scispace - formally typeset
Search or ask a question

Showing papers on "Lepidoptera genitalia published in 2015"


Book ChapterDOI
01 Jan 2015
TL;DR: It is difficult to find a genus of Lepidoptera showing the high variability of life history traits observed in Thaumetopoea, but in one special case a recent switch has been detected even within one species, the pine processionary moth, indicating that the natural history traits are constantly evolving at a fast rate.
Abstract: It is difficult to find a genus of Lepidoptera showing the high variability of life history traits observed in Thaumetopoea. There are typical summer feeding close to winter feeding species, and in one special case a recent switch has been detected even within one species, the pine processionary moth, indicating that the natural history traits are constantly evolving at a fast rate. There are species adapted to cold conditions of high mountains and high latitude close to truly Mediterranean and sub-desert region species. All species have gregarious behaviour as larva and are protected against vertebrate predators by urticating setae.

77 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: A comprehensive survey of Wolbachia infection in Lepidoptera suggests that infection incidence is very high, and provides evidence that climate and geography are strong predictors of infection frequency.
Abstract: Butterflies and moths (Lepidoptera) constitute one of the most diverse insect orders, and play an important role in ecosystem function. However, little is known in terms of their bacterial communities. Wolbachia, perhaps the most common and widespread intracellular bacterium on Earth, can manipulate the physiology and reproduction of its hosts, and is transmitted vertically from mother to offspring, or sometimes horizontally between species. While its role in some hosts has been studied extensively, its incidence across Lepidoptera is poorly understood. A recent analysis using a beta-binomial model to infer the between-species distribution of prevalence estimated that approximately 40 % of arthropod species are infected with Wolbachia, but particular taxonomic groups and ecological niches seem to display substantially higher or lower incidences. In this study, we took an initial step and applied a similar, maximum likelihood approach to 300 species of Lepidoptera (7604 individuals from 660 populations) belonging to 17 families and 10 superfamilies, and sampled from 36 countries, representing all continents excluding Antarctica. Approximately a quarter to a third of individuals appear to be infected with Wolbachia, and around 80 % of Lepidoptera species are infected at a non-negligible frequency. This incidence estimate is very high compared to arthropods in general. Wolbachia infection in Lepidoptera is shown to vary between families, but there is no evidence for closely related groups to show similar infection levels. True butterflies (Papilionoidea) are overrepresented in our data, however, our estimates show this group can be taken as a representative for the other major lepidopteran superfamilies. We also show substantial variation in infection level according to geography – closer locations tend to show similar infection levels. We further show that variation in geography is due to a latitudinal gradient in Wolbachia infection, with lower frequencies towards higher latitudes. Our comprehensive survey of Wolbachia infection in Lepidoptera suggests that infection incidence is very high, and provides evidence that climate and geography are strong predictors of infection frequency.

72 citations


Book
20 Feb 2015

50 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The leafminer Coptodisca sp.
Abstract: The leafminer Coptodisca sp. (Lepidoptera: Heliozelidae), recently recorded for the first time in Europe on Italian black and common walnut trees, is shown to be the North-American Coptodisca lucifluella (Clemens) based on morphological (forewing pattern) and molecular (cytochrome oxidase c subunit I sequence) evidence. The phylogenetic relatedness of three species feeding on Juglandaceae suggests that C. lucifluella has likely shifted, within the same host plant family, from its original North-American hosts Carya spp. to Juglans spp. Over the few years since its detection, it has established in many regions in Italy and has become a widespread and dominant invasive species. The leafminer completes three to four generations per year, with the first adults emerging in April–May and mature larvae of the last generation starting hibernation in September–October. Although a high larval mortality was recorded in field observations (up to 74%), the impact of the pest was substantial with all leaves infested at the end of the last generation in all 3 years tested. The distribution of the leafminer in the canopy was homogeneous. The species is redescribed and illustrated, a lectotype is designated and a new synonymy is established.

33 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The functional analyses revealed that the larval stage is highly desirable for chopped meat or powdered food production than the pupal stage, and the anti-nutritional content of both stages fall within the tolerance levels with the exception of phytin phosphorus and phytate where higher values were obtained.
Abstract: Insects are important as items of aesthetic values, pests and as food. Bombyx mori L. is an economically important insect. It is an edible insect that is eaten in the tropics. The larvae of silkworm, B. mori, are popular for silk production. Silk is produced when the larvae are ready to pupate. Both the larval and the pupal stages of B. mori were analyzed for their nutrient composition, protein solubility, mineral, functional and anti-nutritional factors. The pupal stage had a higher protein content (21.59%) than the larval stage which had 20.79%. The fat content of the larva was 17.57% while that of the pupa was 19.90%. The ash content was higher in the larva (6.34%) than that in the pupal stage (5.50%). The proteins in the larval and pupal stage have two iso-electric points. The results of the mineral analyses showed that mineral salts are persistently higher in the pupal stage than in the larval stage. The functional analyses revealed that the larval stage is highly desirable for chopped meat or powdered food production than the pupal stage. The anti-nutritional content of both stages fall within the tolerance levels with the exception of phytin phosphorus and phytate where higher values were obtained.

31 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Diversity of Lepidoptera associated to crop, injury in different parts of the plant, and changes in species composition are discussed considering the changes in plant disease management, introduction of plants expressing Bt proteins, and the recent introduction of Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner) as a new crop pest.
Abstract: The present research updates the systematic position and nomenclature of Lepidoptera associated with soybean crops in Argentina, Brazil, Chile and Uruguay. Scientific literature lists 69 species of Lepidoptera feeding on soybean plants. These species are representatives of the Superfamilies Noctuoidea (31), Pyraloidea (13), Hesperioidea (12), Tortricoidea (5), Geometroidea (5), and Bombycoidea (3). Diversity of Lepidoptera associated to crop, injury in different parts of the plant, and changes in species composition are discussed considering the changes in plant disease management, introduction of plants expressing Bt proteins, and the recent introduction of Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner) as a new crop pest.

27 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Results provide direct evidence confirming that dsRNA is a biologically safe insecticide in lepidopteran insect pest control and confirmed that 21 nucleotide siRNAs are unlikely to produce the off‐target effect if conserved genes are not selected.
Abstract: To investigate whether the dsRNA of a gene has species-specific, broad-spectrum, or off-target effects on lepidopteran insects, we identified a methionine-rich storage protein gene (OfSP) from Asian corn borer, Ostrinia furnacalis (Guenee) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), using high-throughput sequence technology. The OfSP gene possesses three functional domains (N, M, and C), which are predominantly expressed in the last instars of Asian corn borer. This gene is also a key element for insect development and reproduction. The dsRNAs for the three functional domains of the OfSP gene were synthesized and sprayed on either Asian corn borer or on cotton bollworm, Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), during the first instar. The dsRNA targeting the C-terminal domain can cause high mortality rates in both insects, whereas those targeting the M- and N-terminal domains only cause high mortality in the Asian corn borer. These results can be used to develop dsRNA with species-specific or broad-spectrum bio-insecticidal properties. More importantly, after dsRNA spraying, we also found typical systemic RNAi in the phenotypes that resulted in abnormal ecdysis of the larvae and pupae. Moreover, sterile eggs were found in the next generation. To analyze the broad-spectrum link to dsRNA off-target effects, the whole transcriptome siRNA libraries for these two species were constructed. Results further confirmed that 21 nucleotide siRNAs are unlikely to produce the off-target effect if conserved genes are not selected. These findings provide direct evidence confirming that dsRNA is a biologically safe insecticide in lepidopteran insect pest control.

27 citations



Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The findings confirm that C. sativa is unlikely to support high populations of these insect pests on the Canadian prairies and contains antibiosis factors against bertha armyworm.
Abstract: In an investigation of Camelina sativa (Linnaeus) Crantz (Brassicaceae) and five common insect pests of canola (Brassica napus Linnaeus) (Brassicaceae), little feeding damage to the plant was inflicted by crucifer-feeding specialist flea beetles (Phyllotreta Chevrolat species) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), Delia Robineau-Desvoidy (Diptera: Anthomyiidae) root maggots, or diamondback moth (Plutella xylostella Linnaeus (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae)). In choice tests, diamondback moths laid fewer eggs on C. sativa than on B. napus leaves. Diamondback moth larvae consumed less C. sativa leaf tissue, and tended to have a longer developmental period on C. sativa. Larvae of the polyphagous bertha armyworm (Mamestra configurata Walker (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)) had similar feeding levels on C. sativa and B. napus plants. However, there was a longer developmental period from larval to pupal stage and pupae weighed less when fed on C. sativa foliage, suggesting that C. sativa contains antibiosis factors against bertha armyworm. Two strains of aster yellows phytoplasma, 16SrI-A and 16SrI-B, were identified in C. sativa and in Macrosteles quadrilineatus (Forbes) (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae). Differences in incidence of aster yellows and abundance of M. quadrilineatus were observed among lines of C. sativa. The findings confirm that C. sativa is unlikely to support high populations of these insect pests on the Canadian prairies.

25 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The data reported here constitute the first molecular confirmation of this pest in the country, and reveal the occurrence of H. armigera in northern and central Argentina, including the main soybean- and maize-producing area.
Abstract: Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae: Heliothinae) is among the most voracious global pests of agriculture. Adults of this species were identified recently in northern Argentina by dissection of male genitalia. In this work, a rapid and simple molecular tool was designed to distinguish H. armigera from the morphologically similar indigenous bollworms Helicoverpa zea (Boddie) and Helicoverpa gelotopoeon (Dyar), regardless of the life stage. Amplification of partial COI gene with a new primer pair, and subsequent digestion with endonuclease HinfI, yielded different RFLP profiles for the three main Helicoverpa pests currently present in South America. The method was validated in Helicoverpa specimens collected across Argentina, whose identity was further corroborated by COI sequencing and phylogenetic analysis. The data reported here constitute the first molecular confirmation of this pest in the country. The survey revealed the occurrence of H. armigera in northern and central Argentina, including the main soybean- and maize-producing area.

24 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
21 Jul 2015-PLOS ONE
TL;DR: A comprehensive assessment of small Hsp genes and their stress responses in the oriental fruit moth (OFM), Grapholita molesta suggests that the sHsps have evolved rapidly to develop new functions within the Lepidoptera.
Abstract: The small heat shock protein (sHsp) family is thought to play an important role in protein refolding and signal transduction, and thereby protect organisms from stress. However little is known about sHsp function and conservation across phylogenies. In the current study, we provide a comprehensive assessment of small Hsp genes and their stress responses in the oriental fruit moth (OFM), Grapholita molesta. Fourteen small heat shock proteins of OFM clustered with related Hsps in other Lepidoptera despite a high level of variability among them, and in contrast to the highly conserved Hsp11.1. The only known lepidopteran sHsp ortholog (Hsp21.3) was consistently unaffected under thermal stress in Lepidoptera where it has been characterized. However the phylogenetic position of the sHsps within the Lepidoptera was not associated with conservation of induction patterns under thermal extremes or diapause. These findings suggest that the sHsps have evolved rapidly to develop new functions within the Lepidoptera.

Dissertation
01 Sep 2015
TL;DR: Longer developmental periods (larval and pupal) and lower larval survival and adult emergence on resistant varieties suggest antibiosis mechanism of resistance.
Abstract: Experiments were carried out during kharif of 2012 and 2013 at the Zonal Agricultural Research Station, University of Agricultural Sciences, GKVK, Bengaluru. Among the 66 insects and two species of mites, the pod borer caused up to 48 per cent pod damage. The EIL for flower bud initiation, flowering, pod initiation, pod filling and all stages was computed as 0.182, 0.141, 0.179, 0.266 and 0.221larva/plant in 2012 and 0.180, 0.145, 0.128, 0.385 and 0.228 in 2013, respectively. Meanwhile, the stage of crop with minimum EIL showed maximum pod damage and yield loss in both the seasons. The field data on pod damage during 2012 and 2013 seasons indicated that, JS-93-05 (1.43 and 1.41 %) and JS-335 (2.54 and 3.04 %) were highly resistant to pod borer damage, while Vegetable soybean (47.37 and 33.27 %) scored as highly susceptible among 13 varieties. Whereas, remaining ten varieties were scored either as moderately resistant or moderately susceptible. The adverse effects of resistant genotypes were found on various food consumption and utilization indices and life-table parameters of pod borer. Longer developmental periods (larval and pupal) and lower larval survival and adult emergence on resistant varieties suggest antibiosis mechanism of resistance. Among the bio-rationals treatments, lower larval population under field conditions was recorded in NSKE and alternate application of NSKE and Bt. Remaining treatments were on par with each other on 1, 3 and 7 days after first and second spray. Significant differences were observed among the treatments with respect to the seed yield (g/10plants). Alternate application of NSKE and Bt treatment recorded significantly highest seed yield (151.60) followed by NSKE alone (140.93) and chlorpyriphos alone (134.65) during kharif 2012, whereas, during kharif 2013 the alternate application of HaNPV and NSKE recorded significantly highest seed yield (51.13) followed by NSKE (41.01) and Bt (45.34). August, 2015 Dr. N. G. Kumar Department of Agricultural Entomology (Major Advisor) University of Agricultural Sciences Bangalore 560065 ̧ÉÆÃAiÀ iÁ CaÀgÉ ̈É1⁄4É aÉÄà ̄É oÉ°PÉÆaÉ¥Àð D«ÄðeÉgÀ (oÀ ̈ï£Égï) PÁ¬ÄPÉÆgÀPÀzÀ ̧ÁaÀÄxÀåð oÁUÀÆ CzÀgÀ ¤aÀðoÀuÉ aÉÄoÀ§Æ ̈ï μÁ À̧Ä ̄ÁÛ¤ ¥Àæ§AzsÀzÀ ̧ÁgÁA±À ¥ÀæAiÉÆÃUÀUÀ 1⁄4À£ÀÄß 2012 oÁUÀÆ 2013 £Éà aÀÄÄAUÁj£À°è ¥ÁæzÉÃ2PÀ PÀ ȶ ̧ÀA±ÉÆÃzsÀ£Á PÉ ÃAzÀæ, PÀ ȶ «±Àé«zÁ央AiÀÄ, UÁA¢ü PÀ ȶ «eÁÕ£À PÉ ÃAzÀæ, ̈ÉAUÀ1⁄4ÀÆj£À °è £ÀqȨ́ À ̄Á¬ÄvÀÄ. ̧ÉÆÃAiÀiÁ CaÀgÉ ̈É1⁄4É aÉÄà ̄É MlÄÖ 68 QÃl ¥Àæ s̈ÉÃzsÀ UÀ1⁄4À Ä oÁUÀÆ 2 £ÀÄ1 ¥Àæ s̈ÉÃzÀUÀ1⁄4ÀÄ s̈Á¢ü ̧À ÄvÀÛaÉ. PÁ¬Ä PÉ ÆgÀPÀaÀ Å ±ÉÃPÀ qÁ 48% gÀμÀÄÖ PÁ¬ÄUÀ1⁄4À £ÀÄß oÁ1⁄4ÀÄaÀiÁrvÀÄÛ. ««zs À ̈É1⁄4É oÀAvÀUÀ 1⁄4ÁzÀ oÀÆaÉÆUÀÄÎ ¥ÁægÀA©üPÀ , oÀÆ, PÁ¬Ä, ¥ÁægÀA©ü PÀ PÁ1⁄4À ÄPÀlÄÖaÀ oÁUÀÆ J ̄Áè oÀAvÀUÀ 1⁄4À°è 0.182, 0.141, 0.179, 0.266 aÀÄvÀ ÄÛ 0.221 aÀÄj ¥Àæwà VqÀUÀ1⁄4À °èzÁÝUÀ DyðPÀ £ÀμÀÖ GAmÁUÀÄaÀÅzÀÄ 2012 gÀ°è oÁUÀÆ 0.180, 0.145, 0.128, 0.385 oÁUÀÆ 0.228 aÀÄjUÀ1⁄4ÀÄ ¥Àæwà VqÀUÀ 1⁄4À°èzÁÝUÀ 2013 gÀ°è PÀ AqÀħA¢vÀÄ. CzÉà jÃw ̈É1⁄4ÉAiÀÄÄ PÀ ¤μÀÖ DyðPÀ £ÀμÀÖ oÀAvÀzÀ°è CvÀå¢üPÀ PÁ¬ÄUÀ 1⁄4À £ÀμÀÖ oÁUÀÆ E1⁄4ÀÄaÀj PÀ raÉÄAiÀiÁUÀÄaÀÅzÁV JgÀqÀÆ PÁ®aÀiÁ£ÀzÀ °è PÀ AqÀħA¢zÉ. ̧ÉÆÃAiÀiÁ CaÀgÉ AiÀÄ vÀ1⁄2UÀ 1⁄4ÁzÀ eÉ.J ̧ï-93-05 (1.43 aÀÄvÀ ÄÛ 1.41 %) aÀÄvÀ ÄÛ eÉJ ̧ï-335 (2.54% aÀÄvÀ ÄÛ 3.04%) PÁ¬ÄPÉÆgÀPÀ ̈sÁzÉUÉ CvÀå¢üPÀ ¤gÉÆÃzsÀPÀ ±ÀQÛ oÉÆA¢gÀÄaÀÅzÁV JgÀqÀÆ PÁ®aÀiÁ£ÀzÀ °è PÀ AqÀħA¢zÉ. vÀgÀPÁj ̧ÉÆÃAiÀiÁ CaÀgÉ vÀ1⁄2AiÀÄÄ (47.37 aÀÄvÀ ÄÛ 33.27%) CvÀå¢üPÀ aÁV PÁ¬ÄPÉÆgÀPÀPÉÌ vÀÄvÁÛUÀÄaÀÅzÁV JgÀqÀÆ PÁ®aÀiÁ£ÀzÀ°è PÀ AqÀħA¢zÉ. G1⁄2zÀ 10 vÀ1⁄2UÀ 1⁄4ÀÄ aÀiÁzsÀå«ÄPÀ ¤gÉÆÃzsÀPÀvÀé CxÀaÀ vÀÄvÁÛUÀÄaÀÅzÀÄ PÀ AqÀħA¢zÉ. ¤gÉÆÃzsÀPÀvÀéaÀÅ1⁄4À î vÀ1⁄2UÀ 1⁄4ÀÄ, aÀÄj oÀÄ1⁄4ÀÄUÀ1⁄4À DoÁgÀzÀ ̧ÉÃaÀ£É aÀÄvÀÄÛ G¥ÀAiÀÄÄPÀÛvÉ aÉÄà ̄É PÉ lÖ ¥ÀjuÁaÀÄ GAmÁV PÁ¬ÄPÉÆgÀPÀzÀ fÃaÀPÉÆÃμÀÖPÀzÀ aÉÄà ̄É aÀåvÀåAiÀÄ PÀ AqÀħA¢zÉ. oÉZÁÑzÀ ̈É1⁄4ÀaÀ tÂUÉ ̧ÀaÀ ÄAiÀÄ (aÀÄj aÀÄvÀ ÄÛ PÉ ÆñÁaÀ ̧É Ü oÀAvÀ) aÀÄvÀÄÛ PÀ raÉÄ ¥ÀæaÀ iÁtzÀ aÀÄjUÀ1⁄4À G1⁄2aÀ Å aÀÄvÀ ÄÛ aÀAiÀÄ ̧ÀÌ QÃlUÀ1⁄4À oÉÆgÀ§gÀÄ«PÉ AiÀÄ aÉÄà ̄ÁUÀÄaÀ ¥ÀæwÃfÃaÀ GvÁàzÀPÀvÉ §UÉAiÀÄÄ ¤gÉÆÃzsÀPÀ vÀ1⁄2UÀ 1⁄4À°è PÀ AqÀħA¢zÉ. ̈Éë£À PÀ μÁAiÀÄ 1A¥Àj1zÀ oÁUÀÆ ̈Éë£À PÀμÁAiÀÄ aÀÄvÀ ÄÛ ©.n. AiÀÄ£ÀÄß ¥ÀAiÀiÁðAiÀÄaÁV 1A¥Àj1zÀ vÁPÀ ÄUÀ 1⁄4À°è CvÀåAvÀ PÀ raÉÄ PÁ¬ÄPÉÆgÀPÀ zÀ aÀÄjUÀ1⁄2gÀ ÄaÀÅzÀ Ä PÀ AqÀħA¢zÉ. G1⁄2zÀ G¥ÀZÁgÀUÀ1⁄4À Ä ̧ÀaÀ iÁ£ÀaÁzÀ aÀÄjUÀ1⁄4À £ÀÄß oÉÆA¢zÀÝaÀÅ. ¥ÀAiÀiÁðAiÀÄaÁV ̈Éë£À PÀ μÁAiÀÄ aÀÄvÀ ÄÛ ©.n. AiÀÄ£ÀÄß 1A¥Àj1zÀ vÁPÀ ÄUÀ 1⁄4À°è Cw oÉZÀÄÑ ©ÃdzÀ E1⁄4ÀÄaÀj PÀ AqÀħA¢zÉ. EzÁzÀ £ÀAvÀgÀ ̈Éë£À PÀ μÁAiÀÄ aÀiÁvÀæ, PÉ ÆèÃgï¥sÉÊj¥sÁ ̧ï QÃl£Á±ÀPÀzÀ 1A¥ÀgÀ uÉAiÀÄ°è 2012 £Éà aÀÄÄAUÁj£À°è PÀ AqÀħA¢zÉ. DzÀgÉ , 2013 £Éà aÀÄÄAUÁj£À°è oÉZï.J. J£ï.¦.«. aÀÄvÀ ÄÛ ̈Éë£À PÀ μÁAiÀÄ ¥ÀAiÀiÁðAiÀÄaÁV 1A¥Àj1zÀ vÁPÀ ÄUÀ 1⁄4À°è oÉaÑ£À E1⁄4ÀÄaÀj PÀ AqÀħA¢zÉ. EzÁzÀ £ÀAvÀgÀ ̈É Ã«£À PÀμÁAiÀÄ aÀÄvÀ ÄÛ ©.n. aÀiÁvÀæ 1A¥Àj1zÀ vÁPÀ ÄUÀ 1⁄4À°è PÀ AqÀħA¢zÉ. DUÀ ̧ïÖ 2015 PÀ ȶ QÃl ±Á ̧ÀÛç « ̈s ÁUÀ, J£ï. f. PÀÄaÀiÁgï PÀ ȶ «±À é«zÁ央AiÀÄ, f.PÉ .«.PÉ., ¥Àæzs Á£À À̧®oÉUÁgÀgÀ Ä ̈ÉAUÀ1⁄4ÀÆgÀÄ 560 065

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Both single and pyramided Bt traits were effective against southwestern corn borer, sugarcane borers, and lesser cornstalk borer and hybrid plants containing Cry1F×Cry1Ab within the pyramides Cry1f×Cry 1Ab blended refuge treatment had significantly less kernel damage than non-Bt structured refuge treatments.
Abstract: Fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae); corn earworm, Helicoverpa zea Boddie (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae); southwestern corn borer, Diatraea grandiosella Dyar (Lepidoptera: Crambidae); sugarcane borer, Diatraea saccharalis F. (Lepidoptera: Crambidae); and lesser cornstalk borer, Elasmopalpus lignosellus Zeller (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), are lepidopteran pests of corn, Zea mays L., in the southern United States. Blended refuge for transgenic plants expressing the insecticidal protein derivative from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) has recently been approved as an alternative resistance management strategy in the northern United States. We conducted a two-year study with 39 experiments across 12 states in the southern United States to evaluate plant injury from these five species of Lepidoptera to corn expressing Cry1F and Cry1Ab, as both single and pyramided traits, a pyramid of Cry1Ab×Vip3Aa20, and a pyramid of Cry1F×Cry1Ab plus non-Bt in a blended refuge. Leaf injury and kernel damage from corn earworm and fall armyworm, and stalking tunneling by southwestern corn borer, were similar in Cry1F×Cry1Ab plants compared with the Cry1F×Cry1Ab plus non-Bt blended refuge averaged across five-plant clusters. When measured on an individual plant basis, leaf injury, kernel damage, stalk tunneling (southwestern corn borer), and dead or injured plants (lesser cornstalk borer) were greater in the blended non-Bt refuge plants compared to Cry1F×Cry1Ab plants in the non-Bt and pyramided Cry1F×Cry1Ab blended refuge treatment. When non-Bt blended refuge plants were compared to a structured refuge of non-Bt plants, no significant difference was detected in leaf injury, kernel damage, or stalk tunneling (southwestern corn borer). Plant stands in the non-Bt and pyramided Cry1F×Cry1Ab blended refuge treatment had more stalk tunneling from sugarcane borer and plant death from lesser cornstalk borer compared to a pyramided Cry1F×Cry1Ab structured refuge treatment. Hybrid plants containing Cry1F×Cry1Ab within the pyramided Cry1F×Cry1Ab blended refuge treatment had significantly less kernel damage than non-Bt structured refuge treatments. Both single and pyramided Bt traits were effective against southwestern corn borer, sugarcane borer, and lesser cornstalk borer.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: High levels of parasitism of S. exigua and Spodoptera litura (F.) larvae but not of Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) larvae are found, where the hosts were able to molt to 4th instars after being parasitized as early 3rd instars, but were unable to develop to the 5th instar.
Abstract: Microplitis similis Lyle (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) is a solitary endoparasitic braconid that generally parasitizes larvae of Spodoptera exigua (Hubner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) and many other noctuid species. To understand host preference, fitness, and the effects of M. similis on the hosts, we compared percentage parasitism, development periods, and the effects on host growth in candidate noctuid species. We found high levels of parasitism of S. exigua and Spodoptera litura (F.) larvae but not of Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) larvae. The parasitoid wasp larvae took similar amounts of time for development on S. exigua and S. litura larvae, i.e., 13.87 ± 0.15 and 13.69 ± 0.42 d, respectively. Compared with the control larvae, the growth and development of the hosts were severely affected. The hosts were able to molt to 4th instars after being parasitized as early 3rd instars, but were unable to develop to the 5th instar. The body weight was similar between parasitized and non-parasitized larvae within the first 4 d (3 d in S. litura) but later began to show a significant difference from the 5th day on (4th day in S. litura). The host larvae eventually weighed up to 50 to 80% less than the non-parasitized larvae. Furthermore, the host larvae lived for an extended period in the same instar after egression of the parasitoid, but the body mass did not increase.

01 Jan 2015
TL;DR: Assessment of the movement and development of Helicoverpa zea (Boddie) larvae on non-Bt refuge corn plants within a seed mixture of non- Bt and Bt corn suggests there may be costs to larvae developing on refuge plants within seed mixtures.
Abstract: ABSTRACT In 2012 and 2013, field trials were conducted near Rosemount, MN, to assess the movement and development of Helicoverpa zea (Boddie) larvae on non-Bt refuge corn plants within a seed mixture of non-Bt and Bt corn. The Bt corn hybrid expressed three Bt toxins—Cry1Ab, Cry1F, and Vip3A. As the use of seed mixtures for insect resistance management (IRM) continues to be implemented, it is necessary to further characterize how this IRM approach impacts resistance development in ear-feeding Lepidopteran pests. The potential for Bt pollen movement and cross pollination of the non-Bt ears in a seed mixture may lead to Bt toxin exposure to larvae developing on those refuge ears. Larval movement and development by H. zea, feeding on non-Bt refuge plants adjacent to either transgenic Bt or non-Bt plants, were measured to investigate the potential for unintended Bt exposure. Non-Bt plants were infested with H. zea eggs and subplots were destructively sampled twice per week within each treatment to assess larval development, location, and kernel injury. Results indicate that H. zea larval movement between plants is relatively low, ranging from 2–16% of larvae, and occurs mainly after reaching the second instar. Refuge plants in seed mixtures did not produce equivalent numbers of H. zea larvae, kernel injury, and larval development differed as compared with a pure stand of non-Bt plants. This suggests that there may be costs to larvae developing on refuge plants within seed mixtures and additional studies are warranted to define potential impacts.

Journal Article
TL;DR: The present work was conducted to evaluate the effects of Cyromazine on survival, growth, development and metamorphosis of Spodoptera littoralis and found that the developmental duration had been slightly prolonged indicating regressed developmental rate, regardless the time of treatment.
Abstract: The present work was conducted to evaluate the effects of Cyromazine on survival, growth, development and metamorphosis of Spodoptera littoralis. A series of concentrations (200.0, 100.0, 50.0, 10.0, 1.0, 0.1, 0.01 & 0.001 ppm) was applied on the newly moulted larvae of 5 (penultimate) and 6 (last) instars through the fresh food plant. After treatment of penultimate instar larvae, Cyromazine caused larval and pupal mortalities only at the higher concentration levels. No adult mortality was observed. LC50 was 74.44 ppm. After treatment of last instar larvae, Cyromazine failed to exhibit a pupicidal activity, regardless the concentration level and caused adult mortality only at 1.0 and 0.1 ppm. LC50 was 82.91 ppm. The larval growth was drastically suppressed, regardless the time of treatment and the concentration level. The developmental duration had been slightly prolonged indicating regressed developmental rate, regardless the time of treatment. Treatment of penultimate instar larvae with Cyromazine concentration levels, other than the lower two ones, caused prohibition of pupation in a dose-dependent course. Also, the pupation program was impaired since some larvalpupal intermediates had been produced. Cyromazine failed to affect the adult emergence, at the majority of the concentration levels except 100 ppm. Except the lower three concentration levels, treatment of last instar larvae with other concentration levels resulted in prohibited pupation rate and impaired pupation program. At only 100 and 50 ppm of Cyromazine, the adult emergence was partially blocked.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: DNA barcode data show that this parasitoid is a sister to Meteorus acerbiavorus (Braconidae, Euphorinae), which highlights the existence of multiple cryptic refugia in Beringia and an important role of parasitoids in the suppression of Arctic Lepidoptera populations.
Abstract: The polar tiger moth Pararctia subnebulosa (Dyar 1899) (Erebidae: Arctiinae) is one of the few conspicuous and largest Lepidoptera species in the High Arctic. However, the biology and distribution patterns of this remarkable species have not been sufficiently studied. In the present note, we summarize known data for the species localities, provide DNA barcode data and describe the immature stages and a gregarious parasitoid. The species was collected from Kolguev Island, Arctic European Russia, for the first time. This locality is situated 500 km westward from a previously known species recording in the Yugor Peninsula, which substantiates that P. subnebulosa is also a member of the European fauna. DNA barcode data revealed that the Kolguev specimen shares a close haplotype with those from Chukotka at distance ca. 5,000 km. However, a specimen from Canada has a highly divergent haplotype that indicates that the Russian populations are a separate cryptic species, P. tundrana Tshistjakov 1990. We provide the first data for an assessment of the role of Meteorus parasitoid pressure on the imago abundance of P. subnebulosa. Among 87 moth larvae collected from the Yugor Peninsula, only eight larvae (9.2 %) developed into imagoes, and all of the others (79 ind., 90.8 %) were lost due to parasitoid invasion. DNA barcode data show that this parasitoid is a sister to Meteorus acerbiavorus (Braconidae, Euphorinae). Our findings highlight the existence of multiple cryptic refugia in Beringia and an important role of parasitoids in the suppression of Arctic Lepidoptera populations.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The host larvae that were attacked by two parasitoids died more frequently before a parasitoid completed its larval development than those that were attacks by a single parasitoidal, suggesting possible competition between the two species, mediated by habitat.
Abstract: Two generalist parasitoids, Dolichogenidea tasmanica (Cameron) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) and Therophilus unimaculatus (Turner) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) attack early instars of tortricid moths, including the light brown apple moth, Epiphyas postvittana (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae). The two parasitoids co-exist in natural habitats, while D. tasmanica is dominant in vineyards, whereas T. unimaculatus occurs mainly in adjacent native vegetation. This difference suggests possible competition between the two species, mediated by habitat. Here, we report on the extent of interspecific differences in host discrimination and the outcome of interspecific competition between the two parasitoids. The parasitoids did not show different behavioural responses to un-parasitized hosts or those that were parasitized by the other species. Larvae of D. tasmanica out-competed those of T. unimaculatus, irrespective of the order or interval between attacks by the two species. The host larvae that were attacked by two parasitoids died more frequently before a parasitoid completed its larval development than those that were attacked by a single parasitoid. Dissection of host larvae parasitized by both species indicated that first instars of D. tasmanica attacked and killed larval T. unimaculatus.


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The findings suggest that the need for fast digestion allowed holometabolous insects to evolve divergent groups of peptidases with high auto-activation rates, and highlight that the evolution of trypsins led to a most diverse group of enzymes in Lepidoptera.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Virulent entomopathogenic fungal strains against Cydia pomonella were isolated and identified in the Western Cape Province of South Africa and Metarhizium robertsii was the most frequently encountered species representing 51% of the total number of isolates collected from the soil samples.
Abstract: Virulent entomopathogenic fungal strains against Cydia pomonella (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) were isolated and identified in the Western Cape Province of South Africa. Thirty-nine isolates belonging to six species were obtained using the insect bait method. Generally, Metarhizium robertsii (Ascomycota: Hypocreales) was the most frequently encountered species representing 51% of the total number of isolates collected from the soil samples. This is the first report of M. robertsii from southern Africa. Mortality data from an immersion bioassay indicated that the 39 fungal isolates were pathogenic against fifth instar larvae of C. pomonella inducing 47–85% insect mortalities. Two M. robertsii strains, MTL151 and GW461, induced 85% larval mortality and were selected for further evaluations. The exposure of freshly laid eggs to wax papers that were pre-treated with fungal spores ranging from 103 to 108 spores ml−1 of MTL151 and GW461 resulted in a significant reduction of egg hatchabilities, from 95 to 66% and ...


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: One of the noteworthy features of the genome includes the presence of a 51-bp long non-coding space sequence located between tRNAGln and ND2 that reveals high-sequence homology to the neighboring ND2 gene, indicating the origin of the region by partial duplication of theND2 gene.
Abstract: Glyphodes quadrimaculalis (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) feed on a root tuber of Cynanchum wilfordii (Asclepiadaceae), which is one of the most famous traditional medicines in Korea. The genus Glyphodes includes ∼130 species distributed worldwide, so the complete mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) would be helpful for bio-identification, biogeographic studies and multigene-based phylogeny. The 15,255 bp long G. quadrimaculalis genome comprises 37 typical genes and 1 large non-coding region, with the typical arrangement found in Lepidoptera. Of the 13 protein coding genes (PCGs), 12 begin with typical start codons found in insect mitochondrial PCGs, but the COI gene starts with atypical CGA. One of the noteworthy features of the genome includes the presence of a 51-bp long non-coding space sequence located between tRNAGln and ND2 that reveals high-sequence homology (71.4%) to the neighboring ND2 gene, indicating the origin of the region by partial duplication of the ND2 gene.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Combined sequence analyses of 5.8S-ITS rDNA, nrSSU, EF-1α and RPB1 gene-loci confirmed the distinctiveness of this new species of Lepidoptera.
Abstract: A new entomogenous taxon, Metacordyceps shibinensis sp. nov., associated with a larva of Lepidoptera was found in Yuntai Mountains, Guizhou Province, China. It differs from similar species in its white to faint yellow stromata, short ascomata, and very short asci and ascospores. Combined sequence analyses of 5.8S-ITS rDNA, nrSSU, EF-1α and RPB1 gene-loci also confirmed the distinctiveness of this new species.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: It is found that variation in female genitalia size is directly correlated with the size of its host fruit, which suggests a mechanism for reproductive isolation and divergence of the four host races.
Abstract: Neoleucinodes elegantalis (Guenee) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) is a major pest of fruits in the family Solanaceae in the Western Hemisphere. The objectives of this study were to determine whether life zone or host plant explained morphological variation in females, and if so, if there was evidence of sexual selection driving diversification in this species. We collected larvae feeding on cultivated (Capsicum annuum L., Solanum betaceum Cavanilles, Solanum lycopersicum Lamarck, Solanum melongena L., and Solanum quitoense Lamarck) and wild species (Solanum atropurpureum Schrank, Solanum acerifolium Dunal, Solanum crinitum Lamarck, and Solanum hirtum Vahl) of Solanceae in Colombia. The genitalia traits of 547 reared females were measured and correlations with host plant fruit size were estimated. Six female genitalia morphological characters, apophysis posterioris, apophysis anterioris, ostium bursae, ductus bursae length, corpus bursae, and the seventh abdominal segment were measured. Principal compon...

Book ChapterDOI
01 Jan 2015
TL;DR: This chapter explores the selective pressures responsible for the evolution of genital morphology in the Lepidoptera, emphasizing the possible role of post-copulatory intersexual selection (PCIS) mechanisms (cryptic female choice and sexual conflict).
Abstract: The genitalia of male and female Lepidoptera are complex organs, composed of several structures that exhibit great diversity of shapes, sizes, and positions, suggesting that they have evolved in a relatively rapid and divergent way. In this chapter, we explore the selective pressures responsible for the evolution of genital morphology in the Lepidoptera , emphasizing the possible role of post-copulatory intersexual selection (PCIS) mechanisms (cryptic female choice and sexual conflict). Our exploration is in great extent speculative because knowledge on the functional morphology of genitalia in this group is limited. We start by describing the complexity and diversity of genitalia in Lepidoptera, discussing the available information about the role of the different structures in copulation. Then, we discuss possible ways in which PCIS and other types of selective pressures could have influenced the evolution of genitalia by developing illustrative hypothesis for several structures whose function is not well understood. Finally, we describe in detail recent experimental and comparative studies aimed at understanding the function and selective pressures responsible for the evolution of a female genital trait known as signum.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Understanding of the interactions between baculoviruses and host insects is improved and 20-hydroxyecdysone—related genes were down-regulated and juvenile hormone— related genes were up-regulated after HaSNPV infection.
Abstract: In recent years, the interactions between baculoviruses and their insect hosts have become a research focus because baculoviruses can suppress the development and manipulate the behavior of insects. Many studies reported that nucleopolyhedrovirus (NPV) infection might disrupt the hormone balance in insects, but the effect of NPV infection on the development and expression of hormone-related genes in larvae of Helicoverpa armigera Boddie (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) remains unclear. In this study, the mortality, development time, and pupal weight of H. armigera were recorded after 4th and 5th instars had been treated per os with different concentrations of Helicoverpa armigera single NPV (HaSNPV). Results showed that mortality increased and development time was prolonged to different degrees along with increasing concentrations of HaSNPV. The pupal weight did not differ between the HaSNPV-infected and control insects when 4th instars were infected but was significantly reduced when 5th instars were in...

Journal ArticleDOI
13 Nov 2015-Zootaxa
TL;DR: Two new new species from the Andes (Ecuador) are described and the male genitalia of both species and the female genitalia, as well as the leaf-mines of S. serpantina sp.
Abstract: First Liabum Adans. (Asteraceae) feeding Nepticulidae are reported. Two new new species from the Andes (Ecuador) are described: Stigmella serpantina Diskus & Stonis, sp. nov. and S. pangorica Diskus & Stonis, sp. nov. The male genitalia of both species and the female genitalia, as well the leaf-mines of S. serpantina sp. nov. are illustrated.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Bioassays with H. armigera larval instars indicated that the Bt soybean expressing the Cry 1Ac protein is an efficient control tactic for this pest.
Abstract: Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) causes economically significant damage to soybeans Glycine max (L.) Merrill (Fabaceae: Phaseoleae). The genetically modified soybean expressing the Cry1Ac protein of Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner, which is toxic to lepidopterans, is a potential alternative tool to manage this pest. Bioassays with H. armigera larval instars were conducted with Bt (Cry1Ac) and non-Bt soybean plants in order to evaluate the efficacy of control with the modified cultivar. Bt soybean affected the mean time of mortality in each larval instar, but its efficacy was not affected by the larval stage. Mortality was 100% in all six instars, indicating that the Bt soybean expressing the Cry 1Ac protein is an efficient control tactic for this pest.

Journal Article
TL;DR: The tomato leaf miner, Tuta absoluta (Meyrick), native to South America, has gained entry to India in the recent past and characters useful to distinguish sex in different stages like larvae, pupa and adults were identified.
Abstract: The tomato leaf miner, Tuta absoluta (Meyrick), native to South America, has gained entry to India in the recent past. Being an exotic pest, generating information on biology under local conditions is essential. The incubation, larval and pupal periods were 3.90±0.91, 11.80±1.25 and 9.15±1.70 days, respectively. There were four larval instars based on head capsule collected. Characters useful to distinguish sex in different stages like larvae, pupa and adults were identified. Larvae were sexed based on the presence of pink coloured gonads in males, pupae based on the distance of genital aperture from the anterior segment of last segment and adults based on the abdominal size and genitalia. Description of male and female genitalia has been given. The study is helpful in designing future integrated management of this recently invaded pest in India.