Biochemical and physiological studies of certain ticks (Ixodoidea): effects of relative humidity and starvation on the water balance and behavior of adult Argas (Persicargas) arboreus (Argasidae).

The effects of high (96%) and low (0%) relative humidities (RH) and starvation on the total body weight, water content, dry weight content, and humidity responses of unfed adult Argas (Persicargas) arboreus (Argasidae) were determined each 15 days for a period of 105 days. High RH caused an increase of 6.7% in females and 7.2% in males of total body weight after 15 days followed by very slow decrease reaching 4.5% in females and 5.4% in males of initial body weight after 105 days. Low RH caused continuous decrease to 46.2% in females and 53.7% in males of the initial body weight after 105 days. After 105-day starvation at 96% RH, the initial value of the water content increased by 3% in females and 5% in males; at 0% RH this value decreased by 52% in females and 59% in males. The initial value of the dry weight content decreased by 23% in females and 26% in males at 96% RH and by 33% in females and 43% in males at 0% RH. Newly molted adults were hygronegative and at 96% RH remained so. At 0% RH, the hygronegative reaction gradually decreased and changed to hygropositive after 60 days in females and 90 days in males. Survival of 80 control ticks after 105 days was 96% at 96% RH and 54% at 0% RH.     

Rates of Drying and Survival of Rhizobium meliloti Strains During Storage at Different Relative Humidities

An investigation was made of the survival of six strains of Rhizobium meliloti filtered on membrane filters and held in atmospheres of controlled relative humidities (RH) of from 0 to 100% at 30°C in the presence of air. The rate of water loss in the desiccator was determined by the humidity-controlling solution used. Drying was accelerated by a mild evacuation of the desiccator during the drying step. Survival rates of R. meliloti strains were much higher after slow drying to 0% RH than immediately after rapid drying. Fast drying (drying period less than 3.4 h) was shown to adversely affect the tolerance to storage at all RH values tested (no survival after 2 to 5 days of storage). When survival during storage was measurable (after slow drying), the optimum RH values for storage were 43% for strains A145 and Wu498, 22 to 43% for strains RCR2011, Wu499, and Ar16, and 83% for strain RCR2004. The most favorable drying periods were 8, 9.2, 14.2, and 50.1 h for the subsequent storage of strain RCR2011 at RH values of 0, 22, 43, and 83%, respectively. The damaging effects of rapid drying on the tolerance of strain RCR2011 to storage at different RH values could be prevented either by rehydration and subsequent slow redrying or incomplete rapid drying followed by slow drying. It is suggested that R. meliloti strains are susceptible to desiccation stresses. However, the quantitative differences among strains appear to be large enough to permit selection with regard to tolerance to desiccation and storage in dried states.     

Relative humidity and water loss in Triatoma brasiliensis

Abstract.  The effect of the relative humidity (RH) of the environment on water loss is studied in Triatoma brasiliensis . Starved or recently fed early stages of T. brasiliensis are exposed to 15, 37, 46 and 73% RH. Water loss is estimated by weighing individual insects daily. The results obtained with starved insects show that the group maintained at 15% RH loses more water and shows a higher mortality compared with the others. An experiment in which recently fed nymphs are exposed to different RHs shows that all groups of insects lose the greatest amount of water during the first day. The group exposed to 15% RH show a higher water loss than the others before and after ecdysis. The survival of recently fed nymphs is not affected by the level of RH to which they are exposed. The results are discussed in relation to the water balance in this species.     

湿度对三角新小卷蛾实验种群生长的影响

在相对湿度(RH)为55%、65%、75%、85%和95%条件下,观察湿度对三角新小卷蛾Olethreutes leucaspis Meyrick各虫态生长、发育及存活的影响,组建三角新小卷蛾实验种群生命表。结果表明:在RH为55%-95%条件下,三角新小卷蛾卵、幼虫、蛹和世代的发育历期在RH为85%时最短,发育历期分别为1.67、12.46、7.67和25.42 d。高湿条件下卵、幼虫和蛹的存活率较高。三角新小卷蛾各虫态发育历期、存活率与相对湿度呈抛物线关系。在RH为55%-95%条件下该虫内禀增长力(rm)均大于0,种群趋势指数(I)均大于1,该虫种群呈增长趋势。三角新小卷蛾发育适宜的RH为75%。     

温湿度对稻纵卷叶螟卵的联合作用

为了探讨温湿度在稻纵卷叶螟Cnaphalocrocis medinalis （Guenée）种群发展中的作用, 通过室内实验调查了不同温度和湿度组合下该蛾卵的发育历期、 胚胎发育情况、 孵化率和卵粒重量的变化。结果表明： 在相同温度下卵历期随相对湿度的增大而缩短, 孵化率随相对湿度的加大而提高。在22℃下低于46%的相对湿度显著降低了卵的孵化率, 而在25～34℃下低于66%的相对湿度会引起孵化率的显著降低, 37℃下卵无论在何种湿度中均不能孵化。在50%左右的低湿条件下, 温度高于28℃后卵也不能孵化。温度在22～31℃和相对湿度在77%～100%范围内, 卵的孵化率无显著差异, 这属于稻纵卷叶螟卵的适宜温湿度范围。稻纵卷叶螟卵的发育起点温度和有效积温分别为10.1±0.6℃和63.7±3.5日度。卵的孵化率（Y）与温湿系数（RH/T）间呈显著的逻辑斯蒂曲线关系Y=0.8662/[1+exp(17.4084-7.5714×RH/T)]。温湿系数在2.34以下时卵孵化率将低于50%, 而达到3.0左右时孵化率接近最高值。结论认为, 低湿造成的稻纵卷叶螟卵重量显著降低、 卵粒干瘪、 胚胎发育受阻是致死卵的主要原因。     

Temperature and humidity affecting development, survival and weight loss of the pupal stage of Drosophila melanogaster, and the influence of alternating temperature on the larvae

1. 1. The mean durations of development in the pupae of Drosophila melanogaster (Meigen) and their survival were measured at combinations of six constant temperatures (15, 20, 22.5, 25, 27.5 and 30°C) and up to 11 levels of relative humidity. The thermal survival range for the pupae is between 15 and 30°C, and the humidity viable range is between 60 and 100% RH.

2. 2. The percentage water loss of the pupae was measured at six constant temperatures and four levels of relative humidity. There was a rapid increase in the percentage of water lost during the first 24 h exposure at all tested conditions. However, pupae reared at 100% RH at each constant temperature, sustained the lowest water loss. The percentage water loss increased as temperature increased, as humidity decreased and also with time.

3. 3. The duration of larval development studied at six constant temperatures (15, 20, 22.5, 25, 27.5 and 30°C) was inversely related to temperature. A wide range of alternating temperature regimes had a small, though statistically significant, accelerative effect on larval developmental time. Thus, the present results may be used as a basis for modelling development under changing temperatures, with the assumption that the developmental rate is nearly identical to that from a series of constant temperatures.

     

Effect of Simulated Solar Radiation and Sodium Fluorescein on the Recovery of Venezuelan Equine Encephalomyelitis Virus from Aerosols

Almost 90% of the Trinidad strain of Venezuelan equine encephalomyelitis (VEE) virus survived for 1 hr after aerosolization into a dark environment at 30% relative humidity (RH), and 78% survived for 1 hr at 60% RH. After exposure to simulated solar radiation (584 mcal per cm(2) per min) 0.02% of the aerosolized virus survived for 1 hr at 30% RH and 0.006% survived for 1 hr at 60% RH. When 1.0 mg of sodium fluorescein per ml was added to suspensions prior to aerosol dissemination (to determine physical loss of aerosol), no virus was detected after 30 min at either RH upon irradiation. Sodium fluorescein also exhibited some toxicity (31% survival at 60 min) for nonirradiated aerosols of VEE virus at 60% RH; no effect was noted at 30%.     

Effect of temperature and humidity on development, survival and oviposition in laboratory populations of Eriworm, Philosamia ricini (Boisduval) (Lepidoptera Saturniidae)

Experiments were conducted on laboratory populations of Eriworm, Philosamia ricini Boisduval to study the effect of temperature and humidity on development, growth, survival and oviposition. Experiments were performed at four different temperatures (22 +/- 2 degrees C, 26 +/- 2 degrees C, 28 +/- 2 degrees C and 34 +/- 1 degrees C) each with three different humidities (50%, 70% and 90% relative humidity). Shortest developmental period (42 days) was observed in 28 +/- 2 degrees C and 70% RH. Longest developmental period was (63.6 days) observed in 22 +/- 2 degrees C at 50% RH. Highest larval weight (9.1 g) was found in 28 +/- 2 degrees C at 70% RH. Best pupal weight was observed in 26 +/- 2 degrees C at 70% RH. Weight of silk material was found to be maximum in 26 +/- 2 degrees C at 70% RH. Survival was best in 28 +/- 2 degrees C and 26 +/- 2 degrees C at 70% RH. Oviposition was found to be highest in 28 +/- 2 degrees C at 70% RH.     

Abiotic mortality factors of the coffee berry borer (Hypothenemus hampei)

Mortality of the coffee berry borer was studied under controlled laboratory conditions in Tapachula, Mexico. For adult female borers subjected to a range of relative humidities (RH) without food at 25°C, the longest mean survival time (20 days) was obtained at 93.5% RH. Adult borer survival was also studied at a range of temperatures for a fixed relative humidity (93.5% RH); at 20°C mean survival time was 28 days. Fecundity and mortality of borer stages in berries was studied for a range of humidities at 25°C. Maximum fecundity was obtained at 90 and 93.5% RH. Immature stages were ejected from the berry at 84% RH and above, which is interpreted as a form of brood hygiene.     

INFLUENCE OF RELATIVE HUMIDITY ON SURVIVAL OF THE CITRUS LEAF-MINER, PHYLLOCNZSTZS CITRELLA STAINTON (LEPIDOPTERA: PHYLLOCNISTIDAE)

Abstract The relationshLps between relative humidity (RH) and survival rates of eggs, all larval stages and pupae of the citrus leaf-miner, Phyllooiistis citrella Stainton, were determined by laboratory experiments. The survival of the citrus leaf-miner was observed at seven levels of relative humidity from 35% RH to 95% RH at intervals of 10% RH, with 12 L: 12 D photoperiod and temperatiure (29±0.5) C. The relative humidity was controlled by saturated solutions of MgCl₂ 6H₂O, K₂CO₃ 2H₂O, C₆H₁₂O₆, NaNO₂, NaCl, KCl, and Pb(NO₃)₂. The results showed that lower relative humidity is unfavorable for incubation of the eggs, survival of the larvae and eclosion of the pupae. The survival rates increased generally with rising of relative humidity within the range of 35% - 85% RH, and the maximum survival rates occurred at 85% RH for different life stages. The variations in hatching rates of the eggs, survival rates of the larvae and emergence rates of the pupae were great, but unimodal at different relative humidity. The effect of relative humidity on survival rates of the citrus leaf-miner could be simulated by regression analysis, using a polynomial function of three orders, and the results of fitting the model to the observed data are presented and discussed.     

Effect of Relative Humidity on the Survival of Airborne Unicellular Algae

A method is described which is suitable for assessing the effects of relative humidity (RH) on the viability of two unicellular algae in experimental aerosols. Viable cells of Nannochloris atomus collected from the airborne state were detected by plating onto agar surfaces of an appropriate growth medium, whereas viable airborne cells of Synechococcus sp., because of unreliable growth on solid media, were determined by a liquid assay system. The assays were performed at intervals during short-term and prolonged storage of algal aerosols in chambers preconditioned to a selected RH and temperature. Both species showed the greatest loss in viability during the first minute after atomization, and the extent of this inactivation, as a function of RH, reflected the subsequent long-term survival. The airborne eukaryotic alga was unable to survive at an RH below 91%, whereas the airborne prokaryotic alga was comparatively stable over a wide humidity range. Initial inactivation was least and long-term survival best, for both species, at 94% RH.     

影响蝴蝶兰类原球茎耐脱水性的主要因素

为探讨蝴蝶兰(Phalaenopsis spp.)类原球茎(protocorm-like body,PLB)耐脱水性的主要影响因素,对PLB的平均粒重、含水率、脱水相对湿度、时间、温度、光周期与耐脱水性的关系进行了研究.结果表明,PLB的平均粒重与脱水后失水率、含水率、相对电导率、成活率呈显著或极显著相关.在较高湿度下...     

Effect of Temperature and Relative Humidity on the Survival of Foodborne Viruses during Food Storage

Millions of people suffer from foodborne diseases throughout the world every year, and the importance of food safety has grown worldwide in recent years. The aim of this study was to investigate the survival of hepatitis A virus (HAV) and viral surrogates of human norovirus (HuNoV) (bacteriophage MS2 and murine norovirus [MNV]) in food over time. HAV, MNV, and MS2 were inoculated onto either the digestive gland of oysters or the surface of fresh peppers, and their survival on these food matrices was measured under various temperature (4°C, 15°C, 25°C, and 40°C) and relative humidity (RH) (50% and 70%) conditions. Inoculated viruses were recovered from food samples and quantified by a plaque assay at predetermined time points over 2 weeks (0, 1, 3, 7, 10, and 14 days). Virus survival was influenced primarily by temperature. On peppers at 40°C and at 50% RH, >4- and 6-log reductions of MNV and HAV, respectively, occurred within 1 day. All three viruses survived better on oysters. In addition, HAV survived better at 70% RH than at 50% RH. The survival data for HAV, MS2, and MNV were fit to three different mathematical models (linear, Weibull, and biphasic models). Among them, the biphasic model was optimum in terms of goodness of fit. The results of this study suggest that major foodborne viruses such as HAV and HuNoV can survive over prolonged periods of time with a limited reduction in numbers. Because a persistence of foodborne virus on contaminated foods was observed, precautionary preventive measures should be performed.     

Influence of Temperature and Relative Humidity on Germinability of Mucor piriformis Spores

Studies were conducted to determine the influence of temperature and relative humidity (RH) on germinability and viability of Mucor piriformis spores. Spores did not survive when stored at 35 °C and their survival rate decreased rapidly at 30 °C; however, spores remained viable for more than 1 year at 0 °C. RH also significantly affected spore viability. Spores held at 26 °C and 100% RH no longer germinated after 35 days, while those held at 75 or 90% RH germinated for 65 days. At 20 °C, RH had little effect on spore germinability. The effect of temperature and RH on percentage spore germination also varied. At all temperatures studied, spore viability decreased more rapidly with time at 100% RH than at 75 or 90% RH. The least favorable, temperature-humidity combination, 30 °C and 100% RH, decreased spore germination from 100% to less than 1% in 14 days.     

Relative humidity preference and survival of starved Formosan subterranean termites (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) at various temperature and relative humidity conditions

Foraging groups of Formosan subterranean termites, Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki were tested for their relative humidity (RH) preference in a humidity gradient arena in the laboratory at a constant temperature of 26°C. Five RH levels (9%, 33%, 53%, 75%, and 98%) were maintained in the test arena comprising of a series of closed containers by using dry silica gel, saturated salt solutions, or distilled water alone. Termites gradually aggregated to the highest RH chamber in the arena. After 1 h, a significantly greater percentage of termites (≈46%) aggregated to the highest RH chamber (98%) than to the lower RH chambers (≤75%). After 12 h, > 97% of the termites aggregated to the 98% RH chamber. In survival tests, where termites were exposed to 15 combinatorial treatments of five RH levels (9%, 33%, 53%, 75%, and 98%) and three temperatures (20°C, 28°C, and 36°C) for a week, the survival was significantly influenced by RH, temperature, and their interaction. A significantly higher mortality was observed on termites exposed to ≤75% RH chambers than to 98% RH chamber at the three temperatures and significantly lower survival was found at 36°C than at 28°C or 20°C. The combination of temperature and RH plays an important role in the survival of C. formosanus.     

棉铃虫蛹期在极端湿度下的失水动态

研究了极端相对湿度 (0%、9%、22.5%、80%、90%和100%) 对棉铃虫Helicoverpa armigera蛹期发育、存活和水分动态的影响。发育蛹在25℃下,相对湿度≤9%时, 不能羽化;湿度为22.5%时,羽化率不足20%; 高湿不影响它们的存活。在同样温度下,湿度≥9%时,滞育蛹在一个月内都极少死亡;在此期间,滞育终止率随湿度降低而升高。各湿度处理组发育蛹和滞育蛹从1日龄起的累计失水率都与其日龄呈线性相关。三个低湿处理组发育蛹中死亡个体在死亡前的平均累计失水率都在32%以上。滞育蛹经0%湿度处理一个月,平均仅失水22.4%;在湿度≥90%时的同期失水率不超过3.6%。在30℃下,发育蛹在4 h内测定的表皮渗透力最大,分别是9.0(♀)和10.7(♂) μg/(cm²·h·mm Hg); 滞育蛹的相应值出现在2 h内, 分别为 4.7(♀)和5.4(♂) μg/(cm²·h·mm Hg)。     

STUDIES ON BIONOMICS OF LIPOSCELIS ENTOMOPHILA (PSOCOPTERA:LIPOSCELIDIDAE) INFESTING STORED PRODUCTS*

Abstract This paper deals with the biological characteristics of the psocid Liposcelis entomophila (Enderlein) on a diet composed of whole wheat flour and yeast (10: 1) under different temperatures (17.5–35C) and relative humidities (50%-90% RH). The results showed that at 75% RH development time from egg to adult varied from 71. 9 d at 20% to 21.7 d at 35C. At 28C it varied from 23.0 d at 90% RH to 34.4 d at 60% RH. The development threshold and the effective accumulated temperature for entire immature stages were estimated at 15. 7C and 460. 7 day-degree, respectively. The survival rate from egg to adult was 64. 5% at 27. 5C while at 20C and 35C it was only 32.1% and 37. 0%, respectively. At 28C the survival rate ranged from 31. 2% at 60% RH to 67.8% at 80% RH. L. entomophila could not survive at any humidity at 17. 5C and below 50% RH. The average longevity of adult ranged from 32.4 d at 35C and 64.4 d at 20C. At 75% RH the mean egg production varied from 27.1 at 27. 5 C and 13. 9 at 20C and the greatest fecundity occurred at 90% RH with 28C. The optimal ranges of temperature and humidity for L. entomophila population growth were 27. 5–30C and 80%—90% RH. The distribution and the reason for its serious infestation in China are discussed.     

Effects of relative humidity on cocoon formation and survival in the braconid wasp Cotesia glomerata

Abstract The effects of relative humidity (RH) on cocoon formation and survival in the braconid parasitoid wasp Cotesia glomerata (L.) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) are investigated under various humidity conditions (50, 75, 90, 95 and 100% RH) at 20 °C and under an LD 16 : 8 h photoperiod. The mortality rate at the time of egression from hosts under 100% RH is significantly higher than for other RHs. Cocoon clusters formed at 100% RH spread significantly more than those formed at 50, 75, or 90% RH. Developmental periods differ significantly among RHs under which wasps developed. The mean period from the egression from hosts to adult emergence is 8.7 days when developed at 50–95% RHs, and 8.0 days at 100% RH. The emergence rates of C. glomerata that are maintained under the same humidity conditions after egression from hosts are not significantly different among RHs. However, emergence rates from cocoons that are transferred from 100% RH to 50 and 75% RH are < 70%, although the rates are > 90% in most cases. Some wasps do not emerge from cocoons: more than 60% die after adult eclosion at all RHs; the relative frequency of adult deaths is approximately 90% at 50% RH. Relative humidity influences the cluster and cocoon status strongly: both good clusters and cocoons are formed at low RHs. Emergence rates from cocoons of different ranks are significantly different: the rates of low‐rank cocoons are low at low RHs. The survival of C. glomerata is affected strongly by RH through cocoon formation.     

Effect of storage time and temperature and the variation among replicate tests (on different days) on the performance of spore disks and strips.

Laboratory-prepared spore disks were stored for 96 weeks at 22 degrees C with 50% relative humidity (RH) and at 4 degrees C with less than 1% RH. At the same time commercial spore strips were stored for 64 weeks at 22 degrees C with 50% RH. The spore count per unit and the heat resistance were measured at the beginning of the experiment and after 16, 32, 48, 64, 80, and 96 weeks of storage. The laboratory-prepared spore disks stored at 4 degrees C with less than 1% RH showed less change in numbers of spores per disks and decrease in the survival time than did the disks stored at 22 degrees C with 50% RH. Both the laboratory-prepared spore disks and the commercial spore strips stored at 22 degrees C with 50% RH decreased in survival times with increased storage time. The relative change in the survival times with storage was less for the commercial spore strips than for the laboratory-prepared spore disks.     

飞虱虫疠霉分生孢子在不同温湿度组合条件下的存活率*

用荧光染色法研究了不同温度（１０～３０℃）和湿度（５１～１００％ＲＨ）组合条件下飞虱虫疠 霉 Ｐａｎｄｏｒａ ｄｅｌｐｈａｃｉｓ分生孢子的存活率。在无放回抽样观察中,孢子弹射后第２４ ｈ的存活 率在５１％、７４％、８５％、９０％、９５％和１００％ＲＨ与不同温度的组合中分别为４２～８１％、６９～８９％、７０～ ９５％、 ６７～１００％、 ７６～１００％和 ５６～１００％。存放４个月后,不同温度下的孢子存活率在 ５１％、 ７４％、 ８５％和 ９０％ＲＨ下分别为 ５５～７４％、 ５２～８７％、 ３８～７３％和 １～６５％。而在≥９５％ ＲＨ下孢子存活率 ２４ｈ 后锐减,至第７ ｄ几乎全部失活。以上结果表明,弹射后的飞虱虫疠霉孢子在头２４ ｈ的存活 易受低湿影响,但存活下来的孢子能继续在低湿下存活较久;饱和或接近饱和的高湿度最不 利孢子长久存活。