Post-Mating Interactions and Their Effects on Fitness of Female and Male Echinothrips americanus (Thysanoptera: Thripidae), a New Insect Pest in China

Abstract

Post-mating, sexual interactions of opposite sexes differ considerably in different organisms. Post-mating interactions such as re-mating behavior and male harassment can affect the fitness of both sexes. Echinothrips americanus is a new insect pest in Mainland China, and little is known about its post-mating interactions. In this study, we observed re-mating frequency and male harassment frequency and their effects on fitness parameters and offspring sex ratios of E. americanus females. Furthermore, we tested the impact of mating and post-mating interactions on fitness parameters of males. Our results revealed that the re-mating frequency in female adults was extremely low during a 30-day period. However, post-mating interactions between females and males, consisting mainly of male harassment and female resistance, did occur and significantly reduced female longevity and fecundity. Interestingly, increased access to males did not affect the ratio of female offspring. For males, mating dramatically reduced their longevity. However, post-mating interactions with females had no effects on the longevity of mated males. These results enrich our basic knowledge about female and male mating and post-mating behaviors in this species and provide important information about factors that may influence population regulation of this important pest species.

Reproductive performance and mating behavior of the predatory bug, Anthocoris minki Dohrn, 1860 (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae)

“…Egg laying was positively correlated with female lifespan, therefore, the reduction in offspring with increased male density may indicate the impact of male intensity on female lifespan. As reported by (Li et al, 2014), the post-mating intersexual interactions may negatively influence both males and females in terms of reproductive performance. Most common malefemale interactions occur in A. minki are male annoyance and female reluctance.…”

The omnivorous predator Macrolophus pygmaeus, a good candidate for the control of both greenhouse whitefly and poinsettia thrips on gerbera plants

“…In this study, we evaluated whether the omnivorous predator Macrolophus pygmaeus (Rambur) (Hemiptera: Miridae) can be used to control the poinsettia thrips Echinothrips americanus Morgan (Thysanoptera: Thripidae), which is a relatively new pest (since 1995 in Europe and 2010 in China) that has spread rapidly worldwide and causes serious damage in both vegetable and ornamental plants (Vierbergen et al ., ; Li et al ., ). In Northern Europe, it is one of the emerging pests in ornamental crops such as roses and cut gerbera flowers.…”

Biological control of Echinothrips americanus by phytoseiid predatory mites and the effect of pollen as supplemental food

“…Many species of thrips (Thysanoptera) are pests of economic importance in agricultural crops (Heinz et al 2004;Lewis 1997;Mound 2005). The most important species in greenhouse crops are western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande), tobacco thrips, Thrips tabaci (Lindeman), melon thrips, Thrips palmi Karny, and chilli thrips, Scirtothrips dorsalis Hood, which are all highly polyphagous and damage various ornamental and vegetable greenhouse crops (Heinz et al 2004;Lewis 1997;Oetting et al 1993).…”

“…The most important species in greenhouse crops are western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande), tobacco thrips, Thrips tabaci (Lindeman), melon thrips, Thrips palmi Karny, and chilli thrips, Scirtothrips dorsalis Hood, which are all highly polyphagous and damage various ornamental and vegetable greenhouse crops (Heinz et al 2004;Lewis 1997;Oetting et al 1993). A relatively new pest in greenhouse crops is the poinsettia thrips, Echinothrips americanus Morgan.…”

“…A relatively new pest in greenhouse crops is the poinsettia thrips, Echinothrips americanus Morgan. This thrips species is native to eastern North America (Oetting 1987), but it has spread rapidly across Europe since 1995 (Vierbergen et al 2006) and more recently, it also established in China (Li et al 2014). The poinsettia thrips is also highly polyphagous and causes serious damage in various vegetable and ornamental crops through extensive foliage feeding (Ramakers et al 2000;Varga et al 2010;Vierbergen et al 2006).…”