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Hair cells of the inner ear are particularly sensitive to changes in mitochondria, the subcellular organelles necessary for energy production in all eukaryotic cells. There are over 30 mitochondrial deafness genes, and mitochondria are implicated in hair cell death following noise exposure, aminoglycoside antibiotic exposure, as well as in age-related hearing loss. However, little is known about the basic aspects of hair cell mitochondrial biology. Using hair cells from the zebrafish lateral line as a model and serial block-face scanning electron microscopy, we have quantifiably characterized a unique hair cell mitochondrial phenotype that includes (1) a high mitochondrial volume and (2) specific mitochondrial architecture: multiple small mitochondria apically, and a reticular mitochondrial network basally. This phenotype develops gradually over the lifetime of the hair cell. Disrupting this mitochondrial phenotype with a mutation in opa1 impacts mitochondrial health and function. While hair cell activity is not required for the high mitochondrial volume, it shapes the mitochondrial architecture, with mechanotransduction necessary for all patterning, and synaptic transmission necessary for the development of mitochondrial networks. These results demonstrate the high degree to which hair cells regulate their mitochondria for optimal physiology and provide new insights into mitochondrial deafness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDARs) are fundamental coincidence detectors of synaptic activity necessary for the induction of synaptic plasticity and synapse stability. Adjusting NMDAR synaptic content, whether by receptor insertion or lateral diffusion between extrasynaptic and synaptic compartments, could play a substantial role defining the characteristics of the NMDARmediated excitatory postsynaptic current (EPSC), which in turn would mediate the ability of the synapse to undergo plasticity. Lateral NMDAR movement has been observed in dissociated neurons; however, it is currently unclear whether NMDARs are capable of lateral surface diffusion in hippocampal slices, a more physiologically relevant environment. To test for lateral mobility in rat hippocampal slices, we rapidly blocked synaptic NMDARs using MK-801, a use-dependent and irreversible NMDAR blocker. Following a 5-min washout period, we observed a strong recovery of NMDAR-mediated responses. The degree of the observed recovery was proportional to the amount of induced blockade, independent of levels of intracellular calcium, and mediated primarily by GluN2B-containing NMDA receptors. These results indicate that lateral diffusion of NMDARs could be a mechanism by which synapses rapidly adjust parameters to fine-tune synaptic plasticity. NEW & NOTEWORTHY N-methyl-D-aspartate-type glutamate receptors (NMDARs) have always been considered stable components of synapses. We show that in rat hippocampal slices synaptic NMDARs are in constant exchange with extrasynaptic receptors. This exchange of receptors is mediated primarily by NMDA receptors containing GluN2B, a subunit necessary to undergo synaptic plasticity. Thus this lateral movement of synaptic receptors allows synapses to rapidly regulate the total number of synaptic NMDARs with potential consequences for synaptic plasticity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Salmonella Typhimurium is an intracellular bacterial pathogen that infects both epithelial cells and macrophages. Salmonella effector proteins, which are translocated into the host cell and manipulate host cell components, control the ability to replicate and/or survive in host cells. Due to the complexity and heterogeneity of Salmonella infections, there is growing recognition of the need for single-cell and live-cell imaging approaches to identify and characterize the diversity of cellular phenotypes and how they evolve over time. Here, we establish a pipeline for long-term (17 h) live-cell imaging of infected cells and subsequent image analysis methods. We apply this pipeline to track bacterial replication within the Salmonella-containing vacuole in epithelial cells, quantify vacuolar replication versus survival in macrophages and investigate the role of individual effector proteins in mediating these parameters. This approach revealed that dispersed bacteria can coalesce at later stages of infection, that the effector protein SseG influences the propensity for cytosolic hyper-replication in epithelial cells, and that while SteA only has a subtle effect on vacuolar replication in epithelial cells, it has a profound impact on infection parameters in immunocompetent macrophages, suggesting differential roles for effector proteins in different infection models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mango, Mangifera indica (Anacardiaceae), is a crop cultivated pantropically. There are, however, many other Mangifera spp ("mango relatives") which have much more restricted distributions and are poorly known but have potential to produce mango-like fruits in areas where mangoes do not grow well or could be tapped in mango breeding programs. Because of the restricted distribution of many of the Mangifera spp, there has also been limited data collected on susceptibility of their fruits to infestation by tephritid fruit flies which is important to know for concerns both for quality of production and for quarantine security of fruit exports. Here, we report on natural field infestation by the oriental fruit fly, Bactrocera dorsalis (Diptera: Tephritidae), of two mango relatives native to Indonesia: Mangifera casturi and Mangifera lalijiwa. Rates of infestation of fruits of these two Mangifera spp by tephritid fruit flies have not previously been reported. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Mechanosensory hair cells are highly metabolically active cells, with high total mitochondrial volumes to meet that demand. • Calcium influx during mechanotransduction and synaptic transmission regulate hair cell mitochondria, leading to an overall hypothesis that similar to skeletal muscle and cardiomyocytes, intracellular calcium underlies the expansion of the hair cell mitochondrial volume. • Hair cell mitochondrial biogenesis is primarily product of cellular differentiation rather than calcium influx. • Hair cell high mitochondrial volume renders them more susceptible to reactive oxygen species increased by calcium flux than other cell types. In all cell types, mitochondrial biogenesis is balanced with mitophagy to maintain a healthy mitochondrial pool that sustains specific energetic demands. Cell types that have a higher energetic burden, such as skeletal muscle cells and cardiomyocytes, will subsequently develop high mitochondrial volumes. In these cells, calcium influx during activity triggers cascades leading to activation of the co-transcriptional regulation factor PGC-1α, a master regulator of mitochondrial biogenesis, in a well-defined pathway. Despite the advantages in ATP production, high mitochondrial volumes might prove to be perilous, as it increases exposure to reactive oxygen species produced during oxidative phosphorylation. Mechanosensory hair cells are highly metabolically active cells, with high total mitochondrial volumes to meet that demand. However, the mechanisms leading to expansion and maintenance of the hair cell mitochondrial pool are not well defined. Calcium influx during mechanotransduction and synaptic transmission regulate hair cell mitochondria, leading to a possibility that similar to skeletal muscle and cardiomyocytes, intracellular calcium underlies the expansion of the hair cell mitochondrial volume. This review briefly summarizes the potential mechanisms underlying mitochondrial biogenesis in other cell types and in hair cells. We propose that hair cell mitochondrial biogenesis is primarily product of cellular differentiation rather than calcium influx, and that the hair cell high mitochondrial volume renders them more susceptible to reactive oxygen species increased by calcium flux than other cell types. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bactrocera cucurbitae (Coquillett) is a tephritid fruit fly native to the Indo-Malayan region. Its distribution, though, has extended to include Africa, temperate Asia, and a number of Pacific islands. It became established in Japan in 1919 in the Yaeyama Islands and spread north in the Southwestern Islands of Japan. It was subsequently eradicated from these islands by an eradication program that extended from 1972 to 1993. As part of an effort to develop a worldwide database on the status of fruits as hosts of melon fly, the infestation data gathered from host fruits collected in this eradication program, before the initiation of suppression activities, are summarized here. Bactrocera cucurbitae infestation was documented in 24 plant taxa of four plant families (Caricaceae, Cucurbitaceae, Moraceae, and Solanaceae), with the following four new hosts identified: Ficus erecta Thunb., F.pumila L. (Moraceae), Solanum erianthum D. Don (Solanaceae), and Zehneria liukiuensis Jeffrey ex Walker (Cucurbitaceae). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Export of Citrus spp. fruits may require risk mitigation measures if grown in areas with established tephritid fruit fly (Diptera: Tephritidae) populations capable of infesting the fruits. The host status of Citrus spp. fruits is unclear for two tephritid fruit fly species whose geographic ranges have expanded in recent years: melon fly, Bactrocera cucurbitae (Cocquillett), and Bactrocera latifrons (Hendel). In no choice cage infestation studies, B. latifrons oviposited into intact and punctured Washington navel oranges (Citrussinensis [L.] Osbeck) and Clementine tangerines (C. reticulata L. var. Clementine), but eggs rarely developed to the adult stage. B. cucurbitae readily infested intact and punctured tangerines, and to a lesser extent punctured oranges, but did not infest intact oranges. Limited cage infestation and only a single literature report of field Citrus spp. infestation suggest that risk mitigation of Citrus spp. for B. latifrons is not needed. Risk mitigation options of Citrus spp. for B. cucurbitae, including heat and cold treatments and systems approaches, are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sweetpotato, commercially grown in over 100 countries, is one of the ten most important staple crops in the world. Sweetpotato weevil is a major pest of sweetpotato in most areas of cultivation, the feeding of which induces production in the sweetpotato root of extremely bitter tasting and toxic sesquiterpenes which can render the sweetpotato unfit for consumption. A significant step towards improved management of this weevil species was the identification of a female-produced sex pheromone [(Z)-3-dodecenyl (E)-2-butenoate] to which males are highly attracted. Reported here are results of research that documents a nearly 5-fold increase in male sweetpotato weevil catch in traps baited with this pheromone and a green light provided by a solar-powered, light-emitting diode (LED). The combination of olfactory and night-visible visual cues significantly enhanced trap effectiveness for this nighttime-active insect species. These results provide promise for improved sweetpotato weevil detection and suppression in mass trapping programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the results of a study that investigated the outcome of the released of the parasitoid Diachasmimorpha kraussii against the tephritid fruit fly, Bactrocera latifrons in March 2003 in Hawaii. Three years after the last parasitoid release showed that Diachasmimorpha kraussii established in Hawaii. The parasitism rates were 1.0-1.4 percent lower compared to 2.8-8.7 percent rates for the earlier established egg-larval parasitoid, Fopius arisanus.

The article focuses on a research conducted in order to assess the effectiveness of cassava, Manihot esculenta (M. esculenta) as a roosting host for the melon fly, Bactrocera cucurbitae (B. cucurbitae) and the Oriental fruit fly, B. dorsalis. It describes the establishment of roosting hosts as crop borders in improving the suppression of both fruit fly species. The study revealed the use of M. esculenta as a roosting host comparable to use of Ricinus communis by both flies species.

The article focuses on a research conducted in order to assess the characteristics useful for differentiation of sexes in the Chinese rose beetle, Adoretus sinicus (A. sinicus) and to recognize the potential agricultural and biosecurity threat of Adoretus species. The study revealed the non-destructive morphological differences between the sexes of A. sinicus including the form of the terminal sternite and the length to width ratio of protarsomere.

Chinese rose beetle, Adoretus sinicus (Burmeister) (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Adoretini), found in Asia and the Pacific Islands, was first reported in Hawaii (USA) in 1891. Adults feed at night on leaves of a wide range of plant species. Aggregate feeding can stunt or even kill host plants. Chinese rose beetle is one of the most serious pests of young cacao [ Theobroma cacao L. (Malvaceae)] trees, and has been a problem for orchard establishment in the developing cacao industry in Hawaii. One promising pesticide-free control method takes advantage of the avoidance of light by adult beetles when they select the plant on which they will feed at night. We tested the effectiveness of nighttime illumination provided by a portable solar-based light-emitting diode spotlight system as a means of reducing beetle populations on host plants, first using castor bean, Ricinus communis L. (Euphorbiaceae), as a test plant, followed by orchard-scale testing in young cacao orchards. Using Chinese rose beetle-populated castor bean plants, counts were made of numbers of beetles on both non-illuminated and illuminated plants. Nighttime illumination suppressed beetle numbers, with increased suppression associated with extended duration of illumination (number of nights) and with increased intensity of illumination: 2.5 lux was sufficient to give >50% suppression, and 4.0 lux was sufficient to give >75% suppression over 4 nights of illumination. In cacao orchard tests, there was over 93% reduction of beetle numbers in each test orchard, following 4 nights of illumination. The results clearly show that nighttime illumination can be used as a means of reducing Chinese rose beetle population size, and presumed aggregate defoliation on a host plant. We believe that this is the first report of the use of nighttime illumination as a means of suppressing damage of plants by insects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bactrocera latifrons (Hendel) is a tephritid fruit fly of primarily Asian distribution that has invaded Hawaii and, more recently, the continent of Africa (Tanzania and Kenya). It primarily infests solanaceous fruits, so has the potential to impact production of crops such as peppers ( Capsicum annuum L. and Capsicum frutescens L.), eggplant ( Solanum melongena L.), African eggplant ( Solanum aethiopicum L.) and tomatoes ( Solanum lycopersicum L.). Because little work has been done to develop suppression techniques for this fruit fly species, field cage tests of the effectiveness of a commercially available bait spray, GF-120NF Fruit Fly Bait, against wild B. latifrons were conducted. Sexually mature B. latifrons adults (75 male and 75 female) were introduced to both a control cage and a treatment cage, each of which held six fruiting Anaheim chili pepper ( C. annuum L.) plants. Fruits were harvested, and assessed for infestation, both before and after the application of the bait spray in the treatment cage. There was no difference in infestation rate between control and treatment cages before the application of the bait spray, whereas there was a significantly lower infestation rate in treatment cages following the application of the bait spray. Post-spray infestation rate in the treatment cages (in two separate, replicated bioassays) was always zero and no live flies were detected in the treatment cages at the end of the trials. The results of this study provide evidence that GF-120NF Fruit Fly Bait should be effective in suppressing B. latifrons populations in the field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bactrocera latifrons (Hendel) is a tephritid fruit fly of primarily Asian distribution that became established in Hawaii in 1983 and recently invaded Africa, being detected in Tanzania in 2006 and in Kenya in 2007. Although males of the majority of dacine fruit flies respond to either methyl eugenol or cuelure, B. latifrons shows little to no response to these lures. Instead, B. latifrons males respond to α-ionol + cade oil. Male age-related responsiveness to α-ionol + cade oil (using wind tunnel bioassays) relative to the age of sexual maturity (assessed through spermathecal dissections) was documented using wild B. latifrons adults. Relative to the peak response observed at day 28, males exceeded 50, 75 and 90% of the peak response at days 7, 14 and 21, respectively. No females younger than 16 days old were mated. Based on a sigmoidal regression of the percentage of inseminated females versus age, 50% of females were inseminated when 18.8 days old, with the percentage increasing to 75 and 90% at 19.8 and 20.9 days of age, respectively. At 24 days and older, 100% of females were mated. The observation that no female B. latifrons were mated by day 14, while 14-day-old male: flies achieved over 75% of the peak response to α-ionol +cade oil, suggests that α-ionol + cade oil mass trapping has some potential to remove males from the field before they can contribute to increasing field populations through matings, as previously found with the oriental fruit fly, B. dorsalis (Hendel), and its respective male lure, methyl eugenol. The effectiveness of the removal of males before they mate, though, would be expected to be less for B. latifrons than the male annihilation achieved in the use of methyl eugenol with B. dorsalis because the male lure for B. latifrons is weaker overall. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Bactrocera latifrons (Hendel) (Diptera: Tephritidae) is the most recent of four tephritid fruit fly species accidentally introduced into Hawaii. Although parasitoids have been released against other tephritid fruit fly species and have shown partial success in Hawaii, no parasitoids were released until 2004 to suppress populations of B. latifrons. The present study was conducted to document the parasitoid complex that has naturally established against B. latifrons in Hawaii and to assess whether there is a need for improving the biological control of this species. Based on ripe turkeyberry (Solanum torvum Sw) fruit collections over three consecutive years B. latifrons was the dominant tephritid fruit fly infestating turkeyberry at all four sites surveyed, across three major islands in Hawaii. The overall percentage parasitism of B. latifrons ranged from a low of 0.8% (Hana, Maui) to a high of 8.8% (Kahaluu, Oahu). Five primary parasitoid species were recovered from individually held B. latifrons puparia: Fopius arisanus (Sonan), Psyttalia incisi (Silvestri), Diachasmimorpha longicaudata (Ashmead), D. tryoni (Cameron), and Tetrastichus giffardianus Silvestri. F. arisanus was the predominant parasitoid at three of the four sites. Low levels of parasitism suggest that there is a need to improve biological control of B. latifrons, to minimize chances of this species causing economic impacts on crop production in Hawaii. We discuss the possibility of improving biological control of B. latifrons through augmentative releases of F. arisanus or introduction and release of specific and efficient new parasitoid species. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The solanaceous fruit fly, Bactrocera latifrons (Hendel), is a tephritid fruit fly of the subfamily Dacinae which does not respond to male attractants attractive to most other members of this subfamily (methyl eugenol or cuelure). Male B. latifrons have been found to be attractive to α-ionol, with the attractancy synergistically enhanced by the addition of cade oil, a destructive distillation tar of Juniperus oxycedrus L. twigs. Solvent extracts and chromatographic fractions of cade oil were tested for attractancy enhancement for α-ionol to sexually mature B. latifrons in an outdoor olfactometer and macadamia nut orchard, and chemicals were analyzed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). Approximately 220 chemicals were found in the hexane and base extracts. Profile comparison of GC–MS chromatograms and bioactivities between fractions indicated seven chemicals in cade oil likely to enhance the attractancy of α-ionol. These chemicals are 4-allyl-2-methoxyphenol (eugenol), 2-methoxy-4-propenylphenol (isoeugenol), 2-allyl-6-methoxyphenol (o-eugenol), 2-methoxy-4-propylphenol (dihydroeugenol), 3-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzaldehyde (isovanilin), 2-butenal (crotonaldehyde), and 4-ethyl-2-methoxyphenol. Bioassays in an outdoor olfactometer and preliminary field trials of the authentic chemicals showed that eugenol, isoeugenol, dihydroeugenol, and 4-ethyl-2-methoxyphenol enhanced α-ionol attractancy up to 1.3–2.1-fold (olfactometer) or 2.0–2.4-fold (field) compared to α-ionol alone when each of them was presented together with α-ionol. The identification of eugenol as a synergist for the attractiveness of α-ionol to B. latifrons helps to better place B. latifrons in the overall Dacinae male lure response pattern. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Oriental persimmon,Diospyros kakiL., in Upper Kula on the island of Maui (Hawaii) is attacked by the Mediterranean fruit fly,Ceratitis capitata(Wiedemann). Recent suppression trials using mass trapping with a synthetic food-based bait, initiated in alternate host crops before the start of persimmon season, had shown promise as a means of reducingC. capitatapopulation levels. However, this did not adequately suppressC. capitatapopulation where there were adjacent plantings of coffee,Coffea arabicaL., a favoured alternate host, which bears fruits before and during the persimmon season. To improveC. capitatapopulation suppression, we applied a spinosad-based bait spray to coffee plants, starting before persimmon fruits became susceptible to oviposition by the Mediterranean fruit fly. The bait spray suppressed theC. capitatapopulation and led to reduced infestation of both coffee cherries and persimmon fruits. Percentage parasitization ofC. capitatain coffee cherries by established biological control agents, primarilyFopius arisanus(Sonan), was not significantly different in unsprayed vs. sprayed plots even after 11 weekly sprays. These results suggest that mass trapping, combined with spinosad-based bait sprays, are control components that are compatible with biological control and can be combined in an integrated pest management system forC. capitata. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The sweetpotato vine borer, Omphisa anastomosalis (Guenée), is a primarily Asian pest of sweetpotato, Ipomoea batatas L. Damage by O. anastomosalis infestation can cause root yield losses of 30%–50%. A binary sex pheromone for O. anastomosalis, consisting of Type I [(10 E ,14 E)-10,14-hexadecadienal (E10,E14-16:Ald)] and Type II [(3 Z ,6 Z ,9 Z)-3,6,9-tricosatriene (Z3,Z6,Z9-23:H)] components, was identified in Vietnam from extracts of female pheromone glands. A structurally similar Type II compound [(3 Z ,6 Z ,9 Z)-3,6,9-docosatriene (Z3,Z6,Z9-22:H)], not recovered from female pheromone glands, was also found to synergize the attractiveness of the Type I component. Additional field work has been needed to determine whether these synergistic enhancements of attractiveness also occur in other parts of the geographical distribution of this moth species. Herein, results of studies are reported which document that both Z3,Z6,Z9-23:H and Z3,Z6,Z9-22:H also synergistically enhance male response to E10,E14-16:Ald in Hawaii sweetpotato field populations. Trap catch tends to be enhanced with increase of dose and lower Type I:Type II ratios. Among the compound doses and ratios tested, trap catch increased with the addition of the Type II component by over 13 times relative to traps baited with the Type I component alone, which significantly enhanced sweetpotato vine borer detection. Using a 2.0 mg: 4.0 mg Type I: Type II loading, there was continued catch over 12 wk, during which time the Type I component weathered at a faster rate than the Type II component. This binary sex pheromone seems to have promise for both monitoring and suppression of field populations of O. anastomosalis throughout its geographical range. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bactrocera latifrons (Hendel) (Diptera: Tephritidae) is a pest fruit fly species native to Oriental Asia which has invaded and established in Hawaii and Tanzania and has been recovered in detection trapping in California. It is largely non-responsive to the male lures cuelure and methyl eugenol. Alpha-ionol + cade oil is a moderately effective male B. latifrons attractant, but is not as attractive as cuelure or methyl eugenol are to other fruit fly species. An improved attractant is therefore desired. With the recent success in finding other non-responsive fruit fly species attracted to isoeugenol, methyl-isoeugenol, or dihydroeugenol in Australia and other countries, we wanted to assess whether B. latifrons might also respond to these “eugenol analogs.” Working with wild B. latifrons populations in Hawaii, we assessed the relative catch of B. latifrons in traps baited with the eugenol analogs with catch in traps baited with alpha-ionol, alpha-ionol + cade oil, or alpha-ionol + eugenol. Catch was significantly higher in traps baited with alpha-ionol + cade oil relative to traps with any of the other baits. There was, though, some male B. latifrons catch in traps baited with dihydroeugenol or isoeugenol but none in traps baited with methyl-isoeugenol. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Epigenetic mechanisms, including DNA methylation, histone modification, and microRNAs, play pivotal roles in stem cell biology. Methyl-CpG binding protein 1 (MBD1), an important epigenetic regulator of adult neurogenesis, controls the proliferation and differentiation of adult neural stem/progenitor cells (aNSCs). We recently demonstrated that MBD1 deficiency in aNSCs leads to altered expression of several noncoding microRNAs (miRNAs). Methodology/Principal Findings: Here we show that one of these miRNAs, miR-195, and MBD1 form a negative feedback loop. While MBD1 directly represses the expression of miR-195 in aNSCs, high levels of miR-195 in turn repress the expression of MBD1. Both gain-of-function and loss-of-function investigations show that alterations of the MBD1-miR-195 feedback loop tip the balance between aNSC proliferation and differentiation. Conclusions/Significance: Therefore the regulatory loop formed by MBD1 and miR-195 is an important component of the epigenetic network that controls aNSC fate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on a research conducted in order to evaluate a new marking dye, readmission ink, Blak-Ray for dispersal studies with the oriental fruit fly, Bactrocera dorsalis. It discusses the rearing and irradiation of oriental fruit flies to induce sterility in order to test the suitability of this dye for insect marking. The study revealed the importance of the readmission ink as an effective marker for the oriental fruit fly.

A complete empirical large-signal model for high-power AIGaN/GaN HEMTs (GaN HEMT) utilizing an improved drain current (Ids) formulation with self-heating and chargetrapping modifications is presented. The new drain current equation accurately models the asymmetric bell-shaped transconductance (gm) for high Ids over a large range of biases. A method of systematically employing dynamic IV behavior using pulsed-gate IV and pulsed-gate-pulsed-drain IV datasets over a wide variety of thermal and charge-trapping conditions is presented. The composite nonlinear model accurately predicts the dynamic IV behavior, S-parameters up to 10 GHz, and large-signal wideband harmonic behavior for a multitude of quiescent gate-source and drain-source biases as well as third-order intermodulation distortion (IM3). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel, visually-attractive bait station was developed in Hawaii for application of insecticidal baits against oriental fruit fly, Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel), melon fly, Bactrocera cucurbitae (Coquillett), and Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann) (all Diptera: Tephritidae). The bait station developed represents a supernormal visual stimulus of papaya foliage and takes advantage of the flies’ strong response to the high light-reflecting properties of yellow color and of their need for shelter, while fully protecting the bait against rainfall. Field studies revealed that the behavioral response of female fruit flies, in particular C. capitata and B. cucurbitae, to yellow-painted bait stations sprayed with GF-120 NF Naturalyte Fruit Fly Bait was significantly enhanced compared with similarly sprayed bait stations that mimicked the green color of fully grown papaya leaves. Field studies conducted with B. cucurbitae indicated that the period of bait attractiveness can be extended for at least 1 week after bait application due to the rain-fastness properties of the bait stations and the use of a visually-attractive color. Our studies provide the behavioral basis for the development of improved attract-and-kill bait stations for fruit flies in Hawaii. These devices also provide a standardized way of evaluating bait spray formulations, thus allowing for proper comparisons over time, across species, and among geographical areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract  Oriental fruit fly, Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel), males are highly attracted to the natural phenylpropanoid methyl eugenol (ME). They compulsively feed on ME and metabolize it to ring and side-chain hydroxylated compounds that have both pheromonal and allomonal functions. Side-chain metabolic activation of ME leading to (E)-coniferyl alcohol has long been recognized as a primary reason for hepatocarcinogenicity of this compound in rodents. Earlier, we demonstrated that introduction of a fluorine atom at the terminal carbon of the ME side chain significantly depressed metabolism and specifically reduced formation of coniferyl alcohol but had little effect on field attractiveness to B. dorsalis. In the current paper, we demonstrate that fluorination of ME at the 4 position of the aromatic ring blocks metabolic ring-hydroxylation but overall enhances side-chain metabolism by increasing production of fluorinated (E)-coniferyl alcohol. In laboratory experiments, oriental fruit fly males were attracted to and readily consumed 1,2-dimethoxy-4-fluoro-5-(2-propenyl)benzene (I) at rates similar to ME but metabolized it faster. Flies that consumed the fluorine analog were as healthy post feeding as ones fed on methyl eugenol. In field trials, the fluorine analog I was ∼50% less attractive to male B. dorsalis than ME. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To conduct population genetics analyses on sweetpotato weevils (Cylas formicarius elegantulus) collected from three populations in the United States, microsatellite loci were developed from sweetpotato weevil transcriptome sequences obtained from a publicly available database. Nineteen of 27 microsatellite loci tested were usable for population analyses. Sweetpotato weevil individuals from Georgia (N = 17), Hawaii (N = 16) and South Carolina (N = 12) were analysed. Here, we present microsatellite primer sequences for 19 loci and population genetics statistics, including diversity, population differences and relatedness. Thirty‐nine alleles were detected in the 45 individuals, and four private alleles were observed in individuals from the Hawaii and South Carolina populations. Observed heterozygosities ranged from 0.00 to 1.00, and expected heterozygosities ranged from 0.00 to 0.44. The mean Shannon's information index ranged from 0.30 to 0.49 for the three populations. Pairwise differences among populations (FST estimates) from individuals ranged from a low of 0.022 between Georgia and Hawaii to a high of 0.036 between Georgia and South Carolina, and cluster analysis (PCA and Structure) indicated two populations independent of geographical location. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tea from the leaves of guayusa (Ilex guayusa) has a long history of consumption by Ecuadorian natives in regions where the plant is indigenous. The tea contains the methylxanthines caffeine and theobromine as well as chlorogenic acids, flavonoids, and sugars. Various studies were performed to evaluate the general and genetic toxicology of a standardized liquid concentrate of guayusa (GC). Guayusa concentrate was found to be negative in in vitro genotoxicity tests including the Ames test and a chromosome aberration study in human lymphocytes. The oral median lethal dose (LD50) of GC was >5,000 mg/kg for female rats. Guayusa concentrate was administered to male and female rats in a 90-day subchronic study at 1,200, 2,500, and 5,000 mg/kg/d of GC and a caffeine-positive control at 150 mg/kg/d corresponding to the amount of caffeine in the high-dose GC group. Effects observed in the GC-treated groups were comparable to those in the caffeine control group and included reductions in body weights, food efficiency, triglycerides values, and fat pad weights and increases in blood chemistry values for serum aspartate aminotransferase, serum alanine aminotransferase, and cholesterol and adaptive salivary gland hypertrophy. No signs of incremental toxicity due to any other components of guayusa were observed. The studies indicate no harmful effects of GC in these test systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Rainbow papaya (Carica papaya L.) is a genetically engineered (GE) cultivar with resistance to papaya ringspot virus (PRSV). This cultivar currently accounts for about 70% of Hawaii''s papaya acreage. The nutritional composition of Rainbow papaya and a non-transgenic control were analyzed to address GE food safety concerns regarding the potential for altered nutritional composition and altered expression of inherent allergens and toxic proteins. Rainbow papaya fruit were analyzed at three ripening stages and the data compared to that of a non-transgenic papaya which shares a similar pedigree. No differences were observed between GE and non-GE papaya for 36 nutrients at any of the tested fruit ripeness stages. However, vitamin A was higher and calcium levels were lower in the GE fruit. The GE fruit showed higher levels of protein and papain at the earliest stage of ripening (color break), but in ripened fruit these differences were insignificant. Benzyl isothiocyanate (BITC) levels were very low and similar for both Rainbow and the non-transgenic control fruit at all ripeness stages. Our data show that the contents of nutrients, BITC and papain of GE Rainbow papaya are within the range of those of non-GE papaya and that the Rainbow cultivar is substantially similar to the non-GE cultivar. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The article discusses a study concerning the treatments for the suppression of Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata and the oriental fruit fly, Bactrocera dorsalis in Kamuela, Hawaii. It is stated that sanitation, Naturalyte Fruit Fly Bait Sprays, male annihilation, Biolure traps and parasitoids were used for the suppression of both fruit flies. It further states that the release of sterile males against B. dorsalis was also effective in reducing fruit infestation levels.

Examines the attraction of oriental fruit fly males to the monofluoro analogues of methyl eugenol. Chemical nomenclature of the compounds used; Quantification of the residues of test compounds in weathered wicks; Volatility of test compounds.

Reports questioning the safety of methyl eugenol (1,2-dimethoxy-4-[2-propenyl] benzene) stimulated us to develop and test synthetic analogues that may be used as alternative attractants for oriental fruit fly, Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel), males. Attraction to one propyl-substituted and six monofluorine-substituted methyl eugenol analogues were compared with attraction to methyl eugenol in field bioassays with both laboratory-reared and wild oriental fruit fly males. The attractiveness of the test compounds to oriental fruit fly males was compared using two parameters: number of adults caught per trap and number of adults caught per mg of compounds released in traps. Based on these two parameters ( E)-1,2-dimethoxy-4-(3-fiuoro-2-propenyl)benzene was consistently as attractive as methyl eugenol to both laboratory-reared and wild oriental fruit fly males. With further studies to determine optimum release rates, ( E)-1,2-dimethoxy-4-(3-fluoro-2-propenyl)benzene may potentially replace methyl eugenol for survey, detection, delimitation of infestation and eradication of oriental fruit fly populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]