Entomology Commons^™

Evaluating The Vector Competence Of Aedes Simpsoni Sl From Kenyan Coast For Ngari And Bunyamwera Viruses, James Mutisya, Michael Kahato, Francis Mulwa, Solomon Langat, Edith Chepkorir, Samuel Arum, David Tchouassi, Rosemary Sang, Joel Lutomiah

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Background Bunyamwera(BUNV) and Ngari (NGIV) viruses are arboviruses of medical importance globally, the viruses are endemic in Africa, Aedes(Ae) aegypti and Anopheles(An) gambiae mosquitoes are currently competent vectors for BUNV and NGIV respectively. Both viruses have been isolated from humans and mosquitoes in various ecologies of Kenya. Understanding the risk patterns and spread of the viruses necessitate studies of vector competence in local vector population of Ae. simpsoni sl which is abundant in the coastal region. This study sought to assess the ability of Ae. Simpsoni sl mosquitoes abundant at the Coast of Kenya to transmit these viruses in experimental …

A Deadly Encounter: Alien Invasive Spodoptera Frugiperda In Africa And Indigenous Natural Enemy, Cotesia Icipe (Hymenoptera, Braconidae), Samira Abuelgasim Mohamed, Mark Wamalwa, Francis Obala, Henri E.Z. Tonnang, Tadele Tefera, Paul Andre Calatayud, Sevgan Subramanian, Sunday Ekesi

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

The invasion and wide spread of Spodoptera frugiperda represent real impediments to food security and the livelihood of the millions of maize and sorghum farming communities in the sub-Saharan and Sahel regions of Africa. Current management efforts for the pest are focused on the use of synthetic pesticides, which are often economically unviable and are extremely hazardous to the environment. The use of biological control offers a more economically and environmentally safer alternative. In this study, the performance of the recently described parasitoid, Cotesia icipe, against the pest was elucidated. We assessed the host stage acceptability by and suitability for …

Whitefly-Induced Tomato Volatiles Enhance The Virulence Of Lecanicillium Lecanii, Yongwen Lin, Jinhua Huang, Komivi S. Akutse

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) are a group of microorganisms that have potential for replacing synthetic chemical pesticides. However, EPF virulence is often insufficient, and therefore adoption of EPF biopesticides has been relatively limited. Previous studies have shown that herbivore-induced plant volatiles (HIPVs) promoted the virulence of Lecanicillium lecanii, and that extracellular proteases and chitinases are important virulence factors of entomopathogenic fungi. We therefore put forward the hypothesis that HIPVs promote L. lecanii virulence by inducing extracellular protease or/and chitinase activity. Lecanicillium lecanii was treated with tomato HIPVs induced by various numbers/densities of Bemisia tabaci, the effect of HIPVs on L. lecanii …

Notes On Eastern North American Butterflies, David J. Hoag, Harry Pavulaan, Brian Taber, Kenneth Lorenzen, Richard D. Ullrich

The Taxonomic Report of the International Lepidoptera Survey

Editor’s Note (Harry Pavulaan). New natural history elements and distribution records of several eastern North American butterflies are reported. While diversity and distribution of butterflies in the eastern United States are commonly believed to be fully known, the findings presented here show that much is yet to be learned of our butterfly fauna.

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Lethe eurydice and L. appalachia Larvae (Nymphalidae: Satyrinae) Eat Their Shed Cuticle (Exuvia) Soon after Molting in Vermont, USA by David J. Hoag

Abstract

Larvae of Lethe eurydice and L. appalachia were observed eating their newly shed cuticle (exuvia). Further studies are needed …

Molecular Phylogeny Of Cave Dwelling Eremogryllodes Crickets (Orthoptera, Myrmecophilidae) Across Zagros Mountains And Southern Iran, Mohadeseh Sadat Tahami, Mina Hojat-Ansari, Anna Namyatova, Saber Sadeghi

International Journal of Speleology

Recently, several new species and subspecies from the genus Eremogryllodes Chopard, 1929 (Insecta: Orthoptera: Myrmecophilidae) inhabiting caves of Iran, have been described based on morphology. The high variation of genitalia structure along with high similarity of external morphology between populations hamper the precise species identification. Thus, molecular approaches are critical to determine the taxonomic positions of species/subspecies of this genus. Here we provide the molecular phylogeny, based on the 16S rRNA mitochondrial gene, of recently described species of Eremogryllodes along with some unidentified specimens from the same region. The results support the monophyly of the family Myrmecophilidae. The topology of …

First Report Of The Lanzones Scale Insect, Unaspis Mabilis Lit & Barbecho (Hemiptera: Diaspididae), Infesting Cacao, Theobroma Cacao L. [Research Note], Ireneo L. Lit Jr., Barbara L. Caoili, Merdelyn T. Caasi-Lit, Cristian C. Lucanas, Kristine O. Abenis, Vanessa Kate I. Alvarez, Romnick A. Latina

The Philippine Agricultural Scientist

The lanzones scale insect, Unaspis mabilis Lit & Barbecho (Hemiptera: Diaspididae), is reported to infest cacao trees (Theobroma cacao) in Brgy. Nalook, Kalibo, Aklan. Despite minor morphological differences, analysis of DNA barcode region of the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) generated from the cacao-infesting scale insects (GenBank Accession Number MN114100.1) matched the DNA barcodes obtained from a complementary study (GenBank Accession Number MN114099), and hence, supported the species identity based on morphological characters. Notes on the distribution, host plant association and insights on possible control measures were provided.

Impact Of Maize Hormonal Interactions On The Performance Of Spodoptera Frugiperda In Plants Infected With Clavibacter Michiganensis Subsp. Nebraskensis, Karen Da Silva, Sydney E. Everhart, Joe Louis

Department of Entomology: Faculty Publications

In nature, plants interact with multiple organisms, below and aboveground. Although interactions of plants with single biotic stressors are well characterized, knowledge of how the immune system responds to multiple biotic stressors is lacking. It is known that the two most important pathways involved in the plant immune defenses are jasmonic acid (JA) and salicylic acid (SA). The crosstalk between these plant hormonal signaling pathways seems to fine-tune the plant responses to different stressors. In this study, we characterized maize (Zea mays) hormonal interactions under the attack of two economically important pests: the bacterial pathogen that causes Goss’s …

Checklist Of Dermestidae (Insecta: Coleoptera: Bostrichoidea) Of The United States, Jiří Háva, Andreas Herrmann

Insecta Mundi

A checklist of Dermestidae (Coleoptera: Bostrichoidea) of the United States of America is provided. It comprises 171 valid species belonging to 25 different genera, also 6 fossil species and 41 new state records.

Dermestidae is a family of Coleoptera which is commonly referred to as skin beetles. Other common names include larder beetle, hide or leather beetles, carpet beetles, and khapra beetles. There are approximately 1705 species worldwide (Háva 2015a, 2020). The last checklist of the dermestid species occurring in the Nearctic region (Canada and U.S.A.) was published by Beal (2003), with exception of the Hawaiian Islands. However, he had …

Una Nueva Especie De Mosca De Ojos Pedunculados Del Género Richardia Robineau-Desvoidy Y Un Nuevo Reporte De Plagiocephalus Latifrons Wiedemann Para La Costa Pacífica De Colombia (Diptera: Tephritoidea: Richardiidae Y Ulidiidae), Luis Miguel Constantino

Insecta Mundi

En este trabajo se describe una nueva especie de Richardia Robineau-Desvoidy (Diptera: Tephritoidea: Richardiidae), R. chocoensis Constantino, con proyecciones a los lados de la cabeza de forma tubular donde se sitúan los ojos compuestos al final de éstos y con una banda macular característica en las alas que la diferencia de otras especies similares. Adicionalmente se reporta por primera vez a Plagiocephalus latifrons Wiedemann (Diptera: Tephritoidea: Ulidiidae) para el occidente de Colombia. Ambas especies fueron colectadas en las selvas lluviosas de la región biogeográfica del Chocó, en la Costa Pacífica de Colombia.

In this work a new species of Richardia …

Emarginoptyx Ballantyne (Coleoptera: Lampyridae: Luciolinae), A Replacement Name For The Firefly Genus Emarginata Ballantyne, 2019, Lesley Ballantyne, Oliver Keller

Insecta Mundi

Emarginata Ballantyne, 2019 (Coleoptera: Lampyridae: Luciolinae), is found to be a junior homonym of the bird genus Emarginata Shelley, 1896 (Avis: Passeriformes: Muscicapidae). The new replacement name Emarginoptyx Ballantyne is provided for the SE Asian genus Emarginata Ballantyne, leading to one new combination, Emarginoptyx trilucida (Jeng, Yang and Lai, 2003).

It has come to our attention that the name Emarginata Ballantyne in Ballantyne et al. (2019) for Emarginata trilucida (Jeng, Yang and Lai, 2003), is preoccupied by Emarginata Shelley, a genus of birds from southern Africa (Shelley 1896).

Naviauxella Horii, A New Tiger Beetle Species From Myanmar (Coleoptera: Cicindelidae), Jürgen Wiesner, Moe Hnin Phyu

Insecta Mundi

Naviauxella horii Wiesner and Phyu, new species (Coleoptera: Cicindelidae), is described. It is distinguished from the other members of the genus by shape of the aedeagus and shape of the elytral maculation.

Due to the kindness of Michio Hori, we were able to study specimens of a tiger beetle species he recently collected in Myanmar. It proved to be new to science and is described herein. It is a member of the genus Naviauxella Cassola, 1988, which raises the number of species in this genus to 22 (Wiesner 2020: 264).

How To Distinguish The Xestotrachelus Bruner, 1913 (Orthoptera: Romaleidae: Romaleini) From Other Romaleini In South America, With A Report Of The First Record In Minas Gerais, Brazil, Daniela Santos Martins Silva, Marcelo Ribeiro Pereira, Raysa Martins Lima

Insecta Mundi

The present study provides an important contribution to the knowledge of the geographic distribution of Xestotrachelus Bruner, 1913 (Orthoptera: Romaleidae: Romaleini), a monotypic genus comprised of Xestotrachelus robustus (Bruner, 1911) that has a wide geographic distribution in Brazil. Specimens were collected at the Panga Ecological Reserve, Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, in the Brazilian Cerrado. We provide a key to distinguish Xestotrachelus from other genera found in South America.

Luciola Lambkinae Keller And Ballantyne, New Replacement Name For Luciola Roseicollis Pic, 1935 (Coleoptera: Lampyridae), Oliver Keller, Lesley Ballantyne

Insecta Mundi

Two different species descriptions for Luciola roseicollis by Pic (Coleoptera: Lampyridae) are compared, and a replacement name, Luciola lambkinae Keller and Ballantyne nomen novum, for Luciola roseicollis Pic, 1935 is proposed.

In McDermott’s (1966) catalog of the family Lampyridae two citations are listed under the heading Luciola roseicollis Pic, 1933. Both articles include descriptions of L. roseicollis and also the statement that they are new species (Pic 1933, 1935). After comparing both descriptions OK contacted LB with the suspicion that the descriptions are about two different species.

Host Phylogeny And Diet Shape Gut Microbial Communities Within Bamboo-Feeding Insects, Kuanguan Huang, Jie Wang, Junhao Huang, Shouke Zhang, Alfried P. Vogler, Quanquan Liu, Yongchun Li, Maowei Yang, You Li, Xuguo Zhou

Entomology Faculty Publications

The gut microbiome plays an important role in a host’s development and adaption to its dietary niche. In this study, a group of bamboo-feeding insects are used to explore the potential role of the gut microbiota in the convergent adaptation to extreme diet specialization. Specifically, using a 16S rRNA marker and an Illumina sequencing platform, we profiled the microbial communities of 76 gut samples collected from nine bamboo-feeding insects, including both hemimetabolous (Orthoptera and Hemiptera) and holometabolous (Coleoptera and Lepidoptera) species, which are specialized in three distinct dietary niches: bamboo leaf, shoot, and sap. The gut microbiota of these insects …

Integrated Analysis Of Microrna And Mrna Transcriptome Reveals The Molecular Mechanism Of Solanum Lycopersicum Response To Bemisia Tabaci And Tomato Chlorosis Virus, Hao Yue, Li-Ping Huang, Ding-Li-Hui Lu, Zhan-Hong Zhang, Zhuo Zhang, De-Yong Zhang, Li-Min Zheng, Yang Gao, Xin-Qiu Tan, Xuguo Zhou, Xiao-Bin Shi, Yong Liu

Entomology Faculty Publications

Tomato chlorosis virus (ToCV), is one of the most devastating cultivated tomato viruses, seriously threatened the growth of crops worldwide. As the vector of ToCV, the whitefly Bemisia tabaci Mediterranean (MED) is mainly responsible for the rapid spread of ToCV. The current understanding of tomato plant responses to this virus and B. tabaci is very limited. To understand the molecular mechanism of the interaction between tomato, ToCV and B. tabaci, we adopted a next-generation sequencing approach to decipher miRNAs and mRNAs that are differentially expressed under the infection of B. tabaci and ToCV in tomato plants. Our data revealed …

Spiders You May Encounter While Social Distancing: A Field Guide To Oregon, Daniel K. Hufnagel

Anthós

This document is simply a short field guide on the many endearing spiders you have encountered or will potentially encounter while social distancing in Oregon. Included are journal entries for six different species of spider, with each log containing an illustration and a description of the physical appearance, behavior, and habitat of the arachnid listed. Also included is a basic diagram depicting the anatomy of the common spider.

Biological Traits Of Wild-Caught Populations Of Aedes Aegypti In Dengue Endemic And Non-Endemic Regions Of Kenya, Caroline Wanjiku, David P. Tchouassi, Catherine L. Sole, Christian W.W. Pirk, Baldwyn Torto, Baldwyn Torto

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Variation in vector traits can modulate local scale differences in pathogen transmission. Here, we compared seasonal variation in the wing length (proxy for body size) and energy reserves of adult wild-caught Aedes aegypti populations from a dengue endemic (Kilifi) and non-endemic (Isiolo) area of Kenya. Vector sampling in the dengue endemic site was conducted during the dry and wet seasons. In the non-endemic area, it was limited to the dry season which characterizes this ecology where sporadic or no rainfall is commonplace during the year. We found variation by site in the body size of both sexes, with an overall …

A Cis-Acting Mutation In The Pxabcg1 Promoter Is Associated With Cry1ac Resistance In Plutella Xylostella (L.), Jianying Qin, Fan Ye, Linzheng Xu, Xuguo Zhou, Neil Crickmore, Xiaomao Zhou, Youjun Zhang, Zhaojiang Guo

Entomology Faculty Publications

The molecular mechanisms of insect resistance to Cry toxins generated from the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) urgently need to be elucidated to enable the improvement and sustainability of Bt-based products. Although downregulation of the expression of midgut receptor genes is a pivotal mechanism of insect resistance to Bt Cry toxins, the underlying transcriptional regulation of these genes remains elusive. Herein, we unraveled the regulatory mechanism of the downregulation of the ABC transporter gene PxABCG1 (also called Pxwhite), a functional midgut receptor of the Bt Cry1Ac toxin in Plutella xylostella. The PxABCG1 promoters of Cry1Ac-susceptible and Cry1Ac-resistant strains were …

Review Of Montana Euphilotes Mattoni, [1978], With Descriptions Of New Taxa (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae: Polyommatinae), Steve Kohler, Andrew D. Warren

The Taxonomic Report of the International Lepidoptera Survey

The genus Euphilotes at the northern end of its distribution is reviewed, with special emphasis on populations in Montana. Also discussed are some Euphilotes populations in Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and southwestern Canada that have affinities with Montana. This region has until recently been essentially neglected in studies of the genus. We characterize and discuss six species (two newly described) and twenty-five subspecies (six newly described) of Euphilotes, including a number of yet undescribed populations. New species include E. heracleoides Kohler & A. Warren (type locality in Sanders County, Montana) and E. oakleyi Kohler (type locality in Missoula County, Montana). …

Cave-Dwelling Heleomyzid Flies (Diptera: Heleomyzidae) From The Polish Caves. Historical Overview And New Data, Joanna Kocot-Zalewska, Andrzej J. Woźnica

International Journal of Speleology

This article details the analysed results of the recent study on heleomyzid flies (Diptera: Heleomyzidae) that occurred in the caves of Kraków-Częstochowa Upland. Additionally, all accessible information about those flies from the Polish caves has been compiled. In effect, 23 species from seven genera were identified. Among these determined species, one was considered as troglobiont, eleven as eutroglophiles, nine as subtroglophiles, and two as trogloxenes. Dominant species were Scoliocentra brachypterna, Heleomyza captiosa and Eccoptomera pallescens. The highest number of species has currently been found in the Kraków-Częstochowa Upland.