Patterns of fungal resource utilization and feeding range in some mycophagous Tubulifera (Insecta: Thysanoptera)

Abstract

Adaptive specialization in terms of survival due to diverse fungal feeding preferences and seasonal dispersal is indicated in the sporophagous species Loyo/aia indica (Anan). Feeding behavioural patterns of six species of mycophagous Tubulifera reflect diversity in fungal resource utilization and feeding range. Influence of fungal food on the strategies of survival. reproduction and aggregation has been discussed.

Fungal spore-feeding by adult and larvalMecynothrips hardyi(Priesner) (Thysanoptera: Phlaeothripidae: Idolothripinae)

“…As a first step to understanding this host specificity, the diet of M. hardyi was investigated. Although the fungal spores (Ananthakrishnan and James 1983;Ananthakrishnan and Suresh 1983;Ananthakrishnan and Dhileepan 1984), this has not been conducted in relation to the host plant associations of the thrips, nor on Australian idolothripines.…”

Mycophagous Phlaeothripidae (Thysanoptera: Tubulifera) in The Indian Subcontinent

“…Whatever is the type of reproduction, from the perspective of their breeding behaviour, the mycophagous Phlaeothripidae inhabit fungus-rich parts of the litter and lay eggs in such a way that the fungal spores are accessible to the emergent larvae. In species such as T. subramanii, both adult males and females exhibit parental care by guarding rows of eggs until hatching Ananthakrishnan and Suresh, 1983).…”

Rearing method for the sporophagous thrips Bactrothrips brevitubus (Thysanoptera: Phlaeothripidae: Idolothripinae)

“…While such studies have successfully evaluated the effects of food density on reproductive mode, they have been unable to quantify the causal mechanisms of food density. For mycophagous thrips, controlling mycelial or spore density has been particularly difficult (Joshi 1974; Ananthakrishnan & Suresh 1983).…”

“…Mycophagous thrips live in various environments, and are often monophagous with respect to their fungal food (Ananthakrishnan & Suresh 1983). Developing a rearing method for these thrips is an important first step in the investigation of their ecology.…”