Forewing Width Research Articles

The influence of geographical area on morphometric parameters of the honey bee in Serbia

In this study, morphological characteristics were measured on worker honey bee samples collected from seven different locations covering the territory of the Republic of Serbia. Three samples were taken from the territory of AP Vojvodina, namely from the Southern Banat District (Vršac; I), the South Bačka District (Bač; II), and the West Bačka District (Crvenka; III). The worker bees from the central Serbia originated from different sites namely, the Rasina District (Aleksandrovac; IV), the Zlatibor District (Lučani; V), Pešter (Sjenica; VI), and the Bor District (Negotin; VII). From each sample, 15 bees were randomly selected, and their front right wings were dissected and mounted on slides in two rows. After wing preparation, they were scanned using an Epson Perfection V600 Photo scanner with a resolution of 4800 dpi. The measurement included a total of 14 parameters, 11 of which were the angles on the forewing, while the other parameters analyzed were the forewing length and width and the cubital index. The results have shown that there is a high statistically significant difference between the localities in the characteristics examined in this study. From a total of 11 angles analyzed, statistical significance (p0.01) of average values between the localities was determined for the following angles: A4, J16, K19, L13, N23, G18, and O26. The analysis of the results of the front wings length and the cubital index has shown a significant difference between the groups of honey bees. The average forewing length across all locations in the study was 9.17mm, while the average forewing width was 3.43. The difference in terms of the average forewing width was not statistically significant between the locations. The values of the cubital index ranged from 2.28 to 2.79, with an average of 2.49 across all locations.

Morphometrics of Intraspecific Populations of Stingless Bee <i>Tetragonula iridipennis</i> Smith from Southern Tamil Nadu

Stingless bees also referred to as meliponine bees and morphological characteristics of these differ depending on are the species and environmental kinds. The current study explores morphology and morphometrics of Tetragonula iridipennis Smith in Tamil Nadu, India. The morphometrics of worker bees were compared over locations. The bees captured in the Kolli hills were significantly larger than those collected elsewhere. The mean value of head length (HL) (1.43 mm), head width (HW) (1.68 mm), antennal length (AL) (1.98 mm), hind leg length (HLL) (3.54 mm) and forewing length (FL) (3.84 mm) were recorded. The results revealed variance of four principal components (PC) reaching 82.4%, as (PC1) 38.58%, (PC2) 20.95%, (PC 3) 19.75% and (PC4) 8.10%. The characters of FL, HW, FW (forewing width), HLL, AL, OOD (ocello ocular distance), HTW (hind tibial width) and HL were the most discriminative in the principal component analysis.

A COMPARATIVE STUDY ON THE QUALITY OF HONEY BEE (Apis mellifera) QUEENS DEVELOPED FROM LARVAE AFTER THE COLLECTION OF ROYAL JELLY

Rearing bee queens is almost done utilizing grafting young larvae while the effects of grafting using old larvae after the collection of royal jelly on the quality of queens are not known. In fact, the production of royal jelly depends on grafting, then discarding the larvae to collect the royal jelly. This study aimed to investigate this point by grafting old larvae after removing them from their original cells without food. Larvae at age about 2 days were grafted into plastic queen cell cups (selection and grafting method or S&G method) leaving royal jelly behind and then resultant queens were compared with naturally reared ones (or NQ). The study showed the absence of significant variations between the queens reared from the two methods in characteristics of queens and cells. Meanwhile, no significant differences were found in regard to the performance of colonies. The colonies with queens from S&G method had slightly higher performance than those with NQ. The study concluded that grafting using old larvae without their original food does not impair the quality of queens. During the production of royal jelly, larvae may be grafted into new cells to continue their normal development instead of discarding them.

Phylogenetic and Morphological Characteristics Reveal Cryptic Speciation in Stingless Bee, Tetragonula laeviceps s.l. Smith 1857 (Hymenoptera; Meliponinae).

Tetragonula laeviceps sensu lato (s.l.) Smith 1857 has the most complicated nomenclatural history among the Tetragonula genera. The objective of this study was to investigate whether T. laeviceps s.l. individuals with worker bees are grouped in the same or nearly the same morphological characteristics and have similar COI haplotype cluster groups. A total of 147 worker bees of T. laeviceps s.l. were collected from six sampling sites in Sabah (RDC, Tuaran, Kota Marudu, Putatan, Kinarut and Faculty of Sustainable Agriculture (FSA)), but only 36 were selected for further studies. These specimens were first classified according to the most obvious morphological characteristics, i.e., hind tibia color, hind basitarsus color and body size. Group identification was based on morphological characteristics important for distinguishing the four groups within T. laeviceps s.l. The four groups of T. laeviceps s.l. had significantly different body trait measurements for the TL (total length), HW (head width), HL (head length), CEL (compound eye length), CEW (compound eye width), FWLT (forewing length, including tegula), FWW (forewing width), FWL (forewing length), ML (mesoscutum length), MW (mesoscutum width), SW (mesoscutellum width), SL (mesoscutellum length), HTL = (hind tibia length), HTW (hind tibia width), HBL (hind basitarsus length) and HBW (hind basitarsus width) (p < 0.001). Body color included HC (head color), CC (clypeus color), ASC (antennae scape color), CFPP (Clypeus and frons plumose pubescence), HTC (hind tibia color), BSC (basitarsus color), SP (leg setae pubescence), SP (Thorax mesoscutellum pubescence), SPL (thorax mesoscutellum pubescence length) and TC (thorax color) (p < 0.05). The most distinctive features of the morphological and morphometric characteristics measured by PCA and LDA biplot that distinguish Group 1 (TL6-1, TL6-2 and TL6-3) from the other groups were the yellowish-brown ASC and the dark brown TC. Group 2 (haplotypes TL2-1, TL2-2 and TL2-3 and TL4-1, TL4-2 and TL4-3) had a dark brown ASC and a black TC, while Group 3 (haplotypes TL11-1, TL11-2 and TL11-3) had a blackish-brown ASC, a black TC and the largest TL, FWW and FWL. As for phylogenetic relationships, 12 out of 36 haplotypes showed clear separation with good bootstrap values (97-100%). The rest of the haplotypes did not show clear differentiation between subclades that belonged together, regardless of their morphology and morphometric characteristics. This suggests that the combination of DNA barcoding for species identification and phylogenetic analysis, as well as traditional methods based on morphological grouping by body size and body color, can be reliably used to determine intraspecific variations within T. laeviceps s.l.

Variation in Measurements of Some Body Parts of Laodelphax striatella (Fallén, 1826) (Hemiptera: Fulgoromorpha: Delphacidae) due to Altitude

The small brown planthopper Laodelphax striatella (Fallén, 1826), which belongs to Delphacidae family, is widespread in Palearctic. It is one of the important pests of agricultural crops such as rice, maize, oat, wheat etc. Because of its economic importance, identification of the factors that effective on L. striatella populations is required. Size of body parts closely related with vital processes such as metabolic performance, fecundity, and longevity. Several ecological factors such as light, temperature, water supply and moisture were effective on body size. The aim of the study was to determine the effect of altitude on some body measurements of L. striatella. Because light, temperature, precipitation and some of the other factors vary based on altitude, it is an important ecological factor for organisms. Understanding the effects of altitude on insect species may give useful information about them. The specimens were collected from three localities at different altitudes in Central Black Sea Region, Turkey. Except wing length, all the measurements of the body parts varied proportionally with increasing altitude. Statistically significant variations were determined in the measurements of head width, pronotum length, pronotum width, mesonotum width and forewing width. The maximum head, pronotum, mesonotum and forewing width (0.623, 0.686,0.707 and 0.730 mm, respectively) and pronotum length (0.172 mm) was measured at 50 m. The minimum measurements of these body parts were at 900 m. Additionally, relationships were determined between measured body parts and altitude.

The impact of host plant species on instar duration and body weight of nymphal Lycorma delicatula.

The spotted lanternfly, Lycorma delicatula (White) (Hemiptera: Fulgoridae), is an invasive species of planthopper that was introduced to North America and is a threat to multiple industries. Nymphs and egg masses were collected to assess each instar's rate of development at a constant temperature of 25°C on the following hosts: Ailanthus altissima (Miller) (Sapindales: Simaroubaceae), Vitis labrusca (L.) (Vitales: Vitaceae), Salix babylonica (L.) (Malpighiales: Salicaceae), Acer rubrum (L.) (Sapindales: Sapindaceae), Celastrus orbiculata (Thunberg) (Celastrales: Celastraceae), Ocimum basilicum (L.) (Lamiales: Lamiaceae), and Rosa multiflora (Thunberg) (Rosales: Rosaceae). Host plant species was found to have a significant effect on developmental time for nymphs in the first through third instars, as well as on nymphal survival. Nymphs failed to develop through the second instar on O. basilicum and the third and fourth instars on A. rubrum. Host plant species also had a significant effect on the mean weight of nymphs in the first, second, and fourth instars (but not in the third instar), and on the hind tibia length and forewing width of adult nymphs. This variability in L. delicatula developmental time by host plant species can potentially impact phenology models, which should be updated to reflect these new insights. Rearing practices should also be refined to account for host plant influences on the physiology of L. delicatula.

Improving the larvae acceptance rate and morphometric characteristics of queen Apis cerana javana by grafting larvae at different ages

Abstract. Ustadi, Ikhsan N, Junus M, Suyadi. 2021. Improving the larvae acceptance rate and morphometric characteristics of queen Apis cerana javana by grafting larvae at different ages. Biodiversitas 23: 166-170. This study was aimed to evaluate the effect of different ages of grafted larvae on the acceptance rate and morphometric characteristics of queen Apis cerana javana Fabr. The total of 72 larvae were 1, 2, and 3 days old and was reared in 7 colonies with 3 treatments (larvae age) and 6 replications. The morphometrics studied consisted of body length, emergence weight, head length, head width, thorax length, thorax width, fore wing length, fore wing width, abdomen length, and abdomen width. The results showed that the different ages of grafted larvae had a highly significant on body length, emergence weight (P&lt;0.01), significant on abdomen length (P&lt;0.05), but not on head length, head width, thorax length, thorax width, fore wing length, fore wing width, abdomen width, acceptance rate. However, the higher acceptance rate was 73.33% to be found in 1 day old of larvae than in 2 and 3 days old. The age of grafted larvae of 1 day old has a higher body length, emergence weight, and abdomen length (P&lt;0.05) than in 2 and 3 days old of larvae. Thus, it can be concluded that the age of grafted larvae of 1 day old was the best age to queen rearing of Apis cerana javana.

Effects of rearing method on some morphological and reproductive organ characteristics of queen honey bees (Apis mellifera L.)

This study aimed to investigate some of the morphological and reproductive characteristics of the queen honey bees rearing from emergency queen cells and larvae grafting method. The weight at the emergence of queens reared from one-day larvae was found to be higher than other groups (P &lt;0.05). Morphological characteristics of queens according to rearing method showed significant differences of head width, forewing length and forewing width (P &lt;0.05), whereas other morphological characteristics were found similar in different queen groups. No significant difference was observed between the groups in terms of cell length and width (P &gt; 0.05). Wet ovary weights of the queens were weighed at 45, 51, and 49 mg rearing from emergency cells, 1-day-old and 2-day-old larvae, respectively. The number of ovarioles and spermatheca diameter of queens were found to be 268 and 1.14 mm, 296 and 1.21 mm, 285, and 1.16 mm rearing from emergency cells, 1-day-old and 2-day-old larvae, respectively (P &lt;0.05). Consequently, the morphological and reproductive characteristics of queens reared from one-day-old larvae have higher values. According to the results of the study, although some morphological and reproductive features of local queens have low values, their importance should not be ignored in the sustainable future of beekeeping.

Comparative analysis of intraspecific variability in yellow banded wasp, Vespa cincta F. (Vespidae: Hymenoptera) using molecular and morphometric techniques

The yellow banded wasp, Vespa cincta F. is one of the most destructive pests of honeybee colonies in India. Despite high species richness, there is diminutive information on the intraspecific variations occurring in the wasp from different geographical regions. The present study was undertaken to ascertain if any intraspecific variability existed in populations of V. cincta from four geographical regions of Assam, India. The adult specimens from each region were studied using 24 morphological characters, as well as with genetic markers subjected to PCR. No significant variation was recorded for 15 morphological characters; however, nine characters viz., body length, thorax length and width, mandible length and width, fore wing width, fore leg width, hind leg width, and sting width were significantly larger in specimens collected from Barak Valley and Hill Zone (BVHZ) as compared to specimens from Upper Brahmaputra Valley Zone (UBVZ), Lower Brahmaputra Valley Zone (LBVZ) and North Bank Plain Zone (NBPZ). Variability in morphometrics further revealed that species from UPVZ, LBVZ, and NBPZ occupied similar positions, with a clear distinction from the species of BVHZ. Molecular analyses further supplemented this information with the SSR based dendrogram readily separating V. cincta into two main clusters, A and B. Cluster A included the species from LBVZ, NBPZ, and UBVZ while cluster B comprised of species from BVHZ only. Within NBPZ, specimens from Nagaon and Morigaon regions differed to some extent from specimens of other regions. Specimens of Jorhat region of UBVZ were found to more closely related to specimens of Sonitpur region of NBPZ while specimens of Golaghat region of UBVZ formed a separate sub-cluster with specimens of Karbi Anglong region of BVHZ. The present findings suggest that intraspecific diversity in V. cincta could be a result of variation in evolutionary lineage as well as environmental aspects of their bio-geographical area of origin.

Darwinian balancing selection: predation counters sexual selection in a wild insect.

The potential viability costs of sexually selected traits are central to hypotheses about the evolution of exaggerated traits. Estimates of these costs in nature can come from selection analyses using multiple components of fitness during the same time frame. For a population of tree crickets (Oecanthus nigricornis: Gryllidae), we analyzed viability and sexual selection on male traits by comparing Oecanthus prey of a solitary wasp to those that survived, and comparing mating individuals to solitary males. We measured forewing width (sexually size dimorphic and used for singing), head width, pronotum length, and size of hind jumping legs as potential targets of selection. Supporting the hypothesis that sexually selected traits have viability costs, we found that significant directional sexual selection for wider heads was opposed by significant viability selection for narrower heads. Nonlinear selection revealed that individuals with wide heads and small legs were most attractive, but individuals with narrow heads, large legs, and intermediate pronotum length were most likely to survive. Successful mating may put males at greater risk of predation, especially if copulation per se is risky. Such balancing selection in tree crickets may have constrained the evolution of sexual dimorphism in head size-a condition seen in other gryllids and orthopterans.

Evaluation of intra- and interbreed differences in exterior characters of worker honeybees for biomonitoring purposes

Exterior characters of worker honeybees of two breeds, Apis mellifera carnica Pollmann, 1879 and Apis mellifera caucasica Gorbatchev, 1916, were analyzed to estimate their discriminant role and contribution to interfamilial differences within the breed. Six characters were included in analysis: 3rd tergite width, 3rd tergite length, right forewing length, right forewing width, cubital index, and discoidal shift. The pattern of differences between the breeds with respect to the set of these characters was evaluated using discriminant analysis. Identification of honeybee breed is not a trivial task, but it was accomplished using the equations of classification function for each breed based on the set of the above characters. The character “wing length” proved to allow statistically significant discrimination among at least half of the families in each breed.

Análises morfométricas entre apis mellifera da mesorregião do sertão paraibano

This research was carried out to characterize Apis mellifera populations from region Sertao from Paraiba state, comparing the individuals morphometry. The parameters measured were: forewing length (FwL) and forewing width (FwW), B4, E9, G18, J16, K19, N23, O26 angles, and b distance (Db); hindwing length (HL) and hindwing width (HW), L2 (DL2), L5 distance (DL5) and W3 angle, femur lengths (FL) and tibia lengths (TL), tarsus length (TL) and tarsus width (TW) and proboscis length (PL). To compare different variables, a data united analysis (ANOVA), Tukeys and Tochers test to 5% of significance. For the measures accomplished in each sample an equipment of analysis of images, and Program Image Pro Plus 4.0 were used. The variables TsL and TsW, G18 and K19 angles and DL2 distance presented significant difference (p<0.05) among the places studied by Tukeys test. Canonical discriminant analysis showed a grouping with base in the morphologic characteristics between two places studied in spite of the geographical distance. It was concluded there are two morphometric different groups for studied hinterland region. There is an adaptation of the bees, with relationship to morphometric measures, for different geomorphologic regions.

Determining the Relative Abundance of Honey Bee (Apis mellifera L.) Races in Kars Plateau and Evaluating Some of Their Characteristics

Summary During June-July period 2009, 310 honeybee samples were collected from 32 different colonies in Kars Plateau. The majority of the samples (71.6%, n=222) were hybrid form of Apis mellifera. The ratio of Apis mellifera caucasica was 26.5% (n= 82) and only 1.9% (n=6) of samples were found to be A. mellifera remipes. Tarsi length, fore wing length, fore wing width, number of hamulus hind wing, femur length of hind leg, tibia length of hind leg, metatarsus length of hind length, metatarsus width of hind leg of A. mellifera caucasica and that of hybrid form of A. mellifera were measured and the measurements of those morphological characters of different subspecies were compared. In addition of the morphological traits, variation patterns of proteins bades on gel electrophoresis was measured from the two subspecies and their hybrids. Gel electro-phoresis patterns reveal that the total proteins of pure Caucasian race individuals from Ardahan and Kars were similar. On the other hand, the protein bands of pure Caucasian race individuals (66 kD, 45 kD, 29 kD and 18 kD) showed clear differences from that of hybrid individuals.

Evaluation of Aphelinus asychis and A. albipodus (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) as biological control agents against three pest aphids

The potentials of two indigenous parasitoids, Aphelinus asychis and A. albipodus, as biological control agents against three pest aphids, Aphis gossypii, Myzus persicae and Macrosiphum euphorbiae, were assessed. Six traits such as percentage of parasitism, number of aphids killed by host feeding, sex ratio, survival rate during the developmental period, developmental duration and forewing width were used as criteria. M. persicae is known to be a suitable host for A. asychis. So, the suitability of the three aphids as hosts for two parasitoids was evaluated by comparing the values of these traits with the standard values of A. asychis on M. persicae. The values for all traits of A. asychis on A. gossypii and A. albipodus on M. persicae and M. euphorbiae were not greatly different from the standard values. The percentage of parasitism of A. asychis on M. euphorbiae was considerably smaller than the standard value, but the values in the other traits were not greatly different. The percentage of parasitism and number of aphids killed by host feeding were much smaller for A. albipodus on A. gossypii than the standard values. We concluded that A. asychis could be an effective biological control agent against all three pest aphids, and A. albipodus against M. persicae and M. euphorbiae.

Adaptive wing asymmetry in males of the speckled wood butterfly (Pararge aegeria)?

We analysed asymmetry in the wings of the speckled wood butterfly ( Pararge aegeria )by measuring area, length and width of fore– and hindwings. The type of asymmetry is fluctuating except for fore– and hindwing area, and forewing width in males, where asymmetry is directional. The amount of asymmetry (variance of the left wing minus the right wing) is less in males than in females. Within males asymmetry was directional and less in pale, predominantly territorial males than in melanic, predominantly non–territorial males. Asymmetry was negatively related to growth rate within females, but not within males. Females grew faster than males, but had higher asymmetry, whereas the more asymmetrical melanic males grew more slowly than pale males. The differences in the type and amount of asymmetry between the sexes and colour classes suggest a relationship with sex–specific flight patterns such as the territorial spiralling flight of males. We hypothesize that slightly asymmetrical males turn faster, and therefore are superior in territorial disputes over more symmetrical or extremely asymmetrical males. This implies that sexual selection via mal–male competition influences the type and amount of asymmetry. The existence of more extremely asymmetrical individuals in females, and to a lesser extent in non–territorial males, may indicate that there are costs in reducing asymmetry.

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

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