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The first records of Perlamantis alliberti Guérin-Méneville, 1843 (Dictyoptera: Mantodea: Amorphoscelidae) for the province of Palencia are reported here, adding to the few ones known in Castilla y Leon, and being in addition some of the northernmost known in the Iberian Peninsula., Se aportan los primeros registros de Perlamantis alliberti Guérin-Méneville, 1843 (Dictyoptera: Mantodea: Amorphoscelidae) para la provincia de Palencia, sumándose a los pocos conocidos en Castilla y León, y siendo a su vez unos de los más septentrionales de la Península Ibérica.

info:eu-repo/semantics/published

Blattella germanica L. merupakan salah satu hama pemukiman yang sering ditemukan di Indonesia. Saat ini, pengendaliannya sulit dilakukan karena resistensi terhadap insektisida khususnya deltametrin. Belum adanya laporan mengenai masih atau tidak efektifnya insektisida ini digunakan dalam pengendalian kecoak Jerman, maka perlu dilakukan penelitian ini. Populasi kecoak Jerman yang dideteksi berasal dari Bandung (KRSA-BDG) dan Bukittinggi (RMKN-BKT). Jenis penelitian ini adalah eksperimen yang diawali dengan uji resistensi (susceptibility test) dan akan dilanjutkan dengan deteksi mutasi gen voltage gated sodium channel (VGSC) pada L993F. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa populasi kecoak Jerman KRSA-BDG dan RMKN-BKT tergolong resistensi sangat tinggi dengan nilai RR50 kecoak Jerman KRSA-BDG yaitu 73,272 kali dan kecoak Jerman RMKN-BKT yaitu 80,090 kali. Hasil deteksi mutasi gen VGSC pada populasi kecoak Jerman RMKN-BKT telah ditemukan mutasi pada L993F yang menyebabkan perubahan asam amino leusin menjadi fenilalanin (TTG→TTC). Selain itu, juga ditemukan mutasi pada kodon ke 962 dan 963 pada populasi kecoak Jerman asal KRSA-BDG dan RMKN-BKT yang merupakan fenomena polimorfisme. Dengan diketahuinya status resistensi dan ditemukannya mutasi ini akan membantu untuk menentukan tindakan dalam pengendalian kecoak Jerman. Kata kunci : Hama pemukiman, mekanisme resistensi, mutasi gen

Pengendalian B. germanica dengan menggunakan insektisida pada akhirnya menyebabkan serangga tersebut menjadi resisten. Tujuan dari penelitian ini untuk mengetahui status resistensi terhadap propoksur dan memahami keterlibatan enzim asetilkolinestearse pada B. germanica. Pengkoleksian B. germanica populasi lapangan dilakukan di kota Bukittinggi dan Palembang, sedangkan populasi standar berasal dari Vector Control Research Unit – World Health Organization (VCRU-WHO) yang dipelihara di laboratorium dengan kondisi ruang 26-28oC, tingkat kelembaban 80-84% dan dalam kondisi fotoperioda 12:12 L/D. Bioassay dilakukan dengan metoda topikal (topical application) dan uji enzimatis dengan metoda ELISA. Hasil menunjukkan bahwa dibandingkan dengan populasi standar (VCRU-WHO), populasi PLZ-PLM adalah populasi yang resisten terhadap propoksur dengan rasio resistensi 50% (RR50) paling tinggi yaitu 1332 kali, selanjutnya untuk populasi RMKN-BKT tingkat resistensi terhadap propoksur adalah 233 kali. Deteksi keterlibatan enzim asetilkolinesterase pada B. germanica yang resisten adalah dengan rata-rata nilai aktivitas enzim asetilkolinesterase. Pada B. germanica masing-masing populasi sebelum didedahkan propoksur rata-rata nilai aktivitas enzim yaitu 596,5 U/L untuk populasi standar (VCRU-WHO), 507,6 U/L untuk populasi RMKN-BKT dan 552,5 U/L untuk populasi PLZ-PLM. Setelah didedahkan propoksur terjadi peningkatan rata-rata nilai enzim 1,9 – 2,3 kali untuk B. germanica yang hidup, nilai paling tinggi yaitu populasi standar (VCRU-WHO) 1314,6 U/L, diikuti populasi RMKN-BKT 1191,9 U/L dan populasi PLZ-PLM 1053,0 U/L. B. germanica populasi RMKN-BKT dan PLZ-PLM telah resisten terhadap propoksur. Resistensi terhadap propoksur pada B. germanica populasi lapangan diakibatkan oleh peran enzim asetilkolinesterase mendetoksifikasi insektisida tersebut. Ketidakpekaan enzim terhadap insektisida akibat mutasi gen mungkin terlibat dalam mekanisme resistensi yang terjadi pada studi ini. Katakunci — Meka

The selected biological parameters such as adult longevity, fecundity and nymphal development of the Turkestan cockroach, Blatta lateralis (Walker) under laboratory controlled environment in comparison with the brown-banded cockroach, Supella longipalpa (Fabricius) and the German cockroach, Blattella germanica (L.) were studied. Results obtained demonstrated that the adult longevity of B. lateralis was the highest among the three cockroach species while the male to female ratio skewed towards the male with a ratio of 1.12:1.00. Among the three species, the adult females of B. lateralis were able to produce a significantly high number of oothecae (with a maximum number recorded at 39 oothecae) over their life span.

Pengaruh ekstrak etanol daun Ketapang (Terminalia catappa L.) terhadap kecoak Jerman (Blattella germanica L.) (Dictyoptera: Blattellidae), telah dilakukan di Laboratorium Riset Fisiologi Hewan, Jurusan Biologi, Universitas Andalas pada Oktober 2016 sampai Februari 2017. Penelitian bertujuan untuk menganalisis pengaruh kandungan ekstrak etanol daun Ketapang (Terminalia catappa L.) dalam melumpuhkan, mematikan, menolak atau menarik dan menghambat jumlah konsumsi makan kecoak Jerman. Penelitian dilakukan dengan rancangan acak lengkap empat perlakuan dengan empat ulangan untuk metode kontak, satu perlakuan dengan empat ulangan untuk metode umpan gel, satu perlakuan dengan empat ulangan untuk uji repelensi dan satu perlakuan dengan tiga ulangan untuk uji daya hambat makan. Perlakuan yang digunakan yaitu dengan residu ekstrak etanol daun Ketapang sebanyak 4,72; 6,30; 7,86 dan 9,44 mg/cm2 untuk metode kontak, 0,0009 g/mg selai nanas untuk metode umpan gel, 0,56 mg/cm2 untuk uji repelensi dan 0,78 mg/cm2 untuk uji daya hambat makan. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa ekstrak etanol daun Ketapang dapat melumpuhkan/membunuh 2,50 – 12,50% populasi kecoak Jerman pada jam ke-72 dengan metode kontak, 35,00 – 67,50% populasi kecoak Jerman pada hari ke-14 dengan metode umpan gel, menolak populasi kecoak Jerman sebesar 83,33 – 93,75% (tingkat repelen sangat tinggi), menyebabkan hambatan makan pada kecoak Jerman sebesar 27,09 – 78,11% (antifeedant lemah hingga sedang). Ekstrak etanol daun Ketapang mampu melumpuhkan/membunuh, menolak dan menghambat konsumsi makan kecoak Jerman. Kata kunci : bioinsektisida, Blattella germanica, Terminalia catappa

U Hrvatskoj je od 2005. do 2012. godine istraživana fauna bogomoljki (Dictyoptera: Mantodea) koja broji 9 vrsta. Nakon prikupljenih uzoraka i njihovih ooteka na 36 lokaliteta, donosim kratki opis 8 vrsta te opis i fotografije ooteka 6 vrsta. Sve se vrste nalaze u sredozemnom i subsredozemnom dijelu Republike Hrvatske. Naseljavaju topla i suha staništa na kojima prevladava kamenjarska i travnjačka vegetacija. Mantis religiosa nazočna je na odgovarajućim staništima i na cijelom kontinentalnom dijelu Hrvatske. Vrsta Iris oratoria navodi se za Hrvatsku samo prema podacima iz literature, a vrsta Bolivaria brachyptera prvi je put zabilježena za faunu Republike Hrvatske u sredozemnom području., Between 2005 and 2009 research was performed into the mantis fauna (Dictyoptera: Mantodea) in Croatia, consisting of 9 species. From samples of mantises and their oothecae that were collected at 36 sites, a short description of 8 species and a description and photographs of the oothecae of 6 species are provided. All the species are found in the Mediterranean and sub-Mediterranean parts of the Republic of Croatia. They inhabit dry, warm habitats, particularly stony grassland. Mantis religiosa is to be found in appropriate habitats throughout the inland part of Croatia. The species Iris oratoria forms part of the mantis fauna of Croatia only according to literature data, but the species Bolivaria brachyptera was recorded for the first time for the fauna of the Republic of Croatia in the Mediterranean area.

Resultados recientes han cuestio nado que la hormona juvenil (HJ) de los insectos tenga funciones clave en la embriogénesis. Los resultados más concluyentes se han obtenido en el holometábolo Bombyx mori (Lepidoptera, Bombycidae) (Daimon et al., 2015). Hemos abordado esta cuestión en el hemimetábolo Blattella germanica (Dictyoptera, Blattellidae) mediante RNAi maternal, silenciando la expresión de la O-metil-transferasa de la HJ (enzima clave de la biosíntesis de dicha hormona), Methoprene tolerant (Met) y Taiman (receptor y co-receptor de la HJ) y Kruppel-homolog 1 (factor de transcripción que transduce la señal de la HJ). Los perfiles de expresión coinciden con el de niveles de HJ que se observan entre el 50% y 90% del desarrollo. La RNAi produce efectos fenotípicos similares en los cuat ro genes: un 48% de los embriones alcanzan un desarrollo prácticamente normal, pero no logran eclosionar, mientras que el 52% restante eclosiona normalmente. Los resultados son similares a los descritos en B. mori , lo cual indica que la función de la JH de mostrada en esos estudios, facilitar la eclosión de la primera ninfa, está conservada en hemimetábolos y holometábolos.

In the present “tree-thinking” period, relying on accurate phylogenetic hypotheses is of paramount importance for biologists interested in an evolutionary perspective. In the Blaberidae cockroaches, a well-defined monophyletic family comprising several model species, no such phylogenetic tree is available despite several earlier contributions. Here, using six molecular markers (12S, 16S, 18S, 28S, COI and COII), we investigate the relationships of Blaberidae and compare our results with the traditional morphology-based classification. This resulted in a broad spectrum of situations, from congruent and well-supported hypotheses (e.g., the monophyly of Blaberidae, Oxyhaloinae and (Geoscapheiinae + Panesthiinae)) to incongruent and weakly supported results (e.g., polyphyly of Perisphaerinae). We emphasize that interesting and contrasted situations lie between the two extremities of this spectrum, especially concerning the genera Thanatophyllum Grandcolas, 1991, Phoetalia Stål, 1874, Laxta Walker, 1868 and Pronauphoeta Shelford, 1909. We also discuss the phylogenetic position of two incertae sedis genera (Eustegasta Gerstaecker, 1883 and Gynopeltis Gerstaecker, 1869). We conclude that in-depth signal analyses should be performed to better understand molecular evolution and its consequence on tree reconstruction for this group. As for phylogenetic relationships per se, new markers should be searched for, especially to decipher deeper relationships in Blaberidae.

Penelitian tentang potensi biji Lansium domesticum Corr sebagai insektisida untuk pengendalian kecoak jerman asal Samarinda dan Bandung telah dilakukan dari bulan November 2016 hingga Juni 2017 di Laboratorium Fisiologi Hewan, Jurusan Biologi, Fakultas Matematika dan Ilmu Pengetahuan Alam, Universitas Andalas, Padang. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui toksisitas ekstrak biji duku, daya repelensi dan pengaruhnya terhadap jumlah konsumsi pakan kecoak jerman. Metode penelitian adalah eksperimental dengan menggunakan dua populasi kecoak jerman (populasi lapangan) telah dikoleksi dari dua kota besar di Indonesia yaitu Bandung (KRS-BDG) dan Samarinda (SMRD-KALTIM). Kecoak standar adalah populasi murni dari Vector Control Research Unit (VCRU) School of Biological Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang, Malaysia yang merupakan standar WHO (World Health Organization) (VCRU-WHO). Nilai lethal concentration (LC50 dan LC90) menggunakan 4 perlakuan dan tiga ulangan. Metoda kontak menggunakan satu perlakuan dan lima ulangan. Pada uji repelensi dan konsumsi makan menggunakan satu perlakuan dan 5 ulangan. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan ekstrak biji duku bersifat toksik terhadap kecoak jerman menggunakan metoda kontak, bersifat repelen dengan daya tolak fluktuatif selama pengamatan 48 jam dan Pemberian ekstrak biji duku pada populasi VCRU-WHO dan KRS-BDG menunjukkan penambahan jumlah konsumsi makan, tetapi menunjukkan pengurangan jumlah konsumsi makan pada populasi SMRD-KALTIM. Kata kunci : Kecoak jerman, Lansium domesticum Corr, Repelensi, Toksisitas

We report Blattodean taxa collected from three regions in Guyana. Our analyses associated with these specimens provide new geographic records, species descriptions, ecological information and genetic information. We report on the genera Lamproblatta, Eublaberus, Epilampra, Dasyblatta, Ischnoptera, Xestoblatta, Dendroblatta and Euphyllodromia. These include two new species, nine new records for Guyana and four new records for the Guiana Shield entirely. We also provide photographs, measurements, and some new biological information for our specimens.

This study presents a list of the mantis species from the Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Norte and their distribution within the state. The records are derived from specimens deposited in the “Adalberto Antonio Varela Freire” Entomological Collection at the Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte. This collection holds a total of 1,816 specimens, representing 30 species distributed in 16 genera distributed in 44 localities. There are two new records to Brazil, 10 to the Northeastern region of Brazil (and Caatinga biome) and 25 to the Rio Grande do Norte., Este trabalho apresenta a primeira lista de espécies de louva-a-deus do Rio Grande do Norte, bem como sua distribuição dentro do Estado. Os registros das espécies são oriundos de espécimes depositados na Coleção Entomológica “Adalberto Antonio Varela Freire”, localizada na Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte. Essa coleção possui um total de 1.816 espécimes de Mantodea depositados, representando 30 espécies distribuídas em 16 gêneros.

In adult females of the cockroach Blattella germanica, juvenile hormone (JH) promotes vitellogenin production. Depletion of Methoprene-tolerant (Met) mRNA levels with RNAi resulted in a clear reduction of vitellogenin expression in the fat body while basal oocyte growth was impaired. This demonstrates that Met is essential to transduce the vitellogenic signal of JH in this species. Interestingly, the expression of the transcription factor Kruppel homolog 1 (Kr-h1) was also reduced in Met-depleted specimens. This indicates that the JH signaling pathway promotes the transcription of Kr-h1 in adult fat body tissues, as occurs in the epidermis during nymphal development. Treatments with JH show that the expression of Met does not depend on JH, which suggests that Met is upstream the JH signaling pathway acting as JH receptor, as reported in other models and processes, especially in metamorphosis. JH treatments increased the transcription levels of vitellogenin and Kr-h1, which again suggests that Kr-h1 is a JH-dependent transcription factor in the fat body of adult females. The important roles of Met in nymphal development, as previously reported, and those reported herein in relation to reproduction, suggests that it can be an interesting target for the control of B. germanica in urban environments, using RNAi approaches.

The Virgin Islands (except St. Croix) are geologically part of the Puerto Rico Bank and biologically related to Puerto Rico, but their cockroaches (Dictyoptera: Blattaria) were not yet as well studied as those on Puerto Rico. To elucidate the number of species, life history, range distribution, and seasonal abundance of these cockroaches, we have conducted a quantitative study since June 2000 using a Malaise trap on Guana Island, British Virgin Islands, in addition to other conventional collecting methods. We found 21 species: Blattella germanica (Linnaeus), Cariblatta antiguensis (Saussure and Zehntner), Cariblatta sp. 2, Cariblatta sp. 3, Colapteroblatta sp. 1, Eurycotis improcera Rehn, Eurycotis sp. 2, Euthlastoblatta facies (Walker), Hemiblabera brunneri (Saussure), Nyctibora lutzi Rehn and Hebard, Panchlora sagax Rehn and Hebard, Periplaneta americana (Linnaeus), P. australasiae (Fabricius), Plectoptera infulata Rehn and Hebard, P. rhabdota Rehn and Hebard, Plectoptera sp. 3, Pycnoscelus surinamensis (Linnaeus), Symploce pararufi collis Roth, S. rufi collis (Fabricius), polyphagid sp. 1 (Compsodes sp. 1), and polyphagid sp. 2. Among them, nine are new records for the Virgin Islands and fi ve for Guana Island. In addition, Euthlastoblatta diaphana (Fabricius), Nyctibora noctivaga Rehn, Panchlora nivea (Linnaeus), P. viridis (Fabricius), and Rhyparobia maderae (Fabricius) were recorded historically but were not rediscovered. As a result, the number of species is increased from 17 to 26 for the Virgin Islands, and from 10 to 15 for Guana Island. Overall, only fi ve species are edifi carian and likely introduced. Nymphs of polyphagid sp. 2 and Euthlastoblatta facies are reported for the fi rst time as dwellers in termite runways. Only eight species came to the Malaise trap; their phenology illustrates close but not necessarily synchronic relationship with both the timing and amount of rainfall. Monthly abundance showed spring and fall highs and summer and winter lo

We addressed the phylogeny of cockroaches using DNA sequence data from a broad taxon sample of Dictyoptera and other non-endopterygotan insect orders. We paid special attention to several taxa in which relationships are controversial, or where no molecular evidence has been used previously: Nocticolidae, a family of small, often cave-dwelling cockroaches, has been suggested to be the sister group of the predaceous Mantodea or of the cockroach family Polyphagidae; Lamproblatta, traditionally placed in Blattidae, has recently been given family status and placed as sister to Polyphagidae; and Saltoblattella montistabularis Bohn, Picker, Klass & Colville, a jumping cockroach, which has not yet been included in any phylogenetic studies. We used mitochondrial (COI + COII and 16S) and nuclear (18S and 28S) genes, and analysed the data using Bayesian inference (BI) and maximum likelihood (ML). Nocticolidae was recovered as sister to Polyphagidae. Lamproblatta was recovered as sister to Blattidae, consistent with the traditional placement (not based on phylogenetic analysis). However, because of the limited support for this relationship and conflict with earlier morphology-based phylogenetic hypotheses, we retain Lamproblattidae. S. montistabularis was consistently placed as sister to Ectobius sylvestris Poda (Blaberoidea: Ectobinae), indicating that the saltatorial hindlegs of this genus are a relatively recent adaptation. Isoptera was placed within Blattodea as sister to Cryptocercidae. Nocticolidae + Polyphagidae was sister to Isoptera + Cryptocercidae, and Blaberoidea was sister to the remaining Blattodea.

The first record of Perlamantis alliberti Guérin-Méneville, 1843 is reported from Galicia, in a locality (Oímbra, province of Ourense) which enlarges the presence of the species in the Douro basin to the northwestern boundaries of the Mediterranean biogeographic region., Achégase o primeiro rexistro de Perlamantis alliberti Guérin-Méneville, 1843 para Galicia, nunha localidade (Oímbra, provincia de Ourense) que amplía a presenza da especie na conca do Douro ás marxes noroccidentais da rexión bioxeográfica mediterránea.

SALMERON E, OMOTO C. 2004. Mixture of deltamethrin and chlorpyrifos for managing Blattella germanica (Linnaeus, 1757) (Dictyoptera: Blattellidae) resistance to deltamethrin. Entomotropica 19(2):85-89. The viabilility of the use of deltamethrin and chlorpyrifos mixture for managing B. germanica resistance to deltamethrin was evaluated on susceptible and resistant strains of B. germanica by residual tarsal-contact bioassay. The following treatments were evaluated: (a) 12.5 mg deltamethrin/m2; (b) 240 mg chlorpyrifos/m2; (c) mixture of 12.5 mg deltamethrin + 120 mg chlorpyrifos/m2; (d) mixture of 12.5 mg deltamethrin + 240 mg chlorpyrifos/m2 and (e) control. The application of the treatments was done on tiles. The infestations of German cockroaches on treated-tiles were done on 0, 7, 14, 28, 35 and 42-day old residues. The use of mixtures gave better control of the susceptible strain than the use of the products by itself. In the mixture of 120 mg of chlorpyrifos (half of the recommended rate) in 12.5 mg of deltamethrin/ m2, the discrimination of the strains was detected from 14-day old residues and with 240 mg of chlorpyrifos in the mixture, the discrimination was possible only with 42-day old residues. Thus, the commercial recommended rates of deltamethrin and chlorpyrifos in the mixture (12.5 mg deltamethrin + 120 mg chlorpyrifos/m2) should be revaluated for managing B. germanica resistance to deltamethrin., SALMERON E, OMOTO C. 2004. Mistura de deltametrina e clorpirifós no manejo da resistência de Blattella germanica (Linnaeus, 1757) (Dictyoptera: Blattellidae) a deltametrina. Entomotropica 19(2):85-89. A viabilidade do uso da mistura de deltametrina e clorpirifós no manejo da resistência de B. germanica a deltametrina foi avaliada a partir de um bioensaio de contato tarsal com as linhagens suscetível e resistente de B. germanica a deltametrina. Os tratamentos testados foram (a) 12,5 mg deltametrina/m2; (b) 240 mg clorpirifós/m2; (c) mistura de 12,5 mg deltametrina + 120 mg clorpirifós/m2; (d) mistura de 12,5 mg deltametrina + 240 mg clorpirifós/m2 e (e) controle. A aplicação dos tratamentos foi realizada sobre azulejos. As infestações de baratas sobre os azulejos tratados foram realizadas com resíduos de 0, 7, 14, 21, 28, 35 e 42 dias de idade. A mistura proporcionou um melhor controle da linhagem suscetível do que os produtos utilizados isoladamente. No tratamento da mistura de 120 mg de clorpirifós (metade da dose recomendada) com 12,5 mg deltametrina/m2, a sobrevivência de indivíduos resistentes a deltametrina foi observada logo a partir de resíduos com 14 dias de idade, ao passo que com 240 mg clorpirifós na mistura, a seleção a favor de indivíduos resistentes a deltametrina ocorreu somente a partir de resíduos com 42 dias de idade. Portanto, a mistura de deltametrina e clorpirifós nas doses atualmente recomendadas (12,5 mg deltametrina + 120 mg clorpirifós/m2) deve ser reavaliada para o manejo da resistência de B. germanica a deltametrina.

This study focuses on insecticide resistance in the German cockroach. Several aspects were investigated, including biological fitness, insecticide toxicity, cross-resistance potential, resistance development and risk assessment, resistance mechanisms involved as well as bait performance evaluation. Selected biological fitness were compared between insecticide-resistant and insecticide-susceptible German cockroaches. Most resistant strains showed no significant difference in nymphal development period, preoviposition period, incubation period, nymphal and oothecal production, ootheca measurements, nymphal survivorship, and adult longevity compared to those of the susceptible strain. These results indicate that the resistant allele is not deleterious in aspect of fitness.

This study focuses on the comparative performance of selected insecticide gel baits and the association between the feeding behaviour of German cockroaches, Blattella germanica (L.), and the toxicity of the baits. An arena test was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of gel baits on three life stages of the German cockroach: adult males, adult females, and intermediate nymphs. A total of five commercial gel baits were tested and their effectiveness was evaluated by comparing their LT50 and LT95 values. The sequence of effectiveness of the baits from the least to greatest LT50 value (p = 0.05) was: fipronil = indoxacarb > imidacloprid > abamectin > hydramethylnon. However, the LT95 values were slightly different: fipronil = indoxacarb > abamectin > hydromethylnon > imidacloprid.

A viabilidade do uso da mistura de deltametrina e clorpirifós no manejo da resistência de B. germanica a deltametrina foi avaliada a partir de um bioensaio de contato tarsal com as linhagens suscetível e resistente de B. germanica a deltametrina. Os tratamentos testados foram (a) 12,5 mg deltametrina/m2; (b) 240 mg clorpirifós/m2; (c) mistura de 12,5 mg deltametrina + 120 mg clorpirifós/m2; (d) mistura de 12,5 mg deltametrina + 240 mg clorpirifós/m2 e (e) controle. A aplicação dos tratamentos foi realizada sobre azulejos. As infestações de baratas sobre os azulejos tratados foram realizadas com resíduos de 0, 7, 14, 21, 28, 35 e 42 dias de idade. A mistura proporcionou um melhor controle da linhagem suscetível do que os produtos utilizados isoladamente. No tratamento da mistura de 120 mg de clorpirifós (metade da dose recomendada) com 12,5 mg deltametrina/m2, a sobrevivência de indivíduos resistentes a deltametrina foi observada logo a partir de resíduos com 14 dias de idade, ao passo que com 240 mg clorpirifós na mistura, a seleção a favor de indivíduos resistentes a deltametrina ocorreu somente a partir de resíduos com 42 dias de idade. Portanto, a mistura de deltametrina e clorpirifós nas doses atualmente recomendadas (12,5 mg deltametrina + 120 mg clorpirifós/m2) deve ser reavaliada para o manejo da resistência de B. germanica a deltametrina., The viabilility of the use of deltamethrin and chlorpyrifos mixture for managing B. germanica resistance to deltamethrin was evaluated on susceptible and resistant strains of B. germanica by residual tarsal-contact bioassay. The following treatments were evaluated: (a) 12.5 mg deltamethrin/m2; (b) 240 mg chlorpyrifos/m2; (c) mixture of 12.5 mg deltamethrin + 120 mg chlorpyrifos/m2; (d) mixture of 12.5 mg deltamethrin + 240 mg chlorpyrifos/m2 and (e) control. The application of the treatments was done on tiles. The infestations of German cockroaches on treated-tiles were done on 0, 7, 14, 28, 35 and 42-day old residues. The use of mixtures gave better control of the susceptible strain than the use of the products by itself. In the mixture of 120 mg of chlorpyrifos (half of the recommended rate) in 12.5 mg of deltamethrin/m2, the discrimination of the strains was detected from 14-day old residues and with 240 mg of chlorpyrifos in the mixture, the discrimination was possible only with 42-day old residues. Thus, the commercial recommended rates of deltamethrin and chlorpyrifos in the mixture (12.5 mg deltamethrin + 120 mg chlorpyrifos/m2) should be revaluated for managing B. germanica resistance to deltamethrin.

A polyclonal antibody against the allatostatin BLAST-3 (AGSDGRLYSFGL-NH2) of the cockroach Blattella germanica (L.) (Dictyoptera, Blattellidae) has been raised and characterized, and an ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) for allatostatin quantification has been developed. Allatostatin contents in brain, midgut and haemolymph have been measured in females of B. germanica during the first gonadotropic cycle. Brain allatostatin content increases steadily from adult emergence to the formation of the first ootheca. The values range from 2 ng/brain on the day of adult emergence to 25 ng/brain when the insect forms the ootheca 8 days later. In the midgut, the pattern is similar but the values are about half those of the brain. Allatostatin concentrations in the haemolymph after HPLC separation are in the nanomolar range. The occurrence of allatostatins in the haemolymph suggests that these peptides can act through a humoral pathway, as well as via nerves. The allatostatin content of both brain and midgut are high while the female is transporting the ootheca, which suggests that these peptides could be related to the low metabolic status characterizing the period of oothecal transport.

We present the first inventory of species of the order Mantodea in the Serra das Confusões National Park, in the semiarid state of Piauí, Brazil. The specimens were collected on 11 consecutive days using light traps and active collecting. Two hundred specimens were collected, distributed among five families, 15 genera, and 17 species (of which nine were identified). These results are all first records for the Serra das Confusões National Park, 14 new records for Caatinga vegetation areas, and one new record for Brazil., Neste trabalho são apresentados os resultados do primeiro inventário para espécies da ordem Mantodea no Parque Nacional da Serra das Confusões, uma unidade de conservação inserida no semiárido brasileiro no estado do Piauí. Os espécimes foram coletados durante 11 dias consecutivos utilizando-se armadilha luminosa e coleta ativa. Foram capturados 200 espécimes distribuídos em cinco famílias, 15 gêneros e 17 espécies, das quais nove foram identificadas. Além dos registros inéditos de Mantodea para o Parque Nacional da Serra das Confusões, estes são também inéditos para o estado do Piauí, assim como 14 novos registros para a Caatinga e um novo registro para o Brasil.

[CAT] La panerola Blattella germanica és un insecte de metamorfosi incompleta (hemimetàbol) i anautògen. Aquesta és una estratègia reproductiva per la qual les femelles no es poden reproduir fins que no han menjat. D'alguna manera els senyals nutricionals han d'arribar als diferents teixits i cèl•lules per informar-los que s'ha assolit un estat nutricional adequat per iniciar els processos reproductius. Tant la via de TOR com la via del receptor d'insulina (InR) semblen formar part conjunta d'aquesta senyalització nutricional. A B. germanica la vitel•logènesi s'activa mitjançant l'hormona juvenil (HJ), que es fabrica i secreta per unes glàndules retrocerebrals anomenades corpora allata (CA). Quan falta l'aliment, els CA no sintetitzen HJ i aquesta no pot activar la síntesi de vitel•logenina (Vg) en el cos gras (CG), que no pot ser incorporada als ovaris, impedint que aquests es desenvolupin correctament. Prèviament havia estat clonada la seqüència de TOR de B. germanica (BgTOR). En aquest treball s'han clonat les de BgInR, BgS6K i de BgPepck. Gràcies al dsRNAi s'ha estudiat la funció del InR com a regulador del creixement, veient que no només afecta a la maduresa sexual de les femelles sinó també la seva mida quan s'injecta en estadis nimfals. La interferència del InR també produeix problemes en el correcte desenvolupament i desplegament de les ales i les tegmines. Així mateix, s'ha comprovat que la interferència del InR fa baixar els nivells dels trànscrits de HMG-S1, HMG-S2, HMG-R i epoxidasa en els CA, implicats en la síntesi d'HJ, així com de la Vg en CG , independentment de l'efecte de la HJ sobre aquesta. També s'ha vist que la interferència del InR produeix una major longevitat en les femelles, a causa que aquestes no es reprodueixen, evitant el desgast que això produeix. Alhora, l'aplicació de dsInR confereix certa protecció davant situacions de dejuni. Altres resultats suggereixen que l'activació d'S6K, tal com succeeix en altres organismes, es realitza per, [EN] The cockroach Blatella germanica is a hemimetabolous insect with anautogenous reproduction. TOR and Insulin Receptor (InR) pathways are responsible of the nutritional signaling and to control reproductive processes. In B. germanica the yolk protein synthesis is activated by juvenile hormone (JH), which is secreted by retrocerebrals glands known as corpora allata (CA). In starvation, CA are not able to synthesize JH and it can’t activate the synthesis of vitelogenin (Vg) in the fat body (FB), and it can’t be incorporated by the ovaries, preventing their proper development. In this work we have cloned the sequences of BgInR, BgS6K and BgPepck. Using RNAi, InR has been studied as a regulator of growth, affecting not only sexual maturity of females, but also their size when RNAi is injected at nymphs. InR interference also produces problems for the proper development and deployment of wings and elytra. It has also been observed that InR interference lowers the levels of HMG-S1, HMG-S2, HMG-R and epoxidase transcription in CA, involved on the synthesis of JH by CA, and consequently, reducing Vg levels. Independently of JH, InR has a direct effect on Vg expression. Besides, InR interference confers greater longevity in females and protection in front of fasting. We have also begun to implement western-blot technique to detect phosphorylation of S6K. The S6K interference reduce transcription levels of HMG-S1, HMG-S2, HMG-R and epoxidase in CA, and Vg in the CG , indicating that it is involved in nutritional signal transmission to the tissues involved in vitelogenesis. Finally, we established Pepck as a marker of the nutritional status, as its expression is increased in starvation. However, it has not been observed any increase when reducing the levels of S6K or InR using RNAi, indicating that the influence of starvation on Pepck transcription can be performed in alternative ways to S6K and InR, but needs the presence of functional InR.

not available

The New Zealand alpine cockroach Celatoblatta quinquemaculata (Dictyoptera: Blattidae) survives temperatures up to 5°c below its supercooling point (scp) of -5.4°C in summer-acclimated samples. This high Scp suggests that C. quinquemaculata utilises potent ice nucleators to avoid extensive supercooling. The distribution of ice nucleating agents within the cockroach was investigated by measuring the SCP and ice nucleator activity of component parts of the body. Both the haemolymph and gut contain high numbers of nucleators active at -4°C. It is proposed that insects of this category, which possess limited freeze tolerance, should be termed moderately freeze tolerant.

[CAT]El desenvolupament post-embrionàri dels insectes està controlat per dos hormones, les esteroidals i l’hormona juvenil (HJ). La 20-hidroxiecdisona (20E), és la principal hormona esteroidal dels insectes, indueix i controla el procés de la muda. En canvi, l’HJ determina la naturalesa d’aquesta muda. En presencia d’HJ, el pic de 20E produeix una muda entre estadis juvenils. En canvi, quan desapareix l’HJ, la 20E indueix una muda a l’estadi adult. A nivell molecular, la 20E actua mitjançant la unió a un heterodímer format per dos membres de la família dels receptors nuclears, el receptor d'ecdisona (EcR) i ultraespiracle (USP). El receptor activat inicia una cascada gènica de resposta a la 20E coneguda com a model d’Ashburner. Els gens activats per la 20E són principalment receptors nuclears, com ara E75, HR3, HR4 i Ftz-F1 i factors de transcripció, E74 o BR-C., Aquest via de senyalització ha estat àmpliament estudiada en insectes holometàbols com D.melanogaster, pel contrari, la caracterització dels mecanismes moleculars d'acció dels ecdisteroides en els insectes hemimetàbols, o de desenvolupament directe, és pràcticament inexistent. La caracterització de la funció i mecanismes d’acció d’aquestes hormones en insectes hemimetàbols permetrà entendre els canvis que s’han produït en aquestes vies que han permès l’evolució fins a una metamorfosi completa. La panerola Blattella germanica s'utilitza com a model per estudiar el desenvolupament, hemimetàbol. Prèviament, i amb l'objectiu d'estudiar la cascada gènica de resposta a la 20E a B. germanica, s'han clonat i caracteritzat els dos membres del receptor de la 20E en aquest insecte (BgEcR-A i BgRXR) i els receptors nuclears BgE75, BgHR3, BgHR4 i BgFTZ-F1 i el factor de transcripció Br-C. Gràcies al silenciament de l'expressió gènica mitjançant RNAi in vivo s'han pogut estudiar les funcions d'aquests gens, i s'ha demostrat l’existència d’un eix gènic que regula els processos controlats per la 20E. En la present tesi doctoral s’ha clonat i caracteritzat l’últim gens primerenc que manca a B.germanica, el factor de transcripció E74. A més, també s’ha clonat i caracteritzat Seven Up, un receptor nuclear que regula la via de senyalització de la 20E en insectes holometàbols., Així, s’ha clonat dos isoformes d’E74 anomenades BgE74A i BgE74B i s’ha demostrat que són necessàries per tal que es produeixi correctament l’ècdisi. La interferència d’aquest factor durant la darrera fase nimfal produeix problemes greus en el desplegament de les ales i tegmines, en la integritat de les quetes i en les estructures d’adhesió i afecta el procés de pigmentació. L’enzim dopa decarboxilasa (BgDdc) està implicat en pigmentació i la seva interferència durant la sisena fase nimfal fa que emergeixin adults amb pigmentació més clara. BgE74 és necessari perquè BgDdc s’expressi correctament. S’han clonat dos isoformes del receptor nuclear Seven up: BgSvpA i BgSvpB. Les seves funcions no són redundants. BgSvpB regula la síntesi d’HJ en els corpora allata durant l’estadi adult de B.germanica a traves de la regulació de dos gens claus de la via, BgHMG-S i BgHMG-R. A més, BgSvpB és necessari per al desenvolupament dels corpora allata durant la darrera fase nimfal. La interferència del receptor nuclear produeix una clara disminució en la divisió cel•lular dels corpora allata durant la darrera fase nimfal. Aquestes dues funcions de BgSvpB s’ha demostrat que són independents., [EN]In insects, post-embryonic development is under the control of ecdysteroids and juvenile hormones. At the molecular level, 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E) acts through binding to its receptor, a heterodimer of the ecdysone receptor (EcR) and Ultraspiracle (USP). Both proteins belong to the nuclear receptor family. Once 20E binds to its receptor, activates a subset of genes that mediate and amplify the hormonal response. The mechanism of action of ecdysteroids in hemimetabolan insects is poorly understood. To study at the molecular level the 20E response, the Ecdysone receptor (BgEcR-BgRXR), and the nuclear receptors, BgHR3, BgFTZ-F1, BgHR4 and E75A-D of the hemimetabolan insect Blattella germanica have been cloned and characterized using RNAi in vivo. Here, first we report the cloning of two isoforms of E74 from the hemimetabolous direct developing insect Blattella germanica, namely BgE74A and BgE74B. Although BgE74 knockdown nymphs ecdysed properly into adults, they all showed clear deficiencies in the extension of the fore- and hindwings, as well as malformations in their leg bristles and locomotor structures. In addition to the described morphological abnormalities, all BgE74 knockdown nymphs that molted into adults presented defects in the cuticle pigmentation., The expression of BgDdc, an enzyme involved in insect cuticle pigmentation, was reduced in the BgE74 knockdowns. Secondly, we have cloned and characterized two isoforms of Seven-up, another nuclear receptor involved in 20E response in Drosophila, and named them BgSvpA and BgSvpB. Surprisingly, using RNAi in vivo we show that BgSvpB is not related with 20E action but is necessary to produce juvenile hormone (JH) in the corpora allata during the adult stage, through the regulation of two key enzims of JH biosynthesis, BgHMG-S and BgHMG-R. Moreover, BgSvpB is required for cell proliferation of the corpora allata during nymphal development.

Aquaporins (AQPs) are membrane proteins that form water channels, allowing rapid movement of water across cell membranes. AQPs have been reported in species of all life kingdoms and in almost all tissues, but little is known about them in insects. Our purpose was to explore the occurrence of AQPs in the ovary of the phylogenetically basal insect Blattella germanica (L.) and to study their possible role in fluid homeostasis during oogenesis. We isolated an ovarian AQP from B. germanica (BgAQP) that has a deduced amino acid sequence showing six potential transmembrane domains, two NPA motifs and an ar/R constriction region, which are typical features of the AQP family. Phylogenetic analyses indicated that BgAQP belongs to the PRIP group of insect AQPs, previously suggested to be water specific. However, ectopic expression of BgAQP in Xenopus laevis oocytes demonstrated that this AQP transports water and modest amounts of urea, but not glycerol, which suggests that the PRIP group of insect AQPs may have heterogeneous solute preferences. BgAQP was shown to be highly expressed in the ovary, followed by the fat body and muscle tissues, but water stress did not significantly modify the ovarian expression levels. RNA interference (RNAi) reduced BgAQP mRNA levels in the ovary but the oocytes developed normally. The absence of an apparent ovarian phenotype after BgAQP RNAi suggests that other functionally redundant AQPs that were not silenced in our experiments might exist in the ovary of B. germanica.

[Background] microRNAs (miRNAs) have been reported as key regulators at post-transcriptional level in eukaryotic cells. In insects, most of the studies have focused in holometabolans while only recently two hemimetabolans (Locusta migratoria and Acyrthosiphon pisum) have had their miRNAs identified. Therefore, the study of the miRNAs of the evolutionarily basal hemimetabolan Blattella germanica may provide valuable insights on the structural and functional evolution of miRNAs., [Methodology/Principal Findings] Small RNA libraries of the cockroach B. germanica were built from the whole body of the last instar nymph, and the adult ovaries. The high throughput Solexa sequencing resulted in approximately 11 and 8 million reads for the whole-body and ovaries, respectively. Bioinformatic analyses identified 38 known miRNAs as well as 11 known miRNA*s. We also found 70 miRNA candidates conserved in other insects and 170 candidates specific to B. germanica. The positive correlation between Solexa data and real-time quantitative PCR showed that number of reads can be used as a quantitative approach. Five novel miRNA precursors were identified and validated by PCR and sequencing. Known miRNAs and novel candidates were also validated by decreasing levels of their expression in dicer-1 RNAi knockdown individuals. The comparison of the two libraries indicates that whole-body nymph contain more known miRNAs than ovaries, whereas the adult ovaries are enriched with novel miRNA candidates., [Conclusions/Significance] Our study has identified many known miRNAs and novel miRNA candidates in the basal hemimetabolan insect B. germanica, and most of the specific sequences were found in ovaries. Deep sequencing data reflect miRNA abundance and dicer-1 RNAi assay is shown to be a reliable method for validation of novel miRNAs.

A new endemic species of Eurycotis, E. perezassoi, predominantly found under stones associated with Pinus cubensis, is described from the eastern region of the Island of Cuba. Differences for separation of E. rhodae Gurney and E. lacernata Cabrera, from the new taxon, are given.

Cockroaches are one of the most important worldwide household pests. The objective of the current research was to assess exposure of lambda-cyhalothrin on release of ootheca, and sperm viability and motility of Blatella germanica (Linnaeus). No premature release of female oothecas were evident, but mortality in males (LT = 1h 6 min) was higher than in females (LT = 1h 54 50 50 min). Lambda-cyhalothrin produced effects on inhibition of sperm viability (EC = 1130 mg·L-1) 50 and sperm motility (EC = 660, 6 mg·L-1) of B. germanica., Las cucarachas son una de las plagas domésticas más importantes a nivel mundial. El objetivo del presente estudio fue evaluar la exposición de la lambda-cihalotrina sobre el desprendimiento de la ooteca, y la viabilidad y motilidad espermática de Blatella germanica (Linnaeus). No se observó desprendimiento prematuro de la ooteca en las hembras, pero si una mayor mortalidad en machos (TL = 1h 6 min) que en hembras sin ootecas (TL = 1h 54 min). La lambda-cihalotrina 50 50 produjo efectos en la inhibición de la viabilidad (CE = 1130 mg·L-1) y la motilidad espermática 50 (CE = 660, 6 mg·L-1) de B. germanica.

Kakkerlakken in Wallonië De kakkerlakken (Dictyoptera) zijn nog slecht onderzocht in België. De verzameling van de Faculté de Sciences agronomiques de l’Etat le Gembloers werd onderzocht en bleek elf soorten kakkerlakken te bevatten. Vier soorten zijn inheems in België, maar één ervan (Ectobius panzeri) werd nog niet buiten de kust en de kempen aangetroffen. De algemecnste soort blijkt Ectobius sylvestris te zijn, terwijl ook Ectobius lapponicus en E. pallidus her en der verspreid voorkomen. Twee soorten ingevoerde kakkerlakken konden niet tot op soort gedetermineerd worden. adresse de l’auteur: Institut royal de Sciences naturelles de Belgique Rue vautier 29, 1040 Bruxelles

The German cockroach, Blatella germanica (L) is an important urban insect pest in many parts the world. In Malaysia, It is abundant in hotels and food preparative outlets. Several methods are being used to control this pest and the most common method is using chemical insecticides. The use of chemical for controlling cockroaches , however, has incurred a serious drawback. The cockroach population in many parts of the world developed resistant to chemical insecticides. Thus alternative methods for controlling are warranted. One of these methods is the use of biological agents such as entomopathogenic fungus, Metarhizium anisopliae. In this study eleven indigenous isolates of M. anisopliae were evaluated for their pathogenicity to adult male of German cockroach. Monoconidial cultures of the isolates were obtained from soil and insect cadaver that were collected from various localities in Malaysia and were maintained on Potatoes Dextrose Agar+Yeast (PDAY).The result from the screening test shows that from eleven isolates tested, HSAH gave the best result with 87.5% mortality after 13 days inoculation and LT50 values of 6.78 days. Although not significantly different, there was a tendency for mortality on nymphs to be higher than mortality on adult males and females. Further bioassay on four selected isolates, HSAH, Mam, Ckrk, LPR3, shows that the infectivity of the fungus varied with the isolates and dosages to which the cockroaches were exposed. The ED50 values ranged from 2.73 x 109 to 3.15 x 1011 at day 4 after inoculation and 4.19 x 103 to 1.22 x 106 at day 14 after inoculation, the LT50 values ranged from 12.37 to 16.45. The result evidently shows that HSAH isolate was the prominent isolate. Using HSAH isolate to control a cockroach colony, the result shows that highest mortality of 78.5 % was achieved when a colony of 50 insects were used and with dosage of 10:90. The same level of mortality i.e 78.5 % could not be achieved by a colony of 100 insects when applied

In the framework of the Third Odonatological Symposium of the Alps-Adriatic Regional Community we have visited, on 23rd July 1998, the canyon of the Krupa River near Zadar, Croatia. It was a sunny but windy day, with the temperatures up to 30°C. At about noon we have spotted in the grassland close to the river a larval M. religiosa, hanging on a Carex and holding an adult O. coerulescens anceps, devouring its head. It seems, this was an incidental prey, conditioned by the strong wind which prevented the dragonfly to fly.

A new endemic species of Eurycotis, E. perezassoi, predominantly found under stones associated with Pinus cubensis, is described from the eastern region of the Island of Cuba. Differences for separation of E. rhodae Gurney and E. lacernata Cabrera, from the new taxon, are given.

Strains of German cockroach, Blattella germanica (L.) showed varying levels of resistance to chlorpyrifos, methyl parathion, propoxur, bendiocarb and cypermethrin. The esterase activity was higher in the resistant strains when compared with the susceptible strains. The specific activity of the enzymes increased with increases in substrate concentrations, pH and temperature. The K$\sb{\rm m}$ values for the resistant strains were nearly two fold higher than the susceptible strains. Non-denaturing gel electrophoresis revealed differences in isozyme composition. Ten esterase bands were detected in each strain. Esterase isozymes were isolated and analyzed for differences in activity. The isozymes E5, E6, E7 and E8 of resistant strains showed 2-5 fold increase in activity when compared with the susceptible strains. These isozymes constituted about 60% of the total activity in the resistant strains, compared with only about 40% in the susceptible strains. Subcellular distribution studies revealed that the majority of the esterase activity is present in the 100,000 g cytosolic fraction. Only a small portion of activity was membrane bound. The molecular weight of the esterase isozymes ranged between 48 and 81 kDa. The most active esterases (E5, E6, and E7) were purified from resistant and susceptible strains. About 68-138 fold purification with a 7.4-16.0% of total esterase recovery was achieved after various column chromatography and preparative gel electrophoresis. Elution profiles of resistant and susceptible strains were similar, but esterase E6 was quantitatively higher in the resistant strains. Kinetic analyses indicate no differences in K$\sb{\rm m}$ and V$\sb{\rm max}$ values between the resistant and susceptible strains. Inhibition of esterase activity by paraoxon, chlorpyrifos and propoxur did not suggest any structural differences in esterase E6 between strains. The results suggest that insecticide resistance in the German cockroach is partly due to the increased

Four insecticides, cypermethrin, fenvalerate, permethrin and phenothrin were employed to study the inheritance of resistance to pyrethroid insecticides in the Seasons strain of Blattella germanica. This resistance was found to be an autosomal, probably monofactorial character, not linked with the black body or orange body mutants that identify linkage groups 4 and 6. The trait was found to be incompletely recessive with a degree of dominance of -0.57. It was established that the gene is probably separate and distinct from the known trait R-pyreth, a pyrethrins resistance gene linked with black body in the linkage map of this organism. Future studies are recommended to further delineate this resistance and suggestions are made for possible avenues to pursue.

Four allatostatic neuropeptides were isolated from extracts of the brain of the cockroach Blattella germanica. The primary structures of these peptides were assigned as Leu-Tyr-Asp-Phe-Gly-Leu-NH2 (BLAST-1), Asp-Arg-Leu-Tyr-Ser-Phe-Gly-Leu-NH2 (BLAST-2), Ala-Gly-Ser-Asp-Gly-Arg-Leu-Tyr-Ser-Phe-Gly-Leu-NH2 (BLAST-3) and Ala-Pro-Ser-Ser-Ala-Gln-Arg-Leu-Tyr-Gly-Phe-Gly-Leu-NH2 (BLAST-4). Each of the peptides showed C-terminal amino acid sequence similarity to cockroach allatostatins and blowfly callatostatins. The four peptides inhibited in vitro juvenile hormone production by corpora allata from virgin females of B. germanica. Immunoreactivity against allatostatins was seen in the lateral neurosecretory neurons and in the axonal pathway leading to the corpora allata.

1. A study of the release of juvenile hormone (JH) by in vitro-incubated corpora allata (CA) and on the development of the accessory reproductive glands (ARG) during sexual maturation of male Blattella germanica has been performed. 2. JH release rates are comparable with those observed in previtellogenic females. 3. The ARG undergo a progressive increase in size and protein content during sexual maturation. 4. After CA removal, ARG protein accumulation is reduced (by 50%) in comparison with controls, and administration of exogenous JH restores normal development. 5. The involvement of JH in ARG growth is discussed. © 1992.

Transcribimos en esta serie de apuntes los resultados de un primer estudio sobre los Dictyoptera marroquíes pertenecientes a las ricas colecciones del Instituto Español de Entomología.

The general overwintering strategy employed by the woodroach, Cryptocerclls punctulatus (Scudder) appears to be fairly typical among freeze-tolerant insects. In this species, as well as others, heat-labile hemolymph ice nucleating factors induce extracellular ice formation at a high subzero temperature (around -6°C), there is a seasonal accumulation of a cryoprotective substance (polyol) and internal ice is tolerated only during the winter. In addition, body water content does not fluctuate seasonally. Hemolymph Ice Nucleating Factors (INF's) have been previously described from members of the following orders of insects: Diptera, Coleoptera, and Hymenoptera. This study documents the occurrence of INF's in a fourth order: Dictyoptera. Cryptocercus punctulatus contains hemolymph ice nucleating factors through out the year. In this species, hemolymph serum freezes at -5.5°C all year long and appears to be initiated by a heat-labile proteinacious nucleating factor. These proteins may function primarily as nucleators in the winter, and perform other function (s) during the other seasons of the year. A sugar alcohol (ribitol), contained in the hemolymph of Cryptocercus punctulatus was found to fluctuate seasonally. Ribitol levels were highest in the winter months, and declined to undetectable levels in the summer. To date, five polyols have been reported as occurring in insect hemolymph. They are: glycerol, sorbitol, mannitol, erythritol, and threitol. There is one report of the occurrence of an unidentified 5-carbon polyol, possibly either arabitol or ribitol from whole body extracts of winter-acclimated collembolans. This thesis documents the occurrence of ribitol in insect hemolymph. It is assumed that ribitol, like other polyols acts as a cryoprotectant to stabilize protein structure, membrane integrity, and reduce osmotic fluctuations in freezing tissues.