Spatial Distribution of Lissorhoptrus oryzophilus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) in Rice.

Rice water weevil, Lissorhoptrus oryzophilus Kuschel (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), is a destructive insect pest of rice in the United States. The pruning of rice roots by L. oryzophilus larvae can cause up to 25% yield loss. Currently, insecticidal seed treatments are used in the Louisiana rice industry as a pre-emptive means of controlling this weevil species. Our objective was to gain a better understanding of the spatial distribution of L. oryzophilus in Louisiana rice fields. Thirteen untreated commercial rice fields in Louisiana were mapped using GPS software, and surveyed for L. oryzophilus larvae over two years (2017 and 2018). An ANOVA, spatial interpolation, hotspot analysis, and multiple linear regression were used to determine where populations of L. oryzophilus were concentrated and whether distributions of the pest were related to edge effects. The results showed that L. oryzophilus larvae are typically aggregated along the edges of rice fields, with populations decreasing toward the center of rice fields. Lissorhoptrus oryzophilus densities were 3.3- and 2.2- fold greater along field edges than in field centers in 2017 and 2018, respectively. Hotspot spatial analysis revealed 59% and 32% of low-density clusters occurred at or near field centers, respectively. Multiple linear regression revealed larval densities decline with increasing distance from overwintering sites and alternative habitats (such as tree lines and levees containing bunch grasses and other alternative noncrop plants). These results suggest potential for insecticidal seed treatments to be applied selectively within rice fields to control this pest.

Spatial Distribution of Lepidopteran Stem Borers in Louisiana Rice Fields.

Louisiana rice is attacked by a complex of lepidopteran stem borers that injure the vegetative and reproductive stages of rice, reducing tillering and grain output. Currently, insecticidal seed treatments are used in Louisiana as a preemptive means to control stem borers in rice. Our objective was to better understand the spatial distribution of stem borers in Louisiana rice fields. Thirteen nontreated commercial rice fields in Louisiana were mapped using GPS software and surveyed for stem borer damage in 2017 and 2018. Damage was recorded by counting the number of blank panicles (whiteheads) within quadrats located at different areas in each field. An ANOVA, spatial interpolation, hotspot analysis, and negative binomial regression were used to determine where stem borer injury was concentrated and whether the distribution of these pests was influenced by rice stand count, field composition, and site location. The results show that stem borers are typically aggregated along field edges, with population density decreasing toward the center of rice fields. Stem borer damage was 4.2- and 3.9-fold greater along field edges than in field centers in 2017 and 2018, respectively. Hotspot spatial analysis revealed 41.7 and 52.1% of low-density clusters occurred at or near field centers, respectively. Negative binomial regression revealed stem borer injury declines with increasing distance from field edges, with regional differences in infestation levels. This suggests stem borer control efforts could be spatially targeted to improve the efficiency of pest management.

Synergisms in Science: Climate Change and Integrated Pest Management Through the Lens of Communication-2019 Student Debates.

Every year, the Student Debates Subcommittee (SDS) of the Student Affairs Committee (SAC) for the annual Entomological Society of America (ESA) meeting organizes the Student Debates. This year, the SAC selected topics based on their synergistic effect or ability to ignite exponential positive change when addressed as a whole. For the 2019 Student Debates, the SAC SDS identified these topic areas for teams to debate and unbiased introduction speakers to address: 1) how to better communicate science to engage the public, particularly in the area of integrated pest management (IPM), 2) the influential impacts of climate change on agriculturally and medically relevant insect pests, and 3) sustainable agriculture techniques that promote the use of IPM to promote food security. Three unbiased introduction speakers gave a foundation for our audience to understand each debate topic, while each of six debate teams provided a strong case to support their stance or perspective on a topic. Debate teams submitted for a competitive spot for the annual ESA Student Debates and trained for the better part of a year to showcase their talents in presenting logical arguments for a particular topic. Both the debate teams and unbiased introduction speakers provided their insight toward a better understanding of the complexities of each topic and established a foundation to delve further into the topics of science advocacy and communication, climate change, and the many facets of integrated pest management.

Interaction of Cultural, Biological, and Varietal Controls for Management of Stalk Borers in Louisiana Sugarcane.

Diatraea saccharalis F is considered the most important pest of sugarcane in the United States. This article focuses on the history of pest management as it relates to the control of this stem borer in Louisiana sugarcane, and how control practices have become more in tune with integrated pest management paradigms. Various pest management strategies are employed against D. saccharalis and the interactions between each of these provide farmers with the tools needed to curb damaging infestations. However, the invasion of the Mexican rice borer, Eoreuma loftini (Dyar), and other confounding environmental factors have presented farmers, consultants, and researchers with new pest management challenges. We address these challenges and provide an overview of ongoing developments, particularly in the Louisiana sugarcane pest management program.

Entomology in the 21st Century: Tackling Insect Invasions, Promoting Advancements in Technology, and Using Effective Science Communication-2018 Student Debates.

The 2018 student debates of the Entomological Society of America were held at the Joint Annual Meeting for the Entomological Societies of America, Canada, and British Columbia in Vancouver, BC. Three unbiased introductory speakers and six debate teams discussed and debated topics under the theme 'Entomology in the 21st Century: Tackling Insect Invasions, Promoting Advancements in Technology, and Using Effective Science Communication'. This year's debate topics included: 1) What is the most harmful invasive insect species in the world? 2) How can scientists diffuse the stigma or scare factor surrounding issues that become controversial such as genetically modified organisms, agricultural biotechnological developments, or pesticide chemicals? 3) What new/emerging technologies have the potential to revolutionize entomology (other than Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats)? Introductory speakers and debate teams spent approximately 9 mo preparing their statements and arguments and had the opportunity to share this at the Joint Annual Meeting with an engaged audience.