Effects of hydroprene on development and reproduction in the Oriental cockroach, Blatta orientalis

Nymphs of the Oriental cockroach Blatta orientalis were exposed during the penultimate and final instars to vinyl tiles treated with the juvenile hormone analogue hydroprene. Adults moulting from these nymphs exhibited deformities such as twisted wings in both sexes and modified genitalia in females. Females with deformities were unable to produce viable oothecae. B.orientalis confined on tiles treated with hydroprene at rates of 25-100 mg/m2 did not reproduce. The treatment rate of 10 mg/m2 reduced fecundity and caused 47-57% of resultant adults to have deformities, but some adults reproduced successfully and population growth was not suppressed.     

Effect of carbon dioxide on the Oriental cockroach Blatta orientalis

Exposure to high concentrations of carbon dioxide (CO2) killed adult and nymphal stages of the oriental cockroach Blatta orientalis L. (Dictyoptera: Blattidae) with LT50 values of 11.5-16.2 h for 60% CO2 in air and 5.7-7.1 h for 100% CO2 at 20 degrees C; corresponding LT50s at 28 degrees C were 2.8-4.6 h for 60% CO2 in air and 2.3-3.6 h for 100% CO2. Complete kill of mobile stages was obtained within 24 h using 60% CO2 at 20 degrees C. Survivors of treatments with 100% CO2 at 28 degrees C remained completely paralysed for up to 3 days post-treatment and took up to 5 days to regain normal movement, but adult females then resumed production of oothecae with no significant loss in fecundity. Oothecae 5 or 30 days after deposition required 60-84 h exposure to 60% CO2 at 20 degrees C to prevent emergence of nymphs but less time using 100% CO2 at 28 degrees C. At 28 degrees C, when adult females were treated with 100% CO2 and 52% r.h. for 6 h (giving 100% mortality) loss of weight was significantly greater than that following treatment with air at 52% r.h. for 6 h (giving no mortality). However, significantly greater weight loss also occurred when they were treated with dried air (< 10% r.h.) for 6 h, also with no mortality. The toxicity of CO2 to mobile stages of the oriental cockroach appeared to result from irreversible effects on the nervous system, rather than from water loss during exposure.     

Reproductive and developmental biology of the oriental cockroach Blatta orientalis (Dictyoptera)

At 27 degrees C and 45% r.h. in the laboratory, the oriental cockroach Blatta orientalis (L.) developed to adulthood in seven to nine instars for males (66% had eight instars) and eight to ten instars for females (67% had nine instars) in mixed groups, with up to twelve instars for isolated females. Nymphal development lasted 185 +/- 2 days for males, 216 +/- 4 days for females, with 89% survival to adulthood. Adult longevity was significantly more for males than females in mixed groups. Virgin females lived for 135 +/- 6 days compared with 87 +/- 9 days for females kept with males. After an initial maturation time of 12.2-13.5 +/- 0.4 days for mated and unmated females, oothecae were produced, on average, every 6-7 (range 2-29) days. Ootheca viability was 68% from females kept with males, 32% from females kept apart from males. Numbers of nymphs emerging were 14.1 +/- 0.26 after 45 days from mated female oothecae 8.2 +/- 0.3 after 49 days from unmated females. With sexual reproduction the sex ratio of progeny reaching adulthood was 1.1 males per female (n = 443), whereas unmated females produced only female progency, which is consistent with parthenogenetic reproduction. Drawings of the ventral aspect of the terminalia are given to show features useful for instar determination and for distinguishing between male and female nymphs and adults of B. orientalis.     

Distribution of Oriental and German cockroaches, Blatta orientalis and Blattella germanica (Dictyoptera), in the United Kingdom

Results are presented of a survey carried out by Rentokil Ltd on the distribution of the Oriental cockroach Blatta orientalis L. and the German cockroach Blattella germanica L. in the United Kingdom. The known ranges of both species are increased considerably by the findings of the survey, with several new vice-county records for Scotland (including the Western Isles), England and Wales. The frequency at which Blatta orientalis was observed in outdoor habitats may indicate that this species sometimes spreads to new areas without human assistance.     

The inhibition of milk synthesis by juvenile hormone in the viviparous cockroach, Diploptera punctata

The brood sac of the viviparous cockroach, Diploptera punctata, synthesizes a protein rich milk which nourishes developing embryos. Milk is first detected in the brood sac (by immunoelectrophoresis) when the embryos begin drinking and continues to increase in parallel with total protein of the brood sac. When embryos cease drinking, both total protein and milk decline in the brood sac. Premature decline in protein and milk content of the brood sac has been observed after treatment with juvenile hormone (from implanted active corpora allata) or a juvenile hormone analogue (ZR 512 applied topically). The fine structure of the brood sac 7 days after corpora allata implant is consistent with that of gland cells which are not actively synthesizing milk. The effect of ZR 512 is detected in decreased milk content of the brood sac after 24 hr of treatment.     

Effects of fenoxycarb on ovarian development, spring fecundity and longevity in winterform pear psylla

The insect growth regulator fenoxycarb prompts ovarian development in diapausing winterform pear psylla, Cacopsylla pyricola (Förster) (Homoptera: Psyllidae). We applied fenoxycarb to caged psylla in September, November, and December to test whether premature ovarian development reduced overwintering survival, spring fecundity, or spring longevity. Fenoxycarb prompted ovarian development in all treated psylla, with the largest effects occurring in the September-treated insects. Recovery of live psylla in spring was 46–95% in treated insects and 72–92% in controls; overwintered insects from the fenoxycarb treatment survived field temperatures below –20°C despite having had mature ovaries. Fecundity and longevity of psylla were the same in treated and untreated insects, indicating that overwintering with mature ovaries did not cause reduced spring egglaying capacity. Several treated insects each deposited over 1900 eggs and survived more than 120 days. Due to their more advanced development, treated insects had higher oviposition rates than controls during the first 5 days after removal from the field. The largest impact on spring fitness was due to the effects of fenoxycarb on egg hatch. Eggs deposited on clean foliage by September-treated females were less likely to hatch than eggs deposited by controls, suggesting that fenoxycarb affected developing eggs within the female. Prospects for using fenoxycarb in fall to control pear psylla appear to be limited.     

The effect of C18 juvenile hormone and Altosid on the efficiency of egg production in Rhodnius prolixus

The product (R) of the weight of the blood meal and the initial weight of the insect is shown to be a reliable predictor of egg production. The egg production efficiency (E), defined as the number of eggs produced per R, has a value characteristic of virgin females, and another, higher, value characteristic of mated females. Topical applications of C18 JH or Altosid to virgin females increase the value of E to the mated level in a fashion which suggests that these compounds act via a trigger mechanism. These compounds do not affect the rate at which oviposition occurs.     

'Candidatus Rhabdochlamydia crassificans', an intracellular bacterial pathogen of the cockroach Blatta orientalis (Insecta: Blattodea)

The genus Rickettsiella comprises various intracellular bacterial pathogens of arthropods, exhibiting a chlamydia-like developmental cycle. Species may be divided into two main groups, the R. popilliae-R. grylli group and the R. chironomi group. Previous phylogenetic studies based on the 16S ribosomal RNA encoding gene showed that two Rickettsiella species, one from each group, belong in reality to two distantly related lineages, the gamma-Proteobacteria (R. grylli) and the Chlamydiales ('Candidatus Rhabdochlamydia porcellionis', a pathogen of terrestrial isopods). In the present work, the 16S rDNA sequence of another Rickettsiella-like species, causing abdominal swelling to its cockroach host Blatta orientalis, was determined and phylogenetic analysis performed. Identical 16S rDNA sequences of 1495 nucleotides were obtained from fat body and ovary tissues of both healthy and diseased cockroach individuals. The sequence shared only 73% of similarity with R. grylli, but 82-87% with most Chlamydiales, and even 96.3% with 'Candidatus Rhabdochlamydia porcellionis'. Phylogenetic analyses confirmed the affiliation of the cockroach pathogen within the order Chlamydiales, and based on ultrastructural characteristics and genetic analyses, we propose its inclusion in the 'Candidatus Rhabdochlamydia' as a distinct taxon, 'Candidatus Rhabdochlamydia crassificans'. These results extend our knowledge of the phylogenetic diversity of the Chlamydiales.     

Effects of certain lipid compounds on growth and asexual multiplication of Mesocestoides corti (Cestoda) tetrathyridia

The effects of Williams and Law mixture (W-L), farnesol (juvenile hormone mimics), ecdysterone (molting hormone analog), cholesterol, and stigmasterol on growth and asexual reproduction of Mesocestoides corti larvae in vivo and in vitro were studied. W-L and ecdysterone stimulated an increase in larval asexual reproduction under in vivo conditions, however, cholesterol had no effect on the larvae in vivo. In vitro, cholesterol stimulated a slight increase in reproduction but had no effect on growth; stigmasterol appeared to be somewhat detrimental to the larvae. In vitro, W-L, farnesol, and ecdysterone stimulated by varying amounts an increase in growth (as measured by larval size) and asexual reproduction. Lipid extraction of M. corti larvae and Hymenolepis diminuta adults, followed by a series of thin-layer chromatograms, yielded 2 compounds (I-B and I-D) which affected M. corti larvae in vitro. These 2 compounds stimulated increased growth of the M. corti larvae and to some extent an increase in asexual reproduction.     

Endocrine regulation of female contact sex pheromone production in the German cockroach, Blattella germanica

ABSTRACT The amount of the major component of the cuticular sex pheromone, 3, 11-dimethyl-2-nonacosanone, on individual female German cockroaches, Blattella germanica (L.), as a function of age was determined by gas-liquid-chromatographic analysis. Accumulation of phermone increased with age in both virgin and mated females. During the first gono-trophic cycle, the pheromone accumulated most rapidly when oocyte growth rates were maximal (days 5–10), and least rapidly while the female carried an ootheca (days 11–32). Pheromone accumulation was similar in virgin and mated females when the same physiological stages (determined by oocyte maturation) were considered. Inhibition of Juvenile Hormone release, through allatectomy, chemicals (precocene or fluoromevalonate), or through mechanical egg case implants, suppressed or delayed pheromone production and oocyte growth. The Juvenile Hormone analogue ZR512 induced allatectomized or head-ligated females and females with chemically or mechanically inhibited corpora allata to produce pheromone and enlarge their basal oocytes. Finally, ZR512 applied to intact females stimulated pheromone production in a dose-dependent manner.     

幼虫密度对二点委夜蛾生长发育及繁殖的影响

【目的】在不同幼虫密度饲养条件下,研究二点委夜蛾Athetis lepigone生长发育及繁殖的情况,明确幼虫密度对该害虫的室内种群增长的影响。【方法】本实验设置5个幼虫饲养密度即1,5,10,20和30头/瓶(750 mL),分别观察5个饲养密度下该虫的各个龄期及整个幼虫发育历期及存活率、蛹重、蛹期以及成虫生殖情况。【结果】幼虫密度对该虫幼虫各龄期及整个幼虫发育历期及存活率、蛹重、蛹期以及成虫生殖情况均有显著性影响。整个幼虫发育历期随着密度的增加而缩短,10头/瓶达到最短(18.27 d),之后随着幼虫密度的增加而显著延长;幼虫至蛹的存活率随着密度增高而显著下降,30头/瓶最低(39.37%)。蛹期随着密度的增加而延长(10头/瓶除外)。蛹重和每雌产卵量均以1头/瓶最高,随着幼虫密度的增加而显著下降。雌雄蛾寿命均以10头/瓶最长,与1和5头/瓶没有显著性差异。生命表分析显示:二点委夜蛾的种群增长指数以5头/瓶最高,幼虫密度过低或者过高均不利于种群增长。【结论】幼虫密度是影响二点委夜蛾种群增长的重要因子之一。     

Effects of juvenile hormone analogue treatment in adult females of the ovoviviparous cockroach,Blaptica dubia (Dictyoptera,Blaberidae)

Adult females of the ovoviviparous Argentinian cockroach, Blaptica dubia, were repeatedly treated with either 100?μg methoprene or 100?μg pyriproxyfen in 5?μL acetone either during the first vitellogenic cycle or during the period of gestation. Treatment during the first vitellogenic cycle (days 2–20 of adult life) did not inhibit vitellogenesis and oocyte growth, but prevented the formation of an ootheca. This was accompanied with a significant reduction of the titer of juvenile hormone (JH) III and an increased amount of ecdysone (E) and 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E) in the haemolymph of the animals. Treatment of adult females during the period of gestation (days 30–70) resulted in a complete degradation and resorption of the ootheca and induced another vitellogenic cycle. Again, this was associated with a decrease in haemolymph JH III titer, but an increase in the concentrations of free ecdysteroids.     

Methyl farnesoate and juvenile hormone III in normal and precocene treated embryos of the ovoviviparous cockroach Nauphoeta cinerea

Summary

Titers of juvenile hormone III and methyl farnesoate, its unepoxidized precursor, were measured throughout embryonic development using a gas-chromatographic method and it was revealed that both substances are undetectable before dorsal closure. Thereafter they both reach similarly high concentrations (800 ng/g) until a few days before hatching, when their titers begin to decrease. Application of the precocene analogue, 7-ethoxy-6-methoxy-2,2-dimethyl-chromene, to egg-cases at dorsal closure results in very low or undetectable titers of juvenile hormone III, depending on the dose applied, whereas methyl farnesoate is seen to reach high levels similar to those seen in the controls. The severe developmental disturbances observed suggest that juvenile hormone III is very important for normal development and formation of the 1st instar larva.     

Effect of photoperiod and temperature on reproduction of the monarch butterfly,Danaus plexippus

Optimal posteclosion ovarian development in monarch butterflies occurs at about 28°C. Higher and lower temperatures appear progressively inhibitory. Reproductive gland development in males follows a similar pattern. Juvenile hormone injections stimulate oöcyte maturation in animals held at 20 and 35°C but are most effective at the higher temperature. Juvenile hormone injections are ineffective at 10 and 15°C. The stimulatory effect of increasing photophase on ovarian development was most apparent at optimal temperature. The possible significance of our findings to monarch migration is discussed.     

Possible risk posed by drift of the insect growth regulator pyriproxyfen to the rare dung beetle Circellium bacchus (F.) in a national park

Aerial drift of the juvenile hormone analogue (JHA), pyriproxyfen (Nemesis 100 ec®), used to control red scale on citrus on farms close to the Addo Elephant National Park in South Africa, was suspected of causing a decline in a population of the rare dung beetle species Circellium bacchus (F.) in the Park. The effect of pyriproxyfen on fertility and egg viability, as well as larval, pupal and callow adult development of C. bacchus was studied in a laboratory assay. Adult beetles, soil surface and the initial dung supply were exposed to pyriproxyfen applied as a spray at 10 times less than the concentration used commercially to simulate spray drift. Exposure of adult beetles to pyriproxyfen did not affect egg production or the viability of eggs, nor did the compound have adverse effects on immature development, indicating that pyriproxyfen is unlikely to be the cause of the observed population depression of C. bacchus.     

The folliculostatins of two dipteran insect species, their relation to matrix proteins and prospects for practical applications

The first insect folliculostatic peptide was isolated from vitellogenic ovaries of the mosquitoAedes aegypti. This decapeptide directly inhibits trypsin biosynthesis in the gut, and indirectly ovarian development. The factor was named Trypsin Modulating Oostatic Factor or TMOF by its discoverers. From the fleshfly Neobellieria bullata 2 folliculostatins have been isolated, the hexapeptide Neb-TMOF and the 19-mer Neb-colloostatin. The available data suggest that at least 2 of the 3 folliculostatins originate from matrix (like) proteins present in the ovary, a hitherto unknown source of hormones. Furthermore, one of the folliculostatins (Neb-TMOF) is a potent inhibitor of ecdysone biosynthesis by larval ring glands of fleshflies. The discovery of the dipteran folliculostatins, which do not show any resemblance to inhibins of vertebrates, may significantly contribute to a better understanding of the hormonal control of growth in insects and perhaps, in other animals as well. None of the 3 folliculostatins is blocked at its N- or C-terminus. This, in combination with the pleiotropy of their effects and the narrow species specificity make such peptides prime candidates for, testing their potential in insect pest control by means of molecular biological methods.     

幼虫密度对马铃薯块茎蛾生长发育及繁殖的影响

室内观察了块茎中不同虫口密度(5、10、15、20、25、30头/块茎)对马铃薯块茎蛾Phthorimaea operculella(Zeller)生长发育、后代发育和繁殖的影响。结果显示:幼虫密度显著影响马铃薯块茎蛾的生长发育及繁殖。对其生长发育影响的结果表明:幼虫的发育历期(7.1～9.1d)、蛹的历期(8.8～9.9d)、雌雄成虫的历期(分别为6.4～12.9d,6.7～11.6d)随幼虫密度的增加而延长;幼虫存活率(70.3%～93.3%)、蛹的羽化率(69.8%～91.7%)随幼虫密度的增加显著下降;单头蛹重(9.2～11.4mg)、单雌产卵量(136.8～166.0粒)、成虫的雌∶雄比(0.54～2.17)随幼虫密度的增加而下降。对其后代发育及繁殖的影响的结果表明:卵的发育历期(3.0～4.4d)、幼虫的发育历期(6.2～10.8d)、蛹的历期(8.1～10.0d)、雌雄成虫的历期(分别为7.4～11.8d,6.6～10.5d)、世代发育历期(24.4～36.1d)随幼虫密度的增加而从延长;卵的孵化率(73.1%～79.0%)、幼虫存活率(55.0%～96.8%)、蛹的羽化率(63.3%～93.3%)、世代的存活率(25.6%～71.5%)随虫口密度的增加而下降;单头蛹重(8.9～9.9mg)、单雌产卵量(93.5～155.6粒)、成虫的雌∶雄比(0.45～2.20)随虫口密度的增加而下降;种群趋势指数(I)(7.44～76.43)随幼虫密度的增加而下降。马铃薯块茎蛾的饲养密度建议以1头/13.0～26.0g块茎为宜。     

苯甲酰脲类杀虫剂对亚洲玉米螟生长发育和繁殖的效用

为全面评价苯甲酰脲类(BPUs)杀虫剂对亚洲玉米螟Ostrinia furnacalis(Guenée)的持续控制作用,采用叶片浸渍法,测定氟啶脲、除虫脲、氟铃脲和虱螨脲对亚洲玉米螟生长发育和繁殖的影响。结果表明,经4种BPUs处理后,亚洲玉米螟存活幼虫的历期延长了2.4～4.3d,平均单头雌、雄蛹重分别减轻了10.3～13.2mg和0～7.7mg,幼虫化蛹率和成虫交配成功率分别下降了14.1%～43.3%和5.6%～25.6%,产卵量降低了25.5%～53.3%,但卵孵化率没有明显改变。亚洲玉米螟雌、雄蛾吸食蔗糖水药液后,成虫寿命增加了1.3～4.3d,产卵量下降40.3%～58.2%,卵孵化率降低了32.9%～64.3%,F1代幼虫死亡率是对照组的3.5～8.5倍,表明苯甲酰脲类杀虫剂显著抑制了亚洲玉米螟幼虫生长发育和成虫的繁殖力。     

狗牙根、白三叶草对淡剑纹灰翅夜蛾生长发育和繁殖的影响

利用室内饲喂法,以高羊茅分别为对照,研究狗牙根(Cynodon dacyton)、白三叶草(Trifolium repens)对淡剑纹灰翅夜蛾Spodoptera depravata(Butler)存活、生长发育及繁殖的影响。结果表明,用狗牙根、白三叶草饲喂淡剑纹灰翅夜蛾的化蛹率、幼虫成蛾率均显著低于对照组。幼虫历期显著长于对照组。用狗牙根、白三叶草饲喂幼虫时,淡剑纹灰翅夜蛾的蛹期、产卵前期、产卵期、产卵量、♀成虫寿命与对照组均无显著差异,但幼虫龄期明显增加。狗牙根、白三叶草饲喂的淡剑纹灰翅夜蛾种群增长参数与对照组相比存在明显差异:(1)世代净生殖率(R0);(2)内禀增长率(rm);(3)周限增长率(λ);(4)种群数量趋势指数(I)明显降低;世代平均周期(T)和种群加倍时间(DT)明显延长。由此可见,狗牙根和白三叶草并不是淡剑纹灰翅夜蛾喜好的寄主植物。