Inter- and intraspecific interactions among larvae of specialist and generalist parasitoids

Intra- and interspecific larval interactions that take place in a host body were investigated for two tachnid fliesEpicampocera succincta andCompsilura concinnata (Diptera: Tachinidae) parasitizingPieris butterfly larvae.E. succincta, a specialist onPieris butterflies, showed contest-type intraspecific competition, eliminating all the other conspecific larvae. On the other hand, an extreme generalist parasitoidC. concinnata exhibited scramble-type competition, sharing the host with other conspecifics and suffering reduced body size as a result. However, when these two species occurred together in a single host,C. concinnata had a much higher chance of survival. Moreover,C. concinnata could often survive in the presence of a parasitoid waspCotesia glomerata (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) whileE. succincta could not. The high tolerance ofC. concinnata could be attributable to its being an extreme generalist: To attack and survive on many different hosts, one has to be able to deal with various competitors. The competitive inferiority of the specialistE. succincta, on the other hand, may be a result of relatively recent encounter with, those competitors.     

How a specialist and a non-specialist insect cope with dimethyl disulfide produced by Allium porrum

Damaged Allium plants produce and release sulfur allelochemicals, presumably to prevent insect herbivory. Defensive sulfur compounds, particularly dimethyl disulfide (DMDS), are highly toxic for non‐adapted species. The toxicity of DMDS in these insects is due to disruption of the cytochrome oxidase system of their mitochondria. The purpose of this study was to compare susceptibility to DMDS in a specialist and a non‐specialist insect of Allium plants, i.e., Acrolepiopsis assectella Zeller (Lepidoptera: Acrolepiidae) and Callosobruchus maculatus Fabricius (Coleoptera: Bruchidae) a specialist insect of Leguminosae. Results showed that A. assectella larvae are less susceptible to DMDS than C. maculatus adults. This bruchid becomes more tolerant after a first exposure to 0.2 µl l^?1 of DMDS, with second‐exposure toxicity depending on the time lapse between exposures. Higher second‐exposure tolerance could be due to selection and detoxification. To answer this question, the activity of glutathione S‐transferase (GST), a key enzyme in the detoxification system, was analyzed after DMDS exposure of C. maculatus adults and larvae and of A. assectella larvae. Exposure to DMDS increased GST activity in C. maculatus adults and larvae. This finding implies that induced GST is involved in C. maculatus tolerance to DMDS. Exposure to DMDS had no effect on GST activity in A. assectella. Adaptations underlying A. assectella tolerance to sulfur compounds are discussed.     

Comparisons of calcium regulation in fish larvae

The purpose of the present study was to compare the ability of larvae of different species, goldfish (Carassius auratus), zebrafish (Danio rerio), and ayu (Plecoglossus altivelis), to regulate their calcium balance. Whole-body Ca(2+) content and Ca(2+) influx in the larvae of the three species, which were incubated in low- (0.02 mM), mid- (0.2 mM), and high- (2.0 mM) Ca(2+) artificial fresh water from embryonic stages, were compared. The Ca(2+) uptake kinetics were determined in zebrafish and goldfish incubated in high- or low-Ca(2+) artificial fresh water. Ca(2+) content of both zebrafish and ayu acclimated to low-Ca(2+) media were significantly lower than those acclimated to mid- or high-Ca(2+) media. However, Ca(2+) contents of goldfish in low-, mid-, and high-Ca(2+) groups showed no significant differences. In goldfish, Ca(2+) influx in the low-Ca(2+) group was significantly higher than those of the mid- and high-Ca(2+) groups. In contrast, the Ca(2+) influx rate in the low-Ca(2+) group was significantly lower than those in the mid- and high-Ca(2+) groups in zebrafish and ayu. Compared to the high-Ca(2+) group, the low-Ca(2+) group of goldfish showed a 13% increase in the maximal velocity (J(max)) and an 84% decrease in the Michaelis constant (K(m)) for Ca(2+) influx. Smaller changes, i.e., an 8% increase in J(max) and a 67% decrease in K(m), were found in zebrafish larvae. Goldfish possess a more effective Ca(2+) regulatory capacity than do zebrafish and ayu. Differences in the strategies for Ca(2+) balance may be associated with different development patterns and environments in which these fish naturally occur.     

Food preference and performance of the larvae of a specialist herbivore: variation among and within host-plant populations

Specialist herbivores are suggested to be unaffected by or attracted to the defense compounds of their host-plants, and can even prefer higher levels of certain chemicals. Abrostola asclepiadis is a specialist herbivore whose larvae feed on the leaves of Vincetoxicum hirundinaria, which contains toxic alkaloids and is unpalatable to most generalist herbivores. The food choice, leaf consumption and growth of A. asclepiadis larvae were studied to determine whether there is variation among and within host-plant populations in their suitability for this specialist herbivore. There was significant variation in food preference and leaf consumption among host-plant populations, but no differences were found in larval growth and feeding on different host-plant populations. A. asclepiadis larvae preferred host-plant populations with higher alkaloid concentrations, but did not consume more leaf material from plants originating from such populations in a no-choice experiment. There was also some variation in food preference of larvae among host-plant individuals belonging to the same population, suggesting that there was variability in leaf chemistry also within populations. Such variation in larval preference among host-plant genotypes and populations may create potential for coevolutionary dynamics in a spatial mosaic.     

Photoreception in decapitated larvae of silkworm Bombyx mori

To investigate the photoreception that controls daily oscillations at the periphery in insects, we decapitated larvae of the silkworm Bombyx mori (Lepidoptera: Bombycidae) by ligature, and observed rhythms in their peripheral tissues under several light conditions. We measured the mRNA expression of period (per) and timeless (tim), which are homologues of Drosophila clock genes that function in the core oscillator of the circadian clock system. The expression of both per and tim significantly changed in the midgut, Malpighian tubules and silk glands of decapitated larvae exposed to photophase and scotophase that were reversed from the original daily light–dark cycle under which the larvae were housed. Under constant darkness, the daily expression of tim mRNA persisted for at least one cycle in the midgut and silk gland. In addition, an appropriate light stimulus under constant darkness induced a significant phase shift in the endogenous timing system (probably a circadian clock) that determined peak levels of tim mRNA expression in the midgut and silk glands of decapitated larvae. Since light regulated the gene expression rhythm in peripheral tissues of decapitated silkworm larvae, neither the brain nor eyes were essential for photoreception to control daily oscillations in these tissues. Thus, peripheral tissues in insects might directly use light even at the larval stage.     

Controlled accumulation of vitellin in Bombyx eggs

Summary

Implantation of female fat body and ovary discs into the young male pupae brought about vitellin accumulation in the mature eggs developed in male hosts. The amounts of vitellin increased according to the increasing amounts of implanted fat body, and the vitellin synthesis activity of female fat body in male hosts was similar to that found in female hosts. When implanted into male pupae, larval fat body having no ability to produce vitellogenin in situ could bring about vitellin accumulation in the eggs. No accumulation of vitellin was induced by implantation of male fat body.     

Sterol composition in larvae of the silkworm, Bombyx mori

Sterols in silkworm larvae were analyzed. Cholesterol was predominantly detected in all tissues examined. Dietary phytosterols and desmosterol, a putative biosynthetic intermediate from phytosterols to cholesterol, were also detected, indicating that imperfect intestinal conversion from phytosterols to cholesterol influences the sterol composition in larval tissues.     

Regulation of glutamine metabolism during the development of Bombyx mori larvae

Waste ammonia is re-assimilated into amino acids via the amide group of glutamine and the amino group of glutamate (i.e. through glutamine synthetase/glutamate synthase pathway) for silk synthesis in the silkworm, Bombyx mori, in the last larval stadium. Glutamine concentration in hemolymph gradually decreased with the progress of the fifth instar and it remained at very low levels during the spinning stage, then followed by a sharp increase at the larval-pupal ecdysis. The changes in glutamine synthetase (GS) activity in silkworm tissues were relatively small through the larval development, while the changes in glutamate synthase (GOGAT) activity, especially in the posterior silk glands, were more drastic. In addition, activities of GOGAT in the tissues were much higher than those of the other enzymes involved in glutamine utilization, suggesting that glutamine pool was regulated mainly by the changes in GOGAT activity. Western blot analysis indicated that the changes in GOGAT protein level correlated with the changes in GOGAT activity. Topical application of a juvenile hormone analogue, methoprene, induced an accumulation of glutamine in the hemolymph of the fifth instar larvae. The levels of GOGAT protein and activity in the tissues of the methoprene treated larvae were much lower than those of the control larvae, whereas the methoprene treatment had no effect on the levels of GS activity. In conclusion, GOGAT expression promoted by reduction of juvenile hormone titer is quite important for enhanced utilization of nitrogen for synthesis of silk protein during the last larval instar.     

N-linked glycan structures of mouse interferon-beta produced by Bombyx mori larvae

The full-length mouse interferon-beta (mIFN-beta) cDNA, including the secretion signal peptide coding region under control of the polyhedrin promoter, was introduced into Bombyx mori nucleopolyhedrovirus (BmNPV). Recombinant mIFN-beta (rmIFN-beta) was accumulated in the haemolymph of infected silkworm larvae. Western blot analysis showed isoforms of rmIFN-beta, suggesting that rmIFN-beta is glycosylated. The glycan structures of purified rmIFN-beta were determined. The N-glycans were liberated by hydrazinolysis and the resulting oligosaccharides were labeled with 2-aminopyridine. The pyridylaminated (PA) glycans were purified by gel filtration, reversed-phase HPLC, and size-fractionation HPLC. The structures of the PA-sugar chains were identified by a combination of two-dimensional PA-sugar chain mapping, MS analysis, and exoglycosidase digestions.     

Developmental arrest induced by juvenile hormone in larvae of Bombyx mori

Injection of the juvenile hormone analog (JHA) methoprene into day 3, fifthinstar larvae of Bombyx mori induced developmental arrest. Feeding activity declined, and the larvae remained as larvae for more than 2 weeks, after which they died. After JHA injection, the hemolymph ecdysteroid titer was low, and the prothoracic glands were almost inactive for 7 days. During this period, prothoracic glands were stimulated by prothoracicotropic hormone (PTTH) in vitro, indicating that JHA did not inhibit the competence of the glands to respond to PTTH. When brain-corpora cardiaca-corpora allata complexes were removed from intact fifth-instar larvae on day 4, the prothoracic glands became autonomously active and produced enough ecdysone for pupation. When PTTH injections were given to larvae previously injected with JHA (7 days before), the larvae recovered feeding activity, purged their guts, and pupated. Injections of 20-hydroxyecdysone into larvae that had been injected with JHA 7 days earlier induced larval molting. These results suggest that JHA affects both the brain and the prothoracic gland.     

Production of recombinant human osteoprotegrin from Trichoplusia ni cells and Bombyx mori larvae

Human osteoprotegrin (OPG) and its truncated mutant OPG-280 and lengthened mutant OPG-Fc were constructed and successfully expressed in Trichoplusia ni cells and Bombyx mori larvae. Native SDS-PAGE and Western blot analysis revealed that OPG-Fc is present as a homodimer in Tn cells or B. mori larvae compared with OPG and OPG-280. Furthermore, the hypocalcemic effect assay showed that truncation of the C-terminal 100 residues OPG does not abolish the biological activity and Fc can be helpful in forming the OPG homodimer with improved biological activity.     

Spermiogenesis of the testes of juvenile hormone-treated silkworm larvae,Bombyx mori

• 1.1. To examine changes in the percentages of testicular cells such as 1C cells (spermatids and spermatozoa), 2C cells (G1 somatic cells, spermatogonia and secondary spermatocytes), 2–4C cells (somatic and germinal cells in S phase) and 4C cells (G2 somatic cells and primary spermatocytes), we isolated nuclei from the testes of silkworm larvae and subjected them to flow cytometric analysis.
• 2.2. In control testes, 1C cells appeared at day 0 of the fifth instar, increased gradually by spinning and increased steeply at 2 days later still spinning. The percentage of 2C cells decreased gradually after ecdysis to the fifth instar. The percentage of 4C cells increased from day 2 to day 5 of the fifth instar and decreased after day 11 of this instar. Cells in S phase remained constant through the fifth instar.
• 3.3. An injection of juvenile hormone analog, methoprene, at day 0 of the fifth instar did not inhibit spermiogenesis, but resulted in increased 2C cells and decreased 4C cells dose-dependently. In contrast, the same treatment at day 2 of the fifth instar did not change the percentages of 1C, 2C and 4C cells of the testes at all, suggesting that the testes changed sensitivity to the hormone at larval development.
• 4.4. Repeated injections of methoprene to induce the appearance of dauer larvae resulted in a complete block of the development of 1C cells.

     

家蚕耐氟性差异的细胞化学研究

对不同蚕品种的耐氟性、ACPase的氟敏感性、蚕品种耐氟性机理的研究表明,在供试蚕品种中以浙农1号的耐氟性最强,杭 8的耐氟性最弱;家蚕Bombyx mori血淋巴ACPase活性与蚕品种的耐氟性无明显关系;氟对蚕的血淋巴和中肠组织细胞的ACPase活性都有抑制作用,并随着氟添食浓度的增加ACPase活性降低,但超过一定浓度的氟添食,血淋巴ACPase活性反而有一个回升的过程,这个转折点出现可能的浓度及回升的幅度与蚕品种的耐氟性有关;细胞化学研究发现此转折点的出现是由于高浓度氟引起细胞结构的破坏而导致蚕体组织细胞内的ACPase大量向血腔释放的结果;氟敏感性蚕品种杭 8在很低氟量添食即可引起中肠组织细胞的ACPase大量向血腔释放,使血淋巴中的ACPase活性大幅度上升,随后ACPase活性受到完全的抑制;耐氟性较强的蚕品种浙农1号则在较高的氟含量添食时才向血腔释放ACPase,且血淋巴中ACPase增高的幅度小,在很高的氟量添食时全面抑制中肠ACPase活性。氟对不同品种ACPase活性影响的差异被认为是家蚕品种耐氟性差异机理之一。     

家蚕对马尾松毛虫质型多角体病毒的敏感性

用虫体克隆技术,对马尾松毛虫质型多角体病毒湖南株（DpCPV-HN）进行了分离纯化,鉴定为质型多角体病毒1型。以家蚕春蕾×镇珠杂种F₁代及自交的F₂代4或5日龄幼虫进行毒力测定,以纯化的家蚕质型多角体病毒对F₁代幼虫的毒力测定为对照。结果表明：家蚕品种春蕾×镇珠对家蚕质型多角体病毒敏感,马尾松毛虫质型多角体病毒湖南株能引起其感染发病;马尾松毛虫质型多角体病毒湖南株感染家蚕品种春蕾×镇珠F₁代幼虫和F₂代幼虫28天后的半致死剂量（LD₅₀）分别为885个和18个CPB(质多角体),前者为后者的49倍。马尾松毛虫质型多角体病毒湖南株感染后的家蚕,其结茧率、化蛹率、羽化率、全茧量、茧层量和单蛾产卵数均有所下降,全茧量、茧层量、茧层率和单蛾产卵数与病毒感染剂量之间无显著关联。     

马铃薯品种间光合特征的比较研究

马铃薯叶片光合作用是影响其块茎产量和品质的重要因素之一。为了选择适宜湖南栽培的马铃薯品种和提高马铃薯的栽培效益,本文时中薯3号、大西洋、费乌瑞它、东农303、PB04、PB08和滇薯6号7个马铃薯品种(系)在匍匐茎伸长期、块茎形成期、块茎膨大期和块茎完熟期4个时期的光合特征参数(叶片净光合速率、气孔导度、蒸腾速率、胞间CO_2浓度)、SPAD值和相对产量进行了比较研究。结果表明,中薯3号的叶片净光合速率、气孔导度、胞间CO_2浓度、蒸腾速率和平均每株产量都最高,适宜于在湖南栽培。     

30K蛋白对家蚕细胞及幼虫存活的作用

利用杆状病毒表达系统在家蚕BombyxmoriL.细胞BmN中表达家蚕30K蛋白,以亲本病毒BmPAK6为对照,将重组病毒Bm/r-30K分别感染BmN细胞及家蚕幼虫,观察其感染后不同时间的凋亡及存活率。与对照相比,重组病毒感染后的BmN细胞的存活率明显高于对照组,并且感染的家蚕幼虫存活时间也较长,表明体内过量表达家蚕30K蛋白有助于延长其细胞及幼虫的存活。