An Eretmocerus Species, Parasitoid of Aleurocanthus spiniferus, Was Found in Europe: The Secret Savior of Threatened Plants
, Roberta Ascolese 2,3, Francesco Nugnes 2,*, Francesco Porcelli 4, Carmelo Rapisarda 5, Alessia Farina 5, Ugo Picciotti 4, Francesca Garganese 4 and Stefania Laudonia 1,6
Round 1
Reviewer 1 Report
Comments and Suggestions for AuthorsPlease see the attachment.
Comments for author File: 
Comments.pdf
Author Response
Thank you very much for taking the time to review this manuscript. Please find the detailed responses below and the corresponding revisions/corrections highlighted/in track changes in the re-submitted files.
- DONE: We use italic for Eretmocerus
Q. Occasional…
A. “Occasional” means that collections have not been realized at regular (e.g.: daily, or weekly, or monthly, etc.) intervals. For brevity, due to the need of synthesis in the table, we propose to maintain the term “Occasional”; anyway, if the Reviewers and the Editor disagree with it, it can be replaced with the term “Not at regular intervals” (or any other one they propose as an appropriate alternative).
Q. The figure 1 is not specific, rewrite the title of this section. determination of genus of parasitoid.
A. We slightly disagree, Figure 1 refers to the Eretmocerus sp. and its exit hole we found during sampling activities. Furthermore, we reached an identification at genus level since the species is probably new to science and its holistic characterization is ongoing.
Q. Title above the figure
A. we added a title following the journal form
Q. figure B parasitation rate 200????
A. following the referees’advice, we added the labels on the axes. Parasitization rate is the refer to axis on the right
Q. the methodology for this result is not clear
A. Methodology are reported in paragraph 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, and 2.4
Q. change to Population dynamic of Eretmocerus sp in ..............
A. We slightly disagree, legend of the figure precisely describes the reported data about Eretmocerus sp. and its host Aleurocanthus spiniferus along with the parasitization rate.
Q.is not conclusion of you study.
A. Following your and other reviewers' advice, we moved the sentences and merged them in one in the discussion paragraph.
Author Response File: Author Response.pdf
Reviewer 2 Report
Comments and Suggestions for AuthorsDear Editor,
The present manuscript by Melone et al. reported the Eretmocerus sp. as an important parasitoid on Aleurocanthus spiniferus with detail investigation on the occurrence, parasitiziation rate across several several regions across central and southern Italy. The authors also presented the digital photographs of the parasitoid and the pest along with reference on taxonomic identification. Overall, the manuscript is prepared well and the idea and worth to publish in the journal Sustainability.
The present manuscript is acceptable in the present form after a minor revision.
Title
Page 1
Line 1-2 - To improve visibility and searchability, it would be beneficial to include the order and family names of each species in the title.
Line 4-5 - The number which indicates the author affiliation and email address, but why there is a full-stop after each number?
Abstract
Line 20 - Eretmocerus sp. gr. serius
What does sp. gr. Means which the species name? Is it possible to remove it between the genus and the species name throughput the manuscript?
Line 20-21 - It would be better to include the author name and year of publication of these species, Eretmocerus sp. gr. serius and Aleurocanthus spiniferus.
Introduction
Line 35 - What does A2 mean? Why [EPPO-quarantine] this is abbreviated? It is preferable to write the full form at the first instance and subsequently use the abbreviation.
Line 41 - Camellia sp. bonsai - "sp" should be delete and "bonsai" should be Italic.
Page 3
Materials and Methods
Line 118 - Table 1 - The semicolon is missing with several coordinates as highlighted in the pdf file.
Regards
Comments for author File: Comments.pdf
Author Response
Thank you very much for taking the time to review this manuscript. Please find the detailed responses below and the corresponding revisions/corrections highlighted/in track changes in the re-submitted files
Q. Page 1 Title Line 1-2 - To improve visibility and searchability, it would be beneficial to include the order and family names of each species in the title.
A. We usually include this information in the title; however, we acknowledge that MDPI journals have high visibility. This time, we have opted for a more appealing title while retaining the main scientific names of the organisms studied.
Q. Line 4-5 - The number which indicates the author affiliation and email address, but why there is a full-stop after each number?
A. we added a simple comma as requested by the article form.
Q. Abstract Line 20 - Eretmocerus sp. gr. serius What does sp. gr. Means which the species name? Is it possible to remove it between the genus and the species name throughout the manuscript?
A. As the whole manuscript states, the Eretmocerus species mentioned here has not been described so far and most probably is a new species to science. However, based on taxonomical studies, it can be ascribed to the Eretmocerus species group serius. Usually, in biological studies and according to the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature, species groups are abbreviated in sp. gr.
Q. Line 20-21 - It would be better to include the author name and year of publication of these species, Eretmocerus sp. gr. serius and Aleurocanthus spiniferus.
A. We added the authority to A. spiniferus, but we cannot add it to Eretmocerus due to its current lack of authority.
Q. Introduction Line 35 - What does A2 mean? Why [EPPO-quarantine] this is abbreviated? It is preferable to write the full form at the first instance and subsequently use the abbreviation.
A. Done. We added the complete form to EPPO. A2 is the name of the EPPO list, and we cannot change it.
Q. Line 41 - Camellia sp. bonsai - "sp" should be delete and "bonsai" should be Italic.
A. Bonsai is not a species name, but we referred directly to the tree growing methods “bonsai” (miniature trees in a container) applied to the Camellia sp. referred to.
Q. Line 118 - Table 1 - The semicolon is missing with several coordinates as highlighted in the pdf file.
A. Done.
Author Response File: Author Response.pdf
Reviewer 3 Report
Comments and Suggestions for AuthorsThe manuscript described the first detection in Europe of a parasitoid Eretmocerus sp. gr. serius on the Orange Spiny Whitefly. It was well written, informative and contains important information about the parasitoid on an invasive pest to the region. I recommend it be accepted after minor revisions (mostly due to grammar).
L22 – Should say “Different sites were monitored…”
L26 – Citrus should be in italics like it is everywhere else.
L50 – Sentence should not start with an abbreviation.
L72 – Comma needed after whiteflies
L97 – Should say “Starting from spring 2023” since ‘most recently’ will become obsolete over time.
L136 – Suggest it be “…..medium [45].”
L143 – Should be ‘until parasitoids emerged.’
L146 – Should be “were calculated [47], and the active parasitization rate calculated [48], using the formula:”
L153 Should say “makes the identification of active parasitization, signs of oviposition, or the presence of meconium difficult.”
L164 – Change ‘have been’ to ‘were’
L167 – Could say “Weather data (minimum, average, and maximum temperatures)…..” – this is because the use of ‘concerning’ is used very frequently throughout the manuscript. Good to change that up at times.
L174 – ‘preliminary’ – is this because this in an ongoing study? Maybe delete preliminary.
Figure 2 needs labels on the axes.
L276 – Delete “Hence” and start sentence with “The”
L311 – Should read as “…..years, expanded its distribution throughout….”
Should say “Aleurocanthus spiniferus is rapidly invading Europe and poses a significant threat to Citrus crops, causing notable agricultural damage.”
L377-322 – No need for sentences that stand alone. It can be combined with the entire paragraph.
Comments on the Quality of English Language
It's generally fine. Few minor errors.
Author Response
Thank you very much for taking the time to review this manuscript. Please find the detailed responses below and the corresponding revisions/corrections highlighted/in track changes in the re-submitted files.
The manuscript described the first detection in Europe of a parasitoid Eretmocerus sp. gr. serius on the Orange Spiny Whitefly. It was well written, informative and contains important information about the parasitoid on an invasive pest to the region. I recommend it be accepted after minor revisions (mostly due to grammar).
Thank you very much for your comments; we appreciate it.
Q.L22 – Should say “Different sites were monitored…”
Done
Q.L26 – Citrus should be in italics like it is everywhere else.
A.Here, citrus is not used as a genus name but as the common group's name, including all the plants belonging to the genera Citrus, Fortunella and Poncirus. Basically, the common English name “citrus” has the same spelling as the genus. However, to avoid misunderstandings, we prefer not to use italics and use the initial letter in lowercase. We also modified the whole manuscript where citrus is not referred to any species but to a cultivable group. (Lines 283, 348, 354).
Q.L50 – Sentence should not start with an abbreviation.
A.Done, we use Orange Spiny Whitefly.
Q.L72 – Comma needed after whiteflies
A. Done.
Q.L97 – Should say “Starting from spring 2023” since ‘most recently’ will become obsolete over time.
A.Done; thank you very much for the suggestion.
Q.L136 – Suggest it be “…..medium [45].”
A.Done.
Q.L143 – Should be ‘until parasitoids emerged.’
A.We change the sentence to “until the emergence of parasitoids” to be more clear.
Q. L146 – Should be “were calculated [47], and the active parasitization rate calculated [48], using the formula:”
A.We partially accept the reviewer’s modification because we followed the methodologies (and formulas) used in the cited papers. Hence, our sentence was modified to: “…sex-ratio of parasitoids was calculated as in [47], while the active parasitization rate was calculated using the formula [48]:…”
Q. L153 Should say “makes the identification of active parasitization, signs of oviposition, or the presence of meconium difficult.”
A.Done.
Q.L164 – Change ‘have been’ to ‘were’
A.Done.
Q.L167 – Could say “Weather data (minimum, average, and maximum temperatures)...” – this is because the use of ‘concerning’ is used very frequently throughout the manuscript. Good to change that up at times.
A.Done; thank you for your valuable advice.
Q.L174 – ‘preliminary’ – is this because this in an ongoing study? Maybe delete preliminary.
A.Done.
Q.Figure 2 needs labels on the axes.
A.Done; we changed the figure considering your advice.
Q.L276 – Delete “Hence” and start sentence with “The”
A.Done.
Q.L311 – Should read as “…..years, expanded its distribution throughout….”
A.Done; thank you for your valuable advice.
Q.Should say “Aleurocanthus spiniferus is rapidly invading Europe and poses a significant threat to Citrus crops, causing notable agricultural damage.”
Done.
Q.L377-322 – No need for sentences that stand alone. It can be combined with the entire paragraph.
- Following your and the other reviewers' advice, we moved the sentences and merged them into one in the discussion paragraph.
Author Response File: Author Response.pdf
