Entomology Commons^™

A New U.S. And Florida Record For Caccoleptus (Bicaccoleptus) Kacka Háva, 2009 (Coleoptera: Dermestidae), Jiří Háva, Michael C. Thomas

Insecta Mundi

Caccoleptus (Bicaccoleptus) kacka Háva, 2009 is newly recorded from the U.S. and Florida. The female of this species is here described from Florida specimens.

A New Species Of Villiersicometes Santos-Silva, 2003 (Coleoptera, Cerambycidae, Disteniinae), Gérard-Luc Tavakilian, Antonio Santos-Silva

Insecta Mundi

Villiersicometes absalom sp. nov., a new species of Villiersicometes Santos-Silva, 2003 (Coleoptera, Cerambycidae, Disteniinae) is described from French Guiana. The species is illustrated and a key to the species of the genus is provided.

Tropidosteptes Forestierae (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Miridae: Mirinae): A New Species Of Plant Bug Injuring Ornamental Florida Swampprivet, Forestiera Segregata (Oleaceae), In South Florida, Thomas J. Henry, Doug L. Caldwell, Susan E. Halbert

Insecta Mundi

The mirine plant bug Tropidosteptes forestierae, new species (Hemiptera: Miridae) is described from Collier County, Florida, where it was found causing serious injury to an extensive ornamental hedge of Florida swampprivet, Forestiera segregata (Jacq.) Krug and Urb. (Oleaceae). Adult male and female, fifth instar, and egg are described. Color images of the adults, nymph, egg, and injury; scanning photomicrographs of selected adult structures; and illustrations of male genitalia are provided. A key to help distinguish the 16 species of Tropidosteptes known to occur in the southeastern United States is given.

A Third Locality For The Milliped Mitocybe Auriportae Cook And Loomis, 1928 (Platydesmida: Andrognathidae), Rowland M. Shelley

Insecta Mundi

With the discovery of Mitocybe auriportae Cook and Loomis, 1928 (Platydesmida: Andrognathidae) in Alameda County (Co.), east of San Francisco Bay, a potential overall distribution in coastal California is projected based on those of partly congruent diplopods. The area extends from northern Mendocino to central Monterey cos. and inland to central Lake, Yolo, and Santa Clara cos.

Notes On Distribution And Hosts Of Hylesinus Mexicanus (Wood) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae), A Pest On Olea Europaea Linnaeus, Jesus Romero-Napoles, Thomas H. Atkinson

Insecta Mundi

Significant new host and distribution records are presented for Hylesinus mexicanus (Wood) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae), including its pest potential on cultivated olives. Hylesinus mexicanus is similar to H. fasciatus LeConte and information presented here suggests that the distinctiveness of these two species needs to be re-examined.

Observations Of Plume Moths On North Andros Island, Bahamas, And Notes On New Records And Species Previously Recorded From The Bahamas (Lepidoptera: Pterophoridae), Deborah L. Matthews, Jacqueline Y. Miller, Mark J. Simon, Gary Goss

Insecta Mundi

Recent fieldwork on North Andros Island by the authors resulted in the collection of six species of Pterophoridae (Lepidoptera), five of which were previously unrecorded for the Bahamas in published accounts. Three additional species are noted for the Bahamian fauna based on specimens collected in the 1980s on other islands. Representative specimens are illustrated from North Andros along with genitalic images for species where these are not readily available in other publications. In addition, images of the larva and pupa are provided for a reared species for which the life history was previously unknown.

Hexapod Herald - Vol. 24, No. 3, June 2012

Hexapod Herald and Other Entomology Department Newsletters

Contents: Welcome -- Meeting News -- Congratulations -- Publications -- Faculty News -- Grants -- Meet an Off-Campus Student -- Student News -- Travel -- Calendar of Events -- Entomology is 125

Nebline, June 2012

NEBLINE Newsletter Archive from Nebraska Extension in Lancaster County

No abstract provided.

The Spatial Games: Investigating The Spatial Distribution Of Anax And Select Prey As A Function Of Predator-Prey Interactions, Shane Elizabeth Johnson, Nene Kumashe Ugbah

Biological Sciences

Our study investigated the spatial distribution and movement behavior of predatory dragonfly larvae (Anax) and of two prey types: mosquito larvae and amphipods. Predator-prey interactions have important consequences for the population dynamics of both predator and prey groups and these interactions can shape community structure. We measured behavior of each prey type in the presence of the Anax predator and the behavior of the predator in the presence of these alternative prey types. Observations were made in five-gallon aquaria where a grid pattern allowed us to track the number of moves made by individuals. We compiled data from …

Effects Of Thiamethoxam Seed Treatments On Bean Leaf Beetles, Chelsea L. Piitz

Department of Entomology: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

The increased use of thiamethoxam seed treatments for controlling target pests such as the bean leaf beetle, Cerotoma trifurcata (Forster), suggests the need for methods to measure and monitor the development of resistance to these insecticides. Overwintering and F1 bean leaf beetles were collected from alfalfa and soybean fields and used in early growth stage soybean studies to measure toxicity of thiamethoxam both in greenhouse experiments and laboratory bioassays involving exposure to treated foliage. Lethal and sub-lethal effects were detected in both greenhouse and lab bioassays. Lethal concentrations determined from laboratory assays were compared with residues determined from field grown …

Distribution And Diversity Of Ant Genera From Selected Ecoregions Across Nebraska, Jessica Jurzenski, Marc Albrect, W. Wyatt Hoback

Department of Entomology: Faculty Publications

We documented distribution and diversity of ant genera in four of the six level III ecoregions across Nebraska. We sampled ants using bait cards, pitfall traps, and by opportunistic sampling, including direct collection and in carrion-baited pitfall traps. We identified 22 genera from five subfamilies, which were further classified into six functional groups. In common with other Great Plains states, Formica Linnaeus and Lasius Fabricius occurred most frequently in our samples, and overall ant genus-level richness was comparable to surrounding states. We compared genera similarity using Jaccard’s similarity index within and between the High Plains (western-most) and Western Corn Belt …

Susceptibility Of The Fall Armyworm, Spodoptera Frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), At Santa Isabel, Puerto Rico, To Different Insecticides, Difabachew K. Belay, Randy M. Huckaba, John E. Foster

Department of Entomology: Faculty Publications

The fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith), is a polyphagous migratory pest, which is endemic to the Western Hemisphere and attacks more than 80 plant species including maize, sorghum, cotton, rice, millet, peanut, alfalfa, and other cultivated and wild plant species. Presence of multiple generations and the ability to migrate and feed on a wide range of host plants makes FAW one of the most severe economic pests throughout the Western Hemisphere. In corn, yield losses due to FAW damage can reach up to 32% in the United States and 45–60% in Nicaragua. Insecticides are used as major …

Beneficial Predators: Predatory Mites, Ron Patterson, Ricardo Ramirez

All Current Publications

Predatory mites can provide natural pest control by eating unwanted pests. These beneficial mites are one way to maintain pest populations at non-damaging levels, known as biological control. By encouraging predatory mite populations, plants can be protected from excessive pest attack and damage.

Three New Species Of Sesioctonus Viereck (Hymenoptera, Braconidae, Agathidinae) From Peru, Lidia Sulca, Michael J. Sharkey

Entomology Faculty Publications

Three new species of Sesioctonus (Braconidae: Agathidinae) are described and illustrated, i.e., Sesioctonus huggerti, Sesioctonus wayquecha, and Sesioctonus bina. Two new Peruvian species records for Sesioctonus are reported: Sesioctonus longinoi and Sesioctonus diazi. A revised key to all known species of Sesioctonus is presented.

Trapping Of Rift Valley Fever (Rvf) Vectors Using Light Emitting Diode (Led) Cdc Traps In Two Arboviral Disease Hot Spots In Kenya, David P. Tchouassi, Rosemary Sang, Catherine L. Sole, Armanda D.S. Bastos, Lee W. Cohnstaedt, Baldwyn Torto

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Background: Mosquitoes response to artificial lights including color has been exploited in trap designs for improved sampling of mosquito vectors. Earlier studies suggest that mosquitoes are attracted to specific wavelengths of light and thus the need to refine techniques to increase mosquito captures following the development of super-bright light-emitting diodes (LEDs) which emit narrow wavelengths of light or very specific colors. Therefore, we investigated if LEDs can be effective substitutes for incandescent lamps used in CDC light traps for mosquito surveillance, and if so, determine the best color for attraction of important Rift Valley Fever (RFV) vectors. Methods. The efficiency …

Integrated Mosquito Larval Source Management Reduces Larval Numbers In Two Highland Villages In Western Kenya, Susan S. Imbahale, Andrew Githeko, Wolfgang R. Mukabana, Willem Takken

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Background: In western Kenya, malaria remains one of the major health problems and its control remains an important public health measure. Malaria control is by either use of drugs to treat patients infected with malaria parasites or by controlling the vectors. Vector control may target the free living adult or aquatic (larval) stages of mosquito. The most commonly applied control strategies target indoor resting mosquitoes. However, because mosquitoes spend a considerable time in water, targeting the aquatic stages can complement well with existing adult control measures. Methods: Larval source management (LSM) of malaria vectors was examined in two villages i.e. …

Phylogenetic Relationships And Character Evolution Of The Neotropical Butterfly Genus Hamadryas (Nymphalidae: Biblidinae), Ivonne J. Garzon

LSU New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

The butterflies in the genus Hamadryas are popular and noticeable representatives of the Neotropical Lepidoptera fauna. After a thorough taxonomic revision, 20 species were acknowledged within the genus, however no hypothesis of their phylogenetic relationship was proposed. The present dissertation provides a step further into the understanding of this fascinating group of butterflies not only by proposing the first phylogenetic hypothesis for the genus based on morphological and molecular data, but also by exploring for the first time in a group of butterflies the potential effect of venation associated with an specific behaviour on wing shape. Furthermore, this dissertation provides …

An Exploration Into Project Management: A Grassroots Experience In A Developing Nation, Brittany L. O'Brien

Senior Honors Projects

As a senior at the University of Rhode Island, it has been my experience that the knowledge that has been most successfully retained within my mind has been that which I gained through active learning. As an international development minor I have taken many courses on how developmental aid is provided around the world, and throughout these courses I have learned that the drive for creating those endeavors came from an understanding of need. In order to best complete my education on international development I created a sustainable developmental aid project which provided education for specific needs in Malawi, Africa. …

Nebline, May 2012

NEBLINE Newsletter Archive from Nebraska Extension in Lancaster County

Feature: Lincoln’s Biosolids Land Application Program is 20 Years Old

Farm Views

Urban Agriculture

Food & Fitness

Home & Family Living

Horticulture

Environmental Focus

4-H & Youth

Community Focus

Extension Calendar

Nutrition Education Program

Family and Community Education (FCE) Clubs

and other extension news and events

The Diets Of Larval And Juvenile Pallid Sturgeon And Shovelnose Sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus Spp.) In The Lower Mississippi River, Audrey Harrison

All Theses

Although North American sturgeon have been the focus of extensive research in the last several decades, more research is essential to ensure their conservation. The free-flowing Lower Mississippi River (LMR) is occupied by two sympatric sturgeon, pallid [ Scaphirhynchus albus (Forbes & Richardson)] and shovelnose sturgeon [Scaphirhynchus platorynchus (Rafinesque)]. These species are considered 'endangered' and 'threatened,' respectively. Recent studies have documented the life history of adult sturgeon in the Mississippi River, but studies focusing on young-of-year and juveniles are limited because young fish are difficult to collect and identifications are problematic. Spawning sites in the LMR are unknown and though …

Early Season Population Dynamics And Residual Insecticide Effects On Bird Cherry-Oat Aphid, Rhopalosiphum Padi In Arkansas Winter Wheat, Beven Mcwilliams

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Bird cherry-oat aphid is a common pest of Arkansas winter wheat. This aphid vectors barley yellow dwarf virus which may cause extensive crop damage and yield loss when wheat is infested by virulent aphids in the fall. Some suggest this damage may be avoided using insecticide seed treatments if growers are unable to delay planting, as is recommended. Field population dynamics of bird cherry-oat aphid during fall 2009 and 2010 was assessed through random sampling of whole plants and pan trapping methods to evaluate aphid immigration. The field plots were divided into four subplots treated with a systemic insecticide seed …

Ecology And Integrated Pest Management Of Western Bean Cutworm Striacosta Albicosta (Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) In Field Corn, Silvana L. Vieira De Paula Moraes

Department of Entomology: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Western bean cutworm, Striacosta albicosta (Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), is a native pest of dry beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) and corn (Zea mays L.), and historically distributed in the western United States. The insect’s recent expansion eastward is documented since 1999. The species is univoltine, the adults typically emerge in the middle of July, lay eggs on corn leaves, and the larvae feed on different corn tissues. In the fourth instar, larvae start colonization of the ear where they feed on kernels. There is a narrow window for management and early detection of the pest in the field is …

Genetic Variation In Field And Laboratory Populations Of The Spined Soldier Bug, Podisus Maculiventris, Kathleen Kneeland, Thomas A. Coudron, Erica Lindroth, David Stanley, John E. Foster

Department of Entomology: Faculty Publications

The predatory spined soldier bug, Podisus maculiventris (Say) (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae), is an economically important and highly valued biological control agent. There is substantial information on the biology, ecology, behavior, and rearing of this stink bug. However, virtually nothing is known of its genetic variation, in natural or domesticated populations. To address this lacuna, we used amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) to assess the genetic variability of field and laboratory populations. Four AFLP universal primer combinations yielded a total of 209 usable loci. The AFLP results showed greater genetic variability between populations from Missouri and Mississippi (both USA), and relatively low …

Early Embryology Of The Insect Oligotoma Saundersii (Embiidina) Using Targeted Genes As Developmental Landmarks, Omar Doria

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

Embiidina, or "webspinners", is a small, sexually dimorphic, polyneopterous insect order and is the only order to spin silk throughout their life cycle. Unique morphological features and the phylogenetic position of Embiidina make it an attractive subject for study of the evolution and development of the insect body plan and the origin of novel morphological features. Oligotoma saundersii is easily cultured and a viable laboratory organism. It has a fairly standard short-germ embryogenesis process requiring 453 hours at 28°C with progressive development beginning in the anterior region. Preliminary work on targeted developmental genes has yielded small portions of seven genes. …

Insecticidal Control Of Bemisia Tabaci (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) Transmitting Carlavirus On Soybeans And Detection Of The Virus In Alternate Hosts, Difabachew K. Belay, Randy M. Huckaba, Axel M. Ramirez, Jose C. V. Rodrigues, John E. Foster

Department of Entomology: Faculty Publications

A Carlavirus transmitted by Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) is an important disease of soybean nurseries in Puerto Rico causing substantial germplasm losses. Insecticide bioassay experiments were conducted at Dow AgroSciences (DAS) Research Station, Santa Isabel, Puerto Rico, either by spraying insecticides on B. tabaci infested soybean leaves or introducing B. tabaci adults onto insecticide-sprayed soybean leaves. Moreover, host plants were surveyed to detect the virus in overwintering hosts that serve as a source of inoculums. The direct spray experiment showed that Nuprid 2F (Imidacloprid), Capture 2 EC (Bifenthrin), Thionex (Endosulfan), Lannate LV (Methomyl), and Dimethoate gave good level ( …

The Role Of Ascorbic Acid In The Plant-Herbivore Interaction, Kelly Ann Carruthers

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Ascorbic acid (AsA), vitamin C, is an important molecule that is vital for both human and plant health, because it aids in the detoxification of reactive oxygen species (ROS) caused by various abiotic and biotic stresses including UV, salinity, ozone, and attack from pathogens In order to understand the role of AsA in the plant-herbivore interaction, we looked at the effects of the wound-responsive hormones, jasmonate, wounding, and herbivory on AsA content. Our study is the first to directly compare the effects of wounding and jasmonates on AsA levels in plants. We looked at the effects of wounding and methyl …

Pyrosequencing The Bemisia Tabaci Transcriptome Reveals A Highly Diverse Bacterial Community And A Robust System For Insecticide Resistance, Wen Xie, Qing-Shu Meng, Qing-Jun Wu, Shao-Li Wang, Xin Yang, Ni-Na Yang, Ru-Mei Li, Xiao-Guo Jiao, Hui-Peng Pan, Bai-Ming Liu, Qi Su, Bao-Yun Xu, Song-Nian Hu, Xuguo Zhou, You-Jun Zhang

Entomology Faculty Publications

BACKGROUND: Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) is a phloem-feeding insect poised to become one of the major insect pests in open field and greenhouse production systems throughout the world. The high level of resistance to insecticides is a main factor that hinders continued use of insecticides for suppression of B. tabaci. Despite its prevalence, little is known about B. tabaci at the genome level. To fill this gap, an invasive B. tabaci B biotype was subjected to pyrosequencing-based transcriptome analysis to identify genes and gene networks putatively involved in various physiological and toxicological processes.

METHODOLOGY AND PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Using Roche 454 pyrosequencing, …

Population Genetic Structure Of Aedes Polynesiensis In The Society Islands Of French Polynesia: Implications For Control Using A Wolbachia-Based Autocidal Strategy, Corey L. Brelsfoard, Stephen L. Dobson

Entomology Faculty Publications

BACKGROUND: Aedes polynesiensis is the primary vector of Wuchereria bancrofti in the South Pacific and an important vector of dengue virus. An improved understanding of the mosquito population genetics is needed for insight into the population dynamics and dispersal, which can aid in understanding the epidemiology of disease transmission and control of the vector. In light of the potential release of a Wolbachia infected strain for vector control, our objectives were to investigate the microgeographical and temporal population genetic structure of A. polynesiensis within the Society Islands of French Polynesia, and to compare the genetic background of a laboratory strain …

Transmission Of Triticum Mosaic Virus And Its Impact On The Biology Of The Wheat Curl Mite Aceria Tosichella Keifer (Eriophyidae), And An Evaluation Of Management Tactics For The Wheat Curl Mite And The Wheat–Mite–Virus Complex, Anthony J. Mcmechan

Department of Entomology: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

The wheat-mite-virus complex is an important production constraint to winter wheat production in the Great Plains, and consists of three viruses; wheat streak mosaic (WSMV), wheat mosaic (WMoV) and Triticum mosaic virus (TriMV). Synergistic interactions between these viruses have resulted in increased rates of replication and transmission of viruses, thus increasing the potential impact on wheat yields. The wheat curl mite (WCM), Aceria tosichella Keifer is the only known vector of the viruses within the wheat-mite-virus complex.

Currently, three colonies of WCM have been characterized by differential responses to mite resistant genes (biotypes) in wheat and differential transmission of WMoV. …

Rapid Spread Of Tomato Yellow Leaf Curl Virus In China Is Aided Differentially By Two Invasive Whiteflies, Huipeng Pan, Dong Chu, Wenqian Yan, Qi Su, Baiming Liu, Shaoli Wang, Qingjun Wu, Wen Xie, Xiaoguo Jiao, Rumei Li, Nina Yang, Xin Yang, Baoyun Xu, Judith K. Brown, Xuguo Zhou, Youjun Zhang

Entomology Faculty Publications

BACKGROUND: Tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV) was introduced into China in 2006, approximately 10 years after the introduction of an invasive whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Genn.) B biotype. Even so the distribution and prevalence of TYLCV remained limited, and the economic damage was minimal. Following the introduction of Q biotype into China in 2003, the prevalence and spread of TYLCV started to accelerate. This has lead to the hypothesis that the two biotypes might not be equally competent vectors of TYLCV.

METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: The infection frequency of TYLCV in the field-collected B. tabaci populations was investigated, the acquisition and transmission …