Descriptions of the larvae of the beetle family Trogidae (Coleoptera,Scarabaeoidea) from the Russian Far East

Previously unknown larvae of Trox ussuriensis Balthasar, T. koreanus Kim, T. zoufali Balthasar, and Glyptotrox ineptus (Balthasar) of the family Trogidae are described and illustrated. The larva of T. ussuriensis differs from that of T. sabulosus (Linnaeus) in the shape of setae on the abdominal tergite I and in the chaetotaxy of the head capsule. The larva of T. koreanus differs from those of T. zoufali and T. scaber (Linnaeus) in the chaetotaxy of the head capsule, clypeus, and labrum. The larva of T. zoufali is very similar to those of T. koreanus and T. scaber but differs in the chaetotaxy of the head capsule. The larva of Glyptotrox ineptus is similar to that of G. mandli (Balthasar) but differs in the chaetotaxy of the head capsule and in the presence of furrows on the frons. An original key to the known larvae of the family Trogidae of the fauna of the Russian Far East is given.     

Lamellicorn Beetles (Coleoptera,Scarabaeoidea) of Manchuria (China): Fauna,Ecology, and Zoogeography

The species composition and taxonomic structure of lamellicorn beetles of Northeast China are considered. A total of 317 species from 86 genera, 42 tribes, 18 subfamilies, and 6 families are known to occur in the fauna of Manchuria. Seven species are recorded from China for the first time: Trox scaber (Linnaeus, 1767), Glyptotrox ineptus (Balthasar, 1931), Aegialia (Psammoporus) kamtschatica Motschulsky, 1860, Aphodius (Acrossus) superatratus Nomura et Nakane, 1951, Aphodius (Chilothorax) grafi Reitter, 1901, Maladera spissigrada (Brenske, 1897), and Valgus hemipterus hemipterus (Linnaeus, 1758); in addition, 18 species are recorded as new to the fauna of Manchuria. Among 177, 219, 208 and 226 species recorded from the Manchurian part of Inner Mongolia, Heilongjiang, Jilin, and Liaoning, 20, 29, 14 and 19 species are new to the region, respectively. The ecological and zoogeographical features of Scarabaeoidea in Manchuria are analyzed. Data on the trophic structure, phenology, and distribution of all the taxa are presented.     

Consumption of Bt Rice Pollen Containing Cry1C or Cry2A Protein Poses a Low to Negligible Risk to the Silkworm Bombyx mori (Lepidoptera: Bombyxidae)

By consuming mulberry leaves covered with pollen from nearby genetically engineered, insect-resistant rice lines producing Cry proteins derived from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), larvae of the domestic silkworm, Bombyx mori (Linnaeus) (Lepidoptera: Bombyxidae), could be exposed to insecticidal proteins. Laboratory experiments were conducted to assess the potential effects of Cry1C- or Cry2A-producing transgenic rice (T1C-19, T2A-1) pollen on B. mori fitness. In a short-term assay, B. mori larvae were fed mulberry leaves covered with different densities of pollen from Bt rice lines or their corresponding near isoline (control) for the first 3 d and then were fed mulberry leaves without pollen. No effect was detected on any life table parameter, even at 1800 pollen grains/cm² leaf, which is much higher than the mean natural density of rice pollen on leaves of mulberry trees near paddy fields. In a long-term assay, the larvae were fed Bt and control pollen in the same way but for their entire larval stage (approximately 27 d). Bt pollen densities ≥150 grains/cm² leaf reduced 14-d larval weight, increased larval development time, and reduced adult eclosion rate. ELISA analyses showed that 72.6% of the Cry protein was still detected in the pollen grains excreted with the feces. The low exposure of silkworm larvae to Cry proteins when feeding Bt rice pollen may be the explanation for the relatively low toxicity detected in the current study. Although the results demonstrate that B. mori larvae are sensitive to Cry1C and Cry2A proteins, the exposure levels that harmed the larvae in the current study are far greater than natural exposure levels. We therefore conclude that consumption of Bt rice pollen will pose a low to negligible risk to B. mori.     

A comparison of the larval overwintering biology of the striped stem borer, Chilo suppressalis (Lepidoptera: Crambidae), in rice and water-oat fields

It has been suggested that the striped stem borer, Chilo suppressalis (Walker), has developed distinct populations inhabiting rice Oryza sativa (Linnaeus) and water-oats Zizania latifolia (Turcz). In this study, we compared several biological traits between overwintering larvae from rice and water-oat fields during the winter of 2010. The parasitism rate was significantly higher in the larvae that overwintered in the rice field than in those that overwintered in the water-oat field. The average body weight of overwintering larvae and the weight of 3-day-old pupae, as well as the number of eggs carried by adult females, were all significantly greater in the samples from the water-oat field. The diapause intensity, defined as the number of days required until pupation by overwintering larvae transferred to 25 °C and L:D 16:8 h, decreased progressively from January to March but decreased more rapidly in the water-oat field. Our results demonstrate differences in the overwintering biology of C. suppressalis larvae from rice and water-oat fields. These differences may contribute to the differentiation and reproductive isolation between host-plant populations in this species.     

Diversity and eco-zoogeographic analysis of lamellicorn beetles (Coleoptera,Scarabaeoidea) of Yakutia,Russia

A comprehensive analysis of the diversity of Yakutian lamellicorn beetles is provided. A total of 54 species from 18 genera, 14 tribes, 14 subfamilies, and 5 families are revealed. The family Ochodaeidae Mulsant & Rey, 1871, the genus Codocera Eschscholtz, 1821, and six species, namely Codocera ferruginea (Eschscholtz, 1818), Aegialia friebi Balthasar, 1935, A. kamtschatica Motschulsky, 1860, Aphodius ater (De Geer, 1774), A. pusillus Herbst, 1789, and A. haemorrhoidalis (Linnaeus, 1758), are recorded in the fauna of Yakutia for the first time. The ecological and zoogeographic features of the Scarabaeoidea of the region are considered. Data on the trophic specialization, phenology and spatial distribution of the species are given.     

Laboratory growth of the larvae of six British crabs

The larvae of six species of crabs — Cancer pagurus Linnaeus, Hyas coarctatus Leach, Inachus dorsettensis (Pennant), I. leptochirus Leach, Liocartinus depurator (Linnaeus), and Pilumnus hirtellus (Linnaeus) — were reared under laboratory conditions. The conditions of light, salinity and feeding were controlled, and the temperature was constant at either 15 or 20 ° C. Large numbers were reared in isolation, and the survival, size, and duration of each instar recorded.Survival was good through the zoeal instars, variable to the megalopa, whilst only Inachus dorsettensis showed good survival to the first crab instar. Survival was better at 20 than at 15 °C. Intermoult duration increased with instar number, and was greatly extended at the lower temperature. Moult increment was slightly reduced at the higher temperature, and had a mean value of 21.5% for the whole study. The range of size variation within an instar showed no consistent patterns of change within the larval series.     

Analysis of vertical stratification of Syrphidae (Diptera) in an oak-hornbeam forest in northern Italy

There is growing interest in the vertical stratification of forest biodiversity, but little is known about this aspect for Syrphidae living in forests. For this study, seven Malaise traps were suspended in the canopy and seven were placed on the ground, in a lowland forest in northern Italy. Altogether, 868 specimens of Syrphidae were collected; 229 from the canopy and 639 from the ground, comprising a total of 53 species. Three species [(Ceriana conopsoides (Linnaeus), Eupeodes corollae (Fabricius), Psilota atra Fallén)] were associated significantly with the canopy layer, and seven species [(Brachypalpoides lentus (Meigen), Chalcosyrphus nemorum (Fabricius), Chrysotoxum cautum (Harris), Eumerus flavitarsis Zetterstedt, Helophilus pendulus (Linnaeus), Myathropa florea (Linnaeus) and Xylota segnis (Linnaeus)] with the ground level. The sex-ratio of the Syrphidae differed significantly between the two layers, as females were caught mainly at ground level, while males were caught preferentially in the canopy. Species with saprophagous and saproxylic larvae were caught more commonly at ground level. Species richness declined from April to November but vertical stratification was constant for most of the season. Multivariate analyses showed that two factors were correlated significantly with the community composition of Syrphidae: height of Malaise trap and estimated age of dominant trees.     

Establishment and characterization of a cell line developed from the neonate larvae of Papilio demoleus Linnaeus (Lepidoptera: Papilionidae)

A new cell line named RIRI-PaDe, developed from the neonate larvae of Papilio demoleus Linnaeus, was established in modified Grace’s medium supplemented with 20% fetal bovine serum. The cell line was incubated at 28°C and consisted of attached round and short spindle-like cells. The population doubling time was 55 h. The chromosome numbers varied widely from 24 to 136 with a mode of 59 at the 71st passage. Comparison of mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene of the cell line and neonate larvae confirmed that the cell line was of P. demoleus origin. This cell line was susceptible to the Autographa californica multicapsid nucleopolyhedrovirus and Apocheima cinerarius nucleopolyhedrovirus.     

On the synonymy of two names of species of the genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Aphodius</Emphasis> Ill. (Coleoptera,Scarabaeidae) Described from Siberia

Based on examination of the type material, the following new synonymy is established: A. granarius (L., 1767) = A. tomskianus Balthasar, 1973, syn. n., A. granarius (L., 1767) = A. pecirkai Balthasar, 1932, syn. n.     

Length of pelagic period in echinoderms with feeding larvae from the Northeast Pacific

Minimum and maximum times from fertilization to settling are reported for larvae reared in the laboratory from 12 species of echinoderms representing four classes. For the holothuroid Parastichopus californicus (Stimpson) the maximum time observed was 13 weeks; for the asteroids Luidia foliolata Grube, Pisaster ochraceus (Brandt), and Pycnopodia helianthoides (Brandt) the maxima were 20, 32, and 21 weeks, respectively; for the ophiuroid Ophiopholis aculeata (Linnaeus) the maximum was 31 weeks; for the echinoids Brisaster latifrons (A. Agassiz), Dendraster excentricus (Eschscholtz), Allocentrotus fragilis (Jackson), and Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis (O. F. Müller) maxima were 24, 23, 36, and 21 weeks, respectively. The maximum pelagic periods in each class of echinoderms were approximately double other estimates based on cultured larvae. The pelagic periods in these cultures suggest a capacity for extensive dispersal in nature.     

The impact of waterborne cues from conspecifics and other species on the larvae of Halichondria panacea Pallas, 1766 (Porifera: Demospongiae)

The impacts of different concentrations of the excretory-secretory products (ESPs) of the solitary ascidian Styela rustica (Linnaeus, 1767) and the sponge Halichondria panacea (Pallas, 1766) on the settlement, metamorphosis, and mortality rates of H. panacea larvae were studied in a laboratory experiment. At high concentrations, substances released into the environment by the ascidian S. rustica exerted a negative impact on the metamorphosis rate of sponge larvae. The exposure to moderate or high concentrations of ESPs from conspecific adults led to high mortality of larval sponges; however, low conspecific ESP concentrations markedly stimulated metamorphosis; larval mortality was low. Apparently, different concentrations of the same ESPs can have effects with a different strength and focus. This should be taken into account in the study of chemically mediated interactions between aquatic organisms.     

Hyalomma aegyptium as dominant tick in tortoises of the genus Testudo in Balkan countries, with notes on its host preferences

Collection of 1327 ticks sampled throughout Greece, Bulgaria, Romania and Croatia, from 211 tortoises belonging to three species, Testudo marginata Schoepff, T. graeca Linnaeus, and T. hermanni Gmelin, revealed the presence of four species of ixodid ticks, namely Hyalomma aegyptium (Linnaeus), Haemaphysalis sulcata Canestrini and Fanzago, H. inermis Birula and Rhipicephalus sanguineus (Latreille). Study confirmed the strong dominance of all life stages of H. aegyptium among ticks parasitizing west Palaearctic tortoises of genus Testudo Linnaeus. Furthermore, a considerable portion of ticks collected from tortoises in southwestern Bulgaria represent larvae and nymphs of H. sulcata. At the same area we collected as exception one larva and one nymph of H. inermis from a single specimen of T. hermanni. Our findings of four adults of R. sanguineus is the first record of this species from reptilian host. According to our results achieved on localities with syntopic occurrence of two tortoise species, T. marginata and T. graeca represent in the Balkans the principal hosts of H. aegyptium, whereas T. hermanni serves only as an alternative host in the areas close to range of either T. marginata or T. graeca.     

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.     

Endogenous rhythms and entrainment cues of larval activity in the horseshoe crab Limulus polyphemus

The American horseshoe crab, Limulus polyphemus (Linnaeus), typically inhabits estuaries and coastal areas with pronounced semi-diurnal and diurnal tides that are used to synchronize the timing of spawning, larval hatching, and emergence. Horseshoe crabs spawn in the intertidal zone of sandy beaches and larval emergence occurs when the larvae exit the sediments and enter the plankton. However, L. polyphemus populations also occur in areas that lack significant tidal changes and associated synchronization cues. Endogenous activity rhythms that match predictable environmental cycles may enable larval horseshoe crabs to time swimming activity to prevent stranding on the beach. To determine if L. polyphemus larvae possess a circatidal rhythm in vertical swimming, larvae collected from beach nests and the plankton were placed under constant conditions and their activity monitored for 72 h. Time-series analyses of the activity records revealed a circatidal rhythm with a free-running period of ≈ 12.5 h. Maximum swimming activity consistently occurred during the time of expected falling tides, which may serve to reduce the chance of larvae being stranded on the beach and aid in seaward transport by ebb currents (i.e., ebb-tide transport). To determine if agitation serves as the entrainment cue, larvae were shaken on a 12.4 h cycle to simulate conditions during high tide in areas with semi-diurnal tides. When placed under constant conditions, larval swimming increased near the expected times of agitation. Thus, endogenous rhythms of swimming activity of L. polyphemus larvae in both tidal and nontidal systems may help synchronize swimming activity with periods of high water and inundation.     

Romanomermis culicivorax parasitism and the development, growth, and feeding rates of two mosquito species

The dry weight, development, and feeding rates of Culex pipiens and Toxorhynchites amboinensis larvae infected with the nematode, Romanomermis culicivorax, were measured and gross conversion efficiences were calculated. The weight of C. pipiens larvae infected at two different inoculum levels did not differ significantly from controls until day 6 postinfection (PI). Infected larvae of T. amboinensis were significantly lighter than controls at days 2, 4, and 6 PI. The rate of larval mosquito development was slowed after day 3 in parasitized individuals of both mosquito species. Infection significantly retarded the interval feeding rate of the filter-feeding C. pipiens throughout development. Infected T. amboinensis larvae consumed significantly fewer prey larvae of C. pipiens than controls. Calculation of gross conversion efficiency (GCE) showed that lightly infected C. pipiens larvae had an elevated GCE early in the infection but were less efficient relative to controls after 4 days PI. Lightly parasitized T. amboinensis had a lower total GCE than controls.     

A new key for the species of Ateuchus Weber (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Scarabaeinae) occurring in Mexico,with a description of the first North American inquiline species from a rodent burrow (Rodentia: Geomydae) and new distribution records

The first Ateuchus Weber (Scarabaeinae) species, A. tuza sp. nov., from a rodent burrow from North America is described. Diagnostic characters are presented; photographs of an adult male and illustrations of male genitalia are included. A key for all known Mexican Ateuchus Weber species is provided. Ateuchus hornai (Balthasar) is revalidated. New distribution records from Mexico and Central America are reported.     

Development of nested multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay for the detection of Toxocara canis, Toxocara cati and Ascaris suum contamination in meat and organ meats

Ascarid Larva Migrans Syndrome (ascarid LMS) is a clinical syndrome in humans, caused by the migration of animal roundworm larvae such as Toxocara canis, Toxocara cati and Ascaris suum. Humans may acquire infection by ingesting embryonated eggs, or infective larvae of these parasites in contaminated meat and organ meats. To detect these pathogenic contaminations, a novel nested multiplex PCR system was developed. Our novel nested multiplex PCR assay showed specific amplification of T. canis, T. cati and Ascaris spp. Detection limit of the nested multiplex PCR was tested with serial dilution of T. canis, T. cati or A. suum genomic DNA (gDNA) from 100?pg to 100 ag and found to be 10?fg, 1?fg and 100?fg, respectively. When larvae were spiked into chicken liver tissue, DNA of T. canis and A. suum was detected from the liver spiked with a single larva, while the assay required at least 2 larvae of T. cati. Moreover, the ascarid DNA was detected from the liver of mice infected with 100 and 300 eggs of T. canis, T. cati or A. suum. This nested multiplex PCR assay could be useful for the detection of contamination with ascarid larvae in meat and organ meats.     

Lipid nutritional indices,regioisomeric distribution,and thermal properties of Tenebrio molitor and Hermetia illucens larvae fat

The fatty acid (FA) profile, nutritional index, and thermal properties of lipids from Tenebrio molitor and Hermetia illucens larvae were studied. T. molitor and H. illucens larvae had high lipid contents (respectively 28.8% and 42.6%), saturated (25.0% and 55.8%), monounsaturated (MUFA) (39.2% and 28.3%), and polyunsaturated (PUFA) fatty acids (35.8% and 15.9%). Both larvae fats contained beneficial ω-3, ω-6, and ω-9 FA. For T. molitor and H. illucens, the lipid nutritional indices were atherogenicity indices 0.68 and 2.75, thrombogenicity indices 0.58 and 0.74, and health-promoting indices 3.51 and 0.80 hypocholesterolemic/hypercholesterolemic acid ratio 1.38 and 0.23, suggesting the nutritional superiority of T. molitor larvae fat. Regioisomeric distribution analysis showed that PUFA in H. illucens larvae fat are concentrated on the sn-1,3 positions, whereas those in T. molitor larvae fat are distributed in all three positions. The thermal stability and crystallisation profiles differed for both larvae fats and demonstrated their potential use in thermally processed foods.     

Intraspecific Epitopic Variation in a Carbohydrate Antigen Exposed on the Surface of Trichostrongylus colubriformis Infective L3 Larvae

The carbohydrate larval antigen, CarLA, is present on the exposed surface of all strongylid nematode infective L3 larvae tested, and antibodies against CarLA can promote rapid immune rejection of incoming Trichostrongylus colubriformis larvae in sheep. A library of ovine recombinant single chain Fv (scFv) antibody fragments, displayed on phage, was prepared from B cell mRNA of field-immune sheep. Phage displaying scFvs that bind to the surface of living exsheathed T. colubriformis L3 larvae were identified, and the majority of worm-binding scFvs recognized CarLA. Characterization of greater than 500 worm surface binding phage resulted in the identification of nine different anti-CarLA scFvs that recognized three distinct T. colubriformis CarLA epitopes based on blocking and additive ELISA. All anti-CarLA scFvs were specific to the T. colubriformis species of nematode. Each of the three scFv epitope classes displayed identical Western blot recognition patterns and recognized the exposed surface of living T. colubriformis exsheathed L3 larvae. Surprisingly, each of the anti-CarLA scFvs was able to bind to only a subset of worms. Double-labelling indirect immunofluorescence revealed that the three classes of anti-CarLA scFvs recognize distinct, non-overlapping, T. colubriformis sub-populations. These results demonstrate that individual T. colubriformis L3 larvae display only one of at least three distinct antigenic forms of CarLA on their surface at any given time, and suggest that antigenic variation within CarLA is likely a mechanism of immune evasion in strongylid nematodes.     

Morphology of larvae of the weevils <Emphasis Type="Italic">Apion frumentarium</Emphasis>, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pseudaplemonus aeneicollis</Emphasis>, and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Stenopterapion margelanicum</Emphasis> (Coleoptera,Apionidae)

Larvae of the weevils Apion frumentarium Linnaeus, Pseudaplemonus aeneicollis Gerstaecker of the tribe Apionini, and Stenopterapion margelanicum Wagner of the tribe Oxystomatini are described for the first time. The diagnoses of larvae of these three species are presented, and their characteristics are compared with those of the larvae of Protapion apricans Herbst., Pirapion immune Kirby, and Ischnopterapion loti Gyllenhal. The larvae differ in the structure and chaetotaxy of the head, labium, pedal lobes, and abdominal segments IX and X.