抗生素对微生物的联合与低剂量毒性研究进展

目前抗生素已成为一类不可忽视的环境污染物,它在环境中呈"混合-持久-低剂量"的暴露特征。因此,研究抗生素毒性效应,特别是它的联合毒性以及低剂量下毒性兴奋效应,对抗生素污染物生态风险的评价极其重要。以抗生素联合毒性的研究进展为主线,重点概述了抗生素二元混合物的急性和慢性联合毒性研究,指出了抗生素混合物间存在相互作用,它们的联合毒性并非表现为简单的加和或独立效应,且抗生素急性-慢性联合表现出的毒性效应也存在差异;发现了不仅单一抗生素具有Hormesis效应,低剂量抗生素二元混合物也具有Hormesis作用。但目前低剂量抗生素二元混合物对微生物的毒性兴奋效应研究较少,其毒性兴奋效应的预测和评价还有待进一步完善,以期为环境中抗生素的联合生态研究和风险评价提供理论依据。     

基于斑马鱼和发光细菌评估制革废水毒性及其削减效率

随着制革工业在我国的迅速发展,其导致的环境污染问题也逐渐受到人们的广泛关注。为评价制革废水的生物毒性以及处理工艺对毒性的削减效率,选择费氏弧菌、明亮发光杆菌、斑马鱼幼鱼及其胚胎作为受试生物,分析了制革废水的急性毒性和发育毒性,比较了不同受试生物对制革废水毒性的敏感性,并结合理化指标对废水的毒性削减进行了评估。结果表明:不同受试生物的敏感性大小为斑马鱼胚胎明亮发光杆菌斑马鱼幼鱼费氏弧菌明亮发光杆菌斑马鱼胚胎斑马鱼幼鱼费氏弧菌;发光菌及斑马鱼幼鱼急性毒性实验结果表明,制革废水经过整个工艺处理后,废水的急性毒性已降至检测线以下,即0TUa;斑马鱼胚胎毒性实验结果表明,经过处理的制革废水仍存在急性毒性,基础毒性当量为0.5 TUa,同时还对胚胎的发育存在一定影响,对胚胎孵化及畸形的毒性当量分别为0.7 TUa和0.13 TUa。综上可知,处理后的制革废水对环境的影响已得到初步的有效控制,但仍需进一步处理以达到更大程度削减毒性的目的。     

磺胺与群体感应抑制剂对费氏弧菌发光和生长联合毒性效应对比研究

抗生素类药物在广泛应用的同时,也带来了细菌耐药性问题。因此,越来越多的抗生素替代品如群体感应抑制剂(QSIs)被研究和应用,在未来二者可能共存于环境之中。为了对它们混合物联合毒性评价进行系统的研究,本文选择费氏弧菌(Vibrio fischeri,V.fischeri)为受试生物,测定了5种磺胺类抗生素(SAs)与6种QSIs对V.fischeri的发光强度(HV)和生长量(OD600)的联合毒性作用,初步探讨了SAs与QSIs对V.fischeri发光联合毒性和生长联合毒性差异的原因。结果表明:SAs与QSIs联合作用于V.fischeri时,对发光的联合毒性表现为拮抗,对生长的联合毒性表现为拮抗或加和,且TUHVTUOD。这可能是由于QSIs对V.fischeri的发光的抑制作用可以削弱SAs对发光的促进作用,而SAs与QSIs对V.fischeri的生长都表现出抑制作用,两者没有互相削弱作用。同时,基于分子对接和回归分析法的研究表明了靶蛋白上结合的化合物有效浓度不同也可能是造成SAs与QSIs联合作用于V.fischeri时TUHVTUOD的主要原因。该研究可以为抗生素与QSIs联合暴露的生态风险评价提供借鉴。     

乙草胺与Cu,Zn对发光菌和斑马鱼胚胎的联合毒性效应

研究了乙草胺与Cu,Zn（以毒性单位配比为1∶1,1∶4和4∶1以及1∶1∶1构成的二元或三元混合体系）对发光菌（photobacterium phosphoreum）和斑马鱼（B.rerio）胚胎的联合毒性,采用相加指数法（AI）对联合毒性效应进行评价.结果表明：同种物质混合毒性配比不同时,对生物的联合毒性作用不完全相同;不同的混合体系对发光菌和斑马鱼胚胎表现出不同的联合毒性效应,乙草胺与重金属对发光菌的联合毒性主要以拮抗为主,对斑马鱼胚胎的联合毒性则主要以协同为主,说明受试生物不同,其对化合物的敏感性不同.     

重金属Cd污染土壤毒性的发光菌法评价

应用明亮发光杆菌 Ｔ３ 对重金属污染土壤的毒性评价方法进行探索;进行了土壤平衡、土壤浸提实验及土壤中人为添加 Ｃｄ 对明亮发光杆菌 Ｔ３ 的效应实验;确定了土壤最佳平衡时间、土壤浸提剂、土壤最佳浸提时间及草甸棕壤中 Ｃｄ 对明亮发光杆菌 Ｔ３ 的毒性响应水平．实验结果表明：在土壤浸出液的提取过程中,土壤最佳平衡时间为１ ｄ ,最佳浸提液为０ ．１ ｍｏｌ／ Ｌ 盐酸,最佳浸提时间为２ ｈ ;草甸棕壤中 Ｔ３ 菌的发光强度与投加的 Ｃｄ浓度呈显著负相关（ Ｐ＜ ０ ．０１） ,ρ（ Ｃｄ） 对 Ｔ３ 菌的 Ｅ Ｃ５０ 值为２６ ．２ ｍｇ／ｋｇ ．     

发光细菌生物活性的调控方法

为维持发光细菌发光强度的稳定性,推进发光细菌毒性测试技术应用于在线监测和分析,以明亮发光杆菌和鳆鱼发光杆菌为对象,通过添加各种保护剂,将培养至对数生长期的菌液离心,重新悬浮于脱脂牛奶溶液冷藏(5℃),比较脱脂牛奶菌悬液冷藏、冻干粉复苏后即时冷藏以及新鲜菌液直接冷藏3种方法的调控效果.结果表明,脱脂牛奶菌悬液冷藏7 d后复苏,相对发光率达到93%.该方法明显提高了发光细菌生物活性的稳定性,对于提高在线毒性监测仪连续运行时间有参考价值.     

磺胺类抗生素与群体感应抑制剂对发光菌的联合毒性及其机制初探

以Vibrio fischeri为模式生物,3类群体感应抑制剂(呋喃酮、吡咯酮和吡咯)与典型磺胺类抗生素为研究对象,测定了群体感应抑制剂与磺胺类抗生素联合急性毒性效应,通过群体感应抑制剂与信号分子竞争结合LuxR的实验和结合能Ebinding的测定,初步探讨了其联合毒性作用机制.结果显示,呋喃酮类化合物与磺胺类抗生素的二元等毒性比下的联合效应表现为协同与加和,吡咯酮类、吡咯类化合物与磺胺类抗生素的二元等毒性比下的联合效应分别表现为加和与拮抗;它们与LuxR的竞争结合力的差异,可能是它们与磺胺类抗生素等毒性比下的联合效应不同的原因.     

某石化废水的综合毒性评价及其处理工艺对毒性的削减规律研究

利用生物毒性测试对环境中的污染物进行生态风险评价,是目前风险评价中的研究热点。本研究以明亮发光杆菌(Photobacterium phosphoreum)、斜生栅藻(Scenedesmus obliquus)和大型溞(Daphina magna)为受试生物,对某石化厂废水的处理流程中5个主要单元出水的急性毒性进行了测试,分析了其急性毒性与理化指标间的相关性;同时,为了解不同处理单元毒性去除效果及主要毒性来源,结合毒性鉴别评价(toxicity identification evaluation,TIE)技术对各阶段出水的毒性削减及其主要致毒物质类别进行了分析。毒性测试结果表明,该废水处理厂对石化废水的毒性去除效果比较显著,其中进水对明亮发光杆菌、斜生栅藻和大型溞分别表现为中毒、高毒和剧毒,最终处理后出水的毒性分别为无急性毒、中毒和微毒,对毒性的去除效率分别为96.4%、74.3%和99.5%。TIE结果表明,石化废水中的主要致毒物质是非极性有机物和可滤型物质。本研究结果为石化废水的综合生物毒性评价提供了研究基础,为探讨废水生物毒性的去除提供了实例参考。     

磺胺与金属氧化物纳米颗粒对发光菌的急性联合毒性及其机制初探

磺胺与金属氧化物纳米颗粒同作为抗菌剂对环境与人体健康皆有危害。为探究其对细菌的毒性作用,测定了4种磺胺,包括磺胺氯哒嗪(SCP)、磺胺吡啶(SPY)、磺胺甲基异恶唑(SMZ)、磺胺嘧啶(SD),与3种金属氧化物纳米颗粒,纳米ZnO(n-ZnO)、纳米CuO(n-CuO)、纳米Cr_2O_3(n-Cr_2O_3)对发光菌(Vibriofischeri)的单一毒性及二元急性联合毒性。结果表明,SCP对V.fischeri的单一毒性明显大于其他3种磺胺;n-ZnO的单一毒性远大于n-CuO和n-Cr_2O_3;磺胺与金属氧化物纳米颗粒的二元急性联合毒性效应表现为拮抗、相加和协同,协同居多,说明金属氧化物纳米颗粒增加了磺胺的生物毒性,两者在环境中的共存带来了更大的环境生态风险。     

酞酸酯DMP、DEP和DBP对明亮发光杆菌的毒性研究

酞酸酯（PAEs, phthalate acid esters）是目前最普遍的有机污染物之一,一定剂量的酞酸酯会产生生殖和发育毒性等健康危害。以明亮发光杆菌（Photobacterium phosphoreum T3）为受试生物,评价了甲醇和3种PAEs [dimethyl phthalate (DMP), diethyl phthalate (DEP), dibutyl phthalate (DBP)]对其剂量—效应关系,以期为酞酸酯暴露风险评价提供一定理论依据。结果表明,采用Logit和Weibull非线性函数（全浓度区间）分别对甲醇和3种PAEs的浓度—效应曲线进行拟合,效果均优于线性函数（局部浓度区间）拟合。其中,甲醇的线性与Logit函数拟合r2分别为0.9592和0.9863,两者EC50分别为1.185和1.044 mol·L-1,结果相近。数据结果表明,采用明亮发光杆菌测试PAEs急性毒性时,以甲醇为助溶剂（浓度<0.247 mol·L-1,毒性效应可忽略）是可行的。在一定浓度范围内,首次以甲醇为助溶剂,以DMP?DEP和DBP 3种PAEs对明亮发光杆菌进行毒性测试。线性拟合DMP?DEP和DBP对明亮发光杆菌的浓度-效应曲线,拟合r2分别为0.9262、0.9214、0.9339,其EC50分别为2.64E-04、2.79E-04和1.14E-05 mol·L-1。与此同时,3组PAEs毒性数据均能以Weibull函数进行非线性拟合, r2分别为0.9749?0.9742和0.9648,效果良好,其EC50分别为1.49E-04、2.72E-04和9.00E-06 mol·L-1。两种拟合结果表明, Weibull 函数非线性拟合效果更优,半致死浓度 EC50结果相近。由上述结果可知,以甲醇为助溶剂时,DMP?DEP 和 DBP分别在6.14E-9~6.14E-3、5.04E-5~2.52E-3和3.76E-9~3.76E-5 mol·L-1浓度范围内,3种PAEs对明亮发光杆菌的急性毒性强弱为DBP>DMP>DEP。在上述浓度范围内,DMP、DEP和DBP对明亮发光杆菌的抑制率分别为96.87%、95.24%和88.35%。     

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.     

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     

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.     

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.     

Compliance with and ecosystem function of biodiversity offsets in North American and European freshwaters

Land-use change via human development is a major driver of biodiversity loss. To reduce these impacts, billions of dollars are spent on biodiversity offsets. However, studies evaluating offset project effectiveness that examine components such as the overall compliance and function of projects remain rare. We reviewed 577 offsetting projects in freshwater ecosystems that included the metrics project size, type of aquatic system (e.g., wetland and creek), offsetting measure (e.g., enhancement, restoration, and creation), and an assessment of the projects’ compliance and functional success. Project information was obtained from scientific and government databases and gray literature. Despite considerable investment in offsetting projects, crucial problems persisted. Although compliance and function were related to each other, a high level of compliance did not guarantee a high degree of function. However, large projects relative to area had better function than small projects. Function improved when projects targeted productivity or specific ecosystem features and when multiple complementary management targets were in place. Restorative measures were more likely to achieve targets than creating entirely new ecosystems. Altogether the relationships we found highlight specific ecological processes that may help improve offsetting outcomes.     

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.