Entomology Commons^™

Program And Abstracts Of The 56th Annual Conference Of The Mississippi Entomological Association, October 27–28, 2009, Mississippi Entomological Association

Midsouth Entomologist

No abstract provided.

The Invasive Rasberry Crazy Ant, Nylanderia Sp. Near Pubens (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), Reported From Mississippi, J. Macgown, B. Layton

Midsouth Entomologist

No abstract provided.

2009 Soybean Insect Losses For Mississippi, Tennessee, And Arkansas, F. R. Musser, G. M. Lorenz, S. D. Stewart, A. L. Catchot Jr.

Midsouth Entomologist

Survey-based soybean insect losses provide a glimpse of current soybean management practices and allow one to see evolving trends. This survey was initiated in MS in 2004, and in Tennessee in 2008. This year is the first year that Arkansas has conducted the survey. The 2009 survey shows stink bugs were the primary pest in all three states, but were less widespread than in 2008. Corn earworm pressure was much higher in 2009 than in previous years. Insect scouting and the adoption of seed treatments continued to increase in 2009.

Current Topics In Medical And Veterinary Entomology: Results Of A Roundtable Discussion, K. T. Edwards, J. Goddard, A. S. Varela-Stokes, B. Layton, C. Huston, L. D. Foil

Midsouth Entomologist

No abstract provided.

Tips On Collecting And Rearing Immatures Of 375 Butterfly And Skipper Taxa, Jacque Wolfe, Jack Harry, Todd Stout

The Taxonomic Report of the International Lepidoptera Survey

Rearing techniques are discussed for 375 different butterfly and skipper taxa from Utah and beyond.

Hexapod Herald - Vol. 22, No. 1, February 2010

Hexapod Herald and Other Entomology Department Newsletters

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Corn Stalk Penetration Resistance As A Predictor Of Southwestern Corn Borer (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) Survival, B. K. Gibson, C. D. Parker, F. R. Musser

Midsouth Entomologist

Studies were conducted to determine if corn stalk strength had an effect on southwestern corn borer (Diatraea grandiosella Dyar) survival during different growth stages. In 2006 southwestern corn borer larvae were placed on corn plants during dough stage near the ear and base of the plant. Penetration resistance was lower and borer survival was higher near the ear than near the base of the plant. In 2007, five corn hybrids were planted at three locations in Mississippi. Plants were infested with five 3rd instars at the ear zone during tassel, dough, and dent stages. Survival decreased as the corn progressed …

Swarming Of The Formosan Subterranean Termite (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) In Southern Mississippi, A. R. Lax, B. A. Wiltz

Midsouth Entomologist

Swarms of Formosan subterranean termites, Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki, (FST) in Southern Mississippi were monitored from mid-April through late June, 2007-2009. Distribution of swarming colonies was recorded at 69 traps within Poplarville (Pearl River County) and an additional 45-65 traps, along transects in Pearl River, Lamar, Forrest, and Stone Counties. Swarms were first detected during the week ending April 27 and continued through the final collection dates in late June. In Poplarville, FST colonies were ubiquitous, with 68 of 69 traps catching alates on at least one of the 2009 sampling dates. Along highway transects, FST was collected from 36% of …

Effectiveness Of Fire Ant Mound Treatment Products For Home Lawns, B. Layton, J. Mcadory, H. Hudson

Midsouth Entomologist

No abstract provided.

The Regulatory Corner: Invasive Against Invasive—An Exotic Bug That Attacks An Invasive Weed, H. Fulton

Midsouth Entomologist

No abstract provided.

Ecological Niche And Potential Geographic Distribution Of The Invasive Fruit Fly Bactrocera Invadens (Diptera, Tephritidae), M. De Meyer, M. P. Robertson, M. W. Mansell, S. Ekesi, K. Tsuruta, W. Mwaiko, J. F. Vayssières, A. T. Peterson

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Two correlative approaches to the challenge of ecological niche modeling (genetic algorithm, maximum entropy) were used to estimate the potential global distribution of the invasive fruit fly, Bactrocera invadens, based on associations between known occurrence records and a set of environmental predictor variables. The two models yielded similar estimates, largely corresponding to Equatorial climate classes with high levels of precipitation. The maximum entropy approach was somewhat more conservative in its evaluation of suitability, depending on thresholds for presence/absence that are selected, largely excluding areas with distinct dry seasons; the genetic algorithm models, in contrast, indicate that climate class as partly …

Lilac-Ash Borer, Ryan S. Davis, Taun Beddes, Jay B. Karren

All Current Publications

The lilac-ash borer (Podosesia syringae), belongs to a group of insects known as the clear-winged moths. The wings of most sesiid moths in have at least partially transparent wings (devoid of the colored scales that coat most moth and butterfly wings).

Functional Genomics Tool: Gene Silencing In Ixodes Scapularis Eggs And Nymphs By Electroporated Dsrna, Shahid Karim, Emily Troiano, Thomas N. Mather

Faculty Publications

Background

Ticks are blood-sucking arthropods responsible for transmitting a wide variety of disease-causing agents, and constitute important public health threats globally. Ixodes scapularis is the primary vector of the Lyme disease agent in the eastern and central U.S. RNAi is a mechanism by which gene-specific double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) triggers degradation of homologous mRNA transcripts. Here, we describe an optimized protocol for effectively suppressing gene expression in the egg and nymphal stages of I. scapularis by electroporation.

Results

The genes encoding the putative Phospholipase A₂ (PLA₂), cytoplasmic Cystatin, Syntaxin-5, β-Actin and Calreticulin were targeted by delivering the dsRNA …

The South American Dung Beetle Genus Ennearabdus Lansberge (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Scarabaeinae: Eucraniini), Federico C. Ocampo

University of Nebraska State Museum: Entomology Papers

The South American endemic dung beetle genus Ennearabdus Lansberge is revised. Description, diagnosis and illustrations are presented for the only known species of the genus, E. lobocephalus (Harold). A lectotype is designated for Onthophagus lobocephalus Harold, the type species of Ennearabdus. The biology, biogeography, conservation status, and distribution based on the predictive distribution model of E. lobocephalus are also discussed.

A Revision Of The Argentinean Endemic Genus Eucranium Brullé (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Scarabaeinae) With Description Of One New Species And New Synonymies, Federico C. Ocampo

University of Nebraska State Museum: Entomology Papers

The South American genus Eucranium Brullé has been revised and now includes six species: E. arachnoides Brullé, E. belenae Ocampo new species, E. cyclosoma Burmeister, E. dentifrons Guérin-Méneville, E. planicolle Burmeister, and E. simplicifrons Fairmaire. Eucranium pulvinatum Burmeister is a new junior synonym of Eucranium arachnoides Brullé, and Eucranium lepidum Burmeister is a new junior synonym of E. dentifrons Guérin-Méneville. The following lectotypes and neotypes are designated: Eucranium pulvinatum Burmeister, lectotype; Eucranium planicolle Burmeister, lectotype; Psammotrupes dentifrons Guérin-Méneville, neotype; and Eucranium lepidum Burmeister, neotype. Description of the genus and new species, diagnosis and illustrations, and distribution maps are provided for …

A Revision Of Ganaspidium Weld, 1952 (Hymenoptera, Figitidae, Eucoilinae): New Species, Bionomics, And Distribution, Matthew L. Buffington

USDA Systematic Entomology Laboratory

The New World eucoiline genus Ganaspidium is revised. Species in this genus are parasitoids of some of the most pestiferous species of leaf-mining Agromyzidae (Diptera), including the notorious Liriomyza trifolii (Burgess). The following new species are described: Ganaspidium didionae, G. eldiablo, G. fl emingi, G. kolmaci, and G. konzaensis. Ganaspidium navajoe (Miller), comb. n., is recognized as junior synonym of G. pusillae Weld (syn. n.). Ganaspidium nigrimanus (Kieff er) and G. utilis Beardsley are removed from synonymy, and together with G. hunteri (Crawford), are now in Banacuniculus Buffington. Species of Ganaspidium are recorded from a wide geographic …

Revision Of The Genus Ambracius Stål, 1860 (Heteroptera: Miridae: Deraeocorinae: Clivinematini), With Descriptions Of Three New Species, Paulo Sérgio F Ferreia, Thomas J. Henry

USDA Systematic Entomology Laboratory

The clivinematine genus Ambracius Stál is revised and the three new species Ambracius alineae from Venezuela, A. liviae from the United States (Texas), and A. rudybuenoi from Panama are described and illustrated. The previously known species Ambracius capucinus (Reuter), A. dufouri Stál, A. mexicanus Carvalho, A. pallescens (Distant), A. rubricosus (Distant), and A. vittatus Carvalho are redescribed. A key to species is provided to aid in identification.

Catalog Of The Coreidae, Or Leaf-Footed Bugs, Of The New World, Richard J. Packauskas

Fort Hays Studies Series

Studies on the New World Coreidae have languished for more than a century. Neglect of these often large, abundant, and occasionally economically important bugs has been due, I believe, to the lack of means to identify them. Most literature treating the New World Coreidae has been restricted to the North American fauna, except for the recent efforts of Brailovsky (1975 to 2007).

Physiological Status Of Male And Female Popillia Japonica (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) Affects Mating And Grouping Behavior, Natasha Tigreros, Rashmi Jadhav, Katelyn A. Kowles, Britto P. Nathan, Paul Switzer

Faculty Research & Creative Activity

Because mating may be costly, sexually active males or females are predicted to be in relatively good physiological condition and may preferentially direct their mating behavior toward relatively high-quality mates. We tested this hypothesis in Japanese beetles (Popillia japonica Newman), a pest species in which males and females may be either isolated or in aggregations while feeding on host plants. We examined male size and lipid content and female size and egg load with respect to both their pairing status and whether they were isolated or in aggregations. Males that were paired had the highest lipid levels, and single, isolated …

Physiological Status Of Male And Female Popillia Japonica (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) Affects Mating And Grouping Behavior, Natasha Tigreros, Rashmi Jadhav, Katelyn Kowles, Britto Nathan, Paul Switzer

Faculty Research & Creative Activity

Because mating may be costly, sexually active males or females are predicted to be in relatively good physiological condition and may preferentially direct their mating behavior toward relatively high-quality mates. We tested this hypothesis in Japanese beetles (Popillia japonica Newman), a pest species in which males and females may be either isolated or in aggregations while feeding on host plants. We examined male size and lipid content and female size and egg load with respect to both their pairing status and whether they were isolated or in aggregations. Males that were paired had the highest lipid levels, and single, isolated …

Nebline, January 2010

NEBLINE Newsletter Archive from Nebraska Extension in Lancaster County

Feature: Tips for Positive Interactions with Tweens

Farm Views

Horticulture

Food & Fitness

Home & Family Living

Environmental Focus

Urban Agriculture

4-H & Youth

Community Focus

Extension Calendar

Nutrition Education Program

Family and Community Education (FCE) Clubs

and other extension news and events

Annual Report Special Pullout Section

Insectigator: Bug Or Insect – Do You Know The Difference?, Kerry Elsen

Department of Entomology: Distance Master of Science Projects

The Insectigator encourages families to go outside and investigate wildlife around them. It provides an opportunity for youth to explore and investigate the natural world we live in. It was created for beginning entomologists, especially those between 8 and 11 years old. It can also be used with younger youth with an adult. Anyone who has an interest in insects is encouraged to use this manual, regardless of age. Clubs can use the manual and contents for club activities or project demonstrations. Youth are encouraged to do their investigation in groups and share their findings with other club members. Fair …

Illustrated Beetles Of Quail Ridge Reserve, Ann Donohue

Department of Entomology: Distance Master of Science Projects

Introduction

The Quail Ridge Reserve is part of the University of California Natural Reserve System and is located in Napa County on a peninsula at the southern end of Lake Berryessa. The reserve is composed of land owned by the US Bureau of Land Management, US Bureau of Reclamation, Quail Ridge Wilderness Conservation, California Department of Fish and Game, and UC Regents. The University NRS continues to expand on the reserve as private property owners become willing to sell parcels, thereby increasing the size of this amazing protected wildlife and ecological study site.

Vegetation on Quail Ridge consists primarily of …

A Review Of The Blaesiina (Coleoptera, Scarabaeidae, Cetoniinae, Gymnetini), Brett C. Ratcliffe

University of Nebraska State Museum: Entomology Papers

The two genera comprising the subtribe Blaesiina (Scarabaeidae: Cetoniinae: Gymnetini) are reviewed. Each genus contains two species, with Blaesia Burmeister occurring in southern South America and Halffterinetis Morón & Nogueira occurring in northern Mexico. Descriptions, keys, distributions, biology, and illustrations are provided. The biogeography of the Blaesiina is discussed with a hypothesis to explain the current disjunct distributions. I provide a new state record for Halffterinetis gonzaloi Morón & Nogueira in San Luis Potosí, Mexico.

Synopsis Of The Aroid Scarabs In The Genus Peltonotus Burmeister (Scarabaeidae, Dynastinae, Cyclocephalini) From Sumatra And Description Of A New Species, Mary Liz Jameson, Stanislav Jakl

University of Nebraska State Museum: Entomology Papers

We provide a synopsis of the Sumatran species in the scarab beetle genus Peltonotus Burmeister (Scarabaeidae: Dynastinae: Cyclocephalini), describe a new species of Peltonotus from Sumatra, and describe the male of P. cybele Jameson & Wada from Sumatra (previously known only by the female holotype). To enable identification, we include a key to the five Sumatran species of Peltonotus, comparative images and diagnoses for all species, and temporal and geographical distributions.

Morphology And Systematics Of Braconid Wasps, Charles Andrew Boring

University of Kentucky Doctoral Dissertations

The following morphological structures of the ovipositor of Homolobus truncator (Say) (Hymenoptera : Braconidae) are described and hypotheses of their functions are proposed: a series of sharp ridges on the distal surface of the notch helps maintain a grip on the inner surface of the host cuticle; the sperone directs eggs away from the inner surface of the ventral valves; a flap-like structure on each ventral valve covers the portal through which eggs pass; the valvillus maintains position of the egg within the ovipositor and acts against the egg to force it out; ctenidia on the inner surface of the …

Micropsephodes Bahamaensis, A New Species Of Anamorphinae (Coleoptera: Cucujoidea: Endomychidae) From The Bahamas, With A Key To The New World Genera Of Anamorphinae, Floyd W. Shockley

Insecta Mundi

A new species of anamorphine endomychid, Micropsephodes bahamaensis Shockley is described from a small series of 3 specimens collected on North Andros Island in the Bahamas. Besides being the only species known from the Bahamas, M. bahamaensis is readily recognizable from its congeners based on its much larger size, more elongate habitus and features of the galeae and maxillary palpomere IV. Keys to the known species of Micropsephodes and to the adults of the genera of Anamorphinae that occur in the Western Hemisphere are provided.

Observations On The Biology Of The South African Checkered Beetle Aphelochroa Sanguinalis (Westwood) (Coleoptera: Cleridae), Jonathan R. Mawdsley, Hendrik Sithole

Insecta Mundi

The checkered beetle Aphelochroa sanguinalis (Westwood) (Coleoptera: Cleridae) is found in savanna and woodland ecosystems of southern and eastern Africa. During surveys for insect floral visitors in the Skukuza Ranger District of Kruger National Park, South Africa, we encountered adults of Aphelochroa sanguinalis on flowers of two tree species, Acacia grandicornuta Gerstner and Acacia tortilis (Forsskal) Hayne (Fabaceae). These two tree species flower in the early rainy season (November-December) and have small white flowers in small round ball-shaped clusters. Adults of Aphelochroa sanguinalis were not found on flowers of 14 other tree species with different floral structures which were flowering …

Natural History Of Belonuchus Nordmann Spp. And Allies (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae) In Heliconia L. (Zingiberales: Heliconiaceae) Flower Bracts, J. H. Frank, R. Barrera

Insecta Mundi

Adults, and in some species larvae, of several members of Belonuchus Nordmann (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Staphylininae) and a few related genera seem to be to various degrees consistently associated with flower bracts of the genus Heliconia (Zingiberales: Heliconiaceae). They are predators and eat various dipterous and lepidopterous larvae in that habitat. Adults of at least Belonuchus cephalotes (Sharp) and Odontolinus fasciatus Sharp are able to immerse completely in water to capture larvae and/or pupae of mosquitoes (Culicidae).

Adults and larvae of Belonuchus satyrus Erichson, and adults of B. cacao Blackwelder and B. rufipennis (F.) were found in water-filled flower bracts of …

Mecidea Longula Stål (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae: Pentatominae: Mecideini) Is Established In South Florida, Joseph E. Eger, Jr., Thomas T. Dobbs

Insecta Mundi

A Caribbean species of Mecidea Dallas, M. longula Stål, apparently established in south Florida, is reported from the United States for the first time. Specimens were first collected in February 2008 in a light trap operated in Miami-Dade County, Florida. Collections in that trap have continued through the present. Searches near the trap location resulted in several specimens being taken from smutgrass, Sporobolus indicus (L.), an exotic grass now established throughout much of the southeastern United States. The three North American species of Mecidea are keyed and illustrated. In addition to the Florida locality, M. longula is reported for the …