The biology and life cycles of Lipsothrix spp. (Diptera: Tipulidae) inhabiting wood in Western Oregon streams

SUMMARY. 1. The immature stages of the craneflies Lipsothrix nigrilinea and L. fenderi are spent in galleries within decayed red alder ( Atntts rtibra ), in low order streams of the Pacific Northwest. L. fenderi also occurs in some coniferous wood and wood in semi-terrestrial sites at stream margins. Larvae of both species feed on the wood and are important degraders of this material.
2. The immature stages are briefly described and behaviour of the two species is compared.
3. L. nigrilinea has a predominantly biennial life cycle. It emerges from April to August in response to receding water level. The absence of this cue results in an extension of the life span to 3 or more years. The non-deterministic life cycle results in high variability of juvenile and adult weights.
4. L. fenderi is basically a biennial species, with a more synchronized autumn emergence. A portion of the population may emerge after 1 year if oviposition occurs early enough to allow autumnal growth of larvae or if growth is relatively rapid.
5. The extended life cycle of Lipsothrix spp. and the broad emergence of L. nigrilinea are concluded to be adaptations to a habitat/resource which is relatively stable and allows long-term association.     

Field evaluation of the response of Aedes albopictus (Stegomyia albopicta) to three oviposition attractants and different ovitrap placements using black and clear autocidal ovitraps in a rural area of Same,Timor‐Leste

Known oviposition attractants or stimulants were compared, singly and in combination, using inexpensive autocidal ovitraps designed to trap emerging adults, in a rural area of Timor‐Leste during the dry season. In this area, the dengue vector Aedes albopictus (Stegomyia albopicta) Skuse (Diptera: Culicidae) was abundant, but Aedes aegypti (Stegomyia aegypti) L. was not detected. The attractants were: (a) a compound found in Aedes eggs (dodecanoic acid); (b) components of nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium‐based (NPK) fertilizer, and (c) infusions of discarded cigarette butts. A solution of ammonium phosphate and potassium nitrate was significantly more attractive to gravid Ae. albopictus than water only. Dodecanoic acid and cigarette butt infusions were not significantly more attractive than the control; however, they attracted various other Diptera and many non‐culicid larvae developed in ovitraps in which these substances were used; thus, the presence of eggs or larvae of other species may have deterred Aedes oviposition. Significantly more Aedes eggs were found in ovitraps under vegetation than in ovitraps placed inside houses or against external walls. Clear‐sided ovitraps in which black mesh was placed over a black ring floating on the water surface collected significantly fewer eggs than black ovitraps with identically placed mesh and rings.