Effects of natural pyrethrum and synthetic pyrethroids on the tiger mosquito,Aedes albopictus (skuse) and non-target flower-visiting insects in urban green areas of Padua,Italy

Abstract

The tiger mosquito is a key vector of several human diseases and is considered a public health concern worldwide. The implementation of strategies aimed at maximizing mosquito control without affecting non-target insect groups is of major importance. In a field trial, we tested the efficiency of a natural pyrethrum-based vs. a synthetic pyrethroid-based insecticide in reducing tiger mosquito population and how they affect the diversity of non-target flower-visiting insects in green urban areas. Only the pyrethroid insecticide was effective in reducing mosquito abundance, although its effects disappeared nine days after application. The two adulticides did not significantly affect the diversity of flower-visiting insects, probably because of their large body size and the difference in flying and foraging activity. To effectively control mosquito populations while preventing intoxication of non-target flower-visiting insects, adulticide applications should be applied early in the morning and only on bushes and trees. Results from our small-scale applications cannot be extrapolate when larger areas are treated.     

利用QuantStudioTM 3D数字PCR分析转基因玉米MON863含量

QuantStudioTM 3D数字PCR (QuantStudioTM 3D digital PCR,3D-dPCR)是一种基于超高密度亲疏水微孔芯片实现数字PCR分液原理的新型核酸绝对定量平台,在转基因生物定量领域具有极大的应用前景.本研究基于3D-dPCR平台,以转基因玉米(Zea mays)MON863混合样品为例,建立基于单重和双重数字PCR体系的转基因生物(genetically modified organisms,GMOs)含量分析方法.与传统qRT-PCR比较发现,在缺乏样品纯度、纯合度信息的情况下,数字PCR能够较好地排除这些因素的影响,测定准确的量值.研究结果表明,QuantStudioTM 3D数字PCR是一种适用于转基因生物含量分析的精确定量方法,还可反映转基因玉米种子的基因型.本研究基于3D-dPCR建立的转基因玉米MON863单重和双重定量方法为转基因检测提供了新的方法和参考.     

土壤微塑料和农药污染及其对土壤动物毒性效应的研究进展

微塑料和农药可能会在土壤中长期共存,塑料制品的种类和结构差异导致其对化学污染物有不同的亲和力和吸附行为。因此,微塑料可作为农药的载体,与农药形成复合污染,对生物体产生联合毒性效应,进而对食物链乃至人类产生健康危害。本文归纳了微塑料和农药对土壤环境的影响,阐述微塑料吸附农药的机理与研究现状,分析了微塑料和农药对土壤动物的联合毒性效应,指出当前研究存在的问题并对未来研究方向进行展望,为未来研究微塑料与农药在土壤中的环境行为提供重要参考。     

Are survival and reproduction of Enchytraeus albidus (Annelida: Enchytraeidae) at risk by feeding on Bt-maize litter?

Enchytraeids are saprophagous soil organisms, appearing in high abundances and contributing to ecological processes within the soil. For decades they have been used as model species for biological research. In the framework of research on genetically modified plants, however, they have not been considered to date. Following the ISO/DIS guideline, survival and reproduction of Enchytraeus albidus, fed with diets containing Bt-maize (N4640Bt Cry1Ab, DKC5143Bt Cry3Bb1) leaf material were analysed. For comparison, diets with the corresponding untransformed near-isolines (N4640, DKC5143) were examined. Additionally a high quality control diet (oat flakes) was included. Survival and reproduction showed no significant differences between the Cry3Bb1 treatment and the treatment with the untransformed counterpart. For the Cry1Ab treatment survival was significantly higher than for the treatment with the corresponding near-isoline. In contrast, reproduction was significantly lower for the Cry1Ab treatment compared to that for the isoline. For the Cry3Bb1 treatment, no effect was shown on survival or reproduction. For the Cry1Ab variety and its untransformed counterpart, a contrasting result was detected, which is unlikely to be caused by the Bt-protein but rather by differences in other plant components. Overall survival and reproduction were highest for the control.     

Discovery of a synergistic effect of oxytocin on the efficacy of Alpha-Chloralose,a drug used for capturing and controlling birds

Overdose and death of both target and non-target species are not uncommon when α–chloralose is used for animal control. Alpha–chloralose appears to depress the central nervous system by having an affect on the GABA-A receptor in a manner similar to ethanol. Recently central administration of oxytocin was shown to block ethanol-induced impairment in rodents. Our study investigates whether IM administration of oxytocin speeds avian recovery from α–chloralose and reduces mortality under simulated field conditions. We found that when injected twice with oxytocin (30 uL/kg) chickens entered α–chloralose narcosis more quickly and showed greater behavioral impairment. When fed the LD₅₀ dose of α–chloralose, repeated injection with oxytocin produced no significant difference in mortality rate or time to death in comparison to the control group. The effects of peripheral oxytocin on female chicks were different than results found previously in cockerels given oxytocin centrally. Oxytocin is not a suitable antidote for α–chloralose overdose during animal capture in the field but instead accentuates α–chloralose narcosis, making capture more likely and efficient.     

大豆深加工产品定性PCR检测影响因素分析

以大豆内源基因（Lectin）、筛选基因35S启动子（Cauliflower mosaic virus 5S,CaMV35S）、NOS终止子（Nopaline synthase,Nos）和外源基因（CP4 EPSPS）为检测对象,对大豆深加工产品的DNA提取方法、PCR扩增条件的退火温度、引物浓度进行探讨,得出不同DNA提取方法、退火温度、引物浓度对大豆加工产品PCR检测的影响,建立了大豆加工食品中转基因成分定性检测体系。检测结果表明,退火温度60℃、引物浓度0．4μM时所建立的定性PCR检测方法能有效检测出大豆加工产品中的转基因成分,而且方法简单、快速有效。     

Exploiting chemical ecology to manage hyperparasitoids in biological control of arthropod pests

Insect hyperparasitoids are fourth trophic level organisms that commonly occur in terrestrial food webs, yet they are relatively understudied. These top‐carnivores can disrupt biological pest control by suppressing the populations of their parasitoid hosts, leading to pest outbreaks, especially in confined environments such as greenhouses where augmentative biological control is used. There is no effective eco‐friendly strategy that can be used to control hyperparasitoids. Recent advances in the chemical ecology of hyperparasitoid foraging behavior have opened opportunities for manipulating these top‐carnivores in such a way that biological pest control becomes more efficient. We propose various infochemical‐based strategies to manage hyperparasitoids. We suggest that a push‐pull strategy could be a promising approach to ‘push’ hyperparasitoids away from their parasitoid hosts and ‘pull’ them into traps. Additionally, we discuss how infochemicals can be used to develop innovative tools improving biological pest control (i) to restrict accessibility of resources (e.g. sugars and alternative hosts) to primary parasitoid only or (ii) to monitor hyperparasitoid presence in the crop for early detection. We also identify important missing information in order to control hyperparasitoids and outline what research is needed to reach this goal. Testing the efficacy of synthetic infochemicals in confined environments is a crucial step towards the implementation of chemical ecology‐based approaches targeting hyperparasitoids. © 2019 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.     

渤海湾外来浮游植物物种及其入侵途径分析

为了预防外来浮游植物入侵引发的渤海湾赤潮灾害,基于近20年建设项目环境影响评价报告书和相关文献资料的研究成果,收集整理了渤海湾海域已发现的外来浮游植物物种及具体物种信息,分析了物种入侵的主要途径及可能产生的赤潮灾害影响。结果表明：渤海湾海域共发现17种外来浮游植物,其中,甲藻门最多,有10种;硅藻门次之,有5种;金藻门和黄藻门最少,各有1种。研究表明：渤海湾外来浮游植物中,除中华盒形藻外,其余16种均属于赤潮生物,这些物种主要通过压载水引入、传播的方式进入渤海湾海域,应加强港口监控和管理,以防赤潮灾害。     

1.0%斑蝥素乳油对重要非靶标生物的安全性评价

参照"化学农药环境安全评价试验准则"的规定,测定了1.0%斑蝥素乳油对蜜蜂、家蚕、蝌蚪、蚯蚓、土壤微生物5类环境生物的毒性。结果表明:1.0%的斑蝥素乳油对蜜蜂24 h触杀毒性LD50为0.15μg/蜂,摄入毒性LC50为1.83 mg/L;对家蚕表现为强烈的拒食作用,24 h接触毒性LC50为0.83μg/cm2;对蝌蚪24 h和48 h LC50分别为0.93 mg/L和0.87 mg/L;对蚯蚓7 d的LC50为22.66 mg/kg;10 mg/L处理蔬菜地和小麦地土壤,对土壤微生物15 d的呼吸抑制率分别为16.1%和21.8%。以上结果表明,1.0%斑蝥素乳油对蚯蚓和土壤微生物表现为低毒,对蜜蜂和家蚕属高毒,对蝌蚪表现为中等毒性。     

转基因植物潜在的生物入侵问题

通过对转基因植物安全性和外来物种的生物入侵问题的研究发现，转基因植物作为自然界中本来不存在的外来物种，由于其自身的生态幅宽、繁殖能力强等竞争优势，可以通过花粉散布、种子扩散和杂交等途径造成外缘基因的逃逸，从而导致其对生态环境及生物多样性产生一定的影响。