Species Search
CD-ROM Version
Contents
Introduction
Diagnostic search
Plants search
Pathway search
Advanced search
View search criteria
Options
View results
Introduction
The Species Search module replaces the Diagnostic Search in previous editions of the Compendium. It offers the same functionality as the Diagnostic Search with a much wider range, and combination, of search terms. Searches can now include pests, plants, natural enemies or taxonomic groups.
The search module opens on the Diagnostic search screen. There are four types of search available: Diagnostic search (to aid diagnosis of pest problems); Plants (to search for weeds and/or cultivated/useful plants); Pathway (to list pests associated with a commodity pathway that are not present, but may represent a risk to the importing country); and Advanced (for more search combinations). Use View search criteria to reorder the sequence of advanced searches and Options to export the results and change their display.
Diagnostic search
Search for pests by host plant affected, country of occurrence, pest type, plant stage affected, and affected plant parts and symptoms.
Host plant
Select a crop from the picklist by typing the name of the host plant in the Search for box. Scientific or common names can be used. The crop highlighted in the picklist will be selected when the OK button is clicked. The system will change any common names selected to the preferred scientific name. A screen is displayed with the option to include or exclude host records for a higher or lower taxonomic group, e.g. for Malus, all species of Malus are included by default. For Malus pumila, pests of higher taxonomic groups (Malus or Rosaceae) are offered, but are not included by default. Selected criteria are displayed on the Diagnostic search screen. Left click on the criteria to read the full text. Minor pests (secondary hosts of the pests) or wild hosts can be included in the search by checking the appropriate boxes. Clear search will clear the host plant search.
To include more than one host plant in a search, a search must first be completed using one host plant. This search can then be imported into the Advanced search to combine with other search criteria, e.g. another host plant.
Country of occurrence
Select a country from the picklist by typing the name of the country or subnational region in the Search for box. The country or subnational region that is highlighted in the picklist will be selected when the OK button is clicked. When a country with subnational regions is selected, a screen is displayed listing the regions included in the search; all subnational regions are included by default. For example, when Brazil is selected, pests from all states of Brazil are automatically included in the search, unless specifically excluded. Selected criteria are displayed on the Diagnostic search screen. Left click on the criteria to read the full text. Clear search will clear the country search.
To include more than one country in a search, a search must first be completed using one country. This search can then be imported into the Advanced search to be combined with other search criteria, e.g. another country.
Pest type
Select one or more pest categories to include in a search (the search will be cumulative). For example, to include pathogens in your search, select fungi and bacteria and viruses, etc. Selected criteria are displayed on the Diagnostic search screen. Left click on the criteria to read the full text. Clear search will clear the Pest type search.
Plant stage affected
You can include one or more plant stages in a search. Selected criteria will be shown on the Diagnostic search screen. Left click on the criteria to read the full text. Clear search will clear the Plant stage affected search.
Affected plant parts & symptoms
Select plant parts and/or symptoms to include in a search. Use the tabs at the top of the screen to select a plant part. Select symptoms by clicking on the picture(s) corresponding to the symptom(s) to be included in the search. Selected symptoms are indicated by a green border. Clicking on a symptom that is already selected will deselect it. Please note that the pictures are examples of each symptom type and may not show the host plant or pest type selected. To select plant part only, select 'any symptom' for the plant part(s) to be included in the search. Choose whether the symptoms selected for each plant part should be exclusive (AND) or inclusive (OR) by selecting the required setting from the 'Search method' window at the top right of the screen. Symptoms selected for different plant parts are always combined in a Boolean AND search.
Symptom search criteria can be reviewed before searching by clicking List selected symptoms. Clicking OK will run the search and the selected criteria will be displayed on the Diagnostic search screen. Left click on the criteria to read the full text. Clear search will clear the Symptoms search.
View results
Clicking the View results button will perform a Boolean AND search on the selected criteria. A View results tab is generated to present the list of datasheets. Use the Options tab before you perform your search to change the display of the results. Note that results take longer to appear, the greater the number of items displayed per page.
New search
The New search button will clear the screen and create an empty search field (highlighted in blue) in the top window. The New search button can be used to ensure that the screen is clear for searching.
Examples of using the Diagnostic Search
To find out what pest might be causing damage to the leaves of a maize crop in Mexico.
1. Click on the Host plant button, which brings up a Search window. The Compendium allows you to perform an incremental search for a crop by typing part or all of the name, after clicking in the Search window. The common name 'maize' or scientific name Zea mays can be entered. After the crop is highlighted in the window, click the OK button. Tick the boxes to include 'minor pests' and 'wild hosts'.
2. Click on the Country button and perform an incremental search for the country or region, in this case, Mexico, and then click the OK button. Note, you may wish to include regions, subregions and cosmopolitan species to ensure that the pest list is complete.
3. Click on the Plant parts & symptoms button and select the affected plant parts and the relevant symptoms. For this example, select the Leaf tab, then from the symptoms click the picture for abnormal colours. Click OK to return to the Diagnostic search screen.
4. Use the View search criteria tab to check your search criteria if necessary, then return to the Diagnostic search tab and click the View results button to search for all the criteria selected. The window at the top of the screen will display the results for the search, for example, Set A: Pests of Zea mays (755) and causing symptoms on leaf: abnormal colours (644) and Mexico (853) -> (73). 73 pests of maize in Mexico that cause the selected symptom are displayed on the View results tab.
5. It is possible to narrow down the search further. Return to the Diagnostic search tab, which should still contain your search criteria, click on Pest type and select Virus / viroid. Click the View results button. Six viruses are listed as causing abnormal coloration on the leaves of maize.
Plants search
Search for weeds or useful plants by country and other criteria. The weed search can be restricted to major invasive plants and by crop affected. Categories of poisonous plants are included under Uses.
Plant status
Select weeds and/or cultivated plants using the checkboxes. For weeds, the search can include all weeds or can be limited to invasive weeds. The invasive category is based on information in the datasheets, data extracted from the Germplasm Resource Information Network (GRIN: www.ars-grin.gov/) and other databases on invasive species.
Country of occurrence
Select a country from the picklist by typing the name of the country or subnational region in the Search for box. The country or subnational region that is highlighted in the picklist will be selected when the OK button is clicked. For countries with subnational regions, an intermediate screen is displayed listing the regions that will be included in the search. For example, pests from all states of Brazil are included by default for Brazil, but may be deselected if not required. Selected criteria are displayed on the Diagnostic search screen. Left click on the criteria to read the full text. Clear search will clear the country search.
To include more than one country in a search, a search must first be completed using one country. This search can then be imported into the Advanced search to combine with other search criteria, e.g. another country.
Crop affected (for weeds only)
Search for weeds affecting a particular crop. Select the crop required from the crop picklist.
Uses
There are two main categories in this window: 'Uses' and 'Poisonous species'. The Uses section is subdivided into nine categories, e.g. use as human food or beverage, materials, fuels, etc. Each of these categories is subdivided into more specific uses such as vegetable, cereal, fruit, pulse, etc. Select one or more categories from the data tree structure.
Selecting from a data tree structure
Items are selected by clicking on the checkboxes adjacent to them. A tick in the box indicates that an item has been selected. Clicking on a selected checkbox will remove the tick and deselect the item. If a group contains sub-items, it has a small square in front of it with a + or - sign. A + sign means that the item is collapsed; sub-items will become visible on clicking the + sign. If the main item is checked, all sub-items will be checked; if unchecked, all the sub-items will be unchecked. When an item containing sub-items is left unchecked, individually checked sub-items are selected using Boolean logic (AND). If an item is checked then all the checked sub-items will be selected using Boolean logic (OR).
Examples
1. To search for plants that are used as both vegetables AND cereals.
Select 'vegetable' and 'cereal' from the Uses data tree (8 datasheets).
2. To search for all vegetables and all cereals, check the 'Human food' category and uncheck all sub-uses except for 'vegetable' and 'cereal' (227 datasheets). This performs a Boolean OR search.
Taxonomic group
Limit a search by Taxonomic group, which may be selected from the picklist (using the Alphabetic button) or the taxonomic tree (using the Hierarchic button).
Pathway search
Search for pests that are not present in a country but may be associated with an imported commodity as an aid to Pest Risk Analysis.
Country of origin
Select the country of origin of the commodity using the country picklist.
Crop
Select the crop to import from the picklist.
Commodity types
Select the commodity type by checking one or more of the items listed, or leave blank.
Importing country
Select the country importing the commodity from the country picklist.
Please note that the commodity type is an incomplete data set, so pests with no commodity data in the Compendium are included in the results in addition to those that are recorded to be associated with the commodity selected.
This Pathway search has been included as a quick option for generating this type of pest list - for a more detailed pest risk analysis, please go to the Pest Risk Analysis module from the main menu. In this module there is more guidance on the PRA process and opportunities for including your own data.
Advanced search
Select search criteria
Start a search by selecting one or more criteria from the left part of the screen: Scope, Pests by crop, Pests by symptom, pests by stage affected, species by country, species by Taxonomic group, Natural enemies by pest, and Useful/poisonous species. You can use any combination.
Scope
Descriptors (Category, Datasheet status and Organism type) are offered in a data tree structure.
Category
Select pests, natural enemies or cultivated plants and/or specific categories of pest, such as seedborne pathogens or invasive plants. To limit your search to pests (i.e. to exclude beneficial organisms), one or more pest types (main pest types or special pest categories) must be included in the search criteria.
Organism type
Select the types of organism(s), e.g. insects, fungi, etc. to include. Categories for insects, fungi, etc. include both pest species and beneficial organisms.
Datasheet status
Limit the search to A (full) or B (outline) datasheets. If left unchecked, all datasheet types will be included in the results, i.e. A, B and C (basic) datasheets.
Selecting from a data tree structure is described in the Plants search.
Pests by crop
Select a crop from the picklist by typing the name of the host plant in the Search for box. Scientific or common names can be used. The crop highlighted in the picklist will be selected when the OK button is clicked. The system will change any common names selected to the preferred scientific name. A screen is displayed offering the option to include host records at a higher or lower taxonomic group, e.g. for Malus, all species of Malus are included in the search by default, unless specifically deselected. For Malus pumila, pests of higher taxonomic groups (Malus or Rosaceae) are offered but not included by default. Selected criteria are displayed on the Diagnostic search screen. Left click on the criteria to read the full text. Minor pests (secondary hosts of the pests) or wild hosts can be included in the search by checking the appropriate boxes. Clear search will clear the crop search.
To search for pests attacking more than one crop, first carry out a search on one crop, then combine this search (using the 'Previous search results' option) with that of another crop, making sure to select the appropriate search order (using View search criteria) and operators in the search.
Example: To search for pests of flax and all species of jute
Select flax from the crop list (121 datasheets), search all selected above to save your search (search A). Return to the Advanced search tab and select jute from the crop list (selecting Corchorus to include all species) (67 datasheets). Press Previous search results and select set A. Press OK. You should still have your jute search on screen and your previous search results should also be available to you. Select 'or' in the Status column for the previous search, then run the search by pressing 'Search all selected above'. You can now browse the 179 datasheets on pests that affect flax and all species of jute.
Pests by symptom
Select plant parts and/or symptoms to include in a search. Use the tabs at the top of the screen to select a plant part. Select symptoms by clicking on the picture(s) corresponding to the symptom(s) to be included in the search. Selected symptoms are indicated by a green border. Clicking on a symptom that is already selected will deselect it. Please note that these pictures are examples of each symptom and not an exact depiction of each symptom. To select plant part only, select 'any symptom' for the plant part/s to be included in the search. Choose whether the symptoms selected for each plant part should be exclusive (AND) or inclusive (OR) by selecting the required setting from the 'Search method' window at the top right of the screen. Symptoms selected for different plant parts are always combined in a Boolean AND search.
Symptom search criteria can be checked before searching by clicking List selected symptoms. Clicking OK will run the search and the selected criteria will be displayed on the Diagnostic search screen. Left click on the criteria to read the full text. Clear search will clear the Symptoms search.
Pests by stage affected
Select the stage(s) to be included in the search using the single and double arrows. Click the OK button to make the selection and run the individual search. Clear search will clear the Plant stage affected search.
Species by country
This option will list allow you to list all species occurring in a particular country. To list only pests or crops or natural enemies occurring in a country, include one of the categories under Scope.
Select a country from the picklist by typing the name of the country or subnational region in the Search for box. The country or subnational region that is highlighted in the picklist will be selected when the OK button is clicked. When a country with subnational regions is selected, a screen is displayed listing the regions included in the search; all subnational regions are included by default. For example, when Brazil is selected, pests from all states of Brazil are automatically included in the search, unless specifically excluded. Selected criteria are displayed on the Diagnostic search screen. Left click on the criteria to read the full text. Clear search will clear the country search.
To include more than one country in a search, a search must first be completed using one country, then combined (using Previous search result) with another country.
Species by taxonomic group
Search by taxonomic group using the picklist, e.g. list species of Coccoidea, Rhamnus, etc.
Natural enemies by pest
Search for natural enemies of a pest by selecting a pest species from the picklist. The results of this individual search can be combined with other criteria, e.g. country or organism type (under Scope).
Useful/poisonous species
There are two main categories in this window: 'Uses' and 'Poisonous species'. The Uses section is subdivided into nine categories, e.g. use as human food or beverage, materials, fuels, etc. Each of these categories is subdivided into more specific uses such as vegetable, cereal, fruit, pulse, etc. Select one or more categories from the data tree structure.
Search all selected above
The individual searches on the Advanced search screen can be combined in one search using the Search all selected above button. Search parameters will be saved for use in subsequent searches during a session. Each search will be assigned a search letter (Set A, B, etc.) and will be displayed at the top of the screen. These searches can also be imported from the Previous search results screen to be combined with subsequent searches during a session.
Previous search result
Perform an advanced search combining the results of a previous search with new search criteria. Build on an existing search, e.g. by including more than one crop or country in your search. To include a previous search result, click on the Previous search result button to bring up a list of searches available. Highlight the search to be included and click OK to import the data into the advanced search screen. Use the View search criteria screen to rearrange the order of the search if required.
Status
The Status column determines how each individual search will be combined with other searches in an advanced search. The default is 'and' (Boolean AND); the other options are 'or' (Boolean OR) and 'not'. The sequence in which the search is run can be altered on the View search criteria screen.
View results
A Browse datasheet button appears when each individual search is carried out. When the Browse button is clicked, the results of the search are written to the View results page. Use the Options tab before you perform your search to change the display of the results. Note that results will take longer to appear, the greater the number of items displayed per page. To continue searching, return to the Advanced search tab.
New search
The New search button at the bottom of the screen is available when a search has been completed using the Search all selected above button. It will clear all searches. However, all searches during a session are listed in the top window of the Advanced search screen and are available under Previous search results (for combining with other searches) until the session is closed.
This screen provides an overview of the search criteria of the current search. Individual searches can be excluded (by unchecking the item/s) and the order in which the individual searches are processed can be changed using the up and down arrows. For example, A and B or C will be treated as (A and B) or C. Searching for A and (B or C) can be achieved by moving A below C so that the search will be processed as (B or C) and A.
Select options for displaying and exporting results. For display, the default is set to no limit on the maximum number of items per page, so the whole list is sorted alphabetically. To reduce searching time the number of items can be restricted. If the list is to be exported, it will be sorted alphabetically at that point. Thumbnails can be displayed in the results list on the screen, but will slow the search if many items are to displayed per page.
Results can be exported to a clipboard or file.
This screen only becomes available when you have completed a search and will display the results of the last search. The Search Criteria are shown above the species list. Intermediate search results are included in parentheses before the final total for that search.