Entomology Commons^™

Spatiotemporal Variability In Allee Effects Of Invading Gypsy Moth Populations, Jonathan A. Walter, Kristine L. Grayson, Laura M. Blackburn, Patrick C. Tobin, Derek M. Johnson

Biology Faculty Publications

The Allee threshold, the critical population density separating growth from decline in populations experiencing strong Allee effects, can vary over space and time but few empirical studies have examined this variation. A lack of geographically extensive, long-term studies on low density population dynamics makes studying variability in Allee effects difficult. We used North American gypsy moth population data from 1996-2016 to quantify Allee thresholds in 11 regions of the invasion front. Allee thresholds spanned a continuum from being undetectable due to strong population growth at all densities, to being unmeasurable because populations declined across all densities. The lag-1 temporal autocorrelation …

Bug Basics: A Quizlet Style Educational Trivia Game, Glynnys D. Pentecoste

Department of Entomology: Distance Master of Science Projects

The goal of this project is to create and develop an augmented reality (AR) game that stimulates an interest in entomology and related ecological concepts. This project seeks to leverage AR technology to combine real-world overlays with virtual, computer-generated enhancements to foster or bolster an interest in insects and their natural habitat(s). Using scavenger hunt and geocaching strategies as the underlying conceptual paradigm, students will navigate a series of challenges to virtually collect a predetermined number of insect-related items or tokens. Using a trivia- or quizlet-style interface, knowledge of fundamental entomological concepts will be emphasized throughout. Successful navigation and completion …

Plant Community Composition And Functional Characteristics Define Invasion And Infestation Of Termites In Cocoa Agroforestry Systems, T. C.L. Djuideu, D. H.B. Bisseleua, S. Kekeunou, M. J. Meupia, F. G. Difouo, C. F. Ambele

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

The effects of farm management on non-native species and the structure and function of native communities and ecosystems on crop yield is poorly documented especially in the cocoa agroforestry systems of West Africa. We assessed termite damages, cocoa plantations structural characteristic and local farmer knowledge to refine the critical role of shade trees management on subterranean crops pests and the consequences on marketable yield in five cocoa agroforestry systems. Farmers recognized termites as the most damaging subterranean pests and clearly described the type of damages they cause on cocoa trees and seedlings. Complete shade removal or very heavy shade on …

Modelling And Manipulation Of Aphid-Mediated Spread Of Non-Persistently Transmitted Viruses, John P. Carr, Trisna Tungadi, Ruairí Donnelly, Ana Bravo-Cazar, Sun Ju Rhee, Lewis G. Watt, J. Musembi Mutuku, Francis O. Wamonje, Alex M. Murphy, Warren Arinaitwe, Adrienne E. Pate, Nik J. Cunniffe, Christopher A. Gilligan

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Aphids vector many plant viruses in a non-persistent manner i.e., virus particles bind loosely to the insect mouthparts (stylet). This means that acquisition of virus particles from infected plants, and inoculation of uninfected plants by viruliferous aphids, are rapid processes that require only brief probes of the plant's epidermal cells. Virus infection alters plant biochemistry, which causes changes in emission of volatile organic compounds and altered accumulation of nutrients and defence compounds in host tissues. These virus-induced biochemical changes can influence the migration, settling and feeding behaviours of aphids. Working mainly with cucumber mosaic virus and several potyviruses, a number …

Different Plant Viruses Induce Changes In Feeding Behavior Of Specialist And Generalist Aphids On Common Bean That Are Likely To Enhance Virus Transmission, Francis O. Wamonje, Ruairí Donnelly, Trisna D. Tungadi, Alex M. Murphy, Adrienne E. Pate, Christine Woodcock, John Caulfield, J. Musembi Mutuku, Toby J.A. Bruce, Christopher A. Gilligan, John A. Pickett, John P. Carr

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Bean common mosaic virus (BCMV), bean common mosaic necrosis virus (BCMNV), and cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) cause serious epidemics in common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris), a vital food security crop in many low-to-medium income countries, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa. Aphids transmit these viruses “non-persistently,” i.e., virions attach loosely to the insects' stylets. Viruses may manipulate aphid-host interactions to enhance transmission. We used direct observation and electrical penetration graph measurements to see if the three viruses induced similar or distinct changes in feeding behaviors of two aphid species, Aphis fabae and Myzus persicae. Both aphids vector BCMV, BCMNV, and CMV but A. …

Stable Flies, Stomoxys Calcitrans L. (Diptera: Muscidae), Improve Offspring Fitness By Avoiding Oviposition Substrates With Competitors Or Parasites, Steve B.S. Baleba, Baldwyn Torto, Daniel Masiga, Merid N. Getahun, Christopher W. Weldon

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Oviposition site selection by gravid female insects is an important determinant in species distribution, abundance, and population dynamics. Females may assess the suitability of a potential oviposition substrate by using cues from conspecific or heterospecific individuals already present. Here, we assessed whether the presence of conspecific or heterospecific larvae and parasites influenced oviposition decisions by the stable fly, Stomoxys calcitrans (Linneaus). Using dual and multiple-choice oviposition bioassays, we found that gravid female S. calcitrans avoided substrates with conspecific larvae, the larvae of house flies, Musca domestica (Linneaus), and the mite Macrocheles muscaedomesticae (Scopoli). Avoidance of conspecific and heterospecific larvae persisted …

Parasitoid Host Acceptance And Suitability For Sugarcane Aphid, Nathan Mercer

Entomology Research Data

Commercially available parasitoids were tested for their host acceptance and suitability on the sugarcane aphid, recent pest of sorghum.

Discovery: The Student Journal Of Dale Bumpers College Of Agricultural, Food And Life Sciences - Volume 21 2020, Several Authors

Discovery, The Student Journal of Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences

No abstract provided.

Nebline, January 2020

NEBLINE Newsletter Archive from Nebraska Extension in Lancaster County

2019 Extension Highlights

Benefit to People

Extension’s Volunteers Worth Over $800,000

Resilience Makes Nebraska Strong

35,312 Youth Engaged in 4-H Programs

Find Tips and Recipes Easier at food.unl.edu

Recipe of the Month

UNL Food Processing Center Offers Assistance to Small Food Business Start-ups

Pesticide Applicator 2020 Training Dates

Successful Farmer Series Starts Jan. 10

Landlord/Tenant Cash Rent Workshop, Feb. 3

Soil Health Conference, March 3

Upcoming Green Industry Conferences

Extension’s 2020 Master Gardener Trainings, Two Sites Available

Garden Guide Things to Do This Month

Childcare Professionals — Considering Outdoor Play in Winter?

Upcoming Early Childhood Trainings

Heart of 4-H Volunteer …

Common Household Pests, Josh Matta

Department of Entomology: Distance Master of Science Projects

Introduction -- The following booklet is meant to familiarize members of my organization with several important pests that are found on our product labels. My role in R&D is to evaluate the insecticidal performance of consumer pest control products and move them through the development process from initial screening to EPA claims validation. Another important part of my job is to educate a diverse team colleagues on various topics in entomology. This document will allow me to have basic life history and other important information available for the most common pest questions that come my way.

Public Health and Structural …

20 Is Plenty: The Most Infamous Of The Invasive Species, Giancarlo V. Maddaloni

Department of Entomology: Distance Master of Science Projects

This informational resource was created to assist the general public in learning about the importance of invasive insects and provide help in identifying some of the most dangerous among them. This guide will also provide current information about prevention and control of these insects along with what high risk items travelers should be careful of returning with from abroad to control the spread of these pests. This resource also covers inter-state as well as intra-state pests of concern, illustrating the importance of adhering to quarantine guidelines while traveling through these regions. Whether or not this pest has become established, it …

Apopka Insect Field Guide, Sarah Parker

Department of Entomology: Distance Master of Science Projects

For my master's project I created a printable insect field guide specific to my area for use by the local elementary and middle schools. My property is located near both Lakeville Elementary School and Piedmont Lakes Middle School, therefore insects collected in my garden should closely approximate the insects that could potentially be seen at either school. A targeted insect guide will help facilitate any number of observational activities and may encourage the schools to plant insect friendly vegetation to increase their abundance of insects. My goal is for this teaching tool to encourage local teachers to include insect education …

A Synergism Between Dimethyl Trisulfide And Methyl Thiolacetate In Attracting Carrion-Frequenting Beetles Demonstrated By Use Of A Chemically-Supplemented Minimal Trap, Stephen T. Trumbo, John Dicapua Iii

EEB Articles

Volatile organic compounds derived from microbes recruit insects to carrion, shaping community assembly and ecological succession. The importance of individual volatiles and interactions between volatiles are difficult to assess in the field because of (1) the myriad compounds from decomposing animals, and (2) the likelihood that complex component blends are important for the final approach to carrion. On the assumption that searching insects may use simpler volatile cues to orient at a distance, we employed a chemically-supplemented minimal trap that uses test chemicals to attract from a distance and a minimal carrion bait to induce trap entry. Traps supplemented with …

Note: First Records Of Alcathoe Carolinensis Engelhardt And Synanthedon Alleri (Engelhardt) In South Carolina, U.S.A., Juang Horng Chong, James D. Young

United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service / University of Nebraska-Lincoln: Faculty Publications

Clearwing moths (Lepidoptera: Sesiidae) are day-flying hornet and wasp mimics that can be found visiting flowers for nectar. Larvae bore in the roots, branches and trunks of woody and some herbaceous plants. Some of these larvae are pests in orchards, nurseries and commercial forestry operations. For example, Synanthedon exitiosa (Say) and Synanthedon pictipes (Grote & Robinson) are major pests of peach [Prunus persica (L.) Batsch; Rosaceae] (Johnson et al. 2005), and Synanthedon scitula (Harris) is a major pest of apple (Malus domestica Borkh.; Rosaceae) (Bergh & Leskey 2003). These species, and Podosesia syringae (Harris), Podosesia aureocincta Purrington & …

Lessons From Miniature Brains: Cognition Cheap, Memory Expensive (Sentience Linked To Active Movement?), Giorgio Vallortigara

Animal Sentience

Studies on invertebrate minds suggest that the neural machinery for basic cognition is cheap, and that bigger brains are probably associated with greater memory storage rather than more advanced cognition. Sentience may be linked to feedforward mechanisms (Reafferenzprinzip) that allow organisms with active movement to distinguish active and passive sensing. Invertebrates may offer special opportunities for testing these hypotheses.

Using Visual And Digital Imagery To Quantify Horn Fly (Diptera: Muscidae) Densities, Brandon Smythe, David J. Boxler, Gary Brewer, Eric T. Psota, D. Wes Watson

Department of Entomology: Faculty Publications

The horn fly, Haematobia irritans L. (Diptera: Muscidae), is a persistent pest of cattle globally. A threshold of 200 flies per animal is considered the standard management goal; however, determining when that threshold has been exceeded is difficult using visual estimates that tend to overestimate the actual fly densities and are, at best, subjective. As a result, a more reliable and durable method of determining horn fly densities is needed. Here, we describe the methods commonly used to quantify horn fly densities including visual estimates and digital photography, and provide examples of quantification software and the prospect for computer automation …

Revision Of New World Cosmorrhyncha Meyrick, 1913 (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae: Olethreutinae), With Descriptions Of Five New Species, John W. Brown, Jozef Razowski, Alicia E. Timm

Insecta Mundi

Although well studied in the Afrotropical Region, the genus Cosmorrhyncha Meyrick, 1913 (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae: Olethreutinae), has received little attention in the New World, where it apparently is restricted to the Neotropics from Guatemala south to Paraguay. Seven species are recognized, five of which are described as new: C. tonsana (Walker, 1863) (Type locality: Brazil); C. ocelliferana (Walker, 1863) (TL: Brazil); C. landryi Brown and Razowski, sp. n. (TL: French Guiana); C. parintina Brown and Razowski, sp. n. (TL: Brazil); C. macrospina Brown and Razowski, sp. n. (TL: Brazil); C. albistrigulana Brown and Razowski, sp. n. (TL: Costa Rica); and C. …

New State Records Of Lady Beetles (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae: Coccinellinae) From Missouri And Mississippi, Usa, Louis S. Hesler

Insecta Mundi

New state records for three species of lady beetles (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae: Coccinellinae) are reported from two states in the south-central USA. Hyperaspis bolteri LeConte and Exochomus childreni guexi LeConte are newly reported for the state of Missouri, and Hyperaspis connectens (Thunberg) is newly reported for the state of Mississippi.

Taxonomic Notes On Western Hemisphere Cyrtinini (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae: Lamiinae) Including Description Of Two New Cyrtinus Leconte Species, James E. Wappes, Antonio Santos-Silva, Francisco E. De L. Nascimento

Insecta Mundi

Cyrtinus pygmaeus (Haldeman, 1847) (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae: Lamiinae) is redescribed and newly recorded from Mexico. The female of Decarthria stephensii Hope, 1834 is also redescribed, the number of specimens in the type series is corrected, as is the depository of the types, and the species is newly recorded from Dominica. Two new species of Cyrtinus LeConte, 1852 are described from Mexico: C. fisheri Wappes, Santos-Silva and Nascimento; and C. howdeni Wappes, Santos-Silva and Nascimento. A key to species of Decarthria Hope, 1834 (adapted from an earlier key to Cyrtinini) is provided.

The Trichoptera Of Panama Xiii. Further New Country Records For Caddisflies (Insecta: Trichoptera) From The Republic Of Panama, Brian J. Armitage, Steven C. Harris, Roger J. Blahnik, Robin E. Thomson, Tomas A. Rios Gonzalez, Yusseff Aguirre

Insecta Mundi

The Republic of Panama currently includes 414 recorded species of Trichoptera. Herein we add two new genera (Hydroptilidae: Angrisanoia Ozdikmen, 2008 and Mayatrichia Mosely, 1937) and 17 new country records (Philopotamidae: Chimarra (C.) tapanti Blahnik, Wormaldia bolivari Muñoz-Quesada and Holzenthal, and Wormaldia zunigae Muñoz-Quesada and Holzenthal; Hydropsychidae: Centromacronema pygmaeum Botosaneanu; Hydroptilidae: Brysopteryx esparta Harris and Holzenthal, Byrsopteryx solisi Harris and Holzenthal, Costatrichia falsa Santos, Takiya, and Nessimian, Mayatrichia illobia Harris and Holzenthal, Metrichia amplitudinis Bueno-Soria and Holzenthal, Ochrotrichia boquillas Moulton and Harris, O. conformalis Bueno-Soria and Holzenthal, O. quinealensis Bueno-Soria and Holzenthal, and O. unica Bueno-Soria and Santiago; …

The Identity Of The Adventive Gryllotalpa Latreille Species (Orthoptera: Gryllotalpidae) In Hawaii, With Illustration Of Male Genitalia Of G. Orientalis Burmeister, J. H. Frank

Insecta Mundi

The adventive mole cricket species (Orthoptera: Gryllotalpidae) in Hawaii is apparently Gryllotalpa krishnani Arun Prasanna et al., 2012. The adventive was long thought to be Gryllotalpa africana Palisot de Beauvois, 1805. From 1983 until 2008 it seemed that Gryllotalpa orientalis Burmeister, 1839 might be the adventive’s correct name. However, male genitalia and tegmental characters of Hawaiian specimens match features of G. krishnani and not G. orientalis.

A New Species Of Uvarus Guignot, 1939 (Coleoptera: Dytiscidae: Hydroporinae: Bidessini) From Florida, Usa, J. H. Epler

Insecta Mundi

A new species of Uvarus Guignot, 1939 (Coleoptera: Dytiscidae: Hydroporinae: Bidessini), is described from Florida, USA. It is most similar to U. suburbanus (Fall), but differs in the shape of the much stouter and broader median lobe of the male genitalia.

New Records Of Woodboring Beetles (Coleoptera: Buprestidae) For The Eastern United States, Lawrence Barringer

Insecta Mundi

An abundance-based checklist of eastern Buprestidae (Coleoptera) was compiled from collection records from invasive insect surveys conducted during 2010–2018. Reported are 111 species in 17 genera based on 33,047 specimens examined from 10 states. Sixty-three new state records in nine states are reported. Collection date ranges by month for each state are provided.

Jumping Bristletail (Insecta: Apterygota: Microcoryphia) Records In The Southeastern United States, Grant D. De Jong

Insecta Mundi

Few records of Microcoryphia exist for the southeastern United States, with named species being reported only from Arkansas, Tennessee, and the mid-Atlantic states, and with an unnamed species being reported from Georgia. Records are here provided from 291 specimens housed in the Mississippi Entomological Museum, including ten new species-level state records. This is also the first published report of the order Microcoryphia from Alabama and Mississippi. Species include the machilids Pedetontoides atlanticus Mendes in Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Mississippi, and North Carolina; Pedetontus cf. atlanticus in Kentucky; Pedetontus (Verhoeffilis) gershneri Allen in Arkansas; and Pedetontus (Pedetontus) saltator …

Primer Registro De Asiothrixus Antidesmae (Takahashi) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) En La República Dominicana, José Francisco García Ochaeta

Insecta Mundi

Asiothrixus antidesmae (Takahashi) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae), una especie de mosca blanca asiática, fue encontrada sobre Ixora sp. en la República Dominicana, lo cual representa un nuevo registro en el país. Se presenta información básica sobre la especie, una diagnosis e ilustraciones para ayudar en su identificación.

Asiothrixus antidesmae (Takahashi) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae), an Asian whitefly species, was found on Ixora sp. in the Dominican Republic and represents the first record of this species in the country. Basic information on this whitefly species, including a diagnosis and illustrations to aid in its identification, are provided.

El Género Aleuroparadoxus Quaintance Y Baker 1914, Con Descripción De Tres Nuevas Especies, Nuevos Registros Y Clave Para Las Especies (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae), José Francisco García Ochaeta, Gregory A. Evans

Insecta Mundi

Se revisa el género Aleuroparadoxus Quaintance y Baker (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae: Aleyrodinae) y se describen e ilustran A. gabrieli García-Ochaeta y Evans, sp. nov., de Guatemala y México, A. elmarrojasi García- Ochaeta y Evans, sp. nov., de Guatemala y A. carapiai García-Ochaeta y Evans, sp. nov., de México. Se registran A. sapotae Russell y A. gardeniae Russell por primera vez para Guatemala. Se proporciona una clave ilustrada para la identificación de los grupos y especies del género.

The genus Aleuroparadoxus Quaintance and Baker (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae: Aleyrodinae) is revised and A. gabrieli García-Ochaeta and Evans, sp. nov., from …

Nomenclatural Notes On Some Currently Known Species Of Eupogonius Leconte, 1852 (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae: Lamiinae) And Description Of Seven New Species, James E. Wappes, Antonio Santos-Silva

Insecta Mundi

The following new species of Eupogonius LeConte, 1852 (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae: Lamiinae) are described: E. tlanchinolensis Wappes and Santos-Silva (Mexico, Hidalgo); E. albofasciatus Wappes and Santos- Silva (Mexico, Puebla); E. sonorensis Wappes and Santos-Silva (Mexico, Sonora); E. guerrerensis Wappes and Santos-Silva (Mexico, Guerrero); E. boteroi Wappes and Santos-Silva (Mexico, Guerrero); E. nascimentoi Wappes and Santo-Silva (Mexico, Jalisco and Colima); and E. monzoni Wappes and Santos-Silva (Guatemala, Alta Verapaz). Additionally, a detailed description of the female of Eupogonius fulvovestitus Schaeffer, 1905 is provided for the first time, along with notes on the likely host of the species. New state records in Mexico …

Demonstrating Mate Choice Copying In Spiders Requires Further Research, R. Tucker Gilman, Kasey Fowler-Finn, Eileen A. Hebets

Eileen Hebets Publications

Mate choice copying—when individuals learn to prefer mates or mate types that have been chosen by others—can influence trait evo-lution and speciation (Varela et al. 2018; Dion et al. 2019). Most examples of mate choice copying are from fish, birds, and mammals including humans (Varela et al. 2018). However, 2 invertebrate examples—fruit flies and wolf spiders—have been used to argue that the phenomenon may be phylogenetically widespread, and perhaps the rule rather than the exception in nature (Varela et al. 2018). Here, we revisit the evidence for mate choice copying in wolf spiders (Fowler-Finn et al. 2015) in light of …

A Guide To The Common Mosquitoes Of Grand Junction Colorado., Carter Synhorst

Department of Entomology: Distance Master of Science Projects

Is a Mosquito Just a Mosquito? -- Mosquitoes are all over the Grand Valley, but most people think that a mosquito is just a mosquito. They don't stop to consider that there are many different species here in the Grand Valley. When and where you are getting attacked by them, can determine what type of mosquito it is. There are many different species of mosquitoes here that can vary from Fruita, to Grand Junction, and even into Palisade. There are over twenty-five different species here in our valley, and there are even more on the Grand Mesa and Glade …

Assessing The Health Of The Ground Beetle Assemblage And Ecosystem At Emerging Victoria Park, Chris Mortenson

Department of Entomology: Distance Master of Science Projects

The conversion of the 65-acre site now known as Victoria Park from an oil tank farm to an urban green space created an important and rare opportunity to both study ecosystem changes and support urban green spaces. Development in the Twin Cities Metropolitan Area has resulted in a significant increase in land used for urban development accompanied by a decrease in forests and wet lands (1) as wel l as accompanying ecosystem fragmentation, isolation and simplification (2). The rarity of this land use change makes monitoring Victoria Park’s development all the more important. Ground beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae) are considered to …