Treating hop plants with (Z)-jasmone increases colonization by Phorodon humuli (Hemiptera: Aphididae) spring migrants

Hop plants were sprayed with (Z)-jasmone, at a rate of 50 g ha(-1), during the spring migration of the damson-hop aphid Phorodon humuli (Schrank) in 2002 and 2003. Numbers of P. humuli spring migrants colonizing hop plants, Humulus lupulus L., 2-6 and 7-11 days after applying this treatment were assessed in both years. During the first five-day period, significantly more spring migrants were found on hop plants treated with (Z)-jasmone, in comparison with control plants, in 2002. By contrast, no significant difference was evident in the second five-day period. Although the migration in 2003 was much lighter than in 2002, greater numbers of migrants were again removed from treated plants. Indeed, more spring migrants were removed from plants sprayed with (Z)-jasmone in this year during both five-day periods (11 and 44%, respectively) compared with the 23% greater numbers removed in the first five-day period in 2002. Therefore, unlike some other species of aphid, where numbers were consistently lower on plots sprayed with (Z)-jasmone, spraying the secondary host of P. humuli with this compound appears to increase colonization by spring migrants.     

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.     

幼虫期短时高温暴露对二点委夜蛾存活和繁殖的影响

【目的】随着全球气候变暖,夏季短时极端高温发生的频率逐渐增加。本研究旨在探明二点委夜蛾Athetis lepigone幼虫期对高温的适应性。【方法】将二点委夜蛾不同日龄(1,6,12和18日龄)幼虫在不同高温(35,38和41℃)条件下暴露不同时间(0.5,1,2,4和6 h)后转移至适温(26℃)继续饲养,观察短时高温对其存活率、发育历期、化蛹率、羽化率、雌虫寿命、单雌产卵量及次代卵孵化率的影响。【结果】幼虫期短时高温暴露的温度和时间对二点委夜蛾幼虫的存活率和发育历期有显著影响,而对化蛹率、成虫羽化率、雌虫寿命、单雌产卵量以及次代卵孵化率影响不显著。随着温度的升高和处理时间的延长,幼虫存活率逐渐降低,发育历期逐渐延长。其中,18日龄的幼虫最为敏感,38℃和41℃暴露6 h后存活率分别为58.3%和17.7%,显著低于对照,发育历期分别为25.5 d和29.2 d,较对照显著延长。【结论】幼虫期经历短时高温暴露仅对幼虫的存活和发育历期有影响,而对后续蛹和成虫的生长发育及成虫繁殖力没有影响。     

短须滑爪蜉成虫的首次描述及其稚虫的重新描述(蜉蝣目,四节蜉科)

首次描述了采自中国香港的短须滑爪蜉Cloeodes longisetosus(Braasch and Soldán)的成虫形态及重新描述了该种的稚虫形态.所有成虫标本由稚虫在实验室内饲养而成.对于短须滑爪蜉稚虫的研究进一步明确了该种在滑爪蜉属Cloeodes中的地位.短须滑爪蜉的稚虫与同属其它种类的主要区别是下颚须极短.短须滑爪蜉雄性成虫外生殖器的尾铗基部具有一块近长方形的突起,这一特征在同属其它已知成虫中是很独特的.这也表明类似这种特征在滑爪蜉属中也许存在或不存在.     

Prevalence of parasitism and adult survival time of Aedes albifasciatus (Diptera: Culicidae) parasitized by Strelkovimermis spiculatus (Nematoda: Mermithidae)

We described the carryover of Strelkovimermis spiculatus (Poinar and Camino) (Nematoda: Mermithidae) from mosquito larvae, the primary site of maturation, to adults. We analyzed the survival time of male and female Aedes albifasciatus (Macquart) (Diptera: Culicidae) parasitized by S. spiculatus, the time of emergence of nematodes from adult mosquitoes, and the state of parasitism in the same mosquito cohorts during the immature stages. Mosquito larvae with single and multiple parasitism (up to 11 parasites) were observed. The mortality of mosquito larvae and adults was produced in all cases where at least one mermithid emerged. The mortality of S. spiculatus showed an increasing trend in mosquito larvae with larger numbers of nematodes and was higher in larvae parasitized by eight or more nematodes. Maximum survival of parasitized adult females of Ae. albifasciatus was 38 days, while non‐parasitized adult males and females survived 39 and 41 days, respectively. Strelkovimermis spiculatus mortality was observed in Ae. albifasciatus larvae with single or multiple parasitisms. The spread of mermithid parasitism in adult mosquito populations is discussed.     

Unusual finding of encapsulated nematode larvae (Spiruroidea) in Bartramia longicauda and Numenius americanus (Charadriiformes) in western Canada

Third-stage spiruroid larvae were found encapsulated on the serosa of the small and large intestines and in the mesentery of one of 15 adult upland sandpipers (Bartramia longicauda) from Manitoba, Canada, and three of 18 adult long-billed curlews (Numenius americanus) from Alberta, Canada. The larvae resemble third-stage larvae of Physocephalus sexalatus and birds may serve as a paratenic host of this unidentified spiruroid species.     

Biology of Campoletis chlorideae (Uchida) (Hym., Ichneumonidae) developing in Bt-treated, Bt-resistant Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) (Lep., Noctuidae) larvae

Abstract:  Life history parameters in two generations of endoparasitoid Campoletis chlorideae (Uchida) were examined using Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt)-resistant Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) larvae feeding on B. thuringiensis toxin Cry1Ac. In the laboratory, Bt toxin was fed to Bt-resistant host larvae continuously in case of Bt treatment and only before or after the host larvae were parasitized in Bt–P and P–Bt treatments, respectively. C. chlorideae pupae developed faster in Bt treatment than non-Bt treatment. The shortened pupal stage duration was mainly because of the feeding of host larvae on Bt-diet before being parasitized. Body length of adult male C. chlorideae developed inside Bt-treated Bt-resistant (Bt–Bt) H. armigera larvae significantly decreased, especially in host larvae feeding on Bt-diet after being parasitized. However, survival, pupal mortality and adult longevity of C. chlorideae were almost unaffected in Bt-resistant H. armigera larvae feeding on Bt-toxin. Furthermore, Bt-treated host larvae had the same effect on the F₁ progeny of C. chlorideae as the previous generation, and there was no significant difference between generations. This experiment suggests that there is very limited effect on the life history parameters in two generations of C. chlorideae parasitizing Bt–Bt H. armigera larvae. But both generations of C. chlorideae are affected when Bt-resistant H. armigera larvae fed on Bt toxin for different durations.     

A key to larvae and pupae of Sericostoma personatum (Spence) and Notidobia ciliaris (Linné) (Sericostomatidae : Trichoptera) in Britain

SUMMARY. Certain larvae and pupae have been identified as Notidobia ciliaris (Linné) by rearing field-collected larvae to the adult stage and by rearing larvae from eggs laid by a female in captivity. The larvae differ in many important respects from larvae of this species described by earlier workers. Characters are provided to distinguish these larvae and their associated pupae from those of Sericostoma personatum (Spence). The habitat and distribution of both species in Britain is outlined.     

Influence of Host Nutrients on the Parasitic Development of Mermis nigrescens (Mermithidae)

Schistocerca gregaria nymphs and adults of both sexes were infected with eggs of Mermis nigrescens. Mermithid larvae grew more slowly in nymphal hosts, and emerging larvae were smaller than those from adult hosts. The longer the larvae remained in the host, the greater their size. Those developing in adult female hosts were longest. Single mermithid larvae that were transferred to a second host continued to grow and were significantly longer at emergence than larvae that developed solely in one host. In adult hosts that were infected with 40-300 M. nigrescens eggs, the percentage of mermithids that became males was strongly dependent on host weight at infective doses of 90 eggs or more. Results are discussed in relation to nutrient stress on the larvae and its importance in developing in vitro culture techniques.     

黑色软蚧蚜小蜂生物学特性研究

黑色软蚧蚜小蜂Coccophagus yoshidae Nakayama在四川雅安地区一年发生6～7代,以低龄幼虫和蛹在网纹绵蚧2、3龄雌若虫和雌成虫体内越冬。该蜂的发育起点温度和有效积温分别为8.40℃和456.09日度。18℃、21℃、24℃、27℃和30℃恒温条件下的平均世代历期分别为44.60天、38.27天、30.83天、23.73天和20.73天。成虫需取食网纹绵蚧体液作补充营养。生殖方式为产雌孤雌生殖。成蜂羽化高峰在羽化后的第3～6天,每日的羽化高峰出现在8：00～12：00时。成蜂寿命及平均每蜂子代出蜂数量与补充营养和温度关系密切。该蜂对寄主有一定的选择性,偏好寄生较大的雌成虫,其次是2、3龄雌若虫。     

Intraspecific competition effects on Aethina tumida (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae)

Two kinds of experiments were conducted with Aethina tumida Murray larvae over four temperatures: "consumption" experiments, in which larvae and diet were weighed to determine food consumption rates under conditions of unlimited food and few conspecifics; and "competition" experiments, in which varying numbers of larvae were presented with the same amount of honey and pollen diet, and larval weight at final instar was used to determine competition effects. In consumption experiments temperature, diet and their interaction all had significant effects on the ratio of larval weight to the weight of food consumed, which was higher at 24 degrees C than at any other temperature. In competition experiments, three relationships were examined and modeled: that between the number of larvae per experimental unit and the average weight of those larvae; that between average larval and adult weights; and that between average adult weight and survivorship to adult (emergence rate). An exponential decay function was fit to the relationship between number of larvae per experimental unit and their average weight. Average adult weight was linearly correlated with larval weight. Likewise, emergence rates for adults < 11.6 mg in weight were linearly correlated with adult weights, but no significant relationship was observed for heavier adults. Using these relationships, the reproductive potential for A. tumida were estimated for a frame of honey and pollen. Information on resource acquisition by A. tumida will be useful in evaluating the impact of different factors on beetle population dynamics, such as bee hygienic behavior or control strategies used by the beekeeper.     

Rearing of the fruit fly parasitoid Diachasmimorpha longicaudata (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) on X-ray irradiated larvae of Ceratitis capitata (Diptera: Tephritidae)

We evaluated the effects of X-ray irradiation on larvae of Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann) (Diptera: Tephritidae), with the aim of finding a treatment that prevented adult fly emergence, yet did not adversely affect larval quality as rearing hosts for the parasitoid Diachasmimorpha longicaudata (Ashmead) (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae). Two experiments were carried out. In the first experiment, small numbers of larvae were held in Petri dishes with and without small amounts of rearing media and then irradiated with doses of X-rays ranging from 0 to 8333.6 R (equivalent to 80 Gy). In the second experiment, higher numbers of larvae were held in a manner resembling mass-rearing conditions, and were then irradiated with X-rays ranging from 0 to 10,417 R (equivalent to 100 Gy). In both experiments, the only factor that significantly affected fly emergence was irradiation of larvae. Fly emergence decreased markedly as the irradiation dose increased, and complete suppression of fly emergence was achieved at 6250.2 R (equivalent to 60 Gy) when larvae were irradiated in small batches with or without rearing media. Irradiation also affected the fertility of those flies that did emerge following treatment. In the second experiment, we found the parasitoids reared from irradiated larvae produced a higher parasitism rate and a higher number of female offspring than did parasitoids reared from control (non-irradiated) larvae. Mean fecundity of F1 parasitoids reared from irradiated larvae were affected positively by irradiation only at the 8333.6 R (80 Gy) dose. Our results show that X-ray irradiation can be used to inhibit fruit fly adult emergence and that irradiated larvae are at least as good a rearing substrate as non-irradiated larvae. Future studies should focus on the adjustment of our findings to a mass-rearing scale.     

美丽青背姬小蜂生物学特性研究

美丽青背姬小蜂Chrysonotomyiaformosa（Westwood）是美洲斑潜蝇的优势天敌,在美洲 斑潜蝇的自然控制中发挥着非常重要的作用。本文对其生物学进行了研究,结果表明：在实验 温度范围内,随着温度的升高,寄生蜂羽化趋早,羽化时间更集中,羽化高峰也更明显;随着 温度的升高,成蜂的寿命逐渐缩短。在提供清水时,寄主可以显著地延长雌蜂的寿命;在有寄 主时,提供10%蜂蜜水,雌蜂的寿命显著延长。美丽青背姬小蜂对3龄寄主幼虫有偏好,对3龄寄 主幼虫的致死率和寄生率都高于对1～2龄寄主幼虫的,且产下后代的雌雄性比为5.11∶1。在 实验温度范围内,发育历期随温度的升高而缩短。     

Intraspecific competition of Glyptotendipes paripes (Diptera: Chironomidae) larvae under laboratory conditions

Glyptotendipes paripes larvae were reared in wells of tissue culture plates, in groups of 2, 4, 8, 16, and 32 (representing densities of about 1,300, 2,600, 5,200, 10,400, and 20,800 larvae per m², respectively). Larval groups were supplied with one of two concentrations (low or high) of food and larvae were individually observed to evaluate the effects of density on mortality, growth, development, behavior, and adult body size. Increased larval densities resulted in higher mortality, as well as slower larval growth and development. The distribution of developmental time became flatter at higher density, with a wider range of values, or even became bimodal. This was a consequence of the most rapidly developing individuals at higher densities emerging as adults sooner than the fastest developing individuals at lower densities, although overall mean developmental time was longer at higher densities. At higher densities, growth and development of smaller larvae were slowed, based on the relative difference in body length between competitors. When larger competitors emerged as adults or died, the growth of smaller larvae may have accelerated, resulting in increased variability of developmental times. The effect of larval density on adult body size was complex, with the largest body size found at the lowest density and a second peak of adult size at high-middle densities, with smaller adult body sizes found at low-middle, and high densities. Similarly, as with developmental time, the range of body size increased with increasing density. Examined food concentrations had no effect on larval mortality, but significantly affected developmental time, growth rate, and adult body size. At higher densities, larvae spent more time gathering food and were engaged in aggressive or antagonistic behaviors.     

Larval photoresponses of the polyclad flatworm Maritigrella crozieri (Platyhelminthes,Polycladida) (Hyman)

Phototaxis by larvae of the flatworm Maritigrella crozieri was used to determine spectral sensitivity, the ontogeny of the phototactic pattern, and the lowest light intensity to induce a directional response (intensity threshold). Adult M. crozieri live in shallow water with the tunicate Ecteinascidia turbinata and have a planktonic larval phase lasting longer than 3 weeks. The primary spectral sensitivity maximum was at 500 nm, which is probably an adaptation to the spectrum available underwater at twilight. The phototactic threshold changed with age, as dark-adapted, 1-week-old larvae had a threshold (1.84×10¹⁷ photons m⁻² s⁻¹) an order of magnitude higher than that of 3-week-old larvae. Flatworm larvae are relatively insensitive to light as compared to other invertebrate larvae. Young larvae were positively phototactic at high light intensities and negative at low, a pattern typical of a predator avoidance shadow response. In contrast, older larvae were only positively phototactic, which would be useful for transport to shallow-water adult habitats.     

In vitro rearing Oestrus caucasicus third-instar larvae and pupae (Diptera: Oestridae) from naturally-infested Iberian ibex, Capra Pyrenaica (Artiodactyla: Bovidae)

Third-instar Oestrus caucasicus larvae (n = 236) obtained from Iberian ibex, Copra pyrenaica, were reared in a laboratory to obtain adult flies. They were maintained at a temperature of 21.9 +/- 2.7 degrees C and a relative humidity of 38.9 +/- 8.0 %. In all, 78 imagos emerged (33.1 %), with a sex-ratio at emergence not differing significantly from 1:1; 25 larvae did not complete pupariation. A total of 14 adult flies (17.9 % of the adults obtained) showed malformations, mainly in their wings. The pupariation period lasted around 30 hours and the pupal stage lasted on average 29.8 +/- 6.8 days. The success of pupation in both sexes was mainly determined by the weight of the larvae. Sexual dimorphism, with higher weights in females, was evident in third-instar arvae, pupae and adults. The mean longevity of adult flies was 224.8 +/- 91.4 hours and males generally survived for onger than the females.     

Laboratory evaluation of Mesocyclops annulatus (Wierzejski, 1892) (Copepoda: Cyclopidea) as a predator of container-breeding mosquitoes in Argentina

In laboratory bioassays we tested the predatory capacity of the copepod Mesocyclops annulatus on Aedes aegypti and Culex pipiens larvae. A single adult female of M. annulatus caused 51.6% and 52.3% mortality of 50 first instar larvae of Ae. aegypti and Cx. pipiens respectively, in a 72 h test period. When alternative food was added to the containers, mortality rates declined to 16% and 10.3% for Ae. aegypti and Cx. pipiens respectively. When 50 first instar larvae of each of the two mosquito species tested were placed together with a single adult female of M. annulatus, mortality rates were 75.5% for Ae. aegypti larvae and 23.5% for Cx. pipiens larvae in a three day test period. Different density of adult females of M. annulatus ranged from 5 to 25 females produced mortality rates of Ae. aegypti first instar larvae from 50% to 100% respectively. When a single adult female of M. annulatus was exposed to an increasing number of first-instar Ae. aegypti larvae ranging from 10 to 100, 100% mortality was recorded from 1 to 25 larvae, then mortality declined to 30% with 100 larvae. The average larvae killed per 24 h period by a single copepod were 29.     

Effect of microsporidian infection in Lacanobia oleracea (Lep., Noctuidae) on prey selection and consumption by the spined soldier bug Podisus maculiventris (Het., Pentatomidae)

Abstract:  The predatory behaviour of Podisus maculiventris was investigated when this bug was presented with Lacanobia oleracea larvae infected with the microsporidian pathogen Vairimorpha necatrix . In choice tests, adult predatory bugs attacked V. necatrix -infected L. oleracea prey in similar numbers to uninfected larvae. Exposure to infected prey during nymphal development increased the rate at which adult bugs attacked diseased L. oleracea larvae. Fifth instar P. maculiventris nymphs, however, attacked infected prey in the majority of cases (>80% of occasions). Consumption of healthy and infected prey was measured for both adult and nymphal bugs. Over the course of 1 week, the mean number of V. necatrix -infected prey eaten by P. maculiventris adults (7.0 ± 0.82) was approximately twice the number of uninfected prey consumed (3.8 ± 0.42). Similarly, the number of prey larvae attacked by the bug over the course of the final nymphal stadium was also increased, with 2.9 ± 0.42 uninfected larvae eaten as opposed to 4.9 ± 0.27 V. necatrix -infected prey. However, small-scale investigations into the rate of P. maculiventris reduced small populations of L. oleracea indicated that the combination of the predator and pathogen would produce, at best, an additive effect.     

Effect of soil burial depth and wetting on mortality of diapausing larvae and patterns of post-diapause adult emergence of sorghum midge, Stenodiplosis sorghicola (Coquillett) (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae)

Abstract  In south-eastern Queensland, Australia, sorghum planted in early spring usually escapes sorghum midge, Stenodiplosis sorghicola , attack. Experiments were conducted to better understand the role of winter diapause in the population dynamics of this pest. Emergence patterns of adult midge from diapausing larvae on the soil surface and at various depths were investigated during spring to autumn of 1987/88–1989/90. From 1987/88 to 1989/90, 89%, 65% and 98% of adult emergence, respectively, occurred during November and December. Adult emergence from larvae diapausing on the soil surface was severely reduced due to high mortality attributed to surface soil temperatures in excess of 40°C, with much of this mortality occurring between mid-September and mid-October. Emergence of adults from the soil surface was considerably delayed in the 1988/89 season compared with larvae buried at 5 or 10 cm which had similar emergence patterns for all three seasons. In 1989/90, when a 1-cm-deep treatment was included, there was a 392% increase in adult emergence from this treatment compared with deeper treatments. Some diapausing larvae on the surface did not emerge at the end of summer in only 1 year (1989/90), when 28.0% of the larvae on the surface remained in diapause, whereas only 0.8% of the buried larvae remained in diapause. We conclude that the pattern of emergence explains why spring plantings of sorghum in south-eastern Queensland usually escape sorghum midge attack.     

不同虫态及虫龄大草蛉与七星瓢虫之间的集团内互作

【目的】为明确新疆棉田棉蚜 Aphis gossypii 捕食性天敌之间的集团内捕食效应及其对蚜虫数量的控制作用。【方法】本研究以优势天敌昆虫大草蛉 Chrysopa pallens 和七星瓢虫 Coccinella septempunctata 为对象,以棉蚜为猎物,在温室中利用盆栽棉花,首先观察了2种天敌昆虫之间各虫态及虫龄配对的19个处理在无蚜植株上共存24 h后的存活数,然后观察了2种天敌昆虫配对处理下棉苗上棉蚜数量随时间的变化趋势。【结果】在无蚜棉株上2种捕食性天敌昆虫共存24 h后的存活结果表明：（1）在发育阶段相同的配对组合中,若是成虫则均存活,若是１龄幼虫则大草蛉存活较多,若是末龄幼虫则七星瓢虫存活较多;（2）在有卵的组配中,除七星瓢虫卵不被大草蛉成虫所捕食外,其他5个组配处理中卵均被捕食;（3）在有蛹的配对组合中,除七星瓢虫蛹被大草蛉末龄幼虫捕食外,其他处理下蛹均不被捕食;（4）在成虫与幼虫的配对组合中,七星瓢虫成虫捕食较多的大草蛉1龄幼虫,但不捕食大草蛉末龄幼虫,而大草蛉成虫与七星瓢虫1龄或末龄幼虫之间不发生捕食;(5）在不同龄期幼虫的配对组合中,大草蛉末龄幼虫捕食七星瓢虫1龄幼虫,而七星瓢虫末龄幼虫捕食大草蛉1龄幼虫。在有蚜植株上2种捕食性天敌共存对棉蚜数量具有不同的控制作用：（1）2种捕食昆虫的幼虫各自单独存在（对照）下,蚜虫密度随时间而降低;（2）大草蛉幼虫与七星瓢虫幼虫或成虫配对处理下,棉蚜密度随时间而增大;（3）大草蛉成虫与七星瓢虫幼虫或成虫配对处理下,棉蚜密度随时间而减小。【结论】研究结果说明,大草蛉与七星瓢虫之间存在集团内捕食,但２种天敌共存对棉蚜的控制作用取决于大草蛉虫态, 若大草蛉为幼虫,可使蚜虫密度增大,若为成虫,则使蚜虫密度减小。