Wo 2011/017137 A2

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Wo 2011/017137 A2 (12) INTERNATIONAL APPLICATION PUBLISHED UNDER THE PATENT COOPERATION TREATY (PCT) (19) World Intellectual Property Organization International Bureau (10) International Publication Number (43) International Publication Date 10 February 2011 (10.02.2011) WO 2011/017137 A2 (51) International Patent Classification: AO, AT, AU, AZ, BA, BB, BG, BH, BR, BW, BY, BZ, A61K 48/00 (2006.01) CA, CH, CL, CN, CO, CR, CU, CZ, DE, DK, DM, DO, DZ, EC, EE, EG, ES, FI, GB, GD, GE, GH, GM, GT, (21) International Application Number: HN, HR, HU, ID, IL, IN, IS, JP, KE, KG, KM, KN, KP, PCT/US2010/043458 KR, KZ, LA, LC, LK, LR, LS, LT, LU, LY, MA, MD, (22) International Filing Date: ME, MG, MK, MN, MW, MX, MY, MZ, NA, NG, NI, 28 July 2010 (28.07.2010) NO, NZ, OM, PE, PG, PH, PL, PT, RO, RS, RU, SC, SD, SE, SG, SK, SL, SM, ST, SV, SY, TH, TJ, TM, TN, TR, (25) Filing Language: English TT, TZ, UA, UG, US, UZ, VC, VN, ZA, ZM, ZW. (26) Publication Language: English (84) Designated States (unless otherwise indicated, for every (30) Priority Data: kind of regional protection available): ARIPO (BW, GH, 61/230,9 11 3 August 2009 (03.08.2009) US GM, KE, LR, LS, MW, MZ, NA, SD, SL, SZ, TZ, UG, ZM, ZW), Eurasian (AM, AZ, BY, KG, KZ, MD, RU, TJ, (71) Applicant (for all designated States except US): ALNY- TM), European (AL, AT, BE, BG, CH, CY, CZ, DE, DK, LAM PHARMACEUTICALS, INC. [US/US]; 300 EE, ES, FI, FR, GB, GR, HR, HU, IE, IS, IT, LT, LU, Third Street, Third Floor, Cambridge, Massachusetts LV, MC, MK, MT, NL, NO, PL, PT, RO, SE, SI, SK, 02142 (US). SM, TR), OAPI (BF, BJ, CF, CG, CI, CM, GA, GN, GQ, GW, ML, MR, NE, SN, TD, TG). (72) Inventors; and (75) Inventors/Applicants (for US only): WARD, Donna Declarations under Rule 4.17: [US/US]; c/o Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 300 Third — as to applicant's entitlement to apply for and be granted Street, Third Floor, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142 a patent (Rule 4.1 7(U)) (US). RHODES, Jason [US/US]; c/o Alnylam Pharma ceuticals, Inc., 300 Third Street, Third Floor, Cambridge, — as to the applicant's entitlement to claim the priority of Massachusetts 02142 (US). the earlier application (Rule 4.1 7(Hi)) (74) Agents: RESNICK, David et al; Nixon Peabody LLP, Published: 100 Summer Street, Boston, Massachusetts 021 10 (US). — without international search report and to be republished (81) Designated States (unless otherwise indicated, for every upon receipt of that report (Rule 48.2(g)) kind of national protection available): AE, AG, AL, AM, (54) Title: METHODS AND COMPOSITIONS FOR TREATING INSECTS (57) Abstract: Provided herein are methods and compositions for modulating gene expression in insects by administering a com position comprising an RNA effector molecule and a delivery agent. Methods are provided for controlling pest populations by in hibiting insect growth, development, survival, reproduction and/or viability. Also provided herein are methods for treating or pre venting disease in an insect caused by a pathogen or by external factors (e.g., pollution, environment, stress, weather, etc.). METHODS AND COMPOSITIONS FOR TREATING INSECTS CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application Number 61/230,911 filed on August 3, 2009, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The field of the invention relates to the treatment of insects with a composition comprising an RNA effector molecule. BACKGROUND [0003] Pests including insects, arachnids, crustaceans, fungi, bacteria, viruses, nematodes, flatworms, roundworms, pinworms, hookworms, tapeworms, trypanosomes, schistosomes, botflies, fleas, ticks, mites, lice and the like are pervasive in the human environment, and a multitude of means have been utilized for attempting to control infestations by these pests. Compositions for controlling infestations by microscopic pests such as bacteria, fungi, and viruses have been provided in the form of antibiotic compositions, antiviral compositions, and antifungal compositions. Compositions for controlling infestations by larger pests such as nematodes, flatworm, roundworms, pinworms, heartworms, tapeworms, trypanosomes, schistosomes, and the like have typically been in the form of chemical compositions which can either be applied to the surfaces of substrates on which pests are known to infest, or to be ingested by an infested animal in the form of pellets, powders, tablets, pastes, or capsules and the like. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0004] Described herein are compositions comprising an RNA effector molecule and methods for administering such compositions to an insect or group of insects, wherein the RNA effector molecule modulates gene expression. The compositions are useful for controlling insect pest populations by inhibiting survival, viability, reproductions, growth and/or development of a pest population. Alternatively, the compositions are useful for treating or preventing a disease, including, but not limited to, pathogen-borne disease or disease caused by environmental factors (e.g., pollution, agricultural chemicals), in insects having a beneficial function by modulating gene expression of the pathogen or of the insect. [0005] One aspect described herein relates to a method for modulating gene expression in an insect, the method comprising: administering to the insect a composition comprising an RNA effector molecule or a vector encoding an RNA effector molecule, and a delivery agent, wherein the RNA effector molecule modulates gene expression in the insect. [0006] Another aspect described herein relates to a method for treating or preventing disease in an insect, the method comprising administering to the insect a composition comprising an RNA effector molecule or a vector encoding an RNA effector molecule, and a delivery agent, wherein the RNA effector molecule modulates gene expression of an insect or insect pathogen. [0007] As used herein, an "RNA effector molecule" refers to a molecule that modulates the expression of a gene. In certain embodiments, the RNA effector molecule is an oligonucleotide. As used herein, the oligonucleotide can comprise an RNA interference agent, an RNA activator, an miRNA, an shRNA, a ribozyme, an antisense RNA, a decoy oligonucleotide, an antimir, or a supermir. [0008] As used herein, the terms "RNA interference agent," "RNAi" or "iRNA" refer to an oligonucleotide as that term is defined herein, and which mediates the targeted cleavage of an RNA transcript via an RNA-induced silencing complex (RISC) pathway. [0009] The iRNAs included in the compositions featured herein encompass a dsRNA having an RNA strand (the antisense strand) having a region that is typically 9-36 nucleotides in length, e.g., 30 nucleotides or less, generally 19-24 nucleotides in length, that is substantially complementary to at least part of an mRNA transcript of an insect pest or an insect pathogen. [0010] In one embodiment, an iRNA for modulating expression of an insect or insect pathogen gene includes at least two sequences that are complementary to each other. The iRNA includes a sense strand having a first sequence and an antisense strand having a second sequence. The antisense strand includes a nucleotide sequence that is substantially complementary to at least part of an mRNA of a target gene, and the region of complementarity is 30 nucleotides or less, and at least 15 nucleotides in length. Generally, the iRNA is 19 to 24, e.g., 19 to 2 1 nucleotides in length. In some embodiments the iRNA is from about 15 to about 25 nucleotides in length, and in other embodiments the iRNA is from about 25 to about 30 nucleotides in length. In another embodiment of this aspect, the oligonucleotide comprises 9-36 base pairs. [0011] The iRNA, upon contacting with an insect or insect pathogen, inhibits the expression of a target gene by at least 10%, at least 20%, at least 25%, at least 30%, at least 35% or at least 40% or more. In one embodiment, the iRNA is formulated in a stable nucleic acid lipid particle (SNALP). [0012] In another embodiment of this aspect, the oligonucleotide is a single stranded or double stranded oligonucleotide. [0013] In another embodiment of this aspect, the oligonucleotide is modified. The oligonucleotide molecules featured herein can include naturally occurring nucleotides or can include at least one modified nucleotide, including, but not limited to a 2'-O-methyl modified nucleotide, a nucleotide having a 5'-phosphorothioate group, and a terminal nucleotide linked to a cholesteryl derivative. Alternatively, the modified nucleotide can be chosen from the group of: a 2'-deoxy-2'-fluoro modified nucleotide, a 2'-deoxy-modified nucleotide, a locked nucleotide, an abasic nucleotide, 2'-amino-modified nucleotide, 2'-alkyl-modified nucleotide, morpholino nucleotide, a phosphoramidate, and a non-natural base comprising nucleotide. [0014] In one aspect, the invention provides a vector for inhibiting the expression of a insect or insect pathogen gene. In one embodiment, the vector includes at least one regulatory sequence operably linked to a nucleotide sequence that encodes at least one strand of an iRNA featured in the invention. [0015] In one embodiment of these aspects, the disease is caused by an insect pathogen selected from the group consisting of a virus, mite, nematode, bacteria, fungus, or parasite. Alternatively, the disease can be caused by external factors including, but not limited to, pollution, exposure to electromagnetic radiation, exposure to pesticides, environment, or stress. [0016] In one embodiment of this aspect, the insect is a pest. Alternatively, the insect comprises a beneficial insect such as e.g., a bee, wasp, butterfly, ant or ladybug. [0017] In another embodiment of the aspects described herein, the RNA effector molecule inhibits or activates gene expression. [0018] In another embodiment of the aspects described herein, the modulation of gene expression inhibits viability, survival, growth, development, and/or reproduction of the insect.
Recommended publications
  • New Insect Record of Julodis Spp. on Acacia Senegal
    Journal of Entomology and Zoology Studies 2018; 6(4): 1628-1630 E-ISSN: 2320-7078 P-ISSN: 2349-6800 New insect record of Julodis spp. on Acacia JEZS 2018; 6(4): 1628-1630 © 2018 JEZS senegal Received: 04-05-2018 Accepted: 05-06-2018 Shiwani Bhatnagar Shiwani Bhatnagar, Ameen Ullah Khan, Lokendra Singh Rathore, Neha Forest Protection Division, Arid Sharma and Prem Singh Tak Forest Research Institute, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India Abstract Ameen Ullah Khan The jewel beetle species Julodis spp. has been recorded on Acacia senegal in Jodhpur for the first time. Forest Protection Division, Arid The beetles were collected on Acacia senegal trees at Kalyana Kumathiya enclosure Jodhpur (Rajasthan), Forest Research Institute, feeding on foliage of the tree. Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India Keywords: Buprestidae, Julodis spp Lokendra Singh Rathore Forest Protection Division, Arid Forest Research Institute, Introduction Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India Beetles (Coleoptera) are believed to be the most taxonomically varied insect group that covers major components of ecosystems in terms of biomass, species richness and ecological roles Neha Sharma (Stack, 2015) [8]. About 400,000 species have been described (Hammond, 1992) [9], comprising Forest Protection Division, Arid about 25% of the earth’s total animal diversity (Rosenzweig, 1995; Hunt et al., 2007) [10, 11]. Forest Research Institute, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India Beetles not only play important part in pollination, herbivory, granivory, predator-prey interactions but also in nutrient cycling and soil disturbances (Huffaker and Gutierrez 1999) [12]. Prem Singh Tak The beetle family Buprestidae (jewel beetles) comprises about 15000 species and has a world- Forest Protection Division, Arid wide distribution (Bellamy, 2008) [1].
    [Show full text]
  • Contribution to the Knowledge of the Jewel Beetles (Coleoptera: Buprestidae) Fauna of Kurdistan Province of Iran. Part 1. Subfam
    Кавказский энтомол. бюллетень 8(2): 232–239 © CAUCASIAN ENTOMOLOGICAL BULL. 2012 Contribution to the knowledge of the jewel beetles (Coleoptera: Buprestidae) fauna of Kurdistan Province of Iran. Part 1. Subfamilies julodinae, Polycestinae and Chrysochroinae Материалы к изучению фауны жуков-златок (Coleoptera: Buprestidae) провинции Курдистан, Иран. Часть 1. Подсемейства Julodinae, Polycestinae и Chrysochroinae H. Ghobari1, M.Yu. Kalashian2, J. Nozari1 Х. Гобари1, М.Ю. Калашян2, Дж. Нозари1 1Department of Plant Protection, University College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Tehran, PO Box 4111, Karaj, Iran. E-mail: [email protected], [email protected] 2Institute of Zoology, Scientific Centre of Zoology and Hydroecology of the National Academy of Sciences of Armenia, P. Sevak str., 7, Yerevan 0014 Armenia. Email: [email protected] 1Отдел защиты растений Университетского колледжа сельского хозяйства и природных ресурсов Тегеранского университета, PO Box 4111, Карадж, Иран 2Иститут Зоологии, Научный центр зоологии и гидроэкологии НАН РА, ул. П. Севака, 7, Ереван 0014 Армения Key words: Coleoptera, Buprestidae, Iran, Kurdistan, fauna, new records. Ключевые слова: Coleoptera, Buprestidae, Иран, Курдистан, фауна, новые указания. Abstract. 60 species of jewel-beetles (Coleoptera: and some identifications are obviously wrong. So, faunistic Buprestidae) belonging to three subfamilies (Julodinae, composition of the fauna of Kurdistan has to be clarified. In Polycestinae and Chrysochroinae) were collected in this paper the results of study of material collected by one Kurdistan Province of Iran during 2009–2011. Of these of the authors (H. Ghobari) in 2009–2011 in the province 7 species from 6 genera are new for Iranian fauna and are presented; in general 60 species were collected, 7 of 41 species from 9 genera are new for Kurdistan them are new for Iranian fauna and 41 – for the fauna of Province.
    [Show full text]
  • Integrative Approach Unravels the Evolutionary History of Western Mediterranean Small Cicadas (Hemiptera: Cicadettini)
    UNIVERSIDADE DE LISBOA FACULDADE DE CIÊNCIAS DEPARTAMENTO DE BIOLOGIA ANIMAL Integrative approach unravels the evolutionary history of Western Mediterranean small cicadas (Hemiptera: Cicadettini) Gonçalo João Barreto da Costa Mestrado em Biologia Evolutiva e Desenvolvimento Dissertação orientada por: Prof. Doutor Octávio Paulo Profª. Doutora Paula Simões 2017 "In the end we will conserve only what we love, we will love only what we understand, and we will understand only what we are taught." Baba Dioum Agradecimentos Antes de mais quero agradecer aos meus orientadores, Octávio Paulo e Paula Simões, por me terem apoiado durante este extenso (!) período de orientação. À Prof. Paula por me ter confiado as suas belas cigarras de Marrocos, e ter-me dado a oportunidade única de olhar com olhos de ver a sua colecção bem completa de cigarras mesmo interessantes! E falando em olhos... Por me ter emprestado os seus na descrição das cores das cigarras... Sem a Professora as cigarras ficavam-se por castanhas e pronto! A sua dedicação, boa disposição e acessibilidade quase ubíqua às minhas perguntas permitiu-me avançar sempre com o trabalho e com a escrita. O Prof. Octávio, chefe do grupo, já é conhecido pela genialidade quem tem em analisar os dados e ver para lá do que nos parece óbvio! Comprovei que é bem verdade quando trouxe dados preliminares do BEAST e o Professor para além de ver aquilo que era óbvio conseguiu ver para além lá daquela primeira camada e adicionar muito mais informação que aquela que conseguiria observar. Ainda que o Professor estivesse sempre 125% do tempo ocupado sempre conseguia arranjar um tempo para discutir novos métodos, novas abordagens aos meus datasets, novos artigos e resultados.
    [Show full text]
  • Current State of Knowledge on Wolbachia Infection Among Coleoptera: a Systematic Review
    Current state of knowledge on Wolbachia infection among Coleoptera: a systematic review Łukasz Kajtoch1 and Nela Kotásková2 1 Institute of Systematics and Evolution of Animals Polish Academy of Sciences, Krakow, Poland 2 Faculty of Science, University of Ostrava, Ostrava, Czech Republic ABSTRACT Background. Despite great progress in studies on Wolbachia infection in insects, the knowledge about its relations with beetle species, populations and individuals, and the effects of bacteria on these hosts, is still unsatisfactory. In this review we summarize the current state of knowledge about Wolbachia occurrence and interactions with Coleopteran hosts. Methods. An intensive search of the available literature resulted in the selection of 86 publications that describe the relevant details about Wolbachia presence among beetles. These publications were then examined with respect to the distribution and taxonomy of infected hosts and diversity of Wolbachia found in beetles. Sequences of Wolbachia genes (16S rDNA, ftsZ) were used for the phylogenetic analyses. Results. The collected publications revealed that Wolbachia has been confirmed in 204 beetle species and that the estimated average prevalence of this bacteria across beetle species is 38.3% and varies greatly across families and genera (0–88% infected members) and is much lower (c. 13%) in geographic studies. The majority of the examined and infected beetles were from Europe and East Asia. The most intensively studied have been two groups of herbivorous beetles: Curculionidae and Chrysomelidae. Coleoptera harbor Wolbachia belonging to three supergroups: F found in only three species, and A and B found in similar numbers of beetles (including some doubly infected); however Submitted 14 November 2017 the latter two were most prevalent in different families.
    [Show full text]
  • Sovraccoperta Fauna Inglese Giusta, Page 1 @ Normalize
    Comitato Scientifico per la Fauna d’Italia CHECKLIST AND DISTRIBUTION OF THE ITALIAN FAUNA FAUNA THE ITALIAN AND DISTRIBUTION OF CHECKLIST 10,000 terrestrial and inland water species and inland water 10,000 terrestrial CHECKLIST AND DISTRIBUTION OF THE ITALIAN FAUNA 10,000 terrestrial and inland water species ISBNISBN 88-89230-09-688-89230- 09- 6 Ministero dell’Ambiente 9 778888988889 230091230091 e della Tutela del Territorio e del Mare CH © Copyright 2006 - Comune di Verona ISSN 0392-0097 ISBN 88-89230-09-6 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior permission in writing of the publishers and of the Authors. Direttore Responsabile Alessandra Aspes CHECKLIST AND DISTRIBUTION OF THE ITALIAN FAUNA 10,000 terrestrial and inland water species Memorie del Museo Civico di Storia Naturale di Verona - 2. Serie Sezione Scienze della Vita 17 - 2006 PROMOTING AGENCIES Italian Ministry for Environment and Territory and Sea, Nature Protection Directorate Civic Museum of Natural History of Verona Scientifi c Committee for the Fauna of Italy Calabria University, Department of Ecology EDITORIAL BOARD Aldo Cosentino Alessandro La Posta Augusto Vigna Taglianti Alessandra Aspes Leonardo Latella SCIENTIFIC BOARD Marco Bologna Pietro Brandmayr Eugenio Dupré Alessandro La Posta Leonardo Latella Alessandro Minelli Sandro Ruffo Fabio Stoch Augusto Vigna Taglianti Marzio Zapparoli EDITORS Sandro Ruffo Fabio Stoch DESIGN Riccardo Ricci LAYOUT Riccardo Ricci Zeno Guarienti EDITORIAL ASSISTANT Elisa Giacometti TRANSLATORS Maria Cristina Bruno (1-72, 239-307) Daniel Whitmore (73-238) VOLUME CITATION: Ruffo S., Stoch F.
    [Show full text]
  • The Nematode–Arthropod Clade Revisited: Phylogenomic Analyses from Ribosomal Protein Genes Misled by Shared Evolutionary Biases
    Cladistics Cladistics 23 (2007) 130–144 10.1111/j.1096-0031.2006.00132.x The nematode–arthropod clade revisited: phylogenomic analyses from ribosomal protein genes misled by shared evolutionary biases Stuart J. Longhorn1,2,3, Peter G. Foster2 and Alfried P. Vogler1,3 1Department of Entomology and 2Department of Zoology, Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London, SW7 5BD, UK, 3Division of Biology, Imperial College London, Silwood Park Campus, Ascot, SL5 7PY, UK Accepted 29 June 2006 Abstract Phylogenetic analysis of major groups of Metazoa using genomic data tends to recover the sister relationships of arthropods and chordates, contradicting the proposed Ecdysozoa (the molting animals), which group the arthropods together with nematodes and relatives. Ribosomal protein genes have been a major data source in phylogenomic studies because they are readily detected as Expressed Sequence Tags (ESTs) due to their high transcription rates. Here we address the debate about the recovery of Ecdysozoa in genomic data by building a new matrix of carefully curated EST and genome sequences for 25 ribosomal protein genes of the small subunit, with focus on new insect sequences in addition to the Diptera sequences generally used to represent the arthropods. Individually, each ribosomal protein gene showed low phylogenetic signal, but in simultaneous analysis strong support emerged for many expected groups, with support increasing linearly with increased gene number. In agreement with most studies of metazoan relationships from genomic data, our analyses contradicted the Ecdysozoa (the putative sister relationship of arthropods and nematodes), and instead supported the affinity of arthropods with chordates. In addition, relationships among holometabolan insects resulted in an unlikely basal position for Diptera.
    [Show full text]
  • Classification and Phylogeny of the Buprestoidea (Insecta: Coleoptera)
    ISSN 1211-8788 Acta Musei Moraviae, Scientiae biologicae (Brno) 85: 113–184, 2000 Classification and phylogeny of the Buprestoidea (Insecta: Coleoptera) JIØÍ KOLIBÁÈ Moravian Museum, Department of Entomology, Hviezdoslavova 29a, 627 00 Brno, Czech Republic; e-mail: [email protected] KOLIBÁÈ J. 2000: Classification and phylogeny of the Buprestoidea (Insecta: Coleoptera). Acta Musei Moraviae, Scientiae biologicae (Brno) 85: 113–184. – Selected species of 19 buprestid genera were studied in holomorphological fashion. The genera represent all the subfamilies described within the Buprestidae LEACH: Schizopodinae LECONTE (Schizopus LECONTE), Julodinae LACORDAIRE (Julodis SOLIER), Thrincopyginae LECONTE (Thrincopyge LECONTE), Acmaeoderinae KERREMANS (Acmaeoderella COBOS), Polycestinae LACORDAIRE (Ptosima SOLIER, Polycesta SOLIER, Sponsor LAPORTE & GORY, Paratrachys SAUNDERS), Buprestinae LEACH (Buprestis LINNAEUS, Melanophila ESCHSCHOLTZ), Chrysobothrinae LAPORTE & GORY (Chrysobothris ESCHSCHOLTZ), Chalcophorinae LACORDAIRE (Chalcophora SOLIER), Sphenopterinae LACORDAIRE (Sphenoptera SOLIER), Mastogeniinae LECONTE & HORN (Mastogenius SOLIER), Galbellinae REITTER (Galbella WESTWOOD), Agrilinae LAPORTE & GORY (Coraebus LAPORTE & GORY, Agrilus CURTIS), Trachyinae GORY & LAPORTE (Trachys FABRICIUS) a Cylindromorphinae PORTEVIN (Cylindromorphus THÉRY). Some of the body parts studied were figured. Eighty seven characters of larvae and adults were used in a character state matrix. The matrix was mostly based on the material studied, although, literature data were also used (especially for larval and anatomical characters). The families Derodontidae, Bostrichidae, Dermestidae, Dascillidae, Byrrhidae, Elateridae, and Dryopidae were used as outgroups. The Hennig86 program (commands mhennig*bb*, successive weighting) was used for computing the matrix. Only one tree is a result of the matrix and that shows high congruence of matrix data. The resulting tree is congruent with a general opinion on a higher taxonomy for Buprestoidea. Family rank is confirmed for Schizopodidae.
    [Show full text]
  • List of Arthropod Pests and Their Natural Enemies Identified Worldwide on Date Palm, Phoenix Dactylifera L
    AGRICULTURE AND BIOLOGY JOURNAL OF NORTH AMERICA ISSN Print: 2151-7517, ISSN Online: 2151-7525, doi:10.5251/abjna.2012.3.12.516.524 © 2012, ScienceHuβ, http://www.scihub.org/ABJNA Review: List of arthropod pests and their natural enemies identified worldwide on date palm, Phoenix dactylifera L. H.A.F. El-Shafie Date Palm Research Centre of Excellence, King Faisal University, P. O. Box 400, Al-Hassa-31982, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. e-mail: [email protected] ABSTRACT The date palm, Phoenix dactylifera L. (Arecales: Arecaceae) is subject to damage by numerous arthropod pests. This review lists 112 species of mite and insect pests associated with date palm distributed among 10 orders and 42 different families. Of these species, few are identified as major or potential pests of date palm tree. The listed species are classified according to their preferred part on the tree into: 34 species on the foliages, 30 species on palm bases, stem and roots, 26 species on inflorescences, bunch stalks, green and ripening fruits, and 22 species attacking date during harvest and storage. In addition to harmful insect and mite pests, more than 45 predators and parasitoids in 7 orders and 15 families are identified. Ten species are considered as major pests viz., the red palm weevil (Rhynchophorous ferrugineus), Old world date mite (Oligonychus afrasiaticus), lesser date moth (Batrachedra amydraula), Dubas date bug (Ommatissus binotatus), green pit scale (Palmapsis phoenicis), carob moth (Ectomyelois ceratoniae), longhorn date palm stem borer (Jebusaea hammerschmidti), rhinoceros beetle (Oryctes agamemnon), fruit stalk borer (Oryctes elegans) and almond moth (Cadra cautella).
    [Show full text]
  • Coleoptera, Buprestidae) with a Discussion of Karyotype Variation Within the Family*
    Folia biologica (Kraków), vol. 52 (2004), No 3-4 New Cytogenetic Data on Armenian Buprestids (Coleoptera, Buprestidae) with a Discussion of Karyotype Variation within the Family* Gayane KARAGYAN, Valentina G. KUZNETSOVA and Dorota LACHOWSKA Accepted September 6, 2004 KARAGYAN G., KUZNETSOVA V. G., LACHOWSKA D. 2004. New cytogenetic data on Armenian buprestids (Coleoptera, Buprestidae) with a discussion of karyotype variation within the family. Folia biol. (Kraków) 52: 151-158. As a part of ongoing cytogenetic studies on the jewel-beetles (Buprestidae, Coleoptera) of Armenia, the male karyotypes and meiosis of nine species (5 genera, 4 tribes, 2 subfamilies) are described, figured and discussed. In Ovalisia nadezhdae Sem., Sphenoptera artemisiae Reitt., Coraebus rubi L., C. sinuatus Creutz., Meliboeus caucasicus Reitt., Agrilus angustulus Ill. Men., A. obscuricollis Kiesw., and A. araxenus Khnz. diploid chromosome numbers vary in a narrow range from 20 to 24. In Sph. glabrata Men. a high chromosome number of 2n=40 was discovered. All the species have a XY sex chromosome system, which is however of different types. The data available on the buprestid karyotypes and karyotype variation at different taxonomic levels within the family are discussed. Key words: Coleoptera, Buprestidae, karyotypes, meiosis. Gayane KARAGYAN, Institute of Zoology, Armenian Academy of Sciences, P. Sevak 7, 375014 Yerevan, Armenia. E-mail: [email protected] Valentina G. KUZNETSOVA, Zoological Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences, Univer- sitetskaya nab. 1, 199034 St. Petersburg, Russia. E-mail: [email protected] Dorota LACHOWSKA, Department of Experimental Zoology, Institute of Systematics and Evo- lution of Animals, Polish Academy of Sciences, S³awkowska 17, 31-016 Kraków, Poland.
    [Show full text]
  • The Biodiversity of Terrestrial Arthropods in Madeira and Selvagens Manual Versión Española
    Revista IDE@ - SEA, nº 6B (30-06-2015): 1–20. ISSN 2386-7183 1 Ibero Diversidad Entomológica @ccesible www.sea-entomologia.org/IDE@ Introduction The biodiversity of terrestrial arthropods in Madeira and Selvagens Manual Versión española The biodiversity of terrestrial arthropods in Madeira and Selvagens archipelagos Mário Boieiro1,2, António Franquinho Aguiar3, Carla Rego1,2, Paulo A.V. Borges1,2 & Artur R.M. Serrano4 1 cE3c – Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes / Azorean Biodiversity Group and Universidade dos Açores - Departamento de Ciências Agrárias, 9700-042 Angra do Heroísmo, Açores, Portugal. 2 CITA-A and Portuguese Platform for Enhancing Ecological Research & Sustainability (PEERS). 3 Núcleo de Entomologia, Laboratório Agrícola da Madeira, 9135-372 Camacha, Madeira, Portugal. 4 cE3c – Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes / Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, 1749-016 Lisboa, Portugal. 1. The archipelagos of Madeira and Selvagens The oceanic archipelagos of Madeira and Selvagens are located in the eastern Atlantic, between 30-33ºN and 15-17ºW, being part of the Macaronesia biogeographical region. The archipelago of Madeira is composed of Madeira Island, Porto Santo Island and its surrounding islets, and the Desertas islands, which include Deserta Grande, Bugio and Ilhéu Chão (Fig. 1). This archi- pelago is distanced from the Iberian Peninsula by 1000 km, but its distance to the nearest mainland (coast of Morocco) is just 600 km. All the islands of Madeira archipelago are volcanic in origin and have originat- ed from a single volcanic building – the Madeira-Porto Santo complex. The rugged orography and the altitudinal span of Madeira Island led to the occurrence of some natu- ral habitat-types which are distributed along the altitudinal gradient (see Plate I).
    [Show full text]
  • Wasserkäfer Von Den Islas Canarias (Coleoptera: Haliplidae, Dytiscidae, Gyrinidae, Hydrochidae, Hydrophilidae, Hydraenidae, Dryopidae)
    ZOBODAT - www.zobodat.at Zoologisch-Botanische Datenbank/Zoological-Botanical Database Digitale Literatur/Digital Literature Zeitschrift/Journal: Entomofauna Jahr/Year: 1990 Band/Volume: 0011 Autor(en)/Author(s): Balke Michael, Hendrich Lars, Cuppen Jan G. M. Artikel/Article: Wasserkäfer von den Islas Canarias (Coleoptera: Haliplidae, Dytiscidae, Gyrinidae, Hydrochidae, Hydrophilidae, Hydraenidae, Dryopidae). 349-373 © Entomofauna Ansfelden/Austria; download unter www.biologiezentrum.at Sntomojauna ZEITSCHRIFT FÜR ENTOMOLOGIE Band 11, Heft 22 ISSN 0250-4413 Ansfelden, 25.Oktober 1990 Wasserkäfer von den Islas Canarias (Coleoptera: Haliplidae, Dytiscidae, Gyrinidae, Hydrochidae, Hydrophilidae, Hydraenidae, Dryopidae) Michael Balke, Lars Hendrich 8 Jan G.M. Cuppen Abstract A catalogue of water beetles collected during four ex- cursions to Gran Canaria, La Gomera, Tenerife and La Palma in 1988 and 1989 is presented. Altogether, 36 lo- calities have been sampled. which produced 35 species. Hydrochus grandicollis KIESENWETTER} 187O, and Laccobius gracilis MOTSCHULSKY,1:855, are additions to the Canarian fauna. Hydrotarsus compunctus (WOLLASTON,1865) the ocur- rence of which on Tenerife is questionable was collected on La Palma. In comparison with the list of MACHADO (1987) some nomenclatural changes are made. Hyphydrus crassus WOLLASTON, 1867, is a junior subjective synonym of Hyphydrus maculätus BABINGTON, 1841. Hydroporus guer- nei REGIMBART,l891j is an Azorean species, the large Ca- narian Hydroporus species apparently belongs to Hydropo- rus lucasi REICHE, 1866. The name Hydroporus tessellatus AUB£,l838, is preoccupied by Hydroporus tessellatus DRA- PIEZ,l8l9. This results tha valid name for the species 349 © Entomofauna Ansfelden/Austria; download unter www.biologiezentrum.at treated as Potamonectes tessellatus (AUBE,l838) by MACHA- DO (1987), it is Potamonectes canariensis BEDEL,l88l.The major types of aquatic habitats as well as water beetle communities are listed.
    [Show full text]
  • A Summary of the Published Data on Host Plants and Morphology of Immature Stages of Australian Jewel Beetles (Coleoptera: Buprestidae), with Additional New Records
    University of Nebraska - Lincoln DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln Center for Systematic Entomology, Gainesville, Insecta Mundi Florida 3-22-2013 A summary of the published data on host plants and morphology of immature stages of Australian jewel beetles (Coleoptera: Buprestidae), with additional new records C. L. Bellamy California Department of Food and Agriculture, [email protected] G. A. Williams Australian Museum, [email protected] J. Hasenpusch Australian Insect Farm, [email protected] A. Sundholm Sydney, Australia, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/insectamundi Bellamy, C. L.; Williams, G. A.; Hasenpusch, J.; and Sundholm, A., "A summary of the published data on host plants and morphology of immature stages of Australian jewel beetles (Coleoptera: Buprestidae), with additional new records" (2013). Insecta Mundi. 798. https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/insectamundi/798 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Center for Systematic Entomology, Gainesville, Florida at DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. It has been accepted for inclusion in Insecta Mundi by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. INSECTA MUNDI A Journal of World Insect Systematics 0293 A summary of the published data on host plants and morphology of immature stages of Australian jewel beetles (Coleoptera: Buprestidae), with additional new records C. L. Bellamy G. A. Williams J. Hasenpusch A. Sundholm CENTER FOR SYSTEMATIC ENTOMOLOGY, INC., Gainesville, FL Cover Photo. Calodema plebeia Jordan and several Metaxymorpha gloriosa Blackburn on the flowers of the proteaceous Buckinghamia celcissima F. Muell. in the lowland mesophyll vine forest at Polly Creek, Garradunga near Innisfail in northeastern Queensland.
    [Show full text]