Hidden diversity in plain sight: four new species of Nemesia (Araneae: Mygalomorphae) from the Córdoba Province of Spain

Posted by
  Hidden diversity in plain sight: four new species of Nemesia (Araneae: Mygalomorphae) from the Córdoba Province of Spain Abstract A taxonomic revision of the species of Nemesia Audouin, 1826, distributed in the vicinity of Córdoba City, southern Spain, is presented. Four new species are described: Nemesia morana sp. nov. (female), N. kodama sp. nov. (male and female), N. rosae sp. nov. (male and female), and N. tamajoni sp. nov. (male and female). These species are distinguished by distinct morphological characters, including the shape of the spermathecae, palpal bulbs, and spinnerets, as well as by burrow architecture. Fieldwork was conducted across two of the three major habitat types in the region—the humid, forested mountains of Sierra Morena and the croplands and riparian forests of the Guadalquivir Valley—while the third, the “campiña”, which is mainly composed of agricultural landscapes, remains poorly explored. Sampling methods included pitfall trapping and the direct e...

Sex Pheromones From Linyphia triangularis (Araneae: Linyphiidae) and Aphidoletes aphidimyza (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) Are Promising Attractants for Aphidoletes aphidimyza (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae)

Posted by

 


Sex Pheromones From Linyphia triangularis (Araneae: Linyphiidae) and Aphidoletes aphidimyza (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) Are Promising Attractants for Aphidoletes aphidimyza (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae)

ABSTRACT

Although Aphidoletes aphidimyza (Rondani) is a predator of aphids, its biocontrol efficacy depends largely on oviposition behaviour. Previous studies have shown that spider webs can attract A. aphidimyza and enhance its oviposition. It has been hypothesized that sex pheromones from spider webs and A. aphidimyza itself may affect its mating and oviposition, but this remains unconfirmed. In our study, we selected (2R,7S)-diacetoxytridecane (sex pheromone of A. aphidimyza), (R)-3-hydroxybutyric acid (sex pheromone of Linyphia triangularis (Clerck)), and a mixture of these pheromones (at a 10:1 concentration ratio) to investigate their overall response on A. aphidimyza in terms of electroantennogram, behaviour, fecundity, attraction, and aphid control. Our results indicated that these pheromones elicited antennal responses in A. aphidimyza. Specifically, (2R,7S)-diacetoxytridecane significantly attracted males, while (R)-3-hydroxybutyric acid significantly attracted females; their mixture attracted both sexes. These compounds did not affect oviposition and lifespan of A. aphidimyza. The pheromone mixture attracted significantly more A. aphidimyza than the control group. The number of aphids in the mixture group began to decline 1 day earlier than that in the control group and ultimately achieved a 100% control effect against aphids in a greenhouse. Our findings provide evidence for further exploration of the relationship between L. triangularis and A. aphidimyza. The studied pheromone blend shows potential as an attractant for A. aphidimyza, which could enhance aphid biological control in greenhouses.

Yang, S., Yu, X., Wang, K., Yang, M., Zhu, X., Wu, H., Guan, H., Huang, C., & Yang, X. Sex Pheromones From Linyphia triangularis (Araneae: Linyphiidae) and Aphidoletes aphidimyza (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) Are Promising Attractants for Aphidoletes aphidimyza (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae). Journal of Applied Entomology. https://doi.org/10.1111/jen.70086