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Journal of Vector Borne Diseases May 2024Mosquitoes vectors are the key threat that spread viruses, bacteria, nematodes, protozoans, and other infections responsible for the transmission of serious public...
BACKGROUND OBJECTIVES
Mosquitoes vectors are the key threat that spread viruses, bacteria, nematodes, protozoans, and other infections responsible for the transmission of serious public health ailments including dengue, yellow fever, malaria, chikungunya, etc.
METHODS
To rear and cultivate mosquitoes at multiple stages of development (egg, larva, pupa, and adult) to be employed in various biomedical research, an innovative tool mosquito larva adult 2-in-1 rearing jar was designed and developed. The eggs/larvae or adults collected from the field or laboratory cultures can be released into the lower larvae or upper adult-rearing chamber so that they can find a suitable breeding place to oviposit or metamorphose into wrigglers and tumblers attaining the adult stage. Aedes, Anopheles, and Culex are three significant genera (Diptera: Culicidae) that were reared in experiments using this jar (Method I) in contrast to other conventional instruments available (Method II).
RESULTS
Results of one-way ANOVA showed that the prototype was compatible and competitive for rearing as the data was non-significant when compared in both groups. However, throughout the trials, it was discovered that the prototype had a greater record of mean percentage of adult emergence (98.33), which supports the novelty of the instrument.
INTERPRETATION CONCLUSION
This unique device eliminates the need for multiple tools, causes minimum bodily damage to stages during handling, can be used in both the lab and the field, is inexpensive, lightweight, portable, and requires a single manpower to operate.
PubMed: 38842524
DOI: 10.4103/JVBD.JVBD_57_24 -
Journal of Evolutionary Biology Jun 2024Copulations are very brief in many species, sometimes taking only seconds, but in other species they can be quite prolonged. Potential explanations for prolonged...
Copulations are very brief in many species, sometimes taking only seconds, but in other species they can be quite prolonged. Potential explanations for prolonged copulations include time requirements for the transfer of sperm and/or other ejaculate substances. Ejaculate substances could function to regulate female receptivity to subsequent matings, provide nutritional nuptial gifts, or hasten egg oviposition at a potential survival cost to the female. We investigated prolonged copulation in a member of the Enchenopa binotata complex of treehoppers (Hemiptera: Membracidae), in which females rarely remate and copulation can last several hours. We assigned females to treatments in which we interrupted copulation at different times. We also included a control where copulation was not interrupted. We found that females that experienced shorter copulations were more likely to be subsequently receptive to an attractive male. We also found that few females produced offspring when they engaged in short copulations compared to those with longer copulations. We did not find any differences in female survival. Our results support the sperm transfer and receptivity regulation hypotheses. We discuss potential reasons for why these processes should take so long in a species with low female remating.
PubMed: 38842091
DOI: 10.1093/jeb/voae075 -
Scientific Reports Jun 2024Invasive Anoplophora glabripennis recently became established in Japan and has caused heavy damage to several street-tree species. Overseas, A. glabripennis infests...
Invasive Anoplophora glabripennis recently became established in Japan and has caused heavy damage to several street-tree species. Overseas, A. glabripennis infests trees of the genera Acer and Populus as common host plants, and Malus, Pyrus, and Prunus (Rosaceae), including apple, pear, and plum trees; it therefore poses a potential risk to the production of economically valuable fruits in Japan. Fruit farms in areas already invaded by A. glabripennis are now threatened with tree infestation. We aimed to determine the potential damage to major fruit species in Japan. In the laboratory, we determined if the adult beetle is attracted to the odor of each of these tree species' branches; two confirmed host plant species and five Rosaceae fruit species, as well as its feeding preferences among branches of one host plant and the five fruit trees and its oviposition preferences among them. Among the fruit species, cherry branch had the highest rate of odor orientation by males. The feeding-preference assay showed that, besides the host plant, Japanese pear was the most consumed among the fruit trees. The potential risk of A. glabripennis laying eggs on fruit-tree branches was high for Japanese pear and above zero for plum, apple, and cherry branches.
Topics: Animals; Japan; Fruit; Coleoptera; Trees; Male; Female; Oviposition; Introduced Species; Rosaceae
PubMed: 38830943
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-63548-0 -
Scientific Reports May 2024The close link between intestinal microbiota and bone health ('gut-bone' axis) has recently been revealed: the modulation of the amount and nature of bacteria present in...
The close link between intestinal microbiota and bone health ('gut-bone' axis) has recently been revealed: the modulation of the amount and nature of bacteria present in the intestinal tract has an impact on bone health and calcium (Ca) metabolism. Probiotics are known to favorably impact the intestinal microbiota. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of Pediococcus acidilactici CNCM I-4622 (PA) on laying performance, egg/eggshell quality, Ca metabolism and bone mineralization and resistance in relatively old layers (50 wks old at the beginning of the experiment) during 14 weeks. 480 Hy Line brown layers were divided into 2 groups (CON and PA: 3 layers/rep, 80 rep/group) and fed with a diet formulated to be suboptimal in calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) (- 10% of the requirements). The total egg weight was improved by 1.1% overall with PA, related to an improvement of the weight of marketable eggs (+ 0.9%). PA induced a decreased % of downgraded eggs, mainly broken eggs (- 0.4 pts) and FCR improvement (- 0.8% for all eggs, - 0.9% for marketable eggs). PA also led to higher Haugh units (HU: + 7.4%). PA tended to decrease crypt depth after the 14 weeks of supplementation period in the jejunum (- 25.2%) and ileum (- 17.6%). As a consequence, the VH/CD ratio appeared increased by PA at the end of the trial in the jejunum (+ 63.0%) and ileum (+ 48.0%). Ca and P retention were increased by 4 pts following PA supplementation, translating into increased bone hardness (+ 19%), bone cohesiveness (+ 43%) and bone Ca & P (+ 1 pt) for PA-supplemented layers. Blood Ca and P were respectively improved by 5% and 12% with PA. In addition, blood calcitriol and osteocalcin concentrations were respectively improved by + 83% and + 3% in PA group at the end of the trial, compared to CON group. There was no difference between the 2 groups for ALP (alkaline phosphatase) and PTH (parathyroid hormone). PA significantly decreased the expression of the following genes: occludin in the small intestine, calbindin 1 in the ovarian tissue and actin B in the bone. PA therefore improved zootechnical performance of these relatively old layers, and egg quality. The parallel increase in Ca and P in the blood and in the bone following PA supplementation suggests an improvement of the mineral supply for eggshell formation without impacting bone integrity, and even increasing bone resistance.
Topics: Animals; Probiotics; Pediococcus acidilactici; Chickens; Phosphorus; Calcium; Female; Dietary Supplements; Animal Feed; Eggs; Oviposition; Gastrointestinal Microbiome
PubMed: 38821966
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-62779-5 -
Brazilian Journal of Biology = Revista... 2024The technique of terrestrial sampling of boll weevil (BW) populations is expensive and inefficient over large areas, but may be cheaper and more efficient without...
The technique of terrestrial sampling of boll weevil (BW) populations is expensive and inefficient over large areas, but may be cheaper and more efficient without involving the manipulation of cotton squares. The aim of this study was to develop a technique to sampling cotton squares based on the observation of opened and/or yellowing bracts to determine the need and efficacy of chemical control of BW in cotton crops. The first experiment aimed to estimate the ratio between the number of cotton squares with opened and/or yellowed bracts and that of squares with BW oviposition punctures. The second experiment, aimed to determine the efficacy of chemical control for BW by sampling cotton squares with opened and/or yellowed bracts. The ratio between the number of opened and/or yellowed bracts and the number of cotton squares with oviposition punctures was 2:1. The level and efficiency of chemical control of BW, based on the percentage and sampling of cotton plants with opened and/or yellowed bracts, was 5% and did not differ from the one based on the observation of cotton plants with 10% cotton squares with oviposition punctures by BW females. The control level based on sampling cotton plants with open and/or yellowing bracts was 5%. The efficiency of chemical insecticides using this economic threshold against the BW did not differ from that based on sampling cotton plants with 10% of cotton squares with oviposition punctures by BW females. This indicates that the chemical control of cotton boll weevil can be carried out based on cotton squares with open and/or yellowed bracts.
Topics: Weevils; Gossypium; Animals; Oviposition; Female; Insect Control; Insecticides
PubMed: 38808790
DOI: 10.1590/1519-6984.282231 -
Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety Jul 2024Transplant treatment with chlorantraniliprole (CAP) is a proactive approach to protect transplanted plants from pests during early establishment and has been...
Transplant treatment with chlorantraniliprole (CAP) is a proactive approach to protect transplanted plants from pests during early establishment and has been comprehensively applied in tobacco fields in Guangdong Province, China. However, it is not known whether the high dose of CAP in transplant treatments has lethal or sublethal effects on the generalist predator Rhynocoris fuscipes Fabricius (Hemiptera: Reduviidae). To address this concern, the mortalities of R. fuscipes were assessed when 2nd instar larvae of R. fuscipes were in direct contact with or consuming CAP and when their eggs were exposed to CAP. Furthermore, 2nd instar nymphs R. fuscipes were long-term exposed to CAP until they reached adulthood, and their life table parameters were determined. After exposure to CAP, the activity of detoxification enzymes (P450, CaeE and GST) and the functional respond of R. fuscipes to their preys Agrotis ipsilon larvae were determined. In this study, CAP at all concentrations did not significantly increase the mortality of 2nd instar of R. fuscipes nymphs in comparison with the control. The detoxification enzyme (P450, CarE and GST) activities and the number of A. ipsilon larvae consumed by R. fuscipes in the transplant treatment were not affected by CAP after 3-d or long-term exposure. These results indicated that CAP was harmless to R. fuscipes according to IOBC protocols. However, during the treatment of 2nd instar nymphs with a label rate of 15 g AI/ha and a 5× label rate of 75 g AI/ha, CAP significantly prolonged the pre-adult and pre-oviposition periods, and treated adults had lower oviposition. Attention should be given to the time interval between transplant treatment and the release of this biocontrol agent into the field to minimize the impact of CAP on the predator R. fuscipes.
Topics: Animals; ortho-Aminobenzoates; Larva; Insecticides; Nymph; Fertility; Predatory Behavior; Hemiptera; China; Female; Heteroptera; Food Chain
PubMed: 38805832
DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2024.116491 -
International Journal of Molecular... May 2024The excessive activation of frog eggs, referred to as overactivation, can be initiated by strong oxidative stress, leading to expedited calcium-dependent non-apoptotic...
The excessive activation of frog eggs, referred to as overactivation, can be initiated by strong oxidative stress, leading to expedited calcium-dependent non-apoptotic cell death. Overactivation also occurs spontaneously, albeit at a low frequency, in natural populations of spawned frog eggs. Currently, the cytological and biochemical events of the spontaneous process have not been characterized. In the present study, we demonstrate that the spontaneous overactivation of frog eggs, similarly to oxidative stress- and mechanical stress-induced overactivation, is characterized by the fast and irreversible contraction of the egg's cortical layer, an increase in egg size, the depletion of intracellular ATP, a drastic increase in the intracellular ADP/ATP ratio, and the degradation of M phase-specific cyclin B2. These events manifest in eggs in the absence of caspase activation within one hour of triggering overactivation. Importantly, substantial amounts of ATP and ADP leak from the overactivated eggs, indicating that plasma membrane integrity is compromised in these cells. The rupture of the plasma membrane and acute depletion of intracellular ATP explicitly define necrotic cell death. Finally, we report that egg overactivation can occur in the frog's genital tract. Our data suggest that mechanical stress may be a key factor promoting egg overactivation during oviposition in frogs.
Topics: Animals; Adenosine Triphosphate; Ovum; Necrosis; Xenopus laevis; Female; Oxidative Stress; Adenosine Diphosphate; Cell Death; Cell Membrane; Stress, Mechanical
PubMed: 38791359
DOI: 10.3390/ijms25105321 -
Malaria Journal May 2024Nets containing pyriproxyfen, an insect growth regulator that sterilizes adult mosquitoes, have become available for malaria control. Suitable methods for investigating... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study
Identifying suitable methods for evaluating the sterilizing effects of pyriproxyfen on adult malaria vectors: a comparison of the oviposition and ovary dissection methods.
BACKGROUND
Nets containing pyriproxyfen, an insect growth regulator that sterilizes adult mosquitoes, have become available for malaria control. Suitable methods for investigating vector susceptibility to pyriproxyfen and evaluating its efficacy on nets need to be identified. The sterilizing effects of pyriproxyfen on adult malaria vectors can be assessed by measuring oviposition or by dissecting mosquito ovaries to determine damage by pyriproxyfen (ovary dissection).
METHOD
Laboratory bioassays were performed to compare the oviposition and ovary dissection methods for monitoring susceptibility to pyriproxyfen in wild malaria vectors using WHO bottle bioassays and for evaluating its efficacy on nets in cone bioassays. Blood-fed mosquitoes of susceptible and pyrethroid-resistant strains of Anopheles gambiae sensu lato were exposed to pyriproxyfen-treated bottles (100 μg and 200 μg) and to unwashed and washed pieces of a pyriproxyfen long-lasting net in cone bioassays. Survivors were assessed for the sterilizing effects of pyriproxyfen using both methods. The methods were compared in terms of their reliability, sensitivity, specificity, resources (cost and time) required and perceived difficulties by trained laboratory technicians.
RESULTS
The total number of An. gambiae s.l. mosquitoes assessed for the sterilizing effects of pyriproxyfen were 1745 for the oviposition method and 1698 for the ovary dissection method. Fertility rates of control unexposed mosquitoes were significantly higher with ovary dissection compared to oviposition in both bottle bioassays (99-100% vs. 34-59%, P < 0.05) and cone bioassays (99-100% vs. 18-33%, P < 0.001). Oviposition rates of control unexposed mosquitoes were lower with wild pyrethroid-resistant An. gambiae s.l. Cové, compared to the laboratory-maintained reference susceptible An gambiae sensu stricto Kisumu (18-34% vs. 58-76%, P < 0.05). Sterilization rates of the Kisumu strain in bottle bioassays with the pyriproxyfen diagnostic dose (100 μg) were suboptimal with the oviposition method (90%) but showed full susceptibility with ovary dissection (99%). Wild pyrethroid-resistant Cové mosquitoes were fully susceptible to pyriproxyfen in bottle bioassays using ovary dissection (> 99%), but not with the oviposition method (69%). Both methods showed similar levels of sensitivity (89-98% vs. 89-100%). Specificity was substantially higher with ovary dissection compared to the oviposition method in both bottle bioassays (99-100% vs. 34-48%) and cone tests (100% vs.18-76%). Ovary dissection was also more sensitive for detecting the residual activity of pyriproxyfen in a washed net compared to oviposition. The oviposition method though cheaper, was less reliable and more time-consuming. Laboratory technicians preferred ovary dissection mostly due to its reliability.
CONCLUSION
The ovary dissection method was more accurate, more reliable and more efficient compared to the oviposition method for evaluating the sterilizing effects of pyriproxyfen on adult malaria vectors in susceptibility bioassays and for evaluating the efficacy of pyriproxyfen-treated nets.
Topics: Animals; Pyridines; Anopheles; Female; Oviposition; Ovary; Insecticides; Mosquito Control; Mosquito Vectors; Biological Assay
PubMed: 38789998
DOI: 10.1186/s12936-024-04983-2 -
Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland) May 2024The expansion of pathogen distribution may result in a new threat to the host. The braconid Papp is an obligate parasite that targets , the Eastern honeybee, engaging...
The expansion of pathogen distribution may result in a new threat to the host. The braconid Papp is an obligate parasite that targets , the Eastern honeybee, engaging in endoparasitism by ovipositing eggs inside the host bee. Although has been documented in India and in various regions across China, its epidemiological data are notably lacking. In this study, we summarized the distribution of based on the available literature and described the symptoms of infested honeybee workers. We also investigated the infestation rate in 36 apiaries in Zhejiang Province, China, after a new occurrence of the parasite was reported in these regions in 2020. A rapid increase in infestation rate was found from the year 2021 to 2022, reaching 53.88% at the colony level of the sampled colonies in the Jinhua and Wenzhou apiaries. The infestation rate at an individual level in positive colonies reached an average of 26%. A monthly survey showed high seasonal variation in infestation, with the peak occurring from May to August. These results suggest that poses a great threat to . Further research is needed to elucidate its epidemiology and pathology and to develop disease prevention and control strategies.
PubMed: 38787274
DOI: 10.3390/pathogens13050422 -
Insects May 2024Numerous species of animals alter their behavior in response to increasing competition. To do so, they must possess the ability to detect the presence and density of...
Numerous species of animals alter their behavior in response to increasing competition. To do so, they must possess the ability to detect the presence and density of interspecific competitors. We studied the role of semiochemicals released by increasing densities of larval Macquart on female oviposition habitat selection in two field experiments. Similarly to larvae, subordinate Edwards are periphyton grazers who dwell in rain-filled pools in the Mediterranean region. We show that females oviposited significantly less in mesocosm pools that were treated with crowding signals originating from larvae. In the second experiment, we placed a similar number of larvae directly inside the 50 L mesocosms. These low-density mesocosms did not affect oviposition but were attractive to conspecific oviposition. These results increase our understanding of the female ability to detect species-specific signals, indicating increased larval competition.
PubMed: 38786920
DOI: 10.3390/insects15050364