Megaplatypus mutatus (=Platypus sulcatus Chapuis) is an Ambrosia beetle native to South America, which was recently introduced in Italy and its presence there is causing severe damage to the local poplar plantations. The male M. mutatus pheromone is composed of (S)-(+)-6-methyl-5-hepten-2-ol [(+)-sulcatol], 6-methyl-5-hepten-2-one (sulcatone) and 3-pentanol. A series of field trials testing dose, blend and enantiomer composition performed in Argentina and Italy evaluated attraction and found that the optimal release rate of pheromone components as baits in cross vane baited traps (CIPEIN-CV) was 6, 6 and 30 mg day−1 of sulcatone, (+)-sulcatol and 3-pentanol, respectively. It was also determined that racemic sulcatol is as effective as the pure (+)-isomer for the purpose of beetle catch, due to the inert nature of the (−)-isomer allowing the usage of low cost racemic sulcatol instead of highly expensive (+)-sulcatol. The results of our work contribute to the development of pheromone-based local technologies with low environmental impact and low cost for control or monitoring of an important pest.

Reservoir sedimentation provides a valuable source of data on sediment flux. This paper assesses the record of sedimentation in the Baldernock Mill dam, a small mill dam in western Scotland. That record is based on the volume of sediment in the dam, and the detailed analysis of a continuously sampled stratigraphic section through the impounded sediment, with a chronology for mill dam construction and subsequent breaching based on historical maps and the impounded sediment’s content of 137Cs and lead isotopes. The mill dam was constructed in c. 1820, was initially partially breached in the late nineteenth or early twentieth century and then fully breached by about the mid 1920s. The dam trapped relatively low volumes of sediment and the correspondingly low rate of sediment flux indicated by the volume of impounded sediment reflects the dam’s very low trap efficiency. The basal Unit 1 in the impounded sediments was deposited between dam construction and the initial breaching of the wall. The unit consists of repeated ‘triplets’ of a basal sand (flood deposit) grading upwards into a mud deposit (post-flood deposition), which is in turn overlain by an organic-rich layer of leaves and twigs (the subsequent autumn leaf fall). Unit 2 is similar to Unit 1 but lacks the organic layer, indicating the lack of ongoing standing water to trap the autumn leaf fall, and Unit 3 was deposited after full breaching of the wall. Mill dams in Scotland generally impound small steep bedrock channels – the latter reflecting a strong glacial legacy in Scotland – and are only small structures designed to ensure water for mills during dry periods in a climate of otherwise generally moderate to high and reliable rainfall. The small sizes of these dams and their low wall heights mean that they trap relatively low volumes of sediment that have minimal to minor downstream impacts if the dams fail.

The attractiveness of various colours, colour combinations and sizes of sticky traps of the 3-dimensional trap (3DT), cross-shaped target (XT), rectangular screen (RT) and monopanels were evaluated for their efficacy to capture Glossina austeni Newstead and G. brevipalpis Newstead in north-eastern KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. The 3-dimensional shapes of the XT and 3DT in light blue (l.blue) and white were significantly (ca. 3.1–6.9 times) better than the RT for G. austeni. On bicoloured XTs, G. austeni landed preferentially on electric blue (e.blue) (58%) and black (63%) surfaces when used with white; while for G. brevipalpis, significantly more landed on e.blue (60–66%) surfaces when used with l.blue, black or white surfaces. Increased trap size increased the catches of G. brevipalpis females and both sexes of G. austeni significantly. Temoocid and polybutene sticky materials were equally effective and remained durable for 2–3 weeks. The glossy shine of trap surfaces did not have any significant effect on the attraction and landing responses of the two species. The overall trap efficiency of the e.blue/l.blue XT was 23% for G. brevipalpis and 28% for G. austeni, and that of the e.blue/black XT was 16% for G. brevipalpis and 51% for G. austeni. Larger monopanels, painted e.blue/black on both sides, increased the catches of G. austeni females significantly by up to four times compared to the standard e.blue/black XT. This monopanel would be recommended for use as a simple and cost effective survey tool for both species in South Africa.