Lepidoptera genitalia

About: Lepidoptera genitalia is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 10114 publications have been published within this topic receiving 78876 citations. The topic is also known as: Uncus.

Research Reports: Within-Plant Distribution of Fall Armyworm (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) Larvae on Corn During Whorl-Stage Infestation

Abstract: Field experiments on the within-plant distribution of larvae of the fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J E Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), on the early-whorl to late-whorl stage of corn, Zea mays L, revealed that most larvae were found in the wrapped leaves of the whorl Beta density function for describing larval distribution showed that larval instar, infestation date and environmental conditions did not influence this process Larval distribution and its time course was accurately described with a single Beta density function for all infestations This function gave 64%, 25%, 8%, 2% and 1% of larvae in the highest visible leaf and leaves just above, respectively When the tassel began development in the whorl (pre-tasseling corn stage), most larvae (80%) were found in this location After tasseling, larvae moved down to the lower leaves and into the ear (75%)

On the maintenance of stability in hindwing diversity among moths of the genus catocala (lepidoptera: noctuidae).

Abstract: Moths of the genus Catocala (Underwings) are abundant in deciduous woodlands over much of North America, and as many as 30-40 species may occur together at ony one location. These moths are characterized by bark-like cryptic forewings and boldly patterned, often colorful hindwings. The forewings vary considerably within species, and this variability presumably reduces the efficiency of predators that utilize searching images when hunting these moths (Croze, 1970; Sargent, 1972). The hindwings, which function as startle devices when crypsis fails to deter attack (Sargent, 1973), do not vary within species, but do exhibit marked interspecific diversity. These hindwings may be banded or unbanded, and chromatic (various shades of yellow, orange, pink, and red) or achromatic (black and white only). The achromatic hindwings, except in one species, are unbanded on the upperside, having at most a narrow white fringe on an otherwise black surface. Achromatic hindwings might seem unlikely startle devices at first glance, but prior analyses of beak-damaged Catocala indicate that these structures are effective in this regard (Sargent, 1973). I have suggested that the basis for the startle effect of achromatic hindwings lies in the fact that they introduce an element of anomaly (I.e., the unexpected) into the overall predator-prey system involving birds and these moths. Anomaly is seen as an effective counter to the tendency of birds to habituate to any particular hindwing color or pattern (Sargent, 1969, 1973, 1976). Some indirect evidence to support this contention is provided by the finding that individuals with achromatic hindwings consistently comprise approximately 20-25% of the Catocala taken at different locations in eastern North America (Sargent and Owen, 1975; Sargent, 1976, 1977). This suggests that achromatic hindwings might be effective as startle devices only if they are relatively uncommon. At higher frequencies, predators might come to expect such hindwings, and so predation would increase until the frequency was again reduced. Such selection pressure has presumably resulted in stabilization of achromatic hindwings at an optimal frequency with respect to predation. It is difficult to envision a means by which such stabilization could be achieved. I have previously rejected the possibilities that stable frequencies of achromatic hindwings could be maintained by predator selection alone, or by homeostatic density regulation on the part of the moths themselves. I have suggested, however, that stability in the relationship between the two hind wing types could be achieved on the basis of pairings of certain chromatic and achromatic species, such that the members of each pair exhibited parallel fluctuations in abundance (Sargent, 1977). If such species pairs comprised a substantial and relatively constant percentage of the total Catocala at any location, then a stable overall relationship between chromatic and achromatic hindwings would be expected. In the present paper, I hope to demonstrate that the observed stability in the

Food habits of sympatric insectivorous bats in southern Kyushu, Japan

Abstract: Five species of bats, Myotis nattereri, M. macrodactylus, Miniopterus fuliginosus, Rhinolophus ferrumequinum and R. cornutus were found to forage in the same habitats in southern Kyushu, Japan. M. nattereri fed mainly on Lepidoptera, Coleoptera, Diptera and Araneae, the proportions of each of these in the diet fluctuating seasonally, however, Lepidoptera and Coleoptera, especially, were consumed selectively. Their available prey items ranged in body length from 5-13 mm in length. M. macrodactylus preyed mainly on Diptera, Trichoptera and Lepidoptera, that were larger (7-20 mm) than those eaten by M. nattereri. Small or medium-sized Lepidoptera constituted the bulk of M. fuliginosus' diet in summer. R. ferrumequinum fed chiefly on larger Diptera, Coleoptera and Lepidoptera measuring 8-45 mm in body length, and clearly selected beetles despite these being relatively few in the trap samples. Lepidoptera and Diptera measuring 7-23 mm were important dietary components for R. cornutus, and despite their abundance being relatively low in summer moths were selectively preyed upon. These five bat species selectively hunted particular prey species in addition to taking food opportunistically. Through differences in both foraging-site and in prey selection, they seem to be able to coexist in the same habitat.