Effect of planting dates and maize hybrids on the infestation with sorghum shootfly,Atherigona soccata Rondani and its effect on the yield

Abstract

Twenty maize hybrids plus local were tested for their susceptibility to major pests of sorghum shootfly, Atherigona soccata Rondani under field conditions at Sohag governorate during three planting dates (20th April, 20th May and 5th July) sown during two tested years (2004 and 2005 seasons). The investigation showed that when the sowing dates were considered irrespective of the different years or the maize hybrids it was evident that during the first planting date (20th April), the maize hybrids harboured the highest levels of infestation with sorghum shootfly, Atherigona soccata Rondani. The second planting date (20th May) was the least affected while the third planting date (5th July) received moderate levels of infestation. Results also showed that the average infestation of Atherigona soccata during both seasons was a significantly negative correlation affected by the sowing dates and maize hybrids. The yield of maize hybrids negatively correlated with percentage of infestation by Atherigona soccata. The highest yield obtained from the maize hybrids was slightly infested by Atherigona soccata and sown during the planting date of 20th May. Therefore, the second sowing date (20th May) may be recommended as a proper cultivating date for maize hybrids as it brought about reduction not only in infestation but was also a good method to reduce chemical control. Our results indicated that none of the maize hybrids evaluated were found to be resistant to Atherigona soccata attack but maize hybrids were significantly different in their susceptibility and less than of a local control to the infestation with Atherigona soccata and divided into four groups, the first one was highly susceptible including Giza Baladi; the second group was susceptible including ten maize hybrids namely, Hf 155, Bionear 3062, Bionear 30k8, Nagah 18, Watania 4, HC 326, HC 327, Nafratity, Watania 1 and Bionear; the third group was low resistance including six maize hybrids namely, Hf 122, Hf 123, Hf 129, Hc314, Hc 325 and Hc 352; while the fourth group included Hf 10, Hf 124, Hc 311and Hc 324 and moderately resisted the Atherigona soccata infestation. These may serve as a good material for growing in the areas where the pest is a problem.     

半闭弯尾姬蜂羽化、交配及产卵行为观察

在22℃,相对度60％～70％的实验室条件下,研究了半闭弯尾姬蜂Diadegma semiclausum的羽化、交配与产卵行为。结果表明：半闭弯尾姬蜂蜂蛹从开始羽化到羽化结束历经4d,羽化高峰期出现在羽化的第3d,羽化数量为25头,占全部羽化数量的58．82％;第3d中羽化高峰出现在8：00～13：00,羽化数量为16．5头,占全天羽化数量的66．00％。半闭弯尾姬蜂交配过程大致分为3个阶段：准备阶段、交配阶段、结束阶段;交配后开始产卵,产卵过程大致分为寄主寻找和确定、穿刺和产卵、产卵结束和梳理。     

Leaf surface wetness in sorghum and resistance to shoot fly, Atherigona soccata: role of soil and plant water potentials

In experiments with potted plants, the relationships between soil matric potential, plant water potential and production of water droplets (leaf surface wetness) on the folded central whorl leaf of seedlings of sorghum genotypes that are either resistant or susceptible to shoot fly (Atherigona soccata) damage were investigated. Differences in soil matric potentials in the pots affected the plant water status, which in turn had profound effects on the production of water droplets on the central whorl leaf of the sorghum genotype susceptible to shoot fly. There was no consistent variation in the relationship between plant water potential and soil matric potential of resistant and susceptible sorghum genotypes. However, there was very little or practically no water droplets on the central whorl leaf of the resistant genotypes, indicating that the production of water droplets is not solely the result of internal water status of the plant. It is suggested that leaf surface wetness is genetically controlled and that an understanding of the mechanism by which water is transferred to the leaf surface will enhance breeding for resistance to shoot fly.     

Resistance in sorghum to shoot fly Atherigona soccata: Evidence for the source of leaf surface wetness

Leaf surface wetness (LSW) of the central whorl leaf of sorghum seedlings has been associated with susceptibility to shoot fly. Previous physical and physiological evidence suggested that LSW originates from the plant. This was confirmed by radioactive labelling methods using tritium and carbon-14. Tritiated water applied to the soil of potted seedlings was translocated to the surface of the whorl leaf. There were significant differences in the amount of tritiated water collected from susceptible (CSH 5) and resistant (IS 18551) genotypes. Studies with carbon-14 labelling of sorghum seedlings indicated the presence of (small amounts of) solutes in the surface water that may affect larval movement and survival.     

Biology ofTrichogrammatoidea simmondsi (Hym.: Trichogrammatidae) on sorghum shoot fly,Atherigona soccata (Dipt.: Muscidae) eggs

Experiments were conducted in a rearing room to study the biology ofTrichogrammatoidea simmondsi Nagaraja (Hym.: Trichogrammatidae) on sorghum shoot fly,Atherigona soccata Rondani (Dipt.: Muscidae) eggs. Shoot fly eggs were divided in two groups: 1) eggs < 24 h old and, 2) > 24 h old eggs. Thirty eggs of each group were used in a randomized complete block design with four replicates. Shoot fly eggs less than 24 h old were preferred (73% of parasitism) over 24 h old eggs (7.25%). Three larval instars ofT. simmondsi were observed. Few eggs with twoT. simmondsi exit holes (1.87%) were recorded in > 24 h old eggs compared with < 24 h ones (3.74%). The sex ratio male: female was 1 ∶ 1.47. The development from oviposition to adult emergence ranged from 7 to 12 days (average=9.8±1.31, n=40), and the average life span of male and femaleT. simmondsi was 25±1.46 h (range 22–26 h, n=12) and 35.17±10.9 (range 25–50 h, n=28) respectively at 26° C, 60–65% R.H. and 12 ∶ 12 (L/D) photoperiod. This paper constitutes the first published information on the biology ofT. simmondsi on the sorghum shoot fly eggs.

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Résumé Des essais ont été conduits en salle d'élevage en vue d'étudier la biologie deTrichogrammatoidea simmondsi Nagaraja (Hym.: Trichogrammatidae) sur les œufs de la mouche des pousses du sorgho,Atherigoa soccata Rondani (Dipt.: Muscidae). Les œufs de la mouche ont été divisés en deux groupes: 1) ℧ufs agés de < 24 h, 2) > 24 h. Trente œufs de chaque groupe ont été utilisés dans un dispositif en blocs complets randomisés à quatre répétitions. Les œufs de moins de 24 h d'age ont été plus parasités (73% de parasitisme) que ceux de plus de 24 h d'age (7,25% de parasitisme). Trois stades larvaires deT. simmondsi ont été observés. La présence de deux trous d'émergence deT. simmondsi était moins élevée (1,87%) dans les œufs de > 24 h que dans ceux de < 24 h (3,74%). Le sex ratio male: femelle était de 1 ∶ 1,47 Le cycle de développement de l'œuf à l'émergence de l'adulte variait de 7 à 12 jours avec une moyenne de 9,8±1,31 (n=40). La durée moyenne de vie du male et de la femelle deT. simmondsi était respectivement de 25±1,46 h (variation 22–26 h, n=12) et 35,17±10,9 (variation 25–50 h, n=28) à 26°C, 60–65% H.R. et une photopériode de 12 ∶ 12. Cet article constitue la première information publiée sur la biologie deT. simmondsi sur les œufs de la mouche des pousses du sorgho.

     

Effects of temperature and photoperiod upon adult eclosion of the sweetpotato whitefly, Bemisia tabaci

A series of experiments were conducted to characterize patterns of eclosion by Bemisia tabaci (Genn.) (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae) to their adult stage and to determine how these patterns are influenced by certain environmental parameters. Under a constant temperature of 29.5±0.6°C and a photoperiod of 14:10LD, 90% of the adults emerged from their pupal cases between 0600 and 0930 h (with lights on occurring at 0600 h). Few emerged during hours of darkness. The peak time of adult emergence was delayed when temperatures were fluctuated. Under a series of constant temperatures, a significant inverse correlation was found between the time of median emergence (i.e., eclosion of 50% of the total number of adults) and temperature (P<0.001). No emergence was observed at temperatures below 17±0.3°C. Emergence patterns persisted under conditions of continuous light and continuous darkness, suggesting the presence of a circadian system.

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Zusammenfassung Um das Verständnis über den Lebenslauf von Bemisia tabaci zu ergänzen, wurde eine Serie von Experimenten durchgeführt, deren Zweck die Charakterisierung des Ausschlüpfvorgangs in das Endstadium war und die Feststellung, wie dieser Vorgang von gewissen Umweltparametern beeinflusst wird. Bei einer konstanten Temperatur von 29.5±0.6°C und einem Beleuchtungszyklus von 14: 10 LD (Licht/Dunkelheit) schlüpften 90% der Ausgewachsenen zwischen 0600 Uhr and 0930 Uhr (ab 0600 Uhr mit Licht) aus ihren Puppenhüllen aus. Wenig Ausschlüpfen geschah während der unbeleuchteten Stunden. Der Höhepunkt des Ausschlüpfens wurde bei wechselnden Temperaturen verschoben. Bei einer Serie von gleichbleibenden Temperaturen wurde eine bedeutende inverse Korrelation zwischen der medianen Ausschlüpfzeit (d.h. 50% der gesamten Ausgewachsenen schlüpften aus) und der Temperatur festgestellt (P<0.001). Kein Ausschlüpfen wurde beobachtet bei Temperaturen unter 17°C. Das Ausschlüpfschema war gleichbleibend bei dauerndem Licht oder dauernder Dunkelheit, was auf das Vorhandensein eines circadianen Systems hinweist.

     

Responsiveness to light of the circadian clock controlling eclosion in the blowfly, Lucilia cuprina

ABSTRACT. Eclosion in Lucilia cuprina (Wiedemann) occurs near dawn. The rhythm of eclosion persists in both darkness and constant light of high intensity (490μW cm^-2) with a period close to 24h. The sensitivity to light of the circadian clock controlling eclosion varies greatly according to the stage of the life cycle. During larval life the free running rhythm in darkness can be phase shifted by light pulses of 100μW cm^-2 intensity, with the transition from a Type 1 phase response curve to a Type 0, occurring with pulses of between 1 and 8h. Extending the last light period of LD to 24 h followed by constant darkness resets the phase of the rhythm by 12h, a transition from constant light to constant darkness initiates rhythmicity in flies made arrhythmic by being reared from eggs collected from adults maintained in constant light. After pupariation, the rhythm is relatively insensitive to light. Rhythmicity is sometimes induced by a transition from constant light to constant darkness, but the phase of the rhythm is not shifted by extending the last light period of LD before entering constant darkness. Repeated LD cycles applied after pupariation initiate and entrain the rhythm.     

Changes in temperature, not photoperiod, control the pattern of adult eclosion in the tsetse, Glossina morsitans

Abstract. The timing of adult eclosion in tsetse, an event that normally occurs in mid-afternoon, is regulated by the daily cycle of temperature elevation. If a temperature cycle is maintained, the rhythm of eclosion persists under continuous light or continuous darkness. Artificially shifting the temperature peak to the scotophase results in a concomitant shift in the eclosion pattern. Daily temperature variations as small as 0.4°C are sufficient to establish the rhythm. Eclosion activity tracks the temperature peak, even if the pulses are of short duration (4 h) or with irregular frequencies of 12 or 36 h. The temperature-induced rhythm offers a simple mechanism for separating females and males. Individuals that pupariate on the same day eclose as adults over a 4–5 day period at 25°C, and in such collections, females are the first to eclose. This distinction makes it possible to collect samples of predominately one sex, a feature that may facilitate the collecting of males for use in the sterile-male technique.     

Effect of sorghum resistant to Stenodiplosis sorghicola (Coquillett) (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) on oviposition and development of Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Abstract Helicoverpa armigera oviposition preference for, and larval development on sorghum hybrids with differing resistance to sorghum midge, Stenodiplosis sorghicola , were investigated. When H. armigera larvae were fed seed of resistant and susceptible hybrids in the laboratory there were no differences in larval and pupal sizes or the rate of development. The same result was recorded when larvae fed on panicles on plants in a glasshouse. On some sampling occasions, significantly more eggs were laid on panicles of resistant hybrids in the field. This occurred when plants were in plots and also in a mixed planting. Midge-resistance status did not affect levels of egg parasitism. In a field study using recombinant inbred lines between a midge-resistant and a midge-susceptible line, no relationship was found between level of resistance and oviposition of H. armigera . We conclude that, although midge-resistant hybrids are sometimes preferred for oviposition by H. armigera, the resistance per se does not determine this preference. Egg survival, larval survival, development and resultant damage are not significantly affected by the midge-resistance status of the host.     

Circadian rhythms and the evolution of photoperiodic timing in insects

This review discusses possible evolutionary trends in insect photoperiodism, mainly from a chronobiological perspective. A crucial step was the forging of a link between the hormones regulating diapause and the systems of biological rhythms, circadian or circannual, which have independently evolved in eukaryotes to synchronize physiology and behaviour to the daily cycles of light and darkness. In many of these responses a central feature is that the circadian system resets to a constant phase at the beginning of the subjective night, and then ‘measures’ the duration of the next scotophase. In ‘external coincidence’, one version of such a clock, light now has a dual role. First, it serves to entrain the circadian system to the stream of pulses making up the light/dark cycle and, second, it regulates the nondiapause/diapause switch in development by illuminating/not illuminating a specific light sensitive phase falling at the end of the critical night length. Important work by A. D. Lees on the aphid Megoura viciae using so‐called ‘night interruption experiments' demonstrates that pulses falling early in the night lead to long‐day effects that are reversible by a subsequent dark period longer than the critical night length and also show maximal sensitivity in the blue–green range of the spectrum. Pulses falling in the latter half of the night, however, produce long‐day effects that are irreversible by a subsequent long‐night and show a spectral sensitivity extending into the red. With movement to higher latitudes, insects develop genetic clines in various parameters, including critical night length, the number of long‐night cycles needed for diapause induction, the strength of the response, and the ‘depth’ or intensity of the diapause thus induced. Evidence for these and other types of photoperiodic response suggests that they provided strong selective advantages for insect survival.     

Freerunning and entrained circadian rhythms in activity,eating and drinking in the cat

Abstract

Because cats with pontile lesions exhibit an abnormal behavior that is under photoperiodic control, and because circadian rhythms are implicated in photoperiodic control mechanisms, an effort was made to detect circadian rhythms in the cat. Cats were isolated from all extraneous stimuli in soundproof chambers for extended periods of time. Photocells were used to monitor activity, eating and drinking in different LD cycles, in constant light at two intensities, and in constant dark. Freerunning circadian rhythms were found in the constant conditions, and entrained nocturnal patterns occurred in most of the LD cycles. The higher intensities of ambient illumination disrupted the freerunning rhythms. The freerunning rhythms were always greater than 24 h, ranging from 24.2 to 25 h. Measurements of food intake of cats living in a large colony room, obtained by weighing the food, revealed that a nocturnal pattern of entrainment was not present in the majority of the cats. Instead, most cats in the colony exhibited a random pattern of eating throughout the light and dark period of the LD cycle. However, the variation among the cats in the colony was considerable, extending from nocturnal to diurnal patterns of eating. A diurnal pattern of human activity was present in the colony and may account for the disruption of a basic nocturnal pattern. The presence of circadian rhythms in the cat leads us to consider the coincidence models for photoperiodic induction as possible explanations of the photoperiodic control of the lesion‐induced abnormal behavior.     

茶毛虫成虫的行为习性观察

通过对茶毛虫EuproctispseudoconspersaStrand成虫习性观察表明 ,茶毛虫成虫羽化集中在下午1 4∶0 0～ 1 7∶0 0 ,雌雄蛾比率为 1∶1 40 ,且雄成虫比雌成虫羽化早 1 48d ;羽化的雌雄蛾的平均寿命分别为5 85和 5 1 2d ;雄蛾对性信息素的反应有 2个高峰 ,第一个是傍晚时分 ( 1 6∶0 0～ 2 0∶0 0 ) ,第二个是凌晨0∶0 0～ 4∶0 0 ;雌蛾怀卵量平均为 1 84 69粒至 1 96 47粒。     

Daily body temperature rhythms persist under the midnight sun but are absent during hibernation in free-living arctic ground squirrels

In indigenous arctic reindeer and ptarmigan, circadian rhythms are not expressed during the constant light of summer or constant dark of winter, and it has been hypothesized that a seasonal absence of circadian rhythms is common to all vertebrate residents of polar regions. Here, we show that, while free-living arctic ground squirrels do not express circadian rhythms during the heterothermic and pre-emergent euthermic intervals of hibernation, they display entrained daily rhythms of body temperature (T(b)) throughout their active season, which includes six weeks of constant sun. In winter, ground squirrels are arrhythmic and regulate core body temperatures to within ±0.2°C for up to 18 days during steady-state torpor. In spring, after the use of torpor ends, male but not female ground squirrels, resume euthermic levels of T(b) in their dark burrows but remain arrhythmic for up to 27 days. However, once activity on the surface begins, both sexes exhibit robust 24 h cycles of body temperature. We suggest that persistence of nycthemeral rhythms through the polar summer enables ground squirrels to minimize thermoregulatory costs. However, the environmental cues (zeitgebers) used to entrain rhythms during the constant light of the arctic summer in these semi-fossorial rodents are unknown.     

Resistance in sorghum to the shoot fly, Atherigona soccata: epicuticular wax and wetness of the central whorl leaf of young seedlings

Sorghum genotypes known to be resistant or susceptible to shoot fly, Atherigona soccata Rondani were examined by scanning electron microscopy for differences in epicuticular wax structure and wetness of the central leaf whorl. Two major types of wax structures were observed: shoot fly resistant and moderately resistant genotypes were characterised by a smooth amorphous wax layer and sparse wax crystals while susceptible genotypes possessed a dense meshwork of crystalline epicuticular wax. The density of wax crystals decreased from the third leaf to the seventh leaf stage and was related to both seedling age and leaf position. Water droplets on susceptible genotypes with dense wax crystals showed spreading at the edges indicating a tendency to wet easily. In resistant genotypes with less dense wax crystals the droplets remained intact and did not spread.     

Behavioural circadian rhythms measured in real-time by automatic image analysis: applications in parasitoid insects

Abstract. A video analysis system was developed to study behavioural circadian rhythms in insects. Technical innovations were performed in image analysis and in the use of robotics. In image analysis, both the automatic detection of the insect and the calculation of several variables (linear and angular speed, locomotor activity, etc.) are carried out in real-time, which saves time and allows long-term studies without any intervention of the operator. The displacement of the camera by robotics allows the simultaneous study of many individuals (i.e. sixty individuals for the study of locomotor activity of adult insects, more than 400 individuals for the study of the emergence of adult parasitoids from their host). Four applications of this new device are presented. They deal with circadian rhythms in parasitoid insects: locomotor activity and time variation in locomotory parameters, daily distribution of the emergence and onset of the locomotor activity in adults. The adaptability of the system to several experimental materials and situations is discussed and the interest of the study of behavioural rhythms in the approach of host-parasitoid associations is emphasized.     

The statistical analysis of tidal rhythms: Tests of the relative effectiveness of five methods using model simulations and actual data

Endogenous rhythms in intertidal organisms are often very complex and imprecise. Thus, confusing results are sometimes obtained when applying various interpretive analytical techniques. In an attempt to resolve this problem, ten different models representing typical organismic tidal‐rhythm displays were created and examined with five different inferential statistical techniques. The exercise was designed to test the relative effectiveness of these techniques in detecting the presence of known cycles in the models, and estimating their period lengths. The same comparison was then repeated on sets of animal‐derived data.

All of the five methods had their merits, but, depending on the model being examined, the results from the various methods were not identical. Three of the techniques produce harmonics, making data that contain multiple periods especially difficult to decipher. Often both tidal and circadian periods are displayed by shore dwellers; all five methods were able to find these two periods. But when the difference in circa period length was close, only one technique (array analysis) could make a distinction. This technique was also the only one able to handle data in which the period was not constant. Interestingly, this simplest of methods is probably the best all‐round method of discovery. Many more subtle, but important, differences were also noted, and it is recommended that more than one method always be used to ensure accuracy.     

Circadian rhythms of adult emergence and activity but not eclosion in males of the parasitic wasp Nasonia vitripennis

An endogenous circadian system is responsible for the rhythms observed in many physiological and behavioural traits in most organisms. In insects, the circadian system controls the periodicity of eclosion, egg-laying, locomotor and mating activity. The parasitoid wasp Nasonia vitripennis has been extensively used to study the role of the circadian system in photoperiodism. In this study, behavioural activities expected to be under the control of the endogenous circadian system were characterized in Nasonia. Male emergence from the host puparium is rhythmic under light-darkness conditions while eclosion from the own pupal integument is not rhythmic but continuous. Following entrainment in light-dark conditions, males show robust free-running circadian activity rhythms with a period (τ, tau) of approximately 25.6 h in constant darkness. While the endogenous circadian system is enough to trigger male emergence in Nasonia, light seems to have a modulatory effect: when present it induces more males to emerge. Our results add to the understanding of chronobiological phenotypes in insects and provide a basis towards the molecular characterization of the endogenous circadian system in Nasonia.     

Daily and circadian rhythms in the activity of mixed function oxidases system in rats of different age

Abstract

An age‐associated alterations in daily and circadian changes of cytochrome P‐450‐linked monooxygenases system activity were studied using 1‐, 6‐ and 12‐months old male Wistar rats, in winter and in spring season. Cytochrome P‐450 and NADPH‐cytochrome P‐450 reductase showed 12h rhythm in all investigated age groups of animals. Cytochrome b₅ and NADH‐cytochrome b₅ reductase were characterized by a 12h daily rhythm in 1‐month old rats, but in older ones 24h circadian rhythm was found. There was not significant changes of the rhythm pattern in the activity of investigated MFO system ingredients in rats of different age, between spring and winter.     

Animal activity around the clock with no overt circadian rhythms: patterns,mechanisms and adaptive value

Circadian rhythms are ubiquitous in many organisms. Animals that are forced to be active around the clock typically show reduced performance, health and survival. Nevertheless, we review evidence of animals showing prolonged intervals of activity with attenuated or nil overt circadian rhythms and no apparent ill effects. We show that around-the-clock and ultradian activity patterns are more common than is generally appreciated, particularly in herbivores, in animals inhabiting polar regions and habitats with constant physical environments, in animals during specific life-history stages (such as migration or reproduction), and in highly social animals. The underlying mechanisms are diverse, but studies suggest that some circadian pacemakers continue to measure time in animals active around the clock. The prevalence of around-the-clock activity in diverse animals and habitats, and an apparent diversity of underlying mechanisms, are consistent with convergent evolution. We suggest that the basic organizational principles of the circadian system and its complexity encompass the potential for chronobiological plasticity. There may be trade-offs between benefits of persistent daily rhythms versus plasticity, which for reasons still poorly understood make overt daily arrhythmicity functionally adaptive only in selected habitats and for selected lifestyles.     

Morphological factors of the central whorl leaf associated with leaf surface wetness and resistance in sorghum to shoot fly,Atherigona soccata*

Earlier studies showed that leaf surface water on the central whorl leaf of sorghum seedlings is associated with resistance to shoot fly. In this study, the results of an experiment to determine if leaf surface wetness (LSW) originates from atmospheric condensation or from the plant are described. Morphological structures: trichomes, stomata, leaf cuticle and quantity of surface wax of the central whorl leaf were also examined for their role in LSW production. The results suggest that LSW of the central whorl leaf originates from the plant and is not due to condensation of atmospheric moisture. The presence of trichomes was indirectly associated with LSW and resistance to shoot fly but stomatal density was not associated with LSW production. The amount of wax extracted per 100 mg of fresh weight varied significantly between genotypes and seedling age. It was more in susceptible than in resistant genotypes; however, cuticular thickness was not associated with resistance. It is suggested that LSW could be the result of some form of cuticular movement of water to the leaf surface.