<< Previous Next >>

Thistle Capitulum Weevil #3


Thistle Capitulum Weevil #3
Photo Information
Copyright: Bayram Gocmen (boreocypriensis) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 738 W: 3 N: 2321] (8256)
Genre: Places
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2008
Categories: Nature
Camera: Olympus C-5060WZ
Exposure: f/3.6, 1/200 seconds
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Arthropods from the Middle East [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2009-02-16 23:33
Viewed: 243
Points: 30
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Larinus onopordi (Globe Thistle Capitulum Weevil)

Dear Friends, Today 3rd upload of this weevil species. You see two male and a female (at middle) in this shot.

Hoping that you like this too!

Cheers,

Bayram

*****************************

Phytophagous insects represent a major part of world’s biodiversity. Most hypotheses explaining this extraordinary diversity refer to small body size, specialization on many different microhabitats, short generation time, ability to open up new resources and host plant shifting. Use of the rostrum for excavating an oviposition site in a plant structure can be seen clearly as a key point in explaining diversity within Curculionoidea (Order: Coleoptera). The development of a long rostrum in females of Curculionoidea allowed invasion of a new adaptive zone through excavation of oviposition sites in plant parts otherwise not previously available as food sources for immature stages. The evolution of host choice and knowledge of how this might affect the speciation process is important for an understanding of this diversity. Considerable attention has been paid to the formation of host races, generally concentrating on host shifts occurring in sympatry.

Echinops (Thistle, in Turk. Devedikeni) are perennial or biennial spiny herbs with erect ridged stems. Leaves simple to three-pinnatisect, petiolate or sessile. Capitula single-flowered, congested into globose heads subtended by small reflexed bracts. The genus Echinops has sixteen species in all Turkey. Of these, Echinops sphaerocephalus L. is distributed mainly in northeastern Anatolia. This plant is on the weed list in Turkey in common pastures, meadows, environs of airport, highways and railways , maize, cotton fields, field margins and other crops (citrus, okra, grape, soybean, wheat, tomato, sesame, groundnut and bean). Also, E. sphaerocephalus is on the invasive weed list of North America and it is commonly found in Nebraska. Even though informed about the weed characteristics of E. sphaerocephalus in current literature, this plant also has medicinal uses. E. sphaerocephalus contains the non-poisonous alkaloid, echinopsin, which gives sufficiently recovery in chronic radiation sickness. Polysaccharides isolated from E. sphaerocephalus have been used in traditional Chinese medicine as drugs with anti-inflammatory effect and anti-tumor promoting action in the osseous system. Except for its useful peculiarities writen above and though E. sphaerocephalus may become a weed in some areas, it is used as a honey plant: E. sphaerocephalus and E. ritro were planted in Michigan, USA. Values of honey efficiency and attraction for bees were found highest among those recommended for gardens as investigated in ten plants in Poland :).

The weewil genus Larinus comprising ca. 180 species is represented by approximately 140 species in the Palaearctic. Larinus is species-richest in the Mediterranean where about 100 species occur. The main host plant of Larinus onopordi is E. sphaerocephalus in Northeast Anatolia, but rarely prefers E. orientalis to complete their generation in this plant. Overwintered adults associated with host plants from mid May (According to Dr. Gultekin, “we detected that this event in early April”). After feeding several days on leaves, they mate [I will upload an additional capture soon:) ] and laid their eggs in flowerheads using rostrum by excavation of the oviposition hole. In addition, the adults damage the stem below flowerhead opening vertical holes. Adult activity period lasted approximately 44 days. Adult population rise to a peak level in the last week of May. Mating activity duration lasts approximately the adult activity period which is 37 days. After depositing eggs, females close on eggs a pale green secretion then this secretion dried, hardened and turned black. The eggs are laid superficially and it is easy to see the eggs when opening this dry secretion. Eggs occurrence span is 33 days. Hatching and feeding in flowerhead larvae continue to grow untill mid September. Larval period duration is 79 days. From the third week of July, pupae is seen in Flowerhead. In one flowerhead, four larvae can grow, also mature larva made up the pupal cell by using mouth secretion and plant remnant where 4 pupal cells occur. If there are more than one larva or pupa in one flowerhead, this flowerhead abnormally shaped. Pupa duration is 51 days. Upon reaching the new generation adult stage, they wait in the flowerhead 7-10 days and emerge from here for find a suitable hibernating site such as under stones. This weevil shows an aggregation behavior which is possibly seen in 1-3 specimens together hiding under a stone for hibernation. In this way, L. onopordi produced one generation per year.

References:

1. Gültekin, L. (2006). Host plants of Larinus latus (Herbst 1784) in eastern Turkey (Coleoptera: Curculionidae). - Weevil News, No. 40: 7 pp.
2. Gültekin, L. (2008). Seasonal Occurrence and Biology of Globe Thistle Capitulum Weevil Larinus onopordi (F.) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) in Northeastern Turkey. Mun. Ent. Zool., 1 (2): 191-198.
ayse51, manujmehta, tanburi, Silvio2006, skobek, milas, neusser0204, zulfu, boomcat, juyona has marked this note useful
Only registered TrekLens members may rate photo notes.
Add Critique [Critiquing Guidelines] 
Only registered TrekLens members may write critiques.
Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To manujmehta: Hi Manujboreocypriensis 1 02-17 01:00
To ayse51: Selamboreocypriensis 1 02-17 00:56
You must be logged in to start a discussion.

Critiques [Translate]

merhaba Bayram bey,
Bu sevimlileri bu kadar bir arada nerde buluyorsunuz.Bizim zamanımızda kampüste bir botanik bahçesi vardı.Yoksa orada mı?Gerçekten çok sevimliler.Ellerinize sağlık.Necla.

Bayram Hocam merhaba
Muhteşem bir makro
Elinize sağlık
Burak

hello Bayram
how are you my friend?
i have never experienced of these kind of insects, you note has given a wonderful introduction about these.
nice capture
fine shot
are these dangerous?
hope to see some macros of these creepy ones.

regards
Manuj Mehta

Selam Bayrtam Hoca,
Doğal ortamı içinde daha alımlı görünüyorlar. Renk ve şekil olarak son derecede harmonik
Ellerine sağlık, paylaşım için teşekkürler
Selahattin E

Ciao Bayram, fantastic trio, perfect focus on all interesting elements, fine details and splendid sharpness, very well done my friend, ciao Silvio

Hi Bayram,
trio of insect. But each of them is going in individual way ;))). Very good photography of group of beetles on great green background.
Regards - Slawek

Merhaba Bayram hoca,
Aile faaliyet halinde iken yakalanmışlar...
Olağanüstü güzel bir kompozisyon. Selam,sevgiler.
Dr.Seyfettin Güner

  • Great 
  • milas Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2737 W: 412 N: 2987] (32855)
  • [2009-02-17 8:44]

Merhaba Bayram bey...
Bu yaratıklar bitkileri mahvediyor olmalılar,
güzel bir konpozisyon ve güzel bir çalışma olmuş...eline sağlık...selamlar

Hello Bayram,
Very good presentation, sharp image with god details, the pov is appropriate, good lighting,
well done,
Best regards Siegfried

  • Great 
  • Saba Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 587 W: 0 N: 1601] (9179)
  • [2009-02-17 10:09]

Merhaba Bayram!

Very curious insects .
Pretty colours and formulation.
It congratulates realization and I greet warmly.
Barbara

  • Great 
  • zulfu Gold Star Critiquer [C: 150 W: 0 N: 7] (44)
  • [2009-02-17 12:16]

Merhaba bayram hocam. Sanırım siz farkedip kaçmaya çalışıyorlarken çekmişsiniz:). Nefis olmuş.
Elinize sağlık.
Mehmet

  • Great 
  • foozi Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 595 W: 0 N: 957] (4612)
  • [2009-02-18 1:03]

Merhaba Bayram,
nice capture of these weevil.
well shown in its stylish camouflaged.
Well presented too in beautiful surroundings.

regards,
Foozi

Hello Bayram,

Beautiful colors, excellent POV and very good job!
Congratulations and TFS.
Sergio

great shot, Bayram.. very sharp of this little fellows.. lovely colours as well.. sharp and detail.. nice one..

regards, terry

  • Great 
  • juyona Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 2642 W: 1 N: 1264] (15445)
  • [2009-02-20 0:15]

Hola Bay,
interesante habitat y pov,
detalles y nitidez.
saludos amigo.

Merhaba Hocam,
Harika bir makro çalışma.Özellikle böceklerin çevredeki bitkilerle renk uymu mükemmel.Elinize sağlık.
Selamlarımla..

hAyAti

Calibration Check
















0123456789ABCDEF