Cocoon Mass Research Articles

Host‐dependent larval migration and parasitism risk in a polyphagous moth

AbstractFemale herbivorous insects are expected to oviposit on the host plant providing the best performance of the offspring. However, in some insects the larvae are mobile and are not totally dependent on the mother's choice. They can change host plant when conditions for development or exposure to natural enemies vary between individual plants within a patch. Here we study larval migration and preference between two host plants, cotton and alfalfa, in the Egyptian leafworm, Spodoptera littoralis (Boisduval) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). Previous studies have shown that although larval performance is better on cotton, females prefer to oviposit on alfalfa, and this preference corresponds to a higher survival of the eggs. In this study, S. littoralis larvae showed directed movement between host plants and were found to prefer alfalfa over cotton in field test in Egypt, as well as in laboratory selection of feeding site assays. To determine effects by natural enemies, the parasitism rates and various life‐history traits were measured for one larval parasitoid, Microplitis rufiventris Kokujev (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), on several host plants including cotton and clover (equivalent host plant to alfalfa). Overall, parasitism was higher on cotton and parasitoid performance (cocoon mass, adult longevity, and female egg load) was better on cotton compared to clover. This fact suggests an enemy‐free space on clover and alfalfa, as parasitism rate is higher on cotton, and the parasitoid performance is also better on cotton‐fed larvae.

Effect of temperature on the post-diapause developmental rate, survival, and body mass of the solitary wasp Isodontia elegans: Implications for rearing of trap-nesting Hymenoptera

We examined the relationship of post-diapause rearing temperature to developmental rate, survival, and adult body mass of the solitary wasp Isodontia elegans using prepupae from trap-nests. Isodontia elegans is a member of a genus often found in trap-nests in North America and Europe. Trap-nests are commonly used tools for studying cavity-nesting solitary wasps and bees. In temperate zones, progeny in nests usually overwinter as prepupae before pupating and emerging as adults. An important aspect of properly using trap-nests is determining temperatures that affect survival and health of developing offspring. After overwintering >600 cocoons containing prepupae after the summers of 2015 and 2016, we placed cocoons on a laboratory thermal gradient where offspring experienced one of 19 constant temperatures from 6 to 43 °C; emergence of adults was monitored for 100 days. Our conservative estimate for the critical thermal minimum for development is 14 °C, whereas that for the critical maximum is ∼33 °C. Prepupae transitioned to adults most rapidly at 29–33 °C, but developmental rate was lower for some progeny exposed to temperatures ≥30 °C. Offspring successfully reached the adult stage in <100 days at of temperatures of ∼19–33 °C. Adults from cocoons reared at lower temperatures weighed on average 6–10% more than expected based on their head widths, whereas those reared at higher temperatures weighed 4–10% less than expected. The difference may be due to greater rates of water loss and lipid metabolism during development at higher temperatures. Pre-overwintering cocoon mass was a significant predictor of relative adult body mass, indicating that adult health is partly related to their condition before overwintering. The trends we observed were similar to those for the bee Megachile rotundata, which we previously studied on the same gradient apparatus. However, data is needed on many other species of wasps and bees from a diversity of environments.

Cocoon breakout and escape from the ejecta of neutron star mergers

ABSTRACT The cocoon is an inevitable product of a jet propagating through ambient matter, and takes a fair fraction of the jet energy. In short gamma-ray bursts (sGRBs), the ambient matter is the ejecta from the merger of neutron stars, expanding with a high velocity ∼0.2c, in contrast to the static stellar envelope in collapsars. Using 2D relativistic hydrodynamic simulations with the ejecta density profile as ρ ∝ r−2, we find that the expansion makes a big difference; only 0.5–5 per cent of the cocoon mass escapes from (faster than) the ejecta, with an opening angle 20°–30°, while it is $\sim 100{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$ and spherical in collapsars. We also analytically obtain the shares of mass and energies for the escaped and trapped cocoons. Because the mass of the escaped cocoon is small and the trapped cocoon is concealed by the ejecta and the escaped cocoon, we suggest that it is unlikely that cooling emission from the sGRB-jet heated cocoon was observed as a counterpart to the gravitational wave event GW170817.

Productivity of hybrid mulberry on salted soils

The demand for natural fibers such as silk, wool, and cotton is growing globally, especially for silk fabrics and raw materials from cocoons. In nations with well-established sericulture, efforts are concentrated on enhancing the quantity and quality of cocoon production by growing high-nutrition-value mulberry varieties through asexual reproduction. The study aimed to determine the productivity of the mulberry hybrids during double operation, which required two years of rearing. The silkworm hybrid Ipakchi 1 x Ipakchi 2 was used for the study, and the hygrothermal regime was observed during rearing. the viability of caterpillars varied between 84.8% to 94.43% depending on the feeding option. The use of Karshi-1 x Pionersky hybrid leaves for feeding resulted in the highest viability of 94.43%, compared to 91.08% in the control. However, the lowest viability of 84.8% was observed in the Katlam x Pionersky hybrid. The mass of live cocoons of all tested hybrids was similar, ranging from 2.04-2.21 g.

The Role of Filippi's Glands in the Silk Moths Cocoon Construction.

Filippi’s glands (FGs), formerly also called Lyonet’s glands, are accessory secretory structures of the labial (silk) glands of lepidopteran caterpillars, which were implicated to play an important role in the maturation of the silk material and the construction of the cocoon. In our previous study, we have identified several species of giant silk moths that completely lack the FGs. Interestingly, the absence of FGs in these species correlates with the construction of a loose cocoon architecture. We investigated the functions of FGs by their surgical extirpation in the last instar larvae of the silkworm, Bombyx mori. We found that the absence of FGs altered the structure of the resulting cocoon, in which the different layers of silk were separated. In further experiments, we found no effects of the absence of FGs on larval cocoon formation behavior or on changes in cocoon mass or lipid content. Differential proteomic analysis revealed no significant contribution of structural proteins from FGs to silk cocoon material, but we identified several low abundance proteins that may play a role in posttranslational modifications of some silk proteins. Proteomic analysis also revealed a difference in phosphorylation of the N-terminal sequence of fibroin-heavy chain molecule. Thus, FGs appear to affect silk stickiness during spinning by regulating posttranslational modifications. This could also explain the link that exists between the absence of these glands and the formation of loose cocoons in some giant silk moth species.

Nesting Biology and Offspring Development of the Cavity-Nesting Solitary Wasp Isodontia elegans (F. Smith) from Trap-Nests in Oregon

We studied the nesting biology and developmental schedules of the cavity-nesting solitary wasp Isodontia elegans in Oregon, USA. Trap-nests contained 1–15 brood cells each, separated by partitions, which adult females made with grass fragments. Before leaving nests to hunt, females made loose, temporary closures of longer fragments of dried grass and, upon returning, briefly deposited prey just inside the nest entrance before transferring them to a cell. Cells were provisioned with katydids (Meconema thalassinum, an invasive species in North America) and tree crickets (Oecanthus fultoni), the latter predominating as summers progressed. The inner cells of nests, where most daughters developed, were longer and separated from adjacent cells by partitions thicker than those in outer cells, where most sons developed. These observations, along with the fact that daughters are larger than sons (likely because they receive a greater provision mass from mothers), indicate that investment in daughters is considerably greater than that in sons, by multiple measures. Sexual size dimorphism was evident in both cocoon mass (prepupae + cocoon case) and adult mass. From 2013 to 2019, nesting began earlier in the summer when mean maximum daily temperatures in June were higher and when the number of days in June with maximum temperatures <25 °C were fewer. Once nesting began, females typically completed 1 cell per day, the egg being laid on one of the first 3 prey placed in the cell. In the field, eggs hatched in 2–6 d, and larvae completed feeding and began cocoon spinning 5–11 d later. After removal from winter storage, offspring completing development at 29 °C emerged as adults in 22–40 d, with males emerging about 2 d earlier on average. The duration of the postdiapause period leading to adult emergence, however, was not correlated with eventual adult mass in either sex. We discuss interpopulation differences in prey species and nest materials used by I. elegans.

Investigating the Effects of Particle Size on the Growth of Silkworm and Fiber Properties with Feeding TiO2 NPs

The production method of functional silk by feeding the various nanoparticles is simple, it has attracted the attention of many researchers. However, many researchers have studied the concentrate of nanoparticles (NPs), there are few studies on the particle size. This study is aimed to confirm the effects in silkworm growth, cocoon quality, and mechanical properties of silk with feeding TiO2 NPs of the various particle size. TiO2 10nm, 50nm, 100nm powers individually are fed to silkworm, investigated the mortality and proliferation rate, cocoon mass and cocoon shell mass, mechanical characteristic of silk fiber. The experiments demonstrated that the larger the particle size of TiO2 NPs, the greater the adverse impact on the growth and livability of silkworms. The stress of 523.35±42 MPa and strain of 19.73±1.8% of the TiO2-10nm added silk were increased 35.9% and 19.5% on average, respectively. By the analysis of the Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra, it was confirmed that this resulted in a more random coil/?-helix structure. The nanoparticles are acted as knots, forming the cross-linked network, resulting in lower crystallinity and higher strain, but the larger the particle, the fewer the number of knots, at the same time, it has a great impact on protein synthesis, and then the strength may be decreased. The effect in the silkworm body of TiO2 NPs particle size has to be deeply studied, but this study has important significance to study in the production of the functional silk by feed additives.

Stars in subtropical Japan: a new gregarious Meteorus species (Hymenoptera, Braconidae, Euphorinae) constructs enigmatic star-shaped pendulous communal cocoons

A new gregarious braconid parasitoid wasp of Euphorinae, Meteorus stellatus Fujie, Shimizu &amp;amp; Maeto sp. nov., is described from the Ryukyu Islands in Japan, based on an integrative taxonomic framework. The phylogenetic position of the new species within the Meteorini was analyzed based on DNA fragments of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase 1 (CO1) and the nuclear 28S rDNA genes. The new species was recovered as a member of the versicolor complex of the versicolor + rubens subclade within the pulchricornis clade. The new species is a gregarious parasitoid of two Macroglossum species (Lepidoptera: Sphingidae) and constructs single or several unique star-shaped cocoon masses separately suspended by very long threads. The evolution of gregariousness and spherical cocoon masses is discussed.

Cotesiacassina sp. nov. from southwestern Colombia: a new gregarious microgastrine wasp (Hymenoptera, Braconidae) reared from the pest species Opsiphanescassina Felder & Felder (Lepidoptera, Nymphalidae) feeding on Elaeis oil palm trees (Arecaceae).

A new species of microgastrine wasp, Cotesiacassina Salgado-Neto, Vásquez & Whitfield, sp. nov., is described from southwestern Colombia in Tumaco, Nariño. This species is a koinobiont gregarious larval endoparasitoid, and spins a common mass of cocoons underneath the host caterpillars of Opsiphanescassina (Felder & Felder) (Lepidoptera, Nymphalidae), feeding on oil palm trees (interspecific hybrid Elaeisoleifera × E.guineensis) (Arecaceae). While superficially similar, both morphologically and biologically, to C.invirae Salgado-Neto & Whitfield from southern Brazil, the two species are distinct based on DNA barcodes, host species, geographical range and morphological characters.

The Life History and Entomophagy of Saturnia centralis and Related Saturniidae

The previously unpublished immature stages and biology of Saturnia centralis are briefly described and illustrated and compared to related species. Taxonomy and biology of the eastern Asian species of Saturnia, traditionally treated under the generic name Eriogyna, are reviewed. Saturnia centralis is a pest in commercial walnut (Juglans) groves in Yunnan Province, China. Mature larvae usually form a communal mass of cocoons on the bark of the host tree, but sometimes spin cocoons singly. Adults of S. centralis emerge and mate prior to sunset, and a female was observed to mate twice with different males. Pupae of S. centralis and Cachosaturnia cachara are sold locally in markets in Yunnan for human consumption. Elderly people in remote villages in Yunnan were surveyed about this entomophagy.

YENİ YARADILMIŞ MÜXTƏLİF PLOİDLİ TUT SORTLARININ YEMLİK KEYFİYYƏTİNİN VƏ SORTSINAQ YEMLƏMƏSİNİN BİOLOJİ GÖSTƏRİCİLƏRİNİN ÖYRƏNİLMƏSİ

The article clarifies the effect of the leaves of various newly created ploidy mulberry varieties on the productivity of mulberry silkworms, as well as on the biological parameters of silkworms. New varieties are described by conducting varietal feeding to determine the feed quality of varieties by providing information on leaf yield and the leaf yield of newly created varieties, by studying the biological parameters of varietal feeding, by determining the average mass of alive cocoons, silkness%, cocoon yield. Keywords: mulberry, sort, leaf yield, silkiness, viability, average weight of cocoon, cocoon product

Nesting Efectiveness of Red Mason Bee Osmia rufa (L.) in Reed Stalk Phragmites australis (Cav.)

Abstract The research enabled the optimal parameters of reed stalks Phragmites australis (Cav.) Trin. ex Steud, to be determined and then be used for rearing red mason bees (Osmia rufa L.). During research conducted in 2015 and 2016, 3,293 reed stalks were occupied by red mason bees, and 19,461 nest cells were counted in the stalks, of which there were 16,222 non-parasitized larvae. The mean weight of one cocoon was 0.085 g. The mean length of the reed stalk occupied by the red mason bee was 169.45 mm, its mean diameter was 6.11 mm and the mean number of cells in the reed was 5.47. The mean length of the first cell, the vestibulum, was 38.38 mm. The mean degree of parasitism was 0.16. The length of the reed stalk positively correlated with the number of cells in the reed nest (r=0.543), vestibulum length (r=0.392) and cocoon mass (r=0.362) The diameter of the reed positively correlated with the mass of the cocoon (r=0.536), the number of cells in the reed (r=0.406) and vestibulum length (r=0.254). Correlation between degree of parasitatism and length, and diameter of the reed was insignificant. Reed stalks with a length of 150 to 200 mm and a diameter of 5–7 mm are recommended for the choice of red mason bee nesting material.

Managing and monitoring genetic isolation and local adaptation of endemic and introduced Cotesia sesamiae for the biological control of the cereal stemborer Busseola fusca in Cameroon

The success of biological bontrol (BC) introductions can be enhanced by considering theory and knowledge of biological systems. The gregarious braconid parasitoid Cotesia sesamiae (Cameroon) is one of the best studied biological control agent from the perspective of molecular ecology. Its evolutionary adaptation to the target host involves symbiotic partners. Polydnaviruses are responsible for immune and developmental adaptations whereas Wolbachia bacteria may reinforce this local adaptation though genetic isolation mechanisms. The noctuid Busseola fusca is a major stemborer pest of maize in sub-Saharan Africa. In contrast to eastern Africa, C. sesamiae is rarely found on B. fusca in western Africa. It is however often obtained from other stemborer species feeding on wild grasses. A biological control project was launched in 2006–2007 by introducing to Cameroon seven crosses of Kenyan populations of C. sesamiae collected in different ecozones. They included populations adapted to B. fusca that develop on maize as well as populations adapted to other hosts feeding on wild plants to allow carryover between cropping seasons. Wolbachia strains responsible for cytoplasmic reproductive incompatibilities with endemic strains were included in the crosses to limit genetic exchanges between introduced and endemic C. sesamiae and preserve genetic adaptation to B. fusca of the introduced populations, while at the same time preserving their ability to survive on wild plants. Six post release surveys were carried out on maize from 2007 to 2013, and on wild grasses in 2013. A total of 393 C. sesamiae individuals, each from one cocoon mass, were genotyped for 11 microsatellite loci. Multidimensional scaling analysis, STRUCTURE and GENECLASS analyses assigned almost all the parasitoids recovered from maize to those introduced from Kenya. The introduced strains were also recovered from wild host plants with little genetic exchanges with endemics. Each population remained strongly associated with its original Wolbachia component, suggesting that Wolbachia may contribute to genetic isolation between endemics and introduced populations in wild host plants when maize is absent, thereby conciliating biological control success and safety.

ÇƏKİ İLƏ YEMLƏMƏNİN TUT İPƏKQURDUNUN BİOLOJİ GÖSTƏRİCİLƏRİNƏ TƏSİRİ

The article shows that the effect of weight nutrition on the biological parameters of the silkworm has been studied. The same microclimatic conditions were created for the control and experimental versions. Feed - weightless in sheet control, and has been weighted in the experimental version. For comparison, the mass of the cocoon was taken as the main indicator. The mass of a living cocoon was 1.65 g in the control and 1.67 g in the experimental version. In the experimental version, more than 0.02 g of the cocoon mass was obtained, which means an additional output of the cocoon in kilograms. Key words: silkworm, cocoon, silk, biological indicator

Host suitability of Trichoplusia ni and Chrysodeixis chalcites (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) for native and nonnative parasitoids expanding their host range

AbstractWe evaluated the host suitability and related traits of Trichoplusia ni Hübner (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) and Chrysodeixis chalcites Esper (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), which is nonnative in North America, for the native parasitoids Campoletis sonorensis Cameron (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae) and Copidosoma floridanum Ashmead (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae), and the nonnative parasitoid Cotesia vanessae Reinhard (Hymenoptera: Braconidae). For the larval parasitoid C. sonorensis and C. vanessae trials, three-day-old larvae of both hosts were used, whereas one-day-old eggs of both hosts were used for the egg–larval parasitoid C. floridanum trial. For suitability parameters on each host exposed separately to each of the three parasitoid species, we measured parasitoid emergence (parasitoid success), parasitoids that did not emerge (parasitoid cocoon mortality), the proportion of male offspring (parasitoid sex ratio), hosts that developed into moths (host success), hosts that died without developing into moths or producing a parasitoid (host mortality), parasitoids emerging from cocoon masses (brood size), and the developmental times of parasitoids and hosts. For C. sonorensis, the native host and the nonnative host were found to be similarly suitable. For C. vanessae, the native host was more suitable than the nonnative host. For C. floridanum, the native host was suitable, whereas the nonnative host was not; however, sublethal effects on both the native and nonnative hosts were observed. The differential suitability of the hosts observed in this study contributes to the understanding of this measure as a dynamic factor in the expansion of parasitoids into novel host species.

A field-release device and protocol for dispensing cocoons of Cotesia flavipes against sugarcane borers

A field-liberation technique for cocoons of the parasitoid Cotesia flavipes Cameron (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) against sugarcane borers was developed in two stages: (i) laboratory standardization of a gravimetric method to enumerate cocoons for field release and (ii) design and evaluation of a field-release device to dispense cocoons of the parasitoid. Field-collected and laboratory-reared cocoon masses of C. flavipes from two larval hosts were characterized for cocoon mass weight, cocoon number per mass (cocoon mass size), percent of adult emergence and percent of females. Non-parametric ANOVA of cocoon characteristics showed no significant differences among field-collected and laboratory-reared larvae of the two species. Cocoon mass size vs. cocoon mass weight correlation was significant for field-collected and laboratory-reared larvae of both species. Coincidence analysis of the four regression lines indicated adequacy of a single line to describe cocoon mass size vs. cocoon mass weight relationship and predict the former from the latter. Laboratory and field tests with a prototype field-release device established egress of the parasitoid from the device with minimum risk of predation. The protocol developed for dispensing C. flavipes cocoons in the field includes three steps: (i) determination of gross dosage from net dosage using proportions of females and adult emergence as correction factors; (ii) estimation of cocoon number in individual cocoon masses from cocoon mass weight using the regression equation and (iii) dispensation of gross dosage of cocoon masses using the field-release device.

Abundance of the Sugarcane Borer (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) and Foraging Ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in Sugarcane Grown on Organic and Mineral Soils in Florida.

A study was conducted in Florida to determine sugarcane borer, Diatraea saccharalis (F.), injury and infestation levels in sugarcane (Saccharum spp. hybrids), D. saccharalis parasitism rates, and ant foraging activity in 32 commercial fields as affected by soil type (shallow organic vs deep organic vs mineral). In 2017 and 2018, each field was sampled four times during the summer for D. saccharalis by inspecting 100 sugarcane stalks and for foraging ants using plastic tubes baited with hot dog at 12 locations. One non-parasitized D. saccharalis larva was collected in 2017 and in 2018 out of 12,100 and 12,600 stalks sampled, respectively. Additional sampling of 50 stalks per field in October showed that 0.6% (2017) and 0.1% (2018) of the sugarcane stalks had bored internodes, and one Cotesia flavipes (Cameron) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) cocoon mass was observed. Seven ant species foraged in sugarcane fields, including the red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta Buren, which was the most abundant ant. Solenopsis invicta was not affected by soil type; however, sugarcane fields on shallow organic soils might represent a more suitable environment. The third most abundant foraging ant, Nylanderia bourbonica (Forel), was more abundant in mineral soil fields than in shallow and deep organic soil fields. Results suggest that D. saccharalis population levels in Florida sugarcane are extremely low under current production conditions regardless of soil type. In addition, the observation of C. flavipes, S. invicta, and six other ant species suggest that biological control contributes to these low D. saccharalis population levels.

Parasitic Wasp Mediates Plant Perception of Insect Herbivores.

Microplitis croceipes is a solitary parasitoid that specializes on noctuid larvae of Helicoverpa zea and Heliothis virescens. Both the parasitoid and its hosts are naturally distributed across a large part of North America. When parasitoids deposit their eggs into hosts, venom and polydnaviruses (PDVs) are also injected into the caterpillars, which can suppress host immune responses, thus allowing parasitoid larvae to develop. In addition, PDVs can regulate host oral cues, such as glucose oxidase (GOX). The purpose of this study was to determine if parasitized caterpillars differentially induce plant defenses compared to non-parasitized caterpillars using two different caterpillar host/plant systems. Heliothis virescens caterpillars parasitized by M. croceipes had significantly lower salivary GOX activity than non-parasitized caterpillars, resulting in lower levels of tomato defense responses, which benefited parasitoid performance by increasing the growth rate of parasitized caterpillars. In tobacco plants, parasitized Helicoverpa zea caterpillars had lower GOX activity but induced higher plant defense responses. The higher tobacco defense responses negatively affected parasitoid performance by reducing the growth rate of parasitized caterpillars, causing longer developmental periods, and reduced cocoon mass and survival of parasitoids. These studies demonstrate a species-specific effect in different plant-insect systems. Based on these results, plant perception of insect herbivores can be affected by parasitoids and lead to positive or negative consequences to higher trophic levels depending upon the particular host-plant system.

Photometric and spectroscopic diversity of Type II supernovae

Hydrogen-rich (Type II) supernovae (SNe) exhibit considerable photometric and spectroscopic diversity. Extending previous work that focused exclusively on photometry, we simultaneously model the multi-band light curves and optical spectra of Type II SNe using red supergiant (RSG) progenitors that are characterized by their H-rich envelope masses or the mass and extent of an enshrouding cocoon at the star’s surface. Reducing the H-rich envelope mass yields faster declining light curves, a shorter duration of the photospheric phase, and broader line profiles at early times. However, there is only a modest boost in early-time optical brightness. Increasing the mass of the circumstellar material (CSM) is more effective at boosting the early-time brightness and producing a fast-declining light curve while leaving the duration of the photospheric phase intact. It also makes the optical color bluer, delays the onset of recombination, and can severely reduce the speed of the fastest ejecta material. The early ejecta interaction with CSM is conducive to producing featureless spectra at 10−20 d and a weak or absent Hα absorption during the recombination phase. The slow decliners SNe 1999em, 2012aw, and 2004et can be explained with a 1.2 × 1051 erg explosion in a compact (∼600 R⊙) RSG star from a 15 M⊙ stellar evolution model. A small amount of CSM (&lt;0.2 M⊙) improves the match to the SN photometry before 10 d. With more extended RSG progenitors, models predict lower ejecta kinetic energies, but the SN color stays blue for too long and the spectral line widths are too narrow. The fast decliners SNe 2013ej and 2014G may require 0.5−1.0 M⊙ of CSM, although this depends on the CSM structure. A larger boost to the luminosity (as needed for the fast decliners SNe 1979C or 1998S) requires interaction with a more spatially extended CSM, which might also be detached from the star.

Aspects of the ecology of the earthworm Eisenia lucens (Waga 1857) studied in the field and in laboratory culture

This work relates data from field sampling of Eisenia lucens and from laboratory-based culture. Field sampling used soil sorting and vermifuge extraction and took place in beech-dominated forests of southwest Poland. Initial work derived population estimates from four sub-communities of the forest looking for seasonal dynamics and later work employed targeted sampling in summer within rotting wood to obtain live specimens for laboratory culture. A preliminary examination within and below rotten wood during winter was also undertaken. In the laboratory, clitellate earthworms were kept at 20 °C, the substrate changed every 6 months, and the population examined. Cocoons were incubated individually at 15 °C, with number of hatchlings per cocoon and the mass of each determined. Hatchlings were grown at 15 °C in field-collected wood and compared with growth in a 1:1 volume ratio of wood and horse manure. Further hatchlings were fed with horse manure only (at 10 °C) and after 19 weeks, half were transferred to 15 °C. In the field, mature individuals varied significantly (p < 0.01) in biomass between 2 sampling sites where found, with an overall mean density across sites of 4.14 ± 3.53 m−2 with a mean biomass of 2.21 ± 1.93 g m−2. Numbers in soil varied over the sampling period, with a suggestion that this species moves from mineral soil to organic-rich dead wood as conditions permit. In summer, all life stages were recovered from rotting wood above the mineral soil. Sampling in winter found cocoons in rotting wood below snow. These hatched rapidly (within 2 weeks) when taken to the laboratory. Laboratory culture allowed maintenance of a population for 2 years. Mean cocoon mass was 50.6 mg with a mean of 2.9 hatchlings per cocoon and hatchling mass was inversely proportional to number per cocoon. Growth with 50% horse manure was significantly greater (p < 0.001) than with wood. Increased temperature from 10 to 15 °C brought more significantly (p < 0.05) rapid growth. To culture this species through its life cycle, a natural substrate is needed, but then it is necessary to acclimate the animals to something more easily obtainable. More work is needed from field sampling to fully understand the seasonal dynamics of this species, which utilises different parts of the soil profile throughout the year.