Trichoptera Research Articles

Paleoecology of early middle Eocene bats from Messel, FRG. aspects of flight, feeding and echolocation

By their diversified flight apparatus Messel bats occupied specific flight niches similar to those of extant tropical bats. The small Palaeochiropteryx tupaiodon is considered to be most specialized for hunting close to the ground and for hovering inside dense vegetation. Contrarily, Hassianycteris spp. most likely were high and fast flyers in the open space. The analysis of gut contents proves that Palaeochiropteryx spp. exclusively fed on small moths and caddis flies, i.e. slow and low flying insects. For P. tupaiodon this confirms the foraging strategy independently from wing morphology. Hassianycteris spp. preyed mainly on beetles or other insects with thick cuticules. Inner ears of Messel microbats are less specialized compared to those of recent species. Especially P. tupaiodon shows no acoustical specialization with regard to its hunting habitat. Thus, we assume that during the early evolution of bats the development of different flight styles and wing shapes preceded acoustical refinements of the ...

Mating and nectar feeding in the psychomyiid caddis flyTinodes waeneri

The psychomyiid caddis fly Tinodes waeneri (L.) mated on a shrub near the shore‐line (and the littoral emergence site) and on adjacent flowers. Both males and females were shown to ingest nectar, from different species of flowers having open nectaries (mostly of the family Apiaceae). Male fat content was negatively correlated with age (wing wear), indicating that ingested nectar did not restore lipids. Therefore, we presume that nectar was mainly used for mechanical activities (e. g. flying, walking, mating). A male lost about 7% of his original carbon and nitrogen during copulation, suggesting that they had the potential to copulate often. The sex ratio differed between the shrub and flower habitats, and females on flowers were also older and had more frequently laid eggs. Thus, females seemed to mate as virgins on the shrub, deposited their first egg batch, returned to the shore, ingested nectar from the flowers and copulated again. Males on flowers encountered proportionally more females, but those fem...

Occupational allergy after exposure to caddis flies at a hydroelectric power plant.

A cross sectional survey was conducted in a hydroelectric power plant in which the workforce was exposed to large numbers of caddis flies. 28 of 57 employees participated. About 50% of the participants reported work related eye, nose, and sinus symptoms and wheezing. Working in locations with greater exposure to caddis flies was significantly associated with work related symptoms. 17 workers (61%) were skin prick positive to a laboratory prepared caddis fly antigen (LCFA) made from the remains of caddis flies present in the plant and 11 (39%) had positive reactions to a commercial caddis fly antigen (CCFA). Workers stationed in heavily exposed areas were 3.7 times as likely to have a positive response to the LCFA (p = 0.009) and 5.3 times as likely to have a positive response to the CCFA (p = 0.036). 13 (46%) of survey respondents reported three or more work related symptoms. 10 (91%) CCFA positive workers reported three or more work related symptoms. Pulmonary function studies revealed slight, but not significantly decreased forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), and FEV1/FVC ratios in workers who were skin test positive to either caddis fly preparation when compared with those who were negative. One worker who was skin test positive to both antigens had a cross shift fall in FEV1 of 20% predicted. Occupational allergy to caddis flies proved to be a significant health problem at this work site.

Description of Chytridiopsis Trichopterae N. Sp. (Microspora, Chytridiopsidae), A Microsporidian Parasite of the Caddis Fly Polycentropus Flavomaculatus (Trichoptera, Polycentropodidae), With Comments On Relationships Between the Families Chytridiopsidae and Metchnikovellidae

ABSTRACT. The microsporidium Chytridiopsis trichopterae n. sp., a parasite of the midgut epithelium of larvae of the caddis fly Polycentropus flavomaculatus found in southern Sweden, is described based on light microscopic and ultrastructural characteristics. All life cycle stages have isolated nuclei. Merogonial reproduction was not observed. the sporogony comprises two sequences: one with free spores in parasitophorous vacuoles, the other in spherical, 5.6‐6.8 μm wide, sporophorous vesicles which lie in the cytoplasm. the free sporogony yields more than 20 spores per sporont. the vesicle‐bound sporogony produces 8, 12 or 16 spores. the envelope of the sporophorous vesicle is about 82 nm thick and layered. the internal layer is the plasma membrane of the sporont; the surface layer is electron dense with regularly arranged translucent components. Both spore types are spherical. They have an ∼ 35‐nm thick spore wall, with a plasma membrane, an electron‐lucent endospore, and an ∼ 14‐nm thick electron‐dense exospore. the polar sac is cup‐like and lacks a layered anchoring disc. the polar filament is arranged in two to three isofilar coils in the half of the spore opposite the nucleus. the coupling between the polar sac and the polar filament is characteristic. the surface of the polar filament is covered with regularly arranged membraneous chambers resembling a honeycomb. There is no polaroplast of traditional type. the cytoplasm lacks polyribosomes. the nucleus has a prominent, wide nucleolus. the two spore types have identical construction, but differ in dimensions and electron density. Free living spores are about 3.2 μm wide, the diameter of the polar filament proper is 102‐187 nm, the chambers of the honeycomb are 70‐85 nm high, and the polar sac is up to 425 nm wide. Living spores in the vesicle‐bound sporogony are about 2.1 μm wide, the polar filament measures 69‐102 nm, the chambers of the honeycomb are about 45 nm high, and these spores are more electron dense. Comparisons of cytology (especially the construction of the spore wall and the polar filament and associated structures) and life cycles reveal prominent differences among the Chytridiopsis‐like microsporidia, and close relationships between the families Chytridiopsidae and Metchnikovellidae.

The first parasitic Trichoptera

. 1 A parasitoid habit is confirmed in larvae of an Australian micro-caddisfly, Orthotrichia muscari Wells, being the first known incidence of this habit in the order Trichoptera. 2 Larvae of O.muscari are non-specific parasites of pupae of other caddisfly species. 3 O.muscari is in an Australian/New Guinean/SE Asian species group in Orthotrichia, all members of which probably share the habit. Their larvae and pupae have atypical features that are interpreted as adaptations to their uncharacteristic niche.

Tardivesicula duplicata gen. et sp. nov. (microspora, duboscqiidae), a microsporidian parasite of the caddis fly Limnephilus centralis (trichoptera, limnephilidae) in Sweden

The microsporidium Tardivesicula duplicata gen. et sp. nov., a parasite of the adipose tissue of larvae of the caddis fly Limnephilus centralis in Sweden, is described based on light microscopic and ultrastructural characteristics. All life cycle stages have isolated nuclei. The sporogony is polysporoblastic, yielding 16-32 spores. The spores are rod-shaped, 1.3-1.4 × 3.7-4.2 μm in living condition. The spore wall has a 34-40 nm thick, layered exospore, with a median layer resembling a unit membrane. The endospore is thicker than the exospore. The polaroplast has two lamellar parts, where the posterior lamellae are the widest. The isofilar, 128-149 nm thick polar filament is arranged in 9-10 coils in a single layer close to the spore wall in the posterior 2/3 of the spore. The angle of tilt is c. 45°. The transversely sectioned polar filament has distinct concentrical layers of variable thickness and electron density. Sporophorous vesicles are ellipsoid and fragile. The thin electron-dense envelope is initiated as narrow tubulus-like promordia, appearing when the nucleus of the sporont has divided once. The episporontal space of vesicles with sporogonial plasmodia is devoid of inclusions. Vesicles with sporoblasts and spores have tubular exospore-derived inclusions of two dimensions. The new genus is compared to genera with polysporoblastic sporogony in sporophorous vesicles, primarily to Cystosporogenes and Flabelliforma. The placing of the new genus in the family Duboscqiidae is discussed.

Effects of remating on the fecundity and fertility of female caddis flies, Mystacides azurea

The effects of remating on the fecundity and fertility of female caddis flies, Mystacides azurea (L.) (Trichoptera: Leptoceridae) were studied. Females that had previously oviposited and were prevented from remating (1) had new egg batches that contained a lower proportion of fertile eggs, and (2) laid a lower proportion of their remaining eggs than females allowed to remate. Furthermore, the ejaculate was small (only 1% of male dry body weight). These observations suggest that sperm-replenishment polyandry (females remate because their sperm supplies have been depleted) is the most likely explanation for the evolution of polyandry in M. azurea. Females may also be able to sense the fullness of their sperm storage organs and adjust the size of the subsequent egg batch.

Phylogenesis of spermatogenesis in Annulipalpia caddisflies: An ultrastructural analysis on philopotamidae spermiogenesis

Characters currently used in phylogenetic analyses are insufficient for determining the status of several families of the order Trichoptera (caddisflies). Comparative spermatology can contribute to solving this problem. In the suborder Integripalpia, the sperm axoneme displays the pattern of 9 + 2 pairs of parallel microtubules found in many animal species. In the suborder Annulipalpia, however, axonemes bear remarkable aberrations. Consistently, in Chimarra florida (Philopotamidae, Annulipalpia) we found that the number of central microtubules varies from zero to four in axonemes of the spermatids and that spermatozoa lack axonemes. We propose that, similarly, the axoneme pattern became unstable in the Annulipalpia ancestor, from which branched two phylogenetic lines having different kinds of axoneme aberrations: (a) families in which the number of central microtubules of the axoneme exceeds two (e.g., Philopotamidae, Polycentropodidae) and (b) families in which the number of central microtubules of the axoneme does not exceed two (e.g., Hydropsychidae).

Male Age, Copulation Duration and Insemination Success in Mystacides azurea (Leptoceridae, Trichoptera)

AbstractTime in copula in the swarming caddis fly Mystacides azurea L. (Trichoptera: Leptoceridae) ranged from 0.33 to 44.5 min. It increased with male age (wing wear) and male dry weight, but was independent of male and female size (forewing length), female wing wear and number of eggs in the females. Older males failed to transfer sperm during copulation more frequently than did younger ones. It is suggested that females benefit by interrupting prolonged copulations if sperm is not transferred rapidly, since being in copula might increase the risk of predation. Alternatively, young and old males follow different mating tactics; old males have a lower chance to acquire new mates and they do better by monopolizing a female, once they get one, by prolonging the copulation.

大阪大学における鼻アレルギーの現況 （第１５報） 鼻アレルギー患者における昆虫抗原皮内反応成績

The present study was undertaken to assess the importance of insects as allergens causing nasal allergy. We performed intradermal skin tests with extracts from three insects, chironomid, caddis fly, and silkworm moth, on patients with nasal allergy and on volunteers among medical students. Twenty-two (27.5%) of 80 nasal allergic patients showed positive reactions to chironomid allergen and 9 (11.3%) had positive reactions to caddis fly allergen and 18 (22.5%) to silkworm moth allergen. These positive rates were as frequent as those to Candida or ragweed. Medical students were divided into two groups, symptomatic and asymptomatic, according to the presence or the absence of nasal allergy. Three (11.5%) of 26 symptomatic group showed positive reactions to chironomid and one (3.8%) to caddis fly and 5 (19.2%) to silkworm moth. While even 4 (8.3%) of 48 asymptomatic group showed positive reactions to chironomid, 2 (4.8%) to caddis fly, and 6 (12.5%) to silkworm moth. These results suggested that these insects, chironomid, caddis fly, and silkworm moth, are relatively common than we expected and suspected as important allergens in nasal allergy.

The family Psychomyiidae (Trichoptera) re–established in Australia

The family Psychomyiidae (Trichoptera) re–established in Australia

On the cytology and life cycle of Cougourdella polycentropi weiser, 1965, with comments on the taxonomy of the genus Cougourdella hesse, 1935 (microspora, cougourdellidae)

The cytology and life cycle of a microsporidium identified as Cougourdella polycentropi, with provenance from southern Sweden, is described using light and electron microscopy methods. The life cycle is comprised of two merogonial cycles followed by tetrasporoblastic sporogony in sporophorous vesicles. The lageniform, 7.0-7.7 μm long spores have an anisofilar polar filament arranged in 6-7 coils, a layered exospore and chambered/lamellar polaroplast of unusual construction. The sporophorous vesicles have fibrillar, and temporarily, tubular inclusions. The vesicles were fragile and the tetrasporoblastic condition was not prominent in squash preparations. The microsporidium is compared to microsporidia with lageniform spores from caddis fly hosts, and the identification is discussed. The taxonomic problems with the genera Pyrotheca and Cougourdella are discussed.

Cross-reactivity of IgE antibodies to caddis fly with arthropoda and mollusca

We investigated the possibility that subjects with IgE antibodies to an inhalant insect allergen, such as caddis fly, might also have antibodies to cross-reacting carbohydrate determinants (CCDs). IgE antibodies to cross-reacting allergens in caddis flies, mussels, oysters, shrimps, crabs, honeybee, and yellow jacket venoms were determined by RAST, RAST inhibition, and immunoblot studies with sera from three different sources: (1) sera of patients with well-defined inhalant atopy to caddis fly, (2) sera with IgE anti-CCD antibodies from subjects without known exposure to caddis fly, and (3) hyperimmune antisera with IgG anti-CCD antibodies raised as a result of immunization of rabbits with grass-pollen extract, buckwheat glycoprotein, or with honeybee venom. Sera from groups 2 and 3 reacted with Sepharose-coupled caddis fly extract in a RAST-type assay and elicited virtually identical patterns on immunoblots of caddis fly extract separated on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, whereas the sera from group 1 atopic patients did not react with CCD-rich material. However, indications for other types of cross-reacting antibodies were detected. The IgE antibodies of one of the patients studied (who was allergic not only to caddis fly but also to shellfish) were found to detect a cross-reacting homologous protein in extracts of mussel, oyster, shrimp, crab, honeybee, and yellow jacket venom. Preliminary results suggest that this cross-reacting 13 kd protein, the most prominent caddis fly allergen, is an invertebrate hemoglobin (erythrocruorin)-like molecule. These studies suggest the possibility that patients sensitized by exposure to caddis fly antigens could develop allergic reactions during their first exposure to shellfish or to their first bee sting.

Inhalant Insect-derived Allergens

Convincing evidence exists that inhaled materials derived from a wide variety of insects can produce allergic disease. Many cases are occupationally related, and others occur in domestic or other localized settings. It also is clear that caddis flies, May flies, and chironomids can produce widely disseminated allergic problems from outdoor exposures. There is the additional, intriguing possibility that other airborne allergens of insect origin — such as from moths and butterflies — could be responsible for some currently “idiopathic” allergic disease. The new methods for immunochemical assessment of airborne materials should help to clarify this matter. Further purification and characterization of insect-derived allergens also should enhance progress in this field, and, indeed, the recent characterization of the hemoglobin allergens and antigens in chironomids has provided a model for studying antigenic epitopes in general. Additional references, including some relating to older and foreign publications as well as entomologic aspects, can be obtained from several other reviews in the literature. 6, 7, 24, 29, 31, 43, 45, 56, 68, 69, 82, 89, 105

Age‐associated male mating success in three swarming caddis fly species (Trichoptera: Leptoceridae)

Abstract. 1. In the three caddis fly species, Athripsodes albifrons (L.), A. cinereus (Curtis) and Mystacides azurea (L.) (Leptoceridae; Trichoptera), males swarm above the water surface of lakes or rivers. Receptive females fly to swarms and are chased and/or courted by males. After one of the swarming males has grasped an approaching female, the pair flies in tandem to the shore where they copulate.2. In males, wing wear indices were negatively correlated with the ratio of fat/dry weight. In the only species in which comparisons were possible between newly emerged and swarming males (M. azurea), the former had significantly lower indices. Unmated females on average had lower wing wear indices than spent females. These facts suggest that wing wear reflects relative age.3. The tandem males had significantly less wing wear than those in swarms, and are probably therefore younger. Age is therefore likely to be significant in relation to mating success.4. Among males of the same relative age, tandem males had higher fat ratio than swarming ones, indicating that male mating success was also influenced by traits other than age. It is suggested that the shortest possible duration of the period of adult prematurity is adaptive, especially in insects with marginal adult food intake.

Growth and production of filter‐feeding caddis fly (Trichoptera) larvae in a foothill stream in the Soviet far East

The paper deals with some aspects of larval biology in three species of filter‐feeding caddis flies: Stenopsyche marmorata, Arctopsychepalpata and Hydropsyche orientalis inhabiting the foothill river Kedrovaya (Southern Primorye, The Soviet Far East). Data are given on calorific value of wet and dry matter of the various stages. Parameters in equations of dependence of the absolute growth rate upon body weight and size are calculated. Production of larval populations and annual P/B‐coefficients were estimated. Taking into account the calorific value of larval dry matter and ratio of dry/wet weight, the annual production was equal to 56.14 kJ.m‐2 DM for S. marmorata 29.73 kj.m‐2 DM for A. palpata and 9.57 kJ.m‐2 DM for H. orientalis. The annual P/B‐coefficients for the three populations were 2.0,3.6 and 5.8, respectively.

Swarming activity patterns and seasonal decline in adult size in some caddis flies (Trichoptera: Leptoceridae)

Six species of swarming caddis flies were studied at two lakes in southern Sweden. Some species showed a differentiated swarming phenology as well as diurnal activity patterns, although swarming was usually most pronounced at dusk. Swarming activity of the species also showed small differences in sensitivity to wind velocity, temperature and illumination intensity. In Mystacides azurea there was a tendency for unmated females to approach the male swarms earlier in the evening swarming periods than did the mated ones, probably because mated females alternate their activity between egglaying and mating. The number of observed pair formations was correlated with the number of swarming males, indicating that males had their activity peak when the number of receptive females was highest. Emerging adults of M. azurea and males of Athripsodes aterrimus showed a significant seasonal decline in body size (wing length).

Identification of a German Cockroach-Specific Allergen by Human IgE and Rabbit IgG

To further study the immunology of insect hypersensitivity, we identified and partially characterized the principal allergens in whole body German cockroach (WBGCR) (Blattella germanica) and compared this extract to whole body antigens prepared from other insects. WBGCR extract was fractionated over a calibrated Sephadex G-200 column; peak allergenic activity was contained in fraction 3 (GCR3), containing components with apparent molecular weights ranging from 12,500 to 75,000 daltons. The antigenicity, allergenicity, and specificity of GCR3 components were tested by using rabbit antisera raised to GCR3 or true armyworm (Pseudaletia unipuncta). Radioimmunoassay, cross-inhibition and immunoblot studies revealed, particularly in the IgE system, that GCR3 contained an allergen with a pI of 6.7 and MW of 36,000 daltons that was unique to WBGCR extracts and not present in other insect species, including true armyworm, caddis fly, lakefly, yellow jacket, or honeybee. This GCR3 component may represent a specific marker for the diagnosis of cockroach hypersensitivity in an insect-sensitive population of individuals.

Developing Automated Multispecies Biosensing for Contaminant Detection

Automated biomonitoring may provide real-time functional information from cause/effect relationships between developing toxicity and a representative aquatic animal. However, since the applicability of single-species biomonitoring information may be subject to question when viewed in light of community toxicity and ecological quality control programs, we developed a computer-assisted multiple species biosensing system for water quality monitoring. In addition to fish, emphasis was placed on detecting species-specific bioelectric potentials produced by unrestrained mussels, burrowing mayfly nymph (Hexagenia spp.) and preliminary work with case building caddis fly larva. A specially designed differential amplifier was used for measuring bioelectric potentials induced from various activities of test subjects. Selected responses were detected as discrete analog signals, digitized and filed on computer disk. A management program provided various means for data gathering, filing and retrieval. Two pilot biomonitors were developed, each consisting of an instrumentation minicomputer with up to 12 biosensor input channels and various output peripherals including hardcopy and modem. These systems, combined with an IBM-XT personal computer based biomonitor interfaced to 24 multi-channel biosensor and physical parameter inputs, complete the present network. Results show that bioelectric signals generated from a variety of freshwater species may be easily monitored in a similar manner and viewed as representative measures in community toxicity testing.

Allergy to insects in Japan: III. High frequency of IgE antibody responses to insects (moth, butterfly, caddis fly, and chironomid) in patients with bronchial asthma and immunochemical quantitation of the insect-related airborne particles smaller than 10 μm in diameter

After recognizing that moth, butterfly, caddis fly, and chironomid were the insects predominantly found in our environment, reaginic sensitivities to these insects in patients with asthma were investigated with extracts of silkworm wing for the detection of moth and/or butterfly allergy, caddis fly wing for caddis fly allergy, and chironomid whole body for chironomid allergy. At least 50% of 56 randomly selected patients with asthma had positive intracutaneous reactions to these insect extracts, and at least 80% of the skin reaction positive patients had specific IgE antibodies. An immunochemical assay of these insect-related aeroallergens in the dust collected 18.6 m above ground revealed the presence in the air of insect-related particles <10 μm in diameter with two peaks a year, one in the spring (silkworm wing, 3.18 ng protein equivalent to that of the crude extract per cubic meter of air; caddis fly wing, 3.08 ng/m 3; and chironomid whole body, 5.21 ng/m 3) and one in the autumn (silkworm wing, 8.24 ng/m 3; caddis fly wing, 4.74 ng/m 3; and chironomid whole body, 18.19 ng/m 3). Although we have no idea whether or not such peak values are enough to cause asthmatic symptoms, seasonal fluctuations of specific IgE antibodies to these insects appeared to be similar to those of atmospheric insect allergens measured by this method. These findings suggest that insects are widespread and common inhalant allergens.