Mass rearingCeratitis capitata: reuse of the finisher larval diet

The standard finisher larval diet used at Seibersdorf for rearing the Mediterranean fruit fly,Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann), was reused following autoclave heat-treatment to kill larvae or pupae remaining from its first use. Only when the spent diet was mixed with water (about 40% of final diet, w/w) to reconstitute fresh-diet texture, and combined with fresh starter, a similar, but still inferior in respect to larval duration and pupal recovery and size, to the fresh finisher diet production of flies was achieved. Enrichment of the autoclaved spent finisher with small quantities of nutrients gave inconclusive results. Although spent-diet pupae were significantly smaller than fresh-diet control pupae, their adults survived significantly longer than control adults.

---

Zur massenaufzucht vonCeratitis capitata: die wiesderverwendung der endkomponente der larvendiät

Zusammenfassung Die in Seibersdorf zur Aufzucht der Mittelmeerfruchtfliege,Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann) (Diptera: Tephritidae), verwendete Standardendkomponente der Larvendiät konnte nach Abtötung der von der Erstverwendung verbliebenen Larven oder Puppen mittels Autoklavensterilisation wiederverwendet werden. Eine zur frischen Kontrolldiät vergleichbare, jedoch bezüglich der Länge des Larvenstadiums, der Entwicklung der Puppen nach dem Schlüpfen sowie der Größe der Puppen noch immer schlechtere Fliegenproduktion wurde erreicht, wenn die wiederverwendete, autoklavierte Diät mit Wasser (ca. 40% der Enddiät, w/w) zwecks Rekonstitution zur frischen Diättexture gemischt und mit frischem Starter kombiniert wurde. Eine Anreicherung der wiederverwendeten Diätendkomponente mit geringen Mengen von Nährstoffen ergab keine schlüssigen Resultate. Obwohl Puppen der wiederverwendeten Diät signifikant kleiner als Puppen der Frischdiät-Kontrolle waren, überlebten deren Erwachsene signifikant länger als die Erwachsenen der Kontrolle.

     

Light-enhanced dark respiration in leaves and mesophyll protoplasts of pea in relation to photorespiration,respiration and some metabolites content

The respiration rate of leaves and mesophyll protoplasts of pea (Pisum sativum L.), from plants which were previously kept in darkness for 24 h was doubled following a period of photosynthesis at ambient level of O₂ (21 %), whereas the low level of O₂ (1 % and 4 % for leaves and protoplasts, respectively) reduced this light-enhanced dark respiration (LEDR) to the rate as noted before the illumination. Similarly to respiration rate, the oxygen at used concentrations had no effect on the ATP/ADP ratio in the dark-treated leaves. However, the ATP/ADP ratio in leaves photosynthesizing at 21 % O₂ was higher (up to 40 %, dependence on CO₂ concentration in the range 40–1600 1 dm⁻³) than in those photosynthesizing at 1 % O₂ or darkened at air (21 % O₂). Also, at 1 % O₂ the accumulation of malate was suppressed (by about 40 %), to a value noted for leaves darkened at 21 % O₂. The dark-treatment of leaves reduced the ability of isolated mitochondria to oxidize glycine (by about twofold) and succinate, but not malate. Mitochondria from both the light- and dark-treated leaves did not differ in qualitative composition of free amino acids, however, there were significant quantitative differences especially with respect to aspartate, alanine, glutamate and major intermediates of the photorespiratory pathway (glycine, serine). Our results suggest that accumulation of photorespiratory and respiratory metabolites in pea leaves during photosynthesis at 1 % O₂ is reduced, hence the suppression of postillumination respiration rate.     

Three viruses found in the braconid parasitoid Microplitis croceipes and their implications in biological control programs

Productivity and longevity decreased in a laboratory colony of the parasitoid wasp Microplitis croceipes (Cresson) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae). Using light microscopy, it was determined that the colony was free of microsporidia. However, samples of the colony examined for pathogens by electron microscopy revealed three types of viruses: a nonpathogenic polydnavirus which is produced by all female wasps; a nonoccluded baculovirus which is pathogenic to late-stage pupae and adults; and a picorna-like virus which is present in larvae, pupae, and adults. The nonoccluded baculovirus was eliminated from the laboratory colony of M. croceipes by selection of progeny from wasps which had oviposited within 2 to 3 days after emergence from the cocoons and which had lived for at least 14 days post-emergence. Upon death, the wasps were examined by negative stain electron microscopy and only progeny from baculovirus-free wasps were retained. Parasitoid colonies should be systematically examined for pathogenic viruses that may reduce their productivity and efficacy as biological control agents. In addition, exotic parasitoids and predators should be evaluated for viruses and other pathogens while in quarantine.     

Genome size evolution in relation to leaf strategy and metabolic rates revisited

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: It has been proposed that having too much DNA may carry physiological consequences for plants. The strong correlation between DNA content, cell size and cell division rate could lead to predictable morphological variation in plants, including a negative relationship with leaf mass per unit area (LMA). In addition, the possible increased demand for resources in species with high DNA content may have downstream effects on maximal metabolic efficiency, including decreased metabolic rates. METHODS: Tests were made for genome size-dependent variation in LMA and metabolic rates (mass-based photosynthetic rate and dark respiration rate) using our own measurements and data from a plant functional trait database (Glopnet). These associations were tested using two metrics of genome size: bulk DNA amount (2C DNA) and monoploid genome size (1Cx DNA). The data were analysed using an evolutionary framework that included a regression analysis and independent contrasts using a phylogenetic tree with estimates of molecular diversification times. A contribution index for the LMA data set was also calculated to determine which divergences have the greatest influence on the relationship between genome size and LMA. KEY RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: A significant negative association was found between bulk DNA amount and LMA in angiosperms. This was primarily a result of influential divergences that may represent early shifts in growth form. However, divergences in bulk DNA amount were positively associated with divergences in LMA, suggesting that the relationship may be indirect and mediated through other traits directly related to genome size. There was a significant negative association between genome size and metabolic rates that was driven by a basal divergence between angiosperms and gymnosperms; no significant independent contrast results were found. Therefore, it is concluded that genome size-dependent constraints acting on metabolic efficiency may not exist within seed plants.     

饲养黄曲条菜跳甲实验种群的一种新方法

介绍一种简便可行的饲养黄曲条菜跳甲Phyllotretastriolata(F.)的新方法———整苗大瓶罩养法。用5种植物根部饲养越冬代,黄曲条菜跳甲均可成功地完成其生活周期,未成熟期最高存活率为63.3%,成虫平均寿命最长为219.2d,平均产卵量最大为192.4粒雌。     

Behavior of Japanese monkey (Macaca fuscata) mothers and neonates at parturition

Parturitional behavior in 12 caged Macaca fuscatawas analyzed. Wild-caught mothers showed adequate maternal behaviors immediately following the neonate’s expulsion. Parity differences existed in the behaviors; primiparae were more idiosyncratic than were multiparae. Among multiparae, those with two or more offspring were uniformly adequate, but those with a single birth experience varied in the adequacy of the maternal care they provided at parturition. Mothers embraced and licked their neonates and had ventroventral contact with them frequently immediately after parturition but decreased these behaviors after expulsion of the placenta. In contrast, mothers showed allogrooming after consuming the placenta. Placentophagy was correlated with the level of orality represented by maternal licking behaviors. An isolation-reared primipara reacted to her newborn in a basically negative manner, although she showed little actual aggression. She showed a rapid shift in her negative behavior during the immediate postpartum period. This mother’s newborn sought contact with her, indicating the neonate’s active role in establishing a stable mother-neonate bond.     

小菜蛾群体繁殖技术

小菜蛾是世界性十字花科蔬菜的主要害虫 ,也是迄今研究认为抗药性发展最快、最为严重的农业害虫。害虫抗药性以及蔬菜害虫防治技术等方面的研究使小菜蛾成为重要的实验昆虫。本文讨论小菜蛾室内群体繁殖技术的几种方法