Diets of adult and nestling starlings (Sturnus vulgaris) in Hawke’s Bay,New Zealand

Abstract

Gizzards were examined from 334 adult and 62 nestling starlings collected in mixed farmland during 1971–72. The birds ate insects, spiders, earthworms, snails, millipedes, centipedes, seeds, and fruits. Starlings ate fewer subterranean animals (7%) than those usually living partially hidden (45%), on the ground (31%), or on vegetation (18%). About half the invertebrates eaten were 2–5 mm long and about a quarter 6–10 mm long. Nestlings tend to be fed significantly larger items than were eaten by adults. The commonest items in adult starlings were Coleoptera adults, Lepidoptera larvae, Hemiptera, and fruits; in nestlings, Coleoptera adults and Diptera adults and larvae were important. Earthworms were found in all the nestlings. More than 50% of adult gizzards contained earthworm chaetae in wetter months, but fewer in drier months. The diet of starlings, despite considerable overlap with the foods eaten by mynas, rooks, and magpies, included somewhat different components and proportions of the food supply. Fruits were found in adults only; most were probably eaten after harvest. Although predation on two major pasture pests—Costelytra zealandica and Wiseana cervinata larvae—was insubstantial, nearly 40% of the total invertebrates eaten by adult starlings were insect pest species.     

帽儿山红松人工林鞘翅目成虫群落小尺度空间异质性变化特征

空间异质性是群落空间格局形成的基础,也是物种共存的重要前提。基于地统计空间分析方法,研究20 m×20 m空间尺度上帽儿山红松人工林鞘翅目成虫群落及物种的空间自相关性及异质性分布格局。结果显示:5次调查共捕获鞘翅目成虫10科、42种、2721只个体,群落组成具有中等或较强的空间变异性和明显的时间变异性;Moran's I系数表明群落及部分物种具有显著的空间自相关性,各调查月份接近甚至超过一半的物种不存在空间自相关性;群落及部分物种表现为异质性特征并在特定空间尺度内形成集群,且这种空间分异多由结构性因素或结构性因素和随机性因素共同调控;物种之间表现为具有复杂正的或负的空间作用关系,这种空间关联性的形成主要是结构性因素或随机性因素单一调控的结果,但简单Mantel检验并未发现物种之间存在显著的空间关联性;群落的空间格局梯度分布特征较明显,随着季节的变化(夏天到秋天)聚集物种数量的斑块复杂程度降低。本文旨在揭示鞘翅目成虫空间异质性的变化特征,为鞘翅目成虫群落物种构建机制研究奠定基础。     

Arthropods in diet of Little Bustards Tetrax tetrax during the breeding season in western France

Capsule Seasonal, age- and sex-related variations in the diet were studied during March to October.

Aims To determine which arthropod orders contributed most during the laying–rearing period and those important in determining breeding success of the species in an intensive agricultural habitat.

Methods Faeces (n = 388, 345 g) and three gut samples were dissected to determine which arthropod orders contributed most to the diet, especially during the laying–rearing period.

Results Coleoptera were the most numerous prey followed by Orthoptera, Dermaptera and Hymenoptera. No difference was observed in the diet of adult males and females. Although adults ate arthropods throughout the breeding season, plant material contributed 97–99% of faecal contents by weight in each month. Chicks, however, only ate arthropods, notably Coleoptera and Orthoptera, at least until 2–3 weeks old.

Conclusion Increasing arthropod availability would be a useful management tool for maintaining endangered Little Bustard populations by potentially increasing chick survival.     

Food diversity and niche-overlap of sympatric tits (Great Tit,Parus major,Blue Tit,Cyanistes caeruleus and Coal Tit Periparus ater) in the Hyrcanian Plain forests

Abstract

This study was carried out between early summer 1998 and late summer 1999 in the Hyrcanian Plain forests, the southern Caspian Sea woodlands. In total, the gizzard contents of 241 specimens of the Great Tit (Parus major Linnaeus, 1758), Blue Tit (Cyanistes caeruleus Linnaeus, 1758), and Coal Tit (Periparus ater (Linnaeus, 1758)) were collected so that the percentages of grit, plants and animal materials could be estimated and the plant and invertebrate species consumed identified. The data were tested by a series of Mann-Whitney U, ANOVA and Kruskal-Wallis tests. To survey niche overlap of food materials between species and season, the symmetrical overlap index developed by Pianka (1973) was used. The most important invertebrates (maximum of percentage per season) in the diet of P. major were Coleoptera (36.5%) and Lepidoptera (33.6%), for C. caeruleus Coleoptera (34.5%) and Araneae (31.2%), and for Pe. ater Coleoptera (38.2%) and Araneae (35.6%). The most important plants consumed by P. major were Sorghum halepense (68.7%) and Ficus carica (65.6%), by C. caeruleus were F. carica (67.5%) and Alnus glutinosa (39.4%), and by Pe. ater were Lonicera spp. (82.9%). There was a greater degree of overlap and competition for animal food, but plant feeding overlap among the three tit species was low. Two species, P. major and C. caeruleus, showed high feeding overlap for animal items (0.92), whereas Pe. ater and C. caeruleus had no significant feeding overlap. The Coal Tit had a greater tendency to forage for vegetable matter and P. major had a greater tendency to forage for animal matter. Analysis of gizzard contents of P. major and Pe. ater showed that, despite the high degree of feeding overlap, the extent of plant materials consumed indicated no significant competition between the two species. Because Pe. ater is present mostly in autumn and winter, this study cannot establish any degree of competition and food-niche overlap during the breeding season between this and other tit species.     

Hintoniella,a replacement name for the preoccupied generic name Helonastes Hinton, 1968 (Coleoptera: Byrrhoidea: Elmidae)

Abstract

A replacement name, Hintoniella is proposed for the generic name Helonastes Hinton, 1968 in the family Elmidae (Coleoptera: Byrrhoidea).     

Contribution to the knowledge of the Jewel Beetles (Coleoptera: Buprestidae) of the Near East

Abstract

This paper provides faunistic information about almost a hundred different species and subspecies of Jewel Beetles (Coleoptera: Buprestidae) including the subfamilies Julodinae, Acmaeoderinae, Polycestinae, Chalcophorinae and Buprestinae (except the genus Anthaxia) which have been found in the Near East. It also gives a survey of the literature concerning the Jewel Beetles of this region. There are photographs of l8 species. As the author intends to continue the list, he is interested in further information and offers assistance with identifications.     

温带落叶阔叶林地表鞘翅目成虫小尺度空间格局动态分析

土壤动物空间格局是格局—过程以及生物多样性维持机制研究的重要基础,目前小尺度空间土壤动物空间格局动态特征仍不清楚。基于地统计空间分析方法,以鞘翅目成虫为研究对象,研究帽儿山温带落叶阔叶林小尺度空间(5m)地表鞘翅目成虫群落及类群的空间格局动态特征。结果表明:4次调查共捕获鞘翅目成虫11科、29类、1021只个体,调查月份鞘翅目成虫群落具有较强的时空变异性;Moran'sⅠ系数表明鞘翅目成虫群落和类群具有复杂的正的空间自相关性,其空间异质性可用球状、指数、高斯和线性模型进行拟合。这种空间异质性具有一定的时间变化特征,且这种空间分异是由随机性因素单一调控或结构性因素和随机性因素共同调控的结果;类群之间在多种尺度上表现为复杂的以负相关居多的空间关联性,这种空间关联性的形成主要是结构性因素或随机性因素单一调控的结果。本实验表明地表鞘翅目成虫群落在小尺度空间具有明显的空间异质性特征,这种空间异质性时间变异性较明显。     

Parasitism and olfactory responses of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Dastarcus helophoroides</Emphasis> (Coleoptera: Bothrideridae) to different Cerambycid hosts

Dastarcus helophoroides (Fairmaire) (Coleoptera: Bothrideridae) is an important natural enemy of longhorned beetles (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae). It is distributed throughout most Provinces in China. We investigated whether there were differences among D. helophoroides populations collected from different hosts in different geographic locations. Results showed that different D. helophoroides populations displayed different olfactory responses to larval frass from different longhorned beetle species. All populations were significantly attracted to the frass of their original hosts. Parasitism rates of different populations also varied when supplied with host larvae of the same longhorned beetle species. These results indicate that the three D. helophoroides populations tested differed in host-related behaviors. Therefore, the population of D. helophoroides must be taken into consideration when implementing biological control programs for different species of longhorned beetle.     

Fluctuations in chick diet of the Squacco Heron Ardeola ralloides in southern France: changes over the last 30 years

Capsule The composition varied between colony site, month and year.

Aims To determine the diet composition of chicks and its variations in 2000 and 2001. To look for any changes over the last 30 years.

Methods Chick regurgitates were analysed to determine which Order contributed most to the diet, by frequency and by biomass.

Results During 2000 and 2001 chick diet was dominated by insects (92% and 70% by biomass, respectively), mainly Coleoptera (60% and 41%) and Orthoptera (27% in both years). The dry mass of Orthoptera, Coleoptera adults, Odonata and amphibians differed significantly between breeding sites, months and years.The proportion of invertebrates (in biomass) increased from 36.5% in 1970 and 31% in 1971 to 95% in 2000 and 90% in 2001 whereas the proportion of amphibians decreased in the same time from 49% and 33% in 1970 and 1971 to 5.0% and 9.5% in 2000 and 2001, respectively.

Conclusion The proportion of prey types differed bewteen colony sites and months. Major changes were found in the diet composition between the early 1970s and 2000s. The possible hypotheses for the observed differences are discussed.     

Descriptions of new Neotropical Lycoperdininae (Coleoptera: Endomychidae) and their phylogenetic placement

Two new genera and three new species of Lycoperdininae (Coleoptera: Endomychidae) from South America, are described and illustrated based on adults: Hylaperdina n. g., along with H. brevicornis n. sp. from Ecuador and H. costariciensis n. sp. from Costa Rica, and Chileanus n. g., along with C. talca n. sp. from Chile. Their most likely placement within the Lycoperdininae is discussed. A key to genera of the neotropical Lycoperdininae is provided.     

Efficacy of Beauveria bassiana applications on coffee berry borer across an elevation gradient in Hawaii

ABSTRACT

The effect of three rates of a commercial formulation of Beauveria bassiana Strain GHA was evaluated against the coffee berry borer (CBB) Hypothenemus hampei Ferrari (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae), at three commercial coffee farms located at different altitudes on the island of Hawaii. H. hampei infestation and natural prevalence of B. bassiana increased with the elevation. At 145 metres above sea level (Farm 1), beetle infestation was 3.9%; at 538?m (Farm 2), beetle infestation was 12.2%; and at 768?m (Farm 3) infestation was 22.3%. The prevalence of natural B. bassiana killing CBB was 5.5% on Farm 1, 3.3% on Farm 2 and 23.1% on Farm 3. Monthly applications of B. bassiana resulted in no significant differences in levels of CBB infestation among treatments. Similarly, rates of infested berries with visually detectable signs of B. bassiana were similar among the B. bassiana treatments, ranging from 0.44% to 4.24%, and those percentages were larger than the treatments without B. bassiana. The percentage of females killed by Beauveria ranged from 69% to 95%. Effect of dose of BotaniGard^® ES was reduced when beetles were in C position compared to A and B positions. B. bassiana can be an important component of an integrated pest management program for CBB.     

Food of the rook (Corvus frugilegus L.) in Hawke's Bay,New Zealand

Abstract

Throughout a year gizzards from 160 adult and juvenile rooks and 105 large young in rookeries were collected from Hawke's Bay. The main foods were invertebrates (especially Diptera larvae and Coleoptera adults) during the warmer months and walnuts and acorns in autumn and winter. When these foods were scarce cereals were taken, mainly from stubble. Other important food items were carrion, earthworms, peas, grass, and clover. Foods fed to young rooks were similar to those eaten by adults except that the young were fed more striped dung fly (Hybopygia varia) larvae (P < 0.025) and fewer blow fly (Calliphoridae) larvae (P < 0.025).     

Partial age-specific life tables for Monochamus titillator in Dendroctonus frontalis infested loblolly pines

Partial age-specific life tables were constructed for Monochamus titillator(Fabricius) (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) in Dendroctonus frontalisZimmermann (Coleoptera: Scolytidae) infested loblolly pine (Pinus taedaL.) trees. Successive life stages including egg, early larvae, mid-stage larvae, late larvae, and adult emergence were sampled within six sample trees. Generation mortality ranged from 60.94% to 98.61% in sample trees. Highest mortality typically occurred to eggs and mid-stage larvae. Possible mortality factors included resinosis, predaceous beetles, parasitoids, and woodpeckers. Dendroctonus frontalisbrood stages were determined for consecutive M. titillatorsampling. Monochamus titillatorand D. frontaliscoexisted and likely interacted in the phloem of host trees for at least 20 days.     

Two new species of the genus Rhynchitobius Sharp, 1889 (Coleoptera: Rhynchitidae) in Dominican amber

New species of rhynchitid weevils, Rhynchitobius tanyrhinus n. sp. and R. xuthocolus n. sp. (Coleoptera: Rhynchitidae) in the tribe Auletini are described from Dominican amber. The former species is characterized by a long rostrum, narrow pronotum and elytra, rugose elytral intervals and distinct elytral striae. The latter species has a short rostrum, wide antennal club, yellow legs, non-rugose elytral intervals and weak elytral striae. The present study describes the first representatives of the family Rhynchitidae from Dominican amber.     

Invasive <Emphasis Type="Italic">Alternanthera philoxeroides</Emphasis> (alligator weed) associated with increased fungivore dominance in Coleoptera on decomposing leaf litter

Invasive Alternanthera philoxeroides (alligator weed), when controlled by biocontrol agent Agasicles hygrophila, is known to differ from native vegetation in its decomposition dynamics. This study investigated whether this difference would have indirect effects for fungal-feeding Coleoptera. The study tested the hypothesis that fungivores would be more abundant and species rich on A. philoxeroides than on native vegetation. The study also tested the hypothesis that fungivores would be more affected than other functional groups. The study was conducted in a northern New Zealand lake. Litterbags were placed beneath A. philoxeroides and two native sedge species (Schoenoplectus tabernaemontani and Isolepis prolifer). Coleoptera communities were examined from the litterbags. Fungivorous Coleoptera were more abundant and species rich beneath A. philoxeroides than beneath either sedge species. No other functional groups differed between cover types. Fungivorous Coleoptera also comprised a greater proportion of total Coleoptera catch from litterbags beneath A. philoxeroides cover than from beneath native sedge cover. Four of the six fungivorous Coleoptera species collected in the study were present beneath A. philoxeroides cover. Of these, the two most abundant species (on native, one exotic) were both from the family Corylophidae. Alternanthera philoxeroides invasion is thus associated with altered Coleoptera communities in this ecosystem.     

A new cryptic species of Aphaenops (Coleoptera: Carabidae: Trechinae) from a French Pyrenean cave: Congruence between morphometrical and geographical data confirm species isolation

A new species of cave-dwelling beetle from the pyrenean massif, Aphaenops (Cerbaphaenops) jauzioni n. sp. (Coleoptera: Carabidae), is described. Geometric morphometric analyses based on five morphological structures and comparisons with two populations of the closely related species Aphaenops (Cerbaphaenops) cerberus Dieck 1869 support the uniqueness of the new species. The specific status of the new taxon is also confirmed by the male genitalia structures. A putative scenario of population isolation is proposed.     

SOUND PRODUCTION IN THE LARVAE OF GEOTRUPES SPINIGER (MARSHAM) (COLEOPTERA: GEOTRUPIDAE)

ABSTRACT

This paper focuses on sound production in the larvae of Geotrupes spiniger (Marsham) (Coleoptera: Geotrupidae). A single stridulatory apparatus was identified and then analysed from a structural point of view. Sound was studied using spectography and results included a quantitative analysis with characterizing physical parameters. Results highlight the need to study stridulation in Geotrupidae more in detail, to improve our understanding of its evolutionary and biological meaning.     

Revision of the genus Evanos Laporte de Castelnau, 1840, with the description of a second species (Coleoptera: Scarabaeoidea: Rutelidae: Geniatini)

The monotypic genus Evanos (Coleoptera: Rutelidae: Geniatini) is revised and a new species, E. danieleae Grossi, n. sp., is described based on specimens collected from Minas Gerais, Brazil. A lectotype is designated for Evanos villatus. Diagnostic characters and comments about the taxonomic status of the genus are given, as well as a key for both species and a distribution map with the known locality records.     

New genera and species of Jumping Ground Bugs (Hemiptera: Schizopteridae) in Dominican and Burmese amber,with a description of a meloid (Coleoptera: Meloidae) triungulin on a Burmese specimen

New genera and species of jumping ground bugs (Hemiptera: Schizopteridae) are described in Dominican and Burmese amber. In Dominican amber are described: Hypselosoma dominicana Poinar & Brown sp. n., Schizoptera dominicana Poinar sp. n. and Schizoptera hispaniolae Poinar sp. n. In Burmese amber are described: Lumatibialis burmitis Poinar gen. et sp. n. and Hexaphlebia burmanica Poinar gen. et sp. n. A triungulin attached to the dorsum of the abdomen of Lumatibialis burmitis is described as Microentomus epibatus Poinar gen. et sp. n. in the family Meloidae (Coleoptera). This specimen represents the oldest known triungulin and the first fossil phoretic association of a triungulin and hemipteran.