Biology subjects

Di Sarcina, I.

Publications and source records attributed to Di Sarcina, I..

3 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2025

Overflooding Ratios in the Sterile Insect Technique: Toward Sustainable Management of Bagrada hilaris

The Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) is an eco-friendly control method that may prove effective against Bagrada hilaris, a pest native to India, Southeast Asia, and Middle and central Africa and reported as invasive in the southwestern USA, Hawaii, Mexico, South America, and two Mediterranean islands. This insect causes significant crop damage due to its intense feeding behavior and is currently managed almost exclusively with synthetic insecticides. In this context, SIT offers a promising alternative for controlling B. hilaris populations, provided that sufficient numbers of sterile males are continuously released. Based on this premise, we conducted a preliminary laboratory study to evaluate the overflooding ratio (OFR)--the proportion of non-irradiated to irradiated males required to suppress the populations fertility. We tested various OFRs (1:1, 1:2, 1:5, and 1:10), monitoring both the number of eggs laid and hatching rates. Our results show a significant decrease in fertility as the percentage of irradiated males increases. Among the ratios examined, 1:5 emerged as the most advantageous in terms of both reducing fertility and ease of application. Although further validation under field conditions is needed, our findings suggest that SIT could effectively contribute to an integrated management strategy for B. hilaris, reducing the reliance on chemical pesticides and supporting a more sustainable approach.

ecology↗

bioRxiv2025

Advancing Heterospecific Sterile Insect Technique Against Drosophila suzukii: selection of the optimal irradiation dose for D. melanogaster males

The spotted-wing drosophila (Drosophila suzukii), a highly invasive agricultural pest, poses significant challenges to fruit production worldwide. Traditional chemical control methods are costly and raise concerns about resistance and environmental sustainability. The Heterospecific Sterile Insect Technique (h-SIT) has emerged as a promising alternative, using sterile heterospecific males (Drosophila melanogaster) to suppress D. suzukii populations through reproductive interference. However, optimizing irradiation doses is critical to balancing male sterility, maintaining biological quality and mating performances. This study aimed to determine the optimal irradiation dose for D. melanogaster males by assessing their sterility, longevity, and courtship behavior following exposure to gamma-ray doses ranging from 80 to 180 Gy. Results showed a significant reduction in fertility across all irradiation doses, with near-complete sterility at 180 Gy. However, longevity decreased with increasing doses, with males irradiated at 160-180 Gy showing a lifespan reduction of up to 50 days compared to controls. Behavioral trials revealed that irradiated D. melanogaster males retained their courtship ability toward D. suzukii females, although males exposed to 160 Gy exhibited reduced courtship activity. These findings highlight that, among the tested doses, 80 Gy emerged as the most effective, preserving male longevity and mating performance while significantly reducing fertility. While 180 Gy achieved the highest sterility, the potential lifespan and courtship behavior trade-offs warrant further evaluation. Future studies should evaluate field performance to refine the balance between sterility, longevity, and mating performances for effective D. suzukii population suppression.

ecology↗

bioRxiv2023

Geography and environmental pressure are predictive of class-specific 1 radioresistance in black fungi

Black fungi are among the most resistant organisms to ionizing radiation on Earth. However, our current knowledge is based on studies on a few isolates, while the overall radioresistance limits across this microbial group and the relationship with local environmental conditions remains largely undetermined. To address this knowledge gap, we assessed the survival of 101 strains of black fungi isolated across a worldwide spatial distribution to gamma radiation doses up to 100 kGy. We found that intra and inter-specific taxonomy, UV radiation and precipitation levels primarily influence the radioresistance in black fungi. Altogether, this study provides insights into the adaptive mechanisms of black fungi to extreme environments and highlights the role of local adaptation in shaping the survival capabilities of these extreme-tolerant organisms. Originality statementAlthough previous studies showed the extraordinary ability of a few strains of black fungi to survive ionizing radiation, the overall radioresistance of this group of organisms has not been defined yet. Moreover, how and why radioresistance shifts across environmental gradients remain virtually unknown. Here, we collected black fungi from locations across the globe and found that biogeography shapes the responses of black fungi to environmental stress with UV light being significantly correlated with radiotolerance. Our study provides a clear picture of the boundaries of life for black fungi under ionizing radiation; further, we demonstrate, for the first time, that this ability in such microorganisms, not only is related to taxonomy, but also may be a consequence of their adaptation to various factors encountered in the environment where they live.

microbiology↗