芫菁体内斑蝥素的含量及存在形式

【目的】测定芫菁体内斑蝥素的含量及其存在形式。【方法】利用气相色谱法测定了8种芫菁和作为对照的黑翅红蝉体内总斑蝥素和游离斑蝥素的含量,总斑蝥素含量是通过酸水解法测得的,游离斑蝥素含量是通过直接浸提法测得的,以总斑蝥素与游离斑蝥素含量之差作为结合斑蝥素含量; 并比较了结合斑蝥素与钙、镁含量之间的相关性。【结果】芫菁体内总斑蝥素的含量为游离斑蝥素含量的1～9倍,总斑蝥素的含量一般多于虫体干重的2.0%,而游离斑蝥素的含量均低于虫体干重的1.7%。黑翅红蝉体内不含任何形式的斑蝥素。斑芫菁属和豆芫菁属昆虫中的结合斑蝥素含量与钙元素呈正相关,斑芫菁属中结合斑蝥素含量与镁元素呈正相关,而豆芫菁属中结合斑蝥素含量与镁元素呈负相关。斑芫菁属昆虫体内钙元素的摩尔量要低于结合斑蝥素的摩尔量。【结论】芫菁体内总斑蝥素含量远高于游离斑蝥素的含量;结合斑蝥素可能是以斑蝥素酸钙和斑蝥素酸镁形式存在。     

芫菁体内斑蟊素的合成、 转移和生物学功能

斑蟊素是芫菁科昆虫合成的一种防御物质, 已经被证实对多种癌症和其他疾病有着特殊的疗效。芫菁体内存在不同结合态的斑蟊素或斑蟊素衍生物, 包括斑蟊素酸镁、斑蟊素酸钙、羟基斑蟊素、甲基斑蟊胺和脱甲斑蟊素等。不同芫菁种类、不同发育阶段其斑蝥素合成量有显著的差异, 并且有着典型的性二型现象, 性成熟的雄成虫斑蝥素含量最高可达10%。关于斑蝥素的生物合成途径以及斑蝥素在虫体内的分布, 尽管有一些研究, 但仍然没有定论。本文从斑蟊素在芫菁体内的含量、分布、生物合成、代谢及生物学功能等方面对国内外的研究进行概括, 以期为充分发掘芫菁科昆虫资源、指导芫菁的人工养殖、合理的利用资源以及人工合成斑蟊素提供参考。     

芫菁科不同种类成虫体内斑蝥素的含量

芫菁体内含有斑蝥素,是一种重要的药用昆虫。近年来我国对斑蝥素的临床应用研究表明：斑蝥素及其衍生物对治疗原发性肝癌疗效显著。为了摸清我国芫菁科昆虫的自然资源和虫体内斑蝥素的含量,作者调查了不同地区、不同寄主植物上芫菁科昆虫的种类分布,并利用气相色谱内标法测定了不同性别以及交尾高峰前后的芫菁成虫体内斑蝥素的含量。发现雄性成虫体内斑蝥素的含量均高于雌性成虫。交配高峰后的芫菁雌性成虫体内斑蝥素含量高于交配高峰前的芫菁雌性成虫体内斑蝥素含量。     

梨小食心虫蛹重对成虫繁殖力和寿命及下一代幼虫发育的影响

【目的】本文旨在明确营养状况不同造成的梨小食心虫Grapholitha molesta(Busck)雌、雄蛹重量差异对其羽化的成虫产卵量、产卵期、寿命及下一代(F1)幼虫发育的影响。【方法】室内条件下,通过不同的饲养方法,获得个体重量不同的梨小食心虫雌、雄蛹,待其羽化交配后,记录其产卵量、产卵时间和成虫寿命;卵孵化前后,分别测量卵和初孵幼虫大小,计算卵孵化率,统计幼虫发育历期。【结果】雌蛹重量对梨小食心虫的成虫产卵量影响显著,其重量与产卵量呈正相关(y=15.505x-59.292);同一条件下,雌蛹与雄蛹重量也呈正相关(y=0.823x-0.538)。同时,雌蛹重量对成虫产卵期影响也较大,蛹重大的个体羽化的雌虫比蛹重小的个体羽化的雌虫产卵高峰期提前1 d;较重、中等和较轻蛹羽化出的雌虫个体每天产卵量高于10粒/雌的时间分别为9~10,7和5~6 d;产卵量高于5粒/雌的时间分别为12~13,9和6~7 d。而雄蛹重量对产卵量、雄成虫寿命影响没有明显影响。较轻的蛹羽化的雌成虫寿命比较重蛹羽化的雌成虫短2~3 d;而雄蛹重量对其羽化的雄成虫寿命影响没有明显规律。雌、雄蛹重量对其羽化成虫的卵孵化率、卵和初孵幼虫的大小影响均不显著,对F_1幼虫发育历期影响也不显著。【结论】梨小食心虫雌蛹重对羽化成虫的产卵量和产卵期等影响显著,田间防治时应注意在不同条件下完成发育的个体,尤其是雌虫,由于营养差异引起的个体大小对随后种群增长的影响。     

短时高温对绿豆象各虫态生长发育的影响

【目的】为明确短时高温对绿豆象Callosobruchus chinensis (L.)各虫态及其后虫态生长发育与繁殖能力的影响。【方法】以27℃饲养的绿豆象为对照,在30、33、36、39、42和45℃条件下分别对绿豆象卵、幼虫、蛹和成虫进行3 h的短时高温处理。【结果】短时高温对绿豆象卵的孵化率、幼虫的化蛹率和蛹的羽化率均有显著影响,但对卵和幼虫的后续发育影响不显著;幼虫耐高温的能力最强,经短时高温处理后化蛹率均在90%以上;蛹经45℃短时高温处理后虽表现出较高的羽化率,但羽化后成虫的寿命和产卵量均显著降低。卵期、幼虫期和成虫期绿豆象对短时高温的耐受性均有性别差异,其中,卵期和蛹期雄虫耐热性强于雌虫,成虫期雌虫强于雄虫。短时高温处理对绿豆象成虫的繁殖能力影响显著,经45℃处理后成虫的产卵量为32.30粒/头,显著低于对照。【结论】39℃以上的短时高温对绿豆象处理虫态及雌雄性别比有明显的影响,对其后虫态发育的影响仅见高温处理蛹后导致成虫繁殖能力下降。     

瓜实蝇耐低温相关生理指标的测定

【目的】了解瓜实蝇Bactrocera cucurbitae(Coquillett)对低温的耐受性,分析其不同发育阶段耐寒力差异。【方法】以不同发育阶段瓜实蝇为实验材料,分别测定并比较了过冷却点、水分、脂肪、甘油和糖类含量的变化情况。【结果】其不同龄期的过冷却点差异显著,5日龄蛹的过冷却点最低,为﹣17.04℃,1日龄幼虫的过冷却点最高,为﹣11.82℃,同一日龄的雌、雄成虫之间的过冷却点无显著差异;其幼虫期和蛹期虫体的含水量随着龄期的增长而下降,从1日龄幼虫79.64%下降到5日龄蛹65.31%,5日龄蛹的含水量显著低于其他龄期瓜实蝇,成虫期各龄期雌成虫含水量均显著高于雄成虫;5日龄幼虫脂肪含量最高,为32.90%,1日龄雄成虫和14日龄雄成虫脂肪含量最低,均为15%;幼虫期甘油含量随着龄期的增长而下降,从3.32μg/mg下降到1.12μg/mg,而蛹期逐渐上升,14日龄雌成虫甘油含量最高,为5.90μg/mg;1日龄幼虫总糖、海藻糖和糖原含量均最高,分别为7.51、0.94和1.93μg/mg,显著高于其他龄期瓜实蝇,蛹期糖类含量逐渐下降,而成虫期糖类含量随龄期增长而逐渐升高。【结论】本研究结果可为正确评估瓜实蝇的地理适应性和低温检疫处理提供依据。     

松墨天牛成虫雌雄体型差异及蛹和成虫大小与越冬幼虫体重的关系

【目的】本研究旨在明确松墨天牛 Monochamus alteratus 成虫及越冬幼虫体型大小的差异,探讨该虫越冬后成虫体型大小和越冬幼虫体重大小关系及原因。【方法】于2014年5月1日至10月31日在浙江富阳野外诱捕松墨天牛,通过测量野外诱捕到的松墨天牛成虫体长、体宽,确定林间松墨天牛成虫体型的差异;松墨天牛越冬幼虫的采集和称重测量明确越冬幼虫的组成和体重大小差异;进而通过对越冬幼虫单头跟踪饲养至化蛹、羽化,确定越冬幼虫体重大小与发育所得蛹和成虫大小的关系,阐明林间松墨天牛成虫体型差异的原因。【结果】浙江富阳野外诱捕发现,松墨天牛的活动期间很长,从5月中旬到10月初一直能诱捕到松墨天牛成虫,高峰期在6和7月份。松墨天牛雌雄成虫体型差异很大,雌虫平均体长和体宽分别为20.59±0.19和6.59±0.06 mm;雄虫平均体长和体宽分别为19.90±0.26 和6.44±0.08 mm; 雌虫的平均体长明显高于雄虫,但二者体宽没有显著差异;并且雌雄成虫体长和体宽呈显著正相关。越冬幼虫的头宽测定表明头宽的变化很大,最小为2.20 mm,最大为4.24 mm,经比对越冬幼虫由4龄和5龄幼虫组成;幼虫体重差异大,平均体重为304.2 mg, 介于71.6~858.0 mg之间,其中5龄越冬幼虫显著重于4龄越冬幼虫。进一步将越冬幼虫单管饲养跟踪研究发现,越冬幼虫体重大小决定蛹和羽化后的成虫的大小,二者存在显著的正相关,并且由4龄越冬幼虫发育所得的蛹和成虫显著轻于由5龄幼虫发育所得的蛹和成虫。【结论】松墨天牛成虫体型差异很大,这与越冬幼虫体重差异相关;越冬幼虫的体重大小决定了其化蛹后的蛹重和羽化后成虫的体型和体重的大小;造成越冬幼虫体重差异的可能原因包括松墨天牛成虫扬飞周期长导致的产卵期长而使得天牛发育进度不一致以及寄主不同部位营养的差异。     

芫菁科昆虫体内斑蝥素的气相色谱法测定

分别采用酸水解法和直接浸提法处理不同种芫菁样品、短翅豆芫菁Epicauta aptera Kaszab的卵和大斑芫菁Mylabris phalerata Pallas的不同虫体部位,后用气相色谱仪测定斑蝥素含量。结果表明:用酸水解法处理后的芫菁体内斑蝥素含量较之用直接浸提法处理后有显著提高,增高幅度在1~9倍之间,其中以豆芫菁属Epicauta昆虫的增高幅度最大,一般在7倍以上,而斑芫菁属Mylabris的斑蝥素含量增幅不高,芫菁卵中斑蝥素含量变化不显著;斑蝥素主要富集于大斑芫菁的腹部。     

幼虫期短时高温暴露对二点委夜蛾存活和繁殖的影响

【目的】随着全球气候变暖,夏季短时极端高温发生的频率逐渐增加。本研究旨在探明二点委夜蛾Athetis lepigone幼虫期对高温的适应性。【方法】将二点委夜蛾不同日龄(1,6,12和18日龄)幼虫在不同高温(35,38和41℃)条件下暴露不同时间(0.5,1,2,4和6 h)后转移至适温(26℃)继续饲养,观察短时高温对其存活率、发育历期、化蛹率、羽化率、雌虫寿命、单雌产卵量及次代卵孵化率的影响。【结果】幼虫期短时高温暴露的温度和时间对二点委夜蛾幼虫的存活率和发育历期有显著影响,而对化蛹率、成虫羽化率、雌虫寿命、单雌产卵量以及次代卵孵化率影响不显著。随着温度的升高和处理时间的延长,幼虫存活率逐渐降低,发育历期逐渐延长。其中,18日龄的幼虫最为敏感,38℃和41℃暴露6 h后存活率分别为58.3%和17.7%,显著低于对照,发育历期分别为25.5 d和29.2 d,较对照显著延长。【结论】幼虫期经历短时高温暴露仅对幼虫的存活和发育历期有影响,而对后续蛹和成虫的生长发育及成虫繁殖力没有影响。     

Immunocompetence of the red turpentine beetle, Dendroctonus valens LeConte (Coleoptera: Curculionidae, Scolytinae): Variation between developmental stages and sexes in populations in China

Immune defense imposes fitness costs as well as benefits, so organisms should optimize, not maximize, their immune function through their life cycle. We investigated this issue in the red turpentine beetle, Dendroctonus valens LeConte (Coleoptera: Curculionidae, Scolytinae), which is a pine-killing invasive beetle in China, though it is usually considered as a secondary pest in its native range of North America. We hypothesized that pathogen pressure may affect these beetles differently throughout their life history. We measured the insect's immunocompetence throughout life, determining encapsulation ability and phenoloxidase activity in larval stages, pupae and adults. Pupae had the highest encapsulation ability, but encapsulation was not different between final instar larvae and adults. Phenoloxidase (PO) activity was highest in final instar larvae and pupae, followed by the second instar larvae and adults. Total phenoloxidase activity increased significantly from the second instar larval stage to pupae, and then decreased in adults. Although the second instar larvae had the lowest phenoloxidase activity, more than 90% of total PO existed in the hemolymph in the form of the active enzyme, as compared with pupae, in which over 60% of PO occurred as a proenzyme. Both active PO and total PO were much higher in females than in males, though no significant differences were detected between the encapsulation ability of male and female adults. This result suggests the existence of a sexual dimorphism of immunocompetence in D. valens adults. Variations in immunocompetence across developmental stages suggest that D. valens adopts diverse investment strategies in immunocompetence during different stages. Potential reasons for variation in immunocompetence among developmental stages and between the sexes of D. valens are discussed.     

Homosexual behaviour and its longevity cost in females and males of the seed beetle Acanthoscelides obtectus

The level of homosexual behaviour is evaluated in one laboratory population of seed beetle and derived lines selected to reproduce early (E) or late in life (L), where inadvertent selection for either low or high heterosexual activity has been detected. The magnitudes of homosexual interaction, measured as chasing and mounting individuals of the same sex, are estimated over different age classes. These magnitudes are correlated with previously observed levels and patterns of age‐specific variation of heterosexual activity of both sexes in the E and L experimental lines. The results obtained support the perception error hypothesis proposing that a low degree of sexual discrimination is genetically correlated with high sexual activity. The fitness costs of the same‐sex interactions are tested by assessing their effects on longevity. In both sexes, the longevities of homosexual pairs are reduced relative to individually‐housed virgin beetles in both the E and L lines, although homosexual interactions have a more pronounced effect on male survival than on female survival. Although the results obtained suggest that the longevity cost of homosexual interactions can be substantial, this cost is much smaller than the cost of heterosexual interactions.     

Geographic variation in body size and sexual size dimorphism of a seed-feeding beetle

Body size of many animals varies with latitude: body size is either larger at higher latitudes (Bergmann's rule) or smaller at higher latitudes (converse Bergmann's rule). However, the causes underlying these patterns are poorly understood. Also, studies rarely explore how sexual size dimorphism varies with latitude. Here we investigate geographic variation in body size and sexual size dimorphism of the seed-feeding beetle Stator limbatus, collected from 95 locations along a 38 degrees range in latitude. We examine 14 variables to test whether clines in environmental factors are adequate to explain geographic patterns of body size. We found that body size and sexual size dimorphism of S. limbatus varied considerably with latitude; beetles were smaller but more dimorphic at lower latitudes. Body size was not correlated with a gradient in mean temperature, contrary to the commonly accepted hypothesis that clines are produced by latitudinal gradients in temperature. Instead, we found that three factors were adequate to explain the cline in body size: clinal variation in host plant seed size, moisture (humidity), and seasonality (variance in humidity, precipitation, and temperature). We also found that the cline in sexual size dimorphism was partially explainable by a gradient in moisture, though moisture alone was not sufficient to explain the cline. Other ecological or environmental variables must necessarily contribute to differences in selection on male versus female body size. The main implications of our study are that the sexes differ in the magnitude of clinal variation in body size, creating latitudinal variation in sexual size dimorphism, and that clines in body size of seed beetles are likely influenced by variation in host seed size, water availability, and seasonality.     

Variation of life‐history traits of the Asian corn borer,Ostrinia furnacalis in relation to temperature and geographical latitude

Life‐history traits from four geographical populations (tropical Ledong population [LD], subtropical Guangzhou [GZ] and Yongxiu populations, and temperate Langfang population [LF]) of the Asian corn borer, Ostrinia furnacalis were investigated at a wide range of temperatures (20–32°C). The larval and pupal times were significantly decreased with increasing rearing temperature, and growth rate was positively correlated with temperature. The relationship between body weight and rearing temperature in O. furnacalis did not follow the temperature–size rule (TSR); all populations exhibited the highest pupal and adult weights at high temperatures or intermediate temperatures. However, development time, growth rate, and body weight did not show a constant latitudinal gradient. Across all populations at each temperature, female were significantly bigger than males, showing a female‐biased sexual size dimorphism (SSD). Contrary to Rensch's rule, the SSD tended to increase with rising temperature. The subtropical GZ population exhibited the largest degree of dimorphism while the temperate LF exhibited the smallest. Male pupae lose significantly more weight at metamorphosis compared to females. The proportionate weight losses of different populations were significantly different. Adult longevity was significantly decreased with increasing temperature. Between sexes, all populations exhibit a rather female‐biased adult longevity. Finally, we discuss the adaptive significance of higher temperature‐inducing high body weight in the moth's life history and why the moth exhibits the reverse TSR.     

Allometry and morphometrics of clypeal membrane size and shape in Nicrophorus (Coleoptera: Silphidae)

Contests between same‐sex opponents over resources necessary for reproduction, as well interactions used to discern mate quality, often involve exaggerated traits wherein large individuals have disproportionately larger traits. This positive allometric scaling of weapons or signals facilitates communication during social interactions by accentuating body size differences between individuals. Typically, males carry these exaggerated traits, as males must compete over limited female gametes. However, in Nicrophorus beetles both males and females engage in physical contests over the vertebrate carcasses they need to provision and raise offspring. Male and female Nicrophorus beetles have extended clypeal membranes directly above their mandibles, which could serve as signals. We investigated the scaling relationships between clypeal membrane size and shape and body size for five species of North American burying beetle to determine whether clypeal membranes contain exaggerated body size information. We found that clypeal membranes for both sexes of all species scaled positively with body size (slope > 1). Three of the five species also displayed sexual dimorphism in aspects of clypeal membrane size and shape allometry despite lack of dimorphism in body size. In two dimorphic species, small male clypeal membranes were statistically indistinguishable from the female form. We conclude that colored clypeal membranes in Nicrophorus beetles do contain exaggerated body size information. Observed patterns of dimorphism suggest that males sometimes experience stronger selection on marking size and shape, which might be explained by life history differences among species.     

Sexual and male horn dimorphism in Copris ochus (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae)

Copris ochus (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae), an endangered species, is the largest dung beetle in Japan. In C. ochus, males have a long head horn, while females lack this long horn (sexual dimorphism). Very large males of C. ochus have disproportionately longer head horns than small males, suggesting male horn dimorphism, although the dimorphism has not been investigated quantitatively. To clarify sexual and male horn dimorphism in C. ochus quantitatively, we examined the scaling relationship between body size (prothorax width) and head horn length in 94 females and 76 males. These beetles were captured during July 1978 from a natural population on Mt. Aso in southwestern Japan using a light trap. Although the horn length of the females and males scaled with prothorax width, the scaling relationship differed between the sexes, i.e., the relationship was linear in females and nonlinear in males. Statistical tests for dimorphism in male horn length showed a significant discontinuous relationship, thus indicating distinct sexual and male dimorphism in head horns. Long- and short-horned C. ochus males may have different reproductive behaviors, as described in other horned dung beetles.     

Juvenile hormone mediates sexual dimorphism in horned beetles

The causes and consequences of sexual dimorphism are major themes in biology. Here we explore the endocrine regulation of sexual dimorphism in horned beetles. Specifically, we explore the role of juvenile hormone (JH) in regulating horn expression in females of two species with regular sexual dimorphism for pronotal horns (females have much shorter horns than males) and a third species with a rare reversed sexual dimorphism for both pronotal and head horns (females have much larger horns in both body regions compared with males). Applications of the JH analog methoprene caused females of the two more typical species to grow significantly shorter pronotal horns than control females, whereas no consistent effect on pronotal horn development was detected in the third, sex-reversed species. Instead, females in this species showed an unexpected and significant increase in head horn expression in response to methoprene treatment. Lastly, horn shape was also affected in females of one of the regularly sexually dimorphic species, but in the opposite direction than horn length. Although methoprene exerted a feminizing effect on female horn length in this species, it significantly masculinized horn shape by inducing a peculiar shape change observed naturally only in males. Our results suggest that JH influences both overall size and shape of female horns, but does so flexibly and as a function of species, sex and horn location. We use our results to review current models on the role of endocrine mechanisms in development and evolution of horned beetle diversity.     

Gut microbiota of dung beetles correspond to dietary specializations of adults and larvae

Vertebrate dung is central to the dung beetle life cycle, constituting food for adults and a protective and nutritive refuge for their offspring. Adult dung beetles have soft mandibles and feed primarily on nutritionally rich dung particles, while larvae have sclerotized mandibles and consume coarser dung particles with a higher C/N ratio. Here, using the dung beetles Euoniticellus intermedius and E. triangulatus, we show that these morphological adaptations in mandibular structure are also correlated with differences in basic gut structure and gut bacterial communities between dung beetle life stages. Metagenome functional predictions based on 16S rDNA characterization further indicated that larval gut communities are enriched in genes involved in cellulose degradation and nitrogen fixation compared to adult guts. Larval gut communities are more similar to female gut communities than they are to those of males, and bacteria present in maternally provisioned brood balls and maternal ‘gifts’ (secretions deposited in the brood ball along with the egg) are also more similar to larval gut communities than to those of males. Maternal secretions and maternally provisioned brood balls, as well as dung, were important factors shaping the larval gut community. Differences between gut microbiota in the adults and larvae are likely to contribute to differences in nutrient assimilation from ingested dung at different life history stages.     

Hmgcr in the corpus allatum controls sexual dimorphism of locomotor activity and body size via the insulin pathway in Drosophila

The insulin signaling pathway has been implicated in several physiological and developmental processes. In mammals, it controls expression of 3-Hydroxy-3-Methylglutaryl CoA Reductase (HMGCR), a key enzyme in cholesterol biosynthesis. In insects, which can not synthesize cholesterol de novo, the HMGCR is implicated in the biosynthesis of juvenile hormone (JH). However, the link between the insulin pathway and JH has not been established. In Drosophila, mutations in the insulin receptor (InR) decrease the rate of JH synthesis. It is also known that both the insulin pathway and JH play a role in the control of sexual dimorphism in locomotor activity. In studies here, to demonstrate that the insulin pathway and HMGCR are functionally linked in Drosophila, we first show that hmgcr mutation also disrupts the sexual dimorphism. Similarly to the InR, HMGCR is expressed in the corpus allatum (ca), which is the gland where JH biosynthesis occurs. Two p[hmgcr-GAL4] lines were therefore generated where RNAi was targeted specifically against the HMGCR or the InR in the ca. We found that RNAi-HMGCR blocked HMGCR expression, while the RNAi-InR blocked both InR and HMGCR expression. Each RNAi caused disruption of sexual dimorphism and produced dwarf flies at specific rearing temperatures. These results provide evidence: (i) that HMGCR expression is controlled by the InR and (ii) that InR and HMGCR specifically in the ca, are involved in the control of body size and sexual dimorphism of locomotor activity.