Some features of preimaginal development of aphidiines (Hymenoptera, Aphidiidae), their theoretical and applied significance

Obtaining knowledge about a species’ life history and reproductive behaviour is fundamental for understanding its biology, ecology, and potential role in ecosystem services. Here, we focused on the dung beetle species Onthophagus lecontei. Adults were collected in the field and then confined to terrariums, where they were supplied with semi-fresh domestic goat dung (Capra aegagrus Erxleben, 1777). After being paired (26 pairs), the nesting behavior of beetles was observed under laboratory conditions and the preimaginal development of individuals obtained from mating (from the deposition of the egg until the emergence of the adult) was described. Their nesting behavior was found to be characteristic of what is known as pattern I, which comprises building of brood masses, oviposition of a single egg in each brood mass, development of three larval instars, construction of a pupation chamber, pupal stage and adult emergence. Both sexes were involved in the handling of dung, tunnel construction, and mass nest elaboration. Pairs built from one to seven brood masses. The pre-nesting period (feeding) lasted 16 days; the egg stage two days, the larval period 22 days; the pupal period 11 days and the imagoes four days, after which the adults emerged. Our results are discussed and compared with other species in the genus. However, our knowledge of this dung beetle is still limited, and further studies are required in all areas of its biology.

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Preimaginal Development Response to Constant Temperatures inHypera postica(Coleoptera: Curculionidae): Picking the Best Model

Environmental Entomology ◽

10.1603/en08239 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 39 (1) ◽

pp. 177-189 ◽

Cited By ~ 32

Author(s):

Babak Zahiri ◽

Yaghoub Fathipour ◽

Mohammad Khanjani ◽

Saeid Moharramipour ◽

Myron P. Zalucki

Keyword(s):

Preimaginal Development

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BIOSYSTEMATICS OF THE GENUS EUXOA (LEPIDOPTERA: NOCTUIDAE): XVI. COMPARATIVE BIOLOGY AND EXPERIMENTAL TAXONOMY OF FOUR SUBSPECIES OF EUXOA COMOSA

The Canadian Entomologist ◽

10.4039/ent114551-7 ◽

1982 ◽

Vol 114 (7) ◽

pp. 551-565 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

J. R. Byers ◽

J. D. Lafontaine

Keyword(s):

Sex Pheromone ◽

Larval Growth ◽

Experimental Studies ◽

Field Tests ◽

Taxonomic Status ◽

Companion Paper ◽

Genetic Incompatibility ◽

Preoviposition Period ◽

Preimaginal Development ◽

Wide Range

AbstractLaboratory and experimental studies of four of the five subspecies of Euxoa comosa (Morr.), i.e. annir, altera, lutulenta and Ontario, each formerly considered of specific rank, were undertaken to assess their taxonomic status. Morphologically the immature stages of the subspecies are similar although lutulenta has a 40–50% larger egg and the larvae of lutulenta and Ontario are darker than those of annir and altera. The subspecies show differentiation in larval growth rate, number of larval instars, duration of preimaginal development and length of the preoviposition period. The possible adaptive significance of these differences are discussed. Hybrid F1 were obtained from 11 of the 12 possible pairwise combinations. Eight of the F1 hybrids were inbred and six produced fertile eggs. Some of the F2 progenies exhibited a wide range of phenotypes encompassing all subspecies including those of the 5th subspecies, E. c. comosa. Although hybridization success was high there was some evidence of genetic incompatibility including dyssynchronous emergence of the sexes and the absence, shortage, or inviability of female moths in some crosses. Mating discrimination tests show a moderate level of mating bias between subspecies. Calling periods of females of the subspecies largely overlap although differences in the time at which calling begins might be responsible for some of the mating bias. Both laboratory and field tests of sex pheromone attraction indicate considerable sex pheromone specificity among the subspecies. The results are discussed with reference to a companion paper which on the basis of conventional taxonomic characters and biogeographic considerations concludes that Euxoa comosa is best regarded as a polytypic species encompassing five subspecies.

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DEVELOPMENT OF TIPHODYTES GERRIPHAGUS (HYMENOPTERA: SCELIONIDAE) IN LIMNOPORUS DISSORTIS EGGS (HEMIPTERA: GERRIDAE)

The Canadian Entomologist ◽

10.4039/ent131219-2 ◽

1999 ◽

Vol 131 (2) ◽

pp. 219-228 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

João M. Sousa

Keyword(s):

Sex Ratio ◽

Larval Stage ◽

Host Feeding ◽

Larval Instars ◽

Pupal Period ◽

Laboratory Conditions ◽

Total Length ◽

Preimaginal Development ◽

First Instar ◽

Mandible Length

AbstractInvestigations of preimaginal development in Tiphodytes gerriphagus Marchal reveal two larval instars, based on counting exuviae and comparing mandible length during development within Limnoporus dissortis Drake & Harris eggs. Tiphodytes gerriphagus eggs are stalked, as is typical of scelionids, and are 282.6 ± 3.48 μm (mean ± SE) long. The chorion ruptures at 8–9 h postoviposition and releases a nonfeeding embryo into the host. Feeding begins at 18–20 h postoviposition, after the embryonic cuticle is shed and a fully differentiated and active larva is released. The first larval stage is teleaform and lasted up to 5 days postoviposition, and its total length increased from 183.6 ± 3.35 to 517.0 ± 14.67 μm. The second larval stage is hymenopteriform and lasted from 5 to 13 days postoviposition, and grew from 920.2 ± 24.65 to 1352.4 ± 11.89 μm total length before pupating. The pupal period lasted about 11 days, with male pupae being shorter and thinner than female pupae. These findings differ from previous descriptions of T. gerriphagus, and it is suspected that the first instar was mistakenly divided into two stadia. The sex ratio under laboratory conditions was female biased (22% males), and males were smaller but did not emerge significantly earlier than females.

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