Characterization of Domeless receptors and the role of Bd Domeless3 in anti-symbiont-like virus defense in Bactrocera dorsalis

The Janus kinase/signal transducers and activators of transcription(JAK/STAT)signaling pathway play a pivotal role in innate immunity.Among invertebrates,Domeless receptors serve as the key upstream regulators of this pathway.In our study on Bactrocera dorsalis,we identified three cytokine receptors:BdDomeless1,BdDomeless2,and BdDomeless3.Each receptor encompasses five fibronectin-type-III-like(FN III)extracellular domains and a transmembrane domain.Furthermore,these receptors exhibit the increased responsiveness to diverse pathogenic challenges.Notably,only BdDomeless3 is upregulated during symbiont-like viral infections.Moreover,silencing BdDomeless3 enhanced the infectivity of Bactrocera dorsalis cripavirus(BdCV)and B.dorsalis picorna-like virus(BdPLV),underscoring BdDomeless3’s crucial role in antiviral defense of B.dorsalis.Following the suppression of Domeless3 expression,six antimicrobial peptide genes displayed decreased expression,potentially correlating with the rise in viral infectivity.To our knowledge,this is the first study identifying cytokine receptors associated with the JAK/STAT pathway in tephritid flies,shedding light on the immune mechanisms of B.dorsalis.

Characterization of the microbial community response to replant diseases in peach orchards

This study attempted to monitor the development of microbial communities and reveal the correlation between the soil microbial community and soil nutrient factors over different years following the replanting of peach trees.The replanted soil(RS)and nonreplanted soil(NRS)were collected from peach orchards with different growth years(1,3,5,7,9,11,and 13 years)in the same region.The soil bacterial and fungal community diversities were analyzed by high-throughput sequencing technology.Redundancy analysis(RDA)was used to show the correlation between the soil microbial community and environmental variables.The alpha diversities of the bacterial and fungal communities indicated that RS contained a higher abundance of bacterial and fungal operational taxonomic units(OTUs)than NRS.NMDS and ANOSIM analyses showed that the soil bacterial and fungal communities were significantly(P<0.01)affected by planting years,and that the main changes occurred in the first and ninth planting years.The presence of the bacterial orders Sphingobacteriales,Burkholderiales and Actinomycetales changed significantly after replanting.Some bacteria associated with bioremediation,such as Burkholderiales and Intrasporangiaceae,and some harmful pathogens,such as Penicillium and Ophiostomatales,significantly increased after replanting(LDA score>3.0).In addition,the soil nutrient contents were lower in RS than in NRS in the early stage(1–5 years),and the RDA showed that bacterial and fungal phyla are closely associated with environmental variables,including the potential of hydrogen(pH),ammonium nitrogen(AN),available phosphorus(AP)and available potassium(AK).These results lead to a deeper understanding of the microbial responses to replanting in peach orchards.

Preliminary Study of Predation Effectiveness of the Assassin Bug Rhynocoris rapax Stal (Heteroptra: Reduviidae) on Fall Armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda Smith (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), a Major Pest of Maize Crops

Maize is a staple food in many sub-Saharan African countries, grown on large surfaces and with high production. However, maize’s cultivation is often confronted with attacks by the fall armyworm, which considerably reduces production. Thus, the use of biological agents in the control of the fall armyworm would contribute effectively to the sustainability of agriculture. It is in this context that this study, conducted at the La Mé station of the National Centre for Agronomy Research, aims to test the effectiveness of Rhynocoris rapax, a powerful predator of various insect families, on the fall armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda, for biological control of this maize pest in Côte d’Ivoire. Therefore, 3 batches of 1 adult individuals of Rhynocoris rapax were captured in trial plots set up at the La Mé station. These individuals were then put in contact with 3 batches of 5, 20 and 40 larvae of the pest in rearing boxes at an average temperature of 26.4°C and an average relative humidity of 60%, in order to evaluate the efficiency of the predation. The results showed that Rhynocoris rapax kills more larvae when these are in large numbers. The mortality of the high number of larvae was observed during the first three days, probably due to the voracity and aggressiveness of Rhynocoris rapax that period. So R. rapax is a potential predator of fall armyworm and should be protected.

Effect of Host Plants on Development,Fecundity and Enzyme Activity of Spodoptera exigua (Hübner)(Lepidoptera:Noctuidae)

The beet armyworm,Spodoptera exigua （Lepidoptera：Noctuidae）,is an economically important pest of crops worldwide,attacking plants from over 20 families including trans-continental agricultural cotton,corn and citrus crops.In this study,performance and subsequent enzyme activity of beet armyworm reared on host plants from five families were investigated.Significant differences were found in development,fecundity and enzyme activity on different host plants.Survival rate was the highest （42.8%） on asparagus lettuce （Lactuca sativar var.asparagina） and the lowest （17.0%） on sweet pepper （Capsicum annuum）.Larval duration was the shortest on asparagus lettuce （12.0 d）,and was 43.4% longer on sweet peppers （21.2 d）.The activity of acetylcholine esterase （AChE） and carboxylesterase （CarE） in 3rd instar larvae,and soluble carbohydrate and crude protein contents in different host plants were determined.AChE activity was the highest in the larvae feeding on Chinese cabbage （Brassica rapa）,but declined by nearly 60% on maize （Zea mays） seedlings.The ratio of soluble carbohydrate content to crude protein content in host plants was found to have a positive effect on oviposition and a negative correlation with larval duration and life time （from larval to adult stages） of the insect.

Impacts of Environmental Factors on Degradation of CrylAb Insecticidal Protein in Leaf-Blade Powders of Transgenic Bt Rice

The determination of the environmental fate of Bt insecticidal protein released by Bt rice plants in paddy soils is a key issue in its ecological risk assessment. In this study, the impacts of soil water content, pH, and temperature on the degradation of CrylAb protein expressed in the leaves of Bt rice KMD2 were studied in the laboratory. Three types of paddy soils were used, i.e., blue clayey paddy soil, pale paddy soil on quaternary red soil, and marine-fluvigenic yellow loamy paddy soil. Ground powders of KMD2 leaf blades were mixed with each type of soil, and degradation dynamics of Cry lAb were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. The degradation rate of CrylAb was high at the early experimental stage, but slowed down steadily at middle and later stages, which could be described by exponential equations, with the half-life period of degradation determined as 1.8-4.0 d. The soil water content, pH, and temperature could affect the degradation of CrylAb, but the effects of soil pH and temperature were relatively greater. In general, CrylAb degradations were slower under lower soil pH and temperature conditions, especially for marine-fluvigenic yellow loamy paddy soil.

Performance and Enzyme Activity of Beet Armyworm Spodoptera exigua (Hübner) (Lepidoptera:Noctuidae) Under Various Nutritional Conditions

We explored the influence of the artificial diets with different protein and glucose contents on larval development,fecundity and enzyme activities of the beet armyworm Spodoptera exigua （Hübner）.Our results suggested that development,fecundity and population growth index of beet armyworm increased with increased nutritional content in the artificial diets;however,when the yeast to cellulose content ratio reached 46.8：53.2,the fecundity and population growth had reached a maximum and additional protein did not yield additional growth.Additionally,3rd instar beet armyworm larvae fed on different artificial diets had increased enzymatic activities of acetylcholinesterase （AChE） with the increased nutritional content,but carboxylesterase （CarE） activities did not significantly change under variation in the nutritional content.

Characterization of the Purified Glutathione S-transferases from Two Psocids Liposcelis bostrychophila and L.entomophila

Glutathione S-transferases（GSTs） from Liposcelis bostrychophila Badonnel and L.entomophila（Enderlein）（Psocoptera：Liposcelididae） were purified by glutathione-agarose affinity chromatography,and characterized subsequently by their Michaelis-Menten kinetics toward the artificial substrates 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene（CDNB） and reduced glutathione（GSH）,respectively.The specific activity of the purified GST toward CDNB was 2.3-fold higher in L.bostrychophila than in L.entomophila.Though the specific activities of purified enzymes varied between the two species,the purification yields were similar.SDS-PAGE revealed one band at 23 kDa for both the species.GSTs of L.entomophila exhibited higher Michaelis-Menten constants（Km） but lower maximal velocity（Vmax） values than those of L.bostrychophila.The optimum pH for CDNB conjugation of L.bostrychophila and L.entomophila GSTs was 7.0 and 7.5,and optimum temperature was 35 and 40°C,respectively.Inhibition kinetics showed that cibacron blue,curcumin,bromosulfalein,ethacrynic acid,and carbosulfan had excellent inhibitory effects on GSTs in both species,but the inhibitory effects of beta-cypermethrin,fenpropathrin,tetraethylthiuram disulfide,and diethyl maleate were not significant.

Resistance Selection of Tetranychus cinnabarinus to Fenpropathrin and Genetic Analysis

The resistant inheritance mode of Tetranychus cinnabarinus to fenpropathrin were studied based on the resistance selection in laboratory. After 40 generations selection, T. cinnabarinus developed 68.5-fold resistance to fenpropathrin. The methods of cross and back-cross between resistant （R） and sensitive （S） strains were used for exploring the inheritance mode of the resistance of this mite to fenpropathrin. The log （Lc）-p equation of F1 got from obverse （SR） and reverse （RS） crosses was intermediate between S and R and inclined to S, the dominant indices DSR and DRS were -0.83 and -0.29, respectively, which indicated that the resistance is controlled by the incompletely recessive gene; the 95% confidence limit of this two dominant indices do not superpose showing DSR and DRS have significant difference and the maternal or external karyon effect may be existed in resistance inheritance; the back-cross results of heterozygote F1 with its parents suggested that the separation of progenies F2 （SR♀× S ♂ and RS ♀ × R ♂） was consistent with Mendel＇s single gene inheritance model.

Cloning and functional characterization of two peptidoglycan recognition protein isoforms (PGRP-LC) in Bactrocera dorsalis (Diptera: Tephritidae)

The innate immune system of insects is the front line of self-defense against pathogen invasion. Peptidoglycan recognition proteins (PGRPs) are important components and play key roles in insect immune systems by recognizing peptidoglycan (PGN) in bacterial cell walls. We characterized two isoforms of the PGRP-LC gene, BdPGRP-LCa and BdPGRP-LCb, from Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel), an important fruit and vegetable pest worldwide. These two isoforms contain an open reading frames of 1 668 bp and 1 731 bp, encoding a protein of 555 and 576 amino acids, respectively. Quantitative real-time PCR results showed that both transcripts were prominently expressed in midgut and fat body of B. dorsalis adult. Inoculation of pathogens showed that both isoforms actively responded to Escherichia coli PGN. We also observed a light response to Staphylococcus aureus PGN. Upon Beauveria bassiana inoculation, the expression of BdPGRP-LCa was enhanced, but the expression of BdPGRP-LCb was suppressed. Suppression of both transcripts by RNA interference led to increased mortality of flies challenged by E. coli, indicating that the two isoforms are involved in sensing Gram-negative bacterial infections.

Identification,Characterization, and Expression of P450 Gene Encoding CYP6BQ13v2 from the Red Flour Beetle,Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) (Coleoptera:Tenebrionidae)

An allele of CYP6BQI3, named CYP6BQ 13v2 （GenBank accession no. FJ209361）, was isolated from the red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum （Herbst） （Coleoptera： Tenebrionidae） by RT-PCR. The cDNA sequence of CYP6BQ13v2, 1 563 bp in length, contains an open reading frame of 1 554 nucleotides encoding a putative protein of 518 amino acid residues with a predicted molecular weight of 59.92 kDa and a theoretical pl of 7.60. The putative protein contains the classic hemebinding sequence motif F××G×××C×G （residues 456-465） conserved among all P450 enzymes as well as other characteristic motifs of all cytochrome P450s. It shares 98% identity with the previously published sequence of CYP6BQ13 （GenBank accession no. XP967146） from the T. castaneum genome project. Phylogenetic analysis of amino acid sequences from members of various P450 families indicated that there was closer phylogenetic relationship of CYP6BQ 13v2 with CYP302A1 and CYP307A1 mediating synthesis of the insect molting hormone, distant relationship with CYP6B1 metabolizing plant allelochemicals, CYP6D 1 linking to pyrethroid resistance and other members of CYP6 family. Expression test of the gene in the adults and immature stages of T. castaneum by quantitative real-time PCR revealed that CYP6BQ13v2 is expressed in all life stages investigated. The mRNA expression level in 1st instar larvae was 14.9- and 3.86-fold higher than those in pupae and adults, respectively. The CYP6BQ13v2 expression levels appeared in the order of 1st instar larvae, followed by 4th instar larvae, 7th instar larvae, adult, and pupae from high to low. The more bioinformation of CYP6BQ 13v2 was also analyzed.

Expression in Arabidopsis of a Strawberry Linalool Synthase Gene Under the Control of the Inducible Potato PI2 Promoter

To investigate the role of inducible linalool in Arabidopsis-insect interactions, the FANES 1 linalool synthase （LIS） cDNA from strawberry with plastid targeting and a synthetic intron （LIS＇） was placed under the control of the wound inducible proteinase inhibitor 2 （PI2） promoter from potato. The construct pBin-PPi2-LIS＇ was transformed to Arabidopsis thaliana ecotype Columbia 0. Kanamycin resistant TO seedlings were confirmed for the presence and transcription of the LIS＇ gene by PCR analysis on genomic DNA and by RT-PCR analysis on RNA. Genomic and RT-PCR products were sequenced to confirm correct splicing of the synthetic intron. The expression of active linalool synthase by the PPI2-LIS＇ gene construct in the transgenic lines was assessed by measuring linalool emission using solid phase micro-extraction （SPME） GC-MS measurements after induction with methyl jasmonate. Among 30 tested independent T2 transgenic lines, 10 exhibited linalool production. Linalool expression could be induced by methyl jasmonate treatment, but not by diamondback moth larvae.

Identification and Expression of a b-actin Gene from Liposcelis bostrychophila Badonnel(Psocoptera:Liposcelididae)

A β-actin gene, Libβ-actinl, from the psocid, Liposcelis bostrychophila, was isolated, sequenced, and expressed in Escherichia coll. The cDNA sequence was 1 281 bp in length and contained an open reading frame of 1 131 bp encoding 376 amino acids with a predicted molecular weight of 41.82 kDa. According to a B lastN search, the coding region shared the highest identity （97%） with Pediculus hurnanus actin 5C, while the deduced amino acid sequence was completely identical to a mutant of Drosophila melanogaster actin 5C. Comparison of the nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequences confirmed the high similarity between Libβ-actinl and homologs in other insect species. The 3＇ untranslated region （3＇ UTR） of the Libβ-actinl mRNA had a high A＋U content （approximately 75%） and contained three repeats of the AUUUUUA and AUUUA motifs, which may play a role in regulating mRNA decay. The expression of Libβ-actinl was further analyzed in insecticide induced and control psocids. The results indicated that there was no significant difference in expression of Libβ-actinl between the induced and control groups, suggesting that Libβ-actinl may be an appropriate internal control for the gene expression profiling in this insect. Furthermore, Libβ-actinl was also heterologously expressed in Escherichia coli, which provided a basis to investigate the physiological functions of actin genes in the psocid.

Molecular Evidences for the Biosynthesis of Pederin by Endosymbiont

Pederin belongs to a group of antitumor compounds found in terrestrial beetles and marine sponges. It is apparently used by some members of the rove beetle Paederus as a chemical defense against predators. A recent cluster analysis of the putative pederin biosynthesis gene （ped） strongly suggests that pederin is produced by bacterial symbionts. This paper reviewed the criteria for proving symbiontic origin of bioactive metabolite, indirect and molecular evidences for pederin bacterial origin, as well as three sets ofped clusters and putative biosynthesis process of pederin.

Effect of Diet,Photoperiod and Host Density on Parasitism of Anisopteromalus calandrae on the Tobacco Beetle and Biological Parameters of the Parasitoid

Lasioderma serricorne is known to be pest of tobacco, besides of attacking other products in storage. Anisopteromalus calandrae is an ectoparasitoid of coleopteran larvae also parasitizing the tobacco beetle. This study was aimed to evaluate the parasitism of A. calandrae on different densities of L. serricorne larvae grown in different diets and photoperiods, and to record the longevity and reproductive potential of A. calandrae. Individuals of L. serricorne were raised in three diets: wheat flour (F);wheat flour and brewer’s yeast (FY) and wheat flour and dried tobacco (FT). Different amounts of host larvae (10, 20, 50 and 100) for each diet were exposed to a couple of parasitoids. The same larval densities from diet F were exposed for 24 h to a couple of adult parasitoids maintained in three photoperiods (0:24, 12:12 and 24:0 - scotophase: photophase). The highest values of apparent parasitism were in the density of 50 larvae in the FY diet (96.34%) and 100 F (92.91%). There was no significant difference in the parameters in each photoperiod in all larval densities. However, the treatment in which hosts and parasitoids always remained in scotophase, was the one that had a significantly higher sex ratio. Females had longer longevity than males surviving for up to 25 days. On the fourth day of larvae exposure occurred, the maximum number of offspring generated. It is inferred that A. calandrae has potential to be used as a control agent for coleopterans that attack stored products.

Identification of the key chitinase genes in Tetranychus cinnabarinus (Boisduval) based on the expression and sequence characteristic analysis

Chitin is an important content in the exoskeletons of arthropods, and its hydrolyzation is catalyzed by chitinases during the process of molting, thus, the chitinases are considered as ideal target to interfere the growth of arthropods. This study intends to clarify the characteristic of the chitinases during the development of Tetranychus cinnabarinus, and screen out important genes as potential control targets. The results showed that the total enzyme concentration of chitinases was significantly higher in larva, the first and second nymph than that in egg and adult. Base on the transcriptome data, six unigenes encoding chitinases were identified and their expression patterns in different developmental stages were detected. The expressions of TcCHIT1 and TcCHITIO showed high abundance during the molting process and their expression change during the developmental stages was consistent with the enzyme concentration. The full-length of these two genes were further cloned, and the structural characteristics of their proteins were analyzed by constructing the three-dimensional structure model. The results provide basic information to understand the characteristic of chitinases in T. cinnabarinus and might be considered as target for control.

Eleven species of noctuid moths new to China of the boreal faunal complex(Lepidoptera:Noctuidae)

Eleven species of the Noctuidae[Polia hepatica(Clerck,1759),P.malchani(Draudt,1934),P.vespertilio(Draudt,1934),Lasionycta skraelingia(Herrich-Schaffer,1852),L.hospita A.Bang-Haas,1912;Xestia kolymae(Herz,1903),X.albuncula(Eversmann,1851),X.subgrisea(Staudinger,1897),X.penthima(Erschoff,1870),X.sincera(Herrich-Schaffer,1851),and X.rhaetica(Staudinger,1871)]of the boreal faunal complex are reported for the first time from China.Illustrations of adults and the genitalia of both sexes are provided.Information on these newly recorded species,original descriptions,type-locality,synonyms,references,host plants and bionomics are provided.

Chemical characterization of essential oil from the leaves of Callistemon viminalis(D.R.) and Melaleuca leucadendron(Linn.)

Objective: To isolate and identify the compounds in the essential oils from the leaves of Callistemon viminalis(D.R.) and Melaleuca leucadendron(Linn.) collected in Dakar,Senegal.Methods: The essential oils from the leaves of these two myrtaceaes were extracted by steam distillation and analyzed by gas chromatograph and gas chromatography–mass spectrometer.Results: A total of 34 constituents were identified in the oil of Callistemon viminalis and the major compounds were 1.8-cineole(58.12%), limonene(9.72%), a-terpineol(9.56%),geranial(6.02%), d-elemene(3.53%), myrcene(2.96%) and a-pinene(2.49%).For the essential oil of Melaleuca leucadendron, 43 constituents were identified, and 1.8-cineole(28.87%), epiglobulol(23.06%), a-pinene(12.22%), limonene(11.65%) and a-terpineol(7.06%) were major compounds.Conclusions: Considering properties of the identified major compounds, essential oils of both studied myrtaceae could be used in the medicine field including the food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industry.

Habitat abundances of a cricket-parasitizing wasp <i>Rhopalosoma nearcticum</i>(Hymenoptera: Rhopalosomatidae) in a United States mid-Atlantic park

Adults of the nocturnal, cricket-parasitizing wasp Rhopalosoma nearcticum flew in Dyke Marsh Wildlife Preserve (DMWP) from late June through late September, based on a 2-year, Malaise-trap sample of 617 individuals from three habitats. These wasps were significantly more abundant in the floodplain forest compared to the tidal, freshwater marsh and forest-marsh ecotone. Females were more likely to be in the ecotone and marsh than males. The pooled sample from all three habitats was significantly male biased. This study provides baseline information on R. nearcticum that can be used in assessing the health of the DMWP entomofauna in view of global change, accelerating DMWP erosion and marsh loss, invasive species, and other threats to this fragile preserve.

Argentine Ant Affects Ant-Mimetic Arthropods: Does Argentine Ant Invasion Conserve Colouring Variation of Myrmecomorphic Jumping Spider?

Argentine ant invasion changed colour-polymorphic composition of ant-mimetic jumping spider Myrmarachne in southwestern Japan. In Argentine ant-free sites, most of Myrmarachne exhibited all-blackish colouration. In Argentine ant-infested sites, on the other hand, blackish morph decreased, and bicoloured (i.e. partly bright-coloured) morphs increased in dominance. Invasive Argentine ant drives away native blackish ants. Disappearance of blackish model ants supposedly led to malfunction of Batesian mimicry of Myrmarachne.

Diversity and Phenology of the Braconid Community (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) in the Mediterranean Protected Landscape of Sierra Calderona (Spain)

The diversity of the Braconidae subfamilies (Hymenoptera) in the protected landscape of the Natural Park of Sierra Calderona (Eastern Spain) is analysed. Samplings have been carried out along 2010 in three different habitats: almond crop, Oak forest (Quercus suber L.) and Pine forest (Pinus halepensis Miller). In total, 2166 braconid specimens, belonging to 23 subfamilies, have been captured. Alpha, beta and gamma diversities are analysed. As a result, almond crop habitat is proven to show the greatest diversity. The structure of the community and the phenology in each habitat are also analysed.