A new Indian species of shoot and capsule borer of the genus Conogethes (Lepidoptera: Crambidae), feeding on cardamom.

A new species, Conogethes sahyadriensis sp. nov. (Lepidoptera: Crambidae), feeding on cardamom, is described from India. The species status is supported by diagnostic morphology as well as by genetic data. A phylogenetic analysis based on the publicly available Conogethes COI barcode sequences finds C. sahyadriensis as sister to C. pluto, and it further reveals a number of clades that potentially represent additional undescribed species.The new species is delineated from closely related and superficially similar species of Conogethes.

Biochemical constituents influencing thrips resistance in groundnut germplasm.

Field screening of 56 groundnut genotypes revealed that none reacted as highly resistant to thrips. However, 13 genotypes of 56 collected and screened genotypes acted as resistant, 25 as moderately resistant and 11 as moderately susceptible. Phenols and tannins showed significant and negative relationship with number (r = -0.750, -0.864) and damage (r = -0.641, -0.784) of thrips. Total sugar (r = 0.313, 0.38), amino acids (r = 0.830, 0.723) and reducing sugars (r = 0.408, 0.337) showed positive relationship with number of thrips and their per cent damage. Linear regression analysis revealed that high amount of tannins and phenols contributed for thrips resistance in groundnut.

Efficacy of aggregation pheromone in trapping red palm weevil (Rhynchophorus ferrugineus Olivier) and rhinoceros beetle (Oryctes rhinoceros Linn.) from infested coconut palms.

Red palm weevil and Rhinoceros beetle are the major pests inflicting severe damage to coconut palms. Due to ineffectiveness of the current management practices to control the two important pests on coconut, a study was conducted to know the attractiveness of red palm weevil and rhinoceros beetle to aggregation pheromone. Olfactometer studies indicated that the aggregation pheromone of red palm weevil and rhinoceros beetle attracted significantly more number of weevils (13.4 females and 7.6 male weevils) and beetles (6.5 male and 12.3 female beetles), respectively than control. Similarly, field studies found that both 750 and 1000 mg pheromone dosage lures of red palm weevil and rhinoceros beetle trapped significantly higher numbers of weevils (695.80 and 789 weevils, respectively) and beetles (98 and 108 beetles, respectively) in traps (P < 0.05), respectively. On an average (n = 6 field trials) 80-85% red palm weevil and 72-78% rhinoceros beetle population got trapped. Observations indicated activity of red palm weevil throughout the year and of rhinoceros beetle from September to March around Bangalore, South India. Pheromone traps for red palm weevil can be placed in fields from June to August and October to December and September to February for rhinoceros beetle. Population reductions of the two coleopteran pests by pheromone traps are compatible with mechanical and cultural management tools with cumulative effects.

Resistance mechanism in rice to the midge Orseolia oryzae (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae).

The midge Orseolia oryzae (Wood-Mason) (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) is a major and endemic pest throughout Asia. The pest is difficult to manage in view of a mixture of biotypes co-occurring in the same location and showing variable response to cultivated rice, Oryza sativa L., varieties and differentials. To develop an understanding of the resistance mechanism(s), studies were initiated during wet 2005 and 2006 in Coastal Karnataka. Antibiosis was the predominant resistance category. The maggots survived but as first instar only on all the resistant genotypes. On susceptible genotypes, larvae reached second instar at 7 d after release, third instar at 14 d after release, and pupal stage at 18 d after adult release. However, in certain resistant genotypes, maggot mortality was evident in the absence of the susceptible plant silver shoot condition. In all resistant genotypes, distinct antibiosis was observed at 14 d after adult release. Antixenosis was evident in few genotypes. So, the midge resistance in rice is manifested as a mixture of antixenosis and antibiosis. Estimation of biochemical constituents in rice shoot apices of selected resistant genotypes revealed higher levels of total phenols and total free amino acids compared with susceptible genotypes. But, the amount of total sugars, reducing sugars, crude proteins, and amino acids were not related to resistance. Biochemical profiles in relation to midge infestation showed increased phenol and decreased proline and indole acetic acid content in the growing apical meristem of resistant genotypes compared with susceptible genotypes.

Inositol and inositol hexaphosphate suppress cell proliferation and tumor formation in CD-1 mice.

In previous studies, we have shown that inositol hexaphosphate (InsP6), a constituent of cereal diet, inhibited azoxymethane-induced experimental large intestinal cancer (LIC) in Fischer 344 rats. We now report a similar antineoplastic action of InsP6 in CD-1 mice injected with 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH). We had hypothesized that InsP6 may bring about this effect by undergoing dephosphorylation to lower phosphorylated forms; the ready availability of Ins, to react with phosphates, may increase the total amount of the lower phosphorylated Ins and potentiate the action of InsP6. LIC induced by DMH (15 mg/kg/week x 13) in mice given a mixture of 1% InsP6 + 1% Ins show a significant reduction (P less than 0.005) in LIC prevalence over InsP6 treatment. Surprisingly, Ins, an in vitro growth promoting agent also caused a significant (P less than 0.001) suppression of LIC. InsP6 +/- Ins also showed a concomitant reduction in the mitotic rate in the non-neoplastic epithelium. Body weight data did not suggest any overt toxic effect of long-term administration of InsP6, Ins or InsP6 + Ins. Since InsP6 is antineoplastic in two species of experimental animals, it should, in combination with Ins, be considered in our strategies for prevention of large intestinal cancer.

Bilateral granular cell tumors of the posterior mediastinum.

Granular cell tumors are uncommon and generally benign lesions that are commonly accepted to be of Schwann cell origin. These tumors occur most frequently in the skin and oral cavity and are generally asymptomatic. However, when signs and symptoms occur, they are relative to the organ or site involved. The histological features are distinct. Surgical resection is curative in almost all cases, with only rare local recurrences. We report a case of symptomatic bilateral granular cell tumors arising in the posterior mediastinum.