Histological and ultrastructural investigation of the female reproductive system of Argulus bengalensis Ramakrishna, 1951 (Crustacea: Branchiura)

In order to understand branchiuran reproductive biology, it is imperative to know the sites of oogenesis and oocyte maturation, locate the accessory reproductive glands, and identify the fertilization site with the present knowledge of the sperm transfer mechanism of the genus Argulus. With these objectives, we attempted to describe the female reproductive system of Argulus bengalensis using serial histological sections through the ovaries and associated ducts in the transverse, longitudinal, and sagittal planes. The reproductive organs include a median ovary, one pair of ovarian lumina, a median oviduct, and a pair of collateral accessory glands. A duct from each of the collateral accessory glands leads into the proximal part of the median oviduct, which opens to the exterior through a genital opening at the distal end. The glandular secretion presumably contributes to the jelly coat of the egg. The ovary is bound with a tunica propria which extends further diametrically inside the ovary forming the paired lumina. The lumina are confluent into the median oviduct. Two distinct areas, the germarium and differentiating zones, are clearly distinguishable within the ovary. The tunica propria itself houses the oogonia within a matrix, serving as the germarium. Transmission electron micrograph reveals that the matrix is made of collagen. The collagen matrix confers elasticity to the tunica propria to accommodate the postvitellogenic oocytes within the ovarian lumen. The differentiating zone is situated in between the germarium: dorsally it is covered with a chromatophore layer. The ovary is ensheathed by a circum ovarian striated muscle. The presence of spermatophores in the ovarian lumen indicates the fertilization site. J. Morphol. 277:707–716, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Reproductive biology of the prawn Melicertus kerathurus (Decapoda: Penaeidae) in Thermaikos Gulf (N. Aegean Sea)

The reproductive biology including insemination frequency, ovarian maturation, gonadosomatic index (GSI), size at first maturity, and fecundity of Melicertus kerathurus were investigated using monthly samples from Thermaikos Gulf. Insemination was recorded by the presence of a spermatophore in the thelycum, and ovarian development was based on macroscopic ovarian staging (ST1–ST5). Inseminated females were found throughout the year with high percentages recorded from April to July. Although all ovarian stages were represented in mated females, insemination increased with size and ovarian maturation. High percentages of vitellogenic or mature ovarian stages were observed from May to July, while immature and developing ovaries were predominant mainly in winter. Spawned ovaries occurred from May to October. Carapace length at first maturity based on the presence of a spermatophore (CL_50sp) was estimated at 39.20 mm, while that based on the presence of vitellogenic and mature ovaries (CL_50ov) at 40.70 mm. The seasonal peak in the proportion of mature females (ST4) varied with size. Inseminated females at ST4 and GSI peaked in June–July. GSI varied in relation to insemination status and ovarian stage. In large females (>50 mm CL), the decline in mature ovaries and GSI increment with size indicates a relative reduction in the reproductive output. The number of oocytes ranged from 62,742 to 602,947 (mean ± SD: 268,000 ± 113,000). As the prawns are targeted during the spawning season, mainly by the artisanal fishery, and female size at first maturity is selected by artisanal net size, managerial measures toward artisanal fishery should be implemented.     

Biology and damage traits of emerald ash borer planipennis Fairmaire）in China

Emerald ash borer （Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire） （Coleoptera： Buprestidae） is a major stem borer of ash （Fraxinus spp.）. It is univoltine in Tianjin, while it is semivoltine in Heilongjiang Province, and both univoltine and semivoltine in Changchun, Jilin Province, where the majority is univoltine. The longevity of emerald ash borer adults is 17.2 ± 4.6 days （n = 45）, eggs 9.0 5：1.1 days （n = 103）, univoltine larvae 308 days, semivoltine larvae 673 days, and pupae 61.2 ± 1.6 days （n = 45）. It takes about 100 days from the time larvae bore into the phloem to when they complete the pupal cell. In a 10-year-old velvet ash （Fraxinus velutina Tort.） plantation in Tianjin, emerald ash borer preferred to oviposit on the regions of boles from 50-150 cm above ground, accounting for 76.7% of the total girdling. Girdling on the south side of the tree boles accounted for 43.40% of the total girdling. The emerald ash borer population density is higher at the edge of the plantation compared with the center.     

Reproductive biology of the crab Halicarcinus planatus (Brachyura, Hymenosomatidae) in sub-Antarctic waters

Halicarcinus planatus is the only member of the family Hymenosomatidae that occurs in the southern tip of South America. The aim of this study is to determine both the reproductive cycle and reproductive traits of the population of H. planatus nearest to southern limit of its geographical distribution. Results of this work allow us to determine two consecutive reproductive periods in this species. Maximum values of gonadosomatic index, oocyte diameter and ovarian development in March and August indicate that spawning takes place in May and September. The simultaneous ovarian maturity and the embryonic development show that female H. planatus can re-mature its ovary. The capability of H. planatus to develop their ovaries while females are ovigerous is a unique feature among the sub-Antarctic decapods and probably an adaptative advantage to extreme environments. Based on the different biological features and recent environmental changes along the Western Antarctic Peninsula, our hypothesis is that H. planatus possesses the potential to invade shallow waters and intertidal zones in this region.     

番茄潜叶蛾卵黄原蛋白受体基因TaVgR在生殖发育调控中的作用

【目的】本研究旨在明确卵黄原蛋白受体(vitellogenin receptor, VgR)在番茄潜叶蛾Tutaabsoluta生殖发育过程中的功能,为潜叶类害虫的绿色防控提供候选靶标。【方法】基于番茄潜叶蛾转录组数据,采用RT-PCR扩增TaVgR基因cDNA全序列,并进行生物信息分析;通过RT-qPCR分析TaVgR在番茄潜叶蛾不同发育阶段(1-4龄幼虫、1-7日龄雌蛹和雌成虫)和雌成虫不同组织(头、体壁、前肠、中肠、后肠、卵巢、脂肪体和马氏管)中的表达模式;进一步利用RNAi抑制番茄潜叶蛾雌蛹体内TaVgR的表达,并观测沉默TaVgR基因后番茄潜叶蛾卵巢发育及繁殖力的变化。【结果】克隆获得番茄潜叶蛾TaVgRcDNA(GenBank登录号: MZ682118)序列,其开放阅读框序列长5 496 bp,编码1 831个氨基酸,推测的蛋白分子量约为206 kD,等电点为5.17,信号肽包含N-端前18个氨基酸残基,并具有典型LDLR家族蛋白保守功能域。RT-qPCR结果显示,TaVgR转录水平随着番茄潜叶蛾龄期的增加逐渐上升,雌成虫羽化后达到最高水平;TaVgR在番茄潜叶蛾雌成虫的卵巢中表达量最高。TaVgR RNAi对初期雌蛹中TaVgR的表达抑制率为62.04%~72.55%,导致卵黄蛋白在卵巢中的沉积受阻,卵巢管和卵粒长度缩短,成虫10日单雌总产卵量及后代卵孵化率降低,最终引起番茄潜叶蛾繁殖力下降。【结论】TaVgR基因在番茄潜叶蛾雌成虫和卵巢中高表达,且沉默该基因严重阻碍其卵巢发育和降低繁殖力。本研究为开发以VgR基因作为靶标的鳞翅目害虫防治新技术奠定了理论基础。     

Ontogenesis of the ovary in a moth midge,Tinearia alternata Say (Diptera: Psychodidae)

In a psychodid, Tinearia alternata, the initial differentiation of the polytrophic ovary occurs during the early larval stages. Early in development, each ovary anlage is a solid organ subdivided into three distinct zones: the cortex houses germ cells and somatic interstitial tissue, while two other somatic regions will give rise to the oviduct calyx and anterior part of the lateral oviduct. Germ cell cluster formation precedes the development of ovarioles. Each ovariole houses only one functional egg chamber. All ovarioles within paired ovaries are developmentally synchronized. In the larval ovaries, the newly formed egg chambers and then the ovarioles are intermingeled with and surrounded by the somatic interstitial tissue of the ovary cortex. The interstitial cells give rise to all the somatic elements of the ovarioles. In the pupal ovaries, the remaining interstitial tissue degenerates; thus, the ovarioles protrude into the body cavity. The ovaries in psychodids develop relatively large and swollen oviduct calyxes that are equivalent to receptaculum seminis (spermatheca). The morphological differentiation of germ cells within the egg chambers starts during late larval/early pupal stages. Nurse cell nuclei contain prominent nucleoli and polytene chromosomes. Oocyte growth results from accumulation of yolk and then, in the final stages of oogenesis, from an inflow of cytoplasm from the nurse cells. J. Morphol. 236:167–177, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

The influence of group size on ovarian development in adult and neotenic reproductives of the termite Zootermopsis angusticollis (Hagen) (Hodotermitidae)

Termite imagines of Zootermopsis angusticollis (Hagen), while still in the colony as winged individuals, do not show ovary development, although vitellogenin is present in the blood at low levels. When removed from the colony, artificially dealated, and paired, vitellogenin levels rise: subsequently ovaries develop resulting in oviposition approximately 15–16 days after removal from the colony. Imagines removed from the colony, dealated and held together in a heterosexual group, however, show little or no ovary development after 25 days, although vitellogenin is present in the haemolymph in low levels. Newly developed neotenic reproductives, on the other hand, removed from the colonly 1–2 days after the neotenic moult, and isolated in heterosexual pairs for 60 days, had ovaries which did not become larger than 0.02 mm³, and no eggs were laid. This is in contrast to the normal ovary development of neotenic reproductives produced in groups of larvae, as described earlier. Vitellogenin levels in isolated pairs of neotenics were low until 25 days after isolation, while vitellogenin levels increased 7–9 days after the moult in female neotenics kept in a colony with larvae. The results of this study on ovarian development and vitellogenesis in neotenic and adult reproductives reflect the normal biology of the two reproductive types where the latter leave the colony to found new colonies, while neotenics become sexually mature within the colony in which they developed.     

柑桔爆皮虫卵巢发育动态

本研究利用室内饲养成虫,对柑桔爆皮虫的蛹及正常取食和交配、正常取食但未交配以及正常交配但未取食三种处理的雌成虫的卵巢发育进行了系统观察。结果显示：该虫具有1对卵巢,每侧有5根卵巢管。前两种处理的雌虫卵巢管均能正常发育,成虫寿命在30天左右; 没有取食的雌虫寿命只有7天左右,在其卵巢管的生长区和成熟区均无卵形成。根据卵巢的形状、卵的产生过程、卵巢萼内有无卵粒以及卵黄沉积情况等将卵巢发育程度分为6个级别,即发育初期（0级）、卵黄沉积前期(Ⅰ级)、卵黄沉积期(Ⅱ级)、成熟待产期(Ⅲ级)、产卵盛期(Ⅳ级)和产卵末期(Ⅴ级)。每头雌虫最高怀卵量在140粒左右,根据雌虫怀卵量变化趋势,推测正常取食和交配的柑桔爆皮虫雌虫在出孔后10天左右开始产卵,产卵历期可达22天左右。据此提出该虫卵巢管发育到成熟待产期(Ⅲ级)之前（即羽化出孔后10天之内）为出孔成虫的防治适期。     

Consequences of diapause on post‐diapause development,reproductive physiology and population growth of Chilo partellus (Swinhoe)

We investigate the effects of diapause on post‐diapause development, reproductive physiology and population growth of Chilo partellus (Swinhoe) (Crambidae: Lepidoptera). Aestivating and hibernating larvae of C. partellus are exposed to diapause terminating conditions (consisting of an LD 12 : 12 h photocycle at 27 ± 1 °C and 65 ± 5% relative humidity with a fresh diet) to terminate the diapause and observations are made on percentage pupation, pupal duration and weight, adult reproductive performance and population growth parameters. We find that the diapause in C. partellus significantly reduces the percentage pupation and weights of pupae, ultimately lowering the weight and reproductive performance of adults. Reduced weights of adult females are found to be directly associated with a lower number of egg cells in ovaries. Nevertheless, the reproductive performance of C. partellus males is also found to be greatly affected in the diapause (hibernation and aestivation) experiencing population in terms of the deposition of a lower number of spermatophores and eupyrene sperm in the reproductive tracts of females compared with the nondiapausing population. The results of the present study clearly indicate that a reduction in longevity, fecundity and egg viability, as well as a reduced rate of deposition of spermatophores and eupyrene sperm, in a diapause experiencing population of C. partellus ultimately leads to a reduction in population growth parameters, thus having implications for bio‐ecology and population dynamics under a changing climatic scenario.     

霍氏啮小蜂的卵巢发育和卵子发生

霍氏啮小蜂是一些鳞翅目和双翅目昆虫蛹的寄生蜂。本文描述该寄生蜂从亚洲玉米螟羽化后0,6 12,18,24,30,36,42,48,54,60,66和72 h的卵巢发育和卵子发生过程。霍氏啮小蜂雌性生殖系统为典型的膜翅目姬小蜂类型,包括2个卵巢,每个卵巢通常有8-9根卵巢管,另有1对输卵管附腺,1个受精囊和1个受精囊腺等。卵黄和卵子形成于羽化后12 h,刚羽化的雌蜂不含成熟卵(成熟卵指数OI=0),成熟卵出现在羽化后24 h,成熟卵数量随后不断增加至数量较为稳定。卵巢管内卵数与雌蜂的体长和头宽呈正相关,相关系数分别为0.859和0.907。研究结果表明霍氏啮小蜂属卵育型(synovigeny)寄生蜂,本文还讨论了卵育型霍氏啮小蜂的卵成熟策略。     

Hormonal control of ovarian development in the silkworm,Bombyx mori

Hormonal control of ovarian development was examined in Bombyx mori. The weight of the ovary increased suddenly by 3 days after pupal ecdysis, and vitellogenin could be immunologically detected in the ovary at that time. The ecdysteroid titers during pupal-adult development, quantified by radioimmunoassay, increased from day 0 to day 2. Ovarian development was arrested for a long period in brainless pupae and isolated pupal abdomens. Injection of 20-hydroxyecdysone into such preparations stimulated development of the ovaries, and vitellogenin could be detected in ovaries 2 days after injection. The results suggest that 20-hydroxyecdysone acts by stimulating the growth of ovary.     

The ovarian maturation cycle of the Norway lobster Nephrops norvegicus (Linnaeus, 1758) (Crustacea,Decapoda) from the western Mediterranean Sea

Summary

The Norway lobster Nephrops norvegicus lives in the continental margins of the western Mediterranean Sea at depths between 100 and 600 m. It constitutes an important fisheries resource and presents a seasonal reproductive pattern. Female Norway lobsters were obtained each month from a vessel fishing off Barcelona. One hundred females caught in June 2002 were kept in the laboratory. After spawning, ovarian samples were taken every 30 days with the objective of monitoring the first steps in ovarian maturation. The gonado-somatic index (GSI) remained low over the 6 months during which the females carried their eggs, plus for a further 2–3 months. However, this study suggests that ovarian maturation is a continuous process with two different phases, taking at least 6–8 months during which the female carries its eggs. There is an increase in oocyte numbers; the germinal zone produces oogonia; and the oocytes that develop migrate to the periphery, pushing the post-ovulatory follicles to the wall of the ovary and reinforcing it for subsequent spawning. Besides this increase in the number of oocytes, vitellogenesis begins 2–3 months after the eggs hatch. Oocytes then grow and the ovaries gain weight and change from a cream color to a blackish-green. When the GSI reached 10, spawning occurred and, from then on, the ovary is mainly composed of post-ovulatory follicles.     

Anatomy of the ovaries of the starfish Asterias rubens (Echinodermata)

Summary The ovaries of the starfish Asterias rubens were studied histologically and ultrastructurally. The reproductive system in female specimens consists of ten separate ovaries, two in each ray. Each ovary is made up of a rachis with lateral primary and secondary folds: the acini maiores and acini minores. The ovarian wall is composed of an outer and an inner part, separated by the genital coelomic sinus. The ovarian lumen contains oocytes in various phases of oogenesis, follicle cells, nurse cells, phagocytosing cells and steroid-synthesizing cells.Oogenesis is divided into four phases: (i) multiplication phase of oogonia, (ii) initial growth phase of oocytes I, (iii) growth phase proper of oocytes I, and (iv) post-growth phase of oocytes I. The granular endoplasmic reticulum and the Golgi complex of the oocytes appear to be involved in yolk formation, while the haemal system, haemal fluid and nurse cells may also be important for vitellogenesis. The haemal system is discussed as most likely being involved in synchronizing the development of the ovaries during the annual reproductive cycle and in inducing, stimulating and regulating the function of the ovaries.Steroid-synthesizing cells are present during vitellogenesis; a correlation between the presence of these cells and vitellogenesis is discussed.     

Discontinuous gas exchange patterns of beet armyworm pupae, Spodoptera exigua (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae): effects of Bacillus thuringiensis Cry1C toxin, pupal age and temperature

Abstract. Changes in the discontinuous gas exchange cycle of pupal beet armyworm, Spodoptera exigua (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), exposed or not to Cry1C Bacillus thuringiensis toxin, are examined against developmental age (1–7 days) and at different temperatures (10–25 °C) using flow through respirometry. Both exposed and nonexposed pupae exhibit discontinuous gas exchange, but only at 10 °C; the frequency of cyclic release of CO₂ increases with increasing temperatures. The three phases of the discontinuous gas exchange cycle are distinct for both treatment groups. However, the duration of each phase is significantly greater for pupae exposed previously to toxin. The closed phase is 40 ± 14% longer, the flutter phase 23 ± 19% longer, and the open phase is 28 ± 12% longer when pupae were exposed to toxin. Respiratory water loss is 4.5 ± 1.3% for toxin exposed pupae and 2.1 ± 2.4% for unexposed pupae. Furthermore, the exposed pupae have significantly greater cuticular permeability (26.01 ± 1.9 µg cm⁻² h⁻¹ mmHg⁻¹) than the nonexposed pupae (9.64 ± 0.9 µg cm⁻² h⁻¹ mmHg⁻¹). However, in both strains, cuticular transpiration (>93%) far exceeds respiratory transpiration. Overall, total water loss is significantly greater in pupae whose larvae are exposed to toxin compared with pupae from nontreated larvae. Toxin exposed pupae have a mean cycle duration of 60 ± 2.5 min whereas that of nonexposed pupae is 42 ± 1.8 min.(ml g⁻¹ h⁻¹) of the open phase is greater earlier in pupal life followed by a minimum at mid-pupal stage and an increase at late-pupal development in both treatment groups. Combining all 7 days, closed, flutter and open phase (ml g⁻¹ h⁻¹), pupae exposed to toxin produce significantly more CO₂ during each phase. On average, toxin exposed pupae produce 52 ± 12, 43 ± 10 and 15 ± 37% more CO₂ than the untreated pupae during the closed, flutter and open phases, respectively. Therefore, the present study reinforces the need to use insects of similar developmental age in studies of insect respiration patterns and energy metabolism.     

Influence of larval rearing temperature on the quality of cold‐stored Oomyzus sokolowskii Kurdjumov (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae)

Oomyzus sokolowskii, an important parasitoid of Plutella xylostella, has great potential for use in biological control. Storage at suboptimal temperature is valuable for increasing the shelf‐life of insect parasitoids. In this study, O. sokolowskii larvae were reared at 30/25, 25/25 and 25/20°C light/dark (65 ± 5% RH, 16 : 8 h L : D) until pupation. The pupae were then cold‐stored at 4 ± 1°C (60 ± 5% RH, full darkness). The pupae were removed out from the storage at 10, 20, 30 and 40 days after storage (DAS) and maintained at 25 ± 2°C until adults emerged or pupae died. Quality of the emerging adults and their F₁ offspring were assessed. Incidence of parasitism by O. sokolowskii was higher at 30/25°C than at 25/20°C. Cold storage of O. sokolowskii pupae greatly affected the fitness of the parasitoid: adult emergence rates were lower in the 40 DAS treatment than in other treatments; when O. sokolowskii larvae developed at 25/25°C, female proportions of the emerged adults were lower in the 40 DAS treatment than in the 0 and 10 DAS treatments. Larval rearing temperature mildly affected the adult emergence rate, post‐storage developmental time and female proportion with a few exceptions. Number of parasitoids emerged per host pupa, and incidence of parasitism by the females were neither affected by larval rearing temperature nor cold storage duration. Trans‐generational effects on F₁ offspring were evident in adult emergence rate, egg‐adult developmental time and female proportion which were negatively affected by long duration of storage (40 days), but not by larval rearing temperature with a few exceptions. In conclusion, O. sokolowskii pupae could be stored at 4°C for up to 30 days without significant fitness loss.     

Female reproductive biology of Platygaster diplosisae (Hymenoptera: Platygastridae) and Aprostocetus procerae (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae), two parasitoids associated with the African Rice Gall Midge, Orseolia oryzivora (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae)

We investigated the female reproductive system of Platygaster diplosisae (Hymenoptera: Platygastridae) and Aprostocetus procerae (= Tetrastichus pachydiplosisae) (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae), two parasitoids associated with the African rice gall midge, Orseolia oryzivora (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae). Both optical and electron microscopy were used. The female reproductive system of P. diplosisae includes two large ovaries of the meristic polytrophic‐type, each composed of several tens of ovarioles. The system includes also a venomous gland that extends to a common oviduct. This gland had a filiform secretory portion, in which the epithelium was thin and surrounded a common evacuation canal. The secretory cells secrete into a large reservoir. Parasitism due to P. diplosisae is gregarious. The female reproductive system of A. procerae includes two ovaries of the meristic polytrophic‐type, and each ovary has a few ovarioles. Each ovariole includes one or two oocytes, which can be seen in the vitellarium. Two accessory glands, which extend to the oviduct, are also visible. The secretory epithelium of the accessory gland is made up of a dense network of secretory cells surrounded by muscle fibers. Females of A. procerae pierce the tissues of the gall and probably deposit one egg on or close to the pupa of the midge. Aprostocetus procerae is a solitary parasitoid of the midge. The two parasitoids exploit the same host at different developmental stages. These findings improve our knowledge of the reproductive biology of these two parasitoids associated with the African rice gall midge, an important pest in Africa.     

Re-evaluation of reproductive cycle and fecundity of finetooth sharks Carcharhinus isodon (Valenciennes 1839) from the Northwest Atlantic Ocean,with new observations on ovarian cycle and reproductive endocrinology of biennially reproducing sharks

To provide updated information on life history for improved fishery management, the reproductive cycle of the finetooth shark Carcharhinus isodon from Northwest Atlantic (NWA) populations was investigated by examining temporal changes in morphology and histology of reproductive organs. Changes in plasma concentrations of gonadal sex hormones in relation to reproductive stage were also examined. Increases in testis width, epididymis head width, plasma testosterone concentrations and occurrence of mature spermatozoa were observed in male sharks between December and April, suggesting a seasonal pattern in reproduction that culminates with copulatory activity in May. Increases in maximum follicular diameter, oviducal gland width, plasma 17β-estradiol concentrations and occurrence of vitellogenic follicles were observed in non-pregnant female sharks during the same time period along with the occurrence of newly pregnant females in May, demonstrating strong synchronicity between male and female reproductive cycles. Pregnant females bearing full-term embryos were also observed in May, indicating that parturition occurs between mid-May and early June and gestation requires 12 months. Only transient temporal changes in follicle size and oviducal gland width were observed in pregnant females, indicating that reproductive periodicity is biennial; nonetheless, a single female exhibiting signs of concurrent vitellogenesis and pregnancy was observed. Mean brood size ± S.D. was 3.9 ± 0.9 offspring/female. Fecundity was not significantly correlated with female size, in part due to an unexpectedly high rate of early embryo mortality, which occurred in 11% of pregnant females, and was more common in larger individuals. Changes in ovarian activity during mid-pregnancy were observed, suggesting possible roles for the ovary in regulating some aspects of early to mid-gestation. This study confirms that earlier characterizations of the reproductive cycle and fecundity in NWA finetooth sharks remain valid for use in fishery management. This study also highlights unusual features of finetooth shark pregnancy (e.g., early embryo death, mid-pregnancy changes in ovarian function) that may have broader relevance to understanding elasmobranch reproduction.     

Maturity, reproductive cycle and fecundity of common torpedo, Torpedo torpedo (Chondrichthyes, Torpedinidae) from the Lagoon of Bizerte (Northeastern Tunisia, central Mediterranean)

Common torpedo Torpedo torpedo (Linnaeus, 1758) is widely distributed in the Mediterranean Sea, especially in southern and northern regions. The species is known throughout the Tunisian coast and entered brackish areas, such as the northeastern Lagoon of Bizerte, where it is commonly captured. Investigations conducted in this latter area showed that males and females sexually matured between 234–285 mm and 245–280 mm total length (TL), respectively. The largest male and female were 403 mm and 435 mm TL, respectively and weighed 721.5 and 1273.5 g, respectively. There was a not significant relationship total mass versus TL between males and females. Conversely, the relationship of liver mass versus TL significantly differed between sexes. The diameter of the largest yolky oocytes ranged between 43 and 47 mm (mean 45.08 ± 0.98)}, while the mass ranged between 29.5 and 37.4 g (mean 31.79 ± 2.20). Near term embryos ranged from 19.34 to 31.28 mm TL (mean: 24.60 ± 4.12) and weighed from 3.9 to 9.0 g (mean 5.97 ± 1.41). Ovarian fecundity ranged from 4 to 36 (mean = 11.60 ± 5.96). Uterine fecundity or litter size ranged from 3 to 13 (mean = 6.36 ± 2.67). Both fecundities showed a positive relationship with TL of females. A chemical balance of development based on mean dry masses of yolky oocytes and near-term embryos was 0.75 and suggested that T. torpedo could be considered as a pure lecithotrophic species. Hepatosomatic index (HSI) and gonadosomatic index (GSI) calculated for females presented significant higher values than those of males. HSI values of males significantly differed differences between juveniles, sub-adults and adults, and in females, HSI values were not significantly different between juveniles and sub-adults and significantly different between sub-adults and adults. The values of male GSI increased with TL of specimens; additionally, they showed significant differences between juveniles and subadults, but not between sub-adults and adults. Monthly mean values of adult male and female HSI significantly varied throughout the year. Monthly mean of females GSI showed significant changes especially from January to April, due to a high vitellogenic activity, GSI decreased from May to August, during this period all yolky oocytes were ovulated, then GSI increased progressively from September. The reproductive cycle lasted one year approximately and gestation period 4 months, while near-term females were captured in August. Vitellogenesis did not proceed in parallel with embryonic development: during ovarian vitellogenic activity, the uteri were empty and in an appearent resting phase, conversely during gestation, the ovaries did not exhibit an appearent activity, by contrast other specimens exhibited a vitellogenic activity during gestation. With special regard to the latter case, it remains difficult to state if these small yolky oocytes were not ovulated, or if they were new oocytes produced immediately after ovulation, both hypothesis remaining suitable.     

我国大陆红火蚁不同等级和虫态过冷却点的测定

了解我国红火蚁Solenopsis invicta Buren的耐低温能力并为其风险分析提供科学依据,本文对采自我国4个地点红火蚁蚁群中不同等级和虫态的过冷却点,以及不同季节和室内不同饥饿程度的工蚁过冷却点进行了测定。结果表明：蚁群中不同等级和虫态的过冷却点差异显著。工蚁成虫的过冷却点（－11.8±0.4℃）显著低于有翅雌蚁（－8.1±0.6℃）及蚁后（－7.9±0.5℃）,工蚁蛹和幼虫的过冷却点分别为－13.6±0.3℃和－12.1±0.4℃,蚁后蛹和幼虫的分别为－13.3±0.3℃和－12.2±0.3℃。工蚁蛹的过冷却点均显著低于其成虫和幼虫。蚁后蛹与其幼虫的过冷却点没有显著差异,但与其成虫的差异显著。同一未成熟期不同等级之间的也没有显著差异;不同季节的工蚁过冷却点有显著差异,其中以春季的最高（－4.3±0.2℃）,夏季（－6.6±0.2℃）、秋季（－9.4±0.1℃）的次之,冬季的（－12.0±0.3℃）最低;深圳、珠海、广州和陆川4个地理种群的工蚁过冷却点在春、秋和冬季无显著差异,但夏季陆川种群的过冷却点显著低于其他3个种群的（P<0.05）。饥饿可使工蚁的过冷却点明显升高,但大工蚁的过冷却点较小工蚁升高的幅度更大,饥饿15 d后的大工蚁比饥饿前的过冷却点升高了7.0℃,而小工蚁仅升高了4.9℃。这些结果为评价红火蚁在我国潜在的传播风险提供了理论依据。     

Suitability of Aphis craccivora (Hemiptera: Aphididae) and Bemisia tabaci (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) biotype-B as prey for Chrysopa pallens (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae)

The suitability of Aphis craccivora Koch (Hemiptera: Aphididae) and Bemisia tabaci Gennadius (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) biotype-B eggs and nymphs as prey for pre-imaginal development and survival, adult longevity, and fecundity of the lacewing, Chrysopa pallens (Rambur) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) was evaluated under laboratory conditions at 25±1°C, 50±10% RH and a photoperiod of 16 h L:8 h D. Survival of C. pallens from first instar to adult eclosion was significantly different between the larvae that fed on the two prey species. C. pallens fed on A. craccivora completed development from egg to adult emergence, but those fed on eggs and nymphs of B. tabaci could not complete development, resulting in abnormal pupae and no normal adults emerged. The net reproductive rate (R ₀), intrinsic rate of natural population increase (r _m ), finite rate of increase (λ), mean generation time (T), index of population trend (I), doubling time (DT), and gross reproductive of rate (GRR) of C. pallens that fed on A. craccivora were 201.9 eggs per female, 0.13/d, 1.1/d, 40.1 d, 68.5, 5.2 d, 203.1 eggs per female, respectively. These results could be useful for mass-rearing of C. pallens and for understanding its population dynamics in the field in relation to the availability of different prey species.