Attraction of Sweet Potato Whitefly, (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae), and Two Generalist Predators to Green Leaf Volatile Compounds.

Traditionally, olfaction was thought to play a minor role in the behavioral ecology of the sweet potato whitefly, (Gennadius). However, recent research is uncovering significant potential for whitefly management based on olfaction. Incorporating chemical attractants with standard whitefly management programs could significantly improve control.

manipulates , MEAM1 both directly and indirectly through changes in visual and volatile cues.

The sweetpotato whitefly, MEAM1, is one of the most devastating pests of row-crop vegetables worldwide, damaging crops directly through feeding and indirectly through the transmission of many different viruses, including the geminivirus Tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV). Y-tube olfactometer tests were conducted at different stages of TYLCV infection in tomatoes to understand how TYLCV affects behavior. We also recorded changes in tomato hosts' color and volatile profiles using color spectrophotometry and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS).

Color, pattern, and background contrast affect attraction of Euxesta eluta and Chaetopsis massyla (Diptera: Ulidiidae).

Euxesta eluta Loew and Chaetopsis massyla Walker (Diptera: Ulidiidae) are primary pests of sweet corn in Florida. Attraction of adult flies to various visual stimuli was evaluated in the laboratory to provide insight into the potential development of enhanced trapping strategies. In assays evaluating different colored sticky traps, more E.

Substrate and Moisture Affect the Pupation Depth of the Corn Silk Flies and (Diptera: Ulidiidae).

Corn silk flies, or picture-winged flies (Diptera: Ulidiidae), are important pests of fresh market sweet corn in commercial production areas in southern Florida. Issues with pest management related to insecticide resistance, problems in insecticide application, and alternate crop population sources constitute a significant challenge for the protection of developing corn ears. Developed larvae leave cobs and pupate in the soil; however, relatively little is known about these behaviors.

Laboratory Evaluation of Pupal Parasitoids for Control of the Cornsilk Fly Species, and .

Cornsilk flies are serious pests of sweet corn through damage to cobs and secondary fungal establishment. As pupae are generally outside the infested cob on the ground, there can be potential for use of pupal parasitoids for control. Two species of gregarious parasitoids, and , and three species of solitary parasitoids, , and , were evaluated against pupae of the two cornsilk fly species, and House fly pupae, the most common host for most of the parasitoids, were included for comparison.

Spatial Repellents Protect Small Perimeters from Riceland Mosquitoes in a Warm-Humid Environment.

Recent experiments suggest spatial repellents may significantly reduce biting pressure from host-seeking riceland mosquitoes, such as Anopheles quadrimaculatus, in a warm-humid open-field habitat. However, little is known regarding efficacy of these formulations in partially enclosed spaces where US military personnel may be sheltered or concealed in an operational environment. In this study we investigated the capability of 3 spatial repellents-metofluthrin, linalool, and d-cis/trans allethrin-to reduce mosquito incursion into small open-top enclosures of US military camouflage netting.

A Multimodal Attract-and-Kill Device for the Asian Citrus Psyllid (Hemiptera: Liviidae).

Phytophagous insects, including Asian citrus psyllids ( Kuwayama), use multiple sensory modalities (vision, olfaction, and gustation,) to locate and accept host plants. We explored incorporation of several sensory cues into a multi-modal attract-and-kill device (AK device) using a three-dimensional shape to increase visibility, as well as elements of color, attractant, phagostimulant, UV reflectant, and toxicant. Attraction of adult to the device was mediated by a combination of a highly reflective yellow cylinder, a UV reflectant compound (magnesium oxide), and an odorant blend as a short-range attractant.

Can the Addition of Odor and Visual Targets Enhance Attraction of the Asian Citrus Psyllid (Hemiptera: Liviidae) to Sticky Traps?

Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri Kuwayama, negatively impacts the citrus industry as it transmits Candidatus Liberibacter spp., the causal agent of citrus greening. Monitoring D.

Attributes of Yellow Traps Affecting Attraction of (Hemiptera: Liviidae).

Laboratory assays were conducted to evaluate responses of to various aspects of visual cues associated with traps in an effort to improve trap effectiveness. Addition of white or UV violet but not yellow light-emitting diodes (LEDs) increased attraction to standard yellow adhesive traps moderately (11-17%), with no difference in attraction between white or UV violet LEDs. Addition of a black border on yellow traps enhanced collections.

UV reflective properties of magnesium oxide increase attraction and probing behavior of Asian citrus psyllids (Hemiptera: Liviidae).

Asian citrus psyllid (Diaphorina citri) vectors the bacterium Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus, the causal pathogen of citrus greening disease that is devastating citrus industries worldwide. Suppressing psyllid populations is crucial to prevent disease spread. An attract-and-kill trap based on psyllid behavior would fill a niche for monitoring and control.

Assessing the Use of Wing Morphometrics to Identify Fall Armyworm (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) Host Strains in Field Collections.

The fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) (J. E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), a major agricultural pest in the Western Hemisphere, has recently become established in Africa and Asia.

Olfactometric Comparison of the Volatile Insecticide, Metofluthrin, Through Behavioral Responses of Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae).

Testing behavioral response to insecticidal volatiles requires modifications to the existing designs of olfactometers. To create a testing apparatus in which there is no chemical memory to confound tests, we detail the technical aspects of a new tool with design influences from other olfactometry tools. In addition, this new tool was used to evaluate a novel formulation of metofluthrin for use as an outdoor residual treatment.

Electrophysiological and Behavioral Responses of the Kudzu Bug, Megacopta cribraria (Hemiptera: Plataspidae), to Volatile Compounds from Kudzu and Soybean Plants.

The kudzu bug, Megacopta cribraria, is a key pest of soybean in the United States. Electrophysiological and behavioral responses of adult M. cribraria to kudzu and soybean volatile compounds were examined to identify semiochemicals used for host location.

Behavioral responses of gravid Culex quinquefasciatus, Aedes aegypti, and Anopheles quadrimaculatus mosquitoes to aquatic macrophyte volatiles.

Mosquitoes use many cues to assess whether a habitat is conducive for reproduction, possibly including the presence of stimuli from aquatic macrophytes. The effect of water infusions of water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes), water lettuce (Pista stratioles), parrotfeather (Myriophyllum aquaticum), and water pennywort (Hydrocotyle umbellata) on mosquito oviposition and attraction was investigated. Gravid Culex quinquefasciatus deposited significantly more egg rafts in water hyacinth, water lettuce, or Bermuda hay (positive control) infusions compared to water, while water pennywort and parrotfeather infusions did not differ from water.

Size and shape analysis of Trioza erytreae Del Guercio (Hemiptera: Triozidae), vector of citrus huanglongbing disease.

Background: The African citrus triozid (ACT) Trioza erytreae Del Guercio (Hemiptera: Triozidae) is one of the most devastating pests of citrus with a well-known role as a vector of the phloem-limited bacteria (Candidatus Liberibacter africanus) associated with huanglongbing (citrus greening disease), currently considered the world's most serious disease of citrus. Although the pest can successfully develop and reproduce on non-citrus host plants, there is no documented information on the geometric morphometry of ACT. We determine the effect of host plants on ACT morphometry under controlled laboratory conditions using traditional and geometric analysis.

Methionine as a safe and effective novel biorational mosquito larvicide.

Background: Mosquito larvicides provide a source-reduction strategy to diminish adult females that bite and potentially spread pathogens. Demands are mounting for new and innovative effective biorational larvicides, due to the development of resistance to some currently utilized mosquito larvicides, undesirable non-target effects, and US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) restrictions. Methionine is a human nutrient essential amino acid that unexpectedly has been shown to be a valuable safe pest management tool against select insect pests that possess alkaline gut physiology.

Evidence of behavior-based utilization by the Asian citrus psyllid of a combination of UV and green or yellow wavelengths.

The Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri, vectors huanglongbing (HLB), the most serious disease affecting citrus globally. D. citri and HLB have spread to the major citrus growing regions of North America causing billions of dollars of damage in Florida alone.

Distribution and host associations of ixodid ticks collected from wildlife in Florida, USA.

A tick survey was conducted to document tick-host associations with Florida (USA) wildlife, and to determine the relative abundance and distribution of ixodid ticks throughout the state. The survey was conducted using collection kits distributed to licensed Florida hunters as well as the examination of archived specimens from ongoing state wildlife research programs. Collected tick samples were obtained from 66% of Florida counties and were collected from nine wildlife hosts, including black bear, bobcat, coyote, deer, gray fox, Florida panther, raccoon, swine, and wild turkey.

Wavelength and Polarization Affect Phototaxis of the Asian Citrus Psyllid.

The Asian citrus psyllid, Kuwayama (Hemiptera: Liviidae), is a primary pest of citrus due to its status as a vector of the citrus disease, huanglongbing. We evaluated the effects of light of specific wavelength and polarization on phototactic behavior of using a horizontal bioassay arena. Wavelength-associated positive phototaxis was associated with short wavelength UV (350-405 nm) targets whereas little or no responses were seen in longer wavelength targets in the visible spectrum from green to orange (500-620 nm).

Comparison of Volatiles and Mosquito Capture Efficacy For Three Carbohydrate Sources In A Yeast-Fermentation CO Generator.

Mosquito surveillance in remote areas with limited access to canisters of CO or dry ice will benefit from an effective alternative CO source, such as the natural production of CO from yeast fermentation. In this study, we investigate differences in mosquito capture rates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) light traps baited with dry ice compared with traps baited with yeast fermentation of several carbohydrate sources over 23 trap-nights. Results demonstrated the ability of yeast-generated CO to effectively attract mosquitoes to a CDC trap, regardless of carbohydrate source.

Evaluations of dual attractant toxic sugar baits for surveillance and control of Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus in Florida.

Background: Dual attractant toxic sugar baits (D-ATSB) containing two host kairomones, L-lactic (LA) and 1-octen-3-ol (O), and fruit-based attractants were evaluated through olfactory, consumption and mortality, and semi-field experiments to determine if host kairomones could first, enhance attraction of a fruit-based (attractant) toxic sugar bait (ATSB), and second, increase the efficacy of a fruit based attractive toxic sugar bait (ATSB).

Methods: Four combinations of LA and O were incorporated into the ATSB and evaluated in an olfactometer to determine if these combinations could enhance attraction of Aedes aegypti (L.) to the bait.

Effects of Temperature, Photoperiod, and Rainfall on Morphometric Variation of Diaphorina citri (Hemiptera: Liviidae).

Phenotypic plasticity provides a mechanism by which an organism can adapt to new or changing environments. Earlier studies have demonstrated the variability of Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (Asian citrus psyllid) population dynamics, but no analysis of morphological changes induced by seasonal or artificial laboratory-induced conditions has yet been documented. Such morphometric variation has been found to correspond in dispersal capabilities in several insect taxa.

Laboratory and field evaluation of brown dog tick behavioral responses to potential semiochemicals.

The brown dog tick, Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato (Parasitiformis: Ixodidae), is an ectoparasite of dogs that can be found worldwide. This tick poses unique difficulties in management because it can complete its entire life cycle indoors and has demonstrated acaricide resistance. The ability to monitor for tick presence and abundance is necessary for developing effective control programs.

Host plant affects morphometric variation of (Hemiptera: Liviidae).

The Asian citrus psyllid (ACP), Kuwayama, is one of the most serious citrus pests worldwide due to its role as vector of huanglongbing or citrus greening disease. While some optimal plant species for ACP oviposition and development have been identified, little is known of the influence of host plants on ACP size and shape. Our goal was to determine how size and shape of ACP wing and body size varies when development occurs on different host plants in a controlled rearing environment.

Ticks associated with domestic dogs and cats in Florida, USA.

Voluntary collections of ticks from domestic dogs and cats by veterinary practitioners across Florida, USA, were conducted over a 10 month period. Of the 1337 ticks submitted, five species of ixodid ticks were identified and included Rhipicephalus sanguineus, Amblyomma americanum, A. maculatum, Dermacentor variabilis, and Ixodes scapularis.