Life history strategy and taxonomic position of gall midges (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) inducing leaf galls on Styrax japonicus (Styracaceae)

Four gall midge species (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) that induce leaf galls on Styrax japonicus (Styracaceae) were identified to generic level based on larval morphology. Three of these gall midges, which induce whitish hemiglobular galls, flattened subglobular galls, and purple globular galls, respectively, were identified as three genetically distinct species of Contarinia, and the remaining species, which induces globular galls with dense whitish hairs, was identified as a species of Dasineura. Field surveys in Fukuoka, Japan, revealed that adults of these gall midges emerged and oviposited in late March to mid‐April at Mount Tachibana (approximately 200 m a.s.l.) and in late April to early May at Mount Sefuri (about 1050 m a.s.l.), coinciding with the leaf‐opening season of S. japonicus. Larvae of these gall midges mostly developed into third instars by June and then left their galls and dropped to the ground. These species therefore have a life history strategy that differs from that of another S. japonicus‐associated gall midge, Oxycephalomyia styraci, which overwinters as the first instar in ovate swellings, matures rapidly in spring, and emerges directly from the galls.     

Two new species of Torymus Dalman, 1820 (Hymenoptera: Torymidae) parasitizing Celticecis japonica Yukawa and Tsuda, 1987 (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) that induce leaf galls on Celtis species (Ulmaceae) in Japan

Torymus celticolus Matsuo sp. nov. and Torymus celtidigalla Matsuo sp. nov. (Hymenoptera: Torymidae) are described as parasitoids of larvae of Celticecis japonica Yukawa & Tsuda, 1987 (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) that induce leaf galls on Celtis species (Ulmaceae) in Japan. A key to species of the genus Torymus known in Japan is provided.     

Bottom-up effects shift top-down community structure of the parasitoid guild that attacks Asphondylia borrichiae (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) on Borrichia frutescens (Asteraceae)

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Oviposition choice and larval survival of Dasineura marginemtorquens (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) on resistant and susceptible Salix viminalis

Abstract.

• 1 Substantial intraspecific variation exists in Salix viminalis resistance to the gall midge Dasineura marginemtorquens. Earlier work has found this variation to have a large genetic component. Willow clones are stable in their resistances between midge generations and different nutrient levels in both field and laboratory culture.
• 2 This study reports the results of laboratory experiments on female oviposition choice and larval survival on potted plants from clones that are very different in resistance as determined in field studies.
• 3 In choice experiments using pairs of plants, the average female midge did not prefer susceptible willow clones over resistant ones for oviposition. In about one third of the replicates, midges actually laid more eggs on the resistant clone. Further work is necessary to examine the nature of variation among midges in discrimination of these plant types.
• 4 Resistance is manifested as great differences in larval survival. Six days after oviposition survival was 92% on susceptible plants but only 6% on resistant ones. Galls developed on all of the susceptible plants, while in 73% of the resistant plants galls were not even initiated.
• 5 The plant traits causing resistance are enigmatic. Larval behaviour suggests that resistant plants interfere with feeding behaviour. On resistant plants, most larvae wander for more than 24 h without initiating any galls before dying. On susceptible plants many first instar larvae begin feeding and initiate galls within this period.

     

Morphological,genetic and symptomatic identification of an invasive jujube pest in Korea,Dasineura jujubifolia Jiao & Bu (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae)

Correct identification of invasive species is an important step for further management of this species. New type of leafcurling gall midge feeding on jujube, Ziziphus jujube Miller (Rhamnaceae), was discovered in Korea in 2011. At that time, this species was not identified as specific level, so it was recorded as Dasineura sp. Since then, the jujube gall midge has become a serious alien insect pest in Korea. In this study, this jujube gall midge was surveyed by collecting damaged leaf samples from different major jujube-producing regions in Korea. Morphological, genetic and symptomatic identification of this invasive jujube pest identified as Dasineura jujubifolia Jiao & Bu. Here we provided its taxonomic status, geographical distribution, morphological characteristics of all stages and infestation symptoms. In addition to classical morphological characters, mitochondrial COI barcoding sequences were generated for several specimens. The possible pathway of invasion and subsequent socioeconomic consequences were discussed.     

Description,phenology and biology of Zelostemma chionochloae Buhl sp. nov., a platygastrid parasitoid of Eucalyptodiplosis chionochloae (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) in New Zealand

Abstract

A platygastrid wasp that feeds on the snow tussock flower midge in the inflorescences of New Zealand snow tussock grasses (Chionochloa spp.) is formally described. Zelostemma chionochloae is a specialist natural enemy of Eucalyptodiplosis chionochloae Kolesik which is the most ubiquitous and sophisticated seed predator of Chionochloa. Z. chionochloae is a koinobiont parasitoid and some larvae enter prolonged diapause inside their host for at least 2 years. Methods for adult rearing are described. The phenology of Z. chionochloae is highly synchronised with its host even after 2 years in diapause. Parasitism levels were found to differ between years and elevations, while sex ratios differed among years. Z chionochloae probably suffers inter‐specific competition with another host‐specific hymenopteran parasitoid (Gastrancistrus sp.) which also parasitises E. chionochloae.     

Effect of sorghum resistant to Stenodiplosis sorghicola (Coquillett) (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) on oviposition and development of Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Abstract Helicoverpa armigera oviposition preference for, and larval development on sorghum hybrids with differing resistance to sorghum midge, Stenodiplosis sorghicola , were investigated. When H. armigera larvae were fed seed of resistant and susceptible hybrids in the laboratory there were no differences in larval and pupal sizes or the rate of development. The same result was recorded when larvae fed on panicles on plants in a glasshouse. On some sampling occasions, significantly more eggs were laid on panicles of resistant hybrids in the field. This occurred when plants were in plots and also in a mixed planting. Midge-resistance status did not affect levels of egg parasitism. In a field study using recombinant inbred lines between a midge-resistant and a midge-susceptible line, no relationship was found between level of resistance and oviposition of H. armigera . We conclude that, although midge-resistant hybrids are sometimes preferred for oviposition by H. armigera, the resistance per se does not determine this preference. Egg survival, larval survival, development and resultant damage are not significantly affected by the midge-resistance status of the host.     

Polymorphism of axillary bud galls induced by Rhopalomyia longitubifex (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) on Artemisia princeps and A. montana (Asteraceae) in Japan and Korea, with designation of new synonyms

In the past, Rhopalomyia longitubifex, Rhopalomyia shinjii, and Rhopalomyia sp. (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) have been regarded as independent species based on differences in the sizes and shapes of axillary bud galls induced on Artemisia montana (Asteraceae) in Japan and A. princeps in Japan and Korea. However, comparison of morphological features and molecular sequencing data indicate that these Rhopalomyia gall midges are identical and that the differences in gall shape are polymorphisms, although the measurements of gall height and diameter overlap slightly. This finding suggests that although galls have frequently been regarded as extensions of the phenotype of a species, differences in gall shape may not always be reliable for identifying gall‐inducing cecidomyiids. The older name, R. longitubifex, is applied to these gall midges, and the names that were applied to this species on later occasions are revised or synonymized. The mature and immature stages of R. longitubifex are redescribed and information on the distribution, host range, and gall size of this species is provided. We also discuss the role of gall polymorphism in the early stages of speciation.