Evidence for the presence of biogenic magnetic particles in the nocturnal migratory brown planthopper, Nilaparvata lugens

Abstract

Biogenic magnetic particles have been detected in some migratory insects, which implies the basis of magnetoreception mechanism for orientation and navigation. Here, the biogenic magnetic particles in the migratory brown planthopper (BPH), Nilaparvata lugens were qualitatively measured by SQUID magnetometry, and their characteristics were further determined by Prussian Blue staining, electron microscopy and energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy. The results indicate that there were remarkable magnetic materials in the abdomens and not in the head or thorax of the 3rd–5th instar nymphs, and in macropterous and brachypterous female and male adults of BPH. The size of magnetic particles was shown to be between 50–450 nm with a shape factor estimate of between 0.8–1.0 for all the tested BPHs. Moreover, the amount of magnetic particles was associated with the developmental stage (the 3rd–5th instar), wing form (macropterous vs. brachypterous) and sex. The macropterous female adults had the largest amount of magnetic particles. Although the existence of magnetic particles in the abdomens of BPH provides sound basis for the assumption of magnetic orientation, further behavioral studies and complementary physical characterization experiments should be conducted to determine whether the orientation behavior of BPH is associated with the magnetic particles detected in this study.

Molecular characterization, spatial‐temporal expression and magnetic response patterns of iron‐sulfur cluster assembly1 (IscA1) in the rice planthopper, Nilaparvata lugens

“…), this putative magnetic sensor may exhibit tissue‐specific distribution. NlIscA1 showed significant enrichment in the abdomen, which was in agreement with the reported remarkable distribution of magnetic particles (iron oxides) in the abdomen (Pan et al ., ). Presumably, there is some kind of relation between NlIscA1 and magnetic particles in the abdomen.…”

“…Nlcry1 and NlIscA1 in migratory BPH were more magnetic‐sensitive than those in non‐migratory BPH, and can be triggered to a high expression level by the magnetic field exposure. Previous reports showed cryptochrome1 expressed highly during migration and magnetic particles were enriched in the abdomens of adults (Xu et al ., ; Pan et al ., ). All this knowledge gives us a chance to discuss the possible associations among cryptochrome1, IscA1 and magnetic particles.…”

“…Changes in magnetic field intensity can also affect positive phototaxis and flight capacity of Sogatella furcifera , another migratory rice planthopper (Wan et al ., ). In addition, there was evidence for the presence of biogenic magnetic particles in N. lugens (Pan et al ., ). The cryptochrome1 and cryptochrome2 in N. lugens ( Nlcry1 and Nlcry2 ) also showed migration‐related messenger RNA (mRNA) expression pattern (Xu et al ., ).…”

Geomagnetic field intensity as a cue for the regulation of insect migration

“…Physiological responses to variation in the GMF have been demonstrated in N. lugen s [27]. Notably, both candidate magnetite crystals [28] and characterization of potential magnetic field targets, including Cry1, Cry2 [29], and iron-sulfur cluster assembly1 (IscA1) [30], have been systematically explored. Adult N. lugens also exhibit wing dimorphism associated with migration consisting of macropterous individuals with functional wings for seasonal migration and brachypterous individuals with vestigial wings and enhanced fecundity [31].…”

“…N. lugens also showed physiological magnetic responses under NZMF vs. GMF. Notably, both candidate magnetite crystals [27] and characterization of potential magnetic field targets, including Cry1, Cry2 [28], and iron-sulfur cluster assembly1 (IscA1) [29], have been systematically explored in N. lugens . Together with the advantage that N. lugens draft genome sequence is available[30], it is a promising insect model to investigate magnetoreception.…”