Life history and population dynamics of the western mosquitofish: a comparison of natural and introduced populations

Life history and population dynamic patterns of Gambusia affinis in southeastern Louisiana varied spatially and temporally in 1990 and 1991, but were consistent with previous reports of this species in the southern regions of its natural range. Several differences exist among populations in different geographic regions within the United States, as reported in the literature, which do not follow a' native v . introduced' dichotomy: (1) brood size decreases and offspring size increases from north to south; (2) large overwintered females in northern areas produce more broods within a season than those in southern populations, while the reverse is true for young-of–year females; (3) minimum size at first reproduction follows a seasonal pattern within populations, but tends to be smaller in southern and larger in northern and Hawaiian populations; (4) synchronous reproduction early in the season is characteristic of northern populations, but does not occur in southern areas; and (5) mosquitofish reproduce year–round in Hawaii, while 'southern' populations within the continental U.S. cease reproduction during winter.     

蛇莓跳甲的生物学初步观察

蛇莓跳甲Alticafragariae(Nakane)是一种寡食性昆虫,在北京地区世代重叠现象明显,1年可发生2~3代,以成虫越冬,越冬时有明显的群集行为。蛇莓跳甲幼虫共3个龄期。在实验室条件下(光照∶黑暗=16∶8,25℃),蛇莓跳甲卵期为7~9d,平均7.57d;从幼虫孵出开始到羽化需要20~24d,其中雄虫平均需要21.31d,雌虫平均需要21.73d,羽化率为79%,羽化后5~7d可达到性成熟,开始交配、产卵。     

落叶松球果花蝇头胸和腹部粗提液阻碍与引诱作用的试验

将雌性落叶松和黑松球果花蝇头胸和腹部充分研磨 ,加入溶剂正己烷得到粗提液。应用该粗提液进行了球果花蝇产卵阻碍信息素和性引诱信息素的野外试验。初步结果显示球果花蝇有产卵阻碍信息素作用的存在 ,但还需进一步试验证明 ;同时结果未显示有性引诱效果。     

Biological control of Culicidae with the copepod Mesocyclops aspericornis and larvivorous fish (Poeciliidae) in a village of French Polynesia

The copepod Mesocyclops aspericornis Daday and the larvivorous fishes Gambusia affinis (B. & G.) and Poecilia reticulata R. & B., were released into mosquito breeding sites in Tuherahera village, Tikehau atoll, French Polynesia, to control larvae of Aedes aegypti (L.), Ae.polynesiensis Marks, Culex annulirostris Skuse and Cx quinquefasciatus Say. Treatments were completed within a week, in January 1990. Fish quickly eliminated mosquito larvae from the open breeding sites (ponds, wells). The impact of copepods in water tanks, drums and covered wells was inconsistent, apparently depending on the availability of microfaunal diet for growth of copepod nauplii. As the biting rate of adult Ae.aegypti seemed to be unaffected by the biological control of larvae, this village-scale experiment was judged to be unsuccessful as a means of vector control.     

Ontogenetic Changes in Daphnia Responsiveness to Fish Kairomone

Exposing Daphnia to the presence of a predator at different stages of ontogenesis leads to different reactions. Predator-induced changes of life history parameters related to the first reproduction schedule, as age and size at first reproduction, take place in the stage preceding that one in which vitellogenesis occurs. Determination of the amount of energy allocated to this first reproduction, including offspring number, occurs in the first 24-h of life. In case of parameters related to reproduction schedule, time since induction until the release of the first clutch of offspring is tens of hours; in case of allocation patterns – more than 100. This suggests that Daphnia do not remember the information of a potential threat but, instead, the decisions on future development are undertaken once they have estimated the reigning predation regime. Shortening of the period during which eggs are carried in the brood chamber, thus shortening the time when Daphnia are more easily visible, may be another adaptation to reduce danger from fish predation and so increasing the probability of survival until the first successful reproduction.     

HYBRID ZONE DYNAMICS ARE INFLUENCED BY GENOTYPE-SPECIFIC VARIATION IN LIFE-HISTORY TRAITS: EXPERIMENTAL EVIDENCE FROM HYBRIDIZING GAMBUSIA SPECIES

Results from two experiments are presented that contrast differences in life-history traits and population dynamics between two species of live bearing fishes (Gambusia affinis and G. holbrooki) that hybridize across portions of the southeastern United States. Progeny from parental holbrooki and holbrooki-affinis F₁ crosses exhibited larger lengths at birth, at 15 days, and matured earlier, and at larger size than did progeny from parental affinis and affinis-holbrooki F₁ crosses. Comparisons of experimental populations of affinis, holbrooki, and mixed (affinis + holbrooki) species composition followed over two years revealed that affinis populations consistently exhibited smaller population size, lower carrying capacity, lower recruitment, and larger over-winter mortality than did holbrooki or mixed populations. Evidence for density-dependent reductions in fecundity and concomitant increases in juvenile mortality rates were observed in all populations, but were most pronounced for affinis populations. Genotype-specific differences in life-history traits appear to confer differential advantage to offspring of parental holbrooki origin and F, progeny of holbrooki maternal parentage given the resource availability and the age structure and densities experienced during these experiments. Results have direct implications regarding the rate and direction of evolution within hybrid zones formed by these two species.     

杨树和核桃树两种寄主植物上云斑天牛产卵刻槽的分布

为了对比杨树和核桃树两种寄主植物上云斑天牛成虫产卵方式的差异,本研究于2013年通过林间定期调查的方法得到了云斑天牛成虫在两种寄主植物上的产卵规律。杨树上,产卵刻槽沿树干一周,卵产于韧皮部或者木质部;核桃树上,产卵刻槽沿着树干上下排列,卵产于树皮缝内。两种寄主植物上,产卵刻槽的数量均随着树干高度的增高而减少,但在不同高度范围内没有差异(df=2,6,F=0.866;df=2,15,F=0.071),且在不同方向上也没有差异(F1=0.691;F2=0.646;F3=0.994)。另外还调查了寄主植物胸径与产卵刻槽数量之间的关系,结果表明,产卵刻槽不会随着寄主植物胸径的增大而增多。这些研究结论为进一步完善云斑天牛的生物学特性提供了理论依据。     

Formulation development of the biocontrol agent Bacillus subtilis strain CPA-8 by spray-drying

Aims: To prepare commercially acceptable formulations of Bacillus subtilis CPA‐8 by spray‐drying with long storage life and retained efficacy to control peach and nectarine brown rot caused by Monilinia spp. Methods and Results: CPA‐8 24‐h‐ and 72‐h‐old cultures were spray dried using 10% skimmed milk, 10% skimmed milk plus 10% MgSO₄, 10% MgSO₄ and 20% MgSO₄ as carriers/protectants. All carriers/protectants gave good percentages of powder recovery (28–38%) and moisture content (7–13%). CPA‐8 survival varied considerably among spray‐dried 24‐h‐ and 72‐h‐old cultures. Seventy‐two hours culture spray dried formulations showed the highest survival (28–32%) with final concentration products of 1·6–3·3 × 10⁹ CFU g^?1, while viability of 24‐h‐old formulations was lower than 1%. Spray‐dried 72‐h‐old formulations were selected to subsequent evaluation. Rehydration of cells with water provided a good recovery of CPA‐8 dried cells, similar to other complex rehydration media tested. Spray‐dried formulations stored at 4 ± 1 and 20 ± 1°C showed good shelf life during 6 months, and viability was maintained or slightly decreased by 0·2–0·3‐log. CPA‐8 formulations after 4‐ and 6 months storage were effective in controlling brown rot caused by Monilinia spp. on nectarines and peaches resulting in a 90–100% reduction in disease incidence. Conclusions: Stable and effective formulations of biocontrol agent B. subtilis CPA‐8 could be obtained by spray‐drying. Significance and Impact of the Study: New shelf‐stable and effective formulations of a biocontrol agent have been obtained by spray‐drying to control brown rot on peach.     

巨型褶翅小蜂的生活史和产卵行为

巨型褶翅小蜂Leucospis gigas Fabricius是小蜂总科中体型最大的物种之一,对野生传粉蜜蜂中的一些种类为害很大。在西鄂尔多斯地区首次发现其寄生当地多种植物的重要传粉昆虫沙漠石蜂Megachile(Chalicodoma)desertorum Cockerell后,对其在当地的生活史、成蜂的活动规律、寄主范围以及产卵行为进行了研究。结果表明:巨型褶翅小蜂在西鄂尔多斯地区1年发生1代,当地没有雄性个体,营孤雌生殖。雌蜂寿命30d左右,每年的6月中旬为成蜂活动高峰期。在当地只发现其寄生沙漠石蜂的老熟幼虫,其产卵行为分为3个阶段,即寻找寄主巢室、选择产卵位点与产卵、拉出产卵针。