Network structure of interactions between phytophagous mites and their host-plants in natural ecosystems in Brazil

2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (5) ◽  
pp. 821-832
Author(s):  
Walter Santos De Araújo ◽  
Érica Vanessa Durães De Freitas ◽  
Luana Teixeira Silveira ◽  
Rodrigo Damasco Daud

Phytophagous mites represent a diverse group of Arachnida, however, the patterns of their interactions with their host plants remain little explored. Herein we compare structural patterns of plant-phytophagous mite networks of forest and open habitats in Brazil. We adopted network size, network connectance and network modularity to characterize plant-mite network structure. We analyzed 11 plant-mite networks composed by 106 mite species, 96 host-plant species, and 342 distinct interactions. Tetranychidae and Eriophyidae were the most speciose mite families while Euphorbiaceae and Fabaceae were the most relevant host-plant families, hosting 67 and 16 mite species, respectively. We did not find any differences in network size and modularity between biomes and habitat types. However, network connectance was lower for open vegetation habitats than for forest habitat networks. Open areas can constrain the selection of defensive traits by plant species, leading phytophagous mites to consume plant species more selectively, which generates low connectivity in networks of these environments. The small number of plant-mite networks described here highlights the need for more efforts to increase knowledge about plant mites in Brazilian natural vegetation.

2011 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 47-56
Author(s):  
Hendrival Hendrival ◽  
Purnama Hidayat ◽  
Ali Nurmansyah

The study of host range and population dynamic of B. tabaci in red chili pepper fiel dswas conducted in Sub-district of Pakem, District of Sleman, Province of Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta during dry season of May-October 2009. The study of host plants of B. tabaci from the red chili pepper fields revealed that there were 27 species of host plants belong to 22 genera of 13 families including crops and weeds. The host plants belong to families of Araceae, Amaranthaceae, Asteraceae, Brassicaceae, Capparidaceae, Convolvulaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Lamiaceae, Oxalidaceae, Papilionaceae, Rubiaceae, Solanaceae and Sterculiaceae. The host plant families of Asteraceae and Euphorbiaceae had the most abundant population of B. tabaci. Geminivirus-like symptoms were found in the weeds of A. conyzoides and A. boehmerioides. Population of B. tabaci adults correlated with abundance of host plant species found in the red chili pepper fields. The population of B. tabaci in red chili pepper fields was affected by natural enemy population. Population dynamic of the parasitoid Eretmocerus sp. correlated with population dynamic of the parasitized nymph of B. tabaci. Parasitoid Eretmocerus sp. was potentially good in controlling population of B. tabaci nymph in red chili pepper fields.


2012 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 196-212 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jean Carlos Santos ◽  
Jarcilene Silva de Almeida-Cortez ◽  
Geraldo Wilson Fernandes

An inventory of gall inducing insects and their host plants in the Atlantic forest of Pernambuco, northeastern Brazil is presented. Samples of galls and their host plants were taken in six fragments of Atlantic forest. One hundred thirty-six different morphotypes of insect galls on 79 host plant species belonging to 35 plant families and 53 genera were recorded. The host plant families most attacked by galling insects were: Lecythidaceae, Myrtaceae, and Nyctaginaceae. The most frequent galling taxa were Diptera of the Cecidomyiidae family (95%), followed by Lepidoptera and Coleoptera. Galls occurred most frequently on leaves and stems, had globoid and elliptical shapes, green color and absence of trichomes on the external walls. The data indicate an intermediary richness of gall inducing insects when compared to other Brazilian Atlantic forests.


2018 ◽  
Vol 23 (8) ◽  
pp. 1598
Author(s):  
Walter Santos de Araujo ◽  
Rodrigo Damasco Daud

Plant-inhabiting mites are among the most diverse arachnid groups in terrestrial ecosystems. Because plant mites depend on their host plants, plant-related characteristics can be expected to be good predictors of mite diversity in natural vegetation, as observed for other groups of plant-inhabiting arthropods. Here, we use plant-related characteristics to predict plant mite diversity in Brazilian natural vegetation. We compiled a total of 206 mite species recorded on 343 host plant species, the majority from the Brazilian Atlantic Forest and Cerrado biomes. Among the plant taxa that hosted the highest mite richness are the families Euphorbiaceae, Meliaceae and Fabaceae, and the genera Trichilia (Meliaceae), Actinostemon and Alchornea (Euphorbiaceae). Mite species richness in different Brazilian inventories was positively influenced by sampled plant species richness and taxonomic range of sampled plants. In addition, we also found a positive correlation between plant family size (the number of plant species in a family) and total mite richness and predatory mite richness. Based on our analyses, we estimated a potential 20685 plant mite species for Brazil, which is almost 100 times higher than the number currently compiled in this study. Our findings suggest the richness of host plant species an important predictor of Brazilian mite diversity and revels that the current record of mite species richness for Brazil is only a small fraction of the potential diversity harbored by rich Brazilian flora.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Virginia Urso-Guimarães ◽  
Ingrid Koch ◽  
Ana Carolina Devides Castello

Abstract: The Pantanal Biome occupies 20% of the Brazilian territory extending its distribution over two Brazilian States, Mato Grosso and Mato Grosso do Sul. This Biome is one of Brazil's poorly known regions concerning insect gall and their interactions with host plants. In this study, we characterized for the first time the gall morphology, identified host plants and the gall makers from an area of Brazilian wetlands from Mato Grosso State, known as Pantanal Matogrossense. We sampled Pantanal Biome areas in Poconé municipality, along the Transpantaneira Road, Mato Grosso State, Brazil, in two expeditions, July 2012 and January 2013, with a total effort of 2 hours. We characterized 91 morphotypes of insect galls in 54 host plant species; 28 gall makers in 24 host plant species; the richest host plant families are Fabaceae, Myrtaceae, and Sapindaceae. Psidium guineense Sw. is the super host species. This area in Pantanal Matogrossense is the second in the richness of gall morphotypes (N=91) and average morphotypes/plant species (1.7), comparing phytophysiognomies. Additionally, 15 plant species are new record as host in galler-host plant interaction in the world. This number represents 30% of the total of host plant species sampled in Poconé. This inventory is new knowledge to the Pantanal Matogrossense and representing a unique testimony of insect-plant interactions consumed by the unprecedented fire that occurred in Pantanal Biome in the dry season of 2020.


2019 ◽  
pp. 1-13
Author(s):  
Mariana Carro ◽  
Mariela V. Lacoretz ◽  
María Cecilia De Mársico ◽  
Gustavo J. Fernández

The selection of suitable host plants for larval development is critical for most herbivorous insects. In this study, we examined host plant preferences of larvae of the Epistrophus white morpho butterfly, Morpho epistrophus argentinus (H. Fruhstorfer), a specialized butterfly that oviposits on a few plant species. In many species, the selection of host plant species for larvae development is under the control of ovipositing females and the role of larvae in host selection is minimal. Through field observations, we characterized larval host plant use in coastal woodland patches of its southernmost distribution range at eastern Buenos Aires, Argentina. All sampled M.e. argentinus larvaegroups (n = 40) were found on Scutia buxifolia trees, although the number of larval groups did not correlate with cover of this plant at patch scale. To further examine host plant preferences we performed translocation experiments and feeding choice assays. M.e. argentinus larvae translocated to unsuitable host plants had a shorter residence time than those translocated to suitable (i.e. control) hosts. Choice assays also indicated strong feeding preferences of wild larvae for S. buxifolia leaves. Our results highlight the high degree of host specificity of this butterfly, and reveal that host preference of growing larvae matches that of ovipositing females.


Author(s):  
Marcin W. Zielonka ◽  
Tom W. Pope ◽  
Simon R. Leather

Abstract The carnation tortrix moth, Cacoecimorpha pronubana (Hübner, [1799]) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), is one of the most economically important insect species affecting the horticultural industry in the UK. The larvae consume foliage, flowers or fruits, and/or rolls leaves together with silken threads, negatively affecting the growth and/or aesthetics of the crop. In order to understand the polyphagous behaviour of this species within an ornamental crop habitat, we hypothesized that different host plant species affect its life history traits differently. This study investigated the effects of the host plant species on larval and pupal durations and sizes, and fecundity (the number of eggs and the number and size of egg clutches). At 20°C, 60% RH and a 16L:8D photoperiod larvae developed 10, 14, 20 and 36 days faster when reared on Christmas berry, Photinia (Rosaceae), than on cherry laurel, Prunus laurocerasus (Rosaceae), New Zealand broadleaf, Griselinia littoralis (Griseliniaceae), Mexican orange, Choisya ternata (Rutaceae), and firethorn, Pyracantha angustifolia (Rosaceae), respectively. Female pupae were 23.8 mg heavier than male pupae, and pupal weight was significantly correlated with the duration of larval development. The lowest and the highest mean numbers of eggs were produced by females reared on Pyracantha (41) and Photinia (202), respectively. Clutch size differed significantly among moths reared on different host plants, although the total number of eggs did not differ. This study showed that different ornamental host plants affect the development of C. pronubana differently. Improved understanding of the influence of host plant on the moth's life history parameters measured here will help in determining the economic impact that this species may have within the ornamental plant production environment, and may be used in developing more accurate crop protection methodologies within integrated pest management of this insect.


2018 ◽  
Vol 23 (10) ◽  
pp. 2033
Author(s):  
Ivana Marić ◽  
Irena Međo ◽  
Slobodan Jovanović ◽  
Radmila Petanović ◽  
Dejan Marčić

Despite economic importance of Tetranychidae, knowledge regarding diversity of spider mites in the Balkan Peninsula and Southeast Europe is incomplete, especially in protected natural areas. This study presents diversity of spider mites (Acari: Tetranychidae) collected over five growing seasons at 296 locations in 38 protected natural areas of Serbia. A total of 31 spider mite species were found, 10 from Bryobiinae and 21 from Tetranychinae. The species Eotetranychus fagi Zacher was recorded as new to Serbia and this record was also the first one for Southeast Europe. Spider mites were found on host plants in five basic types as well as many subtypes of terrestrial habitats, with woodland as the most dominant one. A total of 151 plant species from 44 families were recorded as hosts for spider mites including new world records: 60 new hosts for family Tetranychidae and 41 new hosts for 21 spider mite species. Host plants from Rosaceae family harbored the highest number of spider mite species (16). A considerable number of species was found on host plants from the families Betulaceae (11), Asteraceae (10) and Sapindaceae (10). Two cosmopolitan spider mites, Tetranychus urticae Koch and Tetranychus turkestani Ugarov & Nikolskii, were clearly distinguished with 67 (7 new) and 43 (13 new) recorded host species, respectively; among newly recorded hosts for Tetranychidae family, these two mite species were found on 27 and 12 hosts, respectively. After the two most common species, the most striking was the presence of Bryobia praetiosa Koch with 24 (4 new) recorded host plants, followed by Amphitetranychus viennensis (Zacher), Eotetranychus carpini (Oudemans) and Bryobia rubrioculus (Scheuten), with 21 (7 new), 20 (6 new) and 16 (2 new) hosts, respectively. The remaining tetranychids were found on 1–9 host plant species. This study provided the first insight into diversity of tetranychids in Serbian protected areas. Further research in this field should focus on mites from host plants representative of specific areas and habitats, including endangered, endemic and relict species.


Zootaxa ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 4802 (2) ◽  
pp. 317-334
Author(s):  
GAMZE KARACA ◽  
YUSUF KATILMIŞ

Field surveys were carried out to determine the richness of the Cynipidae fauna of Kazdağı National Park, located on the border of Edremit county (Balıkesir province, Turkey). Gall samples of cynipids were collected or photographed on Quercus and Rosa host plants. As a result, 53 cynipid species belonging to 3 different tribes were found or observed in the surveyed area. 14 and 8 species were recorded as new for the Cynipidae fauna of Balıkesir and Çanakkale provinces respectively, including the first locality record of Andricus hystrix Trotter, 1897 for Turkey. In addition, color photos of reared cynipid wasps from their galls and the observed cynipid galls on their host plant species are presented. 


2019 ◽  
Vol 59 ◽  
pp. e20195904 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amanda Das Neves Ribeiro ◽  
Maria Isabel Protti de Andrade Balbi ◽  
Maria Virginia Urso-Guimarães

Herein, we studied the occurrence of insect galls from natural vegetation around the Itambé Cave, Altinópolis, SP, Brazil. A sampling effort of 7.5 hours resulted in 41 gall morphotypes on 21 host plant species from 14 families. The richest families of host plants in morphotypes were Fabaceae (N = 11), Euphorbiaceae (N = 7), and Malpighiaceae (N = 5). Copaifera langsdorffii Desf. (N = 8), Croton floribundus Spreng. (N = 7), Diplopterys pubipetala (A. Juss.) W.R. Anderson & C.C. Davis (N = 5), and Bauhinia holophylla (Bong.) Steud. (N = 4) were the super host plant species. Among the gall makers obtained, cecidomyiids were reared in 81% of cases and Hemiptera (Diaspididae), Hymenoptera (Eurytomidae), Coleoptera (Apion sp./Apionidae), and Lepidoptera in 4.5% of cases, each. The parasitoids belong to the Chalcidoidea superfamily (Hymenoptera). One new species of Camptoneuromyiia (Cecidomyiidae) was found in Smilax oblongifolia Pohl ex Griseb. (Smilacaceae) as inquiline and a new species of Lestodiplosis in Diplopterys pubipetala (Malpighiaceae) was a predator. We also present the first register of Bauhinia holophylla as host plants of Cecidomyiidae, and we expand the occurrence of Rochadiplosis tibouchinae Tavares and Couridiplosis vena to São Paulo State. The results of this paper are a continuation of the description of gall morphotypes from the vegetation in Northeastern São Paulo State, and they also increase knowledge about the diversity of host plant and gall-maker associations in the Neotropical region.


Zootaxa ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 1728 (1) ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
KARL N. MAGNACCA ◽  
DAVID FOOTE ◽  
PATRICK M. O’GRADY

The Hawaiian Drosophilidae is one of the best examples of rapid speciation in nature. Nearly 1,000 species of endemic drosophilids have evolved in situ in Hawaii since a single colonist arrived over 25 million years ago. A number of mechanisms, including ecological adaptation, sexual selection, and geographic isolation, have been proposed to explain the evolution of this hyperdiverse group of species. Here, we examine the known ecological associations of 326 species of endemic Hawaiian Drosophilidae in light of the phylogenetic relationships of these species. Our analysis suggests that the long-accepted belief of strict ecological specialization in this group does not hold for all taxa. While many species have a primary host plant family, females will also oviposit on non-preferred host plant taxa. Host shifting is fairly common in some groups, especially the grimshawi and modified mouthparts species groups of Drosophila, and the Scaptomyza subgenus Elmomyza. Associations with types of substrates (bark, leaves, flowers) are more evolutionarily conserved than associations with host plant families. These data not only give us insight into the role ecology has played in the evolution of this large group, but can help in making decisions about the management of rare and endangered host plants and the insects that rely upon them for survival.


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