Host range of the oothecal parasitoid Aprostocetus hagenowii (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae).

Aprostocetus hagenowii (Ratzburg) is a generalist parasitoid of cockroach (Blattodea) oothecae. Previous studies examining the host range of A. hagenowii have largely focused on cockroaches of economic and medical importance, which represent a minority of species in an order filled with species of diverse morphology, behavior, and ecology.

Toxicity of cockroach gel baits to the oothecal parasitoid Aprostocetus hagenowii (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) and implications for cockroach integrated pest management.

Aprostocetus hagenowii (Ratzeburg) is a parasitoid wasp that parasitizes the oothecae of peridomestic pest cockroaches. A. hagenowii has been used in integrated pest management (IPM) programs for cockroach control but little is known about how this parasitoid responds to the insecticides commonly used for cockroach management.

Effects of Food Source Availability, Host Egg:Parasitoid Ratios, and Host Exposure Times on the Developmental Biology of Egg Parasitoids.

Parasitoids forage for hosts in dynamic ecosystems and generally have a short period of time to access hosts. The current study examined the optimal reproductive attributes of two egg parasitoids, Dodd (Hymenoptera: Platygastridae) and Ishii (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae), of the kudzu bug, Fabricius (Hemiptera: Plataspidae). The proportion of and adult offspring that emerged from eggs and the sex ratio of the parasitoid offspring were compared among treatments for the effects of different adult parasitoid food sources, host egg-to-adult parasitoid ratios, and host exposure times.

Potential of the oothecal parasitoid Aprostocetus hagenowii (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) as a biological control agent for the Turkestan cockroach (Blattodea: Blattidae).

The Turkestan cockroach, Blatta lateralis (Walker), is a peridomestic pest of growing concern in the US Southwest. The parasitoid Aprostocetus hagenowii (Ratzburg) is used in IPM programs targeting other blattid cockroach species and may aid in B. lateralis suppression.

Direct and Indirect Competitive Interactions between and Parasitizing Egg Patches.

The present study investigated egg parasitoid interspecific interactions between a generalist, Ishii (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) and a specialist, Dodd (Hymenoptera: Platygastridae) in a laboratory setting using kudzu bug ( Fabricius, (Hemiptera: Plataspidae)) eggs as their shared host. Three experiments were conducted to evaluate the emergence of wasps from parasitized hosts after the simultaneous and sequential release of wasps, monitor aggressive behavior of , and quantify intraguild predation of larvae on heterospecific larvae. Results showed that total host egg parasitism was higher when both wasps were released simultaneously than if wasps were released sequentially.

Kudzu Bug (Megacopta cribraria) and Associated Egg Parasitoids Emergence Rates in Alabama are Predicted by Weather Indices.

The kudzu bug, Megacopta cribraria (Fabricius) (Hemiptera: Plataspidae), is a major economic pest of soybean in the southeastern United States. With climate warming, this pest is expected to move northward and cause additional crop damage. Parasitoid biocontrol is a potential method of integrated pest management for kudzu bug.

Host-Induced Plant Volatiles Mediate Ability of the Parasitoid Microplitis croceipes to Discriminate Between Unparasitized and Parasitized Heliothis virescens Larvae and Avoid Superparasitism.

In solitary endoparasitoids, oviposition in a host previously parasitized by a conspecific (superparasitism) leads to intraspecific competition, resulting in the elimination of all but one parasitoid offspring. Therefore, avoidance of parasitized hosts presents a strong selective advantage for such parasitoid species. Parasitoids use herbivore-induced plant volatiles (HIPVs) to find their hosts.

Comparative Cutaneous Water Loss and Desiccation Tolerance of Four spp. (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in the Southeastern United States.

The high surface area to volume ratio of terrestrial insects makes them highly susceptible to desiccation mainly through the cuticle. Cuticular permeability (CP) is usually the most important factor limiting water loss in terrestrial insects. Water loss rate, percentage of total body water (%TBW) content, CP, and desiccation tolerance were investigated in workers of four species in the southeastern USA.

Biting Rates and Onchocerca Infectivity Status of Black Flies from the Simulium damnosum Complex (Diptera: Simuliidae) in Osun State, Nigeria.

The Simulium damnosum Theobald complex transmits Onchocerca volvulus Leuckart (Spirurida: Onchocercidae), the causative agent of onchocerciasis. Recent evidence suggests that control efforts have strongly suppressed parasite populations, but vector surveillance is needed in parts of Africa where the disease remains endemic. Here, studies on biting rates and infectivity status of suspected vector species were conducted in three onchocerciasis-endemic areas, namely Iwo, Ede, and Obokun, in Osun State, Nigeria.

First record of (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae) parasitizing (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) in the United States.

Background: A parasitoid wasp, (Wollaston), was recorded parasitizing eggs of the invasive stink bug (Stål) in the United States. This is the first record of this species parasitizing fresh and frozen eggs of in the United States.

New Information: First record of eggs in the United States.

New record of (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae) parasitising (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) in the United States of America.

Background: A parasitoid wasp, Johnson, was recorded parasitising eggs of the invasive stink bug (Stål), in the United States. This is the first record of this species parasitising eggs of .

New Information: First record of parasitising eggs in the United States and first record of in Alabama.

Do age and mating status affect olfactory response of the parasitoid, (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) to host-related plant odors?

Parasitic wasps (parasitoids) use volatile organic compounds released by herbivore-infested plants to locate their hosts. Response of parasitoids to plant odors may be plastic and dependent on their physiological state. Using (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), a relatively specialized larval endoparasitoid of (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), we asked whether age and mating status of parasitoids affect their olfactory response to host-related odors.

Cuticular hydrocarbon chemistry, an important factor shaping the current distribution pattern of the imported fire ants in the USA.

Two sibling species, Solenopsis richteri and S. invicta, were both introduced into the southern USA from South America in the early 20th century. Today, S.

Intra- and inter-specific variation in alarm pheromone produced by Solenopsis fire ants.

Some fire ants of the genus Solenopsis have become invasive species in the southern United States displacing native species by competition. Although the displacement pattern seems clear, the mechanisms underlying competitive advantage remain unclear. The ability of ant workers to produce relatively larger amount of alarm pheromone may correspond to relative greater fitness among sympatric fire ant species.

Pseudacteon Phorid Flies: Host Specificity and Impacts on Solenopsis Fire Ants.

Human commerce has resulted in the spread of the imported fire ants, Solenopsis species, worldwide. Six species of parasitic Pseudacteon phorid flies that are highly host specific to the Solenopsis saevissima complex of Solenopsis fire ants have been successfully released in the southern United States. The presence of Pseudacteon phorid flies, in addition to having direct mortality effects on their host ants, modifies foraging behavior and disrupts interspecific competition between host species and other ant species in the community.

The role of herbivore- and plant-related experiences in intraspecific host preference of a relatively specialized parasitoid.

Parasitoids use odor cues from infested plants and herbivore hosts to locate their hosts. Specialist parasitoids of generalist herbivores are predicted to rely more on herbivore-derived cues than plant-derived cues. Microplitis croceipes (Cresson) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) is a relatively specialized larval endoparasitoid of Heliothis virescens (F.

Plant-associated odor perception and processing in two parasitoid species with different degrees of host specificity: Implications for host location strategies.

Microplitis croceipes and Cotesia marginiventris (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) are parasitoids of lepidopteran larvae with different degrees of host specificity. Both parasitoid species rely on host-related plant volatiles as odor cues to locate their herbivore hosts. To better understand mechanisms of odor processing in parasitoids, we tested responses of olfactory sensory neurons (OSNs) in the antennal sensilla placodea of female parasitoids to select plant volatiles and mixtures.

Electroantennogram response of the parasitoid, to host-related odors: The discrepancy between relative abundance and level of antennal responses to volatile compound.

Herbivores emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs) after feeding on plants. Parasitoids exploit these VOCs as odor cues to locate their hosts. In nature, host-related odors are emitted as blends of various compounds occurring in different proportions, and minor blend components can sometimes have profound effects on parasitoid responses.

Sugar Diet Affects Odor Reception but Variation in Sugar Concentration Plays Minimal Role in the Response of the Parasitoid, Microplitis croceipes (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), to Host-Related Plant Volatiles.

Parasitoids utilize various sugar resources in nature, and rely on odor cues from plants to locate their food and hosts. However, lack of sugar in the diet may negatively impact odor reception in parasitoids, thus affecting foraging efficiency. We used Microplitis croceipes (Cresson) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), a larval endoparasitoid of Heliothis virescens (F.

Identification of Key Plant-Associated Volatiles Emitted by Heliothis virescens Larvae that Attract the Parasitoid, Microplitis croceipes: Implications for Parasitoid Perception of Odor Blends.

Herbivores emit plant-associated volatile organic compounds (VOCs) after feeding on plants. These plant-associated VOCs can be used by parasitoids to locate their hosts. It is hypothesized that certain compounds play key roles in the attractiveness of host-associated odor blends.

Rhizobacteria activates (+)-δ-cadinene synthase genes and induces systemic resistance in cotton against beet armyworm (Spodoptera exigua).

Gossypol is an important allelochemical produced by the subepidermal glands of some cotton varieties and important for their ability to respond to changing biotic stress by exhibiting antibiosis against some cotton pests. Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) are root-colonizing bacteria that increase plant growth and often elicit defence against plant pathogens and insect pests. Little is known about the effect of PGPR on cotton plant-insect interactions and the potential biochemical and molecular mechanisms by which PGPR enhance cotton plant defence.

Management of Yellowmargined Leaf Beetle Microtheca ochroloma (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) Using Turnip as a Trap Crop.

The yellowmargined leaf beetle, Microtheca ochroloma Stål, is a major pest of cruciferous vegetable crops in organic production systems. Very few organically acceptable management options are currently available for this pest. Field studies were conducted at a research station in Alabama and at a commercial organic vegetable farm in Florida to investigate the effectiveness of turnip, Brassica rapa rapa, as a trap crop for M.

Identification of human semiochemicals attractive to the major vectors of onchocerciasis.

Background: Entomological indicators are considered key metrics to document the interruption of transmission of Onchocerca volvulus, the etiological agent of human onchocerciasis. Human landing collection is the standard employed for collection of the vectors for this parasite. Recent studies reported the development of traps that have the potential for replacing humans for surveillance of O.

Duration of plant damage by host larvae affects attraction of two parasitoid species (Microplitis croceipes and Cotesia marginiventris) to cotton: implications for interspecific competition.

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) released by herbivore-damaged plants can guide parasitoids to their hosts. The quantity and quality of VOC blends emitted by plants may be affected by the duration of plant damage by herbivores, which could have potential ramifications on the recruitment of competing parasitoids. We used two parasitoid species, Microplitis croceipes and Cotesia marginiventris (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), to address the question of whether duration of plant damage affects parasitoid use of plant VOCs for host location.