The population dynamics of Cheilosia fasciata (Diptera,Syrphidae): significance of environmental factors and behavioural adaptations in a phytophagous insect

Summary A population of Cheilosia fasciata Schin. & Egg., 1853 was studied in a beech forest (Melico-Fagetum allietosum) near Göttingen (FRG). This syrphid species is closely associated with ramson (Allium ursinum L.), as the larvae mine the plant's leaves. Adult abundance was determined using emergence traps (1981–1986); egg and larval abundance was determined by examining ramson leaves: puparia were extracted from soil samples (1984 and 1986). Cheilosia fasciata is a univoltine species; the imagines emerge in late April/early May. Larval development took five (1986) to six (1984) weeks. In late June/early July the larvae enter the soil for pupariation. A linear relationship was found between the area of the mines and larval biomass (dry wt.). It was concluded that one larva had to mine 51.90 cm² of leaf area in order to gain the mean maximum dry weight (11.15 mg). Furthermore, it was shown that ovipositing females, laying just one egg per leaf, tended to select large leaves providing this minimum amount of food. It is hypothesized that females probably follow straight-lined routes on their oviposition flights, rather than ovipositing on leaves chosen at random. By applying such a strategy, females can almost completely avoid competition for food among their own offspring. Furthermore, competition among the progeny of the whole population is also reduced, particularly in years when adult abundance is very low. The significance of certain factors influencing the population dynamics of Cheilosia fasciata was evaluated by applying a rank correlation analysis. It was shown that high precipitation rates in April reduced the time available for mating and oviposition resulting in low emergence abundance in the next spring. Larval survivorship was enhanced by high precipitation rates in May and June, indicating that drought may be unfavourable to larvae and reduce food availability. Predation by a parasitoid Phygadeuon ursini Horstmann, 1986 (Hymenoptera, Ichneumonidae), appears to be just an imperfect (Milne 1984) density-dependent control mechanism; in fact, it was shown that food limitation is the only significant mechanism of density-dependent population control.     

Population studies of the beech leaf mining weevil (Rhynchaenus fagi) in Ireland and Scotland

Abstract. 1. Population budgets for Rhynchaenus fagi, based for the most part on samples of beech leaves taken in June, were constructed for a 10-year period (Northern Ireland) and a 3-year period (Scottish borders).
2. There were years of sustained population growth and sustained decline, but not enough evidence to suggest a cycle. Similar population levels were found at both sites in all but one year.
3. Key factors were associated with the adult stage, although egg mortality may also make a significant contribution to population change.
4. Unknown sources of mortality embodied in the residual mortality were also suspected of acting in a density dependent manner, compensating for variation in parasitism.
5. Death rate of larvae within mines was related to May temperature in Northern Ireland, but not so clearly in Scotland.     

Supercritical Carbon Dioxide Extraction of Allium ursinum: Impact of Temperature and Pressure on the Extracts Chemical Profile

The aim of this study was to extract Allium ursinum L. for the first time by supercritical carbon dioxide (SC−CO₂) as green sustainable method. The impact of temperature in the range from 40 to 60 °C and pressure between 150 and 400 bar on the quality of the obtained extracts and efficiency of the extraction was investigated. The highest extraction yield (3.43 %) was achieved by applying the extraction conditions of 400 bar and 60 °C. The analysis of the extracts was performed by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The most dominant sulfur-containing constituent of the extracts was allyl methyl trisulfide with the highest abundance at 350 bar and 50 °C. In addition, the presence of other pharmacologically potent sulfur compounds was recorded including S-methyl methanethiosulfinate, diallyl trisulfide, S-methyl methylthiosulfonate, and dimethyl trisulfide. Multivariate data analysis tool was utilized to investigate distributions of the identified compounds among the extracts obtained under various extraction conditions and yields. It was determined that the SC−CO₂ extraction can by efficiently used for A. ursinum.     

Effect of a dense Allium ursinum (L.) ground cover on nutrient dynamics and mesofauna of a Fagus sylvatica (L.) woodland

The aboveground biomass built up annually by Allium ursinum (L.) contains similar amounts of nutrients as the foliage of mature Fagus sylvatica (L.) stands. The decomposition of the A. ursinum stand in early summer provides N rich forage for grazing mesofauna, especially favouring collembolans and accelerating mineralization of soil organic matter. Short term decreases of soil pH had no negative effect on populations of collembolans. Synergistic effects from soil fauna and microbes may accelerate nitrogen release from decomposing leaf litter. A positive feed back may have emerged. High animal abundance and diverse mesofauna populations are capable of high rates of litter fragmentation. Consequently, favourable conditions for microorganisms are created and allow high rates of mineralization and release of nutrients. Our data show that substantial amounts of nitrogen are lost from the system. Undisturbed forest ecosystems are considered to recycle mineralized nitrogen efficiently though. But temporal uncoupling of the N cycle due to microbial activity and delayed or decreased N uptake of higher plants can cause enhanced leaching even from undisturbed systems. The tendency to loose nutrients is apparent from high nitrate concentrations in the soil solution throughout the year. When nutrient losses from A. ursinum subsystems are considered, lateral nutrient imports from adjacent parts of the ecosystem have to be taken into account. If lateral import does not counterbalance losses, maintenance of the soil nutrient status must occur by weathering or a decline is to be expected.     

Key for European species of the Cheilosia proxima group (Diptera,Syrphidae) with a description of a new species

A new hoverfly species, Cheilosia barbafacies Vujić & Radenković sp. n. (Diptera, Syrphidae), is described and distinguished from the closely related species Cheilosia pascuorum Becker, 1894, based on material collected from the mountains of the Balkan Peninsula. Diagnostic characteristics and an identification key for the members of the proxima group of Cheilosia s. str., including the new taxon, are provided.     

Trophic links,nutrient fluxes,and natural history in the Allium ursinum food web,with particular reference to life history traits of two hoverfly herbivores (Diptera: Syrphidae)

The food web centering on Allium ursinum (Liliaceae) in a beech forest (Germany) is described, and temporal variation of active trophic links is related to species' life cycles. The most important insect herbivores are Cheilosia fasciata (a larval leaf miner) and Portevinia maculata (a larva bulb miner) (Diptera: Syrphidae). Energy, carbon and nitrogen flow in the food chain (Allium-Cheilosia-Phygadeuon ursini) are investigated and analysed with respect to differences in resource allocation by the leaf miner and its hymenoptereous parasitoid. In C. fasciata nitrogen is likely to be the limiting resource, while growth in Phygadeuon ursini appears energy-limited. Larval feeding habits of C. fasciata and Portevinia maculata determined the timing of the species' life cycles and, as a consequence, appeared to preclude the existence of a pupal parasitoid in Portevinia maculata. Further details of life history traits are demonstrated and discussed.     

Isolation,characterization and molecular cloning of a leaf-specific lectin from ramsons (Allium ursinum L.).

Lectins were isolated from roots and leaves of ramsons and compared to the previously described bulb lectins. Biochemical analyses indicated that the root lectins AUAIr and AUAIIr are identical to the bulb lectins AUAI and AUAII, whereas the leaf lectin AUAL has no counterpart in the bulbs. cDNA cloning confirmed that the leaf lectin differs from the bulb lectins. Northern blot analysis further indicated that the leaf lectin is tissue-specifically expressed. Sequence comparisons revealed that the ramsons leaf lectin differs considerably from the leaf lectins of garlic, leek, onion and shallot.     

中国边蚜蝇属研究附一新种记述（双翅目：食蚜蝇科）

记述边蚜蝇属1新种:中条山边蚜蝇Didea zhongtiaoshanensis sp.nov.,提供了边蚜蝇属中国已知种类检索表。模式标本保存于陕西理工学院标本馆。     

Population dynamics of Bactrocera dorsalis (Diptera: Tephritidae) and analysis of factors influencing populations in Baoshanba, Yunnan, China

Population dynamics of the Oriental fruit fly, Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel) (Diptera: Tephritidae), were monitored year‐round using methyl eugenol‐baited traps in 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006 in Baoshanba, Yunnan Province, China. Environmental factors including air temperature, rainfall and host‐plant species were analyzed with respect to the population dynamics. This species occurred only during April–November, with one yearly peak in August. The population fluctuation patterns with respect to season were identical in all study years. Correlation analysis and stepwise regression analysis indicated that air temperature, rainfall, sunlight hours and relative humidity were the major climatic factors that correlated with changes in the size of the fly population, and that monthly mean temperature, monthly sunlight hours and monthly relative humidity were most important. The seasonal increase in population size coincided with the fruiting period of the fly's host plants, but host fruit availability influenced the population size only when temperatures were sufficiently high. Cold temperatures may explain why there was no trap capture in the winter months. We believe that air temperature is the key factor explaining the seasonal occurrence of the fly population at Baoshanba.     

云南六库桔小实蝇成虫种群数量变动及其影响因子分析

应用诱蝇谜引诱剂诱捕法于2003-2005年调查了云南六库桔小实蝇成虫种群动态,系统分析了气候因子及寄主植物对该种群变动的影响。研究结果表明：云南六库桔小实蝇种群发生呈季节性,仅出现于3-12月,成虫消长基本为单峰型,高峰出现在7月。六库桔小实蝇种群数量与气温、降雨量和月雨日数等气象因子有密切关系。决定系数和通径分析结果显示,月降雨量是影响六库桔小实蝇种群动态的主要决策因素;月平均气温和月平均最低气温是影响种群数量变动的主要限制因素,其中,月平均最低温度是间接影响种群数量变动的重要指标。主成分分析筛选出低温条件主成分,其累积方差贡献率达77.65%。逐步回归分析也证实,影响六库桔小实蝇种群月变动的主要气象因子是月平均气温和月平均最低气温。综合分析认为,低温是导致六库桔小实蝇季节性发生的关键因素。     

Population dynamics of Bactrocera dorsalis (Diptera: Tephritidae) and analysis of the factors influencing the population in Ruili, Yunnan Province, China

Annual monitoring of the population dynamics of the oriental fruit fly, Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel) (Diptera: Tephritidae) using methyl eugenol-baited traps was conducted throughout the year during 1997, 2000, 2003 and 2004 in Ruili, Yunnan Province, China. Temperature, rainfall and host-plant species were analyzed with respect to population fluctuation of the fly. During the study periods the fruit fly occurred throughout the year. Its population remained low from November to January and increased steadily from February until it reached a peak in June. Afterwards, the population declined until October. The results of stepwise regression analysis indicated that monthly mean temperature, monthly mean maximum temperature, monthly mean minimum temperature, monthly extreme maximum temperature, monthly extreme minimum temperature, and monthly raining days were the major climatic factors influencing populations. Path and decision coefficient analyses indicated that the monthly mean temperature was the crucial factor influencing population fluctuation, the monthly mean minimum temperature was the crucial limiting factor indirectly influencing increase in population, and the comprehensive factors influencing fly population dynamics, namely, the monthly raining days were the strongest of all the other factors. Generally, the monthly mean temperatures fell within the ranges of temperatures suitable for development and reproduction of the fly. But the monthly mean minimum temperatures from November to January seemed to be lower and were suggested to be responsible for the low populations in this period. Monthly rainfall and rainy days steadily increased from February through June, and this explained the increase in population observed during this period. During periods of continuous heavy rain from July through August, the fruit fly population showed a remarkable decrease. Host plant species was another essential factor influencing the population fluctuations. Abundant fruit and melon species formed the food and breeding materials for the fly during the study periods.     

云南元江干热河谷桔小实蝇种群动态及其影响因子分析

分别于1992、1998、2003和2004年在云南元江干热河谷通过性诱剂诱捕,对桔小实蝇雄性成虫数量变化进行了全年监测,并就气候因子及寄主植物对数量变动的影响进行了综合分析。桔小实蝇在元江干热河谷常年发生,当年12月至次年2月,桔小实蝇种群较低,3月以后逐渐上升,于6～8月形成增长高峰,9～11月种群迅速下降。近两年桔小实蝇种群数量较上世纪90年代明显增大。月均温、月均降雨量和寄主植物是影响元江桔小实蝇种群变动的主要因子。元江干热河谷各月均温在桔小实蝇适温区内,为其常年发生提供了温度条件。但12～2月的月平均最低温度低于桔小实蝇的适温下限,而5月的月平均最高温超过桔小实蝇的适温上限,这两方面对桔小实蝇种群均有一定抑制作用。元江夏季6至8月的月降雨量为100～150 mm,有助于桔小实蝇种群增长。芒果和甜橙是元江桔小实蝇最喜好的寄主水果,其种面积、挂果期是影响桔小实蝇种群变动的重要因素。气温、降雨和寄主植物通过各自的作用方式和发生时间综合影响着元江干热河谷地区桔小实蝇种群变动。     

Revision of the New World genus Quichuana Knab, 1913 (Diptera: Syrphidae), including descriptions of 24 new species

The species of the New World syrphid genus, Quichuana Knab, 1913 (Diptera: Syrphidae: Eristalini), are revised and the genus is re‐diagnosed. Twenty‐four new species are described, bringing the total number considered valid to 48. New species were mostly reared from Bolivia, Brazil, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Mexico, Peru, Trinidad, and Venezuela. The male of Quichuana picadoi is described for the first time. Quichuana championi is proposed as a synonym of Quichuana cincta, Quichuana aurata as a synonym of Quichuana angustiventris, and Quichuana sepiapennis as a synonym of Quichuana calathea. Quichuana inca var. brevicera is raised to specific status. Lectotypes are designated for Helophilus auratus, Quichuana bezzii, Quichuana fasciata, and Quichuana parisii. A species‐level identification key for both males and females is provided. Male genitalia of 18 species are illustrated. © 2012 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2012, 166 , 72–131.     

The efficacy of a novel insecticidal protein, Allium sativum leaf lectin (ASAL), against homopteran insects monitored in transgenic tobacco

The homopteran group of polyphagous sucking insect pests causes severe damage to many economically important plants including tobacco. Allium sativum leaf lectin (ASAL), a mannose-binding 25-kDa homodimeric protein, has recently been found to be antagonistic to various sucking insects in the homopteran group through artificial diet bioassay experiments. The present study describes, for the first time, the expression of the ASAL coding sequence under the control of the cauliflower mosaic virus (CaMV) 35S promoter in tobacco by Agrobacterium-mediated transformation technology. Molecular analyses demonstrated the integration of the chimeric ASAL gene in tobacco and its inheritance in the progeny plants. Western blot analysis followed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) determined the level of ASAL expression in different lines to be in the range of approximately 0.68%-2% of total soluble plant protein. An in planta bioassay conducted with Myzus persicae, peach potato aphid (a devastating pest of tobacco and many other important plants), revealed that the percentage of insect survival decreased significantly to 16%-20% in T0 plants and T1 progeny, whilst approximately 75% of insects survived on untransformed tobacco plants after 144 h of incubation. Ligand analyses of insect brush border membrane vesicle receptors and expressed ASAL in transgenic tobacco showed that the expressed ASAL binds to the aphid gut receptor in the same manner as native ASAL, pointing to the fact that ASAL maintains the biochemical characteristics even in the transgenic situation. These findings in a model plant open up the possibility of expressing the novel ASAL gene in a wide range of crop plants susceptible to various sap-sucking insects.     

Population dynamics of a phytophagous lady-beetle,Epilachna vigintioctopunctata (Fabricius), living in spatio-temporally heterogeneous habitats. III. Effects of habitat structure on population dynamics

Temporal changes in the population size of a phytophagous lady-beetle were analyzed to identify mechanisms affecting lady-beetle population dynamics at different spatial scales. The study area (15 ha) included 18 habitat patches. The major host plants were potato for first generation larvae and eggplant for second generation larvae. The habitat patches were classified into three groups according to the major host plants in each patch: P-E patches (both host plants available), P patches (potato only), and E patches (eggplant only). The winter disappearance of adults in the whole study area, and larval mortality in E patches were apparently the most important factors disturbing the overall population density. Density-dependent movement of females appeared to have the greatest stabilizing effect on the yearly fluctuation of population density. Rate of increase of female adults from the first to the second generation,R, was generally higher on eggplants in E patches than in P-E patches because the adult density of the first generation was much higher in P-E patches. The yearly fluctuation of adult density in each generation tended to be less in patches with all habitat components necessary for the full life cycle (P-E patches). However, such patches were not favorable for first generation females, as indicated by the lower rate of increase from the first to the second generation. The density and stability of lady-beetle populations is discussed in relation to habitat structure.     

Black-tie dress code: two new species of the genus Toxomerus (Diptera, Syrphidae)

Toxomerus hauseri Mengual sp. n. and Toxomerus picudus Mengual sp. n. are described from Peru and Ecuador respectively. Toxomerus circumcintus (Enderlein, 1938) is treated as a valid species and not considered synonym of Toxomerus marginatus, and Toxomerus ovatus (Hull, 1942) is considered junior synonym of Toxomerus nitidus (Schiner, 1868). An identification key for the Toxomerus species with dark abdomens is given along with diagnoses for each studied species.