Paola Riolo

Università Politecnica delle Marche | Università degli Studi di Ancona

The meadow spittlebug, Philaenus spumarius (L.) (Hemiptera: Cercopoidea: Aphrophoridae), is a polyphagous species that transmits Xylella fastidiosa, a bacterium associated with “Olive Quick Decline Syndrome” in Southern Italy. In this study, the morphology and the ultrastructure of the antennal sensilla of P. spumarius were investigated. The antenn...

Hermetia illucens is a promising insect due to its ability to convert low-value substrates as food chain by-products into highly nutritious feed. Its feeding and nutrition are important issues. The aim of this work was to investigate the effect of different substrates consisting of coffee silverskin, a by-product of the roasting process, enriched w...

Within the modern aquaculture goals, the present study aimed to couple sustainable aquafeed formulation and culturing systems. Two experimental diets characterized by 3 and 20% of fish meal replacement with full-fat spirulina-enriched black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) prepupae meal (HPM3 and HPM20, respectively) were tested on European seabass...

Due to the limited application of insect meal in giant freshwater prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii) culture, the present study aimed to (i) produce spirulina-enriched full-fat black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) prepupae meal (HM) and (ii) test, for the first time, two experimental diets characterized by 3% or 20% of fish meal and fish oil replac...

In the present study, an organic substrate (coffee silverskin) enriched with spirulina (Arthrospira platensis; 15% w/w), as a source of lipids and bioactive molecules, was used to rear the black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) prepupae. Three grossly isonitrogenous, isoproteic, isolipidic and isoenergetic experimental diets for rainbow trout (Oncor...

The present research reports the results of a long-term study (70 days) of the dynamics of Staphylococcus aureus artificially inoculated in a Tenebrio molitor rearing chain for human consumption. To this end, a rearing substrate consisting of organic wheat middlings was spiked with S. aureus to obtain three initial contamination levels, namely 1 (l...

Siberian sturgeon (Acipenser baerii) represents a high-value fish farmed for obtaining high-priced food. In this study, the occurrence of antibiotic resistance (AR) genes encoding for resistance to antimicrobial administered in clinical practice, as aminoglycosides, β-lactams, macrolide-lincosamide-streptogramin B, tetracyclines, and vancomycin, we...

The edible insect food chain represents a relatively novel food-producing system; hence, associated biological risks still need to be exhaustively evaluated. In the present study, the dynamics of Escherichia coli during the whole living period of Tenebrio molitor larvae (from eggs to pupae) were studied. To this end, a rearing substrate consisting...

This datasheet on Paysandisia archon covers Identity, Overview, Distribution, Dispersal, Hosts/Species Affected, Diagnosis, Biology & Ecology, Environmental Requirements, Natural Enemies, Impacts, Prevention/Control, Further Information.

Nutrient quality, with emphasis on lipid and fatty acid composition of broodstock diet, is one of the major dietary factors influencing fish oocytes maturation, reproductive success and offspring quality/survival. The Black Soldier Fly (BFS) (Hermetia illucens) is a valuable insect species characterized by a balanced essential amino acid profile co...

The exploitation of yellow mealworm (Tenebrio molitor) larvae for the bioaugmentation of probiotic Bacillus clausii strains was evaluated during a 7-day rearing period. qPCR was applied to evaluate the persistence and growth of B. clausii in the rearing substrate and larvae (washed and non-washed). Moreover, the effect of freeze-drying of larvae on...

Antibiotic resistance (AR) is an issue in aquaculture since the excessive use of antibiotics administered both for prophylaxis and metaphylaxis may lead to selection for resistant bacteria, that can be found in edible products (e.g., seafood) marketed for human consumption. There is a paucity of data in the scientific literature on the dynamics of...

Insects represent a valuable and sustainable alternative ingredient for aquafeed formulation. However, insect-based diets have often highlighted controversial results in different fish species, especially when high inclusion levels were used. Several studies have demonstrated that nutritional programming through parental feeding may allow the produ...

Hermetia illucens larvae are among the most promising insects for use as food or feed ingredients due to their ability to convert organic waste into biomass with high-quality proteins. In this novel food or feed source, the absence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and their antibiotic resistance (AR) genes, which could be horizontally transferred t...

Over the last years, the potential use of Black Soldier Fly meal (BSF) as a new and sustainable aquafeed ingredient has been largely explored in several fish species. However, only fragmentary information is available about the use of BSF meal-based diets in sturgeon nutrition. In consideration of a circular economy concept and a more sustainable a...

In the present study, Hermetia illucens larvae were reared on a main rearing substrate composed of a coffee roasting byproduct (coffee silverskin, Cs) enriched with microalgae (Schizochytrium limacinum or Isochrysis galbana) at various substitution levels. The microbial diversity of the rearing substrates, larvae and frass (excrement from the larva...

Black Soldier Fly (BSF) meal is considered as an alternative, emerging and sustainable ingredient for aquafeed production. However, results on fish physiological responses are still fragmentary and often controversial, while no studies are available on fish behavior in response to these new diets. The present work represents the first comprehensive...

The planthopper Hyalesthes obsoletus Signoret (Hemiptera Cixiidae) is the main vector of ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma solani’, that cause the grapevine Bois noir disease. Amongst the alternatives to synthetic pesticides, many studies have investigated the use of resistance inducers to control plant pathogens and phytophagous insects. In this study, the...

Black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens, HI, Diptera, Stratiomydae) has great potential as a food and feed ingredient in the European Union (EU). The production of insects as livestock feed or as food ingredients requires strict monitoring of the content of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in the growth substrate, to meet the security requirements. T...

The well-recognized efficiency of Tenebrio molitor larvae to convert low quality organic matter into a nutritionally valuable biomass was exploited to manage solid wastes coming from the olive oil industry, which represent a severe environmental challenge in the Mediterranean area. Three organic pomace-enriched substrates (mixtures middlings/pomace...

Among other species, Black Soldier Fly (Hermetia illucens, HI, Diptera, Stratiomydae) has the great potential as food and feed ingredient in the EU, particularly thanks to its preference for organic waste as growth substrate. The production of insects as livestock feed or as food ingredient requires a strict monitoring of heavy metal content in the...

The aim of the present study was to investigate Listeria innocua (used as a surrogate for Listeria monocytogenes) dynamics in a laboratory-scale food chain of mealworm (Tenebrio molitor) larvae. To this end, a rearing substrate consisting of organic wheat middlings was spiked with L. innocua cells at three different contamination levels, namely 1,...

The meadow spittlebug, Philaenus spumarius (Linnaeus) (Hemiptera: Aphrophoridae), is an important vector for the xylem-limited bacterium Xylella fastidiosa (Wells, Raju, Hung, Weisburg, Mandelco-Paul, and Brenner), which is associated with olive quick decline syndrome in southern Italy. The mouthparts of Hemiptera have important roles in host plant...

The increasing World population requires high quantities and guaranteed quality of food with high nutritional value and little or no residues of synthetic pesticides. Therefore, it is mandatory to set up new agricultural techniques to improve soil fertility, favor optimal growth of crop plants, and increase crop resilience and resistance to pathoge...

Xylem sap sucking insects are adapted to ingest fluids under tension. Although much has been learned about such feeding strategy, this adaptation still poses several unresolved questions, including how these insects ingest against strong xylem sap tension. Xylem sap-feeding insects are vectors of the plant pathogenic xylem-limited bacterium Xylella...

In the present research, bacterial diversity was studied during a 6-month feeding trial utilizing zebrafish (Danio rerio) fed Hermetia illucens reared on different substrates with an emphasis on fish gut bacterial diversity. A polyphasic approach based on viable counting, PCR-DGGE and metagenomic 16S rRNA gene amplicon target sequencing was applied...

The yellow mealworm beetle Tenebrio molitor L. (Coleoptera Tenebrionidae) is an important stored products pest, although its larvae are also one of the most promising for food and feed. Although T. molitor has been widely investigated, there remains a lack of information about the sensory structures on maxillary and labial palps. Here, it was inves...

Larvae of Tenebrio molitor L. (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) are particularly suitable as novel food for the human consumption; nevertheless, there are some potential safety risks linked with insect consumption. In this study we investigated the presence of Cd, Pb, Ni, As, Hg in new feeding substrates coming from solid residues generated by olive frui...

The aim of this work was to find alternative low-cost and environmentally friendly rearing substrates for the growth of Hermetia illucens (HI) (Diptera, Stratiomydae), used as feed. At this purpose, insect feeding substrates based on the re-use of coffee silverskin, the main waste product of the coffee-roasting industry, enriched with various perce...

Intensive fish farming relies on the use of feeds based on fish meal and oil as optimal ingredients; however, further development of the aquaculture sector needs new, nutritious and sustainable ingredients. According to the concept of circular economy, insects represent good candidates as aquafeed ingredients since they can be cultured through envi...

The widespread decline of honey bee (Apis mellifera L.) colonies registered in recent years has raised great attention to the need of gathering deeper knowledge about this phenomenon, by observing the colonies’ activity to identify possible causes, and design corresponding countermeasures. In fact, honey bees have well-known positive effects on bot...

In phytophagous sap-sucking insects, the precibarial valve plays an important role in sap ingestion. We used light and electron microspcopy to study the morphology and the ultrastructure of the precibarial valve of the meadow spittlebug, Philaenus spumarius (Hemiptera, Aphrophoridae), in order to better understand the operative mechanism of this st...

In the present study, the distribution of antibiotic resistance genes in laboratory-reared fresh mealworm larvae (Tenebrio molitor L.), their feeding substrates (carrots and wheatmeal), and frass was assessed. Microbial counts on selective media added with antibiotics highlighted the presence of lactic acid bacteria resistant to ampicillin and vanc...

The use of nets to prevent insect damages on fruits is widespread, but there are no experiments for the control of the olive fruit fly, Bactrocera oleae (Rossi). The use of two plastic nets (HDPE 0.22 μ) with different meshes (0.8×0.3 mm and 1.0×1.6 mm) was investigated in an adult ‘Piantone di Mogliano’ olive orchard in the Marche Region (central...

The function and structure of the ovipositor in Hymenoptera have been studied intensively, although there is a lack of information on the external sheaths. We provide here a contribution on the structure of the external sheaths of the ovipositor of the parasitic wasp Aphidius ervi, in particular the secretory structure is described for the fi rst t...

Due to minimal environmental impact, compared to most conventional feed commodities, insects deserve a growing attention as candidate ingredients for aquafeeds. This study tested, for the first time during zebrafish larval rearing, the effects of an increasing replacement (0%-25%-50%) of fish meal by black soldier fly (BSF) full-fat prepupae meal....

Honey bees (Apis mellifera L.) are well known insects that have positive effects on the human being life. They are so important that the honey bee colonies decline of the last years has produced an increasing interest for their safeguard. In this context, the proposed work aims at studying and developing an innovative system capable of monitoring t...

A desirable goal of the aquaculture sector is to replace most of fish meal and fish oil with more sustainable, cost-effective, and environmental friendly ingredients ensuring fish health and welfare standards. Due to minimal environmental impact, compared with most conventional feed commodities, insects deserve a growing attention as candidate ingr...

Uno dei principali obiettivi del settore dell’acquacoltura è quello di sostituire la maggior parte delle farine ed oli di pesce contenuti nei mangimi con ingredienti più sostenibili, economici ma che al contempo garantiscano il benessere e la crescita ottimale dei pesci allevati. Ad oggi esiste da parte della comunità scientifica un grande interess...

Pimplinae are parasitoids belonging to the family Ichneumonidae that attack and develops inside hidden host; female wasps evolved a peculiar host recognition strategy, that involves the use of self-produced vibrations which are transmitted through the antennae on the substrate and perceived back as an echo using the leg subgenual organ. In this stu...

In recent years, the idea of exploiting edible insects for their industrial production has attracted the attention of media, research institutions and food industry operators, because of the numerous positive factors associated with this food source. Notwithstanding, insects are still underutilized in Western countries. Moreover, edible insects are...

Entomophagy has been linked to nutritional, economic, social and ecological benefits. However, scientific studies on the potential safety risks in eating edible insects need to be carried out for legislators, markets and consumers. In this context, the microbiota of edible insects deserves to be deeply investigated. The aim of this study was to elu...

A new species of Soikiella Nowicki (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) that emerged mostly from galls induced by Dryocosmus kuriphilus Yasumatsu (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae) on chestnut is described from Italy. The characterization of the new taxon, Soikiella italica Viggiani sp. n., was performed through a morpho-molecular approach. A key to the species...

The polyphagous planthopper Hyalesthes obsoletus Signoret is considered to be the principal vector of stolbur phytoplasma, which is associated with yellow diseases of grapevine. To explore the possibility of developing novel control strategies, the behavioral responses to six synthetic mixtures and nine single compounds, previously identified from...

Background: The optimization of the lure is essential for the implementation of trapping systems to control insect pests. In this work, the response of the red palm weevil (RPW), Rhynchophorus ferrugineus Olivier, to increasing emission rates of its aggregation pheromone (ferrugineol) and the efficacy of a convenient synthetic kairomone based on f...

Dall’ultimo dopoguerra a oggi nel paesaggio rurale basso collinare e planiziale italiano si è registrata una semplificazione ambientale seguita daimpoverimentoqualitativo e quantitativodella biodiversità vegetale senza precedenti, soprattutto a caricodelle aree seminaturali non produttive.Le principali cause di questo processo sono riconducibili al...

Palms are the food source for a variety of herbivores worldwide. All palm organs can be affected by pests: foliage, roots, flowers, fruit bunches, developing spear, and stems. The herbivores include mainly insects and Acari from different feeding guilds and taxa, in particular: defoliators (Lepidoptera, Orthoptera, and Phasmida), stipe borers (Cole...

The taxonomic position of the family Castniidae within the order Lepidoptera has changed over time. Initially, it was classified in the superfamily Sesioidea, and then it was grouped in a large assemblage including the Cossoidea, Sesioidea, and Zygaenoidea. Recent studies have included it in the superfamily Cossoidea. In Europe, the palm borer moth...

This chapter on Paysandisia archon behavior, ecology, and communication is presented in three parts. The first part deals with reproductive behavior and the sex pheromone. In this section, mating behavior is described with a consideration of optimal age and diel periodicity. Early observations have shown that mating can occur a few hours after adul...

The invasion of Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (red palm weevil, RPW) and Paysandisia archon (palm borer moth, PBM) in the Mediterranean Basin is a major problem for date palm growers and landscape managers, agriculturists, and gardeners, who need to manage these pests. Accurate detection of early infestations is important for the survival of the infest...

The spread of invasive alien species is strongly associated with the rapid acceleration of human trade, tourism, transport, and travel over the past century, which have allowed these species to overcome natural geographic barriers. The best strategy to prevent the spread of invasive species is quarantine and eradication of initial foci. However, wh...

This chapter reviews the current control methods against red palm weevil (RPW, Rhynchophorus ferrugineus) and palm borer moth (PBM, Paysandisia archon). Scientific documents covering different features of their bio-ecology and control (legal control, cultural control, biological control, chemical control, and methods using semiochemicals) together...

The forestry, agriculture and horticulture industries in Europe are under increasing risk from established and invasive pests due to environmental change and the globalization of trade. This book focuses on two invasive insect pests, the red palm weevil Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Red Palm Weevil, RPW) and the moth Paysandisia archon (Palm Borer Mot...

Neodryinus typhlocybae (Hymenoptera: Dryinidae) is a natural enemy of the planthopper Metcalfa pruinosa, which was introduced from North America into Europe and has become established in various regions as a pest species. Vibrational signals play a crucial role in the communication of M. pruinosa, which appears to be exploited by N. typhlocybae. Sc...

Bois noir is an economically important grapevine yellows that is induced by 'Candidatus Phytoplasma solani' and principally vectored by the planthopper Hyalesthes obsoletus Signoret (Hemiptera: Cixiidae). This study explores the 'Ca. P. solani' genetic variability associated to the nettle– H. obsoletus and bindweed–H. obsoletus systems in vineyard...

Adaptation of parasitoids to their phytophagous host is often mediated by environmental conditions and by the food plant of the phytophagous host. Therefore, the host food plant can indirectly affect the survival and fitness of parasitoids that also attack quiescent host stages, such as eggs, in which the resources available to the immature parasit...

Paysandisia archon (Lepidoptera: Castniidae) is a serious pest of palm trees. A comprehensive knowledge of the insect olfactory system is essential for the development of efficient semiochemical-based control methods. The olfactory sensilla are located particularly on the antennae, and these can detect plant volatiles that provide important cues fo...

The introduction of the Asian tiger mosquito Aedes (Stegomya) albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae) into temperate regions poses serious concerns for the risk of the spreading of arboviral epidemics, as confirmed by the Chikungunya fever outbreak in Italy. This article describes the implementation and the results of a strategy for the pest management imp...

We investigated the presence of the leafhopper Scaphoideus titanus Ball in the Marche region, central Italy, during a 10-year survey. Furthermore, from 2009 to 2011, yellow sticky traps were deployed to investigate the population dynamics. Taylor‟s power law and distance-weighted least-squares contour maps were used to determine the leafhopper dist...

We studied Paysandisia archon (Burmeister) (Lepidoptera: Castniidae: Castniinae) courtship behavior to provide a detailed qualitative and quantitative description of male and female behaviors. Moreover, to investigate the role of antennal olfaction and visual stimuli in mate-recognition, bioassays with antennectomized adults and dummies were perfor...