Entomology Commons^™

A State Record For The Oconee Scorpionfly, Panorpa Oconee Byers (Mecoptera: Panorpidae), In Florida, Louis A. Somma

Insecta Mundi

I provide the first state record for the Oconee scorpionfly, Panorpa oconee Byers, from Putnam County, Florida. This is the southernmost record for P. oconee, extends its range 321 km south of its known distribution and, if valid, adds a seventh described species of panorpid, and twelfth mecopteran, indigenous to Florida.

Fifteen New Species Of Sonoma Casey From The Eastern United States And A Description Of The Male Of Sonoma Tolulae (Leconte) (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Pselaphinae), Michael L. Ferro, Christopher E. Carlton

Insecta Mundi

Fifteen new species of faronine pselaphines in the genus Sonoma Casey are described: S. baylessae; S. brasstownensis; S. chouljenkoi; S. cygnus; S. gilae; S. gimmeli; S. holmesi; S. mayori; S. nicholsae; S. parkorum; S. nhunguyeni; S. sokolovi; S. streptophorophallus; S. tishechkini; S. tridens. Male specimens of Sonoma tolulae (LeConte) were collected from the type locality and this species is redescribed. These species bring the total diversity of the genus to 43 species. The genus is divided into four species groups based on characters of the male genitalia. Sonoma corticina Casey was not included in the genus when it was …

Neotrichaphodioides, New Genus Of Neotropical Aphodiini, With Description Of A New Species From Peru (Scarabaeoidea: Scarabaeidae: Aphodiinae), Marco Dellacasa, Giovanni Dellacasa, Paul E. Skelley

Insecta Mundi

The new genus Neotrichaphodioides and the new species N. woytkowskii from Peru are described. Aphodius caracanus Balthasar, A. ecuadoriensis Petrovitz, A. forsterianus Balthasar, and A. volxemi Harold are redescribed and figured, and transferred into Neotrichaphodioides, all becoming new combinations. New synonymies of Aphodius martinsi Petrovitz with N. caracanus (Balthasar) and Aphodius squamifer Petrovitz with N. volxemi (Harold) are presented. The lectotype of A. volxemi is here designated.

New Species Of The Genus Cotycicuiara Galileo And Martins, 2008 (Cerambycidae, Lamiinae, Desmiphorini), Ubirajara R. Martins, Maria Helena M. Galileo

Insecta Mundi

Five new species of the genus Cotycicuiara Galileo and Martins are described and illustrated: C. oicepe sp. nov., from Trinidad and Tobago; and from Brazil C. multicava sp. nov., (Minas Gerais); C. pertusa sp. nov., (Rio de Janeiro, Santa Catarina); C. nivaria sp. nov., (Minas Gerais, Espírito Santo); C. chionea sp. nov., (Rio de Janeiro). A revised key to species is provided.

Novas espécies do gênero Cotycicuiara Galileo e Martins, 2008 (Cerambycidae, Lamiinae, Desmiphorini). Espécies novas descritas e ilustradas: de Trinidad and Tobago, Cotycicuiara oicepe sp. nov.; do Brasil, C. multicava sp. nov., (Minas Gerais); C. pertusa sp. nov., (Rio …

Heterobostrychus Hamatipennis Lesne (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae) New To Florida, Robert Beiriger

Insecta Mundi

Heterobostrychus hamatipennis Lesne, an oriental wood borer, is reported to be established in southeast Florida for the first time. This is the second member of the genus Heterobostrychus Lesne that has become established in Florida.

The Dynastinae (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) Of The Cayman Islands (West Indies), With Descriptions Of Tomarus Adoceteus, New Species (Pentodontini) And Caymania Nitidissima, New Genus And Species (Phileurini), Brett C. Ratcliffe, Ronald D. Cave

Insecta Mundi

The five genera and eight species of dynastine scarabs occurring in the Cayman Islands in the West Indies are reviewed. Two new, endemic species are described from Little Cayman, with supporting illustrations: Tomarus adoceteus Ratcliffe and Cave (Pentodontini), new species, and Caymania nitidissima Ratcliffe and Cave (Phileurini), new genus and species.

The Morphology Of The Labrum (Epipharynx, Ikrioma And Aboral Surface) Of Adult Aphodiini (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Aphodiinae), And Its Implications For Systematics, Giovanni Dellacasa, Marco Dellacasa, Darren J. Mann

Insecta Mundi

The morphology of the labrum (epipharynx, ikrioma and aboral surface) of adult Aphodiini is figured and discussed. An updated glossary of the constitutive parts is presented.

New Views On Strand Asymmetry In Insect Mitochondrial Genomes, Shu-Jun Wei, Min Shi, Xue-Xin Chen, Michael J. Sharkey, Cornelis Van Achterberg, Gong-Yin Ye, Jun-Hua He

Entomology Faculty Publications

Strand asymmetry in nucleotide composition is a remarkable feature of animal mitochondrial genomes. Understanding the mutation processes that shape strand asymmetry is essential for comprehensive knowledge of genome evolution, demographical population history and accurate phylogenetic inference. Previous studies found that the relative contributions of different substitution types to strand asymmetry are associated with replication alone or both replication and transcription. However, the relative contributions of replication and transcription to strand asymmetry remain unclear. Here we conducted a broad survey of strand asymmetry across 120 insect mitochondrial genomes, with special reference to the correlation between the signs of skew values and …

Bed Bug Deterrence, Kenneth F. Haynes, Mark H. Goodman, Michael F. Potter

Entomology Faculty Publications

A recent study in BMC Biology has determined that the immature stage of the bed bug (the nymph) signals its reproductive status to adult males using pheromones and thus avoids the trauma associated with copulation in this species. The success of this nymphal strategy of deterrence is instructive. Against the background of increasing problems with bed bugs, this research raises the question whether pheromones might be used to control them.

See research article: http://www.biomedcentral.com/1741-7007/8/121.

Nebline, September 2010

NEBLINE Newsletter Archive from Nebraska Extension in Lancaster County

Feature: Wildlife Rescue Team Helps Orphaned and Injured Wildlife

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

Using Insects To Promote Science Inquiry In Elementary Classrooms, Douglas A. Golick, Tiffany M. Heng-Moss, Marion D. Ellis

Department of Entomology: Faculty Publications

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Nebraska public schools created Bugs in the Classroom, a professional development initiative with the goal of empowering teachers to use insects in science inquiry instruction in elementary classrooms. The initiative included workshops for elementary educators on science inquiry and teaching with insects. This paper includes a description of the workshop as well as an evaluation of the impact of the workshop on participating teachers' knowledge of scientific inquiry, entomology knowledge, and inquiry practice. Also included are recommendations for similar professional development activities.

Ovaries And Germline Cysts And Their Evolution In Dermaptera (Insecta), Wacław Tworzydło, Szczepan M. Biliński, Petr Kočárek, Fabian Haas

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

We studied the ovary structure and initial stages of oogenesis in 15 representatives of several dermapteran taxa, including the epizoic Arixeniina. In all examined species, the ovaries are meroistic-polytrophic. The ovaries of the basal taxa ('Pygidicranidae', 'Diplatyidae', and Labiduridae) are composed of elongated ovarioles, attached to short lateral oviducts. In these groups, ovarioles contain several (more than 30) ovarian follicles in a linear arrangement. In the Eudermaptera, the ovaries are composed of 1-6 (Spongiphoridae) or 20-40 (Forficulidae, Chelisochidae) short ovarioles (containing 2 ovarian follicles only) that open to strongly elongated lateral oviducts. In all investigated dermapterans, the ovarian follicles are …

Chinch Bugs, Kelly Kopp, Ryan S. Davis, Ricardo A. Ramirez

All Current Publications

Chinch bugs are “true bugs”. In Utah, the common chinch bug [Blissus leucopterus leucopterus (Say)], and western chinch bug (Blissus occiduus) may feed on turfgrass, especially under conditions of severe heat and drought. Coupled with under-irrigation, direct sunlight, and thick thatch, chinch bug numbers can soar from mid-summer to early fall.

Japanese Beetle, Erin Hodgson, Diane Alston, Cory A. Stanley

All Current Publications

The Japanese beetle, Popillia japonica Newman, can be a highly destructive pest to ornamentals, trees, shrubs, turfgrass, and vegetables. First discovered in the eastern United States in 1916, the Japanese beetle has threatened agriculture and horticulture by slowly moving south and west. In 2006, a small population of adult Japanese beetles was detected in Orem, Utah.

Arm-In-Cage Testing Of Natural Human-Derived Mosquito Repellents, James G. Logan, Nina M. Stanczyk, Ahmed Hassanali, Joshua Kemei, Antônio E.G. Santana, Karlos A.L. Ribeiro, John A. Pickett, A. Jennifer Mordue

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Background. Individual human subjects are differentially attractive to mosquitoes and other biting insects. Previous investigations have demonstrated that this can be attributed partly to enhanced production of natural repellent chemicals by those individuals that attract few mosquitoes in the laboratory. The most important compounds in this respect include three aldehydes, octanal, nonanal and decanal, and two ketones, 6-methyl-5-hepten-2-one and geranylacetone [(E)-6,10-dimethylundeca-5,9-dien-2-one]. In olfactometer trials, these compounds interfered with attraction of mosquitoes to a host and consequently show promise as novel mosquito repellents. Methods. To test whether these chemicals could provide protection against mosquitoes, laboratory repellency trials were carried out to …

Anopheles Larval Abundance And Diversity In Three Rice Agro-Village Complexes Mwea Irrigation Scheme, Central Kenya, Joseph M. Mwangangi, Josephat Shililu, Ephantus J. Muturi, Simon Muriu, Benjamin Jacob, Ephantus W. Kabiru, Charles M. Mbogo, John Githure, Robert J. Novak

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Background. The diversity and abundance of Anopheles larvae has significant influence on the resulting adult mosquito population and hence the dynamics of malaria transmission. Studies were conducted to examine larval habitat dynamics and ecological factors affecting survivorship of aquatic stages of malaria vectors in three agro-ecological settings in Mwea, Kenya. Methods. Three villages were selected based on rice husbandry and water management practices. Aquatic habitats in the 3 villages representing planned rice cultivation (Mbui Njeru), unplanned rice cultivation (Kiamachiri) and non-irrigated (Murinduko) agro-ecosystems were sampled every 2 weeks to generate stage-specific estimates of mosquito larval densities, relative abundance and diversity. …

Hexapod Herald - Vol. 22, No. 4, August 2010

Hexapod Herald and Other Entomology Department Newsletters

Welcome

Congratulations

Grants

Faculty News

Meet and Off Campus Student

Student News

From the Office

Travel

Condolences

Nebline, August 2010

NEBLINE Newsletter Archive from Nebraska Extension in Lancaster County

Feature: Youth Develop Life Skills at Hands-On Clover College

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

Lancaster County Super Fair Schedule & Map Special Pullout Section

Notes On Fungal Infestations In Germinating Corn (Zea Mays L.) Seed Used For Rearing Spotted Cucumber Beetles (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), D. E. Fleming, J. T. Reed

Midsouth Entomologist

Inability to manage fungal growth (Aspergillus, Fusarium and Rhizopus spp.) in germinating corn seed used as larval medium in a laboratory colony of spotted cucumber beetles (Diabrotica undecimpunctata howardi Barber [Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae]) stimulated experimentation to evaluate the efficacy of laboratory fungicide seed treatment and its components with and without agitation, and to determine whether the incidence of fungus in germinating seed differed between seed lots or varieties. The possibility of fungi residing in cracks in corn seed, within the corn seed beyond the reach of fungicidal solutions, and in pits in the exochorion of beetle eggs is discussed. Fungicides reduced …

A Novel Delivery Method For Ant (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) Toxicants, B. A. Wiltz, D. R. Suiter, W. A. Gardner, C. W. Berisford

Midsouth Entomologist

Described here is a new delivery method for ant toxicants consisting of an inert carrier, an attractant, and a toxicant. Unlike baits, this system does not contain a food source, but uses ant to ant contact rather than trophallaxis as the mechanism for horizontal dispersal of the toxicant through the colony. We evaluated six potential attractants and found that only triolein increased treated filter paper removal by the red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta Buren (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). On corn cob grits, removal was optimized at a rate of 60 μl triolein/g grits. In laboratory assays, mortality of fire ants offered …

Review Of Preplant-Incorporated Pesticide Evaluations In Mississippi Sweetpotatoes, J. T. Reed, D. Bao, D. Cook, C. S. Jackson

Midsouth Entomologist

The use of insecticides incorporated into the soil prior to planting (preplant incorporated, or PPI, application) and approximately 30 days post planting (layby-incorporated, or LBI, application) is a recognized control regimen to reduce insect damage to sweetpotato roots in Mississippi. Seventeen compounds with potential for use as soil-incorporated insecticides were tested in small-plot research trials from 2001 to 2009. Efficacy was evaluated by counting insect feeding scars on marketable roots at harvest. Results within each trial were converted to percent control values based on the water-treated check plots. Results ranged from negative percent control values (more damage than found in …

Relative Risk Of Acquiring Black-Legged Ticks, Ixodes Scapularis, In Central Mississippi, J. Goddard, J. Goddard Ii

Midsouth Entomologist

No abstract provided.

Description Of Damage By Larvae Of The Spotted Cucumber Beetle, Diabrotica Undecimpunctata Howardi (Coleptera: Chrysomelidae) To Sweetpotato, Ipomoea Batatas (L.) (Solanales: Convolvulaceae), Roots, D. E. Fleming, J. T. Reed

Midsouth Entomologist

The larvae of the spotted cucumber beetle (Diabrotica undecimpunctata howardi Barber [Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae]) are damaging pests of sweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas [L.] [Solanales: Convolvulaceae]) roots. Because this assumption was not documented, laboratory trials were conducted to determine if spotted cucumber beetle larvae can feed and develop on sweetpotato roots. Results showed that all stages of spotted cucumber beetle larvae could survive on sweetpotato roots when given no other food choice, and that root damage resembled that described for larvae of other coleopteran sweetpotato pests.

Odontomachus Clarus Roger (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) Reported In Kisatchie National Forest, Louisiana, B. J. Adams, X. Chen, L. M. Hooper-Bùi

Midsouth Entomologist

No abstract provided.

Two New Exotic Pest Ants, Pseudomyrmex Gracilis And Monomorium Floricola (Hymenoptera: Formicidae Collected In Mississippi, J. A. Macgown, J. G. Hill

Midsouth Entomologist

No abstract provided.

Checklist Of The Cerambycidae (Coleoptera) Of Costa Rica, Ian P. Swift, Larry G. Bezark, Eugenio H. Nearns, Ángel Solís, Frank T. Hovore

Insecta Mundi

An updated checklist of the Cerambycidae of Costa Rica is presented. This new version includes 1,071 species and subspecies in 429 genera, 69 tribes, and six subfamilies. Of these, 181 are new country records and 136 species are known only from Costa Rica. In addition, provincial distribution data are provided for each species. The checklist supports a wealth of scientific literature in many other groups of flora and fauna indicating Costa Rica has high species richness of cerambycid beetles.

Se presenta una lista actualizada de los Cerambycidae de Costa Rica. Esta nueva versión incluye 1.071 especies y subespecies en 429 …

Insect Diversity And Pest Status On Switchgrass Grown For Biofuel In South Carolina, Claudia Holguin

All Theses

Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) has tremendous potential as a biomass and stock crop for cellulosic ethanol production or combustion as a solid fuel. The first goal of this study was to assess diversity of insects in a perennial switchgrass crop in South Carolina. A three-year study was conducted to sample insects using pitfall traps and sweep nets at the Pee Dee Research and Education Center in Florence, SC, from 2007-2009. Collected specimens were identified to family and classified by trophic groups, and predominant species were identified. The diversity and density of weeds in the field during the establishment year (2007) …

Morphological Characterization And Molecular Mediated Genetic Variation Of Thief Ant (Solenopsis Molesta Say, Hymenoptera: Formicidae), Ralph B. Narain

Department of Entomology: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

The thief ant, Solenopsis molesta (Say), a common nuisance ant species found throughout the United States is genetically related to other stinging ants. This research was undertaken to estimate genetic variation utilizing mitochondrial DNA sequences of cytochrome oxidase I in thief ant populations from various geographic locations. Thief ants were collected from nine states, identified to species using morphologic characteristics from available keys. DNA extractions were completed with Qiagen’s Gentra PUREGENE® DNA Isolation Kit using their solid tissue protocol. PCR reactions were run on the extracted DNA using primers Lep-F1 (forward) and Lep-R1 (reverse). The resulting DNA products were concentrated …

An Investigation Of Wild Bee Diversity And Abundance In Plots Managed By The Nature Conservancy In South-Central Nebraska And Of Beneficial Arthropods Associated With Native Nebraska Flora, Dori Ann Porter

Department of Entomology: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Insect pollination is an essential ecosystem service, and bees are the principal pollinators of wild and cultivated plants. Habitat management and enhancement are a proven way to encourage wild bee populations, providing them with food and nesting resources. I examined bee diversity and abundance in plots managed by The Nature Conservancy near Wood River, NE. The plots were seeded with 2 seed mixes at 2 seeding rates: high diversity mix at the recommended rate, high diversity mix double the recommended rate, Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) conservation planting (CP) 25 mix at one-half the recommended rate, and NRCS CP25 mix …

Landmarks In The Evolution Of Technologies For Identifying Trypanosomes In Tsetse Flies, John C. Enyaru, Johnson O. Ouma, Imna I. Malele, Enock Matovu, Daniel K. Masiga

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Understanding what the trypanosome pathogens are, their vectors and mode of transmission underpin efforts to control the disease they cause in both humans and livestock. The risk of transmission is estimated by determining what proportion of the vector population is carrying the infectious pathogens. This risk also depends on the infectivity of the trypanosomes to humans and livestock. Most livestock pathogens are not infective to humans, whereas the two sub-species that infect humans also infect livestock. As with other infectious diseases, we can therefore trace the foundation of many continuing disease control programs for trypanosomiasis to the discovery of the …