Academic literature on the topic 'Immature insects'

Feeding habits of the killifish Rivulus luelingi collected in a black water stream of the Coastal Atlantic Rainforest in southern Brazil were investigated. Eight samplings were made between April 2003 and January 2004. The diet, assessed through a similarity matrix with the estimated contribution values of food items, included microcrustaceans, aquatic immature insects (larvae and pupae), aquatic adult insects, terrestrial insects, insect fragments, spiders, and plant fragments. Differences in the diet according to temporal variations (months) were registered, but changes related with size classes evaluated and high/low precipitation period were not observed. The species presented an insectivorous feeding habit, and its diet in the studied stream was composed of autochthonous (mainly aquatic immature insects) and allochthonous (mainly insect fragments) material.

Insects have extraordinary species richness: over a million species have been identified, and even more await discovery and classification. Given their abundance and diversity, insects are excellent teaching tools for science classrooms. However, accurate insect identification can be especially challenging for beginning students. Accordingly, we have developed a dichotomous key that both precollege and university instructors and students can use efficiently to correctly identify 18 taxonomic orders of insects. Our key was developed to target insects most commonly encountered throughout the coastal southeastern United States, but it can easily be adapted to other regions. This key is novel in that it incorporates not only adult insects but also their immature stages. In addition, we included insects that are likely to be collected in all seasons, facilitating implementation in the classroom throughout the academic year.

Immature stages of holometabolous insects represent a useful source of information for phylogenetic studies. However,knowledge about immature stages of insects is generally poor. This paper presents a historical overview on the study ofimmature Cetoniinae and provides an up-to-date list of 194 so far described taxa at the species level. Most immature stagesare described for the Cetoniini. Larvae of Microvalgini, Taenioderini, and Phaediminini are unknown, while the larvae of Platygeniini need to be redescribed.

The association between ontogenetic processes in plants and phytophagous insects is not traditionally considered in studies of insect-plant interactions. Angiosperm seeds impose important constraints on seed predators; the structural complexity of seeds and the progressive accumulation of resources throughout their development limit the time windows when resources can be retrieved by the predator. Some holometabolous insects deposit their eggs inside immature seeds, with the immature stages of both insect and plant cohabiting in a space with limited but potential resources. We studied the larval development of Megastigmus transvaalensis (Hussey, 1956) (Chalcidoidea: Megastigmidae) and Bephratelloides pomorum (F., 1804) (Chalcidoidea: Eurytomidae) and the seed development of their respective hosts, Schinus terebinthifolia (Raddi, 1820) (Anacardiaceae) and Annona crassiflora (Mart., 1841) (Annonaceae). Our results show that both M. transvaalensis and B. pomorum oviposit in immature fruits, whose protective tissues surrounding the seeds are softer. The first larval instar interferes little with the development of the seed, allowing both seed and plant embryo to continue growing. When the infested seed reaches the size of a mature, non-infested seed, the larva grows rapidly and consumes most of it. M. transvaalensis induces minor modifications in the endosperm cells, while B. pomorum does not induce any visual modifications. The strategy of allowing seed/plant embryo to continue growing shows similarities to the endoparasitic koinobiont strategy followed by some chalcid parasitoids, which keep their host alive while feeding upon it. Future studies should be expanded to other chalcid seed predators in order to understand the evolution of convergent patterns among seed-feeding insects and its evolution in relation to parasitoid strategies inside the group

Syssphinx molina (Cramer) é considerada uma espécie de interesse fitossanitário, pois pode ser praga de algumas plantas cultivadas pelo homem, além disso, em lavouras de monoculturas podem ocorrer acidentes com as larvas dessa espécie, causando dermatites nos trabalhadores. O principal objetivo desse estudo é obter e caracterizar as células embrionárias indiferenciadas de Syssphinx molina. Ovos da espécie serão obtidos através de mariposas fêmeas grávidas, coletadas pela equipe da Coleção Zoológica do Maranhão (CZMA), da Universidade Estadual do Maranhão (UEMA), Campus Caxias. Os ovos foram caracterizados e comparados com ovos de outras espécies filogeneticamente próximas à S. molina. Culturas primárias de células embrionárias de S. molina foram cultivadas por 20 dias, ocorreram duas passagens e procedeu-se com o congelamento. Após descongelamento das células ocorreram 10 passagens. Foram analisadas amostras de células de cada passagem para obter dados do ciclo célular e características das células através de uso de marcadores: Anti-Axons, Anti-Caspase 3 ativa, Anti-CD105, Anti-CD117, Anti-CD24, Anti-CD43, Anti-CD73, Anti-CD90/Thy1, Anti-Ciclina D1, Anti GM 130, Anti-HLA DR, Anti-HSP47, Anti-HSP70,. Anti-KI67, Anti-MCP1, Anti- Oct 3/4, Anti-p53, Anti RAB 5, Anti-SSEA4, Anti-Stro-1, Anti-TGF beta 1, Anti-Vimentina e Schneider L2. Pela primeira vez é determinado um protocolo para resfriamento de ovos de S. molina, assim como protocolo para cultura primária e secundária de células embrionárias dessa espécie. São analisadas também as idades gestacionais dos ovos de S. molina e comparadas com ovos de outras espécies de mariposas da mesma subfamília. A análise de ciclo celular e marcadores confirmam a alta taxa de proliferação das células, no entanto, a análise com os anticorpos Anti-Caspase 3 ativa e Anti-P53 mostrou o percentual de morte celular programada (apoptose) é, geralmente, maior que 25% nas populações de células analisadas. Os marcadores Anti GM130 e Anti RAB 5, que participam, respectivamente, do recrutamento de proteínas pela fase cis do aparelho de Golgi e do processo de maturação do endossoma, marcaram mais de 50% das células das amostras analisadas. Anti-HLA-DR, que revela proteínas da membrana do linfócito T, com um percentual geralmente superior a 30% de marcação. Dentre os marcadores de células multi e pluripotentes, aquele que marcou maior taxa de células foi Anti- CD117, que se liga em células estaminais hematopoiéticas. Todos os anticorpos utilizados para marcar células do sistema hematopoiético (Anti-CD24, Anti-CD43, Anti-CD73, Anti-CD90/Thy1, Anti-HLA DR e Anti-MCP1) foram expressos nas células cultivadas de S. molina. Portanto, entende-se que os insetos, a exemplo de S. molina, são um grupo que possuem atividades metabólicas complexas e o entendimento dessas atividades permitirá, no futuro, delinear novas formas de controle biológico. Além disso, os dados inéditos sobre o sistema hematopoiético dos insetos apresentado nesse trabalho, além constitui um subsídio fundamental para estabelecer futuros modelos importantes para estudos de estratégias de controle biológico, como também poderá auxiliar no desenvolvimento de técnicas para combater doenças transmitidas por insetos.<br>Syssphinx molina (Cramer) is considered a species of phytosanitary interest, it can be curse of some plants cultivated by man, in addition, in monoculture plantations, accidents may occur with the larvae of this species, causing dermatitis in workers. The main objective of this study is to obtain and characterize the undifferentiated embryonic cells of Syssphinx molina. Eggs of the species will be obtained through pregnant female moths, collected by the team of the Coleção Zoológica do Maranhão (CZMA), Universidade Estadual do Maranhão (UEMA), Campus Caxias-MA. The eggs were characterized and compared with eggs of other phylogenetically close species of S. molina. Primary cultures of S. molina embryonic cells were cultured for 20 days, Two passes occurred and proceeded with freezing. After thawing of the cells, there were 10 passes. Cell samples from each passage were analyzed to obtain cell cycle data and cell characteristics through the use of markers: Anti-Axons, Anti-Caspase 3 ativa, Anti-CD105, Anti-CD117, Anti-CD24, Anti-CD43, Anti-CD73, Anti-CD90/Thy1, Anti-Ciclina D1, Anti GM 130, Anti-HLA DR, Anti-HSP47, Anti-HSP70,. Anti-KI67, Anti-MCP1, Anti- Oct 3/4, Anti-p53, Anti RAB 5, Anti-SSEA4, Anti-Stro-1, Anti-TGF beta 1, Anti-Vimentina e Schneider L2. For the first time a protocol for cooling eggs of S. molina is determined, as well as protocol for primary and secondary culture of embryonic cells of this species. The gestational age of S. molina eggs and compared to eggs of other species of moths of the same subfamily. Cell cycle analysis and markers confirm the high rate of cell proliferation, however, analysis with the active Anti-Caspase 3 and Anti-P53 antibodies showed the percentage of programmed cell death (apoptosis) is generally greater than 25 % in the analyzed cell populations. Markers Anti GM130 and anti RAB 5, which participate respectively, recruitment of proteins by cis phase of the Golgi apparatus and endosome maturation process, scored more than 50% of the cells in the samples analyzed. Anti-HLA-DR, which reveals T lymphocyte membrane proteins, with a percentage generally greater than 30% labeling. Among the multi- and pluripotent cell markers, the one that scored the highest cell rate was Anti-CD117, which binds to hematopoietic stem cells. All antibodies used to label cells from the hematopoietic system (Anti-CD24, Anti-CD43, Anti-CD73, Anti-CD90 / Thy1, Anti-HLA DR and Anti-MCP1) were expressed in the cultured cells of S. molina. Therefore, it is understood that insects, like S. molina, are a group that has complex metabolic activities and the understanding of these activities will, in the future, outline new forms of biological control. In addition, the unpublished data on the hamatopoietic system of insects presented in this work, beyond is a key benefit to establish future important models for studies of biological control strategies, but may also assist in the development of techniques to combat diseases transmitted by insects.

São estimadas 90 mil espécies de insetos para o Cerrado, o segundo maior bioma brasileiro, com enorme heterogeneidade de habitats e rica fauna. Dentre esses insetos, os Lepidoptera representam cerca de 10% do total de espécies. Entretanto, estudos sobre seus imaturos (ovo, larva e pupa) ainda são incipientes para o bioma, principalmente sobre as mariposas, cujas histórias naturais de muitas espécies ainda são desconhecidas. A falta desses estudos faz com que sejam ignoradas as interações multitróficas em que esses organismos estão envolvidos e, portanto, inviabiliza futuros estudos relacionados ao seu papel em comunidades e redes ecológicas. Esse é o caso de muitas espécies da família Geometridae, incluindo Oospila pallidaria, que é uma mariposa esmeralda (devido à coloração verde esmeralda das suas asas). Oospila pallidaria é uma espécie herbívora que não possuía até o momento nenhuma informação publicada sobre a sua biologia e fatores que condicionam sua ocorrência, tais como: a fenologia da planta hospedeira, que pode determinar o período de melhores condições para crescimento e reprodução; a qualidade nutricional dos recursos alimentares (e. g. quantidade de água e nitrogênio), que pode determinar quais recursos conferem melhor desenvolvimento/performance a um herbívoro; os inimigos naturais, que podem restringir a ocorrência dos herbívoros e a temperatura e pluviosidade, que podem alterar a qualidade e a distribuição geográfica dos recursos alimentares utilizados pelos herbívoros. Nesse sentido, o objetivo principal deste estudo foi descrever, pela primeira vez, aspectos da biologia e história natural de O. pallidaria (Capítulo 1) e avaliar a sua performance larval, a partir de diferentes dietas (Capítulo 2). Os resultados apresentados no Capítulo 1 mostraram que os ovos de O. pallidaria, verdes e com duração média de sete dias, foram solitários e ovipostos principalmente nos tricomas das folhas maduras. As larvas se alimentaram de folhas maduras predominantemente, mas utilizaram folhas jovens e botões florais oportunisticamente. As larvas tiveram coloração críptica, se camuflaram em meio às folhas de Mimosa setosa (Leguminosae: Mimosoideae), sua única hospedeira, e desenvolveram o comportamento de auto-limpeza. Há cinco ínstares larvais, com coloração que variou de amarelo a verde. As larvas apresentaram também um par de projeções no protórax e linha mediana marrom na região dorsal. O comprimento máximo do corpo das larvas foi de 28 mm. As pupas foram predominantemente verdes, com no máximo 10 mm de comprimento. O desenvolvimento do ovo ao adulto durou cerca de 50 dias ( = 42; S = 6; n = 11). Seu único inimigo natural registrado foi o microhimenóptero Cotesia sp. (Braconidae, Microgastrinae). Fêmeas de O. pallidaria produziram 65 ovos em média (S = 7,07; n = 2). A ocorrência de O. pallidaria foi sazonal e sobreposta ao pico de presença de folhas maduras. Larvas foram negativamente relacionadas à temperatura e pluviosidade, com significância estatística somente para a primeira (r = - 0.5889, P < 0.05). No Capítulo 2, foi mostrado que as folhas maduras de M. setosa foram o único recurso alimentar disponível durante todo o ano. Os botões florais foram o recurso com maior qualidade nutricional (conteúdo relativo de água e nitrogênio total), seguidos por folhas jovens e maduras respectivamente. Entretanto, a sobrevivência de O. pallidaria foi maior com folhas maduras. Os resultados indicam que para o herbívoro especialista O. pallidaria, a fenologia da planta hospedeira é crucial para sua sobrevivência, em especial a presença de folhas maduras de M. setosa. Por outro lado, os botões florais são recursos efêmeros, porém importantes para a sobrevivência das larvas de últimos ínstares no final da estação seca, quando as folhas maduras estão ressecadas e/ou senescentes.<br>It is estimated 90.000 species of insects for the Cerrado, the second largest Brazilian biome, with great diversity of habitats and rich fauna. Among these insects, Lepidoptera represents about 10% of all species. However, studies on their immature stages (egg, larvae and pupae) are incipient for the biome, mostly on moths, whose natural histories of many species are unknown. The lack of these studies makes the multitrophic interactions in that these organisms are involved ignored and, therefore, prevent future studies related to their role in communities and ecological networks. This is the case of many species of Geometridae, including Oospila pallidaria, which is an emerald moth (due to emerald green color of their wings). Oospila pallidaria is a herbivorous species that had not published any information on their biology and factors that influence their occurrence, such as: the phenology of the host plant, which can determine the time of better conditions for growth and reproduction; the nutritional quality of food resources (e. g. amount of water and nitrogen), which can determine what resources provide better development/performance to a herbivore; natural enemies, that could restrict the occurrence of herbivores and the temperature and rainfall, which can change the quality and geographical distribution of food resources used by herbivores. Accordingly, the aim of this study was to describe, for the first time, aspects of the biology and natural history of O. pallidaria (Chapter 1) and to assess their larval performance from different diets (Chapter 2). The results presented in Chapter 1 showed that eggs of O. pallidaria, green and lasting an average of seven days, were lonely and laid especially in trichomes of mature leaves. The larvae fed on mature leaves predominantly, but used young leaves and flower buds opportunistically. Larvae had cryptic coloration, they camouflaged among the leaves of Mimosa setosa (Leguminosae: Mimosoideae), a single host, and developed the self-cleaning behavior. There are five larval instars, with color ranging from yellow to green. The larvae also had a pair of projections on prothorax and brown midline in the dorsal region. The maximum length of the larvaes body was 28 mm. The pupae were predominantly green, with a maximum of 10 mm in length. The development from egg to adult lasted about 50 days ( = 42, S = 6, n = 11). Their only natural enemy recorded was the microhymenopteran Cotesia sp. (Braconidae, Microgastrinae). Oospila pallidaria females produced 65 eggs on average (S = 7.07; n = 2). The occurrence of O. pallidaria was seasonal and overlapped on the peak presence of mature leaves. Larvae were negatively related to temperature and rainfall, with statistical significance only for the first (r = - 0.5889, P < 0.05). In Chapter 2, it was shown that mature leaves of M. setosa were the only food source available throughout the year. The flower buds were the resource with higher nutritional quality (relative water content and total nitrogen), followed by young and mature leaves respectively. However, the survival of O. pallidaria was greater with mature leaves. The results indicate that for the specialist herbivore O. pallidaria, the host plant phenology is critical for its survival, especially the presence of mature leaves of M. setosa. On the other hand, the flower buds are ephemeral resources, but important for the survival of the last instar larvae in the dry season, when mature leaves are withered and/or senescent.

Pink bollworm (PBW), Pectinophora gossypiella (Saunders), diapause larval exit from immature green bolls and larval and pupal mortality after exiting bolls, were studied at Phoenix, AZ in the insectary. Diapause larvae exited immature bolls sporadically during January, February, and early March. Thereafter, exit from the bolls was more consistent and highest numbers emerged in late April, May or early June. Larval and pupal mortality were high during January to early February and March, decreased in mid-March through early June, and increased again in mid-June to early August. Larvae remained in immature bolls as long as 319 days after harvest. Moth emergence was significantly correlated to accumulated heat units (12.8 and 30.6°C lower and upper developmental thresholds).

Toxoneuron nigriceps is a koinobiont larval endoparasitoid of the tobacco budworm, Heliothis virescens. No koinobiont parasitoid (which develop in active, growing hosts) has been reared completely in vitro. However, T. nigriceps has been partially reared in vitro, from egg stage through 2nd larval instar and from 2nd to 3rd larval instar. Despite reaching its final larval instar, T. nigriceps failed to develop past the larval stage. In the following study, two aspects of T. nigriceps development, post-egression tissue feeding and cocoon formation through pupation, were examined to determine why T. nigriceps failed to develop in vitro beyond the larval stage and how in vitro rearing might be improved to rear T. nigriceps to adulthood. The importance of post-egression feeding and the possibility of developing an artificial post-egression diet were examined by manipulating the post-egression feeding behavior of T. nigriceps. The tissues of pre- and post-tissue feeding T. nigriceps larvae were analyzed to investigate the macronutritional benefit of post-egression feeding. A preliminary artificial post-egression diet was tested, and the putative quality of T. nigriceps reared to adulthood using this diet was examined. The formation of subterranean pupation chambers by healthy and parasitized H. virescens larvae was examined to investigate potential behavioral manipulation by T. nigriceps during this process. Finally, the potential use of artificial pupation chambers by T. nigriceps was investigated. Post-egression feeding was determined to be a vital part of T. nigriceps development, contributing to both parasitoid size and survival to adulthood. A preliminary artificial post-egression diet was developed, which facilitated rearing of T. nigriceps from 3rd larval instar to adulthood. The dimensions and burial depth of chambers formed by parasitized H. virescens were significantly different from those of chambers formed by healthy H. virescens, suggesting that T. nigriceps manipulated host behavior during excavation. Toxoneuron nigriceps was able to use a number of common laboratory items as substitute pupation chambers during cocoon formation, and the merits of several artificial chambers were discussed. With provision of an adequate post-egression and artificial pupation chamber, in vitro rearing of T. nigriceps from the larval stage to adulthood may be possible.

This outstanding work is the ultimate guide for the identification of Australia’s butterflies. Nearly 400 species – all those currently recognised from Australia, plus those from surrounding islands – are represented, with all adults and some immature stages displayed in stunning colour sections. &#x0D; Introductory chapters cover the history of publications, classification, morphology, distribution, conservation and collection, together with a checklist of the butterfly fauna. The body of the text is arranged systematically, providing a wealth of information including description, variation, similar behaviour, distribution and habitat, and major literature references, giving a comprehensive summary of the present state of knowledge of these insects. Appendices provide details of those species recorded from Australian islands outside the Australian faunal subregion, those protected by legislation, the larval food plants, and the attendant ants. Extensive references, a glossary and an index of scientific and common names complete the work.&#x0D; Joint Winner of the 2001 Whitley Medal. &#x0D; Finalist Scholarly Reference section - The Australian Awards for Excellence in Educational Publishing 2001.

This chapter assesses several kinds of insects in the suborder Homoptera which are turfgrass pests. These include the greenbug (an aphid), two-lined spittlebug, several species of mealybugs, and several scales. Mealybugs and scales are in the superfamily of scales, Coccoidea. Mealybugs occur worldwide and are widely distributed throughout the United States. Immature mealybugs are called “crawlers,” and may move from where they hatched. Adult female mealybugs are wingless and resemble the immatures in shape. Males resemble tiny gnats, with a single pair of wings and three pairs of red, simple eyes. The life cycles of most turf-inhabiting species of mealybugs are not well understood. The chapter then looks at the Rhodegrass mealybug, buffalograss mealybugs, and the ground pearl.

The inconsistencies discussed in chapter 1 point toward two fundamental problems in need of solution: how to relate the environmental influence inherent in phenotype development to the genetic emphasis of evolutionary theory—Lewontin’s dilemma—and how to view the diverse phenomena of plasticity and development so as to illuminate evolutionary thinking in new ways—Wallace’s challenge. This chapter briefly describes some important, previously recognized connections among phenotypic flexibility, development, and evolution. It then defines key concepts for the chapters that follow. Important contributions toward a synthesis of development and evolution have accumulated over a period of many years. Some insights appear repeatedly in that cycle of inspiration and amnesia that characterizes important discoveries ahead of their times (for a concise review, see Hall, 1992, pp. 171-174). Some of these insights deal with the phenomenology of development and evolution—evidence that certain behavioral and developmental phenomena have influenced evolution in particular groups or in particular ways. These ideas, long familiar to evolutionary biologists, are the starting points for any attempt at a modern synthesis. Each of them will reappear again in later chapters. It does not require great sophistication in biology to realize that juveniles and adults have distinctive, divergent adaptations. Familiar extreme examples are the caterpillar and the butterfly, the tadpole and the frog. In such metamorphosing species, the juvenile has a dramatically different morphology, behavior, and ecology from that of the adult. Some hypermetamorphic insects show a striking series of differently specialized larval stages, and it is probably true of most organisms that juveniles and adults have different, evolved characteristics appropriate to their different niches, if for no other reason than the different requirements for dispersal, respiration, feeding, and defense that confront individuals of differing size (Schmidt-Nielsen, 1984; see also McKinney and McNamara, 1991). As a corrolary of this, different life stages evolve semi-independently. Thus, immature stages may evolve and diversify, undergoing their own adaptive radiations. Many authors have been impressed with the conservatism of certain aspects of early development.

Biomaterial sciences approaches are as of now crucial systems for the improvement of regenerative cell and medication. Present day material advances take into consideration the improvement of inventive biomaterials that nearly compare to prerequisites of the current biomedical application. A few biomaterials helpful for unmistakable applications in restorative sciences, incorporating into tissue repair and organ reproduction. Natural materials for example, agarose, collagen, alginate, chitosan or fibrin completely coordinate with living tissues of the beneficiary and have low cytotoxicity. Biomaterials, for example, ceramics and metals, are now utilized as inserts to supplant or enhance the usefulness of the harmed tissue or organ. Additionally, the constant advancement of present day innovation opens new experiences of polymeric and smart material applications. Biomaterials may improve the immature microorganisms organic movement and their usage by setting up an explicit microenvironment emulating characteristic cell specialty.