Search results for "INSECT"

Modulation of immune responses ofRhynchophorus ferrugineus(Insecta: Coleoptera) induced by the entomopathogenic nematodeSteinernema carpocapsae(Nemat…

2014

Aim of this study was to investigate relationships between the red palm weevil (RPW) Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Olivier) and the entomopathogenic nematode Steinernema carpocapsae (EPN); particularly, the work was focused on the immune response of the insect host in naive larvae and after infection with the EPN. Two main immunological processes have been addressed: the activity and modulation of host prophenoloxidase-phenoloxidase (proPO) system, involved in melanization of not-self and hemocytes recognition processes responsible for not-self encapsulation. Moreover, immune depressive and immune evasive strategies of the parasite have been investigated. Our results suggest that RPW possess a…

An insect brain computational model inspired by Drosophila melanogaster: architecture description

2010

The fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster is an extremely interesting insect because it shows a wealth of complex behaviors, despite its small brain. Nowadays genetic techniques allow to knock out the function of defined parts or genes in the Drosophila brain. Together with specific mutants which show similar defects in those parts or genes, hypothesis about the functions of every single brain part can be drawn. Following these experiments, a computational model of the fly Drosophila has been designed with a view to its robotic implementation.

Evidence of Seasonal Variation in Body Color in Adults of the Parasitoid Cirrospilus pictus (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) in Sicily, Italy

2023

As part of the studies on the morphological color variation of insects, a case study on the seasonal body color variation of Cirrospilus pictus (Nees) (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae: Eulophinae) parasitoid of leafminers is reported. Observations were made from January 2000 to December 2003 in north-western Sicily (Italy), in relation to sex, body regions of adults and seasonal periods. Wasps parasitizing Phyllocnistis citrella Stainton (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae) were collected from organic citrus orchards (Citrus limon L., var. “Femminello zagara bianca” and “Femminello comune”). Adults were grouped in classes: yellow males, black males, yellow females, yellow–black females and black females. …

Climate Change Effects on Agricultural Insect Pests in Europe

2015

Abstract In this chapter, we will discuss observations of climate change effects on agricultural pests in Europe, the possible mechanisms behind these observed effects and finally delve into more detail through some relatively well studied model species (the Colorado potato beetle and the rape beetle). Direct effects of climate change on agricultural pests in Europe are difficult to dissect from all the human-induced changes that have taken place in parallel with an increased mean annual temperature. During the past decade, agriculture has become more professionalized in terms of land use, crop cultivation techniques and pest management strategies. We review the effect of climate change on …

First Record of Melanagromyza sojae (Zehnter) (Diptera: Agromyzidae) in Europe

2010

Chemical Ecology of Insect Parasitoids: Towards a New Era

2013

Over the course of evolutionary time, insect parasitoids have developed diverse strategies for using chemical compounds to communicate with various protagonists within their environment (i.e. conspecifi cs, their hosts, and the plants on which their hosts are living). Unravelling the evolutionary meaning of such chemical communication networks not only provides new insights into the ecology of these insects but also contributes to improving the use of parasitoids for the control of insect pests in biological control programmes. A book covering our current knowledge of the chemical ecology of insect parasitoids is therefore particularly timely and will appeal to a large number of potential r…

Covalent modificaition of juvenile hormone binding proteins by photoaffinity labeling: An unexpected gel shift effect

1994

The 32 kD juvenile hormone binding protein (JHBP) and two 80 kD proteins in larval Manduca sexta hemolymph were labeled with [3H]FDK, a photoaffinity analog of methyl farnesoate (MF). The labeling could be completely displaced by a 30-fold excess of either MF or JH II, demonstrating that [3H]FDK binds specifically to the JH binding sites of the 32 kD JHBP and the 80 kD proteins. In addition, a high molecular-mass protein was labeled with [3H]FDK; labeling could be displaced by excess MF but not by JH II, demonstrating the selectivity in binding MF. The 32 kD JHBP also appeared to weakly bind the potent juvenoid, methoprene, at the JH binding site. Covalent modification by [3H]FDK induced a …

IDENTIFICATION OF A CALMODULIN-BINDING SITE WITHIN THE DOMAIN I OF BACILLUS THURINGIENSISCry3Aa TOXIN

2012

Bacillus thuringiensis Cry3Aa toxin is a coleopteran specific toxin highly active against Colorado Potato Beetle (CPB).We have recently shown that Cry3Aa toxin is proteolytically cleaved by CPB midgut membrane associated metalloproteases and that this cleavage is inhibited by ADAM metalloprotease inhibitors. In the present study, we investigated whether the Cry3Aa toxin is a calmodulin (CaM) binding protein, as it is the case of several different ADAM shedding substrates. In pull-down assays using agarose beads conjugated with CaM, we demonstrated that Cry3Aa toxin specifically binds to CaM in a calcium-independent manner. Furthermore, we used gel shift assays and (1)H NMR spectra to demons…

Vertical stratification and trophic interactions among organisms of a soil decomposer food web – a field experiment using 15N as a tool

2002

Abstract In this field study, we explored the spatial segregation between the litter- and humus-inhabiting organisms of the detrital food web using 15 N-isotope technique. The study was established in 11 × 11 m plots fertilized with 15 N-labelled urea. Ten years after urea application, soil samples were taken, both from the litter layer and the combined F+H layer. The samples were analysed for N content and the proportion of 15 N in (i) the residual organic matter in the litter and F+H layer (excluding microbes), (ii) microbial biomass, and (iii) various feeding guilds of soil fauna. The basal resource, soil microbes, and the fauna were more enriched with 15 N in the F+H layer than in the l…

Analysis of kynurenine transaminase activity in Drosophila by high performance liquid chromatography

1991

Abstract A sensitive assay for kynurenine transaminase activity (E.C. 2.6.1.7) based on rapid separation of the reaction product by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) has been developed. Drosophila sordidula extracts have been assayed by this new method and this is the first time that kynurenine transaminase activity has been demonstrated in Drosophila . The method of assay developed can be extended to any other organism. Kynurenine and 3-hydroxykynurenine were both used as substrates, and they were transaminated to kynurenic acid and xanthruenic acid, respectively. HPLC is used to separate and quantitate these reaction products from all other components in the reaction mixture. …