Ecological Entomology Research Papers - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

... Page 6. 6 Frank Burghardt and Konrad Fiedler Among caterpillars reared on unfavorable food (leaves of Mmtiva and Cvaria. artificial diet), DNO secretion rates were positively correlated with their absolute growth rates... more

... Page 6. 6 Frank Burghardt and Konrad Fiedler Among caterpillars reared on unfavorable food (leaves of Mmtiva and Cvaria. artificial diet), DNO secretion rates were positively correlated with their absolute growth rates (Spearman's rank correlation, r, = 0.42 I , n = 40, f < 0.01 ). ...

This study used experiments at several spatial scales to determine whether (1) intraspecific competition occurs among larvae of the leafmining sawfly Profenusa thomsoni (Konow) (Hymenoptera: Tenthredinidae) on birch (Betula spp.), (2)... more

This study used experiments at several spatial scales to determine whether (1) intraspecific competition occurs among larvae of the leafmining sawfly Profenusa thomsoni (Konow) (Hymenoptera: Tenthredinidae) on birch (Betula spp.), (2) oviposition site preferences of P. thomsoni maximize offspring performance, and (3) early-season damage by external folivores or the leafminer Fenusa pumila Leach (Hymenoptera: Tenthredinidae) affects oviposition preferences or larval performance of P. thomsoni.Larval P. thomsoni competed at natural densities; survival and weight of larvae were reduced under crowded conditions. Despite this, females of P. thomsoni tended to lay eggs on leaves already bearing eggs from other females and discriminated only weakly among leaves of different sizes on a branch. Both damage by F. pumila and artificial damage to leaves early in the season decreased survival of P. thomsoni larvae on the same branch, and ovipositing P. thomsoni females avoided damaged leaves but not other leaves on the same branch. In general, oviposition choices by P. thomsoni reduced larval survival. Possible reasons for the lack of a strong preference–performance relationship in P. thomsoni are discussed.

Background. Interspecific interactions play an important role in determining species richness and persistence in a given locality. However at some sites, the studies, especially for interaction networks on adult butterflies are scarce.... more

Background. Interspecific interactions play an important role in determining species richness and persistence in a given locality. However at some sites, the studies, especially for interaction networks on adult butterflies are scarce. The present study aimed the following objectives: (1) determine butterfly species richness and diversity that visit flowering plants, (2) compare species richness and diversity in butterfly-plant interactions among six different vegetation types and (3) analyze the structure of butterfly-flowering plant interaction networks mediated by flowers. Methods. The study was developed in six vegetation types within the natural reserve of La Mancha, located in Veracruz, Mexico. In each vegetation type, we recorded the frequency of flower visits by butterflies monthly in round plots (of radius 5 m) for 12 months. We calculated Shannon diversity for butterfly species and diversity of interactions per vegetation type. We determined the classic Jaccard similarity index among vegetation types and estimated parameters at network and species-level. Results. We found 123 species of butterflies belonging to 11 families and 87 genera. The highest number of species belonged to Hesperiidae (46 species), followed by Nymphalidae (28) and Pieridae (14). The highest butterfly diversity and interaction diversity was observed in pioneer dune vegetation (PDV), coastal dune scrub (CDS) and tropical deciduous flooding forest and wetland (TDF-W). The same order of vegetation types was found for interaction diversity. Highest species similarity was found between PDV-CDS and PDV-TDF. The butterfly-plant interaction network showed a nested structure with one module. The species Ascia monuste, Euptoieta hegesia and Leptotes cassius were the most generalist in the network, while Horama oedippus, E. hegesia, and L. cassius were the species with highest dependencies per plant species. Discussion. Our study is important because it constitutes a pioneer study of butterfly-plant interactions in this protected area, at least for adult butterflies; it shows the diversity of interactions among flowering plants and butterflies. Our research constitutes the first approach (at a community level) to explore the functional role of pollination services that butterflies provide to plant communities. We highlighted that open areas show a higher diversity and these areas shared a higher number of species that shaded sites. In the interaction networks parameters, our results highlighted the higher dependence of butterflies by the flowers on which they feed than vice versa. In conclusion, the plant species (as a feeding resource) seem to limit the presence of butterfly species. Thus, this protected area is highly relevant for Lepidoptera diversity and the interaction between these insects and flowering plants. We suggest that

Abstract. 1. We revisited bumble bee survey data collected by Pyke in 1974 (Pyke, Ecology, 63, 555–573, 1982) to evaluate seasonal changes in abundances of bumble bees and their floral resources, diel patterns of bumble bee activity, and... more

Abstract. 1. We revisited bumble bee survey data collected by Pyke in 1974 (Pyke, Ecology, 63, 555–573, 1982) to evaluate seasonal changes in abundances of bumble bees and their floral resources, diel patterns of bumble bee activity, and elevation effects on plant and bumble bee phenology. 2. Bumble bee abundance increased during summer as spring queens founded colonies that produced workers, followed by males and autumn queens. The number of plant species visited by bumble bees increased to a peak in midsummer, ...

1. Phenotypic diversity is the fuel that powers evolution.2. Asexual organisms rely on mutation whereas sexual organisms combine mutation with recombination.3. Few organisms provide examples of species that are both sexual and asexual,... more

1. Phenotypic diversity is the fuel that powers evolution.2. Asexual organisms rely on mutation whereas sexual organisms combine mutation with recombination.3. Few organisms provide examples of species that are both sexual and asexual, but aphids do.4. To examine evolution on perceptible timescales requires strong evolutionary forces and, as Darwin noted, agricultural practices provide strong selection. In the case of aphids, insecticides provide a considerable force in the elimination of genotypes.5. Insecticide resistance in Myzus persicae (Sulzer) has arisen independently through point mutation and gene amplification on a number of occasions and at different times. Resistance to organophosphates, pyrethroids, and pirimicarb (a dimethyl carbamate) is now widespread.6. In this paper, we examine these three elements: sexual recombination, clonal expansion, and insecticide selection in the peach–potato aphid M. persicae in relation to the evolution of insecticide resistance and survival of the fittest clone.

... diversity of specialist Lepidoptera (Feeny, 1970), including many leaf-mining species (Hering, 1957; Feeny, 1970; Heath & Emmet, 1976). ... represent independently evolving species (Funk... more

... diversity of specialist Lepidoptera (Feeny, 1970), including many leaf-mining species (Hering, 1957; Feeny, 1970; Heath & Emmet, 1976). ... represent independently evolving species (Funk & Omland, 2003; Hurst & Jiggins, 2005; Knowles & Carstens, 2007; Lohse, 2009), we ...

Exploitation and conversion of forests are human induced-global change in tropical area and causes growing concern about the continued existence of the rich biodiversity of these forests. Lore Lindu National Park (LLNP) situated at... more

Exploitation and conversion of forests are human induced-global change in tropical area and causes growing concern about the continued existence of the rich biodiversity of these forests. Lore Lindu National Park (LLNP) situated at Wallacea’s region is widely known as home of several flora and fauna and most of them are endemic to Sulawesi Island. However, study on diversity and ecosystem services of insects as well as their response to land-use change at this protected area is limited. This paper is aimed to review some insect diversity studies conducted at several land-use types at the margin of LLNP in the framework of STORMA (Stability of Rainforest Margin)-Research project. The study showed that LLNP has a high diverse of insects and there are hundreds species belongs to several orders (Lepidoptera, Coleoptera, and Hymenoptera) recorded mainly from natural forests and also from different land-use types. In general, conversion of forest to other land-use types followed by reduction of insect diversity and changes of community structure as well as their ecological roles. However, some species shows a different response to forest conversion. Based on these findings, there were some suggestions can be raised to maintain insect diversity in LLNP

Background: Algeria is among the most affected Mediterranean countries by leishmaniasis due to its large geographic extent and climatic diversity. The current study aims the determination of ecological status (composition and diversity)... more

Background: Algeria is among the most affected Mediterranean countries by leishmaniasis due to its large geographic extent and climatic diversity. The current study aims the determination of ecological status (composition and diversity) of phlebotomine sandfly populations in the region of Oum El Bouaghi (Northeast Algeria).
Methods: An entomological survey was conducted during the period May–October 2010 in rural communities of Oum El Bouaghi. Catches of sandflies were carried out using sticky traps in both domestic and peri-domestic environments of 16 sites located beneath two bioclimatic areas, sub-humid and semi-arid. Most of these sites have visceral and/or cutaneous leishmaniasis cases.
Results: A total of 1,363 sandflies were captured and identified belonging to two genera, Phlebotomus and Sergentomyia, and five species. The species Phlebotomus perniciosus, Phlebotomus perfiliewi and Sergentomyia minuta were constants. Phlebotomus longicuspis was common and Phlebotomus papatasi was accidental in the study sites. P. perniciosus and P. perfiliewi are the two possible species that contribute in leishmaniasis transmission across the study area due to their high densities (96 and 49 specimens/m²/night, respectively); these two species dominate other species in all study sites.
Conclusion: Findings emphasize the key-role played by P. perniciosus, P. perfiliewi and S. minuta in outlining site similarities based on sandfly densities. The study confirms that the more susceptible sites to leishmaniasis, which hold high densities of these sandflies, were located south of the study area under a semi-arid climate.
Keywords: Phlebotomine sandflies, Leishmaniasis, Ecological aspects, Algeria.

Abstract 1. Host plant finding in walking herbivorous beetles is still poorly understood. Analysis of small-scale movement patterns under semi-natural conditions can be a useful tool to detect behavioural responses towards host plant... more

Abstract 1. Host plant finding in walking herbivorous beetles is still poorly understood. Analysis of small-scale movement patterns under semi-natural conditions can be a useful tool to detect behavioural responses towards host plant cues.2. In this study, the small-scale movement behaviour of the monophagous leaf beetle Cassida canaliculata Laich. (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) was studied in a semi-natural arena (r = 1 m). In three different settings, a host (Salvia pratensis L., Lamiales: Lamiaceae), a non-host (Rumex conglomeratus Murr., Caryophyllales: Polygonaceae), or no plant was presented in the centre of the arena.3. The beetles showed no differences in the absolute movement variables, straightness and mean walking speed, between the three settings. However, the relative movement variables, mean distance to the centre and mean angular deviation from walking straight to the centre, were significantly smaller when a host plant was offered. Likewise, the angular deviation from walking straight to the centre tended to decline with decreasing distance from the centre. Finally, significantly more beetles were found on the host than on the non-host at the end of all the trials.4. It is concluded that C. canaliculata is able to recognise its host plant from a distance. Whether olfactory or visual cues (or a combination of both) are used to find the host plant remains to be elucidated by further studies.

1. Moths (Lepidoptera) are the major nocturnal pollinators of flowers. However, their importance and contribution to the provision of pollination ecosystem services may have been under-appreciated. Evidence was identified that moths are... more

1. Moths (Lepidoptera) are the major nocturnal pollinators of flowers. However, their importance and contribution to the provision of pollination ecosystem services may have been under-appreciated. Evidence was identified that moths are important pollinators of a diverse range of plant species in diverse ecosystems across the world. 2. Moth populations are known to be undergoing significant declines in several European countries. Among the potential drivers of this decline is increasing light pollution. The known and possible effects of artificial night lighting upon moths were reviewed, and suggest how artificial night lighting might in turn affect the provision of pollination by moths. The need for studies of the effects of artificial night lighting upon whole communities of moths was highlighted. 3. An ecological network approach is one valuable method to consider the effects of artificial night lighting upon the provision of pollination by moths, as it provides useful insights i...

1. The level of an organism's investment in defences against natural enemies depends on the fitness costs of resisting parasitism and on the costs of maintaining defences in the absence of infection. Heritable variation in resistance... more

1. The level of an organism's investment in defences against natural enemies depends on the fitness costs of resisting parasitism and on the costs of maintaining defences in the absence of infection. Heritable variation in resistance suggests that costs exist, but very little is known about the nature or magnitude of these costs in natural populations of animals.2. A powerful technique for identifying trade-offs between fitness components is the study of correlated responses to artificial selection. We selected for increased resistance in the Indian meal moth, Plodia interpunctella, following parasitism by the koinobiont parasitoid, Venturia canescens, and measured the cost of resistance to parasitism and the cost of maintaining resistance in the absence of immune challenge during the next generation.3. Parasitism decreased larval host size, growth, and developmental time and was significantly negatively correlated with the size of surviving host adults. Larvae of the next gener...