Entomology Commons^™

Straw Itch Mite, Pyemotes Tritici, Infestation In Brome Seed Related To Acute Dermatitis In Michigan Granary Workers, Edward D. Walker, Douglas A. Landis

The Great Lakes Entomologist

An infestation of Pyemotes tritici, the straw itch mite, apparently caused dermatitis on the arms and trunks of four workers in south-central Michigan who had unloaded a shipment of brome seed bags. Sampling of bag surfaces and contents indicated that mites occurred inside and on the surface of brome seed bags, but not in bags of other seed present at the site. One bag of fescue in contact with brome seed bags had mites on its surface. Pyemotes tritici densities on the brome seed bags ranged from 0.7 -5.6 per cm , while infestations in brome seed ranged from …

The Age Structure Of A Population Of Aedes Provocans (Diptera: Culicidae) In Southwestern Ontario, Stephen M. Smith, Richard M. Kurtz

The Great Lakes Entomologist

In a previous paper it was shown that an eastern-Ontario population of the early-spring mosquito Aedes provocans had an atypical age structure: the adult-female population aged rapidly and synchronously, achieving an advanced gonotrophic age in an unusually brief period of time. The present study examined the age structure of Ae. provocans near Waterloo, in south-western Ontario, at a site at which adult emergence occurred over a wider, more variable period and at which the preferred nectar sources for young adults were much less abundant. In Waterloo, the adult-female population aged more slowly and much less synchronously than in eastern Ontario. …

Prediction Models For Flight Activity Of The Cranberry Girdler (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) In Wisconsin, Stephen D. Cockfield, Daniel L. Mahr

The Great Lakes Entomologist

Cranberry girdler, Chrysoteuchia topiaria, was monitored with pheromone traps in Wisconsin cranberry farms. Cumulative 50% capture was related to degree-days after first catch using air or soil temperature. An air temperature of O°C and soil temperature of 2°C were chosen as base temperatures for calculation of degree-days because they yielded estimates with the lowest coefficients of variation. Weibull functions were fitted to the relation- ship between cumulative percent capture and time or degree-days after first trap catch using air or soil temperatures. The models that predicted the date of 50% capture were evaluated with data from two other farms. …

Seasonal Patterns Of Flight And Attack Of Maple Saplings By The Ambrosia Beetle Corthylus Punctatissimus (Coleoptera: Scolytidae) In Central Michigan, Stephen W. Larsen, Carol L. Howell, Kurt J. Densmore, Richard A. Roeper

The Great Lakes Entomologist

Window traps with ethanol were used to observe seasonal flight patterns of Corthylus punctatissimus in central Michigan. Flights peaked in early July with a second peak seven weeks later in late August. Similarly, wilting of attacked maple (Acer) saplings began to appear a week after initial Corthylus flights, and showed twopeaks, one in mid-July and again with another peak, seven weeks later, in early September. The second peak of activity is presumably from reemerged adults, and not a second generation.

Feeding Patterns And Attachment Ability Of Altica Subplicata (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) On Sand-Dune Willow, Aron J. Gannon, Catherine E. Bach, Glenn K. Walker

The Great Lakes Entomologist

To investigate feeding patterns of a specialist herbivore, Altica subplicata, larvae and adults were caged separately on host plants, Salix cordata, and leaf damage was estimated. Young, relatively more pubescent leaves near the tops of the shoots were consumed more than older leaves. Larvae clearly preferred the young, pubescent leaves and avoided the oldest leaves. Adults showed a stronger preference for the first five young leaves, but amount of consumption did not differ among the older leaves.

Attachment ability on smooth and pubescent leaves was examined as a possible factor influencing feeding patterns. Scanning electron microscopy of tarsal …

Diapause Dynamics And Host Plant Utilization Of Colias Philodice, Colias Interior And Their Hybrids (Lepidoptera: Pieridae), David N. Karowe

The Great Lakes Entomologist

Abnormal diapause dynamics and, to a lesser extent, reduced efficiency of host utilization by hybrid larvae constitute potential post-zygotic barriers to gene flow between a multivoltine legume-feeder, Colias philodice (Lepidoptera: Pieridae) and a univoltine Vaccinium-feeder, C. interior. At the time when C. interior larvae enter diapause, approximately 50% of hybrid larvae ceased feeding but did not enter diapause, and subsequently starved. Hybrid larvae readily accepted the host plants of both parental species. However, relative to C. philodice, hybrid larvae displayed a significantly reduced fifth instar relative growth rate (RGR) when fed the primary legume host, Medicago sativa. …

First Record Of Aphis Helianthi (Homoptera: Aphididae) As A Pest Of Celery, M. G. Kortier Davis, E. Grafius

The Great Lakes Entomologist

In 1989, the aphid Aphis helianthi severely damaged five of 10 scouted celery fields in west central Michigan. In 1990 and in 1991, A. helianthi again was a problem. reaching pestiferous levels in three of 10 and two of 10 scouted fields. respectively. This insect has not been reported previously as a pest of celery or any other commercial crop. Insecticide efficacy studies showed that some of the most commonly used insecticides are ineffective against A. helianthi. Resistance or tolerance to insecticides may explain its new status as a pest.

Life History Aspects Of Anthopotamus Verticis (Ephemeroptera: Potamanthidae), W. P. Mccafferty, Y. J. Bae

The Great Lakes Entomologist

The study of the larval development and life cycle of a population of the mayfly Anthopotamus verticis from the Tippecanoe River, Indiana was based on monthly and weekly sampling in 1990 and 1991. Larval head width and tusk length were directly correlated with body size; whereas wingpad development represented an exponential relationship with body size. Relative maturation of larvae was efficiently assessed, however. by using wingpad development. The morphology of eggs is described. Larval growth and development took place mainly from March to Au~st. Although emergence is protracted from mid-July to mid-August, the major recruitment of new larvae occurred in …

The Use Of An Anthrone Reagent To Detect Sugar Meals And Their Persistence In The Mosquito Aedes Triseriatus (Diptera: Culicidae), Stephen M. Smith, Richard M. Kurtz

The Great Lakes Entomologist

Adults of Aedes triseriatus were fed water, blood, and 10% pure and mixed solutions of glucose, fructose and sucrose. Adults were tested for fructose by the cold-anthrone test 0, 1, 4, 12, and 24 h after feeding. Water-fed males and females and blood-fed females were anthrone negative. Glucose-fed males were anthrone negative but some glucose-fed females were weakly anthrone positive immediately after feeding. Many adults fed a mixture of glucose, fructose and sucrose were anthrone negative 12 h after feeding and all were anthrone negative after 24 h. The interpretation of negatives in the anthrone test is discussed with respect …

Phenology And Trap Selection Of Three Species Of Hylaeus (Hymenoptera: Colletidae) In Upper Michigan, Virginia L. Scott

The Great Lakes Entomologist

Hylaeus basalis, H. ellipticus and H. verticalis nested in wooden traps during a two-year study in Upper Michigan. Bees were given a choice of traps with varying bore diameters, heights, and entrance orientations. Nests were completed between 1 July and 15 September. These three Hylaeus species partitioned available nest site resources (traps) based on diameter and height. H. ellipticus selected traps with smaller bore diameters than did the other two species which selected traps of the same bore diameters. H. verticalis nested in traps at higher locations than H. basalis which limited its nesting to only the two lowest heights …

Abundance And Seasonal Activity Of Weevils (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) In A Raspberry Plantation And Adjacent Sites In Southern Quebec (Canada)., Claire Levesque, Gilles-Yvon Levesque

The Great Lakes Entomologist

In a raspberry plantation and adjacent sites in southern Quebec, we collected weevils with unbaited pitfall traps and flight interception traps from early May througb late October in 1987-1989. We captured a total of 1592 weevils representing 65 species, including at least 21 Holarctic or introduced species in North America. In and around the raspberry plantation, the commonest species collected by the two methods were the short-nosed weevils of subfamilies Otiorhynchinae and Thylacitinae, mainly generalist species with root-feeding larvae. Ceutorhynchinae and Tychiinae species were also abundant in flight traps near the raspberry plantation, whereas Hylobius congener was the most abundant …

A Laboratory Infection Of Alfalfa Weevil, Hypera Postica (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), Larvae With The Fungal Pathogen Zoophthora Phytonomi (Zygomycetes: Entomophthoraceae), S. J. Roberts, J. V. Maddox, E. J. Armbrust

The Great Lakes Entomologist

Larvae of the alfalfa weevil, Hypera postica, were infected by an in vitro colony of Zoophthora phytonomi. Two spore types (infective conidia, and resting spores) were produced from infection trials. The spore type produced may be influenced by the physiological state of the larvae. Trials using field collected larvae which would produce diapausing adults formed both conidia and resting spores. Trials using larvae from a nondiapausing colony, however, formed only resting spores.

Natural Enemies Of Alfalfa Weevil, Hypera Postica (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), In Minnesota, Kathy L. Flanders, Edward B. Radcliffe, Craig A. Krueger

The Great Lakes Entomologist

Alfalfa weevil, Hypera postica, is present throughout Minnesota. How- ever, economically damaging populations seldom occur, due to a combination of natural enemies and adverse climatic conditions. Five natural enemies of alfalfa weevil were found in Minnesota. Microctonus aethiopoides (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), a parasitoid of adults, was recovered from 43 of 65 counties surveyed during 1984 and 1985. Tetrastichus incertus (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) and Bathyplectes curculionis (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae), para­sitoids of larvae, were each recovered from 13 of 15 counties surveyed during 1991-1993. Bathyplectes anurus, another parasitoid of larvae, was recovered from one county In 1991, four counties in 1992, and six …

Agonopterix Alstroemeriana (Oecophoridae) And Other Lepidopteran Associates Of Poison Hemlock (Conium Maculatum) In East Central Illinois, May R. Berenbaum, Terry L. Harrison

The Great Lakes Entomologist

Poison hemlock (Conium maculatum) (Apiaceae), a noxious Eurasian weed extensively naturalized throughout North America, is characteristically attacked by few insects. Over the past two decades, an introduced oecophorid caterpillar, Agonopterix alstroemeriana, has been reported infesting poison hemlock, its sole host in its area of indigeneity, in parts of the northeastern and western United States. We report for the first time evidence of established midwestern populations of this species. We also report poison hemlock as a host plant for the polyphagous lepidopterans Eupithecia miserulata, Trichoplusia ni, and Spilosoma virginica.

Field Recognition Of Adult Acentrella And Heterocloeon (Ephemeroptera: Baetidae), R. D. Waltz

The Great Lakes Entomologist

The highly developed anterior process of the mesothorax, is described as a useful field character for identifying adults of Acentrella and Heterocloeon in the Nearctic. This presumed adult synapomorphy suggests a sister relation- ship of the two genera.

Significant Range Extension Of Leptotes Marina (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae) Into New York State, Wayne K. Gall, Robert F. Andrle

The Great Lakes Entomologist

(excerpt)

The Marine Blue, Leptotes marina (Reakirt) (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae), is resident from the southwestern United States south through Mexico to Guatemala, with strays reported no further northeast than extreme northwestern Indiana and extreme south-central Ohio (Opler and Krizek 1984, Scott 1986, Shull 1987, Opler and Maliku 11992, Parshall 1993). Although L. marina may be easily overlooked in the field (Iftner, Shuey and Calhoun 1992), the paucity of published records, e.g., two in Illinois (Irwin and Downey 1973), one in Indiana (Shull 1987), and one in Ohio (Parshall 1993), may truly reflect the rarity of strays in the northeastern portion of …

The Development Of A Sex Pheromone Lure For The American Plum Borer, Euzophera Semifuneralis (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), A Major Pest Of Cherry In Michigan., D. J. Biddinger, W. Roelofs, A. J. Howitt

The Great Lakes Entomologist

Pheromone components of the American plum borer, Euzophera semifuneralis, were defined by use of the electroantennogram screening technique and capillary gas chromatographic retention times of sex pheromone gland constituents. Field studies showed that greatest attraction was achieved with a 1 mg load rate of a 4-component blend in a rubber septum. This blend consisted of a 2:1 ratio of Z,E-9,12-14:ALD and Z9-14:ALD and an equal amount of the corresponding alcohols in a 2:1 ratio, respectively. Commercial lures were used to compare the flight patterns of the American plum borer, peachtree borer (Synanthedon exitiosa), and lesser peachtree borer (Synanthedon …

Checklist Of The Ants Of Michigan (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), George C. Wheeler, Jeanette N. Wheeler, Paul B. Kannowski

The Great Lakes Entomologist

A total of 113 species of ants is recorded by county from the state of Michigan. The list is based upon literature records and specimens in the authors' collections and those of the University of Michigan Museum of Zoology and the Michigan State University Department of Entomology. The list includes 3 species in Ponerinae, 44 in Myrnucinae, 6 in Dolichoderinae, and 60 in Formicinae. Ten species represent new state records. Five distribution pat- terns are evident: statewide (39 species), southern counties only (5), southern 3/4th of Lower Peninsula (10), Lower Peninsula (17), and Upper Peninsula (2). Forty species have been …

Dytiscidae And Noteridae Of Wisconsin (Coleoptera). V. Distribution, Habitat, Life Cycle, And Identification Of Species Of Hydroporinae, Except Hydroporus Clairville Sensu Lato, William L. Hilsenhoff

The Great Lakes Entomologist

Thirty species in 11 genera of Hydroporinae were collected in Wisconsin over the past 32 years, excluding those in Hydorporus s.l. Fourteen species of Hygrotus were found; other genera were represented by one to four species. Species keys and notes on identification are provided for adults of all species that occur or may occur in Wisconsin. Information on distribution and abundance in Wisconsin, habitat, and life cycle is provided for each species based on a study of 34,628 adults. Life cycles were predominantly univoltine, with adults overwintering and larvae completing development from late spring to late summer, depending on the …

Comparative Study Of Life Histories, Laboratory Rearing, And Immature Stages Of Euschistus Servus And Euschistus Variolarius (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), Joseph Munyaneza, J. E. Mcpherson

The Great Lakes Entomologist

A comparative study was conducted of the field life histories of Euschistus servus and E. varialarius in southern Illinois, their life cycles under controlled laboratory conditions, and their immature stages.

The results indicate that E. servus is bivoltine and E. variolarius is univoltine. Adults of both species emerged from overwintering sites during early April, began feeding and copulating on leaves of common mullein (Verbascum thapsus) and surrounding vegetation, and reproduced shortly thereafter. Neither eggs and first instars of either species, nor second instars of E. variolarius, were collected in the field. Seasonal occurrences of the adults and subsequent immature stages …

Between-Site Variation In Suitability Of Salix Cordata As A Host For Altica Subplicata (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), Dennis J. Milanowski, Catherine E. Bach

The Great Lakes Entomologist

To investigate local adaptation of insect herbivore populations to host plant populations, willow flea beetles (Altica subplicata) were collected from two distant sites in northern Michigan (Grass Bay, GB; Pte. Aux Chenes, PAC) and reared on host plants (Salix cordata) collected from each of the sites. Larval development (measured by molt frequency and length of larval stage) was significantly faster on PAC plants than on GB plants but did not differ for the two beetle populations. For both populations of beetles, mean pupal weight was also greater on PAC plants than on GB plants. Thus, there was no evidence for …

A Record Of Nomada (Nomada) Colorata From Illinois With A Suggested Host Species (Hymenoptera: Apoidea), John K. Bouseman

The Great Lakes Entomologist

(excerpt)

Nomada colorata (Anthophoridae)was described by Mitchell (1962) on the basis of the holotype female from Michigan and two female paratypes from Michigan and New York.

New Distribution Records For Ophiogomphus Howei (Odonata: Gomphidae), K. J. Tennessen

The Great Lakes Entomologist

New distribution records establish Ophiogomphus howei as a resident species in Wisconsin. Kentucky, Maine, and Minnesota are added as new state records for this seldom-encountered gomphid dragonfly. Larval habitats appear to be undisturbed rivers 10-200 m wide, with sand and gravel sub-strates.

New Records Of Leaf-Feeding For Adult Diabrotica Barberi (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), Louis S. Hesler

The Great Lakes Entomologist

The first records of leaf-feeding on Iva xanthifolia (marsh elder) and Helianthus annuus (common sunflower) by adult Diabrotica barberi are reyorted. During September 1992, beetles were observed feeding on leaves 0 these plants, despite the availability of alternate flowering hosts. Beetles confined to clip cages in the laboratory fed readily on leaves of I. xanthifolia and H. annuus but not on those of Solidago missouriensis (goldenrod).

Drosophilidae (Diptera) Collected In Spring In Michigan, Henretta Trent Band

The Great Lakes Entomologist

Drosophilids in mid-Michigan overwinter in a preadult stage. One hun- dred twenty-two individuals (84 f, 38 m) representing 14 species were collected over bait in April and May 1992. All appeared recently emerged and had entire wings. This agrees with earlier reports in Michigan and Massachusetts that Drosophila affinis group species overwinter as preadults. Among the species overwintering as preadults in Michigan, Drosophila affinis, D. algonquin, D. athabasca, D. robusta, D. falleni and D. recens have been found to overwinter as adults in New York Latitude and climate may play a role in drosophilid overwintering stage.

Distinguishing Nymphal Instars Of Mesovelia Mulsanti (Heteroptera: Mesoveliidae), J. E. Mcpherson, Steven J. Taylor

The Great Lakes Entomologist

The five nymphal instars of Mesouelia mulsanti can be separated by the number of rows of setae on the second abdominal tergum. Fifth instars can be separated from younger instars and from each other by the degree of development of the external genitalia.

Movement Of Adult Colorado Potato Beetles, Leptinotarsa Decemlineata (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), In Response To Isolated Potato Plots, Michael A. Caprio, Edward J. Grafius

The Great Lakes Entomologist

Mark recapture techniques were used to determine Colorado potato beetle movement in circular arenas with isolated plots of potatoes at each ordinal direction. Post-diapause beetles aggregated on one or a few of the plants in one of the plots for each release, but not on the same plants in different releases. Differences in plant attractiveness were therefore not likely responsible for the aggregatory behavior. Aggregations were probably a result of either coordinated movement from the release site to the plants or an aggregatory signal with a range of at least 15 m. Summer adults did not aggregate on plants. Correlations …

Interaction Between Visual And Phonotactic Orientation During Flight In Magicicada Cassini (Homoptera: Cicadidae), Thomas E. Moore, Franz Huber, Theo Weber, Ulla Klein, Cornelia Back

The Great Lakes Entomologist

Visual and phonotactic orientation often occur simultaneously in diurnal cicadas. and these animals generally have their largest sensory elaboration in eyes and hearing organs. Phonotactic orientation occurs principally during flight. Males and females of Magicicada cassini commonly perform low- altitude « 5 m) and short-distance « 15 m) flights in their natural habitat at flight speeds of 3 to 6 m/s. During flight, the long body axis is tilted 10° to Q , head upward. Wing beat frequencies of tethered animals at 24° to 26°C averaged 28.8 Hz. Body temperature in the field for flying individuals aver- aged 4.6°C above …

Dytiscidae And Noteridae Of Wisconsin (Coleoptera). Iv. Distribution, Habitat, Life Cycle, And Identification Of Species Of Agabini (Colymbetinae), William L. Hilsenhoff

The Great Lakes Entomologist

Adults of 24 species of Agabus and 10 species of Ilybius were collected in Wisconsin over the last 32 years. Keys and notes on identification are pro­vided to facilitate identification of adults of these species and six others that may occur in Wisconsin. Agabus larvae were separated from those ofIlybius by the more posterior position of the dorsal seta of the basal setal whorl on the urogomphus, the number and location of srines on the metatarsi, and the presence of long setae on the last abdomina segment of most species. Information on distribution and abundance in Wisconsin, habitat. and …

The Distribution Of Three Broadly Sympatric Species Of Symmerista Moths (Lepidoptera: Notodontidae) In The Great Lakes And Midwest Regions Of The United States., Julian P. Donahue

The Great Lakes Entomologist

All three superficially inseparable species of Symmerista known to occur in eastern North America are sympatric in, and reach their western limit of distribution in, the southern Great Lakes and Midwest Regions of the United States. In this region two of the species also reach their southern limit of distribution (S. canicosta reaches its southwestern limit in North Dakota, South Dakota, Missouri, Kentucky, and North Carolina; S. leucitys reaches its southwestern limit in North Dakota, Missouri and Kentucky). The third species (S. albifrons) reaches its northwestern limit in Michigan and Wisconsin. All three species are here documented …