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Hibernation adaptation and eclosion synchrony in leaf-galling sawflies in subarctic Norway

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Abstract

The winter dormancy adaptation in gall-inducing sawflies is poorly known. Diapause termination and the following post-diapause quiescence enhance synchronous eclosion in spring. This is probably the most critical part in the life history in gall-inducing sawflies, as there is only a short phenological window of opportunity for mating and oviposition. In a 2 years’ study, diapause duration, termination, survival and eclosion synchrony were experimentally investigated for three gall-inducing sawfly species (Symphyta: Tenthredinidae: Pontania nivalis, P. glabrifrons and P. arcticornis). Field-collected galls, sampled from willows (Salix spp.) in early autumn, were kept under natural temperatures outdoors until next spring. Subsamples were successively transferred to the laboratory at 14-day intervals from October to April in a test of development time to eclosion and survival ratio. The time to eclosion decreased throughout the experiment, whereas the proportion successfully eclosed and eclosion synchronicity increased, all indicative of prepupae entering a diapause in early autumn. The diapause terminates midwinter, and the prepupae enter a post-diapause quiescence until the temperature in spring allows a direct development and contributes to a nearly synchronous eclosion. In all three species, males eclosed 1–2 days prior to females (protandry). We hypothesize that synchronous eclosion as well as protandry enhance mating and oviposition success. Our finding indicates that gall-inducing sawflies are well adapted to its harsh subarctic and arctic environment.

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Acknowledgments

We would like to thank the “EcoFinn” project at University of Tromsø for help with field logistics and accommodation, Terje Barstad as field assistant and Prof. John R. Anderson for improving the language. The study was funded by Tromsø University Museum.

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  1. Department of Natural Sciences, Tromsø University Museum, 9037, Tromsø, Norway

    Trond Elling Barstad & Arne C. Nilssen

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  1. Trond Elling Barstad
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  2. Arne C. Nilssen
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Correspondence to Trond Elling Barstad.

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Barstad, T.E., Nilssen, A.C. Hibernation adaptation and eclosion synchrony in leaf-galling sawflies in subarctic Norway. Polar Biol 35, 1097–1103 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00300-012-1157-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00300-012-1157-8

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