Effects of low-concentration spinetoram wax-based bait stations on Bactrocera dorsalis (Diptera: Tephritidae).

Spinetoram wax-based bait station (SWBB) is a maintenance-free, long-lasting, and eco-friendly management measure for Bactrocera dorsalis. However, the impacts of low-concentration spinetoram on B. dorsalis have not yet been determined. Therefore, our study aimed to determine the impacts of low-concentration SWBBs on the biology, demographics, detoxifying enzymes, and gut microorganisms of B. dorsalis. Our results showed that low-concentration SWBBs posed dose-dependent effects on the lifespan and fecundity of B. dorsalis adults. Both the LC10 and LC30 treatments significantly reduced the fecundity, while only the latter led to significant deleterious effects on the longevity of adults. Transgenerational bioassays revealed that exposure to LC30 significantly affected the development period of larvae and pupae as well as the livability of pre-adult stage of the progeny. However, except for the ovipositional period, no significant effects on the biological traits of F1 adults were observed. In terms of the F1 demographic parameters, dose-dependent effects were observed. Moreover, both the LC10 and LC30 treatments significantly extended the mean generation time, while the latter remarkably decreased the finite and intrinsic rates. Additionally, the significant induction of CarE activity by the LC10 and LC30 treatment was maintained until 24 and 48 h respectively. The CYP450 O-deethylation activity in the LC30 treatment was significantly enhanced at 24 and 48 h intervals when compared to the control. Regarding the intestinal bacterial community, after B. dorsalis adults were exposed to low-concentration SWBBs, the relative abundances of Providencia and Vagococcus were significantly increased, whereas those of Lactococcus and Brachyspira experienced a significant decrease. The obtained results are expected to serve as a foundation for the application of spinetoram in "lure-and-kill" strategies against B. dorsalis.

4D label-free quantitative proteomics analysis to screen potential drug targets of Jiangu Granules treatment for postmenopausal osteoporotic rats.

Background: Postmenopausal osteoporosis (PMOP) is a disease with a high prevalence in postmenopausal women and is characterized by an imbalance in bone metabolism, reduced bone mass, and increased risk of fracture due to estrogen deficiency. Jiangu granules (JG) is a compound prescription used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat PMOP. However, its definitive mechanism in PMOP is unclear. This study used a 4D label-free quantitative proteomics method to explore the potential therapeutic mechanism of JG in an ovariectomy (OVX) rats' model. Materials and methods: A rat model of PMOP was established by removing the ovaries bilaterally. Nine 3-month-old specific-pathogen-free female SD rats. The nine rats were randomly divided into 3 groups (n = 3 in each group): the sham-operated group (J), the ovariectomy group (NC), and the JG treatment (ZY) group. Proteins extracted from the bone tissue of the lumbar spine (L3, L4) of three groups of rats were analyzed by 4D label-free quantitative proteomics, and proteins differentially expressed after JG treatment and proteins differentially expressed after de-ovulation were intersected to identify proteins associated with the mechanism of PMOP by JG treatment. Result: There were 104 up-regulated and 153 down-regulated differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) in the J group vs. NC group, 107 up-regulated and 113 down-regulated DEPs in the J group vs. ZY group, and 15 up-regulated and 32 down-regulated DEPs in the NC group vs. ZY group. Six potential target proteins for JG regulation of osteoblast differentiation in OVX rats were identified by taking intersections of differential proteins in the J group vs. NC group and NC group vs. ZY group. Conclusion: JG may exert therapeutic effects by modulating the expression levels of target proteins associated with osteoblast differentiation to enhance osteoblast differentiation in OVX rats. These results further uncovered the target proteins and specific mechanisms of JG in treating PMOP, providing an experimental basis for the clinical application of JG in treating PMOP.

A new species of Diachasmimorpha Viereck (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Opiinae) from China.

Diachasmimorpha anshunensis sp. nov., a koinobiont endoparasitoid of larvae of Zeugodacus tau (Walker) (Tephritidae: Diptera), is discovered from Guizhou (Southwest China) and is described by multiple forms of evidence. Morphological characteristics, photographs, and molecular data differentiating it from similar species are provided. Several biological characteristics of this new parasitoid, observed in a laboratory setting, are also provided as evidence to separate it from the most similar species in appearance.

Revision of Streblocera Westwood (Hymenoptera, Braconidae, Euphorinae) from China, with the description of seven new species.

The Chinese fauna of the euphorine genus Streblocera Westwood, 1833 (Hymenoptera, Braconidae) is revised. Seven new species from China are described and illustrated: Streblocera (Eutanycerus) carinifera Li, Chen and van Achterberg, sp. nov., S. (E.) laterostriata Li, Chen and van Achterberg, sp. nov., S. (E.) uncifera Li, Chen and van Achterberg, sp. nov., S. (S.) interrupta Li, Chen and van Achterberg, sp. nov., S. (S.) stigenbergae Li, Chen and van Achterberg, sp. nov., S. (S.) trullifera Li, Chen and van Achterberg, sp. nov., and S. (S.) zoroi Li, Chen and van Achterberg, sp. nov. An identification key to the females of Streblocera from China is provided.

Note on the heart-shaped modified basal antenna in the genus Marshiella Shaw (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Euphorinae), with description of a new species.

The euphorine braconid genus Marshiella is quite rare and enigmatic (Shaw and Marsh 2000). Shaw (1985) named this genus for two species previously included the genera Streblocera and Microctonus. Both species share the unusually heart-shaped modified, densely setose basal flagellomeres (as in Fig. 3) and are included in the tribe Townesilitini by Stigenberg et al. (2015) together with Townesilitus, Streblocera and Proclithrophorus, but the placement of the latter is controversial. Very little is known about the species of Marshiella, including their biology and diversity. They are presumed to be koinobiont endoparasitoids of adult Coleoptera; only one species, M. plumicornis (Ruthe) has been reared from a host, the anthicid beetle Notozus monceros L. They probably orient themselves to their hosts using chemical cues (Shaw and Marsh 2000). Their heart-shaped modified basal antenna are apparently modified for grasping the pronotal horn of their aggressive adult host during oviposition. Only nine species of Marshiella are currently known, two of them are from Oriental China (Yu et al. 2016).

Quantification and Impact of Cold Storage and Heat Exposure on Mass Rearing Program of Bactrocera dorsalis (Diptera:Tephritidae) Genetic Sexing Strain.

Cold storage and heat exposure are crucial components of tephritid fruit fly mass-rearing programs, as they influence the development and fitness traits of produced flies. This work investigated the effects of cold storage on the pupal developmental parameters and quality of Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel) genetic sexing strain (GSS) adults. Furthermore, the impact of short-term thermal exposure on the fecundity of B. dorsalis (GSS) that also underwent pupal cold storage was examined. Our results show that pupal development time, emergence rate, partial emergence rate, flight ability and fecundity were significantly affected by low temperature and pupal age and their interaction. Pupal cold storage did not pose negative impacts on the mating competition and response to methyl eugenol (ME) in the males. In addition, compared with the adults that were subjected to the same pupal storage protocol (five-day-old pupae stored at 13 °C), adult exposure to 41 °C for 1 h showed significant reparative effects on fecundity. In summary, the cold storage procedure of B. dorsalis (GSS) pupae has the potential to improve the flexibility and efficiency of mass-rearing schedules. Furthermore, short-term thermal exposure showed reparative effects on the fecundity costs induced by pupal cold storage in B. dorsalis (GSS).

First record of Rilipertus Haeselbarth (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Euphorinae) from China with description of a new species.

Euphorinae (Hymenoptera, Braconidae) is a large subfamily of endoparasitoid wasps with 1,270+ described species worldwide (Yu et al. 2016). In the phylogenetic analysis of Stigenberg et al. (2015) Rilipertus Haeselbarth, 1996 was recovered within the tribe Perilitini Forster,1862 together with several other genera. Rilipertus is morphologically similar to Microctonus Wesmael, 1836 and Perilitus Nees, 1819 by the type of wing venation, structure of propodeum, and shape and structure of first metasomal tergite. However, Rilipertus differs distinctly from them by having shorter and conspicuously broadened ovipositor sheaths and the sculpture of the first tergite is reduced. Six species of Rilipertus are currently known (Yu et al. 2016).

A new species of Myiocephalus Marshall (Hymenoptera, Braconidae, Euphorinae) from China.

A new species of the genus Myiocephalus Marshall, 1898, M. cracentis Li, sp. nov. from the Palaearctic (China, Ningxia, Hubei), is described and illustrated. A key to known species of Myiocephalus is provided. Myiocephalus boops (Wesmael, 1835), is a new record for Jilin province (NE China).

A review of Deuterixys Mason from China, with description of three new species (Hymenoptera, Braconidae, Microgastrinae).

The genus Deuterixys Mason, 1981 (Hymenoptera, Braconidae, Microgastrinae) is revised for China, with three new species described: D. jilinensis Zheng Song, sp. nov., D. longitarsus Zheng Song, sp. nov. and D. shennongensis Zheng Song, sp. nov. A key to the Old World species of Deuterixys is presented.

Mosquito mass rearing: who's eating the eggs?

For the sterile insect technique, and other related biological control methods where large numbers of the target mosquito are reared artificially, production efficiency is key for the economic viability of the technique. Rearing success begins with high quality eggs. Excess eggs are often stockpiled and stored for longer periods of time. Any pests that prey on these eggs are detrimental to stockpiles and need to be avoided. Psocids of the genus Liposcelis (Psocoptera, Liposcelididae) are common scavengers consuming various types of organic material that are distributed globally and thrive in warm damp environments, making insectaries ideal habitats. In this short report, we investigated the species that has been found scavenging stored mosquito eggs in our insectary and identified it to be Liposcelis bostrychophila Badonnel, 1931. Additional observations were made to determine whether these predators indeed feed on mosquito eggs, and to suggest simple, effective ways of avoiding infestation.

TITLE: Élevage de masse de moustiques : mais qui mange les œufs ? ABSTRACT: Pour la technique des insectes stériles et les autres méthodes de lutte biologique associées, dans lesquelles un grand nombre de moustiques cibles sont élevés artificiellement, l'efficacité de la production est essentielle pour la viabilité économique de la technique. Le succès de l'élevage commence par des œufs de bonne qualité. Les œufs excédentaires sont souvent stockés pendant de longues périodes. Tous les organismes nuisibles qui exploitent ces œufs nuisent à ces stocks et doivent être évités. Les psoques du genre Liposcelis (Psocoptera, Liposcelididae) sont des charognards répandus qui consomment diverses matières organiques, sont répartis dans le monde entier et prospèrent dans des environnements chauds et humides, ce qui rend les insectariums des habitats idéaux pour eux. Dans ce court rapport, nous avons étudié l'espèce qui mangeait des œufs de moustiques stockés dans notre insectarium et nous avons déterminé qu'il s'agissait de Liposcelis bostrychophila Badonnel, 1931. D'autres observations ont été faites pour déterminer si ces prédateurs se nourrissent effectivement des œufs de moustiques et suggérer des moyens simples et efficaces pour éviter l'infestation.

Tyrosine hydroxylase is crucial for pupal pigmentation in Zeugodacus tau (Walker) (Diptera: Tephritidae).

Tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) is the initial enzyme responsible for cuticle sclerotization and pigmentation in many insect species, but to date, no direct functional studies have focused on TH in Zeugodacus tau. Here, the 3336-bp full-length cDNA of TH was isolated from Z. tau, a notorious horticultural pest infesting fruits and vegetables. qRT-polymerase chain reaction revealed that ZtTH transcripts were highly abundant at the time of pupal tanning and during adult emergence and were expressed in the midgut, integument and head of molting larvae. The pupation and eclosion rates gradually decreased when the 1st-instar larvae were fed diets containing higher concentrations of the TH inhibitor 3-iodo-tyrosine (3-IT). Moreover, pupal weights were significantly decreased, and abnormal uncolored phenotypes were observed after 20 mg/g 3-IT was incorporated into the diet. In addition, the suppression of TH function (mediated by RNA interference) led to a decrease in TH mRNAs and eclosion rates, accompanied by less-pigmented phenotypes. There was a severe impairment of larval-pupal cuticle tanning, leading to pupae with less yellowish pigment or that were completely white and transparent, when we injected 2 µL of 24.4 mM or 73.27 mM 3-IT into 3rd-instar larvae or prepupae. These results suggest that TH is an important enzyme for the normal growth and pupal pigmentation of Z. tau and that TH is a potential gene target for use in the control of Z. tau.

A new species of Wesmaelia Foerster (Hymenoptera: Braconidae:Euphorinae) from China.

A new species of the genus Wesmaelia Foerster, 1863, Wesmaelia longius sp. n. is described and illustrated from the Palaearctic Region of China. A key to the Chinese species of the genus Wesmaelia is provided based on the key of Papp (1995).

A new species and three newly recorded species of the dacnusine genus Dacnusa Haliday (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Alysiinae) from China.

A new species of the genus Dacnusa from the Palaearctic region of China, Dacnusa (Pachysema) heterodentatus sp. nov. is described. As well, three newly recorded species from the Palaearctic region in China are reported, along with their descriptions and illustrations: Dacnusa (Agonia) adducta (Haliday), Dacnusa (Aphanta) sasakawai Takada and Dacnusa (Dacnusa) maculipes Thomson. A key is presented to the subgenera of Dacnusa and the most similar species to these four reported species.

Standard operating procedures for standardized mass rearing of the dengue and chikungunya vectors Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae) - II - Egg storage and hatching.

BACKGROUND: Management of large quantities of eggs will be a crucial aspect of the efficient and sustainable mass production of mosquitoes for programmes with a Sterile Insect Technique component. The efficiency of different hatching media and effectiveness of long term storage methods are presented here. METHODS: The effect on hatch rate of storage duration and three hatching media was analysed: deionized water, boiled deionized water and a bacterial broth, using Two-way ANOVA and Post hoc Tukey tests, and the Pearson correlation coefficient was used to find the effect on the proportion of collapsed eggs. Two long term storage methods were also tested: conventional storage (egg paper strips stored in zip lock bags within a sealed plastic box), and water storage (egg papers in a covered plastic cup with deionized water). Regression analyses were used to find the effect of water storage and storage duration on hatch rate. RESULTS: Both species hatched most efficiently in bacterial broth. Few eggs hatched in deionized water, and pre-boiling the water increased the hatch rate of Ae. aegypti, but not Ae. albopictus. A hatch rate greater than 80% was obtained after 10 weeks of conventional storage in Ae. aegypti and 11 weeks in Ae. albopictus. After this period, hatching decreased dramatically; no eggs hatched after 24 weeks. Storing eggs in water produced an 85% hatch rate after 5 months in both species. A small but significant proportion of eggs hatched in the water, probably due to combined effects of natural deoxygenation of the water over time and the natural instalment hatching typical of the species. CONCLUSIONS: The demonstrated efficiency of the bacterial broth hatching medium for both Ae. albopictus and Ae. aegypti facilitates mass production of these two important vector species in the same facility, with use of a common hatching medium reducing cost and operational complexity. Similarly the increased hatch rate of eggs stored in water would allow greater flexibility of egg management in a large programme over the medium term, particularly if oxygenation of the water by bubbling oxygen through the storage tray could be applied to prevent hatching during storage.

Standard operating procedures for standardized mass rearing of the dengue and chikungunya vectors Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae) - I - egg quantification.

BACKGROUND: Quantification of eggs prior to rearing the immature stages of mosquitoes is an essential step in establishing a standardized mass rearing system. To develop a simple and accurate method of egg quantification for Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus, the relationship between egg number and weight, as well as egg number and volume, were studied. METHODS: Known quantities of eggs (1,000, 3,000, 6,000, 12,000, 15,000, 18,000, 21,000 and 27,000) were counted and subsequently their weight and volume were measured. Best-fit curves and regression equations were used to describe relationships between Aedes egg number and both weight and volume. RESULTS: Eighteen thousand Ae. aegypti eggs weighed 159.8 mg and had a volume of 277.4 µl, compared to measurements of 131.5 mg and 230.3 µl for Ae. albopictus. The eggs of Ae. aegypti were thus larger and heavier than those of Ae. albopictus. The use of weight and volume to quantify egg number was validated by counting volumes and weights of eggs expected to correspond to 3,000 and 18,000 eggs of each species; significant correlations were found in all cases except in the case of 3,000 Ae. albopictus eggs measured by volume. CONCLUSION: Methods for egg quantification were validated and shown to be a consistent and practical means to achieve uniform distribution of Aedes larvae between rearing trays, important for optimal mass rearing of the immature stages of Aedes mosquitoes.

The discovery of the rare genus Epimicta Foerster (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) in China, with a description of a new species.

Epimicta sulciscutum sp. nov. from Heilongjiang (North China) is described and illustrated. A key to species of the genus is provided.

Clinical study on treatment of primary hepatocellular carcinoma by Shenqi mixture combined with microwave coagulation.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the short-term efficacy and safety of Shenqi mixture (SQM) combined with microwave coagulation in treating primary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). METHODS: Seventy-two patients with primary HCC of stage II-III, Karnofsky scoring > or = 50 scores and predicted survival period > or = 3 months were selected and randomly assigned into two groups, the treated group and the control group, 36 in each. Microwave therapy was applied to both groups by double leads, 60 W, 800 sec once a week for two weeks. To the treated group, SQM was given additionally through oral intake of 20 ml, three times a day for 1 month. The changes in tumor size, main symptoms, serum level of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), immune function and adverse reaction were observed after treatment and the immune parameters of the patients were compared with 30 healthy persons in the normal control group. RESULTS: (1) In the SQM treated group, after treatment 3 patients got completely remitted (CR), 24 partial remitted (PR), 4 unchanged (NC) and 5 progressively deteriorated (PD), the effective rate being 75.00%; while in the control group, 1 got CR, 19 PR, 9 NC and 7 PD, the effective rate being 55.56%. Comparison of the effective rate between the two groups showed significant difference (P < 0.05). (2) AFP level decreased after treatment in both groups, but the decrement in the treated group was significantly higher than that in the control group (P < 0.01). (3) After treatment, in the treated group, CD3(+), CD4(+), CD4(+)/CD8(+) and NK activity were improved, Karnofsky scores increased and liver function bettered, with these improvements significantly superior to those in the control group (P < 0.01). (4) The improvement in symptoms such as hepatic region pain, fever, weakness, poor appetite and jaundice in the treated group after treatment was also superior to that in the control group (P < 0.01). (5) The 12-month, 18-month and 24-month survival rates were higher and the recurrence rate was lower in the treated group than those in the control group, showing significant difference (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Combined therapy with SQM and microwave coagulation could not only kill the tumor and residue tumor cells to prevent recurrence, but also enhance the cellular immunity of organism. It is one of the effective therapies for patients with middle-advanced hepatocarcinoma, who have lost the chance of surgical operation. It could improve clinical symptoms, elevate the quality of life, prolong the survival period of patients, but shows no evident adverse reaction.