Entomology Commons^™

The Biology Of The White Pine Sawfly, Neodiprion Pinetum (Hymenoptera: Diprionidae) In Wisconsin, Aunu Rauf, D. M. Benjamin

The Great Lakes Entomologist

The white pine sawfly, Neodiprion pirletunl. is monophagous on eastern white pine, Pinus strobus, throughout its range in eastern North America. Localized outbreaks occur frequently, and small areas of white pine may be killed. The high population upsurge in Crawford County. Wisconsin, in 1978 was mitigated by the eulophid egg parasite, Closterocerus cinctipennis, when a mean 90.1 t 4.870 parasitization occurred. Larval parasitization in the Grant County infestation averaged 45.05%. and involved the ichneumonid, Olesicampe lophyri, the perilampid Perilamplts l~yalirllcs, and the tachinid Spathimeigenia erecta.

Validation Of A Pete Timing Model For The Oriental Fruit Moth In Michigan And Central California (Lepidoptera: Olethreutidae), B. A. Croft, M. F. Michels, R. E. Rice

The Great Lakes Entomologist

PETE (Predictive Extension Timing Estimator) model output for Grapholitha molesta (Busck) was within ca. 30 ? 46 degree-days or 1.4 2 2 days of predicting 50% adult moth activity as measured by pheromone trap catches in the spring and first summer generation in both Michigan apple and California Peach orchards. In subsequent summer generations. model output was less reliable.

Instar Head Widths, Individual Biomass, And Development Rate Of Forest Tent Caterpillar, Malacosoma Disstria (Lepidoptera: Lasiocampidae), At Two Densities In The Laboratory, Jocelyn M. Muggli, William E. Miller

The Great Lakes Entomologist

Two colonies of forest tent caterpillar were reared at different densities on trembling aspen foliage in an environment chamber programmed for natural temperatures. Based on direct observation of molting, both colonies underwent five instars which overlapped negligibly in head width. Instar head widths were relatively stable between colonies, but individual biomass was sensitive to the different densities. Instars 3-5 in the less dense colony were heavier than those of the more dense by factors of 1.3-1.9. Development to 10-20% of larvae spinning cocoons took 40 days in the less dense colony and 45 days in the more dense. Size of …

Annotated List Of Trichoptera Collected Along Furnace Run Of The Cuyahoga Valley National Recreation Area In Northeastern Ohio, C. Peterson, B. A. Foote

The Great Lakes Entomologist

Information on seasonal distribution of 46 species of Trichoptera occurring along a small, unpolluted, woodland stream in northeastern Ohio is presented. Two species. Hydropsyclle hageni and Polycentroprcs interruptus, are newly recorded for the state.

Localized Field Migration Of The Adult Alfalfa Weevil, Clover Leaf Weevil, And Clover Root Curculio (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), And Its Implication For A Fall Pest Management Program, Robert D. Pausch, Stephen J. Roberts, Robert J. Barney, Edward J. Armbrust

The Great Lakes Entomologist

The migration of the alfalfa weevil, clover leaf weevil and clover root curculio from aestivation sites into adjacent alfalfa fields was monitored with several different trapping systems. It was found that the initial dispersal back into alfalfa fields following aestivation was a slow gradual movement across the soil surface with flight occurring only after the insects had been in the alfalfa for several days.

Observations On The Biology Of The Slender Seedcorn Beetle, Clivina Impressifrons (Coleoptera: Carabidae), Robert D. Pausch, Lois M. Pausch

The Great Lakes Entomologist

The slender seedcorn beetle, Clirina impressijirons, is known to attack germinating corn seed, but field and laboratory studies of its life history indicate it may sometimes play a beneficial role. Feeding studies show that adults and larvae are primarily carnivorous but will feed on corn seed when their primary food is absent or in short supply. Certain behavioral aspects indicate that populations of this beetle might be attracted to selected agricultural areas where adults and larvae could serve as predators of soil pests of corn. Much of the activity of these beetles is governed by temperature. with low temperatures below …

Mixed Species Feeding Assemblages Of Planthopper Nymphs (Homoptera: Fulgoroidea), S. W. Wilson, J. E. Mcpherson

The Great Lakes Entomologist

The occurrence of four species of southern Illinois fulgoroids in mixed species feeding assemblages is reported.

Seasonal Flight Patterns Of Hemiptera In A North Carolina Black Walnut Plantation. 1. Pentatomoidea, J. E. Mcpherson, B. C. Weber

The Great Lakes Entomologist

The seasonal flight patterns of 35 species and subspecies of Pentatomoidea collected in window traps in a North Carolina black walnut plantation are discussed. Flying height distributions and seasonal activities of the five species that were most frequently collected (i.e., Amnestus basidentatus, A. pallidus, A. spinifrons, Brochymena qltadripustulata and Euschistus servus) are considered in detail.

Reproductive Natural History Of The American Grass Mantid, Thesprotia Graminis, Bridget N. Battaglia, Charles Watson

Masters Theses (Archived)

The American grass mantis, Thesprotia graminis, is an understudied mantis native to Texas, including the campus of Texas A&M-SA. Mantids are influential members of ecosystems as a major predator of small insects. Therefore, measuring elements of their natural history, such as maternal investment, timing of oviposition, and fecundity, will add to our understanding of this specie’s ecology in grassland communities. In controlled lab conditions, we measured the mass of every instar, mantids of both sexes, and the masses of oothecas (egg cases) pre- and post-hatch. Interestingly, we found that this species lays multiple, smaller oothecas throughout the reproductive season. …

Lethal And Sublethal Effects Of Cotton Expressing Single And Pyramided Proteins Of Bacillus Thuringiensis (Bt) On Helicoverpa Armigera (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), Spodoptera Litura (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), And Spodoptera Frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), Sharna Holman, Paul Grundy, Helen Spafford, Michael Furlong

Grain and Other Field Crops Research Articles

The susceptibility to proteins from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) can vary among lepidopteran pest species. While Bollgard 3 cotton (BG3) effectively controls the primary pest Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) in Australia, its effectiveness against other pests, such as Spodoptera litura (Fabricius) and Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith), is unknown. This laboratory study assessed the survival and development of H. armigera, S. litura, and S. frugiperda larvae when fed foliage from a non-transgenic cotton variety (CC) and 3 transgenic cotton varieties: Bollgard (BG1) expressing Cry1Ac, Bollgard II (BG2) expressing Cry1Ac and Cry2Ab, and Bollgard 3 (BG3) expressing Cry1Ac, Cry2Ab, and Vip3A. Pyramided …

Correction To The Key (Page 92) Of Description Of The Nymph Of Ophiogomphus Smithi (Odonata: Gomphidae), With A Key To The Species Of Ophiogomphus In The Western Great Lakes Region Tgle 49(1&2): 78–97, William A. Smith, Kenneth J. Tennessen

The Great Lakes Entomologist

[excerpt]

In our paper describing the nymph of Ophiogomphus smithi (TGLE, vol. 49, pages 78–97), we characterized Ophiogomphus howei in couplet 1 of the Primary Key (p. 92) as “Head W [width] greater than maximum abdomen W”. The statement was based on our misinterpretation of data reported online.

Phyllopalpus Pulchellus Uhler, The Handsome Trig (Orthoptera: Gryllidae), A Confirmed Michigan Resident, Mark F. O'Brien, Julie A. Craves

The Great Lakes Entomologist

[excerpt]

Phyllopalpus pulchellus Uhler is a member of the Trigonidiinae, also called trigs, sword-tail crickets (Capinera et al. 2004), or more informally, bush crickets; the common name is the Handsome Trig or Red-headed Bush Cricket. The distinctive features of this small cricket (less than 15 mm)—the large black palps, light yellow legs, shiny black wings, and red pronotum and head—are not seen in any other crickets within its range. The Handsome Trig can be found throughout much of the U.S. east of extreme east Texas and south of approximately 41.5° latitude, just south of the Michigan state border (Walker 2003).

Xiphydria Prolongata (Hymenoptera: Xiphydriidae): First North American Hosts And State Records For Connecticut And New York, Chris T. Maier, David R. Smith

The Great Lakes Entomologist

Adults of the Eurasian sawfly, Xiphydria prolongata (Geoffroy) (Hymenoptera: Xiphydriidae), were reared from Salix nigra Marshall in Connecticut and from Salix alba L. in New York. These are the first reported hosts for North America, and the collecting localities represent the first state records.

Assessing The Contribution Of Geography And Host Use To Genetic Structure In New York Populations Of The Parasitoid Wasp, Aphidius Ervi, Haley J. Plasman, David M. Althoff

The Great Lakes Entomologist

Host-associated differentiation (HAD) been proposed as a general mechanism for differentiation of many groups of parasitic organisms including plant-feeding insects and their natural enemies. In particular, parasitoid wasps that attack herbivorous insects have many life habits similar to other parasitic taxa, suggesting that HAD also may be important in differentiation. We tested for the population genetic signature of HAD in a parasitoid wasp, Aphidius ervi (Haliday), a biocontrol agent that uses many species of aphids throughout Europe, but is mainly limited to the clover and alfalfa host-races of the pea aphid Acyrthosiphon pisum (Harris) in North America. We assessed allelic …

Sirex Nigricornis (Hymenoptera: Siricidae) Oviposition Preference And Development In Relation To Host Age, And A Novel Live-Trapping System For Wood-Borers, Jessica A. Hartshorn, Larry D. Galligan, Ace J.W. Lynn-Miller, Fred M. Stephen

The Great Lakes Entomologist

Sirex nigricornis F. (Hymenoptera: Siricidae) is a pine-inhabiting woodwasp native to eastern North America. A non-native congener, S. noctilio F., was discovered along the southeastern shore of Lake Ontario in New York in 2004 and its current distribution now includes seven northeastern states, Ontario, and Quebec. Its discovery led to a sharp increase in research focusing on S. noctilio as well as S. nigricornis. Research on these two species, and their associates, requires efficient methods for field collection and laboratory rearing. Success of these programs relies on successful collection of, and oviposition by, live females in artificial conditions. Moisture content …

Gallery Characteristics And Life History Of The Ambrosia Beetle Anisandrus Obesus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae) In Big Tooth Aspen, Steven Cassar, Richard Roeper, Robert Beck, Todd Pomeroy, Mark Bruce

The Great Lakes Entomologist

Anisandrus obesus LeConte constructs entrance holes uniformly over the surface of Big Tooth Aspen (Populus grandidenta Michx.) in April each year. An individual female bores a single entrance tunnel about 7 mm into the sapwood and then two lateral tunnels parallel to the surface. After symbiotic fungal growth, eggs are laid along the gallery walls by May. Three larval instars consume the beetle’s symbiotic fungus and do not expand the gallery. Pupae develop through June with progeny adults appearing by mid-July. Progeny sex ratio of approximately 6 females to 1 male was observed. Progeny adults overwinter within the parental gallery; …

Attraction Of Diabrotica Barberi Smith And Lawrence (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) To Eugenol-Baited Traps In Soybean, Louis S. Hesler

The Great Lakes Entomologist

Diabrotica barberi Smith and Lawrence (the northern corn rootworm) is a native North American leaf beetle and a major pest of corn. However, adult D. barberi forage in various habitats outside of corn fields, including soybean, roadside vegetation, and prairie. Eugenol is a common floral volatile that has been shown to increase trap catch of D. barberi within corn and prairie habitat. This paper documents the first report of increased catch of D. barberi on eugenol- baited traps in soybean fields. In two successive tests, catch of D. barberi was increased eight-fold or more by baiting traps with eugenol compared …

Invertebrate Communities Associated With Three Early Phases Of A Prairie Restoration Project, Tracy R. Evans, Meredith J. Mahoney, E. D. Cashatt, Bryon W. Cross, Geert R. De Snoo, C. J.M. Musters

The Great Lakes Entomologist

While specific invertebrate groups have been studied in prairie restorations, there are few studies that look at terrestrial invertebrate assemblages. We surveyed invertebrates in three phases of plant restoration that were part of a larger restoration project. This cross-sectional study of invertebrate recovery at two, four and five years post-restoration shows there was no overall difference in invertebrate taxa richness and diversity between restoration phases. Overall abundance was greatest in the most recently restored area. Richness, diversity and abundance of six functional groups did not differ. The conclusion is that all phases are still characterized by pioneer invertebrate assemblages, and …

A Synopsis Of The Cimicoidea (Heteroptera) Of Michigan, Daniel R. Swanson

The Great Lakes Entomologist

An overview of the 20 species of Cimicoidea (Anthocoridae, Cimicidae, Lasiochilidae, Lyctocoridae) found in Michigan is presented, along with identification keys, distribution maps, and relevant literature. Five new state records for the following species, representing three of the four cimicoid families found in Michigan, are presented: Oeciacus vicarius Horváth (Cimicidae: Cimicinae), Cimexopsis nyctalis List (Cimicidae: Haematosiphoninae), Amphiareus obscuriceps (Poppius) (Anthocoridae), Cardiastethus borealis Kelton (Anthocoridae), and Lyctocoris stalii (Reuter) (Lyctocoridae).

Redescription Of The Female Of Oobius Depressus (Girault) (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae), Newly Found In Michigan, U.S.A., Serguei V. Triapitsyn, Toby R. Petrice, Vladimir V. Berezovskiy

The Great Lakes Entomologist

A female of Oobius depressus (Girault) (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae), collected in a modified Malaise trap in the canopy of a black locust tree, Robinia pseudoacacia, at Rose Lake State Wildlife Area in Bath Charter Township, Clinton Co., Michigan, U.S.A., is re-described and illustrated. This species was previously known only from the type series of headless specimens of both sexes from the type locality in Morristown, Henry Co., Illinois, U.S.A. These type specimens were from a single cohort of locust borer, Megacyllene robiniae (Forster) (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae), eggs collected and reared over one hundred years ago. An updated taxonomic key to females of …

New Records Of Aulacigaster Neoleucopeza Mathis And Freidberg (Diptera: Schizophora: Aulacigastridae) From Wisconsin, Daniel K. Young, Craig M. Brabant

The Great Lakes Entomologist

In Wisconsin, Aulacigaster neoleucopeza was previously known from but a single Dane County record dating from April 1951. We report one specimen captured with a flight-intercept trap on private property in Lafayette County, five specimens recovered from Lindgren funnel and Malaise traps at the Hemlock Draw, Nature Conservancy Preserve in Sauk County, and 659 specimens from Malaise traps at the Quincy Bluff State Natural Area in Adams County. The specimens were taken from mid-April 1998, late April to mid-May 2014, and early to mid-April 2010, respectively. As

Evaluating Simulated Threecornered Alfalfa Hopper (Hemiptera: Membracidae) Damage In Cotton (Malvales: Malvaceae) And Identifying Conducive Environments, Reece Starnes Butler

Theses and Dissertations

This research evaluated the effects of simulated threecornered alfalfa hopper (TCAH), Spissistilus festinus (Say), damage in cotton and aimed to identify environments that may contribute to an increase in TCAH injury. During the 2023 and 2024 growing season, simulated TCAH damage was imposed at 0%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, and 50% at the three and six leaf growth stage. Agronomic data included plant heights, node counts, and plant mapping, which was collected throughout the growing season, while lint yield was recorded at harvest. Damaged plants exhibited reduced plant heights and node counts, with an increase in nodes above cracked boll …

Taking Flight: Utilizing Unmanned Aerial Systems To Sample Insects In Soybean, William "Covey" Lockhart

Theses and Dissertations

Insect scouting in soybean is a labor-intensive task but is needed throughout the season to minimize losses. When soybeans are tall, soils are wet, or soybeans are planted in narrow rows, walking through these fields can be difficult. To overcome these limitations of manual sampling, an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) sampling platform was developed that can collect insects in a sweep net attached to the bottom of a UAV. This system has been named the “Drone Insect Net Sampling System” (DINSS). Previous research with this system has shown positive correlations to traditional manual sampling methods. To improve this system, modifications …

Biochar Suppresses Growth, Pupation And Eclosion Success Of A Specialist (Manduca Sexta) And A Generalist (Spodoptera Frugiperda) Insect Herbivore, Nischal Wagle, Soumya Unnikrishnan, Satinderpal Kaur, Engil Pereira, Rupesh Kariyat

Entomology and Plant Pathology Faculty Publications and Presentations

Biochar is a charcoal-like substance made by the pyrolysis of organic material from agricultural and forestry waste. While biochar is well documented for altering soil physicochemical conditions, few studies have investigated its possible effects on the management of arthropod pests. Tobacco hornworm (Manduca sexta) and fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda, FAW) are specialist and generalist insect herbivores respectively, that can cause significant defoliation in natural and agricultural ecosystems. In this study, we examined whether walnut shell biochar can affect growth and development of these herbivores. Specifically, we investigated how biochar influences parameters such as mass gain, length of pupation, pupal mass, …

First Report Of Retocomus Wildii (Leconte, 1855) (Coleoptera: Anthicidae) From Nebraska, Edwin L. Freese

The Great Lakes Entomologist

[excerpt]

The beetle species Retocomus wildii is reported from Nebraska for the first time with three specimens collected at Indian Cave State Park, which is located adjacent the Missouri River, in the southeast corner of Nebraska. The first specimen was collected 9 June 1992 in Nemaha County by C. A. Springer and deposited in the University of Nebraska State Museum, Lincoln. The second specimen was collected 30 June 2011 in Richardson County, no collector given. Both specimens were identified by Matt J. Paulsen during 2011 (Paulsen, pers. comm.). The third specimen was first located as a photo posted at http://bugguide. …

First Record Of Eurypogon Niger (Melsheimer) (Coleoptera: Artematopodidae) In Illinois, Jordan D. Marché Ii

The Great Lakes Entomologist

The elateroid species, Eurypogon niger (Melsheimer) (Coleoptera: Artematopodidae), is recorded for the first time from Illinois. This brings to 10 the number of U.S. states (plus the District of Columbia) from which the species has been reported. Its occurrence has also been noted in Canada.

Description Of The Nymph Of Ophiogomphus Smithi (Odonata: Gomphidae), With A Key To The Species Of Ophiogomphus In The Western Great Lakes Region, William A. Smith, Kenneth J. Tennessen

The Great Lakes Entomologist

Ophiogomphus smithi Tennessen & Vogt is a gomphid dragonfly with restricted distribution which includes northeast Iowa, southeast Minnesota, and central to northwestern Wisconsin. The nymph is described and illustrated based on 173 specimens (66 exuviae of reared specimens plus 107 nymphs) from throughout the species’ range. The nymph of O. smithi is very similar to nymphs of O. carolus Needham, O. colubrinus Selys, and O. rupinsulensis (Walsh). Nearly all (99%) of O. smithi sampled can be distinguished from O. colubrinus by prementum terminal width less than or equal to 2.97 mm (98% of O. colubrinus greater than 2.97 mm), and …

Moths Of The Douglas Lake Region (Emmet And Cheboygan Counties), Michigan: Vii. Tortricidae (Lepidoptera), Brian G. Scholtens, Michael Sabourin

The Great Lakes Entomologist

Two hundred thiry-four species of Tortricidae are documented from Emmet and Cheboygan counties in Michigan, including 32 state records. This is the second major taxon of microlepidoptera inventoried from the area, and provides the first significant listing of a regional tortricid fauna from the state. Several additions are expected for this list as additional habitats and seasons are sampled more effectively.

The Family Mantispidae (Insecta: Neuroptera) In North Dakota, Eduardo I. Faúndez

The Great Lakes Entomologist

New records of mantidflies are given for the state of North Dakota. Climaciella brunnea (Say, 1824) is formally recorded, including the first precise locality records for the state. These records are for Barnes, Billings, Cass, Ransom, Richland and Slope counties. Dicromantispa sayi (Banks, 1897) is recorded for the first time in the state from Burleigh County. An illustrated key is provided to identify the species that occur in the state.

The Caddisflies (Trichoptera) Of An Undisturbed Lower Michigan Habitat, David C. Houghton

The Great Lakes Entomologist

The caddisfly assemblages of small streams, medium floodplain and forested rivers, and lakes within the Black River Ranch, a relatively undisturbed habitat in northern Lower Michigan, were sampled during 2014–2015 using ultraviolet light traps to establish a reference assemblage for the caddisflies of the region. A total of 117 species were collected including three—Hydroptila amoena Ross, H. novicola Blickle and Morse, and H. quinola Ross—not previously reported from Michigan. All species and their habitat affinities are reported herein. Individual sampling sites all had high levels of species richness compared to similar habitat types throughout Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin, and included …