A New Genus Of Moss-Inhabiting Flea Beetles (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) From The Dominican Republic, Alexander S. Konstantinov, Maria Lourdes Chamorro-Lacayo

USDA Systematic Entomology Laboratory

Kiskeya new genus and two new species (K. baorucae and K. neibae), from the Dominican Republic are described and illustrated. Kiskeya is compared to Monotalla Bechyne, Normaltica Konstantinov, and Clavicornaltica Scherer. Geographic ranges in which Greater Antillean endemics have closest relatives in the Old World are discussed.

Trapping Phyllophaga Spp. (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Melolonthinae) In The United States And Canada Using Sex Attractants., Paul S. Robbins, Steven R. Alm, Charles D. Armstrong, Anne L. Averille, Thomas C. Baker, Robert J. Bauernfiend, Frederick P. Baxendale, S. Kris Braman, Rick L. Brandenburg, Daniel B. Cash, Gary J. Couch, Richard S. Cowles, Robert L. Crocker, Zandra D. Delamar, Timothy G. Dittl, Sheila M. Fitzpatrick, Kathy L. Flanders, Tom Forgatsch, Timothy J. Gibb, Bruce D. Gill, Daniel O. Gilrein, Clyde Gorsuch, Abner M. Hammond, Patricia D. Hastings, David W. Held, James L. Holliman, William G. Hudson, Michael G. Klein, Vera L. Krischik, David J. Lee, Charles E. Linn Jr., Nancy J. Luce, Kenna Mackenzie, Catherine M. Mannion, Sridhar Polavarapu, Daniel A. Potter, Daniel A. Potter, Wendell Roelofs, Brian M. Royals, Glenn A. Salsbury, Nathan M. Schiff, David J. Shetlar, Margaret Skinner, Beverly L. Sparks, Jessica A. Sutschek, Timothy P. Sutschek, Stanley R. Swier, Martha M. Sylvia, Neil J. Vickers, Patricia A. Vittum, Richard Weidman, Donald C. Weber, R. Chris Williamson, Michael G. Villani

Department of Entomology: Faculty Publications

The sex pheromone of the scarab beetle, Phyllophaga anxia, is a blend of the methyl esters of two amino acids, L-valine and L-isoleucine. A field trapping study was conducted, deploying different blends of the two compounds at 59 locations in the United States and Canada. More than 57,000 males of 61 Phyllophaga species (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Melolonthinae) were captured and identified. Three major findings included: (1) widespread use of the two compounds [of the 147 Phyllophaga (sensu stricto) species found in the United States and Canada, males of nearly 40% were captured]; (2) in most species intraspecific male …

An Overview Of The Classification And Evolution Of The Major Scarab Beetle Clades (Coleoptera: Scarabaeoidea) Based On Preliminary Molecular Analyses, Andrew B. T. Smith, David C. Hawks, John M. Heraty

University of Nebraska State Museum: Entomology Papers

We present a preliminary overview of our molecular phylogenetics research on the superfamily Scarabaeoidea. The molecular data consists of 28S ribosomal DNA sequences (mainly D2 and D3 expansion regions) for over 600 taxa and 18S ribosomal DNA sequences (mainly E17 to E35 expansion regions) for over 150 representative taxa within the lineages sampled. Based on our preliminary molecular phylogenetic results, Scarabaeoidea includes three major groups: 1) Geotrupidae, Passalidae, and Pleocomidae; 2) Lucanidae, Diphyllostomatidae, Trogidae, and Glaresidae; and 3) Hybosoridae, Ochodaeidae, Glaphyridae, and Scarabaeidae. The broad evolutionary patterns within the Scarabaeoidea are discussed with respect to phylogeny and evolution.

A Review Of The Family-Group Names For The Superfamily Scarabaeoidea (Coleoptera) With Corrections To Nomenclature And A Current Classification, Andrew B. T. Smith

University of Nebraska State Museum: Entomology Papers

For the first time, all family-group names in the superfamily Scarabaeoidea (Coleoptera) are evaluated using the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature to determine their availability and validity. A total of 383 family-group names were found to be available, and all are reviewed to scrutinize the correct spelling, author, date, nomenclatural availability and validity, and current classification status. Numerous corrections are given to various errors that are commonly perpetuated in the literature. A reversal of precedence is used to preserve the prevailing usage of the following family-group names: Eupariini Schmidt, 1910 (over Ataeniini Harold, 1868); Pachydemini Burmeister, 1855 (over Elaphocerini Blanchard, …

Laboratory Environment Effects On The Reproduction And Mortality Of Adult Screwworm (Diptera: Calliphoridae), Dennis Berkebile, Agustin Sagel, Steven R. Skoda, John E. Foster

Department of Entomology: Faculty Publications

The New World screwworm, Cochliomyia hominivorax Coquerel, is mass reared for screwworm eradication initiatives that use the sterile insect technique. New methods for rearing have helped to reduce the cost of the eradication program. We examined the effect and interaction of three temperatures (24.5, 29.5 and 34.5ºC), two diets (2% spray-dried blood plus 0.05% vitamins and corn syrup carrageenan) and three population densities (300, 400, and 500 flies/cage) on egg production, egg hatch, number of observable fertilized eggs, mortality (male and female) and ovarian development. The three population densities did not affect any of the parameters monitored. Using the protein …

Scarab Beetles In Human Culture, Brett C. Ratcliffe

University of Nebraska State Museum: Entomology Papers

The use of scarab beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) by primarily pre- and non-industrial peoples throughout the world is reviewed. These uses consist of (1) religion and folklore, (2) folk medicine, (3) food, and (4) regalia and body ornamentation. The use of scarabs in religion or cosmology, once widespread in ancient Egypt, exists only rarely today in other cultures. Scarabs have a minor role in folk medicine today although they may have been more important in the past. The predominant utilization of these beetles today, and probably in the past as well, is as food with emphasis on the larval stage. Lastly, …

Hexapod Herald - Vol. 18, No. 5, November 2006

Hexapod Herald and Other Entomology Department Newsletters

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Comparative Sensitivity Of Freshwater Algae To Atrazine, C. K. Lockert, Kyle D. Hoagland, Blair D. Siegfried

Department of Entomology: Faculty Publications

Widespread use of environmentally persistent herbicides has led to increasing concern over their impact on aquatic ecosystems and nontarget organisms. The triazine herbicide atrazine (6-chloro-N-ethyl-N ¹1-[1-methylethyl]-1,3,5-triazine-2,4- diamine) remains one of the most heavily used pesticides worldwide, and was the second most commonly used conventional pesticide in the U.S. agricultural market in 2001. Atrazine is an S-triazine herbicide that targets the photosynthetic process to control broadleaf weeds. Due to the moderate solubility (33 mg/L at 22°C) and relative persistence of atrazine in water (Solomon et al. 1996), contamination of surface waters as a result of non-point source …

Acute Contact Toxicity Of Oxalic Acid To Varroa Destructor (Acari: Varroidae) And Their Apis Mellifera (Hymenoptera: Apidae) Hosts In Laboratory Bioassays, Nicholas P. Aliano, Marion D. Ellis, Blair D. Siegfried

Department of Entomology: Faculty Publications

Laboratory bioassays were performed to characterize the acute contact toxicity of oxalic acid (OA) to Varroa destructor (Anderson & Trueman) and their honey bee hosts (Apis mellifera L.). Specifically, glass-vial residual bioassays were conducted to determine the lethal concentration of OA for V. destructor, and topical applications of OA in acetone were conducted to determine the lethal dose for honey bees. The results indicate that OA has a low acute toxicity to honey bees and a high acute toxicity to mites. The toxicity data will help guide scientists in delivering optimum dosages of OA to the parasite and …

Classification, Natural History, And Evolution Of The Epiphloeinae (Coleoptera: Cleridae). Part Iii. The Genera Parvochaetus, N. Gen., Amboakis, N. Gen., And Ellipotoma Spinola, Weston Opitz

Insecta Mundi

Abstract:
The checkered beetle genera Parvochaetus, n. gen. and Amboakis, n. gen. are described and the genus Ellipotoma Spinola is reviewed. Four new species plus P. linearis (Gorham), which represents a new combination, comprise Parvochaetus: P. albicornis, P. froeschneri, P. fucolatus, and P. sandaracus. Amboakis, a replacement name for the junior homonym Teutonia Opitz, involves four previously described species and 20 new species. The new species are A. anapsis, A. atra, A. barinas, A. binotonis, A. cauca, A.charis, A. epiomidia, A. erythrohapsis, A. funebris, A. incondita, A.katatonis, A. linitis, A.mica, A. micula, A. prolata, A. rudis, A. taruma, …

A New Genus And Species Of Epiphloeinae From Brazil (Coleoptera: Cleridae), William E. Barr

Insecta Mundi

A new genus and species of Cleridae, Opitzius thoracicus, from Brazil is described and illustrated. Its unique features and variability are indicated.

Generic Changes In United States Issini (Hemiptera, Fulgoroidea, Issidae), Vladimir M. Gnezdilov, Lois B. O'Brien

Insecta Mundi

Three new genera of the family Issidae are described for species formerly included in the genus Hysteropterum sensulato: Balduza Gnezdilov and O’Brien, gen. n. (type species: Hysteropterum unum Ball 1910), Stilbometopius Gnezdilov and O’Brien, gen. n. (type species: Issus auroreus Uhler 1876), Abolloptera Gnezdilov and O’Brien, gen. n. (type species: Hysteropterum bistriatum Caldwell 1945),. The genus Tylanira Ball 1936 is redescribed. The male genitalia of Tylanira bifurca Ball 1936 is described and illustrated. Tylana ustulata Uhler 1876 is transfered to Tylanira.Hysteropterum bufo Van Duzee 1923 is transfered to Balduza gen. n. and the male genitalia of the species is …

The Beetle Fauna Of Dominica, Lesser Antilles (Insecta: Coleoptera): Diversity And Distribution, Stewart B. Peck

Insecta Mundi

The beetle fauna of the island of Dominica is summarized. It is presently known to contain 269 genera, and 361 species (in 42 families), of which 347 are named at a species level. Of these, 62 species are endemic to the island. The other naturally occurring species number 262, and another 23 species are of such wide distribution that they have probably been accidentally introduced and distributed, at least in part, by human activities. Undoubtedly, the actual numbers of species on Dominica are many times higher than now reported. This highlights the poor level of knowledge of the beetles of …

Discolomopsis Dominicana, A New Genus And Species Of Endomychidae (Coleoptera) From Dominican Amber, Floyd W. Shockley

Insecta Mundi

Discolomopsis, a new genus of Endomychidae (Coleoptera: Cucujoidea), is described and illustrated based on a fossil endomychid embedded in amber resin from the Dominican Republic. Discolomopsis dominicana sp. nov. is designated as the type species for the genus.

The Asian Mango Flower Beetle, Protaetia Fusca (Herbst), And Euphoria Sepulcralis (Fabricius) In Florida And The West Indies (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Cetoniinae), Robert E. Woodruff

Insecta Mundi

The mango flower beetle, Protaetia fusca (Herbst), an Asiatic pest of several commercial crops, was first found in Florida in 1985. All subsequent Florida specimens are recorded here, as well as the first documented records from the Bahamas and Barbados. Illustrations are provided and comparisons are made to the similar native Euphoria sepulcralis (Fabricius), which is also recorded for the first time from the Bahamas. Extensive host records and a bibliography (especially tracking P. fusca spread in Hawaii) are included.

Hexapod Herald - Vol. 18, No. 4, September 2006

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Host Preference Of The Chinch Bug, Blissus Occiduus, Thomas Eickhoff, Frederick P. Baxendale, Tiffany Heng-Moss

Department of Entomology: Faculty Publications

The chinch bug, Blissus occiduus Barber (Hemiptera: Blissidae), is an important pest of buffalograss, Buchloë dactyloides (Nutall) Engelmann and potentially other turfgrass, crop, and non-crop hosts. Choice studies documented the number of B. occiduus present on selected turfgrasses, crops and weeds, and provided important insights into the host preferences of this chinch bug. Grasses with the most chinch bugs present included the warm-season turfgrasses B. dactyloides, zoysiagrass, Zoysia japonica Steudel, bermudagrass, Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers., and St. Augustinegrass , Stenotaphrum secundatum (Walt.) Kuntze. The other grasses tested, green foxtail, Setaria viridis (L.) Beauv, Kentucky bluegrass, Poa pratensis L., perennial …

Analyses Of Cry1ab Binding In Resistant And Susceptible Strains Of The European Corn Borer, Ostrinia Nubilalis (Hubner) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae), Herbert A.A. Siquiera, Joel Gonzalez-Cabrera, Juan Ferre, Ronald Flannagan

Department of Entomology: Faculty Publications

Cry1Ab toxin binding analysis was performed to determine whether resistance in laboratory-selected Ostrinia nubilalis strains is associated with target site alteration. Brush border membrane vesicles were prepared using dissected midguts from late instars of susceptible and resistant strains (Europe-R and RSTT) of O. nubilalis. Immunoblot analysis indicated that three different proteins bound to Cry1Ab toxin and were recognized by an anticadherin serum. In a comparison of resistant and susceptible strains, reduced Cry1Ab binding was apparent for all three bands corresponding to cadherin-like proteins in the Europe-R strain, while reduced binding was apparent in only one band for the RSTT …

Xenobiotic Response In Drosophila Melanogaster: Sex Dependence Of P450 And Gst Gene Induction, Gaelle Le Goff, Frederique Hilliou, Blair Siegfried, Sam Boundy, Eric Wajnberg, Luc Sofer, Pascaline Audant, Richard H. Ffrench-Constant, Rene Feyereisen

Department of Entomology: Faculty Publications

The effect of xenobiotics (phenobarbital and atrazine) on the expression of Drosophila melanogaster CYP genes encoding cytochromes P450, a gene family generally associated with detoxification, was analyzed by DNA microarray hybridization and verified by real-time RT-PCR in adults of both sexes. Only a small subset of the 86 CYP genes was significantly induced by the xenobiotics. Eleven CYP genes and three glutathione S-transferases (GST) genes were significantly induced by phenobarbital, seven CYP and one GST gene were induced by atrazine. Cyp6d5, Cyp6w1, Cyp12d1 and the ecdysone-inducible Cyp6a2 were induced by both chemicals. The constitutive expression of several of the inducible …

Comparative Efficiency Of Six Stable Fly (Diptera: Muscidae) Traps, David B. Taylor, Dennis Berkebile

Department of Entomology: Faculty Publications

Five adhesive traps and the Nzi cloth-target trap were compared to determine their trapping efficiency and biases for stable flies, Stomoxys calcitrans (L.) (Diptera: Muscidae). Two configurations of the BiteFree prototype trap, constructed of polyethylene terephthalate, were most efficient for trapping stable flies, whereas the EZ trap was least efficient. The two Alsynite traps, Broce and Olson, were intermediate to the BiteFree prototype and EZ traps. All adhesive traps collected a ratio of approximately two males for each female. Approximately 50% of the flies collected on the adhesive traps, both male and female, were blood fed, and 20% were vitellogenic. …

Coordinated Diabrotica Genetics Research: Accelerating Progress On An Urgent Insect Pest Problem, Thomas W. Sappington, Blair D. Siegfried, Thomas Guillemaud

Department of Entomology: Faculty Publications

Diabrotica spp. (western, northern, and Mexican corn rootworms) represent the main pest complex of continuous field corn, Zea mays (L.), in North America. The western corn rootworm, Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte, also has become the main pest of continuous corn in Central and Southeastern Europe since its introduction near Belgrade 15–20 years ago, and it represents a major risk to Western Europe. It has already caused economic losses in Eastern Europe, and Western countries such as France have committed large expenditures for containment and/or eradication.

Rootworm larvae feed on corn roots, and damaged plants are more susceptible to drought and …

Effects Of Aphid (Homoptera) Abundance And Surrounding Vegetation On The Encounter Rate Of Coccinellidae (Coleoptera), Chrysopidae (Neuroptera), And Nabidae (Hemiptera) In Alfalfa, James C. Kriz, Stephen D. Danielson, James R. Brandle, Erin E. Blankenship, Geoff M. Henebry

Department of Entomology: Faculty Publications

Predaceous insect encounter rate was measured in 21 southeast Nebraska alfalfa fields through weekly sweep net sampling during 2002-03. The most frequently encountered predaceous insect families were Coccinellidae (Coleoptera), Nabidae (Hemiptera), and Chrysopidae (Neuroptera). The study used multiple regression analysis to examine the effect of aphid abundance and the surrounding vegetative patch composition on predaceous insect abundance. In 2002, Hippodamia parenthesis Say was encountered more frequently in fields with lower aphid abundances, and Hippodamia convergens Guerin-Meneville, Coccinella septempunctata L., and Nabis americoferus Carayon were encountered more frequently in fields with higher aphid abundances. In 2003, Coleomegilla maculata DeGeer was encountered …

Validity Of Western Bean Cutworm Growing Degree Day Model In Iowa, Bryon Van Ballegooyen

Department of Entomology: Distance Master of Science Projects

Objective The goal of this project was to determine the validity of the western bean cutworm, Richia albicosta (Noctuidae), growing degree day (GDD) model developed at the University of Nebraska with western bean cutworm flight and weather data collected in Iowa. The completed project will show if the current GDD model holds up when compared with data collected in Iowa from 2003 to 2005. The project will also show if more data needs to be collected and analyzed to further test the current GDD model.

Outcomes The outcomes of the project show that the previously developed GDD model for western …

Effect Of Bacillus Thuringiensis Cry3bb1 Protein On The Feeding Behavior And Longevity Of Adult Western Corn Rootworms (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), Timothy M. Nowatski, Xugou Zhou, Lance J. Meinke, Ty Vaughn, Blair Siegfried

Department of Entomology: Faculty Publications

The first transgenic corn hybrids expressing the Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) Cry3Bb1 protein to control corn rootworm (Diabrotica spp.) larvae were registered for commercial use in 2003. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of Cry3Bb1 protein in combination with a cucurbitacin bait on adult feeding and longevity of both organophosphate-resistant and -susceptible western corn rootworms, Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae). In choice and no-choice tests, possible repellency to the Bt protein was quantified by comparing beetle consumption of cellulose disks treated with three concentrations of Bt in combination with a feeding stimulant (Invite EC) to disks treated …

Two Species Of Cecidomyiidae Predacious On Citrus Rust Mite, Phyllocoptruta Oleivora, On Florida Citrus, Raul T. Villanueva, Raymond Gagne, Carl Childers

USDA Systematic Entomology Laboratory

Larvae of two undescribed species of Cecidomyiidae (Diptera) were found preying upon Phyllocoptruta oleivora (Ashmead) (Acari: Eriophyidae) on Florida citrus. Identifications to genus were made from adults reared in the laboratory. The two species had distinctive larval coloration. One larval type was completely yellow and was identified as Feltiella n. sp., while the second larval type had an orange color with a transverse white band close to the mouthparts. The latter cecidomyiid was identified as belonging to a genus near Lestodiplosis in the broad sense. Feltiella n. sp. (n = 17) and the species near the genus Lestodiplosis ( …

Hexapod Herald - Vol. 18, No. 3, June 2006

Hexapod Herald and Other Entomology Department Newsletters

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Microbial Decomposition Of Skeletal Muscle Tissue (Ovis Aries) In A Sandy Loam Soil At Different Temperatures, David O. Carter, Mark Tibbett

Department of Entomology: Faculty Publications

A laboratory experiment was conducted to determine the effect of temperature (2, 12, 22 °C) on the rate of aer­obic decomposition of skeletal muscle tissue (Ovis aries) in a sandy loam soil incubated for a period of 42 days. Measurements of decomposition processes included skeletal muscle tissue mass loss, carbon dioxide (CO₂) evo­lution, microbial biomass, soil pH, skeletal muscle tissue carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) content and the calcula­tion of metabolic quotient (qCO₂). Incubation temperature and skeletal muscle tissue quality had a significant effect on all of the measured process rates with 2 °C …

Pyemotes Herfsi (Acari: Pyemotidae), A Mite New To North America As The Cause Of Bite Outbreaks, Alberto B. Broce, Ludek Zurek, James A. Kalisch, Robert Brown, David L. Keith, David Gordon, Janis Goedeke, Cal Welbourn, John Moser, Ronald Ochoa, Eduardo Azziz-Baumgartner, Fuyuen Yip, Jacob Weber

Department of Entomology: Faculty Publications

High incidences of red, itching, and painful welts on people in the midwestern United States led to the discovery of a European species of mite, Pyemotes herfsi (Oudemans) (Acari: Pyemotidae), preying on gall-making midge larvae on oak leaves. The mites' great reproductive potential, small size, and high capacity for dispersal by wind make them difficult to control or avoid.

Phylogenetic Approach To The Study Of Triatomines (Triatominae, Heteroptera) = Abordagem Filogenética Em Triatomíneos (Triatominae, Heteroptera), Ester Tartarotti, M. T. V. Azeredo-Oliveira, C. R. Ceron

Harold W. Manter Laboratory: Library Materials

Abstracts

Triatomines are insects belonging to the Hemiptera order, Heteroptera suborder, Reduviidae family and Triatominae subfamily. All members of this subfamily are hematophagous. Triatomines evolved from Reduviidae predators and they are probably polyphyletic in origin. The combination of anatomical, physiological and ethological factors observed in this group, as well as the plesiomorphic and apomorphic characters that differentiate the five tribes and fourteen triatomine genera reinforce the polyphiletic hypotesis. However if we consider the five groups of triatomines, the Rhodniini, Cavernicolini, Bolboderini, Linshcosteini and Alberproseniini tribes constitute monophyletic groups, while the Triatomini tribe is considered polyphyletic. The New World is the …

Assessing Risk Of Resistance To Aerial Applications Of Methyl-Parathion In Western Corn Rootworm (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), Michael A. Caprio, Tim Nowatski, Blair Siegfried, Lance J. Meinke, Robert J. Wright, Larry D. Chandler

Department of Entomology: Faculty Publications

We validated a stochastic model of the evolution of resistance to adulticidal sprays of methyl-parathion in western corn rootworm, Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte, populations in Nebraska. The population dynamics predicted by the model resembled that reported for field populations, and time until control failures occurred closely matched reports by commercial crop consultants. We incorporated uncertainty about the values used for 18 model parameters by replacing default values with random draws taken from a normal distribution. One parameter, the initial resistance allele frequency, was no longer measurable because of the evolution of resistance. We therefore proposed five candidate initial allele frequencies …