-
Journal of Insect Science (Online) Nov 2020Oviposition-related genes have remained a consistent focus of insect molecular biology. Previous research has gradually clarified our mechanistic understanding of... (Review)
Review
Oviposition-related genes have remained a consistent focus of insect molecular biology. Previous research has gradually clarified our mechanistic understanding of oviposition-related genes, including those related to oviposition-gland-related genes, oogenesis-related genes, oviposition-site-selection-related genes, and genes related to ovulation and hatching. Moreover, some of this research has revealed how the expression of single oviposition-related genes affects the expression of related genes, and more importantly, how individual node genes function to link the expression of upstream and downstream genes. However, the research to date is not sufficient to completely explain the overall interactions among the genes of the insect oviposition system. Through a literature review of a large number of studies, this review provides references for future research on oviposition-related genes in insects and the use of RNAi or CRISPR/Cas9 technology to verify the functions of oviposition-related genes and to prevent and control harmful insects.
Topics: Animals; CRISPR-Cas Systems; Egg Proteins; Female; Gene Expression; Genes, Insect; Insect Control; Insecta; Oogenesis; Oviposition; RNA Interference; Receptors, Cell Surface; Vitellogenins
PubMed: 33367730
DOI: 10.1093/jisesa/ieaa137 -
Current Biology : CB Aug 2020Maternal decisions, such as where to build a nest or where to lay your eggs, are critical for the offspring's fitness and survival in any species. A new study in...
Maternal decisions, such as where to build a nest or where to lay your eggs, are critical for the offspring's fitness and survival in any species. A new study in Drosophila now reveals that distinct classes of mechanosensory receptors and neurons fine tune the physical assessment of an oviposition site and determine where the female fly lays her eggs.
Topics: Animals; Drosophila; Drosophila melanogaster; Eggs; Female; Neurons; Oviposition
PubMed: 32810453
DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2020.06.082 -
Nature Jul 2023Whereas progress has been made in the identification of neural signals related to rapid, cued decisions, less is known about how brains guide and terminate more...
Whereas progress has been made in the identification of neural signals related to rapid, cued decisions, less is known about how brains guide and terminate more ethologically relevant decisions in which an animal's own behaviour governs the options experienced over minutes. Drosophila search for many seconds to minutes for egg-laying sites with high relative value and have neurons, called oviDNs, whose activity fulfills necessity and sufficiency criteria for initiating the egg-deposition motor programme. Here we show that oviDNs express a calcium signal that (1) dips when an egg is internally prepared (ovulated), (2) drifts up and down over seconds to minutes-in a manner influenced by the relative value of substrates-as a fly determines whether to lay an egg and (3) reaches a consistent peak level just before the abdomen bend for egg deposition. This signal is apparent in the cell bodies of oviDNs in the brain and it probably reflects a behaviourally relevant rise-to-threshold process in the ventral nerve cord, where the synaptic terminals of oviDNs are located and where their output can influence behaviour. We provide perturbational evidence that the egg-deposition motor programme is initiated once this process hits a threshold and that subthreshold variation in this process regulates the time spent considering options and, ultimately, the choice taken. Finally, we identify a small recurrent circuit that feeds into oviDNs and show that activity in each of its constituent cell types is required for laying an egg. These results argue that a rise-to-threshold process regulates a relative-value, self-paced decision and provide initial insight into the underlying circuit mechanism for building this process.
Topics: Animals; Female; Calcium Signaling; Decision Making; Drosophila melanogaster; Neural Pathways; Neurons; Oviposition; Presynaptic Terminals; Psychomotor Performance
PubMed: 37407812
DOI: 10.1038/s41586-023-06271-6 -
Viruses Apr 2023Targeting gravid females through chemical lures is a promising strategy in vector control; however, it requires the understanding of the factors susceptible to alter...
Targeting gravid females through chemical lures is a promising strategy in vector control; however, it requires the understanding of the factors susceptible to alter female oviposition behavior. Here, we evaluated the effect of infection with chikungunya virus (CHIKV) and the number of gonotrophic cycles (GCs) on oviposition activity in . Dual choice oviposition assays were performed, where dodecanoic acid, pentadecanoic acid, -heneicosane and a (Børgesen) Børgesen extract were tested in uninfected females and females infected with CHIKV, at the 1st and 2nd GC. Infected females displayed a lower percentage of oviposition and a higher number of eggs laid at the 1st GC. Then, the combined effects of GC and CHIKV were observed on oviposition preferences, with a chemical-dependent effect. For instance, the deterrent effect of -heneicosane and pentadecanoic acid increased at the 2nd GC in infected females. These results allow for a deeper understanding of the mechanisms involved in oviposition site selection and highlight the need for taking into account physiological stage changes to increase the control programs' efficacy.
Topics: Animals; Female; Oviposition; Chikungunya Fever; Aedes; Mosquito Vectors; Chikungunya virus
PubMed: 37243130
DOI: 10.3390/v15051043 -
Journal of Evolutionary Biology Jan 2023In phytophagous insects, oviposition behaviour is an important component of habitat selection and, given the multiplicity of genetic and environmental factors affecting...
In phytophagous insects, oviposition behaviour is an important component of habitat selection and, given the multiplicity of genetic and environmental factors affecting its expression, is defined as a complex character resulting from the sum of interdependent traits. Here, we study two components of egg-laying behaviour: oviposition acceptance (OA) and oviposition preference (OP) in Drosophila melanogaster using three natural fruits as resources (grape, tomato and orange) by means of no-choice and two-choice experiments, respectively. This experimental design allowed us to show that the results obtained in two-choice assays (OP) cannot be accounted for by those resulting from no-choice assays (OA). Since the genomes of all lines used are completely sequenced, we perform a genome-wide association study to identify and characterize the genetic underpinnings of these oviposition behaviour traits. The analyses revealed different candidate genes affecting natural genetic variation of both OA and OP traits. Moreover, our results suggest behavioural and genetic decoupling between OA and OP and that egg-laying behaviour is plastic and context-dependent. Such independence in the genetic architectures of OA and OP variation may influence different aspects of oviposition behaviour, including plasticity, canalization, host shift and maintenance of genetic variability, which contributes to the adoption of adaptive strategies during habitat selection.
Topics: Animals; Female; Drosophila melanogaster; Fruit; Oviposition; Genome-Wide Association Study
PubMed: 36357966
DOI: 10.1111/jeb.14109 -
PloS One 2022Modeling oviposition as a function of female insect age, temperature, and host plant suitability may provide valuable insight into insect population growth of...
Modeling oviposition as a function of female insect age, temperature, and host plant suitability may provide valuable insight into insect population growth of polyphagous insect pests at a landscape level. In this study, we quantified oviposition by beet leafhoppers, Circulifer (= Neoaliturus) tenellus (Baker) (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae), on four common non-agricultural host plant species [Erodium cicutarium (L.) L'Hér. (Geraniaceae), Kochia scoparia (L.) Schrader (Amaranthaceae), Plantago ovata Forsskál (Plantaginaceae), and Salsola tragus L. (Amaranthaceae)] at two constant temperature conditions. Additionally, temperature-based oviposition models for each host plant species were validated, under semi-field and greenhouse conditions. We found that K. scoparia was the most suitable host plant, and optimal temperature for oviposition was estimated to be 30.6°C. Accordingly, beet leafhoppers appear to be well-adapted to high-temperature conditions, so increasing temperatures due to climate change may favor population growth in non-agricultural areas. Maximum total fecundity (Rm) was used as an indicator of relative suitability of host plants. S. tragus has been considered an important non-agricultural host plant, however, we found that S. tragus and E. cicutarium have lower Rm compared to K. scoparia and P. ovata. The combination of detailed experimental oviposition bioassays, modeling, and model validation is considered widely relevant and applicable to host plant assessments and modeling of population dynamics of other polyphagous insect pests.
Topics: Animals; Beta vulgaris; Female; Fertility; Hemiptera; Moths; Oviposition; Plants; Temperature
PubMed: 36054184
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0274003 -
Chimia Nov 2022Insect eggs deposited on plants constitute a threat that has led to the evolution of sophisticated defenses. The interactions between insect eggs and plants are governed...
Insect eggs deposited on plants constitute a threat that has led to the evolution of sophisticated defenses. The interactions between insect eggs and plants are governed by a diverse variety of chemicals that inform butterflies about suitable hosts, repel gravid females, alert plants about the presence of an egg, act as signal molecules to induce defenses, directly impair egg development, and indirectly attract egg parasitoids. In recent years, significant progress has been made on the chemical identification, perception and role of compounds associated with oviposition. Knowledge on the genetic basis of oviposition-induced responses is also accumulating. An emerging theme is that insect eggs are not passive structures on leaves but induce complex responses that result from million years of coevolution.
Topics: Female; Animals; Butterflies; Insecta; Oviposition; Plant Leaves; Plants
PubMed: 38069786
DOI: 10.2533/chimia.2022.914 -
Annual Review of Entomology Jan 2023Insect eggs are exposed to a plethora of abiotic and biotic threats. Their survival depends on both an innate developmental program and genetically determined protective... (Review)
Review
Insect eggs are exposed to a plethora of abiotic and biotic threats. Their survival depends on both an innate developmental program and genetically determined protective traits provided by the parents. In addition, there is increasing evidence that () parents adjust the egg phenotype to the actual needs, () eggs themselves respond to environmental challenges, and () egg-associated microbes actively shape the egg phenotype. This review focuses on the phenotypic plasticity of insect eggs and their capability to adjust themselves to their environment. We outline the ways in which the interaction between egg and environment is two-way, with the environment shaping the egg phenotype but also with insect eggs affecting their environment. Specifically, insect eggs affect plant defenses, host biology (in the case of parasitoid eggs), and insect oviposition behavior. We aim to emphasize that the insect egg, although it is a sessile life stage, actively responds to and interacts with its environment.
Topics: Female; Animals; Insecta; Adaptation, Physiological; Oviposition; Plants; Phenotype; Ovum
PubMed: 36266253
DOI: 10.1146/annurev-ento-120120-100746 -
Journal of Vector Ecology : Journal of... Dec 2020Vector control is an important component of the interventions aimed at mosquito-borne disease control. Current and future mosquito control strategies are likely to rely... (Review)
Review
Vector control is an important component of the interventions aimed at mosquito-borne disease control. Current and future mosquito control strategies are likely to rely largely on the understanding of the behavior of the vector, by exploiting mosquito biology and behavior, while using cost-effective, carefully timed larvicidal and high-impact, low-volume adulticidal applications. Here we review the knowledge on the ecology of mosquito oviposition behavior with emphasis on the potential role of infochemicals in surveillance and control of mosquito-borne diseases. A search of PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Global Health Archive, and Google Scholar databases was conducted using the keywords mosquito, infochemical, pheromone, kairomone, allomone, synomone, apneumone, attractant, host-seeking, and oviposition. Articles in English from 1974 to 2019 were reviewed to gain comprehensive understanding of current knowledge on infochemicals in mosquito resource-searching behavior. Oviposition of many mosquito species is mediated by infochemicals that comprise pheromones, kairomones, synomones, allomones, and apneumones. The novel putative infochemicals that mediate oviposition in the mosquito subfamilies Anophelinae and Culicinae were identified. The role of infochemicals in surveillance and control of these and other mosquito tribes is discussed with respect to origin of the chemical cues and how these affect gravid mosquitoes. Oviposition attractants and deterrents can potentially be used for manipulation of mosquito behavior by making protected resources unsuitable for mosquitoes (push) while luring them towards attractive sources (pull). In this review, strategies of targeting breeding sites with environmentally friendly larvicides with the aim to develop appropriate trap-and-kill techniques are discussed.
Topics: Animals; Culicidae; Mosquito Control; Oviposition; Smell; Volatile Organic Compounds
PubMed: 33207066
DOI: 10.1111/jvec.12387 -
Journal of the American Mosquito... Sep 2022Aedes aegypti, commonly known as the yellow fever mosquito, is closely linked to the human environment and directly influenced by the availability of water-holding...
Aedes aegypti, commonly known as the yellow fever mosquito, is closely linked to the human environment and directly influenced by the availability of water-holding containers for oviposition and larval development. The discovery of an active population of Ae. aegypti in Columbus, GA, was deemed an important public health matter, and extensive surveillance was initiated to monitor, delineate, and suppress this population.
Topics: Aedes; Animals; Female; Georgia; Humans; Larva; Oviposition; Yellow Fever
PubMed: 35839268
DOI: 10.2987/22-7063