About
67
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Introduction
Sonia Bouhachem currently works at the Plant Protection, National Institute of Agronomic Research of Tunisia. Sonia does research in Systematics (Taxonomy) Entomology , vectors and Virology, . Their current project is 'How to improve Potato seed production'.
Additional affiliations
October 1996 - present
Position
- Senior Researcher
Description
- I am a specialist in aphid taxonomy and we count know more than 200 aphids in Tunisia among them 15 species as a vectors. The virus transmission and the epidemiology of PVY in potato seed production is studied to control and improve potato quality.
Education
March 2005 - November 2009
Institut Supérieur des Sciences Agronomiques, Agroalimentaires, Horticoles et du paysage
Field of study
- Biology
Publications
Publications (67)
plant from the Soliman district was directly sequenced. The BPEV-Tu sequence (GenBank accession No. OP868672) shared 97% nucleotide identity with isolates from Slovakia (MN580392) and China (MH182675). To our knowledge, this is the first report of BEPV on pepper in Tunisia. Declarations Ethics declarations The authors declare that they have no conf...
The present study is an update on the situation of potential vectors of Xylella fastidiosa in Tunisia. Investigations in nine Tunisian regions (Nabeul, Bizerte, Béja, Jendouba, Zaghouan, Kairouan, Ben Arous, Tunis and Manouba) from 2018 to 2021 allowed for the observation of 3758 Aphrophoridae among a total of 9702 Auchenorrhyncha individuals colle...
The genus Philaenus presents a well-known colour polymorphism, allowing discrimination of morphs and engaging non-skilled practitioners in species identification. This study considers a collection of approximately 2500 Philaenus spp. individuals from southern Italy and northern Tunisia. We felt a morph valid if in our collection or recorded in a mi...
Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) causes significant damage and yield losses in peppers. The objective of this study is to determine the efficiency of prevalent aphid species occurring in pepper fields to transmit this virus within pepper plants and to identify their vector pressure in order to target the critical species implicated in CMV epidemics spre...
The Green peach aphid Myzus persicae (Sulzer) is an exceptional species; cosmopolitan, extremely polyphagous pest (feed on 400 species belonged to 50 plant families), great genetic variability (life cycles and host plant interactions) and highly efficient vector of viruses (over 100 phyto-viruses) (van Emden and Harrington, 2017). This aphid is vie...
This study collects data from the literature and updates our Zelus renardii Kolenati, 1856 (Leafhopper Assassin Bug, LAB) prey knowledge. The literature consists of ca. 170 entries encompassing the years 1856 to 2021. This reduviid originated in the Nearctic region, but has entered and acclimatised in many Mediterranean countries. Our quantitative...
BACKGROUND
The massive use of synthetic insecticides strongly affects the level of insecticide resistance in populations of Myzus persicae worldwide. The selection of target site insensitivity- mutations is particularly worrying in areas where agro-industrial crops are vulnerable to the attacks of aphids that vector viruses, as in the case of Tunis...
The aim of this work is to analyze the chemical composition of Cymbopogon citratus, Salvia officinalis and Origanum majorana essential oils (EO) and evaluate their repellent effects on economically significant aphid species. The hydrodistillation yields of the plant's aerial parts were 0.45%, 0.32% and 0.25% for O. majorana, S. officinalis and C. c...
Aphid flight activities were monitored in 2015 in two areas of seed potato production in Tunisia. Yellow water traps were used to investigate the diversity of aphidofauna and the incidence of aphids involved in potato virus transmission. A total of 9966 specimens belonged to 73 taxa were captured. The cumulative abundance recorded in Douala (first...
Aphid flight activities were monitored in 2015 in two areas of seed potato production in Tunisia. Yellow water traps were used to investigate the diversity of aphidofauna and the incidence of aphids involved in potato virus transmission. A total of 9966 specimens belonged to 73 taxa were captured. The cumulative abundance recorded in Douala (first...
To verify the risk that plant pathogens such as phytoplasmas could have been introduced with infected propagation material, a preliminary investigation for the presence of phytoplasmas and their insect vectors in the main Tunisian viticultural regions was carried out. To identify phytoplasmas and leafhopper fauna several survey have been carried ou...
Several xylem sap-feeders Hemipteran are now candidate key-pests for the Mediterranean being vectors of Xylella fastidiosa pauca ST53 a xylem-inhabiting bacterium that causes the olive quick decline (OQD) in Apulia. Non-specific vectors (Killiny and Almeida, 2009) transmit X. fastidiosa; thus, local xylem-feeders may transmit the bacterium when the...
The peach potato aphid, Myzus persicae (Sulzer), is a worldwide pest of many crops, and the most important aphid pest of peach and potato crops in Tunisia, mainly due to virus transmission, for which insecticides are frequently applied. We studied the genetic structure of M. persicae populations in Tunisia, in order to further our understanding of...
Aphid species and their natural enemies were identified in a citrus orchard in the Cap Bon region of Tunisia in 2014–2016. Aphids within the same orchard had previously been studied in 1991–1992, allowing a comparison of the populations over the 20+ yr. Ten aphid species were identified in 1991–1992, while only four were observed in 2014–2016. This...
Essential oils (EOs) of Mentha pulegium L., (Lamiales: Lamiaceae) and Pistacia lentiscus L., (Sapindales: Anacardiaceae) were studied for their insecticidal activities against the spirae aphid Aphis spiraecola Patch and the cotton aphid Aphis gossypii Glover (Both Hemiptera: Aphididae). The results showed that both EOs were toxic to both aphid spec...
Issus kabylicus Dlabola, 1989 is recorded for the first time from Tunisia and I. vaucheri Gnezdilov, 2017 – from Spain. I. kabylicus is redescribed and illustrated. Male and female genitalia of I. coleoptratus (Fabricius, 1781) are described and illustrated based on the specimens from Germany (type locality). Relationships of African Issus species...
Essential oils (EOs) of Mentha pulegium L., (Lamiales: Lamiaceae) and Pistacia lentiscus L., (Sapindales: Anacardiaceae) were studied for their insecticidal activities against the spirae aphid Aphis spiraecola Patch and the cotton aphid Aphis gossypii Glover (Both Hemiptera: Aphididae). The results showed that both EOs were toxic to both aphid spec...
Pandora neoaphidis and Entomophthora planchoniana (phylum Entomophthoromycota) are important fungal pathogens on cereal aphids, Sitobion avenae and Rhopalosiphum padi. Here, we evaluated and compared for the first time the virulence of these two fungi, both produced in S. avenae cadavers, against the two aphid species subjected to the same exposure...
To date, only limited data are available concerning the viral pressure present in potato crops in Algeria. For three consecutive years, surveys were conducted in potato fields in the main Algerian potato-growing regions during the mid-season crop cycle (January to March). A total of 285 potato samples were characterized to define the prevalence of...
Essential oils are a mixture of various compounds that can have acted against insect pests through complex mechanisms. Their constituents were shown to be a potent source of biological pesticides. The aims of the
present study are to characterize the chemical composition and evaluate the aphidicidal activities of Tunisian Melaleuca styphelioides le...
This study investigated the transmission efficiency of Potato leafroll virus (PLRV) by four potato colonizing aphid species, Myzus persicae, Macrosiphum euphorbiae, Aphis gossypii and Aphis fabae, reported from leaves and yellow water trap. Physalis floridana was used as a test plant for virus transmission. DAS-ELISA was used for virus screening of...
Aphids are cosmopolitan pests that attack wide range of crops, aphids are also vec-tors of important plant virus diseases. These pests are developing important resistance against classical chemical insecticides. In this work we studied chemical composition, insecticidal activity of bitter orange peel essential oils and the efficacy of a kaolin base...
A survey of the aphids associated with cultivated cereal in Tunisia was carried out during 2010 to 2012. Fourteen aphid species were recorded from eight regions (Cap Bon, Bizerte, Beja, Bousalem, Manouba, Zaghouan, Kef and Kairouan). For the first time a new species Forda formicaria was identified. Ten other winged species were also recorded in the...
Background:
The R81T mutation conferring target site resistance to neonicotinoid insecticides in Myzus persicae was first detected in France and has since spread across much of southern Europe. In response to recent claims of control failure with neonicotinoids in Tunisia, we have used a molecular assay to investigate the presence and distribution...
The study was carried out to investigate the ability of three aphids, Myzus persicae, Aphis gossypii and Aphis spiraecola, to acquire and retain the Potato Virus Y (PVY) isolate, PVYNTN. Tobacco plants, Nicotiana tabacum var. Xanthi, were used as test plant for the virus inoculation and aphid acquisition. The serological test double-antibody sandwi...
This study was performed to evaluate the insecticidal activity of Thymus capitatus essential oils and
two natural abrasives to control Myzus persicae. The in vitro application of thyme essential oils showed
a significant toxic effect by fumigation as well as by spraying. The LC50 for both application methods
recorded after 24 h were about 20.01 and...
Weeds and volunteer plants susceptible to Potato virus Y (PVY) infection in different seed potato production sites were investigated in this study. Aphids occurring within these plants and identified as Aphis fabae, Aphis gossypii, and Myzus persicae were studied for possible interaction occurring between vectors and plant reservoirs of PVY. Out of...
Behi, F., Bachrouch, O., Ben Fekih, I., and Boukhris-Bouhachem, S. 2017. Insecticidal and synergistic activities of two essential oils from Pistacia lentiscus and Mentha pulegium against the green peach aphid Myzus persicae. Tunisian Journal of Plant Protection 12: 53-65. Chemical composition of two essential oils (EOs) extracted from Mentha pulegi...
Background:
We used molecular assays to diagnose resistance to pyrethroids and pirimicarb in samples of Myzus persicae from field crops or an insect suction trap in Tunisia. Genotypes for resistance loci were related to ones for polymorphic microsatellite loci in order to investigate breeding systems, patterns of genetic diversity and to inform re...
Potato Virus Y (PVY) is a limiting factor to production of certified seed potato in Tunisia. PVY NTN is the most important reason for downgrading seed potato lots of Spunta to lower classes and to rejection during certification. Transmission efficiencies of aphid species for different PVY strains are established for the most abundant ones. In total...
This book is based on papers presented at the Ninth Triennial African Potato Association Conference, Naivasha, Kenya, 30 June-4 July 2013.The book focuses on the policies for germplasm exchange, food security and trade in Africa, seed systems, breeding and disease management and postharvest management, processing technologies and marketing systems...
The black bean aphid, Aphis fabae Scopoli is a polyphagous aphid causing significant damage
to several cultivated and uncultivated plants. In the present work, we have used COI barcoding to distinguish between three subspecies of A. fabae, frequently found in Tunisia, namely A. f. fabae, A. f. solanella and A. f. cirsiiacanthoidis. Results of our s...
CABI edition Book Chapter/Potato yield variation as affected by virus seed degeneration and growth condition in Tunisia
The natural occurrence of fungal pathogens of aphids and their ecological host range was investigated in Tunisia from 2009 to 2012. The survey focused on aphid infesting different crops and weeds and included 10 different aphid species. Samples were collected from eight agricultural crops sites belonging to three different bioclimatic zones. Four p...
Potato virus Y (PVY) is a limiting factor for the production of certified seed potato in Tunisia. PVYNTN
is the most important reason for downgrading seed potato lots of variety Spunta to lower classes and
for rejection during certification. Transmission efficiencies of aphid species for different PVY strains
are established for the most abundant o...
In several parts of the world, important yield losses are caused to Faba bean due to attack by the black bean aphid Aphis fabae Scopoli. Although resistance could be a good alternative to chemical control, its genetic basis is still largely unknown; and its phenotypic expression is still poorly described, making crucial the permanent evaluation of...
Aphis fabae is a common polyphagous aphid represented by a complex of heteroecious holocyclic
subspecies, using a wide range of secondary host plant species. In this study, we used Randomly Amplified
Polymorphic DNA-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RAPD-PCR) to assess the genetic diversity and analyse the
genetic structure of three subspecies from thi...
Important damages were observed on aromatic ornamental plants on the Eastern and North-Eastern Tunisian coast. Initial investigations showed the presence of leafhoppers responsible for this damage. Specimens of leafhoppers were collected in the regions of Sahel, Cap Bon and Great Tunis during the summer of 2009. The specimens were identified based...
The natural occurrence of entomophthoralean fungi pathogenic towards aphids on cereal and potato crops was investigated in the years 2009, 2010, and 2011. Infected aphids were sampled in three bioclimatic zones in Tunisia (Beja, Cap bon, and Kairouan) and fungal species were determined based on morphological characters such as shape, size, and numb...
In Tunisia, grain legumes are growing on 70,000 ha, more than 85% are located in the north of the country in areas receiving more than 400 mm of average rainfall. The main grain legume crop is faba bean (large and small seeded) occupying about 65% of total area followed by pea and chickpea. Small areas (less than 2,000 ha) of lentil are mainly grow...
Aphids are the most important pests on potato seed production. They are phloem-feeders and responsible of the transmission of plant virus particularly the Potyvirus Y (PVY) in a non-persistent manner. Tunisian potato seeds cultivated from certified Elite seeds ‘Spunta’ (2% infection) imported from Europe, are faced to PVYNTN contamination which cou...
Significant damages were remarked on some aromatic plant in Tunisia especially on sage and rosemary during summer 2008 and 2009. These damages are characterised by feeding marks like those caused by phytophagus mites. These symptoms occur in early summer (June) and become more sever in July and August with leaves drying and necrosis. These attacks...
Serious damage caused by cicadellid insects have been observed for a few years in peach orchards in Tunisia. In this study the abundance of cicadellid in peach ecosystem is explored. Population density of cicadas has been measured in orchard, on peach trees, edge trees and weeds. Two trapping techniques were used: sweep net trapping and sticky yell...
Surveys during five consecutive years in four main seed potato-growing areas of Tunisia revealed large differences in Potato virus Y (PVY) incidence. Infection rates at harvest ranged from up to 19% in Cap Bon and in Jendouba, to 31% in Kairouan and 48% in Manouba. However, infection rates were very low across the country in 2003 (1–5%), except in...
A new association between aphids (Aphididae) and Orobanche foetida was observed in Tunisia. The aphids were identified as Geoica utricularia (Passerini). The feeding of G. utricularia on Orobanche is illustrated.
In the context of Potato virus Y epidemiological study, fourteen aphid species were selected to investigate their relative transmission efficiency in laboratory using tobacco plant tests Nicotiana tabacum var. Xanthi. These aphid species were the ones most often trapped in Yellow Water Traps (YWTs). Transmission efficiency was evaluated in both win...
Incidence and Characterization of Potato Virus Y in Seed Potatoes in Tunisia (vol 53, pg 151, 2010)
Serious damage caused by cicadellid insects have been observed for a few years in peach and almond orchards in Tunisia. A survey of leafhopper species in the region of Mornag, in the Tunisian North East, shows the presence of two major species feeding on these cultivated trees: Asymmetrasca decedens and Zygina flammigera. The first was previously r...
An epidemiology study is conducted for a better sanitary control. Aphids are the most important pests on potato, they are feed on plant sap, they are responsible of viruses transmission and particularly of the potyvirus Y (PVY) with non-persistent manner. Mineral oil sprayed on potato seeds production, can reduce propagation of PVY (Simons and Zitt...
Surveys during five consecutive years in four main seed potato-growing areas of Tunisia revealed large differences in Potato virus Y (PVY) incidence. Infection rates at harvest ranged from up to 19% in Cap Bon and in Jendouba, to 31% in Kairouan and 48%
in Manouba. However, infection rates were very low across the country in 2003 (1–5%), except in...
Ecballium elaterium est une plante connue pour sa richesse en cucurbitacines, ces substances sont des perturbateurs du mécanisme de la mue chez les insectes, c'est pourquoi nous avons entrepris la recherche d'activité insecticide dans les extraits de cette plante à l'égard du puceron Aphis fabae. Les tests biologiques ont été conduits par pulvérisa...
The tomato fruitworm, Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner), is a major pest in processing tomato crops in Tunisia. The dynamics of fruitworm populations in the field is important in order to enhance the efficiency of insecticides. Seasonal activity was studied by sampling methods on foliage and by pheromone traps over a three year period. Two traps were l...
Winged morphs of aphids were investigated from 2002 to 2004 in 4 Tunisian regions of
potato seeds production in order to know the aphid diversity and the potential vectors of Potato Virus
Y. This is a very important contribution to the knowledge of aphid fauna in Maghreb. A total of 50,030
aphids were caught using yellow water traps and one suction...
In the context of an epidemiological study on Potato virus Y (PVY) in potato crops, Solanum elaeagnifolium Cav. was included in the weeds prospected. Surveys were carried out in four seed potato areas: Cap Bon, Manouba, Jendouba and Kairouan. S. elaeagnifolium was found in all areas, except Cap Bon. Virus-like symptoms were observed on some S. elae...
To know Tunisian leafhopper fauna in vineyards, several collects have been realized during 2001 on grapevine and spontaneous plants in the main vineyard regions, i.e. Rafraf, Baddar, Mraissa, Belli, Gobba, and Bousalem. A total of 1109 specimens were identified. Thirty species were identified, 25 Cicadomorpha and 5 Fulgoromorpha. 82.58% of the leaf...
The tomato fruitworm, Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) is a major pest in processing tomato crops in Tunisia. The dynamics of fruitworm populations in the field is important in order to enhance the efficiency of insecticides. Seasonal activity was studied by sampling methods on foliage and by pheromone traps over a three year period. Two traps were lo...
The leafhoppers potential vectors of phytopathogene agents in Tunesian vineyards
(Hemiptera: Cicadomorpha: Fulguromorpha). To know Tunisian leafhopper fauna in vineyards,
several collects have been realized during 2001 on grapevine and spontaneous plants in the main
vineyard regions, i.e. Rafraf, Baddar, Mraissa, Belli, Gobba, and Bousalem. A total...
Afin de connaître la faune des cicadiaires dans le vignoble tunisien, plusieurs collectes ont été réalisées. Ces prélèvements de 1109 spécimens, effectuées aussi bien sur la vigne que sur les adventices, au cours de l’année 2001, ont concerné plusieurs parcelles, dans les principales régions viticoles du pays : Rafraf, Baddar, Mraissa, Belli, Gobba...
The tomato fruitworm, Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner), is a major pest in processing tomato crops in Tunisia. The dynamics of fruitworm populations in the field is important in order to enhance the efficiency of insecticides. Seasonal activity was studied by sampling methods on foliage and by pheromone traps over a three year period. Two traps were l...
In the context of biological control, regular prospecting was carried out for two years to identify the enemies of citrus aphids in Tunisia (Cap Bon). The study allows detecting 16 species of enemies, eight predators and eight parasitoids. Among predators preying on aphid colonies, five Coccinellids with a frequency of 6% were the most abundant pre...
In the context of Necrotic Potato Virus Y (PVYNTN) epidemiological study, a suction trap was operated in Cap Bon region from 2003 to 2012 to monitor aphids. Among 170 taxons caught, fifteen species were abundant, four potato aphids: Aphis gossypii, Aphis fabae, Myzus persicae, Macrosiphum euphorbiae and 11 non-potato aphids: Aphis spiraecola, Acyrt...
Questions
Question (1)
Aphis spiraecola/Aphis pomi
COI or COII
Projects
Projects (6)
The goal of this project is to assess the biodiversity using environnemental DNA metabarcoding. We investigate the microbial diversity to assess the overall health of aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. We also employs eDNA tools to analyze the DNA of individual animals or plants. Furthermore we apply 16S and COI metabarcoding in multiple forms of biodiversity and species monitoring.
To reduce the impact of pesticides to human and environnement, it is necessary to develop other pest control alternatives as biopesticides. This project aims to the study sources and efficacy of natural products as:
- Microbial biopesticides
- Botanical biopesticides
- Mineral biopesticides…