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Abstract
The genus Acalymma Barber comprises 72 species widely distributed in America, mainly in the neotropical region. The taxonomy of this genus is in a confused state because of the superficial simility of all species, which posses similar color patterns and elytral punctation. The importance of mouthpart characters for describing taxa (Wilcox, 1965) or assessing phylogenetic relationships among subfamilies of Chrysomelidae, mainly referred to Alticinae/Galerucinae, has been noted by Reid (1995), Crowson and Crowson (1996) and Lingafelter and Konstantinov (1999). Specimens from 13 species of Acalymma belonging to A. gouldi group, A. horni group and A. peregrinum group were examined. The present paper provides a description of the mouthparts of Acalymma. It also discusses the value of structures pertaining to the alimentary habits of Diabroticites and some phylogenetic relationships between Alticinae/Galerucinae. The mouthparts of Acalymma are characterized by: mandibles pyramidal, with 5 apical teeth; with a well developed molar area and prostheca and a setose membrane; maxilla with stipes divided, galea well developed and lacinia and maxillary palp 4-segmented; labium with ligula membranous, slightly developed, not bilobate and labial palp 3-segmented.
... New World Diabroticina beetles are hypothesized to have had an evolutionary association with cucurbit plants for at least 30 million years (Eben and Espinosa 2013). There are several dozen species of Acalymma and all are thought to be obligate cucurbit specialists at all life stages (Munroe andSmith 1980, Cabrera andDurante 2001). Only two Acalymma spp. ...
... Pollen found in the guts of dissected Acalymma (Samuelson 1994) and the morphological adaptations of Acalymma spp. mouthparts suggest these beetles are still largely pollinivorous (Cabrera and Durante 2001). While Diabrotica spp. ...
... Adult beetles of the genus Acalymma (Chrysomelidae: Galerucinae) frequently visited our squash plants during the field experiments in Mexico. The genus Acalymma mainly occurs in the New World (Cabrera and Durante, 2001;Capinera, 2001), but it is mostly distributed in the tropical regions of Mexico (Smith, 1966). Some species are considered oligophagous (they feed on several species of Cucurbitaceae as adults and larvae) (Eben et al., 1997a), and major pests of cucurbits. ...
Plant domestication often reduces plant defenses by selection on chemical and physical defense traits. Thus, it is expected that herbivorous insects perform better on crop varieties than on their wild relatives. However, recent studies show that this pattern is not ubiquitous. We examined how varieties of squash ( Cucurbita spp.) domesticated for different purposes (for consumption or as ornamentals), differ in plant defense traits and in their interactions with a leaf and a root herbivore. Two types of defenses were measured: cucurbitacins, which are toxic phytochemicals, and trichomes that are physical barriers for most herbivores. We addressed the following questions: (i) what is the variation in cucurbitacin content and leaf trichome density among varieties? (ii) does purpose of domestication explain differences in defense traits among varieties? and (iii) are herbivore feeding preferences and performance altered by the defense traits of squash varieties? We found great variation in cucurbitacin content among varieties, but not according to their purpose of domestication. Cucurbitacins were found mostly in cotyledons and roots and in very small quantities in the leaves. In contrast, trichome density was greater on the varieties selected for consumption than on the ornamental varieties. The performance of a leaf herbivore (S podoptera latifascia ) and a root herbivore ( Diabrotica balteata ), was not different among squash varieties. Moreover, in a choice experiment, larvae of the root herbivore preferred to feed on squash varieties with high cucurbitacin content. Whereas, in the field, native leaf herbivores preferred to feed on varieties selected for consumption. Our results contribute to a better understanding on how varietal selection may differentially affect plant defenses. This knowledge could help in the development of crop varieties with enhanced insect resistance.
... Chrysomelidae Alticini Tribe (Begossi and Benson 1988) Alticinae Subfamily (Cabrera and Durante 2001) Acalymma Genus (Chamorro 2013) Cryptochephalini Tribe (Clark 2004) (Franz 2009) Eustylini Tribe (Jolivet 1987) Megascelinae Eumolpinae Subfamily (Jolivet 1991) Alticinae Subfamily (Jolivet and Hawkeswood 1995) (Gordon, 1985) 113 Chrysomelidae Eumolpinae Phylophagous (Jolivet, 1987) 114 (Goeden, 1971) 180 Staphylinidae Schapidiinae Toxidium 1 Other arthropods (Ogawa and Löbl, 2016) ...
Deforestation is a growing threat to biodiversity in the tropics. In the last few years, a number of reforestation initiatives, such as agroforestry systems, have been put in place. However, agroforestry systems are under threat by herbivory and this influence can be felt even at a very small scale. In fact, herbivores can have highly disproportionate effects on tree functioning. This research focuses on the role of stand diversification in reducing insect herbivory damage, using the Sardinilla plantation as a model site. The research will improve our understanding of the role played by herbivores in regulating processes in the ecosystem.Chapter 1 establishes the context of the research, focusing primarily on reviewing scientific knowledge about insect herbivory and ecosystem functioning as well as the effect of stand diversification on ecosystem resilience. Chapter 2 describes and characterizes the beetle community in the Sardinilla plantation, Panama, in relation to stand diversification and local environmental variables. Our results show that experimental manipulation of tree diversity impact overall beetle community assemblages, for both morphospecies and functional diversity, and that the beetle communities in diverse tree stands are functionally even. Additionally, canopy openness and vegetation, which regulates microclimate, has a significant effect on beetle communities. Chapter 3 focuses on using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) to assess relationships between environmental variables and beetles in an experimental neotropical agroforestry setting. The major findings of this exploratory analysis show that there is a negative relationship between aboveground biomass and beetle diversity and between beetle diversity and herbivory. Aboveground plant biomass also seemed to be the most important determinant of herbivory.This thesis establishes links between herbivory and ecosystem functioning in the Sardinilla plantation. Moving forward, the information gathered will contribute to the wealth of knowledge already accumulated by the Sardinilla project during the last 15 years. Understanding the potential effects of herbivores in agroforestry systems is a step towards ensuring the sustainability of these forests and support their use as an initiative to counter deforestation in Central America.
... Previous attempts at controlling fireblight, Erwinia amylovora (Burrill), with P. fluorescens were successful at reducing overall disease (Yamamoto et al. 2000;Pujol et al. 2005;Cabrefiga et al. 2007;Silby et al. 2009). Pseudomonas fluorescens inhibits E. amylovora by sequestering free iron, thereby limiting the latter's growth (Cabrera and Durante 2001;Whipps 2001;Stockwell et al. 2002;Temple et al. 2004;Cabrefiga et al. 2007). ...
Aims
We aim to determine if Pseudomonas fluorescens is a viable biological control for Erwinia tracheiphila within the insect vector, Acalymma vittatum.
Methods and Results
Pseudomonas fluorescens secreted fluorescein and inhibited growth of Erwinia tracheiphila in disk diffusion assays. To determine if this antagonism was conserved within the insect vector, we performed in vivo assays by orally injecting beetles with bacterial treatments and fluorescent in situ hybridization to determine bacterial presence within the alimentary canal.
Conclusions
Pseudomonas fluorescens inhibited the growth of Erwinia tracheiphila on a nutrient‐limiting medium. In situ experiments demonstrated that Pseudomonas fluorescens is maintained within the alimentary canal of the beetle for at least 4 days, and co‐occurred with Erwinia tracheiphila. When beetles were first presented with Pseudomonas and then challenged with Erwinia tracheiphila, Erwinia tracheiphila was not recovered via FISH after 4 days. These data suggest that Pseudomonas fluorescens has potential as a biological control agent to limit Erwinia tracheiphila within the insect vector.
Significance and Impact of Study
This is a novel approach for controlling Erwinia tracheiphila that has the potential to decrease reliance on insecticides, providing a safer environment for pollinators and growers.
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... Morphological descriptions are complementary; the shared features between male and female are not repeated after being mentioned for the Þrst time. Head capsule terminology follows Cabrera (2001) and Konstantinov (1998a), mouthparts Cabrera and Durante (2001), hind wing venation Kukalová-Peck and Lawrence (1993), metanotum Konstantinov (1998a) and Lingafelter and Konstantinov (2000), and metendosternite Lingafelter and Konstantinov (2000). Nomenclature for the parts of the male genitalia is based on Lindroth and Palmé n (1970) and Mann (1985) and that of the female genitalia on Le Sage (1986) and Konstantinov (1998bKonstantinov ( , 2002. ...
The new species Diabrotica calchaqui Cabrera Walsh is described and illustrated based on specimens collected from Cachi, Salta Province, Argentina. This new species is assigned to the Diabrotica virgifera group, subtribe Diabroticina, tribe Luperini. D. calchaqui is recognized by the combined characters of elytra green with yellow vittae in some specimens reduced to two or three spots, humeral plicae subparallel, elytral sulcus sometimes obsolete, and internal sac of median lobe with five sclerites. Differences between D. calchaqui with Diabrotica porracea Harold, Diabrotica tumidicornis Erichson, Diabrotica mapiriensis Krysan & Smith, and Diabrotica fulvofasciata Jacoby, of similar morphology, also are discussed. Adults have been found associated with cultivated Cucurbitaceae and wild Asteraceae flowers.
... Terminology for hind wing venation follows Lingafelter and Konstantinov (1999), Crowson (1996), andKukalová-Peck andLawrence (1993). Terminology for mouthparts follows Cabrera and Durante (2001). Terminology for details of epipharynx and labium follows Ball and Shpeley (2002). ...
A new genus and species of Galerucinae, Platybrotica misionensis, is described from northeast Argentina (Misiones Province). This monotypic genus is characterized by the antennomeres 6–10 ventrally excavated, genal space equal to one-fourth to less than one-half of maximum ocular diameter, elytra with 2 posthumeral costae, and internal sac of aedeagus with 5 sclerites, and is assigned to the Diabroticites, a section of the subtribe Diabroticina, tribe Luperini. Adults have been found associated with wild and cultivated Cucurbitaceae.
... Morphological descriptions are complementary; the shared features between male and female are not repeated after being mentioned for the Þrst time. Morphological terminology generally follows Lingafelter et al. (1998), mouthparts (Cabrera and Durante 2001), hind wing (Kukalová-Peck and Lawrence 1993), metendosternite (Lingafelter and Konstantinov 2000) and metafemoral spring (Furth 1982), male genitalia (Lindroth andPalmé n 1970, Mann 1985), and female genitalia (Konstantinov 1998(Konstantinov , 2002. The abbrevia-tions used to mention the venational scheme are SC, subcosta; RA, radial anterior; RP, radial posterior; r4, radial cross vein 4; MP, medial posterior; RP-MP2, radio-medial cross-vein 2; CuA, cubital anterior; and AA, anal anterior. ...
The flea beetle Systena silvestrii Bechyné 1957 was studied in context with the evaluation of natural enemies of the alligator weed, Alternanthera philoxeroides (Martius) Grisebach (Amaranthaceae). The female is described and the holotype male is redescribed adding new diagnostic characters: mouthparts, hind wings, metendosternite, male and female genitalia. Differences in color patterns between S. silvestrii, S. marcapatensis Bechyné, S. scurra scurra Scherer and S. scurra ajonjoli Bechyné Bechyné are considered. This flea beetle was collected mostly on alligator weed but also on Phyla canescens (Vebenaceae), in Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay and Brazil. Therefore, further evaluation is strongly recommended prior to its consideration for biocontrol of A. philoxeroides.
... Morphological descriptions are complementary; the shared features between male and female are not repeated after being mentioned for the Þrst time. Morphological terminology generally follows Lingafelter et al. (1998), mouthparts (Cabrera and Durante 2001), hind wing (Kukalová-Peck and Lawrence 1993), metendosternite (Lingafelter and Konstantinov 2000) and metafemoral spring (Furth 1982), male genitalia (Lindroth andPalmé n 1970, Mann 1985), and female genitalia (Konstantinov 1998(Konstantinov , 2002. The abbrevia-tions used to mention the venational scheme are SC, subcosta; RA, radial anterior; RP, radial posterior; r4, radial cross vein 4; MP, medial posterior; RP-MP2, radio-medial cross-vein 2; CuA, cubital anterior; and AA, anal anterior. ...
Flea beetles of alligator weed, Alternanthera philoxeroides (Martins) Grisebach (Amaranthaceae), were collected in Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, and Brazil. Species in the genera Disonycha Chevrolat, Agasicles Jacoby, and Systena Chevrolat were frequently found on this weed. Systena nitentula Bechyne 1954 was the most abundant within Systena. This species is reported for the first time from Argentina at north of 30 degrees S. The mate is described and holotype female is redescribed adding new diagnostic characters: mouthparts, hind wings, metendosternite, and male and female genitalia. S. nitentula is recognized by the combined characters of piceous elytra with J-shaped vittae, a small spermatheca pump, and internal median lobe sac with five sclerotized plates. Differences in color patterns between S. nitentula, S. tenuis Becbyne, and S. s-littera L, also are considered. S. nintentula presents three instars that can be separated through head width. New biological data based on laboratory rearing and field observations shows that S. nintentula could be a monophagous species strongly associated to the alligator weed growing in terrestrial conditions. This information promotes S. nintentula as a potential biocontrol agent of this invasive weed.
The genus Acalymma Barber comprises 72 species widely distributed in America, mainly in the neotropical region. The taxonomy of this genus is in a confused state because of the superficial similarity of all species, which posses similar color patterns and elytral punctation. The significance of mouthpart characters for assessing phylogenetic relationships among subfamilies of Chrysomelidae, and especially the Alticinae and Galerucinae, has been noted by various authors. The present paper is a comparative morphological study of mouthparts based on 14 species of Acalymma. As a result of this study, the taxonomic value of the mouthparts for recognizing species is established.
The male of Caraguata bella is described and illustrated for the first time and the original description of the female is enlarged. New diagnostic characters: mouthparts, hind wings, metanotum, metendosternite, male and female genitalia are provided. This species is compared with C. sublimbata Baly its closest related species.
The new species Diabrotica calchaqui Cabrera & Cabrera Walsh is described and illustrated based on specimens collected from Cachi, Salta Province, Argentina. This new species is assigned to the Diabrotica virgifera group, subtribe Diabroticina, tribe Luperini. D. calchaqui is recognized by the combined characters of elytra green with yellow vittae in some specimens reduced to two or three spots, humeral plicae subparallel, elytral sulcus sometimes obsolete, and internal sac of median lobe with five sclerites. Differences between D. calchaqui with Diabrotica porracea Harold, Diabrotica tumidicornis Erichson, Diabrotica mapiriensis Krysan & Smith, and Diabrotica fulvofasciata Jacoby, of similar morphology, also are discussed. Adults have been found associated with cultivated Cucurbitaceae and wild Asteraceae flowers.
Acalymma bertoluccii sp. nov. is described from southeastern Arizona and New Mexico, U.S.A.
The first cladistic analysis to determine the monophyletic status of alticine and galerucine leaf beetles and their relationship to one another is provided. A classification based on their hypothesized relationships is proposed. Fifty morphological characters of adults were analyzed from twenty-nine taxa representing six traditionally recognized subfamilies (Orsodacninae, Aulacoscelidinae, Eumolpinae [including Synetini], Chrysomelinae, Galerucinae, and Alticinae), with an emphasis on thorough exemplar representation from galerucines and alticines. Cladistic analyses of these characters using the heuristic analysis of PAUP resulted in 444 equally most parsimonious cladograms, a consensus of which was mostly unresolved. Successive approximations weighting of these trees produced a nearly fully resolved hypothesis of relationships among the taxa. This hypothesis indicates the monophyly of chrysomelines + eumolpines + orsodacnines and monophyly of galerucines + alticines. Importantly, the alticines are a highly derived, strongly supported monophyletic group, nested within galerucines. Therefore, alticines must have a lower relative taxonomic rank (such as tribe) to Galerucinae in order to reflect this phylogenetic hypothesis.
The male and female reproductive systems, gut and Malpighian tubules, and ventral nerve cord are described and figured for Orsodacne cerasi L. and Syneta betulae F.; the first instar larva of O. lineola is described and figured, and compared with already described larvae of Syneta betulae and other Chrysomelidae. The adhesive setae of the adult tarsi are described for both species and for representatives of Aulacoscelinae, Megascelinae, Megalopodinae, Sagrinae, Eumolpinae, Hispinae and Camptosomata. The mouthparts of adult Orsodacne and Aulacoscelis are described and figured, with consideration of pollen-eating adaptations in the family. It is concluded that Orsodacne is an isolated and primitive type whose nearest existing relative may be Cucujopsis Crowson in Australia, while Syneta may be allied to both Eumolpinae and Galerucinae. A new key to subfamilies of chrysomelid larvae is provided, and a phyletic dendrogram of the family is figured and discussed.
Choice tests were conducted to determine relative degree of specialization of feeding behavior of 11 Mexican diabroticite species in the genera Acalymma and Diabrotica (Chrysomelidae: Luperini). Adult beetles were offered a choice between cotyledons of a non‐bitter (not containing cucurbitacin) cucurbit ( C. pepo L. var. Crookneck), corn ( Zea mays L.), and beans ( Phaseolus vulgaris L.). In a second assay a bitter (containing cucurbitacin) cucurbit ( C. pepo L. var. Ambassador) was added to the array of plants offered. Neonates of two species of Acalymma and one species of Diabrotica were offered a choice between roots of a non‐bitter and a bitter cucurbit, and between a bitter cucurbit and corn.
Adult insects showed distinct preferences in the first assay. All Acalymma spp. tested accepted only the non‐bitter cucurbit as host, whereas Diabrotica spp. preferred either the cucurbit or the noncucurbit hosts. When the bitter cucurbit was offered together with the other three hosts, all species changed their host choice and significantly preferred the bitter cucurbit. Neonates of all three species tested significantly preferred the bitter cucurbit roots over the non‐bitter roots, and the corn roots over the bitter cucurbit.
The observation that all Mexican diabroticite species tested left suitable hosts when bitter cucurbits were offered in a choice situation supported the hypothesis that the association between diabroticites and Cucurbitaceae is mediated by plant chemical compounds. For both, the Acalymma spp., which were found to be cucurbit specialists, as well as for the polyphagous Diabrotica spp., cucurbitacin B acted as a strong feeding arrestant which implies that the chemical mediation of this interaction might be an evolutionary conservative trait within the tribe.