@article {213, title = {Infiltration by alien predators into invertebrate food webs in Hawaii: a molecular approach}, journal = {Molecular EcologyMolecular Ecology}, volume = {13}, year = {2004}, pages = {2077-2088}, abstract = {Alien invertebrate predators have been introduced to Hawaii to control pests, particularly in lowland areas where most crops are grown. We developed techniques for assessing the impact of these predators on native food webs in relatively pristine upland areas where, it was hypothesized, few lowland predators might be found. Predator densities were assessed along transects within the Alakaii Swamp on Kaua{\textquoteright}i. The most numerous alien biocontrol agents found were Halmus chalybeus (Coccinellidae), a species known to feed on Lepidoptera eggs. Laboratory experiments were conducted using two genera of endemic Lepidoptera, Scotorythra and Eupithecia (Geometridae), that are of considerable conservation value, the former because of its recent speciation across Hawaii, the latter for its unique predatory larvae. Techniques were developed for detecting Lepidoptera DNA within the guts of alien predators using prey-specific PCR primers. General primers amplified fragments of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I gene from beetles and Lepidoptera. The sequences were aligned and used successfully to design target-specific primers for general detection of the remains of Geometridae and for particular species, including Scotorythra rara and Eupithecia monticolans. DNA fragments amplified were short [140{\textendash}170 base pairs (bp)], optimizing detection periods following prey ingestion. Trials using the introduced biocontrol agent Curinus coeruleus (Coccinellidae) demonstrated detection of Lepidoptera DNA fragments = 151 bp in 85{\textendash}100\% of beetles after 24 h digestion of an early instar larva. This study provides a framework for future use of molecular gut analysis in arthropod conservation ecology and food web research with considerable potential for quantifying threats to endemic species in Hawaii and elsewhere.}, keywords = {biocontrol, COCCINELLIDAE, EUPITHECIA, Geometridae, HAWAII, LEPIDOPTERA, NONTARGET, Pacific Insects, PREDATION, Scotorythra}, author = {Sheppard, S.K. and Henneman, M. L. and Memmott, J. and Symondson, W.O.C.} } @article {167, title = {Differential parasitism of seed-feeding Cydia (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) by native and alien wasp species relative to elevation in subalpine Sophora (Fabaceae) forests on Mauna Kea, Hawaii}, journal = {Journal of Insect ConservationJournal of Insect Conservation}, volume = {8}, number = {2-3}, year = {2004}, note = {Times Cited: 0}, pages = {229-240}, abstract = {Alien parasitic wasps, including accidental introductions and purposefully released biological control agents, have been implicated in the decline of native Hawaiian Lepidoptera. Understanding the potential impacts of alien wasps requires knowledge of ecological parameters that influence parasitism rates for species in their new environment. Sophora seed-feeding Cydia spp. (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) were surveyed for larval parasitoids to determine how native and alien wasps are partitioned over an elevation gradient (2200-2800 m) on Hawaii Island, Hawaii. Parasitism rate of native Euderus metallicus (Eulophidae) increased with increased elevation, while parasitism rate by immigrant Calliephialtes grapholithae (Ichneumonidae) decreased. Parasitism by Pristomerus hawaiiensis (Ichneumonidae), origins uncertain, also decreased with increased elevation. Two other species, Diadegma blackburni (Ichneumonidae), origins uncertain, and Brasema cushmani (Eupelmidae), a purposefully introduced biological control agent for pepper weevil, did not vary significantly with elevation. Results are contrasted with a previous study of this system with implications for the conservation of an endangered bird species that feed on Cydia larvae. Interpretation of results is hindered by lack of knowledge of autecology of moths and wasps, origins, phylogeny, systematics, competitive ability, and physiological limitations of each wasp species. These factors should be incorporated into risk analysis for biological control introductions and invasive species programs.}, keywords = {biocontrol, Brasema, CALLIEPHIALTES, CHALCIDOIDEA, CONSERVATION, CYDIA, DIADEGMA, EUDERUS, EULOPHIDAE, EUPELMIDAE, gradient, Grapholitini, HAWAII, Ichneumonidae, LEPIDOPTERA, Mauna Kea, NONTARGET, Olethreutinae, Pacific Insects, PARASITISM, PRISTOMERUS, TORTRICIDAE}, isbn = {1366-638X}, author = {Oboyski, Peter T. and Slotterback, John W. and Banko, Paul C.} } @article {83, title = {Rediscovery of five species of Omiodes Guenee (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) on Hawai{\textquoteright}i Island}, journal = {Bishop Museum Occasional PapersBishop Museum Occasional Papers}, volume = {79}, year = {2004}, note = {Omiodes anastreptaOmiodes anastreptoidesOmiodes asaphombraOmiodes continuatalisOmiodes monogona [Hawaii / / New record].Omiodes anastrepta (Pyralidae): [New record].Omiodes anastreptoides (Pyralidae): [New record].Omiodes asaphombra (Pyralidae): [New record].Omiodes continuatalis (Pyralidae): [New record].Omiodes monogona (Pyralidae): [New record].}, month = {27}, pages = {45-49}, type = {Article}, keywords = {Crambidae, distribution, HAWAII, HOST, LEPIDOPTERA, Omiodes, Pacific Insects, PARASITISM}, isbn = {0893-1348}, author = {Haines, W. P. and Giffin, J. and Foote, D.} } @article {57, title = {Extinction of the acoustic startle response in moths endemic to a bat-free habitat}, journal = {Journal of Evolutionary BiologyJournal of Evolutionary Biology}, volume = {17(4)}, year = {2004}, pages = {856-861}, abstract = {Most moths use ears solely to detect the echolocation calls of hunting, insectivorous bats and evoke evasive flight manoeuvres. This singularity of purpose predicts that this sensoribehavioural network will regress if the selective force that originally maintained it is removed. We tested this with noctuid moths from the islands of Tahiti and Moorea, sites where bats have never existed and where an earlier study demonstrated that the ears of endemic species resemble those of adventives although partially reduced in sensitivity. To determine if these moths still express the anti-bat defensive behaviour of acoustic startle response (ASR) we compared the nocturnal flight times of six endemic to six adventive species in the presence and absence of artificial bat echolocation sounds. Whereas all of the adventive species reduced their flight times when exposed to ultrasound, only one of the six endemic species did so. These differences were significant when tested using a phylogenetically based pairwise comparison and when comparing effect sizes. We conclude that the absence of bats in this habitat has caused the neural circuitry that normally controls the ASR behaviour in bat-exposed moths to become decoupled from the functionally vestigial ears of endemic Tahitian moths.}, keywords = {bats, EVOLUTION, French Polynesia, LEPIDOPTERA, Moorea, Noctuidae, Pacific Insects, PREDATION, Society Islands, Tahiti, tympana}, author = {Fullard, J.H. and Ratcliffe, J.M. and Soutar, A.R.} }