Overwintering Larval Cold Tolerance of Sirex noctilio (Hymenoptera: Siricidae): Geographic Variation in Northeast China

Sirex noctilio (Hymenoptera: Siricidae) is an invasive pest that has spread and established in many regions worldwide. However, its cold tolerance strategy is still unclear. We measured the supercooling point (SCP) and the lower lethal temperature (LLT) of overwintering S. noctilio larvae during three overwintering periods in four geographically separated populations in China. In addition, using the statistical analysis of the local historical temperature data, we also conducted comprehensive studies of S. noctilio cold tolerance variations and strategies. We measured the SCP of all samples as S. noctilio could survive at its SCP during a short period of exposure (<48 h) and its cold tolerance strategy was freeze-avoidance. The average SCPs of the groups in different spatiotemporal scales were significantly related to average temperature variation with most individuals exhibiting stronger cold hardiness at low ambient temperatures. S. noctilio exhibited a strong cold tolerance and it has the ability to withstand lower temperatures in cold environments. The geographic population showed a positive tendency as the ambient temperature decreased, which would increase its chance of developing in cold regions.

miR-31-5p regulates cold acclimation of the wood-boring beetle Monochamus alternatus via ascaroside signaling

Background Survival to cold stress in insects living in temperate environments requires the deployment of strategies that lead to physiological changes involved in freeze tolerance or freeze avoidance. These strategies may consist of, for instance, the induction of metabolic depression, accumulation of cryoprotectants, or the production of antifreeze proteins, however, little is known about the way such mechanisms are regulated and the signals involved in their activation. Ascarosides are signaling molecules usually known to regulate nematode behavior and development, whose expression was recently found to relate to thermal plasticity in the Japanese pine sawyer beetle Monochamus alternatus. Accumulating evidence also points to miRNAs as another class of regulators differentially expressed in response to cold stress, which are predicted to target genes involved in cold adaptation of insects. Here, we demonstrate a novel pathway involved in insect cold acclimation, through miRNA-mediated regulation of ascaroside function. Results We initially discovered that experimental cold acclimation can enhance the beetle’s cold hardiness. Through screening and functional verification, we found miR-31-5p, upregulated under cold stress, significantly contributes to this enhancement. Mechanistically, miR-31-5p promotes production of an ascaroside (asc-C9) in the beetle by negatively targeting the rate-limiting enzyme, acyl-CoA oxidase in peroxisomal β-oxidation cycles. Feeding experiments with synthetic asc-C9 suggests it may serve as a signal to promote cold acclimation through metabolic depression and accumulation of cryoprotectants with specific gene expression patterns. Conclusions Our results point to important roles of miRNA-mediated regulation of ascaroside function in insect cold adaptation. This enhanced cold tolerance may allow higher survival of M. alternatus in winter and be pivotal in shaping its wide distribution range, greatly expanding the threat of pine wilt disease, and thus can also inspire the development of ascaroside-based pest management strategies.

Supercooling points of diapausing forest tent caterpillar (Lepidoptera: Lasiocampidae) eggs

Forest tent caterpillar (Malacosoma disstriaHübner; Lepidoptera: Lasiocampidae) is a widely distributed defoliator that undergoes intermittent outbreaks. It overwinters as pharate larvae within egg bands, is univoltine, and experiences low winter temperatures in its northern range. Little is known about how low temperatures affect winter survival and cold tolerances, their cold tolerance strategy, or how cold tolerances may vary over time and among populations. We evaluated supercooling points (SCPs) from four populations ofM. disstriaeggs collected along a 552 km latitudinal gradient from southern Wisconsin to northern Minnesota, United States of America. To test for potential effects of winter environment, we also administered three overwintering regimes (Madison, Wisconsin; Cloquet, Minnesota; Ely, Minnesota). Supercooling points were recorded in November, February, and March of 2011–2012. Supercooling points varied with maternal source (egg band), time of winter season, population source, and overwintering treatment. Means ranged from −26.8 °C (±0.5 °C) to −40.3 °C (±0.3 °C), accordingly. In a separate laboratory experiment, 89% of pharate larvae held at −20 °C (18.3 °C above coolest mean SCP) survived, but none held at −45 °C (6.7 °C below lowest mean SCP) survived. This relatively high degree of cold tolerance in its overwintering stage, due to freeze avoidance, may partially explain survival patterns and limits of overwinteringM. disstriain northern populations.

Effect of Snow Removal on Typhula Blight Development at High Elevation Golf Courses in Colorado

Golf course superintendents at high elevations in Colorado apply fungicides in late October before permanent snow cover to suppress Typhula blight development. Many remove snow from putting greens in late winter or early spring assuming this practice helps suppress Typhula blight late into the snow season. They also remove snow to prevent ice formation and freeze damage to turfgrass during snowmelt. However, the benefits of spring snow removal in disease suppression and freeze avoidance have not been demonstrated in Colorado. We compared Typhula blight severity and turfgrass health in Kentucky bluegrass and annual bluegrass fairways where snow was removed weekly from late October through mid-November, from early- to mid-March until the end of the snow period, or not removed. Fall snow removal did not reduce Typhula blight severity compared to no snow removal, but it did result in freeze damage to annual, but not Kentucky bluegrass. Spring snow removal had no effect on Typhula blight severity or freeze damage. Thus the practice of snow removal was of no apparent benefit in our studies. Accepted for publication 3 June 2013. Published 21 August 2013.

Does FreezePruf Topical Spray Increase Plant Resistance to Freezing Stress?

One method of plant freeze protection involves the application of compounds that promote freeze avoidance or tolerance. FreezePruf, a commercially available product recently marketed to improve both freeze avoidance and tolerance, contains polyethylene glycol, potassium silicate, glycerol, silicone polyether surfactant, and a bicyclic oxazolidine antidessicant. The goal of the present study was to evaluate the protection level provided by FreezePruf using laboratory-based methods involving plants and plant parts from species capable and incapable of low-temperature acclimation. FreezePruf did not lower the freezing temperature of pepper (Capsicum annuum) seedlings, celosia (Celosia argentea) seedlings, detached tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) leaves, or postharvest tomato fruit. Spray application of the putative cryoprotectant did not increase the freeze tolerance of bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon) crowns or stolons. It is possible that a greater level of protection could be achieved with other species or different experimental protocols.