Comparative Analysis of Epicuticular Lipids in and : A Possible Role in Susceptibility to Entomopathogenic Fungi.

Cuticular lipids protect insects from desiccation and may determine resistance to fungal pathogens. Nonetheless, the trade-off between these lipid functions is still poorly understood. The migratory locust and the Italian locust have dissimilar hygrothermal preferences: inhabits areas near water bodies with a reed bed, and exploits a wide range of habitats and prefers steppes and semideserts with the predominance of sagebrushes.

Changes in antifungal defence systems during the intermoult period in the Colorado potato beetle.

Susceptibility to the fungus Metarhizium robertsii and changes in host defences were evaluated in different stages of the intermoult period (4-6 h, 34-36 h and 84-86 h post moult in IV larval instars) of the Colorado potato beetle. A significant thickening of the cuticle during larval growth was accompanied by decreases in cuticle melanization, phenoloxidase activity and epicuticular hydrocarbon contents (C28-C32). At the same time, a decrease in the conidial adhesion rate and an increase in resistance to the fungus were observed.