New ways and new hopes for IGR development

Insect Growth Regulators (IGRs) represent advanced, bio-rational insecticides. This Special Issue reflects progress in IGR development that has been enabled by insight into the molecular principles of biosynthetic or hormone signaling pathways. The unifying principle is aiming at processes and molecular targets that are unique to arthropods and ideally to narrower insect taxa representing pests or disease vectors. While some strategies of obtaining the desired compounds for chemical intervention rely on rational, structure-based design or computational power, others exploit technologies allowing automated, high-throughput screening of large chemical libraries. All avenues leading to selective and environmentally safe pest control are valid as we face the imminent threat of the declining world insect population.     

Earthworm biodiversity in São Paulo state,Brazil

In this paper we present an up-to-date list of the terrestrial earthworms of the state of São Paulo (SP), Brazil. Seventy-seven species are known, of which about 39% are exotic and 61% native, mostly of the Glossoscolecidae (55% of total) and Ocnerodrilidae (17% of total) families. Pontoscolex corethrurus (Müller, 1857) and Amynthas spp. are widespread in the state, while many native species appear to be endemic. Various large-bodied worms (minhocuçus), some intensely harvested for the bait industry, may be endangered. Considering the significance of earthworm activity for soil function, the intensity of land use transformation in Brazil, and the probable existence of new species to be described from SP and other Brazilian states, further sampling efforts and taxonomic training of Brazilian scientists are urgently needed.     

不同地区黑蚱蝉的形态结构与鸣声比较研究

黑蚱蝉的鸣声和其发音器,具有基本的构造和特性,即种性.但也有一定的地理差异,鸣声有单音色,复合声,主峰频率高低等变化,这和形态的大小,发音器及其辅助发音器的变化相一致.黑蚱蝉的召唤声和求偶声是鸣声分类较理想的类型,而群鸣声不能用于种下分类.     

晚稻稻瘟病BP神经网络分区预报

应用相关分析方法分析了浙江省19个县1988～1999年晚稻稻瘟病发病与有关环境因子的关系,筛选了8个气象因子用于晚稻稻瘟病发生程度长期预报。根据各预报因子与稻瘟病发病程度相关性,采用邻接二维图论聚类分析法,将19个点(县)划分为4个生态区。每个生态区内运用BP神经网络技术建立模型,并进行拟合和试报。1997～1999年试报验证,在划分稻瘟病生态区的基础上,应用BP神经网络模型对稻瘟病进行长期预测预报是可行的,3年试报成功率分别是78.95％、84.21％和78.95％。文中还对该方法与过去常用的预报方法的试报结果作了比较。     

Moth sex-pheromone biosynthesis is inhibited by the herbicide diclofop

Pheromones of nocturnal moths are derived from fatty acids produced as a result of the activity of acetyl-CoA carboxylase. This timely production is initiated in nocturnal moths by a tropic peptide, pheromone biosynthesis activating neuropeptide released into the hemolymph. In monocotyledonous plants, specific plastid acetyl-CoA carboxylase is inhibited by herbicides that target the eukaryotic form of the enzyme. We report evidence that these herbicides can also target pheromone biosynthesis by a moth, thereby implicating the acetyl-CoA carboxylase as a key regulatory enzyme in the pheromone biosynthetic pathway. These findings, whilst indicating the possible action of such herbicides on non-target organisms, also suggest a novel alternative method of insect pest management, which precludes sex-pheromone production and mating success, thereby reducing insect population growth.     

Effect of GCSC-BtA biocide on abundance and diversity of some cabbage pests as well as their natural enemies in southeastern China

Journal of Plant Diseases and Protection - Effect of GCSC-BtA (Germany-China Scientific Cooperation — Bacillus thuringiensis — Abamectin) biocide on abundance and diversity of some...     

棉蚜预测预报网络数据库系统的设计与开发

依据棉蚜Aphis gossypii Glover测报的国家行业标准(GB／T15799．1995)及其测报调查的相关信息标准，利用分布式数据库SQL建立了棉蚜预测预报数据库，数据库主要包括早春木本寄主蚜虫调查、早春草本寄主蚜虫调查、苗期棉蚜消长情况调查、苗期棉蚜普查、伏期棉蚜系统调查、伏期棉蚜普查、棉田天敌系统调查、植保站信息和气象信息等12个数据表；利用Internet网络技术和网络开发软件，建立了浏览器／服务器应用程序结构体系，实现了棉蚜虫情数据维护、查询、统计、报表和打印等网络数据库管理和预测数据挖掘功能。棉蚜网络数据库的建立和浏览器／服务器应用程序结构体系的组建和实现，为棉蚜区域化预测预报和管理提供了有力的科学和技术支持。     

How to Assess Stress in Reptiles

Stress, as an adaptive response of any animal to a stimulus that presents a threat to homeostasis, can occur in reptiles. Yet, many veterinarians fail to recognize the signs of stress in reptiles. In this article, evaluation of reptile stress has been discussed with a focus on the analysis of behavioral changes, neuroendocrine correlation, and biochemical and physiologic effects in reptiles. If stress can be assessed and treated properly in captive reptiles, their health and well-being can be optimized.