Photoperiodic reaction in the beet webworm Loxostege sticticalis L. (Pyraloidea, Crambidae) from eastern and western parts of its Eurasian range

The beet webworm, Loxostege sticticalis L., is a very dangerous polyphagous insect pest whose outbreaks periodically occur in southern Russia and northern China. The aim of our work was to describe the photoperiodic response of beet webworm populations from western (Krasnodar Territory and Rostov Province) and eastern [Buryatia and China (Hebei Province)] parts of the pest range. The insects were reared under constant photoperiods of 12–18 h and constant temperatures of 19–25°C. Incidence of diapause at different photoperiods did not show any considerable geographic differences, and the critical day length at which 50% of prepupae arrested their development was about 14–15 h in all the populations studied at experimental temperatures. The results obtained agree with the hypothesis on the existence of an area (or areas) where the pest survives during adverse periods and wherefrom it spreads when an outbreak begins (Saulich et al., 1983; Goryshin et al., 1986). Presumably, the larger part of the pest native habitats (to the north of the steppe zone) is occupied by temporary populations, incapable of surviving for long periods without an inflow of migrants from more southerly steppe regions.     

The range of the beet webworm Loxostege sticticalis L. (Lepidoptera,Pyraloidea: Crambidae) in the former USSR territory and its subdivision by the number of generations per season

The distribution limits of the beet webworm, Loxostege sticticalis L., with its sustainable development in one, two, three, or four successive generations per season in the former USSR territory were mapped for the first time using routine GIS procedures. The expected number of generations was determined based on the sum of daydegrees (above a threshold of 12°C), critical day length value (14 h), and Selyaninov’s hydrothermal index (> 0.3). The compiled map was in good agreement with that prepared for China (Luo Li-zhi and Li Guang-bo, 1993).     

Biological features and population density forecasts of the beet webworm Pyrausta sticticalis L. (Lepidoptera, Pyraustidae) in the period of low population density of the pest in Krasnodar Territory

Population dynamics of the beet webworm Pyrausta sticticalis L. was studied in 2003–2005 in Krasnodar Territory (Slavyansk-on-Kuban District) during the period of low population density of the pest. In the period examined, the adult death rate was high, fecundity was low; the low rate of hatchability and high rate of mortality was typical of larvae reared in the laboratory. Analysis of life tables has demonstrated that the observed population density of adults could be explained only by a constant flow of migrants. Low viability of insects from the local population could be explained by the infection with pathogenic microorganisms, including viruses of the Polyhedrosis and Granulosi groups of Baculovirus, and microsporidia, including Nosema sticticalis and Microsporidium sp. Reproduction of the pest can also be influenced by unfavorable weather conditions reducing population density in the subsequent generation. It is demonstrated that the model of the beet webworm population density dynamics based on indices of female fertility, changes in the offspring viability, and the rate of infection with microsporidia is more reliable than models based only on meteorological factors.     

双斑截尾寄蝇对寄主种类及草地螟幼虫龄期和寄生部位的选择性

双斑截尾寄蝇Nemorilla maculosa Meigen是草地螟和其他鳞翅类昆虫的重要寄生天敌,但国内外对其寄生行为知之甚少。为了明确双斑截尾寄蝇的寄生行为特征及其对草地螟种群动态的影响,在22℃,光照16 h的条件下就其对不同寄主种类及草地螟幼虫龄期、寄主部位的选择性进行了研究。结果显示：在草地螟、甜菜夜蛾和粘虫3种幼虫同时存在的条件下,双斑截尾寄蝇对草地螟的寄生率显著高于甜菜夜蛾和粘虫,而对甜菜夜蛾的寄生率又显著高于粘虫。另外,幼虫被寄生的平均次数也呈现相同的趋势,表明双斑截尾寄蝇喜选择草地螟。在3, 4, 5龄草地螟幼虫同时存在时,双斑截尾寄蝇对5龄幼虫的寄生率和平均寄生次数均显著高于4龄和3龄幼虫的,表明该寄蝇主要选择5龄幼虫为其寄主。在被寄生的草地螟幼虫中,胸部被寄生的比率（66.4%）和次数（4.2）显著高于头部（23.4%,1.0）和腹部（10.9%,1.1）,而腹部及头部被寄生的比例及卵粒数没有显著差异,表明双斑截尾寄蝇主要选择幼虫的胸部进行寄生。最后,就双斑截尾寄蝇对产卵寄主选择的原因和机理进行了讨论。     

The beet webworm <Emphasis Type="Italic">Loxostege sticticalis</Emphasis> L. (Lepidoptera,Crambidae) in the focus of agricultural entomology objectives: I. The periodicity of pest outbreaks

Analysis of the published data on the population dynamics of the beet webworm Loxostege sticticalis L., including its relation to solar activity, was made. The official statistical data from Russia and China testify to asynchronous outbreaks of the webworm in these countries, which suggests the existence of at least two population systems within the species range, the Euro-Siberian (Russia, Ukraine and Kazakhstan) and Central Asian (China and Mongolia) ones, geographically isolated by mountain systems (Tien Shan, Pamir, Altai, and the Sayan mountains) and deserts and bridged by the narrow East Siberian corridor. The theoretical and applied aspects of this conclusion are discussed, including the necessity for further studying of the population dynamics of this dangerous pest.     

光周期和温度对草地螟滞育诱导的影响

草地螟Loxostege sticticalis以老熟幼虫滞育越冬。在室内通过人工诱导的方法对其滞育的光周期和温度诱导条件进行了研究。结果表明:草地螟是一种典型的长日照发育型种类。光周期、温度及其交互作用均对草地螟滞育诱导具有重要影响, 其中光周期起主导作用, 温度伴随着光周期起作用。对幼虫滞育诱导最有效的光周期是L12∶D12; 随着温度的升高, 临界光周期呈缩短趋势（18℃除外）。18, 22, 26和30℃条件下幼虫滞育的临界日长依次为13.97, 14.48, 13.92 和12.88 h。光敏感实验揭示:21℃时草地螟对光照反应最敏感时期为幼虫孵化后的11～17 d（约5龄幼虫）, 但孵化后7～11 d（约4龄幼虫）的短光照积累对提高滞育率也有重要作用, 可以将滞育率从40.0%提高到90.0%。     

Short-term effects of temperature upon the growth of intertidal fucales

The growth rate of five species of intertidal Fucales (Pelvetia canaliculata (L.) Dec. et Thur., Fucus spiralis L., Fucus vesiculosus L., Fucus serratus L., Ascophyllum nodosum (L.) Le Jolis) was measured at temperatures from 2.5 to 35 °C. An increase in temperature immediately causes a high growth rate, and during the first hour it increases linearly with temperature; at 35 °C it is 20 times the control at 7 °C. This acceleration of growth is based mainly on stored photosynthate. After the first few hours the growth rate decreases rapidly, particularly at the highest temperatures. After 2–3 weeks a temperature optimum below 17.5 °C is indicated. High temperatures, 30–35 °C, were lethal to all species, with a survival time corresponding to their vertical zonation in the natural habitat.     

Effect of photoperiod and cold acclimation on survival of mice in cold

Male albino mice (Swiss-Webster) were raised at 5 °C under short (8L:16D) and long (16L:8D) light periods. All mice were housed in groups of three to five individuals in plastic mouse cages (16 × 12 × 28 cm) until 42 days of age with food and water ad libitum and cold exposed to ?40 °C between 10:00 am and 4:00 pm to determine survival time or time until loss of righting response occurred (CT min). Under short photo-periods, survival time was 49.3 ± 4.4 min and under long photoperiods it was 38.7 ± 1.9 min (P < 0.05). A second group of mice was maintained from birth at thermoneutral temperature (22 °C) under constant darkness, short day lengths (4L:20D), or constant light in the same fashion as mentioned above. When exposed to ?20 °C survival time was found to be 80.0 ± 5.0 min for the animals kept in constant darkness, 61.1 ± 2.3 min for animals raised in short photo-periods (4L:20D) (P < 0.01), and 52.4 ± 2.3 min for mice raised in constant light (P < 0.05). After 30 min mean rectal temperature was 32.1 ± 0.47 °C for constant-darkness animals, 30.5 ± 0.43 °C for short-day animals (P < 0.02), and 28.5 ± 0.74 °C for animals raised in constant light (P < 0.05). After 60 min mean rectal temperatures for constant-dark, 4L:20D, and constant-light animals were compared and body temperature was found to be 23.7 ± 1.6, 17.3 ± 1.5 (P < 0.01), and 12.8 ± 0.87 °C (P < 0.05), respectively. From these data, it is obvious that photoperiod influences cold resistance at both cold and thermoneutral acclimation temperatures although when considered individually, cold acclimation enhances cold survival to a greater degree than does reduced light exposure.     

The effect of acclimation temperature on thermal activity thresholds in polar terrestrial invertebrates

In the Maritime Antarctic and High Arctic, soil microhabitat temperatures throughout the year typically range between ?10 and +5 °C. However, on occasion, they can exceed 20 °C, and these instances are likely to increase and intensify as a result of climate warming. Remaining active under both cool and warm conditions is therefore important for polar terrestrial invertebrates if they are to forage, reproduce and maximise their fitness. In the current study, lower and upper thermal activity thresholds were investigated in the polar Collembola, Megaphorura arctica and Cryptopygus antarcticus, and the mite, Alaskozetes antarcticus. Specifically, the effect of acclimation on these traits was explored. Sub-zero activity was exhibited in all three species, at temperatures as low as ?4.6 °C in A. antarcticus. At high temperatures, all three species had capacity for activity above 30 °C and were most active at 25 °C. This indicates a comparable spread of temperatures across which activity can occur to that seen in temperate and tropical species, but with the activity window shifted towards lower temperatures. In all three species following one month acclimation at ?2 °C, chill coma (=the temperature at which movement and activity cease) and the critical thermal minimum (=low temperature at which coordination is no longer shown) occurred at lower temperatures than for individuals maintained at +4 °C (except for the CTmin of M. arctica). Individuals acclimated at +9 °C conversely showed little change in their chill coma or CTmin. A similar trend was demonstrated for the heat coma and critical thermal maximum (CTmax) of all species. Following one month at ?2 °C, the heat coma and CTmax were reduced as compared with +4 °C reared individuals, whereas the heat coma and CTmax of individuals acclimated at +9 °C showed little adjustment. The data obtained suggest these invertebrates are able to take maximum advantage of the short growing season and have some capacity, in spite of limited plasticity at high temperatures, to cope with climate change.     

Effect of low and high temperatures on the photosynthetic performance of Lantana camara L. Leaves in darkness

Low and high temperatures are known as most important factors influencing plant performance and distribution. Plants of Lantana camara L. coming from two distinct geographical populations (Iberian Peninsula and Galápagos Islands) were cultivated in a common garden experiment, and their leaves were subjected to thermal treatments (from +20.0 to ?7.5°C during the winter and from +20.0 to +50.0°C during the summer) in a programmable water bath in darkness. Their photosynthetic performance and their recovery capacity after the thermal treatment were evaluated by measuring chlorophyll fluorescence, net photosynthesis rate, and leaf necrosis. In general, L. camara photosynthetic apparatus showed a wide range of temperature tolerance in darkness, showing optimal functioning of its photosystem II just after exposure to temperatures between ?2.5 and +35.0°C for the Iberian population and between +10.0 and +25.0°C for the Galápagos population. Just after exposure to low and high temperatures, gradual cold and heat-induced photoinhibition was recorded for both populations. After 24 h, leaves of L. camara demonstrated a great recovery capacity from ?2.5 to +42.5°C. However, leaves of the treatments from ?5.0°C down and +47.50°C up showed permanent damages to the photosynthetic apparatus and to the leaf tissues. Slight interpopulation differences were found only at extreme temperatures.     

基于Maxent模型的不同气候变化情景下我国草地螟越冬区预测

草地螟(Loxostege sticticalis L.)是我国华北、东北和西北地区农牧业生产的重大害虫,其每年暴发成灾的程度及造成的经济损失与越冬虫源基数或面积密切相关,但我国草地螟主要越冬区的变化规律至今尚未见报道。为了阐明全球气候变化条件下我国草地螟越冬区的变化规律,以1951—2000年我国草地螟越冬场所及面积为基础,结合政府间气候变化专门委员会(IPCC)第五次评估报告发布的BCC-CSM1.1气候模式数据,采用最大熵(Maxent)模型预测了4种气候变化(RCP 2.6,4.5,6.0和8.5)情景下2050s及2070s我国草地螟越冬区的变化情况。研究结果:1)训练数据集和测试数据集的受试者工作特征曲线下的面积(AUC)分别为0.989和0.987,表明模型的模拟精度很好。2)经Jackknife方法检验,降雨量变化方差bio_15是最重要的变量,最湿月份降雨量bio_13次之,最后为10月份降水量prec_10及年温变化范围bio_7。这些环境变量对模型的贡献率均超过10%,是模型构建最重要的环境变量。3)在各种气候变化情景下,到2050s及2070s我国草地螟的越冬区面积和位置相对于当前都有不同程度的扩大和北移。其中高适宜越冬区面积为当前的1.41—2.94倍,其质心位置向北移动78.79—226.97 km。这些结果表明,我国未来草地螟越冬场所将会扩大和北移。     

Freezing-induced xylem cavitation and the northern limit of Larrea tridentata

We investigated the occurrence of freezing-induced cavitation in the evergreen desert shrub Larrea tridentata and compared it to co-occurring, winter-deciduous Prosopis velutina. Field measurements indicated that xylem sap in L. tridentata froze at temperatures below c. –5°C, and that this caused no measurable cavitation for minimum temperatures above –7°C. During the same period P. velutina cavitated almost completely. In the laboratory, we cooled stems of L. tridentata to temperatures ranging from –5 to –20°C, held them at temperature for 1 or 12 h, thawed the stems at a constant rate and measured cavitation by the decrease in hydraulic conductivity of stem segments. As observed in the field, freezing exotherms occurred at temperatures between –6.5 and –9°C and as long as temperatures were held above –11°C there was no change in hydraulic conductivity after thawing. However, when stems were cooled to between –11°C and –20°C, stem hydraulic conductivity decreased linearly with minimum temperature. Minimum temperatures between –16 and –20°C were sufficient to completely eliminate hydraulic conductance. Record (>20 year) minimum isotherms in this same range of temperatures corresponded closely with the northern limit of L. tridentata in the Mojave and Sonoran deserts.     

Some factors affecting survival and oxygen uptake in a subtropical beach flea

The survival and oxygen uptake of the supralittoral amphipod Chroestia lota Marsden & Fenwick were investigated in humid air and sea water between 15 and 35°C. Seven-day exposure experiments were made on three size groups of amphipods at 6 constant temperatures (15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40 °C) and three cyclic temperatures (15–25, 20–30, 25–35°C) in air and in sea water at 34 and 17%. salinity. Neither size, treatment nor temperature affected survival between 15 and 30°C. Mortality increased > 30°C with large individuals being consistently less tolerant than medium and small amphipods. While amphipods exposed to cyclic temperatures during submersion had reduced survival compared with constant temperatures, those individuals exposed to cyclic conditions in humid air showed the greatest resistance. Oxygen uptake of Chroestia increased with dry body wt and, over the range 15–35°C, this semi-terrestrial beach flea could maintain its aerial VO₂ following submersion. Oxygen uptake increased directly in proportion to gill area and the weight specific gill area was low, consistent with the need to reduce desiccation. It is suggested that total gill area does not limit oxygen uptake in Chroestia and that cutaneous respiration may be important especially in aquatic conditions.     

Predicting the stabilities of freeze-dried suspensions of Lactobacillus acidophilus by the accelerated storage test

The elevated temperatures of 50 ° C, 60 ° C, and 70 ° C were used in an accelerated storage test for predicting the stability of freeze-dried suspensions of L. acidophilus. The logarithmic death of bacteria at the above temperatures and the Arrhenius relationship obtained permitted predicting the rate of death at any storage temperature. The values predicted for storage stability of freeze-dried suspensions of L. acidophilus at 4 ° C and 20 ° C were confirmed by the actual values obtained after storage at these temperatures for 6, 15, and 19 mo.     

Temperature responses of tropical to warm temperateCladophora species in relation to their distribution in the North Atlantic Ocean

The relationship between distribution boundaries and temperature responses of some North AtlanticCladophora species (Chlorophyta) was experimentally examined under various regimes of temperature, light and daylength. Experimentally determined critical temperature intervals, in which survival, growth or reproduction was limited, were compared with annual temperature regimes (monthly means and extremes) at sites inside and outside distribution boundaries. The species tested belonged to two phytogeographic groups: (1) the tropical West Atlantic group (C. submarina: isolate from Curaçao) and (2) the amphiatlantic tropical to warm temperate group (C. prolifera: isolate from Corsica;C. coelothrix: isolates from Brittany and Curaçao; andC. laetevirens: isolates from deep and shallow water in Corsica and from Brittany). In accordance with distribution from tropical to warm temperate regions, each of the species grew well between 20–30°C and reproduction and growth were limited at and below 15°C. The upper survival limit in long days was <35°C in all species but high or maximum growth rates occurred at 30°C.C. prolifera, restricted to the tropical margins, had the most limited survival at 35°C. Experimental evidence suggests thatC. submarina is restricted to the Caribbean and excluded from the more northerly American mainland and Gulf of Mexico coasts by sporadic low winter temperatures in the nearshore waters, when cold northerly weather penetrates far south every few years. Experimental evidence suggests thatC. prolifera, C. coelothrix andC. laetevirens are restricted to their northern European boundaries by summer temperatures too low for sufficient growth and/or reproduction. Their progressively more northerly located boundaries were accounted for by differences in growth rates over the critical 10–15°C interval.C. prolifera andC. coelothrix are excluded or restricted in distribution on North Sea coasts by lethal winter temperatures, again differences in cold tolerance accounting for differences in their distribution patterns. On the American coast, species were probably restricted by lethal winter temperatures in the nearshore and, in some cases, by the absence of suitable hard substrates in the more equable offshore waters. Isolates from two points along the European coast (Brittany, Corsica) ofC. laetevirens showed no marked differences in their temperature tolerance but the Caribbean and European isolates ofC. coelothrix differed markedly in their tolerance to low temperatures, the lethal limit of the Caribbean isolate lying more than 5°C higher (at ca 5°C).     

Impact of short-term temperature challenges on the larvicidal activities of the entomopathogenic watermold Leptolegnia chapmanii against Aedes aegypti, and development on infected dead larvae

The oomycete Leptolegnia chapmanii is among the most promising entomopathogens for biological control of Aedes aegypti. This mosquito vector breeds in small water collections, where this aquatic watermold pathogen can face short-term scenarios of challenging high or low temperatures during changing ambient conditions, but it is yet not well understood how extreme temperatures might affect the virulence and recycling capacities of this pathogen. We tested the effect of short-term exposure of encysted L. chapmanii zoospores (cysts) on A. aegypti larvae killed after infection by this pathogen to stressful low or high temperatures on virulence and production of cysts and oogonia, respectively. Cysts were exposed to temperature regimes between ?12 °C and 40 °C for 4, 6 or 8 h, and then their infectivity was tested against third instar larvae (L3) at 25 °C; in addition, production of cysts and oogonia on L3 killed by infection exposed to the same temperature regimes as well as their larvicidal activity were monitored. Virulence of cysts to larvae and the degree of zoosporogenesis on dead larvae under laboratory conditions were highest at 25 °C but were hampered or even blocked after 4 up to 8 h exposure of cysts or dead larvae at both the highest (35 °C and 40 °C) and the lowest (?12 °C) temperatures followed by subsequent incubation at 25 °C. The virulence of cysts was less affected by accelerated than by slow thawing from the frozen state. The production of oogonia on dead larvae was stimulated by short-term exposure to freezing temperatures (?12 °C and 0 °C) or cool temperatures (5 °C and 10 °C) but was not detected at higher temperatures (25 °C–40 °C). These findings emphasize the susceptibility of L. chapmanii to short-term temperature stresses and underscore its interest as an agent for biocontrol of mosquitoes in the tropics and subtropics, especially A. aegypti, that breed preferentially in small volumes of water that are generally protected from direct sunlight.     

Temperature-dependent development of Lista haraldusalis (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) on Platycarya strobilacea

The effect of constant temperatures on development and survival of Lista haraldusalis (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), a newly reported insect species used to produce insect tea in Guizhou province (China), was studied in laboratory conditions at seven temperatures (19 °C, 22 °C, 25 °C, 28 °C, 31 °C, 34 °C, and 37 °C) on Platycarya strobilacea. Increasing the temperature from 19 °C to 31 °C led to a significant decrease in the developmental time from egg to adult emergence, and then the total developmental time increased at 34 °C. Egg incubation was the stage where L. haraldusalis experienced the highest mortality at all temperatures. The survival of L. haraldusalis was significantly higher at 25 °C and 28 °C, whereas none of the eggs hatched at 37 °C. Common and Ikemoto linear models were used to describe the relationship between the temperature and the developmental rate for each immature stage of L. haraldusalis. The estimated values of the lower temperature threshold and thermal constant of the total immature stages using Common and Ikemoto linear models were 11.34 °C and 11.20 °C, and 939.85 and 950.41 degree-days, respectively. Seven nonlinear models were used to fit the experimental data to estimate the developmental rate of L. haraldusalis. Based on the biological significance for model evaluation, Ikemoto linear, Logan-6, and SSI were the best models that fitted each immature stage of L. haraldusalis and they were used to estimate the temperature thresholds. These thermal requirements and temperature thresholds are crucial for facilitating the development of factory-based mass rearing of L. haraldusalis.     

Stress response of some lactic acid bacteria isolated from Romanian artisan dairy products

Understanding the mechanisms of stress response and adaptation to stress in the case of lactic acid bacteria (LAB), especially in the case of strains with functional properties, is very important when such strains are potential candidates for starter cultures or probiotics. In this context, our study shows the response of some LAB [four exopolysaccharide (EPS)-producing strains and one strain with potential probiotic effect] to the stresses induced by low and high incubation temperatures, acidity, NaCl, and bile salts, often encountered during the technological processes in food or during the passage through the human gastro-intestinal tract. The strains were able to grow at temperatures up to 40 °C (the mesophilic strains) and 47 °C (the thermophilic strain), in medium with an initial pH of at least 4.0 (Lactobacillus acidophilus IBB801), or in the presence of NaCl up to 10 % (Weissella confusa/cibaria 38.2), or bile salts up to 0.2 % (L. acidophilus IBB801). The protein and isoenzyme patterns of the strains subjected to various stress conditions presented several differences compared with the control patterns, among which the overexpression of some proteins of about 50–60 kDa, differences in the bands intensity in the case of the intracellular enzymes, or the complete loss of some of these bands. The best survival to low pH values and high temperatures was observed for strain L. acidophilus IBB801, the candidate probiotic strain. The EPS production of the four tested strains was, in general, directly related to the growth, the highest yields being obtained when strains were incubated at 24 °C.     

Timelapse scanning reveals spatial variation in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) root elongation rates during partial waterlogging

Aims

Effects of soil amendments with crop residues on suppression of damping-off of sugar beet were examined by growing the seedlings in pasteurized, Rhizoctonia solani (AG2-2 IIIB)-infested soil at different temperatures. Dried residues of five dasheen or taro (Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott) cultivars were compared with those of peanut (Arachys hypogaea L.) and Brassica rapa Olsson for their effects on disease suppression.

Methods and Results

When the seedlings were grown at 17/12 °C (day/night), all residues equally suppressed the disease when amended into the soil just before sowing. At 22/17 or 32/27 °C, damping-off developed in non-treated soil within 10 days, and differential suppressive effects by the residues became apparent by 21 days. When non-pasteurized, non-treated soil was infested with the pathogen, seedling survival was markedly better than in the same but pasteurized, infested soil. Yet, the effect was not different within the entire temperature ranges. Growth of both R. solani and the seedlings peaked near 25 °C and leveled off at higher temperatures.

Conclusions

These results suggest that damping-off was suppressed by antagonistic soil microorganisms, and individual residues elevated their effects differently. Under cool conditions, the antagonists dominated the pathogen to suppress the disease. Under warmer conditions, pathogenesis overcame antagonism depending on the residue, resulting in differential effects of disease suppression.