Entomology Commons^™

Net Effects Of Wild And Managed Birds In Agroecosystems, Karina Garcia

Theses and Dissertations--Entomology

Agricultural intensification and expansion have reduced biodiversity in agroecosystems, jeopardizing the ecosystem services that nature provides to humans in these landscapes including wildlife-mediated pest control. Among these purveyors of ecosystem services are birds, who can provide services to agroecosystems by consuming arthropod pests. Yet some bird species also act as pests by consuming crops. Herein, I use molecular diet analysis through high-throughput sequencing on DNA extracted from bird fecal samples to examine birds’ diet and classify bird species as consumers of major strawberry pests (Lygus spp.). Additionally, I use targeted PCR approaches to determine which bird species consumed strawberries. …

Midgut Metamorphosis In The Yellow Fever Mosquito, Aedes Aegypti, Najla Mohammed Albishi

Theses and Dissertations--Entomology

Remodeling of larval tissues including the midgut is essential for the completion of metamorphosis in the yellow fever mosquito, Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae). The midgut structure and function have been extensively studied in adult Ae. aegypti, because adult females need to blood feed to reproduce, and the alimentary canal is the first barrier that encounters pathogens ingested through the blood meal. The midgut of Ae. aegypti undergoes remodeling during the larval-pupal metamorphosis. The degeneration of larval cells and the proliferation and differentiation of stem cells to form pupal-adult midgut are the major events that take place during metamorphosis. …

Rna Interference For Emerald Ash Borer Suppression: Ecotoxicological Assessment And Delivery Methods, Flavia Pampolini

Theses and Dissertations--Entomology

The emerald ash borer (EAB), Agrilus planipennis (Coleoptera: Buprestidae), is a highly invasive phloem-feeding insect native to Asia. It has killed millions of ash trees (Fraxinus spp.) since its accidental introduction into North America, causing profound economic and ecological impacts. RNA interference (RNAi) or double-stranded RNA (dsRNA)-mediated gene silencing is an emerging biotechnology that is developing as an innovative tool for pest management. Exogenous dsRNA triggers the RNAi pathway, silences genes, and disrupts protein function, causing insect mortality. RNAi has proven effective in reducing target gene expression and causing mortality in EAB; however, two aspects stand as barriers …

Gene Silencing Provides Insights Into Bark Beetle Biology And Creates Potential For Broad Scale Forest Protection, Beth R. Kyre

Theses and Dissertations--Entomology

Dendroctonus bark beetles are among the most economically and ecologically significant forest pests in North America and play a critical role in the overall health of conifer forest ecosystems. Dendroctonus bark beetles influence ecosystem benefits and biodiversity and drive forest succession, and adversely affect timber production, forest management, and recreation. As temperatures surge and climatic fluctuations become more extreme, catastrophic bark beetle outbreaks are increasing in frequency, escalating pressures on highly vulnerable conifer forests already compromised by heat and drought. Eruptive outbreaks of Dendroctonus beetles are largely unhindered by traditional silvicultural management; these practices further disrupt forest ecosystem services, including …

A Functional Genomics Approach To Overwintering Mechanisms In Insects, Emily Allison Wheeler Nadeau

Theses and Dissertations--Entomology

Insects living in temperate and polar environments have developed numerous adaptations to increase survival at low temperatures. A majority of insects are freeze-intolerant and die from internal ice formation, but some are freeze-tolerant and can survive ice formation in extracellular spaces. Both categories of insects prepare for winter with a combination of seasonal and rapid acclimation responses, which differ both in time course and in underlying mechanisms. In this dissertation, I examine adaptations for winter survival in several insect species with a specific focus on molecular mechanisms. To better understand the underpinning mechanisms of these adaptations, I leverage functional genomics …

Decomposition And Macroinvertebrate Shredder Colonization Of Autumnal Shed Sycamore Leaves In Mining-Contaminated Streams, Leslie Marie Hatch

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

Leaf decomposition in streams is an important ecological function facilitated by bacteria, fungi, and macroinvertebrates. Metal contamination can decrease leaf decomposition rates and reduce macroinvertebrate abundance and diversity. In the current study, I focused on mining-contamination in well-buffered streams in two different Missouri mining districts with varying extents of mining contamination, Big River and Pierson Creek. I measured decomposition rates of sycamore leaves, and abundance and diversity of macroinvertebrate shredders in leaf pack experiments with a full-factorial design to determine the effects of metal contamination of leaves and stream substrates. Comparisons were made between leaf packs upstream and downstream of …

Association Between Habitat And The Genetic Diversity Of The Brown-Belted Bumblebee (Bombus Griseocollis) In The Agricultural Landscape Across Northeast Iowa, Clarissa Elizabeth Bruns

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Wild bumblebees (Hymenoptera: Apidae) are key pollinators in natural ecosystems and major contributors to pollination in agriculture. Despite this, numerous bee species are in decline from introduced pathogens, pesticides, and habitat fragmentation. In the Midwestern United States, the land is dominated by agricultural landscape, and farming practices result in limited floral resources and frequently disturbed nesting grounds for bee species. In this thesis, I examine the genetic diversity between and within populations of brown-belted bumblebee (Bombus griseocollis) across northeast Iowa and test for population genetic structure between reconstructed prairies within 3 years of establishment and prairies >10 years …

Wa Insecticide Guide 2022 - Winter Spring, Svetlana Micic, Alan Lord

PestFacts WA

Registered chemicals for crops during winter / spring 2022

Important

The pesticides listed in the tables within this guide can be used on any crop appearing on the chemical label, as long as the rate used does not exceed the highest rate that is registered for use on that crop.

There are many products with different trade names that contain the same active ingredient. This list is not exhaustive and does not imply any specific recommendations of brand names.

Unless otherwise specified all insecticides listed are emulsifiable concentrate (EC). Insecticides with SC are suspension concentrate, WP is wettable powder, CS …

Identification Of Sesquiterpenes In Wild Tomato Accessions With Activities Against The Potato Aphid And Their Tissue-Specific Engineering In Cultivated Tomato, Fumin Wang

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The potato aphid (Macrosiphum euphorbiae Thomas) poses a serious problem in the commercial production of horticultural crops including tomato, since it causes damage by stylet feeding and the transmission of viruses for which it serves as the vector. Application of conventional pesticides being the fundamental tactic in the control of the aphid is increasingly considered insufficient and problematic due to emerging pest resistances and biosafety issues, highlighting the continuing need to develop new efficient and sustainable approaches. Alternatively, glandular trichomes of plants are well-known epidermal hairy tissues producing various secondary metabolites that involve in plant-insect interactions, while the terpene …

Conditioned Territory Defense In Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches (Gromphadorhina Portentosa), Macy R. Albaitis

Honors Theses

In male blue gourami fish (Trichogaster trichopterus), signaled presentation of a male rival produces an aggressive conditioned response that results in an increased likelihood of the male winning the contest (Hollis, 1984). I replicated this classic study in a species that also shows territorial aggression: the Madagascar hissing cockroach (MHC; Gromphadorhina portentosa). During training, four adult male MHCs were designated as “CS+” animals and received a light (NS) followed by visual access to a rival male (US). Simultaneously, another group of four adult male MHCs designated as “UNC” animals received the light (NS) and visual access to a …

Wheat Transcriptomic Responses To Extended Feeding By Wheat Curl Mites, Lise Pingault, Tran Kim Ngan Luong, Joe Louis, Gary Hein

Department of Entomology: Faculty Publications

The economic importance of wheat and its contribution to human and livestock diets has been already demonstrated. However, wheat production is impacted by pests that induce yield reductions. Among these pests, wheat curl mite (WCM, Aceria tosichella Keifer) impacts wheat all around the world. WCM are tiny pests that feed within the whorl of developing leaves, and their feeding causes leaf curling by preventing them from unfurling. The curling of the leaves provides a protective niche for the WCM. Additionally, WCM are also the vector of serious viruses in wheat. Little is known regarding the impact of the WCM on …

Opposing Effects Of Myzus Persicae-Induced Lipase 1 And Jasmonic Acid Influence The Outcome Of Arabidopsis Thaliana–Fusarium Graminearum Interaction, Syeda T. Alam, Sujon Sarowar, Hossain A. Mondal, Ragiba Makandar, Zulkarnain Chowdhury, Joe Louis, Jyoti Shah

Department of Entomology: Faculty Publications

Fusarium graminearum (Fg) is an important fungal pathogen of small grain cereals that can also infect Arabidopsis thaliana. In Arabidopsis, jasmonic acid (JA) signalling involving JASMONATE RESISTANT 1 (JAR1), which synthesizes JA-isoleucine, a signalling form of JA, promotes susceptibility to Fg. Here we show that Arabidopsis MYZUS PERSICAE-INDUCED LIPASE 1 (MPL1), via its influence on limiting JA accumulation, restricts Fg infection. MPL1 expression was up-regulated in response to Fg infection, and MPL1-OE plants, which overexpress MPL1, exhibited enhanced resistance against Fg. In comparison, disease severity was higher on the mpl1 mutant than the wild type. JA content was …

Death Scene Insect Succession In Nebraska: A Guidebook, Erin Bauer, Larry Barksdale, Emma Sidel, Justine Laviolette

Department of Entomology: Faculty Publications

Insect behavior can be helpful to law enforcement in determining time of death, manner of death, location, and environment related to human or other animal victims found at a death scene. They may also provide clues about other aspects associated with an investigation (i.e., fly specks, suspect DNA). The study of how insects and related arthropods can aid in legal investigations is known as forensic entomology. Although this includes both civil applications, such as urban (i.e., maggots in mortuaries or insect structural damage) or stored product (i.e., illness from food contamination) entomology, this manual focuses on criminal applications, such as …

Reduced Susceptibility Of Western Corn Rootworm (Diabrotica Virgifera Virgifera Leconte) Populations To Cry34/35ab1‑Expressing Maize In Northeast Nebraska, Jordan D. Reinders, Lance J. Meinke

Department of Entomology: Faculty Publications

The western corn rootworm (WCR; Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte) is a significant pest of maize (Zea mays L.) across the United States Corn Belt. Transgenic maize hybrids expressing insecticidal proteins derived from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) have been used to manage WCR since 2003. Widespread resistance to Cry3Bb1 (and associated cross-resistance to mCry3A and eCry3.1Ab) has placed increased selection pressure on Cry34/35Ab1 in single-protein and pyramided transgenic maize hybrids. Data on the susceptibility of Nebraska WCR populations to Cry34/35Ab1 has not been published since 2015 and plant-based bioassays conducted in 2017–2018 confirmed resistance to Cry3Bb1 + Cry34/35Ab1 maize, suggesting resistance …

Three New Species Of Cyclocephala (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Dynastinae) From Amazonian Peru And A Checklist Of Cyclocephala Species In Peru, Fernando Paz, Brett C. Ratcliffe, Luis Figueroa

Department of Entomology: Faculty Publications

The following new species of Cyclocephala Dejean, 1821 (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Dynastinae: Cyclocephalini) are described from Peru: C. mateoi Paz & Ratcliffe, C. ukuku Paz & Ratcliffe, and C. hylaea Ratcliffe & Paz. A description, diagnosis, geographic distribution, notes on natural history, and illustrations are provided for each new species. Six Cyclocephala species are reported for the first time from Peru: C. emarginata Endrödi, 1964, C. guianae Endrödi, 1969, C. kuntzeniana Höhne, 1923, C. malyi Dupuis, 2014, C. ovulum Bates, 1888, and C. sylviae Dechambre, 1995. An updated, annotated list of the 81 Peruvian species of Cyclocephala is provided.

Increased Signal Complexity Is Associated With Increased Mating Success, Noori Choi, Matt Adams, Kasey Fowler-Finn, Elise Knowlton, Malcolm Rosenthal, Aaron Rundus, Roger D. Santer, Dustin J. Wilgers, Eileen Hebets

Eileen Hebets Publications

The evolution of complex signals has often been explored by testing multiple functional hypotheses regarding how independent signal components provide selective benefits to offset the costs of their production. In the present study, we take a different approach by exploring the function of complexity per se. We test the hypothesis that increased vibratory signal complexity— based on both proportional and temporal patterning—provides selective benefits to courting male Schizocosa stridulans wolf spiders. In support of this hypothesis, all of our quantified metrics of vibratory signal complexity predicted the mating success of male S. stridulans. The rate of visual signalling, which is …

Description Of The Courtship And Copulation Behaviours Of The Wall Spider Oecobius Concinnus (Oecobiidae), Diego Solano-Brenes, Laura Segura-Hernández, Gilbert Barrantes

Eileen Hebets Publications

Courtship and copulation behaviours are yet scantily described in many spider families, and this lack of information limits our understanding of the evolution of such behaviours within and across families. Here, we provide a detailed description of both courtship and copulation behaviour for Oecobius concinnus Simon, 1893. A striking characteristic of the male courtship is the construction of a tubular web (mating web) in which most courtship and copulation occurs. This web likely functions to restrain the female in a reduced space and as a substrate for male pheromones. The courtship consists of a complex web of interactions between both …

Effects Of Drought On Habitat Quality For Native Bees In Residential Gardens Of Claremont, Ca, Max Proctor

CMC Senior Theses

Over 1,500 of the 4000 bee species found in North America inhabit California. Native bees are declining however, largely due to climate change and agricultural intensification. Previous research shows that cities can sustain diverse bee communities, due to the diversity of ornamental flowers. Urban green space represents an opportunity for native bee conservation. Residential gardens provide lots of green space and are urban pollinator hotspots. Managing yards for increased floral resources and nesting habitat can benefit native bee communities. Turfgrass provides few floral or nesting resources and negatively correlates with bee diversity. The 2011-2017 California drought caused many homeowners to …

Urban Insect Biodiversity - Effects Of Native Landscaping, Caedmon Morgret, Dave Warners

Student Papers and Reports

Urban development comes with the cost of destroyed natural habitats. Urban infrastructure flattens entire ecosystems, replacing them with impervious, life-inhibiting constructions.

Alleviating the impacts of urbanization is possible. Green infrastructure mitigates habitat loss by restoring native habitats within urbanized areas. One benefit of green infrastructure is the reestablishment of biodiversity, benefitting plants, animals, and insects alike. Biodiversity creates a healthier habitat and location than urban infrastructure –and lack of biodiversity –does.

To investigate this benefit we performed a pilot study, sampling lawns and curb-cut rain gardens (CCRGs). We compared biodiversity between restored and unrestored urban habitats.

Applying Resource Selection Probability Function (Rspf) To Understand Floral Resource Use By A Common Bumble Bee, Bombus Vancouverensis, Rebekah Brassfield

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Bumble bees (Hymenoptera: Bombus) are important pollinators in temperate ecosystems worldwide with seasonal caste variations involving queens, workers, and drones. Like all organisms, they must meet their nutrient requirements for successful growth and development by using several floral resources over time. When resource use is in greater proportion to its abundance on a landscape, that use is considered selective. To examine resource use within the context of abundance, a resource selection probability function (RSPF) was applied to examine floral resource use through a flowering season by a common bumble bee, Bombus vancouverensis. The RSPF framework was used to examine 1) …

Amblyomma Quadricavum (Schulze, 1941) (Acari:Ixodidae): First Description Of The Nymphal Stage And Phylogenetic Assessment Of Its Taxonomic Status, Ashleigh V. Riggs

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

The hard tick (Acari: Ixodidae) Amblyomma quadricavum (Schulze, 1941) is a parasite of snakes and is endemic to the Caribbean region. Morphological characters of this species, namely its rudimentary eye structures, have led to debate about its taxonomic status. The species was originally assigned to the genus Aponomma. However, with revisions of the genus Aponomma, and the recent creation of new genera created for some basal former-Aponomma, it has been suggested that perhaps Amblyomma quadricavum might be a close relative of Robertsicus elaphensis, the Trans-Pecos rat snake tick of the southwest United States and New Mexico, another eyeless former-Aponomma species …

Seek, Picture Insect, Google Lens: An Analysis Of Popular Insect Identification Apps Using Photos Of Realistic Quality, Morgan Manderfield

Department of Entomology: Distance Master of Science Projects

Photo-based identification apps for mobile devices have grown in popularity across many fields of organismal biology. While studies have shown that these apps show promise in fields such as botany and ornithology, there is much skepticism surrounding their accuracy and usefulness in entomology. While providing these apps with photos of high quality will undoubtedly lead to the highest accuracy rates, often users submit photos of average quality, e.g., in poor lighting, out of focus, from far away, etc. To quantify realistic accuracy rates of photo-based insect identification apps, this study analyzed three popular apps – Seek, Picture Insect, and Google …

“One Bug, Two Bug, Good Bug, Bad Bug”, Ivy Grob

Department of Entomology: Distance Master of Science Projects

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is a holistic strategy for the management of pest species. It is a framework that relies on scientifically informed decisions to identify and remediate a pest problem in a way that minimizes harm to the environment, human health, and the economy (Dara, 2019). The term pest is broadly defined not just as a nuisance, but as any organism that has detrimental effects to a resource or public health and that exists at a population level that exceeds a threshold of economic damage. This encompasses invertebrates (such as insects, nematodes, and mites), vertebrates, plant pathogens, diseases, and …

Counting Butterflies In Yosemite: A Guide For Beginners, Christine Melvin

Department of Entomology: Distance Master of Science Projects

Entomology is the study of insects. Insects are the most numerous animal group on the planet and therefore the field of entomology is further divided based upon insect groups. Butterflies and Moths belong to the insect group Lepidoptera. An entomologist who studies butterflies and/or moths is called a Lepidopterist. Butterflies are a special group of insects because they are not only studied by entomologists, but they are also studied by people called citizen scientists. Citizen science is the casual participation in gathering of data about anything relating to science. Anyone who uses the app iNaturalist is a citizen scientist because …

A Guide To Agricultural Insect Pests On The East Coast, Devan Mazza-Mcdonald

Department of Entomology: Distance Master of Science Projects

A Guide to Agricultural Insect Pests on the East Coast is a useful resource comprised of fact sheets of ten invasive pests that have been introduced to the United States. It also includes a fact sheet of three important pollinator species that are of economic and environmental importance. Most of the pests I selected are currently an issue in states on the East coast and in some instances, further west as well. Currently, the khapra beetle is not a problem pest in the United States but does have a possibility of becoming an issue, again. The invasive pests I chose …

Revision Of The Endemic African Genus Dinapsis (Dinapsini, Megalyridae, Hymenoptera) With Description Of Seven New Species, Simon Van Noort, Scott Richard Shaw, Robert S. Copeland

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

The endemic Afrotropical genus Dinapsis is revised, and seven new species are described and illustrated: D. bicolor van Noort & Shaw, sp. nov., D. gamka van Noort & Shaw, sp. nov., D. igneus van Noort & Shaw, sp. nov., D. spinitibia van Noort & Shaw, sp. nov., D. taita van Noort & Shaw, sp. nov., D. tricolor Shaw & van Noort, sp. nov., D. zulu Shaw & van Noort, sp. nov. The distribution of the Central African Republican species D. centralis Shaw & van Noort, 2009 is extended to include Cameroon, Kenya and Uganda. Dinapsis turneri Waterston, 1922, previously only …

Editorial: Insights In Vector Biology: 2021, Baldwyn Torto, David P. Tchouassi

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

This editorial summarizes collections on the Research Topic “Insights in Vector Biology’’. Vectors of four major tropical diseases including malaria, Chagas, dengue and West Nile were considered. The editorial discusses vectors contributing to residual malaria transmission that reside mainly outdoors and not targeted by indoor vector control interventions, notably, long lasting insecticidal nets and indoor residual spraying; the concept of paratransgenesis- a parasite transmission blocking strategy which uses genetically-modified microbes made to produce antimalarial effectors inside the vector for malaria control; assessment of insecticide resistance in malaria vectors; insecticide resistance in Chagas disease vectors; reproductive biology of the dengue vector; …

Potential Of Entomocomposting Toward Soil Pathogen Suppression, Dennis Beesigamukama, María Gómez-Brandón, Chrysantus Mbi Tanga

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Waste accumulation and microbial pollution are key environmental challenges in most developing countries. Land filling, the commonest waste disposal method, is not sustainable due to land scarcity and point source pollution. Thus, a large fraction of organic wastes is not properly disposed, yet the conventional methods of waste recycling are less effective. The degradation of waste using insect life stages (entomocomposting) has emerged as a novel tool that is fast, affordable, and sustainable in recycling organic wastes with maximum pathogen suppression. This bioconversion process also generates an organic fertilizer with potential to enhance soil remediation and provide additional benefits on …

Microsporidia: A Promising Vector Control Tool For Residual Malaria Transmission, Tullu Bukhari, Roland Pevsner, Jeremy Keith Herren

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) and indoor residual spraying (IRS) have resulted in a major decrease in malaria transmission. However, it has become apparent that malaria can be effectively transmitted despite high coverage of LLINs/IRS. Residual transmission can occur due to Plasmodium-carrying Anopheles mosquitoes that are insecticide resistant and have feeding and resting behavior that reduces their chance of encountering the currently deployed indoor malaria control tools. Residual malaria transmission is likely to be the most significant hurdle to achieving the goal of malaria eradication and research and development towards new tools and strategies that can control residual malaria transmission is …

Evaluating The Growth And Cost–Benefit Analysis Of Feeding Improved Indigenous Chicken With Diets Containing Black Soldier Fly Larva Meal, Mwangi K. Waithaka, Isaac M. Osuga, Lucy W. Kabuage, Sevgan Subramanian, Beatrice Muriithi, Ann M. Wachira, Chrysantus M. Tanga

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

The high cost of feed has been the major hindrance to a hindrance to the growth, sustainability, profitability, and expansion of poultry production. Black soldier fly larva (BSFL) meal is one of the most promising alternative protein sources widely accepted globally. This study evaluated the growth performance of improved indigenous chicken (IIC)-fed diets containing different inclusion levels of BSFL meals. The BSFL meal inclusion rates included 0% (Diet0), 5% (Diet1), 10% (Diet2), 15% (Diet3), and 20% (Diet4) as replacement to the expensive fish meal in chick and grower diets. Our results showed that diet significantly affected the average daily feed …