Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “Weevils”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 235 records · Page 13Linked to original sources

Structure and function of the antennal sensilla of the palm weevil Rhynchophorus palmarum (Coleoptera, Curculionidae).

The distribution, fine structure and function of the sensilla present on the antennal club of Rhynchophorus palmarum were studied. No sex dimorphism was observed. Scanning and transmission electron microscopy showed five types of hair-like structures, four of which were evenly distributed on the antennal club. Two types of hair (IV and V) showed wall pores, a characteristic of olfactory sensilla. The antenna numbers 11,190 +/- 3040 type IV and 7360 +/- 1500 type V hairs. Using single sensillum recording, we identified 17 types of olfactory receptor neurons (ORNs) on the basis of their responses to pheromone and host plant odors, triggering synergic behavioral responses. We characterized highly specific and sensitive ORNs tuned to the aggregation pheromone (18% ORNs; 0.01-1 ng response threshold) and to host plant odors such as ethyl acetate, ethanol, acetoin and guaiacol (10% ORNs; 1-10 ng response threshold). Eleven percent of the ORNs were more generalist, responding to several odors with low sensitivity. Nine percent of the ORNs showed a complex pattern of responses, being co-activated by the pheromone and plant odors. This suggests an interaction at the sensory neuron level between pheromone and plant odors, triggering synergic behavioral responses.

Animals↗

In vivo bioinsecticidal activity toward Ceratitis capitata (fruit fly) and Callosobruchus maculatus (cowpea weevil) and in vitro bioinsecticidal activity toward different orders of insect pests of a trypsin inhibitor purified from tamarind tree (Tamarindus indica) seeds.

A proteinaceous inhibitor with high activity against trypsin-like serine proteinases was purified from seeds of the tamarind tree (Tamarindus indica) by gel filtration on Shephacryl S-200 followed by a reverse-phase HPLC Vidac C18 TP. The inhibitor, called the tamarind trypsin inhibitor (TTI), showed a Mr of 21.42 kDa by mass spectrometry analysis. TTI was a noncompetitive inhibitor with a Ki value of 1.7 x 10(-9) M. In vitro bioinsecticidal activity against insect digestive enzymes from different orders showed that TTI had remarkable activity against enzymes from coleopteran, Anthonomus grandis (29.6%), Zabrotes subfasciatus (51.6%), Callosobruchus maculatus (86.7%), Rhyzopertha dominica(88.2%), and lepidopteron, Plodia interpuncptella (26.7%), Alabama argillacea (53.8%), and Spodoptera frugiperda (75.5%). Also, digestive enzymes from Diptera, Ceratitis capitata (fruit fly), were inhibited (52.9%). In vivo bioinsecticidal assays toward C. capitata and C. maculatus larvae were developed. The concentration of TTI (w/w) in the artificial seed necessary to cause 50% mortality (LD50) of larvae was 3.6%, and that to reduce mass larvae by 50.0% (ED50) was 3.2%. Furthermore, the mass C. capitata larvae were affected at 53.2% and produced approximately 34% mortality at a level of 4.0% (w/w) of TTI incorporated in artificial diets.

Ceratitis capitata↗

Karyotypic characterization of three weevil species (Coleoptera: Curculionidae, Brachyderini).

Karyotypes of three species, Brachyderes incanus, Brachysomus setiger and Paophilus afflatus, belonging to the tribe Brachyderini, were studied using C-banding technique. The species share the same chromosome number 2n = 22 and meioformula n = 10+Xy(p) at all metaphase 1 plates of spermatid division. Some differences between karyotypes were observed in terms of centromere positions and C-band sizes. Most chromosomes are meta- or submetacentric and form a graded series in respect to length. The chromosomes resemble one another in having a rather small amount of heterochromatin restricted to the pericentromeric region and visible as dark stained blocks mainly during early stages of nuclear division. Only in Brachyderes incanus do larger bands occur at mitotic metaphase and diakinesis. These cytogenetic data are in agreement with karyological findings obtained in other species of Brachyderini so far examined.

Animals↗

Selection of assessment methods for evaluating banana weevil Cosmopolites sordidus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) damage on highland cooking banana (Musa spp., genome group AAA-EA).

Cosmopolites sordidus (Germar) is an important pest on bananas and plantains. Population build-up is slow and damage becomes increasingly important in successive crop cycles (ratoons). Yield loss results from plant loss, mat disappearance and reduced bunch size. Damage assessment requires destructive sampling and is most often done on corms of recently harvested plants. A wide range of damage assessment methods exist and there are no agreed protocols. It is critical to know what types of damage best reflect C. sordidus pest status through their relationships with yield loss. Multiple damage assessment parameters (i.e. for the corm periphery, cortex and central cylinder) were employed in two yield loss trials and a cultivar-screening trial in Uganda. Damage to the central cylinder had a greater effect on plant size and yield loss than damage to the cortex or corm periphery. In some cases, a combined assessment of damage to the central cylinder and cortex showed a better relationship with yield loss than an assessment of the central cylinder alone. Correlation, logistic and linear regression analyses showed weak to modest correlations between damage to the corm periphery and damage to the central cylinder. Thus, damage to the corm periphery is not a strong predictor of the more important damage to the central cylinder. Therefore, C. sordidus damage assessment should target the central cylinder and cortex.

Animals↗

The response of phosphine-resistant lesser grain borer Rhyzopertha dominica and rice weevil Sitophilus oryzae in mixed-age cultures to varying concentrations of phosphine.

The response of Rhyzopertha dominica and Sitophilus oryzae (both phosphine-resistant) in mixed-age cultures to phosphine at fixed concentration-time products (CT) of 10,500 to 168,000 microliters litre 1 h (ppm h) with either constant, rising or falling concentrations for 7 days was studied at 27 (+/- 2) degrees C. At lower CT products, rising concentrations of phosphine led to significantly fewer survivors of R dominica and S oryzae. Conversely, exposure to falling concentrations of phosphine resulted in significantly more survivors. The influence of changing concentrations of phosphine was more pronounced in S oryzae than in R dominica. In the latter, at the lower CT products of 21,000 and 42,000 microliters-1 h, the adult stage proved to be most tolerant, contrary to the accepted belief that the egg or pupal stage are always more tolerant to phosphine. The results indicate that application of phosphine in rising concentrations is more effective than in constant or falling concentrations.

Animals↗

Photoperiodic and thermal regulation of development and cold hardiness in larvae of the clover leaf weevil, Hypera punctata.

Effects of photoperiod and temperature on the development and cold hardiness were investigated in larvae of Hypera punctata. At a relatively low temperature (15 degrees C), the larvae fed less and developed more slowly under a 12L:12D (SD) photoperiod than under a 16L:8D photoperiod (LD). SD larvae had lower gut weight against the whole body weight and lower supercooling point (SCP) than the LD counterparts for the same instar and same body weight. This was because the larval SCP is markedly affected by the quantity of the gut content. Laboratory experiments indicated that the low temperature mortality of this larvae occurred mainly due to freezing irrespective of the photoperiod and temperature, suggesting that the lower lethal temperature (LLT) depends on the supercooling ability of larvae. The SD larvae tended to have a lower SCP and hence a lower LLT than the LD counterparts at 15 or 10 degrees C, unlike at 20 degrees C. Thus, the slower larval development under SD conditions at relatively low temperatures may prevent larvae from reaching the later instar, which have a higher SCP and thus less cold tolerance, during the coldest season. The suppressed feeding activity under SD conditions would lower the SCP, thereby reducing the possibility of lethal tissue freezing. Such a photoperiodic and thermal regulation of the larval development and the supercooling ability appear to represent adaptive mechanisms for winter survival in this beetle.

Acclimatization↗

Virus-like particles in the ovaries of microctonus aethiopoides loan (Hymenoptera: braconidae), a parasitoid of adult weevils (Coleoptera: curculionidae)

The morphology of the female reproductive system of Microctonus aethiopoides is described and illustrated, and an ultrastructural examination of the ovaries was carried out. Virus-like particles (VLPs) were initially found in the ovarial epithelial cells of females from pre-adult emergence from the pupal cocoon until at least 5 days after emergence. The particles assembled in the nucleus of the epithelial cells, apparently being synthesized de novo in association with a putative virogenic stroma, and they moved into the lumen of the ovarioles surrounding the developing eggs. VLPs were also found in some other cells in both male and female M. aethiopoides. VLPs have not been found in M. hyperodae or the New Zealand native species M. zealandicus. The function of the VLP and its possible role in potential parasitoid host range determination are discussed. Copyright 1999 Academic Press.

Journal Article↗