An alien in an archipelago: Spathodea campanulata and the geographic variability of its moth (Lepidoptera) communities in the New Guinea and Bismarck Islands

Aim This analysis of moth (Lepidoptera) communities colonizing an alien tree invading secondary rain forest vegetation in Melanesia examines the predictability of insect herbivorous communities across distances of tens to thousands of km and the effect of dispersal barriers on community composition in the tropics. Location Six secondary rain forest sites were studied within four equidistant yet distinct geographic areas of the New Guinea mainland and the Bismarck Archipelago, including two watershed areas (Madang and Sepik) on mainland New Guinea and the adjacent large island of New Britain and small island of Unea. Methods The analysis is based on feeding records obtained by quantitative sampling and rearing of caterpillars from the alien host Spathodea campanulata (Bignoniaceae). It examines the variation in Lepidoptera community composition at six study sites distributed on three adjacent islands ranging in size from 30 to 865,000 km². Results Spathodea campanulata was colonized by 54 folivorous species of Lepidoptera. Most of them were generalists, feeding on > 1 native plant family. However, the three most abundant species representing 83% of all individuals (Acherontia lachesis, Hyblaea puera complex and Psilogramma menephron) were relatively host specific, feeding predominantly on a single native family that is not the Bignoniaceae. Most of the 23 species analysed in detail had a wide geographic distribution, including 13 species spanning the entire 1000‐km study transect. While the Lepidoptera in two New Guinea areas 280 km apart were similar to each other, there was a discontinuity in species composition between New Guinea and the smaller islands. However, no negative effect of small islands on species richness was detected. Main conclusions Spathodea campanulata was rapidly colonized by folivorous Lepidoptera communities with species richness and dominance structure indistinguishable from the assemblages feeding on native hosts, despite its phylogenetic isolation from the native vegetation. Although most species were generalists, the highest population densities were reached by relatively specialized species, similar to the communities on native hosts. The species turnover across distances from 10 to 1000 km was relatively low as most of the species had wide geographic ranges.     

Lipid content and fatty acid composition of larvae and adults of the velvetbean caterpillar, Anticarsia gemmatalis, as affected by larval diet

Eight fatty acids were found in the food, larvae and adults of the velvetbean caterpillar, Anticarsia gemmatalis, with C16:0, C18:0, C18:1, C18:2 and C18:3 accounting for over 90% of the total. Fatty acid composition of the larvae tended to reflect that of their food. The most striking differences were the high percentages of C18:1 and C18:2 and the low percentage of C18:3 in the artificial diet and artificial diet-reared larvae compared to the foliage of three species of legume food plants (soybean, Glycine max; pigeon pea, Cajanus cajan; and hairy indigo, Indigofera hirsuta) and foliage-reared larvae. Lipid content (%dw) declined during metamorphosis from mature larva to adult with diet-reared larvae and adults exhibiting significantly higher lipid contents than foliage-reared insects. Regardless of larval food, newly eclosed adults tended to exhibit a decrease in the % of C18:3, and increases in C16:0 and C18:1 compared to larvae. Larval diet clearly influenced the fatty acid composition of larvae and adults, but only the % of C18:2 did not change between food, larvae and adults.     

Foraging and growth responses of cotton armyworm Spodoptera litura to the biophysical characteristics of five cotton varieties

This study investigated the morphological and biochemical characteristics of the CB1, CB3, CB5, CB8 and CB12 cotton varieties and evaluated their effects on third instar larval movement, and body weight of the cotton armyworm Spodoptera litura at different developmental stages. The cotton varieties differed in their plant architecture, branching, stem color and hairiness, leaf color and hairiness, leaf trichome density, flower color, numbers of leaves and bolls per plant, concentrations of protein and starch, and boll length, width and weight. The CB1 and CB3 varieties possessed significantly higher trichome densities, while CB8 produced larger and heavier bolls. Boll bearing was found to be highest in CB1 and lowest in CB8. Biochemical analyses indicated the highest percentage of protein in CB5, and of starch in CB8; concentrations of both were lowest in CB12. Cotton varieties did not affect larval foraging, but their abundance on leaflet, mature and square differed significantly. Analysis of the growth response parameters of S. litura as a result of feeding on the tested varieties revealed that larval instars, pupae and adult moths attained the highest body weight on CB8, followed by CB5, and the lowest weight on CB12. Collectively, the results of this study show that the CB5 and CB8 varieties are favorable host‐plants for cotton armyworms; therefore, these varieties are the least suitable for cultivation.     

Vibrational Communication in the Cherry Leaf Roller Caterpillar Caloptilia serotinella (Gracillarioidea: Gracillariidae)

The cherry leaf roller (Caloptilia serotinella) produces three distinct types of substrate-borne signals—scraping, plucking, and vibrating—during interactions between conspecifics. Signals were recorded using a piezoelectric sensor, and behavioral experiments tested the hypothesis that signaling functions in territorial disputes over costly leaf shelters. Trials involving the introduction of a conspecific to a resident's leaf shelter demonstrated a significant increase in the amount of scraping by the resident; there was no significant difference in plucking or vibrating. In control trials, general mechanical disturbances such as opening and probing the shelter typically did not elicit signaling. Although both residents and intruders were observed to produce all three signal types, residents most often initiated signaling, and scraped significantly more than intruders. Implications for understanding the diversity of vibrational communication in larval Lepidoptera, particularly shelter-building species, are discussed.     

Evaluating the efficacy of insecticides to control Sceliodes cordalis (Doubleday) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) in eggplant

The efficacy of insecticides in controlling Sceliodes cordalis , eggfruit caterpillar, in eggplant was tested in four small plot trials because there has been a very limited range of insecticides available to manage this pest. Weekly applications of bifenthrin, flubendiamide, methoxyfenozide, chlorantraniliprole and spinosad and twice weekly applications of methomyl provided control as measured by a percentage of damaged fruit significantly lower than that in an untreated control. Twice weekly applications of methoxyfenozide, chlorantraniliprole or spinosad were not significantly more effective than weekly applications. Bacillus thuringiensis kurstaki , emamectin benzoate, indoxacarb, methomyl and pyridalyl applied weekly were ineffective, with percentages of damaged fruit not significantly different from the untreated control. These trials have identified a number of insecticides that could be used to manage S. cordalis , including several that would be compatible with integrated pest management programs in eggplant.     

Nuclear polyhedrosis virus as a biological control agent for Malacosoma americanum (Lepidoptera: Lasiocampidae)

In addition to damaging trees, the eastern tent caterpillar is implicated in early fetal loss and late‐term abortion in horses. In a field study, we evaluated the potential biological control of the caterpillar using eastern tent caterpillar nuclear polyhedrosis virus (ETNPV), a naturally occurring virus that is nearly species‐specific. Egg masses were hatched and second instar larvae were fed virus‐inoculated foliage to propagate the virus in vivo. Then, a viral pesticide was formulated at concentrations of 10⁴, 10⁶ and 10⁸ polyhedral inclusion bodies per ml. The pesticide was applied to foliage on which second, third and fourth instar caterpillars were feeding. When the majority of surviving larvae reached the sixth instar, colonies were collected and the surviving caterpillars counted. Mean numbers of surviving caterpillars per treatment were compared via 95% bootstrap confidence intervals. The data indicate second instar caterpillars were highly susceptible to the virus, but only at the highest concentration tested. Third instar caterpillars were also somewhat susceptible to high virus concentrations, while fourth instar caterpillars were fairly resistant. Our data provide the strongest evidence to date that ETNPV can be propagated, harvested and refined for formulation as a biological control agent for eastern tent caterpillar. Its use on this insect may be merited in circumstances where landowners and managers need to protect trees and horses.     

球孢白僵菌羧基转运蛋白基因RNA干扰的沉默效应

羧基转运蛋白基因是近年来分离出的新基因,在虫生真菌中可能与穿透昆虫体壁时的能量代谢有关。构建了针对该基因的双链RNA干扰载体,采用芽生孢子转化法将载体质粒转入球孢白僵菌,并通过RT-PCR检测转化前后BbJEN1的表达情况。RT-PCR检测结果显示,球孢白僵菌转化子BbJEN1基因的表达水平显著下降,表明干扰载体具有明显的沉默效应。在两种培养基上,转化子与原始菌株的生长速度和产孢量差异均不显著,而分生孢子萌发则显著滞后于原始菌株。使用马尾松毛虫幼虫对转化子和原始菌株进行生物测定,原始菌株的半致死浓度、半致死剂量和半致死时间分别为2.79×106个孢子/mL、84.12个孢子/mm2和6.49d,而转化子的半致死浓度、半致死剂量和半致死时间则分别增加到1.27×107个孢子/mL、382.92个孢子/mm2和8.09d,毒力显著下降。由此表明BbJEN1基因与球孢白僵菌分生孢子发芽以及毒力均有关。     

Foraging behaviour of the social caterpillar Eutachyptera psidii (Sallé) (Lepidoptera: Lasiocampidae) during a prolonged period of food and water deprivation

Abstract 1. Colonies of the social caterpillar Eutachyptera psidii (Sallé) (Hymenoptera: Lasiocampidae) occurring on oak (Quercus) in upland forests of Mexico endure periods as long as 6 weeks, with little or no food or water between the time host trees shed their leaves in April and produce new leaves in June. 2. By monitoring the activity of both field and laboratory colonies with infrared activity monitors and data loggers, it was found that although colonies remain active during the period of deprivation, their foraging activity shifts from once nightly when food is available to once every second night when food‐deprived. 3. Over a period of absolute food and water deprivation of 18 days, caterpillars lost an average of 36% of their initial mass but none perished. On average, the caterpillars regained their pre‐starvation mass within a few days after food was provided and continued to grow thereafter. During the period of starvation, caterpillars were observed to chew on dead and dried leaves in the field and on sheets of paper in the laboratory. 4. To the authors’ knowledge, there is no other documented instance of a species of caterpillar that exhibits the physiological capacity to engage in a similar level of persistent activity when forced to endure a prolonged period with neither food nor water.     

Polyphenol oxidase overexpression in transgenic<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Populus</Emphasis> enhances resistance to herbivory by forest tent caterpillar (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Malacosoma disstria</Emphasis>)

In order to functionally analyze the predicted defensive role of leaf polyphenol oxidase (PPO; EC 1.10.3.1) in Populus, transgenic hybrid aspen (Populus tremula × P. alba) plants overexpressing a hybrid poplar (Populus trichocarpa × P. deltoides) PtdPPO1 gene were constructed. Regenerated transgenic plants showed high PPO enzyme activity, PtdPPO1 mRNA levels and PPO protein accumulation. In leaf disk bioassays, forest tent caterpillar (Malacosoma disstria) larvae feeding on PPO-overexpressing transgenics experienced significantly higher mortality and reduced average weight gain compared to larvae feeding on control leaves. However, this effect was observed only when older egg masses were used and the resulting larvae showed reduced growth and vigor. In choice tests, no effect of PPO overexpression was detected. Although PPO in poplar leaves is latent and requires activation with detergents or trypsin for full enzymatic activity, in caterpillar frass the enzyme was extracted in the fully activated form. This activation correlated with partial proteolytic cleavage, suggesting that PPO latency and activation during digestion could be an adaptive and defense-related feature of poplar PPO.     

Trail Marking by the Larva of the Madrone Butterfly Eucheira socialis and the Role of the Trail Pheromone in Communal Foraging Behavior

The larva of the Madrone butterfly Eucheira socialis (Lepidoptera: Pieridae) secretes a trail pheromone from the ventral surface of the posterior tip of its abdomen. Caterpillars mark trails by bringing the secretory site into brief contact with the substrate during a locomotive cycle. Foragers mark most heavily when they move onto new branches and little, if at all, when they move over established trails or when they return to the communal shelter after feeding. The caterpillars make careful comparisons of alternative pathways at choice points and select newer and stronger trails over older and weaker trails. Differential marking of new and established trails during nightly forays, coupled with sensory discrimination of trails by strength and age, leads colonies to abandon old trails in favor of new trails. When applied at a rate as low as 2.5 × 10 ^–10 g/mm, caterpillars followed synthetic trails prepared from 5-cholestane-3-one, a trail pheromone previously reported from the tent caterpillars (Malacosoma spp.). Although both Eucheira and Malacosoma mark with the tip of the abdomen and have near-identical sensitivites to 5-cholestane-3-one, our study shows that Eucheira employs a relatively unsophisticated system of trail-based communication and does not recruit to food. The trail-based communication system of Eucheira appears to represent an early stage in the evolution of cooperative foraging that is derived from, and motivationally linked to, conflict behavior.