John D. Briggs

Resistance to American foulbrood in honey bees IX. Effects of honey-bee larval food on the growth and viability of Bacillus larvae☆

Abstract Experiments were designed to learn whether there are any differences between honey-bee (Apis mellifera) larval food from American-foulbrood-resistant and American-foulbrood-susceptible lines of bees in regard to antimicrobial action on Bacillus larvae, the pathogenic agent of American foulbrood, cultured in vitro. To test for inhibition of germination, spores were exposed to various concentrations of brood food from both genetic lines in culture medium, heat-shocked to kill vegetable cells, and then plated for germination of those spores which were inhibited from germinating. Results indicated that brood food, from an American-foulbrood-resistant line (Brown) of bees was more effective in inhibiting spore germination than brood food from a disease-susceptible line (Van Scoy). Tests for effects of brood food on vegetable cells involved their exposure for different periods of time to various concentrations of the food in an aqueous medium. It was found that brood food from the resistant line was more effective in reducing the number of viable vegetable cells than brood food from the susceptible line.

The biology and life history of Nosema tracheophila sp. n. (protozoa:Cnidospora:Microsporidea) found in Coccinella septempunctata Linnaeus (coleoptera:Coccinellidae)

Abstract The life cycle of a new microsporidian parasite, Nosema tracheophila sp. n. is described in adults of the coccinellid beetle, Coccinella septempunctata Linnaeus. The spore is ovoid in shape (4.0–5.3 × 2.2–3.1 μ); upon proper stimulation it extrudes a long polar filament (89–178 μ) from which a binucleate sporoplasm (2.8 × 1.5 μ) emerges. The sporoplasm divides, forming short chains of mononucleated schizonts (4.0 × 1.3 μ); the individual mononucleated schizonts then undergo nuclear division forming two, four, then eight nucleate meronts or daughter schizonts (3.1–4.4 × 1.8–2.2 μ). A diplokaryon stage was not observed; however, since the sporonts (4.2 × 3.1 μ) were observed and since they each give rise to one spore, this microsporidian is placed in the genus Nosema . The schizogonic stages are found primarily in hemocytes, while the sporogonic stages are in the connective tissue.

Intracellular stages in the life cycle of the microsporidian Nosema apis

Abstract The intracellular stages of the microsporidian Nosema apis are described, and photomicrographs are presented as an aid for the identification of this parasite of the honey bee, Apis mellifera.

An evaluation of sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis for the identification of microsporidia

Abstract Microsporidian spore polypeptides separated with sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) can be used to identify isolates of microsporidia. The spore polypeptides separated with SDS/PAGE provided unique, reproducible electrophoretic profiles which were not influenced by host species or the temperature at which the host larvae were maintained for development. Furthermore, host proteins were not detected in electrophoretic profiles of the spore polypeptides. Spore mixtures of two microsporidian species can be detected when the spore polypeptides of either or both species have been previously separated with SDS/PAGE.

Variation in Spore Polypeptides from Four Species of Vairimorpha

Spore polypeptides from four species of Vairimorpha were separated with sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis for identification and classification. The spore profile for each Vairimorpha species is unique and reproducible. The unweighed pair-group method with arithmethic means is used to construct a phenogram to summarize the relationship of the Vairimorphe species.

Environmental and ecological problems in the introduction of alien microorganisms in the soil

Abstract The proposed environmental release of genetically engineereed microorganisms (GEMs) presents unique problems in hazard assessment. Currently, there are two general models, which might serve as guidelines for studying the environmental fate of GEMs. The first is to use the release of other non-indigenous organisms as a model for GEM fate. This approach has the advantage of focussing on the living properties of GEMs and provides insight not only into acute toxicity of the GEMs and gene products, but also into their ability to proliferate in host tissues and pass their genes to indigenous species. Alternatively, GEM fate can be analyzed by comparing GEMs to organic chemicals for which well-defined models exist. In this case, a primary consideration is to determine the degree to which a GEM is adsorbed or unbound. Further, the factors which affect adsorption, e.g. pH, temperature and soil characteristics as well as the population dynamics of GEMs and their ecological impact, must be assessed. Regardless of which model is chosen, the ultimate challenge is to develop methods which permit the screening of environmental samples for the presence of GEMs, their genes and gene products. Whole organisms can be detected using viable cell counts on antibiotic-amended agar as well as by serological means. Genes (and gene transfer) can be screened by Southern blots; the presence of various gene products can be detected by bioassay or serology. Microcosms, incorporating several trophic levels, provide a means by which the direct and indirect, as well as the acute and sublethal, effects of a GEM can be gauged.

INSECT CONTROL PROGRAMS IMPLEMENTED BY THE UNITED NATIONS

The objective of the United Nations is peace. The United Nations provides for the political needs of countries to resolve differences. I t is this political, and frequently military, activity that constitutes approximately 95 % of the publicity given to the United Nations. Is the public more interested in crisis, threat, and fighting rather than the activities that promote the economic and social welfare of the world? Eichelberger4 analyzes the four objectives of the United Nations drawn in 1945. The first and third objectives provide for mechanisms to prevent war and establish peaceful processes, whereas the second and fourth objectives “reaffirm faith in human rights and social progress. . . . They look toward the removal of the basic causes of war and anticipate a better way of life, in which war would be thought of less and less”! The United Nations has maintained for 27 years a growing technical assistance program. It began modestly and grew with encouragement from actions of national leaders, particularly President Harry S. Truman and his Point Four initiative that was a source of stimulation to the development of the United Nations Expanded Technical Assistance Program (UNETAP) in 1950. The creation of the Special Fund for technical assistance in 1958 provided a new dimension and set the stage for joining UNETAP with the Special Fund in 1965 to create the organization now recognized as the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) . The UNDP implements activities through specialized international agencies affiliated with the United Nations. Two of the 16 specialized agencies in the UN system with which we are concerned here are the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) , and the World Health Organization (WHO). The headquarters for the United Nations is in New York City, and the headquarters of specialized agencies are found throughout the world: F A 0 in Rome, WHO in Geneva, and the International Atomic Energy Agency in Vienna. Furthermore, regional offices for specialized agencies also exist in many countries. This principle of geographical distribution of administration stems from a concern expressed by President Franklin I). Roosevelt, who believed that agencies for peace should be widely distributed to provide continual visibility for the United Nations and its activities, The 16 autonomous specialized agencies in the United Nations system, through which some actions of the United Nations Development Program may come to fruition, derive their primary financial support from member countries of each agency. The 16 agencies can be grouped into three general categories:4 human welfare; scientific and technical; and economic and financial. The F A 0 and WHO, together with the International Labor Organization (ILO) , are considered to be three specialized agencies, concerned primarily with the field of human welfare and contributing to the improvement of social and cultural conditions. The UN charter provides the basis for agreements between the agencies and the UN in a UN system, with a voice for the UN General Assembly in budget matters of those agencies concerned with human welfare and scientific matters.