Entomology Commons^™

Nebline, November/December 2018

NEBLINE Newsletter Archive from Nebraska Extension in Lancaster County

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Food & Health

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Hexapod Herald - Vol. 30, No. 4, November 2018

Hexapod Herald and Other Entomology Department Newsletters

Abstract: Welcome -- Faculty and Post-Doc News -- Student News -- University of Nebraska Service Awards -- Publications -- Blast from the Past -- Save the Dates -- Busy as a Bee -- Grants -- Meet an Online Student -- Bugfest

Triatomines: Trypanosomatids, Bacteria, And Viruses Potential Vectors?, Caroline Barreto Viera, Yanna Reis Praça, Kaio Luis Da Silva Bentes, Paula Beatriz Santiago, Sofia Marcelino Martins Silva, Gabriel Dos Santos Silva, Flávia Nader Motta, Izabela Marques Dourado Bastos, Jaime Martins De Santana, Carla Nunes De Araújo

Harold W. Manter Laboratory of Parasitology: Library Materials

Triatominae bugs are the vectors of Chagas disease, a major concern to public health especially in Latin America, where vector-borne Chagas disease has undergone resurgence due mainly to diminished triatomine control in many endemic municipalities. Although the majority of Triatominae species occurs in the Americas, species belonging to the genus Linshcosteus occur in India, and species belonging to the Triatoma rubrofasciata complex have been also identified in Africa, the Middle East, South-East Asia, and in the Western Pacific. Not all of Triatominae species have been found to be infected with Trypanosoma cruzi, but the possibility of establishing vector transmission …

Α-Amylase Mediates Host Acceptance In The Braconid Parasitoid Cotesia Flavipes, Gladys Bichang’A, Jean Luc Da Lage, Claire Capdevielle-Dulac, Michel Zivy, Thierry Balliau, Kevin Sambai, Bruno Le Ru, Laure Kaiser, Gerald Juma, Esther Njoki Mwangi Maina, Paul André Calatayud

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Foraging parasitoids use chemical signals in host recognition and selection processes. Although, the volatiles play a relevant role in the localization by parasitoids of their hosts feeding on plants, the host identification process for acceptance occurs mainly during contact between the parasitoid and its host where host products related to feeding activities, fecal pellets and oral secretions, play a crucial role. The purpose of this study was to identify the nature of the contact kairomone(s) that mediate the acceptance for oviposition of the parasitoid Cotesia flavipes Cameron (Hymenoptera, Braconidae), which was released in Kenya in 1993 to control the invasive …

Vertical Transmission Of Naturally Occurring Bunyamwera And Insect-Specific Flavivirus Infections In Mosquitoes From Islands And Mainland Shores Of Lakes Victoria And Baringo In Kenya, Yvonne Ukamaka Ajamma, Thomas Ogao Onchuru, Daniel O. Ouso, David Omondi, Daniel K. Masiga, Jandouwe Villinger

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Background: Many arboviruses transmitted by mosquitoes have been implicated as causative agents of both human and animal illnesses in East Africa. Although epidemics of arboviral emerging infectious diseases have risen in frequency in recent years, the extent to which mosquitoes maintain pathogens in circulation during inter-epidemic periods is still poorly understood. This study aimed to investigate whether arboviruses may be maintained by vertical transmission via immature life stages of different mosquito vector species. Methodology: We collected immature mosquitoes (egg, larva, pupa) on the shores and islands of Lake Baringo and Lake Victoria in western Kenya and reared them to adults. …

Influence Of Feeding-Damaged Plants On The Oviposition Responses Within A Community Of Female Moths, Eric Siaw Ntiri, Paul Andre Calatayud, Boaz Musyoka, Johnnie Van Den Berg, Bruno Pierre Le Ru

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Competitive or facilitative interactions characterise phytophagous insect communities that utilise the same resources. These interactions are often mediated by the host plant. Plant mediation influences the oviposition choices that a community of insects, sharing the same host plant make. In this context, the oviposition choices of females within a community of lepidopteran cereal stemborers namely Busseola fusca, Sesamia calamistis and Chilo partellus were studied in plant choice-experiments under laboratory and field conditions. Gravid females of each species were presented with a choice between maize plants infested by conspecific or heterospecific larvae and uninfested maize plants. The number of eggs and …

Threshold Temperatures And Thermal Requirements Of Black Soldier Fly Hermetia Illucens: Implications For Mass Production, Shaphan Yong Chia, Chrysantus Mbi Tanga, Fathiya M. Khamis, Samira A. Mohamed, Daisy Salifu, Subramanian Sevgan, Komi K.M. Fiaboe, Saliou Niassy, Joop J.A. Van Loon, Marcel Dicke, Sunday Ekesi

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Efforts to recycle organic wastes using black soldier fly (BSF) Hermetia illucens into highnutrient biomass that constitutes a sustainable fat (biodiesel) and high-quality protein ingredient in animal feeds have recently gained momentum worldwide. However, there is little information on the most suitable rearing conditions for growth, development and survivorship of these flies, which is a prerequisite for mass production technologies. We evaluated the physiological requirements for growth and reproduction of H. illucens on two diets [spent grains supplemented with brewers' yeast (D1) and un-supplemented (D2)]. Development rates at nine constant temperatures (10-42°C) were fitted to temperature-dependent linear and non-linear day-degree …

Induced Resistance In Rice, Oryza Sativa, To Herbivores In The Southern United States, Emily Clare Kraus

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

The effects of herbivory and chemical applications as potential inducers of resistance to herbivores in rice, Oryza sativa L., were explored through a series of field, greenhouse, and laboratory experiments. Studies were conducted to investigate the preference and performance of several herbivore pests of rice with a focus on, Lissorhoptrus oryzophilus Kuschel, the rice water weevil (RWW), under conditions where rice plants had been stressed by previous herbivory or chemical applications. The effects of defoliation by Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith), the fall armyworm, on resistance and tolerance of rice to RWW under field conditions were examined. Herbivory by fall …

Continental-Scale Suppression Of An Invasive Pest By A Host-Specific Parasitoid Underlines Both Environmental And Economic Benefits Of Arthropod Biological Control, Kris A. G. Wyckhuys, Prapit Wongtiem, Aunu Rauf, Anchana Thancharoen, George E. Heimpel, Nhung T. T. Le, Muhammad Zainal Fanani, Geoff M. Gurr, Jonathan G. Lundgren, Dharani D. Burra, Leo K. Palao, Glenn Hyman, Ignazio Graziosi, Vi X. Le, Matthew J. W. Cock, Teja Tscharntke, Steve D. Wratten, Liem V. Nguyen, Minsheng You, Yanhui Lu, Johannes W Ketelaar, Georg Goergen, Peter Neuenschwander

Entomology Faculty Publications

Biological control, a globally-important ecosystem service, can provide long-term and broad-scale suppression of invasive pests, weeds and pathogens in natural, urban and agricultural environments. Following (few) historic cases that led to sizeable environmental up-sets, the discipline of arthropod biological control has—over the past decades—evolved and matured. Now, by deliberately taking into account the ecological risks associated with the planned introduction of insect natural enemies, immense environmental and societal benefits can be gained. In this study, we document and analyze a successful case of biological control against the cassava mealybug, Phenacoccus manihoti (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) which invaded Southeast Asia in 2008, where …

Effects Of Coumaphos And Imidacloprid On Honey Bee (Hymenoptera: Apidae) Lifespan And Antioxidant Gene Regulations In Laboratory Experiments, Ales Gregorc, Mohamed Alburaki, Nicholas Rinderer, Blair Sampson, Patricia R. Knight, Shahid Karim, John Adamczyk

Faculty Publications

The main objective of this study was to test comparatively the effects of two common insecticides on honey bee Apis mellifera worker’s lifespan, food consumption, mortality, and expression of antioxidant genes. Newly emerged worker bees were exposed to organophosphate insecticide coumaphos, a neonicotinoid imidacloprid, and their mixtures. Toxicity tests were conducted along with bee midgut immunohistological TUNEL analyses. RT-qPCR assessed the regulation of 10 bee antioxidant genes linked to pesticide toxicity. We tested coumaphos at 92,600 ppb concentration, in combination with 5 and 20 ppb imidacloprid. Coumaphos induced significantly higher bee mortality, which was associated with down regulation of catalase …

A Household Model Of German Cockroach Infestations And Their Effect On Symptoms Of Atopic Asthma, Karen Funderburk

Annual Symposium on Biomathematics and Ecology Education and Research

No abstract provided.

Identification Of Target Genes For Rnai-Mediated Control Of The Twospotted Spider Mite, June-Sun Yoon, Dipak K. Sahoo, Indu B. Maiti, Subba Reddy Palli

Entomology Faculty Publications

RNA interference (RNAi) is being developed for the management of pests that destroy crops. The twospotted Spider Mite (TSSM), Tetranychus urticae is a worldwide pest due to its unique physiological and behavioral characteristics including extraordinary ability to detoxify a wide range of pesticides and feed on many host plants. In this study, we conducted experiments to identify target genes that could be used for the development of RNAi-based methods to control TSSM. Leaf disc feeding assays revealed that knockdown in the expression genes coding for proteins involved in the biosynthesis and action of juvenile hormone (JH) and action of ecdysteroids …

Nebline, October 2018

NEBLINE Newsletter Archive from Nebraska Extension in Lancaster County

Feature: Nebraska Extension’s CHIME program: Enhancing childcare professionals’ well-being with mindfulness

Food & Health

Farm & Acreage

Pests & Wildlife

Horticulture

Early Childhood

4-H & Youth

and other extension news and events

Effect Of Spirotetramat Concentration On Anagyrus Pseudococci Mortality, Jacob Tice Nivison

Wine and Viticulture

Control of vine mealybug in vineyard systems is of critical importance due to economic injury potential including an ability to vector virus. Traditional management of this pest has relied heavily upon the use of systemic and contact insecticides. The systemic insecticide MoventoÒ, registered for vine mealybug and active ingredient spirotetramat, has been shown to be compatible with biological control. However potential side effects of chemical controls on beneficial insect populations is known to affect non target arthropods. This study examined the effect of the systemic insecticide spirotetramat on populations of adult parasitic wasps, Anagyrus psuedococci, at two concentrations with wasps …

Patrones De Depredación De Orugas Con Colores Crípticos Y Aposemáticos / Caterpillar Depredation Patterns With Cryptic Colors And Aposematics, Jacqueline Maldonado

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

Las orugas o estadios tempranos de las mariposas, tienen múltiples formas de defensa contra sus depredadores naturales. Investigaciones han demostrado que algunas defensas de orugas son funcionales contra depredadores específicos. Esta investigación permite dar a conocer el éxito de las defensas de orugas en el ecosistema de la Amazonia ecuatoriana. Los efectos de la coloración del cuerpo de la oruga en la tasa de depredación fue examinado en bosques primarios y bosques secundarios cerca del Rio Napo. Orugas de plastilina fueron colocadas en varios lugares (i.e., troncos, hojas), tanto como orugas solitarias o en grupos como orugas gregarias. . Los …

Vector Competence Of Aedes Bromeliae And Aedes Vitattus Mosquito Populations From Kenya For Chikungunya Virus, Francis Mulwa, Joel Lutomiah, Edith Chepkorir, Samwel Okello, Fredrick Eyase, Caroline Tigoi, Michael Kahato, Rosemary Sang

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Background: Kenya has experienced outbreaks of chikungunya in the past years with the most recent outbreak occurring in Mandera in the northern region in May 2016 and in Mombasa in the coastal region from November 2017 to February 2018. Despite the outbreaks in Kenya, studies on vector competence have only been conducted on Aedes aegypti. However, the role played by other mosquito species in transmission and maintenance of the virus in endemic areas remains unclear. This study sought to determine the possible role of rural Aedes bromeliae and Aedes vittatus in the transmission of chikungunya virus, focusing on Kilifi and …

Diversity And Distribution Of Lepidopteran Stemborer Species And Their Host Plants In Botswana, Eva Moeng, Reyard Mutamiswa, Des E. Conlong, Yoseph Assefa, Bruno P. Le Ru, Muluken Goftishu, Casper Nyamukondiwa

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Lepidopteran stemborers are amongst the most important insect pests of maize, sorghum and sugarcane in sub-Saharan Africa. With the exception of Chilo partellus (Swinhoe), which was accidentally introduced into Africa, the other stemborer pests are indigenous to the continent and have co-evolved with native grasses and sedges. In addition to pest species, wild habitats harbour diverse non-economic stemborer species, some of which are new to science. However, the diversity and distribution of both non-economic and pest species of stemborer are currently mostly unknown in Botswana. Accordingly, country-wide surveys were conducted during 2014/15 and 2015/16 austral summer to determine species diversity …

Screening For Resistance Against Major Lepidopteran And Stem Weevil Pests Of Amaranth In Tanzania, S. T.O. Othim, R. Srinivasan, R. Kahuthia-Gathu, T. Dubois, F. F. Dinssa, S. Ekesi, K. K.M. Fiaboe

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Insect pests pose major challenges to optimum productivity of amaranth in Africa and Asia. The use of insecticides is the main control strategy, but is expensive and may pose health and environmental concerns, especially if proper care is not taken. Host plant resistance offers a cheap and sustainable pest management alternative. Open field experiments were conducted during two cropping seasons in 2016 and 2017 to screen 35 amaranth accessions and lines for resistance to leaf-webbers and stem weevils. The diversity (H) of lepidopteran defoliators and their parasitoids on each accession ranged from 0.00 to 1.57 and 0.00 to 1.65, respectively …

Detection Of Pesticide Residues In Selected Bee Products Of Honeybees (Apis Melllifera L.) Colonies In A Preliminary Study From Seychelles Archipelago, Elliud Muli, Joseph Kilonzo, Norman Dogley, Gerald Monthy, Justus Kurgat, Janet Irungu, Suresh Raina

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Pesticide residues in honey and pollen from Seychelles against a target of 108 pesticides using LC-MS/MS were analyzed. Fifteen pesticides were detected, at trace levels (< 15 ppb) and below the acceptable maximum residue limits (MRLs) as per EU regulations. In honey, six insecticide and three fungicide residues were detected. Eight insecticide and four fungicide residues were detected in the pollen matrix. The least contaminated honey and pollen samples had three and nine chemical residues respectively while the most contaminated honey and pollen samples had eight and eleven chemical residues respectively. Contact and oral LD50 values were used to calculate Pollen Hazard Quotients (PHQ) = concentration in ppb ÷ LD50 as µg/bee. The pollen hazard quotients (PHQ) obtained are way below those reported in literature. Residues were detected in low quantities, however, their high frequency and diversity and possible synergistic interactions may lead to negative impact on honeybees’ health in Seychelles.

Gene Expression Profiles Of Odorant Binding Proteins In Glossina Brevipalpis (Diptera: Glossinidae), Mary Murithi, Rosaline Macharia, Esther Magiri, Steven Nyanjom, Daniel Masiga

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Glossina spp. (Diptera: Glossinidae) vector trypanosomes, the causal pathogens of trypanosomiasis in humans and animals. Glossina spp. chemosensory mechanism is relevant to understanding the behavioral responses of these insects to environmental cues. Odorant binding proteins (OBPs) are involved in either olfactory or nonolfactory cue sensation depending on their spatial and temporal expression. In most insects, the OBPs are ubiquitously expressed, although the levels are higher in the antennae. This study was aimed at determining the differential gene expression patterns of OBP genes in the developmental stages (larval, pupal, teneral) and differentially starved adults of Glossina brevipalpis (Newstead) collected from Shimba …

The Occurrence, Diversity And Blood Feeding Patterns Of Potential Vectors Of Dengue And Yellow Fever In Kacheliba, West Pokot County, Kenya, E. Chepkorir, M. Venter, J. Lutomiah, F. Mulwa, S. Arum, D. P. Tchouassi, R. Sang

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Introduction: Yellow fever (YF) and dengue (DEN) viruses are important re-emerging mosquito-borne viruses sharing similar vectors and reservoirs. The last documented YF outbreak in Kenya occurred in 1992–95. However, YF virus is re-emerging in bordering countries including Uganda, Ethiopia and South Sudan with the potential for spread to the neighboring regions in Kenya. Dengue is endemic in Kenya with outbreaks being detected in various towns in the north and the coast. This study reports on the Aedes (Stegomyia) mosquito species occurrence, diversity, and blood feeding patterns, as means of measuring the risk of transmission of YF and DEN in Kacheliba …

A Scientifc Note On Validation Of Housekeeping Genes For The Primitively Eusocial Bee Euglossa Viridissima Friese (Apidae: Euglossini), S. Boff, A. Friedel, A. Miertsch, J. J.G. Quezada-Euán, R. J. Paxton, H. M.G. Lattorff

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Studies on the expression of genes in different contexts are essential to our understanding of the functioning of organisms and their adaptations to the environment. Gene expression studies require steps of normalization, which are done using the stable expression pattern of reference genes. For many different eusocial bees reference genes have been discovered, but not for the primitively eusocial Euglossini bees. We used available genomic resources of Euglossini species and the gene information of Apis mellifera Linnaeus to develop a set of reference genes for the primitive eusocial bee Euglossa viridissima Friese. We tested nine genes, in distinct developmental stages, …

Identification Of Microbiota Associated With The Ectosymbiotic Community Structure Of The Appalachian Brook Crayfish (Cambarus Bartonii), Matthew M. Cooke 6268927, Luke T. Fischer, Taylor Griffin, Sherrie Jeffers

Montview Journal of Research & Scholarship

Microbes play a significant role in ecosystems, effecting the vital functions of other organisms, interspecies relationships, and population sizes. Based upon previous research (Skelton et al., 2016), it has been hypothesized that crayfish symbionts (branchiobdellidans) play a significant role in regulating the amount of microbiota associated with the host. A growing body of knowledge is known regarding both the condition of gill fouling and the annelid worm’s symbiotic relationship with the crayfish (Skelton et al., 2016; Skelton et al., 2016). However, there is little to no evidence available concerning the bacteria’s role in the process (Skelton et al., 2016). Microbial …

Better Than Deet Repellent Compounds Derived From Coconut Oil, Junwei J. Zhu, Steven C. Cermak, James A. Kenar, Gary Brewer, Kenneth F. Haynes, Dave Boxler, Paul D. Baker, Desen Wang, Changlu Wang, Andrew Y. Li, Rui-De Xue, Yuan Shen, Fei Wang, Natasha M. Agramonte, Ulrich R. Bernier, Jaires G. De Oliveira Filho, Ligia M. F. Borges, Kristina Friesen, David B. Taylor

Entomology Faculty Publications

Hematophagous arthropods are capable of transmitting human and animal pathogens worldwide. Vector-borne diseases account for 17% of all infectious diseases resulting in 700,000 human deaths annually. Repellents are a primary tool for reducing the impact of biting arthropods on humans and animals. N,N-Diethyl-meta-toluamide (DEET), the most effective and long-lasting repellent currently available commercially, has long been considered the gold standard in insect repellents, but with reported human health issues, particularly for infants and pregnant women. In the present study, we report fatty acids derived from coconut oil which are novel, inexpensive and highly efficacious repellant compounds. These coconut …

Acarine Biodiversity In Ecuador: Two New Species Of Endoparasitic Chiggers (Acarina: Trombiculidae) From Terrestrial Andean Anurans, Ricardo Guerrero, Mario Humberto Yánez-Muñoz

MANTER: Journal of Parasite Biodiversity

Two species of endoparasitic chiggers, Vercammenia neotropica n. sp. and Microtrombicula ecuadorensis n. sp., are described, both found in terrestrial anurans of the genus Pristimantis collected in the Andes of Ecuador. A new combination is proposed for Trombicula yorkei Sambon, 1928 as Microtrombicula yorkei (Sambon, 1928) n. comb., and Schoengastia lynni Ewing, 1942 is placed as incertae sedis. This is the first record of species of the genus Vercammenia in the Neotropical region.

Resumen

Dos especies de ácaros endoparásitos, Vercammenia neotropica n. sp. y Microtrombicula ecuadorensis n. sp., son descritas, ambas encontradas en anuros terrestres del género Pristimantis …

Evaluation Of A Lignin-Encapsulated Nootkatone Formulation Against Tetranychus Urticae (Acari: Tetranychidae), Karla M. Addesso, Paul A. O'Neal, Shannen Leahy, Kevin Trostel, Robert W. Behle

Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Faculty Research

Botanical-based miticides, such as neem oil, are used in organic and conventional agronomic production as part of chemical rotation plans to suppress pest mite populations. Other plant-based compounds such as nootkatone (a component of essential oils distilled from grapefruit, Citrus paradisi Macfayden (Rutaceae), and Alaskan yellow cedar, Chamaecyparis nootkatensis [D. Don] Spach [Cupressaceae]), also may serve as effective organic miticides in crop production systems. We report on a lignin-encapsulated (LE) nootkatone formulation (previously effective at repelling ticks) that was evaluated as a miticide against the twospotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acari: Tetranychidae). At an application rate of 1 g/L …

Nebline, September 2018

NEBLINE Newsletter Archive from Nebraska Extension in Lancaster County

Feature: Septic systems need regular maintenance to function properly

Food & Health

Farm & Acreage

Pests & Wildlife

Horticulture

Early Childhood

4-H & Youth

and other extension news and events

Wild, Native Bees And Managed Honey Bees Benefit From Similar Agricultural Land Uses, Elaine Evans, Matthew Smart, Dan Cariveau, Marla Spivak

Department of Entomology: Faculty Publications

Although both managed and unmanaged bees are important pollinators of crops and wild plants, efforts to address questions about landscapes that best support pollinators often focus on either wild pollinators or honey bees. This study examined if there was concordance between the success of wild bee communities and managed honey bee colonies at sites varying in floral availability and disturbance level in a predominantly agricultural landscape. We also determined which agricultural land uses best supported wild bee communities. The study area in the state of North Dakota in Northern Great Plains in North America is home to understudied native bee …

Endophytic Effects Of Aspergillus Oryzae On Radish (Raphanus Sativus) And Its Herbivore, Plutella Xylostella, Bo Tong Sun, Komivi Senyo Akutse, Xiao Feng Xia, Jun Hui Chen, Xin Ai, Yang Tang, Qian Wang, Bo Wen Feng, Mark S. Goettel, Min Sheng You

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Main conclusion: We provide evidence that Aspergillus oryzae not only acts as an endophyte in Raphanus sativus, but also works as a plant growth promoter and provides some protection against its herbivore, Plutella xylostella affecting its feeding rate, mortality and fitness parameters, thereby contributing to the pest population suppression. Seed inoculation of radish seeds with the fungus Aspergillus oryzae allowed its establishment as an endophyte promoting plant growth and negatively affecting fitness parameters of its major herbivore, diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella. Endophytic fungi may contribute to the growth of their host plants and enhance resistance to herbivores and diseases. We …

Confirming World-Wide Distribution Of An Agriculturally Important Lacewing, Chrysoperla Zastrowi Sillemi, Using Songs, Morphology, Mitochondrial Gene Sequencing, And Phylogenetic Reconstruction, Zoe Mandese

Honors Scholar Theses

The Chrysoperla carnea-group of green lacewings is a cryptic species complex. Species within the group are morphologically similar, yet isolated from one another via reproductive mating song. Chrysoperla zastrowi, a species within the carnea-group, is currently described with a distribution ranging from South Africa to the Middle East and India. However, recent collections of carnea-group lacewings from Guatemala and California were preliminarily identified as Chrysoperla zastrowi based upon similarities in their vibrational courtship songs. This analysis aims to place six specimens, collected by collaborators in Guatemala, Armenia, Iran, and California, into a pre-existing phylogeny of the …