In insects, storage proteins or hexamerins accumulate apparently to serve as sources of amino acids during metamorphosis and reproduction. Two storage protein-like cDNAs obtained from a cDNA library prepared from fourth instar larvae of the Indianmeal moth (Plodia interpunctella) were cloned and sequenced. The first clone, PinSP1, contained 2431 nucleotides with a 2295 nucleotide open reading f...

1. Cyclic dynamics of various periods are pervasive in many insect populations where interactions with natural enemies are known to be important. How stage-structured processes within the host population, such as competition and cannibalism, affect these interactions has received little attention so far. 2. Using the well-studied laboratory host–parasitoid system of Plodia interpunctella and Ve...

While chromosome-wide dosage compensation of the X chromosome has been found in many species, studies in ZW clades have indicated that compensation of the Z is more localized and/or incomplete. In the ZW Lepidoptera, some species show complete compensation of the Z chromosome, while others lack full equalization, but what drives these inconsistencies is unclear. Here, we compare patterns of mal...

The forewings and hindwings of butterflies moths (Lepidoptera) are differentiated from each other, with segment-specific morphologies color patterns that mediate a wide range functions in flight, signaling, protection. Hox gene Ultrabithorax ( Ubx ) is master selector differentiates metathoracic mesothoracic identities across winged insects, previous work has shown this role extends to at least...

Effects of microhabitat complexity on host foraging by three species of Trichogramma (T. deion, T. ostriniae, and T. pretiosum) were evaluated under simulated stored product conditions. All three species have been considered as potential biological control agents for the Indianmeal moth, Plodia interpunctella, in retail stores and warehouses. Trials were conducted with single naı̈ve female paras...