粘虫幼虫密度对成虫能源物质含量的影响

通过粘虫Mythimna separata幼虫密度(1头/瓶、20头/瓶、40头/瓶)对成虫水分、甘油酯和糖原含量影响的研究结果。不同幼虫密度处理的初羽化成虫水分含量无明显差异,但1～5日龄40头/瓶的雄蛾及1～3日龄雌蛾高于单头处理的;20、40头/瓶的初羽化成虫甘油酯含量没有显著的差异,但均显著地高于单头饲养的;20头/瓶羽化的雌、雄成虫l～5日龄甘油酯含量随日龄的增加而增加,到5日龄达到最大值后才开始下降,40头/瓶的在3日龄达到最大值后即开始下降,而单头饲养羽化的在1日龄达到较高值,2日龄降至最低后再缓慢回升。幼虫密度对初羽化成虫及1～7日龄雄蛾的糖原含量没有显著的影响,但20、40头/瓶条件下羽化的1～7日龄雌蛾糖原含量随日龄的增加而增加,而单头饲养的则随日龄的 增加而下降。这些结果表明幼虫密度不仅影响到初羽化成虫能源物质的含量,而且也可能影响到成虫能源物质特别是甘油酯的代谢。     

粘虫飞行肌中与能量代谢有关的酶活性研究

该文报道粘虫Mythimna separata (Walker ) 蛹及不同日龄成虫飞行肌中与3 种代谢途径有关的5 种酶,即3-磷酸甘油醛脱氢酶(GAPDH)、3-磷酸甘油脱氢酶(GDH)、乳酸脱氢酶(LDH)、3-羟酰辅酶A 脱氢酶(HOAD)、柠檬酸合成酶(CS)活性的变化。成虫羽化后,这5 种酶的活性大多数都高于蛹期,表明成虫飞行肌与能量代谢有关的活动比蛹期高。不同日龄成虫飞行肌的能量代谢特点为：成虫羽化后糖酵解循环的活性增加;1 日龄进行糖酵解的能力较强,2 日龄即具备较强的脂肪代谢能力,2～5日龄糖及脂肪代谢的能力基本相当,但7日龄脂肪代谢的能力较强。1～7日龄粘虫蛾飞行肌具有较高的GDH 和LDH活性,这既是粘虫蛾飞行肌能进行高度有氧代谢的重要标志,也是其具有一定无氧代谢能力的最好说明,而飞行肌中较高的CS活性则是粘虫蛾具有较强飞行能力的重要保证。对成虫GAPDH∶HOAD 活性进行分析比较的结果还显示,粘虫蛾持续飞行的能源物质既有脂类也有糖类,而不仅仅只限于脂类。     

东方粘虫飞行初期糖类的动用和消耗

本文研究了静态和飞翔开始阶段东方粘虫Mythimna separta(Walker)飞翔肌、脂肪体及肠道内糖元和海藻糖以及血淋巴内海藻糖含量的动态变化。飞行1h后脂肪体内消耗糖元最多,约占总消耗糖类的80%-90%;其次是肠道组织的糖元消耗,飞翔肌内糖类含量是有限的,仅够飞翔最初时期(3min)使用。在此时期,飞翔肌海藻糖含量上升然后下降,脂肪体和肠道海藻糖经历下降和继而上升的变化。然而,血淋巴内海藻糖含量一直下降到流入和流出量持平。雄蛾飞翔肌糖类代谢水平高于雌娥飞翔肌。     

黏虫HSP90/70组织蛋白基因的分子特征与表达特性

为解析黏虫Mythimna separata响应环境胁迫的分子机制,采用RACE和RT-PCR的方法从黏虫中克隆了 1个 HSP90/70组织蛋白(heat shock 90/70 organizing protein, HOP)基因,并采用qRT-PCR分析了其在多种生物和非生物胁迫下的表达特性。结果表明,MsHOP具有1个1 626 bp的开放阅读框,编码541个氨基酸,预测的分子量为61.7 kDa。序列分析表明,MsHOP主要由已报道的3个保守四肽重复结构域（TPR1, TPR2A和TPR2B）和2个天冬氨酸-脯氨酸重复基序（DP）构成。基于鳞翅目昆虫HOP构建的系统进化树显示MsHOP与棉铃虫Helicoverpa armigera HOP和烟芽夜蛾Heliothis virescens HOP的亲缘关系最近。qRT-PCR分析表明,MsHOP在黏虫所有发育时期和组织均表达,分别在5龄幼虫和雌成虫中肠的表达量最高。在30℃下处理1 h后,MsHOP的表达水平较对照显著提高,而在33℃~39℃下处理1 h后MsHOP的表达水平则与对照差异不显著。饥饿24~72 h后,MsHOP的表达与对照相比无明显变化。Bt能显著诱导MsHOP的表达,其表达水平随Bt浓度的升高而上调,并在64 IU/mL浓度下的表达量最高。幼虫饲养密度对MsHOP的表达也具有显著影响,其表达水平随密度的升高而上调,在20 头/瓶的饲养密度下达到最大值。这些结果表明,MsHOP可能在黏虫的生长发育、抵御杀虫剂和密度胁迫中发挥重要作用。     

Accumulation of oxacarbocyanine dyes with different alkyl chain length in bone marrow cells and hepatocytes

A study was made of the inclusion of fluorescent probe H-510 based on 3,3′-dialkyloxacarbocyanine bromide (where alkyl is ethyl, nonyl, or octadecyl) into cells of different types. Alkyl chain length (C2, C9, or C18) was found to largely determine the accumulation dynamics and mechanism. Similar spectral characteristics for all probe types in bone marrow cells were found by microfluorimetry, suggesting insertion of dye molecules irrespective of their lipophilicity into micelle-like structures formed probably by cell phospholipids. Spectroscopy data indicate interaction of 3,3′-diethyloxacarbocyanine bromide (H-510/C2) and 3,3-dinonyloxacarbocyanine bromide (H-510/C9) dyes in hepatocytes with a less polar microenvironment (nonpolar and low-polar lipids that constitute a significant part of the total content of cell lipids). The fluoresccence maximum of long-chain dye H-510/C18 in hepatocytes is shifted to the short-wavelength region and strictly coincides with the fluorescence maximum of the probe in an albumin solution. It is not excluded that inclusion of the probe into cells occurs via endocytosis upon its binding to surface proteins.     

The clock gene,period, influences migratory flight and reproduction of the oriental armyworm,Mythimna separata (Walker)

The oriental armyworm, Mythimna separata, is a major long-distance migratory insect pest of grain crops in China and other Asian countries. Migratory flights and reproductive behavior usually occur at night, regulated by a circadian rhythm. However, knowledge about the linkages between adult flight, reproduction, and clock genes is still incomplete. To fill this important gap in our knowledge, a clock gene (designated Msper) was identified and phylogenetic analysis indicated that the encoded protein (MsPER) was highly similar to PER proteins from other insect species. Quantitative RT-PCR assays demonstrated that significantly different spatiotemporal and circadian rhythmic accumulations of mRNA encoding MsPER occurred during development under steady 14 h : 10 h light : dark conditions. The highest mRNA accumulation occurred in adult antennae and the lowest in larvae. Msper was expressed rhythmically in adult antennae, relatively less in photophase and more entering scotophase. Injecting small interference RNA (siRNA) into adult heads effectively knocked down Msper mRNA levels within 72 h. Most siRNA-injected adults reduced their evening flight activity significantly and did not exhibit a normal evening peak of flight activity. They also failed to mate and lay eggs within 72 h. Adult mating behavior was restored to control levels by 72 h post injection. We infer that Msper is a prominent clock gene that acts in regulating adult migratory flight and mating behaviors of M. separata. Because of its influence on migration and mating, Msper may be a valuable gene to target for effective management of this migratory insect.     

Flight capacity: genetic determination and physiological constraints in a migratory moth Mythimna separata

Abstract. Flight capacity of the oriental armyworn Mythimna separata (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) was estimated by a new tethered flight technique. Samples of a migrant population showed a substantial proportion of 'long fliers'. Heritability of flight capacity was found to be significant ( h ²= 0.27). Female moths from a line selected for long pre-reproductive period (PRP) showed greater flight capacity than those from a short PRP line. This difference was not apparent among males. Onset of calling behaviour inhibited the expression of flight capacity in females showing a clear 'oogenesis-flight syndrome'. These results are discussed in relation to seasonal migration in eastern China and the mechanisms involved in the migratory strategy of this species.     

Chromosome-level genomes of two armyworms,Mythimna separata and Mythimna loreyi,provide insights into the biosynthesis and reception of sex pheromones

Mythimna separata and Mythimna loreyi are global pests of gramineous cereals, heavily controlled with synthetic insecticides. Here, we generated two high-quality chromosome-level genome assemblies for M. separata (688 Mb) and M. loreyi (683 Mb). Our analysis identified Z and W chromosomes, with few genes and abundant transposable elements (TEs) found on the W chromosome. We also observed a recent explosion of long interspersed nuclear elements (LINEs), which contributed to the larger genomes of Mythimna. The two armyworms diverged ~10.5 MYA, with only three chromosomes have intrachromosomal rearrangements. Additionally, we observed a tandem repeat expansion of α-amylase genes in Mythimna, which may promote the digestion of carbohydrates and exacerbate their damage to crops. Furthermore, we inferred the sex pheromone biosynthesis pathway for M. separata, M. loreyi and Spodoptera frugiperda. We discovered that M. loreyi and S. frugiperda synthesized the same major constituents of sex pheromones through different pathways. Specifically, the double bonds in the dominant sex pheromone components of S. frugiperda were generated by Δ9- and Δ11-desaturase, while they were generated by Δ11-desaturase and chain-shortening reactions in M. loreyi. We also identified pheromone receptor (PR) genes and inferred their corresponding components. These findings provide a better understanding of sex pheromone communication and promote the development of a new pest control strategy involving pheromone traps, which are more effective and environmentally friendly than current strategies.     

Molecular characterization of DNA methyltransferase 1 and its role in temperature change of armyworm Mythimna separata Walker

DNA methylation refers to the addition of cytosine residues in a CpG context (5′-cytosine-phosphate-guanine-3′). As one of the most common mechanisms of epigenetic modification, it plays a crucial role in regulating gene expression and in a diverse range of biological processes across all multicellular organisms. The relationship between temperature and DNA methylation and how it acts on the adaptability of migratory insects remain unknown. In the present work, a 5,496 bp full-length complementary DNA encoding 1,436 amino acids (named MsDnmt1) was cloned from the devastating migratory pest oriental armyworm, Mythimna separata Walker. The protein shares 36.8–84.4% identity with other insect Dnmt1 isoforms. Spatial and temporal expression analysis revealed that MsDnmt1 was highly expressed in adult stages and head tissue. The changing temperature decreased the expression of MsDnmt1 in both high and low temperature condition. Besides, we found that M. separata exhibited the shortest duration time from the last instar to pupae under 36°C environment when injected with DNA methylation inhibitor. Therefore, our data highlight a potential role for DNA methylation in thermal resistance, which help us to understand the biological role adaptability and colonization of migratory pest in various environments.     

Reduced Mythimna separata infestation on Bt corn could benefit aphids

Use of genetically engineered plants that express insecticidal Cry proteins derived from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) have been proven efficacious for managing lepidopteran pests. However, in some cases herbivores that are not targeted by the Bt trait have increased in importance. It has been suggested that reduced caterpillar damage to Bt crops could lead to decreased levels of induced plant defensive compounds which might benefit other non-target herbivores. Here we investigated the potential effect of reduced damage by larvae of Mythimna separata on aphid populations in Bt corn. We compared the performance of Rhopalosiphum maidis feeding on non-Bt corn plants that had been infested by M. separata larvae or were uninfested. The results showed that caterpillar-infested corn plants significantly reduced the fitness of R. maidis leading to a prolonged nymphal development time, reduced adult longevity and fecundity compared to uninfested plants. Consequently, the population growth rate of corn aphids feeding on caterpillar-infested corn plants was significantly lower than on uninfested plants. As expected, the aphids performed significantly better on Lepidoptera-resistant Bt corn than on non-Bt corn when plants were infested with M. separata, since the caterpillars caused very little damage to the Bt plants. The current findings indicate that reduced M. separata infestation could benefit aphid development in Bt corn. Bt corn has the potential to be commercialized in China in the near future and aphids and other non-target pests should be monitored in the farming fields.