bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Biology of the Cotton Stem-Weevil,Pempherulus affinis, Fst., under controlled physical Conditions
Authors: Krishna Ayyar P. N. , Margabandhu V. 
Published: July 2009

1. This preliminary paper is an attempt to elucidate the intricate relationship existing betweenPempherulusand its physical environments.2. A convenient technique adapted for evaluating the effects of major climatic factors, such as humidity and temperature, in the case ofPempherulushas been described.3. Its occurrence only in the irrigated crops is attributable to its high requirements of moisture.4. A lengthy exposure is necessary to kill the adults in temperatures of 113° and 106°F. An exposure of 6 hours seems to kill them in 122°F. and 48 hours in 113°F. The upper thermal death-point lies roughly near 122°F.5. The upper vital temperature limit is seen to lie near 100°F. It is indifferent to variation in humidity above 100°F.6. Adult life is prolonged as the temperature is lowered (within a range descending from 122°F. to 91 °F.) from a longevity of 6 hours to a period of 98 days, respectively. A maximum longevity of over three months is obtained with oviposition, in a mean humidity of 73 per cent, and 91 °F. A high degree of humidity (such as 60 per cent, and 80 per cent.) is necessary in normal temperatures (such as 93°F.) for obtaining maximum adult longevity.7. Within vital limits the optimum humidity requirements vary directly with the temperature. In 93°F. the optimum lies between 60 per cent, and 80 per cent. R.H. and in 100°F. between 80 per cent, and 100 per cent. R.H.
Notes on the Biology and immature Stages of Cryptophagus acutangulus, Gyll. (Col., Cryptophagidae)
Authors: Hinton H. E. , Stephens F. L. 
Published: July 2009

An account is given of a series of experiments on the feeding habits of Cryptophagus acutangulus, Gyll. It was shown that this species will feed readily on a wide variety of fungi and will only rarely ingest other foods. It thrived when fed exclusively on Penicillium conidia. C. acutangulus is capable of the internal mechanical and external transmission of fungi. Approximately 15 per cent. of the Penicillium conidia germinate after passing through the alimentary canal, and these conidia are so affected that they have an enhanced germination rate. The larvae feed exclusively on the spores and hyphae of fungi.A complete life-history from egg to adult is given. The larvae and pupae are described for the first time, and a description of the adult is also given.
A low Density of Tsetse Flies associated with a high Incidence of Sleeping Sickness
Authors: Nash T. A. M. 
Published: July 2009

In 1935, Dr. Anderson made a sleeping sickness survey of the Kudaru District of Zaria Emirate, Northern Nigeria, where he found a high incidence of the disease. In the extreme case of the small hamlet of Sambo, he recorded a 70 per cent, infection rate among the 43 inhabitants.The writer followed up this survey with an entomological investigation in the late dry season, and paid particular attention to. this hamlet.
Studies on the feeding patterns of mosquitoes of the genera Ficalbia, Mimomyia and Uranotaenia in the Kisumu area of Kenya
Authors: Boreham P. F. L. , Chandler J. A. , Highton R. B. 
Published: July 2009

AbstractA total of 167 blood-fed mosquitoes of the genera Ficalbia, Mimomyia and Uranotaenia was collected from the Kisumu area of Kenya using Monks Wood light-traps under the outside eaves of houses, CDC light-traps inside houses and sweep-net catches. Precipitin tests were used to obtain 72 positive identifications of the hosts, 89% of which were amphibia. M. mediolineata (Theo.) and M. splendens Theo. were shown to feed occasionally on man while U. balfouri Theo. and M. hispida (Theo.) were shown to feed on other mammals, including cattle. No identification was effected from a single F. uniformis (Theo.) specimen collected resting in vegetation. The medical importance of these mosquitoes is uncertain but, since there is evidence for several arboviruses in amphibia, further study of these potential vectors should be undertaken.
Moonlight and the biting activity ofCulex (Melanoconion) portesiSenevet & Abonnenc andC. (M.) taeniopusD. & K. (Diptera, Culicidae) in Trinidad forests
Authors: Davies John B. 
Published: July 2009

AbstractThe biting activity ofCulex (Melanoconion) portesiSenevet & Abonnenc andC. (M.) taeniopusD. & K. in a secondary seasonal marsh forest in Trinidad was studied by means of catches by six mouse-baited suction traps, and a single light-trap. The traps were cleared at hourly intervals between 17.00 h and 07.00 h on nights which approximated to the new, first quarter, full and last quarter phases of the moon. The catches were compared with illumination at canopy and ground level which was estimated by selenium photocells whose output was recorded on the continuous chart of a servo-potentiometer. Humidity, rainfall, temperature and cloud cover were also recorded. In the suction traps both species showed peaks of activity at evening and dawn twilight at new moon, although the dawn peak was not very pronounced withC. taeniopus, but this pattern was modified on other nights in a manner which was consistent with moon age. At full moon the evening and dawn peaks were replaced by increased activity during moonrise and the middle of the night. The light-traps failed to show the evening and dawn activity and did not always duplicate the baited traps during darkness. Two hypotheses based on either a permissive range of illumination or an underlying circadian rhythm are discussed; neither fully explains the observed biting activity. Although an association between moonlight and biting activity does exist, an understanding of its nature will require more experimental data.
The biology and control of the pine sawfly, Nesodiprion biremis (Konow) (Hymenoptera, Diprionidae), in northern Thailand
Authors: Beaver R. A. , Laosunthorn Danee 
Published: July 2009

AbstractNesodiprion biremis (Konow) is a potential pest of pine nurseries and plantations in northern Thailand, attacking both native and exotic species. The eggs are laid in an aggregated pattern on fairly young or mature needles. There are normally six larval instars in both sexes. The larvae feed almost entirely on mature foliage unless food is short, and show little preference for particular species of pine. They are not markedly gregarious. Larval defence mechanisms are discussed. Cocoons are spun among the bases of living needles close to the stem. The life-cycle takes at least six weeks at 25–30°C, and there are probably 5–6 broadly overlapping generations each year. Egg mortality is normally low, but mortality of first-instar larvae due to inability to initiate a feeding site is high. Two parasites attack the larvae and at least four more species the cocoons. Shortage of food leads to the production of smaller adults with a reduced fecundity. Possible control strategies are discussed.
Termination of copulation and associated behaviour in Culicoides melleus (Coq.) (Diptera, Ceratopogonidae)
Authors: Linley J. R. 
Published: July 2009

AbstractThe nature and age dependence of behaviour of Culicoides melleus (Coq.) during and immediately after separation from copulation has been examined. Differences in the timing of events during separation, and consequent retention of the spermatophore, were ascribed to interplay of three factors: (i) the existence of age-dependent physiological mechanisms in both male and female that ‘time’ the course of copulation, (ii) female kicking behaviour which acts as a stimulus causing the male to release his claspers, and (iii) after clasper release, the separatory kicking performance of the female and simultaneous attempts by the male to free the spermatophore's capsule lodged in his genitalia. Post-separatory behaviour of both male and female was age-dependent, but only that of the male was influenced by the presence of the spermatophore. A retained spermatophore caused abdominal grooming to be initiated significantly more frequently as the first action after separation, and to occupy the insect for a substantially larger proportion of its time for the first two minutes after separation. In insects of both sexes, abdominal grooming was the dominant activity after separation giving way to grooming of other bodily parts and locomotory activity. Both young and old males and old females removed a retained spermatophore usually within 40 s of separation. Only very young females performed poorly in this respect, with spermatophores kept usually for at least several minutes and, in some instances, several hours.
The nymphs of some Ixodid ticks (Acarina) from the eastern Cape Province of South Africa
Authors: Arthur Don R. 
Published: July 2009

AbstractDescriptions are given of the nymphs of five species of ticks from the eastern Cape Province of South Africa, namely Amblyomma marmoreum Koch, A. nuttalli Dönitz, Hyalomma marginatum rufipes Koch, Rhipicephalus evertsi Neumann and Ixodes pilosus Koch. Distinguishing characters are illustrated in 32 scanning electron micrographs.
The dispersal and survival of laboratory-bred and native Glossina morsitans morsitans Westw. (Diptera, Glossinidae) in the field
Authors: Dame D. A. , Birkenmeyer D. R. , Nash T. A. M. , Jordan A. M. 
Published: July 2009

AbstractThe performance of native and laboratory-bred Glossina morsitans morsitans Westw. was observed in Kariba, Rhodesia, the original natural habitat of the colonised Langford strain. After two years in captivity, the Langford strain was similar to the native strain in survival, dispersal, and rate of recovery in the field. No differences were detected in laboratory studies of the mating behaviour of the two strains. Native-strain males sterilised in the pupal stage with tepa were similar to untreated males in dispersal, survival, and rate of recovery. Also, both the released laboratory-bred flies and the released native strain flies compared favourably with the native population.
The dispersion of brood galleries of Xyleborus fornicatus Eichh. (Coleoptera, Scolytidae) in tea plants
Authors: Sivapalan P. 
Published: July 2009

AbstractThe dispersion and density of brood galleries of the wood-boring ambrosia beetle, Xyleborus fornicatus Eichh., in the tea plant depends on the type of branch (primary, secondary and tertiary) and not on the total available length of branch nor on branch thickness. Within the different branch types, branch lengths and the numbers of galleries contained in them are directly related. Significantly more galleries are formed in the primary branches than in the secondaries, which themselves carry more than the tertiaries. For precise estimation of Xyleborus population density, a stratified sampling system, representing the different branch classes, will be required.
The crazy ant (Anoplolepis longipes (Jerd.) (Hymenoptera, Formicidae)) in Seychelles, and its chemical control
Authors: Lewis T. , Cherrett J. M. , Haines I. , Haines Jennifer B. , Mathias P. L. 
Published: July 2009

AbstractThe distribution and spread, interrelationship with other animals, and economic importance (mainly domestic) of Anoplolepis longipes (Jerd.) in Mahé, Seychelles, after its accidental introduction about 13 years ago, are described. Temporary control measures based on solid and liquid baits formulated largely from local materials were devised. Baits containing aldrin at 2·5% a.i. and applied at 10 kg (solid) and 20 kg (liquid)/ha decreased the abundance of foragers for about 50 days after treatment. Other insecticides tested were less effective. Bendiocarb (0·04% a.i.) sprayed onto walls of houses and buildings provided protection for about a week outdoors, and for up to two months indoors. There are good prospects for the eventual decline and stability of populations of this ant on Mahé.
The effect of plant density on populations of the cabbage root fly (Erioischia brassicae (Bch.)) and the cabbage stem weevil (Ceutorhynchus quadridens (Panz.)) on cauliflowers
Authors: Finch S. , Skinner G. 
Published: July 2009

AbstractTo study the effects of plant density on populations of the cabbage root fly (Erioischia brassicae (Bch.) ) and the cabbage stem weevil (Ceutorhynchus quadridens (Panz.)), cauliflowers were planted in 24 concentric circles to achieve spacings of 10–90 cm at 22 plant densities (1·5–83/m2). Some plants were treated with a root drench of chlorfenvinphos. Each week female cabbage root flies laid approximately three times as many eggs per individual plant at the lowest than at the highest plant densities tested. This was equivalent to approximately 350 and 5000 eggs/m2, respectively. The numbers of cabbage root fly pupae produced ranged from 11/m2 at the lowest to 210/m2 at the highest plant density. In the absence of an insecticide, increasing the plant density considerably increased the absolute population of the pest without affecting cauliflower yield. Approximately seven times as many flies were produced per unit area of untreated mini-cauliflowers as from an equivalent area of plants growing at a conventional density. When chlorfenvinphos was not applied, damage by the cabbage stem weevil occurred in 30% and 70% of the plants grown at the lowest and highest densities, respectively.
Mating behaviour and fecundity of the red bollworm Diparopsis castanea Hmps. (Lepidoptera Noctuidae)
Authors: Marks R. J. 
Published: July 2009

AbstractExperiments in Malawi showed that the (log) number of males of Diparopsis castanea Hmps. attracted to sex pheromone traps was linearly related to the (log) number of virgin females used as attractant. Virgins remained sexually attractive for up to 31 days but were maximally attractive three nights following emergence; 97·7% of light-trapped females were mated, a small proportion having mated four times. Numbers of matings were directly correlated with temperature at 22.00 h, but relative humidity had little effect. Mean fecundity of mated females was 152 ± 10·3 eggs, multiple mating influencing egg fertility rather than total oviposition. Potential fecundity was linearly related to body weight on emergence. Peak oviposition of unfertilised eggs by virgins occurred at about nine nights following emergence. Of emerging females 2% were barren. Only 1·4% of females mated twice in one night when confined outdoors with males, and there was no difference in the abilities of newly emerged males or males up to four days old to mate with newly emerged females or females up to four days old. Although outdoors males mated on average 0·8 times per night throughout their life, and were capable of mating twice per night, mating propensity of males under laboratory conditions was much lower. Males responded to female sex pheromone throughout the calling period of the female, individuals completing up to 143 orientations during a night without the occurrence of lasting physiological habituation to the pheromone. The importance of this in any control programme aimed at disrupting pheromone communication between the sexes is discussed.
The identity of the greenhouse thrips Heliothrips haemorrhoidalis (Bouché) (Thysanoptera) and the taxonomic significance of spanandric males
Authors: Mound L. A. 
Published: July 2009

AbstractThe males of Heliothrips haemorrhoidalis (Bouché) are very rare and the species is thelytokous. Mutation of genes controlling male characteristics will therefore not be subject to selection, and so structural variation in these males is of no taxonomic significance. It is concluded that haemorrhoidalis and ceylonicus Schmutz represent one species in which the females vary in size, sculpture and colour throughout the tropics.
Blood feeding of Culicoides (Diptera, Ceratopogonidae) in Kenya in relation to the epidemiology of bluetongue and ephemeral fever
Authors: Walker A. R. , Boreham P. F. L. 
Published: July 2009

AbstractEngorged Culicoides specimens were collected in light-traps from 16 sites in Kenya. The precipitin test was used to identify the blood-meal source of 682 specimens of 21 species over a period of five years. Culicoides pallidipennis C, I. & M. and C. schultzei (End.) were shown to feed mainly on cattle and to a lesser extent on sheep, and thus could be involved in the transmission of bluetongue virus. C. cornutus De Meillon, C. milnei Aust. and C. zuluensis De Meillon are probably not common enough as feeders on cattle and sheep to play more than an incidental role as vectors of bluetongue. C. schultzei is probably also important in the transmission of ephemeral fever. No groups of vertebrates other than Bovidae were implicated as virus reservoirs.
Direct ingestion of plant sap from cut leaves by the leaf-cutting antsAtta cephalotes(L.) andacromyrmex octospinosus(reich) (Formicidae, Attini)
Authors: Littledyke M. , Cherrett J. M. 
Published: July 2009

AbstractIngestion of radiolabelled plant juices from cut surfaces of leaves during foraging and during substrate preparation for the fungus garden was demonstrated for laboratory colonies of the leaf-cutting antsAtta cephalotes(L.) andAcromyrmex octospinosus(Reich). Using P32isotope, up to one-third of the radioactivity in the leaves was taken in directly by the colony as a whole, but this was much less when C14was used. Additional plant material was taken in by the ants via the fungus garden. Large numbers of ants spend time in investigating cut surfaces of leaves and also in cutting and crimping leaves. Ingestion of plant material during these processes could play an important nutritional role in the colony and this may explain why many ants return from foraging apparently unladen. Large ants obtained most of their plant juice intake during foraging and the medium and small ants took much of theirs during substrate preparation. Inhibitory chemicals did not affect cutting but they reduced drinking and also reduced the intake of P32from leaves during substrate preparation. The ants also ingested different amounts of P32from leaves of different acceptability. It is suggested that leaf-cutting ants use fungus culture as a means of ‘sidestepping’ plant inhibitors. Nutrients are ingested directly from leaves when these are palatable, and the less palatable components are made available to the ants via the fungus.
Female sex pheromone release and the timing of male flight in the red bollworm Diparopsis castanea Hmps. (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae), measured by pheromone traps
Authors: Marks R. J. 
Published: July 2009

AbstractThe female sex pheromone gland of Diparopsis castanea Hmps. consists of modified intersegmental tissue between the eighth and ninth abdominal segments. Glands contain an average of 12·73 ×10–3 μg of pheromone consisting of 80·4±2·0% trans-9, 11-dodecadien-l-yl acetate (range 72·7–86·7%) and 19·6±2·0% 11-dodecen-l-yl acetate (range 13·3–27·3%). Although no significant correlation exists between female body weight and pheromone content of the gland, the duration of sex pheromone release over the lifespan of a female is positively correlated with its weight on emergence. Six behavioural steps may be recognised in the precopulatory behaviour of females but the frequency and duration of sex pheromone release is strongly influenced by both temperature and light intensity. At 25°C females typically ‘call’ on two or more occasions for 41–50% of the night, calling commencing earlier at cool (13·4°C) temperatures than at moderate (19·4°C) or warm (25·0°C) temperatures. Calling by mated females increases considerably from four to five nights after mating but is typically of shorter duration than for virgins. The dispersal flight of Diparopsis males in cotton crops commences almost immediately after sunset and before the end of dusk, with peak male catches in sex pheromone traps occurring earlier in the cooler months of May and June (20.00–22.00 h) than in November (02.00–04.00 h). The Diparopsis synthetic sex pheromone, dicastalure, traps a greater proportion of males and females both earlier and later in the night than virgin females and this ‘timing advantage’ may be important in a pheromone control programme based on disruption of communication between the sexes.
Observations on the biology of some tropical rain forest Scolytidae (Coleo-ptera) from Fiji: I. Subfamilies—Hylesininae, Ipinae (excluding xyleborini)
Authors: Roberts Hywel 
Published: July 2009

AbstractThe biology of seventeen common species of rain forest bark beetles was studied during a six month visit to Fiji in 1973. Geographical and altitude ranges, and host plants are given; breeding galleries and brood composition are described in detail, and the significance of competitors, associates, and parasites is noted. The biology of an Ozodendron sp. is described for the first time, and of Cryphalomorphus sp. for the first time outside Africa. Most Fijian bark beetles show strong host preferences, and some of the most common endemics, such as Cryphalomorphus grosse-punctatus Browne, Hypocryphalus laticollis Browne and Ozodendron fijianus (Schedl) are apparently host specific. Among dominant trees of the rain forest only Myrtaceae and conifers (Dacrydium, Podocarpus), which are thin barked, are apparently free of bark beetles. Of note among biological features is the habit, not previously recorded for tropical bark beetles, of packing the egg galleries with frass after egg-laying has finished. Five species are potential pests of pines—Cryphalus variolosus Schedl, Cyrtogenius granulifer (Beeson), Ozodendron fijianus (Schedl), Poecilips cyperi (Beeson), P. fijianus Schedl. All were taken in endemic Pinaceae, and some in Pinus plantations as well. Lying within the tropical hurricane belt, living coniferous exotics in Fiji are potentially vulnerable to bark beetle attack when trees are under stress, as often occurs in the dry season.
Male sexual maturation of the tsetse fliesglossina morsitanswestwood andg. austeniNewstead (Dipt., Glossinidae) in relation to blood feeding
Authors: Foster Woodbridge A. 
Published: July 2009

AbstractThe effect of blood feeding on male sexual maturation in the tsetse fliesGlossina morsitansWestwood andG. austeniNewstead was studied by comparing copulation and insemination performance of unfed and fed males during the first five days of adult life. These species differed conspicuously, both in the course of maturation and in the influence of blood feeding on it.G. morsitansmales copulated before they could inseminate, and even fed flies did not all inseminate until day 3; unfed flies showed retarded insemination performance by day 2, before copulation performance declined.G. austenimales were less sexually responsive at first, but they nearly always inseminated when they did copulate, even on day 1. Unfed flies showed less increase in copulation performance by day 4, but no decline. Accessory glands were larger inG. austenithanG. morsitansat emergence, and in unfed flies of both species they ceased to grow after day 3. Both accessory gland size and copulation duration (beyond a minimum duration) were related to insemination success in a general way, though copulation duration was quite variable. Vertebrate blood apparently provides male tsetse with specific nutrients or stimuli which promote sexual performance, in addition to basic energy and water requirements. Feeding probably affects insemination inG. morsitansthrough accessory gland development, allowing more complete spermatophore formation and sperm transfer, but its mode of action onG. austenisexual responsiveness is not evident.
A new species of Anathamna Meyrick (Lepidoptera, Tortricidae) on Toona sureni in Papua New Guinea
Authors: Diakonoff A. , Bradley J. D. 
Published: July 2009

AbstractA tortricid moth belonging to the subfamily Olethreutinae, reared from larvae feeding in seeds of Toona sureni (Meliaceae) in Papua New Guinea, is described and named Anathamna spermatophaga sp. n. Damage to the shoots was similar to that caused by larvae of the toon shoot and fruit boring pyralid moth Hypsipyla robusta (Moore).