Effects of UV-A exposures on longevity and reproduction in Helicoverpa armigera, and on the development of its F1 generation

Abstract

Helicoverpa armigera adults display a conspicuous positive phototactic behavior to light stimuli, and are especially sensitive to ultraviolet (UV) light. The effects of UV‐A (longwave) exposures on adult longevity and reproduction in H. armigera were investigated, as well as the development of the F1 generation. Paired adults were exposed to UV‐A for various time periods (0, 1, 5 and 9 h/day), until the end of adult life. The results showed that adult longevity decreased with increasing exposure time for both sexes, and a significant decrease was observed after exposure for 5 and 9 h/day. Fecundity increased when adults were exposed for 1 and 5 h/day, and a significant difference was observed in the 5 h/day group. Oviposition rates of females in all treatments were significantly higher than in the control. Exposure to UV‐A for longer periods (5 and 9 h/day) caused a decline in cumulative survival of F1 immature stages, but no significant differences were found in egg hatch, pupation and eclosion. The developmental periods of F1 larvae were significantly prolonged after exposure to UV‐A for 5 and 9 h/day. UV‐A radiation had no significant effects on F1 pupal period.

Solar radiation directly affects larval performance of a forest insect

“…Thus, we cannot know to what extent a putative UV-induced larval oxidative stress (Meng et al, 2009;Zhang et al, 2011) and reduction in food quality (Rousseaux et al, 2004;Foggo et al, 2007;Ballaré et al, 2012) contributed to the results. Thus, we cannot know to what extent a putative UV-induced larval oxidative stress (Meng et al, 2009;Zhang et al, 2011) and reduction in food quality (Rousseaux et al, 2004;Foggo et al, 2007;Ballaré et al, 2012) contributed to the results.…”

“…We hypothesized that solar radiation can be an important determinant of the spatial distribution of this species, as it appears to be for the sister species Thaumetopoea pityocampa (Battisti et al, 2005) and other Lepidoptera (Vande Velde et al, 2011). In addition to affecting larval performance positively through excess temperature, solar radiation may also affect larvae negatively through oxidative stress (Meng et al, 2009;Zhang et al, 2011) and reduction in food quality due to a UV-induced increase in the concentrations of defensive chemicals (Rousseaux et al, 2004;Demkura et al, 2010). This design aimed to simulate various degrees of canopy closure and thus reduced the opportunities for larvae to increase their body temperatures by basking in the sun.…”

Insect reactions to light and its applications to pest management

“…Furthermore, some insects are unable to undergo normal development or survival (Fig. 2f) (Ghanem and Shamma 2007;Siderhurst et al 2006;Zhang et al 2011). Such photoirradiation can also be used for post-harvest treatment of crops.…”

Identification and Transcriptional Profiling of Differentially Expressed Genes Associated With Response to Uva Radiation inDrosophila melanogaster(Diptera: Drosophilidae)

“…In recent years UV radiation has received a great deal of attention because of its potentially deleterious effects on many organisms. UV augmentation can decrease adult longevity and increase oviposition rate (Zhang et al 2011). However, various protective mechanisms have been used to cope with ultraviolet A (UVA) radiation stress in insects, such as repairing UV-induced damage to macromolecules, and eliminating toxic compounds created by UV radiation (Meng et al 2009(Meng et al , 2010Dahmsa and Lee 2010;Sang et al 2012).…”