Noctuid Species Research Articles

Comparison of Different Trap Designs for Capture of Noctuid Moths (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) With Pheromone and Floral Odor Attractants.

Six trap designs were assessed for capturing noctuid moths in field trials in the United Kingdom and Argentina. The traps were baited with either a sex pheromone for Autographa gamma in the UK trials and Helicoverpa gelotopoeon (Dyar) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in Argentina, or a floral odor blend. In the UK trials the Universal Trap and a funnel sleeve trap were compared; in Argentina the funnel sleeve trap, a homemade bucket trap, and (L.) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) three sticky traps: LepTrap, wing trap, and delta trap were compared. Comparisons were made between the traps and attractants and captures of noctuid moths and nontarget insects. Traps baited with the floral attractant caught a lower number but a wider range of noctuid species including Helicoverpa, Spodoptera, Rachiplusia, Dargida, Mythimna, Chrysodeixis, Agrotis, and Autographa spp., and nontarget insects. In the UK trials, the funnel sleeve trap caught significantly more A. gamma than the Universal Trap. The addition of an insecticide to the Universal Trap marginally increased trap catches. In the Argentinian trials, the homemade bucket and the sleeve traps outperformed all sticky traps in most situations regardless of crop environment and attractant type. The homemade bucket and the funnel sleeve traps are also considerably cheaper than the other trap designs. Of the sticky traps the LepTrap caught more noctuids than the wing and delta traps. The results suggest that the bucket trap and the sleeve trap have a much greater maximum capacity and possibly a greater retention efficiency for noctuid moths compared to the sticky traps.

Description of a new species of Deltote Reichenbach, Leipzig, 1817 (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae, Eustrotiinae) from Turkey and Turkmenistan.

A new noctuid species, Deltote turcica sp. n. is described from central Turkey and Turkmenistan. It is compared with its sister species Deltote delicatula (Christoph, 1882). The characterisation of the delicatula species-group is given. And, the genitalia of both sexes and adults are illustrated.

Таксономічний склад кормових рослин гусені совкоподібних (Lepidoptera: Noctuoidea) в умовах напівприродних екосистем приміської зони міста Житомир

Унаслідок проведених досліджень зібрано 2154 екземпляри комах, що належать до 125 видів совкоподібних, які належать до 3 родин і 24 підродин. Проаналізовано розподіл гусені совкоподібних у виявлених родинах та підродинах Noctuoidea відносно основних життєвих форм рослин, а також таксономічний склад кормових рослин. Встановлено, що частка хортофагів становить 53 %. Частка дендрофагів та хорто-дендрофагів є приблизно однаковою (22 та 25 % відповідно). Виявлено, що гусінь совкоподібних досліджуваного району трофічно пов'язана зі 105 родинами 3 відділів наземних рослин флори України. З'ясовано, що частка представників відділів папоротеподібних (Polypodiophyta) та голонасінних (Pinophyta) незначна: 5,7 та 1 % відповідно. Кормовими рослинами з відділу Polypodiophyta є представники 6 родин. З відділу голонасінних як кормові рослини виявлено представників однієї родини – Pinaceae. Досліджено, що переважаючу частку кормових рослин виявлених видів совкоподібних становлять покритонасінні рослини (Magnoliophyta) – 93,3 %. З класом однодольних (Liliopsida) облігатно пов'язано 10 видів; з дводольними (Magnoliopsida) облігатно пов'язано 45 видів. Найбільшу кількість видів виявлено на представниках родин Rosaceae, Asteraceae та Poaceae (71, 69 та 68 виявлених видів відповідно). Встановлено, що більшість шкідливих видів за харчовою спеціалізацією є хортофільними поліфагами із широкими трофічними зв'язками.

Western European Populations of the Ichneumonid Wasp Hyposoter didymator Belong to a Single Taxon

Hyposoter didymator (Hymenoptera, Ichneumonidae) is a generalist solitary endoparasitoid of noctuid larvae. In the present work, we tested whether populations of H. didymator were divided in several genetically distinct taxa as described for many other generalist parasitoid species, and whether differences in H. didymator parasitism rates were explained by the insect host species and/or by the plant on which these hosts were feeding on. The genetic analysis of natural populations collected in different regions in France and Spain on seven different insect hosts and seven different host plants (775 individuals) showed that H. didymator populations belong to a unique single taxon. However, H. didymator seems to be somewhat specialized. Indeed, in the fields it more often parasitized Helicoverpa armigera compared to the other host species collected in the present work. Also, H. didymator parasitism rates in field conditions and semi-field experimental studies were dependent on the host plants on which H. armigera larvae are feeding. Still, H. didymator can occur occasionally on non-preferred noctuid species. One hypothesis explaining the ability of H. didymator to switch hosts in natura could be related to fluctuating densities of the preferred host over the year; this strategy would allow the parasitoid to avoid seasonal population collapses.

Mitochondrial DNA genomes of five major Helicoverpa pest species from the Old and New Worlds (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae).

Five species of noctuid moths, Helicoverpa armigera, H. punctigera, H. assulta, H. zea, and H. gelotopoeon, are major agricultural pests inhabiting various and often overlapping global distributions. Visual identification of these species requires a great deal of expertise and misidentification can have repercussions for pest management and agricultural biosecurity. Here, we report on the complete mitochondrial genomes of H. assulta assulta and H. assulta afra, H. gelotopoeon, H. punctigera, H. zea, and H. armigera armigera and H. armigera conferta’ assembled from high‐throughput sequencing data. This study significantly increases the mitogenome resources for these five agricultural pests with sequences assembled from across different continents, including an H. armigera individual collected from an invasive population in Brazil. We infer the phylogenetic relationships of these five Helicoverpa species based on the 13 mitochondrial DNA protein‐coding genes (PCG's) and show that two publicly available mitogenomes of H. assulta (KP015198 and KR149448) have been misidentified or incorrectly assembled. We further consolidate existing PCR‐RFLP methods to cover all five Helicoverpa pest species, providing an updated method that will contribute to species differentiation and to future monitoring efforts of Helicoverpa pest species across different continents. We discuss the value of Helicoverpa mitogenomes to assist with species identification in view of the context of the rapid spread of H. armigera in the New World. With this work, we provide the molecular resources necessary for future studies of the evolutionary history and ecology of these species.

Overlooked South American noctuid species: revalidation of Feltia llanoi stat. rev. and redescription of Feltia brachystria (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae).

Feltia llanoi (Köhler, 1953) stat. rev. and its hitherto senior subjective synonym Feltia brachystria (Hampson, 1903) are two species of noctuid moths with unusual broadly bipectinate antenna and restricted distribution in central eastern Argentina, southern Brazil, and Uruguay. Examination of the type of specimens and further material from several collections indicates that these names are not synonyms, but valid species, and reveal the occurrence of F. llanoistat. rev. in Brazil. Therefore, F. llanoistat. rev. and F. brachystria are redescribed and the former name is reinstated to species, including taxonomic comments, illustration of some characters of taxonomic importance, and of structures of the male and female genitalia. The species are compared with similar-looking and supposedly closely related species, such as F. chilensis (Hampson, 1903), F. carolia (Schaus, 1929), and F. gypaetina (Guenée, 1852). Additionally, in order to stabilize nomenclature, a lectotype for F. llanoistat. rev. is designated, and Agrotis daguerrei Köhler, 1961 is here recognized as a junior subjective synonym of F. llanoistat. rev. (syn. nov.).

Contributions to the knowledge autumnal Lepidoptera of Dağlıca (Hakkari) with two poorly known noctuid species

This paper evaluates a collection of autumnal Lepidoptera fauna from Dağlıca vicinity of Hakkari Province. A total of 58 species are examined belonging to 9 families. Off all, 33 species in Dağlıca vicinity and 21 species in Hakkari Province are determined for the first time. All the species are listed alphabetically within the families, together with synonyms and studied materials. Furthermore, distribution of endemic and poorly known two noctuid species, Ostheldera arne L. Ronkay & Varga, 1994 and Hakkaria varga (Hacker, [1987]) are discussed and, their adults and genital pictures are illustrated.

Evidence for a southward autumn migration of nocturnal noctuid moths in central Europe.

Insect migrations are spectacular natural events and resemble a remarkable relocation of biomass between two locations in space. Unlike the well-known migrations of daytime flying butterflies, such as the painted lady (Vanessa cardui) or the monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus), much less widely known are the migrations of nocturnal moths. These migrations - typically involving billions of moths from different taxa - have recently attracted considerable scientific attention. Nocturnal moth migrations have traditionally been investigated by light trapping and by observations in the wild, but in recent times a considerable improvement in our understanding of this phenomenon has come from studying insect orientation behaviour, using vertical-looking radar. In order to establish a new model organism to study compass mechanisms in migratory moths, we tethered each of two species of central European Noctuid moths in a flight simulator to study their flight bearings: the red underwing (Catocala nupta) and the large yellow underwing (Noctua pronuba). Both species had significantly oriented flight bearings under an unobscured view of the clear night sky and in the Earth's natural magnetic field. Red underwings oriented south-southeast, while large yellow underwings oriented southwest, both suggesting a southerly autumn migration towards the Mediterranean. Interestingly, large yellow underwings became disoriented on humid (foggy) nights while red underwings remained oriented. We found no evidence in either species for a time-independent sky compass mechanism as previously suggested for the large yellow underwing.

Chemical-mediated counter defense: attraction of two parasitoid species to the defensive secretion of host larvae

Carnivorous animals put selection pressure on their herbivorous preys, leading to the development of defensive traits in prey species and counter defensive traits in carnivores—an evolutionary arms race for survival. For instance, larvae of the moth Heliothis virescens use defensive oral secretions to deter attacking parasitic wasps (parasitoids). However, it is not clear whether parasitoids also use the same secretion for host location. If carnivores follow the herbivore model, evolution should favor specialist over generalist parasitoid species in their ability to manipulate host defensive chemicals. To test this prediction, Microplitis croceipes and Cotesia marginiventris, both larval endoparasitoids of H. virescens, were used as a study system. Microplitis croceipes is relatively specialized on Heliothis/Helicoverpa species while C. marginiventris is a generalist parasitoid on several noctuid host species. Innate behavioral responses of parasitoids to host defensive secretion were tested in Petri dish arena and Y-tube olfactometer bioassays. Heliothis virescens defensive secretion was manually applied to a spot in a sector (secretion zone) of the arena. Tracking data suggests that both parasitoid species are likely to locate the secretion spot once they enter the secretion zone. Comparing the two species, however, M. croceipes (specialist) spent significantly more time in the secretion zone and spot than C. marginiventris (generalist). In Y-tube olfactometer bioassays, the secretion elicited a strong attraction in M. croceipes but not in C. marginiventris, supporting our prediction. We discussed chemical-mediated counter defense in natural enemies of pest insects and the significance of the results to parasitoid-host coevolution.

A new genus and three new species of noctuid moths from western United States of America and Mexico (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae, Noctuinae, Eriopygini)

The genus Rhabdorthodesgen. n. is described for three previously unnamed noctuid moths from the mountains of south-western United States and Mexico. It is assigned to subfamily Noctuinae, tribe Eriopygini. Rhabdorthodespattersonisp. n. from the United States and Rhabdorthodesdurangosp. n. and Rhabdorthodespetersonisp. n. from Mexico are described. These moths are small, dull gray brown, and lack highly diagnostic wing markings, but are distinctive structurally. The adults and genitalia of both sexes are illustrated and distribution maps are presented. Two species eponyms honor persons who have facilitated the study and enjoyment of moths in North America by creating moth-specific websites.

An odorant receptor mediates the attractiveness of cis-jasmone to Campoletis chlorideae, the endoparasitoid of Helicoverpa armigera.

Parasitic wasps rely on olfaction to locate their hosts in complex chemical environments. Odorant receptors (ORs) function together with well-conserved odorant coreceptors (ORcos) to determine the sensitivity and specificity of olfactory reception. Campoletis chlorideae (Hymenoptera: Ichneunmonidae) is a solitary larval endoparasitoid of the cotton bollworm, Helicoverpa armigera, and some other noctuid species. To understand the molecular basis of C.chlorideae's olfactory reception, we sequenced the transcriptome of adult male and female heads (including antennae) and identified 211 OR transcripts, with 95 being putatively full length. The tissue expression profiles, as assessed by reverse-transcription PCR, showed that seven ORs were expressed only or more highly in female antennae. Their functions were analysed using the Xenopu slaevis oocyte expression system and two-electrode voltage-clamp recordings. CchlOR62 was tuned to cis-jasmone, which was attractive to female C.chlorideae adults and H.armigera larvae in the subsequent behavioural assays. Further bioassays using caged plants showed that the parasitism rate of H.armigera larvae by C.chlorideae on cis-jasmone-treated tobacco plants was higher than on the control plants. Thus, cis-jasmone appears to be an important infochemical involved in the interactions of plants, H.armigera and C.chlorideae, and CchlOR62 mediates the attractiveness of cis-jasmone to C.chlorideae.

Simple Methods to Devitalize Eggs and Larvae ofHeliothis virescensandHelicoverpa zeaunder Laboratory Conditions

Heliothine moths are economically damaging insect pests, significantly affecting world crop production each year. Several species in the subfamily are commonly used in agricultural research laboratories. Research protocols should include methods to ensure that excess individuals are completely devitalized before being discarded, preventing further spread of the pests. Processes such as ultracold temperature freezing, autoclaving, or holding insects under adverse conditions for a long period of time are commonly used devitalization methods. Each method adds significant amounts of time and cost; also increasing competition for space in already crowded laboratories. While these frequently used methods might be necessary for some very resilient species, other species can succumb under less elaborate methods of devitalization. One hour of exposure to undiluted household bleach, brief exposure (>20 seconds) of wetted individuals to microwave radiation, storage in a household freezer for 48 hours, and contact with 70% isopropyl alcohol for 24 hours completely devitalized eggs and L1 larvae of corn earworm, Helicoverpa zea (Boddie), and tobacco budworm, Heliothis virescens (Fab.). These very effective methods might also be applicable for other noctuid species.

Revision of the Hoplodrina implacata group (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae: Noctuinae: Caradrinini) of Taiwan, with descriptions of four new species.

The noctuid taxon Hoplodrina implacata species complex comprises so far five species ranging in China, Japan, Korea and Taiwan. Previously only H. implacata (Wileman West, 1929) was recorded in Taiwan. The present study reviews this group in Taiwan, totally four new species, i.e., H. cienensis sp. nov., H. obscura sp. nov., H. bunun sp. nov., H. kononenkoi sp. nov, are described and a key to all Taiwanese species is given.

New Records of Noctuoid Moths (Lepidoptera, Noctuoidea) in the Baikal Region

The results of long-term faunistic studies of the noctuoid moths in the Baikal region and the literature review are presented. An annotated check-list including 83 species of the families Notodontidae, Erebidae, Nolidae, and Noctuidae is given. Data on the previous records of the species from the study region are given. The Noctuoidea fauna of Irkutsk Province comprises 462 species, that of the Republic of Buryatia, 419 species, and that of the Baikal region as a whole, 510 species. The distribution limits are expanded for 17 species of the Noctuoidea complex: the new eastern range boundary is established for 11 species of Erebidae and Noctuidae, and the new western one is established for 5 representatives of Notodontidae, Erebidae and Noctuidae. Two species, Actebia confinis (Staudinger, 1881) and Actebia confusa (Alpheraky, 1882), are new to the Russian fauna. The trophic associations of Phidrimana amurensis (Staudinger, 1892) are established: the larvae of this Euro-Siberian species feed on the leaves of different species of elms (Ulmus japonica Rehder, Ulmus pumila L.). Three noctuid species, Calyptra lata (Butler, 1881), Bryophila granitalis (Butler, 1881) and Cosmia trapezinula (Filipjev, 1927), with large disjunctions of their ranges are reported; these moths are apparently relicts of the Atlantic Period of the Holocene.

<b>A new range record of noctuid moth <I>Owadaglaea elongata</I> (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae: Xyleninae) from India</b>

The noctuid species, Owadaglaea elongata Hreblay & Ronkay, 1998 was found in Eastern Himalayan region and is reported for the first time from India. The adults male and female genitalia of the species are illustrated with new distributional range.

ОГЛЯД ТРОФІЧНИХ ЗВ'ЯЗКІВ ГУСЕНІ СОВКОПОДІБНИХ (LEPIDOPTERA: NOCTUOIDEA) В УМОВАХ НАПІВПРИРОДНИХ ЕКОСИСТЕМ ПРИМІСЬКОЇ ЗОНИ МІСТА ЖИТОМИР

Узагальнення та аналіз даних із трофічних зв'язків гусені Noctuoidea необхідні під час організації захисних заходів щодо боротьби із шкідниками, організації охорони рідкісних видів, проведення екологічного моніторингу тощо. Внаслідок проведених досліджень зібрано 1818 екземплярів комах, що належать до 119 видів совкоподібних, які належать до 3 родин і 23 підродин. Проаналізовано трофічні зв'язки гусені совкоподібних у виявлених родинах та підродинах Noctuoidea за такими показниками: за типами живлення; за широтою трофічної спеціалізації; за адаптацією до живлення на окремих органах та частинах рослин. З'ясовано, що найпоширенішим типом живлення є фітофагія, яку відзначено у 117 (98 %) виявлених видів. Один вид належить до детритофагів. Ще в одного виду відзначено факультативне хижацтво. Встановлено, що за широтою трофічної спеціалізації 92 % виявлених видів належить до широких поліфагів; широкі олігофаги становлять 6 % виявлених видів, вузькі олігофаги – тільки 2 %. Монофагів серед виявлених видів немає. Показано, що за адаптацією до живлення на окремих органах та частинах рослин виявлені види розподіляютьcя таким чином: філофаги – 71 %; стеблові совки – 12 %; антокарпофаги – 6 %. Виявлено, що в напівприродних біотопах, незважаючи на високий ступінь гемеробії, умови існування для підгризаючих совок, серед яких є першорядні шкідники сільського та лісового господарства, не є достатньо комфортними, на що можна було б сподіватись.

Odour and feeding preference of noctuid moth larvae conditioned to vanillin diet and non-vanillin diet

It is largely accepted that larval experience influence host-plant preference of larvae. In general, larval experience with a host plant induces both an odour and feeding preference for that plant. In a previous study, exposure of three noctuid stem borer species, i.e. Sesamia nonagrioides, Busseola fusca and B. nairobica, to a vanillin-enriched medium induced an olfactory preference for the odours of this medium in the larvae of these species. Here, we checked if the exposure to a vanillin-enriched medium also induced a feeding preference for this diet. Different life stages (i.e. neonate larvae to adults) of the three species were conditioned to an artificial diet enriched with vanillin over two generations. Thereafter, two-choice tests on third-generation larvae were done using a Y-tube olfactometer for odour preferences and diet choice experiments. Larvae of all three-species conditioned to the vanillin diet oriented significantly towards the odour of this diet, whereas the non-conditioned larvae did not. Still, apart for B. fusca, the conditioned larvae did not exhibit a feeding preference for this diet, thus odour preference did not match the feeding choice of the conditioned larvae. The implication of this result on insect’s adaptability to a new host plant in a changing environment is discussed.

Diversity of Noctuid Caterpillars belonging to Subfamily Amphipyrinae, Catocalinae, Cuculiinae, Heliothinae, Noctuinae and Plusiinae on Host Crops/Plants of Jammu & Kashmir State (India)

This paper deals with a total of 22 species of 14 genera, belonging to noctuid moth caterpillars, under subfamily Amphipyrinae (2 spp.), Catocalinae (1sp.), Cuculiinae (3 spp.), Heliothinae (2 spp.), Noctuinae (8 spp.) and Plusiinae (6 spp.). These noctuid species have been found to be feeding on 56 spp. of agricultural crops, economically important plants and water weed. Of the total caterpillar species, under 6 sub-families, 14 spp. of various sub-families, excepting Cuculiinae, are associated with different agricultural crops. This accounts for 63.63% of noctuid-fauna studied. The highest number of caterpillar species i.e. 13 (Cuculines, Heliothines, Noctuines and Plusiines), feed on 28 spp. of medicinal / aromatic plants. This is followed by8 spp. of noctuids, devouring vegetable crops (9 spp.). 6 spp. of caterpillars are associated with 4 spp. of cereal / food crops, 4 spp. with legumes (5spp.), 3 spp. feeding fodder crops (3 spp.), 2 spp. each associated with fruit crop/tree (2 spp.), ornamental plants (2 spp.) and rape seed, and 1 sp. each of caterpillar feeding on mulberry and common water hyacinth, belonging to different subfamilies of noctuid moths. An up-to-date systematic Checklist of noctuids, associated with crops and plant species, has been provided. Besides, species diversity of noctuid-fauna on host crops/ plants, has been included.

Noctuid moths as potential hybridization agents for Platanthera orchids

Zoophilous flowering plants communicate with pollinators to ensure pollen transfer. Pin-pointing which species are effective pollinators is not only essential to better understand plant-pollinator networks, but equally so to better understand the potential of hybridization in plant systems, such as in orchids. As a case study, we studied two sympatric populations of the congeneric orchids Platanthera bifolia and P. chlorantha in order to assess their nocturnal pollinators by checking which moth species carried pollinaria, and of which orchid species. Moths carrying Platanthera pollinaria were photographed and identified. The carried pollinaria were identified and counted, and their attachment position on the moth’s head was scored. Based on these observations we show that three species of noctuid moths visited the Platanthera inflorescences. Although Noctua pronuba visited P. chlorantha, only Cucullia umbratica and Autographa gamma turned out to be potential pollinators for both orchid species. As such, we here demonstrate that the latter two noctuids have high potential to facilitate hybridization among these two orchid species, especially so in sympatric populations.

Antennal transcriptome analysis of the piercing moth Oraesia emarginata (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae).

The piercing fruit moth Oraesia emarginata is an economically significant pest; however, our understanding of its olfactory mechanisms in infestation is limited. The present study conducted antennal transcriptome analysis of olfactory genes using real-time quantitative reverse transcription PCR analysis (RT-qPCR). We identified a total of 104 candidate chemosensory genes from several gene families, including 35 olfactory receptors (ORs), 41 odorant-binding proteins, 20 chemosensory proteins, 6 ionotropic receptors, and 2 sensory neuron membrane proteins. Seven candidate pheromone receptors (PRs) and 3 candidate pheromone-binding proteins (PBPs) for sex pheromone recognition were found. OemaOR29 and OemaPBP1 had the highest fragments per kb per million fragments (FPKM) values in all ORs and OBPs, respectively. Eighteen olfactory genes were upregulated in females, including 5 candidate PRs, and 20 olfactory genes were upregulated in males, including 2 candidate PRs (OemaOR29 and 4) and 2 PBPs (OemaPBP1 and 3). These genes may have roles in mediating sex-specific behaviors. Most candidate olfactory genes of sex pheromone recognition (except OemaOR29 and OemaPBP3) in O. emarginata were not clustered with those of studied noctuid species (type I pheromone). In addition, OemaOR29 was belonged to cluster PRIII, which comprise proteins that recognize type II pheromones instead of type I pheromones. The structure and function of olfactory genes that encode sex pheromones in O. emarginata might thus differ from those of other studied noctuids. The findings of the present study may help explain the molecular mechanism underlying olfaction and the evolution of olfactory genes encoding sex pheromones in O. emarginata.