Ectoparasites from fruit bats and rats on Niue Island

Examination of 3 species of mammals from Niue Island revealed the following host/ectoparasite associations. Rattus rattus (L.) : the mites Androlaelaps casalis, Laelaps echidninus, L. nuttalli, Ornithonyssus bacoti, Listrophoroides cucullatus, and Dermatophagoides pteronys‐sinus; and the louse Polyplax spinulosa. Rattus exulans (Peale) : L. echidninus, L. nuttali, and L. cucullatus; and the louse Hoplopleura pacifica. Pteropus t. tonganus Quoy & Gaimard: the mite Meristaspis calcarata. These new records for the island are discussed in relation to existing records from the Pacific region.     

Cuculicola kui n.sp. (Phthiraptera: Philopteridae) from the New Zealand shining cuckoo

Abstract

The chewing louse Cuculicola kui n.sp., from Chalcites lucidus lucidus (Gmelin, 1788), is described and illustrated.     

Factors affecting the bionomics of the eastern African egg parasitoid Trichogramma bournieri Pintureau & Babault (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae)

The trichogrammatid Trichogramma bournieri Pintureau & Babault is a polyphagous parasitoid of eggs of several cereal stemborer species in eastern Africa. The effects of host species, host age and duration of host deprivation on the performance of the parasitoid were studied in the laboratory. Host acceptance and suitability were tested using five stemborer species. The noctuids Sesamia calamistis Hampson, Sesamia nonagrioides (Lefebvre), Busseola fusca (Fuller) the crambid Chilo partellus (Swinhoe) and the pyralid Eldana saccharina Walker were successfully parasitized by T. bournieri. Parasitism, number of progeny and developmental time varied significantly with host species. The eggs of S. calamistis and B. fusca were the most suitable, whereas those of E. saccharina were the least suitable. While parasitism and number of progeny tended to decrease with age of hosts, there were no significant differences in sex ratio. Longevity of the parasitoid increased with increase in deprivation of hosts from 0 to 12 days. Average lifetime fecundity per female decreased, indicating resorption of eggs.     

Suitability of native and ornamental oak species in California for Agrilus auroguttatus

Goldspotted oak borer, Agrilus auroguttatus Schaeffer (Coleoptera: Buprestidae), is a new invasive species in southern California, USA. The extent of the host range of this insect is not known, but this knowledge will have a major impact on assessment of the risks that this pest poses to oaks [Quercus spp. (Fagaceae)]. We conducted laboratory tests to determine the potential suitability of native and ornamental oak species for larvae and adults of A. auroguttatus. We infested 179 cut logs (from 163 different trees) with eggs or larvae, measured neonate survival and, after 5 months, counted feeding galleries, and noted the proportion of galleries with late instars. Initial larval survival was generally high when larvae penetrated the phloem (range: 62–98% among oak species), and low by the time larvae began to feed at the phloem/xylem interface (range: 0–25% among oak species). The majority of larvae that established a visible feeding gallery survived to the fourth instar (total of 73% for all oak species). Larval galleries were established with greater frequency in red oaks (Section Lobatae) compared with other oaks (19 vs. 7 or 4%). All red oaks tested (Q. agrifolia Née, Q. kelloggii Newberry, and Q. wislizeni A. DC.) were likely suitable hosts for larvae. Larvae were apparently able to feed on some of the other oaks (Q. chrysolepis Leibmann, Q. suber L., Q. lobata Née, and Q. douglasii Hook & Arn), although it remains unclear whether these species would be preferred hosts under natural conditions. Adult longevity and fecundity varied little by species of oak foliage fed to adults. The host range of A. auroguttatus is likely limited by suitability of oak species for the larval rather than the adult life stage. Results support published field observations that red oaks are more suitable hosts than white oaks.     

Are egg parasitoids of the genus Trichogramma (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) promising biological control agents for regulating the invasive Box tree pyralid,Cydalima perspectalis (Lepidoptera: Crambidae)?

The Box tree pyralid, Cydalima perspectalis Walker (Lepidoptera: Crambidae), is an invasive species in Europe, not yet regulated by natural enemies. It is highly destructive to ornamental and native Buxus due to defoliation by larval feeding. The ability of eight Trichogramma species (T. brassicae Bezdenko, T. bourarachae Pintureau & Babault, T. cacoeciae Marchal, T. cordubensis Vargas & Cabello, T. dendrolimi Matsumura, T. evanescens Westwood, T. nerudai Pintureau & Gerding and T. pintoi Voegele) to parasitise and locate eggs of C. perspectalis was assessed in the laboratory. In direct observation tests, all species started to examine and oviposit into exposed eggs. Resulting egg parasitism was low and ranged between 4% and 20% for most of the parasitoid species after three days of exposure. Only T. dendrolimi parasitised significantly more host eggs with parasitism rates above 40%. On average, two to three progeny emerged from one host egg and the resulting sex ratio was female-biased, indicating suitability of the target host for progeny production. In subsequent cage tests on potted Buxus plants, again T. dendrolimi was the most efficient species in locating host eggs on foliage. We conclude that C. perspectalis eggs are attractive to various Trichogramma species. T. pintoi had the highest number of egg encounters and active females. T. dendrolimi females were most able to locate host eggs and to oviposit and produce successfully on them. Nonetheless, further study is needed to clarify the suspected role of potentially egg defensive mechanisms that may impede higher parasitisation in C. perspectalis.     

New,known and unidentified species of Eulimdana (Nematoda): additional information on biologically unusual filarioids of charadriiform birds

Eulimdana spp. were found in 13 of 32 species of charadriiform birds from North America and Iceland; 88 of 636 adult birds and seven of 72 juvenile birds harboured infections. Described are: E. andersoni n. sp. from Chlidonias niger; E. metcalforum n. sp. from Sterna hirundo; E. sonini n. sp. from Charadrius hiaticula; E. wongae n. sp. from Limosa fedoa; and E. bainae n. sp. from Numenius phaeopus. Eulimdana asperum Bartlett, Anderson, & Bush, 1989 is reported for the second time in its type-host, Phalaropus tricolor. The emerging pattern of one parasite species to one host species suggests that most Eulimdana species are strongly host specific. However, E. florencae Bartlett & Anderson, 1990 is reported for the first time in a second species of Calidris (C. alba) and may be the unidentified species found in C. bairdii, C. alpina and C. pusilla. Other unidentified species were found in Larus pipixcan, Arenaria interpres and Recurvirostra americana. A key to species-groups (three are proposed) and species of Eulimdana in charadriiforms is given. Two pieces of evidence support an earlier suggestion that infections are acquired by neo-natal charadriiforms: (1) the presence of E. wongae in a bird captured as a chick and examined after two months in captivity; and (2) a greater frequency of mixed sex infections with microfilariae in infected juvenile birds (four of seven) than in infected adult birds (five of 88). The latter also supports an earlier suggestion that post-reproductive worms are ephemeral.     

Chewing lice from high‐altitude and migrating birds in Yunnan,China, with descriptions of two new species of Guimaraesiella

In total, 366 birds representing 55 species in 24 families and eight orders, were examined for chewing lice (Phthiraptera: Amblycera, Ischnocera) in two high‐altitude localities in Yunnan Province, China. In Ailaoshan, almost all of the birds examined were resident passeriforms, of which 36% were parasitized by chewing lice. In Jinshanyakou, most birds were on migration, and included both passerine and non‐passerine birds. Of the passerine birds caught in Jinshanyakou, only one bird (0.7%) was parasitized by chewing lice. The prevalence of Myrsidea and Brueelia‐complex lice on birds caught in Ailaoshan was higher than in previous reports. Of the chewing lice identifiable to species level, three represent new records for China: Actornithophilus hoplopteri (Mjöberg, 1910), Maculinirmus ljosalfar Gustafsson & Bush, 2017 and Quadraceps sinensis Timmermann, 1954. In total, 17 new host records are included, of which we describe two as new species in the Brueelia‐complex: Guimaraesiella (Cicchinella) ailaoshanensis sp. nov. ex Schoeniparus dubius dubius (Hume, 1874) and G. (C.) montisodalis sp. nov. ex Fulvetta manipurensis tonkinensis Delacour & Jabouille, 1930. This published work has been registered in ZooBank, http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:9FC3D8EE‐2CED‐4DBE‐A1DB‐471B71260D27 .     

Host behaviour drives parasite genetics at multiple geographic scales: population genetics of the chewing louse,Thomomydoecus minor

Pocket gophers and their symbiotic chewing lice form a host–parasite assemblage known for a high degree of cophylogeny, thought to be driven by life history parameters of both host and parasite that make host switching difficult. However, little work to date has focused on determining whether these life histories actually impact louse populations at the very fine scale of louse infrapopulations (individuals on a single host) at the same or at nearby host localities. We used microsatellite and mtDNA sequence data to make comparisons of chewing‐louse (Thomomydoecus minor) population subdivision over time and over geographic space where there are different potential amounts of host interaction surrounding a zone of contact between two hybridizing pocket‐gopher subspecies. We found that chewing lice had high levels of population isolation consistent with a paucity of horizontal transmission even at the very fine geographic scale of a single alfalfa field. We also found marked genetic discontinuity in louse populations corresponding with host subspecies and little, if any, admixture in the louse genetic groups even though the lice are closely related. The correlation of louse infrapopulation differentiation with host interaction at multiple scales, including across a discontinuity in pocket‐gopher habitat, suggests that host behaviour is the primary driver of parasite genetics. This observation makes sense in light of the life histories of both chewing lice and pocket gophers and provides a powerful explanation for the well‐documented pattern of parallel cladogenesis in pocket gophers and chewing lice.     

Unexpected distribution patterns of Carduiceps feather lice (Phthiraptera: Ischnocera: Philopteridae) on sandpipers (Aves: Charadriiformes: Scolopacidae)

The louse genus Carduiceps Clay & Meinertzhagen, 1939 is widely distributed on sandpipers and stints (Calidrinae). The current taxonomy includes three species on the Calidrinae (Carduiceps meinertzhageni, Carduiceps scalaris, Carduiceps zonarius) and four species on noncalidrine hosts. We estimated a phylogeny of four of the seven species of Carduiceps (the three mentioned above and Carduiceps fulvofasciatus) from 13 of the 29 hosts based on three mitochondrial loci, and evaluated the relative importance of flyway differentiation (same host species has different lice along different flyways) and flyway homogenization (different host species have the same lice along the same flyway). We found no evidence for either process. Instead, the present, morphology‐based, taxonomy of the genus corresponds exactly to the gene‐based phylogeny, with all four included species monophyletic. Carduiceps zonarius is found both to inhabit a wider range of hosts than wing lice of the genus Lunaceps occurring on the same group of birds, and to occur on Calidris sandpipers of all sizes, both of which are unexpected for a body louse. The previously proposed family Esthiopteridae is found to be monophyletic with good support. The concatenated dataset suggests that the pigeon louse genus Columbicola may be closely related to the auk and diver louse genus Craspedonirmus. These two genera share some morphological characters with Carduiceps, but no support was obtained for grouping these three genera together. Based on mitochondrial data alone, the relationships among genera within this proposed family cannot be properly assessed, but some previously suggested relationships within this proposed family are confirmed.     

Species level taxonomy of the Neotropical hairstreak genus Porthecla (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae: Theclinae: Eumaeini)

The species level taxonomy of Porthecla is revised. Six previously described species are recognized: P. ravus (Druce 1907); P. barba (Druce 1907); P. dinus (Hewitson 1867); P. porthura (Druce 1907); P. minyia (Hewitson 1867); P. gemma (Druce 1907), and another six new species are proposed: P. forasteira Faynel & Moser n. sp.; P. annette Faynel & Robbins n. sp.; P. johanna Faynel & Robbins n. sp.; P. peruensis Faynel & Moser n. sp.; P. prietoi Faynel & Busby n. sp. and P. willmotti Busby, Faynel & Moser n. sp. For each Porthecla species we present diagnostic characters, images of male and female adults, drawings of male and female genitalia, distribution maps, and notes on habitat and other biological traits. An identification key for males is provided. To stabilize names; lectotypes are designated for Thecla minyia Hewitson 1867, and Thecla gemma Druce 1907. Wing pattern resemblances between Porthecla and other genera are discussed.     

Revision of the genus Thermistis Pascoe 1867, with descriptions of three new species (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae: Lamiinae: Saperdini)

The genus Thermistis Pascoe 1867 is revised. T. croceocincta conjunctesignata Rondon & Breuning 1971 is upgraded to a species and newly recorded from China and Myanmar. T. xanthomelas Holzschuh 2007 is newly recorded from Vietnam, Laos and Myanmar. T. sulphureonotata Pu 1984 is newly recorded from Vietnam and Laos. Three new species are described from China: T. hainanensis Lin & Yang n. sp. from Hainan Island, T. kaiyuni Chou & Kurihara n. sp. from Taiwan Island and T. cheni Lin & Chou n. sp. from Yunnan and Sichuan provinces. Photographs of habitus and terminalia and a key to the eleven valid species of Thermistis are presented.     

Louse flies of Eleonora’s falcons that also feed on their prey are evolutionary dead‐end hosts for blood parasites

Host shifts are widespread among avian haemosporidians, although the success of transmission depends upon parasite‐host and parasite‐vector compatibility. Insular avifaunas are typically characterized by a low prevalence and diversity of haemosporidians, although the underlying ecological and evolutionary processes remain unclear. We investigated the parasite transmission network in an insular system formed by Eleonora's falcons (the avian host), louse flies that parasitize the falcons (the potential vector), and haemosporidians (the parasites). We found a great diversity of parasites in louse flies (16 Haemoproteus and 6 Plasmodium lineages) that did not match with lineages previously found infecting adult falcons (only one shared lineage). Because Eleonora's falcon feeds on migratory passerines hunted over the ocean, we sampled falcon kills in search of the origin of parasites found in louse flies. Surprisingly, louse flies shared 10 of the 18 different parasite lineages infecting falcon kills. Phylogenetic analyses revealed that all lineages found in louse flies (including five new lineages) corresponded to Haemoproteus and Plasmodium parasites infecting Passeriformes. We found molecular evidence of louse flies feeding on passerines hunted by falcons. The lack of infection in nestlings and the mismatch between the lineages isolated in adult falcons and louse flies suggest that despite louse flies’ contact with a diverse array of parasites, no successful transmission to Eleonora's falcon occurs. This could be due to the falcons’ resistance to infection, the inability of parasites to develop in these phylogenetically distant species, or the inability of haemosporidian lineages to complete their development in louse flies.     

Lineage sorting in multihost parasites: Eidmanniella albescens and Fregatiella aurifasciata on seabirds from the Galapagos Islands

Parasites comprise a significant percentage of the biodiversity of the planet and are useful systems to test evolutionary and ecological hypotheses. In this study, we analyze the effect of host species identity and the immediate local species assemblage within mixed species colonies of nesting seabirds on patterns of genetic clustering within two species of multihost ectoparasitic lice. We use three genetic markers (one mitochondrial, COI, and two nuclear, EF1‐α and wingless) and maximum likelihood phylogenetic trees to test whether (1) parasites show lineage sorting based on their host species; and (2) switching of lineages to the alternate host species depends on the immediate local species assemblage of individual hosts within a colony. Specifically, we examine the genetic structure of two louse species: Eidmanniella albescens, infecting both Nazca (Sula granti) and blue‐footed boobies (Sula nebouxii), and Fregatiella aurifasciata, infecting both great (Fregata minor) and magnificent frigatebirds (Fregata magnificens). We found that host species identity was the only factor explaining the patterns of genetic structure in both parasites. In both cases, there is evident genetic differentiation depending on the host species. Thus, a revision of the taxonomy of these louse species is needed. One possible explanation of this pattern is extremely low louse migration rates between host species, perhaps influenced by fine‐scale spatial separation of host species within mixed colonies, and low parasite infrapopulation numbers.     

Six new species of the subgenera Alloparadisa and Ashima (Diptera: Drosophilidae: Phortica) from Yunnan,China, with DNA barcoding information

Six new species of the genus Phortica are described from Yunnan, Southwest China: P. (Alloparadisa) kaibangya n. sp., P. (Ashima) semiannulata n. sp., P. (Ashima) dianmianensis n. sp., P. (Ashima) idiasta n. sp., P. (Ashima) menglian n. sp. and P. (Ashima) zhangyuanae n. sp. The 22 new DNA sequences of the mitochondrial COI gene with BOLD Process ID and GenBank accession numbers are provided for the six new species and six related known species from southern China: P. (Ashima) glabra, Chen & Toda, 2005 P. (Ashima) nudiarista Cheng & Chen, 2008, P. (Ashima) saltiaristula Chen & Wen, 2005, P. (Ashima) spinosa, Chen & Toda, 2005 P. (Ashima) symmetria Chen & Toda, 2005 and P. (Ashima) yiqini Zhu & Chen, 2017. The pairwise interspecific K-2P COI distances among all Chinese species of the subgenera Alloparadisa and Ashima are summarized. An identification key to males of all Chinese species of the subgenera Alloparadisa and Ashima is provided.     

Seasonal changes in the density of the symbionts Buchnera and Wolbachia of the aphid Tuberculatus macrotuberculatus on Quercus dentata

Seasonal changes in leaf traits and tannins, including hydrolysable tannins (HTs) and condensed tannins (CTs), affect aphid body size and demographic patterns. The aphid Tuberculatus macrotuberculatus Essig & Kuwana (Hemiptera: Aphididae) feeds on the leaves of the daimyo oak, Quercus dentata Thunberg (Fagaceae), does not alternate hosts, and is attended continuously by ants. Buchnera aphidicola Munson et al. (a γ‐proteobacterium, hereafter Buchnera) is the primary symbiont of most aphid species. It provides essential amino acids to host aphids. Wolbachia sp. (an α‐proteobacterium) is present in some aphid species. This study investigated the effects of seasonal tannin and leaf trait fluctuations in Q. dentata on aphid performance and Buchnera and Wolbachia densities in T. macrotuberculatus. As the season progressed, the water content and HT concentration in Q. dentata leaves decreased, CT concentration in Q. dentata leaves increased, and T. macrotuberculatus performance decreased. Buchnera density varied in accordance with host aphid performance, whereas Wolbachia density did not vary throughout the season, suggesting that although Buchnera depends on the host plant and host aphid performance for growth, Wolbachia may have a high tolerance for oligotrophic environments and may exist independent of the nutritional metabolism of the host aphid. Although the role of Wolbachia in T. macrotuberculatus remains unclear, it may be associated with resistance to parasitoid wasps and plant secondary metabolites.     

The leafmining Leurocephala schinusae (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae): not suitable for the biological control of Schinus terebinthifolius (Sapindales: Anacardiaceae) in continental USA

The host range of Leurocephala schinusae Davis & Mc Kay (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae) was studied to assess its suitability as a biological control agent of Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi (Anacardiaceae), a serious environmental weed in the USA and elsewhere in the world. The host range was determined in the laboratory with adult no-choice oviposition (Argentina and USA) and larval development tests (USA). Seventeen plant species in ten genera were selected based on taxonomic relatedness to S. terebinthifolius, economic importance, and availability. Additional information was obtained by sampling foliage of S. terebinthifolius and six other South American native Anacardiaceae species in north-eastern Argentina. In the laboratory, except for Lithrea molleoides and Spondias mombin, all of the tested species were accepted for oviposition with a marked preference for Rhus aromatica. Incipient mines successfully developed into complete mines, pupae and adults on R. aromatica, Rhus copallinum, Schinus molle, Schinus lentiscifolius and S. terebinthifolius. In the field, although L. schinusae showed a clear preference for S. terebinthifolius, the host range, as determined by samples of host use in the native range, included three other Schinus species (S. lentiscifolius, Schinus longifolius, Schinus weinmannifolius) and one Astronium species (Astronium balansae). In conclusion, L. schinusae will not be considered for the biological control of S. terebinthifolius in continental US. However, the utilisation of this species in other infested areas such as Hawaii and Australia should be further discussed.     

A new genus and a new subgenus of cavernicolous beetles from Furong Jiang valley,southwestern China (Coleoptera: Carabidae: Trechinae)

A new genus and a new subgenus of semi-aphaenopsian trechine beetles are described from Furong Jiang valley in the bordering areas of Chongqing Shi (Municipality) and Guizhou Province, southwestern China: Deuveaphaenops Tian & Huang, n. gen. (type species: Deuveaphaenops qimenxicus Tian & Huang, n. sp. from Qimenxia Cave II, Wulong Xian, Chongqing) and Furongius Tian & Huang, n. subgen. (type species: Deuveaphaenops (Furongius) gelaophilus Tian & Huang, n. sp. from cave Xianmi Dong, Daozhen Xian, Guizhou). Deuveaphaenops probably belongs to the complex of Cathaiaphaenops, Qianotrechus, Guizhaphaenops and Sinotroglodytes.     

An experimental test of potential host range in the ant parasitoid Apocephalus paraponerae

1. The work reported here tested experimentally whether specialisation in Apocephalus paraponerae was due to physiological interactions that limit the parasitoid to the host ant Paraponera clavata. The suitability of other ant species as hosts was tested, and behavioural traits that may promote a high degree of specificity within this host–parasitoid system are discussed. 2. Data for development time, number of puparia, and adult eclosion success for A. paraponerae ovipositing in the regular host P. clavata are provided. A new method for testing host suitability in parasitoids of ants is described. Eggs of A. paraponerae were transferred directly into potential ant hosts. The development time, number of puparia, and adults eclosed for the eggs transferred into other ant host species are compared with comparable data from P. clavata. 3. Seven ant species within the Ponerinae are suitable for the development of A. paraponerae. The potential host range is greater than the actual host range of A. paraponerae. Flies are not limited solely by host suitability of related ant species for the development of larvae. Host location and acceptance behaviours are proposed as the primary reasons for host specialisation. The large size of the primary host P. clavata, and the ability of multiple females to raise many offspring successfully from those hosts may influence the specialisation of A. paraponerae on P. clavata.     

Rodent louse diversity,phylogeny, and cospeciation in the Manu Biosphere Reserve,Peru

We investigated the diversity, cophylogenetic relationships, and biogeography of hoplopleurid sucking lice (Phthiraptera: Anoplura) parasitizing rodents (Muridae: Sigmodontinae) in the Manu National Park and Biosphere Reserve. Our morphological and molecular studies reveal that 15 distinct louse species parasitize 19 rodent species. Three of these louse species are new to science, and all but two of the host associations were previously unknown. We find that hoplopleurid lice in South America parasitize multiple host species across a large geographic area, and that Peru represents a new geographic locality for almost all the louse species collected in the present study. Phylogenetic analyses of mitochondrial and nuclear data reveal that the louse family Hoplopleuridae and the genera Hoplopleura and Pterophthirus are not monophyletic, and lice do not appear to group by host tribe, collecting locality, or collection elevation. The lack of monophyly for these apparently natural groups (taxonomic, locality, and elevation) indicates that host switching with or without parasite speciation may be prevalent among hoplopleurid lice. © 2008 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2008, 95 , 598–610.