A cell strain cloned from Spodoptera exigua cell line (IOZCAS-Spex-II) highly susceptible to S. exigua nucleopolyhedrovirus infection

A cell strain (IOZCAS-Spex-II-A) cloned from IOZCAS-Spex-II, a cell line established from the fat body of Spodoptera exigua (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) larva, was characterized, and its capability to produce S. exigua nucleopolyhedrovirus was high with infection rate exceeding 90% compared with its parental cell line IOZCAS-Spex-II that scored only 50%. Growth curve of budded virus (BV) in the strain was analyzed and the titer of BV reached the highest of 3.7?×?10⁴ pfu/mL by 96 h after inoculation. Concentration of occlusion bodies (OBs) produced by the cloned cell strain (IOZCAS-Spex-II-A) was 7.1?×?10⁷ OBs/mL, while the parental cell line produced 2.4?×?10⁷ OBs/mL. The average yield of the virus was 176 OBs/cell of IOZCAS-Spex-II-A compared with 211 OBs/cell that of the parental cell line. Significant differences were observed in virus production, growth characters, cell shape, between the parental cell line, and its clone. The cell lines (IOZCAS-Spex-II and IOZCAS-Spex-II-A) were also susceptible to Autographa californica multiple nucleopolyhedrovirus infection. In addition, they were characterized with regard to their growth rates and DNA amplification fingerprinting technique employing polymerase chain reaction.     

Biological Characterization of a Nucleopolyhedrovirus of Spodoptera litura (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) Isolated from the Philippines

A Philippine Spodoptera litura nucleopolyhedrovirus (SltMNPV) was isolated by plaque purification from an uncloned NPV population in a formulated product that exhibits high insecticidal activity against the onion-attacking common cutworm, S. litura. Its estimated genome size was approximately 142 kb. Comparison with Autographa californica MNPV and Spodoptera exigua NPV by restriction fragmentation analysis showed that it was a distinct isolate. Light microscopy examination showed that SltMNPV-P7 infected insect cell lines derived from Spodoptera littoralis (CLS-79), Spodoptera frugiperda (Sf9), and S. litura (TUAT-SpLi221). It produced typical cytopathic effects in cell lines established from Bombyx mori and S. exigua and induced apoptotic-like cytopathology in Lymantria dispar-derived cell line; it exerted no observable cytopathic effect on Spilosoma imparilis cell line. Significant increase in budded virus (BV) production was observed in CLS-79, Sf9, and TUAT-SpLi221 cell lines, in which TUAT-SpLi221 cell line supported the highest BV titer. No significant BV production was observed in the remaining four cell lines. Similarly, viral DNA replication and polyhedrin production proceeded only in these three spodopteran cell lines. Results showed that SltMNPV-P7 is a unique isolate which can be propagated in vitro for further studies and thus has a potential for development into a more effective microbial insecticide.     

A new cell line from Spodoptera exigua (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) and its differentially expressed genes

A new cell line, designated IOZCAS‐Spex XI, was established from the pupal ovaries of Spodoptera exigua (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in TNM‐FH medium containing 10% foetal bovine serum. The spherical cells were predominant among the various cell types. The population‐doubling time during the logarithmic phase of growth was 81.7 h. It was confirmed that the cell line originated from S. exigua by DAF‐PCR technique. Analysis of susceptibility to baculovirus showed that the new cell line was susceptible to S. exigua nucleopolyhedrovirus (SeNPV), Autographa californica multiple NPV (AcMNPV) and slightly susceptible to S. litura NPV (SpltNPV), while not permissive to Helicoverpa armigera NPV and Hyphantria cunea NPV (HcNPV). Real‐Time PCR analysis was carried out to compare some differentially expressed genes between the cell line and the primary culture. The result showed that marked significant differences were observed in the expression of the genes of SUMO‐1 activating enzyme, BCCIP‐like protein, 10 kDa HSP, CypA, receptor for activated PKC, PDI‐like protein ERp57, ALDH, DEAD box ATP‐dependent RNA helicase‐like protein (P < 0.01), while a significant difference was obtained in the expression of GST gene between the cell line and the primary culture (P < 0.05).     

Electron microscope study on the replication of Autographa nuclear polyhedrosis virus and Spodoptera nuclear polyhedrosis virus in Spodoptera exigua

A comparative study of Spodoptera nuclear polyhedrosis virus (NPV) and Autographa NPV replication in Spodoptera exigua revealed some cytopathologic differences. Infection with Spodoptera NPV was accompanied by electron-dense intranuclear granules. Autographa infection within the midgut led to secretion within the lumens of the goblet cells of paracrystalline arrays of small, round particles, 9.5 nm in diameter. Autographa virus was also observed in various stages of possible replication within the cytoplasm.     

Molecular cloning and characterization of a diapause-specific peptide in the beet armyworm,Spodoptera exigua

The leaf beetle, Gastrophysa atrocyanea, diapause-specific peptide (DSP), which plays a role in diapause, inhibits Ca^2 + channels and has antifungal activity. Here, we show the molecular cloning and characterization of a diapause-specific peptide in the beet armyworm Spodoptera exigua. The S. exigua diapause-specific peptide (SeDSP) gene consists of only one exon encoding 63 amino acid residues. A comparative analysis showed that mature SeDSP consists of 40 amino acid residues including six cysteines, which are similar to those of S. littoralis Spodomicin and G. atrocyanea DSP. The SeDSP was expressed as a 4.5 kDa peptide in baculovirus-infected insect cells. SeDSP was constitutively expressed in the epidermis of S. exigua larvae and pupae after molting and metamorphosis. In addition, recombinant SeDSP showed antibacterial activity against Bacillus megaterium.     

Benzylideneacetone suppresses both cellular and humoral immune responses of Spodoptera exigua and enhances fungal pathogenicity

An entomopathogenic fungus, Beauveria bassiana, had significant insecticidal activity against the beet armyworm, Spodoptera exigua. However, it took almost one week to cause significant mortality. This study used a mixture treatment with an immunosuppressant to enhance the fungal pathogenicity. A bacterial metabolite, benzylideneacetone (BZA), had a significant synergistic effect on the fungal pathogenicity against S. exigua, although it had little insecticidal activity by itself. The mixture treatment shortened median lethal time of B. bassiana by approximately 2 days. The synergistic activity of BZA on the pathogenicity of B. bassiana was induced by its immunosuppressive effects on both cellular and humoral antifungal responses of S. exigua. In response to B. bassiana, S. exigua larvae can form hemocytic nodules. Nodules were significantly suppressed by BZA treatment. Moreover, BZA inhibited expression of some antimicrobial peptide genes of S. exigua in response to fungal challenge. The immunosuppressive condition induced by BZA allowed B. bassiana to easily colonize and multiply in the hemocoel of treated larvae, which resulted in significant enhancement of the pathogenicity of B. bassiana.     

Toxicity, Binding, and Permeability Analyses of Four Bacillus thuringiensis Cry1 δ-Endotoxins Using Brush Border Membrane Vesicles of Spodoptera exigua and Spodoptera frugiperda

The binding and pore formation properties of four Bacillus thuringiensis Cry1 toxins were analyzed by using brush border membrane vesicles from Spodoptera exigua and Spodoptera frugiperda, and the results were compared to the results of toxicity bioassays. Cry1Fa was highly toxic and Cry1Ac was nontoxic to S. exigua and S. frugiperda larvae, while Cry1Ca was highly toxic to S. exigua and weakly toxic to S. frugiperda. In contrast, Cry1Bb was active against S. frugiperda but only marginally active against S. exigua. Bioassays performed with iodinated Cry1Bb, Cry1Fa, and Cry1Ca showed that the effects of iodination on toxin activity were different. The toxicities of I-labeled Cry1Bb and Cry1Fa against Spodoptera species were significantly less than the toxicities of the unlabeled toxins, while Cry1Ca retained its insecticidal activity when it was labeled with ¹²⁵I. Binding assays showed that iodination prevented Cry1Fa from binding to Spodoptera brush border membrane vesicles. ¹²⁵I-labeled Cry1Ac, Cry1Bb, and Cry1Ca bound with high-affinities to brush border membrane vesicles from S. exigua and S. frugiperda. Competition binding experiments performed with heterologous toxins revealed two major binding sites. Cry1Ac and Cry1Fa have a common binding site, and Cry1Bb, Cry1C, and Cry1Fa have a second common binding site. No obvious relationship between dissociation of bound toxins from brush border membrane vesicles and toxicity was detected. Cry1 toxins were also tested for the ability to alter the permeability of membrane vesicles, as measured by a light scattering assay. Cry1 proteins toxic to Spodoptera larvae permeabilized brush border membrane vesicles, but the extent of permeabilization did not necessarily correlate with in vivo toxicity.     

Modulations of high‐voltage activated Ca2+ channels in the central neurones of Spodoptera exigua by chlorantraniliprole

The modulation of voltage‐gated calcium channels by chlorantraniliprole in the central neurones isolated from third‐instar larvae of Spodoptera exigua is studied by the whole‐cell patch‐clamp technique. The current of calcium in the third‐instar larvae of S. exigua is identified as a high‐voltage activated Ca²⁺ current. During the 10‐min recording, the current–voltage relationship curves of whole‐cell calcium channels are shifted in a negative direction by 10 mV compared with the control group. The fact that the gravity rundown of calcium current in the treated group is more apparent than in the control group demonstrates that the open channels are constantly inactivated. In addition, chlorantraniliprole inhibits the recorded calcium currents in a concentration‐dependent manner, which is irreversible on washout.     

Validation of a Comprehensive Process-Based Model for the Biological Control of Beet Armyworm,Spodoptera exigua,with Baculoviruses in Greenhouses

This paper describes the validation and sensitivity analysis of a process-based simulation model (BACSIM) for the control of beet armyworm, Spodoptera exigua, with baculoviruses. Model predictions are compared to results of independent greenhouse experiments in which second, third, or fourth instar larvae of S. exigua in chrysanthemum plots are treated with different concentrations of Autographa californica multicapsid nucleopolyhedrovirus (AcMNPV) and S. exigua MNPV (SeMNPV), two viruses with distinct differences in infectivity and mean time to kill. BACSIM provides robust predictions for the control of S. exigua populations in greenhouse chrysanthemum with both AcMNPV and SeMNPV. Mortality levels caused by AcMNPV and SeMNPV were generally predicted within a 25% margin of error compared to the observed values. None of the deviations was higher than 40%. All values of simulated foliage consumption, caused by S. exigua populations treated with AcMNPV or SeMNPV applications, fell within 95% confidence intervals of measurements. Simulated time to kill was, in general, lower than the measurements. This discrepancy may be caused by the behavior of S. exigua larvae which feed on the underside of chrysanthemum leaves where they are protected from polyhedra. This suggests that the larval foraging behavior may play an important role in the efficacy of baculovirus applications and should be further studied experimentally. This validated model can be used for the pretrial evaluation of the efficacy of genetically modified baculoviruses as biological control agents and for the optimization of spraying regimes in chrysanthemum cultivation.     

Acid and alkaline phosphatase activity in the fat body and midgut of the beet armyworm,Spodoptera exigua (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), infected with nuclear polyhedrosis virus

Changes in the activity of acid and alkaline phosphatase in Spodoptera exigua larvae infected with nuclear polyhedrosis virus have been investigated. Three days after per os infection, the activity of acid phosphatase in the fat body and midgut of infected larvae was significantly higher than that in normal larvae. Alkaline phosphatase activity did not show such significant changes. There were differences in the phosphatase patterns depending on whether their activities were expressed as enzyme units per milligram of fresh organ weight or per milligram of homogenate protein. The literature relevant to the subject allows us to conclude that the increase in phosphatase activities in S. exigua larvae is not specifically associated with virus infection itself, but, rather, is a reaction of the insect organism to the diminishing supply of energy sources.     

A Pathogenic Bacterium,Enterococcus faecalis,to the Beet Armyworm,Spodoptera exigua

A bacterial disease was found in the beet armyworm, Spodoptera exigua (Hübner). Blackened body of the infected larvae was a typical symptom of the epizootic disease especially at the intersegmental areas. We isolated the bacteria from the hemolymph of the infected 5th instar larvae and identified the isolate as a gram-positive bacterium, Enterococcus faecalis. When the 4th instar larvae were injected with the bacteria, half lethal dose of the bacteria was estimated as 22,593 colony-forming units (cfu) per larva and half lethal time of the bacteria was estimated as 2 days at 10⁷ cfu injection and 6 days at 10⁸ cfu injection. The bacteria were strongly resistant to each 1,000 ppm of ampicillin, kanamycin, and streptomycin. They were, however, relatively susceptible to mixture (1,000 ppm) of different combinations of the three antibiotics.     

Interaction between crystalline proteins of two Bacillus thuringiensis strains against Spodoptera exigua

The aim of the present article was to evaluate potential synergism between crystalline proteins produced by two Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner strains, MPU B6 and MPU B9, against beet armyworm, Spodoptera exigua (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). Protein inclusions of bacterial strains were isolated from a spore‐crystal mixture. We estimated the 50% lethal concentration (LC₅₀) of crystals for S. exigua larvae. Insecticidal activity of MPU B6 and MPU B9 individual crystal preparations against caterpillars were determined and compared with the commercial pesticide Foray. Protein crystals of MPU B9 had the highest toxicity against S. exigua. The proteins were approximately 25× more toxic than Foray. Insecticidal activity of protein crystals of MPU B6 isolate was approximately 2.5× higher than that of Foray. A mixture of crystals suspensions of both isolates MPU B6/MPU B9 had an additive effect on S. exigua caterpillars. The high insecticidal potency of B. thuringiensis MPU B9 crystals against S. exigua predisposes the strain for additional studies on production of a new effective preparation against pest insects.     

Characterization of DNA Topoisomerase-1 in Spodoptera exigua for Toxicity Evaluation of Camptothecin and Hydoxy-Camptothecin

Camptothecin (CPT), a plant alkaloid originally isolated from the native Chinese tree, Camptotheca acuminate, exerts the toxic effect by targeting eukaryotic DNA topoisomerase 1 (DNA Topo1). Besides as potent anti-cancer agents, CPT and its derivatives are now being explored as potential pesticides for insect control. In this study, we assessed their toxicity to an insect homolog, the Topo1 protein from beet armyworms (Spodoptera exigua Hübner), a worldwide pest of many important crops. The S. exigua Topo1 gene contains an ORF of 2790 base pairs that is predicted to encode a polypeptide of 930 amino acids. The deduced polypeptide exhibits polymorphism at residue sites V420, L530, A653 and T729 (numbered according to human Topo1) among insect species, which are predicted to confer sensitivity to CPT. The DNA relaxation activity of this protein was subsequently examined using a truncated form that contained the residues 337–930 and was expressed in bacteria BL21 cells. The purified protein retained the ability to relax double-stranded DNA and was susceptible to CPT and its derivative hydroxy-camptothecin (HCPT) in a dose-dependent manner. The same inhibitory effect was also found on the native Topo1 extracted from IOZCAS-Spex-II cells, a cell line established from beet armyworms. Additionally, CPT and HCPT treatment reduced the steady accumulation of Topo1 protein despite the increased mRNA expression in response to the treatment. Our studies provide information of the S. exigua Topo1 gene and its amino acid polymorphism in insects and uncover some clues about potential mechanisms of CPT toxicity against insect pests. These results also are useful for development of more effective Topo1-targeted CPT insecticides in the future.     

Effect of CryIC toxin from Bacillus thuringiensis on larval feeding behavior of Spodoptera exigua

The lack of data on the effect of Bacillus thuringiensis (B.t.) toxins on larval feeding behavior of the pest Spodoptera exigua (Hübner) (Noctuidae: Amphypyrini) prompted us to investigate the effect of three delivery systems of CryIC, a commercial formulation, inclusion bodies, and the activated CryIC toxin. The commercial formulation was the least and CryIC toxin the most lethal form to neonates of susceptible colonies. All but two of the treatments in choice tests with neonates and third instars showed significant avoidance of B.t. treated diet, with greater proportion of larvae from susceptible (UCR-S and AUBURN-S) and resistant (AUBURN-R) colonies on untreated diet than on diet treated with any of the CryIC forms and concentrations tested. Furthermore, third instars consumed significantly more control than treated diet for all CryIC forms, colonies and concentrations. The avoidance of CryIC toxin by neonates and third instars strongly suggests that CryIC, which also is present in the commercial formulation and in the inclusion bodies, is responsible for eliciting avoidance behavior by S. exigua larvae. Behavioral observations of third instars in a no-choice test on either treated or control diet indicated that questing behavior in susceptible larvae appears to be positively related with presence of CryIC toxin in the diet. Furthermore, resistant third instars were on the whole more active than susceptible thirds on both treated and control diet. Resistant thirds raised on CryIC treated diet (AUBURN-RC) spent more time eating treated diet than resistant larvae raised on control diet (AUBURN-R), suggesting that diet conditioning plays an important role on feeding behavior of S. exigua. The implications of these results are discussed.     

Naturally Occurring Deletion Mutants Are Parasitic Genotypes in a Wild-Type Nucleopolyhedrovirus Population of Spodoptera exigua

A wild-type nucleopolyhedrovirus (NPV) isolate from Spodoptera exigua from Florida (Se-US2) is a variant of the SeMNPV type strain since it has a unique DNA profile but is closely related to other known geographical isolates of SeMNPV. It consists of several genotypic variants, of which seven were identified in a Se-US2 virus stock by a modification of the in vivo cloning method developed by Smith and Crook (Virology 166:240–244, 1988). The US2A variant was the most prevalent genotype, and it was designated the prototype Se-US2 variant, while four of the variants (US2B, US2D, US2F, and US2H) were found at low frequency. US2C and US2E were also very abundant, and their diagnostic bands were easily observed in wild-type isolate restriction endonuclease patterns. The analysis of each variant, compared to the prototype US2A, showed that US2B and US2H presented minor differences, while US2D and US2F contained slightly larger insertions or deletions. Variants US2C and US2E contained major deletions of 21.1 and 14 kb, respectively, mapping at the same genomic region (between 14.5 and 30.2 map units [m.u.] and between 12.8 and 23 m.u., respectively). This is the first report of such deletion mutants in a natural baculovirus population. Variants US2A, US2B, US2D, US2F, and US2H were isolated as pure genotypes, but we failed to clone US2C and US2E in vivo. When these two variants appeared without apparent contamination with any other variant, they lost their pathogenicity for Spodoptera exigua larvae. A further biological characterization showed evidence that these two naturally occurring deletion mutants act as parasitic genotypes in the virus population. Bioassay data also demonstrated that pure US2A is significantly more pathogenic against second-instar S. exigua larvae than the wild-type isolate. The need for precise genotypic characterization of a baculovirus prior to its development as a bioinsecticide is discussed.     

Sublethal effects of Bt toxin and chlorpyrifos on various Spodoptera exigua populations

Bt cotton (Cry1Ac) has been commercially grown in China since 1997, saving China's cotton production from attack by Bt‐target pests and also tremendously reducing pesticide usage. In recent years, however, Bt cotton, with 4.2 million ha of cultivation, has suffered from a secondary target pest, Spodoptera exigua (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). In China, growers have even had to re‐adopt conventional pesticides to control the pest, and this practice has already caused serious pesticide residue. In order to clarify the sublethal effects of chemical pesticide, the responses of a Bt‐susceptible and a Bt‐tolerant (Bt10) S. exigua strain to three treatment combinations were examined, including Bt toxin, sublethal chlorpyrifos, and Bt + sublethal chlorpyrifos. The susceptible and the Bt10 strain responded differently to dual pressure. Bt toxin + sublethal chlorpyrifos treatment lowered larval mortality and stimulated population increase of the susceptible S. exigua, whereas it delayed growth and development of the Bt10 strain. Under dual pressure, although larvae of the Bt10 strain developed faster than larvae of the susceptible strain, the Bt10 population experienced higher larval mortality, prolonged pupal duration, decreased pupal weight, decreased emergence rate, and shortened adult longevity. Compared with the susceptible strain, the Bt10 strain was deleteriously affected by sublethal chlorpyrifos. The Bt‐tolerant/resistant S. exigua population was more vulnerable to chemical pesticides like chlorpyrifos regardless of whether it was exposed to Bt toxin or not. Our study provides a reference for increasing the efficacy of control of S. exigua in Bt‐cotton planting areas.     

Activity and Persistence of Steinernema carpocapsae and Spodoptera exigua Nuclear Polyhedrosis Virus against S. exigua Larvae on Soybean

Experiments were conducted to assess the effects of the entomopathogenic nematode Steinernema carpocapsae and Spodoptera exigua multinucleocapsid nuclear polyhedrosis virus (SeMNPV), alone and in combinations, on mortality of the beet armyworm, S. exigua, larvae on soybean. In 1991 tests, field-grown soybean plants were treated with S. carpocapsae at 0.3 and 0.6 nematodes/cm² of leaflet, SeMNPV at 20 and 40 polyhedral inclusion bodies (PIB)/cm², and all possible combinations. Treated leaflets were collected from plants and bioassayed with 5-day-old larvae. The combination of S. carpocapsae at 0.6 nematodes/cm² + SeMNPV at 40 PIB/cm² produced significantly higher larval mortality (61.7%) compared with either S. carpocapsae (24.8-35.1%) or SeMNPV (26.5-33.7%) alone. In 1992, similar tests were repeated using S. carpocapsae at 0.2 and 0.5 nematodes/cm², and SeMNPV at 14 and 35 PIB/cm². The combination of 0.5 nematodes/cm² + 35 PIB/cm² resulted in significantly higher larval mortality (64.0%) than either pathogen alone (41.5-49.0%). Steinernema carpocapsae and SeMNPV produced additive effects on beet arlnyworm mortality. Persistence of S. carpocapsae was 12-24 hours and SeMNPV was 96-120 hours on soybean.