Regulation of pheromone production by female pink bollworm moths Pectinophora gossypiella (Sanders) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae)

Abstract. We present in this study data which indicate that there is a diel periodicity in the pheromone production of the pink bollworm moth Pectinophora gossypiella (Sanders) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) but that it is not well defined. Moreover the control mechanism of pheromone production differs somewhat from that reported for other moths. No pheromonotropic response was obtained when photophase females were injected with synthetic Helicoverpa zea pheromone biosynthesis activating neuropeptide (Hez-PBAN). After decapitation for 24 h, Hez-PBAN did not induce pheromonotropic activity above control levels, which themselves remained relatively high. No effect on pheromone production was observed after treatment with the non-steroidal ecdysone agonist (RH5999). Decapitation for 72 h resulted in a significant drop in the control levels of pheromone titres. After decapitation for 72 h, stimulation by injections of Hez-PBAN and pink bollworm head extracts was observed. In addition, an enhancement of the PBAN stimulation was observed when combined with severance of the ventral nerve cord before injection. On the other hand, pink bollworm head extracts did not cross-react with Hez-PBAN antiserum in a radioimmunoassay, indicating that the pheromonotropic factor present is sufficiently different from Hez-PBAN and does not recognize the antigenic binding sites. In studies using isolated abdomen and pheromone gland cultures in vitro , no stimulation of de novo pheromone biosynthesis was observed but a 3-fold increase in the de novo fatty acid biosynthesis was detected in pheromone gland cultures.     

Selection for increased pheromone titre in the pink boll worm moth, Pectinophora gossypiella Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae)

ABSTRACT The genetic basis of pheromone titre in the pink bollworm moth, Pectinophora gossypiella (Saunders), was examined through artificial selection for females that produce greater amounts of the sex pheromone [a mixture of (Z, E )- and (Z, Z )-7,11 -hexadecadieny 1 acetates]. Mean (±SD) pheromone titre increased by 91%, from 24.0±8.1 to 45.8±7.9 ng per female, in six generations of selection. No change in component ratio was observed within the selected line. The duration of male wing fanning, measured in a still-air bioassay, did not change in the female-selected line.     

Insecticide resistance in populations of Tuta absoluta (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae)

1 Control failures of insecticides used against the tomato leafminer Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) in Brazil led to the investigation of the possible occurrence of resistance of this insect pest to abamectin, cartap, methamidophos and permethrin. 2 The insect populations were collected from seven sites in the states of Minas Gerais, Rio de Janeiro, and São Paulo. These populations were subjected to concentration–mortality bioassays using insecticide‐impregnated filter papers. 3 We were unable to obtain a single population which provided a susceptibility standard for all insecticides tested. Therefore, the resistance levels were estimated in relation to the most susceptible population to each insecticide. Resistance to abamectin and cartap were observed in all populations when compared with the susceptible standard population, with resistance ratios ranging from 5.2‐ to 9.4‐fold and from 2.2‐ to 21.9‐fold for abamectin and cartap, respectively. Resistance to permethrin was observed in five populations with resistance ratios ranging from 1.9‐ to 6.6‐fold, whereas resistance to methamidophos was observed in four populations with resistance ratios ranging from 2.6‐ to 4.2‐fold. 4 The long period and high frequency of use of these insecticides against this insect pest suggest that the evolution of insecticide resistance on them has been relatively slow. Alternatively, the phenomenon might be widespread among Brazilian populations of T. absoluta making the finding of suitable standard susceptible populations difficult and leading to an underestimation of the insecticide resistance levels in this pest. 5 Higher levels of resistance to abamectin, cartap and permethrin are correlated with greater use of these compounds by growers. This finding suggests that local variation in insecticide use was an important cause of variation in susceptibility.     

Global variation in the piggyBac-like element of pink bollworm,Pectinophora gossypiella

The piggyBac transposable element, originally discovered in the cabbage looper, Trichoplusia ni, has been used widely in genetic engineering of insects including the pink bollworm, Pectinophora gossypiella, a major lepidopteran pest of cotton. Previously, we identified an intact copy of a piggyBac-like element (PLE) in pink bollworm, designated as PgPLE1.1. Here we report global variation in the occurrence and sequence of PgPLE1.1 and its flanking sequences. Low to high frequency of the PgPLE1.1 insertion was observed in populations from USA, Mexico, China, India, and Israel, while there is no PgPLE1.1 insertion in the populations from Australia. Investigation of the five haplotypes of PgPLE1.1, their frequency, and the flanking sequences of PgPLE1.1 revealed significant differences of the populations from Australia and China compared to other global populations, although recent occurrences of extensive gene flows among global populations were evident.     

Cross-Resistance of Pink Bollworm (Pectinophora gossypiella) to Bacillus thuringiensis Toxins

Two strains of pink bollworm (Pectinophora gossypiella) selected in the laboratory for resistance to Bacillus thuringiensis toxin Cry1Ac had substantial cross-resistance to Cry1Aa and Cry1Ab but not to Cry1Bb, Cry1Ca, Cry1Da, Cry1Ea, Cry1Ja, Cry2Aa, Cry9Ca, H04, or H205. The narrow spectrum of resistance and the cross-resistance to activated toxin Cry1Ab suggest that reduced binding of toxin to midgut target sites could be an important mechanism of resistance.     

Cross-resistance of pink bollworm (Pectinophora gossypiella) to Bacillus thuringiensis toxins

Two strains of pink bollworm (Pectinophora gossypiella) selected in the laboratory for resistance to Bacillus thuringiensis toxin Cry1Ac had substantial cross-resistance to Cry1Aa and Cry1Ab but not to Cry1Bb, Cry1Ca, Cry1Da, Cry1Ea, Cry1Ja, Cry2Aa, Cry9Ca, H04, or H205. The narrow spectrum of resistance and the cross-resistance to activated toxin Cry1Ab suggest that reduced binding of toxin to midgut target sites could be an important mechanism of resistance.     

基于线粒体DNA的大石鸡种群遗传变异

大石鸡(Alectoris magna)是我国的特有鸟类,其种群数量由于受到栖息地片断化和人类狩猎的影响而日益减少。本文以mtDNA的控制区部分序列(1,127bp)和细胞色素b部分序列(807bp)为分子标记,研究了大石鸡分布区内12个种群234个样本的遗传变异。173个样本的控制区序列中共发现了34个多态位点,定义了44种单倍型,平均单倍型多样性和核苷酸多样性分别为0.916±0.011和0.00449±0.00242,所有种群中单倍型多样性最高的是靖远和民和种群(0.894±0.063),最低的是海原种群(0.476±0.155)。230个样本的细胞色素b序列中共发现了13个多态位点,定义了14种单倍型。平均单倍型多样性为0.738±0.024,平均核苷酸多样性为0.00216±0.00009,所有种群中单倍型多样性最高的是共和种群(0.763±0.059),最低的为德令哈种群(0.000±0.000)。所有遗传多样性参数与样本量均无显著相关性。控制区和细胞色素b的单倍型邻接树均显示大石鸡在系统发生树上没有互为单系发生的种群存在,因此应该将大石鸡作为一个独立的进化显著单元(ESU)来对待。AMOVA结果显示大部分遗传变异分布于种群内,但种群间和群组间也存在显著的遗传变异,所以应该把各个种群作为独立的管理单元(MU)来实现短期内的管理和保护。对德令哈、都兰、礼县、张家川、海原等遗传多样性较低的边缘种群应重点保护,另外,对共和、贵德和靖远3个遗传多样性较高的种群也应重点加以保护。     

赤松毛虫地理种群的遗传变异与生态因子的相关性

采用ISSR技术分析了泰安徂徕山、青岛胶南、朝阳凌源和葫芦岛绥中4个赤松毛虫地理种群的分子遗传变异.结果表明:葫芦岛地区赤松毛虫遗传多样性相对较高,种群间有了一定程度的遗传分化;相关性分析表明,种群的遗传多样性与海拔呈显著的负相关,与年均温度、年均湿度呈一定的正相关,而与所处纬度相关关系不显著;各种群两两之间的遗传距离与海拔梯度呈正相关趋势.     

切断棉红铃虫食物链的探讨

根据棉花早蕾是一代棉红铃虫唯一食料,提出切断红铃虫食物链的构想。经多年实践,摘去7月上旬全部早蕾,能减少大部分蛀铃虫源,收到显著减轻或基本控制二代为害的效果,且能提高优质棉产量,使经济、生态、环境同步获益。     

Genetic structure of masu salmon (Oncorhynchus masou) populations in Hokkaido, northernmost Japan, inferred from mitochondrial DNA variation

Genetic structure of masu salmon Oncorhynchus masou populations in Hokkaido was examined by analysing mtDNA NADH dehydrogenase subunit 5 gene (561 bp) of 382 individuals collected from 12 rivers, in which there were no records of artificial release. Analysis of molecular variance showed that between groups level and between populations within-group level explained each c. 10% of genetic variance. In neighbour-joining tree, four populations located in southern Hokkaido were clustered into a single group; however, other populations did not form any clear clusters. Fu's F _S, Tajima's D and a mismatch distribution test indicated a sudden expansion of population in the entire population of Hokkaido and the northernmost population of Chiraibetsu, which was genetically close to the southern Hokkaido group. The Sea of Japan and southern rivers, including those of southern Hokkaido, seem to have served as refugia for masu salmon during glacial periods, and their dispersal and straying in interglacial periods affected the genetic structure of masu salmon populations in Hokkaido.     

棉花红铃虫信息干扰素田间试验

棉红铃虫 Pectinophora gossypiella(Saun-ders)是棉花的主要害虫之一 ,传统的防治方法是应用化学农药杀死初孵幼虫 ,以控制其为害。日本信越公司开发的红铃虫专用性信息干扰素(PB-ROPE)是通过化学物质的挥发气体 ,干扰红铃虫的性信息 ,使之迷向而不能正常交配 ,因而不能产出有效的卵 ,以达到防治红铃虫目的。我国上海昆虫研究所和南京农业大学等单位对此进行过研究 ,但只是利用性引诱作用 ,诱杀害虫。 1 995～ 1 996年作者在新洲县进行了田间药效试验 ,总面积达 5 3 3 hm2 。两年试验和示范结果表明 ,棉花红铃虫信息干扰素对棉红铃虫具…     

Genetic variation among Mediterranean populations of Sesamia nonagrioides (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) as revealed by RFLP mtDNA analysis

Restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis of two segments of mitochondrial DNA (COI and 16S rRNA) was used to examine genetic variation in Sesamia nonagrioides (Lefèbvre) populations from the Mediterranean basin. Four populations were collected from central and southern Greece, and five from northern latitudes: Greece, Italy, France and Spain. No variation was observed in COI, while 16S rRNA segment proved highly polymorphic and 28 different haplotypes were found. Lower intra-population polymorphism was found in the northern populations than in southern ones. Although no significant isolation by distance was found, the UPGMA tree based on Nei's raw number of nucleotide differences separated the populations into two major groups, i.e. one with the northern (40.6 degrees N-43.4 degrees N) and the other with the southern populations (37.3 degrees N-39.2 degrees N). Analysis of molecular variance revealed that most of the variation was between the two major groups (Phi(CT)=0.559), and all pairwise comparisons between the northern and southern populations resulted in high and significant F(ST) values (overall F(ST)=0.604). The high F(ST) values and the strong spatial genetic structure indicate that long-distance migration may be a rare event. The populations do not seem to have experienced a strong historical bottleneck. The occurrence of a few widespread haplotypes and the genetic similarity of the northern populations could be attributed to a historical expansion of certain haplotypes from the south towards to the northern borders of the species' distribution area.     

Ecological Life Table of Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae)

An ecological life table was constructed, aiming to determine the critical stages and key mortality factors of Tuta absoluta (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae). The total population mortality of this tomato leafminer was 92.3%. During the egg stage the mortality was 58.7%, mainly due to egg inviability. A total of 8.6% egg parasitism by Trichogramma pretiosum (Riley) (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) and 5.0% egg predation by Xylocoris sp. (Heteroptera: Anthocoridae), Cycloneda sanguinea (L.) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) and members of the family Phlaeothripidae (Thysanoptera) was observed. The mortality of the larval stage was 33.0%. This was considered to be the critical stage as it showed the highest apparent mortality (79.8%). Larval parasitism was low (0.1%), and was only found with Goniozus nigrifemur Ashmead (Hymenoptera: Bethylidae). Predators were responsible for 79.4% of larval mortality. Therefore, their attraction to and maintenance in the target area are important management tactics to be considered for T. absoluta control. The first and second instars were considered to be the most critical, and predation by the above mentioned species was the key mortality factor. The mortality at the pupal stage was low (0.6%) and was due to malformation.     

Calibration of an EAG system to measure airborne concentration of pheromone formulated for mating disruption of the pink bollworm moth, Pectinophora gossypiella (Saunders) (Lep., Gelechiidae)

Abstract: Electroantennogram (EAG) devices, used to measure airborne pheromone density in mating disruption experiments, so far have provided only ‘relative units’ of concentration rather than absolute concentration values. This paper describes a technique to measure the amount of pheromone delivered by calibration syringes into the Kaiserslautern EAG pheromone measurement device, thereby allowing such relative units of concentration to be converted into absolute concentrations. The synthetic pheromone used in these calibrations is of Pectinophora gossypiella (Saunders), the pink bollworm moth, and consists of a 1 : 1 mix of (Z,Z)‐ and (Z,E)‐7,11‐hexadecadienyl acetates. The syringe, driven as in field use, delivers its pheromone–air mixture into a glass capillary where it is adsorbed. The amount of pheromone trapped is measured by gas chromatography. The results show a linear relationship between the ratio of pheromone : silicone oil in a syringe and the pheromone concentration in the air puffs it generates. Efficacious mating disruption of P. gossypiella in cotton occurs with 10^?6 relative EAG units, which corresponds to an aerial pheromone density of 1.7 ± 0.15 ng/m³.     

Genetic structuring of European anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus) populations through mitochondrial DNA sequences

Mitochondrial DNA sequence variation in 655?bpfragments of the cytochrome oxidase c subunit I gene, known as the DNA barcode, of European anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus) was evaluated by analyzing 1529 individuals representing 16 populations from the Black Sea, through the Marmara Sea and the Aegean Sea to the Mediterranean Sea. A total of 19 (2.9%) variable sites were found among individuals, and these defined 10 genetically diverged populations with an overall mean distance of 1.2%. The highest nucleotide divergence was found between samples of eastern Mediterranean and northern Aegean (2.2%). Evolutionary history analysis among 16 populations clustered the Mediterranean Sea clades in one main branch and the other clades in another branch. Diverging pattern of the European anchovy populations correlated with geographic dispersion supports the genetic structuring through the Black Sea-Marmara Sea-Aegean Sea-Mediterranean Sea quad.     

Genetic variation in Lake Erie yellow perch (Percaflavescem) demonstrated by mitochondrial DNA analysis

Restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis of yellow perch ( Perca flavescens ) mitochondrial DNA from a Lake Erie population revealed seven variants in 22 fish (nucleon diversity 0.481). These fish were collected from an area where previous studies using allozymes had failed to reveal any genetic variation.     

Genetic differentiation in Hippocrepis emerus (Leguminosae): allozyme and DNA fingerprint variation in disjunct Scandinavian populations

The structure of genetic variation in disjunct Scandinavian populations of Hippocrepis emerus was studied using allozymes and DNA fingerprinting. Variation in the three native regional populations in Scandinavia was compared with that in a recently introduced population in Sweden. In contrast to the recently introduced population, the native Scandinavian isolates of H. emerus showed high levels of allozyme fixation and low levels of DNA diversity. Variation in allozymes and at DNA fingerprint loci showed closely congruent patterns of geographic variation, with pronounced differentiation between the native Norwegian and Swedish isolates of the species. The structure of genetic variation in native Scandinavian H. emerus is interpreted in terms of historical population bottlenecks and founder events during the species' postglacial immigration into Scandinavia.     

Search behavior of pheromone-stimulated potato tuber moth males (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae)

The processes of female searching by male potato tuber moths,Phthorimaea operculella, were analyzed. The behavioral components to copulation were antennal cleaning, quiescence, walking, wing fanning, contact with female, hair brush display, copulation attempt, and copulation. Males did not always succeed in mating on their first attempt. Searching behavior of males changes to “area-restricted searching” after contact with a female. Males could, therefore, find females efficiently and copulate.