Iridodial: a powerful attractant for the green lacewing, Chrysopa septempunctata (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae)

The lacewing Chrysopa septempunctata Wesmael is an important, common predator of several insects in China, Japan, Russia, and many parts of Europe. Our field trapping experiments in northeast China showed that males of this green lacewing are strongly attracted to the lacewing pheromone of Chrysopa oculata Say, (1R,2S,5R,8R)-iridodial. The induced plant volatile, methyl salicylate, was unattractive to C. septempunctata by itself at the concentration tested, but synergistic when combined with iridodial where the lacewing population was high. (1R,4aS,7S,7aR)-Nepetalactol and (4aS,7S,7aR)-nepetalactone (aphid sex pheromone components) caught significantly more males of C. septempunctata than did blank control traps, but were inferior to iridodial dispensers, which remained strongly attractive to C. septempunctata males for at least 2.5 months. These results indicate that (1R,2S,5R,8R)-iridodial is a powerful attractant for C. septempunctata, and may have great potential for enhanced biological control of garden, agricultural, and forest insect pests.     

Life on the edge: African malaria mosquito (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Anopheles gambiae s. l.</Emphasis>) larvae are amphibious

Anopheles gambiae s.l. is the main vector of malaria in Sub-Saharan Africa. Here, an estimated 1 million people die every year from this disease. Despite considerable research on An. gambiae that increasingly explores sub-organismal phenomena, important facets of the field biology of this deadly insect are yet being discovered. In the current study, we used simple observational tools to reveal that the habitat of larval An. gambiae is not limited within the boundaries of temporary mud puddles, as has been the accepted generalization. Thus, control tactics aimed at immatures must consider zones larger than puddles per se. In fact, eggs are more likely to be found outside than inside puddles. Eggs can develop and larvae can emerge on mud. Larvae are then capable of three distinct modes of terrestrial displacement (two active and one passive), whereby, they can reach standing water. On mud bearing a film of water, larvae actively displace backwards by sinusoidal undulations shown to be only a slight variation of the swimming motor program. On drying mud, larvae switch to a slower and forward form of active locomotion resembling that of a crawling caterpillar. During rains, small larvae may be passively displaced by flowing rainwater so as to be deposited into puddles. These capabilities for being amphibious, along with very rapid growth and development, help explain how An. gambiae thrives in a highly uncertain and often hostile larval environment. Electronic supplementary material  Supplementary material is available in the online version of this article at and is accessible for authorized users.     

高校校园绿化与城市生物多样性保护

阐述了高校校园绿化的重要作用，及其对城市生物多样性保护的重要意义；着重探讨了高校校园绿化与城市生物多样性保护的关系；并对现有高校校园绿化提出了广泛利用一切生物资源，丰富其生物多样性，突出高校绿化特色，加强园林树木的养护和管理，大力开发高校绿化教育功能等积极的生物多样性保护建议。     

集约化柑橘种植抑制土壤磷循环微生物活性

微生物是调节土壤磷循环的关键驱动力.阐明土壤解磷菌的微生物矿化过程对于提高植物养分吸收率和作物产量具有重要意义.通过测定柑橘园与毗邻的自然林地土壤编码碱性磷酸酶基因（phoD）丰度、解磷细菌群落多样性和土壤无机磷组分,探究柑橘种植对土壤微生物获取磷策略的影响机制.结果表明,柑橘种植导致土壤pH下降,土壤有效磷累积,ω（有效磷）平均值高达112 mg·kg^-1,显著高于毗邻的自然林地（3.7 mg·kg^-1）.柑橘种植也会影响土壤磷素组成,柑橘土壤含有较高的可溶态磷（CaCl₂-P）、柠檬酸提取态磷（Citrate-P）和矿物结合态磷（HCl-P）.自然林地土壤各磷组分均显著低于柑橘土壤,而phoD基因丰度和碱性磷酸酶活性显著高于柑橘土壤.高通量测序结果表明,柑橘土壤解磷细菌Shannon指数（4.61）显著低于自然林地（5.35）,群落结构也有别于自然林地.柑橘种植改变了土壤解磷菌的群落组成,自然林地变形菌门的相对丰度显著低于柑橘土壤.土壤有效磷含量与碱性磷酸酶活性呈显著负相关,表明土壤高磷累积抑制土壤解磷细菌的活性.柑橘种植改变了土壤微生物对磷的获取策略,在柑橘园中,土壤微生物主要依赖外源磷,而自然林地土壤微生物主要以微生物分泌碱性磷酸酶矿化有机磷来获取磷的方式满足其生长需求.     

Cold winter temperatures condition the egg-hatching dynamics of a grape disease vector

The leafhopper Scaphoideus titanus is the vector of a major phytoplasma grapevine disease, Flavescence dorée. The vector’s distribution is in Eastern and Northern Europe, and its population dynamics varies as a function of vineyard latitude. We tested the hypothesis that hatching dynamics are cued by cold temperatures observed in winter. We exposed eggs from a natural population to simulated “cold” and “mild” winters and varied the exposure time at 5 °C from 0 to 63 days. We show that temperature cooling mainly affected the onset of hatching and is negatively correlated to the cold time exposure. The majority of hatchings occurred more quickly in cold rather than in mild winter simulated conditions, but there was no significant difference between the duration of hatching of eggs whatever the cold time exposure. In agreement with the Northern American origin of the vector, the diapause termination and thus the timing regulation of egg hatching require cold winters.     

Economics of Nassella Tussock (Nassella trichotoma) control in New Zealand

This paper questions whether current control of the pasture weed nassella tussock (Nassella trichotoma (Nees) Hack. ex Arech) is worthwhile, and how management can be improved. A computer model is developed to simulate nassella tussock population growth, and to provide a basis for calculating economic effects. The existing policy objective of eradication is shown to be inappropriate for economic and practical reasons. Cost-benefit analysis indicates that current government control programmes yield positive net benefits at a 10% discount rate, under realistic population growth-rate assumptions. An economic threshold model confirms that control should be undertaken at current levels of infestation. An optimization model suggests that greater net benefits would be obtained with less frequent control operations than currently practiced.     

关于垃圾堆肥的作用及工艺优化的探讨--堆肥中氧、温度和湿度的控制

本文从降低投资与运行费的角度对堆肥技术与工艺进行分析,并指出堆肥技术的提高不在于单纯地提高机械化的程度,而是要把握生物反应系统的主要反应条件,并对通风量进行优化。对过程的影响因素——氧含量、温度、湿度进行了系统分析,并介绍了相应的控制方法与工程技术。     

铅锌尾矿砂污染下的岩溶土壤微生物群落碳源代谢特征

以广西阳朔思的村铅锌矿尾砂污染的水稻田、玉米地、柑橘园以及对照(旱地)土壤为研究对象,采用碳素利用法和18S rRNA变性梯度凝胶电泳技术探究岩溶区重金属污染下土壤微生物群落碳源代谢特征以及土壤真菌与土壤有机碳的交互关系.结果表明,广西阳朔思的村铅锌矿尾砂污染区土壤重金属总体含量(Pb、Zn、Cu、Cd)依次为:水稻田玉米地柑橘园对照;同时地累积综合指数显示该区重金属污染以Pb、Cd为主,其中Cd带来的环境风险最高.受Pb、Zn、Cu、Cd等重金属复合污染物影响,土壤微生物生物量碳、微生物熵和碳源代谢速率表现出随总体重金属质量分数增加而降低的变化规律,但土壤总有机碳质量分数却表现为:水稻田对照柑橘园或玉米地.DGGE结果进一步显示对照组土壤存在担子菌门多孔菌目Pycnoporus sp.ZW02.30,柑橘园和玉米地土壤存在镰刀菌属Fusarium solani和Fusarium oxysporum以及柑橘园土壤存在青霉属Penicillium decumbens.然而,上述参与淀粉、纤维素、半纤维素、木质素等糖类降解过程的真菌没有在水稻田土壤检出.加之,水稻田土壤微生物功能多样性指数和微生物熵最低而土壤有机碳质量分数最高,说明铅锌尾矿砂通过影响不同样地土壤微生物糖类代谢过程,进而调节土壤碳在微生物特别是真菌作用下的矿化速率.     

Plants with phytotoxic potential: Wollemi pine (Wollemia nobilis)

Herbicide resistance in annual ryegrass (ARG, Lolium rigidum) threatens the quality and yield of winter wheat crops in Australia, prompting research to discover novel natural plant compounds with herbicidal properties. Due to its novel nature and potentially interesting chemistry, the Australian native, Wollemi pine (Wollemia nobilis), was tested for its ability to suppress ARG growth and its feasibility for use in weed control strategies. The leaf extract of Wollemi pine significantly inhibited the growth of ARG and wild radish (Raphanus raphanistrum) in laboratory bioassays at concentrations above 1% extract. In soil trials, the 100% extract (100 g dried plant material/L) inhibited the dry weight of ARG by 25%. The addition of a wetting agent to the extract increased the suppression of ARG to 80% which was as phytotoxic as a 4-fold increase in the extract concentration (“400%” extract). Using bioassay-guided fractionation, the most phytotoxic fraction was identified and further analysed via GC/MS. Several compounds not previously identified in Wollemi pine leaf extracts have been identified, namely, 2-propylphenol, 3,4-dimethoxyphenol, 2-methoxybenzoic acid, vanillyl alcohol and isovanillic acid. These results suggest that Wollemi pine is an important potential source of compounds for the control of ARG and wild radish in winter crops.     

pH值调控对柑橘废渣与污泥厌氧共发酵产酸影响

为提高挥发性脂肪酸(VFA)的产量,探究了柑橘废渣和剩余污泥不同VS(挥发性固体)配比及调控发酵过程pH值对产VFA性能的影响.结果表明:调节共发酵系统pH值为6对VFA的积累有促进作用,柑橘废渣VS/剩余污泥VS为2时的最大VFA产量为11183.12mg/L,是未控制pH值组最高VFA浓度的1.75倍.柑橘废渣中的...     

Mating System and Sexual Selection in the Scorpionfly Panorpa vulgaris (Mecoptera: Panorpidae)

Panorpa vulgaris   has become a model insect for testing theories of sexual selection. This contribution summarizes that which has been learned in recent years and presents new data that clearly show that the mating system of P. vulgaris is not simply a resource-defense polygyny, as has previously been thought. In P. vulgaris neither the pattern in food exploitation nor the ratio of variance in the lifetime reproductive success of the two sexes is in accordance with that expected in resource defense polygynous mating systems. Lifetime mating duration is the most important proximate determinant of male fitness. Males employing alternative mating tactics obtain copulations of varying duration in relation to the following sequence: saliva secretion  1  food offering  1  no gift. The number of salivary masses which males provide to females during their lifetime is significantly correlated with the lifetime condition index. The condition index depends on the fighting prowess of males and their ability to find food items. Thus saliva secretion of Panorpa is considered a Zahavian handicap, which can serve as an honest quality indicator used by mating females. Our results confirm four main predictions of the indicator model of the theory of sexual selection: (a) the indicator signals high ecological quality of its bearer, (b) the indicator value increases with phenotypic quality, (c) the indicator value is positively correlated with the genetic quality affecting offspring fitness in a natural selection context, and (d) the quality indicator is more costly for low- than for high-quality individuals. The evolutionary consequences of the mating pattern and the sperm competition mechanism in P. vulgaris are discussed in the context the way in which sexual selection creates and maintains sperm mixing and the evolution of a promiscuous mating system.     

Recilia banda Kramer (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae), a vector of Napier stunt phytoplasma in Kenya

Napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum) is the most important fodder crop in smallholder dairy production systems in East Africa, characterized by small zero-grazing units. It is also an important trap crop used in the management of cereal stemborers in maize in the region. However, production of Napier grass in the region is severely constrained by Napier stunt disease. The etiology of the disease is known to be a phytoplasma, 16SrXI strain. However, the putative insect vector was yet unknown. We sampled and identified five leafhopper and three planthopper species associated with Napier grass and used them as candidates in pathogen transmission experiments. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR), based on the highly conserved 16S gene, primed by P1/P6-R16F2n/R16R2 nested primer sets was used to diagnose phytoplasma on test plants and insects, before and after transmission experiments. Healthy plants were exposed for 60 days to insects that had fed on diseased plants and acquired phytoplasma. The plants were then incubated for another 30 days. Nested PCR analyses showed that 58.3% of plants exposed to Recilia banda Kramer (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) were positive for phytoplasma and developed characteristic stunt disease symptoms while 60% of R. banda insect samples were similarly phytoplasma positive. We compared the nucleotide sequences of the phytoplasma isolated from R. banda, Napier grass on which these insects were fed, and Napier grass infected by R. banda, and found them to be virtually identical. The results confirm that R. banda transmits Napier stunt phytoplasma in western Kenya, and may be the key vector of Napier stunt disease in this region.     

Choosy males from the underground: male mating preferences in surface- and cave-dwelling Atlantic mollies (Poecilia mexicana)

Atlantic mollies (Poecilia mexicana) inhabit a variety of surface habitats, but they also occur in a sulfur cave in southern Mexico. We examined male mate choice relative to female body size in the cave population and in the most closely related surface-dwelling population from a nearby river. Males from both populations were either light- or dark-reared and could choose between two differently sized females either on the basis of visual cues in light or on the basis of solely nonvisual cues in darkness. Sexual preferences were estimated from the degree of association. Cave molly males always showed a preference for the larger female, both in light and in darkness. Among the surface males, only light-reared males showed a preference in the visual cues test, but not in darkness. In a control experiment, we demonstrated that male association preferences directly translate into actual mating preferences. Apparently, using visual cues for mate choice is the ancestral state in this system, and using nonvisual cues has evolved as a novel trait in the cave population. We discuss the evolution of nonvisual male mate choice in the context of changed environmental conditions, namely the absence of light, hypoxia, and toxic hydrogen sulfide in the cave.     

Prenatal diagnosis of free sialic acid storage disorders (SASD)

Free sialic acid storage disorders, Salla disease (SD) and Infantile sialic acid storage disease (ISSD), are lysosomal storage diseases due to impaired function of a sialic acid transporter, sialin, at the lysosomal membrane. Several mutations of the sialin gene, SLC17A5, are known, leading either to the severe neonatal/infantile disease or to the milder, adult-type developmental disorder, Salla disease. Free sialic acid accumulation in lysosomes causes increased tissue concentration and consequently elevated urinary excretion. Prenatal diagnosis of SASD is possible either by determination of free sialic acid concentration or by mutation analysis of the SLC17A5 gene in fetal specimen, in chorionic villus biopsy particularly. Both techniques have been successfully applied in several cases, sialic acid assay more often in ISSD cases but mutation analysis preferentially in SD. Sialic acid assay of amniotic fluid supernatant or cultured amniotic fluid cells may give erroneous results and should not be used for prenatal diagnosis of these disorders. The present comments are mainly based on our experience of prenatal diagnosis of SD in Finnish families. A founder mutation in SLC17A5 gene, 115C-> T, represents 95% of the disease alleles in the Finnish SD patients, which provides a unique possibility to apply mutation analysis. Therefore, molecular studies have successfully been used in 17 families since the identification of the gene and the characterization of the SD mutations. Earlier, eight prenatal studies were performed by measuring the free sialic acid concentration in chorionic villus samples. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Grassy field margins and arthropod diversity: a case study on ground beetles and spiders in eastern Austria (Coleoptera: Carabidae; Arachnida: Aranei, Opiliones)

In 1983, the species composition and diversity of carabids, spiders and harvestmen was investigated by pitfall traps in a grassy field margin and in an adjacent, biologically farmed wheat field at Obere Lobau, Vienna, Austria.The carabid fauna of both habitats was diverse; it showed a high degree of similarity, the abundant species in both habitats being represented by typical field species. Only Metophonus spp. predominantly lived in the margin. Numerous species of different habitat origin occurred in the margin at low abundances indicating transitional stay rather than permanent populations.In contrast, the spider fauna showed a low degree of similarity, with few agrobiotic species strongly dominating field fauna. In the field margin, a rich spider fauna containing rare elements indicates the general importance of grassy margins for nature conservation. The apparently low faunal exchange of spiders between the two habitat types is discussed. Harvestmen occurred mainly in the field margin; only two thermophilic species invaded the field.Seasonal fluctuations in the trapping numbers of Bembidion lampros, Platynus dorsalis and Brachinus explodens are interpreted as indicating migrations between field margin and field. Poecilus cupreus and certain other field species, however, apparently spend their entire life cycle in the field. The possible function of field margins for restoration of carabid losses due to impacts of intensive cultivation is discussed.It is concluded that both grassy field margins and sustainable farming methods, in particular biological farming, are necessary to maintain a diverse predatory arthropod fauna in agroecosystems.     

高速公路路域景观恢复工程设计初探

结合长沙市国道绕城高速公路路域内的景观恢复与绿化美化工程设计，讨论了高速公路景观设计的分类、绿化美化工程设计的内容与要求、长沙市国道绕城高速公路景观恢复工程设计的思路。     

Prenatal diagnosis of congenital Chagas' disease (American trypanosomiasis)

The prenatal diagnosis of congenital transmission of Chagas' disease in a pregnant woman with the indeterminate form of the disease is reported. Sonography revealed fetal hydrops at 31 weeks' gestation. Anti-Trypanosoma cruzi IgM and IgG antibodies were negative in the fetal blood sampled by cordocentesis, but T. cruzi trypomastigotes were found in its buffy coat. Owing to anemia, in utero exchange transfusion was undertaken, but fetal demise ensued. Labor was induced and a stillborn infant weighing 2030 g was delivered. The pathological examination revealed placentitis and meningoencephalitis, myocarditis and splenitis in the stillborn fetus. Amastigotes were found in the myocardium, brain and placenta. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

应用地磁场的弹体飞行姿态测量方法研究

常规弹药的简易制导化是常规弹药改造的一个重要途径,是目前研究的热点之一,可以在低成本下大大提高常规弹药的精度,弹道修正弹是其中的一个重要发展方向,而弹体姿态实时测量是其中的一项关键技术。介绍了弹体姿态测量中基于地磁场的姿态测量方法,将其分为组合姿态测量和单矢量测量,并对测量方法做出了分析,阐述了应用地磁场的姿态测量的重要意义。     

Role of post-dispersal seed and seedling predation in establishment of dandelion (Taraxacum agg.) plants

Dandelion Taraxacum agg. (formerly Taraxacum officinale G.H. Weber ex Wiggers) is a common weed species associated with pastures, grasslands and no-tillage cropping systems throughout its native range in Europe, and more recently introduced into North America, Australasia and elsewhere. Following wind-dispersal from the parent plant, its seeds are subject to predation from a host of invertebrate predators. Similarly, seedling predation may also significantly limit dandelion recruitment. Although such post-dispersal mortality is central to our understanding of dandelion population dynamics and therefore weed control, the precise spatio-temporal role played by different putative seed and seedling predators is poorly understood. Here we studied how seed viability, and seed and seedling predation influenced dandelion recruitment at two contrasting sites in central Europe. The abundance in the field and seed and seedling consumption in the laboratory were determined for the main groups of predators—ground beetles (Coleoptera: Carabiade), terrestrial isopods (Isopoda: Oniscidea) and molluscs (Gastopoda: Pulmonata). At particular sites, seed viability and seedling predation were negatively correlated while the percentage of seeds that succumbed to seed predation was similar. Combined factors accounted for the death of 98% and 87% of exposed seeds. Ground beetles (particularly Amara spp.) and terrestrial isopods (Armadillidium vulgare) were efficient and dominant seed predators, while slugs (Arion lusitanicus) and isopods were important predators of seedlings. While there was no seasonal trend in the intensity of seed predation it decreased towards autumn in parallel with the feeding activity of the declining population of A. lusitanicus. The mortality factors thus varied in their importance, largely between sites and less with the course of the season. Although seed inviability, seed and seedling predation did not stop the recruitment of dandelion seedlings they are crucial factors limiting dandelion populations. Methods of increasing the efficiency of predation of seed as a means of managing weeds are worthy of further study, particularly in areas where dandelion is an invasive species.