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Mating Pair of Thistle Weevil
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| Photo Information |
Copyright: Bayram Gocmen (boreocypriensis)
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 718 W: 3 N: 2267]](http://i1.treklens.com/misc/g-n-g.gif) (8086) |
| Genre: Places |
| Medium: Color |
| Date Taken: 2008-04-18 |
| Categories: Nature |
| Camera: Olympus C-5060WZ |
| Exposure: f/3.6, 1/200 seconds |
| Photo Version: Original Version |
| Date Submitted: 2009-02-17 21:57 |
| Viewed: 335 |
| Points: 48 |
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| [Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note |
Larinus onopordi (Globe Thistle Capitulum Weevil)
Dear Friends, Today 4rth upload of this weevil species and as you remembered i have stated that i will upload a mating pair.
Hoping that you like this too!
Cheers,
Bayram
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Phytophagous insects represent a major part of worlds 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 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. |
jusninasirun, Niva, juyona, tanburi, milas, neusser0204, Saba, mortcdz, zulfu, brunorsantana, boomcat has marked this note useful
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Merhaba Bayram !
Indeed they are mating (^_^). Seriously cool scientific observation . I am discovering new insects through your eyes. The heads reminds me turtle heads.....
Sharp and well composed image . Can you give us an idea of the size. The flower itself can be misleading too.
Thanks !
Robert
- ayse51
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1686 W: 124 N: 1437]](http://i1.treklens.com/misc/g-g-g.gif)
(20338) - [2009-02-17 22:19]
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Günaydın Bayram bey,
serinin ilginç macrosu..Ellerinize sağlık.Tebrikler.Necla.
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- Niva
(10481)
- [2009-02-17 22:58]
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Merhaba Bayram !
That´s interesting , it´s curious.
That´s natural. It´s the nature!
Well done, my dear TL friend.
Tesekkür ederim,
Brazilian Greetings,
Nivaldo
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- JOya
![Silver Star Critiquer [C: 21 W: 3 N: 0]](http://i1.treklens.com/misc/s-n-n.gif)
(299) - [2009-02-17 23:38]
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Wonderful work.
Bonjour Bayram
The perfect pov for this scientific shot of very great quality.
Cheers
Merhaba Bayram hocam,
Seriye güzel bir halka daha eklemişsiniz.Elinize sağlık.
Selamlarımla..
hAyAti
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- juyona
(15439)
- [2009-02-18 0:34]
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Hola Bay,
preciosa macro e íntimo momento,
buen foco, color y composición,
saludos :))
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- foozi
(4608)
- [2009-02-18 0:58]
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Merhaba Bayram,
excellent shot of this pairs. Moment well captured with clarity
and sharpness. Excellent composition.
their uniform outfit is really special.
regards,
Foozi
regards,
Foozi
Bayram Hocam merhaba
Harika bir makro
Elinize sağlık
Burak
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- Fons
(15594)
- [2009-02-18 1:16]
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I was looking on google which are real!! never rather seen!
Selam Bayram Hocam,
Ben de bu bahardan itibaren böcek çalışayım diyorum. Özendirdiniz bizleri..
Tarih öncesi yaratıklar gibi. Çok ilginç güzellikler...
Selahattin E
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- mbrito
(11304)
- [2009-02-18 4:08]
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Hello Bayram
Great macro wuth a superb detail and excelent colours.
Best regards, mb
Szia Bayram
Gyönyörű részletességgel bíró makró.
Igazi életkép.
Gratulálok Laci
Ciao Bayram, great red light capture of this beautiful couple in splendid action, wonderful colors, fine details and superb sharpness, very well done, ciao Silvio
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- milas
(32781)
- [2009-02-18 6:41]
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merhaba Hocam...
sonunda yapacağınızı yaptınız :)
harika bir detay çalışması...elinize sağlık...
selamlar...
Hello Bayram,
Fantastic!The colors,the situation,the details,the sharpenss,the light,the moment all is perfect,this is a great artwork!My best compliments,very very good.Best regards
Siegfried
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- Saba
(8971)
- [2009-02-18 10:03]
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Merhaba Bayram!
Splendid macro...colours, light and colours.
I congratulate realization and I greet warmly.
Barbara
Merhaba Bayram hoca,
Dar alandaki ayin ve paslaşmaların sononda
nereye varacağı belli olmuyor!!!...
Ve o anın çekimi!! Çok sevimli buldum.
Selam,sevgiler.
Dr.Seyfettin Güner
Hello Bayram,
Excellent close, again an excellent job!
Congratulations and TFS.
Sergio
Definately looks like something from another world - your macro shots always have such great detail and smooth tones, and this one is no exception.
Thanks for sharing and for informing
Mark
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- zulfu
![Gold Star Critiquer [C: 150 W: 0 N: 7]](http://i1.treklens.com/misc/g-n-n.gif)
(44) - [2009-02-18 21:32]
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Merhaba Bayram hocam. Kusursuz bir makro çalışma.
Elinize sağlık.
Mehmet
Good time for them, my friend Bayram! Great capture!
Very nice focus and wonderful sharpness.
Well done job. Congratulations and TFS!
Best wishes,
Bruno
this one is stunning, Bayram.. very good macro.. pint sharp.. composition and detail are stunning.. good one..
regards, terry
Wow Bayram,
Such a fine close shot at the right moment. So much details and very well written notes.
TFS and have a wonderful day.
Regards,
Jusni
A wonderful nature picture! Very sharp and a clear exposure.
David
![Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Note Writer [C: 62 W: 0 N: 14]](http://i1.treklens.com/misc/g-n-s.gif)
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