Showing papers in "Annals of The Entomological Society of America in 1939"
TL;DR: The structural adaptations for copulation, the control of the sperm in the body of the female, the micropylar arrangements in the egg which allow fertilization through the fully formed shell, are remarkable enough.
Abstract: “ The reproduction of insects forms one of the most remarkable chapters in their natural history. The structural adaptations for copulation, the control of the sperm in the body of the female, the micropylar arrangements in the egg which allow fertilization through the fully formed shell, are remarkable enough. ” —V. B. Wigglesworth, Insect Physiology.
108 citations
TL;DR: The resistance or immunity of insects to invading organisms is an accepted phenomenon about which comparatively little is known, but investigations regarding the use of beneficial insects in combatting insect pests have accentuated the need for further knowledge.
Abstract: The resistance or immunity of insects to invading organisms is an accepted phenomenon about which comparatively little is known. However, investigations regarding the use of beneficial insects in combatting insect pests have accentuated the need for further knowledge of it.
42 citations
TL;DR: The small pteromalid wasp, Pachycrepoideus dubius Ashmead, is a primary parasite of the common cheese skipper, Piophila casei Linne, which leads to the belief that the earliest record of P. dubius dates back to Swammerdam (1758).
Abstract: The small pteromalid wasp, Pachycrepoideus dubius Ashmead, is a primary parasite of the common cheese skipper, Piophila casei Linne. It attacks the host in the pupal stage and is the only parasite of Piophila casei so far as known. This leads to the belief that the earliest record of P. dubius dates back to Swammerdam (1758) who observed a small white grub attacking the cheese skipper. Somewhat later Taylor (18G1) in his writings on the cheese skipper comments on the effectiveness of a minute Ichneumon in keeping the skipper very much in check during the summer.
37 citations
TL;DR: Observations recently made on three nests of the yellow-jacket, Vespula arenaria (Fabricius) [= diabolica H. de Saussure], which had been parasitized by V espula adulterina var.
Abstract: This paper presents some observations recently made on three nests of the yellow-jacket, Vespula arenaria (Fabricius) [= diabolica H. de Saussure], which had been parasitized by Vespula adulterina var. arctica Rohwer, and on a nest of Vespula rufa var. vidua (H. de Saussure), which had been invaded by a queen of Vespula squamosa (Drury), suspected of being a facultative, temporary social parasite. To this are added some remarks on the origin and evolution of social parasitism in the genus Vespula.
36 citations
TL;DR: There have been many attempts to allocate the male genitalia of the Lepidoptera to their proper segments and appendages, but so far with very uncertain results.
Abstract: It is a commonplace in comparative morphology that the muscles and their nerves give fundamental data, comparable with that given by the skeletal parts. There have been many attempts to allocate the male genitalia of the Lepidoptera to their proper segments and appendages, but so far with very uncertain results. The chitinous parts have been fully studied, and the results summarized from time to time, especially by Pierce in his introductions to the “Genitalia of the British Noctuidae” and “Geometridae.” But the internal parts have been less completely recorded. The embryology is hopelessly distorted by the fact that the whole group of appendages are formed very late from an imaginal bud; the nerves give uncertain evidence, because all of them are branches of a single trunk, passing back from the fused terminal ganglia; the muscles have been only partially and I suspect inaccurately reported, and the two forms cited by Snodgrass in his “Principles of Insect Morphology” are further degenerate types, Bombyx having largely lost the clasper and much of the vinculum, and having no recognizable distinction of juxta and valve; Carpocapsa being less reduced in having preserved the juxta as a separate sclerite, but also completely lacking uncus and clasper.
35 citations
TL;DR: Discussion of the probable ancestry of insects is usually based upon two types of study—investigation of the fossil record, and detailed examinations of body structure—phases of palaeontology and comparative anatomy.
Abstract: Discussion of the probable ancestry of insects is usually based upon two types of study—investigation of the fossil record, and detailed examinations of body structure—phases of palaeontology and comparative anatomy. Such considerations usually begin with the first subdivisions of the class Insecta and conclude with the derivation of the various orders.
29 citations
25 citations
TL;DR: Outbreaks of the primary screwworm in previously uninfested districts in recent years have created a greater need for a means of recognizing the larvae of C. americana and other wound-invading blowflies.
Abstract: Outbreaks of the primary screwworm ( Cochliomyia americana C. and P.) in previously uninfested districts in recent years (Dove and Parman (1935), Dove and Bishopp (1936), King and Bradley (1935), Knipling and Tate (1935), Laake (1935), Robinson (1935)) have created a greater need for a means of recognizing the larvae of C. americana and other wound-invading blowflies.
22 citations
TL;DR: A list of the species of those Trichoptera of Western Lake Erie which are attracted to light traps and to discuss some of the aspects of their relative abundance and seasonal distribution are presented.
Abstract: It is the purpose of this paper to record a list of the species of those Trichoptera of Western Lake Erie which are attracted to light traps and to discuss some of the aspects of their relative abundance and seasonal distribution. Supplementing the list of species are notes regarding the occurrence of each species. For future students the figures of male genitalia will give an exact placement of the species studied in case that some name or names have been misapplied. A simple key to the more common species of this region is included for the convenience of any future workers in this field. Graphs are presented which indicate that some species occur in two broods or generations per season while others are definitely limited to one. The study is based on some seventy thousand specimens collected during the summer of 1937 near the Franz Theodore Stone Laboratory, Put-in-Bay, Ohio, and represents two years of work on the part of the author in the careful determination of species and checking the data involved[1][1]
[1]: #fn-1
19 citations
TL;DR: Aedeagus aedeagus, holotype male, shining, glabrous, dark castaneous, head darker, Antennae 10-jointed, rufotestaceous, club slightly longer than the stem.
Abstract: Holotype male .—Length 19 mm., width 11 mm. Oblong oval, shining, glabrous, dark castaneous, head darker. Antennae 10-jointed, rufotestaceous, club slightly longer than the stem. Clypeus emarginate; margin moderately reflexed; punctures moderately coarse, evenly distributed, close, separated by their diameter or less; suture sinuate, slightly impressed. Head impunctate along suture and occiput; front slightly convex, punctures about as on clypeus, the punctures separated by one diameter across middle, to two diameters or slightly more anteriorly and posteriorly. Pronotum convex, three-fourths wider than long; sides subangulate, widest at middle, straight converging anteriorly, sinuate slightly converging posteriorly; side margins irregularly crenate; all angles distinct, right; base sinuate, impressed margin obsolete middle third; punctures much coarser than on head and clypeus, irregularly and more widely spaced, separated by two to four or more diameters; no indication of median smooth line. Elytra and scutellum strongly punctured, punctures more evenly distributed, closer and somewhat finer than on thorax; sutural costae distinct, others obsolete. Mesosternum with fine yellowish hair, fine punctures. Abdomen glabrous, minutely punctulate especially at sides, with a shallow longitudinal impression. Penultimate segment with a few moderate punctures at sides, a shallow but distinct transverse smooth depression at posterior third. Terminal segment transversely shallowly impressed. Pygidium very finely obsoletely punctured, almost smooth. Fixed spur very short, acute; upper thin, lanceolate, slightly curved, subacute. Tooth of claw median, strong, right angled. Aedeagus, Fig. 1.
17 citations
TL;DR: The present paper is bases on material contained in the large Haren Collection of Baltic amber insects recently acquired by the Musuem of Comparative Zoology, which supplements the much more lengthy account dealing with these two families published in 1933.
Abstract: The present paper is bases on material contained in the large Haren Collection of Baltic amber insects recently acquired by the Musuem of Comparative Zoology. It supplements the much more lengthy account dealing with these two families which was prepared some years ago by the writer, from a study of specimens belonging to these families in the collections of the Amber Museum of the University of Konigsberg, and published in 1933.[1][1]
[1]: #fn-1
TL;DR: A search for digestive enzymes of the alimentary canal of the third-instar larva of Ilypoderma lineatum (De Villiers) indicates the general types of food which may be assimilated by the parasite.
Abstract: The present paper describes a search for digestive enzymes of the alimentary canal of the third-instar larva of Ilypoderma lineatum (De Villiers). Studies on this parasite have involved principally its biology and control. Little has been done on its physiology, and this study is presented as a step in that direction. The results also indicate the general types of food which may be assimilated by the parasite.
TL;DR: The fact that different temperatures may exercise a disproportionate effect shows that serious limitations may be involved in the analysis of variable temperature data in terms of mean temperatures.
Abstract: Studies of the effect of temperature have shown that insect oviposition is limited by definite temperature extremes within which the rate of egg laying is accelerated to a maximum and then is retarded by increasingly higher temperatures. Other work has shown that the acceleration of different biological processes may vary in proportion to the temperature or according to more complex relationships. For this reason a quantitative analysis of the relative effect of different temperatures is generally essential in the proper measurement and interpretation of temperature as an environmental factor and also has an important relation to different theories on the nature of the effect of temperature on physiological processes. Since the effect of the same number of degrees difference in temperature may vary in different portions of the temperature gradient, the relations must ordinarily be determined by experimental studies of the relative influence of different intensities or controlled degrees of temperature. The fact that different temperatures may exercise a disproportionate effect shows that serious limitations may be involved in the analysis of variable temperature data in terms of mean temperatures. Curvilinear relations may be obscured and a spurious appearance of linearity may be produced, since in the use of mean temperatures in correlation there is a tacit assumption that temperatures above and below the mean are proportional in effect, as would be expressed by a straight-line graph.
TL;DR: The Genera herein considered contain the largest members of the Staphylinidae, which are extremely large, heavily chitinized and usually dark brown in color.
Abstract: The Genera herein considered contain the largest members of the Staphylinidae . The larvae are extremely large, heavily chitinized and usually dark brown in color. The head is well separated from the thorax; clypeo-labral margin dentate except at the close of the instar when the dentation becomes worn and obscure; legs of medium length, heavily armed; pseudopode long, cylindrical and used in locomotion; urogomphus usually more than twice as long as pseudopode, hair-like spines on the urogomphus are extremely long and usually are arranged in modified whorls.
TL;DR: From collections of ants made by myself in the West Indies and Northern South America, incidental to studies on the biology of fungus-growing ants (Attini), the following remarkable new cerapachyines and ponerines are selected for description.
Abstract: From collections of ants made by myself in the West Indies and Northern South America, incidental to studies on the biology of fungus-growing ants (Attini),[1][1] the following remarkable new cerapachyines and ponerines are selected for description.[2][2]
All types, except that of Thaumatomyrmex manni , are in the author's collection. T. manni is in the U. S. National Museum.
[1]: #fn-1
[2]: #fn-2
TL;DR: This dermestid proved to be undescribed in the literature relating to the North American fauna and in several respects it did not fit well into any described genus of the holarctic Dermestidae.
Abstract: During the summer of 1938 Dr. H. H. Shepard of the Division of Entomology, University of Minnesota, brought to our attention a dermestid he had noticed in the laboratory in a nest of Vespula arenaria (Fabr.) ( =diabolica Sauss.). Cultures were started and a series of adults obtained for study. This dermestid was previously represented in our collection by only a single specimen labeled “University Farm Campus, September 10, 1934.” It proved to be undescribed in the literature relating to the North American fauna and in several respects it did not fit well into any described genus of the holarctic Dermestidae. The distinct characters which it shows might justify erecting a new genus for its reception, but until further revisional work is undertaken this seems undesirable. The closest affinities appear to be with species of Perimegatoma Horn.
TL;DR: Two bacterial diseases were the most noticeable causes of mortality in the laboratory stock and were singled out for study because they were observed repeatedly and could be identified by their striking effect upon the termite.
Abstract: During the past few years in the course of large-scale laboratory rearing of Zootermopsis angusticollis Hagen, various diseases have repeatedly been observed to kill individuals or groups of termites. Occasionally these have taken on the proportion of an epizootic, but more frequently they have shown up sporadically in the death of one or a few individuals of a group. The mortality resulting from these diseases is a serious factor in the experiments being carried on upon the problem of caste differentiation in Zootermopsis by Dr. S. F. Light of the Zoology Department of the University of California. It was with the purpose of learning more concerning the causes of this mortality, that the present study was undertaken. Prom the practical viewpoint of laboratory control of the disease and from the biological viewpoint the problem is of considerable interest. Apparently the diseases studied are as yet undescribed for any termite. Aside from certain fungus diseases, the two bacterial diseases which are treated in this paper were the most noticeable causes of mortality in the laboratory stock. That they were singled out for study is due to the fact they were observed repeatedly and could be identified by their striking effect upon the termite. Undoubtedly with further work more disease-producing bacteria will be isolated from Zootermopsis.
TL;DR: It would appear that much could be gained by concentrating on the lice of one host, not only because of the economic value of the domestic fowl, but also to develop the picture of a single host in its relationship to all of its mallophagan parasites.
Abstract: It has seemed since the publication by the writer of the lifecycle of Lipeurus heterographus Nitzsch that similar work on other species of poultry lice would be desirable. These species are readily available for experimental work and it would appear that much could be gained by concentrating on the lice of one host, not only because of the economic value of the domestic fowl, but also to develop the picture of a single host in its relationship to all of its mallophagan parasites.
TL;DR: Observations have been made on egg parasitism in the forest tent caterpillar, Malacosoma disstria Hb.
Abstract: Observations have been made on egg parasitism in the forest tent caterpillar, Malacosoma disstria Hb., as a part of a comprehensive ecological study of the species. Five species of Hymenoptera have been reared from egg masses collected in several localities in northern Minnesota. The following species have emerged from the various samples of egg masses: Ablerus clisiocampae Ashm., Trichogramma evanescens Westw., Odencyrtus clisiocampae Ashm., Tetrastichus sylvaticus Gahan, and Telenomns clisiocampae Ashm. A. clisiocampae and T. evanescens were each found in only one sample of eggs, while the other three species were present in nearly all of the collections which have been studied.
TL;DR: It was decided to re-determine the value for the time required for the development of eggs from laying to hatching at 27° C, and 75% Relative Humidity by means of an apparatus devised by the writer, whereby larger numbers of eggs could be tested than in the case of Chapman and Baird's determination.
Abstract: In connection with certain problems dealing with the growth of populations of the flour beetle, Tribolium confusum Duv. the writer wished to obtain an accurate mean value for the time required for the development of eggs from laying to hatching at 27° C, and 75% Relative Humidity. A value of 6.04 days (144.96 hrs.) has been published by Chapman and Baird (1), but as an extensive knowledge of the form of the frequency distribution of times contributing to this mean was also needed, it was decided to re-determine the value by means of an apparatus devised by the writer (to be described below), whereby larger numbers of eggs could be tested than in the case of Chapman and Baird's determination. A total of 624 eggs was used, of which 531, or 85.09% hatched.
TL;DR: A study was undertaken to determine the effect of various food factors upon the growth of two of the authors' most common stored-product pests, the confused flour beetle and the bean weevil with special reference to lipids and fat-soluble vitamins.
Abstract: Nutritional studies on insects give a phylogenetic viewpoint in the science of nutrition and help us to the understanding of one of the many problems in insect ecology. A study was undertaken to determine the effect of various food factors upon the growth of two of our most common stored-product pests, the confused flour beetle {Tribolium confusum Duval) and the bean weevil (Acanthoscelides obtectus (Say)) with special reference to lipids and fat-soluble vitamins.
TL;DR: In Ontario, as elsewhere over their range, the nymphs are distinctly local in occurrence, being nowhere plentiful, and restricted for the most part to slow creeks and quiet areas of running streams.
Abstract: While the mature nymphs of Agrion aequabile Say and Agrion maculatum Beauv. are readily distinguishable in the field, the species are easily confused in earlier instars, particularly where both occur in the same stream. The distributional ranges of the two forms overlap in the Canadian and Transitional faunal zones; thence, aequabile is found northward to the Hudson Bay Slope, maculatum southward to Florida and Texas. In Ontario, as elsewhere over their range, the nymphs are distinctly local in occurrence, being nowhere plentiful, and restricted for the most part to slow creeks and quiet areas of running streams. The distribution of each species in a stream appears to be determined by rate of flow, depth of water, type of vegetation and other factors.
TL;DR: Two of the species herein described, Drosophila subfunebrisr n.
Abstract: Two of the species herein described, Drosophila subfunebrisr n. sp., and Drosophila macrospina, n. sp., appear to be closely related to Drosophila funebris Fabricius, type species of the genus. Drosophila funebris has been used extensively in genetic studies by H. A. and N. W. Timofeeff-Ressovsky (1926), Spencer (1928), Romaschoff and Balkashina (1931) and others- Over one hundred mutant types have been recorded. In general the nature of these mutations, at least in their phenotypic expression, differs markedly from that of mutations found in other species of the genus, i. e., melanogaster Meig., virilis-Sturt ., pseudoobscura, hydei Sturt., ananassae, simulans Sturt. and willistoni .
TL;DR: The genus Osmoderma, as represented in North America, was heretofore recognized by some entomologists to be composed of several species and subspecies, whereas this study limits it to only two species.
Abstract: The genus Osmoderma , as represented in North America, was heretofore recognized by some entomologists to be composed of several species and subspecies, whereas this study limits it to only two species. Members of this genus occur in the southern part of most of the Canadian provinces adjoining the United States and throughout the United States east of the Rocky Mountains except for the southernmost States. The large, clumsy adults, which are nocturnal and good fliers, are often taken at electric lights, in bait traps, or afield in or near wooded areas on dull days. Harris (7,[1][1] p. 42) writes that the adults “conceal themselves during the day in the crevices and hollows of trees, where they feed upon the sap that flows from the bark.” When captured the beetles emit a very strong but not unpleasant odor which many writers have compared to Russian leather. This odor suggested to French naturalists the name Osmoderma , that is, scented skin.
[1]: #fn-1
TL;DR: Characteristics of the nervellus of the posterior wings of the melectines are very oblique, frequently sinuate or curved, and nearly attains the fork of the cubital vein, but is straight and more or less right-angled in the nomadids, which suggest an anthophoroid origin for themelectine bees.
Abstract: The bees discussed below have been placed by some authors in the Nomadidae, treated by others either as a separate family, the Melectidae, or, more rarely, as a subfamily of the Anthophoridae, the Melectinae. Of these alternatives the latter seems most in accord with our present knowledge of the group. The relationship of the melectine bees with the Nomadidae would appear to be remote since the two groups differ markedly in wing structure. In the Melectinae the anterior wing sculpture is highly differentiated with a broad band of minute papillae along the apical margin and the wing hairs reduced to a very few areas, primarily along the anterior margin (see figs. 1-4). The Nomadidae, however, have retained a more primitive wing structure, with the papillae and hairs more or less evenly distributed. Likewise, the nervellus of the posterior wings of the melectines is very oblique, frequently sinuate or curved, and nearly attains the fork of the cubital vein (fig. 5), but is straight and more or less right-angled in the nomadids. These characters suggest an anthophoroid origin for the melectine bees, possibly a panurgoid origin for the nomadids.
TL;DR: Questions have arisen concerning the application to insects of the term hormone, but it may be used in the true sense of the word since these secretions are produced in ductless glands, comparable to vertebrate endocrine organs which discharge directly into the blood.
Abstract: Within the past few years a small group of workers in experimental entomology have been developing the new field of insect endocrinology . Most of this research has been in connection with hormones which initiate the processes of moulting and pupation, although hormonal activity has been shown to be present in the adult insect (Wigglesworth, 1936; Weed, 1936 and 1937). Questions have arisen concerning the application to insects of the term hormone, but it may be used in the true sense of the word since these secretions are produced in ductless glands, comparable to vertebrate endocrine organs which discharge directly into the blood.
TL;DR: The present study is offered as a description of these glands in their relation to the anterior spiracles of Rhagoletis pomonella Walsh.
Abstract: Various workers have made mention of a peculiar series of glands which occur in many dipterous larvae. These structures, usually referred to as the peristigmatic glands, are found closely associated with both the anterior and posterior spiracles. The structure of the posterior spiracles and their peristigmatic glands in Rhagoletis pomonella Walsh has been well described and figured by Butt (1937). The present study is offered as a description of these glands in their relation to the anterior spiracles.
TL;DR: The family Archaeidae was established by C. Koch and G. Berendt in their work published posthumously in 1854 and no definition of the family was given, but the characters of the genus Archaea were given even in greater detail than was customary at the time.
Abstract: The family Archaeidae was established by C. L. Koch and G. C. Berendt in their work published posthumously in 1854. No definition of the family was given, but the characters of the genus Archaea were given even in greater detail than was customary at the time. Three fossil species from Baltic amber were included in the genus, described and figured. These are A. paradoxa, A. conica and A. laevigata . A. Menge who edited the work of Koch and Berendt, added, in a footnote on page 22, to the above three species three other species, A. sphinx, A. incomta and A. hyperoptica , also from the Baltic amber. In 1881 O. P. Cambridge described the first recent species of Archaea from Madagascar under the name of Eriauchenus workmanni . In 1883 Simon established the genus Landana for a new species L. petiti from , the Congo, which he placed in the family Archaeidae. In the same year he described a fossil spider from the Baltic amber under the name Archaea pugneti and a recent spider from Cape Horn which he referred to a new genus Mecysmauchenius . Simon placed this genus with its type species M. segmentatus in the family Archaeidae. In 1893 he described a new species of Landana from Venezuela, L. cygnea , still placing it in the family Archaeidae. Only in 1895 did Simon remove the genus Landana from the family Archaediae into the group Meteae, subfamily Tetragnathinae of the family Argiopidae as delimited by him in his Histoire Naturelle des Araignees. His decision was based on the marked difference in the shape of the cephalothorax and chelicerae in the two sexes of Landana and on the fact that the web of the female L. cygnea is similar to that of Meta, i.e., has the structure of a geometric orb-web. In 1904 Simon described another species of Landana, L. edwardsi , from Chile, referring it naturally to his subfamily Tetragnathinae. In the same paper he mentions a Landana wilsoni Simon which “represents the genus in the extreme South of America, is much larger and resembles in size and somewhat in coloration our Meta merianae Scopoli” (p. 95, my translation, A. P.). I am unable to find the description of this species, nor is it mentioned by Dalmas. In 1907 Tullgren described Mecysmauchenius nordenskjoldi from Patagonia. In 1917 Dalmas described Landana lautiuscula from New Zealand. In 1919 Hewitt described Archaea godfreyi from South Africa and in 1929 Butler described Archaea hickmani from Australia. Thus up to the present we know seven fossil and three recent species of Archaea and two species of Mecysmauchenius comprising the family Archaeidae, and four species of the genus Landana.
TL;DR: It has been known since the early part of the Nineteenth Century that when the temperature of the medium surrounding a cold blooded animal is changed there is a change in the amount of oxygen required to support its basal metabolism.
Abstract: It has been known since the early part of the Nineteenth Century that when the temperature of the medium surrounding a cold blooded animal is changed there is a change in the amount of oxygen required to support its basal metabolism. At the present time there exists considerable disagreement as to the way these effects of temperature-changes manifest themselves. Some workers have found that, for each unit rise in temperature, the amount of oxygen consumed is multiplied by a factor which is constant for the form studied throughout the none-injurious range of temperature; others have found that, for each unit rise in temperature, the amount of oxygen consumed is multiplied by a factor which becomes steadily smaller as the temperature rises; while still others have found that within certain temperature limits the rate of respiration is greatly accelerated by a rise in temperature while within other temperature limits there is but slight, if any, acceleration due to a rise in temperature.