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Figure 3 in Colotis lais (Butler, 1876) and Colotis euippe omphale (Godart, [1819]) use Cadaba aphylla (Thunb.) Wild LC as a host-plant at Tswalu Kalahari, Northern Cape Province, South Africa)

Figure 3 – Colotis lais female resting on bare ground with open wings in typical fashion, north-west of the Dedeben Research Centre, Tswalu Kalahari, South Africa, 22 December 2021. Photo: R.F. Terblanche.

Figure 4 – Freshly emerged Colotis euippe omphale reared from a in Colotis lais (Butler, 1876) and Colotis euippe omphale (Godart, [1819]) use Cadaba aphylla (Thunb.) Wild LC as a host-plant at Tswalu Kalahari, Northern Cape Province, South Africa)

Figure 4 – Freshly emerged Colotis euippe omphale reared from a larva collected on 19 December 2021 on a Cadaba aphylla shrub, north of the Dedeben Research Centre, Tswalu Kalahari, South Africa. The CRG reference number for this rearing is RFT21H79. Photo: R.F. Terblanche.

Figure 2 in Colotis lais (Butler, 1876) and Colotis euippe omphale (Godart, [1819]) use Cadaba aphylla (Thunb.) Wild LC as a host-plant at Tswalu Kalahari, Northern Cape Province, South Africa)

Figure 2 – Colotis lais male, puddling (imbibing water and nutrients from wet soil) at a damp area near the Dedeben Research Centre, Tswalu Kalahari, South Africa, 24 December 2021. Photo: R.F. Terblanche.

Figure 1 in Colotis lais (Butler, 1876) and Colotis euippe omphale (Godart, [1819]) use Cadaba aphylla (Thunb.) Wild LC as a host-plant at Tswalu Kalahari, Northern Cape Province, South Africa)

Figure 1 – Freshly emerged adult male of Colotis lais reared from a larva collected on 19 December 2021 on a Cadaba aphylla shrub, north of the Dedeben Research Centre, Tswalu Kalahari, South Africa. The CRG reference number for this rearing is RFT21H78. Photo: R.F. Terblanche.

Utetheisa ornatrix development and defence on four Crotalaria host plants

This dataset consists of data from three experiments testing how four different Crotalaria host plants affect Utetheisa ornatrix development and defence against a spider. The data are to be published in a paper accepted in Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata

Figures 10–19 in New larval host plants and ecological observations on North American Cerambycidae (Coleoptera)

Figures 10–19. Larval host plants of Cerambycidae. 10) An old log of Quercus alba covered with lichens and mosses that harbored Typocerus lugubris, exit holes in the inset. 11–12) Quercus sp. stem girdled by Aneflomorpha fisheri. 13) Elongated future emergence hole of Aneflus paracalvatus in Prosopis velutina (holes of A. calvatus in Senegalia greggii are similar). 14) Fig. 13 after removal of a layer of wood – plug in the turn is visible, remnants of the tunnel leading to the plug can be seen due to their darker color. 15) Sclerotized terminal segment of Aneflus levettei larva (dorsal view). 16) Larva of Aneflus calvatus (ventral view) with the terminal segment bearing spikes but not having the area between them sclerotized. 17) Holes along a branch of Quercus emoryi through which Atylostagma glabra expelled frass. 18) Empty central tunnels of A. glabra (split branch from Fig. 17). 19). Future emergence holes of A. glabra on a branch of Quercus emoryi.

Figures 1–7 in New larval host plants and ecological observations on North American Cerambycidae (Coleoptera)

Figures 1–7. Larval host plants of Cerambycidae. 1–2) Decayed branches of Fagus grandifolia utilized by Sphenostethus taslei, emergence hole is in Fig. 1, exposed larva in a gallery in Fig. 2. 3–4) Stump of Prunus serotina with emergence holes from Lepthorhabdium pictum. 5) Quercus falcata with a basidiocarp of Phellinus everhartii and an emergence hole from Stenelytrana emarginata (enlarged in the inset). 6) Quercus emoryi with resupinate basidiocarp of Inonotus andersonii. 7) Old emergence holes of Stenelytrana splendens in an oak with an old resupinate basidiocarp of Inonotus andersonii.

Figures 20–26 in New larval host plants and ecological observations on North American Cerambycidae (Coleoptera)

Figures 20–26. Larval host plants of Cerambycidae. 20) Galleries of Haplidus laticeps in Vachelia constricta. 21) One sealed opening in a branch of Quercus used by larvae of Metaleptus batesi to expel frass (enlarged in inset). 22) Exit holes of Obrium rubidium on a dead limb of Robinia pseudoacacia (enlarged in inset). 23) Galleries of O. rubidium on a cross-section. 24) Elongated exit holes of Smodicum cucujiforme in a scar on living Quercus (enlarged in the inset). 25) A pile of yellow granular frass around a base of living Mimosa expelled by larvae of Stenaspis solitaria. 26) Pink pupa of Sternidius alpha.

opencc-zeroJan 2022View details →

Data from: Virus infection and host plant suitability affect feeding behaviors of cannabis aphid (Hemiptera: Aphididae), a newly described vector of potato virus Y

Aphids are the most prolific vectors of plant viruses resulting in significant yield losses to crops worldwide. Potato virus Y (PVY) is transmitted in a non-persistent manner by 65 species of aphids. With the increasing acreage of hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) (Rosales: Cannabaceae) in the U.S, we were interested to know if the cannabis aphid (Phorodon cannabis Passerini) (Hemiptera: Aphididae) is a potential vector of PVY. Here, we conduct transmission assays and utilize the electrical penetration graph (EPG) technique to determine whether cannabis aphids can transmit PVY to hemp (host) and potato (non-host) (Solanum tuberosum L.) (Solanales: Solanaceace). We show for the first time that the cannabis aphid is an efficient vector of PVY to hemp (96%) and potato (91%) using cohorts of aphids. In contrast, individual aphids transmitted the virus more efficiently to hemp (63%) compared to potato (19%). During the initial 15 minutes of EPG recordings, aphids demonstrated lower number and time spent performing intracellular punctures on potato compared to hemp, which may in part explain low virus transmission to potato using individual aphids. During the entire 8-hour recording, viruliferous aphids spent less time ingesting phloem compared to non-viruliferous aphids on hemp. This reduced host suitability could potentially cause aphids to disperse to more suitable hosts thereby increasing virus transmission. Overall, our study shows that cannabis aphid is an efficient vector of PVY, and that virus infection and host plant suitability affect feeding behaviors of the cannabis aphid in ways which may increase virus transmission.

opencc-zeroFeb 2022View details →

Simple attributes predict the value of plants as hosts to fungal and arthropod communities

Fungal and arthropod consumers constitute the vast majority of global terrestrial biodiversity. Yet, the link from richness and composition of producer (plant) communities to the richness of consumer communities is poorly understood. Fungal and arthropod species richness could be a simple function of producer species richness at a site. Alternatively, it could be a complex function of chemical and structural properties of the producer species making up communities. We used databases on plant-fungus and plant-arthropod trophic links to derive the richness of consumer biota per associated plant species (coined link score). We assessed how well link scores could be predicted by simple attributes of plant species. Next, we used a multi-taxon inventory of 130 sites, representing all major habitat types in a country (Denmark), to investigate whether link scores summed over plant species in communities (coined link sum) could outperform simple plant species richness as predictor of fungal and arthropod richness at the sites. We found plant species' link scores for both fungi and arthropods to be positively related to plant size, regional occupancy, nativeness and ectomycorrhizal status. Link-based indices generally improved the prediction of richness of fungal and arthropod communities. For fungal communities, both observed link sum (from databases) and predicted link sum (from plant attributes) had high predictive power, while plant richness alone had none. For arthropod communities, predictive performance varied between functional groups. For both fungi and arthropods, richness predictions were further improved by considering abiotic habitat conditions. Our results underline the importance of plants as niche space for the megadiverse groups of arthropods and fungi. The plant-attribute approach holds promise for predicting local and regional consumer richness in areas of the world lacking detailed plant-consumer databases.

opencc-zeroMay 2022View details →

Data from: Speciation in Nearctic oak gall wasps is frequently correlated with changes in host plant, host organ, or both

Quantifying the frequency of shifts to new host plants within diverse clades of specialist herbivorous insects is critically important to understand whether and how host shifts contribute to the origin of species. Oak gall wasps (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae: Cynipini) comprise a tribe of ~1000 species of phytophagous insects that induce gall formation on various organs of trees in the family Fagacae —primarily the oaks (genus Quercus; ~435 sp). The association of oak gall wasps with oaks is ancient (~50 my), and most oak species are galled by one or more gall wasp species. Despite the diversity of both gall wasp species and their plant associations, previous phylogenetic work has not identified the strong signal of host plant shifting among oak gall wasps that has been found in other phytophagous insect systems. However, most emphasis has been on the Western Palearctic and not the Nearctic where both oaks and oak gall wasps are considerably more species rich. We collected 86 species of Nearctic oak gall wasps from 10 of the 14 major clades of Nearctic oaks and sequenced >1000 Ultra Conserved Elements (UCEs) and flanking sequences to infer wasp phylogenies. We assessed the relationships of Nearctic gall wasps to one another and, by leveraging previously published UCE data, to the Palearctic fauna. We then used phylogenies to infer historical patterns of shifts among host tree species and tree organs. Our results indicate that oak gall wasps have moved between the Palearctic and Nearctic at least four times, that some Palearctic wasp clades have their proximate origin in the Nearctic, and that gall wasps have shifted within and between oak tree sections, subsections, and organs considerably more often than previous data have suggested. Given that host shifts have been demonstrated to drive reproductive isolation between host-associated populations in other phytophagous insects, our analyses of Nearctic gall wasps suggest that host shifts are key drivers of speciation in this clade, especially in hotspots of oak diversity. Though formal assessment of this hypothesis requires further study, two putatively oligophagous gall wasp species in our dataset show signals of host-associated genetic differentiation unconfounded by geographic distance, suggestive of barriers to gene flow associated with the use of alternative host plants.

opencc-zeroJun 2022View details →

Data from: Plant host traits mediated by foliar fungal symbionts and secondary metabolites

Fungal symbionts living inside plant leaves ("endophytes") can vary from beneficial to parasitic, but the mechanisms by which the fungi affect the plant host phenotype remain poorly understood. Chemical interactions are likely the proximal mechanism of interaction between foliar endophytes and the plant, as individual fungal strains are often exploited for their diverse secondary metabolite production. Here, we go beyond single strains to examine commonalities in how 16 fungal endophytes shift plant phenotypic traits such as growth and physiology, and how those relate to plant metabolomics profiles. We inoculated individual fungi on switchgrass, Panicum virgatum L. This created a limited range of plant growth and physiology (2–370% of fungus-free controls on average), but effects of most fungi overlapped, indicating functional similarities in unstressed conditions. Overall plant metabolomics profiles included almost 2000 metabolites, which were broadly correlated with plant traits across all the fungal treatments. Terpenoid-rich samples were associated with larger, more physiologically active plants and phenolic-rich samples were associated with smaller, less active plants. Only 47 metabolites were enriched in plants inoculated with fungi relative to fungus-free controls, and of these, LASSO regression identified 12 metabolites that explained from 14–43% of plant trait variation. Fungal long-chain fatty acids and sterol precursors were positively associated with plant photosynthesis, conductance, and shoot biomass, but negatively associated with survival. The phytohormone gibberellin, in contrast, was negatively associated with plant physiology and biomass. These results can inform ongoing efforts to develop metabolites as crop management tools, either by direct application or via breeding, by identifying how associations with more beneficial components of the microbiome may be affected.

Fig. 30 in Review of the fritillary species systematically close to Melitaea lutko Evans, 1932 (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae) with analysis of their geographic distribution and interrelations with host plants

Fig. 30 (continued on next page). Distribution of the lutko species group fritillaries in combination with the distribution of known and suspected species of host plants from the genus Phlomoides Blume. = Melitaea lutko Evans, 1932; = M. timandra timandra Coutsis & Oorschot, 2014; = M. timandra binaludica subsp. nov.; = M. shahvarica sp. nov.; = M. mimetica mimetica Higgins, 1940; = M. mimetica delerei Heidemann, 1954;? = unconfirmed findings of M. timandra; = M. timandra with an unclear subspecies status; = Phlomoides regeliana (Aitch. & Hemsl.) Adylov, Kamelin & Makhm.; = Phlomoides boissieriana (Regel) Adylov, Kamelin & Makhm.; = Phlomoides laciniata (L.) Kamelin & Makhm.; = Phlomoides labiosiformis (Popov) Adylov, Kamelin & Makhm.; = Phlomoides loasifolia (Benth.) Kamelin & Makhm.; = Phlomoides molucelloides (Bunge) Salmaki; = Phlomoides acaulis (Beck ex Rech.f.) Salmaki; = Phlomoides labiosa (Bunge) Adylov, Kamelin & Makhm. A. Pakistan, Chitral, Chaghbini CGNP, alt. 2700–3000 m. B. Pakistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Drosh. C. Pakistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Keon Nullah. D. Pakistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Malakand. E. Pakistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Birmoglasht. F. Turkmenistan, Badkhyz, Kepeli, alt. 700 m. G. Turkmenistan, Badkhyz, Kyzyl-Jar, alt. 700 m. H. Turkmenistan, Kushka, alt. 700 m. I. Turkmenistan, Murgab river, Sary-Yazy, alt. 300 m. J. Turkmenistan, 30 km E of BairamAli, Zahmet, alt. 240 m. K. Turkmenistan, Bairam-Ali, alt. 230 m. L. Turkmenistan, Kara-Kum desert, 30 km W of Mary, alt. 200 m.M. Turkmenistan, Dushak, alt. 250 m.N. Turkmenistan, Chaacha, alt. 400 m. O. Turkmenistan, Bakharden, alt. 200 m. P. Iran, Khorossan Razavi, Kuh-e-Binalud Mts, Qadamgah area, Gerina, alt. 2000 m. Q. Iran, Khorasan Razavi, Kuh-e-Binalud Mts, 15 km SW of Zoshk, alt. 2300– 2500 m. R. Iran, S Khorosan, 75 km N of Birjant, Sedeh, alt. 1500 m. S. Iran, S Khorosan, 35 km N of Birjant, alt. 1500 m. T. Afghanistan, Bamian, Band-e-Amir, Dzhudoi-Kvak Gorge, alt. 3200 m. U. Afghanistan, Bamian, Band-e-Amir, Hazarajat, alt. 3000–3200 m. V. Afghanistan, Bamian, Koh-iBaba Mts, Joshanak, alt. 2800 m. W. Afghanistan, Heart, Qala-i-Naw, Kashka pass. X. Iran, Semnan, Shahvar Mt., alt. 2200–2500 m. Y. Turkmenistan, Kara-Kala, Monjukly Ridge, 300–700 m. Z. Iran, Golestan, E Maraveh Tappeh, N Ghazan Ghayeh, Palizan Mts. A". Pakistan, Balochistan, Quetta, Urak, alt. 2500 m. B". Pakistan, Balochistan, Ziarat, alt. 2500 m. C". Pakistan, Balochistan, Khojak, alt. 1700 m. D". Pakistan, Balochistan, Zaghum, alt. 1600 m; E". Pakistan, Punjab, Gawar, alt. 500 m. F". Pakistan, Balochistan, Sheik Wazil, alt. 1600 m. G". Afghanistan, Bamian, Hushkak, alt. 2700–2800 m. H". Afghanistan, Bamian, Punjub Distr., 10 km NE of Varas, alt. 2400 m. I". Afghanistan, Ghor, 17 km E of Changcharan, 15 km S of Bandi-Ali, Gazak Mts, alt. 2400 m. J". Afghanistan, Ghor, Bayan Range, 15 km S of Changcharan, Kindival valley, alt. 2700 m. K". Afghanistan, Bamiyan, Kohi-Baba Mts, Panjao, alt. 3000 m. Afghanistan, Bamiyan, Koh-i-Baba Mts, Shah-tu-Kotal, alt. 4000 m. L". Afghanistan, Kapisa, Pandshir valley, alt. 2200–2800 m. M". Afghanistan, Kabul. N". Iran, Tehran, Elburz Ridge, Demavend Mt., Ask, alt. 1800 m. O". Iran, Semnan, Foulad Mohaleh, alt. 2200 m. P". Pakistan, Punjab, Murree.

Fig. 29 in Review of the fritillary species systematically close to Melitaea lutko Evans, 1932 (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae) with analysis of their geographic distribution and interrelations with host plants

Fig. 29.Differences in the structure of valva and aedeagus of the lutko species group.A. Melitaea shahvarica sp. nov. B, D, H. M. timandra binaludica subsp. nov. C–E. M. mimetica Higgins, 1940. F. M. lutko Evans, 1932. G. M. timandra timandra Coutsis &van Oorschot, 2014. A. Iran, Semnan Prov., Shahrud area, S macroslope of Shahvar Mts, alt. 2200–2400 m. B. Iran, Rezavi Khorassan Prov., Kuh-e-Binalud Mts, Dorrud v. vicinity, alt. 2430 m. C. Afghanistan, Bamian Prov., Punjub Distr., 10 km NE of Varas v., alt. 2400 m. D. Afghanistan, Band-i-Amir, Hazarajat. E. Pakistan, Balochistan, Quetta, Urak, alt. 2400– 2700 m. F. Pakistan, Chitral, Gol National Park, alt. 2700 m. G. Turkmenistan, Sary-Yazy, alt. 700 m. H. Iran, Rezavi Khorassan Prov., Kuh-e-Binalud Mts, Dorrud v. vicinity, alt. 2430 m.

Fig. 28 in Review of the fritillary species systematically close to Melitaea lutko Evans, 1932 (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae) with analysis of their geographic distribution and interrelations with host plants

Fig. 28.Eggs and caterpillars of Melitaea shahvarica sp. nov. in nature and in the laboratory.A–B. Freshly laid eggs under a leaf of a host plant, May 2018, Iran, Shahvar Mt., alt. 2200 m. C–D. IV–V instar caterpillars on the leaves of the host plant Phlomoides molucelloides (Bunge) Salmaki, July 2019, Iran, Shahvar Mt., alt. 2500 m. E. I instar caterpillars in the laboratory, Moscow, May 2018. F. VI instar caterpillars during diapause, Moscow, October 2018.

Fig. 18. Male genitalia and harpe. A–C in Review of the fritillary species systematically close to Melitaea lutko Evans, 1932 (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae) with analysis of their geographic distribution and interrelations with host plants

Fig. 18. Male genitalia and harpe. A–C. Melitaea shahvarica sp. nov. D–E. M. lutko Evans, 1932. F–I. M. mimetica Higgins, 1940. A–C. Iran, Semnan Prov., Shahrud area, S macroslope of Shahvar Mts, alt. 2200–2400 m. D–E. Pakistan, Chitral, Chaghbini, CGNP [Chitral Gol National Park], alt. 2700 m. F–G. Afghanistan, Bamian Prov., Punjub Distr., 10 km. NE Varas v., alt. 2400 m. H–I. Afghanistan, Bamian Prov., Panjub Distr., 10 km. NE Varas vil., alt. 2400 m.

Fig. 8 in Review of the fritillary species systematically close to Melitaea lutko Evans, 1932 (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae) with analysis of their geographic distribution and interrelations with host plants

Fig. 8. Distribution of Melitaea mimetica Higgins, 1940. For a description of the symbols with letters, see Fig. 30. = M. mimetica mimetica Higgins, 1940; = M. mimetica delerei Heidemann, 1954.

Fig. 14 in Review of the fritillary species systematically close to Melitaea lutko Evans, 1932 (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae) with analysis of their geographic distribution and interrelations with host plants

Fig. 14. Distribution of Melitaea timandra timandra Coutsis & van Oorschot, 2014, M. timandra binaludica subsp. nov. and M. shahvarica sp. nov. For a description of the points by letters, see Fig. 30. = Melitaea timandra timandra; = Melitaea timandra binaludica subsp. nov.; = Melitaea shahvarica sp. nov.;? = unconfirmed finds of Melitaea timandra; = Melitaea timandra with uncertain subspecies status.

Fig. 17 in Review of the fritillary species systematically close to Melitaea lutko Evans, 1932 (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae) with analysis of their geographic distribution and interrelations with host plants

Fig. 17. Male genitalia (without aedeagus) in dorsal projection. A–C. Melitaea timandra timandra Coutsis & van Oorschot, 2014. D–I. M. timandra binaludica subsp. nov. A–C. S Turkmenistan, SaryYazy, alt. 300 m. D –F. Iran, Rezavi Khorassan Prov., Kuh-e-Binalud Mts, Dorrud v. vicinity, alt. 2430 m. G. Iran, Horossan Prov., 35 km N of Birjant t. H. Afghanistan, Bamian Prov., Band-e-Amir, alt. 3200 m. I. Central Afghanistan, Bamian Prov., Band-e-Amir, Dzhudoi-Kvak Gorge, alt. 3200 m.

Fig. 24 in Review of the fritillary species systematically close to Melitaea lutko Evans, 1932 (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae) with analysis of their geographic distribution and interrelations with host plants

Fig. 24. First instar caterpillar of Melitaea shahvarica sp. nov. A. Head, bottom view. B. Head, front view. C–D. Head, lateral view. E–F. Caterpillar, lateral view.