ISSN:
1570-7458
Keywords:
avidin
;
streptavidin
;
biotin
;
insecticide
;
stored product insects
;
corn borer
;
beetles
;
moths
;
plant resistance
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
Notes:
Abstract Avidin was found to be an insecticidal and growth inhibiting dietary protein for five species of Coleoptera (red flour beetle,Tribolium castaneum, confused flour beetle,T. confusum, sawtoothed grain beetle,Oryzaphilus surinamensis, rice weevil,Sitophilus oryzae, and lesser grain borer,Rhyzopertha dominica) and two species of Lepidoptera (European corn borer,Ostrinia nubilalis, and Indianmeal moth,Plodia interpunctella). At levels ranging from 10 to 1000 ppm in the diet depending on the species, avidin retarded the growth and caused mortality of all seven species. Addition of biotin to the avidin-treated diets forT. castaneum, T. confusum, R. dominica, andO. nubilalis prevented the growth inhibition and mortality caused by avidin. Streptavidin exhibited similar insecticidal and growth inhibiting activity towardsT. castaneum andO. nubilalis. The results support the hypothesis that feeding avidin or streptavidin to insects causes a biotin deficiency which in turn leads to stunted growth and mortality. Avidin and streptavidin are insect growth inhibiting proteins whose genes potentially could be manipulated into plants and provide host plant resistance to insect pests.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF02380637
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