Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Commons^™

Ants And Their Response To Chili Powder, Antu Biswas

2024 REYES Proceedings

Spices can be used as an eco-friendly ant repellent. In this study, I tried to observe the ants’ response to chili powder and whether or not the spice can be an effective ant repellent.

The Efficacy Of Dry Peppermint Leaves As An Ant Repellent, Amal Chacko

2024 REYES Proceedings

Ant (Formicidae) infestation is a typical residential disturbance, often necessitating the use of chemical repellents that pose environmental and health dangers. This study looks into the possibilities of a natural alternative, dry peppermint (Mentha piperita L) leaves as a chemical repellent. Given the diversity of ant species and their variable responses to stimuli, this study seeks to determine the efficiency of dried peppermint leaves as a general ant repellent. A pilot study will be carried out to determine the repellent qualities of this spice against a specific ant species. The precise aims include evaluating if dry peppermint leaves …

Ants And Spices: Investigating The Repellent Effects Of Household Spices On Ants: A Study Of Chili, Coriander, And Cumin Powders, Abhishikta Pradhan

2024 REYES Proceedings

The aim of this study was to test the ant-repellent potential of household spices, namely chili powder, coriander powder, and cumin powder, against ants (Formicidae). The experiments were conducted using sticky note paper as a substrate, on which granulated sugar was placed as bait. In the control baits, only granulated sugar was used, while in the treatment baits, granulated sugar mixed with each spice was used. The baits were placed near ant nests. One hour after placing the baits, the number of ants on the control and treatment baits was counted for each control-treatment pair (five pairs in total, with …

Cardamom Spice: A Potential Ant Repellent, Deepanshi Gupta

2024 REYES Proceedings

This novel research has been conducted to identify the efficacy of cardamom powder to repel ants (Formicidae) in the households and analyze the ant behavior towards the spice. The study was done using a bait and a substrate along with a spice. Granulated sugar was used as a bait material with butter crackers as a substrate. The granulated sugar was topped over the substrate in the control sample while the cardamom powder was added on top of the sugar in the treatment sample. The control sample (no cardamom powder) and treatment sample (with cardamom powder) were kept at a distance …

Evaluating The Repellent Properties Of Paprika On Ants, Jonathan J. Toj Castellanos

2024 REYES Proceedings

Ants are a problem no matter where you are, which is why we should always have a way to repel them on hand. Spices can be an eco-friendly and cheaper alternative to common insecticides sold in supermarkets. These insecticides are generally made from toxic products, which can affect both humans and animals. This research aimed to find the perfect spice to replace insecticides. Paprika was chosen because it is very common, especially in Guatemalan territory. Several experiments were conducted to verify the effects of paprika on ants. It was tested on one of the most common ant species in Central …

Investigating Turmeric’S Sustainable Properties For Pest Control As An Ant Repellent, Sabyasachi Parija

2024 REYES Proceedings

Spices have long been known to possess various properties, including their ability to deter pests. This study investigates the potential of turmeric (Curcuma longa) as a natural ant-repellent. By testing the spice in various controlled environments, this research aimed to identify its efficacy compared to untreated baits. The results reveal that turmeric is a promising alternative to chemical pesticides, with significant effects in repelling ants without harm to the ecosystem.

The Ant-Repellant Activity Of Ginger (Zingiber Officinale) And Cardamom (Elettaria Cardamomum), Nevil S

2024 REYES Proceedings

Ants, while beneficial in natural ecosystems, can become pests when they invade human habitats. This study explored the potential of common household spices as a non-toxic alternative to chemical pesticides for ant repellency. Experiments were conducted using powdered ginger and crushed cardamom, which were applied to sugar biscuits (bait) in two ways: sprinkled on top and arranged in a circle around the bait. Ant activity was monitored over time, and data was analyzed using the Sign Test. The results indicated that both ginger and cardamom significantly repelled ants, demonstrating their effectiveness as natural ant deterrents. These findings suggest that spices …

White Pepper Powder Repels Ants, Mobashar Ahmad

2024 REYES Proceedings

In this study, I investigated ant responses to white pepper to see whether the spice can repel foraging ants. I performed several bioassays by placing control and treatment baits. The results demonstrated that white pepper powder significantly reduces ant activity.

Investigations Into The Ant Deterrent Properties Of Asafoetida Ferula Asafoetida And Star Anise Illicium Verum, Chinmayaram K

2024 REYES Proceedings

This study assesses asafoetida and star anise as eco-friendly alternatives to chemical ant deterrents. It involved placing replicates of two bait types, a control (granulated sugar) and a treatment (granulated sugar and spice), on yellow paper substrates at five different ant-infested sites. The efficacy of the spice was evaluated by comparing the ant count on each bait every 10, 40, 60, 120, and 180 minutes. Percentage repellency (PR) was calculated for both the spices, and the data was analysed with the sign test. Further tests used only the treatment bait to evaluate the efficacy of the two varieties of asafoetida …

New Records For 23 Species Of Nearctic False Click Beetles Including New Country Records For Protofarsus Convexus (Fisher) (Coleoptera: Eucnemidae: Dirhagini), Robert L. Otto

Insecta Mundi

New state records for 22 species of Eucnemidae (Coleoptera: Elateroidea) are reported from the eastern United States, based on examination and identification of specimens from four institutional and two private collections throughout 2024. Additionally, specimens of Protofarsus convexus (Fisher) from Texas represent new USA records for the species, known previously from Panama and Nicaragua. Images of several eucnemid species are provided. An identification key for Protofarsus Muona in the United States is provided.

Additions To The Millipede Family Caseyidae Verhoeff, 1909, Iii: Proposal Of The New Subfamily Ochrogrammatinae, New Records Of Vasingtona Irritans (Chamberlin, 1910), Established Species Of Ochrogramma Gardener And Shelley, 1989, A New Species Of Ochrogramma From Washington State, Usa (Diplopoda: Chordeumatida: Striariidea), And Observations On Spermatozoa And Spermatophores, William A. Shear, Paul E. Marek

Insecta Mundi

The genera Ochrogramma Gardner and Shelley, 1989 and Vasingtona Chamberlin, 1941 (Diplopoda: Chordeumatida: Striariidea: Caseyidae) are assigned to the Ochrogrammatinae Shear and Marek, new subfamily. The new subfamily is diagnosed by the broad ventral lamina of the mandibular stipes and extremely long gonapophyses (found in males), the peculiar, elaborately branched processes of the gonopods, and other characters. New records and new SEM illustrations are provided for the species Vasingtona irritans (Chamberlin, 1910), Ochrogramma bentona (Chamberlin, 1952) and Ochrogramma haigi Gardner and Shelley, 1989. The range of O. bentona is extended north from the Columbia River to the Puget …

Two New Species Of False Click Beetles (Coleoptera: Eucnemidae) From The Americas, Robert L. Otto

Insecta Mundi

Abstract

Identifications of recently collected Eucnemidae (Coleoptera: Elateroidea) borrowed from two collections have resulted in the discovery of two new species: Entomophthalmus abbreviatus Otto (Cuba) and Trigonopleurus cordobaalfaroi Otto (Guatemala and Louisiana, United States). Images of the two newly described species along with two New World Entomophthalmus Bonvouloir species for comparative purposes are included.

Resumen

Las identificaciones de Eucnemidae (Coleoptera: Elateroidea) recolectados recientemente tomados de dos colecciones han resultado en el descubrimiento de dos nuevas especies: Entomophthalmus abbreviatus Otto (Cuba) y Trigonopleurus cordobaalfaroi Otto (Guatemala y Louisiana, United States). Se incluyen imágenes de las dos especies recientemente descritas junto con …

Anthrenus (Nathrenus) Peacockae (Coleoptera: Dermestidae: Megatominae), A New Species From Pakistan, Graham J. Holloway

Insecta Mundi

A new species, Anthrenus (Nathrenus) peacockae Holloway (Coleoptera: Dermestidae: Megatominae) from Pakistan is described and compared with A. narani Háva and Ahmed, 2014, the most similar species. Images of the habitus, ventrites, antenna, aedeagus, sternites VIII and IX are presented. Anthrenus peacockae is only the third species in the subgenus Nathrenus Casey, 1900 to be recorded from Pakistan.

First Record Of The Mexican-M Hairstreak Parrhasius Moctezuma (Clench, 1971) (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae) In Texas, Usa, And Possible Sighting Of The Tequila Giant Skipper Aegiale Hesperiaris (Walker, 1856) (Lepidoptera: Hesperiidae), Sajan Kc, Anisha Sapkota

Insecta Mundi

We report two significant butterfly sightings in the United States, observed during an opportunistic photographic survey conducted in south Texas between December 2022 and January 2023. Parrhasius moctezuma (Clench, 1971) (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae) was sighted at the National Butterfly Center in Mission, Texas, on January 5, 2023, marking the first documented record of the species in Texas and only the second in the United States, as confirmed by photographic evidence. Additionally, Aegiale hesperiaris (Walker, 1856) (Lepidoptera: Hesperiidae) was potentially observed at the same location on December 4, 2022, although lacking photographic documentation or a collected specimen, highlighting the need for further …

Enriching The Knowledge Of The Biodiversity Of The South American Fauna: Descriptions Of New Species Of Cerambycinae And Lamiinae (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae), Josef Vlasak, Antonio Santos-Silva

Insecta Mundi

Six new species (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) are described from South America: Compsibidion volcanense Vlasak and Santos-Silva, new species (Cerambycinae: Tropidini: Neoibidionina), from Bolivia; Hyperplatys striatus Vlasak and Santos-Silva, new species, Hyperplatys vilcabambaensis Vlasak and Santos-Silva, new species, Sporetus boteroi Vlasak and Santos-Silva, new species, and Urgleptes colibri Vlasak and Santos-Silva, new species (Lamiinae: Acanthocinini), from Ecuador; and Estola apicomaculosa Vlasak and Santos-Silva, new species (Lamiinae: Desmiphorini), from Ecuador.

The Unbelievable Fauna Of American Lamiinae (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae): Description Of Two New Species, Transference, And Notes In Acanthocinini, And A New Record In Calliini, Antonio Santos-Silva, Juan Pablo Botero

Insecta Mundi

Two new species and one new genus of Lamiinae (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) are described in Acanthocinini: Embera flava new species, new genus, from Panama; and Nealcidion lingafelteri new species from Costa Rica. The species-group name of Nealcidion napoensis Nascimento and McClarin, 2018 is corrected and morphological variations in Leptostylus cristulatus Bates, 1872 are reported. Trypanidius mimicavus Carelli, Monné, and Souza, 2013 is redescribed and transferred to Carphina Bates, 1872, forming the new combination Carphina mimicavus. Colombicallia curta Galileo and Martins, 1992 (Calliini) is recorded from Panama for the first time.

Two New Species Of Bumblebee Scarabs (Coleoptera: Glaphyridae: Lichnanthe Burmeister) From The Central United States: A New Discovery In Wyoming Resolves A Century-Old Puzzle From The Nebraska Sand Hills, Matthew J. Paulsen

Insecta Mundi

The genus Lichnanthe Burmeister (Coleoptera: Scarabaeoidea: Glaphyridae) has comprised eight Nearctic species and contains the only New World members of their family. Here, two new species of arenicolous bumblebee scarabs are described from the central United States. The recent discovery of an undescribed Wyoming species led to the reevaluation of a dubious 134-year-old Nebraska Lichnanthe specimen, indicating that it also was an undescribed species. These two species, Lichnanthe brusti new species from central Wyoming and L. bruneri new species from central Nebraska are immediately distinguishable from all existing species of the genus by their square mandibles.

Anthrenus (Anthrenus) Querneri (Coleoptera: Dermestidae: Megatominae), A New Species From Austria, Graham J. Holloway

Insecta Mundi

A new species, Anthrenus (Anthrenus) querneri Holloway (Coleoptera: Dermestidae: Megatominae) from Austria is described and compared with A. pimpinellae (Fabricius, 1775), the most similar species. Images of the habitus, ventrites, antenna, aedeagus, and sternite IX are presented. Anthrenus querneri represents the 26^th species belonging to the Palaearctic Anthrenus pimpinellae complex.

Analysis Of Pepsis Basifusca Lucas (Hymenoptera: Pompilidae: Pepsinae) Taxonomy, Morphology, Biogeography, And Potential Host Spider, Frank E. Kurczewski

Insecta Mundi

A first-time analysis of taxonomically relevant characters, functional morphology, geographic distribution, ecoregion preference, and hypothetical host spiders of Pepsis basifusca Lucas (Hymenoptera: Pompilidae: Pepsinae) is presented. This analysis is compared with other Nearctic species in Vardy’s (2005) Pepsis menechma species-group, particularly P. cerberus Lucas and P. elegans Lepeletier which are suspected parasitoids of trapdoor spiders. Pepsis basifusca females differ from females of these species in possessing a rounded gena-postgena in dorsal view; straight mid and hind tibial spurs; short hind tibial inner spur; and short, very stout, and backward slanted hind tibial bristles. Pepsis basifusca Level III Ecoregions …

Review Of North American Eucnemis Ahrens, 1812 (Coleoptera: Eucnemidae: Eucneminae: Eucnemini) With Description Of A New Species From Eastern United States And Canada, Jyrki Muona, Robert L. Otto

Insecta Mundi

Eucnemis Ahrens, 1812 (Coleoptera: Eucnemidae: Eucneminae: Eucnemini) is reviewed from the Nearctic region. Eucnemis americanus Horn is redescribed and illustrated and a new species, Eucnemis piceous Muona and Otto, is described and illustrated from Ontario, Canada and the United States from Wisconsin south to Kentucky, east to Massachusetts and West Virginia, north to Connecticut and Rhode Island. Thus, E. americanus is restricted to the western coastline of northern North America from northern California to northern Washington. A key is provided for the two species.

A New Species Of Therates Latreille, 1816 (Coleoptera: Cicindelidae) From China, Jürgen Wiesner, Xinxin Xiong

Insecta Mundi

Therates yunnanensis Wiesner and Xiong, new species (Coleoptera: Cicindelidae), is described from Yunnan, China. It is distinguished from its allies by the shape of the aedeagus, labrum and elytral maculation.

Anthaxia (Anthaxia) Amandae (Coleoptera: Buprestidae: Buprestinae), A New Species From Mallorca, Spain, Graham J. Holloway

Insecta Mundi

A new species, Anthaxia (Anthaxia) amandae (Coleoptera: Buprestidae: Buprestinae), from Mallorca, Spain is described. Anthaxia amandae belongs to the A. dimidiata species group and externally very closely resembles A. dimidiata (Thunberg). External and internal features are presented enabling the two species to be differentiated from each other.

Aporus (Aporus) Niger (Cresson), A Reclusive Spider Wasp (Hymenoptera: Pompilidae: Pompilinae: Aporini) From Eastern North America, Frank E. Kurczewski

Insecta Mundi

There is no host or nesting information for Aporus (Aporus) niger (Cresson) (Hymenoptera: Pompilidae: Pompilinae: Aporini). Wasps in the tribe Aporini and, specifically, the genus Aporus Spinola capture only mygalomorph spiders (Araneae: Mygalomorphae). Purse-web spiders of the genus Sphodros Walckenaer (Araneae: Mygalomorphae: Atypidae) are the most likely host spiders of A. (A.) niger based on Aporus-Mygalomorphae parasitoid-host relationship, Aporus comparative morphology, geographic and habitat sympatry, seasonal synchrony, abundance, and retreat confinement. Aporus niger is the only aporine wasp in Wisconsin, lower Michigan, and southern Ontario. Sphodros niger is the only mygalomorph spider in Wisconsin, …

Oaks Have A Lot Of Gall: The Intimate Interactions Of Oaks And Gall Wasps, Warren G. Abrahamson Ii

Faculty Journal Articles

This is a story about the interactions of oaks and herbivorous gall-inducing wasps. To set the stage, let’s first explore the diversity of oaks and oak gall wasps.

Influence Of Seeding Strategy On Insect Communities Within Utility Lands, Kylee E. Nissen

Masters Theses

Pollinator populations are in decline globally due to anthropogenic changes, particularly in areas affected by agricultural expansion and urbanization. Utility lands - managed to prevent tall vegetation encroachment - represent an opportunity to establish native grasslands and support pollinator communities. This study investigates how different seeding strategies used by utility companies influence pollinator community composition within a 15-acre electric right-of-way (ROW) outside St. Louis, Illinois. Despite the logical benefits of native seeding to pollinators, utility companies are often hesitant to do this, often favoring seeding to turf. Seeded in late 2021, the site incorporates randomized plots with turfgrass seeding (no …

Monarch Butterfly (Danaus Plexippus) Oviposition Preferences And A Survey Of Fungal Pathogens On Native Milkweeds (Asclepias) Of The Northern Great Plains, Grace Damiano

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

North American monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) populations are experiencing significant declines due to habitat loss caused by land use changes. Much of the American Midwest where milkweed, the only host plant of the monarch butterfly, was once much more abundant has been converted to a predominantly agricultural landscape. There are nineteen species of milkweed native to the northern Great Plains region occupied by South Dakota, North Dakota, and Minnesota. Some of these milkweed species may be preferable to monarch butterflies for different reasons, including morphological factors such as stem length, species-level chemical factors, and temporal factors. As monarch …

The Choice Is Hers: Floral Preference And Habitat Use Of Early Season Queen Bumble Bees In Restored Ecosystems, Kathryn E. Mccabe

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

Restored ecosystems play a vital role in providing a sanctuary for native flora and fauna, offering crucial habitat and resources for many at-risk and declining taxa. Ensuring optimal functionality of these restorations is essential to supporting taxon like bumble bees. While many studies have focused on understanding the needs of bumble bees, much of this effort has relied on information gathered during their peak foraging season when workers are abundant, thus, neglecting other critical life stages, such as emerging spring queens. In this study, I investigated how spring queen bumble bees use three types of restored habitats (woodland, edge, and …

The Effect Of Light Intensity On Wolf Spider Foraging, Julia Amoroso

Scripps Senior Theses

Light is of primary importance to most living organisms and most of the Earth’s natural processes. However, with rapidly expanding urbanization, humans have substantially impacted light metrics through the increase of artificial light. Artificial light pollution has been found to have a variety of behavioral and physiological effects on different organisms. However, less is understood about how light impacts community-scale interactions between different trophic levels. Here, we examined the influence of light exposure on nocturnal wolf spider (Schizocosa myccooki) foraging and interaction with red runner cockroach prey (Blatta lateralis). Of equal interest as the study …

Cyp6g2 Is The Major P450 Epoxidase Responsible For Juvenile Hormone Biosynthesis In Drosophila Melanogaster, Qiangqiang Jia, Liu Yang, Jiamin Wen, Suning Liu, Di Wen, Wei Luo, Weihua Wang, Subba R. Palli, Li Sheng

Entomology Faculty Publications

Background Juvenile hormones (JH) play crucial role in regulating development and reproduction in insects. The most common form of JH is JH III, derived from MF through epoxidation by CYP15 enzymes. However, in the higher dipterans, such as the fruitfly, Drosophila melanogaster, a bis-epoxide form of JHB3, accounted most of the JH detected. Moreover, these higher dipterans have lost the CYP15 gene from their genomes. As a result, the identity of the P450 epoxidase in the JH biosynthesis pathway in higher dipterans remains unknown.

Results In this study, we show that Cyp6g2 serves as the major JH epoxidase responsible for …

Go West: Population Genomics Reveals Unexpected Population Fluctuations And Little Gene Flow In Western Hemisphere Populations Of The Predatory Lady Beetle, Hippodamia Convergens, Arun Sethuraman, Schyler O. Nunziata, Angela Jones, John J. Obrycki, David W. Weisrock

Entomology Faculty Publications

Hippodamia convergens—the convergent lady beetle, has been used extensively in aug- mentative biological control of aphids, thrips, and whiteflies across its native range in North America, and was introduced into South America in the 1950s. Overwintering H. convergens populations from its native western range in the United States are com- mercially collected and released across its current range in the eastern USA, with little knowledge of the effectiveness of its augmentative biological control. Here we use a novel ddRADseq-based SNP/haplotype discovery approach to estimate its range- wide population diversity, differentiation, and recent evolutionary history. Our results indicate (1) significant population …