Additional file 2: Supplementary Figure 2. Sunburst chart showing the total relative abundance of... more Additional file 2: Supplementary Figure 2. Sunburst chart showing the total relative abundance of fungal species and their corresponding family detected in two olives orchards in Tunisia.
A wide array of bacteria and fungi are known for their association with pests that impact the hea... more A wide array of bacteria and fungi are known for their association with pests that impact the health of the olive tree. The latter presents the most economically important cultivation in Tunisia. The microbial diversity associated with olive orchards in Tunisia remains unknown and undetermined. This study investigated microbial diversity to elucidate the microbial interactions that lead to olive disease, and the bio-prospects for potential microbial biocontrol agents associated with insect pests of economic relevance for olive cultivation in the Mediterranean area. Bacterial and fungal isolation was made from soil and olive tree pests. A total of 215 bacterial and fungal strains were randomly isolated from eight different biotopes situated in Sfax (Tunisia), with different management practices. 16S rRNA and ITS gene sequencing were used to identify the microbial community. The majority of the isolated bacteria, Staphylococcus, Bacillus, Alcaligenes, and Providencia, are typical of t...
Additional file 1: Supplementary Figure 1. Taous is an experimental orchard of the Olive Tree Ins... more Additional file 1: Supplementary Figure 1. Taous is an experimental orchard of the Olive Tree Institute, with an area of 126 ha. It contains olive, almond and pistachio fields. Olive cultivations include several varieties. In this study, insects were sampled from the variety Chemlali grown under artificial irrigation. The plantation density is 69 plants per hectare, with a spacing of 12x12m. Regular monitoring of the major olive pests is performed and organophosphate contact insecticides are applied if required. Torba is a private olive orchard with an area of 50 ha. Insects and soil were sampled from the olive cv. Chemlali cultivated under rain-fed conditions. The density of plantation is 17 plants per hectare, with spacing of 24x24m. Regular monitoring of the major olive pests is performed and mass trapping is conducted if required. The Images depicted in Figure are our own.
Au sein de l'entomofaune nuisible du grenadier en Tunisie, la pyrale des caroubes Ectomyelois... more Au sein de l'entomofaune nuisible du grenadier en Tunisie, la pyrale des caroubes Ectomyelois ceratoniae Zeller (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), revet une importance economique particuliere, allant parfois, jusqu'a la perte de la quasi-totalite de la recolte en fruits. En effet, la position pendante du fruit et le comportement endophyte de l'insecte ne facilitent pas le traitement par les insecticides qu'ils soient de nature chimique ou biologique, d'ou la necessite de privilegier l'action des auxiliaires et de la renforcer par des lâchers inondatifs de parasitoides et/ou celle des predateurs. Pour ce faire, et en plus de l'etude de la bioecologie du ravageur, nous avons collecte et identifie cinq especes de trichogrammes indigenes sur lesquelles nous avons menes une serie d'essais. Egalement, nos recherches sur terrain ont demontre que plusieurs autres nuisibles sont susceptibles d'endommager les fruits a savoir Cryptoblabes gnidiella (Lepidoptera: Pyra...
ABSTRACT Four Trichogramma species were recovered in the field from eggs of carob moth, Ectomyelo... more ABSTRACT Four Trichogramma species were recovered in the field from eggs of carob moth, Ectomyelois ceratoniae (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae). The oviposition rates of Trichogramma oleae, Trichogramma cacoeciae, Trichogramma evanescens and Trichogramma bourarachae were compared when presented either E. ceratoniae or Ephestia kuehniella (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae). T. oleae and T. bourarachae did not parasitise either species of Lepidoptera.
... View full text Full access. DOI: 10.1080/09583157.2011.590574 Ines Ksentini a b * , Annette H... more ... View full text Full access. DOI: 10.1080/09583157.2011.590574 Ines Ksentini a b * , Annette Herz c , Mohieddine Ksantini b , Taieb Jardak b & Sherif Ali ... Eggs of Ephestia kuehniella Zeller together with a fresh drop of honey were supplied every two days until the death of the test ...
Four Trichogramma species, namely Trichogramma oleae Voegele et Pointel, Trichogramma cacoeciae M... more Four Trichogramma species, namely Trichogramma oleae Voegele et Pointel, Trichogramma cacoeciae Marchal, Trichogramma evanescens Westwood and Trichogramma bourarachae Pintureau et Babault, collected in a pomegranate orchard in Tunisia, were assessed in order to determine the impact of the different provided Ephestia kuehniella Zeller egg qualities (ranging from freshly laid to four-day-old hosts) on both their fecundity and survivorship. It appeared that UV-killed eggs stored during four days at room temperature (25 °C and 50% RH) were suitable for the development of T. oleae and T. bourarachae. Also, a combination of fecundity and preimaginal survivorship data showed that all egg qualities were to be presented to T. bourarachae, while it was advisable to provide T. oleae only with three and four-day-old eggs, T. evanescens with fresh and one-day-old eggs and finally T. cacoeciae with only fresh eggs.
Trichogramma species are known to prefer young host eggs, However, they could found themselves in... more Trichogramma species are known to prefer young host eggs, However, they could found themselves in environments populated in majority with old host eggs, or could become increasingly aged as they could spend days searching fruitlessly for hosts. As anticipation of their behaviours in such circumstances, One, two and three-day old Trichogramma oleae and Trichogramma cacoeciae females, were examined in order to determine the impact of alternating two different Ephestia kuehniella egg qualities (fresh and four-days old), on their fecundity and their offspring’s survivorship. Results showed that T. oleae females significantly accepted more fresh eggs than older eggs, whatever was the presentation order of these eggs during both tests 1 and 2. However, T. cacoeciae significantly parasitized more, the eggs presented during the first half of tests 1 and 2, whatever was their quality. Also, female age effect on parasitization preferences was more visible on T. oleae adults, which tended to a...
The four countries, Ethiopia, Egypt, Sudan, and Tunisia, face different nutrition challenges and ... more The four countries, Ethiopia, Egypt, Sudan, and Tunisia, face different nutrition challenges and have different experiences and policies in place to combat hunger. Stunting rates among children below 5 years are highest in Ethiopia and Sudan (38%) compared to Sudan and Tunisia (21 and 11-9%). Children below 5 years in Egypt and Tunisia also suffer from higher risks to become overweight and obese; 14-16% are considered overweight. Food security is limited in all countries, especially in Sudan. All four countries have nutrition and/or poverty alleviation policies in place but implementation is challenging or very weak to realize the plan. However, some successes are observed. The authors recommend that to solve the malnutrition problems in the countries: (1) implementation of the respective policies has to be given better attention than writing and approval of it, (2) it is important to consider the country-specific comparative advantage of livestock production, (3) cultivation of nut...
To optimize biological control of the codling moth Cydia pomonella (L.) (Lepidoptera Tortricidae)... more To optimize biological control of the codling moth Cydia pomonella (L.) (Lepidoptera Tortricidae), two of its natural enemies, the egg parasitoid Trichogramma cacoeciae Marchal (Hymenoptera Trichogrammatidae) and the egg-larval parasitoid Ascogaster quadridentata Wesmael (Hymenoptera Braconidae), exploiting the same host resource were investigated for potential interference. Laboratory experiments revealed that in general both parasitoids could not reliably differentiate between unparasitized and previously parasitized eggs whatever quality or combination was provided. This situation was beneficial for T. cacoeciae, as all eggs successfully parasitized by both parasitoids developed solely into T. cacoeciae adults. Nonetheless, the latter’s parasitism rate was much lower in the case of simultaneous presence of a A. quadridentata female than alone showing A. quadridentata capability to defend its own offspring. Although further tests under more natural conditions are necessary, this s...
Background Olive production is the main agricultural activity in Tunisia. The diversity of fungi ... more Background Olive production is the main agricultural activity in Tunisia. The diversity of fungi was explored in two different olive groves located in two distant geographical zones in Sfax (Tunisia) with different management practices. Results Fungal isolation was made from soil and the major olive tree pests, namely the Olive fly, Bactrocera oleae Gmelin (Diptera: Tephritidae), and the Olive psyllid, Euphyllura olivina Costa (Homoptera: Psyllidae). A total of 34 fungal isolates were identified according to their phenotypic, genotypic, biochemical and biological activities. Twenty fungal species were identified belonging to six different genera (Alternaria, Aspergillus, Cladosporium, Fusarium, Lecanicillium and Penicillium) by the analysis of their ITS1–5.8S–ITS2 ribosomal DNA region. Different bioassays performed in this work revealed that 25/34 (73.5%) of the identified fungal isolates showed an entomopathogenic and/or antagonistic activity, 9/34 (26.5%) of them displayed phytopa...
Naturally occurring egg parasitoids of the genus Trichogramma (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) in a pomegranate orchard in Tunisia, 2010
Four Trichogramma species were found in a pomegranate orchard in Gabès, an arid region of Tunisia... more Four Trichogramma species were found in a pomegranate orchard in Gabès, an arid region of Tunisia, from parasitized eggs of Ectomyelois ceratoniae Zeller (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), an economically important insect pest. Identification based on assessment of male genitalia and internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) sequences showed that they were T. bourarachae Pintureau and Babault, 1988, T. oleae Voegelé and Pointel, 1979, T. cacoeciae Marchal, 1927 and T. evanescens Westwood, 1833. Trichogramma evanescens is reported for the first time in Tunisia. Trichogramma cacoeciae was the largely dominant species in the analyzed samples, whereas T. bourarachae was present in a minor portion of 1.38%. The implications of these results for attempts at controlling E. ceratoniae are discussed.
Additional file 2: Supplementary Figure 2. Sunburst chart showing the total relative abundance of... more Additional file 2: Supplementary Figure 2. Sunburst chart showing the total relative abundance of fungal species and their corresponding family detected in two olives orchards in Tunisia.
A wide array of bacteria and fungi are known for their association with pests that impact the hea... more A wide array of bacteria and fungi are known for their association with pests that impact the health of the olive tree. The latter presents the most economically important cultivation in Tunisia. The microbial diversity associated with olive orchards in Tunisia remains unknown and undetermined. This study investigated microbial diversity to elucidate the microbial interactions that lead to olive disease, and the bio-prospects for potential microbial biocontrol agents associated with insect pests of economic relevance for olive cultivation in the Mediterranean area. Bacterial and fungal isolation was made from soil and olive tree pests. A total of 215 bacterial and fungal strains were randomly isolated from eight different biotopes situated in Sfax (Tunisia), with different management practices. 16S rRNA and ITS gene sequencing were used to identify the microbial community. The majority of the isolated bacteria, Staphylococcus, Bacillus, Alcaligenes, and Providencia, are typical of t...
Additional file 1: Supplementary Figure 1. Taous is an experimental orchard of the Olive Tree Ins... more Additional file 1: Supplementary Figure 1. Taous is an experimental orchard of the Olive Tree Institute, with an area of 126 ha. It contains olive, almond and pistachio fields. Olive cultivations include several varieties. In this study, insects were sampled from the variety Chemlali grown under artificial irrigation. The plantation density is 69 plants per hectare, with a spacing of 12x12m. Regular monitoring of the major olive pests is performed and organophosphate contact insecticides are applied if required. Torba is a private olive orchard with an area of 50 ha. Insects and soil were sampled from the olive cv. Chemlali cultivated under rain-fed conditions. The density of plantation is 17 plants per hectare, with spacing of 24x24m. Regular monitoring of the major olive pests is performed and mass trapping is conducted if required. The Images depicted in Figure are our own.
Au sein de l'entomofaune nuisible du grenadier en Tunisie, la pyrale des caroubes Ectomyelois... more Au sein de l'entomofaune nuisible du grenadier en Tunisie, la pyrale des caroubes Ectomyelois ceratoniae Zeller (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), revet une importance economique particuliere, allant parfois, jusqu'a la perte de la quasi-totalite de la recolte en fruits. En effet, la position pendante du fruit et le comportement endophyte de l'insecte ne facilitent pas le traitement par les insecticides qu'ils soient de nature chimique ou biologique, d'ou la necessite de privilegier l'action des auxiliaires et de la renforcer par des lâchers inondatifs de parasitoides et/ou celle des predateurs. Pour ce faire, et en plus de l'etude de la bioecologie du ravageur, nous avons collecte et identifie cinq especes de trichogrammes indigenes sur lesquelles nous avons menes une serie d'essais. Egalement, nos recherches sur terrain ont demontre que plusieurs autres nuisibles sont susceptibles d'endommager les fruits a savoir Cryptoblabes gnidiella (Lepidoptera: Pyra...
ABSTRACT Four Trichogramma species were recovered in the field from eggs of carob moth, Ectomyelo... more ABSTRACT Four Trichogramma species were recovered in the field from eggs of carob moth, Ectomyelois ceratoniae (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae). The oviposition rates of Trichogramma oleae, Trichogramma cacoeciae, Trichogramma evanescens and Trichogramma bourarachae were compared when presented either E. ceratoniae or Ephestia kuehniella (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae). T. oleae and T. bourarachae did not parasitise either species of Lepidoptera.
... View full text Full access. DOI: 10.1080/09583157.2011.590574 Ines Ksentini a b * , Annette H... more ... View full text Full access. DOI: 10.1080/09583157.2011.590574 Ines Ksentini a b * , Annette Herz c , Mohieddine Ksantini b , Taieb Jardak b & Sherif Ali ... Eggs of Ephestia kuehniella Zeller together with a fresh drop of honey were supplied every two days until the death of the test ...
Four Trichogramma species, namely Trichogramma oleae Voegele et Pointel, Trichogramma cacoeciae M... more Four Trichogramma species, namely Trichogramma oleae Voegele et Pointel, Trichogramma cacoeciae Marchal, Trichogramma evanescens Westwood and Trichogramma bourarachae Pintureau et Babault, collected in a pomegranate orchard in Tunisia, were assessed in order to determine the impact of the different provided Ephestia kuehniella Zeller egg qualities (ranging from freshly laid to four-day-old hosts) on both their fecundity and survivorship. It appeared that UV-killed eggs stored during four days at room temperature (25 °C and 50% RH) were suitable for the development of T. oleae and T. bourarachae. Also, a combination of fecundity and preimaginal survivorship data showed that all egg qualities were to be presented to T. bourarachae, while it was advisable to provide T. oleae only with three and four-day-old eggs, T. evanescens with fresh and one-day-old eggs and finally T. cacoeciae with only fresh eggs.
Trichogramma species are known to prefer young host eggs, However, they could found themselves in... more Trichogramma species are known to prefer young host eggs, However, they could found themselves in environments populated in majority with old host eggs, or could become increasingly aged as they could spend days searching fruitlessly for hosts. As anticipation of their behaviours in such circumstances, One, two and three-day old Trichogramma oleae and Trichogramma cacoeciae females, were examined in order to determine the impact of alternating two different Ephestia kuehniella egg qualities (fresh and four-days old), on their fecundity and their offspring’s survivorship. Results showed that T. oleae females significantly accepted more fresh eggs than older eggs, whatever was the presentation order of these eggs during both tests 1 and 2. However, T. cacoeciae significantly parasitized more, the eggs presented during the first half of tests 1 and 2, whatever was their quality. Also, female age effect on parasitization preferences was more visible on T. oleae adults, which tended to a...
The four countries, Ethiopia, Egypt, Sudan, and Tunisia, face different nutrition challenges and ... more The four countries, Ethiopia, Egypt, Sudan, and Tunisia, face different nutrition challenges and have different experiences and policies in place to combat hunger. Stunting rates among children below 5 years are highest in Ethiopia and Sudan (38%) compared to Sudan and Tunisia (21 and 11-9%). Children below 5 years in Egypt and Tunisia also suffer from higher risks to become overweight and obese; 14-16% are considered overweight. Food security is limited in all countries, especially in Sudan. All four countries have nutrition and/or poverty alleviation policies in place but implementation is challenging or very weak to realize the plan. However, some successes are observed. The authors recommend that to solve the malnutrition problems in the countries: (1) implementation of the respective policies has to be given better attention than writing and approval of it, (2) it is important to consider the country-specific comparative advantage of livestock production, (3) cultivation of nut...
To optimize biological control of the codling moth Cydia pomonella (L.) (Lepidoptera Tortricidae)... more To optimize biological control of the codling moth Cydia pomonella (L.) (Lepidoptera Tortricidae), two of its natural enemies, the egg parasitoid Trichogramma cacoeciae Marchal (Hymenoptera Trichogrammatidae) and the egg-larval parasitoid Ascogaster quadridentata Wesmael (Hymenoptera Braconidae), exploiting the same host resource were investigated for potential interference. Laboratory experiments revealed that in general both parasitoids could not reliably differentiate between unparasitized and previously parasitized eggs whatever quality or combination was provided. This situation was beneficial for T. cacoeciae, as all eggs successfully parasitized by both parasitoids developed solely into T. cacoeciae adults. Nonetheless, the latter’s parasitism rate was much lower in the case of simultaneous presence of a A. quadridentata female than alone showing A. quadridentata capability to defend its own offspring. Although further tests under more natural conditions are necessary, this s...
Background Olive production is the main agricultural activity in Tunisia. The diversity of fungi ... more Background Olive production is the main agricultural activity in Tunisia. The diversity of fungi was explored in two different olive groves located in two distant geographical zones in Sfax (Tunisia) with different management practices. Results Fungal isolation was made from soil and the major olive tree pests, namely the Olive fly, Bactrocera oleae Gmelin (Diptera: Tephritidae), and the Olive psyllid, Euphyllura olivina Costa (Homoptera: Psyllidae). A total of 34 fungal isolates were identified according to their phenotypic, genotypic, biochemical and biological activities. Twenty fungal species were identified belonging to six different genera (Alternaria, Aspergillus, Cladosporium, Fusarium, Lecanicillium and Penicillium) by the analysis of their ITS1–5.8S–ITS2 ribosomal DNA region. Different bioassays performed in this work revealed that 25/34 (73.5%) of the identified fungal isolates showed an entomopathogenic and/or antagonistic activity, 9/34 (26.5%) of them displayed phytopa...
Naturally occurring egg parasitoids of the genus Trichogramma (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) in a pomegranate orchard in Tunisia, 2010
Four Trichogramma species were found in a pomegranate orchard in Gabès, an arid region of Tunisia... more Four Trichogramma species were found in a pomegranate orchard in Gabès, an arid region of Tunisia, from parasitized eggs of Ectomyelois ceratoniae Zeller (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), an economically important insect pest. Identification based on assessment of male genitalia and internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) sequences showed that they were T. bourarachae Pintureau and Babault, 1988, T. oleae Voegelé and Pointel, 1979, T. cacoeciae Marchal, 1927 and T. evanescens Westwood, 1833. Trichogramma evanescens is reported for the first time in Tunisia. Trichogramma cacoeciae was the largely dominant species in the analyzed samples, whereas T. bourarachae was present in a minor portion of 1.38%. The implications of these results for attempts at controlling E. ceratoniae are discussed.
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