In response to concerns from certified organic producers who were experiencing significant market losses due to seed staining of soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.], we evaluated alternative ways to manage bean leaf beetles [Cerotoma trifurcata (Forster)] (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), a known vector for the seed-staining bean pod mottle virus (BPMV). From 2000 through 2006, organic-compliant treatments, including insecticidal and soil fertility products in use by organic farmers, were compared in on-farm and experiment-station trials. Two soybean varieties, Northrup-King 2412 (NK2412) and Pioneer Brand 9305 (P9305), also were evaluated for bean leaf beetle populations. Overall, the NK2412 variety hosted fewer beetles although there was not a significant yield effect. None of the organic-compliant treatments provided measurable control of bean leaf beetle populations, nor did they affect beneficial insect populations. Organic soybean yields ranged from 1.8 to 3.7 Mg ha⁻¹ across all years with no effect from treatments. Producers are encouraged to select soybean varieties based on insect pest response and to monitor bean leaf beetle populations to determine the effectiveness of this strategy in organic systems.

Partial DNA sequence data from the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) cytochrome oxidase I and II genes were used to construct a molecular phylogeny based on representative species from 10 of the 20 genera of Sesiidae. Maximum likelihood, maximum parsimony, and Bayesian analysis were utilized. Sequencing of a 606-base pair region of the mtDNA cytochrome oxidase I (COI), tRNA leucine, and COII gene revealed 271 polymorphic sites among 20 species. Genetic variation ranged from 0.8 to 21.2% among species. Maximum parsimony, maximum likelihood, and Bayesian analysis do not support the recent synonmy of Synansphecia as Pyropteran. Maximum parsimony and maximum likelihood support the recent divergence of Synanthedon pamphyla from Synanthedon culciformis, which are almost identical morphologicaly. Maximum likelihood, parsimony, and Bayesian analysis do not support the inclusion of Melittia cucurbitae in the Sesiinae subfamily. All analysis support Synanthedon included in the Sesiinae subfamily. All analysis also give support for Vitacea and Paranthrene forming the subfamily Paranthrenini. This is the first attempt to resolve relationships within Sesiidae with molecular data. Sesiidae are a divergent order of Lepidoptera in which many relationships should be examined more closely. Future studies should investigate nucleur markers to further support relationships supported by molecular data.

American cockroaches, Periplaneta americana (Blattodea: Blattidae) (L.), are common pests of urban environments. Analyzing spatial distribution of P. americana populations in an artificial, outdoor environment provided insight of gene flow among populations collected in central Texas. This information provides a better understanding of how and if populations were segregated, or if there was a single unified population. Populations can be genetically differentiated through determining variation of specific gene regions within populations. This study revealed a ubiquitous distribution of cockroach populations, and their ability to indiscriminately inhabit areas within an urban environment. Overall, cockroaches were identified from a large interbreeding population with no discernable relationship between genetic variation of P. americana and spatial distribution.

Both Micromelalopha troglodyta (Graeser) and Clostera anastomosis (L.), are important pests of poplar, and usually coexist during the period of poplar growth in China. The carboxylesterases have been recognized to play an important role in the detoxification of xenobiotics in the two Notodontidae species. In vitro inhibitory effects by insecticides and allelochemicals on carboxylesterase activity in M. troglodyta and C. anastomosis were studied. The results showed that three organophosphates (chlorpyrifos, phoxim and profenofos) were the best inhibitors of the enzymes among all compounds tested in M. troglodyta and C. anastomosis. Chlorpyrifos inhibited carboxylesterase activity in M. troglodyta and C. anastomosis to a similar degree, but phoxim and profenofos inhibited to different degrees. Furthermore, kinetic analyses of carboxylesterase inhibition by phoxim, chlorpyrifos and profenofos were also investigated. The results showed that phoxim inhibited carboxylesterase activity with respect to α-naphthyl acetate (α-NA) in a noncompetitive manner in M. troglodyta, while the inhibition of phoxim showed competitive to α-NA in C. anastomosis. The inhibition of chlorpyrifos showed neither typical competitive nor noncompetitive to α-NA both in M. troglodyta and C. anastomosis. Profenofos inhibited carboxylesterase activity with respect to α-NA in a noncompetitive manner in M. troglodyta, while the inhibition of phoxim showed neither typical competitive nor noncompetitive to α-NA in C. anastomosis. These results may contribute to the understanding of the sensitivity difference of M. troglodyta and C. anastomosis to pesticides, and could provide the basis for integrated pest management of the two Notodontidae species.

Laboratory trials were conducted on crape myrtle aphid Tinocallis kahawaluokalani (Kirkaldy) to assess the effectiveness and mode of action of one experimental Chenopodium-based botanical (QRD 400 Chenopodium ambrosioides var. ambrosioides) and retail insecticide products for the control of this insect pest and the effect of these products on different life stages of the multicolored Asian lady beetle Harmonia axyridis Pallas. For monitoring aphid densities, two sampling techniques were compared: 1) aphids per 2-cm diameter circular leaf sampling area; and 2) aphid-infested leaves per 5-leaf sample. In both techniques, pre- and post-treatment counts were conducted. Data obtained from both pre- and post-treatment analysis were pooled to provide an average number including analysis of variance with the means separated using Tukey's Honest Significant Difference, at P ≤ 0.05 level. A linear regression, with 95% mean prediction interval was performed on data assessing various treatment rates of QRD 400.