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PubMed1998

Spore coat protein synergizes bacillus thuringiensis crystal toxicity for the indianmeal moth

Spores from Bacillus thuringiensis serovars kurstaki and entomocidus synergized crystal protein toxicity for larvae of the Indianmeal moth (Plodia interpunctella). Preparations of spore-crystal mixtures of either serovar were more toxic for the larvae than either purified spores or crystals alone (based on dry weight). Spores lost 53% of their toxicity for the Indianmeal moth after 2 h of UV-irradiation, but remained partially toxic (28%) even after 4 h of irradiation. Spore coat protein was toxic for the Indianmeal moth and was synergistic with B. thuringiensis serovar kurstaki HD-1 crystal protein. Enhanced toxicity of the combined spore-crystal preparation was attributed to a combination of crystal and spore coat protein, and included the effects of spore germination and resulting septicemia in the larval hemolymph. Ultraviolet irradiation of spores reduced the toxicity from septicemia but not the synergism caused by spore coat protein. The potencies of spore-crystal preparations must be carefully evaluated on the basis of contributions from all three factors.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2004

Sensory processing of ambient CO2 information in the brain of the moth Manduca sexta.

Insects use information about CO2 to perform vital tasks such as locating food sources. In certain moths, CO2 is involved in oviposition behavior. The labial palps of adult moths that feed as adults have a pit organ containing sensory receptor cells that project into the antennal lobes, the sites of primary processing of olfactory information in the brain. In the moth Manduca sexta and certain other species of Lepidoptera, these receptor cells in the labial-palp pit organ have been shown to be tuned to CO2, and their axons project to a single, identified glomerulus in the antennal lobe, the labial-palp pit organ glomerulus. At present, however, nothing is known about the function of this glomerulus or how CO2 information is processed centrally. We used intracellular recording and staining to reveal projection (output) neurons in the antennal lobes that respond to CO2 and innervate the labial-palp pit organ glomerulus. Our results demonstrate that this glomerulus is the site of first-order processing of sensory information about ambient CO2. We found three functional types of CO2-responsive neurons (with their cell bodies in the antennal lobe or the protocerebrum) that provide output from the antennal lobe to higher centers in the brain. Some physiological characteristics of those neurons are described.

Action Potentials↗

PubMed1998

Variability in odor-modulated flight by moths.

Based on previous studies of odor-modulated flight where track parameter data was lumped and averaged, the speed and orientation of the moths' movement along their flight tracks have been said to be controlled to maintain certain "preferred" values. The results from our fine-scaled analysis of this behavior show that none of the track parameters typically measured are held constant. The moths' speed along the flight track is modulated substantially and predictably: fastest along the straight legs and slowest around the turns. In addition, about half of the individuals studied progressively reduced the peak speed along the straight legs as they approached the pheromone source. While most of the track legs between the turns were directed upwind, their orientations were widely distributed, indicating no preferred direction. Small fluctuations of orientation along some straight legs suggest corrective maneuvers to stabilize flight direction about an internal set point. The visual inputs hypothesized to control steering and speed, transverse and longitudinal image flow, changed continuously during upwind flight in pheromone, but no regular relationship between them was observed. We found that the orientation of the longitudinal body axis and the direction of thrust (course angle) were only rarely coincident during upwind flight to the odor source, suggesting that moths receive sensory input which differs quantitatively from that calculated by conventional methods. Our results strongly suggest that the long-accepted hypothetical mechanisms of control for this behavior do not operate in the manner in which they have been proposed.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

Incidence and transmission of a granulovirus in a large codling moth [Cydia pomonella L. (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae)] rearing facility.

Incidences of potential per os Cydia pomonella granulovirus (CpGV) transmission within a large codling moth colony were identified. CpGV was detected in the water which is used to wash egg sheets. When pre-neonates were extracted from eggs prior to emergence and tested for the presence of CpGV, 40% were found to carry amounts of CpGV detectable by a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay, suggesting possible transovarial transmission of the virus. Although symptoms typical of virus infection and larval death were found infrequently within communal rearing trays, the frequency with which CpGV DNA was detected by PCR assays increased from a mean of 31% of 10-day-old larvae to 94% of 25-day-old larvae. CpGV in codling moth cadavers remained virulent after being held at 60 degrees C for 3 days under conditions similar to the treatment of spent diet at the rearing facility before its disposal. PCR tests of surface samples taken from air filters and rearing rooms of the rearing facility were found to contain CpGV. Bioassays of surface samples from the diet trash bin and a filter through which outside air is passed before entering the rearing chambers resulted in significant codling moth neonate mortality. The virulence of CpGV in dust from the spent diet and the original inadvertent positioning of the diet trash bin directly below one of the air intake ducts are suggested as a possible additional source of CpGV contamination within the facility.

Animals↗

PubMed2006

Higher phylogeny of zygaenid moths (Insecta: Lepidoptera) inferred from nuclear and mitochondrial sequence data and the evolution of larval cuticular cavities for chemical defence.

Zygaenid moths are capable of releasing hydrogen cyanide in their defense by enzymatic break-down of cyanoglucosides, but only larvae of chalcosiine and zygaenine moths store cyanogenic compounds in cuticular cavities and thus are able to discharge defense droplets, which effectively deter potential predators. A previously proposed phylogeny of Zygaenidae hypothesized a sister group relationship of chalcosiine and zygaenine moths because of their similar larval defense system. Not all chalcosiine taxa possess cuticular cavities, however, and a comparable defense mechanism has been reported in larvae of the zygaenoid family Heterogynidae. Considering sequence data of seven molecular loci, the present study estimates the posterior probability of phylogenetic hypotheses explaining the occurrence of larval cuticular cavities. The molecular data confirm the previous exclusion of Himantopteridae from Zygaenidae and suggest their close affinity to Somabrachyidae. The sequence data also corroborate the recently proposed exclusion of the Phaudinae from the Zygaenidae, because this subfamily is recovered in a reasonably well supported species cluster consisting of members of the families Lacturidae, Limacodidae, Himantopteridae, and Somabrachyidae. We consequently agree to raise Phaudinae to family rank. Within Zygaenidae, the subfamilies Callizygaeninae, Chalcosiinae, and Procridinae most likely constitute a monophyletic group, which is sister to the Zygaeninae. Our results imply that cuticular cavities were probably present in the larvae of the most recent common ancestor of Zygaenidae. Heterogynidae cannot be confirmed as sister taxon to this family, but appear at the very first split of the Zygaenoidea, although with poor support. The specific pattern of taxa in the molecular phylogeny showing larval cuticular cavities opens the possibility that these structures could have been already present in the most recent common ancestor of the Zygaenoidea.

Animals↗

PubMed1998

Expression of actin in the central nervous system is switched off during diapause in the gypsy moth, Lymantria dispar.

Diapause-regulated proteins were identified in the CNS of pharate 1st instar larvae of the gypsy moth, Lymantria dispar. Expression of two proteins (130kDa and 45kDa) declined at the time of diapause initiation and remained low during diapause. At diapause termination, following exposure to 5 degrees C for at least 60 days, the 45-kDa protein was again highly expressed. Treatment of young pharate larvae with KK-42 averted diapause, and in such larvae, continued synthesis of the 45 kDa protein in the CNS was observed. These results suggest that expression of the 45-kDa protein is strongly down-regulated in the central nervous system (CNS) during diapause. Partial amino acid sequence determination suggested that the 45-kDa protein is actin, and this was confirmed using anti-actin antibodies. RT-PCR using primers designed from the sequence of the gypsy moth midgut actin mRNA indicated that appearance of actin mRNA in the CNS followed the same pattern as that of the 45-kDa protein. The results indicate that diapause controls actin gene expression in the gypsy moth CNS and regulation is at the transcriptional level.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2003

Juvenile hormone biosynthesis in moths: synthesis and evaluation of farnesol homologs as alternate substrates of farnesol oxidase.

The oxidation of farnesol to farnesal is an important step in insect juvenile hormone (JH) biosynthesis and is mediated by one or more alcohol oxidases located within the minute endocrine gland, the corpus allatum. Because lepidopteran insects have the capacity to produce homologous JH structures, the substrate selectivity of farnesol oxidase was examined by determining the ability of several terpenol homologs to inhibit farnesol oxidation in moths. Results utilizing corpora allata homogenates from larval, adult, and embryonic Manduca sexta indicate that increased steric bulk at the C-3 position of the sesquiterpenol chain is detrimental to inhibitory potency. Triethylhomofarnesol (1h), which is precursor to JH 0 and therefore a physiologically important metabolite of M. sexta embryos, was found to be a poor inhibitor of farnesol oxidation but was oxidized in almost same amount as farnesol. This data indicate that farnesol oxidase of the corpus allatum plays a limited role in controlling JH homolog production in moths, and suggests that another oxidative enzyme, which is present at early stages of moth development, is involved in JH homolog construction.

Alcohol Oxidoreductases↗

PubMed1990

Allozyme and restriction fragment length polymorphism analyses confirm Entomophaga maimaiga responsible for 1989 epizootics in North American gypsy moth populations.

In 1989, populations of North American gypsy moth, Lymantria dispar, in seven contiguous northeastern states were severely reduced by a fungal pathogen. Based on morphology, development, and pathology, this organism appeared to be Entomophaga maimaiga. We have now used allozyme and restriction fragment length polymorphism analyses to confirm this identification. Previously, this mycopathogen had been reported only from gypsy moth populations in Japan. During 1989, E. maimaiga occurred only in areas that had been initially defoliated by gypsy moth >10 years ago. E. maimaiga caused 60-88% mortality in late instar larvae on research sites in central Massachusetts.

Journal Article↗

PubMed1985

Nutritional composition, processing, and utilization of horse gram and moth bean.

Horse gram and moth bean are the unexploited legumes of the tropics and subtropics grown mostly under dry-land agriculture. The chemical composition is comparable with commonly cultivated legumes. Like other legumes, these are deficient in methionine and tryptophan. Horse gram is an excellent source of iron and molybdenum. Comparatively, horse gram seeds have higher trypsin inhibitor and hemagglutinin activities and polyphenols than moth bean seeds. Dehusking, germination, cooking, and roasting have been shown to produce beneficial effects on nutritional quality of both the legumes. Both the legumes require prolonged cooking to obtain product of acceptable nature. A soak solution (1.5% NaHCO3 + 0.5% Na2CO3 + 0.75% citric acid) treatment has been shown to reduce cooking time and improve protein quality. Moth bean is mostly consumed as dhal or sprouts. The whole seeds of horse gram are generally utilized as cattle feed. However, it is consumed as a whole seed, sprouts, or whole meal by a large population in rural areas of southern India. Medical uses of these legumes have been discussed.

Absorption↗

PubMed1981

Miller moth asthma.

The characteristics of the allergen producing asthma caused by inhaled miller moth particles were investigated by skin testing and by Sephadex fractionation. No major difference in skin test reactivity was found between the wings and the bodies of the moths. Two fractions of the moth extracts were found to contain allergic reactivity. The importance of detailed history-taking in order to discover such causes of asthma is stressed.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1998

GABAergic mechanisms that shape the temporal response to odors in moth olfactory projection neurons.

Mitral/tufted cells in the olfactory bulb and projection neurons (PNs) in the insect antennal lobe are involved in complex synaptic interactions with inhibitory interneurons to help shape their odor-evoked responses. In the moth Manduca sexta, both gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and the GABAA receptor agonist muscimol hyperpolarize and lower input resistance in many PNs, often blocking ongoing spike traffic. The GABA response mimics a short-latency, chloride-mediated inhibitory postsynaptic potential (IPSP) evoked in PNs by electrical or odor stimulation of afferent inputs, and the classical GABAA receptor antagonist bicuculline methiodide (BMI) quickly and reversibly blocks this IPSP. Focal injection of BMI (100 microM) immediately preceding a GABA pulse blocks the hyperpolarization evoked by GABA, but a similar injection of BMI preceding an acetylcholine (ACh) pulse fails to block the depolarization evoked by ACh. Moreover, the temporal pattern of odor-evoked activity in moth PNs is also strongly and reversibly altered by BMI. Importantly, the temporal pattern of the response depends on the temporal characteristics of the stimulus: continuous stimulation evokes more complex, rhythmic responses, whereas a pulsatile stimulus can be copied with a discrete burst of spikes for each pulse. Collectively our results indicate that PNs in the moth antennal lobe possess GABA receptors that share certain characteristics in common with vertebrate GABAA receptors. These receptors are largely responsible for helping PNs integrate information about both the molecular features and the timing of olfactory input to the brain.

Animals↗

PubMed1986

Semipermissive Replication of a Nuclear Polyhedrosis Virus of Autographa californica in a Gypsy Moth Cell Line.

Several gypsy moth cell lines have been previously described as nonpermissive for the multiple-embedded nuclear polyhedrosis virus of Autographa californica (AcMNPV). In this report, we demonstrate the semipermissive infection of a gypsy moth cell line, IPLB-LD-652Y, with AcMNPV. IPLB-LD-652Y cells infected with AcMNPV produced classic cytopathic effects but failed to yield infectious progeny virus. Results of experiments employing DNA-DNA dot hybridization suggested that AcMNPV DNA synthesis was initiated from 8 to 12 h postinfection (p.i.), continued at a maximum rate from 12 to 20 h p.i., and declined from 20 to 36 h p.i. The rate of AcMNPV DNA synthesis approximated that observed in the permissive TN-368 cell line. AcMNPV-infected IPLB-LD-652Y cells, pulse-labeled with [(35)S]methionine at various time intervals p.i. and analyzed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, revealed four virus-induced proteins, one novel to the semipermissive system and three early alpha proteins, synthesized from 1 to 20 h p.i. Thereafter, both host and viral protein synthesis was completely suppressed. These results suggest that AcMNPV adsorbed, penetrated, and initiated limited macromolecular synthesis in the semipermissive gypsy moth cell line. However, the infection cycle was restricted during the early phase of AcMNPV replication.

Journal Article↗

PubMed1995

Evolutionary adaptation of contractile performance in muscle of ectothermic winter-flying moths

The temperature-sensitivity of muscle performance in a winter-flying ecotothermic moth (Operophtera bruceata) was examined and compared with that of a summer-flying endothermic hawkmoth (Manduca sexta). O. bruceata muscle contracted over a temperature range of 128 °C, whereas M. sexta muscle contracted at temperatures of 1342.5 °C. Maximum (unloaded) contraction velocity (Vmax) was greater in O. bruceata over most of the range of temperatures where muscle from both species was excitable (34 lengths s-1 versus 0.63.6 lengths s-1 at 1328 °C), but M. sexta muscle achieved a much higher Vmax at the temperature that this species maintains during flight (10 lengths s-1 at 4042.5 °C). The capacity of O. bruceata muscle to generate tension was approximately twice that of M. sexta muscle (peak tetanic tension of 13.9 versus 7.0 N cm-2). This greater force-generating capacity in O. bruceata largely offset its lower shortening velocity, such that maximum instantaneous power output was equivalent in both species at temperatures below 35 °C (approximately 100120 W kg-1). M. sexta muscle achieved instantaneous power outputs of up to 202 W kg-1 at temperatures of 4042.5 °C. Muscle activation and deactivation (measured by times to peak tension and to half-relaxation during isometric twitches) were most rapid for O. bruceata at temperatures of 1530 °C and for M. sexta at temperatures of 3040 °C. Data for power output of flight muscle from these moths are combined with estimates of induced power required for flight in order to show how adaptations for thermal sensitivity of muscle power output interact with morphology (low wing-loading, high flight muscle ratio) to allow O. bruceata moths to fly at extremely low body temperatures, and to construct a model showing how the fecundity of flightless O. bruceata females would decline if they were to regain the ability to fly. Marginal flight over a narrow range of temperatures for O. bruceata females would require a 17 % reduction in fecundity; to fly over as large a range of temperatures as do males would require an 82 % reduction in fecundity.

Journal Article↗

PubMed1996

The peripheral auditory characteristics of noctuid moths: information encoding and endogenous noise

The ability of the noctuid A1 cell acoustic receptor to encode biologically relevant information from bat echolocation calls is examined. Short-duration stimuli (less than approximately 6 ms) reduce the dynamic resolution of the receptor, making intensity, and hence range, estimates of foraging bats unreliable. This low dynamic range is further reduced by inaccurate encoding of stimulus intensity, reducing the real dynamic range of the A1 cell to 1 bit at stimulus durations below 3.1 ms. Interspike interval is also an unreliable measure of stimulus intensity at low stimulus levels and/or for short-duration stimuli. The quantity of information encoded per stimulus is reduced as the presentation rate of stimuli is increased. The spontaneous generation of A1 cell action potentials may reduce the ability of the moth to discriminate bat from non-bat signals. Even with a recognition criterion of three A1 cell spikes per call, the moth would regularly make wrong decisions about a bat being present in the immediate environment. Removing this noise would necessitate a considerable loss of information through filtering at the interneurone level. It is proposed that, for bats using short-duration calls, the moth would only be able to recognise an approaching bat from the repetitious nature of the incoming signal.

Journal Article↗

PubMed1999

Sound production by abdominal tymbal organs in two moth species: the green silver-line and the scarce silver-line (Noctuoidea: Nolidae: Chloephorinae).

Male moths of the chloephorine species Pseudoips prasinana and Bena bicolorana produce clicks (approximately 100 dB peSPL at 10 cm) using ventral tymbal organs located in a cleft in the second abdominal sternite. Large muscles insert on the dorsal part of the tymbal frame and rhythmically flex a thin sheet of cuticle. Normally, each sound-production cycle contains four clicks, the left and right tymbals producing clicks both on active buckling caused by muscle contraction and on the passive elastic return from buckling. Histochemical staining indicated the presence of elastic resilin-like proteins in the tymbals. Obvious differences between the click patterns of the two species reflect differences in their tymbal morphology. P. prasinana has smooth tymbals and produces a single click (300 µs, 40 kHz) for each tymbal buckling. In contrast, B. bicolorana has striae on the medial part of the tymbals. Accordingly, it produces many clicks per buckling. The click pattern is a heterogeneous mixture of large clicks at 52 kHz, resembling those of P. prasinana, interspersed with series of broad-band clicks (20-100 kHz) of lower intensity (15-20 dB). Thus, in chloephorine moths, there is a correlation between the structure and function of the smooth and striated tymbals that is strikingly similar to that in arctiid moths, although the two types of tymbals have evolved independently. The hearing of P. prasinana is tuned to its own sounds with lowest threshold (38 dB SPL) at 40-60 kHz. We suggest that sound production in male chloephorines plays a part in sexual acoustic communication.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2001

Oscillations of the transepithelial potential of moth olfactory sensilla are influenced by octopamine and serotonin.

The biogenic amine octopamine is known to enhance the sensitivity of male moths to their species-specific pheromones in flight-tunnel experiments. This sensitization of pheromone-guided upwind flight is at least partly due to octopamine-dependent increases in the peak nerve impulse frequency of the pheromone response of olfactory receptor neurons. It is not known, however, whether octopamine exerts its effects directly on the electrical properties of the olfactory receptor neurons or indirectly, via modulation of the accessory cells of the sensillum. In extracellular tip recordings of pheromone-dependent trichoid sensilla on the antennae of male Manduca sexta moths, we investigated the effects of octopamine and serotonin on the transepithelial potential, which is generated by the activity of V-ATPases in sensillar accessory cells. In addition, the action potential activity of unstimulated olfactory receptor neurons was examined in the presence of biogenic amines. Under constant environmental conditions, the transepithelial potential oscillated regularly with periods of 2-8 min and with a 1-25mV peak-to-peak amplitude over periods of several hours. These oscillatory intervals were interrupted by periods of relatively stable transepithelial potential, correlated with flight activity by the moth. Octopamine reduced the amplitude of the transepithelial potential oscillation and decreased the resistance of the sensillum preparation in a dose-dependent manner. Serotonin altered the waveform of the transepithelial potential, but did not change the resistance of the preparation. Thus, both amines affect the accessory cells, but have different targets in the regulation of the transepithelial potential. Neither amine significantly influenced the spontaneous action potential activity of the olfactory receptor neurons.

Action Potentials↗

PubMed2000

Large-scale, on-site confirmatory, and varietal testing of a methyl bromide quarantine treatment to control codling moth (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) in nectarines exported to Japan.

In total, 30,491 codling moth, Cydia pomonella (L.), 1-d-old eggs on May Grand nectarines in two large-scale tests, and 17,410 eggs on Royal Giant nectarines in four on-site confirmatory tests were controlled with 100% mortality after fumigation with a methyl bromide quarantine treatment (48 g3 for 2 h at > or = 21 degrees C and 50% volume chamber load) on fruit in shipping containers for export to Japan. Ranges (mean +/- SEM) were for percentage sorption 34.7 +/- 6.2 to 46.5 +/- 2.5, and for concentration multiplied by time products 54.3 +/- 0.9 to 74.5 +/- 0.6 g.h/m3 in all tests. In large-scale tests with May Grand nectarines, inorganic bromide residues 48 h after fumigation ranged from 6.8 +/- 0.7 to 6.9 +/- 0.5 ppm, which were below the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency tolerance of 20 ppm; and, organic bromide residues were < 0.01 ppm after 1 d and < 0.001 ppm after 3 d in storage at 0-1 degree C. After completion of larger-scale and on-site confirmatory test requirements, fumigation of 10 nectarine cultivars in shipping containers for export to Japan was approved in 1995. Comparison of LD50s developed for methyl bromide on 1-d-old codling moth eggs on May Grand and Summer Grand nectarines in 1997 versus those developed for nine cultivars in the previous 11 yr showed no significant differences in codling moth response among the cultivars.

Citrus↗

PubMed2000

Efficacy tests and determination of optimal spray timing values to control nantucket pine tip moth (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) infestations.

The Nantucket pine tip moth, Rhyaciona frustrana (Comstock), a common regeneration pest of loblolly pine, Pinus taeda L., has been shown to reduce tree volume yields through larval feeding. Chemical applications can be effective in protecting trees from the growth losses associated with this feeding, and optimum spray timing values are commonly used to reduce the number of necessary applications and to increase insecticide efficacy. Optimal spray timing values for the Georgia Piedmont were obtained for the following four insecticides available for use in loblolly pine plantations: permethrin (Pounce), lambda-cyhalothrin (Warrior T), spinosad (SpinTor 2 SC), and Bacillus thuringiensis variety kurstaki Berliner (Foray 48B). Optimal timing values were similar between the first and second generations for each of these compounds. All of the insecticides used in this study significantly reduced tip moth damage below the control treatment levels. Lambda-cyhalothrin was the most efficacious and had the longest spray timing window. B. thuringiensis was the least effective and had the shortest timing window. Spinosad and permethrin were similar in efficacy and spray timing values. This information is applicable to regions where there are three tip moth generations per year, as found in the southern Piedmont region and the coastal plain of Virginia and most of North Carolina.

Animals↗