scispace - formally typeset
Search or ask a question

Showing papers in "Annals of The Entomological Society of America in 2007"


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: An increased sampling effort in tropical regions should fill the taxonomy gap represented by gall-inducing insects and possibly change the biogeographic patterns described so far.
Abstract: During the last two decades, there was considerable debate on the actual number of insect species on Earth, and current estimates range from 5 to 30 million species. For gall-inducing insects, a cosmopolitan group of specialist herbivores, the last, 40-yr-old estimate of global richness indicated 13,000 species, mostly from temperate regions. To update these estimates, we used 10 studies that provided the average number of gall-inducing insect species per plant species (galled and nongalled) in different vegetation types around the world, and a recent calculation of 422,000 seed plant species on Earth. Considering that most of the gall-inducing insects are monophagous, these data were extrapolated to the global flora, assuming a positive relationship between gall-inducing insect richness and plant richness. Estimates of the global richness of gall-inducing insects ranged from 21,000 to 211,000 species, with an average of 132,930 species. The global distribution pattern described for gall-inducing insects pointed to a higher richness in warm temperate regions with sclerophyllous vegetation. However, it is likely that the tropical rain forests would harbor a higher absolute number of gall-inducing insects, due to their outstanding plant richness. Most of this fauna will be found on the poorly explored canopies of rain forests, especially in the Neotropical region. An increased sampling effort in tropical regions should fill the taxonomy gap represented by gall-inducing insects and possibly change the biogeographic patterns described so far.

168 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Nesting substrates and construction materials are compared for 65 of North America’s 139 described native species of Osmia bees to indicate the range of nesting habits and materials of European species are largely comparable, although records indicate that far more European species may nest in empty snail shells.
Abstract: Nesting substrates and construction materials are compared for 65 of North America’s 139 described native species of Osmia bees. Most accounts report Osmia bees nesting in preexisting cavities in dead wood or pithy stems such as elderberry (Sambucus spp.), with cell partitions and plugs made from a pulp of finely masticated leaf tissue. Mud is widely used by species constructing free-form clumps of nest cells against stone surfaces. Some Osmia bees adopt abandoned nests of other Hymenoptera, particularly those of mud dauber wasps (Sceliphron spp.) and larger ground-nesting bees (e.g., Anthophora spp.). Reports of subterranean nesting by Osmia species are uncommon but possibly under-represent the habit, because subterranean nests are obscure and likely to be scattered. Ground- or surface-nesting habits are suspected for species that are absent from intensive trap-nesting programs in their native ranges but that otherwise have been commonly taken at flowers. The range of nesting habits and material...

154 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: This study is the first to statistically analyze the stylet probing/penetration behaviors of Lygus bugs, and the external body movements associated with both probing and nonprobing, via electrical penetration graph (EPG) and videorecording, respectively, and provides the first complete system of organization and terminology for nonsequential EPG parameters.
Abstract: This study is the first to statistically analyze the stylet probing/penetration behaviors of Lygus (Hemiptera: Miridae) bugs, and the external body movements associated with both probing and nonprobing, via electrical penetration graph (EPG) and videorecording, respectively. Behavioral quantification allows powerful statistical comparisons among host plants or other treatments. Thus, statistical analysis of data has played an important role in EPG research. However, few attempts have been made to standardize types and terminology used for statistical parameters. We provide here the first complete system of organization and terminology for nonsequential EPG parameters. Widespread adoption of these terms will allow standardization in EPG research. Our EPG and video data reveal for the first time the stylet penetration behaviors of nymphal L. hesperus that cause cotton square damage, and the mechanism involved. L. hesperus nymphs spent only 15% of their time on squares probing; the remainder was spe...

150 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Sampling from Brazil indicates that its fall armyworm populations consist of the two strain-specific haplotypes found in Florida and also display the expected biases in plant host distribution.
Abstract: Fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), is a major economic pest throughout the Western Hemisphere. Studies of populations in the southern United States and the Caribbean demonstrated the existence of two morphologically identical but genetically distinct host strains. These races can be distinguished by using polymorphisms in the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I gene that define two distinct maternal lineages that correlate with strain-specific behaviors in Florida populations. Although there is evidence of different biotypes in Brazil, it has not been demonstrated that these biotypes are equivalent to the U.S. strains. Sampling from Brazil indicates that its fall armyworm populations consist of the two strain-specific haplotypes found in Florida and also display the expected biases in plant host distribution. The same genetic markers also were present in samples from Texas, a major source of migrating fall armyworm in North America. These results indicate that the biology and behaviors of Brazilian fall armyworm populations are similar to those found in North America.

103 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Investigation of community associates of D. kuriphilus revealed a negative correlation between certain parasitoids, suggesting competition for resources, hyperparasitism, or both, and beneficial implications for commercial chestnut production, blight resistance breeding programs, and restoration of American chestnut.
Abstract: Dryocosmus kuriphilus Yasumatsu (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae) is a potentially devastating exotic invasive gall wasp that is rapidly spreading throughout the eastern United States, and infests all species of chestnut, Castanea spp. We investigated the community associates of D. kuriphilus in three geographic locations: Meadowview, VA, Bowling Green, KY, and Broadview Heights, OH. Dissection of galls and observation of chamber contents revealed that gall wasp larval mortality is approaching 47%, and parasitism accounts for nearly 70% of the mortality. Six parasitoid wasp species emerged from chestnut galls, including one introduced species and five of unknown origin. The life histories of each parasitoid and their potential roles within the D. kuriphilus community complex are discussed. Investigation of parasitoid interactions revealed a negative correlation between certain parasitoids, suggesting competition for resources, hyperparasitism, or both. The small chestnut weevil, Curculio sayi (Gyllenhal) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), caused external damage to galls. Galls also were readily attacked by an unknown fungal pathogen resulting in gall wasp larval mortality. This study is the first to investigate the community associates of D. kuriphilus in North America. Our results have beneficial implications for commercial chestnut production, blight resistance breeding programs, and restoration of American chestnut.

96 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The adaptation process for this insect, when moved from whole mango, Mangifera indica L., fruit rearing to artificial diet based on wheat bran took between three and five generations to reach the plateau of quality control parameters observed for rearing the insect on whole mango fruit.
Abstract: Larval rearing of Bactrocera invadens Drew, Tsuruta & White (Diptera: Tephritidae) on artificial diet is described. The adaptation process for this insect, when moved from whole mango, Mangifera indica L., fruit rearing to artificial diet based on wheat bran, took between three and five generations to reach the plateau of quality control parameters observed for rearing the insect on whole mango fruit. Small-scale rearing on wheat, Triticum aestivum L.-, or carrot, Daucus corata-based diet revealed significantly higher pupal recovery for flies reared on the wheat-based artificial diet (68.8%) compared with the carrot-based diet (58.2%). Weekly production of puparia was 3,966.8 on wheat- and 3,012.1 on carrot-based diet. Other quality control parameters, including pupal weight, adult emergence, flight ability, fecundity, and fertility did not differ significantly between the two artificial rearing media tested.

78 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Sexual dimorphism occurred throughout the geographic range involving not only differences in body size but also in body proportions, which can be explained through differential allometric growth and shorter developmental time in males (the species exhibits protandry).
Abstract: We studied geographical body size variation in 23 populations and sexual size dimorphism in 19 populations of the grasshopper Dichroplus pratensis Bruner in Argentina, spanning 22° of latitude and between sea level and >2,474-m altitude. Six characters were measured in 609 individuals (334 males and 275 females): total body, femur 3, tibia 3, tegmina and pronotum lengths, and pronotum height. Significant negative correlations between all six characters and latitude occurred. Correlations with altitude were weaker, although individuals at higher altitudes tended to be smaller, except at high latitudes. Extreme latitudes and altitudes correspond to the geographical and ecological margins of the species distribution and share comparable strenuous environmental conditions. Thus, this species follows the converse to Bergmann’s rule, that is, individuals tend to be smaller as the environment becomes cooler (when latitude or altitude are used as a proxy for temperature). When the six morphological chara...

58 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The identification of bacteria uniquely and consistently associated with these ground beetles provides the basis for further investigation of species-specific functional roles.
Abstract: We identified the bacterial communities within the alimentary tracts of two granivorous ground beetles as a first step in the exploration of bacteria–ground beetle symbioses. Terminal-restriction fragment length polymorphism analyses of bacterial rRNA extracted from the guts of field-collected individuals of Harpalus pensylvanicus (DeGeer) and Anisodactylus sanctaecrucis (F.) (Coleoptera: Carabidae) revealed that gut-associated bacterial communities were of low diversity. Individuals from the same beetle species possessed similar bacterial community profiles, but the two species exhibited unique profiles. Bacterial 16S rRNA clone libraries constructed for the two beetle species showed that H. pensylvanicus had a more diverse community (six operational taxonomic units [OTUs]) compared with A. sanctaecrucis (three OTUs). Only one OTU, closely related to Hafnia alvei, was common between the two beetle species. Cloned partial 16S rRNA sequences for each OTU were most closely matched to the following ...

55 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: 15 species were capable of finding, attacking, and completing development on soybean aphid in soybean fields, and host aphid ranges of the species detected varied widely, with a tendency toward broader host ranges.
Abstract: Parasitoids and predatory flies that can attack soybean aphid, Aphis glycines Matsumura (Hemiptera: Aphididae), in soybean, Glycine max (L.) Merr., fields were identified 3 to 4 yr after the aphid was first sighted in the north central United States. We detected 15 species by exposing soybean aphid to ovipositing parasitoids and predatory flies at two locations in southern Michigan. The species detected were (in order of the number of specimens recovered from high to low) Aphidoletes aphidimyza Rondani (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae), Lysiphlebus testaceipes Cresson (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), Allograpta obliqua Say (Diptera: Syrphidae), Aphidius colemani Viereck (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), Eupeodes americanus Wiedemann (Diptera: Syrphidae), Leucopis glyphinivora Tanasijtshuk (Diptera: Chamaemyiidae), Aphelinus asychis Walker (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae), Sphaerophoria contigua Macquart (Diptera: Syrphidae), Binodoxys kelloggensis Pike, Starý & Brewer (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), Eupeodes volucris Osten Sacken (Diptera: Syrphidae), Paragus hemorrhous Meigen (Diptera: Syrphidae), Toxomerus marginatus Say (Diptera: Syrphidae), Aphelinus albipodus Hayat & Fatima (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae), Syrphus rectus Osten Sacken (Diptera: Syrphidae), and Praon sp. (Hymenoptera: Braconidae). These species were capable of finding, attacking, and completing development on soybean aphid in soybean fields. Based on a literature review, host aphid ranges of the species detected varied widely, with a tendency toward broader host ranges. These data add to the existing information on the predatory complex currently known to attack soybean aphid in the north central United States. Implications for biological control of soybean aphid are discussed.

54 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The results provide the first evidence that wing color in monarch butterflies relates to mating success, and they serve as an important starting point for future research.
Abstract: Predictors of male monarch butterfly mating success have eluded researchers for years. Although it has long been known that there is variation in male mating success in this species, the source of this variation remains unclear. We used digital image analysis techniques to measure fine-scale variation in three components of the orange color (hue, saturation and brightness of the orange) of the forewings of 174 males at a level of detail that has not been possible until recently, and we compared this information to the mating success of the males in captivity. A second experiment involved addition of orange coloration to the wings of 93 males before mating trials. Our results indicate that one component of the orange color (saturation) correlated with mating success in our first experiment. Furthermore, wing color manipulations had no effect, but the original saturation values of the males in the second experiment were directly related to mating success. Our results provide the first evidence that wing color in monarch butterflies relates to mating success, and they serve as an important starting point for future research.

46 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Female diabroticite beetles have a hairless planar ovoid patch that may facilitate maintenance of the mating posture of males upon the elytra of females, and this basitarsal patch proved as reliable as the standard supra-anal plate character for establishing sex of these important crop pests.
Abstract: Sexual dimorphism in basitarsal pad morphology is described for prothoracic and mesothoracic legs of Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte, Diabrotica barberi Smith & Lawrence, and Diabrotica undecimpunctata howardi Barber (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) and for prothoracic legs of Cerotoma trifurcata (Forster) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae). On the indicated legs of these diabroticite beetles, the typical structure of the hairy tarsal pads of chrysomelid beetles is replaced proximally on tarsomere 1 of males by a hairless planar ovoid patch that may facilitate maintenance of the mating posture of males upon the elytra of females. This basitarsal patch proved as reliable as the standard supra-anal plate character for establishing sex of these important crop pests.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: This study suggests that ants simultaneously protect and prey upon aphids, suggesting selection to appease ants and to gain protection from ants can both be important forces generating ant–aphid mutualisms.
Abstract: Interactions between ants and aphids range from mutualistic to antagonistic. Understanding the ecological basis for such interactions requires understanding the costs and benefits to the aphids of ant-tending. Such an analysis is not simple, because ants can simultaneously have positive and negative effects upon aphids. The aphids Pleotrichophorus utensis Pack & Knowlton and Uroleucon escalantii Knowlton (both Hemiptera: Aphididae) are occasionally tended by Formica obscuripes Forel (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) at field sites in central Colorado. To compare the relative effects of protection and predation by ants on aphid abundance, we experimentally crossed the presence of the ants and other predators on host plants on which one or both aphids occur. Within a week of the start of the experiment, ants had a strong negative impact on aphid numbers that lasted the course of the experiment. Nonant predators initially had a weak negative effect on aphids, but by the end of the experiment, the negative effect of nonant predators was similar in magnitude to the effect of the ants. The negative effect of ants and other enemies on aphids was nonadditive; simultaneous predation by ants and other enemies was not as strong as expected from estimates of predation rates by only ants or only other enemies. This study suggests that ants simultaneously protect and prey upon aphids. We suggest selection to appease ants and to gain protection from ants can both be important forces generating ant-aphid mutualisms.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Reconstructions of genital character evolution on the trees obtained suggest that the ancestor of Pterostichini had a straight endophallus and a short cylindrical spermatheca and that the elaborated genitalia seen in some species evolved in more derived lineages.
Abstract: The phylogeny and genital evolution of carabid beetles in the tribe Pterostichini, mainly the genus Pterostichus (Coleoptera: Carabidae), were studied using two nuclear gene sequences: wingless and 28SrDNA. Phylogenetic results suggest that the genera Molops, Poecilus, Stomis, Myas, Lesticus, and Trigonotoma and the subgenus Bothriopterus of the genus Pterostichus form basal lineages, with genus Molops sister to the rest of the tribe. The genus Pterostichus, with the exception of the subgenus Bothriopterus, was monophyletic and occupied more derived lineages. Examinations of the membranous parts of the genitalia (male endophallus and female spermatheca) revealed that endophalli and spermathecae are classified into four and five types, respectively. Reconstructions of genital character evolution on the trees obtained suggest that the ancestor of Pterostichini had a straight endophallus and a short cylindrical spermatheca and that the elaborated genitalia seen in some species evolved in more derive...

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Fragments of the mitochondrial COI and ND6 genes are evaluated to explore phylogenetic relationships among 13 of the 20 species of the Leucosphyrus Group of Anopheles (Cellia) (Diptera: Culicidae), including all four of the currently recognized complexes.
Abstract: We evaluated fragments of the mitochondrial COI and ND6 genes to explore phylogenetic relationships among 13 of the 20 species of the Leucosphyrus Group of Anopheles (Cellia) (Diptera: Culicidae), including all four of the currently recognized complexes. Nucleotide sequence data were analyzed using maximum parsimony, maximum likelihood, and Bayesian methods. The results revealed the monophyly of the Leucosphyrus Group and the Hackeri and Riparis Subgroups; however, the Leucosphyrus Subgroup and the Leucosphyrus Complex were recovered as polyphyletic. The monophyly of the Dirus Complex was corroborated by all the analyses but with discordance in the placement of An. balabacensis Baisas. The maximum parsimony strict consensus tree and maximum likelihood topology support the placement of An. balabacensis within the Dirus Complex, whereas the Bayesian topology placed the species as sister to the Hackeri and Riparis clade. Support for the split leading to An. latens Sallum & Peyton and An. leucosphyru...

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: A significant negative exponential relationship described this relationship between activity density of carabids and aphid density and it was confirmed that the dominant species A. muelleri readily eats soybean aphids, which is consistent with carabid predation on Soybean aphid populations.
Abstract: Carabid beetles were pitfall-trapped in soybean, Glycine max (L.) Merr., fields hosting populations of soybean aphid, Aphis glycines Matsumura (Hemiptera: Aphididae), in central New York state in July and August 2004 and 2006. Carabids were collected from five fields located in three counties in 2004 and from two fields both located at the same farm in 2006. In total, adults of 60 carabid species were collected, 10 of which represent introductions from Europe. Agonum muelleri (Herbst), a Palearctic native, was the dominant carabid species both years, a role not previously reported in U.S. carabid assemblages. Both years, A. muelleri was the most abundantly trapped species, and it was collected in more than half of the pitfall traps. The majority of carabid individuals trapped, including A. muelleri, belonged to species overwintering as adults. The most common larval overwinterer, the European native Pterostichus melanarius (Illiger), made up only 6.0% (2004) and 5.5% (2006) of the total carabids ...

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: It is demonstrated that it is possible to rear C. capitata in a liquid diet at a similar cost to mill feed diet and still maintain the same fly quality as that from the conventional control diet.
Abstract: A liquid diet for rearing Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann) (Diptera: Tephritidae) was developed. Several yeast-based products were evaluated as diet ingredients, and a combination of whole cell yeast (LBI2240) and hydrolyzed yeast (such as FNILS65) in 1:1–3:1 ratio was selected for use in the study. Larvae reared in a liquid diet with LBI2240:FNILS65 ratios of either 1:1 or 3:1 resulted in the same pupal recovery as to those reared in the conventional mill fee- based control diet. Larvae reared in a liquid diet with whole cell yeast only yielded the lowest pupal production, whereas other parameters such as adult emergence, adult fliers, pupal weight, egg production, and percentage of egg hatch were not affected. In diets fortified with vitamin-fortified yeast (RDA) or glutamine-rich yeast (GSH), there was no enhanced effect on insects, whereas some detrimental effects were observed in some of the parameters measured. A whole cell yeast to hydrolyzed yeast ratio of 3:1 was found to be the most suita...

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Larvae of Laccornellus evolved one unique character state within the Hydroporinae, which is the presence of the primary seta AB15 on ventral surface of last abdominal segment.
Abstract: The first instar of Laccornellus lugubris (Aube) is described. A parsimony analysis of selected taxa of the subfamily Hydroporinae based on 48 informative larval characters was conducted using the program PAUP*. The 100 most parsimonious trees support a placement of Laccornellus Roughley & Wolfe outside the tribe Hydroporini as part of a clade made up of Hydrovatus Motschulsky + Canthyporus Zimmermann, which is supported by the absence of the primary seta UR8 and of the primary seta LA2, and the spine-like condition of the primary seta AB10. Larvae of Laccornellus evolved one unique character state within the Hydroporinae, which is the presence of the primary seta AB15 on ventral surface of last abdominal segment.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Vibrational communication of the Nearctic flatid planthopper Metcalfa pruinosa (Say) was investigated to determine the role of substrate-borne vibrational signals in mating behavior.
Abstract: Vibrational communication of the Nearctic flatid planthopper Metcalfa pruinosa (Say) (Hemiptera: Flatidae) was investigated to determine the role of substrate-borne vibrational signals in mating behavior. Signaling activity changes throughout the day and vibrational communication in this planthopper begins at night. All recorded male and female signals consisted of a series of single pulses. Most of these signals were classified as calling signals. They were emitted spontaneously or were evoked by playback stimulation with prerecorded conspecific signals. Male calling signals are simple, and the main difference between male and female calls was in the pulse repetition time. Pulse repetition time in the middle section of the calling signal was the least variable property of the vibrational signals. During later stages of pair formation, males emit a phrase that is a sequence of pulse trains that has a distinct time and amplitude pattern, whereas females produce continuing monotonous substrate vibrations that could last for several hours. Males participated in continued exchange of vibrational signals. Signals exchanged during male–male interaction did not differ structurally from male calling signals and males never overlapped their signals.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Analyses of termite ball distribution among nine Reticulitermes species suggested that climate is the most important factor restricting the distribution of thetermite ball fungi.
Abstract: To understand the evolution of parasitism, a fundamental question is what insuences the distribution of globally distributed parasites among different hosts. Reticulitermes termites often harbor brown fungal balls, called "termite balls," alongside their eggs. The termite ball was identiÞed as the sclerotium of a parasitic corticioid fungus, an undescribed species of genus Fibularhizoctonia, which mimics termite eggs physically and chemically so as to be protected in termite nests. This phenomenon has been found for Reticulitermes species in Japan and the United States, but not all the Reticulitermes species in these countries have termite balls. To identify factors insuencing the distribution of termite balls among their host species, we conducted wide-range sampling in the temperate zone and in subtropical zones in Japan and Taiwan. We also conducted phylogenetic analyses of termite ball fungi and their host termites based on molecular data. In Amami-Oshima Island, R. amamianus Morimoto colonies had termite balls only in temperate highland regions, but no termite balls were found in its subtropical lowland region. The introduced termite R. kanmonensis Takematsu had termite balls as well as sympatrically occurringR.speratus (Kolbe). The termite ball fungi isolated from these two species showed no signiÞcant molecular difference, suggesting no host race formation. Phylogenetic analysis showed thatR.kanmonensis in Japan did not diverge fromR.flaviceps (Oshima), which has no termite balls, in Taiwan. Analyses of termite ball distribution among nine Reticulitermes species suggested that climate is the most important factor restricting the distribution of the termite ball fungi.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Because Anagrus species of agricultural importance within rose and blackberry patches are consistently found, cultivation of these plants close to vineyards may enhance colonization by Anag Rus and thus improve grape leafhopper biocontrol.
Abstract: In 2001 and 2002, we monitored densities of western grape leafhopper, Erythroneura elegantula Osborn, and Virginia creeper leafhopper, Erythroneura ziczac Walsh (Homoptera: Cicadellidae), eggs from June through September in managed and nonmanaged vineyards in Washington state. Anagrus parasitoids (Hymenoptera: Mymaridae) were reared from sampled parasitized leafhopper eggs. Densities of nonparasitized and parasitized E. elegantula eggs, and nonparasitized E. ziczac eggs, were significantly higher in nonmanaged grapevines, although this pattern was not consistent for the latter two groups. Densities of parasitized E. ziczac eggs were consistently low across management regimes. Anagrus erythroneurae S. Trjapitzin & Chiappini, Anagrus daanei S. Triapitsyn, and Anagrus tretiakovae S. Triapitsyn emerged from parasitized E. elegantula eggs, whereas latter two mymarid species also parasitized E. ziczac eggs. Of these species, A. tretiakovae was the most common parasitoid of Erythroneura leafhopper eggs ...

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: This report provides the first evidence that contact pheromones play an important role in mate recognition in the more primitive longhorned beetles.
Abstract: We tested the hypothesis that contact pheromones mediate mate recognition in Prionus californicus Motschulsky, a species of longhorned beetle (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) in the primitive subfamily Prioninae. Males attempted to mate with live females only after contacting them with their antennae, and 80% of males showed an identical response to freshly killed females. Males did not attempt to mate with dead females that had been extracted with solvent, suggesting that mate recognition cues had been eliminated. When the solvent extract was applied to carcasses of the same dead females, however, 56% of the males again attempted to mate with them. A preliminary analysis of crude solvent extracts of adult beetles revealed that adults have at least 24 different cuticular hydrocarbons and that the sexes differ in relative proportions of some compounds that may serve as the contact pheromone. This report provides the first evidence that contact pheromones play an important role in mate recognition in the more primitive longhorned beetles.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Behaviors displayed by worker termites, which make up 80–90% of any eastern subterranean termite population, provide the foundation for understanding the details of termite social organization and evoke use of the superorganism concept.
Abstract: Behaviors displayed by worker termites, which make up 80 Ð90% of any eastern sub- terranean termite population, provide the foundation for understanding the details of termite social organization. Individually marked termite workers were placed in an enclosed, darkened arena and videotaped for three 24-h periods. Behaviors observed in detail include ecdysial assistance, gallery excavation, oscillatory movements, worker feeding and adult mating. Primary reproductive pairs were observed to mate, on average, once every 3 d. Ecdysis lasted 43 min and involved multiple allogrooming attendants. Excavating termites manipulated the substrate with their mouthparts and showed Þdelity to the site of excavation but not the site of deposition. Four different types of oscillatory movements were characterized with the type IV always ending in defecation. Worker feeding behaviors are described that involve swallowing materials obtained by Þve different routes and evoke use of the superorganism concept. The relevance of these observations for a better understanding of a variety of topics, including biology, management, and evolution of these economic pests, is included.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: It is suggested that green-spored fungi may be carried by termites and that they play a role in suppressing the growth of G. trabeum, and termites may be using parasitic fungi to control a brown rot fungus.
Abstract: In our earlier efforts to demonstrate the spread of a brown rot fungus, Gloeophyllum trabeum (Pers.) Murrill by Formosan subterranean termites, Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki, we found not only that C. formosanus does not spread G. trabeum but also that G. trabeum did not survive in the presence of C. formosanus. Further investigation of this antagonistic interaction between this termite and fungus led to a hypothesis that green-spored fungi may be carried by termites and that they play a role in suppressing the growth of G. trabeum. Fungal cultures were isolated from integument and guts of laboratory-maintained colonies of C. formosanus and groups of C. formosanus freshly collected from the field. Only the green-spored fungi were selected from the many fungi isolated. Green-spored fungi isolated from the integument were identified as Aspergillus flavus Link, Trichoderma harzianum Rifai, Trichoderma virens Miller et al., Trichoderma asperellum Samuels, Lieckfeldt & Nirenberg, and Trichoderma ghanense Y. Doi, Y. Abe & J. Sugiyama. A different set of fungi were isolated from the gut, which included A. flavus, Hypocrea virens Chavarri, Samuels and Steward, T. asperellum cultures along with Penicillium janthinellum Biourge and Cladosporium cladosporioides (Fres.) de Vries. A. flavus was associated with every laboratory maintained colony but was associated only with one replication of one of the field collected groups. Our results suggest that A. flavus may be contaminating the colonies that were maintained in the laboratory and the fungus may become proliferous as the colonies become weak. Dual culture tests showed that all the fungi isolated from the integument, and gut were parasites and/or antagonists and that they effectively controlled the growth of G. trabeum. We think termites may be using parasitic fungi to control a brown rot fungus.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The results demonstrate that Wolbachia can influence the genetics of a major insect pest over a wide geographic area and that it may be driving reproductive isolation between populations of northern corn rootworm.
Abstract: The northern corn rootworm, Diabrotica barberi Smith & Lawrence (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) is an agricultural pest that ranges from the eastern Dakotas to Kansas and east to the Atlantic coast. The endosymbiotic bacteria Wolbachia has been detected in northern corn rootworm populations from east of the Mississippi River. Using the Wolbachia 16S rDNA, ftsZ and wsp genes a boundary was identified in central Illinois, between infected and uninfected populations with the infected populations found to the east of the boundary. Sequences of portions of the Wolbachia ftsZ and wsp genes have been obtained from four geographic locations of northern corn rootworm. Within infected northern corn rootworm populations, two strains have been detected. The 1,058-bp ftsZ sequences from northern corn rootworm indicate that both strains belong to the Wolbachia supergroup A. NCR Type 1 Wolbachia was found from eastern Illinois to Pennsylvania. NCR Type 2 Wolbachia occurs in central Illinois. The ≈600-bp wsp sequenc...

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Bioassays with the predatory ant species Forelius pruinosus and Linepithema humile indicated that the brittlebush resin coating is important in preventing A. flaviventris eggs from being picked up by omnivorous predators.
Abstract: A bee assassin bug, Apiomerus flaviventris Herrich-Schaffer (Hemiptera: Reduviidae), of the arid or semiarid southwestern North America is known to exploit resins from plants and apply them to the eggs for protection. To elucidate the source and possible functions of the resin, A. flaviventris were collected in the Anza Borrego Desert State Park, California, and observed in the laboratory. Female A. flaviventris collected the resin from a desert perennial shrub, brittlebush, Encelia farinosa Gray ex Torr. (Asteraceae). Bioassays with the predatory ant species Forelius pruinosus (Roger) and Linepithema humile (Mayr) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) indicated that the brittlebush resin coating is important in preventing A. flaviventris eggs from being picked up by omnivorous predators.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Primary reproductives of the Formosan subterranean termite, Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae), complete their first reproductive cycle in ≈60 d after nest formation, indicating that the pairs may not be mating after day 40.
Abstract: Primary reproductives of the Formosan subterranean termite, Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae), complete their first reproductive cycle in ≈60 d after nest formation. During this period, the pairs mate several times. The spherical, aflagellate sperm, after transfer by the male, are stored in the female’s spermatheca. Sperm numbers in the spermatheca increase significantly between day 20 and 40, and thereafter they show a steep decline, indicating that the pairs may not be mating after day 40. The spermatheca is bean shaped with an extremely narrow duct. The thick wall of the spermatheca consists mainly of type 3 cells made up of secretory and duct cells. Cuticle-lined ducts are interspersed throughout these cells. Finger-like extensions of the cuticle-lined interior wall project into the spermathecal lumen. The secretory cells presumably provide nutrition for the sperm during their long storage. Eleven anaerobic and six aerobic species of bacteria were cultured and identif...

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Males of Rhyzopertha dominica (F.) (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae), the lesser grain borer, produce the aggregation pheromones dominicalure-1 (DL-1) and dominicalur-2 ( DL-2), which attract conspecifics for mating and to food sources.
Abstract: Males of Rhyzopertha dominica (F.) (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae), the lesser grain borer, produce the aggregation pheromones dominicalure-1 (DL-1) and dominicalure-2 (DL-2), which attract conspecifics for mating and to food sources. Pheromone emissions by single males feeding on 10 different plant-based diets were analyzed in a laboratory study by gas chromatography to compare effects of different host plants on pheromone emission. Body size measurements also were made from individual male R. dominica feeding on a single host to investigate variation in pheromone output and to determine the relationship, if any, between body size and pheromone output in the species. Hosts on which larvae were reared did not affect pheromone output, but hosts on which adult males fed had significant effects. Mean total pheromones (DL-1+DL-2) released by male R. dominica confined on wheat seeds for 24 h was 1,060 ng at 20 d old. There was a significant reduction in mean total pheromones (DL-1+DL-2) output from 1,246 n...

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Given the life history characteristics found in this study and other studies, cost-effective pest management strategies against C. cactorum are discussed and they do not differ between the sexes.
Abstract: The cactus moth, Cactoblastis cactorum (Berg) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), was reported in Florida in 1989, and it is expanding its geographical range to threaten Opuntia cactus (Cactaceae) in the southwestern United States, into Mexico, where it is an important economic crop. Laboratory life history studies were conducted at 18, 22, 26, 30, and 34°C to understand cactus moth biology and to develop strategies for control. Duration of immature stages was generally longest at 18°C, declining significantly at 22°C, and shortest at 26, 30, and 34°C. Total immature developmental time from eggs to pupae was ≈180 d at 18°C, 116 at 22°C, and ranged from 65 to 72 d at 26–34°C. Developmental rate for egg-to-pupal stages was estimated using the logistic equation, rate = 0.0165/(1 + (T/20.7093)−5.8823). Percentage survival of immatures was usually lowest at the temperature extremes tested (18 and 34°C), but they did not differ between the sexes. Estimated lower developmental threshold temperature was 13.3°C, re...

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The first species of Tanytarsus Kieffer from a phytotelm (plant-held water) is described as a larva, pupa, and adults from specimens reared from leaf axils of Guzmania (Bromeliaceae), a bromeliad from Puerto Rico.
Abstract: The first species of Tanytarsus Kieffer (Diptera: Chironomidae: Tanytarsini) from a phytotelm (plant-held water) is described as a larva, pupa, and adults from specimens reared from leaf axils of Guzmania (Bromeliaceae), a bromeliad from Puerto Rico. Unreared larval records from Tillandsia bromeliads from Florida seem to belong to the new species. The diversity of Chironomidae from phytotelmata is reviewed, and the existence of a further species of Monopelopia Kieffer (Tanypodinae) is reported.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Compared morphological characters and DNA sequences from mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I (COI) and nuclear internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions between these disputed taxa and their close relatives, morphological and molecular data addressed several questions of species validity within the dragonfly genus Sympetrum.
Abstract: This study combines morphological and molecular data to address several questions of species validity within the dragonfly genus Sympetrum. We compared morphological characters (genitalia and other putatively diagnostic characters) and DNA sequences from mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I (COI) and nuclear internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions between these disputed taxa and their close relatives. Specimens of Sympetrum nigrescens Lucas shared COI haplotypes with Sympetrum striolatum (Charpentier), and no morphological characters consistently diagnosed S. nigrescens, which therefore becomes a junior synonym of S. striolatum. Similarly, Sympetrum occidentale Bartenev shared identical COI and ITS sequences with Sympetrum semicinctum (Say), and the supposed diagnostic morphological characters overlapped with the intraspecific variation within S. semicinctum. Sympetrum occidentale becomes a junior synonym of S. semicinctum. In a third case, the genetic distance between Sympetrum signiferum Cannings & Garrison and Sympetrum vicinum (Hagen) was lower than that found between most undisputed species. However, the morphological characters that distinguish S. signiferum from S. vicinum were distinct and consistent, and they supported the retention of S. signiferum as a valid species. In the fourth case, neither morphological nor genetic data were able to distinguish Sympetrum janeae Carle consistently from Sympetrum internum Montgomery, or Sympetrum rubicundulum (Say); in addition, genetic distances between individuals of S. internum and S. rubicundulum were small or nonexistent. Further studies are necessary to test the species status of S. janeae and its close relatives.