Antibody-mediated response of pigeons to Argas polonicus larval feeding and characterization of larval antigen

Circulating antibodies to larval Argas polonicus antigen detected in the blood of pigeons by means of ELISA reach their highest level 3-6 days post-tick attachment. During 6-8 days post infestation when most larvae detach from their host, there is an abrupt drop of the antibody level in blood followed by second peak at day 10-15. During the secondary and subsequent infestations the dynamics of the antibody production is analogous, but the maximum absorbance values found are higher with each following infestation. This is in direct correlation with the growth of immune resistance of hosts. The transfer of immunoglobulins of resistant pigeons produces in naive hosts a partial resistance in a statistically significant (P less than 0.01) reduction of the number of engorged larvae, in the shortening of larval feeding period and in the decrease of their mean weight after feeding. However this resistance was significantly (P less than 0.01) less expressed than in naturally resistant pigeons during secondary infestation. The protracted effect on the duration of premoulting period and the percentage of moulted larvae manifested in larvae after secondary infestation was not apparent in molecular weight of approximately 19, 21, 23, 27, 45 and 165 kilodaltons, were recognized by serum of resistant pigeons.     

Intraerythrocytic merogony in Haemogregarina koppiensis (Apicomplexa: Adeleorina: Haemogregarinidae)

During October 2003, a specimen of Amblyrhynchotes honckenii (Bloch, 1795) was captured at low tide, with a hand net, in a rock pool at Koppie Alleen, De Hoop Nature Reserve, South Africa. This fish was heavily parasitized by unidentified gnathiid praniza larvae, caligid copepods identified as Caligus tetrodontis Barnard, 1948, cymothoid isopods identified as Cinusa tetrodontis (Schioedte et Meinert, 1884), and the blood protozoan Haemogregarina koppiensis Smit et Davies, 2001. Giemsa-stained blood smears from this fish revealed new and unusual stages of merogony for H. koppiensis that included small, rounded, likely intraerythrocytic merozoites arranged in circles of eight around the host nucleus. Host cells appeared ghost-like and enlarged compared with normal erythrocytes. Identical merozoites, usually in clusters of up to 16, were also observed free of host cells. The pattern of merogony seen in H. koppiensis is unusual for a fish haemogregarine.     

Development of Spinitectus inermis (Nematoda: Cystidicolidae), a parasite of eel,Anguilla anguilla,in Europe

The development of the nematode Spinitectus inermis (Zeder, 1800), a parasite of the stomach of eels, Anguilla anguilla (L.) in Europe, was experimentally studied. Mayfly nymphs Caenis macrura, Ecdyonurus dispar, Heptagenia sulphurea, Potamanthus luteus and Seratella ignita from Portugal and the Czech Republic were found to serve as experimental intermediate hosts. After ingestion of the nematode eggs by the mayfly nymphs, the toothed first-stage larvae were released and penetrated into the body cavity of the intermediate host. There they moulted twice (on day 4 and 6 post infection [p.i.] at water temperatures of 20-25 degrees C), attaining the third infective stage. The definitive host, A. anguilla, undoubtedly acquires infection by feeding on mayfly nymphs harbouring infective-stage larvae. In an experimentally infected eel, the fourth-stage larva undergoing the third moult was observed 28 days p.i. at water temperature of 20 degrees C. The larval stages, including moulting forms, are described and illustrated. The prepatent period of S. inermis is estimated to be about two months.     

Toxicity of the chitin synthesis inhibitors,diflubenzuron and its dichloro-analogue,to Spodoptera littoralis larvae

The activities of the chitin synthesis inhibitors, diflubenzuron and PH 60–38, against Spodoptera littoralis larvae were assayed by feeding treated alfalfa or poisoned wheat bran baits, by allowing the larvae to imbibe sucrose-containing aqueous dispersions of the compounds, and by injection into larvae. PH 60–38 was less active than diflubenzuron. On alfalfa, diflubenzuron had to be fed for at least 2 days to prevent formation of normal pupae and emergence of adults. For very big (480–540 mg) larvae, feeding diflubenzuron at concentrations of 50 mg/litre for 2 days or 2.5 mg/litre for 3 days prevented adult emergence. For 200–250 mg larvae, this was achieved by feeding concentrations of 100 mg/litre for 2 days, 5 mg/litre for 3 days or 3.5 mg/litre for 4 days. In all larvae > 150 mg, mortality in feeding experiments occurred in the prepupal or the pupal stage. Only with 30–50 mg and 100–150 mg larvae was there considerable mortality during moults between larval instars, the larvae being unable to liberate themselves from the old larval skins and head capsules. Diflubenzuron incorporated into wheat bran baits at concentrations of from 2.5 to 10 000 μg/g killed approximately 70–90% of the insects. When imbibed, diflubenzuron was much less toxic as a wettable powder than as a liquid formulation but the two formulations were equitoxic when injected into the larvae.     

Development of Procamallanus saccobranchi (Nematoda: Camallanidae), a parasite of a freshwater fish in India

The development of the nematode Procamallanus saccobranchi Karve, 1952, a parasite in the stomach of the fish Heteropneustes fossilis (Bloch), was studied in Mesocyclops crassus (Fischer) and Mesocyclops leuckarti (Claus). After being ingested by the copepods the nematode first-stage larvae penetrated into the haemocoel of the intermediate host; there they moulted twice (on days 3 and 5 p.i. at 28-30 degrees C) attaining the third, infective stage. The definitive host H. fossilis acquired infection by feeding on copepods harbouring infective-stage larvae; in the stomach of this definitive host, the larvae were observed to undergo two more moults. The third moult occurred on day 13 p.i. and the fourth moult on day 38 p.i. and day 66 p.i. in "male" and "female" larvae, respectively. The larval stages, including the moulting forms are described and illustrated.     

The life cycle of haemogregarina bigemina (Adeleina: Haemogregarinidae) in South African hosts.

Haemogregarina bigemina Laveran et Mesnil, 1901 was examined in marine fishes and the gnathiid isopod, Gnathia africana Barnard, 1914 in South Africa. Its development in fishes was similar to that described previously for this species. Gnathiids taken from fishes with H. bigemina, and prepared sequentially over 28 days post feeding (d.p.f.), contained stages of syzygy, immature and mature oocysts, sporozoites and merozoites of at least three types. Sporozoites, often five in number, formed from each oocyst from 9 d.p.f. First-generation merozoites appeared in small numbers at 11 d.p.f., arising from small, rounded meronts. Mature, second-generation merozoites appeared in large clusters within gut tissue at 18 d.p.f. They were presumed to arise from fan-shaped meronts, first observed at 11 d.p.f. Third-generation merozoites were the shortest, and resulted from binary fission of meronts, derived from second-generation merozoites. Gnathiids taken from sponges within rock pools contained only gamonts and immature oocysts. It is concluded that the development of H. bigemina in its arthropod host illustrates an affinity with Hemolivia and one species of Hepatozoon. However, the absence of sporokinctes and sporocysts also distances it from these genera, and from Karyolysus. Furthermore, H. bigemina produces fewer sporozoites than Cyrilia and Desseria, although, as in Desseria, Haemogregarina (sensu stricto) and Babesiosoma, post-sporogonic production of merozoites occurs in the invertebrate host. The presence of intraerythrocytic binary fission in its fish host means that H. bigemina is not a Desseria. Overall it most closely resembles Haemogregarina (sensu stricto) in its development, although the match is not exact.     

The activity of amitraz against infestations of Rhipicephalus appendiculatus

Tick-infested adult cattle were hand sprayed with solutions containing 178 or 250 mg amitraz litre^?1, prepared from a miscible oil concentrate formulation. Both concentrations achieved clearance of infestation within 7 h of spraying. All stages of tick, collected from both sprayings, subsequently died with the exception of two engorged nymphs, which moulted successfully, and six half-fully engorged females, which all laid small batches of eggs. The eggs from the ticks treated at the higher rate failed to hatch. Expulsion of adult Rhipicephalus appendiculatus, applied daily to a single bovine which had been sprayed once at the higher rate, ceased on the 11th day after spraying. All ticks expelled from the animal died within 24 h. First feeding on the animal was visible on day-13 and fully engorged females were first observed 18 days after spraying.     

甘薯台龟甲对五爪金龙的取食力测定

试验结果表明,甘薯台龟甲幼虫对五爪金龙具有较强的取食力,取食力随着虫口密度的增加而增强。幼虫期的取食力(y)和投放1龄幼虫密度(x)的线性关系式为y=19.32+11.36x。每个叶片投放1龄幼虫2头,8d后取食力可达100%。甘薯台龟甲成虫对五爪金龙的取食力更为显著,每叶放虫1头,6d后取食量达100%,且取食力随着虫口密度的上升而提高。放虫后6d的取食力和成虫密度的对数关系式为y=51.09+120.67logx。成虫的投放密度达到1头/叶,6d后叶片就能100%被取食。     

Speed of action and toxicity of acylurea insect growth regulators against Spodoptera exempta (Walk.) and Spodoptera littoralis (Boisd.) larvae: Effect of inter-moult age

Ultra-low volume (ULV) spray bioassays at droplet densities (20–80 drops cm^?2) corresponding to field deposits were used to determine the efficacy of two acylurea insect growth regulators, teflubenzuron (‘Nomolt®’) and flufenoxuron (‘Cascade®’) against three different age groups of third-instar Spodoptera exempta and Spodoptera littoralis larvae. While no response (mortality and/or abnormal moulting with impaired ability to feed) was observed with one-day-old larvae until 48 h after treatment, two-day-old larvae showed some response (27–93% abnormal moulting and 3–10% mortality when larvae were sprayed; 80–100% abnormal moulting and up to 83% mortality when larvae and plants were sprayed) after 24 h and up to 100% mortality at 120 h. Studies with non-feeding, pre-moult larvae showed that cuticular uptake of acylureas was sufficient to affect an appreciable proportion of larvae after 24 h, with up to 100% mortality at 120 h. More detailed studies with pre-moult S. littoralis larvae showed that, while a few larvae which moulted between 1 and 5 h after treatment showed abnormal moulting to the L4 stage, a much larger proportion of larvae which moulted 6–20 h after treatment were affected. Previous studies with S. exempta have shown that different larval instars show similar levels of sensitivity to acylureas. The present work suggests that, while the age distribution within instars has little influence on the end-point mortality of acylureas, it can profoundly modify the speed of response, the majority of larvae within an instar being effectively controlled at the moult following treatment. The significance of these observations in relation to the crop protection activity of acylureas against field populations of Spodoptera larvae is discussed.     

Acquired resistance of pigeons to Argas polonicus larvae

The acquired resistance of pigeons to Argas polonicus manifests itself in an adverse effect on the feeding and further development of larvae. After five subsequent infestations, the rejection of larvae reached 90-95% and the mean weight of fed larvae dropped down from 2.18 mg to 1.72 mg in the Polish tick population. There appeared also a tendency to more rapid feeding in larvae from later infestations. Also the percentage of moulted larvae decreased, probably as a result of insufficient blood meal taken by larvae on repeatedly challenged hosts. The hosts sensitized by larvae of Polish tick population manifested a higher tick resistance than those sensitized by larvae of Czechoslovak population. No adverse effect has been observed in males and females after repeated infestation of sensitized pigeons. Anti-tick antibodies were detected in the serum of pigeons sensitized by larvae with the aid of counter current immunoelectrophoresis using extracts from whole larvae and from salivary glands of adults as antigen. No antibodies were detected in the serum of pigeons sensitized by adult ticks.     

短时高温暴露对草地贪夜蛾存活及生殖的影响

本文研究短时高温暴露对草地贪夜蛾存活和生殖的影响,为其夏季的预测预报及综合防治提供技术支持.分别以卵、不同龄期幼虫、蛹、成虫作为研究对象进行不同时间高温暴露处理,研究高温暴露处理后幼虫和成虫的成活率,幼虫的化蛹率、羽化率、蛹重以及成虫的生殖能力.结果 表明.37℃对卵的孵化率无显著影响,40℃暴露4h卵的孵化率显著降低...     

浅黄恩蚜小蜂雌蜂的个体发育及其寿命和产卵量的观察

在实验室25±1℃、RH70%~75%、光照L∶D=14h∶10h、光照强度3500lx条件下,观察了以烟粉虱为寄主时,浅黄恩蚜小蜂雌蜂的个体发育及羽化雌蜂的产卵量和寿命,并描述了各发育阶段的形态特征。结果发现,根据蜕皮现象及形态特征,雌蜂羽化前的发育可分为6个阶段：卵期、一龄幼虫、二龄幼虫、三龄幼虫、预蛹期和蛹期。一龄和二龄的发育历期均为1d左右,卵和三龄的发育历期约需2d,预蛹期0.8d,蛹期5d。在每天更换寄主的情况下,雌蜂平均寿命21.9d,最长29d,最短8d;产卵量为79.1粒,最多124粒,最少51粒。     

棉铃虫核型多角体病毒对宿主昆虫的弱化作用

棉铃虫核型多角体病毒（ＨａＮＰＶ）感染２龄幼虫,感染３ｄ,幼虫体长和体重明显小于对照幼虫。病毒感染４龄幼虫,残留活虫幼虫历期延长,但取食量减少３７．５２％。病毒感染５龄幼虫,感染幼虫蜕皮时间延迟１８ｈ,幼虫历期延长２ｄ。幼虫血淋巴蛋白电泳结果表明,幼虫蜕皮时间延迟主要原因是蜕皮过程延长。病毒感染５龄初幼虫,残留活虫蛹重减轻１４．１９％,成虫产卵量减少２０．５８％。结果表明,ＨａＮ－ＰＶ感染棉铃虫幼     

Effect of the ecdysone agonists,RH-2485 and tebufenozide,on the southwestern corn borer,Diatraea grandiosella

The effect of the ecdysone agonists RH-2485 (proposed name methoxyfenozide) and tebufenozide (RH-5992), was examined on eggs and larvae of the southwestern corn borer, Diatraea grandiosella Dyar. Both compounds exhibited a concentration-dependent ovicidal activity. More than 95% of eggs died when egg masses were dipped in solutions of 100 or 200 mg liter^-1 of either compound in acetone+distilled water (1+1 by volume). Although some eggs treated with 1 or 10 mg liter^-1 of the compounds hatched, the survival rate was low. Newly hatched larvae were fed for seven days on an artificial diet containing RH-2485 or tebufenozide. The LC₅₀ values were 0·049 mg kg^-1 for RH-2485 and 0·185 mg kg^-1 for tebufenozide, showing that RH-2485 was about four times more active than was tebufenozide. Although increasing the time of exposure to either compound decreased the LC₅₀ value significantly, the relative potency of RH-2485 versus tebufenozide was not changed. Newly ecdysed 4th-instar larvae fed with diets containing 0·125, 0·25 or 0·5 mg kg^-1 RH-2485 or tebufenozide ceased feeding approximately 8 h after exposure, indicating that larvae had prematurely entered a molting cycle. Larvae treated with RH-2485 ecdysed earlier and died more quickly than those treated with tebufenozide. Ingestion of sublethal concentrations of RH-2485 (0·005 and 0·01 mg kg^-1) or tebufenozide (0·03 and 0·06 mg kg^-1) retarded larval growth, and decreased pupal weight and adult emergence. Increasing exposure time to tebufenozide tended to increase the larval mortality, significantly retarded larval growth, and decreased the mean weights of male and female pupae and adult emergence. RH-2485 (0·125 and 0·25 mg kg^-1) and tebufenozide (0·25 and 0·5 mg kg^-1) were lethal to newly hatched larvae, even after diets containing these compounds were held for 20 days at 30°C under long days (16 h light: 8 h dark). Our results suggest that field trials to assess the potential of RH-2485 and tebufenozide to control D. grandiosella are warranted. © 1998 SCI     

枸杞奈实蝇幼期各虫态的形态发育特征

为探明枸杞奈实蝇Neoceratitis asiatica幼期各虫态的形态发育特性,采用田间取样和室内饲养相结合的方法对其卵、幼虫、蛹的生长发育过程、形态变化及识别特征进行系统观察,通过测量口钩和头咽骨的长度来划分幼虫龄期,解剖并观察不同发育时期蛹及蛹壳颜色,利用图像分析系统提取并分析蛹壳颜色的RGB值。结果表明：枸杞奈实蝇卵的发育可分为初期卵、口钩显现期卵和破壳期卵3个阶段。幼虫分为3个龄期,均具有1对能够自由收缩的骨化口钩及头咽骨,其形态和大小在各龄幼虫之间存在明显差异。预蛹期是从幼虫到蛹蜕变的过渡时期,蛹的形态发育呈规律性变化,可分为隐头蛹期和显头蛹期2个阶段,显头蛹期又可细分为显头蛹初期、黄色眼期、红色眼期、鬃毛蛹期及预成虫期5个阶段。蛹壳颜色随蛹的发育呈不均衡加深趋势,在预蛹期、鬃毛蛹期和预成虫期变化尤为明显。根据蛹壳颜色的RGB值,可制作对应不同发育阶段的蛹壳颜色标准比色板,用于枸杞奈实蝇的发育生物学及防治技术研究。     

Impact of a Turkish isolate and a plaque-purified variant of SpliNPV-B on larval stage development of Spodoptera littoralis (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) Boisd

Baculoviruses can alter the development and physiological status of their insect hosts. In the present study, two Spodoptera littoralis nucleopolyhedroviruses (SpliNPV-TR1 and SpliNPV-M2) were examined in terms of their effect on the stage development of S. littoralis at two doses/concentrations by inoculation of neonates or third instars. Both isolates had an acute pathological effect on neonates. However, larval development was prolonged (6-36 h) by either infection when neonates were infected. When third-instar larvae were inoculated, no mortality occurred until insects moulted to later stages. When the isolates were compared, more mortality occurred in the fifth instar with SpliNPV-M2 than with SpliNPV-TR1, whereas less mortality occurred in the sixth instar with SpliNPV-M2 than with SpliNPV-TR1. However, none of the isolates demonstrated a dose effect. Larvae died at 108-198 h post-inoculation at all infections, and none of them pupated. Larval development was retarded (0-126 h) for each stage when third-instar larvae were inoculated. Consequently, SpliNPV-M2 would be a more effective control agent than SpliNPV-TR1 for control of S. littoralis since it kills larvae at earlier developmental stages.     

一种半固体人工饲料连代饲养日本通草蛉幼虫

以棉蚜Aphis gossypii Glover饲养日本通草蛉Chrysoperla nippoensis(Okamoto)作为对照,用一种半固体人工饲料连续饲养10代日本通草蛉,对日本通草蛉各生长阶段的生长和发育指标进行观测。结果显示,用人工饲料饲养的日本通草蛉的幼虫历期为13～15d,蛹期为8d,较对照组的7d和6d分别延长6～8d和2d;用棉蚜饲养的对照组日本通草蛉幼虫累计存活率为94%,成虫获得率为87%,而人工饲料饲养连续10代的幼虫累计存活率为81%～89%,成虫获得率69%～79%。取食人工饲料的日本通草蛉成虫,在产卵前期、产卵量、产卵期及寿命方面与对照组存在显著的差异,人工饲料组草蛉的产卵前期为5.07～5.22d,而对照组草蛉的产卵前期为4.12d,人工饲料组草蛉的产卵量为190～390粒,对照组的单雌产卵量为667.2粒,人工饲料组草蛉的寿命为36～38d,对照组成虫寿命52d。以上结果表明,这种半固体人工饲料可以满足日本通草蛉幼虫生长发育基本需要,可用于日本通草蛉的室内继代饲养,但需要进一步优化配方。     

龟纹瓢虫对烟粉虱和棉蚜取食选择及适合度比较研究

基于近年来棉田烟粉虱数量上升并与棉蚜呈混合或交替发生的态势,比较研究了棉田优势捕食性天敌龟纹瓢虫对棉蚜和烟粉虱的取食偏好和食物适合度.结果显示,龟纹瓢虫不同虫态对烟粉虱若虫和棉蚜均具有较好的捕食作用;在棉蚜和烟粉虱若虫不同比例共存的情况下,龟纹瓢虫成虫均显著地偏好取食棉蚜;空间增大和蚜虫数量不足有助于增加龟纹瓢虫成虫对烟粉虱若虫的控制效应.取食烟粉虱若虫和棉蚜若虫的龟纹瓢虫幼虫均能完成生长发育,对后代成虫性比亦无影响;但取食烟粉虱若虫的龟纹瓢虫幼虫期延长3d,死亡率升高5.45倍,幼虫和成虫体重明显减轻;成虫取食烟粉虱若虫不能满足其产卵的营养需求.综合分析认为,棉田具有一定数量(经济域值以下)的棉蚜,有利于增加龟纹瓢虫对烟粉虱的控制效应.