Commercial Sources of Predators
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Why Hymenoptera – Not Coleoptera – Is the Most Speciose Animal Order
bioRxiv preprint doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/274431; this version posted March 22, 2018. The copyright holder for this preprint (which was not certified by peer review) is the author/funder. All rights reserved. No reuse allowed without permission. 1 Quantifying the unquantifiable: 2 why Hymenoptera – not Coleoptera – is the most speciose animal order 3 4 Andrew A. Forbes, Robin K. Bagley, Marc A. Beer, Alaine C. Hippee, & Heather A. Widmayer 5 University of Iowa, Department of Biology, 434 Biology Building, Iowa City, IA 52242 6 7 Corresponding author: 8 Andrew Forbes 9 10 Email address: [email protected] 11 12 13 1 bioRxiv preprint doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/274431; this version posted March 22, 2018. The copyright holder for this preprint (which was not certified by peer review) is the author/funder. All rights reserved. No reuse allowed without permission. 14 Abstract 15 Background. We challenge the oft-repeated claim that the beetles (Coleoptera) are the most 16 species-rich order of animals. Instead, we assert that another order of insects, the Hymenoptera, 17 are more speciose, due in large part to the massively diverse but relatively poorly known 18 parasitoid wasps. The idea that the beetles have more species than other orders is primarily based 19 on their respective collection histories and the relative availability of taxonomic resources, which 20 both disfavor parasitoid wasps. Though it is unreasonable to directly compare numbers of 21 described species in each order, the ecology of parasitic wasps – specifically, their intimate 22 interactions with their hosts – allows for estimation of relative richness. -
Rainfall and Parasitic Wasp (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonoidea
Agricultural and Forest Entomology (2000) 2, 39±47 Rainfall and parasitic wasp (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonoidea) activity in successional forest stages at Barro Colorado Nature Monument, Panama, and La Selva Biological Station, Costa Rica B. A. Shapiro1 and J. Pickering Institute of Ecology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602-2602, U.S.A. Abstract 1 In 1997, we ran two Malaise insect traps in each of four stands of wet forest in Costa Rica (two old-growth and two 20-year-old stands) and four stands of moist forest in Panama (old-growth, 20, 40 and 120-year-old stands). 2 Wet forest traps caught 2.32 times as many ichneumonoids as moist forest traps. The average catch per old-growth trap was 1.89 times greater than the average catch per second-growth trap. 3 Parasitoids of lepidopteran larvae were caught in higher proportions in the wet forest, while pupal parasitoids were relatively more active in the moist forest. 4 We hypothesize that moisture availability is of key importance in determining parasitoid activity, community composition and trophic interactions. Keywords Barro Colorado Nature Monument, Ichneumonoidea, La Selva, parasitoids, precipitation, tropical moist forest, tropical wet forest. istics of each parasitoid species and abiotic factors. Seasonal Introduction patterns of insect activity are often correlated with temperature, One of the largest groups of parasitic Hymenoptera is the as processes such as development and diapause are often superfamily Ichneumonoidea, which consists of two families intimately associated with temperature change (Wolda, 1988). (the Ichneumonidae and the Braconidae), 64 subfamilies and an Fink & VoÈlkl (1995) gave several examples of small insects for estimated 100 000 species world-wide (Gauld & Bolton, 1988; which low humidity and high temperature have detrimental Wahl & Sharkey, 1993). -
Alien Dominance of the Parasitoid Wasp Community Along an Elevation Gradient on Hawai’I Island
University of Nebraska - Lincoln DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln USGS Staff -- Published Research US Geological Survey 2008 Alien dominance of the parasitoid wasp community along an elevation gradient on Hawai’i Island Robert W. Peck U.S. Geological Survey, [email protected] Paul C. Banko U.S. Geological Survey Marla Schwarzfeld U.S. Geological Survey Melody Euaparadorn U.S. Geological Survey Kevin W. Brinck U.S. Geological Survey Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/usgsstaffpub Peck, Robert W.; Banko, Paul C.; Schwarzfeld, Marla; Euaparadorn, Melody; and Brinck, Kevin W., "Alien dominance of the parasitoid wasp community along an elevation gradient on Hawai’i Island" (2008). USGS Staff -- Published Research. 652. https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/usgsstaffpub/652 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the US Geological Survey at DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. It has been accepted for inclusion in USGS Staff -- Published Research by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. Biol Invasions (2008) 10:1441–1455 DOI 10.1007/s10530-008-9218-1 ORIGINAL PAPER Alien dominance of the parasitoid wasp community along an elevation gradient on Hawai’i Island Robert W. Peck Æ Paul C. Banko Æ Marla Schwarzfeld Æ Melody Euaparadorn Æ Kevin W. Brinck Received: 7 December 2007 / Accepted: 21 January 2008 / Published online: 6 February 2008 Ó Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 2008 Abstract Through intentional and accidental increased with increasing elevation, with all three introduction, more than 100 species of alien Ichneu- elevations differing significantly from each other. monidae and Braconidae (Hymenoptera) have Nine species purposely introduced to control pest become established in the Hawaiian Islands. -
Insects Parasitoids: Natural Enemies of Helicoverpa
Queensland the Smart State insects Parasitoids: Natural enemies of helicoverpa Introduction Helicoverpa caterpillars (often called heliothis) are serious pests of many crops in Australia. A range of parasitoid and predatory insects attack helicoverpa. Identifying and conserving these beneficial insects is fundamental to implementing pest management with a reduced reliance on chemical insecticides. This brochure describes the most important parasitoids of helicoverpa in Australian broadacre crops. Parasitoids versus parasites: What’s the difference? Parasitoids kill their hosts; parasites (such Figure 1. Netelia producta is one of the as lice and fleas) do not. All the insects most commonly encountered parasitoids in this brochure are parasitoids. Despite of helicoverpa. Females lay their eggs onto this difference, the terms parasitoid and caterpillars, and the hatching wasp larva parasite are often used interchangeably, if feeds on its host, eventually killing it. inaccurately. Parasitoids such as Netelia can be important biological control agents of helicoverpa in crops. (Photo: K. Power) All comments about parasitoid abundance in this publication are based on field observations in southern Queensland farming systems. These patterns may not occur in all parts of Australia. About parasitoids What is a parasitoid? How do parasitoids find their A parasitoid is an insect that kills (parasitises) hosts? its host — usually another insect — in Many adult parasitoids find their host by order to complete its lifecycle. In Australia, smell. They can detect the direct odour of helicoverpa are parasitised by many species the host itself, or odours associated with host of wasps and flies. All helicoverpa immature activity, such as plant damage or caterpillar stages are parasitised (that is, egg, caterpillar frass (dung). -
Parasites and Parasitoids Habitat and Conservation Host Specificity Diversity
Parasites and Parasitoids A parasitoid is a special type of parasite that is used in biological control. Unlike parasites, ALL parasitoids kill their host at some point during their development. This makes them very efficient at controlling various insect pests. Feeding by the larval parasitoid ultimately results in death of its host, and the resulting adult parasitoid is a free-living insect. Parasites, such as parasitic roundworms in humans, generally occur in very large numbers and do not kill their host. In many cases, tiny parasitoids are more effective at controlling pests than other larger predators. It is important to recognize their presence and needs to encourage good pest control Habitat and Conservation Most parasitoids are difficult to see because of their small size. Many times the only evidence you will see of their presence is a sick or dead pests that have already been parasitized. Adult parasitoids usually feed on pollen and require a source of food in order to lay eggs and kill their hosts. Broad spectrum pesticides applied to pest insects often kill these beneficial parasitoids. This is why it is important to reduce or eliminate harsh pesticides and encourage parasitoids by planting wild flowers near your crops. Host specificity Unlike generalist predators such as lady beetles and lacewings, parasitoids tend to be very host specific. This makes them good candidates for classical biological control of invasive species. In such examples, parasitoids can be imported without concern of non-target effects. To the left is a picture of a Larra parasitoid wasp which attacks only mole crickets. -
Hymenoptera (Stinging Wasps)
Return to insect order home Page 1 of 3 Visit us on the Web: www.gardeninghelp.org Insect Order ID: Hymenoptera (Stinging Wasps) Life Cycle–Complete metamorphosis: Queens or solitary adults lay eggs. Larvae eat, grow and molt. This stage is repeated a varying number of times, depending on species, until hormonal changes cause the larvae to pupate. Inside a cell (in nests) or a pupal case (solitary), they change in form and color and develop wings. The adults look completely different from the larvae. Solitary wasps: Social wasps: Adults–Stinging wasps have hard bodies and most have membranous wings (some are wingless). The forewing is larger than the hindwing and the two are hooked together as are all Hymenoptera, hence the name "married wings," but this is difficult to see. Some species fold their wings lengthwise, making their wings look long and narrow. The head is oblong and clearly separated from the thorax, and the eyes are compound eyes, but not multifaceted. All have a cinched-in waist (wasp waist). Eggs are laid from the base of the ovipositor, while the ovipositor itself, in most species, has evolved into a stinger. Thus only females have stingers. (Click images to enlarge or orange text for more information.) Oblong head Compound eyes Folded wings but not multifaceted appear Cinched in waist long & narrow Return to insect order home Page 2 of 3 Eggs–Colonies of social wasps have at least one queen that lays both fertilized and unfertilized eggs. Most are fertilized and all fertilized eggs are female. Most of these become workers; a few become queens. -
Wisconsin Bee Identification Guide
WisconsinWisconsin BeeBee IdentificationIdentification GuideGuide Developed by Patrick Liesch, Christy Stewart, and Christine Wen Honey Bee (Apis mellifera) The honey bee is perhaps our best-known pollinator. Honey bees are not native to North America and were brought over with early settlers. Honey bees are mid-sized bees (~ ½ inch long) and have brownish bodies with bands of pale hairs on the abdomen. Honey bees are unique with their social behavior, living together year-round as a colony consisting of thousands of individuals. Honey bees forage on a wide variety of plants and their colonies can be useful in agricultural settings for their pollination services. Honey bees are our only bee that produces honey, which they use as a food source for the colony during the winter months. In many cases, the honey bees you encounter may be from a local beekeeper’s hive. Occasionally, wild honey bee colonies can become established in cavities in hollow trees and similar settings. Photo by Christy Stewart Bumble bees (Bombus sp.) Bumble bees are some of our most recognizable bees. They are amongst our largest bees and can be close to 1 inch long, although many species are between ½ inch and ¾ inch long. There are ~20 species of bumble bees in Wisconsin and most have a robust, fuzzy appearance. Bumble bees tend to be very hairy and have black bodies with patches of yellow or orange depending on the species. Bumble bees are a type of social bee Bombus rufocinctus and live in small colonies consisting of dozens to a few hundred workers. Photo by Christy Stewart Their nests tend to be constructed in preexisting underground cavities, such as former chipmunk or rabbit burrows. -
Biological Control of Insect Pests in Wheat
E-310 BIOLOGICAL CONTROL OF INSECT PESTS IN WHEAT Allen Knutson, Extension entomologist; Emory P. Boring, III Extension entomologist; G. J. Michels Jr. Associate professor of Entomology, Texas AgriLife Extension Service; and Frank Gilstrap Professor, Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University. All insects have natural enemies which, in addition to weather and food supply, limit their populations. This process, unaided and often unrecognized by man, is termed natural control. It is important to recognize the impact of natural control factors and, where possible, encourage their action. Biological control is the use of natural enemies to control insect pests. The ancient Chinese distributed nests of predatory ants among citrus trees to control caterpillars and borers. Today, biological control is an increasingly important component of integrated pest management (IPM) programs for agriculture as well as for urban environments. Biological control does not present the human health and environmental concerns associated with chemical pesticide use. Nor is there much chance pests will develop resistance to natural enemies, as commonly occurs with insecticides. However, there should be different expectations for biological control than for chemical control. Natural enemies are living organisms with specific environmental requirements and behaviors. While insecticides often produce rapid, uniform control of insect pests, weeks, months or even years may be required before natural enemies effectively control pests. As biological control takes effect and pests become scarce, their natural enemies may leave the area. Adverse weather conditions or changes in crop production practices also can reduce populations of natural enemies. In both cases, pest outbreaks may recur. Using biological control effectively requires a good understanding of the biology of the pest and its natural enemies, as well as the ability to identify their life stages in the field. -
Breeding Strategies in Females of the Parasitoid Wasp Spalangia Endius: Effects of Mating Status and Size
P1: VENDOR/GXB Journal of Insect Behavior [joib] pp476-joir-371890 May 1, 2002 16:4 Style file version Feb 08, 2000 Journal of Insect Behavior, Vol. 15, No. 2, March 2002 (C 2002) Breeding Strategies in Females of the Parasitoid Wasp Spalangia endius: Effects of Mating Status and Size B. H. King1 Accepted October 29, 2001; revised November 28, 2001 Does the mating status or body size of a female parasitoid wasp affect her host size choice or propensity to burrow? In Spalangia endius, using smaller hosts appears to reduce a female’s cost of parasitization but not her son’s fit- ness. However, virgin females, which produce only sons, did not preferentially parasitize smaller hosts. Mated females also showed no host size preference. Mated females burrowed more than virgins in the presence of hosts, although not in their absence. Burrowing may reduce a mated female’s harassment from males, and not burrowing may increase a virgin female’s chance of mating because males avoid burrowing. Mating did not increase female longevity. Greater female size increased the offspring production of mated females bur- rowing for hosts but not in the absence of burrowing and not in virgin females. A female’s size had no significant effect on whether her first drill attempt was on a large or a small host or on the duration of her successful drills. KEY WORDS: breeding strategies; arrhenotoky; virgin; host size; body size; parasitoid. INTRODUCTION The evolution of behaviors is often described in terms of costs and benefits. Individuals are expected to behave in ways which maximize net benefits. -
Parasitoid Case History: an Evaluation of Methods Used to Assess Host Ranges of Fire Ant Decapitating Flies
Porter and Gilbert _____________________________________________________________________________ PARASITOID CASE HISTORY: AN EVALUATION OF METHODS USED TO ASSESS HOST RANGES OF FIRE ANT DECAPITATING FLIES Sanford D. PORTER1 and Lawrence E. GILBERT2 1USDA-ARS, Center for Medical, Agricultural and Veterinary Entomology P.O. Box 14565 Gainesville, Florida 32604 U.S.A. [email protected] 2Brackenridge Field Laboratory and Section of Integrative Biology University of Texas Austin, Texas 78712 U.S.A. [email protected] ABSTRACT The first three papers in this section have discussed factors that affect the efficiency and suc- cess of laboratory host range tests. This paper presents an evaluation of how well those 634 factors applied to our investigations of host ranges of fire ant decapitating flies in the genus Pseudacteon (Diptera: Phoridae). We initially discuss the nature of the fire ant problem (Hy- menoptera: Formicidae: Solenopsis spp.) and the need for effective self-sustaining biological control agents. We briefly review the biology of Pseudacteon decapitating flies, the overall results of our host range tests, and the current status of field releases of these biological con- trol agents. We conclude by discussing how well the recommendations of the three initial papers about 1) statistical procedures, 2) biotypes and cryptic species, and 3) experimental design, plus a recent book on the subject of host range testing, apply to our experiences with fire ant decapitating flies. BACKGROUND OF PARASITOID SYSTEM THE FIRE ANT PROBLEM AND NEED FOR SELF-SUSTAINING BIOLOGICAL CONTROL The major problem with invasive fire ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Solenopsis spp.) is that there are so many of them. -
A Koinobiont Parasitoid Mediates Competition and Generates Additive Mortality in Healthy Host Populations
OIKOS 110: 620Á/628, 2005 A koinobiont parasitoid mediates competition and generates additive mortality in healthy host populations Tom C. Cameron, Helen J. Wearing, Pejman Rohani and Steven M. Sait Cameron, T. C., Wearing, H. J., Rohani, P. and Sait, S. M. 2005. A koinobiont parasitoid mediates competition and generates additive mortality in healthy host populations. Á/ Oikos 110: 620Á/628. Insects are subject to attack from a range of natural enemies. Many natural enemies, such as parasitoids, do not immediately, or ever, kill their victims but they are nevertheless important in structuring biological communities. The lag that often occurs between attack and host death results in mixed populations of healthy and parasitised hosts. However, little is understood about how the effects of parasitism during this lag period affect the competitive ability of parasitised hosts and how this, in turn, affects the survival and dynamics of the surviving healthy host populations. Here we investigate the impact of the timing of introduction, and the strength of that introduction, of a parasitoid natural enemy Venturia canescens (Gravenhorst) on the outcome of intraspecific competition between larvae of the Indian meal moth, Plodia interpunctella (Hu¨bner). In contrast to healthy hosts alone, we find reduced survival of healthy larvae with increasing periods of exposure to greater numbers of parasitised conspecifics. This represents indirect mortality of the host, which is in addition to that imposed by parasitism itself. Furthermore, longer periods of exposure to parasitised larvae resulted in an increase in development time of healthy individuals and they were larger when they emerged as adults. -
(Hymenoptera: Braconidae), a Parasitoid of the Cotton Boll Weevil
“main” — 2011/7/12 — 19:25 — page 1021 — #1 Anais da Academia Brasileira de Ciências (2011) 83(3): 1021-1029 (Annals of the Brazilian Academy of Sciences) Printed version ISSN 0001-3765 / Online version ISSN 1678-2690 www.scielo.br/aabc Effect of temperature on the reproduction of Bracon vulgaris Ashmead (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), a parasitoid of the cotton boll weevil FRANCISCO S. RAMALHO1, PAULO A. WANDERLEY2, JOSÉ B. MALAQUIAS1, FRANCISCO S. FERNANDES1, ANTÔNIO R.B. NASCIMENTO1 and JOSÉ C. ZANUNCIO3 1Embrapa Algodão, Unidade de Controle Biológico, Av. Osvaldo Cruz, 1143, 58107-720 Campina Grande, PB, Brasil 2Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciências e Tecnologia – IFPB, Rua Presidente Tancredo Neves, s/n, 58800-970 Sousa, PB, Brasil 3Departamento de Biologia Animal, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Av. PH Rolfs, s/n, Campus Universitário, 36570-000 Viçosa, MG, Brasil Manuscript received on March 30, 2010; accepted for publication on December 21, 2010 ABSTRACT This research studied the effect of temperature on the reproduction of Bracon vulgaris Ashmead, an ectoparasitoid of cotton boll weevil (Anthonomus grandis Boheman) at constant temperatures of 20, 25 and 30◦C, 70 ± 10% RH and a photophase of 14 h. Females of the parasitoid produced a greater number of eggs when exposed to 25◦C (124.65 eggs) in relation to those exposed to 20 (43.40 eggs) and 30◦C (49.60 eggs). The number of parasitized larvae per female of B. vulgaris at 25◦C (71.75) was greater than at 20◦C (31.40) and 30◦C (25.15). The daily intrinsic rates of increase (rm) were –0.007 at 20◦C, 0.07 at 25◦C and 0.03 at 30◦C, revealing that the temperature of 25◦C produced increases of 1,100 and 133% in the value rm in relation to temperatures of 20 and 30◦C, respectively.