吡虫啉对蜜蜂幼虫的室内毒性研究

吡虫啉是目前使用最广泛的新烟碱类农药,其不合理使用破坏蜜蜂的嗅觉记忆能力,影响采集行为,导致多种亚致死效应。利用室内人工饲养蜜蜂幼虫技术,选取意大利蜜蜂幼虫为研究对象,经3 d适应性饲养后,连续3 d喂食含不同浓度的吡虫啉日粮,测定蜜蜂幼虫的存活率、化蛹率和羽化率,评估吡虫啉对蜜蜂幼虫生长发育影响。结果表明,吡虫啉处理剂量为15ng·幼虫~(-1)时,并不影响蜜蜂幼虫存活率、化蛹率和羽化率;当处理剂量达到150 ng·幼虫~(-1)时,蜜蜂幼虫羽化率下降,但不影响蜜蜂幼虫的存活率和化蛹率;幼虫7 d半数致死剂量为2 300 ng·幼虫~(-1)。高剂量吡虫啉对蜜蜂幼虫存活率、化蛹率和羽化率均存在影响,处理剂量越高,存活率、化蛹率和羽化率越低,呈高度负相关(r=-0.99,-0.94,-0.89),同时蜜蜂幼虫的羽化时间延长。研究可为吡虫啉的合理使用提供科学参考。     

西北地膜高投入地区土壤与玉米邻苯二甲酸酯(PAEs)含量水平与健康风险评估

在西北地膜高投入的甘肃、新疆和内蒙古等3省(区)选择地膜覆盖面积较大、地膜使用量较高的5个典型县,同步采集玉米产地的土壤和玉米,采用加速溶剂萃取-高效液相色谱串联质谱技术对土壤与玉米籽粒中6种优先控制的领苯二甲酸酯(PAEs)含量进行分析.结果表明,研究区域土壤中∑_6PAEs含量为(0.532±0.175) mg·kg~(-1),区间为0.103—1.117 mg·kg~(-1).新疆∑_6PAEs含量最高.DEP在所有土壤样品中均未检出,其余5种PAEs组分含量依次为DEHP DnBP DMP BBP、DnOP.土壤PAEs均以DEHP和DnBP为主,其中DEHP占35%—65%,DnBP占24%—33%,其余PAEs组分含量和占比较低.研究区域玉米籽粒中∑_6PAEs含量为(0.508±0.105) mg·kg~(-1),区间为0.206—0.966 mg·kg~(-1),玉米对PAEs的BCF为(1.245±0.716).新疆玉米籽粒中∑_6PAEs含量最高.与土壤类似,玉米籽粒中PAEs均以DEHP和DnBP为主,两者合计占PAEs总量的63%—89%,其余PAEs组分含量和占比较低.相关性分析表明,玉米籽粒中PAEs、DnBP及DEHP含量与土壤中对应组分含量的相关性达到了显著性水平.调查区玉米PAEs含量及各组分含量均低于美国和欧洲的建议摄入标准,总体是安全的.成人和儿童的PAEs致癌风险分别为4.67×10~(-6)和1.58×10~(-6),非致癌指数分别为8.46×10~(-2)和7.60×10~(-2),均在可接受范围内.PAEs各组分中,对人体致癌和非致癌总风险贡献最大的均为DEHP.     

印楝素及印楝杀虫剂的安全性评价研究进展

目前开发的新农药必须具有安全性高、残留低、与环境相容的无公害的农药,从一些植物材料中分离出杀虫活性物质来防治害虫具有较长的历史和优势,从印楝中可以分离出多种对害虫具有活性的化合物如印楝素及等可以有效地控制多种害虫。自印楝素被分离鉴定以来,其广谱而独特的生物活性受到人们的广泛关注,印楝素具有良好的杀虫、拒食、驱虫、昆虫生长调节作用等多种生物活性,在农药、日化等领域都有广泛的应用;由印楝素制备的印楝杀虫制剂对害虫的广谱作用、无残留,可减缓害虫的抗药性,是用于蔬菜、果树、茶叶等作物的理想农药,已成为一种近乎完美的植物源杀虫剂。针对日益严重的农药残留及热点关注的环境安全性等问题,系统总结了印楝素及印楝杀虫剂对人、动物等的毒性及环境安全性评价,将有利于全面评价印楝杀虫剂的安全性及有效地指导印楝杀虫剂开发、生产及推广应用。     

不同水源灌溉的农田表层土壤中多氯联苯和多溴联苯醚的浓度分布特征

本工作主要关注北京郊区污水河、地下水及混合水源灌溉的3块农田的表层土壤中,26种多氯联苯(PCBs)和14种多溴联苯醚(PBDEs)的浓度分布特征,并对目标污染物各单体浓度之间的相关性进行了统计学分析.结果显示,所有供试表层土壤样品中共检出26种PCBs(∑26PCBs),浓度水平范围为130—1.93×103ng.kg-1干重.检出的PCBs种类包括12种共平面多氯联苯异构体(15.6—433 ng.kg-1干重),6种指示型多氯联苯异构体(50.7—452 ng.kg-1干重)和其它8种多氯联苯同系物(52.1—1.15×103ng.kg-1干重).同时还检出14种多溴联苯醚同系物(∑14PBDEs),浓度水平范围为1.81—14.4μg.kg-1干重,其中十溴联苯醚(BDE-209)为最主要的组分,约占总组分94%以上.污水河河水和地下水混合灌溉的农田中PCBs和PBDEs的浓度大于地下水灌溉农田中的含量.此外,在所有样品中发现高氯代的多氯联苯同系物(氯原子数≥4)浓度之间存在显著的相关性,可能与灌溉水源和土壤对高氯代联苯的强保留等因素有关.     

内蒙古呼和浩特市大气TSP和PM_(10)中PAHs的健康风险评价

于2012—2013年6月和12月采集了内蒙古呼和浩特市大气颗粒物样品,用GC-MS分析测定其中16种PAHs的浓度,并用苯并(a)芘(Ba P)致癌、致突变等效浓度、终身致癌超额危险度和预期寿命损失3个指标评价了内蒙古呼和浩特市大气颗粒物TSP和PM_(10)中PAHs的人群健康风险。结果显示:内蒙古呼和浩特市大气颗粒物TSP和PM_(10)中PAHs对成人、儿童的日均暴露剂量范围分别为0.71×10~(-6)~2.01×10~(-6)、0.45×10~(-6)~1.28×10~(-6)和0.31×10~(-6)~2.41×10~(-6)、0.19×10~(-6)~1.15×10~(-6)mg·kg~(-1)·d~(-1);TSP和PM_(10)中PAHs对成人和儿童的终身致癌超额危险度范围分别为2.21×10~(-6)~6.24×10~(-6)、1.41×10~(-6)~3.97×10~(-6)和0.95×10~(-6)~7.47×10~(-6)、0.60×10~(-6)~4.75×10~(-6),终身致癌超额危险度均处于可接受水平范围内(10-4~10~(-6))。TSP和PM_(10)中PAHs对成人和儿童的预期寿命损失范围分别为13.74~38.78、8.752~24.70和5.88~46.39、3.74~29.54 min。     

Cd2+胁迫对竹叶眼子菜的毒理学效应分析

以不同浓度Cd2 处理5 d的竹叶眼子菜为实验材料,分析了叶片的光合色素、抗氧化系统、丙二醛(MDA)、可溶性糖、可溶性蛋白等生理生化指标的应答反应,并用透射电镜观察了叶细胞超微结构的变化.随着Cd2 处理浓度的增加,叶绿素含量和超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性下降,而MDA和可溶性糖含量上升;过氧化氢酶(CAT)、过氧化物酶(POD)活性和抗坏血酸(ASA)、还原型谷胱甘肽(GSH)含量分别在2 mg L-1和4 mg L-1时达到峰值;可溶性蛋白含量下降,相对分子质量(Mr)为52.1×103、42.9×103、27.4×103和14.1×103的多肽合成量逐渐减少,但Mr为18.1×103的多肽的合成量增加;叶绿体膨大、解体;线粒体嵴突肿胀、空泡化;核仁分散、核膜断裂、核质散出.结果表明: Cd2 对竹叶眼子菜的光合结构、细胞保护系统以及细胞结构的完整性等都产生明显破坏作用,最终将导致植物死亡.其中SOD、叶绿素和蛋白生物合成各指标的反应较灵敏,可作为水体Cd2 污染的监测指标. Cd2 对竹叶眼子菜的半效应浓度为2.97 mg L-1.图8参27     

中国室内和室外灰尘中邻苯二甲酸酯的分布和健康风险评价

邻苯二甲酸酯(PAEs)是一类内分泌干扰物,作为塑料添加剂被大量生产和使用,其环境污染和风险评价已成为当今关注的焦点。对中国各地区88个室内灰尘样品和86个室外灰尘样品进行了调查,发现邻苯二甲酸酯在两类灰尘中广泛存在,10种邻苯二甲酸酯的总浓度分别为9.60~4 130μg·g~(-1)dw和0.102~1 430μg·g~(-1)dw,且室内灰尘中邻苯二甲酸酯含量高于室外灰尘。研究还表明,不同地区的邻苯二甲酸酯含量差异很大,但邻苯二甲酸(2-乙基己基)酯(DEHP)、邻苯二甲酸二丁酯(DnBP)和邻苯二甲酸二异丁酯(Di BP)在各地区都是主要组分,三者总量占总PAEs的95%以上。估算了成人和儿童每天通过灰尘摄入DEHP、Dn BP、邻苯二甲酸二乙酯(DEP)的总量分别为5.32×10~(-2)~1.81、2.21×10~(-2)~0.595、1.90×10~(-4)~5.62×10~(-3)μg·kg~(-1)bw·d~(-1)和1.20~8.32、0.704~3.47、4.48×10~(-3)~2.43×10~(-2)μg·kg~(-1)bw·d~(-1);灰尘中DEHP对成人和儿童的致癌风险(R)分别为7.45×10-7~2.53×10-6和1.68×10-5~1.16×10~(-4)。上述研究结果为进一步评价该类物质健康风险提供科学依据和基础资料。     

4种烟嘧磺隆多元复配除草剂对意大利蜜蜂和玉米螟赤眼蜂的急性毒性及初级风险评估

为明确4种烟嘧磺隆复配除草剂对意大利蜜蜂和玉米螟赤眼蜂的急性毒性影响并评估其初级风险。采用饲喂法、点滴法和玻璃管药膜法,分别测定了8%烟嘧·氯吡嘧磺隆、16%烟嘧·硝磺·氯吡嘧磺隆、36%烟嘧·莠去津和22%烟嘧·氯吡·氯氟吡氧乙酸异辛酯对意大利蜜蜂成年工蜂和玉米螟赤眼蜂的急性毒性,并分别采用危害商值和安全系数进行初级风险评估。结果表明,上述4种制剂对意大利蜜蜂成年工蜂的经口毒性48 h-LD_(50)(半致死剂量,median lethal dose)分别为68.03、1.60×10~2、1.40×10~2和100μg a.i.·蜂-1,接触毒性48 h-LD_(50)分别为18.53、53.01、89.98和100μg a.i.·蜂-1,危害商值均小于50,对意大利蜜蜂均为低毒且低风险。4种制剂对玉米螟赤眼蜂的急性毒性24 h-LR50(半致死用量,median lethal rate)分别为1.88×10~(-4)、5.46×10~(-4)、2.12×10~(-3)和1.68×10~(-3)mg a.i.·cm~(-2),安全系数分别为0.16、0.23、0.59和0.51,其中8%烟嘧·氯吡嘧磺隆和16%烟嘧·硝磺·氯吡嘧磺隆对玉米螟赤眼蜂为高风险性,36%烟嘧·莠去津和22%烟嘧·氯吡·氯氟吡氧乙酸异辛酯为中等风险性。因此,这4种复配制剂对蜜蜂成年工蜂的风险性较低,但对赤眼蜂的风险性较高,所以在喷洒防除期间应与赤眼蜂释放期错开。     

TMV或宁南霉素处理对烟草叶片及类囊体膜蛋白组成的影响

对烟草花叶病毒(TMV)侵染、宁南霉素钝化处理的烟草叶片进行了叶片全蛋白多肽组分、类囊体膜蛋白组成的分析.结果表明,TMV侵染或钝化实验的烟草叶片中均出现TMV衣壳蛋白;但是与对照相比,TMV侵染叶片中Rubisco大亚基减少、小亚基增加,类囊体膜蛋白中PsaA、PsaB和Mr=33×103蛋白含量减少.表明TMV侵染要同时影响叶片细胞核基因组和叶绿体基因组的基因表达,从而影响光合作用碳代谢和类囊体膜光系统Ⅰ和Ⅱ.宁南霉素对TMV病毒短时间内具有钝化作用,而较长时间的作用效果不同,10 min钝化样品的蛋白组分保持较为完整,而30 min钝化样品的多肽缺失较为严重.图5表1参11     

海榄雌瘤斑螟的生物学特性及Bt对其幼虫的毒力和防效

海榄雌瘤斑螟(Acrobasis sp.)是危害马鞭草科澳洲海榄雌(Avicennia marina var.austrasica)的主要害虫.在深圳红树林一年发生6~7代,每个世代25~32d,其中幼虫历期13~16d,蛹5~6d,成虫7~10d,卵3~5d.幼虫剥食海榄雌的叶肉,8月低龄幼虫蛀食嫩芽及种子,10月低龄幼虫开始在嫩芽内越冬,翌年3月上中旬,越冬幼虫开始活动.每年4月下旬至6月中旬爆发的第2代和第3代密度较大,造成海榄雌大面积危害.在室内,用Bt感染2龄海榄雌瘤斑螟,致死浓度(C)-死亡几率值(Y)测定的回归线为Y=4.66 1.78C,80%的致死浓度LC80为4.60IU/mL;致死时间(T)-死亡几率值(Y)测定的回归线为Y=4.305T-1.51,80%的致死时间LT80为50.86h.在林间,用8~10IU/mL的Bt稀释液喷雾对海榄雌瘤斑螟进行防治实验,平均防效为90.61%.图3表5参8     

Achieving Open Access to Conservation Science

Conservation science is a crisis discipline in which the results of scientific enquiry must be made available quickly to those implementing management. We assessed the extent to which scientific research published since the year 2000 in 20 conservation science journals is publicly available. Of the 19,207 papers published, 1,667 (8.68%) are freely downloadable from an official repository. Moreover, only 938 papers (4.88%) meet the standard definition of open access in which material can be freely reused providing attribution to the authors is given. This compares poorly with a comparable set of 20 evolutionary biology journals, where 31.93% of papers are freely downloadable and 7.49% are open access. Seventeen of the 20 conservation journals offer an open access option, but fewer than 5% of the papers are available through open access. The cost of accessing the full body of conservation science runs into tens of thousands of dollars per year for institutional subscribers, and many conservation practitioners cannot access pay‐per‐view science through their workplace. However, important initiatives such as Research4Life are making science available to organizations in developing countries. We urge authors of conservation science to pay for open access on a per‐article basis or to choose publication in open access journals, taking care to ensure the license allows reuse for any purpose providing attribution is given. Currently, it would cost $51 million to make all conservation science published since 2000 freely available by paying the open access fees currently levied to authors. Publishers of conservation journals might consider more cost effective models for open access and conservation‐oriented organizations running journals could consider a broader range of options for open access to nonmembers such as sponsorship of open access via membership fees. Obtención de Acceso Abierto a la Ciencia de la Conservación     

Representation of the world's biophysical conditions by the global protected area network

Protected areas (PAs) are often implemented without consideration of already existing PAs, which is likely to cause an overrepresentation of certain biophysical conditions. We assessed the representativeness of the current PA network with regard to the world's biophysical conditions to highlight which conditions are underprotected and where these conditions are located. We overlaid terrestrial and marine PAs with information on biophysical conditions (e.g., temperature, precipitation, and elevation) and then quantified the percentage of area covered by the PA network. For 1 variable at a time in the terrestrial realm, high temperature, low precipitation, and medium and very high elevation were underrepresented. For the marine realm, low and medium sea surface temperature (SST), medium and high sea surface salinity (SSS), and the deep sea were underrepresented. Overall, protection was evenly distributed for elevation across the terrestrial realm and SST across the marine realm. For 2 variables at a time, cold and very dry terrestrial environments had mostly low protection, which was also the case for low SST and low and medium SSS across most depths for marine environments. Low protection occurred mostly in the Sahara and the Arabian Peninsula for the terrestrial realm and along the Tropic of Capricorn and toward the poles for the marine realm. Although biodiversity measures are of prime importance for the design of PA networks, highlighting biophysical gaps in current PAs adds a frequently overlooked perspective. These gaps may weaken the potential of PAs to conserve biodiversity. Thus, our results may provide useful insights for researchers, practitioners, and policy makers to establish a more comprehensive global PA network.     

Quantitative composition of the defensive secretion ofBledius species (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Oxytelinae) is adapted to naturally occurring predators

Summary The adaptation of defensive secretions to their target organisms was examined for the abdominal gland secretions ofBledius furcatus, B. spectabilis andB. arenarius. Therefore the target organisms of the secretion of theseBledius species (i.e. their predators) had to be identified. At the collection sites examined these were the earwigLabidura riparia, the antCataglyphis bicolor, the flyLispe candicans, different carabids of the generaPogonus, Dichirotrichus, Dyschirius, Bembidion andCalathus and the wading birdsHaematopus ostralegus andCalidris alba. The secretion of the abdominal glands contains the toxin ptoluquinone dissolved in either-dodecalactone and 1-undecene (B. furcatus andB. spectabilis) or in octanoic acid and octyloctanoate (B. arenarius). The ratio of these solvents is species-specific. Application experiments using some of the natural insect predators (L. riparia, C. bicolor, Pogonus, Di. gustavii, Dyschirius) revealed that these solvent ratios provided a more effective deterrent than other possible ratios. Thus by combining the solvents in certain ratios, the capability of cuticular penetration and therefore the effectiveness of the defensive secretions are adapted to their natural targets.     

Democracy versus development: New urban debates

The politics of development includes subtexts of choice, as underpinned by community consensus (or lack of it), against the larger backdrop of a liberal democracy, with its intricate power structures that influence the choice of concepts and often lead to complicity rather than consent. A dilemma exists between the understanding of field-level practitioners and that of academics, whose understandings of progress differ. Progress can (and often does) imply long-term change across generations whereas development is often more a matter of crisis management and delivering tangible results to end-users. This makes it a bone of contention across political systems, irrespective of local or global dynamics. Development can emerge as a tool to be wielded for power and further political mileage at the expense of progress. Progress cannot be studied as a counterpoint to development as the sense of history is often missing in development interventions. Development tends to be piecemeal as its very logic often stems from the rationale of power. This is not to suggest, however, that development is only about politics; it is definitely more than the politics of everyday life and involves all of civil society that requires its critical and immediate attention. In this sense, it has become a priority for politicians with an underlying agenda designed to out-manouevre dissent and all statements of protest.     

A framework to measure the wildness of managed large vertebrate populations

As landscapes continue to fall under human influence through habitat loss and fragmentation, fencing is increasingly being used to mitigate anthropogenic threats and enhance the commercial value of wildlife. Subsequent intensification of management potentially erodes wildness by disembodying populations from landscape-level processes, thereby disconnecting species from natural selection. Tools are needed to measure the degree to which populations of large vertebrate species in formally protected and privately owned wildlife areas are self-sustaining and free to adapt. We devised a framework to measure such wildness based on 6 attributes relating to the evolutionary and ecological dynamics of vertebrates (space, disease and parasite resistance, exposure to predation, exposure to limitations and fluctuations of food and water supply, and reproduction). For each attribute, we set empirical, species-specific thresholds between 5 wildness states based on quantifiable management interventions. We analysed data from 205 private wildlife properties with management objectives spanning ecotourism to consumptive utilization to test the framework on 6 herbivore species representing a range of conservation statuses and commercial values. Wildness scores among species differed significantly, and the proportion of populations identified as wild ranged from 12% to 84%, which indicates the tool detected site-scale differences both among populations of different species and populations of the same species under different management regimes. By quantifying wildness, this framework provides practitioners with standardized measurement units that link biodiversity with the sustainable use of wildlife. Applications include informing species management plans at local scales; standardizing the inclusion of managed populations in red-list assessments; and providing a platform for certification and regulation of wildlife-based economies. Applying this framework may help embed wildness as a normative value in policy and mitigate the shifting baseline of what it means to truly conserve a species.     

Some polyphagous Homoptera gain protection from their natural enemies by feeding on the toxic plantsSpartium junceum andErythrina corallodendrum (Leguminosae)

Summary Interactions were studied among alkaloid-containing legumes (Erythrina corallodendrum andSpartium junceum) and non-toxic plants (Citrus sinensis, Cucurbita moschata andEuphorbia tirucalli), several polyphagous homopterans,Aphis craccivora (Aphididae),Icerya purchasi, I. aegyptiaca (Margarodidae),Lepidosaphes ulmi (Diaspididae) andPlanococcus citri (Pseudococcidae), and some major natural enemies of these homopterans. Significant reductions in survival due to negative effects of alkaloid containing as compared with non-alkaloidal plants were recorded for the predatorsRodolia cardinalis andChilocorus bipustulatus, but not forCryptolaemus montrouzieri (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae),Chrysoperla carnea (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) andSympherobius sanctus (Neuroptera: Sympherobiidae). The development time of the larvae or pupae ofR. cardinalis, C. carnea andS. sanctus was longer on the toxic plants than on the non-toxic ones. The percentage of parasitism ofA. craccivora collected from the non-alkaloidal plantsVicia palaestina andMelilotus albus was much higher than that onS. junceum. The parasitoid complexes ofA. craccivora differed between both plant groups. The nutritive value of honeydew ofI. purchasi andA. craccivora, as expressed by the life span ofEncyrtus infelix (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) adults, was also investigated. Life spans were significantly longer when the wasps fed on honeydew produced on non-alkaloidal plants (C. sinensis andPittosporum tobira) than on alkaloid containing plants whenI. purchasi — but notA. craccivora — was the producer. It is suggested that the chemical defense ofE. corallodendrum andS. junceum is exploited by polyphagous phytophages to reduce predation. In nature, population growth and density of four of the investigated homopterans are conspicuously high when they developed on the alkaloid containing plant species, and very low on non-alkaloid plants. The efficiency of their natural enemies may be reduced by sequestration of alkaloids (or other toxic plant compounds) or their transfer into excreted honeydew. Therefore it is assumed that a generalist phytophagous homopteran may be protected from its natural enemies, although at different rates of efficiency, if it can safely sequester the host allelochemical when it develops on toxic species within its host range.     

Sexual Predators,Energy Development,and Conservation in Greater Yellowstone

Abstract: In the United States, as elsewhere, a growing debate pits national energy policy and homeland security against biological conservation. In rural communities the extraction of fossil fuels is often encouraged because of the employment opportunities it offers, although the concomitant itinerant workforce is often associated with increased wildlife poaching. We explored possible positive and negative factors associated with energy extraction in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (GYE), an area known for its national parks, intact biological diversity, and some of the New World's longest terrestrial migrations. Specifically, we asked whether counties with different economies—recreation (ski), agrarian (ranching or farming), and energy extractive (petroleum)—differed in healthcare (gauged by the abundance of hospital beds) and in the frequency of sexual predators. The absolute and relative frequency of registered sex offenders grew approximately two to three times faster in areas reliant on energy extraction. Healthcare among counties did not differ. The strong conflation of community dishevel, as reflected by in‐migrant sexual predators, and ecological decay in Greater Yellowstone is consistent with patterns seen in similar systems from Ecuador to northern Canada, where social and environmental disarray exist around energy boomtowns. In our case, that groups (albeit with different aims) mobilized campaigns to help maintain the quality of rural livelihoods by protecting open space is a positive sign that conservation can matter, especially in the face of rampant and poorly executed energy extraction projects. Our findings further suggest that the public and industry need stronger regulatory action to instill greater vigilance when and where social factors and land conversion impact biological systems.     

Comparison of the insecticidal effects of water extracted and intact aromatic plants onAcanthoscelides obtectus,a bruchid beetle pest of kidney beans

Summary Acanthoscelides obtectus (Say) is one of the most damaging pests of kidney beans,Phaseolus vulgaris L. worldwide. However, aromatic plants from the families Lamiaceae, Lauraceae, Myrtaceae and Poaceae can protect kidney beans by direct or delayed insecticidal effect, through increased adult mortality and inhibition of beetle reproduction (both oviposition and adult emergence). The efficiency of hydrodistillated and intact plants fromThymus vulgaris andT. serpyllum, Mentha piperata, Rosmarinus officinalis, Satureia hortensis, Eucalyptus globulus, Laurus nobilis, Origanum vulgare, andCymbopogon nardus was compared. For both extracts,Origanum vulgare had the best effect. The insecticidal effect was induced by more than the essential oils because no significant difference was noticed between distilled and intact plants extract. Inhibition of reproduction was particularly important. These results suggest that lipidic as well as non lipidic, allelochemicals, such as phenolics, or non-protein amino-acids, or flavonoids may be involved in the toxicity of aromatic plants to this beetle.     

Rapid,recurring, structured survey versus bioblitz for generating biodiversity data and analysis with a multispecies abundance model

A bioblitz inexpensively and quickly generates biodiversity data, but bioblitzes are often conducted with haphazard, unreplicated sampling. Results tend to be taxonomically, geographically, or temporally biased, lack metadata, and consist of lists of observed taxa that do not enable further analyses or correction for imperfect detection. A rapid, recurring, structured survey (RRSS) uses a structured sampling design and temporal and spatial replication to survey randomly selected sites on a conservation property. We participated in a loosely structured bioblitz and a subsequent RRSS at Big Canoe Creek Nature Preserve in Springville (St. Clair County), Alabama (USA) to compare observed richness derived from the 2 survey approaches. The RRSS data structure enabled us to fit models that accounted for imperfect detection to estimate abundances, occupancy probabilities, and habitat associations. The loosely structured bioblitz data could not be used in such models. We present a new integrated multispecies abundance model that we applied to avian RRSS data. Our model extension enables estimation for the community, employs data augmentation to estimate the number of undetected species, and incorporates covariates. The RRSS generated a more comprehensive and less biased list of observed taxonomic richness than the loosely structured bioblitz (e.g., 73 vs. 45 bird species and 104 vs. 63 insect families from the RRSS vs. loosely structured bioblitz, respectively). Models fit to the RRSS data identified seasonal patterns in avian community composition and allowed for estimation of habitat–occupancy relationships for insect taxa. The RRSS protocol has potential for broad transferability as a standardized, quick, and inexpensive way to inventory biodiversity and estimate ecological parameters while providing an outreach opportunity.     

Sequestration of cucurbitacin analogs by New and Old World chrysomelid leaf beetles in the tribe Luperini

Summary Two South American polyphagous leaf beetles,Diabrotica speciosa andCerotoma arcuata, selectively accumulated the bitter tasting compound 23,24-dihydrocucurbitacin D in their body after ingesting root tissues of cucurbit plants. Similarly, three Asian Cucurbitaceae-feeding specialists in the genusAulacophora were found to sequester the same compound. Cucurbitacin analogs were shown to deter feeding by a bird predator, indicating an allomonal role for these compounds in cucurbitacin-associated chrysomelid leaf beetles both of New and Old Worlds. The strong affinity to cucurbitacins, selective sequestration of the analogs and consequent protection from predators suggested an ecological adaptation mechanism developed in common among these two geographically isolated subtribes in the Luperini.