scholarly journals Breaking the rule: Five larval instars in the podonomine midge Trichotanypus alaskensis Brundin from Barrow, Alaska

Author(s):  
Alec R. Lackmann ◽  
Malcolm G. Butler

Except for one unconfirmed case, chironomid larvae have been reported to pass through four larval instars between egg and pupal stages. We have observed a fifth larval instar to be a standard life-cycle feature of the podonomine Trichotanypus alaskensis Brundin 1966 in tundra ponds on the Arctic Coastal Plain near Barrow, Alaska. T. alaskensis has a one-year life cycle in these arctic ponds. Adults emerge in June ~2-3 weeks after pond thaw, then mate and oviposit; most newly-hatched larvae reach instar IV by October when pond sediments freeze. Overwintering larvae complete instar IV within a few days of thaw, then molt again to a fifth larval instar. Imaginal discs, normally seen only during instar IV in Chironomidae, develop across both instars IV & V prior to pupation and adult emergence. While monitoring larval development post-thaw in 2014, we noticed freshly-molted T. alaskensis larval exuviae a week or more prior to any pupation by that species. In 2015-16 we reared overwintering instar IV larvae from single pond sources, individually with daily monitoring, through molts to instar V, pupa, and adult. Some overwintering instar II and III larvae were reared as well, but were few in number. During 2016 we also reared T. alaskensis progeny (from eggs) through instar II, thus documenting head capsule size ranges for all five instars in a single pond’s population. Without individual rearings, the fifth larval instar was not readily apparent for two reasons: 1) The molt itself occurs immediately after thaw and is so synchronous it is difficult to discern in daily field samples. 2) The head capsule size increment between instars IV-V is much lower than the ratio predicted by the Brooks-Dyar Rule. Up through instar IV, the Brooks-Dyar ratio for T. alaskensis ranged 1.30-1.61, but during the IV-V molt head capsule dimensions (sexes pooled) increased by a ratio of 1.09 – comparable to the magnitude of sexual dimorphism in head capsule size within each of the final two larval instars. Individual rearings coupled with 2014-2016 field surveys in nine other ponds suggest that five larval instars is an obligatory trait of this species at this location. As this is the first confirmed case of five larval instars in a chironomid, the phylogenetic uniqueness of this trait needs further investigation.

Holzforschung ◽  
2002 ◽  
Vol 56 (4) ◽  
pp. 335-359 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Oevering ◽  
A.J. Pitman

Summary Pselactus spadix attack of marine timbers was characterised by circular emergence holes 1.48±0.05 mm in diameter and adult tunnels (1.49±0.34 mm) breaking through the wood surface. Larval tunnels measured 0.407–1.892 mm in diameter, initiated from adult tunnels and increased in diameter away from the adult tunnel terminating in frass free pupal chambers (1.6±0.3 mm × 3.5±0.7 mm). Observations of larval tunnel locations indicated oviposition occurred inside the adult tunnels. P. spadix life history was investigated in Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) heartwood at 22±2 °C and 99±1% r.h. Mean adult longevity was 11.5±6.5 months, with mean post-mating longevity for males (11.7±2.9 months) significantly longer than for females (6.3±1.1 months). Adults of at least 2–3 months old were found mating in galleries, which, with observations of the larval tunnel pattern, indicated P. spadix can complete its life cycle without emerging from wood. Five larval instars were identified by measurement of 1722 head capsule widths and application of Dyar's law. Mean development time from 2nd instar to adult emergence was 70.5±6.9 weeks and pupation took 14.6±5.8 days. Development from 2nd instar to reproductive adult took between 17–20 months, with life cycle approximating 24 months at 22±2 °C and 99±1%


Zoosymposia ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 401-407
Author(s):  
SYLVESTER OGBOGU ◽  
WILLIAMS ADU

The life history and density of Cheumatopsyche digitata Mosely (Trichoptera: Hydropsychidae) were examined below Opa Reservoir in Ile-Ife, southwestern Nigeria. This caddisfly is the only species that occurs immediately below the impoundment auxiliary spillway where it closely associates with an aquatic bryophyte, Fontinalis sp. We collected larvae every month between July 2004 and June 2005 as long as larvae were available in the study site. The instar growth ratio was fairly constant and ranged from 1.198 to 1.402 (mean ± standard error = 1.285 ± 0.073) but mean head capsule width increased with larval development. The frequency distribution of head capsule width of larvae clustered into 5 size classes, suggesting 5 larval instars for C. digitata in the study site. Density of larvae ranged from 1,100 to 11,150 inds.m-2 (mean ± SE = 6739  inds.m-2 ± 3904.70), the highest densities occurring in October 2004 during the bloom of Fontinalis. The first larval instar appeared in July 2004. Adult emergence occurred mainly in December 2004 through January 2005 at the onset of reservoir draw-down and death of Fontinalis. These patterns indicate that C. digitata tended to show a univoltine life cycle in the study site.


1965 ◽  
Vol 97 (9) ◽  
pp. 962-969
Author(s):  
Louis F. Wilson

AbstractThe pine gall weevil has a 3-year life cycle on red pine (Pinus resinosa Ait.) in Michigan. Adults oviposit from June to August, depositing 1 to 10 eggs in a niche chewed in the bark of a branch internode. Larvae first emerge in August, feed as a group toward the cambium, and then radiate out along the xylem. Head capsule measurements from 1585 larvae indicate that there are three larval instars. Gall development begins in June of the second year, shortly after the larvae begin the second instar. The third instar commences in June of the third year. Pupation occurs in May of the fourth season; adult emergence follows in June. Overwintering occurs in the egg stage or in the three larval instars. Adults do not overwinter, and apparently three distinct broods occur in Michigan.


2009 ◽  
Vol 43 (1) ◽  
pp. e-15-e-24
Author(s):  
I. Dolinskaya

Formation of Pattern and Diagnostic Instar Features of the Head in Caterpillars from Genus Peridea (Lepidoptera, Notodontidae) Pattern and colouration of caterpillar head of all larval instar of 7 species from genus Peridea Stephens, 1828 are studied. Formation of caterpillar head pattern in ontogenesis is discussed. Diagnostic characters, both specific and larval instars, are recorded for the first time. Key to species according to larval instars is given. Evidently, only larvae of the 1st instar demonstrate different directions in the pattern formation. This characteristic can be used for clearing of taxonomic relations in the genera and on the earliest ontogenetic stages (1st larval instar) only. In the following (2nd-5th) instars, the pattern became more or less of the same type. It depends on stripes shape or colouration only and can serve as good specific diagnostic character. To determine larval instar, both width of the head capsule and head pattern should be taken into account.


1982 ◽  
Vol 114 (6) ◽  
pp. 535-537 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael T. Smith ◽  
Richard A. Goyer

AbstractThe life cycle of Corticeus glaber (LeConte) was investigated at 25 °C and 60% R.H. The developmental time from egg to adult for C. glaber ranged from 30 to 41 days and five larval instars were determined from head capsule measurements. The mature larva is described.


1998 ◽  
Vol 76 (7) ◽  
pp. 1371-1381 ◽  
Author(s):  
W Dean Morewood ◽  
Richard A Ring

Many studies have explored the adaptations of arctic and alpine Gynaephora species (Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae) to their environment, and base-line life-history information is important for the interpretation of such studies. Data and observations on G. groenlandica (Wocke) collected in recent years at Alexandra Fiord, Ellesmere Island, Canada, contradict some of the life-history information previously published for this species from the same site. Detailed analysis of larval head capsule widths and consideration of growth ratios indicate that there are seven rather than six larval instars and that the pattern of development does not deviate significantly from that defined by the Brooks-Dyar rule. Field-rearing of larvae indicates that first-instar larvae overwinter, while field- and laboratory-rearing both indicate that larvae moult once per year, every year. These data and observations greatly shorten and simplify the life history from that previously published and suggest a life cycle of 7 rather than 14 years. This revised life cycle is not presented as an absolute, in recognition of the potential for individual variation, but rather as typical of the developmental pattern of most of the population. As such, it should provide a useful base line for further studies, especially those addressing the influence of predicted climate change in the Arctic.


1988 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 124-130 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. W. Summerlin ◽  
G. T. Fincher

The biology of Hister nomas Erichson was studied in the laboratory to define the developmental history of this bovine dung attracted predator. Female beetles deposited eggs singly 0.5–3.0 cm deep in the soil beneath dung. Embryogenesis was completed in 2.8 days after oviposition. There were two larval instars; each stage required ca. 6.1 and 6.2 days, respectively, for full development, and pupation to adult emergence averaged 17.5 days. Developmental time from oviposition to adult averaged 32.6 days.


2020 ◽  
Vol 55 (3) ◽  
pp. 405-415
Author(s):  
Na Li ◽  
Lei Wu ◽  
Yongxin Geng ◽  
Danfeng Wei ◽  
Min Chen

Abstract Semanotus bifasciatus Motschulsky (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) is one of the most destructive pests of Platycladus trees in China. Morphological measurements, such as head capsule (HC) width, can be very useful and practical indicators for identifying larval instars of coleopteran species. In this study, six morphological variables, including HC width, pronotum width, mandible length and width, and body length and width were measured to determine the instars of field-collected larvae of S. bifasciatus. Both the HC width and pronotum width were reliable parameters for determining the instar and stage. Larvae of S. bifasciatus were divided into eight instars; we detected strong relationships between larval instar and both the HC width (R2 = 0.9640) and pronotum width (R2 = 0.9549). The ranges of body widths and lengths for each instar are provided as reference values for distinguishing among larval stages in field investigations.


1977 ◽  
Vol 109 (12) ◽  
pp. 1563-1570 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gordon Pritchard ◽  
Brian Pelchat

AbstractSamples of a population of Argia vivida Hagen larvae were taken at about monthly intervals from a series of warm sulphur pools at Banff, Alberta, from June 1973 to December 1974. Changes in head capsule width and wing pad length in field-collected and laboratory-reared specimens show that the life-cycle is univoltine. Only the final (Z) instar can be recognized with certainty, but methods are described whereby the population can be divided into size classes which are thought to correspond well with the last nine larval instars. Periods of rapid growth occur in the autumn and again in the spring. Larvae overwinter in the instars U, V, W, X, and Y and the major shift to the final instar occurs in March and April. Adults emerge from April to August. In the laboratory, growth is temperature dependent until the penultimate (Y) instar and this could be a factor in the field since, although larvae can exist year-round at a constant 26 °C, some larvae live in the cooler areas at the edges of the streams and pools. Entry to the final instar appears to require the long photoperiods that follow the vernal equinox.


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