Water uptake in the cat flea Ctenocephalides felis (Pulicidae: Siphonaptera)

To counteract water loss due to excretion, cuticular transpiration and respiration, various groups of arthropods have developed mechanisms for active uptake of water vapor from unsaturated air. In this study, active uptake capabilities and water loss rates were examined in the various developmental stages of the cat flea, Ctenocephalides felis. To determine critical equilibrium humidity, the lowest relative humidity at which active water uptake can occur, pre-desiccated immature and adult fleas were placed in a series of humidity regimes ranging from 44 to 93% RH. Active uptake occurred in larval stages at relative humidities above 53% and in pre-pupae at 75-93% RH. Pupae and adults did not demonstrate active uptake at any humidity. Optimal uptake for larvae occurred between 20 and 30 degrees C. When placed over Drierite (<10% RH), larval and adult stages demonstrated a higher rate of water loss than pre-pupal and pupal stages. Active water uptake is necessary to ensure proper development of the larvae of C. felis. Active uptake ceases after the larval-pupal ecdysis and it appears that adults have lost the ability to actively uptake water.     

Enhanced ovicidal activity of an oil formulation of the fungus Metarhizium anisopliae on the mosquito Aedes aegypti

Abstract.  The effect of humidity on the activity of Metarhizium anisopliae IP 46 (Metsch.) Sorokin (Hypocreales: Clavicipitaceae) formulated in sunflower oil against Aedes aegypti (L.) (Diptera: Culicidae) eggs was examined. After exposure of eggs at 75% relative humidity (RH) for ≤ 25 days, ovicidal activity was not increased by oil-in-water formulated conidia, hyphal bodies or pure-oil formulated conidia, compared with conidia or hyphal bodies prepared in water only. At optimal > 98% RH, eclosion was ≤ 13.7% after treatment with oil-in-water formulated propagules in ≤ 10% oil, and it was completely inhibited when conidia were applied in pure oil. At 86–100% RH, new conidia were found on eggs treated with oil-formulated conidia and incubated down to 91% RH. Ovicidal activity was still detected at 93% RH and was augmented with increasing humidity and time of exposure of eggs. Eclosion of larvae was distinctly reduced by IP 46 pure-oil formulated conidia after a minimal initial exposure of 3 days at > 98% RH, followed by: (a) a 12-day exposure at 75% RH before submersion in water; (b) a minimal 5-day exposure at > 98% RH and direct subsequent transfer of treated eggs to water, or (c) a minimal daily 20-h exposure at > 98% RH alternating with 4 h at 75% RH for 10 days. We demonstrate that oil-based formulations of conidia of M. anisopliae enhance ovicidal activity at high humidities and conclude that these formulations have potential in the integrated control of Ae. aegypti .     

Impact of moisture on survival of Aedes aegypti eggs and ovicidal activity of Metarhizium anisopliae under laboratory conditions

The effect of relative humidity (43%, 75%, 86% and > 98%) on Aedes aegypti eggs treated with Metarhizium anisopliae or water only was tested for up to a six months exposure at 25 degrees C. Survival of larvae inside eggs was clearly affected by the lowest humidity (43%) tested, and eclosion diminished at all humidities after increasing periods of exposure. M. anisopliae showed to have a strong ovicidal activity only at humidity close to saturation. No difference of activity was found between conidia and hyphal bodies tested. This fungus affected larvae inside eggs and has potential as a control agent of this important vector in breeding sites with high moisture.     

Desiccation tolerance and drought acclimation in the Antarctic collembolan Cryptopygus antarcticus

The availability of water is recognized as the most important determinant of the distribution and activity of terrestrial organisms within the maritime Antarctic. Within this environment, arthropods may be challenged by drought stress during both the austral summer, due to increased temperature, wind, insolation, and extended periods of reduced precipitation, and the winter, as a result of vapor pressure gradients between the surrounding icy environment and the body fluids. The purpose of the present study was to assess the desiccation tolerance of the Antarctic springtail, Cryptopygus antarcticus, under ecologically-relevant conditions characteristic of both summer and winter along the Antarctic Peninsula. In addition, this study examined the physiological changes and effects of mild drought acclimation on the subsequent desiccation tolerance of C. antarcticus. The collembolans possessed little resistance to water loss under dry air, as the rate of water loss was >20% h(-1) at 0% relative humidity (RH) and 4 degrees C. Even under ecologically-relevant desiccating conditions, the springtails lost water at all relative humidities below saturation (100% RH). However, slow dehydration at high RH dramatically increased the desiccation tolerance of C. antarcticus, as the springtails tolerated a greater loss of body water. Relative to animals maintained at 100% RH, a mild drought acclimation at 98.2% RH significantly increased subsequent desiccation tolerance. Drought acclimation was accompanied by the synthesis and accumulation of several sugars and polyols that could function to stabilize membranes and proteins during dehydration. Drought acclimation may permit C. antarcticus to maintain activity and thereby allow sufficient time to utilize behavioral strategies to reduce water loss during periods of reduced moisture availability. The springtails were also susceptible to desiccation at subzero temperatures in equilibrium with the vapor pressure of ice; they lost approximately 40% of their total body water over 28 d when cooled to -3.0 degrees C. The concentration of solutes in the remaining body fluids as a result of dehydration, together with the synthesis of several osmolytes, dramatically increased the body fluid osmotic pressure. This increase corresponded to a depression of the melting point to approximately -2.2 degrees C, and may therefore allow C. antarcticus to survive much of the Antarctic winter in a cryoprotectively dehydrated state.     

Hygropreference and brood care in the honeybee (Apis mellifera)

Terrestrial organisms need to limit evaporation from their bodies in order to maintain a homeostatic water balance. Owing to a large surface to volume ratio, arthropods are particularly susceptible to desiccation and have evolved behavioural and physiological mechanisms to conserve water. In social insects, water balance is also affected by the interactions between nestmates and by the architecture of the nest. For honeybees, humidity is particularly important for the brood because it affects the hatching success of eggs and because, unlike ants, honeybees cannot relocate their brood to parts of the nest with more favourable humidity. To advance the understanding of the water economy in honeybee nests, we investigated whether workers exhibit a hygropreference when exposed to a gradient of 24-90% relative humidity (RH) and whether the expression of this preference and their behaviour is affected by the presence of brood. The results show that young honeybee workers in the absence of brood exhibit a weak hygropreference for approximately 75% RH. When brood is present the expression of this preference is further weakened, suggesting that workers tend to the brood by distributing evenly in the gradient. In addition, fanning behaviour is shown to be triggered by an increase in humidity above the preferred level but not by a decrease. Our results suggest that humidity in honeybee colonies is actively controlled by workers.     

Adaptability and efficacy of transgenic and wild-type Metaseiulus occidentalis (Acari: Phytoseiidae) compared as part of a risk assessment

Comparisons between transgenic (T) and wild-type Metaseiulus occidentalis colonies (COS) were made under laboratory conditions as part of a risk assessment effort prior to proposed field releases. There were no differences between the transgenic T18 colony and the COS strain in the daily egg production, hatchability at three temperatures and four relative humidity (RH) conditions, diapause incidence, or proportion of female progeny produced. Metaseiulus occidentalis eggs do not hatch at 38°C under any RH tested, nor at 33.5°C under 100% RH, indicating that high temperature and extreme RH affect egg hatch negatively. At 28.5 and 33.5°C, fewer eggs hatched at 32.5% than at 75.5 and 93% RH. Metaseiulus occidentalis cannot survive on any plant tested without prey nor on a diet of pollen alone; adult female mites cannot prey or survive on a diet of eggs and larvae of two lepidopteran species, indicating that the suitability of food sources has not been altered in the transgenic strain. Two subcolonies, derived from two transgenic strains using single females, differed in the rate of egg hatch at 28.5°C under 32.5 and 100% RH, indicating that reduced genetic variation and/or random genetic drift in the two lines may have led to differences in some biological characters. Since we did not find any significant differences between the T18 and COS colonies in the traits tested, the T18 colony is not expected to exhibit any new biological attributes in a proposed short-term field release.     

Population growth and development of Liposcelis pearmani (Psocoptera: Liposcelididae) at constant temperatures and relative humidities

Psocids of genus Liposcelis are now considered serious pests of stored products. We investigated the effects of eight temperatures (22.5, 25.0, 27.5, 30.0, 32.5, 35.0, 37.5, and 40.0°C) and four relative humidities (43, 55, 63, and 75%) on population growth and development of the psocid Liposcelis pearmani Lienhard. L. pearmani did not survive at 37.5 and 40.0°C, at all relative humidities tested; at 43% RH, at all temperatures tested; and at 55% RH, at 32.5 and 35°C. The greatest population growth was recorded at 32.5°C and 75% RH (32-fold growth). L. pearmani males have two to four nymphal instars, and the percentages of males with two, three, and four instars were 17, 63, and 20%, respectively. Female L. pearmani have two to five instars, and the percentages of females with two, three, four, and five instars were 5, 39, 55, and 1%, respectively. We developed temperature-dependent development equations for male and female eggs, individual nymphal, combined nymphal, and combined immature stages. Based on 30-d population growth, L. pearmani cannot survive at temperatures >35.0°C; does not thrive at low relative humidities (55%), at temperatures above 25°C; and has a high optimum relative humidity for population growth (75%). Therefore, we expect it to have a more limited distribution compared with other Liposcelis species. These data provide a better understanding of how temperature and RH may influence L. pearmani population dynamics and can be used in population growth models to help develop effective management strategies for this psocid, and to predict its occurrence.     

Effect of relative humidity of hot air on the heat resistance of Bacillus cereus spores

The heat resistance to hot air of spores of Bacillus cereus (ATCC 14579) attached to carriers of stainless steel or silicone rubber was investigated in a range from 1% to 100% relative humidity (RH). Apart from an initial stage, linear survivor curves were obtained for all relative humidities. Neither the attachment itself nor the material of the carrier had an influence on the resistance. A distinct maximum of heat resistance was found at 40% RH. At 122°C the rate constants at 40% RH were five orders of magnitude smaller than at 100% RH and two orders of magnitude smaller than at 1% RH. At relative humidities of more than 40% the rate constants were strongly temperature dependent, whereas at lower relative humidities they were less temperature dependent. No significant influence of the relative humidity on the Arrhenius activation energy was found within each humidity range. The mean values were 295 kJ mol^-1 for relative humidities of 60% to 100% RH and 165 kJ mol^-1 for 1% to 20% RH. The occurrence of a maximum is ascribed to the existence of two inactivation mechanisms, the first is retarded and the second is accelerated by a reduction of relative humidity. It is assumed that the first mechanism is a protein denaturation. The second mechanism may be an oxidative process.     

相对湿度对苹小卷叶蛾实验种群的影响

为明确相对湿度对苹小卷叶蛾生长发育及繁殖的影响,在室内(25±1) ℃和12L∶12D条件下,分别设置40%、50%、60%、70%、80%、90% 6个相对湿度(RH),研究其对苹小卷叶蛾生长、发育、存活及繁殖的影响.结果表明: 在40%～90%RH范围内,随湿度升高苹小卷叶蛾未成熟期逐渐缩短,由40%RH时30.31 d缩短至90%RH的25.87 d,未成熟期存活率逐渐升高.湿度对卵的孵化具有显著影响,40%RH下卵的孵化率最低,为39.3%.在80% RH条件下,成虫寿命最长,单雌产卵量最多(110.8粒),卵和幼虫的存活率最高,净生殖率(R₀)和内禀增长率(r_m)最高,分别为26.46和0.1018．说明较高湿度能促进苹小卷叶蛾生长发育,提高其繁殖力.
     

Interspecific variation in desiccation survival time of Aedes (Stegomyia) mosquito eggs is correlated with habitat and egg size

Summary Survival times of eggs under three humidity conditions (42%, 68%, 88% RH) were investigated among Aedes (Stegomyia) mosquitoes from temperate and tropical zones (5 species and 20 geographical strains). This subgenus tends to occupy small aquatic sites as larvae, where desiccation resistance of eggs is necessary during habitat drought. Interspecific comparison showed that the egg survival time was correlated with egg volume and dryness of source locality, and probably with habitat. Aedes aegypti is associated most with arid climate and human-disturbed habitats — its large eggs survived the longest periods at all humidities. Aedes albopictus ranges from tropics to temperate zones and inhabits both disturbed and forest habitats — its eggs were less desiccation-resistant than A. aegypti eggs. The survival times for forest species eggs (A. riversi, A. galloisi, A. flavopictus) were variable at high humidities but at the lowest humidity were consistently shorter than for eggs of A. aegypti and A. albopictus.     

Reproductive bionomics of the soft tick, Ornithodoros turicata (Acari: Argasidae)

The effects of different temperatures and relative humidities (RHs) were tested on various reproductive parameters of Ornithodoros turicata, an argasid tick that inhabits gopher tortoise burrows in Florida, USA. The pre-oviposition, oviposition and incubation periods of the ticks decreased as temperature increased. These periods were also affected by the RH. The number of eggs oviposited was affected significantly by the combined effect of temperature and RH. Fewer eggs were laid by ticks in the 24°C regimes and the 27°C/95%RH regime compared to those in the other temperature/RH groups. There was an inverse relationship between the number of eggs oviposited and the percentage of hatched larvae that was correlated with the temperature and RH. Ticks reared at 27°C/90%RH and 30°C/90%RH laid more eggs than those reared in the other combinations of temperature and humidity but fewer larvae hatched from these eggs. The reproductive fitness index (RFI) values were highest in females held in the 24°C groups and the 30°C/95%RH group, although significantly more larvae hatched at the lower temperatures. The optimum reproductive conditions for O. turicata under laboratory conditions appear to be 24°C and 90–95%RH. While mating occurred at all temperatures, none of the females laid eggs at 22°C. The ticks may move preferentially to low temperatures when not feeding to remain above the critical equilibrium humidity and/or below the critical metabolic level necessary for prolonged survival. However, most female ticks oviposited after 45 days when moved to 27°C/95%RH. Ornithodoros turicata females may have a limited capability to delay oviposition until an optimal microenvironment for egg deposition can be located in the burrow.     

Moisture Stress Effects on Survival of Infective Haemonchus contortus Larvae

Water was evaporated from infective Haemonchus contortus larvae suspended in tap, distilled and triple-distilled water, and the nematodes were then exposed to 50% and 75% relative humidity (RH) at 20, 30, 40, and 50 C. Sample groups were rehydrated 4 hr daily in similar quality water, observed for motility, then returned to the same RH and temperature and re-evaporated. This was continued until all motility ceased. Longest survival was 80 days at 20 C and 75% RH. In all temperature and RH combinations control (non-desiccated) and desiccated larvae survived longer in distilled or triple-distilled water than in tap water.     

Effects of environmental humidity on the survival and development of pine caterpillars, Dendrolimus tabulaeformis (Lepidoptera: Lasiocampidae)

The pine caterpillar, Dendrolimus tabulaeformis is one of the most important pests on Pinus tabulaeformis and other pine species in North China. In the present study, effects of relative humidity (RH) on the development and survival of pine caterpillars and soil moisture (SM) on their diapausing larvae were investigated. Low RH (20%) deferred the development of eggs and larvae, reduced egg hatching and larval surviving compared to 40%, 60% and 80% RH. Both low (20%) and high (100%) RH reduced egg hatching, but only 20% RH deferred the development of larvae, prolonged developmental duration and reduced the body mass and body length of larvae. The SM influenced the survival of diapausing larvae significantly. The dry treatment significantly reduced the supercooling points (SCPs), whereas increased the mortality and reduced body mass from 56.9 to 36.5 mg and body water content from 78% to 63% after 2 weeks' exposure. Therefore, higher RH is more favorable for the development of early instars and survival of diapausing larvae of the pine caterpillars.     

A high-performance humidity control system for tiny animals: demonstration of its usefulness in testing egg hatchability of the two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae

We developed a computer-based system for controlling water vapor conditions (i.e., humidity) using a two-flow method in which streams of humidified and dehumidified air were combined in an acrylic container. The flow rate of each stream was independently controlled to adjust relative humidity (RH). In this system, humidification from 15 to 90?% RH and dehumidification from 90 to 15?% RH at an air temperature (AT) of 25?°C were properly operated with short time constants of 4.3 and 10?min, respectively. Tetranychus urticae egg hatchability was then examined at 20-95?% RH and 25?°C AT. The coefficients of variation of RH were low (0.3-1.5?%). Egg hatchability in a polystyrene Petri dish was lower at 20?% RH than at 70-95?% RH. A delay in hatching was also observed at 70?% RH for eggs tested on a leaf disk placed on water-soaked cotton; this delay was attributed to the AT being 1.4?°C lower on the leaf surface than on the inner surface of the dish. Our system is expected to be useful for further examination of ecological and behavioral responses in pest mites and for developing novel physical control measures using water vapor.     

Biology of Ixodes Rubicundus Ticks under Laboratory Conditions: Observations on Oviposition and Egg Development

Observations on oviposition and egg development of Ixodes rubicundus were made under laboratory conditions. Engorged females were exposed to temperatures in the range 10–25°C and relative humidities (RHs) of 33 and 93%. The pre-oviposition period, oviposition period, incubation period, conversion efficiency index (CEI) values and fecundity were determined. The mean pre-oviposition period varied from 13.3 days (temperature 25°C and RH 33%) to 68.3 days (temperature 10°C and RH 93%). Oviposition extended from a mean of 39 days (temperature 25°C and RH 93%) to 201.7 days (temperature 10°C and RH 93%). The developmental zero temperature for the pre-oviposition period was 9.2°C. The mean total number of eggs produced by engorged I. rubicundus females varied from 2045.7 (temperature 10°C and RH 93%) to 3777.7 (temperature 20°C and RH 93%). Both female mass and RH significantly (p < 0.01) influenced the number of eggs produced. CEI values varied between 43.1–54.4% (RH 93%) and 34.1–42.5% (RH 33%). At 93% RH females produced between 14.2 and 17.7 eggs per mg body mass compared to the 13.2–14.6 eggs per mg body mass at 33% RH. The shortest mean incubation period recorded was 164.3 days (temperature 25°C and RH 93%). The developmental zero temperature for incubation was 6.5°C. Both the pre-oviposition and oviposition periods of I. rubicundus are more extended compared to other species of the genus. Ixodes rubicundus produces a large number of small eggs compared to other prostriate ticks.     

Population growth and development of the psocid Liposcelis rufa (Psocoptera: Liposcelididae) at constant temperatures and relative humidities

We investigated the effects of eight temperatures (22.5, 25.0, 27.5, 30.0, 32.5, 35.0, 37.5, and 40.0 degrees C) and four relative humidities (43, 55, 63, and 75%) on population growth and development of the psocid Liposcelis rufa Broadhead (Psocoptera: Liposcelididae). L. rufa did not survive at 43% RH, at all temperatures tested; at 55% RH, at the highest four temperatures; and at 63% RH and 40.0 degrees C. The greatest population growth was recorded at 35.0 degrees C and 75% RH (73-fold growth). At 40.0 degrees C, L. rufa populations declined or barely grew. L. rufa males have two to four nymphal instars, and the percentages of males with two, three, and four instars were 31, 54, and 15%, respectively. Female L. rufa have two to five instars, and the percentages of females with two, three, four, and five instars were 2, 44, 42, and 12%, respectively. The life cycle was shorter for males than females. We developed temperature-dependent developmental equations for male and female eggs, individual nymphal, combined nymphal, and combined immature stages. The ability of L. rufa to reproduce at a relative humidity of 55% and temperatures of 22.5-30.0 degrees C and at relative humidities of 63-75% and temperatures of 22.5-37.5 degrees C, in addition to being able to survive at 40.0 degrees C, suggests that this species would be expected to have a broader distribution than other Liposcelis species. These data provide a better understanding of L. rufa population dynamics and can be used to help develop effective management strategies for this psocid.     

Water balance and humidity requirements of house dust mites

The house dust mites,Dermatophagoides farinae, D. pteronyssinus andEuroglyphus maynei, are prevalent in homes in humid geographical areas throughout the world. These mites thrive in humid environments in human dwellings where there is no liquid water to drink. However, their bodies contain 70–75% water by weight, which must be maintained in order to reproduce. Their primary source of water is water vapor which is actively extracted from unsaturated air. At relative humidities above 65–70%, adequate amounts of water can be extracted from unsaturated air to compensate for that lost by all avenues. Active uptake is associated with ingestion of a hyperosmotic solution which is secreted by the supracoxal glands. Active mites do not survive longer than 6–11 days at RHs 50%. They survive extended dry periods by forming a desiccation-resistant protonymphal stage which can survive for months at RHs below the critical humidity for active stages. Feeding rate and allergen production is directly influenced by RH. Mites feed, multiply, and produce more fecal matter at higher RHs than at lower ones.     

烟草甲的实验生态研究

在六种温度(20.3℃,23.9℃,27.7℃,32.2℃,33.7℃,35.9℃)及三种相对湿度范围(51.3%-55.0%RH,75.5%-76.0%RH,83.8%-85.0%RH)组合下,开展了又烟草甲 Lasioderma serricorne(F.)实验生态的系统研究,获得其在不同温、湿度组合情况下生长发育、生存和繁殖的一系列特性和参数,包括各虫态发育历期、存活率、发育起点温度、有效积温和平均繁殖力等,并建立了发育历期、发育速率、存活率及繁殖力的理论模型。     

Dry-Heat Destruction of Bacillus subtilis Spores on Surfaces: Effect of Humidity in an Open System

Bacillus subtilis var. niger spores were tested for dry-heat resistance on stainless-steel strips hung in an oven. Heat resistance was dependent on the relative humidity before and during treatment, which in turn affected the water content of the spores. Higher humidities increased the heat resistance of the spores. D-values ranged from 16.1 min for spores conditioned at <2% relative humidity (RH) and treated at 0.34% RH to 37.6 min for spores conditioned at 89% RH and treated at 1.1% RH. The y-intercept of the regression line ranged from 6.94 x 10(4) for spores conditioned and treated at the low humidities to 2.00 x 10(5) for spores conditioned at 89% RH and treated at 0.34% RH. For a constant value of N(0), the y-intercept appears to be lowered by low-humidity conditions. The statistic log y(0)/log N(0) is used to measure the downward displacement of the regression line. Values obtained in this experiment range from 0.90 for spores conditioned at <2% RH and treated at 0.34% RH to 1.04 for spores conditioned at <2% RH and treated at 1.1% RH. A combination of linear regression and analysis of variance methods was used for data analysis. The former estimates D-values and y-intercepts, whereas the latter is sensitive to differences between treatments.     

Water relations in eggs of the lone star tick, Amblyomma americanum, with experimental work on the capacity for water vapor absorption

This study shows that water stress is not countered in eggs of the lone star tick, Amblyomma americanum (L.), using water vapor, and suggests involvement of liquid water as a developmental cue. Eggs fail to maintain an equilibrium water content in subsaturated air, hence, gain not equal to loss, with net water losses occurring at relative humidities near saturation and these eggs exhibit a three-fold drop in viability, but not incubation period, as compared to eggs held in saturated air. Amblyomma americanum eggs are stenohydric and feature low 58% water content, slow water losses <1%/h, and an impermeable chorion wherein the Arrhenius activation energy, Ea = -66J/K, is suppressed. Thus, enhancement of water retention, not water vapor absorption, permits eggs to resist desiccation.