PiggyBac is a transposable DNA element originally discovered in the cabbage looper moth (Trichoplusia ni). The T. ni piggyBac transposon can introduce exogenous fragments into a genome, constructing a transgenic organism. Nevertheless, the comprehensive analysis of endogenous piggyBac-like elements (PLEs) is important before using piggyBac, because they may influence the genetic stability of transgenic lines. Herein, we conducted a genome-wide analysis of PLEs in the brown planthopper (BPH) Nilaparvata lugens (Stål) (Hemiptera: Delphacidae), and identified a total of 28 PLE sequences. All N. lugens piggyBac-like elements (NlPLEs) were present as multiple copies in the genome of BPH. Among the identified NlPLEs, NlPLE25 had the highest copy number and it was distributed on five chromosomes. The full length of NlPLE25 consisted of terminal inverted repeats and sub-terminal inverted repeats at both terminals, as well as a single open reading frame transposase encoding 546 amino acids. Furthermore, NlPLE25 transposase caused precise excision and transposition in cultured insect cells and also restored the original TTAA target sequence after excision. A cross-recognition between the NlPLE25 transposon and the piggyBac transposon was also revealed in this study. These findings provide useful information for the construction of transgenic insect lines.
Amino Acid Sequence ; Animals ; Animals, Genetically Modified ; DNA Transposable Elements/genetics* ; Hemiptera/genetics* ; Transposases/genetics*

Rice stripe virus (RSV) transmitted by the small brown planthopper causes severe rice yield losses in Asian countries. Although viral nuclear entry promotes viral replication in host cells, whether this phenomenon occurs in vector cells remains unknown. Therefore, in this study, we systematically evaluated the presence and roles of RSV in the nuclei of vector insect cells. We observed that the nucleocapsid protein (NP) and viral genomic RNAs were partially transported into vector cell nuclei by utilizing the importin α nuclear transport system. When blocking NP nuclear localization, cytoplasmic RSV accumulation significantly increased. In the vector cell nuclei, NP bound the transcription factor YY1 and affected its positive regulation to FAIM. Subsequently, decreased FAIM expression triggered an antiviral caspase-dependent apoptotic reaction. Our results reveal that viral nuclear entry induces completely different immune effects in vector and host cells, providing new insights into the balance between viral load and the immunity pressure in vector insects.
Animals ; Cell Nucleus ; Hemiptera/metabolism* ; Insect Vectors/genetics* ; Insecta ; Nucleocapsid Proteins/metabolism* ; Oryza ; Plant Diseases ; Tenuivirus/metabolism* ; Virus Replication

The Aspongopus chinensis is an insect of the genus Hemiptera, which can be used both as a medicinal and as a gourmet in the folk. It has a long history as a drug, which has the effect of regulating Qi and relieving pain, and warming the Yang. It is mainly used to treat stomach cold and pain, liver and stomach pain, kidney deficiency and impotence, and waist and knee pain. Modern pharmacological studies have shown that A. chinensis has a variety of pharmacological activities. For example, it can be used to fight tumors, improve reproductive damage, and antibacterial, anti-oxidation, anti-coagulation, anti-ulcer, anti-fatigue and so on. The chemical constituents of A. chinensis currently reported mainly include odorous components, vitamins, fatty acids and proteins, amino acids, and other nutrients, as well as nucleosides and dopamines. This study summarizes and analyzes the related research literatures of A. chinensis in China and abroad, and provides a reference for its further development and research from the aspects of chemical composition, pharmacological action and clinical application.
Animals ; Biological Products/chemistry* ; China ; Heteroptera/chemistry* ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional

Triatoma rubrofasciata is a wide-spread vector of Chagas disease in Americas. In this study, we completed the mitochondrial genome sequencing of T. rubrofasciata. The total length of T. rubrofasciata mitochondrial genome was 17,150 bp with the base composition of 40.4% A, 11.6% G, 29.4% T and 18.6% C. It included 13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNA genes, 2 rRNA genes and one control region. We constructed a phylogenetic tree on the 13 protein-coding genes of T. rubrofasciata and other 13 closely related species to show their phylogenic relationship. The determination of T. rubrofasciata mitogenome would play an important role in understanding the genetic diversity and evolution of triatomine bugs.
Americas ; Base Composition ; Chagas Disease ; Genes, rRNA ; Genetic Variation ; Genome, Mitochondrial ; Phylogeny ; RNA, Transfer ; Trees ; Triatoma

Dual biocontrol of both insects and plant pathogens has been reported for certain fungal entomopathogens, including Beauveria bassiana and Lecanicillum spp. In this study, we demonstrate, for the first time, the dual biocontrol potential of two fungal isolates identified by morphological and phylogenetic analyses as Isaria javanica. Both these isolates caused mortality in the greater wax moth, and hence can be considered entomopathogens. Spores of the isolates were also pathogenic to nymphs of the green peach aphid (Myzus persicae), with an LC₅₀ value of 10⁷ spores/mL 4 days after inoculation and an LT₅₀ of 4.2 days with a dose of 10⁸ spores/mL. In vitro antifungal assays also demonstrated a strong inhibitory effect on the growth of two fungi that are pathogenic to peppers, Colletotrichum gloeosporioides and Phytophthora capsici. These results indicate that I. javanica isolates could be used as novel biocontrol agents for the simultaneous control of aphids and fungal diseases, such as anthracnose and Phytophthora blight, in an integrated pest management framework for red pepper.
Aphids* ; Beauveria ; Capsicum ; Colletotrichum ; Fungi* ; Hemiptera ; In Vitro Techniques ; Insects ; Mortality ; Moths ; Nymph ; Pest Control ; Phytophthora ; Plants* ; Prunus persica ; Spores

The study was aimed to determine the efficacy of two pesticides in the control of aphids in Lonicera japonica, and study the applicability of pesticides in L. japonica. The number of insects was counted before and 2, 3, 7 and 10 days after the application of pesticide in the test area within different dosage groups. The method was 5-point sampling method. Five aphids on the L. japonica branches were selected, then the number of insects was recorded. The effect of the two pesticides on the control rate of aphid was more than 80% at 1 d after application. The results showed that the two pesticides had good efficacy. After 7 days and 10 days, the control effect was 100%. After 1 day of spraying, the effect of the two pesticides on the control of L. japonica aphids was more than 80%, which was higher than that of the control agent. The results showed that the two pesticides had good and fast effect. After 7 days and 10 days of spraying, the control effect was 100%. The control effect of two kinds pesticides for aphid sprayed in recommended dose on the L. japonica is good and showed no hytotoxicity.
Animals ; Aphids ; Lonicera ; Niacinamide ; analogs & derivatives ; Pesticides ; Pyridines ; Sulfur Compounds

The green peach aphid (Myzus persicae), a plant pest, and gray mold disease, caused by Botrytis cinerea, affect vegetables and fruit crops all over the world. To control this aphid and mold, farmers typically rely on the use of chemical insecticides or fungicides. However, intensive use of these chemicals over many years has led to the development of resistance. To overcome this problem, there is a need to develop alternative control methods to suppress populations of this plant pest and pathogen. Recently, potential roles have been demonstrated for entomopathogenic fungi in endophytism, phytopathogen antagonism, plant growth promotion, and rhizosphere colonization. Here, the antifungal activities of selected fungi with high virulence against green peach aphids were tested to explore their potential for the dual control of B. cinerea and M. persicae. Antifungal activities against B. cinerea were evaluated by dual culture assays using both aerial conidia and cultural filtrates of entomopathogenic fungi. Two fungal isolates, Beauveria bassiana SD15 and Metarhizium anisopliae SD3, were identified as having both virulence against aphids and antifungal activity. The virulence of these isolates against aphids was further tested using cultural filtrates, blastospores, and aerial conidia. The most virulence was observed in the simultaneous treatment with blastospores and cultural filtrate. These results suggest that the two fungal isolates selected in this study could be used effectively for the dual control of green peach aphids and gray mold for crop protection.
Aphids* ; Beauveria ; Botrytis* ; Colon ; Crop Protection ; Farmers ; Fruit ; Fungi* ; Insecticides ; Metarhizium ; Plants ; Prunus persica ; Rhizosphere ; Spores, Fungal ; Vegetables ; Virulence

Extensive disease surveys performed during the summers of 2013 and 2014 in Schisandra chinensis orchards resulted in the finding of a Septobasidium sp. associated with felt disease. The fungus was characterized to be symbiotic with a scale insect (Pseudaulacaspis cockerelli). Morphological and molecular characteristics of the Septobasidium isolates were investigated. The isolates were morphologically and phylogenetically close to S. bogoriense. We tentatively describe this isolate as a Septobasidium sp., mainly because of the limited amount of information available on the internal transcribed spacer region of the ribosomal DNA of Septobasidium spp.
DNA, Ribosomal ; Fungi ; Hemiptera ; Schisandra*

No abstract available.
Bedbugs*

Recently, the Q biotype of tobacco whitefly has been recognized as the most hazardous strain of Bemisia tabaci worldwide, because of its increased resistance to some insecticide groups. As an alternative control agent, we selected an Isaria javanica isolate as a candidate for the development of a mycopesticide against the Q biotype of sweet potato whitefly. To select optimal mass production media for solid-state fermentation, we compared the production yield and virulence of conidia between 2 substrates (barley and brown rice), and we also compared the effects of various additives on conidia production and virulence. Barley was a better substrate for conidia production, producing 3.43 x 10(10) conidia/g, compared with 3.05 x 10(10) conidia/g for brown rice. The addition of 2% CaCO3 + 2% CaSO4 to barley significantly increased conidia production. Addition of yeast extract, casein, or gluten also improved conidia production on barley. Gluten addition (3% and 1.32%) to brown rice improved conidia production by 14 and 6 times, respectively, relative to brown rice without additives. Conidia cultivated on barley produced a mortality rate of 62% in the sweet potato whitefly after 4-day treatment, compared with 53% for conidia cultivated on brown rice. The amendment of solid substrate cultivation with additives changed the virulence of the conidia produced; the median lethal time (LT50) was shorter for conidia produced on barley and brown rice with added yeast extract (1.32% and 3%, respectively), KNO3 (0.6% and 1%), or gluten (1.32% and 3%) compared with conidia produced on substrates without additives.
Caseins ; Fermentation ; Glutens ; Hemiptera ; Hordeum ; Ipomoea batatas ; Mortality ; Spores, Fungal* ; Tobacco ; Virulence* ; Yeasts