Effects of cold-acclimation on supercooling and survival of the rusty grain beetle, Cryptolestes ferrugineus (Stephens) (Coleoptera: Cucujidae), at subzero temperatures

1970 ◽  
Vol 48 (4) ◽  
pp. 853-858 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. B. Smith

The survival of non-acclimated adults and large larvae (third and fourth instar) of Cryptolestes ferrugineus (Stephens) was found to be greater than that of pupae, small larvae (first instar), and eggs at −12°, −6°, and 2 °C. The effect of acclimation on adult survival at subfreezing temperatures was determined. Different degrees of acclimation were achieved by exposing adults for different periods of time at 15 °C. At −6° and −12 °C adult survival increased as the time of acclimation increased. The LT50 of acclimated adults increased as much as nine times at − 6 °C and 56 times at −12 °C compared to the LT50 of non-acclimated adults. The supercooling point of adults was lowered from −16.5 °C for non-acclimated adults to − 20 °C for adults acclimated at 15 °C and to −21 °C for adults acclimated at 15° and then 4 °C. It is suggested that C. ferrugineus is able to survive the winter in unheated granaries in the Prairie Provinces mainly because of its ability to acclimate to low temperatures.

2014 ◽  
Vol 147 (2) ◽  
pp. 158-168 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ahmed Y. Abdelghany ◽  
Duangsamorn Suthisut ◽  
Paul G. Fields

AbstractThe warehouse beetle, Trogoderma variabile Ballion (Coleoptera: Dermestidae), is a stored-product pest with scant information on its cold tolerance. Ninety-two per cent of larvae reared in isolation at 30 °C went into diapause in the seventh instar, the remaining 8% emerged as adults in 50 days. Diapausing larvae died after 142 days in the 10th instar. The cold tolerance at 0 °C from highest to lowest was; old larvae>pupae>adult=young larvae>eggs. The LT50 (lethal time for 50% of the population) for grouped (non-diapause) non-acclimated old larvae at 0 °C, −5 °C, −10 °C, −16 °C, and −19 °C were; 20, 11, 5, 1, and 1 day, the LT95 were; 38, 15, 10, 5, and 1 days, respectively. The LT50 for isolated (diapausing), cold-acclimated old larvae at the same temperatures were; 275, 125, 74, 26, and 18 days, and the LT95 were; 500, 160, 100, 45, 20 days, respectively. The supercooling point (SCP) of different stages of non-acclimated insects ranged from −25.3 °C (eggs) to −16.1 °C (young larvae). The most cold hardy stage, isolated and acclimated old larvae, had a SCP of −24.9 °C. The potential of using low temperatures to control T. variabile is discussed.


2014 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 479-488 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Backhaus ◽  
R. de la Torre ◽  
K. Lyhme ◽  
J.-P. de Vera ◽  
J. Meeßen

AbstractSeveral investigations on lichen photobionts (PBs) after exposure to simulated or real-space parameters consistently reported high viability and recovery of photosynthetic activity. These studies focused on PBs within lichen thalli, mostly exposed in a metabolically inactive state. In contrast, a recent study exposed isolated and metabolically active PBs to the non-terrestrial stressor UVC254 nm and found strong impairment of photosynthetic activity and photo-protective mechanisms (Meeßen et al. in 2014b). Under space and Mars conditions, UVC is accompanied by other stressors as extreme desiccation and low temperatures. The present study exposed the PBs of Buellia frigida and Circinaria gyrosa, to UVC in combination with desiccation and subzero temperatures to gain better insight into the combined stressors' effect and the PBs' inherent potential of resistance. These effects were examined by chlorophyll a fluorescence which is a good indicator of photosynthetic activity (Lüttge & Büdel in 2010) and widely used to test the viability of PBs after (simulated) space exposure. The present results reveal fast recovery of photosynthetic activity after desiccation and subzero temperatures. Moreover, they demonstrate that desiccation and cold confer an additional protective effect on the investigated PBs and attenuate the PBs' reaction to another stressor – even if it is a non-terrestrial one such as UVC. Besides other protective mechanisms (anhydrobiosis, morphological–anatomical traits and secondary lichen compounds), these findings may help to explain the high resistance of lichens observed in astrobiological studies.


1991 ◽  
Vol 113 (4) ◽  
pp. 423-429 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xuemei Bai ◽  
David E. Pegg

The self-heated thermistor technique was used to measure the thermal conductivity and thermal diffusivity of biomaterials at low temperatures. Thermal standards were selected to calibrate the system at temperatures from −10°C to −70°C. The thermal probes were constructed with a convection barrier which eliminates convection inside liquid samples of low viscosity, without affecting the conductivity and diffusivity results. Using this technique, the thermal conductivity and diffusivity of two organ perfusates (HP5 and HP5 + 2M glycerol), one kidney phantom (a low ionic strength gel), as well as rabbit kidney cortex have been measured from −10°C to −70°C.


2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 104
Author(s):  
Dosma Ulina Simbolon ◽  
Maryani Cyccu Tobing ◽  
Darma Bakti

<p><em>Stenocranus pacificus </em>Kirkaldy (Hemiptera: Delphacidae) is destructive pest on corn plants in South Lampung and it has been reported to cause corn damages in North Sumatra. The  objective of this research was to study some aspects biology of <em>S. pacificus</em> on corn plants in screenhouse. The research was conducted by observing the biology of <em>S. pacificus</em> that was reared on corn plants in screenhouse.<em> </em>The results showed that life cycle of <em>S. pacificus </em>was 38–47 (41,60 ± 3,19) days: egg was 9–11 (10,20 ± 0,79) days, the first instar nymph was 3–4 (3,70 ± 0,48) days, the second instar nymph was 3–4 (3,90 ± 0,32) days, the third instar nymph was 3–4 (3,70 ± 0,48) days, the fourth instar nymph was 3–4 (3,80 ± 0,42) days, and the fifth instar nymph was 3–4 (3,60 ± 0,52) days. Age of female was 13–17 (15,30 ± 1,34) days. It was longer than age of male which was 8–12 (10,10 ± 1,20) days. Female could produce 181–214 (197,60 ± 11,64) eggs during its life. The sex ratio was 1:1,98.</p>


1951 ◽  
Vol 42 (2) ◽  
pp. 355-370 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Muspratt

Living specimens of Megarhinus brevipalpis were transported from southern Natal to Johannesburg to establish an insectary-bred colony. The natural habitat of these predatory mosquitos consisted of small isolated patches of sub-tropical forest, in which the rainfall is 40–50 ins. (102–127 cm.) with a mean winter temperature of 64°F. (17·7°C.) and an annual range of 27°–33°F. (15°–18°C). The breeding places were leaf axils of Strelitzia nicolai (a plant resembling a wild banana), small rot holes in trees and larger ones in Strelitzia stumps. The larvae were collected from leaf axils with an apparatus consisting of a rubber bulb to which were attached lengths of glass and rubber tubing.The insectary was a room 9 ft.×8 ft. 6 ins. and 9 ft. high which was kept at tropical heat and humidity. Mating of the adults was observed, copulation being effected while at rest or in flight. Oviposition was usually accomplished in flight but also while at rest on the surface of the water. In the summer time two females, which were tested, laid about 85 eggs each during the month following emergence from the pupa, six or seven days elapsing after emergence before the first oviposition. In the middle of the winter, oviposition (with later generations) became very irregular in spite of the temperature and humidity remaining constant. The adults, which were comparable to those of the natural habitat, were fed on sugar solution, honey and fruit juice. One bred out as a gynandromorph.When given an abundant supply of larvae of laboratory bred Aëdes aegypti, the life-cycle of M. brevipalpis was normally : egg (incubation), less than two days ; larva, 11–20 days (average 14·5 days) ; pupa, five days. This does not include a small number of exceptional cases in which the life as a fully grown larva was abnormally prolonged (in one case nearly four months) for reasons which are not absolutely clear. The larvae killed from 100 to 200 or more Aëdes larvae during the normal larval life, but many of these were not eaten when the brevipalpis were in the late fourth instar. By a special technique they were also induced to eat dead tissues including minced pork brawn, minced maggots and minced flies. Except for the latter these were not satisfactory foods although there was slow development.Fourth-instar larvae were kept out of water for three to four weeks (without food), in a damp atmosphere, and afterwards when fed most of them developed normally, but pupation was sometimes suspended for a considerable time. They have been sent by post (out of water) in tubes with damp cotton wool and filter paper.The egg differed from that of other Megarhinus species in having a crown of projections at one end with a cup-like structure in the centre. The exochorion had roughly hexagonal cells but without numerous tubercles as in other species.First-instar larvae remained in the egg-shell after hatching when the eggs-were out of water but on a damp surface and in a saturated atmosphere. They survived like this for up to six days or about the same time as the larvae survived in tap water if there was no food. When liberated in water the head of the first-instar larva was comparatively small with the mouth parts folded in. Within two hours of liberation in water the head enlarged considerably and the mouth parts came into position ; the larva was then ready to catch its Culicine prey. When in water containing dead leaves, these larvae survived from a few days to over four weeks and some grew to the third instar without any Culicine food.Cannibalism was investigated. Fourth-instar larvae did not attack each other readily ; they devoured smaller larvae of their own species and small to medium size larvae resorted to cannibalism, particularly in the absence of Culicine prey. There was evidence that fourth-instar Aëdes aegypti occasionally ate first-instar Megarhinus.The discussion traces attempts which have been made in certain Pacific islands, notably Hawaii and Fiji, to use Megarhines for biological control of disease-carrying mosquitos. M. brevipalpis has a shorter life-cycle than the species introduced into these islands and the conclusion reached is that laboratory breeding, to enable large numbers to be released in certain areas, would be a suitable adjunct to a programme of general control, in this part of the world. Airmail consignments of larvae are being sent to Hawaii with the object of starting a laboratory colony there.


1996 ◽  
Vol 128 (5) ◽  
pp. 825-830 ◽  
Author(s):  
David R. Horton ◽  
Tamera M. Lewis ◽  
Lisa G. Neven

AbstractOverwintering pear psylla, Cacopsylla pyricola (Foerster), were misted with water or with one of several dilute solutions of water and surfactant, and then exposed to a range of subzero temperatures for 24 h. Misted psylla had significantly greater mortality than unmisted controls. Increases in mortality occurred at temperatures as warm as −6°C, a temperature well within the range of conditions in the field. At extreme low temperatures (−18°C) there was virtually no mortality in the unmisted controls, whereas mortality approached or reached 100% in several of the misted groups. Temperatures necessary to kill 50% of insects estimated for topically treated psylla ranged between −2.6 and −12.7°C for surfactant-treated insects, and below −18°C for water-treated or control insects. The possibility of using surfactants and water for control of overwintering pear psylla is discussed.


1970 ◽  
Vol 15 ◽  
pp. 1-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
GC Biswas ◽  
W Islam ◽  
MM Haque

The duration of hatching, larval instars and pupal stages of Stethorus punctillum feeding on two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae were investigated in different seasons under laboratory conditions. The highest values of different developmental stages were obtained during winter. Higher temperature significantly reduced the duration of different developmental stages. No significant effect of relative humidity was exerted on the development stages of S. punctillum. The predation rate of fourth instar larva of S. punctillum was the highest whereas the first instar larva consumed the lowest number of prey. The fourth instar larva of the predator consumed 135.8 eggs, 126.4 larvae, 96.6 nymphs and 72.8 adults per day separately. But the first instar consumed 41.6 eggs, 36.2 larvae, 26.8 nymphs and 16.8 adults during the same period. Keywords: Developmental durations, predation, Tetranychus urticae, Stethorus punctillum   doi: 10.3329/jbs.v15i0.2196 J. bio-sci. 15: 1-5, 2007


1985 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 177-181 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. A. Enobakhare

AbstractThe biology of the aphid, Cerataphis variabilis H.R.L., on Raphia hookeri Mann & Wendl., was studied in the laboratory and the field using a ‘clip-on’ cage and a sleeve cage. The first instar lasted 5.1 days. The second and third instars each lasted 2.45 days, while the fourth instar lasted 2.4 days. The total developmental period of the nymphs was 11.3 days at 26.4 ± 1.43°C and r.h. 83 ± 1.46%; 11.6 days at 26.4 ± 1.63°C and r.h. 85 ± 1.19%; 12.9 days at 27.9 ± 1.04°C and r.h. 75.5 ± 1.64%; 12.95 days at 27.8 ± 0.33°C and r.h. 69 ± 1.23%; 15 days at 21.4 ± 0.58°C and r.h. 45 ± 1.77%. These periods were significantly different at 5% level (LSD = 0.59 days). The higher the temperature and relative humidity the shorter the developmental period (with temperature: r = −0.69, 20.8–28.9°C; r.h.: r = −0.97, 43.2–86.2%). The number of progeny per adult ranged from 54 to 60 in a period of 28–31 days. The longevity ranged from 31 to 34 days.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document