In New York, organic production of muskmelon (Cucumis melo) and other cucurbits is limited by pests, diseases, and weeds. Among the most important pests are striped (Acalymma vittatum) and spotted (Diabrotica undecimpunctata howardi) cucumber beetles that cause damage through feeding. Cucumber beetles also transmit the bacterium, Erwinia tracheiphila, the causal agent of bacterial wilt. Mesotunnels are a modified row cover system consisting of nylon mesh netting supported by hoops approximately 1-m high, which have potential for incorporation into organic muskmelon production systems. The netting is an effective barrier for pests and insect-vectored diseases and also prevents insect-mediated pollination and in-season weed management in inter-bed areas. Two separate experiments were conducted in 2021 and 2022 to: (a) evaluate mesotunnels for organic muskmelon production and methods to control weeds in inter-bed areas (experiment 1), and (b) evaluate selected pollination treatments for integration into a mesotunnel production system (experiment 2). In experiment 1, there were four treatments: (i) landscape fabric in the inter-bed area with a mesotunnel, (ii) landscape fabric in the inter-bed area without a mesotunnel, and a (iii) ryegrass/white clover in the inter-bed area with a mesotunnel; or (iv) ryegrass cover crop in the inter-bed area with a mesotunnel. In experiment 1, mesotunnels significantly reduced cucumber beetle populations and bacterial wilt epidemic progress but did not affect the incidence of the foliar diseases, powdery mildew, or Alternaria leaf spot. In the mesotunnel and non-covered treatments, landscape fabric, applied for weed control between beds, resulted in greater fruit weight and more marketable fruit compared to mesotunnels with cover crops in the inter-bed area. In experiment 2, treatments were on/off/on (removal of netting during flowering followed by replacement), open ends (open ends during flowering), and a closed mesotunnel (with the insertion of a commercial bumblebee hive). Although the on/off/on treatment increased cucumber beetle populations and bacterial wilt epidemic progress compared to the open ends and closed treatments, it conferred significant yield benefits in both years. These findings emphasize the importance of systems-level analysis for evaluating the suitability of mesotunnels in organic muskmelon production.

Urban forest trees are vital components of urban ecosystems, offering a range of benefits that are essential for improving the livability and sustainability of cities, providing numerous advantages for both the environment and public health. They enhance air quality by filtering pollutants, assist in regulating urban temperatures, and alleviate the urban heat island effect, which can result in substantial energy savings. Trees are often vulnerable to pathogens and pests that can cause significant damage. A survey of different trees in five provinces of Iran revealed a severe decline and dieback disease on woody plants. The affected trees included ailanthus, cedrus, cypress, ash, haloxylon, walnut, magnolia, black mulberry, paulownia, pine, oriental plane, apricot, wild pear, and elm trees. Samples of symptomatic branches and trunks were collected, and the causal fungal pathogen was isolated on potato dextrose agar (PDA) media. A total of 90 fungal isolates were obtained from trees (60 isolates) and insects (30 isolates) and then morphological investigations were done for all isolates. Molecular identification was confirmed through sequencing of the ITS and tub2 regions. This study reports 14 new hosts for Paecilomyces formosus in Iran and worldwide. Pathogenicity tests were conducted on detached branches of apricot, ailanthus, cypress, pine, sycamore, and walnut trees. The study showed that most isolates were pathogenic to six woody plants, and some isolates were associated with disease for eight woody plant species. Additionally, potential vectors and reservoirs for P. formosus were assessed in different beetles, including Aeolesthes sarta, Scolytus kirschii, and Orthotomicus erusus in Tehran, Alborz, Qazvin, Lorestan, and Zanjan Provinces. The results confirmed the potential of beetles for the transmission and maintenance of P. formosus.

Soil-dwelling insect pests may cause considerable damage to crops worldwide, and their belowground lifestyle makes them hard to control. Amongst the most promising control agents for subterranean pests are soilborne entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) such as Metarhizium brunneum. Albeit EPF can be highly pathogenic to their target pest species under laboratory conditions, their efficacy in the field is often limited due to adverse environmental conditions. Here, we test for the first time if the efficacy of EPF can be improved when they are augmented with trap crops. In a field experiment, the M. brunneum strain ART2825 was combined with a trap crops mixture of six plant species and evaluated for its control effect of wireworms (Coleoptera: Elateridae). When both were combined in the main crop, potato damage was lowered on average by 42.5% and wireworm abundance by 50.8%. Single application of trap crops or EPF lowered damage/pest abundance only by 29.9%/15.89% and 34.7%/4.77%, respectively. Importantly, the strength of the synergistic pest control effect between trap crops and EPF increased disproportionately with increasing wireworm abundance. However, DNA-based gut content analysis showed that wireworms' feeding preferences were not shifting toward the trap crops. Our findings demonstrate that combining trap crops with EPF improves the efficacy of the latter and leads to a synergistic control effect which magnifies with increasing wireworm abundance. Hence, the synergistic effect of EPF and trap crops might be a promising control strategy for soil-dwelling pests in general and significantly improve our abilities to manage soil pests environmentally friendly.

Environmental changes affecting museums and historic properties will probably result in increased numbers of insect pests or new species. Databases such as WhatsEatingYourCollection (WEYC) and the Global Biodiversity Information Facility have been used along with academic publications to predict such changes in the research presented here. The species mix in the WEYC database seems consistent across major London historic properties. Overall, common silverfish (Lepisma saccharinum) are often reported, although in future there may be an increase in other species such as Ctenolepisma longicaudatum and Ctenolepisma calvum given their increased frequency. Dermestidae (carpet and furniture beetles) may benefit from wood with increasing moisture content, and although not especially abundant, Attagenus smirnovi (brown carpet beetle) and Reesa vespulae (skin beetle) may increase as they have done on the European continent. Tineola bisselliella, a damaging moth, has invoked increasing concern over the last two decades and Cryptophagus spp. (fungus beetles) could mobilise fungal spores under a future climate more favourable to germination. Lyctus brunneus (powderpost beetle) may find future conditions favourable and attack sapwoods used in repairs. Furthermore, Reticulitermes flavipes (subterranean termite) is potentially an accidental import to the UK and may become more common given current temperatures are suitable for survival in well-drained loamy soils, and future climates would allow a presence in the north of England. Warmer conditions can lead to the presence of new species or a migration of species across the British Isles and their spread can also be encouraged through the loan of objects or on packing materials. Factors other than climate, such as changing indoor habitats, new food sources and novel uses of heritage venues can also encourage expanding insect populations. This article summarises these predicted changes in species distribution and outlines their potential threat to heritage.