Influence of Dimilin on a microsporidian infection in the gypsy moth Lymantria dispar (L.) (Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae)

Bioassay studies were conducted to investigate the influence of Dimilin (diflubenzuron), a chitinsynthetase inhibitor used for insecticidal control of the gypsy moth, Lymantria dispar, on the development and viability of a microsporidian pathogen of L. dispar. Before or after an infection with a Nosema species, L. dispar larvae were fed Dimilin in sublethal dosages. Dimilin fed to L. dispar larvae at 0.65 ng/cm² diet surface resulted in a total larval mortality of 53%. Although the microsporidian infection alone did not cause high mortality rates (9%), mortality increased to 96% when L. dispar larvae were inoculated with both Dimilin and Nosema spores. When Dimilin was fed to the larvae 24 h before or 6 days after inoculation with the microsporidium, the number of mature spores produced was significantly reduced. When Dimilin was fed to the larvae 24 h after microsporidian inoculation, the number of spores produced was not significantly reduced. Spores that were produced in larvae after Dimilin had been ingested with the diet were less infectious than spores produced in control larvae; the experimental infection rate decreased from 94% when spores obtained from control larvae were used, to 48 or 10% when spores obtained from larvae fed Dimilin 24 h or 6 days after Nosema inoculation, respectively, were used. Mature microsporidian spores washed in Dimilin solution prior to oral inoculation, however, were as infectious as spores stored in liquid nitrogen. We have shown that Dimilin interferes with the establishment of the parasite in its host. In addition, when Nosema sp. succeeds in infecting the L. dispar host despite treatment with Dimilin, the microsporidium does not develop optimally and spore production is reduced.     

Parasitism ofAphis gossypii (Homoptera: Aphididae) byAllothrombium pulvinum larvae (Acari: Trombidiidae) in cotton fields: spatial dispersion and density dependence

Spatial aspects of the interaction between the aphid host,Aphis gossypii, and its parasite,Allo-thrombium pulvinum larvae, on cotton plants were examined in seven fields in China. For both the host and the parasite, sample variance increased with the mean according to Taylor's power law, which explained a substantial proportion (84–97%) of the variation in the data. Although both the host and parasite showed aggregated distribution on cotton plants, the host aphids aggregated more strongly than the parasites. The host dispersion pattern was not significantly affected by the presence of parasites. Increasing the spatial scales of observation from individual plot to the entire field also had no significant effects on host and parasite dispersion patterns. Parasites aggregated in cotton plants with higher aphid densities in five out of the seventeen samples. Spatial patterns of parasitism were mostly host density-independent (71% of the samples) and sometimes inversely density-dependent (29% of the sample). The processes underlying these patterns were discussed.     

Effects ofBlepharipa pratensis [Dip.: Tachinidae] on the pathogenicity of nucleopolyhedrosis virus in stage V ofLymantria dispar [Lep.: Lymantriidae]

The effects of myiasis caused byBlepharipa pratensis (Meigen) on the pathogenicity of 3 dosages (1.00×10⁴ PIB, 3.75×10⁴ PIB and 7.50×10⁴ PIB) of nucleopolyhedrosis virus (NPV) in stage V ofLymantria dispar (L.) were tested. When fed only NPV, 44% of the larvae fed the low dosage died, 67% of the larvae fed the mid-level dosage died, and 73% of those fed the high-level dosage died. At the low dosage, mortality was significantly lower than at the other dosages. The presence of the parasite significantly increased mortality due to NPV; 65% of the larvae fed the low dosage died, 77% of the larvae fed the mid-level dosage died, and 80% of the larvae fed the high-level dosage died. For biological control, the combination of NPV and parasite would increase mortality, but at the expense of the parasite.

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Résumé L'effet du parasitisme parBlepharipa pratensis sur la pathogénie de 3 doses (1.00×10⁴ PIB, 3,75×10⁴ PIB et 7,50×10⁴ PIB) du virus de la polyédrie nucléaire (VPN) chez le 5ème stade deLymantria dispar a été étudié. Nourries avec seulement la dose faible du VPN, 44% des larves ont succombé, 67% sont mortes de la dose moyenne et 73% des larves de la dose forte. La différence de mortalité obtenue avec la dose faible était significative par rapport à la mortalité obtenue avec les 2 autres doses. La présence du parasite a augmenté significativement la mortalité par virose; avec la dose faible cette mortalité a atteint 65%, 77% avec la dose moyenne et 80% avec la dose forte. Pour la lutte biologique, la combinaison du virus avec le parasite augmenterait la mortalité, mais aux dépens du parasite.

     

Strength in numbers: high parasite burdens increase transmission of a protozoan parasite of monarch butterflies (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Danaus plexippus</Emphasis>)

Parasites often produce large numbers of offspring within their hosts. High parasite burdens are thought to be important for parasite transmission, but can also lower host fitness. We studied the protozoan Ophryocystis elektroscirrha, a common parasite of monarch butterflies (Danaus plexippus), to quantify the benefits of high parasite burdens for parasite transmission. This parasite is transmitted vertically when females scatter spores onto eggs and host plant leaves during oviposition; spores can also be transmitted between mating adults. Monarch larvae were experimentally infected and emerging adult females were mated and monitored in individual outdoor field cages. We provided females with fresh host plant material daily and quantified their lifespan and lifetime fecundity. Parasite transmission was measured by counting the numbers of parasite spores transferred to eggs and host plant leaves. We also quantified spores transferred from infected females to their mating partners. Infected monarchs had shorter lifespans and lower lifetime fecundity than uninfected monarchs. Among infected females, those with higher parasite loads transmitted more parasite spores to their eggs and to host plant leaves. There was also a trend for females with greater parasite loads to transmit more spores to their mating partners. These results demonstrate that high parasite loads on infected butterflies confer a strong fitness advantage to the parasite by increasing between-host transmission.     

Comparison of some live organisms and artificial diet as feed for Asian catfish Clarias macrocephalus (Günther) larvae

Experiments were conducted to evaluate the efficacy of five live organisms (Artemia, Brachionus calyciflorus, Chironomus plumosus, Moina macrocopa and Tubifex sp.) and an artificial diet (40% protein) in the larval rearing of Asian catfish Clarias macrocephalus. The larvae were fed three times daily starting at the onset of exogenous feeding. Results showed that the catfish larvae utilized the live organisms more efficiently than the artificial diet. The Tubifex‐fed larvae consistently showed the highest growth rate. In trial 1, length increment (64.9 mm), weight gain (3192 mg) and specific growth rate (13.1%) after 8 weeks of feeding were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in catfish larvae given Tubifex than those in all other treatments. In trial 2, length increment after 4 weeks of feeding was highest in larvae fed Tubifex (22.9 mm) although it did not significantly differ from that of larvae given Moina (21.0 mm). However, weight gain of larvae fed Tubifex (253.0 mg) was significantly higher than that of larvae fed Moina (171.6 mg). The specific growth rate was highest for larvae fed Tubifex (15.0%) followed by larvae fed Artemia (14.5%), Moina (14.4%) and Chironomus (12.0%). Survival rates of the catfish larvae ranged from 9 to 39% after 8 weeks in trial 1 and from 26 to 83% after 4 weeks in trial 2. The present results suggest that Tubifex is an excellent food and a potential substitute for Artemia in the rearing of catfish larvae.     

Growth and survival of river catfish Mystus nemurus (Cuvier & Valenciennes) larvae fed isocaloric diets with different protein levels during weaning

The growth of river catfish Mystus nemurus (Cuvier & Valenciennes) larvae fed four isocaloric diets (4200 kcal kg^?1) with different protein levels during weaning was determined. Diets containing 45, 50, 55, and 60% protein were formulated by linear programming using amino acid profiles based on that of 2‐day‐old river catfish larvae. Artificial diets were fed to the larvae beginning at day 5 after being initially fed Artemia nauplii for 4 days. The larvae thrived solely on artificial diets from day 8 to day 16. On the other hand, the control larvae were fed Artemia nauplii from day 1 to day 16. Results of the feeding trial showed that growth and survival of M. nemurus larvae given the diet containing 60% protein were high and comparable to those of the larvae given only live food (control). Larvae fed the 55% protein diet had significantly lower growth and survival than the larvae on the control and 60% diets but significantly higher growth and survival rates than did larvae fed with 45 and 50% protein diets. Carcass moisture and total lipids after 16 days of feeding did not differ significantly (P > 0.05), but body protein increased with increasing dietary protein. Body protein of the control larvae was similar to that of larvae given the 60% protein diet.     

Effect of nematode Panagrellus redivivus density on growth, survival, feed consumption and carcass composition of bighead carp Aristichthys nobilis (Richardson) larvae

The study aimed to determine the optimum density of free‐living nematodes in feeding bighead carp, Aristichthys nobilis, larvae. In the first experiment, carp stocked at 25 larvae L^?1 were fed varying levels of nematodes (50, 75, 100, 125 and 150 per ml) twice a day for 21 days from the start of exogenous feeding. Final body weight was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in larvae fed 125 and 150 nematodes per ml than in those fed 50 and 75 per ml, but survival was low (61.8 and 63.6%, respectively). Survival rate was highest in larvae fed 100 nematodes ml^?1 (81.3%). Carcass analysis showed that larvae fed 125 and 150 nematodes ml^?1 had significantly lower body protein and higher body lipid than those fed other nematode densities. Carcass ash was similar for larvae fed 50–100 nematodes ml^?1 but it decreased significantly at the higher nematode densities. Carp larvae in a subsequent experiment were given 50, 75 and 100 nematodes ml^?1 per feeding. Newly hatched Artemia was the control feed. Nematode consumption and growth of the larvae were determined. Larvae were sampled at intervals of 2–4 days and the nematodes in the gut were counted and measured. At each nematode density, the number of nematodes present in the gut of the larvae increased significantly with time. At each sampling day, the number of nematodes in the gut did not differ significantly among treatments (P > 0.05) although it tended to increase with nematode density at day 2 and day 4 but decrease at day 7 onward. The carp larvae consumed significantly shorter nematodes on day 2 and day 4 than on the succeeding sampling days regardless of nematode density. However, the length of nematodes in the gut of the larvae did not differ significantly among the nematode densities. The final body weight of larvae increased with increasing nematode density. The body weight of larvae fed 100 nematodes ml^?1 did not differ significantly from that of larvae given Artemia nauplii. Results show that bighead carp larvae should be fed 100 free‐living nematodes per ml at each feeding time.     

Population dynamics and parasitation of planktonic and epibenthic crustaceans in the Baltic Schlei fjord

The planktonic and epibenthic crustacean fauna from two sites of the brackish Schlei fjord, Northern Germany, was investigated over a six-month period. Calanoid and cyclopoid copepods were more abundant in lower salinities, whereas, benthic decapods, isopods and amphipods prevailed in the site of higher salinity. Cestodan larvae were found only in spring which may be due to the timing of the respective life-cycles. Parasites of benthic crustaceans, mostly digenean metacercariae but also cestodans, acanthocephalans and nematodes, appeared from spring to late summer. Decreasing salinities caused lower intensities of the most abundant parasite,Maritrema subdolum; only the true brackish-water species among the hosts were more heavily infested than those found in higher salinities. The correlation of parasite size and host size at infestation became apparent. Therefore,Crangon crangon is an optimal host for the largePodocotyle atomon metacercariae. Coevolutive trends between some hosts and parasites are made evident.     

Mycelia and spent fermentation broth of Beauveria bassiana incorporated into synthetic diets affect mortality,growth and development of larval Helicoverpa zea (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Beauveria bassiana endophytically colonises corn (Zea mays) reducing tunneling from European corn borer (Ostrinia nubilalis). Endophytic colonisation of other plants by B. bassiana has been reported, and potentially, may reduce insect feeding on these plants. We evaluated the effects on larval growth and development, and mortality of different rates of dried, ground mycelia and water-soluble metabolites from fermentation broth culture of different isolates of B. bassiana incorporated into a synthetic diet and fed to neonate bollworm, Helicoverpa zea larvae. Development was delayed, weights of larvae were lower, and mortality was high for larvae fed the highest rates (1.0 and 5.0%, w/v) of mycelia incorporated diet compared to control. Insects fed diets containing mycelia of B. bassiana isolate 11-98 had the greatest mortality. Mortality was 100% for larvae fed 5% (w/v) mycelia incorporated diet of isolate 11-98, and 61% for isolate 3-00. For insects fed low rates (0.1 to 0.5%, w/v) of mycelia incorporated diet, mortality was lower, approximately 5% for isolate 11-98, and 5 to 14% for isolate 3-00. At the 0.1% (w/v) rate of mycelia incorporated diet, development occurred at an accelerated rate, compared to fungus-free controls, indicating increased nutrition in the lowest rate fungal diet. Mortality was low for all larvae fed diets containing spent fermentation broth of B. bassiana; however, development was delayed. Insects fed the highest rate (0.5%, v/v) of spent fermentation broth-amended diet had lower pupal weights, and a greater number of days to pupation than insects fed the lowest (0.1%, v/v) rate. Insects fed the 5% (v/v) rate of spent fermentation broth of isolates 11-98 and 3-00 had the longest days to pupation.     

Lachers d'Opius concolor [Hym.: Braconidae] dans des populations de printemps deDacus oleae [Dipt.: Trypetidae]

Résumé Un lacher du braconideOpius concolor Szepl. a été effectué au printemps au cours de la première génération de multiplication de la mouche de l'oliveDacus oleae Gmel. dans l'oliveraie de Delphes. Il permet de constater que: le parasite s'installe normalement aux dépens des larves réceptives (troisième stade), il est apte à parasiter les larves deD. oleae présentes en haut et en bas de l'arbre, les pontes des femelles s'étalent sur deux semaines, le parasite est susceptible d'être hébergé par les pupes qui s'enfouissent dans le sol. La mortalité larvaire naturelle due à des causes non parasitaires est importante, notamment dans les olives tombées au sol et dans celles de la partie basse et ombragée de l'arbre.

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Summary A release of the braconid parasitoidO. concolor Szepl. was made during spring (May) against the larval population of the olive fruit flyD. oleae Gmel. in a grove containing some trees which had heavily infested olive fruits which had overwintered. The parasitoid developed normally in the 3rd instar larvae of this population. Although it was present throughout the tree, during the 1st days it was more active in the upper part where 51% of receptive larvae were parasitized than in the lower where 18% were parasitized. After one week, these figures were 20% and 44% respectively. They have been calculated from counts ofDacus larvae containing either eggs or larvae.O. concolor had almost completely disappeared from the tree 2 weeks after the release because of fruit fall following high winds, although it was still possible to find both eggs and larvae in the appropriate host stages on the soil. The emergingO. concolor population was dominated by male adults, making up 74% of the numbers. The natural mortality ofD. oleae larvae not induced by the parasite factor was important in the area, especially in the fruits fallen onto the soil in which 28% of young larvae and 14% of 3rd instar larvae died. Higher mortality occurred from these factors in the upper crown than in the lower: 16% of young larvae and 7% of 3rd instar larvae died in the former situation but 7% and 2% respectively in the latter. Almost no parasitism from indigenous parasites was recorded.

     

Response of bighead carp Aristichthys nobilis and Asian catfish Clarias macrocephalus larvae to free-living nematode Panagrellus redivivus as alternative feed

The use of Panagrellus redivivus as live feed for bighead carp and Asian catfish larvae was tested. In experiment 1, carp larvae were given Artemia nauplii (control) or Panagrellus twice daily for 21 days. A third treatment consisted of unfed larvae. The same three treatments were used in experiment 2 plus another with a commercial entomopathogenic nematode (EPN). Bighead carp larvae given Panagrellus in experiment 1 had much lower growth and survival than those fed Artemia nauplii. This could be due to low nematode density (5–30 mL^?1 water) during feeding. The unfed larvae had 100% mortality by days 11–13. In experiment 2, growth and survival of carp larvae given Artemia nauplii (5–10 mL^?1) and Panagrellus (50 mL^?1) did not differ significantly (P > 0.05). All unfed larvae had died by day 13, while larvae fed EPN were all dead by day 8. Two experiments on Asian catfish were likewise conducted. In experiment 1, the catfish larvae were fed Tubifex (ad libitum), Panagrellus (50–100 mL^?1 per feeding) orArtemia (5 nauplii mL^?1 per feeding) three times daily for 14 days. In experiment 2, larvae were fed Artemia alone (10 nauplii mL^?1 per feeding), Panagrellus alone (100 mL^?1 per feeding), or their combination with a 38% protein dry diet twice daily. For both experiments, catfish larvae fed Panagrellus had significantly lower growth and survival than those fed Tubifex or Artemia. The combination of Panagrellus and dry diet created little improvement in the growth and survival of catfish larvae.     

PHYSIOLOGISCHE WECHSELBEZIEHUNGEN ZWISCHEN PIERIS BRASSICAE UND DEM ENDOPARASITEN APANTELES GLOMERATUS. DER EINFLUß DER PARASITIERUNG AUF WACHSTUM UND KÖRPERGEWICHT DES WIRTES1

Zusammenfassung Der Parasitismus von Apanteles glomeratus (L.) bewirkt bei den Larven seines Wirtes, Pieris brassicae. L., eine Blockierung des Gewebewachstums und der Reservestoffspeicherung, sobald sich die Parasitenlarven zum 2. Stadium gehäutet haben. Das Ausmaß der durch diese Blockierung bedingten Wachstumshemmung der Wirtsraupe ist von der Anzahl der in ihr vorhandenen Parasitenlarven unabhängig; es scheint jedoch vom Häutungstermin derselben bestimmt zu werden. Gemessen am durchschnittlichen Trockengewicht erwachsener Pieris-Raupen beträgt der Hemmungseffekt zwischen 60% und 80%. Die Stoffwechselkapazität der Wirtsraupen wird trotz der Blockierung nicht eingeschränkt, sondern steht den Entwicklungsbedürfnissen der Parasitenlarven zur Verfügung, wobei der Grad ihrer Inanspruchnahme von der Individuenzahl der Parasitenlarven abhängt.

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Summary Apanteles glomeratus and Pieris brassicae served as models to investigate the parasitic effect on growth and body weight of the host. Three kinds of host larvae were used in the experiments: Aunparasitized larvae, B-larvae being parasitized on the first day after hatching from the egg, and C-larvae parasitized on the sixth day after hatching. Parasitism by A. glomeratus blocks the growth of the host body independently of the number of parasite larvae living in a host, when the dry weight of the host tissues has reached about 20% (in B-larvae) or 40% (in C-larvae) of the final dry weight of the unparasitized host larva. This blocking occurs on the first and about the third day of the host's fifth instar, respectively. Further growth of the host-parasite-system comes from the development of the parasite larvae only, and depends on the number of them present in the host body. In this way slightly parasitized Pieris-larvae remain abnormally small, whereas heavily parasitized ones grow up to a final body weight higher than unparasitized larvae. This effect is apparent in the maximum and the final live weight as well as in the final dry weight of the total system.The blocking effect seems to be induced by the parasite's second-instar larvae, because growth of the host tissues ceases immediately after the moulting of the parasites. At this moment the host larva seems to loose most of its metabolic autonomy and becomes governed by the parasite larvae. The blocking effect, the physiological mechanism of which is not yet understood, is absolute. It preserves about 80% of the host's spatial and nutritional capacity for the development of the parasite larvae. This reserve of space and metabolic potency is completely exhausted only when the number of parasites exceeds 60 or 80 per host larva in B- and C-larvae, respectively; smaller parasite numbers use only a part of this reserve.It is concluded that the Apanteles larvae, being unable to feed on or to destroy solid host tissues, prevent their synthesis by a blocking effect, thereby eliminating the competition of the host body for nutrients absorbed by the host's gut. Because of the varying number of parasite larvae in the range of 1 to 160 the expected nutritional requirement of the parasite larvae present is uncertain in their early stages of development. Preserving about 80% of the host's physiological capacity independently of the number of the moulting parasite larvae, A. glomeratus guarantees conditions sufficient for the development of even an extraordinarily numerous progeny.

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Gefördert durch die Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft     

Characterization of the Mamestra configurata (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) larval midgut protease complement and adaptation to feeding on artificial diet,Brassica species,and protease inhibitor

The midgut protease profiles from 5th instar Mamestra configurata larvae fed various diets (standard artificial diet, low protein diet, low protein diet with soybean trypsin inhibitor [SBTI], or Brassica napus) were characterized by one‐dimensional enzymography in gelatin gels. The gut protease profile of larvae fed B. napus possessed protease activities of molecular masses of approximately 33 and 55 kDa, which were not present in the guts of larvae fed artificial diet. Similarly, larvae fed artificial diet had protease activities of molecular masses of approximately 21, 30, and 100 kDa that were absent in larvae fed B. napus. Protease profiles changed within 12 to 24 h after switching larvae from artificial diet to plant diet and vice versa. The gut protease profiles from larvae fed various other brassicaceous species and lines having different secondary metabolite profiles did not differ despite significant differences in larval growth rates on the different host plants. Genes encoding putative digestive proteolytic enzymes, including four carboxypeptidases, five aminopeptidases, and 48 serine proteases, were identified in cDNA libraries from 4th instar M. configurata midgut tissue. Many of the protease‐encoding genes were expressed at similar levels on all diets; however, three chymoptrypsin‐like genes (McSP23, McSP27, and McSP37) were expressed at much higher levels on standard artificial diet and diet containing SBTI as was the trypsin‐like gene McSP34. The expression of the trypsin‐like gene McSP50 was highest on B. napus. The adaptation of M. configurata digestive biochemistry to different diets is discussed in the context of the flexibility of polyphagous insects to changing diet sources. Published 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Predation and disease: understanding the effects of predators at several trophic levels on pathogen transmission

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Seasonal transmission ofRaphidascaris acus (Nematoda), a parasite of freshwater fishes,in definitive and intermediate hosts

Synopsis The seasonal transmission ofRaphidascaris acus was studied in two small lakes on Manitoulin Island, Ontario. Dragonfly nymphs and caddisfly larvae, acting as paratenic hosts, contained second-stage larvae. Several fishes, including percids and cyprinids, were intermediate hosts with second, third, and fourth-stage larvae in the liver. Yellow perch,Perca flavescens, was the most important of these. Intensities were up to 928 and increased with length and age of the perch; prevalence was 100%. Abundance ofR. acus tended to be higher in females but was not related to condition of the perch. Second-stage larvae were acquired from invertebrates in summer and developed to the fourth stage by November. They became surrounded by fibrous capsules during the next summer but remained alive for at least another year. The longevity of larvae in the intermediate host may ensure survival of the parasite through periods of low host abundance after winterkill. Northern pike,Esox lucius, was the definitive host. Abundance ofR. acus tended to be greater in larger pike but was not related to sex or condition of the fish. The parasite was acquired in late fall. Prevalence was 100% and mean intensities were over 200 in winter and spring, declining to 64–100% and less than 15, respectively, in summer. Mature worms were present from early spring through summer. Seasonality of infection in the definitive host is not attributable to seasonal availability of larvae in perch. Instead it may be controlled by timing of predation on perch and rate of development and longevity of the parasite. Transmission to pike apparently continues in summer. Low intensity may result from low recruitment rate and rapid turnover of the parasite population.     

Toxicity of acephate to larvae of gypsy moth as a function of host plant and bioassay method

We examined toxicity of acephate to third-instar gypsy moth, Lymantria dispar (L.) (Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae), under different conditions of administration method, availability of food to larvae during bioassay, host plant, and activity of detoxifying enzymes. Larvae that had been fed field-collected foliage of white alder (Alnus rhombifolia Nutt.) were less susceptible 48 h after treatment with topically applied acephate if they were allowed to continue feeding on foliage during the bioassay period (LD₅₀= 60.6 μg/g larva ) than if they were not (LD₅₀= 13.5 μg/g larva ). All surviving larvae were replaced on their original food plant after the 48-h bioassay; of these, 14.4% of the larvae not fed during treatment died before pupation, compared with 1.3% of the larvae fed alder during treatment. The LD₅₀ obtained for topically treated larvae reared and treated on Douglas-fir, Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco, (51.1 μg/g larva) was comparable to that obtained for larvae fed alder (60.0 μg/g larva) throughout treatment. Larvae treated orally with acephate, however, were slightly more susceptible when reared on Douglas-fir (LC₅₀, 20.3 ppm ) than when reared on alder (LC₅₀, 27.0 ppm ). Post-treatment mortality in orally treated larvae was 10.3% in those fed alder and 9.5% in those fed Douglas-fir. Higher cytochrome P-450 activities in larvae reared on Douglas-fir apparently did not enhance tolerance to acephate. Both sexes of orally treated larvae took significantly longer to pupate than did controls on both foliage types, as did topically treated males fed Douglas-fir. Pupal weight generally was slightly, but not always significantly, higher in treated than untreated larvae under all dietary and treatment regimes.     

Nutritional analysis of alternative feed ingredients and their effects on the larval growth of Tenebrio molitor (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae)

Alternative feeds comprising only brewer's spent grain (BSG) or distillers dried grain (DDG), both agricultural byproducts, and 50% BSG or 50% DDG mixed with 50% wheat bran (WB) were compared to the standard 100% WB feed provided to Tenebrio molitor larvae to evaluate their effects on the nutritional quality and economic viability of mass‐producing this insect. Crude protein content was highest in larvae fed on 100% WB and 100% DDG, and the latter had 2.32 and 1.88 times more essential and non‐essential amino acids than the 100% WB group, respectively. Larvae fed on 50% DDG + 50% WB had 1.30 times more saturated fatty acids but 1.08 times less unsaturated fatty acids and 1.03–1.23 times less potassium, phosphorus, and magnesium than larvae fed on 100% WB. Traces of mercury were detected in larvae fed on 100% WB and 50% DDG + 50% WB, although at levels below the General Food and Feed Standard (Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, Republic of Korea), but neither Escherichia coli or Salmonella spp. were detected in the feeds. Larval and pupal weight, larval development and survival, and pupation rate were higher in larvae fed on 50% BSG or 50% DDG mixed with 50% WB groups than in larvae fed on 100% WB. Therefore, using 50% BSG or 50% DDG mixed with 50% WB as an alternative feed in the mass production of T. molitor provides higher quality larvae at a lower cost than does using the conventional 100% WB feed.     

Relative consumption of three aphid species by the lacewing, Chrysoperla rufilabris, and effects on its development and survival

Relative consumption of three aphid species, Aphis gossypii Glover, Myzus persicae (Sulzer) and Lipaphis erysimi (Kaltenbach) (Homoptera: Aphididae), by larvae of the lacewing, Chrysoperla rufilabris (Burmeister) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae), was determined in the laboratory, together with effects on lacewing development and survival. Percentages of survival of C. rufilabris from first instar to adult eclosion were significantly different among lacewing larvae fed different aphid species. When larvae were fed A. gossypii and M. persicae, all larvae developed to adulthood. All larvae died prematurely when they were fed L. erysimi. Developmental duration of C. rufilabris larvae was significantly shorter when larvae were fed A. gossypii (18.0 d) than when larvae were fed M. persicae (19.2 d). The number of fourth instar aphids consumed during development by C. rufilabris larvae differed significantly among individuals fed different aphid species. Chrysoperla rufilabris consumed an average of 168 M. persicae, followed by 141.6 A. gossypii, and only 26.6 L. erysimi. The percentage of these total number of aphids consumed by each larval stadium of C. rufilabris varied significantly among aphid species. The percentage of A. gossypii consumed by each larval stadium was similar to that for M. persicae, 12.1 and 11.4% by the first instar, 15.7 and 13.1% by the second instar, and 72.2 and 75.5% by the third instar, respectively; whereas in the case of L. erysimi, 23.3% of the total number of aphids were consumed by the first instar, 30.1% by the second instar, and 46.6% by the third instar.     

Epidemiology of a <Emphasis Type="Italic">Daphnia</Emphasis> brood parasite and its implications on host life-history traits

Parasites influence host life-history traits and therefore might crucially shape host populations in natural systems. In a series of laboratory experiments, we studied the impact of an oomycete brood parasite on its Daphnia (waterflea) host. We asked whether Daphnia dump the infected brood and subsequently are able to reproduce again as was occasionally observed in a preliminary study. No viable offspring developed from infected clutches, but 78% of the infected females produced healthy offspring after releasing the infected brood while molting. Neither those offsprings’ development success nor their mothers’ reproductive potential was affected by the brood parasite. However, infected Daphnia had a reduced life-span and suffered an increased susceptibility to another parasite, an unidentified bacterium. Additionally, we studied the prevalence of this brood parasite and the unidentified bacterium in a natural Daphnia assemblage in a pre-alpine lake, across changing demographic and environmental conditions. The brood parasite epidemic seemed to be host-density dependent. Our results show that the brood parasite’s impact on the host population is enhanced when combined with the unidentified bacterium.     

Effects of crop type on Bacillus thuringiensis toxicity and residual activity against Trichoplusia ni in greenhouses

We assessed the efficacy and persistence of a Bacillus thuringiensiskurstaki (Btk) formulation (Dipel) against Trichoplusia ni (Hubner) (Lep., Noctuidae), the cabbage looper, on three greenhouse vegetable crops (tomato, bell pepper and cucumber). First, T. ni larvae were fed leaf discs treated with Btk to assess how Btk toxicity varies with host plant. Secondly, T. ni larvae were fed leaf discs harvested from plants that had been sprayed with Btk 1, 5 and 9 days previously to assess the residual activity of Btk toxicity in greenhouse environments. Mortality of T. ni larvae fed tomato leaf discs was significantly higher than T. ni fed cucumber or pepper leaf discs. The toxicity of Btk had declined by less than 50% after 9 days, which suggests that Btk persistence is lengthy in greenhouse environments. No crop effects on the residual activity of Btk were found. These results demonstrate that the greenhouse environment and the crop should be considered when using Btk for insect management on greenhouse crops.