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Entomology

2006

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Influences Of Host Size And Host Quality On Host Use In A Seed-Feeding Beetle, Angela Rocío Amarillo-Suárez Jan 2006

Influences Of Host Size And Host Quality On Host Use In A Seed-Feeding Beetle, Angela Rocío Amarillo-Suárez

University of Kentucky Doctoral Dissertations

For insects that develop inside discrete hosts both host size and host quality constrain offspring growth, influencing the evolution of body size and life history traits. This dissertation examines the effects of host size, host quality, and intraspecific competition on life history and associated traits of populations of the seed-feeding beetle S. limbatus adapted to different host plants, and quantifies population differences in phenotypic plasticity. Populations of the study correspond to divergent clades of the species phylogeography (Colombia and United States).

Clades compared differ genetically for all traits when beetles were raised in a common garden. Contrary to expectations from …


Hyla Squirella (Squirrel Treefrog): Refugia., Louis A. Somma, David Serrano Jan 2006

Hyla Squirella (Squirrel Treefrog): Refugia., Louis A. Somma, David Serrano

Papers in Herpetology

HYLA SQUiREUA (Squirrel Treefrog). REFUGIA. Entomologists commonly use trap-nests to monitor cavity-nesting Hymenoptera. These trap-nests consist of 5 x 10 cm pine timber cut into 12-cm lengths. Five lengths are then stacked and strapped together. Each pIece of timber is predrilled in each side to have either a 3.2, 4.8, 6.4, 7.9, or 12.7 Iiundiameterhole, 8 cmindepth. Thus, each trap-nest consisted of five pieces of wood containing 2 holes of each diameter. They are suspended with wire from tree trunks and branches. We set these wooden traps (N = 10) at Devil's Millhopper Geological State Park, Gainesville, Alachua Co., Florida, …


Nebline, January 2006 Jan 2006

Nebline, January 2006

NEBLINE Newsletter Archive from Nebraska Extension in Lancaster County

30 MyPyramid Steps to a Healthier You
Guide to Growing Amaryllis
Winter Care of Houseplants
Managing Dust Mites
Urban Pest Management Conference
You Caught Your Mouse — How About Cleanup?
Beginning Beekeeping 2-Day Workshop
Private Pesticide Applicator Certification
Is Burning Wood an Economically Feasible Option?
Crop Protection Clinic, Jan. 23
Acreage-Tough Plants
The Physical Resources of the Acreage—Part 1
Upcoming Acreage Insights Clinics
Meet the Grain Group
Mock Frozen “Peach” Daiquiri Recipe
Sit Less, Move More!
Low-Cost Indoor Avenues to Fitness
Home Energy Checkup
Household Hints: Cleaning silver by electrolysis
President’s Notes — Janet’s Jargon
FCE News & Events
Rokeby …


Biomass Dynamics Of Tipula (Insecta: Diptera) In Forested Streams Of The Interior Highlands, Arkansas, Samuel B. Mccord, Alan D. Christian, Richard S. Grippo Jan 2006

Biomass Dynamics Of Tipula (Insecta: Diptera) In Forested Streams Of The Interior Highlands, Arkansas, Samuel B. Mccord, Alan D. Christian, Richard S. Grippo

Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science

Abundance patterns of aquatic macroinvertebrates that utilize coarse particulate organic matter as a food source are important indicators of non--point source pollution associated with silviculture activities. This group, referred to as shredders, typically decreases in abundance as its food source—primarily leaves—is removed from the ecosystem. We tested whether larval biomass of the crane fly Tipula, a common member of the group, was an effective estimator of shredder abundance. Additionally, we used regression analysis to test whether the length to dry mass relationship of Tipula differed among geographic regions, between seasons, and between years. Results did not indicate significant differences in …


Effect Of Light Intensity And Weld Thickness On The Performance Of Uv-Cured Frp Composite Joints, Jerry Alan Peck Jan 2006

Effect Of Light Intensity And Weld Thickness On The Performance Of Uv-Cured Frp Composite Joints, Jerry Alan Peck

LSU Master's Theses

Thirty-six FRP composite welds were wetted with UV curing vinyl ester resin and used to join fiberglass tubes. The effects of UV light intensity and weld thickness on performance (as measured by bursting pressure and stiffness) were evaluated to determine optimal conditions for joint construction. The joined composite pipes were cured vertically with UV lamps at three different light intensities, 80 mW/cm2, 35 mW/cm2 and 15 mW/cm2 to isolate the effect of UV light intensity. Eight-layer, five-layer and three-layer joints were prepared and cured at constant light intensity to evaluate the effect of reducing the thickness of the composite joint. …


Ecologically-Based Participatory Ipm In A Global Context: The Ipm Crsp Model, E. A. Heinrichs Jan 2006

Ecologically-Based Participatory Ipm In A Global Context: The Ipm Crsp Model, E. A. Heinrichs

Department of Entomology: Faculty Publications

The IPM CRSP develops and implements approaches to IPM that help raise the standard of living and improve the environment in countries around the world. The IPM CRSP model is based on (1) participatory IPM, (2) networking, (3) capacity/institution building, (4) res~h and. technology development and (5) technology ·transfer. Regional programs in Central Asia, East Africa, West Africa, Latin American/Caribbean, Eastern Europe, South Asia and Southeast Asia address problems of a specific region and the global themes, invasive species, information technology and databases, regional diagnostic laboratories, insect transmitted viruses, and impact assessments deal with universal issues. Major crop emphasis is …


Analyses Of Cry1ab Binding In Resistant And Susceptible Strains Of The European Corn Borer, Ostrinia Nubilalis (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae), Herbert A. A. Siqueira, Joel Gonzalez-Cabrera, Juan Ferre, Ronald Flannagan, Blair Siegfried Jan 2006

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

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 …


Genetic And Morphological Comparisons Of New And Old World Populations Of Spalangia Species (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae), David B. Taylor, Roger Moon, Gary Gibson, Allen L. Szalanski Jan 2006

Genetic And Morphological Comparisons Of New And Old World Populations Of Spalangia Species (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae), David B. Taylor, Roger Moon, Gary Gibson, Allen L. Szalanski

Department of Entomology: Faculty Publications

The genetic similarity of New and Old World samples of Spalangia spp. (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) was examined using two ribosomalDNAregions. The species examined were Spalangia cameroni Perkins, Spalangia endius Walker, Spalangia gemina Bouček, Spalangia nigra Latreille, Spalangia nigroaenea Curtis, and Spalangia slovaca Bouček. Two species of Muscidifurax, Muscidifurax raptor Girault & Sanders and Muscidifurax zaraptor Kogan & Legner (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) were included as outgroup taxa. The internal transcribed spacer (ITS)-1 region was highly variable among Spalangia species with many insertions/deletions making alignment of the sequences difÞcult. The D2-D3 region of the 28s ribosomal gene and the nuclear rDNA 18s gene were …


Temperature Effect On Kinetics Of Uptake, Transfer, And Clearance Of [14C]Noviflumuron In Eastern Subterranean Termites (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae), Neil A. Spomer, Shripat T. Kamble Jan 2006

Temperature Effect On Kinetics Of Uptake, Transfer, And Clearance Of [14C]Noviflumuron In Eastern Subterranean Termites (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae), Neil A. Spomer, Shripat T. Kamble

Department of Entomology: Faculty Publications

[14C]Noviflumuron uptake, clearance, rate of excretion, and transfer from treated to untreated termite workers were evaluated at 15, 19, 23, and 27°C. Feeding units were constructed from plastic containers provisioned with washed sand, distilled water, [14C]noviflumuron-treated feeding discs (0.05 or 0.5% [AI]), and Reticulitermes flavipes (Kollar) workers. Feeding units were held in environmental growth chambers preset at 15, 19, 23, and 27°C. The amount of [14C]noviflumuron present within R. flavipes was measured by scintillation counting and subsequently quantified. Uptake of noviflumuron by R. flavipes workers at 15°C was ≈2.8 times less than at 19 …


Partner-Driven Agricultural Research-For-Development Networks In West Africa: The Case Of Rocariz, L. T. Narteh, M. Winslow, Ousmane Youm, S. O. Keya Jan 2006

Partner-Driven Agricultural Research-For-Development Networks In West Africa: The Case Of Rocariz, L. T. Narteh, M. Winslow, Ousmane Youm, S. O. Keya

Department of Entomology: Faculty Publications

Agricultural research feeds the knowledge base that underpins food security and rural employment across sub-Saharan Africa. However, in West Africa, many national agricultural research programs (NARS) are small and have insufficient resources to carry out well-rounded, in-depth research programs. Since the crops, cropping systems and food needs of these countries have much in common, there is a clear opportunity for sharing knowledge and capacities for mutual benefit through networks.

However, conventional crop-based networks in sub-Saharan Africa were mainly mechanisms for centralized dissemination and testing of technologies, an approach that treated NARS as dependent recipients of research outputs generated by international …


Genetic Analysis Of Resistance To European Corn Borer (Ostrinia Nubllalls Hub. Lepidoptera:Crambidae) Damage In Eight Maize Germplasm, Cengis Ikten, John E. Foster Jan 2006

Genetic Analysis Of Resistance To European Corn Borer (Ostrinia Nubllalls Hub. Lepidoptera:Crambidae) Damage In Eight Maize Germplasm, Cengis Ikten, John E. Foster

Department of Entomology: Faculty Publications

The inheritance of resistance to Oslrinia nubilalis (ECB) damage in eight breeding maize lines was studied by Griffing's diallel analysis (Griffing 1956) under two water regimes. One hundred fifty neonate larvae of second generation of ECB were infested around ear node of maize germplasm and approximately two months later, the potentials of the germplasm were determined by measuring stalk and shank tunneling damage in plants. General combining ability (GCA) was more important than specific combining ability (SCA) in determining resistance to both stalk and shank tunneling. Although mean squares for GCA accounted for 76.1% of the variation for stalk tunneling …


Relative Index Of Susceptibility To The Maize Weevil, Sitophilus Zeamais, Among Some Qpm Corn Lines, Jamilton P. Santos, Paulo E. O. Guimaraes, Jose M. Waquil, John E. Foster Jan 2006

Relative Index Of Susceptibility To The Maize Weevil, Sitophilus Zeamais, Among Some Qpm Corn Lines, Jamilton P. Santos, Paulo E. O. Guimaraes, Jose M. Waquil, John E. Foster

Department of Entomology: Faculty Publications

The maize weevil, Sitophilus zeamais, is one important pest of stored corn grain. It is difficult to control and causes large weight and nutritional losses to the grains. The discovery of the gene Opaque-2 (O-2) that enhances the protein quality with Lysine and Tryptophane opened new perspectives to use corn to feed monogastric animals and for human nutrition. However, the soft and farinaceous consistency of the endosperm in the O-2 gene corn increased the susceptibility to maize weevil. To solve this problem the O-2 gene was transferred to normal corn. This new corn was called Quality Protein Maize (QPM). …


Relative Abundance Of Exotic And Native Coccinellidae (Coleoptera) In Southeast Nebraska Alfalfa, James C. Kriz, Stephen D. Danielson, James R. Brandle, Erin E. Blankenship Jan 2006

Relative Abundance Of Exotic And Native Coccinellidae (Coleoptera) In Southeast Nebraska Alfalfa, James C. Kriz, Stephen D. Danielson, James R. Brandle, Erin E. Blankenship

Department of Entomology: Faculty Publications

The seven-spotted lady beetle, Coccinella septempunctata L., and the multicolored Asian lady beetle, Harmonia axyridis Pallas, are exotic Coccinellidae (Coleoptera) that are regularly encountered in southeastern Nebraska. Harmonia axyridis, a native of eastern Asia, was first reported in an established population near Abita Springs, St. Tammay Parish, Louisiana, in 1988. It was hypothesized that the introduction was accidental through commerce in Louisiana and not from introduction for biological control. Coccinella septempunctata, a native of Eurasia, was introduced for biological control several times and at a variety of locations across North America during the last century. As is the case …


County-Level Surveillance Of White-Tailed Deer Infestation By Ixodes Scapularis And Dermacentor Albipictus (Acari: Ixodidae) Along The Illinois River, M. Roberto Cortinas, Uriel Kitron Jan 2006

County-Level Surveillance Of White-Tailed Deer Infestation By Ixodes Scapularis And Dermacentor Albipictus (Acari: Ixodidae) Along The Illinois River, M. Roberto Cortinas, Uriel Kitron

Department of Entomology: Faculty Publications

From 1998 to 2003, 4,935 hunter-killed deer in northern and central Illinois were examined for ticks; 4,066 blacklegged ticks, Ixodes scapularis Say, and 6,530 winter ticks, Dermacentor albipictus (Packard) (Acari: Ixodidae), were collected. I. scapularis was the predominant tick species in the northern portion of the study area, with a decreasing north-to-south prevalence gradient. In contrast, D. albipictus was more common in the south with a decreasing south-to-north prevalence gradient. Compared with previous studies, the geographic range for both species expanded into the central portion of the Illinois River. Prevalence and intensity of both tick species were greater on bucks, …


Spatiotemporal Patterns Of Host-Seeking Ixodes Scapularis Nymphs (Acari: Ixodidae) In The United States, M. A. Diuk-Wasser, A. G. Gatewood, M. Roberto Cortinas, S. Yaremych-Hamer, J. Tsao, Uriel Kitron, G. Hickling, J. S. Brownstein, E. Walker, J. Piesman, D. Fish Jan 2006

Spatiotemporal Patterns Of Host-Seeking Ixodes Scapularis Nymphs (Acari: Ixodidae) In The United States, M. A. Diuk-Wasser, A. G. Gatewood, M. Roberto Cortinas, S. Yaremych-Hamer, J. Tsao, Uriel Kitron, G. Hickling, J. S. Brownstein, E. Walker, J. Piesman, D. Fish

Department of Entomology: Faculty Publications

The risk of Lyme disease for humans in the eastern United States is dependent on the density of host-seeking Ixodes scapularis Say nymphal stage ticks infected with Borrelia burgdorferi. Although many local and regional studies have estimated Lyme disease risk using these parameters, this is the first large-scale study using a standardized methodology. Density of host-seeking I. scapularis nymphs was measured by drag sampling of closed canopy deciduous forest habitats in 95 locations spaced among 2° quadrants covering the entire United States east of the 100th meridian. Sampling was done in five standardized transects at each site and repeated …


Long-Term Reduction Of Trypanosoma Cruzi Infection In Sylvatic Mammals Following Deforestation And Sustained Vector Surveillance In Northwestern Argentina, L. A. Ceballos, M. V. Cardinal, G. M. Vazquez-Prokopec, M. A. Lauricella, M. M. Orozco, M. Roberto Cortinas, A. G. Schijman, M. J. Levin, Uriel Kitron, R. E. Gürtlera Jan 2006

Long-Term Reduction Of Trypanosoma Cruzi Infection In Sylvatic Mammals Following Deforestation And Sustained Vector Surveillance In Northwestern Argentina, L. A. Ceballos, M. V. Cardinal, G. M. Vazquez-Prokopec, M. A. Lauricella, M. M. Orozco, M. Roberto Cortinas, A. G. Schijman, M. J. Levin, Uriel Kitron, R. E. Gürtlera

Department of Entomology: Faculty Publications

Long-term variations in the dynamics and intensity of sylvatic transmission of Trypanosoma cruzi were investigated around eight rural villages in the semiarid Argentine Chaco in 2002–2004 and compared to data collected locally in 1984–1991. Of 501 wild mammals from 13 identified species examined by xenodiagnosis, only 3 (7.9%) of 38 Didelphis albiventris opossums and 1 (1.1%) of 91 Conepatus chinga skunks were infected by T. cruzi. The period prevalence in opossums was fourfold lower in 2002–2004 than in 1984–1991 (32–36%). The infection prevalence of skunks also decreased five-fold from 4.1–5.6% in 1984–1991 to 1.1% in 2002–2004. Infection in opossums increased …


Absence Of Genetic Divergence Between Western Corn Rootworms (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) Resistant And Susceptible To Control By Crop Rotation, Nicholas Miller, K. S. Kim, S. T. Ratcliffe, A. Estoup, T. Guillemaud Jan 2006

Absence Of Genetic Divergence Between Western Corn Rootworms (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) Resistant And Susceptible To Control By Crop Rotation, Nicholas Miller, K. S. Kim, S. T. Ratcliffe, A. Estoup, T. Guillemaud

Department of Entomology: Faculty Publications

The western corn rootworm, Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), is a major pest of corn, Zea mays L., in North America that has recently invaded Europe. A loss of ovipositional fidelity to cornfields has allowed the species to circumvent crop rotation as a means of control in part of its range in the United States. Analyses of variation at eight microsatellite loci provided no evidence for general genetic differentiation between samples of western corn rootworm collected in soybean, Glycine max (L.) Merr., fields and those collected in cornfields both inside and outside the rotation-resistance problem area. This result suggests …


Seasonality And Adult Habitat Use By Four Diabrotica Species At Prairie–Corn Interfaces, Laura A. Campbell, Lance J. Meinke Jan 2006

Seasonality And Adult Habitat Use By Four Diabrotica Species At Prairie–Corn Interfaces, Laura A. Campbell, Lance J. Meinke

Department of Entomology: Faculty Publications

Although Diabrotica pest species have been well studied in field corn, Zea mays L., relatively little is known about adult habitat use by pest and nonpest species at prairie-corn interfaces. Therefore, the objective of this work was to compare seasonal patterns of beetles of four Diabrotica species and their use of remnant prairie and adjacent field corn habitats in southeastern Nebraska. The study was conducted at five sites in 2001 and continued at three sites in 2002. The Diabrotica species included D. barberi Smith and Lawrence, D. cristata (Harris), D. virgifera virgifera LeConte, and D. undecimpunctata howardi Barber. Cucurbitacin vial …


Effects Of Temperature On Development Of Phormia Regina (Diptera: Calliphoridae) And Use Of Developmental Data In Determining Time Intervals In Forensic Entomology, P. D. Nabity, Leon G. Higley, Tiffany M. Heng-Moss Jan 2006

Effects Of Temperature On Development Of Phormia Regina (Diptera: Calliphoridae) And Use Of Developmental Data In Determining Time Intervals In Forensic Entomology, P. D. Nabity, Leon G. Higley, Tiffany M. Heng-Moss

Department of Entomology: Faculty Publications

Precise developmental data for forensic indicator blow fly species are essential for accuracy in the estimate of the post-mortem interval (PMI). Why, then, does the determination of the PMI result in conflicting time frames when published conspecific developmental data are used? To answer this question, we conducted constant temperature trials between the developmental minimum temperature and upper threshold temperatures (8-32 degrees C) on the forensically important blow fly species Phormia regina (Meigen) (Diptera: Calliphoridae). Flies were reared using two designs to quantify sources of variation. We measured rearing container temperatures and internal growth chamber temperatures by using thermocouples to accurately …


Tick Pheromones And Their Use In Tick Control, Daniel E. Sonenshine Jan 2006

Tick Pheromones And Their Use In Tick Control, Daniel E. Sonenshine

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications

Tick pheromones that regulate assembly, attraction/aggregation/attachment, and mating behavior have been described. Most of the compounds regulating these behaviors are purines, substituted phenols, or cholesteryl esters. Other pheromonal compounds include organic acids, hematin, or ecdysteroids. Novel devices have been developed that combine the specific compounds comprising these pheromones with an acaricide. When applied to tick-infested vegetation or directly to the body surfaces of livestock or companion animals, these devices are effective for tick control. This review summarizes the current state of knowledge of tick pheromones. In addition, this review also presents examples illustrating how devices using tick pheromones can offer …


Tapeworms Of Elasmobranchs (Part Ii) A Monograph On The Diphyllidea (Platyhelminthes, Cestoda), Gaines Albert Tyler Ii Jan 2006

Tapeworms Of Elasmobranchs (Part Ii) A Monograph On The Diphyllidea (Platyhelminthes, Cestoda), Gaines Albert Tyler Ii

Bulletin of the University of Nebraska State Museum

The main objective of this monograph was a synthesis of the available knowledge on the diversity, systematics, host associations, and biogeography of the Diphyllidea. A thorough review of the literature resulted in the transfer of Diagonobothrium into Diphyllidea as a genus inquirendum. The genus Yogeshwaria was also transferred to Diphyllidea as a synonym of Echinobothrium. Its only species, E. nagabhushani n. comb., is considered to be a species inquirenda. New collections resulted in the description of a new species of Echinobothrium. Type and/or voucher specimens for 32 of 36 valid diphyllidean species (including the new species) …


Spatial Learning In Dragonflies, Perri K. Eason, Paul Switzer Jan 2006

Spatial Learning In Dragonflies, Perri K. Eason, Paul Switzer

Paul V. Switzer

No abstract provided.


Variation In Egg Size And Number In Drosophila Subobscura, Minyoung Janet Yi Jan 2006

Variation In Egg Size And Number In Drosophila Subobscura, Minyoung Janet Yi

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

No abstract provided.


Spatial Learning In Dragonflies, Perri Eason, Paul Switzer Jan 2006

Spatial Learning In Dragonflies, Perri Eason, Paul Switzer

Faculty Research & Creative Activity

No abstract provided.


Discovery: The Student Journal Of Dale Bumpers College Of Agricultural, Food And Life Sciences - Volume 7 2006, Several Authors Jan 2006

Discovery: The Student Journal Of Dale Bumpers College Of Agricultural, Food And Life Sciences - Volume 7 2006, Several Authors

Discovery, The Student Journal of Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences

No abstract provided.


Contents, Discovery Editors Jan 2006

Contents, Discovery Editors

Discovery, The Student Journal of Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences

No abstract provided.


Letter From The Dean, Gregory J. Weidemann Jan 2006

Letter From The Dean, Gregory J. Weidemann

Discovery, The Student Journal of Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences

No abstract provided.


Spatial Learning In Dragonflies, Perri K. Eason, Paul Switzer Jan 2006

Spatial Learning In Dragonflies, Perri K. Eason, Paul Switzer

Faculty Research & Creative Activity

No abstract provided.


Australian Plague Locust (Chortoicetes Terminifera), Department Of Agriculture And Food, Wa Jan 2006

Australian Plague Locust (Chortoicetes Terminifera), Department Of Agriculture And Food, Wa

Bulletins 4000 -

The Australian plague locust (APL) is the most economically important grasshopper in Australia. The immature hopper stage damages mainly pastures in farming areas, and gardens and lawns in domestic areas. They tend to avoid established green crops, although the edges of crops can be damaged. Adult locusts can form swarms and fly into other areas, damaging pastures, ripening cereal, lupin and pulse crops, grapevines, fruit trees and native tree seedlings. If crops have completely dried off before locusts begin flying, the possibility of damage is considerably less.


Glucocorticoid Hormone Levels Increase With Group Size And Parasite Load In Cliff Swallows, Samrrah A. Raouf, Linda C. Smith, Mary Bomberger Brown, John C. Wingfield, Charles R. Brown Jan 2006

Glucocorticoid Hormone Levels Increase With Group Size And Parasite Load In Cliff Swallows, Samrrah A. Raouf, Linda C. Smith, Mary Bomberger Brown, John C. Wingfield, Charles R. Brown

School of Biological Sciences: Faculty Publications

Animals often cope with adverse events by releasing glucocorticoid hormones, which in turn promote increased energy assimilation. In captive animals, crowding also leads to increased glucocorticoid activity, probably because of increased levels of social competition. We investigated how group size and ectoparasite infestations affected endogenous levels of the glucocorticoid hormone, corticosterone, in colonial cliff swallows, Petrochelidon pyrrhonota, in southwestern Nebraska, USA. Parasites were removed from some colonies by fumigating nests. Baseline levels of corticosterone in breeding adults varied significantly with whether parasites were present, colony size (measured by total number of active nests at a site), and nesting stage. …