Entomology Commons^™

Mosquito Microbiomes: Understanding The Interface Between Microbiome, Environment, And Human Pathogens, Amanda G. Tokash-Peters

Graduate Doctoral Dissertations

The study of mosquito microbiomes promises a deeper understanding of factors influencing interactions between mosquito hosts, human pathogens, and the environment. While several studies have focused on tripartite interactions between host, pathogen, and microbiome, far fewer have analyzed the environmental factors that shape these interactions and provide the basis for the formation of microbial communities in the mosquito host. Additionally, the use of Wolbachia and similar anti-arboviral symbionts in mosquitoes to control pathogen transmission has emerged as a popular idea for mosquito control and requires further investigation. The works presented here address changes in mosquito microbiomes, including the abundance of …

Exploring The Niche Of Rickettsia Montanensis (Rickettsiales: Rickettsiaceae) Infection Of The American Dog Tick (Acari: Ixodidae), Using Multiple Species Distribution Model Approaches, Catherine A. Lippi, Holly Gaff, Alexis L. White, Heidi K. St. John, Allen L. Richards, Sadie J. Ryan

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications

The American dog tick, Dermacentor variabilis (Say) (Acari: Ixodidae), is a vector for several human diseasecausing pathogens such as tularemia, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and the understudied spotted fever group rickettsiae (SFGR) infection caused by Rickettsia montanensis. It is important for public health planning and intervention to understand the distribution of this tick and pathogen encounter risk. Risk is often described in terms of vector distribution, but greatest risk may be concentrated where more vectors are positive for a given pathogen. When assessing species distributions, the choice of modeling framework and spatial layers used to make predictions are important. …

Three-Lined Potato Beetle, Nick Volesky

All Current Publications

The three-lined potato beetle (Lema daturaphila) is part of the Chrysomelidae family of beetles. It originates from North and Central America but has since been reported causing economic damage to crops worldwide, such as the cape gooseberry in South Africa and potato in Australia. Though uncommon, the three-lined potato beetle has previously been documented in Utah. In August 2020, it was closely observed causing economic damage in tomatillo production on a commercial vegetable farm in rural Box Elder County, Utah. This fact sheet reviews three-lined potato beetle identification, life cycle, and look-alikes, damage, and management.

Defining Bee Pollinator Community Composition In Tennessee Soybean, Andrew L. Lawson

Masters Theses

Two planting dates of various soybean varieties were planted in Jackson and Knoxville, TN during 2018 and 2019 with the overall intent of surveying the diversity bee (Hymenoptera) genera in these agroecosystems and also to assess the potential for using late maturing soybean as a food resource for bees during the dearth of floral resources that often occurs during the fall. We also investigated how manipulating planting dates and soybean variety selection affected the occurrence of insect pests that occurred in the soybean.

Both active (netting) and passive (bee bowls and blue-vane traps) sampling were used to collect the bees, …

Two New Species Of Chrysina Kirby (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Rutelinae), David C. Hawks

Insecta Mundi

Two new species of Chrysina Kirby (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Rutelinae) are described from Oaxaca and Queretaro, Mexico: C. pricei Hawks and C. robackeri Hawks.

Validation Of Chrysina Valentini Zubov And Ivshin, 2019 (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Rutelinae) By Morphometric And Cuticular Reflectance Analyses, David C. Robacker, Karen M. Robacker, William C. Warfield

Insecta Mundi

Micromorphometric analyses of genital capsules and comparison of adult cuticular reflectance of two species of Chrysina Kirby (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Rutelinae) support the status of C. valentini Zubov and Ivshin, 2019 as a valid species. Compared with its closest relative C. optima (Bates, 1888), capsules of C. valentini are proportionately wider at the base of the parameres than those of C. optima, and taper toward the apex more abruptly. Reflectance of C. valentini under natural light appears slightly greenish while C. optima is uniformly reddish. The number of teeth on the protibia and the shape of the mesosternal process, characters …

Redescripción De Eulachnesia Boteroi Monné Y Monné, 2015 (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae: Lamiinae: Hemilophini), Sergio Devesa

Insecta Mundi

Eulachnesia boteroi Monné y Monné, 2015 (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae: Lamiinae: Hemilophini) es redescrito, ilustrado dorsal, ventral y lateralmente, así como diversos detalles de su morfología. Es realizada la designación de un neotipo y la especie es registrada por primera vez para Ecuador. Adicionalmente, es propuesta una clave para la identificación de las especies del género.

Eulachnesia boteroi Monné and Monné, 2015 (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae: Lamiinae: Hemilophini) is redescribed and illustrated dorsally, ventrally and laterally, with several specific details. The designation of a neotype is made and the species is registered for the first time for Ecuador. Additionally, a key is proposed for …

A New Species Of Oncotophasma Rehn, 1904 (Phasmida: Diapheromeridae) From Colombia, Andres David Murcia, Oscar J. Cadena-Castañeda, Daniela Santos Martins Silva

Insecta Mundi

Abstract. Oncotophasma aurantiaviridiata Murcia, Cadena-Castañeda, and Silva new species (Phasmida: Diapheromeridae) from the Colombian Andes is described. The new species is distinguished by its peculiar coloration, which highlights greenish and orange tones. It is also the first record of the genus for the eastern slope of the Colombian Andes. The previous distribution recorded for the genus is the Chocó biogeographic region from Costa Rica to Colombia, with species being found in the Colombian areas of influence of this biogeographic region, such as the western and central slopes of the Andes.

Resumen. Se describe a Oncotophasma aurantiaviridiata Murcia, Cadena-Castañeda y …

A Review Of The Nearctic Species Of Fornax Laporte (Coleoptera: Eucnemidae: Macraulacinae: Macraulacini) With Descriptions Of Six New Species, Robert L. Otto

Insecta Mundi

The Nearctic species of Fornax Laporte are reviewed. Three species are redescribed, and six new species are described mainly from southeastern United States. The new species are F. appalachiensis , F. con­vexicollis, F. floridana, F. lucidicollis, F. melsheimeri and F. parallelicollis. A neotype is designated for Hylochares bicolor Melsheimer, with notes on its purpose. Each species is diagnosed and imaged. A new identification key is provided for all known species of Fornax present in the Nearctic region, replacing previous Nearctic species keys of Muona (2000) and Otto (2017).

Selenopidae (Arachnida: Araneae), A New Host Spider Family For The Spider Wasp Tachypompilus Ferrugineus (Say) (Hymenoptera: Pompilidae: Pompilini), Frank E. Kurczewski, Rick C. West, Sarah C. Crews, N. R. Jenzen-Jones

Insecta Mundi

Four online photographs from Oaxaca, Mexico taken by N. R. Jenzen-Jones and posted on inaturalist.org reveal Selenops sp., probably S. mexicanus Keyserling (Arachnida: Araneae: Selenopidae), as a new host spider species, genus and family for the common and widespread American spider wasp Tachypompilus fer­rugineus (Say) (rusty spider wasp). The wasp transported the immobilized spider up an exterior stucco wall of a house, dorsal side upward, walking backwards for 3 m to her nest in a gap between the wooden planking and stucco wall beneath the roof, while grasping the femur of its right pedipalp with her mandibles.

Description Of The Male Of Euschistus (Euschistus) Baranowskii Eger And Bianchi (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae: Pentatominae: Carpocorini), Joseph E. Eger Jr.

Insecta Mundi

Euschistus (Euschistus) baranowskii Eger and Bianchi (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae: Pentatominae: Carpocorini) was described based on a single female specimen. In this paper, I describe the male of the spe­cies, primarily the genitalia, and compare it to other species of Euschistus (Euschistus) Dallas.

New Species Of Trachyderini From Mexico And Central America (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae: Cerambycinae), James E. Wappes, Antonio Santos-Silva

Insecta Mundi

Three new trachyderine species in the subtribe Trachyderina (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae: Ceram­bycinae: Trachyderini) are described: Entomosterna kovariki Wappes and Santos-Silva, new species, from Belize; Gortonia sumideroensis Wappes and Santos-Silva, new species, from Mexico (Chiapas); and Sphaeno­thecus vandenberghei Wappes and Santos-Silva, new species, from Nicaragua. A new key to Entomosterna species, and a previous Sphaenothecus key by Chemsak and Noguera (1998) is modified to include the new species, with both provided herein.

Addendum And Update To Zidek (2020):Catalogue Of Species-Group Names Assigned To Copris Geoffroy, Coptodactyla Burmeister, Litocopris Waterhouse, Microcopris Balthasar, Paracopris Balthasar, Pseudocopris Ferreira, Pseudopedaria Felsche, Sinocopris Ochi, Kon And Bai, And Thyregis Blackburn (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Scarabaeinae: Coprini), Jiri Zidek

Insecta Mundi

The catalogue of species-group names of nine coprine genera (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Scarabaeinae: Coprini), published earlier this year, is updated and revised. Presented are species-group taxa overlooked in compiling the catalogue and new species-group taxa described in 2020, i.e. after the cut-off date of the catalogue.

Northern Giant Hornet (Vespa Mandarinia) And Yellow-Legged Hornet (Vespa Velutina), Potential Pests Of Honey Bees, Benjamin Andrew Powell

Agricultural Education

Exotic hornets present a significant threat to apiculture. Recent introductions of the yellow-legged hornet to Europe and the asian giant hornet to North America have made it critical that regulators, beekeepers and the general public be able to detect and identify these exotic hornets and to understand their biology to minimize the potential impacts to apiculture in South Carolina were they to be introduced.

Abundance And Diversity Of Dung Beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeoidea) As Affected By Grazing Management In The Nebraska Sandhills Ecosystem, Patrick M. Wagner, Gandura Omar Abagandura, Martha Mamo, Thomas Weissling, Ana Wingeyer, Jeffrey D. Bradshaw

Department of Entomology: Faculty Publications

Dung beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeoidea) serve a significant role in regulating ecosystem services on rangelands. However, the influence of grazing management on dung beetle communities remains largely unknown. The purpose of this study was to investigate dung beetle abundance and diversity throughout the grazing season in the Nebraska Sandhills Ecoregion. Grazing treatments included: continuous grazing (CONT), low-stocking rotational grazing (LSR), high-stocking rotational grazing (HSR), and no grazing (NG). The abundance and diversity of dung beetles were measured in the 2014 and 2015 grazing seasons using dung-baited pitfall traps. Dung beetle abundance for each grazing treatment was characterized through four indices: peak …

A Mathematical Model Of Flexible Collective Defense: Crisis Response In Stingless Bees, Maria Gabriela Navas Zuloaga, Kaitlin M. Baudier, Theodore P. Pavlic, Jennifer Fewell, Noam Ben-Asher, Yun Kang

Annual Symposium on Biomathematics and Ecology Education and Research

No abstract provided.

The Encyclopedia Of North American Drosophilids Volume 2: Drosophilids Of The Southeast, Thomas Werner, Tessa E. Steenwinkel, John Jaenike

Open Access Books

The Encyclopedia of North American Drosophilids Volume 2: Drosophilids of the Southeast provides an introduction to the flies of the family Drosophilidae of the Southeast of the United States. The book strives to facilitate identification of most of the drosophilid species in this region and provides remarks on interesting aspects of their biology and suggestions for future research on them. The book is intended for researchers, teachers, and students wishing to discover the diversity of these flies.

Access The Encyclopedia of North American Drosophilids Volume 1: Midwest and Northeast here: https://digitalcommons.mtu.edu/oabooks/1/

Insecticide Resistance Management Approaches And Naturally Derived Toxicants For The Control Of Fall Armyworm, Spodoptera Frugiperda, Sarah Mccomic

LSU Master's Theses

Spodoptera frugiperda, the fall armyworm (FAW), is a major agricultural pest causing billions of dollars in damage annually to staple crops. Agricultural losses stemming from this pest continues to increase as resistance to commercialized insecticide classes evolves and spreads. Considering this, novel chemistries with new modes of action as well as novel resistance management strategies need to be developed to achieve continued control of FAW populations. This project consisted of two main goals. First, we aimed to develop a neurophysiological assay to enable a more precise understanding of pyrethroid and organophosphate resistance at the level of the nerve. We …

Genomic Evidence Suggests Further Changes Of Butterfly Names, Jing Zhang, Qian Cong, Jinhui Shen, Pal A. Opler, Nick V. Grishin

The Taxonomic Report of the International Lepidoptera Survey

Further genomic sequencing of butterflies by our research group expanding the coverage of species and specimens from different localities, coupled with genome-scale phylogenetic analysis and complemented by phenotypic considerations, suggests a number of changes to the names of butterflies, mostly those recorded from the United States and Canada. Here, we present evidence to support these changes. The changes are intended to make butterfly classification more internally consistent at the genus, subgenus and species levels. That is, considering all available evidence, we attempt to assign similar taxonomic ranks to the clades of comparable genetic differentiation, which on average is correlated with …

Exploring A Novel Substrate-Borne Vibratory Signal In The Wolf Spider Schizocosa Floridana, Malcolm F. Rosenthal, Eileen Hebets, Rowan H. Mcginley, Cody Raiza, James Starrett, Lin Yan, Damian O. Elias

Eileen Hebets Publications

Animals communicate using a diversity of signals produced by a wide array of physical structures. Determining how a signal is produced provides key insights into signal evolution. Here, we examine a complex vibratory mating display produced by male Schizocosa floridana wolf spiders. This display contains three discrete substrate-borne acoustic components (known as “thumps”, “taps”, and “chirps”), each of which is anecdotally associated with the movement of a different body part (the pedipalps, legs, and abdomen respectively). In order to determine the method of production, we employ a combination of high-speed video/audio recordings and SEM imaging of possible sound-producing structures. Previous …

Trypa-No! Contributes To The Elimination Of Gambiense Human African Trypanosomiasis By Combining Tsetse Control With “Screen, Diagnose And Treat” Using Innovative Tools And Strategies, Joseph Mathu Ndung’U, Alain Boulangé, Albert Picado, Albert Mugenyi, Allan Mortensen, Andrew Hope, Brahim Guihini Mollo, Bruno Bucheton, Charles Wamboga, Charles Waiswa, Dramane Kaba, Enock Matovu, Fabrice Courtin, Gala Garrod, Geoffrey Gimonneau, Georgina Bingham, Hassane Mahamat Hassane, Inaki Tirados, Isabel Saldanha, Jacques Kabore, Jean Baptiste Rayaisse, Jean Mathieu Bart, Jessica Lingley, Johan Esterhuizen, Joshua Longbottom, Justin Pulford, Lingue Kouakou, Lassina Sanogo, Lucas Cunningham, Mamadou Camara, Mathurin Koffi, Michelle Stanton, Mike Lehane, Moise Saa Kagbadouno, Oumou Camara, Paul Bessell, Peka Mallaye, Philippe Solano, Richard Selby, Sophie Dunkley

Department of Entomology: Faculty Publications

Gambiense human African trypanosomiasis (g-HAT) is the chronic form of sleeping sickness caused by Trypanosoma brucei gambiense in West and Central Africa, while Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense causes an acute form in eastern Africa. g-HAT is targeted for elimination as a public health problem by 2020 and 0 transmission by 2030 [1,2]. Control of g-HAT is largely based on identification and treatment of infected individuals, supplemented by control of the tsetse fly vectors [3]. There has been growing evidence that when both tsetse control and case identification activities are carried out simultaneously in the same geographies, elimination of the disease is …

The Granulate Cutworm (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae): Biological Parameters Under Controlled Conditions, Host Plants, And Distribution In The Americas, Alexandre Specht, Fernando M.S. Dias, Germán San Blas, Vânia F. Roque-Specht, Mirna M. Casagrande, Olaf H.H. Mielke, Débora G. Montezano, Izailda Barbosa Santos, Silvana V. Paula-Moraes, Thomas E. Hunt, Juaci V. Malaquias, Felipe A.D. Bonfin, Paulo V.M. Vieira

Department of Entomology: Faculty Publications

Feltia subterranea (Fabricius), commonly known as the granulate cutworm, is a common species of owlet moths (Noctuidae) of major agricultural importance, widely distributed in Nearctic and Neotropical regions. This study was conducted to determine the species biological parameters, gather information about its larval host plants, and assess the agricultural significance of this species in the Americas. The viability of the egg, larval, pupal stages, and prepupal period was 98, 98, and 100%, respectively, under laboratory conditions. The average duration of the egg, larval, pupal stages, and prepupal period was 3, 17, 4, and 13 d, respectively. All laboratory-reared larvae developed …

Testing The Hypothesized Antipredator Defence Function Of Stridulation In The Spiny Orb-Weaving Spider, Micrathena Gracilis, Tyler B. Corey, Eileen A. Hebets

Eileen Hebets Publications

The observable diversity of antipredator defenses across organisms demonstrates predation’s impact on trait evolution. The functions of many traits that are presumed to have an antipredator function have never been directly tested. The spiny orb-weaving spider, Micrathena gracilis, for example, stridulates when grasped. While stridulation was first hypothesized to be an antipredator defense nearly 50 years ago, no data exist to support this hypothesis. To explore the form and function of M. gracilis stridulation, we first quantified the behavioral and acoustical properties of sound production. Next, using laboratory assays, we directly tested the effect of stridulation on survival with …

Varroa Destructor Mites Vector And Transmit Pathogenic Honey Bee Viruses Acquired From An Artificial Diet, Francisco Posada-Florez, Eugene V. Ryabov, Matthew C. Heerman, Yanping Chen, Jay D. Evans, Daniel E. Sonenshine, Steven C. Cook

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications

The ectoparasitic mite Varroa destructoris one of the most destructive pests of the honey bee (Apis mellifera) and the primary biotic cause of colony collapse in many regions of the world. These mites inflict physical injury on their honey bee hosts from feeding on host hemolymph and fat body cells/cellular components, and serve as the vector for deadly honey bee viruses, including Deformed wing virus (DWV) and the related Varroa destructor virus-1 (VDV-1) (i.e., DWV-like viruses). Studies focused on elucidating the dynamics of Varroa-mediated vectoring and transmission of DWV-like viruses may be confounded by viruses present in …

Checklist Of The Caddisfly Family Rhyacophilidae (Insecta: Trichoptera) In India, Tabaraq Ali, Sajad H. Parey, Manpreet S. Pandher, Malkiat S. Saini

Insecta Mundi

The present checklist covers the fauna of the Trichopteran family Rhyacophilidae Stephens, 1836. Based on extensive surveys done during 2003–2019 and previous species records, we find that the family Rhyacophilidae is represented by two genera and 184 species in India. The genus Rhyacophila Pictet contains 165 species in India while the genus Himalopsyche Banks contains 19 described species. The Indian Himalayan region is inhabited by more species than the rest of India.

A New Central American Genus Of Pleasing Fungus Beetles (Coleoptera: Erotylidae) From The Ischyrus-Megischyrus Complex, Paul E. Skelley

Insecta Mundi

Antoinettia, new genus (Coleoptera: Erotylidae: Erotylinae: Tritomini), is erected for three species: A. audbala (Skelley), new combination, A. huhnei Skelley, new species, and A. kovariki (Skelley), new combination. A genus complex involving Ischyrus Lacordaire, 1842, and Megischyrus Crotch, 1873, is defined and a preliminary key to neotropical genera of Tritomini with coarsely facetted eyes is presented.

ZooBank registration. urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:7CF5D30C-C46E-4135-A188-B53B0A77B34E

First Record For Cypherotylus Dromedarius (Lacordaire) (Coleoptera: Erotylidae) From Panama, Brian J. Armitage, Alonso Santos Murgas

Insecta Mundi

Cypherotylus dromedarius (Lacordaire, 1842) (Coleoptera: Erotylidae) was described from French Guiana. Information about its current distribution is scattered throughout the literature and the internet. Specimens of this species were recently observed and photographed in the Boquete area, Chiriqui Province, Panama, and constitute a new record for the country of this species. Subsequently, we located two specimens deposited in the National Reference Collection of the G. B. Fairchild Museum of Invertebrates, University of Panama, from the same locality in Chiriqui Province. We summarize the distribution of this species from scattered sources and provide five new records.

Cypherotylus dromedarius (Lacordaire, 1842) (Coleoptera: …

Dos Nuevas Especies De Gorgojos Que Barrenan Los Frutos De Palma De Chontaduro De Los Géneros Parisoschoenus Y Cylindrocerus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Baridinae) De La Costa Pacífica De Colombia, Luis Miguel Constantino, Luis Carlos Pardo-Locarno

Insecta Mundi

Actualmente existen dos especies de gorgojos (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) que barrenan los frutos de la palma de chontaduro Bactris gasipaes Kunth en Colombia y que ocasionan pérdidas de hasta el 100% de la producción. Palmelampius heinrichi O’Brien es la principal plaga del cultivo en toda la costa pacífica y en vastas regiones de la amazonia y el piedemonte llanero. En este trabajo se describe una nueva especie del género Parisoschoenus Faust, P. bactrisae Constantino y Pardo-Locarno que ocurre simpátricamente con P. heinrichi en la costa pacífica de Colombia causando un daño similar y que se diferencia de la especie anterior por …

First Report Of Brachyplatys Subaeneus (Westwood) (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Plataspidae) In The United States, Joseph E. Eger Jr., Adam J. Pitcher, Susan E. Halbert, Cory Penca, Amanda C. Hodges

Insecta Mundi

Brachyplatys subaeneus (Westwood) (Hemiptera: Plataspidae), is reported from Miami Beach, FL, the first report from the United States. It was noticed first on a photo-sharing site (iNaturalist) providing an example of the importance of these sites for helping to track introduced species. Information on distribution, host plants and potential spread are provided along with photos and taxonomic characters to assist with identification of this recently introduced species.

ZooBank registration. urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:332C0E76-9AE9-4069-9240-F55CADC64165

Additional Type Designations For Fireflies (Coleoptera: Lampyridae) Of The Biologia Centrali Americana Housed In The Natural History Museum, London, Gavin J. Martin, Natalie A. Saxton

Insecta Mundi

Firefly (Coleoptera: Lampyridae) taxonomy has undergone numerous changes over the past 100 years. In order to help provide stability to the group, types for several of the Lampyridae of the Biologia Centrali Americana were determined or designated in early 2019. Here we provide treatments for the remaining Lampyridae and determine the holotype specimens for four species and designate lectotype specimens for 33 species.

ZooBank registration. urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:1EBF8DAB-3EC5-4671-9E15-C3D2213E3164