scholarly journals Co-occurrence in ant primary parasitoids: a Camponotus rectangularis colony as host of two eucharitid wasp genera

PeerJ ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
pp. e11949
Author(s):  
Gabriela Pérez-Lachaud ◽  
Jean-Paul Lachaud
Keyword(s):  
Population Level ◽  
Distribution Patterns ◽  
Parasitoid Species ◽  
Host Genus ◽  
Symbiotic Associations ◽  
Individual Host ◽  
Host Colony ◽  
Parasitism Rates ◽  
Unidentified Species ◽  
Nesting Habits

Different assemblages of parasitoids may attack a given host species and non-random distribution patterns in parasitoid species assemblages have been reported on various occasions, resulting in co-occurrence at the population, colony, or even individual host levels. This is the case for different closely related species of eucharitid wasps (a family of specialized ant parasitoids) sharing similar niches and co-occurring on the same host at different levels. Here we reviewed all known associations between eucharitid wasps and the ant host genus Camponotus Mayr, 1861 and reported new ant-parasitoid associations. In addition, we report a new case of co-occurrence in eucharitid wasps, at the host colony level, involving a new undescribed species of Pseudochalcura Ashmead, 1904 and an unidentified species of Obeza Heraty, 1985, which attack the common but very poorly known neotropical arboreal ant Camponotus rectangularis Emery, 1890. Most attacks were solitary, but various cocoons were parasitized by two (16%) or three (8%) parasitoids. Globally, parasitism prevalence was very low (3.7%) but showed an important variability among samples. Low parasitism prevalence along with host exposure to parasitoid attack on host plants and overlapping reproductive periods of both parasitoid species may have allowed the evolution of co-occurrence. We also provided some additional data regarding the host ant nesting habits, the colony composition and new symbiotic associations with membracids and pseudococcids. The seemingly polydomous nesting habits of C. rectangularis could play a part in the reduction of parasitism pressure at the population level and, combined with occasionally important local parasitism rates, could also contribute to some parts of the colonies escaping from parasites, polydomy possibly representing an effective parasitism avoidance trait.

scholarly journals Factors influencing the occurrence of fall armyworm parasitoids in Zambia

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Léna Durocher-Granger ◽  
Tibonge Mfune ◽  
Monde Musesha ◽  
Alyssa Lowry ◽  
Kathryn Reynolds ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Biological Control ◽  
Natural Enemies ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Insect Pest ◽  
Fall Armyworm ◽  
Parasitoid Species ◽  
Maize Crop ◽  
Parasitism Rates ◽  
Control Programmes ◽  
Interest In Research

AbstractInvasive alien species have environmental, economic and social impacts, disproportionally threatening livelihood and food security of smallholder farmers in low- and medium-income countries. Fall armyworm (FAW) (Spodoptera frugiperda), an invasive insect pest from the Americas, causes considerable losses on maize to smallholder farmers in Africa since 2016. The increased use of pesticides to control FAW in Africa raises concerns for health and environmental risks resulting in a growing interest in research on biological control options for smallholder farmers. In order to evaluate the occurrence of local natural enemies attacking FAW, we collected on a weekly basis FAW eggs and larvae during a maize crop cycle in the rainy season of 2018–2019 at four locations in the Lusaka and Central provinces in Zambia. A total of 4373 larvae and 162 egg masses were collected. For each location and date of collection, crop stage, the number of plants checked and amount of damage were recorded to analyse which factors best explain the occurrence of the natural enemy species on maize. Overall parasitism rates from local natural enemies at each location varied between 8.45% and 33.11%. We identified 12 different egg-larval, larval and larval-pupal parasitoid species. Location, maize growth stage, pest density and larval stage significantly affected parasitoid species occurrence. Our findings indicate that there is potential for increasing local populations of natural enemies of FAW through conservation biological control programmes and develop safe and practical control methods for smallholder farmers.

scholarly journals Parasitoid diversity (Hymenoptera: Braconidae and Figitidae) on frugivorous larvae (Diptera: Tephritidae and Lonchaeidae) at Adolpho Ducke Forest Reserve, Central Amazon Region, Manaus, Brazil

2009 ◽  
Vol 69 (2) ◽  
pp. 363-370 ◽  
Author(s):  
SGM. Costa ◽  
RB. Querino ◽  
B. Ronchi-Teles ◽  
AMM. Penteado-Dias ◽  
RA. Zucchi
Keyword(s):  
New Records ◽  
Brazilian Amazon ◽  
Amazon Region ◽  
Parasitoid Species ◽  
Forest Reserve ◽  
Natural Reservoir ◽  
Wild Fruits ◽  
Parasitism Rates ◽  
Brazilian Amazon Region ◽  
Plastic Containers

This study aimed to identify parasitoid species of frugivorous larvae and to describe the tritrophic interactions involving wild fruits, frugivorous insects and their natural enemies at Adolpho Ducke Forest Reserve (RFAD) (Manaus, AM, Brazil). Collections were performed in four 1 km² quadrants in the corners of the RFAD. The wild fruits were collected inside the forest in access trails leading to each collection area and in trails that surrounded the quadrants, up to five metres from the trail on each side. The fruits were placed in plastic containers covered with thin fabric, with a vermiculite layer on the base to allow the emergence of flies or parasitoids. Seven Braconidae species were collected, distributed among Opiinae: Doryctobracon areolatus (Szépligeti, 1911), Utetes anastrephae (Viereck, 1913), and Opius sp., and Alysiinae: Asobara anastrephae (Muesebeck, 1958), Phaenocarpa pericarpa Wharton and Carrejo, 1999, Idiasta delicata Papp, 1969, and Asobara sp. Parasitism rates by braconids and figitids are presented. Doryctobracon areolatus was the most frequent, parasitizing the highest number of fly species, and showing the highest parasitism percentage in larvae feeding on Micropholis williamii fruits. The collected figitids belong to Aganaspis nordlanderi Wharton, 1998 and A. pelleranoi (Brethes, 1924). All 15 tritrophic associations are new records for the Brazilian Amazon region. The RFAD is an important natural reservoir of frugivorous larvae parasitoids.

scholarly journals Is what you see what you get? The relationship between field observed and actual aphid parasitism rates in canola crops

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samantha Ward ◽  
Paul A. Umina ◽  
Hazel Parry ◽  
Amber Balfour-Cunningham ◽  
Xuan Cheng ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Growth Stage ◽  
Green Peach Aphid ◽  
South Australia ◽  
Field Work ◽  
Crop Growth ◽  
Diaeretiella Rapae ◽  
Growth Stages ◽  
Parasitoid Species ◽  
Parasitism Rates ◽  
Crop Growth Stage

AbstractBACKGROUNDEstimating parasitoid abundance in the field can be difficult, even more so when attempting to quantify parasitism rates and the ecosystem service of biological control that parasitoids can provide. To understand how ‘observed’ parasitism rates (in-field mummy counts) of the green peach aphid, Myzus persicae (Sulzer) (Homoptera: Aphididae) translate to ‘actual’ parasitism rates (laboratory-reared parasitoid counts), field work was undertaken in Australian canola fields over a growing season. Parasitoids were reared within a controlled laboratory setting.RESULTSTotal observed and actual parasitism rates of M. persicae varied considerably across regions, but less so on a field level. Overall, actual parasitism was on average 2.4 times higher than that observed in the field, with rates an average of 4-fold higher in South Australia. As crop growth stage progressed, the percentage of mummies observed increased. Percentage of parasitoids reared also increased with crop growth stage, averaging 3.4% during flowering and reaching 14.4% during podding/senescing. Although there was a greater diversity of reared parasitoid species at later crop growth stages, actual parasitism rate was unaffected by parasitoid species. Diaeretiella rapae was the most commonly reared parasitoid, increasing in abundance with crop growth stage.CONCLUSIONThese findings indicate that mummy counts alone do not provide a clear representation of parasitism within fields.

Survey of the native insect natural enemies of Hyphantria cunea (Drury) (Lepidoptera: Arctiidae) in China

2008 ◽  
Vol 98 (3) ◽  
pp. 293-302 ◽  
Author(s):  
Z.Q. Yang ◽  
X.Y. Wang ◽  
J.R. Wei ◽  
H.R. Qu ◽  
X.R. Qiao
Keyword(s):  
Biological Control ◽  
Natural Enemies ◽  
Biological Control Agent ◽  
Control Agent ◽  
Senior Author ◽  
Parasitoid Species ◽  
Hyphantria Cunea ◽  
Parasitism Rates ◽  
Fall Webworm ◽  
Chouioia Cunea

AbstractThe fall webworm, Hyphantria cunea (Drury) (Lepidoptera: Arctiidae), is an invasive and important pest in China. Investigations on insect natural enemies have been conducted from 1996 to 1999 in five provinces and one municipality of China in order to select effective species for biological control. Two carabid predators (Coleoptera) and 25 parasitoid species were found, among which 23 were parasitic wasps (Hymenoptera), including five hyperparasitic species and two tachinid flies (Diptera). The two carabids preyed on young larvae inside webs, two braconid wasps parasitized larvae, and 18 parasitoid species attacked the fall webworm during the pupal and/or ‘larval-pupal’ stages. Among these parasitoids, there were one genus and nine species that are new to science and four species new to China, which were described and published by the senior author Yang. The average parasitism rates of fall webworm pupae were 25.8% and 16.1% in the overwintering generation and the first generation (summer generation), respectively. These findings reveal that these natural enemies play an important role in the natural control of the pest. Chouioia cunea Yang (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae), a gregarious pupal endo-parasitoid, was recommended as a promising biological control agent against the fall webworm in China.

scholarly journals Personality and collective decision-making in foraging herbivores

2009 ◽  
Vol 277 (1684) ◽  
pp. 1093-1099 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pablo Michelena ◽  
Raphaël Jeanson ◽  
Jean-Louis Deneubourg ◽  
Angela M. Sibbald
Keyword(s):  
Group Living ◽  
Population Level ◽  
Distribution Patterns ◽  
Model Species ◽  
Social Attraction ◽  
Homogeneous Groups ◽  
Animal Distribution ◽  
Parameter Values ◽  
Vegetation Patches

The mechanisms by which group-living animals collectively exploit resources, and the role of individuals in group decisions, are central issues for understanding animal distribution patterns. We investigated the extent to which boldness and shyness affect the distribution of social herbivores across vegetation patches, using sheep as a model species. Using an experimental and a theoretical approach, we show that collective choices emerge through the nonlinear dynamics of interactions between individuals, at both short and long distances. Within a range of parameter values derived from the observation of homogeneous groups of each behavioural type, we propose a simple mechanism whereby the same interaction rules can result in different patterns of distribution across patches for bold and shy individuals. We present a mathematical model based on behavioural rules derived from experiments, in which crowding and conspecific attraction affect the probability of entering or leaving patches. Variation in the strength of social attraction is sufficient to account for differences in spatial distribution across patches. The model predicts that resource fragmentation more strongly affects the distribution patterns of shy groups, and suggests that the presence of both bold and shy individuals within groups would result in more flexible behaviour at the population level.

scholarly journals A review of mathematical models of influenza A infections within a host or cell culture: lessons learned and challenges ahead

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Catherine A. A. Beauchemin ◽  
Andreas Handel
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Cell Culture ◽  
Mathematical Models ◽  
Influenza A ◽  
Influenza Infection ◽  
Population Level ◽  
Host Population ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Infection Dynamics ◽  
Individual Host

Most mathematical models used to study the dynamics of influenza A have thus far focused on the between-host population level, with the aim to inform public health decisions regarding issues such as drug and social distancing intervention strategies, antiviral stockpiling or vaccine distribution. Here, we investigate mathematical modeling of influenza infection spread at a different scale; namely that occurring within an individual host or a cell culture. We review the models that have been developed in the last decades and discuss their contributions to our understanding of the dynamics of influenza infections. We review kinetic parameters (e.g., viral clearance rate, lifespan of infected cells) and values obtained through fitting mathematical models, and contrast them with values obtained directly from experiments. We explore the symbiotic role of mathematical models and experimental assays in improving our quantitative understanding of influenza infection dynamics. We also discuss the challenges in developing better, more comprehensive models for the course of influenza infections within a host or cell culture. Finally, we explain the contributions of such modeling efforts to important public health issues, and suggest future modeling studies that can help to address additional questions relevant to public health.

How regional climate and seed traits interact in shaping stress–tolerance of savanna seeds?

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Leandro C. Ribeiro ◽  
Eduardo R. M. Barbosa ◽  
Fabian Borghetti
Keyword(s):  
Water Content ◽  
Regional Climate ◽  
Large Body ◽  
Seed Mass ◽  
Population Level ◽  
Distribution Patterns ◽  
Seed Traits ◽  
Environmental Filters ◽  
Regional Environment ◽  
Germination Time

Abstract Functional traits related to regeneration responses to the environment are highly determinants of distribution patterns of plant communities. A large body of studies on seed traits suggests that regional climate may act as a strong filter of plant recruitment; however, few studies have evaluated the relative importance of seed traits and environmental filters for seed persistence at the population level. We tested the role of seed mass, water content and desiccation tolerance, as well as the germination time as proxies for seed tolerance to environmental filters (water deficit, heat shock and high temperatures) by comparing the response of tree species co-occurring in savannas located in different regions: Cerrado biome of Central Brazil and the Rio Branco savannas of northern Brazil. Seeds collected in savannas of Rio Branco showed a higher tolerance to environmental filters than those collected in savannas of the Cerrado. While the germination percentages largely varied in response to the treatments, the germination times were virtually unaffected by them, irrespective of seed origin, seed mass and water content. At the population level, the regional environment was a key determinant of seed tolerance to stress, irrespective of seed traits. Germination time was shown to represent a conservative seed trait and more linked to a species-specific germination strategy than to regional characteristics. Our results suggest that recruitment patterns of Cerrado savannas may be more impacted than Rio Branco savannas by the climate scenarios predicted for the future.

Seasonal parasitism of hemlock looper (Lepidoptera: Geometridae) eggs in eastern Canada

2009 ◽  
Vol 141 (6) ◽  
pp. 614-618 ◽  
Author(s):  
Drew Carleton ◽  
Lucie Royer ◽  
Christian Hébert ◽  
Johanne Delisle ◽  
Richard Berthiaume ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Field Study ◽  
Egg Parasitoid ◽  
Seasonal Distribution ◽  
Parasitoid Species ◽  
Eastern Canada ◽  
Unidentified Species ◽  
Hemlock Looper

AbstractA 2-year field study was conducted using sentinel traps to determine the seasonal distribution of the egg parasitoid (Hymenoptera) complex attacking hemlock looper, Lambdina fiscellaria (Guenée), throughout eastern Quebec and western Newfoundland. Hemlock looper populations remained low in all areas over the course of the study. Parasitism of eggs in sentinel traps was generally lower in fall than in spring. Trichogramma Westwood (Trichogrammatidae) as well as Telenomus flavotibiae Pelletier and an unidentified species of Telenomus Haliday (Scelionidae) only parasitized eggs in the fall. Telenomus droozi Muesebeck only parasitized eggs in the spring, whereas T. coloradensis Crawford attacked eggs during both fall and spring. Telenomus coloradensis was the most abundant parasitoid species collected and was far more abundant in spring than in fall collections.

scholarly journals Fatal diseases and parasitoids: from competition to facilitation in a shared host

2016 ◽  
Vol 283 (1828) ◽  
pp. 20160154 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ann E. Hajek ◽  
Saskya van Nouhuys
Keyword(s):  
Fungal Pathogen ◽  
Parasite Species ◽  
Host Density ◽  
Population Level ◽  
Parasite Community ◽  
Parasitoid Species ◽  
Community Interactions ◽  
Structure And Dynamics ◽  
Fungal Entomopathogen ◽  
Emergent Pathogen

Diverse parasite taxa share hosts both at the population level and within individual hosts, and their interactions, ranging from competitive exclusion to facilitation, can drive community structure and dynamics. Emergent pathogens have the potential to greatly alter community interactions. We found that an emergent fungal entomopathogen dominated pre-existing lethal parasites in populations of the forest defoliating gypsy moth, Lymantria dispar . The parasite community was composed of the fungus and four parasitoid species that only develop successfully after they kill the host, and a virus that produces viable propagules before the host has died. A low-density site was sampled over 17 years and compared with 66 sites across a range of host densities, including outbreaks. The emergent fungal pathogen and competing parasitoids rarely co-infected host individuals because each taxa must kill its host. The virus was not present at low host densities, but successfully co-infected with all other parasite species. In fact, there was facilitation between the virus and one parasitoid species hosting a polydnavirus. This newly formed parasite community, altered by an emergent pathogen, is shaped both by parasite response to host density and relative abilities of parasites to co-inhabit the same host individuals.

Optimality analysis of Th1/Th2 immune responses during microparasite-macroparasite co-infection, with epidemiological feedbacks

Parasitology ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 135 (7) ◽  
pp. 841-853 ◽  
Author(s):  
ANDY FENTON ◽  
TRACEY LAMB ◽  
ANDREA L. GRAHAM
Keyword(s):  
Immune Responses ◽  
Population Level ◽  
Parasite Abundance ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
Host Immune Responses ◽  
Individual Host ◽  
Diverse Community ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Optimality Models

SUMMARYIndividuals are typically co-infected by a diverse community of microparasites (e.g. viruses or protozoa) and macroparasites (e.g. helminths). Vertebrates respond to these parasites differently, typically mounting T helper type 1 (Th1) responses against microparasites and Th2 responses against macroparasites. These two responses may be antagonistic such that hosts face a ‘decision’ of how to allocate potentially limiting resources. Such decisions at the individual host level will influence parasite abundance at the population level which, in turn, will feed back upon the individual level. We take a first step towards a complete theoretical framework by placing an analysis of optimal immune responses under microparasite-macroparasite co-infection within an epidemiological framework. We show that the optimal immune allocation is quantitatively sensitive to the shape of the trade-off curve and qualitatively sensitive to life-history traits of the host, microparasite and macroparasite. This model represents an important first step in placing optimality models of the immune response to co-infection into an epidemiological framework. Ultimately, however, a more complete framework is needed to bring together the optimal strategy at the individual level and the population-level consequences of those responses, before we can truly understand the evolution of host immune responses under parasite co-infection.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document