Development and reproduction of Sancassania polyphyllae (Acari: Acaridae) feeding on entomopathogenic nematodes and tissues of insect larvae

We studied the effect of different food sources, infective juveniles of the entomopathogenic nematodes, Steinernema feltiae and Heterorhabditis bacteriophora (Rhabditida: Steinernematidae, Heterorhabditidae), and tissues from the insect larva, Polyphylla fullo (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) or Galleria mellonella (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), on the development, reproduction and longevity of Sancassania polyphyllae (Acari: Acaridae). We showed that the immature mite stages - protonymph and tritonymph - could develop to the next developmental stage on living or sonicated (i.e., ruptured) S. feltiae or H. bacteriophora. However, the mite larval stage could only develop to the next developmental stage on sonicated infective juveniles of the nematodes. Subsequently, we demonstrated that S. polyphyllae completed development from protonymph to adult on live S. feltiae or H. bacteriophora, whereas all immature stages of S. polyphyllae completed their development from larva to adult on insect tissues. The total developmental period of S. polyphyllae that fed on insect tissues was significantly shorter than those that fed on live infective juveniles. The pre-oviposition, oviposition, and post-oviposition periods and female longevity were not significantly different among the food sources. The total and daily fecundity of S. polyphyllae feeding on P. fullo and G. mellonella was significantly higher than those feeding on S. feltiae and H. bacteriophora, although there was no significant difference observed between P. fullo and G. mellonella or between S. feltiae and H. bacteriophora. The net reproductive rate (R₀) was highest (588.3♀/♀) when S. polyphyllae fed on P. fullo. The longest mean generation time (T₀) occurred on H. bacteriophora (12.6 days) and the shortest occurred on P. fullo (10.5 days). S. polyphyllae, which fed on P. fullo (r_m=0.61) and G. mellonella (r_m=0.55) had the highest intrinsic rate of increase (r_m) compared to mites that fed on S .feltiae (r_m=0.45) and H. bacteriophora (r_m=0.41).     

Estimation of the effect of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Tomato spotted wilt virus</Emphasis> (TSWV) infection on some yield components of tomato

The effects of Tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) on yield and quality of tomato fruits were studied from May through November of 2004 at the Experimental Field of the Agricultural Faculty of Ondokuz Mayis University, in Samsun province, Turkey. TSWV caused 42.1% and 95.5% reduction in yield and marketable value of tomato, respectively. TSWV infection in tomato crop caused significant (P < 0.05) reductions in weight, total number, width and length of the fruits in infected plants. Reductions in yield-contributing parameters were 26.61% in weight, 20.18% in number, 10.94% in width and 11.93% in length of fruits. It is difficult to estimate the actual yield loss and influence levels of TSWV in the field. Economic data are scarce, but in the present study it was estimated that the yield loss due to TSWV in tomatoes was approximately $0.9 million in Samsun, Turkey.     

Insecticidal effects of essential oils from various plants against larvae of pine processionary moth (Thaumetopoea pityocampa Schiff) (Lepidoptera: Thaumetopoeidae)

Along with sulfate turpentine, the essential oils obtained by steam distillation from nine plant species naturally grown in Turkish forests were tested at three different concentrations to evaluate their effectiveness against the larvae of pine processionary moth (Thaumetopoea pityocampa Schiff). The results indicated that the essential oils from the nine species and sulfate turpentine were effective against the larvae of T pityocampa. The most effective essential oil in the control of the larvae was steam-distilled wood turpentine, followed by thyme herb oil, juniper berry oil, laurel leaf oil, lavender flower oil, eucalyptus leaf oil, lavender leaf oil, cypress berry oil, essential oil of styrax and sulfate turpentine, respectively, in terms of mean mortality time. It is therefore feasible to use these essential oils as environment-friendly insecticides in the control of T pityocampa.     

A case of aspergillosis in a broiler breeder flock

A case of aspergillosis in a broiler breeder flock having respiratory and nervous system problems caused by Aspergillus fumigatus and Aspergillus niger is documented. Dyspnea, hyperpnea, blindness, torticollis, lack of equilibrium, and stunting were observed clinically. On postmortem examination of the affected birds, white to yellow caseous nodules were observed on lungs, thoracic air sacs, eyes, and cerebellum. Histopathologic examination of lungs and cerebellum revealed classic granulomatous inflammation and cerebellar lesions, necrotic meningoencephalitis, respectively. No lesions were noted in the cerebrum histopathologically. Aspergillus hyphae were observed in stained sections prepared from lesioned organs. Fungal spores and branched septate hyphae were observed in direct microscopy. Aspergillus fumigatus and A. niger were isolated from the inoculations prepared from the suspensions of organs showing lesions.     

Protective effects of caffeic acid phenethyl ester on rotenone-induced myocardial oxidative injury

Rotenone, an insecticide, causes toxicity through inhibition of mitochondrial electron transport chain at complex I and oxidative injury to the tissues. The aim of the present study was to determine in vivo effects of rotenone on myocardium and cardio-protective effects of caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE), an antioxidant agent, against rotenone toxicity in rats. The rats were divided into three groups: untreated control, rotenone (2.5 mg/kg/day for 60 days, i.p.) and rotenone + CAPE groups. CAPE was administrated i.p. 10 μmol/kg/day for 62 days started two days before first dose rotenone injection. The malondialdehyde, nitric oxide levels and xanthine oxidase activity of rotenone group was significantly higher than control and rotenone + CAPE groups (p < 0.05). However, catalase activity in the rotenone group was decreased in comparison with the other groups (p < 0.05). The superoxide dismutase activity of rotenone group was insignificantly decreased compared to the others. In conclusion, rotenone caused lipid peroxidation in myocardial tissue and CAPE treatment prevented this rotenone-induced lipid peroxidation in rats. CAPE might be a cardio-protective agent against myocardial toxicities.     

A comparative study on the prevalence of Theileria equi and Babesia caballi infections in horse sub-populations in Turkey

Blood and serum samples were taken from 481 horses, from a stud farm or a racecourse, and tested by microscopic examination of blood smears and cELISA for Theileria equi (T. equi) and Babesia caballi (B. caballi) infections. At the time of sampling, animals were also examined for tick infestations and clinical disease, which were not observed in any of the sampled horses. During the microscopic examination of thin blood smears, parasites were detected in the three horses from the racecourse. Overall seroprevalence of infection was detected as 18.50% (89 of 481 horses) by cELISA, with T. equi being significantly more prevalent than B. caballi. Of the 481 blood samples, 78 (16.21%) were serologically positive for T. equi and 4 (0.83%) were serologically positive for B. caballi. In addition, 7 (1.46%) samples were positive for both T. equi and B. caballi antibodies. Seropositivity rates in the racecourse horses were higher than those determined in the stud farm horses. The rates for T. equi, B. caballi and both species were 13.39, 0.52 and 0% in the horses from the stud farm and 27, 2 and 7% in the racecourse horses, respectively. These results indicate that equine piroplasmosis is more common in racehorses than studhorses and therefore it might be a serious concern in horses that participate to international races.     

Degradation of chlorophenoxyacid herbicides in aqueous media,using a novel electrochemical method†

The degradation of five chlorophenoxyacid herbicides has been studied using an electrochemical method based on the Fenton reaction (simultaneous reduction of dioxygen and ferric ions). The method consists of electrosynthesizing OH^· radicals, which react rapidly with chlorophenoxyacids in aqueous media. HPLC and GC-MS analysis show the formation of polyhydroxyphenols and quinones in a first step, and the complete destruction of the aromatic nucleus upon exhaustive electrolysis. This offers a possible way for the depollution of natural waters containing chlorophenoxyacid pesticide residues. © 1999 Society of Chemical Industry.     

The effects of deltamethrin on some serum biochemical parameters in mice

Sixty white male mice were used in this study. Three groups, each comprising 20 mice were established. The control group (Group 1) was provided ad libitum pellet feed. On the other hand, the experimental groups, namely, Groups 2 and 3 were given pellet feed containing deltamethrin throughout the day, so that the animals were administered doses of 7.5 and 30 mg/kg/body weight/day, respectively. Blood samples were collected from all groups on the 15th, 30th, 45th, and 60th days of the experiment for measurement of serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (SGOT), serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase (SGPT), alcaline phosphatase (ALP), amylase and cholinesterase activities, and levels of glucose, urea, creatinine, triglyceride, cholesterol, calcium, phosphor, sodium, potassium, and chloride. According to data obtained, on the 15th day of the study, compared to the control group, statistically significant increase in urea, cholesterol, ALP, cholinesterase, calcium, and potassium levels/activities, and significant decrease in SGOT activity and chloride levels in Group 2, and significant increase in cholesterol, ALP, cholinesterase, calcium, potassium and chloride levels/activities in Group 3, and significant decrease in SGOT activity in Group 3 were determined. On the 30th day of the study, in comparison to the control group, triglyceride and cholesterol levels and ALP activity were determined to be significantly increased in the Group 2, whereas SGOT activity were significantly reduced in Group 2, and triglyceride and cholesterol levels were demonstrated to be significantly increased and SGOT activity was significantly reduced in Group 3. On the 45th day of the study, compared to the controls, significant increase in cholesterol and sodium levels, and significant decrease in triglyceride levels and ALP activity in Group 2, significant increase in creatinine, cholesterol and sodium levels and cholinesterase activity, and significant decrease in glucose, SGPT, ALP and phosphor levels/activities were detected in Group 3. On the 60th day, in other words, in the last period of the study, ALP activity, and triglyceride, calcium, and phosphor levels were determined to be significantly increased and significant decrease in amylase activity in Group 2. Furthermore, significant increase in triglyceride, ALP, amylase, calcium, phosphor, and potassium levels/activities, and significant decrease in glucose and creatinine levels were observed in Group 3. However no correlation was determined to exist between the changes were found to be statistically significant, and the administration dose and duration of deltamethrin in all periods and groups.