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Trapping the Asian hornet remains a viable alternative to monitor its presence, dispersion, and ecological niche. With the objective of evaluating the effectiveness of baits and traps, an Asian hornet (Vespa velutina) capture trial was conducted using combinations of artisanal and commercial baits and traps. The second objective was to explore the relationship between the species' dispersal patterns and the influence of human, geography, climate, and vegetation factors, to identify the preferred conditions for its colonization. We identified beekeepers in the Alto Minho region of Northern Portugal, where the different combinations of baits and traps were placed. The traps were monitored from February to September 2023, and the captures were counted. The temporal variation of the captures showed a first peak at the beginning of April, corresponding to primary workers. In September, when the trial was halted, the second peak, corresponding to secondary workers, had not yet been reached. The peaks of captures were used to fit models to allow the characterisation of their ecological niche. Statistical analysis of the captures revealed no significant differences. It was concluded that there is no advantage in using the commercial devices and baits tested. The ecological niche where the higher number of captures is observed is characterised by an abundance of vegetation, humidity, and higher temperatures. Elevation and slope also favour the presence of the Asian hornet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cystic echinococcosis (CE), caused by the larval stage of the cestode Echinococcus granulosus, is one of the most widespread zoonoses in Mediterranean countries. Baiting not-owned dogs with praziquantel (PZQ), due to their key role in the maintaining the transmission of CE, currently appears to be the most effective way to limit the transmission of CE, as well as an important aspect to introduce for the control of this parasitic disease. Therefore, this study aims to test 3 types of PZQ-based baits by evaluating different parameters (integrity over time, attractiveness and palatability for dogs, and mechanical resistance after release to different altitudes) and the bait acceptance in field by target animals, i.e. not-owned dogs, by using camera traps. The double PZQ-laced baits (with a double layer of highly palatable chews) showed the greatest resistance in the environment while also preserving the attractiveness and palatability up to 10 days, also withstood heights of 25 m, thus resulting as the most suitable also for drone delivery. The results on the field showed that most of the baits were consumed by not-owned dogs (82.2%), while the remaining were consumed by wild boars (8.9%), foxes (6.7%), badgers (1.1%) and hedgehogs (1.1%), confirming the specific and high attractiveness of the double PZQ-laced baits for the target population and highlights how an anthelmintic baiting programme may be a viable tool for the management of E. granulosus among free-ranging dog populations in endemic rural areas.

The long-term mitigation of human–domestic animal–wildlife conflicts is complex and difficult. Over the last 50 yr, the primary biomedical concepts and actualized collaborative global field applications of oral rabies vaccination to wildlife serve as one dramatic example that revolutionized the field of infectious disease management of free-ranging animals. Oral vaccination of wildlife occurred in diverse locales within Africa, Eurasia, the Middle East, and North America. Although rabies is not a candidate for eradication, over a billion doses of vaccine-laden baits distributed strategically by hand, at baiting stations, or via aircraft, resulted in widespread disease prevention, control, or local disease elimination among mesocarnivores. Pure, potent, safe, and efficacious vaccines consisted of either modified-live, highly attenuated, or recombinant viruses contained within attractive, edible baits. Since the late 1970s, major free-ranging target species have included coyotes (Canis latrans), foxes (Urocyon cinereoargenteus; Vulpes vulpes), jackals (Canis aureus; Lupulella mesomelas), raccoons (Procyon lotor), raccoon dogs (Nyctereutes procyonoides), and skunks (Mephitis mephitis). Operational progress has occurred in all but the latter species. Programmatic evaluations of oral rabies vaccination success have included: demonstration of biomarkers incorporated within vaccine-laden baits in target species as representative of bait contact; serological measurement of the induction of specific rabies virus neutralizing antibodies, indicative of an immune response to vaccine; and most importantly, the decreasing detection of rabies virus antigens in the brains of collected animals via enhanced laboratory-based surveillance, as evidence of management impact. Although often conceived mistakenly as a panacea, such cost-effective technology applied to free-ranging wildlife represents a real-world, One Health application benefiting agriculture, conservation biology, and public health. Based upon lessons learned with oral rabies vaccination of mesocarnivores, opportunities for future extension to other taxa and additional diseases will have far-reaching, transdisciplinary benefits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Preservation of the appearance, structure and most importantly the attractiveness of baits targeting harmful rodents over extended periods of their exposure is one of the main tasks in the process of bait formulation. The impact of several preservatives, different methods of homogenization of main bait components, and base-paraffin ratios on the extension of longevity of bait base was examined under controlled laboratory conditions. Baits based on ground maize grain were exposed to unfavourable environmental conditions, such as high temperature (30 °C-35 °C) and air humidity (90%-95%). The exposure period was 9 days, and potential mold development was monitored over the same period of time. Sodium benzoate was found deficient in providing a satisfactory effect on bait longevity (7 days) and sorbic acid, which provided the longest extension in bait sustainability (>9 days). Preservative application can significantly extend bait longevity under unfavourable environmental conditions. Extended bait functionality is important for rodent pest control procedures in habitats where unfavourable environmental conditions prevail, such as sewers and water supply grids (collectors and pumping stations), public areas, housing facilities (boiler rooms, moist sellers, etc.).

The number of different types and the actual number of malware and computer attacks is constantly increasing. Therefore, detecting and counteracting malware and computer attacks remains a pressing issue. Users of corporate networks suffer the greatest damage. Many effective tools of various kinds have been developed to detect and counteract these effects. However, the dynamism in the development of new malware and the diversity of computer attacks encourage detection and countermeasure developers to constantly improve their tools and create new ones. The object of research in this paper is deception systems. The task of this study is to develop the elements of the theory and practice of creating such systems. Deception systems occupy a special place among the means of detecting and counteracting malware and computer attacks. These systems confuse attackers, but they also require constant changes and updates, as the peculiarities of their functioning become known over time. Therefore, the problem of creating deception systems whose functioning would remain incomprehensible to attackers is relevant. To solve this problem, we propose a new principle for the synthesis of such systems. Because the formation of such systems will be based on computer stations of a corporate network, the system is positioned as a multi-computer system. The system proposes the use of combined baits and traps to create false attack targets. All components of such a system form a shadow computer network. This study develops a principle for synthesizing multi-computer systems with combined baits and traps and a decision-making controller for detecting and countering IEDs and spacecraft. The principle is based on the presence of a controller for decisions made in the system and the use of specialized functionality for detection and counteraction. According to the developed principle of synthesizing such systems, this paper identifies a subset of systems with deception technologies that must have a controller and specialized functionality. The decision-making controller in the system is separate from the decision-making center. Its task is to choose the options for the next steps of the system, which are formed in the center of the system, depending on the recurrence of events. Moreover, prolonged recurrence of external events requires the system center to form a sequence of next steps. If they are repeated, the attacker has the opportunity to study the functioning of the system. The controller in the system chooses different answers from different possible answers for the same repeated suspicious events. Thus, an attacker, when investigating a corporate network, receives different answers to the same queries. Specialized functionality, in accordance with the principle of synthesis of such systems, is implemented in the system architecture. It affects the change of system architecture in the process of its functioning as a result of internal and external influences. This paper also considers a possible variant of the architecture of such deception systems, in particular, the architecture of a system with partial centralization. To synthesize such systems, a new method for synthesizing partially centralized systems for detecting malware in computer environments has been developed based on analytical expressions that determine the security state of such systems and their components. In addition, the experiments showed that the loss of 10-20% of the components does not affect the performance of the task. The results of the experiments were processed using ROC analysis and the algorithm for constructing the ROC curve. The results of the experiments made it possible to determine the degree of degradation of the systems constructed in this manner. Conclusions. This paper presents a new principle for the synthesis of multi-computer systems with combined decoys and traps and a decision-making controller for detecting and counteracting IEDs and spacecraft, as well as methods for synthesizing partially centralized systems for detecting malware in computer networks.

Tropical rainforest canopies harbor nearly half of the world's biodiversity. Previous research on rainforest ecosystems has primarily focused on the terrestrial stratum, leading to a limited understanding of forest canopies. Camera traps have seen a wide application in the studies of terrestrial mammals, but their utility for documenting arboreal mammal communities has been far more limited. Financial resources, field training, and access to equipment and logistical constraints may have precluded researchers from undertaking systematic arboreal camera surveys, especially in the Global South countries. We deployed arboreal and terrestrial cameras to document the mammal assemblage in Kadumane estate, Western Ghats, India. During April–May 2022, we documented 3 exclusively arboreal, 11 semi-arboreal and 14 terrestrial species, using 16 cameras in the canopies and 13 cameras on the ground. Using rarefaction curves, we find that 648 trap-nights were sufficient to document all the arboreal species, while > 1350 trap-nights of additional effort would have been required to document all the terrestrial species in our study site. For each species, we generated an arboreality index (calculated from proportional capture rates) to gauge its propensity for arboreal habits. We also compared the efficacy of using different baits; species responses to shrimp–dry fish baits indicated a reduction in rodent captures when carnivore captures were higher. Our study deliberates on the resources, logistical considerations, and advantages of arboreal camera surveys to study mammal assemblages in forest canopies. Importantly, we highlight the utility of such surveys for understanding the ecology of rare, elusive, and hitherto under-studied species that may be threatened with extinction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Trapping the Asian hornet remains a viable alternative to monitor its presence, dispersion, and ecological niche. With the objective of evaluating the effectiveness of baits and traps, an Asian hornet (Vespa velutina) capture trial was conducted using combinations of artisanal and commercial baits and traps. The second objective was to explore the relationship between the species’ dispersal patterns and the influence of human, geography, climate, and vegetation factors, to identify the preferred conditions for its colonization. We identified beekeepers in the Alto Minho region of Northern Portugal, where the different combinations of baits and traps were placed. The traps were monitored from February to September 2023, and the captures were counted. The temporal variation of the captures showed a first peak at the beginning of April, corresponding to primary workers. In September, when the trial was halted, the second peak, corresponding to secondary workers, had not yet been reached. The peaks of captures were used to fit models to allow the characterisation of their ecological niche. Statistical analysis of the captures revealed no significant differences. It was concluded that there is no advantage in using the commercial devices and baits tested. The ecological niche where the higher number of captures is observed is characterised by an abundance of vegetation, humidity, and higher temperatures. Elevation and slope also favour the presence of the Asian hornet.

The number of different types and the actual number of malware and computer attacks is constantly increasing. Therefore, detecting and counteracting malware and computer attacks remains a pressing issue. Users of corporate networks suffer the greatest damage. Many effective tools of various kinds have been developed to detect and counteract these effects. However, the dynamism in the development of new malware and the diversity of computer attacks encourage detection and countermeasure developers to constantly improve their tools and create new ones. The object of research in this paper is deception systems. The task of this study is to develop the elements of the theory and practice of creating such systems. Deception systems occupy a special place among the means of detecting and counteracting malware and computer attacks. These systems confuse attackers, but they also require constant changes and updates, as the peculiarities of their functioning become known over time. Therefore, the problem of creating deception systems whose functioning would remain incomprehensible to attackers is relevant. To solve this problem, we propose a new principle for the synthesis of such systems. Because the formation of such systems will be based on computer stations of a corporate network, the system is positioned as a multi-computer system. The system proposes the use of combined baits and traps to create false attack targets. All components of such a system form a shadow computer network. This study develops a principle for synthesizing multi-computer systems with combined baits and traps and a decision-making controller for detecting and countering IEDs and spacecraft. The principle is based on the presence of a controller for decisions made in the system and the use of specialized functionality for detection and counteraction. According to the developed principle of synthesizing such systems, this paper identifies a subset of systems with deception technologies that must have a controller and specialized functionality. The decisionmaking controller in the system is separate from the decision-making center. Its task is to choose the options for the next steps of the system, which are formed in the center of the system, depending on the recurrence of events. Moreover, prolonged recurrence of external events requires the system center to form a sequence of next steps. If they are repeated, the attacker has the opportunity to study the functioning of the system. The controller in the system chooses different answers from different possible answers for the same repeated suspicious events. Thus, an attacker, when investigating a corporate network, receives different answers to the same queries. Specialized functionality, in accordance with the principle of synthesis of such systems, is implemented in the system architecture. It affects the change of system architecture in the process of its functioning as a result of internal and external influences. This paper also considers a possible variant of the architecture of such deception systems, in particular, the architecture of a system with partial centralization. To synthesize such systems, a new method for synthesizing partially centralized systems for detecting malware in computer environments has been developed based on analytical expressions that determine the security state of such systems and their components. In addition, the experiments showed that the loss of 10-20% of the components does not affect the performance of the task. The results of the experiments were processed using ROC analysis and the algorithm for constructing the ROC curve. The results of the experiments made it possible to determine the degree of degradation of the systems constructed in this manner. Conclusions. This paper presents a new principle for the synthesis of multi-computer systems with combined decoys and traps and a decision-making controller for detecting and counteracting IEDs and spacecraft, as well as methods for synthesizing partially centralized systems for detecting malware in computer networks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses a study conducted in Bangladesh on the effectiveness of egg-based oral rabies vaccination programs in stray dogs. The study found that stray dogs showed a preference for egg-based baits and that these baits were more successful in vaccinating the dogs. However, the study also highlighted the importance of considering cultural preferences and safety when implementing such programs. It is important to note that the study has limitations, including subjective monitoring methods and variations in bait distribution methods. Readers are encouraged to refer to the Terms of Use for more information. [Extracted from the article]

Recently, the Mostela system emerged as an expansion of camera trapping to gain new insights into the assemblages of small-sized and cryptic mammals. Despite being an established technique to study the natural history and ecology of rodents, shrews and small carnivores in Europe, its potential in tropical areas remains unexplored. We present the results of a pilot hybrid survey with conventional trail cameras and Mostelas conducted in a private protected area situated in the Cordillera Occidental of Colombia. We installed eight Mostelas paired with an external trail camera 550 m apart from each other from May to October 2022 in the Mesenia-Paramillo Nature Reserve. The Mostelas recorded two species of small carnivores, the threatened and unknown Colombian weasel (Neogale felipei), and the Long-tailed weasel (Neogale frenata), including several small rodents and marsupials. Mostelas captured a larger proportion of small non-volant mammals that could at least be identified to genus level compared to conventional trail cameras. We found that using baits inside Mostelas yielded a greater number of detections and richness compared to surveys not using them. Finally, we encourage the use of this hybrid system to improve the monitoring of poorly known small non-volant mammals in the Andean cloud forests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The exploitation of food attractants for tephritid fruit flies (Diptera: Tephritidae), is the key element widely used for pest management. Population dynamics and the relative attractiveness of five commercially available chemicals in different concentrations were studied for the suppression of both sexes of Bactrocera species in mango orchards. The fruit flies, Bactrocera zonata (Saunders) and Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel) exhibited maximum reduced population intensity from August to February and an increased population from March to July. The peak population of adult flies emerged in June depending on the host fruit maturity and meteorological influences. Observable differences in attractiveness between the tested products were confirmed at the experimental site of host institute. Resultantly, the attractions of female and male fruit flies of both species in Ammonium acetate, Trimethyl amine and Putrecine mixture were significantly more efficient than the male populations. Both male and female sexes exhibited an enhanced response to Torula yeast and Boric acid with the rise in their concentrations. Expressively, higher flies were collected in a combination of Torula yeast and Boric acid with 7:3 ratio. Concludingly, both Bactrocera species constantly revealed a substantial positive response to the odor of proteinaceous food attractants for their management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PICO Question In free-roaming dog populations, does an egg-based oral rabies vaccination (ORV) compared with meat and fish based ORVs result in improved bait efficacy? Clinical bottom line Category of research Treatment. Number and type of study designs reviewed Three non-blinded, control trials were critically reviewed. Strength of evidence Weak. Outcomes reported Variables assessed in this Knowledge Summary included the type of bait that stray dogs were most interested in, and whether or not the dog was successfully vaccinated by release of the vaccine sachet into the oral cavity. Conclusion There is weak evidence to show that stray dogs prefer egg-based baits in compared to other bait types, despite egg-based baits allowing for more successful perforation of the vaccine sachet, and hence a higher chance of a successful oral rabies vaccination. How to apply this evidence in practice The application of evidence into practice should take into account multiple factors, not limited to: individual clinical expertise, patient’s circumstances and owners’ values, country, location or clinic where you work, the individual case in front of you, the availability of therapies and resources. Knowledge Summaries are a resource to help reinforce or inform decision making. They do not override the responsibility or judgement of the practitioner to do what is best for the animal in their care.

Abstract Background The Toad grasshopper pest, Bufonacris claraziana (Saussure) (Orthoptera: Tristiridae) is an endemic species of the Argentine Patagonia region. Among the Tristiridae family, it is the only species recognized as harmful to agricultural and livestock activities in the country. Outbreaks of B. claraziana have become a recurring phenomenon in the recent years, affecting different areas of the Patagonian provinces. The aim of this study was to evaluate, as laboratory bioassays, the mortality in young nymphs of this species treated with bait formulations of the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana (Hypocreales: Clavicipitaceae). Results The two treatments performed, one of them (I) with conidia of B. bassiana only and the other (II) with conidia of B. bassiana plus canola oil as phagostimulant, produced significantly higher mortality than the control (p

The maintenance of the symbiosis between leaf-cutting ants and their mutualistic fungus Leucoagaricus gongylophorus Singer (Moller) is vital for the survival of both species. The specialist fungal parasite Escovopsis weberi Muchovej & Della Lucia is a threat to this symbiosis, causing severe damage to the fungal garden. Mycelial pellets are resistant fungal structures that can be produced under laboratory conditions. These structures were studied for use in biological pest control, but the production of mycelial pellets has not previously been documented in Escovopsis. One of the aims of this study was to induce Escovopsis weberi to produce mycelial pellets and investigate the potential of these pellets for the control of leaf-cutting ants. We compared the pathogenicity of Escovopsis weberi mycelial pellets and conidia against mini-colonies of Acromyrmex subterraneus subterraneus Forel when applied in the form of baits. Worker ants were able to distinguish mycelial pellets from conidia, as baits with mycelial pellets were more attractive to workers than those with conidia, causing a greater negative impact on colony health. All types of baits containing Escovopsis weberi influenced the foraging activity but only treatments with viable fungal propagules resulted in an increase in the quantity of waste material, with a significant negative impact on the fungal garden biomass. The results provided novel information regarding Escovopsis recognition by worker ants and differences between conidia and mycelial pellet dynamics in leaf-cutting ant colonies, with new perspectives for the biological control of these important pests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The Toad grasshopper pest, Bufonacris claraziana (Saussure) (Orthoptera: Tristiridae) is an endemic species of the Argentine Patagonia region. Among the Tristiridae family, it is the only species recognized as harmful to agricultural and livestock activities in the country. Outbreaks of B. claraziana have become a recurring phenomenon in the recent years, affecting different areas of the Patagonian provinces. The aim of this study was to evaluate, as laboratory bioassays, the mortality in young nymphs of this species treated with bait formulations of the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana (Hypocreales: Clavicipitaceae). Results: The two treatments performed, one of them (I) with conidia of B. bassiana only and the other (II) with conidia of B. bassiana plus canola oil as phagostimulant, produced significantly higher mortality than the control (p < 0.05). At 10 days from the start of the bioassay, the mortality registered in the treatment II (53.33%) was higher than that in the treatment I (23.33%) (p < 0.05). This difference was similar at 15 days post-treatment, mortality reached in treatment II (93.33%) higher than in treatment I (73.33%). Conclusions: Results demonstrated that the combination of canola oil with wheat bran makes the bait with conidia of B. bassiana more attractive for nymphs of B. claraziana, enhancing mortality over a shorter interval of time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mobilization strategies of ants have been studied quite well, but the questions of how far foragers of different species are able to move away from the nest remain unclear. The study of changes in foraging strategies depending on the type of habitat remains relevant. The aim of the work is to study mobilization strategies in 31 ant species. The study was conducted in 2019-2021 on the territory of 2 countries -- Ukraine (Kyiv region and Kyiv) and Uzbekistan (Tashkent region, Tashkent). Pairs of baits (one carbohydrate and one with tuna) were laid out at a distance of 3 m from each other, in the form of transects. In total, 16 transects (417 pairs) were laid out in Ukraine in 9 types of habitats, in Uzbekistan -- 5 transects (70 pairs of baits) in one type of habitats. The number of ants on each type of bait was recorded every 10 minutes, for 0-90 minutes. The distance to the nest from where the mobilization took place was also determined. It has been established that all ant species can be divided into 4 clusters according to the average distance to the nest from which foragers mobilize on the bait. Cluster 1 included 3 species of dominants, which were able to move away from the nest at a distance of up to 50 m, cluster 2 included 4 species of dominants, whose foragers could move up to a distance of 20 m. Cluster 3 included 23 species that moved away from nest at a distance of 0.2-2.0 m, cluster 4 -- 1 species, foragers of it moved to a distance of up to 7 m. Preferences of bait types were noted in 15 ant species. The distance to the nest (F=9.02, p<0.001) had the greatest influence on the number of ants on baits among the considered factors, followed by species of ants (F=6.75, p<0.001) and habitat type (F=4.17, p<0.001). In habitats where an ant species mobilizes a smaller number of foragers, they have to travel, on average, long distances to a food source. Consequently, the abundance of food resources in the habitat of ants is determined by the average distance of mobilization from the nest -- the smaller it is, the more resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The integrated management of a serious agricultural pest, the common vole (Microtus arvalis), should be based on modern and empirically proven approaches. The aim of this paper was to map the historical development of the monitoring and control practices of the common vole in the Czech Republic (CR) territory. Published records of vole population outbreaks and heavy crop damage have been documented in the Czech literature since the turn of the 20th century, and even in crops planted in highly fragmented and diversified agricultural landscapes. In the CR, systematic state monitoring was introduced in 1955. In the 1930's, there were more than 100 various rodent preparations against the common vole, which were formulated as smoke generators, gases, baits, dusts, toxic mushy mass, and insecticide sprays. Currently, there are only six preparations with three active ingredients registered in the CR. Zinc phosphide is the only active ingredient that has been used from the 1940s to the present, whereas anticoagulants were banned for vole control in 2011 owing to the high environmental risks. The poisoning of nontarget animals by rodenticides is not a new phenomenon tied to synthetic pesticides; poisoning by botanical extracts (strychnine) was documented more than 100 years ago. This review may provide both historical lessons for current practice and new incentives for future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Targeted sequencing is an increasingly popular next‐generation sequencing (NGS) approach for studying populations that involves focusing sequencing efforts on specific parts of the genome of a species of interest. Methodologies and tools for designing targeted baits are scarce but in high demand. Here, we present specific guidelines and considerations for designing capture sequencing experiments for population genetics for both neutral genomic regions and regions subject to selection. We describe the bait design process for three diverse fish species: Atlantic salmon, Atlantic cod and tiger shark, which was carried out in our research group, and provide an evaluation of the performance of our approach across both historical and modern samples. The workflow used for designing these three bait sets has been implemented in the R‐package supeRbaits, which encompasses our considerations and guidelines for bait design for the benefit of researchers and practitioners. The supeRbaits R‐package is user‐friendly and versatile. It is written in C++ and implemented in R. supeRbaits and its manual are available from Github: https://github.com/BelenJM/supeRbaits [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Current study was conducted to check the efficacy of different zinc phosphide formulations (Hit rat + crushed wheat, hit rat + sweat, ractophos + crushed wheat and ractophos + sweat) in the form of baits, Agtoxin and ultrasonic repellant devices against rats in a sugarcane field. Experiments were conducted in field area of sugarcane crop in Chak No. 33 J.B. Faisalabad, Pakistan for two consecutive years 2017 and 2018. The crop was sown in February, while treatments were applied from June to October. Data regarding the number of burrows was taken in November, while tile activity was recorded on a fortnight basis. The yield was recorded at the crop harvest. The efficacy was calculated in the form of reduction in number of burrows, decrease in infestation, decrease in sugarcane yield and recording the activity of rats on tiles placed in sugarcane fields. Results revealed that highest reduction in a number of burrows was found in agtoxin (96.25%) and then in hit rat + crushed wheat bait application (87.54%), while a lowest reduction in a number of burrows was observed in the ultrasonic repellant device (58.73%). The highest decrease in infestation was observed in hit rat + crushed wheat treatment (84.21%) while the lowest was in the ultrasonic devices (40.23%). The highest yield of sugarcane was recorded in hit rat + crushed wheat (943.14 M/acre) while the lowest was in the ultrasonic repellant device (853.05 mond/acre). Minimum rat activity was observed in Hit rat and crushed wheat treatment while maximum in repellant device treatment in both the years in tile experiment. The present study results indicated that Hit rat + crushed wheat treatment proved best among all the treatments. The yield of sugarcane can be enhanced and infestation of sugarcane by rats can be reduced by the use of this application treatments, which will enhance the profit of sugarcane farmers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Slugs are the most damaging non-arthropod pest of corn grown in no-tillage systems in the US. The decaying plant residue on the soil surface provides food, shelter and optimum microenvironmental conditions for slug development and survival. In this study, we evaluated several cultural practices to reduce the risk of slug injury and the efficacy of different rates and application patterns of rescue treatments. Corn planted with row cleaner devices to remove surface residue over the seed row and starter fertilizer to enhance seedling growth, together reduced slug activity around emerging plants and provided more favorable conditions for plants to outgrow and tolerate feeding damage. We found that reduced rates of molluscicide baits applied as a directed band over the seed row and broadcasted solutions of urea-based nitrogen applied at night provided effective control as rescue treatments. Practical considerations of these treatments are discussed, as well as changes in weather patterns and current planting practices that have had contrasting effects on slug populations and their potential damage. Slugs, primarily the gray garden slug, Deroceras reticulatum (Müller), are the most damaging non-arthropod pest of corn grown in conservation tillage systems in the US. These mollusks favor decaying plant residue on the soil surface, which provides food, shelter and optimum microenvironmental conditions for their development and survival. Here, field plot experiments evaluated several cultural and chemical control practices to suppress slug activity and feeding injury during early seedling growth. The use of row cleaners to remove surface residue over the seed row and starter fertilizer applied different ways during planting significantly reduced the percentage and severity of plants damaged by slugs by negatively affecting their activity around emerging seedlings and providing more favorable conditions for plants to outgrow and tolerate feeding injury. As rescue treatments, reduced rates of a 4% molluscicide bait applied as a directed band over the seed row, and broadcasted solutions of urea-based nitrogen applied under calm winds at night provided effective slug control. Practical considerations of these treatments are discussed, as well as changes in weather patterns and current planting practices that have had contrasting effects on slug populations and their potential damage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Orang-utans comprise three critically endangered species endemic to the islands of Borneo and Sumatra. Though whole-genome sequencing has recently accelerated our understanding of their evolutionary history, the costs of implementing routine genome screening and diagnostics remain prohibitive. Capitalizing on a tri-fold locus discovery approach, combining data from published whole-genome sequences, novel whole-exome sequencing, and microarray-derived genotype data, we aimed to develop a highly informative gene-focused panel of targets that can be used to address a broad range of research questions. Results We identified and present genomic co-ordinates for 175,186 SNPs and 2315 Y-chromosomal targets, plus 185 genes either known or presumed to be pathogenic in cardiovascular (N = 109) or respiratory (N = 43) diseases in humans – the primary and secondary causes of captive orang-utan mortality – or a majority of other human diseases (N = 33). As proof of concept, we designed and synthesized ‘SeqCap’ hybrid capture probes for these targets, demonstrating cost-effective target enrichment and reduced-representation sequencing. Conclusions Our targets are of broad utility in studies of orang-utan ancestry, admixture and disease susceptibility and aetiology, and thus are of value in addressing questions key to the survival of these species. To facilitate comparative analyses, these targets could now be standardized for future orang-utan population genomic studies. The targets are broadly compatible with commercial target enrichment platforms and can be utilized as published here to synthesize applicable probes.

[Display omitted] • Flufiprole and dinotefuran have excellent efficacy in the control of German cockroaches. • The bait ratio obtained in the study has the superiority for the palatability of German cockroaches. • The present findings may provide a scientific basis for bait formulation development. Bait formulations are widely used for controlling the German cockroach, but cockroaches increasingly come into aversion and resistance to bait formulations. To optimize baits and delay insecticides resistance to Blattella germanica , five insecticides with different mechanisms of action were selected to test the stomach toxicity of B. germanica , and twelve nutrient-rich foods were selected to test the palatability of B. germanica in the research. The results revealed that flufiprole and dinotefuran had a significant effect on the decrease of B. germanica population, whereas hydramethylnon, permethrin did not work well in 72 h stomach toxicity and acrinathrin had a short potency in pesticide formulation because of its semi-volatile physical properties. Furthermore, B. germanica prefers the poison bait to rat feed. This research represents the bait consisting of peanut powder and maltose (9:1) has the best palatability to B. germanica , and flufiprole and dinotefuran have a lot of potential in baits development and application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The maintenance of the symbiosis between leaf-cutting ants and their mutualistic fungus Leucoagaricus gongylophorus Singer (Moller) is vital for the survival of both species. The specialist fungal parasite Escovopsis weberi Muchovej & Della Lucia is a threat to this symbiosis, causing severe damage to the fungal garden. Mycelial pellets are resistant fungal structures that can be produced under laboratory conditions. These structures were studied for use in biological pest control, but the production of mycelial pellets has not previously been documented in Escovopsis. One of the aims of this study was to induce Escovopsis weberi to produce mycelial pellets and investigate the potential of these pellets for the control of leaf-cutting ants. We compared the pathogenicity of Escovopsis weberi mycelial pellets and conidia against mini-colonies of Acromyrmex subterraneus subterraneus Forel when applied in the form of baits. Worker ants were able to distinguish mycelial pellets from conidia, as baits with mycelial pellets were more attractive to workers than those with conidia, causing a greater negative impact on colony health. All types of baits containing Escovopsis weberi influenced the foraging activity but only treatments with viable fungal propagules resulted in an increase in the quantity of waste material, with a significant negative impact on the fungal garden biomass. The results provided novel information regarding Escovopsis recognition by worker ants and differences between conidia and mycelial pellet dynamics in leaf-cutting ant colonies, with new perspectives for the biological control of these important pests.

The alternative use of biological control agents (BCAs) against leaf‐cutter ants (LCAs) is in increasingly high demand due to the negative consequences of traditional pesticides. Regarding LCAs, BCAs include entomopathogens that infect them, and mycopathogens that kill the fungi cultivated by these ants. The simultaneous use of multiple BCAs requires that the agents do not negatively affect each other. To test this hypothesis, we set up laboratory assays to evaluate in vitro interactions among an entomopathogen [Beauveria bassiana (Bals.‐Criv.) Vuill.], a mycopathogen [Trichoderma virens (JH Mill., Giddens & AA Foster) Arx], and the LCA‐cultivated symbiotic fungus Leucoagaricus sp. We also tested the BCAs in the field by offering them in three types of bait to Acromyrmex lundii Guérin‐Méneville (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), in order to evaluate: (1) the control efficiency of these BCAs on LCA field colonies, and (2) whether there was delayed rejection of baits placed sequentially. Our in vitro results showed that T. virens was not affected by Leucoagaricus sp. or by B. bassiana, whereas B. bassiana was negatively affected by the mycopathogen and the cultivated fungus, probably due to substrate competition. Leucoagaricus sp. was not affected by B. bassiana but it was negatively affected by T. virens, as predicted, destroying the cell walls of the cultivated fungus. The field study showed 62.5% control of LCA after applying the three types of bait on three occasions throughout 27 weeks, without detecting any delayed rejection effect. Due to the variability registered in colony inactivity, we propose a continued inactivity of 13 weeks as a criterion for A. lundii control. We discuss the importance of continuous long‐term assessments of BCAs on LCA control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intentional poisoning represents a serious risk to domestic and wild animals, and it can be an environmental and human health issue as well . This paper is a retrospective study, which covers a decade, based on animal poisoning cases and poisoned baits that were submitted for diagnostic examinations to the Veterinary Medical Research Institute for Piedmont, Liguria and the Aosta Valley (IZS-PLVA) in Liguria region. All data were collected through a passive surveillance system introduced in Italy by a decree of the Ministry of Health in January 2009.43.2% of the animal poisoning cases were confirmed by toxicological analysis, whereas toxic agents were detected in 31.1% of the baits. The most affected animal species were dogs and cats, followed by synanthropic birds,. Only 4% of the total poisoning events analysed involved wild animals and cases of livestock poisoning were minimal. An increased number of cases in January, March, April and August was noticed, but no seasonal trend was detected. The most affected areas were the ones with the highest level of urbanization and population density. The major cause of the poisonings and the most common substances detected in the examined baits were anticoagulants whereas cholinesterase inhibitors, organochlorine pesticides and carbamates were detected in a minor number of cases.This study raises concerns about deliberate animal poisoning in ligurian region and highlights the necessity to fight this phenomenon as it endangers animals, humans and environment.

Abstract Background Alien mammalian predators are a major cause of species extinction and decline globally. Baits and lures, usually human-food based (for example meat, nuts or oils), are widely deployed in trapping programs to attract target species, but their effectiveness compared to other types of olfactory lures, for example social odours or prey odours, has never been systematically examined. Depending on the context, there can be high proportions of non-target captures, for example when targeting feral cats using cage traps, or low capture success, for example, when targeting introduced rats on tropical islands. Here we use a systematic process to map evidence on the effectiveness of different categories of olfactory attractants for invasive mammalian predators within different ecological contexts. We aim to look for where evidence clusters and knowledge gaps occur, for example, across different lure types or across different habitat-types, and highlight opportunities for future research into behaviourally-relevant olfactory lures. Methods We will compile evidence from bibliographic databases, online search engines, government websites, specialist sites and expert contacts, and include ‘grey’ literature. Where possible, a Boolean-style full search string will be used, including Population, Intervention and Outcome search terms. Searches will be conducted in English, but a public request to the IUCN SSC Invasive Species Specialist Group (ISSG) will be made for literature including in languages other than English. Search comprehensiveness will be evaluated against 25 benchmark articles known to the authors. We will base inclusion of articles on presence of quantitative data, subject identity (invasive mammalian predator species), comparator (more than one type of olfactory lure assessed or lure compared to a control) and outcome (quantified attraction to lures or controls). Inclusion consistency checks will be performed with 10% of the titles and abstracts and 10% of the full texts. We will critically appraise the literature only on the basis of study design (e.g. appropriate controls) and sample size, rather than interpret the results. Finally, we will develop a searchable literature database accompanied by systematic ‘heat’ maps to visually represent knowledge clusters and gaps within different subsets of evidence, and a narrative synthesis of the evidence.

Введение. Зародившийся на стыке фольклора и литературы жанр баит в башкирском фольклоре возник на основе стихотворной формы бейт, который в поэзии народов Ближнего и Среднего Востока означает двустишие в разных жанрах классической поэзии. В башкирском и татарском фольклоре баит служит определением жанра национальной поэзии, в котором повествуется об исторических или бытовых происшествиях трагического или остродраматического характера. Башкирские народные баиты делятся на военно-исторические и социально-бытовые. Цель. В статье исследуются некоторые башкирские социально-бытовые баиты как жанр, находящийся между устной и книжной литературой, и их отличительные черты с точки зрения композиции и художественно-эстетического разнообразия. Материалы. При рассмотрении данной проблемы в основу исследования легли документы фольклорных научных экспедиций, организованных в разные годы, которые затем вошли в том «Баит» многотомного свода «Башкирское народное творчество» (Уфа, 1978, на башк. яз.; 2004, на рус. яз.), а более позднего периода — в сборники материалов экспедиций. Среди всего материала авторы выделяют интересующий их жанровый вид баитов — социально-бытовые, которые в национальной фольклористике не изучены в достаточной степени. Об этом свидетельствует отсутствие публикаций, прежде всего монографий. Авторы статьи делают попытку восполнить этот пробел, привлекая найденные фольклорные материалы. Для объективности выводов и более выпуклой демонстрации художественного своеобразия башкирских народных социально-бытовых баитов авторы также обращаются к трудам татарских исследователей и ссылаются на некоторые их высказывания. Результаты. В результате проделанной работы авторы статьи установили яркие отличительные художественно-эстетические, идейно-тематические, художественно-функциональные качества и своеобразие социально-бытовых баитов. В отличие от баитов других жанровых видов (социально-исторических баитов с их разновидностями) для них в особенности характерны эпитеты, образные сравнения, параллелизмы и уменьшительно-ласкательные формы в обращениях, наличие зачина, концовки и т. д. Также было выявлено сходство социально-бытовых баитов с идейно-тематическими особенностями эпитафики, надгробных записей. Обнаруженные татарскими исследователями эти сходства во многом характерны и для башкирского народного творчества

The integrated management of a serious agricultural pest, the common vole (Microtus arvalis), should be based on modern and empirically proven approaches. The aim of this paper was to map the historical development of the monitoring and control practices of the common vole in the Czech Republic (CR) territory. Published records of vole population outbreaks and heavy crop damage have been documented in the Czech literature since the turn of the 20th century, and even in crops planted in highly fragmented and diversified agricultural landscapes. In the CR, systematic state monitoring was introduced in 1955. In the 1930’s, there were more than 100 various rodent preparations against the common vole, which were formulated as smoke generators, gases, baits, dusts, toxic mushy mass, and insecticide sprays. Currently, there are only six preparations with three active ingredients registered in the CR. Zinc phosphide is the only active ingredient that has been used from the 1940s to the present, whereas anticoagulants were banned for vole control in 2011 owing to the high environmental risks. The poisoning of nontarget animals by rodenticides is not a new phenomenon tied to synthetic pesticides; poisoning by botanical extracts (strychnine) was documented more than 100 years ago. This review may provide both historical lessons for current practice and new incentives for future research.

Ecological interactions and environmental conditions are associated with community structuring, where the resource quality and availability, in addition to interspecific competition, determine potential local interactions. Using ground-dwelling ant species as a methodological tool model, we evaluated how three different daily periods affected species richness, recruitment, and resource dominance (baits) within two Cerrado (Brazilian savanna) phytophysiognomies. We found a total of 34 ant species and significant differences in species composition between the cerrado areas. Camponotus and Pheidole genera were the most abundant in both studied areas in which several species shared baits. Ant richness did not vary between the cerrado areas, but ant recruitment was affected by observation periods: in both areas, the hottest period (afternoon) reflected the lowest recruitment, while the coolest period (morning) had the highest recruitment. We observed that the ant species that first found baits had a 29% chance of being the only species observed using the resource, while those that arrived after other species had only 7%. Both areas promote the coexistence of ant species by shaping their interactions. We suggest that environmental structuring promotes niche partitioning in both spatial and temporal scales, providing possibilities of microhabitats that allow species to explore the environment and forage.

The aim of this study was monitor the effect of inducement baits and to test four nutrition systems after early weaning lambs of Blackhead Pleven sheep breed. The experiment was conducted with 80 early weaned lambs. The study shown that during partial deprivation of milk (from 14 days of age), lambs intake more feed when an inducement is placed baits. In both groups, on the last day before weaning, the lambs intake over 100 g of concentrated feed, which proved sufficient and allowed the animals to be weaned at 19 days of age. Growth of animals after weaning is higher at fed on pelleted protein concentrate and barley grain (P<0.01). This is indicative of the fact that age and body weight do not influence the growth of early weaned lambs, but the kind of forages used. Studies shown that the early weaning of lambs at an average body weight of 8.80 and an age of 19.4 days kg allowed an additional 41.8 kg of milk per sheep to reach 15 -16 kg body weight of lambs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Slugs, primarily the gray garden slug, Deroceras reticulatum (Müller), are the most damaging non-arthropod pest of corn grown in conservation tillage systems in the US. These mollusks favor decaying plant residue on the soil surface, which provides food, shelter and optimum microenvironmental conditions for their development and survival. Here, field plot experiments evaluated several cultural and chemical control practices to suppress slug activity and feeding injury during early seedling growth. The use of row cleaners to remove surface residue over the seed row and starter fertilizer applied different ways during planting significantly reduced the percentage and severity of plants damaged by slugs by negatively affecting their activity around emerging seedlings and providing more favorable conditions for plants to outgrow and tolerate feeding injury. As rescue treatments, reduced rates of a 4% molluscicide bait applied as a directed band over the seed row, and broadcasted solutions of urea-based nitrogen applied under calm winds at night provided effective slug control. Practical considerations of these treatments are discussed, as well as changes in weather patterns and current planting practices that have had contrasting effects on slug populations and their potential damage.

Targeted capture of nuclear genes increasingly contributes to unravelling phylogenetic relationships that hitherto remained unresolved because of limitations of traditional Sanger sequencing. In particular, the study of tropical plant families has been compromised because they often rely on highly degraded DNA obtained from herbarium specimens. One such example is the pantropical Ochnaceae, which comprises 33 genera and approximately 550 species, occurring mostly in savannas and moist tropical forests. Here, we developed a set of baits covering about 660,000 bp from 275 nuclear genes used for the targeted enrichment based on all but one genus and more than 250 species. Using this novel dataset, we resolved the phylogenetic backbone of Ochnaceae, including that of Ochninae, and we established new relationships. Most importantly, our findings highlight that the neotropical and palaeotropical taxa of Sauvagesia form independent clades, requiring the re‐erection of formerly separate genera. Ouratea and Ochna (both Ochninae), by far the most species‐rich genera and represented by 120 and 41 species, respectively, came out as monophyletic. In contrast, the third‐most species‐rich genus, Campylospermum, is polyphyletic in two distinct clades. Ouratea, the only neotropical genus of Ochninae, was sister to the five palaeotropical genera of this subtribe. The bait kit developed in this study proved to be particularly useful for unravelling relationships within Ochninae, which includes about two‐thirds of the species diversity in the family. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Orang-utans comprise three critically endangered species endemic to the islands of Borneo and Sumatra. Though whole-genome sequencing has recently accelerated our understanding of their evolutionary history, the costs of implementing routine genome screening and diagnostics remain prohibitive. Capitalizing on a tri-fold locus discovery approach, combining data from published whole-genome sequences, novel whole-exome sequencing, and microarray-derived genotype data, we aimed to develop a highly informative gene-focused panel of targets that can be used to address a broad range of research questions. Results: We identified and present genomic co-ordinates for 175,186 SNPs and 2315 Y-chromosomal targets, plus 185 genes either known or presumed to be pathogenic in cardiovascular (N = 109) or respiratory (N = 43) diseases in humans – the primary and secondary causes of captive orang-utan mortality – or a majority of other human diseases (N = 33). As proof of concept, we designed and synthesized 'SeqCap' hybrid capture probes for these targets, demonstrating cost-effective target enrichment and reduced-representation sequencing. Conclusions: Our targets are of broad utility in studies of orang-utan ancestry, admixture and disease susceptibility and aetiology, and thus are of value in addressing questions key to the survival of these species. To facilitate comparative analyses, these targets could now be standardized for future orang-utan population genomic studies. The targets are broadly compatible with commercial target enrichment platforms and can be utilized as published here to synthesize applicable probes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Field experiments on effectiveness of food baits in attracting fruit flies under cucurbit ecosystem were conducted at Coimbatore (11°1'6"N 76° 58'21"E and Dharmapuri (40° 26.767'N 79°58.9331'W) Tamil Nadu, India. The pulps of banana, papaya, sapota, snake gourd and pumpkin were used as base baits at different concentrations and food grade alcohol and vinegar were used as additives to endure attraction of fruit flies. The newly designed low cost fruit fly trap was used for keeping the food bait to trap the fruit flies. Among the fruit pulps tested, the banana and papaya attracted more number of fruit flies (116.25 and 96.25 flies/ trap/ day, respectively) at 30g concentration. Among the additives tested, 30g base bait added with alcohol was effective in attracting fruit flies at 3 ml concentration. The combination of 30 g of banana with 3 ml alcohol (157.5 flies/ trap/ day) and 30 g of papaya with 3ml of alcohol (153.25 flies/ trap /day) was found best food base baits for fruit flies under cucurbit ecosystem. The combination of 30 g of banana with 3 ml alcohol was highly economic and longevity (5-14 days) was more as compare to 30 g of papaya with 3ml of alcohol. The highest female to male ratio was recorded in ridge gourd in Coimbatore (0.78:1) and Dharmapuri (0.67:1). The F: M ratio in the trap catches revealed that parapheromones were completely male biased while the food bait based traps were attractive to both sexes. Thus, the indigenously designed low cost trap is highly economic, effective and target oriented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract. In the nature, difficulties with distinguishing of closely related species like Stone marten (Martes foina) and Pine marten (Martes martes) appear. Based on 280 photos a non-invasive method for determining the Stone marten and the Pine marten by camera trapping was performed. Sloping trees (similar to Leaning-Pole or Running-Pole) were used as a route for animals to pass with a purpose to be photographed. Honey and distal parts of bird wings were used as a lure. The camera was set to capture the climbing animal from the side. The coat coloration and scent marking patterns - proper species indicators - were clearly visible on daily photos. The night photos showed the differences in body proportion but not these in throat patch coloration. Profile photographing also allowed an individual determination based on throat patch shape and area.

Insights can be gained by analysing the feeding decisions of animals in terms of nutrient demands at a species or community level. Using carbohydrate and protein food baits, resource use and food preferences of Formica (Serviformica) lemani were determined at nine locations situated at different altitudes (1875 to 2400 m a.s.l.) in the alpine grassland belt above the tree line in Austria and northern Italy. F. lemani is the most common species of ant in this habitat. Sucrose baits placed around ant colonies were visited by significantly (3.9 times) more workers than protein baits. This indicates that sources of sugar (carbohydrate) are in short supply in the alpine zone, whereas availability of prey items appears to be less constraining. Overall, we recorded a decrease in the incidence of visits to baits from low (31.9% baits attracting ants at least once) to high altitudes (16.7%). Foraging ants never visited 51.5% of the baits exposed for periods of 75 min. This indicates that with increasing altitude competition for food among ant colonies becomes less intense in alpine grassland ant communities.

Coptotermes curvignathus (Holmgren) causes serious damage to live rubber trees in Thailand. Chemicals have been commonly used to control this termite. The control of this subterranean termite by soil treatments remains problematic, so the oral toxicities in a bait formulation of chitin synthesis inhibitors (CSIs), plant oils and crude extracts were evaluated to find environmentally friendly and safe products for the control. Baits made of cardboard mixed with various concentrations of the tested solutions of CSIs, plant oils, and crude extracts were ingested by worker termites. Ten worker termites were used for each concentration with five replications. Mortality was recorded and LC50 was estimated by probit analysis at 24, 48, 72, 96 and 120 h after treatment. Lufenuron was the most toxic to C. curvignathus with the lowest oral LC50 of 323.7 ppm at 120 h. The oral LC50 values of flufenoxuron, buprofezin, chlorfluazuron and novaluron were 505.6, 830.6, 1054.3 and 2 939.8 ppm, respectively. Oils from long pepper (Piper retrofractum Vahl), black pepper (Piper nigrum L.), and thiam [Azadirachta excelsa (Jack) Jacobs] were highly toxic to C. curvignathus, reaching 100% mortality after exposure for 120 h at the concentrations of 2 000, 2 500 and 3 000 ppm, respectively. Plant oils exhibited greater toxicity than plant crude extracts. Oral LC50 values of the plant oils were 4 382.6, 7 507.6 and 5 618.3, ppm, while those of plant crude extracts were 12 032.4, 12 630.6 and 23 860.6 ppm, in the same order. In conclusion, the long pepper oil and lufenuron have potential for the control of this termite species, to reduce or replace synthetic chemicals in future soil treatments. However, field trials should be done to confirm the efficacy of the product in fully realistic conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An attempt was made to study the hooking efficiency, hooking location and injury pattern of two widely operated hook types that were used in study area. The study was conducted in two selected sites of Dhamtari district of Chhattisgarh, that was “Rudri barrage” of Mahanadi river and its basin. Straight shank “J” hook of number 14 size (ADDYA fish hook manufacturer) and Kirby bend J-hook of number 14 size (ADDYA fish hook manufacturer) were used to assess the fishing performances. Total 60 hand line operations were targeted for catfishes like Clarius batrachus, Heterpneustes fossilis and some other Channa sp. By evaluating the CPUE of both the hooks results illustrated that the Kirby bend J hook was much more efficient than the normal J hook. The (CPUE) of normal J hook were 33.3 kg, while the Kirby bend hook had CUPE of 43.3 kg. In contrast straight shank J-hooks had 70% of lip hooking, 30% of throat hooking and there was no deep hooking, while in case of Kirby bend hook 69.2% were lip hooked, 15.3% were throat hooked and 7.6% were deep hooked. In straight shank Jhooks the severity of injury observed was 30% as minor, 50% moderate and 10% of severe injury. On the other hand, total 26 fishes caught by Kirby bend hooksrecorded 38.4% of minor, 30% of moderate and 7.6% of severe injury. Live baits, like earthworm and crickets were used on both the hook types. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fungi are eukaryotic microorganisms with many forms and certain demands about the soil they colonize, which reveal the conditions that prevail therein. Although they can often kill pests without damaging plants or humans, they are not widely used as pesticides as they are not easy to handle and require much time before they act. Nevertheless, insects can be used as baits to trap these entomopathogenic fungi, giving information about their distribution within the terroir. The purpose of this study was to investigate the soil distribution of entomopathogenic fungi species in soil samples from two vine soil terroirs. Nine fungi were identified in total, but M. anisopliae and B. bassiana showed the greatest frequency, which was expressed by difference in adult bait mortality among species. These fungi had not been previously documented in vine terroirs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of baits as a tool for estimating species richness for medium and large mammals. To this end, we installed 15 cameras in the Ecological Station of Jataí, São Paulo, Brazil (21°30′S – 47°40′W and 21°40′S/47°50′W). The cameras were placed in a grid with a distance of 1 km between each station. We randomly placed cameras with baits and those without baits and made observations for 4 weeks. Then, after a week's break, the treatments were inverted and continued for another 4 weeks. We estimated species richness based on the presence or absence of species using the Jackknife1 estimator in the EstimateS program and compared the treatments using the paired Wilcoxon test. Species composition and estimated richness did not differ between treatments with baits (SJack1 = 20.97 ± 1.96) and those without baits (SJack1 = 20.95 ± 1.95; W = 30 p = 0.15). The rarefaction curves between the treatments were similar, suggesting that the use of baits did not increase or reduce the number of species recorded. In addition, the use of baits did not significantly increase capture rates. Analysis of the costs of the different treatments showed that the use of baits increased the project costs by more than 4 times. The findings of this study suggest that, for species surveys, camera traps do not need to be baited. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The selective application of insecticides is one of the cornerstones of integrated pest management (IPM) and management strategies for pest resistance to insecticides. The present work provides a comprehensive overview of the traditional and new methods for the application of gas, liquid, gel, and solid physical insecticide formulations to control stored-product and food industry urban pests from the taxa Acarina, Blattodea, Coleoptera, Diptera, Hymenoptera, Lepidoptera, Psocoptera, and Zygentoma. Various definitions and concepts historically and currently used for various pesticide application formulations and methods are also described. This review demonstrates that new technological advances have sparked renewed research interest in the optimization of conventional methods such as insecticide aerosols, sprays, fumigants, and inert gases. Insect growth regulators/disruptors (IGRs/IGDs) are increasingly employed in baits, aerosols, residual treatments, and as spray-residual protectants for long-term stored-grain protection. Insecticide-impregnated hypoxic multilayer bags have been proven to be one of the most promising low-cost and safe methods for hermetic grain storage in developing countries. Insecticide-impregnated netting and food baits were originally developed for the control of urban/medical pests and have been recognized as an innovative technology for the protection of stored commodities. New biodegradable acaricide gel coatings and nets have been suggested for the protection of ham meat. Tablets and satchels represent a new approach for the application of botanicals. Many emerging technologies can be found in the form of impregnated protective packaging (insect growth regulators/disruptors (IGRs/IGDs), natural repellents), pheromone-based attracticides, electrostatic dust or sprays, nanoparticles, edible artificial sweeteners, hydrogels, inert baits with synthetic attractants, biodegradable encapsulations of active ingredients, and cyanogenic protective grain coatings. Smart pest control technologies based on RNA-based gene silencing compounds incorporated into food baits stand at the forefront of current strategic research. Inert gases and dust (diatomaceous earth) are positive examples of alternatives to synthetic pesticide products, for which methods of application and their integration with other methods have been proposed and implemented in practice. Although many promising laboratory studies have been conducted on the biological activity of natural botanical insecticides, published studies demonstrating their effective industrial field usage in grain stores and food production facilities are scarce. This review shows that the current problems associated with the application of some natural botanical insecticides (e.g., sorption, stability, field efficacy, and smell) to some extent echo problems that were frequently encountered and addressed almost 100 years ago during the transition from ancient to modern classical chemical pest control methods.

Abstract Background Canines, the definitive hosts for the parasites causing alveolar (AE) and cystic echinococcosis (CE), are the main source of this infections playing the key role in the transmission. The ten-year mortality rate of AE is extremely high (94%) if the patients are not given sustained treatment. The aim of this field study is to explore the possibility of delivery of praziquantel-laced baits using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) aimed at deworming wild canines in the endemic areas. Methods UAVs were compared to manual bait delivery in the 1-km2 test areas followed by testing of canine faeces using an Echinococcus coproantigen ELISA test in the ensuing year. The outcomes of the two approaches were compared with respect to time of delivery and overall cost. Findings Compared to manual bait delivery, delivery by UAVs saved up to 67% of the overall cost. Three times more staff was needed for the former approach compared to the latter and, time wise, UAV bait delivery saved 350% compared to manual bait delivery on average. With regard to investment needed, the use of UAVs showed an efficiency 2.5 times better than manual bait delivery. Compared to the area served by UAVs, the average positive rate for the canine faecal samples was more than 38% higher in the area served manually. Conclusion The technique of bait delivery with praziquantel using UAVs for canine deworming has a strong potential with regard to savings of manpower, time and overall cost in areas highly endemic for echinococcosis.

The distribution and infestations of termites were investigated in historic town of city Khiva Aral Sea Basin in Central Asia (historic town of Khiva, now a UNESCO cultural heritage site). We investiated The fungus Beauveria tenella (Delacrox) Siemaschko was investigated as a microbial control agent against an insect pest species, the Anacanthotermes turkestanicus (Isoptera: Hodotermitidae). B. tenella was found to cause 100% mortality of A. turkestanicus in 7 days as a wet preparation and 8 days as a dry preparation. The yield of viable fungal biomaterial was not significantly reduced when B. tenella was incubated for 15-20 days. It was established that the most effective method of the collection of fungus was its growth on PDA with the use of cellophane as a porous film, which enabled the exchange of nutrients from the agar surface and prevented growth of the fungus. After drying it is possible to obtain up to 20.7 % of the dry preparation from the crude biomass of the fungus. The tests showed that the biological effectiveness of propagules of B. tenella in experimental nests was 79.2, 78.5 and 96.5% at concentration of 0.3, 0.5 and 1.0 g per nest respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Decision-making is a characteristic of intelligence not previously observed in snails. • We demonstrate that when hungry enough snails detect and eat novel substances but reject familiar ones if sated. • This species can therefore be used as a model for studying the cognitive capacities of higher species. • The fact that snails decide whether to eat a given food or not implies that they may be misled. • This could be helpful for a more efficient deployment of baits that are currently used to protect crops. The foraging behaviour of gastropod molluscs usually involves complex decisions that provide a model for the study of high-order cognitive processes. Land snails tested for food-finding in the laboratory, however, have shown an invariable feeding pattern: novel foods are mostly missed (i.e. just found by chance) whilst familiar foods, due to a type of conditioned attraction, are always located and ingested. This effect, known as Food-attraction conditioning , has led to the conclusion that, regardless of their hunger level, land snails are both willing to eat anything at any moment and also blind to the odours of novel foods. An alternative account of these findings emerges from the fact that the snails are usually tested whilst in a moderate state of hunger, so that they benefit from feeding on known foods but not from taking the risk of feeding on those that are unknown. The present experiments suggest that it is the case. Snails of the invasive species Theba pisana were tested for food-finding according to their seasonal cycle in a laboratory located in their native Mediterranean region. Subjects collected at the beginning of their aestivation period succeed in locating novel food items after being deprived for a long period (45 days), but ignored a conditioned food when they were sated with this food at the end of their lethargy. The results allow us to conclude that the feeding behaviour of snails is the product of a complex cost-benefit analysis in which their motivational state and the stimuli they perceive (and the memory of such stimuli), are evaluated. Finally, we anticipate that these results will be of use in increasing the efficiency of current baits employed for the protection of crops. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The spotted wing drosophila, Drosophila suzukii Matsumura (Diptera: Drosophilidae), is a serious economic threat to the small fruit industry. Although there has been progress on identifying new insecticides for use against D. suzukii in berry crops, growers often reach the seasonal maximum use allowed for key insecticides, and there are issues with long pre-harvest intervals. The use of border sprays and mass trapping targets D. suzukii immigration into the field, reducing damage to fruits, and the amount of pesticides used. The purpose of this study was to investigate novel alternatives to conventional insecticide techniques for management of D. suzukii in blueberries. In laboratory bioassays, captures of adult D. suzukii were similar for yeast + sugar bait, wine + apple cider vinegar bait, and the commercially available RIGA® bait. In the field, more adult D. suzukii were collected in yeast bait traps placed in the control and alternative row spray treatments over the sampling period, compared with mass trapping and border spray treatments. In addition, more D. suzukii were reared from blueberries collected in the control treatment compared with berries collected in the border spray treatment. Our study provided evidence that border sprays and mass trapping could be an effective and sustainable alternative to conventional spraying techniques for controlling D. suzukii in blueberries. Also, we recommend spacing traps approximately 2 m apart to effectively manage D. suzukii immigration into blueberry fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The moment-to-moment tasks performed by an individual can change in response to a shift of internal, e.g. body size or age, and external conditions, e.g. the number of workers currently engaged in another task. For this reason, the term "task allocation" is replacing the earlier concept of "division of labor" for describing an invariable association between worker body size and task. In the present study we hypothesized that, in the absence of changing conditions, different sized workers tend to perform different tasks. We also evaluated, using baits, the ability of colonies to regulate foraging activity through interactions between outgoing and returning foragers and the effect of ground temperature on the relative participation of different-sized workers to the foraging activity. Results suggest the existence in large and well-established colonies inhabiting a typical Mediterranean grassland area, of different-sized workers performing different tasks outside the nests. Moreover, we noticed the ability of colonies to adjust the relative participation of different sized foragers when provided with different-sized resources (baits). Finally, we recorded an effect of temperature on the average size of foragers, although no effect on size distribution was found. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The long-term and irrational application of insecticides has increased the rate of development of pest resistance and caused numerous environmental issues. To address these problems, our previous work reported that 4,5-dihydropyrazolo[1,5- a ]quinazoline (DPQ) is a class of gelled heterocyclic compounds that act on insect γ -aminobutyric acid receptors (GABAR). DPQ scaffold has no cross-resistance to existing insecticides, so the development of this scaffold is an interesting task for integrated pest management. In the present study, a novel series of 4,5-dihydropyrazolo[1,5- a ]quinazolines (DPQs) were designed and synthesized based on pyraquinil, a highly insecticidal compound discovered in our previous work. Insecticidal activities of the target compounds against diamondback moth (Plutella xylostella), beet armyworm (Spodoptera exigua), fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda), and red imported fire ant (Solenopsis invicta Buren) were evaluated. Compounds 6 and 12 showed the best insecticidal activity against Plutella xylostella (P. xylostella) (LC 50 = 1.49 and 0.97 mg/L), better than pyraquinil (LC 50 = 1.76 mg/L), indoxacarb and fipronil (LC 50 = 1.80 mg/L). Meanwhile, compound 12 showed slow toxicity to Solenopsis invicta Buren (S. invicta), with a 5 d mortality rate of 98.89% at 0.5 mg/L that is similar to fipronil. Moreover, Electrophysiological studies against the Px RDL1 GABAR heterologously expressed in Xenopus oocytes indicated that compound 12 could act as a potent GABA receptor antagonist (2 μΜ, inhibition rate, 68.25%). Molecular docking results showed that Ser285 (chain A) and Thr289 (chain D) of P. xylostella GABAR participated in hydrogen bonding interactions with compound 12 , and density functional theory (DFT) calculations suggested the importance of pyrazolo[1,5- a ]quinazoline core in potency. This systematic study provides valuable clues for the development of DPQ scaffold in the field of agrochemicals, and compound 12 can be further developed as an insecticide and bait candidate. [Display omitted] • Development of insecticidal molecules containing 4, 5-dihydropyrazolo [1,5- a ]quinazolines. • Novel insecticidal molecules acting on GABA receptors. • Compound 12 can be further developed as insecticides and baits candidates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fungi are eukaryotic microorganisms with many forms and certain demands about the soil they colonize, which reveal the conditions that prevail therein. Although they can often kill pests without damaging plants or humans, they are not widely used as pesticides as they are not easy to handle and require much time before they act. Nevertheless, insects can be used as baits to trap these entomopathogenic fungi, giving information about their distribution within the terroir. The purpose of this study was to investigate the soil distribution of entomopathogenic fungi species in soil samples from two vine soil terroirs. Nine fungi were identified in total, but M. anisopliae and B. bassiana showed the greatest frequency, which was expressed by difference in adult bait mortality among species. These fungi had not been previously documented in vine terroirs.