Search Results (47)

Antipredator behaviors in animals often vary with developmental stage, microhabitat, and social context, yet few studies examine how these factors interact in species that undergo ontogenetic shifts in chemical defense. The spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) is an invasive planthopper whose nymphs transition from cryptically colored early instars to aposematically colored fourth instars that feed primarily on chemically defended host plants. We conducted 1460 simulated predator attacks on nymphs across four developmental stages to examine how antipredator behavior varies with instar, plant location (leaf vs. stem), host plant species, and local conspecific density. Nymphs exhibited three primary responses: hiding, sidestepping, or jumping. We found that location on the plant had the strongest effect, with nymphs on stems more likely to hide than those on leaves. Older instars were significantly less likely to hide and more likely to sidestep, particularly on stems, suggesting reduced reliance on energetically costly escape behaviors as chemical defenses accumulate. First instars were less likely to jump from their preferred host plant (tree of heaven) compared to other plant species. Higher local conspecific density reduced hiding probability, likely due to the dilution effect. These results demonstrate that antipredator strategies in L. delicatula are flexibly deployed based on developmental stage, microhabitat structure, and social context, with implications for understanding evolution of antipredator behavior in chemically protected species. Full article

Ailanthus altissima (AA) is an invasive tree species rapidly spreading worldwide, colonizing both urban and agricultural or forestry environments. This three-year study aimed to assess its effects on the growth and yield traits of the Koroneiki olive cultivar under co-cultivation in pots, combined with two irrigation regimes, full and deficit irrigation (60% of full). Within each irrigation regime, olive trees were grown either in the presence or absence (control) of AA. The trial evaluated several parameters, including vegetative growth, yield traits, and oil quality characteristics. Co-cultivation with AA had no significant impact on tree growth after three years, though it significantly reduced oil content per fruit. Antioxidant capacity of the oil improved under deficit irrigation, while AA presence did not significantly affect it, except for an increase in o-diphenol concentration. Neither the fatty acid profile nor squalene levels were significantly influenced by either treatment. Fruit weight and color were primarily affected by deficit irrigation. During storage, olive oil quality declined significantly, with pre-harvest treatments (presence or absence of AA and full or deficit irrigation regime) playing a critical role in modulating several quality parameters. In conclusion, the presence of AA near olive trees did not substantially affect the key quality indices of the olive oil, which remained within the criteria for classification as extra virgin. Full article

Since its introduction into the USA, the spotted lanternfly (SLF), Lycorma delicatula, (White) (Hemiptera: Fulgoridae) has spread across the landscape relatively unchecked. With a wide host range, it is considered a serious pest of native forest species, as well as agricultural crops. Circle traps placed on Ailanthus altissima (Miller) Swingle (Sapindales: Simaroubaceae) are passive traps collecting SLF as they walk up and down the tree trunk. These traps are successful at detecting new populations of SLF, but this can be challenging to implement at a large scale due to costs and host availability. To improve and facilitate SLF trapping practices, we investigated three key trapping components: improved collection containers, placement on alternative hosts, and lure (methyl salicylate) impact. In initial trials comparing collection jars to removable plastic bags, the adult SLF catch was four times higher using the bag design. In a multi-state survey at varying population densities, the bag traps were comparable to the jar traps but were significantly more effective than BugBarrier^® tree bands, especially during the adult stage. Catch and detection in circle traps placed on alternative hosts, Acer spp. L. (Sapindales: Sapindalaceae) and Juglans nigra L. (Fagales: Juglandaceae), were comparable to those placed on the preferred host A. altissima, especially in the earlier life stages. Additionally, detection rates of methyl salicylate-baited traps on all three hosts were comparable to those on non-baited traps. These results suggest that circle traps fitted with bags provide higher trap catch and an improvement in sample quality. In addition, circle traps were equally effective when placed on maple and black walnut, while methyl salicylate lures do not enhance trap catch or detection. Full article

Survey and detection of the spotted lanternfly, Lycorma delicatula (White), rely either on traps that exploit the insect’s behavior as it navigates its environment, or on visual surveys of either its mobile life stages or egg masses. A recently described egg mass trap, coined the “lampshade” trap, can assist with early detection in newly infested areas, provide egg masses for researchers, and potentially facilitate spotted lanternfly population reduction by removal of egg masses from the environment. Here, we describe a modified lampshade trap, the sconce trap, that uses less material, can be pre-cut prior to deployment, and can be deployed by one person, representing potential cost, labor, and time savings. Both traps were comparable at detecting populations of spotted lanternflies, and while females deposited more eggs on the larger lampshade traps, they deposited more eggs on sconce traps as a function of trap area. Full article

Invasive alien plant species, while ecologically and economically problematic, represent an underutilized source of bioactive phytochemicals with promising phytopharmaceutical applications. This study investigates the LC-DAD-MS phenolic profiles of 70% ethanol and 80% methanol leaf and flower extracts of Ailanthus altissima (Mill.) Swingle and Helianthus tuberosus L., collected in the Istria region of Croatia, alongside their antioxidant capacities using ABTS, DPPH, and FRAP assays. Both species exhibited high levels of flavonoids and phenolic acids, with consistently higher concentrations in leaf versus flower tissues and in ethanolic versus methanolic extracts. Strong correlations (r > 0.9) between total phenolics and antioxidant activity confirmed the functional significance of these compounds. With a targeted metabolomics approach, in A. altissima, 51 phenolics were identified in leaves and 47 in flowers, with ellagitannins predominating; vescalagin isomers reached 94 mg/g DW in leaves and 82 mg/g DW in flowers. H. tuberosus extracts contained 34 phenolics in leaves and 33 in flowers, with hydroxycinnamic acids and flavonols dominating; 5-caffeoylquinic acid was the principal compound (25 mg/g DW in leaves, 2 mg/g DW in flowers). The identified phytochemicals are known for their potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antimicrobial, and metabolic-regulating properties. Additionally, four leaf-specific compounds were identified in each species, indicating potential for targeted extraction. These findings advance the phytochemical characterization of invasive taxa and highlight their potential as sources of natural antioxidants for functional food and pharmaceutical development. Full article

This study quantifies the market values, or implicit prices, of honey quality features (e.g., organic and origin information, package-related features) and floral varieties for supporting beekeepers in differentiating their products to escape from price competition characterizing the Italian honey market. The research employed a sample of sales data, 660 observations collected from the Italian market, and a hedonic price model, estimated via Ordinary Least Squares, to assess the implicit prices of honey characteristics. A high premium price was recorded for honey with added royal jelly and propolis, as well as for “100% Italian” honey. In contrast, moderate price premiums were recorded for Protected Designation of Origin and organic honey. Furthermore, the floral varieties used largely affected the product price: the highest premium prices were estimated for the Manuka, Kanuka, and Tawari floral varieties. Price premiums above +50% were estimated for floral varieties such as Strawberry tree, Pine, Cistus, Tree of Heaven, Sainfoin, Marruca, and Solidago. Results suggest that honey quality features and some floral varieties can effectively differentiate products, supporting beekeepers to achieve higher revenues. This study offers empirical evidence of the extent to which floral varieties and other product characteristics affect the market price of honey using a dataset of secondary data, with the aim to support producers to improve their competitive position in the market. Full article

Invasive species negatively affect ecosystems, economies, and human health by outcompeting native species and altering habitats. Ailanthus altissima, also known as the tree of heaven, an invasive species native to China that has spread to North America and Europe. Commonly found in urban areas and forestland, these invasive plants cause ecological and economic damage to local ecosystems; they are also the preferred host of other invasive species. Ecological stability refers to the balance and harmony in species populations. Invasive species like A. altissima disrupt this stability by outcompeting native species, leading to imbalances, and there was a lack of research and data on the tree of heaven. To address this issue, this study leveraged deep learning and satellite imagery recognition to generate reliable and comprehensive prediction maps in the USA. Four deep learning models were trained to recognize satellite images obtained from Google Earth, with A. altissima data obtained from the Life Alta Murgia project, LIFE12 BIO/IT/000213. The best performing fine-tuned model using binary classification achieved an AUC score of 90%. This model was saved locally and used to predict the density and probability of A. altissima in the USA. Additionally, multi-class classification methods corroborated the findings, demonstrating similar observational outcomes. The production of these predictive distribution maps is a novel method which offers an innovative and cost-effective alternative for extensive field surveys, providing reliable data for concurrent and future research on the environmental impact of A. altissima. Full article

The bioactivity of the Ailanthus altissima crude leaf extract (CLE) and a leaf extract incorporated into a biopolymer matrix (BPM) was tested against Lymantria dispar larvae. The crude leaf extracts and those incorporated into a chitosan–gelatin polymer matrix were examined in choice and non-choice assays at 0.01, 0.05, 0.5, and 1% concentrations for feeding deterrent activity, contact, and digestive toxicity. The CLE exhibited moderate deterrent activity at all concentrations, whereas the BPM showed a very strong deterrent effect at 0.5% and 1% and a strong effect at 0.1% and 0.01%. No significant differences in digestive or contact toxicity were observed between the CLE and BPM groups and the control groups. The BPM also influenced larval behavior after digestion, decreasing consumption and growth and increasing development time. The higher bioactivity of the CLE compared to the control group is attributed to its high content of total phenols, flavonoids, and tannins, whereas the enhanced bioactivity of the BPM is due to its incorporation into the biopolymer matrix. Given its very strong deterrent activity, and absence of contact and digestive toxicity, the BPM can be recommended as a potential environmentally friendly bioproduct for forest pest control after field evaluation. Full article

Invasive plants are among the top five drivers of biodiversity loss, primarily due to competition and allelopathy. By releasing root exudates, they alter soil properties, influencing both the abiotic and biotic characteristics of soil. The effects of invasive plants on soil characteristics and biota remain underexplored, with findings on this topic often being controversial and context-dependent. This study aimed to understand the impact of two invasive species—black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) and tree of heaven (Ailanthus altissima Mill.)—on soil abiotic characteristics, microbial and Collembola communities. Comparisons were made with soils under two types of native vegetation cover: holm oak (Quercus ilex L.) and herbaceous vegetation. In fall 2023, twelve sites within Vesuvius National Park (three per plant cover type) were sampled to assess soil characteristics, microbial biomass and activities, and Collembola communities. Tree of heaven increased soil pH (6.95), bacterial biomass (42.94 ng g⁻¹) and Collembola density (2038 organisms m²) while reducing water content (10.6% d.w.) and organic carbon (1.21% d.w.). Black locust increased nitrogen content (0.70% d.w.) but reduced microbial biomass (22.85 ng g⁻¹) and Collembola density (873 organisms m²). Tree of heaven soils showed a higher proportion of hemi-edaphic Collembola (48.3%) compared to black locust soils, which were dominated by eu-edaphic forms (42.2%). Despite these differences, Collembola species composition was poorly diversified under invasive plants, with Brachystomella parvula and Protaphorura armata dominating both types of cover. In conclusion, the presence of invasive plants was associated with declines in soil organism biodiversity, underscoring their disruptive influence on forest ecosystems. Full article

One of the basic features of shamanic rituals cross-culturally in East and Southeast Asia is that the ritual itself is structured as a journey up to the sky, climbing the world mountain or the world tree, or else a journey down to the bottom of the sea and back again. The shamanic retinue is understood to make this journey in person, rather than, as in Daoist ritual, sending divine emissaries up to the highest heavens. The journey is conducted through narrative song and dance, accompanied by strings of bells and lutes. The point of departure is the physical village or village household where the ritual is being conducted, and the journey progresses through a series of well-marked way stations via the temple of the earth god to the higher hills and finally to the villages and markets in the sky, before crossing the heavenly seas and ascending the highest mountain. On the way, demons and other impediments are encountered. The route and way stations vary depending on the purpose of the ritual and the intended divine recipient of offerings and submissions. The present article will explore the route up to the sky and the way stations in more detail, taking a single ritual type as performed by the Pụt and Then ritual practitioners as an example. The Pụt and Then are literate ritual specialists found among the Tày and Nùng peoples in northern Vietnam and southern China, near an area which is known to have been a centre of Brahmanical and Buddhist learning from very early times. Full article

Flash column chromatographic fractionation of tree of heaven (Ailanthus altissima) stem and trunk bark extracts, guided by thin-layer chromatography (TLC)–Bacillus subtilis assay and TLC–heated electrospray high-resolution tandem mass spectrometry (HESI-HRMS/MS), lead to the isolation of six known compounds: (9Z,11E)-13-hydroxy-9,11-octadecadienoic acid (13-HODE, A1), (10E,12Z)-9-hydroxy-10,12-octadecadienoic acid (9-HODE, A2), hexadecanedioic acid (thapsic acid, A3), 16-hydroxyhexadecanoic acid (juniperic acid, A4), 16-feruloyloxypalmitic acid (alpinagalanate, A5), and canthin-6-one (A6). Their structures were elucidated by HESI-HRMS/MS and one- and two-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. This is the first study identifying A1–A5 in A. altissima tree. Except for A5, all isolated compounds exhibited antibacterial activity against B. subtilis in microdilution assays. A6 showed the strongest effect with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) value of 8.3 µg/mL. The antibacterial activity of A3 and A4 is newly described. Full article

Ailanthus altissima is an invasive tree threatening the biodiversity in natural and disturbed habitats of temperate regions, primarily because of its high resprouting vigor. To test the effect of light exclusion on stem and root sprouting, black covers were applied on the cut stumps of 3-year-old saplings grown in pots. The treatments were as follows: SL, stumps exposed to light; SH, only stumps covered; SPH, the entire pot covered; C, intact control plants. The covers were removed when the root sprouts appeared. The emergence of stem and root sprouts was checked weekly, and their number and biomass were determined at the growth peak (cut I and III) and the end (cut II and IV) of two seasons after cutting. Stem sprouts were produced only in the first growth season in SL and SH and never in SPH and the controls. The number and biomass of the root sprouts were the highest in SH at cut I and in SL in the following cuts. In SH, the sprouting ceased completely after cut I, suggesting a rapid consumption of root reserves, while in SL and SPH, repeated cutting progressively reduced the sprouting vigor. We concluded that covering the stems after cutting is a promising technique to control ailanthus resprouting without the use of herbicides. Full article

The application of tree of heaven (Ailanthus altissima (Mill.) Swingle) is constrained by its poor durability and dimensional stability. Despite exhibiting promising physical and mechanical properties comparable to ash wood (Fraxinus excelsior L.), it is regarded as an invasive species and receives limited attention in wood property enhancement research. This study subjected tree of heaven to heat treatment at 180 °C and 200 °C to investigate its sorption characteristics using dynamic vapor sorption tests. The results revealed a 13% reduction in equilibrium moisture content at 95% relative humidity and 25 °C after thermal modification at 180 °C and a 25% reduction after thermal modification at 200 °C. Increasing the treatment temperature lowered the moisture content ratio to 0.76 and shortened the conditioning time by up to 10%. The highest hysteresis, ranging from 3.39% to 3.88%, was observed at 70% relative humidity. Full article

Tree of Heaven (Ailanthus altissima (Mill.) Swingle) is a tree native to China which has invaded disturbed areas in many regions worldwide. Its presence endangers natural ecosystems by displacing native species, modifying habitats, changing community structures, and affecting ecosystem processes. Its invasive nature is enhanced by its high ability to reproduce both vegetatively through root regrowth and sexually through seeds. Seeds, which are wind dispersed, are the main mechanism by which this species reaches new habitats. When they germinate and develop the root system, roots emit new shoots that contribute to a rapid increase in the tree density and the subsequent expansion of the population nearby. The contradictory results about the ecological requirements for seeds to germinate and their degree of dormancy and longevity indicate the complexity and difficulty of understanding the mechanisms that govern the biology and adaptability of this plant. The management of this weed aims at its eradication, with programs based on herbicide applications carried out by injecting the active ingredient directly to the trunk. But, not many active ingredients have shown total control, so new ones should be tested in order to increase the range of available herbicides. During the last few decades, some biological agents have been identified, but their efficacy in controlling the tree and their safety for the local flora have not yet been determined. A correct management strategy should take into account all these aspects in order to contain the expansion of this species and, ultimately, allow its eradication. Full article

Forests are important ecosystems that face threats from climate change and global environmental shifts, with invasive alien plant species being a significant concern. Some of these invasive species have already become established, while others are in the process of naturalisation. Although forests are a relatively stable ecosystem, extreme weather events increase their vulnerability to change, and clearings left after natural disturbances are particularly susceptible to invasion by alien plant species (IAPS). We created risk maps of two species that have spread rapidly in the last decade: American pokeweed (Phytolacca americana) and the tree of heaven (Ailanthus altissima). We prepared a generalised linear model based on the occurrence data collected within the LIFE ARTEMIS project. Eleven environmental variables were used to determine habitat characteristics. We constructed two models for each species: one covering the entirety of Slovenia and the other specifically for the forested areas in Slovenia, with the latter incorporating forest-specific variables (such as forest sanitation felling and monocultures). We observed the presence of both species at lower altitudes and in close proximity to water sources. American pokeweed tends to occur nearer to railways, while the presence of the tree of heaven is associated with areas lacking carbonate parent material and influenced by land use patterns. In forested areas, the occurrence of American pokeweed is influenced by forest habitat characteristics, such as disturbances caused by extreme weather events or the prevalence of Norway spruce monocultures. In contrast, the occurrence of the tree of heaven is influenced by more general environmental variables, such as altitude and proximity to railways. Consequently, we have generated risk maps for the entirety of Slovenia and separately for forested areas, both of which indicate similar levels of risk, particularly for the tree of heaven. The risk map for American pokeweed highlights numerous vulnerable areas, especially forest edges, which are highly susceptible to invasion. Furthermore, there is a higher likelihood of this species occurring in areas that have undergone sanitation felling. This study suggests that the production of risk maps of IAPS could be improved by focussing on habitat types and taking into account habitat-specific variables. This approach could enhance the early detection and management of these invasive species. Full article