Entomology Commons^™

Ovaries And Germline Cysts And Their Evolution In Dermaptera (Insecta), Wacław Tworzydło, Szczepan M. Biliński, Petr Kočárek, Fabian Haas

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

We studied the ovary structure and initial stages of oogenesis in 15 representatives of several dermapteran taxa, including the epizoic Arixeniina. In all examined species, the ovaries are meroistic-polytrophic. The ovaries of the basal taxa ('Pygidicranidae', 'Diplatyidae', and Labiduridae) are composed of elongated ovarioles, attached to short lateral oviducts. In these groups, ovarioles contain several (more than 30) ovarian follicles in a linear arrangement. In the Eudermaptera, the ovaries are composed of 1-6 (Spongiphoridae) or 20-40 (Forficulidae, Chelisochidae) short ovarioles (containing 2 ovarian follicles only) that open to strongly elongated lateral oviducts. In all investigated dermapterans, the ovarian follicles are …

Chinch Bugs, Kelly Kopp, Ryan S. Davis, Ricardo A. Ramirez

All Current Publications

Chinch bugs are “true bugs”. In Utah, the common chinch bug [Blissus leucopterus leucopterus (Say)], and western chinch bug (Blissus occiduus) may feed on turfgrass, especially under conditions of severe heat and drought. Coupled with under-irrigation, direct sunlight, and thick thatch, chinch bug numbers can soar from mid-summer to early fall.

Japanese Beetle, Erin Hodgson, Diane Alston, Cory A. Stanley

All Current Publications

The Japanese beetle, Popillia japonica Newman, can be a highly destructive pest to ornamentals, trees, shrubs, turfgrass, and vegetables. First discovered in the eastern United States in 1916, the Japanese beetle has threatened agriculture and horticulture by slowly moving south and west. In 2006, a small population of adult Japanese beetles was detected in Orem, Utah.

Arm-In-Cage Testing Of Natural Human-Derived Mosquito Repellents, James G. Logan, Nina M. Stanczyk, Ahmed Hassanali, Joshua Kemei, Antônio E.G. Santana, Karlos A.L. Ribeiro, John A. Pickett, A. Jennifer Mordue

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Background. Individual human subjects are differentially attractive to mosquitoes and other biting insects. Previous investigations have demonstrated that this can be attributed partly to enhanced production of natural repellent chemicals by those individuals that attract few mosquitoes in the laboratory. The most important compounds in this respect include three aldehydes, octanal, nonanal and decanal, and two ketones, 6-methyl-5-hepten-2-one and geranylacetone [(E)-6,10-dimethylundeca-5,9-dien-2-one]. In olfactometer trials, these compounds interfered with attraction of mosquitoes to a host and consequently show promise as novel mosquito repellents. Methods. To test whether these chemicals could provide protection against mosquitoes, laboratory repellency trials were carried out to …

Anopheles Larval Abundance And Diversity In Three Rice Agro-Village Complexes Mwea Irrigation Scheme, Central Kenya, Joseph M. Mwangangi, Josephat Shililu, Ephantus J. Muturi, Simon Muriu, Benjamin Jacob, Ephantus W. Kabiru, Charles M. Mbogo, John Githure, Robert J. Novak

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Background. The diversity and abundance of Anopheles larvae has significant influence on the resulting adult mosquito population and hence the dynamics of malaria transmission. Studies were conducted to examine larval habitat dynamics and ecological factors affecting survivorship of aquatic stages of malaria vectors in three agro-ecological settings in Mwea, Kenya. Methods. Three villages were selected based on rice husbandry and water management practices. Aquatic habitats in the 3 villages representing planned rice cultivation (Mbui Njeru), unplanned rice cultivation (Kiamachiri) and non-irrigated (Murinduko) agro-ecosystems were sampled every 2 weeks to generate stage-specific estimates of mosquito larval densities, relative abundance and diversity. …

Hexapod Herald - Vol. 22, No. 4, August 2010

Hexapod Herald and Other Entomology Department Newsletters

Welcome

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Meet and Off Campus Student

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Nebline, August 2010

NEBLINE Newsletter Archive from Nebraska Extension in Lancaster County

Feature: Youth Develop Life Skills at Hands-On Clover College

Farm Views

Horticulture

Food & Fitness

Home & Family Living

Environmental Focus

Urban Agriculture

4-H & Youth

Community Focus

Extension Calendar

Nutrition Education Program

Family and Community Education (FCE) Clubs

and other extension news and events

Lancaster County Super Fair Schedule & Map Special Pullout Section

Notes On Fungal Infestations In Germinating Corn (Zea Mays L.) Seed Used For Rearing Spotted Cucumber Beetles (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), D. E. Fleming, J. T. Reed

Midsouth Entomologist

Inability to manage fungal growth (Aspergillus, Fusarium and Rhizopus spp.) in germinating corn seed used as larval medium in a laboratory colony of spotted cucumber beetles (Diabrotica undecimpunctata howardi Barber [Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae]) stimulated experimentation to evaluate the efficacy of laboratory fungicide seed treatment and its components with and without agitation, and to determine whether the incidence of fungus in germinating seed differed between seed lots or varieties. The possibility of fungi residing in cracks in corn seed, within the corn seed beyond the reach of fungicidal solutions, and in pits in the exochorion of beetle eggs is discussed. Fungicides reduced …

A Novel Delivery Method For Ant (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) Toxicants, B. A. Wiltz, D. R. Suiter, W. A. Gardner, C. W. Berisford

Midsouth Entomologist

Described here is a new delivery method for ant toxicants consisting of an inert carrier, an attractant, and a toxicant. Unlike baits, this system does not contain a food source, but uses ant to ant contact rather than trophallaxis as the mechanism for horizontal dispersal of the toxicant through the colony. We evaluated six potential attractants and found that only triolein increased treated filter paper removal by the red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta Buren (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). On corn cob grits, removal was optimized at a rate of 60 μl triolein/g grits. In laboratory assays, mortality of fire ants offered …

Review Of Preplant-Incorporated Pesticide Evaluations In Mississippi Sweetpotatoes, J. T. Reed, D. Bao, D. Cook, C. S. Jackson

Midsouth Entomologist

The use of insecticides incorporated into the soil prior to planting (preplant incorporated, or PPI, application) and approximately 30 days post planting (layby-incorporated, or LBI, application) is a recognized control regimen to reduce insect damage to sweetpotato roots in Mississippi. Seventeen compounds with potential for use as soil-incorporated insecticides were tested in small-plot research trials from 2001 to 2009. Efficacy was evaluated by counting insect feeding scars on marketable roots at harvest. Results within each trial were converted to percent control values based on the water-treated check plots. Results ranged from negative percent control values (more damage than found in …

Relative Risk Of Acquiring Black-Legged Ticks, Ixodes Scapularis, In Central Mississippi, J. Goddard, J. Goddard Ii

Midsouth Entomologist

No abstract provided.

Description Of Damage By Larvae Of The Spotted Cucumber Beetle, Diabrotica Undecimpunctata Howardi (Coleptera: Chrysomelidae) To Sweetpotato, Ipomoea Batatas (L.) (Solanales: Convolvulaceae), Roots, D. E. Fleming, J. T. Reed

Midsouth Entomologist

The larvae of the spotted cucumber beetle (Diabrotica undecimpunctata howardi Barber [Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae]) are damaging pests of sweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas [L.] [Solanales: Convolvulaceae]) roots. Because this assumption was not documented, laboratory trials were conducted to determine if spotted cucumber beetle larvae can feed and develop on sweetpotato roots. Results showed that all stages of spotted cucumber beetle larvae could survive on sweetpotato roots when given no other food choice, and that root damage resembled that described for larvae of other coleopteran sweetpotato pests.

Odontomachus Clarus Roger (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) Reported In Kisatchie National Forest, Louisiana, B. J. Adams, X. Chen, L. M. Hooper-Bùi

Midsouth Entomologist

No abstract provided.

Two New Exotic Pest Ants, Pseudomyrmex Gracilis And Monomorium Floricola (Hymenoptera: Formicidae Collected In Mississippi, J. A. Macgown, J. G. Hill

Midsouth Entomologist

No abstract provided.

Checklist Of The Cerambycidae (Coleoptera) Of Costa Rica, Ian P. Swift, Larry G. Bezark, Eugenio H. Nearns, Ángel Solís, Frank T. Hovore

Insecta Mundi

An updated checklist of the Cerambycidae of Costa Rica is presented. This new version includes 1,071 species and subspecies in 429 genera, 69 tribes, and six subfamilies. Of these, 181 are new country records and 136 species are known only from Costa Rica. In addition, provincial distribution data are provided for each species. The checklist supports a wealth of scientific literature in many other groups of flora and fauna indicating Costa Rica has high species richness of cerambycid beetles.

Se presenta una lista actualizada de los Cerambycidae de Costa Rica. Esta nueva versión incluye 1.071 especies y subespecies en 429 …

Landmarks In The Evolution Of Technologies For Identifying Trypanosomes In Tsetse Flies, John C. Enyaru, Johnson O. Ouma, Imna I. Malele, Enock Matovu, Daniel K. Masiga

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Understanding what the trypanosome pathogens are, their vectors and mode of transmission underpin efforts to control the disease they cause in both humans and livestock. The risk of transmission is estimated by determining what proportion of the vector population is carrying the infectious pathogens. This risk also depends on the infectivity of the trypanosomes to humans and livestock. Most livestock pathogens are not infective to humans, whereas the two sub-species that infect humans also infect livestock. As with other infectious diseases, we can therefore trace the foundation of many continuing disease control programs for trypanosomiasis to the discovery of the …

Insect Diversity And Pest Status On Switchgrass Grown For Biofuel In South Carolina, Claudia Holguin

All Theses

Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) has tremendous potential as a biomass and stock crop for cellulosic ethanol production or combustion as a solid fuel. The first goal of this study was to assess diversity of insects in a perennial switchgrass crop in South Carolina. A three-year study was conducted to sample insects using pitfall traps and sweep nets at the Pee Dee Research and Education Center in Florence, SC, from 2007-2009. Collected specimens were identified to family and classified by trophic groups, and predominant species were identified. The diversity and density of weeds in the field during the establishment year (2007) …

Morphological Characterization And Molecular Mediated Genetic Variation Of Thief Ant (Solenopsis Molesta Say, Hymenoptera: Formicidae), Ralph B. Narain

Department of Entomology: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

The thief ant, Solenopsis molesta (Say), a common nuisance ant species found throughout the United States is genetically related to other stinging ants. This research was undertaken to estimate genetic variation utilizing mitochondrial DNA sequences of cytochrome oxidase I in thief ant populations from various geographic locations. Thief ants were collected from nine states, identified to species using morphologic characteristics from available keys. DNA extractions were completed with Qiagen’s Gentra PUREGENE® DNA Isolation Kit using their solid tissue protocol. PCR reactions were run on the extracted DNA using primers Lep-F1 (forward) and Lep-R1 (reverse). The resulting DNA products were concentrated …

An Investigation Of Wild Bee Diversity And Abundance In Plots Managed By The Nature Conservancy In South-Central Nebraska And Of Beneficial Arthropods Associated With Native Nebraska Flora, Dori Ann Porter

Department of Entomology: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Insect pollination is an essential ecosystem service, and bees are the principal pollinators of wild and cultivated plants. Habitat management and enhancement are a proven way to encourage wild bee populations, providing them with food and nesting resources. I examined bee diversity and abundance in plots managed by The Nature Conservancy near Wood River, NE. The plots were seeded with 2 seed mixes at 2 seeding rates: high diversity mix at the recommended rate, high diversity mix double the recommended rate, Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) conservation planting (CP) 25 mix at one-half the recommended rate, and NRCS CP25 mix …

A Taxonomic Review Of The Neotropical Genus Coprophanaeus Olsoufieff, 1924 (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae, Scarabaeinae, W. D. Edmonds, J. Zidek

Insecta Mundi

The Neotropical genus Coprophanaeus Olsoufieff (1924), as classified here, comprises 38 species distributed among three subgenera (Megaphanaeus Olsoufieff, Metallophanaeus Olsoufieff, and Coprophanaeus s. str. ) and eight species groups. Keys presented help to identify supraspecific and species taxa, all of which are illustrated and diagnosed. Lectotypes are designated for Phanaeus ignecinctus Felsche and Phanaeus ohausi Felsche. Coprophanaeus corythus (Harold), formerly regarded as a subspecies of C. telamon (Erichson), assumes species status. Coprophanaeus magnoi Arnaud, described as a subspecies of C. milon (Blanchard), is raised to species status. New taxonomic interpretations result in 10 new subjective synonymies (junior synonym listed …

Revision Of Hawaiian, Australasian, Oriental, And Japanese Parandrinae (Coleoptera, Cerambycidae), Antonio Santos-Silva, Daniel Heffern, Kiyoshi Matsuda

Insecta Mundi

A comprehensive revision of the Subfamily Parandrinae (Coleoptera, Cerambycidae) from the Hawaiian, Australasian, Oriental, and Japanese regions is presented. Seven (7) new genera are described: Komiyandra, Melanesiandra, Papuandra, Storeyandra, Hawaiiandra, Caledonandra, and Malukandra. All known, indigenous species from these regions are assigned to new genera resulting in the following new combinations: Komiyandra janus (Bates, 1875), K. shibatai (Hayashi, 1963), K. formosana (Miwa and Mitono, 1939), K. lanyuana (Hayashi, 1981), Melanesiandra striatifrons (Fairmaire, 1879), M. solomonensis (Arigony, 1983), Caledonandra austrocaledonica (Montrouzier, 1861), C. passandroides (Thomson, 1867), Hawaiiandra puncticeps (Sharp, 1878), Malukandra heterostyla (Lameere, 1902), Storeyandra frenchi (Blackburn, 1895), and Papuandra araucariae …

Nebline, July 2010

NEBLINE Newsletter Archive from Nebraska Extension in Lancaster County

Feature: See, Learn, Explore Spring Creek Prairie

Farm Views

Horticulture

Food & Fitness

Home & Family Living

Environmental Focus

Urban Agriculture

4-H & Youth

Community Focus

Extension Calendar

Nutrition Education Program

Family and Community Education (FCE) Clubs

and other extension news and events

The Mosquito (Diptera: Culicidae) Fauna Of The Blackwater Ecological Preserve: Effects Of Prescribed Burns And Habitat Type On Mosquito Abundance And Distribution, Norman A. Grefe Lll

Biological Sciences Theses & Dissertations

While mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) are among the most studied of insect groups, much remains unknown about their distribution and response to environmental impacts such as prescribed burns. Blackwater Ecological Preserve, located near Zuni, Virginia, is a relict long leaf pine barren, parts of which undergo periodic prescribed burns to maintain and restore this fire-dependent ecosystem. To assess the impact of prescribed burns on mosquito activity and to determine associations between seasonal patterns of adult mosquito activity and habitat type, CDC light traps baited with dry ice were set (rom late April through October at Blackwater Ecological Preserve during the 2005 …

Carrion Beetles Of The Blackwater Ecologic Preserve: Community Structure Seasonal Patterns And Habitat Use, Amy L. Simons

Biological Sciences Theses & Dissertations

Carrion beetles (Silphidae) are important in the decomposition of carcasses in ecosystems. Two subfamilies, Nicrophorinae and Silphinae, differ in reproductive behaviors. The Nicrophinae, burying beetles, bury small carcasses to serve as food for the adults and their offspring. The Silphinae oviposit near larger carcasses. There is intense competition among all carrion beetles and other carrion feeders for carcasses, and beetle species have evolved seasonal activity patterns that minimize competition, such as when they are active and when they reproduce. Northern Silphidae communities are more diverse than southern communities, probably due to increased competition for carrion in the south.

This research …

Geographic Distribution, Host Range And Perennation Of Cotesia Sesamiae And Cotesia Flavipes Cameron In Cultivated And Natural Habitats In Kenya, Duna Madu Mailafiya, Bruno Pierre Le Ru, Eunice Waitherero Kairu, Paul André Calatayud, Stéphane Dupas

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Field surveys were carried out in four agroecological zones to assess the geographic distribution, host range and perennation of Cotesia sesamiae and Cotesia flavipes in cultivated and natural habitats in Kenya. The distribution of the two Cotesia species in different ecological regions was most affected by the suitability of the local stem borer species for parasitoid development, and temperature, as both species were found in localities dominated by their suitable host(s) where temperature favoured their occurrence. Fourteen years after its release, C. flavipes has maintained a high level of specificity to its target host Chilo partellus on maize and sorghum …

Comparative Mitogenomics Of Braconidae (Insecta: Hymenoptera) And The Phylogenetic Utility Of Mitochondrial Genomes With Special Reference To Holometabolous Insects, Shu-Jun Wei, Min Shi, Michael J. Sharkey, Cornelis Van Achterberg, Xue-Xin Chen

Entomology Faculty Publications

BACKGROUND: Animal mitochondrial genomes are potential models for molecular evolution and markers for phylogenetic and population studies. Previous research has shown interesting features in hymenopteran mitochondrial genomes. Here, we conducted a comparative study of mitochondrial genomes of the family Braconidae, one of the largest families of Hymenoptera, and assessed the utility of mitochondrial genomic data for phylogenetic inference at three different hierarchical levels, i.e., Braconidae, Hymenoptera, and Holometabola.

RESULTS: Seven mitochondrial genomes from seven subfamilies of Braconidae were sequenced. Three of the four sequenced A+T-rich regions are shown to be inverted. Furthermore, all species showed reversal of strand asymmetry, suggesting …

Nebline, June 2010

NEBLINE Newsletter Archive from Nebraska Extension in Lancaster County

Feature: 12 Reasons for Visiting a Farmers' Market

Farm Views

Horticulture

Food & Fitness

Home & Family Living

Environmental Focus

Urban Agriculture

4-H & Youth

Community Focus

Extension Calendar

Nutrition Education Program

Family and Community Education (FCE) Clubs

and other extension news and events

Three New Species Of Paragnorimus Becker From Central America (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Cetoniinae: Trichiini) With A Redefinition Of The Genus, Andrew B. T. Smith

Insecta Mundi

Three new species of Paragnorimus Becker are described: Paragnorimus atratus n. sp. from Guatemala, P. hondurensis n. sp. from Honduras and Nicaragua, and P. howdeni n. sp. from Guatemala. Based on the overlapping characters of these new species, the genus Peltotrichius Howden is placed in synonymy with Paragnorimus. Paragnorimus is given a broader definition to encompass the new species and the two species formerly placed in the genus Peltotrichius.

Distribution Of Abacion Texense (Loomis, 1937), The Only Milliped Species Traversing The Rio Grande, Mississippi, And Pecos Rivers (Callipodida: Abacionidae), Chris T. Mcallister, Rowland M. Shelley

Insecta Mundi

Localities are documented for the milliped Abacion texense (Loomis, 1837) (Callipodida: Abacionidae) whose distribution forms both the northern and southern ordinal limits in the Western Hemisphere. The westernmost component of Abacion Rafinesque, 1820, A. texense is the only milliped species whose range spans the Mississippi and Pecos rivers and the Rio Grande. Distribution extremes are in Hennepin County (Co.), Minnesota, in the north; Terrell and Potter cos., Texas, in the west; Alcorn Co., Mississippi, in the east; and southwestern Tamaulipas, Mexico, in the south. Occurrences are projected for southeastern South Dakota, northwestern Alabama, and the southwestern periphery of Tennessee. The …

An Annotated List Of The Centipedes (Chilopoda) In The National Collection Of Arachnids, Instituto De Biología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma De México, Fabio Germán Cupul-Magaña

Insecta Mundi

The National Collection of Arachnids, Instituto de Biología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (México City) houses 476 chilopod samples, of which 197 are determined to genus and/or species. These are documented here and represent several new state records. Topotypes of eight species of centipedes described by R. V. Chamberlin also documented.

Resumen. La Colección Nacional de Arácnidos, del Instituto de Biología de la Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (Ciudad de México), resguarda 476 muestras de quilópodos, de los que 197 están determinadas a nivel de género y/o especie. Algunas de estas muestras corresponden a nuevos registros estatales. Se documentan los …