Parasitism of orangestriped oakworm (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae) eggs in the urban landscape

Orangestriped oakworm, Anisota senatoria (J. E. Smith), has caused widespread defoliation of oak trees in the urban landscape of southeastern Virginia since 1985. Egg masses were collected from 1988 to 1990 to determine the impact of native egg parasites on A. senatoria populations. The most abundant egg parasite was Aprostocetus new sp. and mean egg mass parasitism was 24.6%. The eupelmid Anastatus hirtus (Ashmead), a new host record, parasitized a mean of 11.7% of A. senatoria egg masses. The encyrtid Ooencytrus sp., a new host record, had a mean egg mass parasitism of 0.09%. Inundative releases of Trichogramma minutum (Riley) in 1989 and 1990 did not increase parasitism rates and mean egg mass parasitism was 2.3%. Parasitism of first generation A. senatoria egg masses was higher compared with second generation. The four egg parasites collected in this study parasitized 30% of A. senatoria egg masses and within egg mass parasitism was 7.9%. These relatively low parasitism rates may partially explain the presence of consistently high A. senatoria populations in southeastern Virginia.     

Bacterial removal of chromium (VI) and (III) in a continuous system

The capacity of Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans and Acidithiobacillus thiooxidans to reduce different concentrations of hexavalent chromium in shake flask cultures has been investigated. A. ferrooxidans reduces 100% of chromium (VI) at concentrations of 1, 2.5 and 5 ppm, but in the presence of 10 ppm only 42.9% of chromium (VI) was reduced after 11 days of incubation. A. thiooxidans showed a lower capacity to reduce this ion and total reduction of chromium (VI) was only obtained for concentrations of 1 and 2.5 ppm, whereas 64.7% and 30.5% was reached for 5 and 10 ppm, respectively, after 11 days. A continuous flow mode system was subsequently investigated, in which A. thiooxidans was immobilized on elemental sulphur and the acidic medium obtained was employed to solubilize chromium (III) and to reduce chromium (VI) present in a real electroplating waste [30% of chromium (III) and 0.1% of chromium (VI)]. The system enabled the reduction of 92.7% of hexavalent chromium and represents a promising way to treat this type of waste in the industry.     

Differentiation between the two subspecies of Atherosperma moschatum Labill. (Atherospermataceae) from their leaf oils

The leaf oils of both subspecies of Atherosperma moschatum have been investigated to determine if there were any chemical differences between the two subspecies. While both subspecies of A. moschatum contained methyl eugenol (55–87%), safrole (5–20%) and linalool (1–6%), camphor (5–10%) was found to be only in the oils of A. moschatum subsp. moschatum and to be either absent or, at most, less than 0.5% in the oils of A. moschatum subsp. integrifolium. There was also a range of monoterpene hydrocarbons and 1,8-cineole, all in the range of 0.1–5%, that were present in subspecies moschatum but virtually absent in subspecies integrifolium.     

Production and cytogenetics of Triticum aestivum L. hybrids with some rhizomatous Agropyron species

Summary Intergeneric hybrids between Triticum aestivum L. and conventional rhizomatous Agropyron species were produced in variable frequencies. They were recovered in high percentage frequencies for T. aestivum cultivars with A. acutum (14.6%), A. intermedium (48.0%), A. pulcherrimum (53.3%), and A. trichophorum (46.6%). The crossability percentages with the highly crossable cultivar Chinese Spring for these Agropyron species accessions were 33.12%, 65.0%, 53.3%, and 65.4%, respectively. Autosyndetic associations of two of their three genomes gave mean meiotic chromosome association data of 17.0 I (univalents) +1.53 II (ring bivalents) + 7.04 II (rod bivalents) +1.43 III (trivalents) +0.05 IV (quadrivalents) +0.01 IV (pentavalents) for A. acutum and of 21.8 I + 1.56 II (rings) +7.22 II (rods) +0.84 III + 0.04 IV for A. intermedium. Chromosome pairing at metaphase I was comparatively lower for A. pulcherrimum (34.4 I + 0.2 II (rings) +3.4 II (rods) +0.14 III) and A. trichophorum (36.7 I + 0.35 II (rings) +2.26 II (rods) + 0.04 III) hybrids with T. aestivum. Hybrids of wheat with A. campestre and A. repens were obtained in low frequency. Direct crossing did not permit T. aestivum/ A. desertorum hybridization. However, by utilizing the 2n=10x=70 A. repens/A. desertorum amphiploid as the pollen source, hybridization with T. aestivum did indeed occur. Aneuploidy was prevalent in this hybrid combination while all other hybrid combinations were apparently normal.     

Implications of <Emphasis Type="Italic">XRCC1</Emphasis>, <Emphasis Type="Italic">XPD</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">APE1</Emphasis> gene polymorphism in North Indian population: a comparative approach in different ethnic groups worldwide

Identifying risk factors for human cancers should consider combinations of genetic variations and environmental exposures. Several polymorphisms in DNA repair genes have impact on repair and cancer susceptibility. We focused on X-ray repair cross-complementing group 1 (XRCC1), Xeroderma pigmentosum D (XPD) and apurinic/apyrimidinic endonuclease (APE1) as these are most extensively studied in cancer. Present study was conducted to determine distribution of XRCC1 C26304T, G27466A, G23591A, APE1 T2197G and XPD A35931C gene polymorphisms in North Indian population and compare with different populations globally. PCR-based analysis was conducted in 209 normal healthy individuals of similar ethnicity. Allelic frequencies in wild type of XRCC1 C26304T were 91.1% C(Arg); G27466A 62.9% G(Arg); G23591A 60.3% G(Arg); APE1 T2197G 75.1% T(Asp) and XPD A35931C 71.8% A(Lys). The variant allele frequency were 8.9% T(Trp) in XRCC1 C26304T; 37.1% A(His) in G27466A; 39.7% A(Gln) in G23591A; 24.9% G(Glu) in APE1 and 28.2% C(Gln) in XPD respectively. We further compared frequency distribution for these genes with various published studies in different ethnicity. Our results suggest that frequency in these DNA repair genes exhibit distinctive pattern in India that could be attributed to ethnicity variation. This could assist in high-risk screening of humans exposed to environmental carcinogens and cancer predisposition in different ethnic groups.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Agrobacterium rhizogenes</Emphasis> is a useful transporter for introducing T-DNA of the binary plasmid into the chrysanthemum, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Dendranthema grandiflorum</Emphasis> Kitamura,genome

Agrobacterium rhizogenes was used for efficient transformation of chrysanthemum. Two types of Agrobacterium, A. rhizogenes (A-13) and A. tumefaciens (LBA4404), which harbor pIG121-Hm, were employed for infection. In the A. rhizogenes-infected explants, hairy roots were not observed on any tested medium or culture condition. When explants were cultured on shoot induction medium, calli were formed at the cutting edge within 4–6 weeks of culture, and shoot primordia were observed on the callus surface after 2 weeks of callus formation. Consequently, with gus introduction, a significantly higher transformation rate was observed for A. rhizogenes (6.0%) compared with A. tumefaciens (3.3%). However, only 0.6% of the frequency of rol insertion was exhibited in A. rhizogenes mediation. These results indicate that A. rhizogenes effectively introduces T-DNA of the binary plasmid into the chrysanthemum genome by introducing Ri T-DNA at a low frequency. It also indicates that the system is a useful alternative for the transformation of chrysanthemum.     

The effect of dung beetle activity on the discharge ofPilobolus (Fungi,mucorales) sporangia in cattle,sheep and horse faeces

The effect ofAphodius sphacelatus andA. ater activity in cattle faeces andSphaeridium bipustulatum in sheep and horse faeces on the discharge ofPilobolus sporangia was investigated under laboratory conditions. In five trials, the median number of sporangia produced was significantly less (P<0.01) in experimental chambers (with 1 or 2 beetles/g faeces) than in control chambers (without beetles). In addition, median percentage reduction of sporangia was significantly higher (P<0.01) forA. sphacelatus (80.9%) than forA. ater (56.9%) at 1 beetle/g cattle faeces.

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Résumé L'effet de l'activité d'Aphodius spacelatus et deA. ater dans les bouses de vaches et deSphaeridium bipustulatum dans les fèces de moutons et de chevaux, sur la libération de sporanges parPilobolus a été étudié en conditions de laboratoire. Sur 5 essais le nombre médian de sporanges libérés dans des cellules expérimentales (avec 1 ou 2 bousiers/g fèces) était significativement inférieur (P<0.01) à celui obtenu dans des cellules témoins (sans bousier). De plus, le pourcentage médian de réduction des sporanges est significativement plus élevé (P<0,01) pourA. sphacelatus (80,9%) que pourA. ater (56,9%) à la densité de 1 bousier/g de bouse.

     

Clinical significance of allergic sensitization toOlea europaea L. pollen in Naples area,Italy

Summary The aim of this study is the evaluation of clinical significance of the allergic sensitization toOlea europaea L. pollen allergens in the Naples area, because in the last 10 years an increasing frequency of IgE mediated sensitization to these allergens has been observed. 4124 patients of both sexes (2989 adults and 1153 children) consecutively examined in our Allergological Center from January 1, 1988 to December 30, 1989 have been considered in this study. The patients were selected on the basis of a history of rhinitis (R) and/or asthma (A) and were evaluated by clinical examination, SPT, RAST and specific or aspecific BPT. Among 2267 adults and 879 children sensitized to almost one aeroallergen we found respectively 306 (13.49%) and 75 (8.53%) subjects with an allergic sensitization toOlea europaea L. pollen. The frequency of clinical manifestation was respectively R+A (58.16%), R (39.54%), A (2.28%) in adults; R+A (61.33%), R (26.66%), A (12%) in children. A monosensitization toOlea europaea L. pollen was found in 1.33% of children and in 2.28% of adults examined. The association with other allergens especially with mites and/or other pollen was very common.     

Fruit infesting tephritids [Dipt.: Tephritidae] and associated parasitoids in Chiapas,Mexico

A total of 1,302 parasitoids representing 8 species and 4 families were recovered from 9,818 fruit fly host fruits sampled. The most common parasitoid species wasDiachasmimorpha longicaudata (Ashmead). Average percent parasitism ranged between 0.44 and 29.23%. Parasitoid emergence data indicate thatAnastrepha ludens (Loew),A. obliqua (Sein),A. serpentina (Wiedeman),A. striata (Schiner) andToxotrypana curvicauda (Gerstaecker) were subject to parasitism. We provide information on the population fluctuation ofAnastrepha ludens, A. obliqua, A. serpentina, A. distincta (Greene),A. striata, A. fraterculus (Wiedeman),A. chiclayae (Greene),A. montei (Costa Lima),A. leptozona (Hendel) andA. tripunctata (Wulp).Anastrepha ludens andA. obliqua were the most common species, representing 95.3% of all fruit fly species caught in McPhail traps.      

Occurrence of Ochratoxin A-Producing Fungi in Commercial Corn Kernels in Argentina

Potentially ochratoxigenic Aspergillus and Penicillium species were identified and the natural occurrence of ochratoxin A (OTA) in corn kernels was evaluated. Likewise, the capacity to produce OTA by Aspergillus section Nigri and Circumdati was investigated. A total of 50 corn samples for human consumption was collected in the south of Córdoba Province. The surface-disinfected method for mycobiota determination was used. The OTA detection was performed by HPLC. OTA production was tested in strains belonging to section Nigri and Circumdati. Statistical analysis demonstrated that the specie A. flavus was isolated in higher frequency (p<0.01) from corn kernels in DRBC and DG18 media. The percentage of corn kernels contaminated by A. niger var. niger was similar in DRBC and DG18 media. The frequency of grains contaminated by A. flavus and A. niger var. awamori was higher than A. niger var. niger and A. japonicus var. japonicus (p<0.01) in DG18 media. The other potentially ochratoxigenic species, A. ochraceus, was isolated between 5% and 10% of the corn kernels in DG18 and DRBC media, respectively. The OTA producing species P. verrucosum was not isolated. All samples of corn were OTA negative (<1 ng g⁻¹). Thirty strains (25%) of the black Aspergillus were OTA producers. From four strains of A. ochraceus isolated, only one produced OTA. Due to the storage variable conditions could not be adequate in this substrate, the presence of ochratoxigenic strains of section Nigri and OTA needs to be evaluated for a longer time to establish the toxicological risk for human beings. The contamination of stored corn kernels with A. flavus and Aspergillus section Nigri was significant.     

A Phylogenetic View on Species Radiation in Apodemus Inferred from Variation of Nuclear and Mitochondrial Genes

Species of field mice (genus Apodemus) are the most common rodents inhabiting woodlands and forests of the Palaearctic region. We examined the cytochrome b (cyt b) gene in mitochondrial DNA (1140 bp) and the interphotoreceptor retinoid binding protein (IRBP) gene in nuclear DNA (1152 bp) in nine species of Apodemus. Based on the genetic variation, the nine species were grouped into four lineages: (1) Agrarius group (A. agrarius, A. peninsulae, A. semotus, and A. speciosus), (2) Argenteus group (A. argenteus), (3) Gurkha group (A. gurkha), and (4) Sylvaticus group (A. alpicola, A. flavicollis, and A. sylvaticus). It was shown that these four lineages diverged within a short period of evolutionary time, suggestive of a radiation event. Soon after the radiation, the Agrarius group was likely to have differentiated again into the species lineages simultaneously. In contrast, the European clade, the Sylvaticus group, radiated rather recently. The relative ratio of the extent of sequence divergence among the four main lineages to that among the members of the subfamily Murinae (including Mus and Rattus) was calculated to be 72.4% in the cyt b gene with transversional substitutions, and 58.5% in the IRBP gene with all substitutions, using the Kimura two-parameter method. The value for the three European lineages was 27.6% in the cyt b gene and 12.3% in the IRBP gene. These results may have a correlation with the notion that deciduous broadleaf forests remained in Central East Asia through the late Tertiary to the present, while those in Europe to a large extent had disappeared by the Pliocene.     

Tree growth,mortality, and above-ground biomass accumulation in a holm oak forest under a five-year experimental field drought

A holm oak forest was exposed to an experimental drought during 5 years to elucidate the growth responses of the dominant species Quercus ilex, Arbutus unedo and Phillyrea latifolia. Soil water availability was partially reduced, about 15% as predicted for this area for the next decades by GCM and ecophysiological models, by plastic strips intercepting rainfall and by ditch exclusion of water runoff. The stem diameter increment was highly correlated with annual rainfall in all species, and drought treatment strongly reduced the diameter increment of Q. ilex (41%) and specially of A. unedo (63%), the species showing higher growth rates. Stem mortality rates were highly correlated with previous stem density, but drought treatment increased mortality rates in all species. Q. ilex showed the highest mortality rates (9% and 18% in control and drought plots, respectively), and P. latifolia experienced the lowest mortality rates (1% and 3% in control and drought plots, respectively). Drought strongly reduced the increment of live aboveground biomass during these 5 years (83%). A. unedo and Q. ilex experienced a high reduction in biomass increment by drought, whereas P. latifolia biomass increment was insensitive to drought. The different sensitivity to drought of the dominant species of the holm oak forest may be very important determining their future development and distribution in a drier environment as expected in Mediterranean areas for the next decades. These drier conditions could thus have strong effects on structure (species composition) and functioning (carbon uptake and biomass accumulation) of these Mediterranean forests.     

Comparison of two methods for detection of Mollicutes (Mycoplasmatales and Acholeplasmatales) in cell cultures in The Netherlands

A total of 1949 cell cultures was tested for contamination with mollicutes by cultivation on and in mycoplasma media, 25.7% of the cell cultures was positive, 243 strains of Mycoplasma hyorhinis were isolated. Furthermore, mainly M. arginini and M. orale were detected, less often Acholeplasma laidlawii, M. fermentans and M. pneumoniae. Optimal conditions for isolation were discussed. About one third of 217 hybridoma cultures and two third of 57 myeloma cultures proved to be contaminated, all with M. hyorhinis. A DNA fluorochrome staining method (DAPI-test) was compared to cultivation for testing 1039 cell cultures. The efficiency of the DAPI-test could be estimated to be about 96% that of cultivation about 89%, but cultivation is more specific. The highest assurance is obtained when both methods are applied.     

Laboratory Studies on the use of Two New Arenas to Evaluate the Impact of the Predatory Mites Blattisocius tarsalis and Cheyletus eruditus on Residual Populations of the Stored Product Mite Acarus siro

Residual populations of storage mites sheltering in crevices and cracks escape conventional control treatments and are implicated in the infestation of newly harvested grain. In a series of 24 h laboratory tests, the performance of solitary adults of two predatory mite species, Cheyletus eruditus (Schrank) and Blattisocius tarsalis (Berlese), were assessed for controlling small numbers of the flour mite Acarus siro (L.). Tests were carried out in the presence or absence of prey refuges or grain debris to afford shelter to the flour mites. While C. eruditus had a significant effect on the motile stages of A. siro, in contrast B. tarsalis had a significant effect on the eggs. The maximum percentage of motile stages of A. siro eaten by C. eruditus was 82%, whereas the minimum percentage of A. siro eggs eaten by B. tarsalis was 99%. While the performance of C. eruditus in predating on motile stages of the flour mite was hindered by the presence of the prey refuge (38% eaten) and grain debris (25% eaten), the performance of B. tarsalis in predating on flour mite eggs was unaffected (100% eaten in presence of prey refuge or grain debris). In prolonged exposures (36 days) the performance of 2, 4 or 8 adult predators, either a single species or a combination of both, was assessed for their ability to control a population of the flour mite developing up to F₂ from an initial inoculum of 80 females and 20 males, allowed to oviposit for 72 h in the absence of predatory mites. The maximum reduction in prey population of 80% was achieved with eight B. tarsalis. Combining the two predatory species did not enhance the reduction of A. siro population.     

The Association of the CYP19 and CYP17 Polymorphic Markers with Sporadic Breast Cancer

Polymorphic alleles of CYP17 and CYP19, which are involved in estrogen biosynthesis, were tested for association with breast cancer (BC). Microsatellite (TTTA)_n and 3-bp deletion of CYP19 and single-nucleotide polymorphism T27C of CYP17 were analyzed in 123 BC patients and 119 healthy women. Of the six (TTTA)_n alleles observed, allele (TTTA)₈ proved to be associated with BC (11.8% vs. 6.3%, P = 0.04). Genotype A2/A2 of CYP17 was also associated with BC (32.5% vs. 20.2%, P = 0.04). Risk of BC was especially high in the presence of both factors (7.3% vs. 0%, P < 0.01). Allele (TTTA)₈ and genotype A2/A2 were assumed to be risk factors of BC.     

Human infections of fish-borne trematodes in Vietnam: prevalence and molecular specific identification at an endemic commune in Nam Dinh province

The prevalence of fish-borne trematodes in humans and their molecular identification was investigated in the Rang Dong commune of Nam Dinh province, Vietnam, between January 2009 and December 2010. A total of 405 people in this commune were interviewed on the habit of eating raw fish and all of their stool samples were collected using the Kato-Katz technique for examination of the presence of fish-borne trematodes. The worms (and eggs) were first morphologically examined, counted, described and identified, then the representative isolates were subjected for molecular species confirmation. A total of 385 adult flukes collected from 10 patients were morphologically identified to species and defined as Clonorchis sinensis (14.58%) in Opisthorchiidae family, Haplorchis taichui (32.29%), Haplorchis pumilio (52.08%) and Centrocestus formosanus (1.04%) in Heterophyidae family. A high rate (77.8%) of the interviewees was found to have the habit of eating raw fish. This habit was attributed to the high infection rate of fish-borne trematode in humans (22.72%; OR = 2.486). The infection rate of fish-borne trematodes in males was higher (29.3%) than that in females (16.0%) and increased by age, reaching the highest in the patients aged 40–59 years (28.2–28.7%). The infection intensity of fish-borne trematode was found light (336 EPG). Adult flukes were collected from a group of the patients with the highest intensity of infection and subjected to molecular and phylogenetic analysis using a portion (326 bp) of mitochondrial cox1. Phylogenetic tree inferred from cox1 sequences using sequence data for 34 isolates of opisthorchid, heterophyid, fasciolid, paragonimid, schistosomid trematodes and taeniid cestodes revealed that they are distinct groups. The newly collected with the known clonorchid and heterophyid isolates form the well defined taxonomic groups, respectively, confirming that C. sinensis and Haplorchis spp. (H. pumilio and H. taichui) were among the collected samples.     

Sodium chloride tolerance in strains ofEpidermophyton floccosum andEpidermophyton stockdaleae

The ability of strains of genusEpidermophyton to grow at different concentrations of NaCl (ranged from 0 to 10%) was studied. A reduction in the diameter of colonies was observed as the concentration of NaCl increased. A nearly complete absence of macroconidia were shown even at the lowest concentration assayed. The geophilic speciesE. stockdaleae tolerated higher concentrations of NaCl (> 7%) thanE. floccosum (< 3%).     

Impacts of hydroperiod on growth and survival of larval amphibians in temporary ponds of Central Pennsylvania,USA

The effects of variable hydroperiod (three levels) and initial density of amphibians (two levels) on survival, growth rate, and time to and mass at metamorphosis were studied for wood frogs (Rana sylvatica), Jefferson salamanders (Ambystoma jeffersonianum), and spotted salamanders (A. maculatum). Experiments were carried out in 260-1 mesocosms set up outdoors in a forest. These pond simulations were designed to mimic conditions that occur in palustrine temporary wetlands in central Pennsylvania. No animals reached metamorphosis in the short hydroperiod (56 days). However a greater proportion (66%) of tadpoles of R. sylvatica survived to the end of the 56-day, treatment than the 84- or 158-day treatments (29 and 14%, respectively), from which all survivors metamorphosed. In contrast, neither of the salamanders metamorphosed by 84 days; survival to metamorphosis at 158 days was 15% for A. jeffersonianum and 10% for A. maculatum. Average instantaneous growth rates for A. jeffersonianum decreased with each increase in hydroperiod. Growth of R. sylvatica was greater in the 56-day hydroperiod than in hydroperiods of 84 or 158 days. Initial amphibian density had no effect on growth or survival of any species. It appears that salamander larvae were predatory on tadpoles, since survival of R. sylvatica was negatively correlated with survival of A. jeffersonianum in 84-day treatments and with growth of A. maculatum in 158-day treatments.     

几种弱选择性寄主蔬菜对烟粉虱的驱避作用

【目的】烟粉虱是茄果类蔬菜上的重要害虫,已对常用的化学农药产生了较强的抗药性。目前,利用非嗜好植物对烟粉虱的驱避作用和嗜好植物的诱集作用控制烟粉虱则受到越来越多的关注。【方法】选择芹菜、韭菜、茼蒿、香菜、葱、蒜等6种烟粉虱弱选择性寄主蔬菜,测定烟粉虱对供试蔬菜的嗅觉和视觉反应。在此基础上,筛选出非嗜性相对更强的3种蔬菜进行田间烟粉虱驱虫性测定。【结果】在室内寄主选择性测定中,烟粉虱对供试6种蔬菜的选择性均较小,其中对芹菜的选择率最低,韭菜次之,其余4种蔬菜的选择率为茼蒿香菜葱蒜;采用嗅觉选择性测定的方法测定烟粉虱对供试蔬菜的相对选择性,发现烟粉虱对芹菜的选择率最低(13.0%),韭菜次之(25.5%),其余各蔬菜的选择率大小为茼蒿(47.8%)香菜(40.2%)葱(38.5%)蒜(37.0%);烟粉虱对6种供试蔬菜颜色的选择性也存在明显的差异,其中,烟粉虱对芹菜和韭菜的选择率相对较低。在室内筛选的基础上,选择芹菜、韭菜、葱等3种蔬菜在辣椒田里进行间作驱虫实验,发现芹菜对田间辣椒上烟粉虱的驱避效果最好,驱避率达90.6%,韭菜次之(86.5%),葱的驱避效果一般。【结论】芹菜和韭菜对烟粉虱的驱避效果较好,该结论为烟粉虱的绿色防控提供了理论依据和技术支持。     

Aflatoxin production by Aspergillus flavus isolates pathogenic to coconut insect pests

Aspergillus flavus isolated from naturally infected leaf-eating caterpillar (Opisina arenosella W.), lace bug (Stephanitis typica D.) and plant hopper (Proutista moesta Westwood), insect pests of the coconut palm, were tested for aflatoxin (AT) production by employing various media formulations. These A. flavus isolates were earlier found to be entomopathogenic in laboratory bioassays. A laboratory contaminant and four standard aflatoxigenic A. flavus isolates were also included in this study as reference strains. All A. flavus isolates were tested on seven AT detection media: coconut extract agar, coconut extract-sodium desoxycholate agar, coconut extract-ascorbic acid agar, coconut extract-Czapek Dox agar, coconut extract-milk powder agar, 10% commercial coconut milk powder agar (CCMPA) and 20% CCMPA. Only two isolates of A. flavus, originally isolated from O. arenosella and P. moesta, produced ATs. AT production was detected within 48 h of incubation and was detected continually up to 1 month. These AT-producing A. flavus isolates also produced bright yellow pigmentation in the medium. Of all the seven media used for AT detection, CCMPA (10%) was found to be the best one, followed by 20% CCMPA, for direct and rapid AT detection. AT production was not necessary for pathogenicity in the insects. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.