Search results for "pupa"
showing 10 items of 72 documents
From deception to frankness: Benefits of ontogenetic shift in the anti-predator strategy of alder moth Acronicta alni larvae
2014
Abstract Animals can avoid prédation by masquerading as objects that are not food to their predators. Alder moth Acronicta alni larvae go through an impressive ontogenetic change from masquerade to highly conspicuous appearance: early larval stages resemble bird droppings but in the last instar the larval coloration changes into striking yellow-and-black stripes. We hypothesized that such a change may be driven by differential prédation favoring dissimilar anti-predator strategies in different life stages. We show with a series of laboratory assays that larvae are distasteful to birds regardless of their developmental stage, suggesting that ontogenetic color change is not driven by the diff…
Vertical transmission of naturally occurring Bunyamwera and insect-specific flavivirus infections in mosquitoes from islands and mainland shores of L…
2018
Background Many arboviruses transmitted by mosquitoes have been implicated as causative agents of both human and animal illnesses in East Africa. Although epidemics of arboviral emerging infectious diseases have risen in frequency in recent years, the extent to which mosquitoes maintain pathogens in circulation during inter-epidemic periods is still poorly understood. This study aimed to investigate whether arboviruses may be maintained by vertical transmission via immature life stages of different mosquito vector species. Methodology We collected immature mosquitoes (egg, larva, pupa) on the shores and islands of Lake Baringo and Lake Victoria in western Kenya and reared them to adults. Mo…
Pathogenicity bioassays of isolates of Beauveria bassiana on Rhynchophorus ferrugineus
2012
BACKGROUND:The control ofRhynchophorusferrugineus (Olivier), themainpalmpest in theMediterraneanBasin, is problematic because of its biology and the current restrictions inmany European countries on the use of chemical insecticides in urban areas. Entomopathogenic fungi have been studied as potential biological control agents, but information on their natural incidence is limited. Strains of Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo) Vuillemin were isolated from symptomatic insects collected on dead palms, and their pathogenicity against different instars of R. ferrugineus was evaluated in the laboratory. RESULTS: The overall percentage of infected insects found in Canary palms was 7%. In laboratory bioa…
A previously unreported numph cocoon of Alphasida puncticollis on the islet of Lampione (Sicilian Channel) (Coleoptera Tenebrionidae).
2010
In this paper we present an unusual case of cocoons produced by larvae of Tenebrionid Alphasida (Glabrasida) puncticollis (Solier, 1836), which has been observed on the islet of Lampione (Sicilian Channel). Pupal cocoons have never been recorded for species belonging to this genus, and their occurrence results rarely documented within the family Tenebrionidae. Some ecological implications are discussed.
Characterization of two new cuticular genes specifically expressed during the post-ecdysial molting period in Tenebrio molitor
1998
Abstract In a previous study, we have isolated a cDNA, TM-ACP17 , coding for a post-ecdysial adult protein of Tenebrio molitor . After screening of a genomic library with TM-ACP17 , we report isolation and sequencing of TM-ACP17 gene and a new gene, TM-LPCP29 , coding for a larval–pupal protein. These two genes exhibit a common sequence of 15 nucleotides and a characteristic of most cuticular protein genes so far described: an intron interrupting the signal peptide. The deduced aa sequence of TM-LPCP29 exhibits a high percentage of Ala (26.5%) and Val (17.5%) and is highly hydrophobic. In the N-terminal part, the motif VAAPV is repeated ten times. Numerous histidine residues are present in …
Evaluating the quality of the Mexican fruit-fly, Anastrepha ludens, as host for the parasitoid Melittobia digitata
2013
We investigated the presence of Melittobia digitata (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) and its associations with its natural hosts in Veracruz, Mexico. The parasitoid was confirmed to be present and found to attack prepupae of Trypoxylon and Sceliphron (Hymenoptera: Crabronidae and Sphecidae, respectively) mud daubers as well as pupae of the Mexican fruit fly Anastrepha ludens (Diptera: Tephritidae). Since A. ludens is a very important pest of citrus and mango in Mexico and Central America, we evaluated, in laboratory experiments, the quality of A. ludens as host of M. digitata comparing the development of the parasitoid in another unrelated fly species (Sarcophaga [Neobellieria] bullata) (Diptera: …
Description and Life History of an Unusual Fern-Feeding Tortricid Moth (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) from Brazil
2004
Tortrimosaica polypodivora Brown & Baixeras, new genus and new species, is described and illustrated from Sao Paulo, Brazil. We also describe and illustrate the last instar and pupa and provide notes on the life history. Larvae of the new species are gall inducers on the stems of Microgramma squamulosa (Kauf.) Sota (Polypodiaceae), an unusual behavior and host for a tortricid. Although placed provisionally in Hilarographini, tribal and subfamilial assignment of the new genus is extremely problematic owing to a mosaic of morphological characters, suggesting placement in a variety of different higher taxa. The larvae have a bisetose L-group on the prothorax, and the pupa has multiple rows of …
Development of the wing discs of Zophobas atratus under natural and experimental conditions: occurrence of a gradual larval-pupal commitment in the e…
1999
Using light and electron microscopy, we studied the development of the wing discs in the large beetle Zophobas atratus, under natural and experimental conditions. A reversible differentiation of the wing discs is usually observed during supernumerary instars of crowded larvae. Juvenile hormone analog (JHA) application during the wandering period or compelled experimental crowding during the larval-pupal switchover – or commitment – inhibits the onset of metamorphosis. Isolation, followed by recrowding, also induces the disc cells to secrete unusual cuticular material. Recrowding is able to trigger the reversal of metamorphosis during the 4-day period when larval-pupal commitment is taking p…
Immunological detection of phenylalanine hydroxylase protein in Drosophila melanogaster.
1992
A monoclonal antibody raised against monkey liver phenylalanine hydroxylase (PAH) has been used to detect this protein in Drosophila melanogaster. A cross-reacting material (CRM) band of apparent molecular mass 50-52 kDa, equivalent to that deduced for the Drosophila melanogaster PAH protein based on the pah gene cDNA sequence, has been detected. This CRM was analysed throughout development and showed an equivalent pattern to that reported for PAH activity in this insect, with maxima at pupariation and at pharate adult formation. Distribution of this CRM in larval tissues, the haemolymph and the adult body is mainly restricted to the larval fat body and the adult head. Demonstration of this…
Developmental profiles of epidermal mRNAs during the pupal-adult molt of Tenebrio molitor and isolation of a cDNA clone encoding an adult cuticular p…
1992
0012-1606 (Print) Journal Article; Changes in translatable mRNAs from the wing epidermis of the Coleoptera Tenebrio molitor have been investigated during metamorphosis by analysis of in vitro translated products. Striking differences between the patterns obtained from mRNAs extracted during pupal and adult cuticle secretion indicated that a drastic change in gene expression occurs during the pupal-adult transition. In addition to these stage-specific modifications, the mRNA patterns changed within each cuticular synthesis program (pupal or adult), especially at ecdysis. After tritiated leucine incorporation, some of the major radiolabeled cuticular proteins showed similar changes suggesting…