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Articles 1 - 28 of 28
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Study Of Morphological And Physiological Properties And Pollinators Of The Invasive Callery Pear, Prabina Sharma
Study Of Morphological And Physiological Properties And Pollinators Of The Invasive Callery Pear, Prabina Sharma
All Theses
Callery pear is an invasive tree in 15 states of United States and is currently present in 37 states. Its management has challenged landowners and land managers. Despite being listed as a noxious weed in four states, its study is limited. The accurate estimation of Callery pear biomass will give a clearer picture of the level of invasion and help land managers develop different strategies to control its population. Similarly, identifying possible pollinators of Callery pear is essential to have some insights on pollinators associated with this tree. Hence, the objectives of this study are 1) to calculate total above-ground …
Meta-Analysis Of The Effects Of Endophytes And Their Secondary Metabolites On Herbivory From Insects, Derrick Taylor
Meta-Analysis Of The Effects Of Endophytes And Their Secondary Metabolites On Herbivory From Insects, Derrick Taylor
All Theses
Endophyte-infected plants have reduced the level of herbivory. The defense to herbivory can vary due to the metabolites in the plant and the method of feeding from the pest. Secondary metabolites produced by the endophytes are mainly alkaloids. The associations between endophytes and some alkaloid groups are studied in greater detail. The lack of research of certain alkaloid groups ultimately means that some alkaloids had more data that could be analyzed. As a result, the alkaloid groups were not evenly represented in the meta-analysis. The meta-analysis analyzed the relative effectiveness of the metabolites or endophytes in each of the articles …
Prey Preference Of Chrysoperla Rufilabris (Burmeister) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) For Three Common Pest Species Of Greenhouse Crops, Caitlin Silva
Prey Preference Of Chrysoperla Rufilabris (Burmeister) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) For Three Common Pest Species Of Greenhouse Crops, Caitlin Silva
All Theses
Chrysoperla rufilabris (Burmeister) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) larvae are voracious generalist predators and important biological control agents on greenhouse crops. This study investigated the prey preference of second-instar C. rufilabris for three common greenhouse pests, namely the twospotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acari: Tetranychidae), the Madeira mealybug, Phenacoccus madeirensis Green (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae), and the melon aphid, Aphis gossypii Glover (Hemiptera: Aphididae). This study also investigated the influence of prey density ratios on the preference of C. rufilabris larvae for T. urticae and A. gossypii. Prey species preference was evaluated in no-choice, two-choice, and all-choice laboratory bioassays. In the no-choice bioassays, …
Development Of A Novel Fluorescent Reporter Baculovirus Vector For Testing Promoters In Lepidopterans, Daniel Howard
Development Of A Novel Fluorescent Reporter Baculovirus Vector For Testing Promoters In Lepidopterans, Daniel Howard
All Theses
Testing gene expression patterns is an important process in learning more about an organism. The standard methods of rtPCR and RNASeq provide highly detailed data on specific expression patterns, but can be resource consuming if many different samples including genes or organisms must be tested. A potential alternative for studying expression is the use of a reporter system carried by a vector system that encodes fluorescent proteins under the control of promoters of interest. Many lepidopterans (moths) are pestiferous and better understanding of gene expression levels in lepidopterans, both endogenous and exogenous including from their viruses, would be beneficial. Baculoviruses …
Improved Molecular Detection Tools For The Invasive Crop Pest Helicoverpa Armigera (Hübner), Mitchell D. Rich
Improved Molecular Detection Tools For The Invasive Crop Pest Helicoverpa Armigera (Hübner), Mitchell D. Rich
All Theses
Helicoverpa armigera is a major crop pest native to Europe, Asia, Australia, and Africa. H. armigera has recently invaded South America and has caused billions of dollars in agricultural losses. It is difficult to differentiate H. armigera from H. zea, a closely-related species native to North and South America. A few genetic tests have been previously developed to detect H. armigera DNA in pooled samples of moth legs. In this study, an improved qPCR melt curve assay with higher detection sensitivity and a field-based recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA) assay were developed for specific detection of H. armigera DNA …
Characterization Of Larval Lepidopteran Gut Stem Cell Markers, Zilan Li
Characterization Of Larval Lepidopteran Gut Stem Cell Markers, Zilan Li
All Theses
The larval lepidopteran midgut is a complex tissue system that shows significant structure-function relationships related to its roles in digestive and absorptive processes. δ-endotoxins (Cry toxins) produced by the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis disrupt the midgut epithelium of target insects has been used extensively to control pests. However, insects, including several lepidopteran species, evolve resistance to Cry toxins which causes a great threat to their continued utility. Understanding the physiology of the midgut, including that of the stem cells which are responsible for midgut growth, development, and regeneration, may improve the sustainability of midgut-targeted control like Cry toxins. Historically, lepidopteran midgut …
Repair Of The Proboscis Of Brush-Footed Butterflies (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae), Suellen Pometto
Repair Of The Proboscis Of Brush-Footed Butterflies (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae), Suellen Pometto
All Theses
A key feature of the order Lepidoptera is the coilable proboscis, present in over 99% of lepidopteran species. The proboscis is used to obtain liquid nutrition, usually floral nectar. The proboscis is assembled from two elongate galeae immediately after emergence of the adult from the pupa. What happens if the galeae become separated? I studied the process of repair of the proboscis, behaviorally and functionally, at the organismal level. My research questions were as follows: 1) is the proboscis capable of repair, 2) is saliva necessary to proboscis repair, and 3) is the repaired proboscis able to acquire fluids? Test …
Temporal Food Preference And Effectiveness Of Selected Bait Products Against Pachycondyla Chinensis (Emery) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), Ying Mo
All Theses
Pachycondyla chinensis (Emery), commonly known as the Asian needle ant is a well-established invasive species in urban and woodland areas in South Carolina. Foraging ants are found around or under places such as sidewalks, flowerbeds, mulch, tree bases, stones, and logs where human outdoor activity takes place in urbanized area. It is not an aggressive ant, but it has a powerful sting that causes severe allergic reactions in some people. It also has a negative impact on native ant species in forest environments. Food preference was studied, followed by an evaluation of selected bait products against P. chinensis.
Protein, carbohydrate, …
Treatment Thresholds For Bollworm (Helicoverpa Zea) In Dual-Gene Bt Cotton, Kristen Carter
Treatment Thresholds For Bollworm (Helicoverpa Zea) In Dual-Gene Bt Cotton, Kristen Carter
All Theses
Dual-gene Bt cotton has reduced the need for insecticide treatments for bollworm, Helicoverpa zea (Boddie), compared with original single-gene Bt technology. Bollgard II¨ (Monsanto, St. Louis, MO) and WideStrike¨ (Dow AgroSciences, Indianapolis, IN), both produce the Cry1Ac protein and a second protein, Cry2Ab or Cry1F, respectively. These dual-gene Bt cottons provide enhanced control of lepidopteran pests, but remain less than 100% effective against bollworm, particularly when population pressure is high. Current recommended treatment thresholds for bollworm on cotton in South Carolina are as follows: treat with insecticides when three or more large larvae are found per 100 plants or when …
Chromosomal Patterns In Populations Of The Black Fly Simulium Fibrinflatum Twinn (Diptera: Simuliidae), Kyle Parks
Chromosomal Patterns In Populations Of The Black Fly Simulium Fibrinflatum Twinn (Diptera: Simuliidae), Kyle Parks
All Theses
Cryptic species are an important component of biodiversity, although most cryptic species have yet to be discovered. Cytogenetic studies of polytene chromosomes offer a unique level of resolution for detecting cryptic species in the family Simuliidae. Simulium fibrinflatum is a black fly morphospecies that is suspected to contain cryptic species because of its broad geographic range and variable pupal gill structure. Populations of Simulium fibrinflatum from the Saugahatchee River, AL; Anthony Shoals, GA; LaHave River, Nova Scotia; Westfield River, MA; Chauga River, SC; and Enoree River, SC, were sampled and cytogenetically analyzed to test for the presence of cryptic species. …
Fluid Uptake By The Lepidopteran Proboscis In Relation To Structure, Karena Kwauk
Fluid Uptake By The Lepidopteran Proboscis In Relation To Structure, Karena Kwauk
All Theses
Three species of butterflies--eastern tiger swallowtail (Papilio glaucus L.), monarch (Danaus plexippus L.), and painted lady (Vanessa cardui L.)--were used to investigate the effect that exposing multiple regions of the proboscis to fluid has on feeding rate. Although the lepidopteran proboscis historically has been considered a sealed tube with a specialized region near the tip for fluid uptake, droplets of 1% sucrose solution were shown to enter multiple locations along the proboscis. Feeding experiments were conducted comparing fluid uptake rates of butterflies with their proboscises either fully or partially submerged in 1% or 15% sucrose solutions. Only one significant relationship …
Trapping And Control Of The Small Hive Beetle, Aethina Tumida, An Invasive Parasite Of Honey Bees, Apis Mellifera, Shannon Peterson
Trapping And Control Of The Small Hive Beetle, Aethina Tumida, An Invasive Parasite Of Honey Bees, Apis Mellifera, Shannon Peterson
All Theses
The small hive beetle, Aethina tumida Murray (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae), is one of the most recent honey bee pests of economic importance, especially in the southeastern United States. Various in-hive traps have been developed to attempt to control the populations of this invasive pest within honey bee colonies. The first year of my research focused on comparing the effectiveness of three commercially available traps for removing small hive beetles. Thirty-two colonies were established with 0.9-kg package bees with a queen in four apiaries. Eight colonies were placed in each apiary, each colony randomly receiving one of four treatments: the three-chambered Hood …
Efficacy Of Precision-Applied In-Furrow Insecticide/Nematicide And Seed Treatments On Populations Of Thrips And Nematodes In Cotton, Ginger Devinney
Efficacy Of Precision-Applied In-Furrow Insecticide/Nematicide And Seed Treatments On Populations Of Thrips And Nematodes In Cotton, Ginger Devinney
All Theses
Thrips and nematodes can be serious early-season pests of cotton grown on the highly variable soil types common in the southeastern United States. I examined the effects of precision-applied aldicarb (Temik¨ 15G) and seed treatments (Aeris¨ and Avicta Complete Pak¨) on population dynamics of thrips and nematodes in management zones defined by soil texture as measured by soil electrical conductivity (EC). Research plots were established in cotton fields with variable soil types at the Clemson University Edisto Research and Education Center near Blackville, SC, during May of 2010 and 2011. Research plots were arranged in a three-way factorial design, with …
The Diets Of Larval And Juvenile Pallid Sturgeon And Shovelnose Sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus Spp.) In The Lower Mississippi River, Audrey Harrison
The Diets Of Larval And Juvenile Pallid Sturgeon And Shovelnose Sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus Spp.) In The Lower Mississippi River, Audrey Harrison
All Theses
Although North American sturgeon have been the focus of extensive research in the last several decades, more research is essential to ensure their conservation. The free-flowing Lower Mississippi River (LMR) is occupied by two sympatric sturgeon, pallid [ Scaphirhynchus albus (Forbes & Richardson)] and shovelnose sturgeon [Scaphirhynchus platorynchus (Rafinesque)]. These species are considered 'endangered' and 'threatened,' respectively. Recent studies have documented the life history of adult sturgeon in the Mississippi River, but studies focusing on young-of-year and juveniles are limited because young fish are difficult to collect and identifications are problematic. Spawning sites in the LMR are unknown and though …
Species Diversity And Seasonal Abundance Of Scarabaeoidea At Four Locations In South Carolina, Kevin Hinson
Species Diversity And Seasonal Abundance Of Scarabaeoidea At Four Locations In South Carolina, Kevin Hinson
All Theses
ABSTRACT
Using light, flight-intercept, and pitfall traps, 74, 327 specimens of Scarabaeoidea were captured at four golf courses in South Carolina during 2009-2010. Aphodiinae were identified only to the subfamily level and totaled 57,502 specimens. 16,825 specimens in 47 genera and 104 species in the families Ceratocanthidae, Geotrupidae, Hybosoridae, Lucanidae, Passalidae, Scarabaeidae (excluding Aphodiinae), and Trogidae were identified based on morphological characteristics. Similar to other southeastern studies focusing on phytophagous scarabs, the most abundant species consisted of Dyscinetus morator (Fabricius), Euetheola humilis (Burmeister), Cyclocephala lurida Bland, and Hybosorus illigeri Reiche. The most speciose genus captured was Phyllophaga Harris, totaling 22 …
Larval Taxonomy, Phylogeny And Historical Biogeography Of The Genus Cheumatopsyche (Trichoptera: Hydropsychidae) In North America, Zachary Burington
Larval Taxonomy, Phylogeny And Historical Biogeography Of The Genus Cheumatopsyche (Trichoptera: Hydropsychidae) In North America, Zachary Burington
All Theses
Larvae of the genus Cheumatopsyche (Trichoptera:Hydropsychidae) are a
abundant and probably significant ecological component of freshwater lotic ecosystems
worldwide, with many species inhabiting streams with elevated organic pollution. The
varying tolerance levels among these species necessitate species-level identification for
accurate water-quality assessment. However, past workers have had difficulty separating
the Nearctic species in the larval stage. This research presents progress on the goal
towards identification of larval Cheumatopsyche. Chaetotaxal and cuticular characters are delimited for 7 larval morphotypes, all of which have been putatively associated with
adults. The Nearctic phylogeny of Cheumatopsyche is revised, including 5 species
described after 1987. …
Epigeic Spider (Araneae) Diversity And Habitat Distributions In Kings Mountain National Military Park, South Carolina, Sarah Stellwagen
Epigeic Spider (Araneae) Diversity And Habitat Distributions In Kings Mountain National Military Park, South Carolina, Sarah Stellwagen
All Theses
This study examined the epigeic spider fauna in Kings Mountain National Military Park. The aim of this study is to make this information available to park management for use in the preservation of natural resources. Pitfall trapping was conducted monthly for one year in three distinct habitats: riparian, forest, and ridge-top. The study was conducted from August 2009 to July 2010. One hundred twenty samples were collected in each site. Overall, 289 adult spiders comprising 66 species were collected in the riparian habitat, 345 adult comprising 57 species were found in the forest habitat, and 240 adults comprising 47 species …
A Re-Examination Of Diplectrona Modesta Banks 1908 (Trichoptera: Hydropsychidae) Using Morphological And Molecular Techniques, Lauren Harvey
A Re-Examination Of Diplectrona Modesta Banks 1908 (Trichoptera: Hydropsychidae) Using Morphological And Molecular Techniques, Lauren Harvey
All Theses
Diplectrona modesta Banks 1908 (Trichoptera: Hydropsychidae) is a common inhabitant of streams across eastern North America. This species is well known and used often in biomonitoring studies. Experts in the field have long noted the morphological variation in larval head color and patterns as well as the species presence in many different types of habitats, such as springs, seeps, streams, and some small rivers. This study examines the species both morphologically and molecularly using mitochondrial and nuclear genes in order to determine if the species is a complex of several species or one highly variable species. DNA sequencing using the …
Insect Diversity And Pest Status On Switchgrass Grown For Biofuel In South Carolina, Claudia Holguin
Insect Diversity And Pest Status On Switchgrass Grown For Biofuel In South Carolina, Claudia Holguin
All Theses
Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) has tremendous potential as a biomass and stock crop for cellulosic ethanol production or combustion as a solid fuel. The first goal of this study was to assess diversity of insects in a perennial switchgrass crop in South Carolina. A three-year study was conducted to sample insects using pitfall traps and sweep nets at the Pee Dee Research and Education Center in Florence, SC, from 2007-2009. Collected specimens were identified to family and classified by trophic groups, and predominant species were identified. The diversity and density of weeds in the field during the establishment year (2007) …
Spatial-Temporal Variation Of The Density And Distribution Of Stink Bugs (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) In Cotton, Gossypium Hirsutum (L.), As Part Of A Diverse Agroecosystem, Richard Reeves
All Theses
Studies were conducted during 2007 and 2008 to investigate the distribution and density of phytophagous stink bugs and boll injury in cotton as part of a variable farmscape. The goals of this research were to: (1) compare and contrast sampling techniques and correlate the density of stink bugs and associated internal boll injury with measurements of crop phenology, (2) establish the spatial and temporal distributions of stink bugs and boll injury on a whole-field scale, and (3) determine the density of stink bugs and boll injury along field margins as influenced by adjacent habitats and crops. The ground cloth was …
Reproductive Strategies And Colony Relatedness In The Invasive Ponerine Ant Pachycondyla Chinensis (Emery), Andrew Tebeau
Reproductive Strategies And Colony Relatedness In The Invasive Ponerine Ant Pachycondyla Chinensis (Emery), Andrew Tebeau
All Theses
Pachycondyla chinensis (Emery) (Formicidae: Ponerinae), is an ancestral ant introduced from Asia. It is considered a pest species of medical and ecological concern. Since its initial 1932 documentation occurring in three Southeastern U.S. states at relatively low frequencies, the invasion of P. chinensis has spread to at least three additional states in discontinuously widespread populations that are locally abundant. Little is known about P. chinensis population structure and reproduction, and an investigation into these strategies offers insight into the means by which this pest species proliferates, and ultimately, can assist in the design of management strategies. The objectives of this …
Effects Of Parasitism And Soil Compaction On Pupation Behavior Of The Green Bottle Fly Lucilia Sericata (Meigen) (Diptera: Calliphoridae), Jonathan Cammack
Effects Of Parasitism And Soil Compaction On Pupation Behavior Of The Green Bottle Fly Lucilia Sericata (Meigen) (Diptera: Calliphoridae), Jonathan Cammack
All Theses
Although the pupation behavior of blow flies has been widely studied, my work is the first to examine the effects of parasitoids and soil compaction on pupation behavior. The objectives of my research were to provide insight into a host-parasitoid system involving Lucilia sericata (Meigen) (Diptera: Calliphoridae) and Nasonia vitripennis (Walker) (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) and to develop a predictive model of pupation depth for L. sericata, with respect to soil compaction. Two experiments were conducted examining the effects of parasitoids and soil compaction on the pupation behavior of L. sericata. In all experiments, larvae of L. sericata were introduced to containers …
Managing Linepithema Humile (Mayr), The Argentine Ant, In South Carolina State Park Campgrounds, Brittany Ellis
Managing Linepithema Humile (Mayr), The Argentine Ant, In South Carolina State Park Campgrounds, Brittany Ellis
All Theses
Linepithema humile (Mayr), the Argentine ant, is known as a pest in many urban areas of the southeastern United States. In the Piedmont region of South Carolina, there is a documented problem with L. humile invading the campsites of state park campgrounds. While some parks have tried to implement proactive control programs, the most widely used tactic is spraying insecticides when L. humile populations become intolerable to visitors. Although park personnel are treating problem areas with liquid insecticide, park visitors also treat their campsites with insecticidal products, as well as products not labeled for ant control.
Surveys in 2008 showed …
Trapping Small Hive Beetles, Aethina Tumida Murray, Inside Honey Bee Colonies, Maxcy Nolan Iv
Trapping Small Hive Beetles, Aethina Tumida Murray, Inside Honey Bee Colonies, Maxcy Nolan Iv
All Theses
The small hive beetle, Aethina tumida Murray, (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae) is an economically important honey bee pest, particularly in the southeastern United States. One method of controlling this pest is the use of an in-hive trap. Many different attractants have been developed and are used in such traps. Part one of my thesis involved testing a new attractant, a pollen substitute inoculated with the yeast Kodamaea ohmeri (NRRL Y-30722). Thirty-two test colonies were established with 0.9-kg (2-lb) packages of bees with queens. Eight colonies were placed in each apiary, and colonies received one of three treatments: 1) yeast-based attractant 2) apple …
Comparison Of Caddisfly Species (Insecta:Trichoptera) In The Northern Saluda Watershed Over A Thirty-Seven Year Period, In Correlation With Land Development And Use., Michael Biondi
All Theses
Land use and development in South Carolina has greatly increased in the last 50 years. This study focused on land cover change in Northern Pickens County and changes in caddisfly populations at three sites in three sub-watersheds in the South Saluda River watershed. I collected caddisflies from March 31 to October 20 in 2005 and 2006 and compared them to collections performed at the same sites in the same manner in 1969 by John C. Morse for his Master's thesis. I used a geographic information system to assess the land cover change over this thirty-seven year period and correlated the …
Revision Of East Palearctic Apatania (Trichoptera: Apataniidae), Suvdtsetseg Chuluunbat
Revision Of East Palearctic Apatania (Trichoptera: Apataniidae), Suvdtsetseg Chuluunbat
All Theses
The East Palearctic genus Apatania Kolenati includes 34 species. Thirty-two of these have been described as adults and the other 2 are known only in the larval life stage. Immature stages of most species are not yet known.
A morphological study of these species suggested that 2 of the nominal species are synonyms of other species, reducing the number of valid East Palearctic Apatania species to 30. A phylogeny and classification of the reviewed 30 species is provided for this work. My work does not support Schmid's (1953) groupings of Apatania species. Although recognition of homologues was problematic among the …
Neochetina Species And Arthropod Communities In Water-Hyacinth Rafts In South Carolina, Benjamin Powell
Neochetina Species And Arthropod Communities In Water-Hyacinth Rafts In South Carolina, Benjamin Powell
All Theses
Arthropod communities inhabiting feral water-hyacinth rafts were surveyed monthly in South Carolina's Coastal Plain from March 2005 through February 2006. Special attention was given to the chevroned waterhyacinth weevil [Neochetina bruchi (Hustache)], the mottled waterhyacinth weevil [N. eichhorniae (Warner)] (both Coleoptera: Curculionidae), and the waterhyacinth moth [Niphograpta albiguttalis (Warren)] (Lepidoptera: Crambidae), which were imported into North America to control water-hyacinth. Communities of arthropods are compared among sites, flow regimes (lentic, lotic, and tidal), and months of the year. The arthropod communities in waterhyacinth rafts in South Carolina are more diverse than previously reported. Rafts in each of …
Revision Of The Males Of The Hydrospyche Scalaris Group In North America (Trichoptera: Hydropsychidae), James Korecki
Revision Of The Males Of The Hydrospyche Scalaris Group In North America (Trichoptera: Hydropsychidae), James Korecki
All Theses
The genus Hydrospsyche Pictet sensu stricto in North America is divided into three species groups, the Hydrospyche cuanis Ross Group Ross, the Hydropsyche depravata Hagen Group Ross, and the Hydropsyche scalaris Hagen Group Banks. Thirty-one of thirty-six described species are recognized in the Hydropsyche scalaris Group. Examination of adult males resulted in 5 junior subjective synonyms and one possible new species based on a single exemplar from Sevier County, Utah. Hydropsyche bidens Ross 1938, H. orris Ross 1938, and H. alvata Denning 1949 are junior synonyms of Hydropsyche incommoda Hagen 1861. Hydrospyche rossi Flint, Voshell and Parker, 1979 and H. …