scholarly journals Floral nectar affects longevity of the aphid parasitoid Aphidius ervi and its hyperparasitoid Dendrocerus aphidum

2006 ◽  
Vol 59 ◽  
pp. 178-183 ◽  
Author(s):  
S.A. Araj ◽  
S.D. Wratten ◽  
A.J. Lister A ◽  
H.L. Buckley
Keyword(s):  
Flowering Plants ◽  
Floral Resources ◽  
Aphidius Ervi ◽  
Level System ◽  
Floral Nectar ◽  
Aphid Parasitoid ◽  
Nectar Sources ◽  
Nectar Source ◽  
Aphid Host ◽  
Control Water

In this study the potential consequences of making a three or fourtrophic level system more complex by adding floral resources was studied in the laboratory for a range of plant nectar sources the aphid parasitoid Aphidius ervi and its hyperparasitoid Dendrocerus aphidum Parasitoids exposed to flowering buckwheat survived 45 times longer than those in the control (water only) and 34 times longer than those provided with phacelia alyssum or coriander Hyperarasitoids provided with buckwheat survived 56 times longer than those in the control and 35 times longer than those on the other flowering plants Buckwheat phacelia alyssum and coriander can therefore enhance the fitness of A ervi without benefiting its aphid host which does not feed on nectar However the fitness of the hyperparasitoid may increase relatively more than that of the parasitoid depending on the nectar source

scholarly journals Floral Resources for Trissolcus japonicus, a Parasitoid of Halyomorpha halys

Insects ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 413
Author(s):  
Hanna R. McIntosh ◽  
Victoria P. Skillman ◽  
Gracie Galindo ◽  
Jana C. Lee
Keyword(s):  
Egg Parasitoid ◽  
Flowering Plant ◽  
Floral Resources ◽  
Halyomorpha Halys ◽  
Floral Nectar ◽  
Crimson Clover ◽  
Classical Biocontrol ◽  
Nectar Sources ◽  
Trissolcus Japonicus ◽  
The Impact

The egg parasitoid Trissolcus japonicus is the main candidate for classical biocontrol of the invasive agricultural pest Halyomorpha halys. The efficacy of classical biocontrol depends on the parasitoid’s survival and conservation in the agroecosystem. Most parasitoid species rely on floral nectar as a food source, thus identifying nectar sources for T. japonicus is critical. We evaluated the impact of eight flowering plant species on T. japonicus survival in the lab by exposing unfed wasps to flowers inside vials. We also measured the wasps’ nutrient levels to confirm feeding and energy storage using anthrone and vanillin assays adapted for T. japonicus. Buckwheat, cilantro, and dill provided the best nectar sources for T. japonicus by improving median survival by 15, 3.5, and 17.5 days compared to water. These three nectar sources increased wasps’ sugar levels, and cilantro and dill also increased glycogen levels. Sweet alyssum, marigold, crimson clover, yellow mustard, and phacelia did not improve wasp survival or nutrient reserves. Further research is needed to determine if these flowers maintain their benefits in the field and whether they will increase the parasitism rate of H. halys.

The location of floral nectar sources by mosquitoes: an advanced bioassay for volatile plant odours and initial studies with Aedes aegypti (L.) (Diptera: Culicidae)

1988 ◽  
Vol 78 (4) ◽  
pp. 641-650 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. C. Jepson ◽  
T. P. Healy
Keyword(s):  
Aedes Aegypti ◽  
Feeding Behaviour ◽  
Floral Nectar ◽  
Behavioural Activity ◽  
Nectar Feeding ◽  
Nectar Sources ◽  
Nectar Source ◽  
Plant Odours ◽  
Ray Florets ◽  
Light:Dark Cycle

AbstractThe development and testing of a bioassay system to evaluate the potency of floral odours as mediators of long-range floral nectar source location by mosquitoes are described. The bioassay is quantitative and behaviourally discriminating, upwind flying and landing acting as indices of behavioural activity over the 24-h light:dark cycle. In initial tests, the responses of Aedes aegypti (L.) to the flowers and floral odours of ox-eye daisy (Leucanthemum vulgare) were investigated. A. aegypti exhibited a biphasic diel cycle of nectar-feeding behaviour and landed on modified flowers that retained either their disc or ray florets. Most significantly, the mosquitoes responded in a similar way to the odour of L. vulgare in the absence of visual stimuli or nutritional cues. They did not respond to solvent extracts of ox-eye daisy flowers.

scholarly journals More Power with Flower for the Pupal Parasitoid Trichopria drosophilae: A Candidate for Biological Control of the Spotted Wing Drosophila

Insects ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (7) ◽  
pp. 628
Author(s):  
Annette Herz ◽  
Eva Dingeldey ◽  
Camilla Englert
Keyword(s):  
Biological Control ◽  
Flowering Plants ◽  
Spotted Wing Drosophila ◽  
Floral Resources ◽  
Lifetime Fecundity ◽  
Threefold Increase ◽  
Candidate Species ◽  
Berry Crops ◽  
Males And Females ◽  
Crop System

Parasitoids are currently considered for biological control of the spotted wing drosophila (SWD) in berry crops. Releases of mass-reared parasitoids require the presence of all resources necessary to ensure their effectiveness in the crop system. The use of floral resources to feed Trichopria drosophilae, one of the candidate species, was investigated in a laboratory study. The life expectancy of males and females increased by three to four times when they had access to flowers of buckwheat or of two cultivars of sweet alyssum. Female realized lifetime fecundity increased from 27 offspring/female exposed to water only to 69 offspring/female exposed to buckwheat flowers. According to this almost threefold increase in parasitoid fitness, it is advisable to introduce flowering plants into the crop system, when parasitoid releases are carried out. Sweet alyssum offers the advantage of not growing too tall in combination with an extended blooming. However, adult SWD were also able to feed on flowers of both plants and survived for at least 27 days, much longer than starving flies. The introduction of flowering plants to promote natural enemies therefore requires further consideration of the risk–benefit balance under field conditions to prevent unintended reinforcement of this pest.

scholarly journals Floral Resources Sustaining African Meliponine Bee Species (Hymenoptera: Meliponini) in a Fragile Habitat of Kenya

2016 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 42 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bridget O. Bobadoye ◽  
Paul N. Ndegwa ◽  
Lucy Irungu ◽  
Fombong Ayuka ◽  
Robert Kajobe
Keyword(s):  
Flowering Phenology ◽  
Abundant Species ◽  
Flowering Plants ◽  
Flowering Plant ◽  
Floral Resources ◽  
Habitat Gradients ◽  
Naturally Occurring ◽  
Taita Hills ◽  
Insect Pollinators ◽  
Diverse Habitat

A vast majority of insects visit flowers for food, generally termed as floral rewards. Detailed insights on flowering phenology of plants could give a hint of habitat status and the extent to which such landscapes could support insect pollinators to render both direct and indirect ecosystem services. This study monitored flowering plants which could potentially provide both pollen and nectar sources to four African meliponine bee species (Apidae: Meliponini) naturally occurring in six diverse habitat gradients of the eastern arc mountains (Taita hills) of Kenya. Blooming sequences of identified flowering plants overlapped across seasons with approximately 80 different plant species belonging to 34 families recorded, with the highest proportions from Fabaceae and Asteraceae families dominating flowering plants that were visited (67% of the visits).  A flowering calendar is presented to indicate the phenological pattern of all identified floral resources.  Hypotrigona gribodoi being the most abundant species had the highest visitation rates on plants belonging to Fabaceae and Asteraceae families, followed by Meliponula ferruginea (black), Plebeina hildebrandti and Hypotrigona ruspolii. This indicates that such fragile habitat could invariably sustain nutritional requirements essential for the survival of insect pollinators such as native meliponine bee species, though bee abundance at flowers did not significantly correlate to food availability (expressed by flowering plant richness).

scholarly journals Tomato Below Ground–Above Ground Interactions: Trichoderma longibrachiatum Affects the Performance of Macrosiphum euphorbiae and Its Natural Antagonists

2013 ◽  
Vol 26 (10) ◽  
pp. 1249-1256 ◽  
Author(s):  
Donatella Battaglia ◽  
Simone Bossi ◽  
Pasquale Cascone ◽  
Maria Cristina Digilio ◽  
Juliana Duran Prieto ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tomato Plant ◽  
Integrated Control ◽  
Macrosiphum Euphorbiae ◽  
Aphidius Ervi ◽  
Aphid Parasitoid ◽  
Trichoderma Longibrachiatum ◽  
Indirect Defenses ◽  
Plant Growth Promoting ◽  
Below Ground ◽  
Species Specific

Below ground and above ground plant–insect–microorganism interactions are complex and regulate most of the developmental responses of important crop plants such as tomato. We investigated the influence of root colonization by a nonmycorrhizal plant-growth-promoting fungus on direct and indirect defenses of tomato plant against aphids. The multitrophic system included the plant Solanum lycopersicum (‘San Marzano nano’), the root-associated biocontrol fungus Trichoderma longibrachiatum strain MK1, the aphid Macrosiphum euphorbiae (a tomato pest), the aphid parasitoid Aphidius ervi, and the aphid predator Macrolophus pygmaeus. Laboratory bioassays were performed to assess the effect of T. longibrachiatum MK1, interacting with the tomato plant, on quantity and quality of volatile organic compounds (VOC) released by tomato plant, aphid development and reproduction, parasitoid behavior, and predator behavior and development. When compared with the uncolonized controls, plants whose roots were colonized by T. longibrachiatum MK1 showed quantitative differences in the release of specific VOC, better aphid population growth indices, a higher attractiveness toward the aphid parasitoid and the aphid predator, and a quicker development of aphid predator. These findings support the development of novel strategies of integrated control of aphid pests. The species-specific or strain-specific characteristics of these below ground–above ground interactions remain to be assessed.

scholarly journals An Intelligent Controller of Nonlinear Conical Tank Water Level System

2019 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
pp. 458
Author(s):  
Hanan Mohamed Omran ◽  
Ahmed Saad Ali ◽  
Abd El-Fatah Mohamed Hashem ◽  
Ali Abdalla Abdal-hay
Keyword(s):  
Water Level ◽  
Fuzzy Logic Controller ◽  
Level System ◽  
Control Loop ◽  
Cross Section Area ◽  
Section Area ◽  
Tank System ◽  
The Mathematical Model ◽  
Control Water ◽  
Tank Water

The present research presents an intelligent fuzzy logic controller (FLC) system for control water level of nonlinear systems, whereas the cross-section area of the vertical water is not constant (conical tank). The mathematical model of the conical tank level system was derived and its simulation runs were carried out by considering the FLC. For comparative analysis, a similar test runs were also carried out by means of conventional ZN based PI-mode. Interestingly, the results illustrate that applying the FLC system in the control loop in the conical tank system could provide a good tracking performance than that of conventional PI model.

scholarly journals Salvage of floral resources through re-absorption before flower abscission

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Graham H. Pyke ◽  
Zong-Xin Ren ◽  
Judith Trunschke ◽  
Klaus Lunau ◽  
Hong Wang
Keyword(s):  
Floral Resources ◽  
Floral Nectar ◽  
Nectar Volume ◽  
Flower Colours ◽  
Nectar Concentration ◽  
Nectar Sugar ◽  
Biochemical Mechanisms ◽  
Floral Resource ◽  
Almost All

Abstract Plants invest floral resources, including nectar and pigment, with likely consequent reproductive costs. We hypothesized that plants, whose flowers abscise with age, reabsorb nectar and pigment before abscission. This was tested with flowers of Rhododendron decorum, which has large, conspicuous white flowers that increasingly abscise corollas as flowers age. As this species is pollinated by bees, we also hypothesized that nectar concentration would be relatively high (i.e., > 30% wt/vol) and petals would contain UV-absorbing pigment. Floral nectar volume and concentration were sampled on successive days until abscission (up to ten days old, peak at five days) and for sub-sample of four-day-old flowers. Flowers just abscised were similarly sampled. Flower colours were measured using a modified camera, with recordings of spectral reflectance for abscised and open non-abscised flowers. Pigment content was summed values of red, green, blue channels of false color photos. As expected, flowers reabsorbed almost all nectar before abscission, separately reabsorbing nectar-sugar and nectar-water, and petals contained UV-absorbing pigment. However, flowers did not reabsorb pigment and nectar-concentration was < 30% wt/vol. That flowers reabsorb nectar, not pigment, remains unexplained, though possibly pigment reabsorption is uneconomical. Understanding floral resource reabsorption therefore requires determination of biochemical mechanisms, plus costs/benefits for individual plants.

CONSPECIFIC SUPERPARASITISM IN TWO PARASITOID WASPS, APHIDIUS ERVI HALIDAY AND APHELINUS ASYCHIS WALKER: REPRODUCTIVE STRATEGIES INFLUENCE HOST DISCRIMINATION

1991 ◽  
Vol 123 (6) ◽  
pp. 1229-1237 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. Bai
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Strategies ◽  
Acyrthosiphon Pisum ◽  
Aphidius Ervi ◽  
Parasitoid Wasps ◽  
Host Discrimination ◽  
Larval Competition ◽  
Parasitoid Species ◽  
Aphid Parasitoid ◽  
Aphelinus Asychis ◽  
Physiological Suppression

AbstractConspecific host discrimination and larval competition in two aphid parasitoid species were studied in the laboratory using the pea aphid, Acyrthosiphon pisum (Harris) (Homoptera: Aphididae), as a host. Aphidius ervi Haliday (Hymenoptera: Aphidiidae) used internal host cues to discriminate between unparasitized and conspecific parasitized hosts. When only parasitized hosts were available, females oviposited into recently parasitized ones where their progeny had a good chance to survive, but rejected those parasitized ≥24 h earlier where their offspring normally died. Competitions occurred only after both eggs had hatched. Larvae eliminated supernumeraries by means of physical combat and physiological suppression. In Aphelinus asychis Walker (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae), factors, or changes in host internal condition, associated with hatching of the first egg resulted in suppression of conspecific competitors which could be in either larval or egg stage. The older larvae always won competitions through physiological means. A wasp’s oviposition decision is shown to be influenced by the probability of its progeny’s survival. Species that have different reproductive strategies may respond differently to identical host conditions.

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