Propolis extract (PE) is a natural resinous bee product collected by honeybee workers from leaf buds, twigs, trunk wounds and trees. Onychomycosis is a chronic fungal infection of nails, commonly caused by Dermatophyte and Non-Dermatophyte fungi. PE can be a successful treatment candidate as it is known for antimicrobial, antiviral, anticancer, anti-inflammatory and antifungal effects. This study evaluated the antimicrobial effect of PE against different multidrug resistant Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, fungal strains, pests of stored grain, both irradiated and non-irradiated, pathogenic microorganisms and Tribolium castaneum. Effect of different gamma irradiation doses of PE was evaluated at level 1 and 2 kGy doses against Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus (MMCC21), Gram-negative Escherichia coli (MMCC24) and Pseudomonas aeruoginosa, yeasts Candida albicans M1, Candida albicans M2 and fungi Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger and Trichophyton rubrum. The possible morphological changes that took place on the bacterial, yeasts and fungi cells at level 1 and 2 kGy doses, respectively, were detected using a scanning electron microscope. Results indicated a significant antimicrobial effect of PE against the tested strains. FTIR indicated no significant change on the PE functional group composition; moreover, antibiogram proved no significant changes regarding the antimicrobial activity of irradiated and non-irradiated PE. We also studied the effect of PE, both irradiated and non-irradiated, at level 1 and 2 kGy doses, respectively, on insect pests of stored grain Tribolium castaneum showing different morphological changes.

The efficacy of pesticides was evaluated against one of the important pests of coffee, Xylosandrus compactus and its associated fungus Ambrosia xylebori. Laboratory results revealed that insecticides Chlorpyrifos 50EC + Cypermethrin 5EC, Chlorpyrifos 20EC and Lambda-cyhalothrin 5EC alone and in combinations with all the tested fungicides caused 100 % mortality of adults at the tunnel entrance hole at higher dosages. However, mortality of stages inside the tunnel is limited to 52% for Chlorpyrifos 20EC + Cypermethrin 5 EC + Tebuconazole 25.9EC and this result is on par with Lambda-cyhalothrin 5EC + Tebuconazole 25.9EC with 50% mortality. Laboratory results on the efficacy of pesticides against the associated fungus, Ambrosia, showed that all fungicide doses significantly inhibited mycelial growth. Field experiments also exhibited similar results on the mortality of adults and the stages inside the coffee twigs. Chlorpyrifos 50EC + Cypermethrin 5EC and Lambda-cyhalothrin 5 EC in combination with fungicide Tebuconazole 25.9 EC also prevented new infestation up to 83% and 80% respectively even 45 days after spray applications.

We report 31 species (representing 14 genera) of plant bugs (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Miridae) for the first time from Arkansas. All species were collected from UV traps, which were set monthly in April-September 2009 and 2010, in the Ross Foundation Forest Area (Clark County) located in southwestern Arkansas. The addition of these records brings the total to 113 species of plant bugs reported for Arkansas. Twelve additional species are newly reported for Clark County. Two undescribed Ceratocapsus species were also discovered. Those have been deposited into the USNM (Washington D.C.) awaiting future description.

The peach fruit fly (PFF), Bactrocera zonata, is one of the most important fruit pests. It was categorized as the A1 pest recommended to be regulated as a quarantine pest. The present study was conducted to investigate the effectiveness of the phytosanitary irradiation dose on the prevention of Bactrocera zonata stages and extending the shelf life of mango fruits at refrigeration temperature and its effect on some physiochemical and microbiological qualities of mango fruits. X-ray irradiation doses of 60.7, 137, 156.9, 237.8, 300.6 and 344 Gy were performed using an electron beam accelerator (3MeV, ICT, VIVARAD, Co., France) equipped with an X/e convertor. The results revealed that X-ray irradiation of B. zonata eggs in host fruits (mango fruits) significantly decreased the percentage of hatchability and this decrease was parallel to the irradiation dose. The irradiation dose of 156.9 Gy reduced the percent of egg hatchability to 8.8 and prevented pupation, while the irradiation dose of 237.8 Gy completely prevented hatchability. Irradiation of eggs at the dose of 137.0 Gy completely prevented adult emergence. X-ray irradiation dose of 60.7 Gy completely prevented adult emergence from the 1st larval instars. Irradiation of 2^nd instar larval in mango fruits with a dose of 156.9Gy completely prevented adult emergence. While irradiation of 3^rd instar larvae in mango fruits with 237.8 Gy resulted in no adult emergence. The 3^rd larval instars were the most radio-tolerant stage. When the most radio-tolerant stage is considered and the adult emergence was used as a criterion for measuring the phytosanitary irradiation effectiveness, an X-ray irradiation dose of 237.8 Gy was required to control B. zonata and had no significant adverse effect on the physiochemical and microbiological quality of mango fruits. In conclusion, the X-ray irradiation dose of 237.8 Gy was effective and sufficient to provide quarantine security for export/import mango fruits without significantly affecting either the mango fruits' firmness or juice.

Some terrestrial isopods, as many other organisms, were able to colonize several continents across the world due to human activities. Nonetheless, many tropical or subtropical species, that are found in Europe, seem to be restricted to man-made infrastructures, such as greenhouses. This is the case with members of the family Styloniscidae, Styloniscus mauritiensis and S. spinosus. For the first time, we recorded these two species in the Iberian Peninsula and updated the distribution of the family Styloniscidae in the region. Styloniscus mauritiensis was recorded in greenhouses in the Madrid province, Spain, while both S. mauritiensis and S. spinosus were found in the Oporto region, Portugal, in outdoor environments. These represent the first records of these species in Europe outside man-made infrastructures. Finally, we provided detailed information to facilitate the easier identification of the three Styloniscidae species now known to occur in the Iberian Peninsula and several other parts of the world.

Water-oat Zizania latifolia (Gramineae: Oryzeae) is an asexual aquatic vegetable with an edible swelling, plump fleshy stem formed by infection of a smut fungus Ustilago esculenta to its meristems. It is widely cultivated in China because of its nutritional value and economic benefits. Rust fungus, Uromyces coronatus, is considered to be one of the most destructive pathogens causing significant yield and economic losses of Z. latifolia. The abuse of fungicide depresses the growth of Us. esculenta and causes low or no stimulated stem swell of Z. latifolia. Gall midge, Mycodiplosis uromyces (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae), feeding on the urediospores produced by Ur. coronatus is found for the first time. It has a potential value for controlling the rust pathogen prevalence, however, the biology and morphology of this species have never been documented. Herein, we investigated the morphological characteristics of the M. uromyces using optical and scanning electron microscopies, aiming to supply first-hand information, which could be informative to further investigate the ecology, behavior, genetics and utility of this species for effective biological control of Ur. coronatus.

Dendrolycosa robusta (Thorell, 1895) is reported for the first time from India based on specimens collected from Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary, Kerala. A brief morphological description, digital images of the general habitus and illustration of the copulatory organ are provided. Additionally, the current distribution of D. robusta is mapped.

Teratologies can provide relevant information about invertebrate development and the underlying morphogenetic processes. However, their study has been scarcely addressed in taxa such as myriapods. In this article, a review of the morphological anomalies documented in Chilean myriapods is carried out and new morphological anomalies are recorded in Akymnopellis laevigata (Porat, 1876) and Akymnopellis platei (Attems, 1903) (Chilopoda, Scolopendromorpha, Scolopendridae) collected in the Coquimbo Region, Chile. Four morphological anomalies are documented in Chilean myriapods and two ternary schistomelias and one atrophy are described, recording teratological specimens for the first time in northern Chile. The recurrence of malformations and the possible origin of teratologies are discussed.

This study investigated the effectiveness of two entomopathogenic fungi, Metarhizium anisopliae and Beauveria bassiana, against different life stages of Trilocha varians. The results demonstrated a higher mortality rate of eggs at increased conidial concentrations, with M. anisopliae and B. bassiana causing 37.42% and 33.39% egg mortality, respectively, at a concentration of 2 × 10⁶ conidia/mL. Mortality of 2^nd instar larvae increased over time, reaching 49.53% for M. anisopliae and 55.51% for B. bassiana after 120 hours of exposure. These findings highlight that while both fungi exhibit substantial lethality against T. varians, B. bassiana is slightly more effective, particularly in reducing the pest population over a shorter duration. The study also revealed that the effectiveness of the fungi decreased as the larvae develop, with 3^rd instar larvae showing greater resistance. This reduced susceptibility is likely due to the biological and physiological changes that occur as larvae progress through their life stages, such as reduced feeding rates and enhanced metabolic defences. Overall, the study underscores the potential of M. anisopliae and B. bassiana as biopesticides, with B. bassiana showing a faster mode of action, making it a more potent option for controlling T. varians populations.

This study investigated the effect of gamma irradiation combined with entomopathogenic fungi (Beauveria bassiana and Paecilomyces lilacinus) on the adult longevity in Galleria mellonella. Three experimental groups were studied: the progeny of F₁ larvae from irradiated parental males, the progeny of F₁ larvae from irradiated parental females, and a control group of unirradiated insects. Results showed that the adult longevity was significantly decreased with increasing irradiation doses. Combining gamma irradiation and entomopathogenic fungi can improve control measures targeted at adult longevity of G. mellonella.

The genus Ammocleonus Bedel, 1907 (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) belongs to the tribe Cleonini in the subfamily Lixinae and is represented worldwide by five species, two of which, Ammocleonus hieroglyphicus and A. aschabadensis, have been recorded from the Egyptian fauna. This genus shows a range of morphological variation among the species so it is necessary to give some attention to the structure of their genitalia. As the genitalia of male Coleoptera have been considered to be a valuable source of taxonomic characters for more than 200 years and, more specifically, as the male genitalia in Curculionidae have had an established impact on species diagnosis, the male genitalia of the two Egyptian species are dissected, illustrated and described for the first time in the current work. As a result, the morphology of the male genitalia shows distinct differences between the two species and this has a taxonomic impact on the identification of the species. In addition, notes on the differentiation between the male and female sexes within the genus and data on material examined of the two species are given. A key to differentiate the two species Ammocleonus hieroglyphicus and A. aschabadensis is also given.

This paper provides the first illustration of the male genital capsule of Asuridia rubrimargo (Hampson, 1894) and female genital capsule of Asuridia miltochristoides Rothschild, 1913 after 131 years and 112 years, respectively, of their first description. Originally, both the species were described solely on the basis of external characters. We report A. rubrimargo for the first time outside of the type locality (i.e, from Arunachal Pradesh, India) and update its distribution. A checklist of the genus Asuridia Hampson, 1900 is also provided.