Mating, but Not Male Accessory Gland Products, Changes Female Response to Olfactory Cues in Anastrepha Fruit Flies

Copulation and/or ejaculate components can alter female physiological state and female post-mating behavior. The objective of the present study was to determine if copulation and male reproductive accessory gland products (MAGs) modify the behavior of female Anastrepha ludens (Loew) and Anastrepha obliqua (Macquart; Diptera: Tephritidae) in response to two stimuli: male-emitted pheromone and oviposition host volatiles. Olfactometry studies revealed that mated females of both A. ludens and A. obliqua have a stronger response for host volatiles compared to unmated females, which have a stronger response for male pheromone. We also examined olfactory responses of females mated to testectomized males who could transfer MAGs but not sperm. In both species, MAGs alone did not cause the change in the olfactory response observed after copulation, unlike what has been found in Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann). Females mated to testectomized males responded equally to the male sex pheromone or to host volatiles, thus suggesting that the whole ejaculate is needed to elicit the complete behavioral switch in olfactory response. The function of MAGs is still unknown in these two pests of economic importance. The response for host volatiles by mated females has implications for the development of baits and traps that should preferably attract and target this population.Fil: Córdova García, Guadalupe. Universidad Veracruzana; MéxicoFil: Sirot, Laura. The College Of Wooster; Estados UnidosFil: Abraham, Solana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Planta Piloto de Procesos Industriales Microbiológicos; ArgentinaFil: Díaz Fleischer, Francisco. Universidad Veracruzana; MéxicoFil: Flores Estevez, Norma. Universidad Veracruzana; MéxicoFil: López Ortega, Maurilio. Universidad Veracruzana; MéxicoFil: Pérez Staples, Diana. Universidad Veracruzana; Méxic

The Mayan Tropical Rainforest: An Uncharted Reservoir of Tritrophic Host-Fruit Fly-Parasitoid Interactions

Over a two–year period, we surveyed natural areas of the Mayan rainforest in Quintana Roo, Mexico. We found 11 species of Anastrepha Schiner (Diptera: Tephritidae) infesting 25 species of fruits belonging to ten plant families. We report the first records of 10 host plant species of the genus Anastrepha, which include the first report of a plant family (Putranjivaceae) serving as host of Anastrepha fraterculus (Wiedemann) infesting Drypetes lateriflora (Sw.) Krug and Urb. (Putranjivaceae). Pouteria reticulata (Engl.) Eyma (Sapotaceae) was found, for the first time, to be infested by Anastrepha serpentina (Wiedemann) and by a new undescribed species of Anastrepha. We also report Casimiroa microcarpa Lundell (Rutaceae) as a possible ancestral host for the Mexican fruit fly, Anastrepha ludens (Loew), in Central America. The family Sapotaceae was the best-represented host group with three fruit fly species recovered: A. serpentina, an economically-important species, found in eight host plants, and A. hamata and A. sp. (new species). We recorded six species of koinobiont parasitoids: Doryctobracon areolatus Szepligeti, Utetes (Bracanastrepha) anastrephae Viereck, Opius hirtus Fisher, and Doryctobracon zeteki Musebeck, (all Braconidae), and Aganaspis pelleranoi (Brethés) and Odontosema anastrephae Borgmeier, (both Figitidae). All these parasitoid species represent at least a new report for their host plants. Of the whole parasitoid community, D. areolatus was the most important parasitoid species with 52.7% of presence in 12 host plant species, parasitizing six fruit fly species. The interaction between fruit flies and their parasitoids with host plants depends on fruit availability, which is crucial for the survival of each of these species. Conserving the landscape of the Mayan rainforest is important not only for species conservation, but also for the maintenance of fruit fly host plants in orchard agroecosystems in southeastern Mexico

Parámetros de las interacciones planta-herbívoros-enemigos naturales en Schoepfia schreberi J. F. GMEL. (Olacaceae): el fruto es el detalle.

En este trabajo se describe de manera general las interacciones de las especies de herbívoros asociados a los frutos de Schoepfia schreberi (Olacaceae). La investigación se llevó a cabo en tres sitios experimentales durante tres años (2009-2011). Los arbustos de S. schreberi producen frutos de enero a mayo, periodo en el que se establecen relaciones directas e indirectas por el uso de sus frutos entre la mosca de la fruta Anastrepha spatulata (Diptera: Tephritidae), dos especies de palomillas; Coleotechnites sp. (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) y una especie de tortricido no identificada, y dos especies de hemípteros Ramosiana insignis y Vulcirea violacea (Hemiptera-Heteroptera: Pentatomidae). Con A. spatulata y las palomillas se evaluó la acción de diversas especies de parasitoides en los estados inmaduros de éstas. Los experimentos de campo revelaron que A. spatulata posee superioridad competitiva, ya que individuos de esta especie infestaron un mayor número de frutos, desplazando significativamente a las palomillas. La presencia, en espacio y tiempo de poblaciones de R. insignis en el uso de los frutos de S. schreberi, regula las poblaciones de A. spatulata y niveles tróficos superiores. La dinámica poblacional de R. insignis fue afectada por la precipitación pluvial en contraste, A. spatulata incrementa sus poblaciones en ambos sitios de estudio. La heterogeneidad del hábitat, contribuye a la relaciones planta-herbívoros y niveles tróficos superiores. En general, los resultados indican la ocurrencia de un nivel de coexistencia en el uso de los frutos por las especies de insectos estudiadas, aunque la acción en gremio de todas las especies induce a una limitada formación de semillas, las semillas tienen una viabilidad de más del 60%. La percepción y respuesta a las señales químicas de S. schreberi por parte de R. insignis es clave para que las hembras encuentren los sitios adecuados de oviposición. Las características físicas de los frutos, son seleccionadas antes de ovipositar en el caso de A. spatulata. Los análisis fitoquímicos mostraron una mayor cantidad y calidad de flavonoides en los extractos crudos de hojas, mientras que en los extractos de frutos se identificaron terpenoides. _______________ PARAMETERS OF THE INTERACTIONS PLANT-HERBIVORES-NATURAL ENEMIES IN Schoepfia schreberi J.F. Gmel. (Olacaceae): THE DETAIL LIES IN THE FRUIT. ABSTRACT: In this paper the general interactions of herbivorous species associated with the fruits of the plant Schoepfia schreberi (Olacaceae) are described. The study was performed in three experimental sites for three years (2009-2011). Shrubs of S. schreberi produce fruits during January through May, a period during which direct and indirect relationships are established among the species that exploit these fruits including: the fruit fly Anastrepha spatulata (Diptera: Tephritidae), two species of moths [Coleotechnites sp. (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) and an unidentified tortricid species], and two species of Hemiptera: Ramosian insignis and Vulcirea violacea (Hemiptera-Heteroptera: Pentatomidae). In A. spatulata and moths the action of natural enemies was evaluated, particularly focusing on different parasitoid species of the immature stages. Field experiments showed that A. spatulata is a superior competitor because females of this species infested more fruit, and displaced a large proportion of the moth population. The presence in space and time of populations of R. insignis that feed on the fruits of S. schreberi, regulate populations of flies and those of higher trophic levels. The population dynamics of R. insignis between years was affected by rainfall. In contrast populations of A. spatulata, increased at both study sites. Habitat heterogeneity contributed to the dynamics of plant-herbivore interactions and those of higher trophic levels. Overall, the results indicate the occurrence of a level of coexistence in the use of S. schreberi fruits for the phytophagous insect species tested. Although the action of the entire species guild resulted in reduced seed set, seeds had a viability of more than 60%. The perception and response to chemical cues from S. schreberi by R. insignis seem to be key to the females’ ability to locate suitable oviposition sites. In the case of A. spatulata, the physical characteristics of the fruits seem to be are the primary criteria for host acceptance. Phytochemical analysis revealed a higher quantity of flavonoids in fractions of crude extracts of leaves, whereas in fractions of extracts of fruits, terpenoid were identified.Tesis (Doctorado en Ciencias, especialista en Botánica).- Colegio de Postgraduados, 2012.Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología (CONACYT)

The Mayan Tropical Rainforest: An Uncharted Reservoir of Tritrophic Host-Fruit Fly-Parasitoid Interactions

Over a two–year period, we surveyed natural areas of the Mayan rainforest in Quintana Roo, Mexico. We found 11 species of Anastrepha Schiner (Diptera: Tephritidae) infesting 25 species of fruits belonging to ten plant families. We report the first records of 10 host plant species of the genus Anastrepha, which include the first report of a plant family (Putranjivaceae) serving as host of Anastrepha fraterculus (Wiedemann) infesting Drypetes lateriflora (Sw.) Krug and Urb. (Putranjivaceae). Pouteria reticulata (Engl.) Eyma (Sapotaceae) was found, for the first time, to be infested by Anastrepha serpentina (Wiedemann) and by a new undescribed species of Anastrepha. We also report Casimiroa microcarpa Lundell (Rutaceae) as a possible ancestral host for the Mexican fruit fly, Anastrepha ludens (Loew), in Central America. The family Sapotaceae was the best-represented host group with three fruit fly species recovered: A. serpentina, an economically-important species, found in eight host plants, and A. hamata and A. sp. (new species). We recorded six species of koinobiont parasitoids: Doryctobracon areolatus Szepligeti, Utetes (Bracanastrepha) anastrephae Viereck, Opius hirtus Fisher, and Doryctobracon zeteki Musebeck, (all Braconidae), and Aganaspis pelleranoi (Brethés) and Odontosema anastrephae Borgmeier, (both Figitidae). All these parasitoid species represent at least a new report for their host plants. Of the whole parasitoid community, D. areolatus was the most important parasitoid species with 52.7% of presence in 12 host plant species, parasitizing six fruit fly species. The interaction between fruit flies and their parasitoids with host plants depends on fruit availability, which is crucial for the survival of each of these species. Conserving the landscape of the Mayan rainforest is important not only for species conservation, but also for the maintenance of fruit fly host plants in orchard agroecosystems in southeastern Mexico

Natural enemy defense, provisioning and oviposition site selection as maternal strategies to enhance offspring survival in a sub-social bug - Fig 3

<p><b>Effect of oviposition site selection (host tree vs. non-host vegetation) on (A) production of core brood and additional eggs, (B) proportion of core brood eggs parasitized, (C) production of offspring nymphs.</b> Values above columns indicate mean (A, C) or median (B) values. Values followed by identical letters did not differ significantly (P > 0.05), except for letter marked with asterisk (*) in (A) which was marginally significant (P = 0.058). Vertical bars indicate interquartile range for median values and standard error for mean values.</p

Natural enemy defense, provisioning and oviposition site selection as maternal strategies to enhance offspring survival in a sub-social bug

<div><p>The influence of maternal defense against natural enemies, maternal provisioning and oviposition site selection on offspring survival before and after hatching were examined in a semelparous pentatomid bug, <i>Ramosiana insignis</i>. Oviposition occurs on leaves of <i>Schoepfia schreberi</i>, or surrounding vegetation from which nymphs migrate to feed exclusively on <i>S</i>. <i>schreberi</i> flower buds. Oviposition is asynchronous; the mother lays additional eggs immediately prior to hatching of the core brood that rapidly consume the additional eggs. In the absence of maternal defense egg masses were more heavily parasitized, suffered ant predation and an increased prevalence of sibling cannibalism. Maternal provisioning in the form of addition eggs significantly reduced the prevalence of sibling cannibalism of core brood eggs. Migration of the core brood away from the oviposition site was also significantly higher in the absence of maternal provisioning. If not consumed, additional eggs were capable of producing viable progeny of both sexes, indicating that they were in fact marginal progeny. The average clutch size on non-host vegetation was numerically greater than clutches laid on host trees (borderline significant P = 0.058). A greater number of additional eggs were deposited with clutches laid on non-host vegetation compared to those on the host plant. Egg masses on non-host vegetation were less likely to be discovered by parasitoids, compared to those on the host tree. Overall, clutches on non-host vegetation produced one third more offspring than clutches on the host tree. We conclude that <i>R</i>. <i>insignis</i> females present a remarkable combination of maternal defense, provisioning of additional eggs and oviposition site selection as strategies to enhance offspring survival in both the egg and nymph stages.</p></div

Natural enemy defense, provisioning and oviposition site selection as maternal strategies to enhance offspring survival in a sub-social bug - Fig 4

<p><b>Nymph survival time for core brood that hatched from egg masses collected on (A) host plants or (B) non-host plants</b>. Core brood were assigned to one of four treatments, with or without additional eggs and with or without flower buds as food. Points labeled with identical letters did not differ significantly (Weibull analysis, P>0.05). Vertical bars indicate 95% confidence internal.</p

Time series of photographs of eclosion of <i>Ramosiana insignis</i> nymphs.

<p>Nymphs begin hatching from core brood (pink) eggs at 12.15 hrs on 10/13/2013 and immediately consume additional yellow-colored eggs on underside of a leaf of <i>Schoepfia schreberi</i> host plant over the following 2 hrs. Images dated 10/14/2013 and 10/20/2013 show presence of core brood at 1 day and 7 days post-hatching. Date format is mo/day/yr.</p

New records and descriptions of Ichneumonidae (Hymenoptera) from Mexico

Khalaim, Andrey I., Kasparyan, Dmitri R., López-Ortega, Maurilio (2018): New records and descriptions of Ichneumonidae (Hymenoptera) from Mexico. Zootaxa 4486 (1): 1-30, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4486.1.

FIGURES 6–13 in New records and descriptions of Ichneumonidae (Hymenoptera) from Mexico

FIGURES 6–13. Latosculum ortegai sp. nov., holotype, female: 6—antenna and wings, lateral; 7—head, mesosoma and base of metasoma, lateral; 8—metasoma, lateral; 9—apex of lower valve of ovipositor (upper valve missing). Baryceros lascivus, female: 10—habitus, lateral. Mallochia macula, female: 11—habitus, lateral; 12—head and mesosoma, dorsal; 13—apex of ovipositor, lateral