The hyphomycete Sorosporetta — Syngliocladium from mole cricket,Scapteriscus vicinus

The hyphomycete Sorosporella sp. was isolated from the mole cricket, Scapteriscus vicinus collected in Alachua Co., Florida. Scanning (SEM) and/or transmission (TEM) electron microscopy were used to study the chlamydospores characteristic of this genus and the conidial production in the alternate state, Syngliocladium. Brick-red chlamydospores, which occur in clusters in insect cadavers, have a fibrous cell wall as revealed by TEM. Pores often occur between walls of adjacent cells. Lipids, including a large central lipid droplet and smaller droplets along the periphery of the cell, are abundant in the cytoplasm. Most organelles were difficult to distinguish due to the density of the cytoplasmic material. Chlamydospores germinate on water or media. On Sabouraud maltose agar, germinating chlamydospores produce a white mycelial mat; synnematous-type growth was sometimes observed. Mycelia may bear conidiophores and ellipsoid conidia.Florida Agricultural Experiment Station Journal Series No. 7789.     

Suitability ofScapteriscus moles crickets [Ort.: Gryllotalpidae] as hosts ofEuphasiopteryx depleta [Dipt.: Tachinidae]

Euphasiopteryx depleta (Wied) flies successfully developed in the mole cricketsScapteriscus borellii Giglio-Tos andScapteriscus vicinus Scudder, as well as in the short-tailed cricket,Anurogryllus sp., after artificially placing larvae under their pronota. Using this technique, no relation was found between the number of larvae placed on each cricket and the resulting number of puparia obtained from the cricket. In all cases, the number of flies emerging from the puparia was small, with females failing to mature reproductively. AsE. depleta has been reared from field collectedScapteriscus spp., the exact reasons for lack of maturation remain unknown.Anurogryllus sp. can be considered a probable alternate host forE. depleta.      

Developmental Changes in the Sterol Composition and the Glycerol Content of Cuticular and Internal Lipids of Three Species of Flies

The glycerol concentration and the composition of cuticular and internal sterols in three medically and forensically important fly species, viz., Musca domestica, Sarcophaga carnaria, and Calliphora vicina, were analyzed. The cuticular and internal lipid extracts were separated by HPLC‐LLSD, after which the sterol fraction was characterized by GC/MS in total ion current (TIC) mode. The cuticular lipids of M. domestica larvae contained seven sterols, while in pupae and females, six sterols were identified. Five sterols were found in the cuticular lipids of M. domestica males. The internal lipids of M. domestica larvae and pupae contained six and seven sterols, respectively, while those of male and female flies contained only five sterols. Sitosterol, cholesterol, and campesterol were the dominant sterols in M. domestica, while campestanol, stigmasterol, sitostanol, and fucosterol were identified in low concentrations or in traces. In contrast, cuticular and internal lipids of S. carnaria and C. vicina contained only cholesterol. Glycerol was identified in all stages of M. domestica, S. carnaria, and C. vicina. For all the three examined fly species, the present study clearly showed species‐specific developmental changes in the composition of cuticular and internal sterols as well as in the glycerol concentration.     

Cuticular hydrocarbons fromVarroa jacobsoni

The cuticular hydrocarbons fromVarroa mites collected in Florida and Italy and their honeybee hosts were characterized by gas chromatography (GC) and by coupled GC-mass spectrometry (MS). AVarroa mite has a hydrocarbon pattern that is qualitatively identical to that of its honeybee host. Mites and all stages of honeybees share a characteristic pattern of prominant alkane components including heneicosane, tricosane, pentacosane, heptacosane, nonacosane and hentriacontane. Adult honey bees and mites from adult bees also have as major components the alkenes 8-nC31:1, 10-nC31:1 and 10-nC33:1, while pupae and mites from pupae have only traces of these alkenes. Coupled GC-MS analysis after addition of dimethyl disulfide (DMDS) was used to determine the location of the double bound in the three prominent alkenes above. The question as to whether the mites simply acquire the hydrocarbons from their hosts or possibly synthesize them was not resolved. No characteristic differences between the hydrocarbons of mites from Italy and from Florida were found. We speculate that the hydrocarbons help the mites avoid desiccation and may help integrate the mites into honeybee colony life.Florida Agricultural Experiment Station Journal Series No. R-02473.     

Entomopathogenic Nematodes, a Case Study: Introduction of Steinernema scapterisci in Florida

Steinernema scapterisci Nguyen & Smart (Rhabditida: Steinernematidae) was established in Florida in 1985 for the control of mole crickets, Scapteriscus spp. Infected hosts were collected in sound traps 23 km from the nearest release, indicating long-distance dispersal and area-wide establishment. In a subsequent pasture study, the nematode dispersed, on average, 60 m in 20 months; dispersal in some pastures was 150 m in 1 year. Establishment was not as successful on golf-courses; however, pest populations were reduced 27% in areas where the nematode persisted. Inoculative applications were successful at 10 of 29 sites in Florida, where sound traps attracted flying Scapteriscus to relatively small numbers of S. scapterisci infective juveniles. The differences in the susceptibility to the nematode for mole cricket life stages and species were determined in laboratory and field trials. The nematode became commercially available in 1993; commercial applications facilitate the establishment of S. scapterisci in many areas of the state.     

Collapse of species boundaries in the wild potatoSolanum brevicaule complex (Solanaceae, S. sect.Petota): Molecular data

TheSolanum brevicaule complex is a group of morphologically very similar wild and cultivated potato taxa (Solanum sect.Petota). This study uses single to low-copy nuclear RFLPs and RAPDs to investigate their species boundaries and relationships. Cladistic analyses of both data sets are largely concordant with each other and with a recently published phenetic analyses of the same accessions using morphology. All three data sets separate members of the complex into populations from Peru and immediately adjacent northwestern Bolivia, including most cultivated species accessions, and populations from northwestern Bolivia to Argentina. The molecular results suggest that the complex is paraphyletic as currently circumscribed. Many species of theS. brevicaule complex should be relegated to synonymy.     

Cuticular hydrocarbon gas chromatography analysis of Argas vulgaris,A. polonicus,and their hybrids

The cuticular hydrocarbon gas chromatography of adult ticks obtained from experimental homogamic and reciprocal heterogamic crosses of Argas vulgaris (Vv) and A. polonicus (Pp) confirmed both argasids to be closely related species, but easily differentiated by several critical compounds. Cuticular mixtures contained variable amounts of n-alkanes, monomethyl-, and dimethyl-alkanes, without traces of detectable alkenes. Specimens from heterogamic crosses synthesized new high molecular weight compounds not detected in parental cuticular mixtures. Data on genetic identity revealed a close proximity of parental adults, but a high distances between and within their hybrids. A relatively high percentage of heterozygosity (32.12% in females and 20.00% in males) of F₁ Pv generation in comparison with F₁ Vp (14.54% and 8.48% respectively) and both P₂ generations (6.66–9.09%) has also been ascertained.     

Steinernema scapterisci n. sp. (Rhabditida: Steinernematidae)

Steinernema scapterisci n. sp., isolated in Uruguay from the mole cricket Scapteriscus vicinus, can be distinguished from other members in the genus by the presence of prominent cheilorhabdions, an elliptically shaped structure associated with the excretory duct, and a double-flapped epitygma in the first-generation female. The spicules of the male are pointed, tapering smoothly to a small terminus, and the shaft (calomus) is long, bearing a sheath. The gubernaculum has a long, upward-bent anterior part. The ratio of head to excretory pore divided by tail length of the third-stage juvenile is greater for S. scapterisci n. sp. than for S. carpocapsae. Steinernema scapterisci n. sp. did not hybridize with S. carpocapsae strain Breton. In laboratory tests, S. scapterisci n. sp. killed 10% or less of non-orthopteran insects, including the wax moth larva, a universal host for other species of Steinernema.     

Agglutinins from marine macroalgae of the southeastern United States

Protein extracts from 22 species of marine macroalgae from Florida and North Carolina were compared for their abilities to agglutinate sheep and rabbit erythrocytes. Protein extracts from 21 algal species agglutinated rabbit erythrocytes compared to 19 for sheep erythrocytes. However, agglutination by brown algal extracts was variable. The agglutination produced by protein extracts from Dictyota dichotoma could be blocked by addition of polyvinylpyrrolidone. Protein extracts from North Carolina macroalgae were also tested against five bacterial species. Three of these agglutinated bacterial cells. Ulva curvata and Bryopsis plumosa agglutinated all five species. Protein extracts from five species of Florida algae were tested for their effects on mitogenesis in mouse splenocytes and human lymphocytes. Gracilaria tikvahiae HBOI Strain G-5, Ulva rigida and Gracilaria verrucosa HBOI Strain G-16S stimulated mitogenesis in mouse splenocytes, while Gracilaria tikvahiae HBOI Strain G-16stimulated mitogenesis in human lymphocytes.     

Nestmate discrimination and cuticular profiles of a temporary parasitic ant Lasius sp. and its host L. fuliginosus (Hymenoptera, Formicidae)

Workers of the temporary parasitic ant Lasius sp. were perfectly compatible with their hosts Lasius fuliginosus. Aggression was never seen between allospecific nestmates in either field or laboratory. In the laboratory, trophallaxis and allogrooming between allospecific nestmates were statistically more frequent than that between conspecifics. These ants were highly aggressive toward individuals of either species from another mixed colony located 1 km away, indicating that they discriminated nestmates and nonnestmates regardless of the species to which they belonged. No aggressive actions, however, were observed between two neighboring mixed nests located 5 m apart. We have not considered, however, the relationship of the two neighboring nests: the two nests may have been two subunits of the same family or sister colonies, or may have been different colonies but discriminated from distant aliens. Gas chromatography analysis on the total cuticular extracts showed that Lasius sp. and L. fuliginosus possess distinct cuticular profiles, even though they were collected from the same mixed colony. Received: December 13, 1999 / Accepted: April 25, 2000     

Exploring levels of egg parasitism and variation in egg cuticular chemistry in different Clavigralla spp.

Clavigralla spp. (Hemiptera: Coreidae) are major pests of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp, Fabacae), common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L., Fabacae) and pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan L., Fabacae) in Africa. Clavigralla spp. egg parasitoids, Gryon spp. (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae), have previously been reported as potential biological control candidates. Little is known about the parasitism levels and their potential relationship with cuticular chemistry of Clavigralla spp. The aims of this study were to determine parasitism levels of Clavigralla tomentosicollis Stål (Hemiptera: Coreidae) and C. elongata Signoret (Hemiptera: Coreidae) eggs, and to explore the relationship between egg parasitism and egg cuticular chemistry. High parasitism levels were determined for C. tomentosicollis by collecting eggs from plants in mono‐cropping and multi‐cropping systems in farmers’ fields in Bénin and Kenya between April and June 2016. Three species of Clavigralla were recorded: C. tomentosicollis, C. shadabi and C. elongata. Clavigralla tomentosicollis was the most common in both countries, while C. shadabi and C. elongata were only collected in Bénin and Kenya, respectively. An egg parasitoid (Gryon sp.) was recovered from egg batches collected from both countries. In parasitism assays using Gryon sp., the incidence of parasitism was higher in C. tomentosicollis eggs than that of C. elongata. Chemical analysis by coupled gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) of cuticular extracts obtained from C. tomentosicollis and C. elongata eggs identified fifteen compounds including ten alkanes of which the amounts varied between the two species. We speculate that Clavigralla spp. cuticular chemistry may serve as potential host location cues for Gryon sp.     

Mitochondrial nucleotide variability in invasive populations of the root weevil Diaprepes abbreviatus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) of Florida and preliminary assessment of Diaprepes sp. from Dominica

Diaprepes abbreviatus (L.) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) is a root weevil introduced into the United States from the Caribbean in 1964. It is associated with >300 plants, including citrus, sugarcane, and potatoes. D. abbreviatus is widespread in Florida, and it has recently been detected in limited areas of California and Texas. The purpose of this research is to evaluate the utility of 16S ribosomal (16S rRNA) and cytochrome oxidase I (COI) mitochondrial markers for the delineation of genetic populations of D. abbreviatus in Florida and for the characterization of patterns of dispersion among these populations. We also assessed these markers as genetic tools for the clarification of taxonomic uncertainties in specimens from Dominica (Lesser Antilles). We analyzed 111 weevils from six Florida populations and six specimens from Dominica. In Florida, we found three haplotypes with only one haplotype in each population. Florida haplotypes differed by one to three nucleotide substitutions, possibly the result of a recent divergence from one source population or three different introductions from closely related populations from the Caribbean. In contrast, specimens from Dominica showed a high genetic variability with three 16S haplotypes and six unique COI haplotypes, delineating two mitochondrial clades. We show that these mitochondrial markers are useful for phylogeographic studies of D. abbreviatus.     

Characterization of an iridovirus isolated from the southern mole cricket,Scapteriscus vicinus

A new iridovirus has been detected from diseased southern mole crickets, Scapteriscus acletus, collected in Brazil during the spring of 1986. This icosahedral virus measuring 146 nm (side-side) to 172 nm (apex-apex) has been purified via Ficoll gradient centrifugation and demonstrated to be infectious to 1st instar Scapteriscus vicinus nymphs. The cytopathology of this virus is typical of the pattern documented for other iridovirus isolates. Characterization of the structural polypeptides by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis revealed an array of 3 major and 17 minor polypeptides ranging in molecular weight from 15.1 to 152.0 kDa. Electrophoresis in agarose gels of purified DNA revealed a single band of high molecular weight. Analysis of various restriction endonuclease (REN) digests of this DNA demonstrated it to have an approximate molecular weight of 144 kilobase pairs. Based on differences in the polypeptide profile and REN profiles we believe this virus is distinct from previously characterized invertebrate iridovirus isolates.     

Chemical and behavioral analysis of the cuticular hydrocarbons from Asian citrus psyllid,Diaphorina citri

Huanglongbing (HLB) is the most destructive disease of citrus worldwide. The Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (Hemiptera: Psyllidae), is the vector of the phloem‐inhabiting bacterium, Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus, which is presumed to cause HLB in Florida citrus. Laboratory and field studies were conducted to examine the behavioral responses of male and female D. citri to their cuticular extracts. In olfactometer assays, more male D. citri were attracted to one, five, or 10 female cuticular extract equivalent units than blank controls. The results were confirmed in field studies in which clear or yellow traps baited with 10 female cuticular extract equivalent units attracted proportionately more males than clear traps baited with male cuticular extract or unbaited traps. Analyses of cuticular constituents of male and female D. citri revealed differences between the sexes in chemical composition of their cuticular extracts. Laboratory bioassays with synthetic chemicals identified from cuticular extracts indicated that dodecanoic acid attracted more males than clean air. Traps baited with dodecanoic acid did not increase total catch of D. citri as compared with blank traps at the dosages tested; however, the sex ratio of psyllid catch was male biased on traps baited with the highest lure loading dosage tested (10.0 mg).     

Wearing a raincoat: exocrine secretions contain anti-wetting agents in the oribatid mite, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Liacarus subterraneus</Emphasis> (Acari: Oribatida)

Liacarus subterraneus is a large, soil-dwelling oribatid mite species that possesses a conspicuously shiny, clean and not wettable cuticular surface. The exocrine cuticular chemistry of this species was investigated by means of gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. Besides a fraction of hydrocarbons and a terpene, hexane extracts of whole mite bodies exhibited free carboxylic acids and their glycerides as main components. The compounds were arranged in three distinct extract profiles. Based on data from individual extracts, (1) the majority (more than 3/4) of specimens showed large amounts of 1,2-dioctanoyl-glycerol (and three other related esters) but no (or only traces of) free carboxylic acids. (2) In about 1/8 of extracts, free acids (mainly octanoic (caprylic) acid) and glycerides were detected. This second type of profile highly varied with respect to the relative abundance of acids and esters. (3) The third profile (in about 7% of specimens) exclusively exhibited free acids and no (or only traces of) glycerides. In addition, a few extracts exhibited no components at all. The extract compounds most likely originate from the lipid layer of the cerotegument of L. subterraneus. The cuticle of individuals that possessed extractable cerotegumental compounds (profile I, II, III) exhibited strong water repellent properties, while the cuticle of individuals that possessed no components in their extract did not. After hexane extraction, water repellent properties got lost. The distinct extract profiles detected most likely portray the stepwise generation of an anti-wetting, exocrine surface lipid layer of glycerides: If this layer is lost, fatty acids may be discharged again (profile III) and may subsequently esterify (profile II) to larger and more stable esters (diacyl-glycerols), eventually building up the “raincoat” (mainly profile I) of L. subterraneus.     

Chromatographic and Biological Screening of Chosen Species of Schisandraceae Family: Schisandra chinensis,S. rubriflora,S. sphenanthera,S. henryi and Kadsura japonica

HPLC and TLC profiling was carried out for leaf and fruit extracts of five Schisandraceae species: Schisandra chinensis, S. rubriflora, S. spehenanthera, S. henryi and Kadsura japonica. HPLC measurements confirmed presence of lignans and phenolic compounds in fruits and leaves of all tested species. The most abundant in lignans was S. chinensis fruit extract in which 15 compounds were detected (e. g.: schisandrol A, schisanhenol, γ-schisandrin, gomisin N). The effect-directed detection, i. e., TLC-direct bioautography against Bacillus subtilis, showed exceptionally high activity for S. chinensis and S. rubriflora fruit extracts. On the other hand, TLC-DB enzyme tests (α-glucosidase, lipase, tyrosinase and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibition assays) showed that all fruit and leaf extracts have ability to inhibit the above-mentioned enzymes (except for the K. japonica fruit). The leaf extracts showed much stronger antioxidant activity than the fruit ones, which were assessed and compared using both TLC-direct bioautography and spectrophotometric measurements based on ABTS, DPPH and FRAP tests.     

Pathogenicity of Steinernema scapterisci to Selected Invertebrates

Steinernema scapterisci was more pathogenic to insects tested in the order Orthoptera than to those in the orders Lepidoptera or Hymenoptera; it was not pathogenic to earthworms. The nematode also infected and killed the mole crickets Scapteriscus acletus and S. vicinus when released four successive times at 10-day intervals in containers of soil infested with the nematode.     

On Barbula munyensis R.S.Williams (Pottiaceae), an overlooked species from the tropical montane forest of South America

Abstract

Barbula munyensis R.S.Williams, a neglected moss species known only from the type material collected in central Peru in 1923, is newly reported for the moss floras of Argentina and Bolivia. The species is described, illustrated, mapped, and its habitat preferences are provided. Diagnostic characters and differentiation from some closely related South American taxa, with which it may be confused, are discussed. Barbula orizabensis Müll.Hal., a similar taxon, is excluded from the South American moss flora.     

The antifungal activity of fatty acids of all stages of Sarcophaga carnaria L. (Diptera: Sarcophagidae)

Fatty acids as components of cuticular lipids of insects play a significant role in antifungal in protection against fungal infection. The chemical composition of cuticular and internal extracts obtained from all developmental stages of flesh flies Sarcophaga carnaria was identified. The fatty acids were detected using gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry and the most abundant for all examined stages were: 18:1 > 16:0 > 16:1 > 18:0 > 18:2. Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) C20 were found in both, cuticular and internal extracts. GC–MS analysis showed higher relative content of PUFA in adults than in preimaginal stages.Fatty acids alone as well as their cuticular and internal extracts obtained from larvae, pupae male and female of S. carnaria were tested according to their potential antimicrobial activity against entomopathogenic fungi: Paecilomyces lilacinus, Paecilomyces fumosoroseus, Lecanicillium lecanii, Metarhizium anisopliae, Beauveria bassiana (Tve-N39) and B. bassiana (Dv-1/07). FA presented diverse antimicrobial activity depending on the length of the chain and the presence of unsaturated bonds. Short chain and unsaturated FA (6:0, 11:0, 13:0) have shown significantly stronger activity against fungi but they were detected in lower concentrations. PUFA inhibit fungal growth more effectively than unsaturated long chain fatty acids. Cuticular and internal extracts of all living forms of S. carnaria exhibited approximately equal activity against tested entomopathogenic fungi. We presumed that the most abundant saturated long chain FA and additionally PUFA founded in our analysis are involved in protecting the flies against fungal infection.     

Cuticular extracts inducing aggregation in the German cockroach,Blattella germanica (L.)

German cockroaches Blattella germanica (L.) are gregarious insects. An aggregation pheromone contributes to the maintenance of aggregates. Choice experiments checked the efficiency of different solvents, i.e. dichloromethane, methanol and pentane, in extracting attractive substances and compared the attractiveness of extracts of different parts of the body. Dichloromethane and pentane were the most efficient solvents tested for extracting the attractive substances. Methanol whole body extracts appeared inefficient to induce aggregation. The proportion of larvae attracted to conditioned papers decreased in relation to the size of cuticular surface washed, from whole body to half-body and again to a section of the body cut in three. Attractive substances appear to be present on all parts of the body. Chemical analysis by gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) showed that the active extracts contained only cuticular hydrocarbons. In addition to behavioural tests, differences between the composition of methanol extracts and that of the extracts for the other two solvents were revealed by GC. These results indicated that the cuticular hydrocarbons operate as an aggregation pheromone in Blattella germanica.