Aporia Crataegi Research Articles

The last days of Aporia crataegi (L.) in Britain: Evaluating genomic erosion in an extirpated butterfly.

Current rates of habitat degradation and climate change are causing unprecedented declines in global biodiversity. Studies on vertebrates highlight how conservation genomics can be effective in identifying and managing threatened populations, but it is unclear how vertebrate-derived metrics of genomic erosion translate to invertebrates, with their markedly different population sizes and life histories. The Black-veined White butterfly (Aporia crataegi) was extirpated from Britain in the 1920s. Here, we sequenced historical DNA from 17 specimens collected between 1854 and 1924 to reconstruct demography and compare levels of genomic erosion between extirpated British and extant European mainland populations. We contrast these results using modern samples of the Common Blue butterfly (Polyommatus icarus); a species with relatively stable demographic trends in Great Britain. We provide evidence for bottlenecks in both these species around the period of post-glacial colonization of the British Isles. Our results reveal different demographic histories and Ne for both species, consistent with their fates in Britain, likely driven by differences in life history, ecology and genome size. Despite a difference, by an order of magnitude, in historical effective population sizes (Ne), reduction in genome-wide heterozygosity in A. crataegi was comparable to that in P. icarus. Symptomatic of A. crataegi's disappearance were marked increases in runs-of-homozygosity (RoH), potentially indicative of recent inbreeding, and accumulation of putatively mildly and weakly deleterious variants. Our results provide a rare glimpse of genomic erosion in a regionally extinct insect and support the potential use of genomic erosion metrics in identifying invertebrate populations or species in decline.

Testing of arctic insect hemolymph as a secondary agent in applied cryopreservation

BACKGROUND: Cold hardiness of insects from extremely cold regions is based on a principle of natural cryoprotection, which is associated with physiological mechanisms provided by cryoprotectants. OBJECTIVE: Since arctic cold-hardy insects are producers of highly effective cryoprotectants, in this study, the hemolymph of Aporia crataegi L. and Upis ceramboides L. from an extremely cold area (Yakutia) was tested as a secondary component of cryoprotective agents (CPA) for cryopreservation (−80°C) of human peripheral blood lymphocytes and skin fibroblasts. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Lymphocytes and skin fibroblasts were treated with various combinations of DMSO and hemolymph extract and step-wise cooled to −80°C. Post-cryopreservation cell viability was assessed by vital staining and morphological appearance. RESULTS: Viability was higher when cells were frozen with a mixture containing DMSO and Upis ceramboides hemolymph compared to the cells frozen in DMSO, while cells frozen with DMSO and Aporia crataegi hemolymph did not survive. The fact that hemolymph of not every cold-resistant insect can be used as a secondary agent along with DMSO indicates that only a unique combination of hemolymph components and its compatibility with cells might result in a positive effect. CONCLUSION: Although the use of insect hemolymph as a complementary agent in applied cryopreservation is a problem in terms of practical application, such studies could initiate new trends in the search for the most successful hemolymph-like cryoprotectant systems.

On the Weather Factors which Cause Outbreaks of Foliophagous Insects (on the Example of Black-veined White Aporia crataegi (L.) (Lepidoptera, Pieridae) in the Urals

On the example of the outbreak foci of black-veined white, that sprung up in the Urals in 2020, is shown how outbreak foci of the pest begin to develop. Besides in the article for the fi rst time the method of quantitative assessment of average span time during which occur formation of the outbreak foci of black-veined white and pine looper Bupalus piniarius (L.) is described. It is shown that outbreak foci of the both species come into being during interval of time no more than 1 hour. Average data of the black-veined white and pine looper outbreak foci formation in the south of Sverdlovsk region are 13 and 14 June accordingly.

Studies on Potential Pests of Japanese Quince (Chaenomeles japonica (Thunb.) Lindl. ex Spach) in Latvia

Abstract The objective of this research was to study potential pests of Japanese quince (Chaenomeles japonica) plantations in Latvia. Studies were carried out in eight plantations during 2017–2019. Major pests that would regularly cause significant yield losses for this plant were not observed. Black-veined white (Aporia crataegi) was considered a local pest, mass outbreaks of which can occur in individual plantations and cause significant losses of plant foliage. Four species were considered minor pests: garden chafer (Phyllopertha horticola), yellow-banded weevil (Chlorophanus viridis), silver-green weevil (Phyllobius argentatus) and copse snail (Arianta arbustorum); they are also pests of plant foliage. The European red spider mite (Panonychus ulmi) was not considered as a pest of Japanese quince. A small population was observed in summers only in one plantation, which was located next to a heavily infested orchard. Overwintering eggs were not found on the plants in any year, and we concluded that the species was an accidental immigrant in this plantation. No aphid (Aphididae) colonies were observed on the quince plants. Monitoring and evaluation of potential harmfulness of four tortrix moths – large fruit-tree tortrix (Archips podana), rose tortrix (Archips rosana), codling moth (Cydia pomonella) and holly tortrix (Rhopobota naevana) – was done. It was concluded that rose tortrix is a minor fruit pest, but the other three species were not yet considered pests of Japanese quince. Significant pests of quince flowers and fruits were not detected in our study.

PROPOZYCJA MONITORINGU NIESTRZĘPA GŁOGOWCA APORIA CRATAEGI (LINNAEUS, 1758)

The Aporia crataegi (Linnaeus, 1758) is a large butterfly of the Pieridae family. Its range extends from northwest Africa in the west to the Transcaucasia and across the Palearctic to Siberia and Japan in the east. In the south, it occurs in Turkey, Cyprus, Israel, Lebanon and Syria, while it is not found in northern Scandinavia and is extinct in the British Isles. Although it is a fairly widespread species, its biology and population size are still poorly understood. In Poland, a decrease in its number was observed. Due to the lack of developed monitoring methods for the Aporia crataegi, the paper proposes an example of how to conduct such research. The main goal is to estimate the size of the species population and to assess the quality of the habitats it occupies. The research methodology is based on the counting of caterpillar nests on the designated transects and on the assessment of the quality of the habitat according to the indicated indicators. Such studies can provide valuable data on the species habitat requirements, as well as information on potential threats affecting the population, which could be used to implement appropriate conservation methods.

The genome sequence of the black-veined white butterfly, Aporia crataegi (Linnaeus, 1758)

We present a genome assembly from an individual male Aporia crataegi (the black-veined white; Arthropoda; Insecta; Lepidoptera; Pieridae). The genome sequence is 230 megabases in span. The complete assembly is scaffolded into 26 chromosomal pseudomolecules, with the Z sex chromosome assembled. Gene annotation of this assembly on Ensembl has identified 10,860 protein coding genes.

Aporia crataegi (black-veined white)

Aporia crataegi (black-veined white)

Wing Venation Abnormalities in the Black-Veined White Aporia crataegi L. (Lepidoptera, Pieridae): Insight in Terms of Modern Phenetics

Wing Venation Abnormalities in the Black-Veined White Aporia crataegi L. (Lepidoptera, Pieridae): Insight in Terms of Modern Phenetics

Changes in the body size of black-veined white, Aporia crataegi (Lepidoptera: Pieridae), recorded in a natural population in response to different spring weather conditions and at different phases of an outbreak

Changes in body size in response to environmental factors (especially temperature) is one of the crucial traits studied in connection with insect adaptation to climate change. However, current data on the strength and direction of temperature-size responses in Lepidoptera are inconsistent and the reasons for this are unclear. This study investigates the relationship between the adult size of Aporia crataegi L. (Lepidoptera: Pieridae) and spring weather conditions (temperature and rainfall) at different phases in its outbreak cycle (low population density or high abundance). The forewing area of A. crataegi, a univoltine and irruptive Lepidopteran species, was used as a proxy for overall body size. It was found that temperature in the last month before imago emergence (May) and temperature in the larval growth period following overwintering (April) had differing effects on imago size. The fact that the wing size of both male and female A. crataegi increased following higher temperatures in May corresponds with the converse temperature-size rule and is consistent with the predictions of life history theory for univoltine species. Conversely, while imago size decreased following higher temperatures in April, increased rainfall had a slightly positive effect on imago size. The wings of A. crataegi at the peak of abundance were larger than when sampled during periods of low population density, contradicting available data on changes in the body weight of A. crataegi recorded during outbreaks.

Is Aporia crataegi unsuitable host of Wolbachia symbionts?

The Black-veined White Aporia crataegi (Lepidoptera: Pieridae) is a trans-Palearctic species causing damage to various fruit and berry crops. Here we analyzed Wolbachia infection in A. crataegi populations. Wolbachia bacteria are maternally transmitted intracellular symbionts of many arthropods, including numerous Lepidoptera. We have studied 376 samples of A. crataegi collected in 10 regions of Russia from the Far East to Kaliningrad. Wolbachia prevalence was very low; only eight Wolbachia-positive specimens of A. crataegi were detected in Yakutia, Republic of Buryatia, Sverdlovsk and Kaliningrad Provinces, and no infection was found in other localities. Two Wolbachia haplotypes, ST-19 and ST-109, from A and B supergroups respectively, were identified using the multilocus sequence typing (MLST) protocol. These haplotypes were also previously reported in different lepidopteran species. Both Wolbachia haplotypes were associated with the same mtDNA haplotype (as inferred from the cytochrome oxidase subunit I gene) of A. crataegi, and ST-19 with two mtDNA haplotypes. This incongruence of maternally inherited agents indicates independent cases of the bacteria acquisition in A. crataegi history. The above data suggest that Wolbachia can infect Aporia crataegi but cannot establish in the host populations.

Long-distance dispersal of migrant butterflies to the Arctic Ocean islands, with a record of Nymphalis xanthomelas at the northern edge of Novaya Zemlya (76.95°N)

Although migrant butterflies are rare (or sporadically seen) guests on the Arctic Ocean islands, there is a slowly growing dataset on repeated occurrences of these insects in insular tundra and polar deserts. Altogether six long-distance migrant butterfly species were found to cross wide marine barriers north of the Arctic Circle (66.56°N), i.e.Vanessa atalanta,V. cardui,Nymphalis antiopa,N. xanthomelas,Aporia crataegi, andPieris napi. Migrant individuals ofV. carduidiscovered on Svalbard (up to 78.27°N in 1978) reflect the farthest dispersal event of butterflies to the Arctic ever reported. Our record ofN. xanthomelasat the northern margin of Novaya Zemlya (76.95°N) represents the northernmost finding of this species globally, reflecting the world’s second farthest record of northern poleward immigration of butterflies. This occurrence coincides with an exceptionally warm summer season, when the third highest July and second highest August air temperature occurred (since global records began in 1880). Furthermore, the immigration into Novaya Zemlya coincides with a population explosion and massive expansion ofN. xanthomelasin Siberia in 2019–2020. Our air current reconstructions indicate that this species most likely immigrated into Novaya Zemlya from mainland regions situated south-southeast (Polar Urals, Yugorsky Peninsula, and western Yamal) and east (Taymyr) of the archipelago. Overall, our findings reveal that long-distance dispersal events of butterflies to the Arctic islands are always linked to massive expansions of the corresponding species in mainland areas.

Effect of Host Plants on the Viability of Black-veined White Aporia crataegi L. at Low Natural Population Density

Patterns of interaction of an oligophagous insect, black-veined white Aporia crataegi L., with host plants in years with a low density of its natural population are analyzed. In years with low A. crataegi population abundance in the south of Sverdlovsk region (Sysertsky district), the species composition of caterpillar host plants gradually decreases from several woody rosaceous species of the genera Padus, Sorbus, Malus, and Crataegus to one species (Padus avium Mill.). It is shown that the mortality rate is higher for fifth-instar caterpillars developing on mountain ash than for those developing on bird cherry. Adult A. crataegi developing on bird cherry are not only larger but also grow faster than those developing on mountain ash, which may be an additional factor responsible for the observed chronographic variation during the emergence of A. crataegi generation in nature.

Next generation sequencing-aided comprehensive geographic coverage sheds light on the status of rare and extinct populations of\xa0Aporia\xa0butterflies (Lepidoptera: Pieridae)

The Black-veined White Aporia crataegi (Linnaeus, 1758), a common and widespread butterfly ranging from northwestern Africa to Europe and Asia, has been extinct in Britain since the 1920s and is on a steady decline in several other parts of its range. In order to investigate genetic diversity within A. crataegi and its correspondence with current subspecies-level taxonomy, we barcoded 173 specimens from across its range including, for the first time, extinct populations from Britain and Korea. Using next generation sequencing we also obtained a sequence for Aporia joubini, a peculiar taxon from China known only by its type specimen collected in the early twentieth century. Our phylogenetic analysis placed A. joubini sister to A. oberthuri, although further taxon sampling may reveal a different scheme. Within A. crataegi, we observed a shallow and weak mitogenomic structure with only a few distinct lineages in North Africa, Sicily, Iran, and Japan. Eurasian populations, including those extinct in Britain and Korea, clustered into a large set of closely allied lineages, consistent with a recent expansion during the Late Pleistocene glacial period. This study highlights the importance of museum collections and the unique opportunities they provide in documenting species diversity and helping conservation efforts.

Population genetic characterization of the black-veined white, Aporia crataegi (Lepidoptera: Pieridae), using novel microsatellite markers and mitochondrial DNA gene sequences

The black-veined white, Aporia crataegi (Lepidoptera: Pieridae), is distributed from northwest Africa throughout most of Europe and temperate Asia to far eastern Russia and Japan and is presumed to be extinct in South Korea, with only a few dried specimens remaining. A common conservation practice for such near-extinct species is the launch of an introduction program, but prior genetic analysis of donor and donee populations may be essential for the success of such a program. In the present study, we investigated the genetic diversity and the relationships of A. crataegi populations from South Korea and nearby Asian countries, using 11 newly developed A. crataegi-specific microsatellite markers and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) sequences from two genes (a total of 1317 bp from COI and CytB). mtDNA-based analyses, using a total of 115 individuals collected from China, Russia, Mongolia, and Japan and museum specimens from South Korea consistently showed long-held, close genetic relationships between A. crataegi populations from Mongolia, China, and Russia and those from South Korea, with the highest diversity detected in the Mongolian population. Principal coordinate analyses and STRUCTURE analyses, based on microsatellite markers, also suggested that A. crataegi from South Korea had a similar gene pool to populations from China, Mongolia, and Russia, with a similar degree of genetic diversity among these populations. Taken together, the mtDNA and microsatellite data suggest that the northern populations, particularly those from Mongolia, can be considered the most suitable population as an immediate donor for the near-extinct South Korean population of A. crataegi.

Susceptibility of different species of lepidoptera insects to strain Bacillus thuringiensis ssp. aizawai

The results of assessing the effect of Bacillus thuringiensis ssp. aizawai strain on fi ve species of lepidopteran pests (Lepidoptera) belonging to different families are presented. The mortality of larvae infected with B. thuringiensis strain varied signifi cantly depending on the species of insect. In four species: the cabbage white butterfl y (Pieris brassicae L.), the cabbage moth (Mamestra brassicae L.), the greater wax moth (Galleria melonella L.) and the black-veined white (Aporia crataegi L.), death of individuals was noted on the second day of the experiment. However, mortality rate was signifi cantly different between species and increased over time. The diamondback moth (Plutella xylostella L.) was more susceptible to the pathogen. Signifi cant mortality of the larvae of this phytophage was observed already on the fi rst day after infection; while on the second day of the experiment all individuals died. Lethal time LT90 of more resistant species (black-veined white) and more sensitive ones (diamondback moth) differed sevenfold. Semi-lethal concentrations of B. thuringiensis strain for the tested insect species were determined: on the third day of the experiment, lethal concentration LC50 for the cabbage moth larvae, the greater wax moth and blackveined white ranged from 1.7 to 4.5 × 108 spores/ ml. For the cabbage white butterfl y, it was much lower (1.8×107 spores/ml). For diamondback moth caterpillars, LC50 was 4.25×107 spores/ml already one day after infection. It was noted that the specifi city of B. thuringiensis strain is associated with various mechanisms of insect protection from pathogens, and is due to individual characteristics of the species. In particular, the pH of excrement of intact caterpillars of the cabbage white butterfl y, a species sensitive to B. thuringiensis, was 2 times higher than that of caterpillars of the greater wax moth – 8.9 and 4.3, respectively, which is one of the reasons for the susceptibility (or resistance) of the species to bacterial entomopathogen.

К фауне булавоусых чешуекрылых (Lepidoptera, Papilionoformes) особо охраняемых природных территорий Ленского района (Юго-Западная Якутия)

Five specially protected natural territories have been created to preserve the biological resources of Lensky District in the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) from the increasing impact of the oil and gas industry. The article presents the results of research on the fauna of butterflies in these territories from 1999 to 2018. Over the time period, 83 species from six families were registered. The research made it possible to evaluate species diversity for each reserve. As a result, common (Aporia crataegi, Colias palaeno, Plebeius argus, P. argyrognomon, Argiades optilete, Cyaniris semiargus, Neptis rivularis, Brenthis ino, Lopinga deidаmia), rare (Ochlodes sylvanus, O. venata, Fixsenia pruni, Neptis sappho, Clossiana titania, Boloria aquilonaris banghaasi, Lasiommata petropolitana, Lopinga achine, Erebia jeniseiensis, E. ligea), and protected (Parnassius eversmanni, Colias hecla viluensis, Phengaris teleius, Neptis sappho, Lasiommata petropolitana) species were revealed.

Behavior and oviposition preferences of a black-veined white, Aporia crataegi (Lepidoptera: Pieridae)

We studied the behavior and oviposition preferences in Aporia crataegi. The study was conducted in a network of dry karst meadows with hedgerows consisted mainly of host plants (Crataegus monogyna; Prunus spinosa, Prunus mahaleb, Rosa sp.) between them. We recorded 15 different behaviours that we divided into six categories: (1) behaviours connected to flight (9 different behaviors), resting (2 behaviors); and (3) feeding, (4) courtship, (5) copula and (6) oviposition with one behaviour each. Males proved to spend most of their time on wings patrolling, while females were more sedentary, but still actively flying and searching for nectar sources and oviposition sites. Differences in behaviour between the sexes were less prominent during the morning but increased during the midday and afternoon, as the males became more active but females were resting and feeding more, probably after searching for host plants and egg-laying earlier in the day. Most commonly, C. monogyna was chosen for oviposition by females, but we found a single oviposition site on P. mahaleb as well. Females lay their eggs in clusters of an average size (AVG±SD/SE) of 34.4±12.8/2.05 eggs, and from a single to up to seven oviposition sites were recorded per host plant. Since the number of eggs in each recorded plant with four or more oviposition sites exceeded an upper limit of eggs laid by a single female reported in literature, females either can lay more eggs or more than one female chose the same host plant. Occupied host plants had similar characteristics as the ones occupied with larvae; females preferably choose smaller shrubs, exposed to the sun with a high percentage (>50%) of a leaf litter coverage underneath them.

Variation in Morphophysiological Traits of Male and Female Aporia crataegi L. (Lepidoptera: Pieridae) Depending on the Timing of Adult Emergence

The correlation between the timing of adult emergence and variation in morphophysiological parameters of males and females has been analyzed in the black-veined white Aporia crataegi L. In 2013 to 2015, black-veined white butterflies were collected from a natural population in the south of Sverdlovsk oblast throughout the emergence period; at the same time, adult insects were reared from pupae in individual cages. Comparison of the field observations in nature and the results of rearing preimaginal stages has shown that the largest adults are the first to emerge, while the smallest are the last to emerge. This pattern holds true both for the parameters varying throughout the adult insect life (body weight and relative abdomen weight) and for the permanent characteristic of the “structural” size (wing area). The influence of protandry and food availability to caterpillars on the variation in the size of adult A. crataegi during the period of generation emergence is discussed.

Movement, demography and behaviour of a highly mobile species: A case study of the black-veined white, Aporia crataegi (Lepidoptera: Pieridae)

We studied the demography, movement, behaviour and choice of nectar plants by adults of Aporia crataegi. This study was done in a dense network of different types of habitats (total size of study area 16.26 ha) from open landscape to shrubland, the latter being a result of abandonment of traditional agricultural practices such as extensive mowing and grazing. Total population size was estimated to be approximately 1700 and 2700 for females and males, respectively. Median and maximum distances moved by males were 134 and 3493 m, and by females 138 and 3165 m, respectively. The average lifespan was ca. 7.1 and 7.5 days, with maximum recorded lifespans of 21 and 17 days for males and females, respectively. The greater capture probability recorded for males indicates their high activity, as they spend most of their time in flight patrolling and searching for mates. A parabolic recruitment curve and protandry were also recorded. Both sexes are highly mobile. The spatial distribution of both sexes was roughly similar. The adult behaviour differed in different habitats, with more time spent feeding and resting when nectar plants were plentiful and more time spent flying when they were rare. Although adults utilized nine nectar sources, only two were recorded in over 80% of all the feeding occasions. In order to re-establish open grassland with some shrubland, traditional and mosaic management of the landscape should be revived at least to some extent.

BAZI HERBİVOR BÖCEKLER HAKKINDA BİYOLOJİK GÖZLEMLER

Some biological characteristics of the herbivorous Archips rosana (Linnaeus) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), Melitaea didyma (Esper) (Lep.: Nymphalidae), Melitaea cinxia (Linnaeus) (Lep.: Nymphalidae), Allophyes oxyacanthae (Linnaeus) (Lep.: Noctuidae), Aporia crataegi (Linnaeus) (Lep.: Pieridae), Periclistus brandtii (Ratzeburg) (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae), Lymantria dispar (Linnaeus) (Lep.: Erebidae) and Mustha spinosula (Lefèbvre) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) obtained from Thrace Region during field studies in the period of 2013-2016 were monitored in laboratory conditions and the observations were evaluated. The carnivorous behaviour of A. rosana and M. didyma larvae, egg production by adult females of A. oxyacanthae through parthenogenesis, the defense/predatory behaviour of M. spinosula adults on L. dispar larvae and the association of P. brandtii with Pyrus communis (Linnaeus) plant are the observations reported for the first time. Furthermore, from Melitaea cinxia larva, the parasitoid Erycia festinans (Meigen) (Diptera: Tachinidae) emerged. E. festinans is a new record for Diptera fauna of Turkey. Correspondingly, M. cinxia and E. festinans is a new host-parasitoid association for Turkey.