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Aggregation Behavior Of Aplomyiopsis Xylota (Diptera: Tachinidae), Frank J. Messina
Aggregation Behavior Of Aplomyiopsis Xylota (Diptera: Tachinidae), Frank J. Messina
Biology Faculty Publications
The tachinid A. xylota is a common parasitoid of larvae of Trirhabda virgata and T. borealis (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) in central New York [USA]. Flies aggregated on herbaceous vegetation along the borders between old fields and more shaded habitats (shrubby fields or woodlots). Aggregations comprised from less than 100 to a few thousand individuals, almost all of which were male. Males continuously perched and moved about in sun flecks on the vegetation and frequently grappled with each other. In the old field adjacent to the primary aggregation site, the tachinid sex ratio was strongly skewed toward females. Aggregations of A. xylota …
Plant Protection As A Consequence Of An Ant-Membracid Mutualism: Interactions On Goldenrod (Solidago Sp.), Frank J. Messina
Plant Protection As A Consequence Of An Ant-Membracid Mutualism: Interactions On Goldenrod (Solidago Sp.), Frank J. Messina
Biology Faculty Publications
In central New York, two chrysomelid beetles, Trirhabda virgata and T. borealis, frequently cause severe defoliation of tall goldenrod, Solidago altissima. This plant is also the primary host of Publilia concava (Membracidae), a sap—feeding treehopper that is tended by ants, especially Formica spp. Staged encounters indicate that Formica ants attack adult Trirhabda beetles on goldenrod stems bearing membracids. Such stems escape defoliation by Trirhabda, and show greater mean height increment and seed production than their nearest neighbors without ants. The degree of plant protection depends on the duration of Formica presence. During Trirhabda outbreaks, only stems bearing Formica ants for …