scholarly journals Host Ant Change of a Socially Parasitic Butterfly (Phengaris alcon) through Host Nest Take-Over

Insects ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (9) ◽  
pp. 556
Author(s):  
András Tartally ◽  
Anna Ágnes Somogyi ◽  
Tamás Révész ◽  
David R. Nash
Keyword(s):  
Larval Development ◽  
Host Plant ◽  
Local Adaptation ◽  
Larval Stage ◽  
Population Level ◽  
Host Nest ◽  
Host Switch ◽  
Ecological Plasticity ◽  
Alcon Blue ◽  
Blue Butterfly

The socially parasitic Alcon blue butterfly (Phengaris alcon) starts its larval stage by feeding on the seeds of gentians, after which it completes development in the nests of suitable Myrmica ant species. The host plant and host ant species can differ at the population level within a region, and local adaptation is common, but some host switches are observed. It has been suggested that one mechanism of change is through the re-adoption of caterpillars by different ant species, either through occupation of abandoned nests or take-over of established nests by competitively superior colonies. To test this question in the lab we introduced relatively strong colonies (50 workers) of alien Myrmica species to the arenas of weaker colonies (two caterpillars with six workers), and to orphaned caterpillars (two caterpillars without ants). We used caterpillars from a xerophylic population of P. alcon, and both local hosts, M. sabuleti and M. scabrinodis, testing the possibility of host switch between these two host ant species during larval development. Most of the caterpillars were successfully readopted by alien ants, and survived well. Our results suggest higher ecological plasticity in host ant usage of this butterfly than generally thought.

Host plant-mediated effects of climate change on the occurrence of the Alcon blue butterfly (Phengaris alcon)

2013 ◽  
Vol 250 ◽  
pp. 329-337 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anouk Cormont ◽  
G.W. Wieger Wamelink ◽  
René Jochem ◽  
Michiel F. WallisDeVries ◽  
Ruut M.A. Wegman
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Host Plant ◽  
Mediated Effects ◽  
Alcon Blue ◽  
Blue Butterfly

Oviposition by the Mountain Alcon Blue butterfly increases with host plant flower number and host ant abundance

2018 ◽  
Vol 28 ◽  
pp. 87-96 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samuel Carleial ◽  
Noëlie Maurel ◽  
Mark van Kleunen ◽  
Marc Stift
Keyword(s):  
Host Plant ◽  
Flower Number ◽  
Alcon Blue ◽  
Plant Flower ◽  
Blue Butterfly

scholarly journals The morphology of the foregut of larvae and postlarva of Sesarma curacaoense De Man, 1892: a species with facultative lecithotrophy during larval development

2006 ◽  
Vol 36 (3) ◽  
pp. 375-380 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marlon Aguiar Melo ◽  
Fernando Abrunhosa ◽  
Iracilda Sampaio
Keyword(s):  
Fine Structure ◽  
Larval Development ◽  
Larval Stage ◽  
Filter Press ◽  
Gastric Mill ◽  
Juvenile Stages ◽  
De Man ◽  
Lecithotrophic Development

Previous study on the resistance of larvae of Sesarma curacaoense submitted to starvation has revealed a facultative lecithotrophy during zoeal stages, but megalopa and first juvenile stages are exclusively feeding stages. In the present study, the gross morphology and fine structure of the foregut of S. curacaoense were investigated during larval, megalopa and first juvenile stages. The foregut of the zoea I show specific setae and a filter press apparently functional. The foregut undergoes changes in the zoea II (last larval stage) with increment of setae number, mainly on the cardiopyloric valve and complexity of the filter press. After metamorphosis to megalopa stage the foregut become rather complex, with a gastric mill supporting a medial and two lateral teeth well-developed. The foregut of the first juvenile is more specialized compared to the previous stage, showing similar characteristics of the decapod adults. These results provide further evidence of facultative lecithotrophic development in the larvae of S. curacaoense.

Influence of Host Plant Species and Fertilization Regime on Larval Performance and Feeding Preference of the Redbacked Cutworm and the Pale Western Cutworm (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

2019 ◽  
Vol 113 (2) ◽  
pp. 731-741
Author(s):  
Ronald E Batallas ◽  
Maya L Evenden
Keyword(s):  
Larval Development ◽  
Host Plant ◽  
Spring Wheat ◽  
Feeding Preference ◽  
Growth Potential ◽  
Economic Damage ◽  
Larval Performance ◽  
Crop Species ◽  
Wheat Seedlings ◽  
Redbacked Cutworm

Abstract The redbacked cutworm, Euxoa ochrogaster (Guenée), and the pale western cutworm, Agrotis orthogonia (Morrison), are generalist pests that cause sporadic economic damage to several annual crops in the Canadian Prairies. Early larval instars feed on foliage, whereas mature larvae eat into the stem and sever crop seedlings. Here, we evaluate the influence of annual crop species and host fertilization on the larval performance and feeding preference of both cutworm species. Performance is the ability of an insect to reach its maximum growth potential. The first set of experiments evaluated larval development and preference on canola (Brassica napus L. [Capparales: Brassicaeae]), field peas (Pisum sativa L. [Fabales: Fabaceae]), and spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L. [Cyperales: Poaceae]). The redbacked cutworm had higher performance on canola and peas, while the pale western cutworm had higher performance on wheat. In multiple-choice feeding experiments, the redbacked cutworm consumed more canola, whereas the pale western cutworm consumed more spring wheat. The third set of experiments evaluated larval development on fertilized and unfertilized seedlings of canola and spring wheat seedlings. When fed unfertilized seedlings, the redbacked cutworm had better performance on canola than spring wheat, whereas pale western cutworm had better performance on spring wheat than canola. Fertilizer application enhanced the performance of both cutworms regardless of the crop species. Despite their generalist feeding behavior, both cutworm species have a larval feeding preference for the host plant on which they achieve high performance. Canola-cereal cropping is a common crop rotation schedule in the region; however, this tactic will not negatively impact cutworm performance.

scholarly journals Some ecological factors influencing the breeding success of the Brenton Blue butterfly, Orachrysops niobe (Trimen) (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae)

Koedoe ◽  
2002 ◽  
Vol 45 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
D.A. Edge
Keyword(s):  
Host Plant ◽  
Breeding Season ◽  
Breeding Success ◽  
Ecological Factors ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Plant Abundance ◽  
Factors Influencing ◽  
Nectar Sources ◽  
Management Techniques ◽  
Blue Butterfly

The Brenton Blue butterfly, Orachrysops niobe (Trimen, 1862) (Lepidoptera:Lycaenidae), is endemic to the southern Cape and is currently listed as Endangered. This study looks at some of the key ecological factors influencing the breeding success of the species—host plant abundance and condition, nectar sources, climate/ microclimate, and vegetation management techniques. The adult butterfly population was monitored over an entire breeding season; host plants were identified and individually monitored; and egg counts were done. This enabled the effects of a number of different management techniques to be evaluated (burning, cutting, physical removal of invasive elements, and combinations thereof). A fivefold increase in the population of O. niobe was observed over the breeding season. This increase was positively correlated to a similar increase in host plant abundance in the areas where cutting and physical removal of invasive elements was practiced. Burning, by contrast, appeared to have a negative impact on host plant and butterfly abundance over the same period. Impacts of other factors such as climate, nectar sources and the natural strength of the second brood are discussed. A hypothesis, of megaherbivore activity as the principal historical disturbance mechanism promoting locally favourable conditions for O. niobe to establish and maintain colonies, is proposed. Recommendations for reserve management and future research are made.

Growth and reproduction of Halicarcinus australis (Haswell) (Crustacea, Brachyura) in the Swan estuary, Western Australia. II. Larval stages

1970 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 163 ◽  
Author(s):  
JS Lucas ◽  
EP Hodgkin
Keyword(s):  
Larval Development ◽  
Larval Stage ◽  
Spatial Distributions ◽  
Laboratory Rearing ◽  
Larval Stages ◽  
Third Stage ◽  
Temperature Ranges ◽  
Causes Of Mortality ◽  
Temporal And Spatial ◽  
Growth And Reproduction

Larvae of Halicarcinus australis (Haswell) were collected in vertical plankton samples from eight stations in the Swan estuary during two summers. The majority of samples included live and dead larvae; the high proportion of dead larvae shows that there are other important causes of mortality besides predation. Third stage zoeae (the final larval stage) occur over more restricted salinity and temperature ranges than earlier zoeal stages, and their temporal and spatial distributions in the estuary are also more restricted. Laboratory rearing of H. australis larvae at 16 chlorinity-temperature combinations shows that larvae are less tolerant of extremes of these parameters than crabs. Hydrological conditions unfavourable for larval development occur throughout the estuary in winter and in upstream regions in summer. However, during much of these periods ovigerous females are present in crab populations and larvae are released, thus accounting for some of the mortality apparent from the plankton samples. Third stage zoeae are found progressively further up stream in summer associated with the advance of favourable salinities and with a zone of plankton abundance. Recruitment into crab populations reflects the time of completion of larval development at each locality.

Description of the first zoeal stage of Synalpheus apioceros Coutière, 1909 (Caridea: Alpheidae), including a comparative analysis with larval morphology from the genus Synalpheus Spence Bate, 1888

Zootaxa ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 4838 (1) ◽  
pp. 71-82
Author(s):  
RAFAEL C. SANTOS ◽  
RÉGIS A. PESCINELLI ◽  
ROGERIO C. COSTA
Keyword(s):  
Comparative Analysis ◽  
Larval Development ◽  
Larval Stage ◽  
Morphological Characteristics ◽  
Plumose Seta ◽  
Zoeal Stage ◽  
Larval Morphology ◽  
Morphological Similarity ◽  
Similar Morphology ◽  
Larval Stages

Herein, the Zoea I of Synalpheus apioceros is described, followed by a comparative analysis of the first larval stage from Synalpheus. Larvae were obtained from two ovigerous females sampled in Ubatuba, São Paulo. The morphology of the Zoea I of S. apioceros was compared to five other Synalpheus species whose structures were previously described: S. biunguiculatus, S. minus, S. neomeris, S. pectiniger, and S. tumidomanus. A set of unique morphological characteristics was found for S. apioceros: exopod of antennule with 4 aesthetascs and 1 plumose seta; coxal endite of maxillule with 2 simple setae plus 2 plumose setae; basial endite of maxillule with 2 simple setae plus 2 short spines; endopod of maxillule with 1 plumose seta plus 2 simple setae; basial endite of maxilla bilobed with 2 (1 plumose and 1 simple) + 2 (1 plumose and 1 simple) setae; coxal endite of maxilla bilobed with 2 + 1 plumose setae; endopod of maxilla with 3 (1 plumose and 2 simple) terminal setae + 2 simple setae; endopod of first maxilliped unsegmented with 3 terminal simple setae; basis of first maxilliped with 5 spines; endopod of second maxilliped 5-segmented with 0, 0, 0, 1 plumodenticulate, 4 (1 serrate + 3 simple) setae; endopod of third maxilliped 5-segmented with 0, 0, 0, 1 simple, 3 simple setae; pereiopods 1st to 3rd birramous and 4th and 5th uniramous. S. apioceros shows higher morphological similarity with S. minus, followed by S. tumidomanus, S. neomeris and S. pectiniger, probably since these species present extended larval development. Besides the similar morphology among species, the unique attributes presented here are important for the genus’ taxonomy, being fundamental for identifying the first larval stages of Synalpheus, as well as for subsidizing information for species identification keys. 

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document