Joe R. Broome

A mechanism of pathogenicity of Beauveria bassiana on larvae of the imported fire ant, Solenopsis richteri☆

Abstract Peroral infection of Solenopsis richteri larvae with spores of Beauveria bassiana was demonstrated. The fungal spores were observed to germinate (37%) in the gut within 72 hr postinfection. The hyphal tips penetrated the gut wall between 60 and 72 hr allowing the digestive juices to enter the hemocoel. The digestive juices p H had changed from 7.0 to 5.0 by 72 hr. The hemolymph p H changed with penetration of gut wall by the hyphae.

Trans-ovum transmission of a cytoplasmic polyhedrosis virus of Heliothis virescens (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Abstract Adults of Heliothis virescens infected with a cytoplasmic polyhedrosis virus (CPV) produced healthy offspring when their eggs were surface sterilized with either 15% formaldehyde or 0.2% sodium hypochlorite solution. Larvae from infected parents (1) cultured on a vitamin-deficient medium, (2) exposed to cold treatment (5°C, 24 hr), or (3) as progeny of adults from diapaused infected pupae, produced the same number of infected individuals as larvae reared in the customary way. Field studies indicated that the percent of CPV infection in larvae originating from virus-infected parents was density dependent.

Dye-sensitized photoinactivation of the lactic dehydrogenase and acetylcholinesterase from the boll weevil, Anthonomous grandis

Abstract The lactic dehydrogenase and acetylcholinesterase enzymes of the boll weevil, Anthonomous grandis , have been shown to be inactivated by dye-sensitized photooxidation mediated by substituted xanthenes. The efficiency of the photooxidation reaction was correlated with the degree of halogenation of the dye molecule, the efficiency of the dye in singlet oxygen formation, and the strength of binding to lactic dehydrogenase. Changes in the in vivo levels of these enzymes due to ingestion of rose bengal by adult weevils are not further modified in the presence of light.

The effects of rose bengal on the imported fire ant, Solenopsis richteri (forel)

Abstract The imported fire ant is susceptible to a lethal photooxidation reaction after ingesting rose bengal. The reaction has been shown to be dependent on dye concentration, incubation period prior to exposure, light intensity and exposure time. Imported fire ants are also susceptible to a long-term lethal reaction that is light independent.

Inhibition of the acetyl cholinesterase from the imported fire ant, Solenopsis richteri (forel), by dye-sensitized photooxidation

Abstract 1. 1. Acetylcholinesterase contained in whole-head homogenates from the imported fire ant was susceptible to dye-sensitized photooxidation induced by the presence of rose bengal, phloxin B, erythrosin B, eosin yellowish and flourescein. 2. 2. Rhodamine B was incapable of eliciting this reaction. 3. 3. The reaction has been shown to consume molecular oxygen and to be dependent on light intensity. 4. 4. In vivo , the dye caused death, but did not affect acetylcholinesterase levels in the head-thorax. 5. 5. A correlation was observed between halogenation of the ring systems and photooxidation efficiency.