Seasonal Alterations in Host Range and Fidelity in the Polyphagous Mirid Bug,Apolygus lucorum (Heteroptera: Miridae)

In herbivorous insects, host plant switching is commonly observed and plays an important role in their annual life cycle. However, much remains to be learned about seasonal host switching of various pestiferous arthropods under natural conditions. From 2006 until 2012, we assessed Apolygus lucorum (Meyer-Dür) host plant use in successive spring, summer and winter seasons at one single location (Langfang, China). Data were used to quantify changes in host plant breadth and host fidelity between seasons. Host fidelity of A. lucorum differed between seasons, with 87.9% of spring hosts also used in the summer and 36.1% of summer hosts used in winter. In contrast, as little as 25.6% host plant species were shared between winter and spring. Annual herbaceous plants are most often used for overwintering, while perennial woody plants are relatively important for initial population build-up in the spring. Our study contributes to an improved understanding of evolutionary interactions between A. lucorum and its host plants and lays the groundwork for the design of population management strategies for this important pest in myriad crops.     

Factors Affecting the Compliance and Sway Properties of Tree Branches Used by the Sumatran Orangutan (Pongo abelii)

The tropical arboreal environment is a mechanically complex and varied habitat. Arboreal inhabitants must adapt to changes in the compliance and stability of supports when moving around trees. Because the orangutan is the largest habitual arboreal inhabitant, it is unusually susceptible to branch compliance and stability and therefore represents a unique animal model to help investigate how animals cope with the mechanical heterogeneity of the tropical canopy. The aim of this study was to investigate how changes in compliance and time of oscillation of branches are related to easily observable traits of arboreal supports. This should help predict how supports react mechanically to the weight and mass of a moving orangutan, and suggest how orangutans themselves predict branch properties. We measured the compliance and time of oscillation of branches from 11 tree species frequented by orangutans in the rainforest of Sumatra. Branches were pulled at several points along their length using a force balance at the end of a stiff rope, and the local diameter of the branch and the distance to its base and tip were measured. Compliance was negatively associated with both local diameter and length to the tip of the branch, and positively, if weakly, associated with length from the trunk. However, branch diameter not only predicted compliance best, but would also be easiest for an orangutan to observe. In contrast, oscillation times of branches were largely unaffected by local diameter, and only significantly increased at diameters below 2 cm. The results of this study validate previous field research, which related locomotory modes to local branch diameter, while suggesting how arboreal animals themselves sense their mechanical environment.     

Sampling techniques for estimating the population density of Apolygus lucorum in cotton fields

本文比较研究了棉田绿盲蝽Apolygus lucorum(Meyer-Dür)种群的调查方法.全株调查法中,目测法调查到的绿盲蝽种群密度最高,显著高于扫网法和盆拍法.局部调查法发现,蕾上的绿盲蝽种群数量显著高于叶片和花上;蕾上种群数量与整株密度之间呈显著正相关关系(y=1.18x+3.69).间接调查法表明:在苗期和蕾期,叶片受害等级和绿盲蝽种群密度之间呈显著正相关关系(苗期:y=25.28x+8.20;蕾期:y=43.99x+27.58).     

棉田绿盲蝽种群密度的调查方法

本文比较研究了棉田绿盲蝽Apolygus lucorum(Meyer-Dür)种群的调查方法。全株调查法中,目测法调查到的绿盲蝽种群密度最高,显著高于扫网法和盆拍法。局部调查法发现,蕾上的绿盲蝽种群数量显著高于叶片和花上;蕾上种群数量与整株密度之间呈显著正相关关系(y=1.18 x+3.69)。间接调查法表明:在苗期和蕾期,叶片受害等级和绿盲蝽种群密度之间呈显著正相关关系(苗期:y=25.28 x+8.20;蕾期:y=43.99 x+27.58)。     

河南省绿盲蝽秋季迁移的铷标记研究

利用铷(Rb)标记方法对秋季绿盲蝽Apolygus lucorum(Meyer-Dür)迁移现象及其寄主种类进行了研究。铷标记回捕试验证明了秋季绿盲蝽由棉田转移到杂草上取食。在河南绿盲蝽一周内可迁移到2 560 m(试验最远回捕距离)。秋季由棉田迁出的绿盲蝽主要集中在艾蒿和葎草上取食。对这2种主要寄主植物作为绿盲蝽越冬寄主的可能性进行了讨论。     

Autumn migration of Apolygus lucorum in Henan Province revealed by the Rb marking technique

利用铷(Rb)标记方法对秋季绿盲蝽Apolygus lucorum (Meyer-Dür)迁移现象及其寄主种类进行了研究.铷标记回捕试验证明了秋季绿盲蝽由棉田转移到杂草上取食.在河南绿盲蝽一周内可迁移到2560m(试验最远回捕距离).秋季由棉田迁出的绿盲蝽主要集中在艾蒿和葎草上取食.对这2种主要寄主植物作为绿盲蝽越冬寄主的可能性进行了讨论.     

不同温度效应杀虫剂诱导对绿盲蝽三种解毒酶活力的影响

【目的】为了明确解毒酶对绿盲蝽Apolygus lucorum防治药剂温度效应的影响机制。【方法】本文测定了绿盲蝽3龄若虫体内3种主要解毒酶活力随温度变化的"钟形"曲线,以及在不同温度效应杀虫剂诱导后对绿盲蝽体内解毒酶"钟形"曲线的影响。【结果】在供试温度10~40℃范围内,绿盲蝽体内3种主要解毒酶,在25℃时活力均最高,且显著高于其他温度处理。在不同温度下,4种不同温度效应杀虫剂诱导后对绿盲蝽体内解毒酶活力影响测定结果来看,谷胱甘肽-S-转移酶受杀虫剂诱导影响,可能参与了负温度效应杀虫剂溴虫腈的代谢,其在20~30℃的温度范围内,可能参与了吡虫啉和辛硫磷的部分代谢,而正温度效应杀虫剂氟铃脲在低温时毒力较低,可能与其诱导该酶在低温时活力升高相关。在15℃左右的低温时,绿盲蝽体内羧酸酯酶和多功能氧化酶易受氟铃脲和溴虫腈诱导而活力增加,而在20~35℃,这两种酶活力不易受杀虫剂诱导,且辛硫磷、溴虫腈和吡虫啉可对绿盲蝽体内两种酶活力产生一定的抑制作用。【结论】绿盲蝽体内解毒酶活力可明显受到温度影响,而在杀虫剂诱导条件下,其可对绿盲蝽防治药剂的温度效应产生显著影响。     

棉花品种抗绿盲蝽特性的田间光谱诊断

调查了生长期14个不同棉花品种上绿盲蝽Apolygus lucorum Meyer-Dür的危害情况。亚洲棉表现为高抗,冀丰杂7号等12个品种表现为中抗,灵-17表现为敏感。田间采用ASD光谱仪对14个棉花品种生长期的冠层光谱进行了测定,发现相同品种不同时期的光谱反射率的一阶微分具有明显差异(P<0.05),在近红外717 nm波段处一阶微分光谱值与棉花抗绿盲蝽级别显著相关(R2=0.89,P=0.01),可较好的表征绿盲蝽危害指数,可利用这个波段的光谱指标对棉花品种的抗绿盲蝽特性进行初步诊断,为棉花抗盲蝽评价选育提供参考。     

Using the Rb marking technique to track the spring migration of Apolygus lucorum and Adelphocoris suturalis in Henan

利用铷标记方法对河南省绿盲蝽Apolygus lucorum(Meyer-Dür)和中黑盲蝽Adelphocoris suturalis Jakovlev的春季迁移现象进行了研究.结果表明:在河南省2种棉盲蝽均有较强的迁移能力.绿盲蝽2d内可迁移2560m(试验最远回捕距离),中黑盲蝽6d内可迁移5120m(试验最远回捕距离).本文提供了春季绿盲蝽和中黑盲蝽由越冬场所向棉田转移的直接证据.     

河南省绿盲蝽对有机磷类杀虫剂的抗药性监测

【目的】全面了解河南省绿盲蝽Apolygus lucorum(Meyer-Dür)对有机磷杀虫剂的敏感性变化,可为该虫的有效防治提供科学依据。【方法】采用瓶膜法于2010—2013年系统监测了河南新乡、周口、南阳地区绿盲蝽田间种群对毒死蜱、马拉硫磷、辛硫磷和乙酰甲胺磷4种常用有机磷杀虫剂的敏感性。【结果】相对于室内敏感种群,2010—2013年河南省各地绿盲蝽种群对不同有机磷杀虫剂表现出不同程度的敏感性变化,但相对毒力比值均小于5倍。其中对毒死蜱、马拉硫磷、辛硫磷和乙酰甲胺磷的敏感性均未降低,且3个种群对马拉硫磷表现为敏感性增强。【结论】毒死蜱、马拉硫磷、辛硫磷和乙酰甲胺磷仍是河南省防治绿盲蝽的有效药剂。     

河南省绿盲蝽和中黑盲蝽春季迁移能力的铷标记研究

利用铷标记方法对河南省绿盲蝽Apolygus lucorum(Meyer-Dür)和中黑盲蝽Adelphocoris suturalis Jakovlev的春季迁移现象进行了研究。结果表明:在河南省2种棉盲蝽均有较强的迁移能力。绿盲蝽2 d内可迁移2 560m(试验最远回捕距离),中黑盲蝽6 d内可迁移5 120 m(试验最远回捕距离)。本文提供了春季绿盲蝽和中黑盲蝽由越冬场所向棉田转移的直接证据。     

影响棉铃虫增殖马尾松毛虫质型多角体病毒的条件因子的初步探讨

棉铃虫为马尾松毛虫多角体病毒 (DPCPV)理想的替代寄主。试验结果表明 ,不同接毒方法、接种浓度、接种温度及接种虫龄对棉铃虫增殖病毒有影响 ,以病毒涂在人工饲料表面的接毒方法、2 0～ 2 3℃温度及 3龄虫为最佳组合条件。由于利用棉铃虫生产出的病毒 (Ha DPCPV)容易诱发棉铃虫本身的多角体病毒 (NPV) ,尤其对那些带有NPV源的虫种 ,Ha DPCPV不宜作毒种 ,因此为慎重起见 ,最好用马尾松毛虫复制出的病毒作为生产毒种。     

A Study of Factors Affecting the Efficiency of Electrofusion of Enucleated Eggs and Cells-Donors of Nuclei

We studied the capacity of rabbit oocytes for electrofusion with morula blastomeres and fetal fibroblasts. The morula blastomeres fused with aging ooplasts more readily than the fetal fibroblasts: 92.9 versus 63.0%, p < 0.001. The fetal fibroblasts fused with young enucleated oocytes more efficiently than with the aging ones: 98.4 versus 63.0%, p < 0.001. Serum starvation of the fetal fibroblasts in DMEM medium for 7–14 days reduced their capacity for fusion with young ooplasts, as compared to that after starvation for 0–4 days: 67.2 versus 98.9%, p < 0.01). The increased time of starvation in an impoverished medium reduced the capacity of fetal fibroblasts with aging ooplasts as compared to the fibroblasts cultivated in the full medium and in the impoverished medium for one or two days: 64.5 versus 37.4%, p < 0.01. Hence, the efficiency of the fusion of the oocytes with nuclear donor cells depends on the age of the recipient oocyte, the origin of nuclear donor cells, and the conditions of cultivation.     

Genome-Wide Screening and Identification of Factors Affecting the Biosynthesis of Prodigiosin by Hahella chejuensis,Using Escherichia coli as a Surrogate Host

A marine bacterium, Hahella chejuensis, recently has attracted attention due to its lytic activity against a red-tide dinoflagellate. The algicidal function originates from its red pigment, prodigiosin, which also exhibits immunosuppressive or anticancer activity. Genome sequencing and functional analysis revealed a gene set contained in the hap gene cluster that is responsible for the biosynthesis of prodigiosin. To screen for the factors affecting the prodigiosin biosynthesis, we constructed a plasmid library of the H. chejuensis genomic DNA, introduced it into Escherichia coli strains harboring the hap cluster, and observed changes in production of the red pigment. Among the screened clones, hapXY genes whose products constitute a two-component signal transduction system were elucidated as positive regulators of the pigment production. In addition, an Hfq-dependent, noncoding region located at one end of the hap cluster was confirmed to play roles in regulation. Identification of factors involved in the regulation of prodigiosin biosynthesis should help in understanding how the prodigiosin-biosynthetic pathway is organized and controlled and also aid in modulating the overexpression of prodigiosin in a heterologous host, such as E. coli, or in the natural producer, H. chejuensis.Harmful algal blooms (HABs), commonly called red tide, are a phenomenon in which toxin-producing marine algae rapidly proliferate in the offshore area. The HAB-causing phytoplanktons are reported to interact with other organisms such as bacteria and fungi. Among them, the marine bacteria are known to play important roles in decreasing or developing HABs (3, 5, 14). For instance, Hahella chejuensis, isolated from the coastal area of Marado in South Korea (15), is capable of killing Cochlodinium polykrikoides (12). C. polykrikoides is a major microalga that causes HABs, especially in the Northeast Pacific coastal area (8). The bacterial determinant that kills C. polykrikoides was further characterized as a red pigment referred to as prodigiosin (12). Prodigiosin belongs to a family of tripyrrole antibiotic molecules called prodiginines, which have potential as anticancer agents or immunosuppressants (24). The prodigiosin congener isolated from H. chejuensis also exerts an immunosuppressive effect (11).Through completed genome sequencing of H. chejuensis and its functional analysis, the genomic region involved in biosynthesis of prodigiosin was elucidated (12). This complete set of prodigiosin-biosynthetic genes was named the hap gene cluster. The red pigment prodigiosin was further characterized structurally, and the biosynthetic pathway was proposed by Kim and colleagues (13, 14). Genes of the hap cluster share homology with those in the pig cluster and the red cluster which are involved in prodiginine-biosynthetic intermediates of Serratia marcescens and Streptomyces coelicolor, respectively (7, 23, 25). Enzymes encoded by the genes in the pig and red clusters have been characterized (24). However, gene expression of the hap cluster can be tightly controlled, based on the observation that heterologous expression of the hap cluster alone failed to produce the pigment in Escherichia coli. The recombinant E. coli was able to produce the pigment only when the culture filtrate of H. chejuensis was added to the growth media (12). This result indicates that another regulatory cue is needed for prodigiosin biosynthesis, which prompted us to search for regulatory factors that modulate prodigiosin biosynthesis in H. chejuensis.In this study, regulatory factors for biosynthesis of prodigiosin in H. chejuensis were identified by functional screening. To search for such factors, a plasmid library derived from the genomic DNA of H. chejuensis was constructed and transformed into E. coli strains carrying the hap cluster. In the cases of Serratia marcescens and Streptomyces coelicolor, molecular inputs, such as cell-produced quorum-sensing signal molecules or two-component systems (TCSs) for signal transduction, have been verified as key regulatory signals for prodigiosin biosynthesis so far (4, 9, 10, 20-22). Similarly, some clones of interest uncovered in this study include molecular factors such as those that belong to the TCS. Also, we elucidated that an apparently noncoding region in the hap cluster functions as a key factor of prodigiosin biosynthesis.     

Energy Consumption in the Danish Fishery: Identification of Key Factors

Previous studies based on life-cycle assessment (LCA) in Denmark and Sweden have shown that the fishery is the environmental hot spot in the life cycle of certain fish products. Within the fishery, fuel consumption is one of the most important factors addressed by LCA. The present study reveals that there are great differences in fuel consumption between fisheries targeting groundfish or shellfish and those targeting pelagic fish or industrial fish. Here, I show that fuel consumption per kilogram of caught fish varies considerably as a function of fishing gear and vessel size, even considering the same target species. I argue that these differences need to be addressed in the search for a fuel-efficient fishery. Improvements in fuel efficiency may be consistent with other objectives, such as reduced impacts on seafloor habitats and reduced discard.     

Identification of Required Host Factors for SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Human Cells

1. Download : Download high-res image (192KB)
2. Download : Download full-size image

     

Factors Affecting the Parasitic Activity of Gliocladium virens on Sclerotia of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum and a Note on its Host Range

Aspects of the biology of Gliocladium virens and parasitism of sclerotia of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum in soil were studied. G. virens parasitized and decayed sclerotia of S. sclerotiorum, S. minor, Botrytis cinerea, Sclerotium, rolfsii and Macrophomina phaseolina on laboratory media and caused a reduction in survival of sclerotia of S. sclerotiorum in soil. It was active over a broad range of soil moisture levels and over the entire agricultural soil pH range. The main factor limiting its use as a biological control agent was its temperature requirements.