Host Plant Record Research Articles

First host plant record for Strymon davara (Hewitson) (Lepidoptera, Lycaenidae) in the highly human-modified coastal valleys of the Atacama Desert

Some native plants can survive the disturbances associated with agricultural activities, sometimes being considered weeds and objects of control practices. However, these plants can be very important to support populations of native insects in disturbed habitats. Alternanthera halimifolia (Lam.) Standl. (Amaranthaceae) is locally considered a weed, and here it is reported as the first host plant known for the Neotropical hairstreak Strymon davara (Hewitson, 1868) based on research performed in the coastal valleys of the Atacama Desert of northern Chile. Furthermore, field observations suggest that this is the only host of S. davara in this area. This case provides an example of the importance of a weed in the conservation of local populations of a butterfly in a highly human-modified environment.

Parasitoids of Gangara thyrsis (Fabricius) (Lepidoptera: Hesperiidae) with description of a new species of Agiommatus Crawford, 1911 (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) from India with notes on biology.

In rearing of Gangara thyrsis (Fabricius) (Lepidoptera: Hesperiidae) from Karnataka and Goa, India, six species of parasitoids were observed. One new species of parasitic wasp is described and illustrated: Agiommatus thyrsisae n. sp. (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae), a solitary parasitoid reared from the egg of G. thyrsis on the natural host plant Dypsis lutescens (H. Wendl.) Beentje & J. Dransf. Three additional species of parasitic wasps were also reared: Anastatus ramakrishnai (Mani, 1935) (Hymenoptera: Eupelmidae), a solitary hyperparasitoid of A. thyrsisae n. sp.; Sympiesis thyrsisae Gupta, Gawas & Bhambure (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae), a gregarious parasitoid reared from the caterpillar of G. thyrsis on the host plant Cocos nucifera L., and Brachymeria lasus (Walker) reared from pupa of G. thyrsis on the host plant D. lutescens. Additionally, two species of tachinid flies were also reared from the pupae of G. thyrsis: Exorista sorbillans (Wiedemann, 1830) and an innominate species close to Blepharella spp. Gangara thyrsis is a new host record for the genus Agiommatus and for A. ramakrishnai and B. lasus. The mean percent parasitism in G. thyrsis eggs was 26.58% with an incubation period of 6-7 days. Amongst the egg parasitoids, 57.14-73.08% were females and 23.08% were males. Hyperparasitism ranged from 3.85 to 42.86%. Dypsis lutescens, a member of Arecaceae, is a new host plant record for G. thyrsis.

Two New Species ofPulvillophylusfrom Western Australia (Insecta: Hemiptera: Miridae: Phylinae: Cremnorrhinini)

ABSTRACT Two new species of phyline Miridae were collected from unique localities in Kadji Kadji and Lochada Reserves of Western Australia during the Avon Wheatbelt Bush Blitz survey of September 2009. Based on head shape and male genitalic structure, P. cuneomaculatus, n. sp., and P. ecdeiocoleae, n. sp., are members of Pulvillophylus Schuh and Schwartz, 2016. The latter species was taken on the flower spikes of Ecdeiocolea monostachya F. Muell. (Ecdeiocoleaceae) and provides the first confirmed host-plant record for the genus Pulvillophylus. Documentation for both species is provided by diagnoses, descriptions, color habitus images of males, a distributional map, illustrations of male genitalic structures, and images of the endosoma. Digital images of the dorsal habitus and female genitalic structures of P. ecdeiocoleae are provided as well as digital images and a distribution map for the plant host.

Study on host plants for reproduction of Chilo suppressalis

The rice stem borer, Chilo suppressalis, is generally considered to be a polyphagous pest. The current study challenges this view by investigating its oviposition preference, larval survival and development on different host plants under both laboratory and field conditions. Rice and water-oat populations of the borer inhabiting on corresponding plants respectively have partial reproductive isolation based on previous studies. In a laboratory multiple-choice test, C. suppressalis adults from rice population laid most of eggs on water-oat (46.5% of total eggs) and rice (43.8%), with very few laid on wheat (3.6%), sugarcane (4.0%) and maize (2.0%). Field surveys supported the laboratory study and found no egg on the plants other than rice and water-oat. Neonate inoculation experiments performed in field and laboratory showed that larval survival rate was much higher on rice (49.1%–51.2%) and wheat (36.5%–44.1%) than that on water-oat (10.7%–10.8%), maize (1.2%–7.2%), sugarcane (0–1.5%) and weeds (2.4%). These results were discussed with the data reported from water-oat population and it was concluded that C. suppressalis is not a typical polyphagous pest. Rice population mainly reproduces on rice and use water-oat only as minor host, and water-oat population breeds better on water-oat than on rice as reported. Neither population could thrive on the other recorded host plants, which are used for the supplementary nutrition sources of larvae. These findings provide useful information for the development of control strategies to prevent C. suppressalis laying eggs on rice seedlings in early spring, hence effectively reducing population density of this pest in rice fields.

Revision of the Genus Tolono Rolston and Kumar, 1975 (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Acanthosomatidae), with Descriptions of Two New Species

Abstract The acanthosomatid genus Tolono Rolston and Kumar is revised. The generic description is modified slightly to accommodate the two new species described herein: Tolono confusus n. sp. is described from Ecuador and Colombia and T. pallidus n. sp. is described from Colombia. The first host plant record, Baccharis floribunda (Ruiz and Pav.) (Asteraceae), is provided for T. pallidus. A key for the identification of the species is provided.

First Record of an Exotic Host Plant for the Oligophagous MothMacaria mirthae(Geometridae) in the Coastal Valleys of the Northern Chilean Atacama Desert

First Record of an Exotic Host Plant for the Oligophagous Moth<i>Macaria mirthae</i>(Geometridae) in the Coastal Valleys of the Northern Chilean Atacama Desert

The host plants of the Telamonini treehoppers (Hemiptera: Membracidae: Smiliinae) and the first diagnoses of nymphs for 14 species.

Recent research on the treehopper tribe Telamonini has focused on their classification and Nearctic distribution but little has been published on their biology, including detailed information on their host plants as well as data on their nymphal stage. Any studies including host plant data have emphasized adult records (often unreliable due to their movements), largely ignoring the nymphs, which are the predominant feeding stage. This work provides the first comprehensive summary of Telamonini host plants, it documents the first positive identification of the nymphs for several telamonine species (and the genus Helonica), and it provides the first morphological diagnoses for 14 species, thus filling in major gaps in the life history of many species. Host plant records were determined based on accounts in the literature (adults and nymphs), from rearings of nymphs on host plants to the adult stage, and from label data on museum specimens. The Telamonini are known from 22 families, 41 genera, and 80 species of mostly woody, deciduous trees (of which, six species are new host plant records). Nearly half of all telamonines have been collected from more than one plant genus and only 12 species are known from a single host plant species. Telamonine nymphs were reared to the adult stage on 15 plant species. Of 68 telamonine species, 45 have been found on oak (Quercus), and white oak (Q. alba) is the most common telamonine host plant. Telamona monticola has the most recorded host plants with 29. The work includes 23 color illustrations showing both live and preserved nymphs, representing 15 species, all illustrated for the first time (eight are positively identified for the first time). Differences in nymphal morphology among species within Archasia, Glossonotus, Heliria, and Telamona suggest current generic definitions need revision. This study highlights the need for an increased emphasis on nymphal collections when determining treehopper host plants and inferring classifications.

Species ofSphenophorus(Coleoptera: Dryophthoridae) Associated with Golf Courses in Mexico

Summary Five species of Sphenophorus were found in golf courses from 7 states of Mexico on various host plants; Sphenophorus arizonensis Horn from the state of Puebla on Paspalum vaginatum Swartz (new state and host record); Sphenophoruscicatristriatus Fahraeus was collected in Puebla on Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.; Sphenophorusincurrens Gyllenhal was collected in Queretaro on Pennisetum clandestinum Hochst, (new state record); Sphenophorus rectus (Say) was collected in Veracruz on P. clandestinum (new host plant record); and Sphenophorus venatus vestitus Chittenden was collected in Puebla, Veracruz, Guerrero, Baja California Sur and Nuevo Leon on C.dactylon and in Guanajuato on Lolium perenne L. (new host record). This information will aid in the development of improved management tactics for Sphenophorus species attacking turfgrass in Mexico.

Diversity of Auchenorrhyncha (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Delphacidae) Associated withVicia villosain Southern Buenos Aires Province, Argentina

Among the Hemiptera, the Auchenorrhyncha are well known owing to their phytosanitary relevance since the group includes pathogen vector species able to damage commercial crops. Vicia villosa Roth (Fabaceae) is a fodder plant species, mainly distributed in central Argentina. Previous contributions have shown that V. villosa is colonized by diverse species of Auchenorrhyncha, either naturalized or native to valley of Colorado River area, in southern Buenos Aires province. To date, the only information about the species of hoppers associated with Vicia has come from preliminary field observations. The dearth of demographic knowledge about these phytophagous insects associated with this crop in Argentina motivates the study. The aims of this work were: 1) to characterize the diversity of the species of Auchenorrhyncha associated with V. villosa and 2) to determine the seasonal fluctuation of the most abundant species in relation to local weather variables and crop phonological phases. The study was conducted in Vicia plots located at EEA INTA Hilario Ascasubi (S 39° 23′ 36″ -W 62° 37′ 59″, 15 m.a.s.l.) southern Buenos Aires province. The specimens were collected with a sweep net during 2 yr (2009 and 2011). Weather variables were recorded using a meteorological station located at the sampling site. To measure species richness and community diversity we calculated both Margalef (DMg) and the Simpson (D) indexes, and also, the Relative Importance Index (RII). The relationships between population densities of the leafhoppers, Paratanus exitiosus (Beamer) and Agalliana ensigera Oman (Cicadellidae), with weather variables were analyzed through simple and multiple linear regression. A total of 17 species were associated with V. villosa crops in Argentina, of which 15 belong to the Cicadellidae and 2 to the Delphacidae. Abundance and species richness were higher in 2009 than in 2011. In general, the results of the Margalef index showed that species richness was higher in 2009, while Simpson Index (D) indicated a higher dominance in 2011 than in 2009. The species, P. exitiosus and A. ensigera, stood out for their abundance, frequency and phytosanitary relevance during the sampling period. Both species presented population increases since Nov coinciding with different phenological phases of the crop and the maximum density of the canopy. Additionally, the population density of P. exitiosus showed strong dependence on the hydric balance and photoperiod, while A. ensigera was influenced by Degree-days10 and hydric balance. Vicia villlosa was a new host-plant record for 15 species. Buenos Aires province was cited as a new distribution record for 2 species.

Immature Stages and Life Cycle of the Wasp Moth,Cosmosoma auge(Lepidoptera: Erebidae: Arctiinae) under Laboratory Conditions

Cosmosoma auge(Linnaeus 1767) (Lepidoptera: Erebidae) is a Neotropical arctiid moth common in Cuban mountainous areas; however, its life cycle remains unknown. In this work,C. augelife cycle is described for the first time; also, immature stages are described using a Cuban population. Larvae were obtained from gravid wild females caught in Viñales National Park and were fed with fresh leaves of its host plant, the climbing hempweedMikania micranthaKunth (Asterales: Asteraceae), which is a new host plant record. Eggs are hemispherical and hatching occurred five days after laying. Larval period had six instars and lasted between 20 and 22 days. First and last larval stages are easily distinguishable from others. First stage has body covered by chalazae and last stage has body covered by verrucae as other stages but has a tuft on each side of A1 and A7. Eggs and larvae features agree with Arctiinae pattern. Pupal stage lasted eight days, and, in general, females emerge before males as a result of pupal stage duration differences between sexes.

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The search for information about the species of cerambycids associated to Ocotea puberula (Rich.) Nees (Lauraceae) on twigs cut off by Oncideres cervina Thomson, 1868 (Cerambycidae: Coleoptera), motivated the present research. It was determined in the central region of Rio Grande do Sul State the emergence of cerambycids with biweekly evaluations in 49 twigs cut off. In addition to O. cervina , the twig-girdler, it was observed three other species of cerambycids, Trestonia capreola (Germar, 1824), Dihammaphora signaticollis Chevrolat, 1859 and Tropidozineus rotundicollis (Bates, 1863) (Cerambycidae: Coleoptera). It was the first record of host plant in this family botany for T capreola and D. signaticollis . The emergence period of cerambycids from twigs of O. puberula goes from September to December, with population peaking in November.

Welcome to Life

Life-long learning is a trait of many scientists, faculty members, as well as editors and I am no exception. As a biologist and an experienced college faculty member, who has also spent over 12 years serving as editor of scientific journals and books, I have seen the rising cost of often hyperspecialized, scientific venues. Taking the path of being part of the solution, I am weaving my passion for the sciences and education into a novel, professional, and adventuresome professional journey. This new journey is a scientific, peer-reviewed journal entitled, Life: The Excitement of Biology, herein abbreviated LEB (http://essential.metapress.com/content/122778). I conceived the name, Life: The Excitement of Biology, in the early 1990s, when I used to live in Berkeley, California. Although back then I was not ready to use this name, it remained in my heart. Nearly 20 years later, in late 2009, as I was looking for new editorial options, Life: The Excitement of Biology, resurfaced effortlessly, like a message on a fortune-telling toy. This name represents the enthusiasm I have often been attributed and the passion I have for my scientific research, teaching, and editorial vocations. From our beautiful garden in York, Pennsylvania, USA, filled with joy, music, laughter, and sunshine, I began developing the idea of a new scientific journal early in 2010. Today, December 20, 2012, I am welcoming the world to Life: The Excitement of Biology, published by my own company, Blay Publishers LLC (www.blaypublishers.com). LEB’s mission is to provide the global scientific community with diverse, high quality, interesting, and intelligible articles on a wide variety of biological and related scientific and educational topics. Life: The Excitement of Biology aims to promote broad understanding of all forms of life, such as bacteria, plants, fungi, animals, and others at all levels of the biological hierarchical organization, from the atomic to the biospheric. Also, LEB promotes understanding of life through deep time, from the early records of life to life’s current manifestations on Earth – or elsewhere. Inclusivity is the thrust of Life: The Excitement of Biology. LEB hopes to excite scientists, nature lovers, and anyone for whom learning about the living world is in his/her heart. The first issue of LEB contains several scientific papers, two of which I highlight now. The opening scientific contribution, penned by Cabrera et al., discusses a new host plant record for the Citrus Fruit Borer, Gymnandrosoma aurantianum Lima, 1927 (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), a

水稻和玉米苗上饲养的稻纵卷叶螟对温度的反应

The rice leaf folder(RLF) Cnaphalocrocis medinalis(Guenee) is one of the most important insect pests which has caused large amounts of yield loss of rice in recent years.C.medinalis has many recorded host plants,but the fitness of C.medinalis on some main host plants,such as rice and maize,was unclear.Moreover,the biological response of C.medinalis reared on different host plants to high temperature was little known.In order to identify the temperature requirements of the rice leaf folder,the development,survival,fecundity and hatch rate of C.medinalis reared on rice and maize seedlings were measured under different temperatures(20—36℃) in this study. The results showed that the duration from birth of larvae to emergence of adults on rice was 24.9,20.1,and 19.4 days at 24,27,and 30℃,respectively,whereas on maize seedlings,it was 28.3,21,and 20.1 days,respectively.The developmental rate of C.medinalis reared on maize seedlings was 1—3 days slower than that on rice under 24℃ or 27℃,which mainly resulted from the lower developmental rate of the pupae stage.The average longevity of adults reared on maize seedlings at 24℃ and 27℃ was 10.4 days and 7.6 days,respectively,which was significant longer than that on rice.The development of larvae reared on rice was not inhibited at 33℃,and the larvae could grow into adults.However,the development of larvae on maize seedlings was significantly inhibited at 33℃,and none of the larvae developed into pupae. The survival of C.medinalis on rice was not significantly different between 27 and 33℃,whereas the mortality was very high when the temperature increased up to 36℃,and only a few larvae grew into prepupae.However,the survival of C.medinalis larvae on maize at 33℃ was lower than that at 21—30℃,and at 36℃ they failed to develop to the 2nd instar. Fecundity of C.medinalis was highest at 24℃ and 27℃: on rice,averages of 189 and 155 eggs per female,respectively,and on maize,196 and 170 eggs per female,respectively.C.medinalis could lay a few eggs at 30℃ and 33℃ when reared on rice,and the average number of eggs per female was 35.6±2.6 and 15.6±3.8,respectively.However,no eggs were laid when the larvae were reared on maize seedlings at 30℃ and 33℃.Hatch rate of eggs was highest at 27℃,up to 75%,and there was no significant difference at this temperature between the rice and maize seedlings.At 33℃ and 36℃,no eggs hatched on maize seedlings,but about 25% and 7% of eggs on rice could hatch,respectively.The results of the present study indicate that C.medinalis can be reared well on both rice and maize seedlings,and the capacity of C.medinalis reared on rice to tolerate high temperature stress is higher than that on maize seedlings.The biological features of C.medinalis reared on maize seedlings at 24 and 27℃ were not significantly different from those on rice with the exception of slower development.

New Host Plant and Distribution Records of Tephritidae (Diptera) from Texas, with Notes on Parasitism of Tephritidae by Opiinae (Hymenoptera: Braconidae)

New Host Plant and Distribution Records of Tephritidae (Diptera) from Texas, with Notes on Parasitism of Tephritidae by Opiinae (Hymenoptera: Braconidae)

Strepsicrates smithiana Walsingham (Lepidoptera, Tortricidae): first record from Chile and a newly documented host plant

Strepsicrates smithiana Walsingham (Lepidoptera, Tortricidae): first record from Chile and a newly documented host plant. Strepsicrates smithiana Walsingham, 1892 (Lepidoptera, Tortricidae) is recorded for the first time from Chile. Male and female adults were reared from leaf-tying larvae collected on Myrica pavonis (Myricaceae), which is a new host plant record for S. smithiana.

Sexual dimorphism among species of Aleurocanthus Quaintance &amp;amp; Baker (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) in Taiwan, with one new species and an identification key

Sexual dimorphism is recorded among the puparia of six species of Aleurocanthus from Taiwan, including Aleurocanthuslauriphaga sp.n. from Cinnamomum osmophloeum. A key is provided to the puparia of seven species of this genus knownfrom Taiwan, with illustrations of immature stages and the adult male and female of the new species. The flocculent waxsecretion pattern in the puparia of this new species is atypical amongst Aleurocanthus species. Newly recorded from Tai-wan is A. citriperdus Quaintance &amp; Baker, and the record of A. spinosus (Kuwana) from Taiwan is discussed. A list of recorded host plants of Aleurocanthus species from Taiwan is provided.

Review of the sawfly fauna of Cyprus, with descriptions of two new species

Four species of Hymenoptera Symphyta are recorded for the first time in Cyprus: one Cephidae, Calameuta pygmaea (Poda, 1761), and three Tenthredinidae; Euura atra (Jurine, 1807), Heterarthrus vagans (Fallén, 1808) and Pristiphora calliprina sp. n. The genus Periclista is also newly recorded, but the species remains unidentified. Identifications of three species previously recorded in Cyprus are revised: Calameuta nigricarpus (André, 1881) comb. nov. (from Cephus) (= Calameuta filiformis: misidentification), Allantus ariadne sp. n. (= Allantus laticinctus: misidentification), Strongylogaster cypria Benson, 1954 stat. nov. (= S. multifasciata: misidentification). Alnus orientalis is a new hostplant record for Heterarthrus vagans. Of the 43 species of Symphyta now recorded in Cyprus, six are at present only known from there: Allantus ariadne, Calameuta festiva, Heterarthrus cypricus, Macrophya aphrodite, Pristiphora calliprina and Pristiphora schedli. Rather than being endemic to Cyprus, most of these species may also occur in the relatively poorly investigated neighbouring mainland eastern Mediterranean countries such as Lebanon, Syria and Israel.

First host plant record for Pero obtusaria Prout (Lepidoptera: Geometridae).

The shrub Pluchea chingoyo is mentioned as the first host plant record for larvae of the little known moth Pero obtusaria Prout.

Stigmella epicosma (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Nepticulidae): First Distribution Records from Chile and First Host Plant Record

The presence of Stigmella epicosma (Meyrick) is reported for the first time from two coastal valleys from northern Chile: Azapa and Chaca. Adults examined were reared from leafminer larvae on Trixis cacalioides (Asteraceae), the first host plant known for S. epicosma.

Diversity, Ecology and Herbivory of Hairstreak Butterflies (Theclinae) Associated with the Velvet Tree,Miconia calvescensin Costa Rica

Larvae of three species of hairstreak butterflies in the subfamily Theclinae (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae) were found feeding on developing inflorescences, flower buds, and immature fruits of the velvet tree, Miconia calvescens DC. (Myrtales: Melastomataceae) in Costa Rica. Erora opisena (Druce), Parrhasius polibetes (Cramer), and Temecla paron (Godman and Salvin) were studied in association with M. calvescens, an uncommon tree in its natural range in the neotropics and a target for biocontrol as an invader in Pacific islands. Host plant use by the three theclines was similar, with eggs being laid on inflorescences and cryptic larvae remaining there throughout development. Feeding damage by E. opisena was most abundant in pre-flowering M. calvescens, when 23% of inflorescences showed feeding damage characteristic of this species. Feeding damage by T. paron peaked at flowering, when 30% of inflorescences were affected. At field sites, E. opisena and T. paron damaged an average of 26 and 18% of each attacked inflorescence, respectively. In cage experiments, individual third- and fourth-instar larvae of E. opisena damaged an average of 24 and 21% of an inflorescence before pupating, respectively. This study provides the first host plant record for E. opisena and T. paron, the first record of P. polibetes feeding on Melastomataceae, and the first records of E. opisena and T. paron presence in Costa Rica.