Entomology Commons^™

Tsetse Blood-Meal Sources, Endosymbionts And Trypanosome-Associations In The Maasai Mara National Reserve, A Wildlife-Human-Livestock Interface, Edward Edmond Makhulu, Jandouwe Villinger, Vincent Owino Adunga, Maamun M. Jeneby, Edwin Murungi Kimathi, Enock Mararo, Joseph Wang’Ang’A Oundo, Ali Abdulahi Musa, Lillian Wambua

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

African trypanosomiasis (AT) is a neglected disease of both humans and animals caused by Trypanosoma parasites, which are transmitted by obligate hematophagous tsetse flies (Glossina spp.). Knowledge on tsetse fly vertebrate hosts and the influence of tsetse endo-symbionts on trypanosome presence, especially in wildlife-human-livestock interfaces, is limited. We identified tsetse species, their blood-meal sources, and correlations between endosymbionts and trypanosome presence in tsetse flies from the trypanosome-endemic Maasai Mara National Reserve (MMNR) in Kenya. Among 1167 tsetse flies (1136 Glossina pallidipes, 31 Glossina swynnertoni) collected from 10 sampling sites, 28 (2.4%) were positive by PCR for trypanosome DNA, most (17/28) …

Cannibalism, Oviposition And Egg Development In The Edible Long-Horned Grasshopper, Ruspolia Differens (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae) Under Laboratory Conditions, J. P. Egonyu, M. M. Miti, C. M. Tanga, A. Leonard, S. Subramanian

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Reliance on seasonal wild harvests of the edible long-horned grasshopper Ruspolia differens (Serville) (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae) needs to be broken through developing efficient mass rearing protocols. This study aimed at boosting productivity of laboratory colonies of R. differens through understanding ways of minimising cannibalism, selecting suitable oviposition substrates and enhancing egg development and hatchability. Firstly, we investigated the extent of cannibalism in a colony of R. differens relative to total mortality, sex, diurnality, growth stage, body parts eaten and visual barriers (presence/absence of cardboard egg trays). R. differens cadavers recovered from cages with/without the egg trays were scored for cause of …

Effect Of Zebra Skin-Derived Compounds On Field Catches Of The Human African Trypanosomiasis Vector Glossina Fuscipes Fuscipes, Olabimpe Y. Olaide, David P. Tchouassi, Abdullahi A. Yusuf, Christian W.W. Pirk, Daniel K. Masiga, Rajinder K. Saini, Baldwyn Torto

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

The riverine tsetse fly Glossina fuscipes fuscipes is a major vector of trypanosome pathogens causing African trypanosomiasis. This fly species uses a combination of olfactory and visual cues to locate its hosts. Previously, traps and targets baited with visual cues have been used in vector control, but the development of olfactory-based tools has been challenging. Recently, repellents have shown promise as olfactory-based tools in tsetse vector control. Here, we evaluated a three-component blend comprising 6-methyl-5-hepten-2-one, acetophenone and geranyl acetone (blend K), previously identified as a repellent for savannah tsetse flies in zebra skin odor, on G. f. fuscipes populations. Using …

Low-Cost Technology For Recycling Agro-Industrial Waste Into Nutrient-Rich Organic Fertilizer Using Black Soldier Fly, Dennis Beesigamukama, Benson Mochoge, Nicholas K. Korir, Komi K.M. Fiaboe, Dorothy Nakimbugwe, Fathiya M. Khamis, Sevgan Subramanian, Musyoka M. Wangu, Thomas Dubois, Sunday Ekesi, Chrysantus M. Tanga

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Efforts to recycle organic waste using black soldier fly (BSF) larvae into high-quality alternative protein ingredients in animal feeds and organic fertilizers have gained momentum worldwide. However, there is limited information on waste manipulation to increase nutrient retention for enhanced larval performance and frass fertilizer quality. In the present study, brewer's spent grain with a carbon to nitrogen (C/N) ratio of 11 (control) was amended with sawdust to obtain substrates with C/N ratios of 15, 20, 25 and 30. The effects of substrate C/N ratios on BSF larval yield, waste degradation, biomass conversion efficiency, compost maturity and nutrient levels of …

The Garden Oasis: Observations In A Southern California Garden, Chris Tankersley

Department of Entomology: Distance Master of Science Projects

A garden can be a special place of relaxation and a corridor from which one can connect with the natural world and observe the complex relationships among the many organisms that make it their home. These organisms include a vast array of insects that contribute to the diversity of even the smallest garden. We purchased an unassuming house in a quiet Southern California suburban neighborhood that included about half an acre of property made up of mostly lawn and a dense menagerie of backyard shrubs and trees on a steep hillside, along with a pond that was in desperate need …

Patch Utilization And Flower Visitations By Wild Bees In A Honey Bee-Dominated, Grassland Landscape, Clint R. V. Otto, Larissa L. Bailey, Autumn H. Smart

Department of Entomology: Faculty Publications

Understanding habitat needs and patch utilization of wild and managed bees has been identified as a national research priority in the United States. We used occupancy models to investigate patterns of bee use across 1030 transects spanning a gradient of floral resource abundance and richness and distance from apiaries in the Prairie Pothole Region (PPR) of the United States. Estimates of transect use by honey bees were nearly 1.0 during our 3.5-month sampling period, suggesting honey bees were nearly ubiquitous across transects. Wild bees more frequently used transects with higher flower richness and more abundant flowers; however, the effect size …

Weak Olfactory Preferences Of The Gall Midge Asphondylia Borrichiae, Associated Fungal Endophytes And Implications On Gene Flow And Host Range Expansion, Frances S. Nagle

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Asphondylia borrichaie is a small fly (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) that is currently undergoing host-associated sympatric divergence. Asphondylia borrichaie is an ambrosia galler, these insects utilize a host plant for oviposition, but its offspring also rely on a symbiotic fungus (or fungal community) to promote the formation of the gall as well as serve as a food source for the developing larvae. Previous studies indicate that A. borrichaie consists of two host- associated populations based on its original host plant Borrichia frutescens (Asterales: Asteraceae), and another one from the two Iva species (I. frutescens (Asterales: Asteraceae) and I. imbricata …

Double Anus In An Ixodes Scapularis Nymph, A Medically Important Tick Vector, Vikas Taank, Frank A. Lattanzio, Hameeda Sultana, Girish Neelakanta

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications

Background: Ixodes scapularis ticks are medically important arthropod vectors that transmit several pathogens to humans. The observations of morphological abnormalities, including nanism, missing leg, extra leg, and gynandromorphism, have been reported in these ticks. In this study, we report the presence of two anuses in a laboratory-reared I. scapularis nymph.

Results: Larval ticks were allowed to feed on mice and to molt to nymphs. Two anuses were observed in one of the freshly molted nymphs. Stereo and scanning electron microscopy confirmed the presence of two anuses in one nymph within a single anal groove.

Conclusions: This report confirms the rare …

The Reconstruction Of Hatchery Creek: Effects On Macroinvertebrate And Fish Community Dynamics, Patrick Vrablik

Murray State Theses and Dissertations

Hatchery Creek is a restored stream in Jamestown, KY that drains Wolf Creek National Fish Hatchery. The previous degraded channel of Hatchery Creek caused large sediment plumes in the Lower Cumberland River and was restored to decrease sediment loss and provide the opportunity for a self-sustaining trout population. I predicted that the increased amount of habitat would increase taxa richness, abundance and biomass of macroinvertebrates. Macroinvertebrates were monitored in three periods; the degraded period, a one-year recovery period, and a restored period using surber and kicknet samples in order to determine biomass, abundance, diversity, taxa richness, and macroinvertebrate biotic index. …

Response Of Forest Birds To Spotted Wing Drosophila (Drosophila Suzukii Matsumura), A Novel Invasive Fruit Pest, At Allegheny National Forest, Daniel P. Roche

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Non-native invasive insect pests can have dramatic impacts on native ecosystems, feeding on plant foliage, wood, or sap. Little is known, however, about how fruit-targeting NNIIPs may affect native ecosystems. Spotted wing Drosophila (Drosophila suzukii Matsumura, SWD) is a recently introduced invasive vinegar fly that parasitizes the fruits of many plant species in the United States. While its activity in agricultural systems is well-documented, little is known about its activity in forest ecosystems, despite growing evidence of its presence and parasitism of fruits there. Parasitism could reduce fruit attractiveness for vertebrate fruit consumers, including migratory birds. As such, this …

Insect Community Associated With Black Cherry (Prunus Serotina) In The Allegheny National Forest, Craig James Larcenaire

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Black cherry (Prunus serotina Ehrh.) is valuable species managed for its economic and ecologic benefits. This species grows best in the environment of the Allegheny Plateau region in northwestern Pennsylvania. Land managers on the Allegheny National Forest (ANF) have been managing black cherry for a variety of goals and purposes. Over the last few decades, the land managers have noticed a decline in the natural regeneration of black cherry in the forest. Because the black cherry flowers are self-incompatible and require animal pollinators to transfer the pollen from one tree to another one hypothesis for this decline could be …

There’S More Than One Way To Beat The Heat: What Anal Probes Reveal About Thermal Responses In Neotropical Beetles (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae)., Emilie I. Dion

Dissertations and Theses

Increasing global temperatures have been linked to shifts in the distributions and preferred microhabitats of terrestrial species. This trend is predicted to impact tropical forest insects, which may already be exposed to conditions that bring them close to their thermal maxima. Tropical microhabitats are linked to vertical stratification, because the canopy is hotter, winder, and less humid than the ground. In ectothermic organisms, such as beetles, thermoregulation is dependent on morphological and behavioral traits. This study investigates woodboring cerambycid beetles, to determine how behavioral thermoregulation through microhabitat selection (vertical stratification) is correlated to morphological attributes (color lightness, size, and pubescence) …

Review Of The Speyeria Egleis Complex In Montana, With The Description Of Two New Subspecies (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae: Heliconiinae), Steve Kohler

The Taxonomic Report of the International Lepidoptera Survey

Four phenotypically and geographically distinct sets of populations of Speyeria egleis are identified in Montana. Two new subspecies are named from northwestern and northcentral Montana. Two existing names are recognized (S. e. macdunnoughi from southwestern Montana, southeastern Idaho, and northwestern Wyoming, and S. e. albrighti from central Montana. S. e. near macdunnoughi from Oregon and Washington is discussed.

Molecular Signatures Of Sexual Communication In The Phlebotomine Sand Flies, Paul V. Hickner, Nataliya Timoshevskaya, Ronald J. Nowling, Frédéric Labbé, Andrew D. Nguyen, Mary Ann Mcdowell, Carolina N. Spiegel, Zainulabeuddin Syed

Biology Faculty Publications

Phlebotomine sand flies employ an elaborate system of pheromone communication wherein males produce pheromones that attract other males to leks (thus acting as an aggregation pheromone) and females to the lekking males (sex pheromone). In addition, the type of pheromone produced varies among populations. Despite the numerous studies on sand fly chemical communication, little is known of their chemosensory genome. Chemoreceptors interact with chemicals in an organism’s environment to elicit essential behaviors such as the identification of suitable mates and food sources. Thus, they play important roles during adaptation and speciation. Major chemoreceptor gene families, odorant receptors (ORs), gustatory receptors …

New Family Record For The West Indies And Two New Species Of Glaresis Erichson (Coleoptera: Scarabaeoidea: Glaresidae) From Hispaniola, Oliver Keller, Paul E. Skelley

Insecta Mundi

Glaresis franki Keller and Skelley new species and Glaresis thomasi Keller and Skelley new species (Coleoptera: Scarabaeoidea: Glaresidae) are described and illustrated. They represent the first record of the family for the West Indies. Both species are placed into the phoenicis species group. A key to the two West Indies species is presented.

Resumen. Se describe e ilustra Glaresis franki Keller y Skelley nueva especie y Glaresis thomasi Keller y Skelley nueva especie (Coleoptera: Scarabaeoidea: Glaresidae). Estas especies representan el primer record de la familia para las indias occidentales. Ambas especies se colocan en el grupo de especies de phoenicis. …

A Review Of The Colaspis Suilla Species Group, With Description Of Three New Species From Florida (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Eumolpinae), E.G. Riley

Insecta Mundi

The Colaspis suilla species group (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Eumolpinae) is defined relative to other species of the genus Colaspis Fabricius occurring in the United States. The group is composed of five species, of which three from Florida are described as new species: C. ansa Riley from the Florida Panhandle, C. skelleyi Riley from Central Florida, and C. thomasi Riley from the southern Lake Wales Ridge. Colaspis suilla borealis Blake is reduced to a full synonym of C. suilla Fabricius, new synonymy. Comparative remarks, habitus images, images of male and female genitalia, range maps, specimen data, and a key to species …

Description Of Two New Genera And A Taxonomic Key To The World Genera Of Cybocephalidae (Coleoptera), Trevor Randall Smith

Insecta Mundi

Abstract. The sixteen genera of Cybocephalidae (Coleoptera) occurring worldwide are listed and keyed. The genera included are Amedissia Kirejtshuk and Mantič, Apastillus Kirejtshuk and Mantič, Cybocepha­lus Erichson, Endrodiellus Endrödy-Younga, Eupastillus Lawrence, Hierronius Endrödy-Younga, Horadion Endrödy-Younga, Pacicephalus Kirejtshuk and Mantič, Pastillocenicus Kirejtshuk and Nel, Pastillodes En­drödy-Younga, Pastillus Endrödy-Younga, Pycnocephalus Sharp, Taxicephomerus Kirejtshuk, Theticephalus Kirejtshuk, a description of a new genus, Microthomas T. R. Smith, with one new species, M. brevicornis T. R. Smith, from Bolivia, and a new genus, Conglobatus T. R. Smith, with two …

Review Of Carpophilus (Ecnomorphus) Motschulsky, 1858 (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae: Carpophilinae) In The West Indies, Gareth S. Powell, Kyle E. Schnepp

Insecta Mundi

Two new species of Carpophilus Stephens, 1829 in the subgenus Ecnomorphus Motschulsky, 1858 (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae) were recovered in material from the Caribbean. Descriptions and detailed diagnoses are provided for Carpophilus (Ecnomorphus) jamaicensis Powell and Schnepp, new species and Carpophilus (Ecnomorphus) thomasi Powell and Schnepp, new species. A key to the Carpophilus (Ecnomor­phus) of the West Indies is appended.

The family Nitidulidae Latreille is distributed throughout the world and reported broadly throughout the West Indies (Blackwelder 1945). The family represents one of the most diverse lineages of cucujoid beetles; however, the group remains one of …

New And Little Known Coleoptera (Silvanidae: Silvaninae) From Central And South America, David G. H. Halstead

Insecta Mundi

The following Silvaninae (Coleoptera: Silvanidae) are included: Synobius Sharp, 1899, with its spe­cies, Synobius lobicollis Sharp, 1899 and Synobius lobatus (Grouvelle, 1896); Neocorimus thomasi, new genus and new species; Austronausibius wagneri (Grouvelle) new combination, a species originally placed in Nau­sibius Lentz by Grouvelle (1913); a third species of Pensus Halstead, 1973, is described, Pensus hirtus new species, and a short key given for distinguishing it from the already known species, Pensus gilae (Casey) and Pensus guatemalenus (Sharp); also Coccidotrophus Schwarz and Barber, 1921, including Coccidotrophus socialis Schwarz and Barber, 1921, Coccidotrophus cordiae Barber, 1928, Coccidotrophus wheeleri …

In Memoriam: Michael C. Thomas. May 5, 1948–October 4, 2019, Paul E. Skelley, J. H. Frank

Insecta Mundi

We honor the life and accomplishments of Michael C. Thomas with a short narrative of his professional life along with appendices listing his scientific artwork, bibliography and patronyms. This paper is the first of a Festschrift with contributed remembrances and separate papers honoring him with additional patronyms.

This and the following set of papers published in Insecta Mundi are dedicated to Michael C. Thomas, as tribute and thanks from a small number of those he mentored or assisted throughout his life. Mike’s contributions to the study of beetles and as a member of the Insecta Mundi Editorial Board, editing and …