Isolation of feeding deterrents against argentine stem weevil from ryegrass infected with the endophyteAcremonium loliae

Infection of ryegrass (Lolium perenne) by an endophytic fungus (Acremonium loliae) confers resistance against the Argentine stem weevil (Listronotus bonariensis). Extracts from ryegrass clones, infected and uninfected withA. loliae, were compared in a feeding choice bioassay, and several fractions were identified which affected stem weevil feeding behavior. One stem weevil feeding deterrent, peramine C₁₂H₁₇N₅O, has been isolated from infected ryegrass and partially characterized as a basic indole derivative. Extracts from culturedA. loliae had no effect on stem weevil feeding behavior nor was peramine detected in the fungal cultures examined. Peramine and the other active substances are hydrophilic in contrast to the lipophilic properties reported for the neurotoxic lolitrems also isolated from ryegrass infected withA. loliae and associated with causing ryegrass staggers disorder in livestock. It is suggested that ryegrass staggers and stem weevil feeding deterrency may arise by different biochemical mechanisms.     

Sex pheromone biology and behavior of the cowpea weevilCallosobruchus maculatus (Coleoptera: Bruchidae)

Female cowpea weevils,Callosobruchus maculatus (F.), emitted a pheromone which excited males. Pheromone release began soon after emergence and continued for one week. Synchronization of pheromone release with calling behavior was demonstrated. Mating reduced pheromone release but not male response. Pheromone obtained by aeration collection was utilized for determining a quantitative dose-response relationship.Mention of a commercial product does not constitute an endorsement by the USDA.Visiting scholar on leave from Shanghai Institute of Entomology, PRC.     

Correlation of phenolic acid content of maize to resistance toSitophilus zeamais,the maize weevil,in CIMMYT'S collections

The (E)-ferulic acid content of the grain of nine populations of land races of maize derived from CIMMYT's collections was found to be negatively correlated to susceptibility characteristics towards the maize weevilSitophilus zeamais. Correlation coefficients for six susceptibility parameters and (E)-ferulic acid content were significant and ranged from –0.58 to –0.79. A multiple regression analysis by the SAS forward procedure using the primary seed characteristics associated with susceptibility indicated that the ferulic acid content was the only significant factor in explaining variation in at least two susceptibility parameters: the Dobie index and adult preference. In 15 CIMMYT pools, correlations between four susceptibility parameters and (E)-ferulic acid content were also significant (–0.76 to –0.81). The results suggest that phenolic acid content is a leading indicator of grain resistance or susceptibility to insects and may represent a newly identified mechanism of resistance.     

Identification of chemical oviposition stimulants from rice grain forSitophilus zeamais motschulsky (Coleoptera,Curculionidae)

Chemical components stimulating oviposition bySitophilus zeamais in rice grain were isolated from rice bran and were found to be a mixture of ferulates, diglycerides, and free sterols. Oviposition preference of the species can be induced by synergistic action of these compounds.     

盐酸水解DNS比色法快速测定甘薯淀粉含量的标准方法研究

以经典费林试剂滴定法为标准法，对6mol/L盐酸水解，3，5－二硝基水杨酸比色（简称DNS比色法）快速测定甘薯淀粉含量标准化方法进行了研究，探讨了准确度和精密度，提出了消除胡萝卜素和花青素色素干扰的方法。     

甘薯颗粒全粉游离淀粉含量影响因素的初步研究

以甘薯为原料,研究了浸钙浓度、乳化剂添加量、蒸煮时间、冷冻温度、冷冻时间对甘薯颗粒全粉游离淀粉含量的影响。结果表明,浸钙浓度、蒸煮时间和冷冻温度对甘薯颗粒全粉的游离淀粉含量影响较大。     

Identification of genomic region associated with rice weevil resistance in sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench]

The rice weevil Sitophilus oryzae (L.) is an important pest of stored sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench). Quantitative trait loci (QTL) associated with rice weevil resistance was analyzed using a F₁₀ recombinant inbred line (RIL) population derived from the cross 654 (susceptible) × LTR108 (resistant). Grain weight losses (GWL), flour production (FP), and percentage kernels damaged (PKD) were evaluated across two trails. A total of 21 QTLs for GWL, FP, and PKD were identified. The phenotypic variation explained by individual QTL varied from 4.14% to 15.51%. Both parents contributed resistance alleles. Several main effect QTLs affecting GWL, FP, and PKD were mapped to the same regions on chromosome 2. The identification of genomic regions associated with rice weevil resistance will be useful to understand the resistance mechanism and improve rice weevil resistance of sorghum by marker-aided approaches.     

Sensitization to Sitophilus granarius in selected suburban population of South Poland

Storage insects may cause occupational allergies in humans. The identification of the prevalence of IgE reactions were measured from protein fractions prepared from multiple life stage of granary weevil Sitophilus granarius [SG] is reported. Sera of 30 patients from a suburban population of Upper Silesia (South Poland) were tested for the presence of IgE antibodies to antigens from larvae, pupae and adults of both sexes of the beetle. To identify protein fractions containing potential allergens, proteins collected from four life stages of granary weevil were fractionated by SDS-PAGE and probed with anti-human, anti-IgE monoclonal antibodies. The proteins were fractionated by SDS PAGE and identified by Western blot. The patients’ antibodies against particular antigens were identified using anti-human anti-IgE monoclonal antibody. The conducted immunological analysis showed the existence of many protein fractions for each life stage of SG which give positive reactions with IgE antibodies. The largest number of allergenic potential fractions was shown in pupae (60 protein fractions) while the smallest amount was shown in larvae (44 protein fractions). Summarizing, the obtained results suggest the existence of many protein fractions with an allergenic potential multiple life stages of SG. This indicates that all developmental stages of SG may be a serious source of antigens and potential risk factors for the exposed persons.     

Trehalose and proline failed to enhance cold tolerance of the cowpea weevil,Callosobruchus maculatus (F.) (Col.: Bruchidae)

The cowpea weevil, Callosobruchus maculatus (F.) (Col.: Bruchidae) is a cosmopolitan field-to-store pest ranked as the major post-harvest pest of cowpea in tropical regions. The cold tolerance of an insect species can vary as a result of abiotic features including food resources. In this study, C. maculatus larvae were fed with proline and trehalose (10, 20, and 40 mmol) treated cowpea seeds to determine the effects of these potential cryoprotectants on the supercooling (SCP) and cold hardiness of the upcoming adult beetles. The SCPs of the control, proline-fed and trehalose-fed adults non-significantly changed from −18.2 °C for the control to −17.2 °C for trehalose-fed adults. The cold hardiness (24 h at 0, -5.0, −7.5, −10.0, and −12.5 °C) of the adults was almost the same for control and treatments. Median lethal times (LT₅₀; lethal time for 50% mortality) were 6.3, 6.0, and 5.4 h, respectively. Moreover, feeding the larvae with proline and trehalose-treated seeds did not affect the proline and trehalose contents of the adult beetles. Our results showed that C. maculatus could not tolerate subzero temperatures well above their SCP, indicating that this species might be a chill-susceptible insect.