Effects of temperature on the host preference of pine processionary caterpillar Thaumetopoea wilkinsoni Tams, 1924 (Lepidoptera: Notodontidae)

WOS: 000303035200005The work reported here analyzes the effects of temperature on host consumption and preference of eastern pine processionary caterpillar Thaumetopoea wilkinsoni (Lepidoptera: Notodontidae). Nest censuses were taken in the field and food choice tests were conducted in the laboratory. Two pine species (Pinus nigra and P. brutia) were considered. Caterpillars hatched on both pine species were collected and included in experiments that were conducted under 4 different temperature regimes (15, 20, 25, and 30 degrees C). Needles of both pine species were offered as food. Results showed that increasing the temperature caused an increase in the feeding amount of the caterpillars and also a blurring effect on preference. Early instar diet was found to have effects on late instar diet

Effects Of Artificial Migration Of Susceptible Individuals On Resistance And Fitness Of A Fenitrothion-Resistant Strain Of Musca Domestica (L.) Diptera

Migration of susceptible individuals from untreated areas to populations that have developed insecticide resistance is one of the most important processes that can significantly delay or even prevent the development of resistance against insecticides. Fitness parameters of susceptible and resistant insect populations and changes in fitness following susceptible population migration have a crucial place in this process, as they determine the permanence and spread of susceptible alleles in the absence of insecticides. In this study, we investigated changes in resistance levels and fitness characteristics after introducing individuals from the ancestral susceptible strain in an equal ratio to a housefly (Musca domestica) strain artificially selected against fenitrothion, an organophosphate insecticide. We measured fitness parameters such as pre-adult development time, fecundity, fertility, and survival. Compared to the susceptible strain, the resistant strain had slower development time, but there were not any significant differences for fecundity, fertility, and survival. The level of resistance decreased gradually with 2 generations of susceptible migration. Development times were faster in both migration strains compared to the resistant strain. In addition, we detected a fitness reduction in fecundity, fertility, and female survival after the first generation of migration, but this reduction was alleviated after the second generation of migration. In conclusion, these findings indicate that fenitrothion resistance in Musca domestica has important fitness costs related with development time, and these costs are mitigated with susceptible migration.WoSScopu

Current insecticide resistance status in Anopheles sacharovi and Anopheles superpictus populations in former malaria endemic areas of Turkey

Ulger, Celal/0000-0002-8051-3003; Simsek, Fatih/0000-0001-5962-0296WOS: 000465366900022PubMed: 30742803Anopheles sacharovi and Anopheles superpictus have a significant public health importance since they are primer and seconder malaria vectors of Turkey, respectively. As a result of intensive insecticide usage in historically malaria endemic regions of Turkey for long years, insecticide resistance problem has occurred inevitably. in this study, we aimed to investigate the involvement of the detoxification enzymes in insecticide resistance in Turkish An. sacharovi and An. superpictus populations in the Mediterranean and South-eastern Anatolia region where have a malaria history in the past. Bioassay results indicated that both An. sacharovi and An. superpictus populations are resistant to DDT, resistant or possible resistant to organophosphates and carbamates and finally mostly susceptible to pyrethroids. Although bioassays results indicated high DDT resistance in all mosquito populations, biochemical assays did not show significantly high GST levels in all strains. Almost all An. sacharovi and An. superpictus populations had an increased alpha and beta esterase activity levels while nearly half of the overall populations had an increased p-NPA esterase than the control group. Elevated levels of MFO frequency have been shown in the majority of the populations. Consequently, our results reveal that biochemical resistance mechanisms may play an important role in insecticide resistance in Turkish An. sacharovi and An. superpictus populations. These results give useful cues to monitor the insecticide resistance before it spreads throughout an entire population, enabling early intervention.Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK)Turkiye Bilimsel ve Teknolojik Arastirma Kurumu (TUBITAK) [112T479]This research was funded by the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK, Project No: 112T479)