Insecticidal properties of essential plant oils against the mosquito Culex pipiens molestus (Diptera: Culicidae)

The insecticidal activities of essential oil extracts from leaves and flowers of aromatic plants against fourth-instar larvae of the mosquito Culex pipiens molestus Forskal were determined. Extracts of Myrtus communis L were found to be the most toxic, followed by those of Origanum syriacum L, Mentha microcorphylla Koch, Pistacia lentiscus L and Lavandula stoechas L with LC50 values of 16, 36, 39, 70 and 89 mg litre-1, respectively. Over 20 major components were identified in extracts from each plant species. Eight pure components (1,8-cineole, menthone, linalool, terpineol, carvacrol, thymol, (1S)-(-)-alpha-pinene and (1R)-(+)-alpha-pinene) were tested against the larvae. Thymol, carvacrol, (1R)-(+)-alpha-pinene and (1S)-(-)-alpha-pinene were the most toxic (LC50 = 36-49 mg litre-1), while menthone, 1,8-cineole, linalool and terpineol (LC50 = 156-194 mg litre-1) were less toxic.     

Repellency and toxicity of aromatic plant extracts against the mosquito Culex pipiens molestus (Diptera: Culicidae)

The insecticidal activities of essential oil extracts from leaves, flowers and roots of aromatic plants against fourth-instar larvae of the mosquito Culex pipiens molestus Forskal were determined. Extracts of Foeniculum vulgare Mill were the most toxic, followed by those of Ferula hermonis Boiss, Citrus sinensis Osbeck, Pinus pinea L, Laurus nobilis L and Eucalyptus spp with LC50 values of 24.5, 44.0, 60.0, 75.0, 117.0 and 120.0 mg litre(-1), respectively. Combination tests between the LC50 and the maximum sub-lethal concentration (MSLC) were determined. Over 20 major components were identified in extracts from each plant species tested. Five essential oils and nine pure components were studied for their repellency against mosquito bites. Terpineol and 1,8-cineole were the most effective against Culex pipiens molestus bites offering complete protection for 1.6 and 2 h, respectively.     

Insecticidal and repellent activities of insecticide-sucrose solutions to Culex pipiens molestus (Diptera: Culicidae) under laboratory and field conditions

BACKGROUND: Culex pipiens molestus Forskal has been reported as a dominant species in underground structures of urban areas in the Republic of Korea (ROK) during all seasons and becomes bothersome to humans in late autumn and winter. Most Cx. pipiens molestus in septic tanks are controlled in the ROK using larvicides such as Bt and IGR. However, there are a number of problems associated with larvicides, such as high cost and requirement for frequent use. In the present work, a new control method for Cx. pipiens molestus in septic tanks by using mixtures of sucrose solution with insecticides was investigated. RESULTS: The insecticidal and repellent activities of ten insecticides were evaluated for best control of Cx. pipiens molestus in septic tanks. Firstly, differences in susceptibilities to insecticides were evaluated in topical assays by forced direct contact bioassay and in a screened wire cage by free direct contact bioassay. The difference in insecticide susceptibility in the mosquitoes was the result of repellency by the insecticides. In three septic tanks, the density of Culex mosquitoes was sharply reduced by a deltamethrin–sucrose solution kit. CONCLUSIONS: The results demonstrated the potential for mosquito control by deltamethrin–sucrose solution, and the study offers basic information related to mosquito control in septic tanks. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

Lack of cross-resistance to Mtx1 from Bacillus sphaericus in B. sphaericus-resistant Culex quinquefasciatus (Diptera: Culicidae)

The toxicities of Mtx1 toxin against dipteran and lepidopteran species have been evaluated in this study. It was shown that Mtx1 has little or no toxicity to the tested lepidopteran species, but has moderate-level toxicity to Aedes albopictus Skuse (Diptera: Culicidae) and high-level toxicity to both susceptible and binary toxin-resistant Culex quinquefasciatus Say (Diptera: Culicidae). The LC(50) values of Mtx1 against a susceptible C. quinquefasciatus colony SLCq and two resistant colonies RLCq1/C3-41 and RLCq2/IAB59 selected in the laboratory with Bacillus sphaericus (Mayer & Neide) strains C3-41 and IAB59 respectively were 0.508, 0.854 and 0.675 mg L(-1) respectively. The data indicate that Mtx1 has a different mode of action from the binary toxin, and that it could be an alternative toxin to delay or overcome resistance development to binary toxin in C. quinquefasciatus.     

Efficacy of insecticide mixtures against larvae of Culex quinquefasciatus (Say) (Diptera: Culicidae) resistant to pyrethroids and carbamates

The efficacy of insecticide mixtures of permethrin (pyrethroid) and propoxur (carbamate) was tested by larval bioassays on two strains of Culex quinquefasciatus (Say), one resistant to pyrethroids and the other resistant to carbamates. The method consisted in combining one insecticide at the highest concentration causing no mortality (LC0) with increasing concentrations of the second one. The concentration-mortality regression lines were determined for permethrin and propoxur alone and in combination, and synergism ratios (SR) were calculated in order to determine the magnitude of an increase or decrease in efficacy with use of the mixtures. With the pyrethroid-resistant strain (BK-PER), the results showed that propoxur at LC0 significantly enhanced the insecticidal activity of permethrin (SR50 = 1.54), especially on the upper range of the concentration-mortality regression. Conversely, when permethrin at LC0 was tested with propoxur against the carbamate resistant strain (R-LAB), an antagonistic effect was observed (SR50 = 0.67). With the BK-PER strain, an increased oxidative detoxification (MFO) appeared to be the main mechanism responsible for the synergistic interaction. Nevertheless, antagonism in the R-LAB strain is probably due to a physiological perturbation implying different target sites for pyrethroid (ie sodium channel) and carbamate insecticides [ie acetylcholinesterase (EC 3.3.3.7) and choline acetyltransferase (EC 2.3.1.6)].     

甲壳素等生物制剂对仙客来枯萎病的防治效果及生长促进作用研究

对比试验结果表明,甲壳素单独使用、甲壳素与放线菌混合使用、甲壳素与放线菌和枯草杆菌混合使用灌根,对仙客来枯萎病均具有明显的防治效果,仙客来成活率显著提高,其防效与常用化学农药相当。同时对仙客来的生长发育均有促进作用。处理后根的数量、根系的鲜重和干重均有显著增加,并使叶片数增多,冠径增大。此外,单独使用甲壳素还使土壤中放线菌数量明显增加。     

Structure of the Aedes aegypti (L.) and Culex quinquefasciatus Say (Diptera: Culicidae) populations in the houses of Phnom Penh (Kampuchea)

Sex ratio and engorged females ratio were studied in the main mosquito species populations (Aedes aegypti, Culex quinquefasciatus and partially Anopheles vagus) in the houses of Phnom Penh. Collections were carried out in 7 different localities, including area from the centre of the town to the periphery. In Ae. aegypti and C. quinquefasciatus populations females were dominant in 5 localities, while males were dominant in 2 localities. Engorged females were predominant over unfed ones in all cases (collections were always carried out in the morning). Structure of population varied slightly according to the date of collection. The influence of two main factors, character of locality and monthly amount of rainfall, on structure of mosquito population is discussed.     

Effect of chitin on biological control activity of Bacillus spp. and Trichoderma harzianum against root rot disease in pepper (Capsicum annuum) plants

Two bacterial isolates and one strain of Trichoderma harzianum were tested alone and in combination with chitin for efficacy in control of root rot disease caused by Phytophthora capsici and Rhizoctonia solani in pepper plants under greenhouse conditions. These bacteria (Bacillus subtilis HS93 and B. licheniformis LS674) were isolated from repeatedly washed roots of pepper plants. In in vitro assays, HS93, LS674 and T. harzianum were antagonistic against P. capsici and R. solani and produced high levels of chitinase. Seed treatment and root drenching with bacterial suspensions of HS93 with 0.5% chitin was more effective against Phytophthora and Rhizoctonia root rot than addition of the organisms without chitin. LS674 and T. harzianum reduced Rhizoctonia but not Phytophthora root rot. In two greenhouse tests, seed treatment and root drenching with HS93 amended with chitin enhanced its biocontrol activity against P. capsici but not on R. solani. The effects of LS674 and T. harzianum against R. solani were significantly enhanced when they were used as suspensions with 0.5% chitin for root drenching, but this had no effect on P. capsici. In both greenhouse experiments, the use of 0.5% chitin alone for root drenching reduced Rhizoctonia root rot. Reduction of root rot disease was accompanied by increased yield. These results show that the antagonistic activity of HS93, LS674 and T. harzianum may be stimulated by chitin resulting in significant improvements in their effectiveness against pathogens.     

混合蚜虫斑块对食蚜瘿蚊繁殖力的影响

食蚜瘿蚊是多种蚜虫的捕食性天敌.深入研究影响该虫繁殖力的关键性因子有助于改进规模化饲养以及提高该虫在生物防治中的应用效果.本文选用玉米蚜、禾谷缢管蚜和麦长管蚜作为寄主昆虫,通过设置猎物蚜虫斑块的3种混合方式(单一种群、两种或三种均匀混合种群),以及每种混合方式下的4个密度梯度(总虫量6～48头/株),研究混合蚜虫斑块对...     

幼虫期染镉对棕尾别麻蝇繁殖力及生殖腺发育的影响

通过在饲料中添加重金属镉(Cd)饲喂棕尾别麻蝇Boettcherisca peregrine的幼虫,研究镉对其成虫繁殖能力和生殖腺发育的影响。结果表明,棕尾别麻蝇幼虫在取食含100μg/g、200μg/g、400μg/g和800μg/gCd2+的人工饲料后,成虫的羽化率和寿命都明显下降;但镉处理对成虫的交配率无显著影响,雌成虫的卵巢含卵量与雌虫是否在幼虫期取食镉有关,雌虫在幼虫阶段接触到的镉浓度越高,含卵量越低。成虫生殖腺的发育也与在幼虫期接触到的镉浓度相关,镉浓度越高,精巢和卵巢的长度就越短,生殖器系数也越小。     

RNA interference in Nilaparvata lugens (Homoptera: Delphacidae) based on dsRNA ingestion

BACKGROUND: An efficient and convenient RNA interference (RNAi) technique involving double‐stranded RNA (dsRNA) ingestion is useful for gene function studies of non‐model insects. RESULTS: Three dsRNAs targeting different sites within a gene encoding vacuolar ATP synthase subunit E (V‐ATPase‐E, 21E01) were synthesised for RNAi in Nilaparvata lugens. dsRNA was found to be stable in 0.1 g mL^?1 sucrose solution, but unstable in artificial fodder. Therefore, dsRNAs were orally delivered into N. lugens in 0.1 g mL^?1 sucrose solution. RNAi was induced by all three of the dsRNAs at 0.05 µg µL^?1 in N. lugens. Time dynamics analysis of gene silencing indicated that significant suppression of the target gene began as early as 2 days after ingestion of ds2‐21E01 and ds3‐21E01. However, significant repressive effects were recorded up to 10 days after exposure to ds1‐21E01. The maximum reduction in target gene mRNA was observed after 10 days of treatment, with suppression ratios induced by ds1‐21E01, ds2‐21E01 and ds3‐21E01 of 41, 55 and 48% respectively. CONCLUSION: An efficient and convenient RNAi technique involving dsRNA ingestion has been successfully developed for N. lugens. This will be a useful tool for further functional genomic investigation in this organism. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

Validation of RNA interference in western corn rootworm Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) adults

BACKGROUND: RNA interference (RNAi) is commonly used in insect functional genomics studies and usually involves direct injection of double‐stranded RNA (dsRNA). Only a few studies have involved exposure to dsRNAs through feeding. For western corn rootworm (Diabrotica virgifera virgifera) larvae, ingestion of dsRNA designed from the housekeeping gene, vacuolar ATPase (vATPase) triggers RNAi causing growth inhibition and mortality; however, the effect of dsRNA feeding on adults has not been examined. In this research, WCR adults were fed with vATPase‐dsRNA‐treated artificial diet containing a cucurbitacin bait, which is a proven feeding stimulant for chrysomelid beetles of the subtribe Diabroticina to which rootworms belong. RESULTS: Real‐time PCR confirmed suppression of vATPase expression and western blot analysis indicated reduced signal of a protein that cross‐reacted with a vATPase polyclonal antiserum in WCR adults exposed to artificial diet treated with dsRNA and cucurbitacin bait. Continuous feeding on cucurbitacin and dsRNA‐treated artificial diet resulted in more than 95% adult mortality within 2 weeks while mortality in control treatments never exceeded 20%. CONCLUSIONS: This research clearly demonstrates the effect of RNAi on WCR adults that have been exposed to dsRNA by feeding and establishes a tool to screen dsRNAs of potential target genes in adults. This technique may serve as an alternative to target screening of larvae which are difficult to maintain on artificial diets. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

沙葱萤叶甲己糖激酶基因的克隆、相对表达量及RNA干扰效应

为揭示沙葱萤叶甲Galeruca daurica己糖激酶基因的功能,根据本课题组组装的沙葱萤叶甲转录组测序数据,应用cDNA末端快速扩增技术(rapid amplification of cDNA ends,RACE)克隆获得沙葱萤叶甲己糖激酶基因的cDNA全长序列,分析其编码蛋白的氨基酸序列与其它昆虫同源蛋白氨基酸序列之间的系统进化关系,采用实时荧光定量技术(real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction,qPCR)测定不同发育阶段和不同温度下沙葱萤叶甲己糖激酶基因的相对表达量以及对RNA干扰的响应。结果表明,沙葱萤叶甲己糖激酶基因的cDNA全长为1 699 bp,开放阅读框长为1 479 bp,编码492个氨基酸;沙葱萤叶甲己糖激酶氨基酸序列与玉米根萤叶甲Diabrotica virgifera virgifera己糖激酶氨基酸序列一致性最高,为65.42%。己糖激酶基因在沙葱萤叶甲不同发育阶段均有表达,成虫滞育期间相对表达量维持在低水平,而滞育结束后相对表达量急剧上升达最高值。在0～40℃范围内,随着温度增加,己糖激酶基因在沙葱萤...