Life Sciences Commons^™

Cat-Facing Insects, Diane Alston, Michael Reding, Marion Murray

All Current Publications

There are a number of insects with the piercing-sucking feeding habit that can cause deformity and catfacing type injury to pome and stone fruits, including lygus bug, stink bug, and boxelder bug. Cat-facing injury is caused by puncture feeding in flower buds and fruit. The result is unsightly dimpling, deformity, and scarring of fruit. The name “cat facing” comes from the distorted fruit shape that resembles the puckered cheeks of a cat. In addition to the insects discussed in this section, some aphids and the campylomma bug can inflict similar injury.

New Views On Strand Asymmetry In Insect Mitochondrial Genomes, Shu-Jun Wei, Min Shi, Xue-Xin Chen, Michael J. Sharkey, Cornelis Van Achterberg, Gong-Yin Ye, Jun-Hua He

Entomology Faculty Publications

Strand asymmetry in nucleotide composition is a remarkable feature of animal mitochondrial genomes. Understanding the mutation processes that shape strand asymmetry is essential for comprehensive knowledge of genome evolution, demographical population history and accurate phylogenetic inference. Previous studies found that the relative contributions of different substitution types to strand asymmetry are associated with replication alone or both replication and transcription. However, the relative contributions of replication and transcription to strand asymmetry remain unclear. Here we conducted a broad survey of strand asymmetry across 120 insect mitochondrial genomes, with special reference to the correlation between the signs of skew values and …

Chinch Bugs, Kelly Kopp, Ryan S. Davis, Ricardo A. Ramirez

All Current Publications

Chinch bugs are “true bugs”. In Utah, the common chinch bug [Blissus leucopterus leucopterus (Say)], and western chinch bug (Blissus occiduus) may feed on turfgrass, especially under conditions of severe heat and drought. Coupled with under-irrigation, direct sunlight, and thick thatch, chinch bug numbers can soar from mid-summer to early fall.

Linking Community Ecology And Biogeography: The Role Of Biotic Interactions And Abiotic Gradients In Shaping The Structure Of Ant Communities., Jean-Philippe Lessard

Doctoral Dissertations

Understanding what drives variation in species diversity in space and time and limits coexistence in local communities is a main focus of community ecology and biogeography. My doctoral work aims to document patterns of ant diversity and explore the possible ecological mechanisms leading to these patterns. Elucidating the processes by which communities assemble and species coexist might help explain spatial variation in species diversity. Using a combination of manipulative experiments, broad-scale surveys, behavioral assays and phylogenetic analyses, I examine which ecological processes account for the number of species coexisting in ant communities. Ants are found in most terrestrial habitats, where …

Investigation Of Potential Trapping Bias In Malaise Traps Due To Mesh Gauge, In Two Habitats, David Jensen Betts

Theses and Dissertations

Malaise traps are a common tool for collecting insects used by many researchers. Although there have been variations in the models and materials used for Malaise traps, the potential for sampling bias due to mesh gague has been explored inadequately. This study compared coarse and fine mesh Townes model Malaise traps in two habitats on the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. The two habitats next to the Lick Wash trailhead were defined by dominant vegetation type – sagebrush and grasses or Piñon-Juniper. We collected from three sites per habitat type, over three consecutive days in June in both 2006 and 2007. …

Slides: The Spotted Owl Controversy: An Example Of The Esa's Dominant Role In Federal Land Use Planning, Norman D. James

The Past, Present, and Future of Our Public Lands: Celebrating the 40th Anniversary of the Public Land Law Review Commission’s Report, One Third of the Nation’s Land (Martz Summer Conference, June 2-4)

Presenter: Norman D. James, Director, Fennemore Craig, PC (Phoenix, AZ)

17 slides

Slides: Forest Service Planning At A Crossroads; New Approaches To Old Recommendations, Rick Cables

The Past, Present, and Future of Our Public Lands: Celebrating the 40th Anniversary of the Public Land Law Review Commission’s Report, One Third of the Nation’s Land (Martz Summer Conference, June 2-4)

Presenter: Rick Cables, Regional Forester, U.S. Forest Service - Rocky Mountain Region (Golden, CO)

23 slides

Boxelder Bug, Erin W. Hodgson, Alan H. Roe

All Current Publications

Boxelder bugs are a common nuisance insect to many homeowners. Although boxelder bugs are active throughout the summer, many people don’t notice them until they start “sunning” themselves on structures, particularly the southern-facing walls. As temperatures start to decrease in the late summer and fall, large numbers of adults will move from plants and congregate on heated buildings.

Codling Moth (Cydia Pomonella) Sampling Form, Usu Extension

All Current Publications

Place traps in orchards when 100 degree days have accumulated or by first bloom. Check traps at least every other day (preferably daily) until biofix, and weekly until mid-September

Molecular Analysis Of Guano From Bats In Bat Houses On Organic Pecan Orchards, Veronica Angelelli Brown

Masters Theses

Bats are generalist predators of night flying insects, including many crop pests. Pecan nut casebearer (Acrobasis nuxvorella), hickory shuckworm (Cydia caryana), and several stink bug species are some of the most damaging crop pests in pecan orchards. Attracting bats to agricultural areas using bats houses may reduce the numbers of these pests and, consequently, their economic impact. This study uses quantitative polymerase chain reaction (QPCR) of mitochondrial DNA found in the guano of bats living in bat houses on organic pecan orchards to document the consumption of pecan nut casebearer, hickory shuckworm, and corn earworm ( …

W187-Pesticide Safety Education Program (Psep) Online - Users Guide For Pesticide Applicators, The University Of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service

Insects, Pests, Plant Diseases and Weeds

The Private Applicator (PA) Initial Certification and Recertification Programs can now be completed online! The Tennessee Department of Agriculture is presently certifying PAs until October 21, 2011. The PA recertification program may be used between January 1 and October 21 of the third year of the three-year certification program. The CA CORE presentation may be presented only by the PSEP coordinator or Extension agents. It may not be viewed by CAs at their home or office computers.

All information needed for your successful use of this online program is given below.

Sp341-B-Sorghum Webworm In Grain Sorghum, The University Of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service

Insects, Pests, Plant Diseases and Weeds

The sorghum webworm (Figure 1) is an occasional pest of sorghum in Tennessee. Grain sorghum that is planted in late June can become severely damaged by this insect. Heavy infestations of webworms may completely destroy a developing grain head.

Sp503-A-Squash Vine Borer, The University Of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service

Insects, Pests, Plant Diseases and Weeds

No abstract provided.

Sp503-I-Identifying The Flathead Appletree Borer (Chrysobothris Femorata) And Other Buprestid Beetle Species In Tennessee, The University Of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service

Home Garden, Lawn, and Landscape

The flatheaded appletree borer, Chrysobothris femorata (Olivier) (FHATB) is a well-documented, native pest of deciduous trees. It has a wide host range and is particularly problematic in commercial nurseries and urban landscapes, where it can cause rapid decline of economically important hosts. When infestations are high, FHATB has been known to attack healthy trees as well as those stressed by drought, plant disease, mechanical injury and other environmental factors. Its distribution is ubiquitous, covering the entire continental United States and extending into Canada.

Sp341-U-The Bagworm And Its Control, The University Of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service

Home Garden, Lawn, and Landscape

The bagworm, Thyridopteryx ephemeraeformis (Haworth), is one of the more curious and interesting insect pests of trees and shrubs. Its carrot-shaped bag is constructed of bits of material from the plant upon which it is feeding and is enlarged as the bagworm grows. The bag is carried wherever the worm goes. When disturbed, the bagworm merely pulls its head back into the bag for protection.

Sp547 Common Tree Borers In Tennessee, The University Of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service

Forestry, Trees, and Timber

Many types of insect and mite pests can attack trees in home landscapes. Although feeding damage from most of these pests is aesthetically displeasing, it does not cause severe damage to the tree. Even after total defoliation by caterpillars, most trees will put out a new flush of foliage. Several consecutive years or more of defoliation are needed to cause a serious decline or death of most trees. Also, defoliation late in the growing season is much less detrimental to tree health than that occurring in spring or early summer.

Conversely, some pests can routinely cause significant damage and even …

Sp482 The Southern Pine Beetle, The University Of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service

Forestry, Trees, and Timber

The Southern Pine Beetle (SPB) inhabits Tennessee forests, and as forest landowners, we should be prepared to deal with the insect. Each year SPB causes thousands of dollars worth of damage to stands of Southern yellow pines, e.g., Loblolly, shortleaf and Virginia pines. Landowners living near or on their property can reduce losses to SPB by knowing the symptoms of a SPB attack, what to do about it and how to prevent it.

Sp290-Y Greenstriped Mapleworm, The University Of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service

Forestry, Trees, and Timber

The greenstriped mapleworm Dryocampa rubicunda (F.) is found throughout most of the eastern United States. This insect pest prefers maples; however, it has been reported feeding on various oaks and boxelder.

Sp290-U Nantucket Pine Tip Moth, The University Of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service

Forestry, Trees, and Timber

The Nantucket pine tip moth, Rhyacionia frustrana (Comstock), is a pest of pines in the Eastern, Central and Southern states. Host trees attacked include Scotch, Austrian, Virginia, red, loblolly and shortleaf pines. Longleaf, slash and eastern white pines are rarely attacked.

During recent years, the Nantucket pine tip moth has become an increasingly destructive and abundant pest because of the increase in acreage of pine plantations and seed orchards. Larvae of this moth kill and deform shoots of infested trees. This damage results in a reduction in height, forking or crooking of main stems and, occasionally, death of the tree. …

Sp290-P White Pine Aphid, The University Of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service

Forestry, Trees, and Timber

The white pine aphid, Cinara strobi (Fitch), occurs wher ev er Eastern white pines are grown. This pest uses its needle-like mouthparts to suck sap from twigs and branch es. Severely infested parts of trees turn yellow and drop their needles.

Sp290-M Maple Petiole Borer, The University Of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service

Forestry, Trees, and Timber

The maple petiole borer, Caulocampus acericaulis (MacGillivray), was first introduced into the United States from Europe. This sawfly is wasp-like in appearance and is rarely seen because of its small size. Although several species of maple are subject to attack by this insect, sugar maples are preferred.

W202 Thrips, The University Of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service

Field & Commercial Crops

No abstract provided.

W201 Threecornered Alfalfa Hopper, The University Of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service

Field & Commercial Crops

No abstract provided.

W200 Stink Bugs, The University Of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service

Field & Commercial Crops

No abstract provided.

W198 Green Cloverworm, The University Of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service

Field & Commercial Crops

No abstract provided.

W197 Dectes Stem Borer, The University Of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service

Field & Commercial Crops

No abstract provided.

Sp290-X Grasshoppers, The University Of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service

Field & Commercial Crops

Grasshoppers may at times become serious pests on ornamentals, vegetable and field crops. Grasses and other herbaceous plants are the most common food for these pests, but after those hosts are consumed the grasshoppers often turn to feeding on vegetables, field crops or on leaves and even tender bark of shrubs and trees.

W196 Sourthwestern Corn Borer In Tennessee, The University Of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service

Field & Commercial Crops

No abstract provided.

W195 European Corn Borer, The University Of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service

Field & Commercial Crops

No abstract provided.

Sp341-Q Sugarcane Beetle In Field Corn, The University Of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service

Field & Commercial Crops

The sugarcane beetle is an occasional pest of field corn in Tennessee. Infestations have been spotty to date and not too damaging in terms of stand and yield losses. However, the beetle caused serious damage in corn during the 2001 and 2002 growing seasons. The fields affected were corn planted into pasture, sod or no-till and some conventional tillage corn.