Entomology Commons^™

Phylogeographical Structure And Evolutionary History Of Two Buggy Creek Virus Lineages In The Western Great Plains Of North America, Abinash Padhi, Amy T. Moore, Mary Bomberger Brown, Jerome E. Foster, Martin Pfeffer, Kathryn P. Gaines, Valerie A. O'Brien, Stephanie A. Strickler, Allison E. Johnson, Charles R. Brown

School of Natural Resources: Faculty Publications

Buggy Creek virus (BCRV) is an unusual arbovirus within the western equine encephalitis complex of alphaviruses. Associated with cimicid swallow bugs (Oeciacus vicarius) as its vector and the cliff swallow (Petrochelidon pyrrhonota) and house sparrow (Passer domesticus) as its amplifying hosts, this virus is found primarily in the western Great Plains of North America at spatially discrete swallow nesting colonies. For 342 isolates collected in Oklahoma, Nebraska, Colorado, and North Dakota, from 1974 to 2007, we sequenced a 2076 bp region of the 26S subgenomic RNA structural glycoprotein coding region, and analyzed phylogenetic relationships, …

Nebline, September 2008

NEBLINE Newsletter Archive from Nebraska Extension in Lancaster County

Establishing and Maintaining Lawns in Low Light
Fending Off Asian Lady Beetles
UNL Water Web Site
Landscaping for Energy
Planting Balled and Burlapped Plants
Planting Peonies
Well Abandonments
The Mothball Mishap and Other Thoughtless Ways to Misuse Pesticides
The Truth about Hedge Apples
Kids Are Back in School and So Are Head Lice
Freezing Sandwiches
Family & Community Education (FCE) Clubs: Presidents’ Notes—Bonnie’s Bits
FCE News & Events
Household Hints: Clean oven and BBQ mitts
Parenting Athletes to be Good Sports
Great Fans. Great Sports. Sportsmanship Checklist
Controlling Winter Annual Grasses in Pastures
Fall Is a Good Time to Control …

Hexapod Herald - Vol. 20, No. 4, September 2008

Hexapod Herald and Other Entomology Department Newsletters

Contents:
Congratulations
Welcome
Publications
Grants
Meet a Distance Student
Faculty News
Student News
Travel
From the Office
Visitors

Temperature Affects Microbial Decomposition Of Cadavers (Rattus Rattus) In Contrasting Soils, David O. Carter, David Yellowlees, Mark Tibbett

Department of Entomology: Faculty Publications

The ecology of soils associated with dead mammals (i.e. cadavers) is poorly understood. Although temperature and soil type are well known to influence the decomposition of other organic resource patches, the effect of these variables on the degradation of cadavers in soil has received little experimental investigation. To address this, cadavers of juvenile rats (Rattus rattus) were buried in one of three contrasting soils (Sodosol, Rudosol, and Vertosol) from tropical savanna ecosystems in Queensland, Australia and incubated at 29 °C, 22 °C, or 15 °C in a laboratory setting. Cadavers and soils were destructively sampled at intervals of …

Preliminary Checklist Of The Mecoptera Of Florida: Earwigflies, Hangingflies, And Scorpionflies, Louis A. Somma, James C. Dunford

Insecta Mundi

We provide the first species checklist of Mecoptera indigenous to Florida, based upon preliminary data gathered primarily from specimens housed in the Florida State Collection of Arthropods. There are 11 described and one undescribed species of mecopterans, representing three families, inhabiting the state of Florida. These include the recently discovered meropeid (earwigfly), Merope tuber Newman, four species of bittacids (hangingflies), represented by the genus Bittacus Latreille, and 7 species (one undescribed) of panorpids (scorpionflies), represented by the genus Panorpa Linnaeus. We are not certain if one of these, Bittacus texanus Banks, is indigenous, represents a nonindigenous occurrence, or is simply …

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 …

A New Species Of The Genus Aiolopus Fieber (Oedipodinae: Acrididae) From Libya, Mohammad Kamil Usmani

Insecta Mundi

The genus Aiolopus was proposed by Fieber (1853) with Gryllus thalassinus Fabricius (1781) as the type species. Later, two genera Epacromia Fischer and Aeoloptilus Bei-Bienko were synonymized with Aiolopus by Rehn (1902) and Hollis (1968) respectively. The genus was revised by Hollis (1968) who recognized seven species. Only three species have been described after Hollis (1968): A. markamensis Yin, 1984, A. nigritibis Zheng and Wei, 2000 and A. puissanti Defaut, 2005. At present thirteen species of Aiolopus are known worldwide according to Eades and Otte (2008). Previously, three species of Aiolopus have been reported from Libya. The genus is now …

Nebline, August 2008

NEBLINE Newsletter Archive from Nebraska Extension in Lancaster County

4-H’ers Develop Leadership Skills at Lancaster County Fair
Plant Alfalfa in August
How to Minimize Losses When Storing Hay Outside
Buffer pH Indicates Amount of Lime to Add to Acid Soil
Two-Spotted Spider Mites
Seeding New Cool Season Turfgrass
Slow-Release Fertilizers
Why Do Petunias Do That?
Converting Outdoor Flowers to House Plants for Winter
Fruit and Veggie “Bites”
$tretch Your Food Dollar by Eating More Fruits and Vegetables!
Healthy Eating: Pasta Frittata with Tomatoes
Family & Community Education (FCE) Clubs: Presidents’ Notes—Bonnie’s Bits
FCE News & Events
FCE Sizzling Summer Sampler a Success
Boost Your Child’s Brain Power
Household Hints: …

Outstanding In Their Field: The Phenotype Of The 21st Century Plant Breeder, P. Stephen Baenziger, Robert A. Graybosch, Ismail M. Dweikat, Stephen N. Wegulo, Gary L. Hein, Kent M. Eskridge

Department of Entomology: Faculty Publications

Plant breeding is a highly interdisciplinary science that requires the skills and teamwork of many scientists to be successful. In the 21st century, plant breeding will reap the benefits of the rapid advances in genomics research and understanding, as well as, advances in information and mechanical technology. The skill and success of plant breeders will be determined by their ability to use their resources efficiently, retaining those proven methodologies and augmenting them with novel approaches to meet their breeding objectives. Once the objective is determined, the plant breeder must: 1. identify and incorporate the needed genetic variability, 2. inbreed and …

Longevity-Fertility Trade-Offs In The Tephritid Fruit Fly, Anastrepha Ludens, Across Dietary-Restriction Gradients, James R. Carey, Lawrence G. Harshman, Pablo Liedo, Hans-Georg Müller, Jane-Ling Wang, Zhen Zhang

Lawrence G. Harshman Publications

Although it is widely known that dietary restriction (DR) not only extends the longevity of a wide range of species but also reduces their reproductive output, the interrelationship of DR, longevity-extension and reproduction is not well understood in any organism. Here we address the question: “Under what nutritional conditions do the longevity-enhancing effects resulting from food restriction either counteract, complement or reinforce the mortality costs of reproduction? To answer this question we designed a fine-grained DR study involving 4,800 individuals of the tephritid fruit fly Anastrepha ludens in which we measured sex-specific survival and daily reproduction in females in each …

Hexapod Herald - Vol. 20, No. 3, July 2008

Hexapod Herald and Other Entomology Department Newsletters

Contents:
Congratulations
Welcome
Grants
Workshop News
Publications
Meet a Distance Student
Faculty News
Student News
From Gary’s Desk
Condolences
Travel
Blasts from the Pasts

Nebline, July 2008

NEBLINE Newsletter Archive from Nebraska Extension in Lancaster County

Homemade Skillet Meals: Easy, Healthy & Low-Cost
Create Your Own Skillet Meal
Colorful Annual Vines
Watch out for Poison Ivy
Summer Pruning of Apple Trees
Keep the Vegetables Coming with a Fall Garden
Cost of Pumping Water for Domestic and Acreage Needs
Managing Financial Risk During Boom Periods
Plan the Timing of Grass Hay Harvest
Midges: Non-biting Gnats
Midge Control Program at Capitol Beach
Bats In and Around Structures
Bats and Disease
Supermarket Savings: 16 Tips that Can Total Big Bucks
Family & Community Education (FCE) Clubs: Presidents’ Notes—Bonnie’s Bits
FCE News & Events
Household Hints: Swimsuit Care
Strengthening Family …

A Review Of The Genus Chortophaga (Orthoptera: Acrididae) Among Nebraska Populations: Questioning The Validity Of Chortophaga Australior Rehn And Hebard, Mathew L. Brust, W. Wyatt Hoback, Robert J. Wright

Department of Entomology: Faculty Publications

Chortophaga australior Rehn and Hebard (Orthoptera: Acrididae) is considered a species distinct from Chortophaga viridifasciata (DeGeer). Collections across Nebraska have shown that the characters used to separate these two species are inconsistent and that the average state of these characters appears to be related to the time of the season during which the adults are collected. Until further study clarifies the status of C. australior, we suggest that its specific status be considered questionable.

First Record Of Diaphorina Citri Kuwayama (Hemiptera: Psyllidae) From The Sultanate Of Oman, Talal S. Zadjali, Rohani Ibrahim, Ahmed K. Al-Rawahi

Insecta Mundi

Mexican acid lime, Citrus aurantifolia (L.) Swingle (Rutaceae), is the most popular citrus species in Oman and is the second most important economic crop. The cultivated area of acid lime in the period of 2001-2004 ranged between 4460-2880 feddans (1 feddan = 1.038 acres = 0.420 hectares), with an annual production of about 8160-5875 metric tonnes (Anonymous 2004).

Previous surveys did not reveal any record of psyllids on citrus in Oman. However, the most important psyllid species attacking citrus, Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (Hemiptera: Psyllidae), was recently observed on C. aurantifolia. It was observed first at Barka (Al-Batinah region) on …

Gynandromorphs In The Genera Ophiogomphus Selys, 1854 And Ischnura Charpentier, 1840 (Odonata: Gomphidae, Coenagrionidae), K. J. Tennessen

Insecta Mundi

A gynandromorph of Ophiogomphus smithi Tennessen and Vogt from Wisconsin and a gynandromorph of Ischnura hastata (Say) from Alabama are described. The specimens appear to be bilateral in that they display mostly left/right separation of male and female characters.

The First Record Of Merycomyia Whitneyi (Johnson), Tribe Bouvieromyiini (Diptera: Tabanidae), From Texas And From West Of The Mississippi River, James T. Goodwin, Emmanuel D. Williams

Insecta Mundi

The first collections of Merycomyia whitneyi (Johnson), (Diptera: Tabanidae: Chrysopsinae: Bouvieromyiini) from Texas and from west of the Mississippi River are reported, and the Nearctic species of the Tribe Bouvieromyiini are discussed.

Description Of The Male Of Plectromerus Michelii Nearns And Branham, 2008 (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae), Eugenio H. Nearns

Insecta Mundi

The previously unknown male of Plectromerus michelii Nearns and Branham is described and illustrated.

Phylogenetic Revision Of Eryphanis Boisduval, With A Description Of A New Species From Ecuador (Lepidoptera, Nymphalidae), Carla M. Penz

Insecta Mundi

This study provides a species-level phylogeny for the Neotropical brassoline genus Eryphanis Boisduval based on 43 morphological characters. A revised generic definition is given. Three subspecies are elevated to species status and a new species is described; E. bubocula (Butler, 1872), status revised; E. lycomedon (C. Felder and R. Felder, 1862), status revised; E. opimus (Staudinger, 1887), status revised; and E. greeneyi Penz and DeVries, new species. Diagnoses, annotated redescriptions, and illustrations of habitus and genitalia are provided for the nine Eryphanis species.

Includes Corrigenda of 8/22/2008.

Nebline, June 2008

NEBLINE Newsletter Archive from Nebraska Extension in Lancaster County

Local Dairy Entrepreneurs Are Filling Market Niches
Effect of Fuel Price Increase on Production Costs
Calibrating Hand-Held Sprayers
Practice Water Conservation to Lengthen Septic System Life
Don’t Mistake Blossom End Rot for Mold on Tomatoes
Control of Biting Flies
Add “Star” Appeal to Fruit Dishes
Fresh Food, Fun, Friendly People: Farmers’ Markets
$tretch Your Food Dollar by Using Dry Milk
Frozen Fudge Bars Recipe
Presidents’ Notes—Bonnie’s Bits
Household Hints: Go Green—Clean with Vinegar
FCE News & Events
June is Home Safety Month— Tips for creating a safer home
Youth Can Explore Career Options at Big Red Camps
Emerging Pest: Emerald …

Nebline, May 2008

NEBLINE Newsletter Archive from Nebraska Extension in Lancaster County

The Ants Go Marching...
What’s Good About Ants?
Pond Measurements
Establishing a Commercial Vineyard
Tips For Handling Pesticides Safely
It’s Spring: Watch for Signs of Termites
Everything Homeowners Need to Know About Termite Control
Reduce Your Risk of Rabies Exposure
Rabies Symptoms
Put Your Hummingbird Feeders Out Now
$tretch Your Food Dollar by Buying Fruits and Vegetables in Season
Orange Pork Chops Recipe
Basic Foods for Cupboard, Fridge & Freezer: Create Your Own List!
Presidents’ Notes—Bonnie’s Bits
Household Hints: Many uses for Baking Soda
FCE News & Events
Clean Up of Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs
It’s About Time (Management)
Strengthening …

Tiger Beetles Of South Dakota And Nebraska, Stephen M. Spomer, Matthew L. Brust, Doug Backlund, Scott Weins

Department of Entomology: Faculty Publications

With color photographs of each, covers the morphology, habitats, conservation, species accounts, and distribution maps of 39 tiger beetles (family Cicindelidae or Carabidae) from Nebraska and South Dakota (United States), as well as possible occurrences of 6 others. Also includes a glossary of terms and references.

Checklist of South Dakota and Nebraska Tiger Beetles

Amblycheila cylindriformis Say

Tetracha carolina L.¹

T. virginica L.

Cicindela longilabris laurentii Schaupp

C. nebraskana Casey

C. remanda Dejean

C. duodecimguttata Dejean

C. hirticollis shelfordi Graves

C. limbata Say

C. limbata limbata Say

C. limbata nympha …