Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®
Articles 1 - 4 of 4
Full-Text Articles in Life Sciences
Morphology And Systematics Of Braconid Wasps, Charles Andrew Boring
Morphology And Systematics Of Braconid Wasps, Charles Andrew Boring
University of Kentucky Doctoral Dissertations
The following morphological structures of the ovipositor of Homolobus truncator (Say) (Hymenoptera : Braconidae) are described and hypotheses of their functions are proposed: a series of sharp ridges on the distal surface of the notch helps maintain a grip on the inner surface of the host cuticle; the sperone directs eggs away from the inner surface of the ventral valves; a flap-like structure on each ventral valve covers the portal through which eggs pass; the valvillus maintains position of the egg within the ovipositor and acts against the egg to force it out; ctenidia on the inner surface of the …
Impact Of Dietary Diversification On Invasive Slugs And Biological Control With Notes On Slug Species Of Kentucky, Anna K. Thomas
Impact Of Dietary Diversification On Invasive Slugs And Biological Control With Notes On Slug Species Of Kentucky, Anna K. Thomas
University of Kentucky Master's Theses
Increasing introductions of non-native terrestrial slugs (Mollusca: Gastropoda) are a concern to North American regulatory agencies as these generalists impact the yield and reduce the aesthetic value of crop plants. Understanding how the increase in diversification in North American cropping systems affects non-native gastropods and finding effective biological control options are imperative for pest management; however, little research has been done in this area. This study tested the hypothesis that dietary diversification affects the biological control capacity of a generalist predator and allows the slug pest Deroceras reticulatum (Müller) (Stylommatophora: Agriolimacidae) to more effectively fulfill its nutritional requirements. Results showed …
Distribution Of Eastern Hemlock, Tsuga Canadensis, In Eastern Kentucky And The Susceptibility To Invasion By The Hemlock Woolly Adelgid, Adelges Tsugae, Joshua Taylor Clark
Distribution Of Eastern Hemlock, Tsuga Canadensis, In Eastern Kentucky And The Susceptibility To Invasion By The Hemlock Woolly Adelgid, Adelges Tsugae, Joshua Taylor Clark
University of Kentucky Master's Theses
The hemlock woolly adelgid, an invasive non-native insect, is threatening eastern hemlock in Kentucky. This study examined three techniques to map the distribution of eastern hemlock using decision trees, remote sensing, and species distribution modeling. Accuracy assessments showed that eastern hemlock was best modeled using a decision tree without incorporating satellite radiance. Using the distribution from the optimal model, risk maps for susceptibility to hemlock woolly adelgid infestation were created using two species distribution models. Environmental variables related to dispersal were used to build the models and their contributions to the models assessed. The models showed similar spatial distributions of …
Creating An Interactive And Dichotomous Key To The World Subfamilies Of Braconidae, Kacie Jo Johansen
Creating An Interactive And Dichotomous Key To The World Subfamilies Of Braconidae, Kacie Jo Johansen
University of Kentucky Master's Theses
Members of Braconidae (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonoidea) are mostly parasitoids of other holometabolous insects. It is a large family with a little over 18,000 described species and many more to be described. Subfamily classification in this group has been unstable and resolution of phylogenetic history at the subfamily level has been problematic. Since 1993, no new keys to the subfamilies of Braconidae have been produced. Many taxonomic and phylogenetic changes have taken place since then, including a recent phylogeny proposing 47 subfamilies and representing the most robust and resolved analysis to date. A pressing need for new keys to the world subfamilies …