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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Gainesville, Florida » Center for Medical, Agricultural and Veterinary Entomology » Insect Behavior and Biocontrol Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #195128
Title: ANALYSIS OF DIETARY PROTEINS DERIVED FROM PREY EGGS AND EMBRYONIC CELL LINES AND THEIR EFFECTS ON THE FECUNDITY OF ORIUS INSIDIOSUS (HEMIPTERA: ANTHOCORIDAE)

Author
item Ferkovich, Stephen
item Shapiro, Jeffrey
item Lynn, Dwight

Submitted to: International Entomophagous Insect Workshop
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/11/2006
Publication Date: 6/11/2006
Citation: Ferkovich, S.M., Shapiro, J.P., Lynn, D.E. 2006. Analysis of dietary proteins derived from prey eggs and embryonic cell lines and their effects on the fecundity of orius insidiosus (hemiptera: anthocoridae). International Entomophagous Insect Workshop.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Laboratory-reared predators fed on artificial diets often demonstrate reduced fecundity relative to those fed on prey. The reason for reduced egg production is not clear. Knowledge of the basic mechanisms governing the reproductive processes (e.g. vitellogenesis, oogenesis, oviposition) of predators is needed to improve existing artificial diets and to better understand their reproductive strategies in the field. In contrast to those fed artificial diets, O. insidiosus and other heteropteran predators fed on prey contain more yolk protein and produce more eggs. In many cases, the low fecundity of females reared as nymphs on artificial diets can be reversed by feeding the resulting adults on live prey. Consequently, we have hypothesized that high quality prey eggs and cell lines contain a fecundity-enhancing factor. We have analyzed protein extracts from eggs of Ephestia kuehniella and Plodia interpunctella, and from two embryonic cell lines, EK-x4V and PiE, from those respective species. Fractions obtained from electrophoretic and chromatographic separations of the proteins were bioassayed in artificial test diets and compared against an optimal standard, Ephestia eggs, and control diet on the basis of oviposition rates. Active fractions isolated from both Ephestia and Plodia eggs and the PiE cell line produced significant improvements in oviposition rate over the control diet. Efforts are continuing toward identification of factors.