Predicting the geographic distribution habitats of Schizomyia buboniae (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) and its host plant Deverra tortuosa (Apiaceae) in Egypt by using MaxEnt modeling

Abstract

Background In some localities of the Mediterranean coast and the Nile land region, the gall midge Schizomyia buboniae Frauenfeld, 1859 (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) induce small barrel-shaped galls on the stem of Deverra tortuosa (Desf.) DC. (Family: Apiaceae). Host plants interact with several insects in a different manner. The current work studies the interaction of S. buboniae with D. tortuosa. Furthermore, the present work predicted the distribution of S. buboniae and its host plant D. tortuosa in Egypt by using MaxEnt modeling, in addition to the effect of elevation and vegetation cover on its distribution. Results The predominance of S. buboniae occurred during late winter to spring. The S. buboniae larvae are occasionally attacked by endoparasitoids of the genus Inostemma (Platygastridae). There was a significant positive correlation between the number of galls per plant and the plant cover within the study localities. Meanwhile, there was no significant correlation between the number of galls per plant and the altitude within the study localities. Also, the high temperature and altitude were the most important predictors for the habitat distribution of S. buboniae and its host plant D. tortuosa. The predicted distribution range size for S. buboniae is less than the total predicted distribution range size for D. tortuosa. Conclusions The current study suggests that the gall inducer prefers large plants more than small ones. The present study suggests that the habitat distribution patterns of S. buboniae and its host plant D. tortuosa in Egypt can be modeled using a small number of occurrence records together with environmental variable layers for the study area through the maximum entropy modeling technique.

Mapping the Predicted Geographic Range of The Gall Former Schizomyia botellus (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) under Influence of Climatic Factors in Arid Habitats.

“…The present study showed that max temperature of the warmest month, isothermality, and precipitation of the coldest quarter were the most important predictors of S. botellus habitat distribution. This agrees with the findings of (Blanche andLudwig, 2001, andKamel et al, 2021) who reported that gall-making insects show increases in performance at higher mean temperatures. Additionally, (Ragab et al, 2020a) showed that precipitation in the coldest quarter was one of the most important predictors of Baldratia salicorniae habitat distribution.…”

“…Additionally, the present study showed that the axillary buds of D. triradiata are facing gall induction by S. botellus. While the gall midge Schizomyia buboniae is inducing gall on the stem of Deverra tortuosa (Kamel et al, 2021). The present study showed that max temperature of the warmest month, isothermality, and precipitation of the coldest quarter were the most important predictors of S. botellus habitat distribution.…”

The Potential Distribution of Rice Water Weevil (<i>Lissorhoptrus oryzophilus</i>) in China under Current and Future Climatic Conditions

“…The MaxEnt model can complete the simulation analysis of the suitable area of RWW under current and future climatic conditions, and the prediction results are stable, reliable, and easy to interpret. It has been widely applied to various species [48,49]. However, the default parameters of the MaxEnt model were predominantly used in previous studies, which could lead to excessive model fitting [50,51].…”

ASSESSMENT OF PHYTOHORMONE of TAMARIX APHYLLA L. INFECTED WITH PARAPODIA SINAICA (GELECHIIDEA: LEPIDOPETRA) IN SOUTH OF SINAI

“…Parapodia sinaica insect (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae), induces a spindle gall on the stem of Tamarix. (Fusu, 2017p Bidzilya et al, 2019Kamel et al, 2021 ;Baugnée et al, 2022). For the first time, P. sinaica (the host of T. tamaricis sp.)…”