Publications by authors named "Fred R Musser"

Cold winter temperatures govern the distribution and abundance of many insect species, but refugia that provide microclimates can moderate temperature-driven mortality. Winter temperatures have been implicated in limiting the survival and range of Piezodorus guildinii (Westwood) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae; redbanded stink bug), an economically damaging invasive pest in the southeastern United States, but the role of refugia in overwintering survival of this pest is poorly understood. We conducted 2 studies in successive years to evaluate how leaf litter from hardwoods, pines, and soybeans modulate overwintering site selection and survival of P.

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Diamide insecticides, such as chlorantraniliprole, have been widely used to control insect pests by targeting the insect ryanodine receptor (RyR). Due to the efficacious insecticidal activity of diamides, as well as an increasing number of resistance cases, the molecular structure of RyR has been studied in many economically important insects. However, no research has been conducted on diamide resistance and RyR in the soybean looper, Chrysodeixis includens, a significant crop pest.

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The noctuid moth soybean looper (SBL), (Walker) is an economically important pest of soybeans ( (L.) Merr.) in the southeastern United States.

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The Noctuid moth soybean looper (SBL), (Walker), is an economically important pest of soybean ( (Linnaeus) Merrill). Because it is not known to survive freezing winters, permanent populations in the United States are believed to be limited to the southern regions of Texas and Florida, yet its geographical range of infestations annually extend to Canada. This indicates annual migrations of thousands of kilometers during the spring and summer growing season.

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Foliar-applied insecticide treatments may be necessary to manage thrips in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) under severe infestations or when at-planting insecticide seed treatments do not provide satisfactory protection. The most common foliar-applied insecticide is acephate.

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Background: Economically damaging infestations of the tarnished plant bug, Lygus lineolaris (Palisot de Beauvois), have become more frequent in Virginia and North Carolina cotton since 2013 and 2010, respectively. Foliar insecticide use has increased dramatically in response. Efficacy data (LC ) are needed to evaluate L.

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Current assessments from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency suggest that some current insecticides may be lost or severely restricted in the near future.

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The use of foliar insecticide sprays at low temperatures may result in decreased efficacy in grain sorghum, Sorghum bicolor L. Moench, for control of sugarcane aphid, Melanaphis sacchari (Zehntner). Sulfoxaflor and flupyradifurone were evaluated to determine the impact of temperature on their efficacy against sugarcane aphid in grain sorghum.

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Insecticidal efficacy of neonicotinoid insecticides used against tobacco thrips, Frankliniella fusca (Hinds) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae), in cotton, Gossypium hirisutum L. (Malvales: Malvaceae), was evaluated for field populations collected in Mississippi during 2014-2016. Resistance was documented in 16 and 57% of populations to imidacloprid and thiamethoxam, respectively.

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The corn earworm, Helicoverpa zea (Boddie) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), is only moderately susceptible to most toxins from the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) expressed in transgenic corn. To better understand the impact of Bt corn on the life cycle of H. zea, we collected pupae of H.

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Background: Lygus lineolaris (Palisot de Beauvois) is a serious pest of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) in Mississippi, particularly in the Delta region. This may be due to decreased insecticide susceptibility in that region.

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Recent Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) decisions regarding resistance management in Bt-cropping systems have prompted concern in some experts that dual-gene Bt-corn (CrylA.105 and Cry2Ab2 toxins) may result in more rapid selection for resistance in Helicoverpa zea (Boddie) than single-gene Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt)-corn (CrylAb toxin). The concern is that Bt-toxin longevity could be significantly reduced with recent adoption of a natural refuge for dual-gene Bt-cotton (CrylAc and Cry2Ab2 toxins) and concurrent reduction in dual-gene corn refuge from 50 to 20%.

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A consistent supply of healthy tarnished plant bug, Lygus lineolaris (Palisot de Beauvois) (Hemiptera: Miridae), is necessary for the development of novel management strategies targeting this pest. After being in culture for several years, a substantial portion of a tarnished plant bug colony was found to be infected with a Nosema (Microsporidia) species. Studies were subsequently undertaken to evaluate the impact of Nosema infection on tarnished plant bug productivity and to test the efficacy of fumagillin to treat this infection.

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Background: Pyrethroid insecticides have historically been effective for controlling bean leaf beetles in soybeans. Perceived field efficacy in the Mississippi Delta region has been lower over the past several years. Laboratory and field data were collected to determine whether there has been a reduction in pyrethroid insecticide susceptibility.

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Insecticide applications to control tarnished plant bug, Lygus lineolaris (Palisot de Beauvois) (Hemiptera: Miridae), during cotton, Gossypium hirsutum L., bud formation are common throughout the Midsouth of the United States. Cultivation practices and the pest complex have changed since action thresholds were established for this pest.

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The tarnished plant bug, Lygus lineolaris (Palisot de Beauvois) (Hemiptera: Miridae), has become the primary target of foliar insecticides in cotton, Gossypium hirsutum L., throughout the Midsouth over the past several years. This prompted a reevaluation of existing action thresholds for flowering cotton under current production practices and economics.

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As growers switch to transgenic crops and selective insecticides that are less toxic to natural enemies, natural enemies can become more important in agricultural pest management. Current decision-making guides are generally based on pest abundance and do not address pest and natural enemy toxicity differences among insecticides or the impact of natural enemies on pest survival. A refined approach to making pest management decisions is to include the impact of natural enemies and insecticides, thereby better integrating biological and chemical control.

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The influence of post-treatment temperature on the toxicities of two pyrethroids (lambda-cyhalothrin and bifenthrin), a carbamate (methomyl) and a spinosyn (spinosad) to Ostrinia nubilalis (Hubner) larvae was evaluated in laboratory assays. From 24 to 35 degrees C, the toxicities of the pyrethroids decreased 9.5- and 13.

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Natural predation is an important component of integrated pest management that is often overlooked because it is difficult to quantify and perceived to be unreliable. To begin incorporating natural predation into sweet corn, Zea mays L., pest management, a predator survey was conducted and then three sampling methods were compared for their ability to accurately monitor the most abundant predators.

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Sweet corn, Zea mays L., is attacked by a variety of insect pests that can cause severe losses to the producer. Current control practices are largely limited to the application of broad-spectrum insecticides that can have a substantial and deleterious impact on the natural enemy complex.

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