Here is a summary of some recent articles in the ESA journals that relate to structural pest management and urban arthropod pests. The abstracts are freely available online for all articles, though access to the full text will generally require member in the Entomological Society of America, in addition to your certification.
Ability of Field Populations of Coptotermes spp., Reticulitermes flavipes, and Mastotermes darwiniensis (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae; Mastotermitidae) to Damage Plastic Cable Sheathings
Abstract:A comparative field study was conducted to evaluate the ability of subterranean termites to damage a set of four different plastic materials (cable sheathings) exposed below- and above-ground. Eight pest species from six countries were included, viz.,Coptotermes formosanus (Shiraki) in China, Japan, and the United States; Coptotermes gestroi (Wasmann) in Thailand and Malaysia; Coptotermes curvignathus (Holmgren) and Coptotermes kalshoveni (Kemner) in Malaysia; Coptotermes acinaciformis (Froggatt) with two forms of the species complex … (Full abstract here)
Authors: Lenz, Michael; Kard, Brad; Creffield, James W.; Evans, Theodore A.; Brown, Kenneth S.; Freytag, Edward D.; Zhong, Jun-Hong; Lee, Chow-Yang; Yeoh, Boon-Hoi; Yoshimura, Tsuyoshi; Tsunoda, Kunio; Vongkaluang, Charunee; Sornnuwat, Yupaporn; Roland, Ted A.; de Santi, Marie Pommier
Source: Journal of Economic Entomology, Volume 106, Number 3
Use of Black Light Traps to Monitor the Abundance, Spread, and Flight Behavior of Halyomorpha halys (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae)
Abstract: Monitoring the distribution and abundance of an invasive species is challenging, especially during the initial years of spread when population densities are low and basic biology and monitoring methods are being investigated. Brown marmorated stink bug (Halyomorpha halys (Stål)) is an invasive agricultural and urban pest that was first detected in the United States in the late 1990s. At the time of its detection, no method was available to effectively track H. halys populations, which are highly mobile and polyphagous. One possible solution was the utilization of black light traps, which are nonspecific traps attractive to night flying insects. (Full abstract here)
Authors: Nielsen, Anne L.; Holmstrom, Kristian; Hamilton, George C.; Cambridge, John; Ingerson-Mahar, Joseph
Source: Journal of Economic Entomology, Volume 106, Number 3
Economic Feasibility of Methoprene Applied as a Surface Treatment and as an Aerosol Alone and in Combination With Two Other Insecticides
Abstract: Economic evaluations of integrated pest management strategies are becoming increasingly important as restrictions on conventional insecticides continue to become more stringent and chemical control costs rise. Aerosol treatments with insect growth regulators alone and in combination with conventional contact insecticides may be a feasible alternative to expensive and highly toxic fumigants such as methyl bromide for control of the Indianmeal moth (Plodia interpunctella (Hübner)). Average calculated mortality of Indianmeal moth eggs exposed to surface applied methoprene, aerosol methoprene alone and in combination with esfenvalerate and synergized pyrethrins is 55.0, 69.0, and 94.6%, respectively. (Full abstract here)
Authors: Fontenot, Emily A.; Arthur, Frank H.; Nechols, James R.; Langemeier, Michael R.
Source: Journal of Economic Entomology, Volume 106, Number 3
Biology, Injury, and Management of Maple Tree Pests in Nurseries and Urban Landscapes
Abstract: Favored for their rapid growth and brilliant fall color, maple (Acer spp.) trees are among the most commonly grown deciduous shade trees in urban landscapes and commercial production nurseries. Many maple species used as ornamental plants share a suite of important arthropod pests that have the potential to reduce the trees' economic and esthetic value. We review the biology, damage, and management for the most important pests of maples with emphasis on integrated pest management (IPM) tactics available for each pest. (Full abstract here)
Authors: Frank, S. D.; Klingeman, W. E.; White, S. A.; Fulcher, A
Source: Journal of Integrated Pest Management , Volume 104, Number 1
Simulating the Spread of an Invasive Termite in an Urban Environment Using a Stochastic Individual-Based Model
Abstract: Invasive termites are destructive insect pests that cause billions of dollars in property damage every year. Termite species can be transported overseas by maritime vessels. However, only if the climatic conditions are suitable will the introduced species flourish. Models predicting the areas of infestation following initial introduction of an invasive species could help regulatory agencies develop successful early detection, quarantine, or eradication efforts. At present, no model has been developed to estimate the geographic spread of a termite infestation from a set of surveyed locations. In the current study, we used actual field data as a starting point...(Full abstract here)
Authors: Tonini, Francesco; Hochmair, Hartwig H.; Scheffrahn, Rudolf H.; Deangelis, Donald L.
Source: Environmental Entomology, Volume 42, Number 3
Insects in the World of Fiction
Abstract: Just for fun! This article, while not directly related to urban entomology, is a fun list of insect references in popular literature. Use it as a guide to plan your summer reading or as suggestions for your customers for their reading. (Link is here)
Authors: Bauer, Erin
Source: American Entomologist, Volume 59, Number 2
This blog post is part of a series that will post appx. every 6 weeks and which will also be emailed directly to all current ACEs and BCEs who hold a specialty in Urban and Industrial Entomology. If there are articles that you would like to see included in future editions of Certified Science, please email admin@entocert.org.
