Adult Female Activity Research Articles

Population Dynamics of Fiorinia Date Scale, Fiorinia phoenicis (Hemiptera: Diaspididae) on Date Palm Variety, Barhyin Sharkyia Governorate, Egypt.

The present study was carried out throughout two successive years (2013–2014) in Sharkyia Governorate to determine the seasonal activity of fiorinia date scale, Fiorinia phoenicis Balachowsky (Hemiptera: Diaspididae) on date palm variety Barhy. The obtained results showed that, both nymphal and adult stages have three periods of seasonal activity per year. The periods of nymphal activity peaked in mid June, mid September and mid November in both years, respectively. On the other hand the periods of adult female activity were in early June and early September for first and second generations but it was in mid November and early October for the third generation, respectively. The duration of seasonal activity for both nymphal and adult stages was affected significantly with the tested weather factors (daily mean temperatures and % RH). The combined effect of the tested weather factors on the population activity ranged 71.2& 63.4% in the 1st period of activity and 59.9& 69.7% in the 2nd one, while ranged 70.2 & 58.9% in the 3rd period for the 2 years, respectively.

Meteorological indicators for Amblyomma cajennense and population dynamics in the Tamaulipan Biotic Province in Texas

We studied the population dynamics of free-living ticks in the Tamaulipan Biotic Province in south Texas from March, 2005 to November, 2008. We collected 70,873 ticks using carbon dioxide traps. Amblyomma cajennense represented 93.6% of the ticks identified. A. cajennense is distributed from northern Argentina to south Texas in the Tamaulipan Biotic Province. Emergence of larval A. cajennense ticks was observed two to five weeks after significant rain events (p<0.0001) and had a strong negative correlation with temperature (p<0.0001). More larvae were observed under humid conditions (p<0.05). Fewer larvae were observed during windy and warmer conditions (p<0.05). This observation indicates high sensitivity of larvae to desiccating conditions. Peaks in nymphal activity were observed after peaks of larval emergence. Activity of nymphs was negatively correlated with temperature (p<0.05). Adult activity was negatively correlated with humidity (p<0.05) and negatively correlated with total rain from three to six weeks prior to observation (p<0.05). Adult A. cajennense are particularly tolerant to drier conditions relative to other closely related ticks. Adult female activity was positively correlated with temperature (p<0.05). Peaks in rain activity and a summer behavioral diapause appear to be the dominant factors controlling emergence of larvae, and by extension, the life cycle of A. cajennense in the Tamaulipan Biotic Province.

X‐ray computerized tomography as a new method for monitoring Amegilla holmesi nest structures, nesting behaviour, and adult female activity

AbstractNest structures of the Australian blue‐banded bee, Amegilla holmesi Rayment (Hymenoptera: Apidae), are difficult to monitor non‐invasively, because the bee is a fossorial species that constructs tunnels and natal cells within the soil. Visualization of nest structures requires physical separation of the structures from the soil substrate, which destroys the nest. Using helical, two‐dimensional (2D) X‐ray computerized tomography (CT), and three–dimensional (3D) volume rendering software on 13 artificial mud‐brick nests, we were able to view all previously reported nest structures and cell contents without damaging the nests. We used three volume rendering algorithms (sum along ray, scatter HQ, and false colour), two of which (scatter HQ and false colour) have not previously been used to visualize nest architecture. Each algorithm has a particular advantage for visualizing specific nest structures. The 2D CT images provided the greatest spatial resolution within and between nest structures (capture pixel matrix size 512 × 512; voxel size 0.449 mm3), and for the first time we were able to visualize a meniscus within natal cells that contained liquid provisions, which is a valuable characteristic in detecting the earliest stage of juvenile development once a natal cell is sealed. We also recorded and attributed Hounsfield units to nest structures and their contents that can be utilized in future studies. This new method also enabled us to count and measure natal cells using on‐screen linear callipers, visually observe and record stages of larval and pupal development, and visually gauge the incidence of cell parasitism without damaging the nest. Artificial nests can be transported easily to research facilities that have CT scanners; each scan including image processing takes less than 30 min per nest and currently costs less than AUD 20.00, which is within the reach of apiculturists. X‐ray CT could be used to follow the life cycle of blue‐banded bees and other cryptic species and also to monitor their health.

FORAGING STRATEGIES OF ERIOPHORA EDAX (ARANEAE, ARANEIDAE): A NOCTURNAL ORB-WEAVING SPIDER

Abstract Studies on the ecology of orb spiders have focused on diurnal spiders, especially field studies. Nocturnal spiders, however, face different conditions due to the type of prey found at night. A field study was conducted to observe the activity of adult females of Eriophora edax in their natural environment, and to analyze their predation efficiency and web retention properties. Most of the spiders were observed around sunset, which suggests that E. edax tends to build webs in the early evening. In order to evaluate the predation efficiency of E. edax we compared its behavior and web retention properties with the behavior of a diurnal orb-weaving spider, Verrucosa arenata. Two prey types, a diurnal Hymenoptera and a nocturnal Lepidoptera, were selected and presented to the spiders, to record approach time and prey capture time. The results showed that E. edax spent more time to capture Hymenoptera than to capture Lepidoptera. During the experiments of web prey retention time, Hymenoptera consistent...

Prey-food types of Neoseiulus fallacis (Acari:Phytoseiidae) and literature versus experimentally derived prey-food estimates for five phytoseiid species

The ability of Neoseiulus fallacis (Garman) to survive, reproduce and develop on a range of prey-food types was studied by holding adult females with each of 27 different prey-foods for 7 days. Survival and activity of adult females, eggs produced per female per day and quantity of immatures produced per female per day were estimated. Survival, reproduction and development were the highest and activity the lowest when held with Tetranychus species. Reproduction, survival and development were lower on non-tetranychid food although examples from nearly all prey-food types provided higher measured values than when without food. Proportional reproduction of N. fallacis on Tetranychus spider mites, other spider mites, eriophyid mites, other mites, insects and pollen was calculated. Proportions then were compared to values derived from a prey-food model based on the frequency of literature citations. The overall fit between data sets was good for the specialist type II species N. fallacis. Reproductive proportions for experimentally derived and literature-based data were estimated for four other phytoseiids that represent the specialist and generalist life style types I–IV: Phytoseiulus persimilis A. H., Typhlodromus pyri Scheuten, Euseius finlandicus (Oudemans) and Euseius hibisci (Chant). The literature model, based on records of feeding tests, did well in predicting feeding preference based on ovipositional rates for the specialist type I, P. persimilis, but was less accurate for the generalist type III, T. pyri and the generalists type IV, E. finlandicus and E. hibisci. Means to improve prey-food preference estimates for all life style types of phytoseiid species are discussed.

Rearing Density EfiFects on Pupal Weight, Wing Width, Development, and Female Adult Activity of the Fall Armyworm (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Studies of the fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith), were undertaken to determine if a high larval rearing density produces premigrant traits, and if these traits can be used to separate nonpremigrant from premigrant individuals. An increase in larval rearing density significantly decreased pupal weight and forewing width in three out of five experiments. Developmental time was not a definitive factor for separating nonpremigrant from premigrant individuals. Activity of adult females was not affected significantly by rearing density. Putative morphological premigrant traits were produced by increasing the rearing density, but developmental and behavioral premigrant traits and behaviors were not. The results of these studies put the existence of a density-dependent premigrant phase in the fall armyworm in question.

Vernal behaviour of the yellow-bellied marmot ( Marmota flaviventris)

Reproductive and agonistic behaviour were studied in the first 5 weeks post-hibernation. A single male, 5 adult females and one yearling female formed the colony during the first 2 weeks when reproductive behaviour occurred. Three adult females and a second yearling female joined the colony in the third and fourth weeks. The male evidenced a decline in reproductive behaviour throughout the 5 weeks. All adults were agonistic to yearlings. The yearlings did not evidence reproductive behaviour. The rate of agonistic behaviour per female per hour was highest during the fourth week when parturition probably occurred. There was a significant positive correlation between activity of adult females and rate of agonistic behaviour and between activity of all females and per cent, of submissive responses. Older animals had a power percentage of submissive responses than younger animals. Agonistic behaviour occurred between nearest neighbours. During the vernal period, females moved from being concentrated in the centre of the colony to being more widely dispersed. The dispersal was associated with changes in home ranges and with the avoidance of dominant animals by subordinate animals. Subordinate animals failed to raise litters.

THE EFFECT OF EARLY GONADECTOMY ON THE GROSS BODY ACTIVITY OF RATS

The relation between the normal level of spontaneous activity in rats and the function of the sex glands has been demonstrated in several experiments. Wang (’23) found the running activity of adult females in revolving drums to be reduced as much as 95 per cent by removal of the ovaries. Hoskins (’25) found that removal of the testes in adult males had a similar depressive effect. In keeping with these observations made on adults, it was found further that rats spayed or castrated before puberty, from 28–40 days of age, showed a constant low level of activity throughout life which averaged less than 2,000 revolutions per day. (Wang, Richter and Guttmacher, ’25; Richter and Wislocki, ’28.) That the sluggishness of these gonadectomized animals was due to the absence of the sex glands was demonstrated by replacement therapy which consisted of the implantation of the sex glands or the injection of their extracts. Successful implantation of ovaries into rats castrated or spayed before puberty caused an increas...