Influence de la densité de population larvaire sur la taille des adultes,la durée de développement et la fréquence de la diapause chezPteromalus puparum L. [Hym., Chalcidien]

Summary The parasitoid waspPteromalus puparum was reared for many generations under controlled laboratory conditions: larval development in diapausing pupae ofPieris brassicae, 14 hours photoperiod, temperature of 21 °C or 25 °C. The fluctuations in the density of population appear to be the main source of variation for larval development. An increase in the number of larvae living in the same host pupa results in a decrease of adult size, a reduction of developmental time and a diminution of incidence of larval diapause. According to these results, it appears that a high population density hastens the occurrence of metamorphosis and makes it easier. It is suggested that various nervous stimulations, such as food shortage and interactions between larvae, may induce the onset of neurosecretion by the brain.      

Pupal diapause of Helicoverpa armigera (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae): sensitive stage for thermal induction in the Okayama (western Japan) population

Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) exhibits a facultative pupal diapause, which depends on temperature and photoperiod. Pupal diapause is induced at 20 degrees C by short photoperiods and inhibited by long photoperiods during the larval stage. However, in some pupae (35% of males and 57% of females) of a non-selected field population from Okayama Prefecture (34.6 degrees N), diapause is not induced by short photoperiods. In the present experiment, the importance of temperature for diapause induction was studied in the non-diapausing strain, which was selected from such individuals reared at 20 degrees C under a short photoperiod of 10L:14D. Furthermore, the sensitive stage for thermal determination of pupal diapause was determined by transferring larvae of various instars and pupae between 20 degrees C and 15 degrees C. Diapause was induced by 15 degrees C without respect to photoperiod. When larvae or pupae reared from eggs at 20 degrees C under a short or a long photoperiod were transferred to 15 degrees C in the periods of the middle fifth instar to the first three days after pupation, the diapause induction rate was significantly reduced in both males and females, especially in females. In contrast, when larvae or pupae reared at 15 degrees C were transferred to 20 degrees C in the same periods, diapause was induced in males, but not in females. However, the diapause induction rate of pupae transferred to 20 degrees C on the fourth day after pupation was significantly increased in females. The results show that temperature is the major diapause cue in the photoperiod-insensitive strain and the periods of middle fifth larval instar to early pupal stage are the thermal sensitive stages for pupal diapause induction with some different responses to temperatures between males and females in H. armigera.     

豌豆彩潜蝇幼期各虫态的形态学研究

【目的】豌豆彩潜蝇Chromatomyia horticola (Goureau)是我国蔬菜上常见的一种重要害虫,目前尚未见该虫幼期卵到蛹各虫态形态特征的系统研究。【方法】本研究采用野外取样和室内饲养的方法收集豌豆彩潜蝇的卵、不同龄期的幼虫以及蛹,对该虫从卵期到羽化成成虫的全过程进行了详细的观察,并通过测量幼虫口钩和头咽骨的长度对幼虫龄期进行了划分。【结果】卵期观察到了豌豆彩潜蝇及其他潜蝇科昆虫中从未记述过的卵的呼吸角。利用口钩和头咽骨长度将幼虫划分为3个龄期,并对不同龄期幼虫的形态特征进行了比较和描述,确定了通过骨化结构对幼虫龄期准确鉴定和通过外部形态快速鉴定的方法。根据豌豆彩潜蝇蛹期发育的形态特征变化将蛹期划分为5个明显的发育阶段。【结论】本研究记述了豌豆彩潜蝇卵到蛹期的形态特征并对幼虫龄期进行了划分,为潜蝇幼虫和蛹的形态学及豌豆彩潜蝇生物学、生理学和防治研究提供基础。     

Morphology and development of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pteromalus cerealellae</Emphasis> (Ashmead) (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) on <Emphasis Type="Italic">Callosobruchus maculatus</Emphasis> (F.) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)

Pteromalus cerealellae (Ashmead) (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) is an ectoparasitoid of several stored-product insect pests. Very little information has been published on its biology and development in host larvae, which typically are concealed within seeds. We documented the development of P. cerealellae within fourth instar larvae of its concealed host, Callosobruchus maculatus (F.) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) infesting cowpea seeds. The preimaginal life stages of the parasitoid were characterized for the first time using morphological structures revealed by microscopic techniques including scanning electron microscopy. Pteromalus cerealellae produces hymenopteriform eggs and larvae. Eggs hatch into 13-segmented first instar larvae with peripneustic condition of spiracles. The larvae have simple, tusk-like mandibles, whereas the mandibles of the pupae and the adults are of the conventional toothed types. Using statistical analyses of the sizes of the larval mandibles and head capsules in conjunction with reliable characters such as the number of exuviae on the body of parasitoid larvae, cuticular folding, and excretion of the meconium, we recorded four larval instars for P. cerealellae. The data showed significant positive correlations between larval mandible lengths and widths of larval head capsules, as well as between mandible lengths and larval instars, suggesting that mandible length is a good predictor of the number of instars in P. cerealellae. Developmental time from egg to adult emergence was ∼12 d for females and ∼11 days for males at 30 ± 1°C, 70 ± 5% r.h. and 12L:12D photoperiod.     

沈阳地区国槐尺蠖发生规律研究

通过室内饲养和田间观察,对国槐尺蠖Semiothisa cinerearia Bremer et Grey各虫态(成虫、卵、幼虫、蛹)特征进行了详细的描述。对国槐尺蠖的行为习性、生活史以及田间种群消长规律进行了深入的研究。研究结果表明,国槐尺蠖在沈阳一年发生3代,无世代重叠,以蛹在树下松软土壤中越冬。国槐尺蠖幼虫共有7龄,1～4龄取食量小,5龄以后食量大增,进入暴食期,取食量占全幼虫期的80%～90%,而且随着虫龄的增长,其存活率增加。国槐尺蠖幼虫发生期为5月到9月,6月上旬、中旬至7月下旬为幼虫为害盛期,9月以后种群呈递减趋势,老熟幼虫开始入土化蛹越冬。     

Effects of ecdysteroid agonist RH-2485 reveal interactions between ecdysteroids and juvenile hormones in the development of Sesamia nonagrioides

Larvae of Sesamia nonagrioides developing under long day (LD) conditions pupate in the 5th or 6th instar, whereas under the short day (SD) conditions, they undergo several supernumerary larval molts and are regarded as diapausing. The development in early larval instars occurs in the LD larvae at a moderate and in the SD larvae at a high juvenile hormone (JH) titer; ecdysteroid titer cycles similarly under both conditions. The transformation to pupa is initiated by a burst of ecdysteroids at undetectable JH levels, whereas extra larval molts in the diapausing larvae are associated with moderate JH titer and irregular rises of ecdysteroids. Application of 0.2 ppm RH-2485 to the diet of the 6th instar larvae promotes hormonal changes supporting metamorphosis in the LD larvae and slightly accelerates larval molts in the diapausing SD larvae. The 0.5- and 1-ppm doses revert these patterns of endocrine regulations to a mode typical for early larval instars. Particularly dramatic is a JH titer increase provoked within 24 h in the LD larvae. After the treatment, both the LD and SD larvae undergo a series of larval molts, suggesting that hormonal programming of the larval development has been stabilized. A few insects receiving 1 ppm RH-2485, and a high proportion of those fed with 5 ppm RH-2485, deposit two cuticles within a single apolysis and die.     

光周期对国槐尺蠖生长发育状况的影响

在温度(25±1)℃,RH65%～75%条件下,对国槐尺蠖Semiothisa cinerearia Bremer et Grey各龄幼虫分别采用0:24、10:14、12:12、14:10、1:85种光周期处理。结果表明,以14:10处理的国槐尺蠖1～5龄幼虫历期最短;以16:8处理的幼虫发育历期最短,且随着光照时间的增加,幼虫发育历期逐渐缩短;不同光周期对于6～7龄幼虫存在显著的影响,但是对于1～5龄影响不大。成虫53%～56%在夜间羽化,越冬蛹在8～14h光照范围内,随光照长度增加发育历期延长,在14～16h光照范围内,历期随光照延长而缩短。以0:24处理的蛹羽化率最高,发育历期最短。     

Morphology and biology of Porphyrosela minuta Clarke 1953 (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae, Lithocolletinae) in Uruguay

Porphyrosela minuta Clarke is a gracillariid that causes damage on white clover (Trifolium repens) in Uruguay. In this article, the eggs, all the larval instars, the pupa and the external morphological characteristics of the adult are described. Information about the insect's biology under laboratory and field conditions is presented. The eggs are laid singly on the upper surface of the leaflets. The larvae make extensive mines that appear as white blotches. The larvae develop through five instars and do not remain exposed during their development. At 25 degrees C the life cycle lasted 16.2 days, made up of 3.0 for eggs, 8.8 for larvae and 4.4 for pupae. Females began laying on the first night, and during an oviposition period that varied between five and 12 days deposited an average of 71.8 eggs. It is a multivoltine species and seven to nine generations occur between November and the end of March.     

Effects of temperature on the development of overwintering immature stages of the near‐threatened butterfly Leptalina unicolor (Bremer & Grey) (Lepidoptera: Hesperiidae)

Overwintering larvae of multivoltine and univoltine populations of Leptalina unicolor were reared under various constant and fluctuating temperatures superimposed on a photoperiod of either 12 h of light and 12 h of darkness (LD 12:12) or LD 15:9. Diapause of the larvae terminated in midwinter (by early February). All the larvae of both populations pupated after two molts without feeding and the head capsule width of the final instar larvae was smaller than that of the penultimate instar ones. The photoperiod did not significantly affect larval development, but long‐day conditions (LD 15:9) hastened pupal development. The thermoperiod had a significant effect on the development of the multivoltine population. When multivoltine population larvae were kept under a low fluctuating temperature regime (cryophase/thermophase = 14/20°C), the period until adult eclosion was shorter than that under a constant temperature of 17°C. On the contrary, when larvae were kept under a high fluctuating temperature regime (24/30°C), the period until adult eclosion was longer than that under a constant temperature of 27°C. However, the univoltine population did not show such a reaction to the fluctuating temperature. The durations of final instar larva and pupa of the multivoltine population were shorter than those of the univoltine population. The developmental zeros of penultimate and final instar larvae and pupae of the univoltine population were lower than those of the multivoltine population. The head capsule width of penultimate instar larvae and the forewing length of adults of the univoltine population were larger than those of the multivoltine population for both sexes.     

Performance of pine looper Bupalus piniarius larvae under population build-up conditions

In the first year of an outbreak, Bupalus piniarius larvae, encounter intense crowding. In the later stages of larval development, they are forced to feed on the non-preferred current-year needles of Scots pine or even on alternative hosts. It was hypothesized that larval feeding on a non-preferred resource (current-year needles) will negatively affect B. piniarius performance. It was also hypothesized that larval mutual interference (crowding without competition for food) will have negative additive effects. These hypotheses were tested in laboratory and field experiments. Fourth instar larvae were reared singly and under crowded conditions in cohorts of ten. Larvae in both situations were reared on control branches (containing both mature and current-year shoots) and branches containing only current-year shoots. Crowded larvae were reared also on Norway spruce, an alternative host. Crowding and feeding on a non-preferred resource had opposite effects on B. piniarius larval performance. Crowding in the late larval instars enhanced larval performance while absence of the preferred resource had negative effects. Larval growth rate was higher and development time was shorter for larvae exposed to crowded conditions than for solitary larvae. There was, however, no difference between the groups in final pupal weights or survival. Survival was 25% lower for larvae feeding on non-preferred current-year needles and pupal weights 9% lower, compared with results for larvae feeding on mature needles. Larvae feeding on Norway spruce suffered greatly extended development time, 82% lower survival, and resulted in 60% lighter pupae compared with conspecifics on Scots pine. It was concluded that not only quantity but also quality of the available food resource is critical for B. piniarius development.     

Search for a sensitive stage for aposymbiosis induction in Culex pipiens pipiens by antibiotic treatment of immature stages

The elimination of symbiotic Wolbachia pipientis from Culex pipiens pipiens was studied by exposing the larvae or pupae to chlortetracycline hydrochloride for different lengths of time and for different stages in the life cycle. The effect of the antibiotic was cumulative. The longer the immature stages were treated, the poorer was the hatching rate of their eggs when they became adults. Larvae reared in antibiotic from the beginning of first, second, or third instar developed into adults with 100% hatching failure. If the insects were reared in the antibiotic from the beginning of the fourth instar only, about one-third of their eggs hatched. Rearing the immatures in antibiotic for single instars demonstrated that the ultimate deleterious effects were essentially the same for all stages, indicating that there is no uniquely sensitive stage for destroying the rickettsia. Many of the unhatched eggs contained fully developed, but dead, embryos.     

Brain-independent development in the moth Sesamia nonagrioides

The caterpillars of Sesamia nonagrioides developing under long-day (LD) photoperiod pupate in the 5th or 6th instar whereas under short day (SD) conditions they enter diapause and undergo several extra larval molts. The diapause is terminated within 1-3 instars upon transfer of SD larvae to the LD conditions. Brain removal from the 6th instar larvae promotes pupation followed by imaginal development; however, one third of the SD larvae and 12% of the LD larvae debrained at the start of the instar first undergo 1-2 larval molts. The incidence of larval molts is enhanced by the brain implants. Exclusively pupal molts occur in the LD larvae debrained late in the 6th instar. Decapitation elicits pupation in both LD and SD larvae, except for some of the 4th and 5th and rarely 6th instar that are induced to a fast larval molt. The pupation of decapitated larvae is reverted to a larval molt by application of a juvenile hormone (JH) agonist. No molts occur in abdomens isolated from the head and thorax prior to the wandering stage. Abdomens isolated later undergo a larval (SD insects) or a pupal (LD insects) molt. Taken together the data reveal that in S. nonagrioides (1) several larval molts followed by a pupal and imaginal molt can occur without brain; (2) an unknown head factor outside the brain is needed for the pupal-adult molt; (3) brain exerts both stimulatory and inhibitory effect on the corpora allata (CA); (4) larval molts induced in CA absence suggest considerable JH persistence.     

不同食料植物对美国白蛾生长发育和繁殖的影响

2010年6月至7月,在室内研究了美国白蛾Hyphantria cunea(Drury)第1代幼虫对洋白蜡、欧美107号杨、法桐和白榆的取食量及不同的食料种类对美国白蛾生长发育和繁殖的影响。结果表明,美国白蛾对受试的各树种的取食量以洋白蜡为最多,完成一代平均每头可以取食2.21 g,其次为欧美107号杨1.95 g,再次为法桐和白榆,分别为1.85 g/头和1.68 g/头。3龄后幼虫对不同的寄主呈现出一定的偏好性,特别是5龄和6龄幼虫对不同的寄主的取食量表现出显著差异。不同的食料植物对美国白蛾幼虫和蛹的发育历期、存活率、蛹重、成虫寿命、产卵量等有显著影响。取食法桐对其生长发育和繁殖表现出明显的不利性,主要表现为幼虫期延长、蛹重减轻、单雌产卵量降低。     

Relationship between an increase of juvenile hormone titer in early instars and the induction of diapause in fully grown larvae of Sesamia nonagrioides

The larvae of Sesamia nonagrioides (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) grown at 25 degrees C and long photoperiod (16:8h light:dark) pupate in the 5th or 6th (mostly) larval instar, while the larvae reared under a short photoperiod (12:12h) enter diapause during which they consume some food and undergo up to 12 (usually 3-4) stationary larval molts. Diapause programming includes an increase of juvenile hormone (JH) titer in the hemolymph from about 20 to 50 nM in the 4th and 5th instar larvae (titer in earlier instars was not measured). JH I, II, and III are present in approximate ratio 1-2:10:1. The JH titer drops to zero before pupation but remains around 20 nM during diapause. Perfect extra larval molts associated with a body weight increase can be induced in the non-diapausing larvae with a JH analogue (JHA). The weight rise is due to accumulation of reserves and not to a general body growth. The timing of extra molts is similar to the molting pattern of the diapausing larvae only when JHA is present since early larval instars. In the diapausing larvae, JHA application affects neither molting periodicity nor the body weight. It is concluded that (1) Increased JH titer in early larval instars is a part of diapause programming; (2) The extension of larval stage in the diapausing larvae, but not the timing pattern of extra molts, is due to continuously high JH titer; (3) The diapause program includes low food intake, maintenance of a certain body weight, and periodic larval molts.     

圆柏大痣小蜂幼虫龄期测定

明确圆柏大痣小蜂Megastigmus sabinae Xu et He（1989）幼虫的最佳分龄指标、幼虫龄数与各虫龄龄期,为探明圆柏大痣小蜂幼虫期的生长规律奠定基础。本研究通过测量圆柏大痣小蜂幼虫上颚关节宽、头宽、体宽和体长4个形态指标,利用频次分布推测幼虫龄数,运用Crosby生长法则和线性回归的方法判断圆柏大痣小蜂幼虫的最佳分龄指标并验证幼虫的龄数。将最佳分龄指标作为龄期判断依据,根据测量结果对其幼虫龄期进行划分。圆柏大痣小蜂幼虫共划分为5个龄期,上颚关节宽为圆柏大痣小蜂幼虫龄期划分的最佳形态指标,各龄幼虫的历期约为30 d、200 d、30 d、30 d、15 d,共305 d,主要以2龄越冬。     

Control of larval-pupal-adult molt in the moth Sesamia nonagrioides by juvenile hormone and ecdysteroids

Sesamia nonagrioides (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) larvae reared under long day (LD; 16L:8D) conditions pupate after 5 or 6 larval instars, whereas under short day (SD; 12L:12D) conditions they undergo up to 12 additional molts before pupating. This extended period of repeated molting is maintained by high levels of juvenile hormone (JH). Previous work demonstrated that both LD and SD larvae decapitated in the 6th instar pupate but further development is halted. By contrast, about one-third of SD larvae from which only the brain has been removed, undergo first a larval molt, then pupate and subsequently developed to the adult stage. Debrained LD larvae molt to larvae exceptionally but regularly pupate and produce adults. Implanted brains may induce several larval molts in debrained recipient larvae irrespectively of the photoperiodic conditions. The results of present work demonstrate that the prothoracic glands (PGs) and the corpora allata (CA) of debrained larvae continue to produce ecdysteroids and JHs, respectively. PGs are active also in the decapitated larvae that lack JH, consistent with the paradigm that CA, which are absent in the decapitated larvae, are the only source of this hormone. Completion of the pupal-adult transformation in both LD and SD debrained insects demonstrates that brain is not crucial for the development of S. nonagrioides but is required for diapause maintenance. Application of JH to headless pupae induces molting, presumably by activating their PGs. It is likely that JH plays this role also in the induction of pupal-adult transformation in debrained insects. Application of the ecdysteroid agonist RH 2485 (methoxyfenozide) to headless pupae also elicits molting: newly secreted cuticle is in some cases thin and indifferent, in other cases it bears distinct pupal or adult features.     

Intraspecific variability in number of larval instars in insects

The number of larval instars varies widely across insect species. Although instar number is frequently considered to be invariable within species, intraspecific variability in the number of instars is not an exceptional phenomenon. However, the knowledge has remained fragmentary, and there are no recent attempts to synthesize the results of relevant studies. Based on published case studies, we show that intraspecific variability in the number of larval instars is widespread across insect taxa, occurring in most major orders, in both hemimetabolous and holometabolous insects. We give an overview of various factors that have been observed to affect the number of instars. Temperature, photoperiod, food quality and quantity, humidity, rearing density, physical condition, inheritance, and sex are the most common factors influencing the number of instars. We discuss adaptive scenarios that may provide ultimate explanations for the plasticity in instar number. The data available largely support the compensation scenario, according to which instar number increases in adverse conditions when larvae fail to reach a species-specific threshold size for metamorphosis. However, in Orthoptera and Coleoptera, there are some exceptional species in which instar number is higher in favorable conditions. In more specific cases, the adaptive value of the variability in instar number may be in reaching or maintaining the developmental stage adapted to hibernation, producing additional generations in multivoltine species, or increasing the probability of surviving in long-lasting adverse conditions.     

Instar determination for Pissodes castaneus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) using head capsule widths and lengths

The aim of this research was to assess the larval instar number of Pissodes castaneus (De Geer) and to facilitate the study of its biology by identifying a reliable method to determine the instar of individual larvae. The larvae of this weevil were collected in central Italy in 2004, and their head capsules were measured by means of a binocular microscope. Head capsule width and length data were analyzed using Hcap, a computer program that use the distribution of size measures to determine instar separation rules. To determine instar number, the Gaines and Campbell method, which represents the perfect geometric progression of size measures (Dyar's rule) by a regression line, was also used. This study identified four larval instars of P. castaneus and found that head capsule widths and lengths followed Dyar's rule and reliably distinguished instars.     

Development and feeding efficiency of Malacosoma neustrium larvae reared with Quercus spp. leaves

Observations on larval development of Malacosoma neustrium were conducted both in a cork oak stand and in the laboratory by using leaves of different host trees (cork oak, holm oak and downy oak) as food source. Instars were determined using head capsule and frass measurements. In the field the larvae progressed up to the fifth instar before pupating, and the increase in head capsule width followed Dyars Rule with a rate of increase (R.I.) value of 1.74. The same number of instars was determined for the larvae reared with cork oak (R.I. = 1.73) and holm oak (R.I. = 1.70) leaves. The caterpillars reared with downy oak foliage completed larval development in five, six and seven instars and the R.I. values obtained were 1.60, 1.52 and 1.44 respectively. A lower mortality was recorded for the larvae reared on holm oak. Growth and feeding indices were determined for the larvae from the third up to the last instar. The highest leaf consumption was detected for the fifth instar larvae reared on holm oak. For the caterpillars which completed five instars before pupating, the relative consumption rate (RCR) decreased from the third up to the fifth instar: from 4.8 to 1.7 (cork oak), from 7.4 to 3.3 (holm oak) and from 14.3 to 2.1 (downy oak). The relative growth rate (RGR) was highest during the fourth stadium (0.24, 0.27 and 0.33 for larvae reared with cork oak, holm oak and downy oak leaves respectively) and decreased in the fifth instar (0.09, 0.14 and 0.14 for larvae reared with cork oak, holm oak and downy oak leaves respectively), probably because of greater expense of energy due to the approach of maturity. Feeding and growth indices could be useful to define a defoliation prediction model.     

The biology and phenology of the citrus whitefly, Dialeurodes citri, on citrus in the Coastal Plain of Israel

The citrus whitefly, Dialeurodes citri (Ashmead) (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae) (CWF), is a polyphagous citrus pest, originating in S. E. Asia, which was first discovered in the Western Galilee region of Israel in 1975. The larval instars of CWF secrete honeydew, and the sooty mould fungus, which develops on the honeydew, causes damage to the tree and its fruit. In observations made in Israel between 1987 and 1991 CWF usually completed three generations per year, although a small proportion of the population had two or four generations. From October to April a combination of shortened photoperiod and reduced temperature arrest the development of CWF in the fourth larval instar. The average length of the life cycle from egg to adult emergence was 65 days in the first generation (April–June), 52 days in the second generation (July–August) and 8 months in the third generation (September–April). Under laboratory conditions of L16: D8 and 25 °C, the mean developmental time was 54 days, and the duration of the egg, first larval instar, second larval instar, third larval instar, fourth larval instar and putative pupa (red eyes) were 12.1, 6.5, 5.5, 7.6, 18, and 4.7 days, respectively. Adults prefer to lay their eggs on young, fully developed citrus leaves, but also oviposit on older leaves. The inner region and shaded sides of the tree are preferred for oviposition.