Interactions Among Native and Non-Native Predatory Coccinellidae Influence Biological Control and Biodiversity.

Over the past 30 yr, multiple species of predatory Coccinellidae, prominently L. and (Pallas) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) have spread to new continents, influencing biodiversity and biological control. Here we review the mechanisms underlying these ecological interactions, focusing on multi-year field studies of native and non-native coccinellids and those using molecular and quantitative ecological methods.

Effects of Thiamethoxam-Treated Seed on Mexican Bean Beetle (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), Nontarget Arthropods, and Crop Performance in Southwestern Virginia Snap Beans.

Thiamethoxam is a neonicotinoid insecticide commonly applied directly to the seeds (seed-treatment) of commercial snap beans, Phaseolus vulgaris L. While previous studies have examined target and nontarget effects of thiamethoxam seed-treatments in snap beans and other crops, to our knowledge, none have been conducted in agroecosystems predominated by the pest Mexican bean beetle, Epilachna varivestis Mulsant (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae). This study examined the effects of thiamethoxam-treated snap beans on E.

Larinus minutus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) and Urophora quadrifasciata (Diptera: Tephritidae), Evidence for Interaction and Impact on Spotted Knapweed in Arkansas.

Interactions among seed-feeding insects are well noted in the literature, with many of these interactions being asymmetrical and causing a disadvantage for one of the species involved. While often effective, the use of the cumulative stress approach to biological control (where multiple natural enemy species are released) may increase the risk of interaction, which may lead to less effective biological control programs. Spotted knapweed (Centaurea stoebe ssp.

Determinants of recurrence after intended curative resection for colorectal cancer.

Despite intended curative resection, colorectal cancer will recur in ∼45% of the patients. Results of meta-analyses conclude that frequent follow-up does not lead to early detection of recurrence, but improves overall survival. The present literature shows that several factors play important roles in development of recurrence.

Mi-1.2, an R gene for aphid resistance in tomato, has direct negative effects on a zoophytophagous biocontrol agent, Orius insidiosus.

Mi-1.2 is a single dominant gene in tomato that confers race-specific resistance against certain phloem-feeding herbivores including aphids, whiteflies, psyllids, and root-knot nematodes. Few prior studies have considered the potential non-target effects of race-specific resistance genes (R genes), and this paper evaluates the compatibility of Mi-mediated resistance in tomato with a beneficial zoophytophagous predator, Orius insidiosus (Say).

Patterns of the Cranial Venous System from the Comparative Anatomy in Vertebrates. Part II.The Lateral-Ventral Venous System.

Comparing the adult submammalian brain with the human embryonic brain, some patterns of venous drainage are quite similar. The veins lying on the lateral surface of the brain in submammals resemble those of the human embryo. In addition, the new longitudinal venous anastomosis ventral to the brain vesicles occurring late in human embryonic development seems to be similar to the late appearance of the basal vein and the ventral brain stem venous plexus found in adult mammals including man.

Rise and fall of cotton aphid (Hemiptera: Aphididae) populations in southeastern cotton production systems.

The impact of natural enemies on cotton aphid, Aphis gossypii Glover (Hemiptera: Aphididae), populations in cotton, Gossypium hirsutum L., production systems in the southeastern United States was evaluated over 3 yr in irrigated commercial cotton fields. Fungal epizootics caused by the entomopathogen Neozygites fresenii (Nowakowski) Batko reduced aphid numbers to subthreshold levels in 1999, 2000, and 2001 and occurred consistently in early to mid-July in all 3 yr.

Predaceous Coccinellidae in biological control.

Coccinellids have been widely used in biological control for over a century, and the methods for using these predators have remained virtually unchanged. The causes for the relatively low rates of establishment of coccinellids in importation biological control have not been examined for most species. Augmentative releases of several coccinellid species are well documented and effective; however, ineffective species continue to be used because of ease of collection.

Sampling and distribution of Anopheles quadrimaculatus immatures in rice fields.

Dipper samples of Anopheles quadrimaculatus immatures from stocked enclosures in Arkansas rice fields were used to develop regression equations relating dipper sample counts to absolute density. Confidence limits were developed for mean number of immatures collected at each density and stadia, including combined stadia. These data can be used to estimate absolute density from mean dipper count.