Stink bugs (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) are commonly monitored using pyramid traps baited with a pheromone. Initially, the pyramid traps were painted yellow and predominantly used to monitor native stink bug species. However, research studies involving the exotic Halyomorpha halys Stål (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) now use pyramid traps that are black, not yellow. As H. halys moves across the southeastern United States, the use of a single trap, yellow or black, for monitoring and conducting research studies would be beneficial. Our objective was to compare black and yellow pyramid traps baited with a lure to determine if one was superior for trapping herbivorous stink bugs. This study was conducted at four locations, three in Alabama and one in Georgia, over 2 yr. Additionally, residual efficacy of the lure was measured via trap capture over 1-mo intervals. Our results showed that only when native stink bug species were combined, and only in 1 yr, were captures significantly affected by trap color. Capture of the exotic H. halys and the most abundant native species, Euschistus servus (Say), was not significantly affected by trap color. Trap capture was significantly affected by how long a lure was in a trap. The data from this study suggests that when traps are used in conjunction with a pheromone to monitor multiple species of adult stink bugs, especially native species, the yellow pyramid trap is favored.

This study was conducted to characterize the ground beetle (Coleoptera: Carabidae) community in Nebraska continuous cornfields and investigate the potential for predation of the western corn rootworm, Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte, a key root-feeding insect pest that is an annual management challenge in this system. Seven collection dates were conducted at five commercial cornfields in west central Nebraska during the growing season of 2014. In each field, carabids were sampled using five 24-h pitfall traps. Carabid specimens were placed in 95% ethanol in the field and stored at –20°C to preserve DNA. After identification to the species level, DNA was extracted and polymerase chain reaction was conducted for gut-content analysis using D. v. virgifera-specific primers. Data from single-plant emergence cages and yellow sticky cards showed high abundance of D. v. virgifera prey in three of the five fields sampled. Sixteen genera and 36 carabid species were found in pitfall traps. Of the total 235 carabid specimens tested in this study, zero tested positive for D. v. virgifera DNA. The lack of positive results for the presence of D. v. virgifera DNA in the gut-contents of carabids, despite abundant pest populations, indicates that, in this system, ground beetles may not be a strong mortality agent of D. v. virgifera. However, results presented here contribute to our knowledge of carabid diversity in agroecosystems and indicate that future D. v. virgifera biological control efforts in this region should focus on other natural enemies and/or other life stages of carabids, such as larvae.

A field trial was conducted to determine the effects of harvest method (green cane harvest versus preharvest burning) and different crop residue removal treatments on the populations of ground-inhabiting arthropod predators and Elasmopalpus lignosellus (Zeller) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) in the first ratoon crop. Neither preharvest burning nor percentage crop residue removal after green cane harvest had any significant effect on the numbers of ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) (F = 1.00; df = 4; P = 0.412) or spiders (Araneae) (F = 0.08; df = 4; P = 0.921) captured in pitfall traps. In contrast, crop residue levels remaining after green cane harvest significantly impacted E. lignosellus damage to the ratoon crop, with increased damage associated with lower levels of residue. Removal of ≥66% of the crop residue caused a significant (F = 132.68; df = 3; P < 0.001) increase in E. lignosellus damage that would likely reduce sugarcane yield, while 33% of the residue could be removed without increasing damage. Overall, our data indicate that green cane harvesting will not affect arthropod ground predators but may reduce the risk of E. lignosellus damage.

The red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta Buren (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), and ground-dwelling ant species native to Georgia were observed and studied in tree-canopied and open uncanopied habitats in two state parks in central Georgia. Population density, native species diversity, and interactions of native species with each other and with the invasive S. invicta were determined and compared in the two habitats. Sampling methods included pitfall traps, baits, collection of leaf litter, and visual searches. In comparison to the open uncanopied habitats, red imported fire ant population density was lower in tree-canopied habitats, and native ant species diversity was greater in the canopied habitats. We also observed native species competing with red imported fire ants more intensely in canopied than in open habitats primarily by foraging activity and by predation of S. invicta reproductives. Our results suggest that native ant species can suppress S. invicta population numbers and density and that competition by native ant species should be considered in approaches of managing red imported fire ant.

Rhynchophorus palmarum (L.) (Coleoptera: Dryophthoridae) is an important pest in oil palm plantations, and its populations are monitored through rhynchophorol pheromone-baited traps. To optimize the release of rhynchophorol in high-density polyethylene diffusers, five calibers (2, 3, 4, 5, and 6) were evaluated. The experiment was conducted under a completely randomized design with 15 repetitions, recording daily weight loss of pheromones. Release rate of pheromone under laboratory conditions (30.2 ± 0.1°C; 70.8 ± 0.8% relative humidity [RH]) varied between 2.2 and 10.4 mg/day. Three diffusers with 2.4 ± 0.4, 3.6 ± 0.9, and 8.5 ± 1.3 mg/day of release rates, were selected for testing in three palm-growing zones. Adults of R. palmarum captured in traps with different diffusers were counted as well as pheromone weight loss. In two of three plantations, statistical differences were found in the capture of R. palmarum adults among the diffusers that presented different pheromone release rates (Eastern: F = 8.27; df = 2, 9; P = 0.0028; Central: F = 10.79; df = 2, 9; P = 0.0008; Southwestern F= 2.20; df = 2, 9; P= 0.1402). The diffuser with the release rate of 2.4 mg/day was selected because, after remaining 4 mo in the field, the traps with this diffuser registered catches statistically equal to those that had traps with newly installed diffusers. We concluded that the release rate of the pheromone of 2.4 mg/day is optimal for the capture of adults of R. palmarum during a period of 4 mo.

Wireworms (Coleoptera: Elateridae) are major economic pests of Florida sugarcane (Saccharum spp. hybrid). The corn wireworm, Melanotus communis (Gyllenhal), is the most important wireworm pest of Florida sugarcane occurring in both sandy and muck soils. The objective of this study was to determine survivability, preference, and dispersal of wireworms in sandy and muck soils. There was no significant difference in starved wireworm survival between the soils after 2 mo. However, the starved wireworms gained more weight in muck soil than in sand. Wireworms dispersed at similar rates toward oat baits in both soil types. Interestingly, in free choice tests wireworms showed a high preference to reside in muck versus sandy soil, which corresponds to the greater wireworm weight change found in muck versus sandy soil. The high preference for muck and greater weight gain in muck found in this study partially explains why M. communis is more abundant in muck soils than in sandy soils in Florida sugarcane.

Surveys were conducted in six protected forests of Region VIII (Eastern Visayas) of the Philippines, namely Lake Danao, Mt. Nacolod, Kuapnit Balinsasayao, Asug Forest, City Forest, and Closed Canopy, from January to June of 2019. A total of 7,844 individuals belonging to 41 species, 25 genera, 13 tribes, and 2 subfamilies were recorded in the six selected forests of Leyte and Samar, Eastern Visayas, Philippines. Twenty-six species were recorded from Lake Danao, 32 species in Mt. Nacolod, 20 species in Kuapnit Balinsasayao Forest, 11 species in Asug Forest, 19 species in City Forest, and 26 species in Closed Canopy Forest. A total of 19 endemic species were recorded, of which 12 are endemic to the Philippines, 6 are endemic to Leyte, and 1 is endemic to Samar. The survey found new species and new records of carabid beetles in the region. The new records include Brachinus leytensis (Lassalle & Schnell), Trigonotoma goeltenbothi (Lassalle, Roux & Schnell), Pheropsophus uliweberi (Lassalle & Schnell) in Leyte, and Lesticus samarensis (Dubault, Lassalle & Roux) in Samar. The new species are Pheropsophus uliweberi (Lassalle & Schnell) and Pheropsophus sp. (Lassalle & Schnell), both found in Leyte. These findings demonstrate that the forests in Eastern Visayas can be considered as centers of carabid diversity. Appropriate protection and conservation strategies should be implemented.

Parnassius (Lepidoptera: Papilionidae) is a genus of attractive butterflies mainly distributed in the mountainous areas of Central Asia, the Himalayas, and western China. In this study, we used the internal transcribed spacer (ITS1 and ITS2) sequence data as DNA barcodes to characterize the genetic differentiation and conduct the phylogenetic analysis and divergence time estimation of the 17 Parnassius species collected in China. Species identification and genetic differentiation analysis suggest that the ITS barcode is an effective marker for Parnassius species identification; additionally, a relatively high level of genetic diversity and low level of gene flow were detected in the five Parnassius species with diverse geographic populations. Phylogenetic analysis indicates that the 17 species studied were clustered in six clades (subgenera), with subgenus Parnassius at the basal position in the phylogenetic trees. Bayesian divergence time estimation shows that the genus originated about 18 million years ago during the early Miocene, correlated with orogenic events in the distribution region, probably southwestern China about 20–10 million years ago. Our estimated phylochronology also suggests that the Parnassius interspecific and intraspecific divergences were probably related with the rapid rising of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, the Tibet Movement, the Kunlun-Yellow River Tectonic Movement, and global cooling associated with intensified glaciation in the region during the Quaternary Period.

We surveyed the occurrence of bees and wasps (Hymenoptera) in nine centipedegrass lawns in central and south Georgia in 2019 that had no prior exposure to insecticides. In each lawn, an area of 9.3 m² was marked and not mowed while the remainder of the lawn area was mowed regularly. When each centipedegrass lawn reached anthesis, pan traps filled with soapy water were placed in nonmowed and mowed areas of each lawn. After 3 d, trap contents were collected and transported to the laboratory for insect sorting and identification. Each lawn site was sampled 3–5 times. Of 173 total bees collected from the centipedegrass lawns, 79.2% were Lasioglossum spp. followed by 6.9% Halictus and 4% Melissodes. Only four Bombus spp. were collected, while other bees collected were Augochlorella spp., Agapostemon spp., Megachile, Apis, Peponapis, Ceratina, Ptilothrix, Svastra, and Nomia spp. Most of the Lasioglossum spp. were collected in August (48.6%) and September (26.6%). Lasioglossum spp. were sampled from all centipedegrass lawns; however, Halictus spp. and Melissodes spp. were collected only from one lawn in south Georgia. Captures were similar regardless of collection from mowed or nonmowed areas. Most of the bees were collected in pan traps that were blue or yellow in color; whereas, wasps were captured primarily in yellow-colored traps.

Survivorship, developmental period, and adult longevity of the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster Meigen (Diptera: Drosophilidae), exposed to penicillin G, a beta-lactam antibiotic, was determined in laboratory testing. In the study, neonate larvae were placed and reared on dietary antibiotics at concentrations of 100, 200, 400, or 800 mg/L. All penicillin concentrations significantly decreased survivorship in an inverse relationship with third instars, pupae, and adults. Larvae fed on control diets of 0 mg/L of penicillin had a survival level of 91.00 ± 3.27% to third instar and pupation, and 89.00 ± 4.09% to adult emergence. Feeding on a diet containing the highest concentration of penicillin (800 mg/L) significantly decreased survivorship to third instar to 11.00 ± 2.59% (χ² = 128.051; df = 1; P = 0.0001) and to pupation (χ² = 131.233; df = 1; P = 0.0001) and adult emergence to approximately 10.00 ± 1.00% (χ² = 124.832; df = 1; P = 0.0001). The highest concentration of dietary penicillin (800 mg/L) also significantly prolonged developmental time from neonate to third instars by 1.5 d (F = 17.229; df = 4; P = 0.0001) and from neonate to adult emergence by 3 d (F = 2.004; df = 4; P = 0.032). Compared to the control group, adult longevity was significantly reduced by the antibiotic in a dose-related manner. The use of this antibiotic in insect artificial rearing enables an extensive search of possible insecticidal action of penicillin with high dietary levels for agricultural purposes.

Codling moth, Cydia pomonella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), is a serious pest of apple (Malus domestica [Borkh.]), pear (Pyrus communis [L.]), and occasionally, stone fruit (Prunus persica [L.]). Its presence in sweet cherries is rare and presumed to occur in areas where high populations in pome fruits occur near sweet cherries, Prunus avium (L.). Nevertheless, the potential of codling moth residing in a sweet cherry destined for an export market, especially to Asian Pacific countries, has led to the continued use of methyl bromide, an ozone-depleting fumigant, to prevent the accidental spread of this pest. Over the past 20 yr, internationally accepted alternative phytosanitary treatments using ionizing radiation have been developed. This is the first report of an irradiation dose response of codling moth in sweet cherries. We treated the first three instars of codling moth in export-quality sweet cherries and found that the third instar was the most radio-resistant, requiring a dose of approximately 250 Gy to prevent adult emergence. This dose is higher than those reported for fifth-instar codling moth in apples and artificial diet but should not delay any efforts in using this highly effective treatment to meet quarantine restrictions against this pest.