Threshold and suprathreshold responses of the auditory receptors in an arctiid moth

Considering the responses of both auditory receptors inEmpyreuma pugione (Arctiidae, Ctenuchinae), it was found that this auditory organ maintains its frequency tuning and directionality over an intensity range of more than 60 dB. For the first time in the Lepidoptera we demonstrate a close frequency match between auditory sensitivity and the power spectrum of the sound emitted by the same species.     

Chemical basis of pupal cannibalism in a caterpillar (Utetheisa ornatrix)

The mothUtetheisa ornatrix derives protection against predation from systemic pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) that it sequesters as a larva from its foodplants (Leguminosae,Crotalaria spp.). We here show, in laboratory tests, thatUtetheisa deficient in body PA can make up for the chemical shortfall by cannibalizing pupae. We present evidence indicating that cannibalism in larvae is elicited not by hunger, but possibly by PA deficiency itself, and that in making cannibalistic choices larvae prefer PA-containing over PA-free pupae. PAs themselves, either in crystalline form or as additives to food items, proved phagostimulatory to larvae. In natureUtetheisa tend to pupate away from their foodplant, essentially out of reach of larval attack. The threat of cannibalism may have contributed to the evolution of this pupation behavior.Paper No. 102 of the series Defense Mechanisms of Arthropods; No. 101 is Eisner et al., Chemoecology (in press).     

Mating attempts between the Scarlet Tiger Moth,Callimorpha dominula L., and the Cinnabar Moth,Tyria jacobaeae L. (Lepidoptera: Arctiidae), involve a common sex pheromone composition

It has been suggested that a common sex pheromone composition may account for interspecific sexual interactions observed with certain moths in the Arctiidae. In this study, it is demonstrated that the sex pheromones released by females of the Scarlet Tiger Moth,Callimorpha dominula L., and the Cinnabar Moth,Tyria jacobaeae L., have similar activities and elute at the same retention time on analysis by coupled gas chromatography (GC)-electrophysiology with males from each species. Peak enhancement on GC, chiral GC and coupled GC-mass spectrometry using authentic compounds show that the sex pheromone for bothC. dominula andT. jacobaeae is (3Z,6Z,9S,10R)-9,10-epoxyheneicosa-3,6-diene.     

Ultrasound: its role in the courtship of the arctiid moth,Cycnia tenera

Summary MaleCycnia tenera (Lepidoptera: Arctiidae) were shown to produce ultrasonic clicks during courtship. The ultrasound enhances male courtship success, but only in the absence of male-produced pheromonal cues.     

Rhythmic extrusion of pheromone gland elevates pheromone release rate

Summary In two arctiid species,Holomelina lamae andH. aurantiaca, which rhythmically extrude and retract their abdominal tips during pheromone emission, pheromone glands contain up to three orders of magnitude more of the major component than in most Lepidoptera examined to date. Using an effluent collection technique, relatively high rates of pheromone emission were obtained from freely calling females. In contrast, volatilization rates from forcibly extruded glands were about 25 times lower for both species, suggesting that pulsation of the gland functions to increase the release rate.We thank R. Charlton, R. Collins, J. Tang and R. Webster for valuable discussions D. Smith for drawing of the figure, and Dr Robert W. Astheimer of Barnes Engineering for generously donating his time and an IR Microscope used in remote temperature measurements.     

Meteorus acerbiavorus sp. nov. (Hymenoptera,Braconidae), a gregarious parasitoid of Acerbia alpina (Quensel) (Lepidoptera,Arctiidae) in North Finland

The new gregarious parasitoid Meteorus acerbiavorus sp. nov. (Hymenoptera, Braconidae) was reared from the cocoons of Acerbia alpina (Quensel) (Lepidoptera, Arctiidae) in north-western Finnish Lapland. This species belongs to Meteorus rubens (Nees) species group and differs from the most related M. rubens in the following features: the eyes densely setose; the median lobe of the mesoscutum, scutellum, mesopleuron, and the hind coxa entirely or at least partly rugulose-granulate or rugose-areolate and sometimes with granulation; the ovipositor subapically with distinct dorsal node; the ventral borders of the first metasomal tergum weakly separated by narrow space in its basal half; the colour of the body and legs mostly or entirely dark; the fore wing more or less darkened. Phylogenetic relationships among several Meteorus species close to M. rubens including new M. acerbiavorus were investigated based on DNA sequence fragments of the mitochondrial COI and the nuclear 28S rDNA genes. The discussions on the species groups of Meteorus, on distribution of Acerbia alpina in the Holarctic and on its known parasitoids are presented.     

长白山自然保护区灯蛾科昆虫区系及多样性研究

2003—2004年对长白山自然保护区灯蛾科昆虫进行了系统调查,共采集到灯蛾科昆虫40种,隶属2亚科22属.长白山自然保护区灯蛾科昆虫以古北-东洋共有种为主,并包含少量的新北成分,优势种为四点苔蛾.灯蛾科昆虫物种多样性具有明显的垂直分布格局:阔叶红松林植被带多样性、丰富度均最高,随着海拔高度的升高,相应植被带内灯蛾科昆虫种类逐渐减少,个体数量上亦呈减少趋势;在时间分布上,全年以7月份的物种多样性最高,各月份由高到低的顺序依次是7月6月8月5月9月;长白山各植被带之间灯蛾科昆虫类群组成极不相似.