Parasitism by the mite Acarophenax lacunatus on beetle pests of stored products

Recent reports of the biocontrolpotential of the mite species Acarophenaxlacunatus (Cross & Krantz) (Prostigmata:Acarophenacidae) and the lack of biologicalstudies on this regulatory agent led to thepresent study carried out under laboratoryconditions. The objective of the investigationwas to assess the host range of A. lacunatus,so far only reported as egg parasite ofRhyzopertha dominica (F.) (Coleoptera:Bostrichidae). Four Coleoptera species ofstored cereals were used: R. dominica,Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) (Tenebrionidae),Cryptolestes ferrugineus (Stephens)(Laemophloeidae) and Oryzaephilus surinamensis (L.) (Cucujidae). The highest rates of eggparasitism were observed on R. dominica and T.castaneum, leading to a significant decrease ofpopulations of both species and reduced wheatweight loss. A. lacunatus was also able toparasitize eggs of C. ferrugineus, but not ofO. surinamensis. These results indicate abroader host range of A. lacunatus thaninitially suspected and also strengthen itspossibility of use in integrated pestmanagement programs in storage environments.     

Plant oils as grain protectants against infestations ofCryptolestes pusillus andRhyzopertha dominica in stored grain

Plant oils (cottonseed, soybean, corn, groundnut and palm) at different dosages were evaluated in the laboratory for their ability to suppress the populations ofCryptolestes pusillus andRhyzopertha dominica in maize and sorghum. Exposure of adults of both beetle species to grains treated with 10 ml/kg of the different oils induced 100% mortality within 24 h. A dose of 5 ml/kg of each oil significantly decreased the progeny produced byR. dominica. Complete protection was achieved on grains treated with 10 ml/kg. These oils also repelled the adults of both species. Percentage weight loss caused byR. dominica in grains treated with 5 ml/kg and 10 ml/kg levels were significantly lower than in untreated grains. Oil treatment did not affect the germination of, or water absorption by, maize and sorghum grains compared with untreated grains. The potential use of plant oils in the management of insect pests in traditional grain storage is discussed.     

我国锈色棕榈象遗传多样性及遗传结构分析

【目的】外来入侵种锈色棕榈象是全国林业检疫性有害生物。本研究旨在探讨锈色棕榈象在我国的种群遗传结构和分化规律,旨在为今后锈色棕榈象传播蔓延控制提供一定依据。【方法】基于微卫星技术测定12个锈色棕榈象中国地理种群在9个微卫星位点上的序列,使用PopGen32、BOTTLENECK、STRUCTURE等软件对锈色棕榈象种群间的遗传多样性和遗传结构进行分析。【结果】12个地理种群中,有9个种群具有较高的遗传多样性(Nei''s平均值>0.5);瓶颈效应的检测结果显示,除云南蒙自的锈色棕榈象种群在近期遭遇了瓶颈效应以外,其他种群近期均未经历瓶颈效应;广西和江西的锈色棕榈象种群在大多数位点符合哈迪温伯格平衡,其他种群在9个微卫星位点中基本都偏离该平衡;12个地理种群在9个SSR位点的F_st值大部分都小于0.18,平均值为0.1769,基因流N_em为0.4332~2.1130;Structure和主坐标分析法(PcoA)将12个地理种群划分为3支。【结论】锈色棕榈象种群间主要的遗传变异发生在种群内部,种群间遗传变异的变化并不明显,大部分种群间存在频繁的基因交流;新入侵地江西新余和四川崇州的地理种群可能由福建传入。中国锈色棕榈象种群可能存在多个入侵源和入侵路径。     

嗜菌异小杆线虫H06品系对红棕象甲致病力的时间效应及对血淋巴的影响

【目的】阐明嗜菌异小杆线虫H06品系处理对红棕象甲血淋巴免疫系统的影响。【方法】采用室内生物测定和生理生化测定法,研究了嗜菌异小杆线虫H06品系对红棕象甲不同虫态的致病力及对血淋巴各项指标的调节作用。【结果】嗜菌异小杆线虫H06品系对红棕象甲不同虫态的致病力与处理浓度和处理时间均呈正相关性,经嗜菌异小杆线虫H06品系处理后,红棕象甲血淋巴总量和血淋巴酯酶均呈前期升高、后期降低的趋势,处理后72 h的血淋巴总量和酯酶活性与对照相比分别降低39.73%和53.36%;血淋巴蛋白含量与对照相比呈下降的趋势,虽在60 h时有一个短暂的回升,之后又迅速下降,其中在处理后72 h,血淋巴的蛋白含量与对照相比下降74.96%。【结论】嗜菌异小杆线虫H06品系的侵入破坏了红棕象的血淋巴免疫系统,本研究结果可为揭示昆虫病原线虫对红棕象甲的致病机理提供依据。     

Projecting population-level response of purple sea urchins to lead contamination for an estuarine ecological risk assessment

As part of an ecological risk assessment casestudy at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard (PNS), Kittery,Maine, USA, the population level effects of leadexposure to purple sea urchin, Arbaciapunctulata, were investigated using a stage-classifiedmatrix population model. The model divided the lifehistory of A. punctulata into five classes,incorporating both, the developmental stages of thisspecies and the endpoints from a laboratory bioassay. Finite population growth rate () was themetric relating population level impact to leadexposure. An inverse relationship was observed betweenlead tissue residues in A. punctulata and. Bioassay treatments which resulted insignificant impacts on fertilization success and zygoteviability did not translate into significant effects on, unless those treatments also negativelyimpacted adult survival. These results paralleled theelasticity (relative sensitivity) analysis of themodel, which indicated that was mostsensitive to adult and subadult survival and wasrelatively insensitive to fecundity, fertilizationsuccess, or zygote survival. Model results indicatedthat the environmental lead levels observed at PNSshould not pose significant ecological risk to seaurchin populations. Additionally, the model resultsindicated that impacts to the early life stagesroutinely used in toxicity testing do not necessarilytranslate directly into impacts at the populationlevel.     

Pseudomonas aeruginosa,a facultative pathogen of red palm weevil,Rhynchophorus ferrugineus

Pseudomonas aeruginosa was identified as a facultative pathogen of red palm weevil. Intra-haemocoelic injection of the pathogen within larvae and pre-pupae was more effective at killing the insects [with a median lethal dose (LD₅₀) of 9×10² to 2×10³ bacteria/insect] than inoculation by force feeding (LD₅₀ of 10⁵ to 4×10⁵ bacteria/insect) or by wading the insects in a suspension of the pathogen (LD₅₀ of 10⁵ to 2×10⁵ bacteria/insect). Injection of 3×10³ bacteria/insect killed 69% of larvae; small larvae were more susceptible (LD₅₀ of 9×10⁵ bacteria/larva) than either larger larvae (LD₅₀ of 10³ bacteria/larva) or pre-pupa. The median time to death of the small larvae following injection of P. aeruginosa was about 6 days but that following force feeding or wading was about 8 days. A secondary invader, Serratia marcescens, had no effect on the pathogenicity of P. aeruginosa but hastened death of larvae by about 3 days.A. Banerjee and T.K. Dangar were with the Central Plantation Crops Research Institute, Regional Station, Kayangulam 690 533, Kerala, India. They are now with the Central Rice Research Institute. Cuttack 753 006, Orissa, IndiaCPCRI research paper no. 870.     

Rapid recovery of an insect–plant interaction following habitat loss and experimental wetland restoration

This study examined the impact of wetland habitat loss and isolation on an insect–plant interaction, and the subsequent rate of recovery of the interaction following experimental habitat restoration. We compared herbivore colonisation rates and herbivory damage by ‘Batrachedra’ sp. (Lepidoptera: Coleophoridae) on experimentally placed potted Sporadanthus ferrugineus (Restionaceae) plants at increasing distances (up to 800 m) from an intact habitat (the source population). These tests showed that even a moderate degree of isolation (i.e. greater than 400 m) from the intact wetland habitat caused an almost complete collapse of the insect–plant interaction, at least in the short term. The number of eggs and larvae of colonising ‘Batrachedra’ sp., as well as average larval size and the proportion of S. ferrugineus stems damaged, all decreased logarithmically with increasing distance from the intact habitat, presumably due to dispersal limitation of the herbivore. Subsequently, to test whether the interaction can recover following habitat restoration, we surveyed herbivore colonisation rates and herbivory damage on naturally regenerated S. ferrugineus plants on experimentally restored ‘islands’ at increasing distances (up to 800 m) from an intact habitat. The rate of recovery of the interaction was surprisingly rapid (i.e. between 196 and 308 weeks). The degree of difference in the density of eggs and larvae, and in the proportion of stems damaged with increasing isolation from the intact wetland, gradually diminished over 196 weeks. After 308 weeks there was no significant difference in the insect–plant interaction between the intact wetland sites and any of the experimentally restored sites up to 800 m away. These results suggest that some insect–plant interactions can recover rapidly from habitat loss with restoration management.Electronic Supplementary Material Supplementary material is available for this article at and is accessible for authorized users.     

60Coγ射线和电子束对红棕象甲雄虫的不育效应

[目的] 红棕象甲在我国的危险性和潜在风险性日益突出,应用辐照不育技术控制该虫是绿色防治的重要途径之一。本研究筛选对红棕象甲雄成虫的射线最佳辐照剂量,为该项技术的实际应用提供科学依据。[方法] 通过室内试验,测定并分析2种射线不同辐照剂量⁶⁰Coγ射线和电子束辐照红棕象甲雄成虫对红棕象甲产卵量、卵孵化率、寿命的影响。[结果] 处理虫寿命、产卵量和卵孵化率都随2种射线剂量的增加而逐渐降低,与对照组具有显著差异。电子束剂量为100、150、200和250 Gy以及⁶⁰Coγ射线剂量为100、140、180 Gy时,卵孵化率为0。对2种辐照射线进行对比,当雌∶雄∶辐照雄虫为1∶1∶6 时,100 Gy ⁶⁰Coγ射线辐照对红棕象甲的防治效果较好,雌雄交配后卵的孵化率仅为2.44%。[结论] 实际应用中应选择剂量100 Gy⁶⁰Coγ射线辐照为宜。     

Ultrastructure of the prothoracic gland of variously aged female pupae of Xyleborus ferrugineus and associated ecdysteroid titers

Summary The prothoracic glands of female pupae of Xyleborus ferrugineus at three ages (0-h, 48-h and 72-h-old) were examined for ultrastructural changes that correlate with high titers of ecdysteroids in the entire pupa.In all three ages, the prothoracic gland cells appear compact with a prominent nucleus. Lysosome-like structures with concentrically oriented internal membrane are observed in both 0-h and 72-h-old gland cells. Mitochondria are abundant in the glands of both ages, and rough endoplasmic reticulum is relatively sparse. Numerous microtubules are present in the prothoracic gland cells of 48-h-old female pupae that contain relatively high titers of ecdysteroids. Rough endoplasmic reticulum also is especially abundant at this age of the pupa. Ecdysone titers, estimated by the radioimmunoassay method (RIA), were 161.04±22.61 pg/mg, 704.25±69.02 pg/mg and 298.72±26.80pg/mg body weight in 0-h, 48-h and 72-h-old female pupae, respectively.This research was supported by the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, University of Wisconsin, Madison; and in part by research grants No. RR-00779, Division of Research Resources, and No. AG-01271, Institute on Aging, of the National Institutes of Health; and No. PFR 77-08279 from the National Science Foundation to D.M.N.We thank especially Jon Gundersen and Steven Schnurrer for extensive and invaluable technical assistance during this research     

Genetic variation and hybridization in SwedishSchoenus (Cyperaceae)

Schoenus ferrugineus andS. nigricans have restricted distributions in Sweden and are almost exclusively confined to calcareous fen habitats. AtS. nigricans sites,S. ferrugineus is usually also present, and hybrids are frequently found. In this report, I used allozymes to estimate the amount of gene flow between the two species, and to compare the partitioning of genetic diversity in each of them. Thirteen loci were analysed at eight different enzyme systems. Seven loci were variable between or within the species. The two species had completely different alleles at two of the seven variable loci, whereas there was overlap at five loci. In all, 22 different alleles were found. Six of these alleles were confined toS. nigricans, and five alleles were confined toS. ferrugineus. Nei's genetic identity was 0.55.—InS. ferrugineus, three loci (23%) were polymorphic, and the average number of alleles per polymorphic locus was 2.0 (each polymorphic locus had two alleles). InS. nigricans, three loci (23%) were polymorphic, and the average number of alleles per polymorphic locus was 2.3.—The proportion of genetic diversity due to variation among sites (G _ST) was fairly similar in the two species, mean over loci = 0.12 inS. ferrugineus and 0.15 inS. nigricans. However, the proportion of genetic diversity due to variation among individuals within sites (G _IS) differed markedly between the two species, mean over loci = 0.54 inS. ferrugineus and 0.17 inS. nigricans. Accordingly, there was a much higher individual heterozygosity inS. nigricans than inS. ferrugineus. — Most hybrids were interpreted as F₁ hybrids. However, a small proportion, 0.5–1.6 %, were F_n hybrids or back-crosses.—On the Swedish mainland, all former occurrences ofS. nigricans are extinct, but viable hybrids are still present at a few sites in southernmost Sweden.     

Influence of Seed Size on Exploitation by the Rice Weevil, Sitophilus oryzae

Oviposition decisions and their fitness consequences for the seed parasite Sitophilus oryzae (L.) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) were investigated. Female S. oryzae lay eggs inside seeds such as wheat [Triticum aestivum (L.)]. Because larvae develop to adult within a single seed, the resources available are determined by the behavior of the female parent and characteristics of the seed in which the egg was deposited. Females were demonstrated to lay more eggs in kernels 20 mg. Females initiated the chewing of oviposition holes in shriveled kernels but were less likely to oviposit in them. Progeny size increased with increasing seed size, but the probability of an adult emerging was not affected. Females accepted large kernels more quickly than small kernels and this contributed to increased oviposition in large kernels. The increase in the number of eggs per kernel appears to result from an increase in number of visits resulting in oviposition rather than an increase in the number of eggs laid during a visit.     

Comparison of the structure of populations of Ascophyllum nodosum (Fucales,Phaeophyta) at sites with different harvesting histories

Changes in the structure of the Ascophyllum nodosum population at Pubnico, southwest Nova Scotia, Canada, at an experimental site subjected to mechanical harvest and at two control sites never subjected to mechanical harvest were monitored from 1991 to 1994. A bimodal population structure measured in terms of plant length was characteristic of all these sites before the experiment. The population structure of the experimental site became unimodal immediately after experimental harvest by machine and remained unimodal for the subsequent two years. However, a bimodal population structure began to appear in the third year. A bimodal population structure remained evident at the control site with bedrock as the substratum but was less evident at the other control site where the substratum is made up of boulders and cobbles. Movement of loose rocks with rockweeds still attached may have contributed to the less distinct modal structure of this control site. Other sites with different harvesting histories monitored in the summer of 1992 showed some interesting patterns. A unimodal population structure was evident in Argyle Sound and Pubnico Point South and at Charlesville, which had been harvested one and two years before, respectively. A bimodal population structure was more evident at Frenchman's Point, which had been harvested three years prior. The rate of change from a unimodal to a bimodal population structure may depend on the intensity of harvest. Extensive canopy removal in intensively harvested areas may be conducive to an influx of recruits and to regeneration from the holdfast. Hence, plant length modal structure may be a useful measure of the relative state of recovery of a harvested population.     

Current state and the future of the crested ibis (Nipponia nippon): A case study by population viability analysis

There is only one population of the crested ibis (Nipponia nippon) surviving in the wild, which has not exceeded 40 individuals since it was rediscovered in 1981. We used detailed data of the annual population size and natality collected by the Crested Ibis Conservation and Observation Station (CICOS) over the past 17years. We were able to obtain a more accurate census of age structure and mortality as all of the fledglings have been identified by leg bands in 1987. Consequently, we analyzed the current state of the crested ibis and predicted its future using Population Viability Analysis (PVA) with the help of the computer simulation model VORTEX (Version 7.2). The results indicated that the extinction probability of the crested ibis was 19.7% in 100years. Sensitivity analysis showed that the extinction probabilities were sensitive to catastrophes and environmental variation, and the long-term existence of the population was dependent on the carrying capacity of the habitat and inbreeding depression. Conservation efforts are critical for the survival of the crested ibis. The prior conservation project involves controlling hunting and predation, as well as improving the life level of these few remnant creatures.     

Ecdysteroids during pupal development of female Xyleborus ferrugineus

Ecdysteroid titers were estimated on the whole body homogenates of Xyleborus ferrugineus (Fabr.) female pupae during development by radioimmunoassay. A distinct peak of ecdysteroids was observed at 36-hr pupal development (743 pg/mg body wt). Titer declined to 299 pg/mg by the pharate adult stage and to 193 pg/mg body wt just before adult emergence. Qualitative studies by HPLC revealed a ratio of 3:1 ecdysone to 20-hydroxyecdysone in the initial pupal stage. Pharate adults had mainly 20-hydroxyecdysone. The observed single peak in ecdysteroid titer agrees with findings in other studied coleopteran species.

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Zusammenfassung Der Ecdysteroidtiter weiblicher Puppen von Xyleborus ferrugineus (Fabr.) wurde geschätzt, indem ganze Tiere homogenisiert und radioimmunologisch untersucht wurden. Ein ausgeprägtes Maximum an Ecdysteroiden wurde bei 36 Stunden Puppenent-wicklung beobachtet (743 pg/mg Körpergewicht). Der Titer nahm ab auf 299 pg/mg im Pharatstadium und auf 193 pg/mg unmittelbar vor Schlüpfen der Adulten. Qualitative Studien mit HPLC ergaben in frischen Puppen ein Verhältnis von 3:1 Ecdyson zu 20-Hydrooxyecdyson. Pharatstadien enthielten vor allem 20-Hydrooxyecdyson. Das beobachtete einzige Maximum im Titer stimmt überein mit den Resultaten bei andern untersuchten Coleopteren.

     

Insects associated with the Sitka spruce weevil,Pissodes Strobi [Col.: Curculionidae] on Sitka spruce,Picea sitchensis in British Columbia,Canada

BioControl - Insects associated with the Sitka spruce weevil,Pissodes strobi (Peck), on Sitka spruce,Picea sitchensis (Bong.) Carr. were sampled at 9 locations in British Columbia. Fourteen species...     

Now you See them, Now you don't! – Population Crashes of Established Introduced Species

Substantial populations of invasive non-indigenous species occasionally collapse dramatically. Although disease is often invoked, the causes are rarely studied experimentally and/or quantitatively, and some collapses remain quite mysterious. The widespread invasive snail Achatina fulica and pondweed Elodea canadensis appear to be characterized by rapid expansion followed by rapid decline. For the former species, disease may be the proximal cause of the collapse, while repeated collapse of the latter species is unexplained. Several other widely cited collapses of introduced species may simply be temporary lows during a more or less regular boom-and-bust cycle. However, on a restricted site (such as a small island), a boom-or-bust cycle may be impossible and recovery may never ensue; local extinction may even occur. In several instances, apparently spontaneous crashes were in fact probably caused by subsequently introduced competitors. Except for the few species in which spontaneous collapse has been repeatedly observed, the possibility of such an event is unwarranted as a potential rationale for a do-nothing approach to management. For such species, even if a crash ultimately occurs, the species may already have caused persistent ecological damage.     

A survey of the natural occurrence ofFusarium toxins in wheat grown ina southwestern area of Germany

Wheat for feed use (84 samples) was collected after harvest from 79 farms in a southwestern part of Germany (Baden-Wuerttemberg). The 1987 crop year was characterized by heavy rainfall in the summer months. The internal mycoflora of wheat samples was primarily fusaria, and storage fungi were rarely present. TheFusarium toxins, zearalenone (ZON), - and -zearalenol (,-ZOL), deoxynivalenol (DON), 3-acetyldeoxynivalenol (3-AcDON), nivalenol (NIV), T-2 Toxin (T-2), HT-2 toxin (HT-2) and diacetoxyscirpenol (DAS) were analysed by gas chromatography with mass selective detection (detection limit: 1–3 µg/kg). Each of the samples contained at least one of theFusarium toxins examined except DAS. DON, ZON, 3-AcDON, NIV, T-2, HT-2 and -ZOL were detected in 96%, 80%, 59%, 26%, 26%, 7% and 5% of samples, with an average of 1632, 178, 7, 9, 82, 10 and 23 µg/kg, and a maximum of 20538, 8036, 18, 32, 249, 20 and 71 µg/kg, respectively. -ZOL (12 µg/kg) was found in one sample with -ZOL (71 µg/kg). One, two, three, four, five and sixFusarium toxins were detected in 6%, 27%, 37%, 23%, 4%, and 4% of total samples, respectively. The most frequent combination was that of ZON with DON and 3-AcDON, followed by the combinations ZON/DON and ZON/DON/3-AcDON/NIV in 22, 20, and 11% of total samples, respectively.Abbreviations 3-AcDON 3-Acetyldeoxynivalenol - DAS Diacetoxyscirpenol - DON Deoxynivalenol - HT-2 HT-2 toxin - NIV Nivalenol - T-2 T-2 toxin - -ZOL -Zearalenol - -ZOL -Zearalenol - ZON Zearalenone     

Isolation of Cryptococcus laurentii from Canada Goose guano in rural upstate New York

Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii are etiologic agents of cryptococcal pneumonia and meningitis, potentially lethal syndromes associated with AIDS. A related species, Cryptococcus laurentii, has recently been implicated in several cases of human disease. Guano from Canada Goose (Branta canadensis), an organism that lives closely beside man and inhabits recreational space in rural and suburban areas, might be a significant environmental reservoir of Cryptococcus organisms in non-urban areas. Cryptococcal organisms were isolated from Canada Goose guano from a site in rural northern New York, with identification based upon colony and microscopic morphology, ability to metabolize l-Dopa to melanin, and positive reaction with a commercial anti-cryptococcal capsular polysaccharide latex bead agglutination test. DNA sequences from five positive isolates were identical to each other, and identical to the ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 sequences of C. laurentii strain CBS7140 (Accession AY315665) across a 511 bp sequence. All five isolates of C. laurentii possess three of the known virulence factors common to cryptococcal organisms that cause human disease: capsule, ability to grow at 37 °C, and laccase activity.     

Production of Xylanase of Bacillus coagulans and its bleaching potential

Summary The production of xylanase from Bacillus coagulans has been studied with respect to the environmental parameters, the carbon source and the concentration of carbon source at the shake flask level. Among the various carbon sources used, wheat straw powder favoured higher enzyme production. Xylan isolated from wheat straw gave higher enzyme production as compared to the birchwood xylan. Maximum enzyme activity of 165 IU/ml was obtained with 2% wheat straw xylan in a shake flask study. Improvement of xylanase production was achieved by increasing the wheat straw powder concentration up to 3%. Enzyme has optimum activity at a temperature of 55 °C and pH of 7. The concentrated crude enzyme was found to reduce the kappa number of enzyme-treated eucalyptus pulp by␣5.45% with a marginal increase in the CED viscosity of the enzyme treated pulp as compared to the non-enzymatically treated pulp.