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Torymus sinensis Kamijo (Hymenoptera: Torymidae) is an alien parasitoid that is used in many areas of the world for biological control the Asian chestnut gall wasp, Dryocosmus kuriphilus Yasumatsu (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae). In Italy, this parasitoid was imported from Japan in 2003 and subsequently multiplied and released throughout the country. In this study, a phylogenetic investigation was carried out on insects from three different sites in northern Tuscany (Italy). Moreover, the possible hybridization between T. sinensis and some native Torymus species was evaluated. The conserved region 18S rRNA gene and the hypervariable ITS2 (Internal Transcribed Spacer 2) region of the ribosomal cistrone were selected as molecular markers. Sequencing the amplified products, after cloning, ruled out any hybridization between T. sinensis and the native Torymus species, and also confirmed the presence of two haplotypes for the Tuscan population of T. sinensis both for the region of the 18S rRNA gene as well as for the ITS2 region. These results confirm that the environmental impact of the alien parasitoid T. sinensis in the study site is acceptable, although an extensive and repeated monitoring would be desirable.

L-Ascorbic acid (AsA; vitamin C), is a common antioxidant in nature. In plants, it plays an important role in photosynthesis as it eliminates reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated during electron transport. Unlike animals that use D-Glucuronate as a precursor, plants produce AsA by four alternative routes using Myo-inositol, L-Gulose, D-Mannose/L-Galactose and D-Galacturonate as main precursors. Humans cannot produce AsA due to the absence of the enzyme that catalyzes the last biosynthetic step, so they need plant sources. Epidemiological studies suggest that the consumption of AsA is important for health; therefore, increasing the vitamin C content of crops could be an important goal. Many approaches have been taken to increase the vitamin C content in plants, but challenges remain. Here, we examine the biosynthesis and recycling pathways of AsA, the close connection with AsA and abiotic and biotic stresses, as well as different strategies for increasing its content in plants.

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