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Entomology

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Phenology Of A Relict Population Of The Pitcher Plant Mosquito, Wyeomyia Smithii (Diptera: Culicidae), In Tattnall Co., Ga, Rachel L. Morreale Jan 2014

Phenology Of A Relict Population Of The Pitcher Plant Mosquito, Wyeomyia Smithii (Diptera: Culicidae), In Tattnall Co., Ga, Rachel L. Morreale

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Wyeomyia smithii Coquillett lives only within the pitchers of the purple pitcher plant, Sarracenia purpurea L. An isolated population of Wy. smithii occurs in Tattnall Co., GA isolated from other populations by over 300 km in all directions. In order to monitor the stability, phenology, and behavior of this population, fluctuations of the larval and pupal abundances (number/pitcher) were monitored over time. The density (number/mL) of Wy. smithii larvae present within pitchers was recorded from June 2012 until April 2014. Fluid volume contained in pitchers had a strong positive effect on larval abundance within the pitcher (r2 = 0.624). …


The Prevalence And Effect Of Wolbachia Infection On The Brown Widow Spider (Latrodectus Geometricus), Brittany Dane' Arrington Jan 2014

The Prevalence And Effect Of Wolbachia Infection On The Brown Widow Spider (Latrodectus Geometricus), Brittany Dane' Arrington

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Wolbachia was recently identified in the Brown Widow Spider (Latrodectus geometricus). This symbiont has not previously been found in this genus, therefore the consequences on the host’s population dynamics are unknown. The frequency of endosymbiont infection can provide insight into the population dynamics of the host as this bacteria is known to alter host life history. In my 1st chapter I determine the prevalence of Wolbachia pipentis infection in in the Brown Widow Spider (Latrodectus geometricus) from five locations in the Southeastern United States. Infection frequency differed significantly among sampling locations, ranging from 20% to …