Abstract
The pink rice stem borer, Sesamia inferens (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), is a major rice pest in China and elsewhere in Asia. While low winter temperatures are a major environmental constraint on the survival of most insect species, the mechanism of S. inferens' cold tolerance in winter remains unknown. In this study, we elucidated the cold tolerance characteristics of S. inferens collected in the field from Oct 2012 to Apr 2013. The cold tolerance of overwintering larvae was found to vary significantly. Maximum S. inferens cold tolerance was observed in larvae collected on 30 Jan 2013. However, the SCP (supercooling points) of larvae did not vary insignificantly, with a mean of -6.80 °C. Before 9 Mar 2013, larval water content stabilized at the mean low level of 63.5 %, but subsequently rose significantly, to 75.2%. Low molecular weight sugars and polyols, closely related to freeze tolerance strategy, increased from low levels to their peaks in Jan (glycerol, 359.8 µg/g; trehalose, 20.5 mg/g; fructose, 69.8 µg/g; glucose, 377.3 µg/g; myo-inositol, 59.6 µg/g), after which levels declined. This study demonstrates that the Yangzhou population of S. inferens is freeze-tolerant.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
