Spiroplasmas: diversity of arthropod reservoirs and host-parasite relationships

Spiroplasmas were found in 11 new insect hosts representing four orders: Hymenoptera, Hemiptera, Diptera, and Coleoptera. Three of the new spiroplasmas were serologically distinct from all existing groups or subgroups. A spiroplasma that infects digestive tracts of Colorado potato beetles may be transmitted to uninfected insects that feed on contaminated plants. This simple type of spiroplasma-insect relationship may explain a growing list of isolations of spiroplasmas and other wall-less prokaryotes from plant surfaces.     

Adenovirus multiplication: inhibition by methisazone

Methisazone (5 to 40 microM) inhibited the multiplication of types 3, 7, 9, 11, 14, 16, 17, 21, and 28 adenovirus; SV15 (a simian adenovirus) was also inhibited. A study of adenovirus 11 under single-cycle conditions showed that multiplication of the virus, was completely inhibited by 30 microM methisazone when addition of the compound was delayed until 13 hours after infection. A survey showed that the structure-activity relations of the action of methisazone against adenoviruses and pox viruses are similar.     

L-leucine: a neuroactive substance in insects

A compound was isolated from the blood of silkworm larvae, Bombyx mori, which had been prostrated with DDT; this compound increased the spontaneous discharge in the isolated abdominal nerve cord of the American cockroach, Periplaneta americana. The compound was identified as L-leucine.     

Ozone: depression of frond multiplication and floral production in duckweed

Plants of Lemna perpusilla #6746 grown in an environment charged daily with a low concentration of ozone over 2 weeks were slower to begin multiplying, had a significantly lower rate of frond doubling, and required longer to produce fewer flowers than control plants. Treated plants produced smaller, slightly yellow fronds but had no symptoms of acute injury. Control plants produced four times as many fronds and six times as many flowers as plants continuously exposed to ozone (0.1 part per million).     

d-tubocurarine chloride: effect on insects

Injection of d-tubocurarine chloride into certain insects produces complete flaccid paralysis. The site of injection is closely related to the region of primary paralysis. The effect depends on concentration, with distinct differences in the optimum concentrations for various species so far tested. A dose-response curve has been prepared for Calliphora erythrocephala.     

Thermoregulation in endothermic insects

On the basis of body weight, most flying insects have higher rates of metabolism, and hence heat production, than other animals. However, rapid rates of cooling because of small body size in most cases precludes appreciable endothermy. The body temperature of small flies in flight is probably close to ambient temperature, and that of flying butterflies and locusts is 5 degrees to 10 degrees C above ambient temperature. Many moths and bumblebees are insulated with scales and hair, and their metabolism during flight can cause the temperature of the flight muscles to increase 20 degrees to 30 degrees C above ambient temperature. Curiously, those insects which (because of size, insulation) retain the most heat in the thorax during flight, also require the highest muscle temperature in order to maintain sufficient power output to continue flight. The minimum muscle temperature for flight varies widely between different species, while the maximum temperature varies over the relatively narrow range of 40 degrees to 45 degrees C. As a consequence, those insects that necessarily generate high muscle temperatures during flight must maintain their thoracic temperature within a relatively narrow range during flight. Active heat loss from the thorax to the abdomen prevents overheating of the flight motor and allows some large moths to be active over a wide range of ambient temperatures. Bumblebees similarly transfer heat from the flight musculature into the abdomen while incubating their brood by abdominal contact. Many of the larger insects would remain grounded if they did not actively increase the temperature of their flight muscles prior to flight. Male tettigoniid grasshoppers elevate their thoracic temperature prior to singing. In addition, some of the social Hymenoptera activate the "flight" muscles specifically to produce heat not only prior to flight but also during nest temperature regulation. During this "shivering" the "flight" muscles are often activated in patterns different from those during flight. The muscles contract primarily against each other rather than on the wings. However, the rate of heat production during shivering and flight is primarily a function of the action potential frequency rather than of the patterns of activation. Thermoregulation is a key factor in the energetics of foraging of some of the flower-visiting insects. The higher their muscle temperature the more flowers they can visit per unit time. When food supplies are ample, bees may invest relatively large amounts of energy for thermoregulation. While shivering to maintain high body temperatures during the short intervals they are perched on flowers (as well as while in the nest), bumblebees often expend energy at rates similar to the rates of energy expenditure in flight. Unlike vertebrates, which usually regulate their body temperature at specific set points, the body temperature of insects is labile. It often appears to be maintained near the lower temperature at which the muscles are able to perform the function at hand. The insects' thermal adaptations may not differ as much from those of vertebrates as previously supposed when size, anatomy, and energy requirements are taken into account.     

我国食用昆虫研究、开发现状与发展前景

介绍了中国食用昆虫的历史及食虫习俗、食用昆虫种质资源,分析了食用昆虫产品开发的现状及影响其开发的因素,指出了开发食用昆虫资源的应对措施及食用昆虫在中国的发展前景。     

昆虫蛋白质的开发与应用

本文就昆虫蛋白质的国内外研究进展进行了系统阐述,指出昆虫食品开发的潜力大。     

Ecdysones and analogs: effects on development and reproduction of insects

Ingestion of certain synthetic ecdysone analogs inhibited larval growth and development in several species of insects, whereas 20-hydroxyecdysone was inactive or considerably less active. Natural 20-hydroxyecdysone and ponasterone A, and a synthetic ecdysone analog inhibited ovarian maturation and egg production in the adult housefly. These effects appeared to be related to hormonal activity.     

Chemistry of pheromone and hormone metabolism in insects

Chemical evidence is needed in both insect endocrinology and sensory physiology to understand hormone and pheromone action at the molecular level. Radiolabeled pheromones and hormones have been synthesized and used to identify binding and catabolic proteins from insect tissues. Chemically modified analogs, including photoaffinity labels and enzyme inhibitors, are among the tools used to covalently modify the specific acceptor or catalytic sites. Such targeted agents can also provide leads for the design of growth and mating disruptants by allowing manipulation of the physiologically important interactions of the chemical signals with macromolecules.     

江苏分布的中国珍稀昆虫:Ⅰ.鳞翅目

记述了分布于江苏的中国珍稀鳞翅目昆虫,包括中华绢蛾、中华虎凤蝶指名亚种、宽尾凤蝶、铁木剑凤蝶、橙翅襟粉蝶和傲白蛱蝶,以及银点雕蛾在江苏的新分布、江苏新记录种矮斑蛀果蛾.介绍了它们的分类地位,记述了它们的识别要点、寄主及目前的分布情况.提供了这些珍稀鳞翅目昆虫的彩色照片.     

生姜组织培养快繁技术研究与应用

以生姜茎尖为外植体,接种在以MS为基本培养基、外加不同激素浓度配比的4种培养基上进行分化新梢和幼芽继代增殖培养。结果以3号培养基上芽的分化率和增殖率最高,分化率为100%,增殖率为405%。生根培养基以2号培养基最好,幼苗植株生根率达100%,且根多、粗壮,叶色浓绿,移栽至熟土 腐熟有机农家肥(2∶1)的营养杯中,成活率达95%以上。生姜脱毒苗经在大田试种繁殖均表现植株生长旺盛,叶色浓绿,茎秆粗壮,无变异植株和病毒病植株,遗传性状稳定;抗姜瘟性能好;组培苗比本地生姜增产约10%,第一代原种于第二年种植,比普通姜增产30%左右。