Ants as egg predators of Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in Australian cotton crops

Abstract Helicoverpa armigera is a major pest of Australian cotton crops. To assess the impact of ant predation on H. armigera populations, the behaviour of four common ant taxa was observed in cotton crops in northern New South Wales over the 1999−2000 and 2001−02 seasons. Areas of cotton were artificially stocked with H. armigera eggs prior to observation. Pheidole spp. were the most frequently observed ants within the crop canopy in 1999−2000 and took the most H. armigera eggs. Iridomyrmex spp. were more frequently observed than Pheidole spp. in 2001−02 and also took some H. armigera eggs. Neither Paratrechina spp. nor Rhytidoponera metallica (Smith) took any H. armigera eggs, although both were seen in the crop canopy. Irrigation, cultivation and insecticide application disrupted foraging ants and limited their impact on H. armigera populations.     

Relationship between oviposition preference and offspring performance in Australian Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Abstract We investigated the oviposition preference and larval performance of Helicoverpa armigera under laboratory conditions to determine if the oviposition preference of individual females on maize, cowpea and cotton correlates with offspring performance on the leaves of the same host plants. The host-plant preference hierarchy of females did not correlate with their offspring performance. Female moths chose host plants that contributed less to their offspring fitness. Plant effects accounted for the largest amount of variation in offspring performance, while the effects of female (family) was low. The offspring of most females (80%, n  = 10) were broadly similar, but 20% (two out of 10), showed marked difference in their offspring performance across the host-plant species. Similarly, there was no relation between larval feeding preference and performance. However, like most laboratory experiments, our experi-mental design does not allow the evaluation of ecological factors (for example, natural enemies, host abundance, etc.) that can play an important role in larval performance in the field. Overall, the results highlight the importance of carrying out preference performance analysis on the individual or family level, rather than pooling individuals to obtain average population data.     

Possible effect of genetically modified cotton on foraging habits of early instar Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) larvae

Abstract  We estimated survival and final location of neonate Helicoverpa armigera after 72 h on both genetically modified (GM) and conventional cotton at the squaring stage. On average, about 2.5% out of a total of 1620 initial larvae survived on two gene GM cotton (CS × 450, 289BGII®) compared with 39.5% out of a total of 810 initial larvae on Sicot 189, a conventional cotton variety. A disproportionate number of larvae were collected on squares of GM cotton, assuming they behave the same way on GM plants as on conventional plants but suffer higher rates of mortality. Our results imply that the behaviour of neonates on GM plants in terms of finding squares (and/or better survival on squares) may be contributing to the continued pest status of Helicoverpa on GM cotton from time to time. Experiments to determine if selection for changed behaviour in the field has or is occurring are urgently required.     

Arthropod Natural Enemies of Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in India

Helicoverpa armigera Hubner Lepidoptera: Noctuidae is one of the most serious insect pests in the Old World. In India, it causes substantial losses to legume, fibre, cereal oilseed and vegetable crops. This paper reviews the literature on the biology, ecology, efficacy, rearing and augmentation of endemic parasitoids and predators, as well as exotic parasitoids introduced and released in India. It also provides updated lists of H. armigera natural enemies native to India. In addition, reports of augmentative releases of Trichogramma spp., the most extensively studied natural enemy of H. armigera are summarized.     

Role of chemical cues from cotton in mediating host selection and oviposition behaviour in Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

We investigated the role of chemoreception in the host selection and oviposition behaviour of Helicoverpa armigera in the laboratory using five cotton genotypes and synthetic volatile terpenes. Female moths oviposited on substrates treated with methanol, ethanol, acetone and pentane extracts of leaves, squares and flowers of the cotton genotypes. Phytochemicals soluble in pentane were the most efficient in eliciting oviposition behaviour. In a two-way bioassay, pentane extracts of leaves or squares of a Multiple Host-plant Resistance genotype (MHR11), Deltapine commercial (DP90), and Smith Red Leaf (SRL) received significantly more eggs than solvent-treated controls. Extracts of squares of the native genotype Gossypium nelsonii did not receive more eggs. Females preferred DP90 and MHR11 to SRL and G. nelsonii. Female moths also laid more eggs on pentane extracts of MHR11 flowers than MHR11 leaves from preflowering, early flowering and peak-flowering plants. In a flight chamber, female moths used olfactory cues at short range to mediate oviposition and discrimination between host plants. Egg-laying, mated females were attracted at a distance (1.5 m) to volatile compounds released by whole plants and odours emanating from filter papers treated with synthetic volatile terpenes. Individually, the terpenes did not stimulate any significant oviposition response. However, there was a significant oviposition response to a mixture of equal volumes of the terpenes ( trans -β-caryophyllene, α-pinene, β-pinene, myrcene, β-bisabolol, and α-humulene). Conversely, antennectomised (moths with transected antennae), egg-laying, mated females did not stimulate any significant oviposition response. The significance of these findings in relation to H. armigera host-plant selection are discussed.     

棉铃虫围食膜肠粘蛋白基因HM72的克隆、表达及其蛋白组织定位

围食膜是昆虫中肠上皮细胞分泌形成一层特有的非细胞性半透膜, 肠粘蛋白是其重要的组成成分。本研究利用棉铃虫Helicoverpa armigera围食膜蛋白多克隆抗体免疫筛选棉铃虫中肠cDNA表达文库,共获得385个阳性克隆, 经DNA测序和序列对比, 确认其中之一为编码棉铃虫中肠围食膜肠粘蛋白的cDNA克隆HM72。序列分析显示,该cDNA全长为2 888 bp (GenBank登录号： HM017910), 其中ORF长2 469 bp, 编码823个氨基酸, 包含起始密码子ATG和终止密码子TAA,在poly A 末端上游19 bp处有一个多聚腺苷酸信号序列AATTAA。氨基酸序列分析表明, 其N-端含有16个氨基酸的信号肽, 预测分子量为84.2 kDa,等电点3.63,为酸性蛋白质。结构域分析表明,该蛋白具有5个几丁质结合功能域,一个粘蛋白结构域和两个甘氨酸-天冬氨酸富集区,该基因成功表达100 kDa的目的蛋白。Western blot分析表明,HM72蛋白存在于棉铃虫中肠、围食膜、粪便及蜕中,并由整个中肠分泌,而在棉铃虫脂肪体、体壁、马氏管、唾腺、消化液、血淋巴中没有检测到HM72蛋白。本研究为棉铃虫生物防治相关功能基因的深入研究以及完善昆虫围食膜理论等提供了依据。     

棉铃虫化学感受蛋白HarmCSP6二聚体的组织表达分析及气味结合特征

为了研究棉铃虫Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner)化学感受蛋白（chemosensory proteins, CSPs）在嗅觉识别过程中的功能, 本研究克隆并在原核细胞中表达了棉铃虫化学感受蛋白HarmCSP6, Western blot和快速液相色谱（fast protein liquid chromatography, FPLC）检测证实该HarmCSP6蛋白以二聚体的形式表达。实时荧光定量PCR检测发现HarmCSP6基因在雌雄虫触角中表达量很高, 在雌虫足及翅中也有一定程度的表达。该二聚体蛋白与22种气味分子的荧光竞争结合实验结果表明, 该蛋白与醛类及萜烯类等气味小分子具有较强的结合能力。通过研究该蛋白与小分子的结合, 筛选出合适的气味, 从而为开发棉铃虫引诱剂及驱避剂提供理论依据。