DIFFERENCES IN THE UTILIZATION OF TREE SPECIES AS LARVAL HOSTS AND PUPATION SITES BY THE GYPSY MOTH, LYMANTRIA DISPAR (LEPIDOPTERA: LYMANTRIIDAE)

1984 ◽  
Vol 116 (5) ◽  
pp. 685-690 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yves Mauffette ◽  
Martin J. Lechowicz

AbstractIn the summer of 1980, gypsy moth populations were monitored in 13 sparsely infested forests in southwestern Quebec; counts of living and dead larvae and pupae were made on 1,870 trees representing 28 deciduous and one coniferous species. Contrary to our null expectations, the proportionate numbers of pupae compared with larvae on the various host species were not equal. Hosts more preferred by larvae were less preferred by pupae, and vice versa. For example, pupae were disproportionately abundant on host species like Acer pensylvanicum L., Carya ovata (Mill.) K. Koch, and Juglans cinerea L. which are not generally favored larval hosts. Conversely, favored larval hosts like Quercus rubra L. and Ostrya virginiana (Mill.) K. Koch carried lower numbers of pupae than expected from the numbers of larvae feeding on them. Such differential utilization of host trees by larvae versus pupae, which can arise either from host-dependent differences in larval mortality or from late instar migration between hosts, may contribute to maintaining the broad polyphagy of gypsy moth larvae.

2005 ◽  
Vol 40 (4) ◽  
pp. 446-460 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. E. Webb ◽  
G. B. White ◽  
J. D. Podgwaite ◽  
V. D'Amico ◽  
J. Slavicek ◽  
...  

The standard strain (LDP-226) of Gypchek®, a nucleopolyhedrovirus product registered by the USDA Forest Service against the gypsy moth, Lymantria dispar (L.), was compared against a strain, LdMNPV-203NL (NL = nonliquefying), that was developed for production in cell culture. Both strains were applied by air to U.S. government property in Prince Georges Co., MD, in early May 2003 at the rate of 1 × 1012 occlusion bodies per ha. The two goals of the study were (1) to compare the first and second wave effects of the two strains against gypsy moth populations; and (2) to delineate the combined effects of the applied virus and the expected epizootic of the gypsy moth specialist fungal entomopathogen Entomophaga maimaiga Humber, Shimazu, and Soper. Heavy rainfall in May and June preceded a massive epizootic of E. maimaiga, whose effects did not mask the first wave of viral mortality. When the effect of application sequence was considered, it was concluded that the two strains were equivalent in their first-wave impacts. High fungal-induced mid and late-season gypsy moth larval mortality suppressed the second wave of virus at all evaluation sites. There were no obvious differences in the second waves engendered by the two LdNPV strains in the greatly reduced late-instar larval population.


1999 ◽  
Vol 15 (5) ◽  
pp. 589-602 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vidya R. Athreya

Strangler fig density varied considerably in the evergreen forest of Karian Shola National Park, southern India, with 11 individuals ha−1 in an open trail area and 5.6 individuals ha−1 within the primary forest area. The index of light level was assessed by estimating the percentage of upper canopy cover along the longitudinal centre of ten, 500-m × 20-m plots in each of the two areas of the evergreen forest. However, the increase in strangler fig density was not correlated to light levels but was significantly correlated to the numbers of their main host species in the two areas. In Karian Shola National Park, strangler figs occurred predominantly on a few host species with 20 and 50% of strangler figs growing on Vitex altissima, Diospyros bourdilloni and Eugenia/Syzygium spp. in the primary forest and trail areas respectively. Both young and established strangler figs were recorded mainly on larger individuals of their host trees indicating that older host trees are likely to be more suitable for the germination and establishment of strangler figs. The reason for the above could be the higher incidence of humus-filled and decaying regions in the older host trees which would provide an assured supply of nutrients for the establishing strangler fig.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
A Taylor ◽  
A Saldaña ◽  
G Zotz ◽  
C Kirby ◽  
I Díaz ◽  
...  

Ecological networks are becoming increasingly used as a framework to study epiphyte–host interactions. However, efforts to quantify the properties of epiphyte–host networks have produced inconsistent results. Epiphyte–host interactions in New Zealand and Chilean temperate forests were quantified to test for non-random patterns in nestedness, negative co-occurrences, number of links, and network specialisation. Results showed that three out of five New Zealand networks were significantly more nested than null model expectations, compared with just one out of four Chilean networks. Epiphytes co-occurred more often than null model expectations in one New Zealand network and one in Chile. In all cases, the number of links maintained by each epiphyte and host species was consistent with null model expectations. Lastly, two New Zealand networks and one in southern Chile were significantly less specialised than null model expectations, with all remaining networks returning low specialisation scores. As such, aside from the tendency for greater nestedness in New Zealand networks, most epiphyte species were distributed on their host trees at random. We attribute the result of nestedness in New Zealand to the abundance of large nest epiphytes (Astelia spp. in particular), which may facilitate the sequential colonisation of epiphyte species on developing host trees. The lack of negative co-occurrences suggests that negative species interactions are not an important determinant of species assemblage structure. Low network specialisation scores suggest that epiphytes are selecting for specific host traits, rather than specific host species for colonisation.


1997 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 135-140 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kevin W. Thorpe ◽  
Richard L. Ridgway ◽  
Ralph E. Webb

Abstract Aerial applications of Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner subsp. kurstaki (74.1 billion international units/ha per application; single and double applications), diflubenzuron [69 g (ai)/ha], and no treatment were evaluated. Treatment effects were estimated from frass collections, defoliation, counts of pupae under burlap, and egg-mass counts. Estimates of larval density in the canopy 20 days after treatment ranged from 318.3 to 55.5 larvae per m² in the control- and diflubenzuron-treated plots, respectively. Larval density was reduced in all treatments, and was lowest in the plots treated with diflubenzuron and two applications of B. thuringiensis. Population density rapidly declined in the control plots, and by June 20, when larvae were predominantly in the fifth and sixth instars, no significant differences in larval density were detected among the treatments. Significantly less defoliation occurred to oak trees in the treated plots, but no differences were detected among the spray treatments. Counts of pupae under burlap, postseason egg-mass counts, and percent reduction in egg-mass density did not differ significantly among treatments or versus controls. These results suggest that diflubenzuron and double B. thuringiensis treatments caused higher levels of larval mortality than occurred with a single B. thuringiensis application, but that with a naturally declining gypsy moth population the final levels of damage were the same under all treatments. North. J. Appl. 14(3):135-140.


2019 ◽  
Vol 113 (2) ◽  
pp. 832-838
Author(s):  
Lixiang Wang ◽  
Chunchun Li ◽  
Juan Shi ◽  
Chengcheng Li ◽  
Jiale Li ◽  
...  

Abstract The woodwasp, Sirex noctilio Fabricius, is an exotic pest of Pinus L. in the southern hemisphere and North America, and it is an emerging threat in northeastern China. Adult woodwasps have numerous insect competitors for oviposition substrates, and developing larvae must compete for resources with other subcortical invaders. Its mutualistic fungus Amylostereum areolatum (Fr.) Boidon, is less competitive than many other fungal colonists present in pine ecosystems. This study investigated the effects of incidental, host-colonizing fungi on the growth and development of woodwasp larvae and A. areolatum. Fungi were isolated from dead S. noctilio larvae within galleries (primarily Trichoderma Pers, Ophiostoma Sydow, and Sphaeropsis Sacc.), and effects of these fungi on woodwasp brood survival were investigated via inoculations of S. noctilio-infested logs. Larval mortality was significantly increased in sample logs inoculated with Ophiostoma minus (Hedgc.) Sydow Phlebiopsis gigantea (Fr.) Jülich, Trichoderma atroviride Bissett, Trichoderma viride Pers, and Trichoderma harzianum Rifai. Inoculation of logs with O. minus resulted in the highest mortality and greatest reductions in wood moisture content. When grown on artificial media, these fungi grew faster than and inhibited growth of A. areolatum mycelium. We propose that the adverse effects of incidental fungi on the survival of S. noctilio larvae may be caused at least in part by an indirect mechanism involving inhibition of the fungal symbiont. The findings provide potentially valuable information for suppressing S. noctilio populations using microbial control agents.


1967 ◽  
Vol 99 (11) ◽  
pp. 1145-1149 ◽  
Author(s):  
David E. Leonard

AbstractAfter feeding, gypsy moth larvae construct a silk mat (resting mat) on which they remain. Prior to molting, this mat is reinforced, or a new, dense mat is constructed (molting mat). Late in the last larval instar, a sparse cocoon is constructed. When larvae are starved, a shift in behavior is noted, with increased locomotion, irritability, and the trailing of a strand of silk as larvae wander. First-instar larvae, quiescent and anchored on resting mats, are not readily induced to spin down on silk threads; hence are not readily dispersed by wind. Hungry first-instar larvae, more apt to be spinning down, are presumed to be more readily dispersed by wind. Larvae which undergo an additional instar have a longer prefeeding phase and might be more readily dispersed than "normal' larvae. The effects of hunger may also cause the shift in diel periodicity of mid- and late-instar larvae, resulting in some dispersal of these larvae away from areas where food will be depleted.


1993 ◽  
Vol 125 (4) ◽  
pp. 749-759 ◽  
Author(s):  
F.W. Quednau

AbstractLaboratory observations on the biology of Ceranthia samarensis (Villeneuve), a tachinid parasitoid of the gypsy moth, were carried out in the laboratory at 22 °C day/15 °C night, 85–90% RH, and a 12L:12D photoperiod. Older (5–6 days post-eclosion) males mated readily with newly emerged females. Mating success was 60%. The gestation period of the mated females was 10–12 days. Laboratory-reared (on diet) second- and third-instar gypsy moth larvae feeding on newly grown foliage of Quercus rubra L. were exposed to gravid females of the parasitoid. Ceranthia samarensis ovolarviposited on the body of the host. The first-instar larva penetrated the host cuticle and developed internally, forming a respiratory funnel that caused a dark circular scar on the lateral side of the caterpillar. The average number of progeny (puparia) produced over the lifetime of a C. samarensis female was 55.0 ± 5.0 (SE) and average longevity was 4.1 ± 1.7 (SE) days. Diapause of the puparia was facultative and induced by temperatures below 20 °C combined with a 12L:12D photoperiod. In nondiapause individuals, total generation time was 22–40 days. To obtain diapause insects, puparia were stored for2monthsat 15 °C, 100% RH, and 12L:12D photoperiod for development of pharate adults. Cold storage at 2–4 °C and 100% RH for at least 5 months was required to obtain up to 75% eclosion after 5–9 days the following year.


1999 ◽  
Vol 29 (9) ◽  
pp. 1365-1373 ◽  
Author(s):  
R M Muzika ◽  
A M Liebhold

Ring widths from 1458 trees from Massachusetts, New York, and New Jersey were measured to determine the influence of gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar L.) defoliation on both hosts (primarily oaks (Quercus spp.)) and nonhosts. Previous year's defoliation negatively influenced radial increment in all oak species. Defoliation also negatively affected radial growth of pitch pine (Pinus rigida Mill.), an intermediate host. There was little or no effect of defoliation on increment of trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx.) and bigtooth aspen (Populus grandidentata Michx.), but both are preferred hosts. Defoliation of host trees in mixed stands resulted in increased increment in the nonhosts tulip-tree (Liriodendron tulipifera L.) and ash (Fraxinus spp.) in the year following defoliation. The effect of defoliation was also evident in the relative production of earlywood and latewood with a pronounced dominance of earlywood production in host trees during the same year as defoliation and often in the following year.


1991 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 49-57 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robin J. Toy

ABSTRACTNanophyes shoreae is a pre-dispersal fruit-predator of several species of Dipterocarpaceae. The timing of oviposition of this weevil was monitored in six trees in Pasoh Forest Reserve, West Malaysia from September 1986 to February 1987. A flowering event occurred during this period. Oviposition started within 12 days after peak anthesis, and continued within any one tree for 11–39 days. Host trees of N. shoreae flowered over a 75 day period. Intra-specific flowering synchrony was high but different species flowered sequentially. The behaviour of N. shoreae and the period of the oviposition ‘window’ strongly suggest that this pre-dispersal fruit-predator ‘tracks’ the sequence of flowering shown by its host species. The implications for predator satiation through mass-flowering of the Dipterocarpaceae are discussed.


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