scholarly journals Comparative morphology of the mouthparts of the megadiverse South African monkey beetles (Scarabaeidae: Hopliini): feeding adaptations and guild structure

PeerJ ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
pp. e1597 ◽  
Author(s):  
Florian Karolyi ◽  
Teresa Hansal ◽  
Harald W. Krenn ◽  
Jonathan F. Colville
Keyword(s):  
South African ◽  
Comparative Morphology ◽  
Feeding Preference ◽  
Feeding Preferences ◽  
Floral Tissue ◽  
Nectar Feeding ◽  
Pollen Feeding ◽  
Pollinating Insects ◽  
Flower Visiting ◽  
Feeding Adaptations

Although anthophilous Coleoptera are regarded to be unspecialised flower-visiting insects, monkey beetles (Scarabaeidae: Hopliini) represent one of the most important groups of pollinating insects in South Africa’s floristic hotspot of the Greater Cape Region. South African monkey beetles are known to feed on floral tissue; however, some species seem to specialise on pollen and/or nectar. The present study examined the mouthpart morphology and gut content of various hopliine species to draw conclusions on their feeding preferences. According to the specialisations of their mouthparts, the investigated species were classified into different feeding groups. Adaptations to pollen-feeding included a well-developed, toothed molar and a lobe-like, setose lacinia mobilis on the mandible as well as curled hairs or sclerotized teeth on the galea of the maxillae. Furthermore, elongated mouthparts were interpreted as adaptations for nectar feeding. Floral- and folial-tissue feeding species showed sclerotized teeth on the maxilla, but the lacinia was mostly found to be reduced to a sclerotized ledge. While species could clearly be identified as floral or folial tissue feeding, several species showed intermediate traits suggesting both pollen and nectar feeding adaptations. Mismatches found between mouthpart morphology and previously reported flower visiting behaviours across different genera and species requires alternative explanations, not necessarily associated with feeding preferences. Although detailed examinations of the mouthparts allowed conclusions about the feeding preference and flower-visiting behaviour, additional morphological and behavioural investigations, combined with greater taxon sampling and phylogenetic data, are still necessary to fully understand hopliine host plant relationships, related to monkey beetle diversity.

Flies and flowers: taxonomic diversity of anthophiles and pollinators

2001 ◽  
Vol 133 (4) ◽  
pp. 439-465 ◽  
Author(s):  
B.M.H. Larson ◽  
P.G. Kevan ◽  
D.W. Inouye
Keyword(s):  
South African ◽  
Taxonomic Diversity ◽  
Flowering Plants ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Nutritional Requirements ◽  
The South ◽  
African Flora ◽  
Pollinating Insects ◽  
Flower Visiting

AbstractThe Diptera are the second most important order among flower-visiting (anthophilous) and flower-pollinating insects worldwide. Their taxonomic diversity ranges from Nematocera to Brachycera, including most families within the suborders. Especially important are Syrphidae, Bombyliidae, and Muscoidea. Other families, especially of small flies, are less appreciated and often overlooked for their associations with flowers. We have compiled records of their flower visitations to show that they may be more prevalent than usually thought. Our knowledge of anthophilous Diptera needs to be enhanced by future research concerning (i) the significance of nocturnal Nematocera and acalypterate muscoids as pollinators, (ii) the extent to which the relatively ineffective pollen-carrying ability of some taxa can be compensated by the abundance of individuals, and (iii) the role of Diptera as pollinators of the first flowering plants (Angiospermae) by using phylogenetic and palaeontological evidence. Specializations in floral relationships involve the morphology of Diptera, especially of their mouthparts, nutritional requirements, and behaviour, as well as concomitant floral attributes. The South African flora has the most highly specialized relations with dipterous pollinators, but in arctic and alpine generalist fly–flower relations are important in pollination and fly nutrition.

scholarly journals Adult Feeding Preference and Fecundity in the Large Pine Weevil, Hylobius abietis (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

Insects ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. 473
Author(s):  
Petr Doležal ◽  
Lenka Kleinová ◽  
Markéta Davídková
Keyword(s):  
Betula Pendula ◽  
Food Source ◽  
Abies Alba ◽  
Feeding Preference ◽  
Hylobius Abietis ◽  
Feeding Preferences ◽  
Single Female ◽  
Coniferous Species ◽  
Adult Feeding ◽  
The Mean

Adult feeding preferences of Hylobius abietis on Picea abies, Larix decidua, Pinus sylvestris, Pseudotsuga menziesii, Abies alba and Betula pendula were tested in outdoor conditions. The preferred food source was P. menziesii, and the mean bark area consumed per seedling was 440.8 ± 147.9 mm2. The second most preferred host was P. abies. The coniferous species that suffered the least damage was A. alba (76.8 ± 62.56 mm2 per seedling). B. pendula was the least preferred source of food, and it caused mortality of 60% of weevils that fed on it. Weevils exhibited large differences in fecundity when fed with different tree species in a laboratory experiment. The largest number of eggs was laid by females fed with P. abies. Mean egg numbers reached 26.4 ± 24.89 eggs per experiment for P. abies. Similar fecundity was observed in weevils fed with twigs of P. sylvestris. Oviposition was approximately six times lower in females fed with L. decidua and P. menziesii. The maximum number of eggs laid by a single female during a one-month experiment was 90. The results are discussed in relation to management of H. abietis.

A Reappraisal of the Feeding Adaptations in the Hairs of Nectar-Feeding Bats

1984 ◽  
Vol 65 (3) ◽  
pp. 481-484 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. W. Thomas ◽  
B. Crawford ◽  
S. Eastman ◽  
R. Glofscheskie ◽  
M. Heir
Keyword(s):  
Nectar Feeding ◽  
Feeding Adaptations

scholarly journals Feeding Preferences of the Endangered Diving BeetleCybister tripunctatus orientalisGschwendtner (Coleoptera: Dytiscidae)

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-3 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shin-ya Ohba ◽  
Yoshinori Inatani
Keyword(s):  
Survival Rate ◽  
Feeding Habits ◽  
Feeding Preference ◽  
Feeding Preferences ◽  
Ecological Information ◽  
First Instar ◽  
Diving Beetles

The numbers ofCybister tripunctatus orientalisGschwendtner diving beetles are declining in most regions of Japan, and it is included in the Red Data List of species in 34 of 47 prefectures of Japan. However, basic ecological information aboutC. tripunctatus orientalis, such as its feeding habits, remains unknown. In order to elucidate the feeding habits ofC. tripunctatus orientalislarvae, feeding preference experiments were carried out in 2nd and 3rd instar larvae. The number of Odonata nymphs consumed was significantly higher than the number of tadpoles consumed, indicating thatC. tripunctatus orientalislarvae prefer Odonata nymphs to tadpoles. In addition, all the first instar larvae ofC. tripunctatus orientalisdeveloped into second instars when they were supplied with motionless Odonata nymphs, but their survival rate was lower when they were supplied with motionless tadpoles. These results suggest thatC. tripunctatus orientalislarvae prefer insects to vertebrates.

Feeding adaptations in the hairs and tongues of nectar-feeding bats

1976 ◽  
Vol 148 (3) ◽  
pp. 329-336 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. J. Howell ◽  
Norman Hodgkin
Keyword(s):  
Nectar Feeding ◽  
Feeding Adaptations

scholarly journals Quantifying the attractiveness of garden flowers for pollinators

2019 ◽  
Vol 23 (5-6) ◽  
pp. 803-817 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rosi Rollings ◽  
Dave Goulson
Keyword(s):  
Urban Areas ◽  
Native Species ◽  
Early Spring ◽  
Solitary Bees ◽  
Insect Communities ◽  
Insect Visitation ◽  
Pollinating Insects ◽  
Flower Visiting ◽  
Myosotis Arvensis ◽  
A Site

Abstract There is great interest in planting urban areas to benefit pollinating insects, with the potential that urban areas and gardens could act as an extensive network of pollinator-friendly habitats. However, there are a great many different plant cultivars available to the gardener, and a paucity of evidence-based advice as to which plants are truly most attractive to flower-visiting insects. Here, we report insect visitation to metre square plots of 111 different ornamental plant cultivars at a site in central UK. Data were collected over 5 years, and comprise over 9000 insect observations, which were identified to species (for honeybees and bumblebees) or as ‘solitary bees’, Syrphidae, Lepidoptera and ‘others’. Unlike some previous studies, we found no difference in numbers of insects attracted to native or non-native species, or according to whether plants were annuals, biennials or perennials, but we did find that native plants attracted a significantly higher diversity of flower-visiting insects. Overall, the most-visited plants were Calamintha nepeta, Helenium autumnale and Geranium rozanne. However, patterns of visitation were quite different for every insect taxa examined. For example, different species of short-tongued bumblebees showed little overlap in their most-preferred plant cultivars. Interestingly, very similar plant cultivars often attracted different insect communities; for example, 72% of visitors to Aster novi belgii were honeybees or bumblebees, while the related Anthemis tinctoria, which also has daisy-like flowers, did not attract a single honeybee or bumblebee but was popular with solitary bees, hoverflies, and ‘other’ pollinators. Some plant cultivars such as Eryngium planum and Myosotis arvensis were attractive to a broad range of insects, while others attracted only a few species but sometimes in large numbers, such as Veronicastrum virginicum and Helenium autumnale which were both visited predominantly by honey bees. It is clear that we do not yet fully understand what factors drive insect flower preferences. Recommendations are made as to which flower cultivars could be combined to provide forage for a diversity of pollinator groups over the season from early spring to autumn, though it must be born in mind that some plants are likely to perform differently when grown in different environmental conditions.

scholarly journals The Tongue in Three Species of Lemurs: Flower and Nectar Feeding Adaptations

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (10) ◽  
pp. 2811
Author(s):  
Juan Francisco Pastor ◽  
Magdalena Natalia Muchlinski ◽  
Josep Maria Potau ◽  
Aroa Casado ◽  
Yolanda García-Mesa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lemur Catta ◽  
Fungiform Papillae ◽  
Sensory Afferents ◽  
Nectar Feeding ◽  
Varecia Variegata ◽  
In Captivity ◽  
To Come ◽  
Micro Anatomy ◽  
Feeding Adaptations ◽  
Non Destructive

The mobility of the primate tongue allows for the manipulation of food, but, in addition, houses both general sensory afferents and special sensory end organs. Taste buds can be found across the tongue, but the ones found within the fungiform papillae on the anterior two thirds of the tongue are the first gustatory structures to come into contact with food, and are critical in making food ingestion decisions. Comparative studies of both the macro and micro anatomy in primates are sparse and incomplete, yet there is evidence that gustatory adaptation exists in several primate taxa. One is the distally feathered tongues observed in non-destructive nectar feeders, such as Eulemur rubriventer. We compare both the macro and micro anatomy of three lemurid species who died of natural causes in captivity. We included the following two non-destructive nectar feeders: Varecia variegata and Eulemur macaco, and the following destructive flower feeder: Lemur catta. Strepsirrhines and tarsiers are unique among primates, because they possess a sublingua, which is an anatomical structure that is located below the tongue. We include a microanatomical description of both the tongue and sublingua, which were accomplished using hematoxylin–eosin and Masson trichrome stains, and scanning electron microscopy. We found differences in the size, shape, and distribution of fungiform papillae, and differences in the morphology of conical papillae surrounding the circumvallate ones in all three species. Most notably, large distinct papillae were present at the tip of the tongue in nectar-feeding species. In addition, histological images of the ventro-apical portion of the tongue displayed that it houses an encapsulated structure, but only in Lemur catta case such structure presents cartilage inside. The presence of an encapsulated structure, coupled with the shared morphological traits associated with the sublingua and the tongue tip in Varecia variegata and Eulemur macaco, point to possible feeding adaptations that facilitate non-destructive flower feeding in these two lemurids.

scholarly journals Nectar Feeding by a Honey Bee’s Hairy Tongue: Morphology, Dynamics, and Energy-Saving Strategies

Insects ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (9) ◽  
pp. 762
Author(s):  
Hao Wang ◽  
Zhigang Wu ◽  
Jieliang Zhao ◽  
Jianing Wu
Keyword(s):  
Mathematical Models ◽  
Energy Saving ◽  
Honey Bee ◽  
Honey Bees ◽  
Interdisciplinary Research ◽  
Feeding Behaviour ◽  
Nectar Feeding ◽  
Feeding Modes ◽  
Flower Visiting

Most flower-visiting insects have evolved highly specialized morphological structures to facilitate nectar feeding. As a typical pollinator, the honey bee has specialized mouth parts comprised of a pair of galeae, a pair of labial palpi, and a glossa, to feed on the nectar by the feeding modes of lapping or sucking. To extensively elucidate the mechanism of a bee’s feeding, we should combine the investigations from glossa morphology, feeding behaviour, and mathematical models. This paper reviews the interdisciplinary research on nectar feeding behaviour of honey bees ranging from morphology, dynamics, and energy-saving strategies, which may not only reveal the mechanism of nectar feeding by honey bees but inspire engineered facilities for microfluidic transport.

scholarly journals Pollination ecology of Derris trifoliata (Fabaceae), a mangrove associate in Coringa Mangrove Forest, Andhra Pradesh, India

2016 ◽  
Vol 8 (5) ◽  
pp. 8788
Author(s):  
A.J. Solomon Raju ◽  
Rajendra Kumar
Keyword(s):  
Andhra Pradesh ◽  
Fruit Set ◽  
Suitable Habitat ◽  
Nectar Feeding ◽  
Tidal Water ◽  
Pollen Feeding ◽  
Pollination Mode ◽  
Air Cavities ◽  
Mangrove Associate ◽  
Do So

Derris trifoliata is a perennial woody climber.  It blooms massively for about two weeks in July/August. The flowers are hermaphroditic, feebly protandrous, self-compatible and display a vector dependent mixed breeding system.  They close back by the end of the day of anthesis.  The forenoon anthesis and pollen and nectar as rewards attract daytime foragers.  The nectar feeding foragers require strength to depress the keel petals in order to collect nectar; only those foragers which have the required strength to do so can collect nectar and in the process trip the floral mechanism and effect pollination. When floral explosion occurs, the pollen is somewhat exposed and the pollen feeding foragers then collect it.  Both long- and short-tongued bees trip the flowers, collect nectar and effect pollination. Individual flowers that were not tripped by insects set fruit to negligible level.  In open-pollination mode, fruit set rate is up to 30-31% only despite the flowers being visited by insect pollinators.  Fruits mature quickly within a month.  Each fruit contains 1-3 seeds against 6 linearly arranged ovules in the ovary.  The fruits are leathery and possess air cavities, the characteristics of which enable them to float in tidal water.  They settle at the parent plant if the site is partly or fully exposed or float for dispersal if the site is inundated with tidal water.  Seed release occurs when fruits absorb water and the pericarp breaks.  Seeds germinate only when they reach a suitable habitat in mangroves.   

scholarly journals Feeding preferences of Phyllotreta herbivores to winter rape and chosen weeds

2009 ◽  
Vol 45 (No. 4) ◽  
pp. 156-160 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Štolcová
Keyword(s):  
Brassica Napus ◽  
Plant Species ◽  
Feeding Preference ◽  
Seedling Stage ◽  
Feeding Preferences ◽  
Winter Rape ◽  
Model Experiments ◽  
Thlaspi Arvense ◽  
Flea Beetles ◽  
Leaf Disks

In model experiments with leaf disks from <i>Brassica napus</i> L. subsp. napus and <i>Thlaspi arvense</i> L. and <i>Sinapis arvensis</i> L. in spring periods (May–June) of 2006–2007 feeding preferences of Phyllotreta herbivores to the above-mentioned crop and two common weeds were investigated. In seedlings of identical ontogenetic stages insignificantly higher feeding injuries were recorded in <i>B. napus</i>. Between the two monitored weeds insignificantly higher herbivory was found in <i>S. arvensis</i> compared to <i>T. arvense</i>. In a comparison of older crop and younger weeds and vice versa, flea beetles significantly preferred the four-leaf seedling stage to the cotyledon seedling stage irrespective of the monitored plant species. Though generally in feeding preference of flea beetles a general drift <i>B. napus</i> > <i>S. arvensis</i> > <i>T. arvensis</i> was recorded, the sequence of leaves also played its role under conditions of this experiment.

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