Patterns of sclerobiont colonization on the rugose coral Schlotheimophyllum patellatum (Schlotheim, 1820) from the Silurian of Gotland,Sweden

Analysis of mushroom-shaped rugose corals Schlotheimophyllum patellatum (Schlotheim, 1820) from the Silurian (Upper Visby Beds, Lower Wenlock, Sheinwoodian) of Gotland, Sweden, showed that they were colonized on both the upper (exposed) and lower (cryptic) sides by a variety of encrusting and boring (sclerobiont) biotas, represented by 10 taxa and at least 23 species. Bryozoans and microconchid tubeworms, the most abundant encrusters, dominated on the cryptic undersides of the corals, while the dominant endobionts responsible for Trypanites borings overwhelmingly dominated the exposed surfaces. Except for cnidarian sphenothallids, which were exclusive colonizers of the underside of only one coral host, no other encrusters could be referred to as obligate cryptobionts. Because the upper surface of these corals was likely covered by soft-tissues during life, in specimens lifted off the sea-floor sclerobionts must have settled on the cryptic sides first. They could colonize the upper side only after the coral’s death, unless it was covered by sediment as could be the case in some flat specimens. With time, the space on the underside of the coral skeleton may have progressively been filled by sediment as well, precluding further colonization by sclerobionts. In that respect, the colonization patterns of these corals by encrusters and borers were controlled by the complex interplay of environmental factors, sclerobiont dynamics and coral growth in a given Silurian habitat. Compared with Silurian stromatoporoid hosts, the sclerobiont diversity and abundance noted on the Schlotheimophyllum corals may be regarded as representative for the Silurian as a whole.     

Effect of nitrogen fertilizer level on infestations of lepidopterous stemborers and yields of maize in Zanzibar

The effect of nitrogen levels of 0, 60, 120, and 250 kg/ha and insecticide treatment (Furadan) on population densities and parasitism of lepidopteran stemborers, and maize yields were studied in Zanzibar during 2004/05. Chilo partellus (Swinhoe) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) dominated by 3-fold over Sesamia calamistis Hampson (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) and 42 fold over Chilo orichalcociliellus Strand (Lepidoptera: Crambidae). Stemborer density per plant and parasitism by Cotesia flavipes (Cameron) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) increased with nitrogen application level. Percentage of bored internodes per plant caused by stemborer decreased with N levels during the short rainy season. Pesticide application reduced densities of all stemborer species during the short rainy season, when infestations were high. Maize yield increased 2 to 8 times with N level, compared to the zero treatment, but the effect was less pronounced in the protected plots.     

Host Suitability of Four Cereal Stem Borers (Lepidoptera: Crambidae, Noctuidae) for Different Geographic Populations of Cotesia sesamiae (Cameron) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) in Kenya

This study focused on the suitability of four species of cereal stem borers for the development of five geographic populations of Cotesia sesamiae (Cameron). C. sesamiae, an indigenous larval parasitoid of gramineous stem borers, is widespread in Africa. Four stem borers, Chilo partellus (Swinhoe), Chilo orichalcociliellus Strand (Lepidoptera: Crambidae), Busseola fusca Fuller, and Sesamia calamistis Hampson (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), were offered to C. sesamiae for oviposition. Parasitoid individuals originated from five locations in Kenya. Biological parameters such as developmental time, percentage parasitism, progeny production, mortality of immature parasitoids, and proportion of female progeny were compared across host species. The two populations from western Kenya developed well on B. fusca. However, populations from the coast and the Eastern Province could not successfully parasitize B. fusca. With the exception of B. fusca, the percentage of hosts successfully parasitized by the different C. sesamiae populations was not different. The size of the host appeared to be an important factor influencing the development and reproductive potential of the parasitoid. We conclude that the different parasitoid populations were adapted to location-specific characteristics. Parasitoid–host compatibility must be evaluated before release for better establishment and colonization.     

水稻螟虫神经肽PBAN及其受体序列的生物信息学分析

【目的】性信息素合成激活肽(PBAN)是控制昆虫产生性信息素的激素,本文旨在分析水稻螟虫神经肽PBAN及其受体的序列。【方法】通过t Blastn同源检索从水稻螟虫基因组和转录组数据库中鉴定水稻螟虫PBAN神经肽及其受体序列,在此基础上进行序列比对及系统发生分析。【结果】发现二化螟Chilo suppressalis、三化螟Tryporyza incertulas和大螟Sesamia inferens的PBAN成熟肽序列均含有33个氨基酸残基,其C端五肽序列完全相同,3种水稻螟虫PBAN多肽相似度为54.55%~63.64%;发现二化螟PBAN受体3个异构体全长氨基酸序列(PBANR-A、PBANR-B和PBANR-C),均含有7个跨膜区域。【结论】进化树分析发现不同昆虫PBAN神经肽及其受体存在一定的保守性和多样性,并且在进化树上的位置几乎与昆虫系统发育分类一致,推测PBAN神经肽和PBAN受体在昆虫系统进化过程中可能存在协同进化现象。本研究为水稻螟虫PBAN神经肽及其受体的结构和功能分析提供基础。     

Is genome size of Lepidoptera linked to host plant range?

Genome size varies considerably among organisms, largely as the result of differences in the content of non‐coding and/or repetitive DNA, such as introns, pseudogenes, or transposable elements, as well as whole‐genome duplications. Genome size is known to correlate with metabolic rates. Because polyphagy also affects the metabolism, a correlation between diet specialization and genome size can be expected. To test this hypothesis, a study was undertaken with five closely related species of stem borers which are easy to rear under artificial conditions, namely Busseola fusca (Fuller), Busseola segeta (Bowden), Busseola nairobica Le Ru, Sesamia calamistis Hampson, and Sesamia nonagrioides Lefebvre (all Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). However, as the number of species was too low for correlating diet with genome size in Lepidoptera in general, literature data from 16 Lepidoptera species were used in addition. The results pointed to a relationship between genome size and the insect's host plant range in Lepidoptera, but below the family level only, with larger genomes in polyphagous compared to specialist species. In addition, the genome size appeared to be influenced not only by host plant range but also by environmental/climatic conditions. Studies to test this hypothesis should be done strictly below the family level.     

Effect of timing of application of Nosema marucae on the control of the spotted stalk borer Chilo partellus infesting sorghum

A local variety of sorghum (Serena) was planted in a screenhouse and infested with first‐instar Chilo partellus larvae. Sorghum rows were then inoculated at random with an aqueous suspension of Nosema marucae containing 1.6 ×10⁸ spores ml^‐1 at 2‐day intervals from 1 to 16 days after infestation (DAI). Foliar damage was low in plants inoculated with the pathogen at 1 and 3 DAI, where the highest score was 0.2 on a scale of 0–9. However, leaf damage increased rapidly as the interval between infestation and spraying of N. marucae became longer. At 19 DAI the foliar damage score on plants that had been inoculated at day 16 was 8.4. Similarly, the proportion of plants with either fully or partially formed heads decreased from 97.9% in plants sprayed at 3 DAI, to 10.8% at 11 DAI and 0% at 16 DAI. The timing of application of N. marucae is therefore important in the utilization of the microsporidian for the biological control of stem‐boring lepidopterans. This study suggests that a single, well timed application of Nosema spores can effectively control C. partellus for up to 19 days following oviposition.     

Activity of defense related enzymes and gene expression in pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan) due to feeding of Helicoverpa armigera larvae

The biochemical and molecular basis of the defense in a mild tolerant (ICPL-332) and susceptible (ICPL-87) cultivars of pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan) due to Helicoverpa. armigera infestation was studied. We found that feeding by the larvae generated H₂O₂ in a localized manner and activity was observed upto 12?h (hrs) of with a sharp decline within 24?h. Similarly, PPO activity was also detected till 12?h of treatment, which decreased after 24?h of feeding by larvae. The activity of trypsin inhibitor was detected in all the treatments when assayed at 12 and 24?h after larval feeding. The expression of defense genes like the Pre-hevein-like protein PR-4 precursor (PR-4), protease inhibitor/seed storage/LTP family protein (Ltp) were significantly up-regulated in ICPL-332 upon infestation after 12?h as compared to ICPL-87, whereas the endo 1, 4 -β-glucanase (Kor-1) gene was expressed in both the cultivars after 24?h of infestation. Both the cultivars varied with respect to the induction of defense-related genes during larval feeding, both the PR-4 and Ltp genes appeared to be important for defense against H. armigera in pigeon pea. Thus, the present study revealed an insight of herbivore-induced biochemical and molecular changes in pigeon pea.     

Chemical control of fig longicorn, Acalolepta vastator (Newman) (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae), infesting grapevines

Abstract  Chemical control trials against fig longicorn, Acalolepta vastator , were conducted on grapes in New South Wales between 1989 and 1994 using materials, some registered and others unregistered, for use in grapevines. Emerging adults and newly hatched larvae were exposed to direct and residual contact in a seasonal spraying strategy. Azinphos-methyl, chlorpyrifos and methidathion initially demonstrated efficacy, but later trials produced variable results with the first two insecticides. Azinphos-methyl gave superior residual adult control to chlorpyrifos. An urgent need for field control resulted in azinphos-methyl, chlorpyrifos and methidathion being recommended against A. vastator . Initial industry adoption resulted in an immediate reduction in the pest population, but a subsequent pest resurgence stimulated further study into more effective chemicals. In a trial of some new chemicals, imidacloprid and λ-cyhalothrin gave excellent control. A new spraying strategy comprising concentrated λ-cyhalothrin applied twice, the first early in the season and the second post-vintage gave excellent control. Difficulties with seasonal spraying provide encouragement for further development of this approach.