Growth and silk formation of silkworm larvae influenced by phytoecdysones

The fourth and fifth instar larvae of the silkworm were reared on artificial diets containing ponasterone A, ecdysterone, and inokosterone. The growth of the larvae and their silk glands, fibroin-synthesizing activity, and silk formation have been investigated. With a diet containing ponasterone A, the fourth instar larvae grew slowly and only a few larvae could ecdyse, while the growth of the fifth instar larvae was disturbed and they died with a darkening of the skin. Ponasterone A also inhibited the growth of the silk glands during the fifth instar. In contrast, the other two phytoecdysones did not greatly influence larval growth. The fourth instar larvae grew rapidly and their ecdysis was advanced with a diet which contained 10 μg of inokosterone/1 g of dry diet. The diet which contained 5 μg of ecdysterone or 10 μg of inokosterone/1 g of dry diet accelerated maturation, while that containing 10 or 20 μg of ecdysterone, or 40 μg of inokosterone, delayed maturation of the fifth instar larvae.Only phytoecdysones caused a decrease in growth of the silk glands in the early half of the instar, and a large amount of phytoecdysones accelerated their growth during the last part of the fifth instar. The fibroin-synthesizing activity was levelled up by feeding ecdysterone and inokosterone, and inokosterone appreciably stimulated activity. Assay of in vitro fibroin synthesis showed that ponasterone A competed with ecdysterone in a stimulative action. Silk formation was much lower in larvae fed the diet containing 5 μg of ecdysterone or 10 μg of inokosterone/1 g of dry diet and was far greater in larvae fed the diet containing 40 μg of inokosterone than in the controls.     

Developmental polymorphism: a major factor for understanding sublethal effects of Bacillus thuringiensis

Developmental polymorphism in Choristoneura fumiferana (Clemens) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) was induced by Bacillus thuringiensis (Berliner) in the laboratory. The B.t. formulation concentration induced a quadratic response on the incidence of developmental polymorphism. A double application of Bacillus thuringiensis at fourth and fifth instar respectively resulted in a higher occurrence of developmental polymorphism than a single application at fifth instar. Smaller larval weight prior to B.t. exposure resulted in higher incidence of developmental polymorphism. However, larvae exhibiting developmental polymorphism exhibited larger pupae and an extended larval period. Thus, developmental polymorphism and Bacillus thuringiensis ingestion together prolonged the development time but induced opposite effects on pupal weight. These findings suggest that the calculation of sublethal effects on pupal weight and development time that include developmental polymorphism as an uncontrolled source of variation could lead to an inadequate understanding of insect response in any stress-induced experiments.     

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.     

Effects of plant phenols of performance of southern armyworm larvae

Summary We evaluated the effects of two classes of phenols on performance of penultimate instar southern armyworms, Spodoptera eridania. One class consisted of phenols containing a catechol (ortho-dihydroxybenzene) moiety and included chlorogenic acid, quercetin, rutin, and rhamnetin. A second group consisted of the phenolic glycoside salicin and its derivatives salicortin and tremulacin. The compounds were painted onto lima bean (Phaseolus lunatus) leaves and fed to larvae for the duration of the fifth instar. Chlorogenic acid and rhamnetin had no deleterious effects; rutin and quercetin caused some mortality and rutin reduced growth rates by decreasing consumption and digestion efficiency. Results showed that ortho-dihydroxybenzene groups may be necessary, but are not sufficient for biological activity. Salicin did not affect larvae; salicortin and tremulacin reduced growth rates primarily by decreasing consumption. These two compounds also caused degenerative lesions in midgut tissues. The presence of a benzoyl ester group in tremulacin accentuates its toxicity, relative to that of salicortin.     

Larval growth and development in the caddisfly Cheumatopsyche brevilineata under natural thermal regimes

Cheumatopsyche brevilineata (Iwata) is a filter‐feeding caddisfly without distinct or distinguishable cohorts. In a semi‐natural channel, we reared fourth and fifth instar larvae of C. brevilineata in individual cages with hourly recording of water temperature. We calculated the individual growth rate from the wet‐weight gain of each larva, and the development rate from the ratio of larvae that progressed to the next instar or pupal stage during each rearing experiment. We analyzed the linear regressions of growth (increase in size) and development (physiological and morphological progression toward maturity) rates against the statistical parameters of water temperatures during each rearing period, i.e. mean and given percentiles of water temperatures. We presumed that the most appropriate parameter of water temperature to explain larval growth and development would show a peak value of the determination coefficients (r²) in the linear regressions. There were highly significant regressions in the growth rates for fourth and fifth instar larvae and in development rates for fourth instar larvae against every statistical parameter of water temperature, but not in the development rates for fifth instar larvae. For the growth of fourth and fifth instar larvae, we could not specify the most appropriate parameters of water temperatures, because we observed no clear peaks in the determination coefficients. For the development of fourth instar larvae, this parameter could be the 65th percentile value, where the development zero temperature and effective degree‐days were 11.1°C and 56 degree‐days, respectively.     

In-vitro assessment of food consumption,utilization indices and losses promises of leafworm,Spodoptera litura (Fab.), on okra crop

The lepidopteran insect pests have significant importance in vegetable production. The present study was performed to investigate the baseline studies about the assessment of feeding and consumption potential, utilization indices and losses promises of leafworm, Spodoptera litura (Fab.) on Okra. The data regarding feeding potential, food utilization and consumption indices as well as losses of different larval instars were recorded and subjected to appropriate statistical analysis. The results showed that, in the beginning, the approximate digestibility of various instars was increase, e.g. third instar (51.36%–64.03%), fourth instar (63.42%–69.45%) and fifth instar (70.25%–76.10%). However, after a certain period, the digestibility was decreased and efficiency to convert the ingested food into biomass varied significantly. The consumption index values increased with an increase in time but the consumption and growth rate was declined of fourth instar larvae. The ingestion and digestion increased of third (10.01–13.06, 8.32–11.91 mg), fourth (11.27–17.28, 10.96–14.03 mg) and fifth (12.60–19.40, 11.93–15.28 mg) larval instars. The corrected weight of consumed leaves increased with a gain in body weight. However, in the third instar, a decline was observed on the last day of feeding. Maximum leaf area was consumed by fifth instar larvae (44.66 cm²) followed by fourth (35.41 cm²) and third (27.98 cm²) instars. In conclusion, all the dependent parameters, including food utilization potential, consumption indices and losses were higher for fifth instar larvae than others. These results emphasized the re-establishment of fundamental (economic threshold level: ETL, economic injury level: EIL) integrated pest management concepts.     

Interaction of Acronicta rumicis (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) and its larval parasitoid, Glyptapanteles liparidis (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae)

As a result of parasitism by Glyptapanteles liparidis in the first, second, third and fourth instar larvae of Acronicta rumicis, the mortality of each larval stage was found to be 46.67, 90, 71 and 16.67%, respectively. The mortality was highest when G. liparidis parasitized the second and third instar larvae. The difference in mortality between the parasitized group and the control group was 72.14% in the second instar larvae. With regards to the food consumption of the parasitized larvae, the first and second instar larvae consumed 6495.58 ± 646.52 mm² (leaf surface) and 7951.12 ± 4167.36 mm², respectively, while the third and fourth larvae consumed 13 826.77 ± 3396.66 mm² and 18 599.85 mm², respectively, showing that food consumption increased with instar stages of the host larvae. The clutch size of G. liparidis increased in relation to the instar stages of the host: it was 25.25 ± 7.89, 48.65 ± 53.75, 91.09 ± 44.52 and 114 individuals when they were fed with the first, second, third and the fourth instar larvae of the host, respectively.     

不同光照强度下兴安落叶松对舞毒蛾幼虫生长发育及防御酶的影响

为了探讨舞毒蛾对光照环境变化引起的落叶松抗性的变化是如何响应的,分析了不同光照强度处理的兴安落叶松对舞毒蛾幼虫生长发育状况和生理指标变化的影响。研究发现,取食50%和25%光照强度下生长的落叶松后,舞毒蛾幼虫平均体重、蛹重、化蛹率和羽化率与对照组相比均显著下降（P<0.05）。幼虫体内保护酶SOD、POD、CAT和解毒酶ACP、AKP、CarE、GSTs、MFO活性与对照组(100% 光照)相比均显著降低（P<0.05）且除CAT外在50%光照强度下降低最为显著（P<0.05）;4龄和5龄幼虫取食同一光强处理的落叶松后,SOD、POD、CarE、GSTs和MFO活性5龄显著低于4龄（P<0.05）,ACP和AKP活性5龄却显著高于4龄（P<0.05）,表明昆虫在不同的发育阶段启用不同的排毒酶系。光照差异对取食人工饲料的舞毒蛾生长发育和排毒代谢酶活性均没有显著影响,说明舞毒蛾生长发育和酶活性的变化是因寄主植物抗性的影响而非光照强度的作用。本研究结果表明,采取适当的营林措施调节林分内的光照条件,可以提高落叶松的自主抗虫性,增强其抵御害虫危害的能力,有效控制害虫危害,减少化学农药的施用量。     

Behavioural responses of larvae of Colorado potato beetle,Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), to host plant volatile blends attractive to adults

Abstract

• 1 Orientation of second‐ and fourth‐instar Colorado potato beetle (CPB) Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Say) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), to volatiles emitted from a solanaceous host, potato, and seven synthetic blends or three individual chemicals emitted by potato plants were investigated in laboratory bioassays.
• 2 Both second‐ and fourth‐instar CPB were attracted to intact and mechanically damaged (MD) potato foliage. When offered a choice between intact and MD foliage, no preference was observed.
• 3 Among seven synthetic blends tested (of which six are attractive to adult CPB), second‐ and fourth‐instar CPB were attracted only to a single three‐component blend comprising (±)‐linalool, methyl salicylate, and (Z)‐3‐hexenyl acetate. Individual compounds and two‐component blends were inactive. No significant difference was noted between larval responses to the attractive synthetic blend vs. MD potato foliage.
• 4 Second‐and fourth‐instar larvae had similar thresholds for behaviour for the three‐component blend (50 µg source load). Female CPB were attracted to source loads 10× below the larval threshold (5 µg). Male CPB were the most sensitive life form tested with a behavioural threshold at 0.5 µg source load which was 10× and 100× below female and larval thresholds, respectively
• 5 This is the first report of a synthetic chemical attractant for CPB larvae. As both larval and adult CPB are attracted to a single chemical blend, the usefulness of the attractant as a component of an attracticide or ‘push‐pull’ strategies for management of pestiferous populations is enhanced.

     

Evaluations of larvicidal activity of medicinal plant extracts to Aedes aegypti （Diptera： Culicidae） and other effects on a non target fish

A preliminary study was conducted to investigate the effects of the extracts of 112 medicinal plant species, collected from the southern part of Thailand, on Aedes aegypti. Studies on larvicidal properties of plant extracts against the fourth instar larvae revealed that extracts of 14 species showed evidence of larvicidal activity. Eight out of the 14 plant species showed 100% mosquito larvae mortality. The LC50 values were less than 100μg/mL （4.1μg/ mL-89.4μg/mL）. Six plant species were comparatively more effective against the fourth instar larvae at very low concentrations. These extracts demonstrated no or very low toxicity to guppy fish （Poecilia reticulata）, which was selected to represent most common non-target organism found in habitats ofAe. aegypti, at concentrations active to mosquito larvae. Three medicinal plants with promising larvicidal activity, having LC50 and LC50 values being 4.1 and 16.4 μg/mL for Mammea siamensis, 20.2 and 34.7 μg/mL forAnethum graveolens and 67.4 and 110.3μg/mL forAnnona muricata, respectively, were used to study the impact of the extracts on the life cycle ofAe. aegypti. These plants affected pupal and adult mortality and also affected the reproductive potential of surviving adults by reducing the number of eggs laid and the percentage of egg hatchability. When each larval stage was treated with successive extracts at the LC50 value, the first instar larvae were found to be very susceptible to A. muricata and the second instar larvae were found to be susceptible to A. graveolens, while the third and fourth instar larvae were found to be susceptible to M. siamensis. These extracts delayed larval development and inhibited adult emergence and had no adverse effects on P. reticulata at LC50 and LC50 values, except for the M. siamensis extract at its LC50 value.     

A toxin protein from Xenorhabdus nematophila var. pekingensis and insecticidal activity against larvae of Helicoverpa armigera

Xenorhabdus nematophila var. pekingensis, which is highly virulent for many insects, is a symbiotic bacterium of Steinernema carpocapsae isolated from Beijing soil in China. Previous studies demonstrated that the bacterium had high antifeedant activity against larvae of Helicoverpa armigera, Plutella xylostella and Spodoptera exigua. Herein, we report the purification, molecular cloning and antifeedant activity of an intracellular toxic protein from the bacterium. The purified protein displayed a single band and a relative molecular weight of over 212 kDa determined by SDS-PAGE. We designated the protein as XnAFP2. Peptide segments were obtained by MALDI-TOF and covered 40% of the amino acid sequence of a toxin protein from X. nematophilus PMFI1296. The full cDNA sequence encoding for XnAFP2 (Genbank accession number FJ222606) was amplified from X. nematophlia var. pekingensis and consists of 7575 bp. The gene showed homology with up to 99% identity to the A2 gene from X. nematophila strain BP (GenBank accession number AY282763) and 92% identity to the insecticidal toxin xptA2 gene from X. nematophila PMFI 1296 (GenBank accession number AJ308438). The protein caused a rapid cessation in feeding and reduction in larval weight of H. armigera. When fed to third instar larvae of H. armigera in an artificial diet at 6.0 µg/g (w/w) toxin protein, growth reduction reached 97.9%. The insecticidal protein greatly decreased fourth instar larval weight, lengthened larval stage, and reduced pupation and emergence rates. The antifeedant rate in choice and no-choice leaf disk tests against fifth instar larvae was 78.4 and 87.6% in 24 h, respectively.     

Proteomics of larval hemolymph in Bombyx mori reveals various nutrient-storage and immunity-related proteins

The silkworm, Bombyx mori, is an important economic insect for its production of silk. The larvae of many lepidopteran insects are major agricultural pests and often silkworm is explored as a model organism for other lepidopteran pest species. The hemolymph of caterpillars contains a lot of nutrient and immune components. In this study, we applied liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry to gain a better understanding of the larval hemolymph proteomics in B. mori. We identified 752 proteins in hemolymph collected from day-4 fourth instar and day-7 fifth instar. Nearly half the identified proteins (49 %) were predicted to function as binding proteins and 46 % were predicted to have catalytic activities. Apolipophorins, storage proteins, and 30K proteins constituted the most abundant groups of nutrient-storage proteins. Of them, 30K proteins showed large differences between fourth instar larvae and fifth instar larvae. Besides nutrient-storage proteins, protease inhibitors are also expressed very highly in hemolymph. The analysis also revealed lots of immunity-related proteins, including recognition, signaling, effectors and other proteins, comprising multiple immunity pathways in hemolymph. Our data provide an exhaustive research of nutrient-storage proteins and immunity-related proteins in larval hemolymph, and will pave the way for future physiological and pathological studies of caterpillars.     

EFFECT OF STARVATION ON LIPOPHORIN DENSITY IN FIFTH INSTAR LARVAL Manduca sexta

Lipophorin (Lp) is a major insect lipoprotein and is responsible for lipid transport between organs. In this study, the effect of starvation on Lp properties was analyzed in larval Manduca sexta during the fifth instar. Lp hemolymph concentrations in larvae at days 1 and 2 were around 2–3 mg/ml and at day 3 it increased to 8 mg/ml. When larvae were starved for 24 h, they did not grow, but their body mass and hemolymph volume did not decrease significantly. Differences in Lp densities were observed. In fed larvae, from days 1 to 4, two major Lp populations were found with densities of 1.124 ± 0.002 (high density Lp‐larval₁, HDLp‐L₁) and 1.141 ± 0.002 g/ml (HDLp‐L₂). When larvae were starved for 24 h, only one Lp population was present, with density 1.114 ± 0.001 g/ml (HDLp‐L_s). When larvae were abdominally ligated at day 1 or 2 of fifth instar, only HDLp‐L_s was found after 24 h, indicating that the formation of this HDLp population was not dependent on any factor released by head. On the other hand, larvae that were ligated at day 3 showed the same Lp populations as the fed ones. In 24‐h starved larvae, lipid load in Lp was higher as compared to the fed controls. In 24‐h ligated larvae Lp lipid content increased when ligation was performed on day 1 or 2, but not on day 3. So, different responses to starvation can be observed depending on the developmental phase of the same larval instar.     

Effects of temperature, multiple allelochemicals and larval age on the performance of a specialist caterpillar

To understand the mechanisms underlying plant-insect herbivore interactions, it is necessary to examine the simultaneous effects of temperature, food quality and larval age. We examined the simultaneous effects of three allelochemicals (tomatine, rutin and chlorogenic acid) on the performance of first and second instar Manduca sexta larvae under two representative thermal regimes 21 : 10°C and 26 : 15°C for spring and summer, respectively. Thermal regime and allelochemicals interacted to influence the time from egg hatch to ecdysis to the third instar. On average, it took about half as much time to reach the third instar at 26 : 15°C as it did at 21 : 10°C. Separately, tomatine and rutin had a negative effect on developmental time from egg hatch to the third instar, but their simutaneous effects were not additive. Chlorogenic acid significantly reduced the negative effect of tomatine. The magnitude of the allelochemical effect was larger at the cooler thermal regime compared to the warmer regime. For instance, chlorogenic acid by itself had no effect at the 26 : 15°C regime, but at the 21 : 10°C regime it significantly shortened total developmental time. The effect of chlorogenic acid on stadium duration was distinctly different for the two instars. Chlorogenic acid shortened stadium duration of first instar larvae. However, depending on thermal regime and the presence of tomatine, chlorogenic acid had a negative, positive or neutral effect on stadium duration of second instar larvae. Molting duration of second instar larvae was shortened by a half day at the warmer thermal regime but was not affected by the allelochemicals. Final larval weight was influenced by rutin and chlorogenic acid. Caterpillars fed diets containing 20 moles of rutin were on average 10% lighter than those fed plain diet, whereas those fed diets containing 20 moles of chlorogenic adic were on average 7% heavier. However, the effect of chlorogenic acid depended on thermal regime. Overall, our results indicated that: 1) temperature and food quality can interact to influence insect performance and 2) these effects are influenced by larval age.     

The activity of the corpora allata in the fourth and fifth larval instars of the migratory locust

The presence of juvenile hormone in the haemolymph of larvae of Locusta has been detected by a modified Galleria bioassay and these results are compared with indirect methods of estimating corpus allatum activity. Juvenile hormone is present in the haemolymph during the fourth larval instar except on the last day of the instar, and is absent from the haemolymph of the fifth and final larval instar except on the last day of the instar. Changes in the volumes of the corpora allata simply reflect changes in the growth of the whole insect and are of no value in predicting endocrine activity. Changes in the size of the cells of the corpora allata can be correlated with the presence of juvenile hormone in the haemolymph in the fourth larval instar, but similar changes in cell size occur in the fifth larval instar when no juvenile hormone is present in the haemolymph. The effects of the implantation of corpora allata are unreliable as estimates of corpus allatum activity as isolated corpora allata from fifth instar larvae release juvenile hormone. Indirect methods of measuring corpus allatum activity are thus shown to be unreliable. The R_f value of Locusta juvenile hormone as determined by thin-layer chromatography differs from that of Roeller's juvenile hormone, suggesting that the two hormones might be chemically distinct.     

不同食料植物对美国白蛾生长发育和繁殖的影响

2010年6月至7月,在室内研究了美国白蛾Hyphantria cunea(Drury)第1代幼虫对洋白蜡、欧美107号杨、法桐和白榆的取食量及不同的食料种类对美国白蛾生长发育和繁殖的影响。结果表明,美国白蛾对受试的各树种的取食量以洋白蜡为最多,完成一代平均每头可以取食2.21 g,其次为欧美107号杨1.95 g,再次为法桐和白榆,分别为1.85 g/头和1.68 g/头。3龄后幼虫对不同的寄主呈现出一定的偏好性,特别是5龄和6龄幼虫对不同的寄主的取食量表现出显著差异。不同的食料植物对美国白蛾幼虫和蛹的发育历期、存活率、蛹重、成虫寿命、产卵量等有显著影响。取食法桐对其生长发育和繁殖表现出明显的不利性,主要表现为幼虫期延长、蛹重减轻、单雌产卵量降低。     

The effect of GNA lectin on the α-amylase activity of the beet armyworm,Spodoptera exigua Hb. (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Beet armyworm (Spodoptera exigua Hb.) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) is the major pest of sugar beet (Beta vulgaris). Pesticide applications are the main method of the insect control. So, alternative method/s is/are needed to control this insect species. So, in the current study, the effect of Galanthus nivalis agglutinin (GNA) (snowdrop lectin) on beet armyworm α-amylase was studied. Measurement of the amylase activity of the larval midgut fed on artificial diet and sugar beet leaves showed that the enzyme activity was higher when the larvae fed on artificial diet. However, in both cases, the fourth instar larvae had the greatest amylase activity. Thus, fourth instar larvae were offered artificial diet containing 1 and 2% GNA. Both treatments of the lectin significantly reduced the α-amylase activity of the insect. For example, amylase activity of the fourth instar larvae in the control (fed only on artificial diet) was 2.62 Uml^?1 whilst the activity of the enzyme in the two treatments including diet containing 2 and 1% lectin was 1.45 and 1.75 Uml^?1, respectively. The achieved data showed that lectin, in addition to have toxic effect on the larval growth and development, affects the α-amylase activity of the insect gut.     

Morphology and development of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pteromalus cerealellae</Emphasis> (Ashmead) (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) on <Emphasis Type="Italic">Callosobruchus maculatus</Emphasis> (F.) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)

Pteromalus cerealellae (Ashmead) (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) is an ectoparasitoid of several stored-product insect pests. Very little information has been published on its biology and development in host larvae, which typically are concealed within seeds. We documented the development of P. cerealellae within fourth instar larvae of its concealed host, Callosobruchus maculatus (F.) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) infesting cowpea seeds. The preimaginal life stages of the parasitoid were characterized for the first time using morphological structures revealed by microscopic techniques including scanning electron microscopy. Pteromalus cerealellae produces hymenopteriform eggs and larvae. Eggs hatch into 13-segmented first instar larvae with peripneustic condition of spiracles. The larvae have simple, tusk-like mandibles, whereas the mandibles of the pupae and the adults are of the conventional toothed types. Using statistical analyses of the sizes of the larval mandibles and head capsules in conjunction with reliable characters such as the number of exuviae on the body of parasitoid larvae, cuticular folding, and excretion of the meconium, we recorded four larval instars for P. cerealellae. The data showed significant positive correlations between larval mandible lengths and widths of larval head capsules, as well as between mandible lengths and larval instars, suggesting that mandible length is a good predictor of the number of instars in P. cerealellae. Developmental time from egg to adult emergence was ∼12 d for females and ∼11 days for males at 30 ± 1°C, 70 ± 5% r.h. and 12L:12D photoperiod.     

Treatment of larvae with repeated doses of precocene II induces precocious metamorphic changes in Spodoptera mauritia (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

In Spodoptera mauritia repeated daily treatments of larvae with 40 μg of precocene II throughout the fifth and sixth instar larval period had no effect on the larval-larval period but prolonged larval-pupal ecdysis. The resulting pupae showed precocious adult differentiation of mouth parts, wings, eyes, legs, and fat body.     

Corazonin reduces the spinning rate in the silkworm,Bombyx mori

The insect neuropeptide, [Arg⁷]-corazonin was injected into larvae of the silkworm, Bombyx mori to investigate its influence on development and behavior. A single injection of 50 pmol of corazonin into the fourth and fifth instar larvae induced prolongation of the spinning period in all experimental groups except for those injected on day 10 of the fifth instar. The injection also caused a prolongation of the pupal period in some experimental groups, while it had no effect on the timing of larval ecdysis and the length of feeding period of the fifth instar. The spinning period was significantly prolonged even at a low dose of 1 pmol. Both the spinning rate and the rate of increase in hemolymph ecdysteroid level during the spinning stage were reduced by injection of corazonin. However, corazonin injection during days 5-7 of the fifth instar reduced the spinning rate without influencing the ecdysteroid level until the end of day 8, thereafter the rate of increase in hemolymph ecdysteroid level was slower in the corazonin-injected larvae than in the control larvae. Therefore, the suppressed ecdysteroid level observed in the corazonin-injected larvae appears to be a result rather than a cause of the reduced spinning rate. This study is the first published report for the corazonin effect on the behavior in insects.