Antifeeding properties of myosuppressin in a generalist phytophagous leafworm, Spodoptera littoralis (Boisduval)

Insect myosuppressins are a family of peptides with a characteristic HV/SFLRFamide carboxy terminus. They are expressed in brain, neurohemal organs, stomatogastric nervous system, and in midgut endocrine cells. From a functional point of view, myosuppressins inhibit contractions of different visceral muscles, stimulate certain skeletal muscles and activate enzyme secretion from the gut. Moreover, in the omnivorous cockroach Blattella germanica, myosuppressin inhibits food intake. Based on these results, we studied the antifeeding activity of myosuppressin in the phytophagous leafworm Spodoptera littoralis. Firstly, we isolated the cDNA corresponding to the S. littoralis myosuppressin precursor encoding the typical myosuppressin peptide of lepidopterans: pQDVVHSFLRFamide. Then, we determined the expression patterns (in terms of mRNA and peptide) of myosuppressin in brain and midgut, and peptide levels in the haemolymph. Myosuppressin patterns in the brain and haemolymph were similar, and symmetrical to that of food consumption, thus suggesting that myosuppressin might inhibit feeding in S. littoralis. Moreover, synthetic myosuppressin effectively inhibited food intake in non-choice antifeeding tests. Taken together, the obtained results point to the hypothesis that myosuppressin represses feeding in S. littoralis.     

马缨丹总岩茨烯对小菜蛾和斜纹夜蛾幼虫的拒食作用

从马缨丹叶片中提取总岩茨烯,测定总岩茨烯对小菜蛾2龄幼虫和斜纹夜蛾1、2龄幼虫的拒食作用.结果表明,在非选择性试验中,1.6 mg·ml^-1的总岩茨烯对小菜蛾2龄幼虫和斜纹夜蛾1龄幼虫有拒食作用,8 h的拒食率分别为62.%和31.1%;在选择性试验中,0.4 mg·ml^-1的总岩茨烯即对小菜蛾2龄幼虫有拒食作用,0.4、0.8和1.6 mg·ml^-1浓度处理下的拒食率分别为52.7%、55.5%和78.9%;总岩茨烯只有在高浓度(1.6 mg·ml^-1)时,才对斜纹夜蛾1龄幼虫有拒食作用,拒食率仅为33.0%.在选择性和非选择性试验中,总岩茨烯对斜纹夜蛾2龄幼虫均无拒食作用.     

植物精油对几种害虫的毒杀活性

对 11科 15属 2 7种植物精油的杀虫活性做了测定。八角茴香果实、柠檬果实、细叶桉叶和留兰香叶精油对粘虫、小菜蛾、棉铃虫和玉米象有较强的熏蒸活性 ;精油稀释 10 0倍后 ,甜橙果实、玳玳花和砂地柏精油对粘虫的拒食活性最高 ;在 0 4% (w/w)剂量下 ,肉桂皮和八角茴香果实等 7种精油对玉米象的种群形成抑制率达 10 0 %。     

高等真菌拒食剂及驱避剂性质研究

为确定高等真菌对昆虫的驱避及拒食作用,笔者以黑腹果蝇为样虫,对种蘑菇包括毒草进行了筛选。通过隔离的幼虫夺含菌饲料及对照饲料之间的选择来进行食物驱避及拒食试验。在所试７１种中,与对照饲料相比较,有２４种对昆虫表现出明显的拒食及驱避作用。     

Insecticidal and antifeedant activities of proteins secreted by entomopathogenic fungi against Spodoptera littoralis (Lep., Noctuidae)

Abstract:  Entomopathogenic fungi are a poorly exploited source of insecticidal proteins, which may be used for the development of new natural insecticides and as alternative molecules for transgenic deployment. The crude soluble protein extracts in Adamek's liquid medium of 25 fungal isolates belonging to the fungal species Metarhizum anisopliae , Beauveria bassiana , Beauveria brongniartii and Scopulariopsis brevicaulis were screened by per os toxicity on Spodoptera littoralis larvae. Whilst extracts from two M. anisopliae and two B. bassiana isolates gave significant mortalities when applied either on alfalfa leaf discs or incorporated into artificial diet, the one from M. anisopliae 01/58-Su isolate was the only most toxic that showed promise for S. littoralis control. In leaf disc assays, this extract exhibited strong dose-related toxic and antifeedant activity against the larvae. At 10, 20 and 40  μ g protein/insect, the extract gave 61.3%, 96.6% and 100.0% mortality, respectively, and average survival time of 5.7, 4.3 and 3.1 days respectively. Not only the antifeeding index was dose-related, but it significantly increased over time in a dose-related manner. Longer exposure times led to a dose-related significant increase in larval mortality. The exposure times for 50% mortality were 91.3 h and 62.1 h for 20 and 40  μ g protein/insect respectively. The crude extract when exposed to higher temperature or protease treatment lost toxicity, indicating that toxicity was protein mediated. In addition, the liquid medium composition did not influence its insecticidal activity. The effects of the protein extract on midgut cells of second instar larvae of S. littoralis were investigated by using both light and electron microscopy. A progressive bleeding of the midgut epithelium into the gut lumen was observed along with lysis of the epithelium and deterioration of the microvilli.     

五种新化合物对亚洲玉米螟幼虫生长发育和消化生理的影响(英文)

研究了五个新化合物对亚洲玉米螟 (Ostriniafurnacalis)五龄幼虫的拒食活性以及对其生长发育和中肠蛋白酶活性的影响 ,并与川楝素的作用效果进行了比较。结果表明 ,川楝素以及C19、C2 3 、C2 4、C2 6、C2 8在 5 0 0mg kg浓度下拒食活性分别为 5 1 16 %、5 7 6 1%、4 2 8%、5 1 0 8%、36 73%、5 1 6 7% ,其中C19、C2 4、C2 8拒食活性与川楝素相当。在 2 0mg kg浓度 ,生长发育实验表明C19、C2 6、C2 8具有较好的抑制幼虫生长作用 ,其中C2 8的作用与川楝素相当 ;药剂对中肠蛋白酶的影响结果表明 ,川楝素和C2 8对弱碱性类胰蛋白酶、类胰凝乳蛋白酶表现为激活作用 ,C19、C2 4、C2 6对两种蛋白酶在 2 4h激活 ,4 8h抑制。对相关作用机理进行了探讨。     

The impact of the Bacillus subtilis SPB1 biosurfactant on the midgut histology of Spodoptera littoralis (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) and determination of its putative receptor

SPB1 is a Bacillus subtilis strain producing a lipopeptide biosurfactant. The insecticidal activity of this biosurfactant was evaluated against the Egyptian cotton leaf worm (Spodoptera littoralis). It displayed toxicity with an LC(50) of 251 ng/cm(2). The histopathological changes occurred in the larval midgut of S. littoralis treated with B. subtilis SPB1 biosurfactant were vesicle formation in the apical region, cellular vacuolization and destruction of epithelial cells and their boundaries. Ligand-blotting experiments with S. littoralis brush border membrane vesicles showed binding of SPB1 biosurfactant to a protein of 45 kDa corresponding to its putative receptor. The latter differs in molecular size from those recognized by Bacillus thuringiensis Vip3A and Cry1C toxins, commonly known by their activity against S. littoralis. This result wires the application of B. subtilis biosurfactant for effective control of S. littoralis larvae, particularly in the cases where S. littoralis will develop resistance against B. thuringiensis toxins.     

Molecular phylogeny of Heritiera Ait on (Sterculiaceae), a tree mangrove: variations in RAPD markers and nuclear DNA content

Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers are used to estimate interspecific variation among mangrove and non-mangrove Heritiera fomes, H. littoralis and H. macrophylla. All the species have 2n = 38 chromosomes, with minute structural changes distinguishing the karyotype of each species. Significant variation of 4C DNA content occurs at the interspecific level. Interspecific polymorphism ranged from 14.09% between H. fomes and H. littoralis to 52.73% between H. fomes and H. macrophylla. H. macrophylla showed wide polymorphism in the RAPD marker with H. littoralis (51.23%) and H. fomes (52.73%). Two distinct RAPD products obtained from OPA-10 (1000 bp) and OPD-15 (900 bp) found characteristic molecular markers in H. macrophylla , a species from a non-mangrove habitat. H. macrophylla was more distantly related to H. fomes [genetic distance (1-F) = 0.305] than to H. littoralis [genetic distance (1-F) = 0.273]. H. littoralis was of a closer affinity to H. fomes [genetic distance (1-F) = 0.218] than to H. macrophylla.     

Biosystematic Observation on 5 Species of Consolida (Rannnculaceae)

The karyotypes of five species of the germs Consolida from SE Europe, Turkey and Iran (see Appendix Ⅰ for the detail information concerning the vouchers) were studied with 0.05% colchicin pretreatment followed by Carney Ⅰ fixation and Fenlgen squashing. The result shows that C. regalis ssp. regalis has a karyotype of 2n=16= 1(L)m- (SAT)+ 3(L)m + 6(S)st + 5(S)t+1(S)t(SAT)(Fig. 1A and Plate Ⅰ, G) and ssp. paniculata has a karyotype of 2n = 16 = 2(L)m (SAT) + 2(L)m + 6(S)st + 6(S)t (Plate Ⅱ,A) and 8 bivalents in meiosis (Piate Ⅱ, E, F); C. persica 2n = 14 = 2 (L)m (SAT) + 2(L)m + 3(S) st + 7(S) t(Plate Ⅲ, B; Fig. 1,B); C. stenocarpa 2n =16 = 2(L)m(SAT) + 2(L)m + 1(S)st + 11(S)t (Plate Ⅰ, C, Fig. 1, C); C, teheranica (see Appendix Ⅰ for the nomenclature) 2n = 16 = 4(L)m(SAT) + 2(S) st + 10(S) t (Plate Ⅲ, D; Fig. 1, D); C. scleroclada var. rigida 2n = 18 = 2(L)m (SAT) + 2(S)st + 14(S)t(Plate Ⅱ H, Ⅰ; Fig. 1, E) All the karyotypes here descr- ibed are highly asymmetrical and bimodal, and belong to the type 3C in the karyotype classification system established by Stebbins[14,15]. 2n=18 for the last mentioned taxon has been confirmed by the ,standard microtome sectioning method. Its meiosis was also examined with acetoorcein staining, and 9 bivalents were always found at MI, no meiotic aberrations being Observed. x=7 and x=9 are two new basic numbers even for the whole tribe of Delphineae. It is considered that the karyotype of 2n=18 is derived from that of 2n=16 by centic fission (Robertsonian exchange), while the karyotype of 2n=14 is derived from that of 2n=16 probably by successive unequal interchanges. As shown to Fig. 1 and 2. the complement of C. sclerocleda var. rigida (2n=18) has only one pair of large and metacentric chromosomes instead of 2 pairs of such chromosomes in the other species, but it has 2 extra pairs of small and terminal chromosomes as compared with the species with 2n=16. The complement in the taxon has, therefore, exactly the same fundamental number of chromosome arms as that of the other species with 2n=16 (for example, of C. stenocarpon), but it has two more centromeres. There are at least 2 pairs of chro- mosomes in the complement (3 and 5) which may be telocentric, i.e. T chromosomes in the sense of Levan et al[8] The small dots at the ends of the chromosomes may be the chromomeres in centric regions rather than short arms (Jones[6]). As the plants constantly show 9 bivalents .at the first meiotic division and have very high pollen fertility (98%) as well as good seed-set, the karyotype seems to be a stable one. Therefore, Consolida scleroclada var. rigida may have provided another example of spontaneous centric fission which has resulted in homozygous and stable telocentrics. John and Freemanm have argued for the mechanism of chromosomal structural variation based on the observed facts both in animals and plants. The cytogenetic model for the variation was formulated by Lima-de-Faria as early as in 1956 and revised by Jones[6], and the mo- lecular model for the mechanism recently by Holmquist et al.[4] As in the genus Delphinium, most species of Consolida are pollinated by long-tongued bumble-bees. In C. regalis (incl. both subspecies), C. stenocarpa and C. scleroclada var. rigida the isolated flowers (3–15 for each species) gave no any seeds. The flowers first emasculated and isolated and then pollinated with pollen collected from the same individuals in these three species (10–25 flowers for each species), however, all gave full seed-set. The experiment clearly shows that these three species, though self-com- patible, are obligately out-pollinated. It was Observed that the three species are pro- tandrous. When stigmata become 2-lobed and show their receptive surface, all the stamens have recurved down or laterally, forming a semi-circle, but the styles remain erect. Therefore the receptive stigmata are over 3 mm (C. regalis) or 5 mm (C. stenocarpa and C. scloroclada var. rigida) away from and above the anthers of the same flower Plate I, B, D and F). Self-pollination is thus prevented. Just-opened flowers, however, have always some stamens erect and with their dehiscing anthers correspondent in position to 2-lobed and receptive stigmata of other flowers (compare A with B, C with D, E with F in Plate II). Pollen grains are therefore easily taken by a bumble-bee from dehiscing anthers onto receptive stigmata. Here we see a perfect mechanism which prevents self-pollination and secure out-pollination. It was observed during the experiment that a bumble-bee, Bombus agrorum F., only visited the straight-spurred species, C. regalis (both subspecies), but never visited the curved-spurred species, C. scleroclada var. rigida and C. stenocarpa. Another bumble-bee, B. hortorum L., however, visited both the straight-spurrod and curved-spurred species, but when it visited C. stenocarpa it sometimes kept the body upside down. Consolida teheranica (Boiss.) Hong, on the contrary, is an inbreeder. Its stigmata and anthers become mature at the same time, and its styles and stamens always remain erect with the dehiscing anthers right over the receptive stigmata. It was also found that its corollae are not fully opened (Fig. 3). As expected, two isolated flowers gave 9 good seeds. The results of crossing experiment axe shown in Fig. 4. Only the cross between two subspecies of C. regalis resulted in an interfertile hybrid, which was vigorous, showed normal meiosis, had 94% pollen fertility, and gave good seed-set. The cross combination C. stenocarpa×C. scleroclada var. rigida gave some 50 % seed set, but the seeds yielded from the cross did not germinate though looked good. The other crosses gave no any seeds.     

平卧川牛漆甾酮对小菜蛾生长发育的影响(英文)

平卧川牛漆甾酮是紫背金盘中的主要植物蜕皮甾类 ,在筋骨草属植物中普遍存在。试验结果表明 ,用 5 0mg L平卧川牛漆甾酮处理小菜蛾卵 ,其孵化受到抑制 ,总孵化率为 94.7% ,显著低于对照的 1 0 0 %孵化。平卧川牛漆甾酮对幼虫具有弱的毒杀活性和良好的拒食活性 ,且与浓度相关。小菜蛾的生长发育也受平卧川牛漆甾酮的影响。用高于 5 0mg L浓度处理幼虫 ,其生长受抑及蛾的产卵量下降 ,而较低浓度处理则有利于幼虫生长 ,卵量提高。这种双重作用可能是由于平卧川牛漆甾酮的激素活性和拒食活性的作用结果 ,后者导致昆虫营养不良。处理幼虫后 ,试虫的化蛹和羽化受阻。小菜蛾对平卧川牛漆甾酮比 2 0 羟基蜕皮酮更敏感。     

Uptake of Bt-toxin by herbivores feeding on transgenic maize and consequences for the predator Chrysoperla carnea

Abstract  1. Chrysoperla carnea is an important predatory insect in maize. To assess the ecological effects of Bt-maize, expressing the Cry1Ab protein, on larvae of this predator, the following factors were examined: (1) the performance of three prey herbivores ( Rhopalosiphum padi , Tetranychus urticae , and Spodoptera littoralis ) on transgenic Bt and non‐transgenic maize plants; (2) the intake of the Cry1Ab toxin by the three herbivores; and (3) the effects on C. carnea when fed each of the prey species.
2. The intrinsic rate of natural increase (r_m) was used as a measure of performance for R. padi and T. urticae . No difference in this parameter was observed between herbivores reared on Bt or non‐transgenic plants. In contrast, a higher mortality rate and a delay in development were observed in S. littoralis larvae when fed Bt-maize compared with those fed the control maize plants.
3. The ingestion of Cry1Ab toxin by the different herbivores was measured using an immunological assay (ELISA). Highest amounts of Cry1Ab toxin were detected in T. urticae , followed by S. littoralis , and only trace amounts detected in R. padi .
4. Feeding C. carnea with T. urticae , which were shown to contain the Cry1Ab toxin, or with R. padi , which do not ingest the toxin, did not affect survival, development, or weight of C. carnea . In contrast, a significant increase in mortality and a delay in development were observed when predators were fed S. littoralis larvae reared on Bt-maize.
5. A combined interaction of poor prey quality and Cry1Ab toxin may account for the negative effects observed on C. carnea when fed S. littoralis . The relevance of these findings to the ecological risks of Bt-maize on C. carnea is discussed.     

Attraction of Stomoxys sp. to various fruits and flowers in Mali

The attraction of three Stomoxys species to 26 fruits and 26 flowers of different plant species was investigated in two different sites in Mali during 2008. Stomoxys niger bilineatus Grunberg (Diptera: Muscidae) was attracted to a wider spectrum of species, significantly attracted by four fruits and eight flowers compared with control traps, whereas S. sitiens Rondani (Diptera: Muscidae) was attracted to six fruits and seven flowers of different plants, and S. calcitrans L. (Diptera: Muscidae) was only attracted to one fruit and three flowers. Cold anthrone assays showed a significantly higher prevalence of sugar feeding amongst all three species at the lagoon site than at the site near Mopti. The rhythm of activity study shows temporally separated blood- and sugar-feeding periods for S. niger bilineatus and S. sitiens, but not for S. calcitrans. A comparison between blood and sugar feeding throughout the day shows that sugar feeding activity is as frequent as blood feeding activity. Because not much is known about the preferred sugar sources for Stomoxys species in their natural habitats, the present study provides valuable information regarding the attraction capability of several plants with possible future implication for Stomoxys control strategies.     

Circadian mating activity and effect of pheromone pre-exposure on pheromone response rhythms in the moth Spodoptera littoralis

Mating in moths is generally mediated by female-produced sex pheromones. Mating activity, female pheromone production/release and male pheromone responsiveness all show diurnal variations in many species. We found that the response of the male Egyptian cotton leafworm, Spodoptera littoralis, to sex pheromone gland extracts showed a diel rhythm in olfactometer tests, and the variation was persistent for at least 1 day in constant darkness. High male response to sex pheromone was correlated in time with high mating and locomotor activity. Male S. littoralis, maintained in constant darkness and exposed to pheromone gland extracts on a daily basis, showed an induced temporal variation in response after several days, in contrast to unexposed males. This suggests that in the absence of other external zeitgebers, exposure to sex pheromone may function to synchronise circadian behavioural rhythms in male moths. The daily rhythm in mating activity in S. littoralis is also shown to be persistent for at least 2 days in constant darkness. Pairs mated significantly less when either the male or female had been raised in a light:dark cycle 10 h out of phase, indicating that the proposed circadian rhythm in mating activity is composed of rhythmic mating preference/ability in both sexes.     

Endocrine background of how 20-hydroxyecdysone agonist, RH 5849, influences diurnal pattern of pupation in shape Spodoptera littoralis

Under laboratory conditions (L16:D8, 24°C, r.h. 80%), applying of an ecdysone agonist, RH 5849, (1,2-dibenzoyl-1-tert-butylhydrazine) onto final instar larvae of Spodoptera littoralis (Boisd.), Noctuidae, Lepidoptera, delayed or advanced the time of pupation depending on the time of treatment. This response was dose-dependent. In addition, non-lethal doses of RH 5849, ranging from 0.05 to 10 µg/larva were used. Following treatment of S. littoralis larvae with 5 µg RH 5849 the endogenous ecdysteroid level was increased or decreased depending on the time of application. Based on the results presented, we suggest that potential users of non-steroidal ecdysone agonists should consider the proper circadian timing of application in the field.     

EFFECTS OF CYASTERONE ON GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT OF DIAMONDBACK MOTH,PLUTELLA XYLOSTELLA (L.)*

Abstract Cyasterone is the main phytoecdysteroid component from cultured plants of Ajuga nipponensis, and common in other Ajuga species. Results showed that when treated with 50 mg/L cyasterone, the egg hatching of diamondback moth was retarded. The total percentage of eggs hatched in treatment was 94.7%, significantly less than that in control, which was 100%. Low toxicity and good antifeeding activity to the 3rd instar larvae were exhibited, which are dependent upon concentration. The growth and development of diamondback moth were affected by cyasterone. It was found that, at concentrations higher than 50 mg/L cyasterone, the larval growth and egg production were inhibited; while promoted at lower concentrations. This dual role of cyasterone might be attributed to its hormonal activity and antifeeding activity, which resulted in poor nutrition. The pupation and eclosion were hindered by treatment of larvae. This insect species was more susceptible to cyasterone than 20‐hydroxyecdysone.     

宁夏枸杞内生细菌的多样性及其抑菌活性研究

【目的】对宁夏枸杞各药用部位内生细菌的分布特征、遗传多样性和抑菌活性进行分析。【方法】采用菌落计数和16S rRNA基因序列分析法研究枸杞内生细菌的分布特征、遗传多样性,采用琼脂扩散法测定其抑菌活性。【结果】从各药用组织器官中分离出内生细菌34株,隶属于7科11属,内生细菌的数量和群落组成存在明显的组织特异性,其数量表现为根皮>叶>花>果实,而多样性则表现为花>根皮>叶>果实。芽孢杆菌属为枸杞优势内生菌群,分布于所有组织中;抑菌实验结果表明有76.5%的内生菌对一种或多种病原菌的生长有抑制作用,芽孢杆菌属菌株R2、R7、L3和短波单胞菌属的R3拮抗番茄炭疽杆菌和玉米大斑病菌的能力较强,而多数菌株对大肠杆菌和金黄色葡萄球菌的抑制能力较弱。【结论】枸杞可培养内生细菌遗传多样性丰富,对植物病原菌有较强的抑制活性。     

Nectar Dynamics and Sugar Composition in Flowers of Silene and Saponaria Species (Caryophyllaceae)

Abstract: Nectar production in Saponaria officincilis and in five species of Silene (S. ciba, S. dioica, S. noctiflora, S. nutans, S. vulgaris ) was examined during two consecutive years (May to July 1993, and May to June 1994) in the Botanical Garden of the University of Giessen. Nectar volume and sugar concentration were studied in relation to time of day, flower sex, flower age, and flowering stage. Nectar amount in all species studied (except S. dioica ) increased in the afternoon or in the evening until midnight (or until the early morning in S. nutans ). After midnight and until midday, nectar volume in non-visited flowers (except S. dioica ) decreased. Nectar volume in non-visited S. dioica flowers increased constantly with flower age, indicating a stable nectar secretion rate, possibly favouring both day- and night-active flower visitors. Even at the time of highest nectar secretion, all species studied presented several nectarless flowers. Sucrose dominance in the nectar of the nocturnal species S. nutans and Saponaria officinalis fits well with the general syndrome of flowers pollinated by hawkmoths. The syndrome also applies to the nocturnal but regularly selfing, S. noctiflora . The more generalis-tic species S. dioica and S. vulgaris , which are regularly visited by bumblebees as well as nocturnal moths, secreted hexose-domi-nant nectar. Unexpectedly, Silene alba , the only nocturnal species that strictly excluded day-active flower visitors by closing flowers during the day, also secreted hexose-dominant nectar. In some cases, nectar volumes and nectar concentration differed significantly between hermaphroditic, male, and female flowers. Female flowers of S. alba, S. dioica , and S. nutans contained significantly less concentrated nectar than male or hermaphroditic ( S. nutans ) ones. In S. noctifiora and S. vulgaris the difference was not statistically significant but nectar concentration did show the same tendency.     

Phytochemical and biological investigation of Hymenocallis littoralis SALISB

A phytochemical investigation of the bulbs and flowers of Hymenocallis littoralis SALISB., cultivated in Egypt, was carried out, which resulted in the isolation of four alkaloids, lycorine (1), hippeastrine (2), 11-hydroxyvittatine (3), and (+)-8-O-demethylmaritidine (4), and of two flavonoids, quercetin 3'-O-glucoside (5), and rutin (6). The volatile constituents of the plant flowers were analyzed for the first time by GC/MS, which led to the identification of 26 known compounds (Table 1). Finally, the antimicrobial activity of the petroleum ether extract of the flowers of H. littoralis was investigated.     

Firefly luciferase, synthesized to very high levels in caterpillars infected with a recombinant baculovirus, can also be used as an efficient reporter enzyme in vivo

Trichoplusia ni and Spodoptera littoralis larvae were infected with a recombinant AcNPV, having the viral polyhedrin gene replaced with the cDNA encoding firefly luciferase. Both S. littoralis and T. ni synthesized very high levels of luciferase representing greater than or equal to 25% and greater than or equal to 15%, respectively of the total Coomassie blue stainable protein. Luciferase was apparently not secreted into the hemolymph but was contained within the body tissue. Expression in S. littoralis larvae suggests that luciferase can be an excellent reporter enzyme to study virus infection, dissemination and expression in different tissues, host range determination, insect physiology and also to monitor the release of recombinant virus in the environment when used as a biocide.     

Insect-antifeedant and antibacterial activity of diterpenoids from species of Plectranthus

Bio-assay guided fractionation of an acetone extract of leaf material from Plectranthus saccatus Benth. resulted in the isolation of a beyerane diterpenoid. This compound, characterised by spectroscopic methods as ent-3beta-(3-methyl-2-butenoyl)oxy-15-beyeren-19-oic acid, showed insect antifeedant activity against Spodoptera littoralis. Known quinonoid abietane diterpenoids obtained from new sources included a mixture of the (4R,19R) and (4R,19S) diastereoisomers of coleon A from P. aff. puberulentus J.K. Morton, coleon A lactone from P. puberulentus J.K. Morton, and coleon U and coleon U quinone from P. forsteri 'Marginatus' Benth. These compounds, and the crude acetone extracts from the leaf surfaces of 11 species of Plectranthus, were tested for antifeedant activity against S. littoralis, antibacterial activity against Bacillus subtilis and Pseudomonas syringae and antifungal activity against Cladosporium herbarum. The coleon A mixture showed potent antifeedant activity against S. littoralis, whereas coleon U showed the greatest antimicrobial activity.