No abstract available

[en] The acute and chronic effects of perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) on the rotifer Brachionus calyciflorus (B. calyciflorus) were investigated at the organismal and the population level. The acute toxicity of PFOS to rotifers was approximately 2.5-fold greater than that of PFOA. From 0.25 to 2.0 mg L⁻¹, PFOS exhibited higher toxicity than PFOA on the F0-generation of B. calyciflorus, including effects on body size, juvenile periods, net reproductive rate, and generation time. Both PFOS and PFOA exposure induced a smaller egg size in B. calyciflorus, suggesting that these risks can be transferred from mother to offspring. The 28-day population growth studies showed that PFOS and PFOA reduced the population density and increased the mictic ratio. Our results demonstrated that both PFOS and PFOA had adverse effects on B. calyciflorus, not only at the individual level but also at the population level. Highlights: •The acute and chronic toxicity of PFOS/PFOA towards rotifers are investigated. •24-h LC₅₀ values of acute toxicity are 61.8 PFOS mg L⁻¹ and 150.0 mg PFOA L⁻¹. •PFOS/PFOA impacts the body/egg sizes F0-generation rotifers. •PFOS/PFOA shows different toxic effects on rotifer life-history parameters. •Long-term exposure reduces rotifer population density and increases mictic ratio. -- The toxicity data of PFOS and PFOA on the rotifer, at both individual and population levels, can enhance the potential of rotifers as suitable aquatic models for ecotoxicology tests

[en] In the work it is established, that at introduction of antioxidant N((-3.5-di-tributyl-4-hydroxyphenyl) salicyl, fibroin mechanical durability structure of increases and natural silk fibroin stability to external influences raises

[en] Networks can be found everywhere—in technology, in nature and in our bodies. In this paper we present how antigen networks can be used as a model to study network interaction and architecture. Utilizing antigen microarray data of the reactivity of hundreds of antibodies of sera of ten mothers and their newborns, we reconstruct networks, either isotype specific (IgM or IgG) or person specific—mothers or newborns—and investigate the network properties. Such an approach makes it possible to decipher fundamental information regarding the personal immune network state and its unique characteristics. In the current paper we demonstrate how we are successful in studying the interaction between two dependent networks, the maternal IgG repertoire and the one of the offspring, using the concept of meta-network provides essential information regarding the biological phenomenon of cross placental transfer. Such an approach is useful in the study of coupled networks in variety of scientific fields. (paper)

[en] Full text: We determined the acceptability and suitability of eggs of Cryptophlebia leucotreta (Meyrick) to parasitisation by Trichogrammatoidea cryptophlebiae Nagaraja under no choice and choice situations. Male and female moths were treated (T) with 150 or 200 Gy of gamma radiation, inbred or out-crossed to untreated (N) counterparts, and eggs laid by different crosses were offered to T. cryptophlebiae as host material. Newly laid (24 h old) eggs, as well as eggs that were 48 h and 72 h old were evaluated. In general, all egg treatments in the no choice experiments were acceptable for oviposition and suitable for parasitoid development. However, significant differences in the number of parasitised eggs were detected when one member of the host cross, particularly the female, was treated with gamma radiation or when the host egg age was greater than 24 h. No significant differences were detected in any of the choice experiments. Our results suggest that T. cryptophlebiae would accept, successfully develop in, and emerge from false codling moth eggs laid by the different crosses that would theoretically be present in the field under a sterile insect release programme for false codling moth and suggest that further evaluations combining releases of irradiated moths and parasitoids are warranted. (author)

[en] The mulberry wild silkworm (MWS), belong to the Bombycidae of Lepidoptera, is serious pest of sericulture. The female moth of MWS is sterile and the male moth is sub-sterile when they were treated with 250 Gy ⁶⁰Co γ-ray (dose rate: 1.05 Gy/min), and their filial generations was sterile. The spreading ability of male moth of MWS in field and retrieving the marked MWS male moth with the trapping method was studied. The trapping solution was composed of sugar, vinegar, wine and alive female moth. The retrieving rate of MWS male moth amounted to 12.6%∼13.5% of released moth in field. The spreading range in 24 hours for sterile MWS male moth reached to 700 m, and 90.8% of MWS male moth was in an area of 5 m radius from the releasing centre. It is concluded that thirty releasing centres per hectare are needed to make the irradiated sterilized insects spread for controlling the MWS in field

[en] In certain lepidopterous insects, partially sterilized males mated with normal females produce progeny which are more sterile than their male parents. This phenomenon is known as inherited sterility and offers considerable advantages for suppression and eradication over conventional sterile insect methods. This phenomenon has been observed in numerous pests, including Heliothis zea, Galleria mellonella, Ephestia cautella, Plodia interpunctella, Spodoptera frugiperda, Trichoplusia ni and Lymantria dispar. Key findings that have advanced development of this technique are reviewed. Comparisons of several sterile insect methods are presented by means of simulation models. Recent research on gypsy moth has revealed a dramatic inherited sterility effect when male pupae are administered 10 krad of radiation. The F₁ sex ratio is two males to one female and those adults are completely sterile. Growth, development and behaviour of F₁ individuals indicates that they are highly competitive with normal insects. A major operational impediment to using the sterile insect method for Lepidoptera involves the release of, typically, rather large and fragile moths or pupae. This situation has been circumvented in the gypsy moth programme by releasing the normal females in the laboratory, and the resultant F₁ egg masses are collected and stockpiled for subsequent release into target infestations. These egg masses can be stored, are easily released from aircraft and, upon hatching, are 'implanted' into the target fertile population. This approach vastly simplifies the release of sterile insects. Field tests of the technique in isolated infestations of gypsy moths have indicated that the technique has promise and several eradication attempts have been successful. However, these studies have also identified a number of research imperatives, which are discussed. (author). 40 refs, 3 figs, 6 tabs

[en] Natural disturbances have a major impact on boreal forest landscape dynamics, and although fire history is well documented at the Holocene scale, spruce budworm (Choristoneura fumiferana (Clemens)) (SBW) dynamics have only been known for the last three centuries. This is likely due to the difficulty in using and interpreting existing indicators (cephalic head capsules and feces). In this methodological study, we present an original approach using lepidopteran wing scales to reconstruct insect abundance. We analyzed two sediment cores from the boreal forest in central Quebec and extracted wing scales at every stratigraphic level. The required quantity of sediment for paleoecological analysis is relatively small given the large quantity of wing scales produced by Lepidoptera and their small size. Scales are well preserved due to their chitinous structure and their great variety of shapes offer a high potential for taxonomic identification. A statistical model based on the shape of scales of the three major epidemic lepidopterans in Quebec discriminated 68% of SBW scales. This indicator allows a more efficient and more precise reconstruction of SBW history with respect to the use of cephalic head capsules or feces. (author)

[en] Full text: Brazilian peppertree, Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi (Anacardiaceae), is a dioecious evergreen shrub-like tree native to Brazil, Paraguay, and Argentina, that was introduced to Florida in 1898 as an ornamental. Currently, Brazilian peppertree is distributed widely throughout central and southern Florida, and is listed by the Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council as a 'Category 1' invasive exotic species because it is altering native plant communities. It also has exhibited invasive behaviour in California and Hawaii, as well as subtropical regions of at least 20 different countries. In 1994, several natural enemies of Brazilian peppertree were imported into a quarantine facility in Florida as candidates for classical biological control. One of the candidates was a South American leaf-rolling moth, Episimus utilis Zimmerman (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae). Larvae of E. utilis feed by scraping the surface of the Brazilian peppertree leaflets. As they mature, the developing larvae are capable of completely defoliating the plant. Host specificity tests are used to determine whether or not a potential biocontrol candidate is safe to release in the field. Some biologists believe that these tests often overestimate host range, which leads to the rejection of acceptable candidates. As cage testing under quarantine conditions may inhibit normal behaviour, open-field studies can provide a more realistic setting where insects can display an array of behaviours. However, open-field studies pose environmental risks in the area of introduction and are prohibited. Through the application of the F₁ Sterile Insect Technique (F₁-SIT), lepidopteran insects could be safely released temporarily for field host range testing. Advantages of F₁-SIT include manifestation of sterility in the larvae of irradiated adults, exposure of the insect to the actual environmental conditions it will experience if approved for release, prediction of true field host range in the area of introduction, and the ability to suspend releases of irradiated insects if non-target species were being attacked with no risk of permanent establishment of E. utilis. The objective of the initial phase of this study was to evaluate the effect of gamma radiation on adult moth sterility. Data on the radiation biology of E. utilis adults conducted at various doses is presented, including results of fecundity, fertility, and percent sterility. (author)

[en] An approach based on radiation sterilization which can be used for the control of potato tuber moth as well as for other lepidopterous pests is presented. 4 refs., 1 fig