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Entomology Commons™

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2014

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Articles 211 - 225 of 225

Full-Text Articles in Entomology

Volatile Phytochemicals As Mosquito Semiochemicals, Vincent O. Nyasembe, Baldwyn Torto Jan 2014

Volatile Phytochemicals As Mosquito Semiochemicals, Vincent O. Nyasembe, Baldwyn Torto

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Plant biochemical processes result in the release of an array of volatile chemical substances into the environment, some of which are known to play important plant fitness enhancing functions, such as attracting pollinators, thermal tolerance of photosynthesis, and defense against herbivores. Cunningly, phytophagous insects have evolved mechanisms to utilize these volatiles to their own advantage, either to colonize a suitable host for feeding, reproduction and oviposition or avoid an unsuitable one. The volatile compounds involved in plant-insect chemical interactions have been widely exploited in the management of agricultural pests. On the other hand, use of plant volatiles in the management …

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Aquaporins Are Critical For Provision Of Water During Lactation And Intrauterine Progeny Hydration To Maintain Tsetse Fly Reproductive Success, Joshua B. Benoit, Immo A. Hansen, Geoffrey M. Attardo, Veronika Michalková, Paul O. Mireji, Joel L. Bargul, Lisa L. Drake, Daniel K. Masiga, Serap Aksoy Jan 2014

Aquaporins Are Critical For Provision Of Water During Lactation And Intrauterine Progeny Hydration To Maintain Tsetse Fly Reproductive Success, Joshua B. Benoit, Immo A. Hansen, Geoffrey M. Attardo, Veronika Michalková, Paul O. Mireji, Joel L. Bargul, Lisa L. Drake, Daniel K. Masiga, Serap Aksoy

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Tsetse flies undergo drastic fluctuations in their water content throughout their adult life history due to events such as blood feeding, dehydration and lactation, an essential feature of the viviparous reproductive biology of tsetse. Aquaporins (AQPs) are transmembrane proteins that allow water and other solutes to permeate through cellular membranes. Here we identify tsetse aquaporin (AQP) genes, examine their expression patterns under different physiological conditions (blood feeding, lactation and stress response) and perform functional analysis of three specific genes utilizing RNA interference (RNAi) gene silencing. Ten putative aquaporins were identified in the Glossina morsitans morsitans (Gmm) genome, two more than …

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Laboratory Colonisation And Genetic Bottlenecks In The Tsetse Fly Glossina Pallidipes, Marc Ciosi, Daniel K. Masiga, Charles M.R. Turner Jan 2014

Laboratory Colonisation And Genetic Bottlenecks In The Tsetse Fly Glossina Pallidipes, Marc Ciosi, Daniel K. Masiga, Charles M.R. Turner

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Background:The IAEA colony is the only one available for mass rearing of Glossina pallidipes, a vector of human and animal African trypanosomiasis in eastern Africa. This colony is the source for Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) programs in East Africa. The source population of this colony is unclear and its genetic diversity has not previously been evaluated and compared to field populations.Methodology/Principal Findings:We examined the genetic variation within and between the IAEA colony and its potential source populations in north Zimbabwe and the Kenya/Uganda border at 9 microsatellites loci to retrace the demographic history of the IAEA colony. We performed classical …

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Whole Genome Phylogenetic Investigation Of A West Nile Virus Strain Isolated From A Tick Sampled From Livestock In North Eastern Kenya, Olivia Wesula Lwande, Marietjie Venter, Joel Lutomiah, George Michuki, Cecilia Rumberia, Francis Gakuya, Vincent Obanda, Caroline Tigoi, Collins Odhiambo, Fredrick Nindo, Samwel Symekher, Rosemary Sang Jan 2014

Whole Genome Phylogenetic Investigation Of A West Nile Virus Strain Isolated From A Tick Sampled From Livestock In North Eastern Kenya, Olivia Wesula Lwande, Marietjie Venter, Joel Lutomiah, George Michuki, Cecilia Rumberia, Francis Gakuya, Vincent Obanda, Caroline Tigoi, Collins Odhiambo, Fredrick Nindo, Samwel Symekher, Rosemary Sang

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Background: West Nile virus (WNV) has a wide geographical distribution and has been associated to cause neurological disease in humans and horses. Mosquitoes are the traditional vectors for WNV; however, the virus has also been isolated from tick species in North Africa and Europe which could be a means of introduction and spread of the virus over long distances through migratory birds. Although WNV has been isolated in mosquitoes in Kenya, paucity of genetic and pathogenicity data exists. We previously reported the isolation of WNV from ticks collected from livestock and wildlife in Ijara District of Kenya, a hotspot for …

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Storage Of Mung Bean (Vigna Radiata [L.] Wilczek) And Pigeonpea Grains (Cajanus Cajan [L.] Millsp) In Hermetic Triple-Layer Bags Stops Losses Caused By Callosobruchus Maculatus (F.) (Coleoptera: Bruchidae), C. M. Mutungi, H. Affognon, A. W. Njoroge, D. Baributsa, L. L. Murdock Jan 2014

Storage Of Mung Bean (Vigna Radiata [L.] Wilczek) And Pigeonpea Grains (Cajanus Cajan [L.] Millsp) In Hermetic Triple-Layer Bags Stops Losses Caused By Callosobruchus Maculatus (F.) (Coleoptera: Bruchidae), C. M. Mutungi, H. Affognon, A. W. Njoroge, D. Baributsa, L. L. Murdock

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Dry mung bean and pigeonpea grains that had sustained some insect damage but fumigated before the start of the experiment were stored in triple-layer hermetic bags (Purdue Improved Crop Storage (PICS™ bags) or woven polypropylene (PP) bags for 6 months. Some of the bags were artificially infested with cowpea bruchid Callosobruchus maculatus (F.) (PICS1, PP1) while others were not (PICS0, PP0). In an additional trial, PP bags containing the grains were treated with Actellic Super® dust before being artificially infested (PP1Ac). Moisture content, live adult C.maculatus count, grain damage, weight loss, and seed germination were determined on a monthly basis. …

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Triple Bag Hermetic Storage Delivers A Lethal Punch To Prostephanus Truncatus (Horn) (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae) In Stored Maize, A. W. Njoroge, H. D. Affognon, C. M. Mutungi, J. Manono, P. O. Lamuka, L. L. Murdock Jan 2014

Triple Bag Hermetic Storage Delivers A Lethal Punch To Prostephanus Truncatus (Horn) (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae) In Stored Maize, A. W. Njoroge, H. D. Affognon, C. M. Mutungi, J. Manono, P. O. Lamuka, L. L. Murdock

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Clean shelled maize was stored in woven polypropylene (PP) or triple layer polyethylene (PICS™) bags in the presence of Prostephanus truncatus Horn (PP1; PICS1) or absence of it (PP0; PICS0) at ambient conditions for six months. Moisture content, live insect population, grain damage, weight loss, and germination were analyzed on a monthly basis. Temperature and relative humidity in both PICS- and PP-bag setups were monitored, as well as the oxygen and carbon dioxide levels in the PICS bags. Overall, maize stored in PICS bags had significantly lower (P<0.05) moisture content than maize stored in PP bags. Storage in PICS bag slowed growth of P.truncatus populations and blocked infestation from the surrounding storage environment. On the contrary, PP bags permitted profuse build-up of insect population and cross-infestation. At six months, grain damage was 0.0%, 3.4%, 50.5% and 73.9%, corresponding to weight loss of 0.0%, 2.0%, 36.3%, and 47.7% in PICS0, PICS1, PP0 and PP1, respectively. Germination of maize stored in PP bags dropped from 91.1% to 37.0% and 12.7% in PP0 and PP1, respectively, whereas germination of maize stored in PICS bags dropped only marginally and reached 78.1% and 71.0% in PICS0 and PICS1, respectively, in six months. Without extreme loss of grain viability, a huge decrease in insect infestation, grain damage and weight loss is achieved by storing maize in PICS bag even under P.truncatus endemic conditions. © 2014 Elsevier Ltd.

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Chemosensory Receptors In Tsetse Flies Provide Link Between Chemical And Behavioural Ecology, Daniel Masiga, George Obiero, Rosaline Macharia, Paul Mireji, Alan Christoffels Jan 2014

Chemosensory Receptors In Tsetse Flies Provide Link Between Chemical And Behavioural Ecology, Daniel Masiga, George Obiero, Rosaline Macharia, Paul Mireji, Alan Christoffels

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Tsetse flies survive in a variety of environments across tropical Africa, often rising to large numbers, despite their low birth rate of one offspring every seven to nine days. They use olfactory receptors to process chemical signals in their environments to find food, escape from predators, and locate suitable larviposition sites. We discuss the identification of odorant and gustatory receptors in Glossina morsitans morsitans and the role genomics could play in management of nuisance insects. © 2014 Elsevier Ltd.

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Resistance To Iris Yellow Spot Virus And Onion Thrips Among Onion Varieties Grown In Kenya, R. K. Birithia, S. Subramanian, J. W. Muthomi, R. D. Narla Jan 2014

Resistance To Iris Yellow Spot Virus And Onion Thrips Among Onion Varieties Grown In Kenya, R. K. Birithia, S. Subramanian, J. W. Muthomi, R. D. Narla

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Iris yellow spot virus (IYSV) vectored by Thrips tabaci threatens profitable onion production in eastern Africa. Host plant resistance is considered to be the first line of defence against insect-transmitted virus diseases. Hence, information on resistance to IYSV and T. tabaci among common onion cultivars in Kenya is crucial for the development of integrated pest management strategies. This study evaluated the resistance to thrips and IYSV among widely grown onion cultivars in Kenya, viz. Red Pinoy, Red Creole, Bombay Red, Green Bunching and Texas Grano, over two growing seasons. Straw-coloured, diamond-shaped necrotic lesions typical of IYSV infection were observed 2 …

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An Insight Into The Microbiome Of The Amblyomma Maculatum(Acari: Ixodidae), Khemraj Budachetri, Rebecca E. Browning, Steven W. Adamson, Scot E. Dowd, Chien-Chung Chao, Wei-Mei Ching, Shahid Karim Jan 2014

An Insight Into The Microbiome Of The Amblyomma Maculatum(Acari: Ixodidae), Khemraj Budachetri, Rebecca E. Browning, Steven W. Adamson, Scot E. Dowd, Chien-Chung Chao, Wei-Mei Ching, Shahid Karim

Faculty Publications

The aim of this study was to survey the bacterial diversity of Amblyomma maculatum Koch, 1844, and characterize its infection with Rickettsia parkeri. Pyrosequencing of the bacterial 16S rRNA was used to determine the total bacterial population in A. maculatum. Pyrosequencing analysis identified Rickettsia in A. maculatum midguts, salivary glands, and saliva, which indicates successful trafficking in the arthropod vector. The identity of Rickettsia spp. was determined based on sequencing the rickettsial outer membrane protein A (rompA) gene. The sequence homology search revealed the presence of R. parkeri, Rickettsia amblyommii, and Rickettsia endosymbiont of …

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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 Jan 2014

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 …

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A Revision And Phylogenetic Analysis Of The Genus Eutyphlus Leconte (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Pselaphinae) With A Comparison Of Sampling Methodologies, Brittany Elin Owens Jan 2014

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 …

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Effects Of Induced Plant Resistance And Potassium Fertilization Rates On Soybean Looper (Chrysodeixis Includens) Development In Soybean, Xuan Chen Jan 2014

Effects Of Induced Plant Resistance And Potassium Fertilization Rates On Soybean Looper (Chrysodeixis Includens) Development In Soybean, Xuan Chen

LSU Master's Theses

Soybean looper, Chrysodeixis includens (Walker), is one of the most destructive pests of soybean in the southern U.S. It is highly resistant to most insecticides. Induced host plant resistance and cultural control are sought as alternative control tactics. In this study, effects of induced resistance by exogenous application of elicitors were estimated on soybean looper development in soybean. Three different known elicitors of SAR (systemic acquired resistance), Actigard 50WG (acibenzolar-S-methyl), Regalia (extract of Reynoutria sachalinensis) and methyl jasmonate (MeJA), were applied to soybean plants at R2 and R5 stages to determine if these chemicals could induce plant resistance and lower …

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Research In Biological Control Of The Formosan Subterranean Termite, Cai Wang Jan 2014

Research In Biological Control Of The Formosan Subterranean Termite, Cai Wang

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

The Formosan subterranean termite, Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki, is a worldwide distributed pest of wooden structures and living plants that causes huge economic losses. Compared to chemical pesticides, biological control may provide a more environmentally friendly and persistent method for the control of C. formosanus. In this research, a series of studies were conducted to understand the termite-pathogen interaction and to develop a feasible biological control strategy. In the first part of the research, the toxicity of Bt toxins expressed by genetically modified maize to termites was tested. Plant tissues or extracts of three commercially planted Bt maize and two non-Bt …

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Evaluation Of Economic Injury Levels And Chemical Control Recommendations For Rice Stink Bug (Oebalus Pugnax) In Louisiana, Bryce Blackman Jan 2014

Evaluation Of Economic Injury Levels And Chemical Control Recommendations For Rice Stink Bug (Oebalus Pugnax) In Louisiana, Bryce Blackman

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Experiments were carried out from 2010 to 2013 to investigate multiple aspects of rice stink bug (RSB) integrated pest management (IPM): insecticide recommendations, sampling efficiency, treatment thresholds, farmer practices, and improved educational tools. The first objective of this research was to compare the efficacies of currently used insecticides with that of a new product from the neonicotinoid class of insecticides. Experiments were carried out in the laboratory, small field plots, and commercial fields across Louisiana. Results from efficacy trials showed that the neonicotinoid was comparable to pyrethroid products used most by rice producers in Louisiana. Conversely, in separate experiments the …

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Evaluation Of Pyramided Bt Corn For Management Of Corn Earworm And Fall Armyworm (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), Fei Yang Jan 2014

Evaluation Of Pyramided Bt Corn For Management Of Corn Earworm And Fall Armyworm (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), Fei Yang

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

The fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda, and corn earworm (CEW), Helicoverpa zea, are two target pests of pyramided Bt corn in the U.S. This study determined the susceptibility of the two pests to pyramided Bt corn and evaluated if a 95:5% seed mixture of Bt and non-Bt corn was an appropriate approach for providing refuge populations of CEW for resistance management. Firstly, susceptibility of 150 F2 two-parent families to three common pyramided Bt corn traits was examined using 7-day leaf tissue bioassays and whole plant tests. A few families survived the 7-day leaf tissue bioassays but progeny of the survivors …

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