Krynickillus melanocephalus was first seen in Sweden 2015. It is now labeled as an invasive species and it potentially poses a threat to the ecosystem, but the slug has not yet shown to have great negative impact in gardens and agricultural fields. There is limited ecological knowledge about the species. This study aims to increase the knowledge about habitat preference of the species during oviposition. Fifty slugs were placed in experimental arenas containing four compartments, each containing a different substrate: birch leaves, gravel, potting soil and sphagnum moss. The position of the slugs were recorded daily for three consecutive days. Further, position of laid eggs were recorded at two different times. Slugs showed a preference for leaves at oviposition, and 88 % of the eggs were laid in this substrate, and the fewest eggs were laid in moss (0,6 %). The slugs were found the most in contact with the leaves. The result has expanded our knowledge about the species, which is important to develop ways to hinder and slow down its invasion. Future research about substrate preference in this species should focus on how humidity and temperature may affect the substrate preference, as well as on movement behaviour during oviposition, perhaps by means of PIT telemetry. The study provides practical advice regarding how to deal with garden waste in areas that are inhabited by the species, where, in particular birch leaf compost should not be moved around. / Den svarthuvade snigeln upptäcktes i Sverige först 2015. Nu är den klassad som eninvasiv art och blir ännu ett hot mot våra ekosystem. Den kan även utgöra ett hot motträdgårdsägare, men än så länge har snigeln inte observerats ha åstadkommit störreskada. Arten är relativt okänd och därav är litteraturen väldigt begränsad. Min studiesyftar därför till att öka den ekologiska kunskapen om arten. Preferens föräggläggningssubstrat undersöktes samt föredraget habitat underäggläggningsperioden. Femtio sniglar användes i studien och dessa placerades iexperimentarenor innehållande mindre plastkorgar med fyra olika substrat; björklöv,grus, blomjord och vitmossa. Sniglarnas position observerades vid tre tillfällen undertre dagar och i vilket substrat äggen placerats noterades vid två tillfällen. Sniglarvisade en tydlig preferens för löv som äggläggningssubstrat där proportionen lagdaägg var 0,88. Minst antal ägg fanns i mossan (0,6%). Sniglarna befann sig ocksåoftare i kontakt med lövsubstratet än de andra substraten. Resultatet har berikat vårkunskap om arten, kunskap som är viktig för att utveckla metoder för att bekämpadess spridning. Framtida viktiga studier om artens äggläggning kan inkluderabeskrivning av dess rörelsebeteende med hjälp PIT-telemetri, samt undersökningarom hur olika temperaturer och fukthalter påverkar substratpreferens. Min studie hargett insikt i praktiska implikationer om hur trädgårdsavfall bör hanteras i områdendär arten existerar, specifikt att komposter med björklöv inte bör flyttas runt.

Chez les parasitoïdes, le succès reproducteur n’est pas seulement de permettre une perpétuation de l’espèce il est aussi très important pour la lutte biologique contre les insectes nuisibles. Donc, il est essentiel que la population se développe durablement et produise des descendants fertiles. Au cours de leur vie, à cause de leur petite taille, les parasitoides doivent faire face aux contraintes écologiques (biotiques et abiotiques) qui peuvent agir directement ou indirectement sur l’individu, impliquant des changements morphologiques, physiologiques ou comportementaux qui, à leur tour, affectent la survie et notamment le succès reproducteur d’individus. L’objectif général de cette thèse était de mieux comprendre les conséquences des contraintes écologiques sur la reproduction à partir d’un ectoparasitoide Anisopteromalus calandrae. Nos résultats montrent que la décision de ponte des femelles parasitoïdes est liée à la densité en hôtes qui affecte à la fois la taille des individus et leur fitness avec comme conséquence une augmentation du nombre de mâles dans la descendance. D’autre part, le stress thermique appliqué soit au stade nymphal ou adulte cause des effets négatifs sur la survie et une diminution du stock de spermatozoïdes est également observée. / In parasitoids wasps, reproductive success not only perpetuation of the species, it is also a very important factor for biological control against pests, since it is essential that the population grows and sustainably produce fertile offsprings. During their lives, because of their small size, parasitoids face ecological constraints (both biotic and abiotic) that may affect directly or indirectly the individuals, involving changes in their morphology, physiology or behavior, which in turn, affect the survival and reproductive success. The overall objective of this thesis was to better understand the consequences of the ecological constraints on reproduction in the ectoparasitoid wasp Anisopteromalus calandrae. Our results show that the parasitoid females’ decision to lay eggs is related to the host density that affects both the offspring’s size and fitness, consequently increasing the number of males in the offspring. On the other hand, the thermal stress applied to the pupae or adults had negative effects on survival and decreased the quantity of sperm. Moreover, stressed males are less successful competitors.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-01-26T12:51:53Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 margarethdibo_tese.pdf: 1810718 bytes, checksum: 4df01c13c55a541f2c4aff4668fbacd7 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2004-03-17 / Fundação de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo / The strategy to contain the vector of Dengue fever in the state of São Paulo is centered around a reduction in breeding places and by chemical controls. To obtain better results in the reduction of the vectorial density it is important to incorporate other measures in the routine approach. Egg traps are considered to be preventative and control measures of Aedes aegypti, however, there are no studies that define the favorite egg-laying locations in residences. The utilization of an infusion of Panicum maximum in traps increases its attractiveness to vector females and increases the number of eggs collected. This study aims to contribute to techniques by using traps to evaluate the number of weeks this infusion remains attractive to females. More importantly, it aims to assess the egg-laying behavior of the Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus populations in Mirassol, a town situated in the region of São José do Rio Preto, Brazil. Traps with egg-collecting paddle were installed in 200 houses in 20 blocks giving a total of 10 houses to each block. Half of the blocks were chosen at random for the installation of traps baited with the infusion and in the other half, traps with ordinary water were installed. Two egg-traps were placed inside the house (bedroom and living room) and two outside (one under cover and the other in the open). Weekly visits were made from September to December 2002, to analyze all the traps, collecting the existing sticks and leaving new ones. In the laboratory the viable and nonviable eggs on the sticks were counted. Positive sticks were considered to be those on which eggs were found and these were correlated with the type of trap, infusion or water, the location of the trap within the house and the number of weeks after the start of the trial. A sample of these sticks was placed in water, to hatch the larvae with the aim of identifying the species. The mean numbers of eggs and larvae of the Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus were calculated and associated with the location within the house, the type of trap used, infusion or water, and the week number. Analyzing the number of positive sticks, and the mean number of eggs on the traps, it was evidenced that the traps with infusion were more attractive/stimulating for egg-laying for females of the genera Aedes than those with water in the first three weeks of exposition. The uncovered outdoor traps were the most favored location for egg-laying during the entire study period; in second place were the outdoor ones under cover. High values of the Spearman correlation coefficients and p-values less than 0.004 demonstrated a strong correlation between the positivity and the mean number of eggs, indicating that one variable predicts the other. From the analysis of the hatched larvae, Aedes aegypti were identified on 99.6% (CI 95%: 99.04 99.84) of the sticks and Aedes albopictus on 1.8% (CI 95%: 1.19 2.70) of them. In Mirassol the probability of finding eggs of Aedes aegypti on any one stick under these circumstances is greater than 99%. / A estratégia para controle do vetor do dengue no estado de São Paulo está centrada na redução de criadouros e ações de controle químico. Para a obtenção de melhores resultados na redução da densidade vetorial é importante que se incorpore outras medidas de uso rotineiro. Armadilhas de oviposição são consideradas medidas de vigilância e controle de Aedes aegypti, entretanto não existem estudos sobre locais do domicílio preferidos para oviposição. A utilização de infusão de Panicum maximum em armadilhas propicia maior atração às fêmeas do vetor e coleta de maior quantidade de ovos. Através deste estudo, procurou-se subsidiar as técnicas para o uso de armadilhas, avaliar durante quantas semanas a referida infusão manteve sua atração sobre as fêmeas e, principalmente, avaliar o comportamento de oviposição de populações de Aedes aegypti em Mírassol, cidade situada na região de São José do Rio Preto. Instalaram-se armadilhas de oviposição em 200 casas, divididas em 20 quadras, distribuindo-as em 10 casas por quadra. Foram sorteadas 50% das quadras para instalação de armadilhas iscadas com infusão, e nas demais se instalou armadilhas com água. Duas armadilhas foram colocadas no intradomicílio (quarto e sala) e duas no peridomicílio (uma sob cobertura e outra ao relento). Foram feitas visitas semanais entre setembro e dezembro de 2002, para a análise de todas as armadilhas, e substituição das palhetas. Em laboratório, contaram-se ovos viáveis e inviáveis existentes nas palhetas. A presença de ovos na palheta significou a sua positividade, a qual foi verificada quanto à presença ou não de infusão, local de instalação na casa e número de semanas. Uma amostra destas palhetas foi colocada em água, para eclosão de larvas, visando à identificação específica. Os números médios de ovos e de larvas Aedes aegypti e Aedes albopictus foram quantificados segundo o posicionamento no domicílio, presença de armadilha iscada com infusão ou água e o número de semanas. Analisando-se Nota de Resumo as positividades e os números médios de ovos das armadilhas, obteve-se que as armadilhas iscadas com infusão mostraram-se mais atraentes/estimulantes para oviposição pelas fêmeas do gênero Aedes que as com água, nas três primeiras semanas de exposição. O relento foi o local com maior preferência para oviposição durante todo o estudo; em segundo lugar encontrou-se o coberto. Elevados valores dos coeficientes de correlação de Spearman e valores de p inferiores a 0,004 mostraram forte correlação entre positividade e média de ovos, indicando que uma variável prediz a outra. A partir das análises das larvas eclodidas, identificou-se a presença de Aedes aegypti em 99,6% (IC 95%: 99,04 -99,84) das palhetas e de Aedes albopictus em 1,8% (1C95%: 1,19 - 2,70) delas. Em Mirassol, a probabilidade de se encontrar ovos de Aedes aegypti em uma palheta sob estes condições é superior a 99%.

Réalisé en cotutellle avec Gaétan Bourgeois et avec la participation de Guy Boivin, d'Agriculture et Agroalimentaire Canada, du Centre de Recherche et Développement en Horticulture à Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, QC J3B 3E6, Canada / On dénombre divers modèles de simulation de la mouche du chou (Delia radicum L.), mais plusieurs comportent d’importantes lacunes au niveau des différences génotypiques de l’insecte et des paramètres utilisés. L’objectif principal de ce projet est de rassembler les informations manquantes afin de créer dans le futur un modèle bioclimatique permettant de simuler efficacement la dynamique des populations de ce ravageur. L’effet de la température et de l’humidité du sol a été mesuré sur les œufs et les larves de la mouche du chou. L’humidité n’influence la survie des œufs qu’en dessous de 25% [m/m]. L’exposition graduelle des œufs à des températures élevées au dessus de 33°C affecte également la survie. La survie des larves augmente avec la hausse des températures et de l’humidité. Nous croyons que la mouche du chou est bien adaptée aux conditions des sols organiques au Québec, et nous recommandons l’intégration de la température du sol pour les stades au sol plutôt que de l’air dans l’élaboration d’un nouveau modèle. La ponte a également été étudiée à partir de différents critères préétablis pour chacun des génotypes hâtifs et tardifs, à différentes températures. Excepté pour la pré-oviposition qui est plus longue chez les hâtifs, aucune différence n’a été observée entre les génotypes. La majorité des critères, excepté la durée d’un épisode de ponte et la mortalité des œufs, a réagit à la température. Les nouvelles informations serviront à l’élaboration ou le perfectionnement d’un modèle de simulation de la dynamique de la ponte de la mouche du chou. / Few simulation models for the cabbage maggot (Delia radicum L.) had been seen, but several include significant weaknesses for the insect genotypic differences and parameters used. The main objective of this project is to collect the missing information to create, in the future, a bioclimatic model that will efficiently simulate the dynamics of the populations of this pest. The effect of soil temperature and moisture had been measured on eggs and larvae of the cabbage maggot. Humidity affects egg survival below 25% [w/w]. Gradual exposure of eggs to high temperature above 33°C also affects survival. Under tested conditions, larvae survival increases with rising temperatures and humidities. We believe that the maggot is well adapted to muck soil in Quebec, and we recommend to incorporated soil temperature rather than air temperature for above-ground stages into the development of a new model. Egg-laying activity has also been studied from various pre-established criterions for each of the early- and late-emerging genotypes, at different temperatures. Except for the pre-oviposition which is longer for the early genotype, no differences were observed between genotypes. The majority of criterions, except for the duration of oviposition bouts and egg mortality, responded to temperature. The new information will be used for the preparation and development of a simulation model of the egg-laying dynamic of the cabbage maggot.

On dénombre divers modèles de simulation de la mouche du chou (Delia radicum L.), mais plusieurs comportent d’importantes lacunes au niveau des différences génotypiques de l’insecte et des paramètres utilisés. L’objectif principal de ce projet est de rassembler les informations manquantes afin de créer dans le futur un modèle bioclimatique permettant de simuler efficacement la dynamique des populations de ce ravageur. L’effet de la température et de l’humidité du sol a été mesuré sur les œufs et les larves de la mouche du chou. L’humidité n’influence la survie des œufs qu’en dessous de 25% [m/m]. L’exposition graduelle des œufs à des températures élevées au dessus de 33°C affecte également la survie. La survie des larves augmente avec la hausse des températures et de l’humidité. Nous croyons que la mouche du chou est bien adaptée aux conditions des sols organiques au Québec, et nous recommandons l’intégration de la température du sol pour les stades au sol plutôt que de l’air dans l’élaboration d’un nouveau modèle. La ponte a également été étudiée à partir de différents critères préétablis pour chacun des génotypes hâtifs et tardifs, à différentes températures. Excepté pour la pré-oviposition qui est plus longue chez les hâtifs, aucune différence n’a été observée entre les génotypes. La majorité des critères, excepté la durée d’un épisode de ponte et la mortalité des œufs, a réagit à la température. Les nouvelles informations serviront à l’élaboration ou le perfectionnement d’un modèle de simulation de la dynamique de la ponte de la mouche du chou. / Few simulation models for the cabbage maggot (Delia radicum L.) had been seen, but several include significant weaknesses for the insect genotypic differences and parameters used. The main objective of this project is to collect the missing information to create, in the future, a bioclimatic model that will efficiently simulate the dynamics of the populations of this pest. The effect of soil temperature and moisture had been measured on eggs and larvae of the cabbage maggot. Humidity affects egg survival below 25% [w/w]. Gradual exposure of eggs to high temperature above 33°C also affects survival. Under tested conditions, larvae survival increases with rising temperatures and humidities. We believe that the maggot is well adapted to muck soil in Quebec, and we recommend to incorporated soil temperature rather than air temperature for above-ground stages into the development of a new model. Egg-laying activity has also been studied from various pre-established criterions for each of the early- and late-emerging genotypes, at different temperatures. Except for the pre-oviposition which is longer for the early genotype, no differences were observed between genotypes. The majority of criterions, except for the duration of oviposition bouts and egg mortality, responded to temperature. The new information will be used for the preparation and development of a simulation model of the egg-laying dynamic of the cabbage maggot. / Réalisé en cotutellle avec Gaétan Bourgeois et avec la participation de Guy Boivin, d'Agriculture et Agroalimentaire Canada, du Centre de Recherche et Développement en Horticulture à Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, QC J3B 3E6, Canada