稻螟赤眼蜂与二种赤眼蜂对水稻二化螟卵寄生竞争作用

稻螟赤眼蜂是我国水稻二化螟的优势卵寄生蜂,本文在室内条件下,初步研究了稻螟赤眼蜂分别与松毛虫赤眼蜂和螟黄赤眼蜂在水稻二化螟卵上的种间竞争作用。结果表明,同时接入稻螟赤眼蜂和松毛虫赤眼蜂时,寄生水稻二化螟卵(40.2粒)及子代雌蜂总数(32.0头)最多,且松毛虫赤眼蜂平均寄生二化螟卵的数量(26.5粒)明显高于单独接蜂的平均寄生的数量,后代雌蜂比率(76.3%)明显低于单独接蜂时的雌蜂比率,发育历期(10.7 d)明显长于接入同种时的发育历期。而稻螟赤眼蜂和螟黄赤眼蜂共存时,螟黄赤眼蜂平均寄生二化螟卵的数量(10.3粒)、后代雌蜂比率(75.3%)以及发育历期(8.0 d)与单独接蜂时相似;同样,当稻螟赤眼蜂与松毛虫赤眼蜂混合接蜂时,稻螟赤眼蜂平均寄生二化螟卵的数量(14.4粒)、后代雌蜂比率(79.0%)以及发育历期(8.6 d)与单独接蜂时相似,但是,当稻螟赤眼蜂与螟黄赤眼蜂混合接蜂时,其后代雌蜂比率(76.7%)明显低于单独接蜂处理,而发育历期(8.8 d)明显长于单独接蜂处理。总的来看,在二化螟卵上,同时接入二种赤眼蜂时,蜂种间存在一定的竞争作用,其中混合接入稻螟赤眼蜂和松毛虫赤眼蜂时,对水稻二化螟的控制效果最佳。     

两种赤眼蜂对小菜蛾卵的寄生潜能分析

应用生命表技术分析了拟澳洲赤眼蜂Trichogramma confusum Viggiani(T.c)和卷蛾分索赤眼蜂Trichogramm-atoidea bactrae Nagaraja(T.b)在两种繁蜂条件组配下（分别用米蛾Corcyra cephalomica(Stainton)(RM)卵和小菜蛾Plutella xylostella(L.)(DBM)卵繁育）对小菜蛾卵的寄生潜能分析,结果表明：（1）在相同寄主繁蜂条件下,卷蛾分索赤眼蜂在小菜蛾卵上显示出较强的寄生潜能,米蛾卵上所繁的卷蛾分索赤眼蜂（T.b-RM)和小菜蛾卵上所繁的卷蛾分索赤眼蜂（T.b-DBM)的内禀增长率为0.3509和0.3450,而米蛾卵上所繁的澳洲赤眼蜂（T.c-RM)和小菜蛾卵上所繁的拟澳洲赤眼蜂（T.c-DBM)的仅为0.2391和0.1902,T.b-RM和T.b-DBM的每雌平均寄生卵数为70.75和46.13粒,而T.c-RM和T.c-DBM的仅为64.90和31.73粒,但拟澳洲赤眼蜂的雌蜂寿命较卷蛾分索赤眼蜂更长。（2）在不同寄主繁蜂条件下,同种赤眼蜂对小菜蛾卵的寄生潜能以米蛾卵所繁的仔蜂的各项寄生特性参数（内禀增长率,每雌寄生卵量,净生殖力,平均世代历期和雌蜂寿命）均优于用小菜蛾卵所繁之蜂,米蛾卵是其适宜的中间寄主。（3）长期用中间寄主繁蜂,赤眼蜂对目标寄主表现出一定的不适应性,中间寄主的驯化对赤眼蜂的寄生潜能有不容忽视的削弱作用。     

几种赤眼蜂对灰白蚕蛾寄生能力的影响

通过室内功能反应试验,测定松毛虫赤眼蜂T.dendrolimiMatsumura、短管赤眼蜂T.pretiosumRiley、暗黑赤眼蜂T.pintoiVoegele、玉米螟赤眼蜂T.ostriniaePangetChen、卷蛾分索赤眼蜂Trichogrammatoidea bactraeNagaraja、拟澳洲赤眼蜂T.confusumViggiani、舟蛾赤眼蜂T.closteraePangetChen、广赤眼蜂T.evanescensWestwood对广州地区重要园林害虫灰白蚕蛾的寄生能力。结果表明,除卷蛾分索赤眼蜂外,其它7种赤眼蜂对灰白蚕蛾的寄生作用均能用HollingⅡ型功能反应模型拟合。松毛虫赤眼蜂对灰白蚕蛾的寄生能力为最强,短管赤眼蜂和暗黑赤眼蜂次之,最大寄生卵量分别为25.8粒/雌、19.0粒/雌和18.6粒/雌,且在灰白蚕蛾卵内都能发育成功和正常羽化,可进一步进行筛选。虽然玉米螟赤眼蜂和舟蛾赤眼蜂对灰白蚕蛾有较强的寄生能力,但其后代雌蜂率都较低,且玉米螟赤眼蜂不能正常羽化,因此不适宜用来防治灰白蚕蛾。卷蛾分索赤眼蜂、广赤眼蜂和拟澳洲赤眼蜂的最大寄生量都较低,均不超过15.0粒,对灰白蚕蛾卵的寄生潜能不大。     

Wolbachia感染对拟澳洲赤眼蜂寿命、生殖力和嗅觉反应的影响

研究了通过共享同一寄主卵,短管赤眼蜂Trichogramma pretiosum体内共生的Wolbachia被水平传递到拟澳洲赤眼蜂T. confusum体内后,Wolbachia对新宿主拟澳洲赤眼蜂的影响。结果表明： Wolbachia的侵染能使拟澳洲赤眼蜂进行不完全的产雌孤雌生殖,增加拟澳洲赤眼蜂子代雌性比例,但却导致了雌蜂寿命缩短和繁殖力降低的生理损失。Wolbachia感染的当代处女蜂及其建立的种群连续5代(F₁～F₅),其子代雌蜂百分率分别为79.17%、76.60%、68.66%、72.58%、68.15%和64.06%,基本上呈现出逐代降低的趋势,并越来越接近对照的63.85%。处女蜂及F₁～F₅代雌蜂的平均寿命分别为4.33、5.50、5.60、6.68、7.32和7.50天,而未感染交配雌蜂寿命为7.59 天;处女蜂及F₁～F₅代雌蜂平均产卵量分别为11.33、70.00、86.41、93.90、102.92和124.38粒/雌,除F₅代外,均显著低于未感染交配雌蜂的产卵量134.81粒/雌。用四臂嗅觉仪测定了Wolbachia新宿主拟澳洲赤眼蜂对寄主小菜蛾的嗅觉反应,结果表明Wolbachia的侵染具轻微干扰拟澳洲赤眼蜂嗅觉反应的负面影响。未感染Wolbachia的拟澳洲赤眼蜂及Wolbachia供体短管赤眼蜂对寄主小菜蛾具较强的嗅觉反应,其雌蜂在小菜蛾腹部鳞片正己烷提取液和小菜蛾卵表正己烷提取液处理区内滞留时间显著或极显著长于对照区。而感染Wolbachia的拟澳洲赤眼蜂F₂代和F₃代雌蜂,尽管在小菜蛾腹部鳞片正己烷提取液处理区内滞留时间比对照区长,但没有达到显著水平;其F₂代雌蜂在小菜蛾卵表正己烷提取液处理区内滞留时间与对照区相比,也没有达到显著水平。随Wolbachia在拟澳洲赤眼蜂种群中垂直感染代数的增加,拟澳洲赤眼蜂对寄主小菜蛾的嗅觉反应恢复正常,在Wolbachia感染后的 F₄～F₆代,雌蜂在两种提取液处理区内的滞留时间均显著或极显著长于对照区。     

深圳郊区寄生小菜蛾的赤眼蜂种类及消长动态

在深圳郊区龙岗示范生态农场,寄生于小菜蛾的赤眼蜂为拟澳洲赤眼蜂Trichogrammaconfusum和赤眼蜂一新种Trichogramma sp.,其中拟澳洲赤眼蜂稍占优势.其寄生率受季节和化学农药的影响,全年中以秋季为最高,在收获期的菜芯地可高达30-35%;夏季降雨是寄生率低于5%的主要原因;在经常施用化学农药的菜地,寄生率始终维持在10%以下.小菜蛾卵不孵率随寄生率增加而升高,使小菜蛾卵总死亡率增加.     

不同赤眼蜂对灰白蚕蛾卵的偏好性比较

在实验室条件下,利用不同种类和品系的赤眼蜂Trichogramma spp.对灰白蚕蛾Ocinnara varians选择性和灰白蚕蛾对其适合性的差异,筛选防治灰白蚕蛾的有效蜂种和品系,结果表明,在供试的8种赤眼蜂中,松毛虫赤眼蜂Trichogramma dendrolimi、短管赤眼蜂Trichogramma pretiosum、舟蛾赤眼蜂Trichogramma closterae、暗黑赤眼蜂Trichogramma euproctidis和拟澳洲赤眼蜂Trichogramma confusum 5种赤眼蜂较其它3种赤眼蜂更偏好寄生灰白蚕蛾的卵,每雌蜂在灰白蚕蛾卵上的接触次数、寄生卵数都相对较多,且羽化率也都较高.广赤眼蜂Trichogramma evanescens对灰白蚕蛾卵的接触次数最多,为6.60次/雌,但寄生卵数却很少,为4.55粒/雌,羽化率也很低,为27.86%.玉米螟赤眼蜂寄生灰白蚕蛾的卵比较多,为14.35粒/雌,但对灰白蚕蛾卵的接触次数很少,仅1.20次/雌,羽化率也很低,为24.17%.卷蛾分索赤眼蜂对灰白蚕蛾卵的接触次数和寄生卵数最少的,分别为0.60次/雌和2.20粒/雌,且被寄生卵全部不能发育成功.综合分析结果表明,松毛虫赤眼蜂是最适合寄生灰白蚕蛾卵的赤眼蜂种,可作为其生物防治的潜在寄生蜂.     

拟澳洲赤眼蜂和短管赤眼蜂在菜芯地的扩散动态

在不同生长期的菜芯地释放赤眼蜂防治小菜蛾,当蜂量为2000头/点时,拟澳洲赤眼蜂在田间的有效扩散距离(寄生率大于60%),苗期为3米,生长中期和收获期为4米.短管赤眼蜂在田间的有效扩散距离,苗期和生长中期为4米,收获期为5米,较拟澳洲赤眼蜂具有更强的扩散能力.     

繁育寄主对三种赤眼蜂个体大小及抱卵量的影响

【目的】繁育寄主及成蜂日龄均会影响赤眼蜂体内的抱卵量,为了解繁育寄主及育出赤眼蜂个体大小与赤眼蜂抱卵量的关系,我们在室内研究了米蛾 Corcyra cephalonica（Stainton）卵和亚洲玉米螟 Ostrinia furnacalis （Güenée）卵作为繁育寄主对3种赤眼蜂雌蜂大小、抱卵量的影响。【方法】在光周期14L:10D、温度25±1℃的室内条件下,以米蛾卵、亚洲玉米螟卵作为繁育寄主,解剖不同日龄（羽化后12-72 h）松毛虫赤眼蜂 Trichogramma dendrolimi Matsumura、玉米螟赤眼蜂Trichogramma ostriniae Pang et Chen以及稻螟赤眼蜂Trichogramma japonicum Ashmead,观察雌蜂抱卵量,测量成蜂的大小,分析雌蜂抱卵量与其日龄、个体大小以及繁育寄主的关系【结果】在羽化后48 h以内,3种蜂的抱卵量随雌蜂日龄的增长而增加。羽化后72 h,除米蛾卵繁育的玉米螟赤眼蜂及玉米螟卵繁育的松毛虫赤眼蜂的抱卵量比羽化后48 h时略高外,其他组合均出现下降。以亚洲玉米螟卵为繁育寄主时的玉米螟赤眼蜂的抱卵量显著高于对应日龄的以米蛾卵为繁育寄主时的抱卵量,而松毛虫赤眼蜂（除羽化后12和24 h外）和稻螟赤眼蜂则相反;以米蛾卵为繁育寄主时,相同日龄的赤眼蜂中,松毛虫赤眼蜂抱卵量最高,稻螟赤眼蜂的抱卵量最低;以亚洲玉米螟卵为繁育寄主时,玉米螟赤眼蜂抱卵量最高,稻螟赤眼蜂抱卵量最低。雌蜂抱卵量与雌蜂个体大小呈线性正相关,相关程度随雌蜂日龄增加而更加明显。【结论】后足胫节长度可以作为评价松毛虫赤眼蜂、玉米螟赤眼蜂和稻螟赤眼蜂质量的指标。赤眼蜂抱卵量受繁育寄主、赤眼蜂蜂种及雌蜂日龄的显著影响,寄主的适合性也会影响育出赤眼蜂的大小,筛选合适的繁育寄主有助于提高赤眼蜂的质量。     

冷藏米蛾卵对稻螟赤眼蜂和玉米螟赤眼蜂子代质量的影响

【目的】以稻螟赤眼蜂Trichogramma japonicum Ashmead和玉米螟赤眼蜂T.ostriniae为试验对象,研究低温冷藏米蛾卵对赤眼蜂子代质量的影响,为米蛾卵的合理利用,赤眼蜂的工厂化生产和应用提供理论依据。【方法】将米蛾卵在不同温度(1、4、7、10℃)下冷藏不同时间(3、5、7、10、15、20、25、30、40d),研究米蛾卵冷藏后作为寄主卵对两种赤眼蜂子代寄生卵量、F_2代羽化出蜂率和雌蜂率的影响,利用赤眼蜂子代寄生卵量、F_2代羽化出蜂率和雌蜂率三者乘积表示赤眼蜂子代质量(Q),根据赤眼蜂子代质量判断冷藏米蛾卵对子代质量的影响。【结果】米蛾卵冷藏温度和时间对赤眼蜂子代寄生卵量影响显著,但不同赤眼蜂种类和不同冷藏温度间表现不同。繁殖稻螟赤眼蜂时,米蛾卵在4℃下冷藏赤眼蜂寄生卵量下降最缓,米蛾卵冷藏20d内赤眼蜂寄生卵量与对照之间差异不显著,在其他温度下米蛾卵冷藏3 d稻螟赤眼蜂寄生卵量与对照之间差异达到显著水平;繁殖玉米螟赤眼蜂时,米蛾卵在4℃下冷藏赤眼蜂寄生卵量下降最缓,米蛾卵冷藏20d赤眼蜂寄生卵量与对照之间差异达到显著水平,1℃下冷藏赤眼蜂寄生卵量下降最快,米蛾卵冷藏5 d赤眼蜂寄生卵量与对照之间达到显著水平。米蛾卵冷藏对稻螟赤眼蜂和玉米螟赤眼蜂F_2代的羽化率和雌蜂率产生的不利影响相对较小,米蛾卵冷藏30 d赤眼蜂F_2代的羽化率仍在70%以上,雌蜂率仍在75%以上。【结论】米蛾卵冷藏超过一定的时间以后会对稻螟赤眼蜂和玉米螟赤眼蜂子代的寄生卵量,F_2代的羽化出蜂率和雌蜂率产生不利影响,从而降低子代稻螟赤眼蜂和玉米螟赤眼蜂的质量,但在适宜的温度下冷藏一定时间内对其子代质量影响不显著,其中4℃下冷藏米蛾卵繁殖的赤眼蜂子代质量最佳,冷藏30 d赤眼蜂子代质量降低不到50%。     

两种赤眼蜂在半自然条件下对灰白蚕蛾卵的搜索寄生能力

灰白蚕蛾Ocinara varians Walker是近几年来我国南方发生比较严重的园林害虫之一,赤眼蜂是其卵期的一种重要天敌,为寻找灰白蚕蛾有效的生物防治措施,本实验研究了半自然条件下松毛虫赤眼蜂Trichogramma dendrolimi Matsumura和短管赤眼蜂Trichogramma pretiosum Riley对灰白蚕蛾卵的搜索寄生能力。实验结果表明,在挂卵量相同的情况下,3种不同经历的松毛虫赤眼蜂和短管赤眼蜂对灰白蚕蛾卵的搜索能力都随蜂卵比的减小而降低。在各蜂卵比下,3种不同处理的松毛虫赤眼蜂对灰白蚕蛾卵的寄生率明显高于相应地3种不同处理的短管赤眼蜂。在蜂卵比为1∶1时,具有羽化后学习经历的松毛虫赤眼蜂对灰白蚕蛾卵的搜索能力最强,其寄生率达50.66%,显著高于幼期学习蜂和无经验蜂,而幼期学习经历对其搜索效果无明显地影响。短管赤眼蜂无论是羽化后学习经历还是幼期学习经历对其搜索行为均无明显影响。     

Biological control of the diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella: A review

The diamondback moth (DBM), Plutella xylostella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae), is one of the most destructive cosmopolitan insect pests of brassicaceous crops. It was the first crop insect reported to be resistant to DDT and now, in many crucifer producing regions, it has shown significant resistance to almost every synthetic insecticide applied in the field. In certain parts of the world, economical production of crucifers has become almost impossible due to insecticidal control failures. Consequently, increased efforts worldwide have been undertaken to develop integrated pest management (IPM) programs, principally based on manipulation of its natural enemies. Although over 130 parasitoid species are known to attack various life stages of DBM, most control worldwide is achieved by relatively few hymenopteran species belonging to the ichneumonid genera Diadegma and Diadromus, the braconid genera Microplitis and Cotesia, and the eulophid genus Oomyzus. DBM populations native to different regions have genetic and biological differences, and specific parasitoid strains may be associated with the specific DBM strains. Therefore, accurate identification based on genetic studies of both host and parasitoid is of crucial importance to attaining successful control of DBM through inoculative or inundative releases. Although parasitoids of DBM larvae and pupae are currently its principal regulators, bacteria-derived products (e.g., crystal toxins from Bacillus thuringiensis) and myco-insecticides principally based on Zoophthora radicans and Beauveria bassiana are increasingly being applied or investigated for biological control. Viruses, nematodes and microsporidia also have potential as biopesticides for DBM. When an insect pest is exposed to more than one mortality factor, there is the possibility of interactions that can enhance, limit, or limit and enhance the various aspects of effectiveness of a particular control tactic. This paper reviews the effectiveness of various parasitoids and entomopathogens against DBM, interactions among them, and their possible integration into modern IPM programs.     

Conserving the efficacy of insecticides against Plutella xylostella (L.) (Lep., Plutellidae)

Abstract:  The diamondback moth (DBM), Plutella xylostella (L.) (Lep., Plutellidae), is one of the most destructive insect pests of crucifers worldwide. It was the first crop insect reported to be resistant to DDT and now in many crucifer-producing regions it has shown significant resistance to almost every insecticide applied in field including biopesticides such as crystal toxins from Bacillus thuringiensis and spinosyns from Saccharopolyspora spinosa . In certain parts of the world, economical production of crucifers has become almost impossible because of its resistance to insecticides and resulting control failure. A coordinated resistance management program needs to be implemented with the involvement of pesticide industry, local pesticide regulatory authorities, scientists and farmers. The judicious use of chemicals in conjunction with other control measures (e.g. biological control agents, resistant varieties, proper fertilization rates) is the best way to manage DBM and other pests of cruciferous crops. Introduction of glucosinolate-sulphatase inhibitors as plant-incorporated-products or sprayable material may also lead to a novel pest management strategy.     

四种十字花科蔬菜上小菜蛾自然种群连续世代生命表

利用作用因子生命表技术,组建芥菜、芥蓝、小白菜和菜心4种十字花科蔬菜上小菜蛾自然种群连续世代生命表,分析寄主植物和生物因子对小菜蛾种群数量的控制作用。结果表明：在4种十字花科蔬菜的一造菜上,小菜蛾均能完成两个世代。虽然小菜蛾在芥菜上的初始卵量最高,但害虫种群总增长倍数在芥蓝上最高,其次为小白菜,菜心和芥菜,分别为17．64、11．90、11．43和3．76。这说明尽管芥菜对小菜蛾成虫的产卵有一定的吸引作用,但不适合小菜蛾生长发育。芥蓝是最适宜小菜蛾种群增长的寄主。生物因子在小菜蛾自然种群控制中起着重要的作用,但是在不同种类十字花科蔬菜上,天敌类群对小菜蛾控制作用存在一定差异。除芥菜之外,寄生性天敌对芥蓝、菜心和小白菜上的小菜蛾种群控制作用最大,其次为“捕食及其它”,病原微生物的控制作用最小。“捕食及其它”对芥菜上小菜蛾种群的作用非常明显,如果排除此因子作用,小菜蛾种群两代后将增长126．03倍。该因子是导致芥菜小菜蛾自然种群增长趋势指数低的主要原因。因此在制定小菜蛾防治策略时,应考虑蔬菜的种类和布局,加大对芥蓝小菜蛾种群的防治力度;芥菜可作为一种诱杀植物种植,以吸引小菜蛾产卵,并集中防治。这些防治策略在小菜蛾综合治理中具有重要的实际意义。     

Interaction between insect strain and artificial diet in diamondback moth development and reproduction

The economical production of physiologically and behaviorally competent diamondback moth (DBM), Plutella xylostella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae), is critical to most research and control programs against this insect. Although a few laboratory-adapted colonies are currently maintained on artificial diets, the establishment and adaptation of feral DBM onto semi-synthetic diets is often difficult. Understanding the interactions between insect strain and diet may be critical to the process of laboratory adaptation as well as to the successful use of laboratory-reared insects in the field. As such, the objective of this study was to investigate the interaction between several DBM colonies/strains and different natural and semi-synthetic diets. Specifically, we examined the effect of different diets on the length of development, percent survival, adult weight, female fecundity, and adult longevity for two feral and one laboratory-adapted strain of DBM. Significant interactions were observed between diet and laboratory-adapted and feral strains, and also between diet and different feral strains with respect to many of the growth and development parameters tested. Therefore, the performance of one strain of DBM on a particular diet was not necessarily predicted by the performance of another DBM strain on the same diet. However, the soy-based diet developed and reported herein performed well for all three DBM strains tested. In future efforts to colonize feral DBM, we suggest that researchers assay different diet formulations in order to identify a semi-synthetic diet that is most suitable for the particular DBM strain under consideration.     

DNA Sequencing Reveals the Midgut Microbiota of Diamondback Moth,Plutella xylostella (L.) and a Possible Relationship with Insecticide Resistance

Background

Insect midgut microbiota is important in host nutrition, development and immune response. Recent studies indicate possible links between insect gut microbiota and resistance to biological and chemical toxins. Studies of this phenomenon and symbionts in general have been hampered by difficulties in culture-based approach. In the present study, DNA sequencing was used to examine the midgut microbiota of diamondback moth (DBM), Plutella xylostella (L.), a destructive pest that attacks cruciferous crops worldwide. Its ability to develop resistance to many types of synthetic insecticide and even Bacillus thuringiensis toxins makes it an important species to study.

Methodology/Principal Findings

Bacteria of the DBM larval midgut in a susceptible and two insecticide (chlorpyrifos and fipronil) resistant lines were examined by Illumina sequencing sampled from an insect generation that was not exposed to insecticide. This revealed that more than 97% of the bacteria were from three orders: Enterobacteriales, Vibrionales and Lactobacillales. Both insecticide-resistant lines had more Lactobacillales and the much scarcer taxa Pseudomonadales and Xanthomonadales with fewer Enterobacteriales compared with the susceptible strain. Consistent with this, a second study observed an increase in the proportion of Lactobacillales in the midgut of DBM individuals from a generation treated with insecticides.

Conclusions/Significance

This is the first report of high-throughput DNA sequencing of the entire microbiota of DBM. It reveals differences related to inter- and intra-generational exposure to insecticides. Differences in the midgut microbiota among susceptible and insecticide-resistant lines are independent of insecticide exposure in the sampled generations. While this is consistent with the hypothesis that Lactobacillales or other scarcer taxa play a role in conferring DBM insecticide resistance, further studies are necessary to rule out other possibilities. Findings constitute the basis for future molecular work on the functions of insect midgut microbiota taxa and their possible role in conferring host resistance to toxins.     

温度对小菜蛾生长发育和繁殖影响的研究进展

小菜蛾是典型的世界性害虫。本文综述了国内外有关温度对小菜蛾生长发育、存活、繁殖和种群增长等生物学特性影响的研究概况,提出了开展变温条件下小菜蛾生物学特性研究的重要性,这将有助于进一步弄清小菜蛾种群在田间自然条件下种群消长规律的内在机理,为利用当地的气象资料推测小菜蛾在某一时间段内的发生动态,确定防治适期,科学有效地指导防治提供理论依据。     

Reprint of: Biological control of rice insect pests in China

Rice is one of the most important food crops in the world. China has the second largest area of the rice growing in the world and the highest yield of rice produced. Infestation by insect pests, especially rice planthoppers, stem borers and leaf folders, is always a serious challenge to rice production in China. Current methods for controlling insect pests in China mainly include good farming practices, biological control, breeding and growing resistant varieties, and the use of chemical insecticides. However, for farmers, the favorite method for insect pest control is still the application of chemical insecticide, which not only causes severe environmental pollution and the resurgence of herbivores but also reduces populations of the natural enemies of herbivores. To control insect pests safely, effectively and sustainably, strategies encouraging biological control are currently demanded. Here we review the progress that has been made in the development and implementation of biological controls for rice in China since the 1970s. Such progress includes the species identification of the natural enemies of rice insect pests, the characterization of their biology, and the integration of biological controls in integrated pest management. To develop effective ecological engineering programs whose aim is to implement conservation biological controls, further research, including the evaluation of the roles of plants in non-crop habitats in conservation biological controls, volatiles in enhancing efficiency of natural enemies and natural enemies in manipulating insect pests, and education to increase farmers’ knowledge of biological controls, is proposed.     

珠江三角洲小菜蛾区域性引诱剂的研制及诱集效应研究

小菜蛾Plutella xylostella L.是为害十字花科蔬菜的世界性大害虫。小菜蛾的综合防治技术中,昆虫信息素技术因其安全无污染的特点受到人们的关注,但由于市售性诱剂在不同蔬菜种植区的诱蛾效果存在明显差异,严重制约了该技术的推广和应用。因此,本研究开展珠江三角洲区域针对性小菜蛾引诱剂研制及田间诱集效应的研究。研究结果表明,小菜蛾合成性信息素组分顺-11-十六碳烯醛(Z11-16:Ald),顺-11-十六碳烯乙酸酯(Z11-16:Ac)与顺-11-十六碳烯醇(Z11-16:OH)均能引起小菜蛾雄成虫触角产生电生理反应。田间诱集效应试验表明,小菜蛾合成性信息素组分Z11-16:Ald,Z11-16:Ac和Z11-16:OH在诱芯中比例为30∶70∶0.1,剂量为100.1μg时的田间诱蛾效果最好,与已报道性诱剂配方50∶50以及70∶30∶1相比较,诱蛾效果增加了28%-38.1%和65.1%-66.9%,明显提高了小菜蛾引诱剂的田间诱蛾效果。适用于珠三角地区的区域性小菜蛾引诱剂的研制与应用,有望在小菜蛾地区针对性害虫生态调控技术中发挥重要作用。     

Parasitism of Cotes/a plutellae Alters Morphological and Biochemical Characters of Diamondback Moth,Plutella xylostella

A solitary endoparsitoid, Cotesia plutellae, has been regarded as a major biological regulator to manipulate field population of diamondback moth (DBM), Plutella xylostella. It parasitizes DBM and alters its physiology into a favorable condition for the parasitoid development. This research has been focused on the physiological changes in terms of internal morphology and biochemical changes of the parasitized DBM. The parasitized DBM exhibited significantly hypotrophied structures in Malpighian tubules, fat body, and testes, while it did not show apparent change in the digestive organ structure. The parasitoid represented almost 70% of total body weight of the parasitized DBM. This estimate was well corresponded to the measurements of the major nutrient amounts in the parasitized DBM. This study clearly indicates that the major nutrients obtained by the parasitoid DBM are exploited by the koinobiont parasitoid for its own development.     

Genome-wide identification and characterization of putative lncRNAs in the diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (L.)

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are of particular interest because of their contributions to many biological processes. Here, we present the genome-wide identification and characterization of putative lncRNAs in a global insect pest, Plutella xylostella. A total of 8096 lncRNAs were identified and classified into three groups. The average length of exons in lncRNAs was longer than that in coding genes and the GC content was lower than that in mRNAs. Most lncRNAs were flanked by canonical splice sites, similar to mRNAs. Expression profiling identified 114 differentially expressed lncRNAs during the DBM development and found that majority were temporally specific. While the biological functions of lncRNAs remain uncharacterized, many are microRNA precursors or competing endogenous RNAs involved in micro-RNA regulatory pathways. This work provides a valuable resource for further studies on molecular bases for development of DBM and lay the foundation for discovery of lncRNA functions in P. xylostella.