Bagworm Research Articles

A new species of the genus Elasmus Westwood (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) parasitizing bagworm moth (Lepidoptera: Psychidae)

In this study, we report a new species of the genus Elasmus Westwood (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae). The new species parasitizes two different unidentified Oiketicinae species of bagworm moths (Lepidoptera: Psychidae) and shows both solitary and gregarious traits. A description of the new species Elasmus psycheaen.sp. is provided in addition to figures and information about the biology. In addition, a key to the species of this genus from Korea is also presented.www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:17C2AA8B-4017-44BC-A44D-BD45746EC387.

Eumasia venefica sp. nov. a new species of the subfamily Eumasiinae (Lepidoptera: Psychidae) from India with atypical larval ecology.

A new species of bagworm moth, Eumasia venefica sp. nov., from the subfamily Eumasiinae, is described from Kerala, India. This species has a peculiar larval ecology, larval case structure and an association with lichens. The paper describes the detailed taxonomy of the adult and the larval stages of the species.

Studies on the pests of the lac insect host plant Flemingia semialata and Flemingia macrophylla in Kerala

The present study attempted to record the insect pests of lac insect host plants in Kerala Forest Research Institute, Peechi, Thrissur. Hand picking and swiping methods were used to collect the insects for identification. From the observation 26 species of pest insects belonging to 4 orders and 19 families were recorded. It was found that all major parts of Flemingia were heavily infested but significant damage was caused by the defoliators, mostly heterocera. Out of the 26 insect pests, 15 have been recorded as foliage feeders, 9 as sapsuckers, 1 as pod borer and 1 stem borer. During rearing, 3 species of parasites were found, belonging to three families that were collected and identified. Insects belong to the order Lepidoptera were profoundly seen on Flemingia. They cause severe damage to the plant. Hypena rectivittalis belonging to the family Noctuidae was found as a major pest and bag worm Psychids was found to be the minor pest. The study reveals that the most serious sapsuckers belong to the order Hemiptera and majority of them are beetles and bugs. During the months of April-May Iceryasp and white flies (Trialeurodes vaporarium) cause heavy damage in Flemingia. The study thus concludes that the major pests belong to the order Lepidoptera (42%) followed by order Hemiptera (41%). Most Lepidopterans are defoliators and Hemipterans are sapsuckers.

Transcriptomic analysis of the bagworm moth silk gland reveals a number of silk genes conserved within Lepidoptera.

Lepidopteran insects produce cocoons with unique properties. The cocoons are made of silk produced in the larval tissue silk gland and our understanding of the silk genes is still very limited. Here, we investigated silk genes in the bagworm moth Eumeta variegata, a species that has recently been found to produce extraordinarily strong and tough silk. Using short-read transcriptomic analysis, we identified a partial sequence of the fibroin heavy chain gene and its product was found to have a C-terminal structure that is conserved within nonsaturniid species. This is in accordance with the presence of fibroin light chain/fibrohexamerin genes and it is suggested that the bagworm moth is producing silk composed of fibroin ternary complex. This indicates that the fibroin structure has been evolutionarily conserved longer than previously thought. Other than fibroins we identified candidates for sericin genes, expressed strongly in the middle region of the silk gland and encoding serine-rich proteins, and other silk genes, that are structurally conserved with other lepidopteran homologues. The bagworm moth is thus considered to be producing conventional lepidopteran type of silk. We further found a number of genes expressed in a specific region of the silk gland and some genes showed conserved expression with Bombyx mori counterparts. This is the first study allowing comprehensive silk gene identification and expression analysis in the lepidopteran Psychidae family and should contribute to the understanding of silk gene evolution as well as to the development of novel types of silk.

Bagworm decorations are an anti‐predatory structure

Many animals decorate their exterior with environmental materials, and these decorations are predicted to increase their survival. The adaptive significance of these decorations, however, has seldom been tested experimentally under field conditions. This study researched the anti‐predatory functions of the decoration (bag) of a bagworm moth, Eumeta crameri, against their natural predator, Oecophylla smaragdina, the Asian weaver ant. The study experimentally tested if bag removal from caterpillars resulted in more predation than bagged caterpillars under field conditions, which would support the hypothesis that bags are selected to protect the caterpillars against their predators. In support of the prediction, this study showed that caterpillars without a bag were attacked, killed, and taken to ants' nests significantly more than bagged caterpillars. The study provides rare experimental evidence for the anti‐predatory functions of the decoration under field conditions. This study suggests that decorating behaviour has evolved in animals as an anti‐predatory defence mechanism.

Identification and Synthesis of Putative Pheromone Components of the Threatened Salt Marsh Bagworm Moth, Whittleia retiella (Lepidoptera: Psychidae)

Whittleia retiella (Newman, 1847) is a threatened salt marsh species of the bagworm moth family Psychidae. For its preservation it is necessary to develop efficient tools to survey its distribution and habitat requirements in order to use appropriate conservation methods. Such tools may be pheromone-based monitoring systems, which have documented efficacy in establishing the occurrence of cryptic insect species in nature. By using gas chromatography combined with electroantennographic detection (GC-EAD), we found two compounds in female W. retiella headspace samples and whole-body extracts that elicited electrophysiological activity in male antennae. Gas chromatograpy coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS) operating in electron impact (EI) mode and comparison of the analytical data with those of synthetic reference compounds showed the chemical structures of these putative pheromone components to be (1S)-1-methylpropyl (5Z)-dec-5-enoate and 1-methylethyl (5Z)-dec-5-enoate. Field assays using baits loaded with synthetic compounds revealed that conspecific males were attracted to (1S)-1-methylpropyl (5Z)-dec-5-enoate alone or in combination with 1-methylethyl (5Z)-dec-5-enoate, whereas 1-methylethyl (5Z)-dec-5-enoate neither attracted nor repelled males in the field assays when tested alone. This study shows the potential of using (1S)-1-methylpropyl (5Z)-dec-5-enoate for monitoring W. retiella to gather more detailed information about the geographic distribution and habitat needs of this rare moth.

The bagworm genome reveals a unique fibroin gene that provides high tensile strength

Arthropod silk is known as a versatile tool, and its variability makes it an attractive biomaterial. Eumeta variegata is a bagworm moth (Lepidoptera, Psychidae) that uses silk throughout all life stages. Notably, the bagworm-specific uses of silk include larval development in a bag coated with silk and plant materials and the use of silk attachments to hang pupae. An understanding at the molecular level of bagworm silk, which enables such unique purposes, is an opportunity to expand the possibilities for artificial biomaterial design. However, very little is known about the bagworm fibroin gene and the mechanical properties of bagworm silk. Here, we report the bagworm genome, including a silk fibroin gene. The genome is approximately 700 Mbp in size, and the newly found fibroin gene has a unique repetitive motif. Furthermore, a mechanical property test demonstrates a phylogenetic relationship between the unique motif and tensile strength of bagworm silk.

Biotic stress (insect) of aonla (Emblica officinalis)in arid region of India: a review

Indian gooseberry, Emblica officinalis popularly also known as Aonla, amla, amrit phal is found attacked various number of insect-pests causing considerable damage. In India, the major insect-pests reported from aonla are shoot gall maker Betousa stylophora; leaf roller, Caloptilia (Garcillaria) acidula; hairy caterpillar, Selepa celtis; bark eating caterpillar, Indarbela quardrionotata; leaf roller, Tonica (Psorosticha) ziziphy; bag worm, Zeuzera sp.; fruit borer, Meridarchis sp.; pomegranate butter fly, Deudorix isocrates; fruit sucking moth, Achaea janata; fruit midge, Clinodiplosis sp.; cow bug, Tricentrus congestus; plant hopper, Seliza truncate; spherical mealy bug, Nipaecoccus viridis; weevil, Myllocerus discolour; termite, Odontotermes obesus; leaf miner, Phyllocnistis citrella and hairy caterpillars, Euproctis fraterna.

Complete mitochondrial genome of the female-wingless bagworm moth, Eumeta variegata Snellen, 1879 (Lepidoptera: Psychidae)

The complete mitochondrial genome of the female-wingless bagworm moth, Eumeta variegata Snellen, 1879 (Lepidoptera: Psychidae), is 15,660 base pairs (bp) and contains a typical set of genes (13 protein-coding genes [PCGs], 2 rRNA genes, and 22 tRNA genes) and one non-coding region, with an arrangement identical to that observed in most lepidopteran genomes. Twelve PCGs contained the typical ATN start codon, whereas COI had the atypical CGA codon, which is frequently detected in the start region of the lepidopteran COI. The A + T-rich region was unusually short with only 94 bp. A recent report of the same species originating from Japan revealed a lack of trnE and trnF and a 1,118 bp long A + T-rich region. Phylogenetic analyses with concatenated sequences of the 13 PCGs and two rRNA genes using the Bayesian inference method placed E. variegata in Psychidae, as a sister to a within-familial species, Mahasena colona, with the highest nodal support (Bayesian posterior probability = 1).

The complete mitochondrial genome of Eumeta variegata (Lepidoptera: Psychidae)

The complete mitochondrial genome of Eumeta variegate, largest bagworm moth in Japan, has been sequenced using a nanopore sequencer as a single long read. The genome has a total length of 16,601 bp, consisting of 13 protein-coding genes, 20 tRNA, 2 rRNA genes, and an AT-rich control region. The nucleotide composition was extremely AT-rich, with 42.4% A, 40.4% T, 6.67% G, and 10.6% C. This is the second report of a complete mitochondrial genome of Psychidae, and the sequence information together with a phylogenetic analysis would provide a reference data in the future studies of Lepidoptera and Psychidae.

A new species of Acanthormius (Braconidae: Lysiterminae) reared as agregarious parasitoid of psychid caterpillar (Lepidoptera: Psychidae) from India.

Acanthormius indicus Gupta Quicke sp. nov. is described and illustrated. It is a gregarious larval parasitoid of an unidentified bagworm moth caterpillar (Lepidoptera: Psychidae) from southern India. The biology and host associations of members of subfamily Lysiterminae are also discussed.

A note on the male-specific size reduction of head capsule width during the last larval molt in the wingless bagworm moth Eumeta variegata (Snellen, 1879) (Lepidoptera, Psychidae)

A note on the male-specific size reduction of head capsule width during the last larval molt in the wingless bagworm moth Eumeta variegata (Snellen, 1879) (Lepidoptera, Psychidae)

Reisseronia annae sp. nov.-a new parthenogenetic bagworm moth from Poland (Lepidoptera, Psychidae).

Reisseronia annae sp. nov. is described from the province of Upper Silesia in southern Poland. The species is similar to its parthenogenetic relatives Reisseronia imielinella Malkiewicz, Sobczyk & Larysz, 2013 and R. gertrudae Sieder, 1962. The diagnosis of other related congeneric species is provided. The habitat and life history is described.

Evolution of female-specific wingless forms in bagworm moths.

The evolution of winglessness in insects has been typically interpreted as a consequence of developmental and other adaptations to various environments that are secondarily derived from a winged morph. Several species of bagworm moths (Insecta: Lepidoptera, Psychidae) exhibit a case-dwelling larval life style along with one of the most extreme cases of sexual dimorphism: wingless female adults. While the developmental process that led to these wingless females is well known, the origins and evolutionary transitions are not yet understood. To examine the evolutionary patterns of wing reduction in bagworm females, we reconstruct the molecular phylogeny of over 30 Asian species based on both mitochondrial (cytochrome c oxidase subunit I) and nuclear (28S rRNA) DNA sequences. Under a parsimonious assumption, the molecular phylogeny implies that: (i) the evolutionary wing reduction towards wingless females consisted of two steps: (Step I) from functional wings to vestigial wings (nonfunctional) and (Step II) from vestigial wings to the most specialized vermiform adults (lacking wings and legs); and (ii) vermiform morphs evolved independently at least twice. Based on the results of our study, we suggest that the evolutionary changes in the developmental system are essential for the establishment of different wingless forms in insects.

Antillonatus, a new replacement name for the generic homonym Antillopsyche Núñez & Davis, 2016 (Lepidoptera: Tineoidea: Psychidae).

We have been informed that the name Antillopsyche Núñez & Davis 2016, type species Antillopsyche sessilis Núñez & Davis, 2016, which we recently proposed for a new genus of bagworm moths (Núñez & Davis 2016), is preoccupied by Antillopsyche Banks, 1941. This senior name was published for a genus of Trichoptera in the family Polycentropodidae (Banks 1941). We therefore propose the new name Antillonatus Núñez & Davis to replace the junior homonym Antillopsyche Núñez & Davis. The new generic name is derived from Antillae, the Latin word for Antilles, the archipelago where this taxon occurs, and the Latin natus (be born/begotten/arisen) in reference to the West Indian origin of the type species, which is the only known member of the genus.

チャミノガおよびニトベミノガの飢餓耐性

The starvation tolerance of bagworm moths, Eumeta miniscula Butler and Mahasena aurea (Butler) (Lepidoptera: Psychidae), was evaluated. The survival rate of E. miniscula larvae was 100% at 25°C for the first 11 days of starvation conditions. More than 50% of individuals had died after 18 days, and all individuals had died after 35 days. Under the starvation conditions at 15°C, the survival rate was 100% for the first 4 days. After 56 days, more than 50% of individuals had died, and all individuals had died after 102 days. The mean survival periods at 25°C and 15°C were 15.3 days and 53.2 days, respectively. For M. aurea larvae, the survival rate was 100% at 25°C for the first 7 days of starvation conditions. More than 50% of individuals had died after 13 days, and all individuals had died after 18 days. At 15°C, the survival rate was 100% for the first 15 days. After 25 days, more than 50% of individuals had died, and all individuals had died after 45 days. The mean survival periods at 25°C and 15°C were 11.6 days and 24.5 days, respectively.

Transfer of Pygmaeotinea crisostomella Amsel, 1957 from Tineidae to Psychidae and its taxonomic status (Lepidoptera)

Pygmaeotinea Amsel, 1957, syn. n. is transferred from Tineidae to Psychidae and regarded as congeneric with Eumasia Chretien, 1904. The type species of Pygmaeotinea is combined with Eumasia as Eumasia crisostomella Amsel, 1957, comb. n. Adult male and female of this species are redescribed and illus- trated for the first time. Eumasia crisostomella Amsel, 1957 is only known from the type locality in Portugal at Singeverga and one of three Eumasia species from Iberian Peninsula. Zusammenfassung. Pygmaeotinea Amsel, 1957, syn. n. wird von den Tineidae zu den Psychidae transferriert und ist congenerisch mit Eumasia Chretien, 1904. Die Typusart von Pygmaeotinea wird mit Eumasia als Eumasia crisostomella Amsel, 1957, comb. n. kombiniert. Adulte Mannchen und Weibchen dieser Art werden erstmals abgebildet und die Beschreibung durch weitere Merkmale erganzt. Eumasia crisostomella Amsel, 1957 ist nur von der Typenlokalitat bekannt und eine von drei Eumasia-Arten der Iberischen Halbinsel.

High female survival promotes evolution of protogyny and sexual conflict.

Existing models explaining the evolution of sexual dimorphism in the timing of emergence (SDT) in Lepidoptera assume equal mortality rates for males and females. The limiting assumption of equal mortality rates has the consequence that these models are only able to explain the evolution of emergence of males before females, i.e. protandry—the more common temporal sequence of emergence in Lepidoptera. The models fail, however, in providing adaptive explanations for the evolution of protogyny, where females emerge before males, but protogyny is not rare in insects. The assumption of equal mortality rates seems too restrictive for many insects, such as butterflies. To investigate the influence of unequal mortality rates on the evolution of SDT, we present a generalised version of a previously published model where we relax this assumption. We find that longer life-expectancy of females compared to males can indeed favour the evolution of protogyny as a fitness enhancing strategy. Moreover, the encounter rate between females and males and the sex-ratio are two important factors that also influence the evolution of optimal SDT. If considered independently for females and males the predicted strategies can be shown to be evolutionarily stable (ESS). Under the assumption of equal mortality rates the difference between the females’ and males’ ESS remains typically very small. However, female and male ESS may be quite dissimilar if mortality rates are different. This creates the potential for an ‘evolutionary conflict’ between females and males. Bagworm moths (Lepidoptera: Psychidae) provide an exemplary case where life-history attributes are such that protogyny should indeed be the optimal emergence strategy from the males’ and females’ perspectives: (i) Female longevity is considerably larger than that of males, (ii) encounter rates between females and males are presumably low, and (iii) females mate only once. Protogyny is indeed the general mating strategy found in the bagworm family.

Inventarisasi Hama Persemaian Di Hutan Tanaman Rakyat Desa Ngambur Kecamatan Bengkunat Belimbing Kabupaten Lampung Barat

Forest pest inventory is research activity to gather and arrange the data of pests existing in seedling periode. Pest inventory activites are used to determine pest types, the number and crop damage order to apply appropriate control. This research was aimed to identity the pest types and its attack levels at community plantation forest nursery. This research was conducted at Community Plantation Forest in Ngambur Village of Bengkunat subdistrict, West Lampung on April to May 2012. The collected data was identified taxonomically. The data was included of pest types, pest density, attack levels, and demages. All samples were collected using systematic method in diagonal pattern. The results was obtained 9 types in kadam nurseries, white albizia, and umbrella tree, which caterpillars (Daphnis hypothous), locust (Locusta migratoria),moths (Hyblaea puera), bag worm (Pteroma plagiophelps), bug (Cosmoleptrus sumatranus), mealy bug (Planococcus citri), leaf caterpillar (Doleschallia polibete), yellow butterfly (Eurema spp.), snail (Achatina fulica) and 1 type of insect predators that weaver ants (Oecophylla smaragdina). Insect population was high enough but not damage the plant nursery while the most dangerous insect pest was a bag worm (Pteroma plagiophelps) and moth (Hyblaea puera). Bag worm larvae cause severe damage, the loss on the leaves. The extent of damage by insect pests classified in the category of still mild attacks. Pest control can be done mechanically or chemically.

Evaluation of criteria for species delimitation of bagworm moths (Lepidoptera: Psychidae)

Accurate identification of species is fundamental for biological research and necessary for species conservation. DNA barcoding is particularly useful when identification using morphological characteristics is laborious and/or unreliable. However, barcodes for species are dependent on the availability of reference sequences from correctly identified specimens. The traditional use of morphology to delimit the species boundaries of Finnish bagworm moths (Lepidoptera: Psychidae: Naryciinae: Dahliciini) is controversial because there is overlap in their morphological characteristics. In addition, there are no suitable molecular markers. We verified the delimitation of seven out of eight previously described taxa, by using the currently standardized COI barcode and phylogenetic inference based on fragments of mitochondrial (COI) and nuclear genes (MDH). Moreover, we compared the results of molecular methods with the outcome of geometric morphometrics. Based on molecular identification, our findings indicate that there are five sexual species (Dahlica and Siederia spp.) and two parthenogenetic species (D. fennicella and D. triquetrella) in Finland. We suggest that molecular methods, together with geometric morphometrics of male genitalia are an effective way of delimiting species of bagworm moths.