Entomology Commons^™

Polistes Dominula (Christ) (Hymenoptera: Vespidae: Polistinae) Recorded From Nebraska, Louis S. Hesler

The Great Lakes Entomologist

Polistes dominula (Christ), a Palearctic paper wasp that has established in various areas of North America, is reported for the first time from the state of Nebraska based on specimens from the city of Lincoln. Potential implications of its presence in Nebraska are discussed.

First Collection Records Of Hippodamia Variegata (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) In Minnesota Corn And Soybean, Thelma T. Heidel, Amy C. Morey

The Great Lakes Entomologist

The coccinellid Hippodamia variegata (Goeze) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) is a relatively recent addition to the North American coccinellid fauna. This species was first reported in 1984 near Montreal, Quebec (Gordon 1987). Since then, its range has expanded beyond northeastern North America with the newest records in the midwestern United States, including Michigan (Gardiner and Parson 2005), Ohio (Pavuk et al. 2007), Wisconsin (Williams and Young 2009), and most recently South Dakota (Hesler and Lundgren 2011). Here we provide the first records of H. variegata in Minnesota. In addition, our records further define the movement pattern of this beetle across the Midwest …

Tramea Calverti (Odonata: Libellulidae): New For Michigan With Notes On Other New Reports For The Great Lakes Region, Julie A. Craves, Darrin O'Brien

The Great Lakes Entomologist

Beginning in late summer 2010, the Neotropical dragonfly Tramea calverti Muttkowski, striped saddlebags, was observed in a major northward movement in eastern North America. This species appeared for the first time in three Great Lakes states and Canada (Ontario). A specimen from Michigan is the first and only voucher in the Great Lakes, and an observation in Minnesota established a new northernmost report for North America.

New State Distribution And Host Records Of North American Buprestidae (Coleoptera), Jason A. Hansen, Toby R. Petrice, Robert A. Haack

The Great Lakes Entomologist

The following new state records are reported for buprestid species in the eastern United States: Agrilus egeniformis Champlain and Knull and Polyceta elata LeConte from Georgia, Agrilus defectus LeConte and Agrilus vittaticollis (Randall) from Minnesota and Agrilus paramasculinus Champlain and Knull from Michigan and Indiana. Chrysobothris shawnee Wellso and Manley and Chrysobothris rugosiceps Melsheimer are reported from red oak (Quercus rubra L.) and English oak (Quercus robur L.) for the first time, after being reared from naturally infested host material collected in Michigan, USA.

Populations Of Pear Thrips, Taeniothrips Inconsequens (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) In Sugar Maple Stands In Vermont: 1989-2005, B. L. Parker, M. Skinner, D. Tobi, J. S. Kim, H. B. Teillon

The Great Lakes Entomologist

Development of an effective IPM strategy for pear thrips, Taeniothrips inconsequens (Uzel) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae), a pest of sugar maple, Acer saccharum Marshall, demands an understanding of their population fluctuations over time. Pear thrips populations were monitored using a standardized soil sampling method every fall from 1989 – 2005 in 14 counties of Vermont (U.S.). Data from individual sites were combined into north, central and south regions. High numbers of thrips emerged from soil sampled in 1989, 1990, 1993 and 2001, particularly in the north region (Washington, Lamoille, and Franklin counties). The central and south regions had lower pear thrips populations …

Interrupting The Response Of Dendroctonus Simplex Leconte (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae) To Compounds That Elicit Aggregation Of Adults, Elizabeth E. Graham, Andrew J. Storer

The Great Lakes Entomologist

The eastern larch beetle, Dendroctonus simplex LeConte (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae), is a native bark beetle that has caused significant mortality to tamarack, Larix laricinia, in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. The effectiveness of potentially attractive chemicals for D. simplex was tested and the most attractive compound, seudenol, was used in subsequent studies to test interruptants against D. simplex. Verbenone, methylcyclohexenone (MCH), and 4-allylanisole were tested as potential interruptants in combination with seudenol. Catches of D. simplex in traps baited with seudenol and MCH were not significantly different from catches in unbaited control traps, indicating successful interruption of the …

Field Persistence Of Steinernema Carpocapsa Weiser (Ny001), Steinernema Feltiae Filipjev (Valko) And Heterorhabditis Bacteriophora Poinar (Oswego) In Alfalfa Fields, Gabor Neumann, Elson J. Shields

The Great Lakes Entomologist

The long term field persistence of Steinernema carpocapsae Weiser, strain NY001, S. feltiae Filipjev, strain Valko and Heterorhabditis bacteriophora Poinar, strain Oswego was investigated in an alfalfa field infested by the alfalfa snout beetle, Otiorhynchus ligustici L. Nematodes were applied in single-species, two-species and three-species combinations at a total of 2.5 × 109 infective juveniles per hectare. Soil samples were taken approximately every two weeks from mid/late May to late October in 2004 and 2005. Two soil samplings were conducted in 2006 at the end of May and in early July. All nematodes persisted in the field at the time …

Measuring The Effects Of “Opportunistic Defense” Of The Bracken Fern, (Pteridium Aquilinum) By Patrolling Ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) At Pierce Cedar Creek Institute In South Central Michigan, Ricki E. Oldenkamp, Matthew M. Douglas

The Great Lakes Entomologist

In this study we show that in South Central Michigan (Pierce Cedar Creek Institute) eight ant species patrol bracken fern (Pteridium aquilinum) during the sensitive crozier growth stage. At times these ants remove herbivorous insects from rapidly expanding fronds. A new method for analyzing herbivory of bracken fern is employed to measure chewing damage to the fronds. Our results show that ants do in fact remove some herbivores from bracken fronds during the crozier stage; however, statistical analyses comparing the amount of chewing damage between treated and untreated fronds at the end of the growing season show no statistical difference.

Revisiting The Mound-Building Ant, Lasius Claviger, In A Reconstructed Tallgrass Prairie, Chris E. Petersen, Christine Berta, Dwight T. Johnson, Barbara A. Petersen

The Great Lakes Entomologist

A tallgrass prairie located in northeastern Illinois was revisited to update relationships in a 2002 study between the presence of mounds of Lasius claviger (Formicidae) and characteristics of the soil and prairie flora. Reconstruction of the 7.1 ha site began 26 years ago. As in 2002, mounds of L. claviger did not appear to be affecting soil temperature, but were associated with higher floral richness and differences in soil moisture at 10 cm depth as compared to control sites having the same major grass type. In addition, soil organic content and above-ground plant biomass were significantly higher where mounds were …

Effects Of Low Temperature Storage On Fecundity And Adult Mortality For The Alfalfa Snout Beetle, Otiorhynchus Ligustici (L.) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), Elson J. Shields, Antonio M. Testa

The Great Lakes Entomologist

The alfalfa snout beetle, Otiorhynchus ligustici L. (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), was introduced into the United States from Europe via wooden sailing ships carrying soil as ballast, was first reported in New York State in 1896 at the Port of Oswego and was first recorded as a pest of alfalfa when alfalfa was introduced into the area in the area. In subsequent years, this flightless and partheno- genetic insect has spread to nine Northern New York counties, infested over 200,000 hectares of cropland and has become the most serious pest of alfalfa in northern New York State. Research requires the availability of …

Analysis Of The Caddisflies (Trichoptera) Of The Manistee River Watershed, Michigan, David C. Houghton, Constance M. Brandin, Kelsey A. Brakel

The Great Lakes Entomologist

We document 134 caddisfly species and their seasonal and habitat affinities based on 93 samples collected from 26 sites throughout the Manistee River watershed in the lower peninsula of Michigan from May through September, 2010. Eleven of these species: Banksiola dossuaria (Say), Cheumatopsyche aphanta Ross, Cheumatopsyche pasella Ross, Hydroptila xera Ross, Ironoquia lyrata (Ross), Lepidostoma vernale (Banks), Neotrichia vibrans Ross, Nyctiophylax affinis (Banks), Oxyethira aeola Ross, Oxyethira rivicola Blickle and Morse, and Polycentropus timesis (Denning) are reported from Michigan for the first time. More than 85% of species reached peak adult abundance during June or July, although a few species …

Description Of A New Species Of Atanycolus (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) From Michigan Reared From The Emerald Ash Borer, Agrilus Planipennis (Coleoptera: Buprestidae: Agrilinae), Paul M. Marsh, John S. Strazanac, Stephanie Y. Laurusonis

The Great Lakes Entomologist

A new species of Braconidae, Atanycolus cappaerti Marsh and Strazanac, is described from Michigan where it has been reared from emerald ash borer, Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire (Coleoptera: Buprestidae), galleries in ash (Fraxi- nus spp.). Molecular evidence (analysis of fragments of the mitochondrial genes COI and 16S and the nuclear genes wingless and elongation factor 1-alpha) is presented to support the distinction of this new species from A. hicoriae Shenefelt that has been documented as a parasitoid of several ash borers.

Ectoparasites Of The Evening Bat (Nycticeius Humeralis) From Michigan, Christopher M. Ritzi, Olivia M. Munzer

The Great Lakes Entomologist

(excerpt)

Previous records for bat ectoparasites in Michigan were reported in Dood and Kurta (1982, 1988), and included most of the bat species known to occur in Michigan. This supplement adds the ectoparasites of the evening bat, Nycticeius humeralis (Rafinesque) (Chiroptera: Vespertillionidae), which was not known to occur as a resident in Michigan at that time.

A New Species Of Aphis In Minnesota (Hemiptera: Aphididae) On Narrow-Leaved Purple Coneflower, Echinacea Angustifolia, D. M. Lagos, D. J. Voegtlin

The Great Lakes Entomologist

Aphis echinaceae, n. sp. is described from specimens collected in Douglas County, Minnesota, on Echinacea angustifolia (DC.). The aphid is illustrated with biometric data for alate and apterous vivipara. Its short cauda and siphunculi, and presence of secondary sensoria on antennal segments III, IV, and V in both morphs makes this Aphis morphologically similar to A. debilicornis (Gillette and Palmer), A. lugentis Williams and A. caliginosa Hottes and Frison, and root feeding aphids of the subgenus Pseudoprotaphis Kadyrbekov and genus Protaphis Börner. A diagnosis is provided.

A New Species Of Euryurus From Southern Alabama And Remarks On The Status Of Illiniurus Beattyi Shear (Diplopoda: Polydesmida: Euryuridae)., Michael C. Jorgensen

The Great Lakes Entomologist

A new species of polydesmidan millipede of the family Euryuridae, Euryurus lecythanoictes, is described. Another millipede of Euryuridae, Illiniurus beattyi Shear, is considered to be an aberrant specimen and therefore not a true species. The family taxonomic history of Euryuridae is briefly covered with a discussion of gonopod anatomy.

Demonstration Of Sex Pheromones In Molanna Uniophila (Trichoptera: Molannidae), Platycentropus Radiatus, Pycnopsyche Indiana, And P. Subfasciata (Trichoptera: Limnephilidae), With An Assessment Of Interspecific Attraction Between Four Sympatric Pycnopsyche Species, David C. Houghton, Christine Lux, Megan Spahr

The Great Lakes Entomologist

Evidence for sex pheromones in the caddisflies Molanna uniophila Vorhies, Platycentropus radiatus (Say), Pycnopsyche indiana (Ross), and P. subfasciata (Say) is presented here for the first time based on field studies conducted in southern Michigan. For all species, numbers of males caught in pheromone traps baited with conspecific female extracts were higher than those caught in traps with male extracts, or those without extract. Four sympatric species of Pycnopsyche: P. guttifer (Walker), P. indiana, P. lepida (Hagen), and P. subfasciata exhibited no interspecific pheromonal attraction despite a common mating season and, in the case of P. indiana and P. lepida …

Effects Of Visual Silhouette, Leaf Size And Host Species On Feeding Preference By Adult Emerald Ash Borer, Agrilus Planipennis Fairmaire (Coleoptera: Buprestidae), Deepa S. Pureswaran, Therese M. Poland

The Great Lakes Entomologist

The emerald ash borer, Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire (Coleoptera: Buprestidae) is an invasive species recently established in North America. In large arena bioassays, when given a choice among live green ash, Fraxinus pennsylvanica Marsh and artificial ash saplings that were hidden or exposed from view, beetles preferred live trees (either visible or hidden) compared to artificial trees that had similar visual silhouettes, confirming that olfactory cues are used to locate hosts. Examination of the effect of leaf size revealed that large leaves attracted more beetles than medium-sized leaves that in turn attracted more beetles than small leaves of the same age. …

An Annotated Checklist Of Wisconsin Ground Beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae), Peter W. Messer

The Great Lakes Entomologist

A survey of Carabidae in the state of Wisconsin, U.S.A. yielded 87 species new to the state and incorporated 34 species previously reported from the state but that were not included in an earlier catalogue, bringing the total number of species to 489 in an annotated checklist. Collection data are provided in full for the 87 species new to Wisconsin but are limited to county occurrences for 187 rare species previously known in the state. Recent changes in nomenclature pertinent to the Wisconsin fauna are cited.

The Alien Hippodamia Variegata (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) Quickly Establishes Itself Throughout Wisconsin, Andrew H. Williams, Daniel K. Young

The Great Lakes Entomologist

(excerpt)

Hippodamia variegata (Goeze) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) is a Palaearctic species that was first reported to be established in the Nearctic near Montreal, Quebec, in 1984 (Gordon 1987). Since then, this small beetle has been expanding its range in North America, a process summarized by Gardiner and Parsons (2005). It was first reported from Michigan in 2005 (Gardiner and Parsons 2005) and from Ohio in 2007 (Pavuk et al. 2007).

First Report Of The European Oak Borer, Agrilus Sulcicollis (Coleoptera: Buprestidae), In The United States, Robert A. Haack, Toby R. Petrice, James E. Zablotny

The Great Lakes Entomologist

Agrilus sulcicollis Lacordaire was first reported in North America from (Quercus rubra L.), on sticky traps, and also found in insect collections that dated from 1995. After hearing of this discovery in Ontario, unidentified Agrilus specimens that had been collected in Michigan during recent field studies of the emerald ash borer, Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire, were examined. As a result, A. sulcicollis specimens were identified that had been collected in four Michigan counties during 2003 to 2008: Ingham, Oakland, Saint Clair, and Washtenaw. All Michigan specimens had been collected from sticky traps or reared from English oak, Q. robur L. …

First Occurrence Of Hippodamia Variegata (Goeze) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) In Ohio, Daniel M. Pavuk, Alan Sundermeier, Sadira Stelzer, Andrea M. Wadsworth, Danielle M. Keeler, Melanie L. Bergolc, Laura Hughes-Williams

The Great Lakes Entomologist

(excerpt)

Ladybird beetles, or coccinellids (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), are significant arthropod predators in a variety of terrestrial ecosystems. Numerous classical biological control projects undertaken over the last 120 years in North America have involved importation of exotic ladybird beetle species for the control of invasive insect species in annual and perennial agricultural production systems.

Designation Of A Neotype For Mitchell’S Satyr, Neonympha Mitchellii (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae), Christopher A. Hamm

The Great Lakes Entomologist

(excerpt)

The Mitchell’s satyr, Neonympha mitchellii French 1889 (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae) was described as a new species based on a series of six males and four females collected by J. N. Mitchell from “Wakelee bog” in Cass County, Michigan (French 1889). French did not designate a holotype from this series.

New Reports Of Exotic And Native Ambrosia And Bark Beetle Species (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae) From Ohio, Danielle M. Lightle, Kamal J.K. Gandhi, Anthony I. Cognato, Bryson J. Mosley, David G. Nielsen, Daniel A. Herms

The Great Lakes Entomologist

In a 2007 survey of ambrosia and bark beetles (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae) along a transect in northeastern Ohio, we collected six exotic and three native species not previously reported from the state. These species include the exotic ambrosia beetles Ambrosiodmus rubricollis (Eichhoff), Dryoxylon onoharaensum (Murayama), Euwallacea validus (Eichhoff), Xyleborus californicus Wood, Xyleborus pelliculosusEichhoff, and Xylosandrus crassiusculus (Motschulsky). The native ambrosia beetle Corthylus columbianus Hopkins, and the native bark beetles Dryocoetes autographus (Ratzeburg) and Hylastes tenuis Eichhoff are also reported from Ohio for the first time. Our study suggests a northward range expansion for five of the six exotic species …

An Annotated Checklist Of Wisconsin Handsome Fungus Beetles (Coleoptera: Endomychidae), Michele B. Price, Daniel K. Young

The Great Lakes Entomologist

The first comprehensive survey of Wisconsin Endomychidae was initiated in 1998. Throughout Wisconsin sampling sites were selected based on habitat type and sampling history. Wisconsin endomychids were hand collected from fungi and under tree bark; successful trapping methods included cantharidinbaited pitfall traps, flight intercept traps, and Lindgren funnel traps. Examination of literature records, museum and private collections, and field research yielded 10 species, three of which are new state records. Two dubious records, Epipocus unicolor Horn and Stenotarsus hispidus (Herbst), could not be confirmed. Wisconsin distribution, along with relevant collecting techniques and natural history information, are summarized.

Arthropods Utilizing Sticky Inflorescences Of Cirsium Discolor And Penstemon Digitalis, Patricia A. Thomas

The Great Lakes Entomologist

Cirsium discolor (Muhl) Spreng (Asteraceae) and Penstemon digitalis Nutt. (Scrophulariaceae) produce sticky material only in their inflorescences. While there is a wealth of printed information concerning such sticky traps occurring in other parts of plants, there is relatively little about those specifically in inflorescences. In order to determine whether sticky traps in the inflorescences of these two plant species defend against seed predators and other herbivores and predators, it was necessary to discover what arthropods use them. Literature search revealed very little about arthropods associated with C. discolor, and nothing about those associated with P. digitalis. Observations showed …

Parasitism Of Urophora Affinis (Diptera: Tephritidae) By Aprostocetus Sp. (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) In Michigan, Jordan M. Marshall

The Great Lakes Entomologist

(excerpt)

Urophora affinis Frfld. and U. quadrifasciata (Meig.) (Diptera: Tephriti- dae) are Eurasian gallicolous fruit flies introduced to North America in 1972 as biological control agents for Centaurea biebersteinii DC (spotted knapweed, Asteraceae, = C. maculosa auct. non Lam.) (Harris 1980). Through natural dispersal and numerous introductions, both Urophora species have become distributed throughout the introduced range of C. biebersteinii (Foote et al. 1993, Lang et al. 1997, Mays and Kok 2003).

Effects Of Pitfall Trap Preservative On Collections Of Carabid Beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae), Kenneth W. Mccravy, Jason E. Willand

The Great Lakes Entomologist

Effects of six pitfall trap preservatives (5% acetic acid solution, distilled water, 70% ethanol, 50% ethylene glycol solution, 50% propylene glycol solution, and 10% saline solution) on collections of carabid beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae) were studied in a west-central Illinois deciduous forest from May to October 2005. A total of 819 carabids, representing 33 species and 19 genera, were collected. Saline produced significantly fewer captures than did acetic acid, ethanol, ethylene glycol, and propylene glycol, while distilled water produced significantly fewer captures than did acetic acid. Significant associations between numbers of captures and treatment were seen in four species: Amphasia interstitialis …

Why Are There So Few Insect Predators Of Nuts Of American Beech (Fagus Grandifolia)?, Charles E. Williams

The Great Lakes Entomologist

American beech, Fagus grandifolia Ehrh., is a common nut-bearing tree of eastern North America. Compared to other North American nut-bearing tree species of comparable geographic range, the nut-infesting insect fauna of American beech is species-poor: only the filbertworn, Cydia latiferreana (Wlsm.) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), infests nuts of American beech. Why are there so few insect predators of nuts of American beech? Using data from published studies, I explore two hypotheses that may help to explain the species-poor nut-infesting insect fauna of American beech. First, might chemical defense of beechnuts, and/ or low nutritional value, restrict the number of insect predators that …

Efficacy Of Morphological Characters For Distinguishing Nymphs Of Epitheca Cynosura And Epitheca Spinigera (Odonata: Corduliidae) In Wisconsin, Robert B. Dubois, Kenneth J. Tennessen, Matthew S. Berg

The Great Lakes Entomologist

Attempts to distinguish exuviae and last-instar nymphs of Epitheca cynosura (Say) and Epitheca spinigera (Selys) (Odonata: Corduliidae) using lateral spine characters have proven to be unreliable, and recent use of setae counts on only one side of the prementum or one labial palp have led to confusion because these structures often hold unequal numbers of setae on the two sides of the same specimen. Based on exuviae of 67 reared E. cynosura and 55 reared E. spinigera from lakes throughout Wisconsin, we tested the efficacy of previously used character states for distinguishing these species and searched for new characters to …

Great Diversity Of Insect Floral Associates May Partially Explain Ecological Success Of Poison Ivy (Toxicodendron Radicans Subsp. Negundo [Greene] Gillis, Anacardiaceae), David S. Senchina, Keith S. Summerville

The Great Lakes Entomologist

Little is known about insect floral associates of poison ivy (Toxicodendron radicans, Anacardiaceae), despite the species’ ubiquity and importance in nature and society. Poison ivy’s pollination syndrome and results from prior studies suggest that the plant is not specialized for any particular pollinator type; however, a systematic survey exploring this hypothesis has been lacking. For this study, insect floral associates of Toxicodendron radicans subsp. negundo from a central Iowa site were observed during the flowering season of 2005. Thirty- seven distinct insect floral associates were observed: 8 coleopterans (beetles), 7 dipterans (flies), 2 hemipterans (true bugs), 19 hymenopterans …