Behavior of symbionts during oogenesis and early stages of development in the German cockroach, Blattella germanica (Blattodea)

In this paper, adaptations and microanatomic changes in the branchial chamber, as well as influence of parasitosis on the reproductive function of shrimp, are analyzed. Probopyrus cf. oviformis was observed in the branchial chamber of shrimps of both sexes, with an infestation rate of 29%. The infestation frequency in relation to sex and size was not uniform, and two trends were observed: a higher frequency in bigger males in contrast to females, with less infestation frequency in older individuals. This aspect was related to changes in the sex ratio of shrimps, infested and noninfested, with the following conclusions: (1) Sexual inversions were not observed in females of P. argentinus; (2) male infestation with P. cf. oviformis showed tertiary sexual rate bias. It occurred because the metabolic parasite-host relationship led to an increase in size. These infested males were incorporated into a normal population characterized by females being bigger than males. The morphological and functional changes observed were (1) branchial chamber reduction, slendering of the cephalothorax lateral wall, together with local injury (oxygen consumption was below the normal values; and (2) the ovaries of infested females of P. argentinus remained stationary in incipient maturity (secondary vitellogenesis was not observed).     

Comparisons of morphology and esterase levels between Blattella germanica and Blattella nipponica (Blattodea: Blattellidae)

The habitat of the cockroach varies by species. The German cockroach, Blattella germanica, lives in human dwellings, while the Japanese field roach, Blattella nipponica, lives in a mountainous region. Based on phylogenetic analysis of mtCOI, the two species are closely related to each other and B. germanica is divergent from wild species such as B. nipponica. Their habitats and walking speed differ even though the two species have similar morphology. We hypothesized that habitats might influence walking speed by changes to appendage morphology and enzyme‐based physiological differences. We compared the length of the appendages and differences in a multifunctional enzyme superfamily, the esterases (EST, EC 3.1), including acetylcholinesterase (AChE, EC 3.1.1.7), which is related to central nervous system function. We found that phenotypes such as appendage length and esterase isozyme expression were clearly different between the two species. These differences might be responsible for the observed difference in walking speed.     

Fine Structure of the Fat Body and its Bacteroids in Blattella germanica (Blattodea)

The abdominal fat body of the cockroach Blattella germanica contains three characteristic cell types—trophocytes, bacteriocytes and urate cells—which have been investigated by electron microscopy. The trophocytes are rich in lipid droplets of different sizes; glycogen, rough endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria are also abundant. In females immediately after eclosion, the trophocytes contain a greater number of lipid droplets, some of which have different electron density; glycogen and cytoplasmic organelles are clearly reduced. The bacteriocytes hold rod-like and spherical bacteroids, which are encapsulated by a vacuolar membrane; they show a thin cytoplasmic membrane and an evident cell wall surrounded by a membrane-like outer envelope. The bacteroids appear to be dividing either by transverse partition or by budding. The urate cells, adjacent to the bacteriocytes, are characterized by complex urate vacuoles delimited by a double layer-structure.     

德国小蠊两个海藻糖合成酶基因的克隆、组织分布及温度诱导表达分析

【目的】海藻糖合成酶（trehalose-6-phosphate synthase, TPS）是参与昆虫血糖-海藻糖合成的关键酶。本研究旨在克隆德国小蠊 Blattella germanica TPS基因,研究TPS基因在德国小蠊不同组织中的表达模式及在不同温度处理下的表达情况。【方法】通过RACE技术克隆德国小蠊TPS基因全长序列,利用荧光定量PCR的方法检测TPS基因在德国小蠊5龄幼虫不同组织中的表达模式及在高温(40℃和46℃处理30 min)及低温(0℃和10℃处理1 h)逆境下的表达量变化。【结果】从德国小蠊中克隆获得2个TPS基因,分别命名为 BgTPS1 (GenBank登录号：KR050213) 和 BgTPS2 (GenBank登录号：KR050214)。其中,BgTPS1基因cDNA序列全长2 987 bp,开放阅读框 (ORF) 2 502 bp,编码833个氨基酸;BgTPS2基因cDNA序列全长3 212 bp,开放阅读框2 469 bp,编码822个氨基酸。BgTPS1和BgTPS2基因都主要在5龄幼虫脂肪体中表达,且BgTPS2基因的表达量为BgTPS1基因表达量的3.9倍。在两种不同极端温度诱导下,BgTPS1和BgTPS2基因mRNA均上调表达。其中,BgTPS2 的表达量始终显著高于 BgTPS1。在0℃时,BgTPS1和BgTPS2的表达量最高。【结论】德国小蠊5龄幼虫中存在2个TPS基因。两个TPS基因均在脂肪体中高表达,且BgTPS2基因的表达量显著高于BgTPS1基因;低温和高温诱导下均能促进两个基因的表达量上升。该结果为进一步明确昆虫海藻糖的合成途径及其在昆虫对温度逆境的反应中的作用研究奠定了基础。     

Expression and activity of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA synthase and reductase in the fat body of ovariectomized and allatectomized Blattella germanica

Abstract. . 3-Hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA (HMG-CoA) synthase and HMG-CoA reductase show coordinated regulation in the fat body of Blattella germanica females. Since the profile of activity is parallel to the cycle of vitellogenin production, we postulated a link between the mevalonate pathway and vitellogenesis. Here we have studied both enzymes in females of B.germanica modified by ovariectomy (which leads to a saturable accumulation of vitellogenin) and allatectomy (which supresses vitellogenesis). Protein levels and enzymatic activity for both enzymes in ovariectomized specimens rose early in the first days of imaginal life and remained high until the end of the period studied, whereas controls showed cyclic profiles. In allatectomized specimens the same parameters were measured on day 4 of adult life and values were much lower with respect to controls. The parallelism between the patterns of HMG-CoA synthase and reductase, and that of vitellogenin, suggests a functional relationship between the mevalonate pathway and the glycosylation of vitellogenin through dolichol intermediates.     

Resistance of the German cockroach (Blattella germanica) to bendiocarb

Two field strains of the German cockroach Blattella germanica (L.) were collected in England from survivors of treatments with bendiocarb wettable powder, and bred in the laboratory. These and a laboratory susceptible strain were compared by a tarsal contact method to test for resistance to bendiocarb, fenitrothion and dieldrin. The field strains after exposure to the insecticide for 24 h were resistant to bendiocarb in terms of mortality by factors of 5.6 and 6.2 at the LC₅₀ level, but at the LC₉₅ level the resistance factors were only 1.7 and 2.0; however knockdown resistance was detected, with resistance factors at the KD₅₀ level of 10.6 and 8.1. At shorter exposure times of 5 min and 60 min, 2–20% of cockroaches from the field strains survived 55 or 110 mg bendiocarb/m²; there were no survivors from the susceptible strain. Some cockroaches from the field strains were able to recover from knockdown after and during exposure to 110 mg bendiocarb/m². Both field strains showed some resistance to dieldrin; however, there was no resistance to fenitrothion. When all three strains were exposed to 55 mg fenitrothion/m² for 5 min, all the insects were knocked down within 3 h, and all had died within 96 h. There was no recovery from knockdown to fenitrothion or dieldrin.     

Differential susceptibility of adults and nymphs of Blattella germanica (L.) (Blattodea: Blattellidae) to infection by Metarhizium anisopliae and assessment of delivery strategies

Microbial insecticides for cockroach control, such as those containing entomopathogenic fungi, may be an alternative to reduce contamination by chemicals in housing and food storage environments. Virulence of isolate ESALQ1037 belonging to the Metarhizium anisopliae complex against nymphs and adults of Blattella germanica (L.), and its infectivity following exposure of insects to a contaminated surface or to M. anisopliae-bait were determined under laboratory conditions. Estimated LD50 15 d following topical inoculation was 2.69 x 10(5) conidia per adult, whereas for nymphs the maximum mortality was lower than 50%. Baits amended with M. anisopliae conidia had no repellent effect on targets; adult mortality was inferior to 25%, and nymphs were not susceptible. All conidia found in the digestive tract of M. anisopliae-bait fed cockroaches were unviable, and bait-treated insects that succumbed to fungal infection showed a typical mycelial growth on mouthparts and front legs, but not on the hind body parts. As opposed to baits, the use of a M. anisopliae powdery formulation for surface treatment was effective in attaining high mortality rates of B. germanica. Both nymphs and adults were infected when this delivery strategy was used, and mycelia growth occurred all over the body surface. Our results suggest that the development of powders or similar formulations of M. anisopliae to control B. germanica may provide faster and better results than some of the strategies based on baits currently available.     

Effects of the synergists piperonyl butoxide and S,S,S-tributyl phosphorotrithioate on propoxur pharmacokinetics in Blattella germanica (Blattodea: Blattellidae).

Effects of the synergists piperonyl butoxide (PBO) and S,S,S-tributyl phosphorotrithioate (DEF) on propoxur pharmacokinetics were examined in the German cockroach, Blattella germanica (L.). Treatment of adult male German cockroaches with the cytochrome P450 monooxygenase inhibitor, PBO, or the esterase inhibitor, DEF, increased propoxur toxicity by 2- and 6.8-fold, respectively, implicating hydrolysis as a major detoxification route of propoxur in the German cockroach. However, significant hydrolytic metabolism could not be demonstrated conclusively in vitro resulting in a conflict between in situ bioassay data and in vitro metabolic studies. In vitro propoxur metabolism with NADPH-fortified microsomes produced at least nine metabolites. Formation of metabolites was NADPH-dependent; no quantifiable metabolism was detected with cytosolic fractions. However, microsomal fractions lacking an NADPH source did produce a low, but detectable, quantity of metabolites (1.6 pmol). PBO inhibited NADPH-dependent propoxur metabolism in a dose-dependent fashion, implicating cytochrome P450 monooxygenases as the enzyme system responsible for the metabolism. Interestingly, DEF also inhibited the NADPH-dependent metabolism of propoxur, albeit to a lower extent. Treatment with PBO or DEF also caused a significant reduction in the cuticular penetration rate of propoxur. The data demonstrate that unanticipated effects are possible with synergists and that caution must be exercised when interpreting synergist results.     

Yolk hydrolase activities associated with polypeptide and oligosaccharide processing of Blattella germanica vitellin

Various aspects of the processing of Blattella germanica vitellin (Vt) in the oocyte and egg have been investigated. Employing subunit specific antibodies, the precursor product relationships among the subunits of this Vt have been determined. After endocytosis of Vt by the oocyte, the M_r 160,000 subunit Vt is cleaved to products of M_r 95,000 and M_r 50,000. In association with an unprocessed M_r 102,000 peptide, these form the subunits of the Vt of freshly ovulated eggs. Between 4 and 5 days post ovulation (at 30°C), all three subunits of Vt are again processed proteolytically before use by the embryo. Although Vt's high mannose-type oligosaccharides are trimmed during embryogenesis, their modification occurs subsequent to the day 4–5 proteolysis, precluding the possibility that changes in oligosaccharide content or structure contribute to regulating this second proteolytic event. Although the predominant oligosaccharide of Vt is Man₉GlCNAc₂, the M_r 50,000 subunit of egg-borne Vt contains a much higher proportion of Man₆GlCNAc₂ than the other two subunits; therefore, this portion of the precursor vitellogenin must be more accessible to the processing mannosidases of the endoplasmic reticulum during its biosynthesis. A microtechnique for aspirating the yolk from individual eggs in an oothecapermits its isolation free of contamination by embryonic tissue. With this procedure, the specific activity profiles of exo-α-mannosidase, exp-β-N-acetylglucosaminidase, α-glucosidase and acid phosphatase were monitored during the first 6 days after ovulation, and some of their properties were also determined. Expression of the acid phosphatase and exo-β-N-acetyl-glucosaminidase activities coincide with the day 4–5 proteolysis, while α-mannosidase remains relatively constant throughout the first 6 days. Functions for these enzymes and the oligosaccharides of Vt during Vt storage and utilization are proposed.     

德国小蠊全基因组中微卫星分布规律

【目的】分析德国小蠊 Blattella germanica 全基因组中微卫星的数量和分布规律,并对外显子中含有微卫星的基因进行功能注释。【方法】使用微卫星搜索软件查找德国小蠊基因组中微卫星的数量、重复次数以及所有微卫星的位置信息,编写Python脚本对微卫星进行定位,并通过Blast2Go和KASS程序对外显子中含有微卫星的基因进行功能注释。【结果】共找到1~6碱基重复类型的微卫星序列604 386个,总长度15 301 255 bp,约占全基因组序列（约2.04 Gb）的0.75%,分布频率为1/3.37 kb,微卫星序列的长度主要在12~60个碱基长度范围内。不同类型的微卫星中,三碱基（226 876）重复类型微卫星数量最多,占微卫星总数的37.54%;四碱基（150 355）重复类型次之,占微卫星总数的24.88%;其余依次是单碱基（141 167）、二碱基（60 877）、五碱基（21 570）和六碱基（3 541）重复类型,分别占微卫星总数的23.36%, 10.07%, 3.57%和0.59%。出现最多的重复拷贝类别有：ATT, AAT, A, T, AAAT, ATTT和AT,共411 789个微卫星,占微卫星总数的68.13%,这7种类别的微卫星数量均大于30 000个。共有2 372个微卫星在外显子上,它们分别位于1 481个基因上。GO功能注释结果表明,其中434条归类于细胞组分(cellular component),402条归类于分子功能(molecular function),660条归类于生物学过程(biological process)。KEGG通路分析结果表明,与新陈代谢相关的基因最多（380个）,其次是与机体系统相关的（276个）,与遗传信息进程相关的基因最少（92个）。【结论】本研究为进一步系统深入分析德国小蠊微卫星功能及微卫星分子标记筛选打下了基础。     

Longterm persistence of proteolytic activities in frass of Blattella germanica increases its allergenic potential

Chromogenic microplate assays in 96 wells were used to determine the stability of enzyme activity in frass of Blattella germanica (Blattodea: Blattellidae). Frass samples were exposed to controlled conditions [temperature 15-35 °C and/or 53-100% relative humidity (RH)] and to household conditions (apartment). Exposure times were 0 (control), 90, 183 and 276 days. Starch digestion and cellulolytic activities decreased during exposure. Non-specific proteolytic activities were affected by changes in selective proteolytic activities. Activities towards AAPpNA and SA(3) pNA strongly increased at 100% RH, indicating the possible influence of microorganisms growing on frass. Activities towards BApNA and ArgpNA decreased with increasing decomposition time, whereas activity towards ZRRpNA was not influenced by exposure time. The largest decrease in activities towards ArgpNA and BApNA occurred at temperatures of 15 °C, 30 °C and 35 °C and at 100% RH. Activities towards BApNA and ZRRpNA were very stable under different temperature and RH conditions; this was confirmed by findings showing that these activities were stable in the experimental apartment. In comparison with the control, activities towards ZRRpNA and BApNA after 276 days decreased by 1% and 19%, respectively. The longterm persistence of proteolytic activities in cockroach frass increases their allergenic hazard potential.     

Aspergillosis in German cockroach Blattella germanica (L.) (Blattoidea: Blattellidae)

Natural infection of Aspergillus flavus was observed in adults of Blattella germanica. Though the adult insects exhibited no external symptoms, they became hypoactive and later died. The dead and experimentally infected insects repeatedly yielded Aspergillus flavus in culture on Czapek's medium. Direct microscopic observation of the tissues of infected insects revealed fungal material. The blood films stained with Giemsa stain showed granulocytes (GRs) engulfing fungal hyphae. A remarkable increase in GR and plasmatocyte (PL) counts occurred in differential haemocyte counts (DHCs) of the infected insects. Two main types of immunological responses of the insect noticed were phagocytosis and encapsulation. DHC showed maximum involvement of GRs and PLs in immune mechanism. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Biochemistry and regulation of pheromone production in Blattella germanica (L.) (Dictyoptera,Blattellidae)

Females of the German cockroach, Blattella germanica, produce a contact sex pheromone consisting of the methyl ketones 3,11-dimethyl-2-heptacosanone, 3,11-dimethyl-2-nonacosanone, 29-hydroxy- and 29-oxo-3,11-dimethyl-2-nonacosanone. We review evidence in support of the hypothesis that in adult females the hydrocarbon 3,11-dimethylnonacosane is oxidized to the corresponding methyl ketone pheromone. Recent studies on the precursors and directionality of synthesis of the methyl-branched alkane indicate that it is formed by the insertion of methylmalonyl units derived from propionate, isoleucine, valine, methionine and succinate early in chain elongation. The hydrocarbon is then hydroxylated and oxidized at the 2-position to form the methyl ketone pheromone. The in vivo synthesis of pheromone and its accumulation on the cuticle are correlated to the synthesis of juvenile hormone (JH) by the corpora allata (CA) in vitro and to oocyte development, suggesting common regulation by JH of pheromone production as well as other reproductive events. The patterns of pheromone and hydrocarbon production in starved, allatectomized and head-ligated females, as well as in females rescued with hormone-replacement therapy, suggest two mechanisms of regulation of pheromone production: a JH-induced conversion of hydrocarbon to pheromone is related to the CA cycle and to oocyte development, while a JH-independent mechanism, which is probably related to feeding, supplies precursors for hydrocarbon biosynthesis.     

Feeding and activation of corpora allata in the cockroach Blattella germanica (L.) (Dictyoptera,Blattellidae)

Adult females of the cockroach Blattella germanica have clearly-defined feeding cycles related to oogenesis. In the first cycle, food ingestion precedes volumetric increase in the corpora allata, which in turn precedes juvenile hormone production, whereas starved females do not develop the corpora allata and produce very low amounts of juvenile hormone. When the second gonadotropic cycle is provoked by removing the ootheca, the first event observed is an increase in food consumption, followed by an increase in corpora allata volume and activity. However, this increase in corpora allata volume (and activity) does not occur if females are starved, thus indicating that the ootheca in the genital chamber inhibits primarily feeding, and indirectly corpora allata development and activity. Corpora allata volume in isolated heads from starved and decapitated females was able to increase to levels similar to fed controls, but this increase was abolished by allatostatin treatment. We suggest that a factor produced in the thoracico-abdominal compartment, which reaches the head mainly through a nervous pathway, is released during starvation and inhibits corpora allata development. This factor may stimulate allatostatin production or release, or may well be allatostatin itself.     

Calling behavior of the female german cockroach,Blattella germanica (Dictyoptera: Blattellidae)

Virgin German cockroach females, Blattella germanica(L.), were observed, for the first time, to exhibit a characteristic calling behavior during which females emit a volatile sex pheromone. Under a photoperiod of 12L12D, the percentage of 7-day-old virgin females that exhibited this behavior peaked before the end of the scotophase in a similar pattern to the diel periodicity of mating. A clear relationship was evident between calling and stages of sexual receptivity during successive gonotrophic cycles. Females initiated calling 5–6 days after the imaginal molt, when their basal oocytes were 1.6 mm long. If not mated, females continued to exhibit bouts of calling during the next 3–4 days until 24 h before ovulation. Calling was completely suppressed by mating as well as the presence of an egg case in the genital atrium in both virgin and mated gravid females. We suggest that calling and the emission of a volatile sex pheromone serve to attract males from a distance as well as to potentiate responses to contact sex pheromone in aggregations.     

Monitoring for insecticide resistance in field-collected populations of Blattella germanica (Blattaria: Blattellidae)

Seven field-collected populations of German cockroach, Blattella germanica (L.) (ICN, DNH, CHN, DGU, BSN, GSN, and GWJ), were tested for susceptibility to eight different insecticides by a topical application method, and were compared to an insecticide-susceptible KSS strain. Marked regional variations of insecticide susceptibility were observed. Extremely high to high levels of resistance were observed in bifenthrin [resistance ratio (RR), 46–159], deltamethrin (RR, 61–160), and esfenvalerate [RR, 70–270; except for BSN females (RR, 20) and GSN females (RR, 24)]. Low to moderate levels of resistance were observed in cypermethrin [RR, 16–29; except for DGU females (RR, 88) and BSN females (RR, 41)], permethrin [RR, 11–39; except for DNH females (RR, 110) and BSN females (RR, 44)], chlorpyrifos [RR, 2–13; except for GSN and GWJ females (RR, ca. 140)], chlorpyrifos-methyl (RR, 2–8), and fenthion (RR, 8–17). All of the colonies were susceptible to one or more of the insecticides examined. These results indicate that careful selection and rotational use of these insecticides should result in continued satisfactory control against field populations of German cockroach.