Time-lags in insect response to plant productivity: significance for plant-insect interactions in deserts

Abstract.

• 1 The interactions between the univoltine mirid bug Cupsodes infuscatus and its food plant, the geophyte Asphodelus ramosus, were studied in the Negev desert for a 5 year period. The bug feeds mainly on Asphodelus inflorescence meristems, flowers and fruits, and in some years may destroy more than 95% of the plant population expected fruit production.
• 2 Asphodelus expected fruit production fluctuated widely during the study period, but was not related to precipitation. Cupsodes density was related to the plant expected fruit production, but with a 1 year time lag. In years of high inflorescence production, a high per-capita reproduction of the bug resulted in a dense bug population in the following year. This dense population then decimated the plant fruit production, became food limited and had a low per-capita reproduction.
• 3 This kind of time lag is expected to be common among desert insect herbivores that specialize in using ephemeral resources. The rare years of high plant production are in general preceded and followed by years of low plant production. Hence, in years which contribute most to plant reserves (seed, underground storage organs), insect herbivores are relatively rare as a result of food limitation in preceding low production years. But the insect populations which build up during years of high plant production decimate their food resources and become food limited in subsequent years with low plant production.
• 4 Thus, herbivorous insects seem to have a limited ability to affect plant population dynamics in desert ecosystems. In contrast, the potential appears to be much greater for herbivorous insects to be regulated by their food plants.

     

Effect of herbivory by Teleonemia scrupulosa on the performance of Longitarsus bethae on their shared host, Lantana camara

Herbivory by insects may change the characteristics of nutrients and secondary plant chemicals of the foliage, thereby altering the acceptability and suitability of the plant for oviposition, feeding and development for subsequent herbivores. In the current study, the effect of herbivory by the sap-sucking lace bug, Teleonemia scrupulosa Stäl (Heteroptera: Tingidae), on the suitability of Lantana camara L. (Verbenaceae) for the root-feeding flea beetle, Longitarsus bethae Savini & Escalona (Chrysomelidae: Alticinae), was investigated under laboratory conditions. Preference of adult L. bethae was not influenced by the intensity of feeding damage caused by T. scrupulosa adults. However, high densities of T. scrupulosa nymphs and their feeding damage caused L. bethae adults to emigrate and colonize less infested or uninfested plants. Oviposition by L. bethae was significantly reduced at high densities of T. scrupulosa nymphs. While low infestation of T. scrupulosa had no effect the survival of L. bethae, moderate and high infestations caused significant reduction in percentage survival of L. bethae. The number of T. scrupulosa nymphs was negatively correlated with the percentage survival of L. bethae. Neither the duration of development nor the body size of L. bethae was influenced by the intensity of T. scrupulosa infestation. Overall, undamaged or slightly damaged plants that allowed better survival of L. bethae were often chosen as oviposition sites in preference to those that were highly infested, and on which survival was poor. Although the present study indicates the likelihood of inter-specific competition between L. bethae larvae and T. scrupulosa, this is likely to be mitigated by female flea beetles choosing to oviposit on less infested or uninfested plants in the field.     

Testing the resource concentration hypothesis with tarnished plant bug on strawberry: density of hosts and patch size influence the interaction between abundance of nymphs and incidence of damage

Abstract. 1. Attributes of patches with strawberry plants were manipulated experimentally to assess the impact of patch size and host density on the abundance of tarnished plant bug (Hemiptera: Miridae) and incidence of fruit damage.
2. The density of nymphs per inflorescence increased with patch size and host density for some but not all generations of plant bug, providing partial support for the resource concentration hypothesis, while emphasising the importance of replicating experiments across several generations of herbivore.
3. Increasing density of nymphs with increasing patch size and host density did not translate into a high incidence of damage, which may be due to the relatively low feeding impact of nymphs in patches with numerous fruits and to the relatively high perimeter-to-area ratio in small patches resulting in a relatively high proportion of damaged fruits.
4. The decreasing proportion of damaged fruits with increasing density of fruits per patch suggests that nymphs exhibit a saturating functional response to density of strawberry fruits. Functional responses of herbivores may be a critical yet overlooked component that influences interactions between insects and their host plant. In particular, concentrated plant resources may result in increased numbers of herbivores yet sill have a negligible influence on plant damage and/or fitness.     

Patterns of abundance of a narrow endemic species in a tropical and infertile montane habitat

We examined the entire spatial distribution of a narrow endemic shrub (Coccoloba cereifera, Polygonaceae) in Serra do Cipó, Brazil. We tested the hypothesis that a narrow endemic species would show a gradual decline in either size and density towards the edges of its distribution. The contribution of soil specificity and post-fire growth to C. cereifera abundance and distribution were also investigated. C. cereifera showed multimodal and highly aggregated distribution pattern at several scales, from 25 m² to 3000 m² (blocked quadrat variance analyses). This pattern seems to be strongly related to the predominance of clonal recruitment and to the close association of the species to sandfields, which have discrete distribution between gallery forests and rocky outcrops. Population density did not decline towards the edge of the species distribution. Plants near the distribution boundaries had slightly more leaves and more inflorescences per plant (p<0.005), but there was no significant change in the mean number of ramets per clone. The absence of large plants in some populations at the center of the species distribution may be related to the higher frequency of fire in this region, killing aerial plant parts. Nearly all aggregations had inverse-J shaped size-distribution, suggesting effective recruitment of ramets, most frequently via asexual reproduction. Similar patterns of plant abundance may be common in fire-prone habitats characterized by infertile, and well-drained soils since these areas generally have high numbers of endemic plants, with strong soil specificity. Possible mechanisms for the observed pattern are discussed considering current models concerning distribution of abundance of species.     

Effects of the loss of clonal integration on four sedges that differ in ramet aggregation

Although clonal growth is a dominant mode of plant growth in wetlands, the importance of clonal integration, resource sharing among ramets, to individual ramet generations (mother and daughter) and entire clones of coexisting species has not been well investigated. This study evaluated the significance of clonal integration in four sedge species of varying ramet aggregations, from clump-forming species (Clumpers –Carex sterilis, Eleocharis rostellata), with tightly aggregated ramets (rhizomes<1cm), to runner species (Runners –Schoenoplectus acutus, Cladium mariscoides), with loosely aggregated ramets. We manipulated clonal integration by either severing connections between target mother and daughter ramets or leaving connections intact, and then planted them in an intact neighborhood of a fen in Michigan, USA. We measured growth parameters of original and newly produced ramets over two growing seasons and conducted a final biomass harvest, to address four hypotheses. First, we expected integrated clones to accumulate more biomass than severed clones. However, final clone-level biomass and ramet production were the same for both treatments in all species although severing initially stimulated ramet production by Schoenoplectus and produced a more compact ramet aggregation in Cladium. Second, we hypothesized that mother ramets would experience a cost of integration, through reduced ramet or biomass production, while daughters would experience a benefit, through increased resource availability from mothers. Mother ramets of Cladium suffered a cost from integration, while Schoenoplectus mothers suffered a slight cost and Carex daughters saw a slight benefit. Finally, we hypothesized that integration would be more active in runner species than in clumper species. Indeed, we documented more active integration in runners than clumpers, but none of the study species were dependent upon integration for growth or survival once daughter ramets were established with their own roots and shoots. This study demonstrates that integration between established ramets may not be the most important advantage to clonal growth in this wetland field site. The loss of integration elicited varied responses among coexisting species in their natural habitat, somewhat but not completely related to their growth form, suggesting that a combination of plant life history traits contributes to the dependence upon clonal integration among established ramets of clonal species.     

The role of plant genotype,environment and gender in resistance to a specialist chrysomelid herbivore

Summary Patchiness in herbivore attack is a well-documented phenomenon. When neighboring plants suffer vastly different levels of attack, then one suspects genotypic differences among plants to be the underlying mechanism. In this study, I use common garden experiments in two natural, but divergent, habitats at the Cedar Creek Natural History Area in central Minnesota to determine the role of plant genotype, environment and gender in plant resistance to a specialist herbivore. Resistance was measured by larval survivorship and weight. Eight clones ofRhus glabra were selected and 12 equal-aged ramets were dug up and planted in two gardens (each garden received 6 ramets per clone). First instarBlepharida rhois (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) larvae of known parentage were transferred to ramets and censused every other day. At the end of the experiment, larvae were collected and weighed. Analysis of variance was used to determine the importance of plant genotype, environment and gender on larval mortality and weight. The experiment was repeated in its entirety one month later. Both plant genotype and environment significantly affected larval survivorship in the first run of the experiment. No interactions were significant. Results from the second run indicated marginally significant genotype and environment main effects, and a genotype by environment interaction in larval survivorship. There was a significant genotype by environment interaction in larval weight on the same run. In neither run did clone gender have significant affects on resistance.     

Plant age and attack by the bud galler,Euura mucronata

Summary As ramets of the willow, Salix cinerea L. (Salicaceae) aged shoot length decreased in the six populations studied in S.E. Finland. Many traits correlated positively with shoot length: basal diameter, number of internodes, internode length, leaf size, and length of growing period. The bud-galling sawfly, Euura mucronata (Hartig) Man. (Churchill) (Hymenoptera: Tenthredinidae), responded positively to shoot length or correlated traits, and negatively to ramet age in three forest populations. This herbivore attacked the most vigorous plants in a population, and numbers of attacks declined as ramets aged and senesced. The generality of this kind of herbivore response to plant quality is emphasized.     

Density- and growth stage-dependent responses to defoliation in two rhizomatous grasses

Summary Responses to defoliation were studied in two tallgrass prairie perennials (Andropogon gerardii and Panicum virgatum) established from seed at three densities. P. virgatum was also grown from transplanted rhizomes of established clones. Plants of both species displayed a continuum of responses to defoliation, from large reductions in biomass, tillering and seed production to significant increases in one or more performance measures. In crowded populations, defoliation shifted plants into subordinate positions within the competitive hierarchy. Plants competing intraspecifically and those that were initially small suffered more from defoliation than either plants grown at low density or those that were larger than their neighbors. At the highest plant density, the effects of defoliation or initial plant size were overshadowed by the effects of crowding. When defoliated and grown at similar densities, P. virgatum and A. gerardii grown from seed showed large reductions in biomass, seed production, and new rhizome production, but established P. virgatum ramets grown from rhizomes showed increases in these performance measures. Thus, herbivory may be particularly detrimental to P. virgatum during juvenile stages before perennating organs have developed. Overcompensation of P. virgatum clones in response to defoliation only occurred if all ramets within the clone were defoliated. In clones containing both defoliated and undamaged ramets, there were no differences in their performance, suggesting that genets are capable of integrating the effects of differential defoliation among shoots. Defoliated P. virgatum clones allocated a smaller fraction of their total biomass to new rhizomes, indicating that the short-term regrowth response following defoliation may incur a longer-term cost associated with gradual reduction in biomass of the perennating organs and reduced genet success.     

The number of tadpoles consumed by the nymphs of the giant water bug <Emphasis Type="Italic">Kirkaldyia deyrolli</Emphasis> under laboratory conditions

Giant water bug Kirkaldyia (=Lethocerus) deyrolli (Belostomatidae: Heteroptera) nymphs consume many individuals of anuran larvae (tadpoles) before they reach adulthood. However, no quantitative data on the number of tadpoles consumed have been made available until now, despite the importance of this data for the conservation of this species. The number of tree frog, Hyla japonica (Hylidae: Anura), tadpoles consumed by nymphs of K. deyrolli was examined under laboratory conditions. The number increased according to the developmental stage of the nymphs; the fifth instar nymphs were the highest consumers. The total numbers consumed by the nymphs throughout development were 155.0 ± 12.8 (average ± SD) and 172.8 ± 9.6 for the males and the females, respectively. Thus, it might be important to maintain high densities of frogs in fields to conserve the population of K. deyrolli into the future.     

Resources limit the fecundity of three woodland herbs

Summary Effects of supplemental hand pollination on fruit set, seed number, and seed weight were examined for 3 perennial, woodland herbs, Uvularia sessilifolia, Geranium maculatum, and Maianthemum canadense. We found no evidence for pollen limitation of any measure of fecundity. Low light probably limited fecundity in Geranium, while soil nitrogen limited the number of sseds/fruit in Maianthemum. For Geranium and Maianthemum the relationship between the number of flowers and fecundity varied in differeent years. Maianthemum ramets with greater than average flower numbers had a decreased chance of reproductive failure than did ramets with few flowers.     

Water integration patterns in two rhizomatous dune perennials of different clonal fragment size

In clonal plants, a clonal fragment is a basic unit. There may exist clonal integration that is often regarded adaptive. By definition, a larger clonal fragment comprises more interconnected ramets and/or occupies a larger area of the habitat. When the habitat is so heterogeneous in terms of essential resources that the resources the whole clonal fragment needs can be captured only in a limited number of microhabitats, a large clonal fragment may require extensive and/or intensive clonal integration. Therefore, we hypothesize that in an environment where the resources are distributed in a highly heterogeneous way, a species forming large clonal fragments possesses more extensive and/or intensive clonal integration gaining essential resources than that forming small ones.This hypothesis was tested in a field experiment with two rhizomatous species growing in inland-dune habitats with high heterogeneity of water resource, one (Psammochloa villosa) forming large clonal fragments and the other (Hedysarum laeve) forming small ones. In P. villosa, tracer-(water-soluble acid fuchsin)-labeled water could be transported along the rhizome at a velocity of about 0.93 m per hour and 4 ramets per hour, which was much faster than that in H. laeve. Similarly, the acid fuchsin-labeled water was transported to a longer length in the rhizomes (3.96 m vs. 1.12 m) and to more ramets (14 vs. 3) in P. villosa than in H. laeve. In P. villosa, the acid fuchsin-labeled water reached the ends of the rhizomes and all ramets along the rhizomes were dyed purple. In H. laeve, however, the acid fuchsin-labeled water could not reach the rhizome tips and along the rhizomes only some ramets were labeled. The results suggest that P. villosa is an extensive and intensive integrator, whereas H. laeve is a restrictive and less intensive integrator, supporting the hypothesis. The possible mechanisms and the ecological implications of the findings were discussed.     

Physiological integration helps a clonal macrophyte spread into competitive environments and coexist with other species

Physiological integration may help clonal macrophytes invade or escape from existing communities. No studies have tested the above hypothesis in aquatic plants. In an outdoor pond experiment, we subjected clonal fragments of the submerged macrophyte Vallisneria spiralis L. to heterogeneous environments in which V. spiralis spread from bare habitats towards vegetated habitats occupied by Myriophyllum spicatum L. or V. spiralis spread from vegetated habitats towards bare habitats. V. spiralis stolons between ramets in bare habitats and in vegetated habitats were either intact or severed. We investigated the habitat selection of V. spiralis by examining the allocation of biomass and ramets to heterogeneous habitats during its vegetative spread phase. Results showed that the stolon connection had different effects on the habitat selection of V. spiralis with regard to invasion and escape. When V. spiralis spread from bare to vegetated habitats, in comparison to severing the stolon, the stolon connection eventually facilitated a 49% increase in biomass and a 27% increase in number of ramets allocated to vegetated habitats. However, when V. spiralis spread from vegetated to bare habitats, biomass and ramets allocated to bare habitats were not significantly changed by the stolon connection (only a 5% increase in biomass and a 6% increase in number of ramets). These results indicate that clonal integration facilitated V. spiralis not to escape from but invade into vegetated habitats. The study provides evidence that physiological integration is important for survival and tolerance of ramets in competitively stressful environments and can help clonal macrophytes coexist with other species.     

The role of amphibian prey in the diet and growth of giant water bug nymphs in Japanese rice fields

Predatory insects that depend upon particular prey animals are commonly regulated by the prey animal’s abundance. Nymphs of the giant water bug Kirkaldyia (=Lethocerus) deyrolli (Heteroptera: Belostomatidae) are predators regarded as specialists in feeding on tadpoles. We studied the ontogenetic diet shift of aquatic nymphs by quantifying instar abundance and by analyzing captured prey and prey relative abundance during the period of rice irrigation in three localities. We also evaluated the contribution of major prey items (tadpoles, frogs, and Odonata nymphs) on specific growth rates of each nymphal stage in a rearing experiment. First to third-instar nymphs of K. deyrolli fed mainly on tadpoles, regardless of differences in prey availability. Nymphs of subsequent fourth and fifth instar stages shifted from tadpoles to other prey animals within each rice field. A rearing experiment demonstrated that giant water bug nymphs provided with tadpoles had greater specific growth rates at all nymphal stages, except for the final stage, than nymphs fed other prey (frogs and Odonata nymphs). The emergence of young K. deyrolli nymphs seemed to coincide with the period during which tadpoles became abundant in the rice fields. Consumption of tadpoles seems important to allow the nymph to complete its larval development in an unstable temporary habitat. An erratum to this article can be found at     

Growth of coyote willow and the attack and survival of a mid-rib galling sawfly,Euura sp.

We studied the relationship between variation in age and shoot characteristics of the host plant Salix exigua Nuttall (coyote or sandbar willow) and the attack and survival of Euura sp. (an unnamed leaf-midrib galling sawfly). Variation in shoot characteristics resulted from reduced growth as willow ramets aged. Mean shoot length per ramet and mean longest leaf length per shoot decreased by 95% and 50% respectively between 1- and 9-year-old willow ramets. All measured shoot characteristics-shoot length, longest leaf length, number of leaves per shoot, and mean internode length-were significantly negatively correlated with ramet age (r ² ranged from –0.23 to –0.41). Correlations between shoot characteristics were highly positive, indicating that plants also grew in a strongly integrated fashion (r ² ranged from 0.54 to 0.85). Four hypotheses were examined to explain sawfly attack patterns. The host-plant hypothesis was supported in explaining enhanced larval sawfly survival through reduced plant resistance. As willow ramets aged, the probability of Euura sp. attack decreased over 10-fold, from 0.315 on 1-year-old ramets to 0.024 on 2- to 9-year-old ramets. As shoot length increased, the probability of sawfly attack increased over 100-fold, from 0.007 on shoots <100 mm, to 0.800 on shoots in the 1001–1100 mm shoot length class. These attack patterns occurred even though 1-year-old ramets and shoots >500 mm each represented less than 2% of the total shoots available for oviposition. Host plant induced mortality of the egg/early instar stage decreased by 50% on longer leaves and was the most important factor determining survival differences between vigorous and non-vigorous hosts. Sawfly attack was not determined by the resource distribution hypothesis. Although shoots <200 mm contained 82% of the total leaves available, they contained only 43% of the galls initiated. The attack pattern also was not explained by the gall volume hypothesis. Although gall volume increased on longer shoots, there was no significant variation in mid or late instar mortality over shoot length, as would be expected if food resources within smaller galls were limited. The natural enemy attack hypothesis could not explain the pattern of oviposition since predation was greater on longer shoots and leaves. In addition, larval survival was related to oviposition behavior. Due to a 69% reduction in late instar death and an 83% reduction in parasitism, survival of progeny in galls initiated close to the petiole base was 2.8 times greater than in galls initiated near the leaf tip. A 75% reduction in gall volume over this range of gall positions may account for the observed increases in late instar mortality and parasitism.     

濒危物种胡杨和灰叶胡杨的克隆生长特征

研究不同生态环境条件下胡杨和灰叶胡杨横走侧根的空间分布及其形态特征、不定芽及克隆分株的数量格局特征及其与土壤水分的关系。研究结果表明:(1)16团3个生境中灰叶胡杨克隆分株所在横走侧根均分布在10—20cm的土层;阿瓦提混交林内灰叶胡杨和胡杨克隆分株所在横走侧根分布在20—40cm的土层;轮台县河道边胡杨克隆分株所在横走侧根分布在10—20cm的土层,林内胡杨克隆分株所在横走侧根分布在20—40cm的土层。不定芽、克隆分株所在部位横走侧根最粗,向两端逐渐变细,且远端根始终比近端根要粗;(2)不定芽具有以前期克隆分株为中心向两端延伸发生分布的空间格局特征,横走侧根上不定芽数与出土克隆分株数呈极显著正相关,未出土克隆分株数与出土克隆分株数呈显著正相关,说明不定芽、未出土克隆分株的数量都直接影响出土克隆分株的数量。(3)不定芽、未出土克隆分株和出土克隆分株出现频率、空间分布范围在同一生境同一根段均表现为不定芽未出土克隆分株出土克隆分株,在不同研究区表现为16团(地下水位1.08m)轮台县(地下水位2.56m)阿瓦提县(地下水位3.34m);相关分析显示土壤水分含量与不定芽和出土克隆分株数量均呈极显著正相关。综合分析认为,地下水位和土壤含水量均对不定芽发生以及不定芽向克隆分株转化有显著的影响。     

Responses of rhizome length and ramet production to resource availability in the clonal sedge <Emphasis Type="Italic">Scirpus olneyi</Emphasis> A. Gray

The clonal plant Scirpus olneyi has two types of ramets within one clone; a ramet with a very long rhizome (LRR) and a ramet with a very short rhizome (SRR). Based on foraging theory of clonal plants, we hypothesised that these two types of ramets were functionally specialised to different tasks: the task of LRRs is for exploring while SRRs is for consolidating the patches. We also hypothesised that LRRs tended to produce LRRs continuously during a growing season to reach further patches while SRRs tended to produce SRRs fewer times to stay in the same patches. To evaluate these hypotheses, we analysed the sequence of two ramets of plants growing in four communities in the field and five treatments in garden experiments. In the garden experiments, plants in high quality treatments (e.g. low salinity, full sun, and sufficient nutrient) produced proportionally more SRRs and branched more frequently than plants in low quality treatments (e.g. strong salinity or less light or less nutrient). LRRs kept producing LRRs in every treatment, but LRRs in low quality treatments produced less SRRs than LRRs in high quality treatments did. The field observations showed LRRs kept producing LRRs in every community in the same growing season, but SRRs production varied among communities. In the communities with larger biomass and high SRR ratio, LRRs produced more SRRs and those SRRs produced proportionally more SRRs. On the other hand, in the communities with smaller biomass and low SRR ratio, LRRs produced less SRRs and those SRRs produced proportionally less SRRs. The results of garden experiments and field observations support our hypotheses. Two ramets are functionally specialised to perform different tasks. And their production patterns are suitable to perform their tasks. And their production patterns are suitable to perform their tasks: the sequential production of LRRs allows plants to have higher chance to reach new locations, and the limited but sequential production of SRRs allows plants to consolidate the patches. The observed production patterns of two ramets are associated with phalanx and guerrilla strategies by Lovett Doust, and S. olneyi shows both strategies within relatively small scale environments.     

坡向对暗紫贝母生长和繁殖特征的影响

在青藏高原东部的牛牛山和卡卡山,在其东、南、西、北4个坡面各设置一个海拔相同(3800m)的样地,每个样地中随机选择30株同龄级的暗紫贝母植株作为研究对象,然后比较各坡面的生态因子以及暗紫贝母的生长和繁殖特征。结果表明:1融雪时间、气温、土壤含水量在南北坡面间有显著的差异,但土壤p H在各坡面间无明显差异。2开始生长期、始花期和盛花期等物候阶段都是北坡最迟,南坡最早,而枯黄期在各坡面间无显著差异。3单叶面积、比叶面积和植株株高以北坡最大,南坡最小。4鳞茎生物量以南坡最大,北坡最小,东、西坡面的值介于南、北坡之间。5单粒果实的生物量在各坡面之间无明显的差异,果实生物量在地上部分中所占的比例以南坡最大,北坡最小。6单粒果实平均种子数以北坡最多,南坡最少;而种子千粒重则以南坡最重,北坡最轻。可见,坡面对暗紫贝母的生长和繁殖特征有显著的影响,尤其是在南北坡面之间大多数性状差异显著。     

Increased Growth and Yield of Hydroponically Grown Greenhouse Tomato Plants Inoculated with Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi and Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. radicis-lycopersici

The arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi Glomus monosporum, G. vesiculiferum, G. deserticola, G. intraradices, G. mosseae, and two unidentified species were tested to determine their effect on plant growth and fruit production of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) cv. Trust inoculated with Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. radicis-lycopersici (FORL) under near-commercial greenhouse conditions. Inoculation with G. monosporum and G. mosseae significantly increased fruit yield and fruit number of tomato plants grown hydroponically in sawdust. Plant height and plant dry weight increased significantly when inoculated with G. monosporum and G. mosseae. Further, plants inoculated with G. monosporum and G. mosseae showed significantly lower FORL root infection than the untreated control plants.     

Effects of different Beauveria bassiana isolates on field populations of Lygus lineolaris in pigweed (Amaranthus spp.)

The tarnished plant bug, Lygus lineolaris (Palisot de Beauvois), is a pest of various fruit, vegetable, fiber, and seed crops; including cotton. Lygus spp. populations often build on alternate host plants before moving to cotton, and in the midsouthern U.S. wild host plants, such as pigweed (Amaranthus spp.), play a major role in L. lineolaris population development. Three isolates of the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo) were evaluated for L. lineolaris control in redroot pigweed (Amaranthus retroflexus L.): one from L. lineolaris in Mississippi (TPB3); one from Lygus hesperus (Knight) in California (WTPB2); and one commercial isolate from Mycotrol^® (GHA). Fungal applications resulted in moderate to high mycosis in adults (33 to 80%) and moderate mycosis in nymphs (36 to 53%) that were collected from field plots at 2 days post-treatment and incubated under laboratory conditions. Although TPB3 was previously found to be more pathogenic in laboratory bioassays, there was not a consistent separation of this isolate from the other two isolates in field trials. Where differences in adult mycosis or mortality were observed, TPB3 was the most pathogenic. However, in one field trial 7 day mortality for nymphs treated with GHA was higher than those treated with TPB3 or WTPB2. Infection rates at 2, 7, and 14 days post-treatment from caged and non-caged adults suggested that movement of adults among plots occurred, which could have masked some treatment effects. Fungal treatments did not significantly reduce populations relative to controls. This may have been caused by delayed mortality rates under field conditions and/or difficulties with estimating population change under field conditions characteristic of wild host plant populations (e.g., heterogeneous populations, adult movement, and small plot size). Further work evaluating time–dose–mortality over dynamic temperatures, spring and fall field trials on this and other wild hosts, and improved methods for estimating populations on wild hosts are needed.     

Competitive Performance of Nymphoides Peltata (Gmel.) O. Kuntze Growing in Microcosm

Two experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of competition on growth and performance of Nymphoides peltata (Gmel.) O. Kuntze in microcosm. Part of the research on growth and biomass allocation of N. peltata in response to competition had been reported early (Wu, Z. & D. Yu, 2004, Hydrobiologia 527: 241–250). This paper focuses on the morphological variations of N. peltata under competitive pressure. First, competition between N. peltata and Zizania latifolia (Griseb.) Turcz. ex Stapf. was assigned with the densities of N. peltata to Z. latifolia ratios of 4:0, 4:2, 4:4 and 4:8. Water surface coverage, surface area per leaf blade and number of leaves per plant of N. peltata all declined significantly with increasing density of competitor. Similar results were also found for petiole length and density of branching. However, the variations of planting density did not significantly affect the number of ramets per plant and the stolon length of N. peltata. Second, competitions between N. peltata and emerged Z. latifolia, floating-leaved Trapa bispinosa Roxb. and submerged Myriophyllum spicatum L. were also studied simultaneously. The results showed that significant difference was only found for the water surface coverage of N. peltata. No other significant differences were found for the number of ramets per plant, number of leaves per plant, density of branching, surface area per leaf blade, petiole length, and stolon length of N. peltata. Our studies indicate that N. peltata presents morphological variations when it is growing with Z. latifolia, such that the growth of above-ground parts decrease (i.e., leaf number, petiole length, branching density) and the growth of below-ground parts remains stable (i.e., stolons length). However, N. peltata does not show apparent differences in morphology when it is growing with T. bispinosa or M. spicatum. Accordingly, we conclude that the growth of N. peltata may be apparently inhibited by the presence of Z. latifolia, while T. bispinosa and M. spicatum may have little impact on the growth and performance of N. peltata.