A new genus of African Lasiocampidae (Lepidoptera)

The species Gastroplakaeis idakum Bethune-Baker, 1913, G. balia Tams, 1929, and G. elongata Hering, 1941 are transferred from the genus Gastroplakaeis Möschler, 1887 into the newly erected genus Weirdonia gen. n. (the type species is Gastroplakaeis idakum Bethune-Baker, 1913), and corresponding new combinations are established. New species, Weirdonia baccara sp. n. and W. hypocrita sp. n. (type locality: Democratic Republic of the Congo), W. murena sp. n. (type locality: Northern Nigeria), and W. helicea sp. n. (type locality: Gabon) are described. A new synonymy is established: Gastroplakaeis balia Tams, 1929 = Gastroplakaeis elongata Hering, 1941 syn. n. Diagnoses and distribution maps are given for all the species.     

Seven new monotypic genera of African Lasiocampidae (Lepidoptera)

New monotypic genera are established for African Lasiocampidae: Hecata gen. n. (type species Megasoma splendens Druce, 1887), Selena gen. n. (type species Megasoma vesta Druce, 1887), Tragoptyssa gen. n. (type species Streblote flavimaculata Tams, 1929), Ammacosola gen. n. (type species Beralade pygmula Strand, 1911), Scythropa gen. n. (type species Pseudometa schultzei Aurivillius, 1905), and Cryptopacha gen. n. (type species Metanastria porphyria Holland, 1893), as well as Pellecebra gen. n. for the new species Pellecebra superba sp. n. (type locality is the Democratic Republic of the Congo). New species combinations are also introduced, and new synonymy is established: Pseudometa schultzei Aurivillius, 1905 = Pseudometa scythropa Hering, 1928, syn. n.     

Peculiarities of island endemism in Lasiocampidae (Lepidoptera)

The distinctive features of island endemism in Lasiocampidae are extensive adaptive radiation and vicariance. These phenomena are especially typical of archipelagoes, where different taxa occur on closely located islands. The diverse ecological conditions of the islands determine the presence of a great number of subordinate taxa. Owing to the reduced flight activity, the species of Lasiocampidae are characterized by a high level of endemism on isolated islands. Islands of continental origin (Sumatra, Borneo) have a lower level of endemism, with centers on the mountain ranges. The endemism level is much higher in islands of biogenic origin (the Philippines). The Pacific islands have a higher index of specific endemism. At the same time, the islands of mixed and oceanic origin have low species diversity by a large fraction of endemic taxa. The boundaries of species distribution are determined not only by the landscape or climatic factors but also by biological ones.     

柳杉毛虫防治试验研究

用白僵菌、苏云金杆菌、2 4 .5 %全力、2 0 %氰戊菊酯等 4种杀虫剂的不同浓度对柳杉毛虫 (Dendrolimushoui L ajonquiere)进行室内毒力测定和林间防治试验 ,结果表明 ,野外防治柳杉毛虫以氰戊菊酯 6 0 0 0倍液 +苏云金杆菌 1.4× 10 9n/ ml+全力 80 0 0倍液 +白僵菌 1.2× 10 8n/ ml林间喷雾效果最佳 ,杀虫效果达 90 %以上。应用该复合剂大面积防治 2 0 hm2 ,效果达 80 %以上。     

Parasitoids of the African wild silkmoth,Gonometa postica (Lepidoptera: Lasiocampidae) in the Mwingi forests,Kenya

Gonometa postica Walker produces silk of high quality, but it is affected by parasitoids attack. A study on the parasitism of G. postica larvae and pupae on host and non‐host plants were undertaken for the first and second generations, corresponding to the long (March–May) and short (October–December) rainy seasons in 2006 at six field sites, three each in the Imba and Mumoni forests of Mwingi, eastern Kenya. All freshly spun cocoons of G. postica were sampled at each site from a total of 100 trees of host plants and other non‐host plants where they have migrated before pupation. The cocoons were kept individually in fine net‐sealed plastic vials to determine percentage parasitism. Two dipterans and four hymenopteran larval–pupal parasitoids were identified from the two forests. The most common parasitoids were Palexorista sp. (Diptera: Tachinidae) and Goryphus sp. (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae) with parasitism ranging from 1.8 to 32.7% and 2.2 to 7.5%, respectively. Parasitism varied significantly according to host or non‐host plants, seasons and sites. This study indicates that, of the six parasitoid species recovered, only two had a significant impact in reducing the quality of the cocoons.     

Trail-Based Communication in Social Caterpillars of Eriogaster lanestris (Lepidoptera: Lasiocampidae)

Caterpillars of Eriogaster lanestris (Lepidoptera: Lasiocampidae) mark trails as they move between feeding sites and their communal tent. They prefer new trails over aged ones. Hungry caterpillars prefer trails marked by fed caterpillars returning to the tent. Thus successful foragers direct tentmates to profitable food finds, in a manner similar to that of Malacosoma americanum. E. lanestris readily follows trails prepared from 5-cholestane-3-one, a component of the trail marker of M. americanum, when applied at a rate of 10^–10 g/cm. In choice tests, they preferred more highly concentrated over weaker trails. New trails are always established in groups, and the velocity increases from early to late caterpillars traversing a new trail.     

The Genetics of Melanism in MALACOSOMA DISSTRIA HUbner (Lepidoptera: Lasiocampidae)

The forest tent caterpillar is polymorphic for two melanic genes affecting wing color of moths. These are the first genetically determined morphological traits reported for the genus. Dark (D) is a sex-limited, autosomal dominant with a phenotype of dark brown males. Frequencies in population samples varied from 8 to 44%. Characteristics of Dark and nonmelanic males were compared. Larval development times, larval survival and pupal weights were not significantly different, but mean fecundity was higher for females with Dark progeny. Band (b), a darkened area across the forewings, occurred in low frequency in both sexes.     

Survival curves of the population ofdendrolimus spectabilis Bulter (Lepidoptera: Lasiocampidae)

Summary Six survival curves were drawn (Fig. 1) from a survey over two generations of the population ofDendro'imus spectabi'is Butler at three different places in the Tokyo University Forest in Aichi during the years from 1957 to 1959. The counting of insect number was done at one month interval except during the winter season. Any apparent mortality expressed as percentage decrease was not related in this survey with the density of insect population at the beginning of each interval. Considering of the magnitude and the variability of each apparent mortality, there were three critical periods of heavy decrease in the generation decline, they were; 1) September to October when newly born larvae were dispersing, 2) December to March when the third instar larvae were overwintering, and 3) August to September for the period of fully grown larvae and pupae.     

栎黄枯叶蛾羽化及生殖行为研究

栎黄枯叶蛾Trabala vishnou gigantina Yang是近年在沙棘(Hippophae rhamnoides)林中大面积暴发的一种食叶害虫。通过野外调查和室内饲养观察相结合对该虫的羽化、交配和产卵等行为等进行了研究。结果表明,栎黄枯叶蛾羽化期40 d左右,羽化高峰期为9月上旬,日羽化高峰出现在傍晚17:00—23:00,占全天羽化量的82.46%;雌雄性比为1∶1.41;交配高峰期发生在凌晨3:00—4:00,成虫羽化翌日开始进行交尾,2日龄雌蛾交配率最高,达到45.6%,随后交配率逐步降低。雌蛾一生只交尾1次,雄蛾可进行多次交尾。成虫交配持续时间多为14¹6 h。成虫交配后即可产卵,产卵主要在夜间进行,产卵高峰期在2:00—6:00,占全天产卵量的82.40%。未交配雌蛾和雄蛾的平均寿命为11.05 d和9.85 d;显著高于已交配雌蛾和雄蛾的8.05 d和7.35 d,说明交配可明显缩短雌雄成虫寿命。     

油松毛虫受球孢白僵菌感染的组织病理学变化

为了研究昆虫病原真菌对松毛虫的致病机理, 提供北方地区松毛虫生物防治的科学依据, 本研究采用球孢白僵菌Beauveria bassiana (Bals.) Vuillemin 菌株1573感染油松毛虫Dendrolimus tabulaeformis Tsai et Liu, 通过扫描电镜和石蜡切片光学显微镜观察技术, 研究了菌株的感染过程和虫体的组织病理学变化。结果表明, 该病原真菌通过穿透表皮入侵油松毛虫, 染菌后24 h, 观察到分生孢子附着于头部的颅顶, 单眼、触角和口器的基部, 在胸、腹部附着于毛簇、毛瘤、棘状突和节间褶。染菌后36 h, 孢子萌发长出菌丝, 在入侵部位, 菌丝的端部特化成附着胞和侵入钉。染菌后48 h, 菌丝依靠机械力和胞外酶的作用穿透表皮, 虫体表皮出现了裂痕和黑化。染菌后72 h, 菌丝已进入体腔, 感染血淋巴、脂肪体、肌肉、消化道、丝腺和神经组织, 并利用血液和内部组织器官作为营养大量繁殖, 此时, 虫体发涨, 表皮变暗。染菌后96 h, 菌丝占据了松毛虫的血腔, 内部的组织结构被完全瓦解, 松毛虫死亡。最后, 菌丝冲破体壁, 在尸体表面长出新的分生孢子。这些结果说明, 球孢白僵菌B. bassiana菌株1573是一种油松毛虫的高致病性菌株, 可以引起虫体的一系列组织病理变化而致其死亡。     

栎黄枯叶蛾幼虫龄数的确定

【目的】为明确栎黄枯叶蛾Trabala vishnou gigantina Yang幼虫的发育状况,以便进行预测预报及采取防治措施。【方法】通过野外采样获取不同发育状态的栎黄枯叶蛾幼虫,对其头壳宽度,体长,体宽,额宽,上颚基部宽和单眼间距6项形态指标进行测量,利用Crosby生长法则和线性回归方法,推断栎黄枯叶蛾幼虫的龄数。【结果】栎黄枯叶蛾幼虫有7龄,头壳宽度为最佳分龄结构。单眼间距、额宽和上颚宽3项指标均可作为分龄的辅助手段,体长和体宽变异较大,不宜用作幼虫龄数划分。【结论】研究结果为生产上合理防治该害虫提供了参考依据。     

New synonymy and typification in African Schlotheimia (Bryopsida: Orthotrichaceae)

Abstract

Schlotheimia grevilleana Mitt., Schlotheimia rigescens Broth., Schlotheimia laetevirens Broth., Schlotheimia bequaertii Thér. & Naveau and Schlotheimia brachypodia Thér. & Naveau are placed in synonymy with Schlotheimia ferruginea (Bruch ex Hook. & Grev.) Brid. The typification of Schlotheimia percuspidata Müll.Hal. is discussed and a neotype is proposed.     

环境及地理因素对中国枯叶蛾科昆虫β多样性格局的影响

为了探究环境因素、地理因素及微环境变量对中国枯叶蛾科昆虫β多样性格局的影响,浅析枯叶蛾科昆虫β多样性格局的形成与维持机制。本研究利用DNA条形码技术扩增了枯叶蛾科昆虫42个采样点415个样本,根据各采样点物种存在情况进行排序与聚类分析,呈现中国枯叶蛾科昆虫β多样性格局,并进行偏典范型对应分析和随机森林分析,结果表明:(1)纯环境因素对枯叶蛾科β多样性格局的影响占比36.2%,纯地理因素的影响占比12.78%,二者共解释量占比较小(3.36%);(2)"光源污染程度"(反映人为干扰及生境破坏程度)及"距最近海水距离"(反应采样点的海陆位置)等微环境变量也对本研究枯叶蛾科昆虫β多样性格局具有一定的影响作用。     

Characterization of a Nuclear Polyhedrosis Virus Isolated from Diseased Gonometa podocarpi (Lepidoptera:Lasiocampidae)

Gonometa podocarpi is an important pest of several species of pine in East Africa, and large numbers of trees in plantations in Kenya were partially or completely defoliated by the larval stage of this insect. After the infestation in the Mt. Elgon region, large numbers of dead and moribund larvae were found on the ground. Examination of extracts of these larvae demonstrated the presence of an occluded virus. Electron microscopy of purified sectioned polyhedra demonstrated the presence of virus particles containing from 1 to 12 nucleocapsids. Purification of virus particles from polyhedra was accomplished by using alkali solubilization and sucrose gradient centrifugation. Virus particles contained 15 proteins as determined by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Detergent solubilization of the virus particles released polyhedra containing one major structural protein. Electron microscopy of purified virus particles and nucleocapsids demonstrated them to be similar in structure to previously recorded nuclear polyhedrosis viruses. The viral deoxyribonucleic acid was extracted and spread for electron microscopy and was determined to have a size of approximately 80 × 10⁶ daltons.     

松毛虫属（Dendrolimus) 部分种类亲缘关系与遗传分化的等位酶分析

采用等位酶聚丙烯酰胺凝胶电泳技术对松毛虫属5个种和亚种的野生种群进行了亲缘关系和遗传变异的研究.8种等位酶系统(乳酸脱氢酶LDH、苹果酸脱氢酶MDH、苹果酸酶ME、乙醇脱氢酶ADH、甲酸脱氢酶FDH、谷氨酸脱氢酶GDH、过氧化物酶POD、过氧化氢酶CAT)共检测到12个基因位点,其中6个位点为多态位点,检测到15个等位基因.松毛虫属5个种和亚种的总体水平多态位点比率P＝50%,平均有效基因数A = 1.917,平均期望杂合度He =0.267,平均遗传距离为0.0730～0.5701.遗传参数表明松毛虫属昆虫种间存在较高程度的遗传变异,聚类图和遗传距离数据表明赤松毛虫与马尾松毛虫亲缘关系最近,落叶松毛虫与思茅松毛虫亲缘关系最远.     

温度对栎黄枯叶蛾生长发育及繁殖的影响

【目的】栎黄枯叶蛾Trabala vishnou gigantina是近年在沙棘Hippophae rhamnoides林中大面积暴发的一种食叶害虫,以幼虫取食叶片,导致沙棘长势衰弱甚至死亡。本研究旨在明确温度对栎黄枯叶蛾生长发育及繁殖的影响,以便对其进行预测预报及采取防治措施。【方法】分别在5个恒温(19,22,25,28和31℃)条件下研究了温度对栎黄枯叶蛾各虫态发育历期、取食量、交配率、产卵、寿命等的影响。【结果】在19~31℃温度范围内,随着温度升高,各虫态发育历期逐渐缩短。卵、幼虫、蛹、产卵前期和全世代的发育起点温度分别为9.24±0.45,10.85±0.87,14.56±0.85,9.65±0.54和10.48±0.52℃,有效积温分别为341.22±9.54,1 285.64±17.65,445.35±8.65,13.34±1.25和2 085.35±25.84日·度。幼虫总取食量和交配率与温度变化关系不大,而成虫的产卵量在22,25和28℃下明显高于其他温度,成虫寿命与温度呈负相关。【结论】22~28℃之间是栎黄枯叶蛾较为理想的生长发育和繁殖温度。研究结果为生产上合理防治该害虫提供了参考依据。