The microsporidium Nosema pyrausta as a potent microbial control agent of the beet webworm Loxostege sticticalis.

The microsporidium Nosema pyrausta is an important mortality factor of the European corn borer, Ostrinia nubilalis. The present study was aimed at N. pyrausta virulence testing to the beet webworm (BW), Loxostege sticticalis.

Entomotoxic Activity of the Extracts from the Fungus, and Its Major Metabolite, Tenuazonic Acid.

The study of fungal antibiotics in their competitive interactions with arthropods may lead to the development of novel biorational insecticides. Extracts of MFP253011 obtained using various methods showed a wide range of biological activities, including entomotoxic properties. Analysis of their composition and bioactivity allowed us to reveal several known mycotoxins and unidentified compounds that may be involved in the entomotoxic activity of the extracts.

Susceptibility of the Gypsy Moth (Lepidoptera: Erebidae) to (Microsporidia: Nosematidae).

The gypsy moth, , is a notorious forest defoliator, and various pathogens are known to act as natural regulators of its population density. As a widespread herbivore with a broad range of inhabited areas and host plants, it is potentially exposed to parasitic microorganisms from other insect hosts. In the present paper, we determined the susceptibility of gypsy moth larvae to the microsporidium from the European corn borer, .

Appearances are deceptive: Three RNA viruses co-infected with the nucleopolyhedrovirus in host Lymantria dispar.

The virus infection, which visually looks like typical monoinfection, in fact may hide a great complex of different species. Without detailed analysis, we may miss the important interaction between pathogens, including new species. In the current study, we found the new species inside the mix of cubic and polyhedral occlusion bodies (OBs) isolated from the gypsy moth, Lymantria dispar L.

Distinct organization of adaptive immunity in the long-lived rodent Spalax galili.

A balanced immune response is a cornerstone of healthy aging. Here, we uncover distinctive features of the long-lived blind mole-rat (Spalax spp.) adaptive immune system, relative to humans and mice.

Dioctophyme renale (Goeze, 1782) (Nematoda, Dioctophymidae) parasitic in mammals other than humans: A comprehensive review.

A comprehensive review of the infection of mammals with the nematode Dioctophyme renale (Goeze, 1782) (Nematoda, Dioctophymidae) is presented. Mammals, including man, are the definitive hosts for this parasite. Several aspects of the infection with the parasite in mammals other than humans are critically evaluated: geographical distribution, host species recorded so far and the relative importance of the different hosts, location of parasites within the host, prevalence and intensity of the infection, diagnostic methods, pathology induced by the parasites, epidemiology and the methods of control and treatment.

Toxic Effects of Fine Plant Powder Impregnated With Avermectins on Mosquito Larvae and Nontarget Aquatic Invertebrates.

The toxic effects of an avermectin-impregnated fine plant powder (AIFP) against larval Aedes aegypti L. (Diptera: Culicidae), Culex modestus Ficalbi (Diptera: Culicidae), and Anopheles messeae Falleroni (Diptera: Culicidae), as well as selected nontarget aquatic invertebrates, were studied under laboratory conditions. The possibility of trophic transfer of avermectins (AVMs) through the food chain and their toxic effects on predaceous species fed AIFP-treated mosquito larvae was also evaluated.

Entomopathogenic fungi decrease disease in potato in field conditions.

potato disease is widespread in the world and causes substantial yield and quality losses in potato. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of entomopathogenic fungi and in the inhibition of potato complex disease. The efficacy of the entomopathogenic fungi and in the defense of potato against disease (stem cancer, black scrulf and other forms of manifestation on tubers) was estimated under field conditions in Western Siberia.

Interplay between Fungal Infection and Bacterial Associates in the Wax Moth under Different Temperature Conditions.

Various insect bacterial associates are involved in pathogeneses caused by entomopathogenic fungi. The outcome of infection (fungal growth or decomposition) may depend on environmental factors such as temperature. The aim of this study was to analyze the bacterial communities and immune response of larvae injected with and incubated at 15 °C and 25 °C.

Sex-Specific Infection Patterns in Populations of Blandford (Coleoptera; Curculionidae: Scolytinae).

symbionts are maternally inherited bacteria that are widely distributed among Arthropoda hosts. influence their host biology in diverse ways. They may induce reproductive abnormalities, protect hosts against pathogens and parasites, or benefit hosts through metabolic provisioning.

A Comparison of the Vertical Transmission of High- and Low-Virulence Nucleopolyhedrovirus Strains in L.

Baculoviruses can persist in insect host organisms after infection and may be vertically transmitted to the next generation, in which they may be reactivated. The goal of the present study was to compare the efficiency of the vertical transmission of high- and low-virulence strains and the subsequent reactivation of Lymantria dispar multiple nucleopolyhedrovirus (LdMNPV) in the offspring of L. adults who survived after viral infection.

Comparative analysis of the immune response of the wax moth Galleria mellonella after infection with the fungi Cordyceps militaris and Metarhizium robertsii.

Entomopathogenic fungi form different strategies of interaction with their insect hosts. The influence of fungal infection on insect physiology has mainly been studied for generalists (Metarhizium, Beauveria), but studies of specialized teleomorphic species, such as Cordyceps militaris, are rare. We conducted a comparative analysis of the immune reactions of the wax moth Galleria mellonella after injection with blastospores of C.

Genetic diversity and geographical distribution of the Siberian subtype of the tick-borne encephalitis virus.

The tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV), a member of the Flaviviridae family, is currently subdivided into three main subtypes-the European (TBEV-Eu), the Far-Eastern (TBEV-FE), and the Siberian (TBEV-Sib). The TBEV-Sib is the most common subtype and found in all regions where TBEV was detected, except for Central and Western Europe. Currently, four genetic lineages have been described within TBEV-Sib.

Bacterial decomposition of insects post-Metarhizium infection: Possible influence on plant growth.

Strains of entomopathogenic fungi may have substantial differences in their final stages of mycosis. Insect cadavers are usually overgrown with mycelium after colonization of the insect body, but in many cases, bacterial decomposition of the colonized hosts occurs. We used two Metarhizium robertsii strains in the work: Mak-1 (cadavers become overgrown with mycelium and conidia) and P-72 (cadavers decay after fungal colonization).

Genetic evidence of broad spreading of Lymantria dispar in the West Siberian Plain.

Gypsy moth Lymantria dispar L. 1758 (Lepidoptera: Erebidae) is one of the most dangerous forest pests of the Holarctic region. Outbreaks of gypsy moth populations lead to significant defoliation of local forests.

Characterization and Biological Action of Avermectin Granules on the Moroccan Locust, Dociostaurus maroccanus (Orthoptera: Acrididae).

Granules composed of alfalfa and sunflower meal that were impregnated with avermectins (AVMs) were developed for use against the Moroccan locust, Dociostaurus maroccanus (Thunberg). Laboratory experiments with granules containing 0.15% of AVMs fed to locust nymphs resulted in 100% death within 5 d.

Ixodes persulcatus/pavlovskyi natural hybrids in Siberia: Occurrence in sympatric areas and infection by a wide range of tick-transmitted agents.

Ixodes persulcatus and Ixodes pavlovskyi ticks, two closely related species of the I. ricinus - I. persulcatus group, are widely distributed in the southern part of Western Siberia.

Molecular sexing of Lepidoptera.

We developed a universal method of Lepidoptera molecular sexing. The method is based on comparing the number of copies of the same gene in different sexes. Males of the majority of lepidopteran species have two Z chromosomes, whereas females have only one Z chromosome.

Vairimorpha ephestiae is a synonym of Vairimorpha necatrix (Opisthosporidia: Microsporidia) based on multilocus sequence analysis.

An isolate of the microsporidium Vairimorpha ephestiae (originally isolated from Ephestia kühniella) from collection of Prof. J. Weiser was propagated in a laboratory culture of Galleria mellonella.

Winter color polymorphisms identify global hot spots for evolutionary rescue from climate change.

Maintenance of biodiversity in a rapidly changing climate will depend on the efficacy of evolutionary rescue, whereby population declines due to abrupt environmental change are reversed by shifts in genetically driven adaptive traits. However, a lack of traits known to be under direct selection by anthropogenic climate change has limited the incorporation of evolutionary processes into global conservation efforts. In 21 vertebrate species, some individuals undergo a seasonal color molt from summer brown to winter white as camouflage against snow, whereas other individuals remain brown.

Comparison of tolerance to sunlight between spatially distant and genetically different strains of Lymantria dispar nucleopolyhedrovirus.

Baculoviruses are a family of insect-specific pathogenic viruses can persist outside for long periods through the formation of occlusion bodies. In spite of this ability, the UV of sunlight is an essential factor that limits the survival of baculoviruses outside the host. In the current study, we compared the UV tolerance of two strains of Lymantria dispar multiple nucleopolyhedrovirus (LdMNPV), which were isolated in spatially different regions (LdMNPV-27/0 in Western Siberia (Russia) and LdMNPV-45/0 in North America (USA)) and dramatically differ in their potency.

New genetic lineage within the Siberian subtype of tick-borne encephalitis virus found in Western Siberia, Russia.

Tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV), a member of the Flaviviridae family, is a causative agent of a severe neurological disease. There are three main TBEV subtypes: the European (TBEV-Eu), Far Eastern (TBEV-FE), and Siberian (TBEV-Sib). Currently, three lineages within TBEV-Sib have been recorded.

The activity of phenoloxidase in haemolymph plasma is not a predictor of Lymantria dispar resistance to its baculovirus.

Host innate immunity is one of the factors that determines the resistance of insects to their entomopathogens. In the research reported here we studied whether or not phenoloxidase (PO), a key enzyme in the melanogenesis component of humoral immunity of insects, plays a role in the protection of Lymantria dispar larvae from infection by L. dispar multiple nucleopolyhedrovirus.

Ecological preferences of Metarhizium spp. from Russia and neighboring territories and their activity against Colorado potato beetle larvae.

Thirty-four isolates of Metarhizium spp. from Russian collections were genotyped using 5' EF-1α gene sequence analysis. Four species were identified, of which M.

Detection and genetic characterization of a wide range of infectious agents in Ixodes pavlovskyi ticks in Western Siberia, Russia.

Background: The Ixodes pavlovskyi tick species, a member of the I. persulcatus/I. ricinus group, was discovered in the middle of the 20 century in the Russian Far East.