Anatomy of the Adults of \u3ci\u3eLoxagrotis albicosta\u3c/i\u3e

LEPIDOPTERA are divided into the major suborders Monotrysia and Ditrysia (Borner, 1939). The vast majority of Lepidoptera belong to the Ditrysia. The Noctuidae, which is the largest family in the order, is probably the most destructive (Metcalf, et aI., 1962). It includes Loxagrotis albicosta (Smith), the western bean cutworm, originally a pest of field beans, which has become a relatively serious pest of corn in southwestern and central Nebraska (Hagen and Roselle, 1972). Adults emerge from early July to late August, and eggs, which are deposited on the upper sides of corn leaves, hatch in approximately I week. The newly emerged larvae feed on pollen of the developing tassels or after tassel emergence will feed on the silks. There are 5 larval instars, with the 4th and 5th instars feeding on the developing kernels until larval maturity. Mature larvae enter the soil and overwinter as pre pupae in earthen cells and pupate during late May (Hagen, 1962). Although the life history of L. albicosta is known, other aspects of its biology have not been reported. This study is an attempt to present details of the external structure of L. albicosta. No extensive treatment of noctuid anatomy is available; however, there does exist an enormous body of knowledge concerning structural details in the various species of Lepidoptera. But that knowledge is for the most part weakly coordinated. Basic studies of this nature should be the prerequisite to investigations in the diverse areas of entomology

Therapeutic effect of all-trans-retinoic acid (at-RA) on an autoimmune nephritis experimental model: role of the VLA-4 integrin

BACKGROUND: Mercuric chloride (HgCl(2)) induces an autoimmune nephritis in the Brown Norway (BN) rats characterized by anti-glomerular basement membrane antibodies (anti-GBM Ab) deposition, proteinuria and a severe interstitial nephritis, all evident at day 13 of the disease. We assessed the effects of all-trans retinoic acid (at-RA) in this experimental model. At-RA is a vitamin A metabolite which has shown beneficial effects on several nephropathies, even though no clear targets for at-RA were provided. METHODS: We separated animals in four different experimental groups (HgCl(2), HgCl(2)+at-RA, at-RA and vehicle). From each animal we collected, at days 0 and 13, numerous biological samples: urine, to measure proteinuria by colorimetry; blood to determine VLA-4 expression by flow citometry; renal tissue to study the expression of VCAM-1 by Western blot, the presence of cellular infiltrates by immunohistochemistry, the IgG deposition by immunofluorescence, and the cytokines expression by RT-PCR. Additionally, adhesion assays to VCAM-1 were performed using K562 α4 transfectant cells. ANOVA tests were used for statistical significance estimation. RESULTS: We found that at-RA significantly decreased the serum levels of anti-GBM and consequently its deposition along the glomerular membrane. At-RA markedly reduced proteinuria as well as the number of cellular infiltrates in the renal interstitium, the levels of TNF-α and IL-1β cytokines and VCAM-1 expression in renal tissue. Moreover, we reported here for the first time in an in vivo model that at-RA reduced, to basal levels, the expression of VLA-4 (α4β1) integrin induced by mercury on peripheral blood leukocytes (PBLs). In addition, using K562 α4 stable transfectant cells, we found that at-RA inhibited VLA-4 dependent cell adhesion to VCAM-1. CONCLUSION: Here we demonstrate a therapeutic effect of at-RA on an autoimmune experimental nephritis model in rats. We report a significant reduction of the VLA-4 integrin expression on PBLs as well as the inhibition of the VLA4/VCAM1-dependent leukocyte adhesion by at-RA treatment. Thereby we point out the VLA-4 integrin as a target for at-RA in vivo

Anatomy of the Adults of \u3ci\u3eLoxagrotis albicosta\u3c/i\u3e

LEPIDOPTERA are divided into the major suborders Monotrysia and Ditrysia (Borner, 1939). The vast majority of Lepidoptera belong to the Ditrysia. The Noctuidae, which is the largest family in the order, is probably the most destructive (Metcalf, et aI., 1962). It includes Loxagrotis albicosta (Smith), the western bean cutworm, originally a pest of field beans, which has become a relatively serious pest of corn in southwestern and central Nebraska (Hagen and Roselle, 1972). Adults emerge from early July to late August, and eggs, which are deposited on the upper sides of corn leaves, hatch in approximately I week. The newly emerged larvae feed on pollen of the developing tassels or after tassel emergence will feed on the silks. There are 5 larval instars, with the 4th and 5th instars feeding on the developing kernels until larval maturity. Mature larvae enter the soil and overwinter as pre pupae in earthen cells and pupate during late May (Hagen, 1962). Although the life history of L. albicosta is known, other aspects of its biology have not been reported. This study is an attempt to present details of the external structure of L. albicosta. No extensive treatment of noctuid anatomy is available; however, there does exist an enormous body of knowledge concerning structural details in the various species of Lepidoptera. But that knowledge is for the most part weakly coordinated. Basic studies of this nature should be the prerequisite to investigations in the diverse areas of entomology

Key to larvae attacking sunflowers in North Dakota

E-70

ANATOMY OF THE ADULT WESTERN BEAN CUTWORM, LOXAGROTIS ALBICOSTA (SMITH) (LEPIDOPTERA: NOCTUIDAE).

Abstract not availabl

4-H 26 Entomology Manual

Nebraska Cooperative Extension 4-H 26. This circular is about Entomology within the 4-H program. It outlines insects, insect growth & development, pinning/displaying insects, classifications, and more

A Survey of the Microarthropod Populations Under Conventional Tillage and No-tillage Systems

The article covers a study to survey the composition of the soil microarthropod population under conservation tillage and no-till system. Methods and the materials used for this study are outlined and then discussed. In final analysis, an increase in organic matter results in a decrease in soil pH. Correlations between microarthropod populations and soil pH have been made. The effects can not be stated in general terms as these correlations tending to be species specific

Arthropod Collection and Identification field and Laboratory Techniques

viii, 311 p. : ill.; 24 cm