Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Insect-plant relationships'
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1
Crosswhite, F. S., and C. D. Crosswhite. "Editorial - Insect-Plant Relationships." University of Arizona (Tucson, AZ), 1990. http://hdl.handle.net/10150/609111.
2
Groen, Simon Cornelis. "Manipulation of plant-insect interactions by insect-borne plant viruses." Thesis, University of Cambridge, 2013. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.648187.
3
Guillet, Gabriel. "Ecophysiological importance of phototoxins in plant-insect relationships." Thesis, National Library of Canada = Bibliothèque nationale du Canada, 1997. http://www.collectionscanada.ca/obj/s4/f2/dsk3/ftp04/nq26120.pdf.
4
Hunt, Matthew. "Effects of environmental change on endophyte-plant-insect relationships." Thesis, University of Oxford, 2003. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.275301.
5
Barrett, Kerry Louise. "Effects of nitrogen deposition on plant/insect herbivore relationships." Thesis, University of Newcastle Upon Tyne, 1996. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.307936.
6
Carey, David Brennan. "Factors determining host plant range in two lycaenid butterflies." Diss., The University of Arizona, 1992. http://hdl.handle.net/10150/185907.
Abstract:
Components of host plant affiliation for two, small, blue butterflies were examined and compared. The two butterflies, Glaucopsyche lygdamus and Plebijus icariodes (Lycaenidae), are superficially quite similar but differ in host range. Oviposition preferences were determined for each butterfly species by following individual butterflies in the field and recording butterfly behavior, host plant availability and host plant characteristics. Where preferences for one host species or one plant part over another were found, potential explanations were pursued by assessing and comparing larval performance on those plant species and parts in question. Larval performances were measured in terms of survival, growth, and ant attendance in the field, and survival, growth, and pupal mass in the laboratory. All foods were also analyzed for alkaloid content, and larvae were raised on plants known to differ in alkaloid content. Individuals of both butterfly species preferred to oviposit on those host species with which they had had recent experience; nevertheless, individual butterflies of both species frequently oviposited on multiple host species during the course of a single follow bout. For G. lygdamus the availability of flower buds was critical for ovipositing adults and feeding larvae. Flower buds of any one host species were unpredictable, however, and G. lygdamus consequently utilized different host species at different times. This observation predicted a positive relationship between butterfly population density and host species diversity. This prediction was tested and supported by two large-scale surveys of hostplant patches. P. icariodes differed from G. lygdamus in that both ovipositing adults and feeding larvae preferred old leaves to flower buds. The two species also differed in diapause stage, growth rates and reaction to alkaloids. Results predicted a relationship between diapause stage, oviposition site on the plant, and host range. The prediction was tested and upheld by a general survey of temperate lycaenid butterflies. The relationship was significant even when phylogenetic relationships were included in the analysis, and diapause stage was suggested as the characteristic evolutionarily most constrained.
7
Laxton, Emma. "Relationship between leaf traits, insect communities and resource availability." Thesis, Electronic version, 2005. http://hdl.handle.net/1959.14/483.
Abstract:
Thesis (PhD)--Macquarie University, Division of Environmental and Life Sciences, Dept. of Biological Sciences, 2005.Bibliography: p. 178-203.
Introduction -- Study sites -- Leaf characteristics and resource availability -- Insect herbivory and resource availability -- Insect communities and resource availability -- Influence of resource availability on recovery from herbivory -- Conclusions.
This project used the resource availability hypothesis (Coley et al., 1985) as a framework for investigating the relationship between resource availability (as defined by soil nutrients), leaf traits, insect herbivore damage and insect community structure. According to the hypothesis, plants from low resource environments should be better-defended, have longer leaf lifespans and slower growth rates than plants from higher resource environments. Higher resource plant species are expected to suffer higher levels of herbivory and recover faster from herbivory than low resource plant species (Coley et al. 1985). A corollary to this hypothesis is that plants from higher resource sites should support greater densities of insect herbivores than low resource species. Comparisons between high and low resource sites were made in terms of: (i) leaf traits of mature and immature leaves; (ii) phenology of leaf maturation; (iii) herbivore damage in the field and laboratory; (iv) diversity and abundance of herbivorous insect fauna; and (v) ability to recover from herbivory.
Mode of access: World Wide Web.
243 p. ill., maps
8
Morrison, Peter D. S. "Host plant variation and population limitation of two introduced insects." Thesis, University of British Columbia, 1986. http://hdl.handle.net/2429/27464.
Abstract:
The response to host plant variation shapes the long-term success of phytophagous insects. Two gall-forming tephritid flies, Urophora affinis and U. quadrifasciata, oviposit in flower buds of Centaurea diffusa and C. maculosa (Asteraceae). Females of both fly species chose among plants, among groups of buds on plants, and among buds. Among plant choices were correlated with buds per plant. Among bud choices corresponded to larval developmental requirements. Insect attack led to gall formation, bud abortion, and reduced seed production. Bud abortion, caused by probing females, limited gall densities.
Increased densities of U. affinis females relative to oviposition sites led to more U. affinis galls, increased bud abortion, fewer U. quadrifasciata galls, and fewer seeds. A temporal refuge for seed production was observed. Plants compensated only slightly for aborted buds.
Bud abortion may increase the search time between successful ovipositions. A simulation model based on this premise implied that bud abortion may dramatically reduce total gall formation.
Plant quality was manipulated in an attempt to shift three population limiting factors. Plants responded to fertilization and watering with an increase in bud numbers. Except for two year-site-treatment combinations, galls per developed bud did not differ significantly between treatments. Treated plants did not differ in their propensity to abort buds. U. affinis larvae developed faster in fertilized plants. Among year comparisons showed that the density of buds available for oviposition was limited by precipitation, non-random insect attack, and, in the longer term, by the reduction in seed production due to fly attack. Bud densities, in turn, limited gall densities.Science, Faculty of
Zoology, Department of
Graduate
9
Helson, Julie Elizabeth. "Tropical host plant-insect relationships as guides to medicinally-active plants." Thesis, McGill University, 2005. http://digitool.Library.McGill.CA:80/R/?func=dbin-jump-full&object_id=98723.
Abstract:
Previous studies have shown that: (1) plant defensive compounds may have medicinal properties; and (2) defensive compounds present in aposematic insects are often sequestered from their host-plant(s). This study addresses whether aposematic insects can be used as guides to detect plants containing medicinally-active compounds. First, ten tropical medicinally-active plants and ten non-active plants, selected using previous ICBG bioassay results, were observed regularly to determine their insect populations. Aposematic insects were found more frequently on active than non-active plants ( X2=8.167, P=0.01). Second, three aposematic insects feeding on Tithonia diversifolia were examined chemically to determine the fate of the plant's pharmaceutically-active compounds. They were not found to sequester or excrete these compounds. Therefore, using aposematic insects could increase the likelihood of finding plants with medicinally-active compounds; however, these insects may not necessarily utilize these compounds for defensive purposes. The underlying basis for this significant association between aposematic insects and medicinally-active plants requires further investigation.
10
Steffan, Shawn Alan. "Biodiversity and fear ecology the cascading effects of species richness and nontrophic interactions /." Pullman, Wash. : Washington State University, 2009. http://www.dissertations.wsu.edu/Dissertations/Spring2009/s_steffan_041709.pdf.
11
Hersch, Erika I. "Evidence for hybridization between three Indian paintbrush species : ecological implications and evolutionary scenarios /." view abstract or download file of text, 2007. http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?did=1432774901&sid=1&Fmt=2&clientId=11238&RQT=309&VName=PQD.
Abstract:
Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Oregon, 2007.Typescript. Includes vita and abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 201-241). Also available for download via the World Wide Web; free to University of Oregon users.
12
Coetzee, J. H. (Jacobus Hendrik). "Arthropod communities of Proteaceae with special emphasis on plant-insect interactions." Thesis, Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 1989. http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/66615.
Abstract:
Thesis (PhD) -- Stellenbosch University, 1989.ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Arthropod communities of five proteaceous species viz. Protea repens. P. neriifolia. P.cynaroides, Leucospermum cordifolium and Leucadendron /aureolum were studied. A faunal list of the insects was compiled according to the feeding guilds of insects. Six phytophagous guilds were recognized: flower visitors, thrips, endophages, ectophages, sap-suckers, and ants. The guild composition, species packing and seasonal distribution for the free-IMng insects, spiders and other arthropods were investigated on the different plant species. The ants, flower visitors and sap-sucking species found on the plant species, were very similar, but the number of leaf chewing species common to all the plant species was low, suggesting that some species were monophagous. Insect abundance increased during the wet winter months when the plants were in flower. Of the total number of herbivores collected, flower visitors represented 69,5%, leaf feeders 14,5% and sap-suckers 16,1 %. The chewers constituted 60,1% of the total herbivore. biomass. Leaf damage increased with age ; young leaves were practically free of herbivore damage, while older leaves were stm acceptable as food. The degree of insect damage differed amongst the plant species varying from 2% to 15%. The following leaf characteristics were investigated to determine the factors involved in defence against insect herbivory : total phenolic content, protein precipitating ability, cyanogenesis, nitrogen content, leaf toughness, woodiness and fibre content lt appears that the plant species use different mechanisms to protect their leaves. The infructescences of Protea repens were exploited by the larvae of four Coleoptera and four Lepidoptera species. The community structure of these phytophagous insects was determined largely by negative interactions. Various strategies are followed (e.g. niche segregation in time and space) to lessen interspecific competition.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: 'n Studie van die arthropoocl gemeenskap op vyf proteasoorte, naamlik Protea repens. P. neriffolia. P. cynaroides. Leucospennum cordffolium en Leucadendron laureolum is gedoen. 'n Faunalys van insekte volgens hul voedingsgDdes is saamgestel. Die insekte is in ses fitofage gDdes verdeel naamlik blombesoekers, blaaspootjies, endovoeders, ektovoeders, sapsuiers en miere. Die samestelling van die gDdes, spesie-rangskikking en seisoenale verspreiding is bepaal vir die vrylewende insekte, spinnekoppe en ander arthropode. Die miere, blombesoekers en sapsuierspesies wat op die plantsoorte gevind is, is byna dieselfde, maar verslalle in die blaarvoederspesies is gevind wat 'n aanduiding is dat sommige spesies monofaag mag wees. Gedurende die nat wintermaande toon die insekgetalle 'n toename. Blombesoekers verteenwoordig 69,5%, blaarvoeders 14,5% en sapsuiers 16,1% van die aantal insekherbivore wat versamel is. Die kouers vorm 60,1% van die totale herbivoor biomassa Soos die blare verouder, neem die skade op die blare toe; jong blare toon byna geen skade nie, terwyl ouer blare steeds geskik is vir insekvoedsel. Die insekskade op die blare wissel by die verslallende plante tussen 2% en 15%. Om te bepaal watter blaareienskappe moontlik 'n rol kan speel in blaarverdediging teen insekte is die volgende ondersoek: totale fenoliese inhoud, die vermoe om proteiene te presipiteer, sianogenese. stikstofinhoud, blaartaaiheid, houtagtigheid en veselinhoud. Dit wil voorkom asof die plante verskillende meganismes gebruik om die blare te beskerm. Saadkoppe van Protea repens word deur vier Coleoptera en vier Lepidoptera spesies benut Die gemeenskapstruktuur van die boarders word tot 'n groat mate bepaal deur negatiewe interaksies. Verskeie strategiee word gevolg (bv. nissegregasie in ~ en ruimte) om kompetisie tussen spesies te verminder.
13
Mercader, Rodrigo J. "Species ranges, host selection, and hybridization how increased hybridization is leading to host use divergence in a polyphagous sibling species pair /." Diss., Connect to online resource - MSU authorized users, 2008.
Abstract:
Thesis (Ph.D.)--Michigan State University. Dept. of Entomology and Program in Ecology, Evolutionary Biology, and Behavior, 2008.Title from PDF t.p. (viewed on July 17, 2009) Includes bibliographical references (p. 115-126). Also issued in print.
14
Lorraine, Debrah F. "Oxidation of plant allelochemicals by phytophagous sucking insects." Title page, table of contents and summary only, 1995. http://web4.library.adelaide.edu.au/theses/09PH/09phl876.pdf.
Abstract:
Addendum in pocket. Biblography: leaves 162-173. Phytophagous sucking insects, aphids in particular, are common pests of plants. These insects secrete salivary enzymes into their food material. One plant defence mechanism is the induction and/or accumulation of deterrent phytochemicals. In the present study, a model enzyme system was chosen to mimic the oxidative activity of insect saliva. Isolation and sructural identification of the products of plant allelochemicals was achieved for several substrates. Insects were also exposed to individual plant chemicals in feeding "choice" tests. Preliminary examinations suggest that plants containing increased levels of phenolic allelochemicals show correlated increases in resistance to attack by aphids.
15
Gryj-Rubenstein, Ellen Orli. "Conflicting forces shaping reproductive strategies of plants : florivory and pollination /." Thesis, Connect to this title online; UW restricted, 1999. http://hdl.handle.net/1773/5126.
16
Landi, Lucia. "Phytoplasma-associated grapevine yellow diseases and their relationships with their plant and insect host." Doctoral thesis, Università Politecnica delle Marche, 2009. http://hdl.handle.net/11566/242361.
17
McNett, Gabriel Dion. "Noise and signal transmission properties as agents of selection in the vibrational communication environment." Diss., Columbia, Mo. : University of Missouri-Columbia, 2007. http://hdl.handle.net/10355/4677.
Abstract:
Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 2007.The entire dissertation/thesis text is included in the research.pdf file; the official abstract appears in the short.pdf file (which also appears in the research.pdf); a non-technical general description, or public abstract, appears in the public.pdf file. Title from title screen of research.pdf file (viewed on February 25, 2008) Vita. Includes bibliographical references.
18
Ross, Sally Jane. "The phytophagous insect community on the Veld Fig, Ficus Burtt-Davyi Hutch." Thesis, Rhodes University, 1994. http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005425.
Abstract:
The quest for patterns in community organisation is a daunting task which may be made easier by concentrating on communities associated with a restricted range of resources and therefore of relative simplicity. Here, the phytophagous insect community on the African fig tree Ficus burtt-davyi Hutch. was studied in an attempt to gain some insight into the factors which influence the composition of insect herbivore communities at a very local level, on individual plants of one host species at a single location. The tree's phenological patterns were detennined, due to their relevance to herbivores, particularly those which are host-specific feeders. The trees exhibited inter-tree asynchrony and intra-tree synchrony in fruit crop initiation, whereas leaf production was synchronous both within and between trees. Sixteen frequently occurring phytophagous insect species fed on the 123 F. burtt-davyi trees in the study area over a period of one year. Factors with the potential to influence the composition of this community were investigated at levels of the whole community (species richness), the guild, and the individual species. At each 'level' the effects of the measured factors on fluctuations in community composition were investigated, both over time (i.e. temporally) and spatially from tree to tree. During the year the phytophage community was influenced largely by temperature, although rainfall and tree phenological changes did exert varying influences on the abundances of guilds and individual species. Tree to tree variation in species richness (and thus commensurately, in the frequencies of occurrence of guilds and individual species) was influenced primarily by tree architectural complexity. Architecturally more complex trees hosted a greater number of species, a relationship largely attributable to effects of passive sampling and within-tree microhabitat heterogeneity and/or the availability of living space. The distributions of the leaf and stem piercing species were strongly associated with the presence of ants and this relationship manifested itself within the community as a whole. The degree of isolation of trees had consequences for individual species and for overall species richness, with the numbers of species present decreasing as trees became more isolated. A detailed analysis of guild distributional patterns revealed that the most important influential factors were those also evident at the level of the whole community and that species within guilds were, on the whole, no more similar to one another with respect to their habitat preferences than species from different guilds. The grouping of species into functional units therefore threw no additional light on the way in which this community is organised. An analysis of possible interspecific interactions between all of the phytophagous species in the community revealed only positive associations, both between species within guilds and between those in different guilds. These were doubtless attributable to autocorrelation as a result of similar habitat preferences. Competition was therefore rejected as an organising force within the community.
19
Siekmann, Gitta. "Food foraging in adult parasitoid Cotesia rubecula : how sugar sources contribute to survival and reproduction." Title page, contents and abstract only, 2002. http://web4.library.adelaide.edu.au/theses/09PH/09phs5715.pdf.
Abstract:
Bibliography: leaves 133-148. Examines sugar foraging in the field by adult female parasitoid wasp, Cotesia rubecula (Hymenoptera, Braconidae), to determine its effect on fecundity and lifespan. In the field, the area in which wasps search for sugar is likely to depend on the degree of association of hosts with nectar or honeydew, supporting the hypothesis that sugar encounters in the field happen opportunistically during host foraging activities. The survival gained by sugar feeding my often be severely limited by quality and quantity of sugary food and extrinsic mortality factors such as adverse weather conditions and predation, so the need for food must be studied in relation to a species' adaptation to its environment. Concentrations of sugar sources may distract wasps from host-foraging when the density of hosts is low. This has implications for flower propagation in agro-ecosystems with a view to supporting natural enemies of insect pests.
20
Simpson, Katrina Lynn Scott. "Interactions between aphids and their host plants under drought stress." Thesis, University of Edinburgh, 2013. http://hdl.handle.net/1842/8294.
Abstract:
Interactions between host plants and aphids under water stress conditions were examined. Two controlled environment room studies, a Veld experiment and phenological modelling analysis were used to investigate three different plant-aphid relationships. The aim of these studies was to determine the results of water shortage on plant and pest populations, which are likely to result under climate change scenarios. The central hypothesis was that mild drought stress would lead to greater aphid populations through a beneficial increase of small nitrogenous molecules in the phloem sap providing improved diet quality — the Plant Stress Hypothesis (White, 1969). Myzus persicae (the peach–potato aphid) is a broad-range feeder with a preference for senescent foliage. Contrary to expectations, on young cabbage plants, Brassica oleracea var capitata, it was found to increase faster and to a greater extent on well-watered hosts. Aphids were also found to prevent osmoregulation in droughted plants. Despite this, the aphid infestation led to a drought-like response in all plants irrespective of watering regime, causing significantly reduced growth. Metopolophium dirhodum (the rose–grain aphid) overwinters as eggs on Rosa spp. but most of its life-cycle is spent on grasses and cereal crops. As with M. persicae, aphid infestation caused drought-like symptoms even in well-watered plants. The mechanism of reduction in plant health is most likely through aphid damage to the efficiency of Photosystem a within 7 days of infestation. On young barley plants, Hordeum vulgare, the rose–grain aphid was found to increase faster and to greater extent on droughted hosts. In contrast to M. persicae, the study strongly supported the Plant Stress Hypothesis, Finding that even mild water stress of approximately −0.3 MPa could lead to conditions favourable to rapid aphid population increase. The difference in the response of different species of aphids may be associated more with the levels of soluble nitrogen in their diet than specifically host plant water status. Drepanosiphum platanoidis is an aphid specific to sycamore, Acer pseudoplatanus and spends its entire life-cycle on that species. In the Veld, the total number of aphids supported by a single tree was found to correlate most strongly with soluble leaf nitrogen. In addition, the number of aphids on individual leaves was found to correlate strongly and negatively with stomatal conductance and leaf water potential. Finally, analysis of historical aphid suction-trap data was carried out. UK Rothamsted suction-traps are 12.2 m tall and sample air at 0.75 m3 s-1, with daily aphid sampling between April and November. The traps are designed to catch the largest proportion of aphids in the total insect sample and to reduce the effect of surrounding land-use on the sample. The area represented by a trap may be as much as 700 km2 (Harrington and Woiwod, 2007). The dataset is the longest and most geographically extensive for aphid populations, comprising 46 sites across Europe as of 2011. In this analysis, aphid and meteorological data from the Edinburgh East Craigs site were used. This also enabled comparison with D. platanoidis numbers collected in the Veld, which showed a strongly significant positive relationship between the two. Since the data collected in suction-traps are correlated with numbers in the Veld, aphid population analysis can be improved with use of these longer datasets, without reliance on shorter-term Veld surveys. The various population characteristics examined were found to be strongly correlated with each other, but were unconnected to data from previous years. The date of first catch was found to be significantly advancing over time, with strong influences from daily minimum temperatures and vapour pressure deficits of the air within the year. Higher temperatures with lower humidity tend to bring forward the date of first catch. Lower tends to depress the population in the summer. The overall hypothesis that mild drought would benefit aphid populations cannot be accepted, but in two cases of the experiment sections of the work there were strong relationships between aphid numbers and both leaf temperature and soil moisture. The meteorological data analysis indicates that climatic changes towards a hotter, drier climate could substantially alter population dynamics. Harrington, R. and Woiwod, I. (2007). Foresight from hindsight: The Rothamsted Insect Survey. Outlooks on Pest Management, 18, 9–14. White, T. (1969). An index to measure weather-induced stress of trees associated with outbreaks of psyllids in Australia. Ecology, 50, 905–909.
21
Higton, Roger Newell. "Studies in gall induction with special reference to the pontania-salix system." Thesis, University of Oxford, 1991. http://ora.ox.ac.uk/objects/uuid:d8b9b0c4-8734-46b4-a5b6-f8dd01290954.
Abstract:
An investigation was conducted into gall induction in the leaves of Salix fragilis L. var. russelliana (Sm.) Koch by Pontania proxima (Lepeletier) (Hymenoptera: Tenthredinidae). The work was divided into four parts:- a) Reviews of the available literature were undertaken on: hypotheses concerning cecidogenesis of galls initiated by insects, the history of cecidology as it related to galls formed by insects, the ontogeny and morphology of galls produced by sawflies, ecological aspects of gall biology and the effects of galling on the host plant. b) Methods of rearing both insect and host were established; these resulted in an extension of the insect's flight period from five to eight months with three broods per year instead of the usual two. Further work established the topological specificity of oviposition. Preliminary studies were completed on the tissue culture of Salix leaf-disc explants and the fusion of protoplasts released from normal and galled tissue. c) Using light and electron microscopy, a study was made of the reproductive system and associated glands of Pontania proxima females, together with the first stages of the procecidium they initiated. Using these techniques, no microorganisms, viral or otherwise, were observed in the gall, in the lumina of the reproductive system and associated glands or in surrounding tissues of the insect. Evidence for a secretory role for the lateral oviducts was found. A structure termed the vaginal valve was described and it was hypothesized that this functioned to separate the fluids produced by the accessory glands from the contents of the oviduct, until oviposition. In the plant, it was observed that the gall effect was limited and that the presence of an egg or larva was not required for the formation of a procecidium. Gall growth was mainly due to periclinal divisions of the provascular tissues of the leaf. d) A bioassay, based on microinjection techniques, was developed .This demonstrated that the cecidogen was contained in the colleterial fluid produced by the accessory glands. Further analysis showed that the cecidogen had a molecular weight of less that 3 kDa.
22
Clark, Maxwell Maitland. "The host-searching behaviour of coccophagus atratus compere (Aphalinidae: hymenoptera)." Thesis, Rhodes University, 1985. http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1004923.
Abstract:
The host-searching behaviour of the parasitoid Coccophagus atratus Compere was investigated. C. atratus parasitoids have unusual host relationships. Female offspring develop in scale insects but male offspring develop hyperparasitically on their conspecific females, or on other parasitoid species. C. atratus females, therefore, must locate, identify and oviposit into two different types of hosts. A primary aim of this thesis, was to identify when and how the behaviour of a female, searching for hosts suitable for female offspring, differed from that of a female searching for hosts suitable for male offspring. This was done by investigating and comparing the behaviour of virgin and mated females. Virgin females can lay only male eggs while mated females can lay both male and female eggs. The role of plant odours and host odours in attracting C. atratus females to the host habitat and to their scale insect hosts was examined with the aid of an olfactometer. Field observations, to test the validity of results obtained in laboratory experiments, indicated that C. atratus females do not search initially for for their hosts' food plants, but search directly for hosts. Only when hosts were physically located did the behaviour of virgin and mated females differ. Recognition cues used by the females to distinguish between the two types of hosts were identified. Finally, the implications of results obtained were discussed in relation to ecological and evolutionary aspects of heteronomous parasitoid biology.
23
Turna, Michael T. "Extraction of a phagostimulant and classification of the feeding recognition template for larvae of the moth Malacosoma americanum." Diss., Online access via UMI:, 2008.
24
Underwood, Angela Marie Spano Folkerts Debbie R. "Larvae of Sarcophagidae (Insecta Diptera) and their relationship with the pitcher plants (Sarraceniaceae: Sarracenia) of southeastern U.S. bogs /." Auburn, Ala, 2009. http://hdl.handle.net/10415/1889.
25
Rebe, Makhosandile. "Lepidoptera stem borers on cultivated and wild host plants : implications of insect-plant interactions for pest management." Thesis, University of Pretoria, 2002. http://hdl.handle.net/2263/28637.
26
Majorczyk, Alexis M. "Chemical Defense Mechanisms of Arabidopsis thaliana Against Insect Herbivory: The Role of Glucosinolate Hydrolysis Products." Bowling Green, Ohio : Bowling Green State University, 2009. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc%5Fnum=bgsu1249513273.
27
May, Bronwen. "Investigations into insect-induced plant responses of water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes (Mart.) Solms-Laub.) (Pontederiaceae)." Thesis, Rhodes University, 2015. http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1018906.
Abstract:
The water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes (Mart.) Solms-Laub (Pontederiaceae)) biological control programme makes use of tight plant-insect interactions to control the weed, by reestablishing the interactions between the plant and its natural enemies. Since the beginning of the water hyacinth biological control initiative, the impact of biological control agent herbivory on water hyacinth’s population growth and fitness have been well documented; however, very few investigations have been conducted to determine whether herbivory elicits insect-induced responses by water hyacinth. Studies were conducted to determine the presence and function of water hyacinth insectinduced responses, using the plant activator, BION®, in attempt to determine the plant hormone-mediated pathways regulating the final expressions of insect-induced defences in response to herbivory by the phloem-feeder, Eccritotarsus catarinensis (Carvalho) (Hemiptera: Miridae) and the leaf chewer, Neochetina bruchi Hustache (Coleoptera: Curculionidae). BION® (Syngenta, acibensolar-S-methyl (benzothiadiazole)) is a dissolvable, granular formulation that contains a chemical analogue of the plant hormone, salicylic acid (SA), which typically regulates defences against pathogens. The application of BION® results in the induction of the SA-mediated defence pathways in plants (activation of defences against pathogens), and consequently the inhibition of the jasmonic acid (JA)- mediated defence pathways (de-activation of defences against insect herbivores). To test for induced defence responses in water hyacinth, plants treated with BION® and then subjected to herbivory, were compared to un-treated plants that were also subjected to herbivory, BION®-only treated plants and control plants. The application of BION® did not confer resistance against the two insect herbivores, as herbivory, reductions in chlorophyll content and plant growth (leaf production and second petiole lengths) significantly increased in comparison to non-BION® treated plants. Furthermore, palatability indices significantly increased (>1.00) in BION® treated plants, reflecting increased weevil preferences for SAinduced water hyacinth plants. This concluded that SA-mediated defences are not effective against insect herbivory in water hyacinth plants, but are in fact palatable to insect herbivores, which reflects ecological and physiological costs of SA-mediated defences (pathogen defences) in water hyacinth. Biochemical analyses of leaves exhibited increases in nitrogen content in BION® treated plants. These elevated levels of nitrogenous compounds account for the increases in mirid and weevil preferences for BION® treated plants. The increases in nitrogenous compounds are probably structural proteins (e.g. peroxidises), because leaves treated with BION® increased in toughness, but only when exposed to herbivory. Regardless, insect herbivory was elevated on these leaves, probably because the nitrogenous compounds were nutritionally viable for the insects.
28
Puterbaugh, Mary Norris. "Alpine plant-ant interactions /." free to MU campus, to others for purchase, 1997. http://wwwlib.umi.com/cr/mo/fullcit?p9841329.
29
Ballantyne, Gavin. "Ants as flower visitors : floral ant-repellence and the impact of ant scent-marks on pollinator behaviour." Thesis, University of St Andrews, 2011. http://hdl.handle.net/10023/2535.
Abstract:
As flower visitors, ants rarely benefit a plant, commonly disrupting pollination by deterring other flower visitors, or stealing nectar. This thesis examines three aspects of ant-flower interactions, focusing on the occurrence of floral traits that prevent disruption of pollination and a novel means by which ants may influence pollinator behaviour. To assess which types of plant species possess ant-repelling floral traits I carried out a survey of 49 Neotropical plant species. Around a third of these species were repellent to the common generalist ant Camponotus novograndensis (Formicinae). This repellence was positively correlated with large nectar volumes within individual flowers. It appears that there has been selection for floral ant-repellence as a defence against ant thieves in plant species that invest in large volumes of nectar. In some cases these repellent traits were effective against a wide range of ant species. However, in no plant species were predacious ants particularly repelled, indicating that there may be little selective pressure on non-ant-plants to defend potential pollinators from aggressive ants. To investigate the importance of coevolution in determining the effectiveness of ant-repellents, a small but diverse range of Mediterranean plant species were tested with the invasive nectar thieving ant Linepithema humile (Dolichoderinae) and the native but non-nectar thieving ant Messor bouvieri (Myrmecinae). Responses of both ant species to floral traits were very similar. The ability of some plants to restrict access to ant species with which they have no evolutionary history may help to reduce the impact invasive species, as nectar thieves, have on plant-pollinator interactions. It is reported that flowers recently visited by bees and hoverflies may be rejected for a period of time by subsequent bee visitors through the detection of scent-marks. Nectar-thieving ants could potentially influence the foraging decisions of bees in a similar way if they come to associate ant trail pheromones or footprint hydrocarbons with poor reward levels. However, my empirical work found no differences were found in bee visitation behaviour between flowers of Digitalis pupurea (Plantaginaceae), Bupleurum fruticosum (Apiaceae) or Brassica juncea (Brassicaceae) that had been in contact with ants and control flowers. Ant-attendance at flowers of these species may not reduce reward levels sufficiently to make it worthwhile for bees to incorporate ant scent-marks into foraging decisions. Investigations like these into the interactions between ants, flowers and other flower visitors are essential if we hope to understand the part ants play in pollination ecology, and determine how ants have helped shape floral evolution.
30
Currano, Ellen Diane. "Variations in insect herbivory on angiosperm leaves through the late Paleocene and early Eocene in the Bighorn Basin, Wyoming, USA /." View online, 2008. http://etda.libraries.psu.edu/theses/approved/WorldWideFiles/ETD-2863/Thesis_Currano_final.pdf.
31
Hasenbank, Marc. "Egg laying on patchy resources and the importance of spatial scale : a thesis submitted to the Victoria University of Wellington in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Ecology & Biodiversity /." ResearchArchive@Victoria e-Thesis, 2010. http://hdl.handle.net/10063/1152.
32
Akbulut, Süleyman. "Effect of Bursaphelenchus xylophilus (Nematod:Aphelenchoididae) fourth stage dispersal of juveniles and log seasonality on life processes of Monochamus carolinensis (Coleoptera:Cerambycidae) /." free to MU campus, to others for purchase, 1998. http://wwwlib.umi.com/cr/mo/fullcit?p9901211.
33
Hannunen, Salla Ekbom Barbara. "Trivial movements and redistribution of polyphagous insect herbivores in heterogeneous vegetation /." Uppsala : Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 2003. http://diss-epsilon.slu.se/archive/00000167/.
Abstract:
Thesis (doctoral)--Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 2003.Thesis documentation sheet inserted. Includes appendix of four papers and manuscripts, two co-authored with Barbara Ekbom. Includes bibliographical references. Also partially issued electronically via World Wide Web in PDF format; online version lacks appendix of papers.
34
Zhang, Qing-He. "Olfactory recognition and behavioural avoidance of angiosperm non-host volatiles by conifer bark beetles /." Alnarp : Swedish Univ. of Agricultural Sciences (Sveriges lntbruksuniv.), 2001. http://epsilon.slu.se/avh/2001/91-576-5789-0.pdf.
35
Bai, Xiaodong. "Insect transmitted plant pathogenic mollicutes, Spiroplasma kunkelii and aster yellows witches' broom phytoplasma from structural genomics to functional genomics /." Connect to this title online, 2004. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc%5Fnum=osu1101752677.
Abstract:
Thesis (Ph. D.)--Ohio State University, 2004.Title from first page of PDF file. Document formatted into pages; contains xvii, 232 p.; also includes graphics (some col.). Includes bibliographical references (p. 206-232).
36
Cunnold, Helen Elizabeth. "Distinguishing pollination from visitation : the value of a pollinator effectiveness and pollinator importance network." Thesis, University of St Andrews, 2018. http://hdl.handle.net/10023/16121.
Abstract:
For over twenty years, flower-visitation networks have been used to assess the effects of pollinator decline, linked to habitat loss, climate change and invasive species, on entire communities. However, most rely on flower visit frequency as a proxy for pollination; very few sample pollen from flower visitor's bodies or from stigmas and so do not include a quantitative measure of pollination success. Here, I add pollinator effectiveness (as single visit pollen deposition) into a traditional flower visitation network, creating a pollinator importance network that better evaluates the flower visitor community from the plant's perspective. Given recent interest in pollination in urban areas, I use an urban garden habitat, and compare visitation, pollen transport and pollinator importance networks, giving several novel conclusions. Firstly, although there are similarities in the structure of my networks, interactions were most specialised in the pollinator importance network, with pollen transport proving to be a better proxy for pollinator importance than visitation alone. Secondly, the specialisation of individual plants and the role of individual flower visitors varied between the networks, suggesting that community-level patterns in simple visitation networks can mask important individual differences. Thirdly, the correlation between flower visit frequency and pollinator importance largely depends on bees, and may not hold in plant-pollinator communities that are not bee-dominated. Fourthly, heterospecific pollen deposition was relatively low, despite the unusually diverse plant community of a garden. Finally, bees (particularly Bombus and non-eusocial halictids) carried the largest pollen loads and were the most effective at depositing pollen on to the stigma during a single visit in this garden habitat. The implications of this thesis highlight the strengths and limitations of each network for future studies, and raise important questions for the future of urban pollination studies.
37
Stout, Benjamin Mortimer. "Effects of forest disturbance on shredder production in headwater streams." Diss., Virginia Tech, 1990. http://hdl.handle.net/10919/39796.
38
Binder, Bradley Fletcher. "The chemistry and biology of insect growth regulators from plants in the genus Nama (Hydrophyllaceae)." Diss., The University of Arizona, 1989. http://hdl.handle.net/10150/184795.
Abstract:
A strategy for the discovery of new insect growth regulators from arid lands plants was developed. Plant genera with a history of toxicity, medicinal use, or incorporation in native american cultures were selected. Forty-five species from twenty-one families were collected, extracted, and tested for biological activity on the large milkweed bug, Oncopeltus fasciatus. Eight extracts were toxic and the extract of Nama hispidum (Hydrophyllaceae) caused nymphs to undergo precocious metamorphosis to an adult. The active component of N. hispidum was precocene II (6,7-dimethoxy-2,2-dimethyl chromene). Nine Nama species, representing four of the five sections in the genus were gathered from Hawaii, California, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, and the Dominican Republic. In addition to the insect anti-hormone, precocene II (PII), present in N. hispidum, N. rothrockii contained at least two different insect juvenile hormone mimics, and N. sandwicense contained insect anti-hormone and insect juvenile hormone mimics. Fifth instar larvae of Heliothis zea were used as model insects to distinguish between post-ingestive intoxication and feeding deterrency during exposure to PII. Larvae fed artificial diet with PII were deterred from eating, and had retarded weight gain, growth, and development. Insects grown on diet with PII consumed less food, could not digest the food, or convert ingested food to body mass. in vivo radiotracer studies with the nutrient, ¹⁴C linoleic acid, show a lower rate of transport and incorporation of radioactivity into fat body tissue. A change in the midgut epithelial cells from PII resulted in reduced transport efficiency and retarded larval growth and development. Scanning electron microscopy of the midgut epithelia indicated that cytotoxic damage is induced by PII. Observed changes in the midgut epithelial cells are consistent with a destructive alkylation of cell structures by PII.
39
Muwanga-Zake, Johnnie Wycliffe Frank. "Insect herbivores associated with Senecio pterophorus and Senecio inaequidens at Butterworth, South Africa." Thesis, Rhodes University, 1995. http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005402.
Abstract:
This study lists and compares insect herbivores of Senecio inaequidens and of Senecio pterophorus around Butterworth by 18 Tables and 38 Figures. The two plant species are widely distributed around Southern Africa. Samples were taken during a month of each of the four main seasons of the year, which in Butterworth did not show much difference in temperature. The two plant species shared generalist insect herbivores most of which were also on other surrounding plant species. The population of most of the herbivores was affected by the seasons while the two plant species were not seasonal, thus the correlation between insect herbivores and the two plant species was not significant. The heavier, and apparently chemically protected species, Senecio pterophorus, accommodated borers and supported a wider variety of but fewer individual insects. Senecio pterophorus could be having more defences but had more serious herbivores. There were no serious insect herbivores that could control the abundance of the two plant species around Butterworth. Anatomical differences between S. pterophorus and S. inaequidens could be highlighted by the kind and number of insect herbivores found upon them. Similarities were more difficult to identify through studying their insect herbivores. The biology of one serious weed, Lixus sp., on Senecio pterophorus was studied in more detail. The life cycle of the weevil was found to be synchronised with that of the host. This weevil shared the stems with other species of weevils with no indication of competition.
40
Bottcher, Claudia. "Interações entre Pachycondyla striata e Odontomachus chelifer (Formicidae, Ponerinae) e diasporos em tres fisionomias florestais da Mata Atlantica." [s.n.], 2006. http://repositorio.unicamp.br/jspui/handle/REPOSIP/316275.
Abstract:
Orientador: Wesley Rodrigues SilvaDissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Biologia
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Resumo: O presente estudo investigou a variação espacial nas interações envolvendo os poneríneos Pachycondyla striata e Odontomachus chelifer e diásporos não-mirmecocóricos. O estudo foi desenvolvido em três formações florestais contínuas na Floresta Atlântica: Mata de Restinga (2-3 m acima do nível do mar), Floresta de Planície (5-30 m acima do nível do mar) e Floresta de Encosta (200-250 m acima do nível do mar) no Parque Estadual da Ilha do Cardoso, Cananéia, SP. Investiguei como tais interações variam espacialmente comparando os padrões das interações formiga-diásporo, e o estabelecimento, crescimento e sobrevivência inicial de plântulas nas nossas três áreas de estudo. Possíveis causas delineando tais padrões foram examinadas (quantidade de serapilheira, penetrabilidade do solo, biomassa de frutos e artrópodes, abundância e preferência dos poneríneos). Operárias solitárias de P. striata e O. chelifer transportam diásporos para seus ninhos de maneira similar nas três áreas de estudo. Contudo, diásporos ricos em lipídeos são preferencialmente removidos por ambas as espécies. A baixa disponibilidade de artrópodes na serapilheira pode ter afetado o padrão observado, pois os poneríneos são primariamente carnívoros. Plântulas e juvenis foram mais freqüentes perto dos ninhos dessas formigas que em áreas controle sem tais ninhos em mata de restinga e em floresta de planície. O recrutamento das plântulas em ninhos de P. striata e O. chelifer foi maior que em áreas controle, sem ninho, em mata de restinga e floresta de planície, mas o mesmo não ocorreu em floresta de encosta. Este padrão pode estar relacionado às propriedades e penetrabilidade do solo, diferente para cada uma das áreas estudadas. Embora as interações entre P. striata e O. chelifer e diásporos não-mirmecocóricos ocorreram nos três ambientes estudados e envolvam uma variedade de espécies de plantas, há diferenças importantes entre as áreas. Os resultados indicaram que a interação formiga-diásporo varia no espaço com importantes conseqüências para as plantas envolvidas
Abstract: The present study investigated the spatial variation in interactions involving the ponerine ants Pachycondyla striata and Odontomachus chelifer and nonmyrmecochorous diaspores. The study was carried out at the three continuous forests formations in the Brazilian Atlantic forest: Restinga forest (2-3 m above sea level), Lowland forest (05-30 m above sea level), Hillside forest (200-250 m above sea forest) at Parque Estadual da Ilha do Cardoso, Cananéia, SP. We examined how these interactions vary spatially by comparing the patterns of selected ant-diaspore interactions and establishment, growth and early survival of seedlings occurring at our three main study areas. Possible causes underlying such patterns were examined (leaf litter, soil penetrability, fruits and arthropods biomass, ponerines abundance and preference). Individual workers of P. striata and O. chelifer transport single diaspores to their nest by similar way across the three study areas. However the lipid rich diaspores were preferentially removed by both ponerine species. The low availability of leaf litter arthropods may have affected the observed pattern whereas the ponerines are primarily carnivorous. Seedlings and juveniles were more frequent close to ponerine nests than in control areas without such nests in restinga and lowland forests. The seedling recruitment in nests of P. striata and O. chelifer was greater than in control areas in restinga and lowland forests but not in hillside forest. Seedlings grew better only in nests of O. chelifer in lowland forest. This pattern may be related to soil properties and penetrability that are different between the areas. Although the interactions between P. striata and O. chelifer and nonmyrmecochorous diaspores occur at the three study areas and involve a variety of plant species at all places, there are important differences between the sites. The results indicate that ant-seed interaction vary in space with important consequences for the plants involved.
Mestrado
Mestre em Ecologia
41
Chorbadjian, Rodrigo A. "Phenotypic variation in host quality of pines for the European pine sawfly (Neodiprion sertifer)." Columbus, Ohio : Ohio State University, 2009. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc%5Fnum=osu1230736665.
42
Hunter, Alison F. (Alison Fiona). "Synchrony with host leaf emergence as a component of population dynamics in lepidopteran folivores." Thesis, McGill University, 1991. http://digitool.Library.McGill.CA:80/R/?func=dbin-jump-full&object_id=70287.
Abstract:
The connection between variable synchrony of insect eclosion with host budburst and variability in insect densities was investigated. Experiments with gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar L.) larvae determined the duration of acceptable foliage after budbreak of nine hardwood species. Four competing conceptual models of environmental influences on the timing of budburst were compared and evaluated. The best budburst model was combined with an eclosion model to estimate the frequency of asynchrony and its correlation with density. Synchrony with budburst has a smaller effect than weather after hatch, on the population size of the gypsy moth, but neither is the driving force behind density changes. However, comparison of traits of 300 species of Macrolepidoptera showed that 50% of outbreak species, but only 24% of nonoutbreak species begin feeding at the time of budburst; this suggests a stronger relation between synchrony and population dynamics than was found with the gypsy moth.
43
Pelletier, Georges. "Plants and arthropods associated with orthopteroids in abandoned fields of Southern Quebec." Thesis, McGill University, 1986. http://digitool.Library.McGill.CA:80/R/?func=dbin-jump-full&object_id=65377.
44
Kersch, Monica Frank. "Poda experimental de Chromolaena pungens (Asteraceae) e seus efeitos multitroficos." [s.n.], 2007. http://repositorio.unicamp.br/jspui/handle/REPOSIP/316239.
Abstract:
Orientador: Thomas Michael LewinsohnDissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Biologia
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Resumo: Perturbações naturais ou antrópicas podem induzir mudanças fenotípicas nas plantas, que por sua vez podem influenciar herbívoros, predadores e polinizadores. Fatores abióticos, tais como nutrientes também podem influenciar a recuperação das plantas. Neste estudo investigamos o efeito de poda experimental em artrópodos associados a plantas rebrotadas em populações naturais de Chromolaena pungens (Asteraceae: Eupatoriae), uma planta subarbustiva, perene e nativa de cerrado. Os objetivos deste trabalho foram avaliar como o rebrote após corte raso ou poda parcial e o suprimento de nutrientes influenciam: (i) o crescimento vegetativo, (ii) a reprodução e os caracteres florais, (iii) a abundância de galhas, insetos folívoros, insetos sugadores e seus predadores; (iv) a comunidade de insetos endófagos associados e a incidência de seus parasitóides. O experimento seguiu um desenho de dois fatores em blocos, onde foram manipulados corte (controle, corte parcial e corte raso) e nutrientes (sem adição de nutrientes e com adição de nutrientes). Plantas cortadas na base foram menores, produziram menos folhas e capítulos, tiveram sua fenologia retardada em um mês em comparação com plantas controle ou de corte parcial. No entanto, a taxa de crescimento, a área foliar e o tamanho dos capítulos foram maiores em plantas submetidas a corte raso. Tais plantas sofreram maiores níveis de herbivoria foliar e destruição de sementes. Além disso, a abundância, a riqueza, a diversidade de espécies de endófagos associados a capítulos de plantas cortadas foram maiores do que em plantas controle ou parcialmente cortadas. Em conseqüência, a composição de espécies endófagas diferiu entre plantas submetidas a diferentes tipos de corte. Por isso, os resultados deste estudo são relevantes para o entendimento de interações inseto-planta em ambientes que sofrem perturbações naturais ou antrópicas recorrentes
Abstract: Natural or human-induced disturbances may promote plant phenotypic modifications, developmental and phenological changes which, in turn, may influence herbivores, predators and pollinators. Abiotic factors, especially nutrient availability, may also influence plant recovery. In this study, we evaluated plant regrowth and arthropod responses to experimental clipping plants in natural populations of Chromolaena pungens (Asteraceae: Eupatoriae), a perennial, native shrub in the Brazilian Cerrado. In particular, we assess how resprouting after severe or partial damage and nutrients influence: (i) vegetative regrowth; (ii) reproductive effort and floral traits; (iii) the abundance of galling, leaf-chewing and sap-sucking insects and their predaceous arthropods; (iv) endophagous insects and their parasitoids. The experiment followed a two-factor randomized block design, respectivelly clipping (control, partial clipping and basal clipping) and nutrients (no nutrient added and with nutrients added). Basally clipped plants were smaller, produced fewer leaves and flowerheads than partially clipped and control plants, moreover heir floral phenology was delayed by one month. However, the relative elongation rate, leaf area and flowerhead size were greater in basally clipped plants. These plants also suffered higher leaf herbivory and seed destruction. Moreover, the abundance, species richness and abundance of flowerhead endophages were higher in basally clipped plants than in the other treatments. Not surprisingly, species composition differed among clipping treatments. For this reason, these findings contribute to the knowledge of insect-plant interactions in recurringly disturbed habitats
Mestrado
Ecologia
Mestre em Ecologia
45
Robertson, Hamish Gibson. "The ecology of Cactoblastis cactorum (Berg) (Lepidoptera : phycitidae) in relation to its effectiveness as a biological control agent of prickly pear and jointed cactus in South Africa." Thesis, Rhodes University, 1985. http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005356.
Abstract:
The successful biological control of the shrub-like prickly pear Opuntia stricta Haworth in Australia by cactoblastis cactorum (Berg) was not repeated when C. cactorum, derived from the Australian population, was released in South Africa in the 1930's against the tree prickly pear Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Miller. Resistance of the woody portions of o. ficus-indica to attack by C. cactorum was regarded as the main reason for the poor performance of C. cactorum in South Africa. C. cactorum also oviposits and feeds on Opuntia aurantiaca Lindley, which is currently South Africa's most important weed and which is also considered to be partly resistant to attack by C. cactorum. This study had three main objectives: (i) to compare the ecology and effectiveness of C. cactorum as a biological control agent on O. ficusindica and O. aurantiaca; (ii) to reassess why C. cactorum has not been as effective a biological control agent in South Africa as it has been in Australia; and (iii) to evaluate whether inundative release or the importation of new biotypes of C. cactorum from South America (where it is indigenous) might be feasible methods of improving its effectiveness as a biological control agent of O. aurantiaca in South Africa. All field work was undertaken at a site near Grahamstown in South Africa. The ecology and effectiveness of C. cactorum on O. ficus-indica and O. aurantiaca was assessed in terms of its oviposition behaviour, survival and feeding on these host plants. The proportion of C. cactorum eggs laid on O. ficus-indica and O. aurantiaca was similar and was influenced by the size, conspicuousness and condition of the host plant as well as by the proximity of the host plant to moth emergence sites. Factors affecting oviposition site selection on the plant are also considered. Life tables, compiled for a summer and a winter generation, showed that the survival of C. cactorum was greater on O. ficus-indica than on O. aurantiaca, mainly because higher egg predation by ants occurred on the latter host plant species. During the period of study, the population size of C. cactorum was reduced by a number of mortality factors, of which egg predation and the effects of low temperatures on fecundity were the most important. Although there was evidence of a partial, positive response by predatory ants to C. cactorum egg densities on plants, the extent of egg predation was also affected by other factors, particularly seasonal effects. C. cactorum destroyed a greater percentage of cladodes on O. ficu-indica than on O. aurantiaca, but even on O. ficus-indica it was unable to contain the growth of plants within the study area. C. cactorum larvae rarely killed the woody rooted cladodes of O. ficus-indica and O. aurantiaca and consequently whole plants were not often destroyed. The detrimental effects of host plant resistance, natural enemies and climate on the effectiveness of C. cactorum as a biological control agent all appear to be greater in South Africa than in most of the regions occupied by C. cactorum in Australia. A field experiment conducted at the study site showed that inundative release methods for improving the effectiveness of C. cactorum on O. aurantiaca are not feasible. The importation of biotypes of C. cactorum from South America that might be better suited for destroying O. aurantiaca infestations in South Africa, is also not a viable option. Results of a survey of a 218 ha area that is regarded as being heavily infested with O. aurantiaca, illustrate how this cactus species has been overrated as a weed problem. It is argued that the present strategy for O. aurantiaca control in South Africa is not based on sound economic or ecological criteria.
46
Zachariades, Costas. "Complex interactions involving the Cape fig, Ficus sur Forsskål, and its associated insects." Thesis, Rhodes University, 1995. http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005338.
Abstract:
The inadequacy of arbitrarily classifying interactions between species as antagonistic, neutral or mutualistic has become clear in recent years. Both direct and indirect interactions between species can vary between mutualism and antagonism, depending on the intrinsic and extrinsic contexts of the interaction. This study investigated the characteristics of an ant-plant-homopteran interaction in southern Africa. The polyphagous homopteran Hilda patruelis (Tettigometridae) feeds primarily on the trunk-borne fruiting branches and figs of the Cape fig tree, Ficus sur, and produces honeydew which attracts tending ants. Ten of the sixteen ant species/species groups present on F. sur tended H. patruelis, with Pheidole megacephala the most frequent attendant. Ants attracted to F. sur by H. patruelis honeydew or other liquid food sources also preyed on insects on the tree, including adults of the small agaonid fig wasps whose larvae feed on the ovules in the developing figs. One fig wasp species (Ceratosolen capensis) is also the tree's only pollinator. No benefits to H. patruelis from being tended by ants were detected, either in terms of reduced parasitism, or predation by a lycaenid caterpillar. A P. megacephala colony foraging on a F. sur tree was found to receive a high proportion of its likely energy requirements from the tree, mainly in the form of H. patruelis honeydew, during periods when it was bearing fruit. It is probable that the H. patruelis-P. megacephala interaction constitutes a direct mutualism at times, but that benefits to the homopteran are intermittent or weak. Both H. patruelis and ants benefitted from F. sur, directly or indirectly, through the provision of food (and for some ants, nesting sites). The removal of phloem sap by H. patruelis did not detectably reduce the trees' reproductive output, either in terms of pollinator or viable seed production. The indirect effects of ant and H. patruelis presence on the F. sur trees were on average positive, as ants preyed disproportionately heavily on fig wasp species parasitic on or competing with the pollinator, thus increasing pollinator production. Effects of ant presence on seed production were not investigated, but have been demonstrated as beneficial elsewhere. However, there is great varatlon both in the composition of the wasp fauna arriving to oviposit at different crops, and in ant densities per fig, on several temporal and spatial scales. This results in high variability in the effects of ants on the pollinator and, through it, the tree, from positive to zero and potentially even negative. Despite this conditionality of beneficial outcomes for the tree, the mean effect of ants on the F. sur population studied was to increase pollinator production by up to nearly 20%. This study is among the few to have demonstrated an overall benefit to a plant of having homopteran-tending ants present on it.
47
De, Sibio Paula Roberta [UNESP]. "Efeitos tipo bottom-up e top-down em um sistema tritrófico formado por Ricinus communis L. (Euphorbiaceae), Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) e seus inimigos naturais." Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), 2012. http://hdl.handle.net/11449/104006.
Abstract:
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Oliveira, Caio Fernando Ramalho de 1987. "Aspectos funcionais e estruturais do inibidor de tripsina de Entada acaciifolia." [s.n.], 2011. http://repositorio.unicamp.br/jspui/handle/REPOSIP/314778.
Abstract:
Orientadores: Maria Lígia Rodrigues Macedo, Ricardo AparícioDissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Biologia
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Resumo: Diversas pesquisas buscam candidatos para o controle alternativo de pragas agrícolas, uma vez conhecidos os malefícios oriundos do emprego de inseticidas químicos nas lavouras. Neste trabalho, um inibidor de tripsina isolado de sementes de Entada acaciifolia (Mimosoideae) - (EATI) foi purificado e caracterizado sob o ponto de vista funcional e estrutural. O inibidor mostrou-se estável a variações térmicas e de pH, alem de apresentar sua atividade inibitória inalterada tanto na forma oxidada quanto na forma reduzida com 100 mM de DTT. Quando submetido a cromatografia liquida de alta eficiência em coluna C-18, EATI foi resolvido em 4 picos, indicando a presença de 4 isoformas, sendo que a isoforma majoritária apresentou uma massa acurada de 19.725 Daltons, revelada através de espectrometria de massa MALDI-TOF. Outras características como a estequiometria de inibição, a constante de inibição (Ki), a analise da composição global de aminoácidos e o sequenciamento N-terminal permitiram classificar EATI como membro da família Kunitz de inibidores de serinoprotease. Estudos de dicroísmo circular revelaram um alto conteúdo de fohas-? e estruturas não ordenadas alem da aparente ausência de ?-helices, padrão comum a esta classe de proteínas. A incubação em 1 mM de DTT resultou em perturbações em sua cadeia polipeptídica, corroborando os ensaios in vitro. EATI foi resistente a desnaturação por uréia, característica relatada para outros inibidores vegetais. O inibidor apresentou uma interessante atividade inibitória in vitro contra as proteases de diversos insetos-praga. De acordo com estes resultados, apontamos EATI como uma ferramenta promissora no combate a pragas agrícolas
Abstract: Several studies seeking alternative candidates for the control of agricultural pests, once known harm from the use of chemical insecticides in crops. In this work, a trypsin inhibitor isolated from Entada acaciifolia seeds (Mimosoideae) - (EATI) was purified and characterized from the point of view unctional and structural. The inhibitor was stable to thermal heat and pH range, in addition to its inhibitory activity unchanged in both the oxidized and in reduced form with 100 mM DTT. When subjected to high performance liquid chromatography on C-18 column, EATI was resolved in four peaks, indicating the presence of four isoforms, with the major isoform showing an accurate mass of 19,725 Daltons, as revealed by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. Other characteristic such as stoichiometry of inhibition, the dissociation constant (Ki), the analysis of global amino acid composition and N-terminal sequencing allowed to classify EATI as member of the Kunitz family of serine protease inhibitors. Circular dichroism studies revealed a high content of ?- sheets and unordered structures beyond the apparent absence of ?-helix, typical of this class of proteins. Incubation in 1 mM DTT resulted in small perturbations in their polypeptide chain, corroborate the in vitro assays. EATI was resistant to denaturation by urea, a characteristic reported for other plant inhibitors. The inhibitor presented an interesting inhibitory activity in vitro against the proteases of several insect pests. According to these results, we focused EATI as a promising tool in the fight against agricultural pests
Mestrado
Bioquimica
Mestre em Biologia Funcional e Molecular
49
De, Sibio Paula Roberta. "Efeitos tipo bottom-up e top-down em um sistema tritrófico formado por Ricinus communis L. (Euphorbiaceae), Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) e seus inimigos naturais /." Botucatu, 2012. http://hdl.handle.net/11449/104006.
Abstract:
Orientador: Marcelo Nogueira RossiBanca: Wesley Augusto Conde Godoy
Banca: Lucas Del Bianco Faria
Banca: Julianne Milleo
Banca: Carlos Frederico Wilcken
Resumo: Não disponível
Abstract: Not available
Doutor
50
Pereira, Marcela Fernandes. "Custos e beneficios da visita de formigas aos nectarios extraflorais de Crotalaria pallida (Fabaceae)." [s.n.], 2008. http://repositorio.unicamp.br/jspui/handle/REPOSIP/316372.
Abstract:
Orientador: Jose Roberto TrigoDissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Biologia
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Resumo: Formigas podem exercer um efeito positivo ou negativo na aptidão das plantas com as quais inferagem, dependendo de suas relações com herbívoros, polinizadores e dispersores de sementes. Uma notável característica das interações entre formigas e plantas é a alta freqüência com a qual essas interações são mutualísticas. O suposto beneficio dessas interações é que a aptidão da planta pode ser aumentada indiretamente, já que uma redução na taxa de herbivoria significa uma maior produção de sementes, ou diretamente, através de redução da predação de sementes. Mas será que as plantas realmente se beneficiam da presença dos insetos que atraem?Apesar de alguns estudos terem encontrado beneficios para a planta, há aqueles que indicam o oposto, como os casos em que polinizadores e dispersores de sémentes evitam flores e frutosdevido à presença de formigas. O legado evolutivo das interações entre plantas, herbívoros e formigas é o aparecimento de novas estruturas em plantas. Crotalaria pallida é uma planta muito visitada por formigas devido à presença de nectários extraflorais (NEFs), glândulas produtoras de açúcar sem relação direta com polinização. Superficialmente, pode parecer que as conseqüências para a planta das suas relações com seus herbívoros sejam necessariamente contrárias às conseqüências para o herbívoro. Por outro lado, uma observação mais.cautélosa revela que alguns mecanismos que produzem efeitos negativos no herbívoro não levam automaticamente a um beneficio da planta. Sendo assim, este estudo visa avaliar a relação custo-beneficio da visitação por formigas em C. pallida através de sua aptidão na presença e ausência de formigas, assim como de observações de campo de interações destas plantas com vespas. As taxas de ganho de biomassa e de herbivoria, assim como a produção de flores, vagens e sementes, bem como o peso das sementes não diferiram estatisticamente entre indivíduos de C. pallida com e sem formigas. Por outro lado, o ataque às vagens foi significativamente menor nos indivíduos de C. allida em que as formigas foram excluídas, e a sobrevivência destas plantas foi maior, em comparação com as plantas que foram visitadas normalmente por formigas. Um experimento de campo indicou que a predação de larvas não parece ser influenciada pela presença de vespas, mas apenas por formigas. Por outro lado, durante observações de campo todas as vespas que visitaram racemos de C. pallida foram influenciadas pela Presença de formigas, sendo que algumas reduziram seu tempo de visitação e outras deixaram o racemo após o encontro com formigas. Assim, os resultados obtidos através dos experimentos e observações de campo sugerem que as formigas não afetam a aptidão de C. pallida, pelo menos não nas condições encontradas na área de estudo deste trabalho
Abstract: Ants may have a positive or negative effect on the fitness of the plants with which they interact, depending on its relationship with herbivores, pollinators and seed dispersers. A remarkable characteristic of the interactions between ants and plants is the high frequency with which they are mutualistic. The supposed benefit of these interactions is that the plant fitness may be enhanced indirectly, since herbivory reduction means larger seed production, or direct1y, by reduction on seed predation. But do plants really benefit from the presence of the insects they attract? Despite some studies have found benefits to the plant, there are some that indicate the opposite, like those cases in which pollinators and seed dispersers avoid flowers and fruits due to ant attendance. The evolutive legacy of the interactions between plants, herbivores and ants is the appearance of new plant structures. Crotalaria pallida is a plant highly attended by ants because of its extrafloral nectaries (EFNs), su gar-producing glands with no pollination relationship, located on the base of each flower or pod. Superficially, it may seem that the consequences of the plant relationship with its herbivores are necessar~ly opposed to the consequences to the herbivore. On the other hand, a cautious observation reveals that some mechanisms ;that produce negative effects on the herbivore not automatically lead to a benefit for the plant. Therefor, this work aim to evaluate the magnitude of the costs and benefits of ant attendance to the EFN s of C. pallida on the protection against phytophagous insects, by estimating its fitness in the presence and absence of ants, as well as using field observations of the interactions of these plants with wasps. The rates of biomass gain and herbivory, likewise the flower, pod and seed production, and also seed weight didn't differ significantly between ant-attended and non ant-attended C. pallida plants. As opposed to this, the pod attack was significant1y lower in C. pallida plants not attended by ants, and the survival of these plants was higher, in comparison to the ant-attended plants. A field experiment indicated that larvae predation don't seem to be in:t1uenced by the presence of wasps, but only by ant attendance. On the other hand, during field observations all the wasps visiting C. pallida pods were affected by ant attendance, and some of them reduced its visitation time while others left the pod after meeting an ant. 80, the results we got with the experiments and field observations suggest that the ants don't affect C. pallida fitness, at least not under the conditions found in the area where this work took place
Mestrado
Mestre em Ecologia