Critical factors required by the nematode Steinernema feltiae for the control of the leafminers Liriomyza huidobrensis, Liriomyza bryoniae and Chromatomyia syngenesiae

The critical factors required by entomopathogenic nematodes for the control of dipteran leafminers were investigated and compared. The foliar application of Steinernema feltiae and Heterorhabditis sp. (strain UK 211) caused a significant reduction in the numbers of dipteran leafminer larvae. There was no significant difference in efficacy between these nematode species against Liriomyza huidobrensis at 20°C and 85–90% r.h. Application of S. feltiae to all three larval instars of L. huidobrensis significantly reduced larval survival, with application to the second instar being the most effective at 20 ± 2°C and 80 ± 10% r.h. Humidities of >90% significantly enhanced the efficacy of S. feltiae. When S. feltiae was applied to second instar larvae, it was equally effective throughout the temperature range 10–30°C. At 20°C and >90% r.h., sufficient nematodes were able to enter the leaf tissues within the first 12 h after application to reduce larval survival to c. 15%. A comparison between L. huidobrensis, L. bryoniue and Chromatomyia syngenesiue indicated that the efficacy of S. feltiae was affected by the same critical factors for all three species.     

Role of commensal relationships on the spatial structure of a surface-attached microbial consortium

A flow cell-grown model consortium consisting of two organisms, Burkholderia sp. LB400 and Pseudomonas sp. B13(FR1), was studied. These bacteria have the potential to interact metabolically because Pseudomonas sp. B13(FR1) can metabolize chlorobenzoate produced by Burkholderia sp. LB400 when grown on chlorobiphenyl. The expected metabolic interactions in the consortium were demonstrated by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis. The spatial structure of the consortium was studied by fluorescent in situ rRNA hybridization and scanning confocal laser microscopy. When the consortium was fed with medium containing a low concentration of chlorobiphenyl, microcolonies consisting of associated Burkholderia sp. LB400 and Pseudomonas sp. B13(FR1) bacteria were formed, and separate Pseudomonas sp. B13(FR1) microcolonies were evidently not formed. When the consortium was fed citrate, which can be metabolized by both species, the two species formed separate microcolonies. The structure development in the consortium was studied online using a gfp -tagged Pseudomonas sp. B13(FR1) derivative. After a shift in carbon source from citrate to a low concentration of chlorobiphenyl, movement of the Pseudomonas sp. B13(FR1) bacteria led to a change in the spatial structure of the consortium from the unassociated form towards the associated form within a few days. Experiments involving a gfp -based Pseudomonas sp. B13(FR1) growth activity reporter strain indicated that chlorobenzoate supporting growth of Pseudomonas sp. B13(FR1) is located close to the Burkholderia sp. LB400 microcolonies in chlorobiphenyl-grown consortia.     

Feeding behaviour of yearling and older hybrid grass carp

Hybrid grass carp resulting from the cross of a female grass carp, Ctenopharyngodon idella (Val.), and a male bighead carp, Hypophthalmichthys ( Aristichthys ) nobilis Rich., 12–18 months old ( c . 300 mm T.L.) were studied in a two-part experiment to determine feeding preference and total daily consumption fish^-1 on selected species of aquatic plants. Fish were maintained in circular pools with 6840·8 1 of water inside a temperature-controlled greenhouse. Preference tests were conducted at three temperature ranges; 25–28° C, 17–20° C and 12–15° C. Based on the time to complete consumption or the relative quantity consumed, the most preferred plant was Lemna gibba when in combination with six other species. Chara sp., Najas guadalupensis and Potamogeton peciinatus were readily consumed and considered to be of about equal preference. Ceratophyllum demersum and Myriophyllum brasiliense were least preferred. Hybrid grass carp generally consumed as much plant material species^-1 and in the same order of preference at the 12–15°C range as they did at 25–28° C. In the second part, mean daily consumption (g) fish^-1 at 25·7–31·0° C for five plant species tested separately was as follows: Chara sp. 369·8; Lemna gibba 178·2; Najas guadalupensis 172·6; Hydrilla verticillata 106·4 and Ceratophyllum demersum 8·8.     

Diapause duration, survival in relation to desiccation and egg-pod morphology of the Senegalese grasshopper, Oedaleus senegalensis

Abstract. The Senegalese grasshopper, Oedaleus senegalensis (Krauss) (Orthoptera: Acrididae), is periodically a devastating pest of subsistence crops in the sahelian zone of West Africa.Egg diapause has been suggested as an important component of the mechanism acting to generate outbreaks and therefore diapause duration, egg survival in relation to desiccation and egg-pod morphology were investigated in this study.
Three months after oviposition, 50% of initially diapausing egg pods maintained in the laboratory exhibited 'partial emergence' and produced hoppers.No difference in diapause duration was evident between egg pods maintained at a constant 30 ± 1°C and those maintained under alternating temperature conditions of 23 ± 1°C and 35 ± 1°C.Laboratory maintained eggs showed significant variation in diapause duration with diapause lasting between 2 months and 4 years.Diapause duration was shorter in the field with only c. 1.4% of eggs remaining in diapause after a single dry season (6–7 months).Survival of eggs in relation to desiccation was high in the field and low in the laboratory, and field eggs lost only c. 20% of their body weight over the dry season.Survival of diapausing and non-diapausing egg pods in the laboratory was similar, indicating that diapause in this species is primarily a mechanism for preventing emergence at an inappropriate time of year, rather than conferring any additional resistance to desiccation.Egg pods oviposited under diapause-inducing conditions (LD 14:10 h, 25°C) were significantly shorter than those laid under non-diapausing conditions (LD 10:14 h, 40°C).These results are discussed both in relation to possible O.senegalensis 'bet-hedging' strategies and to the probable mechanism operating behind major outbreaks of this species.     

Kinetics of biofilm formation and desiccation survival of Listeria monocytogenes in single and dual species biofilms with Pseudomonas fluorescens,Serratia proteamaculans or Shewanella baltica on food-grade stainless steel surfaces

This study investigated the dynamics of static biofilm formation (100% RH, 15 °C, 48–72 h) and desiccation survival (43% RH, 15 °C, 21 days) of Listeria monocytogenes, in dual species biofilms with the common spoilage bacteria, Pseudomonas fluorescens, Serratia proteamaculans and Shewanella baltica, on the surface of food grade stainless steel. The Gram-negative bacteria reduced the maximum biofilm population of L. monocytogenes in dual species biofilms and increased its inactivation during desiccation. However, due to the higher desiccation resistance of Listeria relative to P. fluorescens and S. baltica, the pathogen survived in greater final numbers. In contrast, S. proteamaculans outcompeted the pathogen during the biofilm formation and exhibited similar desiccation survival, causing the N_{21 days} of Serratia to be ca 3 Log₁₀(CFU cm^?2) greater than that of Listeria in the dual species biofilm. Microscopy revealed biofilm morphologies with variable amounts of exopolymeric substance and the presence of separate microcolonies. Under these simulated food plant conditions, the fate of L. monocytogenes during formation of mixed biofilms and desiccation depended on the implicit characteristics of the co-cultured bacterium.     

Role of Microcolony Formation in the Protistan Grazing Defense of the Aquatic Bacterium Pseudomonas sp. MWH1

A BSTRACTThe defense strategy of the aquatic bacterium Pseudomonas sp. MWH1 against flagellate grazing was investigated in chemostat and batch experiments. The influence of predation on the Pseudomonas population was studied in the absence and presence of a potential competitor ( Vibrio sp. CB5), as well as under starvation conditions and in a situation of unlimited growth. In the competition experiment the two bacterial strains were distinguished by immunofluorescence microscopy. When the Pseudomonas strain was cultured in the absence of the predator Ochromonas sp. DS, only mobile single cells were detectable. Grazing by this bacterivorous flagellate resulted in all experiments in the occurrence of a Pseudomonas subpopulation, which grew as floclike, suspended microcolonies. These microcolonies consisted of up to approximately 1,000 cells and were, because of their large size, protected against flagellate grazing. The microcolony subpopulation dominated the total Pseudomonas population in situations of high grazing pressure at a wide range of bacterial growth conditions. Thus, the formation of the microcolonies is interpreted as a successful grazing-defense strategy, which is effective under several growth conditions, allowing for the survival of the strain even when substrate depletion is combined with strong grazing pressure. Batch culture experiments demonstrated that the change in morphology of Pseudomonas sp. MWH1 is not controlled by growth rate, although no formation of microcolonies was observed after the addition of 0.2-&mgr;m-filtered flagellate cultures to Pseudomonas cultures, indicating that a chemical trigger released by the flagellate is not involved in the control of this defense mechanism.     

Migratory behaviour and desiccation tolerance of protostrongylid nematode first-stage larvae

Migration of first-stage larvae (L1) from faeces to soil is a crucial stage in the life-history of protostrongylids transmitted via land snails. Migration of Muellerius cf. capillaris and a Cystocaulus sp. L1 from fresh Nubian ibex (Capra ibex nubiana) faeces (48–50% water content, W.C.) to substrate soils (at 100% r.h., 26°C) was measured experimentally using dry (3 ± 1% W.C.), wet (31 ± 0.43% W.C.) and flooded (48.4 ± 2.45% W.C.) soils. The highest migration rates (90.4 ± 1.6% migration) in both species occurred on flooded soils when the faecal pellet W.C. reached 90%. The next highest migration rates (43.2 ± 3.6% migration, at 60% faecal W.C.) were on the wet soils and no migration occurred on dry soil or dry-substrate papers. Migration rates did not differ significantly (P > 0.05) between species. Active Theba pisana were not infected by M. cf. capillaris L1 on dry infested soils, but were infected following rehydration of the same soils. By day 10, L1 of M. cf. capillaris demonstrated lower survival rates in water and in 97% and 76% r.h. (74.5%, 15.2% and 1.9%, respectively) than the Cystocaulus sp. (97.5%, 43.8%, 43.3%) and Protostrongylus sp. (97.9%, 43.2%, 23.8%, P < 0.05). All three nematodes had a remarkably high survival rate (> 99% overall survival, by day 10) when exposed directly to 0% r.h. at 23°C, Results demonstrate the ability of L1 to survive extreme desiccation through anhydrobiosis. Migration of L1 from facces to soil can take place only during rains which coincide, with peak activity of land snails in desert habitat.     

Fecundity, reproductive effort, age-specific reproductive tactics and intrinsic rate of natural increase of a High Arctic nematode belonging to the genus Chiloplacus

The reproduction of an undescribed species of the genus Chiloplacus from the Canadian High Arctic was studied at 10°C. The mean number of eggs laid per female was 317.8±89.2, of which 46.8±7.8% hatched, resulting in net reproduction of 148.8 juveniles per female. Beginning as new-laid eggs the observed maximum age attained was 99 d, and the calculated generation time was 52.6 d. Egg-laying began 26 d after hatching and the reproductive period spanned 56 d. The intrinsic rate of increase was 0.095, and the first 12 reproductive days contributed 80.587% of the value of r. When r = 0.095 the stable age distribution was calculated to be 91.5% immatures and 8.5% adults. Chiloplacus sp. is intermediate in fecundity for free-living soil nematodes. lying between the generally highly fecund Rhabditidae on the one hand, and the much less fecund Dorylaimidae on the other. Chiloplacus sp. lays a larger portion of its eggs early in the reproductive period at 10°C than do species from warmer environments, suggesting that reproduction of Chiloplacus sp. is low-temperature compensated.     

Daily biphasic behaviour in keratin-feeding desert trogid beetles in relation to climate

Abstract. 1. Patterns of daily activity of two ectothermic species of the trogid genus Omorgus were studied in the Kalahari of southern Africa in summer. The relationship between time and type of activity, and environmental temperature, relative humidity and light intensity, was investigated.
2. Beetle activity was biphasic, with peaks in activity at sunset and sunrise in both species.
3. Afternoon activity coincided with high temperatures and low humidity and morning activity with minimum daily temperature and maximum humidity.
4. Afternoon activity, which peaked at about 34°C and 25% r.h., consisted predominantly of complex breeding behaviour and dispersal. High temperatures are necessary for these activities.
5. In the morning feeding predominated. At this time temperature was about 27°C and r.h. above 60%. High r.h. is important because it restricts respiratory loss of water, improves food (moist hair and skin keratin) quality and may compensate for faecal water loss.
6. No evidence of competition between the two species was found.     

Antimicrobial activity of food-related Penicillium sp. against pathogenic bacteria in laboratory media and a cheese model system

Food-related Penicillium species ( n ep fy1 = rs 34) and Geotrichum candidum ( n = 11) grown on Czapek Dox and brie agar were tested for their ability to suppress growth of pathogenic bacteria. Ten out of 13 P. camemberti showed antagonistic activity while the other species did not interact significantly with the bacterial growth. The order of inhibition was: Gram-negative bacteria and Bacillus cereus > Listeria monocytogenes , Lactococcus sp. > Micrococcus sp. whereas Lactobacillus sp., Staphylococcus aureus and some Micrococcus sp. were unaffected. When Salmonella typhimurium was inoculated together with P. camemberti P25 in brie agar, bacterial growth was inhibited during the first 6 d of incubation whereafter growth started. The inhibition of L. monocytogenes was similar but less pronounced. The antimicrobial activity produced by P. camemberti P25 and L84 was enhanced with increasing amount of sucrose in the medium. The activity was increased at low pH and destroyed at pH above 8. It was detectable at 15°C but not at 37°C indicating that volatile metabolites might be involved. No significant accumulation of organic acids and no secondary metabolites such as mycotoxins were detected. HSGC-MS analysis indicated that acetaldehyde, benzaldehyde, 3-methylbutanal and 1-octen-3-ol were produced by P. camemberti during the period when inhibitory activity was observed. Pure acetaldehyde and benzaldehyde were shown to be inhibitory to L. monocytogenes and Salm. typhimurium when grown at 15°C and pH 5·5 and 7·0.     

Nitrogenase activity (acetylene reduction) in root-associated, cold-climate species of Azospirillum, Enterobacter, Klebsiella and Pseudomonas growing at various temperatures

Abstract 23 Strains of diazotrophic root-associated bacteria isolated from various parts of Finland were tested for nitrogenase activity during growth at various temperatures. Nitrogenase activity was optimal at 20–37°C in cultures of Klebsiella pneumoniae , and at 14–20°C in cultures of Klebsiella terrigena and Enterobacter agglomerans . Strains of K. terrigena and E. agglomerans showed no activity at 37°C, and K. pneumoniae only minimal or no activity at 14°C. Azospirillum lipoferum exhibited high nitrogenase activity at both 28–37°C, but less than 25% of optimal activity at 20°C and no activity at 14°C. Pseudomonas sp. expressed nitrogenase activity at 14–28°C. None of the strains manifested nitrogenase activity at 4 or 42°C. There were only small local variations within a species between strains isolated at different locations.     

松材线虫对其携带的细菌繁殖的影响

1.引言松材线虫病（Bursaphelenchus xylophilus）是松树的一种毁灭性病害,在日本、中国、韩国和北美、尼日利亚和葡萄牙等国家蔓延,造成了巨大经济损失,其中以日本和中国受害最重.一直认为松材线虫是引起该病的唯一病原,但近十几年来的研究发现,细菌在致病过程中可能起着重要作用,相继从病木和松材线虫体上分离到能对黑松苗有致萎活性的细菌.赵博光等首次根据实验提出松材线虫病是线虫和细菌共同侵染引起的复合侵染病害的假说,并在以后的试验中得到了验证.关于松材线虫对其细菌繁殖的影响研究鲜有报道.本试验采用从感病松树上分离并鉴定了的细菌菌株中选取假单胞属7株、其它属的细菌菌株3株,     

EFFECT OF LIGHT QUALITY ON POLYSACCHARIDE YIELD AND COMPOSITION OF TWO RED ALGAE

Porphyra perforata is a common seaweed inhabiting the upper intertidal zone, and as a consequence it experiences great fluctuations in tissue temperature and desiccation. The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of ambient temperature and the tissue desiccation status on the photosynthetic performance of P. perforata. Photosynthetic performance was evaluated polarographically after the temperature or desiccation treatments. Maximum photosynthesis (P_max) occurred between 25 and 30° C and decreased at higher and lower temperatures, however, no significant differences were observed in the initial slope of photosynthesis (α) from 10 to 30° C. This suggests that the photosynthetic efficiency of this species does not decrease as a result of fluctuating temperatures during tidal emergence/submergence. P_max and α were relatively constant in tissue of P. perforata with 5 to 100% relative water content. This also suggests that natural desiccation rates during low tides do not decrease photosynthetic rates in this species. Variations in the synthesis of specific proteins as a result of fluctuations in temperature and relative water content in the tissue of P. perforata are being studied.     

THE INFLUENCE OF HEAT ON SOME APHIDS

The thermal death-points of five species of aphids removed from their host plants lay between 38 and 41°C., when tested for 1 hr. at 60% r.h . Many aphids alive after 1 hr. at high temperatures died within the next day; no Myzus persicae recovered and reproduced after 1 hr. above 37.5°C. Third and fourth instars and adult apterae withstood heat better than first and second instars and alatae. More aphids died at 90% r.h . than at 60% r.h , and more at 60% than at 30% r.h . Aphids kept at 15% r.h . for 4 hr. before being heated showed a higher mortality than those kept at 95% r.h . Aphids on plants withstood temperatures higher than their thermal death-point off the plant. Presumably aphids can continue to cool themselves by evaporation while feeding; also lower temperatures on the surface of transpiring plant tissues will aid survival.     

SGAP-10C agar for the isolation and quantification of Aeromonas from water

Glutamate starch penicillin (GSP) medium was used for the simultaneous isolation of Pseudomonas and Aeromonas . Modifications to reduce the number of Pseudomonas and background flora and to improve the recovery of Aeromonas from water samples are described. The original medium was modified by adding glucose and ampicillin. The addition of 10 μg/l of C-glucose to the medium (SGAP-10C) permitted better recuperation of stressed cells of aeromonads and the ampicillin reduced the numbers of Pseudomonas . The best temperature for the recovery of aquatic aeromonads was 28°C. The recovery of different species of Aeromonas on SGAP-10C was 93%. The selectivity of the medium was validated because 95·5% of 28 colonies tested with an Aeromonas -like morphology belonged to the genus Aeromonas . Moreover, when 45 strains of different genera were cultured on the medium, only Vibrio alginolyticus presented a confusing morphology. When the SGAP-10C was compared with GSP with 45 river samples, the new medium gave a significantly better recovery of Aeromonas spp., especially when large numbers of Pseudomonas spp. were present. SGAP-10C used at 28°C and 48 h was an efficient selective medium for the isolation of Aeromonas from fresh waters.     

Biological studies of the Australian predatory mite Typhlodromips montdorensis (Schicha) (Acari: Phytoseiidae), a potential biocontrol agent for western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae)

Abstract The biology of the Australian phytoseiid mite Typhlodromips montdorensis is described from material collected in Queensland and South Australia in 1994−1996. At 25°C, when fed on cumbungi ( Typha sp.) pollen, the life cycle was completed in approximately 7 days, with an intrinsic rate of natural increase ( r _m ) of 0.32. Female−male pairs produced a mean total of 52.7 eggs within 28 days of oviposition. Females that were deprived of males after first mating stopped laying eggs after 7−19 days; however, if another male was added, they resumed egg laying and produced, on average, a total of 49.4 eggs. The sex ratio was 2.24 females to one male. At 25°C, fecundity on a diet of thrips larvae (first-instar Frankliniella schultzei Trybom) was high, ranging from 2.72 to 3.58 eggs per day on the third day, depending on previous diet. Consumption rate of thrips was also high, with an average of 7.23−14.44 first-instar larvae eaten per day on the third day, depending again on previous diet and also on number of thrips larvae made available. The species was also observed to feed on: (i) broad mite, Polyphago­tarsonemus latus (Banks); (ii) tomato russet mite, Aculops lycopersici (Massee); and (iii) two-spotted mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch. No diapause was observed under conditions of 25°C, 8 h light and 10°C, 16 h dark. Eggs were sensitive to low humidity, with 50% failing to hatch below 70.8% relative humidity. This species is of interest as a candidate biological control agent for thrips, broad mite and tomato russet mite in protected crops.     

Heterotrophic bacterial populations in the mineral waters of thermal springs in Spain

The microbiological quality and heterotrophic bacterial populations of 26 thermal mineral water springs in Spain were studied. In most of the springs the number of viable aerobes was less than 10³ cfu ml^-1 and the number of sporulated bacteria less than 10² cfu ml^-1. No significant differences were foundin the counts obtained with Plate Count Agar (PCA) and PCA diluted 1 : 10 and incubated at 22°, 37° and 45°C. Total coliforms were found in 14 springs, faecal streptococci in three, spores of sulphite-reducing Clostridium and Pseudomonas aeruginosa in seven. Neither Escherichia coli nor Staphylococcus aureus were found. A total of 665 strains were isolated and 85·4% of these identified; 329 were Gram-positive and 239 were Gram-negative. The genera most prevalent present in the springs were Pseudomonas (in 92.3%), Bacillus (65.4%), Enterobacter, Micrococcus and Staphylococcus (50%), Acinetobacter (42.3%), Arthrobacter (38.4%), Clostridium (27%) and Xanthomonas (23%). Gram-negative bacteria predominated in the mesothermal springs and Gram-positive bacteria in the hyper- and hypothermal springs. The most common Gram-negative rod species isolated were Ps. fluorescens, Ps. aeruginosa, Ps. putida, Ent. agglomerans, Ent. sakazakii, Ac. calcoaceticus and Ent. amnigenus.     

Biological studies of the Australian predatory mite Typhlodromalus lailae (Schicha) (Acari: Phytoseiidae)

Abstract The biology of the Australian phytoseiid mite Typhlodromalus lailae is described from material collected in Western Australia and New South Wales in 1994. At 25°C, when fed on cumbungi ( Typha sp.) pollen, the life cycle is completed in approximately 6 days, with an intrinsic rate of natural increase ( r _m ), of 0.38. Female−male pairs produced a mean total of 44.6 eggs within 22 days of oviposition, with 39% of these females living in excess of 29 days. Females that were deprived of males after first mating stopped laying eggs after 4−9 days, but if another male was added they resumed egg laying and produced close to a full complement of eggs (mean 42 eggs). At 25°C, fecundity on a diet of cumbungi pollen or thrips larvae (first-instar Frankliniella schutzei Trybom) was high, averaging 3.71 and 3.33 eggs per day, respectively, over a 3-day period. The sex ratio was approximately 1.5 females to 1 male. Consumption rate of thrips was also high, with an average of approximately seven first-instar or two second-instar F. schultzei larvae eaten per day. The species was also observed to feed on broad mite, Polyphagotarsonemus latus (Banks), and tomato russet mite, Aculops lycopersici (Massee). No diapause was observed under conditions of 25°C 8 h light and 10°C 16 h dark. Eggs were sensitive to low humidity, with 50% failing to hatch below 71.1% relative humidity. This species is of interest as a candidate biological control agent for thrips, broad mite and tomato russet mite in protected crops.     

Evaluation of a digoxigenin-labelled probe for detection of Aeromonas spp.

An outer membrane protein-based Digoxigenin (DIG)-labelled DNA probe was developed for the specific detection of Aeromonas sp. from food/environmental/clinical samples. Dot blot reaction answered for all the Aeromonas isolates and was negative for Escherichia coli , Pseudomonas sp., Klebsiella sp., Vibrio parahaemolyticus , V. harveyi , V. alginolyticus , V. vulnificus . Edwardsiella tarda and Staphylococcus sp. As this protein is highly conserved in various Aeromonas species, the probe has the potential for use as a rapid and reliable diagnostic tool.     

Changes in the strength of attachment of micro-organisms to surfaces following treatment with disinfectants and cleansing agents

Suspensions of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus epidermidis , and biofilms established (16 h) on submerged glass and stainless steel (216 2B) coupons, were exposed to sodium hypochlorite (0·02% or 0·015% w/v), Dodigen (0·0015% w/v or 0·0006% w/v), sodium dodecylsulphate (6% w/v or 0·1% w/v) and Tween-80 (6% w/v) for 5 min at 20 °C. Survival was assessed by viable counts and blot succession. Biofilm bacteria were significantly less susceptible to these biocides than were planktonic cells, but their attachment to the surfaces was loosened by such treatments. Treatment with the non-ionic surfactant, Tween-80, however, strengthened the attachment of Staph. epidermidis to stainless steel. Such effects on attachment strength, which are species and surface dependent, have profound implications on post-treatment cleansing and possible re-contamination of product in clean-in-place (CIP) systems.