西双版纳橡胶盔蚧与蚂蚁的相互关系

在云南省植胶区采用2种不同方法对橡胶盔蚧共生蚂蚁种类进行调查.共采集到蚂蚁22种,隶属4个亚科15个属.优势种为黄猄蚁(Oecophylla smaragdina).大田普查发现,有蚂蚁存在的橡胶树,受橡胶盔蚧危害的几率较高.为了解橡胶盔蚧与蚂蚁的相互关系,选择2棵有黄猄蚁和橡胶盔蚧的橡胶树进行调查.结果表明,橡胶盔蚧数量与蚂蚁数量呈正相关,蚂蚁数量越大,橡胶盔蚧危害越严重;同时,离蚁巢的距离也影响着橡胶盔蚧的数量,离蚁巢越近,橡胶盔蚧数量越大.蚂蚁隔离后,橡胶盔蚧第2代死亡率和寄生蜂的寄生率降低,从而增加了橡胶盔蚧的种群数量.结果验证,蚂蚁的存在确能保护橡胶盔蚧,它们之间为共生关系.     

橡胶盔蚧寄生蜂种群消长动态研究及可利用分析

通过定点调查橡胶盔蚧Parasaissetia nigra Nietner和寄生蜂种群消长动态及农药影响橡胶盔蚧寄生蜂寄生率的试验,分析评价寄生蜂在控制橡胶盔蚧上的可利用性及探讨橡胶盔蚧的综合防治技术.结果表明:寄生蜂种群消长变化趋势与橡胶盔蚧基本一致.橡胶盔蚧成虫和若虫的发生以及寄生蜂种群寄生率周年均出现3个高峰,成...     

两种蚂蚁在橡胶树上的空间分布类型及其竞争

为了探讨黑褐举腹蚁与橡副珠蜡蚧共生优势种黑头酸臭蚁的分布及其竞争关系,本研究采用目光搜寻法调查了橡胶林内黑褐举腹蚁和黑头酸臭蚁的空间分布型及黑褐举腹蚁对黑头酸臭蚁种群数量的影响,并分析了2种蚂蚁在室内人为干扰下的竞争关系。结果表明:2种蚂蚁在橡胶树上均呈聚集分布,并且在有黑褐举腹蚁及其蚁巢区黑头酸臭蚁的种群数量显著低于无黑褐举腹蚁区,可见黑褐举腹蚁对黑头酸臭蚁种群有一定的控制作用;室内1头黑褐举腹蚁与不同密度下黑头酸臭蚁攻击的各处理组合中,无死亡黑褐举腹蚁出现,2种蚂蚁配比在1∶9以下时,黑头酸臭蚁常遭到黑褐举腹蚁的迅猛攻击且死亡率均超过50%;2种蚂蚁配比在1∶9以上时,黑褐举腹蚁攻击行为由主动攻击变为被动防御,此时黑头酸臭蚁死亡率降至26.67%~9.78%;由此可知,1头黑褐举腹蚁最多可与9头黑头酸臭蚁对抗。     

西双版纳入侵长足捷蚁与土著黄猄蚁的种间竞争

【目的】入侵物种能够通过竞争影响本地物种的种群,从而影响入侵地的生物多样性。长足光捷蚁Anoplolepis gracilipes是全球最具破坏力的入侵蚂蚁之一。本研究旨在明确西双版纳地区入侵长足捷蚁与土著优势种蚂蚁黄猄蚁Oecophylla smaragdina之间的竞争关系。【方法】通过野外调查和室内控制试验相结合的方法,观察和对比分析长足捷蚁和黄猄蚁的体型大小,雾凉季和雨季的巢穴外觅食活动规律,觅食能力(搜寻食物的时间、在觅食时间内召集的最大工蚁数),打斗行为(不同打斗组合的攻击强度和死亡率)以及对饥渴的耐受性(无食物和水分供应时平均存活时间和存活率随时间的变化)。【结果】长足捷蚁工蚁体长(3.66±0.06 mm)显著小于黄猄蚁工蚁(8.27±0.16 mm)。在雾凉季时,长足捷蚁具有比黄猄蚁更长的觅食活动时间;而在雨季时,两种蚂蚁均在下午温度较高时段觅食活动的个体数量减少。苹果、蜂蜜和火腿肠3种食物作为诱饵时,长足捷蚁具有更快搜寻食物的能力,4~8 min便能找寻到食物,而黄猄蚁需要8~21 min才能找寻到食物,此外在寻找到食物后,长足捷蚁也有更快召集同伴的能力。在人工控制试验中,1头长足捷蚁和1头黄猄蚁同时存在时主要以不攻击和低强度攻击为主,而当两种蚂蚁中的任意其中一种的个体数量增加到5头时,攻击强度会显著增加,两种蚂蚁均存在种间协作行为。在饥渴状态下,两种蚂蚁工蚁的平均存活时间差异不显著,但长足捷蚁最长存活120 h,黄猄蚁最长存活96 h。【结论】在西双版纳地区,长足捷蚁相较于土著黄猄蚁具有更强的觅食的能力,雾凉季觅食活动时间更长,暗示长足捷蚁可能具有较强的温度适应能力。有必要加强对这一入侵蚂蚁的研究,并密切关注其种群在该地区的发展。     

扶桑绵粉蚧与长角立毛蚁的互惠关系及其对寄主棉花叶片叶绿素荧光特性的影响

【背景】草食动物对寄主植物的取食或损伤会诱导改变植物的光合作用,从而直接影响植株的健康生长。产蜜昆虫与蚂蚁的互惠关系是物种相互促进的一种重要的生态学现象,能够促进产蜜昆虫的种群数量,然而这种互惠关系及其对寄主植物光合生理的影响还知之甚少。【方法】在室内条件下,运用叶绿素荧光动力学技术研究了外来入侵害虫扶桑绵粉蚧与长角立毛蚁的互惠对寄主棉花叶片叶绿素荧光特性的影响。【结果】随着扶桑绵粉蚧危害时间的延续,寄主植物上蚂蚁和扶桑绵粉蚧的数量均呈现显著上升的趋势,而在危害后期,蚂蚁存在情况下扶桑绵粉蚧的数量要明显低于无蚂蚁处理;在扶桑绵粉蚧取食寄主棉花20 d后,有、无蚂蚁存在的棉花叶片的光合利用率α值较无虫处理分别下降了53.5%和37.0%;存在蚂蚁或扶桑绵粉蚧危害后期对棉花叶片最大相对电子传递效率r ETRmax有显著影响,然而扶桑绵粉蚧单独取食或与蚂蚁互作的情况下未显著影响棉花叶片对强光的耐受能力(Ek)。【结论与意义】研究明确了扶桑绵粉蚧与长角立毛蚁的互惠关系对寄主棉花叶片的光合生理产生了一定的负面效应,为进一步解释扶桑绵粉蚧入侵、扩散及暴发的生态学过程提供了科学依据。     

西双版纳地区两种榕树上黄猄蚁生活习性调查

黄猄蚁Oecophylla smaragdina,织叶蚁属,是热带亚洲地区很常见的一种捕食性蚂蚁。在西双版纳地区黄猄蚁常见在多种榕树上筑巢繁衍和生活。研究榕树上生活黄猄蚁的生活习性对于了解黄猄蚁与榕蜂互惠系统间的相互影响具有重要意义。本文选取西双版纳最常见的垂叶榕和高榕两种榕树和树上筑巢的黄猄蚁作为研究材料。观察研究黄猄蚁在一年内三个季节的活动情况;黄猄蚁在榕树上的筑巢位置;黄猄蚁对食物和光的选择;黄猄蚁对榕小蜂的捕食。结果发现：（1）黄猄蚁的活动在三个季节间有明显差异,其活动强度、活动时间依次为雨季＞干热季＞雾凉季;（2）黄猄蚁在不同的榕树会选择不同的位置筑巢,在垂叶榕上,它们主要在树顶部筑巢,而在高山榕上则在杈下垂的小枝条上筑巢;（3）黄猄蚁食性的研究中我们进一步证实了黄猄蚁为肉食性蚂蚁。在黄猄蚁的光反应实验中我们发现黄猄蚁偏好光亮处,而且在光亮处的黄猄蚁活动强度明显大于黑暗处;（4）榕小蜂是榕树上黄猄蚁重要的食物来源,而且黄猄蚁捕食榕小蜂的种类是与榕树的发育时期密切相关,在花前期和间花期黄猄蚁以捕食非传粉榕小蜂为主,而在雌花期和雄花期会捕食传粉榕小蜂,所以榕树上栖息的黄猄蚁在花前期和间花期对榕树-榕小蜂互利共生有利,而雌花期和雄花期由于取食传粉榕小蜂,则对榕蜂互利共生产生负面影响。     

云南紫胶虫种群数量对地表蚂蚁多样性的影响

为了弄清云南紫胶虫种群数量对地表蚂蚁多样性的影响,于2009年12月至2010年5月,采用陷阱法调查了云南省墨江县雅邑乡不同紫胶虫种群数量样地(样地Ⅰ有效枝条寄生率为60%、样地Ⅱ为30%、样地Ⅲ为10%、样地Ⅳ不放养紫胶虫)地表蚂蚁多样性。1)物种组成及相对多度:在样地Ⅰ中采集蚂蚁标本1136头,26种,常见种为棒刺大头蚁(Pheidole spathifera)、伊大头蚁(Pheidole yeensis)和贝卡盘腹蚁(Aphaenogaster beccarii),样地Ⅱ中共采集蚂蚁标本984头,24种,常见种为中华小家蚁(Monomorium chinensis)、棒刺大头蚁、伊大头蚁和皮氏大头蚁(Pheidole pieli),样地Ⅲ中采集蚂蚁标本607头,24种,常见种为粗纹举腹蚁(Crematogaster macaoensis)、中华小家蚁和棒刺大头蚁,样地Ⅳ中采集蚂蚁标本419头,12种,常见种为横纹齿猛蚁(Odontoponera transversa)、中华小家蚁和伊大头蚁;2)多样性:相对多度大小为Ⅰ>Ⅱ>Ⅲ>Ⅳ;蜜露仅提高地表蚂蚁个体数及出现频次,而对物种丰富度无显著影响;3)群落相似性:不同紫胶虫种群数量影响地表蚂蚁群落结构组成;4)指示物种:样地Ⅰ中指示物种为长足光结蚁(Anoplolepis gracilipes)和沃尔什铺道蚁(Tetramorium walshi),样地Ⅲ中指示物种为二色狡臭蚁(Technomyrmex bicolor),样地Ⅱ和Ⅳ中无指示物种。紫胶虫种群通过蜜露资源能维持较高的地表蚂蚁多度,并影响地表蚂蚁活动,改变地表蚂蚁群落结构。     

世界上最古老的生物防治——黄柑蚁Oecophylla smaragdina Fabr. 在柑桔园中的放饲及其利用价值

本文对我国利用已有悠久历史的黄柑蚁在广东省广四县柑桔区作了调查,并对黄柑蚁消除害虫的实际情况作了观察。 在黄柑蚁数量足够的情况下,对柑桔大绿蝽象(Rhynchocoris humeralis Thunberg)有显著防治效果,对潜叶(虫斧)(Podagricomela nigricollis Chen)、粉绿象甲(Hypomeaes squamosus F.)、铜绿金龟子(Anomala cupripes Hope) 等,也有一定效果,凡有柑蚁分布均匀的树,健叶数比无蚁树多18.3％。 对介壳虫类,青翅羽衣(Lowana sp.),天牛幼虫等,完全无防治作用;与介壳虫类如吹绵介壳虫、棘粉介壳虫(Pseudococcus citriculus)及软腊介壳虫(Coccus sp.)有共生关系。 对吹绵介壳虫的天敌大红瓢虫(Rodolia rufopilosa Mulsant)、小红瓢虫(Rodolia pumilaWeise)的活动没有影响。有黄柑蚁的果园,黑蚁均被驱逐。 作者认为黄柑蚁并不是一种理想的天敌,目前在农药械供应不足及劳动力缺乏的地区,仍具有一定的利用价值。建议开展黄柑蚁过冬保护及人工饲养与放蚁的研究,以期提高和扩大利用价值。     

蚂蚁和紫胶蚧互利关系中的行为机制

研究了云南元江蚂蚁与紫胶蚧互利关系。结果表明,紫胶蚧寄生能招致互利共生的蚂蚁光顾。紫胶蚧寄生前后,蚂蚁造访久树的频率分别是3.5和11.2次.min-1,单枝上蚂蚁数量分别为3~8和11~23头,苏门答腊金合欢上活动的蚂蚁种类有部分差异,而久树上则完全不同。蚂蚁无取食紫胶蚧幼虫和驱赶或干扰其天敌的行为,蚂蚁光顾有利于紫胶蚧正常生长,对紫胶蚧的生殖力不产生显著影响,但增加泌胶量和虫体重。与紫胶蚧互利共生的蚂蚁有一定特异性,但随着不同时期、地区有一定差异。蚂蚁和紫胶蚧互利关系中的行为机制不是简单地提供和利用蜜露,蚂蚁喜欢取食刚刚分泌的蜜露,寄主植物的代谢生理、蜜露所含成分比例的变化影响蚂蚁和紫胶蚧的互利共生关系。     

红火蚁与扶桑绵粉蚧互惠关系对松粉蚧抑虱跳小蜂和美棘蓟马的影响

蚂蚁与蜜源昆虫互作是物种间重要的关系之一,发挥着重要的生态功能。红火蚁Solenopsis invicta Buren是重要的入侵害虫,对生物多样性的影响已被熟知,但它与蜜源昆虫互作的生态学效应却不被充分理解。本研究评价了红火蚁与扶桑绵粉蚧Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsley这两种入侵害虫之间的互作对寄生性天敌和粉蚧竞争性昆虫的影响。研究发现红火蚁的照看显著减少了寄主植物上粉蚧重要寄生蜂松粉蚧抑虱跳小蜂Aenasius bambawalei Hayat的种群数量,提高了寄主上粉蚧的存活率,有利于寄主上粉蚧种群的扩增和繁殖。同时红火蚁的存在也显著降低扶桑寄主上粉蚧竞争性昆虫美棘蓟马Echinothrips americanus Morgan成虫和幼虫的数量,抑制了美棘蓟马种群的竞争力,使得粉蚧可以占有更多的寄主植物,为粉蚧种群的繁殖提供了更好的条件。可见,红火蚁与扶桑绵粉蚧的互惠关系的生态效应可能是通过它们与多物种互作综合形成的结果。     

Complex interactions on fig trees: ants capturing parasitic wasps as possible indirect mutualists of the fig–fig wasp interaction

Like other mutualisms, pollination mutualisms attract parasites, as well as opportunistic and specialist predators of the pollinators and parasites. These associated species influence the evolutionary dynamics of pairwise mutualisms. Predatory ants are frequent associates of pollination mutualisms, but their effects on the complex interactions between plants, pollinators and parasites have not yet been clearly established, even in the case of the well-described obligate interaction between figs and fig wasps. We attempted to quantify such effects for ants associated with three fig species, two dioecious ( Ficus condensa [Bruneï], F . carica [France]) and one monoecious ( F . racemosa [India]). In all these cases, ant presence on a fig tree strongly reduced the number of parasitic wasps on the figs. Experimental exclusion of ants resulted in an increase in the number of non-pollinating fig wasps on F . condensa and F . racemosa . Experimental ant supplementation led to a decrease in the number of non-pollinating fig wasps on F . carica . Moreover, on F . condensa , the level of reduction of the number of parasitic wasps depended on the number and identity of the ants. On F . carica , non-pollinating fig wasps even avoided trees occupied by the dominant predatory ant. The consistency of the effect of ants in these three cases, representing a geographically, ecologically, and taxonomically broad sample of figs, argues for the generality of the effect we observed. Because reduction of parasitism benefits the pollinator, ants may be considered as indirect mutualists of plants and pollinators in the network of complex interactions supported by fig trees.     

Parasitic wasps avoid ant-protected hemipteran hosts via the detection of ant cuticular hydrocarbons

One of the most studied and best-known mutualistic relationships between insects is that between ants and phloem-feeding insects. Ants feed on honeydew excreted by phloem-feeding insects and, in exchange, attack the phloem feeders'' natural enemies, including parasitic wasps. However, parasitic wasps are under selection to exploit information on hazards and avoid them. Here, we tested whether parasitic wasps detect the previous presence of ants attending colonies of phloem feeders. Behavioural assays demonstrate that wasps left colonies previously attended by ants more frequently than control colonies. This behaviour has a potential cost for the parasitic wasp as females inserted their ovipositor in fewer hosts per colony. In a further bioassay, wasps spent less time on papers impregnated with extracts of the ant cues than on control papers. Gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry analyses demonstrated that ants left a blend of cuticular hydrocarbons when they attended colonies of phloem feeders. These cuticular hydrocarbons are deposited passively when ants search for food. Overall, these results suggest, for the first time, that parasitic wasps of honeydew producers detect the previous presence of mutualistic ants through contact infochemicals. We anticipate such interactions to be widespread and to have implications in numerous ecosystems, as phloem feeders are usually tended by ants.     

Lack of ant attendance may induce compensatory plant growth

Three levels in ant–plant protection systems need to be considered to fully understand how these symbiotic systems work. Here we present the effect of Oecophylla smaragdina ants on (1) the arthropod community, (2) herbivory, and (3) plant performance, within a studied mangrove ant–plant protection system. On Rhizophora mucronata trees in Thailand ants successfully colonised ant trees attached with a string to a natural ant tree, whereas they were unable to colonise control trees without this connection. Trees were monitored and arthropods (numbers and composition), leaf damage, leaf turnover and growth rates (stem diameter, tree height and total leaf area) were recorded in two surveys covering a period of 12 months. The number of herbivorous arthropods, but not the number of predators, was significantly lower on ant trees compared to control trees. Likewise, the amount of leaf damage inflicted by the four major groups of herbivores (Chrysomelidae, Tortricidae, Geometridae and Sesarminae) was significantly lower on ant trees compared to control trees and so was the leaf turnover rate. In spite of this, the released herbivore pressure on ant trees did not translate into higher growth rates. In contrast, all growth responses increased more on control trees compared to ant trees. Differences between the two groups were insignificant but leaf area increase was only marginally nonsignificant (P=0.062). The results show that ants remove herbivorous arthropods more efficiently than predators but ant-colonised mangroves do not necessarily benefit from this despite the resulting decrease in herbivory.     

Differences in worker caste behaviour of Oecophylla smaragdina (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in response to larvae of Anthene emolus (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae)

The larvae of Anthene emolus (Lycaenidae) cannot survive in the wild without their associated ant Oecophylla smaragdina (Formicidae) . The ants groom the lycaenid larvae for secretions and, in turn, protect them from parasitoids and predators. Both major and minor worker ants tend larvae, although, in the present study, the frequencies of tending by different castes proved to be significantly different. Ants also tended late instars significantly more than young larvae. O. smaragdina ants of the same colony were observed fighting when A. emolus larvae were present. Aggression was exhibited by the major workers against the minor workers that tried to tend secreting larvae. Major ants precluded the minors from the most nutritious secretions, leaving minors to tend the less productive, early instars. On a few occasions, aggression was unchecked and major workers killed the larvae they were tending (presumably accidentally). When larvae were experimentally reared with only one caste of ant, the resulting butterflies showed no differences in dry weight. Mortality was high when larvae were reared with only minor ants or in the absence of ants.  © 2006 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society , 2006, 88 , 391–395.     

Leaf extrafloral nectaries enhance biological control of a key economic pest, Grapholita molesta (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), in peach (Rosales: Rosaceae)

Extrafloral nectaries (EFNs) in many plant species produce sugary secretions that commonly attract ants. This research determined the impact of peach (Prunus persica L. Batsch) EFNs on the biological control of the oriental fruit moth, Grapholita molesta (Busck) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), a key economic pest in peach orchards, and studied interactions of EFNs and ants. Studies (2002-2005) in peach orchards of the mid-Atlantic United States showed that 'Lovell' peach trees with EFNs supported more parasitic Hymenoptera in the spring and increased the parasitism of G. molesta larvae later in the season than those trees without EFNs. Ant exclusion experiments revealed that trees with EFNs harbored fewer G. molesta larvae when ants were permitted access to the tree canopies. Furthermore, the trees with EFNs had approximately 90% less fruit injury by G. molesta, indicating that EFNs have a protective role for the fruit as well. The results show that the combined actions of ants and parasitic Hymenoptera confer an EFN-mediated protective effect spanning the whole fruit growing season. When EFNs are present, naturally occurring biological control agents can reduce damage by G. molesta in peach orchards without insecticide inputs. The EFNs are an important host-plant characteristic that should be retained in future peach cultivar selections as a means of enhancing biological control.     

Fig Wasps: A Staple Food for Ants on Ficus

Mutualisms involve the exchange of resources and these resources attract exploiters and predators. Because predators may have a stronger effect either on mutualists or on exploiters, their net effect on the mutualism may be positive or negative. Ants and Ficus -associated wasps are a potential example. These wasps could represent sufficient food to ensure a permanent presence of predators. If this is the case then we may expect divergent selection (dependent on fig species) on traits facilitating or impeding ant predatory activity. Dioecious Ficus species in Brunei present the opportunity to determine whether presence of fig wasps on a tree ensures increased presence of ants because: (1) wasps are mainly present on male trees, thus allowing study of the effect of wasp abundance on ant presence; and (2) preliminary observations showed that ants present on trees were mainly predatory species that do not tend hemipterans. We show here, for several dioecious Ficus species, that many more ants were present on male trees than on female trees. Furthermore, these ants were mainly dominant predatory taxa that often nested in the male trees. Hence, wasps on male trees provide a sufficient resource in terms of quantity and reliability to ensure the continuous presence of dominant ants on the trees.     

Indirect mutualism: ants protect fig seeds and pollen dispersers from parasites

1. Mutualisms are ubiquitous and ecologically important, but may be particularly vulnerable to exploitation by species outside of the mutualism owing to a combination of an attractive reward and potentially limited defence options. For some mutualisms, ants can offer dynamic and relatively selective protection against herbivores and parasites. 2. The mutualism between fig trees and their pollinating wasps, a keystone mutualism in tropical forests, is particularly well suited for ant protection because pollinators are protected inside hollow inflorescences but parasites are exposed on the outside. 3. In the present study, it was shown that the presence of ants provides a fitness benefit for both the pollinators and the hosting fig tree. The presence of ants (i) reduced abortions of developing figs, (ii) reduced herbivory of figs, and (iii) reduced parasitic wasp loads, resulting in more pollinators and more seeds in ant‐protected figs. Even when taking costs such as ant predation on emerging pollinators into account, the total fitness increase of hosting ants was threefold for the tree and fivefold for the pollinators. 4. It was further shown that the seemingly most vulnerable parasitic wasps, of the genus Idarnes, have a specific behaviour that allows them to evade ant attack while continuing to oviposit. 5. Ants were present on 79% of surveyed Panamanian fig trees. Together with previous studies from the Old World, the results found here imply that ants are both powerful and common protectors of the fig mutualism worldwide.     

Ecology of the fruit spotting bug, Amblypelta lutescens lutescens Distant (Hemiptera: Coreidae) in cashew plantations, with particular reference to the potential for its biological control

Abstract  The fruit spotting bug, Amblypelta lutescens lutescens, is one of the principal insect pests of cashews in Australia. Its population dynamics were studied using field observations and long-term monitoring to find suitable management methods. Observations of bugs reared in netting bags showed a sequence of change in bug-damage symptoms after 12 h and up to 3 d. Field observations revealed that adults preferred to feed and rest on the shady side of the tree. The number of bugs observed accounted for only 17–35% of the total variability in the number of damaged shoots, suggesting that the number of flushing shoots (leaf, flower or young nuts) with fresh damage symptoms was a more reliable parameter for determining the presence and level of activity of bugs than was a direct estimate of the number of bugs. The green tree ant, Oecophylla smaragdina (F), was the most important factor regulating bug populations. When predation was excluded as a factor, the number of flushing shoots and maximum temperature accounted for 80% of the total variability in the bug damage. Green tree ants should be considered as an important biological control agent for fruit spotting bug, and monitoring should be commenced when cashew trees start to flush (using damaged shoots as indicator).