Diversity of some insect fauna in industrial and non-industrial areas of West Bengal, India

The present work is designed to study diversity of five insect orders (viz., Hemiptera, Orthoptera, aculeate Hymenoptera, Lepidoptera and Coleoptera) in the industrial region of Haldia (India) and in non-industrial area of the same district and to evaluate the impact of industrialization on the biodiversity of those insect orders. The objective also extended to find out the possibility of existence of bioindicator, if any. Eight study sites were selected from the East part of Midnapur district covering 40 km aerial distance. Out of eight different study sites, five were distributed in and around Haldia industrial complex and three in industry-free area. During this study, a total of 120 species under 98 genera in 37 families of insects were collected. Binary data of 5 orders revealed that the species richness of Hemiptera, Orthoptera and Lepidoptera is higher in non-industrial zone in comparison to that of industrial zone. Aculeate Hymenoptera shows no particular trend whereas Coleoptera shows higher species richness in industrial areas. Results of multivariate analyses are compared with the species richness data for all the eight study sites. It is concluded that even in an apparently homogeneous ecological condition species richness may drastically change with the influence of industries. Total insect fauna decline by at least 23.33% is noticed in industrial areas. It is found that some species of lepidopteran, hemipteran and orthopteran insects are susceptible to industrial pollution and some of the members of these orders may be considered as a bioindicator group.     

长白山阔叶红松林昆虫多样性研究

通过季节性观察,系统地研究了长白山阔叶红松林昆虫类群及其多样性．结果表明,长白山阔叶红松林已知的森林昆虫26目131科1162属1960种,其中森林害虫11目105科881种、重要森林害虫638种;森林昆虫群落中植食性昆虫类群总数所占比重最大,天敌昆虫群落中以捕食性类群总数所占比重最大．植食类群、寄生性类群和捕食类群全年的均匀度指数分别为0．884、0．830和0．806．各类群问季节变动系数的大小顺序为捕食类群>寄生性类群>植食类群．     

Food web structure of the fungivorous insect community on bracket fungi in a Bornean tropical rain forest

1. If fungivorous insect diversity is maintained by host specialisation on particular fungi, it should be higher in the tropics than in temperate or boreal regions owing to high macrofungus species diversity. 2. To reveal the community and food web structure of fungivorous insects on bracket fungi, fungivorous insects were collected from 427 fruiting bodies belonging to 22 genera throughout the development and deterioration process in a 3‐ha plot of lowland dipterocarp tropical rain forest on Borneo Island. 3. Eight hundred and twenty‐nine individuals of 82 coleopteran species in 13 families from 111 fruiting bodies of 15 fungal genera were collected. Tenebrionidae and Staphylinidae were most common. Fifty‐three and 19 insect species were observed on Ganoderma and Phellinus, respectively. The numbers of insect species and individuals on a particular fungal genus were positively correlated with the abundance of that fungal genus. 4. Quantitative food web analysis revealed a high degree of specialisation at the whole‐community level. At least 65% of insect individuals were observed on Ganoderma at every stage of development and deterioration. Diverse insects coexist on one dominant fungal genus, Ganoderma, in contrast to our hypothesis. 5. The high abundance of Ganoderma fruiting bodies, which lack obvious defences against insect feeding, probably influences the bracket fungus–insect food web in this tropical rainforest.     

Bird and insect pollinators differ in specialization and potential pollination services along disturbance and resource gradients

Combined studies of the communities and interaction networks of bird and insect pollinators are rare, especially along environmental gradients. Here, we determined how disturbance by fire and variation in sugar resources shape pollinator communities and interactions between plants and their pollinating insects and birds. We recorded insect and bird visits to 21 Protea species across 21 study sites and for 2 years in Fynbos ecosystems in the Western Cape, South Africa. We recorded morphological traits of all pollinator species (41 insect and nine bird species). For each site, we obtained estimates of the time since the last fire (range: 2–25 calendar years) and the Protea nectar sugar amount per hectare (range: 74–62 000 g/ha). We tested how post-fire age and sugar amount influence the total interaction frequency, species richness and functional diversity of pollinator communities, as well as pollinator specialization (the effective number of plant partners) and potential pollination services (pollination service index) of insects and birds. We found little variation in the total interaction frequency, species richness and functional diversity of insect and bird pollinator communities, but insect species richness increased with post-fire age. Pollinator specialization and potential pollination services of insects and birds varied differently along the environmental gradients. Bird pollinators visited fewer Protea species at sites with high sugar amount, while there was no such trend for insects. Potential pollination services of insect pollinators to Protea species decreased with increasing post-fire age and resource amounts, whereas potential pollination services of birds remained constant along the environmental gradients. Despite little changes in pollinator communities, our analyses reveal that insect and bird pollinators differ in their specialization on Protea species and show distinct responses to disturbance and resource gradients. Our comparative study of bird and insect pollinators demonstrates that birds may be able to provide more stable pollination services than insects.     

Using prey availability to evaluate Lower Colorado River riparian restoration

The Lower Colorado River Multi‐species Conservation Program (MSCP) is charged with restoring habitat for 26 species such as the southwestern willow flycatcher (Empidonax traillii extimus) impacted by water development projects on the river. As of 2015, the MSCP had spent $200 million to create 1,200 ha of habitat at nine sites, but the benefits to these insectivorous birds and other target species have not been quantified. Many MSCP projects emphasized riparian plantings of willow (Salix exigua, Salix gooddingii) and cottonwood (Populus fremontii) on high terraces disconnected from the river. We documented prey availability for insectivores in constructed habitats as an indicator of restoration effectiveness. Using sticky traps as a proxy to estimate aerial insect flux, we found the number of aquatic insects, proportion of aquatic insects, total number of insects, and number of insect orders were all significantly lower in MSCP plantation sites than at the river's edge. Riparian restoration sites over 100 m from the river had only 4% of the aquatic insects, 20% of the total insects, and only half as many insect orders as sites adjacent to the river. Thus, food availability and overall habitat quality for insectivores are likely low in restoration sites that are distant from the river.     

不同林分类型对昆虫群落多样性的影响

为研究近自然森林经营下的华北落叶松人工林不同林分类型对昆虫群落多样性的影响,以塞罕坝自然保护区内的华北落叶松纯林和混交林作为研究对象,对6种不同林分类型中的昆虫群落结构进行了研究。共获得昆虫标本9542头,隶属于7目,68科,187种,以双翅目、半翅目和鞘翅目为优势类群。研究结果表明:6种林分类型中的昆虫在物种和个体数上存在差异,相似性分析显示群落结构均不相似;群落多样性指数分析表明华北落叶松纯林和其它类型的混交林均具有较高的丰富度指数和多样性指数;主成分分析表明各林分类型中捕食性类群和寄生性类群是影响昆虫群落结构的主要因素,且捕食性类群和寄生性类群对植食性类群的控制作用较强;稳定性分析显示6种林分类型昆虫群落结构均具有较高的稳定性。     

Local grassland restoration affects insect communities

1. It is hypothesised that ecological restoration in grasslands can induce an alternative stable state shift in vegetation. The change in vegetation influences insect community assemblages and allows for greater functional redundancy in pollination and refuge for native insect species. 2. Insect community assemblages at eight coastal California grassland sites were evaluated. Half of these sites had undergone restoration through active revegetation of native grassland flora and half were non‐restored. Insects were collected from Lupinus bicolor (Fabaceae) within 2 × 2‐m² plots in spring 2017. Lupinus bicolor is a common native species that is used in California restoration projects, and home and state landscaping projects. 3. Ordination demonstrated that insect community assemblages were different between restored and non‐restored sites. These differences were seen in insect functional groups as well as taxa‐specific differences and were found to be driven by environmental characteristics such as non‐native forb cover. 4. Functional redundancy of herbivores decreased at restored sites, while pollinators became more redundant compared with non‐restored sites. The assemblages of the common species found at restoration sites contained more native insects than those found at non‐restored sites, including species such as Bombus vosnesenskii. 5. Local grassland restoration has the potential to induce an alternative stable state change and affect insect community assemblages. Additionally, it was found that grassland restoration can be a potential conservation tool to provide refugia for bumblebees (Bombus), but additional studies are required to fully understand its broader applicability.     

麦田昆虫群落结构及多样性的季节动态

通过2年对麦田昆虫群落的系统调查,共查得昆虫11目、62科1、13种,其中植食类51种、捕食类23种、寄生类24种、腐食和食血类15种,种类数和个体数分别占群落总数的45.13,20.35,21.24,13.27%和92.89,2.19,3.63,1.35%。麦田昆虫群落可划分为4个营养层、6个功能团和19个类群,麦长管蚜Macrosiphum avenae(Fabricius)是绝对的优势种,其数量变动决定着总群落结构和多样性的季节动态。麦田昆虫群落多样性表现为前期和后期高、中期低的时间格局,类群多样性与物种多样性的变化趋势最为相似,可用类群多样性代替物种多样性进行群落分析。     

贵南沙蜥洞穴空间分布与昆虫资源分布特征的关系

贵南沙蜥分布在青海省贵南县的一片长×宽约为30 km×20 km的连续沙丘,该沙丘被周缘草地隔离,贵南沙蜥主要在沙地与草地接触带的沙地一侧活动。采用3条样线共150个陷阱研究贵南沙蜥在草地与沙地交界线两侧的活动洞穴空间分布特征与潜在的可利用性昆虫食物资源多样性,并分析洞穴空间分布特征与昆虫种类以及数量分布的关系。研究共捕获1236个昆虫个体,隶属于2纲10目26科42种,其中昆虫纲有7目21科37种978个,蛛形纲有3目5科5种258个;草地采集的昆虫有2纲9目22科37种570个,沙地有2纲9目21科33种666个。草地昆虫的Shannon-Wiener,Simpson多样性指数与均匀度指数均大于沙地,表明草地的昆虫食物资源较丰富且分布均匀。研究表明贵南沙蜥在沙地环境活动洞穴数量较多,且离交界线越近洞穴分布数量越多;草地生境活动洞穴空间分布与离交界线距离无相关性,相对沙地数量较少且空间上分布较均匀。草地样方捕获的昆虫种类和数量以及沙地样方捕获的昆虫数量都与离分界线的距离无关,但沙地上昆虫种类与离分界线的距离呈高度负相关。研究表明贵南沙蜥沙地活动洞穴空间分布与昆虫种类分布特征显著相关。     

Diversity patterns of fungivorous insects: comparison between glaciated vs. refugial boreal forests

Aim The aim of this study was to compare diversity patterns of insect communities associated with the wood‐decaying Fomitopsis fungi in north‐east (NE) Asia and Fennoscandia. We hypothesized that the diversity of the fungal–insect communities is greater in NE Asia, because the region was one of the largest refugia of boreal species during the last Pleistocene glaciation. Location This study was conducted in boreal forests in NE People's Republic of China, and in south‐central Finland. Methods Fruiting bodies of three Fomitopsis species were collected from the field in order to rear the insects inhabiting the fruiting bodies. Taxonomic uniqueness, diversity and food web structure of the insect assemblages were analysed using hierarchical cluster analysis, diversity indices and analyses of food web compartmentalization, respectively. Results Contrary to the expectations, the richness of families, genera and species was greater in Finland than in NE China. This applied for the overall Fomitopsis‐associated insect assemblage, as well as for the fungal species separately. The taxonomic composition at the level of families and genera was similar between the two regions. The level of monophagy was higher in Finland and the food web was divided into compartments corresponding to the two Fomitopsis species. Main conclusion The often‐suggested higher diversity in refugial areas does not apply for all taxa in boreal forests, such as fungivorous insects associated with Fomitopsis fungi.     

喀斯特高原山区灌丛草地昆虫群落多样性研究

为探讨喀斯特高原山区灌丛草地昆虫群落多样性.本研究于2018年9月-2019年8月使用"Z"字样方网捕法、陷阱法、黄盘诱集法三种相结合的方法对贵州省大方县星宿乡崔苏坝灌丛草地进行昆虫群落多样性的调查,采用单因素分析、线性回归分析、相关性分析探讨了灌丛草地昆虫群落多样性.本研究共获昆虫标本12481号,隶属8目77科,其...     

Cascading Ecological Responses to an In‐Stream Restoration Project in a Midwestern River

River restoration projects are increasingly common, but assessments of ecological responses and overall success of the vast majority of efforts are lacking. Information on potential positive ecological effects of restoration efforts can be used to justify further projects and refine methods. We examined responses of multiple trophic levels, aquatic insects and riparian birds, to a series of rock weirs installed in an Illinois river to stabilize the channel. We quantified adult insect emergence and performed weekly point counts of birds in spring at four weir and four non‐weir (control) sites. Emerging insect abundance was higher at control sites, but species richness and diversity were higher at weir sites. Total insect emergence production did not differ between site types, but emergence production of larger‐bodied taxa was higher at weir sites. Ordinations and analysis of similarity indicated differences in insect and bird assemblages between site types. Birds showed a positive numerical response to large‐bodied emerging insects, and total bird abundance was higher at weir sites. Clutch size and feeding rates of a focal bird species, Prothonotaria citrea (Prothonotary Warbler), did not differ between sites, but the number of hatchlings and fledglings was higher at control sites. Molothrus ater (cowbird) parasitism was higher at weir sites, likely because of increased edge habitat associated with weir construction activities. Results show positive ecological impacts of in‐stream restoration and provide justification for further efforts. However, forest disturbance associated with construction could offset some benefits to some species, and thus refinements to procedures may be necessary.     

太湖湿地昆虫群落结构及多样性

为了探讨太湖湿地昆虫群落的结构和变化规律,对太湖湿地各生境样点昆虫群落进行了调查研究.调查共获得昆虫标本24968号,隶属于13目88科301属318种;半翅目、鳞翅目、鞘翅目和直翅目等为优势类群.各样点昆虫群落多样性指数和均匀度指数特征值为湿地恢复示范区＞渔阳山＞三山岛＞三洋村＞灵湖村,优势集中性指数的特征值比较为:湿地恢复示范区＜渔阳山＜三洋村＜三山岛＜灵湖村.各样点昆虫群落的多样性指数与均匀度指数和丰富度指数表现一致.在时间序列上渔阳山样点昆虫群落的多样性指数波动最小.昆虫群落的极点排序表明渔阳山和湿地恢复示范区样点昆虫群落是最相近的.主分量分析的结果显示太湖湿地昆虫群落主要受捕食性和植食性昆虫群落的影响.湿地恢复示范区样点昆虫群落内天敌昆虫比例偏低,降低了昆虫群落对外界扰动的缓冲能力.综合昆虫群落的各项分析结果发现渔阳山样点昆虫群落稳定性最高,三洋村样点昆虫群落稳定性最低.     

Interactions between phytophagous insects and their Opuntia hosts

Abstract.

• 1 The cactophagous insect community on opuntias is analysed to show the number of insect species in different taxa. An extension of this analysis gives the average species complement on large and small opuntias.
• 2 A highly significant positive correlation is found between the total number of phytophagous insect species on individual Opuntia species and a measure of the overall ‘architecture’ of their host plants.
• 3 The specificity of the phytophagous insects on opuntias is briefly considered and the community as a whole analysed by guilds. The co-evolution of the Opuntia-feeding insects and their hosts has culminated in a community of specialist insects to the exclusion of nearly all generalist phytophages.
• 4 The life history strategies of the Opuntia-feeding insects are reviewed. Common to all developmental stages are morphological and behavioural adaptations that reduce the risk of attack by natural enemies. This is clearly the consequence of living on structurally simple host plants where there is little place to hide.
• 5 The possible influence of insect herbivores on Opuntia evolution is discussed.
• 6 An understanding of the interactions between the phytophagous insect community and opuntias has clear implications for the biological control of alien Opuntia weeds.

     

北洛河流域的昆虫多样性初步调查

报道北洛河流域昆虫多样性的初步调查结果,同时结合文献资料分析北洛河流域13目96科346种昆虫的群落结构。研究表明,数量较多的有鞘翅目(33.62%)、鳞翅目(25.80%)、直翅目(15.65%),其它各目种类所占比例都小于10%,其中植食性类群占58.26%,而捕食性类群只占14.20%,同时6～7月份昆虫活动最频繁,之后随时间推移,昆虫数量逐渐减少。以拟步甲科为例的分析结果显示,吴起的拟步甲多样性指数、丰富度指数和均匀度指数均为最高,而优势度指数最低,洛川优势度指数最高。     

Effects of added nitrogen on leaf nitrogen concentration and population dynamics of insects associated with Rumex obtusifolius L.

A series of experiments was designed to study the effects of changes in leaf nitrogen (N) concentration on population dynamics of a range of insects associated with Rumex obtusifolius. During the study period, the N concentration in leaves fluctuated between 2 and 6% dry weight. The insects at both study sites showed a pattern of shift in time for peak population density (time‐shift). This suggests that the insect community dynamics might be closely related to the allocation and distribution of resources by the host‐plant. The elevated N concentration in the host‐plant did not change the temporal order of the peak population densities of the insects, although it may determine the time for the optimal exploitation of resources by each insect species.     

Incidence of Wolbachia in aquatic insects

Wolbachia is a genus of intracellular bacteria typically found within the reproductive systems of insects that manipulates those systems of their hosts. While current estimates of Wolbachia incidence suggest that it infects approximately half of all arthropod species, these estimates are based almost entirely on terrestrial insects. No systematic survey of Wolbachia in aquatic insects has been performed. To estimate Wolbachia incidence among aquatic insect species, we combined field‐collected samples from the Missouri River (251 samples from 58 species) with a global database from previously published surveys. The final database contained 5,598 samples of 2,687 total species (228 aquatic and 2,459 terrestrial). We estimate that 52% (95% CrIs: 44%–60%) of aquatic insect species carry Wolbachia, compared to 60% (58%–63%) of terrestrial insects. Among aquatic insects, infected orders included Odonata, Coleoptera, Trichoptera, Ephemeroptera, Diptera, Hemiptera, and Plecoptera. Incidence was highest within aquatic Diptera and Hemiptera (69%), Odonata (50%), and Coleoptera (53%), and was lowest within Ephemeroptera (13%). These results indicate that Wolbachia is common among aquatic insects, but incidence varies widely across orders and is especially uncertain in those orders with low sample sizes such as Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, and Trichoptera.     

塞罕坝自然保护区樟子松不同林分类型对昆虫群落多样性的影响

为研究近自然森林经营下的樟子松人工林不同林分类型对昆虫群落多样性的影响,本文以塞罕坝自然保护区内的樟子松纯林与混交林作为研究对象,对5种林分类型(樟子松、樟子松-落叶松、樟子松-白桦、樟子松-山荆子、樟子松-落叶松-白桦-山荆子-山刺玫)中的昆虫多样性进行分析.共获得昆虫标本9617头,隶属于7目70科195种,以双翅目、半翅目和鞘翅目为优势类群.5种不同林分类型中的昆虫物种均比较丰富,且各林分类型之间的昆虫群落结构均处于中等不相似水平,樟子松混交林内的昆虫物种数和个体数均高于纯林,但昆虫群落特征指数在不同林分类型之间无显著差异.主成分分析显示,植食性类群、捕食性类群和寄生性类群是构成昆虫群落结构的主要成分,且捕食性和寄生性等天敌类群对植食性类群的制约作用较强,各林分内昆虫群落结构均具有较高的稳定性.     

扎龙湿地不同生境的昆虫多样性

为了探讨湿地不同生境对昆虫物种多样性的影响,对扎龙湿地8种生境的昆虫进行了系统调查.共捕获昆虫5822只,分属11目58科143种,其中直翅目、双翅目、蜻蜒目为扎龙湿地的优势类群.不同生境中,草原草甸昆虫多样性最高,湖边生境多样性指数和均匀度指数均较高,杂草甸均最低.聚类分析和主分量分析结果表明,不同生境的昆虫群落相似性与水资源状况和植被类型有关,捕食性类群种类数和个体数量对昆虫群落稳定性具有重要的调控作用.湖边生境昆虫群落稳定性最强,湿草甸稳定性最弱.湿地水资源状况能影响昆虫生存生境,进而影响昆虫群落的组成和分布格局.