Entomology Commons^™

Penetration Of Termiticide Treatments Into Gravel Used As A Construction Fill Material, Chris J. Peterson

Midsouth Entomologist

The penetration of five termiticidal suspensions (Termidor, Premise, Talstar, Phantom, and Transport) was examined in packed columns in the laboratory, in which each column incorporated a top gravel layer and a lower soil layer. This simulates common building practices in some parts of the United States. The highest doses were usually found at the top of the soil layer beneath the gravel, indicating that the applied suspension (at either the normal labeled volume or a higher volume allowed for treating gravel) penetrated to the soil below at levels sufficient to kill termites (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae). The active ingredients were retained by …

Insect Succession On Pig Carrion In North-Central Mississippi, J. Goddard, D. Fleming, J. L. Seltzer, S. Anderson, C. Chesnut, M. Cook, E. L. Davis, B. Lyle, S. Miller, E. A. Sansevere, W. Schubert

Midsouth Entomologist

A freshly-euthanized 90 kg Yucatan mini pig, Sus scrofa domesticus, was placed outdoors on 21 March 2012, at the Mississippi State University South Farm and two teams of students from the Forensic Entomology class were assigned to take daily (weekends excluded) environmental measurements and insect collections at each stage of decomposition until the end of the semester (42 days). Assessment of data from the pig revealed a successional pattern similar to that previously published – fresh, bloat, active decay, and advanced decay stages (the pig specimen never fully entered a dry stage before the semester ended). Over 2,300 immature and …

Nectar Plants Utilized By Butterflies At Trail Of Tears State Park, Missouri, Mike Smart, Kent Fothergill, Christopher D. Crabtree

Midsouth Entomologist

No abstract provided.

The Phylogeny And Classification Of Embioptera (Insecta), Janice Edgerly-Rooks, Kelly Miller, Cheryl Hayashi, Michael Whiting, Gavin Svenson

Biology

A phylogenetic analysis of the order Embioptera is presented with a revised classification based on results of the analysis. Eighty-two species of Embioptera are included from all families except Paedembiidae Ross and Embonychidae Navás. Monophyly of each of the eight remaining currently recognized families is tested except Andesembiidae Ross, for which only a single species was included. Nine outgroup taxa are included from Blattaria, Grylloblattaria, Mantodea, Mantophasmatodea, Orthoptera, Phasmida and Plecoptera. Ninety-six morphological characters were analysed along with DNA sequence data from the five genes 16S rRNA, 18S rRNA, 28S rRNA, cytochrome c oxidase I and histone III. Data were …

Nebline, July 2012

NEBLINE Newsletter Archive from Nebraska Extension in Lancaster County

Feature: 4-H Food Booth at Super Fair Volunteers Have Fun, Rewarding Experience

Farm Views

Urban Agriculture

Food & Fitness

Home & Family Living

Horticulture

Environmental Focus

4-H & Youth

Community Focus

Extension Calendar

Nutrition Education Program

Family and Community Education (FCE) Clubs

and other extension news and events

Seasonal Photoperiods Alter Developmental Time And Mass Of An Invasive Mosquito, Aedes Albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae), Across Its North-South Range In The United States, Steven A. Juliano, Donald A. Yee, Steven M. Vamosi

Faculty Publications – Biological Sciences

The Asian tiger mosquito, Aedes albopictus (Skuse), is perhaps the most successful invasive mosquito species in contemporary history. In the United States, Ae. albopictus has spread from its introduction point in southern Texas to as far north as New Jersey (i.e., a span of approximate to 14 degrees latitude). This species experiences seasonal constraints in activity because of cold temperatures in winter in the northern United States, but is active year-round in the south. We performed a laboratory experiment to examine how life-history traits of Ae. albopictus from four populations (New Jersey [39.4 degrees N], Virginia [38.6 degrees N], North …

A Century And A Half Of Research On The Stable Fly, Stomoxys Calcitrans (L.) (Diptera: Muscidae), 1862-2011: An Annotated Bibliography, K. M. Kneeland, Steven R. Skoda, Jerome A. Hogsette, A. Y. Li, Jaime Molina-Ochoa, Kimberly Hutchinson Lohmeyer, John E. Foster

Department of Entomology: Faculty Publications

The stable fly, Stomoxys calcitrans, is a cosmopolitan pest of livestock, wild animals, pets, and humans. It is a primary pest of cattle in the United States, estimated to cause more than $1 billion in economic losses annually. It also causes dissension at the rural-urban interface and is a problem in recreation areas such as Florida beaches and the Great Lakes. Due to its pestiferous nature and painful bite, methods to control stable flies have been investigated for over a century. A large amount of research has been reported on stable fly biology, ecology, genetics, physiology, and vector competence. …

Wing Shape As An Indicator Of Larval Rearing Conditions For Aedes Albopictus And Aedes Aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae), C R. Stephens, Steven A. Juliano

Faculty Publications – Biological Sciences

Estimating a mosquito's vector competence, or likelihood of transmitting disease, if it takes an infectious bloodmeal, is an important aspect of predicting when and where outbreaks of infectious diseases will occur. Vector competence can be affected by rearing temperature and inter- and intraspecific competition experienced by the individual mosquito during its larval development. This research investigates whether a new morphological indicator of larval rearing conditions, wing shape, can be used to distinguish reliably temperature and competitive conditions experienced during larval stages. Aedes albopictus (Skuse) and Aedes aegypti (L.) (Diptera: Culicidae) larvae were reared in low intraspecific, high intraspecific, or high …

Bark Beetles, Ryan S. Davis, Darren Mcavoy

All Current Publications

Bark beetles are one of the most destructive forest pests in the world. They are different than the larger longhorned and roundheaded/metallic woodboring beetles commonly infesting the inner wood of trees. The largest bark beetle, the red turpentine beetle (Dendroctonus valens), reaches only 8.3 mm in length. Because of their tiny size, bark beetles are not effective tree killers as individuals.

Millipeds From The Eastern Dakotas And Western Minnesota, Usa, With An Account Of Pseudopolydesmus Serratus (Say, 1821) (Polydesmida: Polydesmidae); First Published Records From Six States And The District Of Columbia, Rowland M. Shelley, Bruce A. Snyder

Insecta Mundi

The diplopod orders Callipodida and Polydesmida, and their respective families Abacionidae and Xystodesmidae, are initially recorded from South Dakota as is Polydesmidae from North Dakota. Other new records of indigenous taxa include Abacion Rafinesque, 1820/A. texense (Loomis, 1937) and Pleuroloma/P. flavipes, both by Rafinesque, 1820, from South Dakota, and Pseudopolydesmus Attems, 1898/P. serratus (Say, 1821) from Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, New Hampshire, North Dakota, South Carolina, and the District of Columbia. New records of Aniulus garius Chamberlin, 1912, A. (Hakiulus) d. diversifrons (Wood, 1867), and Oriulus venustus (Wood, 1864) (Julida: Parajulidae) are provided for western Minnesota and/or eastern …

Two New Genera Of Hispines (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Cassidinae) From Ecuador, C. L. Staines, Laura Zamorano

Insecta Mundi

Bicristispa gracilis, new genus and new species, and Orbispa confluens, new genus and new species (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Cassidinae), both from canopy fogging material from Ecuador are described and illustrated. Comparative notes distinguishing them from similar genera are provided.

Snoqualmia, A New Polydesmid Milliped Genus From The Northwestern United States, With A Description Of Two New Species (Diplopoda, Polydesmida, Polydesmidae), William A. Shear

Insecta Mundi

Snoqualmia, new genus, is described for two species of polydesmid millipeds from the northwestern United States: Snoqualmia snoqualmie, new species, from Washington State, and S. idaho, new species, from Idaho. Males of S. idaho possess unusually complex gonopods, perhaps the most complex to be found in the Order Polydesmida. Snoqualmia is placed in context with other polydesmid genera known from North America. The polydesmid fauna of North America is discussed, as well as characters of the gonopods of the family.

First Records Of Micromalthidae And Jacobsoniidae (Coleoptera) In Alabama, Usa, Timothy N. King, R. Michael Brattain

Insecta Mundi

The first Alabama, USA, collection records of the families Micromalthidae and Jacobsoniidae (Coleoptera) are reported.

A New U.S. And Florida Record For Caccoleptus (Bicaccoleptus) Kacka Háva, 2009 (Coleoptera: Dermestidae), Jiří Háva, Michael C. Thomas

Insecta Mundi

Caccoleptus (Bicaccoleptus) kacka Háva, 2009 is newly recorded from the U.S. and Florida. The female of this species is here described from Florida specimens.

A New Species Of Villiersicometes Santos-Silva, 2003 (Coleoptera, Cerambycidae, Disteniinae), Gérard-Luc Tavakilian, Antonio Santos-Silva

Insecta Mundi

Villiersicometes absalom sp. nov., a new species of Villiersicometes Santos-Silva, 2003 (Coleoptera, Cerambycidae, Disteniinae) is described from French Guiana. The species is illustrated and a key to the species of the genus is provided.

Tropidosteptes Forestierae (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Miridae: Mirinae): A New Species Of Plant Bug Injuring Ornamental Florida Swampprivet, Forestiera Segregata (Oleaceae), In South Florida, Thomas J. Henry, Doug L. Caldwell, Susan E. Halbert

Insecta Mundi

The mirine plant bug Tropidosteptes forestierae, new species (Hemiptera: Miridae) is described from Collier County, Florida, where it was found causing serious injury to an extensive ornamental hedge of Florida swampprivet, Forestiera segregata (Jacq.) Krug and Urb. (Oleaceae). Adult male and female, fifth instar, and egg are described. Color images of the adults, nymph, egg, and injury; scanning photomicrographs of selected adult structures; and illustrations of male genitalia are provided. A key to help distinguish the 16 species of Tropidosteptes known to occur in the southeastern United States is given.

A Third Locality For The Milliped Mitocybe Auriportae Cook And Loomis, 1928 (Platydesmida: Andrognathidae), Rowland M. Shelley

Insecta Mundi

With the discovery of Mitocybe auriportae Cook and Loomis, 1928 (Platydesmida: Andrognathidae) in Alameda County (Co.), east of San Francisco Bay, a potential overall distribution in coastal California is projected based on those of partly congruent diplopods. The area extends from northern Mendocino to central Monterey cos. and inland to central Lake, Yolo, and Santa Clara cos.

Notes On Distribution And Hosts Of Hylesinus Mexicanus (Wood) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae), A Pest On Olea Europaea Linnaeus, Jesus Romero-Napoles, Thomas H. Atkinson

Insecta Mundi

Significant new host and distribution records are presented for Hylesinus mexicanus (Wood) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae), including its pest potential on cultivated olives. Hylesinus mexicanus is similar to H. fasciatus LeConte and information presented here suggests that the distinctiveness of these two species needs to be re-examined.

Observations Of Plume Moths On North Andros Island, Bahamas, And Notes On New Records And Species Previously Recorded From The Bahamas (Lepidoptera: Pterophoridae), Deborah L. Matthews, Jacqueline Y. Miller, Mark J. Simon, Gary Goss

Insecta Mundi

Recent fieldwork on North Andros Island by the authors resulted in the collection of six species of Pterophoridae (Lepidoptera), five of which were previously unrecorded for the Bahamas in published accounts. Three additional species are noted for the Bahamian fauna based on specimens collected in the 1980s on other islands. Representative specimens are illustrated from North Andros along with genitalic images for species where these are not readily available in other publications. In addition, images of the larva and pupa are provided for a reared species for which the life history was previously unknown.

Hexapod Herald - Vol. 24, No. 3, June 2012

Hexapod Herald and Other Entomology Department Newsletters

Contents: Welcome -- Meeting News -- Congratulations -- Publications -- Faculty News -- Grants -- Meet an Off-Campus Student -- Student News -- Travel -- Calendar of Events -- Entomology is 125

Nebline, June 2012

NEBLINE Newsletter Archive from Nebraska Extension in Lancaster County

No abstract provided.

Effects Of Thiamethoxam Seed Treatments On Bean Leaf Beetles, Chelsea L. Piitz

Department of Entomology: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

The increased use of thiamethoxam seed treatments for controlling target pests such as the bean leaf beetle, Cerotoma trifurcata (Forster), suggests the need for methods to measure and monitor the development of resistance to these insecticides. Overwintering and F1 bean leaf beetles were collected from alfalfa and soybean fields and used in early growth stage soybean studies to measure toxicity of thiamethoxam both in greenhouse experiments and laboratory bioassays involving exposure to treated foliage. Lethal and sub-lethal effects were detected in both greenhouse and lab bioassays. Lethal concentrations determined from laboratory assays were compared with residues determined from field grown …

The Spatial Games: Investigating The Spatial Distribution Of Anax And Select Prey As A Function Of Predator-Prey Interactions, Shane Elizabeth Johnson, Nene Kumashe Ugbah

Biological Sciences

Our study investigated the spatial distribution and movement behavior of predatory dragonfly larvae (Anax) and of two prey types: mosquito larvae and amphipods. Predator-prey interactions have important consequences for the population dynamics of both predator and prey groups and these interactions can shape community structure. We measured behavior of each prey type in the presence of the Anax predator and the behavior of the predator in the presence of these alternative prey types. Observations were made in five-gallon aquaria where a grid pattern allowed us to track the number of moves made by individuals. We compiled data from …

Distribution And Diversity Of Ant Genera From Selected Ecoregions Across Nebraska, Jessica Jurzenski, Marc Albrect, W. Wyatt Hoback

Department of Entomology: Faculty Publications

We documented distribution and diversity of ant genera in four of the six level III ecoregions across Nebraska. We sampled ants using bait cards, pitfall traps, and by opportunistic sampling, including direct collection and in carrion-baited pitfall traps. We identified 22 genera from five subfamilies, which were further classified into six functional groups. In common with other Great Plains states, Formica Linnaeus and Lasius Fabricius occurred most frequently in our samples, and overall ant genus-level richness was comparable to surrounding states. We compared genera similarity using Jaccard’s similarity index within and between the High Plains (western-most) and Western Corn Belt …

Susceptibility Of The Fall Armyworm, Spodoptera Frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), At Santa Isabel, Puerto Rico, To Different Insecticides, Difabachew K. Belay, Randy M. Huckaba, John E. Foster

Department of Entomology: Faculty Publications

The fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith), is a polyphagous migratory pest, which is endemic to the Western Hemisphere and attacks more than 80 plant species including maize, sorghum, cotton, rice, millet, peanut, alfalfa, and other cultivated and wild plant species. Presence of multiple generations and the ability to migrate and feed on a wide range of host plants makes FAW one of the most severe economic pests throughout the Western Hemisphere. In corn, yield losses due to FAW damage can reach up to 32% in the United States and 45–60% in Nicaragua. Insecticides are used as major …

Beneficial Predators: Predatory Mites, Ron Patterson, Ricardo Ramirez

All Current Publications

Predatory mites can provide natural pest control by eating unwanted pests. These beneficial mites are one way to maintain pest populations at non-damaging levels, known as biological control. By encouraging predatory mite populations, plants can be protected from excessive pest attack and damage.

Integrated Mosquito Larval Source Management Reduces Larval Numbers In Two Highland Villages In Western Kenya, Susan S. Imbahale, Andrew Githeko, Wolfgang R. Mukabana, Willem Takken

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Background: In western Kenya, malaria remains one of the major health problems and its control remains an important public health measure. Malaria control is by either use of drugs to treat patients infected with malaria parasites or by controlling the vectors. Vector control may target the free living adult or aquatic (larval) stages of mosquito. The most commonly applied control strategies target indoor resting mosquitoes. However, because mosquitoes spend a considerable time in water, targeting the aquatic stages can complement well with existing adult control measures. Methods: Larval source management (LSM) of malaria vectors was examined in two villages i.e. …

Three New Species Of Sesioctonus Viereck (Hymenoptera, Braconidae, Agathidinae) From Peru, Lidia Sulca, Michael J. Sharkey

Entomology Faculty Publications

Three new species of Sesioctonus (Braconidae: Agathidinae) are described and illustrated, i.e., Sesioctonus huggerti, Sesioctonus wayquecha, and Sesioctonus bina. Two new Peruvian species records for Sesioctonus are reported: Sesioctonus longinoi and Sesioctonus diazi. A revised key to all known species of Sesioctonus is presented.

Trapping Of Rift Valley Fever (Rvf) Vectors Using Light Emitting Diode (Led) Cdc Traps In Two Arboviral Disease Hot Spots In Kenya, David P. Tchouassi, Rosemary Sang, Catherine L. Sole, Armanda D.S. Bastos, Lee W. Cohnstaedt, Baldwyn Torto

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Background: Mosquitoes response to artificial lights including color has been exploited in trap designs for improved sampling of mosquito vectors. Earlier studies suggest that mosquitoes are attracted to specific wavelengths of light and thus the need to refine techniques to increase mosquito captures following the development of super-bright light-emitting diodes (LEDs) which emit narrow wavelengths of light or very specific colors. Therefore, we investigated if LEDs can be effective substitutes for incandescent lamps used in CDC light traps for mosquito surveillance, and if so, determine the best color for attraction of important Rift Valley Fever (RFV) vectors. Methods. The efficiency …

Phylogenetic Relationships And Character Evolution Of The Neotropical Butterfly Genus Hamadryas (Nymphalidae: Biblidinae), Ivonne J. Garzon

LSU New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

The butterflies in the genus Hamadryas are popular and noticeable representatives of the Neotropical Lepidoptera fauna. After a thorough taxonomic revision, 20 species were acknowledged within the genus, however no hypothesis of their phylogenetic relationship was proposed. The present dissertation provides a step further into the understanding of this fascinating group of butterflies not only by proposing the first phylogenetic hypothesis for the genus based on morphological and molecular data, but also by exploring for the first time in a group of butterflies the potential effect of venation associated with an specific behaviour on wing shape. Furthermore, this dissertation provides …