Facundo René Meroi Arcerito

Kiwifruit (Actinidia deliciosa) is a globally important crop presenting challenges for ensuring cross-pollination. This study aimed to (1) record the entomological fauna visiting flowers; (2) evaluate the visitation frequency of pollinators; and (3) test the use of lavender extract to enhance cross-pollination by honeybees and assess the impacts on fruit quality. Nine species of floral visitors were recorded as pollinators, although the most frequent were the exotic honeybee (Apis mellifera) and the native bees Bombus pauloensis and Xylocopa augusti. Honeybees increased their visitation to flowers when the attractant was used, improving pollination service and fruit quality compared to the control-bagged treatment, resulting in fruits that were 20 g heavier (115.4 g vs. 95.6 g, 95% CI). Similarly, the number of seeds per fruit and the fruit shape index (FSI) increased in treatments exposed to bee visitation when compared to the bagged control. However, differences in bee visitation among treatments suggested a non-linear relationship between bee activity and fruit quality. Nevertheless, achieving high-quality fruit standards across treatments could be explained by the extended floral lifespan, which allowed for a high number of visits and ensured pollination. Finally, we did not observe any bias in honeybee visitation by applying sugar syrup combined with the attractant. Hence, to increase honeybees’ visits to flowers, we recommend applying the scent directly in a water solution.

Varroa destructor is one of the biggest threats to honey bee populations worldwide. Three classes of disparately acting acaricidal compounds are currently used to combat infestations: the pyrethroid insecticides, fluvalinate and flumethrin; the organophospate, coumaphos; and the formamidine, amitraz. Unfortunately, these compounds tend to persist in both honey and wax compromising honey bee health and contaminating hive products used by humans. In addition, overuse of synthetic compounds encourages the emergence of acaricide resistance in V. destructor. Current evidence suggests that resistance to pyrethroid insecticides in V. destructor initially arose in Italy during a four-year period of heavy pyrethroid application. After that, several cases of resistant populations have been reported around the world. More data is needed to track the origin and dispersal of mites resistant to the organophosphate coumaphos, and formamidine amitraz. Little is known about the genetic procedures leading to fixation of acaricide resistance genes, which can vary depending on mite genetics, environmental conditions, and beekeeping management. This review highlights the main aspects associated with the development of acaricide resistance and alternative strategies are suggested to deal with this problematic.

BACKGROUND: Kiwifruit is an important horticultural crop all over the world and its development is important in Argentina. This dioecious crop has a short blooming period with nectarless flowers, and its fruit production depends on cross‐pollination. Here, we tested whether kiwifruit quality increases by using honeybees exposed to female flowers treated with an artificial fragrance. The three experimental treatments were: A, sprinkled female flowers with 1:1 sugar syrup + Lavandula hybrida extract solution (a new attractant substance especially developed for this study named Lavandin Grosso); B, sprinkled female flowers with 1:1 water + sugar syrup (female flowers with additional sugar syrup reward); C (control; female flowers exposed to honeybees).RESULTS: The results showed a higher number of visits of honeybees to the female flowers sprinkled with the attractant substance, Lavandin Grosso, as well as higher fruit quality (weight, number of seeds, regularity in fruit size).CONCLUSION: Our study demonstrates the potential of fragrance‐treated flowers to improve yield production in kiwifruit. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry

Aluen Cap is an oxalic acid (OA) formulation that shows promise as a control method for Varroa destructor. This work explores the use and efficacy of Aluen Cap against V. destructor in Africanized honeybees in Veracruz Mexico, where capped brood is always present across the year and acaricide resistance was a problem. Twenty-four beehives were assessed over 42 days, a period of time associated with the liberation of OA from Aluen Cap. The acaricide formulation shows significantly higher mean efficacy (92.1%) than control hives (36.5%). This test suggests the high value of the new oxalic acid formulation in AHBs despite the high temperatures and presence of brood, avoiding the necessity of multiple applications of OA, hence simplifying colony management.

Asaphellus Callaway, 1877 is the earliest widespread genus of the family Asaphidae Burmeister, 1843, and although its systematics bears several problematic issues, an input to overcome these difficulties has been attempted. Our main focus is a group of strongly effaced Asaphellus species from the Cordillera Oriental (NW Argentina), including new material from the Santa Rosita Formation (Furongian-Tremadocian), mainly belonging to Alfarcito and Rupasca members (Quebrada del Arenal, Perchel, Jujuy Province). Asaphellus is reconsidered herein in order to restrict some features and discuss others not taken in account before. Moreover, several problematic Argentinean species are revised. The poorly known, but extensively cited, A. catamarcensis Kobayashi, 1935 is assessed here upon the type series in order to clarify its taxonomy and previous assignments. A reappraisal of A. stenorhachis (Harrington, 1938), another enduring problematic taxon, is proposed. Besides, A. isabelae n. sp., a unique species within the genus mainly due to its extreme effacement is defined herein. Other species left in open nomenclature are also described. Regarding local random occurrences in the Furongian, the genus radiated locally from the early Tremadocian (Tr1) onwards, however, taxonomic diversification was not mirrored by the abundance of Asaphellus in local communities. From the middle Tremadocian (Tr2) this diversification is associated with an increase in abundance, and even dominance of the taxon in numerous assemblages, further expanding its environmental range into shallower settings. The increase of Asaphellus diversity (Tr1- early Tr2) is decoupled from the records of local increase in Asaphidae diversity since the late Tremadocian (Tr3) and Floian, underscoring the complex pattern of diversification at different taxonomic levels. Diversification d'Asaphellus Callaway, 1878 (Asaphidae: Trilobita) au cours du Trémadocien dans le sud-ouest du Gondwana (Cordillère Orientale, Argentine). Asaphellus Callaway, 1877 est le plus ancien genre appartenant à la famille Asaphidae Burmeister, 1843 à présenter une importante extension géographique. La présente contribution propose une résolution de plusieurs problèmes de définition au niveau de la systématique de ce groupe. Ce travail se concentre sur un groupe d'espèces ayant une surface très lisse et peu ornementée. Ces Asaphellus de la Cordillère Orientale (NO de l'Argentine) incluent du matériel nouveau de la Formation Santa Rosita (Furongien-Trémadocien) et proviennent principalement des membres Alfarcito et Rupasca (Quebrada del Arenal, Perchel, Province de Jujuy). La définition du genre a été modifiée afin de restreindre certains caractères et complétée par d'autres qui n'avaient pas été considérés auparavant. De plus, certaines espèces problématiques d'Argentine ont été revues. Notamment, A. catamarcensis Kobayashi, 1935 extrêmement citée mais finalement peu connue, est redécrite ici à partir de son matériel type, afin de clarifier sa taxinomie et les précédentes assignations. Une évaluation de A. stenorhachis (Harrington), 1938, autre taxon durablement problématique, est proposée. Une nouvelle espèce, A. isabelae n. sp., particulière au sein du genre par son ornementation extrême faible est ici décrite. Enfin, d'autres espèces laissées en nomenclature ouverte sont également présentées. Après une distribution restreinte et morcelée au Furongien, le genre connaît une radiation locale au tout début du Trémadocien basal (Tr1), mais la diversification taxinomique ne se reflète pas par l'abondance des Asaphellus dans les communautés locales. À partir du Trémadocien moyen (TR2), cette diversification est associée à une augmentation de l’abondance et même d’une domination de ce genre dans de nombreux assemblages, plusieurs espèces développant une tolérance environnementale aux milieux peu profonds. L'augmentation de la diversité des Asaphellus (Tr1-Tr2 inférieur) est découplée de l'augmentation locale des enregistrements de la diversité des Asaphidae depuis le Trémadocien supérieur (Tr3) et le Floien, soulignant un modèle complexe de diversification à différents niveaux taxinomiques.