菜蛾绒茧蜂和小菜蛾对杀虫剂的敏感性及酶学特性的比较研究

分别采用药膜法和浸叶法测定了菜蛾绒茧蜂Apanteles plutellae和小菜蛾Plutella xylostella对杀虫剂的敏感度。结果显示： 有机磷、氨基甲酸酯、拟除虫菊酯类杀虫剂、阿维菌素和锐劲特对菜蛾绒茧蜂高毒,而抑太保和Bt为低毒,然而,短时间(1 h)接触常规防治剂量的锐劲特、氰戊菊酯、氯氰菊酯和乙酰甲胺磷对菜蛾绒茧蜂低毒。增效剂胡椒基丁醚（PB）、磷酸三苯酯（TPP）和马来酸二乙酯（DEM）对菜蛾绒茧蜂的甲胺磷、克百威、氰戊菊酯、氯氰菊酯、阿维菌素和锐劲特敏感性增效显著,但对抑太保无增效作用。PB的增效作用显著高于TPP 和DEM。PB和TPP对菜蛾绒茧蜂羧酸酯酶(CarE),以及DEM对谷胱甘肽S转移酶(GST)具显著的活体抑制作用,但PB,TPP和 DEM对菜蛾绒茧蜂乙酰胆碱酯酶（AChE）无抑制作用。菜蛾绒茧蜂AChE的米氏常数(K_m)、最大反应速度(V_max)、CarE和GST活性分别为小菜蛾的0.22、2.08、4.60和0.45倍,甲胺磷、敌敌畏和克百威对菜蛾绒茧蜂AChE的双分子速度常数(Ki)分别为对小菜蛾的14.7、10.5 和26.0倍。酶与抑制剂反应温度增高将导致酶抑制率增高,尤其对菜蛾绒茧蜂AChE的抑制作用更为显著。上述结果表明,菜蛾绒茧蜂对有机磷和氨基甲酸酯类杀虫剂的高敏感性与其显著高的AChE敏感性有关,氧化代谢的解毒作用对菜蛾绒茧蜂耐药性的影响大于水解作用。此外,对小菜蛾和菜蛾绒茧蜂杀虫剂敏感性差异的毒理学原因进行了讨论。     

亚致死剂量阿维菌素和氟虫睛处理小菜蛾对寄生蜂菜蛾绒茧蜂生长发育的影响

分别在小菜蛾体内的菜蛾绒茧蜂处于卵期、早期幼虫和中期幼虫时，饲喂小菜蛾2龄幼虫亚致死剂量（＝LC₁₀）的阿维菌素和氟虫睛，研究上述杀虫剂处理对寄主体内菜蛾绒茧蜂结茧率和羽化率的影响。结果表明： 在菜蛾绒茧蜂处于卵期、早期幼虫和中期幼虫时，饲喂小菜蛾LC₁₀剂量阿维菌素处理的菜叶后，菜蛾绒茧蜂的结茧率分别下降26.6%，22.8%和5.8%，饲喂小菜蛾LC₁₀剂量氟虫睛处理的菜叶后，菜蛾绒茧蜂的结茧率分别下降76.9%，42.5%和18.5%。上述阿维菌素处理对菜蛾绒茧蜂成虫羽化率影响不显著，但上述氟虫睛处理可显著抑制菜蛾绒茧蜂成虫羽化率，在菜蛾绒茧蜂处于卵期、早期幼虫和中期幼虫时，饲喂小菜蛾LC₁₀ 剂量氟虫睛处理的菜叶可导致菜蛾绒茧蜂成虫羽化率分别下降53.1%，36.1%和47.8%。结果显示，即便是对寄主小菜蛾幼虫很低的剂量（LC₁₀剂量）也会显著危害小菜蛾幼虫体内的菜蛾绒茧蜂的生长发育。此外，饲喂小菜蛾幼虫亚致死剂量杀虫剂对菜蛾绒茧蜂生长发育的影响与杀虫剂种类及蛾绒茧蜂发育阶段有关。     

菜蚜茧蜂对甲胺磷和灭多威的抗性机制

采用试管药膜法测定了菜蚜茧蜂 Diaeretiella rapae 对甲胺磷和灭多威的抗性及增效剂的增效作用,并测定了菜蚜茧蜂和菜缢管蚜 Lipaphis erysimi 乙酰胆碱酯酶动力学参数、解毒酶活性及增效剂对菜蚜茧蜂酶活性的体内抑制作用。福州地区菜蚜茧蜂已对甲胺磷和灭多威产生5.6和9.1倍的抗性,胡椒基丁醚、磷酸三苯酯和马来酸二乙酯对两种杀虫剂的抗性品系均有显著增效作用,胡椒基丁醚的作用最为显著。胡椒基丁醚对抗性菜蚜茧蜂杀虫剂敏感性的增效作用远高于对敏感菜蚜茧蜂的影响。3种增效剂对菜蚜茧蜂乙酰胆碱酯酶均无抑制作用;磷酸三苯酯和胡椒基丁醚对羧酸酯酶,马来酸二乙酯对谷胱甘肽S转移酶有显著抑制作用。抗性和敏感菜蚜茧蜂乙酰胆碱酯酶的米氏常数K_m）、最大反应速度（V_max）、羧酸酯酶及谷胱甘肽S转移酶活性值相近,但敏感菜蚜茧蜂乙酰胆碱酯酶的双分子速度常数（K_I）值远高于抗性的。此外,对菜蚜茧蜂和菜缢管蚜乙酰胆碱酯酶、羧酸酯酶和谷胱甘肽S转移酶进行了比较研究。结果表明菜蚜茧蜂对甲胺磷和灭多威的低水平抗性与乙酰胆碱酯酶的不敏感性及解毒酶的解毒代谢有关。     

苏云金杆菌预处理小菜蛾对有机磷和氨基甲酸酯杀虫剂的增效作用

研究了小菜蛾Plutella xylostella幼虫经苏云金杆菌Bacillus thuringiensis预处理后,对有机磷和氨基甲酸酯杀虫剂敏感性的变化以及预处理对小菜蛾幼虫体内乙酰胆碱酯酶、羧酸酯酶、谷胱甘肽S-转移酶和谷胱甘肽的含量的影响。结果表明：苏云金杆菌预处理抗性小菜蛾幼虫后,其对甲胺磷、水胺硫磷和克百威的敏感性分别为未处理组的6.74、8.83和8.50倍;处理敏感小菜蛾幼虫后则分别为未处理组的2.96、1.69和3.88倍。苏云金杆菌预处理抗性小菜蛾,未处理组乙酰胆碱酯酶的K_m和V_max值分别为预处理组的1.86和1.56倍,所使用的6种杀虫剂对乙酰胆碱酯酶的K_I值,处理组为未处理组的1.80～2.66倍,苏云金杆菌预处理抗性小菜蛾对羧酸酯酶的K_m、K_I影响不大,但能显著地抑制羧酸酯酶和谷胱甘肽S-转移酶的活性并导致谷胱甘肽含量下降(对照分别为处理的2.02、1.76和1.66倍)。苏云金杆菌预处理敏感小菜蛾,对乙酰胆碱酯酶的K_m、V_max、K_I值和羧酸酯酶的K_m、K_I值以及谷胱甘肽含量影响不大,但能显著地抑制羧酸酯酶和谷胱甘肽S-转移酶的活性(对照分别为处理的1.54和1.64倍)。     

寄主抗药性对菜蛾绒茧蜂生物学特性的影响

以小菜蛾Plutella xylostella敏感品系SP作寄主饲育的菜蛾绒茧蜂Cotesia plutellae SC品系分别寄生于小菜蛾的SP品系(SC-SP组合)或抗性RP品系(SC-RP组合),还以小菜蛾RP品系作寄主饲育的菜蛾绒茧蜂RC品系分别寄生于小菜蛾的SP品系(RC-SP组合)或RP品系(RC-RP组合),均在幼虫中期施用氰戊菊酯,考察了药剂对该蜂生物学特性的影响。结果发现：在不施用杀虫剂时,SC-RP组合中蜂的结茧率为45.8%,显著低于其它组合, 所结茧长0.76 mm,育出雌蜂前翅和后足胫节长分别为3.28 mm和2.33 mm,也分别小于其它各组合的结果,表明寄主抗药性对该蜂有不利影响;施用杀虫剂后,RC-RP、SC-RP组合中,蜂的结茧率分别为95.5%和37.8%,显著高于SC-SP和RC-SP组合中蜂的结茧率（22.5%,25.8%）,表明寄主抗性能保护其体内的幼蜂少受杀虫剂的影响;RC-SP组合在受到和未受到杀虫剂作用时茧的羽化率分别为95.2%和93.6%,无显著差异,卵+幼虫及雌蛹的发育历期在处理和对照间也无显著差异,表明用抗性寄主饲育的菜蛾绒茧蜂在寄生敏感寄主时仍表现一定的耐药性,有利于该蜂抗药性的发展,即寄主 寄生蜂之间在抗药性方面存在协同进化。     

菜蛾盘绒茧蜂卵携带的免疫抑制因子

抑制寄主昆虫的免疫反应是内寄生蜂存活的关键。菜蛾盘绒茧蜂Cotesia vestalis（Haliday）寄生小菜蛾Plutella xylostella （L.）幼虫后,蜂卵如何逃避和抑制寄主的免疫攻击,尚未得到全面揭示。本文采用电镜技术系统观察了菜蛾盘绒茧蜂卵表面的超微结构。结果显示：蜂卵表面覆盖有纤维层和絮状的类病毒样纤丝（VLFs）,同时携带了含多分DNA病毒粒子（PDV）的萼液。在寄生初期,包裹在蜂卵表面的纤维层和VLFs首先起到保护蜂卵不被小菜蛾血细胞包囊的被动防御作用。随后,PDV发挥主动的免疫抑制作用。通过假寄生手段,证明了菜蛾盘绒茧蜂PDV (CvBV) 具有较持久的克服寄主免疫攻击的能力,是主要的免疫抑制因子。在假寄生后连续8 d的观察时间内,菜蛾盘绒茧蜂的蜂卵均未被包囊。结果提示,在菜蛾盘绒茧蜂-小菜蛾寄生体系中,菜蛾盘绒茧蜂采取被动防御和主动攻击两种方式应对寄主小菜蛾的免疫攻击。     

寄主抗药性对菜蛾绒茧蜂抗药性发展的影响

室内筛选小菜蛾中抗品系（SRP）、高抗品系（RP）、以敏感小菜蛾幼虫（SP）为寄主的菜蛾绒茧蜂SRC品系和以SRP幼虫为寄主的菜蛾绒茧蜂RSC品系对氰戊菊酯的抗性。分别筛选了13、14、14和13代。小菜蛾SRP和RP品系分别获得了68.9和605.8倍的抗性,菜蛾绒茧蜂SRC和RSC品系分别获得了4.3和11.0倍的抗性。上述结果表明通过施药于体内有寄生蜂的小菜蛾幼虫筛选寄生蜂抗性,可以获得具有抗性的寄生蜂。以SRP为寄主的RSC品系的抗性水平高于以SP为寄主的SRC品系的抗性水平,表明和抗性较高的寄主同步筛选,寄生蜂的抗性发展更快。小菜蛾SP、SRP和RP三个品系幼虫的多功能氧化酶（MFO）活性比为1∶1.15∶1.50;菜蛾绒茧蜂SC、SRC和RSC三个品系幼虫的MFO活性比为1∶1.10∶1.49,成蜂的MFO活性比为1∶1.18∶1.54;而每种昆虫不同品系的羧酸酯酶（CarE）、总酯酶（Es）活性水平与其抗性水平变化不一致,表明抗性与MFO活性升高有关,而与CarE和Es的活性无关。     

二种寄生蜂寄生抑制小菜蛾精巢生长和精子束形成的比较研究

我们曾发现菜蛾盘绒茧蜂Cotesia vestalis和半闭弯尾姬蜂Diadegma semiclausum寄生严重阻碍小菜蛾Plutella xylostella幼虫的精子发生。本研究着重比较2种蜂寄生对小菜蛾精巢生长和精子束形成的影响, 以探明寄生因子对昆虫生殖调控的作用途径。 采取过寄生和假寄生方法, 对2种蜂各自寄生后的小菜蛾精巢生长体积, 精子发生和形成过程中生精细胞、精子束的显微形态变化进行了比较。 结果表明: 茧蜂和姬蜂寄生均明显降低小菜蛾精子束的数量, 严重阻碍了寄主幼虫的精子发生和精子形成. 姬蜂寄生造成小菜蛾精巢畸形, 而茧蜂则造成小菜蛾精子束畸形, 且茧蜂对小菜蛾精巢生长的抑制程度明显强于姬蜂。过寄生造成寄主寄生性去势程度加剧, 茧蜂和姬蜂过寄生后的小菜蛾精巢体积分别为0.005 mm³和0.008 mm³, 仅为各自只寄生1次后精巢体积的33.1%和36.3%。假寄生后, 发现只有寄生蜂母代物质存在的前提下, 对小菜蛾精巢生长的抑制程度基本模拟了正常寄生时的状态, 说明多分DNA病毒（polydnavirus, PDV）和毒液发挥了主要作用。 由此推断分属姬蜂属PDV和茧蜂属PDV的2类PDV功能基因对小菜蛾精巢生长发育的调控机制可能存在较大差异。     

三种内寄生蜂寄生对小菜蛾幼虫精子发生的影响

内寄生蜂寄生可能会引起寄主的寄生性去势。对小菜蛾Plutella xylostella与菜蛾啮小蜂Oomyzus sokolowskii Kurdumov (膜翅目： 姬小蜂科)、半闭弯尾姬蜂Diadegma semiclausum Hellén (膜翅目： 姬蜂科)、菜蛾盘绒茧蜂Cotesia plutellae (Kurdj.) (膜翅目： 茧蜂科) 3个寄生体系,利用形态学方法和蛋白质技术,研究了寄生对小菜蛾幼虫精子发生的影响。结果表明：菜蛾啮小蜂寄生对寄主的精子发生过程没有影响。半闭弯尾姬蜂寄生造成寄主精母细胞的细胞核畸形,精细胞的染色质超浓缩并趋向核膜,但能形成少量的精子;半闭弯尾姬蜂寄生会导致寄主精巢总蛋白的含量显著下降。菜蛾盘绒茧蜂寄生对小菜蛾幼虫精子发生的抑制程度最强,被寄生寄主的精母细胞出现肿胀,核膜皱缩,胞质中的线粒体发生病变;精细胞的染色体也出现超浓缩并趋向核膜,大量的精子溶解,无正常的精子形成;其精巢总蛋白含量的下降程度比姬蜂寄生的更为明显,且导致分子量为63.4 kD的主蛋白缺失。     

昆虫乙酰胆碱酯酶基因变异抗药性机制研究

有机磷和氨基甲酸酯类杀虫剂的大量使用导致昆虫对其产生抗药性。乙酰胆碱酯酶是昆虫对这类杀虫剂产生抗性的重要的靶标酶,昆虫产生抗药性的重要原因之一,就是因为乙酰胆碱酯酶的基因表达量上升,或基因突变而导致其敏感性下降。文章简要论述昆虫乙酰胆碱酯酶基因发生变异而导致的抗药性,分析了变异对其结构和功能的影响。     

Seasonal changes of methamidophos susceptibility and biochemical properties in Plutella xylostella (Lepidoptera: Yponomeutidae) and its parasitoid Cotesia plutellae (Hymenoptera: Braconidae)

Methamidophos resistance and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) insensitivity to methamidophos, dichlorvos, and carbofuran were determined in the field populations of Plutella xylostella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Yponomeutidae) and its parasitoid Cotesia plutellae Kurdjumov (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) collected from the corresponding hosts between October 1998 and December 2003 in Fuzhou and Minhou, Fijian, China. Resistance levels to methamidophos and AChE insensitivity to the three insecticides in the two species of insects were high during autumn and spring and low during summer. Resistance to methamidophos was 15.3- and 12.6-fold higher in resistant F0 parents of P. xylostella and C. plutellae than in their susceptible F11 progeny, respectively. The bimolecular rate constant (k(i)) values of AChE to methamidophos, dichlorvos, and carbofuran were 4.6-, 6.3-, and 7.7-fold higher in F11 progeny of P. xylostella, and 3.7-, 4.5-, and 3.7-fold higher in F11 progeny of C. plutellae than those in their F0 parents, respectively. Compared with susceptible F11 progeny, the resistance ratios for methamidophos were 4.2-29.8 and 3.8-13.1 in 21 field populations of P. xylostella and C. plutellae, respectively. The k(i) values of AChE to methamidophos, dichlorvos, and carbofuran were 2.0-21.6-, 3.6-9.5-, and 2.6-9.2-fold higher in F11 progeny of P. xylostella, and 1.8-7.6-, 1.9-4.6-, and 2.2-7.6-fold higher in F11 progeny of C. plutellae than those in 21 field populations, respectively. Significant correlative variations of methamidophos resistance as well as significant correlative variations of k(i) values of AChE to insecticides between the two species of insects also were found in space and time. The k(i) values of AChE to insecticides in C. plutellae were far higher than those in P. xylostella. There were no obvious differences in the Km and Vmax of AChE between F0 parents and F11 progeny of P. xylostella and C. plutellae, respectively. But carboxylesterase activity was 1.6-fold higher in F0 parents of C. plutellae than in F11 progeny, and glutathione S-transferase activity was 1.5-fold higher in F0 parents of P. xylostella than in F11 progeny. The results suggested that the AChE insensitivity to insecticides might play the most important role in methamidophos resistance in the two species of insects. From these results, a spatial and temporal correlative evolution of methamidophos resistance and insensitive AChE was found to exist between P. xylostella and C. plutellae.     

Comparison of Diadegma insulare (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae) and Microplitis plutellae (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) as biological control agents of Plutella xylostella (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae): field parasitism, insecticide susceptibility, and host-searching

Parasitism of Plutella xylostella (L.) third and fourth instars was evaluated in a cabbage field in Geneva, NY, in 1999. Over the entire season, average parasitism was 33.6% for third instars and 53.6% for fourth instars, and the main parasitoids were Diadegma insulare (Cresson) and Microplitis plutellae Muesbeck. In the early season, total parasitism was low, and mainly caused by D. insulare. However, later in the season, parasitism reached >80% for the fouth instars and 50% for the third instars. Our survey indicated that M. plutellae heavily parasitized P. xylostella, and provided higher parasitism rates than D. insulare in the late season. Comparison of these two species in laboratory bioassays indicated there were no significant differences in susceptibility to four insecticides commonly used in crucifer fields. For both parasitoids, an experience with P. xylostella on a damaged leaf increased their host-searching efficacy. Compared with M. plutellae, D. insulare was a better host-searcher both for the naive and the experienced adults. Although both parasitoids can cause high mortality rates of P. xylostella, D. insulare may be more suitable to be released in fields to enhance natural control against P. xylostella.     

不同地理种群小菜蛾对甲胺磷的抗药性

采用浸叶法研究了福州建新镇、福建农林大学校园内、闽侯县上街镇和闽侯县甘蔗镇等地田间小菜蛾种群对甲胺磷的抗性水平及抗性机制。结果表明,与敏感小菜蛾相比,上述4个田间小菜蛾种群已对甲胺磷产生了34-82倍的抗性水平。敏感小菜蛾乙酰胆碱酯酶(AChE)的Ki值是田间抗性小菜蛾AChE的Ki值的17.3-39.1倍。不同小菜蛾种群对甲胺磷的抗性水平也存在着差异,小菜蛾种群AChE对甲胺磷的敏感性大小与其对甲胺磷的抗性水平高低显著相关。     

Effects of Bt plants on the development and survival of the parasitoid Cotesia plutellae (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) in susceptible and Bt-resistant larvae of the diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae)

A range of crops have been transformed with delta-endotoxin genes from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) to produce transgenic plants with high levels of resistance to lepidopteran pests. Parasitoids are important natural enemies of lepidopteran larvae and the effects of Bt plants on these non-target insects have to be investigated to avoid unnecessary disruption of biological control. This study investigated the effects of Cry1Ac-expressing transgenic oilseed rape (Brassica napus) on the solitary braconid endoparasitoid Cotesia plutellae in small-scale laboratory experiments. C. plutellae is an important natural enemy of the diamondback moth (Plutella xylostella), the most important pest of brassica crops world-wide. Bt oilseed rape caused 100% mortality of a Bt-susceptible P. xylostella strain but no mortality of the Bt-resistant P. xylostella strain NO-QA. C. plutellae eggs laid in Bt-susceptible hosts feeding on Bt leaves hatched but premature host mortality did not allow C. plutellae larvae to complete their development. In contrast, C. plutellae developed to maturity in Bt-resistant hosts fed on Bt oilseed rape leaves and there was no effect of Bt plants on percentage parasitism, time to emergence from hosts, time to adult emergence and percentage adult emergence from cocoons. Weights of female progeny after development in Bt-resistant hosts did not differ between plant types but male progeny was significantly heavier on wildtype plants in one of two experiments. The proportion of female progeny was significantly higher on Bt plants in the first experiment with Bt-resistant hosts but this effect was not observed again when the experiment was repeated.     

The role of volatiles from cruciferous plants and pre-flight experience in the foraging behaviour of the specialist parasitoid Cotesia plutellae

The braconid Cotesia plutellae is an important larval parasitoid of the diamondback moth (Plutella xylostella), a major pest of crucifers in the tropics and sub-tropics. The in-flight searching behaviour of C. plutellae was investigated in a wind tunnel and the close-range attack behaviour observed in cages. The relative importance of volatile stimuli emanating from the plant-host-complex, oilseed rape (Brassica napus) – P. xylostella, in the long-range attraction of C. plutellae was investigated. Plants that were mechanically damaged, or damaged by P. xylostella larvae, were attractive to the parasitoid. Host-damaged leaves remained attractive to the parasitoid after removal of the host larvae. These results indicate that C. plutellae predominantly uses plant derived stimuli in its in-flight searching behaviour. An oviposition experience or contact with a host-damaged leaf prior to the bioassay significantly increased the response to these volatile cues. The foraging behaviour of C. plutellae is compared with other braconid larval parasitoids attacking lepidopteran hosts on crucifers.     

Insecticide resistance in populations of the diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae), from the state of Pernambuco, Brazil

The diamondback moth Plutella xylostella (L.) has a great economic importance in Brassicaceae crops in many parts of the world. Recurrent infestations of this pest in growing areas of Pernambuco state, Brazil, have led farmers to frequently spray their crops with insecticides. However, control failures by several insecticides have been alleged by farmers. The objective of this study was to check whether resistance to insecticides could explain these control failures in P. xylostella. Populations of P. xylostella from Pernambuco were collected between January and April 2009. The resistance ratios of P. xylostella populations were compared among five different active ingredients: abamectin, methomyl, lufenuron, indoxacarb, and diafenthiuron by leaf dipping bioassays using foliar discs of kale leaves. Mortality data were submitted to probit analysis. The P. xylostella populations showed variable response and significant resistance to one or more insecticides. The population from Bezerros County exhibited the highest resistance ratios to indoxacarb (25.3 times), abamectin (61.7 times), and lufenuron (705.2 times), when compared to the reference population. The populations from Bonito and Jupi Counties were 33.0 and 12.0 times more resistant to lufenuron and abamectin, respectively, when compared with the reference population. Resistance to methomyl was the least common, but not less important, in at least four populations. These results indicated that control failures were associated with resistance by some of the evaluated insecticides, reinforcing the need for resistance management in areas of the state of Pernambuco.     

Population dynamics of Plutella xylostella (Lep., Yponomeutidae) and its parasitoids in the region of Brasilia

Abstract: The diamond back moth Plutella xylostella (L.) is the most serious pest of Brassicaceae in the world. It is resistant to many insecticides which has led to a search for alternative techniques of control, principally biocontrol-based pest management. The impact of P. xylostella and its parasitoids was analysed in a 6-month study of cabbage crops in the Brasilia region of Brazil, from June to November 1998. The population of the pest and its guild of parasitoids were quantified on two experimental plots at the Embrapa-Hortaliças research station by weekly samplings. In the first cropping (June to early September), populations of P. xylostella followed a logistic growth curve leading to the destruction of the crops. In the second cropping, rains prevented the development of P. xylostella . Seven species of parasitoids were observed, Diadegma leontiniae (Brethes) and Apanteles piceotrichosus (Blanchard) being dominant. Cotesia plutellae (Kurdjumov) and Actia sp., previously more abundant, became very minor parasitoids. Significant differences were observed in specific parasitism rates between the plots. The combined parasitism rates were identical on both plots (around 23%) and were insufficient to regulate the populations of P. xylostella . Six species of hyperparasites were reared from Diadegma leontiniae and Apanteles piceotrichosus , showing a high diversity of natural enemies in this region of recent colonization by P. xylostella .     

Characteristics Of Parasitism Of Plutella Xylostella (Lep., Plutellidae) By Oomyzus Sokolowskii (Hym., Eulophidae)

Laboratory and greenhouse studies were conducted on Oomyzus sokolowskii Kurdjumov, a parasite of the crucifer pest Plutella xylostella ( L.). O. sokolowskii preferred the 3^rd and 4^th instar P. xylostella larvae over fresh pupae for parasitization. It is thus a larval parasite. Within the range of 10?C to 35?C, parasitism was positively correlated with temperature. High parasitism at temperatures of 30?C and 35?C indicates that this insect is suitable for the control of P. xylostella in the tropical lowlands. In a no- choice test where only fresh pupae of Cotesia plutellae Kurdjumov, another potentially competing larval parasite of P. xylostella, were offered, O. sokolowskii failed to parasitize pupae of C. plutellae. In a choice test where the 4^th instar P. xylostella larvae and fresh C. plutellae pupae were offered, O. sokolowskii parasitized only P. xylostella larvae. This parasite, therefore, is not a hyperparasite of P. xylostella. When C. plutellae-ovvposited P. xylostella larvae were offered at intervals, O. sokolowskii, parasitized only freshly oviposited host larvae. The longer the period that elapsed after C. plutellae oviposition of P. xylostella larvae, the lesser was the parasitism of these larvae by O. sokolowski.     

Effects of venom/calyx fluid from the endoparasitic wasp Cotesia plutellae on the hemocytes of its host Plutella xylostella in vitro

Crude venom and calyx fluid from Cotesia plutellae (Hymenoptera Braconidae) were assayed for biological activity toward hemocytes of Plutella xylostella (Lepidoptera Plutellidae). Venom from C. plutellae displayed high activity toward the spreading of plasmatocytes of P. xylostella early in the incubation period, and the inhibition was more severe as the concentration of venom increased. However, most inhibited hemocytes spread normally after being incubated for 4h. No effects were found toward granular cells from the host. Additionally, the venom from C. plutellae had some lethal effects on hemocytes of P. xylostella at high concentrations. In contrast, when incubated with different concentrations of calyx fluid, the spreading of some hemocytes was inhibited, some began to disintegrate, and some were badly damaged with only the nucleus left. After 4h, the majority of hemocytes died. The same results were observed when hemocytes were incubated in calyx fluid together with venom. These results show that calyx fluid from C. plutellae may play a major role in the suppression of the host immune system, whereas venom from C. plutellae has a limited effect on hemocytes and probably synergizes the effect of calyx fluid or polydnavirus.