Effectiveness of Entomopathogenic Fungi on Immature Stages and Feeding Performance of Fall Armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) Larvae

Maize is a major staple crop in China, and the sustainable productivity of this primary crop has been recently threatened by fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda, invasion. The five fungal isolates, Aspergillus sp. BM-3 and SE-2-1, Cladosporium tenuissimum SE-10, Penicillium citrinum CTD-24, and Beauveria bassiana ZK-5 were assessed for their efficacy in causing mortality against first to sixth instar eggs and neonate larvae seven days post-treatment, and their effects on the feeding performance of sixth instar S. frugiperda larvae at 48 h post-treatment at three concentrations (1 × 106, 1 × 107, and 1 × 108 conidia mL−1) were also assessed. The six instar S. frugiperda larvae were not susceptible to the five tested fungal isolates. However, B. bassiana ZK-5 caused the highest egg mortality of 40, 70, and 85.6% at 1 × 106, 1 × 107, and 1 × 108 conidia mL−1, respectively, followed by P. citrinum CTD-24 (30.6, 50, and 75.6%) and C. tenuissimum SE-10 (25.6, 40, and 55.6%). In addition, B. bassiana ZK-5 caused the highest neonate mortality of 54.3% at 1 × 108 conidia mL−1. B. bassiana ZK-5 and P. citrinum CTD-24 caused cumulative mortality, including 93.3 and 83.3% mortality of eggs and neonates, respectively, at 1 × 108 conidia mL−1. Furthermore, B. bassiana ZK-5 reduced the feeding efficacy of first to third instar S. frugiperda larvae by 66.7 to 78.6%, while P. citrinum CTD-24 and C. tenuissimum SE-10 reduced larval feeding by 48.3 to 57.1% at 1 × 108 conidia mL−1. However, these fungal isolates were less potent in reducing the feeding activity of fourth to sixth instar S. frugiperda larvae (>46% with B. bassiana at 48 h post-treatment). The tested fungal isolates could play an essential role as microbial biopesticides in suppressing the S. frugiperda population in China after further investigations on their efficacy are obtained in the field.

Feeding performance of the larval stag beetle Aegus chelifer (Coleoptera: Lucanidae) explains adult body size variation and sexual dimorphism

In stag beetle larvae, food availability is considered a major cause of body size variation in adults, but this has not been explicitly tested. To evaluate wood use and the effects of food quantity on growth and adult body size, the feeding performance of the tropical stag beetle Aegus chelifer MacLeay (Coleoptera: Lucanidae), which is widely distributed in Southeast Asia, was investigated by rearing larvae with different food quantities. Apparent digestibility was approximately 9%, and the efficiency of conversion of ingested food ranged from 0.7% to 1.7%. Feeding period, total food consumption, and adult body size significantly increased alongside food quantity. Males had higher consumption rates than females did at the same larval weight due to shorter food retention time. Males showed greater variation in feeding, growth performance, and adult body size than females. Differences in feeding performance that depend on food availability may enhance their fitness and may further result in sexual differences and adult body size variation.

Motor control in the epaxial musculature of bluegill sunfish in feeding and locomotion

ABSTRACT Fishes possess an impressive repertoire of feeding and locomotor behaviors that in many cases rely on the same power source: the axial musculature. As both functions employ different skeletal systems, head versus body, integrating these functions would likely require modular motor control. Although there have been many studies of motor control in feeding or locomotion in fishes, only one study to date has examined both functions in the same individuals. To characterize bilateral motor control of the epaxial musculature in feeding and locomotion, we measured muscle activity and shortening in bluegill sunfish (Lepomis macrochirus) using electromyography and sonomicrometry. We found that sunfish recruit epaxial regions in a dorsal-to-ventral manner to increase feeding performance, such that high-performance feeding activates all the epaxial musculature. In comparison, sunfish seemed to activate all three epaxial regions irrespective of locomotor performance. Muscle activity was present on both sides of the body in nearly all feeding and locomotor behaviors. Feeding behaviors used similar activation intensities on the two sides of the body, whereas locomotor behaviors consistently used higher intensities on the side undergoing muscle shortening. In all epaxial regions, fast-starts used the highest activation intensities, although high-performance suction feeding occasionally showed near-maximal intensity. Finally, active muscle volume was positively correlated with the peak rate of body flexion in feeding and locomotion, indicating a continuous relationship between recruitment and performance. A comparison of these results with recent work on largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) suggests that centrarchid fishes use similar motor control strategies for feeding, but interspecific differences in peak suction-feeding performance are determined by active muscle volume.

The effect of non-nutritive sucking combined with oral motor stimulation and oral support on feeding performance in premature infants: A single-blind randomized–clinical trial

PURPOSE: Feeding problems are common in premature infants (PIs) and may lead to negative consequences such as malnutrition, dehydration, excessive weight loss, as well as developmental and psychological deficits. Moreover, they are associated with increased length of hospital stay/cost. There is not enough evidence on how feeding problems should be treated in PIs. The goal of this study was to investigate the effects of non-nutritive sucking combined with oral motor stimulation and oral support on feeding performance in PIs. METHODS: A single-blind randomized clinical trial was performed on 44 PIs with feeding problems. Patients were randomly categorized into two groups: (1) combined intervention (CI) and (2) non-nutritive sucking (NNS). The CI group received NNS, oral motor stimulation and oral support simultaneously. Infants in both groups received 14 treatment sessions for 14 consecutive days. The Preterm Oral Feeding Readiness Assessment Scale (POFRAS) was used as the primary outcome measure. Weight, volume of milk intake, time to achieve full oral feeding, and length of hospital stay were secondary outcome measures. All measures were assessed before treatment, after the 7th session, after the 14th session, and after 7 days after the end of treatment. RESULTS: Both groups improved in all outcome measures across time (P < 0.001). The improvements in the POFRAS, volume of milk intake, and time to achieve full oral feeding were significantly greater in the CI group than the NNS group (P < 0.001). The improvements attained in weight and length of hospital stay were not significantly different between the CI and NNS groups (P > 0.05). Large effect sizes were found for POFRAS score in both CI (d = 3.98) and NNS (d = 2.19) groups. CONCLUSION: The current study showed that the combined intervention including NNS, oral motor stimulation, and oral support significantly improved the feeding performance in PIs.

Effect of Oromotor Stimulation on Sucking and Feeding Performance of Preterm Neonates Admitted in Neonatal Care Unit of Selected Hospital, West Bengal

Feeding problem remains a common problem among preterm neonates. An experimental study was undertaken to assess the effect of oromotor stimulation on feeding and sucking performance of preterm neonates admitted in selected hospital, west Bengal. Quasi experimental time series design was adopted. From the population of preterm neonates 60 samples (30 in experimental group and 30 in control group) were selected by non-probability purposive sampling. After selection, initially the baseline data was collected using a record analysis proforma. On the 1st day sucking and feeding performance scoring was done before giving the oromotor stimulation to ascertain the homogeneity of the experimental and control group. After that in two consecutive feeding, oromotor stimulation was given to the neonates in experimental group before 15 minutes of the feeding. The intervention was given to the neonates in experimental group for the next two days, twice only in two consecutive feeding. Neonates in control group received routine care. Sucking and feeding performance scoring was done in both groups using a standardized non-nutritive sucking scoring scale and a validated and reliable early feeding performance scale. The result showed that there is significant difference in sucking performance (t=3.60, p<0.05) and feeding performance (t=3.78, p<0.05) among experimental and control group in final observation. It can be concluded that oromotor stimulation is effective to improve the feeding and sucking abilities of preterm neonates. In the neonatal care units, nurses can provide oromotor stimulation to improve feeding and sucking abilities of the preterm neonates. Keywords: Feeding, Sucking, Performance, Preterm, Oromotor stimulation, Neonates, Preterm neonates.

Predicting Bottle-Feeding Performance Using a Reorganized Neonatal Oral–Motor Assessment Scale

Date Presented 04/23/21 The Neonatal Oral–Motor Assessment Scale is a clinical tool commonly used to evaluate the oral–motor skills of neonates. This study is to examine its predictability in feeding performance using newly organized items. The results showed that in addition to the adjusted age and weight at observed feed, jaw depression and jaw initiation were the significant predictors for successful bottle feed. Discuss implications of findings and the need for standardized assessment in neonates' feeding. Primary Author and Speaker: Tsu-Hsin Howe Additional Authors and Speakers: Christine L. Kroll