黄绿绿僵菌Ma130821对暗黑鳃金龟幼虫的室内毒力及毒杀作用研究

采用浸渍法测定了黄绿绿僵菌Metarhizium flavoviride菌株Ma130821对暗黑鳃金龟Holotrichia parallela Motschulsky幼虫的毒力,采用室内盆栽拌土法、环施法和穴施法施用黄绿绿僵菌Ma130821分生孢子粉,测定了该菌株对暗黑鳃金龟幼虫的毒杀效果。结果表明:黄绿绿僵菌菌株Ma130821对暗黑鳃金龟3龄幼虫的侵染致病效应可利用"时间—剂量—死亡率"模型进行模拟分析和参数估计分析,侵染效应常数为0. 597。接种后第3天该菌株对暗黑鳃金龟3龄幼虫的致死剂量LC_(50)和LC_(90)的对数值分别为9. 2182±0. 2968和11. 2291±0. 4385。在6. 20×108孢子/m L黄绿绿僵菌菌悬液对暗黑鳃金龟幼虫侵染致病的LT_(50)和LT_(90)分别为1. 5 d和3. 8 d。室内盆栽拌土法、环施法和穴施法施用黄绿绿僵菌菌株Ma130821分生孢子粉对暗黑鳃金龟3龄幼虫均具有良好的毒杀作用,其中拌土法施用后对暗黑鳃金龟幼虫的毒杀效果高于其他两种方法,拌土法、环施法和穴施法施用后对暗黑鳃金龟3龄幼虫的累积死亡率分别为95. 69%、84. 35%和57. 43%,累积僵虫率分别为99. 65%、98. 65%和99. 37%。综合以上结果,黄绿绿僵菌Ma130821对暗黑鳃金龟幼虫具有良好的毒力和毒杀作用,在暗黑鳃金龟的生防制剂开发中具有良好潜力。     

铜绿丽金龟对不同植物叶片的选择和取食反应

在室内测定了铜绿丽金龟(Anomala corpulenta)成虫对不同植物叶片的选择和取食反应.选择反应结果表明:铜绿丽金龟成虫对蓖麻表现出明显的趋性,在配对试验中没有寄主植物叶片干扰时对蓖麻叶片的选择率高达90%,有寄主植物叶片存在时趋向率达60%以上.取食反应结果表明:成虫非常喜欢取食花生、榆树和大豆叶片,取食12 h后的排粪量分别为(37.05±9.30)mg、(35.25±4.72)mg和(16.75±3.18)mg;其次为苘麻叶片;而12 h内取食的蓖麻叶片重量和排泄的粪便量仅分别为(0.50±0.18)mg和(0.25±0.13)mg.因此,可以认为铜绿丽金龟成虫趋向蓖麻叶片的目的不是为了取食.     

白星花金龟幼虫对酵化玉米秸秆取食效果的研究

为探寻玉米秸秆资源化利用新途径、提高玉米秸秆利用效益,本研究利用白星花金龟Protaetia brevitaris Lewis幼虫的腐食性行为,选择其3龄幼虫,用EM菌液发酵玉米秸秆,以每5 d取食量为评价指标,选出幼虫取食的玉米秸秆最佳发酵时间及取食温度;以玉米秸秆发酵饲料为对照,以筛选出牛粪添加量分别为20%、60%的两组发酵饲料为处理,研究了白星花金龟幼虫对发酵饲料的利用率、转化率、消化率以及发酵饲料对白星花金龟幼虫死亡率、生物量增长率的影响。结果表明玉米秸秆发酵时间为25 d,温度为28℃时白星花金龟幼虫取食量最大;白星花金龟幼对玉米秸秆的转化率达到63.82%±30.90%,消化率为22.75%±3.07%,利用率为17.51%±8.50%,显著高于添加的组合;取食玉米秸秆发酵料的白星花金龟幼虫死亡率为5.75%±5.75%,生物量增长率达到11.01%±5.25%,均显著优于牛粪添加的玉米秸秆发酵料;添加牛粪可显著提高白星花金龟幼虫对玉米秸秆发酵饲料的取食量及虫粪产量,可利用白星花金龟3龄幼虫对玉米秸秆进行资源化利用,具有较好的应用前景。     

温湿度和食物对暗黑鳃金龟幼虫存活及生长发育的影响

【目的】明确重要生态因素对暗黑鳃金龟Holotrichia parallela幼虫种群的影响,从而为预测预报其发生提供理论依据。【方法】在室内采用自动控制温度、人工控制湿度的方法,观察温度、湿度和食物对暗黑鳃金龟幼虫存活率及发育历期的影响。【结果】结果表明,20~28℃适宜暗黑鳃金龟1-2龄幼虫的存活,其中24℃时存活率最高,达到74.9%±3.1%;12℃时发育历期最长,32℃时发育历期最短,20℃和24℃下发育历期适中。土壤含水量为7%~19%时暗黑鳃金龟1-2龄幼虫均能存活;其中在7%和19%时,幼虫存活率低于50%,在25%时幼虫全部死亡;在土壤含水量为16%时存活率最高,达到76.4%±2.5%。在供试的6种食物(小麦根、玉米根、棉花根、花生根、大豆根和马铃薯块)中,喂饲花生根的暗黑鳃金龟幼虫存活率最高,达到68.7%±3.2%。取食不同食物的幼虫发育历期差异显著,其中取食花生根的暗黑鳃金龟幼虫期最短,整个幼虫期仅为259 d(3龄幼虫期为227 d);而取食棉花根的幼虫期最长,整个幼虫期为346 d(3龄幼虫期为303 d)。【结论】温度、土壤含水量和食物对暗黑鳃金龟幼虫的存活和生长发育均具有显著影响;在幼虫期调控温湿度及改变其寄主植物结构可有效控制其发生危害。     

铜绿丽金龟气味结合蛋白AcorOBP1的表达和结合特性分析

【目的】揭示铜绿丽金龟Anomala corpulenta Motschulsky气味结合蛋白(odorant binding protein,OBP)基因的表达特征及其与特异信息化合物的结合特性。【方法】通过RT-q PCR测定了铜绿丽金龟AcorOBP1基因的时空表达谱;用原核表达系统对AcorOBP1进行表达纯化,然后利用荧光竞争结合实验测定了AcorOBP1蛋白与56种候选化合物的结合特征。【结果】AcorOBP1基因在铜绿丽金龟卵、1龄幼虫和成虫等特定发育时期表达,在成虫触角中的表达量显著高于其他部位(P0.05)。在被测的56种化合物中,AcorOBP1与53种化合物具有结合活性,其中结合能力较强的为小叶女贞Ligustrum quihoui挥发物水杨酸甲酯和癸醇,解离常数分别为2.10±0.08和5.04±0.59μmol/L。【结论】铜绿丽金龟AcorOBP1结合谱广,该蛋白可能在铜绿丽金龟对寄主植物小叶女贞的定位过程中发挥重要作用。     

安徽省花生田3种常见金龟子灯诱种群数量动态分析

2009-2011年连续3年利用频振式杀虫灯调查安徽省花生田3种常见金龟子成虫的种群动态,结果表明:2009-2011年3种金龟子灯诱总数整体呈下降趋势,且诱捕量为铜绿丽金龟暗黑鳃金龟华北大黑鳃金龟。华北大黑鳃金龟趋光性差,灯诱量低;暗黑鳃金龟和铜绿丽金龟初见日一般为5月中下旬,高峰期为6月中旬,但暗黑鳃金龟比铜绿丽金龟一般晚7-10 d。金龟子出土与气候关系密切,当平均气温上升至20℃-25℃持续数日并保持上升的过程中,暗黑鳃金龟和铜绿丽金龟诱捕量增大,但性比未呈现规律性差异。     

河北异小杆线虫一品系的分类鉴定及其对蛴螬致病力的测定

昆虫病原线虫是一种有应用潜力的地下害虫生物防治因子。本研究利用形态学特征和ITS-rDNA分析方法对从河北省沧州分离的异小杆线虫一品系进行了鉴定, 并在室内测定比较了其对蛴螬的致病力。通过对该线虫侵染期幼虫和雄性成虫主要形态学特征的参数测量, 发现其与嗜菌异小杆线虫Heterorhabditis bacteriophora的形态特征最为相近;同时ITS1-rDNA序列比对和系统发育学分析结果显示其与嗜菌异小杆线虫亲缘关系最近。结合形态学和分子生物学特征, 确定该线虫为嗜菌异小杆线虫沧州品系。该线虫对蛴螬（华北大黑鳃金龟Holotrichia oblita、暗黑鳃金龟H. parallela和铜绿丽金龟Anomala corpulenta 3种金龟子的2龄幼虫）的致病力研究结果表明：处理72 h后, 暗黑鳃金龟幼虫死亡率显著高于另外两种金龟子幼虫 (P<0.05);处理120 h后, 暗黑鳃金龟和铜绿丽金龟幼虫的死亡率分别达到93.3%和80.0%, 二者无显著差异 (P>0.05), 可见该线虫对它们有较强的致病力。不同线虫对暗黑鳃金龟幼虫的致病力结果显示, 嗜菌异小杆线虫沧州品系侵染96 h后, 幼虫的死亡率显著高于Steinernema feltiae和S. longicaudum两种线虫的处理 (P<0.05) , 说明嗜菌异小杆线虫沧州品系的致病力显著高于另外两种线虫。     

暗黑鳃金龟UDP-N-乙酰氨基葡萄糖焦磷酸化酶(UAP)基因的克隆、原核表达及功能分析

【目的】本研究旨在阐明暗黑鳃金龟Holotrichia parallela UDP-N-乙酰氨基葡萄糖焦磷酸化酶(UAP)基因HpUAP的序列特征和功能。【方法】通过PCR方法从暗黑鳃金龟2龄幼虫中扩增HpUAP全长cDNA序列,并进行生物信息学分析;构建pET30a-HpUAP重组表达载体,转化大肠杆菌Escherichia coli BL21(DE3),IPTG诱导蛋白表达;利用qRT-PCR检测HpUAP在暗黑鳃金龟幼虫不同发育阶段(1-3龄幼虫)和3龄第2天幼虫不同组织(体壁、中肠、直肠、回肠、马氏管和脂肪体)中的表达量。利用RNAi沉默暗黑鳃金龟2龄幼虫体内HpUAP基因后,观察其生长发育和存活情况,并测定RNAi 72 h后其HpUAP表达量和体壁几丁质含量。【结果】PCR扩增获得暗黑鳃金龟HpUAP 全长cDNA序列(GenBank登录号: MW676788),开放阅读框长1 461 bp,编码486个氨基酸残基,蛋白分子量约为53.9 kD。系统进化分析发现HpUAP与似牛嗡蜣螂Onthophagus taurinus UAP的氨基酸序列以较高的置信度聚为一个分支。经IPTG诱导可表达53.9 kD的HpUAP蛋白,与预期大小一致。发育表达谱结果表明HpUAP在1龄第1天和3龄第1天暗黑鳃金龟幼虫中表达量较高,组织表达谱结果表明HpUAP在暗黑鳃金龟3龄第2天幼虫中肠和体壁中表达量较高。HpUAP RNAi导致暗黑鳃金龟2龄幼虫生长与行动缓慢,体表颜色加深并皱缩;RNAi处理72 h后,与对照组（dsGFP注射组）相比,dsHpUAP注射组HpUAP表达量下降了93.06%,死亡率增加了40%左右,表皮几丁质含量下降了约29%。【结论】结果说明HpUAP参与几丁质代谢,在暗黑鳃金龟幼虫的生长发育过程中起关键作用。     

不同绿僵菌、白僵菌菌株对铜绿丽金龟幼虫的毒力生物测定

应用五株虫生真菌对铜绿丽金龟的幼虫的感染试验结果,将终浓度为1×107孢子/mL的孢悬液对铜绿丽金龟幼虫进行毒力测定。试验结果为:绿僵菌Ma09、Ma20,布氏白僵菌Bbr06、Bbr17,球孢白僵菌Bb202 15d的感染率分别为20.83%、14.58%、8.33%、95.83%、6.25%,其中布氏白僵菌Bbr17显示了较高的毒力,其LT50和LT95分别为10d、18d,该菌株对今后在花生蛴螬防治具有较大的应用价值。     

A method for rearing the desert beetle Anatolica polita (Coleoptera : Tenebrionidae: Tentyriini)

为了解决深入研究荒漠甲虫环境适应机制时所遇到的各发育阶段试虫材料短缺的问题,本文介绍了饲养拟步甲科鳖甲族昆虫光滑鳖甲Anatolica polita Kaszab的有效方法.将早春季节在野外采集的成虫饲养在2L的塑料烧杯中,收集卵.用玻璃培养皿孵育卵;用改装的盛有沙土的矿泉水瓶单只饲养3龄以上幼虫,以防止幼虫自相残杀.为保持幼虫饲养瓶内的适当湿度,在瓶子底部加入72mL的水,再装入800g沙子,借助毛细现象,形成渐变式含水基质,在最上层的干沙表面加麦麸以饲养幼虫.如需观察计数,可将预蛹、蛹和初孵成虫置于玻璃培养皿中培养.采用此方法饲养的光滑鳖甲可顺利完成生活史,其卵的孵化率为68.67％±2.45％,1～2龄幼虫的存活率为82.95％±7.72％,3～9龄幼虫的存活率为73.80％±4.95％;预蛹、蛹和幼嫩成虫的存活率分别为84.68％±2.35％、88.45％±2.75％和90.56％±4.20％.该方法可以有效实现光滑鳖甲的室内饲养,并可用于其他一些沙栖拟步甲科昆虫的人工饲养.     

空心莲子草叶甲室内大量繁殖研究

为了大量繁殖供环境释放的空心莲子草叶甲Agasicles hygrophila以实现空心莲子草区域减灾, 我们探索出室内大量饲养与繁殖空心莲子草叶甲的方法与流程, 包括用叶片法或苗水培法孵化卵粒、用盒养法饲养各龄幼虫与成虫并供成虫产卵、用栽培活苗笼养法化蛹羽化。在室内成虫终日均能取食、交配、产卵, 产卵前期约4～5 d, 产卵高峰期在羽化后第7～24 天, 每雌平均产卵21.08块, 约570粒。盒养法叶片平均可着卵4.28块, 叶背与叶面着卵量相近; 笼养法叶片平均着卵为1.46块, 卵主要产于叶背。盒养法与笼养法得到的卵孵化率分别为94.02%与92.50%。空心莲子草叶甲除化蛹需在栽培活苗上完成外, 各龄幼虫与成虫均可用离体新鲜苗盒养法密集饲养。初孵1龄幼虫转株（叶）期、3龄老熟幼虫转化蛹苗期是室内大量饲养与繁殖空心莲子草叶甲的关键时期, 高密度成功饲养与繁殖空心莲子草叶甲的最适化蛹接虫量是每株8头, 产卵期雌虫的最适密度是每株5头。     

Laboratory studies of the biology and food requirements ofMacrorhaphis acuta [Hemiptera: Pentatomidae)

Macrorhaphis acuta were bred in the laboratory (25°C) and fed on larvae ofAscotis selenaria reciprocaria. The incubation period was 8.4 days and the mean hatch was 94.4%. There were 5 nymphal instars which occupied 3.3, 5.0, 5.6, 6.6 and 12.0 days, respectively, from the lst to the 5th. Each nymph consumed an average of 22.8 host larvae to complete development. Adults had a mean longevity of 74.9 days and each consumed an average of 67.5 host larvae. Significant reduction was noted in pupation of 5th instar host larvae sucked by adult predators for periods ranging from 4 to 10 mn. The food requirements of 3rd, 4th, and 5th instar nymphs fed on 3rd instar host larvae were also investigated. The conversion ratio varied with the weight of food consumed during the instar and later instars were more efficient than earlier ones. Predatory value did not vary significantly with successive instars.     

二化螟人工饲料研究初报

在温度为(29±1)℃,相对湿度为80%~90%的条件下,分别以3种人工饲料和天然饲料(新鲜水稻茎杆)对二化螟Chilo suppressalisWalker进行连续继代饲养。结果表明,3种人工饲料饲养的二化螟幼虫的生长历期、化蛹率、蛹重、蛹期及羽化率等均与天然饲料的基本接近,而且这3种人工饲料配制简便、成本较低,也不易霉变,是3种较为理想的人工饲料。通过第2代和第3代的继代繁殖表明,3种人工饲料和天然饲料饲养的二化螟的发育情况都稍有下降,但3种人工饲料与天然饲料间不存在显著差异。     

白星花金龟人为条件生物学与应用潜力

本文选取人工饲养的东亚飞蝗虫砂作为白星花金龟Potosia brevitarsis Lewis幼虫饲料、成虫产卵基质进行人为条件下的生物学研究。测定了其在不同温度条件下各虫态发育历期、不同食物下成虫单雌产卵量、不同酵化周期条件下东亚飞蝗虫砂2龄、3龄幼虫的转化力;分析了幼虫虫体和虫砂的主要营养成分;实施了虫砂盆栽小白菜试验。结果显示,白星花金龟适宜的繁育温度为22~28℃,25℃全世代发育历期为126.62(±1.05)d;以11种水果为食料,成虫单雌产卵量顺序为:芒果>菠萝>葡萄>苹果>桃>梨>西瓜>甜瓜>李子>杏>西红柿,最高207粒,最低68粒;东亚飞蝗虫砂酵化周期与取食龄期的最佳对应组合分别为2龄30 d和3龄25 d,折合每转化100 g可增长2龄虫体3.04 g、产生虫砂81.90 g或3龄虫体4.37 g、虫砂74.48 g;3龄幼虫含蛋白质(53.8%)、脂肪(6.6%)、18种氨基酸(44.68%),是昆虫源高蛋白原料;虫砂含有机质(18.72%)和氮磷钾(5.95%)。盆栽小白菜试验表明,1 cm^2施用0.13 g,效果最佳。水果残余物作为白星花金龟成虫食物,东亚飞蝗虫砂作为成虫产卵基质和幼虫繁育饲料,保持适宜温光条件,可以实现白星花金龟周年繁育。白星花金龟虫体和虫砂在生态循环农业、医药等领域具有应用潜力。     

Host rearing is a bottleneck for classical biological control of the cherry bark tortrix: A comparative analysis of artificial diets

This paper describes a comparative analysis of the suitability of three artificial diets for the development of the cherry bark tortrix (CBT), Enarmonia formosana Scopoli (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), to simplify the rearing process for this species and its potential classical biological control agents. The three diets tested included (1) a pinto bean-based diet modified specifically for the CBT, (2) the diet for codling moth, Cydia pomonella Linnaeus (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), and (3) the Singh general-purpose diet. Survival from first instar to the pupal stage was very low on the pinto bean, codling moth, and Singh general-purpose diets (29, 0, and 0%, respectively). Survival was consistently greater, yet still low, for larvae that were reared through the first instar on bark and subsequently transferred to the codling moth or Singh general-purpose diets (5 and 32%, respectively). In comparison, larvae started on the pinto bean diet as second instars had a survival rate of 90%, only slightly below that of sibling larvae from the cherry bark control group (100%). Larval development time was fastest on cherry bark (36±2?days), differing significantly from that on the pinto bean diet (started as first instars: 58±2?days; started as second instars: 46±2?days), but not from the development time of larvae on the Singh general-purpose diet (44±3?days). Pupal weights were greatest for specimens from the Singh general-purpose diet (14.9±0.5?mg) and lowest for those from the pinto bean diet (started as first instar: 12.3±0.6?mg; started as second instar: 12.1±0.4?mg). Pupal weights from cherry bark were intermediate (13.5±0.6?mg). Early mortality, resulting primarily from rejection of the diet, remains to be the critical impediment in CBT rearing. It is therefore suggested that a phagostimulant from cherry bark be identified and included in an artificial diet shown to be nutritionally suitable, such as the Singh general-purpose diet or the pinto bean diet.     

大螟人工饲养技术的初步研究

利用大豆粉、玉米粉、麦胚和鲜茭白等成分配制了大螟Sesamia inferens(Walker)的半合成人工饲料,利用该饲料配方,发展了大螟的长期、继代饲养技术,即初孵-2日龄幼虫在茭白上饲养,3日龄-化蛹在人工饲料上饲养。利用该方法连续饲养大螟3代,幼虫的发育历期、蛹重、幼虫存活率、化蛹率、羽化率、卵孵化率和单雌产卵量等生活史参数与在天然饲料茭白上饲养的大螟相比,二者没有任何显著差异。而且利用该方法饲养,成本低、省工省力,能显著减少病原菌的感染。这说明该饲养技术适于大螟种群的长期、继代饲养。     

光周期对中华通草蛉自然越冬成虫及实验种群幼虫耐寒能力的影响

【目的】滞育诱导期进行短光照处理可影响昆虫耐寒性。为明确光周期对中华通草蛉Chrysoperla sinica (Tjeder)耐寒性的影响, 针对中华通草蛉滞育解除过程及非滞育虫态的耐寒性进行了一系列研究。【方法】测定了中华通草蛉自然越冬成虫的过冷却点（supercooling point, SCP）以及长光周期（15L∶9D）和短光周期（9L∶15D）条件下自然越冬成虫在滞育解除过程中在-12℃下的死亡率, 并测定了室内长、 短两种光周期下实验种群2龄和3龄幼虫的过冷却点（SCP）、 结冰点（freezing point, FP）以及-7℃下的死亡率。【结果】中华通草蛉12月份的自然越冬成虫SCP集中在-10~-14℃之间。SCP低于-12℃的个体占43.70%, 且-12℃处理1 d死亡率为62.00%。-12℃处理1 d条件下的长、 短光周期处理自然越冬成虫, 除处理0 d外, 长光周期处理死亡率均高于短光周期处理的, 且在处理15 （P=0.012）, 20 （P=0.01）和25 d （P=0.001）差异显著。中华通草蛉试验种群相同龄期幼虫在短光周期下的SCP和FP均高于长光周期下, 但差异不显著(P>0.05); 但在-7℃下, 2龄幼虫短光周期下的低温死亡率为67.00%±4.04%, 显著低于长光周期下的低温死亡率（78.00%±1.33%）（P=0.011）, 3龄幼虫短光周期条件下低温死亡率为24.33%±1.33%, 显著低于长光周期下的低温死亡率（53.00%±3.46%）（P=0.002）。【结论】中华通草蛉为结冰敏感型, 诱导滞育的短光照处理可提高其幼虫期及滞育解除过程中成虫的耐寒能力。     

Evaluation ofHadena perplexa [Lepidoptera: Phalaenidae] as a biocontrol agent of bladder campionSilene vulgaris [Caryophyllaceae] in Canada: Rearing and host specificity

Rearing techniques and results of preliminary host range tests are reported forHadena perplexa (Denis & Schiffermuller) (Lep.: Phalaenidae) a candidate biocontrol agent against the weed bladder campion,Silene vulgaris (Moench) Garcke, in Manitoba, Canada. In the laboratory, it was necessary to pipette a 15% honey solution in water into the flowers as food for the adult moths. When reared singly to avoid cannibalism, 56% of the 1^st instar larvae developed to pupae. Larvae fed on a natural diet for 10 days can then be reared on either one of 2 artificial diets. Choice oviposition tests and no-choice larval feeding tests were conducted with plant species closely related toS. vulgaris in the generaSilene, Dianthus, Gypsophila, Lychnis, Saponaria. Species in 4 of 5 of these genera were accepted for oviposition, and species in all 5 genera supported the development of 1^st instar larvae to the pupal stage.H. perplexa should not be introduced into Canada.      

Reproduction of three eulophid wasps that parasitise larvae of the citrus leafminer

The citrus leafminer, Phyllocnistis citrella Stainton (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae) (CLM), is a citrus pest indigenous to Southeast Asia. It was discovered in Israel in 1994. The pest attacks the young foliage of citrus, and damage is caused by the larvae tunnelling under the epidermis of young leaves, leading to foliage destruction. The present study documents basic biological parameters of three exotic eulophid wasps in the laboratory: Semielacher petiolatus, Quadrastichus citrella and Teleopterus sp. S. petiolatus females preferred to lay eggs in the 3rd larval instar of CLM, but did not lay eggs in the 1st instar. Its development ranged from 9 to 14 days. Female longevity was 30.2±5.9 days, its daily oviposition was 12.16±0.68 eggs/day, the total number of eggs oviposited per female was 278.9±74.1, and the number of CLM larvae parasitised was 260.0±68.3. Q. citrella preferred to lay in the 3rd and 4th instar larvae, but not in the 1st instar, its development ranged from 9 to 14 days, female longevity was 40.6±1.9 days, oviposition came to 8.3±0.6 eggs/day, the total number of eggs oviposited was 281.3±64.9/female and the number of parasitised CLM larvae was 276.5±63.7. Teleopterus sp. preferred to lay eggs in the 3rd larval instar, its development required 11–17 days, female longevity was 28.7±3.8 days, its daily number of offspring was 5.2±0.38 offspring/day and with emergence of 138.9±27.7 offspring/female. This knowledge enabled us to maintain high quality cultures for their releases in Israel.     

In vitro rearing of Toxoneuron nigriceps (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), a larval endoparasitoid of Heliothis virescens (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) from early second instar to third instar larvae

The early second instar larvae of Toxoneuron nigriceps, a larval endoparastioid of Heliothis virescens, were incubated in artificial rearing media, supplemented with hemolymph of the unparasitized and parasitized fifth instar larvae of the host, H. virescens. The parasitoid larvae were incubated in both a semisolid and liquid form of the artificial rearing medium, and their growth and development were evaluated. The growth in size (increase in length and width), development (molting), and survival of the incubated larvae were observed for 10 days. The incubated larvae exhibited some level of growth in all nine types of media tested, including the control (without host hemolymph). However, ingesting the semisolid rearing media supplemented with the hemolymph from the late fifth instar (day 5, 7 and 9) parasitized host resulted in 100% of the larvae molting to third instars. Some of the in vitro reared third instar larvae demonstrated behavioral changes that could be interpreted as the preparation for cocoon formation or pupation i.e. oral secretion of a whitish material and lots of twisting and turning; however, none produced a cocoon nor pupa.