Entomology Commons^™

New Records Of Ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) For Arkansas With A Synopsis Of Previous Records, Joe A. Macgown, Jovonn G. Hill, Michael Skvarla

Midsouth Entomologist

Ten new state records of Formicidae are reported for Arkansas including Camponotus obliquus Smith, Polyergus breviceps Emery, Proceratium crassicorne Emery, Pyramica metazytes Bolton, P. missouriensis (Smith), P. pulchella (Emery), P. talpa (Weber), Stenamma impar Forel, Temnothorax ambiguus (Emery), and T. texanus (Wheeler). A synopsis of previous records of ant species occurring in Arkansas is provided.

Bed Bugs (Cimex Lectularius L.) In Mississippi: Survey Of The Scope, Extent, And Control Of The Problem, J. Goddard

Midsouth Entomologist

Bed bugs are blood-sucking insects which had nearly disappeared in developed countries until fairly recently, when a dramatic increase and spread of the insects began in the 1980s. Since then, bed bugs increasingly have been reported inside U.S. hotel rooms, dormitories, and apartments. In this study, entomologists at the Mississippi Department of Health, as well as licensed pest control personnel throughout the state, were queried for information about the scope and extent of bed bug infestations throughout Mississippi for the time period from 1 September 2010 through 28 February 2011. In addition, pest management personnel were asked to provide information …

Ecology And Management Of The Woolly Whitefly (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae), A New Invasive Citrus Pest In Ethiopia, Difabachew K. Belay, Abebe Zewdu, John E. Foster

Department of Entomology: Faculty Publications

Distribution and importance of woolly whitefly (Aleurothrixus floccosus) (Maskell) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae), was studied in Ethiopia with an evaluation of treatments against it. Results showed that the pest is distributed in most citrus-growing parts of the country equally infesting all types of citrus crops. Only one pupal parasitoid, Amitus sp., was recorded at Melkaoba. During 2006–2007, eight treatments gave better control of woolly whitefly compared with the control: endod (Phytolacca dodecandra L’Herit) berry extract, white oil 80%, neem oil, omo detergent soap, band application of gasoline, cyhalothrin (karate) 5% EC, selecron (profenofos) 500 EC, and rimon (novaluron) 10 EC. …

Zoos As Experiment Environments: Biology Of Larval And Adult Mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae), Holly Tuten

All Dissertations

Zoos are a unique environment where humans and animals are in close daily contact, potential mosquito habitats exist, exotic plants and animals are introduced regularly, and wild animals roam. Studies of mosquito behaviors in zoos will lead to a better understanding, both within and outside zoos, of disease transmission routes and mosquito biology. To investigate whether the unique assemblage of habitats in zoos affects mosquito behavior, I sampled larvae and adults in the Greenville Zoo and the Riverbanks Zoo, South Carolina, USA, from March 2008 to January 2011. The objectives of my study were to investigate mosquito oviposition behavior, blood-host …

Beneficial True Bugs: Damsel Bugs, Ricardo Ramirez, Ron Patterson

All Current Publications

Predatory insects can provide natural pest control by eating unwanted pests. This beneficial service is known as biological control. Predatory insects are one factor that maintains pest populations at non-damaging levels. By conserving and encouraging predatory insect populations, plants can be protected from pest attack and excessive damage.

European Earwig (Forficula Auricularia), Diane G. Alston, Andrew Tebeau

All Current Publications

The European earwig (Order Dermaptera, which means “skin wings” to describe their leathery wings) (Fig. 1) is native to Europe, western Asia, and parts of Africa. The common name “earwig” comes from a myth that the insect would climb into the ears of humans and chew into the brain, but this is false. The European earwig was first introduced into Utah in the early 1900s. Establishment and population growth have been remarkably successful in northern Utah.

Genetic Variability Of The Stable Fly, Stomoxys Calcitrans (L.) (Diptera: Muscidae) Assessed On A Global Scale Using Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism, Kathleen M. Kneeland

Department of Entomology: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

The stable fly, Stomoxys calcitrans, is a cosmopolitan pest of livestock and humans. It is a major pest in livestock facilities, where exist excellent breeding sites such as spilled feed mixed with manure. The pestiferous nature and painful bite cause stress to cattle and other animals. Cattle perform avoidance behaviors such as bunching together, standing in water, tail swishing, ear flicking and leg stamping. The stress and avoidance behaviors result in reductions in weight gain or milk production, with an estimated annual economic loss of > $1billion. Therefore, the development of more efficient control methods would benefit the global economy, …

Development Of Environmental Tools For Anopheline Larval Control, Susan S. Imbahale, Collins K. Mweresa, Willem Takken, Wolfgang R. Mukabana

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Background: Malaria mosquitoes spend a considerable part of their life in the aquatic stage, rendering them vulnerable to interventions directed to aquatic habitats. Recent successes of mosquito larval control have been reported using environmental and biological tools. Here, we report the effects of shading by plants and biological control agents on the development and survival of anopheline and culicine mosquito larvae in man-made natural habitats in western Kenya. Trials consisted of environmental manipulation using locally available plants, the introduction of predatory fish and/or the use of Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis (Bti) in various combinations. Results: Man-made habitats provided with shade …

Nebline, July 2011

NEBLINE Newsletter Archive from Nebraska Extension in Lancaster County

Feature: Urban Agriculture is a Growing Trend

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

Frequency Of Extended Diapause In Nebraska Populations Of Diabrotica Barberi Smith And Lawrence, Ryan W. Geisert

Department of Entomology: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

This study was conducted to measure the frequency of extended diapause in populations of the northern corn rootworm, Diabrotica barberi Smith and Lawrence from eastern Nebraska. Adult D. barberi collections were made during late summer 2008 and 2009 from eight sites each year (seven sites were consistent over years). Eggs were obtained from 12-20 females per site and were held on moist soil under appropriate temperature profiles to facilitate egg survival, diapause development, and diapause termination within and among years. Percentage egg hatch was recorded after the first and second year for the 2008 collection and after the first year …

General Concepts Of Biological Control, Diane G. Alston

All Current Publications

“Balance of Nature.” Virtually all pest populations are affected by natural enemies to some extent. In many cases, natural enemies are the primary regulating force of the pest populations. Natural controls include effects of natural enemies (predators, parasites, pathogens), other biotic (living) factors such as food availability and competition, and abiotic (non-living) factors such as weather and soil

Important Components Of A Successful Pest Management Program, Diane G. Alston

All Current Publications

Before deciding to take any pest control action, be sure you have correctly identified the pest (insect, mite, disease, weed, vertebrate, etc.). Proper pest identification is essential for determining if control is necessary and for selection of the best suited control options.

Ultra-Prolonged Activation Of Co2-Sensing Neurons Disorients Mosquitoes, Stephanie Lynn Turner, Nan Li, Tom Guda, John Githure, Ring T. Cardé, Anandasankar Ray

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Carbon dioxide (CO2) present in exhaled air is the most important sensory cue for female blood-feeding mosquitoes, causing activation of long-distance host-seeking flight, navigation towards the vertebrate host 1 and, in the case of Aedes aegypti, increased sensitivity to skin odours2. The CO2 detection machinery is therefore an ideal target to disrupt host seeking. Here we use electrophysiological assays to identify a volatile odorant that causes an unusual, ultra-prolonged activation of CO2-detecting neurons in three major disease-transmitting mosquitoes: Anopheles gambiae, Culex quinquefasciatus and A. aegypti. Importantly, ultra-prolonged activation of these neurons severely compromises their ability subsequently to detect CO2 for …

Hexapod Herald - Vol. 23, No. 4, June 2011

Hexapod Herald and Other Entomology Department Newsletters

Welcome

Congratulations

Publications

Grants

Meet and Off-Campus Student

Travel

Student News

Condolences

Nebline, June 2011

NEBLINE Newsletter Archive from Nebraska Extension in Lancaster County

Feature: Lower Platte South Natural Resources District Trails in Lancaster County Offer Recreation & Education

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

Wide-Scale Application Of Bti/Bs Biolarvicide In Different Aquatic Habitat Types In Urban And Peri-Urban Malindi, Kenya, Joseph M. Mwangangi, Samuel C. Kahindi, Lydiah W. Kibe, Joseph G. Nzovu, Peter Luethy, John I. Githure, Charles M. Mbogo

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Larval control is a major component in mosquito control programs. This study evaluated the wide-scale application of Bti/Bs biolarvicide (Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis [Bti] and Bacillus sphaericus [Bs]) in different aquatic habitats in urban and peri-urban Malindi, Kenya. This study was done from June 2006 to December 2007. The urban and peri-urban area of Malindi town was mapped and categorized in grid cells of 1 km2. A total of 16 1-km2 cells were selected based on presence Community Based Organization dealing with malaria control within the cells. Each of the 16 1-km2 cells was thoroughly searched for the presence of …

Study On Weight Loss And Moisture Regain Of Silk Cocoon Shells And Degummed Fibers From African Wild Silkmoths, Addis Teshome, S. K. Raina, F. Vollrath, J. M. Kabaru, J. Onyari, E. K. Nguku

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

A study was conducted to determine weight loss and moisture regain properties of silk cocoon shells, shell layers and degummed fibers of the four African wild silkmoths Anaphe panda, Argema mimosae, Epiphora bauhiniae and Gonometa postica and compare with the industry standard mulberry silkmoth, Bombyx mori. No. significant difference was observed between the moisture regain of the wild silk fibers after degumming. However, there were significant differences in weight loss and moisture regain between cocoon shells as well as shell layers. E. bauhiniae had the lowest weight loss and moisture regain of 23.19 and 5.64%, respectively while G. postica had …

Phylogenetics, Species Boundaries And Timing Of Resource Tracking In A Highly Specialized Group Of Seed Beetles (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Bruchinae), Gael J. Kergoat, Bruno P. Le Ru, Gwenaelle Genson, Corinne Cruaud, Arnaud Couloux, Alex Delobel

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Though for a long time it was hypothesized that the extraordinary diversity of phytophagous insects was better explained by a synchronous pattern of co-diversification with plants, the results of recent studies have led to question this theory, suggesting that the diversification of insects occurred well after that of their hosts. In this study we address this issue by investigating the timing of diversification of a highly specialized group of seed beetles, which mostly feeds on legume plants from the tribe Indigofereae. To that purpose, a total of 130 specimens were sequenced for six genes and analyzed under a Bayesian phylogenetic …

La Producción De La Calabaza De Verano Dentro Del Túnel Alto, Dan Drost

All Current Publications

Se puede cultivar con éxito la calabaza de verano en el túnel alto y puede ser un cultivo vegetativo valioso que diversifica las operaciones agrícolas de tamaño pequeño y de tiempo parcial. El cultivo de la calabaza de verano en el túnel alto hace posible la producción del cultivo unas 4 a 6 semanas antes de y 6 semanas después de las calabazas cultivadas al aire libre. Al añadir su producción a la de otras verduras en el túnel alto, la calabaza de verano aumentará las oportunidades del marketing, mejorará el flujo de fondos y complementará otros cultivos del túnel …

Induced Resistance Studied In Maize With The Fall Armyworm, Spodoptera Frugiperda (J.E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) And The Chemical Inducer Actigard, Stephen D. Danielson

Department of Entomology: Faculty Publications

Induced resistance has been defined as the "qualitative or quantitative enhancement of a plant's defense mechanisms against pests in response to extrinsic physical or chemical stimuli." (Kogan and Paxton, 1983). Physical stimuli can include infection by a pathogenic organism (Jorgensen et al, 1996; Morris et al, 1998) and feeding by insects (Felton and Eichenseer, 1999). Chemical stimuli include such organic compounds as salicylic acid (Hammerschmidt and Smith-Becker, 1999), jasmonic acid (Staswick and Lehman, 1999), and the commercially available Actigard® 50WG (Tally et al., 1999) (Syngenta Crop Protection, P.O. Box 18300, Greensboro, NC 27419). Actigard® 50WG is registered in the U.S. …