葱蝇海藻糖-6-磷酸合成酶基因的克隆、序列分析及滞育相关表达

海藻糖-6-磷酸合成酶（trehalose-6-phosphate synthase, TPS）是昆虫海藻糖合成途径中的关键酶之一。本研究通过对葱蝇Delia antiqua海藻糖-6-磷酸合成酶基因的克隆、 序列分析及滞育相关表达的分析, 旨在证明该基因在能源合成以及抵御高温和低温环境方面发挥重要作用, 为进一步弄清葱蝇滞育分子机制提供理论依据。根据葱蝇抑制消减杂交文库中的EST序列信息, 设计特异性引物, 并通过RACE技术克隆了葱蝇海藻糖-6-磷酸合成酶基因全长cDNA, 命名为DaTPS1 （GenBank登录号： JX681124）, 其全长为2 904 bp, 开放阅读框2 448 bp, 编码815个氨基酸, 推测其相对分子质量为91.2 kD, 等电点为5.96。生物信息学分析表明, 该基因编码的氨基酸序列具有两个保守结构域, 与其他物种TPS具有较高的同源性, 其中和黑腹果蝇Drosophila melanogaster亲缘关系最近, 氨基酸序列一致性为92.1%; 其蛋白质三维结构有15条大的α螺旋和11股反向平行的β链折叠。RT-PCR分析表明, DaTPS1在葱蝇非滞育、 夏滞育和冬滞育期蛹中都有表达, 但是非滞育期各时期表达量基本没有变化, 而在夏滞育和冬滞育蛹的滞育前期表达量较高, 滞育保持期表达量较低, 滞育期后期表达量又有所升高。推断在葱蝇蛹夏滞育和冬滞育期前期, TPS1开始催化合成较多的海藻糖以提高滞育期抵御不良环境的能力, 滞育保持期蛹的新陈代谢降低, 所需能量较少, 所以TPS1处于低水平表达状态, 而滞育期结束后, 蛹生长发育逐渐恢复, 所需能量有所增加, TPS1的表达量再次升高。本研究对揭示昆虫TPS在能量代谢通路中的作用及昆虫滞育的分子机理具有一定的科学意义。     

葱蝇热激蛋白DaHSP23基因的克隆及在冬滞育和夏滞育蛹中的表达分析

[目的]低分子量(12 ～43 kDa)热激蛋白(sHSPs)具有抗逆应答的功能,滞育是昆虫抵抗不良环境的特殊发育形式,但sHSPs在昆虫滞育发育过程中的作用仍不清楚.本研究克隆和特征化葱蝇Delia antiqua sHSP基因,并研究它在夏滞育和冬滞育发育过程中的表达模式,为阐明sHSPs在滞育发育上的功能奠定基础.[方法]通过RACE-PCR方法克隆了葱蝇HSP23基因,通过相似性比较分析了其特征、结构域及与双翅目代表性同源基因的系统发育关系;采用实时荧光定量PCR研究了该基因在葱蝇冬滞育蛹和夏滞育蛹发育过程中的表达情况,通过表达的差异比较揭示了该基因与滞育发育的关系.[结果]克隆出了葱蝇HSP23基因,命名为DaHSP23(GenBank登录号:HQ392521.1),其cDNA全长序列为904 bp,编码186个氨基酸,推测蛋白分子量为20.9 kDa,等电点为6.42.该基因的编码蛋白与其他双翅目昆虫的sHSPs有超过66％的氨基酸序列一致性,与已报道的其他双翅目昆虫的滞育相关HSP23基因同源.基因组测序显示该基因无内含子.DaHSP23基因在葱蝇非滞育蛹的发育过程中一直保持在较低的水平,各发育阶段间的表达量不存在显著差异.但在冬滞育和夏滞育蛹中,该基因从滞育起始期开始逐渐显著升高表达,到滞育维持期的中后期达到峰值,在滞育终止期逐渐降到较低的水平.[结论]DaHSP23基因在葱蝇冬滞育和夏滞育发育过程中明显上调表达,但存在差异,它在滞育期的调控可能是种专化的.DaHSP23可能在葱蝇两种类型的滞育上起重要作用.     

葱蝇热激蛋白DaHSP23基因的克隆及在冬滞育和夏滞育蛹中的表达分析（英文）

【目的】低分子量（12~43 kDa）热激蛋白(sHSPs)具有抗逆应答的功能,滞育是昆虫抵抗不良环境的特殊发育形式,但sHSPs在昆虫滞育发育过程中的作用仍不清楚。本研究克隆和特征化葱蝇Delia antiqua sHSP基因,并研究它在夏滞育和冬滞育发育过程中的表达模式,为阐明sHSPs在滞育发育上的功能奠定基础。【方法】通过RACE-PCR方法克隆了葱蝇HSP23基因,通过相似性比较分析了其特征、结构域及与双翅目代表性同源基因的系统发育关系;采用实时荧光定量PCR研究了该基因在葱蝇冬滞育蛹和夏滞育蛹发育过程中的表达情况,通过表达的差异比较揭示了该基因与滞育发育的关系。【结果】克隆出了葱蝇HSP23基因,命名为DaHSP23（GenBank登录号：HQ392521.1）,其cDNA全长序列为904 bp,编码186个氨基酸,推测蛋白分子量为20.9 kDa,等电点为6.42。该基因的编码蛋白与其他双翅目昆虫的sHSPs有超过66%的氨基酸序列一致性,与已报道的其他双翅目昆虫的滞育相关HSP23基因同源。基因组测序显示该基因无内含子。DaHSP23基因在葱蝇非滞育蛹的发育过程中一直保持在较低的水平,各发育阶段间的表达量不存在显著差异。但在冬滞育和夏滞育蛹中,该基因从滞育起始期开始逐渐显著升高表达,到滞育维持期的中后期达到峰值,在滞育终止期逐渐降到较低的水平。【结论】DaHSP23基因在葱蝇冬滞育和夏滞育发育过程中明显上调表达,但存在差异,它在滞育期的调控可能是种专化的。DaHSP23可能在葱蝇两种类型的滞育上起重要作用。     

基于转录组的葱蝇表皮蛋白基因家族的鉴定及在非滞育和冬滞育条件下的表达分析

【目的】昆虫表皮蛋白在昆虫的生长发育、抑制水分蒸发和抵御其他外界不良环境等方面起到重要的作用。通过转录组水平上葱蝇Delia antiqua表皮蛋白基因家族的鉴定及部分基因在非滞育和冬滞育条件下的表达规律分析,为进一步研究葱蝇表皮蛋白在滞育期的抗逆功能奠定基础。【方法】基于转录组数据,通过生物信息学方法对葱蝇表皮蛋白基因进行鉴定分析,系统进化和保守结构域分析并采用实时荧光定量PCR法比较分析了12个基因在葱蝇非滞育和冬滞育不同发育时期的表达变化。【结果】在葱蝇中鉴定出81个表皮蛋白基因,分别属于RR(71个基因)、CPAP(5个基因)和CPLC(5个基因)亚家族,其编码的蛋白质含有92~495个氨基酸,分子量约为8.692~52.2 k D,等电点为3.90~9.93。亚细胞定位预测结果显示67个全长表皮蛋白均为外分泌型。12个葱蝇表皮基因在非滞育和冬滞育过程中有明显不同的表达规律。【结论】葱蝇表皮蛋白基因RR-2型的保守基序中发生了基因突变,引起关键氨基酸的替换,这可能暗示它们在非滞育和滞育不同条件下,不同发育阶段中蛹皮结构重建和某些器官的发生方面发挥不同作用。该研究结果为进一步阐明葱蝇滞育蛹皮结构及抗逆功能的研究提供了重要理论基础。     

基于转录组和基因表达谱的葱蝇分泌组挖掘及其在滞育发育中的可能作用分析（英文）

【目的】昆虫滞育是一种重要的季节性适应生存的环境生理现象,但是调控葱蝇Delia antiqua夏滞育和冬滞育的分子机理却知之甚少。本研究旨在鉴定与葱蝇蛹滞育相关的候选基因。【方法】利用RNA-seq和数字基因表达谱数据,通过生物信息学的方法预测分析葱蝇滞育相关的分泌蛋白,并进行了氨基酸序列相似性、基本理化性质分析;从表达谱中选取12个差异表达基因,利用qRT-PCR验证了它们在非滞育蛹以及夏滞育和冬滞育蛹的不同发育时期的表达特点。【结果】共鉴定出38个在葱蝇夏滞育蛹和冬滞育蛹之间差异表达的可能的分泌蛋白。同源基因注释表明,这些基因可能在气味分子结合、几丁质和脂类代谢、免疫及发育等方面发挥作用,其中脂类和几丁质代谢过程的调节似乎在滞育发育过程起到重要作用。qRT-PCR分析结果表明,12个被选择基因的表达谱与RNA-seq结果相吻合(R=0.862,P=0.001)。【结论】本研究为基于高通量测序的分泌组挖掘及滞育相关基因的鉴定提供了强有力地分析策略。     

中华大蟾蜍精巢组织全长cDNA文库的构建及泛素延伸蛋白基因Bg-ubi52的获得

运用SMART技术构建了中华大蟾蜍(Bufo bufo gargarizans)精巢全长cDNA文库。提取中华大蟾蜍精巢总RNA,用Clontech公司SMARTTM cDNA文库构建试剂盒反转录合成第一链cDNA,LD-PCR扩增获得全长cDNA双链;经SfiⅠ酶切、层析柱分离后,500bp以上的片段与λTriplEx2载体连接并包装,建成原始文库。经鉴定,原始文库滴度为2.21×106pfu/ml,重组率为91%;文库扩增后的滴度为2.94×109pfu/ml,重组率为93.7%。插入片段大小分布于0.4~2.0kb之间,平均长度约为1.0kb,说明已构建文库质量较高,为进一步筛选、克隆精巢特异表达基因奠定了基础。从该文库中克隆到了泛素延伸蛋白基因,全长561bp,包含完整的5′和3′非编码区,编码128个氨基酸,即泛素的76个氨基酸后融合了52个氨基酸的核糖体L40蛋白。     

叉头转录因子1基因FOXO1的特征及其在葱蝇夏滞育前期蛹体内糖脂代谢中的作用(英文)

【目的】克隆和鉴定葱蝇Delia antiqua叉头转录因子1基因,探究其在葱蝇夏滞育前期蛹体内糖代谢和脂代谢中的作用。【方法】本研究基于葱蝇转录组数据利用3′RACE法克隆叉头转录因子1基因的全长开放阅读框;利用生物信息学法分析了该基因编码蛋白的序列特征、保守结构域和二级结构,并采用最大似然法对其与其他13种昆虫来源的同源序列进行了聚类分析。通过RNA干扰技术沉默目的基因后,采用实时定量PCR法分析葱蝇夏滞育前期蛹体内目的基因下游脂肪酶brummer基因(DaBmm)和磷酸烯醇式丙酮酸羧化酶基因(DaDepck)的表达规律,并对甘油三脂(TAG)、海藻糖和葡萄糖含量及总脂肪酶的活性变化进行分析。【结果】克隆得到了葱蝇叉头转录因子1基因DaFOXO1 (GenBank登录号: MG813258),其编码蛋白含有619个氨基酸,具有典型的叉头DNA结合域,核定位信号,2个14-3-3结合区和1个富含谷氨酰胺区;DaFOXO1与铜绿蝇Lucilia cuprina FOXO1蛋白的氨基酸序列有87%的一致性,并与其聚为一支。干扰葱蝇夏滞育前期蛹DaFOXO1后,8-20 h间可显著抑制DaBmm基因的表达,12-24 h间可显著影响TAG含量和总脂肪酶的活性,8-20 h(16 h除外)间可显著降低DaPepck的表达,但对葡萄糖和海藻糖的含量没有显著影响。【结论】本研究结果表明海藻糖和葡萄糖的积累在化蛹前已完成;DaFOXO1对DaBmm和DaDepck基因的表达调控可能有利于葱蝇夏滞育前期蛹体内的脂肪积累。同时也表明靶向Bmm依赖性脂类水解过程及其下游因子可为打破昆虫滞育提供一种有效策略。     

葱蝇夏滞育蛹体内DaFOXO1对超氧化物歧化酶基因表达及蛹发育历期的调控作用(英文)

【目的】本研究旨在调查葱蝇Delia antiqua夏滞育蛹体内DaFOXO1对超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)基因表达及蛹发育历期的调控作用。【方法】从葱蝇转录组数据中鉴定DaFOXO1下游铜锌超氧化物歧化酶基因DaCu/Zn SOD和锰超氧化物歧化酶基因DaMn SOD;利用生物信息学工具对DaCu/Zn SOD和DaMn SOD的氨基酸序列特征、亚细胞定位和系统发育关系进行分析。通过qRT-PCR方法分析DaFOXO1, DaCu/Zn SOD和DaMn SOD基因在葱蝇夏滞育蛹不同发育阶段的表达特点;进一步分析DaFOXO1基因被干扰后,葱蝇夏滞育蛹中DaCu/Zn SOD和DaMn SOD基因的表达特点、酶活性变化及对葱蝇夏滞育蛹发育历期的影响。【结果】鉴定到的葱蝇DaCu/Zn SOD(GenBank登录号: KR072551)的开放阅读框长459 bp,编码153个氨基酸,预测蛋白分子量为22.4 kD,等电点为6.44,属于细胞质型铜锌超氧化歧化酶;DaMn SOD(GenBank登录号: KR072549)的开放阅读框长648 bp,编码216个氨基酸,预测蛋白分子量为24.4 kD,等电点为8.85,属于线粒体型锰超氧化物歧化酶。氨基酸序列比对结果显示,DaCu/Zn SOD和DaMn SOD与其他10种双翅目昆虫的同源蛋白有75%~94%的氨基酸序列一致性,且具有典型的SOD家族序列特征;系统发育分析显示它们与铜绿蝇Lucilia cuprina同源蛋白形成高支持率的一支。qRT-PCR分析表明,DaFOXO1基因在滞育前期和滞育后期的表达量较高,而在滞育期的表达量低; DaCu/Zn SOD基因在滞育期和滞育后期呈高表达;但DaMn SOD基因在滞育前期和滞育期的表达量最高,在滞育后期次之。干扰DaFOXO1可显著抑制DaCu/Zn SOD和DaMn SOD的基因表达及相应酶活性,并能明显延长夏滞育蛹的滞育期。【结论】结果说明,DaCu/Zn SOD和DaMn SOD是FOXO1信号网络中的重要成员;DaFOXO1对葱蝇夏滞育蛹蛹期有重要调控作用。     

葱蝇非滞育、夏滞育和冬滞育蛹体内抗氧化酶活性的比较分析（英文）

【目的】通过测定并比较分析抗氧化酶活性及谷胱甘肽氧化还原状态,探讨葱蝇Delia antiqua非滞育、夏滞育和冬滞育蛹体内抗氧化系统的差异。【方法】取葱蝇非滞育、夏滞育和冬滞育蛹,分别测定铜锌超氧化物歧化酶(Cu/Zn-SOD)、锰超氧化物歧化酶(Mn SOD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)、谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GPx)和谷胱甘肽还原酶(GR)活性及还原型谷胱甘肽(GSH)和氧化性还原型谷胱甘肽(GSSG)含量及GSH/GSSG比随发育时间的变化;并对各抗氧化因子进行了典型判别分析。【结果】5种抗氧化酶的活性在整个蛹期是动态变化的。与非滞育蛹和夏滞育蛹相比,处于滞育前期的冬滞育蛹具有较高的Cu/Zn-SOD酶活性,但处于夏滞育及冬滞育的维持期和滞育后期的滞育蛹体内Cu/Zn-SOD酶活性则明显低于同一发育时期的非滞育蛹。在整个蛹期,非滞育蛹体内Mn SOD酶活性显著高于夏滞育和冬滞育蛹,而在夏滞育和冬滞育蛹之间则无明显差异。比较两种酶活性则发现同一发育时期的Mn SOD平均酶活性明显高于Cu/Zn-SOD酶活性。在头外翻之前,滞育蛹体内CAT酶活性高于非滞育蛹,但处于滞育维持期和后期的蛹体内CAT酶活性则低于非滞育蛹。无论在非滞育蛹还是滞育蛹中,GPx和GR酶活性变化基本上呈相反的趋势。典型判别分析进一步表明葱蝇蛹体内的抗氧化系统具有发育时期和滞育类型特异性。【结论】非滞育蛹与夏滞育和冬滞育蛹体内的氧化还原状态存在明显差异。滞育前期和滞育后期的蛹体内较高的抗氧化酶活性和较低的GSH/GSSG比提示氧化状态的变化与高的呼吸速率及发育过程密切相关。     

葱蝇非滞育、 冬滞育和夏滞育蛹发育和形态特征比较

昆虫非滞育、 冬滞育和夏滞育蛹具有不同的生理和发育过程。本研究以葱蝇Delia antiqua作为模式种, 以黑腹果蝇Drosophila melanogaster蛹的发育形态特征和命名为参照, 用解剖、 拍照、 长度测量和图像处理等方法系统地比较研究了非滞育、 冬滞育和夏滞育蛹的发育历期和形态变化, 重点在头外翻和滞育相关发育和形态特征, 目的在于弄清非滞育、 冬滞育和夏滞育蛹发育和形态特征差异, 为滞育发育阶段的识别、 滞育分子机理研究奠定形态学基础。冬滞育蛹的滞育前期、 滞育期和滞育后期分别为4, 85和27 d, 夏滞育蛹的滞育前期、 滞育期和滞育后期分别为2, 8和22 d。从化蛹至头外翻完成为滞育前期, 头外翻完成约10 h内复眼中央游离脂肪体可见。头外翻的完成是滞育发生的前提, 非滞育、 夏滞育和冬滞育蛹头外翻发生在化蛹后的48, 36和83 h, 在头外翻过程中发育形态没有差异。头外翻的过程为： 首先, 头囊和胸部附肢从胸腔外翻, 头部形态出现; 然后, 腹部肌肉继续收缩, 将血淋巴和脂肪体推进头部及胸部附肢。葱蝇蛹在完成蛹期有效积温约15%时进入冬滞育或夏滞育。在滞育期, 蛹的形态一直停留在复眼中央游离脂肪体可见这一形态时期, 且冬滞育和夏滞育的蛹在形态上没有区别。在体长、 体宽和体重上, 冬滞育蛹最大, 夏滞育蛹次之, 非滞育蛹最小。在滞育后期, 在黄色体出现期间, 非滞育蛹的马氏管清楚可见, 呈绿色, 而滞育蛹的马氏管几乎不可见。本研究为认知昆虫滞育生理、 从发育历期和形态上推断滞育发育进程提供了依据。     

Expression of mRNA for the t-complex polypeptide-1, a subunit of chaperonin CCT, is upregulated in association with increased cold hardiness in Delia antiqua

Summer-diapause and winter-diapause pupae of the onion maggot, Delia antiqua (Diptera: Anthomyiidae), were significantly more cold hardy than nondiapause, prediapause, and postdiapause pupae. Moreover, cold acclimation of nondiapause pupae conferred strong cold hardiness comparable with that of diapause pupae. Differential display analysis revealed that the expression of a gene encoding TCP-1 (the t-complex polypeptide-1), a subunit of chaperonin CCT, in D antiqua (DaTCP-1) is upregulated in the pupae that express enhanced cold hardiness. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction analyses showed that the levels of DaTCP-1 messenger RNA in pupal tissues, brain, and midgut in particular, are highly correlated with the cold hardiness of the pupae. These findings suggest that the upregulation of DaTCP-1 expression is related to enhanced cold hardiness in D antiqua. The upregulation of CCT in response to low temperature in an organism other than the yeast is newly reported.     

Upregulation of a desaturase is associated with the enhancement of cold hardiness in the onion maggot, Delia antiqua

Cold-acclimated non-diapause pupae, and summer- and winter-diapause pupae of the onion maggot, Delia antiqua (Diptera: Anthomyiidae), show marked cold hardiness as compared with intact non-diapause pupae. Homeoviscous adaptation of cellular membranes is crucial to enhance the cold hardiness of organisms, and Delta9-acyl-CoA desaturases have been assumed, albeit without experimental evidence in insects, to play a key role in the adaptation. We cloned the cDNA of a desaturase gene (Dadesat) from D. antiqua, which is most likely to encode Delta9-acyl-CoA desaturase. Expression of Dadesat mRNA in the brain, midgut, and Malpighian tubules of cold-acclimated and diapause pupae was upregulated 2-10 fold, correlating well with the increase in cold hardiness. In the pupae with enhanced cold hardiness, palmitoleic and oleic acids, the presumed products of Dadesat, in the phospholipids were significantly increased. These findings suggest that the increase in the expression of Dadesat contributes to enhanced cold hardiness in D. antiqua through the production of these unsaturated fatty acids.     

Comparison of the circadian eclosion rhythm between non-diapause and diapause pupae in the onion fly, Delia antiqua: the change of rhythmicity

When pupae of Delia antiqua were transferred to constant darkness (DD) from light-dark (LD) cycles or constant light (LL), the sensitivity to light of the circadian clock controlling eclosion increased with age. The daily rhythm of eclosion appeared in both non-diapause and diapause pupae only when this transfer was made during late pharate adult development. When transferred from LL to DD in the early pupal stage, the adult eclosion was weakly rhythmic in non-diapause pupae but arrhythmic in diapause pupae. However, the sensitivity of the circadian clock to temperature cycles or steps was higher in diapause pupae than in non-diapause pupae; in the transfer to a constant 20 degrees C from a thermoperiod of 25 degrees C (12 h)/20 degrees C (12 h) on day 10 after pupation or from chilling (7.5 degrees C) in DD, the adult eclosion from diapause pupae was rhythmic but that from non-diapause pupae arrhythmic. In a transfer to 20 degrees C from the thermoperiod after the initiation of eclosion, rhythmicity was observed in both types of pupae. The larval stage was insensitive to the effect of LD cycle initiating the eclosion rhythm. In D. antiqua pupae in the soil under natural conditions, therefore, the thermoperiod in the late pupal stage would be the most important 'Zeitgeber' for the determination of eclosion timing.     

Characteristics of summer diapause in the onion maggot,Delia antiqua (Diptera: Anthomyiidae)

Characteristics of summer diapause in the onion maggot, Delia antiqua, were clarified by laboratory experiments. Temperature was the primary factor for the induction of summer diapause in this species. The critical temperature for diapause induction was approximately 24 degrees C, regardless of the photoperiod. At 23 degrees C, the development of the diapausing pupae was arrested the day after pupariation, when about 7% of the total pupal development had occurred in terms of total effective temperature (degree-days). The most sensitive period for temperature with regard to diapause induction was estimated to be between pupariation and "pupation" (i.e., evagination of the head in cyclorrhaphous flies). Completion of diapause occurred at a wide range of temperatures (4-25 degrees C): The optimal temperature was approximately 16 degrees C, at which temperature only five days were required for diapause completion. The characteristics of summer diapause in D. antiqua are discussed in comparison with those of summer dormancy in a congener D. radicum and those of winter diapause in D. antiqua.     

Laboratory evaluation of entomopathogenic fungi against larvae and adults of onion maggot (Diptera: Anthomyiidae)

Laboratory experiments were done to measure the susceptibility of larvae and adults of the onion maggot, Delia antiqua (Meigen) (Diptera: Muscidae: Anthomyiidae) to 27 isolates of entomopathogenic fungi from four genera [Beauveria Vuillemin, Lecanicillium (Petch) Zare & W. Gams, Metarhizium Sorokin, and Paecilomyces Bainier]. A novel bioassay was developed for D. antiqua larvae by using a diet based on mixed vegetable powder. When evaluated in a virulence screen, the fungal isolates caused less mortality of D. antiqua larvae than adults. Only three isolates caused > 50% mortality of larvae, whereas 12 isolates caused > 50% mortality of adults. Fungal species was a statistically significant factor affecting the mortality of larvae but not of adults. The fungal isolates causing the most mortality of larvae tended to belong to Metarhizium anisopliae (Metschnikoff) Sorokin. Two M. anisopliae isolates (389.93 and 392.93) were evaluated in dose-response bioassays. The median lethal concentrations of the isolates against larvae were 6.1 x 10(7) conidia ml(-1) for isolate 389.93 and 7.6 x 10(7) conidia ml(-1) for isolate 392.93. The emergence of adult flies from pupae was reduced at high concentrations of conidia (3.0 x 10(8) and 1.0 x 10(8) conidia ml(-1)). The median lethal concentrations of the isolates against adults were 1.7 x 10(7) and 4.0 x 10(7) conidia ml(-1), respectively. Some of the fungal isolates examined may have potential as biological control agents of larvae of D. antiqua and related species.     

Specificity of accessory gland extracts. in three Delia fly species (Diptera: Anthomyiidae)

Abstract. Extracts of testes and male accessory (paragonial) glands made from three species of Delia (onion fly {D.antiqua) , seedcorn fly (D.platura) , and cabbage fly (D.radicum)) were injected into conspecific virgin females. Extracts of paragonial glands, but not testes, from onion, seedcorn and cabbage fly males stimulated oviposition and suppressed mating when injected into conspecific virgin females. When extracts of paragonial glands from males of these species were injected into heterospecific virgin females, the extracts of D.antiqua and D.platura were fully cross-reactive with respect to oviposition; interspecific injection stimulated oviposition at the level of the conspecific mated controls. Injection of D.radicum extract fully activated the D.antiqua and D.platura ovipositional response. D.antiqua extract caused mating inhibition and partial oviposition in D.radicum; that of D.platura had no effect on either oviposition or mating inhibition in D.radicum. These results suggest that D.antiqua and D.platura are more closely related to one another than either is to D.radicum , and agree with published anatomically-based phylogenies and a genetic distance calculation based on eight enzyme loci. The occurrence of sex peptide cross-reactivity, though asymmetrical, between D.radicum versus D.antiqua and D.platura indicates that, functionally, sex peptides have changed little during the evolution of this genus. An emerging pattern of broad cross-reactivity within genera suggests that sex peptides are not an initiator of reproductive isolation.