The toxic effects of Bt proteins from the body of the prey/host to predators and parasitoids have
been investigated as a route of impact on non-target insects of Bt crops. This research aimed to
analyze ultrastructural changes and histochemistry in digestive cells of the middle region of the
midgut of Podisus nigrispinus fed, since its second instar, with Spodoptera frugiperda reared on
Bt cotton variety Acala90 B, which expresses the toxin Cry 1Ac, and its non-Bt isoline Acala 90.
Fragments of the midgut of P. nigrispinus were analyzed by electron microscopy. For the
histochemical analysis, Bromophenol Blue, Periodic Acid Schiff von Kossa, Alcian Blue pH 2.5
and Sudan Black were used. The Cry1Ac toxin of Bt cotton ingested by S. frugiperda promotes a
disorganization in the perimicrovillar matrix of P. nigrispinus (third trophic level), thus generating
ultrastructural changes in the digestive cells, as elongation of microvilli, presence of spherocrystals
and granules of different electron densities, in addition to altering the distribution pattern of
glycogen, lipids and calcium of these cells in the median region of the midgut. Thus, we conclude
that species moderately susceptible to Cry1Ac toxin, such as S. frugiperda, can acquire this toxin
and expose it to P. nigrispinus, which can interfere with your ability to predation.
da Cunha, F. M., Caetano, F. H., Wanderley-Teixeira, V., Torres, J. B., Teixeira, Á. A., & Alves, L.
C.(2012). Ultra-structure and histochemistry of digestive cells of Podisus nigrispinus (Hemiptera:
Pentatomidae) fed with prey reared on bt-cotton. Micron, 43(2-3), 245-250.
The purpose of this research was to evaluate the genetic similarity and structure of the fall
armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith), populations associated with maize and cotton
crops in Brazil using amplified fragment length polymorphisms. Mean genetic similarity among
populations was 0.45. The unweighted pair group method with arithmetic mean analysis
dendrograms did not separate populations of S. frugiperda into clusters related to the host plant
in which the insects were collected. No genetic variation was observed among maize and cotton
populations of S. frugiperda, suggesting that the same populations are injuring both crops in
Brazil. This research validates the need for stewardship of crop-protection methods for
managing S. frugiperda to reduce the incidence of pesticide resistance, due to the spatial and
temporal overlapping of maize and cotton crops in some regions in Brazil.
Martinelli, S., Clark, P. L., Zucchi, M. I., Silva-Filho, M. C., Foster, J. E., & Omoto, C. (2007). Genetic
structure and molecular variability of Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) collected in maize
and cotton fields in Brazil. Bulletin of entomological research, 97(3), 225-231.
We determined the complete nucleotide sequences of the mitochondrial genome (mitogenome)
of the Korean hairstreak, Coreana raphaelis (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae). The entire
mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) molecule was 15 314 bp long. The C. raphaelis genes were in the
same order and orientation as the completely sequenced mitogenomes of other lepidopteran
species, except for the presence of an extra copy of tRNASer(AGN). High similarity in primary
sequence and secondary structure between the two tandemly located copies of the
tRNASer(AGN) suggest a recent duplication of an original single tRNASer(AGN). The DHU arm
of the two copies of tRNASer(AGN) formed a simple loop as seen in many other metazoan mt
tRNASer(AGN). The putative initiation codon for the C. raphaelis COI gene appears to be a
tetranucleotide, TTAG, found commonly in the sequenced lepidopterans. ATPase8, ATPase6,
ND4L and ND6 genes, which are next to another protein‐coding gene at their 3′ end all had the
sequences potential to form a hairpin structure, suggesting the importance of such a structure for
precise cleavage of the mature protein‐coding genes.
Kim, I., Lee, E. M., Seol, K. Y., Yun, E. Y., Lee, Y. B., Hwang, J. S., & Jin, B. R. (2006). The mitochondrial
genome of the Korean hairstreak, Coreana raphaelis (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae). Insect Molecular
Biology, 15(2), 217-225.
Knowledge of the vertical and horizontal distribution of Aphis gossypii Glover (Hemiptera:
Aphididae) on genetically modified cotton plants over time could help optimize decision-making
in integrated cotton aphid management programs. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to
determine the vertical and horizontal distribution of A. gossypii in non-transgenic Bt cotton and
transgenic Bt-cotton over time during two cotton seasons by examining plants throughout the
seasons. There was no significant interaction between years and cotton cultivar treatments for
apterous or alate aphids. Considering year-to-year data, analyses on season-long averages of
apterous or alate aphids showed that aphid densities per plant did not differ among years. The
number of apterous aphids found per plant for the Bt transgenic cultivar (2427 apterous aphids
per plant) was lower than for its isoline (3335 apterous aphids per plant). The number of alate
aphids found per plant on the Bt transgenic cultivar (12.28 alate aphids per plant) was lower than
for the isoline (140.56 alate aphids per plant). With regard to the vertical distribution of apterous
aphids or alate aphids, there were interactions between cotton cultivar, plant age and plant
region. We conclude that in comparison to non-Bt cotton (DP 4049), Bt cotton (DP 404 BG
(Bollgard)) has significant effects on the vertical, horizontal, spatial and temporal distribution
patterns of A. gossypii, showing changes in its distribution behaviour inside the plant as the
cotton crop develops. The results of our study are relevant for understanding the vertical and
horizontal distribution of A. gossypii on Bt cotton cultivar (DP 404 BG (Bollgard)) and on its
isoline (DP 4049), and could be useful in decision-making, implementing controls and
determining the timing of population peaks of this insect.
Fernandes, F. S., Ramalho, F. S., Nascimento, J. L., Malaquias, J. B., Nascimento, A. R. B., Silva, C. A.
D., & Zanuncio, J. C. (2012). Within-plant distribution of cotton aphids, Aphis gossypii Glover (Hemiptera:
Aphididae), in Bt and non-Bt cotton fields. Bulletin of entomological research, 102(1), 79-87.
Studying the responses of Microplitis mediator Haliday to different instar larvae of Helicoverpa
armigera Hübner and damaged cotton plants could supply the theoretical basis for effectively
applying M. mediator to control cotton bollworm (CBW). In this study, responses of female M.
mediator wasps to different instar larvae of CBW and damaged cotton plants were measured by
using Y-shaped olfactometer in laboratory. Results showed that CBW larvae of the 3rd, 4th and
5th instars had no significant attraction to M. mediator, while CBW larvae of the 1st and 2nd
instars had significant attraction. Among the behavioral responses of M. mediator to cotton
plants damaged by different instar larvae of CBW, we found that both cotton plants damaged by
CBW larvae and the healthy ones (the control) could strongly attract wasps. In tests with no
larvae removed, M. mediator wasps had a significantly higher preference for damaged cotton
plants plus CBW larvae than for the control, but there were notable differences in attraction
among different instars, and the relative selective preference order was as follows: plants infested
by 5th instar larvae of CBW > plants infested by 2nd and 4th instar larvae of CBW > plants
infested by 1st and 3rd instar larvae of CBW. The results may provide some theoretical guidance
and practical basis for application of M. mediator in biological control strategy.
Pan, H., Zhao, Q., Zhao, K., Zhang, Y., Wu, K., & Guo, Y. (2011). Responses of Microplitis mediator
Haliday (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) to different instar larvae of Helicoverpa armigera Hübner
(Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) and damaged cotton plants. Acta Entomologica Sinica, 54(4), 437-442.
Zoophytophagy is an important factor in the colonization and successful establishment of the
generalist predator Podisus nigrispinus (Dallas) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) in cotton crops.
Here, we evaluated the nutritional state (carbohydrates, lipids and proteins and body weight)
of P. nigrispinus nymphs fed on: i) Alabama argillacea (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)
larvae with cotton leaves, ii) A. argillacea larvae, or iii) Tenebrio molitor L. (Coleoptera:
Tenebrionidae) larvae. The body weight and chemical composition of preys and cotton leaves
were also quantified. Podisus nigrispinus nymphs had similar levels of proteins and
carbohydrates when they fed on A. argillacea or T. molitor. However, P. nigrispinus nymphs fed
on A. argillacea larvae and cotton leaves had higher levels of proteins, sugars and glycogen
content than those fed only on preys. Cotton leaves had 7.11 mg of protein and 13.71 mg of
sugars. Therefore, feeding on cotton leaves increases the nutritional state of the zoophytophagous
predator P. nigrispinus, which can enhance its survival in periods of prey scarcity.
Lira, A. C., Teixeira, V. W., Dutra, K. A., Cunha, F. M., Souza, L. M., & Teixeira, Á. A. (2019). Impact of
zoophytophagy on chemical content of Podisus nigrispinus (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) fed on
lepidopteran larvae and cotton leaves. Phytoparasitica, 47(3), 301-312.
Pectinophora gossypiella (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) is a key pest in many cotton-growing
countries of the world. In this study, the complete mitochondrial (mt) genome of the pink
bollworm P. gossypiella was determined, which is 15,202 bp in length (GenBank accession
number: KM225795) containing 37 typical animal mitochondrial gene and an A + T-rich region.
The gene order of P. gossypiella mtDNA was different from the insect ancestral gene order in
the translocation of trnM, as shared by previously sequenced lepidopteran mtDNAs. The proteincoding genes (PCGs) have typical mitochondrial start codons ATN, with the exception of COI,
Nad5, which uses the start codons CGA, GTT. Eight PCGs stop with complete termination
codons (TAA), whereas five PCGs use incomplete stop codon T. All of the tRNA genes had
typical cloverleaf secondary structures except for trnS1(AGN), in which the dihydrouridine
(DHU) arm did not form a stable stem-loop structure. Like other insects, the control region is
located between rrnS and trnM with a length of 309 bp and an A + T content of 94.8%, which is
the most AT-rich region and comparatively simple, with little evidence of long tandem repeats,
but harbors a conserved structure combining the motif ATAGA and a 18-bp poly-T stretch.
Zhao, J., Sun, Y., Xiao, L., Tan, Y., Dai, H., & Bai, L. (2016). Complete mitochondrial genome of the pink
bollworm Pectinophora gossypiella (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae). Mitochondrial DNA Part A, 27(3), 15751576.
Lepidoptera encompasses more than 160,000 described species that have been classified into 45–
48 superfamilies. The previously determined Lepidoptera mitochondrial genomes (mitogenomes)
are limited to six superfamilies of the lineage Ditrysia. Compared with the ancestral insect gene
order, these mitogenomes all contain a tRNA rearrangement. To gain new insights into
Lepidoptera mitogenome evolution, we sequenced the mitogenomes of two ghost moths that
belong to the non-ditrysian lineage Hepialoidea and conducted a comparative mitogenomic
analysis across Lepidoptera.
Cao, Y. Q., Ma, C., Chen, J. Y., & Yang, D. R. (2012). The complete mitochondrial genomes of two ghost
moths, Thitarodes renzhiensis and Thitarodes yunnanensis: the ancestral gene arrangement in
Lepidoptera. BMC genomics, 13(1), 276.
Parasitoids have evolved mechanisms to evade their hosts’ defenses. Bracon vulgaris (Ashmead)
is a larval ectoparasitoid responsible for natural reduction of Anthonomus grandis (Boheman)
and Pectinophora gossypiella(Saunders), which are considered the main cotton pests in the
cotton agro-ecosystem in northeastern Brazil. This study aimed to analyze the sensory structures
(antennae and ovipositor) involved in the parasitism behavior of B. vulgaris, and to describe and
evaluate associations between composition, morphology, and functions of these structures in the
parasitoid-host interaction. Results showed that the B. vulgaris ovipositor is a multifunctional
structure of 2.7 ± 0.3 mm in length composed of 3 valves. Valves 1 and 2 are elongated, rigid,
and act jointly to pierce the host’s cuticle, to inject the poison glands secretion, and to deposit
eggs. Valve 3 covers the other valves, giving them protection. Valve 3 also presents annulations
in all its extension, which gives flexibility to the ovipositor, and trichoid sensilla that possibly
capture vibrations from the host’s feeding and locomotion, thereby aiding the parasite in the host
selection. The presence of cuticular microtrichia was possibly responsible for the cleaning of the
ovipositor, keeping it functional between the various insertions that occur during the parasitism
behavior. The parasitoid’s antennae are filliform-like, measure about 2 mm, and are composed of
four types of sensilla (trichoids, basiconical, coeloconical, and placodes) that act as olfactory and
gustatory receptors and/or express tactile, thermo,- and hygroreception functions. The integrated
action of these sensory components corroborates the successful parasitism behavior of the
parasitoid B.
Alves, T. J., Wanderley-Teixeira, V., Teixeira, Á. A., Silva-Torres, C. S., Malaquias, J. B., Pereira, B. F., ...
& da Cunha, F. M. (2014). Parasitoid-host interaction: sensory structures involved in the parasitism
behavior of Bracon vulgaris (Hymenoptera: Braconidae). Animal Biology, 64(4), 365-381.
The insect midgut has ultimately been the focus of researches tempting to control insect pests
because alterations in the insect gut may affect not only its development, but also physiological
events such as nutrient absorption and transformation. The objective of the present work was to
describe morphologically, histochemically, and ultrastructurally the larva midgut of Alabama
argillacea (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), a cotton key pest in Brazil. Light and electronic
transmission microscopy was used to obtain images from midgut sections of late fourth-instar
larvae of A. argillacea. In general, the morphology, histochemistry, and ultrastructure
characteristics of A. argillacea midgut follow that described in the literature for other
lepidopteran species. However, the results showed a mitochondrial polymorphism and branched
microvilli, which suggest an ultrastrucutural and physiological modification possibly associated
with a high absorption and secretion activity by the columnar cells of this species. This intense
activity may favor a faster response related to the action of ingested microbial agents and/or
toxins, and can explain the high susceptibility of A. argillacea to the agents of control such as the
toxin of Bacillus thuringiensis.
de Sousa, M. E. C., Wanderley-Teixeira, V., Teixeira, Á. A., de Siqueira, H. A., Santos, F. A., & Alves, L.
C. (2009). Ultrastructure of the Alabama argillacea (Hübner)(Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)
midgut. Micron, 40(7), 743-749.
Landscape structure as well as local vegetation influence biodiversity in agroecosystems. A
study was performed to evaluate the effect of floristic diversity, vegetation patterns, and
landscape structural connectivity on butterflies (Lepidoptera: Papilionoidea and Hesperiidae),
carabids (Coleoptera: Carabidae), syrphids (Diptera: Syrphidae), and sawflies (Hymenoptera:
Symphyta). Vegetation analysis and insect samplings were carried out in nine sites within an
intensively farmed landscape in northern Italy. Plant species richness and the percentage of tree,
shrub, and herb cover were determined by means of the phytosociological method of BraunBlanquet. Landscape structural connectivity was measured as the total length of hedgerow
network (LHN) in a radius of 500 m around the center of each sampling transect. Butterflies
species richness and abundance were positively associated both to herb cover and to plant
species richness, but responded negatively to tree and shrub cover. Shrub cover was strictly
correlated to both species richness and activity density of carabids. The species richness of
syrphids was positively influenced by herb cover and plant richness, whereas their abundance
was dependent on ligneous vegetation and LHN. Rarefaction analysis revealed that sawfly
sampling was not robust and no relationship could be drawn with either vegetation parameters or
structural connectivity. The specific responses of each insect group to the environmental factors
should be considered in order to refine and optimize landscape management interventions
targeting specific conservation endpoints.
Burgio, G., Sommaggio, D., Marini, M., Puppi, G., Chiarucci, A., Landi, S., ... & Muzzi, E. (2015). The
influence of vegetation and landscape structural connectivity on butterflies (Lepidoptera: Papilionoidea
and Hesperiidae), carabids (Coleoptera: Carabidae), syrphids (Diptera: Syrphidae), and sawflies
(Hymenoptera: Symphyta) in Northern Italy Farmland. Environmental entomology, 44(5), 1299-1307.