Entomology Commons^™

Forage And Habitat For Pollinators In The Northern Great Plains—Implications For U.S. Department Of Agriculture Conservation Programs, Clint R.V. Otto, Autumn Smart, Robert S. Cornman, Michael Simanonok, Deborah D. Iwanowicz

Department of Entomology: Faculty Publications

Managed and wild pollinators are critical components of agricultural and natural systems. Despite the well-known value of insect pollinators to U.S. agriculture, Apis mellifera (Linnaeus, 1758; honey bees) and wild bees currently face numerous stressors that have resulted in declining health. These declines have engendered support for pollinatorconservation efforts across all levels of government, private businesses, and nongovernmental organizations. In 2014, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the U.S. Geological Survey initiated an interagency agreement to evaluate honey bee forage across multiple States in the northern Great Plains and upper Midwest. The long-term goal of this study was to …

Do The Quality And Quantity Of Honey Bee-Collected Pollen Vary Across An Agricultural Land-Use Gradient?, Michael P. Simanonok, Clint R. V. Otto, Matthew D. Smart

Department of Entomology: Faculty Publications

Pollen is the source of protein for most bee species, yet the quality and quantity of pollen is variable across landscapes and growing seasons. Understanding the role of landscapes in providing nutritious forage to bees is important for pollinator health, particularly in areas undergoing significant land-use change such as in the Northern Great Plains (NGP) region of the United States where grasslands are being converted to row crops. We investigated how the quality and quantity of pollen collected by honey bees (Apis mellifera L. [Hymenoptera: Apidae]) changed with land use and across the growing season by sampling bee-collected pollen …

Geographic Distribution Of Bacillus Thuringiensis Cry1f Toxin Resistance In Western Bean Cutworm (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) Populations In The United States, Brad S. Coates, Craig A. Abel, Katharine A. Swoboda-Bhattarai, Debra E. Palmquist, Débora Goulart Montezano, Sarah N. Zukoff, Yangzhou Wang, Jeffery D. Bradshaw, Christina D. Difonzo, Elson Shields, Kelley J. Tilmon, Thomas Hunt, Julie A. Peterson

West Central Research and Extension Center, North Platte

The western bean cutworm (WBC), Striacosta albicosta (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), can be a severe pest of transgenic corn in the western Plains and Great Lakes regions of North America, including on hybrids expressing the Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) Cry1F toxin. The level and geographic distribution of Cry1F resistance are not completely known. Neonate S. albicosta from 10 locations between Nebraska and New York state were subjected to dose–response trypsin-activated native Cry1F toxin overlay bioassays. In 2017, the mean estimated lethal concentration causing 50% larval mortality (LC50) ranged from 15.1 to 18.4 μg Cry1F cm−2, and were not significantly different among locations. In …

Field Efficacy Of Soil Insecticides On Pyrethroid-Resistant Western Corn Rootworms (Diabrotica Virgifera Virgifera Leconte), Dariane Souza, Julie A. Peterson, Robert Wright, Lance Meinke

Department of Entomology: Faculty Publications

Background: Field-evolved pyrethroid resistance has been confirmed in western corn rootworm (WCR) populations collected from the United States (US) western Corn Belt. Resistance levels of WCR adults estimated in lab bioassays were confirmed to significantly reduce the efficacy of foliar-applied bifenthrin. The objective of the present study was to investigate the impact of WCR pyrethroid resistance levels on the performance of common soil-applied insecticide formulations (23.4% tefluthrin, 17.15% bifenthrin, and 0.1% cyfluthrin+2.0% tebupirimphos). Field trials were conducted in 2016 and 2017 in three Nebraska, US, counties (Saunders, Clay, and Keith) where distinct levels of WCR susceptibility topyrethroids (susceptible, moderately resistant, …

Description Of The Immature Stages Of Stenocrates Agricola Dechambre & Hardy (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Dynastinae: Cyclocephalini) With Redescription Of The Adult And Discussion Of Its Tribal Position, Mario G, Ibarra-Polesel, Jhon C. Neita-Moreno, Brett Ratcliffe

Department of Entomology: Faculty Publications

The enigmatic genus Stenocrates Burmeister has 52 species that are widely distributed from Mexico to Argentina, but mainly in South America. In the present study, the larva of the third instar and pupa of Stenocrates agricola Dechambre & Hardy, 2004 are described and illustrated based on specimens from Argentina, this being the first description of immatures for the genus. The adult is also redescribed, significantly expanding the number of characters and providing information on the natural history of this species. In addition, 28 species of Cyclocephalini and 20 species of Pentodontini are morphologically compared, emphasizing the most useful larval characters …

Methods For Surveying Stable Fly Populations, David B. Taylor, Kyle Harrison, Junwei J. Zhu

Department of Entomology: Faculty Publications

Stable flies are among the most important pests of livestock throughout much of the world. Their painful bites induce costly behavioral and physiological stress responses and reduce productivity. Stable flies are anthropogenic and their population dynamics vary depending on agricultural and animal husbandry practices. Standardized sampling methods are needed to better identify the factors controlling stable fly populations, test novel control technologies, and determine optimal management strategies. The current study reviewed methods used for a long-term study of stable fly population dynamics in the central Great Plains. An additional study compared the relative size of flies sampled from the general …

Terpenoid-Induced Feeding Deterrence And Antennal Response Of Honey Bees, Nicholas R. Larson, Scott T. O'Neal, Ulrich R. Bernier, Jeffrey R. Bloomquist, Troy D. Anderson

Department of Entomology: Faculty Publications

Multiple interacting stressors negatively affect the survival and productivity of managed honey bee colonies. Pesticides remain a primary concern for beekeepers, as even sublethal exposures can reduce bee immunocompetence, impair navigation, and reduce social communication. Pollinator protection focuses on pesticide application guidelines; however, a more active protection strategy is needed. One possible approach is the use of feeding deterrents that can be delivered as an additive during pesticide application. The goal of this study was to validate a laboratory assay designed to rapidly screen compounds for behavioral changes related to feeding or feeding deterrence. The results of this investigation demonstrated …

Ento(O)Mics: The Intersection Of ‘Omic’ Approaches To Decipher Plant Defense Against Sap-Sucking Insect Pests, Prince Zogli, Lise Pingault, Sajjan Grover, Joe Louis

Department of Entomology: Faculty Publications

Plants are constantly challenged by insect pests that can dramatically decrease yields. Insects with piercing-sucking mouthparts, for example, aphids, whiteflies, and leaf hoppers, seemingly cause less physical damage to tissues, however, they feed on the plant’s sap by piercing plant tissue and extracting plant fluids, thereby transmitting several plantpathogenic viruses as well. As a counter-defense, plants activate an array of dynamic defense machineries against insect pests including the rapid reprogramming of the host cell processes. For a holistic understanding of plant-sap-sucking insect interactions, there is a need to call for techniques with the capacity to concomitantly capture these dynamic changes. …

First Description Of The Female Of The Rare Megasoma Lecontei Hardy (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Dynastinae: Dynastini), Brett Ratcliffe, Guillermo Nogueira, Rich Cunningham

Department of Entomology: Faculty Publications

Megasoma lecontei Hardy is the most rarely collected of all species of Megasoma Kirby, and the female remained undescribed. A description and illustrations of the female of M. lecontei are provided for the first time based on several specimens from near Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur, Mexico. A revised key to the Megasoma species occurring in Baja California Sur, Mexico is presented.

Phenology And Dispersal Of The Wheat Stem Sawfly (Hymenoptera: Cephidae) Into Winter Wheat Fields In Nebraska, Chris T. Mccullough, Gary L. Hein, Jeff Bradshaw Dr.

Department of Entomology: Faculty Publications

Historically, the wheat stem sawfly, Cephus cinctus Norton was a pest in spring wheat-growing regions of the northern Great Plains. However, in the 1980s, it was found infesting winter wheat fields in Montana. Infestations were first detected in western Nebraska in the 1990s, and have since spread throughout the Nebraska Panhandle. Larval damage occurs from stem-mining, but stem girdling that results in lodged stems that are not harvested results in the greatest yield losses.The biology and phenology of the wheat stem sawfly are well described in the northern portion of its range, but they are lacking in Colorado, southeast Wyoming, …

Description Of A New Species Of Gymnetis Macleay (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Cetoniinae: Gymnetini) From Colima, Mexico, Brett Ratcliffe, Guillermo Nogueira

Department of Entomology: Faculty Publications

Gymnetis pedroreyesi Ratcliffe and Nogueira, new species, is described from the state of Colima, Mexico. The description is accompanied by illustrations, a diagnosis to distinguish it from similar species, observations on natural history, and a key to the 12 Mexican species of Gymnetis MacLeay, 1819.

Gymnetis pedroreyesi Ratcliffe y Nogueira, nueva especie, es descrita del Estado de Colima,M´exico. La descripci´on es acompa~nada por ilustraciones, diagnosis para distinguirla de especies similares, observaciones y caracter´ısticas de su h´abitat y una clave para las 12 especies mejicanas de Gymnetis MacLeay, 1819.

Genome Sequence Of A Small Rna Virus Of The Southern Corn Rootworm, Diabrotica Undecimpunctata Howardi Barber (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), Sijun Liu, Arnubio Valencia-Jiménez, Molly Darlington, Ana M. Vélez, Bryony C. Bonning

Department of Entomology: Faculty Publications

The genome sequence of a novel small RNA virus, tentatively named Diabrotica undecimpunctata virus 1 (DuV1), was discovered from the transcriptome of the southern corn rootworm, Diabrotica undecimpunctata howardi Barber. DuV1 has a positive-sense, single-stranded RNA genome that encodes a single polyprotein of 3,401 amino acids with limited similarity to other viruses.

Maize Defense Elicitor, 12-Oxo-Phytodienoic Acid, Prolongs Aphid Salivation, Sajjan Grover, Suresh Varsani, Michael V. Kolomiets, Joe Louis

Department of Entomology: Faculty Publications

12-Oxo-phytodienoic acid (OPDA), an intermediate in the jasmonic acid (JA) biosynthesis pathway, regulates diverse signaling functions in plants, including enhanced resistance to insect pests. We previously demonstrated that OPDA promoted enhanced callose accumulation and heightened resistance to corn leaf aphid (CLA; Rhopalosiphum maidis), a phloem sap-sucking insect pest of maize (Zea mays). In this study, we used the electrical penetration graph (EPG) technique to monitor and quantify the different CLA feeding patterns on the maize JA-deficient 12-oxo- phytodienoic acid reductase (opr7opr8) plants. CLA feeding behavior was unaffected on B73, opr7opr8 control plants (- OPDA), and opr7opr8 plants that were pretreated …

Greenbug (Schizaphis Graminum) Herbivory Significantly Impacts Protein And Phosphorylation Abundance In Switchgrass (Panicum Virgatum), Prince Zogli, Sophie Alvarez, Michael J. Naldrett, Nathan A. Palmer, Kyle G. Koch, Lise Pingault, Jeffrey D. Bradshaw, Paul Twigg, Tiffany M. Heng‐Moss, Joe Louis, Gautam Sarath, Joe Louis

Department of Entomology: Faculty Publications

Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) is an important crop for biofuel production but it also serves as host for greenbugs (Schizaphis graminum Rondani; GB). Although transcriptomic studies have been done to infer the molecular mechanisms of plant defense against GB, little is known about the effect of GB infestation on the switchgrass protein expression and phosphorylation regulation. The global response of the switchgrass cultivar Summer proteome and phosphoproteome was monitored

by label‐free proteomics shotgun in GB‐infested and uninfested control plants at 10 days post infestation. Peptides matching a total of 3,594 proteins were identified and 429 were differentially expressed proteins in …

Spatial Repellency, Antifeedant Activity And Toxicity Of Three Medium Chain Fatty Acids And Their Methyl Esters Of Coconut Fatty Acid Against Stable Flies, Gwang H. Roh, Xiaaojie Zhou, Yansu Wang, Steven C. Cermak, James A. Kenar, Alexander Lehmann, Baoyu Han, David B. Taylor, Xiaopeng Zeng, Chung Gyoo Park, G. J. Brewer, J.J. Zhu

Department of Entomology: Faculty Publications

BACKGROUND: Stable flies are one of the most detrimental arthropod pests to livestock. With changing climates and agronomic practices, they expand their roles as pests and disease vectors as well. Their painful bites reduce livestock productivity, annoy companion animals, and interfere with human recreational activities. Current management technologies are unable to effectively control stable flies. The present study reports new results concerning the contact, spatial repellency, and toxicity of a bio-based product, coconut fatty acid and their methyl ester derivatives of free fatty acids of C8:0, C10:0 and C12:0 to stable flies.

RESULTS: Three medium chain fatty acid methyl esters …

Abundance And Diversity Of Dung Beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeoidea) As Affected By Grazing Management In The Nebraska Sandhills Ecosystem, Patrick M. Wagner, Gandura Omar Abagandura, Martha Mamo, Thomas Weissling, Ana Wingeyer, Jeffrey D. Bradshaw

Department of Entomology: Faculty Publications

Dung beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeoidea) serve a significant role in regulating ecosystem services on rangelands. However, the influence of grazing management on dung beetle communities remains largely unknown. The purpose of this study was to investigate dung beetle abundance and diversity throughout the grazing season in the Nebraska Sandhills Ecoregion. Grazing treatments included: continuous grazing (CONT), low-stocking rotational grazing (LSR), high-stocking rotational grazing (HSR), and no grazing (NG). The abundance and diversity of dung beetles were measured in the 2014 and 2015 grazing seasons using dung-baited pitfall traps. Dung beetle abundance for each grazing treatment was characterized through four indices: peak …

Sublethal Endpoints In Non-Target Organism Testing For Insect-Active Ge Crops, Andrew Roberts, Chad J. Boeckman, Marina Mühl, Jörg Romeis, John L. Teem, Fernando H. Valicente, Judith K. Brown, Steven L. Levine, Richard L. Melnick, Thais B. Rodrigues, Ana M. Vélez, Xuguo Zhou, Richard L. Hellmich, Martin G. Edwards

Department of Entomology: Faculty Publications

Historically, genetically engineered (GE) plants that have incorporated genes conferring insect protection have primarily used Cry proteins derived from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) to achieve their insecticidal phenotype. As a result, regulators have developed a level of familiarity and confidence in reviewing plants incorporating these insecticidal proteins. However, new technologies have been developed that produce GE plants that incorporate pest protection by triggering an RNA interference (RNAi) response or proteins other than Bt Cry proteins. These technologies have new modes of action. Although the overall assessment paradigm for GE plants is robust, there are ongoing discussions about the appropriate tests and …

Improved Sentinel Method For Surveillance And Collection Of Filth Fly Parasitoids, Christopher J. Geden, Dana M. Johnson, David B. Taylor

Department of Entomology: Faculty Publications

Parasitoids are important natural enemies of house flies and other muscoid flies. The two most commonly used methods for collecting fly parasitoids from the field have distinct advantages and disadvantages. Collections of wild puparia depend on the ability to find puparia in sufficient numbers and are prone to localized distortions in relative species abundance because of the overrepresentation of samples from hot spots of fly larval activity. Placement and retrieval of sentinel puparia is convenient and allows consistent sampling over time but is strongly biased in favor of Muscidifurax spp. over Spalangia spp. An improved sentinel method is described that …

Proceedings Of The 2020 American Bee Research Conference, Bradley N. Metz, Judy Wu-Smart, Michael Simone-Finstrom

Department of Entomology: Faculty Publications

The 2020 American Bee Research Conference (ABRC) was held on 9–10 January 2020 in conjunction with the annual convention of the American Beekeeping Federation Conference and Trade Show in Schaumburg, IL. Over the two-day conference, a total of 65 oral and poster presentations were given, representing work done from over 30 different research groups from throughout the United States and Canada. These proceedings contain the submitted abstracts for presentations given at the 2020 American Bee Research Conference.

Proceedings Of The 2019 American Bee Research Conference, Michael Simone-Finstrom, Elina L. Niño, Michelle L. Flenniken, Hanna Arrowsmith, Judy Wu-Smart

Department of Entomology: Faculty Publications

The 2019 American Bee Research Conference (ABRC) was held January 10–12, 2019 in conjunction with the annual convention of the American Honey Producers Association in Tempe, AZ. Over the three-day conference, a total of 45 oral presentations and 13 poster presentations were given, representing work done from over 27 institutions and 34 different research groups from throughout the United States and Canada. This proceedings contains and overview of the conference and the submitted abstracts for presentations given at the 2018 American Bee Research Conference.

Catalogo Ilustrado De Los Cetoniinae Y Trichiinae (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) De Nicaragua., Jean-Michel Maes, Brett Ratcliffe

Department of Entomology: Faculty Publications

Este catálogo presenta las 34 especies de Cetoniinae and 8 de Trichiinae (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) reportadas de Nicaragua hasta la fecha.

This catalogue reports the 34 species of Cetoniinae and 8 of Trichiinae (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) reported from Nicaragua.

Los Cetoniinae y los Trichiinae forman un grupo relativamente pequeño de escarabajos, 34 y 8 especies respetivamente han sido reportadas de Nicaragua. Los primeros Cetoniinae reportados de Nicaragua fueron descritos como nuevos, 1 especie por Bates (1869), otra por Westwood (1874), otras dos por Janson (1876). Janson en 1877 describe dos especies y reporta otra. En Biología Centrali-Americana, Bates (1889) describe 4 especies …

Control Of Western Corn Rootworm Via Rnai Traits In Maize: Lethal And Sublethal Effects Of Sec23 Dsrna, Ana Maria Vélez, Elane Fishilevich, Murugesan Rangasamy, Chitvan Khajuria, David Mccaskill, Adriano E. Pereira, Premchand Gandra, Meghan L.F. Frey, Sarah Worden, Shannon Whitlock, Wendy Lo, Karl D. Schnelle, Jamie R, Lutz, Kenneth E. Narva, Blair Siegfried

Department of Entomology: Faculty Publications

Background: RNA interference (RNAi) triggered by maize plants expressing RNA hairpins against specific western corn rootworm ( WCR) transcripts have proven to be effective at controlling this pest. To provide robust crop protection, mRNA transcripts targeted by double-stranded RNA must be sensitive to knockdown and encode essential proteins.

Results: Using WCR adult feeding assays, we identified Sec23 as a highly lethal RNAi target. Sec23 encodes a coatomer protein, a component of the coat protein

(COPII) complex that mediates ER-Golgi transport. The lethality detected in WCR adults was also observed in early instar larvae, the life stage causing most …

Posters As An Effective Assessment Tool For A Capstone Course, David Gosselin, Doug Golick

Department of Entomology: Faculty Publications

A rubric was developed to assess student posters as a mechanism to evaluate learning outcomes for a senior capstone course. The analytic rubric allows for the efficient and systematic collection of data from posters by students who worked across a variety of disciplines including the physical, biological, Earth sciences, social science, and the humanities. The rubric effectively addressed a fundamental assumption and requirement put forth during rubric development, that is, it needs to be relatively easy to use without training while at the same time producing consistent results across evaluators. The overall Chronbach’s alpha of 0.80 across semesters indicates acceptable …

Integrated Crop–Livestock Systems In Paddy Fields: New Strategies For Flooded Rice Nutrition, Luiz Gustavo De O. Denardin, Amanda P. Martins, Felipe De C. Carmona, Murilo G. Veloso, Gabriela I. Carmona, Paulo César De F. Carvalho, Ibanor Anghinoni

Department of Entomology: Faculty Publications

Integrated crop–livestock systems (ICLSs) appear as a good alternative to increase nutrient use efficiency (NUE) in rice (Oryza sativa L.) through the improvement in nutrient cycling and soil chemical attributes in paddy fields. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of an ICLS on soil chemical attributes and on the fertilization requirement of N, P, and K by flooded rice in the Brazilian subtropical region. Nutritional status, yield, and NUE of flooded rice were evaluated by fertilization trials through rice response to different fertilization rates of N, P, and K. Soil chemical attributes were evaluated at …

Diabrotica Undecimpunctata Virus 2, A Novel Small Rna Virus Discovered From Southern Corn Rootworm, Diabrotica Undecimpunctata Howardi Barber (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), Sijun Liu, Arnubio Valencia-Jiménez, Molly Darlington, Ana M. Vélez, Bryony C. Bonning

Department of Entomology: Faculty Publications

The genome of Diabrotica undecimpunctata virus 2 (DuV2), a positive-sense, single-stranded RNA virus identified from the southern corn root- worm transcriptome, comprises 5,313 nucleotides, including a short poly(A) tail. The two open reading frames encode a nonstructural polyprotein (p156) and a putative capsid protein (p25).

An Updated Genetic Marker For Detection Of Lake Sinai Virus And Metagenetic Applications, Deborah D. Iwanowicz, Judy Wu-Smart, Tugce Olgun, Autumn H. Smart, Clint R.V. Otto, Dawn Lopez, Jay D. Evans, Robert Cornman

Department of Entomology: Faculty Publications

Background. Lake Sinai Viruses (LSV) are common RNA viruses of honey bees (Apis mellifera) that frequently reach high abundance but are not linked to overt disease. LSVs are genetically heterogeneous and collectively widespread, but despite frequent detection in surveys, the ecological and geographic factors structuring their distribution in A. mellifera are not understood. Even less is known about their distribution in other species. Better understanding of LSV prevalence and ecology have been hampered by high sequence diversity within the LSV clade.

Methods. Here we report a new polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay that is compatible with currently known lineages with …

Enhanced Metabolism And Selection Of Pyrethroid-Resistant Western Corn Rootworms (Diabrotica Virgifera Virgifera Leconte), Dariane Souza, Arnubio V. Jiménez, Gautam Sarath, Lance J. Meinke, Nicholas J. Miller, Blair D. Siegfried

Department of Entomology: Faculty Publications

Western corn rootworm (WCR) pyrethroid resistance has been previously reported in the United States (US) western Corn Belt, and cross-resistance and synergism studies suggested that both target site insensitivity and enhanced metabolism may be conferring WCR resistance to pyrethroids. The present study aimed to investigate the potential mechanisms of WCR pyrethroid resistance and to estimate the heritability of the resistance trait. Biochemical assays using model substrates and spectrophotometry revealed 2–4-fold higher activity of P450s and esterases in pyrethroid-resistant WCR populations, whereas the biological activity of glutathione S-trans- ferase was similar between populations tested. No mutation in the voltage-gated sodium channel …

Differential Defense Responses Of Upland And Lowland Switchgrass Cultivars To A Cereal Aphid Pest, Lise Pingault, Nathan A. Palmer, Kyle G. Koch, Tiffany Heng-Moss, Jeff Bradshaw, Javier Seravalli, Paul G. Twigg, Joe Louis, Gautam Sarath

Department of Entomology: Faculty Publications

Yellow sugarcane aphid (YSA) (Sipha flava, Forbes) is a damaging pest on many grasses. Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.), a perennial C4 grass, has been selected as a bioenergy feedstock because of its perceived resilience to abiotic and biotic stresses. Aphid infestation on switchgrass has the potential to reduce the yields and biomass quantity. Here, the global defense response of switchgrass cultivars Summer and Kanlow to YSA feeding was analyzed by RNA-seq and metabolite analysis at 5, 10, and 15 days after infestation. Genes upregulated by infestation were more common in both cultivars compared to downregulated genes. In total, a higher …

A Perspective On Changes Across The U.S. Corn Belt, Eric D. Hunt, Hannah E. Birge, Christopher R. Laingen, Mark A. Licht, William J. Baule, Tom Connor

Department of Entomology: Faculty Publications

Corn (Zea mays L.) has long been a staple crop of the Corn Belt of the U.S., which today extends latitudinally from central Nebraska to central Ohio and longitudinally from northeast Kansas to the eastern Dakotas and western Minnesota. However, the production of corn in the Corn Belt has been transformed in both magnitude and spatial extent since the 1960s. Previous research has shown that there has been an overall increase in the number of acres planted to corn across the Corn Belt (e.g. Johnston 2014, Lark et al 2015), with a pronounced increase in the eastern Dakotas and …

Molecular Gut-Content Analysis Of Adult Ground Beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae) Provides No Evidence Of Predation Of Western Corn Rootworm (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) In A Nebraska Corn Agroecosystem, Camila Oliveira-Hofman, Vinícius S. Victor, Lance Meinke, Julie A. Peterson

Department of Entomology: Faculty Publications

This study was conducted to characterize the ground beetle (Coleoptera: Carabidae) community in Nebraska continuous cornfields and investigate the potential for predation of the western corn rootworm, Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte, a key rootfeeding insect pest that is an annual management challenge in this system. Seven collection dates were conducted at five commercial cornfields in west central Nebraska during the growing season of 2014. In each field, carabids were sampled using five 24-h pitfall traps. Carabid specimens were placed in 95% ethanol in the field and stored at –20 °C to preserve DNA. After identification to the species level, DNA …