Physiological interactions and development synchronisations between non-diapausing Ostrinia nubilalis larvae and the tachinid parasitoid Pseudoperichaeta nigrolineata

The physiological relationships between Ostrinia nubilalis Hübner and its tachinid parasitoid Pseudoperichaeta nigrolineata Walker are described under abiotic conditions which induce development of the host without diapause. The parasitoid lowers the larval growth of the host: the maximal weight attained by the parasitized larvae represented only 78% of that of healthy ones. The duration of the last larval host instar increased to 10.4 days in parasitized O. nubilalis compared to 8.0 days in unparasitized ones. The influence of the host on the parasitoid development was studied experimentally after parasitization of O. nubilalis larvae of instars 2 to 5. When the second larval instar of the host is parasitized, the overall duration of parasitoid larval development lasts twice as long as when the fifth instar is parasitized. The best yield of parasitoid pupariae (50%) is obtained when parasitization occurs in instar 3. We show that good synchronisation exists between the larval development of the host and its parasitoid. There are four phases of parasitoid development which would appear to require a signal from the host: the start of the growth of newly hatched parasitoid larvae and the 3rd to 4th instar ecdysis of the host; the first moulting of the parasitoid and the 4th to 5th instar ecdysis of the host; the growth resumption of the parasitoid instar II (weight about 1 mg) and the small rise of the ecdysteroid level in the middle of host instar 5; and in all probability, the second parasitoid moulting and the larval-pupal apolysis of the host.

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Résumé Les relations physiologiques entre O. nubilalis et le tachinidae P. nigrolineata ont été étudiées dans des conditions abiotiques telles que l'hôte présente un développement sans diapause. Le parasitoïde ralentit la prise de poids de l'hôte: le poids maximal des chenilles parasitées ne représente que 78% de celui des chenilles saines. Seule la durée du 5ème stade est significativement plus longue chez les chenilles parasitées que chez les saines (10,4 contre 8,0 jours). L'influence de l'hôte sur le développement du parasitoïde à été expérimentée en parasitant des stades 2 à 5 d'O. nubilalis. Lorsque l'infestation a lieu au stade 2, le développement larvaire complet du parasitoî de dure deux fois plus longtemps que lorsque l'infestation a lieu au stade 5. Le meilleur rendement en pupes (50%) est obtenu lorsque l'infestation a lieu au stade 3. Il a été montré qu'il existe une bonne synchronisation entre le développement de l'hôte et de son parasitoî de. Il y a 4 phases physiologiques du développement larvaire de P. nigrolineata qui semblent nécessiter un signal provenant de l'hôte pour être dépassées. Ainsi peuvent être mis en relation: — le début de la croissance de la larve néonate du parasitoî de et l'ecdysis 3/4 de l'hôte; — la première mue du parasitoïde et l'ecdysis 4/5 de l'hôte; — la reprise de la croissance du stade II du parasitoïde, vers un poids de 1 mg et la remontée des taux d'ecdystéroïdes au milieu du stade 5 de l'hôte. et probablement, — la seconde mue du parasitoïde et l'apolyse nymphale de l'hôte. Les expérimentations vont se poursuivre pour déterminer les facteurs en cause. Ces phénomènes de synchronisation seront aussi étudiés dans le cas de la diapause de l'hôte.

     

Biological activities of extracts from traditionally used Nigerian plants against the European corn borer, Ostrinia nubilalis

Preliminary investigations with ethanolic (EtOH) extracts from five Nigerian plants show that extracts of Piper guineense Schum and Thonn (Piperaceae), Cedrela odorata L. (Meliaceae), Dennettia tripetala G. Baker (Annonaceae) and Aframomum melegueta (Rosch) K. Schum (Zingiberaceae) in artificial diets significantly reduced larval growth of European corn borer (ECB), Ostrinia nubilalis Hubner, at a concentration of 1000 ppm (0.1%). An extract of Xylopia aethiopica (Dunal) A. Rich (Annonaceae) was ineffective. When the extracts were subsequently incorporated into artificial diets at 300 ppm and offered to neaonates, larval mortality increased in the order A. melegueta (13%), D. tripetala (13%), P. guineense (27%), and C. odorata (48%). Larval and adult emergence periods increased with increasing concentration of P. guineense, C. odorata and D. tripetala indicating a toxic response. Nutritional indices for habituated third instar larvae with the two most promising plant extracts, P. guineense and C. odorata, showed that the efficiencies of conversion of digested food (ECD) was significantly reduced at 300 ppm suggesting a postdigestive toxicity of the extracts. P. guineense and C. odorata extracts show the best potential for development as botanical insecticides.     

The fate of immunoglobulin G fed to larvae of Ostrinia nubilalis

Since plants can be transformed genetically to produce functional antibodies, an immunological approach may be developed for controlling their arthropod pests. Specific antibodies would protect plants from arthropods if they could gain access to the pest antigen in sufficient amounts such that the normal function of the antigen is disrupted. In order to study the fate of ingested antibodies in the body of the European corn borer (ECB), Ostrinia nubilalis (Hübner), (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), we fed the larvae on serum-containing diet. When larvae were fed on the serum-containing diet for various lengths of time between 12 and 96 h, no significant differences were noted in the immunoglobulin G (IgG) concentration in their body. Immediately after the larvae stopped feeding, the concentrations of the IgG in their midgut was about one half that of the diet itself, but it decreased significantly after 6 h and again after 18 h (about 3 and 10 fold, respectively). Immediately after the larvae stopped feeding, the concentration of the IgG in their hemolymph was about 1/500 that in the diet. The concentration of IgG in the hemolymph of ECB larvae was influenced directly by the titer of antibodies in their diet. During the first 6 h after the larvae stop feeding the concentration of IgG in their hemolymph did not decrease significantly; however, it did so after 18 h (about 6 fold). The possibility that specific antibodies will gain access to antigens in the ECB body is discussed.     

Biology ofTrichogramma ostriniae (Hym.: trichogrammatidae) reared onOstrinia nubilalis (Lep.: pyralidae) and survey for additional hosts

Trichogramma ostriniae has been identified as a candidate for biological control ofOstrinia nubilalis. As little was known about the biology of this parasitoid when reared onO. nubilalis, we undertook experiments to quantify biological parameters important to mass-rearing and ase ofT. ostriniae. When reared continuously onO. nubilalis, femaleT. ostriniae on average lived 2.7 days and produced 24 progeny. Continuous access to honey resulted in a four-fold increase in longevity and fecundity and a significant increase in the percentage of females parasitizing eggs. Rates of fecundity and parasitism decreased with age of female. Likewise, emergence rates and percentage of female progeny decreased with age of parental female.T. ostriniae successfully parasitizedO. nubilalis eggs until the blackhead stage. Most parasitism of eggs and eclosion of adults occurred during the first half of photophase. Eggs of 13 Lepidopterans were parasitized byT. ostriniae. Eggs of the Noctuidae, Pyralidae, and Plutellidae experienced higher levels of parasitism than others tested.T. ostriniae appears to be similar to other species ofTrichogramma in several respects and does not possess any characteristics that limit its potential for mass rearing and use for augmentative biological control ofO. nubilalis.     

Validation of the European corn borer damage model on maize using X rays

In order to explain and predict yield losses caused by European corn borer larvae, Ostrinia nubilalis Hbn. (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), a mechanistic model was proposed to describe cavity appearance, their lengthwise extension, and their within-plant distribution. It integrates main dynamical processes of larvae: mortality, development and within-plant distribution. After its estimation and test under field conditions in 1988 and 1989, its validation, based upon X-ray photographs, is presented. This method allows cavity appearance and lengthwise extension to be followed without damaging the plants. This study confirms the relevance of the damage model and the rate of cavity lengthwise extension estimated with it.     

Temporal relationships betweenZea mays,ostrinia nubilalis (Lep.: Pyralidae) and endophyticBeauveria bassiana

The entomopathogenic fungus,Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo) Vuillemin, was applied to whorl-stage (V7) corn,Zea mays L., by foliar application of a granular formulation of corn grits containing conidia or by injection of a conidial suspension. All plants were infested with European corn borer larvae,Ostrinia nubilalis (Hübner), at the V7 (whorl), V12 (late-whorl), or V17 (pretassel) stage of plant development. Plants infested at whorl and late-whorl stages had significantly more European corn borer tunneling than did plants infested at the pretassel stage. The percentage of plants colonized byB. bassiana did not differ significantly among the whorl, late-whorl, and pretassel stages. As the plants matured,B. bassiana was isolated from different plant areas, with the pith more frequently colonized than the leaf collars. Foliar application ofB. bassiana provided immediate suppression ofO. nubilalis in those plants infested at whorl stage. The reduced efficacy ofB. bassiana at the intermediate plant stages relative to efficacy at harvest is discussed. The mention of firm names or trade products does not imply that they are endorsed or recommended by the U.S. Department of Agriculture over other firms or similar products not mentioned.     

豚草卷蛾与苍耳螟的资源生态位研究

引进的豚草卷蛾和本地的苍耳螟是取食豚草的重要天敌昆虫。为了进一步明确两种天敌种问的竞争作用,定量研究了豚草卷蛾和苍耳螟在寄主植物种类和空间上的生态位指数。结果表明,在寄主植物种类上,豚草卷蛾只取食豚草和苍耳;苍耳螟可取食豚草、苍耳、黄花蒿、向日葵、万寿菊、国庆菊、菊芋、麦杆菊;苍耳螟的生态位宽度指数(Hurbert标准值0．228)明显大于豚草卷蛾(0．069),两者的食物资源生态重叠程度较小(Horn’s指数0．318);豚草卷蛾和苍耳螟对常用资源的利用率分别为93．5％(豚草)和59．3％(苍耳)。在相同寄主植物上,两种天敌的空间生态位表现为：随着寄主植物的生长发育,两种天敌的生态位重叠程度减小;高龄幼虫的生态位宽度指数大于低龄幼虫。在食物生态位上,豚草卷蛾主要取食新发生的幼嫩枝,并且一旦蛀入形成虫瘿后很少发生转移,而苍耳螟除低龄幼虫喜蛀食幼嫩枝外,高龄幼虫的取食部位常常发生转移,从枝型较细的幼嫩枝转向枝型较粗的老龄枝。两种天敌对豚草和苍耳实际选择作用以及对常用资源利用率存在明显差异,因此,形成竞争的程度较小,在对豚草的控制机制上形成互补作用。     

基于mtCOII基因对山东省越冬代亚洲玉米螟不同种群的遗传结构分析

亚洲玉米螟Ostrinia furnacalis (Guenée)是我国重要农业害虫.为了全面揭示亚洲玉米螟遗传分化以及山东省亚洲玉米螟不同种群的遗传结构,对山东省越冬代亚洲玉米螟不同种群mtCOⅡ基因序列与来自GenBank的相关序列进行了遗传结构分析,并建立了鉴别不同遗传支系的PCR-RFLP方法.基于对340条mtCOⅡ序列的分析结果表明:所有样本共获得62个单倍型,其中单倍型17(H17)广泛分布于各种群之间,有6个单倍体型为山东种群所特有;亚洲玉米螟分化为2个遗传支系(支系Ⅰ与支系Ⅱ);2个遗传支系均在山东省发现,但以支系Ⅰ为主;亚洲玉米螟各单倍体型散布于山东省各地理种群中,缺乏明显的地理分布格局.山东亚洲玉米螟总体的单倍体型多样性指数Hd为0.695,种群内单倍型多样性指数在0.333-0.889之间;总体的核酸多样性指数π为0.00424,种群内核酸多样性指数在0.00061-0.00809之间.总群体的固定系数Fst为0.79421.AMOVA分析结果表明山东亚洲玉米螟的遗传分化主要来自于2个支系之间(79.42％).构建的亚洲玉米螟2个支系鉴别方法为其生物学与生态学的进一步研究奠定了基础.     

一种酚氧化酶原组织定位的胶体金标记免疫电镜方法

以亚洲玉米螟Ostrinia furnacalis Guenée5龄幼虫的中肠和体壁组织为材料,采用Epon812常规包埋方法,以作者实验室制备的酚氧化酶原多克隆抗体为一抗、胶体金标记的羊抗鼠IgG为二抗,采用醋酸双氧铀-柠檬酸铅双染色体系,建立一种胶体金标记的特异性强且超微结构保存较好的亚洲玉米螟幼虫体内中酚氧化酶原免疫电镜定位方法。     

几种昆虫病毒交叉感染玉米螟的研究

银纹夜蛾NPV(P_aNPV)、柞蚕NPV(ApNPV)和赤松毛虫CPV(D_aCPV)可感染玉米螟。D_aCPV对玉米螟1龄幼虫的ID_(50)为5.9×10~5PIB/ml饲料,对幼虫的生长发育、蛹重、羽化率和成虫寿命有显著影响。D_aCPV主要侵染幼虫中肠柱状细胞,在细胞质中增殖;P_aNPV和A_pNPV主要侵染幼虫的体壁细胞和气管壁细胞。D_aCPV在玉米螟幼虫体内增殖后,多角体形态由正六角形变为锥形或四方形;成虫羽化时排出的蛹便可观察到多角体,病毒可传递给子代。利用其他昆虫病毒有防治玉米螟的可能性。