Brevipalpus californicus, B. obovatus, B. phoenicis, and B. lewisi (Acari: Tenuipalpidae): a Review of their Biology, Feeding Injury and Economic Importance

The genus Brevipalpus includes most of the economically important species of Tenuipalpidae. Many Brevipalpus species reproduce by theletokous parthenogenesis while other species reproduce by male fertilization of female eggs. Previous researchers have determined that Brevipalpus californicus (Banks), B. obovatus Donnadieu, and B. phoenicis (Geijskes) females were haploid with two chromosomes. The life cycle and developmental times for these three species are reviewed. Longevity of each Brevipalpus species is two to three times greater than corresponding longevities of various tetranychid mites. Brevipalpus mites inject toxic saliva into fruits, leaves, stems, twigs, and bud tissues of numerous plants including citrus. Feeding injury symptoms on selected plants include: chlorosis, blistering, bronzing, or necrotic areas on leaves by one or more Brevipalpus mites. Premature leaf drop occurred on 'Robinson' tangerine leaves in Florida (USA). Leaf drop was observed in several sweet orange and grapefruit orchards in Texas (USA) that were heavily infested with Brevipalpus mites feeding on the twigs, leaves, and fruit. Initial circular chlorotic areas appear on both sweet orange and grapefruit varieties in association with developing populations of Brevipalpus mites in Texas. These feeding sites become progressively necrotic, darker in color, and eventually develop into irregular scab-like lesions on affected fruit. Russeting and cracking of the fruits of other plant hosts are reported. Stunting of leaves and the development of Brevipalpus galls on terminal buds were recorded on sour orange, Citrus aurantium L., seedlings heavily infested with B. californicus in an insectary. The most significant threat posed by these mites is as vectors of a potentially invasive viral disease called citrus leprosis.     

Brevipalpus mites Donnadieu (Prostigmata: Tenuipalpidae) associated with ornamental plants in Distrito Federal, Brazil

Brevipalpus mites colonize a great number of fruit and ornamental plants. Mite species belonging to this genus have been associated with many plant viruses. Citrus leprosis (CiLV) is the most economically important virus transmitted by B. phoenicis mites. It has recently been shown that ornamental plant species can be alternative hosts of this virus. The high volume of trade and frequent movement of live ornamental plants make them efficient pest disseminators. Because of this, it is desirable to expand knowledge of potential pests aiming to guide the adoption of quarantine measures. This work reports ornamental plant hosts of Brevipalpus mites in the Distrito Federal (DF), as well the occurrence of symptoms consistent with Brevipalpus-borne plant viruses in these same hosts. Between July and September of 2005, five surveys were carried out in 14 localities within DF. Leaves and branches of fifty-five ornamental plant species were sampled. The species Pithecellobium avaremotemo Mart. is for the first time reported as a host for B. phoenicis (Geijskes), B. californicus Banks and B. obovatus Donnadieu species. Additionally, seven new species are reported as hosts for Brevipalpus within South America. New hosts are also listed for individual mite species. Typical symptoms of Brevipalpus-borne viruses were observed in Ligustrum sinense Lour., Pelargonium hortorum L.H. Bailey, Hibiscus rosa-sinensis L. and orchids (Dendrobium and Oncidium). The results of this work emphasize the potential role of the ornamental plants as vehicles for dissemination of Brevipalpus mites.     

Morphological Observations on Brevipalpus phoenicis (Acari: Tenuipalpidae) Including Comparisons with B. californicus and B. obovatus

The genus Brevipalpus has over 300 species worldwide. The three most important agricultural pest species in the genus, Brevipalpus californicus (Banks), B. obovatus Donnadieu, and B. phoenicis (Geijskes), have been consistently confused and misidentified for more than 50 years. The present study provides a discussion of the characters and character states used to separate these mites. Low-temperature scanning electron microscopy and traditional light microscopy techniques were used to illustrate the subtle morphological differences between these three species. Morphology of the dorsal propodosoma, opisthosoma, and leg chaetotaxy of all three species was examined and compared. The number of dorsal setae, the number of solenidia (omega) on tarsus II, and dorsal cuticular patterns were the most important characters in the identification of Brevipalpus species. B. phoenicis is similar to B. californicus in having two omega on tarsus leg II and different from B. obovatus which has only one omega on tarsus leg II and similar to B. obovatus in having only one pair of F setae (f3), but differing from B. californicus which has two pairs of F setae (f2-3). The dorsal opisthosomal and propodisomal cuticular patterns frequently used to distinguish between these three species are useful but one must be aware that age, feeding, and mounting techniques can affect the appearance of these characters.     

Evaluation of the predatory mite Amblyseius hainanensis (Acari: Phytoseiidae) and artificial rainfall for the management of Brevipalpus obovatus (Acari: Tenuipalpidae)

Brevipalpus obovatus Donnadieu is an important pest mite on tea plants in South China. In the current study, predatory mites of B. obovatus in the tea gardens of Guangzhou were extensively surveyed. In total, 13 species of predatory mites (four families with seven genera) were recorded. The population proportion of Amblyseius hainanensis Wu et Qian was the highest (68.6?%), followed by that of Anystis baccarum (L.) (8.4?%) and A. theae Wu (6.3?%). The effects of starvation time, habitat size and pest population density on the predatory efficiency of the most dominant species, A. hainanensis, feeding on B. obovatus were assessed. In addition, the effectiveness of artificial rainfall in reducing B. obovatus populations was evaluated. After starvation for 48?h, the predatory efficiency of A. hainanensis was significantly higher than those that had been starved for 24 or 72?h when 30-50 B. obovatus eggs were made available. The predation of A. hainanensis on B. obovatus also increased with increasing prey density. The number of prey attacked by A. hainanensis in a 3.2?cm(2) habitat was significantly higher than in a 6.3?cm(2) habitat. The average predation of A. hainanensis was 31.7 eggs per day when offered 100 B. obovatus eggs on a tea leaf. This decreased to 17.8 eggs per day when four A. hainanensis shared 100 B. obovatus eggs. B. obovatus populations can be reduced by artificial rainfall, with the reduction affected by rainfall intensity. With an intensity of 40?mm in 15?min, 90.2?% mortality of B. obovatus occurred; lower mortalities were recorded (13.3 and 29.8?%) when the intensity was 2 or 4?mm in 15?min. Combination of the predatory mite A. hainanensis and artificial rainfall for the integrated pest management of B. obovatus is discussed.     

Reproductive performance of the mite Brevipalpus phoenicis (Geijskes, 1939) on citrus and coffee, using life table parameters.

The flat-mite Brevipalpus phoenicis (Geijskes, 1939) (Acari: Tenuipalpidae) is considered important in citrus (Citrus spp.) and coffee plants (Coffea spp.) in Brazil, and is known as the leprosis and coffee ring spot mite, as being a vector of the Citrus Leprosis Rhabdovirus - CitLV and Coffee Ring Spot Virus - CoRSV. The objective of this work is to find out about the reproductive success of B. phoenicis on citric fruits and coffee leaves by fertility life table parameters and its biology. The experiments were carried out in laboratory conditions at 25 +/- 2 degrees C, 70 +/- 10% of relative humidity and 14 h of photophase. The lengths of embryonic and post-embryonic periods were different due to the host where the mite was reared. B. phoenicis showed better development and higher survival and fecundity in citric fruits than coffee leaves. The intrinsic rate of the population increase (r(m)) was 0.128 and 0.090 - females/female/day on citric fruits and coffee leaves, respectively. The citric fruits were more appropriate for the development of B. phoenicis than coffee leaves.     

Citrus Leprosis and its Status in Florida and Texas: Past and Present

According to published reports from 1906 to 1968, leprosis nearly destroyed the Florida citrus industry prior to 1925. This was supported with photographs showing typical leprosis symptoms on citrus leaves, fruit, and twigs. Support for the past occurrence of citrus leprosis in Florida includes: (1) presence of twig lesions in affected orange blocks in addition to lesions on fruits and leaves and corresponding absence of similar lesions on grapefruit; (2) yield reduction and die-back on infected trees; and (3) spread of the disease between 1906 and 1925. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) examination of tissue samples from leprosis-like injuries to orange and grapefruit leaves from Florida in 1997, and fruits from grapefruit and sweet orange varieties from Texas in 1999 and 2000 did not contain leprosis-like viral particles or viroplasm inclusions. In contrast, leprosis viroplasm inclusions were readily identified by TEM within green non-senescent tissues surrounding leprosis lesions in two of every three orange leaf samples and half of the fruit samples obtained from Piracicaba, Brazil. Symptoms of leprosis were not seen in any of the 24,555 orange trees examined across Florida during 2001 and 2002. The authors conclude that citrus leprosis no longer exists in Florida nor occurs in Texas citrus based on: (1) lack of leprosis symptoms on leaves, fruit, and twigs of sweet orange citrus varieties surveyed in Florida: (2) failure to find virus particles or viroplasm inclusion bodies in suspect samples from both Florida and Texas examined by TEM; (3) absence of documented reports by others on the presence of characteristic leprosis symptoms in Florida; (4) lack of its documented occurrence in dooryard trees or abandoned or minimal pesticide citrus orchard sites in Florida. In view of the serious threat to citrus in the U.S., every effort must be taken to quarantine the importation of both citrus and woody ornamental plants that serve as hosts for Brevipalpus phoenicis (Geijskes), B. californicus (Banks), and B. obovatus Donnadieu (Acari: Tenuipalpidae) from countries where citrus leprosis occurs.     

Worldwide host plants of the highly polyphagous, invasive Epiphyas postvittana (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae)

The light brown apple moth, Epiphyas postvittana (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), is a highly successful biological invader. It was accidentally introduced to several countries including New Zealand, Hawaii, England, and California. Light brown apple moth attacks a wide range of crop plants and other woody and herbaceous plants, but a more comprehensive analysis of its host range is needed for risk assessments, to evaluate the likely economic and environmental impacts, and to enable targeting of particular plant species for detection surveys and treatments. We reviewed and synthesized the host range and host selection behavior of light brown apple moth by using information from Australia and invaded countries. The host range of light brown apple moth is determined by the behavior of both adult females and larvae. Females use visual, chemical and physical cues to choose host plants. Larvae are capable of limited active dispersal by walking and longer range dispersal by ballooning on silken strands; therefore, larvae also may need to select host plants. We review larval performance indicators across a range of plants. Based on our review, there are at least 545 plant species in 363 genera from 121 families that have been reported as hosts of light brown apple moth. Some plants were reported only once and need verification. Nevertheless, many host plant species and their wide phylogenetic range (from ferns to higher dicotyledons) indicates that light brown apple moth is one of the most polyphagous insects known. This information and our categorization of frequency of host use are valuable for incursion response and pest management activities.     

惠州西湖风景名胜区维管植物资源与多样性研究

为了明确惠州西湖风景名胜区维管植物资源及多样性特征,该研究通过野外实地调查和文献查阅,统计惠州西湖风景名胜区维管植物种类构成及其科、属、种层面的具体组成,并分析其分布区类型、濒危物种、药用植物和水生植物状况。结果表明:(1)惠州西湖风景名胜区共有维管植物169科650属1 061种,其中被子植物种类最丰富,有145科613属1 002种,科、属、种数分别占总数的85.80%、94.30%、94.44%;裸子植物9科20属36种,科、属、种数分别占总数的5.33%、3.10%、3.39%;蕨类植物15科17属23种,科、属和种数分别占总数的8.88%、2.60%、2.17%。(2)惠州西湖风景名胜区植物资源的优势科明显,含10种及以上的科有29科653种,占总种数的61.55%,其中菊科最多(有63种),禾本科次之(有60种);研究区有单属、种的植物442种,表明单种或少数种的科在研究区维管植物中占大多数。(3)惠州西湖风景名胜区有种子植物154科,分属13个分布区类型,其中泛热带分布区类型有60科,所占的比例最高(55.56%),表明该区种子植物具有明显的热带特性,其种子植物区系以热带分布为主。(4)惠州西湖风景名胜区有珍稀濒危植物29种(其中国家保护植物26种),药用植物702种,水生植物150种。研究表明,惠州西湖风景名胜区维管植物资源种类丰富,多样性程度高,应特别加强植物资源的保护和利用以及生态景观的建设。     

Effects of radiation (Cobalt-60) on the elimination of Brevipalpus phoenicis (Acari: Tenuipalpidae) Cardinium endosymbiont

Brevipalpus phoenicis (Geijskes) (Acari: Tenuipalpidae) is a polyphagous mite with worldwide distribution and it is also a vector of several plant viruses. In citrus, B. phoenicis transmits Citrus leprosis virus (CiLV), the causal agent of leprosis, a disease that costs millions of dollars per year for its prevention and control. Brevipalpus phoenicis mites reproduce through thelytokous parthenogenesis, producing haploid females. This characteristic is attributable to the presence of an endosymbiont bacterium of the genus Cardinium; however, very little is known about the biological and ecological implications of the presence of this endosymbiont in Brevipalpus mites. In order to investigate the role of Cardinium in the transmission of CiLV to citrus plants, our goal was to eliminate the bacterium from the mite. We assessed the effectiveness of different doses of radiation from a Cobalt-60 source to cure B. phoenicis populations from Cardinium sp. The efficiency of irradiation on the elimination of the endosymbiont was determined by counting the number of females and males obtained in the F(1) generation after irradiation and confirming the presence of the endosymbiont by PCR. Both radiation treatments influenced the oviposition period and the number of eggs laid by irradiated females. Also, irradiation eliminated the Cardinium endosymbiont and increased the number of males in progeny of the exposed populations. Although macroscopic morphological abnormalities were not observed among the treated mites, the mortality was higher compared to the non-irradiated control group.     

Study on Infectivity of the Nodule Endophyte of Some Non-Leguminous N2-Fixing Plants

Cross inoculations were made with Frankia spp. from the nodules of non-leguminous plants belonging to different families, genera and species. The results showed that there are no apparent host specificity in these strains. Under general cases, many strains can nodulate plants in different families, genera and species, but there also are some special results. Both infective ability of the same strains on diffierent host and the different strains on the same host are different. Different isolates from the same host plant were found in certain cases to have various degrees of infectivity. If the original host plant was replaced by others, both these Frankia infective ability and nitrogenase activity in new symbiotic system were lower. The strains that are higher N2-fixing activity in the nodules of the original host also possess stronger N2-fixing activity in the nodules of other hosts. Under test condition, there are positive correlation between the number of the nodules of host plants and N2-fixing activity of the root nodules. The morphology of the spores of the strains in the nodules of new host plant also change more or less.     

Trophic associations and specialization of phytophagous beetles (Coleoptera: Chrysomeloidea,Curculionoidea) in the east of the Russian Plain

Data on the trophic associations of beetles with plants in the east of the Russian Plain are summarized and comparative analysis of host specialization of different groups of phytophagous beetles is performed. In terms of the width of the regional trophic spectrum, monophages and narrow oligophages prevail among the Curculionoidea as a whole and in the families Curculionidae and Apionidae in particular, while moderate and broad oligophages prevail in the Chrysomeloidea and in the family Chrysomelidae. Two-thirds of the regional fauna (66%) of Curculionoidea are closely associated with plants of one genus; by contrast, in Chrysomeloidea almost 40% of the species can develop on plants from different genera of one family, the fraction of the narrowly specialized forms comprising only 43%. The higher level of trophic specialization of weevils (Curculionidae, Apionidae) and seed beetles (Bruchidae), as compared to leaf beetles (Chrysomelidae), is probably due to the larval endophagy of most species of these families. Analysis of the distribution of beetles over host plants has shown that the specialized forms are associated with plants of 65 families (about 60% of the regional flora in the east of the Russian Plain). Distribution of beetles over plant families is very non-uniform. Most of the specialized forms (78%) are associated with plants of 15 families, three of which (Asteraceae, Fabaceae, and Brassicaceae) include hosts of more than onethird of the beetle species (37%). Monophages and narrow oligophages are recorded on 201 genera of plants from 59 families. Polyphagous species are recorded on plants of 58 families. The specific features of the distribution of phytophagous beetles over host plants (as compared to other insects) is a high fraction of species developing on coenophobes (particularly those of the family Brassicaceae) typical of the pioneer stages of successions with sparse herbaceous cover, and a small number of species associated with grasses and sedges. These features are most conspicuous in the fauna of Curculionidae.     

PHYLOGENY AND THE EVOLUTION OF HOST PLANT ASSOCIATIONS IN THE LEAF BEETLE GENUS OPHRAELLA (COLEOPTERA,CHRYSOMELIDAE)

Species of Ophraella, a North American genus of leaf beetles (Chrysomelidae), feed variously on eight genera in four tribes of Asteraceae. A phylogenetic analysis, based on morphological features and allozymes, was undertaken to deduce the history of host affiliation within the genus. The two data sets are combined to arrive at a provisional phylogeny of the species, onto which host associations are parsimoniously mapped. Among and within the 12 species studied, at least two shifts are postulated to have occurred among congeneric plant species, five between genera in the same tribe, and four between different tribes of Asteraceae. The phylogeny of Ophraella appears not to be congruent with that of its hosts. This and other evidence indicates that many host shifts in Ophraella postdate the divergence of the host plants, a conclusion that may apply commonly to phytophagous insects. A phenetic analysis of the plants' secondary compounds provides modest support for the hypothesis that host shifts are facilitated by commonalities in plant chemistry. A possible trend in host shifts is evident, from chemically simpler to chemically more forbidding plants. The chemical barriers to host shifts in Ophraella appear to require adaptation in both behavior and in physiological attributes. There is no evidence that the host associations of these insects or the divergence in secondary chemistry of their hosts can be attributed to coevolution.     

几种非豆科植物根瘤内生菌侵染特征的研究

自不同科、属、种的非豆科植物根瘤分离内生菌,对其寄主植物进行了交叉侵染,结果表明,这些Frankia菌对不同寄主的侵染没有明显的专一性,供试菌可以进行跨越科、属、种的侵染,但有的菌株对于某些植物的侵染,可能存在一些特殊情况,相同菌株对不同植物的侵染能力,以及不同菌株对同一寄主的侵染能力是有差异的。从同一种植物根瘤中分离的不同菌株,侵染能力也有高低之分,供试菌随寄主植物的改变,侵染能力及所建立的共生系统固氮活性有所降低,侵染原寄主植物所形成的根瘤固氮活性较高的菌株,在改变寄主后所形成的根瘤固氮活性也比较高,在一定条件下,寄主植物的结瘤量与根瘤固氮活性呈正相关,而侵染不同寄主后,根瘤中菌体孢子的表面结构也发生了一定变化。     

福建省蚜虫类昆虫多样性研究

在已有标本采集记录和资料的基础上,从分类阶元、寄主植物、寄生方式和寄生部位等角度探讨了福建省蚜虫类昆虫的物种多样性.福建省蚜虫已知9科80属164种,东洋区种类占明显优势;寄主植物种类繁多,涉及60科158属;寄生方式为3种,不形成虫瘿、形成虫瘿和形成伪虫瘿;寄生部位多样化,以叶片、茎、嫩尖、嫩枝为主要寄生部位.福建省植物物种多样性特点决定了福建省蚜虫类物种多样性特点,很好的反映了蚜虫和其寄主植物的密切关系.     

秦岭南坡中段种子植物多样性研究

初步调查统计秦岭南坡中段有种子植物 1 55科 ,81 5属 ,约 2 1 84种 ,分别占秦岭总科数的 96.2 7% ,总属数的 80 .69% ,总种数的 63.32 %。其中有国家保护植物 31种 ,中国种子植物特有属 34属。属的地理分布类型多 ,有 1 5个分布型及 2 1个变型 ,其中温带成分和热带成分分别占该区总属数的 30 .66%和 64.79%。科的组成中含 1 0 0种以上的有 3科 ,50～ 1 0 0种的有 7科 ,5～ 2种的有 4 4科 ,含 1种的有 34科。秦岭南坡中段是生物多样性丰富的区域之一。论述了种子植物物种多样性 ,生活型多样性和属的分布区类型的多样性等。同时对该段生物多样性的保护与持续发展对策进行了探讨。     

Does host‐plant diversity explain species richness in insects? A test using Coccidae (Hemiptera)

1. The megadiverse herbivores and their host plants are a major component of biodiversity, and their interactions have been hypothesised to drive the diversification of both. 2. If plant diversity influences the diversity of insects, there is an expectation that insect species richness will be strongly correlated with host‐plant species richness. This should be observable at two levels (i) more diverse host‐plant groups should harbour more species of insects, and (ii) the species richness of a group of insects should correlate with the richness of the host groups it uses. However, such a correlation is also consistent with a hypothesis of random host use, in which insects encounter and use hosts in proportion to the diversity of host plants. Neither of these expectations has been widely tested. 3. These expectations were tested using data from a species‐rich group of insects – the Coccidae (Hemiptera). 4. Significant positive correlations were found between the species richness of coccid clades (genera) and the species richness of the host‐plant family or families upon which the clades occur. On a global scale, more closely related plant families have more similar communities of coccid genera but the correlation is weak. 5. Random host use could not be rejected for many coccids but randomisation tests and similarity of coccid communities on closely related plant families show that there is non‐random host use in some taxa. Overall, our results support the idea that plant diversity is a driver of species richness of herbivorous insects, probably via escape‐and‐radiate or oscillation‐type processes.     

广东佛山维管植物资源调查与分析

本文报道广东省佛山市维管植物概况。据调查统计,佛山共有维管植物239科832属1813种。其中蕨类植物40科63属96种,裸子植物13科28属41种,被子植物278科979属1676种。在佛山市野生植物中,药用植物421种、食用植物100种、芳香植物24种、油脂植物61种、纤维植物61种、淀粉植物8种、树脂植物1种、鞣料植物30种、色素植物8种、材用植物90种、观赏植物123种。佛山市有野生的国家级重点保护植物15种,列入珍稀濒危和红色名录的种类有金毛狗Cibotium barometz、桫椤Alsophila spinulosa等20种。结合佛山市自然和社会条件特点,对佛山市植物资源的开发利用和保护提出建议。     

江西九岭山脉种子植物区系研究

九岭山脉植物区系发生历史悠久,对研究我国早期种子植物演化、动植物迁徙、物种分布格局均具有重要作用.为探讨九岭山脉种子植物区系成因和濒危保护植物的保护利用,该文通过野外调查、标本采集和鉴定,结合经典植物地理学方法,对该山脉种子植物区系进行了研究.结果表明:(1)九岭山脉共有野生种子植物211科956属2928种,占江西种...     

Variation of butterfly diet breadth in relation to host-plant predictability: results from two faunas

Host‐plant data for North American and Australian butterflies were used to test the hypothesis that larval diet breadth increases with decreasing resource predictability (where the latter was estimated by host‐plant growth‐form/duration). For each region in turn we compared the diet breadths of butterflies which utilise herbaceous host‐plants with those of species having woody hosts. For North America alone we also compared the diet breadths of species having annual hosts with those utilising perennial hosts, and the diets of species having herbaceous‐annual hosts with those using woody‐perennial hosts. Studies of diet breadth may be biased by the host taxonomic level which contributes most to the diet index used. For example, the results of analyses which employ indices based on numbers of families of hosts utilised may differ from those using indices based on counts of host species or genera. To investigate this potential problem we performed cross‐species analyses where diet breadth was defined in turn as the number of host species, genera, or families eaten. We found that using different taxonomic levels did give inconsistent results. To avoid this we employed phylogenetic diet breadth indices in comparative analyses of Independent Contrasts. The former incorporate information from the whole of the host‐plant phylogeny, whilst the comparative method eliminates any confounding effects of butterfly phylogeny. The results indicated that there is a phylogenetic component to butterfly diet breadth. They also largely differed from those of the cross‐species investigations, although there were similarities (i.e. results differed between regions and varied according to whether the whole fauna or just endemics were investigated). Our results suggested that in both regions, non‐endemics which feed on herbaceous plants have wider diet breadths than non‐endemics which utilise woody hosts. However, we found no consistent evidence that the diet breadths of endemics increase with decreasing resource predictability (as estimated here).     

湖南武陵源种子植物区系初步研究

武陵源共有种子植物171科、742属、1468种(含栽培种,下同)。其中裸子植物8科、24属、39种;被子植物163科、718属、1429种。在科属种不同的水平上对武陵源种子植物区系特征进行了较深入的统计分析,结果表明：武陵源种子植物区系属的成分中,北温带分布类型占明显优势,共有389属,热带分布类型次之,共289属,东亚和中国特有分布也是非常重要的区系成分之一,共139属。可见,武陵源植物区系不仅兼容了丰富的热带和温带成分,而且还显示出其在华中植物区系中的重要位置。另外武陵源植物区系还有许多珍稀、古老、孑遗、原始植物成分。