Life Sciences Commons^™

Biotic Potential And Reproductive Parameters Of Spodoptera Dolichos (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) In The Laboratory, Débora G. Montezano, Daniel R. Sosa-Gómez, Silvana L. Paula-Moraes, Vânia F. Roque-Specht, Edegar Fronza, Neiva M. Barros, Alexandre Specht

Department of Entomology: Faculty Publications

The biotic potential and reproductive parameters of Spodoptera dolichos (Fabricius, 1794) were evaluated under controlled conditions (25 ± 1°C, 70 ± 10% RH and 14 hour photophase). The longevity, pre-, post- and oviposition periods, fecundity, and fertility of 25 couples were evaluated. The longevity of females (12.9 days) was not significantly different than that of males (12.4 days). The mean durations of the pre-, post- and oviposition periods were 3.0, 0.4 and 10.4 days, respectively. The mean fecundity was 4,086.0 eggs per female and mean fertility was 3,557.8 larvae per female. On average, a female copulated 1.4 times. The biotic …

Evidence Of Field-Evolved Resistance To Bifenthrin In Western Corn Rootworm (Diabrotica Virgifera Virgifera Leconte) Populations In Western Nebraska And Kansas, Adriano E. Pereira, Haichuan Wang, Sarah N. Zukoff, Lance Meinke, B. Wade French, Blair Siegfried

Department of Entomology: Faculty Publications

Pyrethroid insecticides have been used to control larvae or adults of the western corn rootworm (WCR), Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte, a key pest of field corn in the United States. In response to reports of reduced efficacy of pyrethroids in WCR management programs in southwestern areas of Nebraska and Kansas the present research was designed to establish a baseline of susceptibility to the pyrethroid insecticide, bifenthrin, using susceptible laboratory populations and to compare this baseline with susceptibility of field populations. Concentration-response bioassays were performed to estimate the baseline susceptibility. From the baseline data, a diagnostic concentration (LC99) was determined and …

Three New Reports Of Subsocial Tortoise Beetles From South America (Chrysomelidae: Cassidinae), Margarete V. Macedo, Vivian Flinte, André Abejanella, Caroline S. Chaboo

Department of Entomology: Faculty Publications

Subsociality is known in 35 species in 10 genera of the chrysomelid subfamilies Cassidinae and Chrysomelinae. In Cassidinae, the behavior is clustered in two tribes, Eugenysini and Mesomphaliini, but unknown biologies of many of these species limit fine-scaled resolution of the origins and diversity of this interesting behavior. We report three new records of subsocial Cassidinae, Eugenysa martae Borowiec in Colombia, Omaspides (Omaspides) clathrata L. in French Guiana, and Paraselenis (S.) aulica in Brazil. Females guard larvae and pupae; larvae retain exuvio-fecal shields in some stages. Longer-term study of P. (S.) aulica on the host Ipomoea (Convolvulaceae) revealed …

Effect Of Pentoxifylline On Chitinolytic Enzyme Activity In The Eastern Subterranean Termite (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae), Timothy J. Husen, Shripat T. Kamble, Julie M. Stone

Department of Entomology: Faculty Publications

A two-molecule chitinolytic enzyme system (endo- and exo-chitinase) hydrolyzes and degrades the chitin polymers. Therefore, it is imperative to discover novel compounds for inhibiting chitinolytic enzymes to prevent insect growth. This research examined the effect of pentoxifylline (a dimethylxanthine chitinase inhibitor) on inhibition of endo- and exo-chitinolytic enzyme activities in eastern subterranean termite, Reticulitermes flavipes (Kollar). Enzyme activities were compared with amounts of treated diet consumed by termites and percent mortality observed over time. Pentoxifylline affected in vitro endo-chitinase activity in a concentration-dependent manner, while having minimal to no effect on in vitro exo-chitinase enzyme activity. However, pentoxifylline treatment affected …

Evaluating Sub-Lethal Effects Of Orchard-Applied Pyrethroids Using Video-Tracking Software To Quantify Honey Bee Behaviors, Erin M. Ingram, Julie Augustin, Marion D. Ellis, Blair Siegfried

Department of Entomology: Faculty Publications

Managed honey bee, Apis mellifera L., colonies are contracted to pollinate fruit and nut orchards improving crop quality and yield. Colonies placed in orchards are potentially exposed to pyrethroid insecticides used for broad-spectrum pest control. Pyrethroids have been reported to pose minimal risk to bees due to their low application rates in the field and putative repellent properties. This repellency is believed to alter foraging behavior with the benefit of preventing bees from encountering a lethal dose in the field. However, sub-lethal exposure to pyrethroids may adversely impact bee behavior potentially resulting in social dysfunction or disruption of foraging.

This …

Differential Gene Expression Profiling In Bed Bug (Cimex Lectularius L.) Fed On Ibuprofen And Caffeine In Reconstituted Human Blood, Ralph B. Narain, Haichuan Wang, Shripat T. Kamble

Department of Entomology: Faculty Publications

The recent resurgence of the common bed bug (Cimex lectularius L.) infestations worldwide has created a need for renewed research on biology, behavior, population genetics and management practices. Humans serve as exclusive hosts to bed bugs in urban environments. Since a majority of humans consume Ibuprofen (as pain medication) and caffeine (in coffee and other soft drinks) so bug bugs subsequently acquire Ibuprofen and caffeine through blood feeding. However, the effect of these chemicals at genetic level in bed bug is unknown. Therefore, this research was conducted to determine differential gene expression in bed bugs using RNA-Seq analysis …

The Effect Of Temperature, Relative Humidity, And Virus Infection Status On Off-Host Survival Of The Wheat Curl Mite (Acari: Eriophyidae), E. N. Wosula, A. J. Mcmechan, G. L. Hein

Department of Entomology: Faculty Publications

The wheat curl mite, Aceria tosichella Keifer, is an eriophyid pest of wheat, although its primary economic impact on wheat is due to the transmission of Wheat streak mosaic (WSMV), Wheat mosaic (also known as High Plains virus), and Triticum mosaic (TriMV) viruses. These viruses cause significant annual losses in winter wheat production throughout the western Great Plains. Temperature and humidity are factors that often influence arthropod survival, especially during dispersal from their hosts, yet the impact of these two factors on off-host survival has not been documented for wheat curl mite. Pathogen- infected host plants often influence the biology …

Exceptionally High Levels Of Genetic Diversity In Wheat Curl Mite (Acari: Eriophyidae) Populations From Turkey, W. Szydło, Gary L. Hein, E. Denizhan, A. Skoracka

Department of Entomology: Faculty Publications

Recent research on the wheat curl mite species complex has revealed extensive genetic diversity that has distinguished several genetic lineages infesting bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and other cereals worldwide. Turkey is the historical region of wheat and barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) domestication and diversification. The close relationship between these grasses and the wheat curl mite provoked the question of the genetic diversity of the wheat curl mite in this region. The scope of the study was to investigate genetic differentiation within the wheat curl mite species complex on grasses in Turkey. Twenty-one wheat curl mite populations from …

Effects Of Ibuprofen And Caffeine Concentrations On The Common Bed Bug (Cimex Lectularius L.) Feeding And Fecundity, Ralph B. Narain, Shripat T. Kamble

Department of Entomology: Faculty Publications

Bed bugs are ectoparasites of humans and require a blood meal for their growth and reproduction. Since humans consume Ibuprofen as pain medication and drink coffee (caffeine), bed bugs are likely to acquire these drugs through blood feeding. In this study, we determined the biological effects of Ibuprofen and caffeine on bed bug feeding, fecundity and egg hatch. Five concentrations of Ibuprofen and caffeine were incorporated into reconstituted human blood (RHB). Control treatment had no Ibuprofen or caffeine. Each treatment had six replications. Groups of 20 adult bed bugs (10 males: 10 females)/treatment/replication were pre-weighed, allowed to feed for 45 …

Genetic Variability And Geographic Diversity Of The Common Bed Bug (Hemiptera: Cimicidae) Populations From The Midwest Using Microsatellite Markers, Ralph B. Narain, Sreedevi Madhusoodhanan Lalithambika, Shripat T. Kamble

Department of Entomology: Faculty Publications

With the recent global resurgence of the bed bugs (Cimex lectularius L.), there is a need to better understand its biology, ecology, and ability to establish populations. Bed bugs are domestic pests that feed mainly on mammalian blood. Although bed bugs have not been implicated as vectors of pathogens, their biting activity inflicts severe insomnia and allergic reactions. Moreover, they have recently developed resistance to various insecticides, which requires further molecular research to determine genetic variation and appropriate interventions. Population dynamics, including genetic differentiation and genetic distance of 10 populations from the Midwest were analyzed in this study. …

Genetic Variability Of The Stable Fly Assessed On A Global Scale Using Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism, Kathleen M. Kneeland, Steven R. Skoda, John E. Foster

Department of Entomology: Faculty Publications

The stable fly, Stomoxys calcitrans (L.) (Diptera: Muscidae), is a blood-feeding, economically important pest of animals and humans worldwide. Improved management strategies are essential and their development would benefit from studies on genetic diversity of stable flies. Especially if done on a global scale, such research could generate information necessary for the development and application of more efficient control methods. Herein we report on a genetic study of stable flies using amplified fragment length polymorphism, with samples of 10–40 individuals acquired from a total of 25 locations in the Nearctic, Neotropic, Palearctic, Afrotropic and Australasian biogeographical regions. We hypothesized that …

Behavioural Responses Of Stable Flies To Cattle Manure Slurry Associated Odourants, K Tangtrakulwanich, T A. Albuquerque, G. J. Brewer, F. P. Baxendale, L Zurek, D N. Miller, D. B. Taylor, K A. Friesen, J. J. Zhu

Department of Entomology: Faculty Publications

Stable flies (Stomoxys calcitrans [Diptera: Muscidae] L.) are blood-feeding synanthropic pests, which cause significant economic losses in livestock. Stable fly antennae contain olfactory sensilla responsive to host and host environment-associated odours. Field observation indicated that the abundance of stable flies increased significantly in grasslands or crop fields when cattle manure slurry was applied. Major volatile compounds emanating from manure slurry were collected and identified. Behavioural responses of stable flies to those compounds were investigated in laboratory bioassays and field-trapping studies. Results from olfactometer assays revealed that phenol, p-cresol and m-cresol were attractive to adult stable flies. When …

Sequence-Characterized Amplified Regions That Differentiate New World Screwworms From Other Potential Wound-Inhabiting Flies, Joan A Christen, Steven R. Skoda, Tiffany Heng-Moss, Donald J. Lee, John E. Foster

Department of Entomology: Faculty Publications

Abstract. New World screwworms, Cochliomyia hominivorax (Coquerel, 1858), were once devastating pests of warmblooded animals in the United States before they were successfully eradicated using the sterile insect technique. Guarding against the introduction of screwworms to North America or any other screwworm-free area relies on rapid, reliable identification of suspected cases. In the current study, the DNA from excised markers generated by randomly amplified polymorphic DNA polymerase chain reaction was used as the basis to generate 2 species-specific sequence-characterized amplified region molecular markers. Resulting primer pairs, named CR92A1 and J1A2 (each with forward and reverse components), produced amplicons of 852 …

Selection Of Reference Genes For Rt-Qpcr Analysis In The Monarch Butterfly, Danaus Plexippus (L.), A Migrating Bio-Indicator, Huipeng Pan, Xiaowei Yang, Keith Bidne, Richard L. Hellmich, Blair D. Siegfried, Xuguo Zhou

Department of Entomology: Faculty Publications

Reverse transcriptase-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) is a powerful technique to quantify gene expression. To facilitate gene expression study and obtain accurate results, normalization relative to stably expressed reference genes is crucial. The monarch butterfly, Danaus plexippus (L.), is one of the most recognized insect species for its spectacular annual migration across North America. Besides its great voyages, D. plexippus has drawn attention to its role as a bio-indicator, ranging from genetically modified organisms (GMOs) to natural ecosystems. In this study, nine reference genes from D. plexippus genome were selected as the candidate reference genes. The expression profiles of these …

Susceptibility Of Nebraska Western Corn Rootworm (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) Populations To Bt Corn Events, David S. Wangila, Aaron J. Gassmann, Jennifer L. Petzold-Maxwell, B. Wade French, Lance J. Meinke

Department of Entomology: Faculty Publications

Transgenic plants have been widely adopted by growers to manage the western corn rootworm, Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte, in field corn. Because of reduced efficacy in some Nebraska fields after repeated use of Cry3Bb1-expressing hybrids, single plant bioassays were conducted in 2012 and 2013 to characterize the susceptibility of western corn rootworm populations to the rootwormactive proteins Cry3Bb1, mCry3A, and Cry34/35Ab1. Results demonstrate that there are heritable differences in susceptibility of Nebraska western corn rootworm populations to rootworm-active Bt traits. Proportional survival and corrected survival data coupled with field histories collectively support the conclusion that a level of field resistance …

Transcriptional Analysis Of Susceptible And Resistant European Corn Borer Strains And Their Response To Cry1f Protoxin, Neetha Nanoth Vellichirammal, Haichuan Wang, Seong-Il Eyun, Estuko N. Moriyama, Brad Coates, Nicholas Miller, Blair Siegfried

Department of Entomology: Faculty Publications

Background: Despite a number of recent reports of insect resistance to transgenic crops expressing insecticidal toxins from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), little is known about the mechanism of resistance to these toxins. The purpose of this study is to identify genes associated with the mechanism of Cry1F toxin resistance in European corn borer (Ostrinia nubilalis Hübner). For this, we compared the global transcriptomic response of laboratory selected resistant and susceptible O. nubilalis strain to Cry1F toxin. We further identified constitutive transcriptional differences between the two strains.

Results: An O. nubilalis midgut transcriptome of 36,125 transcripts was assembled de novo from …

Degree-Day Prediction Models For The Flight Phenology Of Western Bean Cutworm (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) Assessed With The Concordance Correlation Coefficient, Anthony A. Hanson, Roger D. Moon, R. J. Wright, Thomas E. Hunt, William D. Hutchinson

Department of Entomology: Faculty Publications

Western bean cutworm, Striacosta albicosta (Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), is a native, univoltine pest of corn and dry beans in North America. The current degree-day model for predicting a specified percentage of yearly moth flight involves heat unit accumulation above 10°C after 1 May. However, because the moth’s observed range has expanded into the northern and eastern United States, there is concern that suitable temperatures before May could allow for significant S. albicosta development. Daily blacklight moth catch and temperature data from four Nebraska locations were used to construct degree-day models using simple or sine-wave methods, starting dates between 1 January …

Early Detection And Mitigation Of Resistance To Bt Maize By Western Corn Rootworm (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), David A. Andow, Steven G. Pueppke, Arthur W. Schaafsma, Aaron J. Gassmann, Thomas W. Sappington, Lance Meinke, Paul D. Mitchell, Terrance M. Hurley, Richard L. Hellmich, R. Pat Porter

Department of Entomology: Faculty Publications

Transgenic Bt maize that produces less than a high-dose has been widely adopted and presents considerable insect resistance management (IRM) challenges.Western corn rootworm, Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte, has rapidly evolved resistance to Bt maize in the field, leading to local loss of efficacy for some corn rootworm Bt maize events. Documenting and responding to this resistance has been complicated by a lack of rapid diagnostic bioassays and by regulatory triggers that hinder timely and effective management responses. These failures are of great concern to the scientific and agricultural community. Specific challenges posed by western corn rootworm resistance to Bt maize, …

Quantitative Trait Locus Mapping And Functional Genomics Of An Organophosphate Resistance Trait In The Western Corn Rootworm, Diabrotica Virgifera Virgifera, B. S. Coates, A. P. Alves, H. Wang, X. Zhou, T. Nowatzki, H. Chen, M. Rangasamy, H. M. Robertson, C. W. Whitfield, K. K. Walden, Stephen D. Kachman, B. W. French, L. J. Meinke, D. Hawthorne, C. A. Abel, T. W. Sappington, B. D. Siegfried, N. J. Miller

Department of Entomology: Faculty Publications

The western corn rootworm, Diabrotica virgifera virgifera, is an insect pest of corn and population suppression with chemical insecticides is an important management tool. Traits conferring organophosphate insecticide resistance have increased in frequency amongst D. v. virgifera populations, resulting in the reduced efficacy in many corn-growing regions of the USA. We used comparative functional genomic and quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping approaches to investigate the genetic basis of D. v. virgifera resistance to the organophosphate methyl-parathion. RNA from adult methyl-parathion resistant and susceptible adults was hybridized to 8331 microarray probes. The results predicted that 11 transcripts were significantly up-regulated in …

Morphology And Proteome Characterization Of The Salivary Glands Of The Western Chinch Bug (Hemiptera: Blissidae), Crystal Ramm, Astri Wayadande, Lisa Baird, Renu Nandakumar, Nandakumar Madayiputhiya, Keenan Amundsen, Teresa Donze-Reiner, Frederick Baxendale, Gautam Sarath, Tiffany Heng-Moss

Department of Entomology: Faculty Publications

The western chinch bug, Blissus occiduus Barber, is a serious pest of buffalograss, Buchloe dactyloides (Nuttall) due to physical and chemical damage caused during the feeding process. Although previous work has investigated the feeding behaviors of chinch bugs in the Blissus complex, no study to date has explored salivary gland morphology and the associated salivary complex of this insect. Whole and sectioned B. occiduus salivary glands were visualized using light and scanning electron microscopy to determine overall structure and cell types of the salivary glands and their individual lobes. Microscopy revealed a pair of trilobed principal glands and a pair …

Transcriptional Responses Of Tolerant And Susceptible Soybeans To Soybean Aphid (Aphis Glycines Matsumura) Herbivory, Travis J. Prochaska, Teresa Donze-Reiner, L. Marchi-Werle, N. A. Palmer, Thomas E. Hunt, Gautam Sarath, Tiffany Heng-Moss

Department of Entomology: Faculty Publications

The soybean aphid, Aphis glycines Matsumura, was introduced in 2000 to North America and has become one of the most significant pests to soybean, Glycine max (L.) Merrill, production. Possible solutions to this problem are the use of resistant plants and the understanding of the genes involved in plant resistance. In this study, we sought to better understand the genes involved in the tolerance response of soybean plants to the soybean aphid, utilizing tolerant (KS4202) and susceptible (K-03-4686) plants. Studies were conducted under greenhouse conditions. Leaf samples of both tolerant and susceptible plants were collected at day 5 and day …

Impact Of Wheat Streak Mosaic Virus And Triticum Mosaic Virus Coinfection Of Wheat On Transmission Rates By Wheat Curl Mites, C. Oliveira-Hofman, Stephen N. Wegulo, Satyanarayana Tatineni, G. L. Hein

Department of Entomology: Faculty Publications

Wheat streak mosaic virus (WSMV) and Triticum mosaic virus (TriMV) are transmitted by the wheat curl mite (WCM, Aceria tosichella), and coinfections of wheat by these viruses are common in the field. Previous work has shown that mite genotypes vary in their ability to transmit TriMV. However, the degree to which coinfection of wheat modifies WCM vector competence has not been studied. The objective was to determine whether mite genotypes differed in virus transmission ability when feeding on wheat coinfected by WSMV and TriMV. First, WCM genotype type 2 was used to determine virus transmission rates from mock-, WSMV-, …

Planting Date And Variety Selection For Management Of Viruses Transmitted By The Wheat Curl Mite (Acari: Eriophyidae), Anthony J. Mcmechan, Gary Hein

Department of Entomology: Faculty Publications

Wheat is an important food grain worldwide, and it is the primary dryland crop in the western Great Plains. A complex of three viruses (Wheat streak mosaic, Wheat mosaic, and Triticum mosaic viruses) is a common cause of loss in winter wheat production in the Great Plains. All these viruses are transmitted by the wheat curl mite (Aceria tosichella Keifer). Once these viruses are established, there are no curative actions; therefore, prevention is the key to successful management. A study was designed to evaluate preventative management tactics (planting date, resistant varieties) for reducing the impact from this virus complex. …

On-Plant Larval Movement And Feeding Behavior Of Fall Armyworm (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) On Reproductive Corn Stages, L. E.R. Pannuti, E. L.L. Baldin, Thomas E. Hunt, Silvana L. Paula-Moraes

Department of Entomology: Faculty Publications

Spodoptera frugiperda J.E. Smith (fall armyworm) is considered one of the most destructive pests of corn throughout the Americas. Although this pest has been extensively studied, little is known about its larval movement and feeding behavior on reproductive compared to vegetative corn stages. Thus, we conducted studies with two corn stages (R1 and R3) and four corn plant zones (tassel, above ear, ear zone, and below ear) in the field at Concord, NE (USA), and in the field and greenhouse at Botucatu, SP (Brazil), to investigate on-plant larval movement. The effects of different corn tissues (opened tassel, closed tassel, silk, …

A Revised Catalog Of The Species Of Stenocrates Burmeister (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Dynastinae: Cyclocephalini), With Descriptions Of Three New Species From Peru And Brazil And Stenocrates Inpai Ratcliffe, 1978 Placed In Junior Synonymy With Stenocrates Popei Endrödi, 1971, Brett C. Ratcliffe

Department of Entomology: Faculty Publications

Three new species of the South American genus Stenocrates Burmeister, 1847 (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Dynastinae: Cyclocephalini) are described: Stenocrates serendipitus Ratcliffe, new species and Stenocrates mimeomus Ratcliffe, new species, both from Amazonian Peru, and Stenocrates hastatus Ratcliffe, new species from southeastern Brazil. Descriptions, diagnoses, distributions, and illustrations of the parameres of the new species are provided. Stenocrates inpai Ratcliffe, 1978, is placed in new junior synonymy with Stenocrates popei Endrödi, 1971, based upon the examination of additional specimens. A revised, annotated catalog of Stenocrates species is provided.

Beetles (Coleoptera) Of Peru: A Survey Of The Families. Scarabaeoidea, Brett C. Ratcliffe, M. L. Jameson, L. Figueroa, R. D. Cave, M. J. Paulsen, Enio B. Cano, C. Beza-Beza, L. Jimenez-Ferbans, P. Reyes-Castillo

Department of Entomology: Faculty Publications

The 1042 species of Scarabaeoidea known to occur in Peru are listed with their taxonomic placement in families, subfamilies, and tribes.

A Monographic Revision Of The Genus Hoplopyga Thomson, 1880 (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Cetoniinae: Gymnetini), Jennifer M. Shaughney, Brett C. Ratcliffe

Department of Entomology: Faculty Publications

A comprehensive revision of the genus Hoplopyga Thomson, 1880 is presented. Eighteen species are redescribed, and two new species are described. A key for identification, distribution maps, and images of the 20 species are provided. Hoplopyga ruteri Antoine is removed from the genus and placed in junior synonymy with Macrocranius similis Schürhoff. Lectotypes are designated for Hoplopyga brasiliensis (Gory and Percheron), Hoplopyga corumbana Schürhoff, and Hoplopyga multipunctata (Gory and Percheron). The following new synonymies are established: Hoplopyga lucidiventris (Thomson) is Hoplopyga foeda (Schaum); Hoplopyga spurca (Janson) is Hoplopyga liturata (Olivier); Hoplopyga monacha (Gory and Percheron) and Hoplopyga rubida (Gory and …

Short-Horned Grasshopper Subfamilies Feed At Different Rates On Big Bluestem And Switchgrass Cultivars, Muhammad Ullah, Fatima Mustafa, William W. Hoback, Mathew L. Brust, Kerri M. Farnsworth-Hoback, John E. Foster

Department of Entomology: Faculty Publications

Grasshopper species belonging to subfamilies Melanoplinae, Gomphocerinae and Oedipodinae were tested for their feeding rate on three types of grass. All grasshopper species were offered Shawnee and Kanlow cultivars of switchgrass, Panicum virgatum L. and big bluestem, Andropogon gerardii Vitman. The grasshoppers, Melanoplus femurrubrum and Melanoplus differentialis were also tested for their feeding on turgid or wilted leaves of the Shawnee cultivar of switchgrass. We found that M. differentialis consumed more switchgrass compared to big bluestem while M. femurrubrum and Arphia xanthoptera consumed the most Shawnee switchgrass. The M. differentialis consumed more turgid grass compared to wilted switchgrass. The feeding …

Biological Control With Trichogramma Pretiosum Increases Organic Maize Productivity By 19.4%, Maria De Lourdes Corrêa Figueiredo, Ivan Cruz, Rafael Braga Da Silva, John E. Foster

Department of Entomology: Faculty Publications

Spodoptera frugiperda is a major pest causing maize yield loss in Brazil. There is therefore a need for control methods, notably for organic farming because classical pesticides are not allowed. A potential solution for organic maize is to apply the biological control agent Trichogramma pretiosum to reduce S. frugiperda populations. Here, we tested the application of one, two, or three releases of T. pretiosum. We measured plant damage ratings, egg masses parasitized, and grain yield. Results show that 79.2% of egg masses were parasited. Maize yields for parasited plots increased of 701 kg/ha versus control plots. This result equals a …

Linkage Of An Abcc Transporter To A Single Qtl That Controls Ostrinia Nubilalis Larval Resistance To The Bacillus Thuringiensis Cry1fa Toxin, Brad S. Coates, Blair D. Siegfried

Department of Entomology: Faculty Publications

Field evolved resistance of insect populations to Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) crystalline (Cry) toxins expressed by crop plants has resulted in reduced control of insect feeding damage to field crops, and threatens the sustainability of Bt transgenic technologies. A single quantitative trait locus (QTL) that determines resistance in Ostrinia nubilalis larvae capable of surviving on reproductive stage transgenic corn that express the Bt Cry1Fa toxin was previously mapped to linkage group 12 (LG12) in a backcross pedigree. Fine mapping with high-throughput single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) anchor markers, a candidate ABC transporter (abcc2) marker, and de novo mutations predicted from …