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Population Dynamics Of Empoasca Fabae (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) In Central Iowa Alfalfa Fields, L. A. Weiser Erlandson, John J. Obrycki

Entomology Faculty Publications

Adults and nymphs of Empoasca fabae Harris (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) and adults of predatory species in the families Coccinellidae, Anthocoridae, Nabidae, Chrysopidae, and Hemerobiidae were sampled in Iowa alfalfa fields from June to September in 1999 and 2000. The relationship between each predatory taxa and E. fabae was examined using regression analysis. In 2000, all predators were found to be positively correlated with the presence of E. fabae during all periods sampled and most likely contributed to mortality. Orius insidiosus (Say) (Hemiptera: Anthoridae) was the most numerous insect predatory species; population numbers ranged from 0 to 1 and 0.1 to 3.7 …

A Revision Of The New World And Select Old World Species Of Cremnops Förster (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Agathidinae), Erika M. Tucker

Theses and Dissertations--Entomology

Parasitoid wasps are an important group of organisms in need of systematic revision. This dissertation examines the cosmopolitan parasitoid wasp genus Cremnops. It is a compilation of three projects and significantly advances the taxonomic foundation of the genus.

The New World species of the genus Cremnops are revised. Thirty-three species of Cremnops are treated; five are described as new, i.e., C. bertae sp. nov., C. cluttsis sp. nov., C. nymphius sp. nov., C. wileycoyotius sp. nov. and C. witkopegasus sp. nov. Six species are synonymized, i.e., Cremnops caribensis Berta 1998, is synonymized under C. guanicanus Wolcott 1924; C. nigrosternum (Morrison …

The Effects Of Landscape On Malaria Vectors Of The Neotropics, William David Lainhart

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

Worldwide malaria control efforts have had varying degrees of success, leaving many countries either eliminating malaria or controlling malaria. In order to maintain forward momentum toward malaria elimination, malaria-eliminating and –controlling countries require different information regarding risk factors, spatial distributions of cases and vectors, vector biology metrics, and vector population genetics. The goal of this dissertation work was to provide information that addresses the knowledge gaps preventing the creation of effective vector and malaria control programs in one malaria-eliminating country (Panama) and two malaria-controlling countries (Peru and Brazil). Case data from Panama were analyzed to assess differences in risk factors …

Primer Efficacy In The Dna Barcoding Of Spiders, Rhennetta Jo Bork

Honors Program Theses

DNA barcoding is the process of amplifying a 650 base pair segment of the sequence of the mitochondrial gene cytochrome c oxidase (COI), and amplifying this gene with a polymerase chain reaction (PCR). It is used to help identify and distinguish animal species and also to help determine genetic differences in species. DNA barcoding can be especially useful when working with spiders since they tend to be very small and hard to distinguish. However, achieving a DNA barcode can be difficult and thus techniques to improve the method of DNA barcoding can be helpful. This research looked into the different …

On Individual, Sex And Age Differentiation Of Indian House Crow (Corvus Splendens) Call: A Preliminary Study In Potohar, Pakistan, Waqas Hameed, Inayat Ullah, Safia Janjua, Fakhar -I- Abbas, Afsar Mian

Journal of Bioresource Management

Considering importance of acoustics studies in population biology, 500 calls of the Indian House Crow (Corvus splendens) were recorded in morning - mid-afternoon hours (January-February, 2009) from 23 sites of urban areas of Potahar (Punjab, Pakistan). Calls were recorded using Sony CFS 1030 S sound records (sampling rate = 48 KHz) and edited using Sound Analysis Pro (Version 1.02). software using FFT method rate 50%, data window 9.27 ms, advanced window 1.36 ms. Through editing of calls, we selected 60 (37 ♂♂, 17 ♀♀, 6 Juvenile ♂♂) good quality spectrograms for detailed analysis. Spectrograms were characterized by rapid frequency modulations …

A Novel Three Degree-Of-Freedoms Oscillation System Of Insect Flapping Wings, Yi Qin

Open Access Theses

We propose an oscillation system to replicate the dynamic behavior of flapping wings, inspired by insect flight muscles. In particular, we study the flight of the fruit fly Drosophila virilis . We model the wing as a rigid body with three degree-of-freedom, described by three Euler angles: the stroke angle, the rotation angle and the deviation angle. Insect flight muscles are separated into two types: power muscles and control muscles. One actuator and one torsional spring at the stroke angle act as the power muscles. Two torsional springs at the rotation angle and the deviation angle mimic the control muscles. …

Genetic Variability Of Spined Soldier Bugs (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) Sampled From Distinct Field Sites And Laboratory Colonies In The United States, Fatima Mustafa, Muhammad Ullah, Kathleen M. Kneeland, Thomas A. Coudron, W. Wyatt Hoback, S. R. Skoda, Jaime Molina-Ochoa, John E. Foster

Department of Entomology: Faculty Publications

The spined soldier bug, Podisus maculiventris (Say), is an important biological control agent of agricultural and forest pests; and it preys on eggs and larvae of lepidopteran and coleopteran species. Genetic variability among field samples collected from Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Florida and established laboratory colonies was examined using Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism-Polymerase Chain Reaction (AFLP-PCR). Four AFLP primer pairs generated a total of 340 molecular markers for evaluation. Results from Analysis of Molecular Variance showed that the majority of the genetic variation occurred within populations (individuals from each sample site). Nei’s method indicated reduced genetic diversity in laboratory populations compared …

Dna Barcoding Distinguishes Pest Species Of The Black Fly Genus Cnephia (Diptera: Simuliidae), I. M. Confitti, K. P. Pruess, A. Cywinska, T. O. Powers, D. C. Currie

Department of Entomology: Faculty Publications

Accurate species identification is essential for cost-effective pest control strategies. We tested the utility of COI barcodes for identifying members of the black fly genus Cnephia Enderlein (Diptera: Simuliidae). Our efforts focus on four Nearctic Cnephia species—Cnephia dacotensis (Dyar & Shannon), Cnephia eremities Shewell, Cnephia ornithophilia (Davies, Peterson & Wood), and Cnephia pecuarum (Riley)—the latter two being current or potential targets of biological control programs. We also analyzed one Palearctic species, Cnephia pallipes (Fries). Although Cnephia adults can be identified anatomically to species, control programs target the larval stage, which is difficult or impossible to distinguish morphologically. By using …

Immature Stages Of Spodoptera Albula (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae): Developmental Parameters And Host Plants, Débora G. Montezano, Alexandre Specht, Tarciso M. Bortolin, Edegar Fronza, Daniel Ricardo Sosa-Gómez, Vânia F. Roque-Specht, Patricia Pezzi, Priscila C. Luz, Neiva M. Barros

Department of Entomology: Faculty Publications

This study aimed to detail the temporal and morphological parameters of the immature stages of Spodoptera albula (Walker 1857) under controlled conditions (25 ± 1°C, 70 ± 10% RH and 14 hour photophase) and to gather information about their larval host plants. For this purpose, a new rearing method and artificial diet was employed and validated. The viability of the egg, larval, pupal and pre-pupal stages was 94.54, 97.33, 93.84 and 92.34%, respectively. The average duration of the egg, larval, pupal and pre-pupal stages was 4.14, 16.37, 1.69, and 9.34 days, respectively. During the larval stage, 80.85% of females and …

Trapping And Control Of The Small Hive Beetle, Aethina Tumida, An Invasive Parasite Of Honey Bees, Apis Mellifera, Shannon Peterson

All Theses

The small hive beetle, Aethina tumida Murray (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae), is one of the most recent honey bee pests of economic importance, especially in the southeastern United States. Various in-hive traps have been developed to attempt to control the populations of this invasive pest within honey bee colonies. The first year of my research focused on comparing the effectiveness of three commercially available traps for removing small hive beetles. Thirty-two colonies were established with 0.9-kg package bees with a queen in four apiaries. Eight colonies were placed in each apiary, each colony randomly receiving one of four treatments: the three-chambered Hood …

Morphological Characterization And Molecular Mediated Genetic Variation Of Thief Ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), Ralph B. Narain, Shripat T. Kamble, Thomas O. Powers

Department of Entomology: Faculty Publications

The morphological characterization and molecular genetic variation were determined in populations of thief ants, Solenopsis molesta (Say). The genetic variations were elucidated using mitochondrial deoxyribonucleic acid (mDNA) sequences of cytochrome oxidase I. DNA from thief ants was extracted with Qiagen’s Gentra PUREGENE DNA Isolation Kit using their solid tissue protocol. Polymerase chain reactions (PCR) were run on the extracted DNA using primers Lep-F1 (forward) and Lep-R1 (reverse). The DNA products were concentrated and purified by Microcon Centrifugal Filter Unit YM-100. Purified DNA samples were sequenced at the University of Arkansas Medical Sciences (UAMS) DNA Sequencing Core Facility. The sequences were …

A State Record For The Oconee Scorpionfly, Panorpa Oconee Byers (Mecoptera: Panorpidae), In Florida, Louis A. Somma

Insecta Mundi

I provide the first state record for the Oconee scorpionfly, Panorpa oconee Byers, from Putnam County, Florida. This is the southernmost record for P. oconee, extends its range 321 km south of its known distribution and, if valid, adds a seventh described species of panorpid, and twelfth mecopteran, indigenous to Florida.

Morphological Characterization And Molecular Mediated Genetic Variation Of Thief Ant (Solenopsis Molesta Say, Hymenoptera: Formicidae), Ralph B. Narain

Department of Entomology: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

The thief ant, Solenopsis molesta (Say), a common nuisance ant species found throughout the United States is genetically related to other stinging ants. This research was undertaken to estimate genetic variation utilizing mitochondrial DNA sequences of cytochrome oxidase I in thief ant populations from various geographic locations. Thief ants were collected from nine states, identified to species using morphologic characteristics from available keys. DNA extractions were completed with Qiagen’s Gentra PUREGENE® DNA Isolation Kit using their solid tissue protocol. PCR reactions were run on the extracted DNA using primers Lep-F1 (forward) and Lep-R1 (reverse). The resulting DNA products were concentrated …

Bromeliads As A Breeding Site For The Dengue Vector Aedes Aegypti, Eva B. Shultis

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

Dengue Fever is a major public health concern in tropical and subtropical climates worldwide, including the city of Cairns, Australia, which is currently suffering a severe outbreak. The most important vector of the Dengue virus is the predominantly urban mosquito Aedes aegypti (L.), which lays its eggs in both artificial and natural containers, including the ornamental bromeliad plants found in many household gardens. The ability of larvae to develop to adulthood inside bromeliads has become controversial, however, and bromeliad enthusiasts frequently refuse to have their plants treated with insecticide. The aim of this study was to determine the conditions under …

Trapping Small Hive Beetles, Aethina Tumida Murray, Inside Honey Bee Colonies, Maxcy Nolan Iv

All Theses

The small hive beetle, Aethina tumida Murray, (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae) is an economically important honey bee pest, particularly in the southeastern United States. One method of controlling this pest is the use of an in-hive trap. Many different attractants have been developed and are used in such traps. Part one of my thesis involved testing a new attractant, a pollen substitute inoculated with the yeast Kodamaea ohmeri (NRRL Y-30722). Thirty-two test colonies were established with 0.9-kg (2-lb) packages of bees with queens. Eight colonies were placed in each apiary, and colonies received one of three treatments: 1) yeast-based attractant 2) apple …

Bionomic Studies Of Papilio Demoleus Linnaeus, The Citrus Butterfly, (Lepidoptera: Papilionidae), From Lower Sindh, Pakistan, Arshad Munir, Nikhat Yasmin Siddiqui, Muhammad A. Rafi, Harry Pavulaan, David Wright

The Taxonomic Report of the International Lepidoptera Survey

Biological parameters of Papilio demoleus Linnaeus, the Citrus Butterfly, in Tando Muhammad Khan, lower Sindh, Pakistan are presented. This major agricultural pest was reared on Murraya koenigii (L.) Spreng. (Curry Leaf) and ten different varieties of Citrus sp. (Citrus) plants. The length of the adult mating period ranged 5 to 8 hours. Following mating, females laid 27.7 ± 3.3 eggs. Eggs hatched in 1.5 to 7 days. Mean durations of larval instars were 1.8 ± 0.1 (minimum) and 2.9 ± 0.1 (maximum) days respectively. Pupal duration was 5.5 to 20 days. Biotic factors including predators [praying mantis, ants, Common Garden …

Rice-Feeding Insects And Selected Natural Enemies In West Africa: Biology, Ecology, Identification, E. A. Heinrichs, Alberto T. Barrion

Entomology Papers from Other Sources

FOREWORD • ACKNOWLEDGMENTS • INTRODUCTION • RICE IN AFRICA • RICE-FEEDING INSECTS • CLIMATIC ZONES AND RICE ECOSYSTEMS AS HABITATS • CONSTRAINTS TO RICE PRODUCTION • SPECIES IN WEST AFRICA • DIRECT DAMAGE • ROLE IN DISEASE TRANSMISSION

BIOLOGY AND ECOLOGY OF RICE-FEEDING INSECTS

ROOT FEEDERS : Mole crickets, Gryllotalpa africana Palisot de Beauvois; Orthoptera: Gryllotalpidae • Root aphids, Tetraneura nigriabdominalis (Sasaki); Hemiptera (suborder Homoptera): Aphididae • Termites, Macrotermes, Microtermes, and Trinervitermes spp.; Isoptera: Termitidae • Black beetles, Heteronychus mosambicus Peringuey (= H. oryzae Britton); Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Dynastinae • Rice water weevils, Afroryzophilus djibai Lyal; Coleoptera: Curculionidae • …

Supercooling Differences In The Eastern Subterranean Termite (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae), Brian J. Cabrera, Shripat T. Kamble

Department of Entomology: Faculty Publications

Supercooling points were determined for untreated field-collected and untreated laboratory-maintained Reticulitermes flavipes (Kollar) workers and soldiers. Workers treated with antibiotics or had their hindgut-protozoa removed by exposing them to oxygen under pressure to determine the effects of absence of the hindgut fauna on supercooling. Supercooling points were compared be-tween live and freshly killed workers to determine whether supercooling in this species might be simply due to the biochemical properties of body fluids. Laboratory-maintained workers were also subjected to desiccation, starvation, or atmospheric pressure to determine their effects on supercool-ing. Supercooling points were lowest for laboratory workers treated with antibiotics and …

Seasonal Occurrence Of Phyllophaga Species And Biological Studies Of Phyllophage Ephilida (Say) On Sweet Potato, Ipomoea Batatas (L) Lam, In Louisiana, Aboubacar Diagne

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

The biology of Phyllophaga ephilida (Say) was studied in Louisiana with both laboratory and field experiments from 1998 through 2003. The seasonal occurrence of common adult Phyllophaga species in sweet potato growing areas was surveyed with blacklight traps. P. ephilida and P. crinita (Burmeister) were the most common species at all locations. The attractiveness of seven methyl esters of L-isoleucine and L-valine blends to P. ephilida males was evaluated in sweet potato fields in 1999 and 2000. The 100% methyl ester of L-isoleucine was significantly more attractive than all other blend ratios that were tested. The life cycle of P. …

Evaluation Of Injury And Management Strategies For Stink Bugs (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) On Cotton, Gossypium Hirsutum L., Melissa Marie Willrich

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

The effects of brown stink bug, Euschistus servus (Say), and southern green stink bug, Nezara viridula (L.), feeding on pre-flowering, flowering, and senescing cotton, Gossypium hirsutum L., plants were evaluated in field studies. Vegetative stage seedlings and flower buds (squares) were not significantly injured by adults or nymphs of either species in no-choice studies. Brown stink bug adults induced boll abscission, and reduced seedcotton yield and seed germination in bolls accumulating „T 350, „T 550, and 101 to „T 600 heat units beyond anthesis, respectively. In free-choice tests, boll preference was evaluated during each of the initial five weeks of …

Effects Of Decreasing Thermophotoperiod On The Eastern Subterranean Termite (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae), Brian J. Cabrera, Shripat T. Kamble

Department of Entomology: Faculty Publications

Eastern subterranean termite, Reticulitermes flavipes (Kollar), workers were exposed to decreasing temperatures and a shift in photoperiod to simulate conditions that are encountered during the fall in eastern Nebraska. Mean water and fat content in termites exposed to a decreasing thermophotoperiod did not differ significantly from controls or laboratory colony termites. Survival was higher for termites subjected to a decreasing thermophotoperiod than for controls. This could be attributed to acclimation to low temperatures or a delayed mortality due to lowered metabolic activity at low temperature. Previously reported data on soil temperatures taken in Lincoln, NE, at a depth of 91.4 …

Occurrence Of Wolbachia In Selected Diabroticite (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) Beetles, Thomas L. Clark, Lance J. Meinke, Steven R. Skoda, John E. Foster

Department of Entomology: Faculty Publications

Wolbachia are a rickettsial type bacteria that have been implicated as a cause of reproductive disruption and alteration in many insect species. Polymerase chain reaction assays of the 16S rRNA gene were conducted to reveal the prevalence of Wolbachia in 14 Diabroticite species, 12 Diabrotica, and two Acalymma. Assays revealed the presence of Wolbachia infection in three Diabrotica species; D. virgifera virgifera LeConte (all 40 individuals), D. cristata (Harris) (three of 25 individuals), D. lemniscata LeConte (all 20 individuals), and the two Acalymma species, A. blandulum (LeConte) (all 20 individuals), A. vittatum (F.) (one of 20 individuals). The …

Weevil Management In Orchards And Vineyards Looks Promising, Stewart Learmonth

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

Research and monitoring undertaken by Agriculture Western Australia is showing that the management of weevils in Western Australia's orchard crops and vineyards is improving. A number of alternative management strategies are being implemented, and future research will assess the effectiveness of non-chemical approaches to weevil management.

Flea News 53 (December 1996), Robert E. Lewis

Flea News

Robert E. Lewis to retitre from Iowa State University effective January 1, 1997

Book reviews

Obituaries: Robert S. Traub (October 26, 1916-December 21, 1996); Dorald Mervin Allred (July 11, 1923-June 20, 1996)

Miscellanea

Siphonaptera literature

Report: Use of an orally administered insect development inhibitor (Lufenuron) as a flea control agent in the California ground squirrel, Spermophilus beecheyi by Richard M. Davis

Flea News 51 (December 1995), Robert E. Lewis

Flea News

Obituaries:George MacKenzie Dunnet (April 19, 1928-September 11, 1995); William Livingston Jellison (January 28, 1906-November 7, 1995)

Miscellanea

Siphonaptera literatue

Taxonomic Synopsis Of The Old World Asopine Genera (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae ), Donald B. Thomas

Insecta Mundi

The subfamily Asopinae of the stinkbug family Pentatomidae is revised for the Old World with a key to the genera and a review of the species with nomenclatural changes. The genus Tahitocoris is removed from the Asopinae and placed tentatively with the Podopinae. The genus Breddiniella is reduced to a synonym of Cazira. The genus Incitatus is reduced to a synonym of Martinina. The genus Platynopus is divided into three genera by the restriction of Platynopus to include only five Indo- Pacific species; the elevation of the subgenus Montrouzieriellus to the level of full genus, and the erection …

Neotype Designations For The Type Species Of Phidippus (Araneae: Salticidae), G. B. Edwards

Insecta Mundi

Neotypes are designated for Attus audax Hentz and Salticus variegatus Lucas in order to establish the identity of these species to facilitate a ruling on the proper name of the type species of the genus Phidippus by the International Commission of Zoological Nomenclature.

Patterns Among Host Plants Of Potato Leafhopper, Empoasca Fabae (Homoptera: Cicadellidae), William O. Lamp, Gary R. Nielsen, Stephen D. Danielson

Department of Entomology: Faculty Publications

Ecological characteristics of potato leafhopper, Empoasca fabae (Harris), including polyphagy, suggest that non-economic plant species in the landscape may be important to its population ecology. The objectives of this study were to compile a host list, to ascertain taxonomic and ecological patterns within the list, and to determine host utilization in non-crop habitats. The host plant list included 220 species in 100 genera and 26 families. Fabaceae represented 47% of the genera and 62% of the species. Yet, the list includes a diversity of taxonomic groups within the class Magnoliopsida, representing highly divergent chemistry and morphological types. Ecological classifications, based …

South American Oxybelus I. Notes On Types Of Spinola, F. Smith, Brethes, Pate, And Schrottky (Hymenoptera, Sphecidae, Crabroninae), Richard M. Bohart

Insecta Mundi

The names of previously described South American species of Oxybelus are listed, annotated, and synonymy given. Nomenclature changes are: brethesi is a new name for interruptus Brethes 1913; decipiens Brethes 1913 and pamparum Brethes 1913 are synonyms of catamarcensis Schmttky 1909; fritzi is a new name for modestus Brethes 1913; agnitus Brethes 1913 is a synonym of marginatus F. Smith 1866; joergenseni Brethes 1913 is a synonym of paraguayensis Brethes 1909; and tarijensis Brethes 1913 is a synonym of platensis Brethes 1901. Neotypes are established for platensis and catamarcensis, and lectotypes for americanus, argentinus, modestus, marginatus, and tarijensis …

Department Of Entomology Newsletter - No. 5, Part 1, 1988, George R. Manglitz

Hexapod Herald and Other Entomology Department Newsletters

When the last Newsletter was published in 1976 (No.4), it was assumed that it would be followed by another In 4 or 5 years. And indeed, considerable effort has been expended on the production of No.5. However, for various very good reasons No.5, although close to publication several times, aborted several times. Now largely because this is the centennial year of our Department, we feel that we can wait no longer. Because of that fact, the format of this Newsletter will be slightly different from those in the past. We have the "news" that you furnished about yourselves 5 or …