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Improving Aedes Mosquito Surveillance And La Crosse Virus Screening In Eastern Tennessee, Cassandra Urquhart

Masters Theses

La Crosse virus (LACV), transmitted by infected Aedes triseriatus, Ae. albopictus, and Ae. japonicus mosquitoes is the leading cause of pediatric arboviral encephalitis. Severe cases of LAC encephalitis occur in individuals 16-years-old or younger and may cause permanent neurological damage or fatality. No vaccines exist making mosquito control and disease prevention crucial to public health. Effective screening and surveillance practices are key components to these goals. While a number of standard mosquito surveillance methods exist, continuous testing and improved understanding of vector biology to determine the best ways to implement these methods is important. Additionally, the current standard …

An Ecological Study Of The Kudzu Bug In East Tennessee: Life History, Seasonality, And Phenology, Kadie Elizabeth Britt

Masters Theses

The kudzu bug, Megacopta cribraria (Hemiptera: Plataspidae), an invasive species from Asia, was first discovered in the United States in 2009 in Georgia. It has since spread to other states, including Tennessee, where it has spread rapidly to numerous counties in four years. Its common name, kudzu bug, implies a potential benefit to management of the invasive species kudzu; unfortunately, the kudzu bug has shown little impact on reducing growth of kudzu. The kudzu bug causes agricultural, urban, and health-related concerns in the United States. Soybean losses by kudzu bug have exceeded 20% in some areas of the southeastern United …

Phylogenetic Analysis And Revision Of The Nearctic Androprosopa Mik (Diptera: Thaumaleidae) With An Emphasis On The Western Species, Robert John Pivar

Masters Theses

The family Thaumaleidae, also known as seepage midges, is an uncommonly encountered, understudied family of aquatic Diptera compared to its sister group, the Simuliidae. The goal of this project was to assess species diversity of the Nearctic Thaumaleidae and determine relationships among them. The western Nearctic fauna of Androprosopa Mik is revised to include twenty-eight species, six of which are described as new to science. Descriptions of the adult males of A. apache, A. arnaudi, A. magnipelvim, A. rainierensis, A. sierra and A. uvas are provided. Redescriptions of all remaining species are also provided, as well …

A Comprehensive Evaluation Of Benthic Invertebrate Communities In The Emory River, Watts Bar Reservoir, Tn, Suzanne Jane Young

Masters Theses

The release of fly ash at the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) Kingston Fossil Plant (KIF) on 22 December 2008 discharged approximately 4.1 million cubic meters of coal ash into the adjacent aquatic and terrestrial systems. Previous benthic invertebrate investigations conducted by TVA and collaborative researchers concluded that benthic invertebrates in the Emory River were at moderate risk from ash-related constituents, primarily arsenic, in ash-contaminated sediment that remained in the Emory River following extensive dredging efforts. These conclusions were based on the observation of statistically significant reductions in growth and biomass in laboratory toxicity tests with Emory River sediment. Benthic invertebrate …

Nuclear Fingerprinting Identification Of Black Fly Species In The Simulium Jenningsi Species Group (Diptera: Simuliidae), Gail Lynn Senatore

Masters Theses

SourceURL:file://localhost/Users/johnmoulton/Desktop/SenatoreGailMay2012.docA molecular approach was taken to differentiate morphologically homogeneous species within the Simulium jenningsi species group (SJG). This group of Nearctic black flies consisting of 22 recognized species has its highest diversity in the southeastern United States. No other group of black flies in this region is more ubiquitous or pestiferous. Female black flies in this group are nearly isomorphic, which complicates identification, elucidation of host specificity and pest status, and directed control of through application of Bti in the appropriate natal streams. Among SJG species, only S. luggeri Nicholson & Mickel, S. jenningsi Malloch, and S. penobscotense Snoddy & …

An Ecological Study Of The Cockroach Habitats Of Two Garbage Disposal Areas In Knox County, Tennessee, Harry E. Williams

Masters Theses

Statement of the Problem: This study was made to determine the adaptations to a new environment and the ecological niches in the community that are occupied by cockroaches in two garbage disposal dump areas. The community of this study is the entire area of two garbage disposal dumps. This research is a comprehensive study of the garbage disposal community, including an analysis of its components (physical and biotic), dynamics and seasonal aspects.

Two garbage disposal dump areas were studied. One area is used by Knox County and is under the direction of the County Health Department. The other area is …