Diversity of pollination ecology in the Schismatoglottis Calyptrata Complex Clade (Araceae)

• Field studies integrating pollination investigations with an assessment of floral scent composition and thermogenesis in tropical aroids are rather few. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the pollination biology of nine species belonging to Schismatoglottis Calyptrata Complex Clade. The flowering mechanism, visiting insect activities, reproductive system, thermogenesis and floral scent composition were examined.
• Anthesis for all species started at dawn and lasted 25–29 h. Colocasiomyia (Diptera, Drosophilidae) are considered the main pollinators for all the investigated species. Cycreon (Coleoptera, Hydrophilidae) are considered secondary pollinators as they are only present in seven of the nine host plants, despite the fact that they are the most effective pollen carrier, carrying up to 15 times more pollen grains than Colocasiomyia flies. However, the number of Colocasiomyia individuals was six times higher than Cycreon beetles. Chaloenus (Chrysomelidae, Galeuricinae) appeared to be an inadvertent pollinator. Atheta (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae) is considered a floral visitor in most investigated species of the Calyptrata Complex Clade in Sarawak, but a possible pollinator in S. muluensis. Chironomidae midges and pteromalid wasps are considered visitors in S. calyptrata.
• Thermogenesis in a biphasic pattern was observed in inflorescences of S. adducta, S. calyptrata, S. giamensis, S. pseudoniahensis and S. roh. The first peak occurred during pistillate anthesis; the second peak during staminate anthesis. Inflorescences of all investigated species of Calyptrata Complex Clade emitted four types of ester compound, with methyl ester‐3‐methyl‐3‐butenoic acid as a single major VOC (volatile organic compound). The appendix, pistillate zone, staminate zone and spathe emitted all these compounds.
• A mixed fly–beetle pollination system is considered an ancestral trait in the Calyptrata Complex Clade, persisting in Sarawak taxa, whereas the marked reduction of interpistillar staminodes in taxa from Peninsular Malaysia and especially, Ambon, Indonesia, is probably linked to a shift in these taxa to a fly‐pollinated system.

     

Complete mitochondrial genome of Bactrocera ritsemai (Insecta: Tephritidae) and phylogenetic relationship with its congeners and related tephritid taxa

Bactrocera ritsemai is a dacine fruit fly found in Indonesia. We report here the complete mitogenome of this fruit fly from Lombok, Indonesia determined by Illumina MiSeq sequencing and its phylogenetic relationship with its congeners and related tephritid taxa. The whole mitogenome of B. ritsemai had a total length of 15,927 bp, comprising 37 genes – 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 2 ribosomal ribonucleic acid (rRNA) and 22 transfer ribonucleic acid (tRNA) genes – and a control region (D-loop). Of the PCGs, 6 (atp6, cob, cox2, cox3, nad4, nad4l) had ATG start codon, 4 (nad2, nad3, nad5, nad6) had ATT, and one each had ATA (nad1), GTG (atp8) and TCG (cox1). Seven PCGs (atp6, atp8, cox2, cox3, nad2, nad4l, nad6) had TAA stop codon, 3 (cob, nad3, nad4) had TAG, and 3 had incomplete stop codon (cox1 – TA; nad1, nad5 – T). The TΨC-loop of tRNA was absent in trnF while trnS1 lacked the DHU-loop. Phylogenetic analysis based on 15 mt-genes (13 PCGs + 2 rRNA genes) indicated B. ritsemai forming a sister group with B. umbrosa and the subgenus Bactrocera was monophyletic. The genera Bactrocera and Zeugodacus were monophyletic while the subfamilies Dacinae and Tephritinae were paraphyletic. A broader taxa sampling of the Tephritidae is needed to better elucidate the phylogenetics and systematics of the tribes and subfamilies of tephritid fruit flies.     

Susceptibility of table grape varieties grown in south‐eastern Italy to Drosophila suzukii

Since 2008, Drosophila suzukii, the spotted wing drosophila, has colonized most of the American and European continents, being able to adapt to very different climates. In Italy, this pest has been captured from northern Alpine to southern Mediterranean regions where it can infest a broad range of fruits, including wine grapes. Studies have shown that oviposition levels and developmental rates of D. suzukii on wine grapes are lower than on other berries, although recent observations indicate that grapes may become a suitable host plant in particular conditions. Here, we report, for the first time, the results of a series of no‐choice oviposition experiments using berries of five table grape varieties sampled in the provinces of Taranto and Bari (Apulia region, south‐eastern Italy) during 2013 from both organic and conventional farming systems. The sugar content (SC) and skin hardness of each sample were analysed to assess the influence of these physiological parameters on the susceptibility of table grapes to D. suzukii infestation. A negative correlation was found between the number of eggs laid and berry skin penetration force, whereas there was a positive one between the number of eggs and Brix values, as well as sampling date. In organic grapes, SC and skin hardness of two varieties (“Crimson” and “Scarlotta”) were measured, respectively, higher and lower than in conventional grapes, thus making them more susceptible to pest infestation. The study hence shows that in laboratory conditions D. suzukii is able to heavily infest and develop on table grapes and that susceptibility to its infestation significantly depends on both variety and farming system.     

Phlebotomine fauna (Diptera,Psychodidae) in Rio Preto State Park,Southern Espinhaço Range,Minas Gerais,Brazil

A study of the phlebotomine sand fly fauna was carried out in the Rio Preto State Park (Minas Gerais, Brazil) aiming to associate the presence of vector species with the risk of leishmaniasis transmission in that region. Sand flies were captured using HP light traps for four months from January to October 2013. The traps were exposed continuously for 40 h each month, in nine fixed sites. A total of 3129 sand flies were captured, belonging to 19 species. Lutzomyia evandroi (Costa Lima & Antunes 1936) was the predominant species (76.48%). The distribution of the phlebotomine sand flies and climatic factors (temperature, humidity, and rainfall) was evaluated. The summer was the season with higher occurrence of insects captured (82.4%). The presence of cutaneous and visceral vector species in park areas requires attention and regular monitoring of sand fly fauna in this conservation area to ensure the well-being of visitors and the regional ecotourism.     

Evidences of non-additive effects of multiple parasitoids on Diatraea saccharalis Fabr. (Lep., Crambidae) populations in sugarcane fields in Brazil

Biological control is a relatively benign method of pest control. However, considerable debate exists over whether multiple natural enemies often interact to produce additive or non‐additive effects on their prey or host populations. Based on the large data set stored in the São João and Barra sugarcane mills (state of São Paulo, Brazil) regarding the programme of biological control of Diatraea saccharalis using the parasitoids Cotesia flavipes and tachinid flies, in the present study the author investigated whether the parasitoids released into sugarcane fields interfered significantly with the rate of parasitized D. saccharalis hosts. The author also observed whether there was an additive effect of releasing C. flavipes and tachinids on the rate of parasitized hosts, and looked for evidence of possible negative effects of the use of multiple parasitoid species in this biological control programme. Results showed that C. flavipes and the tachinids were concomitantly released in the Barra Mill, but not in the São Jão Mill. Furthermore, in the Barra Mill there was evidence that the parasitoids interacted because the percentage of parasitism did not increase after the release of either C. flavipes or tachinids. In the São João Mill, when both parasitoid species were released out of synchrony, both the percentage of parasitism by C. flavipes as well as that of the tachinids increased. When large numbers of tachinids were released in the Barra Mill, they caused a significant lower percentage of parasitism imposed by C. flavipes. The implications of the results as evidence of non‐additive effects of C. flavipes plus tachinids on D. saccharalis populations are discussed.     

Management of Fruit Flies (Diptera: Tephritidae) of the Most Perishable Fruits

We investigated to minimize the dependency on the use of chemicals and thus develop safe and environmental friendly control program for the most perishable fruits i.e., apple,‘ber’, guava and mango. Our findings on the composition of fruit fly species reveal that Bactrocera dorsalis was dominant on apple (33.96% existence), Corpomya incompleta on‘ber’(51.91% existence) and Bactrocera zonata on guava (49.62% existence) and mango (74.66% existence). The correlation between population and infestation percentage was non‐significant in apple orchards, whereas positive and highly significant in between population and infestation, as well as on the cumulative basis in‘ber’, guava and mango orchards during 1998‐1999. Hoeing, baiting and methyl eugenol were statistically equal resulting about 77% decrease in infestation. The maximum control of 91.68% was observed where all four‐control operations including Dipterex® were integrated together. Weather factors, when computed together, had maximum effect on population fluctuation and infestation with rainfall contributing the major role. For guava fruits, the months of August (14.06A individuals/trap/day) and September (13.81A individuals/trap/day) were important, resulting in maximum infestation percentage of 10.76 to 14.74%, respectively.     

New species of subgenus Tipula (Sivatipula) from China,with redescription of T. (S.) parvauricula and a key to all known species of the Oriental Region (Diptera,Tipulidae, Tipula)

Species of Tipula (Sivatipula) biprocessa sp. n. from Guangxi, China is described and illustrated as new in the subgenus Tipula (Sivatipula) Alexander, 1964. Tipula (Sivatipula) parvauricula Alexander, 1941 is redescribed and illustrated based on additional morphological characters. Semen pump of this subgenus is discussed. A key to all described species in this group is compiled.     

Alpha richness and niche breadth of a widespread group of aquatic insects in Nearctic and Neotropical streams

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