Toxic effects of acephate on Paramecium caudatum with special emphasis on morphology, behaviour, and generation time

The continuous increase in the number of new chemicals as well as the discharges of solid and liquid wastes triggered the need for simple and inexpensive bioassays for routine testing. In recent years, there has been increasing development of methods (particularly rapid tests) for testing environmental samples. This paper describes the quick toxic evaluation of an organophosphorus insecticide, acephate (O,S-dimethyl acetylphosphoramidothioate) on Paramecium caudatum for acute and sub-acute toxicity studies with reference to morphology, behaviour, and its generation time. The lethal concentrations for 10 min and 2 h were determined by probit method, as 500 mg L⁻¹ and 300 mg L⁻¹, respectively. Higher concentrations of 10 min exposure caused cell lysis with disintegration of cell membrane and precipitation of protoplasm. Combination of conventional light microscopy and computerized video tracking systems were used to study the locomotor behaviour of paramecia. The test organism was under stress and exhibited an initial increase and subsequent decrease in the swimming speed when exposed to 1/4, 1/2, 3/4, and LC₅₀ concentrations for 10 min (125, 250, 375, and 500 mg L⁻¹, respectively). Similar changes were also noticed when paramecia were exposed to LC₅₀ for 2 h. In a separate set of experiments, the number of generations and generation time in 24 h was evaluated with respect to the different sub-lethal concentrations (30, 60, 120, and 240 mg L⁻¹). The number of generations decreased and generation time extended significantly in a concentration dependent manner. The results indicate that the Paramecium toxicity assay could be used as a complimentary system to rapidly elucidate the cytotoxic potential of insecticides. The major advantages associated with these tests are: they are inexpensive, simple, user-friendly, space saving, and seem to be attractive alternatives to conventional bioassays.     

The impact of carbofuran on acetylcholinesterase activity in Anisakis simplex larvae from Baltic herring

The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of carbofuran, a carbamate pesticide on the enzymatic activity of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) in the larvae of the herring nematode parasite Anisakis simplex. A. simplex larvae collected from herring were exposed to carbofuran in vivo at concentrations of 50, 100, 500 and 1000 μg/l, for 24, 48 and 72 h, at a temperature of 4 °C. Generalized Linear Models (GLM) were applied to analyze the relationship between AChE activity and carbofuran concentration, the time of exposure and the biological parameters of the host. The results indicate that A. simplex larvae have a high threshold of sensitivity to carbofuran. The average enzymatic activity was higher in parasites obtained from male hosts, when compared with female hosts. These data suggest that host sex-dependent biological processes may also influence AChE enzymatic activity in parasites.     

Methylparathion- and carbofuran-induced mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress in Helicoverpa armigera (Noctuidae: Lepidoptera)

The cotton bollworm, Helicoverpa armigera is a polyphagous pest of several crops in Asia, Africa, and the Mediterranean Europe. Organophosphate and carbamate insecticides are used on a large-scale to control Helicoverpa. Therefore, we studied the effect of methylparathion and carbofuran, an organophosphate and carbamate insecticide, respectively, on oxidative phosphorylation and oxidative stress in H. armigera larvae to gain an understanding of the different target sites of these insecticides. It was observed that state III and state IV respiration, respiratory control index (RCI), and P/O ratios were inhibited in a dose-dependent manner by methylparathion and carbofuran under in vitro and in vivo conditions. Methylparathion and carbofuran inhibited complex II by ∼45% and 30%, respectively. Lipid peroxidation, H₂O₂ content, and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity increased and glutathione reductase (GR) activity decreased in a time- and dose-dependent manner in insecticide-fed larvae. However, catalase activity was not affected in insecticide-fed larvae. Larval growth decreased by ∼64% and 67% in larvae fed on diets with 100 μM of methylparathion and carbofuran. The results suggested that both the insecticides impede the mitochondrial respiratory functions and induced lipid peroxidation, H₂O₂, and LDH leak, leading to oxidative stress in cells, which contribute to deleterious effects of these insecticides on the growth of H. armigera larvae, along with their neurotoxic effects.     

枯草芽胞杆菌对离体荔枝果实霜疫霉病、炭疽病的防治效果

为了进一步明确从土壤中筛选得到的拮抗细菌OR-1、OR-2、OR-3、ON-6的分类地位和生防效果,采用形态学观察、理化特性结合分子生物学方法,鉴定这4株细菌皆为枯草芽胞杆菌Bacillussubitilis.拮抗菌对荔枝霜疫霉菌、炭疽菌菌丝生长均具有明显抑制作用,ON-6菌株的发酵液对菌丝生长的抑制率最高,分别为92.34％和70.36％,其次是OR-1菌株.拮抗菌处理组褐变指数均小于对照组以及杀菌剂处理组,且差异达显著水平(P＜0.05),OR-1菌株防褐变效果最好.常温下,拮抗菌发酵液对离体鲜果病害防治效果优于对照组和杀菌剂处理组,其中ON-6菌株的防治效果最佳;4℃低温储藏处理40天后,拮抗菌发酵液处理组的防治效果高于对照和杀菌剂处理组,且差异显著(P＜0.05),以ON-6和ON-3菌株的防治效果最佳.表明拮抗菌发酵液对荔枝鲜果上的霜疫霉菌和炭疽病菌有一定的抑制作用.     

Effects of a lectin-like protein isolated from Acacia farnesiana seeds on phytopathogenic bacterial strains and root-knot nematode

Acacia farnesiana lectin-like protein (AFAL) showed bacterioestatic effects against Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. passiflorae (Gram-negative) and Clavibacter michiganensis michiganensis (Gram-positive), with the latter being more sensitive. This effect is probably due to the ability of AFAL to interact with the bacterial cell wall where we observed that AFAL induced macroscopic change. The maximum bacterial growth inhibition was approximately 78% when incubated with Gram-negative strains, and as high as 92% percent for the Gram-positive one. The antibacterial effect of flavonoids (rutin, quercetin and morin) was also observed using low concentrations against both bacterial strains. Prior incubation of both with AFAL at high concentrations increases the inhibitory effect of flavonoids on bacterial growth. The potential use of AFAL as a control agent against the root-knot nematode Meloidogyne incognita was investigated as well, showing anti-nematode properties involving both egg hatching and motility. In the juvenile second-stage, AFAL showed reduction in larval mobility when measured against a control group. The results suggest that AFAL is effective against M. incognita and could be used as a component of integrated pest management programs. These data also suggest that lectins probably play a role in plant defense not only against invertebrate phytopathogens, herbivores and fungi but also against bacteria.     

Effects of ingested 20-hydroxyecdysone on development and midgut epithelial cells of Plodia interpunctella (Lepidoptera, Pyralidae)

We describe the effects of ingested 20-hydroxyecdysone on larvae of Plodia interpunctella. It caused significant mortality and provoked cannibalism between larvae. On the other hand, it also induced precocious pupation and adult emergence. A large weight loss of larvae was recorded. Besides, 20-hydroxyecdysone provoked a reduction in protein, glycogen and lipid contents. Using electron microscopy, we have shown that 20-hydroxyecdysone caused a dose-dependent severe cytotoxicity on the midgut epithelial cells, resulting in the disorganization and the vacuolization of the cytoplasm; the nucleus appeared with crenulated envelope and presented many clear areas between the chromatin clumps and finally, the disruption of microvilli and the rupture of the plasma membrane led to the shedding of cytoplasm contents into the midgut lumen. In conclusion, ingested 20-hydroxyecdysone shows potent growth disruptive effects on P. interpunctella.     

Bioinsecticidal effect of harmaline on Plodia interpunctella development (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)

We have investigated the effects of harmaline, a plant secondary metabolic compound belonging to β-carboline alkaloids, on the 4th instar larvae of Plodia interpunctella (Lepidoptera). When incorporated into the diet, harmaline caused weight loss of larvae with a reduction in protein and glycogen contents and an inhibition of α-amylase activity. Using electron microscopy, we showed that harmaline provoked a severe cytotoxicity on the epithelial cells of the midgut resulting in marked vacuolization of the cytoplasm, appearance of numerous autophagic vesicles and lysosomic structures, fragmentation of rough endoplasmic reticulum cisternae, disruption of microvilli, rupture of the plasma membrane leading to shedding of the cytoplasm contents into the midgut lumen. The development of larvae to the pupal and adult stages was prevented and high mortality was recorded.     

Molecular analysis of resistance in a deltamethrin-resistant strain of Musca domestica from China

We investigated the molecular basis of resistance in a strain of house fly (BJD) from Beijing, China. This strain showed 567-fold resistance to commonly used deltamethrin. Flies were 64-fold resistant to deltamethrin synergized by piperonyl butoxide (PBO). The 5′-flanking sequence of the cytochrome P450 gene CYP6D1 in BJD strain had a 15-bp insert as in the LPR strain. Two mutations (kdr, super-kdr) in the voltage sensitive sodium channel (VSSC) were also detected in the BJD strain. Our results showed that a combination of resistance alleles for CYP6D1 and VSSC existed in deltamethrin resistant house flies in China.     

苏云金杆菌亚致死浓度对美国白蛾及其寄生蜂生长发育的影响

为阐明苏云金杆菌Bacillus thuringiensis(Bt)与白蛾周氏啮小蜂Chouioia cunea Yang的协同作用,分别用103~108孢子/m L的6个Bt浓度处理美国白蛾Hyphantria cunea 2龄幼虫后,通过室内试验测定了Bt对其致死、亚致死效应,及亚致死浓度Bt对寄生蜂子代出蜂的影响。结果表明,浓度106孢子/m L处理组美国白蛾均未能化蛹;而106孢子/m L处理组均能化蛹并羽化,且幼虫发育历期随Bt浓度的增加而延长,平均蛹重在74.92~92.18 mg之间,均高于对照的68.66 mg,但蛹重不呈线性规律变化。当Bt对美国白蛾平均校正死亡率低于17.17%时,幼虫发育历期延迟不明显,但平均蛹重为101.11~124.34 mg,均高于对照;接蜂后能够正常出蜂,出蜂率为33.13%~51.25%,每蛹出蜂量为117.43~143.42头,均显著高于对照。表明用平均校正死亡率低于20%的Bt处理对白蛾周氏啮小蜂的寄生有利,2种生防措施协同作用存在增效潜力。     

两株棒束孢菌的鉴定及其对茶卷叶蛾和茶小卷叶蛾的致病力

为明确分离自茶卷叶蛾和中华大刀螳僵虫的2株虫生真菌的归属及生防潜力,采用形态学特征和rDNA-ITS序列分析其分类地位,测定了其对茶卷叶蛾和茶小卷叶蛾幼虫的致病力,并初步筛选了其最适培养条件.结果表明:2株真菌均为环链棒束孢Isaria cateniannulata,分别命名为ICBS918和ICTL911.在1.0×10⁸孢子/mL浓度下,ICBS918和ICTL911对茶卷叶蛾幼虫的累计校正死亡率均达100%,LT₅₀分别为3.13 d和3.15 d;对茶小卷叶蛾幼虫的累计校正死亡率分别为100%和95%,LT₅₀分别为3.25 d和3.31 d.接菌后8 d,2菌株对茶卷叶蛾幼虫的LC₅₀分别为0.47×10⁵孢子/mL和1.01×10⁵孢子/mL;对茶小卷叶蛾幼虫的LC₅₀分别为2.20×10⁵孢子/mL和1.34×10⁵孢子/mL.2菌株23 ℃下最适生长培养基均为综合马铃薯培养基,最适产孢培养基均为蛋白胨马铃薯葡萄糖琼脂培养基;在萨氏培养基上,菌株ICBS918和ICTL911分别在24~30 ℃及24 ℃时生长速度最快,在27 ℃和21 ℃时产孢量最大.表明2株环链棒束孢对茶卷叶蛾和茶小卷叶蛾幼虫均具有较好的生防潜力,可作为生防菌进行开发和应用.     

Agrobacterium-mediated transformation efficiency is altered in a novel rice bacterial blight resistance cultivar and is influenced by environmental temperature

Y73 is a progeny of asymmetric somatic hybridization from an elite japonica rice cultivar (Dalixiang) and a wild rice (Oryza meyeriana), which shows high resistance to bacterial blight. It has a similar genetic background to its recurrent parent, Dalixiang, but Y73 has a high resistance to both bacterial blight and Agrobacterium. The transformation efficiency of Y73 was 35.7%, while Dalixiang had higher transformation efficiency (71.2%) under the same co-cultivation temperature (25 °C). These results indicate that the resistance to Agrobacterium tumefaciens in Y73 was linked with its characteristic of bacterial blight resistance, and was obtained from its donor parent, O. meyeriana. Further studies also showed that the resistance to A. tumefaciens was weakened at a lower temperature (20 °C). To study its molecular mechanism, the expression levels of genes associated with Agrobacterium-mediated transformation (OsMPKs, OsVIP1s and OsPR1s) in rice were investigated by Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) analysis. The expression levels of OsMPK genes remained unchanged at different temperatures, while all OsVIP1s and almost all OsPR1s were up-regulated and transformation efficiency of Y73 was increased notably when infected by Agrobacterium at 20 °C compared with 25 °C. This study suggests that the bacterial blight resistance genes in Y73 also have an effect on Agrobacterium-mediated transformation and that the response to temperature is associated with the regulation of MAPK/VIP1 defense signaling pathway.     

溴氰虫酰胺和氯虫苯甲酰胺对三种鳞翅目害虫的毒力作用比较

为比较溴氰虫酰胺和氯虫苯甲酰胺对甜菜夜蛾、玉米螟和小地老虎的作用差异,采用浸卵法、浸叶法、饲喂毒营养液法等测定了溴氰虫酰胺和氯虫苯甲酰胺对3种害虫的卵、3龄幼虫和成虫的毒力,以及对其3龄幼虫的拒食活性。结果表明,溴氰虫酰胺和氯虫苯甲酰胺均无杀卵作用,但能降低初孵幼虫存活率。溴氰虫酰胺对甜菜夜蛾、玉米螟和小地老虎3龄幼虫的LC₅₀值分别为0.11、0.05和0.13 mg/L,相对毒力分别是氯虫苯甲酰胺的2.8、2.7和5.1倍。溴氰虫酰胺对3种害虫成虫的LC₅₀值分别为0.11、0.09和0.22 mg/L,相对毒力分别是氯虫苯甲酰胺的3.9、3.8和2.7倍。溴氰虫酰胺在亚致死浓度0.10、0.05和0.14 mg/L的剂量下分别对甜菜夜蛾、玉米螟和小地老虎3龄幼虫表现出较强的拒食作用,处理48 h后达到最高,拒食率分别为85.58%、81.91%和86.11%。药剂处理试虫虫体皱缩,体节缩短,体重增加率明显低于对照处理。表明溴氰虫酰胺对3种鳞翅目害虫的毒力作用比氯虫苯甲酰胺好,可作为氯虫苯甲酰胺的替代药品。     

椰心叶甲人工饲料的研制及应用效果评价

为了获得入侵害虫椰心叶甲Brontispa longissima(Gestro)的人工饲料,在分析其天然寄主叶片水分和营养成分基础上,借鉴其它鞘翅目昆虫人工饲料配方,进行椰心叶甲人工饲料的配制和筛选,并评价人工饲料饲养的椰心叶甲对其寄生蜂椰甲截脉姬小蜂Asecodes hispinarum和椰心叶甲啮小蜂Tetrastichus brontispae的适合性。人工饲料配方的成分:蔗糖4%、椰子粉2%、大豆粉2%、椰树叶粉10%、酵母2%、维生素E 0.3%、抗坏血酸0.2%、对羟基苯甲酸甲酯0.2%、琼脂4%、链霉素0.03%和水75%。用所配制的人工饲料饲养椰心叶甲初孵幼虫,其蛹成活率可达36%,蛹羽化率与对照无显著差异,均在90%以上;雌成虫占52.4%,与对照无显著差异。表明人工饲料饲养所得的椰心叶甲可用于其幼虫寄生蜂椰甲截脉姬小蜂和蛹寄生蜂椰心叶甲啮小蜂的扩繁。     

加州新小绥螨对土耳其斯坦叶螨的捕食作用

为明确加州新小绥螨Neoseiulus californicus （McGregor）对土耳其斯坦叶螨Tetranychus turkestani （Ugarov et Nikolski）的捕食潜力,采用捕食功能反应方法,研究了加州新小绥螨对土耳其斯坦叶螨各螨态的捕食作用。加州新小绥螨对雌成螨、若螨、卵的选择性捕食系数分别为0.44、1.25和1.35。在不同温度条件下,加州新小绥螨对土耳其斯坦叶螨的功能反应均属于Holling-Ⅱ型;28 ℃时捕食能力最强,对土耳其斯坦叶螨雌成螨、若螨和卵的攻击系数分别是0.6279、0.7203和0.7554,最大日捕食量分别为10.81头、28.49头和 40.82粒。在相同温度下,加州新小绥螨雌成螨寻找效应随着猎物密度的增加而降低;在相同密度下,寻找效应随温度的升高先增加后减小,在28 ℃时寻找效应最高,为0.535。加州新小绥螨的捕食作用存在较强的种内干扰作用（m=0.520）,随着捕食者密度的增大,平均捕食量逐渐减少,捕食作用率也相应降低。研究表明加州新小绥螨对土耳其斯坦叶螨具有很好的控制潜力。     

加州新小绥螨对柑橘全爪螨的控制潜力

为了确定加州新小绥螨Neoseiulus californicus (McGregor)的国内品系在生物防治中的潜力,采用捕食者功能反应方法,研究了加州新小绥螨、江原钝绥螨Amblyseius eharai Amitai et Swirski、尼氏真绥螨Euseius nicholsi (Ehara et Lee)和拟长毛钝绥螨A.pseudolongispinosus Xin,Liang et Ke对柑橘全爪螨Panonychus citri AaGregor的捕食作用,加州新小绥螨对柑橘全爪螨的功能反应可以很好地拟合HollingⅡ圆盘方程,对柑橘全爪螨卵的捕食能力显著高于其它3种捕食螨,4种捕食螨对柑橘全爪螨卵的功能反应参数a/Th分别为20.8342、6.9458、0和6.1634;加州新小绥螨对柑橘全爪螨卵、幼螨、前若螨、后若螨和成螨功能反应分别为20.8342、42.0721、29.1849、22.1204和5.6284.加州新小绥螨密度越大,柑橘全爪螨种群数量下降越快,在益、害比为5∶30下,柑橘全爪螨种群数量在第4天就能得到控制.结果表明,加州新小绥螨国内品系对柑橘全爪螨表现出很大的控制潜力.     

菜豆普通细菌性疫病菌在土壤和植株残体中的越冬能力

为评估菜豆普通细菌性疫病菌地毯草黄单胞杆菌菜豆致病变种或褐色黄单胞菌褐色亚种在土壤及植物残体中的越冬能力,对采自黑龙江、内蒙古、山西、河北及新疆的18块菜豆生产田的20份土壤及14份植物残体样品进行病原菌分离和鉴定。在MT选择性培养基上有12个土壤样品和13个植株残体样品提取液产生典型的类似黄单胞菌菌落。选取29个分离物进行致病性测定,有27个分离物对菜豆品种\"英国红\"致病。利用地毯草黄单胞杆菌菜豆致病变种和褐色黄单胞菌褐色亚种的特异性引物X4c/X4e及褐色黄单胞菌褐色亚种特异性引物Xf1/Xf2对29个分离物进行多重PCR检测,其中17个分离物为地毯草黄单胞杆菌菜豆致病变种,10个分离物为褐色黄单胞菌褐色亚种。结果表明,菜豆普通细菌性疫病菌可以在黑龙江、内蒙古、山西、河北的一些菜豆种植区的土壤及植株残体中越冬存活。     

草间钻头蛛体内沃尔巴克氏体的去除及其感染对宿主生殖和适合度的影响

采用在草间钻头蛛Hylyphantes graminicola的饮水和人工饲料中添加四环素的方法研究了蜘蛛体内沃尔巴克氏体(Wolbachia)的去除.同时,通过设置草间钻头蛛Wolbachia感染种群与未感染种群之间不同的交配方式,研究Wolbachia感染对草间钻头蛛生殖和适合度的影响.结果显示,在草间钻头蛛的饮水和人工饲料中添加四环素均能部分去除草间钻头蛛体内的Wolbachia,在供试最高浓度下,去除率分别为40％和50％.4种不同的交配组合下,草间钻头蛛雌蛛均能产卵,卵的孵化率差异不显著,Wolbachia感染对草间钻头蛛的生殖无影响.感染Wolbachia的草间钻头蛛所产第1卵袋的卵历期为6.65d,极显著高于未感染Wolbachia的卵历期(P =0.008).感染与未感染Wolbachia的草间钻头蛛种群世代存活率、性比以及适合度均无显著差异.     

Mosquito larvicidal activity of alkaloids from Zanthoxylum lemairei against the malaria vector Anopheles gambiae

Four alkaloids, 10-O-demethyl-17-O-methylisoarnottianamide 1, 6-acetonyl-N-methyl-dihydrodecarine 2, nitidine 3, and chelerythrine 4 were isolated from the plant Zanthoxylum lemairei (Rutaceae) and evaluated for mosquito larvicidal activity against the malaria vector Anopheles gambiae. The mortalities of the larvae were determined after 24 h. The results of the larvicidal tests demonstrated that compounds 1 and 2 were the most potent with mortality rates of 96.7% and 98.3% at a concentration of 250 mg/L, respectively. Compound 3 was less potent with a mortality of 28.3% at the same concentration. The percent mortality of 100% was observed at a concentration of 500 mg/L. The least potent of the four alkaloids was compound 4, which achieved 100% mortality at 1000 mg/L. These findings could be useful in the research for newer more selective, biodegradable and natural larvicidal compounds or can be used as lead compounds for the development of larvicides.     

枣镰翅小卷蛾成虫的寄主趋向和产卵选择

采用固相微萃取(SPME)和GC-MS分析研究木枣和酸枣挥发物成分,并测试枣镰翅小卷蛾触角电位(EAG)反应、寄主趋向和产卵选择,以探明枣镰翅小卷蛾的寄主选择机制。结果显示,在萌芽期,木枣和酸枣嫩叶的挥发成分均为罗勒烯、2-甲基-2-菠烯、α-法呢烯和邻苯二甲酸二丁酯4种,但相对含量稍有不同。枣镰翅小卷蛾成虫对木枣和酸枣2种寄主都有强烈的EAG反应,且同一寄主上雌蛾的EAG反应值极显著地高于雄蛾,其EAG值是雄蛾的3.3倍。枣镰翅小卷蛾对木枣表现强烈的趋向反应,而对酸枣的趋向不明显,且雌虫的趋向反应显著高于雄虫。木枣上的产卵量显著高于酸枣,且木枣枣吊上的单雌产卵量为307.9粒,极显著地高于酸枣枣吊上的产卵量(182.9粒)。研究表明,枣镰翅小卷蛾雌蛾在寄主选择中起主导作用,木枣是其嗜好寄主。