Competitive Superiority of Early Acting Species: A Case Study of Opiine Fruit Fly Parasitoids

Koinobiont parasitoids that attack an early host stage may have an advantage in suppressing competing parasitoids that attack later stages of the same host. We examined the competitive interaction between the two most important parasitoids of tephritid fruit flies in Hawaii, Fopius arisanus (Sonan), and Diachasmimorpha longicaudata (Ashmead) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae). The former species attacks host eggs while the latter attacks host larvae, and both species emerge as adults from the host puparia. F. arisanus physiologically suppressed egg development of D. longicaudata. Over 90% of D. longicaudata eggs died in the presence of F. arisanus larvae within host larvae of either the Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann) or the oriental fruit fly, Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel). D. longicaudata appeared not to discriminate against hosts previously parasitized by F. arisanus. The mechanism that F. arisanus uses to eliminate D. longicaudata is similar to that which it employs to eliminate five other larval fruit fly parasitoids so far reported in Hawaii. This suggests that there is a broad competitive superiority of the early acting species in fruit fly parasitoids. We discuss the implication of this in relation to future biological control introductions against tephritid fruit flies.     

Adaptive radiation through phenological shift: the importance of the temporal niche in species diversification

Abstract 1. Phenological shift in oviposition in seed predators may be a key factor for adaptive radiation if temporal differences lead to less intense competition. 2. This hypothesis was tested at two sites in the French Alps in three sympatric species of larch cone flies grouped into two phenological groups (early and late) differing in adult emergence and oviposition timing by approximately 2 weeks. The present study assessed the intensity of competition within and between groups by measuring four larval traits. Cone traits were measured, and the impact of early species parasitism on cone development was assessed. 3. The occupation of the central axis of a developing cone by one early larva has a strong detrimental effect on cone growth and seed production. However, there was almost no correlation between the variables measured on the cones and on the larvae, suggesting that the resources available were not limiting. 4. Inter‐group competition had no significant effect on early larvae. In contrast, both inter‐ and intra‐group competition had a significant negative effect on late larvae length (–11% and –16% respectively), dry mass (–8% and –23%), and lipid mass (–15% and –26%). The intensity of competition was stronger among larvae in the same phenological group, which is consistent with the hypothesis that shifts in oviposition promote adaptive radiation in larch cone flies by reducing competition among larvae.     

Six cryptic species on a single species of host plant: morphometric evidence for possible reproductive character displacement

Abstract 1. Diversification of some highly host‐specific herbivorous insects may occur in allopatry, without shifts in host use. Such allopatric divergence may be accelerated by sexual selection operating on courtship displays. Wing size and shape may affect visual and vibrational courtship displays in tephritid fruit flies. Geometric morphometric methods were used to examine wings of six sympatric cryptic species in the neotropical genus Blepharoneura. All six species feed on flowers of the same species of host (Gurania spinulosa), a neotropical vine in the Cucurbitaceae. Three of the fly species court and mate in close proximity on the host. Thus, courtship behaviours could serve as important reproductive isolating mechanisms. Two sets of hypotheses were tested: (i) species differ in wing shape and wing size; and (ii) species are sexually dimorphic in wing size and wing shape. Wing size differed among a few species, but wing shape differed significantly among all six species. Sexual dimorphism in wing size was found in only one species, but sexual dimorphism in wing shape was found in two of the three species known to court on the same host plant. In the two sexually dimorphic species, wing shape differed among males, but not among females. This suggests that selection for reproductive character displacement might accelerate divergence in wing shape.     

Incipient speciation in the Anastrepha fraterculus cryptic species complex: reproductive compatibility between A. sp.1 aff. fraterculus and A. sp.3 aff. fraterculus

Reproductive isolation among biological strains can be detected by analyzing reproductive barriers between populations. The Anastrepha fraterculus Wiedemann (Diptera: Tephritidae) cryptic species complex comprises eight morphotypes defined by morphometric characteristics. The present study analyzed the existence of pre‐ and post‐zygotic isolation among populations of A. sp.1 aff. fraterculus (A. sp.1) and A. sp.3 aff. fraterculus (A. sp.3) determined by tests of sexual compatibility, analyses of the temporal pattern of calling behavior, and the reproductive performance of the offspring of homotypic and heterotypic crosses. Pre‐zygotic tests indicated asymmetric matings with preferences for homotypic crosses. The A. sp.3 population demonstrated distinct characteristics, including low copulation percentages and a high proportion of homotypic copulations under crowded conditions. The females of the A. sp.1 population demonstrated lower copulation latency. The analyzed morphotypes demonstrated two peaks in pheromone emission activity, at the beginning and at the end of the morning and were differentiated in the abundance of males. The calling behavior of the hybrids between A. sp.1 male and A. sp.3 female crosses had an intermediate pattern compared to either parental type. Post‐zygotic compatibility tests indicated low viability of the cross between A. sp.3 males and A. sp.1 females. Pronounced asymmetries were found in the sex ratios of the offspring of heterotypic crosses, and only hybrids from A. sp.1 male vs. A. sp.3 female crosses produced descendants. The observed pre‐ and post‐zygotic incompatibilities reflect the probable occurrence of incipient speciation between A. sp.1 and A. sp.3. A more adequate taxonomic classification of this species complex that considers the distinct characteristics of each morphotype will be needed to improve environmentally wise control methods against this insect pest.     

Role of saprophagous fly biodiversity in ecological processes and urban ecosystem services

1. Direct consumption of organic matter by the saprophagous larvae provides the ecosystem with a fundamental service by recycling nutrients and reducing exposure to decomposing matter. The present study aimed to assess the functional role of saprophagous flies in the mass loss of different types of decomposing organic matter. 2. Two types of common urban waste were used to measure the role of flies in reducing organic matter: chicken viscera (chicken) and a mixture of flour and uncooked eggs (flour and eggs), representing leftover food. Ten traps baited with each substrate, under field conditions, allowed fly access (exposed to flies) and three traps from each substrate did not (unexposed controls); adult flies entering the traps or emerging from the substrates and substrate mass loss were recorded. 3. Species from Calliphoridae, Sarcophagidae, Muscidae, and Fanniidae families were collected mainly in traps baited with chicken, with Phoridae being the most abundant in traps with flour and eggs as bait. A significantly richer (P < 0.05) assemblage of fly species accessed the traps baited with chicken viscera (21 species) compared with those emerging (11 species), whereas similar numbers of species accessed (n = 5) or emerged (n = 1) from traps baited with flour and eggs (average richness accessing 7.97, emerging 2.83). Chicken substrate mass loss and species richness were positively related (r = 0.56, P = 0.001). In traps where richness was larger than 10 species, the substrates were reduced by more than 85% of their initial weight compared with unexposed controls, which lost 30%. Substrate mass loss significantly increased with the abundance of flies (r = 0.73, P < 0.0001). 4. The results of the present study support the functional role of saprophagous species diversity on the decomposition rates of organic matter, reinforcing the negative consequences of loss or gain of species in modified landscapes and for ecosystem function.     

Comparative real-time kinetic analysis of human complement killing of Leishmania infantum promastigotes derived from axenic culture or from Phlebotomus perniciosus

Although Leishmania metacyclic promastigotes are generally considered resistant to human complement, studies of in vitro-cultured axenic stationary promastigotes using serum concentrations that approximate physiological plasma conditions indicate complement sensitivity. Natural Leishmania infection is caused by sand fly-inoculated promastigotes, whose complement resistance has not been analyzed systematically. We compared Leishmania susceptibility to human complement in L. infantum promastigotes derived from in vitro cultures and from sand flies. Phlebotomus perniciosus sand flies were fed with axenic promastigotes, L. infantum-infected U-937 cells, or spleen cells from L. infantum-infected hamsters. On selected days post-feeding, flies were dissected and promastigotes isolated; in addition, axenic promastigotes were obtained from culture at equivalent days of growth. In near-physiological serum concentration and temperature conditions, measurement of real-time kinetics of propidium iodide uptake showed that 90% of axenic- and sand fly-derived promastigotes were rapidly killed by complement. We found no substantial differences between promastigotes from axenic culture, those isolated from flies on different post-feeding days, or those generated in flies fed with distinct inocula. The results indicate that Leishmania susceptibility to human complement is independent of promastigote developmental stage in the sand fly mid-gut and in axenic culture.     

Biological studies on adult water snipe fly,Atherix ibis (Fabricius, 1798) (Diptera: Athericidae): old myths and new facts

The water snipe fly, Atherix ibis, is known for its eggbearing females aggregating in clusters. They are most frequently found as flat crusts under the outer parts of bridge ceilings above the water. There is no persistent pattern in the cluster distribution either in relation to the current direction or to the sun. Females aggregate in early summer in short periods of warm and calm weather only. Females are attracted to an aggregation site, probably by pheromones. The flies fasten to the surface and to each other by minute Velcro-like structures on their feet. The eggs are shed inside the cluster. After 9–12 days the eggs hatch, and the larvae leave clusters and drop into the water. There is no increased temperature inside the cluster. There are no signs of larval feeding on either dead flies or siblings in the cluster. The majority of larvae leave the cluster during night time, also when the normal day–night rhythm is eliminated by experimental black-out.     

Oral myiasis in a child by the reindeer warble fly larva Hypoderma tarandi

We describe a case of human oral myiasis by a first-stage larva of the reindeer warble fly, Hypoderma (Oedemagena) tarandi (L.) (Diptera: Oestridae), in a 12-year-old girl. In September the patient complained of erythema, swelling and conjunctivitis of the right eyelid. Symptoms subsided spontaneously but re-occurred in October. In December she presented with acute swelling of the right corner of the mouth. Later that day a living larva protruded from this swelling. The patient had been on vacation in Norway during the previous summer months.     

Intra-puparial development in the hoverflies Eristalinus aeneus and Eristalis tenax (Diptera: Syrphidae)

The intra-puparial development of 150 pupae of Eristalinus aeneus (Scopoli, 1763) and Eristalis tenax (Linnaeus, 1758) was analyzed. Individuals were obtained from the sixth laboratory generation kept under artificial rearing conditions at the facilities of the University of Alicante (Spain). The experiment was conducted at 25 ± 1°C temperature, 50 ± 5% relative humidity, and 12:12 hr (L:D) of photoperiod. Groups of 10 pupae were collected every 6 hr over 48 hr, after that period, pupae were collected daily until the adult emergence. They were fixed in 5% formic acid and preserved in 70% ethanol. Fixed pupae were dissected and photographed. The chronology and morphological changes that take place during the intra-puparial development in both species were analyzed and compared. Five phases were observed: prepupa, before 6 hr; cryptocephalic pupa, between 6 and 24 hr; phanerocephalic pupa, between 24 and 30 hr; pharate adult, after 30 hr; and the adult imago, restricted to the very end of the development process just before adult emergence. In total, the intra-puparial development lasted 189 ± 4 hr in E. aeneus and 192 ± 3 hr in E. tenax, with the pharate adult the longest phase (some 81% of the total developmental time). These data can be used to develop accurate cold storage protocols during artificial rearing of both pollinator species, avoiding critical events during the development and increasing survival.