Effects of diapause on post‐diapause reproductive investment in the moth Ostrinia scapulalis

Diapause is a strategy used by many insect species to survive adverse environmental conditions. However, diapause incurs costs that may have adverse effects on post‐diapause development and reproduction. We herein investigated the effects of diapause on the post‐diapause reproductive investment of males and females in a multivoltine moth, the adzuki bean borer, Ostrinia scapulalis (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae). We found that (1) post‐diapause males and females were smaller and had lower mating success than non‐diapause individuals, (2) post‐diapause females had lower fecundity and shorter longevity than non‐diapause females, (3) post‐diapause males transferred similar numbers of eupyrene and apyrene sperm as non‐diapause males, (4) the fecundity and longevity of non‐diapause females mated with post‐diapause males and those mated with non‐diapause males were not significantly different, and (5) no significant relationship was found between diapause duration (short and long) and post‐diapause reproductive investments in both males and females. These results suggest that post‐diapause males did not reduce reproductive investment in spite of the cost of diapause, and the significant decline in reproductive output in post‐diapause females was due to their reduced body weight and longevity, which appeared to be direct consequences of the cost of diapause.     

Diapause termination in the spotted stem borer, Chilo partellus (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) in the laboratory

The effect of temperature, photoperiod, artificial diet and water on the termination of diapause by larvae of the stem borer, Chilo partellus (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), was studied in the laboratory. Termination of diapause as indicated by pupation was affected mainly by a combination of high temperature and a long day photoperiod. Total darkness did not prevent termination of diapause and pupation occurred also in larvae which were never exposed to water. Long days accelerated pupation, but, under 16 h daylength, termination of diapause was faster than under constant illumination. Provision of artificial diet had no effect or slowed down pupation but water decreased the time to pupation. Under 28°C, 16 h daylength and availability of water, C. partellus diapausing larvae terminated diapause and pupated in about 9 days.     

Effects of water stress, nitrogen stress and certain sensory stimuli on infestation and damage by Chilo partellus (Swinhoe) to maize

Foliar, stalk and dead heart damage caused by Chilo partellus (Swinhoe) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) to several maize genotypes (Inbred A, MBR 8637, Poza Rica 7832, ER-29SVR, Across 7844, Bulk CG 4141, MMV 600 and ICZ2-CM) subjected to water stress were significantly lower than those observed when plants were grown in the absence of water stress. Resistance of maize genotypes to C. partellus was distinguished clearly when there was no water stress to the plants. Resistance/susceptibility of maize genotypes Inbred A, MMV 400, MBR 8637 and Poza Rica 7832 to C. partellus was the same at 0, 60, 90 and 120 kg of N per hectare. At each nitrogen level, the genotypes MMV 400, MBR 8637 and Poza Rica 7832 suffered significantly lower damage than the susceptible Inbred A. The humidity stimuli from maize plants and the olfactory/hygro stimuli from the plants infested with larvae were the most important factors affecting host plant selection by ovipositing C. partellus females.     

Release and establishment of Cotesia flavipes Cameron (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) an exotic parasitoid of Chilo partellus (Swinhoe) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) in East and Southern Africa

Cotesia flavipes Cameron (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) was first imported into Kenya in 1991 from Pakistan for control of Chilo partellus (Swinhoe) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae). First releases were made at the Kenya coast in 1993 and a few recoveries of the parasitoid were made the following year. Additional foreign exploration for C. flavipes was conducted in central India in 1996 and 1998, which resulted in additional importation of the parasitoid for subsequent releases in eastern and southern Africa. Region-wide releases commenced with releases in Mozambique in 1996, Somalia in 1997 and Uganda in 1998. By 2005, many releases had been made in 10 countries in East and Southern Africa with establishment being reported in all of them except Eritrea but including Ethiopia where releases had never been made. This paper describes the progress made in the release and establishment of C. flavipes in East and Southern Africa and quantifies the rate of spread from the initial release sites in Kenya.     

Evidences of the extraglandular origin of two secretory proteins in the male accessory reproductive glands of Chilo partellus (Pyralidae,Lepidoptera, Insecta)

Summary

The male accessory reproductive glands (MARG) play an important role in contributing proteins for the formation of the spermatophore, a structure that transports sperm from the male to the female. Several studies have shown that these proteins could be either of intraglandular or extraglandular origin. SDS-PAGE analysis revealed proteins in the adult MARG of Chilo partellus, which comigrate with the larval hemolymph proteins (LHP). Ouchterlony's immunodiffusion showed that the antiserum raised against MARG extract cross-reacts with the proteins present in the adult hemolymph and fat body. Immunoprecipitates of labelled hemolymph proteins with anti-LHP or anti-MARG proteins reveal two polypeptides that comigrate with LHPs. Thus, there appear to be some proteins of extraglandular origin in the MARG of C. partellus, and the LHP could belong to this category.     

Duration of diapause in the stem borers, Busseola fusca and Chilo partellus

The duration of diapause in the stem borers Busseola fusca (Fuller) and Chilo partellus (Swinhoe) was studied in South Africa by collecting diapausing larvae from the field throughout winter (April–August). B. fusca larvae emerged as moth around the middle of October regardless of the date of collection and the length of time they were kept in the laboratory under constant 21 °C. C. partellus larvae collected in April–June emerged in November, those collected in July emerged in October, and those collected in August emerged in September. Regardless of the collection date C. partellus started to emerge from diapause earlier and moth emergence lasted up to twice as long as in B. fusca. Under laboratory conditions at 60% RH both borer larvae lost about 50% of their body mass during diapause. When provided with water B. fusca larvae lost about 30% of their body mass and adults emerged 20 days earlier than when kept dry. C. partellus, on the other hand, lost only 13% of their body weight and emerged 34 days earlier. The differences between the two species are discussed in light of different types of diapause; i.e., obligatory diapause in B. fusca and facultative diapause in C. partellus.     

Effect of sorghum phenology on the control of Chilo partellus with Nosema marucae (microspora: Nosematidae)

An aqueous suspension of Nosema marucae spores was sprayed on foliage of sorghum plants that had been infested with neonate Chilo partellus larvae at 3, 5, 7 and 9 weeks after (plant) emergence (WAE). These periods corresponded to plants at the tillering, early booting, soft dough and late maturation phenological stages, respectively. The extent of borer infestation and plant damage was monitored until crop harvest, and compared with plants which had been similarly infested but not sprayed with the pathogen, and with plants in insect‐free control plots. When applied early, infestation with neonate borer larvae caused most damage to the plants and the greatest reduction in yield in the untreated plots. Early treatment with N. marucae spores at 3 and 5 WAE resulted in the greatest reduction in damage to plants and the highest improvement in yield of seeds. It is apparent, therefore, that for maximum crop protection the microsporidian needs to be applied when sorghum is in an early phenological stage.     

温度胁迫对二化螟滞育幼虫生理指标的影响

为从生理生化水平上探讨二化螟滞育幼虫应对温度胁迫的生理机制,分别对系列温度胁迫(STS)和梯度温度胁迫(GTS)处理后的幼虫水、脂质、总糖、小分子碳水化合物含量及超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化物酶(POD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)活性进行了测定.结果表明:随着温度的降低,两种处理二化螟滞育幼虫虫体含水量趋于减少,且0℃以下时GTS处理下降幅度较STS处理显著;两种处理脂质含量均逐步下降且二者间无显著差异;两种处理总糖含量分别先减后增和持续下降,均检测出4种小分子碳水化合物,其中STS处理葡萄糖、甘油和果糖含量先增后减,海藻糖含量变化与此相反,而GTS处理海藻糖含量先减后增,葡萄糖和甘油含量呈相反变化,果糖含量无变化;14～-14℃范围内STS处理SOD和POD活性较GTS处理低,CAT活性相反.二化螟滞育幼虫生理指标的变化反映了其应对不同温度胁迫的生理响应.     

温度对大猿叶虫成虫繁殖和繁殖后滞育的影响

大猿叶虫Colaphellus bowringi Baly是十字花科蔬菜上的重要害虫。在田间,该虫的繁殖期出现在春季和秋季,以成虫在土中越夏和越冬。本试验在光周期L∶D=16∶8条件下,系统调查了不同温度(20、25和28℃)对大猿叶虫非滞育成虫繁殖的影响。结果表明:每雌平均日产卵量在28℃最大(51.24±2.90)粒,显著高于25℃和20℃的(39.57±2.86)粒和(31.53±2.02)粒,但由于28℃下的产卵持续时间明显短,导致了总产卵量在这3种温度间没有显著差异;28℃下的卵孵化率低于20℃和25℃,但没有显著差异;随着温度的升高,成虫寿命逐渐缩短,20℃与28℃间的雌虫寿命存在显著差异,20℃与25℃,28℃的雄虫寿命存在显著差异;在20、25、28℃下,均有30%的个体经历一段时间繁殖后进入滞育,其滞育前的产卵持续时间随着温度的升高而明显缩短,总产卵量也随着温度的升高而下降。     

Effect of day length on development and reproductive diapause in Nysius huttoni White (Heteroptera, Lygaeidae)

Abstract:  Nysius huttoni White is endemic to New Zealand and an important pest of wheat and brassica crops. To provide critical information for pest forecast, management and quarantine inspection, we investigated the effect of day length on the growth, development and reproductive diapause of this pest under a series of photoperiodic regimes: 16 : 8, 14 : 10, 12 : 12 and 10 : 14 h [light : dark (L : D)]. Long day lengths [16 : 8 and 14 : 10 h (L : D)] promote a continuous lifecycle while short day lengths [12 : 12 and 10 : 14 h (L : D)] slow up the growth and development, prolong the pre-mating period, and induce the reproductive diapause. The absence of oviposition for approximately 30 days is recognized as the criterion for N. huttoni reproductive diapause definition. When all life stages are kept under the short day length conditions, only 60–73% of females enter reproductive diapause; if the exposure to short day lengths starts in late instar nymphs, 100% of females enter reproductive diapause. If only adults experience short day lengths, does diapause incidence fall in between, with up to 26% of females laying a few eggs before entering diapause. The critical photoperiod for the induction of reproductive diapause falls between 13.3 : 10.7 and 13.5 : 10.5 h.     

Effect of temperature and relative humidity on the development and fecundity of Chilo partellus (Swinhoe) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae)

The spotted stemborer, Chilo partellus (Swinhoe) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae), is one of the most important insect pests attacking maize and sorghum in Ethiopia. Recent studies have indicated that the pest is spreading to new locations where it was not reported before. In the current study, laboratory investigations were carried out to determine the combined effect of different levels of relative humidity and temperature regimes on the development and fecundity of C. partellus, as these physical factors are known to play an important role in the life cycle of insects and adaptability to local climate. Developmental time, longevity, potential fecundity and realized fecundity of C. partellus were measured under controlled conditions. Three temperature regimes (22°C, 26°C and 30°C) and three relative humidity levels (40%, 60% and 80%) were tested. It was found that temperature, relative humidity (RH) and their interaction significantly affected the developmental time, adult longevity, potential fecundity and realized fecundity of the pest. Developmental time was inversely related to temperature. Mean duration of C. partellus life cycle was 70.2 days at 22°C and 80% RH, whereas it took only 26.5 days to complete its life cycle at 30°C and 40% RH. Male and female longevity were similar in most cases. The adult life span ranged between 6.9-11.1 days at 22°C and 3.1-7.2 days at 30°C for different levels of relative humidity. The most suitable conditions for C. partellus development and fecundity were 26-30°C temperatures regimes and 60-80% RH levels.     

Multiparasitism by the pupal parasitoids, Xanthopimpla stemmator (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae) and Pediobius furvus (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) on two African cereal stemborers, Chilo partellus (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) and Busseola fusca (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

The outcome of multiparasitism by two pupal parasitoids, the exotic solitary ichneumonid Xanthopimpla stemmator and the indigenous gregarious eulophid Pediobius furvus, was studied using the invasive crambid stem borer Chilo partellus and the indigenous noctuid Busseola fusca as hosts. Two parasitism sequences were observed, where X. stemmator oviposited before P. furvus, and vice versa. In addition, the effect of time between first and second parasitism on parasitoid emergence, development, sex ratio, and number of offspring was assessed. For most treatments, time interval between parasitism had no significant effect on the percentage if pupae producing either P. furvus or X. stemmator. In general, X. stemmator outcompeted P. furvus irrespective of the order of oviposition, time interval between ovipositions and host species. Further studies, especially on host finding capacity of the two parasitoid species are required to determine the competitiveness of the two species under field conditions.     

二化螟滞育生物钟蛋白TIME-EA4基因的克隆及时空和温度诱导表达分析

【目的】生物测时蛋白TIME-EA4是昆虫特有的一种滞育生物钟蛋白。本文旨在克隆二化螟Chilo suppressalis TIME-EA4基因,研究其在二化螟不同发育时期和不同组织中的时空表达模式及在不同田间种群和不同温度诱导下的滞育和非滞育种群中的表达水平。【方法】通过RACE技术克隆二化螟TIME-EA4基因全长c DNA序列,利用荧光定量PCR的方法检测TIME-EA4基因在二化螟不同发育时期、6龄幼虫不同组织中的表达模式,及在不同季节采集的田间种群和不同温度处理1h后的滞育和非滞育种群6龄幼虫中的表达量变化。【结果】从二化螟中克隆获得TIME-EA4的c DNA序列(Gen Bank登录号:KU356855),全长821 bp,开放阅读框516 bp,编码172个氨基酸;TIME-EA4基因在二化螟不同发育时期和不同组织中均有表达,且在早期蛹、雌雄成虫以及6龄幼虫的头部、脂肪体和中肠中表达水平较高,同时在滞育幼虫组织中的表达高于非滞育幼虫。此外,TIME-EA4基因在滞育种群中的表达量是非滞育种群的3倍左右,同时在非滞育种群中,该基因的表达明显受10℃及以下低温的诱导,且在10℃时表达量最高,而在滞育种群中该基因的表达受温度影响不明显。【结论】结果说明TIME-EA4基因与二化螟的抗低温胁迫以及低温滞育相关。本研究为TIME-EA4在农业害虫滞育的分子作用机制研究奠定了基础。     

Fecundity,nymphal development and longevity of field‐collected tropical bedbugs,Cimex hemipterus

This study examined the fecundity, oviposition, nymphal development and longevity of field‐collected samples of the tropical bedbug, Cimex hemipterus (Fabricius) (Hemiptera: Cimicidae). Under environmental conditions of 26±2°C, 70 ± 5% relative humidity and a 12‐h photoperiod, with bloodmeals provided by a human host, six strains of tropical bedbug had a fecundity of up to 50 eggs per lifetime, over 11–14 oviposition cycles. Increased feeding frequency improved fecundity. After feeding and mating, adult females normally took 2–3 days to produce a first batch of eggs. The oviposition period lasted 2–7 days before cessation of the oviposition cycle. The egg incubation period usually lasted 5–7 days before the emergence of first instars. The nymphs underwent five stadia (the first four of which each took 3–4 days, whereas the last took 4–5 days) before becoming adults at a sex ratio of 1 : 1. More than five bloodmeals were required by the nymphs to ensure a successful moult. Unmated adults lived significantly longer than mated adults (P < 0.05). Unmated females lived up to almost 7 months, but the longevity of mated males and females did not differ significantly (P > 0.05).     

Influence of parental age on reproductive performance of an aphidophagous ladybird, Propylea dissecta (Mulsant)

Abstract:  In the present study the influence of maternal and paternal ages on reproductive performance of an aphidophagous ladybird, Propylea dissecta (Mulsant) were investigated. Maternal age strongly influenced fecundity and pre-oviposition period while paternal age strongly influenced the egg viability. Maternal age also influenced percent egg viability, however, at lower levels of significance. The results revealed that the fecundity and percent egg viability increased up to the respective maternal and paternal ages of 30 days and thereafter declined, indicating the onset of senescence. The results of the present study can help in better mass multiplication of the ladybird concerned and in laying foundation for further age-related studies.     

Effect of age on reproductive attributes of an aphidophagous ladybird, Cheilomenes sexmaculata

The effect of both male and female age was investigated on certain reproductive attributes, viz. mating incidence, mating duration, fecundity, percent egg viability, ratio of reproductive and non‐reproductive periods and reproductive rate, of an aphidophagous ladybird, Cheilomenes sexmaculata (Fabricius). Females started mating at the age of 8 hours post‐emergence (PE) and males at the age of 2 days PE. Mating in the laboratory was a male‐dominated phenomenon. The mating duration and reproductive rate of 10‐day‐old females when mated with males of varying ages increased up to the male age of 60 days, and thereafter decreased, whereas, fecundity, egg viability and ratio of reproductive and non‐reproductive periods increased up to the male age of 50 days, and thereafter declined. However, when females of varying ages were mated with 10‐day‐old males, fecundity and reproductive rate increased up to 40 days of female age, respectively, then decreased. The ratio of reproductive and non‐reproductive periods increased with increasing age of females. Mating age for optimal reproductive output was 10J50‐day‐old males and NE to 40‐day‐old females. Reproductive cessation in males was recorded after 50 days PE, whereas in females at the age of 40 days PE. Higher mating durations lead to elevated reproductive rates. Delay in the reproductive phase was positively correlated with longevity. The results of this study may aid mass multiplication of this ladybird by identifying and promoting usage of adults of optimal age. Our results also enhance our understanding of the effect of age on reproductive attributes in ladybirds.     

The influence of temperature and photoperiod on the reproductive diapause and cold tolerance of spotted‐wing drosophila,Drosophila suzukii

Knowledge regarding the reproductive status of spotted‐wing drosophila, Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura) (Diptera: Drosophilidae), is of critical importance in predicting potential infestations of this invasive pest, as eggs are laid in ripe or ripening fruit of several commercially important small‐fruit crops. Token environmental stimuli for the induction of reproductive diapause and improved cold tolerance were identified for D. suzukii. Diapause induction was evaluated by assessing, via dissection, the number of mature eggs carried by field‐captured D. suzukii and laboratory‐reared D. suzukii held under various temperature and photoperiod regimes. Egg load decreased over time in females trapped from July to December at sites in Benton County, OR, and Ontario County, NY, both USA, and reached zero eggs by December at all sites. Photoperiods below 14 h of day length led to reduced egg maturation in laboratory‐reared flies held at moderate temperatures (15 or 20 °C). Whereas very few mature eggs were found in females held at 10 °C under short‐ or long‐day photoperiods for several weeks after eclosion, a spontaneous return to ovarian maturity was observed in short‐day‐entrained females after 7 weeks. Diapause termination was investigated by evaluating fecundity in diapausing females returned to optimal environmental conditions. Whereas long‐day‐entrained flies began producing offspring immediately upon return to optimal conditions, short‐day‐entrained flies returned after 1 and 6 weeks at 10 °C were slower to produce offspring than colony flies or short‐day‐entrained flies returned after 7 weeks. Cold tolerance was evaluated by observing chill coma recovery rates after 24 h exposure to ?1 °C. Cold‐acclimated (diapausing) females recovered from chill coma faster than cold‐hardened or unacclimated females.     

中华稻蝗的胚胎发育及卵滞育发生的胚胎发育阶段

为弄清中华稻蝗Oxya chinensis(Thunberg)卵滞育发生的胚胎发育阶段,观察了其胚胎发育过程,检测了中华稻蝗铁岭、济南、长沙及儋州种群产卵后卵粒含水量的变化规律和胚胎发育的停滞时期.根据胚胎形态,自原头与原颚胸折叠的胚胎发育阶段开始,将中华稻蝗的胚胎发育过程划分为11个阶段.在25℃的温度条件下,4个地...     

Influence of age at mating on the reproductive performance of Parthenium beetle,Zygogramma bicolorata (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)

Abstract Age-specific mating incidence, sexual maturation and effect of age at mating on reproductive performance of the Parthenium beetle, Zygogramma bicolorata Pallister, was studied. Based on 50% mating incidence the calculated age of sexual maturation of males and females was 10.5 and 11.1 days, respectively, which was not statistically significant. However, on the basis of age at first mating, that is, sexual maturity, females matured 2 days earlier than males. Fecundity, pre-oviposition, oviposition and post-oviposition period and female longevity appear to be influenced by female age at mating with reproductive performance peaking at 30 days. On the other hand, egg viability was influenced by male age and was highest when males mated at the age of 40 days. To summarise, egg production and timing of egg deposition was female age-dependent, whereas egg fertility was male age-dependent. It was also observed that females mated at a later age and laid a higher number of eggs immediately after mating than did earlier mated females. This was ostensibly in a bid to increase fitness by maximizing reproductive output in the reduced life span available. This is the first investigation on the effect of age of females at mating on reproduction in this beetle.     

高温对二化螟实验种群生长、存活和繁殖的影响

以2 7℃和30℃恒温为对照,研究了平均温度在2 7～2 9.2℃内的5种变温条件下(每天2 0 h的适温2 7℃和12 :0 0～16 :0 0的高温处理,分别为日最高气温2 7℃、30℃、33℃、36℃、4 0℃)二化螟实验种群的发育历期、存活率和繁殖力的影响,组建了特定年龄生命表和繁殖力生命表。结果表明高温可导致二化螟种群的发育速率延缓、存活率和生殖力下降,主要表现在幼虫历期随日最高温度的升高而延长,36℃时延至12 d以上;在日最高气温高于33℃时,其存活率从2 7℃时的30 .3%降至36℃时的13.1%和4 0℃时的5 .5 % ,繁殖力也从30℃时每雌产卵量14 8.7粒减至36℃时的70 .5粒。因此,夏季异常高温可能是二化螟田间种群数量增长的一个重要抑制因子