Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Experimental contributions to the ecology of Chironomus (Diptera)

II. The influence of the photoperiod on the development of Chironomus plumosus in the 4th larval instar

  • Published:
Oecologia Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

The development of Chironomus plumosus within the 4th larval instar was investigated under long day (18 h light/6 h dark) and short day (6/18) conditions at a temperature of 15°C. The state of the imaginal discs was the criterion of the state of development of the larvae.

In general long day treatment induced subitaneous without delay development. Occasionally an endogenic developmental check, termed long day dormancy, occurred through long day treatment. Under long day conditions in the 4th larval instar only, the males developed faster on average than the females. The 4th larval instar was the most important in larval growth since about 80–85% of the maximum larval weight was formed during this period. By subitaneous development the weight of the larvae increased parallel to their respective development in both sexes.

A developmental check, an oligopause, was induced by short day conditions. Its duration varied considerably but could last several months. In the majority of the larvae it ended spontaneously and metamorphosis began. The oligopause affected the imaginal disc phases 3–4 to 6. Under short day conditions the dormant larvae grew rapidly at first, but after some time their weights remained relatively constant, fluctuating only slightly around a mean value.

When larvae of short day induced dormancy were placed under long day conditions, metamorphosis began immediately. Larvae kept individually developed more quickly than did those in a mass culture. A regulatory system of dormancy for Chironomus plumosus is proposed.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

Abbreviations

L1, 2, 3, 4 :

1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th larval instar

LD:

long day

SD:

short day

PH:

phase of the genital imaginal disc

RH:

red head

P:

pupa

I:

imago

References

  • Chippendale, G.M., Yin, C.-M.: Endocrine Activity retained in Diapause Insect Larvae. Nature (London) 246, 511–513 (1973)

    Google Scholar 

  • Clever, U.: Genaktivitäten in den Riesenchromosomen von Chironomus tentans und ihre Beziehungen zur Entwicklung — III. Das Aktivitätsmuster in Phasen der Entwicklungsruhe. J. Ins. Physiol. 8, 357–376 (1962a)

    Google Scholar 

  • Clever, U.: Genaktivitäten in den Riesenchromosomen von Chironomus tentans und ihre Beziehungen zur Entwicklung — II. Das Verhalten der Puffs während des letzten Larvenstadiums und der Puppenhäutung. Chromosoma (Berl.) 13, 385–436 (1962b)

    Google Scholar 

  • De Wilde, J.: Photoperiodic control of endocrines in insects. Arch. Anat. microsc. Morph. exp. 54, 547–564 (1965)

    Google Scholar 

  • De Wilde, J.: Hormones and Diapause. Progress in Endocrinology, pp. 356–364. Excerpta Medica International Congress, Series 184, (1968)

  • Englemann, W., Shappirio, D.G.: Photoperiodic Control of the Maintenance and Termination of Larval Diapause in Chironomus tentans. Nature (Lond.) 207, 548–549 (1965)

    Google Scholar 

  • Fukuda, S.: Déterminisme hormonal de la diapause chez le ver à soie. Bull. Soc. zool. France 88 (1963)

  • Fischer, J.: Beiträge zur Biologie von Chironomus nuditarsis. Diplomarbeit, zool. Institut der Universität Bern (1965)

  • Fischer, J., Rosin, S.: Das larvale Wachstum von Chironomus nuditarsis. Str Rev. suisse Zool. 76, 727–734 (1969)

    Google Scholar 

  • Fischer, J.: Zur Fortpflanzungsbiologie von Chironomus nuditarsis. Rev. suisse Zool. 76 23–55 (1969)

    Google Scholar 

  • Fischer, J.: Experimentelle Beiträge zur Oekologie von Chironomus (Diptera)-I. Dormanz bei Chironomus nuditarsis und Ch. plumosus. Oecologia (Berl.) 16, 73–95 (1974)

    Google Scholar 

  • Fraenkel, G., Hsiao, C.: Morphological and endocrinological aspects of pupal diapause in a fleshfly, Sacrophaga argyrostoma. J. Ins. Physiol. 14, 707–718 (1968)

    Google Scholar 

  • Hans, H.: Termination of diapause and continuous laboratory rearing of the sweet clover weevil, Sitona cylindricollis Fahr. Ent. exp. and appl. 4, 41–46 (1961)

    Google Scholar 

  • Hodek, I.: Termination of adult diapause in Pyrrhocoris apterus (Heteroptera: Pyrrhocoridae) in the field. Ent. exp. and appl. 14, 212–222 (1971)

    Google Scholar 

  • Hodek, I.: Development of diapause in Pyrrhocoris apterus females in the middle period of winter dormancy. Vestn. Cesk. Spol. Zool. 3, 161–169 (1974)

    Google Scholar 

  • Illies, J.: Die Lebensgemeinschaft des Bergbaches. Neue Brehm-Bücherei, 1961. Ziemsen-Verlag, Wittenberg

    Google Scholar 

  • Ineichen, H.: Experimentelle Beiträge zur Entwicklungsbiologie von Chironomus: daraus in Vorbereitung: Bestimmung von Geschlecht und Entwicklungsstand im 4. Larvenstadium von Chironomus plumosus L. Diplomarbeit, Zool. Institut der Universität Bern (1975)

  • Klötzli, A.M., Römer, F., Rosin, S.: Jahreszeitliche Größenvariationen bei Chironomus plumosus L. Rev. suisse Zool. 78, 587–603 (1971)

    Google Scholar 

  • Kroeger, H.: Zur Normalentwicklung von Chironomus thummi Kieffer-Allgemeine Morphologie, Speicheldrüsenentwicklung und puffing Aktivität in Riesenchromosomen (Insecta, Diptera). Z. Morph. Tiere 74, 65–88 (1973)

    Google Scholar 

  • Lees, A.D.: The diversity of biological clocks in insects. In: (Beament, J.W.L., Treherne, J.E., eds.), Insects and Physiology, pp. 90–99. Edinburgh-London: Oliver and Boyd 1967

    Google Scholar 

  • Lezzi, M.: In vitro effects of, juvenile hormone on puffing in Chironomus salivary glands. Molec. cell. Endocr. 1, 189–207 (1974)

    Google Scholar 

  • McLeod, D.G.R., Beck, S.D.: Photoperiodic termination of diapause in an insect. Biol. Bull. 124, 84–96 (1963)

    Google Scholar 

  • Müller, H.J.: Formen der Dormanz bei Insekten. Nova Acta Leopoldina 35, Nr. 191 (1970)

    Google Scholar 

  • Neuenschwander, A.: Unterschiede der oekologischen Ansprüche von Chironomus plumosus und Chironomus nuditarsis. Laborversuche. Diplomarbeit, Zool. Institut der Universität Bern (1971)

  • Pankow, W., Lezzi, M., Holderegger-Mähling, I.: Correlate Changes of Balbiani Ring Expansion and Secretory Protein Synthesis in Larval Salivary Glands of Chironomus tentans. Chromosoma (Berl.) 58, 137–153 (1976)

    Google Scholar 

  • Pelling, C.: Ribonucleinsäure-Synthese der Riesenchromosomen. Autoradiographische Untersuchungen an Chironomus tentans. Chromosoma (Berl.) 15, 71–122 (964)

    Google Scholar 

  • Reist, A.: Vergleichende morphologische und entwicklungsbiologische Untersuchungen an drei Chironomus-Arten (Diptera) aus dem Wohlensee bei Bern. Diplomarbeit, Zool. Institut der Universität Bern (1976)

  • Riesen, U.: Einfluss der Taglänge auf Wachstum und Entwicklung von Chironomus plumosus L. Diplomarbeit, Zool. Institut der Universität Bern (1976)

  • Rosin, S., Fischer, J.: Zum Selektionswert verschiedener chromosomaler Strukturtypen von Chironomus nuditarsis Str. Arch. Julius Klaus-Stift 43, 31–40 (1968)

    Google Scholar 

  • Sachs, L.: Angewandte Statistik. Planung und Auswertung, Methoden und Modelle. (4. Auflage, neubearbeitet und erweitert) Berlin, Heidelberg, New York: Springer-Verlag 1974

    Google Scholar 

  • Sadler, W.O.: Biology of the midge Chironomus tentans Fabricius and methods for its propagation. Cornell Univ. Agric. Exp. Sta., Ithaca, New York, Mem. No. 173 (1935)

    Google Scholar 

  • Saunders, D.S.: Insect clocks. Oxford: Pergamon Press 1976

    Google Scholar 

  • Scharf, B.W.: Experimentell-ökologische Untersuchungen an Chironomus thummi und Chironomus piger (Diptera, Chironomidae). Arch. Hydrobiol. 72, 225–244 (1973)

    Google Scholar 

  • Smith, S.M., Brust, R.A.: Photoperiodic control of the maintenance and termination of larval diapause in Wyeomyia smithii (Coq.) (Diptera: Culicidae) with notes on oogenesis in the adult female. Can. J. Zool. 49, 1065–1073 (1971)

    Google Scholar 

  • Takeda, N., Ohishi, T.: Effect of a development-stimulating pheromone on the embryo of Chironomus dorsalis. J. Ins. Physiol. 22, 1327–1330 (1976)

    Google Scholar 

  • Tauber, M.J., Tauber, C.A.: Seasonality and its control in a population of Meleoma signoretti in nature. (1975) Zit. in: Ann. Rev. Entomol. 21, 81–107 (1976)

  • Tauber, M.J., Tauber, C.A.: Insect seasonality: Diapause maintenance, termination, and postdiapause development. Ann. Rev. Entomol. 21, 81–107 (1976)

    Google Scholar 

  • Valentin, M.: Extraktion, reinigung und chromatographische Bestimmung von Ecdysteroiden aus biologischem Material. Staatsexamensarbeit, Universität des Saarlandes, Fachrichtung 16. 2 Genetik. (1976)

  • Wall, C.: Effect of temperature on embryonic development and diapause in Chesias legatella (Lepidoptera: Geometridae). J. Zool., Lond. 172, 147–168 (1974)

    Google Scholar 

  • Williams, C.M.: Physiology of insect diapause: the role of the brain in the production and termination of pupal dormancy in the giant silkworm, Platysamia cecropia. Biol. Bull., Woods Hole 90, 234–243 (1946)

    Google Scholar 

  • Williams, C.M.: Physiology of insect diapause — II. Interaction between pupal, brain and prothoracic glands in the metamorphosis of giant silkworm, Platysamia cecropia. Biol. Bull., Woods Hole 93, 89–98 (1947)

    Google Scholar 

  • Williams, C.M.: Physiology of insect diapause — IV. The brain and prothoracic glands as an endocrine system in the Cecropia silkworm. Biol. Bull., Woods Hole 103, 120–138 (1952)

    Google Scholar 

  • Wülker, W., Götz, P.: Die Verwendung der Imaginalscheiben zur Bestimmung des Entwicklungszustandes von Chironomus-Larven (Dipt.). Z. Morph. Tiere 62, 363–388 (1968)

    Google Scholar 

  • Yin, C.-M., Chippendale, G.M.: Juvenile hormone regulation of the larval diapause of the southwestern corn borer, Diatraea grandiosella. J. Ins. Physiol. 19, 2403–2420 (1973)

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Author notes

  1. Hannes Ineichen

    Present address: Institute of Zoology, University of Berne, Department of Genetics and Biology of Invertebrates, CH-3000, Berne, Switzerland

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Cell Biology, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Hönggerberg, CH-8093, Zürich, Switzerland

    Hannes Ineichen, Ursula Riesen-Willi & Jürg Fischer

Authors
  1. Hannes Ineichen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Ursula Riesen-Willi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Jürg Fischer
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Additional information

Supported by the Swiss National Foundation

We thank Prof. R. Hauser for the critical reading of the manuscript and Sonia Turler for the translation

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Ineichen, H., Riesen-Willi, U. & Fischer, J. Experimental contributions to the ecology of Chironomus (Diptera). Oecologia 39, 161–183 (1979). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00348066

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00348066

Keywords

Search

Navigation