High Wolbachia density correlates with cost of infection for insecticide resistant Culex pipiens mosquitoes

In the mosquito Culex pipiens, insecticide resistance genes alter many life-history traits and incur a fitness cost. Resistance to organophosphate insecticides involves two loci, with each locus coding for a different mechanism of resistance (degradation vs. insensitivity to insecticides). The density of intracellular Wolbachia bacteria has been found to be higher in resistant mosquitoes, regardless of the mechanism involved. To discriminate between costs of resistance due to resistance genes from those associated with elevated Wolbachia densities, we compared strains of mosquito sharing the same genetic background but differing in their resistance alleles and Wolbachia infection status. Life-history traits measured included strength of insecticide resistance, larval mortality, adult female size, fecundity, predation avoidance, mating competition, and strength of cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI). We found that: (1) when Wolbachia are removed, insecticide resistance genes still affect some life-history traits; (2) Wolbachia are capable of modifying the cost of resistance; (3) the cost of Wolbachia infections increases with their density; (4) different interactions occurred depending on the resistance alleles involved; and (5) high densities of Wolbachia do not increase the strength of CI or maternal transmission efficiency relative to low Wolbachia densities. Insecticide resistance genes generated variation in the costs of Wolbachia infections and provided an interesting opportunity to study how these costs evolve, a process generally operating when Wolbachia colonizes a new host.     

食物种类对淡色库蚊幼虫生长发育和药剂敏感性的影响

淡色库蚊Culexpipienspallens是我国的一种常见家蚊 ,它传播流行性乙型脑炎 ,影响人类健康。研究淡色库蚊生长发育和药剂敏感性与食物的关系 ,对改善蚊虫饲养方法与监测蚊虫药剂敏感性具有重要意义。作者研究了不同食物饲养对淡色库蚊幼虫生长发育和药剂敏感性的影响。结果表明 ,与用面粉 +酵母粉饲养的相比 ,用鼠饲料饲养的幼虫 ,生长发育速度平均要快 2d ,对氰戊菊酯的敏感性则无明显差异。说明可用鼠饲料来代替面粉 +酵母粉饲养淡色库蚊幼虫     

Preliminary report of knockdown resistance in Culex pipiens pallens and Aedes koreicus from Korea

Pyrethroid insecticides have been effective and powerful for controlling mosquitoes. However, abuse of these insecticides increases the number of resistant mosquitoes. In this study, Culex pipiens pallens and Aedes koreicus were collected from an artificial reservoir in the vicinity of a populated area in Korea, which is also a migratory bird catchment area. To monitor resistance to pyrethroid insecticides in mosquitoes, genomic DNA from the collected mosquitoes was sequenced for the kdr mutation in the voltage‐gated sodium channel (VGSC) gene. As a result, three samples with homozygous resistance (17.6%) and one with heterozygous resistance (5.9%) were found among 17 Cx. pipiens pallens specimens. One of the samples had a unique sequence at the amplified VGSC region. Of the 15 Ae. koreicus, no insecticide resistant individuals were found. In Korea, this is the first report of kdr genetic traits in Ae. koreicus and Cx. pipiens pallens and of a unique VGSC allele in Cx. pipiens pallens. Further investigation is needed to monitor the kdr resistance of these species in Korea and to determine how the unique sequence found in Cx. pipiens pallens is related to insecticide resistance.     

不同地区尖音库蚊复合组抗药性的分子特征

通过生物测定、蛋白质电泳和单个蚊虫基因组Southern杂交三种方法对三个不同地区的尖音库蚊复合组蚊虫Culexpipienscomplex的抗性水平、抗性相关基因在种群中的分布及抗性分子特征进行了研究。采自山东高密、北京和云南昆明的尖音库蚊复合组蚊虫 4龄幼虫对敌敌畏、对硫磷 (有机磷类 )和仲丁威 (氨基甲酸酯类 )的抗性水平的测定结果表明 :与北京敏感系相比 ,高密种群对敌敌畏、对硫磷的抗性水平很高 ,北京种群对敌敌畏的抗性水平也很高 (约 30倍 ) ,三个种群对仲丁威的抗性与北京敏感系没有明显的区别。淀粉电泳的结果表明 :高密和北京种群中存在过量产生的非特异性酯酶Estβ11,昆明种群中存在过量产生的非特异性酯酶Estα2和Estβ2 ,单个蚊虫基因组Southern杂交的结果表明 :酯酶Estβ11、Estα2和Estβ2的结构基因发生了不同程度的扩增导致酯酶的过量产生     

广东省三市致倦库蚊种群的抗性水平、非特异性酯酶分布频率及遗传分化

致卷库蚊(Culex pipiens quinquefasciatus)样本于2001年5月采自广州、佛山和中山。利用生物测定和淀粉凝胶电泳检测其对有机磷和氨基甲酸酯类杀虫剂的抗性水平和抗性相关酯酶的分布频率。与北京敏感品系相比,3个种群对敌敌畏、对硫磷、仲丁威的抗性水平分别至少为21、8和5倍;以连锁形式存在的A8／B8和A9／B9是3种群主要的高活性酯酶,但A2／B2和B1有地区差异。由于种群间的基因流动,这些差异行将消失。     

淡色库蚊中抗性相关羧酸酯酶的纯化及其生化性质

在库蚊Culex pipiens品系中,非专一性酯酶活性的升高是对有机磷杀虫剂产生抗性的重要机理之一。应用SDS/PAGE,比较淡色库蚊Culex pipiens pallens抗敌百虫品系(RD)、敏感型品系(S)和抗苄呋菊酯品系(PY)中可溶性总蛋白质带型,显示RD中含有一条特异蛋白带,其它两个品系中未检出。在RD成虫匀浆液总蛋白中含量高达2.1%。分子量测定为66 kD。应用柱层析法分离得到了较纯的纯品。以α-NA为底物测得K_m=64.1 mmol/L,V_max=249.8 mmol/(L·mg·min)。与羧酸酯酶相比较：其K_m值小于已报道的抗性品系及非抗性品系A-酯酶和B-酯酶。V_max值比已报道抗性品系A-酯酶低,比B-酯酶高。较高浓度的敌百虫并不能抑制其酶活,属于A-酯酶。在昆虫体内可能主要通过结合隔离作用(sequestration)提高昆虫对有机磷的耐受性,对有机磷杀虫剂水解作用的可能性也不能排除。     

Independent duplications of the acetylcholinesterase gene conferring insecticide resistance in the mosquito Culex pipiens

Gene duplication is thought to be the main potential source of material for the evolution of new gene functions. Several models have been proposed for the evolution of new functions through duplication, most based on ancient events (Myr). We provide molecular evidence for the occurrence of several (at least 3) independent duplications of the ace-1 locus in the mosquito Culex pipiens, selected in response to insecticide pressure that probably occurred very recently (<40 years ago). This locus encodes the main target of several insecticides, the acetylcholinesterase. The duplications described consist of 2 alleles of ace-1, 1 susceptible and 1 resistant to insecticide, located on the same chromosome. These events were detected in different parts of the world and probably resulted from distinct mechanisms. We propose that duplications were selected because they reduce the fitness cost associated with the resistant ace-1 allele through the generation of persistent, advantageous heterozygosis. The rate of duplication of ace-1 in C. pipiens is probably underestimated, but seems to be rather high.     

淡色库蚊对四种化学物质的嗅觉反应

在室内条件下通过Y型嗅觉仪测试了淡色库蚊Culexpipiens pallens雌成虫对乳酸、丙酮、氨水、辛醇、正庚酸、对甲酚、间甲酚等7种化学物质的嗅觉反应。结果表明:与对照相比,1和10mg/L氨水,1,10和100mg/L正庚酸,1mg/L辛醇,0.1和1mg/L对甲酚对淡色库蚊雌成虫具有显著的引诱作用。比较各处理的相对引诱率,最高的为10mg/L正庚酸,达50%以上;其他处理相对引诱率均低于40%,最低的为0.1mg/L对甲酚。     

Cloning and overexpression of CYP6F1, a cytochrome P450 gene, from deltamethrin-resistant Culex pipiens pallens

CYP6F1 (GenBank/EMBL accession No. AY662654), a novel gene with a complete encoding sequence in the cytochrome P450 family 6, was cloned and sequenced from deltamethrin-resistant 4th instar larvae of Culex pipiens pallens. The cDNA sequence of CYP6F1 has an open reading frame of 1527 bp, which encodes a putative protein of 508 amino acid residues. The deduced amino acid sequence of CYP6F1 indicated that the encoded P450 has conserved domains of a putative membrane-anchoring signal,putative reductase-binding sites, a typical heme-binding site, an ETLR motif and substrate recognition sites.Semi-quantitative RT-PCR analysis indicated that the CYP6F1 gene was expressed to a greater extent in the deltamethrin-resistant strain than in the susceptible strain of Cx. pipiens pallens. The expression levels of the CYP6F1 gene in the deltamethrin-resistant 1 st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th instar larvae and adult female mosquitoes differed, with highest expression levels in the 4th instar larvae. In addition, the CYP6F1 gene was stably expressed in mosquito C6/36 cells, and the expected 61.2 kDa band was identified by Western blotting. The cells transfected with CYP6F1 had an increased resistance to deltamethrin as compared with control cells.These results indicate that CYP6F1 is expressed at higher levels in the deltamethrin-resistant strain, and may confer some insecticide resistance in Cx. pipiens pallens.     

Esterases A5-B5 in organophosphate-resistant Culex pipiens from Italy

Abstract. Culex pipiens mosquitoes from Lignano city, Udine province, northeast Italy, were found to carry over-produced non-specific esterases Al, A2-B2 and A4-B4 or A5-B5, detected by starch gel electrophoresis, giving multiple resistance to organophosphorus insecticides. In order to differentiate between A4-B4 and A5-B5 esterases, the latter known only from Cyprus whereas the former is widespread in Italy and elsewhere, restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis was performed at the esterase B locus. Both B4 and B5 haplotypes were found. This is the first record of A5-B5 esterase-mediated resistance in continental Europe.     

我国尖音库蚊复合组蚊虫的杂交及其与Wolbachia感染的关系

为了了解我国尖音库蚊复合组蚊虫间杂交卵的不孵化现象和明确该现象与共生微生物Wolbachia感染的关系,对该复合组实验室种群4个亚种进行了笼内杂交和抗生素处理后的杂交。试验表明: 在复合组蚊虫中骚扰库蚊Culex pipiens molestus与淡色库蚊Cx. Pipiens pallens、致倦库蚊Cx. Ipiens quinquefasciatus与尖音库蚊Cx. Pipiens pipiens之间存在有单向胞质不融合现象,骚扰库蚊的雄虫与尖音库蚊、致倦库蚊和淡色库蚊的雌虫杂交卵的孵化率分别为0.06%、0.46%和0.19%;该胞质不融合现象可以通过抗生素处理而消除,处理后骚扰库蚊雄虫与其余3个亚种雌虫F₃杂交卵的孵化率均有提高,分别为89.49%（t=3.90×10^-28＜t_0.01=2.704）、23.39%（t=9.15×10^-7＜t_0.01=2.660_）和22.27%（t=5.08×10^-4＜t_0.01=2.750）,并可因抗生素处理而产生新的不融合类型。     

Effects of blood meal source on the reproduction of Culex pipiens quinquefasciatus (Diptera: Culicidae)

Culex pipiens quinquefasciatus were fed blood meals from a live chicken (LC), chicken blood in Alsever's (AC) solution, defibrinated bovine blood (DB), or bovine blood in citrate (CB) and incubated at 28° C. The effects of different blood meal sources were evaluated with respect to rates of blood feeding and reproduction (i.e., fecundity and fertility) over two gonotrophic cycles. Mosquitoes that fed on the first blood meal were subjected to a second blood meal as follows (first blood meal / second blood meal): LC/LC, LC/DB, DB/DB, CB/CB, AC/AC. Fecundity and fertility of Cx. p. quinquefasciatus were significantly (P < 0.05) greater in mosquitoes fed LC blood; however, fecundity and fertility in different treatment groups varied by gonotrophic cycle. These results contribute to our understanding of the impact of blood meal source on feeding and reproduction in Cx. p. quinquefasciatus. The potential impacts of blood meal source on virus transmission experiments are discussed.     

Insecticide susceptibility of Culex pipiens pallens (L.) and Aedes albopictus (Skuke) to five commonly used pesticides in the Republic of Korea

Field collected populations of two mosquito species, Culex pipiens pallens and Aedes albopictus, were tested for susceptibility to five pyrethroid insecticides using a topical application bioassay. The laboratory strain of Cx. pipiens pallens (KS‐CP) demonstrated the most and the lowest susceptibility to deltamethrin and d‐cis/trans prallethrine with LD₅₀ values of 0.00022 μg/♀ and 0.00178 μg/♀, respectively, while Ae. albopictus (KS‐AL) showed the greatest and the lowest susceptibility to phthalethrin and deltamethrin with LD₅₀ values of 0.00015 μg/♀ and 0.00085 μg/♀, respectively. Cx. pipiens pallens (JF‐CP) collected at a nearby rice field in Jeonju showed the greatest susceptibility to deltamethrin (LD₅₀ value of 0.0473 μg/♀) and the resistance ratios (RRs) and compared to the laboratory strain were 215 fold greater. JF‐CP demonstrated the lowest susceptibility to d‐cis/trans phenothrin (0.7697 μg/♀) with RRs 711.0 fold greater than the KS‐CP. An Ae. albopictus (JF‐AL) collected at a nearby forest in Jeonju showed the highest susceptibility to deltamethrin (0.00203 μg/♀) with RRs 2.4 fold greater than the KS‐AL. JF‐AL demonstrated the lowest susceptibility to d‐cis/trans prallethrine (LD₅₀ value 0.00646 μg/♀) with RRs 9.4 fold greater than the KS‐AL. JF‐AL demonstrated the greatest resistance to phthalethrin with RRs 39.3 fold greater than the KS‐AL. Resistance ratios of Cx. pipiens pallens between field and laboratory strains ranged from 215.0 to 711.0 and Ae. albopictus ranged from 2.4 to 39.3. These results indicate that the choice of effective insecticides to selected species of mosquito populations will result in more effective control against field strains of mosquito vectors and decrease environmental pollution.     

杭州地区尖音库蚊复合组的抗药性动态

用生物测定和淀粉电泳技术对采自杭州市和上海市的尖音库蚊复合组(Culex pipienscomplex)蚊虫的抗性水平及与抗性有关的酯酶进行了研究。抗性水平的测定结果表明:与S-LAB敏感系相比,杭州市种群对DDVP、对硫磷、毒死蜱、邻仲丁基苯基甲基氨基甲酸酯和残杀威的抗性分别是S-LAB敏感品系的3.9,7.6,1.6,1.6,2.5倍。利用淀粉凝胶电泳技术分析了野生种群中抗性羧酸酯酶(EST)等位酶的基因表型及其频率。4个种群中都存在着世界范围内广泛分布的过量产生的非特异性酯酶Estβ1和Estα2/β2,上海种群主要以高活性的酯酶Estβ11为主(98.3%),除了这些基因以外,2004年杭州市下城区又出现了1种新的酯酶基因(50%)。     

The use of morphometric wing characters to discriminate female Culex pipiens and Culex torrentium

The reliability of the length of wing radial vein r_2/3 as a character for the morphological discrimination of the two potential arbovirus vectors Culex pipiens s.s. and Cx. torrentium from Germany was reassessed, after this character had been neglected for more than 40 years. Additionally, multivariate morphometric analyses were applied to evaluate wing shape variation between both species. Although high‐throughput molecular tools are now available to differentiate the two species, a simple, low‐cost routine alternative may be useful in the absence of a molecular laboratory, such as under semi‐field conditions. A thin‐plate splines transformation confirmed that primarily the shrinkage of vein r_2/3 is responsible for the wing differences between the two species. In the bivariate analysis, the r_2/3/r₃ indices of Cx. pipiens s.s. and Cx. torrentium were 0.185 and 0.289, respectively, resulting in a correct classification of more than 91% of all tested specimens. Using the absolute length of vein r_2/3 alone still allowed for more than 90% accurate discrimination. Furthermore, classification accuracy of linear discriminant analysis exceeded 97%.     

Rapid microtitre plate test distinguishes insecticide resistant acetylcholinesterase genotypes in the mosquitoes Anopheles albimanus, An.nigerrimus and Culex pipiens

A rapid method of distinguishing insecticide insensitive acetylcholinesterase (AChE) genotypes was applied to three species of mosquitoes. This relies on comparing rates of an AChE mediated reaction in the presence and absence of insecticides which are inhibitors, using a kinetic microtitre plate reader. Clearer and more rapid resolution between genotypes was achieved than with previous assays which measure the amount of product formed at a fixed end-point. Results are presented for the F1s from crossing resistant and susceptible Anopheles albimanus Wiedemann and Culex pipiens L., for a strain of An. albimanus with a translocation linking the AChE gene to the Y chromosome and for field collected An. nigerrimus Giles. Propoxur and malaoxon were used as inhibitors. In all three species the enzyme was more insensitive to propoxur than malaoxon. Susceptible enzymes in all species also showed higher uninhibited AChE activity than their resistant counterparts. Presentation of both inhibited and uninhibited activities side by side may be useful to identify insects likely to be misclassified due to abnormally low AChE activities. Estimated frequencies of the three resistance genotypes in field populations of An. nigerrimus conformed to Hardy-Weinberg ratios. The implications of this technique for laboratory and field studies on insects are discussed.