Malacosoma Neustria Research Articles

Disease symptoms occurring in caterpillars of Malacosoma neustria L. (Lepidoptera) infected by some fungi

The infection of <i>M. neustria<-i> caterpillars by <i>Beauveria bassiana<-i> (Bals.) Vuill., <i>Metarrhizium anisopliae<-i> (Metsch.) Sorok., <i>Paecilomyces farinosus<-i> (Dicks. ex Fr.) Brown et Smith, <i>Verticillium lecanii<-i> (Zimm.) Viegas causes the decrease of their viability, paralysis and mummification of the body. Only in the case of B. bassiana the character distinguishing infection by this fungus are black spots on the surface of the cuticle. The easy development and aboundant spore formation of the above-mentioned hyphomycetous fungi on <i>M. neustria<-i> facilitate the determination of the causes of the disease.

Impacts of Climate Change on Forest Ecosystems in Northeast China

This paper reviews the studies and research on climate change impacts on the forest ecosystems in Northeast China. The results show that in the context of global and regional warming, the growing season of coniferous forests has been increasing at an average rate of 3.9 d per decade. Regional warming favors the growth of temperate broad-leaved forests and has a detrimental effect on the growth of boreal coniferous forests. Over the past hundred years, the forest edge of the cool temperate zone in the southern Daxing’anling region has retreated 140 km northward. From 1896 to 1986, the northern boundary of broad-leaved forests in Heilongjiang province has extended northwestward about 290 km. Future climatic changes (until 2060) may lead to the northern deciduous needle forests moving out of China’s territory altogether. The occurrence cycles of pests and diseases have shortened; their distribution ranges have expanded. The life cycle of tent caterpillars (Malacosoma neustria testaceaMotschulsky) has shortened from 14–15 years in the past to 8–10 years now. The pine caterpillar (Dendrolimus tabulaeformisTsai et Liu), which has spread within western Liaoning province and the nearby areas, can now be found in the north and west. Lightning fires in the Daxing’anling region have significantly increased since 1987, and August has become the month when lightning fires occur most frequently. Overall, the net primary productivity (NPP) of forest in Northeast China has increased. The NPP in 1981 was around 0.27 Pg C, and increased to approximately 0.40 Pg C in 2002. With the current climate, the broad-leaved Korean pine forest ecosystem acts as a carbon sink, with a carbon sink capacity of 2.7 Mg C hm–2. Although the carbon sink capacity of the forest ecosystems in Northeast China has been weakened since 2003, the total carbon absorption will still increase. The forest ecosystems in Northeast China are likely to remain a significant carbon sink, and will play a positive role in the mitigation of climate change. CitationWang, X.-Y., C.-Y. Zhao, and Q.-Y. Jia, 2013: Impacts of climate change on forest ecosystems in Northeast China.Adv. Clim. Change Res.,4(4), doi: 10.3724/SP.J.1248.2013.230.

Forest insects and climate change: long‐term trends in herbivore damage

Long-term data sets, covering several decades, could help to reveal the effects of observed climate change on herbivore damage to plants. However, sufficiently long time series in ecology are scarce. The research presented here analyzes a long-term data set collected by the Hungarian Forest Research Institute over the period 1961–2009. The number of hectares with visible defoliation was estimated and documented for several forest insect pest species. This resulted in a unique time series that provides us with the opportunity to compare insect damage trends with trends in weather patterns. Data were analyzed for six lepidopteran species: Thaumetopoea processionea, Tortrix viridana, Rhyacionia buoliana, Malacosoma neustria, Euproctis chrysorrhoea, and Lymantria dispar. All these species exhibit outbreak dynamics in Hungary. Five of these species prefer deciduous tree species as their host plants, whereas R. buoliana is a specialist on Pinus spp. The data were analyzed using general linear models and generalized least squares regression in relation to mean monthly temperature and precipitation. Temperature increased considerably, especially over the last 25 years (+1.6°C), whereas precipitation exhibited no trend over the period. No change in weather variability over time was observed. There was increased damage caused by two species on deciduous trees. The area of damage attributed to R. buoliana decreased over the study period. There was no evidence of increased variability in damage. We conclude that species exhibiting a trend toward outbreak-level damage over a greater geographical area may be positively affected by changes in weather conditions coinciding with important life stages. Strong associations between the geographical extent of severe damage and monthly temperature and precipitation are difficult to confirm, studying the life-history traits of species could help to increase understanding of responses to climate change.

Characterization of a new isolate of Malacosoma neustria nucleopolyhedrovirus (ManeNPV) from Turkey

The lackey moth, Malacosoma neustria (Linnaeus, 1758), a worldwide pest, causes extensive economic losses on particularly hazelnut, Prunus, Quercus, Populus, and Salix trees. In this study, a local nucleopolyhedrovirus (NPV) was isolated from the larvae of M. neustria in the northeast of Turkey. It was named ManeNPV-T2. Electron microscopic observations showed that the polyhedra of the new isolate contain several virions with multiple nucleocapsids packaged within a single viral envelope. Restriction endonuclease analysis of ManeNPV-T2 DNA indicated that it has a different restriction profile compared to the previous Turkish and Latvian isolates. The phylogenetic analysis of the amplified polh sequence of ManeNPV-T2 showed its relation to the other NPVs from Malacosoma species. Mortality values for third instar M. neustria larvae ranged from 48% to 100% according to the concentration of polyhedral occlusion bodies. Based on screening tests, the LD50 value of the new isolate was calculated as 1.34 × 104 occlusion bodies per larvae. Consequently, ManeNPV appears to be a promising microbial control agent for biocontrol of M. neustria.

A Novel cry2Ab Gene from the Indigenous Isolate Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki

A novel cry2Ab gene was cloned and sequenced from the indigenous isolate of Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki. This gene was designated as cry2Ab25 and its sequence revealed an open reading frame of 1,902 bp encoding a 633 aa protein with calculated molecular mass of 70 kDa and pI value of 8.98. The amino acid sequence of the Cry2Ab25 protein was compared with previously known Cry2Ab toxins, and the phylogenetic relationships among them were determined. The deduced amino acid sequence of the Cry2Ab25 protein showed 99% homology to the known Cry2Ab proteins, except for Cry2Ab10 and Cry2Ab12 with 97% homology, and a variation in one amino acid residue in comparison with all known Cry2Ab proteins. The cry2Ab25 gene was expressed in Escherichia coli BL21(DE3) cells. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) revealed that the Cry2Ab25 protein is about 70 kDa. The toxin expressed in BL21(DE3) exhibited high toxicity against Malacosoma neustria and Rhagoletis cerasi with 73% and 75% mortality after 5 days of treatment, respectively.

Larval parasitoids and larval diseases of Malacosoma neustria L. (Lepidoptera: Lasiocampidae) detected in Erzurum Province, Turkey

The larval parasitoids and larval diseases of Malacosoma neustria (L.) (Lepidoptera: Lasiocampidae) in various host plants were investigated in Erzurum Province, Turkey, during 2004 and 2005. The larval parasitoids were reared in a laboratory, and a total of 29 parasitoid species were established in association with the larvae of M. neustria in the families Tachinidae (Diptera), Braconidae, Ichneumonidae, and Chalcidoidea (Hymenoptera). Of the 6 tachinid parasitoids, Pales pavida (Meigen) was the most prevalent species and accounted for 25% of the tachinid records. Among the tachinids, there were 2 new records for the Turkish fauna: Exorista amoena Mesnil and Palesisa nudioculata Villeneuve. Exorista amoena was reared from M. neustria for the first time. The braconid species Meteorus lionotus Thomson and Cotesia vanessa (Reinhard) were also reared from M. neustria for the first time. Among the 10 chalcidoid species reared, Monodontomerus aereus Walker and Brachymeria secundaria (Rusc.) were the most prevalent species. Five chalcidoid species, Asaphes suspensus (Nees), A. vulgaris Walker (Pteromalidae), Brachymeria secundaria (Ruschka) (Chalcididae), Eupelmus urozonus Dalman (Eupelmidae), and Eurytoma verticillata (F.) (Eurytomidae), were reared from M. neustria for the first time. Of the 10 species of ichneumonids reared, Exeristes roborator F. was the most abundant and accounted for 35% of the total ichneumonid records. The total parasitism rate of all parasitoids was 33.7%. As disease agents of M. neustria, the nuclear polyhedrosis virus and 4 pathogenic bacteria, Brevibacillus agri, Alcaligenes xylosoxydans xylosoxydans (Achromobacter xylosoxidans), Bacillus lentimorbus, and Serratia fonticola, were diagnosed. All of the bacteria from M. neustria were recorded for the first time. The percentage of diseased larvae was low, about 3%.

Egg parasitoids of Malacosoma neustria (Linnaeus, 1758) (Lepidoptera: Lasiocampidae) in Erzurum province of Turkey

1* Summary Malacosoma neustria (Linnaeus, 1758) (Lepidoptera: Lasiocampidae), a pest of various fruit and bushes, were studied in Erzurum Province, during 2004-2005 with the goal of identifying potential biological control agents of the moth, which reaches outbreak levels in several year-intervals. Eight species of parasitoids in four families of Hymenoptera were obtained from the eggs of M. neustria collected from three locations. Telenomus laevisculus (Ratzeburg, 1844) (Scelionidae) was the most prevalent species occurring at all collecting sites and accounted for 51% of the parasitoids. Baryscapus oophagus (Otten, 1942) and Baryscapus nigriviolaceus (Nees, 1834) (Eulophidae) accounted for 24% and 21% respectively of the total parasitoids found. Pronotalia carlinarum (Szelenyi & Erdos, 1951) (Eulophidae), Anastatus bifasciatus (Geoffroy, 1785) (Eupelmidae), Trichogramma buluti Bulut & Kilincer, 1991 (Trichogrammatidae), Ooencyrtus neustriae (Mercet, 1925) (Encyrtidae) and Baryscapus evonymella (Bouche, 1834) (Eulophidae) were also obtained, but at very low numbers. Telenomus laevisculus has potential in the biological control of this particular pest. Overall parasitism rate was 21.81%.

Detection and prognosis defoliators present in deciduous forests of northwestern Transylvania.

Studies, analysis and control measures presented in this paper which we have made in the years 2008-2009 and found mainly of oak stands in Forestry Department of Oradea and Satu Mare and to a lesser extent the framework of Cluj, and Mures Forest District. The stability of the stand is strongly affected, first of all by is stationary conditions which are not always the best opportunities, it is also affected by way of leadership and management and last but not least this biotic factors, especially defoliation. On the latter are screening each year and forecasts in order to establish concrete measures to combat healing using aircraft or ground equipment. The dates obtained by analyzing samples which were taken from different stands of quercus species showed that the most dangerous defoliation which we studied were Lymantria dispar, Tortrix viridana, nipped, and Eranis defoliaria, Eranis aurantiaria and against them were recommended controls, obtaining efficiency between 95-98%. In latent conditions we find no less dangerous defoliators which can create damage as: Operophtera brumata, Euprochtis chrysorrhoea respectively the Malacosoma neustria.

Wundinfektionen bei Raupen von Malacosoma neustria (L.) durch Penicillium brevi-compactum Dierckx

Summary On three caterpillars (L3) of Malacosoma neustria (L.) reared in the laboratory we observed a mycosis caused by Penicillium brevi-compactum Dierckx. The moribund larvae showed a mycelium, 2–3 mm wide, approximately girdle-like sourrounding the body. Histopathological investigations and infection experiments confirmed the suggestion that these were wound-infections caused by a fungus normally not pathogenic for insects. The wounds are closed by a coagulation plug, with a mass of hyphae in his exterior strongly melanized part adjoined by the outer layer of the macroscopically visible mycelium. Hyphae grow through the coagulation plug into the body of the larvae. Apparently the infestation spreads relatively slow towards the ends of the body. The hyphae preferably grow in the fat body, muscles, tracheal matrix, epidermis (hypodermis), and endocuticle. It is striking that in moribund caterpillars the muscularis of the midgut is densely infected, whereas the epithelium cells are free or almost free of hyphae. Finally, hyphae grow through the integument in outside direction preferring the insertion-points of the hairs. Contrary to the fungus diseases caused by the typical insect pathogenic fungi which spread in the whole body, here we have the picture of a localized, but also fatal mycosis. For infection experiments 20 larvae (L4 and L5) of M. neustria obtained dorsolaterally an incision of 1 mm in the region of the first pair of the abdominal feet. After 15 min. and again after 2 hours, the wounds were contamined with spores of P. brevi-compactum. For 48 hours the larvae remained in Petri dishes with a rel. humidity of about 100 per cent. 30 per cent of the larvae died of wound-mycosis, the average time of mortality being 7,8 days. The controls, wounded and uninfected on the one side, not wounded but spore dusted on the other, did not die of mycosis. Thus the saprophytic P. brevi-compactum is able to act as a wound parasite on larvae of M. neustria. The synergism (“enchainement”) of two harmless factors (wound and fungus) causes death within a relatively short time.

Characterization of two Bacillus thuringiensis ssp. morrisoni strains isolated from Thaumetopoea pityocampa (Lep., Thaumetopoeidae)

The pine processionary moth Thaumetopoea pityocampa Den. and Schiff. (Lep., Thaumetopoeidae) is one of the most harmful insect pests for pine species in Mediterranean countries including Turkey. Two Bacillus thuringiensis isolates obtained from T. pityocampa were identified and characterized in terms of crystal shape using electron microscopy, SDS–PAGE analysis, cry gene contents, H-serotype and insecticidal activity. Examination by a scanning electron microscope showed that Tp6 and Tp14 isolates have flat square and bipyramidal crystal shapes, respectively. PCR analysis showed that Tp6 contains cry3 gene and Tp14 isolate contains cry1 and cry2 genes. On the other hand, the presence of Cry3 and Cry1 proteins were confirmed by observation of approximately 65- and 130-kDa proteins by SDS–PAGE in Tp6 and Tp14 isolates, respectively. According to H-serotype results, these isolates were identified as Bacillus thuringiensis ssp. morrisoni (H8a8b). Toxicity tests were performed against six insect species belonging to Lepidoptera and Coleoptera. The highest insecticidal activity was 100% for Tp6 isolate on larvae of Agelastica alni and Leptinotarsa decemlineata and 100% for Tp14 isolate on larvae of Malacosoma neustria. Our results indicate that isolates Tp6 and Tp14 may be valuable biological control agents for various coleopteran and lepidopteran pests.

Comparative Susceptibilities of Six Insect Cell Lines to Infection by Malacosoma neustria Nucleopolyhedrovirus (ManeNPV)

In this study, 6 lepidopteran cell lines derived from Trichoplusia ni (Tn5), Lymantria dispar (LdElta), Bombyx mori (Bm-5), Spodoptera frugiperda (Sf21), Spodoptera exigua (Se-1), and Choristoneura fumiferana (Cf-124T) were investigated for susceptibility to Malacosoma neustria nucleopolyhedrovirus (ManeNPV) isolated in Turkey. Infection of Malacosoma disstria (Md203) cell line by ManeNPV was used as a control. In ManeNPV-Md203 infection, polyhedral inclusion bodies (PIBs) were detected at 36 h p.i. and observed in all infected cells by 120 h p.i., and the infectious virus titer increased 10^3-fold. At 24 h p.i., the efficient replication of viral DNA was detected. In this study, we determined that Tn5 and LdElta cells were productive to ManeNPV, and the replication of viral DNA occurred at 24 h p.i. PIB productions were determined in both cell lines at 36 h p.i., and the infectious virus titer in both cell lines increased 10-fold. By contrast, infections of Sf21 cells were not found productive. However, infected cells had apoptosis-like structures. Finally, no cytopathic effects, inclusion bodies, and viral DNA replication were detected in infected Bm-5, Se-1, and Cf-124T cell lines. Therefore, these cell lines were accepted as non-productive. This is the first study on the host specifity of ManeNPV in vitro. Our results suggest that Tn5 and LdElta cell lines can provide an important model for studying ManeNPV in vitro system as in the Md203 cell line system.

Productive replication of Malacosoma neustria nucleopolyhedrovirus (ManeNPV) in Md203 cell line

A plaque-purified genotypic variant, derived from a field isolate of the Malacosoma neustria nucleopolyhedrovirus (ManeNPV) from Turkey was characterized based on in vitro replication properties in a cell line, Md203 derived from Malacosoma disstria. The life cycle of ManeNPV was studied based on the cytopathic effects (CPEs), polyhedral inclusion body (PIB) formation, budded virus (BV) production, viral DNA replication and polyhedrin protein expression in ManeNPV-infected Md203 cells. Infection of Md203 cells with ManeNPV resulted in cytopathic effects within 24 and 36 h post infection and most cells detachted from the bottom of the culture plate on the fourth day. Typical NPV cytopathic effects (CPE) like granulated and rounded cells, nuclear hypertrophy and impairment in cell proliferation, and lost cell shape with the extendings were observed. Budded viruses were detected at 24 h p.i. However, significant increase in BV production was observed after 48 h p.i. PIB was firstly detected at 36 h p.i. When BV’s were used for reinfection of the Md203 cells, the result showed that these cells support production of viable virus progeny. We also observed a significant level of viral DNA synthesis by 24 h p.i. The results indicate that ManeNPV can be propagated at in vitro system for further studies and thus has a potential for development into an effective biotechnological and microbial insecticidal agent.

Translational enhancement of recombinant protein synthesis in transgenic silkworms by a 5′-untranslated region of polyhedrin gene of Bombyx mori Nucleopolyhedrovirus

Previously, we established a method to produce recombinant proteins (r-proteins) in cocoons of germline transgenic silkworms, and showed that a step(s) in post-transcription processes was rate-limiting in obtaining a high yield of r-proteins. In this study, we examined whether the 5'-untranslated region (5'-UTR) of the polyhedrin gene (pol) of nucleopolyhedrovirus (NPV) has a translational enhancer activity in the r-protein expression by middle silk gland (MSG) cells of silkworm Bombyx mori (Bm). Sericin 1 gene (ser1) promoter-driven transformation vectors were constructed in which pol5'-UTRs of NPVs isolated from four different species, Bm, Spodoptera frugiperda, Ectropis oblique, and Malacosoma neustria, were each placed upstream of a reporter gene. Transient expression assays in MSGs showed that these pol5'-UTRs all enhanced the protein expression of reporter genes, and the pol5'-UTR of Bm NPV (pol5'-UTR/Bm) was the most effective among them. Thus, transgenic silkworms were generated, which bore the ser1 promoter-driven His-tagged secretory EGFP (sEGFP-His) gene under the control of pol5'-UTR/Bm. The synthesis of sEGFP-His proteins in MSGs of the transgenic worms was approximately 1.5-fold higher than that in those bearing null vectors. However, its mRNA expression levels were 67% of the control worms, indicating that the pol5'-UTR/Bm specifically enhanced the translational level. In conclusion, pol5'-UTR/Bm increased the yield of r-protein production in transgenic silkworms by enhancing the translational activity and this 5'-UTR could be useful for the mass production of r-proteins in germline transgenic silkworms.

Malacosoma parallela

<i>Malacosoma parallela</i>

New records of Cryptinae (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae) from Turkey with some hosts.

Summary Seven species of Cryptinae (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae) are recorded for the first time to the Turkish fauna. Of these, Gambrus opacus Szepligeti was reared from the pupa of Malacosoma neustria (L.) (Lepidoptera: Lasiocampidae), that of Meringopus cyanator (Gravenhorst) from the pupae of both M. neustria (L.) and Lymantria dispar L. (Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae).

Chemical, Electrophysiological, and Behavioral Investigations on the Sex Pheromone of Lackey Moth, Malacosoma neustrium

The lackey moth Malacosoma neustrium (L.) (Lepidoptera Lasiocampidae) is a common pest of many forest and cultivated broadleaf trees. Analysis by GC-EAD of gland extracts and female effluvia showed the presence of two active peaks that were characterized as (E,Z)-5,7-dodecadienal (E5,Z7-12:Ald) and (E,Z)-5,7-dodecadienol (E5,Z7-12:OH) according to their GC retention times, mass spectra, and electroantennographic activity. (E,Z)-5,7-dodecadienyl acetate (E5,Z7-12:Ac) was also detected in the gland extracts. The average amounts of E5,Z7-12:Ald, E5,Z7-12:OH, and E5,Z7-12:Ac extracted from an abdominal tip were 113.2 +/- 22.0 ng, 29.9 +/- 6.2 ng, and 11.6 +/- 2.0 ng, respectively. In the effluvia from single females, on the average, 1.9 +/- 0.7 ng/min of aldehyde and 0.3 +/- 0.1 ng/min of alcohol were collected. In wind tunnel tests, male behavioral sequences elicited by E5,Z7-12:Ald alone or in 3:1 and 9:1 blends with the corresponding alcohol were similar to those evoked by one female equivalent of sex pheromone gland extract. Field trapping experiments showed that E5,Z7-12:Ald is essential to attract male moths. On adding E5,Z7-12:OH to E5,Z7-12:Ald in 1:3 and 1:9 ratios, male attraction slightly increased whereas in a 1:1 ratio, the attractiveness of E5,Z7-12:Ald was reduced.

Larval Sociality in Three Species of Central-place Foraging Lappet Moths (Lepidoptera: Lasiocampidae): A Comparative Survey

We studied three species of Lasiocampidae with social, tent-building caterpillars in Northern Bavaria, viz. Eriogaster lanestris, Eriogaster catax, and Malacosoma neustria. We used key life-history data (number of larval instars, sizes and weights of eggs, caterpillars, and moths, size of egg clutches) as well as behavioral data (activity patterns, tent-building behavior, trail following behavior) for a comparative study. Although larvae of all three species are active only in spring, show overlapping habitat requirements, and use the same major host-plant ( Prunus spinosa) with only minor differences in phenology, they show markedly different life-history and behavioral strategies. E. catax lays comparatively few but large eggs while E. lanestris lays more but smaller eggs. M. neustria lays the smallest eggs but large clusters. E. lanestris caterpillars build a large tent with an accessible interior while those of E. catax build a small tent that is only used as a resting and molting platform. M. neustria shows a flexible behavior, may abandon the primary tent and build a new one several times. M. neustria colonies also subdivide and reunite regularly while Eriogaster colonies stay together until larvae become solitary. In E. lanestris all tentmates of a colony are highly synchronized while foraging or resting. Instead, in E. catax small subgroups leave the tent for foraging while at every time the majority rests on the tent. M. neustria caterpillars forage more or less individually and only synchronize by night. Results are discussed in relation to other species of the genera Eriogaster and Malacosoma and with regard to the evolution and diversification of caterpillar sociality.

Physical mapping of Malacosoma neustria nuclear polyhedrosis virus genome and its modification in Antheraea pernyi cell culture

Physical mapping of Malacosoma neustria nuclear polyhedrosis virus genome and its modification in Antheraea pernyi cell culture

Физическое картирование генома вируса ядерного полиэдроза Malacosoma neustria

Физическое картирование генома вируса ядерного полиэдроза Malacosoma neustria

STUDIES ON THE SHRUB FLORA OF THE PEMBROKESHIRE COAST AND ON SOME ASSOCIATED MACRO-LEPIDOPTERA LARVAE

Summary The woody vegetation adjacent to the Pembrokeshire Coast Path was recorded along nine sections of the pathway in particularly exposed locations, together totalling 23.7km. The presence of larvae of the eggar moth and the lackey moth was also noted. Records were made every hundred metres. The majority of the sampling stations contained no shrubs. Blackthorn occurred at 17.3 per cent of stations; hawthorn at 6.8 per cent; elder at 3.0 per cent. All other species occurred at 1 or 2 stations (0.4 and 0.8 per cent respectively). These findings contrasted with the shrub flora of a sheltered inlet; and with the picture for Wales as a whole. The coastal situation in Pembrokeshire is compared with the Cornish coast and with the altitudinal limits of shrubs in Wales and England. The inter-relationships in the moth larvae data are also discussed.