Black soldier fly and yellow mealworm live larvae for broiler chickens: Effects on bird performance and health status

The commercial broiler chicken strains are the result of successful selection programmes. Most of the problems related to welfare arise from the high growth rate and body weight. The use of environmental enrichments in intensive farming could have a positive effect on birds by increasing animal welfare. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of Hermetia illucens (HI) and Tenebrio molitor (TM) live larvae in the diets of broiler chickens on growth performance, carcass yield and health status. A total of 180 four-day-old male broiler chickens (Ross 308) were randomly allotted to 18 pens. Each pen was assigned to one of the three dietary treatments (6 replicates/treatment, 10 birds/replicate) as follows: (i) control diet (C): commercial feed (two feeding phases: starter [4–11 days] and grower [12–38 days]), (ii) HI: C + 5% of the expected daily feed intake (DFI) HI live larvae (calculated on dry matter [DM]) and (iii) TM: C + 5% of DFI TM live larvae (DM). At 39 days of age, birds were slaughtered. Growth performance parameters were overall not affected by dietary treatments, except for the grower phase feed conversion ratio (FCR) and the overall FCR being better in the TM broilers than the others (p < 0.01). No differences were observed for slaughtering performance and haematological and serum parameters, except for the spleen relative weight being higher (p < 0.01) in the birds administered with larvae when compared to the C group. Gut morphometric indexes and histopathological alterations were not influenced by insect larvae administration. In conclusion, the administration in limited quantities of HI and TM live larvae as environmental enrichment has no negative effects on broiler chicken growth performance and health status. A behavioural study could confirm that live insect larvae represent a novel natural environmental enrichment in broiler farming.     

口蹄疫病毒VP1基因密码子偏好性分析

VP1蛋白是口蹄疫病毒(FMDV)的主要结构蛋白,可诱导机体产生中和抗体以及激发保护性免疫应答。为探究VP1基因密码子偏好性,筛选出其最佳体外表达系统,使用Visual Gene Developer、CodonW、GraphPad Prism等软件,对VP1基因进行密码子偏好性分析,同时将VP1基因密码子使用频率与大肠杆菌、毕赤酵母、昆虫杆状病毒和哺乳动物细胞表达系统作了比较。结果显示,VP1基因的CAI为0.21,ENC为55.43,GC3S为65.26%,表明该基因密码子使用偏好较弱并且密码子偏好以G/C碱基结尾。结合VP1基因与各表达系统密码子使用频率比值,发现其与昆虫杆状病毒表达系统频率比值差异最小且CAI最大,因此推断昆虫杆状病毒表达系统是FMDV VP1基因最适体外表达系统。本研究为FMDV亚单位疫苗研制等提供了技术基础。     

Effects of dietary Tenebrio molitor meal inclusion in free‐range chickens

Insects are currently being considered as a novel protein source for animal feeds, because they contain a large amount of protein. The larvae of Tenebrio molitor (TM) have been shown to be an acceptable protein source for broiler chickens in terms of growth performance, but till now, no data on histological or intestinal morphometric features have been reported. This study has had the aim of evaluating the effects of dietary TM inclusion on the performance, welfare, intestinal morphology and histological features of free‐range chickens. A total of 140 medium‐growing hybrid female chickens were free‐range reared and randomly allotted to two dietary treatments: (i) a control group and (ii) a TM group, in which TM meal was included at 75 g/kg. Each group consisted of five pens as replicates, with 14 chicks per pen. Growth performance, haematological and serum parameters and welfare indicators were evaluated, and the animals were slaughtered at the age of 97 days. Two birds per pen (10 birds/treatment) were submitted to histological (liver, spleen, thymus, bursa of Fabricius, kidney, heart, glandular stomach and gut) and morphometric (duodenum, jejunum and ileum) investigations. The inclusion of TM did not affect the growth performance, haematological or serum parameters. The morphometric and histological features were not significantly affected either, thus suggesting no influence on nutrient metabolization, performance or animal health. Glandular stomach alterations (chronic flogosis with epithelial squamous metaplasia) were considered paraphysiological in relation to free‐range farming. The observed chronic intestinal flogosis, with concomitant activation of the lymphoid tissue, was probably due to previous parasitic infections, which are very frequently detected in free‐range chickens. In conclusion, the findings of this study show that yellow mealworm inclusion does not affect the welfare, productive performances or morphological features of free‐range chickens, thus confirming that TM can be used safely in poultry diets.     

Being exposed to low concentrations of pirimiphos-methyl and chlorfenapyr has detrimental effects on the mobility of Trogoderma granarium

BACKGROUND

Sublethal effects of insecticides may negatively affect several biological and behavioral traits of insects. The lethal effects of pirimiphos-methyl and chlorfenapyr have been previously showed on Trogoderma granarium, but little knowledge is available about their sublethal effects at low concentrations on both sexes. Herein, the sublethal effects of pirimiphos-methyl and chlorfenapyr on the mobility of T. granarium males and females were investigated.

RESULTS

Lethal concentration (LC) values of pirimiphos-methyl and chlorfenapyr were lower for T. granarium females than males. LC values on males were LC₁₀ = 0.000788 and 0.00139 mg active ingredient (a.i.) cm⁻², LC₃₀ = 0.00350 and 0.00535 mg a.i. cm⁻², and LC₅₀ = 0.00986 and 0.0136 mg a.i. cm⁻² for pirimiphos-methyl and chlorfenapyr respectively. LC on females were LC₁₀ = 0.000704 and 0.00110 mg a.i. cm⁻², LC₃₀ = 0.00323 and 0.00428 mg a.i. cm⁻², and LC₅₀ = 0.00925 and 0.0110 mg a.i. cm⁻² for pirimiphos-methyl and chlorfenapyr respectively. The walking duration of beetles exposed to LC₃₀ of pirimiphos-methyl was significantly lower than the individuals exposed to LC₁₀ and LC₃₀ of both insecticides and control ones. Pirimiphos-methyl LC₃₀-exposed males remained more time on their back (101.7 s) than females (46.9 s), while the latter stayed immobile longer than males (381.7 s versus 371.9 s). The highest speed was recorded for control beetles (14.17 mm s⁻¹ females vs. 12.44 mm s⁻¹ males), while the lowest speed was observed in pirimiphos-methyl LC₃₀-treated males (8.36 mm s⁻¹) and females (9.66 mm s⁻¹).

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, males and females exposed to low concentrations of pirimiphos-methyl and chlorfenapyr showed reduced motility. This knowledge can be exploited further to unlock behavioral effects of insecticides for effective pest management programs in warehouses. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.     

不同颜色粘虫板对葡萄园昆虫的诱集效应

为筛选出对葡萄害虫诱集效果好的粘虫板,选用黄色、蓝色、白色、紫色、绿色、红色、黑色和荧光色8种颜色的粘虫板对葡萄园内昆虫进行诱集试验。结果表明,共诱到昆虫7目18科22种,主要害虫有蓟马、蚜虫和叶蝉,其中蓟马数量占到昆虫总量的88.96%,天敌昆虫主要有寄生蜂、捕食性瓢虫、食蚜蝇和东亚小花蝽。紫板、蓝板和白板对蓟马的诱集效果强,黄板、荧光板和绿板次之,红板和黑板效果差;黄板对蚜虫诱集效果强,绿板和荧光板次之,黄板与其他色板之间差异显著;黄板、荧光板和绿板对叶蝉的诱集效果好,3种色板与蓝板之间差异不显著、与其他色板差异显著。白板、蓝板和黄板诱集到的天敌数量最多,占所有颜色粘虫板诱集天敌总量的69%左右。试验期间诱集到的昆虫益害比为0.036,各色板的益害比依次为黑色>荧光色>绿色>红色>黄色>白色>蓝色>紫色,其中紫板的益害比最低,仅为0.011。结合各色板的诱虫效果和益害比进行综合分析,建议选用紫板对蓟马进行诱杀,适时适量选择性使用黄板对蚜虫、叶蝉等进行诱杀。     

大数据时代山东农业病虫害监测预警体系建设

在大数据时代,海量的数据资源是推动经济发展和社会进步的基石,丰富、透明、完善的农业大数据资源是加快农业信息化建设步伐的前提,先进、有序、完备的农业病虫害监测预警体系是服务绿色农业发展的支撑。该研究试图在研究国内外农业病虫害监测预警体系的基础上,在农业专家的指导下,进行大数据时代农业病虫害监测预警体系构建。山东农业病虫害监测预警体系的建设应主动适应大数据时代的发展需求,分步构建病虫害监测预警体系,分层划分病虫害数据中心工作,合理布局病虫害数据采集站点,科学制定病虫害监测预警任务,共建共享病虫害监测数据信息,有效加强病虫害联合监测预警,努力研发病虫害智能识别终端,为发展现代高效农业提供坚实的保障。     

Comparative laboratory evaluation of the acute and chronic toxicology of diflubenzuron,hexaflumuron and teflubenzuron against II instar desert locust (Schistocerca gregaria) (Orthoptera: Acrididae)

The acute and chronic toxicities of three benzoylphenyl ureas, diflubenzuron, hexaflumuron and teflubenzuron were assessed under laboratory conditions against two-day-old second (II) instar Desert Locust, Schistocerca gregaria (ForskÅl) nymphs. Following exposure by ingestion of a single precise dose applied to short pieces of spring barley, nymphs were monitored for two moults until the fourth (IV) instar. Analysis of acute response data gave three significantly different LD₅₀ statistics (P < 0·05), 68·0, 26·6 and 0·71 μg per nymph respectively for diflubenzuron, hexaflumuron and teflubenzuron. The probit regression slopes also differed significantly, indicating distinct tolerance distributions for the three compounds, the narrowest response being to diflubenzuron and the widest range of response being to teflubenzuron. The timing of death was found to vary between the compounds; most nymphs died during the first moult following treatment with either hexaflumuron or teflubenzuron. However, the majority of nymphs that died after exposure to diflubenzuron did so after completing the first moult after treatment, but before the second. The mean development times of nymphs during the II and especially third (III) instars were significantly longer (P < 0·05) than those of the controls following exposure to diflubenzuron and hexaflumuron. Teflubenzuron had no significant effect (P < 0·05) on the duration of the II instar. The potential of the three compounds to control S. gregaria populations in the field is discussed with particular reference to the timing and nature of acute and chronic responses.     

Presence of Muscarinic Acetylcholine Receptors in the Cattle Tick Boophilus microplus and in Epithelial Tissue Culture Cells of Chironomus tentans

A muscarinic acetylcholine receptor (mAChR) has been demonstrated and partially characterized in larvae of the cattle tick Boophilus microplus. Its properties are compared with mAChR from an epithelial cell line from the dipteran insect Chironomus tentans. Competition studies with cholinergic ligands of different specificity revealed the muscarinic nature of the cholinergic receptors investigated in both species. In homogenates from tick larvae, specific binding sites for [³H]quinuclidinyl benzilate (QNB) with high affinity (1·2±(0·13) nM ; B_max 22·5 pmol mg protein⁻¹) were detected that do not bind nicotinic compounds specifically. The estimated IC₅₀ values for nicotine, imidacloprid and α-bungarotoxin were all in the mM range. Additionally, with tick larvae, high-affinity nicotinic binding sites were detected with [³H]nicotine which could be displaced by high concentrations of imidacloprid or QNB. The estimated IC₅₀ values for nicotine, α-bungarotoxin, imidacloprid and QNB were 43(±8) nM , 0·8(±0·2) μM , 2·8(±0·6) μM and 78(±1·9) μM , respectively. With homogenates of the non-neuronal insect cell line from C. tentans, only high-affinity binding sites for [³H]QNB were found. Muscarinic antagonists selectively displaced [³H]quinuclidinyl benzilate (QNB) binding to tick larvae homogenates. The mAChR of B. microplus preferred pirenzepine (IC₅₀ 2·13(±1·02) μM ) among different subtype-specific mAChR antagonists (4-DAMP had IC₅₀ 49·9(±9·13) μM and methoctramine had IC₅₀ 121(±14·2) μM ) indicating a type of binding site similar to the vertebrate M1 mAChR subtype. The tick muscarinic receptor seems to be a G-protein-coupled receptor, as concluded from the 4·8-fold reduction in receptor affinity for binding of the muscarinic agonist oxotremorine M upon treatment with the non-hydrolysable GTP-analogue γ-S-GTP. Binding data for the agonists oxotremorine M (IC₅₀ 71·3(±19·6) μM ) and carbachol (IC₅₀ 253(±87·1) μM ) parallel the biological efficacy of these compounds, in that, while oxotremorine M showed some activity against ticks, carbachol was ineffective.     

Sterols that modify moulting in insects

The development of insects is under the control of a steroid hormone, ecdysone. This paper reviews suicide substrate type inactivators designed to inhibit the biosynthesis of ecdysone. Several series of acetylenic derivatives of cholesterol were synthesized and their biological effects on the prothoracic glands of the locust were investigated in vitro, enabling structure-activity relationships to be studied. Information on the ability of brassinosteroids, a series of plant growth regulators, to inhibit ecdysteroid activities of insects is discussed as a precursor to a study of brassinosteroid ecdysone mimics.     

西伯利亚龟象取食对荞麦不同抗感品种生化物质的影响

为探讨抗虫和感虫荞麦品种对西伯利亚龟象Rhinoncus sibiricus取食的反应, 选择抗虫品种‘蒙0207’‘晋苦6’和感虫品种‘蒙0208’‘晋苦2’, 研究害虫不同程度(轻度、中度和重度)取食情况下, 荞麦叶片中营养物质(可溶性蛋白和可溶性糖)和次生代谢物质(单宁、总酚和类黄酮)含量, 防御酶［过氧化氢酶(CAT)、苯丙氨酸解氨酶(PAL)］以及蛋白酶抑制剂［胰蛋白酶抑制剂(TI)、胰凝乳蛋白酶抑制剂(CI)］活性的变化, 以及西伯利亚龟象体内主要解毒酶活性的变化。结果表明, 西伯利亚龟象取食48 h后, 各处理组荞麦叶片中可溶性性蛋白、可溶性糖、单宁、总酚和类黄酮的含量以及PAL、CAT、TI、CI活性均有增加。在供试的4个荞麦品种中, 抗虫品种被取食后可溶性蛋白和可溶性糖含量上升幅度较感虫品种更大, 感虫品种被取食后单宁含量,PAL、TI、CI活性上升幅度较抗虫品种更大。在不同取食程度下, 抗虫品种中的TI和CI活性均显著高于感虫品种。西伯利亚龟象成虫取食抗虫荞麦品种后体内羧酸酯酶(CarE)和谷胱甘肽S-转移酶(GSTs)活性均显著高于取食感虫品种的个体。研究结果表明, 西伯利亚龟象取食能诱导荞麦抗虫性物质含量的变化, 但对荞麦抗性品种与感虫品种的影响不同。