In the Carboniferous no one undoubtedly aquatic insect remain is found. Mayflies and stoneflies were the oldest aquatic insects found in the Early Permian. Permian was the time when the aquatic insects became diverse and probably colonized different types of waters. Only one mayfly is found in the Early Triassic. The Middle and Late Triassic aquatic insect assemblages are characterized by combination of Paleozoic and Mesozoic elements. Diverse and widespread lacustrine insects are typical for the Jurassic. Recent families of aquatic insects appeared in the Early Cretaceous. The Late Cretaceous assemblages are considerably impoverished. The Cenozoic is the time of recolonization of lacustrine habitats.
The purpose of this paper is to determine the effect of insect pollinators on the volume of food production in Poland, and thus to identify their role in ensuring the food security of the country. The object of the study was related to major entomophilous crop plants, i.e. rapeseed, fruit plants, fruit shrubs and permanent crops: fruit and berry plantations. The analyses were based on data from the Polish Central Statistical Office, the Institute of Horticulture, and subject literature. The results of the study indicate that insect pollinators play a key role in fruit production (absence of pollinators may result in a crop yield reduction ranging between 50% and 90%) and a signifi cant role in rapeseed production (a possible yield reduction of approx. 20–40%). In terms of physical availability of food, Polish food security would be preserved even in the absence of insect pollinators. However, at the level of economic availability, food security would not be preserved without such pollinators, particularly in terms of fruit and food security associated with the consumption of properly balanced rations.
Studies were conducted on the enhancement of pathogenicity of Bacillus thuringiensis by gamma rays on various species of termites. The results showed that the 72 hrs old and 60 or 70 kr irradiated culture of B. thuringiensis were more pathogenic than the non-irradiated ones. 168 hrs old and 150 kr (1.5 kGy) irradiated B. thuringiensis caused quicker mortality rate than the non-irradiated one as it shows maximum enhancement ratio (1.32).
Chionea (Niphadobata) lutescens Lundstr. and Boreus westwoodi Hagen were caught in Moericke’s trap during a snowy December in the year 2004 in Kampinos National Park.