Ecdysteroid receptor docking suggests that dibenzoylhydrazine-based insecticides are devoid of any deleterious effect on the parasitic wasp Psyttalia concolor (Hym. Braconidae)

BACKGROUND: The moulting accelerating compounds (MACs) or ecdysteroid agonists represent a selective group of insecticides acting upon binding to the ecdysteroid receptor (EcR) and leading to lethal premature moulting in larval stages and aborted reproduction in adults. Psyttalia concolor Szèpl. is a useful parasitic wasp attacking important tephritid pests such as the medfly and olive fruit fly. RESULTS: Contact and oral exposure in the laboratory of female parasitic wasps to the dibenzoylhydrazine‐based methoxyfenozide, tebufenozide and RH‐5849 did not provoke negative effects. No mortality and no reduction in beneficial capacity were observed. The ligand‐binding domain (LBD) of the EcR of P. concolor was sequenced, and a homology protein model was constructed which confirmed a cavity structure with 12 α‐helices, harbouring the natural insect moulting hormone 20‐hydroxyecdysone. However, a steric clash occurred for the MAC insecticides owing to a restricted extent of the ligand‐binding cavity of the PcLBD‐EcR, while they did dock well in that of susceptible insects. CONCLUSIONS: The insect toxicity assays demonstrated that MACs are selective for P. concolor. The modelling/docking experiments are indications that these insecticides do not bind with the LBD‐EcR of P. concolor and support the theory that they show no biological effects in the parasitic wasp. These data may help in explaining the compatible use of MACs together with parasitic wasps in IPM programmes. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry     

Emerging parasitic diseases of sheep

There have been changes in the emergence and inability to control of a number of sheep parasitic infections over the last decade. This review focuses on the more globally important sheep parasites, whose reported changes in epidemiology, occurrence or failure to control are becoming increasingly evident. One of the main perceived driving forces is climate change, which can have profound effects on parasite epidemiology, especially for those parasitic diseases where weather has a direct effect on the development of free-living stages. The emergence of anthelmintic-resistant strains of parasitic nematodes and the increasing reliance placed on anthelmintics for their control, can exert profound changes on the epidemiology of those nematodes causing parasitic gastroenteritis. As a consequence, the effectiveness of existing control strategies presents a major threat to sheep production in many areas around the world. The incidence of the liver fluke, Fasciola hepatica, is inextricably linked to high rainfall and is particularly prevalent in high rainfall years. Over the last few decades, there have also been increasing reports of other fluke associated diseases, such as dicroceliosis and paramphistomosis, in a number of western European countries, possibly introduced through animal movements, and able to establish with changing climates. External parasite infections, such as myiasis, can cause significant economic loss and presents as a major welfare problem. The range of elevated temperatures predicted by current climate change scenarios, result in an elongated blowfly season with earlier spring emergence and a higher cumulative incidence of fly strike. Additionally, legislative decisions leading to enforced changes in pesticide usage and choices have resulted in increased reports and spread of ectoparasitic infections, particularly mite, lice and tick infestations in sheep. Factors, such as dip disposal and associated environmental concerns, and, perhaps more importantly, product availability have led to a move away from more traditional methods of pesticide application, particularly dipping, to the use of injectable endectocides. This has coincided with increased reports of sheep scab and lice infestations in some countries. Reduction in the use of organophosphate dips appears to have to some extent contributed to reported increased populations of ticks and tick activity, a consequence of which is not only of significance to sheep, but also many other hosts, including increased human zoonotic risks.     

牦牛重要传染病和寄生虫的防治与展望

本文概述了牦牛常见重要传染病和寄生虫病的防治研究进展,指出了目前牦牛重要疾病防治工作上的不足,并探讨了牦牛疾病防治的发展方向。     

非人灵长类肠道寄生虫研究进展

随着经济社会活动正日益增加,几乎没有非人灵长类的栖息环境能逃脱干扰,这不可避免增加了非人灵长类与人类的接触机会,也极大地增加人兽共患寄生虫交叉感染的风险。我国非人灵长类不仅面临着生境减少的威胁,更为严重的是很多保护区或者旅游景区将野生猴科灵长类作为招揽游客的手段,没有任何防护措施的人猴近距离接触更增加了寄生虫传播的危险。总结了国内外非人灵长类肠道寄生虫的相关研究成果,包括肠道寄生虫的种类、传播途径、危害及预防措施,为濒危非人灵长类的综合保护提供科学依据,对其保护方法和方针提供指导,具有一定的借鉴意义。     

Absence of three known benzimidazole resistance mutations in Trichostrongylus tenuis, a nematode parasite of avian hosts

Benzimidazole (BZ) resistance is widespread in nematode parasites of livestock, but very little is known about the levels of BZ resistance in parasites with avian hosts. We investigated BZ resistance in Trichostrongylus tenuis, a nematode parasite of red grouse, Lagopus lagopus scotica. BZ anthelmintics had been in use in this system for up to 15 years, yet existing phenotypic evidence for resistance was inconclusive. We screened 1530 individuals from 14 populations at the principal β-tubulin locus for BZ resistance (isotype 1, residue 200) and 940 of these at two further resistance sites (isotype 1, residue 167; isotype 2, residue 200). No BZ resistant genotypes were found. Alternative mechanisms may be responsible for BZ resistance in this system, or the method and timing of treatments may reduce selection pressure for BZ resistance by creating substantial refugia for susceptible genotypes.     

Epizootics of metazoan gill parasites did not threaten feasibility of farming southern bluefin tuna (Thunnus maccoyii) in a trial extending over summer months

Tuna farming off Port Lincoln, Australia, involves catching wild 2–4-year-old southern bluefin tuna in summer and then fattening for periods of 2–8 months. As fresh product is not available year-round, the feasibility of maintaining tuna for longer periods was trialled, including over a summer season, when temperatures may exceed 24 °C. As the rates of growth and reproduction in ectoparasites of fishes are usually most rapid during warm temperatures, parasite epizootics at this time may adversely affect the health of tuna. We collected epidemiological data on burdens of metazoans on the gills of tuna from the time of stocking in April 2005 through to final harvest in August 2006 (N = 220). We document an epizootic of the copepod Pseudocycnus appendiculatus, characterised by a significant increase in both prevalence and mean intensity in the first winter, followed by a decline in these parameters over the next 12 months. This epizootic pattern appears to be independent of seasonal changes in temperature. For two other species, a second copepod (Euryphorus brachypterus) and a polyopisthocotylean flatworm (Hexostoma thynni), there were no clearly discernible trends in infections. As the high water temperatures over the summer period did not lead to increased infections of any species of gill parasites, we conclude that they do not threaten the feasibility of farming of Thunnus maccoyii.     

松毛虫和褐点粉灯蛾寄生蜂名录及疑难种描述

云南省寄生蜂天敌资源十分丰富。从多年采集的松毛虫和褐点粉灯蛾中共育出３５ 种寄生蜂天敌。其中姬蜂科１７ 种, 茧蜂科３ 种, 小蜂总科１５ 种。寄生于褐点粉灯蛾的初寄生蜂和次寄生蜂以及松毛虫的次寄生蜂如胶虫旋小蜂等在国内尚未记录过。除分科列出名录外, 还对其中８ 个疑难种, 作了形态描述。     

植物病原菌寄生适合度测定方法的研究（以小麦条锈菌为例）

 在多品种-多小种系统的群体动态研究中,各小种在各品种上的相对寄生适合度的测定是一个关键问题。根据推理论证和模拟试验,作者认为:采用相对r值作为寄生适合度的量化指标是合理可行的。相对r值可以采用分小种方块圃法或根据田间病情进行直接测定,也可采用分小种短行圃法进行间接测定,即根据流行组分观察数据或反应型、普遍率、严重度和潜育期的记载,通过模型模拟推算出相对寄生适合度。间接测定较易操作,但它要求有一个相当可靠的流行模拟模型,并在模拟中选用适当的环境条件。根据反应型、普遍率、严重度和潜育期推算和模拟寄生适合度,是较最简便的间接测定方法,此法可利用品种抗病性分小种鉴定的数据来推算寄生适合度。     

白蜡虫种虫生产中“三红三黑”原因研究

长期以来,在白蜡虫种虫生产上经常出现“三红三黑”现象,造成白蜡产量极不稳定。作者经近２０ａ的调查研究认为：白蜡生产出现这一现象,不是干热风,９￣１０月阴雨、雾淞、寄主树不合理利用等因素造成的,而是白蜡虫的天敌昆虫,主要是寄生蜂消长危害结果。白蜡虫的寄生蜂有５科１４种,可在雌雄白蜡虫体内互相寄生,９￣１０月份寄生蜂危害达高峰期,致使大量雌虫死亡变黑;危害轻时,种虫红润,获得丰收。