Some Ichneumonidae wasps, including the genus Acrotaphus Townes, 1960 (Ephialtini: Pimplinae), induce behavioral modification in their spider hosts. Acrotaphus is a New World parasitoid wasp genus with 26 described species. This genus... more
Some Ichneumonidae wasps, including the genus Acrotaphus Townes, 1960 (Ephialtini: Pimplinae), induce behavioral modification in their spider hosts. Acrotaphus is a New World parasitoid wasp genus with 26 described species. This genus belongs to the Polysphincta genus group, which are ectoparasitoids of spiders of the Araneidae. In this study, we describe a new species (Acrotaphus wagnerianae sp. n.) found in the Brazilian Amazon. In addition, we discuss for the first time the behavioral modification of spiders of the Wagneriana genus (Araneidae) by wasps of the Polysphincta genus group.
Social wasps from temperate zones have clear annual colony cycles, and the young queens hibernate during winter. In the subtropics, the only previously reported evidence for the existence of “hibernation” is the facultative winter... more
Social wasps from temperate zones have clear annual colony cycles, and the young queens hibernate during winter. In the subtropics, the only previously reported evidence for the existence of “hibernation” is the facultative winter aggregations of females during harsh climate conditions. As in temperate-zone species analyzed so far, we show in this study that in the paper wasp, Polistes versicolor, a subtropical species, body size increases as an unfavorable season approaches. Our morphological studies indicate that larger females come from winter aggregations—that is, they are new queens. Multivariate analyses indicate that size is the only variable analyzed that shows a relationship to the differences. Given the absence of a harsh climate, we suggest that the occurrence of winter aggregations in tropical P. versicolor functions to allow some females to wait for better environmental conditions to start a new nest, rather than all being obliged to start a new nest as soon as they emerge.
Venoms of several animals have been used to study various physiopathologic processes, and also to offer opportunity to design and develop new therapeutic drugs. We briefly review certain wasp venom components and their biological effects,... more
Venoms of several animals have been used to study various physiopathologic processes, and also to offer opportunity to design and develop new therapeutic drugs. We briefly review certain wasp venom components and their biological effects, which may be potential sources of novel pharmacologically active compounds
DNA extraction from minute hymenopterans and their larvae is difficult and challenging because of their small size indicating a low amount of starting material. Hence, 11 DNA extraction methods were compared to determine their efficacy in... more
DNA extraction from minute hymenopterans and their larvae is difficult and challenging because of their small size indicating a low amount of starting material. Hence, 11 DNA extraction methods were compared to determine their efficacy in isolating DNA. Success of each method was scored on a 2% agarose gel after PCR of the cox 1 mitochondrial locus. A silica-membrane-based approach was the most successful, followed by a method using a combination of incubation buffers and a method using magnetic beads. The method using buffers was the most cost- and time effective. Using this method, larvae from Eucalyptus seed capsule galls could be assigned a role (parasitoid, gall former or inquiline) in the gall-inhabiting complex.
The influence of temperatures on the life parameters of the solitary oothecal parasitoid Evania appendigaster, was investigated in the laboratory. Parasitized oothecae of Periplaneta americana were left to develop under seven constant... more
The influence of temperatures on the life parameters of the solitary oothecal parasitoid Evania appendigaster, was investigated in the laboratory. Parasitized oothecae of Periplaneta americana were left to develop under seven constant temperatures: 15, 17, 20, 25, 30, 35, and 40 °C. At the end, we found that: (i) E. appendigaster was able to complete development within the temperature range of 17–34 °C; (ii) mean adult longevity decreased as temperature increased, with the temperature of 40 °C being fatal in a matter of hours; (iii) males lived longer than females between 15 and 30 °C; (iv) adult emergence rate was the highest at 25 °C, and (v) no wasps emerged at 15 or 40 °C. Non-emerged oothecae contained either unhatched eggs or dead larvae. We determined the theoretical lower developmental threshold and thermal constant for the complete development as 12.9 °C and 584.8 day-degrees for males, and 13.1 °C and 588.2 day-degrees for females, respectively. A good balance between faster development, maximum adult longevity and good egg viability was obtained between 25–30 °C, and that would be the best temperature range for rearing E. appendigaster.
We report the cases of two patients who developed acute renal failure following multiple wasp stings. Both patients required dialysis and recovered within 4 weeks. The kidney biopsy from one patient showed acute tubular necrosis with... more
We report the cases of two patients who developed acute renal failure following multiple wasp stings. Both patients required dialysis and recovered within 4 weeks. The kidney biopsy from one patient showed acute tubular necrosis with interstitial nephritis. One patient had complete recovery of renal function on follow-up, while the other was lost to follow-up.
The transfer of genes between populations is increasingly important in a world where pollinators are declining, plant and animal populations are increasingly fragmented and climate change is forcing shifts in distribution. The distances... more
The transfer of genes between populations is increasingly important in a world where pollinators are declining, plant and animal populations are increasingly fragmented and climate change is forcing shifts in distribution. The distances that pollen can be transported by small insects are impressive, as is the extensive gene flow between their own populations. We compared the relative ease by which small insects introduce genetic markers into their own and host-plant populations. Gene flow via seeds and pollen between populations of an Asian fig species were evaluated using cpDNA and nuclear DNA markers, and between-population gene flow of its pollinator fig wasp was determined using microsatellites. This insect is the tree's only pollinator locally, and only reproduces in its figs. The plant's pollen-to-seed dispersal ratio was 9.183-9.437, smaller than that recorded for other Ficus. The relative effectiveness of the pollinator at introducing markers into its own populations...
Natural enemies of the gall maker Eugeniamyia dispar (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) were studied on the urban area of Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil from October 1993 to March 1996. Galls and associated arthropods were followed weekly in the field on... more
Natural enemies of the gall maker Eugeniamyia dispar (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) were studied on the urban area of Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil from October 1993 to March 1996. Galls and associated arthropods were followed weekly in the field on individual host plants (Eugenia uniflora, Myrtaceae) and also in the laboratory. Three species of ants attacked the galls, the most common being Pseudomyrmex sp. A proportion of galls was parasitised by Rileya sp. (Eurytomidae). The adults of this solitary ectoparasitoid were also attacked by the ants and fell prey to spider webs.
Clouds and Wasps share a common theme: the problematic relationship between father and son. Is it a simple affinity, or is there something more? The first part of this paper aims to show that the two plays share more profound features.... more
Clouds and Wasps share a common theme: the problematic relationship between father and son. Is it a simple affinity, or is there something more? The first part of this paper aims to show that the two plays share more profound features. The second part of the paper will offer a parallel reading of Clouds and Wasps, showing that the two fathers are described in a similar way, but with quite opposite ends.
The genus Antodynerus de Saussure, 1855 is reviewed from the Indian subcontinent. Three species with one additional subspecies are present, namely Antodynerus flavescens flavescens (Fabricius, 1775), A. f. karachiensis Giordani Soika,... more
The genus Antodynerus de Saussure, 1855 is reviewed from the Indian subcontinent. Three species with one additional subspecies are present, namely Antodynerus flavescens flavescens (Fabricius, 1775), A. f. karachiensis Giordani Soika, 1970, A. limbatus (de Saussure, 1852), and A. punctatipennis (de Saussure, 1853). The parasitic association of strepsipter-an insects and the symbiotic association of mites are reported for the first time in the genus Antodynerus. The distribution of A. f. flavescens (Fabricius) and A. limbatus (de Saussure) in the Indian states is augmented. The latter species is newly recorded from China (Tibet). A key to species of the Indian subcontinent is provided.
The fire-hardened nests of mud-dauber wasps, although underreported, are occasionally recovered from prehistoric settlements across much of eastern North America. Because mud dauber wasp species tend to build in sheltered environments,... more
The fire-hardened nests of mud-dauber wasps, although underreported, are occasionally recovered from prehistoric settlements across much of eastern North America. Because mud dauber wasp species tend to build in sheltered environments, burned nests are periodically used as indirect evidence for prehistoric construction. Other research applications are generally not pursued, such as paleoenvironmental modeling and species I.D. of the arthropod material very rarely preserved in the nests. Past efforts in this regard have produced mixed results, and often lead to the fruitless destruction of archaeological nests. The work described here has two purposes, first, we attempt to identify a technique that would allow archaeologists to assess the integrity and contents of prehistoric nests. Second, we inventory the species, contexts, and chronology of a nest assemblage collected over a 50-year period from sites in the Yazoo Basin of Mississippi. For the first goal, two methods of radiographic imaging were used with limited success. The nest inventory suggests that most date to the Mississippian/Protohistoric periods (ca. 1000-1700 A.D.), a time when relatively substantial architecture was widespread among pre-European societies in this region.
Evania appendigaster (L.) is a solitary endoparasitoid of oothecae of the American cockroach, Periplaneta americana (L.). In this work we report our studies on the parasitism of P. americana oothecae by E. appendigaster and the biological... more
Evania appendigaster (L.) is a solitary endoparasitoid of oothecae of the American cockroach, Periplaneta americana (L.). In this work we report our studies on the parasitism of P. americana oothecae by E. appendigaster and the biological characteristics of this egg parasite, as it is affected by host density and mating. Cockroach oothecae were presented for individual females at diVerent densities (one, two, three, four, Wve and six oothecae) during 2 days of exposition time. Reproduction was determined to be biparental and arrhenotokous. Host density did not infuence sex ratio and longevity. The greatest reproductive efficiency of the females occurred in the first 14 days of their lifetime. At higher densities low parasitism rates were accompanied by a high percentage of dead oothecae. The percentage of parasitism decreases with increase in host density.
"Brower explores the way philosophers were inspired by entomological social systems and communication to reflect on human psyche, social behavior, community organization, communication, and inter-individual relationships. His essay... more
"Brower explores the way philosophers were inspired by entomological social systems and communication to reflect on human psyche, social behavior, community organization, communication, and inter-individual relationships. His essay rehearses the swarms of insects embedded in contemporary philosophy and literary theory, not only showing how many of the major concepts (or philosophemes) in continental philosophy – sexuality, politics, thinking, time, interdependence, and language – draw lessons from the world of insects, but also illustrating again how the insect world spurred human reflection."
Four new species of Tanycarpa (Hymenoptera, Braconidae, Alysiinae), T. gymnonotum Yao sp. n., T. similis Yao sp. n., T. areolata Yao sp. n., and T. lineata Yao sp. n., are described from the Palaearctic Region of China, and T. chors... more
Four new species of Tanycarpa (Hymenoptera, Braconidae, Alysiinae), T. gymnonotum Yao sp. n., T. similis Yao sp. n., T. areolata Yao sp. n., and T. lineata Yao sp. n., are described from the Palaearctic Region of China, and T. chors Belokobylskij is newly recorded from China. Significant range extensions are given for T. bicolor (Nees von Esenbeck), T. gracilicornis (Nees von Esenbeck), and T. mitis Stelfox. A key to the Palaearctic species of Tanycarpa is provided.
—Sex attraction studies were carried out to investigate the mate-finding behaviour of invasive Vespula vulgaris (Linnaeus) (Hymenoptera: Vespidae) wasps. Delta traps were baited with live, caged males, and gynes (virgin queens) of V.... more
—Sex attraction studies were carried out to investigate the mate-finding behaviour of invasive Vespula vulgaris (Linnaeus) (Hymenoptera: Vespidae) wasps. Delta traps were baited with live, caged males, and gynes (virgin queens) of V. vulgaris to determine whether either sex produced a long-range sex attractant. Traps baited with gynes caught 71 males, while the controls and live-male wasp baited traps did not catch gynes. Wind tunnel trials were performed to verify if the signal produced by the gynes was chemical in nature. First, V. vulgaris males were flown to live caged gynes, where more than half of the males tested flew upwind in a zigzagging pattern and made contact with caged gynes. Males were also flown to hexane rinses of gynes and flew upwind in a zigzagging pattern towards the gyne extract, although none made contact with the cotton roll stimulus. The results presented here demonstrate conclusively that V. vulgaris gynes produce a sex pheromone. Résumé—Des e ´tudes d'attraction sexuelle ont e ´té réalisées afin d'e ´tudier le comportement de recherche de partenaire chez la guêpe envahissante Vespula vulgaris (Linnaeus) (Hymenoptera: Vespidae). Nous avons appâtés des pièges Delta avec des mâles et des gynes (reines vierges) de V. vulgaris vivants et encagés pour déterminer si l'un ou l'autre des sexes produit une substance d'attraction sexuelle a ` longue portée. Les pièges appâtés de gynes ont capturé 71 mâles, alors que les pièges témoins et les pièges contenant des guêpes mâles vivantes n'ont attrapé aucune gyne. Des essais en soufflerie aérodynamique ont permis de vérifier si le signal produit par les gynes est de nature chimique. D'abord, nous avons introduit des mâles de V. vulgaris en vol en direction de gynes vivantes encagées: plus de la moitié des mâles se sont dirigés dans le vent en zigzagant et ont fait contact avec les gynes encagées. Nous avons aussi introduit des mâles en vol en direction de rinçages de gynes a ` l'hexane: les mâles ont volé en zigzagant dans le vent vers l'extrait de gynes, bien qu'aucun n'ait fait contact avec le rouleau de coton servant de stimulus. Nos résultats démontrent de manière décisive que les gynes de V. vulgaris produisent une hormone sexuelle.
Explotación de himenópteros melíferos entre etnias del Gran Chaco: Una mirada etnobiológica Nicolás M. Kamienkowski, y Pastor Arenas RESUMEN Se presenta un panorama general de los conocimientos indígenas y criollos del Gran Chaco acerca... more
Explotación de himenópteros melíferos entre etnias del Gran Chaco: Una mirada etnobiológica Nicolás M. Kamienkowski, y Pastor Arenas RESUMEN Se presenta un panorama general de los conocimientos indígenas y criollos del Gran Chaco acerca de la biodiversidad de los himenópteros melíferos, la actividad de recolección de miel asociada a la cultura material, el uso de los productos obtenidos y ciertos aspectos socioeconómicos y culturales relacionados. La información proviene de trabajos de campo hechos desde la década de 1970 y de una amplia revisión bibliográfica. Se destaca el profuso conocimiento acerca de dichos insectos por los indígenas y criollos, en contraste con la escasez en su documentación. Se resaltan los diversos usos de los productos del meleo. Por último se manifiesta el lugar de importancia que dicha actividad de explotación ocupa dentro de los grupos indígenas y criollos del Gran Chaco, dando cuenta de las relaciones económicas, sociales, el comportamiento cultural específico y los nexos con el mundo sobrenatural vinculados con la actividad.
The effect of nine insecticides used in tomato production was evaluated on adults of two Trichogramma pretiosum Riley (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) populations from Rive and Afonso Cláudio, Espírito Santo State, Brazil. The experiment... more
The effect of nine insecticides used in tomato production was evaluated on adults of two Trichogramma pretiosum Riley (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) populations from Rive and Afonso Cláudio, Espírito Santo State, Brazil. The experiment was developed in an acclimatized chamber at 25 ± 1°C, 70 ± 10% relative humidity and 14 h photophase. Eggs of Anagasta kuehniella (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), previously immersed in insecticides solutions were offered to females of both T. pretiosum populations. Bacillus thuringiensis, lufenuron and triflumuron had lowest negative effects on parasitism and viability of individuals of these populations; however, abamectin and pyrethroids (betacyflurin 50 and 125 g/l and esfenvalerate) insecticides reduced parasitism rates. T. pretiosum emerged from A. kuehniella eggs treated with esfenvalerate but were not able to parasitize non treated eggs of this host. B. thuringiensis, lufenuron and triflumuron may be used in integrated pest management programs to control tomato pests, because they have moderated negative effect on parasitoid wasps.
These short articles consider America's complex Gordian Knot of race, class, human identity, They look at our nation's present, and endeavor to posit a better future. A "more perfect union" . They pay especial attention to the phenomena... more
These short articles consider America's complex Gordian Knot of race, class, human identity, They look at our nation's present, and endeavor to posit a better future. A "more perfect union" . They pay especial attention to the phenomena of de facto segregation and how that shapes social norms.
