University of Massachusetts Amherst ScholarWorks@UMass Amherst Doctoral Dissertations 1896 - February 2014 1-1-1972 Observations on the biology and control of Glyptotendipes lobiferus (Say) (Diptera: Chironomidae). Winston Hayden Lavallee University of Massachusetts Amherst Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.umass.edu/dissertations_1 Recommended Citation Lavallee, Winston Hayden, "Observations on the biology and control of Glyptotendipes lobiferus (Say) (Diptera: Chironomidae)." (1972). Doctoral Dissertations 1896 - February 2014. 5612. https://scholarworks.umass.edu/dissertations_1/5612 This Open Access Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by ScholarWorks@UMass Amherst. It has been accepted for inclusion in Doctoral Dissertations 1896 - February 2014 by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks@UMass Amherst. For more information, please contact [email protected]. OBSERVATIONS ON THE BIOLOGY AND CONTROL OF GLYPTOTENDIPES LOBIFERUS (SAY) (DIPTERA: CHIRONOMIDAE) A dissertation presented By WINSTON HAYDEN LAVALLEE Submitted to the Graduate School of the University of Massachusetts in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY April 1972 Major Subject: Entomology OBSERVATIONS ON THE BIOLOGY ANT) CONTROL OF GLYPTOTENDTPES LOBIFERUS (SAY) (DIPTERA: CHIRONOMIDAE) A Dissertation By . WINSTON HAYDEN LAVALLEE Approved as to style and content by: ,: /f- (Chairman of Committee; Anril 1972 (Month) (Year) ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS In appreciation for the helpful guidance and assistance in pre¬ paring this dissertation, the following acknowledgements are made to: Dr. Frank R. Shaw, Chairman of the Thesis Committee, for constant encouragement and patience throughout this study, his many thoughtful suggestions and his unselfish sharing of time and resources, particularly after his retirement while in an emeritus status. i Dr. T. Michael Peters, Thesis Committee member, for valuable suggestions in preparing the manuscript and in obtaining sup¬ plies and equipment used in the study. Dr. William G. Nutting, Thesis Committee member, for sound suggestions in writing and organizing the manuscript. Dr. Richard A. Damon, member. Department of Animal and Veterinary Science, for statistical advice, patient explanation of selected statistical methods and helpful orientation to use of the computer. Dr. Jonn Ii. Lilly, member, Entomology Department, for encouraging this study initially, providing advice and test materials and for reviewing graphs and tables and suggesting valuable improvements therein. • • 11 Dr. Hugo Jamnback, Entomologist, New York State Science Service, State University of New York - Albany, for identification of the midge species investigated. Holyoke Water Power Co. for supporting this study in part and cooperating to the utmost in all phases of the investi gation. Particular appreciation is expressed to Mr. Carl G. Schmidt, Manager of Operations and the late Mr. Robert H. Walker, Vice President. Brown Co. for cooperation in all phases of the study, particularly in those pertaining to midge control. Special thanks is due Mr. David L. Tomlinson and Mr. Charles L. Kirkpatrick. Holyoke Community College for providing space in which to complete certain tests and for the loan of equipment vital to the study. Dr. William A. Hutchinson for valuable comments on pre¬ paring the manuscript. Mr. Carl W. 3uschner for photography assistance. Mr. Norman P. De Bastiani for providing materials neces¬ sary for the preparation of manuscript figures. nichard M. Sparrow xor helpful suggestions regarding the duplication of the manuscript. • • • m My many colleagues, students and friends at Holyoke Community College who encouraged this study and whose thoughtfulness and cooperation made its completion possible. My family, particularly my wife Margaret, who, having lived through the extended period necessary for com¬ pletion of the thesis, deserve special thanks. iv TABLE OF CONTENTS Page I. INTRODUCTION . 1 XI. REVIEW OF LITERATURE. 4 III. OBJECTIVES. 16 IV. METHODS. 17 A. Description of Study Areas . B. Sampling Procedures for Adults . • • C. Sampling Procedures for Larvae. 31 D. Sampling Procedures for Eggs. 3 5 E. Miscellaneous Sampling Procedures . .. 3 6 F. Midge Control Procedures - Laboratory . .. 3 9 G. Midge Control Procedures - Field . 46 V. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION. 5 2 A. Survey of Adults. 5 2 B. Survey and Control of Eggs. 75 1. Effects of dessication on eggs - field. 77 2. Effects of dessication on eggs - laboratory. ... 77 3. Control of eggs by heat treatment. 79 4. Control of eggs by malathion treatment .. 79 C. Survey and Control of Larvae. 79 1. Field studies. 2. Lou temperature effects on survival of larvae - laboratory. 35 D. Laboratory Insecticide Studies . 37 1- %gs. 87 V Page 2. Larvae. 91 3. Adults. 9 8 E. Field Insecticide Studies on Adults. 9 8 1. Field control. 9 8 2. Longevity of malathion. 105 F. Midge Biology and Behavior . Ill 1. Description of emergence.Ill 2. Description of swarming.116 3. Description of mating.121 4. Description of oviposit!on.125 5. Midge larvae studies with acetate samplers .... 129 VI. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS.137 VII. LITERATURE CITED.142 VIII. APPENDIX.149 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. ±± vi LIST OF TABLES Table Page 1. Adult midges collected in 2 "black light traps during the summer of 19^9. 5 4 2. Adult midges collected in 3 "black light traps during the summer of 1970... 60 3. Mean number of adult midges collected on six inch square adhesive traps located on mill ■window screens and on ice fenders above canal water surface. 65 4. Adhesive trap data. Numbers of midge adults trapped near canal water surface per unit time during the summer of 1970. 6 6 5. Adhesive trap data. Numbers of midge adults trapped on mill window screens per unit time during the summer of 1970... 71 6. Number of egg masses found per 6 inch by 6 inch surface, Holyoke Study Area, August 17, 1970 . 76 7. Hatching of midge egg masses after 14 hours of exposure to drying on canal walls and on ice fender surfaces ... 73 8. Effects of brush burner and malathion treatments on the hatching of midge eggs in the Holyoke Study Area. 8 0 9. Numbers of midge larvae per square foot of sampled surface in the Holyoke Study Area during periodic drainages, 1967-71. 33 10. Effects of 22 hours of low temperature on the sur¬ vival of 4th instar larvae in the laboratory. 3 6 11. Effects of 1 ppm Abate, malathion and Naled on the hatching of midge eggs at the end of 51.5 hours exposure ..... .... 88 12. Effects of 1, 10 and 1000 ppm Rabon on the hatching of midge eggs at the end of 43 hours of exposure. 9 q 13. Effects of 1 ppm Abate, malathion and Naled on 1st instar midge larvae at the end of 4 hours of exposure in the laboratory. Q 9 • • vu Page Ik. Effects of 10 ppm Abate,, malathion and Naled on 1st instar midge larvae after various time exposures ..... 9 4 15. Effects of 1000 ppm Abate, malathion and Naled on field collected 2nd and 3rd instar midge larvae in tubes on acetate samplers at the end of 2 hours after treatment. 9 6 lo. Effects on adult midges of 10 hours of exposure to Rabon or malathion (0.1$) in small aluminum cages immediately after treated cages had drip-dried . 99 17. Effects on adult midges of 10 hours of exposure to Rabon and malathion (0.1$) in small aluminum cages two days after treated cages had drip-dried. ... 10 0 18. Effects of malathion applied at a rate of 1.4 lbs. actual per 100 gallons of mixed spray on the numbers of midge adults resting on 32 inch by 32 inch mill window screens in the Holyoke Study Area.103 19. Effects of Rabon applied at a rate of 1.0 lbs actual per 100 gallons of mixed spray on the numbers of midge adults resting on 32 inch by 32 inch mill window screens in the Holyoke Study Area.104 20. Longevity of malathion on brick surfaces. Recorded as numbers of midges resting on brick square foot surfaces <■.106 21. Longevity of malathion on glass pane surfaces. Re¬ corded as numbers of midges resting on glass pane surfaces (131.6 inch^) . 108 22. Number of adults emerging at various time intervals as determined by catches in emergence traps, 1970 and 1971.. 23. Time of the first emergence of midge adults on six separate days in the summer of 1970 .. 113 24. Length of time in seconds required for adult to free itself from the pupal skin and become airborne. Data obtained on three separate days in the summer of 1970 . 114 25. Number of adult midges which emerged per minute in artificial light or in darkness as determined by catches in emergence traps. I97O and 1971 . • • • vxn Page Physical factors recorded at time of organized 117 swarming of midges ..... 27. Samples taken in the summer of 1970 of small, organized midge swarms at dusk •••••••••• 120 28. Mating of midges. Length of time of copulation and height above the ground at separation Ox pairs • • 122 Mating data, egg laying and hatching data and 29. 124 longevity of selected midge pairs, 1971 . 30. Time required from the beginning of one female oviposition attitude to the post-oviposition flight in the field. 127 31. Egg mass sizes at the time of egg extrusion by ohe female, maximum size 01 egg mass alter absorbing water and minimum length of time required to reach maximum size.. 128 32. Numbers of selected aquatic animals adhering to acetate-faced wood samplers at the one foot depth in canals during the summer of 1970 . 132 33. Numbers of selected aquatic animals adhering to acetate-faced wood samplers at the one foot depth in canals during the summer of 1971. 185 34. Measurement of some physical and chemical variables in canal water at the South Hadley Falls study area (Overflow) during 1970 .Appendix 35. Measurement of some physical and chemical variables in canal water at the Holyoke study area (Valley Paper Co.