Fragaria × ananassa) is presented (var. Camarosa). The model calculates the timing of the physiological development of individual whiteflies and population size as a function of temperature, mortality, oviposition, and plant condition using parameters from the literature and field observations from California. Simulated dynamics of a T. vaporariorum population accurately reflected the observed population development in an untreated strawberry field, and its response to applications of pyriproxyfen and imidacloprid under production conditions in central coastal California. It was validated with an independent field observation where both imidacloprid and pyriproxyfen were applied at different periods of strawberry plant development. These results present an opportunity to predict effects of management strategies targeting T. vaporariorum populations on variety Camarosa strawberry plants. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Wheat midge, Sitodiplosis mosellana (Géhin) (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae), was first detected as early as 1901 in western Canada. The first major outbreak in Saskatchewan was recorded in 1983. In 1984, Saskatchewan wheat midge populations were found to be parasitized by the egg parasitoid, Macroglenes penetrans (Kirby) (Hymenoptera: Pteromálidae). This paper describes the effect of temperature on diapause termination, larval and pupal development, and on emergence of field populations of adult wheat midge, S. mosellana, and its parasitoid, M. penetrans, in Saskatchewan. Wheat midge and parasitoid populations were investigated from 1984 to 1985 in five wheat fields where wheat midge populations ranged from 5256 to 43,798larvae/m2. The appearance of midge larvae in soil samples on May 14 and May 9 in 1984 and 1985, respectively, marked the end of overwintering diapause. Pupae first appeared in samples on June 15 (139 degree-days (DD); >6°C) and June 10 (125DD) in 1984 and 1985, respectively. Adult midge and parasitoids began to emerge at all locations on July 6 (411DD; >6°C) and on July 9 (447DD) in 1984 and 1985, respectively. In relation to the pest–host plant synchrony, adults of both wheat midge and parasitoids were present throughout July, with peak midge emergence coinciding both years with the emergence of primary wheat heads from the boot. We observed the first primary heads from about July 12 to 15 at the five sites. Therefore, the relatively long wheat midge emergence has significance because it contributes to damage on the first and second tillers and to a possible increase in populations for the following year. The use of temperature and day-degree accumulation in relation to development is discussed as a predictive tool for management decisions. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This study examines the characteristics of energy demand for the Greater Athens area in Greece, and explores its relationship with variations in temperature. Energy demand in Athens varies both seasonally and from year to year. The latter shows an increasing trend, which is associated mainly with economic, social and demographic factors. The former is controlled by prevailing weather fluctuations and also by, factors unrelated to weather effects (weekend and holiday effects). Weekends and public holidays always appear to have much lower values of energy demand than weekdays. Analysis of our data series has indicated that the relation between energy demand and temperature is non-linear and that the optimum ambient temperature for low levels of energy demand is 22°C. This temperature was also used as the base temperature for the calculation of heating and cooling degree-days. The sensitivity of energy load to air temperature is greater during the cold period of the year. Under a changing climate, regional models predict a warming for Athens by the 21st century that will be associated with a decrease in demand during the milder and shorter winter period and with an increase in demand during the hotter and longer summer period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The relationships between site quality indices (SQI) (estimated height at age 50) of black spruce and Jack pine and site characteristics were investigated over a large territory in the boreal forest of Quebec. The relationships with degree-days (DD) and parent material, which are considered as permanent site factors, were significant for both species. Linear regressions with these two parameters as independent variables explained about 40% of the variability in site quality indices for black spruce and Jack pine. The addition of soil chemistry and biological data to this model indicated a significant contribution of exchangeable Mg concentrations or Al:CEC molar ratios in the forest floor and lichen cover to the prediction of site quality indices. Inclusion of these variables increased the model R2 up to 60% for both species. Whether these variables reflect permanent site conditions or conditions related to the history of the sites is unknown. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• Four larval ELB generations occurred with peaks in May, July, August, Sept/October. • ELB needed 612 ° D to end generations, and 461.12 ° D between egg and adult peaks. • Defoliation was similar for generations 1 and 2, but higher for generations 3 and 4. • Parasitism rate of Oomyzus gallerucae , egg parasitoid, averaged 5.5%. • Seventeen Erynniopsis antennata specimens parasitised larvae, prepupae and adults of ELB. Xanthogaleruca luteola (Muller) (elm leaf beetle, ELB) (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae) is a serious pest for elms in urban green areas of Mediterranean climate zones in Spain. In order to design an integrated pest management strategy, a study was conducted on this insect in the city of Valencia (east Spain) in six streets that house trees of the species Ulmus minor. Four larvae increases were found that peaked in mid-May, the first half of July, the second half of August and the end of September/beginning of October. The mean degree-days accumulations required for completion one generation were 612°D±24.98, and 461.12°D±43.95 were needed between the oviposition peaks and adult emergence peaks. Larvae caused a higher degree of defoliation than adults. The defoliation levels caused by generations 1 and 2 were similar, and higher than those caused by generations 3 and 4. Defoliation ranged between 30% and 100% in September. The degree of defoliation and citizen pressure led to treatment, performed by injecting trunks with abamectin in the first generation in three streets under study. This treatment did not allow the level of defoliation to increase with each new generation, and the mean degree of defoliation remained below 30% throughout the study period. Two parasitoid species were identified: Oomyzus gallerucae (Fonscolombe) (Hymenoptera, Eulophidae) from the eggs and Erynniopsis antennata (Rondani) (Diptera, Tachinidae) from larvae, prepupae and pupae of ELB. Nonetheless, during the year of this study, and after considering the defoliation undergone by elms, the parasitism level was low and insufficient to keep Elm leaf beetle at tolerable levels. The integrated ELB management involved regularly monitoring defoliation levels with each new ELB generation by setting the treatment threshold at 20% defoliation and favouring biological control by increasing the quantity and diversity of plants in urban green areas to provide natural enemies with refuges and food. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]