Ingested RNA interference for managing the populations of the Colorado potato beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata

BACKGROUND: RNA interference (RNAi) is a breakthrough technology for conducting functional genomics studies and also as a potential tool for crop protection against insect pests. The major challenge for efficient pest control using RNAi in the field is the development of efficient and reliable methods for production and delivery of double‐stranded RNA (dsRNA). In this paper, the potential of feeding dsRNA expressed in bacteria or synthesized in vitro to manage populations of Colorado potato beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Say) (CPB), was investigated. RESULTS: Feeding RNAi successfully triggered the silencing of all five target genes tested and caused significant mortality and reduced body weight gain in the treated beetles. This study provides the first example of an effective RNAi response in insects after feeding dsRNA produced in bacteria. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the efficient induction of RNAi using bacteria to deliver dsRNA is a possible method for management of CPB. This could be also a promising bioassay approach for genome‐wide screens to identify effective target genes for use as novel RNAi‐based insecticides. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry     

Acute and sublethal toxicity of novaluron, a novel chitin synthesis inhibitor, to Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)

The acute and sublethal toxicities of novaluron, a novel chitin synthesis inhibitor, to a laboratory-reared insecticide-susceptible strain of Colorado potato beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Say), were determined. Novaluron exhibited excellent residual (120 h LC(50) = 0.42 mg litre(-1)) and good direct contact (120 h LC(50) = 27 mg litre(-1)) activity against second-instar larvae (L2). Hatch of eggs exposed by direct contact to novaluron solutions > or =100 mg litre(-1) was significantly reduced, as was the ability of emerged first-instar larvae to moult. L2 from eggs exposed to > or =100 mg litre(-1) novaluron weighed significantly less (P < 0.0001) than those from untreated eggs. However, L2 from eggs treated with 1 mg litre(-1) novaluron weighed significantly more (P < or = 0.05) than those from untreated eggs, suggesting novaluron can have a hormetic effect on L decemlineata larval development. Leptinotarsa decemlineata mating pairs fed foliage treated with novaluron at 25 or 75 g AI ha(-1) produced approximately 25% fewer egg masses and eggs per mass. Hatch of eggs on treated foliage was almost completely suppressed, and longevity of male beetles was reduced by approximately 50% when fed foliage treated with novaluron at 75 g AI ha(-1).     

马铃薯甲虫自然种群抗寒能力测定

为明确马铃薯甲虫自然种群的抗寒性,利用热敏电阻测定仪对马铃薯甲虫不同虫态过冷却点和冰点进行了测定。结果表明:不同虫态过冷却点和冰点之间存在显著性差异,其中以卵和成虫的过冷却点最低,分别为:(-13.73±0.93)℃和(-7.89±0.07)℃,显著低于其他虫态。3龄幼虫的过冷却点和冰点最高,分别为:(-6.21±0.08)℃和(-2.80±0.08)℃;过冷却点由低到高顺序为:卵<成虫<1龄幼虫<蛹<4龄幼虫<2龄幼虫<3龄幼虫;冰点由低到高的顺序为:卵<1龄幼虫<成虫<2龄幼虫<蛹<4龄幼虫<3龄幼虫;同一虫态个体间的过冷却点频次分布出现不同程度的变异,但均服从正态分布。研究结果为制定马铃薯甲虫在我国潜在分布和风险分析提供了科学依据。     

东北地区马铃薯甲虫监测与入侵风险分析

在利用多种方式进行马铃薯甲虫识别、危害及防控技术宣传,增加东北地区马铃薯产区对马铃薯甲虫的认知程度的基础上,于2009和2010年度,在我国东北吉林省、辽宁省、黑龙江省和内蒙古东部地区设立了马铃薯甲虫监测点32个,调查面积439 hm2,监测面积193万hm2,未发现马铃薯甲虫。根据马铃薯甲虫发生及传播特点,以及在俄罗斯远东地区的发生情况,进一步提出了我国东北地区马铃薯甲虫入侵的风险性及应对策略。     

马铃薯甲虫入侵云南省的风险性分析及管理对策

马铃薯甲虫（Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Say)）是马铃薯的一种毁灭性害虫,扩散迅速,防控困难,已被许多国家列为检疫对象。云南是我国马铃薯的主要产区,目前云南省马铃薯种植区尚未发现该虫的发生与危害。为探明马铃薯甲虫在云南省的风险性,本文依据国际有害生物风险分析原则,以云南省的气候、马铃薯种植情况及马铃薯甲虫的生物学特性为基础,利用外来入侵有害生物多指标综合评价体系,对马铃薯甲虫入侵云南的风险性进行了分析。结果表明,马铃薯甲虫入侵云南的风险值为2.24,属于高度风险类型。同时,根据马铃薯甲虫较高的入侵云南的潜在风险,本文还提出了对马铃薯甲虫入侵风险管理的对策。     

Quantitative structure–activity studies of insect growth regulators: XVI. Substituent effects of dibenzoylhydrazines on the insecticidal activity to Colorado potato beetle Leptinotarsa decemlineata

Insecticidal activity against the Colorado potato beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata, was measured for a series of substituted N-tert-butyl-dibenzoylhydrazines, in which one of the benzoyl moieties closer to the tert-butyl group was fixed as being 2-chloro-substitued and the other variously substituted singly or doubly. The effects of substituents on the activity were quantitatively analysed using the classical quantitative structure–activity relationship (QSAR) procedure. The activity against the Colorado potato beetle increases with the molecular hydrophobicity. In addition, various types of steric effect are at work, depending upon the positions. Hydrogen-bonding acceptor substituents at the para position enhance the activity. There seem to be threshold (or optimum) values, albeit position-dependent, in the molecular hydrophobicity, above which the activity starts to decrease. This biphasic contribution of the molecular hydrophobicity to activity against coleopterous larvae is the most conspicuous difference in substituent effects from those found for similar compounds against lepidopterous pest insects, and may be the basis of the variations in the activity spectrum for certain compounds in this series. The introduction of bulkier substituents into the meta- and para-positions of the benzene ring, apart from the tert-butyl group, is unfavorable to activity. LD₅₀ values against Colorado potato beetle larvae of methoxyfenozide (RH-2485) and tebufenozide (RH-5992) were in the order of 10⁻⁷ mol per insect, whereas those of RH-5849, and halofenozide (RH-0345) were very low, 10⁻⁹–10⁻¹⁰ mol per insect being selective to the coleopterous larvae. © 1999 Society of Chemical Industry     

青海省马铃薯甲虫调查与发生预测

马铃薯甲虫是全国农业植物检疫性有害生物名单中9种检疫性昆虫之一。该虫以新疆疫区为中心向其周边省份扩散蔓延的风险不断加剧,青海省已成为马铃薯甲虫入侵扩散的高危风险区,实施疫情的监测和防控势在必行。两年调查结果表明,青海省没有马铃薯甲虫发生。结合青海气候特点,应用有效积温法,推测结果表明:马铃薯甲虫在青海省主要农业区理论发生世代数为1-2代。     

Density—yield relationships for Colorado potato beetle adults on potatoes

A model composed of two straight lines describes the relation between overwintering spring adults of Colorado potato beetle [Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Say)] and potato yield. Potato vines (Solarium tuberosum (L.), cv. ‘Superior’) had a damage boundary of around 5.8 spring adults per plant. However, under conditions favorable for reproduction, overwintering adults of 0.07 beetles per plant would produce a large population of first-generation larvae that would reduce considerably the potato yield if not controlled. There is no appreciable seasonal overlapping between adults and young larvae in the field. Monitoring activities should therefore be directed at the beginning of the season against overwintering adults and later against first-generation larvae. For summer adults, an action threshold of 10 per plant is proposed.     

Quantitative structure-activity studies of insect growth regulators: XVIII. Effects of substituents on the aromatic moiety of dibenzoylhydrazines on larvicidal activity against the Colorado potato beetle Leptinotarsa decemlineata

Larvicidal activity against the Colorado potato beetle Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Say) was measured for a series of N-tert-butyl-dibenzoylhydrazines having various substituents on the benzoyl (A-ring) moiety nearer to the tert-butyl group, with the other benzoyl (B-ring) moiety being unsubstituted. The effects of these substituent on the larvicidal activity were analyzed using classical quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) procedures. The effects of substituents on the A-ring moiety on larvicidal activity were entirely different from those against the lepidopteran rice stem borer Chilo suppressalis (Walker) previously reported. Position-specific steric and hydrophobic effects, as well as certain substitution patterns, were likely to participate in modifying the larvicidal activity. The activity of para-substituted compounds was generally lower than that of un-, ortho- and meta-substituted compounds. Most multi-substituted compounds showed an activity equivalent to or lower than that of the unsubstituted compound. Among 46 compounds tested, the 2-sec-butoxy analogue was most potent against L decemlineata, although this compound had previously been shown to be only weakly active against C suppressalis.     

Geographic distribution of insect resistance in potatoes

Potato germplasm accessions representing 92 Solanum species and associated with known coordinates of latitude, longitude, and elevation were rated for resistance to one or more of the following potato insect pests: green peach aphid, Myzus persicae (Sulzer); potato aphid, Macrosiphum euphorbiae (Thomas); Colorado potato beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Say); potato flea beetle, Epitrix cucumeris (Harris); and potato leafhopper, Empoasca fabae (Harris), in Minnesota field trials (1966–1986). Chi-square tests were used to determine if the proportion of resistant accessions differed from expected among altitude classes, small geographic quadrants (4° latitude by 4° longitude), and larger geographic regions (Mexico-USA, Colombia-Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, and Argentina). Resistant potatoes were not evenly distributed throughout North and South America. Fourteen quadrants were identified that had greater or fewer resistant accessions than expected. The Mexico-USA potatoes as a group had more resistance than expected to all insects except Colorado potato beetle. Potatoes from Colombia and Ecuador were less resistant than expected to all but green peach aphid. Potatoes from Peru were more resistant than expected to green peach aphid. Potatoes from Bolivia were less resistant than expected to potato aphid, but more resistant than expected to Colorado potato beetle, potato flea beetle, and potato leafhopper. Potatoes from Argentina were more resistant than expected to Colorado potato beetle and green peach aphid, but less resistant than expected to potato aphid and potato leafhopper. Potatoes from North America and collected at or below 2,500 m were more resistant than expected to green peach aphid, Colorado potato beetle and potato flea beetle. Potatoes from South America and elevations greater than 3,000 m were more resistant than expected to green peach aphid and potato aphid and those collected at or below 3,000 m were more resistant than expected to Colorado potato beetle, potato flea beetle and potato leafhopper.