Developmental instability in cabbage aphid (Brevicoryne brassicae) populations exposed to heavy metal accumulated host plants

Random deviations from the perfect symmetry of normally bilaterally symmetrical characters exist during individual development as a result of various environmental conditions. Fluctuating asymmetry (FA) is often used as a measurement of developmental instability, and within-environmental variation (CV_e) is also considered as an indicator of developmental deviations. These two parameters may indicate the quality of the environmental habitat of organisms. For herbivore insects, such as aphids, any change in their host plants conditions is important and directly affects their development. The presented investigation revealed that both Lead (Pb) and Copper (Cu) accumulation in different host plants resulted in a significant amount of deviations from bilateral symmetry in cabbage aphid (Brevicoryne brassicae). Cabbage aphid populations showed higher FA and CV_e on heavy metal accumulated cabbage and radish than on non-contaminated cabbage and radish plants. However, the pattern between developmental instability and fitness measurements was inconsistent. Thus, this study does not support the hypothesis that asymmetry is a valuable bioindicator of developmental instability.     

Shifts in host plant resistance to the cabbage aphid (Brevicoryne brassicae) exhibited by Brussels sprout plants

Seven cultivars of Brussels sprouts from different sources were tested for their relative degrees of resistance to the cabbage aphid (Brevicoryne brassicae) by estimating the Potential Increase Rate of aphid infestations. The cultivars Winter Harvest and Early Half Tall were selected as susceptible and resistant respectively and tested further. Glasshouse experiments indicated that the resistance of Winter Harvest to the aphids increased with age.
These relative levels of resistance were confirmed by population counts in the field. Aphid numbers were initially significantly higher on Winter Harvest than on Early Half Tall although significance was lost as the season progressed at a time when the characteristics responsible for the resistance mechanism ceased to be distinguishable between the two cultivars.
Analysis of the amino acid content of leaf tissues collected at monthly intervals through the aphid season enabled 'risk rating' predictions of aphid resistance to be made. These conformed with the shifts towards greater resistance as the plants aged noted in the glasshouse trials and endorsed the part played by amino acids in the mechanism of resistance. Total amino acid concentrations reached a peak during September and October then declined with generally lower levels of amino acids in Early Half Tall than Winter Harvest. This cultivar also possessed a greater concentration of those amino acids known to be favourable to B. brassicae although the difference between the two had diminished considerably by the end of September.
Analyses of the mustard oil glycoside levels in mature glasshouse-grown plants did not indicate a difference between the cultivars.     

Entomopathogenic potential of fungi isolated from intertidal environments against the cabbage aphid Brevicoryne brassicae (Hemiptera: aphididae)

The use of biopesticides formulated from entomopathogenic fungi is a strategy utilised in integrated pest management programmes. The microorganisms used in these biopesticides are isolated from terrestrial organisms and ecosystems. However, bioprospecting in marine environments may lead to the discovery of promising fungi for pest control. In this study, marine fungi were identified and evaluated for the control of Brevicoryne brassicae. The effects of the most virulent isolate so identified on the mortality of aphids were compared to the effects of bioinsecticides that were formulated from fungal strains of Beauveria bassiana (Bovemax®) and Metarhizium anisopliae (Methamax®). Moreover, lethal and sublethal effects of this isolate on B. brassicae biological parameters were also examined. The isolates were identified as Aspergillus versicolor, Aspergillus sydowii (isolates 1 and 2), Penicillium dipodomyicola, and Trichoderma harzianum. The fungal strain A. versicolor was the most virulent fungal species, causing 85.9% mortality in B. brassicae at 24 h. The mortality rate caused by A. versicolor was similar to that caused by Bovemax® and Methamax® at concentrations of 10⁵ conidia mL^?1, and superior to that caused by Methamax® at a concentration of 10⁹ conidia mL^?1. The exposure of B. brassicae to CL₂₅ (0.32 × 10³) of A. versicolor did not affect the net reproductive rate (R_o), average generation time (T), intrinsic rate of population growth (r_m), and finite rate of population increase (λ). This is the first study to demonstrate that A. versicolor isolated from a marine environment is a promising candidate for the biological control of agricultural pests.     

Effect of eight cauliflower cultivars on biological parameters of the cabbage aphid,Brevicoryne brassicae (L.) (Hem: Aphididae) in laboratory conditions

The cabbage aphid, Brevicoryne brassicae is one of the most important pests with broad host range that does damage to cruciferae plants. In this research, biology parameters of the cabbage aphid was studied on the eight cauliflower cultivars: Smilla, Snow mystique, White cloud, Buris, Galiblanka, Snow crown, SG and Tokita. This study was conducted under controlled conditions (25?±?2?°C, 65?±?5% RH and L-D: 16–8). Statistical analysis showed that there is significant difference between different stages of growth and mean number of laid nymphs period (p?<?0.05), so that the maximum and minimum growth period were observed on the cultivars Galyblanka and Buris, respectively. The longest mean longevity of total nymphal instars was obtained on White cloud, and the shortest on Smilla. The highest pre nymph period, nymph production period, mean number of laid nymphs, Adult longevity and total lifespan on the Galiblanka cultivar was calculated as 8.60, 13.50, 58.60, 17.30 and 25.90, respectively. The results showed that using cultivars that affected on the adult reproductive parameters and provides conditions for reduction of reproduction could be a good solution for the cabbage aphid control management.     

芥子油苷在甘蓝蚜寄主部位选择行为中的作用

利用刺吸电位技术（EPG）记录甘蓝蚜Brevicoryne brassicae在芥菜Sinapis alba 不同部位上的取食行为,同时用高压液相色谱（HPLC）分析芥菜相应部位的芥子油苷(glucosinolates)含量,据此分析芥子油苷在甘蓝蚜对寄主部位偏好行为中的作用。选择芥菜三个部位进行取食行为记录和化学分析,即新出完全叶(第7片)的叶片、叶柄,以及花茎。相对于其它两个部位,甘蓝蚜的口针在花茎上用较少的刺探次数和较短的时间到达韧皮部;一旦口针进入韧皮部持续吸食阶段,蚜虫在三个部位的取食行为没有太大的差异。只在花茎的表皮和皮层中测定到较高含量的白芥子苷（glucosinalbin）。因此,本实验的结果证明,白芥子苷是甘蓝蚜寄主部位选择的关键信号化学物质或取食促进剂。     

Bottom‐up effects mediated by an organic soil amendment on the cabbage aphid pests Myzus persicae and Brevicoryne brassicae

Earthworm‐produced compost or vermicompost has been shown to increase resistance of plants to a variety of insect pests, but it is still unclear whether this resistance is dose dependent and whether the mechanisms responsible are the same for insect species with differing feeding habits and preferences. Therefore, we tested the effects of plants grown in various vermicompost concentrations (0, 20, 40, and 60%) on the preference and performance of generalist, Myzus persicae L., and specialist, Brevicoryne brassicae L. (both Hemiptera: Aphididae), aphid pests. Preference was evaluated with leaf disk (apterous) and whole plant (alate) choice assays. After 24 h of feeding, there was no significant negative effect on the feeding preference noted for apterae of either species of any of the treatments tested. To the contrary, apterae B. brassicae showed a significant preference for vermicompost treatments over control leaf disks. Alate M. persicae preferred alighting on control plants over vermicompost‐grown plants, but B. brassicae showed no preference toward any of the treatments tested. Both aphid species deposited significantly more nymphs on control plants than on those grown in 20% vermicompost. Furthermore, plants grown in soil amended with 20% vermicompost significantly suppressed mass accumulation, as well as numbers of adults and nymphs of both aphid species compared to controls. These data clearly show that vermicompost soil amendments can significantly influence pest aphid preference and performance on plants and that these effects are not dose dependent, but rather species and morph dependent.     

Resistance of rape (Brassica napus) to attack by the cabbage aphid (Brevicoryne brassicae L.)

Resistance to Brevicoryne brassicae L. attacks in a New Zealand variety of forage rape resulted from a combination of host non–preference and antibiosis. Using clonal plant material obtained from cuttings, only half the numbers of immigrant alate cabbage aphids that settled to reproduce on the susceptible rape were to be found on the resistant rape. The reproduction rate of these alates was about 12 % slower on the resistant plants than on the susceptibles and the young took about 13% longer to mature. Antibiosis then shortened the reproductive life of the apterae by one-third, reduced their fecundity by nearly 50 % and caused 40% mortality in their progeny. The over-all effect of this was considerable and under conditions specified in the text could result in the population on the resistant plants being about one-eighth that on the susceptible plants in under 1 month. The resistant plants lost their resistance on flowering and became normally susceptible to cabbage aphid attack. With maturity, however, the B. brassicae-resistant plants became slightly resistant to Myzus persicae.     

Purification and characterisation of a non-plant myrosinase from the cabbage aphid Brevicoryne brassicae (L.)

Plant myrosinases and glucosinolates constitute a defence system in cruciferous plants towards pests and diseases. We have purified for the first time a non-plant myrosinase from the cabbage aphid Brevicoryne brassicae (L.) to homogeneity. The protein was N-terminally blocked and protease (trypsin and lys c) degradation gave peptides of which five were sequenced. The protein is a dimer with subunits of mass 54 kDa+/-500 Da. Western blot analysis with an anti-aphid myrosinase antibody showed a strong cross reaction with a protein extract from the Brassica specialist, B. brassicae. The anti-aphid myrosinase antibody does not cross react with plant myrosinase neither does an anti-plant myrosinase antibody cross react with aphid myrosinase.     

甘蓝蚜寄生蜂及其应用

本文就甘蓝蚜的寄生蜂种类、生物学特性、寄主选择特性、农药对寄生蜂的影响及寄生蜂在生物防治中的应用等方面的研究进展进行了较全面的综述。     

The development of an action threshold for cabbage aphid (Brevicoryne brassicae) in oilseed rape in the UK

Replicated small plot field experiments were done at two sites growing winter oilseed rape (ADAS Boxworth, Cambridgeshire and ADAS High Mowthorpe, North Yorkshire) and two sites growing spring oilseed rape (ADAS Bridgets, Hampshire and ADAS Rosemaund, Herefordshire) to investigate the effect of cabbage aphid (Brevicoryne brassicae) on crop yield and quality. All four sites were included in the first 2 yr of the experiment in 1994 and 1995 but only those with winter oilseed rape were continued into the final year in 1996. Plots were artificially inoculated with cabbage aphids at either five aphid 4 m^-2 or 5 aphids 16 m^-2 or left uninoculated to become naturally infested. In 1995 and 1996 the naturally infested treatment was omitted. Sprays of the aphicide pirimicarb at GS 3.3, 3.7, 4.5, 4.9 and 5.5 were used to manipulate aphid populations. Once a plot had been treated at a target growth stage it was sprayed on all subsequent occasions to prevent recolonisation. Aphid numbers were assessed prior to each spray date and their effect on the crop measured in terms of yield of seed and oil and glucosinolate content. Artificial inoculation of aphids was often successful in establishing different populations of the pest at a range of growth stages. Results showed that cabbage aphid sometimes reduced both crop yield and quality. Yield responses to insecticide treatment tended to be larger in spring oilseed rape than in winter oilseed rape mainly because it became more heavily infested at an early growth stage. Tentative thresholds are proposed for control of the pest in both winter and spring oilseed rape. It is stressed that cabbage aphid is a sporadic pest and rarely likely to reach these threshold levels in field crops.     

Evolution,developmental instability and the theory of acquisition

Despite major advances in the study of molecular and morphological evolution a substantial rift still exists between these two fields of endeavour. Phenotypic alteration through evolution results from a reallocation of resources which has as its origin the interplay between the production capability of the genes on the one side and the acquisitional need of the phenotype on the other. This process of allocation is coordinated through the environmental arena and is subject to mechanical, biological and economical constraints. Differences in the rates of morphological change at any level (molecular, cellular, organismal or population) depend on the level of environmental challenge, on the availability of variability and on the economics of supply and demand. Short run changes in response to severe environmental stress will be sudden and energetically expensive and will rely on stress-induced unmasking of genetic variability and loss of canalization. Long run changes will be gradual, energetically less costly and less dependent on genetic correlations.     

Effect of various cauliflower cultivars on population density fluctuations of the cabbage aphid,Brevicoryne brassicae (L.) (Hom.: Aphididae) and its parasitoid Diaeretiella rapae (McIntosh) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae)

In this study, population density changes of the cabbage aphid, Brevicoryne brassica (L.), were tested in the field during 2011 under natural infestation at research field of the Shahed University (South of Tehran). This investigation was conducted on the eight cauliflower cultivars including Smilla, Snow mystique, White cloud, Buris, Galiblanka, Snow crown, SG and Tokita in randomised complete block design with five replications. Sampling was done after starting of aphid activity in the field every week and the total number of adult aphids and nymphs were counted in three leaves of the upper, middle and lower parts of the plant. In addition, the percentage of parasitism of the cabbage aphid by Diaeretiella rapae was evaluated. Results of the sampling showed that peak of the aphid population were at the first half of November. The parasitism percent of the cabbage aphid by D. rapae was significantly different among studied cultivars (p?<?0.05). Therefore, it can be concluded that using of Smilla, Buris and SG cultivars probably increases the efficiency of D. rapae in the control of the B. brassica (L.).     

Purification and characterization of myrosinase from the cabbage aphid (Brevicoryne brassicae), a brassica herbivore.

Aphids are among the most serious insect pests of agricultural crops in the world. They often have specific hosts, and the cabbage aphid (Brevicoryne brassicae) is a specialist on Cruciferae. It has previously been described that certain insects contain the enzyme myrosinase (EC 3.2.3.1), which is considered an important defence enzyme of crucifers. Myrosinase was purified to homogeneity from cabbage aphid soluble extracts using anion-exchange and phenyl-Sepharose chromatography. The protein has an apparent subunit molecular mass of 57-58 kDa and is a dimer. The isoelectric point is 4.9 and the enzyme has a temperature optimum around 40 degrees C. The enzyme was active towards the glucosinolates tested, sinigrin and glucotropaeolin, but was inhibited by ascorbate at concentrations that normally activate plant myrosinases. Using sinigrin as the substrate Km was determined as 0.41 mM, and the kcat as 36 s(-1). With glucotropaeolin the Km and kcat values were determined as 0.52 mM and 22.8 s(-1), respectively. The enzyme was stable upon storage at 4 degrees C for many months, but lost some activity upon freezing. The insect myrosinase did not cross-react with antibodies raised to plant myrosinase. Peptide sequencing of a tryptic digest of the protein showed homology to beta-glucosidases. The presence of myrosinase in an insect pest specialist may be an example of a coevolution process that facilitates host specialization.     

Flight behaviour of the black bean aphid, Aphis fabae, and the cabbage aphid, Brevicoryne brassicae, in host and non-host plant odour

Abstract. Walking alate virginoparae of Brevicoryne brassicae (L.) and Aphis fabae Scopoli were presented with odours of steam-distilled extracts of the non-host plants summer savoury ( Satureja hortensis L.) and tansy ( Tanacetum vulgare L.) in an olfactometer. No effects of the extracts were observed on B. brassicae. However, A.fabae were repelled by summer savoury and tansy odour; both extracts also masked an attractant response to bean (host plant) odour. In a flight chamber, air permeated with odour from host or non-host plants was blown over flying alates of both species, with a green, plant-mimicking target presented once a minute. The incidence of targeted (host-responsive) flight of B.brassicae was not affected by odour from a growing host plant ( Brassica oleoracea ) or a non-host plant tansy. Host plant ( Vicia faba ) odour did not affect the initial rate of climb or the incidence of targeted flight of A.fabae , but when the bean odour was alternated with odour from non-host tansy plants a greater number of targeted flights occurred in the host plant odour. The volatile extracts of tansy and summer savoury were also presented to flying A.fabae. Aphids flying in air permeated with tansy odour at 450g plant equivalents initiated fewer targeted flights than when flying in clean air. However, no differences in flight behaviour were observed with summer savoury extract. In a horizontal wind tunnel the tansy extract at 90 g plant equivalents blown across the surface of yellow targets reduced the numbers of alate A.fabae landing. The results indicate that plant odours can affect flight and landing of aphids.     

Effect of temperature, starvation and crowding on production of alate young by the cabbage aphid (Brevicoryne brassicae)

Summary Brief temperature treatments of adult apterous Brevicoryne brassicae independent of the host plant affected the form of their young. More aphids produced alate young after exposure to low temperatures (10–15°C), while alate production was suppressed at high temperatures (25–30°C). Starvation or crowding of adults for times up to twenty-four hours did not affect the form of the young.

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Die wirkung von temperatur, hunger und gedränge auf die produktion geflügelter nachkommen bei der kohllaus (Brevicoryne Brassicae)

Zusammenfassung Eine kurze Behandlung erwachsener apterer Blattläuse (Brevicoryne brassicae) mit verschiedenen Temperaturen beeinflusste die Form ihres Nachwuchses. Eine 24-Stündige Behandlung mit niedrigen Temperaturen (10–15° C) erhöhte den Prozentsatz der Blattläuse, die geflügelte Junge produzierten, während die Produktion geflügelter Nachkommen durch höhere Temperaturen (25–30° C) unterdrückt wurde. Wenn die Erwachsenen bis zu 24 Stunden in einer dichten Menge gehalten werden oder hungern, ändert sich die Form ihres Nachwuchses nicht.

     

Density dependence of developmental instability in a dimorphic ungulate

The use of fluctuating asymmetry (FA) for biomonitoring environmental stress is limited by the lack of work on how FA in particular traits responds to specific stresses. Here, by manipulating the number of individuals in an enclosed fallow deer (Dama dama) population, we describe, for the first time, clear density dependence in the FA of juvenile jaw morphology. The impact of high population density on FA was strong for both sexes, supporting the use of FA for indexing environmental stress. In addition, there was some indication that the change in FA was greater in males (43.6%) than females (28.5%). Finally, the ability to buffer density-dependent stress was independent of body condition. We suggest that, under highly limiting conditions, whole cohorts may be unable to buffer against developmental error, irrespective of individual quality.