Quality Assessment and Host Preference of (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae) for Fresh and Cryopreserved (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) Eggs.

The development of the mass rearing technique for the egg parasitoid has been under study for about 20 years, with increasing attention on the development of quality control. Here, we evaluated the behavior, biological parameters, morphometrics and presence of endosymbionts of produced in cryopreserved eggs compared to those produced in traditional fresh stink bug eggs. Parasitoids reared from cryopreserved eggs showed similar parasitism and emergence rates, sex ratios, longevity, morphometrics, and proportions of flyers compared to those originating from fresh eggs.

Optimizing the Release Pattern of for Effective Biological Control of in Soybean.

An augmentative biological control program using the egg parasitoid Ashmead (Hymenoptera: Platygastridae) is a promising tool for the management of the brown stink bug, (Fabricius) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) in soybeans. The are released as adults or pupae within lab-reared eggs. Because of the small size of the parasitoid and potentially limited dispersal ability, determining the optimal release pattern is critical for biological control of the target pest.

Effects of Temperature and Host Plant on Hedgehog Grain Aphid, Demographics.

The hedgehog grain aphid (HGA), Passerini (Hemiptera: Aphididae), is a cereal pest in many regions of the world. It was first documented in the United States in 2007, and it has a range that appears to be expanding. Understanding the effects of temperature and the host plant on HGA development, survival, and reproduction is crucial for understanding its population dynamics, potential distribution, and management strategies.

Establishing Age-Based Color Changes for the American Burying Beetle, Olivier, with Implications for Conservation Efforts.

The American burying beetle, Olivier, is a federally protected insect that once occupied most of eastern North America. Adult beetles feature distinct, recognizable markings on the pronotum and elytra, and color changes with age have been observed. Among the challenges faced by research scientists and conservation practitioners is the ability to determine beetle age in the field between and including teneral (young) and senescent (old) adult stages.

Trade-Offs between Temperature and Fitness in (Fabricius) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae): Implications for Mass Rearing and Field Management.

The brown stink bug, (Fabricius, 1798) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), is one of the most abundant soybean stink bug pests in Brazil. Temperature is a key factor that affects its development and reproduction, and fluctuating temperatures may impact the development and reproduction of differently from those under constant temperatures. The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of constant and fluctuating temperature on the biological characteristics of in three successive generations.

Optimizing Mass Rearing of the Egg Parasitoid, , for Control of the Brown Stink Bug, .

The parasitoid Ashmead, 1893 is used in biological control programs in Brazil against eggs of (Fabricius, 1798), a key pest of soybean, (L.) Merr. To optimize the mass production of parasitoids, artificial diets and storage of host eggs at low temperatures have been developed; however, direct comparisons of the effects of these conditions have not occurred.

Insect Feeding on Pollen and Hymenoptera Attraction to Aphid-Produced Honeydew.

Pollinators are declining globally, potentially reducing both human food supply and plant diversity. To support pollinator populations, planting of nectar-rich plants with different flowering seasons is encouraged while promoting wind-pollinated plants, including grasses, is rarely recommended. However, many bees and other pollinators collect pollen from grasses which is used as a protein source.

College Students' Knowledge of Ticks in Oklahoma: Assessment and Insights.

Ticks (Arachnida: Acari) are common in Oklahoma and may transmit tick-borne diseases (TBDs) to people. Due to the difficulty in reducing tick populations, awareness of tick bite prevention, proper tick removal, and knowledge of when to seek medical treatment are critical. However, outreach and extension programs are hampered by a lack of knowledge of what community members know about ticks.

Are economic thresholds for IPM decisions the same for low LAI soybean cultivars in Brazil?

Background: Economic thresholds (ETs) are well-established for defoliation of soybean, Glycine max, and have been updated for many of the newer cultivars; however, there is increasing grower adoption of cultivars with a reduced leaf area index (LAI). It is of theoretical and practical interest to determine low LAI cultivar tolerance to defoliation. We conducted experiments during two consecutive crop seasons (2017/2018 and 2018/2019) using three soybean cultivars (NS 5959 IPRO, NS 5445 IPRO, and DON MARIO 5.

Temperature and food availability differentially affect the production of antimicrobial compounds in oral secretions produced by two species of burying beetle.

Carrion beetles of the subfamily Nicrophorinae search and bury a carcass that they utilize for reproduction. After burial, the carcass is coated with oral secretions that delay its decomposition. Previously, oral secretions of Nicrophorus marginatus were found to show antimicrobial activity, whereas secretion of N.