Showing papers in "Journal of the Kansas Entomological Society in 1984"

Field experiments with the pollinator species, Osmia lignaria propinqua Cresson (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae) in Apple Orchards: III, 1977 Studies

Abstract: This study tested the technique for releasing adult Osmia lignaria propinqua Cresson bees from natal nests placed in an isolated apple (Malus sylvestris Mill) orchard In addition, 5 nest materials were placed into each of 22 nest shelters located centrally in the orchard to determine their comparative attractiveness to nesting bees Results obtained clearly demonstrated that: nest holes from which bees emerged were more attractive to nesting females than larger numbers of adjacent new holes; levels of attractivity to different nest materials were expressed consistently between shelters, with milk cartons least attractive and drilled holes in wood most attractive; and the number of nests or cells constructed/shelter was nearly equal The bee population released in this orchard was increased by 240% after one generation This increase was attributed primarily to those particular management practices tested The first introduction of Osmia lignaria propinqua Cresson into an apple orchard was made in 1974 to determine its potential as a pollinator for that crop (Torchio, 1976) This native bee species has since been tested successfully as an orchard crop pollinator (Torchio, 1979), and more recent studies have emphasized development of management practices for commercial-sized populations of O propinqua bees in orchard environments (Torchio, 1981a, b, 1982a-c) Results obtained from those studies have shown that nesting success of O propinqua bees established in orchards can be influenced by predictive behavioral responses to: methods employed in their release, types of nest materials used, and the placement design of nest traps within orchards One study (Torchio, 1982c) clearly demonstrates that prenesting O propinqua bees emerged from natal nests (N-N) do not disperse as readily as mass-released populations (M-R) As a consequence, the ratio of bees nesting compared to numbers of bees released was higher in the N-N orchard and lower in the M-R orchards While nesting was successful in all four apple orchards, the highest rate of nesting success was found in the N-N orchard That particular orchard experiment was, however, a preliminary study where minumum numbers of bees and nest materials were used due to limitations of supplies and materials A second, more comprehensive study was therefore designed to answer several questions derived from results obtained in the N-N orchard experiment: (1) Do dispersal patterns of O propinqua bees emerged from natal nests in orchards vary when population sizes are increased? (2) Can nesting success be enhanced when the number of available nesting holes per female is increased? (3) If filled nests (paper soda straws containing cells of O propinqua bees) are inserted into a variety of nest materials placed in an orchard, will emerging bees continue to establish nests in preferred nest materials? Results obtained in the expanded study are reported below methods and materials: The O propinqua bees used in this study were derived from nest trap materials placed in local canyons during the previous year After these traps were returned to the laboratory, sample numbers of nests (500) were dissected to determine sex ratio (16866:12) and the average number of live bees/nest (34) The remaining nests (paper soda straws, 7 mm in diameter, inserted into holes drilled in various materials) were removed from nest blocks during September and placed in a 3?C temperature cabinet on October 1 These nests were transferred to a 27?C incubator in late April for 3 days (until the first males emerged) and each was then inserted into appropriate nest traps that were subsequently transferred to the experimental orchard All nest traps were returned to the laboratory on May 29, the day following disappearance of apple bloom in the orchard Nests were dissected and data were recorded during September of the same year The 263-hectare orchard used in this study was located 32 km NE of Logan, Cache Co, Utah on the western bench of the Wasatch mountains Twenty-two, plywood, military footlockers (each 813 cm x 432 cm x 305 cm) were used as nest shelters, and each was attached to metal fence posts (Torchio, 1982c) to face SE All nest shelters were established in the center of the orchard and each was placed between trees in 4 adjacent rows An additional shelter was then added to house a Belfort? This content downloaded from 157553935 on Thu, 01 Sep 2016 05:27:09 UTC All use subject to http://aboutjstororg/terms 518 JOURNAL OF THE KANSAS ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY Table 1 Nest materials and numbers of nest holes/shelter placed in 22 shelters in an apple orchard to study nest patterns established by Osmia lignaria propinqua females (1977) No holes No traps No holes No total Nest material per trap per shelter per shelter nest holes Milk cartons 23 4 92 2024 Wood grooves 36 1 36 792 Styrofoam 40 2 8

The nesting biology of Hylaeus bisinuatus Forster and development of its immature forms (Hymenoptera: Colletidae)

Abstract: Hylaeus bisinuatus Forster was induced to nest in glass tubes inserted into observation boxes where its nesting biology was studied under greenhouse conditions. Results of these observations yielded detailed descriptions of nest architecture, cell con struction, cell provisioning, egg deposition, embryogenesis, hatching, and immature de velopment. Daily and seasonal activities are also discussed. An embryological feature of Hylaeus (90? rotation of the late embryo) was discovered and associated with hatching strategies and the side position taken by developing immatures on their provisions. Comparisons with other colletid bees, etc., demonstrated that repre sentative genera of the five subfamilies of the Colletidae also exhibit this characteristic. This derived embryological phenomenon has not been reported elsewhere in the Apoidea or Hymenoptera and may indicate a monophyletic origin of the family Colletidae as presently understood. Hylaeus is a cosmopolitan genus of colletid bees that nests within existing holes in a wide variety of materials. Many species readily accept prepared cavities in which to establish nests and, as a result, a number of their biologies have been described (Barrows, 1975; Davidson, 1895;Enslin, 1933;Ferton, 1923; Fye, 1965; Hicks, 1926; Krombein, 1967; Rau, 1922, 1930; Rayment, 1931, 1935, 1953; Skaife, 1950, 1954; Taylor, 1962, 1965). Most of these studies are, however, limited to descriptions of nest architectural features that have proven to vary little among known species. Thus, the biological literature of Hylaeus is somewhat redundant and our understanding of its ethology remains surprisingly incomplete. Skaife (1950) and Taylor (1962) have demonstrated that Hylaeus can be induced to nest in glass tubes and they have each described particular details of the nesting biology of a South African species. However, no one has heretofore utilized this method to thoroughly study the nesting biology of the genus. This is surprising in view of the fact that Hylaeus represents a large and diversified segment of the family Colletidae (Michener, 1965) long considered the most primitive of extant bees (Malyshev, 1968; Michener, 1944, 1974). Recently, the primitive status of this bee family has been questioned by McGinley (1980, 1981) who compared colletid immatures and reexamined the mouthparts of adults. Indeed, Michener (1981) now suggests that ". . . the Melittidae could be the ancestral family of bees." The recent biological literature on colletids (other than Hylaeus) has also con tributed to a better understanding of the family (Batra, 1980; Eickwort, 1967; Houston, 1968, 1975; Michener, 1960; Michener and Lange, 1957; Rajotte, 1979; Accepted for publication 20 September 1983. This content downloaded from 157.55.39.231 on Thu, 06 Oct 2016 04:18:34 UTC All use subject to http://about.jstor.org/terms VOLUME 57, NUMBER 2 277 Roberts, 1971; Rozen and Favreau, 1968; Rozen and Michener, 1968; Stephen, 1954; Torchio, 1965). The present study was therefore undertaken to: increase our understanding of Hylaeus biology through a detailed study of Hylaeus bi sinuatus Forster; compare the biology of this species with other Hylaeus and other known colletid bees; and, determine if Hylaeus expresses any unique biological characteristics that could be incorporated into future phylogenetic studies. Methods and Materials In July 1976, a small sample of field-collected H. bisinuatus females was released in a USDA greenhouse located on the campus of Utah State University. The greenhouse contained two observation boxes one of which was described previ ously (Torchio, 1972). The second, larger box was constructed of plywood and both were fitted with swamp coolers to prevent temperatures within each unit from rising above 30?C. Small holes were drilled horizontally into the eastand south-facing walls of both boxes into which glass tubes were inserted until each was flush with the outer surface of these units. The glass tubes measured 10 cm long with an inside diameter of 3 mm. One end of each tube was plugged with a small wad of cotton, whereas the opposite, outer section was dipped several times into India ink to block light from traveling down into the tube through its glass walls and, to roughen the glass surface, thus providing a ready foothold for bees entering these tubes. During subsequent years, paper soda straws (4 mm in di ameter) were inserted into some holes in the observation boxes and into drilled wood blocks that were placed adjacent to these boxes. In addition, strips of various sized corrugated cardboard were also tested for attractiveness to H. bisinuatus. From 1976 to 1982, bloom of a number of potted plants [Phacelia tanacetifolia Bentham, Coreopsis atkinsonia Douglas, Tithonia rotundifolia (Mill.) S. F. Blake, Melilotus alba Desc, Centaureu cyanus L., Oenothera hookeri T. & G.] was made available throughout annual flight periods. On the average, 1500 potted plants were used per season. An otoscope and dissecting microscopes were used to observe nesting behavior in observation boxes. Immature development was also observed under micro scopes in the laboratory with the aid of fiber optics illuminators. Immatures were marked with a colored powder (Day-Glo?, Daylight Fluorescent Pigment) to aid in establishing the number of larval molts as well as details of molting. In vivo embryogenesis was studied by using a technique introduced by DuPraw (1963, 1965). Small petri dishes were filled with paraffin oil (saybolt viscosity, 125/135) in which bee eggs were immersed. This allowed egg chorions to appear transparent when illuminated by transmitted light. Embryogenesis developed nor mally under these immersed conditions and larvae successfully hatched from eggs before expiring. Attempts to transfer larvae hatched in oil back onto provisions failed. In situ studies were prepared by transferring a droplet of liquid cell provisions into a deepwell microscope slide on which a Hylaeus egg was placed. A microscope and a source of transmitted light were then used to observe embryonic devel opment. During those observations, however, the droplet of cell provisions dried rapidly and frequent additions of provisions were required to prevent egg desic cation. Efforts to observe embryogenesis of eggs retained on their original pro visions proved difficult due to light reflected from the surface of provisions. This content downloaded from 157.55.39.231 on Thu, 06 Oct 2016 04:18:34 UTC All use subject to http://about.jstor.org/terms 278 JOURNAL OF THE KANSAS ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY

The genus Uroleucon (Homoptera:Aphididae) in Michigan: key, host records, biological notes, and descriptions of three new species.

Abstract: A key, host plant information, and biological notes are presented for 33 species of Uroleucon collected in Michigan. These comprise three fourths of the eastern North American fauna and include three new species, U. cadens, U. gigantiphagum, and U. olivei. The world-wide aphid genus Uroleucon Mordvilko (formerly Dactynotus Ra finesque) is one of the most conspicuous insect groups feeding on Compositae in North America. Smith and Parr?n (1978) listed 71 species, including 43 native to eastern North America; all but one, U. impatiensicolens (Patch), of the latter are restricted to Compositae. Here, I deal with species occurring in Michigan. Most species reported have ranges much larger than the state of Michigan, and most eastern American species are included. Progress in taxonomy of Uroleucon, as with many other aphid groups, has depended upon attention to host plant associations and upon study of specimens cleared before mounting, a procedure rarely used in America before 1960. In particular, Olive (1963-1967) used both host information and cleared specimens to untangle the identities of species previously lumped under "ambrosiae." The North American fauna includes species assigned to all three major sub genera, Lambersius Olive, Uroleucon Mordvilko, Uromelan Mordvilko, plus the monospecific subgenus Satula Olive. The only other subgenus, Belochilum Boer ner, includes a single Old World species (Eastop and Hille Ris Lambers, 1976). On a world level, the division into Uromelan ("black-tailed") and Uroleucon ("white-tailed") is probably artificial since caudal color, the character used to distinguish the two subgenera, has apparently changed more than once, as evi denced by the fact that European species, both black- and white-tailed, share features (e.g., dark coxae and relatively dark abdominal sclerites) absent in both black- and white-tailed American species. Holman (1974, 1981a, b) discusses the evolution of caudal color, particularly in Old World species, and consequences for the usefulness of the division into Uroleucon and Uromelan. Considering only the American fauna, species with pale caudae and those with dark caudae probably do form just two lineages since differences in other characters correspond with caudal color (see key to subgenera). In caudal pigmentation, U. obscuricaudatum (Olive) is intermediate, but other characteristics suggest that it belongs with Uroleucon (Olive, 1965c). Lambersius is restricted to North America and resembles American Uroleucon more than Uromelan; here, U rudbeckiae (Fitch) is intermediate in that it is red in life, as in Uroleucon, but has the siphunculi paler basally, as in Lambersius.

Nest Selection, Mortality and Sex Ratio in Hoplitis fulgida (Cresson) (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae)

Abstract: The influence of 4 types of trap-stem differing in tunnel diameter, length and position of entrance hole (drilled in end or side of stem) on mortality, sex ratio and body size of progeny of Hoplitis fulgida was studied at 3 sites in Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming. Nesting females exhibited a significant preference for end holes of the widest diameter and deepest bore. Predators and parasites were the primary cause of immature mortality: the most important were species of Stelis (Megachilidae), Aritranis (Ichneu monidae), Tricrania (Meloidae), and Trichodes (Cleridae). The fauna attacking H. fulgida varied considerably both among sites and among nest types. The sex ratio of progeny was strongly biased towards females, particularly in end holes. Hoplitis fulgida placed male progeny in outer cells and female progeny in inner cells of the nest. Nests in the preferred end holes had significantly more cells, a higher percentage of surviving progeny, a signif icantly greater percentage of female progeny, and significantly larger progeny of both sexes, than did other nests. Thus, there appear to be excellent biological reasons for the preference of these nest sites by nesting females. This paper is one of a series dealing with the bionomics of xylophilous bees. Such species typically construct nests in abandoned insect burrows in logs, twigs, or dead plant stalks, although some species excavate their own burrows in the pith of twigs. A variety of potential nesting sites of different diameters and lengths is undoubtedly available to nesting females, although such nesting sites may sometimes be in limited supply (Danks, 1971a, b). Little work has been done to determine whether prospective nesters prefer nest holes of particular dimensions, or if the use of a particular nest type influences the fitness of the female parent, as measured by progeny reared to adulthood. For example, how do nest dimen sions influence: 1) mortality of progeny due to developmental failure or to enemies; 2) the sex ratio of progeny? 3) the body size of progeny? "Natural nests" discovered in the field, cannot be used to answer such questions. They are difficult to find in sufficient numbers and equally difficult to categorize once found. We therefore opted for a sampling program that utilizes trap-stems of natural materials (Parker and Bohart, 1966; Parker, 1981). In this paper we describe results of trap-nesting studies of Hoplitis fulgida (Cresson), a megachilid bee restricted to western North America. The nesting biology of this species has been partially described by Hicks (1926) and Clement and Rust (1976). Briefly, H. fulgida nests in pre-existing burrows in stumps, stalks (Hicks, 1926) or elderberry or pine trap-nests (Clement and Rust, 1976). Pollen and nectar are provided for each cell, an egg is deposited, the cell sealed and this sequence is then repeated to produce a linear array of cells. Upon completion, the nest is typically closed with a thicker and recessed final plug composed of masticated leaf material, pith and small pebbles. Offspring overwinter as prepupae and emerge as adults the following year. Accepted for publication 19 October 1983. This content downloaded from 157.55.39.81 on Thu, 29 Sep 2016 04:44:32 UTC All use subject to http://about.jstor.org/terms 182 JOURNAL OF THE KANSAS ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY

Loss in effectiveness of insecticide ear tags for horn fly (Diptera: Muscidae) control

Abstract: Permethrin, tetrachlorvinphos, and dichlorvos ear tags and permethrin ear tapes were applied to cattle suspected of having horn flies resistant to fenvalerate. Horn flies were controlled by permethrin tapes and dichlorvos tags, but not by permethrin or tetrachlorvinphos ear tags. Fenvalerate and tetrachlorvinphos ear tags gave ca. 70% control of horn flies 14 days after treatment on cattle that had not been treated with insecticides during 1983. It appears that horn flies in Kansas have become resistant to ear tags containing fenvalerate, permethrin and tetrachlorvinphos. Ear tags containing permethrin or fenvalerate have been used widely to provide season-long horn fly control since 1980. The marked effectiveness of ear tags resulted in high percentages of cattle being treated over wide areas, especially during 1982-1983. However, in July and August 1983 reports of ear tags failing to control horn flies were received from producers. Also, permethrin and fenvalerate ear tag treatments that had provided complete season-long horn fly control in test herds during 198

A Revision of the Bergidea Group: A Problem in Classification and Biogeography (Hemiptera-Heteroptera: Lygaeidae)

Abstract: Phylogenetic analysis demonstrates that Bergidea, with two species, is a paraphyletic South American mainland genus (Chile, Argentina) from which evolved a holophyletic group of two genera on the Juan Fernandez Islands, Micrymenus and Ru gomenus, each with two species. Bergidea atra?a and Micrymenus brevalatus are new species and Rugomenus is a new genus (Rhyparochrominae, Ozophorini). Most members of the cladistic school do not recognize paraphyletic taxa; more over, the concept "place of origin" in biogeography is considered by some vicar iance biogeographers to be irrelevant and Hennig's Progression Rule to be based on unwarranted assumptions. This study of six Neotropical Lygaeidae, using phylogenetic analysis, is a simple application of the place-of-origin concept and the Progression Rule, and illustrates the practical use of paraphyletic taxa in producing workable classifications. The six species dealt with in this paper form the Bergidea group. Bergidea Breddin sensu stricto, to which I am here adding the new species B. atra?a, is widespread in Chile and is also found in the Andean region of Argentina. Micry menus seclusus was described by Bergroth (1921) as the first hemipteran from the Juan Fernandez Islands, a group of three volcanic islands that lie about 400 miles off the coast of Chile. Kormilev (1952, 1957) added two Juan Fernandez species to Micrymenus, M. kuscheli and M. rugosus, commenting that his additions ren dered the genus somewhat heterogeneous. I here describe a new genus, Rugo menus, for Kormilev's two species and add a new species, M. brevalatus, to Micrymenus. All species of the insular genera are known only from Masatierra. It is probable, considering the necessity of geographic isolation for speciation, that additional species of these two genera exist on other islands of the archipelago. The Bergidea group as treated here is distinguished from the remainder of the New World Ozophorini by its dull rather than shiny mesosternum, a character shared with a few Old World genera of Ozophorini (Ethalomerus, Cervicoris, and to some degree Paraporta), none of which much resemble any New World ozo phorine. In addition, all six species of the group have the collar and pronotal lobes poorly differentiated. Only a few species of the exclusively New World genus Ozophora approach this condition. Evidence that the species treated here together form a holophyletic group is based on unique features of the female spermatheca. Ashlock and Slater (1982) have recently reviewed the New World genera of Ozophorini; hemelytron terminology is after Slater (1975, 1977). All measure ments are in millimeters. 1 Contribution number 1874 from the Department of Entomology, University of Kansas. Accepted for publication 18 January 1984. This content downloaded from 207.46.13.102 on Sat, 30 Jul 2016 05:26:10 UTC All use subject to http://about.jstor.org/terms 676 JOURNAL OF THE KANSAS ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY Phylogenetic Analysis The holophyly (Ashlock, 1979) of the Bergidea group is based on unique char acters of the spermatheca: the shape of the spermathecal bulb and asymmetrical swellings near the base of the spermathecal duct. The two species of Bergidea otherwise closely resemble members of the New World genus Ozophora, and it is among members of Ozophora that the sister-group of the Bergidea group is to be sought. Ozophora, currently under revision by J. A. Slater, may include 50 or more species when the study is completed. While paraphyly has not yet been demonstrated, Ozophora at this point appears to have no unique character (Ash lock and Slater, 1982). Ozophora picturata Uhler has been used here as a closely related taxon outside the Bergidea group to establish the primitive-to-derived sequence of characters (Table 1). Every signifer (feature that varies) in Table 1 is primitive for O. picturata. A data matrix may easily be derived from the phylogram (Fig. 1). However, no females of Micry menus brevalatus are available, and details of the spermatheca have been inferred. Further, only a single female specimen of Rugomenus rugosus was available, and the bulb of the spermatheca was not observed although details of the duct were. The phylogram has been constructed in the usual Hennigian manner to establish the branching pattern. The lengths and angles of the internodes have been modified to make them proportionate to the uniqueness of included characters and the number of species each internode subtends, using a method worked out by myself and D. J. Brothers and used by Brothers (1975). Unique characters (underlined in Fig. 1) were given a weight of 1.0; weaker characters?parallel or approximated elsewhere in the New World Ozophorini?were given a weight of 0.5. The square root of the number of subtended species was used to compensate for overweighting species numbers (i.e., internode 2-3 has 5 characters, each weighted at 0.5, = 2.5, and the internode subtends 4 species, square root = 2; the internode thus has a value of 5). The three largest internodes in order are: base-1 (7.3), 3-4 (6.4), and 2-3 (5).

The larvae of the army ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae): a revision.

Abstract: This complete revision of our previous articles on the larvae of army ants (Dorylinae) is the immediate result of the acquisition of much new material. The larvae of 22 species in the genera Aenictus, Cheliomyrmex, Dorylus, Eciton, Labidus and Nei vamyrmex are described. Genera are keyed and characterized and each is assigned a spe cialization index. Feeding behavior is discussed. This study does not support the separation of Old World and New World army ants into separate subfamilies. When we published our first paper on the larvae of the army ants (1943) our collection comprised representatives of six genera. Of four genera (Aenictus, Che liomyrmex, Eciton and Labidus) we had an abundance of good material. For Neivamyrmex [then called Eciton (Acamatus)] we had only damaged larvae. In Dorylus we had seen one male each of two species (D. wilverthi and D. molesta) and four damaged worker larvae of D. wilverthi. Since the male larvae were superficially unlike any other ant larvae and since we were not permitted to prepare them for study under the microscope, they were of no use to us in comparison with other genera. The worker larvae of Dorylus were so different from other doryline genera that we have since been haunted by the suspicion that they might have been prey. During the intervening 40 years we have received only one addition to our collection (Eciton vagans) and we have published two revisionary notes (Wheeler and Wheeler, 1964, 1974). Recently Dr. W. H. Gotwald sent us a splendid collection of Dorylus larvae. We have also received additional material of Neivamyrmex, which is acknowl edged in the appropriate places. So much new material makes it advisable for us to do an extensive revision of the larvae of the army ants. Since Aenictogiton is known only from males and we have never seen larvae of Nomamyrmex, we cannot include them in this study. We have referred to our previous articles (Wheeler, 1943; Wheeler and Wheeler, 1964, 1974) on Dorylinae. Our earlier references to the literature in those articles have not been repeated here. This revision will necessitate changes in our 1976 monograph on pages 46, 75, 96 and 104. The use of our specialization index is fully treated in Wheeler and Wheeler (1976, pp. 86-88 and 104-105). In this revision the characters common to each higher taxon are given in the description of that taxon only and are not repeated in the lower taxa as we have done in our previous papers. 1 Present address: 326 Laurel Ridge Road, San Antonio, Texas 78253. Accepted for publication 1 August 1983. This content downloaded from 207.46.13.124 on Wed, 22 Jun 2016 05:01:25 UTC All use subject to http://about.jstor.org/terms 264 JOURNAL OF THE KANSAS ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY

The nesting biology of Osmia (Trichinosmia) latisulcata Michener

Abstract: The nesting biology of the monotypic bee Osmia (Trichinosmia) latisulcata Michener is described for the first time. Details of its biology include nesting site, nest architecture, nest associates, mortality, sex ratio and identity of pollen used for nest pro visions. The distribution of Osmia latisulcata is extended east to southern Utah. A dis cussion is presented of the biology as it relates to systematic placement. Observations on the megachilid bee parasite, Stelis depressa Timberlake, are also reported. A discussion of the survival strategies of Stelis is presented. Nesting habits have been described for numerous species of Osmia, a large genus of megachilid bees. For example, nests of 33 of the 135 currently recognized North American species have been reported (Hurd, 1979). Nesting biologies are better known at the subgeneric than species level since 11 of the 12 North Amer ican subgenera have been studied (Hurd, 1979). Only the biology of the monotypic subgenus Trichinosmia Sinha has not been documented. Recent trap nest studies conducted in the San Raphael Desert of southern Utah, however, produced many nests of O. {Trichinosmia) latisulcata Michener. Its nest biology including nesting sites, nest architecture, nest associates, mortality, sex ratio and pollen collection data are reported here for the first time. A discussion is presented of the nesting habits of Osmia as they relate to the systematics of these bees. The survival strategies of the parasitic bees, Stelis, are also considered. Methods and Materials All the bee nests considered here were recovered from trap blocks with either 6 or 9 mm hole diameters. The 6 mm holes were in "bee boards" that had been cut into 7 x 7 x 7 cm cubes with about 42 holes/block. Each hole was lined by an empty 6 mm soda straw so nests could be easily removed from the traps. The 9 mm holes were in blocks 15 x 15 x 15 cm in which 45 holes were drilled and filled with empty soda straws. In April of 1982 the empty blocks were nailed 1 2 m above the ground on fence posts, dead tree stumps, or on live tree trunks. Other blocks were inserted into holes dug into cliff banks. All traps were placed within a 10 mi radius of Goblin Valley State Park, Emery Co., Utah. Habitats sampled included cresent dunes, dry washes, stream beds, and pinyon-juniper scrubland. The traps were visited in May, July and September. In late September the traps were collected and transported to the laboratory, where all the nests were removed and their contents described and recorded. Nests were stored at 3?C from October to February, when they were incubated at 30?C until emergence ceased. Accepted for publication 3 November 1983. This content downloaded from 207.46.13.28 on Tue, 30 Aug 2016 04:40:53 UTC All use subject to http://about.jstor.org/terms VOLUME 57, NUMBER 3 431

Nutrient and energy assays of larval provisions and feces in the black and yellow mud dauber, Sceliphron caementarium (Drury) (Hymenoptera, Sphecidae)

Abstract: Larval foods (nest cell provisions) and larval feces of the black and yellow mud dauber, Sceliphron caementarium (Drury), were assayed for fresh and dry weight, % water, total protein, digestible and indigestible carbohydrates, lipids, ash, and caloric value. Provision and fecal mass dry weights are smaller in S. caementarium than in the organ pipe mud dauber, Trypoxylon politum, but caloric values for unashed samples of provisions and feces are similar to published values for T. politum. The use of ash-free dry weight is, however, recommended for calculation of caloric values. Protein, lipid, and carbohydrate data are not available for other wasp provisions and feces; corresponding data for foods and feces of final instar house cricket nymphs are briefly reviewed. Cross et al. (1978) noted that the organ-pipe mud dauber, Trypoxylon (Tri pargilum) polilumy and many other wasp species (e.g., the black and yellow mud dauber, Sceliphron caemeniarium (Drury)) offer a unique natural system for the determination of energy fluxes within a species. Some of the advantages inherent in these species are: their food is mass-provisioned by the parent and is natural in both kind and amount; it is normally completely consumed; in a healthy cell, it loses no energy through biotic decomposition; the products of egestion and of protein metabolism accumulated during the entire feeding and growth stages are deposited in a single mass inside the cocoon (Cross et al., 1978). This study was undertaken to quantify selected aspects of larval nourishment in Sceliphron caemeniarium. Cross et al. (1978) report calorimetric measurements of provisions and larval feces of T. poliium. Similar tests plus biochemical analyses of larval foods are reported here for S. caemeniarium. Larval provisions were quantified for fresh and dry weight, percentage water, caloric content, ash per centage, total protein, digestible and indigestible carbohydrates, and lipids. The larval feces, which are voided as a single mass prior to pupation, were similarly

Parasites of larval Euxoa auxiliaris (Groté) and Peridroma saucia (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in alfalfa fields of Oklahoma.

Abstract: Larvae of Euxoa auxiliaris (Grot?) and Peridroma saucia (H?bner) were collected from alfalfa fields throughout Oklahoma in spring during 1979, 1980, and 1981. The larvae were reared on artificial diet in the laboratory for retrieval and identification of parasites. A total of 11.7% of the E. auxiliaris and 19.5% of P. saucia were parasitized over the 3 year study period. Euxoa auxiliaris was parasitized primarily by hymenopterous species including Meteorus leviventris (Wesmael) (2.8% parasitization) and Apanteles griffini Viereck (1.1%). The most common parasites of P. saucia were Peleter?a texensis Curran (4.1%) and Archytas apicifer (Walker) (1.9%) of the family Tachinidae. Infestation of alfalfa, Medicago sativa L., by cutworms occurs sporadically in Oklahoma. According to Burton et al. (1980), a year in which crops such as alfalfa are heavily infested by army cutworms, Euxoa auxiliaris (Grot?), is normally preceded by 1-2 years with gradually increasing populations. After damaging population densities have occurred, low numbers of cutworms are typically found for several years. The army cutworm is a univoltine species which oviposits in the fall with favored egg laying sites in fields with little ground cover such as newly planted stands of alfalfa or established stands with little fall regrowth. Eggs hatch in fall and larvae feed for a short time then overwinter in soil around plant crowns. As warmer temperatures prevail in spring, larvae feed on plant foliage near the soil surface during evening hours. Their development is usually completed in April with pupation and adult emergence extending into May (Burton et al., 1980). In limited studies relating parasitization of army cutworms, Snow (1925) found that Berecyntus bakeri Howard, Apanteles laeviceps Ashmead, and Ernestia sp. accounted for 83.0% of all parasites taken from this species in Utah alfalfa fields. The most abundant parasites reared from E. auxiliaris collected in Oklahoma wheat, Triticum aestivum L. em. Thell., fields included Meteorus leviventris (Wes mael) (37.1% of all parasites), Apanteles griffini Viereck (34.8%), and Copidosoma sp. (20.7%) (Burton et al., 1980). No studies have been conducted on parasitization of this species in alfalfa in the Southern Plains. The variegated cutworm, Peridroma saucia (H?bner), infests alfalfa in late April and May and normally feeds on the first crop of alfalfa as well as regrowth following first harvest. However, the greatest damage typically occurs when large larvae are 1 Journal Article No. 4247 of the Agrie. Exp. Stn., Oklahoma State University. 2 Former Graduate Research Assistant. 3 Professor, Department of Entomology. 4 Professor, Department of Statistics. Accepted for publication 10 August 1983. This content downloaded from 157.55.39.17 on Fri, 02 Sep 2016 04:52:56 UTC All use subject to http://about.jstor.org/terms 64 JOURNAL OF THE KANSAS ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY present in sufficient numbers to destroy regrowth after first harvest (Berberet, unpubl.). The second crop of alfalfa may be delayed up to 2-3 weeks. Roberts et al. (1977) reported that Meteorus autographae Muesebeck and Me teorus sp. were reared from variegated cutworms collected in Illinois alfalfa fields. Additional parasites which have been associated with P. saucia include Archytas apicifer (Walker), Lespesia archippivora (Riley), Peleter?a texensis Curran, Voria ruralis (Fallen), and Winthemia rufopicta (Bigot) (Arnaud, 1978). No studies have been conducted on parasites of P. saucia in Oklahoma alfalfa fields. The purpose of this study was to identify parasites associated with E. auxiliaris and P. saucia in Oklahoma and estimate the importance of entomophagous par asites in natural regulation of the cutworm species in alfalfa. Materials and Methods One hundred and fifty alfalfa fields were sampled throughout the state during March, April, and May of 1979, 1980, and 1981 to locate cutworm infestations. Whenever population densities exceeded 5/m2, larval collections were made for parasite retrieval. In several heavily infested fields, repeated collections of 100 200 larvae/week were made during March and April to increase the probability of collecting all parasitic species in those localities. When larval numbers were lower than 5/m2, too few could be collected for reasonable estimates of parasi tization rates. As larvae generally feed during evening and nighttime hours, it was necessary to search in plant debris and sift soil around alfalfa crowns to find larvae when collecting in daylight. Collections of at least 50 larvae/field were made whenever possible. After collection, larvae were placed in liter paper cartons containing alfalfa foliage and transported to the laboratory in coolers to restrict activity. They were then placed in 30 ml plastic cups with cardboard lids con taining a modified pinto bean diet (Burton, 1969). They were reared at 22? ? 3?C and development was checked at 2 day intervals. Larval parasites which exited host larvae or pupae were checked daily for pupation and adult emergence. Hosts that died were held for 21-28 days to permit parasites to emerge. Those remaining after this time period were dissected to search for additional parasitic larvae or pupae, which were removed and stored in alcohol for identification to order, family, and genus, if possible. Criteria used in identification of immatures included anatomical characteristics, numbers of parasites/host, size of parasites, and evi dence of cocoon formation. Adult parasites were identified by Drs. E. Grissell, P. Marsh, and D. Wilder of the National Museum, Washington, D.C; J. Barron, M. Ivanochko, and W. Mason in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada; and D. Arnold of Okla homa State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma. Percentages of parasitism were calculated by dividing the total number of each cutworm species parasitized by the total number of hosts collected. Percentages of total parasite collections comprised by each group were calculated by dividing the total number of each parasitic species by the total number of parasites re trieved. Parasitic species associated with each host and percentages of parasitism over the 3 year period were determined.