Showing papers in "Annals of The Entomological Society of America in 1983"
TL;DR: A key is presented to the 42 species of opiine Braconidae previously collected in biological control programs directed against Ceratitis and Dacus s.
Abstract: A key is presented to the 42 species of opiine Braconidae previously collected in biological control programs directed against Ceratitis and Dacus s. l. Diagnostic features and present nomenclatural status are also discussed for these species. Biosteres oophilus (Fullaway) is treated as a synonym of Biosteres arisanus (Sonan), and B. watersi (Fullaway) as a synonym of B. dacusii (Cameron).
198 citations
TL;DR: Development took longer, and there was evidence of aestivation at temperatures fluctuating between 27° and 43°C, and the average number of eggs laid per female was 81, similar to those on other host plants recorded in the literature.
Abstract: Development of Bemisia tabaci Genn. was observed on seedling cotton plants in constant temperature cabinets. The duration of the egg stage varied from 22.5 days at 16.7°C to 5.0 days at 32.5°C, whereas eggs failed to hatch at a constant 36.0°C. The total development time from egg to adult varied from 65.1 days at 14.9°C to 16.6 days at 30.0°C. Development took longer, and there was evidence of aestivation at temperatures fluctuating between 27° and 43°C. Development rates were similar to those on other host plants recorded in the literature. Peak emergence of adults occurred between 6 and 9 a.m. The average number of eggs laid per female was 81 at 26.7°C and 72 at 32.2°C. Males lived an average of 7.6 and 11.7 days, and females lived an average of 8.0 and 10.4 days, at 26.7 and 32.2°C, respectively.
150 citations
TL;DR: Quantitative results of observations in nature in Brazil of the diel pattern and location of activities of South American fruit flies, Anastrepha fraterculus (Wiedemann), on host trees with and without fruit, and on nonhost trees without fruit revealed the following.
Abstract: Quantitative results of observations in nature in Brazil of the diel pattern and location of activities of South American fruit flies, Anastrepha fraterculus (Wiedemann), on host trees with and without fruit, and on nonhost trees without fruit, revealed the following. At dawn (ca. 0600 h), both sexes were at rest on the bottom surface of leaves near the tops of nonhost and host trees. Sexual activity (male calling) began at ca. 0700 h and ceased before 1100 h. It occurred on nonhosts as well as hosts, with all observed copulation initiations and mating pairs occurring only near the top of a tall nonhost tree. Feeding and oviposition began at ca. 0800 h, peaked from midmorning to midafternoon, and ended before 1800 h. Feeding occurred almost exclusively on ripe host fruits exuding juice, whereas oviposition occurred almost exclusively on unripe host fruits. All flies observed at 1800 h (dusk) and afterward were either at rest on the bottom surface of leaves near the tops of trees or were in flight toward tree tops. Our findings on A. fraterculus are discussed in relation to the diel pattern and location of activities of other Tephritidae studied in nature.
110 citations
TL;DR: A dichotomy in use of plant parts is apparent; reproductive organs are preferred by some groups, whereas vascular feeding on vegetative parts is characteristic of others; Breadth of diet, however, is highly variable, ranging from extreme polyphagy to restricted feeding on a single plant species.
Abstract: Food plant records are tabulated for five coreoid families, and feeding preferences are analyzed within the Coreinae (Coreidae). With the exception of the Coreinae, food plant associations are characteristic at the subfamily or tribal level. Within the Coreinae, no clear pattern of food plant preference can be discerned. Angiosperms are preferred over gymnosperms, dicots over monocots; but members of all six dicot subclasses are used as food plants. Comparison among the dicot subclasses, weighted to equalize plant group size, shows Caryophyllidae to be the most preferred group, with Magnoliidae and Asteridae least preferred. A dichotomy in use of plant parts is apparent; reproductive organs are preferred by some groups, whereas vascular feeding on vegetative parts is characteristic of others. Breadth of diet, however, is highly variable, ranging from extreme polyphagy to restricted feeding on a single plant species.
100 citations
TL;DR: Large and small males of the Caribbean fruit fly, Anastrepha suspensa (Loew), are selected and calling sounds produced by these males are analyzed, finding calling propensity was significantly higher and calling song pulse train interval significantly shorter in large males.
Abstract: Sexual selection theory predicts discriminative female mate choice based on differences in male phenotype in lek-mating species. We selected large and small males of the Caribbean fruit fly, Anastrepha suspensa (Loew), and analyzed calling sounds produced by these males. Calling propensity was significantly higher and calling song pulse train interval significantly shorter in large males. In mate choice tests, 70% of mating females mated with a large male. Additionally, the power output (sound pressure level) of precopulatory songs of successfully mating males averaged 10 dB greater than that of mounting males that were rejected by females.
87 citations
TL;DR: The field life history of Xylosandrus germanus (Blandford) was studied, particularly as associated with black walnut, and the number of instars was determined, and behavior during mating, and brood production and rearing, is discussed.
Abstract: The field life history of Xylosandrus germanus (Blandford) was studied in North Carolina, Ohio, Tennessee, and Illinois, particularly as associated with black walnut ( Juglans nigra L.), and the number of instars was determined. The beetle was also reared in the laboratory on artificial diet. Galleries are excavated by the females and are composed of entrance tunnels, brood chambers where eggs are laid and larval development begins, and one to three branch tunnels where development continues. The species is bivoltine and overwinters as adults, primarily females, in galleries of its host plants. The number of progeny per gallery averaged 16.5; the sex ratio was 10 females to 1 male. Flight activity began in late March to early April and continued until late August and early September. Average seasonal flying heights of adult females ranged from 1.2 to 1.6 m. On artificial diets in the laboratory, X. germanus laid an average of 1 egg per day and an average of 18.0 eggs per female. Development time from egg to adult was 24.9 days at 24°C. X. germanus has three instars. Behavior during mating, and brood production and rearing, is discussed.
82 citations
TL;DR: The queens of the formicines Oecophylla longinoda and O. smaragdina are extremely attractive to major workers; stimuli from the head, apparently chemical in nature, induce the workers to regurgitate and present trophic eggs at frequent intervals.
Abstract: The queens of the formicines Oecophylla longinoda (Latreille) and O. smaragdina (F.) are extremely attractive to major workers; stimuli from the head, apparently chemical in nature, induce the workers to regurgitate and present trophic eggs at frequent intervals. The queens suppress the laying of viable eggs but not trophic eggs by the major workers; the effect is evidently mediated by pheromones and persists in the corpses of the queens for as long as 6 months. A new system of intersegmental glands has been discovered in the abdomen of the queen. The propharyngeal, postpharyngeal, maxillary, and mandibular glands are well developed. These cephalic organs may serve in conjunction with the abdominal intersegmental glands as the source of the attractants and control substances.
71 citations
TL;DR: L'etude des chromosomes polytenes ovariens d'Anopheles culicifacies Giles de quelques villages a la peripherie de Delhi, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh, montre the presence of 2 inversions paracentriques fixees, g 1 et h 1 sur le chromosome 2.
Abstract: L'etude des chromosomes polytenes ovariens d'Anopheles culicifacies Giles de quelques villages a la peripherie de Delhi, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh, montre la presence de 2 inversions paracentriques fixees, g 1 et h 1 sur le chromosome 2. L'arrangement des inversions dans l'espece A et l'espece B est X+ a + b ; 2+ gu 1+ hu 1 et Xab; 2g 1 + hu 1 et sur arrangement additionnel Xab; 2+ gu 1h 1 est observe dans les populations naturelles de Gujarat et Madhya Pradesh. Des observations faites sur un echantilllon de Gujarat suggerent fortement que Xab; 2g 1 + hu 1 et Xab; 2+ gu 1h 1 sont 2 populations qui presentent un isolement reproductif. La population Xab; 2+ gu 1h 1 est presentee comme une espece separee, espece C
64 citations
TL;DR: There were two types of cell damage by biotype C greenbug, Schizaphis graminum (Rondani), in susceptible plants, with slower degeneration of cell organelles occurred in mesophyll adjacent to aphid feeding tracks.
Abstract: There were two types of cell damage by biotype C greenbug, Schizaphis graminum (Rondani), in susceptible plants. (1) All identifiable structure was lost by the organelles in a few phloem cells as early as 1 h postinfestation. (2) A slower degeneration of cell organelles occurred in mesophyll adjacent to aphid feeding tracks. Chloroplast membranes were disrupted, leaving enlarged osmiophilic granules. Mitochondrial degeneration was slower, with vesicle formation within cristae. Nuclear vesicles occurred at 10 days postinfestation. Densely staining salivary sheath material occurred near feeding sites. A resistant wheat showed no macroscopic damage at 10 days postinfestation. There were patches of collapsed dried mesophyll in samples 2 days postinfestation; these were surrounded by unaffected cells. Saliva sheath material was observed at 2 days postinfestation, but not later. In susceptible wheat, feeding tracks were primarily intercellular in phloem. Damage in resistance tissue was to mesophyll. Resistance in wheat was physiological and biochemical.
58 citations
TL;DR: The host acceptance behavior of Telenomus heliothidis Ashmead in the laboratory was investigated and the presence of an ovipositing female increased the drumming time of a second female which encountered the same host.
Abstract: The host acceptance behavior of Telenomus heliothidis Ashmead in the laboratory was investigated. Host acceptance was broken into seven discreet steps: host encounter, drumming, adoption of drilling posture, probing, drilling, oviposition, and marking. Drilling and oviposition accounted for 81% of the host acceptance time. Females interrupted up to 5 sec after initiation of oviposition redrummed the host and completed host acceptance. Females interrupted after initiation of oviposition deposited an egg and exhibited host marking behavior. The presence of an ovipositing female increased the drumming time of a second female which encountered the same host. The chemical mark of T. heliothidis was disregarded if a female was drumming a host when the mark was deposited by another female.
56 citations
TL;DR: The ratio of fertility to feeding punctures, calculated per female or per female per day, demonstrated that the order of host plant suitability was chrysanthemum, celery, and tomato.
Abstract: Chrysanthemum, celery, and tomato were evaluated as hosts for Liriomyza trifolii (Burgess). The mean number of feeding punctures and viable eggs per female were: chrysanthemum—1,346, 298; celery—986, 212; and tomato — 353, 39. Mean survival time of females was 14, 12, and 10.0 days on chrysanthemum, celery and tomato, respectively. Only 58% of larvae within tomato survived to form a puparia, which was significantly less than larvae in chrysanthemum and celery. The pattern for oviposition and feeding punctures throughout female life was similar on all hosts; both parameters peaked between days 4 and 8. The ratio of fertility to feeding punctures, calculated per female or per female per day, demonstrated that the order of host plant suitability was chrysanthemum, celery, and tomato. This ratio was equivalent to using viable eggs or feeding punctures as a measure of host plant suitability.
TL;DR: When presented with oviposition dishes containing a range of colored onion stems, Delia antiqua (Meigen) laid the most eggs around yellow stems, indicating color is one of the diverse variables influencing alighting and post-alighting preoviposition behavior of D. antiqua.
Abstract: When presented with oviposition dishes containing a range of colored surrogate onion stems, Delia antiqua (Meigen) laid the most eggs around yellow stems. Response to yellow was elicited by hue and saturation, rather than brightness, and was reduced when either white or black was added to yellow. Differences in egg numbers on stimulatory and nonstimulatory colors reflected differences in preoviposition behaviors. Alighting on stems, stem walks, and probing with the ovipositor occurred more frequently on yellow than on blue or gray stems. The effect of yellow on post-alighting behaviors was independent of its effect on alighting. After alighting on a yellow stem, females performed three times more stem walks than on blue or gray stems and were twice as likely to probe with their ovipositors after a stem walk. Thus, color is one of the diverse variables influencing alighting and post-alighting preoviposition behavior of D. antiqua.
TL;DR: The evolutionary history of the eastern North American members of the genus Allonemobius is reconstructed, using three different methods for estimating phylogenetic trees from genetic distance matrices and the two species best suited for speciation studies appear to be A. fasciatus and A. socius.
Abstract: Cryptic species are common in the singing Orthoptera, and systematists have come to rely heavily on distribution, ecology, life cycle, and especially song characteristics both to recognize species and to work out their evolutionary relationships. Eastern North American ground crickets in the genus Allonemobius have been very well studied in the above manner, and the taxonomy of the group appeared secure. However, electrophoretic evidence presented here indicates that what has been called A. allardi in the past consists of three species and what has been called A. fasciatus consists of two species. The evolutionary history of the eastern North American members of the genus is reconstructed, using three different methods for estimating phylogenetic trees from genetic distance matrices. The two species best suited for speciation studies appear to be A. fasciatus and A. socius .
TL;DR: The moderately high levels of genetic variability found in the Colorado potato beetle suggest that the species is able to exploit a wide range of food plants without further adaptation.
Abstract: Genetic divergence of 12 populations of the Colorado potato beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Say), was studied by starch gel electrophoresis to examine enzyme products of 11 genetic loci (ACPH, EST-1, EST-2, FUM, G-6PDH, GOT, α-GPDH, IDH, MDH, ME, and SOD). Mean heterozygosity of these populations was 0.206, with an average proportion of polymorphic loci of 0.515. The 11 populations from the United States and Europe were similar genetically, with an average genetic distance of 0.022 and a fixation index of 0.068. Heterozygosity of the Mexican population was significantly lower than that of the other populations. One locus (SOD) was diagnostic, separating the Mexican population from the others. Average genetic distance between the Mexican population and the other 11 populations was 0.212, indicating that it may be a distinct subspecies. Genetic distance between L. decemlineata and L. haldemani Rogers was 0.439. The moderately high levels of genetic variability found in the Colorado potato beetle suggest that the species is able to exploit a wide range of food plants without further adaptation.
TL;DR: It is concluded that these intermediate populations of the mosquito Culex pipiens are stable, freely interbreeding units and has important implications for the systematic status of intermediate groups of the C. pipiens complex found elsewhere in the world.
Abstract: In the Central Valley of California two subspecies of the mosquito Culex pipiens exist— C. p. quinquefasciatus in the warm southern regions and C. p. pipiens in cooler northern regions. The criterion used to distinguish subspecies is a measurement of the male genitalia, the DV/D ratio. The geography of the Central Valley causes a unique temperature pattern which is not a simple south-north gradient. Based on DV/D measurements, the subspecies of C. pipiens track this unique temperature gradient. Three of 10 allozyme loci had electrophoretically detectable alleles which paralleled the morphological cline. One of the three (Pgm) exhibited a cline which reversed at the same point where the temperature and DV/D reverse, i.e., just north of Sacramento. Further analysis revealed that the genes controlling DV/D are independent of Pgm . It seems likely that natural selection directly or indirectly affects Pgm allele frequencies. Some populations along the cline contained males which ranged in their DV/D from C. p. quinquefasciatus to C. p. pipiens with up to 50% intermediate between the usual criterion separating the subspecies. We concluded that these intermediate populations, possibly of hybrid origin, are stable, freely interbreeding units. This last conclusion has important implications for the systematic status of intermediate groups of the C. pipiens complex found elsewhere in the world.
TL;DR: Genetic markers showed that spermatozoa of the honey bee, Apis mellifera L., can produce progeny after storage for 2 years at –196°C and progeny counts indicated that a loss of viability may have occurred between 4 days and 2 years of storage.
Abstract: Genetic markers showed that spermatozoa of the honey bee, Apis mellifera L., can produce progeny after storage for 2 years at –196°C Progeny counts indicated that a loss of viability may have occurred between 4 days and 2 years of storage. Nine queens inseminated with spermatozoa stored 4 days produced 22% worker brood (range = 8–55%); eight queens inseminated with spermatozoa stored 2 years produced 8% worker brood (range = 1–25%) ( P < 0.05).
TL;DR: Analysis of allozyme variation at 20 loci, gypsy moth, Lymantria dispar L., populations in the United States exhibit extremely low levels of genetic variability compared with European populations.
Abstract: Based on analysis of allozyme variation at 20 loci, gypsy moth, Lymantria dispar L., populations in the United States exhibit extremely low levels of genetic variability compared with European populations. The loss of variability is suggested to be a consequence of the population bottleneck that accompanied the introduction of the moth into North America. A single collection of gypsy moths from Japan not only exhibits high levels of variability but also is genetically distinct from European and North American populations.
TL;DR: Nymphs exhibit tool use, both in camouflaging themselves with carton crumbs and in luring termite workers out of nest openings and into capture range, using the spent carcasses of freshly killed termites as bait.
Abstract: A Neotropical assassin bug, Salyavata variegata Amyot and Serville, was found on over 40% of the carton nests of Nasutitermes species in a lowland rain forest in Costa Rica. Nymphs exhibit tool use, both in camouflaging themselves with carton crumbs and in luring termite workers out of nest openings and into capture range, using the spent carcasses of freshly killed termites as bait. In feeding choice tests, most of the nymphs, as well as the adults, preferred large workers over small workers and small workers over soldiers. The five nymphal instars are compared biometrically, and leg structures that may facilitate prey capture are described.
TL;DR: A wedge micrometer, constructed from two microscope slides, provides a fast and accurate alternative to an ocular micrometers for measuring the width of ant heads and other similarly shaped objects.
Abstract: A wedge micrometer, constructed from two microscope slides, provides a fast and accurate alternative to an ocular micrometer for measuring the width of ant heads and other similarly shaped objects.
TL;DR: Honey bee hygienic behavior confers resistance to both a bacterial and a fungal brood disease and the magnitude of removing behavior was significantly correlated with colony resistance to chalkbrood, Ascosphaera apis, after infection by feeding spores to the colonies.
Abstract: Honey bee, Apis mellifera L., hygienic behavior is the uncapping and removing of brood killed by American foulbrood. The magnitude of removing behavior was significantly correlated with colony resistance to chalkbrood, Ascosphaera apis, after infection by feeding spores to the colonies. Uncapping behavior, however, was not significantly correlated with colony resistance. Hygienic behavior confers resistance to both a bacterial and a fungal brood disease. Colonies at the same apiary had different susceptibilities to infection. This suggests that resistance to chalkbrood is complex and involves other mechanisms besides hygienic behavior.
TL;DR: During field observations of papaya fruit flies, Toxotrypana curvicauda Gerstaecker, on papaya plants, most activity occurred in late afternoon and evening and was concentrated on or near fruit, with multiple ovipositions in all fruit under both field and cage conditions.
Abstract: During field observations of papaya fruit flies, Toxotrypana curvicauda Gerstaecker, on papaya plants, most activity occurred in late afternoon and evening and was concentrated on or near fruit. Males mounted ovipositing or probing females in attempts to mate. Flies in a field cage generally mated when at least 6 days old. Oviposition occurred in all sizes of fruit available, as well as blossom buds, with multiple ovipositions in all fruit under both field and cage conditions. Males puffed the pleural areas of the abdomen during much of the day, possibly releasing pheromone.
TL;DR: Although mean prey sizes are no larger than the population means, a positive correlation between wasp size and prey size indicates that females do take large prey but are limited by their own body size.
Abstract: Predation strategies of Palmodes laeviventris (Cresson), a predator of Mormon crickets, are described. Prey taken are compared with prey available. Although mean prey sizes are no larger than the population means, a positive correlation between wasp size and prey size indicates that females do take large prey but are limited by their own body size. Size selection by wasps may explain the strong bias toward female prey. An alternative hypothesis is that the sex bias is a result of female Mormon crickets being more vulnerable to predation because they are more exposed than males due to their reproductive behavior.
TL;DR: Laser vibrometry studies showed that the tympana of both species vibrate in response to sound from 26 to 260 kHz with a peak between 55 and 80 kHz.
Abstract: Both the greater wax moth, Galleria mellonella L., and the lesser wax moth, Achroia grisella (Fabricius), can detect sounds with their tympanic hearing organs over an exceptional frequency range of less than 20 kHz to over 300 kHz. Laser vibrometry studies showed that the tympana of both species vibrate in response to sound from 26 to 260 kHz with a peak between 55 and 80 kHz. Although the hearing range for both species is similar, behavioral responses are different. The tests also showed that both moths tilt the tympanum immediately in response to ultrasound; however, the angle and characteristics of tilting are distinctive for each species. The tympanum of the lesser wax moth tilts about 7 degrees and tends to remain somewhat tilted while continuous sound is applied. The tympanum of the greater wax moth tilts about 3 degrees, returns to the original position and tilts again repeatedly for several hours when continuous sound is applied. Tympanic vibration and tilting are important indicators that these moths respond to a wide range of ultrasonic frequencies.
TL;DR: The response of sexually mature virgin female caribflies, released onto field-caged guava trees to: caged sexually mature males; tape-recorded calling sound; sex pheromone extract; sound + extract; and (5) empty control trap was tested.
Abstract: Male Caribbean fruit flies (caribflies) produce airborne sex pheromones and calling sounds. We tested the response of sexually mature virgin female caribflies, released onto field-caged guava trees to: (1) caged sexually mature males; (2) tape-recorded calling sound; (3) sex pheromone extract; (4) sound + extract; and (5) empty control trap. Males attracted 4.2–fold as many females as the control; sound attracted 2.4–fold as many; extract attracted 2.5–fold as many; and sound + extract attracted 1.9–fold as many. All stimuli except the control attracted most females in the late afternoon. The trap containing the males captured significantly more females than any other treatment. The extract and the sound separately captured significantly more than the controls, although sound and extract together were not significantly different from the controls.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors found that C. rufilabris' preimaginal developmental rate was slightly faster than C. cornea's at low humidity and moderate humidity (55% RH).
Abstract: At high humidity (75% relative humidity [RH]), Chrysopa carnea Stephens and C. rufilabris Burmeister show no differences in the expression of any of the life history traits we tested except one: C. rufilabris' preimaginal developmental rate was slightly faster than C. cornea's. At low humidity (35% RH) and moderate humidity (55% RH), C. rufilabris (but not C. carnea ) had a prolonged preoviposition period, reduced rate of oviposition, reduced total egg production, increased preimaginal mortality, and a slow rate of preimaginal development. Thus, under humid conditions (75% RH), C. rufilabris' developmental potential is slightly higher than C. cornea's. However, low humidity substantially reduces C. rufilabris' developmental and reproductive potential but has no negative effects on C. carnea. These results are consistent with C. cornea's widespread distribution throughout North America, including those regions of the United States where humidity is generally low. They are also consistent with C. rufilabris' prevalence in the more humid southeastern United States. C. cornea's and C. rufilabris' differential responses to humidity may contribute to temporal or spatial partitioning of resources and thus may be important in allowing C. carnea and C. rufilabris to coexist in areas with high, but variable or patchy, humidity conditions. Thus, RH should be considered a primary abiotic factor when examining competitive interactions between the two species and when assessing their roles as biological control agents.
TL;DR: The scarcity of immature C. quinquefasciatus in the lagoon during the summer and fall was not associated with reduced nutrient levels in the aquatic habitat and the vast majority of the mosquitoes collected during the annual cycle was of the Culex (Culex) group.
Abstract: We monitored over 16 months the density of immature mosquitoes in a settling lagoon receiving dairy wastewater. Within microhabitats containing floating or emergent vegetation, 75% of all samples were positive for mosquitoes and the mean number per sample was 102.9. The vast majority of the mosquitoes collected during the annual cycle was of the Culex (Culex) group. During the summer and fall, Culex nigripalpus Theobald was the most abundant. With the onset of winter, C. nigripalpus's density dropped to a low level where it remained until summer. In contrast, immatures of Culex salinarius Coquillett and Culex quinquefasciatus Say were generally rare or uncommon for most of the summer and fall. Peak densities for both species occurred between January and April. The scarcity of immature C. quinquefasciatus in the lagoon during the summer and fall was not associated with reduced nutrient levels in the aquatic habitat.
TL;DR: Overall, the ground-surface spider community in alfalfa appeared to be better established than that in soybean, probably due to the more constant environment resulting from the relatively dense vegetation cover and the formation of a thatch layer in the perennial habitat.
Abstract: Ground-surface spider communities were examined using pitfall traps during three consecutive growing seasons to determine whether a perennial crop (alfalfa) supported a more persistent community than an annual crop (soybean). Similarities were found between crops in species composition, seasonal patterns of evenness, and the relative abundances of guilds. However, differences were found in the seasonal trends of the number of individuals present, as well as species richness. Overall, the ground-surface spider community in alfalfa appeared to be better established than that in soybean. This was probably due to the more constant environment resulting from the relatively dense vegetation cover and the formation of a thatch layer in the perennial habitat.
TL;DR: Red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta Buren, queens produce a queen recognition pheromone that attracts daughter or conspecific worker ants singly or in groups, which is attractive when carried by an air stream into an olfactometer or when applied to surrogate queens (pieces of rubber septa).
Abstract: Red imported fire ant (RIFA), Solenopsis invicta Buren, queens produce a queen recognition pheromone that attracts daughter or conspecific worker ants singly or in groups. Their attractiveness ceases if they are separated from their colony for more than 30 min, but returns immediately when they are reunited with their workers. Whole-body queen extracts of the pheromone are attractive when carried by an air stream into an olfactometer or when applied to surrogate queens (pieces of rubber septa). Extracts of the pheromone induce some attraction at a concentration of 0.01 queen equivalent, with maximum response at concentrations of 0.5 to 5.0 queen equivalents. The response of workers to extracts of other RIFA castes was significantly less than that to queen extracts in all bioassays.
TL;DR: Female Supella longipalpa exhibit a pattern of calling behavior in which the wings are raised and the genitalia are rhythmically opened and closed, and 79% mated when paired with males, whereas only 8% of non calling females mated.
Abstract: Female Supella longipalpa exhibit a pattern of calling behavior in which the wings are raised and the genitalia are rhythmically opened and closed. Of these calling females, 79% mated when paired with males, whereas only 8% of non calling females mated. Eight of nine mated females ceased to call immediately after mating and did not call through at least two oviposition cycles. Unmated females exhibited cycles of calling and production of infertile eggs. The mean inter-ovipositional period in unmated females was 7.9 days, and it was 3.6 days in mated females. Males began responding to females 8 or 9 days after the females' imaginal molt. Calling and the onset of sexual receptivity were initiated 11 to 15 days after the imaginal molt.
TL;DR: Mating preference of laboratory-reared and wild Mediterranean fruit flies, Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann) (medfly), was studied in field cages and mating became random apparently because the mating speed of the irradiated, laboratory- reared flies was reduced.
Abstract: Mating preference of laboratory-reared and wild Mediterranean fruit flies, Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann) (medfly), was studied in field cages. When laboratory-reared flies unirradiated and irradiated with 7, 10, 13, and 16 krad in N2 and dyed were compared with wild flies, mating speed of unirradiated, laboratory-reared flies was faster than that of wild flies. The unirradiated, laboratory-reared males preferred mating with unirradiated, laboratory-reared females, and wild males preferred mating with wild females. When laboratory-reared flies irradiated at 7, 10, 13, and 16 krad in N2 were paired with wild flies, however, mating speed was similar for both strains and mating became random apparently because the mating speed of the irradiated, laboratory-reared flies was reduced. In the tests combining flies exposed to all six treatments (laboratory-reared flies irradiated at 7, 10, 13, and 16 krad in N2, unirradiated flies, and wild flies) in one cage, those wild females which mated, mated equally well with wild males, and laboratory-reared males showing no preference and those laboratory males which mated, mated equally well with wild or laboratory females, again showing no preference.