Emergence,Mating and Oviposition Behavior of the Chinese Population in Pink Bollworm,Pectinophora gossypiella (Lepidoptera:Gelechiidae)

The pink bollworm, Pectinophora gossypiella (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) is one of the most serious lepidopteran pests of cotton in the world. This pest invaded China at the onset of the 20th century, possibly through repeated introductions from several different locations worldwide. In this paper, we describe different behavioral parameters of this Hubei P. gossypiella strain under laboratory and field conditions. Using an infra-red video recorder, we observed (nocturnal) emergence, flight and mating activities, and oviposition patterns. Moth emergence started from 13:00 and continued up till 23:00. Under laboratory and field conditions, 2-7-d-old moths initiated flight around sunset, peaked 50 min later and gradually declined until 04:00. Although mating started immediately after darkness (i.e., 20:00), mating behavior was most intense from 23:00 to 03:40. Oviposition also showed distinct time-related patterns, with approx. 70% eggs laid between 20:00 and 22:00. In the studies of the relationship between flight and oviposition, the duration of flight had an effect on oviposition. The 1-d-old moths flown for 6 and 12 h began oviposition earlier than the unflown ones, and the 6-h flight had no effect on the egg production. However, the longevity of the flown moths was shortened after flight. In addition, the peaks of oviposition for the flown moths were advanced 2-3 d. The age when the moths flied affected the oviposition of adult moths. The earlier the moths started to fly after emergence, the greater the fecundity they had. The average egg production of moths flown for 24 h was less than that of non-flown moths which were of the same age. Both flight and delay in mating could advance the oviposition peak. Our study provides detailed insights in nocturnal activities and the reproductive biology of local P. gossypiella populations, which could be employed to fine-tune current pest management programs in China.     

Angiotensin I-converting enzyme inhibitory activity of gelatin hydrolysates and identification of bioactive peptides

In this project we report on the angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE)-inhibitory activity of a bovine gelatin hydrolysate (Bh2) that was submitted to further hydrolysis by different enzymes. The thermolysin hydrolysate (Bh2t) showed the highest in vitro ACE inhibitory activity, and interestingly a marked in vivo blood pressure-lowering effect was demonstrated in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). In contrast, Bh2 showed no effect in SHR, confirming the need for the extra thermolysin hydrolysis. Hence, an angiotensin I-evoked contractile response in isolated rat aortic rings was inhibited by Bh2t, but not by Bh2, suggesting ACE inhibition as the underlying antihypertensive mechanism for Bh2t. Using mass spectrometry, seven small peptides, AG, AGP, VGP, PY, QY, DY and IY or LY or HO-PY were identified in Bh2t. As these peptides showed ACE inhibitory activity and were more prominent in Bh2t than in Bh2, the current data provide evidence that these contribute to the antihypertensive effect of Bh2t.     

Foliar Nitrogen Uptake from Wet Deposition and the Relation with Leaf Wettability and Water Storage Capacity

This study assessed the foliar uptake of ¹⁵N-labelled nitrogen (N) originating from wet deposition along with leaf surface conditions, measured by wettability and water storage capacity. Foliar ¹⁵N uptake was measured on saplings of silver birch, European beech, pedunculate oak and Scots pine and the effect of nitrogen form (NH ₄ ⁺ or NO ₃ ^? ), NH ₄ ⁺ to NO ₃ ^? ratio and leaf phenology on this N uptake was assessed. Next to this, leaf wettability and water storage capacity were determined for each tree species and phenological stage, and the relationship with ¹⁵NH ₄ ⁺ and ¹⁵NO ₃ ^? uptake was examined. Uptake rates were on average five times higher (p?<?0.05) for NH ₄ ⁺ than for NO ₃ ^? and four times higher for deciduous species than for Scots pine. Developing leaves showed lower uptake than fully developed and senescent leaves, but this effect was tree species dependent. The applied NH ₄ ⁺ to NO ₃ ^? ratio did only affect the amount of N uptake by senescent leaves. The negative correlation between measured leaf contact angles and foliar N uptake demonstrates that the observed effects of tree species and phenological stage are related to differences in leaf wettability and not to water storage capacity.     

Context matters: the landscape matrix determines the population genetic structure of temperate forest herbs across Europe

Landscape Ecology - Plant populations in agricultural landscapes are mostly fragmented and their functional connectivity often depends on seed and pollen dispersal by animals. However, little is...     

Laboratory-based flight performance of the fall armyworm,Spodoptera frugiperda

In late 2018, the fall armyworm(FAW) Spodoptera frugiperda Smith(Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) made its arrival in China and its populations have since proliferated across most of eastern Asia. While S. frugiperda exhibits a considerable dispersal capacity and engages in long-distance migration, there's only scant information on the species' flight capability. Here, we empirically assessed S. frugiperda flight activity under varying climatic conditions using a flight mill. More specifically, under laboratory conditions, FAW exhibited superior flight performance at 20–25°C and 60–90% relative humidity(RH). When quantifying flight performance over five consecutive nights(i.e., 10 h/night), all flight parameters initially increased and then gradually dropped and FAW adults attained a total flight distance, duration and velocity equal to 63.73 km(48.42–94.12 km)(median, quartile range), 24.12 h(20.87–27.73 h) and 2.73 km h~(–1)(2.13–3.33 km h~(–1)), respectively. Our work constitutes a first comprehensive assessment of S. frugiperda flight performance and provides baseline information for future efforts to forecast spatiotemporal changes in its geographical distribution, movement patterns and invasion trajectories. Such can ultimately permit a timely and targeted deployment of area-wide pest management measures against this newly-invasive pest in China and across eastern Asia.     

Adult nutrition affects reproduction and flight performance of the invasive fall armyworm,Spodoptera frugiperda in China

Floral resources, such as carbohydrate-rich nectar or pollen, can bolster fitness and raise reproductive output of adult lepidopterans. Here, we used laboratory experiments to assess how those plant-derived foods impact adult fecundity, reproductive physiology and flight performance of an invasive strain of the fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda(FAW; Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in China. More specifically, supplementary feeding on bee pollen and honey enhanced FAW flight duration, testis size, ovarian development, longevity and adult fecundity. FAW adults attained the longest pre-oviposition(10.8 days) and oviposition period(6.8 days) and longevity(19.2 days) on 5% acacia honey. Upon access to 2.5% acacia honey and 2.5‰ pine pollen, S. frugiperda attained the highest mating rate(79.7%), fecundity(644.9 eggs/female) and egg hatching rate(82.3%). Feeding on honey further delayed decay of male testes, while ovarian development was enhanced when female moths were allowed access to 2.5% honey and 2.5‰ pine pollen. Upon feeding on 5% honey solution, S. frugiperda engaged in flight over the longest duration(9.5 h), distance(29.9 km) and speed(3.1 km h~(–1)). Honey had a comparatively greater effect on the above parameters than pollen. Our findings help decipher FAW invasion patterns and population dynamics, facilitate the development of nutritional attractants, and contribute to integrated pest management of this newly-invasive pest in eastern Asia.     

Larval diet affects development and reproduction of East Asian strain of the fall armyworm,Spodoptera frugiperda

In December 11, 2018, the fall armyworm(FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda invaded China and has since impacted local maize, sorghum and other crops. Here, we draw on laboratory experiments to show how different host crops(i.e., maize, sorghum, wheat and rice) and artificial diet affect larval growth and adult reproduction of one local FAW strain. Larval diet affected development duration, pupation rate, survival and emergence rate of pupae, and S. frugiperda adult fecundity. FAW attained the slowest larval development(19.4 days) on sorghum and the fastest(14.1 days) on artificial diet, with larvae attaining 99.6% survival on the latter food item. On rice, FAW larvae attained survival rate of 0.4% and were unable to pupate successfully. Pupation rate and pupal survival varied substantially between artificial diet and live plantlets at different phenological stages. Pupal weight was the highest(0.26 g) on artificial diet and the lowest(0.14 g) on sorghum, while FAW females reached the highest fecundity(699.7 eggs/female) on 2-leaf stage maize. Egg hatching rate equaled 93.6% on 4-or 5-leaf stage maize and 36.6% on artificial diet. FAW intrinsic rate of natural increase and the finite rate of increase varied between larval diets, reflecting how young maize leaves are the most suitable diet. Our findings can help to refine laboratory rearing protocols, devise population forecasting models or guide the deployment of ‘area-wide' integrated pest management(IPM) modules in FAW-invaded areas of China and other Asian countries.