Two ladybeetles, Cycloneda sanguinea (L) and Harmonia axyridis Pallas, were exposed to leaf residues and topical applications of five acaricide formulations commonly used in citrus production in Florida. Dicofol was the only compound demonstrating no toxicity to larvae of either species, even at twice the recommended rate. Abamectin + petrolium oil was the most toxic material; leaf residues app...

The resistance of the scorpion Androctonus australis to its own venom, as well as to the venom of other species, was investigated. A comparison of the electrical and pharmacological properties of muscle and nerve fibres from Androctonus australis with those from the crayfish Procambarus clarkii enabled us to understand the lack of effect of scorpion venom (110-180 microg ml-1) and purified toxi...

The conversion of pyruvate to lactate is a key feature of lactococcal strains. The enzyme which facilitates this conversion, L-lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and the gene which encodes it (Idh), are therefore of great significance. This paper presents the cloning and DNA sequence analysis of three further lactococcal genes which are of key importance in the genetic manipulation of commercial star...

Production of bacteriocin activity designated pediocin PA-1 was associated with the presence of a 6.2-megadalton plasmid in Pediococcus acidilactici PAC1.0. The bacteriocin exhibited activity against P. acidilactici, P. pentosaceus, Lactobacillus plantarum, L. casei, L. bifermentans, and Leuconostoc mesenteroides subsp. dextranicum. Partial characterization of pediocin PA-1 is described. The mo...

The procedure generally used for the isolation of extracellular, cell-associated proteinases of Lactococcus lactis species is based on the release of the proteinases by repeated incubation and washing of the cells in a Ca-free buffer. For L. lactis subsp. cremoris Wg2, as many as five incubations for 30 min at 29 degrees C are needed in order to liberate 95% of the proteinase. Proteinase releas...

Four containerized deciduous ornamental shrubs [deutzia (Deutzia gracilis L.), silverleaf dogwood (Cornus nlba 'Elegantissima'), red-osier dogwood (Cornus sericea L.), and ninebark (Physocarpirs optilifolius L.)] were grown during each of two separate growing seasons using 12 different immature (nonaged) composts as media (year one, 12 weeks from start of windrowing; year two, 16-weeks) and als...

Aphids cause significant damage to crop plants. Studies regarding predator-prey relationships in fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill.) and cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) crops are important for understanding essential ecological interactions in the context of intercropping and for establishing pest management programs for aphids. This study evaluated the association among Hyadaphis foeniculi (Passe...

1) Methods (a) Samples We analyzed 19 individuals belonging to 11 relevant honeycreeper taxa and one outgroup. Common and scientific names of taxa sampled and respective sample sizes (n) are as follows: Hawaii creeper, Oreomystis mana (3); Kauai creeper, O. bairdi (2); Maui alauahio, Paroreomyza montana (2); akepa, Loxops coccineus (3); akekee, L. caeruleirostris (2); Hawaii amakihi, Hemignathu...