Arthropod predation limits the population density of an herbivorous lady beetle,Henosepilachna niponica (Lewis)

1. The possible impact of arthropod predation on inter-population variation in adult density of a thistle-feeding lady beetle, Henosepilachna niponica (Lewis ) was evaluated by means of predator exclusion experiments conducted in the field.
2. The population density of newly-emerged adults at one habitat in the upstream area (site F) was significantly lower than at another in the downstream area (site A) although the egg density was nearly identical in the two habitats.
3. In the habitat with lower adult density, egg mortality was higher due to higher levels of predation. A predator exclusion experiment demonstrated that arthropod predation was the main factor causing high mortality during the immature stages, and physical factors such as heavy rains were unlikely to influence larval survivals.
4. Earwigs, ground beetles, predaceous stink bugs, and spiders were identified as the main predators in the study area. Of these, an earwig, Anechura harmandi (Burr ) was more predominant than other predators and was significantly more abundant in the habitat with low adult densities.

     

Studies on the population dynamics of a thistle-feeding lady beetle,Henosepilachna pustulosa (Kôno) in a cool temperature climax forest

1. A field study was carried out on the population dynamics of a thistle-feeding lady beetle, Henosepilachna pustulosa (Kôno ) living in a cool temperature climax forest in northern Kyoto Prefecture, central Japan.
2. Intensive marking, release and recapture program was carried out to estimate the adult population parameters by usingJolly-Seber method.
3. Sampling ratio was around 50%. Marking ratio rapidly rised as the census progressed and approached to 100%.
4. Sex ratio (% ♀) was 63–69% in both overwintered and new adults.
5. Daily survival rate was as high as 0.95 or more and constant throughout the season. Adult longevity in the spring was longer than 40 days.
6. Reproductive rate i. e., the ratio of the number of newly emerged adults in a given generation to that of overwintered adults in the preceding generation, is very small, ranging 1–3, whereas winter survival is higher than 50%, consequently the size of populations in the study area remain in a remarkably constant size and it never reached a level where intraspesific competition occurred.
7. The population characteristics of H. pustulosa are compared with those of the two closely related species, H. vigintioctopunctata and H. vigintioctomaculata, which are the pests of Solanaceous crops. Hp is more K-strategic than the two pest species.

     

Studies on the population dynamics of a thistle-feeding lady beetle,Henosepilachna pustulosa (Kôno) in a cool temperate climax forest

Population Ecology -     

Mortality pattern and age structure in two carabid populations with different seasonal life cycles

1. Adult populations of two carabid species, a spring breeder, Carabus yaconinus, and an autumn breeder, Leptocarabus kumagaii, were studied in a lowland habitat (area: 16,500 m²) by pitfall sampling and mark-recapture method. The seasonal change in population number, age structure and mortality pattern were clarified and related to their seasonal life cycles.
2. The survival rate of new adults from emergence to the first reproductive season was on the average 48% in C. yaconinus and 55% in L. kumagaii. In C. yaconinus, beetles which emerged later in the season survived more to the first reproductive season than those emerged earlier. C. yaconinus which had survived the pre-reproductive period mostly died out during the first reproductive season of 5 months, and about 8% survived until the second season. In L. kumagaii which had a short reproductive period in autumn, about 20% survived to the second reproductive season, and a small proportion even to the third reproductive season. Accordingly, the proportion of old beetles in the reproductive population was higher in L. kumagaii than in C. yaconinus.
3. The reproductive population of C. yaconinus contained on the average 1600 beetles and produced 3300 new adults. the L. kumagaii population contained on the average about 530 reproductives in autumn, and about 820 beetles emerged in the following year. The recruitment rate of new adults of C. yaconinus was higher than that of L. kumagaii, and this resulted in its higher population density. In L. kumagaii, however, the high adult survivorship and iteroparous reproduction were important for its population growth.
4. Relationship between seasonal adaptation and demographic strategies in the carabid populations were discussed.

     

Limitation of reproduction by feeding condition in a carabid beetle,Carabus yaconinus

1. Effects of the amount of food consumed on reproduction of the carabid beetle, Carabus yaconinus B., were studied in the laboratory by rearing beetles at different food levels, and the feeding and oviposition rates in the field were estimated on the basis of the relationships between the amount of food consumed, body weight and egg production obtained in the experiment.
2. The maximum amount of food consumed was 150 mg of minced beef per day. The number of eggs laid per day and the mean body weight increased with an increase in the amount of food consumed. High mortality occurred only when the beetles consumed less than 25 mg of minced beef per day.
3. The ratio of current body weight to the minimum one just before death by starvation, W/W_min, was used for the estimation of the rates of food consumption and egg production. The relationships between mean W/W_min ratio, the amount of food consumed and the number of eggs laid per day were clarified.
4. The relationships between ovary states (ovary weight and the number of mature eggs in the ovary) and W/W_min ratio were examined for the females caught in the field. Females with higher values of W/W_min ratio had more mature eggs.
5. The amount of food consumed by females in the field during the reproductive period was estimated to be 50–70% of the maximum value attained in the experiment and the estimated rate of oviposition was 45–59% of the maximum rate attained in the experiment.

     

Continuous population estimates forDendroctonus frontalis Zimm. (Coleoptera: Scolytidae) occurring in infestations

Infestations of Dendroctonus frontalisZimm. are often observed to enlarge continuously by the colonization of new hosts in a pattern similar to a forest fire. This pattern of infestation growth presents unique problems in quantitatively estimating populations of D. frontalis. Beetle populations on each infested tree in an infestation go through five processes: attack, oviposition, reemergence, survivorship, and emergence. These processes, which have been described mathematically in the literature, each take several days for completion. In order to follow the distribution and abundance of D. frontalis throughout the course of development of a spot, we need a daily estimate of the number of beetles involved in each process on every tree. Since it is not practical to sample each tree daily, we developed a procedure whereby quantitative estimation procedures for within-tree populations were used in combination with the mathematical models for the life processes to produce a daily record of the number of adults successfully attacking trees, the number of eggs oviposited, the number of beetles reemerging, number of beetles surviving within the trees, and the number of beetles emerging. These daily estimates were then summarized for all trees in the spot for the duration of the infestation. The daily record of populations of D. frontalis, used with information on infestation geometry, were suggested to be of value in describing and elucidating several important facets of population dynamics including dispersal patterns within infestations, between tree beetle loss (mortality), and time lags among the various population processes. The information reported can be used to develop simulation models of population dynamics or to validate existing models.     

Factors affecting body size variation within a population of an herbivorous lady beetle,Henosepilachna niponica (Lewis)

Size variation in newly-emerged adults was examined in two different local populations of an herbivorous lady beetle, Henosepilachna niponica, for 1976–80. Mean adult size of both sexes changed rather synchronously in the two populations over 5 years. Body size of adult beetles apparently decreased with increasing leaf damage of the plants on which they developed. Adult beetles which emerged late in the season, associated with increasing food deterioration, were smaller than those which emerged early. Ecological consequences of adult size variation is discussed in terms of oviposition site selection.     

甲虫体内定居猪巨吻棘头虫微生态学初步研究

本文报告了１９８４年大连地区甲虫体内定居猪巨吻棘头虫的幼虫（棘头体）情况。大牙锯天牛的成虫定植率为１０．２％,低于１９７４年的３８．８％。本次调查发现铜绿丽金龟、蒙古丽金龟和灰粉锶金龟,共４种金龟体内都有棘头体定居,其定植率依次是２３．８％,２３．８％,１６．１％和３３．３％。前３种金龟体内定居着棘头体为大连地区首次报告。调查证明上述天牛和金龟６种甲虫也是本地区流行的猪巨吻棘头虫病的重要媒介,如采     

A dispersal-aggregation model for mountain pine beetle in lodgepole pine stands

In this paper a dispersal-attack theory for bark beetle attacking trees is developed from a set of simple assumptions, and the resulting theoretical model is fit to data from four epidemic studies. Implications of the theory are discussed in relation to the dynamics of lodgepole pine-mountain pine beetle interactions.     

Differences in temporal utilization patterns of dung pats among three scarabaeid dung beetles

1. Differences in the temporal utilization patterns of dung pats were investigated among three dung beetle species, Aphodius haroldianus, Onthophagus lenzii and Liatongus phanaeoides, and density effects of three species on emigration from a dung pat were compared.
2. A. haroldianus preferred fresh dung pats, immigrated to fresh pats and then emigrated from those pats quickly (mean duration of residence 48.4 h), whereas L. phanaeoides immigrated to older dung pats (over 7 days after deposition) as well as fresh ones and remained in the pats for the longest time (165.6 h).O. lenzii showed intermediate behavior in this respect (63.3 h).
3. In A. haroldianus, the presence of conspecifics induced faster emigration than presence of the other two species. L. phanaeoides showed the opposite relationship. In O. lenzii, the response to conspecifics was intermediate to those of the other two species.

     

Rostrum structure and development in the rice weevil Sitophilus oryzae (Coleoptera: Curculionoidea: Dryophthoridae)

A documentation and review of weevil rostrum growth is made through examination of the developmental life stages in the rice weevil Sitophilus oryzae (Linnaeus). Histological and morphological examinations are made utilizing light, fluorescent, and electron microscopy. In S. oryzae, rostral tissue begins proliferating in the late 4th instar larva and continues through to the pupal stage, with the majority of rostrum growth taking place in the prepupa. Adult cranial and rostral morphology is also reviewed, focusing on structures that may be pertinent to phylogeny reconstruction. The weevil rostrum is essentially an extension of various head sclerites that are basal to the mouthparts. Therefore, while the mouthparts are fairly similar to other Coleoptera in basic form, the head is markedly different due to its anterior extension. By understanding the more noticeable details of rostrum growth and structure, this study may serve as a foundation for comparative studies of a similar nature and as a basis for beginning research on the genetic nature of rostrum formation and evolution throughout the weevil clade.     

Maturation of optics and resolution in adult dung beetle superposition eyes

Summary The maturation of the morphology and refractive-index gradients of the crystalline cones and cornea of the superposition compound eye of the nocturnal dung beetle Onitis aygulus was traced as a function of age following adult ecdysis. Intracellular recordings from retinula cells were also made to trace the maturation of angular sensitivity, thereby determining the resolution of the eye at each age. Maturation proceeded quickly during the first 3 days following ecdysis, and then more slowly, with full maturation attained by the end of the second week. The main experimental results obtained during the first 2 weeks after ecdysis were: (1) the mean length of the crystalline cones increases from 67 m to 79 m; (2) the mean thickness of the cornea increases from 36 m to 50 m; (3) the mean refractive index along the axis of the crystalline cones increases from 1.459 to 1.511 in the distal cone region, from 1.434 to 1.501 in the waist region and from 1.425 to 1.486 in the proximal region; (4) the shape of the refractive-index gradient becomes more parabolic; (5) the mean rhabdom cross-sectional area increases from 190 m² to 230 m²; (6) the angular-sensitivity function narrows, with the acceptance angle decreasing from 22 ° to 4 °. An optical ray tracing model predicts an image quality limited only by the immaturity of the optics, a prediction confirmed by the electrophysiological results. The results are compared to optical maturation in day-active moths and skipper butterflies (which mature very quickly) and discussed in relation to ecological efficiency.     

Superposition optics and the time of flight in onitine dung beetles

Dung beetles fly to fresh dung, with vision essential for flight navigation. The daily period of flight varies among different species: some beetles fly only in sunlight, others only when ambient light levels change rapidly during dusk or dawn and others in the constant dark of night. Measurements of the optical properties of the lenses, eye geometry and photoreceptor dimensions were used in a computer ray-tracing model to determine the optical performance of the superposition eyes of nine species of onitine dung beetles. Eye sensitivity to light is determined mainly by body size, by the refractive-index parameters and size of the crystalline cones, and by the photoreceptor dimensions. Based on the optics of the ommatidial lenses and absorption of light in the retina, the most sensitive eyes, found in the crepuscular-nocturnal beetles, are 85 times or nearly two log units more sensitive than the eyes of the diurnal beetles. Three possible criteria are considered to determine the best position for the retina: maximum amount of light absorbed in the target rhabdom; maximum amount of light falling on the target rhabdom (best focus); and maximum resolution. The structure and physiological optics of the superposition compound eyes of an onitine dung beetle are matched to the range of light intensities at which it flies. Accepted: 4 February 1998     

不同食性甲虫的含能值、含水量及其变动规律研究

以干旱地区的肉食性步甲科(Carabidae)和植食性拟步甲科(Tenebrionidae)昆虫成体为材料,测定鞘翅目甲虫的含能值和含水量,分析其含能值和含水量的相互关系及其变动规律.结果表明,肉食性步甲科昆虫的含能值(22.64 J/mg无灰干重)显著高于植食性拟步甲科昆虫(20.55 J/mg无灰干重)(P<0.05),相反,前者的含水量(54.96%)却显著地低于后者(63.28%)(P<0.05).步甲科和拟步甲科昆虫的含能值都与其含水量成显著负相关(r=-0.5962,P<0.05).步甲科和拟步甲科昆虫的含能值或含水量具有明显的季节变动规律,两科的变动规律基本相同,其中,含能值在秋季最高(22.80 J/mg无灰干重),春季最低(20.42 J/mg无灰干重),含水量则相反,秋季最低(54.93%),春季最高(61.88%)(P<0.05).步甲科和拟步甲科昆虫的头、胸、腹和附肢不同体区的含能值具有显著差异(P<0.05),其中,腹部的含能值最高(22.65 J/mg无灰干重),其次为胸部(21.33 J/mg无灰干重),头部和附肢的含能值最低(20.89 J/mg无灰干重和20.60 J/mg无灰干重).不同体区的含能值也具有同样的季节变动,即含能值在秋季最高(22.30 J/mg无灰干重),春季最低(19.46 J/mg无灰干重)(P<0.05).步甲科和拟步甲科昆虫的个体含能值与其头、胸、腹和附肢各体区的含能值成正相关,相关系数分别为0.718、0.846、0.897和0.604(P<0.05);其中个体含能值与腹部或胸部体区含能值的相关系数显著地高于它们与头部和附肢含能值的相关系数(P<0.05);这些结果说明,脂质在甲虫腹部和胸部的积聚是引起甲虫个体含能值提高的主要原因.本文对不同食性甲虫含能值产生差异的原因,甲虫含能值和含水量变动的影响因素也进行了分析;并结合最佳摄食理论,就甲虫作为猎物,其含能值和含水量的这些变动规律对食虫动物食物选择所可能产生的影响也进行了探讨,就今后进一步检验食虫动物摄食对策所应开展的猎物喂养食虫动物的实验提出建议.     

Three new asexual arthroconidial yeasts, Geotrichum carabidarum sp. nov., Geotrichum histeridarum sp. nov., and Geotrichum cucujoidarum sp. nov., isolated from the gut of insects

Twenty arthroconidial yeasts were isolated from the digestive tract of basidiome-feeding beetles and lepidopteran larvae. All of the yeasts reproduced only asexually by arthroconidia and some by endo- or blastoconidia as well. Based on the comparisons of sequences in ribosomal RNA genes and other taxonomic characteristics, the yeasts were identified as three unknown Geotrichum species. The three new species are described as Geotrichum carabidarum (NRRL Y-27727^T), G. histeridarum (NRRL Y-27729^T), and G. cucujoidarum (NRRL Y-27731^T). Phylogenetic analyses from ribosomal DNA sequences showed that members of the genus Geotrichum and related arthroconidial yeast taxa were divided into two major clades: (1) Dipodascus and Galactomyces with Geotrichum anamorphs including all the new species; and (2) Magnusiomyces with Saprochaete anamorphs. G. cucujoidarum formed a subclade with G. fermentans and Geotrichum sp. Y-5419, while the two closely related species, G. carabidarum and G. histeridarum, represent a new basal subclade in the clade of Geotrichum and its teleomorphs.     

Intralocus sexual conflict and offspring sex ratio

Males and females frequently have different fitness optima for shared traits, and as a result, genotypes that are high fitness as males are low fitness as females, and vice versa. When this occurs, biasing of offspring sex-ratio to reduce the production of the lower-fitness sex would be advantageous, so that for example, broods produced by high-fitness females should contain fewer sons. We tested for offspring sex-ratio biasing consistent with these predictions in broad-horned flour beetles. We found that in both wild-type beetles and populations subject to artificial selection for high- and low-fitness males, offspring sex ratios were biased in the predicted direction: low-fitness females produced an excess of sons, whereas high-fitness females produced an excess of daughters. Thus, these beetles are able to adaptively bias sex ratio and recoup indirect fitness benefits of mate choice.     

Modelling the effects of field spatial scale and natural enemy colonization behaviour on pest suppression in diversified agroecosystems

1. Diversifying agroecosystems by establishing or retaining natural vegetation in and around crop areas has long been recognized as a potentially effective means of bolstering pest control as a result of attracting more numerous and diverse natural enemies, although outcomes are inconsistent across species.
2. Little is known about the underlying mechanisms driving such differences in species responses, creating challenges for determining how best to manage landscapes for maximizing environmental services such as biological control.
3. The present study addresses gaps in our understanding of the link between noncrop vegetation in field margins and pest suppression by using a system of partial differential equations to model population‐level predator–prey interactions, as well as spatial processes, aiming to capture the dynamics of crop plants, herbivores and two generalist predators.
4. We focus on differences in how two predators (a carabid and a ladybird beetle) colonize crop fields where they forage for prey, examining differences in how they move into the fields from adjacent vegetation as a potential driver of differences in overall pest suppression.
5. The results obtained demonstrate that predator colonization behaviour and spatial scale are important factors with respect to determining the effectiveness of biological control.