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Plant-Rich Field Margins Influence Natural Predators of Aphids More Than Intercropping in Common Bean. INSECTS 2022; 13:insects13070569. [PMID: 35886745 PMCID: PMC9322975 DOI: 10.3390/insects13070569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2022] [Revised: 06/14/2022] [Accepted: 06/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022]
Abstract
Simple Summary Field margin plants are important in providing resources for natural enemies (NEs) and improving biological control of crop pests. However, the use of field margin plants for biological control particularly of important common bean pests is understudied in smallholder farming systems of sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). We evaluated the potential of field margin plants with respect to intercropping systems in common bean fields to enhance the population of NEs of common bean pests. We observed a high assemblage of important NEs of common bean pests for some insect taxa with minimal impact of intercropping on NEs. Field margin plants could be managed to provide a wide range of resources to NEs and therefore biological control of common bean pests. Abstract Field margins support important ecosystem services including natural pest regulation. We investigated the influence of field margins on the spatial and temporal distribution of natural enemies (NEs) of bean pests in smallholder farming systems. We sampled NEs from high and low plant diversity bean fields using sweep netting and coloured sticky traps, comparing monocropped and intercropped farms. NEs collected from within crops included predatory bugs, lacewings, predatory flies, parasitic flies, parasitic wasps, lady beetles, and a range of other predatory beetles; with the most dominant group being parasitic wasps. Overall, high plant diversity fields had a higher number of NEs than low-diversity fields, regardless of sampling methods. The field margin had a significantly higher number of lacewings, parasitic wasps, predatory bugs, syrphid flies, and other predatory beetles relative to the crop, but beneficial insects were collected throughout the fields. However, we observed marginally higher populations of NEs in intercropping than in monocropping although the effect was not significant in both low and high plant diversity fields. We recommend smallholder farmers protect the field margins for the added benefit of natural pest regulation in their fields.
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Brock RE, Cini A, Sumner S. Ecosystem services provided by aculeate wasps. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2021; 96:1645-1675. [PMID: 33913243 DOI: 10.1111/brv.12719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2020] [Revised: 03/25/2021] [Accepted: 03/29/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
The aculeate wasps are one of the most diverse and speciose insect taxa; they are omnipresent across ecosystems and exhibit diverse co-evolutionary and exploitative associations with other organisms. There is widespread conjecture that aculeate wasps are likely to perform essential ecological and economic services of importance to the health, well-being and nutritional needs of our planet. However, the scope and nature of the ecosystem services they provide are not well understood relative to other insect groups (e.g. bees, butterflies, beetles); an appreciation of their value is further tarnished by their public reputation as pointless pests. Here, we conduct the first comprehensive review of how aculeate wasps contribute to the four main areas of ecosystem services: regulatory, provisioning, supporting and cultural services. Uniting data from a large but previously disconnected literature on solitary and social aculeate wasps, we provide a synthesis on how these insects perform important ecosystem services as parasites, predators, biological indicators, pollinators, decomposers and seed dispersers; and their additional services as a sustainable alternative to meat for human consumption, and medicinal potential as sources of research leads for anti-microbials and cancer treatments. We highlight how aculeate wasps offer substantial, but largely overlooked, economic benefits through their roles in natural pest management and biological control programs. Accordingly, we provide data-driven arguments for reasons to consider the ecosystem service value of aculeate wasps on a par with other 'useful' insects (e.g. bees). Finally, we provide a research roadmap identifying the key areas of research required to capitalise better on the services provided by these important insects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan E Brock
- School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, NR4 7TJ, U.K
| | - Alessandro Cini
- Dipartimento di Biologia, Università degli Studi di Firenze, Via Madonna del Piano 6, 50019, Sesto Fiorentino, FI, Italy.,Centre for Biodiversity & Environment Research, University College London, Medawar Building, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT, U.K
| | - Seirian Sumner
- Centre for Biodiversity & Environment Research, University College London, Medawar Building, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT, U.K
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Buide ML, Del Valle JC, Prado-Comesaña A, Narbona E. The effects of pollination, herbivory and autonomous selfing on the maintenance of flower colour variation in Silenelittorea. PLANT BIOLOGY (STUTTGART, GERMANY) 2021; 23:275-284. [PMID: 33179369 DOI: 10.1111/plb.13209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2020] [Accepted: 10/30/2020] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Intraspecific flower colour variation has been generally proposed to evolve as a result of selection driven by biotic or abiotic agents. In a polymorphic population of Silene littorea with pink- and white-flowered plants, we studied pollinators, analysed flower colour perception and tested for differences in pollinator visitation. We also experimentally analysed pollinator limitation in fruit and seed set, and the degree of autonomous selfing. The incidence of florivory and leaf herbivory was compared over 3-4 years. Silene littorea is mainly pollinated by bees and butterflies. Pollinators preferred pink flowers, which did not show pollinator limitation. On the contrary, white flowers showed pollinator limitation in fruit set. White-flowered plants had less floral display and higher levels of florivory than pink plants. Flower colour morphs of S. littorea can reproduce in the absence of pollinators by autonomous selfing, setting 20% and 12% of fruit and seeds in the pink morph and 27% and 20% in the white morph, respectively. Fruit set of white flowers produced by autonomous selfing did not differ from open-pollinated flowers. In conclusion, S. littorea is pollinated by insects of different orders that more frequently visit pink flowers, which is reflected in pollinator limitation of fruit set in white flowers. Moreover, this species has a mixed mating system in which both colour morphs can reproduce in the absence of pollinators by autonomous selfing, although white flowers mainly produce fruits by autogamy. We suggest that reproductive assurance by autonomous selfing helps to maintain flower colour polymorphism in this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- M L Buide
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemical Engineering, Pablo de Olavide University, Seville, Spain
| | - J C Del Valle
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemical Engineering, Pablo de Olavide University, Seville, Spain
| | - A Prado-Comesaña
- Department of Analytical and Food Chemistry, University of Vigo, Vigo, Spain
| | - E Narbona
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemical Engineering, Pablo de Olavide University, Seville, Spain
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Lukas K, Dötterl S, Ayasse M, Burger H. Olfactory and Visual Floral Signals of Hedera helix and Heracleum sphondylium Involved in Host Finding by Nectar-Foraging Social Wasps. Front Ecol Evol 2020. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2020.571454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
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Thaowetsuwan P, Ritchie S, Riina R, Ronse De Craene L. Divergent Developmental Pathways Among Staminate and Pistillate Flowers of Some Unusual Croton (Euphorbiaceae). Front Ecol Evol 2020. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2020.00253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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González-Esquivel JG, Cuevas-Reyes P, González-Rodríguez A, Ávila-Cabadilla LD, Álvarez-Añorve MY, Fagundes M, Maldonado-López Y. Functional attributes of two Croton species in different successional stages of tropical dry forest: effects on herbivory and fluctuating asymmetry patterns. Trop Ecol 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s42965-019-00027-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
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Martins J, Carneiro A, Souza L, Almeida-Cortez J. How pollinator visits are affected by flower damage and ants presence in Ipomoea carnea subs. fistulosa (Martius and Choise) (Convolvulaceae)? BRAZ J BIOL 2019; 80:47-56. [PMID: 31066764 DOI: 10.1590/1519-6984.189025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2017] [Accepted: 05/03/2018] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
This study aimed to evaluate the effects of florivory and of the patrolling ants associated to EFNs-extrafloral nectaries, on the frequency of floral visitors, using the specie Ipomoea carnea subs. fistulosa (Martius and Choise) in Caatinga area. The floral attributes of the species were characterized. The effect of florivoria on the frequency of visitors and the influence of the presence of ants associated with the NEFs on the pollinator visit rate were evaluated. The rate of natural florivoria was recorded and collected floral visitors and ants over eight months. The damage on floral structure and the presence of ants foraging in the flowers causes a decrease in the number of total visits. The results may be justified by the fact that the floral damage consisted in the loss of important floral attributes. These effects for Ipomoea carnea subs. fistulosa can affect reproductive success, since it is a self-incompatible species and depends on the activity of the pollinators for their fertilization to occur.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Martins
- Departamento de Botânica, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco - UFPE, Av. Professor Morais Rego, 1235, Cidade Universitária, CEP 50670-901, Recife, PE, Brasil
| | - A Carneiro
- Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Campina Grande - UFCG, Campus Patos, CEP 58700-970, Patos, PB, Brasil
| | - L Souza
- Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Campina Grande - UFCG, Campus Patos, CEP 58700-970, Patos, PB, Brasil
| | - J Almeida-Cortez
- Departamento de Botânica, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco - UFPE, Av. Professor Morais Rego, 1235, Cidade Universitária, CEP 50670-901, Recife, PE, Brasil
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Evidence of Varroa-mediated deformed wing virus spillover in Hawaii. J Invertebr Pathol 2018; 151:126-130. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jip.2017.11.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2017] [Revised: 11/04/2017] [Accepted: 11/15/2017] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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Guerrina M, Casazza G, Conti E, Macrì C, Minuto L. Reproductive biology of an Alpic paleo-endemic in a changing climate. JOURNAL OF PLANT RESEARCH 2016; 129:477-485. [PMID: 26886434 DOI: 10.1007/s10265-016-0796-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2014] [Accepted: 12/13/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Climate change is known to have a profound influence on plant reproduction, mainly because it affects plant/pollinator interactions, sometimes driving plants to extinction. Starting from the Neogene, the European climate was subjected to severe alterations. Nevertheless, several genera, including Berardia, survived these climatic changes. Despite the numerous studies performed about the relationship between climate change and plant reproductive biology, equivalent studies on ancient species are lacking, even though they may furnish crucial information on the strategies that allowed them to survive drastic climatic fluctuations. We investigated floral and reproductive features in Berardia subacaulis (Asteraceae), describing pollen vectors, capitulum and florets phenology, evaluating reproductive efficiency and defining the reproductive mode of the plant with bagging experiments and test of apomixis. B. subacaulis grows in habitats with low pollination services; it is self-compatible, but many typical features favouring cross-pollination are still present: florets are characterized by incomplete protandry, capitulum protogyny and high pollen-ovule ratio. The plant is not apomictic and self-fertilization is allowed within each capitulum. Similarly to other European Alpine endemics supposed to belong to the Mediterranean ancient tropical flora, the reproductive mode observed in the monospecific genus Berardia assured reproduction also under a pollinator decline. Differently from the other endemics, it took advantage of its spontaneous self-pollination and compatibility and its generalist pollination service, common both among high altitude plants and in the Asteraceae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Guerrina
- DISTAV, Polo Botanico Hanbury, Università degli Studi di Genova, Corso Dogali 1M, 16136, Genoa, Italy
| | - Gabriele Casazza
- DISTAV, Polo Botanico Hanbury, Università degli Studi di Genova, Corso Dogali 1M, 16136, Genoa, Italy
| | - Elena Conti
- Institute of Systematic Botany, Botanic Garden, University of Zurich, Zollikerstrasse 107, 8008, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Carmelo Macrì
- DISTAV, Polo Botanico Hanbury, Università degli Studi di Genova, Corso Dogali 1M, 16136, Genoa, Italy
| | - Luigi Minuto
- DISTAV, Polo Botanico Hanbury, Università degli Studi di Genova, Corso Dogali 1M, 16136, Genoa, Italy.
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Gong B, Zhang G. Interactions between plants and herbivores: A review of plant defense. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2014. [DOI: 10.1016/j.chnaes.2013.07.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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Rizzardo RAG, Milfont MO, Silva EMSD, Freitas BM. Apis mellifera pollination improves agronomic productivity of anemophilous castor bean (Ricinus communis). AN ACAD BRAS CIENC 2012; 84:1137-45. [PMID: 22990600 DOI: 10.1590/s0001-37652012005000057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2011] [Accepted: 06/01/2012] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Castor bean (Ricinus communis L.) is cultivated mainly for biodiesel production because of its oil-rich seeds; it is assumed to be an anemophylous species. But pollination deficit can lead to low productivity often attributed to other reasons. In this paper, we investigated pollination requirements, pollination mechanism, occurrence of pollination deficit, and the role of biotic pollinators in a large commercial plantation of castor bean. Our results show that R. communis bears a mixed breeding system favoring selfing by geitonogamy, although the wind promotes mostly outcrossing. We also found that the honey bee (Apis mellifera L.) foraging on castor bean can both transfer pollen from male to female flowers within the same raceme and boost the release of airborne pollen by male flowers. Both situations increase geitonogamy rates, raising significantly fruit set and seed yield. This is the first report of an animal foraging activity increasing seed yield in an anemophilous and geitonogamous crop and elucidates the role of biotic pollinators in castor bean reproduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rômulo A G Rizzardo
- Departamento de Zootecnia, Universidade Federal do Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, Brasil
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Fulkerson JR, Whittall JB, Carlson ML. Reproductive ecology and severe pollen limitation in the polychromic tundra plant, Parrya nudicaulis (Brassicaceae). PLoS One 2012; 7:e32790. [PMID: 22427886 PMCID: PMC3299698 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0032790] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2011] [Accepted: 01/31/2012] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Pollen limitation is predicted to be particularly severe in tundra habitats. Numerous reproductive patterns associated with alpine and arctic species, particularly mechanisms associated with reproductive assurance, are suggested to be driven by high levels of pollen limitation. We studied the reproductive ecology of Parrya nudicaulis, a species with relatively large sexual reproductive investment and a wide range of floral pigmentation, in tundra habitats in interior montane Alaska to estimate the degree of pollen limitation. The plants are self-compatible and strongly protandrous, setting almost no seed in the absence of pollinators. Supplemental hand pollinations within pollinator exclusion cages indicated no cage effect on seed production. Floral visitation rates were low in both years of study and particularly infrequent in 2010. A diversity of insects visited P. nudicaulis, though syrphid and muscid flies composed the majority of all visits. Pollen-ovule ratios and levels of heterozygosity are consistent with a mixed mating system. Pollen limitation was severe; hand pollinations increased seed production per plant five-fold. Seed-to-ovule ratios remained low following hand pollinations, indicating resource limitation is likely to also be responsible for curtailing seed set. We suggest that pollen limitation in P. nudicaulis may be the result of selection favoring an overproduction of ovules as a bet-hedging strategy in this environmental context of highly variable pollen receipt.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justin R. Fulkerson
- Biological Sciences Department, University of Alaska Anchorage, Anchorage, Alaska, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Justen B. Whittall
- Department of Biology, Santa Clara University, Santa Clara, California, United States of America
| | - Matthew L. Carlson
- Biological Sciences Department, University of Alaska Anchorage, Anchorage, Alaska, United States of America
- Alaska Natural Heritage Program, University of Alaska Anchorage, Anchorage, Alaska, United States of America
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Kessler D, Baldwin IT. Back to the past for pollination biology. CURRENT OPINION IN PLANT BIOLOGY 2011; 14:429-434. [PMID: 21530365 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbi.2011.03.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2011] [Revised: 03/30/2011] [Accepted: 03/31/2011] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
Manipulations of the interactions between plants and their floral visitors remain the most successful path to an understanding of floral traits, which may have been shaped by both herbivores and pollinators. By using genetic tools in combination with old-fashioned field work the dual protective/advertisement functions of floral traits are being realized. The distinction between wanted and unwanted floral visitors is blurring, and plants with specialized pollination systems are being found capable of using alternative pollinators if the specialized pollinators fail to perform.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danny Kessler
- Max-Planck-Institute for Chemical Ecology, Hans-Knöll Straße 8, 07745 Jena, Germany
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Narbona E, Dirzo R. Experimental defoliation affects male but not female reproductive performance of the tropical monoecious plant Croton suberosus (Euphorbiaceae). ANNALS OF BOTANY 2010; 106:359-69. [PMID: 20519239 PMCID: PMC2908170 DOI: 10.1093/aob/mcq117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2010] [Revised: 04/08/2010] [Accepted: 05/10/2010] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Monoecious plants have the capacity to allocate resources separately to male and female functions more easily than hermaphrodites. This can be advantageous against environmental stresses such as leaf herbivory. However, studies showing effects of herbivory on male and female functions and on the interaction with the plant's pollinators are limited, particularly in tropical plants. Here, the effects of experimental defoliation were examined in the monoecious shrub Croton suberosus (Euphorbiaceae), a wasp-pollinated species from a Mexican tropical dry forest. METHODS Three defoliation treatments were applied: 0 % (control), 25 % (low) or 75 % (high) of plant leaf area removed. Vegetative (production of new leaves) and reproductive (pistillate and staminate flower production, pollen viability, nectar production, fruit set, and seed set) performance variables, and the abundance and activity of floral visitors were examined. KEY RESULTS Defoliated plants overcompensated for tissue loss by producing more new leaves than control plants. Production of staminate flowers gradually decreased with increasing defoliation and the floral sex ratio (staminate : pistillate flowers) was drastically reduced in high-defoliation plants. In contrast, female reproductive performance (pistillate flower production, fruit set and seed set) and pollinator visitation and abundance were not impacted by defoliation. CONCLUSIONS The asymmetrical effects of defoliation on male and female traits of C. suberosus may be due to the temporal and spatial flexibility in the allocation of resources deployed by monoecious plants. We posit that this helps to maintain the plant's pollination success in the face of leaf herbivory stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eduardo Narbona
- Dpto. Biología Molecular e Ingeniería Bioquímica, Universidad Pablo de Olavide, Sevilla, Spain.
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