Population Dynamics and Diapause Response of the Springtail Pest Sminthurus viridis (Collembola: Sminthuridae) in Southeastern Australia

Abstract

The springtail, Sminthurus viridis (L.) (Collembola: Sminthuridae), is an important agricultural pest across southern Australia. We investigated the seasonal abundance patterns and summer diapause response of S. viridis in southeastern Australia by using field and shadehouse (a greenhouse that offers seedlings shade) experiments. Seasonal activity patterns of S. viridis were largely consistent with previous studies, with the pest active from autumn to spring. In addition, the timing and pattern of the summer-diapausing egg stage was established, with multiple generations probably producing diapause eggs. A strong relationship between soil moisture and temperature with autumn emergence also was observed. These results suggest that S. viridis autumn pest pressure can be predicted and indicate that late-season spraying strategies currently used for a sympatric agricultural pest are unlikely to be as effective against S. viridis.

A cryptic diapause strategy in Halotydeus destructor (Tucker) (Trombidiformes: Penthaleidae) induced by multiple cues

“…3 By contrast, diapause is a prospective dormancy antedating environmental stress and therefore reactivation requires species-specific mechanisms. 4 Although a few species enter obligatory diapause at a specific stage in the life cycle regardless of environmental cues, 2 facultative diapause is induced in most species by abiotic factors (e.g., day length, 5,6 temperature, 7 soil moisture 8,9 ) and/or biotic factors (e.g., maturity of host plants, [9][10][11] predator-prey interactions, 12 scarcity of food 13 ).…”

“…14 Biotic factors such as increasing maturity of host plants can induce diapause in both winter-diapause 10,[20][21][22] and summer-diapause species. 8,9,11 Much is known about the interactions between multiple factors affecting winter diapause, 7,17,[22][23][24] however, comparatively speaking, few published studies have focused on species undergoing summer diapause. 14 Diapause can be categorized according to life stage, which in Acari can include egg, larva, nymph and adult diapause.…”

“…Abiotic factors such as shorter day length and cold temperatures are common diapause‐inducing factors for many winter‐diapause species, but are diapause‐inhibiting factors for some summer‐diapause species . Biotic factors such as increasing maturity of host plants can induce diapause in both winter‐diapause and summer‐diapause species . Much is known about the interactions between multiple factors affecting winter diapause, however, comparatively speaking, few published studies have focused on species undergoing summer diapause …”

Relaciones de abundancia de órdenes de hexápodos terrestres en vegas altoandinas del desierto-transicional de Chile

“…Esta situación es consistente con observaciones realizadas en prados húmedos de otras latitudes (Choi et al 2006;Schäfer et al 2006;Lods-Crozet et al, 2009;Roberts et al 2011). Según Hermosilla et al (1975), Collembola es un grupo dominante en suelos de turberas, muy comunes bajo condiciones antárticas y subantárticas.…”

Investigating foliar fertiliser effects on the incidence of clover flea (<i>Sminthurus viridis</i>) damage on white clover

“…The summer aestivation is relatively short in Waikato, allowing up to five generations a year, with populations peaking in spring (October/November) (Dentener 1985). Australian research has shown hatching can continue throughout summer under irrigation (Roberts et al 2011).…”