Search Results (227)

The anthropogenic transformation of the steppe zone in the southern East European Plain has led to the destruction and catastrophic fragmentation of natural ecosystems. Due to the presence of highly fertile lands and the deposits of the Donetsk coal basin, up to 90% of the territory is occupied by agricultural and industrial activities, urban agglomerations, other settlements, and extensive transportation networks. The predominant use of introduced species in artificial plantings (within the city limits, the ratio of species to quantity is 7:3) leads to the widespread spread of alien species, further isolation of natural habitats, and their subsequent degradation. The problem of preserving natural ecosystems and restoring a stable balance in their functioning can be solved through the widespread introduction of native species into all types of plantings capable of serving as ecological corridors. In this regard, we analyzed the key characteristics of native tree and shrub species that determine their functional value. The results indicate that of the 85 native plant species, only two cannot be used because they carry pests and diseases dangerous to agricultural crops. The remaining 83 species are suitable for various planting types, based on a set of individual characteristics, and 29 of these are universal for all planting types. Outside urban ecosystems, these 83 native species can completely replace introduced species. Within urban ecosystems, the need for their combination remains. Despite a number of advantages identified in native species in conditions of anthropogenic pollution (relatively high viability, long lifespan, good resistance to mechanical stress), native species lack a number of categories of traits necessary for the more effective functioning of urban green infrastructure. Among them, there is an insufficient number of tall species (>25 m) and conifers, which are more effective in purifying and improving the health of the atmosphere, as well as beautifully flowering and generally highly decorative species necessary for recreational areas and other territories that, among other things, perform esthetic functions. Full article

Background: Informal Street food vending plays a vital role in urban food systems by supporting livelihoods and improving access to affordable meals. Despite this contribution, persistent food hygiene and safety challenges continue to threaten public health and business sustainability. Existing research largely frames hygiene as a regulatory compliance issue, with limited empirical attention to how hygiene practices are associated with enterprise performance. Guided by the Health Belief Model (HBM) and the Balanced Scorecard (BSC), this study examined the relationship between food hygiene and safety practices, behavioural compliance, and business sustainability among informal food vendors. Methods: A cross-sectional mixed-methods design was used, combining vendor interviews (n = 30) and structured stall observations (n = 30). Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Qualitative data were thematically analysed. Results: Only 50% of vendors held a valid Certificate of Acceptability (COA), despite 83% reporting prior inspections. Vendors operating for over seven years were significantly more likely to be certified (χ² = 8.23, p = 0.005), and certification was strongly associated with regulatory awareness (χ² = 16.12, p < 0.001). Although 70% reported awareness and 77% prior hygiene training, gaps persisted in sanitation, pest control, and consistent hygiene practices. Compliance was significantly associated with gender and education level (p < 0.05), as well as business duration and inspection history. Female vendors and those with at least secondary education were more likely to practice good hygiene, including the use of protective gear (χ² = 13.89, p = 0.008) and regular handwashing. Hygiene practices were also significantly linked to sustainability indicators aligned with Balanced Scorecard domains, including staffing levels, income categories, and operational duration (p < 0.05). Vendors employing more staff reported higher income, and visibly hygienic practices were associated with customer loyalty and repeat purchases, highlighting hygiene as both a public health requirement and a driver of business sustainability. Conclusions: The findings indicate that hygiene functions not only as a public health requirement but also as a strategic business asset. Integrating behavioural drivers with performance metrics offers a practical framework for designing interventions that strengthen both public health protection and the sustainability of informal enterprises. Full article

Vespa orientalis is an emerging pest in southern Italy, with increasing impacts on bees in apiculture and urban environments. This study assessed the attractiveness of three bait types—beer, canned peaches, and commercial fish-based cat food—used in transparent plastic bottle traps deployed in apiary and urban sites across the Campania region. Trapping was conducted from September to October in 15 apiaries and 10 urban areas. A total of 419 hornets (V. orientalis and V. crabro) were collected. V. crabro showed a strong preference for beer-baited traps, whereas V. orientalis did not exhibit significant bait preferences, although most captures occurred in protein-baited traps. Species composition differed between environments, with V. orientalis more prevalent in urban sites. Overall, low capture rates of V. orientalis despite high presence in apiaries suggest that conventional attractant-based trapping is poorly suited for this species, highlighting the need for behaviour-based monitoring tools. Full article

Contamination of agricultural soil by potentially toxic elements (PTEs) can be caused by volcanic emissions and the use of agrochemicals; this threatens human food security, as PTEs can be transferred from the soil to plant tissues. Sorghum is the fifth most important cereal crop worldwide, and Mexico is one of the countries with the highest sorghum production. However, these crops are vulnerable to pests; thus, agrochemicals are applied to eliminate them. In this study, the identification and translocation of PTEs into sorghum plants grown in urban and volcanic areas of central Mexico were evaluated. Sorghum plants and soil samples were collected at four sites (S1, S2, S3, and S4) in these areas. The concentrations of PTEs in the soil samples and in the different tissues of the sorghum plants were determined by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy. It was found that these sites are contaminated with PTEs, which were attributed to volcanic emissions and anthropogenic activities. In addition, the translocation factor values for zinc, nickel, and manganese showed that these PTEs were retained in the roots of the sorghum plants; however, the average concentrations of these PTEs in the grains of the plants were higher than the translocation factor values. This result indicates that the aerial parts of the sorghum plants could have been contaminated with PTEs from the air, which could then enter humans throughout the food chain. Full article

Peri-urban ecosystems represent underexplored habitats rich in entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) that can serve as valuable resources for managing insect pests. This study characterized the EPF communities in two peri-urban sites near Patras, Greece (Dasyllio and Elos), during 2018–2019. Soil samples were collected seasonally, and fungi were isolated using insect baiting with Tribolium confusum Jacquelin du Val and Sitophilus zeamais Motsch., a selective method favoring generalist, fast-acting entomopathogens. A total of 814 isolates were recovered. Of a randomly selected subset (n = 177) subjected to molecular identification, 46.9% were characterized as known EPF, while 53.1% were classified as putative EPF based on taxonomic affiliation (ITS sequence similarity ≥ 99%), pending confirmation of pathogenicity. The Dasyllio site yielded more isolates (63.4%) than Elos (36.6%). Seasonal trends strongly influenced EPF occurrence, with infective fungi peaking in spring and summer (p < 0.001), while community diversity remained stable throughout the year, with the highest evenness (Evenness Index = 0.93) observed in autumn. These results highlight peri-urban green spaces as reservoirs of diverse and ecologically stable EPF, suggesting their potential as sources of biocontrol agents for future development and seasonal integration into pest management strategies. Full article

Predictive pest management in urban sewer networks represents a sustainable alternative to reactive, biocide-based methods. Using data collected through an IoT architecture and validated with manual inspections across eight manholes over 113 days, we implemented a rigorous comparative framework evaluating eleven data mining algorithms, including classical methods (KNN, SVM, decision trees) and advanced ensemble techniques (XGBoost, LightGBM, CatBoost) optimized for unbalanced datasets. Gradient boosting models with explicit handling of class imbalance—where the absence of pests exceeds 77% of observations—showed exceptional performance, achieving a Macro-F1 score above 0.92 and high precision in identifying the minority high-risk class. Explainability analysis using SHAP consistently revealed that elevated CO₂ concentrations are the primary predictor of infestation, enabling early identification of critical zones. This study demonstrates that carbon dioxide (CO₂) acts as the most robust bioindicator for predicting severe infestations of Periplaneta americana, significantly outperforming conventional environmental variables such as temperature and humidity. The implementation of the model in a real-time monitoring platform generates interpretable heat maps that support proactive and localized interventions, optimizing resource use and reducing dependence on biocides. This study presents a scalable, operationally viable predictive system designed for direct integration into municipal asset management workflows, offering a concrete, industry-ready solution to transform pest control from a reactive, labor-intensive process into a data-driven, proactive operational paradigm. This approach not only transforms pest management from reactive to predictive but also aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals, offering a scalable, interpretable, and operationally viable system for smart cities. Full article

Long-eared Owls (Asio otus) overwinter in groups, mainly on coniferous trees in human settlements. These owls regurgitate the indigestible parts of their prey as pellets. Analysis of pellet contents provides valuable information on diet composition and reflects the characteristics of the hunting area. We assumed that prey availability for owls is influenced by the extent of built-up areas and by the distribution of habitats around the roosting site. In the winter of 2016/2017, we collected three samples of 1000 pellets from settlements in the southern part of Hungary: the village of Udvar, the town of Mohács, and the city of Pécs. Species accumulation curves were calculated based on cumulative prey species richness and rarity. To assess the effect of built-up areas, we compared the diet composition of owls wintering in settlements of different sizes. To estimate the size of the hunting area, we compared the relative abundance of small mammal species with different habitat preferences detected in the pellets with the proportion of habitat type within circles of one, two, and three kilometres around the roosting sites. The proportion of open and forested habitats decreased as the extent of built-up areas increased. This reduced access to the owls’ main prey, especially Common Voles (Microtus arvalis) and other small mammals. As a result, the minimum number of pellets needed for a representative sample was at least 300 in the village, 600 in the town, and 1000 in the city. In the city, owls showed higher prey species richness, greater diversity, higher evenness, and a wider food niche than owls in the town or village. In the village, the relative abundance of small mammal species associated with urban, open, forested, or wetland habitats in the owl diet fully matched the distribution of these habitat types within a three-kilometre radius around the roosting site. In the town, such matching was found only for open and forested habitats. In the city, this relationship was observed only for wetland habitats. Pellet analysis of wintering Long-eared Owls can reveal the impact of land use on small mammal prey communities and highlight important ecosystem services of this owl species, including its role in reducing small mammal pests. Full article

Drosicha corpulenta (Hemiptera: Monophlebidae) is a major polyphagous pest affecting street and garden trees in arid regions of northern China, causing increasing damage in newly developed cities like Cocodala, Xinjiang. This study was conducted from 2024 to 2025 to investigate this pest’s life cycle, key damage periods, and spatial distribution in seven host plants, focusing on nymph emergence, female soil entry, and overwintering egg distribution. The results show that D. corpulenta has one generation per year, which overwinters as eggs. Nymphs emerge in early March, and male pupation occurs from mid-April to early May. Females mate after the third molt in early to mid-May and enter the soil to lay eggs from late May to early June, with consistent timing over two years. The suitability of the host varied significantly: Platanus × hispanica was the most preferred, with the highest daily nymph emergence of 840.8 individuals in 2024 and 1196.0 in 2025, followed by Prunus padus and five other plant species (Populus spp., Fraxinus chinensis, Styphnolobium japonicum, Pinus spp., and Malus spectabilis). Female soil entry reached a maximum on 23 May (979.8 individuals⁻¹ day⁻¹) and gradually decreased with increasing distance from the trunk. Overwintering eggs showed no obvious azimuthal bias, but were mainly concentrated near the trunk (0–30 cm) and in shallow soil (0–10 cm; 179.8 eggs per 100 g composite soil sample per sampling point), decreasing sharply in number with distance and depth. Both Taylor’s power law and Iwao’s regression confirmed the aggregated distribution. This study identifies key phenological stages, highly susceptible hosts, and the near-trunk shallow soil layer as critical for oviposition and overwintering and provides a basis for precise monitoring and targeted control in urban green spaces. Full article

Urban green spaces host complex arthropod communities, in which natural insect antagonists play a key role in regulating pest populations. The jumping plant-louse Cacopsylla pulchella is a sap-sucking pest widespread across Europe that attacks Cercis siliquastrum L., which is commonly used as an ornamental tree. Heavy infestations may contribute to host tree decline and cause indirect damage in urban environments by reducing aesthetic value and by extensive deposition of honeydew secretions on surrounding surfaces. As with many phytophagous insects occurring in urban contexts, information on the natural enemies of this species remains limited, particularly in Italy, and requires further documentation. Here, we investigated the parasitoids associated with C. pulchella in central and southern Italy based on surveys conducted between 2022 and 2025. Specimens were obtained from infested plant material and identified using an integrative taxonomic approach combining detailed morphological examination with DNA barcoding. Prionomitus mitratus was confirmed as the primary parasitoid of C. pulchella, while two species, Pachyneuron muscarum and Pachyneuron aphidis, were identified as hyperparasitoids. In addition, a single specimen of Anastatus bifasciatus was also recorded emerging from the psyllid as a hyperparasitoid. Molecular analyses generated the first publicly available mitochondrial and nuclear sequences for P. mitratus. For Pachyneuron, molecular results showed variable correspondence with available reference sequences, reflecting the uneven representation of species-level data for Pteromalidae in public databases. By integrating morphological and molecular evidence, this study clarifies trophic relationships within the C. pulchella parasitoid complex. It provides vouchered molecular references to support future taxonomic and ecological research in urban ecosystems. Full article

Under the background of global climate change, frequent drought events have significantly impacted plant–insect interaction. This study focuses on Ficus microcarpa, an important landscaping and urban greening tree species in tropical and subtropical regions, and its primary herbivorous pest, Perina nuda, by applying the age-stage, two-sex life table theory to systematically evaluate the effects on the life history traits and population dynamics of P. nuda reared on F. microcarpa subjected to different levels of drought stress. The results demonstrated that reared on drought-stressed F. microcarpa significantly altered multiple life history traits of P. nuda. All drought treatments significantly shortened the larval development period. Under both light and severe drought conditions, adult lifespan was prolonged, the total pre-oviposition period was reduced, fecundity per female increased, and generation time (T) was shortened. However, significant increases in pupal weight, intrinsic rate of increase (r), and finite rate of increase (λ) were observed only under light drought stress. The population prediction results indicate that both light and severe drought stress lead to obviously higher population growth rates and larger population sizes at 200 days compared to the control group. These findings suggest that the population fitness of P. nuda is enhanced under light and severe drought stress, potentially increasing the probability of pest outbreaks. This study provides an important theoretical basis and practical advice on forecasting population dynamics and implementing integrated management strategies for P. nuda in the context of climate change. Full article

Several fruit fly species in the Drosophilidae and Tephritidae families are classified as invasive pests worldwide. However, limited information is available on the occurrence of those dipteran species, their interactions, and their host plants in the Pampa Biome of southern Brazil. Therefore, we investigated interactions between invasive fruit flies and host plants. After two years (2022–2023) of fruit surveys, 3802 fruits from 16 plant species were harvested in the Pampa Biome’s urban and rural areas. The collected fruits were conditioned in the laboratory. Emerged adult flies were identified and associated with the respective fruit species. The most abundant species detected were Zaprionus indianus (Gupta), followed by Zaprionus tuberculatus (Malloch), Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura), and Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann). The invasive drosophilids D. suzukii, Z. indianus and Z. tuberculatus interacted with 10 host plant species each, whereas C. capitata was associated with seven host species. Zaprionus indianus showed the highest infestation rate on fruits collected from the ground, whereas D. suzukii had the highest infestation rate in fruits attached to plants. New host plants were identified for Z. tuberculatus and C. capitata. The findings of this study provide a valuable framework for more effective management and control strategies. Full article

Edible green infrastructure provides a pathway to enhancing food security and advancing sustainability in underprivileged Sub-Saharan communities. This study explores the potential of modular living wall systems (LWSs) with African Vegetables (AVs) to enhance food security and provide ecosystem services in the Melusi informal settlement, Tshwane, South Africa. This research investigated the socio-cultural perceptions surrounding the opportunities and challenges of outdoor modular living walls with African Vegetables to sustainably enhance the household food security of marginalized South African urban communities. Data were captured using a mixed-methods approach that involved semi-structured questionnaires, focus group interviews, and photo-elicitation. The analysis was conducted quantitatively with SPSS and qualitatively with Atlas.ti software. Key barriers to urban agriculture identified include high maintenance costs, pest control issues, spatial constraints, exposure to extreme weather, and limited access to water and fertilizers. The Melusi community strongly supported LWSs with AV crops, valuing their space-saving and biophilic benefits. Success, however, depends on low-tech, cost-effective, modular systems made from recycled materials and incorporating nutrient-dense, compact crops. This study highlights the potential of LWSs to enhance food security, promote economic growth, and support climate-resilient livelihoods in urban underprivileged settings. Full article

Ecosystems worldwide are being influenced by climate change in complex ways, leading to profound impacts on biodiversity. While these shifts may constrain the adaptive capacity of some species, they may simultaneously promote the expansion of others, including certain rodents. The Funambulus pennantii (five-striped northern palm squirrel) and Funambulus palmarum (three-striped palm squirrel) demonstrate exceptional adaptability across diverse habitats from rural plantations to densely populated urban areas. Their close association with humans ranges from causing crop damage to becoming urban nuisances, leading to their broad classification as agricultural pests. Hence, this study utilizes ensemble species distribution models to identify the climatic niches of these two species and delineate overlapping suitable habitats within agricultural zones in current and different future climate scenarios. The ensemble model identified 215,748 km² of suitable habitat for F. pennantii and 39,578 km² for F. palmarum under current climatic conditions in India. The future projections indicate habitat increases of about 20.6% for F. pennantii and 48.1% for F. palmarum. The agricultural overlap is also projected to rise by up to 45% and 48%, respectively, compared with present overlaps of 215,595 km² and 39,073 km². The most substantial expansions are projected in the Gangetic Plains, Central Highlands, and parts of the Western and Eastern Ghats and Deccan Plateau. These findings suggest that both species possess high resilience to environmental change and may pose increasing risks to agriculture in a warming climate. The study underscores the need for proactive, ecologically sustainable management strategies to mitigate potential human–squirrel interactions and agricultural losses, offering a foundation for targeted regional interventions. Full article

The Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann) (Diptera: Tephritidae) is considered one of the most important phytophagous pests worldwide. In Croatia, it severely affects the fresh fruit production in Dalmatia, and a national suppression action plan has been established to alleviate farmers’ burden. The aim of the current paper was to comprehensively study the overwintering dynamics of medfly in Dalmatia and investigate whether adults and pupae in addition to larvae can overwinter in different conditions, with a goal to support the establishment of a sound off-season control strategy against this pest. The off-season strategy, which was recently proposed in the frameworks of the EU Horizon 2020 funded project FF-IPM, focuses on the management of the low adult populations during winter and early spring period that has a detrimental effect on the development of the on-season summer and early autumn populations. Overwintering trials were conducted in Split (Dalmatia region, Croatia) using the local C. capitata population. Cages with different life stages (adults, pupae) or infested fruits were periodically transferred in three overwintering sites (open-field, semi-field, and urban conditions) from October to December (two to three establishment dates during the 2019–2020 and 2020–2021 season). Our results provide strong evidence that, in addition to larvae within fruit, both adult and pupae can survive in significant proportions in open-field and urban conditions. Overwintering site and establishment date were both significant predictors of the overwintering success of adults, and they affect pupae developmental duration, adult emergence rates from overwintering pupae, female fecundity, and generally the overwintering ability of the pupae. Our results suggest that the current national strategy for C. capitata suppression, which is based on the assumptions of larvae overwintering need to be adjusted by development and implementation of the off-season strategy. Full article

People are exposed to pesticides daily through food, drinking water, and the environment, both in urban and rural settings. These chemicals, while offering economic and agricultural benefits through pest control and increased productivity, may pose a growing risk to human health and ecosystem biodiversity. While the European regulatory framework offers a robust foundation for risk assessment, significant limitations persist, especially in addressing cumulative exposure, low-dose effects, and chemical mixtures. This review focuses on selected scientific and regulatory challenges by reviewing recent European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) conclusions, Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) test guidelines updates, and current European legislative approaches. Particular attention is given to the regulation of endocrine-disrupting and reprotoxic substances, highlighting progress and remaining gaps in implementation. A brief mention will also be made of immuno-toxic substances, for which no specific hazard class has yet been established. Building on official reports and peer-reviewed literature, this review provides a structured evaluation of the scientific and regulatory landscape, including underexplored issues like the transition to animal-free toxicology and integration of biomonitoring with health data. The goal is to propose realistic, evidence-based improvements to current frameworks using integrated, interdisciplinary approaches that connect toxicology, policy, and implementation science. A shift to a holistic, systems-based, and precautionary paradigm is vital to address emerging challenges and ensure strong protection of health and environment, as well as supporting the needs of the agricultural sector. Full article