Effects of Leaf Age on Oviposition and on Offspring Fitness in the Imported Willow Leaf Beetle Plagiodera versicolora (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)

Imported willow leaf beetles Plagiodera versicolora oviposit on willow leaves, and both larvae and adults feed on the leaves. In the field, eggs were found on leaves near the center of branchlets, and the number of eggs per cluster was independent of the leaf area and position. However, in the laboratory, females chose young leaves over old leaves, for both oviposition and feeding and choice did not rely on information on relative position or size of leaves. Developing on young versus old leaves may provide both advantages and disadvantages. In the laboratory, larvae developed more quickly and attained a greater adult weight when fed young versus old leaves, perhaps because of increased mandibular wear of larvae fed old leaves. However, in the field, survival of eggs was lower on young versus old leaves. In the laboratory, rates of cannibalism and survivorship to adulthood did not differ on young versus old leaves.     

Intra- and interspecific reproductive barriers inCrocus (Iridaceae)

The reproductive system was studied inCrocus genus (Iridaceae) following intra- and interspecific pollination, by using light and scanning electron microscopy. The results suggest that the stigma-style tract of theCrocus pistil is a mere promoter of pollen tube growth, while intra- and interspecific discrimination of compatible and incompatible pollen occurs in the ovarian tract. Here, the transmitting tissue consists of special epidermal cells, whose granular or floccular secretions provide the selective medium for the growth of pollen tubes. The ovarian self-incompatibility (SI) is widespread within the genus, resulting in a partial or complete suppression of self-fertilization. Moreover, postzygotic SI mechanisms, as well as postzygotic mechanisms of unknown nature, seem to be recurrent and both are responsible for seed abortion. The interspecific ovarian incompatibility concerns only unrelated crosses; crosses between related fertile species succeed both in fertilization and seed-set.     

Intra- and interspecific nestmate recognition inMelipona workers (Hymenoptera: Apidae)

The possible significance of nestmate recognition in prevention of robbing and parasitism in three species of stingless bees was assessed. Nestmate discrimination abilities vary among them; Melipona quadrifasciataworkers attacked 74% of nonnestmate conspecifics that were encountered, while M. scutellarisand M. rufiventriswere less discriminating, attacking only 14 and 60% of non-nestmates, respectively. In tests of interspecific interactions, M. quadrifasciataand M. scutellariswere the least mutually tolerant of all species pairs tested. Tests with Apis melliferashowed a high degree of intolerance by two of the three Meliponaspecies.     

Kinetics of larval gregarious behavior in the bark beetleDendroctonus micans (Coleoptera: Scolytidae)

This paper provides a simple mathematical model of the aggregation behavior of the gregarious intracortical-feeding larvae of the bark beetle, Dendroctonus micans. The model's assumptions are that each individual produces pheromones at a constant rate and reacts positively to a pheromone gradient. These hypotheses have been tested by comparing experiments and simulations, both of which showed that (1) homogeneously distributed individuals aggregate rapidly at the center of the experimental or theoretical arena and (2) eccentric, preformed groups succeed in attracting dispersed individuals, provided that the initial size of these groups is sufficiently high. There is good agreement between most of the experimental and theoretical results, providing a link among chemical communication, density of larvae, and random events occurring during the development of a spatial structure.     

Variable correspondence of female host preference and larval performance in a phytophagous ladybird beetle Epilachna pustulosa (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae)

Genetic and environmental factors causing intraspecific variation of the thistle Cirsium kamtschaticum Ledeb. as a host plant of the phytophagous ladybird Epilachna pustulosa Kôno were investigated through simple food-choice tests and rearing of larvae. Two thistle clones (T1U₁ and T4H₂) were used, originally growing approximately 12 km apart. A previous study showed that adult female ladybirds preferred T1U₁ to T4H₂, and that larval performance was better on T1U₁, when leaves from the clones in situ were examined. The two clones retained their characteristics with respect to beetle preference after transplantation into a common garden. However, the difference between T1U₁ and T4H₂ with respect to larval performance was reduced after the transplantation. When leaves from shoots of T1U₁ exposed to different sunlight intensities were offered, adult female ladybirds did not show obvious preferences. Larval eclosion rates increased significantly with the increase in leaf sunlight intensity exposure. These results suggest strongly that both genetic and environmental factors are involved in interclonal variation of thistle quality in beetle preference and/or performance. It is suggested that the quality of thistle leaves for larval performance is largely affected by environmental factors, while leaf quality for beetle preference may be determined strictly by genetic factors. Under certain conditions, E. pustulosa females may behave maladaptively, preferring plants not appropriate for larval growth, or not choosing plants appropriate for the larval growth.     

Insecticidal effects of some biological agents on Agelastica alni (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)

The alder leaf beetle (Agelastica alni L., Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) causes approximately 10% of total economic damage to hazelnut product per year in Turkey. A. alni larvae are susceptible to several pathogens indigenous to the area in which these insects occur in Turkey. In the present study, in order to find a more effective and safer biological control agent against this common pest, we evaluated the various biological agents’ insecticidal activity during the four hazelnut seasons from 2002 to 2005 on the larvae of the alder leaf beetle collected from the vicinity of Trabzon, Turkey. The tested agents are 25 insect-originating bacteria, 2 bacterial toxins and 1 viral preparation. The results showed that the highest insecticidal activity was obtained by bacterial isolates at 1.8 × 10⁹ bacteria/mL dose, within ten days on the larvae of A. alni. These are 90% for Bacillus thuringiensis biovar tenebrionis (4AA1), Bacillus sphaericus (Ar4, isolated from Anoplus roboris L., Col.: Curculionidae), and Bacillus thuringiensis (Mm2, isolated from Melolontha melolontha L., Col.: Scarabaeidae). Our results indicate that these isolates may be valuable as biological control agent.     

Intra- and interspecific variation in body size ofProtohermes (Megaloptera: Corydalidae)

The life history of three populations ofProtohermes grandis and two populations ofProtohermes immaculatus (Megaloptera: Corydalidae) was compared. In general, the larvae lived in stream riffles for 2 years and the adults appeared in summer. Adult body size differed between these closely related species and also between the populations ofP. grandis. Dwarfism occurred inP. immaculatus, a species that is endemic to the small, isolated island, Amami Island. The population ofP. grandis on Yaku Island, located between Amami Island and the mainland Kyushu, had an intermediate body size between that ofP. immaculatus and the mainland population ofP. grandis. Despite being an insular population,P. grandis on Tsushima Island had a similar body size to mainlandP. grandis. In these populations with large adults, some larvae lived in the streams for 3 years. The size distribution of benthic animals, which are the prey available toProtohermes larvae, differed between the streams studied. The density of large prey was lowest on Amami Island, intermediate on Yaku Island, and highest on the mainland and Tsushima Island. Different size distributions of available prey may be caused by the differences of benthic fauna; most of Ecdyonuridae and Ephemerellidae (large mayflies) and Perlidae (large stoneflies) were not found on Amami and Yaku Islands. Thus, there is a tendency to dwarfism in the populations ofProtobermes inhabiting streams where the density of large prey is low.     

Intra- and interspecific genetic differentiation in closely related pines fromPinus subsectionSylvestres (Pinaceae) in the former Soviet Union

Thirty-seven natural populations of four closely related species ofPinus subsect.Sylvestres, P. mugo, P. funebris, P. pallasiana, andP. sylvestris, occurring in the former Soviet Union were investigated by starch-gel electrophoresis. In the populations assayed 127 allelic variants at 25 loci were revealed.Nei's distance coefficient (Dn) was used to estimate the level of genetic differentiation amongP. sylvestris races and among closely related species. A dendrogram constructed using Dn values shows that of the fiveP. sylvestris races analyzed only the geographically isolated var.hamata exhibited sufficient differences at theDia-2 locus (a mean Dn value relative to the other four races is 0.025) to recognize it as a distinct taxon. The remaining races, sylvestris, cretacea, lapponica, and sibirica, have a similar gene pool (Dn values are not greater than 0.010), and they should be regarded as a single taxon,P. sylvestris var.sylvestris. Interspecific comparisons revealed thatP. sylvestris andP. mugo have the closest genetic affinities to each other withNei's genetic distance of 0.108. The dendrogram demonstrates thatP. funebris is closer toP. sylvestris andP. mugo thanP. pallasiana. The available paleontologic data allowed us to conclude thatNei's (1975) time scale estimate for the time of divergence of the taxa was more accurate thanNei's (1971) time scale estimate.     

Relationships of herbivore feeding and plant flavonoids (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae and Anacardiaceae: Rhus)

Summary Eighteen leaf flavonoid compounds were isolated from several populations of Rhus tripartita from xeric habitats in Israel, ornamental Schinus terebinthifolius from Israel, and three species of Rhus (vulgaris, natalensis, tenuinervis) from mesic habitats in Kenya. Foodplant preference testing of Rhus-feeding Leaf Beetles (Blepharida sacra from Israel and B. marginalis and B. conradsi from Kenya) correlated well with the flavonoid composition of the different foodplants. Blepharida sacra and B. marginalis foodplant preferences demonstrated an herbivore sibling relationship but there is evidence, including foodplant ecology and distribution, that they are separate species. The herbivorefoodplant coevolution of the xeric B. sacra-R. tripartita is distinct from that of the mesic B. marginalis-R. vulgaris/natalensis, however, this study also indicates possible ancestral relationships between the herbivore species as well as between the plant species.     

Effect of variation in photoperiodic response on diapause induction and developmental time in the willow leaf beetle, Plagiodera versicolora

The willow leaf beetle, Plagiodera versicolora (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) overwinters in adult diapause. In this study, the photoperiodic responses for diapause induction and developmental time were examined in the Ishikari (Hokkaido, Japan) population of P. versicolora. All females entered reproductive diapause under short daylength (L10:D14), but 31.7% of females did not enter diapause under long daylength (L16:D8). The developmental time from oviposition to adult emergence was significantly longer at L10:D14 than that at L16:D8. Norm of reaction curves illustrated variation among families in the photoperiodic responses for diapause induction and for developmental time. ANOVA indicated significant family × photoperiod interactions in the developmental time. At L16:D8, developmental time was positively correlated with the incidence of diapause in females. This means that a female having a longer developmental time tends to have a longer critical photoperiod. Such variation may be maintained by differences in selection pressures on the growth rate and the critical photoperiod for diapause induction between univoltine and bivoltine genotypes because Ishikari is located in a transitional area between populations with univoltine and bivoltine life cycles.     

Intra- and inter-specific variation in buoyancy of some estuarine fishes

Synopsis Buoyancy was measured on eight species of estuarine fishes that were caught in 1 m depth or less. Mean buoyancies of the physoclists Fundulus heteroclitus, F. majalis, Cyprinodon variegatus and Leiostomus xanthurus were similar and ranged from –6.5 to –18.0 kiloPascals below atmospheric pressure at sea level. Menidia menidia and Pomatomus saltatrix measured –36.6 and –46.1 kPa, respectively. Two physostomes, Brevoortia tyrannus and Anchoa mitchilli, measured + 2.9 and –23.5 kPa, respectively, but the latter probably releases air when handled.The four most buoyant physoclist species live near the bottom in areas that receive daily tide induced currents. Negative buoyancy probably functions in them as in stream dwelling minnows and salmonids, which respond to currents by decreasing their buoyancy. The pronounced negative buoyancy of M. menidia may be a response to a preference for habitat where the currents are stronger, P. saltatrix, which can secrete gas into the swim bladder at the fastest rate known for any fish, combines high secretion (and resorption) rates with marked negative buoyancy. This enables it to quickly change depths over a wide vertical range, without overexpanding the swim bladder to cause positive buoyancy.     

Intra- and interspecific inheritance of some components of the resistance to leaf rust (Melampsora larici-populina Kleb.) in poplars

Clonal variation for rust resistance was studied in a factorial mating design of Populus trichocarpa and P. deltoides with 17 intraspecific and 15 interspecific progenies. Susceptibility to Melampsora larici-populina was assessed both under natural conditions in the nursery and after leaf-disk inoculation with two pathogen races in a controlled environment. Different components of the resistance were taken into account: immunity in the field or in the laboratory, latent period, number and size of uredia in the laboratory, and field resistance at the end of the growing season. Genes controlling immunity were contributed only by the P. deltoides parents. The distributions of clonal means within each family suggested a polygenic inheritance of field resistance in the P. trichocarpa x P. trichocarpa crosses, but major gene effects were suspected in the interspecific progenies. Inefficiency of the quantitative mechanisms of resistance in the interspecific F₁ hybrids might have important implications for future breeding strategies. Field and laboratory trials complemented each other well, and a combined selection approach is proposed.     

Leaf disc size and insect feeding preference: implications for assays and studies on induction of plant defense

The size of cottonwood (Populus deltoides L. Bartr.) leaf discs used in insect feeding preference trials with the chrysomelid beetle, Plagiodera versicoloraLaich., was shown to affect behavior, and the outcome of the feeding trial. It is suggested that disc size has an effect because it alters the ratio of chemical signals from the cut leaf edge to those of the intact leaf center. The implications of this finding to the design of bioassays; to previously noted differences in feeding behavior for insects on discs versus leaves; and to the study of feeding preference and induction of plant defense are discussed.

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Résumé Plagiodera versicolora Laich (Coléo., Chrysomelidae) a préféré significativement consommer les grandes rondelles (diamètre 17 mm) de Populus deltoides préalablement exposées à l'ozone ambiant, aux témoins exposés à de l'air filtré sur charbon de bois. Cependant, quand le diamètre a été réduit à 10 mm, les insectes n'ont plus préféré les feuilles soumises à l'ozone. Les préférences alimentaires de cet insecte consommant le centre des feuilles ont probablement changé parceque les signaux chimiques de la coupure ont surpassé ou masqué ceux des petits disques. Ainsi, le rapport périmètre sur surface du disque est un critère important de la procédure expérimentale. L'influence de la taille du disque dépend vraisemblablement du fait que l'insecte consomme le centre ou la pourtour de la feuille, de la taille de l'insecte et du type d'expérience. Nous en avons déduit que l'effet de la taille du disque est fréquent particulièrement chez les insectes consommant le centre des feuilles.Les modificatons du choix des insectes lorsque les plantes avaient été présentées sous forme de rondelles au lieu de feuilles ou plantes entières, peuvent être expliqués aussi par le changement des signaux provoqué par le découpage des rondelles, plutôt que par l'induction de modifications chimiques dues à la cueillette, comme cela a été précédemment indiqué par différents auteurs. Par ailleurs, dans les conditions naturelles, des changements dans les signaux chimiques des feuilles dus à une consommation antérieure par des insectes, peuvent être aussi importants dans le comportement alimentaire des insectes que n'importe quel changement chimique induit dans les feuilles par les dégâts.

     

Intra- and interspecific predation on the cocoons of Erpobdella octoculata (L.) (Annelida: Hirudinea)

In laboratory experiments, eleven out of twenty-one invertebrate species and all of the three fish species tested fed on freshly laid flaccid cocoons of Erpobdella octoculata, though predation was only severe from a dytiscid beetle, E. octoculata and the fish species. There was a tendency for more cocoons to be eaten by starved than fed predators. Only snail species damaged one-week-old tougher cocoons.Only one out of 471 E. octoculata collected during their breeding season from the stony shores of two eutrophic lakes had a cocoon in its gut.The role of cannibalism of and interspecific predation on cocoons in the control and regulation of lake-dwelling populations of the erpobdellid is discussed, and assessed to be relatively unimportant. A more likely regulatory mechanism may involve high juvenile mortality from as yet unknown causes.     

The responses of some Lepidoptera to labiate herb and white clover extracts

Herbs have been traditionally used as intercrops with crop plants on the assumption that their odour repels pest species. Alcohol extracts and essential oils of labiate herbs were tested in the laboratory for deterrent/repellent responses to ovipositing Plutella xylostella (L.) and feeding larvae of P. xylostella and Pieris brassicae L.Alcohol extracts of hyssop, rosemary, sage, thyme and white clover reduce oviposition by P. xylostella on pieces of brassica leaf in dual-choice tests. Essential oils of sage and thyme reduce oviposition on pieces of brassica leaf. Feeding, in dual-choice tests, by final instar P. xylostella and P. brassicae larvae is reduced by application of alcohol extracts of herbs.

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Résumé Des plantes médicinales ont traditionnellement été utilisées en association avec des plantes cultivées dans l'espoir que leur odeur repousserait les insectes nuisibles. Des extraits à l'alcool et des essences volatiles de labiées médicinales ont été essayés au laboratoire pour examiner leur effets répulsif et dissuadant pour la ponte de Plutella xylostella et l'alimentation des chenilles de P. xylostella et Pieris brassicae. Les extraits alcooliques d'hysope, de romarin, de sauge, de thym et de trèfle blanc réduisent la ponte de P. xylostella sur des morceaux de feuilles de chou traitées. Les essences volatiles de sauge et de thym réduisent la ponte de P. xylostella sur des morceaux de feuilles de chou dans des expériences de choix. L'alimentation des chenilles de dernier stade de P. xylostella et P. brassicae dans des expériences de choix est réduite par l'application d'extraits alcooliques des labiées médicinales.

     

Female's preference for oviposition site and larval performance in the water-lily beetle,Galerucella nymphaeae (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)

Water-lily beetles prefer younger rather than older water-lily leaves as oviposition sites. By the time of hatching, however, young leaves have aged consieerably. Larval performance of the water-lily beetle was measured on different types of leaves of the yellow water-lily and compared with oviposition preference of females. The leaf types used in the experiments were categorized as (i) young, (ii) natal (medium-aged) and (iii) old. The natal leaves were the ones on which larvae from a particular egg-batch had hatched. There were two sets of experiments. First, larvae were raised from eggs to pupae on young and on old leaves. Second, the growth of the 1st-instar larvae was measured on young, natal, and old leaves. The development time from egg to pupa did not differ between young and old leaves, but larvae growing on young leaves attained a higher pupal weight. In the second experiment the 1st-instar larvae grew fastest on their natal leaves, but there was also variation in the growth rate of progeny from different egg-batches. Larval growth on young and old leaves did not differ significantly. Larvae tried to emigrate much less from natal than other types of leaves. Females tended to lay eggs on leaves where larval growth was fastest. It seems that medium-aged leaves are best for larval growth, but the leaf characteristics responsible for this remain unresolved.     

Alarm substance in Gyrinus aeratus (Coleoptera,Gyrinidae)

Gyrinid beetles are common in ponds and lakes in Sweden, where they aggregate in open areas of the surface. Gyrinid beetles have pygidial glands which produce compounds rendering them unpalatable to fish. This study examines whether the pygidial secretion can be used for alarm purposes in addition to other functions. Experiments showed that gyrinid beetles responded to water prepared with the pygidial compounds by evasive behaviour. The beetles did not respond when the compound was mediated by air. One component of the defense system of gyrinids is how they advertise their presence. The aggregation of dark beetles with their typical motion pattern when alerted is very conspicuous and easily identified by an experienced predator. We suggest that this aspect of gyrinid defence can be characterized as aposematic.