Development and survival ofOrius albidipennis andO. levigatus (Het.: Anthocoridae) on various diets

The effect of various diets on nymphal development and survival of two predaceous anthocorid bugs,Orius albidipennis (Reuter) andO. laevigatus (Fieber) was investigated in the laboratory. Five different diets were compared: eggs ofEphestia kuehniella Zeller; eggs ofE. kuehniella plus mixed flower pollen; only mixed flower pollen; pollen from sweet pepper (Capsicum annuum L. cv. Mazurka) flowers; and sweet pepper plants. A high percentage of predators successfully completed nymphal development on those diets containing lepidopterous eggs. When fed on sweet pepper pollen, the survival percentages were 65% forO. laevigatus and 38% forO. albidipennis. No nymphs of either species completed the nymphal stage on mixed flower pollen or on sweet pepper plants. Development was significantly faster on diets containing eggs ofE. kuehniella. Results are discussed in relation to the capability of the bugs to survive periods of prey scarcity and to the optimization of release strategies for these predators in the greenhouse.     

Effects of synthetic cecropia juvenile hormone and of a mimic substance, applied to different stages of the cabbage maggot, Hylemyia brassicae

Both synthetic cecropia juvenile hormone (I) and the juvenile hormone mimic substance 1-(4-ethylphenoxy)-6,7-epoxy-3,7-dimethyl-2-octene (II), possess ovicidal activity against freshly laid eggs of the cabbage maggot, Hylemyia brassicae. Topical application of both products to last-instar larvae and young pupae prevents the adults escaping from the puparium. Mixing the hormone substances with the liquid food of the adults, or topical application to adults, even in very high concentrations, does not influence fecundity or fertility.

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Résumé L'hormone juvénile synthétique (I) (3, 11-diméthyl 7-éthyl 10-époxy 2,6-tridécadiénoate de méthyle, isomère E, E, Z) et le mimétique de l'hormone juvénile (II) (1-(4-éthylphénoxy)-6,7-époxy-3,7-diméthyl-2-octene) possèdent une action ovicide sur les ufs fraîchement pondus de la mouche du chou (H. brassicae (Bouché)). Le dernier produit semble avoir une action ovicide plus prononcée. Les deux produits semblent également avoir un effet répulsif vu que le nombre moyen d'ufs pondus par femelle diminue quand la concentration augmente.Une application topique sur les larves du dernier stade et sur les pupes, inhibe l'émergence des imagines qui n'accusent pourtant aucune malformation. Cinq g (II) par larve empêchent l'éclosion de 90% des imagines; dix g (II) par pupe inhibent totalement l'émergence.Le mélange du produit (II) à l'alimentation ou une application directe sur la mouche adulte n'influence ni la fécondité ni la fertilité.

     

Results of the sixth joint pesticide testing programme of the IOBC/WPRS-working group «pesticides and beneficial organisms»

The side effects of 5 insecticides, 8 fungicides and 6 herbicides on 24 species of beneficial organisms were tested by members of the Working Group «Pesticides and Beneficial Organisms» of the International Organization for Biological Control (IOBC), West Palaearctic Regional Section (WPRS). The tests were conducted by 24 members in 11 countries according to internationally approved guidelines. The insecticide buprofezin (Applaud), the fungicides triforine (Saprol), procymidone (Sumisclex), anilazine (Dyrene), triadimenol (Bayfidan), hexaconazole (Anvil), tridemorph (Calixin) and the herbicides tralkoxydim (Grasp), bentazone (Basagran) were harmless to nearly all the beneficial organisms. Diflubenzuron (Dimilin) affected spiders and the larvae of predatory insects. The remaining 10 preparations were more toxic and should therefore be further tested in semi-field and field experiment on relevant organisms.     

PF-4var/CXCL4L1 predicts outcome in stable coronary artery disease patients with preserved left ventricular function

Background

Platelet-derived chemokines are implicated in several aspects of vascular biology. However, for the chemokine platelet factor 4 variant (PF-4var/CXCL4L1), released by platelets during thrombosis and with different properties as compared to PF-4/CXCL4, its role in heart disease is not yet studied. We evaluated the determinants and prognostic value of the platelet-derived chemokines PF-4var, PF-4 and RANTES/CCL5 in patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD).

Methodology/Principal Findings

From 205 consecutive patients with stable CAD and preserved left ventricular (LV) function, blood samples were taken at inclusion and were analyzed for PF-4var, RANTES, platelet factor-4 and N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP). Patients were followed (median follow-up 2.5 years) for the combined endpoint of cardiac death, non-fatal acute myocardial infarction, stroke or hospitalization for heart failure. Independent determinants of PF-4var levels (median 10 ng/ml; interquartile range 8–16 ng/ml) were age, gender and circulating platelet number. Patients who experienced cardiac events (n = 20) during follow-up showed lower levels of PF-4var (8.5 [5.3–10] ng/ml versus 12 [8–16] ng/ml, p = 0.033). ROC analysis for events showed an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.82 (95% CI 0.73–0.90, p<0.001) for higher NT-proBNP levels and an AUC of 0.32 (95% CI 0.19–0.45, p = 0.009) for lower PF-4var levels. Cox proportional hazard analysis showed that PF-4var has an independent prognostic value on top of NT-proBNP.

Conclusions

We conclude that low PF-4var/CXCL4L1 levels are associated with a poor outcome in patients with stable CAD and preserved LV function. This prognostic value is independent of NT-proBNP levels, suggesting that both neurohormonal and platelet-related factors determine outcome in these patients.     

Laboratory test method to evaluate the effect of 31 pesticides on the predatory bug,Orius laevigatus (Het: Anthocoridae)

A laboratory test method was developed to evaluate the pesticide toxicity on the predatory bugOrius laevigatus (Fieber). Newly hatched first-instar nymphs ofO. laevigatus were exposed to spray deposits of pesticides that were sprayed on the glass plates of a drum cell at the manufacturer’s recommended maximum dosage. Nymphal mortality and oviposition of surviving adults were recorded. Test results of various (31) commonly used pesticides (insecticides, insecticides/acaricides, acaricides and fungicides) are presented and discussed in accord with the classification of the IOBC/WPRS Working Group ”Pesticides and Beneficial Organisms”. Most fungicides had no toxic effect on nymphal development and egg-laying of surviving adults. The acaricides tested had variable toxicity on the predatory bug, while some insect growth regulators, such as the benzoylphenyl urea were very toxic. Otherwise, the ecdysone agonist tebufenozide and azadirachtin were not harmful for nymphal development and oviposition     

RNA metabolism and poly(A) distribution in mouse liver following administration of dimethylnitrosamine

Dimethylnitrosamine (DMNA) strongly inhibited RNA synthesis in mouse liver under conditions when the nucleotide pattern, rate of nucleotide synthesis and phosphorylation ratio were unaffected. (An unidentified, probably non-nucleotide, component in the acid-soluble liver fraction was selectively reduced.) The inhibition of RNA synthesis was associated with a decrease in the RNA polymerase activity of isolated liver nuclei, well established already 45 min after DMNA administration. The reduced activity included both Mg2+- and Mn2+/(NH4)2SO4-stimulated polymerase functions. The inhibition in vivo involved the whole complement of RNA, including poly (A)-containing RNA and isolated poly(A) sequences. The transfer of labelled RNA from the nucleus to the cytoplasm was not impaired. There was no detachment of poly(A)-containing RNA from the microsomes, and the proportion of tightly membrane-bound microsomal RNA and poly(A) sequences was not reduced as determined by use of a flotation technique. No breakage or shortening of the poly(A) chains was indicated by sedimentation analysis.     

Sequential testing scheme for the assessment of the side-effects of plant protection products on the predatory bug Orius laevigatus

This paper describes a number of test methods, to beused in a sequential scheme, for testing the side-effects ofplant protection products on anthocorid bugs. Orius laevigatuswas used as test species. A `worst case' laboratory method wasdeveloped for evaluating the effect on mortality of the nymphsand the reproduction of the adults. An extended laboratory methodgives information on the effect of pesticides on adults undermore natural conditions. A semi-field test is executed in smallplots under field (glasshouse) conditions. Finally a field testsimulates the conditions in a commercial crop. For harmfulchemicals, both a laboratory and a semi-field persistence testwas developed to determine the safety period after which thepredatory bugs can be re-introduced in the greenhouse withoutbeing adversely affected. The total result of this sequentialscheme should indicate whether, and with what restrictions, aparticular pesticide can be implemented in IPM programs in whichO. laevigatus is used for control of western flower thrips(Frankliniella occidentalis). Twenty-two pesticides were testedincluding five fungicides, twelve insecticides and fiveacaricides. The fungicides captan, carbendazim, sulphur, thiram,tolylfluanid and the insecticides or acaricides pymetrozine,pyriproxyfen, tebufenozide and hexythiazox were harmless in the`worst case' laboratory test and thus did not need furthertesting. Imidacloprid, diafenthiuron, lufenuron, tebufenpyrad,abamectin, pyridaben and bifenthrin were harmful in thesemi-field test and should, in the tested concentrations, betternot be used simultaneously with the predatory bug. Theinsecticide dichlorvos was found harmful but short-lived in thepersistence test; it should be used before the introduction ofthe predatory bug O. laevigatus only when a safety period of 7days is respected. Pirimicarb was slightly toxic in thesemi-field test but short-lived. In IPM programs this aphicideshould be used at a low application frequency.     

Sex pheromone components of the cabbage armyworm, Mamestra brassicae: Isolation, identification and field experiments

Glass capillary gaschromatography coupled to a mass spectrometer has shown that in addition to Z-11-hexadecenyl acetate, hexadecyl acetate and Z-11-heptadecenyl acetate are present in pheromone glands of calling virgin females of Mamestra brassicae L. (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae, Hadeninae). Electroantennography revealed positive responses for Z 11–17: Ac and 16: Ac, while behavioural tests were only positive for Z 11–17: Ac.

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Résumé Il a été procédé à l'identification des phéromones par chromatographie en phase gazeuse et par spectrographie de masse. Outre l'acétoxy-1 hexadécène-11Z, on identifié l'acétoxy-heptadécène-11Z et l'acétoxy-1-hexadécane dans les glandes des femelles vierges de M. brassicae. L'antennographie a montré des réactions positives à l'acétoxy-hepta-décène-11Z et à l'acétoxy-1-hexadécane, tandis que seul l'acétoxyhepta-décène-11Z provoque un comportement sexuel des mâles.