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  • Monthly, Founded in 1950
    Supervisor:Chinese Academy of Sciences
    Sponsor:Institute of Zoology,Chinese Academy of Sciences
    The Entomological Society of China
    Domestic postal code: 2-153
    Foreign issuance code: Q61
    ISSN 0454-6296
    CN 11-1832/Q
Table of Content
20 May 2023, Volume 66 Issue 5
For Selected: View Abstracts Toggle Thumbnails
  • RESEARCH PAPERS
    Nuclear receptor gene SfUSP regulates the molting development of the white-backed planthopper, Sogatella furcifera (Hemiptera: Delphacidae)
    ZHOU Cao, GONG Ming-Fu, YANG Xi-Bin, YANG Hong, LONG Gui-Yun, JIA Ze-Yan, ZENG Qing-Hui, JIN Dao-Chao
    2023, 66(5):  609-618.  doi:10.16380/j.kcxb.2023.05.001
    Abstract ( 206 )   PDF (6066KB) ( 268 )   PDF(mobile) (6066KB) ( 45 )     
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    【Aim】To explore the function of nuclear receptor ultraspiracle protein (USP) in the molting development of Sogatella furcifera nymph and its regulatory relationship with chitin synthesis and degradation. 【Methods】Based on the genome data of S. furcifera, the full-length cDNA sequence of SfUSP was amplified by RT-PCR. The expression levels of SfUSP in different developmental stages (1st-5th instar nymphs, 5th instar nymph prior to ecdysis, 5th instar nymph during ecdysis and female adult), tissues (head, integument, fat body, gut and leg) of the 5th instar nymph, female adult tissues (integument, wing, fat body, leg and ovary) and the day-1 5th instar nymph of S. furcifera after treatment with 100 ng/individual of 20E were detected by RT-qPCR. After the targeted silencing of SfUSP by microinjection of dsRNA into the day-1 5th instar nymph, the nymphal survival rate was calculated, the lethal phenotype of nymphs was observed and the expression levels of the key genes in chitin synthesis and degradation pathways were determined by RT-qPCR. 【Results】The full-length cDNA sequence of SfUSP (GenBank accession number: ON209396) of S. furcifera was obtained by cloning, with an open reading frame of 1 263 bp in length, encoding 420 amino acids. The predicted molecular weight of SfUSP is 47.27 kD with the theoretical isoelectric point of 7.18. Sequence analysis result showed that SfUSP contains five conserved domains of nuclear receptor family, and DNA-binding domain (DBD) and ligand-binding domain (LBD) are highly conserved. The developmental stage expression profiles showed that SfUSP was highly expressed in the 1st instar nymph, and the 5th instar nymphs prior to ecdysis and female adult. The tissue expression profiles showed that SfUSP was expressed highly in the head, integument, fat body and gut of the 5th instar nymphs, and in the wing, leg and integument of the female adult. In addition, at 12 h after microinjection of 20E (100 ng/individual), the expression level of SfUSP in the 5th instar nymph was significantly increased as compared with that in the control group. After targeted silencing of SfUSP expression, the nymphal survival rate of S. furcifera was significantly reduced compared with the control group (injected with dsGFP) and only 18.01% of that of the control group at 6 d after microinjection of dsRNA, with 51.46% individuals unable to molt successfully. In addition, after targeted silencing of SfUSP expression, the expression levels of the key genes SfCHS1, SfCHS1a, SfUAP and SfGFAT in chitin synthesis pathways and SfCht7, SfNAG1, SfNAG2, SfCDA1, SfCDA2 and SfCDA4 in chitin degradation pathways were significantly inhibited, but those of SfG6PI and SfCht10 were significantly increased as compared with those in the control group microinjected with dsGFP. 【Conclusion】SfUSP is a key gene in the growth and development of S. furcifera, which can affect the synthesis and degradation of chitin, and then regulates the ecdysis development of S. furcifera.
    Analysis of the functional mechanism of ATP synthase subunit α in the metamorphosis of Helicoverpa armigera (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) larvae
    GENG Zi-Chen, CHANG Yan-Peng, ZHANG Bo, AN Shi-Heng, ZHAO Wen-Li
    2023, 66(5):  619-627.  doi:10.16380/j.kcxb.2023.05.002
    Abstract ( 191 )   PDF (6411KB) ( 114 )   PDF(mobile) (6411KB) ( 16 )     
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     【Aim】This study aims to analyze the functional mechanism of ATP synthase subunit α in the metamorphosis and development of Helicoverpa armigera.【Methods】The open reading frame (ORF) of ATPS-α gene of H. armigera was amplified by PCR and analyzed by bioinformatics. qRT-PCR was employed to detect the expression levels of HaATPs-α in the cuticle, midgut and fat body of larva at the 5th instar molting stage and day-1-5 of the 6th instar, and the cuticle and fat body of the 6th instar larva after the induction of exogenous 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E)(0.1 mg/mL). The 6th instar larvae of H. armigera were injected with dsHaATPs-α, and the effects of knocking down the expression level of HaATPs-α by RNAi on the development and metamorphosis of larvae, and the ATP content, trehalose content, glucose content and trehalase activity in the larva were analyzed. 【Results】The ORF length of HaATPs-α of H. armigera is 1 677 bp. The amino acid sequence identity of ATPs-α in H. armigera, Spodoptera frugiperda, S. litura and Trichoplusia ni of Noctuidae of Lepidoptera was 96.56%, and their evolution relationship was close. The expression pattern analysis result showed that the expression levels of HaATPs-α in the cuticle and midgut of the day-3 6th instar larvae were the highest and also peaked in the fat body of the 5th instar larvae at the molting stage. Treatment with 20E(0.1 mg/mL) significantly upregulated the expression level of HaATPs-α in the 6th instar larvae compared with the control. Compared with the control group (injected with dsGFP), knocking down the expression level of HaATPs-α by RNAi delayed the larval development, significantly reduced larval weight, significantly increased larval mortality, significantly decreased pupation rate and adult emergence rate, significantly decreased ATP content and trehalase activity, significantly increased trehalose content, and significantly decreased glucose content. 【Conclusion】HaATPs-α not only controls ATP production, but also affects the contents of trehalose and glucose in H. armigera. Therefore, HaATPs-α plays an important role in larval metamorphosis. Furthermore, our results also provide experimental evidence and theoretical basis for using ATPs-α as a new target for pest control in the future.
    Regulation of adipokinetic hormone on the growth and development of the Bactrocera dorsalis (Diptera: Tephritidae) larva
    HOU Qiu-Li, ZHANG Han-Qiao, JIANG Hong-Bo, WANG Jin-Jun
    2023, 66(5):  628-635.  doi:10.16380/j.kcxb.2023.05.003
    Abstract ( 188 )   PDF (2625KB) ( 370 )   PDF(mobile) (2625KB) ( 21 )     
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    【Aim】Adipokinetic hormone (AKH), a type of neuropeptide, plays central roles in regulating development and behavioral events in diverse insects. Investigating the functions of AKH on the growth and development of Bactrocera dorsalis larva will contribute to a better understanding of the conservation and functional diversity of neuropeptides in insects, and may shed light on evaluating the potential of AKH signal system as the target of novel insect control agents. 【Methods】The full-length cDNA sequence of BdAKH of B. dorsalis was cloned, and characterized with bioinformatics methods. The expression levels of BdAKH in different developmental stages (egg, 1st-3rd instar larvae, pupa, virgin female adult and male adult), and different tissues [central nervous system, corpora cardiaca/corpus allatum (CC/CA), fat body, Malpighian tubules, midgut, hindgut, cuticle, ovary, testis and hemocytes] of the late 3th instar larva of B. dorsalis were detected by qPCR. Immunohistochemistry technique was used to localize the neurons expressing BdAKH in the 3rd instar larva of B. dorsalis. RNAi combined with biological observation was used to analyze the regulation of BdAKH on the growth and development of B. dorsalis larva.【Results】The full-length cDNA sequence of BdAKH (GenBank accession no. KY073319) of B. dorsalis was cloned. This cDNA of 572 bp contains an open reading frame (ORF) of 252 bp, which encodes 83 amino acid residues. BdAKH of B. dorsalis has conserved structure that consists of one mature peptide (QLTFSPDWamide). The expression levels of BdAKH were higher in adult. BdAKH was mainly expressed in the CC/CA of the late 3rd instar larva. Compared with the control group (dsGFP), BdAKH knockdown in the 3rd instar larva of B. dorsalis caused a delay in pupation and decreased pupation rate, while the pupal weight and phenotype had no remarkable difference. 【Conclusion】AKH plays important roles in regulating the larval growth and development of B. dorsalis, which could be viewed as new targets of novel insect control agents.
    BMP signal affects the phagocytosis of plasmatocytes in Drosophila melanogaster
    ZHANG Wen-Hao, JIN Li-Hua
    2023, 66(5):  636-641.  doi:10.16380/j.kcxb.2023.05.004
    Abstract ( 118 )   PDF (1093KB) ( 329 )   PDF(mobile) (1093KB) ( 7 )     
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    【Aim】To explore the effects of bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signal on the phagocytosis of Drosophila melanogaster plasmatocytes. 【Methods】The UAS-Gal4 system of D. melanogaster was used to specifically knock down BMP signal-related genes Dpp, Gbb, Tkv, Put, Med, Wit, Sax, Mad, Dad, Sal, Brk and Omb in plasmatocytes. The phagocytic indexes of plasmatocytes were calculated to analyze the phagocytic capacities of plasmatocytes after injecting non-pathogenic fluorescence-conjugated microspheres (FluoSphere Microspheres), pHrodo-labeled Gram-negative bacterium Escherichia coli (pHrodo-Escherichia coli) and pHrodo-labeled Gram-positive bacterium Staphylococcus aureus (pHrodo-Staphylococcus aureus) into the 3rd instar larva and adult of D. melanogaster. 【Results】 In the plasmatocytes of the 3rd instar larva of D. melanogaster, knocking down the expression of Dpp, Gbb, Tkv, Wit, Dad, Brk and Omb significantly reduced the phagocytic indexes to FluoSphere Microspheres, while knocking down Dpp, Gbb, Tkv, Wit, Dad and Brk significantly impaired the phagocytic capacity to pHrodo-Escherichia coli, compared with control group Cg>w1118. In addition, the ability of plasmatocytes to phagocytize pHrodo-Staphylococcus aureus decreased obviously after knocking down Gbb compared with control group Cg>w1118. Moreover, in adults, we found that the total phagocytic capacity of plasmatocytes decreased obviously upon knocking down Gbb and Dad, whereas after the knockdown of Put, the total phagocytic capacity of plasmatocytes increased. 【Conclusion】In the D. melanogaster larvae, Dpp, Gbb, Tkv, Wit, Dad, Brk and Omb positively regulate the phagocytosis of plasmatocytes. Dpp, Gbb, Tkv, Wit, Dad and Brk promote the phagocytosis of plasmatocytes to Gram-negative bacteria, while Gbb promotes the phagocytosis of plasmatocytes to Gram-positive bacteria. In the D. melanogaster adults, Gbb and Dad contribute to the phagocytosis of total plasmatocytes, while Put negatively regulates the phagocytosis of plasmatocytes.
    Analysis of the adult antennal transcriptome and olfaction-related genes of Pieris rapae (Lepidoptera: Pieridae)
    XUE Zeng-Sheng, YAN Xi-Zhong, ZHAO Jing-Yu, SONG Cheng-Fei, LIU Dan, WANG Han, HAO Chi, MA Li
    2023, 66(5):  642-652.  doi:10.16380/j.kcxb.2023.05.005
    Abstract ( 172 )   PDF (2074KB) ( 360 )   PDF(mobile) (2074KB) ( 26 )     
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     【Aim】To establish the antennal transcriptome database of the Pieris rapae adult, so as to deeply mine the gene data of P. rapae by using bioinformatics and molecular biology methods.【Methods】High-throughput sequencing platform Illumina NovaSeq 6000 was used to perform antennal transcriptome sequencing, sequence assembly, functional annotation and differentially expressed gene analysis of P. rapae adults. qRT-PCR was used to verify nine differentially expressed olfaction-related genes including PrapOR1, PrapOR2, PrapOR5, PrapOBP1, PrapOBP4, PrapOBP5, PrapSNMP1, PrapSNMP2 and PrapSNMP3.【Results】By sequencing of the antennal transcriptome of adults of P. rapae, a total of 17.65 GB sequencing data (NCBI registration number: PRJNA869896) were obtained. A total of 116 317 transcripts were obtained through filtering and sequence splicing. Then, 43 390 unigenes were obtained by Corset hierarchical clustering. BUSCO evaluation showed that the stitching quality had good integrity and high accuracy. The databases with the largest number of unigene annotations in a descending order were NT, NR, Pfam, GO, Swiss-Prot, KEGG and KOG/COG. Furthermore, 176 olfaction-related genes were screened by gene functional annotation analysis, among them 19 genes were differentially expressed, including 15 genes highly expressed in female adult antennae and four genes highly expressed in male adult antennae. qRT-PCR verification results showed that PrapOR1 and PrapOR2 were highly expressed in male adult antennae, PrapOR5, PrapOBP1, PrapOBP4, PrapOBP5, PrapSNMP1, PrapSNMP2 and PrapSNMP3 were highly expressed in female adult antennae, indicating the consistency with the transcriptome sequencing results.【Conclusion】In this study, a transcriptomic database of adult antennae of P. rapae was established, the olfaction-related genes were screened and the differential expression of olfaction-related genes was analyzed. The results provide a theoretical basis for further studies on the gene function and olfactory molecular mechanism of P. rapae.
    Binding characterization of odorant-binding protein CchiOBP3 of Callosobruchus chinensis (Coleoptera: Bruchidae) to Vigna radiata volatiles
    ZHUANG Guo-Dong, ZHANG Xin, DUAN Yu-Meng, ZHENG Hai-Xia, ZHANG Xian-Hong
    2023, 66(5):  653-662.  doi:10.16380/j.kcxb.2023.05.006
    Abstract ( 117 )   PDF (4852KB) ( 180 )   PDF(mobile) (4852KB) ( 25 )     
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    【Aim】To study the olfactory recognition function of odorant-binding protein (OBP) CchiOBP3 in Callosobruchus chinensis by analyzing the binding characteristics of CchiOBP3 with volatile ligands of Vigna radiata, so as to provide a theoretical basis for elucidating the olfactory recognition mechanism of host localization in C. chinensis. 【Methods】The homology modeling of CchiOBP3 was performed by SWISS-MODLE software, the model was evaluated by SAVES 6.0 software, and the molecular docking simulation of ChiOBP3 with 26 volatile ligands of V. radiata was performed by Autodock 4.2.6 software. The recombinant CchiOBP3 was obtained by prokaryotic expression and affinity column chromatography, and its binding characteristics with four volatile ligands of V. radiata with high binding energy were determined by fluorescence competitive binding assay. The responses of female adults of C. chinensis to four volatile ligands were detected by electroantennogram (EAG) assay.【Results】CchiOBP3 formed hydrogen bonds with 17 out of 26 ligands, and the hydrogen bonding position was mainly in the phenylalanine at position 112. Four ligands, trans-caryophyllene, 4-carvomenthenol, cyclohexylbenzene, and 2-methylnaphthalene, with high binding energy to CchiOBP3 were screened out. CchiOBP3 had strong binding ability with 4-carvomenthenol (Ki=7.16 μmol/L), cyclohexylbenzene (Ki=7.45 μmol/L) and 2-methylnaphthalene (Ki=13.97 μmol/L) among the four ligands with high binding energy. In addition, the EAG reaction of female adults of C. chinensis was induced by four volatile ligands and the EAG reaction induced by 4-carvomenthenol was the strongest. 【Conclusion】CchiOBP3 can bind to three types of V. radiata volatile ligands, and it is speculated that CchiOBP3 plays an important role in the localization of hosts by C. chinensis.
    Evaluation of reference genes for real-time quantitative PCR in the pea aphid, Acyrthosiphon pisum (Hemiptera: Aphididae)
    GAO Yu-Qing, MA Zi-Qi, LI Zhen-Xiang, CHEN Zhen-Zhen, LIU Fang-Hua, KANG Zhi-Wei, XU Yong-Yu
    2023, 66(5):  663-675.  doi:10.16380/j.kcxb.2023.05.007
    Abstract ( 135 )   PDF (2322KB) ( 377 )   PDF(mobile) (2322KB) ( 10 )     
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    【Aim】The aim of this study is to lay a foundation for the gene expression analysis of Acyrthosiphon pisum by identifying the expression stablility of reference genes in A. pisum under different experimental conditions. 【Methods】The expression levels of 14 candidate reference genes commonly used in insects (EF1α, Tubulin, NADH, RPL12, SDHB, 18S rRNA, 28S rRNA, 16S rRNA, ATPase, Actin, TATA, RPL32, GAPDH and RPL7)in different developmental stages (1st-4th instar nymphs and adult), winged and wingless parthenogenetic adults, different tissues (head, thorax and abdomen) of parthenogenetic wingless adults, parthenogenetic wingless adults of different geographical populations (American population, Gansu population, Yunan population and Delingha population), parthenogenetic wingless adults fed on different host plants (alfalfa, clover and broad bean), parthenogenetic wingless adults reared under different photoperiods (24L∶0D, 0L∶24D and 16L∶8D), parthenogenetic wingless adults reared under different temperatures (4, 18 and 35 ℃) and parthenogenetic wingless adults treated with 200 g/L imidacloprid were detected by qPCR. The expression stability of the above 14 reference genes was evaluated using RefFinder, ΔCt method, GeNorm, NormFinder, and BestKeeper. Using CYP6CY3 as the target gene to explore the influence of different reference genes on its expression level analysis in parthenogenetic wingless adults treated with 200 g/L imidacloprid. 【Results】 18S rRNA and GAPDH were recommended as the most stably expressed reference genes, whereas 16S rRNA and Actin showed the least expression stability under biotic conditions (developmental stage, wing morph, tissue, geographical population and host plant) through comprehensive analysis for the results of ΔCt method, GeNorm, NormFinder and BestKeeper by RefFinder, based on the qPCR results. Meanwhile, 18S rRNA and EF1α were recommended as the most stably expressed reference genes, while Tubulin and TATA showed the least expression stablility under abiotic conditions (photoperiod, temperature and insecticide). According to the GeNorm analysis data of the optimal number of reference genes and analysis of the influence of different reference genes on the expression of target gene CYP6CY3, 18S rRNA and EF1α were recommended as the most stably expressed reference genes for further studies in A. pisum. 【Conclusion】It is recommended to use the combination of 18S rRNA and EF1α in qPCR analyses in A. pisum.
    Construction of RNA interference system of nAChR-α5 gene in Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae) and its role in haedoxan A resistance
    REN Yun-Hao, HAO Huan-Huan, ZUO Ya-Yun, PEI Ya-Kun, HU Zhao-Nong
    2023, 66(5):  676-684.  doi:10.16380/j.kcxb.2023.05.008
    Abstract ( 102 )   PDF (1655KB) ( 63 )   PDF(mobile) (1655KB) ( 3 )     
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    【Aim】To explore whether the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor α5 (nAChR-α5) subunit in Aedes albopictus is a potential target for haedoxan A (HA), so as to provide a reference for the effective control of A. albopictus. 【Methods】 The coding sequence (CDS) of nAChR-α5 gene of A. albopictus was cloned by PCR and phylogenetic tree was constructed. RT-qPCR was used to detect the expression level of nAChR-α5 in A. albopictus at different developmental stages (1st-4th instar larvae, pupa and female adult without blood feeding). The expression level of nAChR-α5 in the 2nd instar larva of A. albopictus was knocked down by chitosan/dsRNA nanoparticle-mediated RNAi technology. The susceptibility of the 3rd instar larva of A. albopictus to HA [LC30 (0.3 mg/L) and LC50 (0.4 mg/L)] after RNAi was determined by bioassay. 【Results】 The CDS of A. albopictus nAChR-α5 is 1 296 bp in length, encoding 431 amino acids with a typical cysteine loop (Cys-loop) of nAChR. Protein sequence alignment and phylogenetic tree showed that nAChR-α5 of A. albopictus had the highest homology and closest relationship with nAChR-α5 of A. aegypti. The expression level of nAChR-α5 in the 4th instar larva was the highest, followed by that in the female adults of A. albopictus. At 24 h after feeding chitosan/dsnAChR-α5 nanoparticles (the concentration of dsRNA was about 0.3% w/w), the interference efficiency of chitosan/dsnAChR-α5 nanoparticles on nAChR-α5 was the highest, reaching 70% in the 2nd instar larva of A. albopictus. The mortalities of the 3rd instar larvae of A. albopictus in nAChR-α5 knockdown group under treatment of HA at LC30 and LC50 were significantly reduced by 9.89%-15.45% as compared with those in the blank control fed with the diet without dsRNA and negative control fed with the diet containing chitosan/dsGFP nanoparticle, indicating that the susceptibility of A. albopictus to HA was significantly reduced by knockdown of nAChR-α5. 【Conclusion】nAChR-α5 of A. albopictus may be one of the potential targets of HA, and HA may affect nerve conduction by interfering with the function of nAChR-α5 of A. albopictus.
    Effects of chronic exposure to LC20 of dinotefuran on the growth and development of Sitobion avenae (Hemiptera: Aphididae)
    SHI Hai-Chun, JI Qin-Long, MA Jian-Xiong, LIANG Yu-Ting, LI Guang-Kuo, ZHANG Hai-Ying, LIU Yong-Gang
    2023, 66(5):  685-693.  doi:10.16380/j.kcxb.2023.05.009
    Abstract ( 161 )   PDF (1577KB) ( 394 )   PDF(mobile) (1577KB) ( 30 )     
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    【Aim】 The effects of chronic exposure to the sublethal concentration (LC20) of dinotefuran on the growth and development of Sitobion avenae were studied in order to provide a theoretical basis for the scientific use of dinotefuran to control S. avenae and delaying the development of the resistance to the pesticide and extending the useful life of pesticide. 【Methods】 The LC20 of dinotefuran to the 3rd instar nymphs of S. avenae was determined by using the leaf-dip method andusedforchronic exposure on S.
    avenae for 15 generations. The resistance ratio of S. avenae to dinotefuran was determined, the developmental duration, reproduction and survival rates of S. avenae of two successive generations which were raised with wheat seedlings in test tube were recorded, and the body length, body width and body weight of adults of F0 generation were measured. The differences in the body length, body width, body weight, survival rate, adult longevity and number of offspring produced between lowly resistant strain of various generations and the susceptible strain were analyzed by population specific life table and DPS software. 【Results】 After chronic exposure to LC20 of dinotefuran for 15 generations, the resistance of S. avenae reached low level (6.54-fold). The developmental duration of the 2nd, 3rd and 4th instar nymph of F0 generation of the lowly resistant strain was significantly longer than that of the susceptible strain, and the body length, body width and body weight of F0 generation of adults of the lowly resistant strain were significantly increased, but the number of offspring produced per adult and adult longevity of F0 generation of the lowly resistant strain were significantly reduced or shortened as compared to those of the susceptible strain. The adult survival rate, number of offspring produced per adult and adult longevity of F1 generation of the lowly resistant strain were significantly reduced, the 2nd instar nymphal duration and nymphal duration of F1 generation of the lowly resistant strain were significantly shortened as compared to those of the susceptible strain. The net reproductive rate (R0), intrinsic rate of increase (Rm) and finite rate of increase (λ) of F0 and F1 generations of the lowly resistant strain were significantly lower than those of the susceptible strain, while the population doubling time (DT) of F0 and F1 generations and the mean generation time (T) of F1 generation of the lowly resistant strain were significantly prolonged as compared to those of the susceptible strain. 【Conclusion】 Chronic exposure to LC20 of dinotefuran results in the increase in the resistance of S. avenae to dinotefuran and individual size of adults of F0 generation, while inhibits the longevity and fecundity of F0 and F1 generations of S. avenae.
    Key words: 
    Difference in the temperature adaptability between the sympatric Ostrinia furnacalis and O. nubilalis (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) in Xinjiang, northwest China
    DING Xin-Hua, JIA Zun-Zun, WANG Xiao-Wu, FU Kai-Yun, WANG Yang-Zhou, AERZIGULI·Rouzi, TUERXUN·Ahemati, LIU Xiao-Xia, GUO Wen-Chao
    2023, 66(5):  694-703.  doi:10.16380/j.kcxb.2023.05.010
    Abstract ( 140 )   PDF (1443KB) ( 307 )   PDF(mobile) (1443KB) ( 13 )     
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    【Aim】By clarifying the difference in the temperature adaptability of the main biological characters between two closely related species of corn borers, the Asian corn borer (Ostrinia furnacalis) and European corn borer (O. nubilalis), living in the only one sympatric region in the world and accompanied by fierce interspecific competition, this study aims to reveal the biological driving mechanism of the rapid replacement of O. nubilalis population by O. furnacalis in the sympatric region in Xinjiang, Northwest China.【Methods】 At 15, 20, 25, 30 and 35 ℃, the egg duration, egg mass hatching rates, egg hatching rates per egg mass and mortalities of egg masses of the O. furnacalis and O. nubilalis populations isolated from the same region in Xinjiang, and at 20, 25, 30 and 35 ℃, their adult longevity, pre-oviposition period, oviposition period, numbers of eggs laid per female, larval and pupal duration, larval and pupal weight etc. were measured and compared. 【Results】 The results showed that the mortalities of egg masses of O. nubilalis were significantly higher than those of O. furnacalis at 15, 20, 25 and 35 ℃, and the average egg hatching rates per egg mass of O. nubilalis were significantly lower than those of O. furnacalis at 20, 25, 30 and 35 ℃. Furthermore, the hatching ability of egg masses of O. nubilalis decreased significantly with the increase of temperature, until the temperature increased to 35 ℃, the mortality of egg masses was the highest (73.42%±2.28%) and the average egg hatching rate per egg mass was the lowest (48.46%±2.64%), while those of O. furnacalis were 41.88%±4.33% and 67.99%±2.52%, respectively. At the same temperature, there was no significant difference in the pre-oviposition period, female adult longevity, male adult longevity and oviposition period between sympatric O. furnacalis and O. nubilalis. However, the main fecundity indexes of O. nubilalis, such as the number of egg masses laid per female, average number of eggs per egg mass laid by a single female and average number of eggs laid per female, were significantly lower than those of O. furnacalis. Compared with O. furnacalis, O. nubilalis had significantly heavier 1st-4th instar larval weight at the low temperature of 20 ℃. However, at higher temperatures (30 and 35 ℃), the 2nd and 3rd instar larval weight of O. nubilalis was significantly lighter than that of O. furnacalis and the duration of various instar larvale and pupal duration of O. nubilalis showed no significant difference from those of O. furnacalis. 【Conclusion】Compared with O. nubilalis, O. furnacalis has better temperature adaptability. Especially at high temperatures (30 and 35 ℃), O. furnacalis has higher survival rate of egg masses, better hatching ability, higher fecundity and heavier body weight, showing stronger competitiveness.
    Structural characteristics of wax glands on Ericerus pela (Hemiptera: Coccidae) and ecological adaptability of its wax secretion
    QI Qian, LI Bin, LÜ Pin, CHEN Hang, CHEN Xiao-Ming
    2023, 66(5):  704-712.  doi:10.16380/j.kcxb.2023.05.011
    Abstract ( 102 )   PDF (24191KB) ( 126 )   PDF(mobile) (24191KB) ( 16 )     
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    【Aim】 To observe the structural characteristics of wax glands on sexual dimorphic Ericerus pela, and explore the ecological adaptability significance of wax secretion of females and males.【Methods】 The distribution of different developmental stages of E. pela on host plants and their wax secretion characteristics were investigated in the field, the structure of their wax glands and wax filament morphology were observed under an electron microscope in the laboratory, and the cuticular thickness of females and males was compared by using paraffin section, the differences in wax secretion and chitin synthesis between females and males were analyzed based on transcriptome data and analysis of the rules of wax secretion and cuticle thickening. 【Results】Six types of wax glands were found on the body surface of E. pela. Among them, the quadrilocular pores were unique to the 1st instar male nymphs, the decalocular glands were unique to the female adults, and the 2nd instar male nymphs were covered with tubular ducts, which are the main wax-producing organs of males. Quinquelocular pores, stigmatic glands and anal glands were found on E. pela at all developmental stages. Males have more types and quantities of wax glands while the cuticle of female nymphs was nearly 35% thicker than that of male nymphs. The fatty acyl-CoA reductase gene far, a key gene involved in wax synthesis showed higher expression levels in male adults than in female adults, while the chitin synthase gene cs, a key gene involved in chitin synthesis exhibited higher expression levels in female adults than in male adults. 【Conclusion】There is a significant difference in wax secretion between E. pela females and males. The type and quantity of wax glands are related to the different ecological adaptation strategies between two sexes. Sciophilous male nymphs secrete a layer of wax filaments to protect the process of complete metamorphosis. Heliophilous female nymphs hardly secrete any wax, they adapt to the environment by a thickened cuticle, the wax secreted by females may assist breathing, prevent honeydew from flowing back, and protect their body from pathogen invading, protect eggs from predators, prevent egg masses from sticking to each other, and reduce the impacts of external forces on eggs.
    REVIEW ARTICLES
    Research progress in protein-carbohydrate regulation in insects based on geometric framework model
    SUN Shao-Lei, JING Xiang-Feng
    2023, 66(5):  713-722.  doi:10.16380/j.kcxb.2023.05.012
    Abstract ( 141 )   PDF (1704KB) ( 286 )   PDF(mobile) (1704KB) ( 20 )     
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     Protein and carbohydrate are two essential nutrients for insects. Protein is the source of amino acids for insect growth, while carbohydrate is the source of energy for activity. These two nutrients play important roles in insect growth, development and reproduction. In the nature, all insects experience heterogeneous nutritional landscapes, and the contents of proteins and carbohydrates in their food including plants or preys generally vary upon species, tissues or developmental stages. Thus, insects may have some strategies to find the food that contains the proper nutritional composition in their living environment so as to make their growth and development reach the optimal status. Geometric framework model has been demonstrated to be a powerful tool to investigate nutritional physiological regulation mechanisms in insects. This model has been extensively used in how insects coordinate different nutrients in food to achieve the balance of life processes, such as growth, development and reproduction. In herbivores, it is shown that the protein/carbohydrate ratio in food combining with environmental factors can affect the growth and development, as well as the immune response of insects. In predatory and social insects, it is shown that they can strictly regulate the intake of protein and carbohydrate nutrients to meet their needs. In model insects, it is shown that protein/carbohydrate ratio in food may have a balancing effect on lifespan and reproduction in insects. In this review, we introduced the working principle of geometric framework model and systematically summarized its application in insects, aiming to provide new ideas for the study of insect nutrition physiology and ecology.
    CONTENTS
    Contents of Vol. 66 Issue 5
    2023, 66(5):  723-723. 
    Abstract ( 56 )   PDF (487KB) ( 131 )   PDF(mobile) (487KB) ( 7 )     
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