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Scientific Reports Mar 2019Selection of oviposition substrate is critical in holometabolous insects. Female stable flies, Stomoxys calcitrans, locate and select vertebrate herbivore dung in which...
Selection of oviposition substrate is critical in holometabolous insects. Female stable flies, Stomoxys calcitrans, locate and select vertebrate herbivore dung in which they lay their eggs. However, the preference for vertebrate herbivore dung by S. calcitrans females, its fitness consequences for offspring, and the semiochemicals used to locate and select oviposition substrates remain unclear. Using oviposition choice tests and life table bioassays we found that gravid female S. calcitrans prefer to oviposit on donkey and sheep dung, which also improves the performance of their offspring. GC-MS analysis followed by random forest classification identified β-citronellene and carvone as the most important predictive volatile organic compounds of donkey and sheep dung, respectively. In multiple choice oviposition bioassays, S. calcitrans laid more eggs in wet sand containing β-citronellene and carvone than in other treatments. The attractiveness of these compounds was confirmed in a field trial, with traps baited with β-citronellene and carvone catching more S. calcitrans. We conclude that gravid female S. calcitrans use semiochemical cues to choose oviposition substrates that maximise offspring fitness.
Topics: Animals; Cues; Equidae; Feces; Female; Muscidae; Oviposition; Sheep; Smell; Volatile Organic Compounds
PubMed: 30846772
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-40479-9 -
Scientific Reports Jan 2024Oviposition is essential in the life history of insects and is mainly mediated by chemical and tactile cues present on the plant surface. Oviposition deterrents or...
Oviposition is essential in the life history of insects and is mainly mediated by chemical and tactile cues present on the plant surface. Oviposition deterrents or stimulants can modify insect oviposition and be employed in pest control. Relatively few gustatory oviposition stimuli have been described for tortricid moths. In this study the effect of NaCl, KCl, sucrose, fructose and neem oil on the number of eggs laid by Cydia pomonella (L.), Grapholita molesta (Busck) and Lobesia botrana (Dennis & Schifermüller) was tested in laboratory arenas containing filter papers loaded with 3 doses of a given stimulus and solvent control. In general, salts increased oviposition at the mid dose (10 M) and sugars reduced it at the highest dose (10 mM), but these effects depended on the species. Neem oil dramatically reduced the number of eggs laid as the dose increased, but the lowest neem oil dose (0.1% v/v) increased L. botrana oviposition relative to solvent control. Our study shows that ubiquitous plant chemicals modify tortricid moth oviposition under laboratory conditions, and that neem oil is a strong oviposition deterrent. The oviposition arena developed in this study is a convenient tool to test the effect of tastants on the oviposition behavior of tortricid moths.
Topics: Animals; Female; Moths; Salts; Oviposition; Sugars; Solvents; Glycerides; Terpenes
PubMed: 38243066
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-51972-1 -
BMC Ecology and Evolution Sep 2021The host specificity and host range of the dry bean beetle, Acanthoscelides obtectus (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae, Bruchinae), a seed predator of beans, is poorly known....
How the seed coat affects the mother's oviposition preference and larval performance in the bean beetle (Acanthoscelides obtectus, Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae, Bruchinae) in leguminous species.
BACKGROUND
The host specificity and host range of the dry bean beetle, Acanthoscelides obtectus (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae, Bruchinae), a seed predator of beans, is poorly known. In addition, the female oviposition preference and larval performance relationship is complicated by the respective importance of seed coat and cotyledon, because, paradoxically, females lay eggs on the basis of stimuli of the seed coat alone, without directly being able to assess the quality of the cotyledon's suitability for larval development. Conversely, the thickness of seed coat may prevent first instar larvae from entering the seeds, even if cotyledons are suitable for development.
METHODS
The seeds of 62 leguminous species and 75 cultivars and accessions occurring in Hungary were evaluated for preference-performance relations. The preference of female bean beetles for seeds was measured in no-choice egg-laying tests. The ability of first instar larvae to overcome the seed coat as a physical barrier was tested with intact seed coat, while pre-drilled seed coats allowed the larvae to assess the suitability of cotyledon for development. The number of emerging adults was recorded. The thickness of seed coats and the weight of seeds were measured. Nonparametric tests and logistic regression were used for the statistical analyses of data and effect sizes were also calculated.
RESULTS
Seeds of 18 leguminous species (35% of them Lathyrus) supported larval development to adults if the seed coat was pre-drilled; however, only nine leguminous species supported development to adults if the seed coat was intact. Seed coat thickness beyond a critical threshold of 0.1 mm strongly influenced survival of first instar larvae. There was no overall positive correlation between oviposition preference and larval performance, except for 16 so-called acceptable non-hosts (Kendall's τ = 0.3088). A. obtectus females also showed an ovipositional hierarchy of legume species even in no-choice tests.
CONCLUSIONS
The results suggest that whereas the use of some acceptable non-host species by the A. obtectus is possible in seed stores, the same is unlikely under outdoor conditions, where the recognition of a diverse set of seed pod-related compounds would be necessary to induce egg-laying.
Topics: Animals; Coleoptera; Fabaceae; Humans; Larva; Mothers; Oviposition; Seeds
PubMed: 34496762
DOI: 10.1186/s12862-021-01892-9 -
Biology Letters Mar 2021Predators can reduce prey population densities by driving them to undertake costly defences. Here, we report on a remarkable example of induced antipredator defence in...
Predators can reduce prey population densities by driving them to undertake costly defences. Here, we report on a remarkable example of induced antipredator defence in spider mites that enhances the risk to rainstorms. Spider mites live on the undersides of host plant leaves and usually oviposit on the leaf undersurface. When they are threatened by predatory mites, they oviposit on three-dimensional webs to avoid egg predation, although the cost of ovipositing on webs has not yet been clearly determined. We prepared bean plants harbouring spider mite () eggs on either leaf surfaces or webs and exposed them to rainstorms outdoors. We found that fewer eggs remained on webs than on leaf surfaces. We then examined the synergistic effect of wind and rain by simulating both in the laboratory. We conclude that ovipositing on webs comes at a cost, as eggs are washed off the host plants by wind and rain. This may explain why spider mite populations decrease drastically in the rainy season, although they inhibit leaf undersides where they are not directly exposed to rainfall.
Topics: Animals; Female; Mites; Oviposition; Plants; Predatory Behavior; Tetranychidae
PubMed: 33653092
DOI: 10.1098/rsbl.2020.0669 -
Genetics, Selection, Evolution : GSE Jun 2022Duration of fertility (DF) is an important economic trait in poultry production because it has a strong effect on chick output. Various criteria or traits to assess DF...
BACKGROUND
Duration of fertility (DF) is an important economic trait in poultry production because it has a strong effect on chick output. Various criteria or traits to assess DF on individual hens have been reported but they are affected by many nongenetic factors. Thus, a reliable definition and associated genetic parameters are needed. Because egg production is also vital in chicken breeding, knowledge of the relationship between DF and laying performance is needed for designing selection programs.
METHODS
We used five traits that consider both fertility and embryonic livability to delineate DF. Phenotypic and genetic analyses were completed for 2094 hens, with measurements of DF at 35 and 60 weeks of age and hatching egg production at 400 days of age (HEP400). The selection differentials for DF and HEP400 were evaluated.
RESULTS
DF is largely independent of the number of oviposited eggs in the peak laying period but both egg production and DF naturally decline with age. The heritability of the five DF traits ranged from 0.11 to 0.13 at 35 weeks of age and increased slightly in the later laying period, ranging from 0.14 to 0.17 (except for efficient duration, time between insemination and the first unhatched egg). Estimates of the genetic correlation for a given trait measured at the two ages were moderate (0.37-0.44), except for efficient duration. However, number of viable embryos depends strongly on egg production. Estimates of genetic correlations of fertility duration day (FDD) at both ages with HEP were weak. Selection for FDD improved DF but without a significant change in laying performance. Selection for increased HEP400 did not contribute to DF improvement.
CONCLUSIONS
Although estimates of heritability of the five traits related to DF were low, selection to improve DF based on any one of them is possible. Among these, FDD is an effective selection criterion when the eggs are collected for approximately two weeks after insemination. The best selection procedure for DF improvement would involve multiple measurements at various ages. FDD is independent of laying performance and can be incorporated into a breeding program with egg production to improve reproductive efficiency.
Topics: Animals; Chickens; Eggs; Female; Fertility; Oviposition; Phenotype; Quantitative Trait, Heritable
PubMed: 35659242
DOI: 10.1186/s12711-022-00733-7 -
PloS One 2018Aedes albopictus, originally considered as a secondary vector for arbovirus transmission, especially in areas where this species co-exist with Aedes aegypti, has been...
Aedes albopictus, originally considered as a secondary vector for arbovirus transmission, especially in areas where this species co-exist with Aedes aegypti, has been described in most regions of the world. Dispersion and domiciliation of Ae. albopictus in a complex of densely urbanized slums in Rio de Janeiro, Southeastern Brazil, was evidenced. In this study, we tested the hypotheses that 1) Ae. albopictus distribution in urban slums is negatively related to distance from vegetation, and 2) these vectors have taken on a domestic life style with a portion of the population feeding, ovipositing, and resting indoors. To do this, we developed an integrated surveillance proposal, aiming to detect the presence and abundance of Aedes mosquitoes. The study, based on a febrile syndrome surveillance system in a cohort of infants living in the slum complex, was performed on a weekly basis between February 2014 and April 2017. A total of 8,418 adult mosquitoes (3,052 Ae. aegypti, 44 Ae. albopictus, 16 Ae. scapularis, 4 Ae. fluviatilis and 5,302 Culex quinquefasciatus) were collected by direct aspiration and 46,047 Aedes spp. eggs were collected by oviposition traps. The Asian tiger mosquito, Ae. albopictus, was aspirated in its adult form (n = 44), and immature forms of this species (n = 12) were identified from the eggs collected by the ovitraps. In most collection sites, co-occurrence of Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus was observed. Key-sites, such as junkyards, thrift stores, factories, tire repair shops and garages, had the higher abundance of Ae. albopictus, followed by schools and households. We collected Ae. albopictus at up to 400 meters to the nearest vegetation cover. The log transformed (n+1) number of females Ae. albopictus captured at each collection point was inversely related to the distance to the nearest vegetation border. These results show that Ae. albopictus, a competent vector for important arboviruses and more commonly found in areas with higher vegetation coverage, is present and spread in neglected and densely urbanized areas, being collected at a long distance from the typical encounter areas for this species. Besides, as Ae. albopictus can easily move between sylvatic and urban environment, the entomological monitoring of Ae. albopictus should be an integral part of mosquito surveillance and control. Finally, key-sites, characterized by high human influx and presence of potential Aedes breeding sites, should be included in entomological monitoring.
Topics: Aedes; Animal Distribution; Animals; Brazil; Dengue; Ecosystem; Environment; Female; Humans; Male; Mosquito Vectors; Oviposition; Poverty Areas; Urbanization
PubMed: 29684029
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0195014 -
Parasites & Vectors Mar 2024Water quality is known to influence the development and survival of larval mosquitoes, which affects mosquito-borne pathogen transmission as a function of the number of...
BACKGROUND
Water quality is known to influence the development and survival of larval mosquitoes, which affects mosquito-borne pathogen transmission as a function of the number of mosquitoes that reach adulthood and blood feed. Although water properties are known to affect mosquito development, few studies have investigated the link among soil properties, water quality, and mosquito development. Given the large number of ground-breeding mosquito species, this linkage is a potentially important factor to consider in mosquito ecology. In this study, we explored the effects of different soils on multiple life history parameters of the ground-breeding mosquito species Culex quinquefasciatus (Diptera: Culicidae).
METHODS
Cx. quinquefasciatus larvae were reared in water combined with different soil substrates (sandy, silt, or clay loam textures) at increasing soil to water volume ratios, with and without the addition of organic matter (fish food). Gravid mosquitoes were offered different soil-water extracts to investigate soil effects on oviposition preference.
RESULTS
Without the addition of organic matter, larval survival and development differed significantly among waters with different soil textures and volumes of substrate. Mosquitoes in water with clay loam soil survived longer and developed further than mosquitoes in other soil waters. Larvae survived for longer periods of time with increased volumes of soil substrate. Adding organic matter reduced the differences in larval survival time, development, and pupation among soil-water extracts. Adult female mosquitoes oviposited more frequently in water with clay loam soil, but the addition of organic matter reduced the soil effects on oviposition preference.
CONCLUSIONS
This study suggests soil composition affects larval mosquito survival and development, as well as the oviposition preference of gravid females. Future studies could differentiate abiotic and biotic soil features that affect mosquitoes and incorporate soil variation at the landscape scale into models to predict mosquito population dynamics and mosquito-borne pathogen transmission.
Topics: Female; Animals; Culicidae; Oviposition; Soil; Clay; Culex; Larva
PubMed: 38523287
DOI: 10.1186/s13071-024-06202-y -
Scientific Reports Nov 2018Color cues play a key role in the location of hosts and host habitats; learning behavior can allow parasitoids to explore different hosts and reduce environmental...
Color cues play a key role in the location of hosts and host habitats; learning behavior can allow parasitoids to explore different hosts and reduce environmental uncertainty. However, it remains unclear whether the parasitic beetle Dastarcus helophoroides (Fairmaire) uses and learns visual cues to locate oviposition sites. In this study, we investigated the ability of females to respond to colors and associate the presence of a simulated oviposition site-wood with a trough-with colored substrates after training. Two sets of experiments were conducted: (i) investigating the innate preference for substrate coloration and (ii) investigating the ability to learn to associate substrate color with the presence of simulated oviposition sites, with the beetles being trained to respond to different substrate colors with simulated oviposition sites in sessions on 10 consecutive days. The parasitic beetles displayed an innate preference for the black substrate, but this preference changed after the beetles were trained on substrates of different colors. In the associative learning tests, these beetles laid more eggs on the reward-conditioned substrates than on the black substrate after being trained. Our results suggest that visual cues are learned and used by D. helophoroides during their search for and selection of oviposition sites.
Topics: Animals; Behavior, Animal; Clutch Size; Coleoptera; Color; Cues; Female; Host-Parasite Interactions; Learning; Oviposition
PubMed: 30478391
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-35580-4 -
Poultry Science Dec 2009An experiment was conducted to determine the effect of time of oviposition, generally representing different positions in the normal egg laying sequence, on egg weight...
An experiment was conducted to determine the effect of time of oviposition, generally representing different positions in the normal egg laying sequence, on egg weight loss during storage and incubation, and on fertility and fertile hatchability of eggs from mid-lay (42 wk) and old (67 wk) broiler breeders. A total of 1,800 eggs (900 eggs per flock age) were collected during 10 consecutive days between 0830 and 1830 h each day. The eggs were individually marked, weighed, and stored for 1 to 10 d before incubation was initiated. Egg weight remained less from collection through incubation for eggs from the mid-lay flock than those from the old flock. Fresh weight of early laid (first-in-sequence; C1) eggs was significantly greater than that for the middle-of-day laid (mid-sequence; Cs), or late-in-day laid eggs (terminal-in-sequence; Ct). Percentage of egg weight loss during storage did not differ significantly between the mid-lay and old flocks but percentage of weight loss in the mid-lay flock was greater during incubation. Egg weight loss during storage of eggs from the middle-of-day laid (Cs) eggs was significantly greater than for early laid (C1) eggs, which was greater than for the late-in-day laid (Ct) eggs. Fertility was significantly decreased due to flock age but not due to oviposition time. Fertile hatchability was also significantly decreased due to flock age, but there was no significant effect of oviposition time. Early and late dead embryos increased with flock age, but there was no significant effect of oviposition time. It was concluded that there was no effect of oviposition time on fertility or fertile hatchability even though there were significant differences in egg weight and egg weight loss during storage due to oviposition time.
Topics: Animals; Chickens; Female; Fertility; Male; Oviposition; Ovum; Time Factors
PubMed: 19903972
DOI: 10.3382/ps.2009-00069 -
The Journal of Neuroscience : the... Jan 2013The swallowtail butterfly, Papilio xuthus, selectively uses a limited number of plants in the Rutaceae family. The butterfly detects oviposition stimulants in leaves...
The swallowtail butterfly, Papilio xuthus, selectively uses a limited number of plants in the Rutaceae family. The butterfly detects oviposition stimulants in leaves through foreleg chemosensilla and requires a specific combination of multiple oviposition stimulants to lay eggs on the leaf of its host plants. In this study, we sought to elucidate the mechanism underlying the regulation of oviposition behavior by multiple oviposition stimulants. We classified chemosensilla on the tarsomere of the foreleg into three types (L1, L2, and S) according to their size and response to oviposition stimulants and general tastants. The L1 was more abundant in females than in males and responded preferentially to oviposition stimulants. Both L2 and S were common to both sexes and responded to general tastants. We found that five oviposition stimulants (synephrine, stachydrine, 5-hydroxy-Nω-methyltryptamine, narirutin, and chiro-inositol) elicited spikes from three specific gustatory receptor neurons (GRNs) within L1 sensilla. These three GRNs responded to a mixture of the five stimulants at concentrations equivalent to those found in the whole-leaf extract of citrus, and the mixture induced oviposition at levels comparable to whole-leaf extract. We propose that oviposition is triggered by the firing of three specific GRNs in L1 sensilla that encode the chemical signatures of multiple oviposition stimulants.
Topics: Animals; Behavior, Animal; Butterflies; Chemoreceptor Cells; Female; Oviposition; Plant Extracts; Rutaceae; Sensilla; Taste
PubMed: 23325231
DOI: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.1405-12.2013