Short-winged (brachypterous) and long-winged (macropterous) adult females of Pyrrhocoris apterus (L.) originating from a Mediterranean population (Israel) were analyzed for their adipokinetic responses. The adipokinetic response, expressed as an increase of haemolymph lipids after injection of adipokinetic hormone from Locusta migratoria (Lom-AKH-I), was assessed in relation to age and dose of the hormone. We demonstrate in this study that the adipokinetic responses induced by bug's corpora cardiaca extract and Lom-AKH-I were dose-dependent for both brachypterous and macropterous females. Significant differences between the morphs were recorded for doses >= 0.25 corpora cardiaca equivalent (P < 0.01) and doses >= 0.25 pmol Lom-AKH-I (P < 0.05). The haemolymph lipid elevations induced in both morphs by 2 pmols Lom-AKH-I are comparable with that induced by crude extract of one pair of the bug's own corpora cardiaca. The age-dependent test showed much higher adipokinetic responses (P < 0.01) in macropterous females (>= 5 days old) than in the brachypterous females of the same age, when treated with 2 pmols Lom-AKH-I. Starting from day 7, the concentration of haemolymph lipids was also considerably higher (2.5-5 times) in macropterous females than in the brachypterous ones. The obtained data indicate that difference in mobilization of lipids between brachypterous and macropterous females is a geographically independent feature and represents a true wing morph characteristic of P. apterus., Dalibor Kodrík, Radomír Socha, and Lit
In cockroaches and certain other insects the concentration of trehalose in the hemolymph is increased by hypertrehalosemic hormone (HTH), a neuropeptide originating in the corpus cardiacum. A vital step in the action of HTH to promote conversion of glycogen stored in the fat body to trehalose is the activation of phosphorylase. The means by which HTH activates phosphorylase, with particular emphasis on its role in the regulation of intracellular calcium, is discussed. Additional information supporting the view that HTH stimulated synthesis of trehalose, and possibly its release from the trophocyte, is regulated by fatty acids and eicosanoids is presented., John E. Steele, and Lit
More than 60 neuropeptides that inhibit juvenile hormone synthesis by the corpora allata have been isolated from the brains of various insect species. Most of them are characterized by a common C-terminal pentapeptide sequence Y/FXFGL/I/V (allatostatin A family, allatostatin superfamily). Besides the allatostatin A family, allatostatic neuropeptides belonging to other two peptide families (W2W9)-allatostatins or allatostatin B family; lepidopteran allatostatin) were reported. So far, only one allatotropin has been identified. Here we discuss latest literature on the multiplicity and multifunctionality of the allatoregulating neuropeptides, their physiological significance as well as their evolutionary conservation in structure and function., Klaus H. Hoffmann, Martina Meyering-Vos, Matthias W. Lorenz, and Lit
Four peptides with allatostatic activity were isolated from brains of the Mediterranean field cricket, Gryllus bimaculatus. Three of them (Grb-AST A3: AGMYSFGL-NH2; Grb-AST A4: SRPFGFGL-NH2; Grb-AST A5: GPDHRFAFGL-NH2) belong to the wide-spread family of Y/FXFGL/I-amide peptides, the fourth (Grb-AST B5: AWDQLRPGW-NH2) is a member of the W2W9 - amide family of neuropeptides. All of these peptides are potent inhibitors of juvenile hormone (JH) biosynthesis by cricket corpora allata in vitro, causing 50% inhibition of JH biosynthesis at 0.4-3 × 10-8 M. The two peptides Grb-AST A5 and Grb-AST B5 have virtually the same potency and efficacy in inhibiting JH biosynthesis in vitro. No synergistic effect of the two peptide families with respect to the inhibition of JH biosynthesis could be observed. Peptides of both families decrease the accumulation of methylfarnesoate, the direct precursor of JH, within CA that have been incubated in farnesol-rich medium. This suggests an involvement of these ASTs in the late steps of JH biosynthesis., Mathias W., Roland Kellner, Klaus H. Hoffmann, and Lit
Allozyme polymorphism was investigated in adult males of the stenotopic peat bog (tyrphobiontic) noctuid moth, Coenophila subrosea Stephens, from three isolated peat bog localities in Austria (Styria) and Czech Republic (South and North Bohemia). Of the eighteen enzyme loci examined, twelve were polymorphic and six monomorphic. Significant deviations of genotype frequencies from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium were observed at about one third of polymorphic loci within the populations. The average heterozygosities for the populations from three geographically distinct localities ranged from 0.192 to 0.245, and 61% of the loci were polymorphic. The FST mean value of 0.0675 was higher than that found in most other Lepidoptera. The genetic distances based on allozyme heterozygosity ranged from 0.019 to 0.051, with the population from South Bohemia being the most distant. The genetic distances and FST values do not reflect the geographic distances between the populations. Morphometric analysis revealed a difference between the Austrian Purgschachen Moor and Bohemian populations. These isolated relict peat bogs are habitat islands inhabited by unique "geographical races" of tyrphobiontic taxa., Jan Šula, Karel Spitzer, 4 obrázky, 5 tab., and Lit.
Entomologická nomenklatura obsahuje nesčetné množství názvů odvozených od jmen antických mytologických postav. Zoologové již od doby Carla Linného s oblibou přidělovali takováto jména zvláště motýlům a broukům. Jména bývala často tvořena bez motivu, jindy entomologové brali ohled na vztah živočicha a mýtické postavy (vzhled, chování, region). Pátý díl seriálu představuje alespoň výběr příkladů., Entomological nomenclature contains an enormous number of names derived from the names of ancient mythological characters. Ever since Carl Linne's times zoologists have liked giving such names to butterflies and beetles. The names were often formed without any motives, other times entomologists considered the relationship between the animal and the mythological character (appearance, behaviour or region). The fifth part of the series presents at least some selected names of insects., and Tomáš Pavlík.
Flowers of dicotyledonous plants host communities of arthropod species. We studied the community associated with dandelion (Taraxacum section Ruderalia), a complex of apomictic micro-species abundant in central Europe. Identification of microspecies in the field was impracticable. These plants produce an abundance of flowers that host arthropod communities that are not yet fully documented. We investigated species occurrence, its diurnal and seasonal variation and some of the factors that determine the abundance of the dominant species. Insect and spiders were collected from 2010 to 2012 at a locality in Prague. Whole capitula were harvested at weekly intervals and resident arthropods were identified. Diurnal variation in insect presence and the effect of pollen and microclimate on some of the species were also examined. The insect community (> 200 species) consisted mainly of species of Hymenoptera (86 spp.), Coleoptera (56 spp.), Diptera (46 spp.) and Heteroptera (23 spp.). The most abundant were Thysanoptera (2 spp.). Pollen eaters/collectors and nectar feeders dominated over predators and occasional visitors. From April to mid-August, the insect community was dominated by Coleoptera, and later by Diptera and Hymenoptera. Except for Meligethes spp. and species breeding in the capitula, the insects occupied flowers during the daytime when the flowers were open (10-12 h in spring and only 2-4 h in late summer). The presence of Meligethes spp. in particular flowers was associated with the presence of pollen; the occurrence of Byturus ochraceus with pollen and flower temperature. Although pollination is not necessary, dandelion plants produce both nectar and pollen. The community of arthropods that visit dandelion flowers is rich despite their being ephemeral.The composition of local faunas of flower visitors, presence of floral rewards and flower microclimate are important factors determining the composition of the flower community., Alois Honěk, Zdenka Martinková, Jiří Skuhrovec, Miroslav Barták, Jan Bezděk, Petr Bogusch, Jiří Hadrava, Jiří Hájek, Petr Janšta, Josef Jelínek, Jan Kirschner, Vítězslav Kubáň, Stano Pekár, Pavel Průdek, Pavel Štys, Jan Šumpich., and Obsahuje bibliografii
Tato studie pojednává o rané fázi mikroskopického zkoumání přírody, které ve svém díle Micrographia (1665) představil Robert Hooke (1635–1703). Vzhledem k obsáhlosti díla se zaměřuje na pasáže, které Hooke věnoval výzkumu hmyzu. Předmětem analýzy je především metodologie Hookova výzkumu: způsob, jakým tento experimentátor využíval mikroskop ke zkoumání mravenců, much, komárů a jiného hmyzu. Dále je pozornost věnována způsobu, jakým Hooke představoval výsledky svého pozorování, tedy popisům a ilustracím hmyzu. A konečně, příspěvek se také pokouší vyložit vybrané záznamy mikroskopických pozorování v Micrographii a objasnit jejich vazbu na filosofickou a náboženskou interpretaci přírody sedmnáctého století., The aim of the study is to discuss the early microscopic examination of nature, introduced by Robert Hooke (1635–1703) in his work Micrographia (1665). Considering the complexity of his work, the paper focuses on passages concerning Hooke’s research of insects. The object of analysis is above all Hooke’s methodology of research: the way in which the experimenter used the microscope to study ants, flies, mosquitoes and other insects. Attention is also paid to the way in which Hooke presented the results of his observation, i.e. to his descriptions and illustrations of insects. Finally, the study also tries to interpret selected records of microscopic observations in Micrographia and clarify their relation to philosophical and religious interpretations of nature in seventeenth century., and Monika Bečvářová.