Chemical ecology of the luna moth

The effects of food plant on larval performance and midgut detoxification enzymes were investigated in larvae of the luna moth,Actias luna. Neonate larvae were fed leaves of black cherry, cottonwood, quaking aspen, white willow, red oak, white oak, tulip tree, paper birch, black walnut, butternut, or shagbark hickory. First instar survival, larval duration, and pupal weights were monitored as indices of food quality. Midgut enzyme preparations from fifth instars were assayed for -glucosidase, quinone reductase, polysubstrate monooxygenase, esterase, and glutathione transferase activities. Larval survival on seven of the 11 plant species, including several recorded host plants, was extremely poor. Larvae performed well, and quite similarly, on birch, walnut, butternut, and hickory. Activities of all enzyme systems except -glucosidase were significantly influenced by larval host plant. Of the systems assayed, quinone reductase and glutathione transferase activities were especially high. Comparisons of these values with published values for other Lepidoptera support the hypothesis that these enzyme systems are involved in conferring tolerance to juglone and related quinones occurring in members of the plant family Juglandaceae. Results suggest that host plant utilization by luna is more specialized at the individual or population level than at the species level and that biochemical detoxification systems may play a role in such specialization.     

Detoxication activity in the gypsy moth: Effects of host CO2 and NO 3 − availability

We investigated the effects of host species and resource (carbon dioxide, nitrate) availability on activity of detoxication enzymes in the gypsy moth,Lymantria dispar. Larvae were fed foliage from quaking aspen or sugar maple grown under ambient or elevated atmospheric CO₂, with low or high soil NO ₃ ^– availability. Enzyme solutions were prepared from larval midguts and assayed for activity of cytochrome P-450 monooxygenase, esterase, glutathione transferase, and carbonyl reductase enzymes. Activity of each enzyme system was influenced by larval host species, CO₂ or NO ₃ ^– availability, or an interaction of factors. Activity of all but glutathione transferases was highest in larvae reared on aspen. Elevated atmospheric CO₂ promoted all but transferase activity in larvae reared on aspen, but had little if any impact on enzyme activities of larvae reared on maple. High NO ₃ ^– availability enhanced activity of most enzyme systems in gypsy moths fed high CO₂ foliage, but the effect was less consistent for insects fed ambient CO₂ foliage. This research shows that gypsy moths respond biochemically not only to interspecific differences in host chemistry, but also to resource-mediated, intraspecific changes in host chemistry. Such responses are likely to be important for the dynamics of plantinsect interactions as they occur now and as they will be altered by global atmospheric changes in the future.     

White alder and Douglas-fir foliage quality and interegg-mass influences on larval development of gypsy moth,Lymantria dispar

Individual families of gypsy moth collected from a single population exhibited different degrees of fitness when fed diets of white alder, a suitable broadleaf host, and Douglas-fir, an unsuitable conifer host. Members of families on diets of Douglas-fir had significantly lower survival, longer larval periods, lower pupal weights, and shorter pupal periods than members of the same families fed alder. Foliar nutritional quality, including nitrogen level and allelochemical composition (terpenes and phenols), was considered the key factor responsible for these differences. Growth parameters differed significantly for families within diet treatments, indicating that the genetic resources of a family did affect performance somewhat. The influence of a family's genetic resources on larval survival was most notable when larvae were under the greatest nutritional stress.     

Effects of Peruvian Maize Extracts on Growth, Development, and Fecundity of the European Corn Borer

Twelve Peruvian maize, Zea mays, accessions were selected because of their relatively high level of field resistance to first-generation European corn borer (ECB), Ostrinia nubilalis, larval leaf-feeding. Water extracts of freeze-dried, powdered, leaf tissue were incorporated into a standard ECB diet, fed to larvae, and the effects on larval growth, development, and fecundity were measured. Larval and pupal weights were monitored as were the time elapsed in the larval, pupal, and adult stages. Adult fecundity and egg fertility were recorded. The experiment was a randomized block design (larvae and pupae) or a completely randomized design (adults) and analyzed with ANOVA ( = 0.05). Pairwise comparisons were made between groups of insects grown on diets containing extracts from the Peruvian lines, a standard diet, or diets containing extracts of a known susceptible inbred, and a known resistant inbred line. Survival was analyzed with a chi-squared test ( = 0.05). Two Peruvian accessions significantly reduced female larval and pupal weights, extended pupal and adult development time, and decreased survival of pupae and adults. Water extracts also had a pronounced impact on males; two accessions significantly reduced pupal weight and extended the time required to pupate, and one reduced male survival to adults. The results indicate that water-soluble factors from resistant Peruvian accessions inhibit the growth, developmental time, and survival of ECB. These resistance factors could be useful in the development of maize germplasm with insect-resistant traits.     

Defense of parsnip webworm against phototoxic furanocoumarins: Role of antioxidant enzymes

The parsnip webworm,Depressaria pastinacella (Lepidoptera: Oecophoridae), feeds on plants rich in furanocoumarins, phototoxic allomones. Final-instar larvae possess high levels of activities of antioxidant enzymes (Superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione reductase), which detoxify oxygen radicals generated from the furanocoumarins of their host plants. When added to an artificial diet, three linear furanocoumarins (xanthotoxin, bergapten, imperatorin) do not increase levels of the antioxidant enzymes. However, on diets containing both xanthotoxin and piperonyl butoxide, a cytochrome P-450 inhibitor, food utilization indices of the insect are reduced and superoxide dismutase activity is enhanced. These data suggest that cytochrome P-450s act as a primary detoxification system of ingested furanocoumarin, and antioxidant enzymes as a backup system to detoxify oxygen radicals generated by unmetabolized furanocoumarins.     

Ability of the Oriental Fruit Moth Grapholita molesta (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) to Detoxify Juglone, the Main Secondary Metabolite of the Non-host Plant Walnut

Many plant species produce toxic secondary metabolites that limit attacks by herbivorous insects, and may thereby constrain insect expansion to new hosts. Walnut is a host for the codling moth Cydia pomonella, which efficiently detoxifies the main walnut defensive compound juglone (5-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone). The oriental fruit moth Grapholita molesta, which also belongs to the tribe Grapholitini, does not feed on walnut. We tested the performance of G. molesta, a highly invasive species, on artificial diets containing juglone at levels mimicking those found in walnut over the growing season. Juglone-fed G. molesta survived relatively well to adulthood, but larval and adult body weights were reduced, and larval developmental time was prolonged in a dose-dependent fashion. Chemical analysis of frass from larvae that had been fed a juglone-containing diet suggests that G. molesta reduces juglone to non-toxic 1,4,5-trihydroxynaphthalene in its gut. This unexpected tolerance of G. molesta to high levels of juglone may facilitate expansion of the host range beyond the current rosacean fruit trees used by this invasive pest.     

Comparative Capability to Detoxify Vegetable Allelochemicals by Larval Mosquitoes

In order to confirm the phytotoxicological basis for the ecological specialization of larval culicine fauna among different subalpine mosquito breeding sites, we compared the capability of six different Aedes larval taxa or populations of different ecological origin to detoxify dietary leaf litter originating from the environmental vegetation. Detoxification experiments were performed through in vitro digestion of a toxic leaf litter fraction using larval extracts as the enzymatic sources. Comparison of toxicological and detoxifying properties among the different larval samples indicates an association between their tolerance to leaf litter toxicants and their detoxification capability, which vary according to ecological origin. The fact that the detoxifying factor within the larval extracts appears to be a protein-like compound with a molecular weight bigger than 30 kDa suggests the possible involvement of detoxifying enzymes in larval tolerance to leaf litter toxicants. This is congruent with previous biochemical data that suggests the involvement of cytochrome P450 monooxygenase and esterase activities in the detoxification process.     

Differential toxicity of juglone (5-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone) and related naphthoquinones to saturniid moths

The preferred hosts of the saturniid mothActias luna include members of the Juglandaceae, whose foliage contain the toxin juglone (5-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone). The performance ofActias luna andCallosamia promethea was compared when fourth-instar larvae of each were fed birch foliage, a mutually acceptable food plant, or birth supplemented with 0.05% (w/w) juglone.A. luna fed juglone exhibited no changes in developmental time or mortality compared to a diet without juglone. In contrast, juglone-supplemented diets, when fed toC. promethea, caused negative growth rate, and a 3.6-fold decrease in consumption rate. The performance ofA. luna also was compared on birch and walnut; larvae developed and grew more rapidly on an all-walnut vs. an all-birch diet. To examine the effect of 1,4-naphthoquinone structure onA. luna survival, first instars were fed on birch supplemented with varying concentrations of juglone (J), menadione (M), plumbagin (P), or lawsone (L). In diets supplemented at 0.05% (w/w), none of the compounds produced effects significantly different from controls. In diets supplemented at 0.5% (w/w), the treatments produced significant toxic effects in the order P>M=L>J for mortality, and P>L>M=J for increased developmental time. Late-instarA. luna are clearly resistant to juglone compared toC. promethea, and early-instarA. luna are resistant to several related 1,4-naphthoquinones. These results suggest a chemical basis for host choice among saturniids. In addition, the luna-walnut system may be a valuable model for studying quinone detoxication.     

Effects of nitrogen and Douglas-fir allelochemicals on development of the gypsy moth,Lymantria dispar

Two experiments were conducted to examine the influence of foliar nitrogen, terpenes, and phenolics of Douglas-fir on the development of gypsy moth larvae. In the first experiment, foliar concentrations of nitrogen and allelochemicals were manipulated by fertilizing 3-year-old potted seedlings with 0 or 200 ppm nitrogen. Concentrations of foliar nitrogen (0.33–2.38%) were negatively correlated with the phenolics (15.8–24.4 mg/g). Sixth-instar larvae previously reared on current-year Douglas-fir needles were allowed to feed on these seedlings. Pupal weights (312.8–995.6 mg) were positively correlated with levels of foliar nitrogen, negatively correlated with amounts of foliar phenolics, and uncorrelated with terpene concentrations. In the second experiment, terpene and phenolic extracts from Douglas-fir foliage were incorporated at natural levels into artificial diets with high and low levels of protein nitrogen. Neonate larvae grew faster and were larger on the high nitrogen control diet (4.1–4.5%), however, fourth instars performed better on the control diet with low nitrogen levels (2.5–2.7%). Foliar terpenes incorporated into diet had little effect on neonate fitness, but may induce subtle physiological changes in later instar larvae. Phenolics, alone or in combination with terpenes, excessively suppressed growth and survival, with no individuals living through the fourth instar, regardless of the nitrogen level. Incorporating foliar phenolic extracts into artificial diet caused unnatural levels of toxicity and failed to clarify the effects of Douglas-fir phenolics on gypsy moth fitness. Foliar nitrogen is a key factor influencing gypsy moth development on Douglas fir, but may be mitigated to some degree by phenolics.     

Balsam Fir Foliar Chemistry in Middle and Lower Crowns and Spruce Budworm Growth, Development, Food and Nitrogen Utilization

The impact of current-year foliage from the middle or lower crown section of balsam fir trees on larval growth, development, nitrogen, and food utilization was studied with laboratory rearing experiments, gravimetric analyses, and foliage chemical analyses. Pupal dry weight, pupal nitrogen weight, and total development times were not affected by feeding on current-year foliage from either the middle or the lower crown section. However, the nutritive and, particularly, allelochemical profiles were significantly different between crown levels and influenced spruce budworm food utilization, depending on development stage. Newly molted fifth instars feeding since post-diapause on middle crown foliage had lower dry weight and nitrogen weight than those fed lower crown foliage. This apparently resulted from the high monoterpene content in the mid-crown foliage. At the end of the fifth instar, however, insects from both crown levels had similar larval dry weights and nitrogen weights. Larvae fed middle crown foliage compensated with several mechanisms that led to increased relative nitrogen accumulation rate (RNAR) including increased efficiencies of conversion of ingested and digested nitrogen (ECIN, ECDN). Sixth-instar development time was nearly two days shorter for larvae fed middle crown foliage compared to those fed lower crown foliage. A higher relative consumption rate (RCR) due to the high content of two phagostimulatory components (soluble sugars and β-pinene) may account for reduced sixth-instar development time. Larvae from the middle crown section had higher relative growth rates (RGR) and RNAR than those from the lower crown. Pupal development time was also longer in the lower crown. The existence of spruce budworm flexibility to adapt to foliar biochemistry variations by developing compensatory mechanisms enables larvae to exploit the whole tree crown.     

Role of Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) carbohydrates in resistance to budworm (Choristoneura occidentalis)

The current year's growth of Douglas fir contains galactose, unusual in that this carbohydrate makes up 78.7% of the total carbohydrate fraction. An agar diet study was undertaken to determine the effects of galactose, other carbohydrates, and terpenes on western spruce budworm larval mortality, growth rate, and adult biomas production. All concentrations of the carbohydrates and terpenes tested, as well as other mineral elements not tested, were typical of the current year's foliage of Douglas fir. In experiment I, the diet containing 5.61% total carbohydrate did not significantly affect larval mortality when compared to the control diet. However, diets containing 9.45% and 15% total carbohydrate concentrations significantly increased larval mortality 64% and 96.1%, respectively, when compared to the control. Also in experiment I, terpenes alone (78.9% morality) and terpenes in combination with 9.45% and 15% total carbohydrates significantly increased larval mortality (97.2% and 100%, respectively) when compared to mortality on the control diet (44%). To determine which carbohydrate was causing the adverse effect, 6% glucose, 6% fructose, and 6% galactose were placed individually and in combination with terpenes in diets in experiment II. The 6% galactose diet significantly increased larval mortality and reduced growth rate when compared to the control, glucose, and fructose diets. Glucose resulted in 16% less larval mortality, significantly enhanced female larval growth rate and pupal weight, but did not affect male larval growth rate and pupal weight, when compared to the control. Fructose resulted in a significant decrease in larval mortality and a general trend of enhanced female and male larval growth rate and pupal weight. Larval mortality on terpenes alone was not significantly different from the control, but terpenes with 6% galactose increased larval mortality and decreased female and male growth rate and pupal weight significantly when compared to glucose-terpene and fructose-terpene diets. No significant interactions were found between carbohydrates and terpenes in either experiment.     

Dietary Lipid Level Induced Antioxidant Response in Manchurian Trout, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Brachymystax lenok</Emphasis> (Pallas) Larvae

This study was designed to determine the nutritional lipid requirement of Manchurian trout and to investigate the effects of lipid concentrations on the antioxidant status in larvae with experimental diets with different lipid levels. Oxidative stress differences between different organs and tissues were also assessed. Manchurian trout larvae were fed for 35 days and, during that period, growth and survival, the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and content of malondialdehyde (MDA) in viscera, muscle, gill and brain of four diets, lipid levels from 15 to 30%, and control treatment were measured. Growth rates were similar, but survival was low, between high and low dietary lipid levels. SOD activity was stimulated in viscera, muscle and brain in high lipid diets, but reduced in gills with increased lipid content. SOD was kept lower in the control group. GPX activity was inhibited in viscera and stimulated in gill, muscle and brain. CAT activities were enhanced by all treatments and showed the lowest values in the control. Lipid peroxidation of the diet was promoted in all organs, excluding the gill which showed no regular pattern. MDA content increased with increased dietary lipid levels in viscera, muscle and brain. Our results indicate that the most appropriate lipid requirement is probably 20–25% and a higher dietary level of lipids might induce oxidative stress in Manchurian trout larvae. The brain and gill were probably the most sensitive organs to oxidative damage.     

Interactions Among Insect Herbivore Guilds: Influence of Thrips Bud Injury on Foliar Chemistry and Suitability to Gypsy Moths

This study investigated the consequences of early season bud herbivory on host-plant phytochemistry and subsequent effects on a later mid-season leaf-feeding herbivore, to test the hypothesis that temporally segregated interguild interactions could affect herbivore success through plant-mediated responses. Our system consisted of American bass wood, Tilia americana, a bud-feeding thrips species, Thrips calcaratus, and the folivorous gypsy moth, Lymantria dispar. The impact of thrips bud-feeding on American basswood foliar chemistry and subsequent effects on gypsy moth larval preference and performance were measured. Foliar total nonstructural carbohydrates increased and phenolic levels decreased in response to bud injury, which affected larval feeding preference. In a two-choice test, gypsy moth larvae preferred leaf discs with high carbohydrate and low phenolic levels. The effects on larval performance depended on the extent of prior bud injury and were correlated with carbohydrate concentrations. In an early season assay, larval performance was lowest on moderately bud-damaged tissue, which also had the lowest total nonstructural carbohydrates. In a mid-season assay, larval performance and carbohydrate concentrations were highest in severely bud-damaged foliage. Foliar phenolics were highest in severely bud-damaged tissue in the early season assay, and in moderately damaged tissue in the mid-season assay. Gypsy moth performance was not correlated with foliar phenolic levels. Secondary (reflushed) foliage had higher carbohydrate levels than did primary (original) foliage, which correlated with increased larval performance. This study illustrates that bud-feeding herbivores can alter the phytochemistry and subsequent suitability of host-plant foliage for later folivores. The implications of these results to interactions between feeding guilds, community structure, and forest health are discussed.     

Reassessment of interaction between gut detergents and tannins in lepidoptera and significance for gypsy moth larvae

Surface-active lysophospholipids are thought to interfere with tannin-protein interactions and may comprise an adaptation in Lepidoptera to tannin-rich diets. We found several lysophospholipids and phospholipids at about eight times the critical micelle concentration (CMC) in the midguts of gypsy moth larvae, which exhibited appropriately reduced surface tensions. We confirmed the interfering activity of lysophosphatidylcholine (lysolecithin) in a model astringency assay using tannic acid and hemoglobin (hemanalysis), but discovered that tannic acid and red oak tannin extracts precipitate the lipid from simulated midgut solutions quantitatively, even at pH 10. Leaf tannin extracts from trees on which gypsy moths grew and reproduced poorly precipitated lysolecithin more effectively than did extracts from trees on which gypsy moths performed well. Adding tannic acid to midgut fluid elevated surface tension, and about 25% of larvae feeding on oak leaves exhibited elevated midgut surface tension, suggesting a loss of surfactants. Larvae appear able to replace lost surfactants to a limited degree. An important effect of leaf tannins, and perhaps other phenolics, may be to reduce concentrations of surface-active phospholipids in the midgut and produce lipid or other dietary deficiencies in insects.     

Effects of deteriorated frying oil and dietary protein levels on liver microsomal enzymes in rats

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of deteriorated used frying oil (DUFO) and dietary protein levels upon the hepatic microsomal drugmetabolizing enzyme system. Fresh soybean oil was subjected to a deep-frying process at 205±5°C for four six-hr periods. The resultant DUFO was incorporated into high protein (HU) (27% lactalbumin) or low protein (LU) (8% lactalbumin) test diets at a 15% level. High protein (HF) and low protein (LF) diets containing fresh soybean oil served as the control. Male Long-Evans young rats fed the test diets for eight weeks showed decreased fat absorption and increased red blood cell (RBC) in vitro hemolysis. The activities of hepatic aminopyrine N-demethylase (AD), aniline hydroxylase (AH), NADPH-cytochrome C reductase (NCD), UDP-glucuronyl transferase (UDPGT) and glutathione S-transferase (GST) as well as cytochrome P-450 content were significantly increased in rats fed the HU diet. However, the AD, AH and GST activities, as well as the cytochrome P-450 content of the LU group, were increased to a lesser extent and significantly lower than those of the HU group. Rats fed the LU diet were the only group that showed significantly elevated serum GOT (E.C. 2.6.1.1, glutamate-oxaloacetate transaminase) and GPT (E.C. 2.6.1.2, glutamatepyruvate transaminase) values. Supplementation of 0.3% DL-methionine to the HU diet further increased GST activity. Unexpectedly, rats fed the low protein control diet (LF) also had raised levels of AD, AH and UDPGT activities as well as in vitro RBC hemolysis. It was concluded that rat hepatic microsomal enzymes are induced by dietary DUFO and that the level of induction is influenced by dietary protein level.     

Insecticidal activity of hypericin towardsManduca sexta larvae

The toxic effect of hypericin (HYP), a photodynamic quinone that occurs in certain species of the genusHypericum, towardsManduca sexta third-instar larvae was investigated. The LD₅₀ of purified hypericin was 16 g/g larval initial fresh weight in constant light (22 W/m²). Reduced irradiance resulted in decreased mortality. Sublethal applications retarded larval growth (body fresh weight) in a dose-dependent manner. Toxicity had an absolute light dependence at the dose levels used, the active wavelengths being >500 nm. The phototoxic effect was rapidly lost when larvae were maintained in darkness (>8 hr) prior to irradiation. However, the potential for light-dependent mortality was retained if larvae were starved prior to irradiation.     

Effect of Racemic and (+)- and (−)-Gossypol on the Survival and Development of Helicoverpa zea Larvae

Gossypol is a sesquiterpene that occurs naturally in seed and other parts of the cotton plant. Because of restricted rotation around the binaphthyl bond, it occurs naturally as enantiomeric mixtures with (+)-gossypol to (−)-gossypol ratios that vary between 97:3 and 31:69. Commercial cotton varieties (Gossypium hirsutum) normally exhibit an approximate 3:2 ratio. (+)-Gossypol is significantly less toxic than (−)-gossypol to nonruminant animals; thus, cottonseed containing high levels of (+)-gossypol might be safely fed to nonruminants. Gossypol, however, is an important component in the cotton plant's defense against insect herbivores, but it is not known how cotton plants that exhibit high levels of (+)-gossypol in the foliage might be affected by insect herbivory. To address this question, 1-d-old Helicoverpa zea larvae were fed diets with 0.16, 0.20, and 0.24% racemic, (+)-, and (−)-gossypol. Larval pupal weights, days-to-pupation, and survival were adversely affected by all gossypol diets compared with the control diet. Statistical differences were determined by comparing the compounds among themselves at the three levels and between the three compounds at the same level. When the compounds were compared among themselves, no large differences were observed in pupal weights or in days-to-pupation among any of the diets. Among the three compounds, at the 0.16% level, the diet containing racemic gossypol was the most effective at reducing survival. At the 0.20 and 0.24% levels of racemic (+)- and (−)-gossypol, survival was not statistically different. The overall results indicate that (+)-gossypol is as inhibitory to H. zea larvae as racemic or (−)-gossypol, and thus, cotton plants containing predominantly the (+)-enantiomer in foliage may maintain significant defense against insect herbivory.     

Effects of Terpenes and Phenolic and Flavonoid Glycosides from Douglas Fir on Western Spruce Budworm Larval Growth, Pupal Weight, and Adult Weight

Monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes, and phenolic and flavonoid glycosides typical of the current year's foliage of Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) were bioassayed using agar diets to determine the effect of these compounds on natural and colony populations of western spruce budworm (Choristoneura occidentalis). Several terpenes adversely affected budworm larval growth, supporting previous field and laboratory studies. However, larvae collected from a population in southeastern Idaho were significantly more tolerant of the monoterpenes than those from a Montana population. For the Montana population, agar diet studies showed that camphene, myrcene, terpinolene, bornyl acetate, and tricyclene adversely affected larval growth rate and pupal weight. For the Idaho population, agar diet studies showed that only terpinolene and bornyl acetate adversely affected larval growth and pupal weights. For both populations bornyl acetate was the most toxic, and this compound in addition to other monoterpenes represent defensive mechanisms in the current year's growth of Douglas fir. Sesquiterpene and phenolic-flavonoid glycoside fractions extracted from Douglas fir current year's growth also were bioassayed using agar diets. The sesquiterpene fraction showed a significant negative effect on budworm larval growth, but phenolics and flavonoid glycosides had no effect. Sesquiterpenes, in combination with tricyclene, camphene, myrcene, limonene, terpinolene, and the acetate fraction appear to represent an effective mixture of defensive compounds against the budworm.     

Detoxification of isothiocyanate allelochemicals by glutathione transferase in three lepidopterous species

Glutathione transferase activity towards various plant isothiocyanates was studied in larvae of the two generalists, fall armyworm [Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith)], and cabbage looper [Trichoplusia ni (Hübner)], and the specialist, velvetbean caterpillar (Anticarsia gemmatalis Hübner) using the midgut soluble fraction as enzyme source. The generalists, but not the specialist, are adapted to feeding on isothiocyanate-containing crucifers. Allyl and benzyl isothiocyanate were found to be metabolized by glutathione transferase from the two generalist species, but no activity was detected with the specialist. The transferase activity towards these allelochemicals in the cabbage looper was two- to sixfold higher than that in the fall armyworm. In all instances, activity was induced by various allelochemicals including indole 3-acetonitrile, indole 3-carbinol, flavone, xanthotoxin, and its own substrates. The induction ranged from 1.3- to 10.1-fold depending on the allelochemical, with the fall armyworm being more inducible. The transferase system of fall armyworm also metabolized another analog, 2-phenylethyl isothiocyanate, but activity can only be observed after induction. Bioassay results showed that these isothiocyanates were all toxic to the lepidopterans, causing acute toxicity in neonates and final-instar larvae. The results suggest that glutathione transferase plays an important role in the detoxification of isothiocyanates and hence food-plant adaptation in phytophagous insects.     

Aldrin epoxidase activity and cytochrome P-450 content of sawfly larvae,Pergagrapta polita Leach (Hymenoptera: Pergidae) feeding on twoEucalyptus species

Aldrin epoxidase and cytochrome P-450 levels were determined in sawfly larvae,Pergagrapta polita Leach. Of the tissues examined the anterior portion of the midgut had the highest levels of aldrin epoxidase activity and cytochrome P-450 content, 3.56 nmol dieldrin produced/min/mg protein and 1.28 nmol/mg protein, respectively. No significant differences in aldrin epoxidase activities were observed between groups of larvae representing the last three larval instars and between larvae feeding on two eucalypt species.