Postglacial expansion and genome subdivision in the European grasshopper Chorthippus parallelus

A noncoding nuclear DNA marker sequence (Cpnl-1) was used to investigate subdivision in the grasshopper Chorthippus parallelus and deduce postglacial expansion patterns across its species range in Europe. Investigation of the spatial distribution of 71 Cpnl-1 haplotypes and estimation of levels of genetic differentiation (K_ST values) between populations and geographic regions provided evidence for subdivision of C. parallelus into at least five major geographic regions and indicated that the French form of C. parallelus originated after range expansion from a Balkan refugium, Further evidence for subdivision of C. parallelus between Italy and northern Europe suggests that the Alps may have formed a significant barrier to gene flow in this grasshopper.     

Haemagglutinin activity in the haemolymph of individual Acrididae (grasshopper) specimens

Twenty-four individual grasshopper specimens representing four Melanoplus spp. contained similar broad-spectrum haemolymphatic haemagglutinin. The agglutinin activity showed highest titre toward human ABO and rabbit cells among nine types of erythrocytes tested. Titre values differed between individual insects but agglutination specificity toward different erythrocytes was similar. Agglutination of type-O red cells by individual grasshopper haemolymph was inhibited by 34 of 41 tested carbohydrates, carbohydrate derivatives, alcohols and chelating agents. Individual insects showed similar patterns of haemagglutination inhibition. Non-inhibitory compounds were mannose and mannose derivatives (excepting N-acetylneuraminate), several glucose derivatives, amino sugars and ethanol. The observations indicated that haemolymph from an individual grasshopper contained complex heteroagglutinin activity similar to that found in haemolymph pooled from several insects. Determination of minimal effective inhibitor concentrations confirmed the presence of heteroagglutinin activity primarily directed toward galactose and glucose and related α-linked glycosidic derivatives.     

Development of strategies for the incorporation of biological pesticides into the integrated management of locusts and grasshoppers

• 1 Effective biological pesticides based on oil formulation of deuteromycete fungal spores have been developed for use against locusts and grasshoppers. The isolate IMI 330189 of Metarhizium anisopliae (flavoviride) var. acridum has been registered, extensively field tested and its operating characteristics explored. It should form an powerful component technology in the integrated management of locust and grasshopper pests.
• 2 The particular advantages of Metarhizium anisopliae were found to be efficacy and persistence, low vertebrate toxicity, little environmental impact, conservation of natural enemies and potential for recycling. Additional socio-economic advantages include the possibility of local production, ease of disposal and versatility in use. The principal disadvantages relate to operating characteristics such as slower speed of kill and slightly greater lability in storage than chemical pesticides.
• 3 Strategies are being developed to integrate biological control agents into locust and grasshopper management schemes; for Metarhizium the accent is placed on: (i) treating the pest before it invades crops and (ii) situations with a high premium on environmental issues.
• 4 For some pest situations, fast-acting chemical pesticides will still be necessary for crop protection.
• 5 A cheaper biological agent, such as Nosema locustae, with the capacity to persist in the pest insect population would be useful. Research is recommended on the long-term impact of Nosema in Africa.
• 6 An evaluation of the utility of the manual destruction of egg pods leads to the conclusion that we should consider the possibility of importing egg parasitoids, such as Scelio parvicornis from Australia, into Africa.
• 7 Further development work is needed to clarify the economics and politics of locust and grasshopper control; to improve the regulatory framework for biopesticides; to inform key decision makers of the availability and potential of Metarhizium; and to implement the bio-intensive IPM strategies described.

     

秦巴山区蝗虫群落多样性研究

作者于1995～1997年对秦巴山区蝗虫资源进行了调查。采用Shannon-Wiener提出的多样性指数(H')公式、Pielou提出的均匀度(E)公式及Simpson提出的优势度(C)公式,计算群落的多样性、均匀度和优势度。结果表明,不同地区、不同生境、不同海拔高度及不同月份,秦巴山区蝗虫群落的物种数目、多样性指数值、均匀度及优势度指数值均有明显差异。这主要与蝗虫的生物学特性直接有关,另外也受到环境因素的影响。     

九种蝗虫精子发生过程中c-kit蛋白特异性表达比较分析(英文)

c-kit蛋白在昆虫和哺乳动物生殖细胞发育中发挥着重要作用。本研究通过免疫组织化学法和生物统计方法,比较分析了隶属于直翅目蝗总科的9种蝗虫精子发生过程中c-kit蛋白表达差异。结果显示,蝗虫精子发生过程中c-kit蛋白均出现阶段特异性表达,并且在9种蝗虫种间c-kit蛋白表达出现显著差异。     

小翅稻蝗(Oxya yezoensis Shiraki)翅多型现象浅释

对小翅稻蝗翅型构成的季节变化,长翅型、短翅型产卵前期间的差异及光周期对翅型分化的影响进行了调查,结果表明,小翅稻蝗存在着明显的翅多型现象,相对翅长(前翅长/后足腿节长)最长可达1.49,最短只有0.50,翅长呈连续性双模态分布。早期羽化的个体大多为长翅型,随着季节的推移,羽化成虫短翅率逐渐增加。长翅型雌成虫的产卵前期间为42.7±13.1日,短翅型为15.3±6.4日,短翅型雌成虫的产卵前期间显著短于长翅型。不同的光周期短翅成虫出现的比例不同,光照短于LD1212时,几乎全为短翅型,LD1410短翅率为66.8%,LD168则长翅率达62.1%,光照长于LD186时,几乎全为长翅型。     

Effect of photoperiod on the maternal induction of an egg diapause in the grasshopper Chorthippus bornhalmi

The effect of the photoperiod experienced maternally on the induction of an egg diapause was studied in the grashopper Chorthippus bornhalmi Harz (Acridoidea: Gomphocerinae), which lives on the southern Balkan peninsula. Photoperiods used ranged from L12:D12 to L20:D4 and were kept constant, or were increased or decreased after the imaginal ecdysis in other experiments. Under most conditions in the study, the females laid almost only diapause eggs (not less than 93%). Using constant day-lengths, only at L14:D10 the percentage of non-diapause eggs was somewhat higher (20%). An increase in day-length from moderately long (L14:D10) to long day (L16:D8) was necessary for non-diapause eggs to predominate. However, the percentage of non-diapause eggs decreased with the age of the females, except when the day-length was raised a second time. An increase from short day (L12:D12) to moderately long day (L14:D10) or from long day (L16:D8) to extremely long day (L18:D6) as well as a decrease of day-length, all resulted in the production of diapause eggs. The consequences for the life cycle are discussed.

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Zusammenfassung Der einfluß der Photoperiode auf die maternelle Induktion einer Eidiapause beim Grashüpfer Chorthippus bornhalmi wurde untersucht. Die Art lebt auf der südöstlichen Balkanhalbinsel. Die getesteten Photoperioden reichten von L12:D12 bis L20:D4. In einem Teil der Versuche wurde die Photoperiode während des gesamten Lebens der Grashüpfer konstant gehalten, in anderen nach der Imaginalhäutung erhöht oder erniedrigt. Unter den meisten Bedingungen legten die Grashüpfer-Weibchen fast ausschließlich Diapause-Eier (mehr als 93%). Bei konstanten Tageslängen stieg der Anteil der Subitaneier lediglich nach einer Eiablage bei L14:D10 auf 20%. Eine Erhöhung der Photophase von 14 auf 16 Stunden war notwendig, damit der Anteil an Subitaneier überwog. Aber auch unter diesen Bedingungen nahm ihr Anteil mit dem Alter der Weibchen ab, außer wenn die Photophase noch ein zweites Mal (auf 18 Stunden) verlängert worden war. Eine Zunahme der Tageslänge von Kurztag (L12:D12) auf mäßigen Langtag (L14:D10) oder auch von Langtag (L16:D8) auf extremen Langtag (L18:D6) sowie eine Abnahme der Tageslänge hatten zur Folge, daß die Weibchen fast ausschließlich Diapause-Eier legten. Auf grund der spezialisierten Form der Diapause-Induktion können die Grashüpfer im Freiland nur im Frühjahr Subitaneier legen.

     

One new genus and three new species of wingless grasshoppers from Xizang,China(Orthoptera:Acridoidea)

One new genus and three new species of wingless grasshoppers,i.e.Pseudozubovskia gen.nov.,Pseudozubovskia xizangensis sp.nov.,Eokingdonella gongbugyanda sp.nov.,Dysanema magna sp.nov.are described.The type specimens are deposited in the Institute of Zoology,Shaanxi Normal University.