Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology Helicoverpa armigera cadherin fragment enhances Cry1Ac insecticidal activity by facilitating toxin-oligomer formation
Donghai Peng1, Xiaohui Xu1, Weixing Ye1, Ziniu Yu1 and Ming Sun1 [email protected] State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, People’s Republic of China
The interaction between Bacillus thuringiensis insecticidal crystal protein Cry1A and cadherin receptors in lepidopteran insects induces toxin oligomerization, which is essential for membrane insertion and mediates Cry1A toxicity. It has been reported that Manduca sexta cadherin fragment CR12-MPED and Anopheles gambiae cadherin fragment CR11-MPED enhance the insecticidal activity of Cry1Ab and Cry4Ba to certain lepidopteran and dipteran larvae species, respectively. This study reports that a Helicoverpa armigera cadherin fragment (HaCad1) containing its toxin binding region, expressed in Escherichia coli, enhanced Cry1Ac activity against H. armigera larvae. A binding assay showed that HaCad1 was able to bind to Cry1Ac in vitro and that this event did not block toxin binding to the brush border membrane microvilli prepared from H. armigera. When the residues 1423GVLSLNFQ1430 were deleted from the fragment, the subsequent mutation peptide lost its ability to bind Cry1Ac and the toxicity enhancement was also significantly reduced. Oligomerization tests showed that HaCad1 facilitates the formation of a 250-kDa oligomer of Cry1Ac-activated toxin in the midgut fluid environment. Oligomer formation was dependent upon the toxin binding to HaCad1, which was also necessary for the HaCad1-mediated enhancement effect. Our discovery reveals a novel strategy to enhance insecticidal activity or to overcome the resistance of insects to B. thuringiensis toxin-based biopesticides and transgenic crops. Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology Volume 85, Number 4 / January, 2010 1033- 1040 http://www.springerlink.com/content/v1111759150g5131/
Biological Control Host-seeking behavior and parasitism by Spathius agrili Yang (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), a parasitoid of the emerald ash borer
Xiao-Yi Wanga, Zhong-Qi Yanga, , , Juli R. Gouldb, Hui Wuc and Jian-Hai Mad aThe Key Laboratory of Forest Protection, State Forestry Administration, Research Institute of Forest Ecology, Environment and Protection, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Beijing 100091, China bAnimal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Department of Agriculture, Otis ANGB, MA 02542 5008, USA cForestry Bureau of Sanming City in Fujian Province, Sanming, Fujian 365000, China dForest Pest Control Station of Qinghai Province, Xining, Qinghai 810000, China
Spathius agrili Yang (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) is a newly described and important idiobiont ectoparasitoid of the emerald ash borer (EAB) that has excellent potential as a biological control agent against EAB populations in the USA. In order to understand the ecological factors involved in the search and discovery of concealed hosts by S. agrili, we investigated the behavioral responses of adult female wasps to potential semiochemicals from host plants, hosts, and host frass as well as to vibration signals from host feeding and movement. Using a bioassay, we showed that S. agrili first finds the host’s habitats by detecting the volatile compounds emitted by ash. In the second phase of host location and acceptance, the parasitoids detect the mechanical vibrations produced by host feeding and movement under the surface of the bark and then probe to find the EAB larvae. Contact chemicals seem to play little or no role in short-range host finding. Female wasps avoided laying eggs on EAB larvae already parasitized and thus paralyzed. We hypothesized that female wasps were not attracted to these larvae due to their lack of feeding or movement. While an induced paralysis in the host is instrumental in avoiding superparasitism, we cannot rule out that S. agrili females also use an oviposition pheromone to deter conspecific females. Together, these results suggest that vibration and olfactory cues play significant roles in distinct phases of S. agrili host habitat and host location behaviors.
Biological Control Volume 52, Issue 1, January 2010, Pages 24-29 http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6WBP-4X97CYF- 1&_user=586462&_coverDate=01%2F31%2F2010&_rdoc=5&_fmt=high&_orig=browse&_srch=doc- info(%23toc%236716%232010%23999479998%231565121%23FLA%23display%23Volume)&_cdi=6716&_sort=d&_docanchor=&_ct=13&_acct=C0 00030078&_version=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid=586462&md5=c5e4912e789de704c9cde225ff5ba7ae
Potential impact and non-target effects of Gallerucida bifasciata (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), a candidate biological control agent for Fallopia japonica
Yangzhou Wanga, b, c, John R.U. Wilsond, e, Jun Zhanga, f, Jialiang Zhanga, g and Jianqing Dinga, g, , a Wuhan Botanical Garden/Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, Hubei 430074, China b Institute of Plant Protection, Jilin Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changchun, Jilin, China c Graduate School of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China d South African National Biodiversity Institute, Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens, Claremont, South Africa e DST-NRF Centre of Excellence for Invasion Biology, Department of Botany & Zoology, Stellenbosch University, South Africa f Department of Plant Protection, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei 430000, China g Key Laboratory of Aquatic Botany and Watershed Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, Hubei 430074, China
A pre-release evaluation of a potential biological control agent is designed to estimate the impact the agent will have on the target in the introduced range, and whether the agent poses an acceptable level of risk to biodiversity. Here, we present an evaluation of the Asian leaf-beetle, Gallerucida bifasciata, a potential biological control agent for Japanese knotweed, Fallopia japonica. First we tested the impact of different larval and adult densities on the plant under laboratory conditions. After six weeks, the biomass of F. japonica was 15% or 28% that of control plants if larvae or adults were added, with levels of damage plateauing quickly with increasing insects densities. High fecundity and larval density dependence means that this agent could substantially and quickly suppress plant growth, although this damage only occurs early in the season, allowing F. japonica time to compensate. Second, following on from general host-specificity trials, we investigated potential non-target effects on the commercially important plant buckwheat, Fagopyrum esculentum, in more depth. The leaf-beetle showed some minor adult feeding on F. esculentum in choice trials, and in no-choice trials the leaf-beetle was able to complete its life cycle and sustain a population on F. esculentum, albeit causing lower levels of damage than on F. japonica. This suggests that if the beetle dispersed to areas where F. japonica is not present, it might colonise F. esculentum. Therefore, despite potentially being an effective agent, that the risk of non-target feeding is unacceptably high. Biological Control Volume 53, Issue 3, June 2010, Pages 319-324 http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6WBP-4XY4GK8- 1&_user=10&_coverDate=06%2F30%2F2010&_rdoc=1&_fmt=high&_orig=search&_sort=d&_docanchor=&view=c&_acct=C000050221&_version=1 &_urlVersion=0&_userid=10&md5=d91b938ac833980db9ac7178cc680f81
Performance of the biological control agent flea beetle Agasicles hygrophila (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), on two plant species Alternanthera philoxeroides (alligatorweed) and A. sessilis (joyweed)
Junjiao Lua, Longlong Zhaoa, Ruiyan Maa, , , Pingping Zhanga, Renjun Fanb and Jintong Zhangc a College of Agriculture, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu Shanxi 030801, PR China b Institute of Plant Protection, Shanxi Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Taiyuan, Shanxi 030031, PR China c College of Arts and Sciences, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu Shanxi 030801, PR China
Agasicles hygrophila has been used as a biological control agent on invasive alligatorweed, Alternanthera philoxeroides in China. We conducted tests to determine the impact of A. hygrophila on the non-target species A. sessilis and examined the developmental differences of A. hygrophila raised on these two plant species to assess the ecological and environmental safety of the introduced A. hygrophila in China. No significant differences were detected in the developmental timing of A. hygrophila from larvae to adults, in larval hatching, and in pupal fresh weight in three treatments: A. hygrophila reared on A. philoxeroides through all life stages; A. hygrophila larvae reared on A. sessilis but pupated in the stems of A. philoxeroides; and A. hygrophila reared on A. sessilis through all life stages. However, when A. hygrophila larvae were reared on A. sessilis but pupated in the stems of A. philoxeroides, they had a significantly longer preoviposition period, lower pupation rate, and lower fecundity than those in other two treatments. The demographic parameters examined indicated that lower fecundity (GRR, R0) and intrinsic rate of natural increase (rm = 0.06), but longer doubling time (Td) were found in A. hygrophila larvae reared on A. sessilis but pupated in the stems of A. philoxeroides compared to the other two treatments (rm = 0.11). Ultimately, A. hygrophila has limited effects on the non-target A. sessilis and is considered safe to the ecosystem. Moreover, A. sessilis would provide a marginally suitable host for A. hygrophila in regions where the two species intermingle. Biological Control Volume 54, Issue 1, July 2010, Pages 9-13 http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6WBP-4YH56B2- 1&_user=10&_coverDate=07%2F31%2F2010&_rdoc=1&_fmt=high&_orig=search&_sort=d&_docanchor=&view=c&_acct=C000050221&_version=1 &_urlVersion=0&_userid=10&md5=0c6d1796ce4227db53f9d72d5e7e73e1
Cell and Tissue Research Localization of serotonin/tryptophan-hydroxylase-immunoreactive cells in the brain and suboesophageal ganglion of Drosophila melanogaster
Xuexiang Bao1 , Bin Wang1, Jinbei Zhang1, Ting Yan1, Weiping Yang1, Fangchao Jiao1, Jing Liu1 and Shun Wang1 [email protected] Laboratory of Insect Brain Neurobiology, School of Life Sciences, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, Jilin, 130024, People’s Republic of China
We previously demonstrated that tryptophan hydroxylase (TPH), the rate-limiting enzyme of serotonin (5-HT) synthesis, was commonly present in the brains of some insects. The current study was aimed at determining the number of serotonergic neurons in the brain and suboesophageal ganglion of adult Drosophila melanogaster and to investigate further the differences in immunoreactivity between 5-HT and TPH. Brain sections of Drosophila were immunostaind with sheep anti-TPH polyclonal antibody and rabbit anti-5-HT antiserum. The 5-HT-like immunoreactive neurons were also immunoreactive for TPH and bilaterally symmetrical; 83 neurons were found in each hemisphere of the brain and suboesophageal ganglion of adult Drosophila. This technique of colocalizing 5-HT and TPH revealed a larger number of serotonergic neurons in the brain and suboesophageal ganglion than that previous reported, thus updating our knowledge of the 5-HT neuronal system of Drosophila. Cell and Tissue Research Volume 340, Number 1 / April, 2010 51-59 http://www.springerlink.com/content/j1v57jn461100725/
Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part B: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Quantitative and qualitative changes of the carboxylesterase associated with beta-cypermethrin resistance in the housefly, Musca domestica (Diptera: Muscidae)
Lan Zhanga, c, Jing Shia, 1, Xueyan Shia, Pei Lianga, Junping Gaob and Xiwu Gaoa, , a Department of Entomology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, PR China b Department of Ornamental Horticulture, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, PR China c Institute of plant protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences,Beijing100193, PR China
Mechanisms of esterase-mediated pyrethroid resistance were analyzed based on our previous works in a strain of the housefly, Musca domestica. The carboxylesterase gene, MdαE7, was cloned and sequenced from susceptible (CSS) and resistant (CRR) strains, and a total of nine amino acid substitutions were found. The mutation, Trp251-Ser appeared to play a role in beta-cypermethrin resistance and cross-resistance between organophosphates (OPs) and pyrethroids in the CRR strain. Quantitative real-time PCR showed that MdαE7 was over-expressed in the CRR strain, the reciprocal cross progeny F1 and back-cross progeny BC2 compared with the CSS strain, respectively. Two α- cynaoester substrates as surrogates for beta-cypermethrin and deltamethrin, were synthesized to determine the pyrethroid hydrolase activity. Results showed that carboxylesterases from the CRR strain hydrolyzed cypermethrin/deltamethrin-like substrate 9.05- and 13.53-fold more efficiently than those from the CSS strain, respectively. Our studies suggested that quantitative and qualitative changes in the carboxylesterase might contribute together to pyrethroid resistance in the CRR strain. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part B: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Volume 156, Issue 1, May 2010, Pages 6-11 http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6T2R-4Y8G608- 2&_user=586462&_coverDate=05%2F31%2F2010&_rdoc=3&_fmt=high&_orig=browse&_srch=doc- info(%23toc%234925%232010%23998439998%231793720%23FLA%23display%23Volume)&_cdi=4925&_sort=d&_docanchor=&_ct=13&_acct=C0 00030078&_version=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid=586462&md5=aed3fe97ee4f5af8578157d00317a68f
Crop Protection Insecticide resistance in Bemisia tabaci biotype Q (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) from China
C. Luoa, b, C.M. Jonesb, G. Devineb, F. Zhanga, I. Denholmb and K. Gormanb, , a Institute of Plant and Environment Protection, Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Beijing, China b Plant and Invertebrate Ecology Department, Rothamsted Research, West Common, Harpenden AL5 2JQ, UK
Dispersion of invasive biotypes of the tobacco whitefly, Bemisia tabaci, has led to protracted crop protection constraints in numerous countries over recent decades. These polyphagous, highly efficient vectors of plant viruses present an intractable problem as they frequently carry a diverse suite of insecticide resistance mechanisms. In many areas of China, native biotypes have been supplanted by the invasive and globally widespread biotype B since the 1990s. More recently, biotype Q has established, posing a new and more potent threat to agricultural production systems throughout the country. Insecticide resistance profiles for a range of Chinese B. tabaci strains covering biotypes B and Q were examined, to establish the potential for insecticides to play a pivotal role in biotype competition and ultimate displacement. Commonly used compounds including pyrethroids, neonicotinoids, abamectin and pyriproxyfen were targeted as widespread use is pre-requisite to drivers of population dynamics on a national scale. It was found that across several strains, both biotypes responded similarly against pyrethroids, abamectin and pyriproxyfen. However, their responses to three commercially available neonicotinoids were consistently contrasting. Biotype B strains remained largely susceptible to acetamiprid, imidacloprid, and thiamethoxam, whereas biotype Q strains expressed 20–170 fold resistance to these insecticides. It appears that in China the use of neonicotinoid insecticides has the potential to select for biotype Q within mixed biotype areas, contributing to the establishment and prevalence of this relatively recent introduction. Crop Protection Volume 29, Issue 5, May 2010, Pages 429-434 http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6T5T-4XJ13N5- 1&_user=10&_coverDate=05%2F31%2F2010&_rdoc=1&_fmt=high&_orig=search&_sort=d&_docanchor=&view=c&_acct=C000050221&_version=1 &_urlVersion=0&_userid=10&md5=be7b5aea2249774bdd2dfdacbe3387e3
Ecological Entomology Permeability of receptive fig fruits and its effects on the re-emergence behaviour of pollinators
HU HAO-YUAN, 1,2 NIU LI-MING, 1,3 MA GUANG-CHANG, 2,3 FU YUE-GUAN, 3 PENG ZHENG-QIANG 3 and HUANG DA-WEI 4,1 [email protected] 1 Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Evolution, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China , 2 Key Laboratory of Biotic Environment and Ecological Safety in Anhui Province, College of Life Sciences, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu, China , 3 Key Laboratory of Monitoring and Control of Tropical Agricultural and Forest Invasive Alien Pests, Ministry of Agriculture, Environment and Plant Protection Institute, Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences, Danzhou, China and 4 Plant Protection College, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an, China
1. Figs and pollinating fig wasps provide a model system for studying mutualism. The permeability of the syconium changes during receptivity or between seasons, which may affect the behaviour of pollinators. Fig fruits are permeable during receptivity, and in some species, pollinators can enter and re-emerge after oviposition/pollination. We studied the relationship between fig permeability and pollinator re-emergence behaviour with a functional dioecious fig, Ficus hispida and the obligate pollinator Ceratosolen solmsi marchali. 2. The relationship reflects the interaction of figs and pollinators in the mutualism and also the conflicts of interests between the two partners: figs benefit from the enclosed fig fruits which have low permeability, but pollinators benefit from their re-emergence behaviour, which requires high fig permeability. 3. The results showed that at the end of receptivity, the permeability of fig fruits lowered rapidly with changes to the ostiole structures, and re-emergence rate was low, with more re-emerging pollinators trapped in the ostiolar bracts. Our results also showed that in the rainy season, the length of receptivity was shorter and fig permeability was lower. The re-emergence rates were also lower than those in the dry season. The results elucidated that figs' interests dominated in the conflicts between fig and pollinating wasp. 4. Based on a new criteria which employed the classification of pollinators found dead in the ostiolar bracts and which involved a survey of 6 monoecious and 12 dioecious fig species, we found that re-emergence behaviour was prevalent among fig species, and was more prevalent in functional dioecious figs than monoecious ones. Ecological Entomology 2010 Volume 35 Issue 2, Pages 115 - 125 http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/123261305/abstract
Environmental Entomology Beet Webworm (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) Migration in China: Evidence From Genetic Markers
Jiang, Xing-Fu1; Cao, Wei-Ju; Zhang, Lei; Luo, Li-Zhi State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pest, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
Genetic diversity within and among 11 geographic populations of the beet webworm Loxostege sticticalis across five provinces in the northern part of China were evaluated using amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) analysis. Five AFLP primer combinations were used on 88 L. sticticalis samples from different locations, detecting a total of 384 polymorphic and 27 monomorphic fragments. Although extensive genetic diversity occurs among individuals from different geographic populations (P = 93.4%, h = 0.398, I = 0.572), the majority of the genetic diversity is within populations and not between populations (GST = 0.196), which agrees well with the results of analysis of molecular variance (84% of the total genetic variation is within populations), indicating high gene flow (NM = 2.046) among natural populations, which are not genetically differentiated. L. sticticalis in northeastern China, northern China, and northwestern China are part of a single large metapopulation. Cluster analyses based on AFLP data were preformed to graphically show groupings between individuals and between populations. Individuals from the same region were not grouped together very well. Eleven subpopulations were clustered into six broad groups, and there was no significant correlation between geographic distance and genetic dissimilarity (r = 0.1236, P = 0.8512). Principle component analysis also indicated a lack of genetic differentiation between the 11 populations. These results indicated that, although high genetic variability existed among individuals, there was little genetic differentiation among geographic populations, which can be explained by the effects of long distance migration of the beet webworm in China and consequent gene flow. Environmental Entomology, Volume 39, Number 1, February 2010 , pp. 232-242(11) http://esa.publisher.ingentaconnect.com/content/esa/envent/2010/00000039/00000001 /art00027
Effects of Transgenic Rice Expressing Bacillus thuringiensis Cry1Ab Protein on Ground-Dwelling Collembolan Community in Postharvest Seasons
Bai, Y. Y.1; Yan, R. H.; Ye, G. Y.; Huang, F. N.; Cheng, J. A. Institute of Insect Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310029, China; College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing 400716, China
During 2005-2008, field studies were conducted at two locations in Chongqing, China, to assess the potential effects of transgenic rice expressing Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) Cry1Ab protein on the nontarget ground-dwelling collembolan community in three postharvest seasons. Collembolans in non-Bt and Bt rice fields were sampled with pitfall traps during each of two postharvest seasons of 2005/2006 and 2006/2007 and litterbag traps during each of three postharvest seasons of 2005/2006, 2006/2007, and 2007/2008. Ground-dwelling collembolans in rice fields during the postharvest seasons were abundant, whereas community densities varied considerably between the two locations and among the three seasons. A total of 67,310 collembolans, representing three species, Entomobrya griseoolivata, Hypogastrura matura, and Bourletiella christianseni, were captured during the three postharvest seasons. E. griseoolivata was the predominant species, accounting for 87.7% of the total captures, followed by H. matura (10.7%) and B. christianseni (1.6%). In general, there were no significant differences in species compositions and abundances of each species between Bt and non- Bt paddy fields, suggesting no significantly impact of plant residues of Cry1Ab rice on collembolan communities during postharvest seasons. Environmental Entomology, Volume 39, Number 1, February 2010 , pp. 243-251(9) http://esa.publisher.ingentaconnect.com/content/esa/envent/2010/00000039/00000001 /art00028
Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata Effect of food deprivation on the ambulatory movement of the Colorado potato beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata
Lian-You Gui 1 & G. Boiteau 2* [email protected] 1 College of Agriculture, Yangtze University, Hubei 434025, China , and 2 Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Potato Research Station, 850 Lincoln Road, P.O. Box 20280, Fredericton, NB, E3B 4Z7 Canada
Modification of dispersal behaviour is a common response of insects to food and water deprivation. The literature suggests that different insects respond with different strategies: changing walking parameters, switching dispersal mode (walking to flight or vice versa), or changing the host searching path. The goal of this study was to add to the limited literature on the subject by investigating, whether the walking parameters of adult male Colorado potato beetles, Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Say) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), change in response to food and water deprivation. Observations on the distance walked, the travel speed, and the frequency of walking bouts were carried out in laboratory arenas using motion monitoring equipment. Summer and overwintered beetles were exposed to short starvation periods (2, 4, 8, 24 h) and two ranges of long starvation periods (1, 2, 4, 8 days and 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, and 32 days). Only the longest food deprivation periods of 16 and 32 days significantly reduced the walking distance, speed, and frequency of walking bouts of summer beetles. No changes were observed with overwintered beetles. The tolerance of the beetles without access to water to the different periods of food deprivation was similar to that for beetles with water except after a starvation period of 32 days, when the travel speed of summer beetles was significantly reduced by 33%. The absence of increased walking parameters found in this study and earlier observations of increased flight frequency suggest that the strategy of summer beetles will be to change the dispersal mode from walking to flight and/or to change the walking host searching path. The same results of this study and earlier observations of a decrease in the mean frequency of daily flights suggest that the strategy of overwintered L. decemlineata, exposed to food deprivation, will be to change the host search walking path rather than the walking parameters themselves. Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata 2010 Volume 134 Issue 2, Pages 138 - 145 http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/123237603/abstract
Elevated CO2 lessens predation of Chrysopa sinica on Aphis gossypii
Feng Gao 1 , Fajun Chen 2 & Feng Ge 1* [email protected] 1 State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China , and 2 Department of Entomology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
Most studies on the effects of elevated atmospheric CO2 on organisms have focused on the performance of plants or herbivores. Few reports have examined the impact on the ability of predators at the third trophic level. In this experiment, we made use of open- top chambers to quantify the effects of elevated CO2 on growth, development, and predatory ability of two successive generations of Chinese lacewing, Chrysopa sinica (Tjeder) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae), feeding on cotton aphids, Aphis gossypii (Glover) (Hemiptera: Aphididae), which were reared on cotton, Gossypium hirsutum L. (Malvaceae), grown under elevated CO2 (double ambient vs. ambient). Higher atmospheric CO2 concentrations reduced the duration of larval development and the survival rate of pupae, and caused decreased weight in adult female C. sinica, but had no significant effects on survival rate of each larval stage, female adult fecundity, egg hatch rate, or adult life span. The predatory ability of larvae in the third instar and the total larval stage of C. sinica that fed on A. gossypii were significantly lower in elevated CO2 environments. The number of aphids consumed by first-generation lacewing population did not change significantly with different CO2 treatments; however, significantly fewer aphids were consumed by the second generation of the lacewing population with elevated CO2. We speculate that A. gossypii may become a more serious pest under an environment with elevated CO2 concentrations because of the reduced predatory ability of C. sinica on A. gossypii. Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata 2010 Volume 135 Issue 2, Pages 135 - 140 http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/123326720/abstract
Physiological trade-offs between flight muscle and reproductive development in the wing-dimorphic cricket Velarifictorus ornatus
Lv-Quan Zhao 1 , Dao-Hong Zhu 2,3* & Yang Zeng 2 [email protected] 1 Laboratory of Entomology, College of Forestry, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha, Hunan 410004, China , 2 Laboratory of Entomology, College of Life Science and Technology, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha, Hunan 410004, China , and 3 Hunan First Normal University Changsha, Hunan 410205, China
Morphology, flight muscles, and reproductive development were compared between long- winged (LW) and short-winged (SW) morphs of the cricket Velarifictorus ornatus (Shiraki) (Orthoptera: Gryllidae). There was no difference in body weight and pre-oviposition between the two morphs, but LW individuals had better-developed flight muscles than SW individuals during and after emergence of the adult. The flight muscles at adult emergence represented 11.9% of the total body weight in the LW female and 4.9% in the SW female. In addition, the weight of the flight muscle of LW females increased by 50% during the first 5 days, whereas the flight muscle of the SW variant increased only slightly after adult emergence. The process of oviposition in LW, SW, and de-alated females varied: SW females produced more eggs at the early stage than LW females, but de-alation could shorten the time until the peak of egg laying and caused histolysis of flight muscles of LW females. There was no significant difference in total egg production between the above three groups. In the male, unlike the female, the accessory glands of the two wing morphs enlarged continuously at the same rate. There was no difference between the two wing morphs in the mass of the testes during the first 7 days after adult emergence. Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata 2010 Volume 135 Issue 3, Pages 288 - 294 http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/123411090/abstract?CRETRY=1&SRETRY=0
Entomological Science New archisargids from China (Insecta: Diptera)
Kuiyan ZHANG 1 , Ding YANG 1 , Dong REN 2 and Chungkun SHIH 2 [email protected] 1 Department of Entomology, China Agricultural University, and 2 Key Laboratory of Insect Evolution & Environmental Changes, Capital Normal University, Beijing, China
The extinct family Archisargidae, which was rich in the Mesozoic, has been found in China, Kazakhstan and Mongolia. By now, six genera and 14 species have been found in Inner Mongolia and Liaoning Province of China. In this paper, two new species of the genus Mesosolva Hong, 1983 and a new genus Brevisolva gen. nov., represented by a new species belonging to the Archisargidae, are described from the Middle Jurassic deposits of Daohugou, Inner Mongolia. A key to the species of Mesosolva is given. Entomological Science 2010 Volume 13 Issue 1, Pages 75 - 80 http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/123328756/abstract?CRETRY=1&SRETRY=0
Genes, Brain and Behavior NMDA receptors-dependent plasticity in the phototaxis preference behavior induced by visual deprivation in young and adult flies
M. Zhou †,‡ , Z. Lei ‡,§ , H. Li ‡,§ , W. Yi †,‡ , Z. Zhang †,‡ and A. Guo *,†,§ [email protected] † State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Science, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China , ‡ Graduate School of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China and § State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, Institute of Neuroscience, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
Adult mammals have experience-dependent plasticity in visual system, but it is unclear whether adult insects also have this plasticity after the critical period of visual development. Here, we have established a modified Y-maze apparatus for investigating experience-dependent plasticity in Drosophila. Using this setup we demonstrate that flies after the critical period have bidirectional modifications of the phototaxis preference behavior (PPB) induced by visual deprivation and experience: Visual deprivation decreases the preference of flies for visible light, while visual experience exerts the opposite effect. We also found an age-dependent PPB plasticity induced by visual deprivation. Molecular and cellular studies suggest that the N-methyl- D-aspartate receptors (NMDARs) mediate ocular dominance plasticity in visual cortex in mammals, but direct behavioral evidence is lacking. Here, we used the genetic approaches to demonstrate that NMDAR1, which is NMDARs subunit in Drosophila, can mediate PPB plasticity in young and adult flies. These findings provide direct behavioral evidence that NMDAR1 mediates PPB plasticity in Drosophila. Our results suggest that mammals and insects have analogous mechanisms for experience-dependent plasticity and its regulation by NMDAR signaling. Genes, Brain and Behavior 2010 Volume 9 Issue 3, Pages 325 - 334 http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/123217101/abstract?CRETRY=1&SRETRY=0
Insect Biochemistry and Molecular biology Native subunit composition of two insect nicotinic receptor subtypes with differing affinities for the insecticide imidacloprid
Jian Lia, 1, Ying Shaoa, 1, Zhiping Dinga, Haibo Baoa, Zewen Liua, , Zhaojun Hana and Neil S. Millarb a Key Laboratory of Monitoring and Management of Plant Diseases and Insects, Ministry of Agriculture, College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, Tongwei Road 6, Nanjing, China b Department of Neuroscience, Physiology and Pharmacology, University College London, London, UK
Neonicotinoid insecticides, such as imidacloprid, are selective agonists of insect nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) and are used extensively to control a variety of insect pest species. The brown planthopper (Nilaparvata lugens), an insect pest of rice crops throughout Asia, is an important target species for control with neonicotinoid insecticides such as imidacloprid. Studies with nAChRs purified from N. lugens have identified two 3 [ H]imidacloprid binding sites with different affinities (Kd = 3.5 ± 0.6 pM and 1.5 ± 0.2 nM). Co-immunoprecipitation studies with native preparations of N. lugens nAChRs, using subunit-selective antisera, have demonstrated the co-assembly of Nlα1, Nlα2 and Nlβ1 subunits into one receptor complex and of Nlα3, Nlα8 and Nlβ1 into another. Immunodepletion of Nlα1 or Nlα2 subunits resulted in the selective loss of the lower affinity imidacloprid binding site, whereas immunodepletion of Nlα3 or Nlα8 caused the selective loss of the high-affinity site. Immunodepletion of Nlβ1 resulted in a complete absence of specific imidacloprid binding. In contrast, immunodepletion with antibodies selective for other N. lugens nAChR subunits (Nlα4, Nlα6, Nlα7 and Nlβ2) had no significant effect on imidacloprid binding. Taken together, these data suggest that nAChRs containing Nlα1, Nlα2 and Nlβ1 constitute the lower affinity binding site, whereas nAChRs containing Nlα3, Nlα8 and Nlβ1 constitute the higher affinity binding site for imidacloprid in N. lugens. Insect Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Volume 40, Issue 1, January 2010, Pages 17- 22 http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6T79-4XY9DGB- 2&_user=8538702&_coverDate=01%2F31%2F2010&_rdoc=3&_fmt=high&_orig=browse&_srch=doc- info(%23toc%235053%232010%23999599998%231684117%23FLA%23display%23Volume)&_cdi=5053&_sort=d&_docanchor=& _ct=11&_acct=C000050221&_version=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid=8538702&md5=3f456eeeef6728044df38475793eb260
Diverse cadherin mutations conferring resistance to Bacillus thuringiensis toxin Cry1Ac in Helicoverpa armigera
Jing Zhaoa, Lin Jina, Yihua Yanga and Yidong Wu , a, a College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, Key Laboratory of Monitoring and Management of Crop Diseases and Pest Insects (Ministry of Agriculture), Nanjing 210095, China
Transgenic cotton expressing Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) toxins has been widely adopted to control some key lepidopteran pests including the bollworm Helicoverpa armigera. Evolution of resistance to Bt cotton by target pests is a major threat to the continued success of Bt cotton. Previous results revealed 3 null alleles (r1–r3) of a cadherin gene (Ha_BtR) conferring Cry1Ac resistance in H. armigera. An F1 screen of 123 single-pair families was conducted between a Cry1Ac-resistant strain (the SCD-r1 strain, homozygous for the r1 allele of Ha_BtR) and field-derived insects from Jiangpu population (Jiangsu province, China) in 2008. Five new null alleles of Ha_BtR (r4–r8) were identified in six candidate single-pair families. These null alleles were created through either an insertion or a point mutation. Interestingly, intact alleles of Ha_BtR were found in two field-derived insects from another two candidate single-pair families. It suggests that these two field-derived insects may carry novel resistance alleles of Ha_BtR, with missense mutations resulting in a non-functional cadherin protein, or a major dominant mutation at a locus other than cadherin. The resistance allele frequency of Ha_BtR was detected at an appreciable level (0.024) in the Jiangpu population of H. armigera in 2008. Together with previous findings, a total of eight different resistance alleles of Ha_BtR were identified from three Chinese strains of H. armigera. Mutational diversity of Ha_BtR could impair DNA screening for Bt resistance allele frequency in the field, and an F1 screen should be used routinely for monitoring cadherin-based resistance allele frequencies in H. armigera. Insect Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Volume 40, Issue 2, February 2010, Pages 113-118 http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6T79-4Y5BMBJ- 1&_user=586462&_coverDate=02%2F28%2F2010&_rdoc=1&_fmt=high&_orig=search&_sort=d&_docanchor=&view=c&_acct=C000030078&_versi on=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid=586462&md5=fc00fac834b93207e5fea10162d79c60
Identification of the chitin-binding proteins from the larval proteins of silkworm, Bombyx mori
Liang Tanga, , Jiubo Lianga, , Zhigao Zhana, , Zhonghuai Xianga, and Ningjia He , a, a The Key Sericultural Laboratory of Agricultural Ministry, College of Biotechnology, Southwest University, Beibei, Chongqing 400715, China
The silkworm is a model organism for Lepidoptera. Its cuticle is composed mainly of chitin and proteins, which plays essential roles in multiple physiological functions. The binding of proteins to chitin plays an important role for cuticle formation. In this research, a chitin-binding assay followed by a proteomics analysis was carried out using the proteins extracted from the 5th instar larval cuticles. As results, twenty-two proteins were identified including nine cuticular proteins, two lysozyme precursors, two proteins with chitin-binding-type 2 domains, and other proteins. A cuticular protein with the RR-1 consensus, BmorCPR56, and a silkworm Tweedle protein, BmorCPT1, were detected in the chitin-binding fraction for the first time and their chitin-binding activities were further confirmed in vitro. The results of this research increase our understanding of the structure of the silkworm larval cuticle. Insect Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Volume 40, Issue 3, March 2010, Pages 228- 234 http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6T79-4YC1K1S- 1&_user=10&_coverDate=03%2F31%2F2010&_rdoc=1&_fmt=high&_orig=search&_sort=d&_docanchor=&view=c&_acct=C000050221&_version=1 &_urlVersion=0&_userid=10&md5=5257bfd4615fc9ef60f231b63da9f6d1
Shotgun proteomic analysis on the embryos of silkworm Bombyx mori at the end of organogenesis
Jian-ying Lia, S. Hossein Hosseini Moghaddama, c, Jin-e Chena, Ming Chenb and Bo-xiong Zhonga, , a College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310029, PR China b College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, PR China c Agriculture Faculty, University of Guilan, Rasht, Iran
Embryonic development of silkworm, Bombyx mori is a process of systematical expression of genes and proteins which is dominated by complex regulatory networks. To gain comprehensive insight into the molecular basis of embryonic development and its regulation mechanisms, the proteome profile of the B. mori embryos at the end of organogenesis (tubercle appearance stage, TA) was characterized using LTQ-Orbitrap mass spectrometer. Totally 963 proteins were identified with a false discovery rate (FDR) of 0.12%. They were involved in embryonic development, chemoreception, and stimuli response and so forth. The proteins with the largest number of identified unique peptides, implying their possibly higher abundance, were involved in heat shock response, lipid transport and metabolism, and apoptosis. It was consistent with the physiological status of embryo at the end of organogenesis. Many functionally important proteins were identified for the first time in B. mori embryo such as the progesterone receptor membrane component 2, antennal binding protein, sericotropin, and molting fluid carboxypeptidase A (MF-CPA). 253 (26.27%) specific proteins in TA versus labrum appearance stage (LA, four days before TA) embryos were identified, which were mainly associated with musculature, nervous system, and chemoreception system. They disclosed the differential temporal and spatial expression of proteins in the process of organogenesis. The relative mRNA levels of fifteen identified proteins in the two experimented stages were also compared using quantitative reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR) and showed some inconsistencies with protein expression. Gene Ontology (GO) annotation of the identified proteins showed that the most proteome representations were in the categories of “binding” and “catalytic” in molecular function, and “cellular process” and “metabolic process” in biological process. Insect Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Volume 40, Issue 4, April 2010, Pages 293- 302 http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6T79-4Y9XKW8- 2&_user=10&_coverDate=04%2F30%2F2010&_rdoc=1&_fmt=high&_orig=search&_sort=d&_docanchor=&view=c&_acct=C000050221&_version=1 &_urlVersion=0&_userid=10&md5=3a425c1c8b6804397e0127d47308d4cf
Insect Molecular Biology Pharmacological characterization of cis-nitromethylene neonicotinoids in relation to imidacloprid binding sites in the brown planthopper, Nilaparvata lugens
X. Xu*‡, H. Bao†‡, X. Shao*, Y. Zhang†, X. Yao†, Z. Liu† and Z. Li* [email protected] [email protected] *Shanghai Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China; and †Key Laboratory of Monitoring and Management of Plant Disease and Insect, Ministry of Agriculture, College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
Neonicotinoid insecticides, such as imidacloprid, are selective agonists of the insect nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) and extensively used in areas of crop protection and animal health to control a variety of insect pest species. Here we describe that two cis-nitromethylene neonicotinoids (IPPA152002 and IPPA152004), recently synthesized in our laboratory, discriminated between the high and low affinity imidacloprid binding sites in the brown planthopper, Nilaparvata lugens, a major insect pest of rice crops in many parts of Asia. [3H]imidacloprid has two binding sites with different affinities (Kd value of 0.0035 ± 0.0006 nM for the high-affinity site and 1.47 ± 0.22 nM for the low-affinity site). Although the cis-nitromethylene neonicotinoids showed low displacement ability (Ki values of 0.15 ± 0.03 µM and 0.42 ± 0.07 µM for IPPA152002 and IPPA152004, respectively) against [3H]imidacloprid binding, low concentrations (0.01 µM) of IPPA152002 completely inhibited [3H]imidacloprid binding at its high-affinity site. In Xenopus oocytes co-injected with cRNA encoding Nlα1 and rat β2 subunits, obvious inward currents were detected in response to applications of IPPA152002 and IPPA152004, although the agonist potency is reduced to that of imidacloprid. The previously identified Y151S mutation in Nlα1 showed significant effects on the agonist potency of IPPA152002 and IPPA152004, such as a 75.8% and 70.6% reduction in Imax, and a 2.4- and 2.1-fold increase in EC50. This data clearly shows that the two newly described cis-nitromethylene neonicotinoids act on insect nAChRs and like imidacloprid, discriminated between high and low affinity binding sites in N. lugens native nAChRs. These compounds may be useful tools to further elucidate the pharmacology and nature of neonicotinoid binding sites. Insect Molecular Biology 2010 Volume 19 Issue 1, Pages 1 - 8 http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/122659416/abstract
A cathepsin L-like proteinase is involved in moulting and metamorphosis in Helicoverpa armigera
L.-F. Wang*, L.-Q. Chai*, H.-J. He, Q. Wang, J.-X. Wang and X.-F. Zhao [email protected] School of Life Sciences, the Key Laboratory of Plant Cell Engineering and Germplasm Innovation, Ministry of Education, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
Holometabolous insects undergo larval moulting and metamorphosis within their life cycle. A cDNA encoding the cathepsin L-like proteinase Ha-cathL has been cloned from Helicoverpa armigera. It has a sequence of 1826 bp and encodes a 550-residue protein with a molecular mass of 63 kDa. Northern blot analysis indicated that Ha-cathL is specifically expressed in haemocytes, with increased expression during larval moulting and metamorphosis. In vivo experimentation revealed that Ha-cathL is up-regulated by 20-hydroxyecdysone. Meanwhile, in situ hybridization and immunocytochemistry revealed that Ha-cathL mRNA is mainly expressed in granulocytes and plasmatocytes. Knock down of cathepsin L by RNA interference results in larvae death before pupation or the formation of a chimeric pupa containing a larval head and thorax, abnormal wings and the pupal abdomen. The reason for this is that the affected haemocytes cannot become granulated, and therefore cannot participate in fat body remodelling and wing development. These facts suggest that Ha-cathL is involved in larval moulting and metamorphosis by participating in the functioning of haemocytes. Insect Molecular Biology 2010 Volume 19 Issue 1, Pages 99 - 111 http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/123206893/abstract
Identification of an E-box DNA binding protein, activated protein 4, and its function in regulating the expression of the gene encoding diapause hormone and pheromone biosynthesis-activating neuropeptide in Helicoverpa armigera
C-H. Hu, B. Hong and W-H. Xu [email protected] State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen (Zhongshan) University, Guangzhou, China
Activated protein 4 (AP-4), an E-box DNA-binding protein, was cloned from the cotton bollworm, Helicoverpa armigera (Har). The expression of Har-AP-4 mRNA and the protein that it encodes are significantly higher in nondiapause pupae than in diapause pupae. In vitro-translated Har-AP-4 can bind specifically to the E-box motif on the promoter of the diapause hormone and pheromone biosynthesis-activating neuropeptide (DH-PBAN). Har- AP-4, fused with the green fluorescent protein (GFP), is localized to the nucleus, and overexpression of Har-AP-4 can significantly activate the promoter of the DH-PBAN gene that is involved in nondiapause pupal development in H. armigera. These results suggest that Har-AP-4, which binds to the promoter of DH-PBAN, may play a role in regulating pupal development in H. armigera. Insect Molecular Biology 2010 Volume 19 Issue 2, Pages 243 - 252 http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/123243743/abstract
PiggyBac-like elements in the pink bollworm, Pectinophora gossypiella
J. Wang*†, E. D. Miller‡, G. S. Simmons‡, T. A. Miller§, B. E. Tabashnik¶ and Y. Park* [email protected] *Department of Entomology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, USA; †College of Horticulture and Plant Protection, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China; ‡USDA-APHIS-PPQ-CPHST, Decision Support and Pest Management Systems Laboratory, Phoenix, AZ, USA; §Department of Entomology, University of California, Riverside, CA, USA; and ¶Department of Entomology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
A transgenic line of the pink bollworm, Pectinophora gossypiella, a key lepidopteran cotton pest, was generated previously using the piggyBac transposon IFP2 from Trichoplusia ni. Here we identified an endogenous piggyBac-like element (PLE), designated as PgPLE1, in the pink bollworm. A putatively intact copy of PgPLE1 (PgPLE1.1) presents the canonical features of PLE: inverted terminal repeats with three C/G residues at the extreme ends, inverted subterminal repeats, TTAA target site and an open reading frame encoding transposase with 68% similarity to IFP2. Vectorette PCR revealed large variation in the insertion sites of PgPLE1 amongst worldwide populations, indicating the potential mobility of PgPLE1. The PgPLE1 was undetectable in the genome of Pectinophora endema, implying the recent invasion of PgPLE1 after the divergence of these two closely related species. Insect Molecular Biology 2010 Volume 19 Issue 2, Pages 177 - 184 http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/123213877/abstract
Selectivity of lynx proteins on insect nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in the brown planthopper, Nilaparvata lugens
B. Yang*, X. Yao†, S. Gu‡, Y. Zhang†, Z. Liu† and Y. Zhang‡ [email protected] [email protected] *Rice Technology Research and Development Center, China National Rice Research Institute, Hangzhou; ‡State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing; and †Key Laboratory of Monitoring and Management of Crop Diseases and Pest Insects, Ministry of Agriculture, College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
Neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) are major excitatory neurotransmitter receptors in both vertebrates and invertebrates. Two lynx proteins (Nl- lynx1 and Nl-lynx2) have been identified in the brown planthopper, Nilaparvata lugens, which act as modulators on insect nAChRs. In the present study, two lynx proteins were found to act on the triplet receptor Nlα1/Nlα2/β2 expressed in Xenopus oocytes, increasing agonist-evoked macroscopic currents, but not changing agonist sensitivity and desensitization properties. Nl-lynx1 and Nl-lynx2 increased Imax (maximum responses) of acetylcholine to 4.85-fold and 2.40-fold of that of Nlα1/Nlα2/β2 alone, and they also increased Imax of imidacloprid to 2.57-fold and 1.25-fold. Although, on another triplet nAChRs Nlα3/Nlα8/β2, Nl-lynx2 increased Imax of acetylcholine and imidacloprid to 3.63- fold and 2.16-fold, Nl-lynx1 had no effects on Imax of either acetylcholine or imidacloprid. The results demonstrate the selectivity of lynx proteins for different insect nAChR subtypes. This selectivity was also identified in native N. Lugens. Co-immunoprecipitation was found between Nlα1/Nlα2-containing receptors and both Nl-lynx1 and Nl-lynx2, but was only found between Nlα3/Nlα8-containing receptors and Nl-lynx2. When the previously identified Nlα1Y151S and Nlα3Y151S mutations were included (Nlα1Y151S/Nlα2/β2 Y151S and Nlα3 /Nlα8/β2), the increase in Imax of imidacloprid, but not acetylcholine, caused by co-expression of Nl-lynx1 and Nl-lynx2 was more noticeable than that of their wildtype counterparts. Taken together, these data suggest that two modulators, Nl-lynx1 and Nl-lynx2, might serve as an influencing factor in target site insensitivity in N. lugens, such as Y151S mutation. Insect Molecular Biology 2010 Volume 19 Issue 3, Pages 283 - 289 http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/123210666/abstract
Comparative analysis of Bombyx mori nucleopolyhedrovirus responsive genes in fat body and haemocyte of B. mori resistant and susceptible strains
Y-Y. Bao, Z-Y. Lv, Z-B. Liu, J. Xue, Y-P. Xu and C-X. Zhang [email protected] Ministry of Agriculture Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Institute of Insect Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
The infection profiles of the Bombyx mori nucleopolyhedrovirus (BmNPV) in B. mori larvae revealed that the virus invaded the fat body and haemocyte of both KN and 306 strains, which are highly resistant and susceptible, respectively, to BmNPV infection. However, viral proliferation was notably slowed in the resistant B. mori strain. Using suppression subtractive hybridization, two fat body cDNA libraries were constructed to compare BmNPV responsive gene expression levels between the two silkworm lines. In total, 96 differentially expressed genes were obtained. Real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) analysis confirmed that eight genes were significantly up-regulated in the fat body and haemocyte of the KN strain following BmNPV injection. Our results suggest that these genes may have potential roles in B. mori antiviral infection mechanisms. Insect Molecular Biology 2010 Volume 19 Issue 3, Pages 347 - 358 http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/123304259/abstract
Journal of Applied Entomology Predicting potential distribution of chestnut phylloxerid (Hemiptera: Phylloxeridae) based on GARP and Maxent ecological niche models
X. Y. Wang 1,2 , X. L. Huang 1 , L. Y. Jiang 1 & G. X. Qiao 1 [email protected] 1 Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Evolution, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China 2 Graduate University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
The chestnut phylloxerid, Moritziella castaneivora, has been recently recorded as a forest pest in China. It heavily damaged chestnut trees and has caused serious economic losses in some main chestnut production areas. In order to effectively monitor and manage this pest, it is necessary to investigate its potential geographical distribution worldwide. In this study, we used two ecological niche models, Genetic Algorithm for Rule-set Production (GARP) and Maximum Entropy (Maxent), along with the geographical distribution of the host plants, Japanese chestnut (Castanea crenata) and Chinese chestnut (Castanea mollissima), to predict the potential geographical distribution of M. castaneivora. The results suggested that the suitable distribution areas based on GARP were general consistent with those based on Maxent, but GARP predicted distribution areas that extended more in size than did Maxent. The results also indicated that the suitable areas for chestnut phylloxerid infestations were mainly restricted to Northeast China (northern Liaoning), East China (southern Shandong, northern Jiangsu and western Anhui), North China (southern Hebei, Beijing and Tianjin), Central China (eastern Hubei and southern Henan), Japan (Kinki, Shikoku and Tohoku) and most parts of the Korean Peninsula. In addition, some provinces of central and western China were predicted to have low suitability or unsuitable areas (e.g. Xinjiang, Qinghai and Tibet). A jackknife test in Maxent showed that the average precipitation in July was the most important environmental variable affecting the distribution of this pest species. Consequently, the study suggests several reasonable regulations and management strategies for avoiding the introduction or invasion of this high-risk chestnut pest to these potentially suitable areas. Journal of Applied Entomology 2010 Volume 134 Issue 1, Pages 45 - 54 http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/122615154/abstract
Mass releases of Trichogramma ostriniae increase maize production in DPR Korea
F. Zhang 1,2 , D. Babendreier 1 , Z.-Y. Wang 2 , K. S. Il 3 , L. Zheng 4 , Y. C. Pyon 3 , S.-X. Bai 2 , K. Song 4 , J. O. Ri 3 , M. Grossrieder 1 & U. Kuhlmann 1 [email protected] 1 CABI Europe-Switzerland – Agricultural Pest Research, Delémont, Switzerland 2 MOA – CABI Joint Laboratory for Bio-safety, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China 3 Plant Protection Institute, Pyongyang, Korea 4 Dryland Farming Institute, Hebei Academy of Agricultural and Forestry Sciences, Hengshui, Hebei, China
Field-scale experiments were conducted in 2005 and 2006 on three cooperative farms in DPR Korea to evaluate the potential of Trichogramma ostriniae releases to reduce tunnel damage of maize plants caused by the Asian corn borer, Ostrinia furnacalis, and increase grain maize production. When released three times against the first generation of the pest at nominal densities of about 150 000 parasitoids/ha each and another two times against the second generation (in total 750 000 parasitoids/ha), significant effects on all assessed parameters were obtained. In the release plots, a mean parasitism rate of 61% was found, significantly different from the 21.8% found in non-release (control) plots. Furthermore, the number of larvae was significantly reduced in release plots compared to control plots by 63.5% over all farms and both study years. Feeding tunnels caused by the Asian corn borer were reduced in length in the release plots by 64.1%. Finally, we found that fresh yield of maize ears was significantly higher in the release plots compared to control plots. For all farms and both years, the increase in fresh yield was 28.2%. In this paper we are for the first time presenting data in an international journal on the effect of Trichogramma releases on maize production in DPRK. Although T. ostriniae releases at high host densities observed in the present study were not able to completely suppress damage by the Asian corn borer, the yield increase of more than 1 ton/ha indicate that T. ostriniae releases may contribute significantly to stabilize the country's maize production as well as support community efforts to avoid reversion into a food emergency situation. Journal of Applied Entomology 2010 Volume 134 Issue 5, Pages 481 - 490 http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/123301670/abstract?CRETRY=1&SRETRY=0
Cross-resistance of Cry1Ab-selected Asian corn borer to other Cry toxins
L. Xu 1 , Z. Wang 1 , J. Zhang 1 , K. He 1 , N. Ferry 2 & A. M. R. Gatehouse 2 [email protected] [email protected] 1 The State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China 2 Institute for Research on Environment and Sustainability, School of Biology, University of Newcastle, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK
The Asian corn borer, Ostrinia furnacalis (Guenée) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae), is the most important insect pest of maize in China. Despite the proven track record of biotech Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) maize to provide an effective means to control lepidopteran pests such as the European corn borer Ostrinia nubilalis (Hübner), these crops have not been commercialized in China. However, Cry1Ab- and Cry1F-expressing maize derived from genetic transformation events MON810 (Monsanto), Bt11 (Syngenta) and TC1507 (Pioneer, DuPont) as well as Cry1Ah-, Cry1A- (a Cry1Ab/Cry1Ac hybrid toxin), and Cry1Ac-, Cry1Ie-expressing maize developed by the Chinese institutions have been shown to effectively suppress O. furnacalis in field trials. The development of resistance in target pests is a major threat to the use of Bt maize. A strain of O. furnacalis selected with Cry1Ab protein incorporated into artificial diet developed more than 100-fold resistance to Cry1Ab after 35 generations of selection, and readily consumed Cry1Ab- expressing maize silks. Although LC50s of the selected insect strain were not progressively increased, and even decreased in the following generations, these insects (ACB-AbR) could survive on Cry1Ab-expressing maize tissue after 51 generations of selection. In addition, susceptibility of ACB-AbR to a number of other Bt toxins to which the selected strains had not previously been exposed, was significantly decreased. The highest level of cross-resistance was observed with Cry1Ah (131-fold), followed by Cry1Ac (36-fold). A low level of cross-resistance (6-fold) to Cry1F was also detected. In contrast, ACB-AbR was equally susceptible to Cry1Ie as the unselected control strain. These results indicate that the availability of multiple toxins could improve resistance management strategies, provided that the potential for cross-resistance among toxins is not an issue. Journal of Applied Entomology 2010 Volume 134 Issue 5, Pages 429 - 438 http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/123324216/abstract
Journal of Chemical Ecology Changes of Sex Pheromone Communication Systems Associated with Tebufenozide and Abamectin Resistance in Diamondback Moth, Plutella xylostella (L.)
Zhen Xu1, Guang-Chun Cao2 and Shuang-Lin Dong1 [email protected] Entomology Department/Key Laboratory of Monitoring and Management of Plant Diseases and Insects, Ministry of Agriculture, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Disease and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100094, China
Many insect pests have evolved resistance to insecticides. Along with this evolution, the sex pheromone communication system of insects also may change, and subsequently reproductive isolation may occur between resistant and susceptible populations. In this study of the diamondback moth, we found that resistant females (especially Abamectin resistant females) produced less sex pheromone and displayed a lower level of calling behavior. Resistant males showed higher EAG responsiveness to the sex pheromone mixture of females, and responded to a broader range of ratios between the two major components compared to the responses of susceptible moths. In addition, wind tunnel experiments indicated that changes associated with insecticide resistance in the Abamectin resistant strain (Aba-R) significantly reduced female attractiveness to susceptible males. Furthermore, mating choice experiments confirmed that non-random mating occurred between the two different strains. Aba-R females with an abnormal pheromone production and blend ratio exhibited significantly lower mating percentages with males from either their own strain or other strains, which corroborates the results obtained by the wind tunnel experiments. The implications of this non-random mating for insect speciation and insecticide resistance management are discussed. Journal of Chemical Ecology Volume 36, Number 5 / May, 2010 526-534 http://www.springerlink.com/content/9gp95733722gl71l/
Biosynthesis of Unusual Moth Pheromone Components Involves Two Different Pathways in the Navel Orangeworm, Amyelois transitella
Hong-Lei Wang1, 2, Cheng-Hua Zhao2, Jocelyn G. Millar3, Ring T. Cardé3 and Christer Löfstedt1 Department of Ecology, Lund University, 223 62 Lund, Sweden State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, The Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China Department of Entomology, University of California, Riverside, CA 92521, USA
The sex pheromone of the navel orangeworm, Amyelois transitella (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), consists of two different types of components, one type including (11Z,13Z)- 11,13-hexadecadienal (11Z,13Z-16:Ald) with a terminal functional group containing oxygen, similar to the majority of moth pheromones reported, and another type including the unusual long-chain pentaenes, (3Z,6Z,9Z,12Z,15Z)-3,6,9,12,15-tricosapentaene (3Z,6Z,9Z,12Z,15Z-23:H) and (3Z,6Z,9Z,12Z,15Z)- 3,6,9,12,15-pentacosapentaene (3Z,6Z,9Z,12Z,15Z-25:H). After decapitation of females, the titer of 11Z,13Z-16:Ald in the pheromone gland decreased significantly, whereas the titer of the pentaenes remained unchanged. Injection of a pheromone biosynthesis activating peptide (PBAN) into the abdomens of decapitated females restored the titer of 11Z,13Z-16:Ald and even increased it above that in intact females, whereas the titer of the pentaenes in the pheromone gland was not affected by PBAN injection. In addition to common fatty acids, two likely precursors of 11Z,13Z-16:Ald, i.e., (Z)-11-hexadecenoic and (11Z,13Z)-11,13- hexadecadienoic acid, as well as traces of (Z)-6-hexadecenoic acid, were found in gland extracts. In addition, pheromone gland lipids contained (5Z,8Z,11Z,14Z,17Z)- 5,8,11,14,17-icosapentaenoic acid, which also was found in extracts of the rest of the abdomen. Deuterium-labeled fatty acids, (16,16,16-D3)-hexadecanoic acid and (Z)- [13,13,14,14,15,15,16,16,16-D9]-11-hexadecenoic acid, were incorporated into 11Z,13Z-16:Ald after topical application to the sex pheromone gland coupled with abdominal injection of PBAN. Deuterium label was incorporated into the C23 and C25 pentaenes after injection of (9Z,12Z,15Z)- [17,17,18,18,18-D5]-9,12,15-octadecatrienoic acid into 1–2 d old female pupae. These labeling results, in conjunction with the composition of fatty acid intermediates found in pheromone gland extracts, support different pathways leading to the two pheromone components. 11Z,13Z-16:Ald is probably produced in the pheromone gland by Δ11 desaturation of palmitic acid to 11Z- 16:Acid followed by a second desaturation to form 11Z,13Z-16:Acid and subsequent reduction and oxidation. The production of 3Z,6Z,9Z,12Z,15Z-23:H and 3Z,6Z,9Z,12Z,15Z-25:H may take place outside the pheromone gland, and appears to start from linolenic acid, which is elongated and desaturated to form (5Z,8Z,11Z,14Z,17Z)-5,8,11,14,17-icosapentaenoic acid, followed by two or three further elongation steps and finally reductive decarboxylation. Journal of Chemical Ecology Volume 36, Number 5 / May, 2010 535-547 http://www.springerlink.com/content/g5m68x4411667123/
Journal of Economic Entomology Differential Accumulation of Phytohormones in Wheat Seedlings Attacked by Avirulent and Virulent Hessian Fly (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) Larvae
Zhu, Lieceng; Liu, Xiang; Chen, Ming-Shun
We analyzed the accumulation of six phytohormones and phytohormone-related compounds in a wheat, Triticum aestivium L., genotype, `Molly', after attacks by avirulent and virulent Hessian fly, Mayetiola destructor (Say) (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae), larvae, respectively, and we examined the expression of genes in the jasmonic acid (JA) pathway by Northern blot analysis. Compared with uninfested plants, attacks by avirulent larvae resulted in increased accumulation of salicylic acid (SA) by 11.3- and 8.2-fold, 12- oxo-phytodienoic acid (OPDA) by 36.4-and 18.7-fold, 18:3 fatty acid by 4.5- and 2.2-fold, and 18:1 fatty acid by 1.8- and 1.9-fold at 24 and 72 h post-initial attack (hpia), respectively, but an 20% decrease in JA accumulation at 24 hpia at the attack site. Attacks by the virulent larvae did not affect the accumulation of SA, OPDA, and 18:3 and 18:1 fatty acids but dramatically increased the concentration of auxin (AUX) from undetectable in uninfested plants to 381.7 ng/g fresh weight at 24 hpia and 71.0 ng/g fresh weight at 72 hpia in infested plants. Transcript levels of genes encoding lipoxygenase 2, allene oxide synthase, and Arabidopsis storage protein 2 were increased after avirulent larval attacks but decreased after virulent larval attacks. Our results suggest that OPDA and SA may act together in wheat resistance to the Hessian fly, whereas AUX may play a role in the susceptibility of wheat plants. The increased OPDA accumulation after avirulent larval attacks was at least partially regulated through gene transcription. Journal of Economic Entomology, Volume 103, Number 1, February 2010 , pp. 178-185(8) http://esa.publisher.ingentaconnect.com/content/esa/jee/2010/00000103/00000001/art 00024
Pyriproxyfen Resistance of Bemisia tabaci (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae) Biotype B: Metabolic Mechanism
Ma, W.; Li, X.; Dennehy, T. J.; Lei, C.; Wang, M.; Degain, B. A.; Nichols, R. L.
Juvenile hormone (JH) analog insecticides are relatively nontoxic to vertebrates and provide efficient control of key arthropod pests. One JH analog, pyriproxyfen, has provided over a decade of exceptional management of whiteflies in cotton of the southwestern United States. Thwarting resistance to pyriproxyfen in Bemisia tabaci (Gannadius) (a.k.a. Bemisia argentifolii Bellows and Perring) has been the focus of an integrated resistance management program because this insecticide was first registered for use in Arizona cotton in 1996. Resistance levels have increased slowly in field populations in recent years but have not demonstrably affected field performance of pyriproxyfen. Resistant strains have been isolated and studied in the laboratory to determine the mechanism of resistance and identify optimal strategies for controlling resistant whiteflies. Synergism bioassays showed that resistance in a laboratory-selected strain QC02-R, was partially suppressible with piperonyl butoxid (PBO) and diethyl maleate (DEM) but not with S, S, S-tributyl phosphorotrithioate (DEF). Consistent with the synergism bioassay results, enzymatic assays revealed that the enzyme activities of cytochrome P450 monooxygenases (P450) and glutathione S-transferases (GST) but not esterases were significantly higher in the pyriproxyfen-resistant QC02-R strain than in the susceptible strain. These results indicate that both P450 and GST are involved in whitefly resistance to pyriproxyfen. Journal of Economic Entomology, Volume 103, Number 1, February 2010 , pp. 158-165(8) http://esa.publisher.ingentaconnect.com/content/esa/jee/2010/00000103/00000001/art 00021
Response of Tomicus yunnanensis (Coleoptera: Scolytinae) to Infested and Uninfested Pinus yunnanensis Bolts
Liu, Hui; Zhang, Zhen; Ye, Hui; Wang, Hongbin; Clarke, Stephen R.; Jun, Lu
Tomicus yunnanensis Kirkendall and Faccoli (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae) is a newly described pine shoot beetle found in southwestern China. This beetle has affected >200,000 ha of Pinus yunnanensis (Franchet) forests over the past 30 yr. After maturation feeding in the shoots, adults attack the boles in December to produce a new generation. A hanging bolt study was initiated in November 2006 to detect the beetle flight patterns and to test if dispersing beetles respond to infested and uninfested material. Treatments tested were females only, males only, male and female pairs, and uninfested bolts. Beetles were collected on the bolts between 9:30 and 18:30, with peak catch in the afternoon between 14:00 and 18:30. No beetles were collected during the dark. Though trunk attacks in the field were observed in November, beetles were first collected on the bolts in January. No beetles were captured after March. Differences in numbers of beetles collected between treatments with infested bolts varied by month, but uninfested bolts always attracted fewer adults. Journal of Economic Entomology, Volume 103, Number 1, February 2010 , pp. 95-100(6) http://esa.publisher.ingentaconnect.com/content/esa/jee/2010/00000103/00000001/art 00013
Journal of Experimental Biology Comb construction in mixed-species colonies of honeybees, Apis cerana and Apis mellifera
Ming-Xian Yang1,2, Ken Tan2,3, Sarah E. Radloff4,*, Mananya Phiancharoen5 and H. Randall Hepburn1,2 [email protected] 1 Department of Zoology and Entomology, Rhodes University, Grahamstown 6140, South Africa 2 Eastern Bee Research Institute, Yunnan Agricultural University, Heilongtan, Kunming, Yunnan Province 650201, People's Republic of China 3 Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Science, Kunming, Yunnan Province, 650223, People's Republic of China 4 Department of Statistics, Rhodes University, PO Box 94, Grahamstown 6140, South Africa 5 Rachaburi campus, King Mongkut's University of Technology Thonburi, 126 Prachautid Road, Bangkok 10140, Thailand
Comb building in mixed-species colonies of Apis cerana and Apis mellifera was studied. Two types of cell-size foundation were made from the waxes of these species and inserted into mixed colonies headed either by an A. cerana or an A. mellifera queen. The colonies did not discriminate between the waxes but the A. cerana cell-size foundation was modified during comb building by the workers of both species. In pure A. cerana colonies workers did not accept any foundation but secreted wax and built on foundation in mixed colonies. Comb building is performed by small groups of workers through a mechanism of self-organisation. The two species cooperate in comb building and construct nearly normal combs but they contain many irregular cells. In pure A. mellifera colonies, the A. cerana cell size was modified and the queens were reluctant to lay eggs on such combs. In pure A. cerana colonies, the A. mellifera cell size was built without any modification but these cells were used either for drone brood rearing or for food storing. The principal elements of comb-building behaviour are common to both species, which indicates that they evolved prior to and were conserved after speciation.
Journal of Experimental Biology 213, 1659-1664 (2010) http://jeb.biologists.org/cgi/content/abstract/213/10/1659
Journal of Insect behaviour Calling Behavior and Rhythms of Sex Pheromone Production in the Black Cutworm Moth in China
Yu-yong Xiang1, 2, Mao-fa Yang1 and Zi-zhong Li1 [email protected] 1Key Laboratory of Plant Diseases and Pest Management in Mountain Agriculture of Guizhou Province, Institute of Entomology, Guizhou University, Guiyang, 550025, China 2Department of Chemistry and Life Sciences, Chuzhou University, Chuzhou, 239012, Anhui, China
The hourly and daily variation of calling behavior and sex pheromone production by the female black cutworm moth, Agrotis ypsilon (Rottemberg), were investigated. Both calling behavior and titers of five sex pheromone components showed distinct diel rhythms, and peak periods of calling and pheromone titer were synchronous. Females began to call on the first night after eclosion and called mainly during the second half of the scotophase. The percentage of females calling increased in 1 to 3-d-old females and decreased in 3 to 7-d-old females. Females advanced their calling time with increasing age (1 to 7 d). GC-MS analysis of hexane extracts of pheromone glands revealed that the titers of the five sex pheromone components were very low on the first night after eclosion, but increased sharply and peaked on the third night. Titers decreased greatly with increasing age (3 to 7 d), but from the onset of the scotophase to 4.5 h into scotophase, titers remained invariate. However, from 4.5 to 7 h, pheromone titers, especially that of the primary component Z7-12:Ac, increased sharply and peaked. After the peak, the titers decreased greatly at 8 h, and thereafter decreased gradually to the level before 4.5 h. The quantity of each component almost reached zero after lights-on. Journal of Insect Behavior Volume 23, Number 1 / January, 2010 35-44 http://www.springerlink.com/content/u65v62018664h023/?p=804d48f63ede4c078655f5 a819a85970&pi=3
Anti-predator Fan-blowing in Guard Bees, Apis mellifera capensis Esch
Minxian Yang1, 2, Sarah Radloff3 , Ken Tan2 and Randall Hepburn1, 2 1Department of Zoology and Entomology, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, 6140, Republic of South Africa 2Eastern Bee Research Institute, Yunnan Agricultural University, Heilongtan, Kunming, Yunnan Province, People’s Republic of China 3Department of Statistics, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, 6140, Republic of South Africa
Honeybees employ different defensive strategies depending on the nature of potential predators. The Cape honeybee, Apis mellifera capensis, exhibits a unique fan-blowing behaviour to repel ants and similar sized insects at the nest entrance. Guard bees turn in alternating clockwise and anticlockwise circles on a fixed vertical axis and fan their wings when encountering tramp ants (Pheidole megacephala), aphids (Myzus persicae) and termites (Trinervitermes trinovoides) on the landing board of a hive. The blowing force was constant and was driven by fanning with a wing-beat frequency of 274.8 ± 16.3 Hz, which exceeds that of flight. On the contrary, small hive beetles (Aethina tumida) were removed by mauling and expulsion whereas larvae of the greater waxmoth (Galleria mellonella) and the mealworm (Tenebrio molitor) were seized with mandibles and thrown from the nest area. Journal of Insect Behavior Volume 23, Number 1 / January, 201012-18 http://www.springerlink.com/content/c70r867055x3j6u8/?p=804d48f63ede4c078655f5a 819a85970&pi=1
Journal of Insect Conservation On the conservation biology of a Chinese population of the birdwing Troides aeacus (Lepidoptera: Papilionidae)
Xiu-shan Li1, 2, 3 , You-qing Luo1, Ya-lin Zhang2, Oliver Schweiger4, Josef Settele4 and Qing- sen Yang5 [email protected] Key Laboratory of Forests, Silviculture and Conservation, Ministry of Education, 100083 Beijing, China Key Laboratory of Plant Protection Resources and Pest Management of Ministry of Education, Entomological Museum of Northwest Agriculture and Forestry University, 712100 Yangling, Shaanxi, China The Station of Forests Pests and Diseases Control and Quarantine, 730050 Lanzhou, Gansu Province, China UFZ-Helmholtz Center for Environmental Research, Department of Community Ecology, Theodor- Lieser-Str. 4, 06120 Halle, Germany The Station of Forests Pests and Diseases Control and Quarantine, 741020 Xiaolongshan, Tianshui, China
This study deals with the habitat requirements and (meta)population ecology of the Birdwing Butterfly Troides aeacus in the Xiaolongshan forest area and the Baishuijiang Natural Reserve of Gansu Province, China. The more descriptive components mainly summarize the biology and habitat requirements of the species. A detailed account is given of 3-year presence/absence dynamics in a suspected metapopulation, which consists of ten habitat patches. By means of GLM a habitat model was developed which has shown that the abundance of Troides aeacus will increase with both the number of larval host plants and adult nectar plants, while it will decrease with denser forest canopy structure. The hierarchical partitioning of the explained variance indicated that the independent effects of the number of nectar plants and the forest canopy density are the most important factors, while the explanatory power of the number of host plants was minimal. Habitat loss and degradation are the most severe threats to Troides aeacus populations in the study area. These are mainly due to continuous human activities such as destruction of forest for reclamation, grazing, mine exploitation, and cutting of firewood, but also herbicide application and sometimes even certain types of afforestation. While the availability of host plants is a clear pre-requisite for the survival of the species, conservation should be most efficient through an increase in the abundance of nectar plants as well as through the avoidance of complete forest cover (through an appropriate cutting management which would also promote growth of the host plants). As environmental threats are quite similar in the entire Southern Gansu region, we expect that the implementation of such butterfly conservation measures should have positive impacts on many other components of biodiversity. Journal of Insect Conservation Volume 14, Number 3 / June, 2010 257-268 http://www.springerlink.com/content/02006562ur0w2576/
Journal of Insect Physiology Analysis of pupal head proteome and its alteration in diapausing pupae of Helicoverpa armigera
Lizhen Chen1, a, Weihua Ma1, a, Xiaoping Wanga, Changying Niua andChaoliang Lei , a, a Hubei Insect Resources Utilization and Sustainable Pest Management Key Laboratory, College of Plant Science & Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei 430070, China
The proteomic approach has proven to be an useful tool for understanding insect diapause processes. Using 2D gel electrophoresis and matrix assisted laser/desorption ionization (MALDI) time of flight (TOF), we identified 24 proteins in the head of Helicoverpa armigera pupae with diverse functional characteristics, including cytoskeleton proteins, heat-shock proteins, insect development regulation factors, ATPases, proteins regulating signal pathway and enzymes involved in metabolism, etc. A proteomic comparison between nondiapausing and diapausing pupae revealed three proteins that were present only in nondiapausing pupae, and six proteins represented ≥2.0-fold or ≤0.5-fold changes. The differentially expressed proteins, including heat-shock protein 90, chitin deacetylase, alpha-tubulin and transitional endoplasmic reticulum ATPase, etc. were reported for the first time in H. armigera. Identification of these proteins will enable us to further characterize the regulated functions of diapause in this important species. Journal of Insect Physiology Volume 56, Issue 3, March 2010, Pages 247-252 http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6T3F-4XK2D4Y- 2&_user=8538702&_coverDate=03%2F31%2F2010&_rdoc=4&_fmt=high&_orig=browse&_srch=doc- info(%23toc%234945%232010%23999439996%231667123%23FLA%23display%23Volume)&_cdi=4945&_sort=d&_docanchor=&_ct=15&_acct=C0 00050221&_version=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid=8538702&md5=9e4a76311c43220c5c48f04734da976f
Methanol metabolism in the Asian corn borer, Ostrinia furnacalis (Guenée) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)
Lei Guoa, 1, Xiang-Yong Zengb, a, 1, Deng-Yuan Wangb, , and Guo-Qing Lia, , a Department of Entomology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Key Laboratory of Monitoring and Management of Plant Diseases and Pests, Ministry of Agriculture, Nanjing, 210095, China b College of Agriculture, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi, 830052, China
Plants produce and release large quantities of methanol, especially when attacked by herbivores. It seems that the herbivores may suffer from methanol intoxication. Here we reported the tolerance to and the metabolism of methanol by Ostrinia furnacalis third- instar larvae. When larvae were exposed to dietary methanol, formaldehyde and formic acid for 72 h, the estimated LC50 value was 28, 40 and 29 mg/g diet, respectively. Toxicity of methanol was enhanced by 4-methylpyrazole, 3-amino-1,2,4-triazole and piperonyl butoxide, and toxicity of formaldehyde was increased by 3-amino-1,2,4-triazole and piperonyl butoxide. However, triphenyl phosphate had little synergistic effects on both methanol and formaldehyde. These data indicate that alcohol dehydrogenase, and probably catalase and cytochrome P450 monooxygenase oxidize methanol to formaldehyde, catalase and cytochrome P450 monooxygenase catalyze formaldehyde to formic acid, water and carbon dioxide, and carboxylesterase may have a minor effect. Several fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) were identified from extracts of the frass of larvae which had been exposed to a methanol-contained diet, in contrast to those on a methanol-free artificial diet. In vitro tests revealed that a crude enzyme solution from the larvae could synthesize FAMEs from corresponding fatty acids and methanol. In addition, dietary methanol induced higher esterase activities in the first-, second- and third-instar larvae. These findings demonstrate that both oxidative metabolism and non-oxidative metabolism are partially responsible for methanol elimination in O. furnacalis larvae. Journal of Insect Physiology Volume 56, Issue 3, March 2010, Pages 260-265 http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6T3F-4XNM5YX- 1&_user=8538702&_coverDate=03%2F31%2F2010&_rdoc=6&_fmt=high&_orig=browse&_srch=doc- info(%23toc%234945%232010%23999439996%231667123%23FLA%23display%23Volume)&_cdi=4945&_sort=d&_docanchor=&_ct=15&_acct=C0 00050221&_version=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid=8538702&md5=a0cebc1353152251c378c5dd1f9798e5
A proteomic analysis of Helicoverpa armigera adults after exposure to UV light irradiation Jian-Yu Meng1, a, Chang-Yu Zhang1, a and Chao-Liang Lei , a, a Hubei Insect Resources Utilization and Sustainable Pest Management Key Laboratory, Institute of Insect Resources, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
Ultraviolet (UV) light (blacklight), which emits UV in the range of 320–400 nm, has been used worldwide in light trapping of insect pests. To gain a better understanding of the response of Helicoverpa armigera adults to UV light irradiation, we carried out a comparative proteomic analysis. Three-day-old adults were exposed to UV light for 1 h. Total proteins were extracted and separated by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. More than 1200 protein spots were reproducibly detected, including 12 that were more abundant and 21 less abundant. Mass spectrometry analysis and database searching helped us to identify 29 differentially abundant proteins. The identified proteins were categorized into several functional groups including signal transduction, RNA processing, protein processing, stress response, metabolisms, and cytoskeleton structure, etc. This study is the first analysis of differentially expressed proteins in phototactic insects under UV light irradiation conditions and gives new insights into the adaptation mechanisms responsive to UV light irradiation stress. Journal of Insect Physiology Volume 56, Issue 4, April 2010, Pages 405-411 http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6T3F-4XVHHKM- 1&_user=8538702&_coverDate=04%2F30%2F2010&_rdoc=1&_fmt=high&_orig=search&_sort=d&_docanchor=&view=c&_acct=C000050221&_vers ion=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid=8538702&md5=3aa73a80445312d6f2535e1650296014
Sequencing and characterization of six cDNAs putatively encoding three pairs of pheromone receptors in two sibling species, Helicoverpa armigera and Helicoverpa assulta
Dan-Dan Zhanga, Kun Yan Zhub and Chen-Zhu Wanga, , a State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, The Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1 Beichen West Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100101, China b Department of Entomology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, USA
Pheromone receptors (PRs) on male antennae mediate specific and sensitive detection of sex pheromone components in lepidopterans. In this study, we identified and sequenced six putative cDNAs encoding PRs from sibling species, namely HarmOR1, HarmOR2 and HarmOR3 in Helicoverpa armigera and HassOR1, HassOR2 and HassOR3 in Helicoverpa assulta, which appeared to be orthologs of Heliothis virescens putative PR genes HvOR13, HvOR11 and HvOR16, respectively. Expression patterns of the six PR genes were evaluated by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). All the putative PR genes exhibited male-biased expression patterns in adult antennae except for HarmOR2 and HassOR2 that showed similar expression levels in male and female antennae. Expression level of HarmOR1 was significantly higher than those of HarmOR2 and HarmOR3 in male antennae of H. armigera, but the three corresponding PR genes in male antennae of H. assulta showed similar expression levels. This implies the role of the PR encoded by HarmOR1 for interacting with Z11-16:Ald. The level of HarmOR1 transcript was significantly higher than that of HassOR1. These results were consistent with the ratio of Z11-16:Ald in their sex pheromone blends and the abundance of sensilla tuned to Z11- 16:Ald on antennae of male adults of the two species. Journal of Insect Physiology Volume 56, Issue 6, June 2010, Pages 586-593 http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6T3F-4XXN6DJ- 1&_user=10&_coverDate=06%2F30%2F2010&_rdoc=1&_fmt=high&_orig=search&_sort=d&_docanchor=&view=c&_acct=C000050221&_version=1 &_urlVersion=0&_userid=10&md5=4996c9a06ddadc56d6a8b06a6052bbcc
Characterization of a Cry1Ac toxin-binding alkaline phosphatase in the midgut from Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) larvae
Changming Ninga, b, Kongming Wua, , , Chenxi Liua, Yulin Gaoa, Juan Luis Jurat-Fuentesc and Xiwu Gaob a State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Disease and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China b Department of Entomology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China c Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA
Midgut membrane-bound alkaline phosphatases (mALP) tethered to the brush border membrane surface by a glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchor have been proposed as crucial for Cry1Ac intoxication. In the present work, two full-length cDNAs-encoding alkaline phosphatases in the midgut of Helicoverpa armigera larvae were cloned and named HaALP1 (GenBank accession no. EU729322) and HaALP2 (GenBank accession no. EU729323), respectively. These two clones displayed high identity (above 94%) at the amino acid sequence, indicating that they may represent allelic variants, and were predicted to contain a GPI anchor. Protein sequence alignment revealed that HaALPs were grouped with mALP from the Heliothis virescens midgut. The HaALP1 and HaALP2 ( 68 kDa) proteins were heterologously expressed in Sf9 cells using a baculovirus expression system and purified to homogeneity. Ligand blot and dot blot analysis revealed that the Cry1Ac bound to both denatured and native purified HaALPs. Data from lectin blots, competition assays with soybean agglutinin (SBA) lectin and GalNAc binding inhibition assays were indicative of the presence of GalNAc on HaALPs and binding of Cry1Ac toxin to this residue. This observation was further confirmed through N- glycosidase digestion of HaALPs, which resulted in reduced Cry1Ac binding. Our data represent the first report on HaALPs and their putative role as receptors for Cry1Ac toxin in H. armigera. Journal of Insect Physiology Volume 56, Issue 6, June 2010, Pages 666-672 http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6T3F-4YG13SK- 1&_user=10&_coverDate=06%2F30%2F2010&_rdoc=1&_fmt=high&_orig=search&_sort=d&_docanchor=&view=c&_acct=C000050221&_version=1 &_urlVersion=0&_userid=10&md5=bb600d0f99c3b46ae224694ae904a1c7
Journal of Invertebrate Pathology A new rod-shaped virus from parasitic wasp Diachasmimorpha longicaudata (Hymenoptera: Braconidae)
Li Luoa and Ling Zeng , a, a Laboratory of Insect Ecology, South China Agricultural University, Wushan Road, Tianhe District, Guangzhou 510642, China
A new rod-shaped nucleocapsids (NCs) was found inadvertently in Diachasmimorpha longicaudata accessory gland filaments (AGFs). The NCs were 30 nm in diameter and nearly 900 nm in length. They replicated in a small cell type of the AGFs in D. longicaudata, and following oviposition, invaded and proliferated in the hemocytes of a parasitized host Bactrocera dorsalis Hendel. This finding of a completely new virus in the AGF indicate that different geographical populations (subspecies) of D. longicaudata may carry different sybionts. This is the first report showing that the same wasp species, but from a different geographical populations, can carry an entirely different virus. Journal of Invertebrate Pathology Volume 103, Issue 3, March 2010, Pages 165-169 http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6WJV-4X087PC- 6&_user=586462&_coverDate=03%2F31%2F2010&_rdoc=6&_fmt=high&_orig=browse&_srch=doc- info(%23toc%236888%232010%23998969996%231669136%23FLA%23display%23Volume)&_cdi=6888&_sort=d&_docanchor=&_ct=12&_acct=C0 00030078&_version=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid=586462&md5=15eea865ac90fe5456b0d4d409fa1c53
Expression and characterization of the chitinases from Serratia marcescens GEI strain for the control of Varroa destructor, a honey bee parasite
Shuang Tua, b, Xuehong Qiub, Li Caob, Richou Hanb, , Yi Zhanga, b and Xuejiao Liuc, d [email protected] a College of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, 510275 Guangzhou, China b Guangdong Entomological Institute, 510260 Guangzhou, China c South China Botanical Garden of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510650, China d Graduate University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100039, China
Serratia marcescens GEI strain was isolated from the gut of the workers of Chinese honey bee Apis cerana and evaluated in the laboratory for the control of Varroa destructor, a parasite of western honey bee A. mellifera. The supernatant and the collected proteins by ammonium sulfate from the bacterial cultures showed a strong miticidal effect on the female mites, with 100% mite mortality in 5 days. Heat (100 °C for 10 min) and proteinase K treatment of the collected proteins destroyed the miticidal activity. The improved miticial activity of this bacterial strain on chitin medium indicated the involvement of chitinases. The expressed chitinases ChiA, ChiB and ChiC1 from S. marcescens GEI by recombinant Escherichia coli showed pathogenicity against the mites in the laboratory. These chitinases were active in a broad pH range (5–9) and the optimum temperatures were between 60 and 75 °C. Synergistic effects of ChiA and ChiB on the miticidal activity against V. destructor were observed. The workers of both honey bee species were not sensitive to the spraying and feeding chitinases. These results provided alternative control strategies for Varroa mites, by formulating chitinase agents and by constructing transgenetic honey bees. Journal of Invertebrate Pathology Volume 104, Issue 2, June 2010, Pages 75-82 http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6WJV-4YC8109- 2&_user=10&_coverDate=06%2F30%2F2010&_rdoc=1&_fmt=high&_orig=search&_sort=d&_docanchor=&view=c&_acct=C000050221&_version=1 &_urlVersion=0&_userid=10&md5=967b7a1f1f12def83f7dff8fed4ea60b
Characterization of resistance to Bacillus thuringiensis toxin Cry1Ac in Plutella xylostella from China
Youjing Gonga, Chongli Wanga, Yihua Yanga, Shuwen Wua and Yidong Wu , a, a Department of Entomology, College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
A field population (SZ) of Plutella xylostella, collected from the cabbage field in Shenzhen, Guangdong Province of China in 2002, showed 2.3-fold resistance to Cry1Aa, 110-fold to Cry1Ab, 30-fold to Cry1Ac, 2.1-fold to Cry1F, 5.3-fold to Cry2Aa and 6-fold resistance to Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki (Btk) compared with a susceptible strain (ROTH). The SZBT strain was derived from the SZ population through 20 generations of selection with activated Cry1Ac in the laboratory. While the SZBT strain developed 1200-fold resistance to Cry1Ac after selection, resistance to Cry1Aa, Cry1Ab, Cry1F, and Btk increased to 31-, 1900-,>33- and 17-fold compared with the ROTH strain. However, little or no cross- resistance was detected to Cry1B, Cry1C and Cry2Aa in the SZBT strain. Genetic cross analyses between the SZBT and ROTH strains revealed that Cry1Ac-resistance in the SZBT strain was controlled by a single, autosomal, incompletely recessive gene. Binding studies with 125I-labeled Cry1Ac showed that the brush border membrane vesicles (BBMVs) of midguts from the resistant SZBT insects had lost binding to Cry1Ac. Allelic complementation tests demonstrated that the major Bt resistance locus in the SZBT strain was same as that in the Cry1Ac-R strain which has “mode 1” resistance to Bt. An F1 screen of 120 single-pair families between the SZBT strain and three field populations collected in 2008 was carried out. Based on this approach, the estimated frequencies of Cry1Ac-resistance alleles were 0.156 in the Yuxi population from Yunnan province, and 0.375 and 0.472 respectively in the Guangzhou and Huizhou populations from Guangdong province. Journal of Invertebrate Pathology Volume 104, Issue 2, June 2010, Pages 90-96 http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6WJV-4YDC3T4- 1&_user=10&_coverDate=06%2F30%2F2010&_rdoc=1&_fmt=high&_orig=search&_sort=d&_docanchor=&view=c&_acct=C000050221&_version=1 &_urlVersion=0&_userid=10&md5=59c043641818b4c6795aa8131710dd42
The Journal of Neuroscience The Amiloride-Sensitive Epithelial Na+ Channel PPK28 Is Essential for Drosophila Gustatory Water Reception
Zijing Chen,1,2 Qingxiu Wang,1 and Zuoren Wang1 [email protected] 1Institute of Neuroscience, State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences and 2Graduate School, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
Water sensation is a specific taste modality in the fruit fly. Water-induced hypoosmolarity activates specific gustatory receptor neurons; however, the molecular identity of the putative osmolarity sensor in these neurons remains unknown. We found that amiloride and its analogs specifically antagonized the response of water gustatory receptor neurons and the behavior of flies toward water stimulation. Deletion of the gene that encodes the amiloride-sensitive PPK28 channel, a DEG/eNaC (degenerin/epithelial sodium channel) family member, abolished the water-induced activity of water gustatory receptor neurons and greatly diminished the behavioral response of flies to water. Ectopic expression of the PPK28 channel in the bitter cells within the intermediate-type sensilla renders these sensilla responsive to water stimuli. Thus, the amiloride-sensitive PPK28 channel may serve as the osmolarity sensor for gustatory water reception in the fruit fly. The Journal of Neuroscience, May 5, 2010, 30(18):6247-6252 http://www.jneurosci.org/cgi/content/abstract/30/18/6247
Journal of Pest Science Influence of five host plants of Aphis gossypii Glover on some population parameters of Hippodamia variegata (Goeze)
Xiu-Hua Wu1, Xiao-Rong Zhou1 and Bao-Ping Pang1 [email protected] College of Agriculture, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, 010019 Hohhot, China
The aphidophagous ladybird beetle, Hippodamia variegata (Goeze), is an important predator in many agricultural ecosystems. However, information on the influence of the prey’s host plant species on its life history characteristics is still absent in the literature. Therefore, five host plant species of Aphis gossypii Glover, viz. Cucumis sativus L., Cucurbita pepo var. medullosa L., Cucurbita moschata var. melonaeformis Poiret, Cucumis melo var. cantalupensis L. and Lagenaria siceraria var. gourda Standl., were selected to study the influence of the prey’s host plant species on the development, survival, reproduction and life table parameters of H. variegata in the laboratory at 25°C. The results showed that all of A. gossypii from five host plant species used were acceptable for the growth, development and reproduction of H. variegata. However, the suitability of aphids from various host plants was different for this ladybird beetle. The complete pre-imaginal development was longest (14.51 ± 0.17 days) when reared with aphids on C. melo var. cantalupensis and shortest (12.60 ± 0.11 days) on L. siceraria var. gourda. Total immature survival from egg to adult was highest (58.97%) on L. siceraria var. gourda and lowest (44.06%) on C. melo var. cantalupensis. Based on the intrinsic rate of increase as an index of suitability of prey host plant species on the population increase of H. variegata, the suitability in decreasing order was: L. siceraria var. gourda > C. moschata var. melonaeformis > C. pepo var. medullosa > C. melo var. cantalupensis > C. sativus. This study offered opportunities for better understanding the tritrophic interactions of the plant–aphid–predator relationship. Journal of Pest Science Volume 83, Number 2 / May, 2010 77-83 http://www.springerlink.com/content/w2642118153r6184/
Phylogenetic analysis of Bemisia tabaci (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) populations from cotton plants in Pakistan, China, and Egypt
Muhammad Z. Ahmed1 , Shun-Xiang Ren1, Nasser S. Mandour2, M. N. Maruthi3, Muhammad Naveed4 and Bao-Li Qiu1 [email protected] Department of Entomology, South China Agricultural University, 510640 Guangzhou, China Department of Plant Protection, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, 41522, Egypt Plant, Animal and Human Health Group, Natural Resources Institute, University of Greenwich, Chatham Maritime, Kent, UK Central Cotton Research Institute, Multan, 60000, Pakistan
Bemisia tabaci is a species complex, of which the B and Q biotypes are globally distributed. B. tabaci feeds on more than 600 plant species including cotton, which is one of the main crops in Pakistan. In this study, the biotypes/haplotypes of B. tabaci populations collected from cotton plants in Pakistan, China, and Egypt were identified, and their phylogenetic relationships were investigated. None of the populations from Pakistan or Egypt belonged to the B or Q biotype: all 16 samples from Pakistan belonged to haplotype “PCG-1” and it is a group of unresolved populations all from Pakistan, while all three populations from Egypt belonged to unresolved haplotype “ECG.” The three populations from China belonged to the B biotype. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that the PCG-1, ECG, and B biotypes clustered into different clades even though they share the same cotton plant species as their host. The association between the outbreaks of cotton leaf curl disease and the occurrence of the PCG haplotype of B. tabaci in Pakistan is discussed. Journal of Pest Science Volume 83, Number 2 / May, 2010 135-141 http://www.springerlink.com/content/w53107t320321767/
Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology Hsc70 binds to ultraspiracle resulting in the upregulation of 20- hydroxyecdsone-responsive genes in Helicoverpa armigera
Wei-Wei Zhenga, Dan-Tong Yanga, Jin-Xing Wanga, Qi-Sheng Songb, Lawrence I. Gilbertc and Xiao-Fan Zhaoa, , a School of Life Sciences, the Key Laboratory of Plant Cell Engineering and Germplasm Innovation, Ministry of Education, Shandong University, Shanda Road 27, Jinan 250100, Shandong, China b Division of Plant Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA c Department of Biology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3280, USA
To probe the specific functions of the chaperone protein Hsc70 in 20-hydroxyecdysone signaling, we report on the roles of the Hsc70 from Helicoverpa armigera. RT-PCR analysis revealed that the genes for HaEcRB1 and HaUSP1 were upregulated in 5th molting and metamorphic molting larvae, whereas HaHsc70 maintained a constitutive expression level throughout larval development. Silencing HaEcRB1, HaUSP1 or HaHsc70 by RNAi inhibited the expression of a set of 20E-responsive genes. Immunocytochemical assay demonstrated that HaHsc70 is located predominantly in the cytoplasm of unstimulated cells and partially translocated to the nucleus after stimulation by 20E. Knockdown of HaHsc70 by RNAi decreased the amount of both HaEcRB1 and HaUSP1 in the nucleus. HaHsc70 was capable of binding to HaUSP1 in pull-down assays. These data suggest that Hsc70 participates in the 20E signal transduction pathway via binding to USP1 and mediating the expression of EcRB1, USP1 and then a set of 20E-responsive genes. Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology Volume 315, Issues 1-2, 5 February 2010, Pages 282-291 http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6T3G-4XMKBCT- 5&_user=586462&_coverDate=02%2F05%2F2010&_rdoc=1&_fmt=high&_orig=search&_sort=d&_docanchor=&view=c&_acct=C000030078&_versi on=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid=586462&md5=c4484a0429228d0a497dc4c635c7cc22
Nature Biotechnology Single base–resolution methylome of the silkworm reveals a sparse epigenomic map
Hui Xiang, Jingde Zhu, Quan Chen, Fangyin Dai, Xin Li, Muwang Li, Hongyu Zhang, Guojie Zhang, Dong Li, Yang Dong, Li Zhao, Ying Lin, Daojun Cheng, Jian Yu, Jinfeng Sun,Xiaoyu Zhou, Kelong Ma, Yinghua He, Yangxing Zhao, Shicheng Guo, Mingzhi Ye, Guangwu Guo, Yingrui Li, Ruiqiang Li, Xiuqing Zhang, Lijia Ma, Karsten Kristiansen, Qiuhong Guo, Jianhao Jiang, Stephan Beck, Qingyou Xia, Wen Wang & Jun Wang CAS-Max Planck Junior Research Group, State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, The Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, China. BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen, China Cancer Epigenetics and Gene Therapy Program, The State-key Laboratory for Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, China. Cancer Epigenetics Laboratory, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China. The Key Sericultural Laboratory of Agricultural Ministry, College of Biotechnology, Institute of Sericulture and Systems Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China. Sericultural Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Zhenjiang, China. Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Denmark. Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, The Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China. UCL Cancer Institute, University College London, London, UK.
Epigenetic regulation in insects may have effects on diverse biological processes. Here we survey the methylome of a model insect, the silkworm Bombyx mori, at single-base resolution using Illumina high-throughput bisulfite sequencing (MethylC-Seq). We conservatively estimate that 0.11% of genomic cytosines are methylcytosines, all of which probably occur in CG dinucleotides. CG methylation is substantially enriched in gene bodies and is positively correlated with gene expression levels, suggesting it has a positive role in gene transcription. We find that transposable elements, promoters and ribosomal DNAs are hypomethylated, but in contrast, genomic loci matching small RNAs in gene bodies are densely methylated. This work contributes to our understanding of epigenetics in insects, and in contrast to previous studies of the highly methylated genomes of Arabidopsis1 and human2, demonstrates a strategy for sequencing the epigenomes of organisms such as insects that have low levels of methylation. Nature Biotechnology 28, 516–520 (2010) http://www.nature.com/nbt/journal/v28/n5/abs/nbt.1626.html?lang=en#/
Systematic Entomology A review of the morphologically diverse leafhopper subfamily Stegelytrinae (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) with description of new taxa
CONG WEI 1,2 , MICHAEL D. WEBB 2 and YALIN ZHANG 1 [email protected] 1 Key Laboratory of Plant Protection Resources and Pest Management of Ministry of Education, Entomological Museum, Northwest Agriculture and Forestry University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China and 2 Department of Entomology, The Natural History Museum, London, U.K.
The morphologically diverse leafhopper subfamily Stegelytrinae is reviewed and its biology and biogeography are discussed as well as its classification, monophyly and relationship to Deltocephalinae s.l. In addition, the first stegelytrine is recorded east of Wallace's and Weber's lines, extending the distribution of the subfamily outside the Oriental and Palaearctic regions. A checklist and key to the genera of the subfamily are given. The following new genera and species are described: Honguchia rubrofascia Wei & Webb, gen.n & sp.n. from Sabah; H. superba Wei & Webb, sp.n. from Sumatra; Yaontogonia flavopicta Wei & Webb, gen.n & sp.n. from Brunei and Sabah; Y. darjeelingensis Wei & Webb, sp. n. from West Bengal; Sychentia breviata Wei & Webb, gen.n & sp.n. from Malaysia; Louangana stellata Wei & Webb, gen.n & sp.n. from Laos; Shangonia sarawakensis Wei & Webb, gen.n & sp.n. from Sarawak; Quiontugia fuscomaculata Wei & Zhang, gen.n. & sp.n. from Hainan; and Neophansia wallacei Wei & Webb, gen.n & sp.n. from New Guinea. Systematic Entomology 2010 Volume 35 Issue 1, Pages 19 - 58 http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/123228806/abstract
Science Mirid Bug Outbreaks in Multiple Crops Correlated with Wide-Scale Adoption of Bt Cotton in China
Yanhui Lu,1 Kongming Wu,1,* Yuying Jiang,2 Bing Xia,2 Ping Li,2 Hongqiang Feng,1 Kris A. G. Wyckhuys,1, Yuyuan Guo1 [email protected] 1 State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100193 P.R. China. 2 National Agro-Technical Extension and Service Center, Beijing, 100026 P.R. China.
Long-term ecological effects of transgenic Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) crops on non-target pests have received limited attention, more so in diverse smallholder-based cropping systems of the developing world. Field trials conducted over 10 years in northern China show that mirid bugs (Heteroptera: Miridae) have progressively increased population levels and acquired pest status in cotton and multiple other crops, in association with a regional increase in Bt cotton adoption. More specifically, our analyses show that Bt cotton has become a source of mirid bugs and that their population increases are related to drops in insecticide use in this crop. Hence, alterations of pest management regimes in Bt cotton could be responsible for the appearance and subsequent spread of non-target pests at an agro-landscape level. Science DOI: 10.1126/science.1187881 http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/abstract/science.1187881
Edited by Xin-Cheng Zhao 2010-05-16