Functional analysis of the venom of mealybug parasitoid Aenasius bambawalei (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae)

Aenasius bambawalei (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) is a koinobiont nymphal endoparasitoid of cotton mealybug, Phenacoccus solenopsis (Hemiptera: Pseudocccidae). Functional analysis of the venom of the wasp was performed by artificial microinjections of both crude and treated venom (heat and proteinase) of the wasp containing 0.3 and 0.5 μl in non-parasitized and synchronized adult hosts (mealybugs) and the mortality data were recorded 24, 48, 72 and 96 hours post injecton while mealybugs receiving saline injections were acted as control. The main effects for artificially envenomated mealybugs were observed on their mortality and survival. The biological activity of crude venom was also evaluated by heat and protease treatment. Here, we demonstrate that maximum mortality (82 ± 2.0%) was achieved by microinjections containing higher volume (0.5 μl) of crude venom while lower mortality (68 ± 4.0%) was achieved with lower volume of venom (0.3 μl). On the other hand, heat and proteinase K treated venom did not show any significant effect on mortality of the host insect. Our findings suggest that bioactive components of the crude venom are proteins which lost their activity upon heat and protease treatment. This basic information regarding the functional role of the venom of A. bambawalei serves as a starting point for comprehensive analysis of the role of the venom of the parasitoid on the regulation processes in its host.     

Suitability of various stages of mealybug,Phenacoccus solenopsis (Homoptera: Pseudococcidae) for development and survival of the solitary endoparasitoid,Aenasius bambawalei (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae)

Aenasius bambawalei has been recently reported as a solitary endoparasitoid of Phenacoccus solenopsis in India. Laboratory experiments were conducted comparing the parasitoid's preference for the three developmental stages of mealybug and its effect on parasitism, development, progeny fitness and sex ratio of A. bambawalei. The studies revealed third instar mealybugs as the most preferred stage for development of the parasitoid.     

Suitability of five mealybug species (Hemiptera,Pseudococcidae) as hosts for the solitary parasitoid Anagyrus sp. nr. pseudococci (Girault) (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae)

Anagyrus sp. nr. pseudococci is an endoparasitoid which has been used as a biological control agent of mealybug pests. In this study, we compared the suitability of five mealybugs species with different phylogenetic relationships and geographical origins as hosts of this parasitoid. The selected mealybugs were: (1) a Mediterranean-native species, Planococcus ficus, sharing a long co-evolutionary history with the parasitoid; (2) three exotic species, the Afrotropical Planococcus citri, the Australasian Pseudococcus calceolariae and the Neotropical Pseudococcus viburni, with a recent history; and (3) the Neotropical Phenacoccus peruvianus, with no previous common history with the parasitoid. Host suitability was assessed based on different fitness parameters, such as body size, developmental time, emergence rate and sex ratio. The parasitoid was able to complete development in all mealybug species. Nevertheless, its emergence rate significantly varied among mealybug species, with the highest values observed in Pl. ficus and Pl. citri, intermediate values in Ps. calceolariae and the lowest ones in Ps. viburni and Ph. peruvianus. The body size of adult wasp females varied with host suitability and was positively correlated with other measures of parasitoid fitness, including the emergence rate and the sex ratio. The parasitoid developmental time differed among mealybug species but did not correlate with any other measure of fitness. A female biased sex ratio was found in the parasitoid progeny emerged from all mealybug species, except in Ps. viburni and Ph. peruvianus. There was a direct relationship between the proportion of females in the parasitoid progeny and the emergence rate.     

Visual Evaluation and Recognition of Hosts by the Tick Parasitoid, Ixodiphagus hookeri (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae)

The role of host size, movement, feeding status, color, and species in the visual host evaluation and recognition behavior of the tick parasitoid, Ixodiphagus hookeri Howard was investigated. Freshly emerged female parasitoids were subjected to a choice bioassay, where the test materials were placed in sealed vials and the vials placed in a Petri dish. When presented with A. variegatum live and mummified nymphs, females examined: larger nymphs significantly longer than smaller nymphs, fed nymphs significantly longer than unfed nymphs, dead and live nymphs for similar lengths of time, and grey live nymphs and yellow-brown and dark brown mummified nymphs for similar lengths of time. The total number of visits to vials containing these test materials were also not significantly different, except there were significantly more visits to yellow-brown mummies when compared to the number of visits to dark brown mummies. When presented with A. variegatum (host) and R. appendiculatus (nonhost) nymphs, the females examined A. variegatum nymphs significantly longer than R. appendiculatus nymphs. The total number of visits to vials containing A. variegatum nymphs were significantly more than the visits to the vials containing R. appendicualtus nymphs. Furthermore, females spent significantly more total examination time per visit on larger and fed A. variegatum nymphs when compared to smaller and unfed nymphs, respectively. Direct and indirect detection were significant when females were presented with fed versus unfed A. variegatum nymphs, grey nymphs versus yellow-brown mummies, and R. appendiculatus versus A. variegatum nymphs. Direct and indirect detection for the rest of the bioassays were not significantly different. Finally, The percentages of females contacting large fed A. variegatum nymphs first were significantly different from those of females contacting small unfed R. appendiculatus nymphs first. The firstcontact percentages for the rest of the bioassays were not significantly different.     

Revision of the Australasian genus Pseudidarnes Girault, 1927 (Hymenoptera,Agaonidae, Sycophaginae)

The species of Pseudidarnes are revised, and six species are described: P. acaudus Farache & Rasplus, sp. n.; P. astridae Farache & Rasplus, sp. n.; P. badiogeminus Farache & Rasplus, sp. n.; P. cooki Farache & Rasplus, sp. n.; P. kjellbergi Farache & Rasplus, sp. n.; P. laevis Farache & Rasplus, sp. n. Pseudidarnes minerva Girault, 1927 and P. flavicollis Bouček, 1988 are redescribed. A key to the species is provided as well as illustrations for all females and all known males (except the wingless male of P. minerva). We also provided further discussion on ecology, morphological patterns, and host taxonomy. Online dichotomous and multi-access interactive LUCID keys to all Pseudidarnes species are available at http://www.figweb.org/.     

A review of encyrtid wasps (Hymenoptera,Chalcidoidea, Encyrtidae) of Macaronesia

The review contains an annotated list of 62 species of Encyrtidae from Macaronesia with data on their distribution, hosts, and use in biological control of agricultural insect pests. An attempt is undertaken to classify most of them according to nine types of ranges and to separate species which were introduced to Macaronesia by the ecesis, i.e., accidentally with their hosts. Three genera are synonymized: Acerophagus E.A. Smith, 1880 (= Pseudaphycus Timberlake, 1916, syn. n.); Isodromus Howard, 1887 (= Eupoecilopoda Erdös et S. Novicky, 1955, syn. n.); Syrphophagus Ashmead, 1900 (= Tassonia Girault, 1921, syn. n.). Cerchysiella togashii Tachikawa, 1988 is placed in the genus Zaommoencyrtus Girault, 1916. Cerchysiella koenigsmanni (Trjapitzin, 1985) is considered a subjective synonym of C. latiscapus (Shafee et Fatma, 1984). The following replacement names are given: Acerophagus xuzhihongi Trjapitzin, nom. n. for A. clavatus Xu Zhihong, 1999 non A. clavatus Pilipjuk, 1981; and Anagyrus sergueii Trjapitzin, nom. n. for Anagyrus orbitalis Timberlake, 1941 non A. orbitalis (Ruschka, 1923). Material on encyrtids from the Macaronesian islands Tenerife and Madeira in the museums in Madrid, Helsinki and Washington were examined.     

New data on the European fauna of encyrtid wasps (Hymenoptera, Chalcidoidea, Encyrtidae)

On the basis of examination of the collection of the Natural History Museum (london), an annotated list of 36 encyrtid species with new records for 12 countries is given: one species new for both Ukraine and Croatia; two, for Austria, Cyprus, and Norway; three, for U.K.; four, for Germany and Spain; five, for Bulgaria; six, for Italy; eight, for France, and twelve, for Greece.     

Isolation of novel microsatellite markers for the social parasitoid wasp, Copidosoma floridanum (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae)

We developed and characterized nine microsatellite loci for the polyembryonic wasp Copidosoma floridanum (Ashmead) (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae). Eight of the nine loci were polymorphic and did not deviate from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium. Our results will contribute to studies on the population genetic structure of C. floridanum.     

Incidence of superparasitism in the egg parasitoid,Ooencyrtus kuvanae Howard (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae)

The encyrtid Ooencyrtus kuvanae is a solitary parasitoid of the gypsy moth, Lymantria dispar L. (Lepidoptera-Lymantridae) that is used in biological control programmes and whose mass rearing is influenced by superparasitism. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of the self-superparasitism of O. kuvanae at different host densities (5, 10, 15 and 20), female ages (3 and 5 days) and durations of exposure (1 and 5 days) under various laboratory conditions (25°C?±?1°C, RH 60?±?5% and a 16:8?h light:dark photoperiod) as well as in a new laboratory host, Philosamia ricini (Danovan) (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae) of O. kuvanae. In this study, we determined the rate of egg superparasitism and adult emergence and recorded development time, longevity and body weight. Superparasitism increased with female age and the duration of exposure to parasitoids when females had access to five host eggs. Superparasitism increased the number of parasitoid offspring, but it resulted in male-biased (56.90%) progeny. Furthermore, superparasitism caused deleterious effects to the fitness of the progeny by prolonging the developmental process, and decreasing longevity. For example, we found that when four adults can emerge from one superparasitised host egg, the body size of the parasitoid offspring decreases significantly. Hence, superparasitism should be avoided when mass rearing O. kuvanae.     

A taxonomic study of Chinese species of the alberti group of Metaphycus (Hymenoptera,Encyrtidae)

Ten alberti-group species of the genus Metaphycus Mercet from China are reviewed. Six species Metaphycus dorsalis sp. n., Metaphycus chinensis sp. n., Metaphycus wui sp. n., Metaphycus stylatus sp. n., Metaphycus fusiscapus sp. n. and Metaphycus fusiformis sp. n. are described as new to science. Four known species from China are redescribed. A key to the females of the Chinese species is given and photomicrographs are provided to illustrate morphological characters of these species. All specimens unless otherwise specified are deposited in the National Zoological Museum of China Institute of Zoology Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing.     

A taxonomic study of Chinese species of the insidiosus group of Metaphycus (Hymenoptera,Encyrtidae)

In this paper, twelve insidiosus-group species of the genus Metaphycus Mercet from China are reviewed. Five species, M. corniae sp. n., M. cylindricus sp. n., M. deltoideus sp. n., M. transversus sp. n. and M. yaanensis sp. n., are described as new to science. A key to the females of these species is given to facilitate species recognition. Photomicrographs are provided to illustrate morphological characters of these species. All specimens, unless otherwise specified, are deposited in the National Zoological Museum of China, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing.     

Scanning Electron Microscopy Studies of the Antennal Sensilla of Metaphycus parasaissetiae Zhang & Huang (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae)

Metaphycus parasaissetiae Zhang & Huang (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) is an important adult parasitoid of Parasaissetia nigra Nietner (Hemiptera: Coccoidea). The external morphology of the antennal sensilla of male and female M. parasaissetiae was examined using scanning electron microscopy. The geniculate antennae of male and female M. parasaissetiae were composed of a scape with a basal radicula, a barrel-shaped pedicel, and a long flagellum. Twelve morphologically distinct types of sensilla were identified, including multiporous placoid sensilla, campaniform sensilla, finger-like sensilla, multiporous basiconic sensilla (BS-1), three aporous types of basiconic sensilla (BS-2, BS-3, and BS-4), two types of aporous trichoid sensilla (TS-1 and TS-3), a type of multiporous trichoid sensilla (TS-2), and two types of sensilla chaetica (CH-1 and CH-2). Sex dimorphism in the sensilla composition of M. parasaissetiae is also observed. Major differences between the sexes were found in the number, distribution, shape, structure, and size of the identified sensilla. We also discuss on the functional aspects of these sensilla to elucidate the mechanisms involved in host searching and courtship behavior of M. parasaissetiae.     

The tetramerous Aphelinidae (Hymenoptera) of Girault from Australia, with a key to the world genera

Abstract. Type specimens have been examined of eleven Australian species of the tetramerous Aphelinidae described by Girault in the genera Apteroptrbc, Metacasca, Neocasca, Oa and Pteroptrixella. Apteroptrix and Oa are synonym-ized with Archenomus. O. biguttata is considered a nomen dubium. M. copemici is transferred to Neocasca. Dahmsiella genji. is proposed for N. shillingsworthi. Pteroptrixella is suspected of being a senior synonym of Metacasca , but the former genus is represented by an incomplete specimen. A key is given to the tetramerous genera of the Aphelinidae.     

In Vitro Studies and Characterization of Tissue Protein from Green Mussel,Perna viridis (Linnaeus, 1758) for Antioxidant and Antibacterial Potential

International Journal of Peptide Research and Therapeutics - The antioxidant and antibacterial potential of various solvent extracts (water, 100% and 80% methanol) of Perna viridis was evaluated....     

A new species of the chalcid-wasp genus Ericydnus walker (Hymenoptera, Chalcidoidea, Encyrtidae) from West Siberia

A new species, Ericydnus novosibiricus sp. n., is described. The main characters differentiating the new species from the similar E. longicornis Dalman are as follows: female??fore wing noticeably shortened, with almost normally developed veins and rounded apex, marginal vein longer than postmarginal vein, 6th flagellar segment slightly longer than wide, club truncate; male??fore wing noticeably shortened, with almost normally developed veins and pointed apex, flagellar segments subsequently becoming wider toward antennal apex.     

Field preferences of the Social Wasp Vespula germanica (Hymenoptera: Vespidae) for Protein-rich Baits

Food preferences displayed by foraging insects are important from a fundamental perspective and in pest control. We studied the preference of an invasive wasp, V. germanica, for protein foods in field conditions. Preferences were evaluated by placing baits in a paired design in different habitats and analyzing wasp visits, using a Bayesian approach to the Thurstone model. V. germanica workers display a clear rating of preferences, but were affected by the presence of competitors at the bait. These results contribute knowledge aimed at toxic baiting protocols for this wasp and suggest that food choice is a complex process subject to the influence of diverse factors. We emphasize the importance of on-site paired comparisons in preference studies to fully understand the drivers of food choice by insects.