| 研究実績の概要 |
Laboratory experiments: About 80 couples of ladybird beetle adults were spread into three groups. The first group received five Perilla frutescens flowers every day during three days. The second received prey food every day during three days. The third group did not receive any food. From the fourth day, all couples received prey food. The oviposition period and the number of eggs laid by couples over 11 days was recorded. The experiment is currently running.
Field experiments: Perilla frutescens plants were grown in pots in Kyoto University. In September, when the plants bloomed, the pots were spread in the various sampling sites. In addition, natural grown plants were also used. Insects visiting and approaching the flowers where collected in 5 sites across West Japan: two sites on Kyoto University campus, one in Kyoto Shugakuin, two in Okayama Prefecture. Moreover, in some locations (Kyoto University and Kyoto Shugakuin), cabbage plants were associated with Perilla frutescens, to evaluate the potential benefits for cabbage pest control. Insects were collected over two to four days in each site. Flower visiting insects were observed and collected with a sweep net. Insects were also collected by using Malaise traps. From October, collected insects were sorted, a specimen collection was prepared and the insects were identified as precisely as possible.
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| 今後の研究の推進方策 |
Laboratory experiments: The currently running experiment will continue until July 2020. A first run of the experiment is finishing by using a winter generation of ladybird. A second run of the experiment is going to start with a spring generation of ladybirds. The effect of the season, in addition to the effect of diets, will be integrated in the analyses.
Field experiments: Sampled insects will continue to be identified. As samplings were also done in September 2018 with a previous fund, a two-year insect collection will be used to analyse the diversity of insects visiting/approaching Perilla frutescens in the diverse sampled environments in West Japan (from urban to rural, from open fields to forest-surrounded fields).
Paper writings: The data from the field and laboratory experiment will be analysed and yield (at least) two papers, to be submitted by the end of the fellowship.
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