Australian processionary caterpillars, <i>Ochrogaster lunifer</i> Herrich‐Schäffer (Lepidoptera: Notodontidae), comprise cryptic species

Mather, Andrew; Zalucki, Myron P.; Farrell, Julianne; Perkins, Lynda E.; Cook, Lyn G.

doi:10.1111/aen.12410

Cited by 7 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 26 publications

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“…host trees occur [12,25]. Within the species, there are five nesting types [12] with different ecology, morphology and genetics [26]. In our study, we focused only on the ground nesting form in which larvae create a silken nest at the trunk base of various Acacia and Eucalyptus spp.…”

Section: Field Sites and Data Collection Ochrogaster Lunifermentioning

confidence: 99%

Movement behaviour of two social urticating caterpillars in opposite hemispheres

et al. 2020

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Background: Investigating movement ecology of organisms has economic, societal, and conservation benefits. Larval movement of insects for example, plays many significant ecological roles, and with the expansion of the human population and development, encounters and conflicts with insects have increased. Urticating caterpillars are a health concern to people and animals, especially when they disperse in a gregarious and synchronised manner in areas frequented by humans. Ochrogaster lunifer and Thaumetopoea pityocampa from the southern and northern hemispheres respectively, are two geographically-isolated species of moth with similar gregarious urticating caterpillars that can outbreak causing defoliation and medical issues. Methods: Each year from March to May, O. lunifer and T. pityocampa caterpillars leave their nesting sites and form head-to-tail processions on the ground in search of pupation sites. This pre-pupation procession behaviour and its associated risk of human contact with O. lunifer and T. pityocampa caterpillars were studied and compared in Australia and Italy, respectively. The distance, duration, orientation and response to visible light of the pre-pupation processions were studied in both species to determine general patterns. Results: In the morning, O. lunifer and T. pityocampa processions travelled on average 40 and 16 m per day from the nest in 153 and 223 min respectively, in search for potential pupation sites. Ochrogaster lunifer pre-pupation processions travelled generally to the north or south when leaving the nest, as was their final orientation to the bivouac/pupation site. Whereas T. pityocampa processions had no preference in orientation. Ochrogaster lunifer and T. pityocampa pre-pupation processions travelled towards the darker and the lighter areas of the environment, respectively. During our observations, 27% of O. lunifer and 44% of T. pityocampa processions had contact with humans driving, cycling or walking. Conclusions: The amount of human contact is surprising and alarming, because of the serious health implications they cause to humans and animals. The processionary dispersal on the ground risks further spread of urticating hairs that can be easily detached, and particular during inadvertent contact. Our limited sample size of T. pityocampa processions may benefit from more observations to make conclusive remarks on their pre-pupation behaviour. Understanding the movement behaviour of O. lunifer and T. pityocampa pre-pupation processions around populated areas is crucial for predicting exposure risk and application of management strategies.

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Section: Field Sites and Data Collection Ochrogaster Lunifermentioning

confidence: 99%

Movement behaviour of two social urticating caterpillars in opposite hemispheres

et al. 2020

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“…The species status of O. lunifer from eastern Australia was studied using mitochondrial and nuclear DNA markers (Mather et al 2019). The lack of gene flow between populations of ground‐nesters and the above‐ground nest types, despite co‐occurrence, provides strong evidence for at least two species with overlapping distributions.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A trunk‐nesting form of the processionary caterpillar Ochrogaster lunifer (Lepidoptera: Notodontidae) restricted to a single host species Corymbia tessellaris (Myrtaceae), with some comparisons to the ground‐nesting form

2023

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The Bag‐shelter moth Ochrogaster lunifer (Lepidoptera: Notodontidae: Thaumetopoeinae) is an endemic species of medical and veterinary importance that occurs throughout Australia. The gregarious species is variable with four phylogenetic clades recently identified. One clade comprises trunk‐nesters restricted to one host: the Moreton Bay Ash, Corymbia tessellaris (Myrtaceae). Here, we describe aspects of the biology and ecology of this distinctive nesting form dupped the ‘tree‐hugger’ due to its flattish, thick silk nests that hug the trunk and larger branches. The form is univoltine; egg masses are laid in spring and the gregarious larvae develop through seven instars until the mature larvae stop feeding in autumn and later leave the nest (in a procession). The larvae over‐winter in the ground as pre‐pupae in a loose cocoon of silk. Pupation occurs in late winter and adults emerge in spring. Forty‐six per cent of monitored egg masses succeeded in developing through the lifecycle. Tachinids were common parasites of older larvae. Tree‐hugger nests provided some insulation against summer heat during the mornings, but the physical characteristics of the nests and tree trunks and the average southern orientation of the nests likely protect larvae against extreme heat. The tree‐hugger form of O. lunifer appears morphologically similar to the more ubiquitous ground‐nesting form, but there are differences in the colour of egg masses and adults, and in the behaviour and ecology of the larvae and adults. This information adds to the body of evidence supporting the definition of separate species within what is currently known as O. lunifer.

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“…Perkins et al [ 19 ] characterised the life history of a trunk (tree-hugger) nesting form restricted to Corymbia tessellaris (Myrtaceae). The species genetic status of Ochrogaster has recently been examined by Mather et al [ 20 ], who suggested at least three genetic groups or species, associated with different nesting habits and host plants.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Host Specificity in Canopy Nesting Forms of Ochrogaster lunifer: The Larger Children Do Not Care

Farrell

Zalucki

Battisti³

2023

Insects

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The ‘mother knows best’ hypothesis is tested in a species of processionary moth feeding on acacias and eucalypts in Australia. The processionary moth Ochrogaster lunifer (Lepidoptera: Notodontidae; Thaumetopoeinae) is a social caterpillar living in large colonies on a number of tree and shrub species. Five nesting types—canopy, trunk, tree-hugger, hanging, and ground—have been described, and this study deals with canopy nesters on various species of acacias (Acacia spp.) and eucalypts (Eucalyptus spp. and Corymbia spp.). Reciprocal transplant experiments conducted over three years confirm the ‘mother knows best’ hypothesis, as colonies performed better on the natal host plant than on the recipient ones. Young first instar larvae were less likely to establish on a non-natal host than the mature larvae, and all acacia-sourced canopy egg masses failed to establish on eucalypts. Large larvae were able to establish on transplant hosts. This suggests a strong preference–performance link at what is likely a species level, confirming preliminary results recently published on genetic divergence. Canopy nesting forms also have a lower realised fecundity than the ground nesting form on acacias from the same geographic area, but higher than another canopy nesting form from western Australia. Further observations on ecological and genetic traits are required to draw conclusions about the separation of lineages in the canopy nesting form of O. lunifer, by including populations from other parts of the range for both the herbivore and the host plants.

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Australian processionary caterpillars, Ochrogaster lunifer Herrich‐Schäffer (Lepidoptera: Notodontidae), comprise cryptic species

Cited by 7 publications

References 26 publications

Movement behaviour of two social urticating caterpillars in opposite hemispheres

Movement behaviour of two social urticating caterpillars in opposite hemispheres

A trunk‐nesting form of the processionary caterpillar Ochrogaster lunifer (Lepidoptera: Notodontidae) restricted to a single host species Corymbia tessellaris (Myrtaceae), with some comparisons to the ground‐nesting form

Host Specificity in Canopy Nesting Forms of Ochrogaster lunifer: The Larger Children Do Not Care

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