A Periodic ESA E-mail Service (and blog post) directed at ACEs and Urban-Industrial BCEs
October, 2013
The Entomological Society of America is the #1 source of scientific information for the urban entomologist. This email is a service of the Entomological Society of America for all Associate Certified Entomologists (ACEs) and Board Certified Entomologists (BCEs) who hold a specialty in urban and industrial entomology.
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.
The Influence of Fipronil on Reticulitermes flavipes (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) Feeding Beyond Treated Plots
Abstract: A small-plot field trial was conducted to examine the area of influence of fipronil at incremental distances away from treated plots on the Harrison Experimental Forest near Saucier, MS. Small treated (water and fipronil) plots were surrounded by untreated wooden boards in an eight-point radial pattern, and examined for evidence of termite feeding every 60 d for 1 yr after treatment. Circular areas of 0, 0.28, 1.13, 2.55, 4.52, 7.07, and 10.18 m2 around the treated plots were installed to evaluate feeding damage by termites on the boards. (Full abstract here)
Authors: Shelton, Thomas G
Source: Journal of Economic Entomology, Volume 106, Number 5
Detection of the A302S Rdl Mutation in Fipronil Bait-Selected Strains of the German Cockroach (Dictyoptera: Blattellidae)
Abstract: Extensive usage and heavy reliance on insecticides have led to the development of insecticide resistance in the German cockroach, Blattella germanica (L.). Six field-collected strains of B. germanica from Singapore were used to investigate resistance to fipronil and dieldrin. The three strains (Boat Quay, Cavenagh Road, and Ghimmoh Road) with greatest resistance to fipronil were subjected to selection with fipronil bait up to the F5 generation. Synergism assay and molecular detection of a target site mutation were used to elucidate the mechanism of fipronil resistance in these strains. With the exception of the Cavenagh Road strain, all parental strains were susceptible to dieldrin. This strain exhibited resistance to dieldrin and fipronil ... (Full abstract here)
Authors: Ang, Ling-Hui; Nazni, Wasi Ahmad; Kuah, Meng-Kiat; Shu-Chien, Alexander Chong; Lee, Chow-Yang
Source: Journal of Economic Entomology, Volume 106, Number 5
Colony Breeding Structure of the Invasive Termite Reticulitermes urbis (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae)
Abstract: Invasive species cause severe environmental and economic problems. The invasive success of social insects often appears to be related to their ability to adjust their social organization to new environments. To gain a better understanding of the biology of invasive termites, this study investigated the social organization of the subterranean termite, Reticulitermes urbis, analyzing the breeding structure and the number of reproductives within colonies from three introduced populations. By using eight microsatellite loci to determine the genetic structure, it was found that all the colonies from the three populations were headed by both primary reproductives (kings and queens) and secondary reproductives (neotenics) to form extended-family colonies (Full abstract here)
Authors: Perdereau, Elfie; Velonà Alessandro; Dupont, Simon; Labédan, Marjorie; Luchetti, Andrea; Mantovani, Barbara; Bagnères, Anne-Genevieve
Source: Journal of Economic Entomology, Volume 106, Number 5
Models to Predict Mortality of Tribolium castaneum (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) Exposed to Elevated Temperatures During Structural Heat Treatments
Abstract: Novel thermal death models were developed with certain assumptions, and these models were validated by using actual heat treatment data collected under laboratory conditions at constant temperatures over time and in commercial food-processing facilities where temperatures were dynamically changing over time. The predicted mortalities of both young larvae and adults of the red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum (Herbst), were within 92â€99% of actual measured insect mortalities. (Full abstract here)
Authors: Jian, Fuji; Subramanyam, Bhadriraju; Jayas, Digvir S.; White, Noel D. G.
Source: Journal of Economic Entomology, Volume 106, Number 5
Molting Process in the Formosan Subterranean Termite (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae)
Abstract: This study describes the behavioral and histological changes that take place during ecdysis in the Formosan subterranean termite. The molting process was described in four distinct phases, starting with the peristaltic contraction of the abdomen to the complete shedding of the exuvium. Although individual termites still managed to go through the molting process when isolated from their nestmates, it required more time for the molting individual to complete the process than when aided by its nestmates. Histological observations were made on termites during the intermolt period, the premolting or fasting period, the pre-ecdysis and the ecdysis periods, and on newly molted individuals. Symbiotic protozoans were voided at the beginning of the premolting/fasting period. (Full abstract here)
Authors: Xing, Lin; Chouvenc, Thomas; Su, Nan-Yao
Source: Annals of the Entomological Society of America, Volume 106, Number 5
American Entomologist
ACEs have full access to the online edition of this publication by logging into the ESA website. Some of the pest-management-related articles in the latest edition are:
- A Summer Without Monarchs - Gene Kritsky's short review of where all the monarch butterflies are this year
- This Study Sucks! - Gerry Wegner, BCE examines bed bug control using vacuum technology
- Arachnophobic Entomologists: When Two More Legs Makes a Big Difference - Rick Vetter and a great article on entomologists who just don't like spiders
