Presentation Abstracts

2011·3.1 MB·English

by  Esbc Journal

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J.Entomol.Soc.Brit.Columbia108,December201 43
solution of sugar or salt of adequate BC, Canada^Okanagan TreeFruit
concentration. Cooperative, Vernon, BC, Canada ^Farmquest
SWD flies were caught throughout the ConsultingLtd., Creston, BC, Canada
winter of2010/11, with the highest catches in Spotted wing drosophila, Drosophila
hedgerows - unmanaged mixed vegetation suzukii, was first detected in the interior of
adjacent to commercial fields. The lowest British Columbia in September 2009. Adult
catches were at building sites. Trap catches populations were monitored with extensive
dropped considerably after January, and networks ofapple cider vinegar-baited traps in
remained low to nil through the spring. Flies 2010 and 2011. In 2010, D. suzukii was
caught fi"om January onward were mostly widespread in the Okanagan and Similkameen
female. valleys, present in the Creston Valley, and
damage was reported in cherry, peach,
Spotted wingDrosophilain the southern nectarine, apricot and berry crops as well as
interiorvalleys ofBritish Columbia, domestic small fruit. In 2011, lower
2010-2011 population levels were recorded in the
Acheampong, S.^' Thistlewood, H.^, Leaming, Okanagan and Similkameen valleys than in
C.3, Thurston, M.4, Krahn, G.5, & Holder, D.6 2010, none was found in the Creston valley
^MinistryofAgriculture, Kelowna, BC, andthere were no reports ofeconomic damage
Canada^AgricultureandAgri-FoodCanada, in commercial fruit. New hosts recorded in the
PacificAgri-FoodResearch Centre, southern interior valleys of B. C. to date are
Summerland, BC, Canada^Okanagan Tree Oregon grape, blue elderberry, northern black
Fruit Cooperative, Penticton, BC, Canada currant, honey suckle, Mahaleb cherry and
"^Okanagan TreeFruit Cooperative, Kelowna, ornamental elderberry.
Presentation Abstracts
Entomological Society ofBritish Columbia
Annual General Meeting,
University ofthe Fraser Valley, Abbotsford, BC, Oct. 14, 2011
Olfactory responses ofMicromus variegatus of M. persicae and A. solani in BC pepper
(Neuroptera: Hemerobiidae) to pepper greenhouses.
leaves infested withMyzuspersicae and
Aulacorthum solani(Homoptera: Cryptic diversity ofa candidate weed
Aphididae). biological control agent
Rob McGregor& Chloe HemsworthInstitute Chandra E. Moffat, RobertG. Lalonde &
ofUrbanEcology, Douglas College JasonPitherDepartmentofBiology,
Micromus variegatus (Neuroptera: UniversityofBritish Columbia, KelownaBC
Hemerobiidae) is being evaluated for We surveyed host plant use ofa candidate
biological control of pest aphids on weed bio-control agent (a gall wasp), for
greenhouse-grown peppers in BC. Responses invasive hawkweeds, in its native range of
ofadult females to the odours ofpepper leaves Central Europe. Despite gall occurrence on
infested with Myzus persicae and multiple host species, when suitable species
Aulacorthum solani (Homoptera: Aphididae) co-occurred we found that host use was
were conducted using y-tube olfactometers. significantly non-random, with only the most
M. variegatus females show a slight abundant species beingutilized.
preference for the odour of M. persicae-
infested leaves vs. clean plant odours. No Update on Balsam woolly adelgid in BC
similar preference was recorded for the odour Gabriella Zilahi-Balog Canadian Food
of A. solani-'miQsiQd leaves vs. clean plant InspectionAgency, Kelowna, BC
odours. Results are discussed as they relate to The balsam woolly adelgid was
the use ofM. variegatus for biological control accidentally introduced into North America
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44 J.Entomol.Soc.Brit.Columbia108,December201
from Europe in the early 1900s. It is a pest of Burnaby BC, V5A 1S6Canada^AAFC,
Abies sp. and infested trees have reduced PacificAgricultureResearch Centre, 4200
vigor, growth that can eventually result in tree Highway97, Summerland, BC VOHIZO
mortality. This pest is regulated both Canada.
provincially and federally. The history of We studied the effects of rearing Praon
balsam woolly adelgid in BC, biology, unicum on an alternative host, Myzus
regulations and recent detections outside the persicae, on its ability to parasitize novel
A
current quarantine zone willbe discussed. aphid hosts. combination of potential/
realized fecundity, and fitness proxies were
Cool Caterpillars: Low Temperature used to determine the impact ofan alternative
Biocontrol ofAClimbing Cutworm host and are discussed in the context of
T. ScottJohnson^ Tom Lowery^, Joan augmentative control.
Cossentine^, andJenny Cory^ ^Departmentof
BiologicalSciences, SimonFraser University, Identifying feeding attractants from showy
8888 UniversityDrive. Burnaby BC, V5A 1S6 milkweed flowers forpotential control of
Canada^AAFC, PacificAgricultureResearch the apple clearwing moth
Centre, 4200Highway 97, Summerland, BC Eby, O; Gardiner, M^; Gries, Ri; Judd, G^;
VOHIZO Canada. Gries, G^ ^SimonFraser University,
Abagrotis orbis is a climbing cutwormpest DepartmentofBiologicalSciences, Burnaby,
in the vineyards of the Okanagan. Much of BC^PacificAgri-FoodResearch Centre,
theiractive feedingperiods occurunder cooler Summerland, BC
temperatures. We evaluated their susceptibility Adult Synanthedon myopaeformis, an
to several entomopathogenic fungi and exotic pest of apples in BC, commonly feed
nematodes across three temperatures. The on showy milkweed flowers. Candidate
larvae were susceptible to entomopathogenic feeding attractants captured using floral
fungi and nematodes with the highest headspace analyses were identified using GC-
mortality rates occurring at higher EAD and proboscis extension assays. A single
temperatures, though significant mortality chemical was shown to be highly attractive to
tookplace at lowertemperatures. both males and females in field trapping
assays.
Resistance toBacillusthuringiensis alters
macronutrient selection, regulation and Supporting Butterfly Conservation in
utilization in the cabbage looper, British Columbia: The BC ButterflyAtlas
Trichoplusia ni: Effects on performance PatrickLilleyRaincoastAppliedEcology,
and disease resistance Vancouver, BC
Ikkei Shikano andJenny CoryDepartmentof Mapping biodiversity information is
BiologicalSciences, SimonFraser University invaluable for the conservation ofspecies and
Nutritional qualities of host plants affect their habitats. Involving citizens can extend
both insect performance and condition. the reach ofsurveyprojects while also making
Previous studies have shown that Bt-resistant nature more accessible and ftm. Following on
Trichoplusia ni exhibit significant the success ofthe BC Breeding BirdAtlas and
developmental costs when reared on certain butterfly atlassing projects in other
host plants. We examined whether susceptible jurisdictions, the BC ButterflyAtlas is amulti-
and Bt-resistant T.ni select, regulate and use year effort to inventory and assess the status
macronutrients differently, and how such of butterflies in British Columbia. The BC
differences may influence performance and Butterfly Atlas aims to establish a network of
susceptibility to Btchallenge. observers to observe, record, and report
butterfly sightings from across the province.
The influence ofnatal host on the fecundity Results will be combined with existing
ofthe parasitoid,Praon unicum, on the butterfly records to create an online atlas
blueberry aphid,EricaphisJimbriata documenting the distribution of butterflies in
ErfanVafaie\ Sheila Fitzpatrick^, Jenny Cory^ BC. Like the Breeding Bird Atlas,
^DepartmentofBiologicalSciences, Simon participation from a broad range ofvolunteer
Fraser University, 8888 UniversityDrive. observers, from amateurs to experts, will be
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J.Entomol.Soc.Brit.Columbia108,December201 45
keyto the success ofthe project. This talkwill no records); 2) species information; 3)
introduce the elements of the BC Butterfly provincial, national and global distribution; 4)
Atlas project and discuss opportunities for associated habitat and habitat trends including
participation and involvement. historic habitat trends and whether the species
is associated with an ecosystem at risk; 5)
Estimatingthe impact ofarthropod biology and natural history; 6) population
predators preying upon lygus nymphs in sizes And trends; 7) limiting factors and
the Peace Riverregion ofCanada. threats; 8) special significance ofthe species;
LetitiaDaRoss &JenniferOtaniAgriculture 9) existing protection including both
&Agri-FoodCanada, BeaverlodgeResearch legislative protection and other status
Farm, Beaverlodge, AB designations; and 10) collections examined. In
Lygus bugs are native pests that are often some instances, a status report is prepared at
found in abundance, feeding on canola buds the provincial level or at national level and
and pods. To estimate potential predation incorporates this above information as well as
pressure on lygus, four general predators were otherdetails about the species.
collected from fields in 2010, then isolated The Committee on the Status of
with 4* and 5* instar lygus nymphs. The Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC)
prey preference results ofthese predators will is the national committee that assesses
bepresented. whether a species should be recommended for
listing under the federal Species At Risk Act
Group morphology affects foraging success (SARA) (w^ww.cosewic.gc.ca). To assist
in social spiders COSEWIC status report writers (e.g., provide
Maxence Salomon BiodiversityResearch more infoiination on tliree insect species
Centre, UBC, Vancouver currently having national status reports
Social spiders that build communal webs prepared), targeted surveys for three insect
may rely on the architectural properties of species were completed in 2010/11: Western
their webs to achieve foraging success. I Bumblebee (Bombus occidentalis), Audouin's
conducted a field experiment to examine Niglit-staiking Tiger Beetle {Omus audouim)
foraging dynamics in two social species of and Western Branded Skipper (Hesperia
Anelosimus spp. spiders that vary in individual Coloradooregonia).
and group morphology, and show that Once a species has been assessed by
foraging success depends both on the COSEWIC and listed under the Species At
functional morphology of their communal Risk Act (SARA) as extirpated, endangered,
webs and individual cooperative behaviours. threatened or special concern the responsible
jurisdiction (e.g., British Columbia) prepares a
Update on a few insect species at risk recovery strategy or management plan that
initiatives in British Columbia outlines a plan for recovery. The recovery
JenniferHeronBritish ColumbiaMinistryof strategy follows science advice given by a
theEnvironment, 315-2202Main Mall, group of individuals under a recovery team.
Vancouver, BC, Canada V6TIZl Recovery team members include
Insect conservation is one of the greatest representatives from local stewardship groups,
challenges to conservation practitioners. landowners and lands managers, government
Assessing the conservation status of insect staff from all levels, researchers and private
species is more challenging than other species citizens interested in conservation of the
groups, primarily because so little information species.
is available on individual species. Assessing Individuals interested in the recovery of
the conservation status involves a number of species at risk are encouraged to contact the
criteria developed by Natureserve recovery team chair and either engage in
fwww.natureserve.org) and the BC participating on the recovery team or suggest
Conservation Data Centre how they would like to become involved or
(www.env.gov.bc.ca/cdc). Some of the lead recovery actions for the species.
information used to assess a species' Recovery actions are most often linked with
conservation status includes 1) inventory and reducing threats to the species (e.g., removal
search effort (e.g., including search effort with ofinvasive plants that may be contributing to
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46 J.Entomol.Soc.Brit.Columbia108,December201
a decline in host plant growth for a specific Understanding factors affecting multiple
butterfly), habitat restoration or studying the mating by males is critical to assessment of
species' life history. Recovery actions also the intensity of sexual selection. We asked
link closely with stewardship and local whethermales withmating experience suffera
conservation groups, as well as otherrecovery decrease in the likelihood offtiture matings in
teams in orderto avoidconflicts withrecovery the western black widow spider (Latrodectus
actions forotherspecies. hesperus). Males ofthis species largely cease
The challenges surrounding invertebrate eating after adulthood, and so have a limited
conservation and the path forward involve energetic budget for mate searching, courtship
engaging numerous agencies, groups, and and competition. Mating includes a six-hour
incorporating initiatives into existing long, energetically expensive courtship, and at
infrastructure. A present provincial copulation a portion of the male's genitaha
invertebrate conservation plan is being breaks off in the female's reproductive tract.
drafted, which outlines a broad approach to Although sexual cannibalism is rare and L.
protecting this species group throughout the hesperus males are physically able to copulate
province. Part ofthe recommendations within with multiple females, we predicted mating
this plan involves engaging stakeholders and would decrease a male's resource holding
others interested in invertebrate conservation potential and the likelihood ofremating under
into being part of recovery teams, writing competition. We paired once-mated males
status reports on species they think are with size-matched virgin rivals and allowed
possibly at risk, educating people on insect them to compete for a female. Contrary to
identification and encouraging people to predictions, once-mated males won
submit records and sightings to the BC copulations as effectively as theirvirginrivals,
Conservation Data Centre. Those interested despite the prior loss of energy to intense
are encouraged to contact the presenter about courtship and genital trauma. Moreover, in all
how they can contribute to provincial cases, only one male out of every pair
invertebrate conservationinitiatives. copulated with the female. This suggests
mating success may be mediated by female
Aphid mummies provide parasitoids with a preferences rather than inter-male
temporal refuge from predation by competition, which may explain why
ladybirdHarmoniaaxyridis experiencedmales sufferno disadvantage.
F. Simon^'^'^andD. Gillespie^ ^SimonFraser
University^AgricultureandAgri-Food Entomological biocontrol agents ofillicit
Canada^UniversityoftheFraser Valley drug plants
Harmonia axyridis is a predatory ladybird, Adrian L. Behennah 1829 Laval Avenue,
which consumes aphids and parasitoids. This Victoria, BCCanada V8N1M9
study demonstrates that parasitoid mummies Herbivores of the botanical sources of
are a refuge from predation. Additionally, H. heroin, cocaine, and marijuana were
axyridis has differential preference for researched by the UN and the USAduring the
Aphidius matricariae over Praon unicum. past 40 years for use as biocontrol agents,
Consequences ofH. axyridis' preference will including the poppy capsule weevil,
be discussed in the context of biological Ceutorhynchus (Neoglocianus) maculaalba;
control andimpacts fornative aphid-parasitoid cocaine tussock moth, Eloria noyesi
systems. (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae); and hemp flea
beetle, Psylliodes attenuata (Coleoptera:
The effects of experience on intermale Chrysomelidae).
competition in the western black widow
spider Acentury ofoutbreaks: trackingthe
Tanya L.M. Stemberger^'^, Maria Modanu^, western spruce budworm in BC
Maydiannce C.B. Andrade^ ^Department of Lorraine MaclauchlanMinistryofForests,
Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University Lands andNaturalResource Operations,
^Department of Biological Sciences, Kamloops, BC
UniversityofToronto Scarborough The story of western spruce budworm
(WSB), Choristoneura occidentalis Freeman,
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J.Entomol.Soc.Brit.Columbia108,December201 47
in British Columbia reflects the changing Budworm was first mapped in the Cariboo
climatic andhumanpatterns observedthis past Region in 1974 but only over a small area and
century in Douglas-fir, Pseudotsuga menziesii, no outbreaks were recorded until the late
dominated forest environments. WSB has less 1990s. Once the budworm population
predictable population fluctuations than other expanded it spread rapidly, mingling with
defoliating insects, with outbreaks lasting existing endemic populations throughout the
several years or collapsing after only one to Cariboo-Chilcotin. The Cariboo budworm
two years. Based upon analysis of stand outbreak is one of the largest and most
structure, geographic and topographic sustained outbreaks ever recorded in BC. The
features, ecosystems and defoliation history, most recent chapter in the budworm saga now
twelve distinct outbreak regions have been has populations expanding north between
defined. Within these geographic outbreak Williams Lake and Quesnel and into the
regions the periodicity ofbudworm outbreaks Kootenay Boundary Region in southern BC.
is described. BC has records of budworm The Quesnel outbreak marks the most
outbreaks going back to 1909 that help northern outbreak yet recorded. Similarly,
illustrate population fluctuations. The first outbreak populations built in the Princeton
recorded outbreaks occurred on Vancouver and Merritt areas in the past decade where
Island in the early 1990s yet no outbreaks historically there also had been few or no
have since occurred on the island. Thomson records ofoutbreak levelpopulations.
and Benton (2007) attribute the cessation of The WSB is reacting to our changing
WSB outbreaks on Vancouver Island as climate and increasingly favourable and
possibly due to warming sea temperatures that available host resource. Current budworm
promote early larval emergence and thus poor outbreaks are distinguished by their expansion
synchrony between insect and host tree. Since into higher elevations and new territory. This
WSB
the 1930s all outbreaks have occurred in change in outbreak dynamics is a response by
the interior of BC. The Coast Region has the insect to milder, more suitable climatic
experienced very regular, periodic budworm conditions; altered stand conditions; and
outbreaks since 1940 but the scale of forests that have little inherent resistance to
outbreaks has decreased over the past two this insect. As the climate warms, budworm
outbreak cycles. The dry canyon forests near may continue to expand in range toward the
Lillooet have the longest and most regular, limit ofits primaryhost, Douglas-fir.
chronic, outbreak cycles with five distinct Maclauchlan, L.E., J.E. Brooks and J.C. Hodge. 2006.
outbreaks in the past century. Each outbreak Analysis of historic western spruce budworm
rangedfrom a few thousand, to overahundred defoliation in south central British Columbia.
thousand hectares of annual defoliation. ForestEcologyManagement226: 351-356.
Although budworm can occur in most Thomson, A.J. and R.A. Benton. 2007. A 90-year sea
warming trend explains outbreak patterns of
Douglas-fir dominated ecosystems, there are
western spruce budworm on Vancouver Island.
still someWarSeBas where there appears to be no TheForestryChronicle 83(6): 867-869.
history of outbreaks.
Budworm is present at low levels in most
susceptible forest types. However these insect
populations may or may not be able to reach
what we define as outbreak proportions unless
certain stand conditions are met or some
biological or physiological triggers occur. In
2006 Maclauchlan et al. reported that there
were large areas or susceptible forest type in
south and central BC, such as the Cariboo-
Chilcotin, where WSB had never reached
outbreak levels. The Thompson Okanagan has
seen large, often sustained outbreak periods,
but these have all occurred within the past
three decades. Priorto the 1970s the budworm
seldomreached outbreaklevels inthis region.