Entomology Commons^™

Nebline, February 1999

NEBLINE Newsletter Archive from Nebraska Extension in Lancaster County

Remembering the 4-H lock-in
Reflections of Teen Leadership
1999 Perennial Plant of the Year
The garden corner
Using garden catalogs
A spoonful a day keeps the mole away
Mangy squirrels
Misplaced wildlife become problems
Beginning Beekeeping Workshop
Are squirrels using your bird feeders?
Try this trash game!
It’s fun!
Computerized financial record keeping
1999 Integrated Crop Management Winter Programs
Lime and other nutrients key to soil fertility
Reseeding CRP acres
Introduction to precision agriculture
Final private pesticide applicator training session
Fertilizing trees and shrubs
Tractor safety tips (part 2)
Battery maintenance tips
NEP teaches non-English Families Nutrition
Healthy Eating: Bread …

Carbaryl Susceptibility, Diagnostic Concentration Determination, And Synergism For U.S. Populations Of Western Corn Rootworm (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), Michael E. Scharf, Lance J. Meinke, Blair D. Siegfried, Robert J. Wright, Laurence D. Chandler

Department of Entomology: Faculty Publications

Baseline carbaryl susceptibility and potential resistance mechanisms were identified in U.S. populations of western corn rootworm, Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte, using lethal concentration, diagnostic concentration, and synergism bioassays. Twenty-two adult rootworm populations were examined from the states of Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Texas, and Virginia. Lethal concentration bioassays, conducted within carbaryl-coated glass vials on 12 populations, identified resistance in only 2 Nebraska populations. A diagnostic concentration of carbaryl was subsequently identified which caused 100 and 40% mortality in standard susceptible and known resistant populations, respectively. In diagnostic concentration bioassays on all 22 populations, substantial decreases …

Influence Of Rhopus Nigroclavatus (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) On The Mealybugs Tridiscus Sporoboli And Trionymus Sp. (Homoptera: Pseudococcidae), Tiffany Heng-Moss, Frederick P. Baxendale, Terrance P. Riordan, Linda J. Young

Department of Entomology: Faculty Publications

This research investigated parasitism of the buffalograss mealybugs Tridiscus sporoboli (Cockerell) and Trionymus sp. by Rhopus nigroclavatus (Ashmead) through rearing and dissection studies, paired comparison tests, and a field survey. Rates of parasitism reported in this article reflect combined parasitism of the 2 mealybug species. In the rearing study, parasitism of adult female mealybugs by R. nigroclavatus was 48.6%, with an average emergence of 1.77 parasitoids per parasitized mealybug. A maximum of 7 R. nigroclavatus adults emerged from a single mealybug female. Mealybug dissections documented parasitism rates by R. nigroclavatus of 78.5, 67.5, and 4.3%, respectively, for adult females, 3rd …

A New Species Of Viridimicus Jameson From Honduras (Scarabaeidae: Rutelinae), Mary Liz Jameson

University of Nebraska State Museum: Entomology Papers

Viridimicus omoaensis Jameson is described from Honduras. This species extends the distribution of the genus from Guatemala southwards in Mesoamerica. The characters that define the genus are expanded to include V. omoaensis. A key to the seven species in the genus is provided as well as additional locality notes for V. aurescens (Bates) and V. cyanochlorus Jameson.

Dispersal Of Synanthropic Diptera: Lessons From The Past And Technology For The Future, Carl J. Jones, Scott A. Isard, M. Roberto Cortinas

Department of Entomology: Faculty Publications

The impact of aerial invasion of new habitats by dispersal of synanthropic arthropods on human society is one of the most important topics in the entomological world. A review is presented of important advances in the knowledge of dispersal of a number of dipteran species that cause damage to, or serve as vectors for diseases of, humans and associated animals. The components of aerial dispersal are delineated, and forms of dispersal are defined in the context of interactive forces that result in dispersal by synanthropic Diptera. Migratory flights by black flies are put into ecological perspective, as are the wind-borne …

A New Hypatopa From Costa Rica (Gelechioidea: Coleophoridae: Blastobasinae), David Adamski

USDA Systematic Entomology Laboratory

Hypatopa tapadulcea is described from northwestern Costa Rica. A photograph of the imago and illustrations of wing venation and male and female genitalia are provided.

Flea News 57 (January 1999), Robert E. Lewis

Flea News

Mailing list changes

Miscellanea: The following article concerning plague in prairie dogs in Texas is taken from the July-August issue of the Technical Information Bulletin of the Armed Forces Pest Management Board.

Siphonaptera literature

A Comment On Friedlander’S Asterocampa (Nymphalidae, Apaturinae): Designation Of Neotypes For A. Celtis And A. Clyton, Ronald R. Gatrelle

The Taxonomic Report of the International Lepidoptera Survey

Friedlander’s 1986 [1987] treatment of the southeastern United States. taxa of Asterocampa is examined. Neotypes of A. celtis and A. clyton are designated from Burke County, Georgia to help stabilize the status of these taxa and aid in any future research. Asterocampa celtis is currently known to exist within at least 40 km of A. c. reinthali in Georgia. Their proximity, without integration, suggests evolutionary distance, perhaps even speciation. It is proposed that A. celtis is descended from A. c. alicia, and alicia from a Mexican refugium. Asterocampa clyton and A. …

Subspecific Status Of Southeastern U.S. Megathymus Cofaqui And M. Yuccae: Renaming Of The Florida Subspecies Of M. Cofaqui, Ronald R. Gatrele

The Taxonomic Report of the International Lepidoptera Survey

Megathymus cofaqui and M. yuccae are both represented in the southeastern United States by two subspecies. The type locality of both M. y. yuccae and M. c. cofaqui is the area of Burke/Screven counties Georgia. Each of their subspecies are primarily Floridian, with M. y. buchholzi extending along the immediate coast of Georgia into southern South Carolina. Topotypes of M. cofaqui from Burke County, Georgia, and Aiken County, South Carolina are phenotypically indistinguishable from both the holotype of M. cofaqui and topotypes of M. c. harrisi. Thus, M …

Ecdysteroid Titers In Mated And Unmated Drosophila Melanogaster Females, Lawrence G. Harshman, Anne M. Loeb, Beth A. Johnson

Lawrence G. Harshman Publications

Radioimmunoassay was used to determine ecdysteroid titers in mated or unmated Drosophila melanogaster females. Whole-body ecdysteroid titers increase after mating and this response is more pronounced after 12–24 hours than it is immediately after mating. In one experiment, females were mated to transgenic males deficient in accessory gland proteins to test whether these peptides mediate the observed increase in female whole-body ecdysteroid titers. Females mated to such transgenic males do not show a pronounced increase in whole-body ecdysteroid titers. The effect of mating on female hemolymph ecdysteroid titers was also investigated. Hemolymph ecdysteroid titers decrease after mating. The ecdysteroid titer …

Male Crucifer Flea Beetles Produce An Aggregation Pheromone, Chengwang Peng, Robert J. Bartelt, Michael J. Weiss

Entomology Papers from Other Sources

The flea beetle, Phyllotreta cruciferae (Goeze), is a pest of crucifer crops throughout most of North America (Lamb, 1989). Adult beetle feeding on crucifer vegetables causes small pits in the epidermis, which affects the marketability (Vaughn & Hoy, 1993). Larger population of beetles can kill or stunt seedlings. In the northern Great Plains of the United States and Canada, this species is the most serious pest of spring-planted oilseed rape, Brassica napus and B. rapa (Lamb, 1989; Weiss et al., 1991). Overwintering adults feed on the cotyledons and stems, resulting in seedling mortality and causing the crop to mature unevenly …

Effects Of Dietary Precursors To Biogenic Amines On The Behavioural Response From Groups Of Caged Worker Honey Bees (Apis Mellifera) To The Alarm Pheromone Component Isopentyl Acetate, Jeffrey W. Harris, Joseph Woodring

Entomology Papers from Other Sources

The sound or `buzzing response' from groups of fifteen worker honey bees, Apis mellifera L., to the presentation of isopentyl acetate, an alarm pheromone component, was recorded through a microphone connected via a digital±analogue converter into a computer. The effects of ingested biogenic amine precursors 5-hydroxytryptophan, L-DOPA and tryptophan were tested on three variables measurable from the sound traces: onset of the buzzing response after presentation of the pheromone stimulus, the duration of the buzzing event, and the maximal sound frequency produced during the buzzing event. Bees fed high doses of 5-hydroxytrytophan were found to react significantly more slowly and …

Nebline, January 1999

NEBLINE Newsletter Archive from Nebraska Extension in Lancaster County

This year I resolve...
Ten steps to good gardening
Lilac renewal
Protect trees from animal damage
Winter care of houseplants
Dispersal of blackbirds, crows and starlings from urban roosts
Environmental book review for kids
Beginning beekeeping training
Treasures in the trash
Tips to enhance the art of using snap-traps for mice
Attention land owners and renters
1999 integrated crop management winter programs
Grain stubble rental rates
Learn about soil fertility/crop nutrient needs in your spare time
Farm tractor, combine fires cost millions annually
Controlling eastern redcedar
Tractor safety tips (part 1)
Acreage reply
Rural living clinics scheduled
Use information at …

Resistance In Sunflower And Interaction With Bacillus Thuringiensis For Control Of Banded Sunflower Moth (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), Jawahar L. Jyoti, Gary J. Brewer

Department of Entomology: Faculty Publications

Four sunflower accessions were compared with a susceptible check, hybrid ‘894’, in the greenhouse to determine their resistance to the banded sunflower moth, Cochylis hospes Walsingham, and their interaction with Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner variety kurstaki. Antibiosis, expressed as lower larval weights, was detected in all of the accessions. In addition to being antibiotic, sunflower accession Ames 3291 was antixenotic to banded sunflower moth oviposition and exhibited an additional impact on larval weight when B. thuringiensis was applied. By itself, B. thuringiensis provided better control of banded sunflower moth than the resistance tested. However, banded sunflower moth-resistant sunflower would be a …

Honey Bees (Hymenoptera: Apidae) As Vectors Of Bacillus Thuringiensis For Control Of Banded Sunflower Moth (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), Jawahar L. Jyoti, Gary J. Brewer

Department of Entomology: Faculty Publications

A study was conducted in 1996 and 1997 to determine if honey bees, Apis mellifera L., could vector Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner variety kurstaki from hives equipped with a pathogen applicator to sunflower capitula and if the amount of B. thuringiensis deposited on the capitula would be sufficient to control the banded sunflower moth, Cochylis hospes Walsingham. The study demonstrated that honey bees became contaminated with B. thuringiensis as they exited hives equipped with filled pathogen applicators and deposited enough B. thuringiensis on the capitula to cause banded sunflower moth larval mortality. When 2 methods of applying B. thuringiensis were compared, …

Identification Of Muscidifurax Spp. By Polymerase Chain Reaction-Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism, David B. Taylor, Allen L. Szalanski

Department of Entomology: Faculty Publications

Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) analysis of the nuclear ribosomal ITS1 region was used to differentiate Muscidifurax (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) species which are parasitoids of filth fly pupae. Three restriction enzymes, Dpn 11, Mse I, and Taq I, produced restriction patterns which were diagnostic for the four species analyzed, M. raptor, M. raptorellus, M. uniraptor, and M. zaraptor. Seven other restriction enzymes were able to differentiate one or more of the species and can be used alone, or in combination with other enzymes, to verify identifications. No intraspecific variation was observed among the populations examined. The utility of the …

Median Lethal Concentration And Efficacy Of Bacillus Thuringiensis Against Banded Sunflower Moth (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), Jawahar L. Jyoti, Gary J. Brewer

Department of Entomology: Faculty Publications

This study was conducted to determine dose-mortality response of the banded sunflower moth, Cochylis hospes Walsingham, to Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner and its effect on sunflower seed damage and yield. Of B. thuringiensis products tested, Cutlass AF and Javelin WG had the lowest LC50 values and highest slopes and relative potencies for C. hospes. Javelin WG was superior to the other B. thuringiensis materials tested and to Asana XL in preventing seed damage. Sunflower heads sprayed with Javelin WG had higher yields than sunflower heads sprayed with Asana XL or the other B. thuringiensis products tested. Asana XL is a standard …

Distribution And Inhibition Of Esterases In Various Body Tissues Of Susceptible And Resistant German Cockroaches (Dictyoptera: Blattellidae), No-Joong Park, Shripat T. Kamble

Department of Entomology: Faculty Publications

The distribution and inhibition of esterase activity among body of the resistant Crawford and susceptible CSMA strains of male German cockroach, Blattella germanica (L.), were evaluated with α- and β-naphthyl esters using a spectrophotometric assay and native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The esterase activities in the Crawford strain were significantly higher than in the CSMA strain in most tissues except midgut and male genitalia, where the activities were similar. In both strains, isozyme a was dominant in the brain and fat body and isozymes c and d were more abundant in the midgut; but in addition to isozyme a, isozyme …

Virulence Of Metarhizium Anisopliae (Deuteromycotina: Hyphomycetes) Strain Esc-1 To The German Cockroach (Dictyoptera: Blattellidae) And Its Compatibility With Insecticides, Pari Pachamuthu, Shripat T. Kamble, Gary Y. Yuen

Department of Entomology: Faculty Publications

Virulence of Metarhizium anisopliae (Metschnikoff) Sorokin strain ESC-1 against the German cockroach, Blattella germanica (L.), was determined using 5 concentrations ranging from 83107 to 23109 spores per milliliter. The calculated LD50 value was 4.18 by 108 spores per milliliter (4.18 3 105 spores per cockroach). In vitro study was conducted to determine the compatibility of M. anisopliae strain ESC-1 with chlorpyrifos, propetamphos, and cyfluthrin. Insecticides did not affect conidial germination but did adversely affect the growth and sporulation of M. anisopliae strain ESC-1. The growth of M. anisopliae colonies on media amended only with 50 and 500 ppm of chlorpyrifos …

Aulacaspis Yasumatsui (Hemiptera: Sternorrhyncha: Diaspididae), A Scale Insect Pest Of Cycads Recently Introduced Into Florida, Forrest W. Howard, Avas Hamon, Michael Mclaughlin, Thomas J. Weissling, Si-Lin Yang

Department of Entomology: Faculty Publications

Observations were conducted in southern Florida on Aulacaspis yasumatsui Takagi (Hemiptera: Sternorrhyncha: Diaspididae), a recently introduced armored scale insect native to Southeast Asia. The insect’s host plants, exclusively cycads, were identified in the following genera: Cycas (Cycadaceae ); Dioon, Encephalartos, Microcycas, (Zamiaceae), and Stangeria (Stangeriaceae). Cycas spp. seemed to be preferred over other cycad genera by this insect. Aulacaspis yasumatsui infested pinnae, rachides, strobili, stems, and roots of various species of cycads. It generally infested all above-ground plant parts of Cycas spp. and sometimes the primary and secondary roots to a soil depth of 60 cm. No morphological differences in …

Plant Hybrid Zones And Insect Host Range Expansion, Diana Pilson

Diana Pilson Publications

The hybrid bridge hypothesis suggests that plant hybrids ‘‘bridge’’ the genetic gap between actual and potential host species, and that, for this reason, herbivorous insects are more likely to evolve an expanded host range in the presence of hybrids. While intuitively appealing, the hypothesis has two implicit assumptions: that phenotypic gaps between potential hosts limit host range, and that characters controlling host use are additively inherited in plant hybrids. Evaluation of these assumptions suggests that operation of the hybrid bridge hypothesis is relatively uncommon. In addition, the hypothesis has not been well integrated into existing theoretical and empirical work on …

Hexapod Herald - Vol. 10, No. 9, December 31, 1998

Hexapod Herald and Other Entomology Department Newsletters

Grants

Presentations

Congratulations

Graduate student news

Publications

Travel

From Cheri's desk

Classes offered spring 1999

Calendar of events

National ESA award winners

Effects Of Food Deprivation, Age, Time Of Day, And Gamma Irradiation On Attraction Of Mexican Fruit Flies (Diptera: Tephritidae) To Two Synthetic Lures In A Wind Tunnel, David C. Robacker

Entomology Papers from Other Sources

The physiological condition of Mexican fruit flies, Anastrepha ludens (Loew), affected their attraction to 2 similar but qualitatively different synthetic lures in wind-tunnel bioassays. The 2 lures were BioLure (ammonium acetate and putrescine) and AMPu (ammonium carbonate, methylamine HCI, and putrescine) . Effects of food deprivation on attraction to the lures were smaller than the effects of sex, time of day, and irradiation. Sugar-fed, protein-starved flies were attracted more strongly than other hunger-status groups to the lures. Sugar-starved, protein-starved females were less responsive than other groups of females to AMPu. Protein-starved males were more responsive than protein-fed males to BioLure. …

Parasitism Of Greenbugs (Homoptera: Aphididae) By Lysiphlebus Testaceipes (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) In Grain Sorghum: Implications For Augmentative Biological Control, Odair A. Fernandes, Robert J. Wright, Z. B. Mayo

Department of Entomology: Faculty Publications

Field cage studies were conducted to describe the relationship between the percentage of Lysiphlebus testaceipes (Cresson) parasitism (as measured by aphid mummies) and densities of greenbug, Schizaphis graminum Rondani, on grain sorghum, Sorghum bicolor L. In 1993 and 1994, a biotype E-susceptible grain sorghum hybrid was grown in field cages and L. testaceipes adults were released after each plant was infested with 20 biotype E greenbugs. The release rates were 0, 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 wasps per plant in 1993, and 0, 0.16, 0.33, and 0.5 wasps per plant in 1994. Greenbugs and mummies were counted 1-2 times a week …

Two New Nymphalidae From Western North Carolina: New Subspecies Of Speyeria Aphrodite And Phyciodes Batesii, Ronald R. Gatrelle

The Taxonomic Report of the International Lepidoptera Survey

Two new subspecies are described from Macon County, North Carolina, United States. Speyeria aphrodite cullasaja is characterized by dorsal melanism, especially in females, by usually lacking the dorsal FW basal spots in cell Cu1 and Cu2, and by a narrowed buff marginal band on the ventral HW (sometimes absent in females). Phyciodes batesii maconensis males are characterized by wholly yellow ventral hind wings devoid of any dark marginal dusting or whitish crescents; and females occasionally possessing, lightly dusted, brown margins and rarely having a silvered marginal ventral HW spot. PPhyciodes batesii maconensis larvae are gregarious Aster feeders. Females are …

Nebline, December 1998

NEBLINE Newsletter Archive from Nebraska Extension in Lancaster County

Holiday legends,traditions & fun
Gardening resolutions
Keep trees fresh
Cyclamen care
Painting with plants
Pruning vines and groundcovers
Combing—a non-toxic method that can eliminate head lice
Our Christmas tree
A mouse in the house
A “must read” book
It’s a hit–20,000 hits!
Use and care of home humidifiers
Deadline near for requesting free inspection in compliance with Livestock Waste Management Act
Private applicators training
Crop Protection Clinic
The Power of a PTO
Beef home study course begins fifth year
Landlords need to reduce cash crop rental rates for '99
Developing your marketing plan
Chain saw operation
Commercial handling of fresh …

Nebline, November 1998

NEBLINE Newsletter Archive from Nebraska Extension in Lancaster County

Auntie Bacteria's holiday advice
Gifts for the gardener
Forcing bulbs
Attracting birds with the right plants
Rodent damage
Winter care for strawberry plants
Dealing with head lice? Even for experts, it's a head scratcher
Good reasons to recycle aluminum
Milk carton bird feeder
Migrating birds face many hazards
Achieving cleaner indoor air
Holding wet corn with aeration
Grain storage information on the web
Pesticide container recycling a success
Farm finances tight? Fertilize with biosolids and save $$
Acreage reply
Native prairie preservation
United States using less water
Reduce orchard woes
Mealtime tips for the preschool child
Healthy Eating: Holiday Turkey …

The Rediscovery, Taxonomy, And Biology Of Chlosyne Gorgone Gorgone And Chlosyne Ismeria (Nymphalidae) In Burke County, Georgia, Ronald R. Gatrelle

The Taxonomic Report of the International Lepidoptera Survey

On April 24, 1993 a colony of Chlosyne gorgone gorgone was found in Orangeburg County, South Carolina, United States. This led to the rediscovery on April 27, 1993 of C. g. gorgone at its type locality in Burke County, Georgia. This species had not been seen or collected anywhere in east coastal Georgia or coastal South Carolina since its description in 1810. The type locality is xeric, scrub oak sandhill. This habitat is generally unsuitable for the survival of later broods. The larvae of nominate gorgone have only been found on Helianthus divaricatus. Topotypical gorgone differ slightly, …

"Insects" From Atlas Of The Sand Hills, Brett C. Ratcliffe

University of Nebraska State Museum: Entomology Papers

Because the Sand Hills are, for the most part, a treeless landscape of grass-covered sand dunes, most of the insects are adapted to sandy habitats and a dry, continental climate, as well as to the kinds of plants and other animals that live there. Unlike most forest-adapted species, insects in the Sand Hills tolerate drier and windier conditions and greater solar radiation. They have also been successful in surviving the periodic fires that are so necessary for maintaining native grasslands. In fact, the mosaic of habitats partially created by fire has probably contributed to increased insect diversity in the Sand …

Nebline, October 1998

NEBLINE Newsletter Archive from Nebraska Extension in Lancaster County

Character Counts! for everyone
Growing hardy bulbs
Tree planting snafus
Timely care of hardy chrysantheums
Mole, mole, go away
Termite control options: baits vs. barriers?
Celebrate America Recycles Day
Household hazardous waste collection: November 7
It's time for your annual “pest-proof” check-up
Removing skunk odor
Temporary/emergency grain storage options
Control leafy spurge
Fall clean-up of warm-season grasses
The first frost, the last hurrah
Pasture weed control
What is this thing called winter desiccation?
Dormant planting grasses and legumes
Finding facts about vegetables and fruits
Healthy Eating: No-Crust Pumpkin Pie
Focus on Food
Preparing for the winter food olympics!
Family & …