{"title":"Efficiency of dung beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) in improving soil and forage grasses by incorporating nutrients through the removal of cattle dung","authors":"Mariana Mrotskoski Niero, Arcângelo Loss, Gustavo Brunetto, Malva Isabel Medina Hernández","doi":"10.1111/aen.12724","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/aen.12724","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Coprophagous dung beetles provide important ecosystem services in improving soil quality and plant development in agricultural environments due to the availability of nutrients from dung removal. The study aimed to compare the effect of dung removal performed by two functional groups, among themselves and with mineral fertiliser, on improving soil and forage grass characteristics. An experiment in mesocosms was conducted in Southern Brazil during the summer/autumn of 2021, sowing <i>Urochloa brizantha</i> in the treatments: (1) telecoprid species (<i>Canthon rutilans cyanescens</i>), (2) paracoprid species (<i>Dichotomius sericeus</i>), (3) both species together, (4) mineral fertiliser and control with cattle dung. Dung removal was quantified weekly. At the end of the experiment, the soil's physical, chemical and microbiological characteristics, dry biomass and macronutrients (N, P and K) of the leaves and roots, and photosynthetic pigments of grasses were analysed. The dung beetle species studied increased total nitrogen and organic matter contents and their particulate fractions of C and N. Paracoprids decreased the soil bulk density and improved its soil aggregation, influencing the pH and Mg contents, with a reduction in Al levels. They were as efficient as mineral fertiliser in incorporating K into the soil. Treatments with beetles had values similar to mineral fertiliser in the foliar concentrations of P, and paracoprids promoted increases in the K concentration in the leaves and roots of the grass. This functional group was also more efficient in removing cattle dung, which was positively related to the amounts of N, organic matter and its particulate fractions, P, macroaggregates and the cation exchange capacity (CEC<sub>pH7.0</sub>) of the soil. Thus, dung removal was associated with improvement in the soil, mainly paracoprids, reinforcing the importance of the ecosystem functions performed by these organisms in agricultural environments, where they can contribute to the increase in nutrient cycling with a consequent decrease in the use of mineral fertilisers.</p>","PeriodicalId":8574,"journal":{"name":"Austral Entomology","volume":"64 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2025-01-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143110765","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Elisabeth Williamson, Kit Prendergast, Remko Leijs, Katja Hogendoorn
{"title":"The life cycle, nesting behaviour and diet of resin bee Megachile tosticauda (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae)","authors":"Elisabeth Williamson, Kit Prendergast, Remko Leijs, Katja Hogendoorn","doi":"10.1111/aen.12726","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/aen.12726","url":null,"abstract":"<p>The life cycle, nesting behaviour and diet breadth of the resin bee <i>Megachile</i> (<i>Hackeriapis</i>) <i>tosticauda</i> (Cockerell) are described for the first time. Microscopic imaging of the larval provisions and pollen from the scopa showed that <i>Megachile tosticauda</i> from Adelaide, South Australia, is narrowly oligolectic and specialised on <i>Eucalyptus</i> pollen. Parasites of the nests were identified, and the developmental timeline was outlined. A comparison between behaviour in South Australia (SA) and Western Australia (WA) revealed similarities in nest architecture and parasitism but showed discrepancies in emergence times, nest substrate and potentially diet width. However, the diet analysis from WA was based on visual floral visitations and pollen metabarcoding, neither of which indicate active pollen collection. The difference in diet breadth of this species needs to be ascertained by assessing the larval provisions.</p>","PeriodicalId":8574,"journal":{"name":"Austral Entomology","volume":"64 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2024-12-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143119241","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Visual discrimination learning in the Australian stingless bee Tetragonula carbonaria (Hymenoptera: Apidae)","authors":"Faelan Mourmourakis, Andrew B. Barron","doi":"10.1111/aen.12725","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/aen.12725","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Karl von Frisch's ground-breaking research first demonstrated visual learning in the European honey bee (<i>Apis mellifera</i>). The study of Australian native bees and their cognitive abilities, however, is still a relatively new and emerging field. Here we examined visual cognition in the Australian stingless bee, <i>Tetragonula carbonaria</i>. First we tested for any colour preferences in <i>T. carbonaria</i>. Then we set stingless bees with three simple visual discrimination learning tasks using distinct colours (blue or yellow), oriented gratings (horizontal or vertical) and patterns (radial or concentric). In the colour preference task, we found evidence of a weak colour preference, with bees preferring colours blue and purple. In the visual discrimination task, <i>T. carbonaria</i> learned all three tasks in just 10 training trials. Bees learned equally well across the colour, orientation and pattern conditions, suggesting rapid visual learning. Future research should focus on closing knowledge gaps in Australian native bee cognition research, building upon the results of this study and exploring more complex non-elemental learning.</p>","PeriodicalId":8574,"journal":{"name":"Austral Entomology","volume":"64 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2024-12-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143114533","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Gleison R. Desidério, Julieta V. Sganga, María L. Libonatti, Gabrielle Jorge, Neusa Hamada
{"title":"After six decades, a new species of the Andean caddisfly genus Eosericostoma Schmid, 1955 (Trichoptera: Helicophidae) is discovered","authors":"Gleison R. Desidério, Julieta V. Sganga, María L. Libonatti, Gabrielle Jorge, Neusa Hamada","doi":"10.1111/aen.12713","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/aen.12713","url":null,"abstract":"<p>The Andean caddisfly genus, <i>Eosericostoma</i> Schmid, 1955, was previously known from two species endemic to Chile and Argentina. In this study, a new species of <i>Eosericostoma</i> was discovered six decades after the last description of a species in the genus. <i>Eosericostoma opposita</i> Desidério, Sganga & Hamada, <b>sp. nov.</b> is described and illustrated based on a single specimen collected close to the Lake Nahuel Huapi, Río Negro Province, in the Valdivian Forest of Argentine Andes. It can be recognised on a combination of abdominal characters, mainly in the tergum X and the inferior appendage. Additionally, a key to identify males of the three species in the genus is provided. Finally, a brief discussion of the biogeography of <i>Eosericostoma</i> is presented.</p>","PeriodicalId":8574,"journal":{"name":"Austral Entomology","volume":"63 4","pages":"416-424"},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2024-11-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142749331","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Myrmecia: Volume 59, Part 3","authors":"","doi":"10.1111/aen.12723","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/aen.12723","url":null,"abstract":"<p>No abstract is available for this article.</p>","PeriodicalId":8574,"journal":{"name":"Austral Entomology","volume":"63 4","pages":"N1-N43"},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2024-11-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/aen.12723","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142749330","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Luana M. Barros, Matheus M. M. Soares, Rosaly Ale-Rocha
{"title":"Discovery through iNaturalist: First record of Hoplopeza Bezzi, 1909 (Diptera: Hybotidae) from New Zealand and an updated key to the genera of Ocydromiinae from the Australasian Region","authors":"Luana M. Barros, Matheus M. M. Soares, Rosaly Ale-Rocha","doi":"10.1111/aen.12722","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/aen.12722","url":null,"abstract":"<p><i>Hoplopeza pulcherrima</i> (Bezzi, 1909) is recorded from New Zealand through photographs posted on the website iNaturalist, corresponding to the first record of the genus <i>Hoplopeza</i> for this country. Furthermore, we redescribed <i>H. pulcherrima</i> through specimens collected near the type locality in New South Wales, Australia. An updated key for the genera of Ocydromiinae from the Australasian Region is also provided.</p>","PeriodicalId":8574,"journal":{"name":"Austral Entomology","volume":"64 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2024-11-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143118757","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Conservation of dragonflies: Sentinels for freshwater conservation. By Michael J. Samways, 2024. CABI, Wallingford, and the Royal Entomological Society. xiv + 539 pp, ISBN-13: 9781789248371 (hardback, available also as ePDF and ePub). GBP 175 (hardback, ebook), representative other prices: Eu 245, Au$ 363.33, differing with source","authors":"Tim R. New","doi":"10.1111/aen.12718","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/aen.12718","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":8574,"journal":{"name":"Austral Entomology","volume":"63 4","pages":"501-502"},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2024-10-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142749152","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Insecticide resistance in Australian populations of the serpentine leaf miner Liriomyza huidobrensis (Blanchard) (Diptera: Agromyzidae)","authors":"Duong T. Nguyen, Yizhou Chen, Grant A. Herron","doi":"10.1111/aen.12716","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/aen.12716","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Serpentine leaf miner, <i>Liriomyza huidobrensis</i>, invaded New South Wales and Queensland late 2020. Overseas, <i>L. huidobrensis</i> has a history of developing insecticide resistance and, since its Australian discovery, has caused significant control issues in Australian horticultural industries. Here, we developed bioassay methods to test the response of <i>L. huidobrensis</i> larvae to spirotetramat and <i>L. huidobrensis</i> adults to dimethoate, imidacloprid and chlorantraniliprole. Against two New South Wales and one Queensland collected strains, we found a 33-fold elevated response against dimethoate and 200-fold more against imidacloprid than the field-recommended field rates. Furthermore, we found that a maximum rate of 64-fold the field-recommended rate of chlorantraniliprole controlled only 94% of one tested population. Similarly, the maximum rate of spirotetramat tested (64-fold the field-recommended rate) only achieved 84%–94% mortality for the same populations. Prior to our study, the efficacy of chlorantraniliprole and spirotetramat against <i>Liriomyza</i> was poorly studied, with only a few reports with chlorantraniliprole against <i>Liriomyza trifolii</i>. Consequently, none of the tested insecticides in this study will likely control Australian invasive <i>L. huidobrensis</i> at the field-recommended rates. Our results presented here highlight the need to identify and study alternative chemical and biological products and natural enemies for the control of <i>L. huidobrensis</i> in Australian horticulture.</p>","PeriodicalId":8574,"journal":{"name":"Austral Entomology","volume":"63 4","pages":"485-491"},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2024-10-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/aen.12716","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142748833","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Garrick McDonald, James L. Maino, A. Mark Smith, Peter C. Gregg, Peter M. Ridland
{"title":"New insights from old data: the complex migration and breeding patterns of the bogong moth, Agrotis infusa (Boisduval) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), in eastern Australia","authors":"Garrick McDonald, James L. Maino, A. Mark Smith, Peter C. Gregg, Peter M. Ridland","doi":"10.1111/aen.12714","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/aen.12714","url":null,"abstract":"<p>The bogong moth, <i>Agrotis infusa</i>, an endemic noctuid moth of Australia, is known for its extensive long-distance movement and summer aestivation in the Australian Alps. Recent studies have focused on moth activity in the Alps, but there are limited data for other regions. This study aims to build on the current understanding of bogong moth movement and breeding patterns using unpublished historical data across eastern Australia. We analysed historical data from moth traps in Victoria, New South Wales (NSW) and South Australia (SA) from the 1960s to early 1990s. The study employed the HYSPLIT model for trajectory analysis of moth flight paths and DARABUG2 for phenological modelling. We examined moth catches across different seasons to infer movement patterns, breeding sources and over-summering activity. Our findings question several long-standing assumptions about the spatial ecology of the bogong moth. The trajectory analysis suggests that many aspects of <i>A. infusa</i> movement can be explained via dynamic migration, without fully relying on inherent navigation abilities. Important breeding areas may be beyond the self-mulching clays of NSW and southern Queensland and include far western NSW, south and central SA and southern Victoria. Substantial moth activity during summer in many traps suggests alternative over-summering strategies including local breeding or even aestivation in areas other than the Alps. Furthermore, the autumn and winter data imply return migrations from diverse source areas and potential local breeding, expanding the understanding of the moth's life cycle beyond a univoltine pattern. In conclusion, the bogong moth appears to exhibit a more complex and adaptable migration and breeding strategy than previously understood, utilising a range of habitats across eastern Australia for breeding and possibly aestivation. This underscores the need for a revised understanding of bogong moth ecology, which is crucial for its conservation and management, especially considering its recent classification as ‘Endangered’ on the IUCN Red List.</p>","PeriodicalId":8574,"journal":{"name":"Austral Entomology","volume":"63 4","pages":"466-484"},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2024-10-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/aen.12714","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142749038","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}