Annual and Seasonal Changes in Parasitism Rates by (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae) on the Squash Bug (Hemiptera: Coreidae) in Squash Fields: Implications for Augmentative Releases.

This study evaluated parasitism rates by (Ashmead) (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae) on the squash bug DeGeer (Hemiptera: Coreidae) over a six-year period in squash fields in Maryland. From 2016-2021, 2226 wild squash bug egg masses were collected, 2180 (98.0%) egg masses and 46 (2.

Both the Squash Bug Anasa tristis and Horned Squash Bug Anasa armigera (Hemiptera: Coreidae) are Attracted to Vittatalactone, the Aggregation Pheromone of Striped Cucumber Beetle.

Vittatalactone, the aggregation pheromone of the striped cucumber beetle, Acalymma vittatum (F.) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), is attractive to two species of squash bugs (Hemiptera: Coreidae), the squash bug Anasa tristis (DeGeer) and horned squash bug Anasa armigera (Say). In field trapping experiments in Maryland and Virginia, clear sticky traps baited with 1 mg of a synthetic 8-isomer mix of vittatalactone captured ~9× more of female A.

Host Finding Behavior of the Parasitoid Hadronotus pennsylvanicus (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae) for Egg Masses of the Squash Bugs Anasa tristis and Anasa armigera (Hemiptera: Coreidae) in Squash and Cucumber Fields.

Parasitoid foraging behavior is affected by habitat and host plant differences. Egg parasitoids also use a combination of oviposition-induced and host-derived cues to find host eggs. This study compared parasitism by Hadronotus pennsylvanicus (Ashmead) (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae) on two squash bug species, Anasa tristis (DeGeer) and Anasa armigera Say (Hemiptera: Coreidae), by placing sentinel squash and cucumber plants with egg masses of either of the two squash bug species in squash and cucumber fields in a 3-way factorial design.

Parasitism and Predation on Sentinel Egg Masses of Three Stink Bug Species (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) in Native and Exotic Ornamental Landscapes.

This study evaluated parasitism and predation on sentinel egg masses of three stink bug species, the spined soldier bug, Podisus maculiventris (Say), the brown stink bug, Euschistus servus (Say), and the invasive brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB), Halyomorpha halys (Stål), in ornamental landscapes composed of either native or exotic plants. This study also compared the species composition of parasitoids attacking two native stink bug species (P. maculiventris and E.

Ovipositional Behavior of the Egg Parasitoid Gryon pennsylvanicum (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae) on Two Squash Bug Species Anasa tristis (Hemiptera: Coreidae) and Anasa armigera: Effects of Parasitoid Density, Nutrition, and Host Egg Chorion on Parasitism Rates.

This study examined the ovipositional behavior of Gryon pennsylvanicum Ashmead (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae) on egg masses of two squash bug species Anasa tristis DeGeer and Anasa armigera Say (Hemiptera: Coreidae) by evaluating how parasitoid density and access to nutrition influenced percent parasitism on egg masses of different sizes in laboratory tests. When three parasitoids were exposed to A. tristis egg masses with only three to five eggs, 72.

Use of Flowering Plants to Enhance Parasitism and Predation Rates on Two Squash Bug Species and (Hemiptera: Coreidae).

A two-year study evaluated the effect of a flowering border of buckwheat Moench on rates of egg parasitism, egg predation and adult parasitism on two squash bug species, (DeGeer) and Say, by comparing rates in squash fields with and without a flowering border. Furthermore, we evaluated whether there was an edge effect by comparing parasitism and predation rates in plots located in the corner of a squash field with plots located in the center of a squash field for fields with and without a flowering border. The egg parasitism rates were not affected by either treatment (flowering border or control) or plot location (edge or center).

Comparative Study of Egg Parasitism by Gryon pennsylvanicum (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae) on Two Squash Bug Species Anasa tristis and Anasa armigera (Hemiptera: Coreidae).

This study evaluated how the size of the egg mass and the parasitoids prior exposure to eggs influenced parasitism rates by Gryon pennsylvanicum Ashmead (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae) on egg masses of two squash bug species, Anasa tristis DeGeer and Anasa armigera Say (Hemiptera: Coreidae). G. pennsylvanicum is the primary egg parasitoid of A.

Ovipositional Preferences of Two Squash Bug Species, Anasa tristis and Anasa armigera (Heteroptera: Coreidae), for Different Cultivars and Species of Cucurbitaceae.

The ovipositional preferences of two squash bug species, Anasa tristis (DeGeer) (Heteroptera: Coreidae) and Anasa armigera Say (Heteroptera: Coreidae), were evaluated in paired choice tests of different species and cultivars of plants in the family Cucurbitaceae. Females of A. tristis preferred to oviposit on the cultivar from which they were reared over three other cultivars of the same species.

Parasitism and Predation on Sentinel Egg Masses of the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) in Three Vegetable Crops: Importance of Dissections for Evaluating the Impact of Native Parasitoids on an Exotic Pest.

We conducted a survey to examine parasitism, predation, and the species composition of native parasitoids attacking sentinel egg masses of the invasive pest, the brown marmorated stink bug, Halyomorpha halys (Stål), in bell pepper, squash, and tomato. A 2-yr survey was conducted for each crop. The species composition of parasitoids was determined for parasitoids that successfully emerged from eggs, parasitoids that were identified from dissections, and parasitoids that were found attending egg masses at the time of collection.

Impact of the Egg Parasitoid, Gryon pennsylvanicum (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae), on Sentinel and Wild Egg Masses of the Squash Bug (Hemiptera: Coreidae) in Maryland.

Seasonal changes in egg parasitism and predation rates on sentinel (laboratory-reared) and wild (naturally occurring) egg masses of the squash bug, Anasa tristis (De Geer), were evaluated in squash fields in Maryland from June through September in 2013 and 2014. Rates of egg parasitism were significantly higher on wild egg masses than on sentinel egg masses. Squash bug nymphal emergence was significantly higher on sentinel egg masses than on wild egg masses.

Seasonal Changes in the Caste Distribution of Foraging Populations of Formosan Subterranean Termite in New Orleans, Louisiana.

This study examined the relationship between temperature, precipitation, soil composition, levels of feeding damage, and the caste distribution (workers, soldiers, nymphs) of the Formosan subterranean termite, Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki, collected in underground monitoring stations over a 12 mo period. Because nymphs are the caste that develops into alates, the seasonal abundance of nymphs was examined over a 5 yr period. Numbers of workers, soldiers, and soldier/worker ratio were significantly affected by month.

Mortality and repellent effects of microbial pathogens on Coptotermes formosanus (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae).

Background: Two entomopathogenic fungi, Isaria fumosorosea and Metarhizium anisopliae, and one bacterium, Bacillus thuringiensis, were tested for their ability to cause mortality of Formosan subterranean termites (FST), Coptotermes formosanus (Shiraki), after liquid exposure, and for their lack of propensity to repel FST.

Results: The fungus Isaria fumosorosea at 108 spores/ml caused 72.5% mortality on day 7, significantly higher than the control and 106 spores/ml treatment.

Influence of dry soil on the ability of Formosan subterranean termites, Coptotermes formosanus, to locate food sources.

The effect of barriers of dry soil on the ability of Formosan subterranean termites, Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae), to construct tunnels and find food was evaluated. Termite movement and wood consumption in a three-chambered apparatus were compared between treatments with dry soil in the center container and treatments where the soil in the center container was moist. When a wood block was located in the release container, termites fed significantly more on that block, regardless of treatment or soil type.

Individual Behavior of Workers of the Formosan Subterranean Termite (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) on Consecutive Days of Tunnel Construction.

This study examines the individual behavior of workers of the Formosan subterranean termite, Coptotermes formosanus Shirkai, on two consecutive days of tunnel construction. In each trial, a group of 30 termite workers was observed continuously during the first 60 min of construction of a new tunnel on two consecutive days. On each day, an average of 68% of individuals did not participate in tunnel construction, 19% spent < 25 min tunneling, and 13% spent ≥ 25 min tunneling.

Effect of seasonal changes in soil temperature and moisture on wood consumption and foraging activity of Formosan subterranean termite (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae).

The objective of this study was to determine how seasonal changes affect the foraging activity and wood consumption of the Formosan subterranean termite, Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae), in New Orleans, LA. There was a significant correlation between wood consumption and air temperature, soil temperature, and soil moisture, but not precipitation or number of rainy days. In the first year of the study, wood consumption was the lowest in December, February, and March.

Areawide field study on effect of three chitin synthesis inhibitor baits on populations of Coptotermes formosanus and Reticulitermes flavipes (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae).

Periodic sampling of 43 independent monitors, initially active with Formosan subterranean termite, Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki, or the eastern subterranean termite, Reticulitermes flavipes (Kollar) (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae), was conducted to evaluate the effects of cellulose baits containing one of three chitin synthesis inhibitors (CSIs)-diflubenzuron, hexaflumuron, or chlorfluazuron-on termite populations. Diflubenzuron at 0.1% active ingredient (AI, wt:wt) had no noticeable effect on termite populations.

Effect of soil type and moisture availability on the foraging behavior of the Formosan subterranean termite (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae).

This study examined the influence of soil type and moisture availability on termite foraging behavior. Physical properties of the soil affected both tunneling behavior and shelter tube construction. Termites tunneled through sand faster than top soil and clay.

Efficacy of bait supplements for improving the rate of discovery of bait stations in the field by formosan subterranean termites (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae).

Field tests of four different bait supplements were conducted in City Park, New Orleans, LA. The four bait supplements tested included two different formulations of decayed material, a sports drink, and the combination of an application of an aqueous solution of Summon Preferred Food Source disks with the disk itself. Although all the bait supplements in this study resulted in a slightly greater number of treated stations discovered compared with control stations, only the application of the aqueous solution combined with the disk caused a significant increase in the number of stations discovered by termites.

Effects of flooding on field populations of Formosan subterranean termites (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Hurricane Katrina (2005) resulted in extensive flooding in the city of New Orleans, LA. Periodic sampling of monitors before the flood, and of different monitors in the same areas after the flood, was used to evaluate the effects of long-term flooding on populations of Formosan subterranean termites, Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae). Monitors were located adjacent to buildings and in urban forests.

Effect of imidacloprid soil treatments on occurrence of Formosan subterranean termites (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) in independent monitors.

Periodic sampling of 30 independent monitors, initially active with the Formosan subterranean termite, Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki, was conducted to evaluate the effects of soil treated with imidacloprid on nearby termite activity. Monitors were located adjacent (1-3 m) to the buildings. Soil around and under the buildings was treated with 0.

Effect of Summon Preferred Food Source on feeding, tunneling, and bait station discovery by the formosan subterranean termite (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae).

This study evaluated the effect of Summon Preferred Food Source on feeding, tunneling, and bait station discovery by the Formosan subterranean termite, Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki. Bioassays were conducted to determine whether Summon disks affected the aggregation and feeding behavior of termites and to determine whether the presence of Summon disks caused increased recruitment of termites to wood blocks. When termites encountered the disk, they immediately clustered on top of the disk.

Effect of a lignin-degrading fungus on feeding preferences of Formosan subterranean termite (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) for different commercial lumber.

The feeding preferences of the Formosan subterranean termite, Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki, for commercial lumber Alaska yellow cedar, Chamaecyparis nootkatensis (D. Don) Spach; yellow birch, Betula alleghaniensis Britton; northern red oak, Quercus rubra L.; redwood, Sequoia sempervirers (D.

Responses of Coptotermes formosanus and Reticulitermes flavipes (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) to three types of wood rot fungi cultured on different substrates.

This study examined the responses of two termite species, the Formosan subterranean termite, Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki, and the eastern subterranean termite, Reticulitermes flavipes (Kollar), to three types of wood decay fungi: a brown rot fungus, Gloeophyllum trabeum (Persoon: Fries) Murrill; a white rot fungus, Phanerochaete chrysosporium Burdsall; and a litter rot fungus, Marasmiellus troyanus (Murrill) Singer. We also examined the responses of termites to these three types of fungi grown on different substrates. For all three fungal species, both termite species showed a strong preference for fungus-infected sawdust over uninfected sawdust.