Chrysoperla species include well-known predators of aphids and other soft-bodied arthropods. As such, they are considered important biological control agents of herbivorous pests in agroecosystems where many of green lacewings species occur. Despite the high number of species of the genus Chrysoperla, only a few have been assessed for the predation efficiency of their larvae against pests infesting plants, and even fewer are currently marketed for use in biocontrol practice. Difficulties in species identification within the Chrysoperla carnea complex species in particular has been related to varying success of commercial C. carnea s.l. releases in the field. In this study, we assessed the ability of two Chrysoperla species, Chrysoperla agilis a member of the carnea cryptic species group, and Chrysoperla mutata of the pudica group to consume aphid and mealybug individuals and suppress their populations in sweet pepper plants. We found that third-instar larvae of both species were able to consume a high number of aphids (approximately 120 nymphs per larva) and mealybugs (approximately 105 nymphs per larva) within 24 h. Furthermore, the release of second-instar larvae of both C. agilis and C. mutata was shown to be remarkably efficient in suppressing the pest populations in long-term greenhouse experiments. Aphid populations were suppressed by approximately 98% and mealybugs by 78% as compared to control plants. Our results highlight the predation efficiency and the biocontrol potential of two widespread Chrysoperla species for their use in pest control.

Radiocarbon (14C) dating was performed on samples from the prehistoric settlement at Makriyalos, northern Greece, a “flat extended” (rather than tell) site. Two separate occupation phases, Makriyalos I and II, were clearly distinguished on different sides of a low hill and belonged to the Late Neolithic I and II periods, respectively. Individual phases related to the use of circuit ditches and borrow pits were also recognized and dated. Phase modeling was applied in order to establish the sequence and duration of use of different features. The earliest activity seems to be around 5450 BC, among the earliest dates in northern Greece for the beginning of the LN and perhaps reflecting some earlier activity. The transition from LNI to LNII occurred at around 4950 BC without discontinuity earlier than other sites in Macedonia but perhaps same time as Thessaly. Intermediate ditch cutting phases occurred at 5300 and 5050 BC. A cemetery in the area of the settlement, initially thought to relate to the LNII phase of the settlement, was shown to date in the EBA period (beginning of 3rd millennium BC).

Settlement in Neolithic South-eastern Europe has traditionally been divided into tell sites and flat sites. The results of rescue excavations at Kyparissi challenge a strict dichotomy.

A paleoenvironmental reconstruction of the landscape of Nea Raedestos Toumba in the Anthemous River valley in central Macedonia, Greece is undertaken using multidisciplinary geoarchaeological methods. The archaeological site is a settlement mound (tell or toumba) that dates to the Neolithic period and the Bronze Age. The tell’s location on the alluvial plain prompted a multidisciplinary investigation to reconstruct the influence of landscape changes on prehistoric settlements in the valley with an emphasis on alluvial sequences. An electrical resistivity tomography survey and three cores were drilled to study the sedimentary environments in and around the archaeological site. Sedimentologic and palynological analysis combined with accelerator mass spectrometry radiocarbon dating show that the oldest habitation layers at the site, from the Middle and Late Neolithic, were located next to a small, periodically drying water body surrounded by ruderal vegetation. Diatom analysis suggests that this water body was supplied by saline/brackish groundwater. The water body was open until the Early Bronze Age, when it was filled and buried by floodplain sediments. This flooding phase at Nea Raedestos likely occurred at the same time as an increase in fluvial aggradation in the neighboring Thessaloniki Plain, which is dated to the beginning of the third millennium BC.

Commercially available UV powder was applied weekly to high-risk objects within patient rooms and inspected after 48 hours. We found a baseline cleaning rate of 41.8% that increased up to 80% (P < .001) after the institution of weekly electronic feedback (unit rates and rankings) to environmental services, hospital leadership, and unit administrators.

Variations in chemical composition and in some physico-chemical properties of milk from a herd of lactating Alpine goats imported into Greece were determined from week 8 after parturition until the end of lactation (35 weeks, 35 samples). The average composition (g/100 g) of the milk was: fat 3·44, protein 3·35, casein 2·46, lactose 4·30, ash 0·79, total solids 11·76 and solids-not-fat 8·32. The average pH was 6·57 and titratable acidity was 16·76 (°D). The averaged density was 1·030. The mean mineral contents (mg/100 g) of the milk were: Na 53·12, K 157·67, Ca 140·06, P 110·00, Mg 13·59, citrate 106·97. All constituents studied as well as pH and density were significantly (P < 0·05) dependent on the stage of lactation. Titratable acidity was not significantly affected by stages of lactation. There were significant (P < 0·001) differences in Na/K and Ca/P ratios in the milk between lactation stages. Trends with lactation for each of the components and physico-chemical properties determined are reported and correlations between constituents in the milk are given.