Showing papers on "Larva published in 1991"

Efficiency of the Galleria (wax moth) baiting technique for recovering infective stages of entomopathogenic rhabditids (Steinernematidae and Heterorhabditidae) from Sand and soil

Abstract: The eficiency of using Galleria larvae to quantify the numbers of entomopathogenic nematodes in naturally infested soil or in sand was assessed. Most tests were with an undescribed Steinernema sp. isolated from British soil and designated the Nashes isolate. Bioassays consisted of replacing al1 insects, whether dead or alive, with fresh living ones until infections ceased and counting the numbers of nematodes which established in the larvae. Whether using naturally infested soil or sterile sand, consecutive exposures of 36 days or more were required before infections ceased. However, two or three consecutive bioassays over twelve days recovered 75 Oh or more of the nematodes. A number of tests with 10-500 nematodes per Galleria larva showed a highly significant linear relationship between the dose of nematodes applied and the mean number which established in the insects. This applied for steinernematids and heterorhabditids, in sand and soil, for exposures lasting 72-144 h and at 15 or 20 OC. The proportion of the nematodes which could penetrate and establish in the hosts (the regression coefficient) varied and may provide a useful parameter for comparing the efficacy of different nematodes under specified conditions. Up to six consecutive 72 h exposures failed to recover more than 40 O/o of the nematodes applied. Comparison of two strains of S. feltiae (Filipjev) [ = S. bibionis (Bovien)] with the Nashes isolate showed no significant differences in the percent that established in Galleria larvae after 72 h. The optimal temperature for infection and establishment of the Nashes isolate was 15-20 OC. There was no effect on efficiency of recovery if single insects were used with 25 ml of sand or five larvae with 300 ml of sand.

DDT resistance in Anopheles gambiae declines with mosquito age

Abstract: . Adult Anopheles gambiae Giles mosquitoes from Zanzibar were tested on a standard discriminating dose of DDT which reliably kills susceptible mosquitoes. Adults from wild-caught larvae reared in the laboratory, and from the F1 progeny of wild-caught adults, showed less than 5% test mortality when newly-emerged, but mortality rose with age to over 90% when they were 12–14 days old. Wild-caught mixed-age adults showed an intermediate mortality rate of 25%, close to the rate predicted from laboratory results for a fully resistant population with an age-structure typical of this species in natural conditions. It is inferred that older, genetically resistant insects may be scored as susceptible, so that routine susceptibility tests with wild-caught adults underestimate the frequency of resistance. In Zanzibar, such tests probably helped to persuade spraying authorities to continue spraying DDT in spite of resistance. Resistance which is restricted to younger insects may nonetheless reduce the effectiveness of spraying.

Studies on the life history of some species of Protocalliphora (Diptera: Calliphoridae)

Abstract: The rate of development of the larvae, postfeeding larvae, puparia, and adults of 10 species of Protocalliphora were studied and differences noted in the rates of development and (or) survival. Larvae of Protocalliphora were photonegative and strongly influenced by thigmotactic stimuli. The method of feeding of the larva is described. Metamorphosis was completed more quickly at higher temperatures than at lower temperatures. Survival of purparia at temperatures of 7 °C or lower was poor and indicated that this stage was not adapted to withstand low temperatures and probably did not survive the winter. Adult Protocalliphora females were longer lived than males, surviving for an average of 70–100 days, with some individuals surviving for over 250 days under laboratory conditions. Adults fed readily on a sugar–protein diet, crushed berries, and certain species of flowers, but most species did not feed on any form of carrion. Adults mated readily in captivity, but none of the seven species tested crossbred. S...

Winter moth on Sitka spruce: synchrony of egg hatch and budburst, and its effect on larval survival

Abstract: The winter moth Operophtera brumata L. (Lep., Geometridae) is well known as a defoliator of a range of broadleaved trees (e.g. Tenow, 1972; Holliday, 1977). In recent years the winter moth has also been recorded on Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis Bong) in Scotland, often causing substantial defoliation, and poor and distorted tree growth (Stoakley, 1985). The larvae of many moth species feed early in the season on young foliage. In several of these species, including the winter moth, larval growth and survival is markedly affected by the timing of egg hatch in relation to host plant phenology (e.g. Eidt & Cameron, 1971; DuMerle & Mazet, 1983; Watt, 1987). The relationship between winter moth larval performance and bud phenology has been studied on oak and apple (Feeny, 1970; Holliday, 1977) and is thought to be a major influence on the fluctuations of winter moth numbers (Feeny, 1976). While winter moth larvae can only feed on the new (current year's) foliage of Sitka spruce, it is not known how susceptible they are to variability in the timing of egg hatch in relation to Sitka spruce budburst, nor how phenological synchrony affects winter moth abundance on Sitka spruce. This paper reports observations on the timing of winter moth egg hatch and

Metamorphosis in the lobster homarus (decapoda): a review

Abstract: A homarid lobster hatches as a prelarva and then molts successively through three larval instars (stages I, II, and III), one postlarval stage (IV), and numerous juvenile stages. Between the larval and the postlarval stages their anatomy undergoes major changes as the anatomical features characteristic of larval forms are replaced by those found on juveniles and adults. Physiology, ecology, and ethology also change progressively through stages IV and V, during which the lobster shifts from the planktonic behavior of the larva to the benthic existence of the juvenile and adult. This transition from larva to postlarva, specifically the molt from stage III to stage IV, is a true metamorphosis in which the eyestalk neuroendocrine tissue seems to be involved.

Sexual reproduction in four Caribbean commercial sponges. III. Larval behaviour, settlement and metamorphosis

Abstract: Summary Larval behaviour, settlement, and metamorphosis were investigated in four Caribbean commercial sponges, Hippospongia lachne, Spongia barbara, S. cheiris and S. graminea, using light and transmission electron microscopy. The parenchymella larvae of these viviparous and gonochoristic species have an average size of 350 μm by 420 μm when released. Symbiotic bacteria occur intercellularly in both larvae and post-larvae. Laboratory behavioural studies demonstrate that free-swimming larvae display directional swimming with constant lateral rotation and negative phototaxis. Larval settlement occurs 26–56 hours after release from the parent and involves the formation of a basal lamella between the post-larva and substrate. There is no evidence of larval substrate selection by type or orientation. The canal system begins to form six days after settlement and oscules are apparent eleven days post-settlement. Available evidence suggests that larval ciliated epithelial cells are terminally differentiated and ...

Effect of Benthic Microhabitat Cues on the Metamorphosis of Pueruli of the Spiny Lobster Panulirus Argus

Abstract: To determine whether settlement microhabitat induces metamorphosis in the puerulus stage of the Caribbean spiny lobster (Panulirus argus) and to identify the specific features of the habitat that might elicit the response, we monitored the metamorphic progress of more than 200 pueruli exposed to 6 different settlement substrates: sea water alone (no substrate), red algae, sea grass, artificial algae, algae-treated sea water, and artificial algae plus algae-treated sea water. Initial pigmentation followed settlement by approximately 1 day and began 3-6 days (mean = 5 days) after the swimming pueruli were intercepted entering the Florida Bay nursery. Presence of red algae, Laurencia spp., a preferred settlement substrate, accelerated the rate of pigmentation, but by < 1 day. Metamorphosis to the first benthic juvenile stage occurred 7-9 days (mean = 8 days) after pueruli entered the bay and was unaffected by any of the substrates tested. Rates of both pigmentation and metamorphosis varied by as much as 2 days among replicate experiments conducted during the summers of 1986-1988. These results suggest that metamorphosis of pueruli of P. argus is essentially determinant; thus, physiological constraints may limit the distance that pueruli can disperse into the nursery and may force many pueruli to settle in inappropriate habitats where survival is improbable. Settlement and metamorphosis of planktonic larvae of many marine invertebrates can be induced by physical or chemical cues associated with settlement habitat (see Chia and Rice, 1978; Burke, 1983, for reviews). Specific environmental cues are thought to stimulate neural or hormonal processes that trigger larval settlement and metamorphosis in habitats that offer greater survival for subsequent life stages (Burke, 1983). Larvae that can retard development until favorable conditions are encountered are capable of increased dispersal, which is a function of both transport processes and length of larval life (Sulkin and Van Heukelem, 1986). Such physiological plasticity in the onset of metamorphosis may be a desirable trait for widely dispersing larvae or larvae with ecological requirements that differ from adults, because the probability of encountering suitable settlement habitat within a specific locality or period of time may be low. Alternatively, marine animals living in regions where currents are seasonally predictable and can reliably transport larvae to appropriate nursery grounds may evolve more canalized larval development with physiologically constrained metamorphic rates (Lipcius et al., 1990). For-sessile or sedentary invertebrates (e.g., hydroids, ascidians, echinoids, molluscs, barnacles), on which most research on this topic has focused, selection of a settlement site ultimately reflects the habitat requirements of the adult stage (Meadows and Campbell, 1972; Highsmith, 1982; Morse et al., 1988; and many ot ers). But for invertebrates such as decapod crustaceans, with more complex life cycles and mobile adult s ages, habitat choice by larvae or postlarvae should be influenced by factors that affect juvenile survival, factors that may be unrelated to adult habitat requirements. Despite their widespread abundance and distribution in the marine environment, little information is available concerning metam rphic induction in decapod crustaceans (Felder et al., 1985). Induction or inhibition of metamorphosis from the larval or puerulus stage to he first benthic stage in resp nse to the presence/absence of natural substrates has been recorded for a brachyuran crab (Castro, 1978), a homarid lobster (Botero and Atema, 1982), and a palinurid lobster (Serfling and Ford, 1975). The absence of metamorphic induction for a pagurid crab was reported by Roberts (1971). In contrast to observations made by Serfling and Ford (1975), who reported that the pueruli of the California spiny lobster Panulirus interruptus apparently required surf

The reproductive and larval ecology of Bufo marinus (Anura: Bufonidae)

Abstract: The reproductive and larval ecology of the introduced species Bufo marinus was studied at two breeding sites in tropical northern Australia. Reproductive activity, recruitment patterns, larval growth and survival, and predation by conspecifics and by insect, crustacean and fish species were looked at in detail. Reproduction at both sites occurred from December to June. Recruitment from reproductive events was sporadic. It was not concentrated during any particular period of the breeding season. During breeding periods, individuals at oviposition sites were predominantly males, with a population sex ratio of 10:1. Less than 30 percent of the estimated male population and 5 percent of the estimated female population were active (found in transect searches) on any one night during the breeding period. The proportion of active individuals in amplexus at any time was low. Total numbers of active individuals declined by the end of the dry season and sex ratios approached 1:1. No breeding was observed during the late dry season although histological examination of gonads indicated that reproductively active males and females (with mature sperm and ova) were present all year round. Sampling of larval populations indicated that densities recorded at both sites varied temporally and spatially. High variance-mean ratios for sample densities indicated that larval distributions within transects were aggregated. Peak densities were typically between 600 to 800 per m². Larval density was used to determine population size but estimates showed no consistent association with recruitment of eggs from observed breeding. Experimental studies indicated that during the embryonic stages (Gosner stages 1 to 24) predator-free survival was approximately 70 percent (90 percent survival/day) over a mean developmental period of 72 hours. Highest mortality occurred between three days (hatching) and twelve days (stage 25) after laying. Mean larval periods of 22 to 54 days were recorded. Shorter larval periods were associated with lower larval density. Survival to metamorphosis ranged from 0.1 to 10 percent (97 percent mean survival/day). Survival and growth rates in most experiments were density dependent. Growth of pre-hatching stages was linear but growth was exponential or decreasing exponential during the tadpole stages, controlled either by temperature or density. Growth of larvae is food limited, with advantages to older larvae demonstrated in an artificial pond experiment with two overlapping cohorts of different age. Growth was reduced for both cohorts but the effect was greater for younger cohorts. Individuals that survived egg predation by older cohorts grew larger because of reduced competition. Egg predation by older cohorts of Bufo larvae appeared to be a major source of mortality. Intraspecific predation was restricted to pre-swimming embryo stages and greatly reduced pre-hatching survival in field and experimental populations (1.67 percent mean survival/day). No other predators of eggs were recorded. Few species were active predators of hatched tadpoles. Only two of eleven potential predators examined in feeding rate experiments consumed tadpoles. These were an adult dytiscid beetle, Homeodytes scutellaris (0.28 tadpoles/hour), and a freshwater crayfish, Cherax quadricarinatus (0.48 tadpoles/hour). None of the native fish species examined successfully consumed eggs or larvae. A predation experiment was conducted in experimental ponds with aeschnid dragonfly larvae, Hemianax papuensis, and high and low densities of Bufo larvae. Predation significantly reduced survival of larvae at both densities and growth was significantly lower for larvae in predator treatments at high density. Slower growth for larvae in predator treatments probably resulted from larvae altering their foraging behaviour in response to the presence of predators. Tadpoles appeared to be less conspicuous in predator treatments. In predator treatments with a low initial density of Bufo, initial predation decreased densities to a level where encounter rates with predators were low and tadpole food resources were probably not limiting. Final mass and larval period for tadpoles at low density in predator treatments were similar to controls. Larval population size is most likely to be influenced by differences in cohort overlap resulting from adult breeding phenology. A small overlap will result in generations with narrow size differences and will produce increased competition between cohorts. A large overlap may result in large size differences in cohorts and may lead to heavy predation of eggs by older cohorts. Invertebrate predators are likely to affect the survival of larval Bufo marinus populations during colonisation and periods of habitat deterioration.

Life history parameters and description of the larva of Apocephalus paraponerae (Diptera: Phoridae), a parasitoid of the giant tropical ant Paraponera clavata (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

Abstract: Data from laboratory rearing of the parasitoid Apocephalus paraponerae in its ant host, Paraponera clavata, show that the egg stage lasts only 6 ½-7 hours, and the larval feeding period is only 48 hours These times are extremely short, compared to most other phorids The pupal stage, however, was 17–26 days, much longer than in other phorids, possibly to compensate in some way for the brief larval stage Although this fly is a parasitoid its life history is also similar to that of a scavenger, and contains elements of both of these ways of life The larva of A paraponerae is described, the first such description for a species of Apocephalus The larval structure resembles that of other, related phorids in most aspects, but an anterior crosspiece joining the cornua of the cephalopharyngeal skeleton is unusual The significance of this and other structures cannot be specified until more data are available from larvae of other phorid species

Gastric Pepsin in an Anuran Larva

Abstract: Larval stomach development was studied in the obligate carnivorous larva of the frog Lepidobatrachus laevis. Pepsin producing cells of the larval stomach were identified using rabbit anti-porcine pepsin and immunohistochemical techniques. Pepsin production was detected at a very early stage of development (stage 24: during opercular development) when the larvae were first competent for feeding. Peptic activity in isolated larval stomachs was demonstrated in a microassay using acid denatured hemoglobin at pH 1.7. The total activity per stomach increased 5,400 fold through the beginning of metamorphosis and the specific activity increased 345 fold through the same period. Electrophoretic analysis of the larval pepsinogens, using a caseinolytic assay revealed the presence of one major pepsinogen at stage 24; two additional isozymes were observed during later larval development. The molecular weight of the isopepsinogens was 34,800.

Wax of a whitefly and its utilization by a chrysopid larva

Abstract: A diagnostic characteristic of insects of the family Aleyrodidae (order Homoptera, suborder Sternorrhyncha) is the production of wax in the form of a particulate covering of their bodies. The substance, which is produced by special integumental glands [1] and is often applied by the insects to the leaf surfaces upon which they live, is responsible for the name \"whitefly\" commonly given these insects. Whiteflies include many agricultural pests. We here report on the chemical nature of the wax of a North American whitefly, and on the use that one of its predators makes of this wax. The whitefly studied, Metaleurodicus griseus, is restricted to the state of Florida (USA), where it occurs on plants of the genus Eugenia (Myrtaceae) [2]. The population we studied was located in a patch of coastal hardwood forest on E. myrtoides and E. axillaris, near Vero Beach, Indian River County, Florida. Stages in the life cycle are shown in Fig. 1. The adults are covered with fine waxy powder, the eggs with a dense waxy fluff, and the larvae with a loose matting of waxy fibers that extends to their surroundings. Wax for analysis was collected by swabbing the covering of eggs, and the matting on and around larvae, with a fine glass probe. A sample was analyzed by direct insertion probe on a LKB-9000 mass spectrometer at 70 eV and 20/zA ionizing current. The probe was heated from ambient to 290°C with scans being made every ca. 20°C. Mass measurement was checked by addition of a per fluorinated triazine standard to a second specimen of the

Multiple-Generation Bioassay for Investigating Western Spruce Budworm (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) Nutritional Ecology

Abstract: A three-generation bioassay was developed to determine the response curves of the western spruce budworm, Choristoneura occidentalis Freeman, to compounds that occur in the foliage of Douglas-fir, Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco, one of its principal hosts. Insects from a nondiapausing laboratory colony of C. occidentalis were reared on artificial diets containing defined levels of various nutrients and allelochemicals. An experimental base diet (nutritionally similar to Douglas-fir foliage in concentrations of nitrogen, sugars, and minerals) was modified to test responses. Insects spent their entire larval period, for three consecutive generations, feeding on the treatment diets. Responses measured include survival rates for all life stages, pupal masses, and larval development times and growth rates. Data on survival and fecundity (predicted from female pupal masses) were used to estimate population growth over three generations for the levels of the compound(s) tested. The tremendous variation in the survival and reproduction of C. occidentalis among 29 replications of the bioassay on the experimental base diet emphasizes the importance of replicating whole experiments for this type of bioassay. The great variability that occurred in these feeding studies underscores the critical importance of using large sample sizes and proper controls on each experiment to ensure that conclusions made from feeding bioassays are reliable. Average performance on the base diet was: 68% of the first instars survived to the late larval stage, 57% of the initial cohort survived to the pupal stage, 40% of the cohort survived to the moth stage, 45% of the egg masses produced had viable eggs, mean fresh pupal mass was 97 mg for females and 66 mg for males, mean larval development time was 44 d for females and 40 d for males, and larval growth rate was 2.3 mg/d for females and 1.7 mg/d for males.

Novel aspects of host tree resistance to leafminers

Abstract: At least 10,000 species of leafminers in four orders of insects (Lepidoptera, Diptera, Coleoptera, and Hymenoptera) are found worldwide. The common feature of all leafminers is that larvae feed within leaves for at least some larval stages. Larvae of facultative mining species feed internally but also externally as free-feeders, usually in later larval instars. Larvae of obligate mining species feed exclusively, and may also pupate, within leaves (Hering 1951, Powell 1980). Despite wide interspecific variation in life histories, leafminers are generally more closely associated with their feeding substrates than are free-feeding insects (Mattson et al. 1988). This "intimacy" (sensu Mattson et al. 1988) is the primary factor in directing their evolution and influencing population dynamics.

Life cycle and abundance of Longitarsus jacobaeae (Col.: Chrysomelidae), biocontrol agent of Senecio jacobaea.

Abstract: The life cycle and abundance of the tansy ragwort flea beetle,Longitarsus jacobaeae (Waterhouse), were investigated in a dune area in the Netherlands. The beetle overwinters in the egg stage, which is parasitised by a Mymarid wasp. No larvae were found until spring. Three larval instars can be separated by head capsule size and coloration. Initial larval numbers are high (up to 214 larvae per plant), but drop to very low levels by late spring. Adults appear during June or July, the numbers are high until October, the adults can be found until the end of December. This life cycle differs remarkably from those described for the species in Switzerland, Italy and Britain. Possible causes for these differences are discussed, as well as implications for the use ofLongitarsus in biological control.

Laboratory Evaluation of Entomopathogenic Nematodes, Steinernema carpocapsae and Heterorhabditis bacteriophora against Some Forest Insect Pests

Abstract: The pathogenicity of entomopathogenic nematodes Sfeinernema earpocapsae and Heferorhabditis baeferiophora was evaluated against forest insect pests, alder leaf beetle Agelastiea eoerulea, pellucid zygaenid Pryeria siniea, and box-tree pyralid Glyphodes perspeetalis. Alder leaf beetle larvae were exposed to S. earpocapsae at concentration of 0, 25, 50, and 100 nematodes and to H. baeferiophora at concentration of 0, 10, 20, and 40 nematodes per larva on alder leaves. Mortalities of 1st instar lavae were 85.4 4.1-100%, 2nd instar larvae 80.0 5.8-100%, and 3rd instar larvae 65.0 10.8-100% in S. earpocapsae and those of 1st instar larvae were 82.5 6.9-100%, 2nd instar larvae 77.5 4.7-100%, and 3rd instar larvae 55.0 13.5-100% in H. baeferiophora treatment. When pellucid zygaenid larvae were exposed to S. earpocapsae at concentration of 0, 5, 10, 20, 40, and 80 nematodes and to H. baeteriophora at concentration of 0, 2, 5, 10,20, and 40 nematodes per larva, mortalities were 98.9 1.1-100% in S. earpocapsae and 26.7 5.1-74.5 6.2% in H. baeferiophora. The mortalities of box-tree pyralid larvae were 97.8 1.5-100% in S. earpocapsae treated with concentration of 0,20,40, and 80 nematodes per larva and those were 92.0 6.2-98.9 1.1 % in H. baeferiophora treated with con'||'&'||'not;centration of 0, 10, 20, and 40 nematodes per larva.

Sphaerularoid nematodes of importance in agriculture.

Abstract: Sphaerularioid nematode parasites in the body cavity of insects are represented by 208 species distributed in 29 genera and 6 families excluding phoretic nematodes. Six genera of Sphaerularioids are monospecific and 10 genera have 2–5 species. The complex host-parasite relationships of Sphaerularioids remain little known. Survival and perpetuation of the nematode is insured by the annual rate of parasitism, the host’s fecundity reduction, the dissemination of juvenile nematodes by living adult insects, the adaptation of the length of the free-living period of infective females, and the synchronization with the host larval development period. Iotonchiidae also have a primary heterosexual generation alternating with a secondary parthenogenetic generation, but they have a characteristic morphology which may indicate a different phylogenetic origin. Sphaerulariidae have hypertrophied or everted uterus and a single heterosexual generation cycle similar to that of Allantonematidae. Members of the Fergusobiidae and Phaenopsitylenchidae present both parasitic and free-living generations.

Description of the mature larva of Pedilus flabellatus (Coleoptera : Pyrochroidae : Pedilinae), with phylogenetic implications of the discovery

Abstract: The larva of Pedilus flabellatus (Horn) was collected from debris associated with the base of a dead, standing Pseudotsuga menziesii in the Mount Hood National Forest, Oregon; it is described and illustrated. Species identity was established by rearing a larva to the adult stage. The larva of Pedilus flabellatus holds meaningful phylogenetic implications. The presence of an uninterrupted transverse series of asperities on sternum 9 is unique among larvae of Pedilus, and supports the previously hypothesized classification of the Pyrochroidae: Pyrochroinae + Pedilinae + Cononotinae. This character is discussed with respect to its presence in the Pyrochroidae and other families of Heteromera.

Description of the larva of Circellium bacchus (Fabricius) (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Scarabaeinae)

Abstract: The third-instar larva of the large, flightless, monotypic dung scarab Circellium bacchus is descriptionbed from the eastern Cape Province of South Africa. It has the general facies of a typical scarabaeine larva.

The larva of Blepharidatta (Hymenoptera: Formicidae).

Abstract: —The larva of the myrmicine genus Blepharidatta is described for the first time and illustrated. The genus is transferred from the tribe Ochetomyrmecini to a new tribe Blephari-

Influence of Larval Age and Dosage of Virus on the Recovery of Occlusion Bodies of the Granulosis Virus of Sugarcane Shoot Borer Chilo infuscatellus Snellen

Abstract: A significant loss in the weight of larvae was observed due to virus infection, which was, more pronounced in III, IV and V instars. Yield of occlusion bodieS (OB) was low in II instar (59.6×10 7 /larva) and high in IV (187.1×10 7 ) and V (182.7×10 7 /larva) instars. Positive correlation existed between larval weight and virus recovery and 10 5 OB was the optimum dose for virus production. Different instars of field collected larvae with virus symptoms yielded 71.6 to 202.1×10 7 OB/larva. The yield of OB from male pupa was significantly low (74.7×10 7 pupa) compared to female pupa (192.0×10 7 /pupa).

Vergleichende Untersuchung zum Lebenszyklus der kuhdungbewohnenden Sphaeroceridenarten Chaetopodella scutellaris (Haliday, 1836) und Coproica lugubris (Haliday, 1836). (Diptera: Sphaeroceridae)

Abstract: The two species studied, Ch. scutellaris and C. lugubris, are associated with cow pats. Adults of both species occur from April to October and utilize the resources of cow pats. According to the competitive exclusion principle, sympatric species can not occupy the same ecological niche. Based on this principle the lifecycle of Ch. scutellaris and C. lugubris was studied and compared. Since the ontogeny of flies is rather complex involving a complete matamorphosis, all stages (egg, larva, pupa, adult) were studied. Flies used in experiments were taken from laboratory cultures. The method developed for laboratory rearing is described. Major differences were found in the length of the larval and pupal development. In Ch. scutellaris the development, especially the development of the third larval instar, takes considerably longer than in C. lugubris.

Biology of Chrysoperla carnea (Stephens) (Neuroptera, Chrysopidae) in Himachal Pradesh

Abstract: Chrysoperla cornea (Stephens) is one of the most important predators of the cabbage aphid, Brevicoryne brassica (Linn.) infesting cole crops in Himachal Pradesh. The biology of this chrysopid was studied under laboratory conditions on B. brassicae . Important morphological characters, body size, duration, etc., of different developmental stages, mating and oviposition behaviour are described. A single larva fed upon an average of 181 aphids in its life span of 12.08 days. A larva could wipe out aphid colonies with initial numbers of 50 and 100 aphids in 4 and 7 days, respectively, but failed to do so in colony with 200 aphids. Development from egg to adult was completed in 24.77 days during mid-May to end-July. The pupal period lasted for 7 to 9 days and the progeny had a sex ratio of 1.2:1 (female:male). The average fecundity was 66 varying between 36 to 123.

FECAS DE herbívoros INTRODUCIDOS EN CHILE SEMIÁRIDO COMO HABITAT PARA EL DESARROLLO DE INSECTOS

Abstract: The present paper describes the biological cycle of two insects inhabitant inside the goat-dung in semiarid Chile. The insects belong to a microlepidopteran and a Ptinidae (Coleoptera) species. The rol of the silk-tube, elaborate by the microlepidopteran larva externally to the goat-dung, and the possible effects of larvae on decomposition and on soil fertilization are discussed.

Injuries from larval Neuroptera.

Abstract: Bites from larval Neuroptera (lacewings) in Australia are recorded. This order of insects is among the most primitive of the higher or holometabolous insects, those with a life-history of complete metamorphoses--namely, from egg to larva to pupa to adult. The mobile instars (larva and adult) live by predation. Larvae have generally long, sharp-pointed jaws, which are used in piercing and sucking prey. One family (Chrysopidae) has larvae with jaws capable of piercing human skin. The larvae seek their prey on leaves of shrubs and trees, and occasionally cause bites to gardeners and others, but as these larvae commonly camouflage themselves with the cast skins of their prey (small insects and mites), as well as other material, such as caterpillar faeces and scraps of vegetable debris, they are mostly not recognised by their human victims. The effects are of immediate local pain with erythema and a local papule, lasting a few hours or at most a day or so. No treatment is required. Language: en

Hatching of marphysa sanguinea and breeding of its larva

Abstract: PURPOSE:To increase hatchability and survival rate of Marphysa sanguinea with preventing harm from small protozoa by putting fertilized egg in a hatching water tank filled with sea water not containing small protozoa larger than a specific size, feeding larva only after implantation phase of larva and breeding the fertilized egg and the larva in the hatching water tank for a specific period. CONSTITUTION:Fertilized egg is put in a hatching water tank filled with sea water not containing small protozoa larger than 150mum and hatched. Hatched larva is bred in the hatching water tank for about 20 days from the day when the fertilized egg was put in without giving a feed during swimming phase of hatched larva. The feed is, e.g. a suspension-like feed containing 2-8g seaweed (e.g. seaweed powder having >=90wt.% 200 mesh pass degree of powder composed of 3-25wt.% crude protein, 1-12wt.% crude fat and 13-50wt.% crude ash) and 0.5-1.5g mixed feed to 10000 pieces of fertilized egg after implantation phase. Plankton, etc., is contained in sea water and therefore feeding is not required before implantation phase.