First-instar aphids produced late by the fundatrix ofCeratovacuna nekoashi (Homoptera) defend their closed gall outside

The fundatrix ofCeratovacuna nekoashi attacks an axillary bud ofStyrax japonica to form a “cat's-paw” gall with a number of completely closed subgalls. Larvae produced early by the fundatrix enter subgalls, but late-produced ones cannot because the subgalls close too early. The average number of these “outsiders” produced per gall was 3.81±2.37 (n=26). In spite of their small numbers, outsiders attacked caterpillars placed on the gall. Thus outsiders function to defend their gall against external attacks such as those from lepidopterous predators.     

Determining aphid taxonomic affinities and life cycles with molecular data: a case study of the tribe Cerataphidini (Hormaphididae:Aphidoidea: Hemiptera)

Aphid taxonomy is often frustrated by the host alternation and extensive polyphenism displayed by many species. Here we examine the utility of using molecular data to assist in life cycle and taxonomic determination. We found that a relatively small amount of DNA sequence data can greatly assist in these tasks. Molecular data have identified the synonymy of five species: Tuberaphis plicator (Noordam) is a junior synonym of T.takenouchii (Takahashi), T.taiwana (Takahashi) is a junior synonym of T.coreana Takahashi, Hamiltonaphis styraci (Matsumura) is transferred to Tuberaphis Takahashi, Astegopteryx roepkei Hille Ris Lambers is transferred to Ceratoglyphina van der Goot, and A.vandermeermohri Hille Ris Lambers is transferred to Cerataphis Lichtenstein. We have elucidated the complete life cycles of five species: A.basalis (van der Goot) alternates between Styrax benzoin and bamboos, Ceratoglyphina bambusae van der Goot alternates between S.benzoin and bamboos, Pseudoregma sundanica (van der Goot) alternates between S.paralleloneura and Zingiberaceae, T.coreana alternates between S.formosana and Loranthaceae, and T.takenouchii alternates between S.japonica and Loranthaceae. In all cases the molecular data agreed with available morphological data. This analysis demonstrates the utility of DNA sequence comparisons for elucidating complex life cycles and the taxonomy of difficult insect groups.     

Two steroidal alkaloids,hapepunine and anrakorinine,from the mature Fritillaria camtschatcensis

After acid hydrolysis of a glycosidic fraction from the aerial parts of Fritillaria camtschatcensis, in addition to solanidine, tomatidenol, and solasodine, two N-methyl-22,26-epiminocholestenes, hapepunine and anrakorinine, were isolated and their structures elucidated by physical and chemical methods.     

Gall cleaning by the aphidHormaphis betulae

Gall-cleaning behavior of the aphidHormaphis betulae is described. Honeydew is pushed out of the gall resembling toothpaste appearing out of a tube. Immatures of all instars were observed pushing out honeydew, although 88% of the laborers were 1st instar. No aphids attacked other insects placed in the gall. It is suggested that labor has evolved without accompanying defense behavior against predators in the tribe Hormaphidini.