Spatiotemporal Dynamics Of Immature Culicines (Subfamily Culicinae) And Their Larval Habitats In Mwea Rice Scheme, Kenya, Ephantus J. Muturi, Joseph M. Mwangangi, Benjamin G. Jacob, Josephat I. Shililu, Charles M. Mbogo, John I. Githure, Robert J. Novak

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

An ecological study was conducted at three study sites in Mwea Rice Scheme, Kenya to identify the diverse aquatic habitats in which culicine mosquitoes thrived and to explore the best strategies for mosquito control in the area. During the 11-month study period, ten habitat categories and 11 culicine species mainly dominated by Culex quinquefasciatus (72.0%) and Culex annulioris (17.9%) were identified from pupae and late instars larval samples. Two of the 11 culicine species, Ficalbia (Mimomyia) plumosa and Uranotaenia spp., have not been reported previously in the study area. Rurumi had more habitat types than either of the other study …

The Discovery And Pursuit Of American Boutonneuse Fever: A New Spotted Fever Group Rickettsiosis', J. Goddard, A. Varela-Stokes

Midsouth Entomologist

There is a new tick-borne disease similar to Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF) that was recently described from the southern United States. Cases of the disease are a subset of reported RMSF cases and therefore constitute a “disease within a disease.” The causative agent of this RMSF-like disease, however, is Rickettsia parkeri as opposed to R. rickettsii, the pathogen causing RMSF. Both organisms are in the spotted fever group (SFG) of rickettsiae, cross-react in laboratory tests used to diagnose RMSF, and therefore are difficult to differentiate serologically. The new malady has been tentatively named “American Boutonneuse Fever” (ABF) based on …

The Bees Of Greater Puerto Rico (Hymenoptera: Apoidea: Anthophila), Julio A. Genaro, Nico M. Franz

Insecta Mundi

The bee fauna of the Greater Puerto Rico area was studied. A review of the previous relevant studies is presented. An annotated catalog and information about the origin and distributional patterns are also provided. Thirty-nine species of bees occur in Puerto Rico and adjacent islands. This fauna is composed of four elements: exclusive Puerto Rican endemics (26.5%); Antillean endemics occurring on multiple islands (76.5%); continental species that have also colonized the Antilles (23.5%); and species introduced through human activity (12.8%). The bee fauna was both low in its diversity and showed the highest level of disharmony in relation to other …

Interspecific Competition Between Diadegma Semiclausum Hellen And Diadegma Mollipla (Holmgren), Parasitoids Of The Diamondback Moth, Plutella Xylostella (L), Feeding On A New Host Plant, A. Rossbach, B. Löhr, S. Vidal

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Interspecific competition between an introduced parasitoid species aimed at controlling a herbivorous pest species and a native parasitoid parasitising the same host may influence the success of classical biological control programmes. In Kenya, interspecific competition between an introduced and a local parasitoid on two diamondback moth populations (DBM, Plutella xylostella) was investigated on two different host plants. We tested simultaneous and delayed competition of the local parasitoid Diadegma mollipla Holmgren and its exotic congenus D. semiclausum Hellen on a newly aquired DBM host plant (snowpea) in the laboratory. Under simultaneous competition, D. mollipla produced more progeny than D. semiclausum on …

A Biotic Survey And Inventory Of The Dynastine Scarab Beetles Of Mesoamerica, North America, And The West Indies: Review Of A Long-Term, Multicountry Project, Brett C. Ratcliffe, Ronald D. Cave

University of Nebraska State Museum: Entomology Papers

This biotic inventory will document the species-level diversity of dynastine scarabs, their spatial and temporal distributions, ecological preferences, and biology. The long term, multi-country research project explores a biotically megadiverse region that is seriously at risk from deforestation, environmental homogenization, invasive species, and urban sprawl. Objectives of this survey are: 1) to understand the biodiversity of dynastine scarab beetles in Mesoamerica; 2) disseminate this information in print and electronic forms; 3) train students, parataxonomists, and collection managers in the study area about dynastine taxonomy and identification, care of collections, dissemination of information, and conservation; and 4) assemble authoritatively identified voucher …

First Come, First Serve: “Sit And Wait” Behavior In Dung Beetles At The Source Of Primate Dung, Jennifer Jacobs, Ines Nole, Susanne Palminteri, Brett C. Ratcliffe

Department of Entomology: Faculty Publications

Dung beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Scarabaeinae) compete intensively for dung resources, and most species forage in the understory. Here, we describe the unique behavior of one dung beetle species, Canthon aff. quadriguttatus (Olivier), associated with two species of monkeys from Peru. We observed this beetle species on the genital and anal regions of the brown titi monkey, Callicebus brunneus (Wagner), and subsequently falling with dung as the monkeys defecated. The same association was also observed with the bald-faced saki monkey, Pithecia irrorata irrorata (Gray). Using the “sit and wait” at the source behavior, C. quadriguttus may arrive first at the dung …

Resource Heterogeneity Moderates The Biodiversity-Function Relationship In Real World Ecosystems, Jason M. Tylianakis, Tatyana A. Rand, Ansgar Kahman, Alexandra-Maria Klein, Nina Buchmann, Jörg Perner, Teja Tscharntke

Entomology Papers from Other Sources

Numerous recent studies have tested the effects of plant, pollinator, and predator diversity on primary productivity, pollination, and consumption, respectively. Many have shown a positive relationship, particularly in controlled experiments, but variability in results has emphasized the context-dependency of these relationships. Complementary resource use may lead to a positive relationship between diversity and these processes, but only when a diverse array of niches is available to be partitioned among species. Therefore, the slope of the diversity-function relationship may change across differing levels of heterogeneity, but empirical evaluations of this pattern are lacking. Here we examine three important functions/properties in different …

Neochetina Species And Arthropod Communities In Water-Hyacinth Rafts In South Carolina, Benjamin Powell

All Theses

Arthropod communities inhabiting feral water-hyacinth rafts were surveyed monthly in South Carolina's Coastal Plain from March 2005 through February 2006. Special attention was given to the chevroned waterhyacinth weevil [Neochetina bruchi (Hustache)], the mottled waterhyacinth weevil [N. eichhorniae (Warner)] (both Coleoptera: Curculionidae), and the waterhyacinth moth [Niphograpta albiguttalis (Warren)] (Lepidoptera: Crambidae), which were imported into North America to control water-hyacinth. Communities of arthropods are compared among sites, flow regimes (lentic, lotic, and tidal), and months of the year. The arthropod communities in waterhyacinth rafts in South Carolina are more diverse than previously reported. Rafts in each of …

Impact Of An Exotic Parasitoid On Plutella Xylostella (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae) Population Dynamics, Damage And Indigenous Natural Enemies In Kenya, B. Löhr, R. Gathu, C. Kariuki, J. Obiero, G. Gichini

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Diadegma semiclausum (Hellén) (Hymenoptera: lchneumonidae), an exotic diamondback moth parasitoid, was released in two pilot areas (Werugha in Coast Region and Tharuni in Central Province) in Kenya. Fifteen month before release, observations on the diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (Linnaeus), and local natural enemy population dynamics and pest damage were initiated in both areas and continued for three years after release. The P. xylostella population was bimodal with higher records during dry seasons. At Werugha, the peak population of P. xylostella was 16.8 per plant (October 2001); at Tharuni it was 12.8 (February 2002). Populations at Werugha declined from three months …

Direct And Indirect Effects Of Animal Detritus On Growth, Survival, And Mass Of Invasive Container Mosquito Aedes Albopictus (Diptera : Culicidae, Donald A. Yee, Banugopan Kesavaraju, Steven A. Juliano

Faculty Publications – Biological Sciences

Compared with plant detritus, animal detritus yields higher growth rates, survival, adult mass, and population growth of container-dwelling mosquitoes. It is unclear whether the benefit from animal detritus to larvae results from greater microorganism growth, direct ingestion of animal detritus by larvae, or some other mechanism. We tested alternative mechanisms by which animal detritus may benefit the invasive container-dwelling mosquito Aedes albopictus (Skuse) (Diptera: Culicidae). In the laboratory, larvae were reared under three conditions with access to 1) detritus, but where microorganisms in the water column were reduced through periodic flushing; 2) water column microorganisms, but larvae had no direct …

Biology And Phylogeny Of The Cassidinae Gyllenhal Sensu Lato (Tortoise And Leaf-Mining Beetles) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), Caroline S. Chaboo

Department of Entomology: Faculty Publications

A parsimony analysis was undertaken to test subfamily and tribal group concepts of Cassidinae (ca. 2000 genera, ca. 6000 species). An integrated account of their biology was synthesized from the primary literature. A detailed morphological study of adults, using Hemisphaerota palmarum Boheman as a model, formed the basis for evaluating characters previously utilized and for defining novel characters. The data matrix comprised 210 characters (from adults and immature stages, ecology and behavior), 6 outgroups, and 98 ingroup exemplar species (representing 94 genera and 39 of the 43 recognized cassidine tribes). Results support the monophyly of Cassidinae and place it as …

Does A Specialist Parasitoid Adapt To Its Host On A New Host Plant?, A. Roßbach, B. Löhr, S. Vidal

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

The host plant expansion of a diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (L.) (DBM) strain to snowpea (Pisum sativum L.) raised the question whether a specialist parasitoid Diadegma semiclausum (DS) could be conditioned to locate and parasitize its host on the new host plant. In a specialist parasitoid a behavioural change towards a plant outside the normal host plant range of its host due to developmental experience is not expected. The responsive behaviour, parasitism rates and fitness of three subsequent DS generations were investigated on the snowpea-strain of DBM. After three generations of DS on the pea 62.5% of females chose an …

The Effect Of Temperature And Humidity On The Bionomics Of Six African Egg Parasitoids (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae), A. Kalyebi, W. A. Overholt, F. Schulthess, J. M. Mueke, S. Sithanantham

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

The life table statistics of six native Kenyan species/strains of Trichogramma and Trichogrammatoidea were established using a factitious host Corcyra cephalonica, Stainton (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), at eight different temperatures (10, 15, 20, 25, 28, 30, 32 and 35°C) and two humidity levels (40-50 and 70-80%). The objective was to select insects with superior attributes for augmentative release against lepidopteran pests in horticultural crops. Both temperature and humidity affected developmental time and life table parameters of the parasitoids but temperature played a more critical role. Developmental time was inversely related to temperature. The intrinsic and finite rates of increase increased with temperature …

Phylogenetic Approach To The Study Of Triatomines (Triatominae, Heteroptera) = Abordagem Filogenética Em Triatomíneos (Triatominae, Heteroptera), Ester Tartarotti, M. T. V. Azeredo-Oliveira, C. R. Ceron

Harold W. Manter Laboratory of Parasitology: Library Materials

Abstracts

Triatomines are insects belonging to the Hemiptera order, Heteroptera suborder, Reduviidae family and Triatominae subfamily. All members of this subfamily are hematophagous. Triatomines evolved from Reduviidae predators and they are probably polyphyletic in origin. The combination of anatomical, physiological and ethological factors observed in this group, as well as the plesiomorphic and apomorphic characters that differentiate the five tribes and fourteen triatomine genera reinforce the polyphiletic hypotesis. However if we consider the five groups of triatomines, the Rhodniini, Cavernicolini, Bolboderini, Linshcosteini and Alberproseniini tribes constitute monophyletic groups, while the Triatomini tribe is considered polyphyletic. The New World is the …

Comparative Pollen Foraging Of Africanized And European Honeybees In A Non-Agricultural Environment, Ruben Ruiz

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

With the advent of the Africanized honeybee, ways to differentiate it from the European honeybee have been greatly sought in attempts to better understand the role of Africanized bees in pollination. Pollen collecting strategies for both honeybee subspecies have been explored in attempts to exploit their pollinating capabilities. This project examined pollen collected by honeybees from feral and managed European and Africanized colonies in a relatively isolated site. Paired European and Africanized honeybee colonies were used to obtain pollen foragers. Through acetolysis (series acidified Acetic Anhydride washings); the collected pollen from the individual foragers was treated and observed with light …

Oil-Soluble Dyes For Marking Spodoptera Frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), Elis Christine Vilarinho, Odair Aparecido Fernandes, Celso Omoto, Thomas E. Hunt

Department of Entomology: Faculty Publications

Although various biological aspects of Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) have been examined, adult movement and dispersal of this insect pest is not well understood. Release-recapture techniques by using marked insects is a useful approach for dispersal studies; however, the marking technique should not significantly affect insect biology or behavior. Therefore, the effect of different concentrations of oil-soluble dyes (Solvent Blue 35 [C.I. 61554], Sudan Red 7B [C.I. 26050], Sudan Black B [26150], Sudan Orange G [C.I. 11920], and Sudan I 103624 [C.I. 12055]) on development, mortality, and fecundity of S. frugiperda was evaluated. Dyes were added to artificial …

Stemborers Associated With Smooth Cordgrass, Spartina Alterniflora (Poaceae), In A Nursery Habitat, W. H. White, D. Adamski, G. Fine, E. P. Richard, Jr.

USDA Systematic Entomology Laboratory

Extensive ecological studies have been conducted on insects inhabiting native stands of smooth cordgrass, Spartina alterniflora Loisel; however, this is not the case for insects found in smooth cordgrass in a nursery habitat. We investigated species composition and larval disposition among stemborers (Lepidoptera: Coleophoridae and Crambidae) infesting stems of smooth cordgrass in nursery plots. One thousand and forty stems of smooth cordgrass were randomly selected in 2003 and examined for presence of stemborer larvae. Height of larvae on or within stem, height of stem from ground level to top-visible dewlap, and condition of the leaf-whorl were documented. Stemborers representing six …

Faunal Succession Of Necrophilous Insects Associated With High-Pofile Wildlife Carcasses In Louisiana, Erin Jean Grindley Watson

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

The same entomological criteria used in estimating time of death for humans are applicable for deceased wildlife. Necrophilous insects associated with animal carcasses can provide wildlife law enforcement with valuable information necessary for postmortem interval estimation, and ultimately, to incriminate poachers. The purpose of this research was twofold: to establish species composition, faunal succession patterns, and species and life stage interactions of necrophilous insects associated with three wildlife species; and to identify new methods of evaluating succession patterns using statistical measures. Twenty-one large vertebrate carcasses were monitored throughout decomposition in a mixed flatwood forest in East Baton Rouge Parish, LA …

Fisheries Research Contract Report No. 2 - Towards An Assessment Of Natural And Human Use Impacts On The Marine Environment Of The Abrolhos Islands (Phase 1 : Data Consolidation And Scoping - Final Report For Frdc Project 2000/1 66), C. F. Chubb, K. Nardi

Fisheries Research Contract Reports

This project has drawn together existing research data relating to natural and human impacts on the Abrolhos Islands marine habitats. It has surveyed current uses of these habitats and placed anthropogenic impacts within the context of natural perturbations. Through public forum presentation and debate, this work has allowed real issues, not perceptions, to surface and be addressed properly. This was achieved by defining a strategic programme of research through a scientific workshop process involving all community stakeholders. A two volume Fisheries Research Report (WA) summarizes current knowledge and details the workshop proceedings and strategic research plan.

The Mayfly Newsletter, Peter M. Grant

The Mayfly Newsletter

The Mayfly Newsletter is the official newsletter of the Permanent Committee of the International Conferences on Ephemeroptera.

Dragonflies (Odonata) Of The Ouachita National Forest, George L. Harp, Phoebe A. Harp

Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science

The Ouachita National Forest (ONF) was established in 1907 and encompasses 1.8 million acres (728,450 ha) in Arkansas and Oklahoma, almost entirely within the Ouachita Mountains Natural Division. The adult dragonfly species richness, seasonal and spatial distribution, and relative abundance were surveyed during 2002. Fifty-four collections were made at 43 sites during 10-19 May (20 collections), 10-22 July (19 collections) and 9-17 September (15 collections). Literature records were searched, as well as records from pertinent museums and individuals. Eighty-three species are reported here for the ONF, 77 of which were collected during 2002. Nehallenia integricollis newly reported for Arkansas, as …

Spatial And Temporal Heterogeneity Of Anopheles Mosquitoes And Plasmodium Falciparum Transmission Along The Kenyan Coast, Charles M. Mbogo, Joseph M. Mwangangi, Joseph G. Nzovu, Weidong Gu, Guiyan Yan, James T. Gunter, Chris Swalm, Joseph Keating, James L. Regens, Josephat I. Shililu, John I. Githure, John C. Beier

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

The seasonal dynamics and spatial distributions of Anopheles mosquitoes and Plasmodium falciparum parasites were studied for one year at 30 villages in Malindi, Kilifi, and Kwale Districts along the coast of Kenya. Anopheline mosquitoes were sampled inside houses at each site once every two months and malaria parasite prevalence in local school children was determined at the end of the entomologic survey. A total of 5,476 Anopheles gambiae s.l. and 3,461 An. funestus were collected. Species in the An. gambiae complex, identified by a polymerase chain reaction, included 81.9% An. gambiae s.s., 12.8% An. arabiensis, and 5.3% An. merus. Anopheles …

Malariasphere: A Greenhouse-Enclosed Simulation Of A Natural Anophelesgambiae (Diptera: Culicidae) Ecosystem In Western Kenya, Bart G.J. Knols, Basilio N. Njiru, Evan M. Mathenge, Wolfgang R. Mukabana, John C. Beier, Gerry F. Killeen

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Background: The development and implementation of innovative vector control strategies for malaria control in Africa requires in-depth ecological studies in contained semi-field environments. This particularly applies to the development and release of genetically-engineered vectors that are refractory to Plasmodium infection. Here we describe a modified greenhouse, designed to simulate a natural Anopheles gambiae Giles ecosystem, and the first successful trials to complete the life-cycle of this mosquito vector therein. Methods: We constructed a local house, planted crops and created breeding sites to simulate the natural ecosystem of this vector in a screen-walled greenhouse, exposed to ambient climate conditions, in western …

Millipeds (Arthropoda: Diplopoda) Of The Ark-La-Tex. Ii. Distributional Records For Some Species Of Western And Central Arkansas And Easter And Southeastern Oklahoma, Chris T. Mcallister, Rowland M. Shelley, James T. Mcallister Iii

Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science

We collected millipeds between November 2001 and March 2002 at several sites in the Ouachita Provinces of western (Garland, Hot Spring, Pike, and Polk counties) and central Arkansas (Pulaski County) and the Ouachita and Kiamichi Provinces of southeastern Oklahoma (LeFlore and McCurtain counties). The following millipeds were found: Eurymerodesmus dubius, Auturus louisianus louisianus, Pseudopolydesmus pinetorum, and Cambala minor in Garland County; Eurymerodesmus sp., A. I. louisianus, P. pinetorum, and juveniles of the family Parajulidae (tribe Aniulini) from Hot Spring County; E. dubius, A. I. louisianus, and juveniles of the family Cleidogonidae from Pike County; Brachycybe lecontei, A. I. louisianus, Abacion …

New Species Of Hemiphileurus Kolbe (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Dynastinae) From Mexico, Guatemala, Colombia, And Brazil, Brett C. Ratcliffe

University of Nebraska State Museum: Entomology Papers

The following new species of Hemiphileurus are described: H. bispinosus Ratcliffe from Brazil, H. deslislesi Ratcliffe from Colombia, H. quadridentatus Ratcliffe from Guatemala, and H. warneri Ratcliffe from Mexico. The parameres of H. rugulosus Endrödi (Venezuela and Colombia) are illustrated to enable easier identification of this species, and H. kahni Dupuis and Dechambre is redescribed and recorded from Brazil for the first time. Diagnostic illustrations of the male parameres are provided for the above taxa. A checklist for all the species in the genus is given.

Se describen las siguientes nuevas especies de Hemiphileurus: H. bispinosus Ratcliffe de Brasil, …

Preliminary Checklist Of The Orthopteroid Insects (Blattodea, Mantodea, Phasmatodea,Orthoptera) Of Texas, John A. Stidham, Thomas A. Stidham

Insecta Mundi

Texas has one of the most diverse orthopteroid assemblages of any state in the United States, reflecting the varied habitats found in the state. Three hundred and eighty-nine species and 78 subspecies of orthopteroid insects (Blattodea, Mantodea, Phasmatodea, and Orthoptera) have published records for the state of Texas. This is the first such comprehensive checklist for Texas and should aid future work on these groups in this area.

Aspects Of The Taxonomy And Ecology Of The Ground Beetle (Coleoptera: Carabidae) Assemblage Of The Swan Coastal Plain : (With Particular Reference To Habitat Fragmentation And The Quindalup Dune System), Nadine A. Guthrie

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

Long term studies encompassing seasonal variation in abundance and species present, forming base-line phenological data, arc required to understand the responses of the carabid (Ground Beetle) fauna to major habitat changes. In addition, few habitats unaffected by human disturbance remain in Australia, and evaluation of these fauna in these areas is required before further habitat loss occurs. Generally an unknown group of terrestrial predatory invertebrates in Australia, carabids have been the subjects of few ecological studies in this country. This restricts the utility of the Carabidae in environmental or conservation assessment programs in Australia. A study was initiated to assess …

The Mayfly Newsletter, Peter M. Grant

The Mayfly Newsletter

The Mayfly Newsletter is the official newsletter of the Permanent Committee of the International Conferences on Ephemeroptera.

Salinity And Shade Preferences Result In Ovipositional Differences Between Sympatric Tiger Beetle Species, W. Wyatt Hoback, Douglas A. Golick, Tina Marie Svatos, Stephen M. Spomer, Leon G. Higley

Department of Entomology: Faculty Publications

1. Adult tiger beetles of the genus Cicindela often co-occur within a habitat but larvae do not. Larvae are sedentary and form usually permanent burrows at the site of oviposition where they require 1-3 years for development.

2. To test niche partitioning based on ovipositional preference, the behavior of two sympatric salt marsh tiger beetles, Cicindela circumpicta and C. togata (Coleoptera: Cicindelidae), were examined.

3. In laboratory studies, female C. circumpicta and C. togata distinguished between experimental salinities, with the former preferring 4 parts per thousand (ppt) and the latter preferring 12 ppt. In the field, C. circumpicta larvae were …

The Mayfly Newsletter, Peter M. Grant

The Mayfly Newsletter

The Mayfly Newsletter is the official newsletter of the Permanent Committee of the International Conferences on Ephemeroptera.