环氧苍耳素Ⅰ对菜青虫中肠消化酶和羧酸酯酶活性的影响

【目的】探明苍耳Xanthium sibiricum活性物质--环氧苍耳素Ⅰ对菜青虫的作用机理。【方法】采用饲喂法处理4龄菜青虫Pieris rapae, 测试从苍耳中分离提纯的环氧苍耳素Ⅰ（为倍半萜内酯类物质）对菜青虫中肠蛋白酶、 淀粉酶和羧酸酯酶活性的影响。【结果】环氧苍耳素Ⅰ对蛋白酶活性的抑制最强, 处理后12, 24和48 h, 菜青虫中肠蛋白酶抑制率分别为20.95%,29.38%和50.06%; 其次为淀粉酶, 抑制率分别为11.89%,39.01%和31.92%。同时,中肠羧酸酯酶活性在处理后12 h与对照之间无显著变化, 24 h 时活性被显著抑制, 而48 h时活性却明显高于对照。【结论】环氧苍耳素Ⅰ对昆虫中肠消化酶活性的抑制, 可能是引起昆虫表现取食抑制和生长发育不良的重要原因之一。     

大豆胰蛋白酶抑制剂和防御信号物质对斜纹夜蛾解毒酶的影响

在昆虫与植物漫长的相互作用中,植物合成多种抗虫物质并采用防御信号转导系统抵御昆虫,昆虫也具有多种解毒酶系统保护其免受植物毒素的毒害.本文研究了人工添加大豆胰蛋白酶抑制剂和植物防御信号物质对斜纹夜蛾幼虫羧酸酯酶和谷胱甘肽-S-转移酶活性的影响.结果表明： 持续6代自幼虫2龄或3龄开始喂养含有大豆胰蛋白酶抑制剂的人工饲料,其5龄幼虫中肠和脂肪体内羧酸酯酶、谷胱甘肽-S-转移酶活性显著升高,2、3龄处理的继代幼虫中肠和脂肪体内羧酸酯酶活性均在第二代达到最大值,分别为对照的2.06、2.40倍和1.96、2.70倍;其谷胱甘肽-S-转移酶活性则分别于第4、2代达到最大值,分别为对照的7.03、11.58倍和5.71、3.60倍,并呈现先升高再降低的趋势.预先接触外源信号物质茉莉酸甲酯、水杨酸甲酯48 h和添加大豆胰蛋白酶抑制剂均可使斜纹夜蛾幼虫中肠、脂肪体内羧酸酯酶和谷胱甘肽-S-转移酶的活性显著升高,且预先接触茉莉酸甲酯和水杨酸甲酯48 h可减缓大豆胰蛋白酶抑制剂对幼虫中肠和脂肪体内羧酸酯酶、谷胱甘肽-S-转移酶活性的作用效果.     

大豆胰蛋白酶抑制剂和防御信号物质对斜纹夜蛾解毒酶的影响

在昆虫与植物漫长的相互作用中,植物合成多种抗虫物质并采用防御信号转导系统抵御昆虫,昆虫也具有多种解毒酶系统保护其免受植物毒素的毒害.本文研究了人工添加大豆胰蛋白酶抑制剂和植物防御信号物质对斜纹夜蛾幼虫羧酸酯酶和谷胱甘肽-S-转移酶活性的影响.结果表明:持续6代自幼虫2龄或3龄开始喂养含有大豆胰蛋白酶抑制剂的人工饲料,其5龄幼虫中肠和脂肪体内羧酸酯酶、谷胱甘肽-S-转移酶活性显著升高,2、3龄处理的继代幼虫中肠和脂肪体内羧酸酯酶活性均在第二代达到最大值,分别为对照的2.06、2.40倍和1.96、2.70倍;其谷胱甘肽-S-转移酶活性则分别于第4、2代达到最大值,分别为对照的7.03、11.58倍和5.71、3.60倍,并呈现先升高再降低的趋势.预先接触外源信号物质茉莉酸甲酯、水杨酸甲酯48 h和添加大豆胰蛋白酶抑制剂均可使斜纹夜蛾幼虫中肠、脂肪体内羧酸酯酶和谷胱甘肽-S-转移酶的活性显著升高,且预先接触茉莉酸甲酯和水杨酸甲酯48 h可减缓大豆胰蛋白酶抑制剂对幼虫中肠和脂肪体内羧酸酯酶、谷胱甘肽-S-转移酶活性的作用效果.     

6种植物次生物质对斜纹夜蛾解毒酶活性的影响

草食性昆虫取食植物时遇到宿主植物中大量次生物质的化学防御,研究昆虫适应植物毒素的反防御策略具有重要的科学意义。分别添加0.01%肉桂酸、0.01%水杨酸、0.01%花椒毒素、0.02%槲皮素、0.05%黄酮和0.1%香豆素等6种植物次生物质的人工饲料饲养斜纹夜蛾(Spodoptera litura)五龄幼虫48 h后,测定斜纹夜蛾幼虫中肠和脂肪体中谷胱甘肽S-转移酶(GSTs)、羧酸酯酶(CarE)、P450的酶含量及头部乙酰胆碱酯酶(AChE)的活性,利用半定量RT-PCR检测中肠和脂肪体中CYP4M14和CYP4S9的基因表达水平。结果表明:取食肉桂酸和香豆素后,斜纹夜蛾中肠中CarE的酶活性分别提高了1.67和1.37倍,取食6种次生物质均能显著提高斜纹夜蛾脂肪体中GSTs酶活性。取食肉桂酸和香豆素48 h后,脂肪体中P450酶含量比对照增加2.93和14.50倍。取食肉桂酸、花椒毒素、槲皮素和香豆素后,斜纹夜蛾头部AchE酶活性与对照相比提高了1.53、1.80、2.36和1.56倍。6种次生物质均可诱导脂肪体中CYP4M14基因表达,槲皮素、肉桂酸和香豆素强烈诱导CYP4S9在脂肪体中表达。表明,斜纹夜蛾具有利用植物次生物质诱导其解毒酶的能力,进而提高其对毒素的抗性。     

转双价基因(Bt+CpTI)棉对棉铃虫中肠羧酸酯酶活性的诱导作用

为了明确棉铃虫Helicoverpa armigera(Hübner)取食转双价基因(Bt+CpTI)棉叶以及取食一段时间转基因棉叶后,再取食常规棉叶,对棉铃虫取食量、体重增长量及中肠羧酸酯酶活性的影响,本研究分别用转双价基因棉叶和常规棉叶饲喂4龄棉铃虫幼虫5 d,比较考察了棉铃虫的取食量、体重增长量及中肠羧酸酯酶的活性;另外分别考察了棉铃虫取食转基因棉叶1 d及3 d后再取食常规棉叶,其中肠羧酸酯酶的变化。结果表明,持续取食常规棉花叶片5 d的棉铃虫,其中肠羧酸酯酶的活性持续升高;而持续取食转基因棉叶5 d的棉铃虫,其中肠羧酸酯酶的活性先升高后降低。取食转基因棉花叶片1 d后,取食常规棉叶的棉铃虫,其中肠羧酸酯酶的活性,随着换取常规棉叶时间的延长,活性逐渐降低;而棉铃虫在取食3 d转基因棉叶后再取食常规棉叶,其中肠羧酸酯酶活性却一直保持较高。可见,棉铃虫在取食转基因棉花后,其羧酸酯酶活性可以被诱导,这应与棉铃虫对转基因棉的抗性及防御性有一定关系。     

几种植物源化合物对棉铃虫海藻糖酶活性及相关碳水化合物含量的影响

碳水化合物对昆虫的能量代谢和物质合成具有重要的作用。本研究选用2种一般性生物碱（氢溴酸东莨菪碱和烟碱）以及2种β-葡萄糖苷类化合物（七叶灵和皂角苷）, 研究其在不同浓度下对棉铃虫Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner)幼虫体内海藻糖酶活性及相关碳水化合物代谢的影响。结果表明: 用饲喂法处理3龄幼虫96 h后, 皂角苷对棉铃虫幼虫的活体抑制效果明显, 且随添加物浓度增高, 棉铃虫死亡率上升, 10, 20, 40 g/L浓度下棉铃虫的均重分别是0.194, 0.089和0.034 g, 分别为对照的86.99%, 39.91%和15.24%。对海藻糖酶活性及其相关代谢酶的测定结果表明, 2种苷类化合物显著抑制中肠海藻糖酶活性, 饲喂40 g/L皂角苷的试虫中肠海藻糖酶比活力仅是对照组的54.21%; 饲喂30 g/L七叶灵的试虫中肠海藻糖酶比活力为对照组的83.73%。而2种生物碱类化合物显著抑制血淋巴和脂肪体中海藻糖酶活性, 20 g/L氢溴酸东莨菪碱对棉铃虫血淋巴和脂肪体组织的海藻糖酶活性抑制率分别为7.24%和71.43%; 而20 g/L烟碱对试虫血淋巴和脂肪体组织的海藻糖酶活性抑制率为26.29%和33.44%。用氢溴酸东莨菪碱、 烟碱和七叶灵处理试虫后, 血淋巴海藻糖含量都有所增高。4种化合物能够导致试虫糖原磷酸化酶活性变化, 其中, 皂角苷在中肠和脂肪体表现为显著抑制作用, 而随外源化合物浓度变化, 糖原含量和糖原磷酸化酶活性表现为此消彼长关系。饲喂4种植物源化合物的试虫血淋巴中葡萄糖浓度变化和其海藻糖变化一致。本研究证明β-葡萄糖苷类化合物是海藻糖酶抑制剂, 在作为先导化合物进行农药创制开发方面具有重要意义。     

不同品种黄瓜对B型烟粉虱羧酸酯酶活性的影响

采用酶标仪动力学法,比较研究了3个黄瓜品种对B型烟粉虱Bemisia tabaci(Gennadius)羧酸酯酶比活力的影响。结果表明,不同品种黄瓜对B型烟粉虱羧酸酯酶活性具有明显的影响:取食四季秋瓜和22-94RZ的B型烟粉虱羧酸酯酶活性均较高,其比活力最低值分别为对照的1.07倍和1.27倍;取食Deltastar RZ的为最低,其羧酸酯酶比活力最低值仅为对照的0.56倍。取食不同品种黄瓜不同时间,B型烟粉虱羧酸酯酶比活力动态变化趋势不同:取食四季秋瓜、22-94RZ的B型烟粉虱,其羧酸酯酶比活力始终保持被激活状态;取食Deltastar RZ后则处于被抑制状态,但72h后恢复至起始水平,说明B型烟粉虱在Deltastar RZ上具有较强的恢复能力,适应性较好。研究表明羧酸酯酶在B型烟粉虱选择适应寄主过程中应该起着重要作用。     

Effects of transgenic Cry1Ac + CpTI cotton on carboxylesterase activity in Helicoverpa armigera

为了明确棉铃虫Helicoverpa armigera(Hübner)取食转双价基因(Bt+CpTI)棉叶以及取食一段时间转基因棉叶后,再取食常规棉叶,对棉铃虫取食量、体重增长量及中肠羧酸酯酶活性的影响,本研究分别用转双价基因棉叶和常规棉叶饲喂4龄棉铃虫幼虫5d,比较考察了棉铃虫的取食量、体重增长量及中肠羧酸酯酶的活性;另外分别考察了棉铃虫取食转基因棉叶1d及3d后再取食常规棉叶,其中肠羧酸酯酶的变化.结果表明,持续取食常规棉花叶片5d的棉铃虫,其中肠羧酸酯酶的活性持续升高;而持续取食转基因棉叶5d的棉铃虫,其中肠羧酸酯酶的活性先升高后降低.取食转基因棉花叶片1d后,取食常规棉叶的棉铃虫,其中肠羧酸酯酶的活性,随着换取常规棉叶时间的延长,活性逐渐降低;而棉铃虫在取食3d转基因棉叶后再取食常规棉叶,其中肠羧酸酯酶活性却一直保持较高.可见,棉铃虫在取食转基因棉花后,其羧酸酯酶活性可以被诱导,这应与棉铃虫对转基因棉的抗性及防御性有一定关系.     

不同处理菜豆植株对西花蓟马体内解毒酶活性的影响

为明确植物的诱导抗性对西花蓟马体内酶活性的影响,通过西花蓟马取食、机械损伤、外源茉莉酸和水杨酸甲酯诱导处理菜豆植株,研究西花蓟马2龄若虫取食不同处理菜豆植株后,其体内多功能氧化酶(MFO)、羧酸酯酶(CarE)、谷胱甘肽S-转移酶(GSTs)、乙酰胆碱酯酶(TChE)的变化。结果表明,西花蓟马2龄若虫取食不同处理的菜豆后,体内多功能氧化酶和乙酰胆碱酯酶活性变化相同,均是在24 h和36 h显著低于取食健康植株的。除取食茉莉酸处理的西花蓟马体内谷胱甘肽S-转移酶活性在24 h受到显著抑制外,西花蓟马若虫取食水杨酸甲酯、蓟马危害后体内的谷胱甘肽S-转移酶活性均高于对照,取食机械损伤处理的西花蓟马体内酶活性在不同取食时间下均与对照差异不显著。取食蓟马危害和茉莉酸处理的西花蓟马虫体羧酸酯酶活性在6 h和36 h均受到显著抑制,而取食机械损伤和水杨酸甲酯诱导的西花蓟马体内酶活性只有在36 h受到明显抑制。以上结果说明外源因子诱导的植物抗性能够干扰西花蓟马体内解毒机制,削弱了其对有毒次生物质的解毒代谢功能。     

棉铃虫及粘虫肠中咽侧体静止激素样活性物质对咽侧体活性的影响

利用放射化学的方法分别检测了棉铃虫Helicoverpaarmigera、粘虫Mythimnaseparata幼虫和成虫肠中咽侧体静止激素 (allatostatin ,AS)样的活性物质。发现在棉铃虫、粘虫幼虫和成虫肠中均存在的AS样活性物质 ,可以在体外抑制咽侧体 (corporaallata,CA)的保幼激素 ( juvenilehormone,JH)的生物合成。生物测定的结果表明 ,粘虫幼虫肠中AS样活性物质的含量较棉铃虫的高 ;粘虫 1个幼虫肠当量对CA的JH合成的抑制率达 4 3% ,而棉铃虫幼虫肠只有 2 6%。无论是棉铃虫还是粘虫 ,雌成虫中肠对CA的抑制比雄成虫中肠的高 ,后肠对CA的JH合成的抑制明显的低于中肠对CA的抑制。中肠对CA的JH合成的抑制是可回复的。中肠粗提物经蛋白酶水解后对CA合成JH的抑制率降低 ,表明肠中AS样的活性物质是肽或蛋白质     

取食不同食料植物对安婀珍蝶的营养利用及中肠四种酶活力的影响

分别用薇甘菊Mikania micrantha HBK、飞机草Chromolaena odorata L.、革命菜Gynura crepidioides Benth、菜心Brassica parachinensis Bailey和白菜Brassica chinensis L.饲养安婀珍蝶Actinote anteas,计算各龄期试虫的存活率;测定不同食料植物对安婀珍蝶4龄幼虫的营养利用以及中肠中淀粉酶、海藻糖酶、蔗糖酶和羧酸酯酶活性的影响。结果表明：薇甘菊饲养的试虫,其4、5、6龄的存活率高于其他供试食料植物上的试虫;取食薇甘菊的安婀珍蝶4龄幼虫相对生长率和食物利用率明显高于取食其他3种食料植物的试虫,但其相对取食量明显较低;取食薇甘菊的安婀珍蝶4龄试虫羧酸酯酶比活力明显高于以其他3种植物为食的试虫;取食白菜的4龄试虫,其蔗糖酶、海藻糖酶和淀粉酶比活力较低。这些研究结果表明安婀珍蝶对革命菜、菜心和白菜存在不同程度的取食利用障碍,由此判定他们不会成为安婀珍蝶的寄主植物。     

Metabolic pathways for dietary lipids in the midgut of hematophagous Panstrongylus megistus (Hemiptera: Reduviidae)

The metabolism of dietary lipids in the anterior midgut of Panstrongylus megistus during blood digestion was studied. Fifth instar nymphs were fed a blood meal containing 7.1 +/- 0.4 mg of lipids, consisting mainly of triacylglycerol (TAG), and completed the overall process of digestion in about 20 days. Lipolysis of TAG and pathways for diacylglycerol (DAG) biosynthesis in the midgut were investigated by feeding the insects with [9,10-3H]-oleic acid-labeled triolein. Lumenal [3H]-triacylglycerol was hydrolyzed, generating mainly fatty acids (FA) and glycerol and to lesser extent, DAG. Almost no radioactivity associated with monoacylglycerol was found at any time. In midgut tissue, labeled fatty acids were incorporated into phosphatidic acid, DAG and TAG, whereas no significantly labeled monoacylglycerol was observed. In addition, the activities of enzymes related to DAG metabolism were assayed in non-blood fed midgut homogenates and at different times after feeding on a blood meal. Significant changes in the activities of phosphatidate phosphohydrolase (EC 3.1.3.4) and triacylglycerol lipase (EC 3.1.1.3) were observed during blood digestion, suggesting that these enzymes are important in regulating intracellular DAG synthesis and mobilization in midgut cells. Finally, the histological changes of lipid stores observed in anterior midgut confirmed the active process of uptake and trafficking of lipids performed by the enterocytes during blood digestion.     

蛋白酶抑制剂对绿豆象幼虫中肠蛋白酶活性的影响

为明确蛋白酶抑制剂对绿豆象幼虫中肠蛋白酶活性的影响,采用室内人工接虫和生化测定的方法,研究了在离体条件和饲喂条件下4种蛋白酶抑制剂对绿豆象幼虫中肠蛋白酶的抑制作用,并测定了绿豆象幼虫取食不同含量的绿豆胰蛋白酶抑制剂(MBTI)的人工绿豆后,其中肠内总蛋白酶、类胰蛋白酶和类胰凝乳蛋白酶活性的变化.结果表明:在离体条件下,供试4种蛋白酶抑制剂对绿豆象幼虫总蛋白酶、类胰蛋白酶和类胰凝乳蛋白酶活性均有明显的抑制作用,且浓度越大,抑制效果越显著,其中以20μg·mL^-1的MBTI对3种酶活性的抑制效果最强,3种酶活性分别比对照降低了62.5%、41.2%和38.7%,而卵粘蛋白抑制剂(OI)抑制效果最弱.绿豆象幼虫取食含不同抑制剂的人工绿豆后,中肠内3种酶活性也均受到一定的抑制作用,取食后随龄期的延长,3种酶活性有所升高但仍显著低于对照,且以MBTI的抑制作用最强.当绿豆象幼虫取食不同含量MBTI的人工绿豆后,随MBTI含量的增加,对总蛋白酶活性和类胰蛋白酶活性的抑制作用均逐渐增强,但对类胰凝乳蛋白酶活性的抑制作用并不显著,只有当MBTI含量达20%时,对类胰凝乳蛋白酶活性才表现出明显的抑制作用.     

The larval midgut of the cassava hornworm (Erinnyis ello)

Summary Columnar cells of the larval midgut of the cassava hornworm, Erinnyis ello, display microvilli with vesicles pinching off from their tips (anterior and middle midgut) or with a large number of double membrane spheres budding along their length (posterior midgut). Basal infoldings in columnar cells occur in a parallel array with many openings to the underlying space (posterior midgut) or are less organized with few openings (anterior and middle midgut). Goblet cells have a cavity, which is formed by invagination of the apical membrane and which occupies most of the cell (anterior and middle midgut) or only its upper part (posterior midgut). The infolded apical membrane shows modified microvilli, which sometimes (posterior midgut) or always (anterior and middle midgut) contain mitochondria. The cytoplasmic side of the membrane of the microvilli that contain mitochondria are studded with small particles. The results suggest that the anterior and middle region of the midgut absorbs water, whereas the posterior region secretes it. This results in a countercurrent flux of fluid, which is responsible for the enzyme recovery from undigested food before it is expelled. Intermediary and final digestion of food probably occur in the columnar cells under the action of plasma membrane-bound and glycocalix-associated enzymes.     

Nutrient-induced alpha-amylase and protease activity is regulated by crustacean cardioactive peptide (CCAP) in the cockroach midgut

The midgut plays a major role in digestion and absorption of nutrients in insects, and contains endocrine cells throughout the epithelial layer that express neuropeptides, including crustacean cardioactive peptide (CCAP). In the present study, we demonstrate regulation of digestive enzyme activities by CCAP in response to nutrient ingestion in the cockroach, Periplaneta americana. The midgut of the cockroach exhibits maximal alpha-amylase and protease activities 3 h after intake of either starch or casein, but not of non-nutrients. Similar time-dependent responses of CCAP expression in midgut endocrine cells were observed after feeding starch and casein, but not after non-nutrients. We also show that incubation of the dissected midgut with CCAP leads to an increase in alpha-amylase and protease activity in a time-dependent manner, with the maximal activity at 2 h. Taken together, our data indicate the existence of an inducible mechanism where endocrine cells in the midgut are stimulated to synthesize and secrete CCAP by nutrients, and CCAP then up-regulates the activity of digestive enzymes.     

Feeding behaviour,midgut distension and ovarian development in Phlebotomus papatasi (Diptera: Psychodidae)

Phlebotomus papatasi females were fed through membranes or from cotton wool soaked in blood, water, sucrose or sodium chloride solutions. In membrane-fed flies, all diets were routed to the midgut and not to the crop. Following the meals that went to the midgut, females showed ovarian development at least 3 times greater than in sucrose-fed, autogenous control flies. Neither small quantities of water arriving in the midgut following drinking from soaked cotton wool, nor piercing of a membrane without feeding, stimulated ovarian development. Flies exhibited different feeding behaviour namely, blood feeding, sugar feeding, and water drinking. The blood-feeding behaviour was typical of flies ingesting any of the experimental diets through membranes, or blood or saline from cotton wool. The other two types of behaviour were observed in flies which fed from soaked cotton wool. The type of behaviour was characterized by the depth of penetration of the mouthparts into the substrate, the deployment of the palps and the degree of contact between the palps and the surface. It is suggested that the stimuli which control the routing of meals to the crop or to the midgut are derived from these types of behaviour.     

Transport of peroxidase through the midgut epithelium of Glossina M. Morsitans (diptera, glossinidae)

The peritrophic membrane (pm) of teneral female tsetse flies, Glossina morsitans morsitans, did not extend to the full length of the midgut 1-12 hr after emergence. The ingested blood did not reach the posterior part of the midgut (p-part), and the crop still contained food 12 hr after feeding. In these flies, the p-part contained the remains of the larval gut, the meconium, and bacteria. Ferritin molecules fed to tsetse females together with human serum were only found in the endoperitrophic space of the gut. This electron-dense tracer did not penetrate and cross the pm. On the other hand, ingested peroxidase passed the pm, and was transported through intercellular clefts, the basal labyrinth and the basal lamina to the hemolymph. This uptake was observed in the anterior part and to a smaller extent in the middle part of the midgut within 2 hr after feeding. Peroxidase was incorporated from the hemolymph into fat body cells, where it was found 2 hr and later after feeding. Pinocytosis of the tracer molecules, as an additional intracellular pathway to the intercellular route of transport, could not be demonstrated.     

Effect of bacterial infection on antioxidant activity and lipid peroxidation in the midgut of Galleria mellonella L. larvae (Lepidoptera, Pyralidae)

Bacillus thuringiensis is one of the most widely used sources of biorational pesticides, as well as a key source of genes for transgenic expression to provide pest resistance in plants. In this study the effect of Bacillus thuringiensis ssp. galleriae (Bt) infection on the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione S-transferase (GST), catalase (CAT), concentrations of oxidated and reduced thiols (RSSR/RSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA) was tested in the midgut of Galleria mellonella larvae. We found that Bt infection resulted in increased activities of SOD, GST, malondialdehyde and RSSR/RSH ratio the first day after inoculation. However, catalase activity decreased on the first and following days after bacterial infection by Bt. Our results confirm the hypothesis that Bt infection increases the level of oxidative stress in the larval midgut. In light of this study, it seems possible that oxidative damage contributes to cell death in the midgut during bacteriosis.     

Impact of dietary allelochemicals on gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar) caterpillars: importance of midgut alkalinity

Midgut pH of gypsy moth larvae was depressed artificially with buffered diet to examine the impact of alkalinity on the caterpillars' ability to tolerate a dietary polyphenol and a quinone. A 2x3 factorial design was used, with 2 levels of succinate buffer and 3 dietary amendments (tannic acid, juglone, or control). Development was monitored during the third and fourth instars, with consumption, food passage rates, midgut pH, and midgut redox potential (Eh) measured in the fourth instar. Diet buffering successfully depressed midgut pH to hypothetically suboptimal acidic levels without reductions in survivorship, but it did reduce larval growth and impede development. Buffering dramatically reduced survivorship of fourth instar larvae eating diets containing tannic acid or juglone. Growth increased on unbuffered diet amended with tannic acid, but not with juglone. Caterpillars passed food through the gut more slowly when feeding on buffered tannic acid diet or on unbuffered juglone diet. These results indicate that maintenance of midgut alkalinity is critical to tolerance of dietary tannic acid and juglone, and that these allelochemicals have very different activities in the caterpillar gut.     

Ultrastructural studies on the midgut epithelium and digestion in the female tickArgas (Persicargas) arboreus (Ixodoidea: Argasidae)

The ultrastructure of the midgut epithelium and digestion in the female tickArgas (Persicargas) arboreus are described before and after feeding, up to oviposition. The epithelium consists of secretory cells, digestive cells (DI and DII), and regenerative cells which may differentiate into any of the other cell types. In unfed ticks, the midgut wall consists mainly of type DII digestive cells retained from a previous feeding, and a few regenerative cells. Within 3 days after the tick feeding, haemolysis of the host blood components occurs in the midgut lumen. Secretory cells, the first differentiation of the regenerative cells, are presumed to produce a haemolysin and an anticoagulant which are released by merocrine and holocrine secretions. The DII cells seen in unfed ticks, and secretory cells which have completed their secretory cycle, start to have a specialized surface for endocytosis characteristic of type DI digestive cells. From 5 to 7 days after feeding up to the female oviposition, type DI cells which have completed their endocytosis are transformed into type DII digestive cells specialized for intracellular digestion and the storage of reserve nutrients required by the tick for long starvation. The various phases of the digestive cycle are considered according to ultrastructural changes of the midgut epithelium.