Entomology Commons^™

Taxonomic Advances Driven By The Genomic Analysis Of Butterflies, Jing Zhang, Qian Cong, Jinhui Shen, Leina Song, Nick V. Grishin

The Taxonomic Report of the International Lepidoptera Survey

This study presents new findings based on a large-scale analysis of butterfly genomic sequences. Focusing on species identification through comparative genomics, we define subspecies as populations differentiated to a lesser extent than distinct species ("species in the making"). Additionally, we propose further adjustments to the current butterfly classification. As a result, 3 subgenera, 12 species, and 4 subspecies are described as new. New subgenera are (type species in parenthesis): Hyalaus Grishin, subgen. n. (Papilio epidaus E. Doubleday, 1846) of Eurytides Hübner, [1821] (Papilionidae Latreille, [1802]) and Astria Grishin, subgen. n. (Lycaena astraea Freyer, 1851) of Glaucopsyche Scudder, 1872 …

Contrasting Tick Species Behaviors: A Course-Based Undergraduate Research Experience (Cure), Sara Benham, Shovan Dutta, Rohan Maddamsetti, Clayton Wright, Alena Anderson, David T. Gauthier, Holly D. Gaff

Spora: A Journal of Biomathematics

Tick-borne diseases are on the rise throughout the world, and there is a need to better understand tick behavior in order to identify potential new interventions. Ticks have a complex life history and can survive months off-host. There is a lack of large-scale data on off-host tick behavior, which leaves a gap in understanding of tick biology outside of tick-host interactions. Introducing undergraduate students to authentic research early in their studies can help prepare them for independent inquiry in upper-level classes. To address the student needs and fill gaps in tick research, students in introductory biology courses recorded observations of …

Eristalis Tenax Movement Behavior In Response To Light, Temperature, And Food, Jeffery J. Zheng, Zdena M. Janderova, Jason D. Lang

Georgia Journal of Science

Drone flies, Eristalis tenax (Diptera: Syrphidae), are important generalist pollinators and visit flowers globally that range widely in color. The flies’ photoreceptors allow them to sense light wavelengths between 300-600 nm and E. tenax exhibit a positive phototactic response. To understand the effects of light on E. tenax movement, we conducted two-choice behavioral tests to determine their phototactic response to different wavelengths of light across the spectrum (ultraviolet to red light, plus full spectrum white light). The drone flies moved most and quickest toward sunlight, with almost twice the percentage of flies moving toward sunlight than toward black and …

Plum Curculio (Conotrachelus Nenuphar), Kate V. Richardson, Marion Murray

All Current Publications

Plum curculio is a brown weevil (beetle with a snout) native to eastern North America, where it is a major pest of pome and stone fruits. It was detected in Box Elder County, Utah, in the early 1980s, and this population remains the only known infestation in western North America, where it is occasionally found in residential and wild fruit trees. Plum curculio is a quarantine pest in western North America (U.S. and Canada), and fruit grown in infested counties is restricted from being exported. Thus, it is a threat to Utah’s fruit industry and requires ongoing monitoring and management …

Two New Species Of False Click Beetles (Coleoptera: Eucnemidae) From The Americas, Robert L. Otto

Insecta Mundi

Abstract

Identifications of recently collected Eucnemidae (Coleoptera: Elateroidea) borrowed from two collections have resulted in the discovery of two new species: Entomophthalmus abbreviatus Otto (Cuba) and Trigonopleurus cordobaalfaroi Otto (Guatemala and Louisiana, United States). Images of the two newly described species along with two New World Entomophthalmus Bonvouloir species for comparative purposes are included.

Resumen

Las identificaciones de Eucnemidae (Coleoptera: Elateroidea) recolectados recientemente tomados de dos colecciones han resultado en el descubrimiento de dos nuevas especies: Entomophthalmus abbreviatus Otto (Cuba) y Trigonopleurus cordobaalfaroi Otto (Guatemala y Louisiana, United States). Se incluyen imágenes de las dos especies recientemente descritas junto con …

New State Records Of Buprestidae (Coleoptera) For Idaho, Usa, Richard L. Westcott

Insecta Mundi

Five new state records for Idaho in the genera Agrilus Curtis, Anthaxia Eschscholtz, and Buprestis Linnaeus (Coleoptera: Buprestidae) are included herein, with brief comments thereon. Two of the species are believed to be introduced. Agrilus liragus Barter and Brown is elevated to a full species, resurrected status.

Platygastroidea In The Oxford University Museum Of Natural History: Taxonomic Updates And A Photographic Catalog Of Type Specimens, Elijah J. Talamas, Jessica Awad, Francesco Tortorici, Norman F. Johnson

Insecta Mundi

High resolution images are provided for type specimens of Platygastroidea (Hymenoptera: Apocrita) in the Hope Entomological Collections, Oxford University. We formally resurrect Trissoscelio Kieffer revised status to accommodate T. bifasciata (Dodd) new combination, T. indica (Mani) new combination, T. nigriceps Kieffer revised combination, T. ruficeps Kieffer revised combination, and T. punctaticeps Kieffer revised combination. Paridris subplana (Dodd) new combination is transferred from Sceliacantha Dodd to Paridris Kieffer and treated as a senior synonym of P. coorgensis Sharma.

Analysis Of Pepsis Basifusca Lucas (Hymenoptera: Pompilidae: Pepsinae) Taxonomy, Morphology, Biogeography, And Potential Host Spider, Frank E. Kurczewski

Insecta Mundi

A first-time analysis of taxonomically relevant characters, functional morphology, geographic distribution, ecoregion preference, and hypothetical host spiders of Pepsis basifusca Lucas (Hymenoptera: Pompilidae: Pepsinae) is presented. This analysis is compared with other Nearctic species in Vardy’s (2005) Pepsis menechma species-group, particularly P. cerberus Lucas and P. elegans Lepeletier which are suspected parasitoids of trapdoor spiders. Pepsis basifusca females differ from females of these species in possessing a rounded gena-postgena in dorsal view; straight mid and hind tibial spurs; short hind tibial inner spur; and short, very stout, and backward slanted hind tibial bristles. Pepsis basifusca Level III Ecoregions …

The Effects Of Seasonal Prescribed Burning On Flint Hills Dung Beetle (Scarabaeinae) Populations, Herman Griese, Andrea Salazar, Victoria Pickens, Cassandra Olds

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Objective: This study aimed to determine if the season of prescribed burning impacted dung beetle communities on pastures grazed by cattle in the Flint Hills.

Study Description: Dung beetle populations at the Kansas State University Beef Stocker unit were sampled biweekly for three months over the summer grazing period to determine if beetle populations varied between spring, summer, or fall burned pastures.

Results: At least eight species of dung beetles were identified with a total of 8,646 dung beetles collected. Dung beetle populations were not different (P > 0.05) between spring, summer, and fall burned pastures although peak beetle populations …

The Unbelievable Fauna Of American Lamiinae (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae): Description Of Two New Species, Transference, And Notes In Acanthocinini, And A New Record In Calliini, Antonio Santos-Silva, Juan Pablo Botero

Insecta Mundi

Two new species and one new genus of Lamiinae (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) are described in Acanthocinini: Embera flava new species, new genus, from Panama; and Nealcidion lingafelteri new species from Costa Rica. The species-group name of Nealcidion napoensis Nascimento and McClarin, 2018 is corrected and morphological variations in Leptostylus cristulatus Bates, 1872 are reported. Trypanidius mimicavus Carelli, Monné, and Souza, 2013 is redescribed and transferred to Carphina Bates, 1872, forming the new combination Carphina mimicavus. Colombicallia curta Galileo and Martins, 1992 (Calliini) is recorded from Panama for the first time.

Diapause In Eastern North American Populations Of Coccinella Septempunctata (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), John J. Obrycki

Lady Beetle Research Data

Experiments examined the effect of photoperiod on the expression of adult diapause in the Palearctic ladybird beetle Coccinella septempunctata, within 10 years of its discovery in North America. The study used beetles from two populations in eastern United States and focused on two aspects of diapause. First, the effects of daylength on the induction and depth (or duration) of diapause were examined by rearing and maintaining adult beetles from Tompkins County, New York,(approx. 42.4°N, 76.5°W) under six constant photoperiods until oviposition, death, or the passage of 125 days. Second, the seasonal progression of diapause maintenance and termination under natural conditions …

Moth Species Diversity, Composition And Abundance In Different Land Use Types Of Chebera Churchura National Park And Its Surroundings, Southwestern Ethiopia, Gebreegziabher Hailay, Emana Getu

Journal of Bioresource Management

Land use change and habitat fragmentation affect biodiversity through an increasing level of disturbance and destruction of natural habitats. The present study is the first report on species diversity, species composition, and abundance of moth fauna in and around Chebera Churchura national park. During the survey from January to June 2021, 6206 specimens were collected from 105 species and 11 families from the 3 land use types. Based on the number of species, the family Erbidae is the most abundant with 41 species, and the family Pyraldae was the least abundant with one species. Based on the number of individuals, …

A Revision Of Dyscolotaxia Horn, 1890 (Coleoptera: Eucnemidae: Macraulacinae: Macraulacini), With The Description Of Amazotaxia New Genus From South America, Robert L. Otto

Insecta Mundi

Abstract

The Neotropical eucnemid genus, Dyscolotaxia Horn, is revised following the examination of specimens from five collections, examination of the published original description of Plesiofornax tetratoma Chassain, and from images provided by Fernanda Salazar-Buenaño (QCAZI). Dyscolotaxia championi Horn is redescribed with included descriptions of the male genitalia and a female specimen. Three new species of false click beetles (Coleoptera: Eucnemidae) are described from the Neotropical region. These new species are: Dyscolotaxia chiriquiensis (Panama), Dyscolotaxia hispaniolensis (Dominican Republic), and Dyscolotaxia picea (Ecuador). Amazotaxia new genus is described from South America for Plesiofornax tetratoma Chassain, creating Amazotaxia tetratoma (Chassain) new combination. Morphology …

Melittological Notes From Guatemala (Hymenoptera: Anthophila), 1. New Country Records For Centris Fabricius (Apidae) And Zikanapis Moure (Colletidae), Silas Bossert, José Monzón-Sierra, Richard S. Zack, Ana Cristina García, Elizabeth A. Murray

Insecta Mundi

Abstract

Three species of bees (Hymenoptera: Apidae, Colletidae) are newly recorded for Guatemala: Centris obscurior Michener, Centris vidua Mocsáry, and Zikanapis inbio (Michener, Engel and Ayala). We discuss aspects of their biology and circumstances of the collecting events and provide information on their presently known distribution.

Resumen

Se registran por primera vez tres especies de abejas (HymenopteraN: Apidae, Colletidae) para Guatemala: Centris obscurior Michener, Centris vidua Mocsáry, y Zikanapis inbio (Michener, Engel y Ayala). Discutimos aspectos de su biología, circunstancias bajo las cuáles fueron colectadas y se provee información en la distribución conocida actualmente.

Genomic Analysis Reveals New Species And Subspecies Of Butterflies, Jing Zhang, Qian Cong, Jinhui Shen, Leina Song, Nick V. Grishin

The Taxonomic Report of the International Lepidoptera Survey

Large-scale genomic sequencing of butterfly taxa reveals new findings that are presented here. While we focus on detecting species by comparative genomics and define subspecies as groups of populations genetically differentiated from each other but not as strongly as species (that is, subspecies as species in the making), we report other adjustments to butterfly classification. As a result, 4 subgenera, 11 species, and 6 subspecies are proposed as new. New subgenera are: Rapis Grishin, subgen. n. (type species Papilio rapae Linnaeus, 1758, genus Pieris Schrank, 1801) in Pieridae Swainson, 1820 and Callitera Grishin, subgen. n. (type species Eurygona? pulcherrima …

The Mayfly Newsletter, Donna Giberson, Peter M. Grant

The Mayfly Newsletter

The Mayfly Newsletter is the official newsletter of the Permanent Committee of the International Conferences on Ephemeroptera.

Volatiles And Interspecific Competition, Stephen T. Trumbo

EEB Articles

No abstract provided.

Reassessment Of Amblyscirtes Hegon (Hesperiidae) As A Complex Of Four Distinct Species Revealed By Genomic Analysis, Harry Pavulaan, Ricky Patterson, Nick V. Grishin

The Taxonomic Report of the International Lepidoptera Survey

After the discovery of a unique phenotype in the southern United States with a different ventral ground color than nominotypical Amblyscirtes hegon (Scudder, 1863), which occurs in the northeastern United States, genomic analysis revealed that A. hegon is a species complex. Phenotypic, genitalic, and genomic differences of the complex are presented here. Four species are identified: A. hegon; A. nemoris (W. H. Edwards, 1864), stat. rest.; A. matheri Patterson, Pavulaan & Grishin, sp. n. (TL: USA, Mississippi, Warren County); and A. gelidus Grishin, Patterson & Pavulaan, sp. n. (TL: USA, Michigan, Van Buren County).

Single Night Surveys Of Moth Communities Can Serve As Ultra-Rapid Biodiversity Assessments, Daniel P. Duran, Matthew Timar, Blaine Rothauser

School of Earth & Environment Faculty Scholarship

Biodiversity conservation decisions are typically based on limited data and resources. For this reason, there is great interest in surveying taxa that may allow for a rapid assessment of the biodiversity at a site. Numerous taxa have been proposed and utilized for rapid assessments that allow for such a survey in a matter of weeks or less. Herein, we test the idea that nocturnal moths have many of the characteristics that make them ideal for such surveys, such as relative ease of identification, strong ecological association with specific plant species and habitats, high alpha diversity, extended seasonal activity, and ease …

The Influence Of At-Planting Insecticide Treatments On Tobacco Thrips, (Thysanoptera:Thripidae), And Reniform Nematode, (Tylenchida:Hoplolaimidae), In Conventional And Thryvon Cotton Systems, Walker Brett Farmer

Theses and Dissertations

One of the objectives of this research was to evaluate the need for an additional imidacloprid seed treatment on ThryvOn^® (Bayer Crop Science^®, St. Louis, MO) cotton to effectively manage tobacco thrips, Frankliniella fusca (Hinds). While evaluating thrips densities and damage ratings, ThryvOn cotton continued to display reduced damage and thrips populations than non-ThryvOn. Thrips populations and damage ratings were consistently reduced when incorporating a higher rate of imidacloprid, but they were not reduced enough to justify the higher rates of imidacloprid. Another objective of this research was to evaluate the impact of aldicarb (AgLogic Chemical^{® …}