新烟碱类杀虫剂对非靶标生物毒性效应的研究进展

新烟碱类杀虫剂是目前全球市场占有率最高的一类杀虫剂,它们选择性作用于昆虫烟碱型乙酰胆碱受体,以往普遍认为其对非靶标生物毒性较低。然而,越来越多的证据表明,新烟碱类杀虫剂的暴露会对非靶标生物造成负面影响。本文综述了新烟碱类杀虫剂对水生生物、非靶标昆虫、鸟类和哺乳动物等多种非靶标生物的毒性,以及对人类健康的影响。新烟碱类杀虫剂对各类生物均具有急性致死毒性,但不同物种之间半数致死浓度(LC_(50))或半数致死剂量(LD_(50))差别较大,由低至高依次为昆虫(0.01～2.38 mg·L~(-1),3.7～81 ng·bee~(-1))、甲壳动物(0.59～37.75 mg·L~(-1))、鱼类(1.2～241 mg·L~(-1))、鸟类(15～>2 000 mg·kg~(-1))和哺乳动物(82～>5 000 mg·kg~(-1))。新烟碱类杀虫剂对非靶标生物的亚致死毒性表现在降低繁殖力和生长速度、降低活动性、影响神经系统、扰乱代谢平衡、损伤DNA等。总体上看,吡虫啉的毒性最高,呋虫胺和烯啶虫胺的毒性较低。啶虫脒、噻虫啉、噻虫嗪和噻虫胺的毒性大小顺序随物种不同而不同。对于水生生物和非靶标昆虫,噻虫啉和噻虫胺的毒性较高,而对于鸟类和哺乳动物,啶虫脒的毒性较高。最后针对现有研究的不足,提出了今后的研究方向,以期为该类杀虫剂的风险评估和合理施用提供科学依据。     

新烟碱类杀虫剂对蜜蜂的急性毒性及风险评价

为新烟碱类杀虫剂合理使用提供科学依据,本研究采用饲喂法和点滴法测定了9种新烟碱类杀虫剂对蜜蜂的急性毒性效应,且根据风险商值法进行了风险评价,氟啶虫酰胺和吡蚜酮作为对照药剂。试验结果表明:6种新烟碱类杀虫剂(噻虫胺、呋虫胺、吡虫啉、烯啶虫胺、氟啶虫胺腈和噻虫嗪)对蜜蜂经口和接触毒性的48 h-LD50值为1.73×10-3(1.37×10-3~2.45×10-3)~35.3×10-2(30.5×10-2~41.4×10-2)μg·蜂-1,均属于高毒级;其次为氯噻啉,该药剂对蜜蜂经口和接触毒性的48 h-LD50值为56.4×10-2(40.9×10-2~95.5×10-2)和2.05(1.13~3.18)μg·蜂-1,分别为高毒和中毒;而啶虫脒和噻虫啉对蜜蜂经口和接触毒性的48 hLD50值为2.57(1.94~3.75)~9.85(8.23~11.6)μg·蜂-1,为中毒级。对照药剂氟啶虫酰胺和吡蚜酮对蜜蜂经口和接触毒性的48h-LD50值均100μg·蜂-1,为低毒级。风险评价结果表明:噻虫胺、呋虫胺、吡虫啉、噻虫嗪、氯噻啉、烯啶虫胺和氟啶虫胺腈对蜜蜂具有不可接受的风险,啶虫脒、噻虫啉和对照药剂氟啶虫酰胺、吡蚜酮对蜜蜂的风险可接受。因此,在害虫综合治理中,应谨慎使用新烟碱类杀虫剂,以免对蜜蜂产生严重的毒副作用。     

蔬菜水果中的新烟碱类农药残留量与人群摄食暴露健康风险评价

新烟碱类农药是目前被广泛用于农业中的一类作用独特、高效广谱的内吸性杀虫剂,它们在蔬菜水果中的残留对人体健康构成威胁。本研究目的是查明北京市场上蔬菜水果中不同新烟碱类农药的残留量,并对人群摄食暴露健康风险进行评估。从北京市场上采集49种蔬菜和24种水果,采用Qu ECh ERS–高效液相色谱串联质谱(HPLC-MS/MS)法测定蔬菜水果中9种新烟碱类农药的含量。利用测得数据和中国居民膳食结构调查资料,采用蒙特卡罗模拟方法计算了不同年龄段人群的日均经口摄入暴露量的概率分布,并采用商值法计算了新烟碱类农药的非致癌风险。结果显示新烟碱类农药普遍存在于北京市场上的蔬菜水果中。49种蔬菜样品中检出7种新烟碱类农药,其中吡虫啉、啶虫脒和噻虫嗪检出率均达100%,噻虫胺、烯啶虫胺、噻虫啉和呋虫胺的检出率分别为47%、14%、10%和4%。24种水果样品中检出5种新烟碱类农药,其中吡虫啉和啶虫脒的检出率均达100%,噻虫嗪、噻虫胺和噻虫啉的检出率分别为54%、13%和4%。不同新烟碱类农药在蔬菜水果中的含量范围为0.01 ng·g~(-1)~126 ng·g~(-1),均未超过我国食品安全国家标准或美国联邦管理条例中的限量值。小部分(约3%)人群因摄食蔬菜水果暴露于新烟碱类农药的非致癌风险商值大于0.1。新烟碱类农药在蔬菜水果中普遍存在,对人体健康有潜在的风险。     

蜂蜜中9种杀虫剂的UPLC-MS/MS检测方法

针对吡虫啉、啶虫脒、噻虫嗪、噻虫胺、噻虫啉、呋虫胺等6种新烟碱类和乐果、敌敌畏、毒死蜱等3种有机磷类杀虫剂建立了蜂蜜中分散固相萃取法-超高效液相色谱-串联质谱的残留分析方法.前处理方法利用乙腈为提取剂,N-丙基乙二胺(PSA)为分散净化剂的Qu ECh ERS方法,并利用超高效液相色谱-串联质谱在多反应离子监测模式(MRM)下进行检测,外标法定量.结果表明,9种杀虫剂在5—800μg·L~(-1)浓度范围内均具有良好的线性关系(R≥0.994);在0.005—0.200 mg·kg~(-1)添加,水平范围内平均回收率在80.4%—107.5%之间,相对标准偏差在1.2%—6.8%之间;方法检出限(LOD)在0.1—1.5μg·kg~(-1)范围内;定量限(LOQ)在0.3—4.5μg·kg~(-1)范围内.该方法分析速度快、灵敏度高、重现性好,适用于蜂蜜中多种农药残留的快速检测和确证.     

水体中新烟碱类杀虫剂的固相萃取方法优化:响应曲面法

建立了一种固相萃取(SPE)前处理,高效液相色谱/质谱联用分析(HPLC/MS)测定水体中痕量新烟碱类杀虫剂(啶虫脒、噻虫胺、呋虫胺、吡虫啉、噻虫啉和噻虫嗪)含量的方法.确立HPLC/MS分析方法,并采用响应曲面法中Box-Behnken实验设计优化了SPE的吸附剂类型和用量、洗脱液类型和用量,获得以100 mg HLB为吸附剂及10 m L甲醇为洗脱液的前处理方法.所建方法适用于分析水中较宽浓度范围(3个数量级:0.9—100 ng·m L~(-1))的新烟碱类杀虫剂,回收率范围为75.4%±0.98%—122%±1.7%.此外,目标物的方法检测限均低于3 ng·L~(-1),相对标准偏差范围为2.99%—7.92%,低于文献值,说明所建方法具有较好的灵敏度和精密度.最后,该方法成功用于分析野外采集的水样,验证了该方法分析环境水体中新烟碱类杀虫剂的适用性.     

戊吡虫胍对几种非靶标生物的急性毒性

戊吡虫胍是一种从烟碱类和缩胺脲类杀虫剂活性结构拼接而成的系列化合物中筛选出来的新型杀虫剂,目前戊吡虫胍对非靶标生物的毒性研究报道较少。为探究戊吡虫胍的环境安全性,采用生物毒性试验方法测定了其对斜生栅藻(Scenedesmus obliquus)、大型溞(Daphnia magna)、家蚕(Bombyx mori)、斑马鱼(Brachydanio rerio)、赤子爱胜蚯蚓(Eisenia fetide)、非洲爪蟾(Xenopus laevis)、赤眼蜂(Trichogramma nubilale)、意大利蜜蜂(Apis mellifera)、日本鹌鹑(Coturnix coturnix japonica)共9种非靶标生物的急性毒性。结果显示戊吡虫胍对斜生栅藻和大型溞的半数有效浓度(EC50)分别为8.79 mg·L~(-1)和10.97 mg·L~(-1),对家蚕、斑马鱼、赤子爱胜蚯蚓和非洲爪蟾的半数致死浓度(LC50)分别为2.32 mg·L~(-1)、13.74 mg·L~(-1)、100 mg·kg~(-1)和19.30mg·L~(-1),对赤眼蜂的安全系数为0.16~0.031,对蜜蜂急性触杀和急性摄入毒性分别为51.82μg·bee~(-1)和10.8×10~3mg·L~(-1),对鹌鹑的急性经口和急性饲喂毒性LC50分别为1 000 mg·kg~(-1)和2×103mg·kg~(-1)。按照最新国标(GB/T31270—2014)化学农药环境安全评价准则的毒性等级划分,戊吡虫胍除了对家蚕和赤眼蜂为高毒和极高风险外,对其余非靶生物均为低毒。     

低剂量丙烯酰胺多世代持续暴露对秀丽隐杆线虫的损伤作用

论文研究了丙烯酰胺(acrylamide,AA)低剂量多代持续暴露对模式生物秀丽隐杆线虫(Caenorhabditis elegans,C.elegans)的发育、生殖、寿命和捕食行为能力的影响。将线虫暴露于不同剂量水平的AA中,检测对当代线虫的发育周期、后代数量、寿命和捕食行为的影响,结果显示,1.0 mmol·L~(-1)AA水平可诱发当代线虫发育周期延长和后代数量减少(P 0.05),0.05mmol·L~(-1)和0.001 mmol·L~(-1)水平可分别诱发捕食行为能力下降和寿命缩短(P0.05)。进一步选取对当代线虫不产生明显损伤效应的AA剂量,将线虫进行多代持续暴露处理,结果显示,0.01 mmol·L~(-1)AA分别可在第2代g1和第3代g2诱发发育周期延长和后代数量减少(P0.05),0.005 mmol·L~(-1)AA可在第2代g1引起摄食行为能力下降,0.0001 mmol·L~(-1)(约7μg·L~(-1),低于推测人的平均AA暴露水平)的AA在第2代g1即可诱发寿命缩短(P0.05)。以上结果表明AA生物学毒性可以在后代间积累,极低剂量AA多代持续暴露仍可诱发生物学损伤。     

新烟碱类农药在我国的登记现状及对蜜蜂的初级风险评估

调研已开发的包括吡虫啉、噻虫嗪、噻虫胺、啶虫脒、噻虫啉、呋虫胺、烯啶虫胺、环氧虫啶、氯噻啉、哌虫啶和氟啶虫胺腈在内的11种新烟碱类农药在我国的登记现状。根据已登记的新烟碱农药的使用方法,开展了不同暴露场景下蜜蜂的初级风险评估。结果表明,喷施场景下,吡虫啉、噻虫嗪、噻虫胺、烯啶虫胺、呋虫胺、氟啶虫胺腈和氯噻啉这7种新烟碱类农药在不同作物上使用对蜜蜂的风险商值均大于1,风险均不可接受;啶虫脒、哌虫啶和噻虫啉在所有登记作物上使用对蜜蜂的风险商值均小于1,风险可接受。土壤或种子处理场景下,除噻虫啉外,其余4种新烟碱类农药包括吡虫啉、噻虫胺、噻虫嗪和呋虫胺对蜜蜂的风险商值均大于1,风险均不可接受。评估结果可为新烟碱类农药在我国的登记管理提供科学参考。     

呋虫胺对斑马鱼胚胎-幼鱼生长发育及细胞凋亡的影响

第三代新烟碱类农药呋虫胺作为超高效、广谱性杀虫剂在水稻、蔬菜和水果上广泛应用,因其水溶性高,对水生生物的毒性不容忽视。本研究以斑马鱼胚胎为对象,参考OECD标准,在胚胎受精后30 min内,采用静态法染毒,观察其24 h、48 h、72 h、96 h的生长发育情况,根据死亡数计算呋虫胺对斑马鱼96 h-LC_(50),采用吖啶橙染色(acridine orange fluorescent,AO-F)和原位末端标记法(TUNEL)2种方法,检测其对斑马鱼96 hpf(hour post-fertilization,hpf)幼鱼的细胞凋亡情况。结果表明:呋虫胺对斑马鱼胚胎的96 h-LC_(50)为10.36 g·L~(-1)(95%置信区间为7.76~12.93 g·L~(-1)),属于微毒;较高浓度的呋虫胺能使斑马鱼的摆尾数、内心率、孵化率降低,对生长发育有延迟的作用,可导致部分斑马鱼色素褪去,出现心包囊肿、卵黄囊肿和尾部畸形的现象。且随着浓度的升高,在斑马鱼头部、腹部、尾部均有明显的细胞凋亡情况加重,其中以心脏和内耳尤为明显,呈规律的剂量-效应关系。     

新烟碱类杀虫剂呋虫胺对意大利蜜蜂的安全性评价

呋虫胺作为新一代烟碱类农药,究竟会给蜜蜂造成何种影响尚不清楚。本研究选取意大利蜜蜂为研究对象,分别测定呋虫胺对蜜蜂的急性毒性、慢性毒性以及幼虫发育毒性,并通过其危害商值(hazard quotient,HQ)初步评价呋虫胺对蜜蜂的生态风险,综合评价呋虫胺对蜜蜂的安全性。结果表明,急性经口毒性48 h半数致死剂量(48 h-LD50)为0.033μg·蜂-1,对蜜蜂高毒;慢性毒性10 d半数致死剂量(10 d-LDD50)为0.010μg·蜂-1,慢性毒作用带比值为3.5,存在慢性中毒的风险;幼虫7 d半数致死剂量为577 ng·幼虫-1,高剂量呋虫胺对蜜蜂幼虫存活率、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=-0.98,-0.89,-0.80)。风险评价结果表明,呋虫胺对蜜蜂为中等风险到高风险。研究可为呋虫胺的合理使用提供科学参考。     

Antennal responses of four species of tree-killing bark beetles (Coleoptera: Scolytidae) to volatiles collected from beetles,and their host and nonhost conifers

Summary. Host selection in tree-killing bark beetles (Coleoptera: Scolytidae) is mediated by a complex of semiochemical cues. Using gas chromatographic-electroantennographic detection (GC-EAD) and GC-mass spectrometric analyses, we conducted a comparative study of the electrophysiological responses of four species of tree-killing bark beetles, the Douglas-fir beetle, Dendroctonus pseudotsugae, Hopkins, the mountain pine beetle, D. ponderosae Hopkins, the spruce beetle, D. rufipennis Kirby, and the western balsam bark beetle, Dryocoetes confusus Swaine, to volatiles captured by aeration of 1) bole and foliage of four sympatric species of conifers, Douglas-fir, Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco, lodgepole pine, Pinus contorta var. latifolia Engelm., interior spruce, Picea engelmannii x glauca, and interior fir, Abies lasiocarpa x bifolia, and 2) con- and heterospecific beetles at three stages of attack. We identified 13 monoterpenes in the conifers and nine compounds in the volatiles of beetles that elicited antennal responses. There was no qualitative difference in the terpene constitution of the four species of conifers and very little difference across beetle species in their antennal response to compounds from conifers or beetles. The lack of species-specific major or minor components in conifers suggests that beetles would need to detect differences in the ratios of different compounds in conifers to discriminate among them. Attraction to hosts and avoidance of nonhost conifers may be accentuated by perception of compounds emitted by con- and heterospecific beetles, respectively. The 22 compounds identified are candidate semiochemicals with potential behavioural roles in host location and discrimination.     

Diet-induced chemical phytomimesis by twig-like caterpillars of Biston robustum Butler (Lepidoptera: Geometridae)

Summary. Polyphagous caterpillars of the giant geometer Biston robustum resemble the twigs of their respective food sources in color and shape. Common predatory ants, including Lasius and Formica, were often observed to freely prowl directly on caterpillars bodies, even after antennal contact. This suggests that the cuticular chemicals of the caterpillars resemble those of the twigs of the foodplants, so we analyzed both by GC and GC-MS. The chemical compositions differed among caterpillars fed on a cherry, Prunus yedoensis, a chinquapin Castanopsis cuspidata, and a camellia Camellia japonica. The cuticular chemicals of the caterpillars resembled those of their corresponding food sources. When the caterpillar diets were switched from the cherry to camellia or chinquapin at the 4^th instars, the caterpillars cuticular chemicals changed after molting to resemble those of their respective foods. Caterpillars also changed their cuticular chemicals when they perched on cherry twigs and fed on camellia or chinquapin leaves, but not when they perched on camellia or chinquapin twigs and fed on cherry leaves. The chemical similarities between the caterpillars and the twigs were due to the digestion of host leaves, which indicates that this is a diet-induced adaptation.     

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.     

Benthic macrophyte communities in the Ghar El Melh lagoon (North Tunisia)

This work deals with the biodiversity and distribution of benthic macrophytes in the Ghar El Melh lagoon, a Mediterranean coastal lagoon located in the North of Tunisia. An inventory was made of the benthic flora and submerged macrophyte communities were mapped during two successive campaigns (the summer of 1999 and the winter of 2000). The following 24 macrophyte species were identified: seven red algae, two brown algae, 11 green algae, and four marine angiosperms. The results were compared with available data from the literature. Ruppia cirrhosa is the most dominant species. It is found in all lagoon parts, except in the west sector.Ruppia beds are usually associated withCladophora forming heterogeneous communities. During summerRuppia cirrhosa shows a large distribution, covering an area of ca. 21.4 km², with dense, extensive beds covering 80–100%. In winter, severalCladophora species have a very large distribution as well, covering nearly an area of 28.5 km² with an average cover of 46%. The green algaeCaulerpa prolifera is confined to the eastern part of the lagoon which is mainly affected by seawater. In comparison with previous situations, many transformations were observed in biodiversity and spatial distribution of the dominant communities. Thus,Cymodocea nodosa andZostera beds, which dominated in the 1970s, were replaced byZostera andCaulerpa prolifera in the 1980s and are currently succeeded byRuppia cirrhosa andCladophora. Restoration of the Ghar El Melh lagoon will enable an increase in the exchange with the open sea and the circulation of water, in particular in the confined zones. This should considerably improve the water quality and would positively influence the phytobenthic communities.     

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.     

Absolute configuration of the major sex pheromone component of the satin moth, Leucoma salicis, verified by field trapping test in Hungary

Summary. Male satin moths, Leucoma (Stilpnotia) salicis L. (Lepidoptera, Lymantriidae) were attracted only to (3Z,6R,7S,9R,10S)-isomer out of the four (3Z)-cis-6,7-cis-9,10-diepoxy-3-henicosenes (leucomalure). This was demonstrated by field trapping test with a bivoltine population in a mixed poplar-willow forest along the flood area of the river Danube at Adony, Hungary.     

Increase of multi-metal tolerance of three leguminous plants by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi colonization

A greenhouse pot experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of the colonization of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus (AMF) Glomus mosseae on the growth and metal uptake of three leguminous plants (Sesbania rostrata, Sesbania cannabina, Medicago sativa) grown in multi-metal contaminated soil. AMF colonization increased the growth of the legumes, indicating that AMF colonization increased the plant’s resistance to heavy metals. It also significantly stimulated the formation of root nodules and increased the N and P uptake of all of the tested leguminous plants, which might be one of the tolerance mechanisms conferred by AMF. Compared with the control, colonization by G. mosseae decreased the concentration of metals, such as Cu, in the shoots of the three legumes, indicating that the decreased heavy metals uptake and growth dilution were induced by AMF treatment, thereby reducing the heavy metal toxicity to the plants. The root/shoot ratios of Cu in the three legumes and Zn in M. sativa were significantly increased (P < 0.05) with AMF colonization, indicating that heavy metals were immobilized by the mycorrhiza and the heavy metal translocations to the shoot were decreased.     

Main nutrient compounds in food bodies of Mexican <Emphasis Type="Italic">Acacia</Emphasis> ant-plants

Summary. Myrmecophytic plants use obligate ant mutualists as a constitutive indirect defence mechanism. These plants often produce cellular food bodies (FBs) to nourish their resident ants. Lipids, proteins, and even highly specialised compounds such as glycogen have been reported from FBs, but detailed chemical analyses of FB composition have so far been presented only for Southeast Asian Macaranga and Central American Piper myrmecophytes. Here we report the chemical composition of FBs of five myrmecophytic Acacia (Fabaceae) species from Mexico using HPLC (carbohydrates and proteins) and GC-MS (lipids). Feeding experiments revealed no hints on any use of external food sources by the inhabiting Pseudomyrmex ants. These ants obviously rely completely on FBs and extrafloral nectar provided by their hosts. The total content of nutrients in Acacia FBs was 15-25% of FB dry mass, being much lower than in Macaranga or Piper FBs. Proteins were dominating (8-14 % dm) in Acacia FBs and thus were present in higher amounts than in Macaranga FBs, yet in lower amounts than in Piper. Lipids contributed 1-9 % of dry mass, showing a lower proportion than in FBs of Macaranga or Piper. Carbohydrates made up 3-11 % dm, reaching in most Acacia species the same range as observed in Macaranga and in Piper FBs. Water content was 18-24 % of FB fresh mass, and structural tissue obviously made up a much higher proportion in Acacia FBs than in Macaranga or Piper FBs. Both characters might represent an adaptation to producing FBs unprotected at the leaf tips under dry conditions. Acacia FBs contain all amino acids and all fatty acids that are considered essential for insects, and their contents of lipids and proteins are higher than in the leaves from which they are ontogenetically derived. This indicates a putatively adaptive enrichment of nutritionally valuable compounds in structures functioning as ant-food.     

Toxicity assays of ladybirds using natural predators

Nestling blue titsParus caeruleus L. were given diets containing homogenized ladybirds, to assess the effects of their chemical defences. The 2spot, 10spot and water ladybirds produced no apparent toxic effects when small numbers were given at regular intervals.The pine and kidney-spot ladybirds slightly inhibit growth and may be toxic to very young nestlings. The Water ladybird is extremely distasteful to this predator, despite its lack of toxicity. The results are discussed with reference to the proposed Müllerian and Batesian mimetic relationships between the ladybird species.     

Net energetic advantage drives honey bees (Apis mellifera L) to nectar larceny in Vaccinium ashei Reade

Carpenter bees (Xylocopa spp.) act as primary nectar thieves in rabbiteye blueberry (Vaccinium ashei Reade), piercing corollas laterally to imbibe nectar at basal nectaries. Honey bees (Apis mellifera L) learn to visit these perforations and thus become secondary nectar thieves. We tested the hypothesis that honey bees make this behavioral switch in response to an energetic advantage realized by nectar-robbing flower visits. Nectar volume and sugar quantity were higher in intact than perforated flowers, but bees (robbers) visiting perforated flowers were able to extract a higher percentage of available nectar and sugar so that absolute amount of sugar (mg) removed by one bee visit is the same for each flower type. However, because perforated flowers facilitate higher rates of bee flower visitation and the same or higher rates of nectar ingestion, they are rendered more profitable than intact flowers in temporal terms. Accordingly, net energy (J) gain per second flower handling time was higher for robbers on most days sampled. We conclude that the majority evidence indicates an energetic advantage for honey bees that engage in secondary nectar thievery in V. ashei.Communicated by R. Page