Black truffle, Tuber melanosporum Vittad., production is increasing due to an improvement in cultivation management and to the demand for this highly appreciated fungus. However, this intensification of truffle cultivation has led to the appearance of problems related to pest incidence. Specifically, the truffle beetle, Leiodes cinnamomeus (Panzer, 1793) (Coleoptera: Leiodidae), causes significant losses in black truffle marketability. However, its biology is still poorly known, and no effective agro-ecological methods exist to mitigate its damage to the truffles. This study aimed at assessing the population dynamics of L. cinnamomeus over four seasons (2019-2023) in an orchard located in NE Spain and relating these dynamics to weather variables and damage to truffle fruit bodies. Moreover, we described the diversity of arthropods captured in the traps in search of potential natural enemies of this beetle. The maximum population peak was observed in November, except for a single season in which it occurred in December. Moreover, the sex ratio was balanced (0.54 on average), but it varied over the growing season and among years. Significant and positive relationships of the population density of truffle beetles with air temperature and relative humidity were observed. The number of beetles per trap and day was strongly linked to heat accumulation. Finally, the Carabid Percus (Pseudopercus) patruelis (L. Daufour, 1820) was identified as a natural enemy of L. cinnamomeus. These results could be used in the future for monitoring and predicting truffle beetle populations.

Soil-dwelling pests, such as Phyllophaga larvae, pose significant challenges to agriculture as they feed on crop roots, causing substantial losses. Their hidden behavior within the soil further complicates monitoring and control efforts. Traditional methods, such as manual excavation and acoustic detection, are often invasive, labor-intensive, or limited in precision. To address these challenges, this study aimed to establish a reliable methodology to study larval trajectories and responses within the soil environment without disturbing its natural behavior. This study describes the development of an innovative system for precise tracking of these larvae, combining magnetic markers with an array of magnetoresistive sensors. Larvae were tagged with neodymium magnets and tracked using an array of 64 anisotropic magnetoresistive sensors while being attracted by food sources and repelled by electrical stimuli. The movement of larvae marked with magnetic tags and attracted by Zea mays and Solanum tuberosum roots was successfully monitored. The system was validated using a 3D printer framework as a reference, achieving high accuracy with minimal uncertainty. Adjustments were made to the z-axis to account for variations in the distance between the magnet and the sensor array. Experiments demonstrated the ability to guide larval behavior through controlled electrical stimuli, confirming the system's utility for monitoring and behavioral studies. This approach offers significant improvements over traditional methods by preserving soil integrity, enhancing precision, and enabling real-time tracking. The findings provide a valuable tool for understanding subterranean pest dynamics and support the development of sustainable pest management strategies in agriculture.

The National Forest and Soil Inventory [Infys] and the Health Management Office of the National Forestry Commission [Conafor] began, in 2012, the measurement of the Forest Health Indicator, called tree damage. The database from 2012 to 2016 generated by the Infys was analyzed with the objective of determining the incidence of the main agents of damage in broadleaved and coniferous trees, by tree genus, and federal entity. 8351 plots and 500 446 trees were analyzed. 34 damage agents were identified, highlighting fire damage, 24,8%; wind, 16,3%; unknown agent, 14,1%; Tillandsia spp., 11,4%; defoliating insects, 7,5% and drought, 5,4%. The incidence of damage was higher in Alnus, Quercus and Pinus, with 54,6%, 50,4% and 41,5%, respectively. Our country is considered the largest center of diversity of oaks and pines, so it is urgent to determine the role played by the main damage agents and their impact on the forest resource and ecosystem services they provide. This is the first analysis of the data generated by the Infys for the forest health indicator called 'Tree damage' in temperate and tropical forest of Mexico.

It is assumed that climate change (global warming) worsens the living conditions for conifers and at the same time favours the cultivation of deciduous trees, including oaks. In fact, in Poland, for example, many more oaks are now being planted as forest-forming tree species than in the 1980s and 1990s. However, the monitoring of the health status of European forests (according to the International Co-operation Project) does not confirm these optimistic assumptions, and oak has been cited as one of the most damaged tree species in terms of defoliation in recent decades. The prospects for oak cultivation in European forestry are therefore a combination of abiotic conditions and biotic damage factors. This review article focuses in particular on the new threats posed by pathogenic organisms causing emerging diseases. These include newly identified bacteria responsible for the so-called Acute Oak Decline (AOD), oomycetes (especially those specialised in damaging fine roots, such as Phytophthora quercina T.Jung) and semi-parasites of the genus Loranthus. At the same time, the pressure from commonly observed insects and fungi described in connection with the complex syndrome of oak decline, which is divided into predisposing, inciting, and contributing factors (according to Manion's disease spiral), has not abated. Therefore, international, interdisciplinary research (such as that proposed in Oakland) is needed, using modern technologies (RS remote sensing) based on the comparison of satellite images (from different years), not only to inventory the most valuable oak stands in Europe (microrefugia) but also to identify trends in changes in their condition and biodiversity. As RS has its limitations (e.g., resolution), aerial monitoring should be complemented by quantitative and qualitative inventory from the ground, e.g., monitoring of the presence of soil microorganisms using effective molecular biological methods (e.g., Next-Generation Sequencing NGS).

World population growth is causing an increase in the demand for food of animal origin, including ruminant meat and milk. But this need is confronted by an ideology rejecting this sector because it considers its food to be in direct competition with the resources destined for human consumption while contributing to the degradation of soils and natural spaces. Faced with this situation, it is urgent to look for new sources that can partly supply some components of the ration, while providing an added value to the final product (meat/milk). The consumption of insect meal, duly processed and under strict regulations that ensure its safety, emerges as a possibility that could be extended to cattle, sheep and goats. In this revision, we intend to offer the latest studies regarding European legislation, the allowed insects, and all those studies carried out in vivo and in vitro in these species. All of them show that, although the quality of insect meal depends on the species and rearing method, its introduction as a supplement in the ration, does not cause any damage in ruminal dynamics or production and can be a profitable and environmentally friendly solution.

This review examines natural pests, competitors of the Heracleum sosnowsky. Special attention is paid to the role of mutualism in the invasiveness of hogweed. the parsnip yellow spot virus, larvae of the weevil ( Lixus iridis (Olivier, 1807)), agromyzid flies ( Phytomyza pastinacae (Hendel, 1923)), umbrella moth ( Epermenia chaerophyllella (Goeze, 1783)), scoops ( Dasypolia temple (Thunberg, 1792)), depressariids ( Depressaria radiella (Goeze, 1783)), celery fly ( Euleia heraclei (Linnaeus, 1758)), lamellate beetles ( Oxythyrea funesta (Poda, 1761)), caterpillars of the Kamchatka Swallowtail ( Papiliomachaon (Linnaeus, 1758)) significantly damaged Heracleum sosnowsky. Thrips vulgatissimus (Haliday, 1836) feeds on the sap, while Lixus iridis eat leaves and stems of the above mentioned hogweed. Phoma complanate (Tode) (= Calophoma complanate) is a phytopathogenic fungi that damage Heracleum sosnowsky. Powdery mildew, ascochitosis and cylindrosporosis are most common fungal diseases of the giant hogweed. Shellfish farming and livestock grazing curb the spread of hogweed. Due to the lack of competition in the environment, the importance of its artificial creation is discussed. The fast-growing perennial grasses create dense turf that prevents germinating of hogweed seeds. Poapratensis L., Alopecuruspratensis L., Bromus inermis Leyss., Festuca rubra L., Phlumpratense L., Loliumperenne L., Helianthus tuberosus L., and Galega orientalis Lam. are among them. Replacement crops, such as Picea abies (L.) Karst. and Pinus sylvestris L., can compete in vacant lots and abandoned lands. The success of the hogweed populations introduction depends on the presence of pollinators, the spread of its seeds by animals and humans; symbiosis with fungi and bacteria. The possibility of limiting the spread of hogweed through the absence of species that improve its adaptability is discussed. It was concluded that biological control agents are promising to use and additional studies is needed to reduce the number of Heracleum sosnowsky and eliminate negative consequences for the environment.

In Saudi Arabia, tree mortality has abnormally increased over the past ten years, exceeding regulatory standards without clear interpretation. The present study aimed to investigate three attacked tree populations in different biogeographic regions of Saudi Arabia. For this purpose, climatic data from the last thirty years, forest densities, soil cover, pest search, and insect damage to trees have been reported. The results of this study show a distinct climate change manifested by an increase of 2 degrees C in temperature accompanied by a decrease in precipitation and the extension of drought periods during the last 30 years. Analysis of satellite images and the computation by quadrat methods revealed a decline in forest density and soil tree cover caused by dieback associated with an increase in the rate of tree pest attacks. Furthermore, tree investigations show attacks of the xylophagous beetles Steraspis speciosa and Paropta paradoxus on Acacia population in the north and centre of the country. In addition, many strains of termites are attacking the Dobera glabra population in the south of the Kingdom. This study shows that tree dieback, as a response to long periods of drought, when associated with pest attacks, provokes a dramatic decline in forest tree heritage. Climate change is the principal precursor to forest decline and pest invasion in Saudi Arabia.