Hoverflies (Syrphidae: Diptera) in areas contaminated with heavy metals (Cd, Zn, Pb)

The aim of the research was to study the diversity of hoverflies (Syrphidae: Diptera) living in areas under the influence of heavy metal emissions (Cd, Zn and Pb). Although the area of the Olkusz Ore-bearing Region (OOR), where the research was partially conducted, belongs to the contaminated regions, where a relatively high species richness of Syrphids has been noted. During the research period, a total of 1,180 syrphids, belonging to 165 species were caught, which constitutes 39.76% of all the Polish Syrphidae fauna. These species represented all the trophic groups with the dominance of zoophagous species (48.48%); however, the most numerous (quantitatively abundant) were saprophagous. Among the collected syrphids, common and numerous species, such as: E. arbustorum (LINNAEUS, 1758), E. tenax (LINNAEUS, 1758), Episyrphus balteatus (DE GEER, 1776) and S. pipiens (LINNAEUS, 1758), as well as rare species such as Callicera aenea (FABRICIUS, 1777) (NT), Chalcosyrphus piger (FABRICIUS, 1794) (DD), Epistrophe ochrostoma (ZETTERSTEDT, 1849) (VU), Orthonevra geniculata (MEIGEN, 1830) (DD), Rhingia rostrata (LINNAEUS, 1758) (DD), Sphegina sibirica STACKELBERG, 1953 (LC) and Spilomyia diophthalma (LINNAEUS, 1758) (NT), were noted. Eleven of the collected species have been included in the Polish Red List of Endangered Species. Melangyna ericarum (COLLIN, 1946) is recorded as a new one among the Polish fauna. Numerous observations did not indicate that the area covered by the study was characterised by a significantly lower species diversity compared to other sites. In fact, the samples taken were usually characterised by a relatively high biodiversity. The obtained results may suggest that anthropogenic activities, including those leading to environmental pollution with heavy metals and to a strong transformation of natural habitats, do not completely destroy biodiversity, and in some cases leave space for nature to create habitats where even rare species of organisms such as Syrphidae can develop.

Pollination Contribution Differs among Insects Visiting Cardiocrinum cordatum Flowers

(1) Background: Cardiocrinum cordatum (Thunb.) Makino (Liliaceae) is a forest perennial herb distributed in East Asia. Although flower visitors for this plant species have been well reported, their contribution to pollination remains unknown. (2) Methods: We evaluated pollination contribution for visitors of C. cordatum flowers in a natural cool temperate forest. We investigated visiting frequency, the number of pollen grains per body surface, fruit set, and the mean number of seeds per fruit produced after a single visit of each visiting species. Combining the results of these experiments, we determined the most important pollinators of this species. (3) Results: For the population investigated in the study, the three most essential pollinators were the bumblebee (Bombus diversus tersatus) (Apidae), sweat bee (Halictidae sp.), and marmalade hoverfly (Episyrphus balteatus) (Syrphidae). Additionally, we found that the contribution of a flower-visiting ant species (Myrmica ruginodis Nylander (s.l.)) (Formicidae) is small. (4) Conclusions: Pollinator contributions differed among flower visitors. Our results underscore the insufficiency of current information about flower-visiting species to evaluate pollination contribution.

Odorant Binding Proteins and Chemosensory Proteins in Episyrphus balteatus (Diptera: Syrphidae): Molecular Cloning, Expression Profiling, and Gene Evolution

Aphidophagous syrphids (Diptera: Syrphidae) are important insects in agroecosystems for pollination and biological control. Insect chemoreception is essential for these processes and for insect survival and reproduction; however, molecular determinants is not well understood for these beneficial insects. Here, we used recent transcriptome data for the common hoverfly, Episyrphus balteatus, to characterize key molecular components of chemoreception: odorant-binding proteins (OBPs) and chemosensory proteins (CSPs). Six EbalCSPs and 44 EbalOBPs were cloned from this species, and sequence analysis showed that most share the characteristic hallmarks of their protein family, including a signal peptide and conserved cysteine signature. Some regular patterns and key conserved motifs of OBPs and CSPs in Diptera were identified using the online tool MEME. Motifs were also compared among the three OBP subgroups. Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) showed that most of these chemosensory genes were expressed in chemosensory organs, suggesting these genes have chemoreceptive functions. An overall comparison of the Ka/Ks values of orthologous genes in E. balteatus and another predatory hoverfly species to analyze the evolution of these olfactory genes showed that OBPs and CSPs are under strong purifying selection. Overall, our results provide a molecular basis for further exploring the chemosensory mechanisms of E. balteatus, and consequently, may help us to understand the tritrophic interactions among plants, herbivorous insects, and natural enemies.

Biology and feeding potential Episyrphus balteatus De Geer (Diptera: Syrphidae) on green apple aphid Aphis pomi De Geer (order Hemiptera: Aphididae) in Hills of Shimla, (H.P.), India

In the present study three species of syrphid predators were found feeding on green apple aphid on the apple nursery plants. These species are Betasyrphus serarius (Wiedemann), Episyrphus balteatus De Geer, and Metasyrphus confrater (Wiedemann). These syrphid species belonging to Family Syrphidae of order Diptera. Observations were made on Episyrphus balteatus De Geer a syrphid predator of green apple aphid, Aphis pomi De Geer in Shimla Hills of Himachal Pradesh, India. The larval stages of Episyrphus balteatus De Geer, was found to predate upon the green apple aphid, Aphis pomi De Geer which is a serious pest of apple nursery plants in Himachal Pradesh which is the main apple growing state of India. Feeding potential of larval stages of Episyrphus balteatus De Geer was recorded during summer and autumn season. Present studies show that the larvae of this species can effectively control the populations of green apple aphid, Aphis pomi De Geer in the apple orchards and nurseries.

Taxonomic Study of some Species of Flower Flies (Diptera: Syrphidae) at Basrah Province

The current study were carried out to identify of five species belong to the flower fly family Syrphidae, depending on male genitilia. They included Episyrphus balteatus De Geer, 1776; Eupeodes corollae Fabricius, 1794; Sphaerophoria scripta Linnaeus, 1758; Eristalinus aeneus Scopoli, 1763; Eristalis tenax Linnaeus, 1758, from some Basrah province.

Jasa penyerbukan serangga pengunjung bunga pada pertanaman stroberi di Ciwidey, Bandung

Stroberi (Fragaria x ananassa Duch.) merupakan tanaman hortikultura yang penyerbukannya sebagian tergantung pada serangga. Studi dilaksanakan pada pertanaman stroberi di Ciwidey-Bandung, dengan tujuan untuk memperkirakan kontribusi dari serangga pengunjung bunga terhadap kesuksesan penyerbukan stroberi. Di dalam studi ini kontribusi tersebut dinilai dari kelimpahan spesies serangga pengunjung bunga dan durasi kunjungan pada bunga, serta efisiensi penyerbukan yang diukur dari jumlah akene yang berkembang, bobot, dan ukuran buah, serta waktu matang buah. Hasil studi menunjukkan terdapat empat spesies serangga pengunjung bunga stroberi yang paling umum dijumpai, yaitu dua lalat bunga Episyrphus balteatus (Deg.) (47,3%) dan Melanostoma sp. (33,8%); serta dua lebah Lasioglossum sp. (7,0%) dan Apis cerana Fabricius (5,3%). Durasi kunjungan pada setiap bunga oleh kelompok lalat bunga berlangsung 7,75–10,00 menit, sedangkan oleh kelompok lebah 0,25–0,79 menit. Buah stroberi yang berkembang dari bunga yang mendapat kunjungan tunggal oleh setiap spesies serangga menghasilkan buah dengan jumlah akene berkembang 1,6–1,8 kali lipat lebih banyak, bobot buah 1,8–2,3 kali lipat lebih berat, diameter buah 1,2–1,3 kali lipat lebih lebar, serta waktu matang buah 1–3 hari lebih singkat, dibandingkan dengan buah yang berasal dari bunga yang tidak dikunjungi serangga. Keberadaan lebah dan lalat bunga memberikan sumbangan yang penting terhadap penyerbukan pertanaman stroberi di Ciwidey. Temuan dari penelitian ini berimplikasi terhadap peningkatan hasil panen stroberi melalui pengelolaan serangga penyerbuk.

Natural Entomophages of Brevicoryne Brassicae (L.) (Hemiptera: Aphididae) in Uzbekistan

In our studies phenological phases of cabbage aphids Brevicoryne brassicae (L.) were studied. The influence of external factors (humidity and temperature) was studied under laboratory conditions. The maximum reproductive ability of cabbage aphids was noted in spring and autumn. Some of the parthenogenetic aphids gave about 82 larvae. The daily reproductive ability of aphids was 3-5, and the maximum 5-11. When studying the reproductive ability of parthenogenetic aphids, this indicator was slightly lower than that of the wingless aphids (average 28, maximum 51). The overall development of cabbage aphid seeds averaged 7–9 days in summer and 12–21 days in early spring and autumn. The importance and bioecological features of Metamorphus corollae (F.), Episyrphus balteatus (De Geer, 1776), Syrphus vitripennis (Meigen, 1822), Scaeva pyrastri (L.) Coccinella septempunctata (L.) and Adonia variegata (G.), Chrysopa carnea Steph. with natural control of the cabbage aphid were studied. Studying the biological effectiveness of a simple golden-eyed fly in relation to the cabbage bug, efficiencies were observed at a ratio of II-year-old larvae of simple golden-eyed and cabbage bug in a ratio of 1:5 and 1:10. For 4 day old gold-eyed eggs, this efficiency was observed when the ratio with cabbage bug was 1:1 on the 17th day of the experiment.