The effect of diet on the hemolymph amino acid constituents of the larvae and pupae ofSarcophaga ruficornis (Fabricius): (Diptera)

Zusammenfassung Es werden zwei Zuchtgruppen vonSarcophaga ruficornis-Larven hinsichtlich ihres Aminosäuregchaltes des Blutes untersucht. Den auf Fleisch gezüchteten Tieren fehlt Lysin, Glutamin und Taurin, während diese Aminosäuren bei den auf Hundebisquit aufgezogen Larven vorhanden sind, ihnen dagegen Threonin fehlt. Der Aminosäuregehalt im Blut der Puppen beider Zuchtgruppen ist gleich.     

Evolutionary implications of pyrrolizidine alkaloid assimilation by danaine and ithomiine larvae (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae)

Summary Larvae of danaine and ithomiine butterflies assimilate pyrrolizidine alkaloids painted on their larval host plants. This finding supports the theory of the common ancestral use of these compounds by Ithomiinae and Danainae.     

The excretion of urea by the larvae ofSpodoptera mauritia boisd. (Noctuidae: Lepidoptera) during development

Summary The concentration of urea in the excreta of the 6th instar larvae ofSpodoptera mauritiavaries from 4.017±0.541 to 31.052±1.193 moles/g dry excreta (mean±SE). The observation confirms that urea excreted is of metabolic origin.     

Influence of host plant and larval diet on ovarian productivity inAcrolepiopsis assectella Z. (Lepidoptera: Acrolepiidae)

Summary Females ofAcrolepiopsis assectella, reared on a semi-synthetic diet and laying on artificial substrates, do not respond to external stimuli by increasing ovarian production. When returned to the natural host (Allium porrum) for only one generation, ovarian production again rises and reaches the same level as in wild females, but its variability is strongly reduced. We conclude that selection under artificial conditions eliminates individuals which strictly depend on host plants for stimulation of larval nutrition and of reproduction.     

The influence of different host plants on some biological aspects ofHeliothis armigera (Hub.)

Summary The suitability of 6 different plants as natural food forHeliothis armigera was tested. The different biological aspects ofH. armigera were taken in consideration. Kidney bean pods and cotton plant leaves were the most successful host plants tested as they increased the pupal weight and the reproductive potential of the resulting moths, followed by lettuce, which decreased the larval duration remarkably.     

Free amino acid composition of the intestinal contents,intestinal cells and hemolymph ofPhilosamia cynthia larvae

Summary Free amino acid composition of the intestinal contents, intestinal cells and hemolymph has been determined in larvae of the mothPhilosamia cynthia. From the hemolymph/lumen concentration ratio, an active transport could be inferred for neutral and basic amino acids. The values of cell/lumen and hemolymph/cell ratios suggested that the active step in the transport mechanism could be localized at the luminal pole of the enterocyte for neutral amino acids (except aromatic amino acids) and at the basolateral pole of the enterocyte for basic amino acids (except arginine).This work was supported by grants from Italian Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche and from Ministero della Pubblica Istruzione, Rome. The authors are indebted to Prof. V. Capraro for helpful discussion.     

Endocrine organs of different larval instars of Spodoptera (Prodenia) litura Fabricius (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Summary A₁ and A₂ cells of the median neurosecretory group are filled with PF stained neurosecretory material between the first 24 to 48 h of the earlier moult in each instar followed by immediate release before the next moult at 72 h, while loaded posterior and lateral neurosecretory cells also appear from the 3rd and 5th instars onwards. Corpora cardiaca, corpora allata and prothoracic glands increase in size in each instar.     

Changes in the free amino acids of the haemolymph of diapause and non-diapause pupae of the cotton bollworm,Heliothis armigera Hbn. (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Summary The concentration of free amino acids in the haemolymph of non-diapausing and diapausing pupae ofHeliothis armigera was investigated. 20 amino acids were detected in the haemolymph of the studied stages. Asparagine, glutamine, cystine, ornithine, histidine and valine were the predominant free amino acids at all stages. The diapause resulted in increased levels of most of the amino acids.     

Free amino acid composition of the hemolymph of the larval blackflySimulium venustum (Diptera: Simuliidae)

Zusammenfassung Nachweis, dass die Aminosäure-Zusammensetzung der Hämolymphe vonSimuliumvenustum-Larven total 39.3±1.3 mg Amino N pro 100 ml enthält, wobei als hauptsächliche Ninhydrinpositive Bestandteile der Hämolymphe Alanin, Asparagin, Asparaginsäure, Dioxyphenylalanin, Äthanolanin, Glutaminsäure, Glutamin, Glycin, Histidin, Phenylalanin und Serin gefunden wurden, während nur kleine Mengen von Tyrosin, Halb-Cystin und Cystathion festgestellt wurden.     

The concentration of ammonia in the excreta of sixth instar larvae ofLamida moncusalis Walker (Pyralidae: Lepidoptera) during development

Summary The concentration of ammonia in the fresh and dry excreta ofLamida moncusalis Walker was determined. It was found that a large quantity of ammonia was lost from the excreta on drying. Ammonia is one of the major excretory products of the larva.5 September 1986Acknowledgment. We thank the State Committee on Science, Technology and Environment, Kerala, for the financial assistance.     

Invertase activity in the gut of 6th instar larvae ofSpodoptera mauritia Boisd. (Noctuidae,Lepidoptera)

Summary Invertase activity has been studied in the fore-, mid- and hindgut of the 6th instar larva ofSpodoptera mauritia. The highest activity was in the midgut except during the early hours of the larval period when the foregut showed comparatively increased activity. The hindgut invertase activity may be from the voiding of enzyme along with the undigested food.Acknowledgments. The authors wish to thank the Department of Zoology, for providing the facilities for this work. The senior author gratefully acknowledges the junior research fellowship from the University of Calicut.     

The influence of juvenile hormone on the feeding behaviour of last instar larvae of the codling moth,Laspeyresia pomonella (Lep., Tortricidae), reared under different photoperiods

Summary Duration of the feeding stage and corresponding weight increase during the last larval instar of the codling moth,Laspeyresia pomonella, are controlled by JH. Larvae reared under short day conditions have a relatively high titer of JH during the last larval instar and enter diapause as mature larvae. They feed longer and become heavier than larvae reared under long day conditions, which have no JH during the last larval instar and pupate when mature. By application of the JH mimetic Altosid^® during the first 2 or 3 days of the last larval instar, the duration of feeding activity of larvae reared under respectively long and short day conditions was prolongated and the larvae became significantly heavier. The feeding behaviour could only be influenced by the juvenoid as long as the feeding activity of the larvae had not yet ceased.     

Airborne methyl jasmonate stimulates the biosynthesis of furanocoumarins in the leaves of celery plants (Apium graveolens)

When leaves ofApium graveolens are exposed to vapours of methyl jasmonate (MeJa) or fed through the petiole with aqueous solutions of jasmonic acid (Ja), the levels of natural furanocoumarins, in particular xanthotoxin and bergapten, are greatly increased. The induction becomes manifest after application of 20 nmol of either Meja or Ja. Levels of xanthotoxin and bergapten begin to increase approximately 24 h after application of the inducer. Maximum concentration of the two furanocoumarins (40–70 fold increase) is reached after 4–6 days. This pronounced effect of volatile MeJa on the physiological status of the celery leaf may be considered as representative of a build-up of chemical defenses, in an undamaged plant, after receipt of airborne signals from damaged or undamaged, but fragrant plants.     

The prey consumption and prey preference of the larvae of the mosquitoCulex (Lutzia) raptor on the larvae ofCulex quinquefasciatus

The maximum consumption of the larvae of the pest and vector mosquitoCulex quinquefasciatus by the predatory mosquitoCulex (Lutzia) raptor was studied at various instars of both the predator and the prey. The prey preferences of the predator when given lavae of different instars were also investigated. The IVth instar of the predator consumed the maximum number of Ist instar and the maximum biomass of IVth instar larvae of the prey. Instars I and II of the predator preferred the Ist of the prey; instars III and IV of the predator preferred instars II and III of the prey respectively.The predator consumed an average of 157.1 larvae during its whole larval period, when each instar of the predator was given its preferred instar of the prey.     

Melezitase and maltase from the midgut ofSesamia inferens Walker (Lepidoptera: Insecta)

Summary The activity of melezitase and maltase was optimal at pH 6.2 and temperature 35–40°C and inhibited by the end-products. Melezitase activity was affected by K⁺, Li⁺⁺ andTris ions and was reduced by dialysis.Acknowledgments: The author is thankful to ProfessorR. Rakshpal for valuable guidance, and to University Grants Commission, for awarding me a Junior Research Fellowship.     

Effect of different food plants on the development and reproduction ofHeliothis armigera (Hbn.)

Summary Studies on the rate of development and reproduction ofHeliothis armigera Hbn. on 8 different food plants at 26±2°C revealed that cotton was the most suitable host and tomato and sorghum were the least suitable.