Zur Ansiedlung von Singvögeln und Fledermäusen in Kunsthöhlen in Kiefernwäldern,unter besonderer Berücksichtigung früherer und neuer Kontrollergebnisse im Geisenfelder Forst,Oberbayern

Studies on the contents of breeding boxes made in the pine forests of Geisenfeld in former times as well in 1982 showed a high per cent (62.5%) of singing bird settlement within boxes having an oval hole of entrance (Tab. 1). Three species of titmice (Coal-, Great- and Crested Tit) strongly predominated. They showed only small change in density between 1976 and 1982 whereas the Nuthatch (Sitta europaea) and the Tree Creeper (Certhia familiaris) doubled their density in this time due to the enlargement of breeding room in the boxes (Sitta) resp. to the introduction of a new type of boxes (Certhia, “Korridorkasten”, Abb. 3, 4). The boxes with a little round hole showed poor results and seem to be unnessary. In the bird and bat boxes five species of bats were found, the Long-eared Bat beeing the most frequent of them, followed by Bechstein's Bat, Natterer's Bat, Great Bat and Large Mouse-eared Bat (Tab. 2). The so called Issel bat boxes (Abb. 1) did'nt contain more bats than the bird boxes (ca. 5%). The so called Schwegler bat boxes (Abb. 2) were without any bats. Both, Issel's and Schwegler's bat boxes were strongly occupied by wasps (Tab. 1). Best results showed the new “Korridorkasten”, 11.6% of them containing bats and further 23.2% containing bat excrements. The new type of boxes seems to be an interesting combination of Tree Creeper- and bat-box thus favouring two sensitive members of the wood ecosystem together. The studies including a further new type of bat boxes (Abb. 5) are continued in summer of 1983.     

Volksinsektenkunde von Nordostbayern: Feldschädlinge im 16. bis 19. Jahrhundert

Zusammenfassung Es werden Berichte über Insektenschäden an lagerndem Getreide im Jahr 1654, an Kraut im Jahr 1547 und an Erbsen im Jahr 1658 zitiert. Als ihre Verursacher werdenSitophilus granarius (L.) undNemapogon spp.,Pieris brassicae (L.) bzw.Laspeyresia nigricana (Steph.) ermittelt. Die schwere Erkrankung der Frauen, die Kohlweißlingsraupen gesammelt und vernichtet haben, wird als Mutterkornkrankheit erkannt, die keinen ursächlichen Zusammenhang mit den Raupen hat. Für die Vorbeugung vor Schäden durch diese Insekten sowie durch Erdflöhe (Phyllotreta) werden magische Methoden genannt. Eine polizeiliche Bekanntmachung aus dem Jahr 1812 über die Einschleppung vonBruchus pisi L. nach Deutschland ist kein Beweis dafür, daß dieser Käfer auch schon in Nordostbayern aufgetreten ist.

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Ethnoentomology of northeastern Bavaria: Agricultural pests in the 16th to 19th century

Reports on damages on stored grain in the year 1954, cabbage in 1547, and peas in 1658 are analyzed as done bySitophilus granarius (L.) andNemapogon spp.,Pieris brassicae (L.), andLaspeyresia nigricana (Steph.) respectively. A severe illness of women having collected and destroyed caterpillars ofP. brassicae is interpreted as ergotism, which is a poisoning caused by consuming rye-bread baked with meal infested bySecale cornutum [sclerotium ofClaviceps purpurea (Fr.) Tul.]. It is not the fault of the caterpillars. There are magical rites for protection of crops from the pests mentioned and also fromPhyllotreta spp. A police advertisement in the year 1812 describingBruchus pisi L. introduced to Europe and giving propositions of protection, is not an argument for the presence of this beetle in northern Bavaria at this time.

     

Untersuchungen zum Nahrungseintrag von Kohlmeisen in einem Gradationsgebiet der Kleinen Fichtenblattwespe (Pristiphora abietina Christ)

Using a modern data survey system combined with a videocamera for observation, it was possible to determine the percentage of sawfly larvac in breeding food of titmouse (Parus major) without disturbing the birds. The activities of a titmouse pair in a spruce stand, located in southeast Bavaria and seriously damaged by spruce sawfly, were observed during the whole breeding period. Spruce sawfly larvae were used as breeding food preferably at 4th larvae instar or later. Since larvae of this instar were available, they dominated the insects used as breeding food with more than 70%. During the most intensive feeding period nearly 500 sawfly larvae per day were used as food. The consumption of sawfly larvae during the whole feeding period added up to a total of more than 5000 larvae. The birds can not significantly reduce the sawfly density in heavily attacked stands. This can be shown in a simple calculation: there had been 11 titmouse pairs per hectar. They used appr. 55000 old larvae for breeding food. This represents appr. 15% of the estimated number of old sawfly larvae per hectar. But in a low density area an insect-feeding songbird population may possibly hinder a serious increase in the sawfly population.     

Control of the American dog tick,Dermacentor variabilis Say (Acarina: Ixodidae)

In a 4 ha area, of which 1/3 was meadow vole habitat, the old vole runways were spot treated in early spring with a 1% spray of flowable Sevin^® 4F (42% AI) on ca 4 m centers. New runways, as noted, were treated in June. The application averaged 60 ml of Sevin^® 4F/ha. The spring adult cohort ofDermacentor variabilis was <10% of that usually expected. These adults had been exposed to this treatment the previous year as spring larvae and summer nymphs. The reduction of the adult population occurred in a season of heavy infestation. This treatment is not labor intensive and requires only a minimum of pesticide because it is directed to its target, the attached immatures, by the behavior of the field mice. It should be noted that all the small rodent hosts of the immatures use the vole runways.     

Versuche zur Wirkung von Calciferolködern gegen Ratten und Mäuse in Ägypten

Experiments with 0.1% Calciferolbait (product of DETIA FREYBERG GMBH, Fed. Rep. of Germany) for combatting rats and mice were conducted in the laboratory, stores, and in the fields in Egypt. Efficacy of Calciferolbait on sunflower seeds as well as on wheat-kernels was tested in laboratory experiments against various rodent species spreaded all over the country. In general it was observed, that the quantity consumed by the test animals was higher for maize alone without toxicant than that for Calciferolbait. Results obtained by practical use of Calciferolbait on sun-flower seeds as well as on wheat in the stores and the field revealed that both baits were effective against rats and mice; but the attractivity of sunflowerbait was in general slightly higher than that of wheatbait. In other trials the efficacy of a further Calciferol-freshbait plus 3% sunflower oil as well as of a Calciferol-freshbait without addition of sunflower oil was examined. Results showed that both Calciferolbaits were effective, but the attractivity of the bait with addition of 3% sunflower oil was better than that of the bait without sunflower oil.     

Zur Verbreitung und Lebensweise der Genetzten GespinstblattwespeCaenolyda reticulata (Linnaeus 1758) (Hymen., Pamphiliidae)

The rare pamphiliid waspCaenolyda reticulata (L.) has lately been found in three localities of northern Germany. The subjects parthenogenesis, synanthropy, and setting up endangered species lists (Rote Listen) are discussed.     

Effects of extracts from fruit and leaves ofMelia azedarach L. onLocusta migratoria migratorioides (R. & F.)

Water extracts, methanolic extracts and the petrol ether phase from the fruit and leaves ofMedia azedarach L. were tested against different instar nymphs ofLocusta migratoria migratorioides (R. & F.) under laboratory conditions. Water extracts caused various degrees of mortality and a significant delay in the development and growth of the locusts. Treatments with 3% concn of water extracts from the fruit and leaves at a rate of 40ml/m² gave 93% and 100% mortalities, respectively, of first instars, and a 3% concn of leaf extract resulted in a mortality of 93.2% of third instars. Antifeedant and/or stomach-poison effect(s) played an important role. MeOH extract had the same efficacy as water extracts, but the petrol ether phase did not show much effect on the locusts.     

Relation between combustion heat and chemical wood composition during white and brown rot

Summary The results of respective investigations indicate that during white rot the combustion heat of wood (Q_exp (J/g)) remained virtually unchanged and at the greatest extent of decomposition it was in the range also found in non-rotten wood. During brown rot the combustion heat of wood samples increased, beginning at a weight loss of 20–30%. The difference between Q_exp and the weighted mean of combustion heat values of isolated chemical wood components (Q_cal) were neglectable. If Q_exp values measured for each sample were taken as 100%, then Q_cal averaged from 101.1–105.6% and from 97.4–108.2% during white and brown rot, respectively. The Q_cal calculation error is expressed as coefficient k; it varies depending on the accuracy and selectivity of the separation methods used.     

Antimicrobial activity of Artemisia douglasiana leaf essential oil

Artemisia douglasiana leaf has been shown to be efficacious complementary herbal treatment for chronic bladder infection in a paraplegic youth. The leaf oil has been analyzed by GC-MS and the major components found to be camphor (29%), artemisia ketone (26%), artemisia alcohol (13%), alpha-thujone (10%), 1,8-cineole (8%), and hexanal (5%). The leaf oil and the major components have been tested for antimicrobial activity against Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Candida albicans, and Aspergillus niger. The essential oil shows limited antimicrobial activity in vitro, so it is unclear if the oil exerts a direct antimicrobial effect in vivo, or plays some role in stimulation of host defenses.