A Hierarchy of Cues Directs the Foraging of Pieris rapae (Lepidoptera: Pieridae) Larvae.

The foraging patterns of insects reflect a combination of biotic and abiotic constraints. Pieris rapae (L.) (Lepidoptera: Pieridae) larvae exhibit plasticity in their foraging behavior, and their movements in response to flowers, young foliage, light, and gravity were studied. As predicted for palatable cryptic larvae, young instars of P. rapae exhibited predator avoidance behaviors. First- and second-instar larvae fed underneath the leaves where their eggs were oviposited, while late second- and third-instar larvae migrated away from their feeding damage. Using taxis experiments and choice tests, the direction of larval movement was significantly influenced by a hierarchy of three cues. Third-instar larvae exhibited negative gravitaxis, which could be supplanted by positive trophotaxis to young leaves and flowers. The larvae exhibited a significantly greater attraction to the inflorescence than to young foliage. For both the inflorescence and young foliage, visual cues were sufficient to direct larval movement. Understanding the cues that guide larval foraging may lead to more efficient trap crops for pest management.

Dental treatment profile of New Zealand Defence Force personnel.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the dental treatment provided over one year to serving personnel and new entrants in the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF). METHOD: Dental treatment data from 4,380 personnel in the 12 months following their last annual dental examination were retrieved and evaluated from electronic data archives. These included all treatment provided for 2000 randomly-selected regular serving personnel and for all 2380 new entrants entering the Service in the years 2005 and 2006. RESULTS: Treatment data were recorded for 1770 (88.5%) of the 2000 serving personnel in the year following their last dental examination. Excluding examinations and radiographs, treatments averaged 2.3 per person. Amalgam and composite restorations contributed 40%, preventive and oral hygiene services 44%, and tooth extractions 6% of treatments; the "other" category amounted to 10% of treatments. For the 2380 new entrants, treatment data were recorded for 1959 (82.3%) during their first year of service. Treatments averaged 3.6 per person; amalgam and composite restorations contributed 58%, preventive and oral hygiene services 25%, and extractions 10%. The remaining 10% of treatment items recorded comprised a diverse range of procedures. CONCLUSIONS: The level of treatment provided was low for both serving personnel and new entrants. Ninety percent of teeth were present and functional. Amalgam and composite restorations, preventive care and oral hygiene procedures made up the majority of treatment provided.

Dental status of New Zealand Defence Force personnel.

BACKGROUND: No epidemiological data are available on the dental health of New Zealand Defence Force personnel. AIM: To describe the oral health status of serving personnel and new entrants in the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF). METHOD: The dental records of 4,380 personnel were transcribed from an electronic archive of individual clinical data. Twenty defined codes were used to record the dental status at their last annual examination and first entrant examination. This study evaluated the dental status of 2000 randomly-selected serving personnel and of all 2,380 new recruits over the period 2004 to 2006. RESULTS: Among the serving personnel, 88% had a full complement of natural teeth. Fifty-two percent of erupted teeth were sound. Fifty-six percent of the remaining teeth had been restored with amalgam or composite material; 25% were missing (or unerupted), and 19% were distributed between the remaining 10 status codes. Some 55 dentures were recorded (0.2% of total codes). Among the new entrants, 90% had a full complement of natural teeth; 72% of those teeth were recorded as sound. Among the other 28%, 46% had been restored with amalgam or composite material, 36% were missing or unerupted, and 19% were distributed between the remaining 10 status codes. Thirteen dentures were recorded (0.2% of total codes). CONCLUSIONS: This first epidemiological evaluation of the dental status of NZDF personnel revealed an encouraging standard of dental health among serving personnel and new entrants. Overall, we believe that the dental needs or demands of the majority of NZDF personnel are unlikely to interfere with their operational tasks.