Effects of climate change on different geographical populations of the cotton bollworm Helicoverpa armigera (Lepidoptera,Noctuidae)

The effects of climate change on pest phenology and population size are highly variable. Understanding the impacts of localized climate change on pest distribution and phenology is helpful for improving integrated pest management strategies. Here, the population dynamics of cotton bollworms (Helicoverpa armigera) from Maigaiti County, south Xinjiang, and Shawan County, north Xinjiang, China, were analyzed using a 29‐year dataset at lower latitudes and a 23‐year dataset at higher latitudes to determine the effects of climate change on the population dynamics of H. armigera. The results showed that all generations of H. armigera at both sites showed increasing trends in population size with climate warming. Abrupt changes in phenology and population number occurred after abrupt temperature changes. Climate change had a greater effect on the phenology of H. armigera at higher latitudes than at lower latitudes and led to a greater increase in population size at lower latitudes than at higher latitudes; the temperature increase at higher latitudes will cause a greater increase in the adult moth population size in the future compared to that at lower latitudes; and abrupt changes in the phenology, temperature increase, and population size at lower latitudes occurred earlier than those at higher latitudes. Thus, it is necessary to develop sustainable management strategies for Helicoverpa armigera at an early stage.     

Novel polymorphic microsatellite markers developed in the cotton bollworm Helicoverpa armigera （Lepidoptera：Noctuidae）

A novel set of five polymorphic di- or trinucleofide microsatellite loci suitable for population genetic study were developed from an enriched genomic library for the pest insect cotton bollworm, Helicoverpa armigera, and cross-amplifiability of these and other published loci was tested in a closely related species, the tobacco budworm, H.assulta. The expected heterozygosity at these loci ranges from 0.62 to 0.91 in the cotton bollworm. The observed allele numbers varies from 4 to 12 in the limited number of individuals tested. Although a large proportion of cloned microsatellite sequences are present in multi-copy in the cotton bollworm genome, the overwhelming majority of the finalized polymorphic diallelic loci are tri-nucleotide microsatellites - an unexpected outcome, which should facilitate subsequent genotyping analysis.     

Polymorphic microsatellite loci for the cotton bollworm Helicoverpa armigera (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) and some remarks on their isolation

Five polymorphic tri‐ and tetranucleotide microsatellite loci suitable for population genetic analysis were identified in the cotton bollworm Helicoverpa armigera from two partial phagemid genomic libraries enriched for microsatellite inserts. The overall microsatellite‐cloning efficiency in H. armigera is 2.5%, which is approximately eightfold lower than that for the gadoid fishes (20%) employing the same enrichment protocol, supporting the notion of a relative low frequency of microsatellite sequences in lepidopteran genomes. In addition, a large proportion of cloned microsatellite sequences turned out to be repetitive DNA, thus further increasing the difficulty of developing such markers in butterflies and moths.     

Isolation and characterization of DNA microsatellite from cotton bollworm (Helicoverpa armigera,Hübner)

Five microsatellite loci of Helicoverpa armigera were isolated from a partial genomic library screened by oligonucleotide probes. Primers were designed to detect allelic variability and heterozygosity in 60 individuals collected from different host species. All loci were found to be polymorphic, have 8–11 alleles with expected heterozygosity ranging from 0.81 to 0.88. Our results indicate that the five microsatellite loci could provide valuable markers for population genetic and ecological studies of the cotton bollworm.     

Arthropod Natural Enemies of Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in India

Helicoverpa armigera Hubner Lepidoptera: Noctuidae is one of the most serious insect pests in the Old World. In India, it causes substantial losses to legume, fibre, cereal oilseed and vegetable crops. This paper reviews the literature on the biology, ecology, efficacy, rearing and augmentation of endemic parasitoids and predators, as well as exotic parasitoids introduced and released in India. It also provides updated lists of H. armigera natural enemies native to India. In addition, reports of augmentative releases of Trichogramma spp., the most extensively studied natural enemy of H. armigera are summarized.     

Antifeedant and cytotoxic activity of gibberellic acid against Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

The present study investigates the effect of gibberellic acid (GA3), a terpenoid and phytohormone, on the digestive physiology and intermediary metabolism of the cotton bollworm Helicoverpa armigera Hübner (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae). Incorporation of GA3 (800 μg g^?1 diet) in an artificial diet results in significant reductions in the rates of diet consumption and the efficiency of conversion of food consumption by by H. armigera larvae. The relative growth rate decreases as the concentration increases. The relative α‐amylase activity in sixth‐instar larvae of H. armigera decreases significantly after ingestion of four concentrations of GA3. Histological studies of the midgut in GA3‐treated larvae (800 μg g^?1 diet) show degeneration of the epithelial cells. The alanine and aspartate aminotransferase activity decreases at the highest concentration. However, acid phosphatase, alkaline phosphatase, γ‐glutamyl transferase and lactate dehydrogenase activity increase significantly compared with the control. The results clearly demonstrate the adverse effects of GA3 on H. armigera via interruption of nutritional physiology and metabolism.     

光强度对棉铃虫交配行为的影响

【目的】为阐明光强度对棉铃虫Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner)交配行为的影响。【方法】本实验设置4个光照强度(0,0.5,5.0和50.0 lx),观察记录不同光照强度下棉铃虫雌蛾的求偶行为;分别通过单个腺体性信息素提取法和解剖雌虫受精囊的方式,检测不同光照强度下棉铃虫的雌蛾性信息素滴度和交配率。【结果】在强光(50.0 lx)下,棉铃虫雌蛾求偶起始时间最长,求偶持续时间最短,求偶次数最少,雌蛾性信息素滴度始终处于较低水平,交配率也属于最低。在微光(0.5 lx)下,雌蛾求偶起始时间最短,求偶持续时间最长,求偶次数最多;雌蛾性信息素始终处于较低水平,但暗期后段求偶率高达40%。【结论】强光(50.0 lx)可以抑制棉铃虫雌蛾的求偶行为、性信息素的合成及交配;微光(0.5 lx)可以促进棉铃虫雌蛾的求偶行为;相对黑暗环境(0 lx),微光(0.5 lx)还可以促进棉铃虫快速(1 h)完成交配,微光(0.5 lx)对棉铃虫的交配行为具有重要意义;求偶和性信息素的合成没有必然联系。本研究可为探讨光对夜蛾交配行为的影响提供一定的理论基础,也可为利用物理、化学通讯信息调控夜蛾行为提供一定的参考。     

棉铃虫卵巢形态与卵子发生过程观察

害虫发生高峰期、 发生量的准确预测和田间防治适期的确定与种群雌虫卵巢结构及卵子发生过程密切相关。为了明确棉铃虫Helicoverpa armigera卵巢结构及卵子发生过程, 本研究利用光学体视显微镜和透射电子显微镜, 对棉铃虫成虫卵巢管和卵子的超微结构进行了研究, 并确定了发育级别划分标准。结果表明: 根据卵巢的形状、 卵的产生过程、 卵黄沉积情况等将棉铃虫卵巢发育程度分为6个级别, 即发育初期(0级)、 卵黄沉积前期(Ⅰ级)、 卵黄沉积期(Ⅱ级)、 成熟待产期(Ⅲ级)、 产卵盛期(Ⅳ级)和产卵末期(Ⅴ级)。根据卵子发生过程中滋养细胞、 卵母细胞的变化, 将卵子发生期分为3个阶段： 卵黄发生前期、 卵黄发生期和卵黄成熟期。本研究首次对棉铃虫的卵子发生进行电子显微观察, 并完善了棉铃虫卵巢发育的分级标准, 为进一步研究棉铃虫的生殖发育机理提供了理论参考, 对田间棉铃虫种群发生期和发生量的预测预报也有重要的实践参考价值。     

A review on biological interactions and management of the cotton bollworm,Helicoverpa armigera (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Helicoverpa armigera Hübner (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) is one of the most damaging insect pests globally, causing estimated global economic losses of over 3 billion US dollars annually. Crops most affected include cotton, tomato, soybean, grain crops such as corn and sorghum, chickpea and other pulses. Adults of this species possess strong migratory abilities (>2000 km), high fecundity and rapid reproductive rates; completing 4–6 generations per year in most cropping regions. Furthermore, the larvae are polyphagous, with a wide and diverse host range and possess the ability to enter diapause in order to survive adverse climatic conditions. At present, it is distributed across most of Oceania, Asia, Africa and southern Europe and has recently spread to South America. Various control measures have been trialled or proposed for the treatment of this pest, including synthetic insecticides, phytopesticides, microbial pesticides, macro-biocontrol agents (both parasitoids and predators) and the development of genetically modified crops (e.g. Bt cotton). Successful control necessitates the use of an integrated pest management (IPM) approach, wherein biological, chemical and physical control measures are combined for the greatest control efficacy.     

磁场对棉铃虫生长发育及繁殖的影响

棉铃虫是华北地区重要的农业害虫,磁场可能对该害虫的生长发育存在显著影响.本试验设置不同磁场强度(零磁场、高磁场和自然磁场),观察棉铃虫幼虫生长发育以及成虫繁殖情况.结果表明:零磁场能明显延长幼虫历期,平均延迟0.4～1.7 d;高磁场对幼虫历期没有明显影响;幼虫存活率、蛹重、羽化率、成虫产卵量及卵孵化率等指标受磁场影响并不显著;表明零磁场延缓幼虫发育,但对其繁殖没有明显影响;由于试验中高磁场强度仅有4 Gs,是否更高磁场有影响还需进一步验证.     

棉铃虫漆酶2基因的分子鉴定

【目的】黑化反应在昆虫表皮骨化以及免疫防御过程中起着重要作用, 酚氧化酶是黑化反应中的关键酶类, 漆酶2 (laccase2, LAC2)是酚氧化酶的一种, 在昆虫变态发育和免疫系统中起着重要的作用。本研究旨在探讨LAC2在棉铃虫Helicoverpa armigera表皮骨化中表达模式及激素调控作用。 【方法】采用PCR及RACE的方法, 从棉铃虫5龄幼虫中得到了lac2 cDNA全序列。利用荧光定量PCR、 激素处理及RNA干扰方法, 对LAC2的表达模式差异和激素调控作用进行分析。【结果】序列分析表明, lac2 cDNA全长3 221 bp, 编码框长度为2 268 bp, 编码756个氨基酸残基。发育时序表达分析发现, lac2在幼虫各龄期表达规律相似, 均在蜕皮期高水平表达, 在5龄96 h转录水平达到最高峰。组织表达结果分析, lac2基因在幼虫表皮和成虫卵巢以及触角表达量较高。激素处理实验发现, 保幼激素类似物（methoprene）对lac2基因转录有抑制作用; 蜕皮激素（20-hydroxyecdysone）则促进其表达。进一步利用RNA干扰蜕皮激素受体EcR （ecdysone receptor）和USP （ultraspiracle isoform）基因发现, 干扰后蜕皮激素受体的表达明显受到抑制, 同时lac2基因的表达也显著受到抑制, 表明蜕皮激素调控lac2基因转录。【结论】这些结果为进一步研究漆酶在昆虫表皮的骨化以及免疫防御等方面不同的生理功能提供理论依据。     

光温条件明显影响棉铃虫的滞育强度

为了探明不同地理种群棉铃虫Helicoverpa armigera滞育强度的地理变异, 本研究系统地比较了光温条件（光照时数 11～16 h, 恒温20, 22, 25, 28和31℃及变温）对来自中国的4个地理种群（广东广州、 江西永修、 山东泰安和辽宁喀佐）棉铃虫滞育强度的影响。结果表明： 滞育诱导的光周期对继后棉铃虫的滞育强度有明显影响。在光照时数11～14 h范围内, 各地理种群的滞育持续期均随着光照时数的增加而延长。滞育强度也受到滞育诱导的温周期影响, 当光期温度相同时, 低纬度的GZ种群温周期比恒温有更强的诱导效应; 中纬度的YX种群温周期与恒温具有相同的滞育诱导强度; 高纬度的KZ和TA种群温周期所诱导的滞育强度一般低于恒温。滞育解除过程中的温度也显著影响到滞育的解除, 在20~31℃下, 温度愈高滞育解除愈快; 滞育持续期同时受到滞育诱导温度的影响, 对于北方的泰安种群和喀佐种群, 较高的滞育诱导温度能诱导更强的滞育。     

棉铃虫蜕皮时期同工酶表达模式

同工酶广泛存在于不同种属生物的组织细胞中,在生物发育的不同阶段有着特定的表达模式和重要的生理功能。昆虫蜕皮是在促前胸腺激素（PTTH）、蜕皮激素和保幼激素共同控制下由一系列基因表达和调控的级联反应。阐明蜕皮发育过程中同工酶的表达模式,可以为研究蜕皮的分子机理提供新的分子靶标,为研制生长调节剂类杀虫剂提供检测的分子标记。该研究分析了棉铃虫Helicoverpa armigera蜕皮时期不同组织中过氧化物酶、乙醇脱氢酶和酯酶的表达模式,找到了3种蜕皮差异表达的过氧化物酶, 2种蜕皮或变态差异表达的乙醇脱氢酶,3种蜕皮差异表达的酯酶。生长调节剂类化学杀虫剂非甾醇类蜕皮激素竞争物RH24-85可以诱导3种酯酶表达上调,可能与蜕皮有关。这些结果为进一步研究棉铃虫蜕皮的分子机理和检测促蜕皮生长调节剂类化学杀虫剂提供了新的分子靶标。     

几种植物源化合物对棉铃虫海藻糖酶活性及相关碳水化合物含量的影响

碳水化合物对昆虫的能量代谢和物质合成具有重要的作用。本研究选用2种一般性生物碱（氢溴酸东莨菪碱和烟碱）以及2种β-葡萄糖苷类化合物（七叶灵和皂角苷）, 研究其在不同浓度下对棉铃虫Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner)幼虫体内海藻糖酶活性及相关碳水化合物代谢的影响。结果表明: 用饲喂法处理3龄幼虫96 h后, 皂角苷对棉铃虫幼虫的活体抑制效果明显, 且随添加物浓度增高, 棉铃虫死亡率上升, 10, 20, 40 g/L浓度下棉铃虫的均重分别是0.194, 0.089和0.034 g, 分别为对照的86.99%, 39.91%和15.24%。对海藻糖酶活性及其相关代谢酶的测定结果表明, 2种苷类化合物显著抑制中肠海藻糖酶活性, 饲喂40 g/L皂角苷的试虫中肠海藻糖酶比活力仅是对照组的54.21%; 饲喂30 g/L七叶灵的试虫中肠海藻糖酶比活力为对照组的83.73%。而2种生物碱类化合物显著抑制血淋巴和脂肪体中海藻糖酶活性, 20 g/L氢溴酸东莨菪碱对棉铃虫血淋巴和脂肪体组织的海藻糖酶活性抑制率分别为7.24%和71.43%; 而20 g/L烟碱对试虫血淋巴和脂肪体组织的海藻糖酶活性抑制率为26.29%和33.44%。用氢溴酸东莨菪碱、 烟碱和七叶灵处理试虫后, 血淋巴海藻糖含量都有所增高。4种化合物能够导致试虫糖原磷酸化酶活性变化, 其中, 皂角苷在中肠和脂肪体表现为显著抑制作用, 而随外源化合物浓度变化, 糖原含量和糖原磷酸化酶活性表现为此消彼长关系。饲喂4种植物源化合物的试虫血淋巴中葡萄糖浓度变化和其海藻糖变化一致。本研究证明β-葡萄糖苷类化合物是海藻糖酶抑制剂, 在作为先导化合物进行农药创制开发方面具有重要意义。     

Mitochondrial genome of the cotton bollworm Helicoverpa armigera (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) and comparison with other Lepidopterans

We present the complete sequence of the mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) of the cotton bollworm Helicoverpa armigera. The 15,347-bp mitogenome of H. armigera was arranged in the same order described for all other sequenced lepidopterans, which differs from the most common type found in insects, due to the movement of trnM to a position 5'-upstream of trnI. The gene overlap in the H. armigera mitogenome is totally 23 bp in six locations. The H. armigera mitogenome has a total of 175 bp of intergenic spacer sequences spread over 14 regions ranging in size from 1 to 45 bp. The nucleotide composition of the whole mitogenome of H. armigera is highly A+T biased, accounting for 80.97%, with a slightly positive AT skewness and negative GC skewness, indicating the occurrence of more A than T, C more than G. The protein-encoding genes have typical mitochondrial start codons, except for cox1, which contains the unusual CGA. The cox1, cox2, and nad4 genes have incomplete stop codons (T). The lrRNA and srRNA genes are 1395 and 794-bp long, respectively. All tRNAs have a typical cloverleaf structure of mitochondrial tRNAs, except for trnS1(AGN), the dihydrouridine arm of which could not form a stable stem-loop structure. The H. armigera A+T-rich region contains a conserved structure combining the motif ATAGA and a 19-bp poly-T stretch, but absence of the 9-bp poly-A element upstream of trnM.     

Effects of toxic β‐glucosides on carbohydrate metabolism in cotton bollworm,Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner)

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of three toxic β‐glucosides, phlorizin, santonin, and amygdalin, on carbohydrate metabolism in the cotton bollworm, Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner), when diets mixed with β‐glucosides were fed to third‐instar larvae. The growth of the larvae was significantly inhibited by exposure to santonin after 96 hr but not obviously affected by phlorizin and amygdalin. The midgut trehalase activities were only 51.7%, 32%, and 42.5% of that of the control after treatment with phlorizin, santonin and amygdalin at 2 mg/ml, respectively. In the hemolymph and fat body, the amount of trehalose decreased in all cases. However, the effects of santonin on the alteration of the glycogen and glucose levels as well as the activities of glycogen phosphorylase, were different than those of the other two β‐glucosides. It appears that the three β‐glucosides have different influences on the carbohydrate metabolism of cotton bollworm.