乐果对家蚕生殖腺及氧化应激反应的影响

【目的】农药施加不当导致环境污染严重,已成为蚕桑业发展面临的紧迫问题。本研究旨在评估大田喷洒有机磷农药乐果污染间作桑园可能导致对家蚕Bombyx mori正常发育的影响,以分析乐果对家蚕生殖腺的毒理损伤影响。【方法】以文献报道的乐果对家蚕幼虫的LD₅₀为400 mg/L作为参考依据,给家蚕5龄幼虫添食不同浓度（0, 50, 100, 200和400 mg/L）乐果溶液浸叶处理的桑叶,测定乐果处理后5龄幼虫茧质和体重,雌、雄幼虫生殖腺中乐果残留含量和H2O2含量,抗氧化酶（SOD和CAT）活性及其mRNA表达。【结果】结果显示,乐果处理后家蚕5龄幼虫茧质和体重以及雌、雄幼虫生殖腺中乐果残留含量均具有浓度 效应关系。100~200 mg/L乐果浓度添食下,雌雄幼虫生殖腺中H₂O₂含量与对照（清水）相比均显著上升。随着添食浓度的增加,SOD和CAT活性都出现先降低后升高的趋势,但均低于对照组。sod和cat的mRNA表达水平与相应的酶活性具有正相关性。通过HE染色以及生精囊的体外培养,观察到在乐果处理后雌、雄幼虫生殖腺的形态结构发生变化,表现为形态畸形,细胞内空泡增大,生殖细胞数目相对减少,且随浓度的增加,生殖腺损伤越严重。【结论】本研究结果说明,采用乐果对家蚕的LD₅₀以下浓度溶液浸叶添食于5龄幼虫,对家蚕生殖腺发育有毒理损伤的影响,这为从蚕业生产角度全面禁止大田使用乐果和加强农业生产区划管理提供了依据。     

VB1、VB12和VH对雨生红球藻生长及类胡萝卜素含量的影响

以淡水经济微藻雨生红球藻(Haematococcus pluvialis CH-1)为试验藻种,分别添加维生素B₁(VB₁)、B₁₂(VB₁₂)和维生素H(VH),每种维生素各分6个浓度梯度,测定了雨生红球藻的细胞密度、生物量、叶绿素a和类胡萝卜素含量等指标。结果表明,分别添加维生素B₁、B₁₂和H均显著促进了雨生红球藻细胞的生长。维生素B₁、B₁₂和H对雨生红球藻的最佳添加浓度分别为10mg·L^-1、50μg·L^-1和500μg·L^-1。在维生素B₁、B₁₂和H各自的最佳浓度处理下,雨生红球藻的细胞密度、生物量、叶绿素a和类胡萝卜素含量等4项指标均比对照有显著提高:维生素B₁处理分别提高了20.1%、14.6%、23.2%和21.3%;维生素B₁₂处理分别提高了29.5%、30.0%、28.0%和24.4%;维生素H处理分别提高了17.1%、29.2%、21.8%和10.1%。在雨生红球藻规模化生产的游动细胞培养阶段,适当地添加维生素B₁、B₁₂和H均能够有效地提高藻细胞密度、生物量、叶绿素a和类胡萝卜素含量。     

摄入异烟肼对家蚕幼虫体内谷胱甘肽氧化还原循环和谷胱甘肽S-转移酶活性的影响

为了建立家蚕Bombyx mori的药物筛选和毒性评价模型, 以剂量为2 000 mg/kg的抗结核模药异烟肼饲喂家蚕5龄第3天幼虫后检测其中肠和脂肪体的抗氧化解毒相关代谢的变化。结果表明： 雌蚕中肠组织中, 总谷胱甘肽(GSH+2GSSG)、 还原型谷胱甘肽(reduced glutathione, GSH)和氧化型谷胱甘肽(oxidized glutathione, GSSG)含量均呈现迅速上升再缓慢下降趋势; 谷胱甘肽S 转移酶(glutathione S-transferase, GST)活性升高到较大值后逐渐降低; GSH/GSSG的比值下降表明, 在72 min后中肠组织向氧化态转移。脂肪体组织中, 总谷胱甘肽、 GSH和GSSG含量变化均呈现迅速下降再迅速上升的趋势; GST活性达到最大值后逐渐降低后趋于平稳; GSH/GSSG比值升高表明, 在72 min后脂肪体组织向还原态转移。无论雌蚕还是雄蚕, 总谷胱甘肽、 GSH和GSSG含量以及GST活性均是脂肪体高于中肠。雌蚕的总谷胱甘肽含量、 GSH和GSSG含量高于雄蚕, 但雄蚕的GST活性高于雌性。结果说明, 摄入异烟肼引起了家蚕幼虫体内谷胱甘肽氧化还原状态的改变和酶活性的变化, 在这个过程中脂肪体起主要解毒代谢作用。     

HPLC法测定石斛类药材中烟酸和烟酰胺的含量

目的：建立同时测定石斛类药材中烟酸和烟酰胺含量的HPLC法。方法：采用Supersil AQ C-₁₈柱(4.6 mm×250 mm, 5μm),0.1%庚烷磺酸钠溶液(含7%甲醇和2%异丙醇，pH至2.1±0.1)为流动相，流速为1.0 mL/min，检测波长为261 nm。结果：烟酸和烟酰胺分别在0.002～0.040 mg/mL(R²=0.999 5)、0.006～0.120 mg/mL(R²=0.9995)浓度范围内线性关系良好，平均回收率为99.68%和99.14%,RSD为1.91%和1.74%。结论：不同种石斛类药材中烟酸与烟酰胺的含量有差异，铜皮石斛中烟酸含量最高，流苏石斛中烟酰胺含量最高。该研究建立的方法简便、准确、重复性好，为石斛药材的品质评价及开发研究提供科学依据。     

淡色库蚊(Culex pipiens pallens Coq.)幼虫的不同性别对γ-666敏感度变化的研究

淡色库蚊幼虫从1至4龄都有性别分化的现象。从1至3龄, 其先蜕皮者为雄, 后蜕皮者为雌。4龄则凡先化蛹者为雄, 后化蛹者为雌。不同性别的幼虫对杀虫剂的敏感度也有所不同, 2、3龄雌虫对γ-666的敏感度低于2、3龄的雌虫, 其中也3龄雌雄间的差异较大。4龄则与2、3龄相反, 雌性的敏感度低于雄性。 在2、3、4龄幼虫中, 由于以2龄幼虫雌雄性别间对γ-666的敏感度的差异最小, 因此, 在生物测定中用2龄幼虫为材料时其准确度是较高的。     

低致死剂量氯虫苯甲酰胺对沟金针虫食物利用和相关生理生化指标的剂量和时间效应

【目的】明确氯虫苯甲酰胺对沟金针虫Pleonomus canaliculatus亚致死效应的生理生化机制,阐明氯虫苯甲酰胺低致死剂量对沟金针虫食物利用、能量物质含量以及体内消化酶、保护酶和解毒酶活力的影响。【方法】室内采用土壤混药法测定氯虫苯甲酰胺对沟金针虫3龄幼虫毒力,并测定了氯虫苯甲酰胺LC₁₀, LC₂₅和LC₄₀低致死剂量对沟金针虫3龄幼虫营养指标和体内能量物质含量的影响;采用酶动力学法检测了氯虫苯甲酰胺低致死剂量处理1, 6, 12, 24, 48和72 h后沟金针虫3龄幼虫体内消化酶(蛋白酶、α-淀粉酶、脂肪酶、海藻糖酶)、保护酶(CAT, POD和SOD)以及解毒酶(CarE, MFO和GST)活力的动态变化。【结果】氯虫苯甲酰胺对沟金针虫3龄幼虫有较高毒力,其LC₅₀值为1.2397 mg/kg。LC₁₀和LC₄₀剂量氯虫苯甲酰胺处理沟金针虫3龄幼虫后,平均相对生长率(MRGR)和近似消化率(AD)显著降低,严重干扰其对食物的利用;LC₁₀, LC₂₅和LC₄₀剂量处理后沟金针虫3龄幼虫体内主要的能量物质(蛋白质、脂质、碳水化合物、海藻糖)含量和消化酶活力均明显降低,而解毒酶和保护酶活力显著增加,最终延缓其生长发育。【结论】氯虫苯甲酰胺对沟金针虫幼虫具有很高的杀虫活性,低致死剂量氯虫苯甲酰胺处理沟金针虫幼虫后,通过抑制消化酶活性,使其对食物的利用能力降低和生长发育延缓,以及诱导解毒酶和保护酶活性来阻止外界毒物侵害。研究结果为阐明氯虫苯甲酰胺对沟金针虫的亚致死效应机制及作用机理提供了一定的理论基础。     

阿维菌素对白背飞虱发育和繁殖的亚致死效应（英文）

【目的】探究阿维菌素对白背飞虱Sogatella furcifera的亚致死效应。【方法】采用稻茎浸渍法，分别以阿维菌素亚致死浓度LC₁₀(0.016 mg/L)和LC₂₅(0.031 mg/L)处理白背飞虱3龄若虫，统计F₀代雌雄成虫寿命、单雌产卵量；记录F₁代的发育历期、繁殖力、存活率及雌雄成虫寿命、内禀增长率(r)、周限增长率(λ)、净增殖率(R₀)和平均世代周期(T)，组建年龄-阶段两性生命表。【结果】与对照(蒸馏水)相比，白背飞虱3龄若虫在LC₁₀和LC₂₅浓度阿维菌素的胁迫下，F₀代单雌产卵量均显著降低，但孵化率未受影响；LC₂₅浓度阿维菌素处理后，白背飞虱雄成虫寿命与对照组相比显著延长，但LC₁₀阿维菌素处理显著缩短了雌成虫寿命。在F₁代中，LC₁₀和LC₂₅浓度处理组的单雌产卵量分别为17...     

粘虫幼虫密度对成虫能源物质含量的影响

通过粘虫Mythimna separata幼虫密度(1头/瓶、20头/瓶、40头/瓶)对成虫水分、甘油酯和糖原含量影响的研究结果。不同幼虫密度处理的初羽化成虫水分含量无明显差异,但1～5日龄40头/瓶的雄蛾及1～3日龄雌蛾高于单头处理的;20、40头/瓶的初羽化成虫甘油酯含量没有显著的差异,但均显著地高于单头饲养的;20头/瓶羽化的雌、雄成虫l～5日龄甘油酯含量随日龄的增加而增加,到5日龄达到最大值后才开始下降,40头/瓶的在3日龄达到最大值后即开始下降,而单头饲养羽化的在1日龄达到较高值,2日龄降至最低后再缓慢回升。幼虫密度对初羽化成虫及1～7日龄雄蛾的糖原含量没有显著的影响,但20、40头/瓶条件下羽化的1～7日龄雌蛾糖原含量随日龄的增加而增加,而单头饲养的则随日龄的 增加而下降。这些结果表明幼虫密度不仅影响到初羽化成虫能源物质的含量,而且也可能影响到成虫能源物质特别是甘油酯的代谢。     

中国沙棘幼苗对土壤镉生理耐性和富集转运特征的性别差异

为探究中国沙棘对土壤镉(Cd)胁迫的性别响应差异,该研究以中国沙棘2年生幼苗为材料,利用盆栽试验研究在不同浓度Cd处理下(0(CK)、25、50、100和200 mg·kg^-1)雌、雄株幼苗的生长、叶片生理特性以及Cd富集特征的差异。结果表明：(1)Cd处理下中国沙棘幼苗雌、雄株的株高和基径生长以及各器官生物量均表现出低浓度(<50 mg·kg^-1)促进,高浓度(> 100 mg·kg^-1)抑制的现象;低浓度Cd处理下雌株的株高、基径增长率和生物量的增幅均高于雄株;高浓度Cd处理下(200 mg·kg^-1)雄株株高增长率、叶生物量和总生物量分别较CK显著降低,而雌株均未显著下降。(2)随着Cd浓度升高,雌、雄株叶片光合色素含量和抗氧化酶活性呈先升后降的变化趋势,丙二醛(MDA)和渗透调节物质含量呈上升趋势;Cd浓度为50～200 mg·kg^-1时,雌株叶片的光合色素含量、抗氧化酶活性和渗透调节物质含量均高于雄株,而MDA含量始终低于雄株。(3)随着Cd浓度升高,雌、...     

瓜实蝇耐低温相关生理指标的测定

【目的】了解瓜实蝇Bactrocera cucurbitae(Coquillett)对低温的耐受性,分析其不同发育阶段耐寒力差异。【方法】以不同发育阶段瓜实蝇为实验材料,分别测定并比较了过冷却点、水分、脂肪、甘油和糖类含量的变化情况。【结果】其不同龄期的过冷却点差异显著,5日龄蛹的过冷却点最低,为﹣17.04℃,1日龄幼虫的过冷却点最高,为﹣11.82℃,同一日龄的雌、雄成虫之间的过冷却点无显著差异;其幼虫期和蛹期虫体的含水量随着龄期的增长而下降,从1日龄幼虫79.64%下降到5日龄蛹65.31%,5日龄蛹的含水量显著低于其他龄期瓜实蝇,成虫期各龄期雌成虫含水量均显著高于雄成虫;5日龄幼虫脂肪含量最高,为32.90%,1日龄雄成虫和14日龄雄成虫脂肪含量最低,均为15%;幼虫期甘油含量随着龄期的增长而下降,从3.32μg/mg下降到1.12μg/mg,而蛹期逐渐上升,14日龄雌成虫甘油含量最高,为5.90μg/mg;1日龄幼虫总糖、海藻糖和糖原含量均最高,分别为7.51、0.94和1.93μg/mg,显著高于其他龄期瓜实蝇,蛹期糖类含量逐渐下降,而成虫期糖类含量随龄期增长而逐渐升高。【结论】本研究结果可为正确评估瓜实蝇的地理适应性和低温检疫处理提供依据。     

亚洲玉米螟幼虫对氮、糖的吸收和利用

本文以不同含氮和含糖量的系列人工饲料为材料,研究了亚洲玉米螟Ostrinia fur nacalis(Guen6e)幼虫对氮和糖的吸收和利用。结果表明：幼虫对饲料中氮的吸收能力随虫龄增加而下降,对糖的吸收能力则随之而增强;5龄幼虫对糖的吸收能力随所食饲料中氮含量的增加而增强,而对氮的吸收则与饲料糖含量关系不大,5龄幼虫对氮和糖的消耗速率均随饲料含糖量增加而加快,但幼虫的氮利用率和虫体含氮量则随之下降;幼虫的氮消耗速率随饲料含氮量的增加而增加,而氮利用率则下降,5龄幼虫的氮利用率比3龄幼虫的氮利用率低,导致虫体含氮量的迅速下降。这些结果说明饲料中氮含量影响幼虫对糖的吸收,高龄幼虫对糖的需要量增加而对氮的需要则较稳定,饲料中糖比氮更重要。     

Stimulated synthesis of the female-specific storage protein in male larvae of the silkworm Bombyx mori treated with juvenile hormone analog

Application of methoprene to fourth (penultimate) instar larvae of the silkworm Bombyx mori induced the appearance of the feeding dauer larvae at the fifth (last) instar and prevented pupal metamorphosis. Methoprene also increased the protein concentrations of hemolymph last instar larvae by preventing sequestration of storage proteins by the fat body. Usually, the female-specific storage protein 1 (SP1)* disappears from the male hemolymph at the time of the last larval instar. However, exposure of male larvae to methoprene at the penultimate instar enhanced the accumulation of SP1 in the hemolymph. The SP1 accumulated in males did not differ in molecular weight and immunoreactivity from the SP1 produced in female larvae. Both sexes of fourth instar larvae allatectomized on day 1 instantly accumulated SP1 in the hemolymph, and methoprene application after allatectomy suppressed the hemolymph accumulation of the SP1. In contrast, if allatectomy was carried out at a later stage of the fourth larval instar, SP1 concentration in hemolymph of fifth instar larvae did not increase, suggesting the different juvenile hormone action for regulation of SP1 synthesis in the penultimate instar larvae of silkworms.     

Regulation of expression of arylphorin and female-specific protein mRNAs in the tobacco hornworm, Manduca sexta

Two non-cross-hybridizing cDNA clones were isolated from a lambda gt11 cDNA library prepared from Day 2 fifth instar female fat body of Manduca sexta and shown by hybrid selection to code respectively for the two storage proteins arylphorin and female-specific protein (FSP). Analysis of the developmental expression of arylphorin showed its presence during the feeding phases of the penultimate (fourth) and final (fifth) larval instars and its absence during the molt. Abdominal ligation of larvae followed by infusion of Grace's medium showed that this amino acid-rich medium was able to maintain arylphorin expression in fourth instar larvae, but not continued high expression in fifth instar larvae. This nutrient medium however was sufficient to allow initiation of expression in newly ecdysed fifth larval abdomens. Infusion of 5 micrograms 20-hydroxyecdysone (20HE) caused a significant reduction of arylphorin RNA in ligated fourth larval abdomens, whereas 50 micrograms was required in Day 2 fifth larval abdomens to suppress this RNA. Thus, both the lack of incoming nutrients and the rising titer of ecdysteroid contribute to the loss of arylphorin mRNA at the molts and at wandering. By contrast, FSP mRNA was first detected in females on Day 2 of the fifth instar, but not in males until wandering, and then was present throughout the prepupal period. In females allatectomy caused the precocious appearance of FSP mRNA which was prevented by application of 10 micrograms methoprene, a juvenile hormone analog. Expression of FSP mRNA in males however appeared to be independent of hormonal milieu.     

Effect of carotenoid deficiency on photosensitivities in the silkworm, Bombyx mori

The silkworm, Bombyx mori, was reared aseptically on a synthetic diet with and without β-carotene and the effects of carotenoid and vitamin A deficiency on photosensitivities in larval phototaxis, visual function and adult eclosion were studied.β-Carotene or vitamin A acted as a growth-promoting factor in continuous darkness and under photoperiodic conditions. The deficiency of β-carotene decreased the larval phototactic response as growth proceeded. The offspring larvae from eggs laid by β-carotene-deficient moths also lost the phototactic response, but successive rearing with dietary β-carotene or vitamin A re-established the response. The deficiency of β-carotene caused the loss of the electric response by light stimuli in the ocelli of fifth instar larvae and the compound eyes of adult moths. These results indicate that vitamin A is essential for visual function in the silkworm, as reported in other insects. The lack of carotenoid did not affect the development of the pupae or the specific time of eclosion which is regulated by a photoperiodic condition of pupal stage. This observation suggests that the carotenoid and its derivative are not involved in photoreception for the entrainment of the adult eclosion of the silkworm.     

Effects of BmCPV Infection on Silkworm Bombyx mori Intestinal Bacteria

The gut microbiota has a crucial role in the growth, development and environmental adaptation in the host insect. The objective of our work was to investigate the microbiota of the healthy silkworm Bombyx mori gut and changes after the infection of B. mori cypovirus (BmCPV). Intestinal contents of the infected and healthy larvae of B. mori of fifth instar were collected at 24, 72 and 144 h post infection with BmCPV. The gut bacteria were analyzed by pyrosequencing of the 16S rRNA gene. 147(135) and 113(103) genera were found in the gut content of the healthy control female (male) larvae and BmCPV-infected female (male) larvae, respectively. In general, the microbial communities in the gut content of healthy larvae were dominated by Enterococcus, Delftia, Pelomonas, Ralstonia and Staphylococcus, however the abundance change of each genus was depended on the developmental stage and gender. Microbial diversity reached minimum at 144 h of fifth instar larvae. The abundance of Enterococcus in the females was substantially lower and the abundance of Delftia, Aurantimonas and Staphylococcus was substantially higher compared to the males. Bacterial diversity in the intestinal contents decreased after post infection with BmCPV, whereas the abundance of both Enterococcus and Staphylococcus which belongs to Gram-positive were increased. Therefore, our findings suggested that observed changes in relative abundance was related to the immune response of silkworm to BmCPV infection. Relevance analysis of plenty of the predominant genera showed the abundance of the Enterococcus genus was in negative correlation with the abundance of the most predominant genera. These results provided insight into the relationship between the gut microbiota and development of the BmCPV-infected silkworm.     

家蚕体内因缺乏维生素B6而引起的若干代谢变动

采用不含桑叶粉末、以去维生素牛乳酪蛋白为蛋白源的准合成饲料饲育家蚕Bombyx mori 5龄幼虫,探讨了缺乏维生素B₆（VB₆）对蚕体氨基酸代谢、脂肪酸代谢以及转氨酶活力的影响。缺乏VB₆引起支链氨基酸分解代谢受阻,幼虫体液中大量积累亮氨酸、缬氨酸和异亮氨酸。同时因绢丝腺发育停滞,丝氨酸也在体液中积累。另一方面,缺乏VB₆幼虫体液中赖氨酸、脯氨酸、精氨酸、甲硫氨酸和谷氨酸含量减少,其中赖氨酸尤为突出。推测缺乏VB₆引起赖氨酸分解代谢亢进。结果还表明,缺乏VB₆幼虫体内脂肪酸代谢异常,谷丙转氨酶活力显著低下。     

Developmental and sex-dependent regulation of storage protein synthesis in the silkworm,Bombyx mori

The mechanism of sex-dependent expression of a major plasma protein, referred to as storage protein 1 (SP-1) was studied during development of the silkworm, Bombyx mori. SP-1 occurred in the hemolymph of the female as well as in the male larvae until the end of the fourth larval instar. In the last instar larvae, the amount of SP-1 in the hemolymph greatly increased in females, but markedly declined in males. The level of fat body mRNA for SP-1 reflected the developmental and sex-dependent changes in the hemolymph concentration of SP-1. The developmental patterns of hemolymph proteins in the third and the fourth instar larvae of sex-mosaic individuals were quite analogous to those observed in normal larvae at the same developmental stages. The hemolymph concentration of SP-1 at the last larval instar of the sex mosaics varied among individuals irrespective of the gonad compositions. In vitro culture of the fat body cells dissected from several locations of a sex-mosaic larva provided evidence that each fat body cell in a common hemolymph milieu synthesizes a high (female type) or a low (male type) level of SP-1 depending on the sex chromosome composition. The amount of vitellogenin in the hemolymph of the sex-mosaic pupae was in proportion to that of SP-1 at the last larval instar. From these results, it is suggested that the sex-dependent expression of SP-1 and vitellogenin in B. mori is genetically determined and developmentally regulated without participation of the reproductive organs or any sex-specific humoral factors.     

Bombyx mori prothoracicostatic peptide inhibits ecdysteroidogenesis in vivo

Bombyx prothoracicostatic peptide (Bom-PTSP) is a brain neuropeptide that has recently been reported to have in vitro inhibitory activity to prothoracicotropic hormone (PTTH)-stimulated ecdysteroid biosynthesis in the prothoracic gland of the silkworm, Bombyx mori. In the present report, Bom-PTSP has been shown to significantly decrease hemolymph ecdysteroid titer in the fifth instar larvae when Bom-PTSP was injected into the fifth instar day 8 silkworm larvae, resulting in significant delay in spinning behavior. This is the first evidence that Bom-PTSP inhibits in vivo ecdysteroidogenesis in the silkworm.     

Estradiol-17beta in Bombyx mori: possible significance and its effect on silk production

Although estrogen is well known as a vertebrate sex steroid, its presence in insects, including Bombyx mori, raises questions about its precise role in the physiology of insects. It was reported earlier that estradiol-17beta (E(2)) exerts a specific effect on silk-gland function in B. mori and that it may act in a nuclear-mediated way. To evaluate further the effect of E(2) on cocoon characters, larval growth and development, 1μg/g of E(2) was applied topically to the first and second day of fifth instar larvae. This resulted in a significant enhancement of cocoon characters, such as cocoon shell weight, silk filament length per cocoon, denier per filament and reelability of the cocoons, without any adverse effect on fecundity and hatchability. In the present study, E(2) levels in the haemolymph were quantified on different days of the fifth instar larvae and age-dependent changes in the endogenous E(2) titre have been demonstrated. These age-dependent variations in E(2) content coincide with physiological events occurring during the fifth instar. Such observations exclude the possibility of a dietary origin for E(2), as a sudden and sharp rise of the E(2) level in the haemolymph was observed on the 10th day of the fifth instar, preceded by a small increase on the ninth day after an eight-day feeding period. The increased level of estradiol in the haemolymph of larvae treated topically with E(2) indicates effective penetration of this hormone through the larval cuticle. Moreover, similar patterns of alteration of E(2) levels on different days of the fifth instar in both control and treated groups suggests the existence of some internal metabolic pathway in the silkworm body to regulate the hormone titre. Thus, the present investigation offers a system for investigating the unique function of E(2) in B. mori and offers potential for improvement of silk production.     

Effect of sublethal concentration of Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki on food and developmental needs of the american bollworm, Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner)

Effect of sublethal concentration of B. thuringiensis on the first, third, fourth and fifth instar larvae of the American bollworm, H. armigera was investigated to study their response to food consumption, digestion, utilization, and their development till adult formation. The young larvae surviving B. thuringiensis treatment in their first instar and third instar delayed larval period by two to three days, but did not consume more food as compared to control. However, they showed higher digestibility of food as compared to control, which was compensated by their reduced ability to utilize the digested food for body substance. Contrary to the effect on first and third instar larvae, the fifth instar larvae surviving B. thuringiensis treatment in its fourth instar consumed less food, showed less absorption efficiency in digesting food, but compensated by increase in the utilization of ingested and digested food into body substance. Insects surviving B. thuringiensis HD-1 sublethal toxicity adapted to normal larval growth when fed on untreated food, depending upon insect growth prior to treatment. The moths emerging from B.thuringiensis treated larvae had sex ratio favouring females, and adult pairs laid less fertile eggs than those from the untreated ones. The response of B. thuringiensis treated larvae to their food and developmental needs is discussed.