bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The bionomics of swift moths. I.—The ghost swift moth, Hepialus humuli (L.)
Authors: Edwards C. A. 
Published: July 2009

The larvae of two species of swift moths, Hepialus humuli (L.) and H. lupulinus (L.), live in the soil and are common under grass in the British Isles, but do not usually have any obvious effect upon the grass. The larvae of H. humuli are polyphagous and when they occur under agricultural or horticultural crops they may cause damage by feeding on the roots. Lettuce, strawberry and chrysanthemum are most frequently damaged.The adults, which are described, fly at dusk, the female seeking the male. The female lays between 200 and 1,600 eggs, with a mean of about 600, over a period of four days. Sweep-net catches showed the ratio of the sexes to be approximately equal, and mercury-vapour light-trap catches showed that the flight period in southern England is principally in June.In the laboratory, never less than 80 per cent, of eggs hatched, even in dry air, and the shortest incubation period, between 11 and 24 (mean 18) days, was at 20°C. At 5°C. they did not hatch, but remained viable for at least six months.The larvae were reared in small cells drilled in blocks of plaster of Paris, which were stood in a tray of water, or in vials containing a layer of moist plaster of Paris, and were fed on pieces of carrot.The growth of the larval head capsules was geometric and allowed 12 instars to be distinguished at 15°C.; at higher temperatures there may be more.The growth curve of the larvae was S-shaped with a very distinct fall in weight in each instar for several days before moulting. The daily intake of food was weighed, and the conversion rate shown to be small, ranging from 0·00058 to 0·04, as compared with 0·205 to 0·49 recorded for other Lepidopterous larvae.At 5°C., larvae did not develop beyond the second instar, nor beyond the fourth at 10°C. The optimum temperature for their development (mean period 224 days) was 15°C., although mortality was high. They developed at 20°C. more rapidly (mean 197 days) but more died. Larvae kept in a container sunk in the soil outdoors developed more slowly than those at 15°C. and had only reached the eighth instar by February (239 days after hatching). This evidence, together with that from an artificially infested plot in the field and general field observations, suggests that the usual life-cycle lasts two years.
Laboratory studies on dispersion behaviour of adult beetles in grain. XII.—The effect of isolated pockets of damp and mouldy wheat onCryptolestes ferrugineus(Steph.) (Coleoptera, Cucujidae)
Authors: Surtees Gordon 
Published: July 2009

The effects of pockets of damp wheat upon the spatial structure (dispersion) of experimental populations of adults ofCryptolestes ferrugineus(Steph.) were investigated in the laboratory. Isolated pockets of non-mouldy wheat of 18 per cent, moisture content (85 per cent. R.H.) and of equally moist wheat supporting a mould flora (mainlyAspergillus candidus) were placed in a larger bulk of wheat of 14 per cent, moisture content (70 per cent. R.H.) at 25°C. One hundred beetles were released at the centre of the top surface of the bulk, and their dispersion within it was observed one week later. The method used allowed the entire bulk (25 kg.) to be quickly broken down so that the relative numbers of individuals in each of the 64 cubes of which it was composed could be recorded. Using other apparatus, the responses of single, isolated individuals to these physical conditions were analysed.Insects reared at 25°C. and 70 per cent. R.H. accumulated to an equal extent in the pockets of damp wheat irrespective of whether it was mouldy or not. Insects in a preferendum arena went to the drier side,i.e., to 70 per cent, as opposed to 85 per cent. R.H., and the underlying mechanism was found to be a klinokinetic response to humidity. Maintaining insects at 40 or 85 per cent. R.H. for 14 days before testing did not alter their dispersion behaviour in bulks of grain; maintenance at 40 per cent. R.H. did not alter their response to humidity in a preferendum arena, but at 80 per cent. R.H. it was abolished.A study of oviposition behaviour showed that when there was a choice between wheat of 18 and 14 per cent, moisture content, nearly all the eggs were laid in the damper grain, both when it was mouldy and when it was not. It is considered that oviposition requirements, and to some extent trophic behaviour patterns, over-ride the hygrokinetic response when wheat is damp or damaged, but that under field conditions, where the presence of dust and broken grain throughout the bulk provide conditions suited for oviposition and feeding, accumulations due solely to hygrokinesis may occur in the drier parts of a bulk.The results are discussed in relation to the ecology of the species in grain and to its detection and control; and evidence from this and other studies is discussed in relation to the dynamic nature of spatial organisation of insect populations in grain.
Mutations in the sheep blowfly Lucilia cuprina (Wied.). I.—Studies on genes for white eye and dieldrin-resistance
Authors: Shanahan G. J. 
Published: July 2009

The inheritance of white eye in Lucilia cuprina (Wied.) was investigated by means of a series of back-crosses repeated through ten generations. Since an approximate 1:1 ratio of white-eyed: red-eyed flies was observed throughout, it is concluded that white eye is due to a single recessive gene (w). Earlier work establishing that w is on an autosome is discussed.A test for the existence of a linkage group containing genes for white eye and dieldrin-susceptibility was then made. The exposure of back-cross progeny to discriminating levels of insecticide, and the pattern of mortality observed with scalar concentrations of dieldrin, indicated that genes for white eye (w) and dieldrin-susceptibility (rdi) are on different chromosomes.
The growth responses ofLocusta migratoria migratorioides(R. & F.) to fluctuating temperature regimes
Authors: Clarke Kenneth U. 
Published: July 2009

Fourth- and fifth-instar hoppers and adults ofLocusta migratoria migratorioides(R. & F.) were expected to three fluctuating remperature regimes in Weyco climatic cabinets and weighed daily. The regimes were 30 ± 0.25, 30 ± 10 and 30 ± 15°C., the change from one extreme to the other in the last two being made every two hours. Temperatures were accurately determined, by plantinum-resistance thermometers whose dimensions approximated to those of adult locusts, and were automatically recorded. The three thermorhythms were analysed by methods based on Fourier’s theorem, whereby a given wave form can be described in terms of a basic sine weve and a series of superimposed harmonics.The rates of growth (weight increase) in the 4th-instar and adult at 30 ± 10°C/ were higher than at 30 ± 0.25°C. and were within 10 per cent. of the means of the rates at constant temperatures of 20 and 40°C., whereas the frowth rate in the 5th instar, and the pre-copulation and pre-oviposition periods of adults and their rate of weight loss when starved, were the same under both regime. At 30 ± 15°C., 5th-instar hoppers did not survive and, in comparison with the other regimes, the growth rates of 4th-instar hoppers and adults were very much lower, the pre-copulation period of adults was the same but the pre-oviposition period was much longer and their rate of weight loss when starved was doubled. Adults locusts were also tested at 30 ± 17.5°C., but most of them died within 24 hours and all within three days.
Sukunahikona Popeisp.n. (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) feeding on scale insects (Hemiptera: Diaspididae) infesting coconut palm in Gujarat, India
Authors: Vazirani T. G. 
Published: July 2009

AbstractCoccinellids reported to be feeding on the diaspididChrysomphalus aonidum(L.) infesting coconut palms in Gujarat, India, were found to belong to an undescribed species. This is described here asSukunahi-kona popeisp.n. and is compared with other species of the genus. A key to the species is given. This is the first record of the tribe Sukunahikoni in India.
The trap-orientated behaviour of tsetse flies (Glossinidae) and other Diptera
Authors: Vale G. A. 
Published: July 2009

AbstractIn field studies on Glossina morsitans morsitans Westw. and G. pallidipes Aust. in Zimbabwe, various traps baited with attractive odour were used to study the behaviour of flies in each of several stages of response to traps, from the stage of being several metres from the trap to the stage of being retained in a cage on the trap. The numbers of flies that were caught by electrocution, or were observed, as they moved forwards through the stages of trapping were compared with the numbers caught or observed moving in a reverse direction. A variety of stimuli and modifications were investigated for their effects on these movements, leading to provisional recommendations for improving the speed and efficiency of trapping. The most important recommendations were: the outside of trap should be white, with black near the basal entrances, the entrances should be provided with tunnels projecting into trap, and the inside of trap should be made white at base and black at top. The top of the trap should be an open-ended tube around the cone of netting that leads to the retaining cage. Data for Stomoxyinae, non-biting Muscidae and Tabanidae are also presented.
A mathematical approach to rating food acceptance of the harvester termite, Hodotermes mossambicus (Isoptera: Hodotermitidae) and the evaluation of baits for its control
Authors: Duncan F.D. , Nel A. , Batzofin S.H. , Hewitt P.H. 
Published: July 2009

AbstractHodotermes mossambicus (Hagen) is a harvester termite which competes with livestock for natural grazing. Control by baiting is recommended. Field trials in the north-western Orange Free State and south-western Transvaal, Republic of South Africa, showed that the two most commonly used commercial baits, with carbaryl or sodium fluosilicate as the active ingredient, are ineffective in controlling this species. A simple mathematical model was developed to rate the acceptability of grasses as food for the termite colonies. This enabled the attractiveness of the bait carriers as food for termites to be compared with that of the grasses. All five grass species tested had a similar food acceptability value, while both bait carriers were unacceptable as food. Failure of the baits was due to the fact that they were not consumed by the termites. The active ingredients was found to be effective when natural grass was used as the bait carrier. The mathematical model was extended to elucidate the effect of different baits on colony survival. This approach could be further used to rate new baits and their carriers objectively.
The origin of plagues and recent outbreaks of the South American locust, Schistocerca cancellata (Orthoptera: Acrididae) in Argentina
Authors: Hunter D.M. , Cosenzo E.L. 
Published: July 2009

AbstractFactors involved in the origin of plagues of Schistocerca cancellata (Serville) in Argentina were examined using a simple model for locust development. Plagues were present in 48 of the 58 years between 1897–1954 with plague sequences occurring before 1900, 1903–11, 1913–28, 1931–38 and 1944–54. Plagues originated when winter rain fell in the outbreak areas in La Rioja and Catamarca resulting in three generations in a season. Plagues continued for 8–15 years. Their decline was usually gradual resulting from a combination of several seasons when it was dry in the outbreak areas, and only one generation per year was possible. Before 1954, locust swarms were common in 15 of Argentina's 22 provinces but it was not obvious where the plagues originated. Since then most swarms have been reported from two provinces in the northwest: La Rioja and Catamarca. Within these provinces, bands and swarms have been most common in the semi-arid outbreak area. Populations have been highest when the outbreak area received winter/spring/summer rain which allowed three generations in a season. However, infestations have never approached plague proportions in recent years because regular control of bands and swarms in the outbreak area has kept populations in check.
Reproductive performance of the African migratory locust,Locusta migratoria migratorioides(Orthoptera: Acrididae), in a cereal crop environment in South Africa
Authors: Price R.E. , Brown H.D. 
Published: July 2009

AbstractThe reproductive performance of the African migratory locust,Locusta migratoria migratorioides(Reiche & Fairmaire), was assessed in a cereal crop environment on the temperate Highveld of South Africa. Of the two principal crops involved on the Highveld, maize realized the highest reproductive potential during summer, wheat was successfully utilized for breeding in spring. The combined effects of food and temperature were the main factors influencing seasonal variation in clutch size. Green food was essential for continued reproduction, oviposition ceased for three to four months during winter when food resources deteriorated and was resumed in spring. Although locust size was shown to decrease significantly in early winter, this did not influence fecundity. The effects of egg resorption, female age and phase on clutch size are outlined. Despite the more adverse climate of the Highveld, the migratory locust realized higher individual natality in the cereal crop environment than that recorded previously and consequently achieved outstanding reproductive success in this alternative habitat.
Light-trap catches of Dysdercus bimaculatus Stål (Heteroptera: Pyrrhocoridae) in relation to weather and the fruiting cycle of its host-plants
Authors: Derr Janice A. 
Published: July 2009

AbstractLight-trap catches of Dysdercus bimaculatus Stål and weekly phenological records of its host-plants over a period of three years on Barro Colorado Island, Panama, are discussed in relation to a year-long study of population growth at selected plants. Population build-up of D. bimaculatus occurred on a sequence of seed crops from wild host-plants in the dry season. Each year, the largest number of bugs caught in the light-trap occurred after a drop in vapour pressure deficit marked the end of the dry season. Thus, the population appears ‘poised’ to attack cotton crops maturing in the late wet season. A stepwise linear regression indicated that each year, the variance in size of Pseudobombax septinatum crops (maturing at the end of the dry season) explained the largest proportion of variance in the light-trap capture of D. bimaculatus. However, estimates from the field study indicated that Ceiba pentandra crops were more important than P. septinatum in building up numbers of adult cotton stainers. The discrepancy between the field study and the longterm phonological monitoring survey would be resolved if D. bimaculatus adults experience a dispersal flight at the end of the dry season. This flight would enable the insect to locate better-quality seed crops in drier habitats that mature in the late wet season, such as Sterculia apetala or cotton. Light-trap captures at the end of the dry season in areas such as Barro Colorado Island where Ceiba and Pseudobombax occur, could be an index to the intensity of attack on cotton crops in nearby drier areas.
Effects of Glossina morsitans morsitans Westwood (Diptera: Glossinidae) sex Pheromone on behaviour of males in field and laboratory
Authors: Langley P. A. , Huyton P. M. , Carlson D. A. , Schwarz M. 
Published: July 2009

AbstractMore adult males of Glossina morsitans morsitans Westw. were caught with hand nets in Tanzania from a man-carried dark screen baited with surrogate female decoys impregnated with synthetic 15,19,23-trimethyl-heptatriacontane (the G. m. morsitans sex pheromone) than from a screen bearing unimpregnated decoys or from a screen alone. A similar pattern was obtained with G. pallidipes Aust., but the variations in numbers of both species caught within and between fly-round sectors were large. Although many G. m. morsitans males attracted to the screens visually were seen to engage in copulatory activity with pheromone-impregnated decoys, none of the G. pallidipes so attracted was seen to do so. It is therefore concluded that catches of G. m. morsitans were not improved by the presence of pheromone-baited decoys on visually attractive screens. Copulatory behaviour was frequently interrupted by other flies and/or the flies flew off as soon as the screen ceased to move. Of the G. m. morsitans males attracted to a baited screen on the back of a slowly moving vehicle, 51% were seen to have alighted on the impregnated decoys and 42% were engaged in copulatory behaviour with the decoys immediately after the vehicle stopped. Copulatory responses of wild male G. m. morsitans to pheromone-impregnated decoys in glass tubes approximated those of laboratory-reared males only after confinement for several hours at low light intensity. Contamination of laboratory-reared male G. m. morsitans with synthetic pheromone elicited prolonged male:male copulatory behaviour. Prospects for the use of the G. m. morsitans sex pheromone in population studies or control programmes are discussed.
Comparative injuriousness of Busseola fusca (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) and Chilo partellus (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) on grain sorghum
Authors: van den Berg J. , Van Rensburg J.B.J. , Pringle K.L. 
Published: July 2009

AbstractThe comparative influence of Busseola fusca (Fuller) and Chilo partellus (Swinhoe), both as separate and mixed populations, on growth and yield of grain sorghum was investigated in a field experiment, using an artificial infestation in cages. C. partellus was more injurious than B. fusca as indicated by whorl damage, stalk injury and yield loss. In the case of mixed populations, dispersion of larvae and damage were independent of B. fusca numbers. A regression equation, Logit Y = 0.24 + 2.06 logit x, relating visible plant damage to yield loss was determined. Control strategies in the case of mixed stem borer populations should be directed against C. partellus.
A new species of gall midge (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) attacking mango foliage in Guam, with observations on its pest status and biology
Authors: Harris K.M. , Schreiner I.H. 
Published: July 2009

AbstractA new species of gall midge,Procontarinia schreineriHarris, which attacks mango foliage in Guam, is described and the results of field observations on its pest status, biology and population fluctuations are reported. Eggs are laid on young mango leaves and larvae, which develop rapidly over about 5 days, induce blister galls before leaving to pupate. Secondary damage to infested foliage is caused by the fungusColletotrichum gloeosporioides, which invades damaged leaf tissue and causes mango anthracnose disease.P. schreineripopulation fluctuations on mangoes were assessed at four localities on Guam over three years by counting the numbers of galls. It was concluded that the main factors affecting populations were rainfall and location. More galls were present during rainy periods, possibly because high humidity improves larval and pupal survival. Gall populations were generally low and unlikely to have direct effects on fruit yields but the introduction of new improved varieties of mango might increase susceptibility to damage. In addition, old galls on damaged leaves may provide reservoirs of anthracnose inoculum.
Simulation of instability in genetic sexing strains: effects of wild-type contamination in association with other biological parameters
Authors: Busch-Petersen E. , Baumgartner H. 
Published: July 2009

AbstractGenetic methods to eliminate females prior to releasing sexually sterilized males in sterile insect technique programmes generally involve the translocation onto the Y chromosome of a readily selectable gene (here designated F). However, such strains often show instability with regard to sexual dimorphism. Concerted attempts to determine the most probable causes of such instability have rarely been successful, and appropriate countermeasures have generally not been implemented. We have developed a computer model which simulates the progression of instability in such strains. Here we simulate the effects of contamination in association with a range of genetic and biological parameters and assess the patterns and rates of progression of the ensuing instability. A single event of contamination alone was found to contribute relatively little to the progression of instability and invariably resulted in an equilibrium within the population. However, strong effects were produced by reduced fitness and mating competitiveness of both the f/f genotype and the translocation carriers, a reduction in the parameters involving the f/f genotype resulting in the virtual elimination of f/f, while a reduction in the translocation parameters had the opposite effect of virtually eliminating the F/ – phenotype. The sex ratio was affected only by a change in the relative fitness of the f/f genotype and the translocation. Several characteristic patterns contributed to distinguish clearly the effects of contamination from those of male recombination in unstable genetic sexing strains. With such knowledge appropriate measures may be taken to counter or alleviate the effects of instability in mass reared genetic sexing strains.
Incubation and overwintering in the egg stage of the African migratory locust,Locusta migratoria migratorioides(Orthoptera: Acrididae), on the highveld of South Africa
Authors: Price R.E. , Brown H.D. 
Published: July 2009

AbstractIncubation of eggs of the African migratory locust,Locusta migratoria migratorioides(Reiche & Fairmaire), was examined in the Orange Free State (OFS) highveld of South Africa where the locust is a recurring pest of cereal crops. A minimum incubation time of 16±SE 0.97 d was recorded in summer and this progressively increased through autumn as temperatures declined. Eggs laid in autumn overwintered for 140±2.63 d until spring, when rising temperatures initiated hatching. Controlled laboratory studies established that the threshold for egg development was in the region of 15.6°C and that eggs required 5268 degree-hours to complete their development. Analysis of hourly soil temperature records, measured at egg pod depth in the field, showed that temperatures first dropped below this critical temperature threshold during mid-April, after which eggs became quiescent and overwintered until spring. There was no evidence of diapause in the field and overwintering eggs exhibited a wide range of embryonic development. Quiescence during winter on the OFS highveld was therefore a simple temperature-induced response. This is the first record of prolonged overwintering in the egg stage of the migratory locust in Africa.
Field density estimates of Heliothis virescens (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) from catches in sex pheromone-baited traps
Authors: Witz J.A. , Lopez J.D. , Latheef M.A. 
Published: July 2009

AbstractThe number of male tobacco budworm, Heliothis virescens (Fabricius), trapped on a daily basis in pheromone traps in individual cotton fields was compared to male and female adult densities measured by nocturnal field sampling. The decline of trap efficiency with increasing female density was demonstrated. A simple relationship for estimating H. virescens male density from the numbers trapped was derived as P♂ = (E2/13)2, where P♂ is density and E2 is the two-day exponential average of number trapped. The standard error for the regression translates to an accuracy ratio of 2:1. The results compare favourably with previous research using mark-release-recapture methodology. Application of the formula is discussed.