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Dai M, Jiang Z, Li F, Wei J, Li B. A parasitoid regulates 20E synthesis and antibacterial activity of the host for development by inducing host nitric oxide production. INSECT MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2024; 33:206-217. [PMID: 38180144 DOI: 10.1111/imb.12890] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2023] [Accepted: 12/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024]
Abstract
Parasitoids are important components of the natural enemy guild in the biological control of insect pests. They depend on host resources to complete the development of a specific stage or whole life cycle and thus have evolved towards optimal host exploitation strategies. In the present study, we report a specific survival strategy of a fly parasitoid Exorista sorbillans (Diptera: Tachinidae), which is a potential biological control agent for agricultural pests and a pest in sericulture. We found that the expression levels of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) and nitric oxide (NO) production in host Bombyx mori (Lepidoptera: Bombycidae) were increased after E. sorbillans infection. Reducing NOS expression and NO production with an NOS inhibitor (NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester hydrochloride) in infected B. mori significantly impeded the growth of E. sorbillans larvae. Moreover, the biosynthesis of 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E) in infected hosts was elevated with increasing NO production, and inhibiting NOS expression lowered 20E biosynthesis. More importantly, induced NO synthesis was required to eliminate intracellular bacterial pathogens that presumably competed for shared host resources. Inhibiting NOS expression down-regulated the transcription of antimicrobial peptide genes and increased the number of bacteria in parasitized hosts. Collectively, this study revealed a new perspective on the role of NO in host-parasitoid interactions and a novel mechanism for parasitoid regulation of host physiology to support its development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minli Dai
- School of Basic Medicine and Biological Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Zhe Jiang
- School of Basic Medicine and Biological Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Fanchi Li
- School of Basic Medicine and Biological Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
- Sericulture Institute of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jing Wei
- School of Basic Medicine and Biological Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
- Sericulture Institute of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Bing Li
- School of Basic Medicine and Biological Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
- Sericulture Institute of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
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2
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Yang J, Xu Q, Shen W, Jiang Z, Gu X, Li F, Li B, Wei J. The Toll/IMD pathways mediate host protection against dipteran parasitoids. JOURNAL OF INSECT PHYSIOLOGY 2024; 153:104614. [PMID: 38272205 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinsphys.2024.104614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2023] [Revised: 12/30/2023] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 01/27/2024]
Abstract
Parasitoids have utilized a variety of strategies to counteract host defense. They are in different taxonomic status and exhibit phenotypic and genetic diversity, and thus are thought to evolve distinct anti-defense mechanisms. In this study, we investigated the performance of two closely related parasitoids, Exorista japonica and Exorista sorbillans (Diptera: Tachinidae) that are biological control agents in agriculture and major insect pests in sericulture, on the host Bombyx mori. We show that the host is more susceptible to E. sorbillans infection while relatively resistant to E. japonica infection. Moreover, the expression levels of host antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) genes are repressed at early infection and induced at late infection of E. japonica, while AMPs are over-expressed at early infection and return to normal levels at late infection of E. sorbillans. In parallel, Toll and IMD pathway genes are generally induced at late infection of E. japonica, whereas these genes are up-regulated at early infection and down-regulated at late infection of E. sorbillans. Activating of host Toll/IMD pathways and AMPs expression by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) represses the larval growth of E. sorbillans. Conversely, inhibiting host Toll/IMD pathways by RNA interference significantly promotes E. japonica development. Therefore, the Toll/IMD pathways are required in the host for defense against infection of dipteran parasitoids. Overall, our study provides the new insight into the diversified host-parasitoid interactions, and offers a theoretical basis for further studies of the adaptive mechanism of dipteran parasitoids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin Yang
- School of Basic Medicine and Biological Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215123, China; Sericulture Institute of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215123, China
| | - Qian Xu
- School of Basic Medicine and Biological Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215123, China
| | - Wenwen Shen
- Institutes of Biology and Medical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215123, China
| | - Zhe Jiang
- School of Basic Medicine and Biological Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215123, China
| | - Xinran Gu
- School of Basic Medicine and Biological Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215123, China
| | - Fanchi Li
- School of Basic Medicine and Biological Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215123, China; Sericulture Institute of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215123, China
| | - Bing Li
- School of Basic Medicine and Biological Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215123, China; Sericulture Institute of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215123, China.
| | - Jing Wei
- School of Basic Medicine and Biological Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215123, China; Sericulture Institute of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215123, China; Guangxi Collaborative Innovation Center of Modern Sericulture and Silk, School of Chemistry and Bioengineering, Hechi University, Yizhou, China.
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3
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Liu X, Gu H, Xu Q, Jiang Z, Li B, Wei J. Determination of suitable reference genes for RT-qPCR normalisation in Bombyx mori (Lepidoptera: Bombycidae) infected by the parasitoid Exorista sorbillans (Diptera, Tachinidae). BULLETIN OF ENTOMOLOGICAL RESEARCH 2023; 113:845-857. [PMID: 37997795 DOI: 10.1017/s0007485323000536] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2023]
Abstract
The silkworm Bombyx mori (Lepidoptera: Bombycidae) is a lepidopteran model insect of great economic importance. The parasitoid Exorista sorbillans (Diptera, Tachinidae) is the major pest of B. mori and also a promising candidate for biological control. However, the molecular interactions between hosts and dipteran parasitoids have only partially been studied. Gene expression analysis by reverse-transcription quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) is indispensable to characterise their interactions. Accurate normalisation of RT-qPCR-based gene expression requires the use of reference genes that are constantly expressed irrespective of experimental conditions. In this study, the expression stability of 13 traditionally used reference genes was estimated by five statistical algorithms (ΔCt, geNorm, Normfinder, BestKeeper, and RefFinder) to determine the best reference genes for gene expression studies in different tissues of B. mori under E. sorbillans parasitism. Specifically, TATA-box-binding protein was the best reference gene in epidermis and testis, while elongation factor 1α was the most stable gene in prothoracic gland and midgut. Elongation factor 1γ, ribosomal protein L3, actin A1, ribosomal protein L40, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase and eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4A were the most suitable genes in head, silk gland, fat body, haemolymph, Malpighian tubule and ovary, respectively. Our study offers a set of suitable reference genes for gene expression normalisation in B. mori under the parasitic stress of E. sorbillans, which will benefit the in-depth exploration of host-dipteran parasitoid interactions, and also provide insights for further improvements of B. mori resistance against parasitoids and biocontrol efficacy of dipteran parasitoids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinyi Liu
- School of Basic Medicine and Biological Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, 215123, China
| | - Haoyi Gu
- School of Basic Medicine and Biological Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, 215123, China
| | - Qian Xu
- School of Basic Medicine and Biological Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, 215123, China
| | - Zhe Jiang
- School of Basic Medicine and Biological Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, 215123, China
| | - Bing Li
- School of Basic Medicine and Biological Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, 215123, China
- Sericulture Institute of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, 215123, China
| | - Jing Wei
- School of Basic Medicine and Biological Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, 215123, China
- Sericulture Institute of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, 215123, China
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Zhang J, Huang J, Tang Y, Lu Y, Zhou Z. Construction of a Banker Plant System via the Host Switch Trait of a Natural Enemy Aenasius bambawalei. Life (Basel) 2023; 13:2115. [PMID: 38004255 PMCID: PMC10672032 DOI: 10.3390/life13112115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2023] [Revised: 10/08/2023] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Understanding the most effective host switch patterns in parasitic wasps, specifically Aenasius bambawalei (AB), is crucial for effectively controlling pests like Penacoccus solenopsis (PSS). This study aims to elucidate AB's ideal host switch pattern and assess its utility in maintaining synchronization between AB and PSS, thereby aiding in PSS control. We examined various host switch patterns and cycles to evaluate their impact on AB's offspring's parasitism rates and fitness in laboratory conditions. Concurrently, we assessed the fitness of both PSS and AB on tomato plants using different banker plant systems to maintain field synchronization. Results indicate that the three-repeat T1 host switch pattern of PSS-Penacoccus solani (PSI)-PSS was the most effective. Additionally, a specific banker plant system, "System B", which provided succulent plants hosting PSI, was optimal for synchronizing AB and PSS in a summer greenhouse setting. Our findings underscore the importance of employing specific host switch patterns and banker plant systems to effectively control PSS in the field. This research offers foundational data for incorporating a banker plant system into integrated pest management strategies for enhanced PSS control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Zhang
- Institute of Garden Plants and Flowers, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou 311251, China; (J.Z.); (Y.T.)
| | - Jun Huang
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agricultural Products, Key Laboratory of Biotechnology in Plant Protection of MOA of China and Zhejiang Province, Institute of Plant Protection and Microbiology, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou 310021, China;
| | - Yayuan Tang
- Institute of Garden Plants and Flowers, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou 311251, China; (J.Z.); (Y.T.)
- College of Forestry and Biotechnology, Zhejiang A & F University, Hangzhou 311300, China
| | - Yaobin Lu
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agricultural Products, Key Laboratory of Biotechnology in Plant Protection of MOA of China and Zhejiang Province, Institute of Plant Protection and Microbiology, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou 310021, China;
| | - Zhongshi Zhou
- Institute of Plant Protection, Chinease Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
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Yang J, Jiang Z, Xu Q, Liu X, Dai M, Li B, Wei J. Evaluation of suitable reference genes for expression analysis using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction in the parasitoid Exorista sorbillans (Diptera: Tachinidae). ARCHIVES OF INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY 2023; 113:e22009. [PMID: 36879498 DOI: 10.1002/arch.22009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2023] [Revised: 02/21/2023] [Accepted: 02/22/2023] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
The parasitoid Exorista sorbillans (Diptera: Tachinidae) is a larval endoparasitoid of the silkworm Bombyx mori, causing severe damage to silkworm cocoon industry. It is also an important natural enemy resource of insect pests in agriculture and forestry. Despite their roles in biocontrol and pest status on sericulture, there has been limited research on the functional studies of dipteran parasitoids. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) is the most commonly used to address gene functions. Using qRT-PCR, stably expressed reference genes under different experimental conditions are required to normalize the expression of target genes. However, no information regarding suitable qRT-PCR reference genes in dipteran parasitoids has been reported. In this study, we evaluate the expression stability of nine commonly used reference genes in insects including eukaryotic translation elongation factor 1δ (eEF1δ), elongation factor 2, 18S ribosomal RNA (18S rRNA), tubulin 3, actin87, ribosomal protein 49 (RP49), ribosomal protein S15, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, and TATA-box binding protein (TBP) in E. sorbillans under different treatments, including tissues, developmental stages, genders, feeding density and pesticide stress, using ∆Ct , BestKeeper, geNorm, Normfinder and RefFinder, respectively. The results showed that the genes RP49, eEF1δ and 18S rRNA were recommended as the most suitable reference genes in E. sorbillans across all experimental conditions. This finding provides the necessary foundation for future functional studies in E. sorbillans and its effective use in both sericulture and pest control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin Yang
- School of Basic Medicine and Biological Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Zhe Jiang
- School of Basic Medicine and Biological Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Qian Xu
- School of Basic Medicine and Biological Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xinyi Liu
- School of Basic Medicine and Biological Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Minli Dai
- School of Basic Medicine and Biological Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Bing Li
- School of Basic Medicine and Biological Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
- Sericulture Institute of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jing Wei
- School of Basic Medicine and Biological Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
- Sericulture Institute of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
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Wang SS, Wang LL, Pu YX, Liu JY, Wang MX, Zhu J, Shen ZY, Shen XJ, Tang SM. Exorista sorbillans (Diptera: Tachinidae) parasitism shortens host larvae growth duration by regulating ecdysone and juvenile hormone titers in Bombyx mori (Lepidoptera: Bombycidae). JOURNAL OF INSECT SCIENCE (ONLINE) 2023; 23:7187155. [PMID: 37256698 DOI: 10.1093/jisesa/iead034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2023] [Revised: 05/09/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
The tachinid fly, Exorista sorbillans, is a notorious ovolarviparous endoparasitoid of the silkworm, Bombyx mori, causing severe damage to silkworm cocoon industry. Silkworm larvae show typically precocious wandering behavior after being parasitized by E. sorbillans; however, the underlying molecular mechanism remains unexplored. Herein, we investigated the changes in the levels of 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E) and juvenile hormone (JH) titer, and they both increased in the hemolymph of parasitized silkworms. Furthermore, we verified the expression patterns of related genes, which showed an upregulation of 20E signaling and biosynthesis genes but a significant downregulation of ecdysone oxidase (EO), a 20E inactivation enzyme, in parasitized silkworms. In addition, related genes of the JH signaling were activated in parasitized silkworms, while related genes of the JH degradation pathway were suppressed, resulting in an increase in JH titer. Notably, the precocious wandering behavior of parasitized silkworms was partly recoverable by silencing the transcriptions of BmCYP302A1 or BmCYP307A1 genes. Our findings suggest that the developmental duration of silkworm post parasitism could be shortened by regulation of 20E and JH titers, which may help silkworm to resist the E. sorbillans infestation. These findings provide a basis for deeper insight into the interplay between silkworms and E. sorbillans and may serve as a reference for the development of a novel approach to control silkworm myiasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shan-Shan Wang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Sericultural Biology and Biotechnology, School of Biotechnology, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu 212100, China
| | - Lei-Lei Wang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Sericultural Biology and Biotechnology, School of Biotechnology, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu 212100, China
| | - Yue-Xia Pu
- Guangxi General Station for Sericulture Technology Popularization, Nanning, Guangxi 530007, China
| | - Ji-Yin Liu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Sericultural Biology and Biotechnology, School of Biotechnology, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu 212100, China
| | - Mei-Xian Wang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Sericultural Biology and Biotechnology, School of Biotechnology, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu 212100, China
- Key Laboratory of Silkworm and Mulberry Genetic Improvement, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Sericultural Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu 212100, China
| | - Juan Zhu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Sericultural Biology and Biotechnology, School of Biotechnology, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu 212100, China
- Key Laboratory of Silkworm and Mulberry Genetic Improvement, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Sericultural Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu 212100, China
| | - Zhong-Yuan Shen
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Sericultural Biology and Biotechnology, School of Biotechnology, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu 212100, China
- Key Laboratory of Silkworm and Mulberry Genetic Improvement, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Sericultural Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu 212100, China
| | - Xing-Jia Shen
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Sericultural Biology and Biotechnology, School of Biotechnology, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu 212100, China
- Key Laboratory of Silkworm and Mulberry Genetic Improvement, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Sericultural Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu 212100, China
| | - Shun-Ming Tang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Sericultural Biology and Biotechnology, School of Biotechnology, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu 212100, China
- Key Laboratory of Silkworm and Mulberry Genetic Improvement, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Sericultural Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu 212100, China
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Composition and structure of winter aphid–parasitoid food webs along a latitudinal gradient in Chile. Oecologia 2022; 200:425-440. [DOI: 10.1007/s00442-022-05270-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2021] [Accepted: 09/27/2022] [Indexed: 10/31/2022]
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Dai ML, Ye WT, Jiang XJ, Feng P, Zhu QY, Sun HN, Li FC, Wei J, Li B. Effect of Tachinid Parasitoid Exorista japonica on the Larval Development and Pupation of the Host Silkworm Bombyx mori. Front Physiol 2022; 13:824203. [PMID: 35250625 PMCID: PMC8889078 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2022.824203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2021] [Accepted: 01/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The Tachinidae are natural enemies of many lepidopteran and coleopteran pests of crops, forests, and fruits. However, host-tachinid parasitoid interactions have been largely unexplored. In this study, we investigated the effects of tachinids on host biological traits, using Exorista japonica, a generalist parasitoid, and the silkworm Bombyx mori, its lepidopteran host, as models. We observed that E. japonica parasitoidism did not affect silkworm larval body weight gain and cocooning rate, whereas they caused shortened duration of molting from the final instar to the pupal stage, abnormal molting from larval to pupal stages, and a subsequent decrease in host emergence rate. Moreover, a decrease in juvenile hormone (JH) titer and an increase in 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E) titer in the hemolymph of parasitized silkworms occurred. The transcription of JH and 20E responsive genes was downregulated in mature parasitized hosts, but upregulated in parasitized prepupae while Fushi tarazu factor 1 (Ftz-f1), a nuclear receptor essential in larval ecdysis, showed dramatically reduced expression in parasitized hosts at both the mature and prepupal stages. Moreover, the transcriptional levels of BmFtz-f1 and its downstream target genes encoding cuticle proteins were downregulated in epidermis of parasitized hosts. Meanwhile, the content of trehalose was decreased in the hemolymph, while chitin content in the epidermis was increased in parasitized silkworm prepupae. These data reveal that the host may fine-tune JH and 20E synthesis to shorten developmental duration to combat established E. japonica infestation, while E. japonica silences BmFtz-f1 transcription to inhibit host pupation. This discovery highlights the novel target mechanism of tachinid parasitoids and provides new clues to host/tachinid parasitoid relationships.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min-Li Dai
- School of Basic Medicine and Biological Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Wen-Tao Ye
- School of Basic Medicine and Biological Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | | | - Piao Feng
- School of Basic Medicine and Biological Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Qing-Yu Zhu
- School of Basic Medicine and Biological Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Hai-Na Sun
- School of Basic Medicine and Biological Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
- Sericulture Institute of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Fan-Chi Li
- School of Basic Medicine and Biological Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
- Sericulture Institute of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Jing Wei
- School of Basic Medicine and Biological Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
- Sericulture Institute of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Jing Wei,
| | - Bing Li
- School of Basic Medicine and Biological Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
- Sericulture Institute of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
- Bing Li,
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Kankaanpää T, Abrego N, Vesterinen E, Roslin T. Microclimate structures communities, predation and herbivory in the High Arctic. J Anim Ecol 2020; 90:859-874. [PMID: 33368254 PMCID: PMC8049004 DOI: 10.1111/1365-2656.13415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2020] [Accepted: 12/14/2020] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
In a warming world, changes in climate may result in species‐level responses as well as changes in community structure through knock‐on effects on ecological interactions such as predation and herbivory. Yet, the links between these responses at different levels are still inadequately understood. Assessing how microclimatic conditions affect each of them at local scales provides information essential for understanding the consequences of macroclimatic changes projected in the future. Focusing on the rapidly changing High Arctic, we examine how a community based on a common resource species (avens, Dryas spp.), a specialist insect herbivore (Sympistis zetterstedtii) and natural enemies of lepidopteran herbivores (parasitoids) varies along a multidimensional microclimatic gradient. We ask (a) how parasitoid community composition varies with local abiotic conditions, (b) how the community‐level response of parasitoids is linked to species‐specific traits (koino‐ or idiobiont life cycle strategy and phenology) and (c) whether the effects of varying abiotic conditions extend to interaction outcomes (parasitism rates on the focal herbivore and realized herbivory rates). We recorded the local communities of parasitoids, herbivory rates on Dryas flowers and parasitism rates in Sympistis larvae at 20 sites along a mountain slope. For linking community‐level responses to microclimatic conditions with parasitoid traits, we used joint species distribution modelling. We then assessed whether the same abiotic variables also affect parasitism and herbivory rates, by applying generalized linear and additive mixed models. We find that parasitism strategy and phenology explain local variation in parasitoid community structure. Parasitoids with a koinobiont strategy preferred high‐elevation sites with higher summer temperatures or sites with earlier snowmelt and lower humidity. Species of earlier phenology occurred with higher incidence at sites with cooler summer temperatures or later snowmelt. Microclimatic effects also extend to parasitism and herbivory, with an increase in the parasitism rates of the main herbivore S. zetterstedtii with higher temperature and lower humidity, and a matching increase in herbivory rates. Our results show that microclimatic variation is a strong driver of local community structure, species interactions and interaction outcomes in Arctic ecosystems. In view of ongoing climate change, these results predict that macroclimatic changes will profoundly affect arctic communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tuomas Kankaanpää
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Nerea Abrego
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Eero Vesterinen
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.,Biodiversity Unit, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Tomas Roslin
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.,Department of Ecology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
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10
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Corcos D, Cerretti P, Caruso V, Mei M, Falco M, Marini L. Impact of urbanization on predator and parasitoid insects at multiple spatial scales. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0214068. [PMID: 30943220 PMCID: PMC6447152 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0214068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2018] [Accepted: 03/06/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Landscapes are becoming increasingly urbanized, causing loss and fragmentation of natural habitats, with potentially negative effects on biodiversity. Insects are among the organisms with the largest diversity in urbanized environments. Here, we sampled predator (Ampulicidae, Sphecidae and Crabronidae) and parasitoid (Tachinidae) flower-visiting insects in 36 sites in the city of Rome (Italy). Although the diversity of herbivorous insects in urban areas mostly depends on the availability of flowering plants and nesting sites, predators and parasitoids generally require a larger number of resources during their life cycle, and are expected to be particularly influenced by urbanization. As flower-visitors can easily move between habitat patches, the effect of urbanization was tested at multiple spatial scales (local, landscape and sub-regional). We found that urbanization influenced predator and parasitoid flower-visitors at all three spatial scales. At the local scale, streets and buildings negatively influenced evenness of predators and species richness and abundance of parasitoids probably acting as dispersal barrier. At the landscape scale, higher percentage of urban decreased predator abundance, while increasing their evenness, suggesting an increase in generalist and highly mobile species. Area and compactness (i.e. Contiguity index) of urban green interactively influenced predator communities, whereas evenness of parasitoids increased with increasing Contiguity index. At the sub-regional scale, species richness and abundance of predators increased with increasing distance from the city center. Compared to previous studies testing the effect of urbanization, we found little variation in species richness, abundance and evenness along our urbanization gradient. The current insect fauna has been probably selected for its tolerance to habitat loss and fragmentation, being the result of the intensive anthropogenic alteration occurred in the area in the last centuries. Conservation strategies aimed at predator and parasitoid flying insects have to take in account variables at multiple spatial-scales, as well as the complementarity of resources across the landscape.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daria Corcos
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology “Charles Darwin”, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
- Department of Agronomy, Food, Natural Resources, Animals and the Environment (DAFNAE), University of Padova, Legnaro (Padua), Italy
- * E-mail:
| | - Pierfilippo Cerretti
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology “Charles Darwin”, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Valerio Caruso
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology “Charles Darwin”, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Maurizio Mei
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology “Charles Darwin”, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Matteo Falco
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology “Charles Darwin”, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Marini
- Department of Agronomy, Food, Natural Resources, Animals and the Environment (DAFNAE), University of Padova, Legnaro (Padua), Italy
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Pohjoismäki JLO, Kahanpää J, Mutanen M. DNA Barcodes for the Northern European Tachinid Flies (Diptera: Tachinidae). PLoS One 2016; 11:e0164933. [PMID: 27814365 PMCID: PMC5096672 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0164933] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2016] [Accepted: 10/04/2016] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
This data release provides COI barcodes for 366 species of parasitic flies (Diptera: Tachinidae), enabling the DNA based identification of the majority of northern European species and a large proportion of Palearctic genera, regardless of the developmental stage. The data will provide a tool for taxonomists and ecologists studying this ecologically important but challenging parasitoid family. A comparison of minimum distances between the nearest neighbors revealed the mean divergence of 5.52% that is approximately the same as observed earlier with comparable sampling in Lepidoptera, but clearly less than in Coleoptera. Full barcode-sharing was observed between 13 species pairs or triplets, equaling to 7.36% of all species. Delimitation based on Barcode Index Number (BIN) system was compared with traditional classification of species and interesting cases of possible species oversplits and cryptic diversity are discussed. Overall, DNA barcodes are effective in separating tachinid species and provide novel insight into the taxonomy of several genera.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaakko L. O. Pohjoismäki
- University of Eastern Finland, Department of Environmental and Biological Sciences, P.O.Box 111, 80101, Joensuu, Finland
| | - Jere Kahanpää
- University of Helsinki, Finnish Museum of Natural History, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Marko Mutanen
- Department of Genetics and Physiology, PO. Box 3000, 90014 University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
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