The ultrastructure of the preformed ecdysial ‘line of weakness' in the puparium cap of Elenchus tenuicornis (Kirby) (Insecta: Strepsiptera).

This study describes the ultrastructure at ‘the line of weakness’ in the male puparium of Elenchus tenuicornis (Kirby) (Insecta: Strepsiptera). Superficially this line looked like an area of untanned cuticle but ultrastructurally it had an undifferentiated epicuticle, an untanned exocuticle and a loose textured endocuticle. It is speculated that the E. tenuicornis pharate adult male prior to emergence smears a chemical solution on the inner rim of the ‘line of weakness’ which dissolves the exo- and endocuticles. Following this, the slightest pressure exerted by the ptilinum of the male breaks open the cap of the puparium.     

Apolysis without ecdysis in larval development of a strepsipteran, Elenchus tenuicornis (Kirby)

Previous uncertainty concerning the number of larval stages in a strepsipteran ( Elenchus tenuicornis ) was resolved by transmission and scanning electron microscope observations. The first larval instar (triungulinid) is free-living: after entering the host (a delphacid) it undergoes a normal ecdysis. The resulting second instar larva undergoes two further apolyses without ecdysis. In the male, the cuticle of the fourth instar larva tans to form the puparium, while the female becomes sexually mature without a further moult after extrusion of the cephalothorax through the host cuticle. The discarded exuviae of the triungulinid remain in the host abdomen; subsequent larval staging is made possible by the retention of the exuviae ensheathing the larva as each apolysis is accomplished.     

The effects of stylopisation on the sexual development of Javesella dubia (Kirschbaum) (Homoptera: Delphacidae)

This is the first record of the entomophagous parasite Elenchus tenuicornis (Kirby) parasitizing Javesella dubia (Kirschbaum) in England. The effects of E. tenuicornis on the development of (a) the primary, secondary and tertiary sexual organs, and (b) the body characters of J. dubia are discussed in detail.     

丝光绿蝇蛹壳颜色变化及其对死后间隔时间推断的意义

【目的】研究不同恒温下丝光绿蝇Lucilia sericata蛹期蛹壳颜色变化,并利用提取的蛹壳RGB值绘制标准色板,为法医学中死后间隔时间(postmortem interval, PMI)的推断提供科学依据。【方法】在16, 20, 24, 28和32℃恒温下分别饲养丝光绿蝇待其发育至蛹期,选取10头蛹为观察样本,每隔12 h定期观察蛹壳的颜色变化,拍照并利用图像分析软件提取蛹期各观察时间点蛹壳颜色的RGB值,再将分析计算后的RGB值还原为标准色板,并采用R软件对蛹发育时间与蛹壳颜色RGB值中的R值的关系进行多元回归分析和拟合。【结果】不同恒温下,丝光绿蝇蛹壳颜色随发育时间均呈现出不均衡的加深趋势,尤其在化蛹初期和临近羽化时变化明显。根据各发育时间的标准RGB值可制作出对应不同恒温的5个丝光绿蝇蛹壳颜色标准色板。【结论】在案发现场,可将检获到的蝇蛹与本研究得到的相近温度下的蛹壳颜色标准色板进行比色鉴定,初步估算蛹期,为死后间隔时间的推断提供科学依据。     

Philornis fasciventris (Wulp) (Diptera: Muscidae): description of the male, larva and puparium, with notes on biology and host association

The male, larva and puparium of Philornis fasciventris (Wulp) are described for the first time, as well as the larval habit and host association. The material was collected in Yucatan, Mexico in a nest of the turquoise-browed motmot, Eumomota superciliosa (Sandbach) (Coraciformes: Momotidae), first host record for this species. E. superciliosa is also a new host record for Philornis.     

Mode of action of an insect neuropeptide leucopyrokinin (LPK) on pupariation in fleshfly (Sarcophaga bullata) larvae (Diptera: Sarcophagidae)

An insect neuropeptide leucopyrokinin (LPK) (pQTSFTPRLamide) accelerates pupariation in wandering larvae of the fleshfly Sarcophaga bullata. The period of sensitivity to the action of LPK begins approximately 4 h before pupariation. Within this period the degree of acceleration of contraction into the shape of a puparium is practically independent of the age at which the larvae are injected, while acceleration of tanning is distinctly more age dependent. From ligation experiments we conclude that intact central innervation is essential for the action of LPK on puparial contraction, whereas central neurones take no part in mediation of LPK action on tanning of the cuticle. An analysis of tensiometric recordings of muscular activity revealed that the actual time of LPK accelerated puparial contraction coincides with the beginning of the immobilisation/retraction phase. LPK accelerates the switch from wandering behaviour to immobilisation/retraction behaviour but has no effect on the onset and duration of motor patterns that normally underlie puparial contraction in controls. The morphology of an accelerated puparium is normal but its formation is temporally dissociated from normal ‘contraction patterns’ that are performed a long time after the puparium has contracted. It means that neuromuscular activity of larvae accelerated by LPK does not cease upon formation of the white puparium, but continues until the whole motor programme of pupariation behaviour is completed. Apparently the peptide acts on the integument by stimulating it to contract and shrink, and no specific patterns of muscular contractions are needed to properly shape the puparium. This finding sheds a new light on our understanding of the mechanism of puparium formation.     

酪蝇蛹对其成虫的引诱效果

室内采用Y型嗅觉仪测定酪蝇蛹、蛹壳及蛹的正己烷提取液对酪蝇成虫的引诱效果.结果表明:酪蝇的蛹、蛹的正己烷提取液对雌、雄成虫有明显的引诱,随着蛹量的增加其对雄虫的引诱效果增加,对雌虫的引诱效果下降;提取液浓度为5～12.5头当量/mL时,对雌、雄成虫有明显的引诱效果,但在浓度为2.5头当量/mL时对雄虫有明显的驱避效果,雌性蛹壳对两性成虫有明显的引诱效果,而雄性蛹壳只对雄虫有明显的引诱效果,对雌虫有明显的驱避效果.     

石斛篓象成虫对不同来源气味的行为反应

【目的】研究不同来源气味对石斛篓象Nassophasis sp.成虫嗅觉选择行为的影响,对于发展新型石斛篓象成虫防治技术具有重要意义。【方法】应用陷阱式嗅觉测定仪测试了石斛篓象成虫对同种个体气味、蛹壳气味、成虫粪便、球花石斛Dendrobium thyrsiflorum受害植株气味的嗅觉反应。【结果】雌成虫气味对雄成虫有引诱作用,对雌成虫没有引诱作用;雄虫气味对雌、雄成虫均无引诱效果。雌、雄蛹壳气味对雌、雄成虫均有显著引诱效果。两性成虫聚集时产生的粪便对雌、雄成虫均有显著引诱作用,雌虫或者雄虫单独放置时产生的粪便对雌、雄成虫均无引诱效果。被雌虫为害的球花石斛植株茎干释放的气味仅对雌虫有引诱作用, 而受雄虫为害后的茎干产生的气味仅对雄成虫有引诱作用。【结论】本研究为进一步分离、 鉴定对该虫有引诱作用的活性物质奠定了基础。     

The calcified puparium of the face fly, Musca autumnalis (Diptera: Muscidae)

The general composition of the calcified puparium of Musca autumnalis was determined. Ash-weight analyses show that 62% of the puparium is inorganic material. The major components of the puparium are calcium, magnesium, phosphate and carbonate. Calcium and magnesium phosphate are the predominant salts in the puparium, with a lesser contribution by their respective carbonates. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that the exocuticle was the site of calcification in the puparium. Inorganic analyses of the insoluble salt isolated from face fly larvae showed it to be compositionally identical with the puparial salt. Major organic components of the puparium are lipid, chitin and protein. The presence of carbonic anhydrase and alkaline phosphatase activity in post-feeding larvae was confirmed.     

Bacterial Symbionts in the Sugar Beet Root Maggot, Tetanops myopaeformis (von Röder)

Aerobic heterotrophic and facultative anaerobic bacteria were isolated from all developmental stages of the sugar beet root maggot, Tetanops myopaeformis (von Röder). Two distinct bacterial symbiotic relationships were observed. Serratia liquefaciens and Serratia marcescens were found to be associated with all developmental stages. Bacterial symbiont transmission occurred from one generation to the next. Symbionts were transferred from the male reproductive system to the female reproductive system, where both an internal infiltration of the egg chorion and an external smearing of the eggs occurred during oviposition. Pseudomonas maltophilia was found in association with the larval gut and the inner surface of the puparium. Electron microscopy of the inner puparial surface revealed symbionts within the chitinous wall. In vitro symbiont chitinase production was found, using both nephelometric (turbidimetric) and N-acetylglucosamine assays. A relationship appeared to exist between adult fly emergence and enzymatic chitin degradation of the puparium by the bacterial symbionts.     

Chromosome aberrations in a natural population of Tetrix tenuicornis (Sahlb.) (Tetrigidae: Orthoptera).

In the natural population of Tetrix tenuicornis from the Kraków-Czestochowa Upland 26.7% of males showed various aberrations of the morphology and behaviour of chromosomes. The high frequency of chromosome aberrations found in this population indicates their genetic instability.     

Visualizing the postembryonic development of Sarcophaga peregrina (flesh fly) by NMR microscopy

The postembryonic development of the flesh fly was studied using high resolution nuclear magnetic resonance imaging. Because this development occurs in a puparium, this process cannot be observed directly using standard histological techniques. The remodelling of histolysing larval tissues to developing imaginal tissues including the yellow body, a transient alimentary structure, and the integration of the developed adult structure were revealed in the images. Most surprisingly it was found that a large gas space that forms in the central region of the prepupa moves to the dorso-anterial region in less than 5 min due to the larval–pupal apolysis together with separation of the developing pupal epidermis from the puparium.     

Description of a new genus and species of whitefly (Hemiptera: Sternorrhyncha) infesting Rhynchosia minima (Fabaceae) in Karnataka,India

A new whitefly genus and species, Aleurocryptus rhynchosiae Dubey, are described from Donimalai mining area of Karnataka, India. Habitus, line art and scanning electron microscopic images of the puparium and other immature stages are provided. The puparia of the new genus and species are found to be pit‐forming on their host leaf, Rhynchosia minima (Fabaceae). The cone‐shaped, apically pointed dorsal setae with a smooth surface and fixed in prominent setal alveoli are newly reported from whitefly puparia.     

Comparative characteristics of the puffing pattern and the endocrine system in an oregon laboratory stock and in l(2)gl Drosophila melanogaster mutants differing in the time of their death

This study shows that homozygotes for different alleles of the lethal mutant, l(2)gl, differing in the time of death also vary in the state of their endocrine system and the puffing patterns of their salivary gland chromosomes. Homozygotes which die at the larval stage have underdeveloped prothoracic glands and normal corpora allata (CA); in those dying at the prepupal stage both the prothoracic glands and the CA are equally underdeveloped. — All the early third instar larval puffs (96–110 h., PS 1–2) develop in homozygotes; however, the reduction of some early larval puffs, normally occurring before pupariation or at puparium formation, is delayed. Some puffs are more developed than normal. — The differences in puffing patterns chiefly concerned puffs which normally appear 4–5 h before puparium formation and at puparium formation. In homozygotes lethal as larvae some of the puffs normally active at this time did not develop. However, along with some of the late larval puffs, there appeared many puffs characteristic of prepupae. — In homozygotes lethal as prepupae only the time and sequence of puff appearance was altered. Many late larval puffs were active in prepupae rather than in larvae, whereas some of the puffs, normally appearing in prepupae, were active in the larval stage.Accordingly, we propose to distinguish two groups of puff loci. 1) Hormone dependent puffs: These do not develop in larval lethals and are active only after puparium formation in pupariated lethals. 2) Autonomous puffs: Their appearance depends more on the time of development, than on hormonal background. It is suggested that the induction of hormone dependent puffs and of puparium formation is possible at low ecdysone levels, provided that the juvenile hormone level is also low.     

Description of the external morphology of the puparia of eight species of bat flies (Diptera: Streblidae)

ABSTRACT

The Dipteran family Streblidae are ectoparasites of bats. These flies are viviparous and have an intrauterine larval life phase, a free-living sessile puparium phase and the adult obligate parasite. Here we describe the external morphology of the puparium of Aspidoptera phyllostomatis (Perty, 1833), Megistopoda aranea (Coquillett, 1899), M. proxima (Séguy, 1826), Noctiliostrebla morena Alcantara et al., 2019, Paradyschiria parvula Falcoz, 1931, Strebla consocia Wenzel, 1966, Trichobius joblingi Wenzel, 1966 and T. longipes (Rudow, 1871) and provide an identification key. We also describe the method we developed for collecting the puparia, which was done between April 2015 and August 2016. The characters that most differentiated the species were spiracles and ornaments.     

Penetration and persistence of an insect growth regulator in the pupa of the stable fly, Stomoxys calcitrans.

An insect growth regulator, (E)-6,7-epoxy-1-(p-ethylphenoxy)-3,7-dimethyl-2-octene (Stauffer R-20458) with insect juvenile hormone activity readily penetrated the puparium of white pharate pupae of Stomoxys calcitrans. The quantity and the persistence of the chemical in the puparium and in the developing pharate adult were determined over a 168 hr post-treatment period. The loss of chemical from the pharate stage was almost total within 168 hr, but over 20 per cent of the applied dose was still present in the puparium after the same interval.     

Sexual receptivity and post-emergence ovarian development in females of Coproica vagans (Diptera: Sphaeroceridae)

Abstract .Males and females of the dung fly species Coproica vagans Haliday 1833 (Diptera: Sphaeroceridae) mate soon after emergence from the puparium. At this time females still have immature ovaries. Therefore, mating precedes vitellogenesis in this species. Data presented here show that mating enhances oogenesis in C. vagans females. Mated females mature their first egg batch sooner and oviposit four days earlier than virgin conspecifics. Mating-related enhancement of oogenesis could be explained either through nutritional benefits to females or male chemical or stimulatory manipulation of the females. Oogenesis was divided into six arbitrary stages, with vitellogenesis beginning in stage 4. Ovarian development beyond stage 4 is rapid compared with pre-vitellogenetic development. Virgin females pause oogenesis in stage 4. The genital opening of mated females is blocked by a mating plug that persists until oviposition begins. The plug seems to ensure the paternity of the last male to mate by preventing females from remating. The operational sex ratio in C. vagans populations is presumed to be strongly male-biased.     

Ultrastructure of salivary glands of Drosophila lebanonensis during normal development and after in vivo ecdysterone administration

Changes in the morphology of the salivary glands of Drosophila lebanonensis have been followed at both the light and electronmicroscopic level during a period of 30 hr before puparium formation and during puparium formation itself. Three striking differences were observed in comparison to other Drosophila species studied: (1) the secretion product of Drosophila lebanonensis has a different stainability to PAS reagent and uranyl acetate and no internal structures or “caps” can be observed; (2) the release of this secretion product is not restricted to a time period shortly before puparium formation but is a continuous process starting about 24 hr before puparium formation; and (3) the histolysis of these glands starts immediately after puparium formation, whereas in other Drosophila species this event starts 5 hr later.Puparium formation of Drosophila lebanonensis is controlled by the circadian oscillation. Injection of ecdysterone before the “gate” period results in changes in the cuticle as observed during normal development, but is not followed by the histolysis of the glands. Injection of ecdysterone after the “gate” is not followed by changes in the cuticle but histolysis is induced.     

Bacterial Symbionts in the Sugar Beet Root Maggot, Tetanops myopaeformis (von Röder)

Aerobic heterotrophic and facultative anaerobic bacteria were isolated from all developmental stages of the sugar beet root maggot, Tetanops myopaeformis (von R?der). Two distinct bacterial symbiotic relationships were observed. Serratia liquefaciens and Serratia marcescens were found to be associated with all developmental stages. Bacterial symbiont transmission occurred from one generation to the next. Symbionts were transferred from the male reproductive system to the female reproductive system, where both an internal infiltration of the egg chorion and an external smearing of the eggs occurred during oviposition. Pseudomonas maltophilia was found in association with the larval gut and the inner surface of the puparium. Electron microscopy of the inner puparial surface revealed symbionts within the chitinous wall. In vitro symbiont chitinase production was found, using both nephelometric (turbidimetric) and N-acetylglucosamine assays. A relationship appeared to exist between adult fly emergence and enzymatic chitin degradation of the puparium by the bacterial symbionts.