Digital Commons Network^™

Thriving Hives: Processing And Using Beeswax - Candles And Cosmetics, Brynn Meredith, Teresa Hunsaker, Andree' Walker Bravo

All Current Publications

Beeswax is a substance produced by bees for constructing honeycomb in a hive. When raw wax is harvested from the hive, it may be quite dirty and can have many different kinds of debris stuck in it. Because of this, it is important that you clean and process the wax before using it. This fact sheet will teach you how to process the wax that you harvest and provide some suggestions on how you can use it in your home.

The Evolution Of A Response To Smoke Within The Arthropoda, Adam Miles

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Many animals have a survival instinct to flee in response to fire, but do they respond to smoke alone? Many arthropods respond to fire or smoke by moving in the opposite direction (a negative taxis) to obtain shelter. At the species level, taxa that have adapted a behavioral response to fire increase their fitness. This response behavior has been observed in many terrestrial arthropods. Still, the behavior is currently unknown for marine, aquatic, or cave arthropods, which are atypically exposed to smoke or fire. This project assesses how often behavioral adaptation to smoke avoidance may have evolved within Arthropoda. Twenty-two …

Revision Of Trachyderines Related To Sphaenothecus From North America With Description Of Three New Genera, And New Species Of Lophalia Casey, 1912, Mannophorus Leconte, 1854, And Ischnocnemis Thomson, 1864 (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae: Cerambycinae: Trachyderini), Bryan K. Eya

Insecta Mundi

The genera Lophalia Casey, 1912, Mannophorus LeConte, 1854 and Ischnocnemis Thomas, 1864 (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae: Cerambycinae: Trachyderini) are recharacterized by providing additional morphological features to enhance the delineation of these genera. Two species, Lophalia cribricollis Bates, 1892 and Ischnocnemis luteicollis (Bates, 1885), are transferred to a new genus Lophaliamorpha Eya with Lophaliamorpha luteicollis (Bates) new combination as the type species. Ischnocnemis skillmani Chemsak and Hovore, 2010 is transferred to a new genus Paramannophorus Eya with Paramannophorus skillmani (Chemsak and Hovore) new combination as the type species. A new genus Microteroschema is created to accommodate two additional species from Mexico: Microteroschema parvum …

An Analysis Of The Genus Aleyrodes Latreille (Hemiptera: Sternorrhyncha: Aleyrodidae) In California, With Three Synonymies, Natalia Von Ellenrieder, Raymond J. Gill

Insecta Mundi

Abstract

Based on the examination of an extensive series of specimens and available type material, three out of the six species of Aleyrodes Latreille (Hemiptera: Sternorrhyncha: Aleyrodidae) described from California, A. diasemus Bemis, 1904, A. essigi Penny, 1922, and A. osmaroniae Sampson, 1945, are newly synonymized under A. spiraeoides Quaintance, 1900. The species of Aleyrodes reported from California are keyed and diagnosed based on characters from puparia and male genitalia, and character variability is documented and illustrated.

Resumen

Basado en el examen de una extensa serie de especímenes y material tipo disponible, tres de las seis …

Aposematic-Habitat Correlation In Nearctic Species Of Episyron Schiødte (Hymenoptera: Pompilidae: Pompilinae: Pompilini), Frank E. Kurczewski

Insecta Mundi

Three Nearctic species of Episyron Schiødte (Hymenoptera: Pompilidae: Pompilinae: Pompilini) were examined morphologically, geographically, and ecologically with intent to infer an aposematic correlation with habitat type, protarsal digging rake morphology, and host spider association. Episyron quinquenotatus quinquenotatus (Say) and E. conterminus cressoni (Dewitz), two subspecies with extensive aposematic markings and more and longer protarsal comb spines, were associated with bare or sparsely vegetated sandy soils near water courses. Episyron biguttatus biguttatus (Fabricius), with few aposematic markings and less and shorter protarsal comb spines, was associated with more densely vegetated terrain and gravelly and loamy soils. Three subspecies of Anoplius …

A New Species Of Gaindaphodius Král And Mencl From Nepal (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Aphodiinae), Stefano Ziani

Insecta Mundi

A new species from Nepal, Gaindaphodius marigold (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Aphodiinae), is described, illustrated and compared with G. gainda Král and Mencl, 2024, the only other species in the genus Gaindaphodius Král and Mencl, 2024.

Plum Curculio (Conotrachelus Nenuphar), Kate V. Richardson, Marion Murray

All Current Publications

Plum curculio is a brown weevil (beetle with a snout) native to eastern North America, where it is a major pest of pome and stone fruits. It was detected in Box Elder County, Utah, in the early 1980s, and this population remains the only known infestation in western North America, where it is occasionally found in residential and wild fruit trees. Plum curculio is a quarantine pest in western North America (U.S. and Canada), and fruit grown in infested counties is restricted from being exported. Thus, it is a threat to Utah’s fruit industry and requires ongoing monitoring and management …

Nebline, Nov./Dec. 2023

NEBLINE Newsletter Archive from Nebraska Extension in Lancaster County

Students Engaged in Culinary Experience With Local and Indigenous Foods

Recipes of the Month: Brownie Batter Hummus and Bison Pizza Topping by Alyssa Havlovic

Time to Order Tree Seedlings

Love Gardening? Become a Master Gardener!

Garden Guide: Things to Do This Month

ProHort Lawn & Landscape Update

Upcoming Green Industry Conferences

Problematic Frozen Pipes Can be Prevented With Routine, Pre-Winter Maintenance by Becky Schuerman

Successful Farmer Series Will Dig Into Cropping Systems Hot Topics

Cover Crop Grazing Conference, Nov. 7

Pester the Pests or Leave the Leaves? by Kait Chapman

Promoting Language Development in Young Children by Hayley Jackson

Heart …

Nebline, June/July 2024

NEBLINE Newsletter Archive from Nebraska Extension in Lancaster County

Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Facts Related to Drinking Water by Becky Schuerman

Tar Spot is an Emerging Corn Disease in Eastern Nebraska by John Nelson

Nutrition Education for Refugee and Immigrant Families in Lincoln by Emily Gratopp

Recipe of the Month: Biryani by Emily Gratopp

Garden Guide: Things to Do This Month

Sudden Wilt and Death in Tomatoes by Sarah Browning

Sun's Out, Fun's Out: Keeping Your Little One Safe This Summer by Hayley Perez

Protect Yourself from Bed Bugs by Kait Chapman

Heart of 4-H Volunteer Award: Netsy Barent and Jessica Marsh

Nebraska 4-H Foundation Scholarship Winners

Learn …

Internet-Based Data Platforms Re-Define The Distributions Of Some Large Crabronid Wasps In Arkansas (Hymenoptera: Crabronidae), David E. Bowles

Insecta Mundi

The geographic distributions of three large wasps, Sphecius speciosus (Drury), Stictia carolina Fabricius, and Stizus brevipennis Walsh (Hymenoptera: Crabronidae), occurring in Arkansas are defined using museum specimens and three internet-based data platforms. The internet-based data platforms generally provided more county location records than museum records. Using data from internet sources for easily identified species can better serve to illustrate the known distributions for some species thus making for a powerful tool elucidating distributional patterns and conservation planning.

ZooBank registration. urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:DCAE9192-1765-40CD-952B-0A094F413991

Long Time No See: New Reports Of Legua Rosea Amédégnato And Poulain, 1986 (Orthoptera: Caelifera: Romaleidae: Romaleinae: Leguini), A Rare Arboreal Grasshopper From Brazil, Daniela Santos Martins Silva, Renan Da Silva Olivier, Larissa Lima De Queiroz, Marcelo Ribeiro Pereira, Jardel Boscardin, Guilherme Rabelo D’Angelis

Insecta Mundi

The genus Legua Walker, 1870 comprises only two known species from Central America and Brazil, with a notable scarcity of collected specimens. Herein, we provide a new contribution to our knowledge of the distribution of Legua rosea Amédégnato and Poulain, 1986 (Romaleinae: Leguini), that has a restricted distribution in Brazil, based on entomological collection data and social media information. Our records emphasize the importance of natural history collections and new tools for biodiversity studies.

ZooBank registration. urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:17E0802B-A389-4983-AC74-21B51197F557

Morphometric Analysis And Taxonomic Re-Evaluation Of Pepsis Cerberus Lucas And P. Elegans Lepeletier (Hymenoptera: Pompilidae: Pepsinae: Pepsini), Frank E. Kurczewski, Akira Shimizu, Diane H. Kiernan

Insecta Mundi

Hurd (1952) separated Pepsis cerberus Lucas from P. elegans Lepeletier (Hymenoptera: Pompilidae: Pepsinae: Pepsini) based on external morphology and biogeography. Vardy (2005) synonymized the familiar and historically well-documented P. cerberus and P. elegans, combining these Nearctic taxa with several Neotropical variants in an extremely broad definition of P. menechma Lepeletier. In doing so, Vardy (2005) breached the principle of nomenclatural stability. He ignored the prevailing usage and clearly violated articles 23.2, 23.3 and 23.9.1.2 of the ICZN (1999). Morphological differences, ecological divergence, and narrow sympatric geographic distribution of P. cerberus and P. elegans …

A New Species Of Paranthrene Hübner (Lepidoptera: Sesiidae) From The Northern Midwest United States, William H. Smith Iii, William H. Taft Jr., Anthony I. Cognato

Insecta Mundi

A clearwing moth species, Paranthrene sogaardi Taft and Smith, 2024, new species, is described from Michigan and Minnesota. The recognition of this new species is based on a phylogeny estimated from mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I and wingless DNA sequences of 25 specimens representing all Paranthrene Hübner species including individuals from various locations. Paranthrene sogaardi new species was monophyletic and differed from Paranthrene tabaniformis Rottenburg, 1775 by a mean of 7.6% COI pairwise “p” distance, coloration, and genitalic morphology.

ZooBank registration. urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:8B9ED6CE-4DEB-4CB2-9235-3CA593F4D9DB

Corrections And Additions To The Hydnocerina (Coleoptera: Cleridae: Clerinae: Hydnocerini) Of Mexico, John M. Leavengood Jr.

Insecta Mundi

Corrections, additions and remarks are made with respect to the recent checklist of the Cleridae (Coleoptera) of Mexico (Araujo-Castillo et al. 2024). Current valid names, synonymies, clarifications of taxonomic problems, and omitted taxa are reviewed. This work is intended to serve as a supplement to the “Hydnocerinae” section of the checklist.

ZooBank registration. urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:EF3E45B5-6EA6-41AB-B92F-DB4ABF9D8215

Taxonomic Notes On Velvet Ants Of The Genus Timulla Ashmead, 1899 (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae) In The United States Of America And Canada, George C. Waldren

Insecta Mundi

The exclusively New World velvet ant genus Timulla Ashmead, 1899 (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae: Mutillinae: Trogaspidiini) contains 180 species and ten subspecies. Most of these species are known from a single sex, and the validity of the subspecies has not been evaluated since their original description in 1937 and 1938. The Timulla fauna of the United States of America includes thirty species and eight subspecies, and the fauna of Canada includes three species. The faunas of these two countries were critically studied with the following results. Out of the eight total subspecies, seven were found to be structurally identical to and sympatric …

First Record Of The Beekeeping Pest Aethina Tumida Murray (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae) For Honduras, Jesus Orozco

Insecta Mundi

Aethina tumida Murray (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae) (also known as the small hive beetle), an important pest in apiaries, is reported from Honduras for the first time, new country record. The precise distribution in the country is unknown, and no damage related to it has been observed. Photographs are provided to aid in its identification. Differentiation of A. tumida from Aethina villosa Reitter and Aethina quadrata Sharp, which also occur in Honduras, is provided.

ZooBank registration. urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:DAF12C6A-0F8C-4151-9C4D-F191CCC4032F

Three Additions To The False Click Beetle (Coleoptera: Elateroidea: Eucnemidae) Fauna In The Nearctic Region, Robert L. Otto

Insecta Mundi

Three species of false click beetles (Coleoptera: Eucnemidae) are added to the Nearctic fauna. One new species, Isorhipis bicolor, is described from a small series collected in Florida, U.S.A. Eighteen specimens collected from Georgia were identified as Dyscharachthis amplicollis (Fleutiaux), new U.S.A. records for a species previously taken from Japan and Southeast Asia. Examination of a series of eucnemids collected by Kyle Schnepp in Florida allowed me to revisit the Deltometopus fauna in eastern North America. Antennal structures present in a series of male specimens in the loan and past examined specimens are definitive enough to resurrect Deltometopus …

First Record Of The Invasive Chenopodium Aphid, Hayhurstia Atriplicis (Linnaeus, 1761) (Hemiptera: Aphididae), In Colombia, Takumasa Kondo, Roberto Rosero, Jackeline Gaviria

Insecta Mundi

The chenopodium aphid, Hayhurstia atriplicis (Linnaeus, 1761) (Hemiptera: Aphididae), is reported for the first time in Colombia. The aphid was found on the aerial parts of the quinoa plant, Chenopodium quinoa Willd. (Amaranthaceae), especially on the leaves, in five municipalities in the department of Cauca, Colombia. Brief information on its natural enemies, distribution and biology is provided. This is the only aphid in Colombia known to cause malformations on the leaves of quinoa plants. In South America, this aphid has been found previously only in Ecuador, where it was reported for the first time in 2023 based on specimens collected …

Nebline, May 2024

NEBLINE Newsletter Archive from Nebraska Extension in Lancaster County

Weed Control in Pastures and Hayfields by John Nelson

Navigating Nutrition Information: Separating Fact from Fiction by Alyssa Havlovic

Recipe of the Month: Pepper Steak Sandwich by Alyssa Havlovic

Care for New Bedding Plants by Sarah Browning

Garden Guide: Things to Do This Month

Cash Rent Survey

No Matter Where You Live, Submit a Request Before You Dig! by Becky Schuerman

4-H Achievement Celebration

8 Lancaster County 4-H’ers Modeled Their Sewn Garments at Omaha Fashion Week

4-H Events Open to All Youth

Support 4-H by Eating Out, May 1 & 2

Support 4-H During “Give to Lincoln Day,” May 30 …

Concepts In Animal Parasitology: Master Bibliography, Sue Ann Gardner

Concepts in Animal Parasitology Textbook

Master bibliography for the open educational resource/open access textbook Concepts in Animal Parasitology, Scott L. Gardner and Sue Ann Gardner, editors, published by Zea Books, Lincoln, Nebraska, United States, 2024. This includes the references from literature cited and suggested supplemental reading.

Assessing Health Implications Of Monarch Butterfly Populations And Behaviors, Kira Goldman, Kelsey E. Fisher Dr.

Honors Scholar Theses

Pollinator populations have seen massive declines over the past decade due to anthropogenic activity and climate change posing serious threats to the health of humans and ecosystems (Ulyshen & Horn, 2023). As agents responsible for the production of about 35% of micronutrient rich food crops necessary for adequate nutrition to lead healthful lives and prevent nutrition associated diseases, pollinator decline is a public health concern (Aizen et al., 2009). Monarch butterflies (Danaus plexippus) serve as bio indicators for the health of pollinator populations because of their analogous habitat and food resources shared with many other pollinator species, including bees and …

Impact Of Plant Defenses And Aphid-Associated Microbes In Modulating Sorghum-Sugarcane Aphid Interactions, Edith Ikuze

Department of Entomology: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) is a vital cereal crop globally, facing challenges from invasive pests such as the sugarcane aphid (SCA; Melanaphis sacchari). To elucidate mechanisms of sorghum resistance to SCA, we examined the role of plant defenses and the influence of aphid-associated microbes in modulating sorghum defenses. Lignin is a complex heterogenous polymer present in nearly all plant cell walls that plays a critical role in protecting plants from various stresses. In this study, we investigated the role of the caffeoyl coenzyme-A O-methyltransferase (CCoAOMT), one of the core enzymes in monolignol biosynthesis pathway that leads to lignin …

Virus Del Marchitamiento Manchado Del Tomate En Tomates Y Pimientos, Claudia Nischwitz, Mariah Noorlander, Mary Ann Hubbell, Celina Wille

All Current Publications

En Utah, el virus del marchitamiento manchado del tomate (TSWV, por sus siglas en inglés) comúnmente afecta a tomates, pimientos y tomatillos.

Effects Of Fungal Biopesticide Doses On Mortality In Bumble Bees, Colton Burris

Undergraduate Research Symposium

Agricultural practices often include the use of pesticides to produce meaningful crop yields. While the pesticide may be used to target “pest” insects (e.g. thrips, aphids, whiteflies), it can also have negative effects on important pollinating insects such as bees. Neonicotinoid pesticides have been found responsible for widespread decline in bee biodiversity, and were even banned in Europe (Sgolastra et al. 2020) . Beauveria bassiana, sold as Botanigard, on the other hand, is a fungal biopesticide that is marketed to be a safer alternative for bees, and has been found to have other possibly harmful effects to the inner …

Diagnosis Of Spilococcus Pacificus (Borchsenius, 1949) And An Updated List Of Scale Insects (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha) On Pears (Pyrus L.: Rosaceae) In South Korea, Jungyoun Ji, Soo-Jung Suh

Insecta Mundi

Pears, Pyrus pyrifolia (Burm.f.) Nak. (Rosaceae) are one of the most widely grown fruit trees in South Korea. Approximately 11% of the total pear production in 2022 was exported to countries such as the United States and Vietnam. Exported pears must be free of pest species that are considered of quarantine importance by the importing countries. Herein, a list of scale insects (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha) associated with pear trees is updated. Additionally, Spilococcus pacificus (Borchsenius) is added to the list of mealybugs affecting pears in South Korea and is briefly diagnosed based on non-type specimens and illustrated using photographs. Information on …

Historical And Morphological Review Of The Subgenus Indonthophagus Kabakov, 2006 Of Onthophagus Latreille, 1802 (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Scarabaeinae: Onthophagini), Stefano Ziani

Insecta Mundi

The subgenus Indonthophagus Kabakov, 2006 of Onthophagus Latreille, 1802 (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Scarabaeinae: Onthophagini) is reviewed. A morphological definition of it is provided. A diagnosis, based both on external and internal characters, of the seven species deemed to belong to the group according to literature, is supplied. As a result, Onthophagus spinifex (Fabricius, 1781), previously placed with some uncertainty in the subgenus, is definitively excluded. A key to Indonthophagus species is also provided, as well as images of male, aedeagus and endophallus for each species. New country records of Onthophagus turbatus Walker, 1858 for Pakistan, Nepal, and Bhutan are given.

ZooBank …

The Identification Of The Flower Thrips, Frankliniella Karny (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) Intercepted At U. S. Ports Of Entry, Thomas L. Skarlinsky Ii

Insecta Mundi

United States port of entry interception data revealed that Frankliniella Karny (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) was the most frequently intercepted genus of Thripidae. No published identification resource for intercepted Frankliniella is available to United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) port of entry entomology identifiers. A morphological review of intercepted species was conducted. A dichotomous key for the identification of intercepted slide mounted adult females was created. Morphological diagnosis, description of each species with their geographic region(s) of origin and frequency of interception is provided.

ZooBank registration. urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:403B362E-9A7F-4385-A0F1-9DB87FE09AD2

Predicting The Potential Distribution Of Pseudococcus Longispinus (Targioni-Tozzetti) (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) In South Korea Using A Climex Model, Su Bin Kim, Soo-Jung Suh

Insecta Mundi

Pseudococcus longispinus (Targioni-Tozzetti) (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) is a widely-distributed pest that feeds on many economically important hosts, particularly tropical fruits and ornamentals. The potential distribution of this mealybug pest in South Korea remains a primary concern because of its high incidence of interceptions screened during inspection. Hence, this species prompted a modelling effort to assess its potential risk of introduction. Potential risk maps were developed for this pest with a CLIMEX model based on occurrence records under environmental data. The potential distribution of these pests in South Korea in the 2020s, 2050s and 2090s was projected based on the RCP 8.5 …

The Genus Centris Fabricius In Cuba, With A New Record And The Description Of A New Species (Hymenoptera: Apoidea: Anthophila), Julio A. Genaro, Dayron Breto

Insecta Mundi

Members of the genus Centris Fabricius (Hymenoptera: Apoidea: Anthophila) constitute a significant component of the Neotropical (including insular) bee fauna, exhibiting high species richness, a moderate to large body size, and extensive interactions with various important plant groups. Females of most species possess specialized morphology adapted for collecting oils from flowers. This study documents the presence of the genus in Cuba, recognizing six species: C. aethiops Cresson, C. cornuta Cresson, C. fulviventris Cresson, C. poecila Lepeletier, C. taina Genaro and Breto new species, and C. tarsata F. Smith. Detailed information is provided for …

Notes On The Tribe Chlorocorini With The Description Of A New Species Of Chlorocoris Spinola (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) From Panama, Donald B. Thomas

Insecta Mundi

A new species, Chlorocoris charluzae Thomas (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Pentatomidae), is described from Panama. Eludocoris grandis Thomas is reported from Panama for the first time. The distribution of Chlorocoris rufispinus Dallas to include Panama is confirmed. Arawacoris Thomas, described as a subgenus of Chlorocoris Spinola, is elevated to full genus.

ZooBank registration. urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:F4E45B6C-5BD8-4B3E-B599-3BB61855B392