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Aiming at the production of a safe food and new alternatives to chemical pest control, this study investigated the mortality of adults of the strawberry seed bug, Neopamera bilobata (Hemiptera: Rhyparochromidae), subjected to different products, most of which have low toxicity and low environmental impact. The insects were collected in cultivated areas of Fazenda Escola farm, at the State University of Londrina. A stock culture was established in the Entomology Laboratory (T: 25 ± 1 ºC; 12-h photophase) and maintained on sunflower seeds and distilled water for the development of bioassays and experiment in a greenhouse. The insects were preliminarily subjected to the following treatments: water; a formulation with orange peel essential oil (1 mL L-1); a product based on Sophora flavescens (3 mL L-1); a formulation with orange peel essential oil (1 mL L-1) + S. flavescens (3 mL L-1); S. flavescens (3 mL L-1) + neutral detergent (1 mL L-1); silicone adjuvant (1 mL L-1); sucrose ester (1 mL L-1); and thiamethoxam (0.1 g L-1) as a positive control. Due to the efficiency of S. flavescens, with mortality greater than 90%, different concentrations (1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 mL L-1) were used on the adults. Higher doses of S. flavescens led to lower survival rates. After the dose of 4 mL L-1 was determined, another step was carried out in a greenhouse, using 18 pots with a capacity of 4 L of substrate containing plants of cultivar Albion surrounded by a voile fabric cage. Ten adult bugs were added to each pot; nine pots were sprayed with the S. flavescens-based product and the other nine only with distilled water. Sophora flavescens reduced the survival rate of N. bilobata in the laboratory and in the greenhouse. In conclusion, the S. flavescens-based product has the potential to control the bug N. bilobata at the tested rates, thus warranting further studies.(AU)

Buscando a produção de alimento seguro e novas alternativas ao controle químico de pragas, objetivou-se avaliar a mortalidade de adultos do percevejo-dos-frutos do morangueiro, Neopamera bilobata (Hemiptera: Rhyparochromidae) submetidos a diferentes produtos, sendo a maioria de baixa toxidez e baixo impacto ao ambiente. Os insetos foram coletados em áreas cultivadas da Fazenda Escola da Universidade Estadual de Londrina. Foi estabelecida uma criação estoque no Laboratório de Entomologia (T 25 ± 1ºC, com fotofase de 12 horas) e mantidos com sementes de girassol e água destilada, para realização dos bioensaios e experimento em casa de vegetação. Preliminarmente, os insetos foram submetidos aos seguintes tratamentos: água; produto formulado com óleo essencial de casca de laranja 1 mL L-1; produto à base de Sophora flavescens 3 mL L-1; produto formulado com óleo essencial de casca de laranja 1 mL L-1 + S. flavescens 3 mL L-1; S. flavescens 3 mL L-1 + detergente neutro 1mL L-1; adjuvante siliconado 1 mL L-1; éster de sacarose 1 mL L-1 e tiametoxan 0,1g L-1 como controle positivo. Em função da eficiência de S. flavescens com mortalidades superiores a 90%, os adultos foram submetidos a diferentes concentrações (1, 2, 3, 4 e 5 mL L-1). Quanto maior a dose de S flavescens menor foi a proporção de sobrevivência. Determinada a dose de 4 mL L-1 realizou-se outra etapa em Casa de Vegetação, dispondo-se 18 vasos, com capacidade de 4 litros de substrato, com plantas da Cultivar Albion, envoltas por gaiola de voil. Em cada vaso foram adicionados 10 adultos do percevejo, sendo que 9 vasos receberam a pulverização com o produto à base de S. flavescens e outros 9 somente água destilada. Observou-se que S. flavescens reduziu a proporção de sobrevivência de N. bilobata em laboratório e em casa de vegetação. Conclui-se que o produto à base de S. flavescens tem potencial para o controle do percevejo N. bilobata nas doses testadas, merecendo estudos complementares.(AU)

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Strawberry is one of the most socially and economically important small fruits in Brazil, with strong demand by the food industry driving high levels of production. However, phytosanitary problems, especially insect damage, can hamper strawberry cultivation. A pest of great concern is the strawberry sap beetle, Lobiopa insularis (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae), which damages the fruits. Chemical control has not been effective against L. insularis, as it makes harvesting and marketing the product unfeasible. Parasitoids have been effectively utilized to control various strawberry pests and support sustainable production. We report the occurrence of the wasp Cerchysiella insularis (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) as a parasite of L. insularis on strawberries in São José dos Pinhais, Paraná, Brazil. Samples of strawberries (San Andreas cultivar) attacked by L. insularis were collected from February to March, 2019. Lobiopa insularis larvae were individually placed in rearing pots, fed on San Andreas strawberries, and checked weekly for symptoms of parasitism or parasitoid emergence. Parasitism rates were 33.85% in March and 45.90% in February. The sex ratio varied between 0.88 and 0.86. All parasitized larvae were infested by C. insularis. The natural parasitism rate above 33% and high sex ratio of C. insularis in strawberry crops indicated that it may have the potential in the control of L. insularis.

O morango é uma das pequenas frutas de maior importância social e econômica no Brasil, com forte demanda pela indústria alimentícia, o que impulsiona altos níveis de produção. No entanto, problemas fitossanitários, principalmente danos causados por insetos, podem dificultar o cultivo do morango. Uma praga de grande preocupação é a broca do morangueiro, Lobiopainsularis (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae), que danifica os frutos. O controle químico não tem sido eficaz contra L. insularis, pois inviabiliza a colheita e comercialização do produto. Os parasitoides têm sido efetivamente utilizados para controlar várias pragas de morangueiro, em um sistema de produção sustentável. Relatamos a ocorrência da vespa Cerchysiella insularis (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) como parasita de L. insularis em morangos em São José dos Pinhais, Paraná, Brasil. Amostras de morangos (cultivar San Andreas), atacados por L. insularis, foram coletadas durante o período de fevereiro a março de 2019. As larvas de L. insularis foram colocadas individualmente em vasos de criação, alimentadas com morangos San Andreas e verificadas semanalmente quanto aos sintomas de parasitismo e à emergência de parasitoides de C. insularis. As taxas de parasitismo de C. insularis foram de 33,85%, em março, e 45,90%, em fevereiro. A razão sexual variou entre 0,88 e 0,86. Todas as larvas parasitadas estavam infestadas por C. insularis. A taxa de parasitismo natural acima de 33% e alta razão sexual de C. insularis em cultivos de morangueiro indicam que este parasitoide pode ter potencial no controle de L. insularis.

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Duponchelia fovealis (Zeller, 1847) is a new pest of strawberry crops worldwide. To develop alternative strategies for its management, we assessed the lethal toxicity and growth inhibitory action of formulations prepared from ethanolic seed extracts of pre-selected species of Annona (Annona mucosa Jacq., Annona muricata L., and Annona sylvatica A. St.-Hil.), which were previously characterized by their high content of annonaceous acetogenins. In addition, the extracts were compared to a limonoid-based bioinsecticide [Azamax® 1.2 EC (azadirachtin + 3-tigloil-azadiractol), positive control] on D. fovealis larvae. Aqueous emulsions prepared from ethanolic seed extracts of A. mucosa and A. sylvatica and a limonoid-based bioinsecticide had low lethal toxicity to D. fovealis larvae; nevertheless, they caused a pronounced inhibition of their larval development. Thus, the combined effects of lethal and sublethal toxicity of acetogenin-rich formulations and the limonoid-based commercial bioinsecticide may offer a route to new control strategies of D. fovealis in strawberry crops, especially in organic-based production systems.

Duponchelia fovealis (ZELLER, 1847) é uma nova praga do morangueiro em todo o mundo. Visando desenvolver alternativas para seu manejo, objetivou-se avaliar a toxicidade letal e a ação inibidora do desenvolvimento de formulações preparadas a partir de extratos etanólicos de sementes de espécies pré-selecionadas de Annona (Annona mucosa Jacq., Annona muricata L. e Annona sylvatica A. St.-Hil.), ricos em acetogeninas, em comparação com um bioinseticida à base de limonoides [Azamax® 1,2 EC (azadiractina + 3-tigloil-azadiractol), controle positivo] sobre lagartas de D. fovealis. Emulsões aquosas preparadas a partir de extratos etanólicos de sementes de A. mucosa e de A. sylvatica e um bioinseticida à base de limonóide apresentaram baixa toxicidade letal para larvas de D. fovealis; no entanto, eles causaram uma inibição pronunciada de seu desenvolvimento larval. Assim, os efeitos combinados de toxicidade letal e subletal de formulações ricas em acetogeninas e do bioinseticida comercial à base de limonoides podem oferecer um caminho para novas estratégias de controle de D. fovealis em cultivos de morango, especialmente em sistemas de produção de base orgânica.

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Laboratory trials were performed to determine the impact of three Neotropical predatory coccinellids (Cycloneda sanguinea, Eriopis connexa and Coleomegilla quadrifasciata) and a minute pirate bug (Orius insidiosus) on Chaetosiphon fragaefolii, an important strawberry aphid pest. The predation on C. fragaefolii nymphs and adults, as well as the time to the first attack of all predators were compared with predation on Aphis gossypii. Predator preferences for prey and aphid defensive behavior were also evaluated. Moreover, the effect of coccinellids on C. fragaefolii population growth was assessed in experimental greenhouse conditions. The predation rate varied among predators, being significantly lower for O. insidiosus than for the coccinellids. Consumption was higher on A. gossypii than on C. fragaefolii, regardless of the aphids developmental stage. The time to the first attack of all predators was longer in the presence of C. fragaefolii. Walking away and cornicle secretion were the most common antipredator behaviors of aphid against coccinellids and O. insidiosus, respectively. Coccinellids preferred A. gossypii over C. fragaefolii, while O. insidiosus showed indifference. Cycloneda sanguinea and E. connexa exhibited the highest suppression effect on the growth rate of C. fragaefolii. Thus, the four predators evaluated could contribute to reduce strawberry aphid populations, especially C. sanguinea and E. connexa.

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Two Florida populations of foliar nematodes were collected from strawberries originating from Cashiers, North Carolina (USA) located west from Willard, the type locality of Aphelenchoides besseyi. Both nematodes were cultured on Monilinia fructicola and identified using morphological characteristics and molecular assays as Aphelenchoides besseyi and Aphelenchoides pseudogoodeyi sp. n., a herein described new species related to Aphelenchoides goodeyi belonging to the Group of Aphelenchoides exhibiting stellate tails. The morphological and biological characters of Florida A. besseyi fit those of the original description of this species. A. pseudogoodeyi sp. n., which was initially misidentified as Aphelenchoides fujianensis, differed from the type population of the latter species from China because it was without males, and females lacked a functional spermatheca, whereas type A. fujianensis is an amphimictic species. Phylogenetic analyses using near full-length 18S ribosomal RNA (rRNA), the D2-D3 expansion fragments of 28S rRNA, and partial COI gene sequences indicated that A. besseyi is a species complex. A. pseudogoodeyi sp. n. grouped in different clades from those of the type A. fujianensis, instead merging with populations identified of 'A. fujianensis' from Brazil and other countries, suggesting that the latter are conspecific and incorrectly identified. The Florida A. besseyi infected strawberry and gerbera daisy, but not soybean and alfalfa. A. pseudogoodeyi sp. n. is mainly mycetophagous. Localized inoculation of 300 specimens applied with filter paper adhering to the blade of the soybean leaves resulted in nematode penetration into the mesophyll with subsequent development of lesions limited to the inoculated area of the blade.

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Abstract This study reports the first assessment of endophytic fungi isolated from strawberry leaves and selection of isolates for the control of Duponchelia fovealis, a new pest of strawberries. A total of 400 strawberry leaves of the cultivar 'Albion' were collected in four commercial farms. Leaves were disinfected, cut in fragments, and placed on Petri dishes containing potato dextrose agar media with tetracycline and incubated for 30 days. Following this time, 517 fungal colonies were isolated, and thirteen genera were identified: Cladosporium, Aspergillus, Nigrospora, Fusarium, Trichoderma, Chaetomium, Alternaria, Paecilomyces, Penicillium, Ulocladium, Bipolaris, Diaporthe, and Phoma. Eight isolates belonging to the genera Aspergillus, Diaporthe, Paecilomyces, and Cladosporium were selected for pathogenicity bioassays against third instar larvae of D. fovealis. Isolates of Paecilomyces induced the highest mortality rates.

Resumo Este trabalho apresenta a primeira contribuição no isolamento de fungos endofíticos de folhas de morangueiro e na seleção de isolados para controle de Duponchelia fovealis, uma nova praga do morangueiro. Foram coletadas 400 folhas da cultivar 'Albion' em quatro lavouras comerciais de morangueiro. As folhas foram desinfetadas, cortadas em fragmentos e depositadas em placas de Petri contendo Ágar Batata Dextrose como meio, em conjunto com tetraciclina e incubados durante 30 dias. Um total de 517 colônias fúngicas e treze gêneros foram isolados: Cladosporium, Aspergillus, Nigrospora, Fusarium, Trichoderma, Chaetomium, Alternaria, Paecilomyces, Penicillium, Ulocladium, Bipolaris, Diaporthe e Phoma. Oito isolados pertencentes aos gêneros Aspergillus, Diaporthe, Paecilomyces e Cladosporium foram selecionados para os bioensaios de virulência contra larvas de 3º instar de D. fovealis. Isolados de Paecilomyces causaram as maiores taxas de mortalidade.

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Earthworms are soil invertebrates that play an important environmental role and are often referred to as “ecosystem engineers”. These invertebrates can influence several organisms, from microscopic life forms to plants. Although many works had reported positive effects of earthworms on plant growth, studies combining these invertebrates and soil pathogens showed numerous positive interactions. Fusarium wilt is a global disease that can cause severe damage to strawberry fields. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of inoculation of earthworms (Lumbricus terrestris) and Fusarium wilt (Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. fragariae) in strawberry plants. This greenhouse experiment was carried out in the University of Seville School of Agricultural Engineering, Utrera City, Spain. Strawberries (Rooted cuttings) were planted in plastic pots and administered the following treatments: Control (absence of F. oxysporum f. sp. fragariae and earthworms), T1 (absence of F. oxysporum f. sp. fragariae, two L. terrestris per pot), T2 (inoculum of F. oxysporum f. sp. fragariae, absence of L. terrestris), and T3 (inoculum of F. oxysporum f. sp. fragariae and two L. terrestris). Weekly fruit production was measured for seven months. After this period the shoot fresh weight and the leaf nutrient content was measured. The results obtained showed no interaction between L. terrestris and F. oxysporum f. sp. fragariae on strawberry production. T1 treatment resulted in fruit production superior to other treatments, including the control. An absence of differences in dry shoot matter was observed with earthworm treatment, and small differences were found in the leaf nutrient content. The earthworm inoculation was unable to suppress the negative effects of Fusarium wilt in strawberry production. However, positive effects such as a reduction in the disease severity were found in the earthworm treated plants...(AU)

Minhocas são invertebrados do solo que participam de importantes funções ambientais e são consideradas “engenheiros do ecossistema”. Estes animais podem influenciar diversos organismos, desde formas microscópicas até mesmo plantas. Embora muitos trabalhos citem efeitos positivos da atividade de minhocas no crescimento das plantas, estudos combinando estes invertebrados e patógenos de solo têm demonstrado inúmeras interações. A murcha-de-fusarium é uma doença mundialmente difundida capaz de causar grandes danos ao morangueiro, e seu controle geralmente é ineficiente. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar os efeitos da inoculação de minhocas (Lumbricus terrestris) e murcha de fusarium (Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. fragariae) em plantas de morango. O experimento foi conduzido em ambiente protegido na Escola de Engenharia Agrícola da Universidade de Sevilha, Utrera - Espanha. Plantas de morango (estacas enraizadas) foram plantadas em vasos plásticos e submetidas aos seguintes tratamentos: Controle (ausência de F. oxysporum f. sp. fragariae e minhocas), T1 (ausência de F. oxysporum f. sp. fragariae, duas L. terrestris por vaso), T2 (inóculo de F. oxysporum f. sp. fragariae, ausência de L. terrestris) e T3 (inóculo de F. oxysporum f. sp. fragariae e duas L. terrestris). A produção de frutos foi semanalmente mensurada durante sete meses. Após este período, foram avaliadas a matéria seca da parte aérea e o conteúdo de nutrientes das folhas. Os resultados obtidos não demonstraram entre L. terrestris e F. oxysporum f. sp. fragarie na produção de frutos. Mas, o tratamento T1 apresentou produção superior a todos os outros tratamentos, incluindo o controle. Foram observadas pequenas diferenças no conteúdo de nutrientes das folhas e não se verificou efeito das minhocas na massa seca da parte aérea. A inoculação de minhocas não foi capaz de reduzir os efeitos negativos da murcha de fusarium na produção do morangueiro...(AU)

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This study reports the first assessment of endophytic fungi isolated from strawberry leaves and selection of isolates for the control of Duponchelia fovealis, a new pest of strawberries. A total of 400 strawberry leaves of the cultivar 'Albion' were collected in four commercial farms. Leaves were disinfected, cut in fragments, and placed on Petri dishes containing potato dextrose agar media with tetracycline and incubated for 30 days. Following this time, 517 fungal colonies were isolated, and thirteen genera were identified: Cladosporium, Aspergillus, Nigrospora, Fusarium, Trichoderma, Chaetomium, Alternaria, Paecilomyces, Penicillium, Ulocladium, Bipolaris, Diaporthe, and Phoma. Eight isolates belonging to the genera Aspergillus, Diaporthe, Paecilomyces, and Cladosporium were selected for pathogenicity bioassays against third instar larvae of D. fovealis. Isolates of Paecilomyces induced the highest mortality rates.

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Earthworms are soil invertebrates that play an important environmental role and are often referred to as “ecosystem engineers”. These invertebrates can influence several organisms, from microscopic life forms to plants. Although many works had reported positive effects of earthworms on plant growth, studies combining these invertebrates and soil pathogens showed numerous positive interactions. Fusarium wilt is a global disease that can cause severe damage to strawberry fields. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of inoculation of earthworms (Lumbricus terrestris) and Fusarium wilt (Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. fragariae) in strawberry plants. This greenhouse experiment was carried out in the University of Seville School of Agricultural Engineering, Utrera City, Spain. Strawberries (Rooted cuttings) were planted in plastic pots and administered the following treatments: Control (absence of F. oxysporum f. sp. fragariae and earthworms), T1 (absence of F. oxysporum f. sp. fragariae, two L. terrestris per pot), T2 (inoculum of F. oxysporum f. sp. fragariae, absence of L. terrestris), and T3 (inoculum of F. oxysporum f. sp. fragariae and two L. terrestris). Weekly fruit production was measured for seven months. After this period the shoot fresh weight and the leaf nutrient content was measured. The results obtained showed no interaction between L. terrestris and F. oxysporum f. sp. fragariae on strawberry production. T1 treatment resulted in fruit production superior to other treatments, including the control. An absence of differences in dry shoot matter was observed with earthworm treatment, and small differences were found in the leaf nutrient content. The earthworm inoculation was unable to suppress the negative effects of Fusarium wilt in strawberry production. However, positive effects such as a reduction in the disease severity were found in the earthworm treated plants...

Minhocas são invertebrados do solo que participam de importantes funções ambientais e são consideradas “engenheiros do ecossistema”. Estes animais podem influenciar diversos organismos, desde formas microscópicas até mesmo plantas. Embora muitos trabalhos citem efeitos positivos da atividade de minhocas no crescimento das plantas, estudos combinando estes invertebrados e patógenos de solo têm demonstrado inúmeras interações. A murcha-de-fusarium é uma doença mundialmente difundida capaz de causar grandes danos ao morangueiro, e seu controle geralmente é ineficiente. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar os efeitos da inoculação de minhocas (Lumbricus terrestris) e murcha de fusarium (Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. fragariae) em plantas de morango. O experimento foi conduzido em ambiente protegido na Escola de Engenharia Agrícola da Universidade de Sevilha, Utrera - Espanha. Plantas de morango (estacas enraizadas) foram plantadas em vasos plásticos e submetidas aos seguintes tratamentos: Controle (ausência de F. oxysporum f. sp. fragariae e minhocas), T1 (ausência de F. oxysporum f. sp. fragariae, duas L. terrestris por vaso), T2 (inóculo de F. oxysporum f. sp. fragariae, ausência de L. terrestris) e T3 (inóculo de F. oxysporum f. sp. fragariae e duas L. terrestris). A produção de frutos foi semanalmente mensurada durante sete meses. Após este período, foram avaliadas a matéria seca da parte aérea e o conteúdo de nutrientes das folhas. Os resultados obtidos não demonstraram entre L. terrestris e F. oxysporum f. sp. fragarie na produção de frutos. Mas, o tratamento T1 apresentou produção superior a todos os outros tratamentos, incluindo o controle. Foram observadas pequenas diferenças no conteúdo de nutrientes das folhas e não se verificou efeito das minhocas na massa seca da parte aérea. A inoculação de minhocas não foi capaz de reduzir os efeitos negativos da murcha de fusarium na produção do morangueiro...

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Lobiopa insularis is a newly reported pest of strawberry in Argentina. We investigated characteristics of its biology in the laboratory, including survivorship and reproduction. We also estimated population growth for L. insularis fed ripe strawberry fruits. Lobiopa insularis was not observed ovipositing on strawberry fruits. A higher proportion of egg masses were recorded from a depth of 1 cm within the soil than on either the soil surface or deeper than 1cm (i.e. between 1and 2 cm) within the soil. The duration of preimaginal developmental stages represented ~18.5% of the total life cycle, while the adult stage represented 81.5%. Survival from egg to adult was 64.20% and mean longevity of females and males adults was 121.84, (SE = 8.86) and 118.58 (SE = 5.90) days, respectively. Females laid eggs only when they were with a male, so reproductive period was dependent on male presence. The number of eggs/female/day was 18.01 (SE = 1.71); and total fecundity was 1655 (ES = 249.53) eggs/female. The long life span of adults and high reproductive output, i.e high fecundity and long reproductive period, indicate that availability and concentration of suitable developmental resources are important factors in the population dynamics of Lobiopa insularis associated with strawberry crops.

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Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acari: Tetranychidae) is considered the main pest of strawberry. Several factors can favor its development, among them the genotype susceptibility and cropping system. The aims of this study were to evaluate the agronomic performance of strawberry cultivars under different managements and to identify strawberry cultivars that meet tolerance to T. urticae and high fruit yield. Thirteen cultivars of strawberry ('Albion', 'Aleluia', 'Aromas', 'Camarosa', 'Camino Real', 'Campinas', 'Diamante', 'Dover', 'Festival', 'Seascape', 'Toyonoka', 'Tudla', and 'Ventana') under three managements (open field, low tunnel, and high tunnel) were evaluated. The T. urticae attack to different cultivars was influenced by managements, being low tunnel the one that provided higher infestations in the most evaluated cultivars. 'Camarosa' was the cultivar with the lower incidence of pest and 'Dover' had the higher infestation. The genotype most suitable for growing under different managements is the 'Festival' genotype, since it meets tolerance to T. urticae, high fruit yield, and phenotypic stability.

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Toxoplasma gondii oocysts are an important form of contamination with a high dispersion in the environment, but their detection is still a challenge. This study evaluated the recovery of oocysts from strawberries and crisphead lettuce. Samples (250 g of strawberries or one head of lettuce) were experimentally inoculated with 10, 10(2), 10(3) and 10(4) T. gondii oocysts, by two separate processes, spot dripping and immersion. Then, 50 g of each sample was washed, filtered through a cellulose ester membrane, and concentrated by centrifugation. Three aliquots were taken for DNA extraction in a direct way, after freeze-thaw (FT) cycles or ultrasound (US), followed by PCR (B22-B23 and Tox4-Tox5 primers). The T. gondii DNA was amplified with the primers B22-B23 in all samples contaminated by dripping and when DNA extraction was carried out after FT or US. These techniques may be useful in epidemiological surveillance in the control of this zoonosis.

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Phytoplasmas (species of the genus 'CandidatusPhytoplasma') are insect-vectored phytopathogenic bacteria associated with economically and ecologically important crop diseases. Strawberry production represents an important part of agricultural activity in Mexico and elsewhere, and infection of plants with phytoplasma renders the fruit inedible by altering plant development, resulting in virescence and phyllody. In this study we examined samples taken from four strawberry plants showing symptoms associated with strawberry green petal disease and from two periwinkle plants showing virescence, sampled in different areas of Mexico. Analysis of the 16S rRNA-encoding sequences showed that the plants were infected with a phytoplasma previously identified as Mexican periwinkle virescence (MPV; 16SrXIII). Examination of bacterial sequences from these samples revealed that two distinct 16S rRNA gene sequences were present in each sample along with a single chaperonin-60 (cpn60) sequence and a single rpoB sequence, suggesting that this strain displays 16S rRNA gene sequence heterogeneity. Two distinct rrn operons, identified with subgroup 16SrXIII-A and the newly described subgroup 16SrXIII-I, were identified from the six samples analyzed, delineating the novel subgroup 16SrXIII-(A/I)I, following the nomenclature proposed for heterogeneous subgroups.

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Background Strawberry is a pseudofruit mainly cultivated in temperate climate regions. Considering its high levels of ascorbic acid and phenolic compounds, the consumption of strawberry fruit can be beneficial to health. The Brazilian strawberry production revolves around 3000 tons per year, significantly influencing the food market and generating income to farmers. However, this production can be partially impaired by two-spotted spider mite (TSSM) Tetranychus urticae Koch infestations, due to decreases in the quality and quantity of fruit. Since there are no data in the literature about alterations caused by TSSM infestation in strawberry plants, our work aimed towards evaluating nutritional and physicochemical parameters of TSSM-infested strawberry plants, along with the related chemical treatment (CT) (acaricide) or biological treatment (predatory mite Phytoseiulus macropilis Banks). Results Strawberry fruit from TSSM-infested plants present the highest levels of acidity and exhibit low levels of anthocyanin and phenolic compounds, while fruit from TSSM-infested plants + biological control using predatory mite shows high levels of soluble solids, phenolic compounds and ascorbic acid, along with a high soluble solid content/titratable (SSC/TA) acidity ratio, which indicates high quality fruit. Conclusions Our results suggest that TSSM infestation decreases fruit quality and that the biological control of TSSM using a predatory mite is a suitable alternative to organic production, since the presence of predatory mite does not affect fruit quality and development.

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INTRODUCTION: This study evaluated the presence of pathogenic human parasites on field-grown strawberries in the Federal District of Brazil. METHODS: A total of 48 samples of strawberries and 48 soil samples from 16 properties were analyzed. RESULTS: Contaminated strawberries were detected in 56% of the properties. Schistosoma mansoni, Ascaris lumbricoides or Ascaris suum, Balantidium coli, Endolimax nana, and Entamoeba spp. were detected. Soil was contaminated with Entamoeba spp., Entamoeba coli, Strongyloides spp., Ancylostomatidae, and Hymenolepis nana. CONCLUSIONS: Producers should be instructed on the safe handling of strawberries in order to reduce the incidence of strawberries that are contaminated with enteroparasites.

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Spintherophyta semiaurata (Klug) is reported for the first time damaging flowers of strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa) in the municipality of São José dos Pinhais, State of Parana, Brazil.

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