Wednesday, June 24, 2015

Certified Science (2015 - #2)


This issue of Certified Science was emailed to all current ACEs and BCEs on March 5, 2015. The next issue will post to the blog in about 6-10 weeks. To receive the current issue as it publishes, please consider becoming ACE or BCE certified. 


A Periodic E-mail Service to ACEs and Urban-Industrial BCEs

The Entomological Society of America is the #1 source of scientific information for the entomologically-focused urban professional. This email is a service of the ESA for all ACEs and any BCEs who specialize in urban and industrial entomology.

Certified Science 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 membership in the ESA.
  • Environmental Entomology, Volume 43 #6 and Volume 44 #1
  • Journal of Economic Entomology, Volume 107 #6 and Volume 108 #1
  • Journal of Medical Entomology, Volume 52 #1
  • American Entomologist, Volume 60 #4 and Volume 61 #1
  • Entomology Today blog (posts between December 2, 2014 and March 3, 2015)
The abstracts are freely available online for all articles, though access to the full text will generally require membership in ESA, in addition to your certification. Every time a new issue of Certified Science is emailed the prior edition posts to Certified Entomologist, the Certification blog. 


Mechanisms of Competitive Displacement of Native Ant Fauna by Invading Myrmica rubra (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) Populations
Authors:  Jeffrey Garnas , Eleanor Groden , Francis A. Drummond
Source: Environmental Entomology, Volume 43, Number 6, December 2014, pp. 1496-1506
Abstract: Exotic ants have become invasive in many regions around the world, with variable ecological impacts. Postinvasion, native ant communities are often found to be depauperate, though the causes of this apparent lack of coexistence are rarely well known. Myrmica rubra (L.), a Palearctic Myrmecine ant, is currently expanding its range as an invasive in North America. This aggressive ant forms... (Full abstract

Activity Trends and Movement Distances in the Arizona Bark Scorpion (Scorpiones: Buthidae)
Authors:  Christopher Stephen Bibbs , Sarah Elizabeth Bengston , Dawn Heather Gouge
Source: Environmental Entomology, Volume 43, Number 6, December 2014, pp. 1613-1620
Abstract: The bark scorpion, Centruroides sculpturatus Ewing, is a nocturnal, cryptic, nonburrowing, mobile species that is common in urban landscapes spanning the desert southwest. Bark scorpions are often found in dense localized populations in cities, but the question of whether this is because the species is metabolically movement limited or choose to aggregate has not been addressed. Field observations lead us to believe that ... (Full abstract

Density-Dependent Effects of an Invasive Ant on a Ground-Dwelling Arthropod Community
Authors:  M. Cooling , D. A. Sim , P. J. Lester
Source: Environmental Entomology, Volume 43, Number 6, February 2015, pp. 44-53
Abstract: It is frequently assumed that an invasive species that is ecologically or economically damaging in one region, will typically be so in other environments. The Argentine ant Linepithema humile (Mayr) is listed among the world's worst invaders. It commonly displaces resident ant species where it occurs at high population densities, and may also reduce densities of other ground-dwelling arthropods. We investigated the effect of varying Argentine ant abundance on... (Full abstract

Practical Pest Management Strategies to Reduce Pesticide Runoff for Argentine Ant (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) Control
Authors:  Les Greenberg , Michael K. Rust , Jaben Richards , Xiaoqin Wu , John Kabashima , Cheryl Wilen , Jay Gan , Dong-Hwan Choe
Source: Journal of Economic Entomology, Volume 107, Number 6, December 2014, pp. 2147-2153
Abstract: The purpose of this study was to involve pest management professionals in the design of application techniques and strategies that would be efficacious and also reduce insecticide runoff. Our study involved measuring both the efficacy of treatments for the Argentine ant, Linepithema humile (Mayr), and the concurrent runoff of fipronil and pyrethroids. Two collaborating companies used low-impact protocols for controlling ants while minimizing runoff. ... (Full abstract

Colony Size Affects the Efficacy of Bait Containing Chlorfluazuron Against the Fungus-Growing Termite Macrotermes gilvus (Blattodea: Termitidae)
Authors:  Ching-Chen Lee , Kok-Boon Neoh , Chow-Yang Lee
Source: Journal of Economic Entomology, Volume 107, Number 6, December 2014, pp. 2154-2162
Abstract: The efficacy of chitin synthesis inhibitors (CSIs) against fungus-growing termites is known to vary. In this study, 0.1% chlorfluazuron (CFZ) cellulose bait was tested against medium and large field colonies of Macrotermes gilvus (Hagen). The termite mounds were dissected to determine the health of the colony. Individual termites (i.e., workers and larvae) and fungus combs were subjected to gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis to detect the presence of CFZ... (Full abstract

Potential of Essential Oil-Based Pesticides and Detergents for Bed Bug Control
Authors:  Narinderpal Singh , Changlu Wang , Richard Cooper
Source: Journal of Economic Entomology, Volume 107, Number 6, December 2014, pp. 2163-2170
Abstract: The bed bug, (Cimex lectularius L.), is a difficult pest to control. Prevalence of insecticide resistance among bed bug populations and concerns over human-insecticide exposure has stimulated the development of alternative bed bug control materials. Many essential oil-based pesticides and detergent insecticides targeting bed bugs have been developed in recent years. We evaluated the efficacy of nine essential oil-based products and two detergents using direct spray and residual contact bioassays in the laboratory.... (Full abstract

Accuracy of Trained Canines for Detecting Bed Bugs (Hemiptera: Cimicidae)
Authors:  Richard Cooper , Changlu Wang , Narinderpal Singh
Source: Journal of Economic Entomology, Volume 107, Number 6, December 2014, pp. 2171-2181
Abstract: Detection of low-level bed bug, Cimex lectularius L. (Hemiptera: Cimicidae), infestations is essential for early intervention, confirming eradication of infestations, and reducing the spread of bed bugs. Despite the importance of detection, few effective tools and methods exist for detecting low numbers of bed bugs. Scent dogs were developed as a tool for detecting bed bugs in recent years. However, there are no data demonstrating the reliability of trained canines under natural field conditions. We evaluated the accuracy of 11 canine detection teams in naturally infested apartments.... (Full abstract

Exposure of Bed Bugs to Metarhizium anisopliae at Different Humidities
Authors:  Kevin R. Ulrich , Mark F. Feldlaufer , Matthew Kramer , Raymond J. St. Leger
Source: Journal of Economic Entomology, Volume 107, Number 6, December 2014, pp. 2190-2195
Abstract: Bed bugs Cimex lectularius L. were exposed to conidia (spores) of the entomopathogenic fungus Metarhizium anisopliae by feeding, aerosol spray, or contact with a treated surface. Feeding experiments demonstrated that bed bugs were innately susceptible to this fungus. However, only at 98% humidity were mortality rates high, regardless of whether bed bugs were sprayed with a fungal solution or contacted a treated surface.... (Full abstract

Knockdown and Mortality of Five Stored Product Beetle Species After Short Exposures of Thiamethoxam
Authors:  Fotoula C. Tsaganou , Thomas N. Vassilakos , Christos G. Athanassiou
Source: Journal of Economic Entomology, Volume 107, Number 6, December 2014, pp. 2222-2228
Abstract: Laboratory bioassays were conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of thiamethoxam, against five major stored-grain beetle species, the lesser grain borer, Rhyzopertha dominica (F.), the rice weevil, Sitophilus oryzae (L.), the confused flour beetle, Tribolium confusum Jacquelin du Val, the larger grain borer, Prostephanus truncatus (Horn), and the sawtoothed grain beetle, Oryzaephilus surinamensis (L.). Adults of the above species were exposed on wheat ... (Full abstract

Investigation of Age Polyethism in Food Processing of the Fungus-Growing Termite Odontotermes formosanus (Blattodea: Termitidae) Using a Laboratory Artificial Rearing System
Authors:  Hongjie Li , Mengyi Yang , Yonger Chen , Na Zhu , Chow-Yang Lee , Ji-Qian Wei , Jianchu Mo
Source: Journal of Economic Entomology, Volume 108, Number 1, February 2015, pp. 266-273
Abstract: Laboratory rearing systems are useful models for studying Rhinotermitid behavior. Information on the biology of fungus-growing termites, however, is limited because of the difficulty of rearing colonies in the laboratory settings. The physical structure of termite nests makes it impossible to photograph or to observe colonies in the field. In this study, an artificial rearing system for field-collected colonies of the fungus-growing termite Odontotermes formosanus (Shiraki) was developed... (Full abstract

A Fluid Bait for Remedial Control of Subterranean Termites
Authors:  Nan-Yao Su
Source: Journal of Economic Entomology, Volume 108, Number 1, February 2015, pp. 274-276
Abstract: A fluid bait, comprising ?-cellulose and fine-ground phagostimulants (Summon Preferred Food Source) impregnated with 0.5% hexaflumuron (AI wt/wt) and mixed with 1% methylcel solution to yield 10% dry weight, was injected into simulated foraging galleries of Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki and Reticulitermes virginicus (Banks) for a laboratory efficacy evaluation. Six weeks after the injection, mortalities for both species exceeded 90%, and all termites died by the eight wk.... (Full abstract

Metabolic and Behavioral Mechanisms of Indoxacarb Resistance in Sitophilus zeamais (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)
Authors:  Khalid Haddi , Larine P. Mendonça , Milaine F. Dos Santos , Raul Narciso C. Guedes , EugĂȘnio E. Oliveira
Source: Journal of Economic Entomology, Volume 108, Number 1, February 2015, pp. 362-369
Abstract: The control of the most important pest of stored maize, the weevil Sitophilus zeamais Motschulsky (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), is mainly achieved with the use of pyrethroid insecticides. However, the intensive use of these compounds has led to the selection of resistant populations and has compromised the control efficacy of this insect pest. Here, the toxicity of indoxacarb for a potential use in the control of S. zeamais was assessed on 13 Brazilian populations... (Full abstract

Status of Urban Bed Bug Infestations in Southern China: An Analysis of Pest Control Service Records in Shenzhen in 2012 and Dongguan in 2013
Authors:  Lei Wang , Xuquan Cai , Yijuan Xu
Source: Journal of Medical Entomology, Volume 52, Number 1, January 2015, pp. 76-80
Abstract: The recent resurgence of bed bugs (Cimex spp.) in many developed countries has drawn increasing attention worldwide. The status of urban bed bug infestations were investigated in Shenzhen and Dongguan, two major cities in southern Guangdong Province of southern China, based on pest control service records from two different companies (one during 2012 and another during 2013). The results showed that Shenzhen and Dongguan have a severe problem with bed bug infestations... (Full abstract

Mean Old Bed Bug Blues
Authors:  Robert K.D. Peterson
Source: American Entomologist, Volume 60, Number 4, pp. 241-243
Full article 

DDT and the American Century: Global Health, Environmental Politics, and the Pesticide that Changed the World (Book review)
Authors:  Jeffrey G. Scott
Source: American Entomologist, Volume 60, Number 4, pp. 250
Full article

And some recent posts from ESA's popular site, Entomology Today:
  • Dermacentor limbooliati, a New Tick Species From Malaysia and Vietnam (March 2015 article)
  • Fleas that Could Potentially Carry Plague Found on New York City Rats  (March 2015 article)
  • Tom Turpin Talks about Louse Dislodgers, Malaria and Powdered Wigs (February 2015 article)
  • Spanish Traders Shipped Tropical Fire Ants Worldwide Nearly 500 Years Ago (February 2015 article)
  • A Spoonful of Sugar Helps Insecticide Go Down (February 2015 article)
  • Some Facts About Florida's Genetically Modified Mosquitoes (January 2015 article)
  • Planting the Wrong Kind of Milkweed May Harm Monarch Butterflies (January 2015 article)
  • Why Fly When You Can Hitchhike? Mosquitoes Rely on Roads to Disperse (January 2015 article)
  • Scientists Identify Pheromone for Bed Bug Traps (January 2015 article)
Compounds from Poison Frogs May be Used to Control Fire Ants (December 2014 article)

Friday, June 19, 2015

New BCE and ACE list through June 15, 2015

Our congratulations to all the new ACEs and BCEs:

  • Mr. Patrick William Corallo, ACE, (Arrow Exterminating Co.), Lynbrook, NY  USA.  Certified on 6/13/2015. 
  • Mr. Christopher James Gehrke, BCE-Intern, (Ecolab), Eagan, MN  USA.  Certified on 6/11/2015. 
  • Mr. Charles William Sheaffer, ACE, (Orkin Pest Control), Rustburg, VA  USA.  Certified on 6/10/2015. 
  • Mr. Brian Aubrey Jarvis, ACE, (Perma Treat Pest Control), Culpeper, VA  USA.  Certified on 6/10/2015. 
  • Ms. Runxin Cao, BCE-Intern, (Home paramount pest control), Nottingham, MD  USA.  Certified on 6/5/2015. 
  • Mr. Randal Moffat, ACE, (Eden Pest), Kent, WA  USA.  Certified on 6/4/2015. 
  • Mr. Phillip Andrew Cole, ACE, (Ecolab), Fresno, CA  USA.  Certified on 6/1/2015. 
  • Mr. Paul Reed, ACE, (Ecolab Inc.), Minneapolis, MN  USA.  Certified on 5/22/2015. 
  • Mr. Hendrick Wong, BCE, (not provided), Daly City, CA  USA.  Certified on 5/20/2015. 
  • Mrs. Sandra Dean Powell, ACE, (The Steritech group), Charlotte, NC  USA.  Certified on 5/18/2015.