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Vommaro ML, Donato S, Lo LK, Brandmayr P, Giglio A. Anatomical study of the red flour beetle using synchrotron radiation X-ray phase-contrast micro-tomography. J Anat 2023; 242:510-524. [PMID: 36417320 PMCID: PMC9919503 DOI: 10.1111/joa.13796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2022] [Revised: 11/07/2022] [Accepted: 11/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Synchrotron X-ray phase-contrast microtomography (SR-PhC micro-CT) is well established, fast and non-destructive imaging technique for data acquisition that is currently being used to obtain new insights into insect anatomy and function in physiological, morphological and phylogenetic studies. In this study, we described in situ the internal organs of the red flour beetle Tribolium castaneum Herbst 1797, a widespread pest of cereals and stored food causing serious damage to the human economy. Two-dimensional virtual sections and volumetric reconstructions of the nervous, alimentary and reproductive systems were carried out in both sexes. The results provided a comprehensive overview of the morphological characteristics of this species, such as the different maturation stages of ovarioles and the realistic location, size and shape of internal organs. Given the great interest in this model species in experimental biology and forensic entomology, complete knowledge of the general anatomy is required for future functional applications in pest control and experimental studies. In addition, this study confirms SR-PhC micro-CT as a powerful and innovative tool in entomology, particularly suitable for small species and chitinized structures that are difficult to analyse using conventional dissection and histological methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Luigia Vommaro
- Department of Biology, Ecology and Earth Science, University of Calabria, Cosenza, Italy
| | - Sandro Donato
- Department of Physics, University of Calabria, Cosenza, Italy.,Division of Frascati, Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare, Rome, Italy
| | - Lai Ka Lo
- Animal Evolutionary Ecology Group, Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Pietro Brandmayr
- Department of Biology, Ecology and Earth Science, University of Calabria, Cosenza, Italy
| | - Anita Giglio
- Department of Biology, Ecology and Earth Science, University of Calabria, Cosenza, Italy
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Lo LK, R R, Tewes LJ, Milutinović B, Müller C, Kurtz J. Immune Stimulation via Wounding Alters Chemical Profiles of Adult Tribolium castaneum. J Chem Ecol 2023; 49:46-58. [PMID: 36539674 PMCID: PMC9941273 DOI: 10.1007/s10886-022-01395-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2022] [Revised: 11/20/2022] [Accepted: 11/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Group-living individuals experience immense risk of disease transmission and parasite infection. In social and in some non-social insects, disease control with immunomodulation arises not only via individual immune defenses, but also via infochemicals such as contact cues and (defensive) volatiles to mount a group-level immunity. However, little is known about whether activation of the immune system elicits changes in chemical phenotypes, which may mediate these responses. We here asked whether individual immune experience resulting from wounding or injection of heat-killed Bacillus thuringiensis (priming) leads to changes in the chemical profiles of female and male adult red flour beetles, Tribolium castaneum, which are non-social but gregarious. We analyzed insect extracts using GC-FID to study the chemical composition of (1) cuticular hydrocarbons (CHCs) as candidates for the transfer of immunity-related information between individuals via contact, and (2) stink gland secretions, with analysis of benzoquinones as main active compounds regulating 'external immunity'. Despite a pronounced sexual dimorphism in CHC profiles, wounding stimulation led to similar profile changes in males and females with increases in the proportion of methyl-branched alkanes compared to naïve beetles. While changes in the overall secretion profiles were less pronounced, absolute amounts of benzoquinones were transiently elevated in wounded compared to naïve females. Responses to priming were insignificant in CHCs and secretions. We suggest that changes in different infochemicals after wounding may mediate immune status signaling in the context of both internal and external immune responses in groups of this non-social insect, thus showing parallels to social immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lai Ka Lo
- grid.5949.10000 0001 2172 9288Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity, University of Münster, Hüfferstr. 1, 48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Reshma R
- grid.5949.10000 0001 2172 9288Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity, University of Münster, Hüfferstr. 1, 48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Lisa Johanna Tewes
- grid.7491.b0000 0001 0944 9128Department of Chemical Ecology, Bielefeld University, Universitätsstr. 25, 33615 Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Barbara Milutinović
- grid.5949.10000 0001 2172 9288Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity, University of Münster, Hüfferstr. 1, 48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Caroline Müller
- grid.7491.b0000 0001 0944 9128Department of Chemical Ecology, Bielefeld University, Universitätsstr. 25, 33615 Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Joachim Kurtz
- Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity, University of Münster, Hüfferstr. 1, 48149, Münster, Germany.
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Duarte S, Magro A, Tomás J, Hilário C, Ferreira RB, Carvalho MO. Antifungal Activity of Benzoquinones Produced by Tribolium castaneum in Maize-Associated Fungi. INSECTS 2022; 13:868. [PMID: 36292816 PMCID: PMC9603965 DOI: 10.3390/insects13100868] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2022] [Revised: 09/19/2022] [Accepted: 09/20/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) adults produce 1,4-benzoquinone (BQ), methyl-1,4-benzoquinone (MBQ), and ethyl-1,4-benzoquinone (EBQ). These components are chemical defenses used as repellents and irritants, and BQ has a negative impact on the growth of some fungal species. In this work, the inhibitory and/or lethal effects of these benzoquinones on the development of six fungi identified in maize, namely Aspergillus flavus, A. fumigatus, A. niger, Fusarium sp., Penicillium sp., and Trichoderma sp., were evaluated. Ten-day-long disk diffusion trials were performed using benzoquinones. The experiments simulated the activity of BQ (B1) or "EBQ + MBQ" (B2) released by 40-day-old insect adults (n = 200), considering a total average release of 45 µg per adult. Inhibition halos imposed by benzoquinones on fungal growth showed a significant effect when compared with the controls (water and solvent). Mycelial growth was decreased for all fungi, with the level of response depending on the fungal species. B1 and B2 displayed an inhibitory effect against all fungi, but Trichoderma sp. and A. niger showed rapid recoveries. B2 showed a lethal effect on Penicillium sp. The inhibitory and lethal activities of benzoquinones released by T. castaneum adults may contribute to regulate fungal growth, and understanding their interaction is important to develop innovative control strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sónia Duarte
- LEAF-Linking Landscape, Environment, Agriculture and Food, TERRA—Laboratory for Sustainable Land Use and Ecosystem Services, Universidade de Lisboa, Instituto Superior de Agronomia, Tapada da Ajuda, 1349-017 Lisboa, Portugal
- Instituto Superior de Agronomia, Universidade de Lisboa, Tapada da Ajuda, 1349-017 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Ana Magro
- Instituto Superior de Agronomia, Universidade de Lisboa, Tapada da Ajuda, 1349-017 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Joanna Tomás
- Instituto Superior de Agronomia, Universidade de Lisboa, Tapada da Ajuda, 1349-017 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Carolina Hilário
- Instituto Superior de Agronomia, Universidade de Lisboa, Tapada da Ajuda, 1349-017 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Ricardo Boavida Ferreira
- LEAF-Linking Landscape, Environment, Agriculture and Food, TERRA—Laboratory for Sustainable Land Use and Ecosystem Services, Universidade de Lisboa, Instituto Superior de Agronomia, Tapada da Ajuda, 1349-017 Lisboa, Portugal
- Instituto Superior de Agronomia, Universidade de Lisboa, Tapada da Ajuda, 1349-017 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Maria Otília Carvalho
- LEAF-Linking Landscape, Environment, Agriculture and Food, TERRA—Laboratory for Sustainable Land Use and Ecosystem Services, Universidade de Lisboa, Instituto Superior de Agronomia, Tapada da Ajuda, 1349-017 Lisboa, Portugal
- Instituto Superior de Agronomia, Universidade de Lisboa, Tapada da Ajuda, 1349-017 Lisboa, Portugal
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Baek S, Noh MY, Mun S, Lee SJ, Arakane Y, Kim JS. Ultrastructural analysis of beetle larva cuticles during infection with the entomopathogenic fungus, Beauveria bassiana. PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE 2022; 78:3356-3364. [PMID: 35509233 DOI: 10.1002/ps.6962] [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: 10/06/2021] [Revised: 03/16/2022] [Accepted: 05/04/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Beauveria bassiana is one of the commercially available entomopathogenic fungi (EPF), and a number of isolates with high virulence and broad host spectrum have been used to control agricultural and forest pests. Although the functional importance of genes in EPFs' pathogenesis have been extensively studied, the precise ultrastructural mechanism of the fungal infection, particularly penetration of the host insect cuticles, is not well understood. RESULTS In this study, we investigated the morphology and ultrastructure of the larval cuticle of the red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum, after treatment with B. bassiana ERL1170 expressing an enhanced green fluorescent protein (Bb-eGFP). The Bb-eGFP showed high virulence against the larvae, with approximately 90% mortality at 48 h after treatment (HAT) and 100% at 72 HAT under our infection conditions. In these larvae, the regions of the body wall with flexible cuticles, such as the ventral and ventrolateral thorax and abdomen, became darkly melanized, but there was little to no melanization in the rigid dorsal cuticular structures. Confocal microscopy and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) indicated that germinated conidia on the surface of the larval cuticle were evident at 6 HAT, which formed penetration pegs and began to penetrate the several cuticle layers/laminae by 12 HAT. The penetration pegs then developed invading hyphae, some of which passed through the cuticle and reached the epidermal cells by 24 HAT. The larval cuticle was aggressively and extensively disrupted by 48 HAT, and a number of outgrowing hyphae were observed at 72 HAT. CONCLUSIONS Our results indicate that Bb-eGFP is capable of infection and penetrating T. castaneum larvae shortly after inoculation (~24 HAT) at the body regions with apparently flexible and membranous cuticles, such as the ventral intersegmental regions and the ventrolateral pleura. This study provides details on the histopathogenesis of the host cuticle by infection and penetration of EPFs, which can facilitate the management of insect pests. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sehyeon Baek
- Department of Agricultural Biology, Jeonbuk National University, Jeonju, South Korea
| | - Mi Young Noh
- Department of Forest Resources, AgriBio Institute of Climate Change Management, College of Agriculture & Life Sciences, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, South Korea
| | - Seulgi Mun
- Department of Applied Biology, College of Agriculture & Life Sciences, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, South Korea
| | - Se Jin Lee
- Department of Agricultural Life Science, Sunchon National University, Suncheon, South Korea
| | - Yasuyuki Arakane
- Department of Applied Biology, College of Agriculture & Life Sciences, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, South Korea
| | - Jae Su Kim
- Department of Agricultural Biology, Jeonbuk National University, Jeonju, South Korea
- Department of Agricultural Convergence Technology, Jeonbuk National University, Jeonju, South Korea
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Sirasoonthorn P, Kamiya K, Miura K. Antifungal roles of adult-specific cuticular protein genes of the red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum. J Invertebr Pathol 2021; 186:107674. [PMID: 34606828 DOI: 10.1016/j.jip.2021.107674] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2021] [Revised: 09/11/2021] [Accepted: 09/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
The insect cuticle is a composite structure that can further be divided into a few sub-structural layers. Its large moiety comprises a lattice of chitin fibrils and structural proteins, both of which are stabilized by covalent bonding among them. The cuticle covers the whole surface of insect body, and thus has long been suggested for the involvement in defense against entomopathogens, especially entomopathogenic fungi that infect percutaneously. We have been addressing this issue in the past few years and have so far demonstrated experimentally that chitin synthase 1, laccase2 as well as benzoquinone synthesis-related genes of Tribolium castaneum have indispensable roles in the antifungal host defense. In the present study we focused on another major component of the insect cuticular integument, structural cuticular proteins. We chose three genes coding for adult-specific cuticular proteins, namely CPR4, CPR18 and CPR27, and examined their roles in forming immunologically sound adult cuticular integuments. Analyses of developmental expression revealed that the three genes showed high level expression in the pupal stage. These results are consistent with their proposed roles in constructing cuticle of adult beetles. The RNA interference-mediated gene knockdown was employed to silence these genes, and the administration of double strand RNAs in pupae resulted in the adults with malformed elytra. The single knockdown of the three genes attenuated somewhat the defense of the resulting adult beetles against Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium anisopliae, but statistical analyses indicated no significant differences from controls. In contrast, the double or triple knockdown mutant beetles displayed a drastic disruption of the host defense against the two entomopathogenic fungal species irrespective of the combination of targeted cuticular protein genes, demonstrating the important roles of the three cuticular protein genes in conferring robust antifungal properties on the adult cuticle. Scanning electron microscopic observation revealed that the germination of conidia attached on the adult body surface was still suppressed after the gene knockdown as in the case of wild-type beetles, suggesting that the weakened antifungal phenotypes resulted from the combined knockdown of the adult-specific cuticular protein genes could not be accounted for by the disfunction of secretion/retention of fungistatic benzoquinone derivatives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patchara Sirasoonthorn
- Applied Entomology Laboratory, Department of Animal Sciences, Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences, Nagoya University, Furo-Cho, Chikusa, Nagoya 464-8601, Japan
| | - Katsumi Kamiya
- Applied Entomology Laboratory, Department of Animal Sciences, Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences, Nagoya University, Furo-Cho, Chikusa, Nagoya 464-8601, Japan
| | - Ken Miura
- Applied Entomology Laboratory, Department of Animal Sciences, Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences, Nagoya University, Furo-Cho, Chikusa, Nagoya 464-8601, Japan.
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Zemek R, Konopická J, Ul Abdin Z. Low Efficacy of Isaria fumosorosea against Box Tree Moth Cydalima perspectalis: Are Host Plant Phytochemicals Involved in Herbivore Defence against Fungal Pathogens? J Fungi (Basel) 2020; 6:E342. [PMID: 33291302 PMCID: PMC7762155 DOI: 10.3390/jof6040342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2020] [Revised: 11/30/2020] [Accepted: 12/03/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Buxus sp. is an important native and ornamental tree in Europe threatened by a serious invasive pest Cydalima perspectalis. The larvae of this moth are able to defoliate box trees and cause their death. The development of novel biopesticides targeting this pest might help protect Buxus trees grown wildly or in city parks. Laboratory experiments were conducted to assess the efficacy of entomopathogenic fungus Isaria fumosorosea strain CCM 8367 against C. perspectalis. The last-instar larvae of the box tree moth were treated by the suspension of fungus conidia at concentrations ranging from 1 × 104 to 1 × 108 spores per 1 mL. Fungus infection was observed mostly in pupae, but the maximum mortality did not exceed 60%, indicating a very low susceptibility of C. perspectalis to I. fumosorosea. Furthermore, a number of ungerminated fungal conidia were found on larval cuticles using a low-temperature scanning electron microscopy. Our data also reveal that the hydroalcoholic extract from B. sempervirens leaves significantly inhibits both the germination of I. fumosorosea conidia and fungus growth. It can be speculated that the strain CCM 8367 of I. fumosorosea is not a potent biocontrol agent against C. perspectalis and low virulence of the fungus might be due to the accumulation of host plant phytochemicals having antimicrobial activity in larval cuticle of the pest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rostislav Zemek
- Arthropod Ecology and Biological Control Research Group, Ton Duc Thang University, Ho Chi Minh City 758307, Vietnam;
- Faculty of Applied Sciences, Ton Duc Thang University, Ho Chi Minh City 758307, Vietnam
- Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Entomology, 370 05 České Budějovice, Czech Republic;
| | - Jana Konopická
- Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Entomology, 370 05 České Budějovice, Czech Republic;
- Department of Plant Production, Faculty of Agriculture, University of South Bohemia, 370 05 České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Zain Ul Abdin
- Arthropod Ecology and Biological Control Research Group, Ton Duc Thang University, Ho Chi Minh City 758307, Vietnam;
- Faculty of Applied Sciences, Ton Duc Thang University, Ho Chi Minh City 758307, Vietnam
- Department of Entomology, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad 38000, Pakistan
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