Gynaikothrips uzeli (Thysanoptera: Phlaeothripidae) is a minuscule insect species, which forms galls, is subsocial, and parthenogenetic. It is associated with Ficus benjamina L. (Moraceae) and has a pantropical occurrence. The paucity of genetic studies on the order Thysanoptera led us to use inter-simple sequence repeat molecular marker to assess intra- and inter-gall, as well as intra- and in...

It is well known that occupational exposure to pollens of flowering ornamental plants may elicit rhinoconjunctivitis, asthma, and contact urticaria (1). However, it was not until the 1980s that a foliage decorative plant, weeping fig (Ficus benjamina), was recognized as an important cause of occupational immediate mucosal and skin reactions, and, to a lesser degree, of similar symptoms in atopi...

This experiment was designed to characterize the effects of size and concentration of an Iranian clinoptilolite zeolite on the growth ofFicus benjamina (starlight) in peat base media. Ficus benjamina was stock rooted and grown in a peat consisting perlite (2: 1 v/v) (P: Pe), zeolite (10, 20, 30 and 40 v/v %, two sizes 0.5-3 mm and 3-8 mm) instead of peat in P: Pe (2: 1 v/v) media. Ficus benjami...

Although the genus Sycophila has broad host preferences, some species are specifically associated with figs as nonpollinator wasps. Because of their sexual dimorphism, morphological plasticity, cryptic mating behaviour and poorly known biology, species identifications are often uncertain. It is particularly difficult to match conspecific females and males. In this study, we employed two molecul...