Search

Scirtothrips, one of the largest genera of Thripinae, includes several species that are important pests for agricultural and horticultural plants. Scirtothrips genus-group comprises 11 genera, but phylogenetic relationships among these are unclear, as are the interspecific relationships within Scirtothrips. We used 61 morphological characters to study the morphological variation and phylogenetic relationships among the members of this genus-group. Phylogenetic analysis supported the inclusion of eight genera in Scirtothrips genus-group but excluded Ajothrips and Scirtidothrips, although the monophyly of Scirtothrips was not well-supported. Our analysis strongly supported two different species-groups both comprising species associated with Acacia in Australia, suggesting the occurrence of at least two separate radiations onto this plant genus. The monophyly of Scirtothrips perseae species-group was not supported; members of this group are involved in damage to avocado in the New World. The Scirtothrips aurantii species-group was recognised as comprising S. aurantii, Scirtothrips dodonaeae and Scirtothrips mugambii, based on one synapomorphic character, male hind femora with a comb of setae. We demonstrated that the conspicuous drepanae that occur in males of some Scirtothrips species evolved separately in New and Old World species. We discussed the relationships among Scirtothrips species together with data on geographic distributions and host plants, and noted inconsistencies that presumably result from homoplasy.

A new species of soft scale insect (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha: Coccidae) in the genus Pulvinaria Targioni Tozzetti, 1866 is recorded from Yunnan, China on Pistacia chinensis Bunge. Pulvinaria pistaciae Cao & Feng sp. n. is described and illustrated, based on adult female morphology. Pulvinaria decorata Borchsenius, 1957 is recorded for the first time from China (Henan and Shaanxi). A key to the adult females of Pulvinaria species known to occur in China is provided, and a table to show their distributions in various zoogeographical regions in China.

The adult female, adult male and all immature stages (except the male prepupa and pupa) of a new species of Fiorinia (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha: Diaspididae), F. yongxingensis Liu, Cai & Feng sp. n., collected from Hainan Province, China, are described and illustrated. A key is provided to identify the Fiorinia species known to occur in Hainan Province, China. The new species may become a significant pest on coconut palms.

A cladistic analysis based on 31 morphological characters of female adults recovered two genera currently placed in subfamily Thripinae, Bradinothrips Hood and Parascolothrips Mound, as closely related to two Panchaetothripinae genera, Monilothrips Moulton and Zaniothrips Bhatti. Thus, following the results of this analysis, we propose the transference of the first two genera to subfamily Panchaetothripinae, under the tribe Monilothripini.

Two new species of the family Cixiidae, Indolipa fopingensis, sp. nov. and Indolipa huapingensis, sp. nov., from China, are described and illustrated. A checklist to all species of this genus in the world and an identification key to Chinese species are provided. Host plants and a map of their geographic distribution are also provided.

Two new species of Unaspis (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha: Diaspididae) from China, U. menglunensis sp. n. and U. fanjingensis sp. n., are described and illustrated. A key to the world fauna species of Unaspis is provided.

Variation is discussed concerning the number of antennal segments in adults, and the number of their sense cones, among 182 of the 289 genera of Thripidae. Brief comments are also made concerning antennal structure and sensoria among the other seven terebrantian families. The plesiotypic condition for Thysanoptera is 9-segmented antennae, but fusion between various segments leads to a reduction in number to as few as five segments, and such fusion occurs in unrelated species. In Thripidae, antennal segment III never bears more than one sense cone, but the distribution of sense cones on segments IV–VIII varies and is tabulated. On antennal segment IV, species in nearly all Panchaetothripinae genera and more than half of Thripinae genera have two sense cones, but genera of Dendrothripinae and Sericothripinae bear only one on this segment. The differing patterns of segmental fusion that occur in Thripidae are discussed in association with the number of sense cones on VI–VIII; species with 7, 8 or 9 segmented antennae almost always lack a sense cone on the terminal segment. It is concluded that the number of antennal segments is subject to irregular homoplasy, and is thus sometimes an unreliable indicator of relationships.

Scale insects are one of the most fascinating and unusual types of organisms on Earth. Many species have been found in China, but the diversity and distribution patterns of Chinese scale insects are not well understood. To evaluate the diversity and distribution of scale insects in China, we compiled geographic distribution data from museum specimens and published literature and plotted these data using a Geographical Information System. Distribution centers of scale insects were identified by counting the number of species in each grid cell. Values were extracted from each environmental data set from each point and then the relationships between the distribution of scale insects and environment variables were explored using principal component analysis. There are 1,186 species of scale insects recorded in China belonging to 16 recognized families with an overall endemism of scale insect species of ∼48%. However, species-description accumulation curves of scale insects suggest that a full inventory of these taxa is far from complete. None of the species accumulation curves yet drawn have reached an asymptote, indicating that current sampling procedures are still not sufficiently intensive to capture most species present within each cell. Results suggest that the number of identified species of scale insects in China is underestimated by previous inventories, and their distribution is governed by complex ecological factors. Furthermore, it was confirmed that climate is the predominant environmental determinants affecting the distribution and diversity patterns of scale insects in China.

Thripidae, one of the largest families of Thysanoptera, is widely distributed throughout the world. To explore the phylogenetic relationships and current classification of Thripidae, a cladistic analysis is presented based on 117 morphological characters scored from 114 species representing 94 genera. This analysis was used to reconstruct the ancestral feeding habits of Thripidae, with the result that leaf-feeding is recognised as ancestral within this family, and flower-feeding derived. Thripidae is recovered as a monophyletic group, but the three subfamilies Dendrothripinae, Sericothripinae and Panchaetothripinae are all recovered as nested within the fourth and major subfamily Thripinae. Sericothripinae is related to the Scirtothrips genus-group in Thripinae, but a close relationship to Echinothrips is not supported. Intergeneric relationships within Dendrothripinae are relatively well resolved. Three tribes in Panchaetothripinae are not monophyletic but Tryphactothripini genera form a clade with Panchaetothrips. Subfamily Thripinae is paraphyletic, but includes several monophyletic genus-groups (Rhamphothrips genus-group, Trichromothrips genus-group, Thrips genus-group, Frankliniella genus-group, Chirothrips genus-group). Relationships within the Thrips genus-group are poorly resolved, presumably due to a high degree of homoplasy. Five genera (Amomothrips, Moundinothrips, Smilothrips, Ctenothrips and Sciothrips) are placed into the Taeniothrips genus-group, and three genera (Salpingothrips, Tusothrips and Chaetanaphothrips) are proposed as the Chaetanaphothrips genus-group. The previously accepted Anaphothrips genus-group and Mycterothrips genus-group are not recovered, presumably because the supporting characters are merely superficial resemblance with no phylogenetic significance. This work resolves the systematic relationships among most thripid genera, as well as providing a morphological background for the evolution of Thripidae.

The diagnostic characters of the genus Hemiberlesia Cockerell (Hemiptera: Coccoidea: Diaspididae) are reviewed. The adult female, adult male and all immature stages (except the male prepupa and pupa) of a new species, H. serrulata Liu & Feng sp. n., collected from Henan Province, China, are described and illustrated. A key is provided to identify the Hemiberlesia species known to occur in China.

In this study, we first construct an age-stage, two-sex life table for onion maggot, Delia antiqua, grown on three host plants: onion, scallion, and garlic. We found that onion is the optimal host for this species and populations grown on onion have maximum fecundity, longest adult longevity and reproduction period, and the shortest immature developmental time. In contrast, the fecundity on other hosts was lower, particularly on garlic, but these crops can also serve as important secondary hosts for this pest. These data will be useful to the growers to develop specific integrated management programs for each of hosts. We also compared the demographic analyses of using individually-reared and group-reared methods. These two methods provided similar accurate outcomes for estimating insect population dynamics for this species. However, for gregarious species, using the individually-reared method to construct insect life tables produces inaccurate results, and researchers must use group-reared method for life table calculations. When studying large groups of insect, group-reared demographic analysis for age-stage, two-sex life table can also simplify statistical analysis, save considerable labor, and reduce experimental errors.

Eremiothrips Priesner, comprising 19 species in the world (ThripsWiki 2017), is a member of Anaphothrips genus-group in which species lack long setae or have only a single pair of more prominent setae on the pronotum (Bhatti et al. 2003, MoundMasumoto 2009). Two species in this genus, E. eshghii Minaei and E. efflatouni (Priesner), have no long setae on the posterior angles of the pronotum in either sex, whereas the remaining members usually have one pair of long setae on the posterior angles of the pronotum.

Male and macropterous female of Ctenothrips smilax Bhatti, 1976 are first described and illustrated, together with brachypterous female which has already been reported by Bhatti in 1976. The species was firstly reported from China. All specimens are deposited in the Entomological Museum of Northwest A&F University (NWAFU).

Four species of the genus Ophthalmothrips Hood are recorded from Mainland China, including the descriptions of one new species. O. yunnanensis sp. nov. (Yunnan). Illustrations of the new species and a key to all species of genus Ophthalmothrips from Mainland China are provided, along with a checklist of the known species of the genus.

The genus Semelaspidus MacGillivray, 1921 is reviewed, and one new species, Semelaspidus multiporus sp. nov., from China, is described. In addition, photographs and illustrations of the new species, and a key to all species of the genus are provided.

In insects, sensory neuron membrane proteins (SNMPs) are critical peripheral olfactory proteins and highly promote the sensitivity of pheromone detection. In this study, we cloned an SNMP transcript (CpomSNMP2, GenBank KU302714) from the antennae of the codling moth Cydia pomonella (L.) Its open reading frame is 1,575 bp and it encodes a protein with 524 amino acids. CpomSNMP2 contains two putative transmembrane domains and has a large extracellular loop. Phylogenetic analysis showed that CpomSNMP2 is clustered into the group of previously characterized lepidopteron SNMP2s. Expression levels of CpomSNMP2 were significantly higher in antennae of both males and females than in tissues from the thoraxes, abdomens, legs, and wings. CpomSNMP2 was distributed in sensilla trichodea of both males and females, but only in sensilla chaetica of males. This study provides evidence for olfactory roles of CpomSNMP2 in this moth.

Biotransformation enzymes are found in insect antennae and play a critical role in degrading xenobiotics and odorants. In Cydia pomonella, we identified 26 biotransformation enzymes. Among these enzymes, twelve carboxylesterases (CXEs), two aldehyde oxidases (AOXs) and six alcohol dehydrogenases (ADs) were predominantly expressed in antennae. Each of the CpomCXEs presents a conserved catalytic triad "Ser-His-Glu", which is the structural characteristic of known insect CXEs. CpomAOXs present two redox centers, a FAD-binding domain and a molybdenum cofactor/substrate-binding domain. The antennal CpomADs are from two protein families, short-chain dehydrogenases/reducetases (SDRs) and medium-chain dehydrogenases/reducetases (MDRs). Putative catalytic active domain and cofactor binding domain were found in these CpomADs. Potential functions of these enzymes were determined by phylogenetic analysis. The results showed that these enzymes share close relationship with odorant degrading enzymes (ODEs) and resistance-associated enzymes of other insect species. Because of commonly observed roles of insect antennal biotransformation enzymes, we suggest antennal biotransformation enzymes presented here are candidate that involved in degradation of odorants and xenobiotics within antennae of C. pomonella.

The adult females of two new species of armored scale, Fiorinia tianshuiensis WeiFeng sp. n. and F. dinghuensis WeiFeng sp. n., are described and illustrated from specimens collected from China. A key is provided for the all Fiorilim species known from China.

Amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) was used to analyze the genetic diversity of domestic stocks of channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus). Sixteen populations within Alabama (USA) were surveyed using five primer combinations. A total of 454 reproducible, polymorphic bands were detected from 282 individuals, with an average heterozygosity of 0.135. The percentage of polymorphic loci varied greatly within distinct populations, ranging from 18.26% to 100%. Research populations tended to have a lower percentage of loci polymorphic than farm populations. The estimated average Fst value across all loci was 0.4456. However, this value dropped to 0.1763 when the Hicks Farm stock was excluded from the analysis. Cluster analysis by Jaccard's pairwise similarity coefficient indicated high similarity among individuals, with some population-specific clusters and with the Hicks Farm stock being highly distinctive. Nei's population-wise identity measures found all populations except the population from the Hick's Farm related with 96% similarity. The Hick's Farm stock was 34% similar to the other populations. The genotypic information derived from this study is consistent with the historical origins and management of catfish broodstocks. The results of this study suggest that many channel catfish farm strains in Alabama are genetically similar, but some very distinct differences exist. Such information has implications for future broodstock selection and management and for further analysis of interactions between domestic and wild populations of channel catfish.

Ribosomal protein genes have become widely used as markers for phylogenetic studies and comparative genomics, but they have not been available in fish. We have cloned and sequenced a complete set of all 47 60S ribosomal protein cDNAs from channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus), of which 43 included the complete protein encoding regions. Most ribosomal protein mRNAs in channel catfish are highly similar to their mammalian counterparts. However, L4, L14, and L29 are significantly shorter in channel catfish than in mammals due to deletions in the 3' end of the gene. Two distantly related L5 cDNAs, L5a and L5b, were found in channel catfish. L5a is more similar to L5 in other vertebrates, while L5b showed significant levels of divergence, suggesting independent evolution of the two L5-encoding genes. The 47 ribosomal protein genes are generally highly expressed and together account for 11-14% of overall gene expression, depending on the tissues. Expression levels were highly variable both within a single tissue among different ribosomal protein genes, and among tissues with regard to a single ribosomal protein gene. Strong tissue preference expression was also observed for some ribosomal proteins. This set of ribosomal protein gene sequences represents one of the most complete sets from any single organism and will aid in fish phylogenetic and comparative genomic studies.

Eremiothrips Priesner, comprising 19 species in the world (ThripsWiki 2017), is a member of Anaphothrips genus-group in which species lack long setae or have only a single pair of more prominent setae on the pronotum (Bhatti et al. 2003, Mound & Masumoto 2009). Two species in this genus, E. eshghii Minaei and E. efflatouni (Priesner), have no long setae on the posterior angles of the pronotum in either sex, whereas the remaining members usually have one pair of long setae on the posterior angles of the pronotum.

Loyolaia Ananthakrishnan, a newly recorded genus of the subfamily Idolothripinae, is reported from China, with Loyolaia wuyiensis sp. n. is described. A key to all known species of this genus is provided.

The biotechnological revolution has forever changed agricultural research and crop production worldwide. Commercial agriculture now includes plants that produce enhanced yield and quality, survival in hostile environmental conditions, manufacture and express defensive toxins, and yield grains with greatly enhanced nutrient fortification. Unprecedented opportunities and ethical challenges created by this new technology are transforming the field of plant protection may be compared with the dramatic changes of an insect undergoes during metamorphosis. In particular, the technology has brought enormous exciting opportunities as well as great challenges that are transforming the research fields of innate (or cisgenic) insect resistance and insect-host plant interactions. Here, we provide a review of the historic milestones in both cisgenic (insertion of genes from sexually compatible stock) and transgenic (insertion of genes from sexually incompatible stock) crop production in agriculture. Biological significance of transgenic technology and the critical role of basic research in crop and human protection are discussed. In addition, three research frontiers that utilize basic and applied research approaches and synergistically combine cisgenes with transgenic technology for broad crop protection (including both yield and quality improvements) are also discussed.

Background EST sequencing is one of the most efficient means for gene discovery and molecular marker development, and can be additionally utilized in both comparative genome analysis and evaluation of gene duplications. While much progress has been made in catfish genomics, large-scale EST resources have been lacking. The objectives of this project were to construct primary cDNA libraries, to conduct initial EST sequencing to generate catfish EST resources, and to obtain baseline information about highly expressed genes in various catfish organs to provide a guide for the production of normalized and subtracted cDNA libraries for large-scale transcriptome analysis in catfish. Results A total of 17 cDNA libraries were constructed including 12 from channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) and 5 from blue catfish (I. furcatus). A total of 31,215 ESTs, with average length of 778 bp, were generated including 20,451 from the channel catfish and 10,764 from blue catfish. Cluster analysis indicated that 73% of channel catfish and 67% of blue catfish ESTs were unique within the project. Over 53% and 50% of the channel catfish and blue catfish ESTs, respectively, had significant similarities to known genes. All ESTs have been deposited in GenBank. Evaluation of the catfish EST resources demonstrated their potential for molecular marker development, comparative genome analysis, and evaluation of ancient and recent gene duplications. Subtraction of abundantly expressed genes in a variety of catfish tissues, identified here, will allow the production of low-redundancy libraries for in-depth sequencing. Conclusion The sequencing of 31,215 ESTs from channel catfish and blue catfish has significantly increased the EST resources in catfish. The EST resources should provide the potential for microarray development, polymorphic marker identification, mapping, and comparative genome analysis.

Ribosomal protein (RP) genes have become widely used as markers for phylogenetic studies and comparative genomics. However, they have not been available for evolutionary studies in fish although teleosts are the largest group of vertebrates with more than 23,000 species. Using a transcriptomic approach, we have cloned and sequenced 32 40S RP complementary DNAs (cDNAs) from channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus), making them one of the most complete sets of 40S RP gene sequences from a single organism. Most 40S RPs in channel catfish are highly similar to their orthologues in mammalian species, but S19, S21, and S25 are highly divergent. Only one type of cDNA was found for all RP genes except S26 and S27, for which two cDNAs were found in channel catfish. Alternatively spliced transcripts for the S3 and alternatively polyadenylated transcripts for S19 and S21 were found. The 32 40S RP genes are generally highly expressed and together they account for 5.33-11.42% of expression depending on the tissues. Expression levels of the RP genes were highly variable both within a single tissue among different RP genes and among tissues with regard to a single RP gene. Taken together, these data strongly suggest post-transcriptional regulation of RP gene expression, particularly in consideration of the stoichiometry of their representation in ribosomes.

Previous molecular genetic studies on channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) have focused on limited number of genes and gene products. Recent advancement of molecular techniques made high throughput analysis of transcriptomes possible. As part of our transcriptome analysis of channel catfish, we have analyzed 1909 expressed sequence tags (ESTs) derived from a skin library. Of the 1909 ESTs analyzed, 1376 (72.1%) ESTs representing 496 unique genes had homologies with other organisms while 478 (25.0%) ESTs had no significant homologies and were designated as unknown. The remaining 55 (2.9%) EST clones were eliminated because of their low quality or short sequences. Of the 496 unique genes, 327 (65.9%) genes were singletons while 169 (34.1%) genes represented by two or more ESTs. A total of 1007 (52.8%) ESTs representing 235 unique genes matched previously reported channel catfish ESTs while 847 (44.4%) ESTs representing 261 unique genes were newly identified from this research. Functional categorization of the channel catfish genes indicated that the largest group was ribosomal proteins with 65 unique genes represented by 500 clones. The most abundantly expressed gene, the calcium binding protein ictacalcin, accounted for almost 5% of overall expression, indicating its important function in the skin. Sequence analysis of ESTs revealed the presence of 89 microsatellite-containing genes that may be valuable for future mapping studies.

The adult females of two new species of armored scale, Fiorinia tianshuiensis Wei & Feng sp. n. and F. dinghuensis Wei & Feng sp. n., are described and illustrated from specimens collected from China. A key is provided for the all Fiorilim species known from China.

The hypothesis that the differences between the effectiveness of larvae of Allothrombium ovatum against Aphis gossypii on cotton but their limited effect on Rhopalosiphum padi on wheat and Myzus persicae are due to mite preference for A. gossypii-cotton is tested in laboratory experiments. Contrary to the prediction of the hypothesis, larvae of A. ovatum showed no significant preference for any leaves when given cotton, wheat and rape in three-choice tests, nor for any aphid species when given A. gossypii , R. padi and Myzus persicae, nor for any aphid-plant association when given A. gossypii on cotton, R. padi on wheat and M. persicae on rape. Observations on population dynamics of mite-aphid on three host plant species showed that larval mite populations were coupled with that of A. gossypii on cotton and R. padi on wheat, but not with M. persicae on rape. Patterns of larval mite interaction of three aphid species in the field are discussed in the light of the results of these experiments.