Attagenus Megatoma Research Articles

Evaluation of prallethrin aerosol to control stored product insect pests

Three aerosol formulations containing either 0.75, 1.00 or 1.50% prallethrin as the active ingredient were tested on seven common stored product insect pest species. Application at 0.2 g AI per 28.3 m3 killed all adult Cadra cautella (Walker) and Plodia interpunctella (Hübner), and at least 99% of the adult Oryzaephilus surinamensis (L.), Trogoderma variabile (Ballion) and Tribolium castaneum (Herbst). An application rate of 0.3 g AI per 28.3 m3 killed at least 90% of the adult Stegobium paniceum (L.). An application rate of 0.5 g AI per 28.3 m3 killed approx. 93% of adult Tribolium confusum (Duv.) and approx. 73% of Attagenus megatoma (F.) larvae. All insects still alive when final mortality assessments were made were knocked down. All T. confusum that survived a single application at 0.5 g were killed by a second application 1, 2 or 3 days later.

Efficacy of Sulfuryl Fluoride Against Four Beetle Pests of Museums (Coleoptera: Dermestidae, Anobiidae)

The efficacy of sulfuryl fluoride against adults, larvae, and eggs of four coleopterans—furniture carpet beetle, Anthrenus flavipes LeConte; black carpet beetle, Attagenus megatoma (F.); cigarette beetle, Lasioderma serricorne (F.); and hide beetle, Dermestes maculates (De Geer)—was determined. Adults were generally more susceptible to sulfuryl fluoride than larvae. Eggs were the most tolerant stage; 7-30 times more fumigant was required compared with rates required to kill adults and larvae. Our results indicated that the cumulative dose required to kill 99% of A. flavipes larvae was 156 mg·h/liter. This rate exceeds the current recommended rate (approximately 72 mg · h/liter) of sulfuryl fluoride for control of carpet beetles. Eggs of cigarette beetles exposed to higher concentrations of sulfuryl fluoride developed at a slower rate. For multiple fumigation intended to control adults and larvae rather than eggs, the delayed embryonic development of eggs exposed to the sublethal dose of sulfuryl fluoride should be considered in determining the timing between fumigations.

Selective proton transfer of unsaturated esters : Syntheses of a trail-following pheromone for subterranean termites and megatomoic acid

Deconjugative protonation of dienolates from ( E )-2-alkenoate using potassium disilazide as the base gives ( Z )-3-alkenoate predominantly. A trail-following pheromone for subterranean termites is synthesized stereoselectively with this method. Deconjugative protonation of trienolates from ( E,E )-2,4-tetradecadienoates gives ( E,Z )-3,5-tetradecanoates which is hydrolyzed to give Megatomoic acid, a sex pheromone for a black carpet beetle Attagenus megatoma .

Temperature Regulation of Larval Size and Development in Attagenus megatoma (Coleoptera: Dermestidae)1

Growth responses of the black carpet beetle, Attagenus megatoma (F.), reared individually on Purina diet at 20, 25, 28, 30, and 35°C are compared. Although size of male and female larvae and pupae is correlated to rearing temperature between 20 and 30°C, time to pupation is independent of temperature in this same temperature range. Larvae reared at 35°C have the highest initial growth rates and obtain the heaviest weights. However, pupation rates are lowest at 35°C and almost half fail to pupate after 475 days (mean time to pupation at 28°C is ca. 270 days). Two larval growth phases are observed at temperatures from 20 to 30°C. There is a predominant initial phase in which about 75% of final larval weight is obtained and a second phase of growth that begins at about 170 days and continues to pupation. The only appreciable weight gain for larvae reared at 20°C occurs during the second growth phase. Low temperature treatments with different age A. megatoma larvae indicate that the younger the larvae are when given an 8-week cooling period at 15°C, the shorter the time to pupation after return to 28°C. Thus, for larvae between 6 and 20 weeks of age a linear relationship exists between larval age and sensitivity to cooling. In addition, pupation rates are correlated to rearing temperature subsequent to cooling. In this case, pupation rates are fastest after return to 35°C. However, when larvae are transferred directly from 28 to 35°C without prior cooling, pupation is strongly inhibited. Effects of both constant and fluctuating temperatures during development are discussed in relation to the larval diapauselike condition that occurs in this dermestid species.

Termination of Larval Diapause-Like Condition in Attagenus megatoma (Coleoptera: Dermestidae) by Low Temperature 1

The period of suppressed growth and development that occurs in the latter half of the larval stage of the black carpet beetle, Attagenus megatoma (F.), was significantly shortened when 4.5-month-old larvae were held for 6, 8, or 10 weeks at 15°C and subsequently maintained at 26°C. Periods of 2 or 4 weeks at 15°C were not effective in terminating this dispause-like condition. The low-temperature treatments were effective with both fed and starved larvae. However, cooling of starved larvae at 4°C was detrimental to subsequent diapause development. Since growth was nil at 15°C, morphogenesis and diapause development are apparently separate processes in this dermestid beetle. Diapause development proceeded faster after cooling, but also took place in larvae held at a constant temperature and in continuous darkness.

Application of capillary thin layer isoelectric focusing in polyacrylamide gel to the study of alkaline proteinases in stored-product insects

1. 1. Isoelectric focusing in horizontal thin layers of polyacrylamide gel in combination with selected synthetic substrates and inhibitors was used to analyze the alkaline midgut proteinases from larvae of 5 species of stored-product insects. 2. 2. Partially purified proteinases from the black carpet beetle, Attagenus megatoma, had isoelectric points ranging from 3.9 to 9.0. About 15 proteinases were detected when focused gels were incubated on a casein-agar layer. 3. 3. A complex of 17 anionic and cationic proteinases was found in the hide beetle, Dermestes maculatus. Six trypsin-like and two chymotrypsin-like enzymes, one aminopeptidase, and one carboxypeptidase were demonstrated with artificial substrates and inhibitors. 4. 4. Two distinct, strongly anionic proteinases (pI 2.8 and 2.9) were found in Tribolium castaneum, while a single cationic proteinase was demonstrated in the furniture carpet beetle, Anthrenus flavipes. Compared with the other species, there were no strong proteinases in the midguts of larvae of the Indian meal moth, Plodia interpunctella. 5. 5. The use of horizontal isoelectric focusing in polyacrylamide gel for the analysis of proteinases in insects is discussed.

Isolation and properties of digestive carboxypeptidases from midguts of larvae of the black carpet beetle Attagenus megatoma

Two cationic carboxypeptidase fractions (CMS-G-1 and CMS-G-2) were isolated from the midgut homogenate of larvae of the black carpet beetle, Attagenus megatoma, through a series of ion exchange and affinity gel chromatographic steps. Fraction CMS-G-2 was highly active against the substrates hippuryl- dl-β-phenyllactate, N- carbobenzoxy-glycyl- l-phenylalanine , and N- carbobenzoxy-glycyl- l-tyrosine and was thus similar in specificity to bovine carboxypeptidase A. Fraction CMS-G-1 was most active against N- carbobenzoxy- l-valyl- l-leucine and N- carbobenzoxy-glycyl- l-methionine . Fraction CMS-G-1 also hydrolysed (in decreasing order) blocked peptides with carboxyl terminal l-isoleucine, l-leucine, l-alanine, and l-valine but was only slightly active against the ester and peptide substrates of carboxypeptidase A. Neither CMS-G-1 nor CMS-G-2 hydrolysed N- carbobenzoxy-glycyl- l-proline or glycyl-glycine. Between CMS-G-1 and CMS-G-2, at least four bands with peptidase activity were resolved on a cationic polyacrylamide gel system. The terminal and penultimate amino acids of the peptides were equally important in determining the specificity of individual peptidase bands. Fractions CMS-G-1 and CMS-G-2 each had a single, separate activity band with the substrate N- carbobenzoxy-glycyl- l-leucine . These two peptidases had molecular weights of about 35,500 and were most active at pH 7.5 to 8.5. Both enzymes were inhibited by the metal chelators EDTA and 1,10-phenanthroline and also by heavy metals such as Cu 2+, Hg 2+ and Cd 2+. The two enzymes thus appear to be metalloproteins with active sulphydryl groups.

Properties and specificities of a digestive aminopeptidase from larvae of Attagenus megatoma (Coleoptera: dermestidae)

1. 1. Properties of an aminopeptidase isolated from midguts of larvae of the black carpet beetle, Attagenus megatoma, by anionic and cationic ion exchange and affinity chromatography were studied by use of the substrate l-leucine -p- nitroanilide . 2. 2. Inhibition of the enzyme by metal chelators and the results of dialysis experiments indicated that the aminopeptidase was a metalloprotein. Metallic cations such as Co 2+, Mn 2+, Sn 2+, and Zn 2+ activated the dialyzed enzymed. Inhibition by Hg 2+, Cu 2+, Cd 2+,and Fe 2+ indicated that sulfhydryl groups were required for activity. 3. 3. The concentration of alcohol required for complete inhibition of the enzyme was inversely related to alcohol chain length. 4. 4. The aminopeptidase cleaved l-amino acids from the N-terminal end of dipeptidaseand tripeptides and also hydrolyzed a number of aminoacyl-β-naphthylamides.

Potential of Two Perfluorinated Alcohols as Fumigants2

Two perfluorinated alcohols, CCRL-489 and CCRL-583, tested as fumigants against stored-product insects, proved to be more toxic than methyl bromide to adults of the confused flour beetle, Tribolium confusum Jacquelin duVal, and the cigarette beetle, Lasioderma serricorne . (F.), and late-stage larvae of the black carpet beetle, Attagenus megatoma (F.), when the insects were exposed in free space. Both compounds were also more toxic than methyl bromide to T. confusum adults exposed in a mass of wheat at 27°C; however both compounds were slightly less toxic than methyl bromide when the temperature was reduced to 13°C. Results of tests in which immature stages of the rice weevil, Sitophilus oryzae (L.), were exposed in a mass of wheat to both perfluorinated alcohols indicated that eggs and early-stage larvae were more tolerant to the alcohols than late-stage larvae, pupae, and adults.

Ovicidal Effect of Permethrin Against the Black Carpet Beetle and the Webbing Clothes Moth124

Eggs of the black carpet beetle, Attagenus megatoma (F.), and the webbing clothes moth, Tineola bisselliella (Hummel), were exposed on woolen cloth treated with permethrin at rates of 0.01, 0.02, 0.05, and 0.10% by weight of the cloth. All dosage levels tested were lethal to eggs of the clothes moth but had no effect on eggs of the black carpet beetle. However, mortality was 100% at all levels tested for 1st instars of the black carpet beetle.

Evaluation of Penicillium Mycotoxins for Activity in Stored-product Coleoptera 1

The mycotoxins ochratoxin A, citrinin, rubratoxin B, patulin, penicillic acid and oxalic acid were fed to Tribolium confusum, Lasioderma serricorne and Attagenus megatoma in whole wheat flour. Penicillic and oxalic acids were not toxic to these insects at any concentration tested. Ochratoxin A and citrinin inhibited larval growth of A. megatoma at 10 and 1000 ppm, respectively, but rubratoxin B had no effect. Citrinin and rubratoxin B inhibited larval growth of T. confusum and L. serricorne at 1000 ppm only. Patulin inhibited growth of T. confusum at 1000 ppm both with and without yeast supplementation of the diet. L. serricorne larval growth slowed when patulin (at all concentrations) but no yeast was in the diet. Larval development time was increased whenever larval growth rates were inhibited. Reproduction of T. confusum was decreased by citrinin, patulin and ochratoxin A. L. serricorne reproduction was affected only by citrinin.

Respiratory Metabolism during Postembryonic Development in the Black Carpet Beetle1

Respiration rates of larvae, pupae, and adults of the black carpet beetle, Attagenus megatoma (F.), were determined at 28°C by using a differential respirometer. Respiration of male and female larvae increased through the 1st 80-100 days of development when rapid feeding and growth occurred. Peak mean values were 14.6 I¼liters O2/larva per h for males and 17.6 µliters O2/larva per h for females. Respiration then declined steadily to relatively low rates until the larvae were ca. 200 days old when another increase occurred. This latter increase was not associated with an observable increase in mean larval weight. Male and female pupae exhibited typical U-shaped respiration curves. Adult respiration reached peak mean rates at 5-7 days post-eclosion of ca. 13 µliters O2/adult per h for males and 19 µliters O2/adult per h for females. Respiration rates of larvae isolated from food for 74 days dropped to 13% of the values for identically aged fed larvae. Growth curves and respiratory patterns of A. megatoma larvae indicate that an obligatory larval developmental arrest occurs that lasts for 3-4 mo or nearly ½ the larval developmental period.

Developmental changes in cuticular lipids of the black carpet beetle, Attagenus megatoma

The proportions of the major lipid classes extracted from the cuticle of the black carpet beetle, Attagenus megatoma, remained relatively constant throughout the larval period (about 260 days) but differed considerably from those in the surface lipids of the adult. Wax esters made up about 60% of the cuticular lipids in the larvae but only 12% in the adults. Hydrocarbons constituted 15–20% of the larval cuticular lipids but became the major lipid class (55%) in the adults. The composition of the hydrocarbon fraction of the adults differed qualitatively and quantitatively from that of the larvae. A homologous series of five alkenes was identified in the adults by using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. One of these, 9-pentacosene, was the predominant component (31%) of the adult hydrocarbon fraction. Internally- and terminally-branched alkanes were also identified but they made up only about 2% of the total hydrocarbon fraction of the adults. The proportion of free fatty acids was similar in the larvae and the adults, but an increase in the amount of unsaturated fatty acids occurred in the adult stage. These total results indicate a shift from an abrasion-resistant hard wax layer in the larvae to a softer cuticular wax in the adults.

Clinging and Climbing Ability of Larvae of Eleven Species of Stored-Product Insects on Nine Flexible Packaging Materials and Glass

Larvae of the lepidopteran species Ephestia cautella (Walker), Corcyra cephalonica (Stainton), and Plodia interpunctella (Hübner) clung to and climbed paper, glass, aluminum foil, cellophane, polyethylene (PE). fluorinated ethylenepropylene (FEP), ethylenetetrafluoroethylene (ETFE), polyester (PET), polyvinylchloride (PVC), and polypropylene (PP) at the greatest angle of incline (90°). Larvae of 8 coleopteran specices climbed only 1 material (paper) at 90°. Larvae of some species could not climb some materials at a 5° incline. The coleopteran larvae ranked generally from best to worst climbers were Anthrenus flavipes LeConte, Dermestes maculatus De Geer, Tribolium castaneum (Herbst), Oryzaephilus mercator (Fauvel), Cathartus quadricollis (Guérin-Méneville), Trogoderma variabile Ballion, Attagenus megatoma (F.), and Lasioderma serricorne (F.). The test materials ranked generally from easiest to most difficult to climb were paper, ETFE, PET, foil, cellophane, PE, FEP, glass, PVC, and PP. Three coleopteran species, O. mercator, C. quadricollis, and D. maculatus clung to all materials at 90°. The other larvae ranked generally from best to worst clingers, were T. variabile, T. castaneum, A. flavipes, A. megatoma, and L. serricorne. The test materials, ranked generally from easiest to most difficult to cling to, were paper, glass, PET, ETFE, PVC, cellophane, FEP, foil, PE, and PP.

Midgut clearance and digestive enzyme levels in larvae of Attagenus megatoma following removal from food

Total protein and amino n levels in midguts of larvae of the black carpet beetle, Attagenus megatoma declined dramatically within 24 hr following removal from both the standard Purina ® diet and nutrient-treated wool. However, the secretion of proteolytic enzymes and sucrase (E.C.3.2.1.26) continued even after midgut clearance. The gradual decline in midgut digestive enzymal level observed was attributed to a reduced rate of secretion and to excretion of enzyme with the voided faeces. Although Purina-fed larvae had a 5-fold higher level of sucrase activity than the wool-fed larvae, proteolytic activity was higher in the wool-fed larvae. These results are in accord with a secretagogue mechanism as well as nutrient class specificity for the control of digestive enzymes in this species.

Cuticular lipids of larvae of Attagenus megatoma

The cuticular lipids extracted from the larvae of the black carpet beetle, Attagenus megatoma, form a very hard wax with a melting point of 76–78°C. The hydrocarbons amounted to 10–12% of the wax and were primarily odd-chain n- alkanes from C 25C 35 although even-chain hydrocarbons were also present. There were no unsaturated hydrocarbons, and branched-chain alkanes amounted to <2% of the hydrocarbon fraction. Wax esters, consisting mainly of saturated C 20, C 22 and C 24 fatty acids esterified to primary alcohols with chain lengths of C 18-C 32, were the major components (about 65%) of the lipid fraction. Free fatty acids amounted to 11–13% of the cuticular wax and the fraction contained a higher percentage of unsaturated fatty acids than did the bound fatty acids. When the larvae were treated with the food additive tricalcium phosphate (TCP), tested as a surface active dust, the free fatty acid fraction, particularly the unsaturated acids, was significantly reduced. The TCP treatment did not affect the ratios of the cuticular hydrocarbons or the weights of any of the other lipid fractions.

Growth and Devlopment of the Black Carpet Beetle1 on the Laboratory Diet2

The growth and development of male and female larvae of the black carpet beetle, Attagenus megatoma (F.) (Dermestidae), reared individually on a yeast-supplemented Purina® Laboratory Chow diet, was studied. At full term female larvae had a maximum mean weight of 18.34 mg compared to 10.37 mg for males. The mean duration of the larval stage was 254 days for males and 260 days for females. The extended sigmoidal growth curves were atypical for insects in that very little weight gain (as a percentage of the final larval weight) occurred in the last instars. The average number of larval stadia was 7 for males and 8 for females, but a range of stadia was observed for each sex. Mean pupal weights were 9.18 mg for males and 16.10 for females. Mean adult weights were 7.79 mg for males and 14.40 mg for females.

Synchronized Pupation in Starved and Fed Larvae of the Black Carpet Beetle1,2

Larvae of the black carpet beetle, Attagenus megatoma (F.) (Dermestidae), were isolated without nutrient medium at monthly intervals from 16 to 33 wk of age. During the starvation period, most of the isolated larvae had 1 starvation-induced larval molt within the 1st 5 wk. Although fresh weight losses approached 45% in some age classes, the starved larvae pupated synchronously with fed (control) larvae after isolation periods as long as 20 wk. The occurrence of a larval molt during starvation generally did not effect the rate of pupation, although molting increased the weight loss and resulted in substantially smaller pupae for both males and females. Two possible explanations for the synchronized pupation in starved and fed larvae of this dermestid are discussed : (1) events that trigger pupation may be programmed in larvae younger than 16 wk of age and (2) a pheromonal mechanism may be involved.

Substrate specificity in the control of digestive enzymes in larvae of the black carpet beetle

When starved larvae of the black carpet beetle, Attagenus megatoma, were fed selected diets, increases in proteolytic, trypsin, and chymotrypsin activity were correlated with total midgut protein and not with the amount of food consumed. Although larvae initially consumed more of a starch diet than of 2 diets that contained added protein, total protease activity in these larvae was minimal. Starch-fed larvae and larvae fed a casein-sucrose diet had a consistently higher level of sucrase activity than larvae fed an all-casein diet. These total results support a secretagogue mechanism for control of digestive enzyme synthesis in insects. In addition, the absence of parallel stimulation of different digestive enzymes by a single substrate (starch) indicated nutrient class specificity in the control of inducible midgut enzymes in this species.

Clinging and Climbing Ability of Adults of Several Stored-Product Beetles on Flexible Packaging Materials1

Adults of Oryzaephilus mercator (Fauvel), O. surinamensis (L.), Cathartus quadricollis (Guerin-Meneville), Lasioderma serricorne (F.), and Sitophilus oryzae (L.), species of beetles that are common pests of stored products, were able to climb 7 polymer films, glass, aluminum foil, and paper at the greatest angle of incline (90°). The other adult beetles tested, ranked generally from best to worst climbers, were: Cryptolestes pusillus (Schonherr), Dermestes maculatus De Geer, Tribolium Confusum Jacquelin duVal, T. castaneum (Herbst), Anthrenus flavipes LeConte, Rhyzopertha dominica (F.), Trogoderma variabile Ballion, and Attagenus megatoma (F.). The test materials, ranked generally from easiest to most difficult to climb, were: paper, 4-mil polyethylene, 5-mil polyethylene, polyvinylchloride, polypropylene, aluminum foil, 1-mil teflon, 2-mil teflon, ethylenetetrafluoroethylene (Tefzel®), and glass.