Entomology Commons^™

Interspecific Competition Of A New Invasive Mosquito, Culex Coronator, And Two Container Mosquitoes, Aedes Albopictus And Cx. Quinquefasciatus (Diptera: Culicidae), Across Different Detritus Environments, D. A. Yee, J. F. Skiff

Faculty Publications

The mosquito Culex coronator (Dyar and Knab) (Diptera: Culicidae) has undergone rapid range expansion in the United States since 2003, with its historical distribution in the southwest expanding eastward to the Atlantic coast. Although Cx. coronator nominally use small natural aquatic habitats for development, the use of containers (e.g., tires) makes it potentially important as container invasive. To determine the potential ecological effects of Cx. coronator on resident container species, we conducted a laboratory experiment to assess its competitive ability with two common tire-inhabiting species, Aedes albopictus (Skuse) and Culex quinquefasciatus (Say) (Diptera: Culicidae). Larvae were reared under a factorial …

A Revision And Phylogenetic Analysis Of The Genus Eutyphlus Leconte (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Pselaphinae) With A Comparison Of Sampling Methodologies, Brittany Elin Owens

LSU Master's Theses

My thesis research includes three components: (1) a methodology project, (2) a systematic project comprising a taxonomic revision, and (3) a morphology-based, cladistic analysis. 1. The methodological study compared the Winkler (Moczarski) eclector and the Berlese-Tullgren funnel (referred to hereafter as “Winkler” and “Berlese” funnels, respectively) as methods for extracting forest litter-dwelling Coleoptera from sifted substrate, with a focus on relevance for taxonomic studies. A general review of the history and methodologies of leaf litter arthropod extraction was provided, in conjunction with repeated, timed trials to compare the relative effectiveness of the two methods using litter samples from various geographic …

Characterization Of Cry1f Resistance In Fall Armyworm, Spodoptera Frugiperda (J.E. Smith) Obtained From Puerto Rico And Florida, Vikash Dangal

LSU Master's Theses

The fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith)) is a major pest targeted by transgenic corn expressing Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) proteins in both North and South America. The objective of this study was to characterize the inheritance and fitness costs of the Cry1F resistance in two fall armyworm populations collected from Puerto Rico (RR-PR) and Florida (RR-FL). To determine the inheritance of the resistance, besides RR-PR, RR-FL, and a Cry1F-susceptible population (Bt-SS), 14 other populations were developed by reciprocal crosses, F1 by F1 crosses, backcrosses, and crosses between RR-PR and RR-FL. Diet-incorporated bioassays were conducted to determine the Cry1F susceptibility …

The Introduced Dirt-Colored Seed Bug, Megalonotus Sabulicola (Hemiptera: Rhyparochromidae): New For Arkansas, S. W. Chordas Iii, C. T. Mcallister, H. W. Robison

Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science

No abstract provided.

New Host And Location Record For The Bat Bug Cimex Adjunctus Barber 1939, With A Summary Of Previous Records, M. E. Grilliot, J. L. Hunt, C. G. Sims, C. E. Comer

Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science

In June 2009, 14 Rafinesque’s big-eared bats(Corynorhinus rafinesquii) were collected from an abandoned house near Shepherd, San Jacinto County, Texas. Three individuals harbored bat bugs which were subsequently identified as Cimex adjunctus Barber 1939. This is the first record of this species from C. rafinesquii. In August 2013, 10 C. rafinesquii were collected from a maternity colony in Drew County in southeastern Arkansas. Four of the bats harbored bat bugs, which were identified as C. adjunctus. This is the first record of this bat bug from Arkansas. A summary of previous state and host records of the insect is provided, …

Winter Survival Strategies Of Benthic Invertebrates In Temporary Habitats In A Northern Minnesota Lake, Cal Oldenburg

Journal of Earth and Life Science

During the winter months in the northern hemisphere, above 40 degrees latitude, a freezing event occurs that can last several months. Some lakes may have large portions of the shallow littoral zone frozen completely solid down into the sediments. Invertebrates affected by these events have developed survival strategies to cope with the harsh environment. The two main strategies for invertebrates in these areas are to either migrate to a different area and recolonize the original area when it becomes available again, or to burrow into the sediments and withstand the freezing. A 1- month study took place on Lake Bemidji …

Quantitative Factors Proposed To Influence The Prevalence Of Canine Tick-Bourne Disease Agents In The United States, Roger W. Stich, Byron L. Blagburn, Dwight D. Bowman, Christopher Carpenter, M. Roberto Cortinas, Sidney A. Ewing, Desmond Foley, Holly Gaff, Graham J. Hickling, R. Ryan Lash

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications

The Companion Animal Parasite Council hosted a meeting to identify quantifiable factors that can influence the prevalence of tick-borne disease agents among dogs in North America. This report summarizes the approach used and the factors identified for further analysis with mathematical models of canine exposure to tick-borne pathogens.

Global Spread Of Wheat Curl Mite By Its Most Polyphagous And Pestiferous Lineages, A. Skoracka, B. Rector, L. Kuczyński, W. Szydło, G. Hein, R. French

Department of Entomology: Faculty Publications

The wheat curl mite (WCM), Aceria tosichella, is an important pest of wheat and other cereal crops that transmits wheat streak mosaic virus and several other plant viruses. Wheat curl mite has long been considered a single polyphagous species, but recent studies in Poland revealed a complex of genetically distinct lineages with divergent host-acceptance traits, ranging from highly polyphagous to host-specific. This diversity of WCM genotypes and host-acceptance phenotypes in Europe, the presumed native range of WCM, raises questions about the lineage identities of invasive WCM populations on other continents and their relationships to European lineages. The goals of …

Biotic Potential, Fertility And Life Table Of Spodoptera Albula (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), Under Controlled Conditions, Débora G. Montezano, Alexandre Specht, Daniel Ricardo Sosa-Gómez, Vânia F. Roque-Specht, Tarciso M. Bortolin, Edegar Fronza, Patricia Pezzi, Priscila C. Luz, Neiva M. Barros

Department of Entomology: Faculty Publications

This study aimed to evaluate the biotic potential, life table parameters and fertility of Spodoptera albula (Walker, 1857) under controlled conditions (25 ± 1°C, 70 ± 10% RH and 14 hour photo phase). The longevity, pre, post and oviposition periods, fecundity and fertility of 13 couples were evaluated. The longevity of females (13.500 days) was significantly higher than those of males (11.154 days). The mean durations of the pre, post and oviposition periods were 2.615, 1.769 and 9.385 days, respectively. The mean fecundity was 1.417.69 eggs and mean fertility was 1.340.401 larvae, per female. On average, females copulated 1, 231 …

Effect Of Maize Lines On Larval Fitness Costs Of Cry1f Resistance In The European Corn Borer (Lepidoptera: Crambidae), Jennifer L. Petzold-Maxwell, Blair D. Siegfried, Richard L. Hellmich, Craig A. Abel, Brad S. Coates, Terrence A. Spencer, Aaron J. Gassmann

Department of Entomology: Faculty Publications

Crops producing insecticidal toxins from the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) are widely planted and enable management of key insect pests while reducing the use of conventional insecticides. However, the evolution of Bt resistance could diminish these benefits. Fitness costs of Bt resistance occur in the absence of Bt toxin when individuals with resistance alleles show a reduction in fitness relative to susceptible individuals, and they can delay the evolution of resistance. Ecological factors including host-plant variety can affect the magnitude of fitness costs, and consequently, the degree to which fitness costs delay resistance. In this study, we measured fitness costs …

Influence Of Edible Fruit Coatings On Drosophila Suzukii (Matsumura) (Diptera: Drosophilidae) Oviposition And Development, Katharine A. Swoboda-Bhattarai, Hannah Burrack

Department of Entomology: Faculty Publications

Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura) is a highly invasive vinegar fly recently detected in the United States that severely threatens the viability of soft skinned fruit production. Insecticides mitigate some of this damage, but alternative methods to manage D. suzukii infestation are needed. We tested three edible coatings to determine if they could prevent or reduce oviposition by D. suzukii females or affect immature survivorship and development in two important host crops, blueberry and raspberry. None of the coatings prevented oviposition, but some reduced the number of eggs laid. Two carnauba wax-based coatings, PrimaFresh 45 and Raynox, dramatically reduced survivorship of immature …

Revision Of The Ant Genus Bothroponera (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Ponerinae) From The African Continent, Abdulmeneem Joma

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Abstract (chapter 1)

The Afrotropical ants in the genus Bothroponera include the pumicosa, talpa, and sulcata species complexes. Species in the Bothroponera pumicosa species complex are mainly distributed in the southern part of Africa. This group of ants is characterized by having coarsely foveolate sculpture and by having either a raised a "v" or "u" shaped anterior medial area of the clypeus (anteclypeus), with or without a carina. The mandibles have 7 teeth in the majority of species and 8 teeth in the others. The eyes are relatively large. The scapes usually do not reach the posterior lateral corner of …

Grassland Sustainability In Kentucky: Case Studies Quantifying The Effects Of Climate Change On Slug Herbivory In Pastures And Different Home Lawn Systems On Turf Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Daniel Adam Weber

Theses and Dissertations--Plant and Soil Sciences

Grasslands comprise the greatest biome by land area, are sensitive to environmental factors affected by climate change, and can impact future climate change through their ability to store and release greenhouse gasses (GHGs). I performed two studies: 1) evaluated the effects of increased temperature and precipitation on slug herbivory/abundance and pasture forage production; 2) quantified different homeowner lawn system effects on soil-to-atmosphere GHG emissions. Climate change will likely affect pasture forage production, with implications for slug herbivory and abundance. I found little evidence that slugs have or will have significant effects on pasture production or plant community. Warming altered the …

Resistance Of Fall Armyworm, Spodoptera Frugiperda (J.E. Smith) To Bacillus Thuringiensis, Ying Niu

LSU Master's Theses

The fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith), is a target pest of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) corn in North and South America. In this study, multiple tests were conducted in the laboratory and greenhouse to 1) determine the susceptibility of two field populations of S. frugiperda collected from Florida (FL) and Puerto Rico (PR) to purified Cry1F protein and Bt corn leaf tissue and 2) evaluate larval survival of and plant injury by Cry1F-susceptible, -resistant, and –heterozygous genotypes of S. frugiperda on whole plants of transgenic corn containing single and pyramided Bt genes. Corn hybrids evaluated in this study included five …

Grow Them And We Will Come For The Feast, Tiffany Heng-Moss, Jeff Bradshaw, Kyle Koch, Travis Prochaska, Teresa Donze-Reiner, Gautam Sarath

Department of Entomology: Faculty Publications

Sustainable production of switchgrass and other bioenergy grasses will require eff ective pest management. Identifi cation of potential insect pests and detailed characterization of the plant-insect interaction will better enable us to address emergent insect pests in production fi elds. An added uncertainty is how manipulation of plants for improved quality (e.g. lower lignin) will aff ect plant resistance to insect herbivory. Plants can utilize different mechanisms to defend against chewing versus piercing-sucking insects; however, some basal plant responses appear to be shared across diverse biotic stressors. Th e range and modulation of these responses are beginning to be addressed …

Expression And Characterization Of A Recombinant Endoglucanase From Western Corn Rootworm, In Pichia Pastoris, Arnubio Valencia Jimenez, Haichuan Wang, Blair D. Siegfried

Department of Entomology: Faculty Publications

ABSTRACT. The endoglucanase cDNA, Dvv-ENGase I, from western corn rootworm, Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte was expressed using the GS115 methylotrophic strain of Pichia pastoris. The Dvv-ENGase I gene was cloned into the integrative plasmid pPICZαA under the control of AOX1, which is a methanol-inducible promoter. Positive clones were selected for their ability to produce the recombinant endoglucanase upon continuous methanol induction. The secreted recombinant insect endoglucanase Dvv-ENGase I has an apparent molecular mass of 29 kDa. The recombinant endo-1,4 -β-glucanase (ENGase) was able to digest the substrates: hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC), carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), and Whatman No. 1 filter paper. A …

Differential Transmission Of Triticum Mosaic Virus By Wheat Curl Mite Populations Collected In The Great Plains, Anthony J. Mcmechan, Satyanarayana Tatineni, Roy French, Gary L. Hein

Department of Entomology: Faculty Publications

Wheat is an important food grain worldwide and the primary dryland crop in the western Great Plains. A complex of three wheat curl mite (WCM)-transmitted viruses (Wheat streak mosaic virus, High plains virus, and Triticum mosaic virus [TriMV]) is a cause of serious loss in winter wheat production in the Great Plains. TriMV was first reported in Kansas in 2006 and later found in most other Great Plains states. Currently, three populations of WCM have been identified by genetic characterization and differential responses to mite resistance genes in wheat. In this study, we examined TriMV transmission by these …

Infection In Soybeans And On Multiple Host Plants In Puerto Rico By An Isolate Of Cowpea Mild Mottle Virus., Jose C. V. Rodrigues, Difabachew B. Kondidie, C. Estevez-Jensen, E. W. Kitajima, R. M. Huckaba, John E. Foster

Department of Entomology: Faculty Publications

Seed companies in the USA grow winter soybean (Glycine max L. Merr.) nurseries in Puerto Rico to advance their breeding programs and seed increase. However, the soybean nurseries are being threatened by a viral disease that cause stunting, leaf and stem necrosis and shoot wilting that leads to death of the whole plant. In the present study transmission assays were conducted using stem grafting, mechanical inoculation, and whiteflies (WFs), Bemisia tabci (Gennadius). Cultivated and wild host plants infested by WFs were surveyed at Dow AgroSciences Research Station and nearby farms at Santa Isabel, Puerto Rico. Based on previous report …

Bootsie – Estimation Of Coefficient Of Variation Of Aflp Data By Bootstrap Analysis, Justin Payne, Erica Lindroth, K. M. Kneeland, Steven R. Skoda, Fatima Mustafa, Muhammad Irfan Ullah, John E. Foster

Department of Entomology: Faculty Publications

Bootsie is an English-native replacement for ASG Coelho's “DBOOT” utility for estimating coefficient of variation of a population of AFLP marker data using bootstrapping. Bootsie improves on DBOOT by supporting batch processing, time-to-completion estimation, builtin graphs, and a suite of export tools for creating data files for other population genetics software.

Forms Of Melanoplus Bowditchi (Orthoptera: Acrididae) Collected From Different Host Plants Are Indistinguishable Genetically And In Aedeagal Morphology, Muhammad Irfan Ullah, Fatima Mustafa, Kate Kneeland, Mathew L. Brust, W. Wyatt Hoback, Shripat T. Kamble, John E. Foster

Department of Entomology: Faculty Publications

The sagebrush grasshopper, Melanoplus bowditchi Scudder (Orthoptera: Acrididae), is a phytophilous species that is widely distributed in the western United States on sagebrush species. The geographical distribution of M. bowditchi is very similar to the range of its host plants and its feeding association varies in relation to sagebrush distribution. Melanoplus bowditchi bowditchi Scudder and M. bowditchi canus Hebard were described based on their feeding association with different sagebrush species, sand sagebrush and silver sagebrush, respectively. Recently, M. bowditchi have been observed feeding on other plant species in western Nebraska. We collected adult M. bowditchi feeding on four plant species, …

Estimating The Frequency Of Cry1f Resistance In Field Populations Of The European Corn Borer (Lepidoptera: Crambidae), Blair D. Siegfried, Murugesan Rangasamy, Haichuan Wang, Terence A. Spencer, Chirakkal V. Haridas, Brigitte Tenhumberg, Douglas V. Sumerford, Nicholas P. Storer

School of Biological Sciences: Faculty Publications

Background: Transgenic corn hybrids that express toxins from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) have suppressed European corn borer populations and reduced the pest status of this insect throughout much of the US corn belt. A major assumption of the high-dose/refuge strategy proposed for insect resistance management and Bt corn is that the frequency of resistance alleles is low so that resistant pests surviving exposure to Bt corn will be rare. Results: The frequency of resistance to the Cry1F Bt toxin was estimated using two different screening tools and compared with annual susceptibility monitoring based on diagnostic bioassays and LC_{50 …}

Nocturnal Homing In The Tropical Amblypygid Phrynus Pseudoparvulus (Class Arachnida, Order Amblypygi), Eileen Hebets, E.J. Gering, Verner P. Bingman, Daniel D. Wiegmann

Eileen Hebets Publications

Arthropods are renowned for their navigational capabilities, with numerous examples known from insects and crustaceans. Early studies of amblypygids (Class Arachnida, Order Amblypygi) also suggest complex nocturnal navigation, despite their apparent lack of visual adaptations to the low-light conditions of a tropical understory. In a series of two studies, we use the tropical amblypygid, Phrynus pseudoparvulus, to assess their nocturnal homing ability. Our first experiment displaced and tracked resident and nonresident individuals. Resident individuals, displaced up to 4.5 m from their home refuges and released onto their home tree, were more likely to return to their previously occupied refuge than …

Detection Of Predator Cues Alters Mating Tactics In Male Wolf Spiders, Dustin J. Wilgers, Daniel Wickwire, Eileen Hebets

Eileen Hebets Publications

Males of the wolf spider, Rabidosa punctulata, exhibit condition-dependent alternative mating tactics, whereby small, poor condition males engage in multimodal courtship while large, good condition males adopt a direct mount tactic that forgoes courtship. This study explores the possibility that tactic-specific costs can help explain this unintuitive pattern of mating tactic expression. Specifically, we hypothesize that courtship signaling is costly with respect to eavesdropping by predators and that males can alter their tactic expression based upon the perceived environmental predation risk. We test this by first examining the risk of predation associated with different mating tactics. We use a …

Native Insect Herbivory Limits Population Growth Rate Of A Non-Native Thistle, James O. Eckberg, Brigitte Tenhumberg, Svata M. Louda

Brigitte Tenhumberg Papers

The influence of native fauna on non-native plant population growth, size, and distribution is not well documented. Previous studies have shown that native insects associated with tall thistle (Cirsium altissimum) also feed on the leaves, stems, and flower heads of the Eurasian congener Cirsium vulgare, thus limiting individual plant performance. In this study, we tested the effects of insect herbivores on the population growth rate of C. vulgare. We experimentally initiated invasions by adding seeds at four unoccupied grassland sites in eastern Nebraska, USA, and recorded plant establishment, survival, and reproduction. Cumulative foliage and floral herbivory …

Bolivian Ectoparasites: A Survey Of The Fleas Of Ctenomys (Rodentia: Ctenomyidae), Elisa Pucu De Araujo, Scott L. Gardner, Marcela Lareschi

Papers in Parasitology

We present the results of a multiyear survey of the fleas from ctenomyid rodents across many different habitats from throughout Bolivia. New species records for Bolivia include Tiamastus palpalis and Ectinorus (Panallius) galeanus. New records of fleas from Ctenomys in Bolivia include Gephyropsylla klagesi, Sphinctopsylla inca, and Tetrapsyllus tristis.

Bolivian Ectoparasites: A Survey Of The Fleas Of Ctenomys (Rodentia: Ctenomyidae), Elisa Pucu De Araujo, Marcela Lareschi, Scott Lyell Gardner

Harold W. Manter Laboratory of Parasitology: Faculty Publications

We present the results of a multiyear survey of the fleas from ctenomyid rodents across many different habitats from throughout Bolivia. New species records for Bolivia include Tiamastus palpalis and Ectinorus (Panallius) galeanus. New records of fleas from Ctenomys in Bolivia include Gephyropsylla klagesi, Sphinctopsylla inca, and Tetrapsyllus tristis.

The Role Of Landmarks In Territory Maintenance By The Black Saddlebags Dragonfly, Tramea Lacerata, Jeffrey Lojewski

Masters Theses

Territoriality can reduce competition for resources, but territorial defense can be costly. Therefore any behavior that reduces territorial costs may increase the net benefit of territoriality. Some species will align their territory boundaries with conspicuous landmarks that may serve to reduce defense costs. Dragonflies, including black saddlebags (Tramea lacerata), defend territories at breeding sites, keeping rival males away to allow themselves access to females. We used three treatments to investigate whether T. lacerata used landmarks: constraining landmarks (an object that provided a physical barrier to flight), non-constraining landmarks (an object of the same dimensions and construction that did …

Ento 403/803: Management Of Horticultural Crop Pests—A Peer Review Of Teaching Project Benchmark Portfolio, Thomas J. Weissling

UNL Faculty Course Portfolios

ENTO 403/803, management of horticultural crop pests, is an important class for many students. It is required by undergraduate horticulture majors at UNL, but because it is offered online, it is also of interest to entomology and horticulture graduate students across the U.S. and globally. I chose this class for the peer review process because I find it challenging due to online course delivery, and the breadth of knowledge of students that are enrolled. I feel I need to take this course to a higher level where I can engage students of all backgrounds, and ensure that each of them …

Ento 401: Insect Physiology—A Peer Review Of Teaching Project Benchmark Portfolio, Nicholas Miller

UNL Faculty Course Portfolios

Insect Physiology (ENTO 401) is a required course for majors in Insect Science. This portfolio documents my efforts to improve the course as I teach it for the second time. My intention was to use the development of a portfolio as a vehicle to modify the course so that the methods I use are better aligned to my overall goals for the course. Consequently, I have produced a portfolio that is directed toward my efforts to develop a more varied approach that improves integrated understanding and scientific thinking and to better document that the development of integrated understanding and scientific …

Integrative Taxonomy Of Acrapex Stem Borers (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae: Apameini): Combining Morphology And Poisson Tree Process Analyses, Bruno P. Le Ru, Claire Capdevielle-Dulac, Emmanuel F.A. Toussaint, Desmond Conlong, Johnnie Van Den Berg, Beatrice Pallangyo, George Ong'amo, Gilson Chipabika, Richard Molo, William A. Overholt, James P. Cuda, Gael J. Kergoat

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Ten morphologically similar species of Acrapex from eastern and south-eastern Africa belonging to the A. stygiata and A. albivena groups are reviewed. Six species are described as new: A. brunneella, A. mitiwa, A. mpika, A. salmona, A. sporobola and A. yakoba. The Poaceae host plants of eight species are recorded; four species, A. mitiwa. A. subalbissima, A. syscia and A. yakoba, were found developing exclusively on Imperata cylindrica (L.) Beauv., (Andropogoneae); two species, A. sporobola and A. salmona, on I. cylindrica and Sporobolus macranthelus Chiov. (Zoysieae); and A. albivena on I. cylindrica, Miscanthus capensis (Nees) Andersson (Andropogoneae) and Cymbopogon sp. …