Search results for "Hymenoptera"
showing 10 items of 218 documents
Female-released sex pheromones mediating courtship behavior in Lysiphlebus testaceipes males.
2013
Ethological aspects and chemical communication at close-range between the sexes of Lysiphlebus testaceipes Cresson (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) have been investigated through behavioral bioassays and chemical analysis. The attractiveness toward males of whole-body extracts of females and males in hexane and acetone was evaluated, adopting male fanning behavior as a key behavioral component. Also, the activity of polar and nonpolar fraction of female-body extract in hexane obtained using solid-phase extraction technique was investigated. In order to identify cuticular compounds, male and female whole-body extracts with hexane and acetone were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Th…
Aspilota-group (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Alysiinae) diversity in Mediterranean Natural Parks of Spain
2014
This work analyses the biodiversity of the Aspilota-group (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Alysiinae) in three Mediterranean Natural parks: Natural Park of La Font Roja, Natural Park of Las Lagunas de la Mata-Torrevieja and Natural Park of La Tinença de Benifassà. Samples were carried out from April 2004 to December 2007. In total, 822 specimens, belonging to 52 species, were collected. Alpha, beta and gamma diversities were analysed, and the Tinença Park was proven to have higher diversity than the Font Roja and Torrevieja. Also, the structure of the Aspilota-group community was analysed.
Diversity and Phenology of the Braconid Community (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) in the Mediterranean Protected Landscape of Sierra Calderona (Spain)
2014
The diversity of the Braconidae subfamilies (Hymenoptera) in the protected landscape of the Natural Park of Sierra Calderona (Eastern Spain) is analysed. Samplings have been carried out along 2010 in three different habitats: almond crop, Oak forest (Quercus suber L.) and Pine forest (Pinus halepensis Miller). In total, 2166 braconid specimens, belonging to 23 subfamilies, have been captured. Alpha, beta and gamma diversities are analysed. As a result, almond crop habitat is proven to show the greatest diversity. The structure of the community and the phenology in each habitat are also analysed.
Abeilles et plantes cultivées en Espagne : actualisation des données pour le melon, la pastèque et l’amandier
2021
[EN] Pollinators of most of the plants cultivated in the Mediterranean regions of Europe are still unknown. We provide new data and we review previously available information on bees (Apoidea) associated with three economically important crops in Spain: melon (Cucumis melo L.), watermelon (Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) Matsum. & Nakai) and almond (Prunus dulcis (Mill.) D.A.Webb). We found that, overall, 98 bee species spanning four families visit flowers of the studied crop species, and 46 additional species were sampled within the crops with pan-traps. The bee assemblages visiting melon include 7–33 species, with moderate to high importance of small Lasioglossum (Halictidae) and of honey bee …
Description of Dryocosmus destefanii new species (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae: Cynipini) from Quercus suber L. in Italy
2018
A new species, Dryocosmus destefanii Cerasa & Melika n. sp. associated with a Cerris section oak, Quercus suber L., is described from Italy. Description, diagnosis, host associations and biology for the new species and an illustrated identification key to the Western Palaearctic Dryocosmus species are given. The description is supported by morphological and molecular data.
Temnothorax pilagens sp. n. – a new slave-making species of the tribe Formicoxenini from North America (Hymenoptera, Formicidae)
2014
A new species of the ant genus Temnothorax Forel, 1890 – Temnothorax pilagens sp. n. is described from eastern North America. T. pilagens sp. n. is an obligate slave-making ant with two known hosts: T. longispinosus (Roger, 1863) and T. ambiguus (Emery, 1895). A differential diagnosis against Temnothorax duloticus (Wesson, 1937), the other dulotic congener from the Nearctic, is presented and a biological characteristics of the new species is given.
Behavioral responses of the parasitoidMelittobia digitatato volatiles emitted by its natural and laboratory hosts
2010
Responses of macropterous females of the ectoparasitoid Melittobia digitata Dahms (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) to direct and indirect cues emitted by its natural hosts as well as laboratory hosts were investigated using a Y-tube olfactometer. To locate the nest of mud dauber wasps, Trypoxylon politum Say (Hymenoptera: Crabronidae), and one of their inquilines, Anthrax spec., parasitoids exploit volatiles from the freshly built nest mud and the empty cocoon constructed by the wasps, as well as their meconium. However, the parasitoids did not respond to odors emitted by older nest mud or by the host stages that are attacked (T. politum prepupae and Anthrax spec. larvae). Melittobia digitata was …
Nest mounds of red wood ants ( Formicaaquilonia ): hot spots for litter-dwelling earthworms
2017
A previously undocumented association between earthworms and red wood ants (Formicaaquilonia Yarr.) was found during an investigation of the influence of wood ants on the distribution and abundance of soil animals in boreal forest soil. Ant nest mounds and the surrounding soil of the ant territories were sampled. The ant nest mound surface (the uppermost 5-cm layer) harboured a much more abundant earthworm community than the surrounding soil; the biomass of the earthworms was about 7 times higher in the nests than in the soil. Dendrodrilusrubidus dominated the earthworm community in the nests, while in soils Dendrobaenaoctaedra was more abundant. Favorable temperature, moisture and pH (Ca c…
Parabiotic ants: the costs and benefits of symbiosis
2014
1. Mutualisms are important drivers of co-evolution and speciation. However, they typically imply costs for one or both partners. Each partner consequently tries to maximise benefits and minimise costs. Mutualisms can therefore develop towards commensalism or parasitism if one partner fails to provide sufficient benefits. This is particularly likely in diffuse interactions, where multiple species can associate with each other. If costs and benefits of a species vary with the identity of the partner species, this may result in a geographical mosaic of co-evolution. 2. In the present study, inter-specific interactions in two parabiotic associations of ants were studied (Hymenoptera: Formicida…
First record of the vulnerable social parasite ant Plagiolepis grassei in Italy (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)
2017
The first Italian records of the rare parasitic ant species Plagiolepis grassei Le Masne, 1956 are here reported. This species is considered as “Vulnerable” by the IUCN’s Red List, and was previously recorded from France and Spain only.