No abstract

Extreme climate events such as heat waves are predicted to become more frequent with climate change, representing a challenge for many organisms. The pine processionary moth Thaumetopoea pityocampa is a Mediterranean pine defoliator, which typically lays eggs during the summer. We evaluated the effects of heat waves on egg mortality of three populations with different phenologies: a Portuguese population with a classical life cycle (eggs laid in summer), an allochronic Portuguese population reproducing in spring, and a Tunisian population from the extreme southern limit of T. pityocampa distribution range, in which eggs are laid in fall. We tested the influence of three consecutive hot days on egg survival and development time, using either constant (CT) or daily cycling temperatures (DT) with equivalent mean temperatures. Maximum temperatures (T max) used in the experiment ranged from 36 to 48°C for DT and from 30 to 42°C for CT. Heat waves had a severe negative effect on egg survival when T max reached 42°C for all populations. No embryo survived above this threshold. At high mean temperatures (40°C), significant differences were observed between populations and between DT and CT regimes. Heat waves further increased embryo development time. The knowledge we gained about the upper lethal temperature to embryos of this species will permit better prediction of the potential expansion of this insect under different climate warming scenarios.

Total phenols, flavonoids, flavonols, and flavanols of the methanolic extract of the aerial part of Artemisia herba-alba were determined. The extract was analyzed by liquid chromatography with photodiode array coupled with electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry and allowed to identify of 10 phenolic compounds. Apigenin-6-C-glycosyl flavonoids and caffeoylquinic acids were identified. Chlorogenic acid and 1,4 dicaffeoylquinic acid being the major constituents. The essential oil obtained by hydrodistillation was analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Twenty-three compounds, representing 97.8% of the total oil, were identified. The most abundant components were βthujone (41.9%), α-thujone (18.4%), and camphor (13.2%). Methanolic extract and essential oil exhibited a considerable antioxidant activity as evaluated by 2,2-diphenyl-pycrilhydrazil hydrate scavenging activity, reducing power, β-carotene bleaching test, and chelating ability. The methanolic extract was found to be more efficient, while the essential oil exhibited the highest acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity. Analysis of the antibacterial activity showed that A. herba-alba methanolic extract and essential oil are efficient against gram positive and gram negative bacteria.

Eucalyptus is a plant frequently present and cultivated in arid regions because of its high adaptation to drought. Furthermore, it is known by its numerous species which represents a great opportunity to choose several tolerant species with variable uses. Therefore, the choice of species, hybrids or genotypes resistant to aridity becomes a necessity before any plantation in regions and countries characterized by semi-arid, arid and Saharan climates. Our review shows an important effect of drought on anatomical, physiological and biochemical parameters of Eucalyptus spp. Indeed, water stress acts directly on growth, yield and response to pests. However, the response to drought varies significantly among species, genotypes, hybrids and clones. This result represents a field for the selection of eucalypts tolerant and adapted to water deficit or climate change.