Entomology Commons^™

Flight Muscle–Specific Expression Of Act88f: Gfp In Transgenic Culex Quinquefasciatus Say (Diptera: Culicidae), Margaret L. Allen, Bruce M. Christensen

Department of Entomology: Faculty Publications

A strategy to engineer a strain of Culex mosquitoes refractory to filarial transmission is described. A requirement for success of the strategy is identification of a flight muscle–specific promoter that functions in the mosquito. A GFP marker gene under the control of the promoter region of the Drosophila melanogaster act88F gene was inserted into the genome of Culex quinquefasciatus. Transformation was confirmed by Mendelian genetics. Hy-bridization of a genomic Southern blot to a radiolabeled probe verified that the entire donor plasmid integrated into the mosquito genome. GFP expression in the transgenic mosquitoes was restricted to the flight muscles.

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 …

Molecular Differentiation Of Two Sibling Species Of The Black Fly Simulium Vittatum (Diptera: Simuliidae) Based On Random Amplified Polymorphic Dna, G. A. Duncan, P. H. Alder, K. P. Pruess, T. O. Powers

Department of Entomology: Faculty Publications

Larvae of the black fly morphospecies Simulium vittatum from Colorado, Montana, Nebraska, and New Hampshire were cytologically identified as either the IS-7 or the IIIL-1 cytospecies. DNA was PCR amplified from cytotyped larvae using eight 10-mer primers, labeled with 33P, and run on pol-yacrylamide gels. The entire data set of 96 amplicons produced incomplete separation of the two cytospecies when subjected to neighbor-joining and maximum parsimony analyses. However, when analyzed within geographical regions, separate species status was supported. Bootstrap support for distinctness of the two cytospecies was best in Colorado where they were collected in true sympatry. The IS-7 cytospecies …

Impact Of Ceutorhynchus Litura Feeding On Root Carbohydrate Levels In Canada Thistle (Cirsium Arvense), Gary L. Hein, Robert G. Wilson

Department of Entomology: Faculty Publications

Canada thistle is a serious perennial weed found throughout the northern regions of the United States and Canada. The weevil, Ceutorhynchus litura (F.), was first released in Canada in 1965 as a potential biological control agent for Canada thistle; however, its impact as a control agent has been sporadic. The objective of this study was to characterize C. litura impacts on the carbohydrate profile in Canada thistle roots through the growing season and to evaluate the potential for this biological control agent in causing stress to Canada thistle. Field plots, infested with C. litura, were established and extensively sampled …

Alfalfa: Simulated Clover Leaf Weevil Injury And Alfalfa Yield And Quality, Rodney A. Madsen, Thomas E. Hunt, Leon G. Higley

Department of Entomology: Faculty Publications

The clover leaf weevil (Hypera punctata F.) is a sporadic but potentially serious pest of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.). Feeding of newly emerged adult fourth instar clover leaf weevil was simulated in a field study at the University of Nebraska Haskell Agricultural Research Lab near Concord, Nebraska, in May 2001 and 2002. Twelve 1- by 1-m plots were arranged in a randomized complete block design with three treatments and four replications. Treatments consisted of two levels of simulated clover leaf weevil defoliation of alfalfa and an undefoliated check. Leaflets were removed over 10 d. Dry matter yield and …

Natural Distribution Of Hymenopteran Parasitoids Of Spodoptera Frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) Larvae In Mexico, Jaime Molina-Ochoa, James E. Carpenter, Roberto Lezama-Gutiérrez, John E. Foster, Martín González-Ramírez, César Andres Angel-Sahagún, Javier Farías-Larios

Department of Entomology: Faculty Publications

Se llevó a cabo un inventario de parasitoides de larvas del gusano cogollero, Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith) (FAW) colectadas principalmente de maizales en estado de verticilio en seis estados mexicanos durante Agosto y Septiembre de 2000. Trece géneros de parasitoides himenópteros fueron recuperados, representando a tres familias, Braconidae: Aleoides, Chelonus, Cotesia, Glyptapanteles, Homolobus, y Meteorus); Ichneumonidae: Campoletis, Eiphosoma, Ophion, y Pristomerus; y Eulophidae: Aprostocetus, Euplectrus, y Horismenus. De un total de 5591 larvas colectadas, 772 produjeron parasitoides, para una tasa de parasitismo de 13.8%. La tasa de parasitismo más alta para una colecta simple fué …

Effect Of Environment On Resistance To The European Corn Borer (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) In Maize, David B. Willmot, Bruce E. Hibbard, Larry L. Darrah, Linda M. Pollak, Kevin Montgomery, Richard C. Pratt, Craig A. Abel, James A. Hawk, Tecle Weldekidan, John E. Foster

Department of Entomology: Faculty Publications

The European corn borer, Ostrinia nubilalis (Hu¨ bner) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae), is a major pest of maize, Zea mays L., in many temperate parts of the world. Genotype-by-environment interaction effects can make relative performance unpredictable and may hamper selection for resistance to European corn borer. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of environment on genotypic reaction to European corn borer resistance in maize. A set of 12 maize inbred lines was chosen to represent a range of European corn borer responses. Eleven testing environments ranged from Delaware, Ohio, Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, Missouri, to Mississippi. For length of …

Phospholipase A2 In Salivary Glands Isolated From Tobacco Hornworms, Manduca Sexta, Hasan Tunaz, David W. Stanley

Department of Entomology: Faculty Publications

We describe a phospholipase A₂ (PLA₂) associated with the salivary glands of tobacco hornworms, Manduca sexta. This enzyme is able to hydrolyze arachidonic acid from the sn-2 position of PLs. Addition of the calcium chelator, EGTA, or calcium, to the Tris reaction buffer impaired the PLA₂ activity, from which we infer the enzyme requires very low concentrations of calcium or perhaps other ions for optimal activity. PLA₂ activity was sensitive to protein concentration (highest activity at 25 μg protein per μl), reaction time (optimal at 30 min), buffer pH (optimal at pH 8–10), …

An Entomopathogenic Bacterium, Xenorhabdus Nematophila, Inhibits Hemocytic Phospholipase A2 (Pla2) In Tobacco Hornworms, Manduca Sexta, Youngjin Park, Yonggyun Kim, Hasan Tunaz, David W. Stanley

Department of Entomology: Faculty Publications

The entomopathogenic bacterium, Xenorhabdus nematophila, induces immunodepression in target insects and finally leads to lethal septicemia of the infected hosts. A hypothesis has been raised that the bacteria inhibit eicosanoid-biosynthesis pathway to interrupt immune signaling of the infected hosts. Here, we show direct evidence that X. nematophila inhibits the activity of phospholipase A2 (PLA2), the initial step in the eicosanoid-biosynthesis pathway. Inhibition of PLA2 was dependent on both incubation time with X. nematophila and the bacterial concentration in in vitro PLA2 preparations of Manduca sexta hemocytes. While living bacteria inhibited PLA2 activity, heat-killed X. nematophila rather increased PLA2 activity. X. …

A New Species Of Neoscelis From Jalisco, Mexico (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Cetoniinae), Alan D. Mudge, Brett C. Ratcliffe, Richard L. Westcott, Felipe A. A. Noguera

University of Nebraska State Museum: Entomology Papers

Neoscelis coracina Mudge et Ratcliffe sp. n., from Jalisco, Mexico, is described and illustrated. Intraspecific variation is discussed, and diagnostic characters separating N. coracina sp. n. from N. dohrni (Westwood, 1855) are given. The key to males of New World Goliathini is revised. Notes on habitat, behavior, and collecting N. coracina sp. n. are included. A new state record is provided for N. dohrni.

The Dynastine Scarab Beetles Of Costa Rica And Panama (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Dynastinae), Brett C. Ratcliffe

Bulletin of the University of Nebraska State Museum (1924–2023)

The 157 species of dynastine scarab beetles that occur in Costa Rica and Panama are comprehensively reviewed. Keys, descriptions, distributions, and notes on biology are provided for all species as well as illustrations and maps. The larvae of Enema endymion, Heterogomphus chevrolati, and Dynastes hercules are described for the first time. Also included are synopses of the higher-level taxa, a glossary, a gazetteer of place names, and a species checklist.

The following new species are described: Cyclocephala alazona, C. enigma, C. labidion, C. marylizae, C. mustacha, C. stockwelli, C. una mas (all Cyclocephalini); Irazua dilicra (Oryctini); Amblyoproctus centroamericanus, Hemiphileurus curoei, …

Chinch Bug-Resistant Buffalograss: An Investigation Of Tolerance, Antixenosis, And Antibiosis, Tiffany Heng-Moss, Frederick P. Baxendale, Terrance P. Riordan, Linda J. Young, Kit Lee

Department of Entomology: Faculty Publications

Choice and no-choice studies were conducted to determine the categories (antibiosis, antixenosis, and tolerance) of resistance of four buffalograsses (NE91-118, ‘Bonnie Brae’, ‘Cody’, and ‘Tatanka’) previously identified as resistant to the western chinch bug, Blissus occiduus Barber. Antibiosis studies found no significant differences in western chinch bug fecundity, nymphal development, or survival among the resistant and susceptible buffalograsses. Tolerance studies indicated that NE91-118, Cody, and Tatanka exhibited moderate-to-high levels of tolerance based on western chinch bug damage ratings and plant height, whereas Bonnie Brae exhibited moderate-to-low levels of tolerance. Choice studies indicated the presence of antixenosis in NE91-118, whereas Cody …

Characterization Of General Esterases From Methyl Parathion-Resistant And -Susceptible Populations Of Western Corn Rootworm (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), Xuguo Zhou, Michael E. Scharf, Lance J. Meinke, Laurence D. Chandler, Blair D. Siegfried

Department of Entomology: Faculty Publications

A consistent correlation between elevated esterase activity and methyl parathion resistance among Nebraska western corn rootworm, Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte, populations has previously been documented. Characterization of general esterase activity using naphtholic esters as model substrates indicated that differences between resistant and susceptible strains could be maximized by optimizing assay conditions. The optimal conditions identified here were similar to those reported for other insect species. The majority of general esterase activity was found in the cytosolic fractions of resistant populations, whereas the activity was more evenly distributed between cytosolic and mitochondrial/nuclear fractions in the susceptible population. General esterase activity was …

In-Field Labeling Of Western Corn Rootworm Adults (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) With Rubidium, Timothy M. Nowatzki, Bradley Niimi, Kelli J. Warren, Sean Putnam, Lance J. Meinke, David C. Gosselin, F. Edwin Harvey, Thomas E. Hunt, Blair D. Siegfried

Department of Entomology: Faculty Publications

Field and laboratory studies were conducted in 2000 and 2001 to determine the feasibility of mass marking western corn rootworm adults, Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte, with RbCl in the field. Results showed that application of rubidium (Rb) in solution to both the soil (1 g Rb/plant) and whorl (1 g Rb/plant) of corn plants was optimal for labeling western corn rootworm adults during larval development. Development of larvae on Rb-enriched corn with this technique did not significantly influence adult dry weight or survival. Rb was also highly mobile in the plant. Application of Rb to both the soil and the …

A Case For Taxonomic Recognition Of The Taxon Enodia Anthedon Borealis A. H. Clark (Satyridae), Alex Grkovich, Harry Pavulaan

The Taxonomic Report of the International Lepidoptera Survey

Clark (1936) described the taxa anthedon and borealis both as new subspecies of Enodia portlandia (Fabricius, 1781). Clark described borealis as the northernmost phenotypically different taxon in this group. Anthedon later became recognized as a distinct species with borealis as a subspecies of it. Masters (1971) characterized E. anthedon borealis as displaying several subtle phenotypic differences from nominotypical anthedon and also noted significant differences in behavior and habitat and reinforced the continued recognition of borealis as a valid subspecies. However, a number of publications after 1971 generally failed to recognize subspecific status for borealis, either ignoring borealis entirely …

A Taxonomic Review Of Chlosyne Ismeria With Description Of A New Subspecies From The Southern Appalachian Mountains, Ronald R. Gatrelle

The Taxonomic Report of the International Lepidoptera Survey

The taxon Boisduval and Le Conte described in 1833 as Melitaea ismeria is examined as a historical entity and confirmed as a sister subspecies of the taxon Chlosyne ismeria nycteis. The ismeria populations in the southern Appalachian mountains (United States) are described as a new subspecies: Chlosyne ismeria obsoleta. In facies, this new subspecies is most similar to the western subspecies Chlosyne ismeria drusius in that it is dark and contrasting in its dorsal markings. It is known to range from the mountain region of extreme northern Georgia north in the Appalachians to near southwestern Virginia, United States. …

Nebline, November/December 2003

NEBLINE Newsletter Archive from Nebraska Extension in Lancaster County

ABC’s for Good Health because Every Woman Matters!
Stretch Your Food Dollar - Create-A-Casserole Chart
Preparing and Using Pine Cones For Decoration
Forcing Spring-Flowering Bulbs
Garden Guide
Choosing and Caring for Indoor Trees
Understanding Nebraska’s Open Burning Law
“Megaforces of Agriculture” Seminar
Storage Methods to Reduce Hay Losses
Fall is a Great Time to Control Winter Annual Weeds
Consider Stand Density, Weeds When Rotating Alfalfa
Thoroughly Modern Thanksgiving: Turkey Cooking Tips
Healthy Eating: Enjoy Nebraska Foods
Making Changes in Eating Behavior
Web Resources of the Month
Lines from Lynn
Household Hints: Holiday Stain Removal for Washable Fabrics
FCE Achievement Night …

Hexapod Herald - Vol. 15, No. 5, October 2003

Hexapod Herald and Other Entomology Department Newsletters

Welcome

Congratulations

Faculty news

Publications

Museum news

Fond farewells

Grants

Graduate student news

From the office

Nebline, October 2003

NEBLINE Newsletter Archive from Nebraska Extension in Lancaster County

Check Your Home for Biological Pollutants
Growing Hardy Bulbs
Garden Guide
Time for Garden Cleanup
Storing Vegetables
Horticulture Information Center
Hints for Fruit Storage
Get Started on Your Winter Bird Feeding Program
Hedge Apples: Not a Good Insect Repellent
What are Zoonoses?
Last Household Hazardous Waste Collection!
Don’t Become a Farm Accident Statistic
Add Lime Now for Next Spring’s Alfalfa
Fatality Rate Higher for Senior Farmers
Protect Hearing on the Farm
Preparing an Emergency Water Supply
Site Evaluation
Maintaining Rubber Tires on Farm Equipment
ATVenture Workshop at Halsey 4-H Camp
Ak-Sar-Ben Youth Expo Winners
Charter Club Applications Due Oct. 31 …

Checklist Of The Scarabaeoidea Of The Nearctic Realm, Andrew B. T. Smith

University of Nebraska State Museum: Entomology Papers

Includes Canada, the continental United States, and the following states of northern México: Baja California, Baja California Sur, Chihuahua, Coahuila de Zaragoza, Durango, Nuevo Leon, Sinaloa, Sonora, Tamaulipas, and Zacatecas. Version 3 - released 25 September 2003.

The checklist is organized taxonomically at the family group level. The genera and species are listed in alphabetical order. The parentheses following species names indicate the genus in which the species was originally placed.

Please contact me with any updates or corrections, no matter how minor.

Suggested citation:
Smith, A. B. T. 2003. Checklist of the Scarabaeoidea of the Nearctic Realm. Version 3. …

Research On The Genetics Of Screwworms In Lincoln, Nebraska, Steven Skoda, Dennis Berkebile, Margaret Allen

Department of Entomology: Faculty Publications

The success of the screwworm eradication program - these pests have been eliminated from the North American continent to Panama - has been facilitated by insightful research. The recent research on screwworms by ARS scientists at Lincoln, NE has concentrated on 1) discovering molecular markers useful in population genetics and population identification; 2) genetic research useful in developing a genetic sexing strain (males-only) in screwworms. Amplified fragment length polymorphisms (AFLP) have been studied in screwworms; this technique shows the potential for use in population identification and population genetics. AFLP's will be further explored to determine their utility: a grant proposal …

Book Review: Insecta Coleoptra Chironidae (Huchet, J.-B. 2003), Andrew B. T. Smith

University of Nebraska State Museum: Entomology Papers

The Fauna of Madagascar series has been around for almost 50 years. In that time authors have published on a variety of taxa that occur on this remarkable island. Throughout the history of the series there has been a heavy emphasis on beetles. The latest volume by Jean-Bernard Huchet is no exception. Huchet is an expert on Chironidae (or Chironinae depending on which scarab classification scheme you ascribe to). He is in the process of giving a much-needed taxonomic overhaul to the group. Chironidae are odd-looking scarabs that occur in Africa, Asia (mainly India), and Madagascar and are allied taxonomically …

Replacement Names For The Genera Batesiana Erwin (Coleoptera: Carabidae) And Metabolus Fairmaire (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Melolonthinae), M. J. Paulsen, Andrew Smith

University of Nebraska State Museum: Entomology Papers

While curating scarab beetles in the University of Nebraska State Museum collection, we discovered two generic names that are homonyms. As this renders these names invalid, we herein propose replacement names for the junior homonyms as follows.
Erwiniana Paulsen and Smith new genus
Ablotemus Paulsen and Smith new genus

Hexapod Herald - Vol. 15, No. 4, September 2003

Hexapod Herald and Other Entomology Department Newsletters

Congratulations

Welcome

Farewell

Faculty news

Graduate student news

From the office

Grants

Museum news

Publications

Travel

Condolences

This and that

Taxonomic Changes For Fifteen Species Of North American Mordellidae (Coleoptera), Anneke E. Lisberg

Insecta Mundi

In an attempt to more consistently apply generic concepts, 13 species of Mordellidae are transferred to different genera. Mordellistena bihamata (Melsheimer) and Mordellistena discolor (Melsheimer) are transferred to Falsomordellistena Ermisch, 1941, while 11 species (Mordellistena ancilla LeConte, Mordellistena floridensis Smith, Mordellistena guttulata Helmuth, Mordellistena impatiens LeConte, Mordellistena infima LeConte, Mordellistena lecontei Ermisch, Mordellistena minutalis Liljeblad, Mordellistena nigricans Melsheimer, Mordellistena parva Liljeblad, Mordellistena semiusta LeConte, and Mordellistena testacea Blatchley) are transferred to Mordellina Schilsky, 1908. Two species, Mordellistena rufa Liljeblad and Mordellina ustulata (LeConte), are proposed as junior synonyms of Mordellina ancilla (LeConte).

Pentatomidae (Heteroptera) Of Honduras: A Checklist With Description Of A New Ochlerine Genus, Nolberto Arismendi, Donald B. Thomas

Insecta Mundi

Abstract:
Through collecting, surveys of museum collections, and search of the literature, we are able to list 181 species of Pentatomidae as occurring within the boundaries of the Republic of Honduras. Most of these, 129, around 70%, are widespread in the American tropics. Twenty-nine species are new country records, reported for Honduras for the first time. Four species of pentatomids are endemic to Honduras including a new genus and species of ochlerine (Discocephalinae) herein described. Although a few species extend from South America into Honduras (the Gondwanan element), and a few from North America extend into Honduras (the Nearctic element), …

Descriptions Of The Male Of Heterodiomus Marchali Brèthes And A New Species Of Chilean Heterodiomus Brèthes (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae: Scymninae: Diomini), Guillermo Gonzalez F., Robert D. Gordon

Insecta Mundi

Additions to the classification of South American Diomini are provided. Male genitalia of Heterodiomus marchali Brèthes are described and Diomus brethesi is newly described.

First Records Of Cyclolabus Carolinensis Heinrich In Florida (Hymenoptera: Ichneumoninae: Platylabini), Charles C. Porter

Insecta Mundi

Cyclolabus Heinrich may be recognized by the following combination of characters: clypeus convex in profile; propodeum with spiracle circular or nearly so and without projecting cristae; petiole dorsally flattened, wider than high; thyridia strongly trans- verse (each wider than the space between them).

This genus is mostly Holarctic in distribution with some overlap into the Oriental region and the northern Neotropics (Yu and Horstmann 1997). In the Nearctic it is known mainly from Canadian and Transition zone localities, except for C. carolinensis described by Heinrich (1962) from western South Carolina. Heinrich does not include Cyclolabus in his 1977 review of …

External Morphology Of The First And Second Instars Of Lecanodiaspis Tingtunensis (Coccoidea: Lecanodiaspididae), P. L. Lambdin, Elzbieta Podsiadlo

Insecta Mundi

The first and second instars of Lecanodiaspis tingtunensis are described and illustrated. First instars are distinguished from other species of Lecanodiaspis by the arrangement of dorsal 8-shaped pores in six complete longitudinal rows and a partial row in the thoracic region and the number of labial, anal plate, and spiracular setae. Second instars are dimorphic with males possessing well developed 5-segmented legs, dorsal tubular ducts, and long hair-like setae on the venter between the antennae and on the abdominal segments. Females have fewer 8-shaped pores in transverse rows on the dorsum, as well as legs reduced to stubs and only …

An Annotated Checklist Of Wisconsin Mordellidae (Coleoptera), Anneke E. Lisberg, Daniel K. Young

Insecta Mundi

A three-year survey of Wisconsin Mordellidae (Coleoptera) encompassing a compilation of data from literature records and local collections as well as field work including trapping, hand-collecting, and rearing yielded 68 species comprising 14 genera in three tribes. Sixty-three species (92% of Wisconsin fauna) represent new state species records, not previously recorded from the state in the literature. Plant-associations and state-specific temporal and spatial distribution data for larvae and adults are noted as available. Distributional records suggest 16 additional species and one additional genus are likely to occur in Wisconsin.