Allatotropic and nervous control of corpora allata in the adult male loreyi leafworm, Mythimna loreyi (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Allatotropic activity is found in methanolic extracts of the brain–suboesophageal ganglion (SOG)–corpora cardiaca (CC) complex from virgin males of Mythimna loreyi Duponchel (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae). Corpora allata (CA) from 6‐day‐old virgin males exhibit low rates of release of Juvenile Hormone (JH) acid (JHA) in vitro. Release of JHA can be activated by the addition of an extract of brain–SOG–CC complex in a dose‐dependent manner, and this allatotropic activation can be sustained consistently in the continuous presence of such extracts. Based on its trypsin sensitivity and heat stability, the allatotropic factor is most likely a peptide. The allatotropic activity is dependent on the concentration of calcium ions in the medium, with the highest activation achieved beyond 2 m m . The results of nerve transection experiments suggest that both nervi corporis allati I (NCA I) and NCA II are involved in mediating the allatotropic control of CA in vitro. Isolated CA alone show significantly higher rates of release of JHA than the intact brain–SOG–CC–CA complex during the first 3 h of incubation, but the release of JHA reaches almost the same range in both groups by the end of the fourth hour of incubation.     

A flagellate protozoan from Mythimna separata (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Abstract

A trypanosomatid flagellate, Herpetomonas sp., is recorded from an adult Mythimna separata (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). Promastigote, paramastigote, and opisthomastigote stages measured 3.4–12 × 1.3–4.3 μm, Giemsastained, with flagella measuring 13.8–18.7 μm. A few amastigotes (3.9–8.3 × 3.7–6.7 μm) were also observed. Fourteen larvae fed with a suspension of flagellates were found later to be infected with the protozoan. No flagellate infections were found in the hymenopteran parasitoid, Apanteles ruficus (Haliday), or the hyperparasitoid, Trichomalopsis sp.     

Identification of Volicitin-related Compounds from the Regurgitant of Lepidopteran Caterpillars

Volicitin-related compounds were found in the oral secretion of the three noctuid species, Helicoverpa armigera, Mythimna separata and Spodoptera litura, and one sphingid species, Agrius convolvuli. Volicitin [N-(17-hydroxylinolenoyl)-L-glutamine], N-(17-hydroxy-linoleoyl)-glutamine, N-linolenoylglutamine and N-linoleoylglutamine were identified in the secretion from the noctuid larvae. In secretions from the sphingid larvae, N-linolenoylglutamine and N-linoleoylglutamine were the main components. Furthermore, there were significant differences in the amounts of the N-acylamino acid conjugates in the secretions from the three noctuid species. These results suggest that the proportion of volicitin-related compounds in the regurgitant was species-specific.     

Production of fuels and chemicals from renewable resources using engineered Escherichia coli

Biotechnological production of fuels and chemicals from renewable resources is an appealing way to move from the current petroleum-based economy to a biomass-based green economy. Recently, the feedstocks that can be used for bioconversion or fermentation have been expanded to plant biomass, microbial biomass, and industrial waste. Several microbes have been engineered to produce chemicals from renewable resources, among which Escherichia coli is one of the best studied. Much effort has been made to engineer E. coli to produce fuels and chemicals from different renewable resources. In this paper, we focused on E. coli and systematically reviewed a range of fuels and chemicals that can be produced from renewable resources by engineered E. coli. Moreover, we proposed how can we further improve the efficiency for utilizing renewable resources by engineered E. coli, and how can we engineer E. coli for utilizing alternative renewable feedstocks. e.g. C1 gases and methanol. This review will help the readers better understand the current progress in this field and provide insights for further metabolic engineering efforts in E. coli.     

松油烯-4-醇对粘虫的致毒机制

采用华氏呼吸仪法、常规生化酶活力测定等方法,测定松油烯-4-醇熏蒸处理对粘虫Mythimna separata(Walker)幼虫呼吸作用、血淋巴理化性状、体内酶系活性等的影响。结果表明,松油烯-4-醇显著地影响粘虫的呼吸作用,不同中毒阶段试虫的呼吸率均显著提高,呼吸商发生改变;血淋巴理化性状也发生一定程度的变化,血淋巴总量随中毒程度的加深呈下降趋势,兴奋期、痉挛期、昏迷期血淋巴总量分别为对照试虫的85.55%、70.39%、38.47%,血淋巴比重呈上升趋势,pH值和渗透压变化不大;体内Na+-K+-ATP酶的活性受到明显抑制,头部组织中Na+-K+-ATP酶活性的抑制率在兴奋期、痉挛期分别达36.4%、80.2%,中肠组织中Na+-K+-ATP酶活性的抑制率达50%左右,对乙酰胆碱脂酶活性影响不大,对酯酶则是先激活后抑制。松油烯-4-醇对Na+-K+-ATP酶活性的抑制可能与粘虫最终死亡有关。     

Microsatellite‐based analysis of genetic structure and gene flow of Mythimna separata (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in China

The oriental armyworm, Mythimna separata, is a serious agricultural pest in China. Seasonal and roundtrip migration has recently led to sudden, localized outbreaks and crop losses. To evaluate genetic differentiation between populations in eastern and western China and elucidate gene flow, the genetic structure of 20 natural populations from nine provinces was examined using seven microsatellite markers. The results indicated high genetic diversity. However, little to moderate (0 < F_ST < 0.15) genetic differentiation was detected, and there was no correlation between genetic distance and geographical distance. Bayesian clustering analysis identified three groups whereas discriminant analysis of principal components identified ten clusters that were considered as two clear‐cut clusters and one admixed group. Gene flow occurred frequently in most population pairs, and an asymmetrical migration rate was detected in several pairwise population comparisons. The bottleneck test showed that few populations had experienced recent bottlenecks. Correspondingly, large‐scale and long‐distance migration of M. separata has caused low genetic differentiation and frequent gene exchange. Our findings are important for studying genetic evolution and help to improve predictions of M. separata outbreaks in China.     

粘虫及其寄生性天敌—管侧沟茧蜂饲养方法

系统介绍了粘虫Mythimna separata (Walker)室内饲养的设备、步骤、技术要点、人工饲料配方及环境要求,并以粘虫为中间寄主,实现了粘虫低龄幼虫寄生性天敌管侧沟茧蜂Microplitis tuberculifer (Wesmael) 的室内大量繁殖,为进一步利用该蜂防治甜菜夜蛾、粘虫等田间害虫打下了良好的基础。     

湖北省钟祥市粘虫发生规律研究

为了明确粘虫Mythimna separata(Walker)在湖北省钟祥市的发生规律,对小麦玉米轮作田粘虫成虫和幼虫种群的发生动态、粘虫雌蛾卵巢发育进度以及粘虫越冬虫量作了调查,分析了粘虫种群虫源性质。结果表明,钟祥市为1代粘虫多发区,其虫源为外地迁入的越冬代成虫,1代粘虫危害高峰期在4月中下旬,羽化盛期在5月中下旬,羽化后以迁出为主。第2代粘虫发生量很小,羽化后基本全部迁出;在田间未调查到第3代粘虫幼虫,本区发现的第3代成虫可能为由北方南迁的过境种群;第4代粘虫发生量也很小,羽化后全部迁出,不在本区繁殖危害。在田间未调查到准备越冬的粘虫。     

黄杨绢野螟雌蛾性信息素的鉴定及诱蛾活性

【目的】研究旨在深入探讨中国黄杨绢野螟Diaphania perspectalis的雌蛾性信息素组成及诱蛾活性。【方法】利用气质联用仪(GC-MS)对黄杨绢野螟正常型性成熟雌蛾的性腺体提取物和合成标样比较分析,并用反-11-十六碳烯醛(E11-16:Ald)、顺-11-十六碳烯醛(Z11-16:Ald)、顺-9-十六碳烯醛(Z9-16:Ald)、顺-11-十六碳烯醇(Z11-16:OH)等物质进行触角的电生理测定,最后开展田间诱集比较试验以筛选出最佳性信息素混合物。【结果】Z11-16:Ald为中国黄杨绢野螟正常型性信息素主要组分,E11-16:Ald的含量极低,Z11-16:OH未检测到。正常型雄性黄杨绢野螟触角对Z11-16:Ald,E11-16:Ald,Z9-16:Ald和Z11-16:OH产生强烈的EAG反应,并随着浓度的提高而显著增加;而对Z11-16:Ac和E11-16:Ac的嗅觉反应较弱,低于对植物绿叶气味顺3-己烯乙酸酯(Z3-6:Ac)的反应。单一Z11-16:Ald对正常型雄性黄杨绢野螟具有强烈的诱集效果,加入E11-16:Ald有一定的增效作用,但在统计上则不显著。单一Z11-16:Ald组分对黑化型雄性黄杨绢野螟无引诱活性,必需加入一定比例的E11-16:Ald才显示诱蛾活性。Z11-16:Ald∶E11-16:Ald的比例为250μg∶250μg时诱集到的黑化型雄性黄杨绢野螟数量最多,而Z11-16:Ald∶E11-16:Ald的比例为429μg∶71μg时则诱集到的正常型雄性黄杨绢野螟数量最多。同时,单一Z11-16:Ald也可引诱大量雄性粘虫Mythimna separata,但E11-16:Ald抑制其活性。【结论】中国黄杨绢野螟的性信息素主成分是Z11-16:Ald,单一组分即可在田间强烈引诱雄蛾,E11-16:Ald的功能只起到微弱的增效作用,但也可能起种的专一性的作用。正常型与黑化型黄杨绢野螟对性信息素的嗅觉反应存在差异,黑化型黄杨绢野螟的性信息素接近日本种,即性信息素组成为Z11-16:Ald和E11-16:Ald的混合物,其比例为1∶1,且E11-16:Ald为必需。