Diversity and abundance of insects on Potato, Mustard and Tomato in winter at Mitchells farm, Okara, Pakistan

Abundance is defined as the relative representation of species in a particular area. It is usually measured as the number of individuals found per sample. The abundance of insects was recorded from the selected fields of mustard, potato and tomato fields. Samples were collected by applying quadrant method, simple tools were used i.e. sweep nets and direct handpicking. Hemiptera, Lepidoptera and Hymenoptera were the main orders of the insects that were most abundant and effecting the selected fields. Total collected specimens were numbered as 117, out of which 65 specimens were recorded from mustard 36 from tomato and 16 from potato field. The results indicate that insects have subsequent association with their host vegetables at leafy stage. A maximum abundance of insects was found in mustard fields and least in Potato field. A common insect found among all fields was the budworm. Abundance was recorded less because of some factors i.e. low temperature and pesticides.

Incidence, Abundance and Damage of Papaya Mealybug In Southern Part of Bangladesh And Its Management

The papaya mealybug, Paracoccus marginatus Williams and Granara de Willink, is a small hemipteran that attacks several genera of host plants, including economically important tropical fruits and ornamentals. A study was carried out at farmers’ papaya garden and homestead areas of 8 locations viz., Dumki, Bouphal, Dashmina, Patuakhali, Mirjagonj, Amtali, Kalapara and Kuakata of Patuakhali and Barguna districts of Bangladesh to observe the incidence, abundance, and damage potential of papaya mealybug, Paracoccus marginatus (Williams and Granara de Willink) from March to June 2019. An experiment consisting of seven treatments following randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications was conducted for controlling papaya mealybugs at Patuakhali Science and Technology University (PSTU) campus during March to June 2019. Results revealed that among 8 locations, the highest incidence of P. marginatus was recorded in June, and the lowest was in April. The maximum abundance of P. marginatus on leaves and fruits of the papaya plant was observed at Kolapara, and the lowest was at Amtali. The highest percent infested plants (65%) per location, infested leaves/plant (97%), and infested fruits/plant (47%) was recorded in Kolapara, and the lowest percent infestations (31, 18, and 11%, respectively) were in Amtali. Among all treatments, the removal of infested leaves with petioles and application of Nitro 505EC @ 1 ml/L of water (T1) was the best approach for the management of papaya mealybugs. The removal of infested leaves with petioles + Biotap plus extra 95EC @ 0.2 g/L of water (T3) could be used as 2nd choice for controlling papaya mealybugs. The results concluded that removal of infested leaves and the application of Nitro 505 EC at the rate of 1 ml/L of water might be used to control the papaya mealybug. J. Asiat. Soc. Bangladesh, Sci. 47(2): 109-120, December 2021

SEASONAL FLUCTUATION OF STINK BUG MUSTHA SPINULOSA (LEFEBVRE, 1831) (HEMIPTERA, PENTATOMIDAE) ON SOME TREES IN ERBIL CITY

Phytophagous stink bugs (Hemiptera, Pentatomidae) are economically important insect pests of fruit, vegetable, nut and field crops. This study was carried out during the season of 2013 in orchards within Erbil city, to follow the stink bug Mustha spinulosa (Lefebvre, 1831) seasonal fluctuation on some fruit trees: olive, plum, apricot, pear, apple and almond. The stink bug reaches its maximum abundance throughout the second week of August (38.2/tree) coinciding with mean temperature and relative humidity of 33.40°C and 28.14% respectively, and the highest total mean of the number of the insect was recorded on the olive trees (181.8/tree). The study reveals that the stink bug attacked 22 trees (fruit and forest) while it has not attack any herbal plant.

Comparison of Climatic Factors on Mosquito Abundance at US Army Garrison Humphreys, Republic of Korea

Background A number of studies have been conducted on the relationship between the distribution of mosquito abundance and meteorological variables. However, few studies have specifically provided specific ranges of temperatures for estimating the maximum abundance of mosquitoes as an empirical basis for climatic dynamics for estimating mosquito-borne infectious disease risks.Methods Adult mosquitoes were collected for three consecutive nights/week using Mosquito Magnet® Independence® model traps during 2018 and 2019 at US Army Garrison (USAG) Humphreys, Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province, Republic of Korea (ROK). An estimate of daily mean temperatures (provided by the Korea Meteorological Administration) were distributed at the maximum abundance for selected species of mosquitoes using daily mosquito collection data after controlling for mosquito ecological cycles and environmental factors.Results Using the Monte-Carlo simulation, the overall mosquito population abundance peaked at 22.7℃ (2.5th−-97.5th : 21.7℃–23.8 ℃). Aedes albopictus, vector of Zika, chikungunya, dengue fever and other viruses, abundance peaked at 24.6℃ (2.5th − 97.5th, 22.3℃–25.6℃), while Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) vectors, e.g., Culex tritaeniorhynchus and Culex pipiens, peaked at 24.3℃ (2.5th − 97.5th : 21.9℃–26.3℃) and 22.6℃ (2.5th − 97.5th : 21.9℃–25.2℃), respectively. Members of the Anopheles Hyrcanus Group, some of which are vivax malaria vectors in the ROK, abundance peaked at 22.4℃ (2.5th − 97.5th : 21.5℃–23.8℃).Conclusion The empirical mean temperature ranges for maximum abundance were determined for each mosquito species collected at USAG Humphreys. These data contributed to the identification of relative mosquito abundance patterns for estimating mosquito-borne disease risks and developing and implementing disease prevention practices.

Ocean deoxygenation and copepods: coping with oxygen minimum zone variability

Increasing deoxygenation (loss of oxygen) of the ocean, including expansion of oxygen minimum zones (OMZs), is a potentially important consequence of global warming. We examined present-day variability of vertical distributions of 23 calanoid copepod species in the Eastern Tropical North Pacific (ETNP) living in locations with different water column oxygen profiles and OMZ intensity (lowest oxygen concentration and its vertical extent in a profile). Copepods and hydrographic data were collected in vertically stratified day and night MOCNESS (Multiple Opening/Closing Net and Environmental Sensing System) tows (0–1000 m) during four cruises over a decade (2007–2017) that sampled four ETNP locations: Costa Rica Dome, Tehuantepec Bowl, and two oceanic sites further north (21–22∘ N) off Mexico. The sites had different vertical oxygen profiles: some with a shallow mixed layer, abrupt thermocline, and extensive very low oxygen OMZ core; and others with a more gradual vertical development of the OMZ (broad mixed layer and upper oxycline zone) and a less extensive OMZ core where oxygen was not as low. Calanoid copepod species (including examples from the genera Eucalanus, Pleuromamma, and Lucicutia) demonstrated different distributional strategies (implying different physiological characteristics) associated with this variability. We identified sets of species that (1) changed their vertical distributions and depth of maximum abundance associated with the depth and intensity of the OMZ and its oxycline inflection points; (2) shifted their depth of diapause; (3) adjusted their diel vertical migration, especially the nighttime upper depth; or (4) expanded or contracted their depth range within the mixed layer and upper part of the thermocline in association with the thickness of the aerobic epipelagic zone (habitat compression concept). These distribution depths changed by tens to hundreds of meters depending on the species, oxygen profile, and phenomenon. For example, at the lower oxycline, the depth of maximum abundance for Lucicutia hulsemannae shifted from ∼600 to ∼800 m, and the depth of diapause for Eucalanus inermis shifted from ∼500 to ∼775 m, in an expanded OMZ compared to a thinner OMZ, but remained at similar low oxygen levels in both situations. These species or life stages are examples of “hypoxiphilic” taxa. For the migrating copepod Pleuromamma abdominalis, its nighttime depth was shallow (∼20 m) when the aerobic mixed layer was thin and the low-oxygen OMZ broad, but it was much deeper (∼100 m) when the mixed layer and higher oxygen extended deeper; daytime depth in both situations was ∼300 m. Because temperature decreased with depth, these distributional depth shifts had metabolic implications. The upper ocean to mesopelagic depth range encompasses a complex interwoven ecosystem characterized by intricate relationships among its inhabitants and their environment. It is a critically important zone for oceanic biogeochemical and export processes and hosts key food web components for commercial fisheries. Among the zooplankton, there will likely be winners and losers with increasing ocean deoxygenation as species cope with environmental change. Changes in individual copepod species abundances, vertical distributions, and life history strategies may create potential perturbations to these intricate food webs and processes. Present-day variability provides a window into future scenarios and potential effects of deoxygenation.

Eusirus bonnieri sp. nov. (Crustacea: Amphipoda: Eusiridae), a new deep species from the southeastern Bay of Biscay (NE Atlantic Ocean)

A new bathyal eusirid, Eusirus bonnieri sp. nov., is described from the SE Bay of Biscay, mainly characterized by its strongly deflexed rostrum (not mentioned for any other known Eusirus species) and by a long spiniform process at the posterodistal corner of pereopods 5–7 merus. It was sampled with a suprabenthic sledge between 370 and 1099 m on southern margin of the Cap Ferret Canyon and within the Capbreton Canyon. It was relatively scarce on the open slope and its maximum abundance was registered within the upper part of the Capbreton canyon. Beside some ecological/biological data, an identification key is provided for all known species in this genus.

SEASONAL DYNAMICS OF CICADAS (HEMIPTERA: CICADINA) ON THE TERRITORY OF THE TIGIREKSKY NATURE RESERVE (ALTAI KRAI)

The seasonal dynamics of cicadas (Hemiptera: Cicadina) has been investigated at five model locations of Tigireksky Nature Reserve (Altai Krai). 65 cicada species of 43 genera and 5 families have been identified. Two association clusters have been built: aestival and late-summer/autumnal. The maximum abundance for the families Cicadellidae and Membracidae was observed during latesummer/ autumnal period (early September and late July, respectively).

The Environmental Impact of Sturgeon Pen Culture on Diversity and Spatial Distribution Patterns of the Benthic Macro Fauna Communities in Gorgan Bay

Community structure and biodiversity of benthic macro fauna in around pen culture of Sturgeon fish in Gorgan Bay were studied for period of one year from August 2015 to July 2016. Seasonal samplings were carried out at 5 stations in 3 transects. In addition, depth (D), water temperature (Toc), dissolved oxygen (DO); pH, total dissolved solid (TDS), biological oxygen demand (BOD5), chemical oxygen demand (COD), phosphorus (PO4-3), nitrite (NO2-) and total ammonia (NH3+) were measured in each station. Results of season variations of Physico – chemical factors of water showed that, there were no significant differences between PO4-3 (p>0.05). However, there were significant differences between BOD5, COD, NO2-, NH3+ and TDS (p<0.05). Totally, 11 genus's and 10 families belong to 3 phyla as Mollusks, Arthropods and Annelids were identified. The results showed, there were the maximum abundance percent belong to Hydrobiidae and Cochliopidae with 33.83% and 26.25% and the minimum abundance percent belong to Gammaridae with 0.05% respectively. However, the maximum abundance belongs to Pyrgohydrobia sp., from Hydrobiidae with 3410 n/m2. The results showed, there were the maximum and minimum abundance percent in autumn and spring with 1.07 and 0.88 % respectively. The results of distance-based redundancy analysis (db.-RDA) revealed that environmental factors such as depth, DO and TDS are all important in determining the distribution of macro benthic species in Gorgan Gulf. However, there were significant differences between abundance, species number (S), diversity (as Shannon–Wiener’s, H´), species richness (as Margalef’s, D), and evenness (as Pielou’s, J) (p<0.05). There were the most diversity species in 2 and 5 stations.

Evaluation of ecological niches of abundant species of Poecilus and Pterostichus (Coleoptera: Carabidae) in forests of steppe zone of Ukraine

This article analyses abundances of seven Poecilus and Pterostichus species sampled from 836 forest sites located in five geographical regions of the steppe zone of Ukraine. The abundances are analysed in relation to eight forest conditions. New information about associations of the following five species was found. Poecilus versicolor was most abundant in sparse forest sites and on moist sandy soil. Pterostichus melanarius reached its maximum abundance on sites with a thick litter layer, mesohygrophilous condition, clay soils and a sparse herbaceous layer. Pterostichus niger reached maximum abundance in forests with mesohygrophilous and hygrophilous conditions and on sandy loam soils. Abundance of Pterostichus oblongopunctatus was at the highest on sites with a closed tree canopy, a thin litter layer and loamy soils of average salinity. Pterostichus ovoideus was most abundant in forests with low to average litter depth, hygrophilous conditions and loamy soils oflow to average salinity. For Poecilus sericeus and Poecilus cupreus the results ofthis study agreed with the published information.

Different aspects of studying a diatom Cylindrotheca closterium (Ehrenberg) Reimann et Lewin 1964 in natural and laboratory conditions

The article summarizes original and literary data on different aspects of studying Cylindrotheca closterium (Ehrenberg) Reimann et Lewin 1964 in two biotopes – phytoplankton and microphytobenthos – of the Black Sea, the Sea of Azov, and the Sea of Japan for the period from 1976 to 2016. The aim of the work is to present the results of the study mainly of own data on the morphology, systematics and ecology of C. closterium in different seas and under cultivation in the laboratory. Information on the history of the species origin and its nomenclature changes is given. C. closterium belongs to the phylum Bacillariophyta, class Bacillariophyceae, order Bacillariales Hendey 1937, family Bacillariaceae Ehrenb. 1831, genus Cylindrotheca Rabenhorst 1859 emend. Reim. et Lewin 1964. This benthoplanktonic species occurs in the plankton, in littoral and sublittoral zones of the seas. The species is marine and brackish-water; it is a cosmopolite common in different geographical zones of the World Ocean. The results of studying alga by various methods under natural and experimental conditions in light and transmission electron microscopes of C. Zeiss LIBRA-120 are presented. The quantitative data of C. closterium were determined by direct counting of the cells in the Goryaev’ camera (V = 0.9 mm³) in light microscopes BIOLAM L-212, C. Zeiss Axioskop 40 with the program AxioVision Rel. 4.6 at 10×40, 10×100, and Olympus BX41 (Tokyo, Japan) with lenses UPLanF140× and 100×1/30 oil immersion. Cultivation of C. closterium was carried out in the cumulative mode on the nutrient medium F, volume of 1 L under light intensity of 13.7 klx and temperature of +20…+21 °C. Morphology data of this species from different seas were obtained. The average cell sizes of C. closterium are: 25–260 µm length, 1.5–8 µm width; 12–25 fibulae in 10 µm. The results of cultivation in the laboratory conditions showed that the average cell sizes reached 148.17 µm (length) and 8 µm (width) at the temperature of +19…+20 °C and light intensity of 13 klx; length of cells reached 162.12 µm in the exponential phase of growth and 172.07 µm – in the stationary phase. C. closterium has an important practical significance as a source of fucoxanthin, since this alga is intensively cultivated for production of biologically active substances. Our experimental data showed that during laboratory cultivation the fucoxanthin concentration in a diatom biomass can reach 11 mg·g-1 of dry mass. The new data obtained are relevant and important; they can be used in different fields of science and medicine. The seasonal dynamics of population abundance of C. closterium in different ecotopes (epizoon of invertebrates and their food spectra, epiphyton of bottom vegetation, periphyton of the experimental and anthropogenic substrates of the different seas) is presented for the first time. The maximum abundance of the species population (65.6·10³ cells·cm-2) was registered in the epizoon of the mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis Lam. in March at the water temperature of +7.7 °C at a depth of 2.5 m in the Black Sea. The maximum abundance was registered in the epiphyton of green algae (896·10³ cells·cm-2) and in the periphyton of asbestos plates (728·10³ cells·cm-2) in August at the water temperature of +24.5 °C in the Sea of Japan. The abundance dynamics of C. closterium natural populations in the local habitats changed depending on the season, the depth, and the type of substrate. The similarities and differences in the distribution of C. closterium in the sea microphytobenthos are discussed.