Entomology Commons^™

Mosquito 101, Joanna Tyszko

Department of Entomology: Distance Master of Science Projects

Training Module 1: Basics of Mosquito biology, ecology, physiology, and behavior

Training Module 2: Aedes aegypti

Training Module 3: Anopheles quadrimaculatus

Training Module 4: Culex quinquefasciatus

Quizzes

References

Managing The Economy Of Public Mosquito Control Thresholds, Peter T. Taylor

Department of Entomology: Distance Master of Science Projects

Seventy-four mosquito surveillance data sets involving over 35 species, from January 2013 to December of 2014 have been obtained with permission from Dr. Carl Boohene and Polk County Mosquito Control District in Central Florida and used as data for this project. These data are utilized to propose a practical, economically-based decision rule model that uniquely integrates human populations with mosquito species populations and budgetary constraints. Two different decision rule conventions are proposed and the choice to go with one of them reflects differing economic expenditure inroads on budgeted chemical and equipment resources. In general, if the threshold is higher, then …

The Family Ismaridae Thomson (Hymenoptera, Diaprioidea): First Record For The Afrotropical Region With Description Of Fourteen New Species, Chang Jun Kim, Robert S. Copeland, David G. Notton

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

The family Ismaridae Thomson, 1858 is reported from the Afrotropical region for the first time. A total of 15 species are recognised, 14 of which are described as new: Ismarus africanus sp. n. from Cameroon, Kenya, Malawi, South Africa; I. apertus sp. n. from Kenya; I. bicolor sp. n. from Cameroon, Kenya; I. goodrichi sp. n. from Kenya; I. kakamegensis sp. n. from Kenya; I. kenyensis sp. n. from Kenya; I. laevigatus sp. n. from South Africa; I. madagascariensis sp. n. from Madagascar; I. minutus sp. n. from Kenya, Malawi, Zimbabwe; I. nigrofasciatus sp. n. from Malawi, Uganda; I. notaulicus …

Proximate Composition And In Vitro Protein Digestibility Of Extruded Aquafeeds Containing Acheta Domesticus And Hermetia Illucens Fractions, F. G. Irungu, C. M. Mutungi, A. K. Faraj, H. Affognon, S. Ekesi, D. Nakimbugwe, K. K.M. Fiaboe

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Major protein sources for feed manufacture have become costly, and this has led to increased cost of products such as aquafeeds. This has dampening effect on fish production especially in developing countries, and has necessitated a search for alternative protein sources in processed feeds. The effects of extrusion on aquafeed blends containing fractions of adult cricket (Acheta domesticus) meal (ACM) or black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) pre-pupae meal (BSFM) on proximate composition and in vitro protein digestibility were investigated. Extrusion resulted in higher contents of protein and nitrogen free extract, and lower contents of ether extract and crude fibre as …

Suitability Of Egg Hatching Conditions And Commonly Available Food Plants For Rearing The Long-Horned Grasshopper Ruspolia Differens Serville (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae), G. Ssepuuya, C. M. Tanga, I. Yekko, F. Sengendo, C. T. Ndagire, K. K.M. Fiaboe, J. Karungi, D. Nakimbugwe

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Efforts to promote sustainable production and processing of Ruspolia differens Serville (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae) as a viable agribusiness model for enhancing food and nutrition security have gained momentum. However, the inexistence of rearing techniques adapted to this insect creates uncertainty regarding the effectiveness of up-scaling production. This study evaluated the effect of five temperatures (26, 28, 30, 32 and 34 °C) on egg development time, percentage hatchability and nymphal weight at hatching. It also evaluated the average weekly wet weight attained by R. differens and percentage survival during growth when reared at 30 °C on four different food plant diets. The …

Insect Net: A Novel Technology To Promote Integrated Pest Management On Horticultural Crops In Africa, T. Martin, M. Saidi, S. Niassy, S. Simon, F. Vidogbena, L. Parrot, S. Ekesi, E. Deletre, S. Subramanian, F. Assogba-Komlan, V. Baird, K. K.M. Fiaboe, M. Ngouajio, J. E. Simon, A. Ratnadass

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Fruits and vegetables are important commodities in global agriculture. However, in sub-Saharan Africa, production is sub-optimal in terms of yield, quality and environmental health practices due to several constraints such as insect pests which reduce yields through direct damage, or indirectly as disease vectors often promoting microbial diseases. Pest control still relies mainly on chemicals with their associated risks of resistance selection and toxicity to humans and environment. Several alternatives including biopesticides, semiochemical and nets are being explored in pest management. Insect nets applied on tomatoes, cabbages, beans and leafy vegetables protect them from flies, butterflies, moths, albeit to a …

Effects Of Waste Stream Combinations From Brewing Industry On Performance Of Black Soldier Fly, Hermetia Illucens (Diptera: Stratiomyidae), Shaphan Y. Chia, Chrysantus M. Tanga, Isaac M. Osuga, Samira A. Mohamed, Fathiya M. Khamis, Daisy Salifu, Subramanian Sevgan, Komi K.M. Fiaboe, Saliou Niassy, Joop J.A. Van Loon, Marcel Dicke, Sunday Ekesi

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Background: In recent years, there has been a rapidly growing demand for readily accessible substrates for mass production of Black Soldier Fly, Hermetia illucens Linnaeus. Beer production results in various by-products that typically end up in uncontrolled dumpsites constituting pollution problems, which merits urgent attention. The present study investigated whether the 12 formulated diets composed of brewers’ spent grains (BSGs), brewers’ yeast and cane molasses can serve as substrate for H. illucens production. Methods: Four different BSGs were selected and formulated into 12 diets, aiming at varying protein and net energy levels. The diets were offered to newly hatched (∼1 …

Morphological Re-Description And Molecular Identification Of Tabanidae (Diptera) In East Africa, Claire M. Mugasa, Jandouwe Villinger, Joseph Gitau, Nelly Ndungu, Marc Ciosi, Daniel Masiga

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Biting flies of the family Tabanidae are important vectors of human and animal diseases across continents. However, records of Africa tabanids are fragmentary and mostly cursory. To improve identification, documentation and description of Tabanidae in East Africa, a baseline survey for the identification and description of Tabanidae in three eastern African countries was conducted. Tabanids from various locations in Uganda (Wakiso District), Tanzania (Tarangire National Park) and Kenya (Shimba Hills National Reserve, Muhaka, Nguruman) were collected. In Uganda, octenol baited F-traps were used to target tabanids, while NG2G traps baited with cow urine and acetone were employed in Kenya and …

Relationship Between New Farming Practices And Chemical Use And The Consumption Of Giant Cricket (Brachytrupes Membranaceus Drury, 1770), F. O. Miantsia, F. Meutchieye, S. Niassy

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

The current work is aimed at generating information on giant crickets and the impact of commonly used pesticides on the natural population of these crickets. Data was collected based on interviews and complemented with field observations. Out of 319 respondents surveyed, 290 were aware of the use of the giant cricket as a food source, and 161 were active consumers. Regarding the availability of the giant cricket, respondents reported that the crickets' populations were diminishing because of farming practices. About 219 persons reported that commonly used herbicides harm giant crickets at different stages. This could be attributed to the scarcity …

The Fall Armyworm Endemic: Contriving The Perspicacity In The Outbreak Of Fall Armyworm (Spodoptera Frugiperda) In Relation To Push-Pull Technology, Nicholas O. Ogot

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Fall armyworm (FAW) is a moth native to tropical and subtropical regions of the Americas whose larva causes damage to crops. As of May 23, 2017 it has affected more than 143,000 hectares of land in major maize- and wheat-producing counties in Kenya. In response to its severity, this study was conducted to determine the perception of farmers in respect to; the challenges they faced through FAW endemic; the differences depicted between FAW and stemborers; and strategies farmers apply to attempt controlling them. This study was descriptive, and it was conducted in Homabay and Migori using a sample size of …

Diapause Disruption In Cirina Butyrospermi Vuillet (Lepidoptera, Attacidae), The Shea Caterpillar, In Burkina Faso, H. B. Bama, R. A. Dabire, D. Ouattara, S. Niassy, M. N. Ba, D. Dakouo

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

The shea caterpillar Cirina butyrospermi is an important insect, highly valued as a human food item in Burkina Faso. However, its appearance is seasonal due to its univoltine cycle. This study therefore investigated the possibilities of breaking the nymphal diapause by changing the environmental factors and through the hormonal treatment of prepupae and pupae using bovine insulin and 20-hydroxyecdysone. Changes in humidity and temperature did not result in emergence, suggesting a mandatory nature of the diapause in C. butyrospermi. Injection of 20-hydroxyecdysone between 20 and 40 ng on 20 C. butyrospermi pupae resulted in 15.24 and 47.5% emergence, respectively. The …

Endophytic Colonization Of Onions Induces Resistance Against Viruliferous Thrips And Virus Replication, Alexander Mutua Muvea, Sevgan Subramanian, Nguya Kalemba Maniania, Hans Michael Poehling, Sunday Ekesi, Rainer Meyhöfer

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

In agricultural ecosystems, insect pests, pathogens, weather patterns, and reduced soil fertility pose major challenges to crop productivity and are responsible for significant yield losses worldwide. Iris yellow spot virus (IYSV) vectored by Thrips tabaci Lindeman, is a major hindrance to onion production in eastern Africa. Control measures often rely on insecticides with deleterious effects. Endophytes are one key alternative as they can play important roles in mediating induced systemic resistance. Hence, we examined the potential effect of endophytic fungus Hypocrea lixii (F3ST1) on feeding and replication of IYSV on endophyte-colonized (E+) and endophyte-free (E-) onion plants. For more precise …

Push-Pull Farming System Controls Fall Armyworm: Lessons From Africa, Zeyaur R. Khan, Jimmy O. Pittchar, Charles A.O. Midega, John A. Pickett

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Fall armyworm (FAW) Spodoptera frugiperda invaded Africa, with the first detections being reported in Central and Western Africa in early 2016, and now affects at least 40 countries in Africa, causing up to total crop loss amounting to over $6.2 billion p.a. FAW is an invasive polyphagous pest that causes damage to economically important crops and has recently been reported in the Indian sub-continent. Effective control of FAW through use of synthetic chemical pesticides and genetically modified crops such as Bt maize faces challenges including improper use, unaffordability by smallholder farmers and development of resistance by the pest. Additionally, dispersal …

Influence Of Prolonged Dietary Experience During The Larval Stage On Novel Odour Preferences In Adults Of Noctuid Stem Borer Moths (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), Christophe Petit, Peter Ahuya, Bruno Le Ru, Laure Kaiser-Arnauld, Myriam Harry, Paul André Calatayud

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

In Lepidoptera, larval dietary experience of volatile cues can induce adult preference for these cues. However, such induction may require several generations, depending in part on the degree of specialization of the insects. In a previous study, using species of noctuid stem borers with different diet breadths, namely the polyphagous Sesamia nonagrioides, the oligophagous Busseola fusca and monophagous Busseola nairobica, it was shown that in S. nonagrioides, one generation was enough to induce a preference for vanillin in the resulting gravid females, whereas even two generations failed to induce a response in adults of Busseola spp. In this study, we …

Lepidopteran Stem Borer Species Abundance And Associated Damages On Irrigated Kilombero Low Land Rice Ecosystem In Tanzania, Bonaventure January, Gration M. Rwegasira, Tadele Tefera

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Background: Rice stem borers are among the most biotic stresses of economic importance in agriculture. Little was known about stem borer problem in Tanzania prior to this study. Understanding stem borer abundance and damages would help to design appropriate stem borer integrated pest management strategy in rice. This study was aimed at investigating rice stem borer’s species abundance and their associated damages in irrigated lowland rice ecosystem in Kilombero Tanzania. Materials and Methods: Field survey study on rice stem borer abundance and incidences were conducted in farmer’s fields on selected rice varieties at varied growth stages in Kilombero district under …

Haematology Of N’Dama And West African Shorthorn Cattle Herds Under Natural Trypanosoma Vivax Challenge In Ghana, Ebenezer Yaw Ganyo, Johnson N. Boampong, Daniel K. Masiga, Jandouwe Villinger, Paa Kobina Turkson

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Background: Animal trypanosomosis is a major cause of economic loss in livestock production in Africa. A suggested control measure is to use breeds with traits of trypanotolerance. The study examines the effect of natural Trypanosoma vivax challenge on haematological parameters in two trypanotolerant cattle [N’Dama and West African Shorthorn (WASH)] herds. Methods: Trypanosoma vivax-specific primers were used to diagnose T. vivax infection in an N’Dama herd at Cape Coast in southern Ghana and a WASH herd at Chegbani in northern Ghana from May to July 2011 in a cross-sectional study. Levels of haematological parameters comprising packed cell volume (PCV), haemoglobin …

Physico-Chemical Properties Of Extruded Aquafeed Pellets Containing Black Soldier Fly (Hermetia Illucens) Larvae And Adult Cricket (Acheta Domesticus) Meals, F. G. Irungu, C. M. Mutungi, A. K. Faraj, H. Affognon, N. Kibet, C. Tanga, S. Ekesi, D. Nakimbugwe, K. K.M. Fiaboe

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Fish farming is faced with the challenge of high cost of feeds because of the cost of high quality protein needed for formulation of the feeds. Thus, there is urgent need for alternative protein sources. The effects of substituting freshwater shrimp meal (FWSM) with black soldier fly larvae meal (BSFM) or adult cricket meal (ACM) on physico-chemical properties of hot-extruded fish feed pellets were investigated. The FWSM protein in a 26 g/100 g protein fish feed formulation was substituted at 0, 25, 50 and 75%, and moisture content of the formulated blends adjusted to 10, 20 or 30 g/100 g …

Mitochondrial Dna Variation Of Feral Honey Bees (Apis Mellifera L.) From Utah (Usa), Allen Szalanski

Entomology and Plant Pathology Faculty Publications and Presentations

A study was conducted on the mitochondrial DNA genetic diversity of feral colonies and swarms of Apis mellifera from ten counties in Utah by sequencing the intergenic region of the cytochrome oxidase (COI-COII) gene region. A total of 20 haplotypes were found from 174 honey bee colony samples collected from 2008 to 2017. Samples belonged to the A (African) (48%); C (Eastern Europe) (43%); M (Western Europe) (4%); and O (Oriental) lineages (5%). Ten African A lineage haplotypes were observed with two unique to Utah among A lineage haplotypes recorded in the US. Haplotypes belonging to the A lineage were …

Poultry Industry, Allen Szalanski

Entomology and Plant Pathology Faculty Publications and Presentations

Cimicids, and particularly the Common bed bug, Cimex lectularius L., can infest poultry houses and cause severe cutaneous reactions in the birds as wellas other clinical effects. This chapter discusses some cimicids that have been documented as pests of poultry, including: the Mexican chicken bug, Haematosiphon inodorus (Duges); the Brazilian chicken bug, Ornithocoris toledoi Pinto; the related species, Ornithcorus pallidus Usinger; and and the Tropical bed bug, Cimex hemipterus (F.).

Diversity Of Water Bugs In Gujranwala District, Punjab, Pakistan, Muhammad Shahbaz Chattha, Abu Ul Hassan Faiz, Arshad Javid, Irfan Baboo, Inayat Ullah Malik

Journal of Bioresource Management

Water bugs fall under the order Hemiptera, suborder Heteroptera, which is further divided into two types, i.e., semi-aquatic (Gerromorpha) and true water bugs (Nepomorpha). They play a vital role as biological control agents and also a source of food for fishes, birds and other aquatic organisms. The present work was carried out to ascertain aquatic Hemiptera in different lentic and lotic water bodies of various sizes in Gujranwala district, Pakistan. A total of 10 species belonging to five families were identified. Species include Nepa ruber Linnaeus, Laccotrephes elongatus Montandon, Ranatra filiformis Fabricius (Nepidae), Corixa substriata Uhler, Micronecta proba …

A Comparison Of Two Methods Of Quantifying Mating Success In Low Density Gypsy Moth (Lymantria Dispar) Populations, Alexandra Barry, Hannah Byrne, Derek M. Johnson

UROP Posters

The gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar) is a defoliating pest native to Europe and invasive to North America. The gypsy moth is subject to depressed mating success in low density populations, which may restrict spread of the forest pest. Research focusing on gypsy moth density as it relates to mating behavior has often used counts of males caught in pheromone-baited delta traps as a proxy to estimate the probability of female mating success. The purpose of this project was to determine whether pheromone trap counts provide accurate estimates of female mating success probability, by comparing data gathered from pheromone-baited …

Molecular Candidates For Blocking The Transmission Of Vector-Borne Diseases, Ashish Naresh Vora

Biological Sciences Theses & Dissertations

Vector-borne diseases (VBDs) require urgent attention as they have a high mortality rate, with 700,000 people dying in a year as of 2017. So far, extremely few reliable vaccination strategies and solutions have emerged. Transmission blocking vaccines are one among many solutions available to manage the control of VBDs. These require identification of both vector and pathogen molecules that play important roles in the transmission, dissemination and establishment of VBDs. Our strategy is to characterize these candidates that play important roles in vector-host-pathogen interactions. This manuscript presents two such studies identifying the participation of two arthropod molecules in vector-host-pathogen interactions. …

Residual Contact Toxicity And Repellence Of Cupressus Lusitanica Miller And Eucalyptus Saligna Smith Essential Oils Against Major Stored Product Insect Pests, Philip K. Bett, Arop L. Deng, Joshua O. Ogendo, Samuel T. Kariuki, Maud Kamatenesi-Mugisha, Joel M. Mihale, Baldwyn Torto

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

In an effort to find eco-friendly alternatives to synthetic pesticides in grain storage, residual contact toxicity and repellence of Cupressus lusitanica and Eucalyptus saligna leaf essential oils were evaluated against adult Tribolium castaneum, Acanthoscelides obtectus and Sitophilus zeamais. In bioassays, oil was applied at 0.00, 0.05, 0.10, 0.15 and 0.20% v/w to wheat and bean grains and stored for 30–120 days after which test insects were introduced into sub-samples of treated grains. Both oils at 0.20% v/w and 120 days grain storage duration caused a mortality of 5.0–65.0% in test insects whereas in the repellence bioassay, at same doses and …

South American Coccinellidae (Coleoptera), Part Xvii: Systematic Revision Of Western Hemisphere Cephaloscymnini (Coccinellinae) With Description Of A Cryptic New Genus And Species Of Coccidulini (Coccinellinae), Robert D. Gordon, Guy A. Hanley

Insecta Mundi

Genera of Cephaloscymnini (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae: Coccidulinae) are discussed and a key to all recognized genera and species is provided. Succinctonotum, new genus, is proposed. Scymnus laboulbenii Mulsant and Prodilis maculata Weise are transferred to Neaporia as new combinations. Prodiloides bipunctata Weise, and Neaporia compta are transferred to Prodilis as new combinations. Neaporia cuprea Gorham is considered a junior synonym of Neaporia viridiscens Gorham and Cephaloscymnus bruchi Weise a junior synonym of Prodilis volgus Mulsant. New species described in Cephaloscymnus are C. beulah, C. candice, C. juanita. New species described in Neaporia are N. becky, N. …

Synopsis Of The Tribe Zolini In New Zealand (Coleoptera: Carabidae), André Larochelle, Marie-Claude Larivière

Insecta Mundi

The tribe Zolini (Carabidae: Trechinae) is revised for New Zealand. Two subtribes, five genera, and fortyeight species are recognized. The presence of the subtribe Merizodina is confirmed for New Zealand; it includes three genera (Maungazolus n. gen., Pseudoopterus Csiki, 1928, and Synteratus Broun, 1909). The subtribe Zolina contains two genera (Oopterus Guérin-Méneville, 1841 and Zolus Sharp, 1886).

One genus and twenty-five species are described as new: Maungazolus n. gen.; Maungazolus acutus n. sp., Maungazolus priestleyensis n. sp., Maungazolus ranatungae n. sp., Maungazolus septempunctatus n. sp., Maungazolus tararuaensis n. sp., Oopterus anglemensis n. sp., Oopterus arthurensis n. sp., Oopterus …

Primer Registro De Sarucallis Kahawaluokalani (Kirkaldy, 1907) (Hemiptera: Aphididae) En Lagerstroemia Indica (Lythraceae) En Guatemala, José Francisco García Ochaeta

Insecta Mundi

El pulgón Sarucallis kahawaluokalani (Kirkaldy) conocido comúnmente como pulgón del árbol de júpiter, se reporta por primera vez para Guatemala. Esta especie de la familia Aphididae (Hemiptera) fue encontrada en Lagerstroemia indica (Lythraceae). También se presenta la información básica de la especie así como una diagnosis para identificarla.

The aphid Sarucallis kahawaluokalani (Kirkaldy), commonly known as the crape myrtle aphid, is recorded for the first time in Guatemala. This species of the family Aphididae (Hemiptera) was found on Lagerstroemia indica (Lythraceae), known as crape myrtle. The present work also presents basic information on this aphid species as well as a …

Systematic Revision Of The Species Of Geomyphilus (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Aphodiinae) Of Mexico And Neighboring Countries With Description Of A New Mexican Species, Marco Dellacasa, Giovanni Dellacasa, Paul E. Skelley, Robert D. Gordon

Insecta Mundi

A systematic redefinition of the species belonging to the genus Geomyphilus Gordon and Skelley, 2007 (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Aphodiinae) of Mexico and neighboring countries is presented. The new species G. tuzincola of Mexico is described and figured. The new combination Coelotrachelus macgregori (Islas, 1955) is proposed.

Revision Of The Endemic Madagascan Stag Beetle Genus Ganelius Benesh, And Description Of A New, Related Genus (Coleoptera: Lucanidae: Lucaninae: Figulini), M. J. Paulsen

Insecta Mundi

This paper revises the genus Ganelius Benesh, which is endemic to Madagascar, in the stag beetle tribe Figulini Burmeister (Coleoptera: Lucanidae: Lucaninae). Species in the genus are striking in their highly sexually dimorphic mandibles, a character that rarely occurs in the tribe. The genus was previously comprised of four species, but three of these names were problematic or questionably applied. A lectotype is designated for G. madagascariensis Laporte, a neotype is designated for Ganelius oberndorferi Nonfried, and Nigidius passaliformis Benesh is newly synonymized with G. oberndorferi. Two new species, G. gnamptus Paulsen and G. zombi Paulsen, are described from …

A New Cryptic Species Of Aleochara Gravenhorst Associated With Marmota Monax (Linnaeus) Burrows And Caves In North America (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Aleocharinae), Jan Klimaszewski, Reginald P. Webster, Adam Brunke

Insecta Mundi

A new cryptic species, Aleochara (Xenochara) castaneimarmotae Klimaszewski, Webster, and Brunke, new species (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Aleocharinae), associated with Marmota monax (Linnaeus) burrows and caves in eastern North America, is described and illustrated. A key to Canadian species of subgenus Xenochara Mulsant and Rey and revised distributions of the taxonomically difficult fumata species group are provided. Aleochara quadrata Sharp is recorded from Washington and Oregon for the first time.

Revision Of The Northern South American Species Of Mortoniella Ulmer, 1906 (Trichoptera: Glossosomatidae: Protoptilinae)*, Roger J. Blahnik, Ralph W. Holzenthal

Insecta Mundi

Species of Mortoniella are revised for the northern and Andean part of the South American continent, including the countries of Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, and Guyana. All previously described species from the region are reillustrated and redescribed, except for Mortoniella santiaga Sykora, 1999 and M. quinuas Harper and Turcotte, 1985, whose types could not be located, and M. tranquilla Martynov, 1912, whose type is based on a female specimen and thus is currently unidentifiable. Included in the revision are 35 described species and 59 new species. Mortoniella similis Sykora, 1999 is considered a junior synonym of M. roldani Flint, …