Changes on the total protein content in hemolymph of Semanotus bifasciatus after infected by Pyemotes zhonghuajia.

Key Words： Semanotus bifasciatus, Pyemotes zhonghuajia, hemolymph, total protein

Abstract：        Changes in the total protein content in hemolymph of the mite Pyemotes zhonghuajia Yu and Zhang (Acari: Pyemotidae) and the beetle Semanotus bifasciatus (Motschulsky) (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) after parasitization by P. zhonghuajia were assayed. Third-instar larvae of S. bifasciatus and mature P. zhonghuajia were placed in the cuvettes and the foraging behavior of P. zhonghuajia observed carefully over one generation. The total protein content of the haemolymph of the beetle larvae and mites was measured every 12 hours using the Brodford method. The results show that total protein in mite hemolymph increased while that of the beetle larvae declined. The maximum total haemolymph protein in P. zhonghuajia was 61.78%, which was recorded after 36 h and 48 h. A significant difference in the haemolymph protein of the mites was apparent after 24 hours. The haemolymph content of S. bifasciatus changed significantly compared to the control after 36 h to 48 h, the period in which feeding by mites caused the beetle larvae to became paralytic. This suggests that the effect of parasitiztion by P. zhonghuajia on S. bifasciatus was most extreme 36 to 48 h after exposure. After 12 h the haemolymph protein of the beetle larvae was slightly higher than that of the control, which suggests that they may have an initial immune reaction against attack by mites.