Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Semester of Degree Completion

1995

Thesis Director

Andrew S. Methven

Abstract

Leucochrysa pavida is a species of green lacewing (Neuroptera:Chrysopidae) that uses lichen fragments to build a larval debris "packet." The "packet" is eventually used to form a cocoon used during pupation. Only minute lichen fragments are harvested for formation of the packets which makes identification of the actual lichens utilized difficult using morphological characteristics. For this reason, thin-layer chromatography was employed. The thin-layer chromatographic process identifies acetone-soluble lichen chemicals that are formed in lichen thalli. By comparing the chemistry of lichen communities at Tower Rock Recreation Area in Hardin County, Illinois, with the chemicals identified during thin-layer chromatography of larval packets, L. pavida larvae were found to use material harvested from the unstratified crustose lichens Lecanora stobilina and Lepraria sp. #1 and the stratified lichen Myelochroa aurulenta. Leucochrysa pavida larva seem to harvest mostly cortical material from stratified lichens with very little occurrence of medullar material.

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