DOCSLIB.ORG

Nectar Sources of Day-Flying Lepidoptera of Central Illinois

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Nectar Sources of Day-Flying Lepidoptera of Central Illinois CONSERVATION BIOLOGY AND BIODIVERSITY Nectar Sources of Day-Flying Lepidoptera of Central Illinois 1 JOHN F. TOOKER, PETER F. REAGEL, AND LAWRENCE M. HANKS Department of Entomology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801 Ann. Entomol. Soc. Am. 95(1): 84Ð96 (2002) ABSTRACT We tabulated ßowering plant species visited by 98 species of Lepidoptera as extracted from records of C. Robertson, who observed Ͼ15,000 insect visitors of ßowering plants in central Illinois during a 33-yr period. Diversity of Lepidoptera was highest on plant species of the Asclepia- daceae and Verbenaceae, and the greatest number of lepidopteran species visited Verbena stricta Ventenat (Verbenaceae), Aster pilosus Willdenow (Asteraceae), Cephalanthus occidentalis L. (Ru- biaceae), and Pycnanthemum flexuosum (Walter) Britton, Sterns, Poggenberg (Lamiaceae). Lepi- dopteranswere particularly abundant on A. pilosus and C. occidentalis. The most polyphagous lepidopteran species were Colias philodice Godart (Pieridae), Danaus plexippus (L.) (Danaidae), Artogeia rapae (L.) [ϭPieris rapae (L.); Pieridae], Phyciodes tharos (Drury) (Nymphalidae), Polites themistocles (Latreille) (Hesperiidae), Pontia protodice (Boisduval & LeConte) (Pieridae), and Everes comyntas (Godart) (Lycaenidae), each of which visited ßowers of 50 or more plant species. Colias philodice, Phyciodes tharos, and Pontia protodice were the most common species. Most lepidopteran species evidently visited a limited range of nectar plants, which may have implications for species conservation and selecting “butterßy plants” for gardening. KEY WORDS moth, skipper, butterßy, ßower, prairie, pollination ADULT LEPIDOPTERANS VISIT ßowering plantsto feed on taring host species for each of the lepidopteran species nectar and, in some cases, pollen, resources that power that Robertson recorded, and by updating all scientiÞc ßight in locating matesand hostplantsfor oviposition names. We have also assessed the diversity and abun- and, for pollen-feeders, contribute at least in part to dance of lepidopteran species per plant species and egg production (Saunders1932, Norris1934, Gilbert families, differences between lepidopteran families in 1972, Dunlap-Pianka et al. 1977, Opler and Krizek preference for particular plant species, as well as the 1984, Karlsson 1994, Allen 1997). In fact, food sources level of polyphagy and relative abundance of lepidop- of adult lepidopteranscan be asimportant aslarval teran species. hosts in the conservation of some lepidopteran species (Opler and Krizek 1984). Nevertheless, host plant Materials and Methods associations of adult lepidopterans have received short shrift in the literature (e.g., Holland 1903, Saunders We updated lepidopteran speciesnamesandtaxo- 1932, Opler and Krizek 1984, Allen 1997, Opler 1998, nomic afÞliations using the Check List of Lepidoptera Pyle 1998), although hosts have been well docu- of America North of Mexico (Hodgeset al. 1983). mented for a few species(Lazriand Barrows1984, Plant speciesnameswereupdated with the latestedi- Jackson 1987). tion (Fernald 1978) of RobertsonÕs original reference In thisarticle, we updated and analyzed information (Robinson and Fernald 1908) and a more recent ref- on host plant associations of adult lepidopterans orig- erence (Kartesz 1994). inally presented by Robertson (1928) who docu- Our analysis of RobertsonÕs data were hindered by mented, over a 33-yr period, 15,172 insects visiting a lack of information on hismethods;however, we ßowersof 453 plant speciesinthe vicinity of Carlin- have been able to glean some details from the short ville, IL, “. for the purpose of ascertaining the dif- introduction of hisbook (Robertson1928), a biogra- ferent kinds of insect visitors.” (See Tooker and Hanks phy written after hisdeath (Parks1936), and a report [2000] for information on hymenopteran parasitoids addressing his data on bees (Marlin and LaBerge from this data set.) The value of RobertsonÕs data, 2001). Robertson worked from early spring to late fall, however, hasbeen limited becausehisrecordsare often concentrating on visitors to plant species that arranged by plant species with no index to insect bloomed for only a short period of time (Parks 1936). species, making it difÞcult to evaluate host ranges. We Each day he appearsto have collected from only a few have made these data more accessible by listing nec- speciesofplants(Marlin and LaBerge 2001). He does not appear to have collected exhaustively, but rather 1 E-mail: [email protected]. made note of all the visitors and collected selectively 0013-8746/02/0084Ð0096$02.00/0 ᭧ 2002 Entomological Society of America January 2002 TOOKER ET AL.: HOST PLANTS OF ADULT LEPIDOPTERANS 85 for a reference collection, concentrating on rarer spe- phology and ranged from white to yellow to pink cies or those whose taxonomic status was uncertain (Table 3), including four species of Asclepidaceae, (Marlin and LaBerge 2001). Poor representation of three species of Asteraceae, two species of Fabaceae, moth familiesin hisrecordssuggeststhathe made his and single species of Boraginaceae, Lamiaceae, and observations primarily during the day. Robertson Apiaceae. (1928) provided a qualitative index of abundance by The number of lepidopteran species that Robertson indicating which lepidopteran species were “abun- recorded from plant species could have been a con- dant” or “frequent” on particular plant species. Rob- sequence of the abundance of plant species: he may ertson observed visitors making note of certain activ- have sampled very abundant plant species more in- ities(e.g., collecting pollen, suckingon nectar, in tensively than rarer plants. In fact, the six plant species copula; Robertson 1928) and the sex of the insect associated with the greatest diversity of visitors (V. species when possible. stricta, A. pilosus, C. occidentalis, P. flexuosum, Ascle- Using RobertsonÕs data, we ranked the following: pias syriaca L., and Monarda fistulosa L.; Table 3) all (1) species diversity of lepidopterans per plant spe- appear to have been common in Illinoisat the time cies, (2) abundance of lepidopteran species per plant that Robertson made his observations (Illinois Natural species, (3) polyphagy of lepidopterans species at the History Survey 1936, Jones 1945), and remain common speciesandfamilieslevels,and (4) relative abundance today (Mohlenbrock 1986). Nevertheless, other abun- of lepidopteran species. We determined whether lep- dant plant species were visited by only three or fewer idopteran familiesdiffered in the plant speciesthey species of Lepidoptera (e.g., Gnaphalium obtusifolium favored by ranking the proportion of their species that L., Aster lateriflorus [L.], and Euphorbia corollata L.; visited the 15 most preferred plant species and testing Table 2; IllinoisNatural HistorySurvey 1936, Jones differencesbetween theserankswith the nonpara- 1945). Therefore, foraging preferencesof lepidopter- metric Kruskal-Wallis test (PROC NPAR1WAY, SAS ans, rather than abundance of plant species, evidently Institute 1988) and pair-wise correlations (PROC are at least partly responsible for patterns of ßoral CORR, SAS Institute 1988). visitation that we report. Among plant families represented by at least Þve speciesofplantsin RobertsonÕsrecords,the number of Results and Discussion lepidopteran speciesperplant specieswashighestin Robertson recorded Lepidoptera from 244 species Asclepiadaceae, with an average of 16.6 lepidopteran of ßowering plantsof 53 families(Table 1). Of these species (Table 2), followed by Verbenaceae (8.9 spe- plants, 64 species (26.2%) were of the Asteraceae, 20 cies), Lamiaceae (7.8 species), Asteraceae (7.7 spe- of the Fabaceae (8.2%), 19 of the Lamiaceae (7.8%), cies), Apiaceae (5.9 species), Fabaceae (4.6 species), 13 of the Rosaceae (5.3%), and 11 of the Apiaceae and Rosaceae (4.3 species); plant species of the re- (4.5%); the remaining plant familieswere represented maining familieswere visitedby an average of one to by nine or fewer species (Ͻ4%). four lepidopteran species. These patterns in diversity Among the 98 lepidopteran species recorded from of lepidopterans are consistent with lepidopteran ßowers, hesperiids were best represented with 26 spe- preferencesin ßoral morphology and color: Asclepia- cies(Table 2), followed by nymphalids(16 species), daceae, Verbenaceae, Lamiaceae, Asteraceae, and noctuids (13 species), lycaenids (10 species), and Apiaceae typically have clustered ßowers with rela- pierids (eight species); the remaining lepidopteran tively short corollas that range in color from yellow to families were represented by six or fewer species, white to pink (Opler and Krizek 1984, Jerviset al. 1993, including single species of Danaidae, Libytheidae, and Zomlefer 1994). Zygaenidae. This pattern in diversity is consistent with Lepidopteran familiesdiffered signiÞcantlyin the contemporary assessments of the number of lepidop- proportion of their species that visited the 15 most teran speciesperfamily in central Illinois(Covell preferred plant species (Table 3; Kruskal-Wallis sta- 1984, Opler and Krizek 1984, Sedman and Hess 1985, tistic ϭ 36.4; P Ͻ 0.0001). These differences in pref- Bouseman and Sternburg 2001). erence were not explained by Þdelity to particular Plant species visited by the greatest number of lep- plant familiesor ßower colors,but could be related to idopteran species (29Ð30 species) included Verbena similarities in ßower height, ßower size, ßoral scent, or stricta Ventenat (Verbenaceae), Cephalanthus occi- the types
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Note on Crumb's "Liberae Et Confluentae" Couplet (Noctuidae)1.2
    VOLUME 39, NUMBER 1 57 FIG. 2. Pupae of Occidryas anicia bernadetta. School of Life Sciences, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE 68588 (S. occidentalis); V. K. Gupta, Center for Parasitic Hymenoptera, Gainesville, FL 32602 (Benjaminia sp., Pterocormus sp.); S. R. Shaw and P. M. Marsh, Systematic Entomology Laboratory, USDA-ARS, Insect Identification and Beneficial Insect Introduction Institute, Beltsville, MD 20705 (c. koebelei). STEPHEN M. SPOMER, Department of Entomology, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, Nebraska 68583 AND JAMES M. REISER, 1511 David Drive, Lincoln, Nebraska 68504. Journal of the Lepidopterists' Society 39(1), 1985, 57-59 NOTE ON CRUMB'S "LIBERAE ET CONFLUENTAE" COUPLET (NOCTUIDAE)1.2 The first major systematic treatment of the larvae of North American Noctuidae was written by Crumb (1956, Larvae of the Phalaenidae, USDA Tech. Bull. 1135. 356 pp.). It is a monumental work, containing extensive diagnostic keys, larval descriptions, geo- 1 Partially funded by the Illinois Agricultural Experiment Station Project 12-361 Biosystematics of Insects . .2 Michigan Agricultural Experiment Station Journal Article No. 11102. 58 JOURNAL OF THE LEPIDOPTERISTS' SOCIETY FIGS. 1-4. Tenth abdominal segments showing ventral and subanal regions of last instar noctuid larvae. 1 & 2, truncate or convex condition of posterior margin of venter (subanal region) (see arrows) (Alypia octomaculata); 3 & 4, medially impressed or grooved condition of the same region (see arrows) (Papaipema nebris). (Figs. 1 & 3 were photo­ graphed through a Leitz Aristophot, printed sizes = 9 x and 13 x, respectively; 2 & 4 were taken with the aid of a scanning electron microscope, printed sizes = 36 x; all photographs by G.L.G.) graphic distributions, and a wealth of host plant information.
    [Show full text]
  • Panicledleaf Ticktrefoil (Desmodium Paniculatum) Plant Fact Sheet
    Plant Fact Sheet Hairstreak (Strymon melinus) eat the flowers and PANICLEDLEAF developing seedpods. Other insect feeders include many kinds of beetles, and some species of thrips, aphids, moth TICKTREFOIL caterpillars, and stinkbugs. The seeds are eaten by some upland gamebirds (Bobwhite Quail, Wild Turkey) and Desmodium paniculatum (L.) DC. small rodents (White-Footed Mouse, Deer Mouse), while Plant Symbol = DEPA6 the foliage is readily eaten by White-Tailed Deer and other hoofed mammalian herbivores. The Cottontail Contributed by: USDA, NRCS, Norman A. Berg National Rabbit also consumes the foliage. Plant Materials Center, Beltsville, MD Status Please consult the PLANTS Web site and your State Department of Natural Resources for this plant’s current status (e.g. threatened or endangered species, state noxious status, and wetland indicator values). Description and Adaptation Panicledleaf Ticktrefoil is a native, perennial, wildflower that grows up to 3 feet tall. The genus Desmodium: originates from Greek meaning "long branch or chain," probably from the shape and attachment of the seedpods. The central stem is green with clover-like, oblong, multiple green leaflets proceeding singly up the stem. The showy purple flowers appear in late summer and grow arranged on a stem maturing from the bottom upwards. In early fall, the flowers produce leguminous seed pods approximately ⅛ inch long. Panicledleaf Photo by Rick Mark [email protected] image used with permission Ticktrefoil plants have a single crown. This wildflower is a pioneer species that prefers some disturbance from Alternate Names wildfires, selective logging, and others causes. The sticky Panicled Tick Trefoil seedpods cling to the fur of animals and the clothing of Uses humans and are carried to new locations.
    [Show full text]
  • Biodiversity Work Group Report: Appendices
    Biodiversity Work Group Report: Appendices A: Initial List of Important Sites..................................................................................................... 2 B: An Annotated List of the Mammals of Albemarle County........................................................ 5 C: Birds ......................................................................................................................................... 18 An Annotated List of the Birds of Albemarle County.............................................................. 18 Bird Species Status Tables and Charts...................................................................................... 28 Species of Concern in Albemarle County............................................................................ 28 Trends in Observations of Species of Concern..................................................................... 30 D. Fish of Albemarle County........................................................................................................ 37 E. An Annotated Checklist of the Amphibians of Albemarle County.......................................... 41 F. An Annotated Checklist of the Reptiles of Albemarle County, Virginia................................. 45 G. Invertebrate Lists...................................................................................................................... 51 H. Flora of Albemarle County ...................................................................................................... 69 I. Rare
    [Show full text]
  • Uncus Shaped Akin to Elephant Tusks Defines a New Genus for Two Very Different-In-Appearance Neotropical Skippers (Hesperiidae: Pyrginae)
    The Journal Volume 45: 101-112 of Research on the Lepidoptera ISSN 0022-4324 (PR in T ) THE LEPIDOPTERA RESEARCH FOUNDATION, 29 DE C EMBER 2012 ISSN 2156-5457 (O N L in E ) Uncus shaped akin to elephant tusks defines a new genus for two very different-in-appearance Neotropical skippers (Hesperiidae: Pyrginae) Nic K V. GR ishin Howard Hughes Medical Institute and Departments of Biophysics and Biochemistry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd, Dallas, TX, USA 75390-9050 [email protected] Abstract. Analyses of male genitalia, other aspects of adult, larval and pupal morphology, and DNA COI barcode sequences suggest that Potamanaxas unifasciata (C. Felder & R. Felder, 1867) does not belong to Potamanaxas Lindsey, 1925 and not even to the Erynnini tribe, but instead is more closely related to Milanion Godman & Salvin, 1895 and Atarnes Godman & Salvin, 1897, (Achlyodini). Unexpected and striking similarities are revealed in the male genitalia of P. unifasciata and Atarnes hierax (Hopffer, 1874). Their genitalia are so similar and distinct from the others that one might casually mistake them for the same species. Capturing this uniqueness, a new genus Eburuncus is erected to include: E. unifasciata, new combination (type species) and E. hierax, new combination. Key words: phylogenetic classification, monophyletic taxa, immature stages, DNA barcodes,Atarnes sallei, Central America, Peru. INTRODUCT I ON 1982-1999). Most of Burns’ work derives from careful analysis of genitalia, recently assisted by morphology Comprehensive work by Evans (e.g. Evans, 1937; of immature stages and molecular evidence (e.g. 1952; 1953) still remains the primary source of Burns & Janzen, 2005; Burns et al., 2009; 2010).
    [Show full text]
  • The First Missouri Occurrences of Cerastium Dubium (Anomalous Mouse-Eared Chickweed)
    Missouriensis, 34: 20-23. 2017. *pdf effectively published online 30 September 2017 via https://monativeplants.org/missouriensis The first Missouri occurrences of Cerastium dubium (anomalous mouse-eared chickweed) STEVE R. TURNER1 & GERRIT DAVIDSE2 ABSTRACT. – Cerastium dubium is reported new to the Missouri flora from two counties in eastern Missouri. A detailed description is provided based on local populations. Cerastium dubium (Bastard) Guépin (= Cerastium anomalum Waldst. & Kit. ex Willd.; Stellaria dubia Bastard; Dichodon viscidum (M. Bieb.) Holub – see Tropicos.org) is a Eurasian member of the Caryophyllaceae. Commonly called anomalous mouse-eared chickweed, three- styled chickweed, or doubtful chickweed, its first reported appearance in North America was in Washington state in 1966 (Hitchcock and Cronquist 1973). Since then, the plant has been discovered in Illinois (Shildneck and Jones 1986), and is now known from scattered populations in several states bordering Missouri: Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, and Kansas. Yatskievych (2006) discusses C. dubium and mentions that although the species had not been reported in Missouri, its arrival is anticipated. According to Yatskievych, the plant generally resembles C. nutans or C. brachypodum, but with the unique characters of three styles and a straight capsule with 6 apical teeth at dehiscence. In March of 2012, while rototilling a garden plot at his residence near Labadie, in Franklin County, Missouri, the first author discovered a small population of plants unfamiliar to him, growing with Lamium amplexicaule and Stellaria media. The flowers of this plant were somewhat showier than the common Stellaria, with wider and less deeply cleft petals. The centers of the flowers were bright yellow due to anthers and profusely shed pollen.
    [Show full text]
  • C10 Beano1senn.Mimosa.Amo-Des
    LEGUMINOSAE PART ONE Caesalpinioideae, Mimosoideae, Papilionoideae, Amorpha to Desmodium Revised 04 May 2015 BEAN FAMILY 1 Amphicarpaea CAESALPINIACEAE Cassia Anthyllis Cercis Apios Chamaecrista Astragalus Gleditsia Baptisia Gymnocladus Caragana Senna Cladrastus MIMOSACEAE Desmanthus Coronilla Mimosa Crotalaria Schrankia Dalea PAPILIONACEAE Amorpha Desmodium un-copyrighted draught --- “No family of the vegetable kingdom possesses a higher claim to the attention of the naturalist than the Leguminosae, wether we regard them as objects of ornament or utility. Of the former, we might mention the splendid varieties of Cercis, with their purple flowers, the Acacias, with their airy foliage and silky stamens, the Pride of India, Colutea, and Cæsalpina, with a host of others, which, like the Sweet Pea, are redolent with perfume. Of the latter, the beans, peas, lentils, clover, and lucerne, are too well known to require recommendation. Among timber trees, the Rosewood (a Brazilian species of Mimosa), the Laburnum, whose wood is durable and of an olive-green color, and the Locust of our own country are preëminent. The following are a few important officinal products of this order. In medicine; liquorice is the product of the root of Glycyrrhiza glabra of S. Europe. The purgative senna consists of leaves of Cassia Senna, C. acutifolia, C. Æthiopica, and other species of Egypt and Arabia. C. Marilandica is also a cathartic, but more mild than the former. The sweet pulp tamarind, is the product of a large and beautiful tree (Tamarindus Indica) of the E. and W. Indies. Resins and Balsams: Gum Senegal is yielded by Acacia Verek of the River Senegal; Gum Arabic, by several species of Acacia of Central Africa; Gum Tragacynth, by Astragalus verus, &c., Persia.
    [Show full text]
  • Butterflies of the Wesleyan Campus
    BUTTERFLIES OF THE WESLEYAN CAMPUS SWALLOWTAILS Hairstreaks (Subfamily - Theclinae) (Family PAPILIONIDAE) Great Purple Hairstreak - Atlides halesus Coral Hairstreak - Satyrium titus True Swallowtails Banded Hairstreak - Satyrium calanus (Subfamily - Papilioninae) Striped Hairstreak - Satyrium liparops Pipevine Swallowtail - Battus philenor Henry’s Elfin - Callophrys henrici Zebra Swallowtail - Eurytides marcellus Eastern Pine Elfin - Callophrys niphon Black Swallowtail - Papilio polyxenes Juniper Hairstreak - Callophrys gryneus Giant Swallowtail - Papilio cresphontes White M Hairstreak - Parrhasius m-album Eastern Tiger Swallowtail - Papilio glaucus Gray Hairstreak - Strymon melinus Spicebush Swallowtail - Papilio troilus Red-banded Hairstreak - Calycopis cecrops Palamedes Swallowtail - Papilio palamedes Blues (Subfamily - Polommatinae) Ceraunus Blue - Hemiargus ceraunus Eastern-Tailed Blue - Everes comyntas WHITES AND SULPHURS Spring Azure - Celastrina ladon (Family PIERIDAE) Whites (Subfamily - Pierinae) BRUSHFOOTS Cabbage White - Pieris rapae (Family NYMPHALIDAE) Falcate Orangetip - Anthocharis midea Snouts (Subfamily - Libytheinae) American Snout - Libytheana carinenta Sulphurs and Yellows (Subfamily - Coliadinae) Clouded Sulphur - Colias philodice Heliconians and Fritillaries Orange Sulphur - Colias eurytheme (Subfamily - Heliconiinae) Southern Dogface - Colias cesonia Gulf Fritillary - Agraulis vanillae Cloudless Sulphur - Phoebis sennae Zebra Heliconian - Heliconius charithonia Barred Yellow - Eurema daira Variegated Fritillary
    [Show full text]
  • Lepidoptera of North America 5
    Lepidoptera of North America 5. Contributions to the Knowledge of Southern West Virginia Lepidoptera Contributions of the C.P. Gillette Museum of Arthropod Diversity Colorado State University Lepidoptera of North America 5. Contributions to the Knowledge of Southern West Virginia Lepidoptera by Valerio Albu, 1411 E. Sweetbriar Drive Fresno, CA 93720 and Eric Metzler, 1241 Kildale Square North Columbus, OH 43229 April 30, 2004 Contributions of the C.P. Gillette Museum of Arthropod Diversity Colorado State University Cover illustration: Blueberry Sphinx (Paonias astylus (Drury)], an eastern endemic. Photo by Valeriu Albu. ISBN 1084-8819 This publication and others in the series may be ordered from the C.P. Gillette Museum of Arthropod Diversity, Department of Bioagricultural Sciences and Pest Management Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523 Abstract A list of 1531 species ofLepidoptera is presented, collected over 15 years (1988 to 2002), in eleven southern West Virginia counties. A variety of collecting methods was used, including netting, light attracting, light trapping and pheromone trapping. The specimens were identified by the currently available pictorial sources and determination keys. Many were also sent to specialists for confirmation or identification. The majority of the data was from Kanawha County, reflecting the area of more intensive sampling effort by the senior author. This imbalance of data between Kanawha County and other counties should even out with further sampling of the area. Key Words: Appalachian Mountains,
    [Show full text]
  • Insect Survey of Four Longleaf Pine Preserves
    A SURVEY OF THE MOTHS, BUTTERFLIES, AND GRASSHOPPERS OF FOUR NATURE CONSERVANCY PRESERVES IN SOUTHEASTERN NORTH CAROLINA Stephen P. Hall and Dale F. Schweitzer November 15, 1993 ABSTRACT Moths, butterflies, and grasshoppers were surveyed within four longleaf pine preserves owned by the North Carolina Nature Conservancy during the growing season of 1991 and 1992. Over 7,000 specimens (either collected or seen in the field) were identified, representing 512 different species and 28 families. Forty-one of these we consider to be distinctive of the two fire- maintained communities principally under investigation, the longleaf pine savannas and flatwoods. An additional 14 species we consider distinctive of the pocosins that occur in close association with the savannas and flatwoods. Twenty nine species appear to be rare enough to be included on the list of elements monitored by the North Carolina Natural Heritage Program (eight others in this category have been reported from one of these sites, the Green Swamp, but were not observed in this study). Two of the moths collected, Spartiniphaga carterae and Agrotis buchholzi, are currently candidates for federal listing as Threatened or Endangered species. Another species, Hemipachnobia s. subporphyrea, appears to be endemic to North Carolina and should also be considered for federal candidate status. With few exceptions, even the species that seem to be most closely associated with savannas and flatwoods show few direct defenses against fire, the primary force responsible for maintaining these communities. Instead, the majority of these insects probably survive within this region due to their ability to rapidly re-colonize recently burned areas from small, well-dispersed refugia.
    [Show full text]
  • Pollinator Specialization and the Evolution of Pollination Syndromes in the Related Silene , S
    ABSTRACT Title of Document: POLLINATOR SPECIALIZATION AND THE EVOLUTION OF POLLINATION SYNDROMES IN THE RELATED SILENE , S. CAROLINIANA , S. VIRGINICA , AND S. STELLATA Richard James Reynolds, Ph.D., 2008 Directed By: Associate Professor, Charles B. Fenster, Biology Associate Professor, Michele R. Dudash, Biology Pollination syndromes are the convergent expression of floral traits in unrelated species reflecting specialized interactions between plants and pollinators exerting similar selection pressures. I addressed the controversial claim that pollinator- mediated selection is unlikely to be a major factor underlying floral evolution because plants often have many functionally different floral visitors. Detailed pollination data and pollinator-mediated selection studies are needed to address the notion that specialized plant-pollinator interactions are a major mechanism of floral evolution. I developed statistical methods to measure the importance of pollinators (Chapter 1). I addressed whether floral morphological differences of the related Silene species, S. caroliniana , S. virginica , and S. stellata , correspond to predicted specialized pollination systems (Chapter 2). I asked whether contemporary selection pressures on floral traits were detectable in a population of S. virginica (Chapter 3). I investigated the non-obligate interaction of S. stellata and the moth Hadena ectypa , that pollinates it and uses its immature seed for the development of larval offspring (Chapter 4). Using my novel methodology (Chapter 1), I demonstrated that S. virginica and S. stellata were specialized on hummingbirds and nocturnal moths, respectively (Chapter 2). S. caroliniana was least specialized with long-tongued diurnal hawkmoth ( Hemaris sp ) and large bee pollinators ( Bombus spp. and Xylocopa virginiana ). These results matched predictions based on interspecific differences in Silene floral trait expression and were consistent with the notion that the important pollinators are the major selective agents on floral design.
    [Show full text]
  • 1 Sex Ratio and Spatial Distribution of Male and Female Antennaria Dioica
    Sex ratio and spatial distribution of male and female Antennaria dioica (Asteraceae) plants Sandra Varga* and Minna-Maarit Kytöviita Department of Biological and Environmental Science, University of Jyväskylä, P.O. Box 35, FIN- 40014 Jyväskylä, Finland E-mail addresses: [email protected] and [email protected] (S. Varga), minna- [email protected] (M.-M. Kytöviita) *Author for correspondence: Sandra Varga Department of Biological and Environmental Science University of Jyväskylä FIN-40014 Jyväskylä Finland Email: [email protected] and [email protected] Phone: +358 14 260 2304 Fax: +358 14 260 2321 1 Abstract Sex ratio, sex spatial distribution and sexual dimorphism in reproduction and arbuscular mycorrhizal colonisation were investigated in the dioecious clonal plant Antennaria dioica (Asteraceae). Plants were monitored for five consecutive years in six study plots in Oulanka, northern Finland. Sex ratio, spatial distribution of sexes, flowering frequency, number of floral shoots and the number and weight of inflorescences were recorded. In addition, intensity of mycorrhizal fungi in the roots was assessed. Both sexes flowered each year with a similar frequency, but the overall genet sex ratio was strongly female-biased. The bivariate Ripley’s analysis of the sex distribution showed that within most plots sexes were randomly distributed except for one plot. Sexual dimorphism was expressed as larger floral and inflorescence production and heavier inflorescences in males. In addition, the roots of both sexes were colonised to a similar extent by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. The female sex-biased flowering ratios reported are not consistent among years and cannot be explained in terms of spatial segregation of the sexes or sex lability.
    [Show full text]
  • Fdn22 Northern Dry-Bedrock Pine (Oak) Woodland *Spinulose Shield Fern Or Glandular Wood Fern ( Dryopteris Carthusiana Or D
    FIRE-DEPENDENT FOREST/WOODLAND SYSTEM FDn22 Northern Floristic Region Northern Dry-Bedrock Pine (Oak) Woodland Dry pine or oak woodlands on shallow, excessively drained, loamy soils on bedrock ridges and hillsides or on rock ledges and terraces adjacent to rivers. Crown and surface fires were common historically. Vegetation Structure & Composition Description is based on summary of vegetation data from 47 plots (relevés). Ground-layer cover of forbs and grami- noids typically ranges from 25-75%. The most common vascular plants are Canada mayflower (Maianthemum canadense), wild sarsaparilla (Aralia nudicaulis), large-leaved aster (Aster macrophyllus), poverty grass (Danthonia spicata), wintergreen (Gaultheria procumbens), and bracken (Pteridium aqui- linum). Lichen- and moss-covered bedrock and boulders typically make up at least 25% of the ground layer. Shrub layer is typically dominated by deciduous species, usually with patchy to interrupted cover (25-75%). Lowbush blue- berry (Vaccinium angustifolium), juneberries (Amelanchier spp.), red maple saplings, and bush honeysuckle (Diervilla lonicera) are the most common species in the shrub layer. Subcanopy is usually absent, but when present, red maple and paper birch are frequent components. Canopy is composed of conifers, hardwoods, or conifers mixed with hardwoods, and is usually patchy (25-50% cover), with openings in areas of exposed bedrock or boulders. Red pine and white pine are dominant on many sites. On other sites, jack pine or northern pin oak are dominant. In mixed forests, conifers often form a supercanopy above hardwood species. Paper birch is often present in the hardwood canopy. Landscape Setting & Soils Glacially scoured bedrock—Common. Landscape is hummocky to rugged. Parent material is non-calcareous drift, usually less than 20in (50cm) deep over bedrock.
    [Show full text]