更换饲料对家蚕幼虫肠道细菌组成的影响及关键物种与产茧性能的相关性

【目的】本研究探讨使用人工饲料部分替代桑叶饲育后家蚕Bombyx mori幼虫肠道细菌群落的变化情况,并分析人工饲料替代桑叶的不同饲育模式下肠道关键细菌与蛹重和茧层量的相关性,为人工饲料部分替代法饲育家蚕的实际应用提供理论依据。【方法】采用全龄桑叶育(Mul1-5)、1-2龄人工饲料育+3-5龄桑叶育(Art1-2)、1-3龄人工饲料育+4-5龄桑叶育(Art1-3)、1-4龄人工饲料育+5龄桑叶育(Art1-4)和全龄人工饲料育(Art1-5) 5种饲养模式饲养家蚕幼虫,统计5种饲养模式下家蚕的全茧量、茧层量及蛹重;收集不同饲养模式下家蚕5龄幼虫肠道样品,通过高通量测序技术分析其肠道菌群的组成和多样性差异,采用Spearman相关性热图分析肠道细菌与蛹重和茧层量的相关性。【结果】人工饲料与桑叶不同搭配的饲育模式对家蚕茧质有显著的影响,Mul1-5和Art1-5的全茧量最高,二者无显著性差异,Art1-2其次; Mul1-5茧层量最高,Art1-2其次,Art1-5茧层量最低。在不同饲育模式下,家蚕肠道细菌多样性和组成显著不同：在门水平上,Art1-2和Mul1-5的细菌组成最相近,优势菌主要是变形菌门(Proteobacteria)和厚壁菌门(Firmicutes),而Art1-3, Art1-4和Art1-5的细菌组成最相近,变形菌门丰度随着人工饲料饲养时间的增加逐渐增加,厚壁菌门的丰度则呈现相反的趋势;在属水平上,家蚕肠道优势菌属有假单胞菌属Pseudomonas、肠球菌属Enterococcus、鞘脂单胞菌科未分类菌属Sphingomonadaceae unclassified及罗尔斯通菌属Ralstonia等。不同饲育模式下家蚕肠道菌属丰度差异最大的是肠球菌属,Art1-2组中肠球菌属丰度最高(40.9%),随着人工饲料饲养时间的延长,丰度逐渐降低,在Art1-5中仅为0.02%。家蚕肠道菌群大部分关键物种均与茧质呈一定的相关性：柯克斯体属Coxiella与蛹重呈显著正相关,与茧层量呈显著负相关;葡萄球菌属Staphylococcus与蛹重呈显著负相关;肠球菌属与茧层量呈显著正相关。【结论】饲育模式Art1-2最接近于Mul1-5,可为人工饲料部分替代桑叶饲育法饲育家蚕提供参考。人工饲料部分替代桑叶后家蚕肠道菌群结构发生了显著变化,肠球菌属丰度的显著降低及假单胞菌属的显著增加可能与全龄人工饲料养家蚕体质弱有关;一些关键细菌与家蚕蛹重和茧层量存在显著相关性,其影响机制需要进一步研究。     

Effects of host variety on blue willow beetle Phratora vulgatissima performance

Phratora vulgatissima adults exhibit feeding preferences among willow varieties, yet little is known of the effects of willow variety on larval and adult performance. The effects of host variety on adult fitness and fecundity as well as on larval mortality and development were studied under laboratory conditions for 35 willow varieties. The host variety significantly affected the number of days that adults survived and the rates of weight change. On average, males lost weight and females gained weight. The total number of eggs, eggs day¹, eggs clutch^?1 and the length of the oviposition period were also significantly affected by willow variety. Progeny from eggs laid by adults fed on the different willow varieties showed significant differences in days to pupation and pupal weight when subsequently reared on Salix × dasyclados or on the same variety as fed to the adults. However, there was no correlation between these parameters on S. × dasyclados and the variety fed to adults. The willow variety fed to larvae significantly affected larval mortality (four varieties caused 100% mortality), the shape of larval growth curves (as measured by predicted final weight and time to half the final weight), the number of days to pupation and pupal weight. There were significant positive correlations between previously determined adult P. vulgatissima feeding preferences of the 35 willow varieties and the following: number of eggs laid, length of the oviposition period, larval mortality and development and change in adult weight. There was a considerable degree of variation in these correlations and some varieties did not follow the general trend indicated by the size or sign of particular correlations, for example, having a high feeding preference ranking yet few eggs laid, low larval weight and longer time to pupation. The differences found between varieties for adult and larval performance in conjunction with previously established feeding preferences offer great potential for utilising plant resistance to P. vulgatissima as a means of strategic control. Despite the general correlation of feeding preference and performance parameters, the results found here suggest that it appears to be possible for plant breeders to circumvent this trend.     

新桑树品种——川826的育成

经多年观察比较,新桑品种“川826”表现出遗传性状稳定、优质、高产、抗性较好等优点,2000年正式列为“十五”省农作物育种攻关项目“优质、高产桑、蚕新品种选育”中桑主攻品种,并进一步进行区域性比较试验。经过2002年至2005年在四川省乐山、三台、蚕研所等三点的比较试验和在四川篷安生产示范点的示范繁殖,“川826”与对照品种“湖32”相比,其产叶量高13.95%,万头产茧量高8.88%,万头产茧层量高8.8%,五龄担桑产茧量高13.51%,667 m2(亩)桑产茧量高28.2%,桑产茧层量高27.6%。特别是用“川826”桑叶养蚕后产卵制种成绩尤为突出,单蛾产卵量比对照高6.87%以上,单蛾正常卵粒数比对照高5.63%以上。2006年4月被四川省农作物品种审定委员会审定为合格品种。     

Olive fruit fly (Diptera: Tephritidae) ovipositional preference and larval performance in several commercially important olive varieties in California

The olive fruit fly, Bactrocera oleae (Gmelin) (Diptera: Tephritidae),is an invasive pest of olives (Olea spp.) in the United States. The objectives of this study were to determine whether B. oleae exhibits ovipositional preference under California field conditions similar to that demonstrated in European populations and whether the resulting larvae fare better in preferred varieties. Female B. oleae exhibited strong ovipositional preference for certain varieties of the domesticated olive, Olea europaea L, and the resulting larvae performed better by some measures in preferred varieties than in lesser preferred varieties. Ovipositional preference was observed in the field from 2003 to 2005, and laboratory assays were conducted to evaluate larval performance in 2005 and 2006. Among the olive varieties tested, Sevillano, Manzanillo, and Mission olives were the most heavily infested during three consecutive years. The larval performance measurements used were pupal yield, pupal weight, larval developmental time, and pupal emergence time. Ovipositional preference and pupal yield do not seem associated. There were significant differences in pupal emergence time, but these also measures did not reflect ovipositional preference. Two measures on performance did seem related to ovipositional preference; there were significant effects of variety on pupal weight and larval developmental time. Pupae developing in Manzanillo and Sevillano olives were heavier than those developing in less preferred varieties, and larval developmental time was significantly shorter in Sevillano olives relative to the other varieties. Oviposition preference and enhanced larval performance has implications for the pest status of this invasive insect in California.     

Silkworm Growth and Silk Yield on Selected Supplemented/ Un-supplemented Mulberry Varieties

ABSTRACT Sericulture has been on developing foot hills till today in Pakistan. It is for the past few years that this industry has received recognition through greater research on the nutritional aspects. Various experiments i.e., nutritional supplementation and searching alternate food plants have been on way with varying degree of success. The present approach includes the very much neglected aspect of trying mulberry varieties and working out their impact on the silkworm growth/ development and silk yield. In Pakistan three varieties of mulberry Morus alba, M. nigra and M. indica are commonly found, these were selected for the present studies and the already established mineral dose 0.2 %N +0.1%P+0.3%K+0.1%Ca+0.15%Mg+0.15%Mn was supplemented to them through dipping method. Amongst the so designed nine treatments those in which the silkworm larvae were fed on M. nigra leaves in any form /combinati-yielded best results, as the larvae in these treatments consumed more food (73.71 gm/10 larvae) and converted maximum (77.22%) of it into body matter. This improved silkworm growth, a primary parameter for increasing the over all production and resulted in better cocoon size which weighed heavier (2.43 gm/cocoon and 1.10 gm/shell) as compared to rest of the test treatments (0.67 and 0.70 gm/shell on M. alba and M. indica , respectively).     

New larval agar-based diet for laboratory rearing of Mediterranean fruit fly <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ceratitis capitata</Emphasis> (Diptera,Tephritidae)

Five larval diets for laboratory rearing of Ceratitis capitata were tested. These diets were based on wheat bran, microcellulose, potato starch and agar. To evaluate the quality of diet, pupal rearing efficacy and pupal weight were checked. The best results were obtained with an agar based diet used for Manduca sexta laboratory rearing. To simplify the preparation and to reduce the cost of this diet, a new formulation was developed. Larvae reared on the new agar-based diet achieved higher pupal rearing efficacy than larvae reared on bran diet recently used in medfly mass rearing facilities. Heat treated medflies reared on the new agar-based diet achieved similar pupal rearing efficacy with heat treated medflies reared on bran diet. When testing population density, higher pupal rearing efficacy was again achieved on new diet. The highest pupal rearing efficacy was achieved with 100 eggs per 25 g of diet, lowest with 500 eggs per 25 g of diet. Concerning pupal weight, there was no difference in results achieved on Petri dishes with different larval population densities. Larvae reared on new agar-based diet reached better results than larvae reared on bran diet. The preparation of the new diet is simple and the cost is low, so it is good for laboratory tests and rearing.     

幼虫密度对甜菜夜蛾生长发育与繁殖的影响

为了研究甜菜夜蛾Spodoptera exigua(Hübner)幼虫的密度对其发育及繁殖的影响,本实验观察了5种幼虫密度下（1,5,10,20,30头/瓶）,幼虫发育和成虫繁殖情况。结果表明：幼虫和蛹历期、存活率和蛹重均差异显著。幼虫和蛹历期均以20头/瓶的最短,1头/瓶的最长,其余随幼虫密度增加而延长;幼虫至蛹存活率以10头/瓶的最高,其余随幼虫密度增加而降低;1头/瓶的蛹最重,显著高于其他密度的,其余随幼虫密度增加而下降。尽管密度间成虫羽化率和产卵前期均无显著差异,但成虫产卵量、寿命和畸形率差异显著。1头/瓶的产卵量最多,其次为10头/瓶的,其余随幼虫密度增加而减少,30头/瓶的产卵量显著少于其他密度的; 密度在1～20头/瓶范围内,雌蛾寿命均较短,显著短于30头/瓶的,而雄蛾寿命以5头/瓶的最短,显著短于其他密度的（10头/瓶除外）,10头/瓶的次之,其余密度间差异不显著;不同幼虫密度下羽化的成虫畸形率差异显著,10头/瓶的最低,其余随幼虫密度增加而升高; 生命表结果表明甜菜夜蛾在10头/瓶下世代存活率和种群增长指数均最高,幼虫密度过低或过高均不利于种群增长;世代存活率（S）和种群增长指数（I）与幼虫密度之间的关系均呈抛物线关系：S =－0.2087x²+2.5694x+211.52 (R²=0.88),I=－0.0552x²+0.9166x+54.168 (R²=0.95)。结果提示幼虫密度影响甜菜夜蛾种群动态的重要生态因子之一。     

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.     

Ecdysteroid as a mediator in the regulation of silk protein synthesis and its influence on silkworm (Bom., Lepidoptera) genome

Abstract:  Ecdysteroid is one of the two most important insect hormones, which controls growth and developmental activities of insect. In silkworm, Bombyx mori L., basically ecdysteroid induces molting and metamorphosis in larvae and exogenous administration hastens the silk synthetic activity and cocoon spinning process but it strictly depends on the time of administration. In the present study, we administered phytogenous ecdysteroid to the 48-h-old 5th instar silkworm, B. mori at a single dose of 2  μ g per larva to study its effects on the larval growth, cocoon and silk variables. The possible role of ecdysteroid in altering the developmental sequence of silkworm and thereby its effect on cocoon and silk production at molecular level have been tried to get elucidated. The genomic DNA was isolated from the posterior silk gland on day 5 and 7 of the 5th instar from the ecdysteroid treated and the control larvae and was randomly amplified with arbitrary primers. The result presented notable variation in the amplified product suggesting the participation of ecdysteroid in regulating the silk gene. The feeding period of treated larvae was unaffected while the cocoon characters exhibited considerable improvement. The filament traits also were improved notably in the treated larvae. The participation of ecdysteroid in the silk biosynthetic process with its physiological and molecular implications was discussed.     

Survival and development of immature stages of the Mediterranean fruit fly (Diptera: Tephritidae) in citrus fruit

We studied, under laboratory conditions, the performance of the Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann) (Diptera: Tephritidae), immature stages in intact whole fruit of three sweet orange varieties, lemon, and bitter oranges. Both citrus variety and fruit part (flavedo, albedo, and pulp) had strong effects on larval performance, smaller effects on pupae, and no effects on eggs. Fruit peel was the most critical parameter for larval development and survival, drastically affecting larval survival (inducing very high mortality rates). Among fruit regions, survival of larvae placed in flavedo was zero for all varieties tested except for bitter orange (22.5% survival), whereas survival in albedo was very low (9.8-17.4%) for all varieties except for bitter orange (76%). Survival of pupae obtained from larvae placed in the above-mentioned fruit regions was high for all varieties tested (81.1-90.7%). Fruit pulp of all citrus fruit tested was favorable for larval development. The highest survival was observed on bitter oranges, but the shortest developmental times and heaviest pupae were obtained from orange cultivars. Pulp chemical properties, such as soluble solid contents, acidity, and pH had rather small effects on larval and pupal survival and developmental time (except for juice pH on larvae developmental duration), but they had significant effects on pupal weight.     

Effects of applaud on the growth of silkworm (Lepidoptera: Bombycidae)

An experiment was carried out to evaluate the effect of the insecticide Applaud (buprofezin 25% WP) on the silkworm Bombyx mori (L.). This insecticide belongs to the class of insect growth regulators (IGR). The larvae were fed on leaves treated with 3 different concentrations (0.5, 1, 2 g/liter) of Applaud on the 1st d of each instar. Analysis of data with the Tukey-Kramer test at 1% significant level revealed that mortality and larval duration did not differ among the treatments. On the contrary, the larval weight, which was estimated just before mounting (procedure during which the mature larva climbing on a branch or other material to spin the cocoon), differed among the treatments. Also, cocoon weight, shell weight, and cocoon sericin and fibroin content were different among the treatments, except the shell cocoon ratio. Maximum weight was observed in the controls and minimum in the last instar treatments. Our data suggest that supplementation of Applaud through food to larvae does not affect their mortality rate. On the contrary, it affects larval growth and cocoon parameters.     

粘虫幼虫密度对成虫飞行与生殖的影响

本文报道了不同幼虫密度下(1、10、20、30、40头/瓶-850m1)粘虫蛾飞行能力与产卵量的变化情况。对未取食1日龄成虫12h飞行能力的测定结果表明,不同幼虫密度羽化的成虫飞行力差异显著(P<0.05),其中以10头/瓶羽化的成虫飞行时间最长(平均225.4分),飞行距离最远(平均17.5km),飞行超过120min的个体为61.1%,超过10 km的为55%。其它处理的各项参数随幼虫密度的增加而下降。粘虫蛾的翅长、翅宽、翅面积和翅负荷随幼虫密度的增加而下降。除翊负荷外,其余各项参数在处理间的差异显著(P<0.05)。成虫飞行能力与蛹重或翅负荷不呈直线相关,但与蛹重具有一定的关系：当蛹重为300-400mg时, 强飞行个体均超过50%, 当小于300mg或大于400mg时,强飞行个体比例下降,当小于225mg时,强飞行个体为零。处理间的成虫产卵量差异显著(P<0.05),且随幼虫密度的增加而下降。密度内的蛹重与成虫产卵量的关系不明显,但密度间的蛹重与产卵量的关系高度相关(r=0.78,P<0.01)。这些结果表明,当粘虫幼虫密度达到一定的阈值时,便可能促使成虫迁飞,而不是等到种群密度很高时才进行迁飞。     

SEM studies on the leaf surface of promising mulberry (Morus spp.) genotypes

Mulberry (Moms spp.) leaf quality has a great role in silkworm rearing which in turn affects the overall silk yield. In the recent past, many varieties of mulberry have been evolved considering the morphological characters, growth, yield, and quality parameters based on bioassay. The present investigation was carried out on ten promising mulberry genotypesviz. Tr-10, K-2, S-36, S-54, S-1, V-1, Mysore local, S-13, S-34, and RFS-135 to characterize stomatal size and frequency, trichomes and idioblasts using SEM. These new parameters will provide useful information for cultivars identification as well as for selecting mulberry genotypes adapted to different eco-climatic conditions and assessing the feeding quality of leaf for silkworm rearing.     

Influence of mulberry cultivars Morus spp. on the production and quality of silkworm Bombyx mori L. (Lepidoptera: Bombycidae) cocoons

The success of sericiculture greatly depends on the availability of mulberry cultivars with agronomic characteristics that maximize the production and quality of silkworm, Bombyx mori L., cocoons. The effect of the cultivars Miura (standard) and Korin, and the hybrids SM 14, SM 63, SK 1, SK 4 and FM 86 was evaluated on silkworm development, and on cocoon production and quality, at the Instituto Agron?mico do Paraná, IAPAR, in Londrina, PR, Brazil (23 +/- 3 degrees C; 61 +/- 8% RH). The experiment was arranged in a randomized block design with four replicates. Larvae feeding either on 'SK 4' or on 'Korin' showed a higher weight compared to that of larvae feeding on 'Miura'. Cocoon weight (both sexes) and pupae weight (male) obtained with larvae fed on SK 4 were higher compared with that of insects that fed on Miura; there was no difference among the remaining treatments. Silk net weight was independent of the cultivar used. Cocoon shell weight was similar amongst insects raised on 'Miura' and on the other mulberry materials. The percentage of cocoon spinning was higher than 90% in all treatments, with the spinning concentrating in the first two days. The proportion of first grade cocoons varied from 80% (SK4) to 90%. The results obtained with the studied cultivars were either similar or superior to that of the standard cultivar Miura with emphasis to 'SK 4', thus showing the potential use of these cultivars in sericulture in the state of Paraná.     

Preventive effects of N‐acetyl‐l‐cysteine against imidacloprid intoxication on Bombyx mori larvae

Imidacloprid, a widely used neonicotinoid insecticide, is toxic to silkworm (Bombyx mori). To explore whether N‐acetyl‐l ‐cysteine (NAC) has an effect on preventing silkworm (B. mori) from toxification caused by imidacloprid, we fed the fifth‐instar larvae with mulberry leaves dipped in 200 mg/L NAC solution before exposing in imidacloprid, and investigated the silkworm growth, survival rate, feed efficiency, cocoon quality, and the activities of antioxidant enzymes in midgut. The results showed that addition of NAC could significantly increase body weight, survival rate, and feed efficiency of imidacloprid poisoned silkworm larvae (P < 0.05), as well as cocoon mass, cocoon shell mass, and the ratio of cocoon shell (P < 0.05). Furthermore, it could significantly promote the activities of the antioxidant enzymes including superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxide in the midgut of fifth‐instar larvae under imidacloprid exposure at the late stage of treatment. In addition, it also could downregulate the malondialdehyde content. The results of our findings proved that the added NAC may have some beneficial effects on protection or restoration of antioxidant balance in imidacloprid exposed larvae.     

Age-dependent changes in feeding preference and effects of commercial semi-synthetic diets on development of the legume pod borer,Maruca vitrata (Lepidoptera: Crambidae)

Mass rearing of the legume podborer Maruca vitrata (Fablicius) can be a very labor-intensive process. To improve the labor-saving method for larval raising, rearing experiments were conducted using 14 diet regimens, with and without diet-switching between the earlier and latter larval stages. Six different semi-synthetic diets were used, including four crude commercial diets. Larvae showed the highest performance in survival rate, developmental duration and pupal weight when reared on the following diet regimen: (1) 1st to 2nd instars—Insecta F-II (a commercial semi-synthetic diet for herbivorous insects, containing no mulberry leaf powder) mixed with 50 % azuki bean powder; (2) 3rd to 5th instars—switch to a crude commercial diet, either Insecta LFS (a semi-synthetic diet for herbivorous insects, containing mulberry leaf powder) or Insecta F-II mixed with 10 % azuki bean powder. In the feeding experiments, larvae in the earlier stages tended to prefer diets containing azuki bean or mulberry leaf powder, whereas larvae in the latter stages were non-selective in their feeding preference. The exception was Insecta F-II mixed with 50 % azuki bean powder, for which the larvae showed a significantly high preference between 24 and 96 h following release.     

桑叶营养对家蚕血淋巴阳离子水平的调节作用

调查了取食不同品种桑树（M-5, S-36和V-1）叶片的家蚕（多化性品种Pure Mysore、 二化性品种NB4D2和CSR2）5龄幼虫血淋巴中阳离子的变化。结果表明: 家蚕幼虫血淋巴中Na+浓度低, K+和Mg2+浓度很高, Ca2+浓度较高。在幼虫活跃取食期间, 血淋巴中阳离子水平显著提高。血淋巴中阳离子水平与排泄物的量呈负相关。血淋巴中阳离子水平受阳离子外泌的控制。与非取食阶段相比, 取食阶段的阳离子清除速率低。家蚕二化性品种的血淋巴阳离子水平比多化性品种PM高出30%。结果说明家蚕品种对家蚕血淋巴阳离子变化的影响显著大于桑树品种或家蚕个体发育的影响。     

Stage-specific surface chemicals of Plodia interpunctella: 2-acyl-1,3-cyclohexanediones from larval mandibular glands serve as cuticular lipids

Cuticular lipid compositions of all life stages of the stored product moth Plodia interpunctella have been determined. Eggs and adults of P. interpunctella have cuticular lipids consisting solely of hydrocarbons. The composition of eggs and adult females is qualitatively nearly identical with ca. 86 hydrocarbons (11 n-alkanes, 39 monomethyl alkanes, 19 dimethyl alkanes, 11 trimethyl alkanes and 6 monoenes) except females lack the 2-methyl alkanes found in eggs. Adult males have a hydrocarbon composition qualitatively nearly identical to females with the exception that they lack the monoenes. Larval and pupal cuticular lipids are dominated by a mixture of ca. 20 previously described 2-acyl-1,3-cyclohexanediones, with only minute amounts of n-alkanes on the larvae and pupae. The 2-acyl-1,3-cyclohexanediones are continuously secreted onto their silk webbing and food particles by the paired mandibular glands found in all larvae. Extracts from dissected mandibular glands have a qualitatively identical composition to larval cuticular extracts. The pupal stage (which does not have mandibular glands) is enclosed in a silk cocoon also coated with 2-acyl-1,3-cyclohexanediones laid down while the wandering stage larvae spin the cocoon. The 2-acyl-1,3-cyclohexanediones have physical properties which closely mimic those of cuticular hydrocarbons, including melting point and boiling point range and hydrophobicity. This is the first report of an insect with a life stage that does not use conventional cuticular lipids for conservation of water.     

Resistance of kale varieties to attack by Mamestra brassicae

1 The objectives of this work were to study the resistance of six kale ( Brassica oleracea acephala group) varieties to cabbage moth Mamestra brassicae (L.) expressed as antibiosis and to determine the effect of plant age on larval survival and development.
2 The influence of plant age on resistance was determined using leaves from seedlings and from mature plants. Survival and development of M. brassicae larvae and feeding rates were determined in laboratory bioassays.
3 Leaves from seedlings were more suitable than those of mature plants for establishing differences in resistance. There were significant differences between kale varieties in larval survival, growth rate, leaf feeding, and time to pupation but not pupal weight. The varieties MBG-BRS0031, MBG-BRS0351, and MBG-BRS0287 reduced survival of M. brassicae larvae. Larvae that fed on MBG-BRS0060 were the heaviest and took the longest time to pupation. MBG-BRS0031 was consumed significantly less by larvae than were all the other varieties examined. Leaves from mature plants of MBG-BRS0142 and MBG-BRS0170 were defoliated significantly less than those of other varieties.
4 In conclusion, the variety MBG-BRS0031 may be a promising source of resistance to M. brassicae . Leaf antibiotic resistance was shown to play a role in defense against M. brassicae attack but it is not the only possible mechanism of resistance.     

Derivation of economic values for productive and reproductive traits of Bombyx mori (Lepidoptera: Bombycidae) from profit equation

Using a deterministic model of profit equation compatible to cocoon production system in Iran, equations for estimating economic values of cocoon weight, shell weight, shell percentage, fecundity, fertility, and hatchability of three commercial varieties of silkworm Bombyx mori (L.) were derived. Economic values of these traits as well as their relative economic importance (REI) compared with cocoon weight were estimated. Estimates of economic value of a given trait differed among the varieties. Cocoon weight, shell weight, and shell percentage had the highest economic value in variety 107. The highest economic value for fecundity, fertility, and hatchability was estimated in variety 110. Shell weight and shell percentage were the most important production traits, and fecundity was the most important reproduction trait. The REI values of shell weight and shell percentage were higher than that of cocoon weight. The sensitivity of estimated economic values to principal factors of production system was studied by altering cocoon weight, shell percentage, fecundity, variable costs, and cocoon price by +/- 10%. The traits varied in the rate of sensitivity of their economic values to changes in production factors. Economic values of cocoon weight, fecundity, fertility, and hatchability had the most sensitivity to the changes in shell percentage. The most important factor affecting economic values of shell weight and shell percentage was the grade 1 cocoon price. Economic value equations provided in this study can help silkworm breeders to concentrate on the most important factors in predicting the future. Furthermore, when these factors change, silkworm breeders will be able to determine to what extent breeding goals have to change.