Ecological and Evolutionary Consequences of Variation in Clutch Size in Asteromyia Carbonifera (o.s.) (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae)

The gall-midge Asteromyia carbonifera induces blister-like galls on the leaves of Canadian goldenrod, Solidago canadensis (Compositae). Female midges deposit one to five offspring per gall. During their brief adult existence, females produce a number of galls. The number of eggs laid at each ovipositional site is termed the "clutch size." Midge larvae are potential hosts to five species of hymenopterous parasitoids. Three aspects of the plant/gall-maker/parasitoid community are examined in light of current theories in evolutionary ecology: (1) the selective pressures that act upon the midge to determine optimal clutch size, (2) patterns of resource utilization among the parasitoid species, particularly as affected by gall developmental progress and midge clutch size, and (3) demonstration that ovipositional success by the parasitoid Torymus capite is influenced by gall size as affect by midge clutch size.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Entomology

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2014

Author dc:creator

• Weis, Arthur Edward

• Biology, Ecology

Language dc:language

eng

Identifier

(UMI)AAI8127729

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/68017