Device for researching influence of volatile matters on trichogramma spawning selection

Abstract

A device for studying influence of volatile matters on trichogramma spawning selection is characterized by comprising a spawning selection chamber (3) and four odor source storage chambers (6), a pull-out box cover (1) is arranged above the spawning selection chamber, a round hole is formed in the box cover, and a breathable gauze element (4) covers the round hole; four corners of the bottom of the oviposition selection chamber are respectively connected with an odor source storage chamber, the upper part of each odor source storage chamber is provided with an odor net (41) for sealing, an oviposition card (5) is arranged on each odor net, and odor substances (8) are arranged at the lower part of each odor source storage chamber; each smell source storage chamber is provided with a side opening, the side openings are communicated with the corresponding wall openings in the oviposition selection chamber so that the smell sources can be placed and taken conveniently, and silica gel plugs (7) are additionally arranged on the wall openings. According to the device, isolation of the smell source is achieved, trichogramma cannot make direct contact with the smell source, it is guaranteed that the smell source can only serve as volatile matter to be perceived, and a channel in the device is reasonable and easy to clean.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to an experimental device, in particular to an insect research device, and specifically to a device for studying the influence of volatiles on the oviposition selection of Trichogramma. Background Art

[0002] In the vast majority of insects, olfaction determines important behaviors and physiological activities such as host location, courtship, and oviposition site searching. During the long-term evolution process, insects have formed an extremely sensitive and highly specialized olfactory system. Insects rely on various semiochemicals for their life activities. Understanding the response mechanisms of insects to different semiochemicals can provide a scientific basis for using these semiochemicals to regulate insect behaviors, and further achieve the purpose of controlling pest damage and enhancing the control effect of natural enemies on pests (Cook, S.M., Khan, Z.R., & Pickett, J.A., The Use of Push-Pull Strategies in Integrated Pest Management. Annual Review of Entomology, 2007.52: 375-400.).

[0003] In previous research reports, there were many oviposition selection boxes designed for different species. For example, in the study of Drosophila melanogaster, agar was used as the oviposition substrate, and the odor source was separated by a gauze to prevent the flies from directly contacting the odor source (Verschut, T.A., Ng, R., Doubovetzky, N.P., Le Calvez, G., Sneep, J.L., Minnaard, A.J., Su, C., Carlsson, M.A., Wertheim, B., & Billeter, J., Aggregation pheromones have anon-linear effect on oviposition behavior in Drosophila melanogaster. Nature Communications, 2023. 14:1544.); in the study of Helicoverpa armigera, a gauze with an odor source was used for the oviposition selection experiment (Zhang, X., Liu, Y., Guo, M., Sun, D., Zhang, M., Chu, X., Berg, B.G., & Wang, G., A female-specific odorant receptor mediates oviposition deterrence in the moth Helicoverpa armigera. Current Biology, 2024. 34:1-11); for the three parasitic natural enemies of Plutella xylostella: Trichogrammatoidea bactrae, Bracon brevicornis, and Cotesia vestalis, a petri dish with a diameter of 14 cm was used as the oviposition selection device (Ghosh, E., Sasidharan, A., Ode, P.J., & Venkatesan, R., Oviposition Preference and Performance of a Specialist Herbivore is Modulated by Natural Enemies, Larval Odors, and Immune Status. Journal of Chemical Ecology, 2022. 48:670-682.).The above oviposition selection devices are all two-way selection devices. Compared with two-way selection, four-way selection can provide more odor options. In the study of the oviposition selection of Trichogramma pretiosum, a four-way selection device was used (Laurentis, V.L., Ramalho, D.G., Santos, N.A., Carvalho, V.F.P., Vacari, A.M., De Bortoli, S.A., Veneziani, R.C.S., Da Costa Inácio, G., & Dami, B.G., Performance of Trichogramma pretiosum Riley (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) on eggs of Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). Scientific Reports, 2019. 9: 1156.). However, this device cannot separate the odor sources, allowing Trichogramma to directly contact the odor sources, unable to ensure that the odor sources can only be perceived as volatile substances, and the internal channels of the device are narrow and not easy to clean. Therefore, an oviposition selection device that can perform four-way selection and ensure that the odor sources are not directly contacted by Trichogramma is needed. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of the present invention is to design a device for studying the influence of volatiles on the oviposition selection of Trichogramma to address the problems in the existing technology that it is impossible to ensure that the odor sources can only be perceived as volatile substances and that the inside of the device is not easy to clean.

[0005] The technical solution of the present invention is as follows:

[0006] A device for studying the influence of volatiles on the oviposition selection of Trichogramma, characterized in that it includes an oviposition selection chamber 3 and four odor source storage chambers 6. A pull-out lid 1 is provided above the oviposition selection chamber 3 to facilitate the placement and confinement of Trichogramma, and round holes for Trichogramma to breathe are provided on the lid 1, and breathable gauze nets 4 are covered on the round holes; at each of the four corners of the bottom of the oviposition selection chamber 3, an odor source storage chamber 6 is connected. An odor net 41 for sealing is provided at the upper part of the odor source storage chamber 6, an egg card 5 is placed on the odor net 41, and an odor substance 8 is placed in the lower part of the odor source storage chamber 6. The volatile substances volatilized from the odor substance 8 are perceived by Trichogramma through the odor net 41 to induce it to lay eggs on the egg card 5; each odor source storage chamber 6 is provided with a side opening, and the side opening is connected to the corresponding wall opening on the oviposition selection chamber 3 to facilitate the placement and removal of the odor source, and a silica gel plug 7 is additionally installed on the wall opening to simultaneously seal the side opening of the odor source storage chamber 6 and the wall opening of the oviposition selection chamber 3.

[0007] The spawning selection chamber 3 and the odor source storage chamber 6 are made of smooth and transparent acrylic plate members.

[0008] The spawning selection chamber 3 is a large cuboid with a volume more than four times that of the odor source storage chamber 6, and the odor source storage chamber 6 is composed of 4 small cubes.

[0009] Both sides of the pull-out lid 1 at the top of the spawning selection chamber 3 are inserted into the grooves on the corresponding insertion sides of the egg selection chamber 3 to ensure airtightness and prevent the escape of Trichogramma wasps.

[0010] The aperture of the breathable gauze 4 and the odor net 41 is 1000 meshes, which can effectively block the passage of Trichogramma wasps and maintain the circulation of air and the odor volatilized from odor substances.

[0011] The silica gel plug 7 is composed of an insertion end 71 and a blocking plate 72. The insertion end 71 can pass through the opening on the wall surface of the spawning selection chamber 3 and be inserted into the side opening of the odor source storage chamber 6, and the blocking plate 72 covers the opening on the wall surface of the spawning selection chamber 3 to prevent over-insertion, and makes the odor source storage chamber 6 in a one-way sealed state, so that the odor therein can only flow out from the odor net 41 at the top.

[0012] The beneficial effects of the present utility model are as follows:

[0013] The spawning selection device of the present utility model is a structure that can be opened and closed, which is convenient for cleaning the inside of the device and releasing test insects. When in application, first open the silica gel plug of the odor source storage chamber, place the odor source in the storage chamber, and then install the silica gel plug; then open the spawning selection chamber, place the Trichogramma wasp host egg card on the gauze at the four corners for Trichogramma wasps to select for parasitism; finally, place a single adult Trichogramma wasp in the center of the spawning selection chamber and close the lid. After waiting for an appropriate time, Trichogramma wasps will lay eggs on the egg card, and by analyzing the egg-laying situation of Trichogramma wasps on the four egg cards, the egg-laying selection habits of Trichogramma wasps can be obtained.

[0014] The present utility model realizes the isolation of the odor source, so that Trichogramma wasps cannot directly contact the odor source, ensuring that the odor source can only be perceived as a volatile substance. The internal channels of the device are reasonable and easy to clean.

[0015] The present utility model realizes four-way selection and can ensure that the odor source is not directly contacted by Trichogramma wasps. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] Figure 1 is a schematic structural diagram of the present utility model.

[0017] Figure 2 is a plan view of the egg card.

[0018] Figure 3 is a schematic structural diagram (left) and a sectional view (right) of the silica gel plug.

[0019] In the figure: 1 - pull - out box cover, 2 - ventilation holes, 3 - oviposition selection chamber, 4 - breathable gauze, 41 - odor net, 5 - egg card, 6 - odor source storage chamber, 7 - silica gel plug, 71 - insertion end, 72 - blocking plate, 8 - odor substance. Specific embodiments

[0020] The present utility model will be further described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0021] As Figures 1-3 shown.

[0022] An apparatus for studying the influence of volatiles on the oviposition selection of Trichogramma includes an oviposition selection chamber 3 and an odor source storage chamber 6. The oviposition selection chamber 3 is a cuboid with a length, width, and height of 14 cm, 14 cm, and 7 cm respectively, and the odor source storage chamber 6 is composed of 4 small cubes with a side length of 3 cm. Both are made of smooth - surfaced transparent acrylic plates. The top of the oviposition selection chamber is a pull - out box cover 1. The two side edges of the pull - out box cover 1 can be inserted into the grooves on the corresponding side walls of the oviposition selection chamber 3. The box cover 1 is provided with a ventilation round hole 2 with a diameter of 3 cm, and the round hole is covered by a breathable gauze 4, and the aperture of the gauze is 1000 meshes or more (about 13 μm). Odor substance 8 can be placed in the odor source storage chamber 6. Its top has an opening and is covered with an odor - permeable odor net 41 (the aperture of the gauze is also about 1000 meshes or more), and the side also has an opening and is sealed with a silica gel plug 7. The mouth of the silica gel plug 7 is a square with a side length of 3 cm, and the material is high - temperature - resistant white environmental - protection silica gel. Figure 3 shows the overall structure and cross - sectional view of the silica gel plug. Figure 3 In [figure reference], the silica gel plug 7 is composed of an insertion end 71 and a blocking plate 72. The insertion end 71 can pass through the opening on the wall of the oviposition selection chamber 3 and be inserted into the side opening of the odor source storage chamber 6. The blocking plate 72 covers the opening on the wall of the oviposition selection chamber 3 to prevent over - insertion and makes the odor source storage chamber 6 in a one - way sealed state, so that the odor therein can only flow out from the odor net 41 at the top.

[0023] When in application, first open the silica gel plug 7, place the odor source in the odor source storage chamber 6, and then install the silica gel plug 7. Then open the pull - out box cover 1, place the egg card 5 on the gauze 4 at the four corners. The egg card is as Figure 2 shown. Finally, place a single adult Trichogramma on the center of the oviposition selection chamber 3 and close the pull - out box cover 1. After waiting for an appropriate time, study the oviposition selection behavior of Trichogramma by analyzing the oviposition situation on the egg card 5.

[0024] Note that when in use, the device should be placed in an environment with constant temperature, constant humidity, a stable top light source, and no other factors interfering with color or light source to prevent interference from other factors and ensure the randomness of the selection by Trichogramma. After each use, clean the inside of the device by wiping it with alcohol or water, and place it in a cool and ventilated place to dry before the next use.

[0025] This device is applicable not only to Trichogramma but also to most egg - parasitic or pupa - parasitic insects, such as Encarsia formosa, Nasonia vitripennis, etc.

[0026] The parts not involved in this utility model are the same as the prior art or can be implemented by the prior art.

Claims

1. A device for studying the effect of volatiles on the egg-laying selection of trichogrammatids, characterized by: The invention comprises an egg-laying selection chamber (3) and four odor source storage chambers (6). The egg-laying selection chamber (3) is provided with a pull-out cover (1) on the top to facilitate the placement and confinement of trichogrammatids. The cover (1) is provided with round holes for the trichogrammatids to ventilate. The round holes are covered with a breathable gauze (4). The four corners at the bottom of the egg-laying selection chamber (3) are each connected to an odor source storage chamber (6). The upper part of the odor source storage chamber (6) is provided with a sealing odor net (41). An egg card (5) is placed on the odor net (41). The odor substance (8) is placed at the bottom of the odor source storage chamber (6), and the volatile sexual substances of the odor substance (8) are sensed by the trichogrammatid through the odor net (41) to induce it to lay eggs on the egg card (5); each odor source storage chamber (6) is provided with a side opening, and the side opening is connected to the corresponding wall opening on the egg-laying selection chamber (3) to facilitate the placement of the odor source, and the wall opening is equipped with a silicone plug (7) to achieve the simultaneous closure of the side opening of the odor source storage chamber (6) and the wall opening of the egg-laying selection chamber (3).

2. The device for studying the influence of volatiles on the egg-laying selection of trichogrammatids according to claim 1, characterized in that: The egg-laying selection chamber (3) and the odor source storage chamber (6) are transparent acrylic plate components with smooth surfaces.

3. The device for studying the influence of volatiles on the egg-laying selection of Trichogramma according to claim 1, characterized in that: The egg-laying selection chamber (3) is a large rectangular parallelepiped whose volume is more than four times that of the odor source storage chamber (6), and the odor source storage chamber (6) is four small cubes.

4. The device for studying the influence of volatiles on the egg-laying selection of Trichogramma according to claim 1, characterized in that: The two side edges of the pull-out box cover (1) on the top of the egg-laying selection chamber (3) are inserted into the grooves of the corresponding insertion edges of the egg-laying selection chamber (3) to ensure sealing and prevent the trichogrammatid from escaping.

5. The device for studying the influence of volatiles on the egg-laying selection of Trichogramma according to claim 1, characterized in that: The apertures of the air-permeable gauze (4) and the odor net (41) are 1000 meshes, which can effectively prevent trichogrammatids from passing through and maintain the circulation of air and odors emitted by volatile odor substances.

6. The device for studying the influence of volatiles on the egg-laying selection of Trichogramma according to claim 1, characterized in that: The silicone plug (7) is composed of an insertion end (71) and a blocking plate (72). The insertion end (71) can pass through the wall opening of the egg-laying selection chamber (3) and be inserted into the side opening of the odor source storage chamber (6). The blocking plate (72) covers the wall opening of the egg-laying selection chamber (3) to prevent over-insertion and makes the odor source storage chamber (6) in a one-way sealed state so that the odor therein can only flow out from the odor net (41) at the top.

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