Herbivore- and Elicitor- Induced Resistance in Groundnut to Asian armyworm,Spodoptera litura (Fab.) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Induced defense was studied in three groundnut genotypes ICGV 86699 (resistant), NCAc 343 (resistant) and TMV 2 (susceptible) in response to Spodoptera litura infestation and jasmonic acid (JA) application. The activity of the oxidative enzymes [peroxidase (POD) and polyphenol oxidase (PPO)] and the amounts other host plant defense components [total phenols, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), malondialdehyde (MDA), and protein content] were recorded at 24, 48, 72 and 96 h in JA pretreated (one day before) plants and infested with S. litura, and JA application and simultaneous infestation with S. litura to understand the defense response of groundnut genotypes against S. litura damage. Data on plant damage, larval survival and larval weights were also recorded. There was a rapid increase in the activities of POD and PPO and in the quantities of total phenols, H2O2, MDA and protein content in the JA pretreated + S. litura infested plants. All the three genotypes showed quick response to JA application and S. litura infestation by increasing the defensive compounds. Among all the genotypes, higher induction was recorded in ICGV 86699 in most of the parameters. Reduced plant damage, low larval survival and larval weights were observed in JA pretreated plants. It suggests that pretreatment with elicitors, such as JA could provide more opportunity for plant defense against herbivores.     

杀菌剂丙环唑对斜纹夜蛾的毒性

在研究比较了11种农药对斜纹夜蛾Spodoptera litura细胞（简称SL细胞）的毒杀活性基础上,选择毒杀活性最高的杀菌剂丙环唑,对其毒理学机理进行进一步研究。结果表明,丙环唑的细胞毒力最高,在100 μg/mL浓度下处理后48 h,SL细胞的死亡率为98.08％。处理后36 h,丙环唑对SL细胞的LC₅₀值为20.31 μg/mL。丙环唑能明显降低SL细胞的蛋白质含量。以0.5 μg/头的丙环唑注射斜纹夜蛾4龄幼虫,处理后72 h,试虫血淋巴总含量及血细胞数分别下降了26.80％和25.26％;在1.0 μg/头的剂量下,则分别下降了37.67%和36.32%。以0.5 μg/头和1.0 μg/头的丙环唑注射处理后,斜纹夜蛾幼虫体重显著降低。此外,丙环唑能降低斜纹夜蛾幼虫血淋巴含糖量及血淋巴蛋白质含量。在注射处理后96 h和120 h,丙环唑对斜纹夜蛾4龄幼虫的LD₅₀值分别为0.59 μg/头和0.45 μg/头。丙环唑对SL细胞和斜纹夜蛾幼虫均具有较好的毒杀活性,显示出丙环唑类似物控制害虫的可能性。     

Cross-resistance and genetics of resistance to indoxacarb in Spodoptera litura (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Bioassays (at generation G1) with a newly collected field population of Spodoptera litura (F.) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) from Multan, Pakistan, showed resistance ratios of 15, 23, 37, and 16 for indoxacarb, spinosad, abamectin, and emamectin, respectively, compared with a laboratory susceptible population, Lab-PK. At G1, the field population was selected with indoxacarb by using single pair crosses. For Indoxa-SEL, bioassay at G4 found that selection increased resistance ratio to 95 for indoxacarb compared with Lab-PK. Selection with indoxacarb significantly increased resistance to spinosad and emamectin; however, resistance to abamectin was observed to drop. A significant reduction in the resistance to indoxacarb was observed in Indoxa-SEL at G9, indicating unstable resistance to indoxacarb; however, it was stable for fipronil. Synergism tests with microsomal oxidase and esterase-specific inhibitors suggested that the indoxacarb resistance was associated with microsomal oxidase. Reciprocal genetic crosses between Indoxa-SEL and Lab-PK populations indicated that resistance was autosomal and incompletely dominant. Tests of monogenic inheritance suggested that resistance to indoxacarb was controlled by more than one locus.     

Exposure to herbicides reduces larval sensitivity to insecticides in Spodoptera litura (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Herbicides and insecticides are widely used in modern agriculture. It has been reported in various studies that application of insecticides can increase tolerance of herbivorous insects to insecticides. However, limited information exists on susceptibility to insecticides when insects are exposed to herbicides. This study was conducted to investigate the potential impact of the herbicides trifluralin and 2-methyl-4-chlorophenoxyacetic acid sodium salt (MCPA-Na) on the susceptibility of the nocturnal moth Spodoptera litura to the insecticides X-cyhalothrin, phoxim and bifenthrin. We found that larvae exposed to trifluralin or MCPA-Na became significantly less susceptible to both insecticides than nonexposed control larvae. Herbicide-treated larvae did not show altered growth under the used test conditions. However, heads of herbicide-treated larvae showed increased expression of the acetylcholinesterase genes SI Ace I and SI Ace 2. Moreover, the fat body and midgut of herbicide-treated larvae displayed elevated expression of detoxification genes (the carboxylesterase gene SI CarE;the glutathione S-transferase genes SlGSTe2 and SlGSTe3\ the cytochrome P450 monooxygenase genes CYP6B48, CYP9A40 and CYP321B1). The CYP6B48 gene exhibited highest inducibility. In conclusion, the data of this study suggest that exposure of S. litura larvae to herbicides may stimulate detoxification mechanisms that compromise the efficacy of insecticides.     

Biochemical mechanism of chlorantraniliprole resistance in Spodoptera litura (Fab) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Spodoptera litura, a polyphagus insect pest of economic importance, having the ability to develop resistance to various classes of insecticides was selected for the study. Leaf dip bioassay studies were done after ten generations of selection pressure reported the development of resistance up to 80 folds by S. litura against chlorantraniliprole compared to lab susceptible strain. Bioassay studies conducted using enzyme inhibitors such as triphenyl phosphate (TPP) followed by diethyl-maleate (DEM) and piperonyl butoxide (PBO) showed good amount of synergism with chlorantraniliprole and improved efficacy against resistant strain. Findings of bioassay studies were supported by in-vitro enzyme inhibition assays. Esterase activity in gut homogenate of resistant strain was significantly inhibited by TPP suggesting esterase mediated biochemical resistance development in S. litura against chlorantraniliprole.     

Identification and localization of two sensory neuron membrane proteins from Spodoptera litura (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Sensory neuron membrane proteins (SNMPs), which are located on the dendritic membrane of olfactory sensory neurons (OSNs), are proposed to be associated with odor reception in insects. Recent studies have demonstrated that SNMP1 is essential for electrophysiological responses of OSNs to the sex pheromone, cis‐vaccenyl acetate (cVA) in Drosophila melanogaster. To investigate the function of Lepidoptera SNMPs, we cloned two SNMP genes, SlituSNMP1 and SltiuSNMP2, from Spodoptera litura (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). Sequence alignment and phylogenetic analysis showed that both genes bear the general characteristics of SNMPs, including six conserved cysteine residues and two transmembrane domains. Further expression profile experiments showed that SlituSNMP1 is mainly expressed in the antenna, while SlituSNMP2 is broadly expressed in various tissues. By in situ hybridization experiments, it was found that SlituSNMP1 expressing cells are surrounded by the SlituSNMP2 expressing cells in the pheromone sensitive sensilla, suggesting different functions of the two SNMPs in insect olfaction.     

Effect of plant secondary metabolites on common cutworm,Spodoptera litura (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

The effect of various flavonoids, lectins and phenyl β‐_D‐glucoside on larval survival, weights and the activities of digestive (total serine protease and trypsin) and detoxifying (esterase and glutathione‐S‐transferase) enzymes of Spodoptera litura larvae at 7 days after treatment was studied through diet incorporation assay. Flavonoids (rutin, chlorogenic acid, quinic acid, caffeic acid, naringenin, quercitin, kaempferol, myricetin, catechin, and ferulic acid) were incorporated in artificial diet at 100, 500 and 1000 ppm, lectins: groundnut leaf lectin (GLL), concavalin A (ConA) and phenyl β‐_D‐glucoside at 1, 2 and 5 μg/mL. Flavonoids such as rutin, quercitin and kaempferol at 1000 ppm were more toxic to S. litura larvae than quinic acid, caffeic acid, naringenin, myricetin, catechin, and ferulic acid. Larval growth and development were significantly reduced in S. litura larvae fed on a diet with GLL and ConA at 5 μg/mL compared to the larvae fed at 2 and 1 μg/mL concentrations. The larvae fed on flavonoid‐treated diets showed significant reduction in serine protease, trypsin and esterase activities. The flavonoids such as rutin, chlorogenic acid, quinic acid, naringenin, quercitin, kaempferol and myricetin, and lectins, GLL and ConA can be utilized in insect control programs.     

Time-of-day specific changes in pesticide detoxification ability of Spodoptera litura (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Circadian clocks govern daily physiological and molecular rhythms, and putative rhythms in the expression of metabolizing xenobiotics have been described in insects. Such rhythms could have important consequences for outcomes of chemical exposures at different times of the day. The proportion of photophase (light) and scotophase (dark) also influence the enzyme activities. Several studies have been done on the mechanism of insecticide resistance in Spodoptera litura exposed to chemical insecticides. This study is aimed at understanding the circadian variations of cypermethrin detoxification mechanisms in S. litura. The toxicity of insecticide, cypermethrin exposed to three different photoperiods in 3rd instar larvae of S. litura has been investigated. Detoxification enzyme profiles of α- and β-esterases, glutathione S-transferase (GST), and cytochrome P450 (Cyt P450) were assessed. The results showed that larvae were more tolerant to cypermethrin treated larvae at 8 h L: 16 h D photoperiod as compared with two other photoperiods tested. We observed significant increases in α- and β-esterases and cyt P450 activities in 4 and 8 h at different photoperiods. GST activity was significantly changed at different photoperiods at different timings. Activities of specific detoxification enzymes fluctuated during the time, and for specific insecticides, the concentration resulting in 50% mortality varied significantly during the different photoperiods. The time of the day when chemical exposure is imposed should be an important consideration in the experimental design, and use of pesticides.     

氟铃脲对斜纹夜蛾酚氧化酶活性的影响

【目的】探讨氟铃脲对斜纹夜蛾Spodoptera litura酚氧化酶活性的影响.【方法】应用酶动力学法,在确定斜纹夜蛾酚氧化酶最适反应条件基础上,测定氟铃脲与酚氧化酶直接作用及氟铃脲处理幼虫后酚氧化酶的活性.【结果】以邻苯二酚为底物,斜纹夜蛾酚氧化酶的最适pH 6.5,最适温度30℃.氟铃脲没有和酚氧化酶结构中的铜离子结合,而是直接与酶蛋白发生作用.氟铃脲浓度低于1 153 mg/L对离体酚氧化酶有激活作用,在138 mg/L激活作用最大,浓度高于1 153 mg/L则产生抑制作用.用46 mg/L和92 mg/L亚致死剂量氟铃脲连续处理5龄幼虫不同时间后,酚氧化酶活性均显著提高,且高浓度的激活作用大于低浓度的激活作用.进一步测定药剂处理幼虫24,48和72 h的血淋巴、表皮和头部酚氧化酶活性,随着氟铃脲处理时间延长,两个剂量的氟铃脲对血淋巴、表皮及头部酚氧化酶的激活作用逐渐增大,氟铃脲对血淋巴酚氧化酶的激活作用最大,表皮次之,头部最低.氟铃脲处理幼虫后,其预蛹和蛹酚氧化酶的活性也显著提高,表现出一定的后效应.【结论】一定浓度范围内,氟铃脲对斜纹夜蛾酚氧化酶具有激活作用.     

Biological Characterization of a Nucleopolyhedrovirus of Spodoptera litura (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) Isolated from the Philippines

A Philippine Spodoptera litura nucleopolyhedrovirus (SltMNPV) was isolated by plaque purification from an uncloned NPV population in a formulated product that exhibits high insecticidal activity against the onion-attacking common cutworm, S. litura. Its estimated genome size was approximately 142 kb. Comparison with Autographa californica MNPV and Spodoptera exigua NPV by restriction fragmentation analysis showed that it was a distinct isolate. Light microscopy examination showed that SltMNPV-P7 infected insect cell lines derived from Spodoptera littoralis (CLS-79), Spodoptera frugiperda (Sf9), and S. litura (TUAT-SpLi221). It produced typical cytopathic effects in cell lines established from Bombyx mori and S. exigua and induced apoptotic-like cytopathology in Lymantria dispar-derived cell line; it exerted no observable cytopathic effect on Spilosoma imparilis cell line. Significant increase in budded virus (BV) production was observed in CLS-79, Sf9, and TUAT-SpLi221 cell lines, in which TUAT-SpLi221 cell line supported the highest BV titer. No significant BV production was observed in the remaining four cell lines. Similarly, viral DNA replication and polyhedrin production proceeded only in these three spodopteran cell lines. Results showed that SltMNPV-P7 is a unique isolate which can be propagated in vitro for further studies and thus has a potential for development into a more effective microbial insecticide.     

不同温度下斜纹夜蛾的两性生命表

【目的】斜纹夜蛾Spodoptera litura(Fabricius)是一种鳞翅目夜蛾科食叶害虫,在不同的寄主、饲料等条件下表现出不同的生长发育特点。本实验旨在探究温度对斜纹夜蛾生长发育状况和种群参数的影响。【方法】在室内人工气候箱20±1℃,27±1℃和30±1℃(相对湿度和光周期分别为65%±10%和14L∶10D)条件下饲养斜纹夜蛾,观察和组建斜纹夜蛾在3种温度下的年龄-阶段两性生命表。【结果】斜纹夜蛾各个阶段的发育历期随温度升高变短,成虫产卵前期(adult preoviposition period,APOP)和总产卵前期(total preoviposition period,TPOP)同样表现为随温度升高而变短。此外,20±1℃处理的平均产卵量最高(1 810.36粒/雌),27±1℃处理次之(1 623.51粒/雌),30±1℃处理最低(1 084.60粒/雌)。斜纹夜蛾在不同温度条件下内禀增长率(r)、周限增长率(λ)和净增殖率(R0)有显著差异,20±1℃处理的r和λ显著低于27±1℃处理和30±1℃处理;27±1℃处理的R0显著大于20±1℃和30±1℃处理;20±1℃,27±1℃和30±1℃下平均世代周期(T)分别为52.51,30.63和26.87 d,依次减少且相互间差异显著(P0.05)。【结论】斜纹夜蛾在27±1℃和30±1℃温度条件下均表现出很强的增殖能力,该结果可为田间综合防治斜纹夜蛾提供理论依据。     

Laboratory evaluation of flight activity of the common cutworm, Spodoptera litura (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Abstract  The flight activity of Spodoptera litura in tethered conditions is evaluated using a computer-mediated flight-mill in the laboratory. The 3–4-day-old moths fly longer and farther than those of other ages. Male and female moths exhibit similar flight activity. Mating status does not influence the flight duration and distance of 2-day-old females. However, these two flight parameters with a 6-day-old mated female is significantly lower than that of unmated ones. The optimum temperature for flight ranged from 16–24°C, whereas the optimum RH ranged from 60%–100%. During 72-h period, the total flight duration and distance of 1-day-old male and female moths were 19.6 h (± 5.8) and 83.3 km (± 28.4), and 24.0 h (± 7.0) and 105.4 km (± 37.4), respectively. These results indicate that S. litura has a great potential to undertake long-distance migratory flights.     

Herbivore-induced resistance in different groundnut germplasm lines to Asian armyworm, Spodoptera litura (Fab.) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Three groundnut germplasm lines, ICGV86699 (resistant), NCAC 343 (resistant) and TMV 2 (susceptible), were examined for Spodoptera litura (Fab.) resistance. Biochemical parameters such as oxidative enzyme activities, peroxidase (POD) and polyphenol oxidase (PPO), other defensive components such as total phenols, hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), malondialdehyde (MDA) and protein contents were evaluated in these germplasm lines after 24, 48, 72 and 96 h following S. litura infestation to characterize the mechanism of resistance. Enzyme activities and total phenols, H₂O₂, MDA and protein contents were increased following infestation; however, significance varied at different time intervals and among germplasm lines depending upon the induced level of resistance. The three germplasm lines differed in resistance mechanisms to S. litura and the resistance may be partly due to higher enzyme activities, and other components studied. Among the three germplasms tested, ICGV86699 showed greater elevation in POD and PPO activities and in phenolic and H₂O₂ contents at different time intervals as compared to NCAC 343 and TMV 2.     

斜纹夜蛾蜕皮激素受体与超气门蛋白的原核表达及活性检测

双酰基肼类杀虫剂模拟天然蜕皮激素作用影响幼虫蜕皮。昆虫蜕皮激素受体的高度敏感性和专一性要求必须建立新的杀虫活性检测技术, 以适应快速准确和大批量筛选的要求。本研究采用RT-PCR技术, 获取斜纹夜蛾Spodoptera litura蜕皮激素受体（EcR）与超气门蛋白（USP）功能域目的基因, 构建EcR、 USP功能区基因原核表达载体（pEHISEGFPTEV-EcR_cde和pEHISEGFPTEV-USP_cde）。载体经诱导表达和蛋白纯化, 获得EcR和USP功能区纯化蛋白。在蛋白浓度l mg/mL, ³H-PonA终浓度8 nmol/L的条件下, 采用放射性配基受体结合分析测定了4种药剂（虫酰肼、 呋喃虫酰肼、 抑食肼和灭幼脲）不同浓度下的放射性比活的变化。结果显示： 随着药剂浓度的逐渐增大, 前3种药剂的放射性比活都有不同程度的降低, 其中虫酰肼的放射性比活降低程度最大, 其次是呋喃虫酰肼和抑食肼, 灭幼脲的放射性比活基本无变化。这些结果表明相同条件下虫酰肼比呋喃虫酰肼和抑食肼有更高的杀虫活力, 本研究的方法可对双酰基肼类杀虫剂或者先导化合物进行初步筛选。     

Bioefficacy of Aristolochia tagala Cham. against Spodoptera litura Fab. (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Bioefficacy of leaf and root extracts of Aristolochia tagala Cham. at different concentrations was evaluated at room temperature against Spodoptera litura Fab. Effects on feeding, larvicidal and pupicidal activities and larval–pupal duration were studied. Higher antifeedant activity (56.06%), lethal concentration for feeding inhibition (3.69%), larvicidal (40.66%), pupicidal (28%), total mortality (68.66%) and prolonged larval–pupal duration (12.04–13.08 days) were observed in ethyl acetate leaf extract at 5.0% concentration. Dose dependant effect of test extracts was observed. This plant could be used to isolate active principles and to develop a new botanical formulation in pest management programmes.     

Sub-lethal effects of SpltMNPV infection on developmental stages of Spodoptera litura (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Application of different doses of SpltMNPV on final instars of Spodoptera litura showed dose-related mortality. A significant increase in the time for pupation and progeny mortality as well as reduced fecundity was observed in surviving larvae. Impact of sublethal doses on subsequent generation needs attention in designing baculovirus-based pest management.     

斜纹夜蛾两个天蚕素D基因的克隆及序列分析

天蚕素是昆虫抵御病菌入侵的一类抗菌肽家族。根据斜纹夜蛾Spodoptera litura天蚕素B基因设计特异引物,通过PCR扩增得到2个新的天蚕素基因部分序列,分别命名为cecD1和cecD2（GenBank登录号分别为EF555567和EF555568）。2个基因编码同一个天蚕素D蛋白,该蛋白的成熟肽与天蚕素B存在2个氨基酸残基差异。序列分析发现cecD1和cecD2中分别包含568 bp和377 bp的内含子序列,它们有相同的5′和3′拼接位点,A+T含量分别为59.7%和69.8%,符合大多数真核生物内含子高A+T含量的特征。     

斜纹夜蛾铁硫亚基蛋白的表达及功能鉴定

铁硫亚基蛋白(rieske iron-sulfur protein, RISP) 是线粒体复合物Ⅲ的关键蛋白亚基之一, 在呼吸链电子传递过程中起到重要作用。本研究通过RT-PCR克隆得到斜纹夜蛾Spodoptera litura RISP基因SlitRISP的ORF, 构建了pET32a-SlitRISP原核表达载体, SDS-PAGE和Western blot检测结果显示, SlitRISP原核表达蛋白以包涵体的形式存在于菌体沉淀中, 且RISP抗体可成功用于该蛋白的免疫印迹检测。为了进一步鉴定SlitRISP在斜纹夜蛾离体细胞系SL-1中的功能, 通过向细胞内转染siRNA, 利用RNAi技术沉默SL-1中的SlitRISP。qRT-PCR结果表明, 分别经50 nmol/L和100 nmol/L siRNA处理48 h后, SL-1中SlitRISP的表达均几乎完全被抑制; Western blot结果显示, SL-1中SlitRISP含量显著低于CK。当SL-1 SlitRISP被成功沉默后, 通过检测SL-1线粒体膜电位、 细胞ATP含量和细胞增殖抑制率鉴定RISP在线粒体电子传递过程中的重要作用。流式细胞仪测定结果表明, 经50 nmol/L和100 nmol/L siRNA处理24 h后, SL-1线粒体膜电位相对于CK分别降低23.52%和11.32%, 而处理48 h后, SL-1线粒体膜电位则分别升高5.58%和27.66%; siRNA处理24 h和48 h后, SL-1 ATP含量相对于CK分别降低82.71%和84.50%, 最终导致SL-1细胞增殖抑制率分别为53.64%和67.94%。这些结果表明SlitRISP在SL-1中参与线粒体膜电位的形成和细胞ATP的合成。介于RISP在线粒体电子传递链中的重要作用, 其可能成为新型杀虫作用靶标, 这可为研制新型呼吸抑制剂提供参考。     

Efficient incorporation of unsaturated fatty acids into volicitin-related compounds in Spodoptera litura (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

We introduced efficient incorporation of unsaturated fatty acids into volicitin [N-(17-hydroxylinolenoyl)-L-glutamine] and N-linolenoyl-L-glutamine, insect-derived elicitors of plant volatiles, in the common cutworms Spodoptera litura by the incubation of larval gut tissues with unsaturated (linolenic, linoleic, and oleic acids) or saturated fatty acids (palmitic and stearic acids) sodium salt, and L-[alpha-(15)N]glutamine.     

Overseas migration of the common cutworm, Spodoptera litura (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), from May to mid-July in East Asia

Spodoptera litura (Fabricius) males were monitored with sex-pheromone traps from spring to early summer in 1999, 2002, 2003, 2009, and 2010 in four regions in East Asia: western Japan, South Korea, China, and Taiwan. The backward trajectory analysis was conducted to investigate whether any air current arrived over the monitoring sites around the dates when distinguished increases in catches of >100 insects per day occurred. The catch data showed abrupt catch increases. Some of the catch increases coincidentally appeared among monitoring sites several hundreds of kilometers apart. These catch increases were found to coincide with the arrival of southwesterly air currents within 24–36 h from southern China and/or Taiwan. Other evidence related to the overseas migration are discussed in detail. The results of this and previous studies suggest that S. litura males immigrate into western Japan and South Korea in spring to early summer using air currents from southern China and/or Taiwan.