Gastrophysa Polygoni Research Articles

The genome sequence of knotweed leaf beetle, Gastrophysa polygoni (Linnaeus, 1758).

We present a genome assembly from a female specimen of Gastrophysa polygoni (knotweed leaf beetle; Arthropoda; Insecta; Coleoptera; Chrysomelidae). The genome sequence has a total length of 369.80 megabases. Most of the assembly (99.89%) is scaffolded into 12 chromosomal pseudomolecules, including the X sex chromosome. The mitochondrial genome has also been assembled and is 17.11 kilobases in length.

Determination of Chrysomelidae (Coleoptera) Species and Host Plants in Vegetable Areas of Burdur Province

The study was carried out between the years 2019-2020 in order to determine the Chrysomelidae species and their host plants in the vegetable fields of greenhouses, gardens, and open fields located in the central district of Burdur province. As a result of 366 samples examined; 18 species belonging to 5 genera from Galerucinae subfamily, 2 species belonging to 2 genera from Chrysomelinae subfamily, and 1 species from Criocerinae subfamily were identified. Information about local distributions was added for each species. In addition, host plant relationships of the species that can be determined based on observations or previous literature information on host plants were given. Among the determined species Chaetocnema delarouzei (Brisout), Epitrix hirtipennis (Illiger), Epitrix pubescens (Koch), Longitarsus pellucidus (Foudras), Phyllotreta ochripes (Marsham), Gastrophysa polygoni (Linnaeus), Oulema melanopus (Linnaeus) and Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Say) were recorded for the first time from Burdur province with this study.

Beetle Orientation Responses of Gastrophysa viridula and Gastrophysa polygoni (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) to a Blend of Synthetic Volatile Organic Compounds.

The invasive weed Rumex confertus Willd. (mossy sorrel) is eaten and severely defoliated by oligophagous Gastrophysa viridula Deg. (dock leaf beetle) and Gastrophysa polygoni L. (knotweed leaf beetle). The most popular methods of plant protection involve the application of chemicals, but such methods often require repeated chemical treatments. Aromatic plants may constitute an eco-friendly alternative strategy owing to their repellent properties. To date, single compounds have been tested rather than blends; however, there is a need to investigate mixtures of compounds, because insects are subjected to blends of odors derived from their surrounding environments. The aim of the current study was to investigate behavioral responses of the dock leaf beetle and knotweed leaf beetle to a blend of synthetic plant volatile organic compounds. Plants were treated with standard repellents (a blend of volatile organic compounds) at two different concentrations (10 ng min-1 and 1,000 ng min-1). For further experiments, four rates (1 ng min-1, 10 ng min-1, 100 ng min-1, and 1,000 ng min-1 in 50 µl) were evaluated using a 4-way olfactometer. Leaf beetles of both sexes were repelled by the highest three concentrations tested. Female dock leaf beetles were also repelled by the lowest concentration tested, where individual components could have occasionally attracted insects. These results indicate a difference in responses to individual compounds and mixtures of compounds.

Potential of controlling selected weeds in Europe with insects

Weed control by insects is increasingly important, as chemical weed control (the use of herbicides) has an important impact on the environment and, consequently, on all organisms living there. The use of insects to control weeds thus represents an alternative to herbicides. The article presents the suppression of some widespread and persistent weeds in Europe with their natural enemies - insects. The following combinations presented below are: broad-leaved dock (Rumex obtusifolius L.) – Gastrophysa viridula (De Geer, 1775), curly dock (Rumex crispus L.) – Apion violaceum (Kirby, 1808), common ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia L.) – Ophraella communa (LeSage, 1986) and Zygogramma suturalis (Fabricius, 1775), creeping thistle (Cirsium arvense (L.) Scop.) – Cassida rubiginosa (Müller, 1776), cleavers (Galium aparine L.) – Halidamia affinis (Fallen, 1807) and Sermylassa halensis (Linnaeus, 1767), common knotgrass (Polygonum aviculare L.) and black-bindweed (Fallopia convolvulus L.) – Gastrophysa polygoni (Linnaeus, 1758) and as the last one field bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis L.) – Galeruca rufa (Germar, 1824) and Tyta luctuosa (Denis in Schiffmuller, 1775).

Erratum to: Assessment of potential non-target effects of Tetrastichus julis, a biological control agent of the cereal leaf beetle, Oulema melanopus

The cereal leaf beetle, Oulema melanopus (L.) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), is an emerging pest of cereal crops in the Prairie Provinces of Canada. In other regions with a history of this pest, it is managed primarily through biological control with the parasitoid Tetrastichus julis (Walker) (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae). In this paper we report a study conducted during the summers of 2007 and 2008 in Pullman, Washington (USA), and 2010 and 2012 in Lethbridge, Alberta (Canada) assessing potential non-target effects of T. julis. The chrysomelid species tested included the following native and introduced species of leaf beetles (Chrysomelidae): Cassida azurea Fabricius, Chrysolina quadrigemina (Suffrian), Crioceris duodecimpunctata (L.), Deloyala guttata (Olivier), Galerucella calmariensis (L.), Gastrophysa cyanea Melsheimer, Gastrophysa polygoni L., Jonthonota nigripes (Olivier), Lema daturaphila Kogan & Geode, Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Say), Lilioceris lilii (Scopoli), and Xanthogaleruca luteola (Muller) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae). Tetrastichus julis did not parasitize any of these potential non-target species. Thus the occurrence and relocation of T. julis in the Prairie Provinces of Canada and northwestern USA poses a relatively low risk to biodiversity.

Beetles Do It Differently: Two Stereodivergent Cyclisation Modes in Iridoid‐Producing Leaf‐Beetle Larvae

Larvae of the Chrysomelina species Phaedon cochleariae, Hydrothassa marginella, Phratora vulgatissima, Gastrophysa viridula, Gastrophysa atrocyanea, Gastrophysa cyanea and Gastrophysa polygoni produce the iridoid chrysomelidial (1) to defend themselves against predators. Feeding experiments with a deuterated precursor ([(2)H(5)]8-hydroxygeraniol 9) and in vitro isotope exchange experiments with defensive secretion in (2)H(2)O revealed differences in the cyclisation of the ultimate precursor 8-oxogeranial (8) to 1, between members of the genus Gastrophysa and all other species. In P. cochleariae, H. marginella and P. vulgatissima 1 is most likely produced by a Rauhut-Currier-type cyclisation via a "transoid dienamine", with loss of a single deuterium atom from C(4) of the precursor. In contrast, members of the genus Gastrophysa cyclise 8 via a "cisoid dienamine" intermediate, with exchange of all three deuterium atoms from the methyl group at C(3). To study whether the different cyclisation modes influence the stereochemistry of 1, the absolute configuration of 1 of the larvae was determined by GC-MS on a chiral column. In accordance with literature (J. Meinwald, T. H. Jones, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1978, 100, 1883 and N. Shimizu, R. Yakumaru, T. Sakata, S. Shimano, Y. Kuwahara, J. Chem. Ecol. 2012, 38, 29), we found (5S,8S)-chrysomelidial (1) in H. marginella and P. vulgatissima, but P. cochleariae and all investigated members of the genus Gastrophysa synthesise (5R,8R)-chrysomelidial (1).

Gastrophysa polygoni herbivory on Rumex confertus: Single leaf VOC induction and dose dependent herbivore attraction/repellence to individual compounds

We report large induction (>65 fold increases) of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted from a single leaf of the invasive weed mossy sorrel, Rumex confertus Willd. (Polygonaceae), by herbivory of the dock leaf beetle, Gastrophysa polygoni L. ( Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae). The R. confertus VOC blend induced by G. polygoni herbivory included two green leaf volatiles (( Z)-3-hexenal, ( Z)-3-hexen-1-yl acetate) and three terpenes (linalool, ß-caryophyllene, ( E)-ß-farnesene). Uninjured leaves produced small constitutive amounts of the GLVs and barely detectable amounts of the terpenes. A Y-tube olfactometer bioassay revealed that both sexes of adult G. polygoni were attracted to ( Z)-3-hexenal and ( Z)-3-hexen-1-yl acetate at a concentration of 300 ng h −1. No significant G. polygoni attraction or repellence was detected for any VOC at other concentrations (60 and 1500 ng h −1). Yet, G. polygoni males and females were significantly repelled by (or avoided) at the highest test concentration (7500 ng h −1) of both GLVs and ( E)-ß-farnesene. Mated male and female G. polygoni might be attracted to injured R. confertus leaves, but might avoid R. confertus when VOC concentrations (especially the terpene ( E)-ß-farnesene) suggest high overall plant injury from conspecifics, G. viridula, or high infestations of other herbivores that release ( E)-ß-farnesene (e.g., aphids). Tests in the future will need to examine G. polygoni responses to VOCs emitted directly from uninjured (constitutive) and injured (induced) R. confertus, and examine whether R. confertus VOC induction concentrations increase with greater tissue removal on a single leaf and/or the number of leaves with feeding injury.

Introduced leaf beetles of the Maritime Provinces, 8: Gastrophysa polygoni Linnaeus (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)

The taxonomy, nomenclature, identification, introduction history, biology (reproduction, phenology, parasites, predators, host plants), biocontrol potential, susceptibility to pesticides, and economic importance of Gastrophysa polygoni (Linnaeus) in North America are reviewed. This information is part of continuing surveys and research on the adventive leaf beetles of Canada with particular reference to the Maritime Provinces. Known provincial records are confirmed and new locality records are reported for the widely distributed G. polygoni. The introduction timelines and dispersal of the beetle in North America are discussed. Clearly G. polygoni must have been established early in the settlement of North America because reports from the first half of the 19th century already indicated that the species was widely established and common in many locations in the northeastern United States and eastern Canada. Gastrophysa polygoni is beneficial when it feeds on weeds such as Polygonum spp, Fallopia spp, or Rumex spp. It can be a minor pest of cultivated buckwheat (Fagopyrum spp.)

Temperature-dependent, time-dose-effect model for pesticide effects on growing, herbivorous arthropods: Bioassays with dimethoate and cypermethrin.

A toxicokinetics-based, temperature-dependent survival model for growing animals with oral uptake of toxicants is used to analyze the results of two pesticide bioassays. With this approach, we aim at simultaneously addressing two complementary goals of pesticide bioassays, namely to assess species sensitivity and to elucidate underlying mechanisms of toxic effects. As test organisms, newly hatched larvae of the chrysomelid beetle Gastrophysa polygoni L., dwelling on the underside of leaves of black bindweed Fallopia convolvulus (L.), kept at 12, 17, or 25°C were used. Plants with larvae were sprayed with dimethoate and cypermethrin at five dosages and a control. Survival was assessed during the following 6 d. The pesticide deposition pattern on the plants and the overall concentrations in the plants were determined. For dimethoate, which is mainly taken up orally, observed survival curves could be simulated successfully by the model. In the case of cypermethrin, which acts as a feeding deterrent, the model showed poor correspondence to the data. The significance of the results is discussed in relation to the test conditions and to toxicokinetics.

Comparison of the toxicity of dimethoate and cypermethrin in the laboratory and the field when applying the same bioassay.

The present paper studies the relationship between laboratory- and field-based survival data of beetle larvae sprayed with either dimethoate or cypermethrin. The comparison for dimethoate was based on an earlier constructed pesticide-effect model derived from greenhouse data. To predict field effects, the model was supplied with field data for temperatures, the insecticide concentrations on the plants, and the control mortality rate of the beetles. The same model structure was unable to predict greenhouse mortality from cypermethrin treatment, for which reason the differences between laboratory and field for this compound are discussed on the basis of direct observations. For best comparison, the same bioassay method was used in both the greenhouse and the field in the present study. Tests were based on Gastrophysa polygoni larvae dwelling on the undersides of leaves of Fallopia convolvulus plants. Dietary uptake was regarded as the main source of exposure. The simulation results for dimethoate underestimated the field mortality even after accounting for the higher control mortality in the field in the model. It was shown that an additional increase of the toxicant-induced death rate by more than a factor of five was required for the model to fit the field data. This indicated a relatively severe impact of dimethoate under field conditions. For cypermethrin, the effects in the field increased with time, pointing at increasing exposure of and/or effects on the larvae. Contributions of the present results toward the bridging of the gap between laboratory and field are discussed.

The impact of phenology, exposure and instar susceptibility on insecticide effects on a chrysomelid beetle population

Direct topical impact of an insecticide spray on a population of a non-target leaf-eating beetle, Gastrophysa polygoni, was studied, and the relative importance of phenology, instar susceptibility and instar specific exposure was evaluated. Two insecticides, cypermethrin and dimethoate, were investigated. In the laboratory, topical toxicity to eggs, second-instar larvae and adults was recorded in dose-response experiments. The spatial distribution of larvae and eggs were measured in the field. Deposition of insecticide onto eggs, second-instar larvae and adult specimens was measured at different positions within the crop canopy by use of a dye tracer technique. A temperature-driven population model was constructed to simulate population development of all life stages in the field. The model was based on laboratory measures of growth and development at various temperatures. Mortality due to direct insecticide exposure was calculated as a function of population demography, spatial distribution of individuals, spatial deposition of the insecticide, and stage-specific susceptibility. Cypermethrin had the greatest impact, reducing population size by 19–32%. The life stages most sensitive to cypermethrin were the larval instars. As the population developed from eggs to larvae and imagines, the impact of one spraying first increased and then decreased according to the proportion of larvae in the population. Dimethoate had less effect on the population, i.e. 1·9–7·6% reduction. Dimethoate was most toxic to the egg stage, and consequently the effect on the population decreased as the proportion of eggs decreased due to hatching. The direct effect of insecticide spraying was significantly affected by all three factors investigated, i.e. phenology, life stage susceptibility and stage-specific exposure. The latter factor is composed of both spray flux at various spatial positions in the canopy and the ability of different life stages to retain spray droplets. © 1998 SCI

Effect of Herbicide Treatment on Host Plant Quality for a Leaf-Eating Beetle

The effect of sub-lethal chlorsulfuron treatment of the annual weed Polygonum convolvulus L. on growth and survival of the folivorous beetle Gastrophysa polygoni L. was studied in a controlled environment. Treated and untreated plants were used in whole plant bioassays and in feeding experiments with excised leaves. Direct insect toxicity of the herbicide was studied by use of a Potter Spray Tower. The herbicide was non-toxic to the larvae when applied topically. Larvae fed excised leaves from treated plants did not differ from larvae fed leaves from control plants in terms of developmental time, weight or survival. This suggests that the treatment did not affect the nutritional value of the plant or at least that the beetles could compensate for any such changes. Chlorsulfuron reduced survival of larvae living on whole plants treated with sub-lethal dosages (8 to 67% of the recommended field rate). The mortality of larvae in whole plant experiments was dependent on herbicide dosage and herbivore load. Mortality ranged from approximately 20% on control plants to a maximum of 80% on plants sustaining the highest dosages and herbivore loads. It is argued that the beetles' response to chlorsulfuron-treated plants could be caused by a herbivore-induced plant response enhanced by the action of chlorsulfuron.

The toxic effects of direct pesticide exposure for a nontarget weed‐dwelling chrysomelid beetle (Gastrophysa polygoni) in cereals

AbstractDirect insecticide deposition on adults of the chrysomelid beetle Gastrophysa polygoni L. was measured by use of fluorescent spray tracer. The beetles captured 1 .3‐to 2.5–fold the spray volume of an equivalent area of weed leaf surface. This disproportionate rate of exposure declined down through the crop canopy toward the ground. Spray deposition was measured for insects placed on both the upper and the lower surfaces of Polygonum convolvulus L. leaves within winter wheat crop canopies. The upper‐to‐lower‐surface deposition ratio was 2.3 irrespective of the position of the leaf in the crop canopy. The mortality of adult G. polygoni exposed to pesticides on their host plant was estimated, based on measurements of spray deposition on insects in different positions, the laboratory dose‐response relationship for dimethoate, and the distribution pattern of adults on the host plant measured in the laboratory. At full recommended field rate (280 g ha−1) an expected 40.7% of the adult population would die as a result of direct exposure to dimethoate. The mortalities on specific positions on the plant ranged between zero and 76.7%. To reduce predicted mortality to a level of 10%, it would be necessary to reduce field rate to 50% according to these calculations. Those individuals surviving the dimethoate treatment had a reduced fertility, whereas the egg viability was unaffected.

The Role of Egg Predation in the Population Dynamics of Gastrophysa polygoni (Coleoptera) in Cereal Fields

On denombre de 1977 a 1979 les G. par m 2 dans les champs de cereales du sud de l'Angleterre et des tables de vie sont etablies pour chaque generation. La mortalite des œufs est reduite d'une facon significative quand les predateurs polyphages sont exclus. Les Carabidae et Staphylinidae sont les predateurs des œufs les plus importants

Production of microsporidia pathogenic to the Colorado potato beetle ( Leptinotarsa decemlineata) in alternate hosts

The microsporida Nosema gastroideae and N. equestris, which are highly pathogenic for Leptinotarsa, have been successfully produced in some other chrysomelid species, Gastrophysa polygoni and G. viridula. As the principal target host, Leptinotarsa is very susceptible to these pathogens, and death occurs before massive sporulation by the microsporidia. By contrast, the infected larvae of G. polygoni or G. viridula are able to develop until the adult stage when most of the tissues become filled with spores. In addition, the larvae and adults of these species can be reared in the laboratory on Polygonum aviculare and Rumex obtusifolius. These plants have longer vegetative periods and are better sources of food than potato leaves. In both species of Gastrophysa the yields of spores related to unit weight were about five times higher than in Leptinotarsa. In the adults of G. viridula there was up to 4.8 × 10 6 spores mg −1 body weight of N. gastroideae, or 9.1 × 10 6 spores mg −1 of N. equestris. The higher content of microsporidian spores facilitates their purification and isolation.

Observations on the biology and ecology of the chrysomelid beetle Gastrophysa polygoni in cereal fields

Abstract. 1. Observations were made on the biology of Gastrophysu polygoni (L.) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) in cereal fields in southern England in 1977, 1978 and 1979. Adults of the overwintering generation emerged in late April/ May and there were usually two generations during the spring and summer months. In 1979 there was some evidence for at least a partial third generation.2. In the field, the oviposition period was 44 days in the first generation and c. 25 days in the second. Fecundity varied from 586 to 1028 eggs per female and was higher in the first than in the second generation in both 1977 and 1979; in 1978 the reverse was true.3. Every year there were Iarge losses in the numbers within a generation. However, only one parasite was bred from the developmental stages and a pathogen attacking the larvae was found only in 1977.4. In some fields and in some years, harvesting and straw burning operations were carried out when eggs were present on the plants. Harvesting did not result in a significant reduction in the numbers of eggs. Burning reduced the numbers of egg batches. The effect was most severe when the straw was spread over the field prior to burning.5. In the field, significantly more eggs were laid on plants of Polygonum aviculare than on P.convolvulus. In the laboratory, larval survival was higher and duration of development shorter on these two species than on other Polygonaceae found on the farm.

The effects of herbicides on the chrysomelid beetle Gastrophysa polygoni (L.) in the laboratory and field

AbstractThe effects of the translocated herbicide 2,4‐D upon the chrysomelid beetle Gastrophysa polygoni were investigated. Larvae feeding upon either host plant material or their own egg cases sprayed with herbicide suffered significantly higher mortalities than those larvae feeding upon unsprayed material. Application of 2,4‐D did not effect hatching success, nor did contact with the chemical cause significant losses among larvae.The use of 2,4‐D in a mixture with CMPP in a field of spring barley significantly reduced host plant densities and numbers/m2 of egg batches in sprayed areas of the field compared with unsprayed areas. The use of specific “anti‐Polygonum” herbicides eradicated the host plants and thus populations of G. polygoni on a field scale.ZusammenfassungZur Wirkung von Herbiziden auf den Blattkäfer Gastrophysa polygoni (L.) im Labor und FreilandEs wurde die Wirkung des systemischen Herbizids 2,4‐D auf den Chrysomeliden G. polygoni untersucht. Käferlarven, die Pflanzenmaterial oder ihre eigenen Eihüllen fressen, welche mit dem Herbizid besprüht waren, zeigten eine signifikant höhere Mortalität als Larven mit nicht besprühter Nahrung. Die Anwendung von 2,4‐D beeinflußt weder das Larvenschlüpfen, noch zeigten Larven durch bloßen Kontakt mit dem Herbizidblatt Wirkungen. Der Gebrauch von 2,4‐D in Mischung mit CMPP auf einem Feld mit Frühjahrsgerste verringerte signifikant sowohl die Dichte des Unkrautes als auch jene der Käfer und Eigelege. Somit vernichten die spezifischen “Anti‐Polygonum“‐Herbizide zusammen mit der Fraßpflanze zugleich die Population des Blattkäfers.

Chromosome Numbers and Sex-Determining Systems in Fourteen Species of Chrysomelinae (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae)

SUMMARYThe analysis of chromosome number and sex-determining system in fourteen species of chrysomelids belonging to four tribes of Chrysomelinae has shown a modal number of 2 n = 24 chromosomes and Xyp sex-system. Gastrophysa polygoni, Mesoplatys cincta (Phaedonini), Gonioctena nivosa, G. linnaeana, G. quinquepunctata (Phyllodectini), Chrysolina coerulans, C. bicolor, Oreina ganglbaueri (Chrysolinini), Paropsis reticulata, Paropsisternd octosignata, P. beata and Chrysophtharta variicollis (Paropsini) have karyotypes of 24 chromosomes while Cyrtonus punctipennis and C. plumbeus (Phaedonini) have 28 chromosomes. In spite that the modal number of the Chrysomelinae seems to be 2 n = 24, the most primitive number for the subfamily is probably 2 n = 20, in agreement with the primitive number of Coleoptera Polyphaga. This number is only encountered in the ancestral genus Timarcha, being all the remaining numbers derived from the primitive one.