Southern Armyworm Research Articles

Preference of Campoletis perdistinctus for Certain Noctuid Larvae123

Mated adult females of Campoletis perdistinctus (Viereck) were confined together in one or more of 4 laboratory tests and I field-cage test with 3- to 4-day-old larvae of the noctuids: beet armyworm, Spodoptera exigua (Hubner); bollworm, Heliothis zea (Boddie); cabbage looper, Trichoplusia ni (Hubner); fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith); southern armyworm, Prodenia eridania (Cramer); tobacco bud worm, H. virescens (F.); and yellowstriped armyworm, Prodenia ornithogalli Guenee. The bollworm, fall armyworm, and tobacco budworm were the most preferred hosts in all laboratory tests, whereas the cabbage looper was the least preferred host, and no parasite cocoons were produced from larvae of the beet armyworm. Also, rates of parasitization were greater when the hosts were confined in chambers containing cotton plants than in chambers containing an artificial diet. In the field-cage test, considerably more parasite cocoons were formed from larvae of the bollworm and the tobacco bud worm than from the cabbage looper and the southern armyworm. Thus, laboratory and field-cage tests indicated that the bollworm and tobacco budworm were among the most preferred noctuid hosts of C. perdistinclus . Consequently, these noctuids should be the major ovipositional site [or the parasite if it were to be used in an inundative release program against cotton pests.

Conjugation of p-nitrophenol with sulfate in larvae of the southern armyworm ( Prodenia eridania)

Of a dose of 14C- p-nitrophenol administered orally to sixth-instar larvae of the southern armyworm ( Prodenia eridania) 17–25% was recovered from the excreta as the sulfate ester during the first 48 hr after treatment. Unchanged 14C- p-nitrophenol accounted for a further 7% of the applied dose and the remaining radioactivity was in some form which was apparently bound tighly with plant pigments. No evidence was obtained for the presence of 14C- p-nitrophenyl β- d-glucoside of 14C- p-nitrophenyl phosphate in the armyworm fecal extract.

Response of the Male Southern Armyworm in a Field Cage to Prodenialure A and Prodenialure B13

Response of the Male Southern Armyworm in a Field Cage to Prodenialure A and Prodenialure B13

Microsomal epoxidase activity in preparations of whole southern armyworm larvae

Microsomal epoxidase activity in preparations of whole southern armyworm larvae

Mechanism of inhibition of microsomal mixed-function oxidation by the gut-contents inhibitor of the southern armyworm (Prodenia eridania).

A potent inhibitor of microsomal mixed-function oxidation reactions in insects had previously been isolated and partially purified from the gut contents of Prodenia eridania and shown to be associated with proteinase activity. Incubation of rat liver microsomal fraction with low concentrations of this inhibitor led to solubilization of NADPH-cytochrome c reductase, which was paralleled by the inactivation of reduction of cytochrome P-450 by NADPH and by the inhibition of NADPH-linked benzo[3,4]pyrene hydroxylation and aminopyrine demethylation. There was little or no effect on cytochromes b(5) and P-450, nor was the capacity of the latter catalyst to combine with exogenous substrates decreased. Contrary to the findings with NADPH, preincubation of microsomal fraction with the inhibitor did not cause a significant decrease in the rate of cytochrome P-450 reduction by NADH, supporting the assumption that different catalysts are involved in the electron transfer from NADH and NADPH to cytochrome P-450. The findings indicate the importance of taking the possible presence of endogenous inhibitors into consideration when evaluating low or absent mixed-function oxidation activities found in insect systems in vitro.

Control of caterpillars on tomatoes with chemicals and pathogens.

Highly effective control of the tomato fruitworm, Heliothis zea (Boddie), was obtained with a DDT spray and a spray mixture containing 44% carbaryl and 11 % methyl parathion and with cornmeal baits incorporating carharyl or Gardona® (2-chloro-l- (2,4,5-trichlorophenyl) vinyl dimethyl phosphate); however, the spray mixture and the baits were only moderately effective against the cabbage looper, Trichoplusia ni (Hubner). Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner was highly effective against the tobacco hornworm, Manducu sexta (Johannson), and the cabbage looper, but it was only moderately effective against the tomato fruitworm and the southern armyworm, Spodoptera eridania (Cramer). Nuclear polyhedrosis virus (from H. zea ) failed to protect the tomato fruit effectively. Sprays of methomyl, Velsicol® VCS-506 ( O - (4-bromo-2-5-dichlorophenyl) O -methyl phenylphosphonothioate), and carbaryl + parathion and CSM bait containing Cardona gave outstanding control of the southern armyworm; however, Velsicol VCS-506, and carbaryl + parathion caused injury to the plant foliage.

The metabolism of 6,7-dihydroisodrin by microsomes and southern armyworm larvae

Dihydroisodrin is hydroxylated to 6- exo-hydroxy-6,7-dihydroisodrin in southern armyworm gut and vertebrate liver microsomal preparations. The sedimentation characteristics of the hydroxylase, its requirement for NADPH and oxygen, and its inhibition by carbon monoxide and 4,5,6,7-tetrachloro-1,3-benzodioxole indicate that the enzyme system may be classed as a typical microsomal oxidase. The enzyme system is susceptible to substrate inhibition, but in other respects it is similar to microsomal aldrin epoxidase and p-chloro- N-methylaniline demethylase.

Toads in the Biological Control of Southern Armyworm Larvae in the Greenhouse12

Toads in the Biological Control of Southern Armyworm Larvae in the Greenhouse12

Sex pheromones of the southern armyworm moth: isolation, identification, and synthesis.

Two sex pheromones have been isolated from the female southern armyworm moth, Prodenia eridania (Cramer), and identified as cis-9-tetradecen-1-ol acetate, identical with the sex pheromone of the fall armyworm moth, Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith), and cis-9,trans-12-tetradecadien-1-ol acetate.

Acetylcholinesterase isozymes from the housefly brain

1. 1. Cholinesterase activity in insect head extracts was investigated by disc electrophoresis followed by spectrophotometric analysis. The supernatant of 100 000 × g, 1 h, revealed the presence of four isozymes in the housefly, two in the American cockroach and only one in the southern army worm. 2. 2. The four isozymes, present in the head extract of houseflies, were totally inhibited by 10 μM guthoxon or eserine but were unaffected by 10 μ M p- chloromercuribenzoate (PCMB) or tri-o- cresylphosphate . All four isozymes had higher activity with acetylthiocholine than butyrylthiocholine as substrates; indicating they are isozymes of acetylcholinesterase. 3. 3. Centrifugation at 200 000 × g for 4 h precipitated 66% of the acetylcholin-esterase originally present in the supernatant of 100 000 × g for 1 h but the four isozymes remained soluble and were estimated to have molecular weights of less than 500 000. 4. 4. Two methods of gel staining were used to detect esterase activity, the direct-coloring thiocholine method using acetylthiocholine as a substrated and the modified Gomori method using α-naphthylacetate. The first proved to be effective for detecting cholinesterase activity; but at least two of the eserine-sensitive bands found by the technique of Gomori 20 were not cholinesterase.

Hosts and Host-Age Preference of Campoletis perdistinctus12

According to our review of the literature, 23 species of Lepidoptera have been reported as hosts of the ichneumonid wasp Campoletis perdistinctus (Viereck). However, in laboratory tests, the parasite developed successfully on 4 additional species, the armyworm, pseudaletia unipuncta (Haworth); the cabbage looper, Trichoplusia ni (Hubner); the southern armyworm, Prodenia eridania (Gramer); and the western yellow-striped armyworm, P. praefica Grote. Two-to 4-day-old larvae of the alfalfa looper, Autogropha californica (Speyer), the bollworm, Heliothis zea (Boddie); the cabbage looper; the fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith); the southern armyworm; the tobacco budworm, H. virescens (F.); and the variegated cutworm, Peridroma saucia (Hubner), were particularly susceptible to parasitism by C. perdistinctus in the laboratory. The parasite stung 1- to 8-day-old host larvae but preferred 2- to 4-day-old larvae. The fall armyworm appeared to be the best host for mass rearing the parasite.

Adjuvants Prolonging the Residual Activity of Low-Volume Formulations of Dichlorvos, Mevinphos, and Malathion in the laboratory12

Apolar adjuvauts that were difficult to evaluate in an aqueous formulation were studied in a technical grade insecticide mixture. The combination was sprayed onto plants and tested as extenders of residual toxicity against 4th-instar Mexican bean beetle, Epilachna varivestis Mulsant, and 3rd-instar southern armyworm, Prodenia cridania (Cramer). Slightly less than half the adjuvants tested improved residual toxidty of the toxicants. Technical mevinphos mixtures with Carboset 525 (acrylic resin), Klucel HA (cellulose ether), and Gantrez AN 119 (polyvinyl ether—maleic anhydride resin) against Mexican bean beetle and Plaskon 9407 (polyester resin), Klucel HA, and Plaskon 9405 (polyester resin) against southern armyworm were effective combinations. Technical dichlorvos mixtures with Plaskon P.E. 258 (polyester resin) and Carboset 525 were the most effective combinations evaluated against Mexican bean beetle. The former along with Plaskon 9407 and 9405 were superior combinations against southern armyworm. Technical malathion mixtures with several adjuvants were difficult to evaluate, probably because of the slow loss of toxicant effectiveness.

Bioassay of the Sex Pheromone of the Southern Armyworm12

Journal Article Bioassay of the Sex Pheromone of the Southern Armyworm Get access R. E. Redfern, R. E. Redfern Entomology Research Division, Agr. Res. Serv., USDA Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic PubMed Google Scholar B. A. Butt, B. A. Butt Entomology Research Division, Agr. Res. Serv., USDA Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic PubMed Google Scholar Eluid Cantu Eluid Cantu Entomology Research Division, Agr. Res. Serv., USDA Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic PubMed Google Scholar Journal of Economic Entomology, Volume 63, Issue 2, 1 April 1970, Page 658, https://doi.org/10.1093/jee/63.2.658 Published: 01 April 1970

An endogenous inhibitor of microsomal mixed-function oxidases in homogenates of the southern armyworm (Prodenia eridania).

1. A potent inhibitor of microsomal mixed-function oxidation has been isolated from the gut contents of larvae of the southern armyworm (Prodenia eridania). 2. Progressive inhibition is associated with a soluble proteinase with a molecular weight of approx. 26000. 3. Although the proteolytic activity of the inhibitor can be reduced by phenylmethanesulphonyl fluoride and other reagents, these materials are only partially effective in protecting the microsomal enzymes. 4. Inhibitory activity is decreased in the presence of bovine serum albumin.

Adjuvants Prolonging the Residual Activity of Dichlorvos and Mevinphos in the Laboratory12

Seventy-four materials were screened as potential adjuvants to prolong toxicity of dichlorvos and mevinphos on 3rd-instar larvae of the Mexican bean beetle, Epilachna varivestis Mulsant, and 4th-instar larvae of the southern armyworm, Prodenia eridania (Cramer). Residues of the toxicants and toxicant-adjuvant combinations on lima bean foliage (‘Fordhook 242’), when 24 hours old, were infested with insects. After 24 additional hours the respomes to the combinations were compared with responses to the toxicant alone. Most adjuvants tested appeared to have some promise. Four materials, Keltose (alginate). Dacagin (polysaccharide gum), Plaskon 9405 (polyester resin), and Hetron HLR 254 (unsaturated polyester resin), were exceptionally effective. Patterns of effectiveness were observed also among individuals and categories of adjuvants. Klucel G (cellulose ether) and Methoccl MC 8000 (hydroxymethyl cellulose) were effective only in combination with mevinphos. Cellosize QP 52,000 (hydroxyethyl cellulose) and Hetron PR 130 (polyester resin) were only effective with dichlorvos. Klucel I (cellulose ether) was effective with both toxicants but only against Mexican bean beetle. On a numerical basis the carbohydrate, polyester resin, and polyvinyl derivatives categories were superior to the other categories. Approximately 90% of the above-mentioned materials produced minimum mortalities of 85%, even though they contain only about 50% of the materials tested.

Monoglyceride lipase in moth flight muscle

Very active lipases with high specificity for monoglycerides are present in the flight muscle of the southern armyworm moth ( Prodenia eridania), the salt marsh caterpillar moth (acrea moth, Estigmene acrea), the cecropia moth ( Hyalophora cecropia), and the polyphemus moth ( Antheraea polyphemus). Most of the enzymatic activity of homogenates is associated with large particles (probably the myofibrils or the sarcolemma), but can be solubilized by extraction with high ionic strength KCl solution. No significant di- or triglyceride lipase or esterase activity could be demonstrated in the flight muscle of these moths. A variety of agents that enhance or diminish triglyceride lipase activity in mammalian tissues had no effect on the moth lipases, either in homogenates or in intact muscle.

Microsomal mixed-function oxidases in insects—I: Localization and properties of an enzyme system effecting aldrin epoxidatton in larvae of the southern armyworm ( Prodenia eridania)

An extremely active microsomal epoxidasc has been obtained from larvae of the southern armyworm ( Prodenia eridania) and optimal assay conditions in vitro have been established. Maximum enzyme activity is associated primarily with the larval mid-gut. Specific activity of the enzyme changes markedly during larval development and reaches a maximum in the sixth instar.

A Technique for Mass Rearing the Southern Armyworm in the Laboratory1

A Technique for Mass Rearing the Southern Armyworm in the Laboratory1

The carnitine-independent oxidation of palmitate plus malate by moth flight-muscle mitochondria.

Mitochondria isolated from the flight muscle of the southern armyworm moth, Prodenia eridania, can oxidize palmitate+malate very rapidly. Added carnitine had no effect on the rate of oxidation of palmitate+malate by flight-muscle mitochondria from two species of moths, and carnitine palmitoyltransferase could not be detected in Prodenia by direct assay. Palmitoylcarnitine was not oxidized by moth mitochondria, but when added in low concentrations it reversibly suppressed the oxidation of palmitate. The evidence indicates that carnitine is not involved in fatty acid degradation by moth flight muscle. Added thiols, including CoA, also suppressed palmitate+malate oxidation. An ATP-dependent fatty acyl-CoA synthetase is present in moth mitochondria.

Toxicity of Five Carbamate Insecticides to the Two-Spotted Spider Mite and Larvae of the Southern Armyworm and the Tobacco Budworm1

Toxicity of Five Carbamate Insecticides to the Two-Spotted Spider Mite and Larvae of the Southern Armyworm and the Tobacco Budworm1