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Mating Thistle Weevils :-)


Mating Thistle Weevils :-)
Photo Information
Copyright: Bayram Gocmen (boreocypriensis) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3383 W: 139 N: 3971] (10462)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2008-04-04
Categories: Insects
Camera: Olympus C-5060WZ
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Flora of Turkey & Cyprus, Arthropods from Turkey & Cyprus [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2008-05-16 0:30
Viewed: 720
Points: 62
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Larinus onoperdi (Globe Thistle Weevil) [A Male & A Female :-)] #2

Dear Friends, thanks for the kind critiques/comments on the previous posting. About one week ago, I have uploaded two captures [a male and a fremale in its WS version, separately] of this beautiful weevil species . In that time, I have stated that "I will upload an additional capture soon". Here's another shot, but this time mating ones :).

Hoping that you like this shot!


Cheers,

Bayram

*****************************

Phytophagous insects represent a major part of world’s biodiversity. Most hypotheses explaining this extraordinary diversity refer to small body size, specialization on many different microhabitats, short generation time, ability to open up new resources and host plant shifting. Use of the rostrum for excavating an oviposition site in a plant structure can be seen clearly as a key point in explaining diversity within Curculionoidea (Order: Coleoptera). The development of a long rostrum in females of Curculionoidea allowed invasion of a new adaptive zone through excavation of oviposition sites in plant parts otherwise not previously available as food sources for immature stages. The evolution of host choice and knowledge of how this might affect the speciation process is important for an understanding of this diversity. Considerable attention has been paid to the formation of host races, generally concentrating on host shifts occurring in sympatry.

Echinops are perennial or biennial spiny herbs with erect ridged stems. Leaves simple to three-pinnatisect, petiolate or sessile. Capitula single-flowered, congested into globose heads subtended by small reflexed bracts. The genus Echinops has sixteen species in all Turkey. Of these, Echinops sphaerocephalus L. is distributed mainly in northeastern Anatolia. This plant is on the weed list in Turkey in common pastures, meadows, environs of airport, highways and railways , maize, cotton fields, field margins and other crops (citrus, okra, grape, soybean, wheat, tomato, sesame, groundnut and bean). Also, E. sphaerocephalus is on the invasive weed list of North America and it is commonly found in Nebraska. Even though informed about the weed characteristics of E. sphaerocephalus in current literature, this plant also has medicinal uses. E. sphaerocephalus contains the non-poisonous alkaloid, echinopsin, which gives sufficiently recovery in chronic radiation sickness. Polysaccharides isolated from E. sphaerocephalus have been used in traditional Chinese medicine as drugs with anti-inflammatory effect and anti-tumor promoting action in the osseous system. Except for its useful peculiarities writen above and though E. sphaerocephalus may become a weed in some areas, it is used as a honey plant: E. sphaerocephalus and E. ritro were planted in Michigan, USA. Values of honey efficiency and attraction for bees were found highest among those recommended for gardens as investigated in ten plants in Poland :).

The weewil genus Larinus comprising ca. 180 species is represented by approximately 140 species in the Palaearctic. Larinus is species-richest in the Mediterranean where about 100 species occur. The main host plant of Larinus onopordi is E. sphaerocephalus in Northeast Anatolia, but rarely prefers E. orientalis to complete their generation in this plant. Overwintered adults associated with host plants from mid May (According to Dr. Gultekin, “we detected that this event in early April”). After feeding several days on leaves, they mate and laid their eggs in flowerheads using rostrum by excavation of the oviposition hole. In addition, the adults damage the stem below flowerhead opening vertical holes. Adult activity period lasted approximately 44 days. Adult population rise to a peak level in the last week of May. Mating activity duration lasts approximately the adult activity period which is 37 days. After depositing eggs, females close on eggs a pale green secretion then this secretion dried, hardened and turned black. The eggs are laid superficially and it is easy to see the eggs when opening this dry secretion. Eggs occurrence span is 33 days. Hatching and feeding in flowerhead larvae continue to grow untill mid September. Larval period duration is 79 days. From the third week of July, pupae is seen in Flowerhead. In one flowerhead, four larvae can grow, also mature larva made up the pupal cell by using mouth secretion and plant remnant where 4 pupal cells occur. If there are more than one larva or pupa in one flowerhead, this flowerhead abnormally shaped. Pupa duration is 51 days. Upon reaching the new generation adult stage, they wait in the flowerhead 7-10 days and emerge from here for find a suitable hibernating site such as under stones. This weevil shows an aggregation behavior which is possibly seen in 1-3 specimens together hiding under a stone for hibernation. In this way, L. onopordi produced one generation per year.

References:

1. Gültekin, L. (2006). Host plants of Larinus latus (Herbst 1784) in eastern Turkey (Coleoptera: Curculionidae). - Weevil News, No. 40: 7 pp.
2. Gültekin, L. (2008). Seasonal Occurrence and Biology of Globe Thistle Capitulum Weevil Larinus onopordi (F.) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) in Northeastern Turkey. Mun. Ent. Zool., 1 (2): 191-198.

Ps. My dear well beloved friends, this Friday night (May 17th) I have to go to Karagöl Lake, Bolkar Mountain (approx. 3200 asl, Nigde province, Eastern Mediterranean Anatolia) to conduct our project on the population dynamics and breeding biology of Taurus Frog (Rana holtzi which is the endemic to Turkey and also that lake). Because of this, I will not be in the TN till the next Wednesday (May 21th). During this time I wish all of my beloved friends the best wishes. May you all have much well being and happiness... Hope to see you soon...
zulfu, haraprasan, bahadir, yasemin, Gert-Paassen, nkasot, xTauruSx, Juyona, eng55, montivipera, SelenE, Silvio2006, maurydv, smitha, jaycee, Jamesp, rousettus, matatur, jpdenk, cicindela, cypturk has marked this note useful
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ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To rousettus: :)boreocypriensis 1 05-19 17:31
To jaycee: Hi & Thanksboreocypriensis 1 05-16 09:12
To smitha: Thanksboreocypriensis 1 05-16 09:05
To eng55: Teşekkürler Ömer Beyboreocypriensis 1 05-16 04:40
To Juyona: thanks Vicmaboreocypriensis 1 05-16 02:32
To Gert-Paassen: Hi & Thanksboreocypriensis 1 05-16 02:09
To pvs: Hi Paul & thanksboreocypriensis 1 05-16 00:53
To mariki: Hi Marieboreocypriensis 1 05-16 00:52
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • pvs Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1127 W: 255 N: 2426] (11037)
  • [2008-05-16 0:45]
  • [+]

Hi Bayram,

A nice and well captured macro,very detailed and natural colored composition,well done and tfs,good luck with your frog project and hope to see some pictures if you have the possibilitie to capture some,regards

Paul

Hello Bayram,

Very nice picture of this couple of weevils. Very good POF, DOF and sharpness. Splendid colours.
Have a good trip,
Cheers,
Mariki

Very good photo and very informative notes - Thank you for sharing all this info with us

  • Great 
  • zulfu Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 452 W: 0 N: 69] (484)
  • [2008-05-16 0:59]

Hocam resmen paparazilik bu:) böceklerin özel hayatına girdiniz :p. Tümdetaylarına kadar da sergiliyorsunuz. Elinize sağlık. Nefis bir çekim olmuş.
Mehmet

Hi Bayram,
A nice capture of this beautiful matting shot of weevils. Actually they are very shy insects here. And don't usually give a chance. But I think you were lucky to capture this. Excellent composition and sharp details. Thanks a lot for sharing.

Mükemmel bir sahne hocam:) hayvanların özeli de kalmadı sayenizde... detayına kadar vermişsiniz. elinize sağlık.
Bahadır

Bayram bu ne:) shame! gercekten nefis cektin. eline saglik. take care. Leyla

Hello Bayram,

very good captured and beautiful picture.
exellent notes.

I wish you a good trip.
Gert

Another excellent macro shot of this thistle weevil with superb clarity, wonderful DOF and lighting Bayram Hocam. A great scientific document on the breeding biology of this rare known species too. TFS.
Greetings from Cyprus,
Nazım

Bayram Hocam yine olağanüstü bir kare. Herşey mükemmel saha derinliği, netlik ve pozlamasıyla, ayrıca konu olarak önemli bir belge. Elinize emeğinize sağlık. Işığınız bol olsun.
Saygılar,
Deniz

Hola Bay,
excelente macro,
efectivo foco y realismo,
buenos detalles y pov.
saludos amigo.

  • Great 
  • eng55 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 349 W: 3 N: 375] (1115)
  • [2008-05-16 4:02]
  • [+]

Merhaba Bayram Bey,
Bakış açısının iyi seçilmesiyle,geniş alan derinliği ile,detayları ve keskinliği ile mükemmel bir makro çalışması.Yakaladığınız anın da değerini unutmamak lazım:)Tebrikler,ellerinize sağlık!

nice pic, TFS Ori

Merhaba Hocam,
Çok güzel bir Larinus karesi daha ve bu sefer de bir çiftleşme sahnesi. yrıntılar mükemmel, elinize sğlık.
Saygılar
Naşit

  • Great 
  • SelenE Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2301 W: 59 N: 3645] (11678)
  • [2008-05-16 5:52]

Merhaba Bayram Bey,
Netlik, keskinlik ve detaylar yine cok iyi olmus. Son makro cekimleriniz cok cok iyi. Tebrikler
Selam ve sevgiler

Spettacolare momento di cattura, eccellenti POV e DOF, molto bella la composizione, straordinaria nitidezza con super dettagli, magnifici i colori. Grazie e complimenti. Ciao Maurizio

Hi Bayram,

This Weevil couple is wonderful!! You captured the moment perfectly with fine detail. The greens of the Weevils, the plant, and the background are superb - so many different shades. I hope your project is most successful - have a safe trip my dear friend.

Jane

  • Great 
  • joey Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1551 W: 233 N: 5205] (18293)
  • [2008-05-16 13:09]

Extremely sharp photo of these mating bugs!
Superb detail and clarity.
Great POV and composition too.
I found some mating weevils a few days ago and had a go at photographing them... will post a photo of them soon :-)

Well done Geckoman!

Joe

p.s thankyou for adding my photo as a favourite :-)

  • Great 
  • Jamesp Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1179 W: 0 N: 4488] (13384)
  • [2008-05-16 23:08]

Hi Bayram

Great macro shot - good framing plus great colour and excellent detail. Well observed and captured.


James

Hi Bayram, amazing macro with two lovers, fine details, good colors and splendid sharpness, very well done, ciao Silvio

Hello Bayram,
Another amazing macro. Fantastic natural colours and perfect sharpness. Great POV and composition.
Have a good trip, see you soon.
Regards,
Peter

bu güzel türü tek tek de çok güzel çekimleriyle tanıtmıştın. bu özel anda çifti de pek güzel. renkler ve netliği nefis. eline sağlık. vaktin olursa ve mesajı görürsen 3200den 1250 m'li şehircik merkezine de bekliyorum, gözümüz yollarda dünden beri. selamlar.

Çok net, çok detaylı, çok hoş bir ikili sunmuşsun Bayram, hani arada bir de top olsa "one on one" denilen durumu çok andırıyor...
Mehmet

Excellent shot, Bro...Very interesting notes as well!Sorry have been busy!I wonder if I've missed any of your posts...will chk later!
Cheers!
Goldy

  • Great 
  • Mana Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1667 W: 24 N: 4832] (15764)
  • [2008-05-17 20:31]

Hi Bayram,
Outstanding close-up shot of these mating thistle Weevils. Immaculate sharpness and colours with beautiful lighting. Very skillful work done here. Excellent DOF, POV and composition. Kudos.
TFS.
Sumon

Hello Bayram,
I wonder whether the army copied the cloth pattern from these Weevils! They must be exceptionally good at camouflage!Excellent capture with good POV, DOf, sharpness and details.
Good luck with your project.
Thanks for the share,
Smitha.

Bayram merhaba,
Oldukça başarılı bir makro. Netlik, detaylar, doğal renkler çok güzel. Eline sağlık. Selamlar
Mustafa

Hi Bayram,

Another superb image, everything about it is perfect!

Thanks,
John

Hi Bayram!
I'm just marking - I'll be back :)
R.

!!!!!!!!!WaaaaaW!!!!!!!What a perfect moment to take but what a impressive quality!!This pic it's simply fantastic,a sharpenss and details impressive,i hope you stay still on insects,your lasts work are incredibles,my best best compliments,Luciano.

Dayi ciftlesen ne varsa cekmissin ama gercekten cok guzel... boyle kaliteli bir kare gormek zor. Eline saglik. Saygilar... Cypturk

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