Overwintering of the lacebug Tingis ampliata (Heteroptera) in Britain.

Eguagie, W. E.

Tingis ampliata H.-S is univoltine in Britain and overwinters as adults in mixed floral litter, gins tufts and tussocks of Dactylis glomerata L. occurring in patches of thistles, Cirsium arvense (L) Scop. on which it breeds. The onset of overwintering is marked by an autumnal migration of adults to hibernacula at bases of thistles. Cover enhances survival during hibernation which is associated with (a) differential mortality of the sexes (b) considerable loss of body weight, water and metabolic reserves together with an increase In nonfat solids/live weight percentage. Weight loss during winter occurred at non-constant rate and males tended to lose a higher proportion of their autumn body weight than females. Amount of fat per individual was higher in females than males, but this difference tended to be insignificant towards the end of overwintering. Differential winter mortality of the sexes is associated with differences in fat content and rate of weight loss by the sexes; the magnitude of this difference in mortality is partly dependent on the severity of the winter. In years with relatively warm and dry winter - spring resulting in delayed emergence of thistles, Tingis may feed on etiolated thistles before insect and host emerge above grass mat.

ORCHARD grass; CIRSIUM; PLANT litter; WEIGHT loss; BODY composition; ASTERACEAE

Oikos, 1972, Vol 23, Issue 1, p63

0030-1299

Academic Journal

10.2307/3543927