Influence of form and quantity of chromium on the development and survival of two silkworm (Bombyx mori L.) races

IntroductionThediversityamonginsectlifehistoriesmakesitdifficulttocomparetheeffectofachemical(orfactor)onthedevelopmentoftheseorganisms.Thediversityofbioassaysrangesfromthepopulationleveltothemolecularlevelandfrominvivotoinvitrostudies(Zhang ,1 993 ) .Differentparametershavebeenusedtostudyinsectgrowthinhibitionofmanychemicals.Forexample ,LD50 (thedosewhichcauses50 %mortalityinapopulation)iscommonlyusedtodeterminetheactivityofchemicalsthathaveacutetoxicity .Itcannotbeusedtothosechemicalsthatd…     

Defensive chemistry of lycid beetles and of mimetic cerambycid beetles that feed on them

Summary.  Beetles of the family Lycidae have long been known to be chemically protected. We present evidence that North American species of the lycid genera Calopteron and Lycus are rejected by thrushes, wolf spiders, and orb-weaving spiders, and that they contain a systemic compound that could account, at least in part, for this unacceptability. This compound, a novel acetylenic acid that we named lycidic acid, proved actively deterrent in feeding tests with wolf spiders and coccinellid beetles. Species of Lycuscommonly figure as models of mimetic associations. Among their mimics are species of the cerambycid beetle genus Elytroleptus, remarkable because they prey upon the model lycids. We postulated that by doing so Elytroleptus might incorporate the lycidic acid from their prey for their own defense. However, judging from analytical data, the beetles practice no such sequestration, explaining why they remain relatively palatable (in tests with wolf spiders) even after having fed on lycids. Chemical analyses also showed the lycids to contain pyrazines, such as were already known from other Lycidae, potent odorants that could serve in an aposematic capacity to forestall predatory attacks. David Utterback: Deceased     

Effects of furoquinoline alkaloids on the growth and feeding of two polyphagous lepidopterans

Summary. The furoquinoline alkaloids skimmianine and dictamnine were tested for effects on the feeding and growth of larvae of the generalist lepidopteran, Spodoptera litura. Skimmianine was further investigated for toxic and phototoxic effects on the larvae of Trichoplusia ni, also a generalist species. In feeding experiments with S. litura, growth and consumption of larvae decreased with increasing concentration of furoquinolines; skimmianine caused a greater reduction in growth than dictamnine. In T. ni, dietary skimmianine reduced growth and consumption; when administered topically, it significantly reduced consumption but without a concomitant reduction in growth. Phototoxicity of skimmianine was not apparent in T. ni because UV light failed to increase the negative effects of the alkaloid on larvae.