Annals of The Entomological Society of America最新文献

Agriculture currently occupies the majority of the former prairie ecosystem of North America, and farm management decisions affect the abundance and diversity of life in this region. Over 3 yr, we collected and identified the aboveground and soil insect communities from 159 agricultural fields representing 16 different food systems. A total of 107,320 specimens representing 990 operational taxonomic units were collected and identified. The invertebrate community was represented by 24 Orders, 189 Families, and 477 identified Genera. Herbivores were the most abundant (26,112 specimens; 59% of the non-Collembola/mite specimens) and taxonomically rich (308 species; 31%) functional group. Parasitoids, predators, omnivores, and detritivores were each represented by 8% to 10% of specimens collected. Perennial grassland habitats had the most abundant and diverse invertebrate communities (528 insects from 79 species per field); which was approximately twice that of any monocropped system. Including a second cash crop (ie intercropping) often doubled the insect community abundance and richness (380 specimens, 64 species) relative to the component monocrops. This research suggests that conservation and promotion of invertebrate biodiversity within agricultural landscapes may be fostered by supporting perennial grazing lands and intercropping as an alternative to monocrop farming.

Communities working in entomology, ecology, and other natural sciences are known for having shortfalls in racial and gender diversity. We aim to uncover drivers of this diversity gap. To achieve this, we distributed a survey to undergraduate students at large academic institutions in North America. The survey was designed to profile the perspectives people had about entomology, ecology, and agricultural science compared to other disciplines, and to see if these perspectives differed among demographics (race, gender, and sexual orientation). In addition to soliciting information about general perception relevant to recruitment and retention (approachability, hospitality/how welcoming a field is, fear, importance, interest, job availability), we also asked targeted questions about race-related issues (race motivated violence, racist authority figures, historical racism). In general, we found that race and sexual orientation did not often explain differences in perception of academic fields while gender did. Entomology was perceived the most negatively compared to all other disciplines, largely being driven by a high perception of fear, lack of knowledge about the importance of entomology, and the perception that jobs are lacking in the field. However, LGBTQ+ status predicted a significant increase in the perception of entomology as a "beautiful" science. Perception of race-related issues in ecology and biology differed by demographic, but the effect-size was small. We present several recommendations for higher education based on our results.

Essential properties considered in the design, fabrication, and application of contemporary bio/nanomaterials have been modeled on adaptations of biological systems, one of which is the robustness of insect wings. Proto-odonate wing development in Meganeuridae began during the Carboniferous period; over 350 million years of wing evolution has selected for agility and long-distance flight capacity in dragonflies and damselflies, making them suitable model taxa for bio-inspired design related to flight. Dragonfly species vary in flight behavior, reflected by variation in wing stiffness and flexibility due to differential venation patterns, wing biochemistry, and wing shape and size. We analyzed 8 distinct characteristics of dragonfly wings that are related to wing durability and could serve as bio-designs for novel technical innovations: venation, nano-architectural surface, pterostigma, antiwetting properties, antimicrobial properties, antifatigue features, antiaging features, and sensory structures. Specifically, we examined a tropical African species of Libellulidae dragonfly, Aethriamanta rezia, using scanning electron microscopy and cuticular profiling, which revealed the presence of hydrocarbons responsible for these functions. Furthermore, we investigated the optical response of the wings within the UV-vis-NIR region. We discuss these wing features in the context of durability and environmental stresses.

Infection with endosymbionts can cause changes in the phenotype of their insect hosts, particularly for life-history traits such as fecundity and temperature sensitivity. Economically important pests such as aphids carry different species of endosymbiotic bacteria, some of which have potential as biocontrol agents. The impact of newly transinfected bacteria on behavioral responses of aphids (Hemiptera: Aphididae) has rarely been explored; however, traits such as microhabitat selection and response to predators could disrupt or reinforce the effectiveness of biocontrol. In this study we compared the behavior of green peach aphids, Myzus persicae (Sulzer, Hemiptera: Aphididae), with or without a transinfection of the facultative endosymbiont Candidatus Rickettsiella viridis (Legionellales: Coxiellaceae). In whole plants assays, we tested differences in microhabitat selection, leaf surface productivity and response to the predatory ladybird Hippodamia variegata (Goeze, Coleoptera: Coccinellidae). The transinfection affected the variance but not the mean of leaf surface preference, with the infected line aphids being more consistent across days. Aphid productivity did not differ between surfaces nor was it affected by the infection. Choice tests suggested that ladybird preference was not affected by Rickettsiella. However, the aphid lines responded differently to the predator in that the infected aphids were relatively more common on the adaxial surface in the presence of the predator whereas uninfected aphids showed no difference. Our results suggest that transinfected Rickettsiella endosymbionts can change their hosts' behavior in subtle ways but their immediate impacts on the effectiveness of predator-based biocontrol are not necessarily clear.

Diapause initiation is determined by photoperiod and temperature in many insect species. In the solitary cavity-nesting bee Megachile rotundata (Fabricius) (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae), which undergoes facultative diapause as a prepupa, photoperiod is an important cue for diapause induction. However, it is unknown if the mother or offspring makes the decision to induce diapause or when this decision is made. Our goal was to answer these questions by manipulating photoperiod during different stages of development in M. rotundata. We subjected mothers to 3 different photoperiods as pupae and released them into the field to build nests and lay eggs when those same photoperiods occurred naturally. Offspring were collected and subjected to the same photoperiods as the mothers. We examined the effects of photoperiod on offspring diapause and the number of nests and brood cells created during each photoperiod. Our findings indicate that the photosensitive period occurs in the field, suggesting that the mother determines diapause during nest construction. We also found that reproductive output is the highest during the shortening photoperiods associated with midsummer. This study furthers our understanding of how diapause functions in Megachile rotundata and could be used to advance commercial management practices.

The pantropical Limacodid genus Parasa Moore [1860] comprises a charismatic group of moths, whose adults display green banding on the forewing while the larvae are often brightly colored, possessing stinging hairs. Three previously unidentified syntypes of the type species Parasa chloris (Herrich-Schäffer [1854]) were identified in the National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, USA, having passed through several collections over the past ca. 180 years. Described from specimens with a vague provenance, the true type locality was unveiled utilizing COI barcoding of the lectotype designated herein, together with other barcoded specimens from North and Central America, morphological observations in adults and male genitalia, as well as distribution records from museum specimens and the citizen science database iNaturalist. Results suggest the type locality of P. chloris as north-eastern USA, likely from the southern states. In addition, the nomenclatural history of P. chloris is here discussed in detail, and its synonyms are clarified with regard the morphologically-similar, sympatric species Parasa indetermina (Griffith and Pidgeon, 1832 nec Boisduval), and Limacodes viridus Reakirt (1864) syn. rev. is here revived as a synonym of the latter. Taxonomic remarks are also made regarding species closely related to P. chloris (Parasa minima (Schaus, 1892), Parasa huachuca Dyar (1905) stat. nov., Parasa cuernavaca Dyar (1907) stat. rev., and Parasa maysi Schaus (1920)), resulting from COI barcoding, and morphological examinations of all primary type and additional material. This research represents the first step in delimiting Parasa in preparation for future taxonomic work testing the monophyly of this widespread genus.

The Putnam scale, Diaspidiotus ancylus Putnam, 1878 (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha: Diaspididae), a species considered to be native to North America, has frequently been reported to be present in Chile and Argentina, attacking a wide variety of orchard crops (apples, pears, olives, nectarines, grapes) and common street trees (poplar, locust). However, diagnostic DNA sequences from Chilean populations identified as D. ancylus differ from those of North American D. ancylus; instead they are identical to those reported for Clavaspis patagonensis Schneider, Claps, Wei, Normark & Normark, 2020, a species previously known only from a single locality in Argentina. We have examined the Chilean and Argentine specimens identified as D. ancylus or Diaspidiotus sp. in major collections in Chile, France, Argentina, and United States, and we determine that nearly all of them belong to C. patagonensis and none belong to D. ancylus. Here we provide a redescription of C. patagonensis with a distribution map and a guide to distinguishing it from D. ancylus. Clavaspis patagonensis occurs throughout most of Chile, from Atacama to Aysén, and in at least 3 provinces in Argentina (Neuquen, Rio Negro, Entre Rios). Diaspidiotus ancylus apparently does not occur in Chile. We have examined specimens of C. patagonensis from 18 plant families. Field surveys of diaspidids in Chile indicate that C. patagonensis is one of the most common species of diaspidids in the country.

Using morphological assessments and phylogenetic inference, we described a new subterranean termite species in the genus Reticulitermes in southern California: Reticulitermes rusti sp. nov. Genetic analyses utilizing 3 mitochondrial loci (16S rRNA, COI, and COII) and 7 microsatellites successfully distinguished the new species from 2 other Reticulitermes found in southern California: R. hesperus Banks and R. tibialis Banks. Empirical measurements of key morphological characters further support the delineation of R. rusti as a new species. While R. rusti is genetically closer to R. tibialis, its soldier caste is morphologically similar to that of R. hesperus. We recommend confirming species identification by sequencing the COI or COII region. The integration of biological, genetic, and morphological data robustly supports the recognition of R. rusti as a distinct new species in southern California.

Heilipus lauri Boheman (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) is a specialist avocado seed feeder and a pest of economic importance in native (México) and invaded (Colombia) regions. Despite being a well-recognized pest of avocados, relatively little is known about factors affecting the developmental biology of weevil larvae infesting fruit. Laboratory studies investigated the effects of 4 pre-seed diets, 0, 1, and 3 d of feeding on avocado pulp, and consumption of conspecific first instar larvae on adult weevil fitness (ie size). Following these pre-seed diets, larvae were artificially inoculated into pre-weighed Hass avocado seeds. The effects of pre-seed diet and the size (ie weight) of inoculated seeds were analyzed for effects on the estimated mean amount of avocado seed consumed by larvae to complete development, mean time to complete development and emerge as adult weevils, and the mean weight (ie size) of adult male and female weevils. Pre-seed diet and seed size had no significant effects on seed consumption, development times, and size of adult weevils. Avocado seed size, which greatly exceeds amounts consumed to complete larval-to-adult development, may explain, in part, these observed outcomes, including purported fitness benefits that arise from consumption of conspecifics by herbivorous insects. This is the first study to confirm cannibalism by first instar H. lauri.