Entomology Commons^™

Phytoplasma Infection Of A Tropical Root Crop Triggers Bottom-Up Cascades By Favoring Generalist Over Specialist Herbivores, Kris A. G. Wyckhuys, Ignazio Graziosi, Dharani Dhar Burra, Abigail Jan Walter

Entomology Faculty Publications

Global interest on plant-microbe-insect interactions is rapidly growing, revealing the multiple ways in which microorganisms mediate plant-herbivore interactions. Phytopathogens regularly alter whole repertoires of plant phenotypic traits, and bring about shifts in key chemical or morphological characteristics of plant hosts. Pathogens can also cause cascading effects on higher trophic levels, and eventually shape entire plant-associated arthropod communities. We tested the hypothesis that a Candidatus Phytoplasma causing cassava witches’ broom (CWB) on cassava (Manihot esculenta Grantz) is altering species composition of invasive herbivores and their associated parasitic hymenopterans. We conducted observational studies in cassava fields in eastern Cambodia to assess …

Description Of A New Genus Of Primitive Ants From Canadian Amber, With The Study Of Relationships Between Stem- And Crown-Group Ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), Leonid H. Borysenko

Insecta Mundi

A detailed study of the holotype of Sphecomyrma canadensis Wilson, 1985 (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) from Canadian amber has led to the conclusion that the specimen belongs to a new genus, here named Boltonimecia gen.n. Since the taxonomy of stem-group ants is not well understood, in order to find the taxonomic position of this genus, it is necessary to review the classification of stem-group ants in a study of their relation to crown-group ants. In the absence of data for traditional taxonomic approaches, a statistical study was done based on a morphometric analysis of antennae. Scape elongation is believed to play an …

Review Of Carelli, A., And M.L. Monné, 2015. Taxonomic Revision Of Phygopoda Thomson, 1864 And Pseudophygopoda Tavakilian & Peñaherrera-Leiva, 2007 (Insecta: Coleoptera: Cerambycidae: Cerambycinae), Robin O. S. Clarke

Insecta Mundi

The taxonomic history of the rhinotragine genera Phygopoda Thomson, 1864 and Pseudophygopoda Tavakilian and Peñaherrera-Leiva, 2007 (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae: Cerambycinae) are discussed, and evidence is presented to suggest that some recent taxonomic changes made by Carelli and Monné (2015) were unjustified. Consequently, Phygopoda nigritarsis Gounelle, 1911 is moved to the genus Neophygopoda Melzer, 1933, creating the new combination Neophygopoda nigritarsis, the genera Panamapoda Clarke, 2014 and Paraphygopoda Clarke, 2014 are revalidated, and the species Paraphygopoda viridimicans (Fisher, 1952) and Paraphygopoda nappae Clarke, 2014 are also revalidated.

Development Of Rnai Method For Screening Candidate Genes To Control Emerald Ash Borer, Agrilus Planipennis, Thais B. Rodrigues, Lynne K. Rieske, Jian J. Duan, Kanakachari Mogilicherla, Subba Reddy Palli

Entomology Faculty Publications

The ingestion of double-strand RNAs (dsRNA) targeting essential genes in an insect could cause mortality. Based on this principle, a new generation of insect control methods using RNA interference (RNAi) are being developed. In this work, we developed a bioassay for oral delivery of dsRNA to an invasive forest and urban tree pest, the emerald ash borer (EAB, Agrilus planipennis). EAB feeds and develops beneath the bark, killing trees rapidly. This behavior, coupled with the lack of a reliable artificial diet for rearing larvae and adults, make them difficult to study. We found that dsRNA is transported and processed …

The Interommatidial Bristle Variability Of Diptera, Kimberly Palmer

Honors College Theses

Insects of the order Diptera are a popular biological model for understanding morphological trait evolution. One area of particular interest is the development of the compound eyes. While the development of ommatidia and photoreceptors has been thoroughly studied in this case, little attention has been paid to the interommatidial bristles (IOBs) present on the eyes of some dipteran families. A preliminary survey suggested that these bristles exhibit high variability among IOB families on multiple taxonomic levels and are not uniformly present or absent in any suborder of the Diptera. To confirm this observation, I conducted a literature search to …

Natural Enemies Partially Compensate For Warming Induced Excess Herbivory In An Organic Growth System, Orsolya Beleznai, Jamin Dreyer, Zoltán Tóth, Ferenc Samu

Entomology Faculty Publications

Predators can limit prey abundance and/or levels of activity. The magnitudes of these effects are contingent on predator and prey traits that may change with environmental conditions. Aberrant thermal regimes could disrupt pest suppression through asymmetric effects, e.g. heat-sensitive predator vs. heat-tolerant prey. To explore potential effects of warming on suppressing pests and controlling herbivory in a vegetable crop, we performed laboratory experiments exposing an important pest species to two spider predator species at different temperatures. Heat tolerance was characterised by the critical thermal maxima parameter (CTM50) of the cucumber beetle (Diabrotica undecimpunctata), wolf spider (Tigrosa helluo …

Ecological And Organic Life Safety Concerns Of Hfo-1234yf, Alberni V. Ruiz

STAR Program Research Presentations

While at NOAA my research was directed by the inquiry of whether or not HFO-1234yf, a new compound being introduced into coolant system and replacing greenhouse gases HFC, is harmful to organic life. Using the computer program Matlab I was able to develop figures that represented the concentration of HFO-1234yf (HFO) in 12 different tower locations throughout the country. Comparing and contrasting concentrations of this HFO compound at each site led me to the question the possible harmful side effects this compound could bring to organic life due to the fact that concentration levels are increasing, with one factor being …

Hexapod Herald - Vol. 29, No. 4, August 2017

Hexapod Herald and Other Entomology Department Newsletters

Contents: Welcome - Congratulations Graduates - Publications - Faculty News - North Central Branch Meeting News - Student News - Meet an Online Student - Grants - Bee Fun Day 2017 - Busy as a Bee, er, BugMaster

Two Pests Overlap: Drosophila Suzukii (Diptera: Drosophilidae) Use Of Fruit Exposed To Halyomorpha Halys (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), Megan Woltz, Nik G. Wiman, Jana C. Lee

Faculty Scholarship

Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura) (Diptera: Drosophilidae) and brown marmorated stink bug, Halyomorpha halys (Stål) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), are global economic pests that may co-occur on small fruits. We investigated whether fruit recently exposed to H. halys affected subsequent host use by D. suzukii. Laboratory no-choice and choice tests presented D. suzukii with H. halys-fed and unfed raspberries and blueberries immediately or 3 d after H. halys feeding. Resulting D. suzukii eggs, or larvae and pupae, were counted. The number of D. suzukii immatures among fed and unfed fruit was not significantly different in lab studies. There was no relationship between …

Nebline, August 2017

NEBLINE Newsletter Archive from Nebraska Extension in Lancaster County

Feature: Back-to-School Nutrition

Food & Health

Farm & Acreage

Pests & Wildlife

Horticulture

Early Childhood

4-H & Youth

and other extension news and events

Special pullout section: Lancaster County Super Fair 2017 Schedule & Map

Conservation Biological Control Of Western Bean Cutworm: Molecular Gut Content Analysis Of Arthropod Predators, Feeding Trials For Key Predators And Agricultural Surveys For Integrated Pest Management, Westen Ray Archibald

Department of Entomology: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Western bean cutworm (WBC), Striacosta albicosta, is a major pest of corn in western Nebraska. In 1999, its range expanded into much of North America causing damage from Nebraska to Canada and Mexico. WBC periodically causes kernel damage as severe as 15 bu/ac for one larva/plant. Control for WBC relies on Bt corn hybrids with Vip3A and Cry1F traits and insecticides. There has been a 5.2-fold decrease in efficacy of Cry1F for WBC. Concerns over management tactics may be creating space for conservation biological control to become part of a WBC integrated pest management (IPM) program. Objective 1, used …

Evaluation Of Host Plant Resistance Against Sunflower Moth, Homoeosoma Electellum(Hulst), In Cultivated Sunflower In Western Nebraska, Dawn M. Sikora

Department of Entomology: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Sunflower moth, Homoeosoma electellum, is a serious pest of oilseed and confection sunflowers. In this study, we determine efficacy of resistance against this pest. Thirty commercial hybrids, inbreds, and varieties of sunflowers were tested in replicated field and laboratory studies. Trait efficacy is determined by pericarp strength by means of physical compression tests and damage to achenes. Initial sunflower entries were planted May 2014 and data collection began in early August 2014. A second season was planted June 2015, with sampling beginning late August the same year.

In 2014, oilseed varieties showed a strength average of 2.71 ± 0.11 N …

Life-Shortening Wolbachia Infection Reduces Population Growth Of Aedes Aegypti, Eunho Suh, David R. Mercer, Stephen L. Dobson

Entomology Faculty Publications

Wolbachia bacteria are being introduced into natural populations of vector mosquitoes, with the goal of reducing the transmission of human diseases such as Zika and dengue fever. The successful establishment of Wolbachia infection is largely dependent on the effects of Wolbachia infection to host fitness, but the effects of Wolbachia infection on the individual life-history traits of immature mosquitoes can vary. Here, the effects of life-shortening Wolbachia (wMelPop) on population growth of infected individuals were evaluated by measuring larval survival, developmental time and adult size of Aedes aegypti in intra- (infected or uninfected only) and inter-group (mixed with …

Analysis Of Cereal Aphid Feeding Behavior And Transcriptional Responses Underlying Switchgrass–Aphid Interactions, Kyle G. Koch

Department of Entomology: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Switchgrass, Panicum virgatum L., is a perennial warm-season grass that is a model species for the development of bioenergy crops. However, the sustainability of switchgrass as a bioenergy feedstock will require efforts directed at improved biomass yield under a variety of stress factors. The objectives of this research were to: (1) elucidate greenbug and yellow sugarcane aphid feeding behavior on resistant and susceptible switchgrasses using electronic penetration graphs (EPG), (2) define transcriptional changes before and during insect feeding through RNA-seq to identify candidate resistance genes in a hybrid switchgrass cultivar, and (3) utilize methods in RNA sequencing of insects to …

Endemic Grasshopper Species Distribution In An Agro-Natural Landscape Of The Cape Floristic Region, South Africa, Samuel Adu-Acheampong, Michael J. Samways, Tobias Landmann, Rosina Kyerematen, Richard Minkah, Mukundi Mukundamago, Claude M. Moshobane

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Conservation biologists and ecologists often make use of models to identify important biotic and abiotic factors that constrain species distributions for conservation decisions to be taken. In line with such practices, we developed species distribution models for four localized, Cape Floristic Region (CFR) endemic, flightless, congeneric Euloryma grasshopper species. We chose this group as use of these models has been little explored for narrow range endemics with specific traits. Euloryma larsenorum and E. lapollai are associated with fynbos only, while E. umoja and E. ottei are both associated with fynbos and vineyards. We used the Maximum Entropy algorithm, which showed …

Vibrational Signals Of African Stingless Bees, K. Krausa, F. A. Hager, N. Kiatoko, W. H. Kirchner

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Many bee species produce thoracic vibrations in various contexts. Among the social stingless bees (Meliponini) pulsed thoracic vibrations are used to communicate with nestmates. To date all studies on stingless bee vibrational communication have been conducted in the Neotropics. We, therefore, focused on six African stingless bee species of five genera: Meliponula, Hypotrigona, Liotrigona, Dactylurina, Plebeina. We analysed the signals’ temporal patterns. Vibrational signals appear to play a role in the recruitment of stingless bees. The degree of signal variation in the studied species was much lower than the variation in the signals of Neotropical stingless bees. Furthermore, the inter-signal …

Assessment Of Risk Of Dengue And Yellow Fever Virus Transmission In Three Major Kenyan Cities Based On Stegomyia Indices, Sheila B. Agha, David P. Tchouassi, Armanda D.S. Bastos, Rosemary Sang

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Dengue (DEN) and yellow fever (YF) are re-emerging in East Africa, with contributing drivers to this trend being unplanned urbanization and increasingly adaptable anthropophilic Aedes (Stegomyia) vectors. Entomological risk assessment of these diseases remains scarce for much of East Africa and Kenya even in the dengue fever-prone urban coastal areas. Focusing on major cities of Kenya, we compared DEN and YF risk in Kilifi County (DEN-outbreak-prone), and Kisumu and Nairobi Counties (no documented DEN outbreaks). We surveyed water-holding containers for mosquito immature (larvae/pupae) indoors and outdoors from selected houses during the long rains, short rains and dry seasons (100 houses/season) …

Vector Competence Of Populations Of Aedes Aegypti From Three Distinct Cities In Kenya For Chikungunya Virus, Sheila B. Agha, Edith Chepkorir, Francis Mulwa, Caroline Tigoi, Samwel Arum, Milehna M. Guarido, Peris Ambala, Betty Chelangat, Joel Lutomiah, David P. Tchouassi, Michael J. Turell, Rosemary Sang

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Background: In April, 2004, chikungunya virus (CHIKV) re-emerged in Kenya and eventually spread to the islands in the Indian Ocean basin, South-East Asia, and the Americas. The virus, which is often associated with high levels of viremia in humans, is mostly transmitted by the urban vector, Aedes aegypti. The expansion of CHIKV presents a public health challenge both locally and internationally. In this study, we investigated the ability of Ae. aegypti mosquitoes from three distinct cities in Kenya; Mombasa (outbreak prone), Kisumu, and Nairobi (no documented outbreak) to transmit CHIKV. Methodology/Principal findings: Aedes aegypti mosquito populations were exposed to different …

Effect Of Insecticide-Treated Bed Nets On House-Entry By Malaria Mosquitoes: The Flight Response Recorded In A Semi-Field Study In Kenya, Jeroen Spitzen, Teun Koelewijn, W. Richard Mukabana, Willem Takken

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Insecticide-treated nets are currently a major tool to reduce malaria transmission. Their level of repellency affects contact of the mosquito with the net, but may also influence the mosquito's entry into the house. The response of host-seeking malaria mosquitoes approaching the eave of an experimental house was recorded within a large screen house. We compared entry- and exit rates in relation to the presence in the house of different insecticide-treated bed nets (ITNs) with an untreated net. Mosquitoes were lured towards the house by dispensing a synthetic host-odour blend from within the net in the house. Complementary WHO bioassays revealed …

Bee Communities On Managed Emergent Wetlands In The Lower Mississippi Alluvial Valley Of Arkansas, Phillip Lee Stephenson

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Native bee communities that use emergent wetlands are among the least studied systems in bee research. Most native bee species are thought to be in decline based on the loss of usable habitat across the United States. I surveyed emergent wetlands in the lower Mississippi Alluvial Valley of Arkansas during the summers of 2015 and 2016 using pan traps, blue-vane traps, and sweep nets to determine the current status of bee communities in this system. I surveyed 11 sites in 2015 and 17 sites in 2016 and found that bee communities were similar in actively versus passively managed emergent wetlands. …

Onciderini Thomson, 1860 (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae: Lamiinae) Types Of The Museum Of Comparative Zoology (Mcz), With A Brief History Of The Coleoptera Collection, Eugenio H. Nearns, Gareth S. Powell

Insecta Mundi

The primary types of Onciderini Thomson, 1860 (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae: Lamiinae) of the Museum of Comparative Zoology (MCZ), Harvard University, are catalogued and illustrated. Data on the original combination, current name, gender, and type locality are verified and presented. There are 19 primary types of Onciderini including seven in Oncideres Lacordaire, 1830; two in Hesychotypa Thomson, 1868; and two in Hypsioma Audinet- Serville, 1835. Of the 19 primary types, 18 were described by L. S. Dillon and E. S. Dillon. A brief history of the Coleoptera collection at the MCZ is also presented.

New Anthophilous Host Associations For Adult Acmaeodera Eschscholtz, 1829 (Coleoptera: Buprestidae) Species From The Western United States And Texas, Richard L. Westcott, Delbert A. La Rue

Insecta Mundi

New anthophilous host associations are presented for adults of 42 species and two subspecies in the buprestid genus Acmaeodera Eschscholtz, 1829 (Coleoptera: Buprestidae), mostly from Arizona and Nevada. Acmaeodera reflexa Barr is reported for the fi rst time from Arizona.

Una Nueva Especie Del Género Eugnosta Hübner, De Chile (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), Danilo E. Cepeda

Insecta Mundi

Una nueva especie del género Eugnosta Hübner, E. lankinae n.sp. (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), es descrita para la Provincia de Elqui, Chile. Se entregan los caracteres morfológicos del adulto y las fi guras de la genitalia masculina. Además se discute su posición sistemática con dos especies congéneres Neotropicales.

A new species of the genus Eugnosta Hübner, E. lankinae n.sp. (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), is described from the Elqui Province in Chile. Male adult morphology, including genitalia, are fi gured. The systematic position in relation to two closely related Neotropical species is discussed.

A New Species Of Dipropus Germar (Coleoptera: Elateridae) From Florida, With Taxonomic And Morphological Notes And A New Key To The Species Of The Eastern United States, Blaine Mathison, Paul J. Johnson

Insecta Mundi

Dipropus tequesta Johnson new species (Coleoptera: Elateridae) is described from southern Florida. Dipropus fuscus (LeConte) is a new synonym of D. soleatus (Say), and D. granosus (Fall) is a new synonym of D. asper (LeConte). The flightless female of D. asper is described and provides the first report of brachyptery and endogean habits in Dipropus. A key to the species of the eastern United States and a new checklist of species for the country are provided.

The Mayfly Newsletter, Donna J. Giberson

The Mayfly Newsletter

The Mayfly Newsletter is the official newsletter of the Permanent Committee of the International Conferences on Ephemeroptera.

The Compleat Naturalist: A Life Of Linnaeus. Wilfrid Blunt. New York: The Viking Press, 1971. 256 Pp. $14.95., Ronald S. Wilkinson

The Great Lakes Entomologist

Excerpt: Not all historians agree thoroughly with Julius von Sachs' suggestion in the Geschichte der Botanik (1875) that the work of Carl von Linnd marked the conclusion of an old epoch rather than the beginning of a new one, but it is true that most of Linnaeus' contributions were elaborations of the views of his predecessors. Except to historians of science, his sexual system of the classification of plants is all but forgotten. Yet as the grand nomenclator of the eighteenth century, and the regulator and popularizer (if not the innovator) of binomial nomenclature in biology, his place is secure …

Notes On The Food Of Cychrini (Coleoptera: Carabidae), Andre Larochelle

The Great Lakes Entomologist

In this paper, the food of nineteen species of Cychrini is given, for three genera: Cychrus, Scaphinotus and Sphaeroderus. The beetles of this tribe seem to be nearly exclusively carnivorous, feeding principally on snails and slugs, exceptionally on insects and vegetable matter. The head is narrow and prolonged; the mandibles are elongate and prominent, with two acute median teeth in outer half, apparently well adapted for entering the opening of a snail shell. The beetles may be useful in keeping down harmful molluscs.

The purpose of this study was to compile a list of data on the food …

New Records Of Odonata From Wisconsin, William L. Hilsenhoff

The Great Lakes Entomologist

Excerpt: In 1967 Mary Davis Ries published a list of 117 species of Odonata known to occur in Wisconsin, and later (1969) reported details of the distribution of species new to the state list. Collections from the Pine-Popple River in northeastern Wisconsin (Hilsenhoff 1972) added four more species to the list. Five additional Wisconsin records are reported below as the result of occasional collections made throughout the state.

Life History And Outbreaks Of An Oak Leafroller, Archips Semiferanus (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), In Michigan, Louis F. Wilson

The Great Lakes Entomologist

In the late 1960's an outbreak of yellow-green tortricid larvae occurred over hundreds of thousands of acres of red oaks in northeastern Lower Michigan. At first the insect was thought to be the fruit tree leafroller, Archips argyrospilus (Walker); adult specimens, however, were identified by Freeman as A. serniferanus Walker. On forest lands oak or pine was the preferred cover type. In urban areas, the problem was acute where red oaks were the predominant shade tree.

In 1969 and 1970 I observed this insect to learn about its life history, habits, and distribution. Besides regular field collections, some cage studies …

The Singing Insects Of Michigan, Richard D. Alexander, Ann E. Pace, Daniel Otte

The Great Lakes Entomologist

Excerpt: The so-called "singing" insects are all those that make loud, rhythmical noises. They include members of three groups of Orthoptera (Gryllidae, Tettigoniidae, and Acridoidea) and one family of Homoptera (Cicadidae). There are about 300 noisy species in these four groups in eastern North America, perhaps a thousand in all of North America, and 25-30 thousand in the entire world. Only about 1000 of the world species have been studied in any detail, mostly in North America, Europe, Japan, and Australia.