The occurrence of entomopathogenic fungi and nematodes was assessed in soil samples collected from different orchards and fields in southern Syria. Nematodes and fungi were isolated from soil samples through baiting them by the larvae of wax moth, Galleria mellonella (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae). A total of 157 soil samples were collected from different orchard habitats during 2008. Only two samples were positive for entomopathogenic nematodes (1.27% occurrence) that were identified as Steinernema sp. and 26 samples were positive for entomopathogenic fungi (16.56% occurrence) belonging to Nomurea riley, Beauveria sp., Paecilomyces sp., and Aspergillus sp.

In this study a preliminary contribution to the desiccation tolerance of Algerian entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) is reported. Laboratory experiments were performed to assess the survival of 6 Algerian EPN strains upon direct exposure of infective juveniles (IJs) to 2 relative humidities (rh) on membrane filters. The strains were isolated from different biotopes in Algeria and belong to 2 species: Steinernema feltiae (4 strains) and Heterorhabditis bacteriophora (2 strains). IJs were exposed to 84% and 76% rh at ~20°C for up to five days, and the percentage of surviving IJs was recorded twice daily. Three replicate desiccators per time interval were used for each nematode strain and the assays were repeated 3 times. Survival decreased as rh decreased and with increasing periods of exposure. The tolerance of these nematodes to dessication was generally high, especially for the H. bacteriophora strains which exhibited the longest survival ability. At 84% rh the H. bacteriophora strains displayed a desiccation tolerance of at least 5 days, with a survival percentage of 26-33%, while the other nematodes yielded a low survival percentage (8-11%) after 5 days. At 76% rh H. bacteriophora again survived for a minimum of 5 days (12-18%) whereas the S. feltiae strains survived for only 3 days (5-10% of surviving IJs). No significant differences in pathogenic activity and ability to penetrate Galleria mellonella larvae were observed between non-desiccated IJs and rehydrated ones for any of the strains.

The virulence of three strains of Beauveria bassiana and one of Metarhizium anisopliae was tested against Trialeurodes vaporariorum and its parasitoid Encarsia formosa in laboratory assays. These strains were previously selected for their virulence against Galleria mellonella and Tenebrio molitor. The commercial B. bassiana strain ATCC 74040, both as pure fungal culture and formulated myco-insecticide (Naturalis), was included in the assays as positive control. First, the entomopathogenic fungal strains were tested for their virulence against T. vaporariorum nymphs on tomato leaf disks. Then, the E. formosa development was evaluated under treatment with the entomopathogenic fungal strains at five different time points from the parasitization of T. vaporariorum nymphs. The virulence of our entomopathogenic fungal strains was superior to that of ATCC 74040,although not significantly, resulting in a cumulative mortality (CM) of T. vaporariorum nymphs 7 days after inoculation (DAI) greater than 86 %. Our M. anisopliae strain CIST8 was the most effective (96.6 % CM 7 DAI), even superior to the myco-insecticide Naturalis (94.2 %), which was more effective than the ATCC 74040 pure strain (85.6 %). The entomopathogenic fungal strains, and especially Naturalis, negatively affected E. formosa development and its parasitization activity of T. vaporariorum nymphs. This effect was more pronounced when the fungal strains were applied before parasitization. Results suggest that the application of entomopathogenic fungi is incompatible with E. formosa release on crops.

A set of 67 novel LTR-retrotransposon has been identified by in silico analyses of the Culex quinquefasciatus genome using the LTR_STRUC program. The phylogenetic analysis shows that 29 novel and putatively functional LTR-retrotransposons detected belong to the Ty3/gypsy group. Our results demonstrate that, by considering only families containing potentially autonomous LTR-retrotransposons, they account for about 1% of the genome of C. quinquefasciatus. In previous studies it has been estimated that 29% of the genome of C. quinquefasciatus is occupied by mobile genetic elements. The potential role of retrotransposon insertions strictly associated with host genes is described and discussed along with the possible origin of a retrotransposon with peculiar Primer Binding Site region. Finally, we report the presence of a group of 38 retrotransposons, carrying tandem repeated sequences but lacking coding potential, and apparently lacking ‘‘master copy’’ elements from which they could have originated. The features of the repetitive sequences found in these non- autonomous LTR retrotransposons are described, and their possible role discussed. These results integrate the existing data on the genomics of an important virus-borne disease vector.

The leopard moth (Zeuzera pyrina L), is a cossid whose larvae bore into twigs, branches and trunks of various woody species, weakening and killing trees or shrubs. Recently it caused serious losses of apple trees in Syria. The flight dynamics of Z. pyrina was monitored by pheromone traps (first time in Syria) compared to light trap device. This study was carried out in Damascus countryside, Qunaytirah and Sweida provinces during 2007-2008. Results indicated that the flight of moths during 2007 started in early June in Damascus countryside and Sweida provinces. The highest number of caught adults (the highest peak) was concentrated in mid July in Sweida province, whereas in Damascus countryside province there were a high peak in mid June and a small peak in early July. On the other hand, flight of moths during 2008 started in mid-May in Damascus countryside province while in Qunaytirah province started in early June. The highest number of caught adults (the highest peak) was concentrated in late July in Damascus countryside, whereas in Qunaytirah province there were small peaks in mid June and mid July. Experiments conducted to evaluate capturing efficiency of different types of traps (pheromone traps and light trap) demonstrated that there was significantly high difference within the trap devices, wherein Capta trap got the best results and caught more males than the others.

Among ecological communities, insects are important bioindicators of fire disturbance due to their sensitivity to environmental change and habitat requirements. In this study, we explored the relationship between insect abundance and distance from the ignition point of fires over a two-year period in an oak-dominated forest located in Southern Italy. Using 18 pitfall traps along three transects (running from the interior to the exterior of the burnt area), 2556 insect specimens belonging to eight orders and 26 families were collected. We used analysis of variance and developed a number of regression models to determine the spatial and temporal responses of insect abundance to fire. In addition, a comparison was made between terrestrial Coleoptera and Lepidoptera and the results were used to explain the effects of forest fire on different taxa. In terms of spatial variation, we observed a significant difference between abundance of Coleoptera in burnt (0–300 m) and unburnt (300–600 m) locations with the highest level of abundance in the forest at the edge of the burnt area. For Lepidoptera, differences were not as significant. In terms of temporal variation, we observed significant differences between the abundance of Coleoptera in the two study years, both in burnt and unburnt locations, with the highest level of abundance in the second year after fire. For Lepidoptera the temporal differences were also significant. The two insect orders showed a contrasting pattern in terms of mean abundance values: the abundance of Coleoptera increased during the survey period, while the abundance of Lepidoptera decreased. Fire disturbance influences the short-term response of insect abundance with positive or negative effects depending on the ecological traits and habits of taxa. Understanding these effects is crucial in highly-modified ecosystems, such as the Mediterranean forests.