Distribution Of Insect Species Research Articles

Connecting the dots: DNA barcoding and lectotype designation shedding light on Labrundinia longipalpis (Goetghebuer, 1921), an intriguing non-biting midge (Chironomidae, Tanypodinae).

Accurate taxonomic classification is deemed paramount for gaining an understanding of the diversity and distribution of insect species. In this study, an essential stride was made towards advancing the taxonomy of the non-biting midge Labrundinia longipalpis (Chironomidae, Tanypodinae), which serves as the type species of the genus. The distribution of L. longipalpis is particularly intriguing as it contrasts with the predominantly tropical distribution of the genus, with this species being found across the Holarctic region. The main goal of this investigation was to designate a lectotype and several paralectotypes, which was achieved through a comprehensive reexamination of the original material, alongside additional specimens obtained from the type-locality in Flanders. Furthermore, the distribution of L. longipalpis across Europe and North America was examined, and the proposed synonymization of L. maculata with the latter was challenged using the analysis of molecular data. Through the comparison of DNA barcodes, it was revealed that the North American population of L. longipalpis clustered together with the European population, which alludes to a considerable level of genetic similarity between these two populations. These results provide valuable insights into the behavior, ecological dynamics and biogeography of L. longipalpis, while also raising interesting questions about colonization and distribution patterns attributed to its adaptability and potential for long-distance dispersal.

High Biodiversity and Low Dominance in Insect Species on Marsegu Island: A Case Study

This study aimed to assess the diversity and abundance of insect species in the coastal forest of Marsegu Island in the Western Seram Regency. The data was collected using an exploratory method, which involved direct observation and sampling in the field between October 2020 and the completion of the study. A total of 321 individuals representing 20 species from six orders (Orthoptera, Hemiptera, Lepidoptera, Coleoptera, Diptera, Aranae) were identified, distributed across 20 families. The Diptera family Muscidae was most commonly found. The insect diversity index (H') was 4.371, indicating high species diversity within the region. The evenness index (E) was 0.931, suggesting that no single family dominated the population due to a balanced ecosystem. The dominance index was 0.155, implying low dominance and equitable abundance among species. The findings emphasize the importance of Marsegu Island's ecological balance, which may be threatened by chemical interventions. It is crucial to conserve these diverse and abundant insect communities, which play a significant role in maintaining ecosystem health and complexity.
 Highlights:
 
 
 
 
 The study revealed a high diversity of insect species (H' index = 4.371) on Marsegu Island, highlighting its rich ecological complexity.
 The even distribution of insect species (E index = 0.931) underlines the balanced ecosystem, free from chemical interventions.
 Despite the high diversity, no species dominates the ecosystem, as reflected by a low dominance index (0.155), emphasizing the importance of species equality in maintaining ecosystem health.
 
 Keywords: Insect Diversity, Marsegu Island, Ecosystem Balance, Species Abundance, Dominance Index.
 
 

Effects of Environmental Factors on the Spatial Distribution Pattern and Diversity of Insect Communities along Altitude Gradients in Guandi Mountain, China

Understanding the distribution patterns and underlying maintenance mechanisms of insect species is a core issue in the field of insect ecology. However, research gaps remain regarding the environmental factors that determine the distribution of insect species along altitudinal gradients in Guandi Mountain, China. Here, we explored these determinants based on the distribution pattern and diversity of insect species from 1600 m to 2800 m in the Guandi Mountain, which covers all typical vegetation ecosystems in this area. Our results showed that the insect community showed certain differentiation characteristics with the altitude gradient. The results of RDA and correlation analysis also support the above speculation and indicate that soil physicochemical properties are closely related to the distribution and diversity of insect taxa orders along the altitude gradient. In addition, the soil temperature showed an obvious decreasing trend with increasing altitude, and temperature was also the most significant environmental factor affecting the insect community structure and diversity on the altitude gradient. These findings provide a reference for exploring the maintenance mechanisms affecting the structure, distribution pattern, and diversity of insect communities in mountain ecosystems, and the effects of global warming on insect communities.

Distribution of Insect Species as An Indicator for Determining Durian Tree age in Pulo Seunong Plantations, Tangse-Pidie

Insects are the dominant animal group on earth with nearly 80 % species of the total animals on the surface. Insects are often found on plantation land such as durian plantations. Durian plants are visited by insects for various purposes such as helping pollination and collecting finding food. This research was focus on the distribution of insect species as an indicator to determine the age of the Durian Tree in the Pulo Senang Plantation, Tangse-Pidie. The purpose of this study was to determine the distribution of indicator insect species based on the age of Durian Tree. This research was conducted in several Durian tree plantations in Pulo Seunong, Pidie from November to October 2017. The method used in this research surveys with random purposive sampling technique. Data were analyzed quantitatively. The results showed that the distribution of insects species found in this study was distributed in 3 parts of durian, namely the root, the stem, and the leaf. The most dominant insect found in the range 0-5 years old, 6-10 years old, and more than 11 years old durian tree were. the species was found on that range age is Solenopsis invicta species (39%), Dolichoderus thoracicus (33%), Coponatus sp (29%).

Cold stress results in sustained locomotor and behavioral deficits in Drosophila melanogaster

Tolerance of climatic stressors is an important predictor of the current distribution of insect species, their potential to invade new environments, and their responses to rapid climate change. Cold stress causes acute injury to nerves and muscles, and here we tested the hypothesis that low temperature causes sublethal deficits in locomotor behaviors that are dependent on neuromuscular function. To do so, we applied a previously developed assay, the rapid iterative negative geotaxis (RING) assay, to investigate behavioral consequences of cold stress in Drosophila melanogaster. The RING assay allows for rapid assessment of negative geotaxis behavior by quantifying climbing height and willingness to climb after cold stress. We exposed flies to cold stress at 0°C and assessed the extent to which duration of cold stress, recovery time, and cold acclimation influenced climbing performance. There was a clear dose-response relationship between cold exposure and performance deficits, with climbing height and willingness decreasing as cold exposure increased from 2 to 24 hr. Following cold exposure of an intermediate duration (12 hr), climbing height and willingness gradually improved as recovery time increased from 4 to 72 hr but flies never fully recovered. Finally, cold acclimation improved overall climbing height and willingness in both untreated and cold-stressed flies but did not prevent a reduction in climbing performance. Thus, cold stress causes deficits in locomotor and behavior that are dependent on the dose of cold exposure and persist long after the stress subsides. These results likely have implications for the ecological and evolutionary responses of insect populations to thermally variable environments.

Effect of two agro-ecological zones on insect species of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.) Walp during the late cropping season, Delta State, Southern Nigeria

The study was conducted in two agro-ecological zones to identify and compare insect species associated with cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp Delta State during the late cropping season of 2005. Asaba in Oshimili South Local Government Area of Delta State lies in the northern drier part of Delta State, south Nigeria while Abraka in the same state is located in the south and experiences a more humid weather. Both locations are about 135 kilometres apart. The results showed that the occurrence and distribution of insect species followed different trends. There were 10 insect orders, 24 families and 39 species in Asaba while Abraka recorded 8 insect orders, 23 families and 35 insect species. The heteroptera with relative abundance of 28.2% were the dominant species at Asaba, while coleoptera (28.6%) were the most dominant species at Abraka in the late season. Orthoptera (8.6%) were slightly more at Abraka than Asaba with 5.1% relative abundance. Nine insect species recorded at Asaba were absent at Abraka. Conversely, four insect species on the crop at Abraka were absent in Abraka. Ootheca mutabilis Sahl, Aphis craccivora Koch, Megalurothrips sjostedti Trybom, Maruca vitrata Fab and coreid bugs such as Clavigralla tomentosicollis Stal, Anoplocnemis curvipes Fab, C. shadabi Doll, Aspavia armigara Fab, Nezara virudula, Mirperus jaculus were the key insect pests in the study areas. More insect species occurred in Asaba compared to Abraka.

Comparative studies on insect species of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) (L) walp in two agro-ecological zones during the early cropping season, in Delta State, Southern Nigeria

The study took place during the early planting season of 2005, in Asaba and Abraka, both in Delta State, Southern Nigeria. Asaba occupies the drier northern part of the state while Abraka, in the south, experiences a more humid weather. Insect species that decimate cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp in both locations, about 135 kilometres apart were identified and compared. The results showed that the occurrence and distribution of insect species followed different trends. Asaba recorded 10 insect orders, 34 families and 50 species, compared to Abraka with 8 orders, 25 families and 37 species in the same season. The dominant species in both locations were coleoptera. Asaba recorded slightly more coleoptera, heteroptera, diptera, hymenoptera and lepidoptera than Abraka. Conversely, there were slightly more orthoptera than Asaba. Ootheca mutabilis Sahl, Aphis craccivora Koch, Megalurothrips sjostedti Tryb, Maruca vitrata Fab, and coreid bugs such as Cravigralla tomentosicollis Stal, Anoplocnemis curvipes Fab, C. shadabi Doll, Aspavia armigara Fab, Nezara virudula L, Mirperus jaculus Thnb were the commonest major insect pests on cowpea at Asaba and Abraka. More insect species occurred at Asaba than Abraka in the early season.

Nestedness of insect assemblages on small Bahamian islands: importance of spatial processes

Abstract. 1. Ecological assemblages frequently show nestedness patterns of species distribution. Despite the common occurrence, the causality for nestedness patterns remains unclear. The effects of environmental and spatial factors on the patterns of insect species distributions were examined on 28 small islands in central Exuma, Bahamas.2. Flying insects on each island were surveyed by Malaise traps, island area and vegetation height being used as environmental factors, and the degree of island isolation as a spatial factor. Body and relative wing length, and abundance of insect species were also considered as species traits which, together with environmental and spatial factors, determine insect distributions.3. Island isolation was determined from distance to the mainland, greatest distance in a stepping‐stone pathway, distance to the nearest island, and the island area within 250, 500 and 1000 m of each island’s perimeter.4. The pattern of island‐insect nestedness was examined for the overall insect assemblage and those of five dominant insect orders on the islands. The order of island ranking in the nested matrix was tested relative to area, isolation and vegetation height, the rank order of insect species then being examined relative to body and wing length, and abundance of species.5. Significant nestedness was found in all assemblages. Significant contributions of environmental factors were found in Diptera and Hemiptera assemblages, whereas relatively large contributions of spatial factors were found in Lepidoptera and Hymenoptera assemblages. These results illustrated the need to include spatial factors in analyses on the assembly of insular insect assemblages.

Inclusion of soil data improves the performance of bioclimatic envelope models for insect species distributions in temperate Europe

AbstractAim To analyse the effect of the inclusion of soil and land‐cover data on the performance of bioclimatic envelope models for the regional‐scale prediction of butterfly (Rhopalocera) and grasshopper (Orthoptera) distributions.Location Temperate Europe (Belgium).Methods Distributional data were extracted from butterfly and grasshopper atlases at a resolution of 5 km for the period 1991–2006 in Belgium. For each group separately, the well‐surveyed squares (n = 366 for butterflies and n = 322 for grasshoppers) were identified using an environmental stratification design and were randomly divided into calibration (70%) and evaluation (30%) datasets. Generalized additive models were applied to the calibration dataset to estimate occurrence probabilities for 63 butterfly and 33 grasshopper species, as a function of: (1) climate, (2) climate and land‐cover, (3) climate and soil, and (4) climate, land‐cover and soil variables. Models were evaluated as: (1) the amount of explained deviance in the calibration dataset, (2) Akaike’s information criterion, and (3) the number of omission and commission errors in the evaluation dataset.Results Information on broad land‐cover classes or predominant soil types led to similar improvements in the performance relative to the climate‐only models for both taxonomic groups. In addition, the joint inclusion of land‐cover and soil variables in the models provided predictions that fitted more closely to the species distributions than the predictions obtained from bioclimatic models incorporating only land‐cover or only soil variables. The combined models exhibited higher discrimination ability between the presence and absence of species in the evaluation dataset.Main conclusions These results draw attention to the importance of soil data for species distribution models at regional scales of analysis. The combined inclusion of land‐cover and soil data in the models makes it possible to identify areas with suitable climatic conditions but unsuitable combinations of vegetation and soil types. While contingent on the species, the results indicate the need to consider soil information in regional‐scale species–climate impact models, particularly when predicting future range shifts of species under climate change.

Low beta diversity of herbivorous insects in tropical forests

Recent advances in understanding insect communities in tropical forests have contributed little to our knowledge of large-scale patterns of insect diversity, because incomplete taxonomic knowledge of many tropical species hinders the mapping of their distribution records. This impedes an understanding of global biodiversity patterns and explains why tropical insects are under-represented in conservation biology. Our study of approximately 500 species from three herbivorous guilds feeding on foliage (caterpillars, Lepidoptera), wood (ambrosia beetles, Coleoptera) and fruit (fruitflies, Diptera) found a low rate of change in species composition (beta diversity) across 75,000 square kilometres of contiguous lowland rainforest in Papua New Guinea, as most species were widely distributed. For caterpillars feeding on large plant genera, most species fed on multiple host species, so that even locally restricted plant species did not support endemic herbivores. Large plant genera represented a continuously distributed resource easily colonized by moths and butterflies over hundreds of kilometres. Low beta diversity was also documented in groups with differing host specificity (fruitflies and ambrosia beetles), suggesting that dispersal limitation does not have a substantial role in shaping the distribution of insect species in New Guinea lowland rainforests. Similar patterns of low beta diversity can be expected in other tropical lowland rainforests, as they are typically situated in the extensive low basins of major tropical rivers similar to the Sepik-Ramu region of New Guinea studied here.

Climate Variables and Their Role in Site Discrimination of Invasive Insect Species Distributions

This study investigated the influence of climate variables on insect establishment patterns by using discriminant analysis to classify the climatic preferences of two groups of polyphagous insect species that are intercepted at New Zealand’s border. One group of species is established in New Zealand, and the other group is comprised of species that are not established. The discriminant analysis classified the presence and absence of most species significantly better than chance. Late spring and early summer temperatures correctly classified a high proportion of sites containing the presence of both established and nonestablished species. Soil moisture and winter rainfall were less effective discriminating the presence of most of the species studied here. Cold winter air temperature was also a good classifier for the insect species that are not established in New Zealand. This study showed that multivariate statistical techniques such as discriminant analysis can help distinguish the climatic limits of insect distributions over large geographical scales.

Terrestrial insects along elevation gradients: species and community responses to altitude

The literature on the response of insect species to the changing environments experienced along altitudinal gradients is diverse and widely dispersed. There is a growing awareness that such responses may serve as analogues for climate warming effects occurring at a particular fixed altitude or latitude over time. This review seeks, therefore, to synthesise information on the responses of insects and allied groups to increasing altitude and provide a platform for future research. It focuses on those functional aspects of insect biology that show positive or negative reaction to altitudinal changes but avoids emphasising adaptation to high altitude per se. Reactions can be direct, with insect characteristics or performance responding to changing environmental parameters, or they can be indirect and mediated through the insect's interaction with other organisms. These organisms include the host plant in the case of herbivorous insects, and also competitor species, specific parasitoids, predators and pathogens. The manner in which these various factors individually and collectively influence the morphology, behaviour, ecophysiology, growth and development, survival, reproduction, and spatial distribution of insect species is considered in detail. Resultant patterns in the abundance of individual species populations and of community species richness are examined. Attempts are made throughout to provide mechanistic explanations of trends and to place each topic, where appropriate, into the broader theoretical context by appropriate reference to key literature. The paper concludes by considering how montane insect species will respond to climate warming.

Coleoptera (Insecta) fauna from the Indian Thar Desert, Rajasthan

1447 Manuscript 1008; Received 27 February 2003; Revised finally accepted 9 February 2004; © Zoo Outreach Organisation The order Coleoptera includes 3,50,000 species, amongst which, about 1,50,88 species are known from Indian region. Roonwal (1983) and Ghosh et al. (1996) provided significant information on geographical distribution of insect species in the Thar Desert. Saha (1979) gave an excellent review on the taxonomy and distribution of the Indian blister beetles (Meloidea) and also included a few species from his study in the Thar Desert. Tak and Sewak (1987) and Tak (1996) reported 27 species of aquatic beetles from Jodhpur and Sikar districts belonging to families Haliplidae, Gyrinidae, Dytiscidae and Hydrophilidae which have been included to prepare this checklist. Tandon (1996) reported 34 species, and identified gaps in research on the distribution of coleopteran species from the Thar Desert of Rajasthan.

Cluster analysis of occurrence and distribution of insect species in a portion of the Potomac River

Limnological surveys of a portion of the Potomac River were made from 1956 to 1965 to determine the effects of operation of the PEPCO Dickerson Power Station on the aquatic biota. Samples were collected at three stations on each of four high-water and six-low-water surveys. Cluster analyses were made of various combinations of Jaccard coefficients relating 50 aggregations of 370 insect species.

The insect infestation of sorghum stored in granaries in Northern Nigeria

The majority of sorghum in Northern Nigeria is stored unthreshed in farmers' granaries made of dried mud or plant materials such as grass matting and cereal stems. During the course of survey work and insecticide trials in 1959–61 it was possible to examine many samples of unthreshed sorghum from granaries throughout Northern Nigeria. It was found that the distribution of insect species within the Region is not uniform. Sitophilus oryzae (L.) and Sitotroga cerealella (Ol.) are the major pests. Sitophilus zeamais Motsch. was found only in the southernmost area. Heavy infestations of Rhyzopertha dominica (F.), Lasioderma serricorne (F.), Cryptolestes ugandae Steel & Howe, Oryzaephilus mercator (Fauv.), Tribolium castaneum (Hbst.) and T. confusum Duv. usually occur. Attagenus gloriosae (F.), Ahasverus advena (Waltl), Palorus ficicola (Woll.), P. ratzeburgi (Wissm.) and P. subdcpressus (Woll.) are occasionally important.R. dominica, Bruchidius sp., G. ugandae, Planolestes cornutus (Grouv.), S. oryzae, Brachypeplus sp., T. castaneum, Sitotroga cerealella (all of which occurred on the standing crop), L. serricorne, Typhaea stercorea (L.), O. mercator, Palorus spp. and Tribolium confusum were found in sorghum sampled before storage. Insects from infested stores were found to infest sorghum growing nearby. Prestorage infestation alone can result in subsequent heavy populations of insects in the store. Cross-infestation between granaries almost certainly occurs.Under Samaru conditions, where sorghum is harvested in November–December, insect populations remain at a low level in granary-stored unthreshed sorghum until after June, when the moisture content rises in the rainy season. In sorghum stored for nine months in provincial trials, more damage occurred during the last three months than during the previous six months of storage.Sorghum heads stored in granaries made of plant materials such as grass matting and cereal stems are more severely damaged by insects than those stored in dried-mud granaries. This is probably due to a higher rate of immigration in the former.In threshed grain stored in a mud granary, moisture content and damage by the most abundant insect, Sitophilus oryzae, decreased with depth. The insect population rose to a peak in November, two months after the maximum moisture content. The numbers fell rapidly during the following dry season. The annual cycle of insect damage was also assessed by taking fortnightly samples of threshed grain from a local market. S. oryzae was the most numerous insect, but even this species was uncommon from December to May, during the dry season.

Influence of Adult Food on Viability of Early Stages ofAptesis basizonia(Grav.) (Hyraenoptera: Ichneumonidae), a Parasite of Pine Sawflies (Diprionidae)

It is well known that the reproduction of insects is affected by the nature of the larval and adult foods. However, there seems to be no consistent pattern of adult requirements; possibly this may be due in part to the varying amount of nutrients carried over from the immature stages to the adults of different species. This effect of food upon reproduction is an important factor influencing densities and distributions of insects. And rewartha and Birch (2954) pointed out that the quality of the food may influence an animal's chance to survive and multiply. Finlayson and Green (1940) found that fecundity of the parasiteAptesis basizonia(Grav.) was reduced about 80 per cent and that longevity was drastically shortened when mated females were allowed access to water but not food. Indirect factors may also be responsible. Allen and Selman (1955) showed that there was a significant reduction in egg production of the mustard beetle,Phaedon cochleariae(F.), when fed on leaves deficient in nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, or iron. Soils with such deficiencies might account for local variations in the density and distribution of insect species. Evans (1938) found that lack of light influenced the amount of protein in cabbages and ultimately reduced the number of young ofBrevicoryne brassicae(L.) by about two-thirds. The effect of food on viability is of secondary importance, but should be investigated in any study of reproduction.

The Role of Host Selection in the Ecology of Phytophagous Insects

It is a commonplace entomological observation that each phytophagous insect is restricted in its feeding to a small fraction only of the plant species that grow in any area. This phenomenon is generally referred to as “host selection”. The ecological significance of host plant selection among insects is manifest principally in an effect on the geographical distribution of insect species since phytophagous insects can occur only where suitable host plants are available.

Temperature as a Limiting Factor in The Life of Subcortical Insects

The distribution of insect species within a log depends to a very large degree upon the temperature in different parts of the log. The most heat resistant groups, of which the genus Chrysobothris is representative, are found only in the warmer parts, whereas those species less resistant to heat are found only where extremely high temperatures do not occur. On the basis of temperature it is possible to divide the insect inhabitants of a log into several ecological groups.