The activity of Aspergillus ochraceus (fungi) on replete females of Rhipicephalus sanguineus (Acari: Ixodidae) in natural and experimental conditions

Aspergillus ochraceus Wilhelm was isolated from Rhipicephalus sanguineus (Latreille) ticks infected under natural conditions, and developing an illness characterized by absence of oviposition, mummification and death. From the histological sections, it is deduced that A. ochraceus colonized the ticks via the anus, as posterior gut and Malpighian tubules are invaded. The experimental inoculation was carried out on replete female ticks; a disease alike to that observed in naturally infected ticks developed only when specimens are placed under a relative humidity near saturation.     

Variations in acaricidal effect of wettable sulfur on Tetranychus urticae (Acari:Tetranychidae): effect of temperature,humidity and life stage

Under laboratory conditions, the acaricidal effect of wettable sulfur is influenced by climatic conditions and the stage of development of Tetranychus urticae. Its ovicidal effect results from the combined action of temperature and relative humidity (RH). Wettable sulfur becomes effective at 27.5 degrees C and 75% RH. Beyond this threshold, the acaricidal effect increases with rising temperature or humidity, to become complete at a temperature of 35 degrees C and 90% RH. Within the range of temperatures and humidities 20 degrees C/30% RH and 35 degrees C/90% RH the mortality of immatures (from protonymphs to teleiochrysalis) was total. Under similar experimental conditions, females usually died before the end of the experiment. Temperature and relative humidity increased the adulticidal potential of wettable sulfur. The fecundity of the sulfur-treated females and the viability of their progeny was found to depend on temperature and RH. According to the same climatic conditions, eggs were less susceptible than females, which were in turn less susceptible than juvenile stages.     

Acaricide resistance and synergism between permethrin and amitraz against susceptible and resistant strains of Boophilus microplus (Acari: Ixodidae)

The control of the southern cattle tick, Boophilus microplus (Canestrini), in Mexico and many other countries relies on chemical acaricides. Boophilus microplus has developed resistance to all major classes of acaricides in recent years. To gain a better understanding of the resistance and to develop resistance management strategies that benefit both Mexican ranchers and USDA's cattle fever tick eradication program (CFTEP), the authors used larval bioassay techniques to determine levels of resistance to permethrin and amitraz and then evaluated synergism between these two acaricides in one susceptible laboratory tick strain and four resistant strains originating from Mexico and Brazil. To examine mechanisms of resistance to permethrin in these strains, the frequency of a mutated sodium channel gene was determined using a PCR assay. The tick strains from Mexico and Brazil demonstrated 49.4- to over 672.2-fold resistance to permethrin, and up to 94.5-fold resistance to amitraz. While the San Roman strain from Mexico was the most permethrin-resistant strain, the Santa Luiza strain from Brazil was the most amitraz-resistant strain. A significant correlation was found between the permethrin resistance ratio and the allelic frequency of the sodium channel mutation. Significant synergism between permethrin and amitraz was found when one acaricide was tested in the presence of another. Synergism ratios ranged from 1.5 to 54.9 when amitraz was tested as a synergist for permethrin. Similar synergism ratios were obtained when permethrin was tested as a synergist for amitraz. Permethrin caused virtually no mortality in the San Roman strain, even at the highest concentration (3294 microg cm(-2)). Adding amitraz (11.0 microg cm(-2)) to permethrin led to a dramatic increase in larval mortality, even at very low concentrations of permethrin.     

Effects of permethrin and amitraz on gas exchange and water loss in unfed adult females of Amblyomma americanum (Acari: Ixodidae)

Effects of two acaricides, permethrin and amitraz, with different modes of action, on gas exchange and water balance of the lone star tick, Amblyomma americanum, were examined using a flow-through carbon dioxide (CO₂) and water vapor analyzer. Untreated adult female ticks exhibited a distinct discontinuous gas exchange pattern (DGEP) with no measurable water loss. Similarly, ticks with acetone (a solvent) showed little change in gas exchange and water loss. Topical treatment of ticks with a lethal dose of permethrin caused immediate major water loss and long-lasting high frequency DGEP, with increased amplitude of CO₂ release. A small water loss spike was observed for each CO₂ release. Treatment of ticks with amitraz abolished the DGEP and elicited a long-lasting continuous gas exchange pattern, indicating significantly increased tick metabolism. No detectable water loss was observed during amitraz-elicited continuous gas exchange. Treatment of ticks with a mixture of sub-lethal doses of permethrin and amitraz caused a similar initial major water loss, as in permethrin-treated ticks, followed by a second period of water loss activity at 10–14 h after treatment. Mixture of the two acaricides caused immediate onset of major chaotic CO₂ release activities with a significantly elevated baseline CO₂ emission level. The standard metabolism rate (SMR, VCO₂) of acetone-treated ticks (0.452 μl h⁻¹) was similar to that of the untreated ticks (0.461 μl h⁻¹). Compared to untreated control ticks, permethrin-, amitraz-, and the acaricide mixture-treated ticks exhibited significantly increased SMR (1.054, 1.392 and 1.520 μl h⁻¹ respectively (P < 0.05). Results obtained from this study clearly demonstrated the detrimental effects of permethrin and amitraz on CO₂ gas exchange and water balance in A. americanum ticks. The data also revealed subtle differences between permethrin and amitraz in their effects on tick metabolism, specifically gas exchange and water loss. In addition, the study may provide insight into the modes of action of these two acaricides in tick physiology. The results may also help understand the mechanism of synergism between permethrin and amitraz that was reported previously in other ticks and insects.     

环境因子对球孢白僵菌侵染桔小实蝇致病力的影响

本文测定了温湿度、紫外线及常见杀虫剂等环境因子对球孢白僵菌B6菌株侵染桔小实蝇致病力的影响。结果表明,在19℃~31℃的温度范围内,B6菌株对桔小实蝇成虫、蛹与老熟幼虫均有致病力。在19℃~25℃条件下,桔小实蝇上述三种虫态的死亡率均随着温度的升高而增加,但在28℃和31℃温度条件下,桔小实蝇的死亡率则随着温度升高而降低。在1.8×108孢子/ml浓度条件下,成虫在25℃温度条件下的致死中时LT50为6.6d,在31℃的LT50为30.2d。在不同温度条件下,B6菌株对桔小实蝇成虫的致死中时差异较大。湿度越大,球孢白僵菌致病力越强,桔小实蝇的死亡速率越快。球孢白僵菌孢子萌发率随着紫外线照射时间增加而逐步降低。测定了7种常见的杀虫剂对球孢白僵菌菌落的生长影响,其中25%高效氯氟氰菊酯、2.0%阿维菌素、40%辛硫磷和10%除尽对菌落生长有促进作用。     

Toxicological and biochemical characterization of coumaphos resistance in the San Roman strain of Boophilus microplus (Acari: Ixodidae)

The San Roman strain of the southern cattle tick, Boophilus microplus, collected from Mexico was previously reported to have a high level of resistance to the organophosphate acaricide coumaphos. An oxidative detoxification mechanism was suspected to contribute to coumaphos resistance in this tick strain, as coumaphos bioassay with piperonyl butoxide (PBO) on larvae of this resistant strain resulted in enhanced coumaphos toxicity, while coumaphos assays with PBO resulted in reduced toxicity of coumaphos in a susceptible reference strain. In this study, we further analyzed the mechanism of oxidative metabolic detoxification with synergist bioassays of coroxon, the toxic metabolite of coumaphos, and the mechanism of target-site insensitivity with acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibition kinetics assays. Bioassays of coroxon with PBO resulted in synergism of coroxon toxicity in both the San Roman and the susceptible reference strains. The synergism ratio of PBO on coroxon in the resistant strain was 4.5 times that of the susceptible strain. The results suggested that the cytP450-based metabolic detoxification existed in both resistant and susceptible strains, but its activity was significantly enhanced in the resistant strain. Comparisons of AChE activity and inhibition kinetics by coroxon in both susceptible and resistant strains revealed that the resistant San Roman strain had an insensitive AChE, with a reduced phosphorylation rate, resulting in a reduced bimolecular reaction constant. These data indicate a mechanism of coumaphos resistance in the San Roman strain that involves both insensitive AChE and enhanced cytP450-based metabolic detoxification.     

蝇蛹俑小蜂对桔小实蝇蛹的功能反应及温湿度对蜂成虫寿命的影响

在温度26℃、RH70%、光周期L∶D=14h∶10h的条件下,研究了蝇蛹俑小蜂Spalangia endius Walker对桔小实蝇Bactrocera dorsalis（Hendel）蛹的寄生功能反应。结果表明：桔小实蝇蛹的密度变化对蝇蛹俑小蜂的寄生作用有很大影响,用功能反应HollingⅡ模型模拟,其模拟方程为Na=0.4473N0/（1＋0.0142N0）。桔小实蝇蛹密度越高,被寄生的蛹量随自身密度的增加而增加;当蛹密度大于30头时,被寄生的蛹量增幅急剧变小而接近极限水平。通过该方程可明确单头雌成蜂在24h内最多寄生31.55头桔小实蝇蛹,其寄生1头蛹所需时间为0.76h;此外蝇蛹俑小蜂雌成蜂的自身密度对寄生有一定的干扰作用,其干扰作用通过Hassell-Varley模型拟合,方程为α=0.0621P-0.3062,表明蝇蛹俑小蜂雌成蜂的发现域随着自身密度的增加而逐渐变小,寄生蜂雌成蜂个体间的相互干扰效应降低了寄生效能。温湿度对蝇蛹俑小蜂成虫平均寿命的影响研究表明26℃、RH60%~70%为蝇蛹俑小蜂成虫存活的最佳温湿度。     

不同条件下日本方头甲对矢尖蚧捕食功能的反应

日本方头甲是矢尖蚧等多种盾蚧科昆虫的重要捕食性天敌,为了更好地了解和利用其在不同条件下的捕食效能,在室内条件下,定量研究了不同温度、湿度和光照条件下日本方头甲成虫对不同密度矢尖蚧1龄雄若虫的捕食功能反应和寻找效应,并用Holling-Ⅱ型方程和Holling-Ⅲ型新方程分别拟合出不同功能反应模型.结果表明,温度为25℃、相对湿度为70%～90%、光照强度12000 lx、L:D=14:10时,最有利于日本方头甲成虫捕食.在此条件下,瞬间攻击率、最大捕食量、瞬间攻击率与平均处理时间的比值和最佳寻找密度均达最大,平均处理时间最短,功能反应圆盘模型为N_a=1.002N/(1+O.0001N).寻找效应在不同条件下均随着矢尖蚧密度的增加而逐渐降低,数学模型为E=1.002/(1+1.002 x0.0001N),Holling-Ⅲ型新模型为N_a=308.86e~(-95.18/n).在上述条件下,理论最大捕食量为308.86头,最佳寻找密度为95.18头.生产上控制矢尖蚧危害的释放比例应为益害比1∶95.     

Predicting mortality of phosphine-resistant adults of Sitophilus oryzae (L) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) in relation to changing phosphine concentration

Adults of a phosphine-resistant strain of Sitophilus oryzae (L) were exposed to constant phosphine concentrations of 0.0035-0.9mg litre(-1) for periods of between 20 and 168h at 25 degrees C, and the effects of time and concentration on mortality were quantified. Adults were also exposed to a series of treatments lasting 48, 72 or 168 h at 25 degrees C, during which the concentration of phosphine was varied. The aim of this study was to determine whether equations from experiments using constant concentrations could be used to predict the efficacy of changing phosphine concentrations against adults of S oryzae. A probit plane without interaction, in which the logarithms of time (t) and concentration (C) were variables, described the effects of concentration and time on mortality in experiments with constant concentrations. A derived equation of the form C(n)t = k gave excellent predictions of toxicity when applied to data from changing concentration experiments. The results suggest that for resistant S oryzae adults there is nothing inherently different between constant and changing concentration regimes, and that data collected from fixed concentrations can be used to develop equations for predicting mortality in fumigations in which phosphine concentration changes. This approach could simplify the prediction of efficacy of typical fumigations in which concentrations tend to rise and then fall over a period of days.     

Studies on ticks of veterinary importance in Nigeria XVII. Resistance of rabbits to infestation with Amblyomma variegatum and Boophilus decoloratus (Acari: Ixodidae)

Rabbits exposed to larvae, nymphs and adults of Amblyomma variegatum acquired resistance to the infestation with adults of this tick. The degree of acquired resistance was lowest in the rabbits exposed once previously to larvae and highest in those exposed twice previously to adults. Rabbits also acquired resistance after primary infestation with Boophilus decoloratus; their resistance became very high during the thrice-repeated feeding. New terms are introduced for the quantification of the degree of resistance of animals to tick infestation. Rabbits were protected against infestation with B. decoloratus by intravenous injection of serum from the rabbits on which the ticks had fed three times. The relevance of the results to integrated tick control strategies is discussed.     

Toxicity of the herbicide glufosinate-ammonium to Tetranychus urticae (Acari: Tetranychidae) under laboratory and field conditions

The toxicity of herbicides widely used in apple orchards to the two-spotted spider mite (Tetranychus urticae) was evaluated in laboratory and field studies. In a laboratory study with susceptible T. urticae, glufosinate-ammonium was highly effective against larvae, protonymphs and adults, but non-toxic to eggs. Its efficacy was much greater than that of the commonly used acaricide azocyclotin. The immatures died within 24 h after treatment, suggesting that the nymphicidal action may be attributable to a direct effect rather than an inhibitory action of chitin synthesis. Glufosinate-ammonium showed a positive temperature coefficient of toxicity against T. urticae adults at six temperatures from 10 to 32°C, being more toxic at higher temperatures. Very low levels of resistance to the herbicide were observed in the seven field-collected T. urticae populations resistant to various acaricides. Treatment with glufosinate-ammonium did not cause a repellent response from either adults or immature stages of T. urticae. Paraquat dichloride and glyphosate were ineffective against all stages of T. urticae. In a field study of a population of T. urticae, glufosinate-ammonium when sprayed to weeds caused significant decrease in T. urticae population densities in apple trees for nine weeks after treatment, as compared with the control. Thereafter, a single application of standard acaricides to apple foliage greatly reduced population densities, although there was no difference in the densities between the glufosinate-ammonium-treated and control plots. Based upon laboratory and field data, two single treatments with glufosinate-ammonium to weeds in May and a selective acaricide to apple trees in July may be used to prevent damage by T. urticae. ©1997 SCI     

Possible connection between imidacloprid-induced changes in rice gene transcription profiles and susceptibility to the brown plant hopper Nilaparvatalugens Stål (Hemiptera: Delphacidae)

The chemical pesticide, imidacloprid (IMI) has long-lasting effectiveness against Hemiptera. IMI is commonly used to control the brown planthopper (BPH), Nilaparvata lugens Stål (Hemiptera: Delphacidae). Some chemical pesticides, however, can induce the susceptibility of rice to BPH, which has indirectly led to the resurgence of BPH. The mechanism of the chemical induction of the susceptibility of rice to BPH was not previously understood. Here, a 44 K Agilent Rice Expression Microarray was used to identify changes in gene expression that accompany IMI-induced rice susceptibility to BPH. The results showed that 225 genes were differentially expressed, of which 117 were upregulated, and 108 were downregulated. Gene ontology annotation and pathway analysis revealed that differentially expressed genes were mainly classified into the eight functional groups: oxidation reduction, regulation of cellular process, response to stress, electron carrier activity, metabolic process, transport, signal transducer, and organismal development. The genes encoding plant lipid transfer protein, lignin peroxidase, and flavonol-3-O-methyltransferenase may be important responses to the IMI-induced susceptibility of rice to BPH. The reliability of the microarray data was verified by performing quantitative real-time PCR and the data provide valuable information for further study of the molecular mechanism of IMI-induced susceptibility of rice.     

阿维菌素对修长蠊螨的亚致死效应以及不同方式释放该螨对根结线虫的防控效果

本研究测定了阿维菌素对修长蠊螨的亚致死浓度及其对修长蠊螨生存、繁殖发育和捕食能力的影响,并通过盆栽试验研究了以不同方式释放修长蠊螨对空心菜根结线虫病的控制效果。阿维菌素对修长蠊螨的3个亚致死浓度LC₅₀、LC₃₀和LC₁₀分别是2%的阿维菌素稀释2082倍、3760倍和8831倍。这3个亚致死剂量的阿维菌素均使修长蠊螨的生存能力、总产卵量和捕食线虫能力显著下降。修长蠊螨被LC₅₀、LC₃₀和LC₁₀ 3个亚致死浓度药液处理后,从幼螨发育至成螨时的存活率分别为对照的32.00%、46.00%和72.00%;总产卵量分别是对照的6.23%、17.58%和34.24%;处理2 d后的捕食线虫能力分别是对照的34.70%、53.06%和62.59%;但对卵的孵化率无显著影响。修长蠊螨控缓速释放和直接释放均能减少空心菜根系的根结数量和根结线虫卵囊数量,有效控制空心菜根结线虫的发生。各项防治处理30 d后,修长蠊螨直接释放处理、控缓速释放处理、修长蠊螨和阿维菌素联合施用处理以及仅施用阿维菌素处理的空心菜根际根结数量和线虫卵囊数量,分别比未防治对照处理减少28.97%和64.38%、49.97%和74.43%、81.92%和92.24%以及80.15%和92.69%。所以修长蠊螨控缓速释放的控制效果显著好于直接释放,但是修长蠊螨与阿维菌素联合施用不能提高防效。