Twelve polymorphic microsatellite loci were developed and characterized from the bamboo locust, Rammeacris kiangsu, based on enriched genomic libraries. Analysis of 30 individuals showed that the number of alleles ranged from seven to 25 with the observed heterozygosity ranging from 0.333 to 0.767 and expected heterozygosity from 0.784 to 0.963. Test of cross-species amplification showed that some of these microsatellite markers could be used for studying other species such as Ceracris nigricornis, C. fasciata, and Chorthippus brunneus.

We studied variations in genetic, physiological, and ecological traits, and the phylogenetic relationship among sexual and parthenogenetic populations of Asobara japonica, a larval parasitoid of drosophilid flies, in order to understand how they adapt to local environments and have differentiated. The strain from Iriomote-jima (IR) differed from other Japanese strains in the nucleotide sequences of its cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) and in not undergoing diapause and having a shorter preimaginal period and a higher adult tolerance of cold. The strains other than IR showed a low level of nucleotide variation in COI but varied in their mode of reproduction; the strains from the Ryukyu Islands were sexual, whereas those from the main islands of Japan and Ogasawara were parthenogenetic. In addition, strains from higher latitudes generally showed a high incidence of diapause, although there were some exceptions. On the other hand, preimaginal period and adult cold tolerance varied little among the strains excluding IR, and pupal cold tolerance, oviposition preference and incidence of parasitism varied little among the strains including IR. Evolution and environmental adaptations in this species are discussed, particularly focusing on parthenogenetic populations.

Blackwell, Malden, MA & Oxford, 2008, 473 pp. ISBN 978-1-4051-4571-8. Price: USD 69.95.

The life tables of the aphid predators Coccinella septempunctata L., Ceratomegilla undecimnotata (Schneider) and Propylea quatuordecimpunctata (L.) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), fed on Aphis fabae Scopoli (Hemiptera: Aphididae), were constructed at constant conditions (25 ± 1°C, 65 ± 2% RH; 16L : 8D). The average total fecundities of C. septempunctata, C. undecimnotata and P. quatuordecimpunctata were 1996.8, 1160.5, and 724.6 eggs / female, and the average longevities were 94.9, 88.3, and 68.9 days, respectively. The net reproductive rates (R_o) were 1004.1, 544.3, and 375.1 females/female, and the intrinsic rates of increase (r_m) 0.118, 0.142 and 0.166 females/female/day, respectively.

The distribution patterns of the X0/XX and neo-XY/neo-XX chromosome races, subraces, and "hybrids" between subraces of the grasshopper P. sapporensis were analyzed. The origin of the observed variation is Robertsonian translocations between a sex chromosome and an autosome, and chromosome rearrangements. The fixation levels of inversions varied depending on geographic regions. No hybrid population is known implying that a strong reproductive isolation system exists in hybrids between the different chromosomal races. The probable reasons for the purity of X0 and neo-XY chromosome races and high chromosome polymorphism in contact zones between chromosomal subraces are discussed. The presence of isolating barriers between chromosome races indicates a review of the taxonomic structure of P. sapporensis is required. It is proposed to divide P. sapporensis into two sibling species, which differ in the chromosome mechanisms of the sex determination system.The analysis of the distribution of chromosomal races and subraces of P. sapporensis allows a reconstruction of the history of this species in the Okhotsk sea region.

Chequered blue butterfly, Scolitantides orion (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae) has severely declined in many parts of Europe and is currently red-listed in many countries. We studied the population structure and turnover of the species in a lake-island system in a National Park in eastern Finland over a three-year period. The incidence of the chequered blue on the suitable islands (n = 41) and habitat patches (n = 123) was high: an average of 82% of the islands and patches were occupied over the three year period. At the island scale, the annual population turnover rate was 17%, with an extinction and colonization rate of 7% and 10%, respectively. At the patch scale, the annual population turnover was 16%, with 7% extinction and 9% colonization rate. Islands that were occupied over the three year period had a larger area of suitable habitat than islands in which turnover events were observed. At the patch scale, turnover events were observed in small and poorly connected patches. Patchy occurrence of the host plant and observed extinction-colonization dynamics suggest that the chequered blue population confirms a metapopulation structure. Although the local populations are small, the observed high patch occupancy and balanced population turnover indicates that the metapopulation is not in immediate risk of extinction.

We report a systematic study of the female copulatory tubes of forty species in the genus Anthocoris, most of which are from the Northern Hemisphere. Our results indicate that female copulatory tubes can be used as a reliable character to identify females and analyze phylogenetic relationships in this genus. We propose thirteen species groups based on the copulatory tubes of females, other morphological characters of both sexes, and the previous species groups adopted in the continental faunas.

External and internal head structures of the larva of Neohermes are described in detail. The results are compared to conditions found in other representatives of Corydalidae, in Sialidae, and in Raphidioptera and Neuroptera. Corydalidae and Sialidae are mainly characterised by plesiomorphic features such as distinct frontal and coronal sutures, six stemmata, a movable labrum with a full set of muscles, a thin tentoriomandibular muscle, a distinct maxillary groove, 4-segmented maxillary palps, an oblique arrangement of the extrinsic maxillary muscles, a labium with all components except for the glossae and paraglossae, 3-segmented labial palps, and a largely complete muscle system. The partly reduced maxillary groove, the strongly elongated stipes, the apical membranous stipital collar, the close connection of the palp and galea, the subdivision of the galea, the strongly shortened palp, the bipartite tentoriocardinal and tentoriostipital muscles, the anterolateral submental notch, the lateral tentoriopharyngeal muscle, and the postgular plate are autapomorphies of Corydalidae. An additional antennomere is present in large corydalid species. The monophyly of the subfamilies Corydalinae and Chauliodinae is not supported by features of the larval head. The reduced condition of the anterior and dorsal tentorial arms and the antennal muscles, the transverse labial muscle, the loss of muscles of the salivary duct, and possibly the lateral origin of M. frontopharyngalis posterior are autapomorphies of Sialidae. The monophyly of Megaloptera is suggested by the insertion of a peg-like or spine-shaped sensillum on the antepenultimate antennomere, the vestigial salivary duct, and a verticopharyngeal muscle composed of several bundles. The distinct neck region, the parietal ridge, and the anterior position of the posterior tentorial grooves are features shared by Corydalidae and Raphidioptera. Arguments in favour of a clade comprising Megaloptera and Raphidioptera are the presence of a circular ridge anterad of the neck region, an increased number of Semper cells and retinula cells in the stemmata, the presence of a gula in adults, a similar cleaning behaviour, and molecular data. Potential autapomorphies of Neuropterida are the prognathism of the larvae and the absence of a mandibular mola. However, the polarity of these characters is unclear. A derived condition found in most groups of Endopterygota, but not in Hymenoptera, is the presence of one or two sensorial appendages on one of the intermediate antennomeres, usually the penultimate. Larval autapomorphies of Endopterygota suggested in earlier studies are confirmed for Corydalidae.

Given the generalist tendencies of most predatory arthropods, it is widely thought that their impact on a particular prey species in a given habitat (e.g., an insect pest in a crop) will depend frequently on the local availability of other prey (which for omnivorous predators, can include plant resources, such as fruit and pollen). Thus, from a slightly different perspective, aphids, other herbivorous insects, and plants often may interact indirectly by sharing natural enemies. Such interactions may be either negative or positive, as in the concepts of apparent competition and apparent mutualism, and may therefore have variable impact on the herbivores' host plants as well. I examine the different mechanisms for such indirect effects among herbivores as explored in the experimental literature. An impressive collective effort by numerous researchers recently has expanded considerably our empirical base of support for a variety of hypothesized mechanisms; aphids stand out as the most commonly studied subjects in research on these mechanisms. I therefore focus especially on the recent literature of cases involving aphids interacting indirectly with other prey for generalist predators. My remarks are organized by considering how the availability of alternate prey may alter functional and numerical (aggregative and reproductive) responses of predators to focal prey density. Although the distinctions among these different classes of predator responses and the associated indirect effects are often blurred and scale-dependent, this classification remains useful for organizing the diverse ways in which aphids have been found to participate in indirect interactions among prey as mediated by predators. Collectively, the results of the numerous studies reviewed here suggest that many such indirect interactions likely occur frequently in natural settings, with consequences ultimately for host plant performance.

A two-year field experiment was conducted to determine whether a conservation biological control strategy could be applied to enhance the biological control of green apple aphids, Aphis spp., in a high-density and scab-resistant apple orchard at the non-bearing stage. The natural occurrence of aphid predators and their impact on aphid populations were evaluated in 2005. The impact of predation on aphid densities was evaluated by comparing a predator exclusion treatment with a control. In 2006, the possibility to enhance predator abundance/performance and aphid biological control with a flowering ground cover was tested: trees were grown either with a flowering ground cover of phacelia, Phacelia tanacetifolia Bentham, and buckwheat, Fagopyrum esculentum Moench, or with a conventional ground cover of mixed Poaceae species. In 2006, it was also determined whether aphid densities differ between Liberty and Topaz, 2 scab-resistant cultivars. Results indicate that the predatory arthropod community was dominated by Coccinellidae, Cecidomyiidae, and various spider species. The ladybird community was dominated by the exotic species Harmonia axyridis Pallas, and the abundance of this species was correlated with aphid density. Naturally occurring predators had little impact on aphid abundance, although the proportion of trees with aphid colonies was greater in the predator exclusion treatment on two consecutive dates in 2005. Ground cover types had no impact on aphid densities. The oviposition response of Cecidomyiidae to aphid density was greater in Liberty trees with flowering ground cover than with the conventional ground cover. Conversely, the response of ladybird adults to aphid density was more important in Topaz trees with the conventional ground cover than with the flowering ground cover. Finally, no difference occurred in aphid abundance between Liberty and Topaz trees. Those results are discussed from a biological control and ecological point of view.

In the present study the egg dumping behaviour in short (E)- and long (L)-lived lines of the seed beetle Acanthoscelides obtectus was analyzed. Females of the short-lived E line exhibited substantially higher egg dumping than long-lived L line females. We hypothesize that, since cessation of egg dumping enhances longevity, non-dumping females were selectively favoured in the L regime. Our study also produced evidence that the selection regime affected the male's ability to influence female egg-dumping behaviour. The females mated to males from the lines that were selected for extended longevity and of which the females exhibited little egg-dumping dumped fewer eggs. We suggest that in the L selection regime, where offspring produced at the end of the females' reproductive period were recruited to the next generation, selection operated against those males that stimulated female oviposition in the absence of seeds. This is the first study to provide evidence that selection for long-lived insects results in the reduced potency of male seminal products to stimulate female oviposition.

Body size is a main fitness component of insect parasitoids. We assessed the potential influence of maternal size of the parasitoid wasp Aphidius colemani Viereck (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Aphidiinae) on its ability to parasitize the different instars of Aphis gossypii Glover (Hemiptera: Aphididae) on eggplant and cucumber. In the experiments "small" vs "large" parasitoid females were used. Females oviposited in all instars but more of the smaller hosts were parasitized. Host selection was affected by female size and the larger hosts were more frequently mummified by the large than the small females. Thus, parasitoid female size influenced host selection. This could affect the potential of the parasitoid to exploit populations of aphids that differ in their size structure. The importance of these results in terms of the ecological adaptations of the parasitoid and their implication for biological control are discussed.

First-stadium juveniles of Polydesmus angustus born each month from May to September were reared throughout their life cycle under controlled seasonal conditions. At maturity, the reproductive patterns of 62 females were studied individually. It was confirmed that females born from May to August have a 1-year life cycle and those born from late August onwards a 2-year life cycle (cohort-splitting). A third type of life cycle - interseasonal iteroparity - was observed in a few females born late in the season. On average, annual females started to reproduce when 11.4 months old and produced 3.6 broods per female over 1.8 months; the later they were born from May to August, the later they reproduced the following year. Biennial females started to reproduce when 19.9 months old and produced 3.8 broods per female over 2.2 months; all reproduced early in the breeding season. These results indicate that only annual females can produce an appreciable proportion of biennial offspring from late August onwards, which rules out direct genetic determination of life-cycle duration. The reproductive characteristics of P. angustus suggest a non-genetic mechanism that can drive cohort-splitting. Because individual females reproduce for about 2 months on average, this automatically results in cyclic variation in life-cycle duration (annual/biennial/annual) in the long-term progeny of any female.

CABI Publishing, London, 2007, 717 pp. ISBN 978 0 85199 819 0. Price USD 290.00 / EUR 230.00 / GBP 147.00.

Chromosome number, karyotype formula, C-banding pattern, genome size and DNA base composition were studied in three species of Hyalidae and seven species of Talitridae. A karyotype of 25 chromosome pairs, with median centromeres (FN = 100), was found in all the species of Talitridae analysed and Apohyale prevostii. Genome size (C-value) varies among Talitrida from 0.94 pg in Apohyale crassipes to 2.81 pg in Orchestia gammarellus, and the percentage of AT-DNA in the whole genome ranges from 56.12% in A. crassipes to 68.17% in Sardorchestia pelecaniformis. In comparison with Hyalidae, Talitridae show more uniformity in chromosome number and karyotype formula, and have larger genomes. There is a direct correlation between total DNA content and the amount of C-heterochromatic DNA. The cytogenetical data on Talitrida were compared from a phylogenetic and an evolutional point of view. The increase in genome size during the evolution of the Talitrida possibly had a role in their adaptation to supralittoral life and extreme subaerial conditions.

The blister beetle genus Teratolytta, belonging to the tribe Lyttini, is revised and a classification is proposed. Two main sections of the genus - one including five groups of species and the other three groups - are tentatively defined. Four new species from Eastern and Southern Anatolia are described (T. carlae sp. n., T. dvoraki sp. n., T. monticola sp. n., T. taurica sp. n.), and a key to the 17 recognized species is proposed. A diagnosis of the species as well as taxonomic remarks are proposed, and a catalogue of localities is presented. In particular, Teratolytta tricolor (Haag-Rutenberg, 1880) comb. n. is re-established as a distinct species, T. cooensis G. Müller, 1936 is confirmed as a synonym of T. gentilis (Frivaldszky, 1877), T. bytinskii Kaszab, 1957 as a synonym of T. senilis (Abeille de Perrin, 1895), and T. holzschuhi Dvořák, 1983 is proposed as a synonym of T. eylandti Semenow, 1894; some infraspecific forms are referred to the variability of T. gentilis and T. flavipes (Mulsant & Rey, 1858). The first instar larva of T. gentilis is described and figured, and the sexual behaviour of this species is also briefly studied.

In this report, we show that α-amylase activity is rhythmic in the wild-type fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster, and that this rhythm exhibits the properties of a clock output. Moreover, the rhythm of amylase activity is accompanied by fluctuations in the Amy protein level under 12L : 12D conditions. A strong sexual dimorphism is evident in the oscillations of Amy protein and enzymatic activity. Under light : dark (LD) conditions on the control diet, CantonS wild-type Drosophila melanogaster exhibit a bimodal rhythm of amylase activity, particularly of the AmyD³ (Amy³) isoform, with morning and evening peaks. Under these conditions, Amy protein levels also oscillate significantly, again more strongly for the Amy³ isoform than Amy¹ (Amy¹). A robust oscillation of Amy³ and Amy¹ activity is also observed under DD conditions for both sexes. In constant light (LL) the rhythms dampen out, particularly in the males. A high level of dietary glucose causes an overall decrease in the amplitudes of the rhythmic oscillations of amylase activity, but the processes are nevertheless rhythmic, with peak activities at Zt8 for the females, and at Zt0 for the males in LD. In constant darkness (DD) the rhythms are maintained. Mutants lacking a functioning oscillator, per⁰¹, exhibit a slight photoperiodicity in LD, with a decrease in amylase activity in both males and females during the late night in LD, but no rhythmic oscillations in DD.

There has been a long-standing debate as to whether Sympetrum striolatum (Charpentier, 1840) and the darker northern form, S. nigrescens (Lucas, 1912) should be recognised as separate species of dragonfly. Here we address this question using genetic analysis based on AFLP markers and samples collected from sites across the species' United Kingdom range. The program STRUCTURE finds no support for specific status. Instead, it reveals strong patterns of divergence between populations sampled from Scottish islands and those on the mainland, suggesting that salt water is a major barrier to gene flow. Thus, the dark form is quite likely to reflect a beneficial polymorphism that allows individuals to take advantage of short periods of warmer weather. Our AFLP markers appear to be very rapidly evolving, showing little or no overlap between congeneric species, and hence are ideally suited to answering questions relating to the levels of gene flow among populations within species.

We report the karyotype characteristics including chromosome numbers of Saga campbelli campbelli, S. c. gracilis, and S. rammei using the following classical cytogenetic methods: C-banding, silver staining, and fluorochrome staining DAPI and CMA₃. We also present FISH data showing the distribution of telomeric repeats and 18S rDNA on the chromosomes of these species and the results of similar studies cited in the literature on S. hellenica, S. natoliae, and S. rhodiensis. The five European Saga species exhibit a high rate of karyotype evolution. In addition to changes in chromosome number and morphology (by chromosomal inversion and/or chromosome fusion), interspecific autosomal differentiation involved changes in the distribution and quantity of constitutive heterochromatin and GC-rich regions, as well as the number and location of NORs. In the present study we focused on testing a hypothetical model of karyotype evolution in Saga, with particular reference to the cytogenetic mapping of rDNA and telomeric sequences. Variation in the distribution of rDNA and location of Ag-NORs are novel phylogenetic markers for the genus Saga.

The New World genus Lepidosina Marshall & Buck gen. n. is described including nine new and two previously described species: L. angusticercus Marshall & Buck sp. n. (Caribbean, Central and South America), L. argentinensis Marshall & Buck sp. n. (Argentina), L. cubensis Marshall & Buck sp. n. (Cuba), L. evanescens Marshall & Buck sp. n. (Central and South America), L. gibba (Spuler) comb. n. (Florida, Caribbean), L. inaequalis (Malloch) comb. n. (southern U.S.A., Central America, Venezuela), L. multispinulosa Marshall & Buck sp. n. (Ecuador, Peru), L. platessa Marshall & Buck sp. n. (Bolivia), L. proxineura Marshall & Buck sp. n. (Brazil), L. quadrisquamosa Marshall & Buck sp. n. (Venezuela), and L. rutricauda Marshall & Buck sp. n. (Colombia to Peru). Keys to males and females are provided, and the species level phylogeny is analyzed based on a matrix of 24 morphological characters. The sister group of this well-defined, highly apomorphic genus remains unknown. Most species are restricted to lowland habitats. Larvae and puparia of Lepidosina remain unknown.

Afroaltica subaptera, a new genus and species of flea beetles (Chrysomelidae: Alticinae) from the eastern regions of southern Africa (Eastern Transvaal and Kwazulu-Natal), is described. Afroaltica gen. n. shows some similarities with the genus Dibolia Latreille, 1829 but it is easily distinguishable mainly by the simple-shaped apical spur of hind tibiae, not bifid. External habitus, scanning electronic micrographs of particular morphological features and line drawings of metafemoral spring and male and female genitalia of the new taxon are provided.

Ectoedemia argyropeza (Zeller, 1839) possesses a compound eye that exhibits features of both apposition and superposition type eyes. Like apposition eyes, the eye of E. argyropeza lacks a clear-zone, which in superposition eyes separates the distal dioptric from the proximal light-perceiving structures. On the other hand, a tracheal layer around the proximal ends of the rhabdom as well as a well-developed corneal nipple array on the corneal surfaces are features that E. argyropeza shares with the larger moths. Unique, and so far only seen to this extreme degree in any insect, is the hourglass-shape of E. argyropeza's rhabdom, in which two almost equally voluminous regions (one distal, one proximal and formed in both cases by seven rhabdomeres) are connected by a narrow waist-like region of the retinula. An eighth retinula cell, not participating in rhabdom formation, is developed as a basal cell, just above the basement membrane. The eye responds with photomechanical changes to dark/light adaptation, but while the proximal rhabdom moiety slightly expands (as expected) in the dark, the distal rhabdom increases its diameter only upon light-adaptation. Owing to the tandem position of the two rhabdom moities, it is in the light-adapted state that the distally-placed rhabdom is favoured, while the proximal rhabdom plays a more important role at low ambient light levels. With screening pigments withdrawn, tracheal tapetum exposed, and distal rhabdom diameters reduced, the proximal and in the dark enlarged rhabdom is then in a position to capture photons that have entered the eye through not only the ommatidial window above, but other facets as well even in the absence of a clear-zone and superposition optics.

With climatic warming there is an expectation that phytophagous insects will increasingly use alien (non native) plants as nectar sources and larval host plants. Alien plant use is investigated in British butterflies. Butterflies are considered to be larval host plant specialists relative to their use of nectar plants. Supporting this view, use of alien plants as nectar sources (50.1%, 27 novel plant families) is almost twice that of their use as larval host plants (21.6%; three novel plant families). Some 80% of the variation in percent alien nectar plant use is accounted against 30% of that for percent alien host plant use. The key variable accounting for alien plant use is butterfly mobility. Other prominent variables that facilitate access to alien nectar plants are southern distributions, longer adult life span, host plants in garden biotopes. A different set of variables additionally account for alien host plant exploitation (% alien host plant use: woody host plants; number of alien host plants: polyphagy; greater abundance of native host plants in gardens). Although threatened butterfly species do not depend on alien plants, this may well reflect on specialisation in resource use accompanying habitat fragmentation and an inability to use novel resources that are becoming increasingly available. Detailed study of alien resources is advocated to assess the importance of alien plant resources for phytophagous insects.

The recently described and originally monotypic genus Discheramocephalus Johnson, 2007 from the Solomon Islands is revised. Six new species are described, illustrated and keyed: Discheramocephalus brucei sp. n. (Cameroon), D. elisabethae sp. n. (Cameroon), D. mikaeli sp. n. (Tanzania), D. stewarti sp. n. (Bolivia), D. jarmilae sp. n. (Bolivia), D. minutissimus sp. n. (Indonesia). Adults of D. minutissimus have a body length of about 400-426 µm, which is at the lower limit among non-egg-parasitoid insects. Evidence is provided that an egg size large enough to produce a viable larva is the main factor limiting miniaturisation of female insects. Females and males of egg-parasitoids are able to overcome the 400 µm threshold and reach limits of 180 µm and 130 µm, respectively. Brain size is likely the second most important factor limiting miniaturisation in insects.

The relationships between predatory Heteroptera and their potential prey species were investigated during two crop seasons in an inter-mountain area close to the Pyrenees (Iberian Peninsula). Regression was used to analyze the potential numerical responses shown by heteropterans to aphids and other potential prey during alfalfa intercuts (the plant growth period between cuts) of high aphid occurrence. The most abundant heteropterans were Orius spp., Nabis spp. and mirids, and all were present in alfalfa stands throughout the season. Acyrthosiphon pisum was the prevalent species during the 2^nd intercut, Therioaphis trifolii during the 4^th and Aphis craccivora during the 5^th. We performed simple regression analysis between the Orius sp., Nabis sp. and mirids and the prevalent aphid species, forward multiple regression analysis between heteropterans and all possible soft-bodied prey species; and both analyses for coccinellids, as relative aphid predator specialists. The heteropterans responded numerically to A. pisum but not to T. trifolii or A. craccivora. Heteropterans also showed numerical responses to other potential prey (leafhoppers, thrips, and other soft bodied prey) that remained at low densities throughout the season. All these preys may contribute to the presence of heteropterans in alfalfa stands throughout the season. The results suggest that heteropterans may contribute to reduce A. pisum, particularly at the beginning of the growing season, and on other potential pests when they invade or recolonize alfalfa, and may help to delay or prevent the build-up of these pest populations.

Selected life-history traits of an oonopid spider, Triaeris stenaspis Simon, which has been introduced into greenhouses in Europe, were investigated. Spiders were reared in the laboratory under constant physical and dietary conditions, and followed from egg to death. The spiders passed through 3 juvenile instars, each lasting approximately a month. The adult stage lasted on average 6 months, which is 54% of the entire life cycle. The mortality in each juvenile instar was similar. Five morphological characters were recorded for each instar, which provided a reliable means of identifying the developmental stages. All spiders developed into females and although kept isolated they laid fertile eggs, which indicates thelytokous parthenogenesis. Eggs were always enclosed in a disc-shaped egg-sac, each containing 2 eggs. Total fecundity was on average 27 eggs and rate of laying eggs decreased with age. Fecundity was positively correlated with adult longevity. Fertility was rather low, approximately 59%. It was negatively correlated with fecundity but not related to longevity. Low fertility appears to be the only cost of parthenogenetic reproduction. There was considerable genotypic variation in all traits studied compared to that in sexually reproducing spiders. There were no apparent maternal effects on all the traits studied. Using molecular methods proved that parthenogenesis in T. stenaspis is not induced by the endosymbiotic bacteria, Wolbachia sp. or Cardinium sp.

Leafrollers can experience high levels of indigenous parasitism in organically managed apple orchards and the augmentative release of specific parasitoid species to suppress these secondary pests may be advantageous in orchards converting to non-chemical pest management. Caged and uncaged releases of two ichneumonid [Apophua simplicipes (Cresson) and Glypta variegata Dasch] and two braconid (Macrocentrus linearis Nees and Apanteles polychrosidis Viereck) koinobiont endoparasitoids of the obliquebanded leafroller, Choristoneura rosaceana (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) on host-infested potted apple trees were conducted to assess the parasitoids' abilities to find and successfully parasitize sentinel hosts under orchard conditions. Seasonal timing of the trials varied for each parasitoid species, based on their relative performance under simulated summer/fall conditions in laboratory trials. After the release of five or fifty parasitoid females, the mean percent parasitism of leafroller larvae collected from infested trees ranged from 0 to 75% depending on the parasitoid species involved. Although caged releases tended to increase the percentage of live parasitized hosts in release treatments, uncaged releases provided a more realistic assessment of the parasitoid's ability to seek and find hosts within an infested area over a longer period. Release of the large, solitary A. simplicipes, had the most significant impact on the host population density.

Heterochromatin is one of the most dynamic components in the genome of species. Previous studies on the heterochromatin content and distribution in Heteroptera (insects with holokinetic chromosomes) have shown that the species belonging to the family Coreidae are interesting model organisms since they show very diverse C bands patterns. In the present work, we analyzed the C-band pattern in individuals of Holhymenia rubiginosa from different populations collected in different years. This species has the diploid karyotype 2n = 27/28 = 24 + 2m + X0/XX (male/female). C-bands are terminally, subterminally or interstitially located on 10-17 chromosomes and a remarkable heterochromatin heteromorphism is observed in the meiotic bivalents: in the presence/absence of bands, in the size of bands and number of bands. A heteromorphism is also inferred in the number of ribosomal genes from the difference in the fluorescent in situ hybridization signals between NOR-homologues. Chiasmata are generally located opposite to conspicuous C-bands, but in some bivalents chiasmata are also observed in close proximity to C-bands. Considering the striking variation in heterochromatin content between individuals and populations it is suggested that heterochromatin should be selectively neutral in H. rubiginosa.

We examined whether dispersal was associated with body and wing morphology and individual quality, and whether such an association was sex-specific, in the Glanville fritillary butterfly Melitaea cinxia (L.) in Paldiski on the north coast of Estonia. Body weight, size and shape of both fore- and hindwing, wing aspect ratio and wing loading were used as measures of body and wing morphology. Fluctuating asymmetry (FA) of wing shape was used as a measure of individual quality. Males and females did not differ in dispersal rates, despite large differences in overall morphology and FA. Females had a significantly higher wing loading and aspect ratio, but a lower FA than males. Females, but not males, that dispersed differed in forewing shape from those that did not disperse. The sex-specifity of the covariation between dispersal and forewing shape is most probably due to wing shape being associated with different life-history traits in both sexes, resulting in different selection pressures on wing shape in each of the sexes.

Many insect species attracted to fermenting sap often fight for access to this resource, which results in the establishment of interspecific dominance hierarchies. In one such system, the hornet Vespa mandarinia (Hymenoptera: Vespidae) behaviourally dominates during the daytime and several subordinate species avoid aggressive interactions in various ways. In order to elucidate the interspecific variation in competitor-avoidance behaviour and its subsequent effect on foraging success, the behaviour of species of hornets, beetles and butterflies at patches (exudation spots) in Japan was recorded. The percentage of individuals that succeeded in visiting a patch following departure from one, or an attempted visit, or after waiting near a patch for >= 10 s, did not differ greatly among species, despite the distinctive differences in dominance between V. mandarinia and the other species. These results suggest that subordinate species may be equally effective at foraging for sap as the dominant species. The competitor-avoidance behaviour differed among the species. Vespa crabro and satyrine butterflies mainly avoided competition by actively moving away from competitors. The beetle Rhomborrhina japonica (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) often remained close to an occupied patch and waited for the occupant to leave, whereas V. ducalis and nymphaline butterflies used both tactics. The different costs associated with fighting or flight may have determined the differences in the foraging tactics of the species studied and behavioural switching in those species utilising both tactics.