Entomology Commons^™

Recilia Banda Kramer (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae), A Vector Of Napier Stunt Phytoplasma In Kenya, Evans Obura, Charles A.O. Midega, Daniel Masiga, John A. Pickett, Mohamed Hassan, Shinsaku Koji, Zeyaur R. Khan

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum) is the most important fodder crop in smallholder dairy production systems in East Africa, characterized by small zero-grazing units. It is also an important trap crop used in the management of cereal stemborers in maize in the region. However, production of Napier grass in the region is severely constrained by Napier stunt disease. The etiology of the disease is known to be a phytoplasma, 16SrXI strain. However, the putative insect vector was yet unknown. We sampled and identified five leafhopper and three planthopper species associated with Napier grass and used them as candidates in pathogen transmission …

Nebline, July 2009

NEBLINE Newsletter Archive from Nebraska Extension in Lancaster County

Lancaster Rural Water District: Providing Water to Acreages and Villages for 35 Years
Watch for Blister Beetles in Alfalfa
Use of Copper Compounds to Control Algae in Farm Ponds
Two-Spotted Spider Mites
Water Conservation at Home Begins in the Bathroom, Laundry Room
Harvesting Rainwater Helps Conserve Water and Save Money
What to Do with Zucchini!
Fruits Are Good Source of Nutrients
Family & Community Education (FCE) Clubs: Presidents’ View—Bonnie’s Bits
FCE News & Events
Household Hints: Environmental and Energy Saving Tips When Washing Dishes
Learn the Signs/Act Early Autism Awareness
Summer Safety Tips
There is Still Time to Control Bagworms …

Multiple Feeding By The Common Bed Bug, Cimex Lectularis, Without Sensitization, J. Goddard, R. De Shazo

Midsouth Entomologist

No abstract provided.

Evaluation Of Insecticides For Management Of Sweetpotato Insect Pests, J. T. Reed, D. Bao, C. S. Jackson, D. Cook

Midsouth Entomologist

Seventeen compounds were applied as preplant or lay-by incorporated treatments and were evaluated in replicated small plot trials for management of soil-borne insects, and foliar insecticides were applied for management of leaf-feeding insects. Although several treatments reduced damage to sweetpotato roots, some soil incorporated treatments resulted in higher insect counts for one or more species or more insect damaged sweetpotatoes than the water treated check plots. All treatments used for dingy cutworm were effective, however pyrethroids were less effective than were other compounts evaluated in the trial. The evaluation for foliage feeding insects resulted in significant differences in lady beetles …

Prevalence Of Cuterebra Sp. (Diptera: Cuterebridae) On Eastern Gray Squirrels (Sciurus Carolinensis) In Tennessee, R. D. Applegate, E. L. Warr

Midsouth Entomologist

A total of 26,368 eastern gray squirrels (Sciurus carolinensis) were examined for presence of Cuterebra sp. in Tennessee. During a 15-year period, Cuterebra sp. prevalence was 2.1%, which was lower than reported in other southern states. The highest prevalence of Cuterebra infestation was in eastern Tennessee (7.9%) and the lowest in western Tennessee (0.9%).

Nature And Severity Of Imported Fire Ant (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) Infestations On The Mississippi River Levee, J. T. Vogt

Midsouth Entomologist

Infestations of imported fire ant (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) (Solenopsis invicta Buren) were mapped and quantified at four sites on the Mainline Mississippi River Levee in Mississippi. Smaller mounds predominated in areas of high insolation, and overall ant density (measured by above-ground mound volume and mound density) appeared to be highest at moderate insolation levels and lowest in areas of high insolation. More imported fire ant colonies were located on the levee slope than the adjoining landside berm. Despite trends in mound size and overall ant density, colonies were encountered on all parts of the levee, making adequate coverage of the infested …

The Asian Needle Ant, Pachycondyla Chinensis (Emery) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), Reported From Alabama, J. A. Macgown

Midsouth Entomologist

No abstract provided.

Hexapod Herald - Vol. 21, No. 4, July 2009

Hexapod Herald and Other Entomology Department Newsletters

Contents:
Welcome
Grants
Publications
Student News
Meet a Distance Student
From the Office
Condolences
Travel

Quantification Of Bt-Endotoxin Exposure Pathways In Carabid Food Webs Across Multiple Transgenic Events, Julie A. Peterson, John J. Obrycki, James D. Harwood

West Central Research and Extension Center, North Platte

Despite the reported specificity of Bacillus thuringiensis proteins against target pests, a number of studies have indicated that the uptake of Bt-endotoxins from bioengineered crops could have negative effects on natural enemies. It is therefore essential to quantify exposure pathways in non-target arthropod food webs across multiple transgenic events. Adult ground beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae) were collected from transgenic corn fields expressing lepidopteran-specific Cry1Ab, coleopteran-specific Cry3Bb1, and both Cry1Ab and Cry3Bb1 (stacked event), as well as a non-transgenic isoline. Carabid gut-contents were screened for Cry1Ab Bt-endotoxin using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Significant numbers of carabids tested positive for Cry1Ab from the lepidopteran-specific …

No Evolutionary Response To Four Generations Of Laboratory Selection On Antipredator Behavior Of Aedes Albopictus: Potential Implications For Biotic Resistance To Invasion, Banugopan Kesavaraju, Steven A. Juliano

Faculty Publications – Biological Sciences

Aedes albopictus (Skuse) is an invasive container-dwelling mosquito and an important disease vector that co-occurs with the native mosquito, Aedes triseriatus (Say), and the predatory midge, Corethrella appandiculata (Grabham). Larval Ae. triseriatus show significantly greater antipredatory responses when compared to larval Ae. albopictus in the presence of predation cues from C. appendiculata. The potential for evolution of antipredatory behavioral responses to C. appendiculata in Ae. albopictus is unknown. We used a controlled laboratory selection experiment to test whether Ae. albopictus could evolve antipredatory behavioral responses to C. appendiculata predation. We subjected replicate Ae. albopictus populations to four generations of predation …

The Regulatory Corner: Forests Under Attack—Firewood Being Tracked?, H. Fulton

Midsouth Entomologist

No abstract provided.

Biotic And Abiotic Characteristics Influencing Nest Location And Trophic Relationships Of The Fungus-Growing Ant Trachymyrmex Septentrionalis (Formicidae: Attini), Jonathan Paul Howell

Biological Sciences Theses & Dissertations

Trachymyrmex septentrionalis represents the only species of fungus-growing ant in the southeastern United States. T. septentrionalis cultivates a symbiotic fungus on which the ants feed. Worker ants collect plant and animal debris to feed the fungus. These ants are common in Florida, but increasingly scarce as they near the northern extent of their range in New Jersey. Colonies of T. septentrionalis occur in patches throughout Blackwater Ecological Preserve, a longleaf pine forest in southeastern Virginia. Blackwater Ecologic Preserve is a 129 hectare tract of land, located in Isle of Wight county, that is undergoing a regimen of controlled burning to …

Anti-Mosquito And Antimicrobial Nor-Halimanoids, Isocoumarins And An Anilinoid From Tessmannia Densiflora, Charles Kihampa, Mayunga H.H. Nkunya, Cosam C. Joseph, Stephen M. Magesa, Ahmed Hassanali, Matthias Heydenreich, Erich Kleinpeter

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

The nor-halimane diterpenoid tessmannic acid and its methyl, 2-methylisopropyl and 1-methylbutyl esters, the unusual isocoumarins 8-hydroxy-6-methoxy-3-pentylisocoumarin and 7-chloro-8-hydroxy-6-methoxy-3-pentylisocoumarin, and 5-pentyl-3-methoxy-N-butylaniline were isolated from the stem and root bark extracts of Tessmannia densiflora Harms (Caesalpiniaceae) that showed mosquito larvicidal activity. The structures were determined on interpretation of spectroscopic data. Tessmannic acid and its methyl ester exhibited antibacterial and antifungal activity. The compounds also caused high larvae and adult Anopheles gambiae mosquitoe mortality effects, and stronger mosquito repellency than that shown by the standard repellent DEET, hence indicating Tessmannia species to be potential sources of bioactive natural products. © 2009 Elsevier Ltd. …

Natural Life Histories Of Alaska Colias (Lepidoptera: Pieridae), Jack L. Harry

The Taxonomic Report of the International Lepidoptera Survey

Eight species of the genus Colias of Alaska were studied during the years of 2005, 2006, and 2007. Natural life histories were determined, immature stages described, measured, and photographed. Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) pictures of the micropyle of five species are included.

Sondeo Biótico E Inventario De Los Escarabajos Dinastinos De Mesoamérica, Norteamérica Y Las Antillas: Un Proyecto Multinacional A Largo Plazo, Ronald D. Cave, Brett C. Ratcliffe

University of Nebraska State Museum: Entomology Papers

A Biotic Survey and Inventory of the Dynastine Scarab Beetles of Mesoamerica, North America, and the West Indies: a Long-term, Multi-country Project. Our long-term, multi-country inventory explores the diversity of the subfamily Dynastinae (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) in a megadiverse region seriously imperiled by deforestation, invasive species, and urbanization. The project’s objectives are (1) study and document the diversity, spatial and temporal distributions, and ecological preferences of dynastines north of South America, and clarify the nomenclature of the genera and species; (2) disseminate knowledge to the scientific community, students, and public through monographs and an electronic database; (3) train students, parataxonomists, and …

Distribution And Biology Of The Rare Scarab Beetle Megatharsis Buckleyi Waterhouse, 1891 (Coleoptera: Scarabaeinae: Phanaeini), Conrad P. D. T. Gillett, W. D. Edmonds, Santiago Villamarin

Insecta Mundi

Megatharsis buckleyi Waterhouse, 1891 is newly recorded from Brazil, extending its distributional range beyond Ecuador and Peru. A further new provincial record from Ecuador is presented in detail, and the species’ distribution and habitat is discussed. Color variation within the species, with a possible geographic correlation, is reported here for the first time.

Abstrato: A ocorrência de Megatharsis buckleyi Waterhouse, 1891 é registrada pela primeira vez para o Brasil, implicando um grande aumento na sua área de distribuição, além do Equador e do Peru. O registro da espécie para a província equatoriana de Orellana é registrada pela primeira vez. …

Beetle Species Diversity In The Lesser Antilles Islands: How Many Species Are Really There?, Stewart B. Peck

Insecta Mundi

Recent extensive and intensive field work by the team of M. A. Ivie on the Lesser Antillean island of Montserrat suggests that a mean of 827 beetle species may be expected on that island. This datum makes possible the generation of hypotheses of the probable beetle species diversity on other islands of the Lesser Antilles as a function of the areas of the islands. Figures are given for the presently known, estimated total, and estimated number of unknown species for each principal island. This predicts that many hundreds (if not thousands) of beetle species remain to be discovered. This is …

The Indo-Australian Weevil Genus Platytenes Pascoe, 1870 (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Cryptorhynchinae), Gregory P. Setliff, Peter A. Larson

Insecta Mundi

The formerly monotypic weevil genus Platytenes Pascoe (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Cryptorhynchinae: Cryptorhynchini: Cryptorhynchina) as treated here, includes two commonly encountered and broadly distributed species in the eastern Indo-Australian region. Label data indicate that both species are associated with semicultivated betel palm (Areca catechu L., Arecaceae) and human mediated dispersal is suggested to have influenced their present-day distribution. Herein, we provide a diagnosis for Platytenes and redescribe its type species, P. varius Pascoe. We also describe P. occultus Setliff and Larson, a new species from the Solomon Islands. New host and locality records are provided, including the first records of the …

A Review Of The Genus Megalographa Lafontaine And Poole (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae: Plusiinae) With The Description Of A New Species From Costa Rica, J. Donald Lafontaine, J. Bolling Sullivan

Insecta Mundi

The classification of the genus Megalographa Lafontaine and Poole, 1991, is reviewed and the five known species diagnosed. The genus is essentially restricted to the New World, although one species M. biloba (Stephens) is migratory and has occasionally straggled to western Europe. A new species (Megalographa talamanca Lafontaine and Sullivan) endemic to the Talamanca Mountain Range in Costa Rica is described. Adults and genitalia are illustrated.

List Of Coleoptera Holotypes In Museo De Historia Natural, Noel Kempff Mercado, Universidad Autonoma “Gabriel Rene Moreno,” Santa Cruz De La Sierra, Bolivia, James E. Wappes, Julieta Ledezma Arias, Eugenio H. Nearns

Insecta Mundi

The 144 Coleoptera holotypes in the Museo de Historia Natural, Noel Kempff Mercado, Santa Cruz, Bolivia are listed alphabetically within their respective family. Full literature citations for the original descriptions of listed holotypes are included in the Literature Cited section. Los 144 holotipos de Coleoptera depositados en el Museo de Historia Natural, Noel Kempff Mercado, Santa Cruz, Bolivia se presentan en orden alfabético dentro de sus familias respectivas de Coleoptera. Citas de literatura completas para trabajos incluidos están representadas en la sección de referencias.

Nebline, June 2009

NEBLINE Newsletter Archive from Nebraska Extension in Lancaster County

Proper Timing Crucial for Bagworm Control
Enjoy Eating Locally Grown Foods!
Drink Your “D” with Dairy
Resurgence in Farmers’ Markets is Good News
Follow Guidelines when Selling Crops Directly to Consumers
Ten Lawn Irrigation Tips
Determining and Sharing Irrigation Costs
When to Harvest Bromegrass Hay
Family & Community Education (FCE) Clubs: Presidents’ View—Bonnie’s Bits
FCE News & Events
Household Hints: Air Conditioner Maintenance
June — National Safety Month
Ten Tips for Fertilizing Your Lawn
Bagworms on a Variety of Plants
Bed Bug Bites
Bed Bug Interceptors
4-H Life Challenge Contests
Lancaster County 4-H Horse VIPS Pre-Districts Format Clinic/Show/Fundraiser
4-H Clover …

Barrow Island Ute Guide - Non-Indigenous Insects, Spiders And Snails, Mike Grimm, Kristofer Collett, Peter Davis, Marc Widmer, Andras Szito, Rob Emery, Peter Mangano

Biosecurity published reports

Barrow Island, the second largest island in Western Australia, is a Class A Nature Reserve and home to a variety of rare and endangered fauna and flora, some of which occur nowhere else. The island lies about 70 km off the north-west coast of Western Australia and 150 km west of Karratha.

Oil discoveries in the 1960s and the development of massive Northwest Shelf gas reserves since the 1990s made Barrow Island an important site for these industries. Strict environmental and quarantine conditions are placed on industry seeking permits to drill oil wells and construct gas processing plants. Oil production …

Where To Sample? Ecological Implications Of Sampling Strata In Determining Abundance And Impact Of Natural Enemies Of The Coffee Berry Borer, Hypothenemus Hampei, Juliana Jaramillo, Adenirin Chabi-Olaye, Christian Borgemeister, Charles Kamonjo, Hans Michael Poehling, Fernando E. Vega

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Several parasitoids of African origin have been introduced to coffee producing areas of the Americas and Asia as biological control agents of the coffee berry borer (CBB) Hypothenemus hampei (Coleoptera: Curculionidae). These parasitoids have become established in the field but their effect on the CBB has been limited. A two-year field study in Western Kenya has found Prorops nasuta (Hymenoptera: Bethylidae) to be the predominant parasitoid emerging from CBB-infested coffee berries collected on coffee trees or from the ground. P. nasuta comprises more than 75% of the total natural enemies collected. The density of P. nasuta was 90% higher in …

Diversity, Distribution And Role Of Wild Crucifers In Major Cabbage And Kale Growing Areas Of Kenya, R. Kahuthia-Gathu, B. Löhr, H. M. Poehling, P. K. Mbugua

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

An investigation of the diversity and distribution of wild crucifer species and their importance for cultivated crucifers was conducted during 2005 and 2006 in the highland and mid-altitude semi-arid areas of Kenya. Thirteen species of wild crucifers in nine genera were recorded: Raphanus raphanistrum, Erucastrum arabicum, Sisymbrium officinale, Crambe kilimandscharica, Capsella bursa-pastoris, Rorippa nudiuscula, Ro. micrantha, Ro. microphylla, Lepidium bonariense, Coronopus didymus, Brassica rapa, B. juncea and an unidentified Brassica species. Highland areas had significantly higher species diversity and species richness than mid-altitude semi-arid areas. Species richness, diversity and evenness varied with season and location. Raphanus raphanistrum was the dominant …

Predation And Reproductive Output Of The Ladybird Beetle Stethorus Tridens Preying On Tomato Red Spider Mite Tetranychus Evansi, Erika P.J. Britto, Manoel G.C. Gondim, Jorge B. Torres, Komi K.M. Fiaboe, Gilberto J. Moraes, Markus Knapp

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Predatory behaviour and reproductive output of the ladybird beetle Stethorus tridens Gordon as function of the tomato red spider mite (TRSM), Tetranychus evansi Baker & Pritchard, densities was investigated in the laboratory. Adult female of S. tridens were isolated in cylindrical plastic arenas, containing a leaf disc of Solanum americanum Mill. with 5, 20, 40, 60, 80 or 100 T. evansi nymphs. The number of prey consumed and eggs laid were evaluated daily for ten consecutive days, starting at the oviposition. Oviposition of S. tridens was positively correlated with prey consumption and lower threshold prey consumption for S. tridens laying …

Prospects For Developing Odour Baits To Control Glossina Fuscipes Spp., The Major Vector Of Human African Trypanosomiasis, Maurice O. Omolo, Ahmed Hassanali, Serge Mpiana, Johan Esterhuizen, Jenny Lindh, Mike J. Lehane, Philippe Solano, Jean Baptiste Rayaisse, Glyn A. Vale, Steve J. Torr, Inaki Tirados

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

We are attempting to develop cost-effective control methods for the important vector of sleeping sickness, Glossina fuscipes spp. Responses of the tsetse flies Glossina fuscipes fuscipes (in Kenya) and G. f. quanzensis (in Democratic Republic of Congo) to natural host odours are reported. Arrangements of electric nets were used to assess the effect of cattle-, human- and pig-odour on (1) the numbers of tsetse attracted to the odour source and (2) the proportion of flies that landed on a black target (1 × 1 m). In addition responses to monitor lizard (Varanus niloticus) were assessed in Kenya. The effects of …

Aegithus Clavicornis (Linnaeus) (Coleoptera: Erotylidae) In The Dominican Republic, Sardis Medrano-Cabral, Ruth Bastardo, Paul Skelley

Insecta Mundi

Establishment of fungus beetles (Coleoptera: Erotylidae) in new isolated countries is rare. We report Aegithus clavicornis (Linnaeus) for the first time from the Dominican Republic, representing the first true record for this genus from the Greater Antilles.

Monographic Revision Of The Genus Aegidinus Arrow (1904) And Generic Phylogeny Of The World Orphninae (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Orphninae), Julia Colby

Insecta Mundi

A taxonomic revision was performed on the New World scarabaeoid genus Aegidinus Arrow (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Orphninae). Twelve new species and three previously described species are included in the revision. Keys to New World genera, species of the genus Aegidinus, and distribution maps are provided. Phylogenetic analyses of the world genera of the Orphninae were conducted using 30 adult, morphological characters from representatives of 13 of the 14 genera and three out-group taxa. The subfamily Orphninae is a strongly supported monophyletic group (bootstrap support 88-90%) with respect to the chosen out-group. Characters that support the Orphninae are: mandibles not sickle …

A Review Of The Genus Dysmerus Casey, Michael C. Thomas

Insecta Mundi

The New World genus Dysmerus Casey, currently with one valid species, is revised. Lectotypes are designated for two species, Dysmerus caseyi (Grouvelle), new status, and Dysmerus sulcicollis Grouvelle, new status. Both are revived from synonymy with D. basalis Casey. Twelve new species are described: Dysmerus boliviensis Thomas, new species, Dysmerus curvicornis Thomas, new species, Dysmerus genaspinosus Thomas, new species, Dysmerus hamaticornis Thomas, new species, Dysmerus impolitus Thomas, new species, Dysmerus skelleyi Thomas, new species, Dysmerus mexicanus Thomas, new species, Dysmerus monstrosus Thomas, new species, Dysmerus politus Thomas, new species, Dysmerus rondoniensis Thomas, new species, Dysmerus symphilus Thomas, new species, and …

Hexapod Herald - Vol. 21, No. 3, May 2009

Hexapod Herald and Other Entomology Department Newsletters

Contents:
Congratulations
Welcome
Grants
Publications
Things to do, Places to go
Faculty News
Student News
Meet a Distance Student