Abstract

Dung-baited pitfall traps were used to conduct a survey of dung beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) in alpaca pastures located at Virginia State University, Petersburg, VA, from May to September in 2010 and 2011. Beetles were collected weekly and identified to species. Of the 3,136 beetles collected, 11 species were represented: Onthophagus taurus Schreber, O. pennsylvanicus Harold, O. hecate hecate Panzer, Copris minutus Drury, Phanaeus vindex MacLeay, Dichotomius carolinus L., Sphaeridium scarabaeoides L., Aphodius erraticus L., A. fimetarius L., A. (Nialaphodius) nigrita F., and A. (Labarrus) lividus Olivier. The most common species found in both years was O. taurus, which accounted for 43% and 59% of the populations in 2010 and 2011, respectively. Paracoprid tunneler beetles dominated the collection in both years. Both native and exotic species were abundant, indicating that the introduction of exotic dung beetle species has not been detrimental to native populations. The species abundance and diversity fluctuated throughout the summer, likely related to weather patterns.

Abstract

Methyl salicylate is an organic compound produced by potato and other plants in response to insect herbivory. In other studies the compound has been shown to be attractive to numerous predatory arthropods. Experiments were conducted in Virginia to evaluate methyl salicylate lures for attracting natural enemies in potato plots to manage populations of Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Say). Abundance of predatory arthropods and L. decemlineata life stages were measured in plots treated with and without 90 day, 5 g slow-release packets of methyl salicylate (95% methyl salicylate [Predalure™]). Mortality of L. decemlineata eggs and small larvae was estimated by calculating the difference in numbers of individuals recruited to subsequent stages using a stage-specific life table approach. Methyl salicylate treatment had no impact on predator recruitment or mortality of L. decemlineata eggs and small larvae, compared with nontreated plots. Cumulative mortality of L. decemlineata ranged from 87.9 - 89.2% in 2010 and from 81.9 - 94.8% in 2011. The dominant arthropod predators observed on potatoes included Hippodamia convergens Guerin-Meneville, Coccinella septempunctata L., and Perillus bioculatus (F.).

Abstract

Warm season turf taxa of centipedegrass [Eremochloa ophiuroides (Munro) Hack], bermudagrass [Cynodon L.C. Rich, spp.], St. Augustinegrass [Stenotaphrum secundatum (Walt.) Kuntze], and zoysiagrass [Zoysia Willd. spp.] were evaluated for tolerance to adult twolined spittlebug (Prosapia bicincta Say) feeding in choice and no-choice experiments, and for their ability to support nymphal development (antibiosis potential). Among 133 selections evaluated, few showed evidence of potential antibiosis and/or improved tolerance over commercially available cultivars. Most of the centipedegrass taxa evaluated were susceptible to the spittlebug. However, some potential antibiosis among Chinese centipedegrass taxa was identified, and there was a gradient in the ability to tolerate spittlebug feeding. Among centipedegrasses, TC 358 and TC 362 showed moderate tolerance and recovery in no-choice and choice trials. The most tolerant bermudagrasses in no-choice trials were 00 - 23, 03 - 14, and 03 - 15. Centipedegrasses overall were the best hosts for nymph development, but TC 379, TC 422 and E. ciliaris did not support nymph development, and TC 341 and TC 399 showed very low numbers of nymphs. The bermudagrasses 00 - 23 and 00 - 28 and the St. Augustinegrasses T638 and Mercedes failed to support nymph development.

Bacteriomes are specialized insect organs that harbor symbiotic bacteria (Baumann 2005, Annu. Rev. Microbiol. 59: 155 - 189). Bacteriomes of psyllids (Hemiptera: Psylloidea) primarily consist of 2 tissue types: bacteriocytes which house an obligate symbiont ‘Candidatus Carsonella ruddii,’ and multinucleate syncytia which may harbor facultative symbionts (Chang and Musgrave 1969, Tissue Cell 1: 597 - 606; Fukatsu and Nikoh 1998, Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 64: 3,599 - 3606; Subandiyah et al. 2000, Zool. Sci. 17:983 - 989). A long-term goal of our research is to investigate the ecological interactions among agriculturally-important psyllids, their host plants, and bacteriome-associated symbionts, and

Chemical Mechanism of Exogenous Jasmonic Acid-Induced Resistance in Rose Against Spodoptera exigua (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)¹

Guiyan Chen,

Jing Cheng,

Zhuo Yang,

Qiuyu Zhao,

Zhangsong Shao,

Fazhong Yang, and

Yunxian Li

Dung Beetle (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) Abundance and Diversity in Alpaca Pastures of Virginia USA

Abstract

Population Dynamics of Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae): Measuring the Effects of Methyl Salicylate and Predator Recruitment in Potato

Abstract

Evaluation of Chinese Centipedegrasses and other Turfgrass Taxa for Potential Resistance to Twolined Spittlebug, Prosapia bicincta (Say)

Abstract

Insecticide Rotations for the Management of Lepidopteran Pests in Cabbage and Collards

Abstract

Effects of Eicosanoid Biosynthesis Inhibitors on Selected Oxidative Stress Biomarkers in the Midgut of Galleria mellonella (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) Larvae

Abstract

Association of Pepper with Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi Influences Populations of the Herbivore Frankliniella occidentalis (Thysanoptera: Thripidae)

Abstract

Juvenile Coloration as a Predictor of Health in Nezara viridula (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) Rearing

Abstract

Impact of Simulated Threecornered Alfalfa Hopper (Hemiptera: Membracidae) Induced Plant Loss on Yield of Maturity Group IV and V Soybeans

Abstract

Gender- and Species-Specific Characteristics of Bacteriomes from Three Psyllid Species (Hemiptera: Psylloidea)

Meridic Diet for Halyomorpha halys (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae)

A Simple Method of Detecting Hemlock Woolly Adelgid (Hemiptera: Adelgidae) Predator Activity Using Ultraviolet-A Light

Timing of Adult Emergence and Flight Period of Rhyssa howdenorum (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae), a Parasitoid of Sirex nigricornis (Hymenoptera: Siricidae), in Central Louisiana

Failure of Pheromone Traps in Detecting Incipient Populations of Boll Weevils (Coleoptera: Curculiondae): Investigation of Two Potential Contributing Factors

Defensive Interaction of Heterorhabditis bacteriophora (Rhabditida: Heterorhabditidae) Infective Juvenile Nematodes against Metarhizium anisopliae (Hypocreales: Clavicipitaceae)

Chemical Mechanism of Exogenous Jasmonic Acid-Induced Resistance in Rose Against Spodoptera exigua (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)¹

Interference with Fatty Acyl-CoA Reductase Reduces Wax Secretion and Influences the Development of Male Ericerus pela (Hemiptera: Coccoidae) Nymphs¹

Glycyrrhiza Volatiles Mediate the Host Preference of Bemisia tabaci (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae)¹

Insect Pollinivores of Sorghum bicolor and Plant Traits that Influence Visitation¹

A Fossil Thrips (Thysanoptera: Terebrantia) from a Cretaceous Deposit in Orapa¹