Schistosoma mansoni: factors affecting hatching of eggs

The effect of light, oxygen tension, reducing conditions and thermal shock on egg hatching in Schistosoma mansoni were examined. Hatching was found to be unaffected by light or dark conditions or aerobic or anaerobic conditions. Cold shock from 15 to 120 sec was also ineffective in stimulating hatching. The reducing agents ascorbic acid and cysteine inhibited egg hatching. However, the oxidized forms of these compounds inhibited hatching as well, indicating that the reducing conditions they provided were not responsible for the inhibition.     

Transient gut retention and persistence of Salmonella through metamorphosis in the lesser mealworm, Alphitobius diaperinus (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae)

Aims: This study was undertaken to determine the retention of Salmonella through Alphitobius diaperinus metamorphosis and its contribution, through defecation, to external contamination. Methods and Results: Insects were exposed to a tagged Salmonella enterica and evaluated for external elimination. (i) Each day for 3 weeks, a filter collected frass from a restrained insect for analysis. (ii) Exposed larvae in a closed container were followed through pupation, and newly emerged adults were examined for their retention of marker bacteria. Conclusions: Exposed adults and larvae produced Salmonella‐positive frass for an average of 8 days, ranging from 6 to 11 days and 6 to 12 days, respectively. Nineteen per cent of the larvae carried Salmonella through metamorphosis and eclosion, with 5% of the pupal exuviae being positive as well. Significance and Impact of the Study: Many sources of foodborne pathogens within the poultry production facilities, including reservoir populations, currently go unrecognized. This diminishes the ability of producers to mitigate the transfer of pathogens between animals, humans and the environment. Poultry management standards accept the reutilization of litter. Alphitobius diaperinus survive between flock rotations on the reutilized litter, and it was demonstrated in this study that the Salmonella they carry can survive with them.     

Selective breeding and characterization of a black mealworm strain of Tenebrio molitor Linnaeus (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae)

Larvae of Tenebrio molitor Linnaeus are edible insects and are approved as a food ingredient in Korea. They are typically yellow; however, rare black larvae have been found in breeding boxes at insect farms. It is not clear whether black larvae represent a different species that invaded and hybridized with the yellow larvae of T. molitor or whether T. molitor shows intraspecific color variation. In this study, we characterized and identified black larvae for applications in industrial fields as well as accurate breeding and management. First, in a comparative analysis, we did not detect differences in the morphological characteristics of yellow and black larvae and adults, with the exception of larval body color. For accurate species identification, molecular analyses (p-distances and neighbor-joining) were performed based on partial COI sequences of 33 yellow and seven black larvae. Genetic divergence between yellow and black larvae ranged from 0.0% to 2.1%, revealing intraspecific variation. A neighbor-joining analysis strongly supported the classification of the two morphs as a single species. Black larvae were separated from yellow larvae and maintained by selective breeding. As a result, black larvae were completely fixed in the F2 generation (F1 = 96% and F2 = 100%). Yellow and black larvae showed no significant differences in developmental characteristics and fecundity. These findings improve our understanding of diversity within an important edible insect species and contribute to quality assurance in the food industry based on clear species identification.     

铜绿丽金龟的室内人工饲养

对室内饲养铜绿丽金龟Anomala corpulenta Motschulsky的方法和主要影响因子进行了研究。结果表明：室内饲养的铜绿丽金龟种群完成一个世代平均为272.3天,3龄幼虫期比田间种群缩短了103.8天。在饲养过程中,幼虫的生长容易受到土壤湿度、食料、病原微生物的影响。卵的孵化率为86.0%,1龄、2龄和3龄幼虫的存活率分别为82.0%、76.0%和60.0%。10和15日龄幼虫在含有马铃薯的土壤中饲养14天后的死亡率分别为8.8%±16%和4.0%±1.6%,明显低于初孵幼虫及5日龄幼虫的死亡率,可以作为生物测定的最佳供试幼虫。紫外线处理的壤土和沙壤土中铜绿丽金龟幼虫可以正常生长,死亡率较低。     

A revised subfamily classification of Tenebrionidae (Coleoptera)

Existing classifications of Tenebrionidae are reviewed briefly. The inclusion of the families Alleculidae, Lagriidae, and Nilionidae in Tenebrionidae is confirmed. The splitting off from this complex of a family, Tentyriidae, by Doyen is discussed and rejected. Various taxa which had been included in Tenebrionidae are excluded, amongst which Syrphetodes, Brouniphylax, Exohadrus, Arthopus, Cotulades, Docalis, and Latometus (=Elascus) have not previously been formally excluded. A new family, Archeocrypticidae, is established and defined briefly for Archeocrypticus, Sivacrypticus, and Enneboeus.

Data from matrices based on adult and larval characters comparing Tenebrionidae with most other families of Tenebrionoidea (=Heteromera) are presented for derived characters in common, and for overall similarity. The families most closely related to Tenebrionidae according to these data are Zopheridae, Chalcodryidae, Merycidae, Archeocrypticidae, Synchroidae, Colydiidae, and Monommatidae; none is very close to Tenebrionidae, which has had a long independent history.

Characters of the subfamilies recognised are tabulated, and interpreted in a phylo‐genetic dendrogram. Phylogeny is discussed in relation to adaptive changes in the biology of the various subfamilies, which are Zolodininae new subfamily, Pimeliinae new sense (including Tentyriinae), Toxicinae new sense, Phrenapatinae new sense (including Archeoglenini new tribe), Diaperinae new sense, Gnathidiinae, Tenebrioninae new sense, Alleculinae, Nilioninae, Lagriinae new sense, Cossyphinae, and Cossyphodinae new status.

Biology, economic importance, copulation, orientation of the aedeagus, and distribution are discussed briefly.

Definitions of the family and subfamilies and a key to subfamilies are given, and keys to tribes are included for the smaller subfamilies. The previously unknown larvae of the genera Zolodinus, Menimus, Archeoglenes, Lepispilus, and Nyctoporis are described in detail. Pupae of Zolodinus and Nyctoporis are described. Keys to larvae include many other genera which were hitherto unknown or poorly known.     

α-萜品醇熏蒸对大麦虫体内抗氧化酶活性的影响

为研究植物挥发性有机化合物α-萜品醇的杀虫活性及作用机理, 本研究采用熏蒸法测定了α-萜品醇对大麦虫Zophobas morio（鞘翅目： 拟步行甲科）4龄幼虫的急性毒性, 并测定了不同熏蒸时间后幼虫体内超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）、 过氧化物酶（POD）和过氧化氢酶（CAT）活性。结果表明： 熏蒸48 h时, α-萜品醇对大麦虫4龄幼虫的LC₅₀和LC₂₀值分别为69.425 μg/L和59.916 μg/L。α-萜品醇（LC₂₀和LC₅₀）处理的4龄幼虫SOD, POD和CAT活性均表现为先升高后降低的趋势。据此推测, α-萜品醇在幼虫体内积累显著影响幼虫体内SOD, POD和CAT活性, 降低虫体内自由基的清除能力, 从而对其产生毒害作用。     

人工饲养条件下眼斑芫菁不同发育阶段斑蝥素含量的变化

【目的】分析人工饲养条件下眼斑芫菁Mylabris cichorii Linnaeus不同发育阶段体内斑蝥素含量的变化。【方法】收集不同发育阶段的眼斑芫菁,通过热碱浸提法提取斑蝥素,而后以气相色谱法检测含量。【结果】在幼虫期,1龄幼虫斑蝥素相对含量最高,2龄幼虫斑蝥素相对含量降到最低点;以后随着虫体的发育,幼虫体重和斑蝥素含量都逐渐增加。羽化后的成虫经隔离饲养,雄虫在羽化后5～30天大量合成斑蝥素,而雌虫体内斑蝥素含量则极低,具有典型的性二型现象;雌雄混合饲养组中,20～30天雌虫体内可以检测到大量斑蝥素,而同期雄虫斑蝥素含量远低于隔离饲养组。【结论】幼虫期斑蝥素含量随虫体发育而增加;成虫期主要由雄虫合成斑蝥素。混合饲养组成虫平均单头斑蝥素含量高于隔离饲养组雌雄虫平均斑蝥素含量。成虫身体各部位的斑蝥素含量以腹部最高,胸部次之。     

Behavioral observation of two fungivorous beetles (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) on wood-decaying bracket fungus Cryptoporus volvatus

The behavior of two sympatric beetles, Parabolitophagus felix Lewis and Ischnodactylus loripes Lewis (Tenebrionidae: Coleoptera), specialists of a bracket fungus Cryptoporus volvatus (Peck) Shear, was studied in Kyoto, central Japan. A sporocarp of C. volvatus has a distinct white volva, and a small elliptical ostiole near the base. Adults of two tenebrionids use the volval chambers of a sporocarp as mating space. Adults walked across closely located sporocarps infrequently on a tree at night (19.30–20.30 h). Field observation showed that the occupancy patterns of the volval chambers in the two species were temporally segregated: Parabolitophagus felix occupied them until May, while I. loripes occupied them in late May to early June     

Influence of processing and substrate variety on survival and development of Tribolium confusum (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae)

Tribolium confusum is a major pest of grains and grain products. Some legumes hitherto not used as major food are gaining interest due to increase in human population and the need of food and feeds. Susceptibility of fresh and processed Glycine max and Cajanus cajan flours, and white wheat flour (control) to T. confusum was studied towards effective storage techniques and cheap insect diet. Ten copulating pairs of the beetle were introduced into twenty grams of each flour. Number of eggs laid, emerged larvae, pupae, eclosed adults, and duration of development of each stage was used as indices of survival of T. confusum. Proximate composition, saponin; and α-amylase and protease inhibitors determined suitability of flours as insect diet. This work discusses the significance of proximate composition and anti-nutrient properties in fresh and roasted processed flours on the development and survival of T. confusum.     

室内条件下莱氏猛叩甲对松墨天牛和黄粉虫的捕食能力

【目的】本研究旨在明确莱氏猛叩甲Tetrigus lewisi老熟幼虫分别对黄粉虫Tenebrio molitor和松墨天牛Monochamus alternatus末龄幼虫和蛹的捕食量的差异,评估莱氏猛叩甲的捕食能力,为松墨天牛M.alteratus的有效治理找到潜在的高效生物防治因子。【方法】于2014年11月在浙江富阳昌东村马鞍山砍下松墨天牛虫害木,通过林间野外调查,明确松墨天牛和莱氏猛叩甲的发生情况;将野外采集到的莱氏猛叩甲幼虫带回室内,分别饲喂黄粉虫和松墨天牛的末龄幼虫和蛹,每天记录捕食量,确定莱氏猛叩甲的捕食能力。【结果】野外调查中,我们在松墨天牛幼虫蛀食的坑道中发现了莱氏猛叩甲幼虫和松墨天牛幼虫被取食后的残体;在采集到1 094头松墨天牛幼虫的危害木内,共采得莱氏猛叩甲末龄幼虫36头,约为松墨天牛幼虫数量的3%。室内捕食实验表明,5 d内莱氏猛叩甲捕食黄粉虫幼虫总量为3.2头,平均每天捕食约0.6头,而捕食松墨天牛幼虫总量为8.0头,平均每天捕食约1.6头,莱氏猛叩甲对松墨天牛的总捕食量显著高于对黄粉虫幼虫的总捕食量(P0.0001);4 d内莱氏猛叩甲捕食黄粉虫蛹总量为5.6头,平均每天捕食约1.4头,而捕食松墨天牛蛹总量为7.8头,平均每天捕食约2.0头,莱氏猛叩甲对松墨天牛蛹的捕食量显著高于黄粉虫蛹(P=0.028)。回归分析还表明,莱氏猛叩甲幼虫的捕食量不受叩甲个体大小的影响。【结论】莱氏猛叩甲普遍分布在松墨天牛发生区,同时发现松墨天牛被取食后的残体,表明莱氏猛叩甲是松墨天牛的捕食性天敌。莱氏猛叩甲均能捕食黄粉虫和松墨天牛的幼虫和蛹;相比于捕食黄粉虫,莱氏猛叩甲对松墨天牛的幼虫和蛹具有更好的捕食效率,具有很好的生物防治前景,是未来松墨天牛治理潜在高效生物防治因子。     

Growth performance and feed conversion efficiency of three edible mealworm species (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) on diets composed of organic by-products

Insects receive increasing attention as an alternative protein-rich food source for humans. Producing edible insects on diets composed of organic by-products could increase sustainability. In addition, insect growth rate and body composition, and hence nutritional quality, can be altered by diet.Three edible mealworm species Tenebrio molitor L., Zophobas atratus Fab. and Alphitobius diaperinus Panzer were grown on diets composed of organic by-products originating from beer brewing, bread/cookie baking, potato processing and bioethanol production. Experimental diets differed with respect to protein and starch content. Larval growth and survival was monitored. Moreover, effects of dietary composition on feed conversion efficiency and mealworm crude protein and fatty acid profile were assessed. Diet affected mealworm development and feed conversion efficiency such that diets high in yeast-derived protein appear favourable, compared to diets used by commercial breeders, with respect to shortening larval development time, reducing mortality and increasing weight gain. Diet also affected the chemical composition of mealworms. Larval protein content was stable on diets that differed 2–3-fold in protein content, whereas dietary fat did have an effect on larval fat content and fatty acid profile. However, larval fatty acid profile did not necessarily follow the same trend as dietary fatty acid composition. Diets that allowed for fast larval growth and low mortality in this study led to a comparable or less favourable n6/n3 fatty acid ratio compared to control diets used by commercial breeders. In conclusion, the mealworm species used in this study can be grown successfully on diets composed of organic by-products. Diet composition did not influence larval protein content, but did alter larval fat composition to a certain extent.     

中华漠王Platyope proctoleuca chinensis(鞘翅目:拟步甲科)对微生境的选择

动物对栖息地选择是复杂的,探索其内在机制对寻求维持动物多样性的有效方法具有重要意义。以古尔班通古特沙漠的地表甲虫优势种——中华漠王(Platyope proctoleuca chinensis)(鞘翅目:拟步甲科)为研究对象,2007—2008年连续2年采用陷阱捕获法监测其在不同生境下的种群数量和洞穴数量,分析该甲虫在景观和微尺度环境下对栖息地的选择。结果表明:在景观尺度上,与垄间相比,中华漠王更喜欢在沙丘上活动,在沙丘不同坡面上,中华漠王在背风坡的种群数量大于迎风坡;在微尺度上,中华漠王喜好沙丘上部的微环境,在背风坡上部种群数量相对更多;洞穴数量在景观和微生境2种尺度上的分布基本与种群数量空间分布一致。此外,中华漠王对微生境的选择与洞穴建立的难易程度有关,而洞穴的建立与土壤质量密切相关,特别是土壤的物质组成及其硬度。     

Biochemical and biophysical characterization of collagen in Tenebrio molitor L. (Coleoptera, Tenebrionidae)

The collagen from the mesenteric sheath of the tenebrionid insect Tenebrio molitor was extracted by limited pepsin digestion and purified. This collagen was characterized using CM-cellulose chromatography, sodium-dodecylsulfate disc-gel electrophoresis and aminoacid analysis. This molecule was found to be assembled from three identical alpha chains and could be represented by the formula (alpha) 3. The amino acid composition is characteristic of collagen (one-third glycine, high iminoacid content), with high content of hydroxylysine and low content of alanine. Cyanogen bromide digests of these chains indicated that they are not related to any of the known invertebrate or vertebrate chains of interstitial collagens. The molecular weight (M = 280000D) and length (290 nm) were typical, and the banding patterns of the segment-long-spacing crystallites (SLS) and of the reconstitued fibrils were very similar to type I collagen. The denaturation temperature (Td) was 30.7 degrees C and correlated with the total pyrrolidine content as observed in other collagens (von Hippel & Wong's relation). It was concluded that the collagen from this insect showed the classical biochemical and biophysical features of other invertebrate interstitial "primitive" collagens.     

喙尾琵甲（鞘翅目：拟步甲科）形态记述及生物学特性观察

记述了喙尾琵甲Blaps rhynchopetera Fairmaire各虫态特征,观察了其生物学特性.实验种群1月下旬至12月上旬产卵,卵期为8～15 d;幼虫期141～213 d,共9～13龄,第9龄以后,龄期较长;蛹前期8～14 d;蛹期12～24 d.成虫羽化24～92 d后性成熟,开始交配产卵活动,成虫期超过18个月.自然种群在昆明和曲靖1年发生1～1.5代,世代重叠严重;以不同龄期幼虫和成虫越冬,越冬幼虫于次年4月上旬开始化蛹,新羽化成虫于4月下旬至12月上旬交配产卵,成虫全年都能活动、产卵.该虫为夜出型、暂栖性土壤昆虫,喜潮湿阴暗的环境.成虫具有夜出习性、防御性和群聚性.     

A nuptially transmitted ichthyosporean symbiont of Tenebrio molitor (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae)

The yellow mealworm, Tenebrio molitor, harbors a symbiont that has spores with a thick, laminated wall and infects the fat body and ventral nerve chord of adult and larval beetles. In adult males, there is heavy infection of the epithelial cells of the testes and between testes lobes with occasional penetration of the lobes. Spores are enveloped in the spermatophores when they are formed at the time of mating and transferred to the female's bursa copulatrix. Infection has not been found in the ovaries. The sequence of the nuclear small subunit rDNA indicates that the symbiont is a member of the Ichthyosporea, a class of protists near the animal-fungi divergence.     

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。     

Compatibility of codling moths Cydia pomonella (Linnaeus) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) from South Africa with codling moths shipped from Canada

The sterile insect technique (SIT) has been successfully applied against codling moth Cydia pomonella (Linnaeus) (Lepidoptera; Tortricidae) in British Columbia since 1992 where the mass‐rearing facility produces between 15 and 16 million moths per week. Due to the seasonality of this pest, the facility is only fully utilized for part of the year. The time and expense of implementing SIT against codling moth in South Africa may be substantially reduced if moths from Canada were sexually compatible with those from South Africa. In addition, because the pome fruit‐growing season in both countries is opposite, the programme in Canada might benefit by maintaining moth production year‐round and selling moths to South Africa. Semi‐field studies in small cages and release‐recapture studies were conducted in an unsprayed apple orchard in South Africa to assess mating compatibility of laboratory‐reared codling moth from Canada and wild codling moths from South Africa. The results suggest that Canadian codling moth males were equally attracted to calling Canadian and South African females despite the fact that Canadian moths had been transported (from Canada to South Africa) for 48 h as both pupae and adults. The data also suggest that at lower field temperatures Canadian moths were more active than South African moths. Results from the release‐recapture field trials indicated that Canadian and South African males were equally attracted to Canadian and South African females. These results suggest that codling moths from Canada and South Africa are fully compatible and indicate that Canadian moths can be used for SIT studies in South Africa. As these studies were conducted with moths from two very different climatic and time zones, it is proposed that populations of codling moth in other pome fruit production areas may also be compatible with the Canadian moths.     

隔离饲养对白蜡窄吉丁成虫寿命和繁殖力的影响

白蜡窄吉丁Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire是近年来发生和危害严重的国际性检疫害虫。为了了解不同饲养条件和种内个体间相互感知对成虫生物学的影响, 本研究采用群体饲养、 单对饲养、 无隔离单雌饲养、 视觉隔离单雌饲养和嗅觉隔离单雌饲养等5种处理, 在室内测定了白蜡窄吉丁成虫的寿命、 取食量、 产卵量和产卵历期等参数的变化。结果显示： 隔离饲养降低了白蜡窄吉丁成虫的寿命和繁殖力, 且不同处理下白蜡窄吉丁成虫的寿命和取食量均存在显著差异（P<0.05）, 但产卵量的差异不明显（P>0.05）。其中无隔离单雌饲养时成虫的平均寿命最长, 为32.40 d, 群体饲养的寿命最短, 为20.77 d, 且单雌饲养的寿命均比单对饲养和群体饲养的长。单雌饲养的3种情况下, 视觉隔离条件下的日均取食量最大, 为156.16 mm², 嗅觉隔离的最小, 为107.35 mm²; 无隔离饲养条件下雌虫的产卵量最大, 产卵历期也最长, 分别为98.33 d和21.33 d。这些研究结果表明, 白蜡窄吉丁种内个体间相互感知的阻断对成虫的取食、 发育和繁殖活动存在明显影响, 且嗅觉在其种群内的交流活动中作用最重要, 其次是视觉。此外, 个体之间的相互干扰或竞争对白蜡窄吉丁成虫的寿命和繁殖力也可能存在一定的影响。这为生产上采用隔离措施如营造混交林带防治该虫提供了理论基础。     

Reproductive traits of Monochamus galloprovincialis (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) under laboratory conditions

The pine sawyer Monochamus galloprovincialis (Olivier) is the vector of the introduced pine wood nematode Bursaphelenchus xylophilus (Steiner & Bührer) Nickle in Portugal, and until recently was considered a secondary forest insect. Under laboratory conditions, a study of biological and reproductive traits of 37 insect pairs was conducted. The longevity of both sexes was similar, being 61.2+/-6.5 days for males and 64.0+/-6.3 days for females (mean+/-SE). Sixteen small-sized insects (22% of the population) died within 20 days and before starting to reproduce. The sexual maturation period (without egg laying) was 20.4+/-0.7 days (mean+/-SE), while the oviposition period lasted 54.0+/-4.2 days (mean+/-SE). The oviposition rate increased very quickly during the first weeks of life, peaking to almost two eggs per day during days 30-44, and gradually dropping in the following weeks. The females laid an average of 67.0+/-5.96 (mean+/-SE) eggs through their lives. The hatch rate was 92.6+/-1.0% (mean+/-SE). There were large individual variations in longevity and fecundity parameters, and principal component analysis based on 16 morphological and biological parameters separated the breeding insects into four distinct groups. Almost half of the reproducing beetles were large-sized insects, with high longevity and fecundity traits. Overall, the reproductive potential of the Portuguese population of M. galloprovincialis seems to be smaller than that described for other Monochamus vectors of the pine wood nematode both in North America and Japan.