Entomology Commons^™

Concepts In Animal Parasitology, Chapter 42: Opisthorchis (Genus) [Platyhelminthes, Trematoda, Digenea, Plagiorchiida], Sue Ann Gardner

Concepts in Animal Parasitology

A very brief overview of the trematode (fluke) genus Opisthorchis, including taxonomy, human medical importance, and life cycle.

Chapter 42 in Concepts in Animal Parasitology, compiled by Sue Ann Gardner from information from the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Division of Parasitic Diseases and Malaria. 2024. S. L. Gardner and S. A. Gardner, editors. Zea Books, Lincoln, Nebraska, United States. doi: 10.32873/unl.dc.ciap042

Concepts In Animal Parasitology, Chapter 37: Bivesiculata Olson Et Al., 2003 (Suborder): Small, Rare, But Important [Platyhelminthes, Trematoda, Digenea, Plagiorchiida], Thomas H. Cribb, Scott C. Cutmore

Concepts in Animal Parasitology

An overview of the the small, rare, but important group of trematodes (flukes) in suborder Bivesiculata Olson et al., 2003, found in the intestine of marine bony fishes in the class Osteichthyes. Includes identification methods, general morphology, life cycles, and taxonomy.

Chapter 37 in Concepts in Animal Parasitology by Thomas H. Cribb and Scott C. Cutmore. 2024. S. L. Gardner and S. A. Gardner, editors. Zea Books, Lincoln, Nebraska, United States. doi: 10.32873/unl.dc.ciap037

Concepts In Animal Parasitology, Chapter 18: Taenia (Genus) [Platyhelminthes, Cestoda, Eucestoda], Sumiya Ganzorig, Scott L. Gardner

Concepts in Animal Parasitology

Discusses the cestode (tapeworm) genus Taenia, several species of which infect humans, including their general morphology, the asexual reproduction of the metacestodes, identifcation, systematics, phylogeny, distribution, hosts, and their medical and veterinary importance.

Chapter 18 in Concepts in Animal Parasitology on the genus Taenia by Sumiya Ganzorig and Scott L. Gardner. 2024. S. L. Gardner and S. A. Gardner, editors. Zea Books, Lincoln, Nebraska, United States. doi: 10.32873/unl.dc.ciap018

Concepts In Animal Parasitology, Chapter 63: Siphonaptera Latreille, 1825 (Order): Fleas [Arthropoda], Marcela Lareschi

Concepts in Animal Parasitology

An overview of fleas, order Siphonaptera Latreille, 1825, the adults of which are highly specialized holometabolous arthropods adapted to parasitic life and are morphologically very different from other insects. Fleas are parasites of birds and mammals, but their greatest specific richness is associated with rodents. There are nearly 3,000 species and subspecies placed in 19 families that are currently known worldwide. Includes discussion of the general morphology of the imago, larva, pupa, and eggs, their morphological adaptation to parasitism, phylogeny, systematics, taxonomy, geographic distribution, host associations, biology, reproduction, and medical and veterinary importance.

Chapter 63 in Concepts in Animal Parasitology, …

Concepts In Animal Parasitology, Chapter 51: Heterakoidea (Superfamily): Cosmopolitan Gut-Dwelling Parasites Of Tetrapods [Nemata, Secernentea], F. Agustín Jiménez-Ruiz

Concepts in Animal Parasitology

An overview of the cosmopolitan gut-dwelling nematodes (roundworms) in the superfamily Heterakoidea, which occur most often in the cecum and large intestine of amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals. Discusses the general morphological characteristics, diagnosis, distribution and host associations, general biology, evolution, systematics, phylogeny, ecology, and conservation, including coverage of species of veterinary importance, Heterakis gallinarum and Histomonas meleagridis.

Chapter 51 in Concepts in Animal Parasitology, by F. Agustín Jiménez-Ruiz. 2024. S. L. Gardner and S. A. Gardner, editors. Zea Books, Lincoln, Nebraska, United States. doi: 10.32873/unl.dc.ciap051

Concepts In Animal Parasitology, Chapter 57: Nematomorpha (Phylum): Horsehair Worms, Matthew G. Bolek, Ben Hanelt

Concepts in Animal Parasitology

An overview of the horsehair worms, phylum Nematomorpha, including discussion of their general morphology, life cycle, distribution, diversity, taxonomy, phylogeny, ecology, and behavior.

Chapter 57 in Concepts in Animal Parasitology, by Matthew G. Bolek and Ben Hanelt. 2024. S. L. Gardner and S. A. Gardner, editors. Zea Books, Lincoln, Nebraska, United States. doi: 10.32873/unl.dc.ciap057

Concepts In Animal Parasitology, Chapter 09: The Coccidia Proper: Important Apicomplexa Other Than Haemoprotozoa [Protozoa, Apicomplexa], Donald W. Duszynski

Concepts in Animal Parasitology

Chapter 9 in Concepts in Animal Parasitology on the Coccidia Ppoper, important Apicomplexa other than Haemoprotozoa by Donald W. Duszynski. 2024. S. L. Gardner and S. A. Gardner, editors. Zea Books, Lincoln, Nebraska, United States. doi: 10.32873/unl.dc.ciap009

Oaks Have A Lot Of Gall: The Intimate Interactions Of Oaks And Gall Wasps, Warren G. Abrahamson Ii

Faculty Journal Articles

This is a story about the interactions of oaks and herbivorous gall-inducing wasps. To set the stage, let’s first explore the diversity of oaks and oak gall wasps.

Monarch Butterfly (Danaus Plexippus) Oviposition Preferences And A Survey Of Fungal Pathogens On Native Milkweeds (Asclepias) Of The Northern Great Plains, Grace Damiano

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

North American monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) populations are experiencing significant declines due to habitat loss caused by land use changes. Much of the American Midwest where milkweed, the only host plant of the monarch butterfly, was once much more abundant has been converted to a predominantly agricultural landscape. There are nineteen species of milkweed native to the northern Great Plains region occupied by South Dakota, North Dakota, and Minnesota. Some of these milkweed species may be preferable to monarch butterflies for different reasons, including morphological factors such as stem length, species-level chemical factors, and temporal factors. As monarch …

The Choice Is Hers: Floral Preference And Habitat Use Of Early Season Queen Bumble Bees In Restored Ecosystems, Kathryn E. Mccabe

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

Restored ecosystems play a vital role in providing a sanctuary for native flora and fauna, offering crucial habitat and resources for many at-risk and declining taxa. Ensuring optimal functionality of these restorations is essential to supporting taxon like bumble bees. While many studies have focused on understanding the needs of bumble bees, much of this effort has relied on information gathered during their peak foraging season when workers are abundant, thus, neglecting other critical life stages, such as emerging spring queens. In this study, I investigated how spring queen bumble bees use three types of restored habitats (woodland, edge, and …

Longevity,Feeding Behavior, And Egg Production Of Adult House Flies (Musca Domestica) Provided With Potential Farm Foods, Anna Elise Grimenstein

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

House flies (Musca domestica) are cosmopolitan pests to both humans and livestock, and they can vector many diseases. House flies are especially associated with livestock facilities, as adult flies lay eggs in rotting organic matter such as manure. While it is understood that the diet an adult fly receives can affect biological parameters such as longevity and egg production, not much research has been done to address foods that are accessible to house flies in their natural habitat. The present study examined the longevity, feeding behavior, and egg production rates of adult house flies given different foods they would have …

Endophytic Fungi Associated With Galls And Host Plants Of Asphondylia Borrichiae (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae), Shannon Lynn Sharpe

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Asphondylia borrichiae, like other gall-forming gnats, are obligate symbionts to the endophytic fungi (EF) they deposit when laying eggs. Asphondylia spp. and EF are important biocontrol agents, yet details surrounding their diversity, life cycles, and host interactions remain poorly understood. Galls and leaf-stem tissues from two host plants were surveyed to identify and compare EF diversity between the host tissues and species of A. borrichiae. Identification of 114 isolates was carried out by sequencing the internal transcribed spacer (ITS 1/4 primers). Pairwise alignments in multiple genetic databases were bolstered by phylogenetic analyses using maximum parsimony and maximum likelihood …

Investigation Of L-Serine Synthesis And Transport As Stabilizing Feedback Mechanisms Within The Tsetse-Wigglesworthia Symbiosis, Ryan Phillips

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Tsetse flies (Glossina morsitans), which are the obligate vectors of Old-World trypanosomes (Trypanosoma spp.) that cause African trypanosomiasis, have a bacteriome that houses the intracellular endosymbiont Wigglesworthia glossinidia. The ancient coevolution of these species has led to the integration of Wigglesworthia metabolism into tsetse physiology and a subsequent reliance on nutrient exchange for maintaining the fitness of both partners. The establishment of this obligate mutualism has facilitated the emergence of feedback mechanisms that stabilize the symbiosis, such as that which involves the exchange of L-serine and B vitamins. The Gammaproteobacteria Wigglesworthia supplement B vitamins lacking …

Transcriptional Induction Of Immune Pathway Genes And Subsequent Antibacterial Activity In The Digestive Tract Of The Cat Flea (Ctenocephalides Felis)., Katie A. Weber

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Fleas (Order Siphonaptera) are ectoparasites that serve as vectors of several human diseases (cat scratch disease, flea-borne spotted fever, murine typhus, and plague). Typically, these pathogens are acquired through the ingestion of a host-derived bloodmeal; thus, the lumen of the gut is the first barrier encountered by imbibed pathogens. During the early stages of infection, microbes come into contact with surrounding midgut epithelial cells which trigger a series of host responses to combat local infection. Specifically, pathogen recognition leads to intracellular signaling and an increase in the production of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) via the IMD and Toll immune pathways. While …

A Worldwide Overview Of The Status And Prospects Of Edible Insect Production, R. Caparros Megido, F. Francis, E. Haubruge, P. Le Gall, J. K. Tomberlin, C. D. Miranda, H. R. Jordan, C. J. Picard, M. J.M. Pino, J. Ramos-Elordy, E. Katz, K. B. Barragán-Fonseca, E. M. Costa-Neto, R. Ponce-Reyes, G. Wijffels, S. Ghosh, C. Jung, Y. S. Han, B. Conti, A. Vilcinskas, C. M. Tanga, M. O. Kababu, D. Beesigamukama, J. A. Morales Ramos, A. Van Huis

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

There has been continuous and growing interest in edible insects. Worldwide, various levels of insect farming are emerging, ranging from small domestic farms to vertical farms reaching heights of 36 meters, accommodating several million growing insects. The appeal of insects lies in their ecological benefits, as they contribute to the valorization of unde-rutilized organic residues while requiring minimal space and water. The selection of insect species is influenced not only by their biology and behavior but also by local preferences and customs, varying with the scale of production and geographi-cal location. This review article aims to provide an updated overview …

Editorial: Invasive Pathogens And Arthropods: Biogeography, Drivers Of Invasion Success, Impacts On Indigenous Forest Trees And Emerging Management Strategies, Frank Chidawanyika, Komivi S. Akutse, Tendai Musvuugwa, Abdullahi A. Yusuf, Casper Nyamukondiwa

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

With the ongoing global anthropogenic climate change, a silent war rages in forests, the lungs of the earth. Invasive pathogens and insect pests are decimating native trees, compromising ecological function, biodiversity, and ecosystem services. Many of the processes surrounding successful biotic invasions are broad and have been previously analyzed (Hobbs et al., 2006; Blackburn et al., 2011). For invasive insect pests and pathogens, globalization, the rise in human population and associated environmental disturbances are recognized as fundamental drivers of introduction of propagules of non-native species to novel environments. Superior tolerance of extreme climate environments, in particular temperature, is also associated …

Editorial: 2022 In Review: Vector Biology, David P. Tchouassi, Janet Midega, Baldwyn Torto

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

This editorial summarizes collections on the Research Topic “2022 in Review: Vector Biology’’ that focus on entomologic surveillance insights related to mosquito-borne diseases such as dengue and malaria, and sandfly-borne leishmaniasis. Specifically, the editorial discusses the entomologic drivers of dengue virus transmission, host-feeding relationships among various mosquito vectors, sample efficiency of malaria vectors using a suite of trapping techniques and improving sandfly surveillance using odor-baited trapping strategies. The research article by Kamau et al. assessed variation in the biological attributes of adult Aedes aegypti mosquitoes by estimating critical parameters of vectorial capacity (vectors abundance, human blood feeding rates, survival) that …

Effects Of Four Potent Entomopathogenic Fungal Isolates On The Survival And Performance Of Telenomus Remus, An Egg Parasitoid Of Fall Armyworm, Junitor Chepkemoi, Ken Okwae Fening, Felicitas Chaba Ambele, Joseph Munywoki, Komivi Senyo Akutse

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda is a generalist pest known to feed on more than 300 plant species, including major staple crops such as rice, maize and sorghum. Biological control of FAW using a combination of a major indigenous egg parasitoid Telenomus remus and entomopathogenic fungi was explored in this study. Metarhizium anisopliae strains (ICIPE 7, ICIPE 41, and ICIPE 78) and Beauveria bassiana ICIPE 621 which demonstrated effectiveness to combat the pest, were evaluated through direct and indirect fungal infection to assess their pathogenicity and virulence against T. remus adults, S. frugiperda eggs and their effects on T. remus …

A Convolutional Neural Network With Image And Numerical Data To Improve Farming Of Edible Crickets As A Source Of Food—A Decision Support System, Henry Kyalo, Henri E.Z. Tonnang, James P. Egonyu, John Olukuru, Chrysantus M. Tanga, Kennedy Senagi

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Crickets (Gryllus bimaculatus) produce sounds as a natural means to communicate and convey various behaviors and activities, including mating, feeding, aggression, distress, and more. These vocalizations are intricately linked to prevailing environmental conditions such as temperature and humidity. By accurately monitoring, identifying, and appropriately addressing these behaviors and activities, the farming and production of crickets can be enhanced. This research implemented a decision support system that leverages machine learning (ML) algorithms to decode and classify cricket songs, along with their associated key weather variables (temperature and humidity). Videos capturing cricket behavior and weather variables were recorded. From these videos, sound …

Dual Suppression Of Glossina Pallidipes Using Entomopathogenic Fungal-Based Biopesticides And Sterile Insect Technique, Fidelis L.O. Ombura, Adly M.M. Abd-Alla, Komivi S. Akutse, Steven Runo, Paul O. Mireji, Rosemary Bateta, Joseck E. Otiwi, Inusa J. Ajene, Fathiya M. Khamis

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Tsetse flies and trypanosomosis significantly impact bovine production and human health in sub-Saharan Africa, exacerbating underdevelopment, malnutrition, and poverty. Despite various control strategies, long-term success has been limited. This study evaluates the combined use of entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) and the sterile insect technique (SIT) to combat tsetse flies. Eleven EPF isolates were tested against teneral males of Glossina pallidipes, focusing on mortality rates, radial growth, and impacts on fly fitness. Temperature effects on conidial growth, sporulation, and spore yield of SIT-compatible/tolerant strains were also assessed. The fungal isolates significantly influenced mortality rates in both unirradiated and irradiated (SIT-treated) males (p <  0.0001). Metarhizium anisopliae strains ICIPE 20, ICIPE 32, ICIPE 41, ICIPE 62, ICIPE 78, and Beauveria bassiana ICIPE 603 showed higher SIT compatibility/tolerance with LT50 values of 11–30 days, compared to other more virulent isolates with LT50 values of 4–9 days. Temperature significantly affected the radial growth of SIT-compatible EPF strains (p <  0.0001), with M. anisopliae ICIPE 78 exhibiting the fastest conidia growth at 25°C. Spore yield varied significantly across temperatures (15–40°C), and the thermal range for conidia germination of SIT-compatible strains was 8.1–45.4°C, with an optimal range of 26.7–31.1°C. Moreover, infected unirradiated females and irradiated males (donors) successfully transmitted conidia to untreated flies (receivers) without significant differences in survival rates (p = 0.6438) and no observed sex dimorphism. Our findings highlight the potential of combining EPF and SIT as a novel dual approach that could effectively and synergistically suppress tsetse fly populations.

Insect Frass Fertilizer As A Regenerative Input For Improved Biological Nitrogen Fixation And Sustainable Bush Bean Production, Agnes Chepkorir, Dennis Beesigamukama, Harun I. Gitari, Shaphan Y. Chia, Sevgan Subramanian, Sunday Ekesi, Birachi Eliud Abucheli, Jean Claude Rubyogo, Theodore Zahariadis, Gina Athanasiou, Aikaterini Zachariadi, Vasileios Zachariadis, Abdou Tenkouano, Chrysantus M. Tanga

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Bush bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) production is undermined by soil degradation and low biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) capacity. This study evaluated the effect of black soldier fly frass fertilizer (BSFFF) on bush bean growth, yield, nutrient uptake, BNF, and profitability, in comparison with commercial organic fertilizer (Phymyx, Phytomedia International Ltd., Kiambu, Kenya), synthetic fertilizer (NPK), and rhizobia inoculant (Biofix, MEA Fertilizers, Nairobi, Kenya). The organic fertilizers were applied at rates of 0, 15, 30, and 45 kg N ha−1 while the NPK was applied at 40 kg N ha−1, 46 kg P ha−1, and 60 kg K ha−1. The fertilizers …

Bacteria Associated With Parthenium Hysterophorus Root Exudate Influence Olfactory Oviposition Responses Of Anopheles Gambiae, Trizah K. Milugo, Baldwyn Torto, David P. Tchouassi

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Introduction: Previously, we documented that the malaria vector Anopheles gambiae responds to volatile emissions from the root exudate water of the invasive plant, Parthenium hysterophorus. However, the origin of the volatiles remains to be investigated. Here, we isolated bacteria from the root exudate water of the plant, test the influence of their volatiles in gravid An. gambiae oviposition, and examined relationships between volatile profiles and oviposition. Methods: Bacteria from root exudate water of P. hysterophorus were isolated using culture on Luria Bertani medium and identified by sequencing the 16S rRNA gene. Cultures of individual isolates were evaluated for egg laying …

Chitin-Enriched Insect Frass Fertilizer As A Biorational Alternative For Root-Knot Nematode (Meloidogyne Incognita) Management, James Kisaakye, Dennis Beesigamukama, Solveig Haukeland, Sevgan Subramanian, Paul K. Thiongo, Segenet Kelemu, Chrysantus M. Tanga

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.) are serious pests of most food crops, causing up to 100% yield loss. Nevertheless, commercial nematicides are costly and harmful to the environment. While the nematicidal potential of crustacean and synthetic chitin has been demonstrated globally, research on the potential of insect-derived chitin for nematode control has received limited attention. Here, seven chitin-fortified black soldier fly frass fertilizer extracts (chFE) were assessed for their suppressiveness of Meloidogyne incognita and impacts on spinach growth in comparison with a commercial nematicide using in vitro and in vivo bioassays. The performance of chFE and control treatments was assessed by …

Mitochondrial Dna Variation In Honey Bee (Apis Mellifera) Colonies From Arkansas, U.S., Allen Szalanski

Entomology and Plant Pathology Faculty Publications and Presentations

This study characterized the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) genetic variation in Arkansas honey bee, Apis mellifera L., by sequencing a portion of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase (COI-COII) intergenic region). The samples were primarily of hobbyist-managed origin (n=180), as well as 32 feral colonies and two swarms. Of the 214 honey bee colonies and swarms sampled, 23 haplotypes were observed. The haplotypes were from the: A (African) (1.87%); C (South eastern European) (92.52%); M (Northern and Western European) (3.27%); and O (Near East and Middle East) lineages (2.34%). Six C lineage haplotypes were predominantly detected (n=189, 88.31%), all of which are common …

Mitochondrial Dna Genetic Variation Of Feral And Managed Honey Bee, Apis Mellifera, Colonies From Oklahoma, Allen Szalanski

Entomology and Plant Pathology Faculty Publications and Presentations

Understanding the genetic diversity of honey bees in North America provides valuable insight into the conservation, ecology, and evolution of this economically important insect. Here, we characterized the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) genetic variation in populations of the honey bee, Apis mellifera L., in Oklahoma by sequencing a portion of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase (COI-COII) intergenic region. The samples were primarily of feral origin (n = 164), as well as from 24 managed colonies. Samples were obtained from 50 of Oklahoma's 77 counties, which represented six distinct ecoregions. Of the 188 colonies sampled,19 distinct haplotypes were observed, which included: A (African) …

Expanded Range Of Nasutitermes Callimorphus Mathews, 1977 (Isoptera: Termitidae: Nasutitermitinae), Comparison With N. Corniger (Motschulsky, 1855) And N. Ephratae (Holmgren, 1910), And Synonymy Of N. Dasyopsis Thorne, 1989 Into N. Nigriceps (Haldeman, 1854), Allen Szalanski

Entomology and Plant Pathology Faculty Publications and Presentations

The imago of N. callimorphus is described for the first time. Nasutitermes callimorphus occurs from Mexico to Paraguay. Nasutitermes callimorphus is smaller in all measurements but generally resembles its widely distributed sympatric congeners, N. corniger (Motschulsky, 1855) and N. ephratae (Holmgren, 1910). Molecular phylogenetic analysis of a portion of the mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene and the COII mtDNA marker revealed that N. callimorphus forms a distinct clade using both maximum parsimony and maximum likelihood analysis. Unlike N. corniger and N. ephratae, N. callimorphus does not build epigeal or arboreal carton nests. We further regard N. dasyopsis Thorne, 1989 as a …

Two New Incisitermes (Isoptera: Kalotermitidae) Species From The Caribbean Basin, Genetic Relationships With Other Regional Incisitermes, And Synonymy Of Incisitermes Tabogae With I. Schwarzi, Allen Szalanski

Entomology and Plant Pathology Faculty Publications and Presentations

Two new species of Incisitermes are described from the soldier and imago caste: Incisitermes lisae sp. nov. (Yucatan Region) and Incisitermes mariae sp. nov. (Venezuela and Trinidad and Tobago). Incisitermes tabogae (Snyder, 1924) is reduced to a junior synonymy of Incisitermes schwarzi (Banks, 1920), known from Florida, the West Indies, and the Caribbean basin mainland. The phylogenetic relationships of these three species are compared with other Incisitermes of the region.

Silphid And Carabid Beetles In An Experimental Forest Trial: Idna And Diets, And Insect-Human Relationships Can Better Inform Forest Management, Katherine E. Higdon

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

Insect conservation, primarily focused on pollinators, is a growing issue amid concerns of climate change and the purported sixth mass extinction of Earth’s biodiversity. However, the focus on charismatic pollinators ignores a large portion of ecologically important and beneficial species. Having broader knowledge of insect diets and the impacts of anthropogenic disturbance on diets can better inform more comprehensive management approaches while also providing valuable knowledge with regards to trophic relationships between multiple species within ecosystems. This ensures the health and stability of ecosystems beyond pollination services. This research started by establishing the utility of Silphid beetles for invertebrate DNA …

Invasion Of Superbugs: Cockroach-Driven Outbreak Of Multidrug-Resistant Enterobacter In An Icu, Jennifer Hanrahan, Nicholas Schouten, Steven H. Fyffe, Annette Jencson, Stephanie Stroever

Department of Medicine Faculty Publications

Objective: To describe factors in an outbreak of multidrug-resistant Enterobacter cloacae (MRE) in an intensive care unit (ICU) over a 20-month period including the likely contribution of cockroaches to the outbreak.

Design: This is a retrospective descriptive study.

Setting: ICU in an urban hospital.

Patients: All patients admitted to the ICU during the 20-month outbreak period were included in the study.

Interventions: Infection prevention interventions included contact isolation, hand hygiene, dedicated patient equipment, environmental cultures, and pest control.

Results: 25 patients were identified as being colonized or infected with MRE. Relatedness of the outbreak strain and strains found in cockroaches …

A Comparison Of Three Dna Extraction Methods On 45-Year-Old Pupae Cases, Ananya Udyaver, Casey Flint, Jeffery Tomberlin, Baneshwar Singh

UROP Posters

Blow flies are the primary colonizers of human cadavers. In many death investigations, insect evidence can help in prediction of minimum post-mortem interval (PMImin) but to do that, the first step is to identify collected insect evidence. For immature stages, morphological keys are either limited or incomplete and hence DNA based identification is used. For DNA based ID, DNA extraction is the first and the most important step, especially when collected evidence is highly degraded. The main aim of this study was to compare three DNA extraction methods (QIAgen Blood and Tissue Kit, organic, and QIAgen DNA Investigator Kit) to …