Azadirachtin-induced effects on larval-pupal transformation of Spodoptera mauritia

Abstract. Penultimate (fifth) and last (sixth) stadium larvae of Spodoptera mauritia Boisd. (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) of various ages were injected with 0.5 μg, 1 μg or 2 μg azadirachtin and the effects on moulting and larval-pupal transformation were analysed. Higher doses (1 μg and 2 μg) of azadirachtin induced a prolongation of the fifth stadium in larvae treated on day 0 and day 1. The resulting sixth stadium larvae failed to pupate. Sixth stadium larvae injected with 0.5 μg, 1 μg or 2 μg azadirachtin showed prolongation of sixth larval period. Azadirachtin treatments completely prevented normal pupation in 'day 0' and 'day 1' larvae even though the percentage of pupation increased in treated larvae of other age groups. Injection of 2 fig azadirachtin prevented normal pupation in larvae of all age groups. Injection of 4 μg ecdysterone to sixth stadium larvae pre-treated with 1 fig azadirachtin (on day 0) promoted normal pupation in the majority of animals.     

Activation of the prothoracic gland by juvenile hormone and prothoracicotropic hormone in Mamestra brassicae

The effects of JHA (ZR-515) application or brain implantation on metamorphosis and adult development were examined in the last instar larvae and pupae of Mamestra brassicae. When JHA was applied to neck-ligated 4- or 5-day-old larvae or to the isolated abdomens of 5-day-old larvae containing implanted prothoracic glands taken from 5-day-old larvae, the insects pupated. Dauer pupae and diapausing pupae treated with JHA showed adult development. By contrast, pupation could not be induced by the application of JHA to 2- or 3-day-old neck-ligated larvae or to the isolated abdomens of 5-day-old larvae containing implanted prothoracic glands from 0-day-old larvae. Implantation of a brain into neck-ligated 3- or 5-day-old larvae (at the beginning of gut emptying and wandering) caused pupation of the host. A similar result was obtained when both a brain and the prothoracic glands from 0- or 5-day-old larvae were implanted into the isolated abdomens of 5-day-old larvae. These results indicate that activation of the prothoracic glands by application of JHA is temporally restricted to the last part of the last larval instar and to the pupal stage, while the activation by prothoracicotropic hormone (PTTH) can occur throughout the last larval instar and the pupal stage. In addition, the implantation of brains or application of JHA to neck-ligated 5-day-old larvae 25 days after ligation seldom induced pupation of the hosts, a result which suggests that larval prothoracic glands maintained under juvenile hormone (JH) or PTTH-free conditions for long periods of time may become insensitive to reactivation by both hormones.     

A possible therapy by juvenile hormone I to Spodoptera littoralis (Boisd.) larvae previously treated by precocene II

An effective constant dose (55 μg) of precocene II (PII) was topically tested against the last three instars of Spodoptera littoralis (Boisd.) larvae. Application of PII induced morphogenetic abnormalities typical of juvenile hormone (JH) excess. The resultant imperfect insects included larval‐pupal mosaic and partial or severe cases of untanned pupae. The sixth‐instar larvae were more sensitive to PII administration than the two preceding instars. However, sensitivity of the last larval instar to PII varied with the timing of dose application relative to the developmental status of the larvae. Whereas the newly ecdysed (0‐day old) larvae were more sensitive, the older larvae of the same sixth‐instar showed sharp decrease in their sensitivity to PII with a concomitant increase of their age. Application of a single dose (5 μg) of JH I to PII pre‐treated larvae significantly (P < 0.001) reduced the production of imperfect insects where many PH‐treated larvae developed successfully to apparent normal pupae. Although a single dose of PII was more effective on S. littoralis larvae than repeated daily doses, the effectiveness of JHI‐therapy to PH pre‐treated larvae by repeated doses was less effective in producing perfect insects than JH‐therapy to PII pre‐treated larvae by single doses. The reversal of any of these by applied JHI is quite interesting but the mechanisms remain to be unraveled.     

Bt玉米(MG95)对粘虫的抗性和拒食作用

在室内以我国自主培育的转Bt基因玉米 (简称 :Bt玉米 )为材料 ,测定了Bt玉米对不同龄期 ( 1～ 4龄 )粘虫PseudaletiaseparataWalker的影响。测定指标包括 :幼虫体重、幼虫发育历期、幼虫死亡率、化蛹率、蛹重、蛹历期、羽化率、产卵量、成虫历期、卵孵化率。结果显示 :用Bt玉米喂养的 1～ 4龄幼虫在处理 6d及 1～ 3龄幼虫在处理 9d时的体重与对照相比均差异显著 ;除 1龄幼虫外 ,2～ 4龄幼虫处理 6d及 2～ 3龄幼虫处理 9d后的死亡率差异不显著 ;用Bt玉米喂养的各龄幼虫发育历期延长 ,与对照相比差异显著 ;1、2龄幼虫的化蛹率与对照相比有显著差异 ,3、4龄则差异不显著 ;1～ 4龄幼虫的蛹重、蛹历期及羽化率均差异显著 ;成虫历期仅 1龄幼虫差异显著 ;与对照相比 ,各龄粘虫的产卵数、卵孵化率均无显著差异。结果表明 ,1龄幼虫对Bt玉米最为敏感。另外 ,拒食实验结果显示 ,在实验开始后的 8,1 6,2 4,3 2及 48h ,非选择性测定的拒食率为 63 2 0 ,64 60 ,48 99,2 3 3 5和 0 5 4% ,选择性测定的拒食率为98 3 3 ,82 43 ,71 5 4,40 1 6和 0 2 7% ,总体趋势是拒食率随时间延长而降低 ,48h后Bt玉米对粘虫幼虫无拒食活性。     

Development of Microplitis bicoloratus on Spodoptera litura and implications for biological control

Microplitis bicoloratus Chen (Hymenoptera:Braconidae:Microgastrinae), a new species of Microplitis Förster from China, is a solitary endoparasitoid of the larvae of the cotton leafworm, Spodoptera litura (Fabricius) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). This parasitoid is the first to be successfully reared and evaluated in the laboratory as a potential agent for the biological control of S. litura in China. Oviposition, immature development, and the effects of parasitism on the development of S. litura were studied. In long-term oviposition trials, females laid eggs on S. litura larvae for up to 10 days; oviposition was heavily skewed toward the first few days, with approximately one third of the eggs laid on day 1 and over 50% laid by day 3. This rapid oviposition rate increases the potential for biological suppression of host populations because the likelihood of mortality for the parasites from exposure to detrimental environmental factors or generalist predators increases with time. Immature development of the parasitoid in its host only required 7 days: eggs hatched within 24 h, the first instar larva required 2 days, the second instar larva needed 3 days, and the third instar larvae exited the host and pupated in 1 day, at 27±1°C, 60–80% relative humidity and a 12:12-h (long day) photoperiod. The development of the parasitized hosts was disrupted. When the parasitoid larvae finished development, the body weights of host larvae were significantly reduced regardless of which host instar was parasitized. Our results suggest that M. bicoloratus has considerable potential as a biological control agent for S. litura.     

Infection of a nucleopolyhedrovirus to Neodiprion zhejiangenis Zhou & Xiao (Hymenoptera: Diprionidae)

Neodiprion zhejiangenis Zhou &; Xiao 1981 (Hymenoptera: Diprionidae) nuclear polyhedrosis virus (NezhNPV) is a biocontrol factor with high development potential and application prospects. To study the insecticidal activity of NezhNPV against the larvae of N. zhejiangenis, the susceptibility of larvae at different instars to different NezhNPV concentrations was determined based on laboratory bioactivity. At 2.0?×?10⁷ polyhedron inclusion body (PIB)/mL, the median lethal time required to kill 50% of the instar 2 and 3 larvae was approximately 5 d, whereas the median lethal time of the instar 4 and 5 larvae was 8–9 d. Interestingly, at the NezhNPV concentrations of 2.0?×?10³ and 2.0?×?10⁴ PIB/mL, the feeding ability of the surviving larvae was decreased by 57.4% and 76.4%, respectively, compared with the controls; the pupal weight at both concentrations was decreased by approximately 27%, and the adult emergence rate was decreased by 27.4% and 50.9%, respectively, with a significantly higher proportion of males than of females. The results showed that younger instar larvae of N. zhejiangenis were more susceptible to NezhNPV infection than older instar larvae. The larval mortality rate was dependent on the larval instar and NezhNPV concentration.     

Choristoneura fumiferana entomopoxvirus prevents metamorphosis and modulates juvenile hormone and ecdysteroid titers

Larvae of the spruce budworm, Choristoneura fumiferana, infected with C. fumiferana entomopoxvirus (CfEPV) continue to feed and grow without undergoing metamorphosis and die as moribund larvae. The lethal dose (LD(50)) and lethal time (LT(50)) values for fourth instar larvae are 2.4 spheroids and 25.2 days, respectively. One hundred percent of the control fourth instar larvae, which were fed water instead of virus, pupated by 18 days post feeding (PF). Only 30% of the larvae that were fed the LD(50) dose and none of the larvae that were fed the LD(95) dose pupated by 18 days PF. Of the control larvae, 95% became adults by 24 days PF, whereas in the treated group only 2% of larvae that were fed the LD(50) dose and none of the larvae that were fed the LD(95) dose became adults by 24 days PF. Some of the virus-treated larvae died as either larval/pupal or pupal/adult intermediates. These phenotypic effects were similar to the larval/pupal and pupal/adult intermediates, resulting from treating larvae with juvenile hormone (JH) or its analogs, which suggests that EPV may cause such abnormalities by modulating JH and/or ecdysteroid titers. In untreated sixth instar larvae the JH titer decreased to low levels by 24 h after ecdysis and remained low throughout larval life. EPV-fed sixth instar larvae had 2112 pg/ml on day 0, 477 pg/ml on day 1 and 875 pg/ml on day 8 of the sixth instar. Control larvae contained 860 ng of ecdysteroids per ml hemolymph on day 8 of the sixth instar, whereas EPV-treated larvae of the same age (30 days PF) had only 107 ng of ecdysteroids per ml of hemolymph. Thus, EPV infection results in increased JH titer and decreased ecdysteroid titer. Northern hybridization analysis was performed using RNA isolated from control and EPV-fed larvae and cDNA probes for (i) juvenile hormone esterase (JHE), which is JH inducible, (ii) Choristoneura hormone receptor 3 (CHR3), which is ecdysteroid inducible, and (iii) larval specific diapause associated protein 1 (DAP1), whose expression is larval specific. EPV-treated larvae showed higher levels of JHE and DAP1 mRNA and lower levels of CHR3 mRNA, indicating that they had higher levels of JH and lower levels of ecdysteroids. Thus, our data show that EPV prevents metamorphosis by modulating ecdysteroid and JH levels.     

Studies on the biology of Chaoborus flavicans (Meigen) (Diptera: Chaoboridae) in a fish-free eutrophic pond,Japan

Population dynamics of Chaoborus flavicans larvae of various instars was studied from November 1986 to December 1987 in a eutrophic, fish-free pond, Japan. First and 2nd instar larvae were observed from late April to late October, indicating a reproductive period of about half a year. C. flavicans overwintered in the 4th instar larvae. In water column samples, total density of all instars was 680–23680 m^-2, and pupal density 0–2600 m^-2; larvae of the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd instars showed 5–6 density peaks in 1987, suggesting that 5–6 generations occur during a year (peaks of the 4th instar larvae were not clear, probably due to their longer development than those of younger instars). In sediment samples, no 1st and 2nd instar larvae were found, 3rd instar larvae were found occasionally but density of the 4th instar larvae was 280–18600 m^-2, and pupal density varied between 0–502 m^-2. Fouth instar larvae accumulated in sediment in the cold season and in the water column in the warm season; high temperature and low oxygen concentration were the most important factors limiting the distribution of larvae in the sediment in summer in the NIES pond. The dry weight of total C. flavicans larvae was 0.08–4.2 g m^-2 in sediment samples and 24–599 μg l^-1 (0.10–2.40 g m^-2) in water column samples. Comparisons of maximum densities in the NIES pond in different years and in waters of different trophic status show that density is generally higher in eutrophic than in oligotrophic habitats. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Effects of juvenile hormone on some phase characteristics in the common cutworm, Spodoptera litura

Phase characters of the common cutworm, Spodoptera litura, were influenced by different rearing densities from the 4th-larval instar. Primarily the final feeding period of isolated larvae was 1 day longer than that of crowded larvae causing an increase in pupal weight. Applications of juvenile hormone I, II, or methoprene to crowded larvae caused an increased feeding period similar to that of isolated larvae when the juvenile hormones were applied within 1 day after the last-larval ecdysis. Allatectomy of isolated Spodoptera during the moult to the final-larval instar decreased the duration of the final feeding period to that of intact crowded larvae. These results suggested that one of the characters of phase variation, pupal weight, is influenced by the differences in the regulation and activity of the corpora allata during the last-larval instar. Other characteristics of phase variation such as behaviour (feigned death) and colour were not affected by alteration in juvenile hormone levels after the last larva ecdysis.     

Effects of Diflubenzuron on the Development of Bombyx mori (Lepidoptera: Bombycidae)

ABSTRACT This study was conducted to determine the effects of diflubenzuron (DFB) on the growth and development of the silkworm, Bombyx mori (L.). The DFB treatment extended abnormally the larval duration and affected negatively on larval spinning of the 5th instar. All the larvae treated with high DFB concentration (2.5 × 10^-1 and 2.5x 10^-1μg/μl) lost their spinning capability and finally died, whereas 62% of larvae treated with low DFB concentration (2.5 × 10^-1μg/μl)) spinned cocoon. The larval weights depended sensitively on the DFB treatment period rather than on the DFB concentration. The DFB treatment decreased the larval maturity less than 6% without regard to the concentration and treatment period. All the larva, when treated with DFB before the 5th days of the 5th instar, were not matured.     

Macromolecular synthesis in wing discs of Spodoptera mauritia Boisd: effects of a juvenile hormone analogue

Last instar larvae of S. mauritia treated topically on day 0, day 1, day 2 and day 3 with a daily (dose of 25 microg juvenile hormone analogue (JHA) moulted into supernumerary larvae. The imaginal discs of the supernumerary larvae especially those of mouthparts and thoracic appendages showed pupal characteristics. However the wing discs, which showed only partial differentiation, were uneverted and highly tanned. In an effort to provide an explanation to this anomaly the RNA, DNA and protein profile in the wing discs of supernumerary larvae were studied. Quantitative analysis of DNA, RNA and protein showed a considerable increase in the amount of DNA and protein and a decline in RNA level. SDS-PAGE analysis of wing disc proteins of JHA treated larvae showed a reduction in the expression of many major proteins that were predominant in the wing discs of control larvae. The results suggest that JHA induced inactivation of genes involved in the synthesis of proteins needed for evagination process may be responsible for the formation of uneverted, partially differentiated pupal wing discs in supernumerary larvae.     

BIOACTIVITIES AND MECHANISM OF SPIRO ENOL ETHER ANALOGUES AGAINST PIERIS RAPAE

Abstract  Nineteen kinds of spiro enol ether analogues were screened with larvae of Pieris rapae for antifeedant activity. The results showed that the antifeedant activity of compounds No.20 and No. 12 was higher than others. In non-choice test, AFC50 values within 24 h of compounds No.20 and No. 12 against 3rd instar larvae of P. rapae were 226.93 μg/mL and 370.00 μg/mL, and that in choice test against 4th larvae were 280.54 μg/mL and 398.88 μg/mL, respectively. Compd. No.20 could prolong the eggs hatch time and reduce the haemolymph content and the protein content in haemolymph of 4th instar larvae obviously. Compd. No.20 could protect tested leaves and control larvae of P. rapae effectively.     

The effect of the granulovirus (PapyGV) on larval mortality and feeding behaviour of the Pandemis leafroller,Pandemis pyrusana (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae)

An indigenous betabaculovirus (PapyGV) of the Pandemis leafroller, Pandemis pyrusana (Kearfott), was studied in the laboratory and greenhouse to determine how the virus affected leafroller mortality and foliar damage. Probability of mortality increased with virus concentration as observed after 7 and 10 days of feeding on virus treated diet in neonates and second instar larvae. LC₅₀ estimates for neonates at 7 and 10 days was 2743 and 389 occlusion bodies (OBs)/mm². For second instars, LC₅₀ was 139,487 and 813 OBs/mm² at 7 and 10 days. There was no biologically significant mortality response to increasing virus concentrations by fourth instar larvae; however, when fourth instar larvae were infected with virus on diet and then fed apple leaves, the leaf area consumed declined up to 50% with higher virus concentrations. In a greenhouse study, neonate larvae that fed on seedlings treated with water showed >90% survival and 80% pupation rate of larvae after being transferred to diet. In contrast, larvae that fed on apple seedlings sprayed with 3×10⁶ OBs/ml showed poor survival when transferred to diet after acquiring the virus and failed to reach the pupal stage. This virus shows promise for population regulation and can produce reduction in feeding damage.     

Storage proteins of the fall webworm,Hyphantria cunea drury

Two storage proteins, storage protein-1 (SP1) and storage protein-2 (SP2), were found in hemolymph and fat body during the development of Hyphantria cunea, the fall webworm. Both storage proteins show similiar quantitative changes during development in males and females; however, SP1 is more abundant. The hemolymph of last instar larvae contains high concentrations of the storage proteins. However, following pupation, the storage proteins accumulate in fat bodies. SP1 peaks in the hemolymph of males and females late in last instar larvae (8-day-old 7th instar larvae). SP1 has a native molecular weight of 460,000 and consists of six identical subunits (Mr = 76,700), while SP2 has a molecular weight of 450,000 and is composed of two different subunits (Mr = 74,100 and 72,400). Both SP1 and SP2 are hexamers and are phosphorylated glycolipoproteins. The pl values of SP1 and SP2 were determined to be 5.70 and 5.50, respectively. Antibodies raised against SP1 react positively with vitellogenin and ovary extract, as well as with proteins in the hemolymph from last instar larvae and proteins in pupal fat bodies. Storage protein synthesis starts in fat bodies of a 4-day-old 7th instar larvae and in female peaks at 6–8 days of the 7th instar.     

Bioactivity of Piper guineense Schum. & Thonn seed and Moringa oleifera Lam. leaf powder against Trogoderma granarium Everts (Coleoptera: Dermestidae)

Laboratory studies were carried out to investigate bioactivity of Piper guineense seeds and Moringa oleifera leaf powders applied singly or in a mixture against larvae and adult Trogoderma granarium Everts in airtight containers. Three levels (0.0 g, 0.5 g, and 1.0 g/20 g groundnut seeds) of the plant powders were used and pirimiphos-methyl was applied at 0.01 g/20 g seeds (recommended dose). Another control consisting of untreated seeds with aerated lids was included in the bioassay. Both larvae and adults were not killed in control with aerated lids throughout the experimental period and larvae were also tolerant to airtight storage conditions. Adults were more susceptible to plant powders than larvae and adult mortality recorded in P. guineense at 1.0 g, 0.5 g and M. oleifera at 1.0 g/20 g seeds were not significantly different from the mortality observed with the recommended dose of Pirimiphos methyl at five days after treatment (DAT). Larval mortality observed in a mixture of both plants (1:1; w/w) caused significantly higher mortality (77.5%) than other treatments at 5 DAT. All treatments (P. guineense and M. oleifera applied singly or in a mixture) were repellant to larvae T. granarium with 60% repellency recorded in the mixture of plants, 50% repellency in P. guineense and 30% repellency in M. oleifera slurry. The water absorption capacity of treated seeds was not affected by treatment with plant powders and ranged from 31.98% to 37.59%.     

Morphogenetic and gonadotrophic effects of a juvenile hormone analogue ((7S)-hydroprene) in last instar female larvae of Diploptera punctata

ABSTRACT. The effect of treatment of last instar female larvae of Diploptera punctata with a Juvenile Hormone (JH) analogue, (7 S )-hydroprene, has been determined with respect to the ability of the analogue to alter the duration of the stadium and the nature of the ensuing ecdysis. We have also investigated the effects of the analogue on JH release, the growth of the basal oocytes, as well as ecdysteroid titres during the fourth stadium. Analogue treatment prior to day 10 of the stadium results in prolongation of the stadium and desynchronization of ecdysteroid release. Thereafter, treatment with the analogue has little effect. Analogue treatment results also in the formation of supernumerary larvae and intermediates, in a dose-dependent fashion, provided that animals are treated on day 10 or earlier. Thus, the 'critical' period for metamorphosis in last instar D. punctata is between days 0 and 10.
Treatment with (7 S )-hydroprene produces profound effects also on both JH release, and basal oocyte growth. At a dose of 500μg administered on day 1, JH release is stimulated significantly at a time when JH release is normally undetectable. Significant growth of basal oocytes is observed in such treated animals, and appears to precede the peak in JH release. We suggest that the growth of the basal oocytes, as a result of analogue treatment, stimulates the production of JH by CA in these last instar larvae.     

Preventing insect diapause with hormones and cholera toxin

The decision to enter pupal diapause can be reversed in the flesh fly $\text{Sarcophaga crassipalpis}$ by treatment with a juvenile hormone analogue, ecdysterone, or cholera toxin. A topical application of juvenile hormone analogue (10μg) is effective in preventing diapause if applied to newly ecdysed 3rd instar larvae. An ecdysterone injection (1μg) into post-fed 3rd instar larvae can avert diapause, and even lower dosages (0.01μg) are effective if injected into young pupae immediately before the onset of diapause. Cholera toxin, a stimulant of adenylate cyclase, can prevent diapause if 1μg is injected into larvae 24 hrs. prior to pupariation. This is the first report of an effect of cholera toxin on insects. A 2-day exposure to 33°C was the only physical manipulation shown to be capable of reversing the previous commitment to enter pupal diapause.     

Possible Alteration of Female Specific Protein by Estradiol-17β in Silkworm,Bombyx mori L

In our attempt to understand the biological significance of natural occurrence of estradiol-17β (E₂, a vertebrate female sex steroid) in silkworms effect of exogenous estradiol-17β injection on the appearance of female-specific proteins both in pupal hemolymph and ovarian extracts was undertaken. A single injection of 2 μg of E₂ per g of body weight on the 3rd day in the 5th instar female silkworm (Bombyx mori L. race Nistari) larvae revealed more accumulation of both 170- and 43 kDa proteins from the day 3 to 7 of pupal life with a peak on the day 7 in comparison to the untreated (control) hemolymph. On the contrary, the ovarian extracts revealed highest accumulation of both the proteins in female silkworm pupae on the day 4 and thereafter, declined gradually to level up with the control on the day 8. The fertilized egg extracts irrespective of control and E₂-treated silkworms failed to establish quantitative differences of the proteins in question. Thus the metabolic role of E₂ on the female-specific proteins in silkworm could not be ruled out.     

The seasonal development cycle of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Aphantopus hyperantus</Emphasis> (L.) (Lepidoptera,Nymphalidae: Satyrinae) in Leningrad Province

The simultaneous influence of the photoperiodic and temperature conditions on pre-diapause and postdiapause larval development of the ringlet Aphantopus hyperantus was studied. At the short day (12 h of light a day) all larvae reached the III instar and entered diapause at all the temperatures tested (18–24°C). At the long day (22 h) the number of diapausing larvae increased with decreasing temperature, and the larvae diapaused at the III and IV instars. The I and II instar larvae (before winter) developed and grew faster under short-day, and the hibernated larvae, under long-day conditions. At the short day the growth rate of the I and II instar larvae did not depend on the temperature, and at the long day it decreased as the temperature increased. After hibernation the growth rate of the IV instar larvae increased with the temperature under long-day conditions, and did not depend on the temperature under short-day ones. Thus, acceleration or deceleration of development, depending on the photoperiodic and temperature conditions, regulated the timing of diapause in the overwintering stage (the III instar larva) and maintained the univoltine seasonal cycle. The males of A. hyperantus developed and grew faster than females while their weight at the larval and pupal stages was smaller. The thermal reaction norms for development (the lower temperature threshold and the coefficient of thermal sensitivity of development) were calculated for the eggs, IV and V instar larvae, and pupae. The coefficient of thermal sensitivity of development for the IV and V instar larvae taken together was lower, and the threshold was higher than the corresponding values for eggs and pupae. The thermal reaction norms for development of the latter stages were the same. The larvae of A. hyperantus retained their sensitivity to the photoperiod after hibernation. Resumption of development after cold reactivation occurred only under long-day conditions, whereas under short-day ones the overwintered larvae entered a repeated diapause. The possibility of photoperiodic reactivation and the absence of spontaneous resumption of development in these larvae were demonstrated.