TY  - CONF
AU  - Marini, Francesca
AU  - Weyl, Philip
AU  - Stutz, Sonja
AU  - Hinz, Hariet
AU  - Williams, Hester
AU  - Moffat, Chandra
AU  - de Lillo, Enrico
AU  - Petanović, Radmila
AU  - Vidović, Biljana
AU  - Rančić, Dragana
AU  - Cvrković, Tatjana
AU  - Sforza, Rene
AU  - Bon, Marie-Claude
AU  - Kashefi, Javid
AU  - Cristofaro, Massimo
PY  - 2022
UR  - https://plantarum.izbis.bg.ac.rs/handle/123456789/1304
AB  - Tree of heaven (Ailanthus altissima) (TH), a fast-growing deciduous tree native to China, is considered a
serious invasive species worldwide for which chemical and mechanical control methods have limited efficacy.
Aculus taihangensis (Hong & Xue) [with its junior synonym Aculus mosoniensis (Ripka)] is an eriophyid
species occurring on TOH, recorded in 13 European countries. Eriophyid mites are obligate plant feeders with
high host specificity, efficacy and long-lasting effects on their hosts, fast gaining relevance as biological control
agents of weeds. Therefore, A. taihangensis could offer a sustainable option for the control of TOH. Deutogyne
form has been recently recorded and its spatial distribution along the stem studied. Investigations on life history
traits of the protogyne form are underway in order to quantify developmental time, fecundity and longevity at
different constant temperatures. Histological observations and impact tests have shown that the feeding activity
of A. taihangensis damages TOH leaves, reducing the fitness of new sprouts and severely damaging seedlings.
Based on these observations, investigations on the use of A. taihangensis in an integrated management plan,
such as felling of large trees followed by the inoculation of the mites on re-sprouting plants, should be
undertaken. Preliminary host range tests, with 13 nontarget species either phylogenetically and ecologically
related to TOH or economically important in a European context, showed that A. taihangensis has a narrow
host range. The screening of North American test plant species is currently being conducted. Preliminary data is
encouraging and A. taihangensis may be a promising candidate for the biological control of TOH in Europe and
potentially in other regions with similar climate.
PB  - European Association of Acarologists
C3  - IX Symposium of the European Association of Acarologists - Acarology 1.0 to 2.0: Progress in Changing Times, 12–15 July 2022, Bari, Italy
T1  - Integrative taxonomy and synonymization of Aculus mosoniensis (Acari: Eriophyidae), a potential biological control agent for tree-of-heaven (Ailanthus altissima)
SP  - 16
ER  - 

@conference{
author = "Marini, Francesca and Weyl, Philip and Stutz, Sonja and Hinz, Hariet and Williams, Hester and Moffat, Chandra and de Lillo, Enrico and Petanović, Radmila and Vidović, Biljana and Rančić, Dragana and Cvrković, Tatjana and Sforza, Rene and Bon, Marie-Claude and Kashefi, Javid and Cristofaro, Massimo",
year = "2022",
abstract = "Tree of heaven (Ailanthus altissima) (TH), a fast-growing deciduous tree native to China, is considered a
serious invasive species worldwide for which chemical and mechanical control methods have limited efficacy.
Aculus taihangensis (Hong & Xue) [with its junior synonym Aculus mosoniensis (Ripka)] is an eriophyid
species occurring on TOH, recorded in 13 European countries. Eriophyid mites are obligate plant feeders with
high host specificity, efficacy and long-lasting effects on their hosts, fast gaining relevance as biological control
agents of weeds. Therefore, A. taihangensis could offer a sustainable option for the control of TOH. Deutogyne
form has been recently recorded and its spatial distribution along the stem studied. Investigations on life history
traits of the protogyne form are underway in order to quantify developmental time, fecundity and longevity at
different constant temperatures. Histological observations and impact tests have shown that the feeding activity
of A. taihangensis damages TOH leaves, reducing the fitness of new sprouts and severely damaging seedlings.
Based on these observations, investigations on the use of A. taihangensis in an integrated management plan,
such as felling of large trees followed by the inoculation of the mites on re-sprouting plants, should be
undertaken. Preliminary host range tests, with 13 nontarget species either phylogenetically and ecologically
related to TOH or economically important in a European context, showed that A. taihangensis has a narrow
host range. The screening of North American test plant species is currently being conducted. Preliminary data is
encouraging and A. taihangensis may be a promising candidate for the biological control of TOH in Europe and
potentially in other regions with similar climate.",
publisher = "European Association of Acarologists",
journal = "IX Symposium of the European Association of Acarologists - Acarology 1.0 to 2.0: Progress in Changing Times, 12–15 July 2022, Bari, Italy",
title = "Integrative taxonomy and synonymization of Aculus mosoniensis (Acari: Eriophyidae), a potential biological control agent for tree-of-heaven (Ailanthus altissima)",
pages = "16"
}

Marini, F., Weyl, P., Stutz, S., Hinz, H., Williams, H., Moffat, C., de Lillo, E., Petanović, R., Vidović, B., Rančić, D., Cvrković, T., Sforza, R., Bon, M., Kashefi, J.,& Cristofaro, M.. (2022). Integrative taxonomy and synonymization of Aculus mosoniensis (Acari: Eriophyidae), a potential biological control agent for tree-of-heaven (Ailanthus altissima). in IX Symposium of the European Association of Acarologists - Acarology 1.0 to 2.0: Progress in Changing Times, 12–15 July 2022, Bari, Italy
European Association of Acarologists., 16.

Marini F, Weyl P, Stutz S, Hinz H, Williams H, Moffat C, de Lillo E, Petanović R, Vidović B, Rančić D, Cvrković T, Sforza R, Bon M, Kashefi J, Cristofaro M. Integrative taxonomy and synonymization of Aculus mosoniensis (Acari: Eriophyidae), a potential biological control agent for tree-of-heaven (Ailanthus altissima). in IX Symposium of the European Association of Acarologists - Acarology 1.0 to 2.0: Progress in Changing Times, 12–15 July 2022, Bari, Italy. 2022;:16..

Marini, Francesca, Weyl, Philip, Stutz, Sonja, Hinz, Hariet, Williams, Hester, Moffat, Chandra, de Lillo, Enrico, Petanović, Radmila, Vidović, Biljana, Rančić, Dragana, Cvrković, Tatjana, Sforza, Rene, Bon, Marie-Claude, Kashefi, Javid, Cristofaro, Massimo, "Integrative taxonomy and synonymization of Aculus mosoniensis (Acari: Eriophyidae), a potential biological control agent for tree-of-heaven (Ailanthus altissima)" in IX Symposium of the European Association of Acarologists - Acarology 1.0 to 2.0: Progress in Changing Times, 12–15 July 2022, Bari, Italy (2022):16.

TY  - JOUR
AU  - Marini, Francesca
AU  - Profeta, Erica
AU  - Vidović, Biljana
AU  - Petanović, Radmila
AU  - de Lillo, Enrico
AU  - Weyl, Philip
AU  - Hinz, Hariet
AU  - Moffat, Chandra
AU  - Bon, Marie-Claude
AU  - Cvrković, Tatjana
AU  - Kashefi, Javid
AU  - Sforza, Rene
AU  - Cristofaro, Massimo
PY  - 2021
UR  - https://plantarum.izbis.bg.ac.rs/handle/123456789/722
AB  - Tree of heaven (Ailanthus altissima) is a fast-growing deciduous tree native to China, considered a serious invasive species worldwide, with several socio-economic and ecological impacts attributed to it. Chemical and mechanical methods have limited efficacy in its management, and biological controls may offer a suitable and sustainable option. Aculus mosoniensis (Ripka) is an eriophyid mite that has been recorded to attack tree of heaven in 13 European countries. This study aims to explore the host range of this mite by exposing 13 plant species, selected either for their phylogenetic and ecological similarity to the target weed or their economic importance. Shortly after inoculation with the mite, we recorded a quick decrease in mite number on all nontarget species and no sign of mite reproduction. Whereas, after just one month, the population of mites on tree of heaven numbered in the thousands, irrespective of the starting population, and included both adults and juveniles. Significantly, we observed evidence of damage due to the mite only on target plants. Due to the specificity, strong impact on the target, and the ability to increase its population to high levels in a relatively short amount of time, we find A. mosoniensis to be a very promising candidate for the biological control of tree of heaven.
PB  - MDPI Basel
T2  - Insects
T1  - Field Assessment of the Host Range of Aculus mosoniensis (Acari: Eriophyidae), a Biological Control Agent of the Tree of Heaven (Ailanthus altissima)
IS  - 7
SP  - 637
VL  - 12
DO  - 10.3390/insects12070637
ER  - 

@article{
author = "Marini, Francesca and Profeta, Erica and Vidović, Biljana and Petanović, Radmila and de Lillo, Enrico and Weyl, Philip and Hinz, Hariet and Moffat, Chandra and Bon, Marie-Claude and Cvrković, Tatjana and Kashefi, Javid and Sforza, Rene and Cristofaro, Massimo",
year = "2021",
abstract = "Tree of heaven (Ailanthus altissima) is a fast-growing deciduous tree native to China, considered a serious invasive species worldwide, with several socio-economic and ecological impacts attributed to it. Chemical and mechanical methods have limited efficacy in its management, and biological controls may offer a suitable and sustainable option. Aculus mosoniensis (Ripka) is an eriophyid mite that has been recorded to attack tree of heaven in 13 European countries. This study aims to explore the host range of this mite by exposing 13 plant species, selected either for their phylogenetic and ecological similarity to the target weed or their economic importance. Shortly after inoculation with the mite, we recorded a quick decrease in mite number on all nontarget species and no sign of mite reproduction. Whereas, after just one month, the population of mites on tree of heaven numbered in the thousands, irrespective of the starting population, and included both adults and juveniles. Significantly, we observed evidence of damage due to the mite only on target plants. Due to the specificity, strong impact on the target, and the ability to increase its population to high levels in a relatively short amount of time, we find A. mosoniensis to be a very promising candidate for the biological control of tree of heaven.",
publisher = "MDPI Basel",
journal = "Insects",
title = "Field Assessment of the Host Range of Aculus mosoniensis (Acari: Eriophyidae), a Biological Control Agent of the Tree of Heaven (Ailanthus altissima)",
number = "7",
pages = "637",
volume = "12",
doi = "10.3390/insects12070637"
}

Marini, F., Profeta, E., Vidović, B., Petanović, R., de Lillo, E., Weyl, P., Hinz, H., Moffat, C., Bon, M., Cvrković, T., Kashefi, J., Sforza, R.,& Cristofaro, M.. (2021). Field Assessment of the Host Range of Aculus mosoniensis (Acari: Eriophyidae), a Biological Control Agent of the Tree of Heaven (Ailanthus altissima). in Insects
MDPI Basel., 12(7), 637.
https://doi.org/10.3390/insects12070637

Marini F, Profeta E, Vidović B, Petanović R, de Lillo E, Weyl P, Hinz H, Moffat C, Bon M, Cvrković T, Kashefi J, Sforza R, Cristofaro M. Field Assessment of the Host Range of Aculus mosoniensis (Acari: Eriophyidae), a Biological Control Agent of the Tree of Heaven (Ailanthus altissima). in Insects. 2021;12(7):637.
doi:10.3390/insects12070637 .

Marini, Francesca, Profeta, Erica, Vidović, Biljana, Petanović, Radmila, de Lillo, Enrico, Weyl, Philip, Hinz, Hariet, Moffat, Chandra, Bon, Marie-Claude, Cvrković, Tatjana, Kashefi, Javid, Sforza, Rene, Cristofaro, Massimo, "Field Assessment of the Host Range of Aculus mosoniensis (Acari: Eriophyidae), a Biological Control Agent of the Tree of Heaven (Ailanthus altissima)" in Insects, 12, no. 7 (2021):637,
https://doi.org/10.3390/insects12070637 . .

TY  - JOUR
AU  - Vidović, Biljana
AU  - Karnali, Hashem
AU  - Petanović, Radmila
AU  - Cristofaro, Massimo
AU  - Weyl, Philip
AU  - Ghorbanali, Asadi
AU  - Cvrković, Tatjana
AU  - Auge, Matthew
AU  - Marini, Francesca
PY  - 2018
UR  - https://plantarum.izbis.bg.ac.rs/handle/123456789/516
AB  - A new species of eriophyoid mite Aceria alhagi n. sp. inhabiting the weed Alhagi maurorum Medik., is described from the type locality in Iran, but it was also collected from Uzbekistan, Turkey and Armenia. This mite causes changes of the leaves and inflorescence. Infested plants develop cauliflower- like galls on the inflorescence and leaves deforming the reproductive structures and inhibiting seed production. The potential reduction in seed set suggests that this mite could constitute a potential biological control agent against this noxious weed. To investigate intraspecific variability between A. alhagi n. sp. populations from Iran, Turkey and Armenia, we analysed molecular sequences of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I (mtCOI). These results indicated that there are no significant intraspecific divergences among populations of A. alhagi n. sp. from the five different localities in three West Asia countries. This finding can be used in the future research of certain mite populations as biological control agent.
PB  - Acarologia-Universite Paul Valery, Montpellier
T2  - Acarologia
T1  - A new Aceria species (Acari: Trombidiformes: Eriophyoidea) from West Asia, a potential biological control agent for the invasive weed camelthorn, Alhagi maurorum Medik. (Leguminosae)
EP  - 312
IS  - 2
SP  - 302
VL  - 58
DO  - 10.24349/acarologia/20184243
ER  - 

@article{
author = "Vidović, Biljana and Karnali, Hashem and Petanović, Radmila and Cristofaro, Massimo and Weyl, Philip and Ghorbanali, Asadi and Cvrković, Tatjana and Auge, Matthew and Marini, Francesca",
year = "2018",
abstract = "A new species of eriophyoid mite Aceria alhagi n. sp. inhabiting the weed Alhagi maurorum Medik., is described from the type locality in Iran, but it was also collected from Uzbekistan, Turkey and Armenia. This mite causes changes of the leaves and inflorescence. Infested plants develop cauliflower- like galls on the inflorescence and leaves deforming the reproductive structures and inhibiting seed production. The potential reduction in seed set suggests that this mite could constitute a potential biological control agent against this noxious weed. To investigate intraspecific variability between A. alhagi n. sp. populations from Iran, Turkey and Armenia, we analysed molecular sequences of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I (mtCOI). These results indicated that there are no significant intraspecific divergences among populations of A. alhagi n. sp. from the five different localities in three West Asia countries. This finding can be used in the future research of certain mite populations as biological control agent.",
publisher = "Acarologia-Universite Paul Valery, Montpellier",
journal = "Acarologia",
title = "A new Aceria species (Acari: Trombidiformes: Eriophyoidea) from West Asia, a potential biological control agent for the invasive weed camelthorn, Alhagi maurorum Medik. (Leguminosae)",
pages = "312-302",
number = "2",
volume = "58",
doi = "10.24349/acarologia/20184243"
}

Vidović, B., Karnali, H., Petanović, R., Cristofaro, M., Weyl, P., Ghorbanali, A., Cvrković, T., Auge, M.,& Marini, F.. (2018). A new Aceria species (Acari: Trombidiformes: Eriophyoidea) from West Asia, a potential biological control agent for the invasive weed camelthorn, Alhagi maurorum Medik. (Leguminosae). in Acarologia
Acarologia-Universite Paul Valery, Montpellier., 58(2), 302-312.
https://doi.org/10.24349/acarologia/20184243

Vidović B, Karnali H, Petanović R, Cristofaro M, Weyl P, Ghorbanali A, Cvrković T, Auge M, Marini F. A new Aceria species (Acari: Trombidiformes: Eriophyoidea) from West Asia, a potential biological control agent for the invasive weed camelthorn, Alhagi maurorum Medik. (Leguminosae). in Acarologia. 2018;58(2):302-312.
doi:10.24349/acarologia/20184243 .

Vidović, Biljana, Karnali, Hashem, Petanović, Radmila, Cristofaro, Massimo, Weyl, Philip, Ghorbanali, Asadi, Cvrković, Tatjana, Auge, Matthew, Marini, Francesca, "A new Aceria species (Acari: Trombidiformes: Eriophyoidea) from West Asia, a potential biological control agent for the invasive weed camelthorn, Alhagi maurorum Medik. (Leguminosae)" in Acarologia, 58, no. 2 (2018):302-312,
https://doi.org/10.24349/acarologia/20184243 . .