기후변화로 인해 대기 중 이산화탄소 농도 (CO2)증가가 톱다리개미 허리노린재(Riptortus calvatus)의 화학통신에 미치는 영향을 알아보기 위해 실내 이산화탄소 농도를 600, 1000, 2000 ppm 수준 처리하여 조사하였다. 두 집합페로몬 성분인 (E)-2-hexenyl (Z)-3-hexanoate와 (E)-2-hexenyl (E)-3-hexanoate의 생산량은 우화 후 10일 된 수컷의 경우 대기 중 CO2가 높아질수록 증가하는 경향을 보인 반면, 우화 후 20일 된 수컷에서는 감소하는 경향이 나타났다. 교미율은 CO2 농도에 따라 큰 차이가 없었으나, 총 산란수는 1,000 ppm 이상 CO2 농도에서 높게 나타났다.

Azuki bean beetle (ABB), Callosobruchus chinensis (L.) is a field-to-storage pest of legumes and its female produces sex pheromone with two isomeric components, 2Z-homofarnesal and 2E-homofarnesal. Two day old virgin adults were exposed to 0, 200, 300, 400, 500 & 600 Gy gamma radiation and effect on longevity, fecundity, sterility and pheromone production were studied. Longevity (female; P < 0.001, male; P < 0.001) and fecundity (P < 0.001) were dose-dependently affected by the gamma irradiation. Both adults were totally sterilized by the tested doses of gamma irradiation as depicted by the null hatchability of laid eggs. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry for solid phase micro extraction revealed that both of the pheromone components were significantly but not completely reduced by 300 Gy. It is a pre-requisite for a successful sterile insect technology that the sterility of ABB is induced without the total disruption of calling behavior.

The effect of increased carbon dioxide concentration in atmosphere was examined on the pheromone system of Helicoverpa armigera reared from egg stage to adult in three room. Two of three room (2×2×2 m) were treated with carbon dioxide gas as 600 ppm and 1,000 ppm, respectively. Mean of carbon dioxide concentration was 429.1 ppm in the control, 603.3 ppm for 600 ppm, and 1011.5 ppm for 1,000 ppm during experiment. Electroantenograph (EAG) test was conducted on 3-d-old male adults with air, hexane, and a series of their sex pheromone component, Z11-16Al, from 0.01 to 100 ng. The result was that male EAG responses of 600 and 1,000 ppm were 30.3% lower than that of control room. Production of Z11-16:Al was examined on about twenty 2-d-old virgin females. Carbon dioxide increases did not show a statistically significant difference. However, higher amount of sex pheromone was produced in females of 600 and 1,000 ppm. So, This experiment was replicated with different population reared again. The amount of the sex pheromone per female was 108.9 and 118.1 ng in control room, 139.8 and 141.8 ng in 600 ppm room, and 124.6 and 125.8 ng in 1,000 ppm room.

Male pheromone production and female reproduction of R.pedestris were evaluated on two different kinds of foods; sweet (non-astringent) persimmon and soybean. Male adults fed on soybean produced all the four pheromone components, (E)-2-hexenyl (Z)-3-hexenoate, (E)-2-hexenyl (E)-2-hexenoate, tetradecyl isobutyrate (C14iBu), octadecyl isobutyrate (C18iBu), whereas those fed on sweet persimmon did not produce C14iBu which is a key component in the function of the pheromone, and C18iBu. Female adults fed on soybean produced eggs, however, those fed on sweet persimmon did not at all. From these results, we concluded that host resource greatly affects the chemical communication and reproduction of both male and female of R.pedestris, and that sweet persimmon is not a proper food for its completion of life cycle.

A cDNA of PBAN receptor (Plx-PBANR) isolated from female pheromone gland of the diamondback moth encodes 338 amino acids and has 7 transmembranes, belonging to G-protein coupled receptor family. The fact that Plx-PBANR expression was only found in female pheromone gland revealed that pheromone gland is the only molecular target of Plx-PBAN. Plx-PBANR expressing cells increased level of Ca2+ influx when challenged with PBANs. When RNAi fragment for PBANR was injected into pupae, suppression of PBANR expression was maintained for at least 2 days at post-emergence. Injection of RNA fragment for inhibition of Plx-PBANR expression also inhibited mating behavior and suppressed sex pheromone production, suggesting that some molecular target was affected by reduced Plx-PBANR expression. We cloned partial Δ9 and Δ11 desaturase gene and investigated expression level in Plx-PBANR-RNAi moth. It is of interest that desaturases expression was reduced by RNA fragment injection. These results suggest of PBANR expression affects the molecular biological events of PBAN and eventually suppresses mating behavior.

Sex pheromone production in lepidopteran is stimulated and regulated by a pheromone biosynthesis activating neuropeptide (PBAN). A cDNA of PBAN receptor (Plx-PBANR) isolated from female pheromone gland of the diamondback moth (DBM, Plutella xylostella (L.) encodes 338 amino acids. Plx-PBANR has conserved biochemical motifs and 7 transmembranes, indicating it belongs to G-protein coupled receptor family. Plx-PBANR expression was only found in female pheromone gland, demonstrating that pheromone gland is the only molecular target of Plx-PBAN. Human uterus carcinoma (HeLa) was stably transfected with Plx-PBANR gene and its expression was confirmed by RT-PCR analysis. Plx-PBANR expressing cells increased level of Ca2+ influx when challenged with Plx-PBAN and Hez-PBAN from Heliothis zea. When RNAi fragment for PBANR was injected into pupae, suppression of PBANR expression was confirmed by RT-PCR and maintained for at least 2 days at post-emergence. Injection of RNA fragment into pupae for inhibition of Plx-PBANR expression also inhibited mating behavior, revealing that reproductive organ of the female has no spermatocyte and that there are no successful reproductive behaviors. These results suggest of PBANR expression affects the molecular biological events of PBAN and eventually suppresses mating behavior.

A cDNA of PBAN receptor (Plx-PBANR) isolated from female pheromone gland of the diamondback moth (DBM, Plutella xylostella (L.) encodes 338 amino acids. Plx-PBANR includes 7 transmembranes, indicating it belongs to G-protein coupled receptor family. Plx-PBANR showed high similarities with other moth PBANRs and its expression was only found in female pheromone gland, demonstrating that pheromone gland is the only molecular target of Plx-PBAN. To accomplish the funcional expression of Plx-PBANR, Human uterus carcinoma was stably transfected with Plx-PBANR gene and Plx-PBANR expression was confirmed by RT-PCR analysis. Plx-PBANR expressing cells increased level of Ca2+ influx when challenged with Plx-PBAN and Hez-PBAN from Heliothis zea, as ionomycin as a positive control does. To inhibit Plx-PBNAR expression in vivo, RNAi fragment for Plx-PBANR was injected into pupae. Suppression of PBANR expression was confirmed by RT-PCR and also induced inhibition of mating behavior in adults, revealing that reproductive organ of the female has no spermatocyte and that there are no successful reproductive behaviors. RNAi-treated adults showed reduced pheromone production. These results suggests that inhibition of PBANR expression affects the molecular biological events of PBAN and eventually suppresses mating behavior.

솔껍질깍지벌레 암컷성충의 일주기와 관련된 성훼로몬의 체내생산과 발산 습성을 밝히기 위하여 우화후 시간별로 성훼로몬의 보유량 및 발산량을 조사하였다. 체내 생산량 및 발산량은 공히 매일 오전 8시부터 오후 2시사이에 가장 많았으며 오후 4시 이후는 현저히 줄어드는 양상을 나타내었고 또한 우화후 3일이 경과하면 점점 감소하였다. 본 곤충의 생식활동에 있어 성훼로몬의 발산과 암수성충활동의 일주기가 일치하는 것의 의미가 검토되었다.