Insecticidal action of Bauhinia monandra leaf lectin (BmoLL) against Anagasta kuehniella (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), Zabrotes subfasciatus and Callosobruchus maculatus (Coleoptera: Bruchidae)

Bruchid beetle larvae cause major losses in grain legume crops throughout the world. Some bruchid species, such as the cowpea weevil (Callosobruchus maculatus) and the Mexican bean weevil (Zabrotes subfasciatus), are pests that damage stored seeds. The Mediterranean flour moth (Anagasta kuehniella) is of major economic importance as a flour and grain feeder; it is often a severe pest in flour mills. Plant lectins have been implicated as antibiosis factors against insects. Bauhinia monandra leaf lectin (BmoLL) was tested for anti-insect activity against C. maculatus, Z. subfasciatus and A. kuehniella larvae. BmoLL produced ca. 50% mortality to Z. subfaciatus and C. maculatus when incorporated into an artificial diet at a level of 0.5% and 0.3% (w/w), respectively. BmooLL up to 1% did not significantly decrease the survival of A. kuehniella larvae, but produced a decrease of 40% in weight. Affinity chromatography showed that BmoLL bound to midgut proteins of the insect C. maculatus. 33 kDa subunit BmoLL was not digested by midgut preparations of these bruchids. BmoLL-fed C. maculatus larvae increased the digestion of potato starch by 25% compared with the control. The transformation of the genes coding for this lectin could be useful in the development of insect resistance in important agricultural crops.     

Application of flow cytometry for the identification of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Staphylococcus epidermidis</Emphasis> by peptide nucleic acid fluorescence in situ hybridization (PNA FISH) in blood samples

Staphylococcus epidermidis is considered to be one of the most common causes of nosocomial bloodstream infections, particularly in immune-compromised individuals. Here, we report the development and application of a novel peptide nucleic acid probe for the specific detection of S. epidermidis by fluorescence in situ hybridization. The theoretical estimates of probe matching specificity and sensitivity were 89 and 87%, respectively. More importantly, the probe was shown not to hybridize with closely related species such as Staphylococcus aureus. The method was subsequently successfully adapted for the detection of S. epidermidis in mixed-species blood cultures both by microscopy and flow cytometry.     

B cell response during infection with the MAT a and MAT alpha mating types of Cryptococcus neoformans

In the present study, we compared the B cell response of BALB/c and C57Bl/6 mice during Cryptococcus neoformans infection. This response was investigated using virulent serotype D forms of mating types alpha and a (MAT alpha and MAT a). C57Bl/6 mice showed massive (mainly cerebral) infection by both types, while BALB/c were resistant to infection. Some resistance of C57Bl/6 mice was induced by previous immunization with the capsular polysaccharide from MAT alpha. Passive immunization of C57Bl/6 mice with purified antibody (Ab) obtained from capsular polysaccharide-immunized mice also increased resistance to infection. Both mouse strains showed comparable low IgM response to the capsular polysaccharide from MAT alpha, and only C57Bl/6 mice produced IgM to the polysaccharide of MAT a. Comparable levels of different immunoglobulin (Ig) isotypes against capsular components of MAT alpha and MAT a were detected, and the response of C57Bl/6 mice was higher when compared to that of BALB/c mice. FACS analysis indicated an increase in the percentage of a high-granulosity (side-scatter) splenic subpopulation and in the percentage of splenic Gr-1+ cells in infected C57Bl/6 mice. In addition, the percentage of follicular splenic B cells was decreased after C. neoformans infection of C57Bl/6 mice. This response was more pronounced when we investigated infection induced by the MAT a mating type. Taken together, our results indicate that capsular polysaccharide derived from MAT alpha and MAT a types of C. neoformans have a stimulatory effect upon B cells but that there is no correlation between resistance of BALB/c mice and Ab production. However, the increase in resistance of C57Bl/6 mice parallels the production of Abs and a major change in splenic cell populations.     

Baseline Levels of Metals in Volcanic Soils of the Azores (Portugal)

Data on metal concentrations present in the soils of the Azores (Portugal) are scarce. The goal of this study was to measure the current levels of several metals in the top horizon of soils of two areas, distinguishable by their volcanic activity and physical characteristics, in order to establish some baseline concentrations of these elements. Soil samples were taken in similar ways from five sites in a volcanically active area and another five sites in an area without volcanic activity. Particle-size fractions, % organic matter, moisture content, pH, and major and trace elements compositions were measured. In general, the concentrations of trace metals in the soils from Santa Maria (inactive volcanism) were higher than those from Furnas (active volcanism), with the exception of Zn. The soils from Furnas, which have slightly lower pH and less % clay-silt than Santa Maria, will probably make such trace metals as Zn become more readily bioaccessible, and therefore pose a larger threat to living organisms inhabiting these soils.     

Varying responses of herbivorous and invertebrate-feeding fishes to macroalgal reduction on a coral reef

 The consequences of macroalgal overgrowth on reef fishes and means to reverse this condition have been little explored. An experimental reduction of macroalgae was conducted at a site in the Watamu Marine National Park in Kenya, where a documented increase in macroalgal cover has occurred over the last nine years. In four experimental 10 m by 10 m plots, macroalgae were greatly reduced (fleshy algal cover reduced by 84%) by scrubbing and shearing, while four similar plots acted as controls. The numerical abundance in all fish groups except wrasses and macroalgal-feeding parrotfishes (species in the genera Calotomus and Leptoscarus) increased in experimental algal reduction plots. Algal (Sargassum) and seagrass (Thalassia) assays, susceptible to scraping and excavating parrotfishes, were bitten more frequently in the algal reduction plots one month after the manipulation. Further, surgeonfish (Acanthurus leucosternon and A. nigrofuscus) foraging intensity increased in these algal reduction plots. The abundance of triggerfishes increased significantly in experimental plots relative to control plots, but densities remained low, and an index of sea urchin predation using tethered juvenile and adult Echinometra mathaei showed no differences between treatments following macroalgal reduction. Dominance of reefs by macrofleshy algae appears to reduce the abundance of fishes, mostly herbivores and their rates of herbivory, but also other groups such as predators of invertebrates (triggerfishes, butterflyfishes and angelfishes). Accepted: 2 February 1999     

cis-Jasmone indirect action on egg parasitoids (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae) and its application in biological control of soybean stink bugs (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae)

In many plants, the secondary metabolite cis-jasmone activates the metabolic pathway that produces volatile organic compounds attractive to natural enemies and, sometimes, repellent to herbivores. Previous studies indicate that the feeding damage caused by the herbivore Euschistus heros or the exogenous application of cis-jasmone in soybean plants induces the release of herbivore-induced plant volatiles (HIPVs) with a similar chemical profile and these compounds can attract the stink bug egg parasitoid Telenomus podisi (Scelionidae). Herein we tested in field conditions the effect of exogenous application of cis-jasmone in soybean plants on the parasitoid and stink bug community and on stink bug egg parasitism. In two areas, one within a soybean and another within a Crotalaria matrix, we randomly distributed 2 m² plots, with soybean plants induced (treatment, n = 5) or not induced by cis-jasmone (control, n = 5) in the field. We sampled the parasitoid community weekly with yellow sticky traps (n = 3/plot) and monitored parasitism with sentinel eggs of E. heros (n = 150/plot). We also monitored the population of stink bugs weekly, by sampling each plot with shake-cloth technique. The abundance of Scelionidae was highest overall and also in treated plots during the first four weeks in the area with a soybean matrix, but decreased thereafter. The richness of parasitoid families was similar between treatment and control plots in the area with a soybean matrix, but higher in control plots in the area with a Crotalaria matrix. Evenness was higher in control plots in the area with soybean matrix, whereas the reverse occurred in the area with a Crotalaria matrix. Results suggest that treatment with cis-jasmone effectively attracted and enhanced the population of scelionid parasitoids, but had no effect on the occurrence and intensity of parasitism and in the number of stink bugs.     

Inheritance of lambda-cyhalothrin resistance in the predator lady beetle Eriopis connexa (Germar) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae)

Lambda-cyhalothrin is a pyrethroid insecticide widely used to control pests in various crop ecosystems, in which the lady beetle occurs naturally. Therefore, lady beetle populations are exposed to lambda-cyhalothrin sprays that may foster tolerance to this insecticide. This study was conducted to confirm the occurrence of resistance in the lady beetle Eriopis connexa (Germar) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) to lambda-cyhalothrin and to characterize the inheritance of resistance after eight progressive selection with insecticide dosages based on the LD₅₀ determined for the F1 generation. Dose–mortality curves were determined for parental populations, F1 hybrids and backcross progenies. Parameters regarding the heritability of resistance to lambda-cyhalothrin in E. connexa allow estimating 10-fold increase in the initial LD₅₀ after 54.5 generations of successive selections. The resistance of E. connexa to lambda-cyhalothrin was characterized as autosomally inherited and incompletely dominant, and influenced by a major gene with possible influence of secondary genes. Additionally, the resistance in E. connexa varies from functionally dominant to functionally recessive depending on the dose used. These findings indicate that insecticide resistance in E. connexa can be selected in the field as determined for field-collected individuals, and subsequently enhanced under laboratory conditions. Its characterization presented here is an important step toward linking biological and chemical control within pest management regarding the lady beetle and lambda-cyhalothrin targeting different pest groups.