Entomology Commons^™

2020 Soybean Insect Losses In The United States, F. R. Musser, A. L. Catchot Jr., S. P. Conley, J. A. Davis, C. Difonzo, S. H. Graham, J. K. Greene, R. L. Koch, D. Owens, D. D. Reisig, P. Roberts, T. Royer, N. J. Seiter, S. D. Stewart, S. Taylor, B. Thrash, K. Tilmon, R. T. Villanueva, M. O. Way

Midsouth Entomologist

Estimated insect management costs and losses due to insects in soybean during the 2020 growing season were collected and compiled from 18 states to provide a record of insect pressure and management practices for the year. These annual estimates provide a historical record of pest pressure and insect management and have been compiled in some states since 2004. Participating states represented 48% of soybean acreage grown in the United States, with near 100% participation in southern states. Overall, the stink bug complex was the costliest insect pest in soybean followed by corn earworm. Total insect management costs were $15.80 per …

Nebline, March 2021

NEBLINE Newsletter Archive from Nebraska Extension in Lancaster County

Naturally Occurring Elements in Groundwater - Part 1 of a Series — Calcium and Magnesium

Celebrate National Nutrition Month

RECIPE OF THE MONTH

2021 All-America Selections Vegetable Winners

Starting Seeds Indoors

Garden Guide Things to Do This Month

Planning for Spring Calving Season

Chemigation Trainings

2021 Nebraska On-Farm Research Annual Results Update Meetings

Houseplants: Simple Solutions to Plant Pests

Heart of 4-H Volunteer Award: Whitney Lehn

Meet 2020–2021 4-H Council

4-H Announcements for 4-H'ers and Volunteers

Private Pesticide Applicator Trainings by Zoom

EXTENSION CALENDAR

Upcoming Early Childhood Trainings

No Evidence That Salt Water Ingestion Kills Adult Mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae), Donald A. Yee, Catherine Dean, Cameron Webb, Jennifer A. Henke, Gabriela Perezchica-Harvey, Gregory S. White, Ary Faraji, Joshua D. Macaluso, Rebecca Christofferson

Faculty Publications

Various products and insecticides are available that purport to reduce wild populations of adult mosquitoes. Recently, several manufacturers and general public comments on the internet have promoted devices that claim that ingestion of salt will significantly reduce populations of wild mosquitoes to near zero; there are no known scientific efficacy data that support these claims. We tested the survival of nine mosquito species of pest and public health importance across four adult diets: Water Only, Sugar Water Only (8.00%), Salt Water Only (1.03%), and Sugar + Salt Water. Species included the following: Aedes aegypti (L.), Aedes albopictus (Skuse), Aedes dorsalis …

Importation And Preliminary Evaluation Of The Stem Boring Moth Buakea Kaeuae1 As A Potential Biological Control Agent Of Invasive Guineagrass, Megathyrsus Maximus2, Ann T. Vacek, John A. Goolsby, Paul Andre Calatayud, Bruno Le Ru, Boaz Musyoka, Rupesh R. Kariyat

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Guineagrass, Megathyrsus maximus (Jacq.) B.K.Simon & S.W.L.Jacobs, is an African grass that is invasive in Florida, Hawaii, southern Texas, and northeastern Mexico. Buakea kaeuae Moyal et al., a stem-boring African moth found only on M. maximus, was imported from Kenya and evaluated for its ability to feed and develop on Guineagrass naturalized in southern Texas. Neither larvae nor adults developed or reproduced on Texas Guineagrass.

Push-Pull Strategy Combined With Net Houses For Controlling Cowpea Insect Pests And Enhancing Crop Yields, Seydou Diabate, Thibaud Martin, Lucy Kananu Murungi, Komi K.M. Fiaboe, John Wesonga, John M. Kimani, Emilie Deletre

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Net houses can be used in tropical environments to protect crops such as cowpea against large insect pests, thereby avoiding pesticide treatments while sustainably mitigating the effects of climate change. We investigated a push-pull strategy to prevent small insect pest outbreaks in a net house. The push component consisted of two stimulus plants, i.e. Cymbopogon citratus and Tagetes minuta, and the pull stimuli consisted of visual cues from blue and yellow sticky traps. Field experiments were set up in central Kenya and conducted during a rainy and a dry season, involving an open field control treatment, and three management treatments …

Oviposition Behavior Of Telenomus Busseolae, Telenomus Isis And Trichogramma Bournieri On Eggs Of East African Cereal Stemborers, Anani Y. Bruce, Fritz Schulthess, Jacqueline K. Makatiani, Henri E.Z. Tonnang

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

The oviposition behavior of the scelionids Telenomus busseolae, Telenomus isis and the trichogrammatid Trichogramma bournieri was studied on eggs of lepidopteran cereal stemborers, which included the noctuid Busseola fusca, Sesamia calamistis, Sesamia nonagrioides, the crambid Chilo partellus, and the pyralid Eldana saccharina. Unlike Tr. bournieri, Telenomus spp. did not attack eggs of C. partellus and E. saccharina. Five distinct behavioral steps were observed, which included foraging, drumming with the antennae on the eggs, ovipositor insertion, egg marking, and walking and resting. Foraging, walking and resting were observed less frequently than the other behaviors. There was a clear hierarchy of behavioral …

The African Citrus Triozid Trioza Erytreae Del Guercio (Hemiptera: Triozidae): Temporal Dynamics And Susceptibility To Entomopathogenic Fungi In East Africa, Owusu Fordjour Aidoo, C. M. Tanga, S. A. Mohamed, F. M. Khamis, S. Opisa, B. A. Rasowo, J. W. Kimemia, J. Ambajo, M. Sétamou, S. Ekesi, C. Borgemeister

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

The African citrus triozid Trioza erytreae Del Guercio (Hemiptera: Triozidae) is the most destructive citrus pest. Presently, biological data on T. erytreae are insufficient for important parameters like distribution, seasonal dynamics and entomopathogens. Therefore, we determined the temporal dynamics of T. erytreae along three different altitudinal gradients in Kenya. In low altitudes, females of T. erytreae reactivated and started laying eggs between late February and early March. The mean monthly number of immature stages of T. erytreae per flush shoot peaked in February, whereas adults peaked in March. For mid-altitudes, T. erytreae mean populations peaked in February, but adults were …

Detection Of The Spotted Wing Drosophila, Drosophila Suzukii, In Continental Sub-Saharan Africa, Charles A. Kwadha, Louis A. Okwaro, Isabella Kleman, Guillermo Rehermann, Santosh Revadi, Shepard Ndlela, Fathiya M. Khamis, Peterson W. Nderitu, Muo Kasina, Momanyi K. George, Grace G. Kithusi, Samira A. Mohamed, H. Michael G. Lattorff, Paul G. Becher

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

The spotted wing drosophila, Drosophila suzukii Matsumura, is an insect pest of soft-skinned fruit, native to Eastern Asia. Since 2008, a world-wide dispersal of D. suzukii is seen, characterized by the establishment of the pest in many Asian, American and European countries. While the potential for invasion of continental Africa by D. suzukii has been predicted, its presence has only been shown for Morocco in Northern Africa. Knowledge about a possible establishment in other parts of the continent is needed as a basis for pest management. In 2019, we carried out a first survey in three counties in Kenya to …

Non-Chemical Post-Harvest Disinfestation Of Bactrocera Dorsalis (Hendel) (Diptera: Tephritidae) In Tommy Atkins Mango Using Hot-Water Immersion Treatment, P. Ocitti, S. Ndlela, A. M. Akol, H. Muyinza, S. A. Mohamed

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Mango production and trade is a major source of employment, food and income in Sub Saharan Africa (SSA). Most of its production in SSA is under smallholder farming with a few commercial farms undertaking production. Fruits are traded both locally and some exported, with improved exotic varieties being preferred by consumers. However, mango export which is more lucrative to most exporters in terms of foreign currency exchange earnings, is currently faced with serious quarantine restrictions because of the invasive fruit fly, Bactrocera dorsalis. Since its invasion in Africa, yield losses of up to 100 % have been recorded. In addition, …

De Novo Whole Genome Assembly Of The Swede Midge (Contarinia Nasturtii), A Specialist Of Brassicaceae, Using Linked-Read Sequencing, Boyd A. Mori, Cathy Coutu, Yolanda H. Chen, Erin O. Campbell, Julian R. Dupuis, Martin A. Erlandson, Dwayne D. Hegedus

Entomology Faculty Publications

The swede midge, Contarinia nasturtii, is a cecidomyiid fly that feeds specifically on plants within the Brassicaceae. Plants in this family employ a glucosinolate-myrosinase defense system, which can be highly toxic to non-specialist feeders. Feeding by C. nasturtii larvae induces gall formation, which can cause substantial yield losses thus making it a significant agricultural pest. A lack of genomic resources, in particular a reference genome, has limited deciphering the mechanisms underlying glucosinolate tolerance in C. nasturtii, which is of particular importance for managing this species. Here, we present an annotated, scaffolded reference genome of C. nasturtii using linked-read …

Especies Nuevas De Lasioglossum Curtis De Las Altas Montañas De Las Antillas Mayores Y Estado Actual Del Conocimiento Del Taxon Habralictellus Moure Y Hurd (Hymenoptera: Apoidea: Halictidae), Julio A. Genaro

Insecta Mundi

Resumen. Se describen para las Antillas cuatro especies nuevas de Lasioglossum Curtis pertenecientes al taxon Habralictellus Moure y Hurd (Hymenoptera: Halictidae): Lasioglossum (Habralictellus) cuba, Lasio­glossum (Habralictellus) darlingtoni, Lasioglossum (Habralictellus) jagibbsi y Lasioglossum (Habralictellus) laupackeri. Se utiliza como subgénero para mantener la estabilidad taxonómica. Se presenta la historia y el estado actual del conocimiento de Habralictellus, que aún no ha encontrado un lugar justificado y aceptado, al unísono por los especialistas, en la nomenclatura zoológica. Se ofrece un listado de las especies conocidas, sexo y distribución.

Abstract. Four new species of Lasioglossum …

A Brief Review Of The New World Xestipyge Marseul (Coleoptera: Histeridae: Dendrophilinae: Paromalini) With Description Of A New Species From The Southwestern Usa, William B. Warner

Insecta Mundi

New World species of the histerid beetle genus Xestipyge Marseul (Coleoptera: Histeridae: Dendrophilinae: Paromalini) are reviewed, and X. skelleyi, new species, is described. A dichotomous key and illustrations are provided as identification means for the now five included species from the Western Hemisphere.

Xestipyge was erected by Marseul (1862) as a monotypic subgenus of his genus Carcinops for “Carcinops radula Marseul” because of its unusual elytral striae, with fourth dorsal stria arched over the fifth dorsal stria and con­necting to the sutural (= sixth dorsal) stria. Lewis elevated Xestipyge to generic status in 1905. In addition to the different …

Two New Scarab Beetles From The Southwestern Usa (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Melolonthinae And Aphodiinae), William B. Warner

Insecta Mundi

Phyllophaga (Listrochelus) benwarneri new species and Cinacanthus cunninghami new species (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) are described from dune systems in northern Arizona and extreme southern Nevada, USA. Habitus and diagnostic characters of these species are illustrated, and couplets from the respective, most recent (sub)generic keys are modified to incorporate the new species. Available habits and habitat information for each species, and a discussion of the Phyllophaga “senex complex” of species are provided.

This work describes two new scarab beetles from the Southwestern USA, which are apparently restricted to dune systems in northern Arizona to extreme southern Nevada: one, an arenophilic …

A New Vaejovis C.L. Koch From The Sierra Madre Occidental Of Durango, Mexico (Scorpiones: Vaejovidae), Jessica S. Azzinnari, Robert W. Bryson, Matthew R. Graham, Carlos Solís-Rojas, W. David Sissom

Insecta Mundi

A new montane species of Vaejovis C.L. Koch (Scorpiones: Vaejovidae) is described from the Si­erra Madre Occidental of Durango, Mexico. Vaejovis baggins Azzinnari, Bryson, Graham, Solís-Rojas, and Sissom, new species, is similar to mexicanus group species in the mountain range, including V. montanus Graham and Bryson, V. sierrae Sissom, Graham, Donaldson, and Bryson, and V. mcwesti Sissom, Graham, Donaldson, and Bryson, but differs from these species based on aspects of body size, pedipalp carination, chelae granulation, morphometrics, and setal patterns on the metasoma. A molecular clock estimate indi­cates that the new species shared a common ancestor with V. mcwesti …

Conservation Risks And Benefits Of Establishing Monarch Butterfly (Danaus Plexippus) Breeding Habitats Close To Maize And Soybean Fields In The North Central United States: A Landscape-Scale Analysis Of The Impact Of Foliar Insecticide On Nonmigratory Monarch Butterfly Populations, Tyler J. Grant, Niranjana Krishnan, Steven P. Bradbury

Biological Sciences Faculty Research & Creative Works

Establishing habitat in agricultural landscapes of the north central United States is critical to reversing the decline of North America's eastern monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) population. Insecticide use could create population sinks and threaten recovery. Discouraging habitat establishment within a 38-m zone around crop fields is a suggested risk mitigation measure. In Story County, Iowa, United States, this mitigation would discourage habitat establishment in 84% of roadsides and 38% of noncrop land. It is unclear if the conservation benefits from establishing habitat close to crop fields outweigh suppression of population growth owing to insecticide exposure. Consequently, monarch conservation …

Stage-Specific Action Of Juvenile Hormone Analogs, Ramaseshadri Parthasarathy, Subba Reddy Palli

Entomology Faculty Publications

The discovery of juvenile hormones (JH) and their synthetic analogs (JHA) generated excitement and hope that these compounds will replace first- and second-generation insecticides that have not so desirable environmental and human safety profiles. However, JHAs used commercially during the past four decades did not meet these expectations. The recent availability of advanced molecular and histological methods and the discovery of key players involved in JH action provided some insights into the functioning of JHA in a stage and species-specific manner. In this review, we will summarize recent findings and stage-specific action of JHA, focusing on three commercially used JHA, …

Bark- And Wood-Infesting Coleoptera And Associated Parasitoids Reared From Shagbark Hickory (Carya Ovata) And Slippery Elm (Ulmus Rubra) In Ingham County, Michigan, Robert A. Haack

The Great Lakes Entomologist

Ten species of bark- and wood-infesting Coleoptera (borers) and five parasitoid species (Hymenoptera) were reared from shagbark hickory (Carya ovata) branches 1-2 years after tree death, and similarly, seven borers and eight parasitoids were reared from slippery elm (Ulmus rubra) branches one year after tree death in Ingham County, Michigan, in 1986-87. The borers were species of bostrichids, buprestids, cerambycids, and curculionids (including Scolytinae). The parasitoids were braconids, chalcidids, eurytomids, ichneumonids, and pteromalids. One new larval host record was recorded: the cerambycid Urgleptes querci (Fitch), being reared from U. rubra. This paper presents new Michigan …

First Report Of Enoclerus Spinolae (Leconte) (Coleoptera: Cleridae) From Missouri And Nebraska, Ed Freese

The Great Lakes Entomologist

New state records are presented for Enoclerus spinolae (LeConte) (Coleoptera: Cleridae) specimens from Missouri and Nebraska.

Sirex Nigricornis (Hymenoptera: Siricidae) Larval Development Correlated With Tree Characteristics And Ophiostomoid Fungal Infection, Jess Hartshorn, Larry D. Galligan, Fred Stephen

The Great Lakes Entomologist

The native North American wood wasp, Sirex nigricornis F., has received significant attention over the last several years due to the introduction and successful establishment of the European wood wasp, S. noctilio L. in eastern North America. Larval size and development of S. nigricornis are important variables that can help to compare demography of the two species and predict future interactions. We measured head capsule width, body length, and weight of S. nigricornis larvae removed from 14 pine trees, felled across the Ozark and Ouachita National Forests of Arkansas in 2012. We also recorded the height at which larvae were …

The Probability Of Spotted Lanternfly, Lycorma Delicatula (Hemiptera: Fulgoridae), Escape Differs Among Life Stages And Between Two Trapping Techniques Commonly Used By Landowners, Sticky Bands And Duct Tape., Matthew Desko, Carolyne Schiebel, Samantha Silverman, Jessica Bickel, Karen Felton, Jennifer L. Chandler

The Great Lakes Entomologist

The invasive Lycorma delicatula (White) was first identified in Pennsylvania, U.S.A. in 2014, and has since increased its range to several Eastern states. Lycorma delicatula pose a serious threat to many native species, including hardwoods and grapes, and land owners are continually seeking effective traps to control populations. Both commercially-produced Web-Cote brand sticky bands and less expensive duct tape are often used by land owners to trap L. delicatula. However, the probability of escape from these adhesives has not been formally assessed, and almost certainly differs as a function of life stage and type of adhesive used. The purpose …