Geometric Morphometrics Captures Variations in Wing Development of Black Soldier Flies

The black soldier fly is considered an important insect due to its ability to convert organic wast into high quality organic fertilizer. Studies have shown that food quality at the larvae stage contributes greatly to their development. In this study, we applied geometric morphometric measurements to access the variations in the black soldier fly fed on different food substrates as captured in the wings. Eggs of black soldier fly were collected from the field and cultured on different food substrates such as; restaurant waste, fruit waste, wheat brand and layer meal until maturity. The right fore wing of 140 individuals of black were used for the experiment. The results showed a significant difference between the shape of landmarks within each food substrate group. Landmark 3, 7 and 9, corresponding to end of first radial vein R1, intersession between medio-cubital vein and cubito-anal vein (m-cu and CuA), and intersission between cubito Anal vein and Anal vein (CuA + Cup) contributed most to the variation between the different food substrates. Partial least square showed a strong association between food substrate and wing development. Therefore, the variations in wing development could be due to the impact of nutritional compositions quality of the different food substrates.

Alcohol potentiates a pheromone signal in flies

For decades, numerous researchers have documented the presence of the fruit fly or Drosophila melanogaster on alcohol-containing food sources. Although fruit flies are a common laboratory model organism of choice, there is relatively little understood about the ethological relationship between flies and ethanol. In this study, we find that when male flies inhabit ethanol-containing food substrates they become more aggressive. We identify a possible mechanism for this behavior. The odor of ethanol potentiates the activity of sensory neurons in response to an aggression-promoting pheromone. Finally, we observed that the odor of ethanol also promotes attraction to a food-related citrus odor. Understanding how flies interact with the complex natural environment they inhabit can provide valuable insight into how different natural stimuli are integrated to promote fundamental behaviors.

Molecular Genetic Methods in Microbiological Control of Food Products

There are a number of technologies and business applications that identify nucleic acids of various microorganisms. Technologies based on DNA analysis are the most promising direction in the molecular-genetic identification of the microbiota in food substrates. The present paper is a review of various aspects of microorganism identification in food substrates, their advantages and disadvantages. It features modern regulatory, scientific, and methodological sources, as well as patented solutions. The authors pay considerable attention to the classical methods and describe the use of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in microbiota analysis. Then, they trace the development of next-generation sequencing (NGS) of DNA and how it can be used to identify pathogens in food substrates. So far, NGS proves to be the most advantageous method that identifies prokaryotic and eukaryotic microorganisms, as well as pathogens.

BIOAKTIVITAS EKSTRAK SARANG SEMUT Myrmecodia pendens TERHADAP RAYAP TANAH Coptotermes curvignathus Holmgren

Myrmecodia pendens are epiphytic plants which known as herbal plants in some region in Indonesia. The purpose of this study was to examine Myrmecodia pendens extracts with different concentrations against subterranean termites Coptotermes curvignathus Holmgren. The research was conducted at the Wood Technology Laboratory, Forestry Faculty, Tanjungpura University for three months. Myrmecodia pendens was from Maluku Island. 50 gram Myrmecodia pendens was extract with methanol with ratio 1:3, then the extract was made into five concentrations i.e. 2%, 4%, 6%, 8% and 10%. Filter paper then dipped into the extract solution and used for food substrates of termites. The bioassay was conducted for 21 days in termite’s chamber room. Each treatment has three replications. The indicator used for evaluate the effectiveness of the extract was termites mortality and filter paper weight loss. The results showed the rendemen of Myrmecodia pendens extract was 24.1888 gram (23.1576%). The average value of termite’s mortality was 67.33% - 100.00%. The concentration of 2% has termites mortality values of 67.33% and included in the category of strong levels of anti-termite activity. The highest termite’s mortality value was achieved on concentration of 10%. The average value of filter paper weight loss was 33.54% – 65.27%. The highest concentration of the extracts resulted in the lowest filter paper weight loss. Meanwhile on control treatment the average values of termites mortality was 14.67% and the filter paper weight loss was 73.22%. The extract Myrmecodia pendens was effectives to inhibition the subterranean termites attacks. The optimum concentration of Myrmecodia pendens extract was achieved at concentration 6% with termites mortality value was 78% with category of very strong levels of anti-termite activity.Keywords : antitermites, Coptotermes curvignathus, Myrmecodia pendens, preservation