bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Respiration in the larvae of the ants Myrmica scabrinodis and Lasius flavus
Authors: PEAKIN GREG , NIELSEN MOGENS G. , SKYBERG NILS , PEDERSEN JOHN
Published: March 2008

ABSTRACT. Respiratory rates of larvae of Myrmica scabrinodis Nyl. and Lasius flavus Fab. were measured at 5, 15 and 25°C using the micro‐Warburg technique. Larvae collected in the winter and spring were a mixture of all three castes. In the summer collection it was possible to separate the gyne‐potential larvae from the others by virtue of their greater size. The respiration of the larvae of both species showed a decreasing response to temperature as they developed. The winter larvae of L. flavus could be categorized into two groups on the basis of the proportions of dry matter. They were also significantly different in their weight‐specific respiratory rate, and their response to temperature changes. Gyne larvae were about 7 times as heavy as the others, but their weight‐specific respiratory rate was the same as in the other larvae in M. scabrinodis and actually higher in L. flavus. The highest respiratory rates occurred when the dry matter content of the larvae was lowest, in the summer collection for M. scabrinodis and the spring collection for L. flavus.
Leg coordination and swimming in an ant, Camponotus americanus
Authors: DuBOIS MARK B. , JANDER RUDOLF
Published: March 2008

ABSTRACT. Leg movements of Camponotus americanus workers during straight swimming and turning are described herein. Thrust is generated through the different speeds and drag control between power v. return strokes in the forelegs. During the power stroke, femur, tibia and tarsus are straightened and thereby increase resistance; they bend backward during the return stroke. These thrusting legs move in a vertical plane which is similar to their position during walking. The backward stretching mesothoracic and metathoracic legs act, in conjunction with the gaster, as a rudder. Swimming in ants can be derived from walking; the major transformation being a suppression of the rhythmic movements of the middle and hind legs.
Influence of virgin queen honeybees (Apis mellifera) on queen rearing and foraging
Authors: FREE J. B. , FERGUSON A. W. , SIMPKINS JACQUELINE R.
Published: March 2008

ABSTRACT. Virgin queens are as effective as mated laying queens at inhibiting colonies from rearing queens but not from producing queen cell cups. Colonies without brood produce fewer queen cell cups than similar colonies that have brood. Colonies without queens forage much less and collect less pollen than with either a mated or virgin queen. Colonies with virgin queens forage as much as those with mated queens but collected less pollen.
An automated technique for monitoring carbon dioxide respired by insects*
Authors: Sell C. R. , WEISS M. A. , MOFFITT H. R. , BURDITT A. K.
Published: March 2008

ABSTRACT. A non‐dispersive infrared gas analyser equipped with a Luft‐type sonic detector and flow‐through reference cell was automated to monitor the total volume of carbon dioxide (CO2) respired by single insects or groups of insects. The infrared analyser was interfaced with an integrator for quantification, a microprocessor to control intermittent air flow through the insect respiration chambers, and a microcomputer for data storage and reduction. This technique has been used to monitor the CO2 Output of diapausing and non‐diapausing mature fifth instar larvae and of developing pupae of the codling moth, Cydia pomonella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae). The resulting data were accurate, quantitative and reproducible.
The POL area of the honey bee's eye: behavioural evidence
Authors: WEHNER RUDIGER , STRASSER STEPHAN
Published: March 2008

ABSTRACT. The uppermost dorsal part of the honey bee's compound eye contains a group of c. 150 specialized ommatidia. The photoreceptors of these ommatidia are characterized by a number of anatomical and physiological peculiarities which suggest that they have functional significance for the detection of polarized skylight. Here, we show by painting out different parts of the eye and recording the bee's behavioural responses that the specialized photoreceptors at the dorsal margin of the eye are indeed necessary for detecting polarized skylight and deriving compass information from celestial e‐vector patterns. Hence, this group of specialized ommatidia can be called the POL area of the bee's compound eye.
Learning by grasshoppers: association of colour/light intensity with food
Authors: BERNAYS E. A. , WRUBEL R. P.
Published: March 2008

ABSTRACT. Nymphs of Melanoplus sanguinipes learn to associate food with visual cues such as colour or light intensity. Such an ability in active exploratory insects may improve foraging efficiency by reducing time spent searching in unsuitable areas. Significant effects are demonstrated after a single rewarded trial, and the effects are extinguished after a variable number of unrewarded trials.
Effects of parasitization of Trichoplusia ni by Chelonus sp.
Authors: BÜHLER ADRIAN , HANZLIK TERRY N. , HAMMOCK BRUCE D.
Published: March 2008

ABSTRACT. Parasitization of Trichoplusia ni (Huebner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) by Chelonus sp. (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), an egg‐larval parasitoid, leads to precocious cocoon spinning of the host in the fourth (penultimate) stadium followed by parasitoid emergence from the prepupa. We have investigated the mechanism by which Chelonus sp. disrupts host development. The developing larva and fluids injected by the adult female separately from the egg, are not the source of these effects, but it remains a possibility that the teratocytes, originating from the trophamnion of the parasitoid egg, are responsible.

The titre of the juvenile hormone esterase activity in the haemolymph of the parasitized fourth instar host is similar to that in the initial period of the final instar of normal T. ni, but lacks the postwandering peak of activity. The increased JHE activity leads to a reduced JH titre early in the fourth stadia. This indicates that disruption of host development occurs within 12h after apolysis to the fourth stadium, if not before. Anti‐juvenile hormone activity is not detected in extracts of parasitized T. ni. The morphological and behavioural changes associated with precocious development of the T. ni host are prevented by applications of juvenile hormone I, juvenile hormone II and the juvenoid, Ro 10–3108, but not juvenile hormone III and the juvenoid R 20458. However, these applications fail to prevent the onset of juvenile hormone esterase activity, another marker of precocious development. These observations indicate that simple anti‐juvenile hormone activity may not be the mechanism of disruption of host development. Development of the parasitoid is disrupted by application of Ro 10–3108 and juvenile hormones I, II and III, but timing of eclosion is only affected by application of juvenile hormone I, juvenile hormone II and Ro 10–3108. This observation may indicate a discrimination by the parasitoid between its own juvenile hormone III and the host's juvenile hormone II.
High‐molecular‐weight serum proteins from Locusta migratoria: identification of a protein specifically binding juvenile hormone III
Authors: BRUIJN S. M. de , KOOPMANSCHAP A. B. , KORT C. A. D. de
Published: March 2008

ABSTRACT. Tritiated 10,11‐epoxyfarnesyl diazoacetate (EFDA), a photoaffinity label, can be covalently attached to the binding site of a JH‐III‐specific binding protein in the haemolymph of Locusta migratoria migratorioides (R & F). The specificity of the binding of EFDA to the binding protein is verified by displacement with excess unlabelled JH‐III, and EFDA can be used to identify the binding protein in native pore‐limiting gradient poly(acrylamide) gel electrophoresis (PAGE) and sodium dodecyl sulphate‐PAGE. The native binding protein has a molecular weight of 575,000 and is composed of seemingly identical subunits of molecular weight 81,000.

Three other high‐molecular weight serum proteins are identified by native PAGE: a lipophorin, composed of two kinds of apolipophorins, a larval storage protein and a cyanoprotein. The molecular weights and subunit structures of these proteins are investigated, but none of these other high‐molecular weight proteins bind JH‐III to an appreciable extent.
Response characteristics of single trochanteral campaniform sensilla in the stick insect, Cuniculina impigra
Authors: HOFMANN T. , BÄSSLER U.
Published: March 2008

ABSTRACT. The campaniform sensilla on the trochanter of the stick insect, Cuniculina impigra Redtenbacher, were stimulated by slightly bending the leg in the horizontal plane. Single sensory units in the nerve were recorded using glass microelectrodes. These units can be classified into tonic and phasic‐tonic receptors. In both cases there were units which increased their discharge frequency during forward movement of the femur, and units which responded to backward movement. No purely phasic receptors were found.
Chemical defence in chrysomelid eggs and neonate larvae
Authors: PASTEELS J. M. , DALOZE D. , ROWELL‐RAHIER M.
Published: March 2008

ABSTRACT. Eggs and neonate larvae of chrysomelid beetles (sub‐tribes Chrysomelina and Phyllodectina) were investigated for the presence of defensive substances.

The two isoxazolinone glucosides (compounds 1 and 2), characteristic of the adult defence secretion, were detected in the eggs of all studied species. Compound 2, containing a nitropropionate, is always present in concentrations (above 10‐2 M), which are highly deterrent to the ant Myrmica rubra. This compound is not at all or only slightly toxic to ants at 10‐2 M. Compound 1, devoid of nitropropionate, is a minor constituent, and is neither deterrent nor toxic to ants.

The five Chrysomela species studied and Phratora vitellinae also sequester salicin in their eggs in amounts highly deterrent and toxic to ants. A single Chrysomela egg often contains enough salicin to kill an ant. While the isoxazolinones are discarded with the egg shells, salicin is used by neonate larvae as a precursor for the production of salicylaldehyde in the thoracic defence glands, already functional at hatching. No salicin could be detected in the eggs of those species whose larvae produce cyclopentanoid monoterpenes, even if they feed on Salicaceae. No larva of any species seems to be able to produce detectable amounts of monoterpenes at birth. A very early defence, possible only in those species using salicin as the precursor for their defensive secretion, could be highly advantageous in protecting the clustered larvae during the long process of hatching and in avoiding cannibalism between siblings.

Only trace amounts of oleic acid were found in the eggs of Gastrophysa viridula, in contrast to previous reports on its presence in large quantities in the American G. cyanea.
The timing of larval wandering and puparium formation in the flesh‐fly Sarcophaga argyrostoma
Authors: RICHARD D. S. , SAUNDERS D. S. , EGAN V. M. , THOMSON R. C. K.
Published: March 2008

ABSTRACT. In mixed‐age cultures of the flesh‐fly, Sarcophaga argyrostoma (Robineau‐Desvoidy), the initiation of larval wandering (exodus behaviour) occurs as a gated circadian rhythm. In light‐dark (LD) cycles, most of this activity occurs in the dark, except in very short nights, or in certain phase relationships between the rhythm and light cycle. When transferred from series of LD cycles into continuous darkness (DD), cultures show a weakly persistent free‐running rhythm with a period of about 21 h. However, after transfer of first instar larvae from continuous light (LL) to DD, no such rhythm is observed. In contrast to larval exodus, formation of the puparia occurs at any stage of the LD cycle. The physiological mechanisms underlying this gated exodus behaviour, and its possible selective advantages, are discussed.
Development and relationships of locomotor, feeding, and oxygen consumption rhythms in house crickets
Authors: WOODRING J. P. , CLIFFORD CRAIG W.
Published: March 2008

ABSTRACT. Locomotor, feeding, drinking, and oxygen consumption rhythms in adult virgin Acheta domesticus L. all appear to peak in the first half of the scotophase, be entrained cophasically by a LD 14:10 h cycle, have a lights‐off Zeitgeber and persist in LL with a πc. 25 h for the locomotor rhythm and c. 23 h for the oxygen consumption rhythm. There is no evidence of these rhythms in last instar larvae. The onset of the locomotor rhythm requires 3 days at 30°C but 5–7 days at 25–28°C after the final ecdysis in virgins, indicating a temperature related development of the locomotor rhythm. Oxygen consumption rhythms are lacking in 2‐day‐old virgins but present in 8‐day‐old virgins. Feeding rhythms can be recorded in virgins as young as 2 days (before locomotor rhythm developed). Both oxygen consumption and locomotor rhythms persist during starvation. The results suggest that a central brain oscillator drives both feeding and locomotor rhythms independently, but that the oxygen consumption rhythm is derived from the metabolic demands associated with the other rhythms.
Circadian locomotory rhythm and the influence of moulting in Australian field cricket nymphs
Authors: YAGI KOICHIRO J. , LOHER W.
Published: March 2008

ABSTRACT. Evidence is presented for a circadian control of locomotory activity in the larval stadia of the cricket, Teleogryllus commodus Walker. Under light—dark cycles (LD), maximal activity occurs around the L/D transition and/or in the hours preceding it. Free‐running rhythm patterns longer than 24 h are observed in constant light. Re‐entrainment to phase advances in the LD cycle is also accompanied by several transient cycles. However, free‐running rhythms under constant darkness or transients when exposed to LD cycle delays were not found. LD cycles during the eighth stadium set the phase of a free‐running rhythm in the adult, even if the nymph does not show a rhythm. Nymphal activity is often erratic and is disrupted periodically by the moulting cycle, but moulting does not interrupt the operation of the circadian system. The daily timing of the moult itself is not under circadian control.
The influence of a shortage of hosts on the specificity of oviposition behaviour in species of Dacus (Diptera, Tephritidae)
Authors: FITT GARY P.
Published: March 2008

ABSTRACT. When deprived of their preferred hosts for up to 16 days prior to behaviour assays, three relatively specialized tephritid flies, D. cacuminatus (Hering), D. cucumis French and D. jarvisi (Tryon), retain strong preferences for their particular hosts. Moreover, in the absence of the preferred hosts, D. cacuminatus, and to a lesser extent D. cucumis, will not accept fruits that are outside their normal host range. D. jarvisi readily accepts other fruits in the absence of its preferred host, Planchonia careya, but in common with the other two shows no increase in the number of eggs laid with increasing periods of deprivation. None of these species accumulate oocytes when deprived of fruits.

In contrast, the highly polyphagous D. tryoni Frogg. lays more eggs and oviposits readily into a previously unacceptable fruit after 4 days without access to hosts. This change in behaviour is associated with a marked increase in the number of mature eggs carried by females.

These results suggest an important difference between the generalist and more specialized species in the physiological control of oocyte maturation. In D. tryoni there appears to be no inhibition of oocyte development once the primary follicle has matured, whereas in the other species each ovariole contains no more than one mature egg.

In D. tryoni, the change in behaviour which accompanies this increase in egg load, may influence its propensity to accept unusual fruits, and may help to explain its rapid acceptance of most cultivated fruits introduced to Australia.
Description of electrophysiological data using a microcomputer*
Authors: MITCHELL B. K. , McINTYRE M. G.
Published: March 2008

ABSTRACT. Customization of an inexpensive microcomputer and peripherals to produce hard copy outputs of electrophysiological data is described. The system uses any of the Apple II series computers and a common A/D+D/A card together with a digital plotter. For the 1–2 s recordings normally used in studies of insect chemoreception, this computer configuration can replace more laborious permanent hard copy production techniques. Additional analytical programs can easily use the three data files produced by the current sytem.
Influence of maternal age on incidence of pupal diapause in the flesh fly, Sarcophaga bullata
Authors: ROCKEY SARAH J. , DENLINGER DAVID L.
Published: March 2008

ABSTRACT. Females of the flesh fly, Sarcophaga bullata Parker, produce an increasingly higher number of diapausing progeny in successive broods. Though a maternal effect completely eliminates the capacity for diapause in the first brood of females with an embryonic and larval history of short day, diapause is restored at low levels in later broods. Exposure to long daylength at the onset of adult life does not alter the diapause response of later broods, thus suggesting that the age effect cannot be modified by daylength manipulation. The age response implies that changes in maternal physiology exert an important regulatory control on the diapause fate of the pupa.
Elucidation of the primary structures of the cockroach hyperglycaemic hormones I and II using enzymatic techniques and gas‐phase sequencing
Authors: SIEGERT KARL J. , MORDUE WILLIAM
Published: March 2008

ABSTRACT. Two peptides, HGHI and HGHII, both inducing hyperglycaemia and activation of fat body glycogen phosphorylase can be isolated from the corpora cardiaca of the American cockroach, Periplaneta americana, using high‐performance liquid chromatography. Both peptides are N‐terminally blocked by a pyroglutamate residue and are thus not available for sequencing methods using the Edman degradation as this technique requires a free N‐terminus. The blocked peptides were treated with pyroglutamate aminopeptidase to cleave the pyroglutamate residue, and the C‐terminus of each peptide is also blocked and neither molecule can be cleaved by carboxypeptidase A. The following sequences for hyperglycaemic hormones HGHI and HGHII have been revealed using gas‐phase sequencing.

HGHI pGlu‐Val‐Asn‐Phe‐Ser‐Pro‐Asn‐Trp‐NH2

HGHII pGlu‐Leu‐Thr‐Phe‐Thr‐Pro‐Asn‐Trp‐NH2

Both peptides show remarkable similarities to locust adipokinetic hormones I and II and prawn red‐pigment concentrating hormone, and are identical to two myotropic peptides MI and MII (O'Shea et al., 1984; Witten et al., 1984) and two cardioactive and hyperglycaemic peptides CC‐1 and CC‐2 (Scarborough et al., 1984), respectively, also isolated from the corpora cardiaca of P. americana.
Egg‐laying in response to prostaglandin injections in the Australian field cricket, Teleogryllus commodus
Authors: STANLEY‐SAMUELSON DAVID W. , PELOQUIN JOHN J. , LOHER WERNER
Published: March 2008

ABSTRACT. We report the effects of prostaglandin (PG) injection on egg‐laying by sexually mature virgin crickets, Teleogryllus commodus Walker. High egg‐laying activity is associated with PGE1 PGE2, 6‐keto‐PGE1 and 15‐keto‐PGE2, compounds that share the basic prostanoid backbone (C20 substituted fatty acid, 5 membered ring, a 7‐ and an 8‐carbon aliphatic chain), and 9‐keto, 11‐hydroxyl ring substitutions. PGs without these ring features and other compounds that lack the prostanoid backbone have no or only intermediate egg‐laying effects. Adding oxygen functionalities or an aliphatic double bond tends to increase egg‐laying activity. Hence, 15‐keto‐PGF2 and TxB2, both of which have an additional backbone oxygen compared with their less active analogues, are highly active compounds. Two of the most active PGs, 15‐keto‐PGE2 and 15‐keto‐PGE2α, are the products of inactivating metabolism in mammalian systems, describing a fundamental difference in PG biochemistry with respect to mammals and insects.
The importance of daylength and queens for larval care by young workers of the ant Myrmica rubra L.
Authors: BRIAN M. V.
Published: March 2008

ABSTRACT. Workers whilst still less than a month from emergence rear early stage larvae better in a 16h day than in one of 14h. The callows must perceive the diel rhythm directly because there are no foragers to give them a clue, and the larvae are kept in the dark and cannot respond directly. This, and the study of egg‐laying by young workers that preceded it, indicates that the extra hours daylight enable the workers to avoid the reproductive diapause that normally prepares them for hibernation. They retain active ovaries, ingest and share food with larvae either as trophic eggs or as a regurgitate from the crop.

In late summer, callows can rear sexual larvae in spring condition. Queens have a small negative effect on this, expressed as a smaller, though still gyne, pupa produced a little earlier. This weak response to queens develops into a strong negative one at a constant temperature of either 10 or 20°C. The workers then behave as they normally do in spring, and feed a watery regurgitate (dietary control) or, if this fails to arrest sexual development, physically harass the larvae by biting them in the ventral thorax (manipulative control). Large workers then result instead of gynes.
Relationship between reflectance spectra of host plant surfaces and visual detection of host fruit by Rhagoletis pomonella flies
Authors: OWENS ELIZABETH D. , PROKOPY RONALD J.
Published: March 2008

ABSTRACT. Within host trees, male and female Rhagoletis pomonella (Walsh) flies locate visually individual fruit of apple and hawthorn, which are sites of mating and oviposition. By measuring the diffuse reflectance spectra of both fruit and foliage and by using artificially pigmented natural fruit and artificial fruit mimics, we show that fruit hue is not as important in R. pomonella fruit detection as is intensity contrast of dark fruit against a bright background of light transmitted through foliage or skylight. In discussing the fruit detection system of R. pomonella, we compare it to that of vertebrate fruit consumers and seed dispersers.
The directional sensitivity of a bush cricket ear: a behavioural and neurophysiological study of Leptophyes punctatissima
Authors: RHEINLAENDER JÜRGEN , HARDT MARTIN , ROBINSON DAVID
Published: March 2008

ABSTRACT. The stereotyped response of the female Leptophyes punctatissima Bosc. to a representation of the male call has been taken as a behavioural measure to determine the directional sensitivity of monaurally deafened animals. By using the responses of an auditory interneuron (T‐fibre), the directional sensitivity could also be measured neurophysiologically on the same preparation. Thus it was possible to compare directly both a behavioural and a neurophysiological polar directional plot for an individual. Both methods provided very similar results, showing an overall directionality of about 15 dB, with the maximum sensitivity of the ear occurring on the ipsilateral side.
The circadian flight activity of Aedes aegypti parasitized with the filarial nematode Brugia pahangi
Authors: ROWLAND MARK W. , LINDSAY STEVEN W.
Published: March 2008

ABSTRACT. The circadian flight activity of Aedes aegypti L. infected with the filarial parasite Brugia pahangi was recorded for 16 consecutive days using an acoustic actograph. The flight activity of uninfected control mosquitoes in a LD 12:12h regime rose to a maximum 3 days after bloodfeeding, then decreased slightly and remained steady for the duration of the experiment. The flight activity of parasitized mosquitoes was temporarily depressed for 2 days after feeding on a microfilariaemic cat; this was probably caused by the parasites migrating from the midgut to the flight muscles. As parasitic larvae grew within the flight muscles during days 3—6, the daily activity of all mosquitoes returned to control levels. On days 7—8 the activity of mosquitoes parasitized with thirteen or more larvae fell dramatically to approximately 10% of that of the controls; this change coincided with the emergence of the highly‐active infective stage larvae from the flight muscles. The presence of fewer larvae did not impair flight. Because of their reduced flight capability, heavily‐infected mosquitoes probably play little if any part in the transmission of filariasis.
Assisting components within a resistance reflex of the stick insect, Cuniculina impigra
Authors: BÄSSLER U. , HOFMANN T. , SCHUCH U.
Published: March 2008

ABSTRACT. Rapid relaxation (shortening) of the femoral chordotonal organ in Cuniculina impigra Redtenbacher induces a depolarization followed by hyperpolarization of the fast and slow extensor tibiae motor neurons (FETi and SETi). The initial depolarization is caused by acceleration‐sensitive units of the chordotonal organ. The reverse sequence of responses is induced in flexor motor neurons. The common inhibitor neuron (CI) is depolarized by both lengthening (stretch) and relaxation of the chordotonal organ.

The initial depolarization of FETi and SETi and the initial hyperpolarization of flexor motor neurons produced by rapid relaxation of the chordotonal organ and the depolarization of CI produced by lengthening of the chordotonal organ all oppose the resistance reflex response. However, these assisting components are weak compared to the resisting ones.
Evolutionary contrasts in insects: nutritional advantages of holometabolous development
Authors: BERNAYS ELIZABETH A.
Published: March 2008

ABSTRACT. Two insects, one holometabolous and one hemimetabolous, are compared and contrasted in respect to feeding efficiency, growth and respiration. An examination of cuticle production in these and other species leads to the conclusion that the nutritional burden of cuticle production in hemimetabolous forms has a significant effect on efficiency, and it is speculated that greater nutritional efficiency in holometabolous forms has been an important evolutionary advantage.
Field studies of the temporal response patterns of male Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte and D. barberi Smith and Lawrence to 8R‐methyl‐2R‐decyl propanoate
Authors: DOBSON IAN D. , TEAL PETER E. A.
Published: March 2008

ABSTRACT. Variations in the diel response of male northern and western corn rootworms attracted to a synthetic pheromone source were examined in southwestern Ontario. Activity was measured by the number of males caught at hourly intervals in sticky traps baited with 8R‐methyl‐2R‐decyl propanoate. Northern corn rootworm males were attracted to the pheromone between 22.30 and 0330 hours and were unresponsive at all other times at temperatures above 15°C. Western corn rootworm males had a bimodal response with peaks in attraction from 08.30 to 12.30 hours and again from 15.30 to 18.30 hours. While the period of peak attraction for northern corn rootworm males was well defined, the pattern for western corn rootworm males was erratic and many beetles were caught throughout the day. Evening temperatures below 15°C suppressed the activity of both northern and western corn rootworms. While the nightly period of activity for the northern corn rootworms was shifted by low temperatures to the following morning, that of the western corn rootworm was not altered substantially. As a result, peaks in the response of northern and western corn rootworm males occurred simultaneously under these conditions, suggesting strongly that temporal separation of activity periods was not an important factor in maintaining sexual isolation for these species in Ontario.
Source and characterization of host recognition kairomones of Tetrastichus hagenowii, a parasitoid of cockroach eggs
Authors: VINSON S. B. , PIPER G. L.
Published: March 2008

ABSTRACT. Recognition of Periplaneta americana (L.) oothecae by the egg parasitoid Tetrastichus hagenowii (Ratzeburg) (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) is mediated by mucopolysaccharides from the salivary glands, and calcium oxalate from the colleterial glands of the roach. Calcium oxalate, the most active compound isolated, only elicits stereotyped host recognition behaviour from the parasitoid when perceived in the context of a curved surface. Although empty oothecae contain calcium oxalate, female T. hagenowii appear to determine the unsuitability of these oothecae soon after drumming begins and abandon them. The potential usefulness of host recognition kairomones in biological control is discussed.
Differences in inhibitory capability among queens of the ant Solenopsis invicta
Authors: WILLER DONNA E. , FLETCHER DAVID J. C.
Published: March 2008

ABSTRACT. The abilities of various categories of queens of the fire ant, Solenopsis invicta Buren, to inhibit de‐alation by virgin queens are compared by means of a standardized bioassay that detects the presence of an inhibitory pheromone. Highly fecund (high weight) queens of monogynous colonies and virgin replacement queens in queenless colonies have a significantly greater inhibitory capability than queens of lower fecundity (lower weight). In polygynous colonies, inhibitory effectiveness is also positively related to the fertility of individual queens, although no pheromone can be detected in queens that lay few eggs. Alate virgin queens that have overwintered in the parental nest, and sexually mature spring‐reared virgin queens, either do not produce the pheromone, or produce too little to be detected. These results are discussed in relation to the degree of ovarian development of different queen categories and in relation to the social status of these queens.
A direct search approach to characterize the sex pheromone composition giving maximal male response
Authors: DE JONG MART C. M.
Published: March 2008

ABSTRACT. Response of male moths to sex pheromones differs markedly depending on blend composition. Natural selection can therefore be expected to favour males responding maximally to the blend produced by most females in the population. Thus it is relevant to quantify male response by the blend to which the males of a population respond maximally.

To do this, wind tunnel experiments were carried out where males were observed while responding to blends of synthetic compounds emitted from rubber septa. By stepwise improvement it was shown that the blend to which Yponomeuta cagnagellus responds maximally comprises (Z)11‐tetradecenyl acetate (Z11‐14Ac), (E)11‐tetradecenyl acetate (E11‐14Ac), (Z)11‐tetradecenol (Z11‐140H), and tetradecyl acetate (14Ac) in the ratio 100(=50μg):1.5:20:45.

The innovate aspects of the method used to obtain this result, are the use of a direct search approach as an integral part of the experimental procedure and the use of a summary variable to characterize male response. These aspects are discussed using the data on the response of Y. cagnagellus males.
Circadian rhythms in honeybees: entrainment by feeding cycles
Authors: FRISCH BRIGITTE , ASCHOFF JÜRGEN
Published: March 2008

ABSTRACT. Colonies of the South African honeybee race Apis mellifera capensis (Escholtz) were maintained under constant conditions of illumination (200 lux), temperature (25±ld̀C) and relative humidity (65±3%). Activity was measured at the hive entrance. After ad libitum feeding for at least 5 days, food was presented for only 2 h/day either for 1 week (series 1) or for 2 weeks (series 2). In the last part of each experiment, food was again available all the time. Colonies which showed free‐running circadian activity rhythms (with periods ranging from 22.6 to 24.8 h) during ad libitum feeding were submitted to feeding cycles with inter‐feeding intervals (T) of 22, 23, 24 and 25 h. In most of these experiments the rhythms were synchronized by the feeding schedule, resulting in a stable phase‐angle difference between onset of activity and onset of food availability. The duration of this anticipatory activity was positively correlated with T. When ad libitum feeding was resumed, the period of the rhythm induced by the feeding schedule persisted for a few days. Thereafter, the rhythm was free‐running again with a period close to that observed in the first part of the experiment. The conclusion is drawn that, under the influence of periodic feeding, the activity of honeybee colonies has the characteristics of an entrained circadian system.
Factors which influence female crickets' (Acheta domesticus) phonotactic and sexual responsiveness to males
Authors: KOUDELE KATHERINE , STOUT JOHN F. , REICHERT DANIEL
Published: March 2008

ABSTRACT. Removal of the corpora allata from sexually responsive Acheta domesticus females exhibiting direct, positive phonotaxis resulted in a decline of the directionality of phonotaxis and sexual responsiveness to males for the 3‐day testing period. Phonotaxis and sexual responsiveness were restored to the level before allatectomy after topical treatment with JH III. Sexually and phonotactically responsive females, given Precocene I or II showed no change in phonotactic orientation or sexual responsiveness. Females were isolated from males just prior to the imaginal moult. After 3 weeks of isolation (1 2.5 weeks following the imaginal moult) they showed significantly better phonotaxis to the calling song than did females that had been fully exposed to males, or those which had only olfactory exposure to males. There were no significant differences among the groups in their copulatory readiness when placed directly in contact with males. Mating caused a reduction in the phonotaxis of females. Females on the day of imaginal moult responded negatively to the calling song. This negative response disappeared on the day following the imaginal moult and did not re‐appear in older females. Topical application of JH III or the synthetic analogue, ZR 515 caused females to become phonotactically positive in response to the calling song on the day of, or the day following the imaginal moult.
Effect of queen number on the production of sexuals in natural populations of the fire ant, Solenopsis invicta
Authors: VARGO EDWARD L. , FLETCHER DAVID J. C.
Published: March 2008

ABSTRACT. To determine whether the production of sexuals in the fire ant, Solenopsis invicta Buren, is related to queen number in the field, the numbers of sexuals in monogyne (M) and polygyne (P) colonies of this species were compared. Large colonies (n=25 M and 25 P) were collected at random during spring, summer and fall when sexuals are actively produced, and the numbers of sexuals present were counted. The numbers of alates plus sexual pupae and larvae in M colonies far exceeded those in P colonies in each season. Significant differences between M and P colonies were also found when the numbers of alates and sexual immatures (pupae + larvae) were compared separately in each season. In addition, M colonies contained significantly more female sexuals (alates + pupae) than did P colonies in the summer and fall, and significantly more males in all three seasons. The negative relationship between queen number and number of sexuals provides evidence that queen control over the production of sexuals, previously established in laboratory experiments, also occurs under natural conditions.
Female Acheta domesticus track acoustical and visual targets with different walking modes
Authors: WEBER THEO , ATKINS GORDON , STOUT JOHN F. , HUBER FRANZ
Published: March 2008

ABSTRACT. Female Acheta domesticus L. were tested for tracking model calling songs with different syllable periods on the Kramer treadmill in the dark, under homogenous light, and in the presence of a visually attractive target (black square) positioned either perpendicular to or in front of the invisible acoustical target. The females exhibited tracking of the two targets by different walking modes.
Engorgement response of human body lice Pediculus humanus (Insecta: Anoplura) to blood fractions and their components
Authors: MUMCUOGLU Y. K. , GALUN R.
Published: March 2008

ABSTRACT. Fed through a synthetic membrane, 80% of females of the human body louse, Pediculus humanus de Geer, engorged on whole human blood compared to 30% on platelet poor plasma. Both the plasma albumin and small molecular weight components of the cellular fraction seemed to stimulate engorgement by lice. Known haemo‐phagostimulants such as adenosine triphosphate and diphosphoglyceric acid when added to plasma, did not replace the small molecular weight components of the cellular fraction as feeding stimuli. Nymphs discriminated less than adults in selecting blood fractions.
Endocrine manipulations and ontogenesis of male sexual behaviour in Locusta: studies on azadirachtin‐induced over‐aged nymphs
Authors: SHALOM U. , PENER M. P.
Published: March 2008

ABSTRACT. Dose‐response relations of the moult‐inhibitory and lethal effects of azadirachtin (AZA) injected into fifth and fourth instar hoppers of Locusta migratoria migratorioides are presented. The optimal dose for obtaining maximum number of long‐surviving over‐aged nymphs is 1.6 and 1.0 μg of AZA per insect for young fifth and fourth instar nymphs, respectively. Over‐aged male nymphs are capable of exhibiting sexual behaviour. The mating behaviour of fifth instar over‐aged male nymphs, and of chemically allatectomized but otherwise similar over‐aged male nymphs (obtained by combined precocene treatment and injection of AZA), with and without injections of exogenous Juvenile Hormone III (JH), is investigated quantitatively; the results are compared with those obtained for normal, chemically allatectomized, and chemically allatectomized plus JH‐injected adult males. Over‐aged fifth instar male nymphs show a low intensity of mating behaviour and in chemically allatectomized ones this intensity is even lower. Injections of JH intensify the mating behaviour of chemically allatectomized fifth instar over‐aged male nymphs in a dose‐dependent way, but less markedly so than in chemically allatectomized adult males. We conclude that the intensity of male mating behaviour of the over‐aged nymphs is subnormal and their response to the mating behaviour intensifying effect of the JH is weaker than that of adult males. The relations between endocrine factors and ethological ontogenesis of male sexual behaviour in locusts are discussed.
Social synchronization of circadian rhythms of metabolism in honeybees (Apis mellifera)
Authors: SOUTHWICK EDWARD E. , MORITZ ROBIN F. A.
Published: March 2008

ABSTRACT. Groups of honeybee workers (Apis mellifera Linn.; Hymenoptera: Apidae) show endogenous circadian rhythms in metabolic activity. Workers entrained to two different photoperiods, when put together in a group, coordinate their individual metabolic activity cycles into a synchronized group oscillation. Either physical interaction among workers, or a low volatility contact pheromone, is implicated in the control of this oscillating system.
Manoeuvres used by flying male oriental fruit moths to relocate a sex pheromone plume in an experimentally shifted wind‐field
Authors: BAKER T. C. , HAYNES K. F.
Published: March 2008

ABSTRACT. In a wind‐field experimentally shifted in direction by 35d̀, flying male Grapholita molesta (Busck) zigzagging upwind either maintained contact with a pheromone plume and followed it across during the shift or lost it and commenced casting at c. 90d̀ across the shifting windline to locate it eventually in its new position. Males accomplished both of these results by integrating the previously described systems of optomotor anemotaxis and self‐steered counterturning, but with faster reaction‐times to pheromone on and off than heretofore calculated for this species. We found no evidence that males following the plume across used chemotaxis as proposed for another species, Rather, the sawtoothed‐shaped tracks were a result of the anemotactic and counterturning systems responding rapidly and reiteratively to each loss and gain of pheromone along the plume in the shifting wind. The response to an increase or decrease in pheromone concentration by males was to change their course angle to more upwind or more crosswind, respectively, on the very first reversal (within c. 0.15 s) after the concentration changed. Because males adjusted their airspeeds more slowly to changes in concentration, the groundspeeds along the more upwind‐orientated legs were lower than those along cross‐wind legs, contributing to the sawtoothed shape of tracks of plume‐followers. The self‐steered counterturning programme also reacted quickly to concentration changes, the reversal intervals tending to be shorter following each contact with pheromone than after each excursion into cleaner wind. Following casting after losing the plume, males relocating the pheromone plume exhibited an upwind ‘surge’ of narrow zigzagging flight because on the first leg in the plume they steered a course more directly upwind than on the previous leg and increased the frequency of counterturning to its highest value while maintaining the relatively high airspeed acquired while casting.
Isolation and amino acid composition of the adipokinetic neuropeptide from the corpus cardiacum of the cricket, Gryllus bimaculatus
Authors: GÄDE GERD
Published: March 2008

ABSTRACT. The corpora cardiaca of the cricket, Gryllus bimaculatus De Geer, contain peptidic material which elicits hyperlipaemia in migratory locusts and in crickets. Appreciable amounts of this adipokinetic factor are found only in the corpora cardiaca of the cricket, and not in other parts of the nervous system. The factor is heat‐stable and retains its activity after incubation with the exopeptidases leucine aminopeptidase and carboxypeptidase A. Fractionation of a methanolic extract of corpora cardiaca from Gryllus bimaculatus by RP‐HPLC shows that the adipokinetic activity is confined to a single absorbance peak. The amino acid composition of the purified adipokinetic neuropeptide was determined after acid hydrolysis with HCI and with methanesulfonic acid. The factor is an octapeptide containing the following amino acid residues in equimolar amounts: Asx, Thr, Ser, Glx, Gly, Val, Phe and Trp. This composition closely resembles the AKHI II molecule from Schistocerca species, and the Gryllus peptide can be assigned to the AKH/RPCH family of neuropeptides.
Behavioural activity of pure chiral 3‐octanol for the ants Myrmica scabrinodis Nyl. and Myrmica rubra L.
Authors: CAMMAERTS M‐C. , MORI K.
Published: March 2008

ABSTRACT. The mandibular glands of Myrmica ants contain, among other substances, 3‐octanol, a chiral substance, 90% of it being the R‐enantiomer in M. scabrinodis Nyl., ruhra L. and ruginodis Nyl. (Cammaerts et al., 1985). Pure R and S 3‐octanol has been prepared and tested on M. rubra and scabrinodis, workers. Both species react specifically only to the R enantiomer; in M. rubra this constituent arrests foragers briefly, and in M. scahrinodis it attracts them and incites them to walk more quickly. It is shown that, in M. scahrinodis, the naturally produced mixture of R and S 3‐octanol (proportions of 9:1, v/v) is more active than the pure R enantiomer or a mixture of R and S 3‐octanol (5:5 v/v).
Relationship between excretion of primary urine and haemolymph level of diuretic hormone in the migratory locust
Authors: PICQUOT M. , PROUX J.
Published: March 2008

ABSTRACT. Changes in the haemolymph titre of arginine vasopressin‐like diuretic hormone and the rate of secretion of primary urine by the Malpighian tubules were studied simultaneously for 24 h in the migratory locust. Some correlations appear between these two components of water balance, but they are not always correlated. The influence of feeding in the process of the diuresis is discussed.
Change of Dufour gland contents with age of workers of Formica sanguinea (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)
Authors: ALI MAHMOUD FADL , ATTYGALLE ATHULA B. , BILLEN JOHAN P. J. , JACKSON BRIAN D. , MORGAN E. DAVID
Published: March 2008

ABSTRACT The Dufour glands of newly emerged adult workers of F.sanguinea Latr. are almost empty, but the gland fills slowly over several months. The amount and composition of the secretion varies between individuals but the mean values change with age, the composition reaching its final value only in old foraging workers. Undecane is the major component for most of the period, but its proportion decreases with age. The amount of (Z,E)‐α‐farnesene increases with age and finally becomes the major component. The change in composition may reflect changes in worker function.
Identification of a component of the trail pheromone of the ant Pheidole pallidula (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)
Authors: ALI MAHMOUD FADL , MORGAN E. DAVID , DETRAIN CLAIRE , ATTYGALLE ATHULA B.
Published: March 2008

ABSTRACT The poison gland of minor workers of P.pallidula.Nyl. contains 3‐ethyl‐2,5‐dimethylpyrazine which induces trail‐following in other workers, but does not account for the full trail‐following effect of one worker's poison gland. No pyrazines were detected in major workers and their glands do not contain the pheromone.
Particulate surface waxes of whiteflies: morphology, composition and waxing behaviour
Authors: BYRNE DAVID N. , HADLEY NEIL F.
Published: March 2008

ABSTRACT The morphology and lipid composition of wax particles and their application to the body surface of adults were examined in the sweetpotato whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius), and the glasshouse whitefly, Trialeurodes vaporariorum (Westwood). The wax particles are extruded from plates found on the abdomen of both species. Their form is determined by the templates (modified microtrichia) from which they are extruded. The emerging ribbons are broken off by rakes on the hind tibiae and applied to the rest of the body in a similar manner for both species. Triacylglycerols comprise 65–75% of the lipid in these particles, with hydrocarbons accounting for 3–7% of the total in B. tabaci and only 0.6‐1% in T.vaporariorum. Although distinct compositional differences exist between the species, the hydrocarbons in both are fully saturated and contain n‐alkanes and branched molecules having eighteen to forty carbon atoms. Possible roles of these wax particles in reducing water flux, protecting against harmful radiation, and providing a barrier to microorganisms are discussed.
The effects of buried magnets on colonies of Amitermes spp. building magnetic mounds in northern Australia1
Authors: GRIGG GORDON , JACKYLN PETER , TAPLIN LAURIE
Published: March 2008

ABSTRACT Unlike four control colonies of Amitermes which built normal, north‐south oriented ‘magnetic’ mounds in northern Australia, four young colonies failed after exposure to experimental alteration of the earth's magnetic field. In November 1979, bar magnets were buried on either side at the base of each of three new nests of Amitermes laurensis Mjoberg and one new colony of A.vitiosus Hill. As controls, non‐magnetized iron bars were disposed similarly in relation to three new nests of the former species and one of the latter. In September 1986, all four control nests had grown normally. However, not one of the treatment colonies survived and from what remained of the former nest in each case it is clear that the demise of the colonies occurred soon after the magnets were placed. We conclude that the failure of these colonies was the result of the changed magnetic environment. Whether ‘magnetic’ termites use magnetoperception as a cue to achieve their spectacular north‐south orientation remains unknown, but the results of this field experiment weigh more for than against this possibility.
Declining acceptability of a food plant for the polyphagous grasshopper Schistocerca americana: the role of food aversion learning
Authors: LEE JEREMY C. , BERNAYS ELIZABETH A.
Published: March 2008

ABSTRACT Successive contacts with a food that was initially acceptable to the acridid Schistocerca americana (Drury) (Orthoptera: Acrididae) were monitored. It was found that acceptability, as measured by meal length, declined with experience until the food, spinach, was completely rejected. Reduced acceptability of spinach was maintained even after feeding for three meals on a fully acceptable and suitable food, a period of 2–3 h. Experiments with spinach‐filled capsules placed in the gut suggested that the decline in acceptability was not due to direct feedback from the gut or haemolymph on the sensory or feeding control systems. Food aversion learning is indicated as the mechanism underlying the decline in acceptability.