Antifeedant and phytotoxic activity of hydroxyperezone and related molecules

The insect antifeedant and toxic activity of hydroxyperezone (1), its derivatives 2-9, along with 3-hydroxy- (10) and 6-hydroxythymoquinone (11) were studied against Spodoptera littoralis, Leptinotarsa decemlineata, and Myzus persicae. The antifeedant tests showed that L. decemlineata was the most sensitive insect, followed by M. persicae, while S. littoralis was not deterred by compounds 1-11. Leucohydroxyperezone tetraacetate (3), oxoperezinone (6), dihydroleucoperezinone diacetate (7), 3-hydroxy- (10) and 6-hydroxythymoquinone (11) showed strong activity against L. decemlineata. 1 and 7 exhibited moderate deterrent activity against M. persicae, while 1 and dihydroleucohydroxyperezone tetraacetate (4) acted as post-ingestive antifeedants to S. littoralis. The phytotoxic activity of compounds 1-11 was also evaluated. Hydroxyperezone (1) strongly inhibited seed germination at 24 h, while the activity of 3-8 and 10 was moderate. The level of radicle growth inhibition obtained with compounds 1-5 and 8-11 was significant (< 50%).     

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.     

Neuropeptides associated with the frontal ganglion of larval Lepidoptera

The occurrence of neuropeptides in the frontal ganglia of larvae of the tobacco hawkmoth, Manduca sexta, the tomato moth, Lacanobia oleracea and the cotton leafworm, Spodoptera littoralis was investigated using reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC), matrix-assisted laser desorption time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Only three types of peptides could be identified or assigned from frontal ganglion extracts; M. sexta allatostatin (Manse-AS), M. sexta allatotropin (Manse-AT), and F/YXFGL-NH2 allatostatins. The peptide profiles of frontal ganglion of L. oleracea and S. littoralis were similar, with ten identical [M+H]+ ions, seven of which could be assigned to known lepidopteran peptides (Manse-AT, cydiastatin 2, 3, 4 and helicostatin 1, 5, 9). In addition, mass ions corresponding to helicostatin 7 (which was confirmed by MALDI-post source decay analysis) and Manse-AS were present in frontal ganglia of L. oleracea and helicostatin 6 in frontal ganglia of S. littoralis. Only four mass ions from M. sexta frontal ganglia corresponded to known peptides, cydiastatin 3 and 4, helicostatin 1, and Manse-AT. The only difference between the profiles of frontal ganglia from different stages of L. oleracea were mass ions which could not be assigned, and no differences were observed in the allatoregulatory peptides present. In HPLC fractions of M. sexta frontal ganglia, F/YXFGL-NH2 allatostatin-like immunoreactivity was widespread suggesting that more allatostatins were present than were identified.     

Bioactivities of seven chrysanthemum species flowers powder on Spodoptera littoralis (Boiduval) larvae

We have screened seven Chrysanthemum species, collected from different biotope in Tunisia for the antifeeding and growth regulatory activity against S. littoralis (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) an insect pest of tomato. The flowers powder was added to the Poitout and Bues (1974) artificial diet at three concentrations: 4, 8, and 16%. After ten days of treatment, the consumed quantity determination revelled that these species have an antifeeding activity proportional to the concentration, more considerable for the C. fuscatum and C. Myconis flowers powder. At the concentration of 16% the larvae weight was significantly delayed in the average time to the control, these results were compared to the effect of Cestrum parquii on S. littoralis and Pieris brassicae The moulting date determination showed an elongation of the third, fourth and fifth stages at the high concentration probably due to the presence of juvenile hormones Analogues.     

松嫩平原碱化草甸朝鲜碱茅、獐茅耐盐碱特性的比较研究

本研究通过野外调查与室内实验相结合的方法,从生态学、生理学方面探讨了松嫩平原碱化草甸朝鲜碱茅和獐毛耐盐碱的特性,结果表明：两种植物均生长在含盐、潮湿而贫瘠的土壤上,朝鲜碱茅分布地段的土壤多含碱性盐(Na2CO3)。而獐毛所在地的土壤则多含中性盐(NaCl),这些体现出它们对盐碱适应性的差异。不同浓度的NaCl、Na2CO3胁迫对这两种植物的细胞膜透性、游离脯氨酸含量有明显影响。均以logistic曲线y=k/(1+ea-bx)或直线方程：y=a+bx形式较好地表达出来。说明朝鲜碱茅对NaCl的胁迫敏感,獐毛则对Na2CO3的胁迫敏感。两种植物在自然条件下的生态适应与实验条件下的生理适应相近。     

Independence of genetic geographical variation between photoperiodic diapause, circadian eclosion rhythm, and Thr-Gly repeat region of the period gene in Drosophila littoralis

Drosophila littoralis is a latitudinally widespread European species of the Drosophila virilis group. The species has ample genetic variation in photoperiodism (adult diapause) and circadian rhythmicity (pupal eclosion rhythm), with adaptive latitudinal clines in both of them. The possible common genetic basis between the variability of photoperiodism and circadian rhythms was studied by a long-term crossing experiment. A northern strain (65 degrees N) having long critical day length (CDL = 19.9 h) for diapause, early phase of the entrained rhythm in LD 3:21 (psi(LD3:21) = 12.3 h), and short period (tau= 18.8 h) of the free-running rhythm for the eclosion rhythm was crossed with a southern strain (42 degrees N) having short CDL (12.4 h), late eclosion phase (psi(LD3:21) = 20.2 h), and long period (tau= 22.8 h). After 54 generations, including free recombination, artificial selection, and genetic drift, a novel strain resulted, having even more "southern" diapause and more "northern" eclosion rhythm characteristics than found in any of the geographical strains. The observed complete separation of eclosion rhythm characteristics from photoperiodism is a new finding in D. littoralis; in earlier studies followed for 16 generations, the changes had been mostly parallel. Evidently, the genes controlling the variability of the eclosion rhythm and photoperiodism in D. littoralis are different but closely linked. To test for the possible gene loci underlying the observed geographical variability, the period gene was studied in 10 strains covering all the known clock variability in D. littoralis. The authors sequenced the most suspected Thr-Gly region, which is known to take part in the adaptive clock variability in Drosophila melanogaster. No coding differences were found in the strains, showing that this region is not included in the adaptive clock variability in D. littoralis.     

The biology of Vaejovis littoralis Williams, an intertidal scorpion from Baja California, Mexico

Vaejovis littoralis Williams is an intertidal scorpion inhabiting chiefly the drift zone in the high intertidal of beaches in Baja California, Mexico. Density within the drift zone averages approximately 2–4/m² (island sites) to 12/m² (mainland sites). Populations are aggregated into patches. Primarily, juveniles exhibit diurnal activity. Nocturnally active juveniles tend to be spatially segregated from nocturnally active adults within the drift zone.
Diet of V. littoralis includes the isopod Ligia, V. littoralis , spiders, pseudoscorpions, centipedes and beetles. Prey size is not a function of predator size. Centruroides exilicauda, V. littoralis and Ligia were observed as predators on V. littoralis .
The adult sex ratio is skewed toward females (1 male : 2.1 females). Adult females are usually larger than adult males. Litter size ranges from 1–8. Limited data suggest that offspring size and litter size increase with maternal size.
Vaejovis littoralis exhibits cryptic coloration, small size and lithophilic tarsal claws, all of which favour intertidal existence. Although V. littoralis is able to withstand up to 12 hours of submergence, it does not survive submergence significantly better than a comparable desert species. Field data suggest that V. littoralis does not exhibit an endogenous tidal rhythm.     

松嫩平原碱化草甸朝鲜碱茅、猿毛耐盐碱特性的比较研究

本研究通过野外调查与室内实验相结合的方法,从生态学、生理学方面探讨了松嫩平原碱化草甸朝鲜碱茅和獐毛耐盐碱的特性。结果表明：两种植物均生长在含盐、潮湿而贫瘠的土壤上,朝鲜碱茅分布地段的土壤多含碱性盐（Ｎａ２ＣＯ３）,而獐毛所在地的土壤则多含中性盐（ＮａＣｌ）．这些体现出它们对盐碱适应性的差异．不同浓度的ＮａＣｌ、Ｎａ２ＣＯ３胁迫对这两种植物的细胞膜透性、游离脯氨酸含量有明显影响,均以ｌｏｇｉｓｔｉｃ曲线ｙ＝ｋ／（１＋ｅ（ａ－ｂｘ））或直线方程：ｙ＝ａ＋ｂｘ形式较好地表达出来。说叫朝鲜碱茅对ＮａＣｌ的胁迫敏感,獐毛则对Ｎａ２ＣＯ３的胁迫敏感。两种植物在自然条件下的生态适应与实验条件下的生理适应相近。     

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.     

Antifeedant/insecticidal terpenes from asteraceae and labiatae species native to Argentinean semi-arid lands

To validate the potential as added-value resources of Asteraceae and Labiatae species of Argentinean semi-arid lands, we have selected 13 of their major terpenoids belonging to several chemical classes and tested their insect antifeedant and toxic activity on the herbivorous insects Spodoptera littoralis and Leptinotarsa decemlineata. The antifeedant effects of the test compounds were structure- and species-dependent. The most active antifeedant to L. decemlineata was the eudesmane sesquiterpene gamma-costic acid (13), followed by the labdane diterpene 2alpha,3alpha-dihydroxycativic acid (8), the clerodane diterpenes 6-acetylteucjaponin B (5), bacchotricuneatin A (1), bartemidiolide (7), butanolide (4), and the sesquiterpenes ilicic acid (11) and tessaric acid (10) (eudesmane and eremophilane type, respectively). S. littoralis was only affected by the clerodanes and showed the strongest response to salviarin (3) and 5, followed by hawtriwaic acid (6) and 12-epi-bacchotricuneatin A (2). Orally injected S. littoralis larvae were negatively affected by 5. Most of the diterpenes had selective cytotoxic effects to insect-derived Sf9 cells with the clerodane 1 being the most active, followed by the eudesmane costic acid (12), the only cytotoxic sesquiterpene. None of these compounds was cytotoxic to mammalian CHO cells.     

3''-phosphoadenosine-5''-phosphosulphate synthesis and involvement in sulphotransferase reactions in the insect, Spodoptera littoralis.

1. Synthesis of 3'-phosphoadenosine-5'-phosphosulphate from ATP and 35SO4(-2) was demonstrated by homogenates of gut. Malpighian tubules and fat body of Spodoptera littoralis. 2. The enzyme system was most active in the gut tissue, and was primarily located in the cytosol fraction of the cell. Gut cytosol preparations were used as a source of the 3'-phosphoadenosine-5'-phosphosulphate generating system for more detailed studies. 3. Maximum synthesis required an incubation mixture containing Tris/HCl buffer (pH 7.5), ATP (20 mM), MgCl2 (13.0 mM) and K2SO4 (3 mM). 4. The specific activity of 3'-phosphoadenosine-5'-phosphosulphate synthesizing activity in gut cytosol increased during development of the sixth instar larva, reaching a peak at day 4. A sudden fall in specific activity was observed in the prepupal stage. 5. 3'-Phosphoadenosine-5'-phosphosulphate formation is the rate limiting process in the overall sulphation of p-nitrophenol in the gut cytosol preparations from S. littoralis. 6. It is concluded that the properties of the sulphate-activating system in this insect are similar to those reported for vertebrates.     

珊瑚菜不同部位香豆素含量的研究

应用高效液相色谱技术,对珊瑚菜（Glehnia littoralis Fr.Schmidt ex Miq.）的果实、叶和根以及采后去皮入药的根和根皮中的补骨脂素、欧前胡素和异欧前胡素3种香豆素的含量进行了测定。结果显示：（1）3种香豆素在果实、叶与根、根皮中均有积累,总含量在果实中最高,为0.6364mg·g-1,根中为0.0657mg·g-1,根皮中为0.0312mg·g-1,叶中为0.0151mg·g-1,采后去皮处理的根中最低,仅为0.0081mg·g-1。（2）珊瑚菜根经水烫去皮处理后香豆素含量急剧下降,与同期采收未去皮处理的根相比,去皮后根内香豆素总含量、补骨脂素、欧前胡素、异欧前胡素含量分别下降了87.7%、100%、82.76%、85.25%。（3）与未去皮的根相比,处理后的根皮中香豆素总量、补骨脂素、欧前胡素和异欧前胡素含量分别是未去皮处理的珊瑚菜根中的47.42%、31.37%、51.54%和53.28%。研究表明：从充分利用香豆素成分的角度出发,根入药时应带根皮使用,另外,叶和根皮不应丢弃,均可收集作为提取香豆素新的植物资源,果实中香豆素含量很高,亦可作为香豆素资源。     

NaCl胁迫对珊瑚菜叶绿素荧光特性的影响

以野生濒危植物珊瑚菜(Glehnia littoralisFr.Schmidt ex Miq.)幼苗为试材,通过水培试验研究了100、200和300 mmol?L-1NaCl处理对其生长状态、叶绿素含量以及叶绿素荧光动力学参数的影响,以探讨珊瑚菜的耐盐机制和耐盐能力.结果显示,随着NaCl处理浓度和时间的增加,珊瑚菜生长受到抑制程度逐渐加剧;其叶片叶绿素a、叶绿素b、总叶绿素含量均表现不同程度的降低,而Chl a/b值却呈先下降后上升的变化趋势,并以300 mmol?L-1NaCl处理变化最为明显;同时,其PSⅡ的最大光化学效率(Fv/Fm)和捕获的激子将电子传递到电子传递链中超过QA的其他电子受体的概率(ETo/TRo)均表现不同程度的降低,而光合机构电子传递的量子产额(ETo/ABS)、最大捕光效率(TRo/ABS)均呈先下降后上升的变化趋势,但单位反应中心以热能形式耗散的能量(DIo/CSo)则先上升后下降.研究表明,珊瑚菜对NaCl胁迫具有一定的适应调节能力,可以耐受200 mmol?L-1NaCl以下的盐胁迫,而300 mmol?L-1NaCl处理就会对其光合系统造成一定的损伤,明显抑制其正常生长.     

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.     

Antifeedant and phytotoxic activity of cacalolides and eremophilanolides

The antifeedant effect of six cacalolides and six eremophilanolides was tested against the herbivorous insects Spodoptera littoralis, Leptinotarsa decemlineata, and Myzus persicae. The test compounds included several natural products isolated from Senecio madagascariensis (14-isovaleryloxy-1,2-dehydrocacalol methyl ether, 4), S. barba-johannis (13-hydroxy-14-oxocacalohastine, 5; 13-acetyloxy-14-oxocacalohastine, 6) and S. toluccanus [6-hydroxyeuryopsin, 7; 1(10)-epoxy-6-hydroxyeuryopsin, 9; toluccanolide A, 11] and the derivatives cacalol methyl ether (1); cacalol acetate (2); 1-acetyloxy-2-methyloxy-1,2,3,4-tetradehydrocacalol acetate (3); 6-acetyloxyeuryopsin (8); 6-acetyloxy-1(10)-epoxyeuryopsin (10), and toluccanolide A acetate (12). Compound 11 and its derivative 12 exhibited moderate antifeedant activity against S. littoralis; 2, 7-10, and 12 showed strong activity against L. decemlineata, while the aphid M. persicae was moderately deterred in the presence of compounds 1, 4, 8, 10, and 12. The phytotoxic activity of 1-12 on Lactuca sativa was also evaluated. Compounds 2 and 4-12 moderately inhibited seed germination at 24 h, while compounds 1-4, 6, 9, and 10 had a significant inhibition effect on L. sativa radicle length (over 50%).     

Effects of salinity, temperature and food level on the demographic characteristics of the seawater rotifer Synchaeta littoralis Rousselet

A strain of the seawater species Synchaeta littoralis, isolated from a Spanish Mediterranean coastal salt marsh, was cultured in the laboratory and fed with the alga Tetraselmis sp. The effect of three salinities (25 per thousand, 30 per thousand and 35 per thousand), two temperatures (20 degrees C and 25 degrees C) and two food levels (75,000 and 150,000 cells ml(-1)) on demographic parameters was studied using a life table approach. Average lifespan (LS) ranged between 4.0 and 7.3 days, net reproductive rate (R(0)) between 4.2 and 9.1 offspring per female, and intrinsic growth rate (r) between 0.50 and 0.95 day(-1). Salinity and temperature had a significant negative effect (***p<0.001) on both average lifespan (LS) and net reproductive rate (R(0)). Nevertheless, S. littoralis grew adequately at 35 per thousand (average value of r=0.67 day(-1)). Intrinsic growth rate also increased with temperature due to the lower value of the generation time (ranged between 2.3 and 3.8 days in all assays). Food level only had a significant negative effect (***p<0.001) on R(0). The experiments designed allowed us to know the basic demographic parameters of S. littoralis.     

蓝花丹二型花雌、雄蕊发育进程及内源激素对花柱生长的影响

为了解二型花雌、雄蕊发育进程及内源激素对长、短花柱生长发育的影响,以蓝花丹(Plumbago auriculata Lam.)为材料,观察分析了长花柱(L型)、短花柱(S型)花朵内雌、雄蕊的发育特征,并分别检测了L、S型花柱中的内源激素水平。结果显示:蓝花丹雌、雄蕊发育进程基本符合逻辑斯蒂变化曲线,并可划分为5个时期,即T1初始发育期、T2转折期(一)、T3快速发育期、T4转折期(二)、T5平稳发育期;在整个发育进程中,L型花朵中雌蕊的生长速率始终高于雄蕊;S型花朵中雌蕊的生长速率在T3期由快转慢,导致T3~T5期雌蕊的生长速率始终低于雄蕊,从而形成了雌蕊低于雄蕊的短花柱特征。这说明花柱的分化是在二型花雌、雄蕊快速发育的T3期开始出现,并逐渐形成花柱异长植物最显著的花部形态特征。IAA、IPA和GA含量均在T1~T3期增加、T4~T5期降低,且在L型花柱中的含量始终高于S型,而ABA含量的变化趋势与这3种生长促进类激素相反,说明在蓝花丹花柱发育过程中,IAA、IPA和GA可能参与调控花柱的伸长生长,而ABA主要在发育后期促使花柱成熟。     

Polyoxygenated cyclohexane derivatives and other constituents from Kaempferia rotunda L

Methanol extracts of Kaempferia rotunda L. rhizomes yielded seven compounds including six polyoxygenated cyclohexane derivatives identified as (-)-6-acetylzeylenol (1), four acylated derivatives of 1-benzoyloxymethyl-1,6-epoxycyclohexan-2,3,4,5-tetrol (3-6), a Diels-Alder adduct of 3-benzoyl-1-benzoyloxymethylcyclohexa-4,6-dien-2,3-diol (7), and a triacylated derivative of salicin (9). The cyclohexane diepoxide, crotepoxide (8), was also obtained. Spectroscopic methods were used for structure determination. The methanol extract of the rhizomes of K. rotunda and (-)-2-acetyl-4-benzoyl-1-benzoyloxymethyl-1,6-epoxycyclohexan-2,3,4,5-tetrol (2-acetylrotepoxide B; 6), had antifeedant activity against larvae of Spodoptera littoralis. (-)-Zeylenol (2) also showed antifeedant activity, whereas (-)-6-acetylzeylenol (1) was inactive.