Genetics of female functional virginity in the parthenogenesis-Wolbachia infected parasitoid wasp Telenomus nawai (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae)

A lepidopteran egg parasitoid species Telenomus nawai consists of two distinct populations with different reproductive modes. One is a completely thelytokous population consisting of females only, whereas the other displays arrhenotokous reproduction where fertilized eggs develop into diploid females and unfertilized eggs into haploid males. Thelytoky in T. nawai is caused by a bacterial symbiont, the parthenogenesis-inducing (PI) Wolbachia. Recent theoretical studies have shown that when a PI-Wolbachia is spreading in a population, mutations that allow uninfected females to produce more male offspring will spread rapidly eventually becoming fixed. The consequence of such a mutation is that sexual reproduction is no longer successful in infected females. Here we determine the genetic basis of the females' inability to reproduce sexually by introgressing the genome of a thelytokous line into an arrhenotokous line. The results suggest that the mutations are recessive and inherited either as a single-locus major gene with some modifiers, or as two partially linked loci.     

Effects of temperature on the development and fecundity of Microplitis similis (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), a parasitoid of Spodoptera litura (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Microplitis similis (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) is a solitary endoparasitoid of Spodoptera litura larvae (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). Here, the effects of constant temperature (18, 21, 24, 27, 30, 33 and 36 °C) on the development and fecundity of M. similis developing in S. litura were studied in the laboratory to clarify the range of its potential distribution and better understand its potential as a biological control agent. The developmental duration of M. similis varied from 10.6 (33 °C) to 27.9 days (18 °C). The developmental threshold temperature and effective accumulative temperature of M. similis were 9.96 °C and 231.14 Degree-days, respectively. The average adult longevity of M. similis ranged from 5.1 (33 °C) to 26.8 days (18 °C). The maximum fecundity of the parasitoid was observed at 27 and 30 °C, which were 43.07 and 39.73 eggs, respectively. The minimum fecundity of the parasitoid was observed at 18 °C, which was 8.27 eggs. The intrinsic rate of increase (r_m) and finite rate of increase (λ) of M. similis were the highest at 30 °C. The net reproduction rate (R₀) was the highest at 27 °C and 30 °C, which were 44.34 and 40.39, respectively. We concluded that temperatures in the range 27–30 °C are the most suitable for development and reproduction of M. similis. Our study provides detailed basic information for development and reproduction of M. similis under different temperature conditions.     

Effect of ellagic acid on the larvae of Spodoptera litura (Lepidoptera:Noctuidae) and its parasitoid Bracon hebetor (Hymenoptera:Braconidae)

The present study was aimed at investigating the effect of plant based compound, ellagic acid on parasitoid Bracon hebetor (Say) through its host, the common cutworm, Spodoptera litura (Fabricius). The effect on S. litura was ascertained by feeding six days old larvae on artificial diet incorporated with different concentrations (5 ppm, 25 ppm, 125 ppm, 625 ppm, 3125 ppm) of ellagic acid and water as control. Its effect on B. hebetor was determined by allowing the adult B. hebetor to parasitize the treated host larvae. The mortality of S. litura larvae was increased whereas adult emergence declined with increasing concentration of ellagic acid. The developmental period was delayed significantly and all the nutritional indices were reduced with treatment. Ellagic acid at LC₃₀ (7.70 ppm) had not much influence on the growth of parasitoid B. hebetor but LC₅₀ (43.45 ppm) adversely influenced the development of the parasitoid, B. hebetor when reared on treated larvae of S. litura. This was evident from reduced parasitization, fecundity, egg laying, egg hatching, emergence, increased larval mortality, reduced pupation and prolonged development of the immature stages at LC₅₀. However, parasitization, egg hatching and larval mortality of the parasitoid were not significantly impacted at LC₃₀ indicating the possibility of its use in integrated pest management programmes.     

Efficacy of selected insecticides against eggs of Euschistus servus and Acrosternum hilare (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) and the egg parasitoid Telenomus podisi (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae)

Brown stink bug, Euschistus servus (Say), and green stink bug, Acrosternum hilare (Say) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), are major agricultural pests. Although various insecticides are used to control nymphs and adults, little is known about how they affect eggs. Laboratory bioassays and field trials were conducted to determine the efficacy of common field rates of acephate, lamda-cyhalothrin, spinosad, and thiamethoxam on developing E. servus and A. hilare eggs, as well as Telenomus podisi Ashmead (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae) parasitoids developing in E. servus eggs. In laboratory bioassays, egg masses were dipped into insecticide and water solutions and assessed for mortality after 2 wk. In the field trials, egg masses on a cloth section were pinned to leaves in each plot ofa randomized complete block and returned to the laboratory 24 h after exposure to insecticide sprays. Mortality was assessed after 2 wk. In dip bioassays, there was a significant effect of insecticide treatment on A. hilare eggs with all insecticides resulting in greater mortality than the water control. However, no effect of treatment occurred in the field with A. hilare or for E. serous eggs in both the laboratory bioassays and the field trials. In contrast, developing T. podisi parasitoids showed significant mortality when exposed to all insecticide treatments, when dipped or field-treated. Spinosad and lamda-cyhalothrin treatments resulted in 100% mortality of T. podisi, and acephate resulted in greater mortality than thiamethoxam. Our results suggest that there is relatively little efficacy from insecticide sprays on stink bugs developing in eggs but that mortality of egg parasitoids may be significant.     

Host-related antennal variation in the polyphagous egg parasite Telenomus alsophilae (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae)

Abstract. The solitary egg parasite Telenomus alsophilae was reared from the eggs of six lepidopteran hosts of two families. One-way analyses of variance showed statistically significant differences among host classes for means of (a) lengths and widths of all female antennomeres; and (b) in twelve of twenty-three means of log-transformed ratios constructed from pairs of antennomere dimensions. Principal component analyses of dispersion matrices of both untransformed and log-transformed antennomere dimensions were conducted to examine patterns of variation among variables. In both analyses PCI was a general component and interpreted as a measure of overall size. One-way analyses of variance of projection scores of OTUs on each of the first five principal components showed significant differences among host classes for means of scores on (a) PCI (both analyses) and (b) PC4 for untransformed data and PC3 for log-transformed data. Differences among hosts classes for scores on the latter two components are interpreted to indicate that antennal variation results from factors in addition to simple size differences among host eggs and the allometric growth of body parts of parasites reared from them.     

杀菌剂丙环唑对斜纹夜蛾的毒性

在研究比较了11种农药对斜纹夜蛾Spodoptera litura细胞（简称SL细胞）的毒杀活性基础上,选择毒杀活性最高的杀菌剂丙环唑,对其毒理学机理进行进一步研究。结果表明,丙环唑的细胞毒力最高,在100 μg/mL浓度下处理后48 h,SL细胞的死亡率为98.08％。处理后36 h,丙环唑对SL细胞的LC₅₀值为20.31 μg/mL。丙环唑能明显降低SL细胞的蛋白质含量。以0.5 μg/头的丙环唑注射斜纹夜蛾4龄幼虫,处理后72 h,试虫血淋巴总含量及血细胞数分别下降了26.80％和25.26％;在1.0 μg/头的剂量下,则分别下降了37.67%和36.32%。以0.5 μg/头和1.0 μg/头的丙环唑注射处理后,斜纹夜蛾幼虫体重显著降低。此外,丙环唑能降低斜纹夜蛾幼虫血淋巴含糖量及血淋巴蛋白质含量。在注射处理后96 h和120 h,丙环唑对斜纹夜蛾4龄幼虫的LD₅₀值分别为0.59 μg/头和0.45 μg/头。丙环唑对SL细胞和斜纹夜蛾幼虫均具有较好的毒杀活性,显示出丙环唑类似物控制害虫的可能性。     

Seasonal Fluctuations of Noctuid Stemborer Egg Parasitism in Southern Benin with Special Reference to Sesamia calamistis Hampson (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) and Telenomus spp. (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae) on Maize

Parasitism of noctuid stemborer eggs was assessed in monthly surveys in maize fields in southern Benin, from May 1995 to October 1996, and on alternative hosts, i.e. wild grasses, during the dry season from November 1995 to February 1996. Sesamia calamistis was the most prevalent stemborer species, accounting for 98% of the larvae identified from subsamples reared on ear pieces. Egg batch densities ranged between 0.02-0.15 per plant, with lowest densities found during high rainfall periods. 77% of all egg batches were found to be parasitized The egg parasitoids were the scelionids Telenomus busseolae, T. isis , and the trichogrammatid Lathromeris ovicida , accounting for 55.6, 41.6 and 2.8% of total counts, respectively. Parasitism increased in the course of the cropping season and reached peaks of 92 and 86% during the second growing season of 1995 and 1996, respectively. This coincides with the time when farmers have planted a second crop and during a stage when the plants were most attractive and susceptible to S. calamistis attacks. During the dry season, relatively high parasitism was found on maize and wild grasses in inland valleys, and it was concluded that those habitats play an important role in stabilizing the system for both the pest and its natural enemies. As a result, in the Dahomey Gap, which includes parts of Benin, Togo and Ghana, S. calamistis is usually not of economic importance. Although T. busseolae is ubiquitous in Africa, T. isis was only reported from West Africa, including Cameroon. It is recommended that the geographic range of T. isis should be expanded and include East and Southern Africa, where another host, Busseola fusca , is the most important noctuid stemborer pest on cereals.     

Long-term effects of methoxyfenozide on the adult reproductive processes and longevity of Spodoptera exigua (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

The long-term effects of methoxyfenozide on the longevity and reproductive processes of beet armyworm, Spodoptera exigua (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), adults were assessed after exposure by ingestion. Methoxyfenozide significantly reduced adult male longevity compared with females by 1.1 and 1.5 d at 75 and 150 mg (AI)/liter, respectively. Fecundity decreased by >60% with both concentrations at 72 and 96 h after treatment, but at 48 h, no significant effect was observed. The carbohydrate, protein, and lipid content in the eggs were determined as representatives of the biochemical effects of methoxyfenozide associated with the disruption of reproductive processes. The content of carbohydrates in the eggs laid 48 h at treatment was similar to that of controls, but it increased by approximately 1.5 and 2-fold in eggs laid after 72 and 96 h, respectively, compared with controls (15 microg per egg). Protein content was reduced approximately 2.5 and approximately 3-fold for each treatment concentration, respectively, compared with the controls (25 and 23 microg per egg for 75 and 150 mg [AI]/liter, respectively) in eggs collected 72 and 96 h after treatment. Lipid content significantly decreased by approximately 1.6-fold in both treatment concentrations in eggs collected at 48 and 96 h after treatment compared with the controls (24 and 21 microg per egg for 48 and 96, respectively), but it was similar to controls (approximately 19 microg per egg) at 72 h (approximately 15 microg per egg) for both concentrations. The biochemical effects of methoxyfenozide on S. exigua egg formation detected in this work are consistent with the reduction in fertility observed, as reported previously.     

三种阔叶草坪草对斜纹夜蛾生长发育及营养利用的作用

为了探讨斜纹夜蛾Spodoptera litura对草坪的为害,提供综合治理该虫的理论依据,室内利用白三叶草Trifolium repens、红三叶草T. pratense和马蹄金Dichondra repens 3种阔叶草坪草,分别饲喂斜纹夜蛾幼虫;应用编制实验种群生命表的方法,分析斜纹夜蛾种群生长发育的趋势;同时研究该幼虫对3种草坪草的趋性及营养利用。结果表明：斜纹夜蛾幼虫的趋性表现为白三叶草＞红三叶草＞马蹄金。该虫在3种草坪草上都能够完成生活史;2种三叶草饲喂的该虫幼虫存活率、化蛹率、成蛾率显著高于马蹄金,幼虫期和蛹期则显著短于马蹄金;3种草坪草饲喂的该虫产卵期和平均产卵量相互之间差异不显著,而马蹄金饲喂的产卵前期和雌成虫寿命则显著短于2种三叶草。3种草坪草饲喂的该虫净生长率（Ro）、世代平均周期（T）、内禀生长率（r_m）、周限生长率（λ）、种群加倍时间（DT）及种群增长参数（I）都有差异,其中2种三叶草的各种群增长参数较接近。对5龄幼虫取食3种阔叶草坪草的营养指标测定结果显示：取食马蹄金的相对生长率显著高于取食红三叶草的;取食马蹄金的相对取食量和近似消化率显著高于取食三叶草的;取食马蹄金的食物利用率和食物转化率显著低于取食三叶草的;2种三叶草间无显著差异。综合分析认为,斜纹夜蛾最喜食三叶草,最容易在三叶草草坪上猖獗为害。     

Effect of plant secondary metabolites on common cutworm,Spodoptera litura (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

The effect of various flavonoids, lectins and phenyl β‐_D‐glucoside on larval survival, weights and the activities of digestive (total serine protease and trypsin) and detoxifying (esterase and glutathione‐S‐transferase) enzymes of Spodoptera litura larvae at 7 days after treatment was studied through diet incorporation assay. Flavonoids (rutin, chlorogenic acid, quinic acid, caffeic acid, naringenin, quercitin, kaempferol, myricetin, catechin, and ferulic acid) were incorporated in artificial diet at 100, 500 and 1000 ppm, lectins: groundnut leaf lectin (GLL), concavalin A (ConA) and phenyl β‐_D‐glucoside at 1, 2 and 5 μg/mL. Flavonoids such as rutin, quercitin and kaempferol at 1000 ppm were more toxic to S. litura larvae than quinic acid, caffeic acid, naringenin, myricetin, catechin, and ferulic acid. Larval growth and development were significantly reduced in S. litura larvae fed on a diet with GLL and ConA at 5 μg/mL compared to the larvae fed at 2 and 1 μg/mL concentrations. The larvae fed on flavonoid‐treated diets showed significant reduction in serine protease, trypsin and esterase activities. The flavonoids such as rutin, chlorogenic acid, quinic acid, naringenin, quercitin, kaempferol and myricetin, and lectins, GLL and ConA can be utilized in insect control programs.     

Cold storage of the egg parasitoids Trissolcus basalis (Wollaston) and Telenomus podisi Ashmead (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae)

Adults of Trissolcus basalis and Telenomus podisi were stored either at 15 or 18 °C after their immature development had been completed at 18 or 25 °C. Longevity of the parasitoids in the storage temperatures was evaluated, as well as fecundity and longevity following their return to 25 °C after different periods in reproductive diapause. Temperature during immature development influenced female longevity and highest mean longevity was obtained for females that developed to the adult stage at 25 °C and then were stored at 15 °C (ca. 13 months for T. basalis and 10 months for Te. podisi). For adults of T. basalis that developed at 25 °C, storage periods of 120 or 180 days at 15 or 18 °C did not affect fecundity. The fecundity of T. basalis females that developed at 18 °C and were stored for 120 days at 15 or 18 °C was not affected; however, after remaining for 180 days, fecundity was reduced in ca. 30 and 50%, respectively. Storage of Te. podisi adults at 15 or 18 °C significantly reduced fecundity. It is concluded that adults of T. basalis can be stored in the adult stage at 15 or 18 °C between two soybean crop seasons for mass production purposes, aiming the biological control of stink bugs.     

寄生3种夜蛾卵的夜蛾黑卵蜂种群增长潜能

夜蛾黑卵蜂是草地贪夜蛾卵期的一种重要寄生性天敌,适宜的寄主是实现其规模化繁育及应用的基础。本文应用实验种群生命表方法,分析、评价了草地贪夜蛾、斜纹夜蛾及甜菜夜蛾这3种夜蛾卵上夜蛾黑卵蜂的生长发育及种群增长潜能。结果表明,夜蛾黑卵蜂在3种夜蛾卵上均能顺利完成幼期发育且出蜂日期较为整齐,羽化当日即为产卵高峰日,羽化后3 d内的寄生卵量占总产卵量的80%以上。子代羽化率介于77.90%～85.56%之间,雌性比率介于0.53～0.59之间。不同寄主繁育的夜蛾黑卵蜂雄蜂后足胫节长度无明显差异,但以甜菜夜蛾卵繁育的雌蜂的后足胫节最长(152.00μm),斜纹夜蛾卵繁育的次之(146.33μm),草地贪夜蛾卵繁育的最短(142.67μm)。以甜菜夜蛾卵繁育的夜蛾黑卵蜂的内禀增长率(r_m)、净生殖力(R₀)及周限增长率(λ)均最高,分别为0.3486、57.94和1.4171,以斜纹夜蛾卵繁育的次之(r_m,0.3091;R₀,49.60;λ,1.3623),而以草地贪夜蛾卵繁育的最小(r_m,...     

Developmental interaction between suboptimal instars of Spodoptera littoralis (Lepidoptera:Noctuidae) and its parasitoid Microplitis rufiventris (Hymenoptera:Braconidae)

Relative effects of parasitism by Microplitis rufiventris on the development of the third instar Spodoptera littoralis (preferable, optimal host) with the development of penultimate (5th) and last (6th) instars (suboptimal hosts) were investigated. Newly molted 6th instar hosts were more acceptable for parasitization by the wasp female than older hosts. In singly parasitized 3rd instar hosts, 82.0 +/- 3.9% of the parasitoid eggs developed to full-grown instar wasp larvae. However, parasitoid eggs deposited singly in 73.9 +/- 3.3% of 5th and 100% of 6th instar hosts failed to develop. Superparasitization in the 3rd instar hosts reduced the production of pseudoparasitized larvae and, conversely, all parasitized hosts yielded viable parasitoid offspring. In suboptimal hosts, the development interaction between the parasitoid and its host larvae was highly influenced by the age of hosts at parasitism, load of deposited eggs, and other parasitoid factors. The latter factors, e.g., mainly calyx fluid particles, might be involved in establishing parasitoid eggs in the suboptimal hosts. In the last two host instars, superparasitization significantly increased the number of parasitoid larvae successfully reaching their final instar. Variation in host quality, e.g., physiological status, might be attributed, in part, to the partial breakdown of the solitary habit observed in the earlier instars. More parasitoid eggs developed to mature parasitoid larvae in hosts superparasitized as 6th instar than parasitoid eggs laid in 5th instar hosts. Superparasitization significantly lengthened the developmental period of 5th and 6th host instars and inhibited their development to the pupal stage. Studying parasitoid development in suboptimal instars of its habitual host provided physiological insight, as shown here. The results may have implication for biological control and in vitro mass rearing programs with solitary parasitoids.     

Laboratory evaluation of flight activity of the common cutworm, Spodoptera litura (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Abstract  The flight activity of Spodoptera litura in tethered conditions is evaluated using a computer-mediated flight-mill in the laboratory. The 3–4-day-old moths fly longer and farther than those of other ages. Male and female moths exhibit similar flight activity. Mating status does not influence the flight duration and distance of 2-day-old females. However, these two flight parameters with a 6-day-old mated female is significantly lower than that of unmated ones. The optimum temperature for flight ranged from 16–24°C, whereas the optimum RH ranged from 60%–100%. During 72-h period, the total flight duration and distance of 1-day-old male and female moths were 19.6 h (± 5.8) and 83.3 km (± 28.4), and 24.0 h (± 7.0) and 105.4 km (± 37.4), respectively. These results indicate that S. litura has a great potential to undertake long-distance migratory flights.     

氟铃脲对斜纹夜蛾酚氧化酶活性的影响

【目的】探讨氟铃脲对斜纹夜蛾Spodoptera litura酚氧化酶活性的影响.【方法】应用酶动力学法,在确定斜纹夜蛾酚氧化酶最适反应条件基础上,测定氟铃脲与酚氧化酶直接作用及氟铃脲处理幼虫后酚氧化酶的活性.【结果】以邻苯二酚为底物,斜纹夜蛾酚氧化酶的最适pH 6.5,最适温度30℃.氟铃脲没有和酚氧化酶结构中的铜离子结合,而是直接与酶蛋白发生作用.氟铃脲浓度低于1 153 mg/L对离体酚氧化酶有激活作用,在138 mg/L激活作用最大,浓度高于1 153 mg/L则产生抑制作用.用46 mg/L和92 mg/L亚致死剂量氟铃脲连续处理5龄幼虫不同时间后,酚氧化酶活性均显著提高,且高浓度的激活作用大于低浓度的激活作用.进一步测定药剂处理幼虫24,48和72 h的血淋巴、表皮和头部酚氧化酶活性,随着氟铃脲处理时间延长,两个剂量的氟铃脲对血淋巴、表皮及头部酚氧化酶的激活作用逐渐增大,氟铃脲对血淋巴酚氧化酶的激活作用最大,表皮次之,头部最低.氟铃脲处理幼虫后,其预蛹和蛹酚氧化酶的活性也显著提高,表现出一定的后效应.【结论】一定浓度范围内,氟铃脲对斜纹夜蛾酚氧化酶具有激活作用.     

Biochemical mechanism of chlorantraniliprole resistance in Spodoptera litura (Fab) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Spodoptera litura, a polyphagus insect pest of economic importance, having the ability to develop resistance to various classes of insecticides was selected for the study. Leaf dip bioassay studies were done after ten generations of selection pressure reported the development of resistance up to 80 folds by S. litura against chlorantraniliprole compared to lab susceptible strain. Bioassay studies conducted using enzyme inhibitors such as triphenyl phosphate (TPP) followed by diethyl-maleate (DEM) and piperonyl butoxide (PBO) showed good amount of synergism with chlorantraniliprole and improved efficacy against resistant strain. Findings of bioassay studies were supported by in-vitro enzyme inhibition assays. Esterase activity in gut homogenate of resistant strain was significantly inhibited by TPP suggesting esterase mediated biochemical resistance development in S. litura against chlorantraniliprole.     

越北腹露蝗卵寄生蜂：东方蝗卵蜂

东方蝗卵蜂Scelio oriemalis Dodd是越北腹露蝗Fruhstorferiola tonkinensis Will.卵的寄生性天敌.2004-2006年对广东省北部越北腹露蝗卵粒和卵块寄生率分别为43.18%和89.34%.东方蝗卵蜂产卵在越北腹露蝗卵中,幼虫期为2龄,每粒被寄生的蝗卵只出l头蜂.东方蝗卵蜂的产卵系统发达,不仅骨化程度高,而且具有伸缩性.雌雄件比约为1:0.6,羽化后即可交配.以5%的葡萄糖溶液喂养成蜂,最多可存活31 d.东方蝗卵蜂可能是某些年份越北腹露蝗种群下降的重要因子.     

Selectivity of different biological products to the egg parasitoid Telenomus remus (Hymenoptera: Platygastridae)

The selectivity of five entomopathogens and a chemical insecticide (positive control) to pupae and adults of the egg parasitoid Telenomus remus (Nixon) was evaluated in the laboratory under controlled environmental conditions according to protocols established by the International Organization for Biological Control. Baculovirus anticarsia (Baculovirus AEE^®), Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki (Thuricide^®), Bacillus thuringiensis var. aizawai (Agree^®), Beauveria bassiana (Boveril^®), Metarhizium anisopliae (Metarril^®) and Trichoderma harzianum (Trichodermil^®) are harmless to T. remus pupae, and adults. Thus, our results suggest that the insect control strategies applied here are compatible since entomopathogens were classified as harmless to T. remus in most examined cases and therefore facilitate a joint application to control different pests. Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki (Dipel^®), despite being classified as slightly harmful in some of the evaluations, can still be considered compatible for use together with T. remus, especially when compared with chemical insecticides such as chlorpyrifos that might be considered harmful to the parasitoid survival.     

Microbiota of Telenomus tridentatus (Platygastroidea: Scelionidae): An unwanted parasitoid

The microbiota of Hymenoptera is limited to certain bacterial species that vary according to the habitat and diet; however, the bacterial populations are not known in Telenomus tridentatus Johnson & Bin, an egg parasitoid of agricultural importance. We determined the microbiota composition of adults of T. tridentatus using next‐generation sequencing technologies. We found the presence of the Phylums Proteobacteria, in greater proportion followed by Actinobacteria and Firmicutes, respectively. The most abundant species were Cutibacterium acnes, Aquabacterium sp. and Massilia sp. The results of this study could lead to investigating the importance of symbiotic bacteria in T. tridentatus and its relation with agricultural plantations.