Evaluating the effects of Bt protein Vip3Aa on immature Propylea japonica (Thunberg) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae)

Abstract Background Genetically modified (GM) crops have become a common tool for managing insect pests of economic importance. However, before their commercialization, bio-safety evaluation on non-target arthropods such as pollinators and biological control agents is a pre-requisite to save services rendered by them in agro-ecosystem. Results In the present experiment, the potential adverse effects of Bt protein (Vip3Aa) were studied on the life table parameters (pupation and emergence rates, 7-day larval weights, larval development time, and adult weight) of a predatory beetle, Propylea japonica (Thunberg) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) in the laboratory. P. japonica was exposed to Bt protein incorporated in synthetic diet at the rate of 200 µg/g of fresh weight of diet. Temporal stability, bioactivity and the uptake of insecticidal protein were confirmed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and a sensitive insect bioassay. The results indicated that pupation and adult emergence rates did not differ significantly from that of negative control (pure synthetic diet). Similarly, the fresh weight of male and female adults emerged in Vip3Aa treatment (2.87 mg and 3.86 mg, respectively) did not vary significantly from that of the negative control treatment (2.66 mg, 3.75 mg). However, the time taken by the larvae to complete their development (12.70 days) was significantly extended than that of the negative control (10.21 days). In contrast, the tested life-table parameters of P. japonica were adversely affected when fed on synthetic diet containing boric acid (positive control) indicating experimental fitness to detect adverse effects. Conclusions On the basis of the results, it is suggested that GM crops expressing Bt protein (Vip3Aa) are safe for non-target insects such as P. japonica and are compatible with other biological programs for the integrated management of insect pests.

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Nondetrimental impact of two concomitant entomopathogenic fungi on life history parameters of a generalist predator, Coccinella septempunctata (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae)

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-00037-8 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Muhammad Rizwan ◽

Bilal Atta ◽

Muhammad Arshad ◽

Rashad Rasool Khan ◽

Asli Dageri ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Side Effects ◽

Life Table ◽

Entomopathogenic Fungi ◽

Coccinella Septempunctata ◽

Reproductive Rate ◽

Control Treatment ◽

Generalist Predator ◽

Life Table Parameters ◽

Net Reproductive Rate ◽

Fecundity Rate

AbstractThe non-persistent impact of biocontrol agents can be revealed for pest control when associated entomopathogenic fungi (EPFs) negatively affect the natural enemies. In this assay, impacts of Beauvaria bassiana (Balsamo) Vuillemin, and Metarhizium anisopliae (Metschnikoff) Sorokin were studied for their compatibility or side effects on life table parameters of an important generalist predator, Coccinella septempunctata L. The results indicated non-significant impacts of both EPFs on life table parameters of C. septempunctata. The development time (egg-adult) was not significantly different in control (69.79 days) and EPFs treated C. septempunctata (69.35–80.07 days). Both fungi did not induce any significant changes in the fecundity, adult pre-oviposition period (APOP), total preoviposition period (TPOP), and mean generation time (T) as compared to control treatment. Similarly, no difference in fecundity rate of C. septempunctata was observed after EPFs treatment (287.7–288.5) compared to control (290.0). The highest net reproductive rate (R0) occurred in control (87.05 offspring individual−1) and M. anisopliae (86.31 offspring individual−1) as compared to B. bassiana treated beetles (76.97 offspring individual−1). The age-specific fecundity curves indicated that the C. septempunctata had a similar fecundity rate in both EPFs treatments and control. This study demonstrates no significant side effects of B. bassiana and M. anispoliae on the performance and biology of C. septempunctata. Considering the compatibility of both EPFs with C. septempunctata, their combinations can be recommended in various integrated pest management programs.

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Bacillus thuringiensis Maize Expressing a Fusion Gene Cry1Ab/Cry1AcZM Does Not Harm Valued Pollen Feeders

Toxins ◽

10.3390/toxins11010008 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

pp. 8 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Xiaowei Xie ◽

Zhifu Cui ◽

Yanan Wang ◽

Yuanyuan Wang ◽

Fengqin Cao ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Bacillus Thuringiensis ◽

Life Table ◽

Fresh Weight ◽

Life Table Parameters ◽

Cry Protein ◽

Bt Maize ◽

Male Adult ◽

Test Species ◽

Maize Pollen ◽

Cry1ac Protein

The ladybird Propylea japonica, adults of the green lacewing Chrysoperla nipponensis and the honey bee Apis mellifera are common pollen feeders in many crop systems. They could therefore be directly exposed to Cry proteins in Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt)-transgenic crop fields by ingestion of pollen. They, or closely related species, are therefore often selected as surrogate test species in non-target risk assessment of Bt plants. In the current study, we evaluated the potential effects of the ingestion of Bt maize pollen containing the Cry1Ab/Cry1Ac fusion protein on various life-table parameters of the three pollen-feeding non-target species in laboratory feeding assays. The results showed that pupation rate and male adult fresh weight of P. japonica were significantly increased when fed pollen from Bt maize compared to control maize pollen, but other test life-table parameters were not affected. For the other two species, none of the tested life-table parameters (survival, pre-oviposition period, fecundity and adult fresh weight for C. nipponensis; survival and mean acinus diameter of hypopharyngeal glands for A. mellifera) differed between non-Bt and Bt maize pollen treatments. ELISA measurements confirmed the stability and uptake of the Cry protein by all three species during the feeding bioassays. In addition, a sensitive insect bioassay confirmed the bioactivity of the Cry1Ab/Cry1Ac protein in the Bt maize pollen used. Overall, the results suggested that the three pollen feeders are not sensitive to the Cry1Ab/Cry1Ac protein, and planting of the Bt maize variety will pose a negligible risk to P. japonica, adult C. nipponensis and adult A. mellifera.

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Demographic analysis of sublethal effects of spiromesifen on Neoseiulus californicus (Acari: Phytoseiidae)

Acarologia ◽

10.24349/acarologia/20174173 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 57 (3) ◽

pp. 571-580

Author(s):

Maryam Ghadim Mollaloo ◽

Katayoon Kheradmand ◽

Reza Sadeghi ◽

Ali Aasghar Talebi

Keyword(s):

Life Table ◽

Sublethal Effects ◽

Sublethal Effect ◽

Reproductive Rate ◽

Neoseiulus Californicus ◽

Control Treatment ◽

Intrinsic Rate Of Increase ◽

Life Table Parameters ◽

Net Reproductive Rate ◽

Rate Of Increase

The sublethal effect of spiromesifen on life table parameters of Neoseiulus californicus McGregor (Acari: Phytoseiidae) was evaluated under laboratory conditions 25±1 °C, 65±5% RH and 16:8 (L:D) h. To take both sexes and the variable developmental rate among individuals into consideration, the raw data were analyzed based on the age stage, two sex life table. The estimated values of LC5, LC10 and LC15 for N. californicus are found to be 5.834, 9.529 and 13.267 ppm, respectively. The total preoviposition period of N. californicus treated with sublethal concentrations of spiromesifen was not significantly longer than for the control treatment. The minimum total fecundity was recorded for the LC15 concentration of spiromesifen (19.37 eggs/female) that was significantly different to the LC5 and control treatments. Compared with the control, the intrinsic rate of increase (r), finite rate of increase (λ), net reproductive rate (R0) and gross reproduction rates (GRR) of mites treated by the dose of the LC15 concentration, decreased significantly but the mean generation time (T) was not affected by this sublethal concentration. Our results indicated that increasing concentrations of spiromesifen had significant negative effects on life table parameters of N. californicus.These quantities should not be used in combination with N. californicus in integrated pest management programs in order to obtain optimal of biological control conclusions.

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Biology and Life Table Parameters of the Date Palm Dust Mite, Oligonychus afrasiaticus (McGregor) (Acari: Tetranychidae) as affected by Host and Controlled conditions

Acarines Journal of the Egyptian Society of Acarology ◽

10.21608/ajesa.2013.4919 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 7 (1) ◽

pp. 19-24

Author(s):

A. El-Halawany

Keyword(s):

Life Table ◽

Date Palm ◽

Life Table Parameters ◽

Controlled Conditions ◽

Dust Mite

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Biological aspects and life table parameters of predator gamasid ascid mite, Blattisocius dentriticus (Berlese) (Acari:Gamasida: Ascidae)

Egyptian Academic Journal of Biological Sciences A Entomology ◽

10.21608/eajbsa.2013.13368 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 6 (2) ◽

pp. 97-105 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Amira Mohamed

Keyword(s):

Life Table ◽

Life Table Parameters ◽

Biological Aspects ◽

Blattisocius Dentriticus

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BIOLOGICAL AND LIFE TABLE PARAMETERS OF Stethorus gilvifrons (Muls.) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) REARED ON Tetranychus urticae Koch.

Journal of Plant Protection and Pathology ◽

10.21608/jppp.2010.86735 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 1 (6) ◽

pp. 393-402

Author(s):

A. Abdel-Salam ◽

A. Ghanim ◽

Hala El-Serafi ◽

M. El-Naggar ◽

Fatma Saleh

Keyword(s):

Life Table ◽

Tetranychus Urticae ◽

Life Table Parameters ◽

Stethorus Gilvifrons ◽

Tetranychus Urticae Koch

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Exploratory field study on the effects of porcine circovirus 2 (PCV-2) sow vaccination at different physiological stages mimicking blanket vaccination

Porcine Health Management ◽

10.1186/s40813-021-00213-2 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 7 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Patricia Pleguezuelos ◽

Marina Sibila ◽

Raúl Cuadrado ◽

Rosa López-Jiménez ◽

Diego Pérez ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction ◽

Negative Control Group ◽

Negative Control ◽

Late Gestation ◽

Antibody Detection ◽

Porcine Circovirus ◽

Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽

Control Group ◽

Physiological Status ◽

Porcine Circovirus 2

Abstract Background The objective of the present study was to explore the benefits of Porcine circovirus 2 (PCV-2) blanket vaccination in a sow herd on productive parameters, PCV-2 infection and immune status in sows and their progeny. For this purpose, 288 sows were distributed among four balanced experimental groups. One group remained as negative control group and the other three received 1 mL of PCV-2 Ingelvac Circoflex® intramuscularly at different productive cycle moments: before mating, mid gestation (42–49 days post-insemination) or late gestation (86–93 days post-insemination); phosphate buffered saline (PBS) was used as negative control item. Reproductive parameters from sows during gestation and body weight of their progeny from birth to weaning were recorded. Additionally, blood was collected from sows at each vaccination time and piglets at 3 weeks of age. Moreover, up to 4 placental umbilical cords (PUC) per sow were taken at peri-partum. Sera from sows and piglets were analysed for PCV-2 antibody detection using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Sera from sows and PUC were tested to quantify viraemia using a real time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) assay. Results Globally, results indicated that vaccinated sows showed heavier piglets at birth and at weaning, less cross-fostered piglets, lower viral load at farrowing as well as in PUC, and higher antibody levels at farrowing, compared to non-vaccinated ones. When all groups were compared among them, sows vaccinated at mid or late gestation had heavier piglets at birth than non-vaccinated sows, and lower proportion of PCV-2 positive PUC. Also, cross-fostering was less frequently practiced in sows vaccinated at pre-mating or mid gestation compared to non-vaccinated ones. Conclusions In conclusion, the present study points out that PCV-2 sow vaccination at different time points of their physiological status (mimicking blanket vaccination) offers benefits at production and serological and virological levels.

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Effects of Nocturnal UV-B Irradiation on Growth, Flowering, and Phytochemical Concentration in Leaves of Greenhouse-Grown Red Perilla

Plants ◽

10.3390/plants10061252 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (6) ◽

pp. 1252

Author(s):

Hideo Yoshida ◽

Tatsuru Nishikawa ◽

Shoko Hikosaka ◽

Eiji Goto

Keyword(s):

Radiation Intensity ◽

Rosmarinic Acid ◽

Color Change ◽

Control Treatment ◽

Leaf Color ◽

Fresh Weight ◽

High Concentration ◽

Fluorescent Lamps ◽

Phenotypic Quality ◽

Intermittent Illumination

In Japan, red perilla leaves are used in the food and coloring industries, as well as in crude medicine. Perilla leaves contain a high concentration of phytochemicals such as perillaldehyde (PA) and rosmarinic acid (RA). The effects of UV-B radiation intensity (0.05–0.2 W m−2, UV-BBE: 0.041–0.083 W m−2), duration (3 or 6 h), and irradiation method (continuous or intermittent) for artificial nocturnal lighting using UV-B fluorescent lamps were evaluated on growth, flowering, and leaf phytochemical concentration in greenhouse-grown perilla. Under continuous UV-B irradiation at 0.1 W m−2 for 3 or 6 h, leaf color changed from red to green and leaf fresh weight decreased, compared with the control treatment. No leaf color change was observed under the 3-h treatment with UV-B radiation at 0.05 W m−2, wherein leaf fresh weight was similar to that of the control. Furthermore, RA concentration under continuous UV-B irradiation at 0.05 W m−2 for 3 h increased two-fold compared to that under control treatment, while PA concentration was not affected by UV-B irradiation. Thus, our data showed that continuous UV-B irradiation at 0.05 W m−2 for 3 h could effectively produce RA-rich perilla leaves without reducing in phenotypic quality or productivity. However, a 6-h intermittent illumination inhibited flowering without altering phytochemical concentration.

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Effects of Delayed Mating on the Reproductive Performance of Henosepilachna vigintioctopunctata (F.) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae)

Insects ◽

10.3390/insects12070629 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 (7) ◽

pp. 629

Author(s):

Ya-Ling Wang ◽

Qi-Nian Jin ◽

Xiang-Ping Wang

Keyword(s):

Life Table ◽

Mating Success ◽

Doubling Time ◽

Reproductive Rate ◽

Oviposition Period ◽

Population Doubling ◽

Life Table Parameters ◽

Effective Measure ◽

Net Reproductive Rate ◽

Henosepilachna Vigintioctopunctata

Henosepilachna vigintioctopunctata (F.) is a serious pest of numerous solanaceous crops in many Asian countries. The purpose of this study was to clarify the effects of delayed mating on mating success, fecundity, fertility, pre-oviposition period, oviposition period, adult longevity, and population life table parameters (including net reproductive rate, intrinsic and finite rates of increase, doubling time, and mean generation time) of H. vigintioctopunctata. Beginning three days after emergence for both sexes, mating was delayed an additional 0, 2, 4, 6, or 8 days. We compared the data when mating was delayed for males only with the data when mating was similarly delayed for females only. Reproductive and life table parameters were calculated from the two data sets and compared. The results showed that the preoviposition and oviposition period of adults was significantly reduced by delayed mating, while the preoviposition period was not significantly different in adults mated at older ages. The mating success rate, fecundity, and proportion of hatching eggs decreased with increasing mating age. Longevity was not affected by the age at mating. Mating delay also affected the life table parameters of H. vigintioctopunctata, with a similar trend observed in the net reproductive rate and intrinsic and finite rates of increase, all of which decreased gradually as the number of delay days increased. The population doubling time increased with increases in mating age. The results also showed that delayed mating was an effective measure to consider in controlling H. vigintioctopunctata. It is hoped that our data will provide a scientific basis and contribute technical guidance for forecasting and integrated management of this pest.

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