Entomology Commons^™

Environmental Factors Shaping A Sawfly-Associated Community Of Parasitoids, Carson Kephart, Robin K. Bagely

2023 Midwest Ecology & Evolution Conference

A major goal of evolutionary biology is to understand the mechanisms that shape biodiversity, especially amongst highly speciose lineages such as parasitic wasps. However, most of these lineages are poorly described, with very little available natural history information. This lack of information limits our ability to uncover the environmental factors that contribute to their patterns of divergence, distribution, and abundance. To that end, here we take advantage of a community of hymenopteran parasites that has an unusually large amount of available information since they attack an economically important pine sawfly species, Neodiprion lecontei. We build upon a set of …

Evolution Of A Genus Of Gall Wasp Kleptoparasites, Guerin E. Brown

2023 Midwest Ecology & Evolution Conference

Kleptoparasites do not directly parasitize their hosts but instead steal food and resources, reducing host fitness. Like direct parasites, kleptoparasites can be highly dependent on their hosts such that their evolutionary histories may be linked. Here, we study the evolution of a kleptoparasitic wasp genus, Synergus (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae: Synergini), in relation to their hosts, oak gall wasps (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae: Cynipini). Ovipositing oak gall wasps induce the formation of galls on oaks (Fagaceae) that provide food and shelter to one or more developing gall wasps. Galls induced by different gall wasp species are diverse in size, shape, color, and location …

The Effects Of Prescribed Fire On Ant Community Composition In A Temperate Deciduous Forest, Emma Jones

2023 Midwest Ecology & Evolution Conference

Prescribed fire is a tool commonly used in land management to decrease wildfire frequency and promote plant diversity. However, the effects of prescribed fire on invertebrate communities, especially those within temperate deciduous forest, are poorly understood. We measured the response of epigeic ant communities in mixed mesophytic forest in Berea, Kentucky following prescribed burning. We used pitfall traps to repeatedly sample epigeic ants in replicate burned and unburned plots for up to 21 months postburn following two separate (2021 and 2022) prescribed fires. Ant species richness was similar between treatments (burn vs. control) and by burn year. Ant community composition …

Pestfacts Wa Issue 01 - April 2023, Cindy L. Webster, Svetlana Micic, Janette Pratt, Jean Galloway, Adam H. Sparks

PestFacts WA

PestFacts WA newsletter contents:

• Now is the time bait snails
• Black Portugue Millipedes
• Green bridge surveillance findings
• 2023 autumn winter insecticide spray guide is now available
• Pre-season climate and insect webinars are available online
• Canola blackleg risk forecasts
• Managing Ascochyta blight chickpea at seeding

Pestfacts Wa Issue 02 - April 2023, Cindy L. Webster, Svetlana Micic

PestFacts WA

PestFacts WA Issue 2 - April 2023 contents:

• Mites and lucerne flea have started hatching
• European and native earwigs
• Slugs and snails have started to lay eggs

The Status Of Invasive Dusky Slug (Arion) Species In The Upper Great Lakes: A Molecular Approach, Olivia W. Hall

All NMU Master's Theses

I update the distribution of two cryptic slug species, Arion fuscus and Arion subfuscus, in the Upper Great Lakes of the United States using molecular identification methods. Arion fuscus has not previously been reported in the literature in this region, and Arion subfuscus has previously been reported as abundant. However, all previous distribution studies were determined using visual identification tools, which can result in misidentification between cryptic species. To molecularly re-examine these distribution maps, I used a mitochondrial ribosomal subunit 16S PCR amplification and subsequent SSpI and MfeI restriction enzyme digest to identify slug specimens. I collected slugs in …

Rearing Of Trilocha Varians (Lepidoptera: Bombycidae) On Ficus Benjamina And Its Parasitization With Trichogramma Chilonis, Hafiz Muhammad Sajid Ali, Amna Batool, Zeeshan Javed, Abdul Ghaffar, Usama Saleem, Mubshar Saleem, Muhammad Kashif, Sajid Abbas Khan, Muhammad Ramzan

Journal of Bioresource Management

Ficus benjamina commonly known as weeping fig is an ornamental that planted alongside the road to increase the aesthetic value. Leaf eating caterpillar, Trilocha varians was observed on Ficus benjamina and many other ornamental plants in the surrounding area of Muhammad Nawaz Shareef University. Large larval population was recorded on fig plants with 100 % defoliation. The rearing of Trilocha varians on F. benjamina was carried out under controlled conditions and parasitism of Trichogramma chilonis on eggs were checked. Incubation period was 5-6 days while single female laid 150-210 eggs in her whole life period. With five larval instars, duration …

Comparative Bioactivity Of Peganum Harmala (Zygophyllaceae) Leaves, Flowers And Seeds Aqueous Extracts On Drosophila Melanogaster (Diptera: Drosophilidae): Mortality And Growth Inhibition Impact, Djamila Elbah, Mohamed Athamnia, Mohamed Laid Ouakid

Journal of Bioresource Management

Many plant essential oil, extracts and phytochemicals are known to possess toxic activity against Drosophila melanogaster. In the current work, the effect of aqueous leaves, flowers and seeds extracts of Peganum harmala on the fruit fly mortality and larval development were determined. The seeds extract was the most effective; 100 % of mortality was recorded for the highest concentrations (200 and 300 μg/ml) with lethal time values (LT₅₀ and LT₅₀) reached 3.72 to 4.47 and 6.61 to 8.51 days, respectively. In the other hand, the 15-day lethal concentrations, LC₅₀ and LC₉₀, were determined …

Anti-Tick Properties/Repellency Of Neem, Azadirachta Indica On Rhipicephalus Sanguineus (Acarina) Under Laboratory Conditions, Mubarik Ali, Atta Ur Rehman, Naimat Ullah, Muhammad Tariq, Sonia Bibi, Saeed Ullah, Anila Khan, Faiqah Ramzan, Muhammad Ayub, Attia Imam, Muhammad Jamil

Journal of Bioresource Management

Animal production is highly affected due to ticks and diseases caused by ticks. Tick control is critical for the economic well-being of the animal industry. This study focused on anti-tick properties of the Neem, Azadirachta indica extracts against Rhipicephalus sanguineus in vitro conditions. R. sanguineus exhibited a high (P < 0.05) dose revolting reaction to A. indica. There were no significant differences in reaction magnanimity between both sexes. The essence also prominently (p < 0.05) retarded the shedding of 60 % of R. sanguineus engorged nymphs. It resulted in that mortality percentage increasing with an increase in the dose of A. indica. At 20 % of A. indica, 87.76 % of tick …

Tick Infestation, Distribution, Identification, And Risk Factors On Large Ruminants In Southern Regions Of Pakistan, Muhammad Jamil, Muhammad Imran, Mukhtar Ahmad, Fawad Ahmad, Mubarik Ali, Abdul Basit, Atta Ur Rehman, Gul Muhammad, Norina Jabeen

Journal of Bioresource Management

The livestock sector plays fundamental role in Pakistan's economy, and a variety of ruminants (cattle and buffaloes) are raised to meet the rising demand for milk, meat, and hide goods. Ticks are the most common vectors for the transmission of tick-borne disease and several pathogens to animals and people. Ticks are widespread in Pakistan due to the country's favorable subtropical climate, and they parasitize large and small ruminants, causing infestation and mortality, as well as economic losses to herdsmen. Therefore, the study aimed to investigate the tick’s epidemiology in large animals in the selected Southern regions of Pakistan, during the …

Collection Of Ground Beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae) In Two Types Of Arboreal Terrain In The Natural Park Of Belezma Batna (North-Eastern Algeria), Yougherta Abderrezak Habbari, Naama Frah, Meriem Bouterfa, Larbi Houichi

Journal of Bioresource Management

The inventory of the carabid family at two forest sites in the Belezma national park namely an oak grove site and a cedar site during a period ranging from May 2017 to April 2018, has shown the counting of 27 taxa that have been inventoried by Barber pitfall traps. The results showed that the Quercus ilex site has slightly more species (25 species) compared to the Cedrus atlantica one (23 species). However, the Harpalinae subfamily is quantitatively the better one represented at both sites. The Shannon and Simpson indices report slightly higher figures in the Cedrus atlantica site with respectively …

Biomorphic Study Of Rhipicephalus Sanguineus (Acari: Ixodidae) Under Laboratory Conditions, Habib Ullah, Atta Ur Rehman, Naimat Ullah, Muhammad Tariq, Umer Farooq, Sonia Bibi, Anila Khan, Muhammad Jamil, Faiqah Ramzan, Muhammad Ayub

Journal of Bioresource Management

Rhipicephalus sanguineus can complete up to four generations per year, depending on factors such as climate and host availability. Biomorphic studies of R. sanguineus were conducted under laboratory conditions. The larval, nymphal and adult ticks were fed on sheep at 25⁰C, 60 % relative humidity (RH) and exposed to daylight. The incubation period was lasted 35 days. The average mean of premoulting and moulting period of larvae was 70 ± 0.91 and 7.4 ± 0.6 days, respectively. The time durations of premoulting and moulting of nymphs were 62 ± 1.66 and 13 ± 6.4 days, respectively. The …

An Annotated Checklist Of The Dung Beetles (Coleoptera: Geotrupidae And Scarabaeidae, Subfamilies Aphodiinae And Scarabaeinae) Of Oaxaca, Mexico, Burt Kohlmann, Alfonsina Arriaga-Jiménez, Eder F. Mora-Aguilar

Insecta Mundi

Abstract. A checklist of the dung beetles (Coleoptera: Geotrupidae; Scarabaeidae: Aphodiinae and Scara­baeinae) of Oaxaca, Mexico, is presented for the first time. The checklist contains 252 taxa, 15 Geotrupidae, 77 Aphodiinae, and 160 Scarabaeinae. The state includes 58 genera and 15 tribes, where Onthophagus is the most species-rich genus with 49 taxa, followed by Ataenius with 22, Canthon with 17 and Phanaeus with 15 taxa. Valid names, as well as synonyms, are provided. First records, notes on presently recognized spe­cies, nomenclatural problems, and biodiversity comparisons are included. Phanaeus dionysius Kohlmann, Arriaga-Jiménez and Rös, 2018 (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Scarabaeinae) is re-established as …

A Push–Pull Strategy To Suppress Stable Fly (Diptera: Muscidae) Attacks On Pasture Cattle Via A Coconut Oil Fatty Acid Repellent Formulation And Traps With M-Cresol Lures, Alexander T. Lehmann, Gary J. Brewer, David J. Boxler, Junwei J. Zhu, Kathy Hanford, David Taylor, James A. Kenar, Steven C. Cermak, Jerome A. Hogsette

Department of Entomology: Faculty Publications

BACKGROUND: Stable flies [Stomoxys calcitrans (L.)] are economically important pests of cattle and other livestock. As an alternative to conventional insecticides, we tested a push–pull management strategy using a coconut oil fatty acid repellent formulation and an attractant-added stable fly trap.

RESULTS: In our field trials we found that weekly applications of a push–pull strategy can reduce stable fly populations on cattle as well as a standard insecticide (permethrin). We also found that the efficacy periods of the push–pull and permethrin treatments following on-animal application were equivalent. Traps with an attractant lure used as the pull component of the …

Taxonomic Placement And Nomenclatural Revisions For Five Species Of Neotropical Buprestidae (Coleoptera), Norman E. Woodley

Insecta Mundi

Autarcontes lopezi Fisher, 1925 (Coleoptera: Buprestidae), is transferred to the genus Agrilus Curtis, 1825 (new combination). Colobogaster bella Kirsch, 1873, is transferred to the genus Chrysobothris Eschscholtz, 1829 (new combination). Ectinogonia isamarae Moore, 1994, is resurrected as the valid name for the species previously called E. obscuripennis Cobos, 1954, as the latter is unavailable as infrasubspecific. Conognatha jakobsoni Obenberger, 1928, is resurrected over C. germaini Théry in Hoscheck, 1934, as the for­mer name has priority. Callimicra lucida Waterhouse, 1889, is resurrected as the valid name over C. hoscheki Obenberger, 1922, which has been used due to …

Nesting Behavior Of The Spider Wasp Calopompilus Pyrrhomelas (Walker) (Hymenoptera: Pompilidae), Frank E. Kurczewski, Marshal Hedin, Rick C. West

Insecta Mundi

The nesting behavior of the spider wasp Calopompilus pyrrhomelas (Hymenoptera: Pompilidae: Pepsini) is described for the first time based on independent observations and photographic series from Oak­land, Alameda County, CA; Denio, Humboldt County, NV; and Tamalpais-Homestead Valley, Marin County, CA, respectively. The three wasps captured, immobilized, and provisioned the spider’s own burrows with Cal­isoga longitarsis (Simon) (Nemesiidae) and Antrodiaetus montanus (Chamberlin and Ivie) (Antrodiaetidae).

The genus Calopompilus Ashmead is one of the “most primitive” genera in the family Pompilidae as evidenced by its broad hind wings and anal lobe, lack of specialization in wing venation, stout “scolioid” body structure, and …

Stictoleptura Cordigera (Füssli, 1775) (Cerambycidae: Lepturinae: Lepturini), A New Alien Longhorn Beetle Introduced In Chile, José Mondaca, Guido Rebolledo, Francesco Vitali

Insecta Mundi

The Palaearctic longhorn beetle Stictoleptura cordigera (Füssli, 1775) (Cerambycidae: Lepturinae: Lepturini) is recorded for the first time in Chile, based on specimens collected in a rural locality of the Maule Region. This new record is the first in the New World and increases to eleven the number of exotic cerambycids introduced and established in the Chilean territory. A brief diagnosis for recognition of the species and data about its distribution and natural history are provided. The possible route of entry of this cerambycid into Chile is discussed.

Stictoleptura cordigera (Füssli, 1775) is a polyphagous, saproxylic, anthophilous cerambycid widely distributed in …

Ciclo De Vida Hamadryas Chloe Chloe (Stoll 1787) (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae: Biblidinae) En Mocoa, Putumayo, Colombia, Estefany M. Figueroa, Ximena A. León, Fredy Montero Abril

Insecta Mundi

Resumen. Se describe el Ciclo de Vida de Hamadryas chloe chloe (Stoll, 1787) (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae: Biblidinae). Se desarrolla en sus etapas inmaduras usando como planta hospedante a Dalechampia scandens Linnaeus 1753 (Euphorbiaceae). El tiempo para la determinación del ciclo en condiciones de laboratorio desde la postura de los huevos hasta la emergencia de los adultos fue de 30–32 días en promedio. Se encontró asociado a los huevos de la especie un parasitoide de la familia Encyrtidae. La especie mantiene características morfológicas similares al género como setas prominentes en la cabeza y cuerpo de las larvas, especialmente en instares superiores. Se …

Description Of A New Species Of Stenocrates Burmeister (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Dynastinae: Cyclocephalini) From Peru And A Revised Catalog Of The Species Of Stenocrates., Brett C. Ratcliffe, Stephane Le Tirant

Department of Entomology: Faculty Publications

A new species of the South American genus Stenocrates Burmeister, 1847 (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Dynastinae: Cyclocephalini) is described: Stenocrates theryi Ratcliffe & Le Tirant from western Peru. A description, diagnosis, distribution, and illustrations are provided for the new species. A revised catalog of the species of Stenocrates is presented.

Carpenterworm, Dr. Jay B. Karren, Alan H. Roe, Ryan Davis

All Current Publications

The larval stage of the carpenterworm, Prionoxystus robiniae is a wood-boring insect that affects various ornamental trees. Unlike most other wood-boring pests of ornamentals, which are mostly beetle larvae, the carpenterworm is a caterpillar belonging to the moth family Cossidae.

Association Of Excessive Precipitation And Agricultural Land Use With Honey Bee Colony Performance, Gabriela M. Quinlan, Rufus Isaacs, Clint R. V. Otto, Autumn H. Smart, Meghan O. Milbrath

Department of Entomology: Faculty Publications

Context From landscape variables to weather, multiple environmental factors affect honey bees and other pollinators. Detailed honey bee colony assessments in a variety of landscape and weather conditions offer the opportunity to develop a mechanistic understanding of how landscape composition, configuration, and weather are associated with colony nutrition, demography, and productivity.

Objectives Our objective was to test if weather and landscape characteristics (e.g., agricultural versus forested land use) are associated with different honey bee colony outcomes (foraged nectar mass, foraged pollen mass, pupal population size, and adult population size change).

Methods We collected detailed colony measurements on over 450 honey …

Characterization Of Tick And Host-Associated Factors Linked To Induction Of Alpha-Gal Syndrome., Surendra Raj Sharma, Surendra Raj Sharma

Dissertations

Alpha-Gal Syndrome (AGS) is a delayed allergic reaction caused by specific IgE antibodies to the oligosaccharide galactose-α-1,3-galactose (α-gal) present in red meat. AGS is a growing concern globally, with over 34,000 confirmed cases in the United States alone. Studies have linked AGS to tick bites, which sensitizes hosts against α-gal antigens and elevates α-gal specific IgE. This dissertation investigates the role of tick and host-associated factors in AGS development. Microbiome analysis of Am. americanum ticks revealed a comprehensive core microbiome profile and showed that new Fransiella-like endosymbionts dominate and outcompete conventional tick Coxiella endosymbionts. Ticks subjected to tetracycline treatment showed …

Myzus Fataunae Shinji (Hemiptera: Aphididae), Pilea Aphid, New To North America, Susan E. Halbert, Jade S. Allen, Matthew R. Moore, Katherine E.O. Fairbanks, Masakazu Sano, Gary L. Miller

Insecta Mundi

Minute aphids belonging to the species Myzus fataunae Shinji (Hemiptera: Aphididae) were found at a nursery in Seminole County, Florida. Morphological and molecular data support this determination. The Florida population only colonized species of Pilea Lindl. in our host range experiments. It did not colonize Fatoua villosa. Nakai. Likewise, it did not colonize tested common Florida species of Urticaceae other than Pilea spp. Myzus fataunae is adventive, and it appears to be established in the United States.

Description Of A New Species Of Crossidius Leconte (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae: Cerambycinae: Trachyderini) From Texas, Frederick W. Skillman Jr.

Insecta Mundi

Crossidius wappesi Skillman, new species (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) is described from Presidio County, Texas, USA.

I discovered a new species of Crossidius LeConte (Cerambycinae) in the fall of 2018 while collecting with Jim Wappes in Presidio County, Texas. Additional specimens were collected at the same location in 2019 by Jim Wappes and Kenneth Kuckartz.

This large, predominately western trachyderine genus presently contains 17 species and 37 subspecies (Bezark 2022). It should be noted that in the study of the genus by Linsley and Chemsak (1961), numerous popu­lations, known from short series, were mentioned, given short descriptions and left nameless. It is …

A New Species Of Cymatodera Gray (Coleoptera: Cleridae) From Honduras, Jacques Rifkind

Insecta Mundi

Cymatodera batleth new species (Coleoptera: Cleridae) is described from Honduras. It appears to belong to a group of Central American congeners that share similar facies and coloration, deeply emarginate elytral apices and elaborately modified male pygidia.

Heretofore ten species of Cymatodera Gray have been recorded from Honduras: C. conflagrata (Klug), C. depau­perata Gorham, C. guatemalensis Schenkling, C. prolixa (Klug), C. sallei Thomson, C. sinuosa Burke, C. rileyi Rifkind, C. crassa Burke and Sole, C. nigrofasciata Burke and Sole, and C. parva Burke which have distributions extending into neighboring Central American countries (Burke 2013; Burke et al. 2017). The known Honduran …

Protecting Wa Crops Issue 28 - March 2023, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Protecting WA Crops

Protecting WA Crops Issue 28 - March 2023 contents:

• GRDC Perth Research Updates 2023 - Entomology
• Russian wheat aphid thresholds in WA and using biological control for RLEM
• Lessons learnt from native budworm activity in wheat, relative to traditional hosts lupins, pulses and canola
• Meet Crop Protection team member – Svetlana Micic

Nebline, March/April 2023

NEBLINE Newsletter Archive from Nebraska Extension in Lancaster County

Youth-Led Photovoice Project Gives Refugees Opportunity to Explore Mental Health by Emily Gratopp

Upcoming Photovoice Exhibits

Recipe of the Month: Baharat (Middle East Spice Blend) by Emily Gratopp

Early Season Disease Control in the Home Orchard by Sarah Browning

Garden Guide: Things to Do This Month

2023 Chemigation Training

Farm Estate Planning Workshop, March 7

2023 Lincoln Early Childhood Conference, Saturday, March 25

Two Lancaster 4-H’ers Participated in National 4-H Congress

4-H Horse Judging Team at Nationals

Teen Council 4-H’ers Team Up to Lead Lock-In

Heart of 4-H Volunteer Award: Trevor Kauer and Bethany Bettenhausen

4-H Club Gives Youth With …

Biology Of Spodoptera Frugiperda (J.E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) On Rice And Different Corn Varieties, Anthony S. Agravante, Karen B. Alviar, Analiza Henedina M. Ramirez, Sheryl A. Yap

The Philippine Agricultural Scientist

Rice and corn are one of the most important crops in the Philippines. Several insect pests contribute to the losses and low yield of these crops. The fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith), was recently reported to cause economic damage to corn. Also, this insect consists of two genetically differentiated strains namely, the corn strain and the rice strain. This study was conducted in a laboratory conditions to evaluate the biological parameters of FAW on rice and corn varieties. Newly hatched larvae were fed such as the open pollinated variety (OPV), traditional variety, Macho F1 (hybrid), NK 6410 (genetically …

Susceptibility Of Pre-Adult Biological Stages Of Mythimna Separata (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) To Three Entomopathogenic Fungi (Hypocreales), Melissa P. Montecalvo, Marcela M. Navasero

The Philippine Agricultural Scientist

Armyworms are polyphagous insect pests of agricultural crops. Their population is usually managed below threshold level using insecticides. However, a single control measure is insufficient to attain a sustainable pest management. Hence, this research was conducted to assess the three species of entomopathogenic fungi as potential biological control agents against Mythimna separata (Walker) or paddy armyworm. Dose mortality assays were conducted to determine the pathogenicity of Beauveria bassiana (Bals.) Vuill., Metarhizium anisopliae (Metschn.) Sorokin, and Metarhizium rileyi (Farlow) Kepler, S.A. Rehner and Humber against various biological stages of M. separata including egg, 1^st to 6^th larval instars, prepupa, …

Investigating The Diversity Of Wolbachia Across The Spiny Ants (Polyrhachis), Jenna L. Webb, Leland C. Graber, Manuela O. Ramalho, Corrie S. Moreau

Biology Faculty Publications

Among insects, Wolbachia is an exceedingly common bacterial endosymbiont with a range of consequences of infection. Despite the frequency of Wolbachia infection, very little is known about this bacteria's diversity and role within hosts, especially within ant hosts. In this study, we analyze the occurrence and diversity of Wolbachia across the spiny ants (Polyrhachis), a large and geographically diverse genus. Polyrhachis samples from throughout the host genus' phylogenetic and biogeographical range were first screened for single infections of Wolbachia using the wsp gene and Sanger sequencing. The multilocus sequence typing (MLST) scheme was then used on these singly infected samples …