Entomology Commons^™

Gravesoil Microbial Community Structure During Carcass Decomposition, Amy E. Maile

Department of Entomology: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Dead bodies placed on soil represent unique challenges for investigators. Although processes in soils can be used to estimate postmortem interval, we know very little about how carcasses and insects affect gravesoil microbial communities.

To address this, the current project was composed of two experiments. Experiment one was conducted to investigate the effect of surface type on carcass decomposition and evaluate soil ecology methods. Experiment two was conducted to investigate the presence of an insect population (Lucilia sericata Meigen) on gravesoil microbial communities. Both experiments were conducted in a laboratory setting using freshly killed mouse carcasses. Mouse carcasses were …

Beneficial True Bugs: Big-Eyed Bugs, Ricardo Ramirez, Ron Patterson

All Current Publications

Predatory insects can provide natural pest control by eating unwanted pests. Insect predators are one factor that help maintain pest populations at non-damaging levels, an action known as biological control. By conserving predatory insect populations, plants can be protected from pest attack and excessive damage.

Revision Of The New World Genus Crassomicrodus Ashmead (Hymenoptera, Braconidae, Agathidinae), With An Identification Key To Species, José Isaac Figueroa, Michael J. Sharkey, Jesus Romero Nápoles, José Antonio Sánchez García, Ana Mabel Martínez, Victor López-Martínez, Samuel Pineda

Entomology Faculty Publications

A key to species and descriptions are presented for 14 species of the New World genus Crassomicrodus Ashmead. Seven new species, Crassomicrodus azteca, Crassomicrodus clypealis, Crassomicrodus costaricensis, Crassomicrodus jalisciensis, Crassomicrodus mariae, Crassomicrodus oaxaquensis,and Crassomicrodus olgae are described. Crassomicrodus fenestratus (Viereck) is synonymized with Crassomicrodus nigriceps (Cresson). Crassomicrodus melanopleurus (Ashmead) is recognized as a valid species.

Screenhouse Transmission Of Beauveria Bassiana From Infected To Non-Infected Adults Of Banana Weevil, C. A. Omukoko, J. M. Wesonga, E. M. Kahangi, L. S. Wamocho, K. N. Maniania

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Laboratory studies have revealed great potential of entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana for use against the banana weevil, Cosmopolites sordidus, in banana. Adult banana weevils exposed to wet conidia of Beauveria bassiana suffered high mortalities ranging from 50-70% by 40 days post exposure when a concentration of 1×109 was used in the laboratory with three isolates ICIPE 273, M313 and M207 which were selected on the basis of high virulence against C. sordidus and high sporulation. However, impractical field delivery methods and high costs associated with the application of B. bassiana against C. sordidus prevent its use and commercialisation in banana …

Management Of Alien Invasive Insect Pest Species And Diseases Of Fruits And Vegetables: Experiences From East Africa, B. Nyambo, S. Sevgan, A. Chabi-Olaye, S. Ekesi

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

The East African region is currently struggling to cope with several alien invasive insect pest species (AIS): the diamondback moth (DBM), fruit flies, Liriomyza leafminers, thrips and spider mites to name just a few. These insect pests have wide host range, are difficult to control with synthetic pesticides, and most are of quarantine status. AIS are becoming frequent pests in horticulture production systems, threat to food security, market access and rural livelihoods. The impact of these pests is aggravated by variability in climatic conditions, few taxonomic expertise for accurate and timely identification of new species, inadequate knowledge on viable alternative …

Horticultural Pest Management And The African Economy: Successes, Challenges And Opportunities In A Changing Global Environment, S. Ekesi, A. Chabi-Olaye, S. Subramanian, C. Borgemeister

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

In many African countries, horticulture is the fastest growing agricultural sub-sector contributing significantly to national incomes. Diverse vegetables, fruits and spices are grown for domestic and export markets. Horticultural exports in Africa has increased by more than 50% in recent years and currently contributes >20% of agricultural exports by volume and income generation. Despite the growth, production has not kept pace with increasing demand due largely to biotic constraints attributed to arthropod pests. Agricultural research aimed at reducing insect pest damage can lead to increased horticultural production and improved rural livelihoods. icipe in collaboration with National Agricultural Research and Extension …

A New Genus Of Agathidinae With The Description Of A New Species Parasitic On Samea Multiplicalis (Guenée), Michael J. Sharkey, Katherine A. Parys, Stephanie Clutts

Entomology Faculty Publications

A new genus of Agathidinae (Hymenoptera, Braconidae), Neothlipsis, is proposed to include 10 species. Nine of these species were formerly included in the polyphyletic genus Therophilus Wesmael 1837, formerly referred to as Bassus. A new species, Neothlipsis parysae, parasitic on Samea multiplicalis (Guenée), is described. The ten described species transferred to Neothlipsis are:, Neothlipsis agathoides, comb. n. for Bassus agathoides Newton and Sharkey 2000; Neothlipsis agilis, comb. n. for Bassus agilis Cresson 1868; Neothlipsis brevicauda, comb. n. for Bassus brevicaudus Muesebeck 1932; Neothlipsis californica, comb. n. for Bassus californicus Muesebeck 1927; Neothlipsis cincta, comb. n. for Microdus …

Wolbachia Infections That Reduce Immature Insect Survival: Predicted Impacts On Population Replacement, Philip R. Crain, James W. Mains, Eunho Suh, Yunxin Huang, Philip H. Crowley, Stephen L. Dobson

Entomology Faculty Publications

BACKGROUND: The evolutionary success of Wolbachia bacteria, infections of which are widespread in invertebrates, is largely attributed to an ability to manipulate host reproduction without imposing substantial fitness costs. Here, we describe a stage-structured model with deterministic immature lifestages and a stochastic adult female lifestage. Simulations were conducted to better understand Wolbachia invasions into uninfected host populations. The model includes conventional Wolbachia parameters (the level of cytoplasmic incompatibility, maternal inheritance, the relative fecundity of infected females, and the initial Wolbachia infection frequency) and a new parameter termed relative larval viability (RLV), which is the survival of infected larvae relative to …

Review Of Damselflies Of Texas: A Field Guide. By John C. Abbott., Forrest L. Mitchell

Great Plains Research: A Journal of Natural and Social Sciences (through 2013)

Well-produced field guides are always in demand, and Damselflies of Texas is one such. This compact, camera-bag-friendly compendium displays each of the 77 species known to occur, or that have been historically documented, in the state. The guide's first 50 pages are introductory and full of useful detail. There follows a large section devoted to species descriptions and a set of appendices.

Nebline, October 2011

NEBLINE Newsletter Archive from Nebraska Extension in Lancaster County

Feature: What is Your Energy IQ?

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

New Records Of Carrion Beetles In Nebraska Reveal Increased Presence Of The American Burying Beetle, Nicrophorus Americanus Olivier (Coleoptera: Silphidae), Jessica Jurzenski, Daniel G. Snethen, Mathew L. Brust, W. Wyatt Hoback

Great Plains Research: A Journal of Natural and Social Sciences (through 2013)

Surveys for the American burying beetle, Nicrophorus americanus Olivier (Silphidae), between 2001 and 2010 in Nebraska resulted in 11 new county records for this endangered species and 465 new county records for 14 other silphid species. A total of 5,212 American burying beetles were captured in more than 1,500 different locations. Using mark-recapture data, we estimated the population size of the American burying beetle (ABB) for six counties in the Sandhills. Blaine County (2003) had the largest population, with an estimated 56 ABBs per km² (1,338 ± 272 ABBs). The remaining estimates were between 2 and 36 ABBs per …

Establishing Lower Developmental Thresholds For A Common Blowfly: For Use In Estimating Elapsed Time Since Death Using Entomologyical Methods, Gail S. Anderson, Jodie-A. Warren

Faculty Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity

Forensic entomology is a science used to estimate a post-mortem interval (PMI). Larvae develop at predictable rates and the time interval for this development can be used to estimate the PMI. Environmental temperatures are not constant and fluctuate with the photoperiod. In early and late insect seasons, temperatures can drop to below threshold temperatures where development essentially ceases. Threshold temperatures differ for different species and should be determined by raising insects at the extremely low temperatures. The lower threshold temperature for Protophormia terraenovae for egg hatch is 10.3°C ; for first instar larvae to molt to second instar larvae it …

Preventing Poisoning Of Pets When Using Slug And Snail Baits, Kerry A. Rood, Larry A. Sagers

All Current Publications

Slugs and snails are one of the most common garden pests in the State of Utah. Because they are so widespread and destructive, many different methods are used to keep the pests under control. Baits are frequently applied as a treatment, but using pesticides can create hazard for non-target wildlife and pets.

Controlling Slugs And Snails In Utah, Larry A. Sagers, Kerry A. Rood

All Current Publications

Slugs and snails are rated by many gardeners as the worst garden pests. Considering their competition, this is a dubious honor. These pests are not insects but are mollusks that are more closely related to shellfish, such as mussels and clams.

Lytopylus Förster (Hymenoptera, Braconidae, Agathidinae) Species From Costa Rica, With An Emphasis On Specimens Reared From Caterpillars In Area De Conservación Guanacaste, Michael J. Sharkey, Stephanie Clutts, Erika M. Tucker, Daniel Janzen, Winnie Hallwachs, Tanya Dapkey, M. Alex Smith

Entomology Faculty Publications

Twelve species of Costa Rican Lytopylus are treated; these include all species reared from Lepidoptera caterpillars in Area de Conservación Guanacaste, Costa Rica, over 32 years of caterpillar inventory, as well as two species recorded in the literature as occurring in Costa Rica. Ten new species are described, i.e., Lytopylus bradzlotnicki, Lytopylus colleenhitchcockae, Lytopylus gregburtoni, Lytopylus jessicadimauroae, Lytopylus jessiehillae, Lytopylus mingfangi, Lytopylus rebeccashapleyae, Lytopylus robpringlei, Lytopylus sandraberriosae, Lytopylus vaughntani. The following species are transferred to Lytopylus: Metriosoma flavicalcar Enderlein 1920 to Lytopylus flavicalcarcomb. n.; Bassus macadamiae Briceño and Sharkey 2000 to Lytopylus macadamiaecomb. n.; Metriosoma bicarinatum Enderlein 1920 to Lytopylus …

Two New Neotropical Species Of Telephanus Erichson Near T. Serratus Nevermann (Coleoptera: Silvanidae), Michael C. Thomas

Insecta Mundi

The Mesoamerican species of Telephanus distinguished by the presence eight lateral pronotal spines and long temples are reviewed. The group includes T. serratus Nevermann and two previously undescribed species that are described herein: T. bellus Thomas, new species, from Costa Rica, and the flightless T. monstrosus Thomas, new species, from Mexico.

New Taxa And Combinations In Onciderini Thomson, 1860 (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae: Lamiinae), Eugenio H. Nearns, Ian P. Swift

Insecta Mundi

Monneoncideres, a new genus of Onciderini Thomson, 1860 (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae: Lamiinae) is described and illustrated. Six new species of Onciderini are also described and illustrated: Hesycha tavakiliani from Brazil; Lesbates milleri from Venezuela; Monneoncideres cristata from Ecuador and Peru; Neodillonia waltersi from Ecuador; Tibiosioma martinsi from Ecuador; and Trestonia wappesi from Panama. Keys to the known species of Lesbates Dillon and Dillon, 1945 and Tibiosioma Martins and Galilleo, 1990 are provided. The genus Ophthalmocydrus Aurivillius, 1925 (Onciderini) is transferred to Pteropliini (Lamiinae); and Xylomimus Bates, 1865 (Apomecynini) is transferred to Onciderini. The following new synonymies are proposed: Kuauna Martins …

Distribution Of The American Milliped Genus Boraria Chamberlin, 1943: Introductions Of B. Stricta (Brölemann, 1896) In New York And B. Infesta (Chamberlin, 1918) In Connecticut; Indigenous Occurrence Of B. Profuga (Causey, 1955) In Louisiana (Diplopoda: Polydesmida: Xystodesmidae)., Rowland M. Shelley, Chris T. Mcallister, Christopher M. Nagy, Mark E. Weckel, Roderick G. Christie, Paul Wilson, Allan Wilson

Insecta Mundi

The southern Appalachian millipeds Boraria stricta (Brölemann, 1896) and B. infesta (Chamberlin, 1918) (Diplopoda: Polydesmida: Xystodesmidae) have become established in Westchester Co., New York, and Hartford Co., Connecticut, respectively. Only three individuals are available for the latter, but B. stricta has established a reproducing population in southern New York state. This species is also recorded from Bland Co., Virginia, in the Ridge and Valley Physiographic Province. Boraria profuga (Causey, 1955) comprises two allopatric populations, one in Montgomery Co., Arkansas, and the other in Ouachita Parish, Louisiana. Distributional records and gonopod drawings are presented for these species plus B. deturkiana (Causey, …

The Milliped Order Glomeridesmida (Diplopoda: Pentazonia: Limacomorpha) In Oceania, The East Indies, And Southeastern Asia; First Records From Palau, The Philippines, Vanuatu, New Britain, The Island Of New Guinea, Cambodia, Thailand, And Borneo And Sulawesi, Indonesia, Rowland M. Shelley

Insecta Mundi

The taxonomically neglected milliped order Glomeridesmida and family Glomeridesmidae (infraclass Pentazonia, superorder Limacomorpha) inhabit 21, rather than seven, regions of the world, being newly recorded from Thailand; Cambodia; the Republics of Palau, the Philippines, and Vanuatu; New Britain, Bismarck Archipelago; the Island of New Guinea (both West Papua [formerly Irian Jaya], Indonesia, and Papua New Guinea); and Sulawesi and Borneo, Indonesia. Occurrence in Fiji is confirmed with two additional samples, and discovery is predicted in southern China, Myanmar, and perhaps Madagascar. Coupled with published localities, these records suggest subcontinuous (super)ordinal and familial ranges extending some 12,480 km (7,800 mi) southeastward …

Three New Species Of Phylocentropus Banks (Trichoptera: Dipseudopsidae) From Vietnam, Tatiana I. Arefina-Armitage, Brian J. Armitage

Insecta Mundi

Of the 9 known species of Phylocentropus Banks (Trichoptera: Dipseudopsidae), 5 are found in eastern North America, 1 in Japan, and 3 in Southeast Asia. Three new species of this genus: Ph. tohoku, Ph. ngoclinh, and Ph. anas from Vietnam are described and illustrated herein. Previously, only 1 species, Ph. vietnamellus Mey 1995, was known from this country.