Volume of Larvae Is the Most Important Single Predictor of Mass Temperatures in the Forensically Important Calliphorid, Chrysomya megacephala (Diptera: Calliphoridae).

Calliphorid species form larval aggregations that are capable of generating heat above ambient temperature. We wanted to determine the relationship between volume, number of larvae, and different combinations of instars on larval mass heat generation. We compared different numbers of Chrysomya megacephala (F.) larvae (40, 100, 250, 600, and 2,000), and different combinations of instars (∼50/50 first and second instars, 100% second instars, ∼50/50 second and third instars, and 100% third instars) at two different ambient temperatures (20 and 30 °C). We compared 13 candidate multiple regression models that were fitted to the data; the models were then scored and ranked with Akaike information criterion and Bayesian information criterion. The results indicate that although instar, age, treatment temperature, elapsed time, and number of larvae in a mass were significant, larval volume was the best predictor of larval mass temperatures. The volume of a larval mass may need to be taken into consideration for determination of a postmortem interval.

Development of the Oriental Latrine Fly, Chrysomya megacephala (Diptera: Calliphoridae), at Five Constant Temperatures.

Chrysomya megacephala (Fabricius) is a forensically important fly that is found throughout the tropics and subtropics. We calculated the accumulated development time and transition points for each life stage from eclosion to adult emergence at five constant temperatures: 15, 20, 25, 30, and 35 °C. For each transition, the 10th, 50th, and 90th percentiles were calculated with a logistic linear model. The mean transition times and % survivorship were determined directly from the raw laboratory data. Development times of C. megacephala were compared with that of two other closely related species, Chrysomya rufifacies (Macquart) and Phormia regina (Meigen). Ambient and larval mass temperatures were collected from field studies conducted from 2001-2004. Field study data indicated that adult fly activity was reduced at lower ambient temperatures, but once a larval mass was established, heat generation occurred. These development times and durations can be used for estimation of a postmortem interval (PMI).

Host Selection, Growth, and Survival of Melonworm (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) on Four Cucurbit Crops Under Laboratory Conditions.

The melonworm, Diaphania hyalinata L. (Lepidoptera: Crambidae), is one of the most serious insect problems affecting cucurbit production. We evaluated the relative preference and suitability of yellow squash, zucchini, cucumber, and watermelon to melonworm by measuring its oviposition, larval feeding preference, survivorship, and developmental responses in the laboratory. Whole plants were used for oviposition study, whereas host leaf discs were used for all the other studies. Watermelon feeding resulted in the longest larval development period (14.3 d), greatest prepupal weights and survivals rates (92%; first instar to adult) among the four crops. However, for watermelon, adult oviposition preference (199.5 eggs/♀), egg survival (70%), and larval feeding (4.1% defoliation) were numerically or statistically lowest, and larval head capsule widths and whole-body lengths were smallest. When differences occurred among these variables, yellow squash, zucchini, and cucumber were each typically higher (or quicker to develop) than watermelon. So why do melonworm adults not prefer watermelon, or at least select it as frequently as squash and cucumber when ovipositing? The answer likely is that there might be some variation in the important chemical components among these cucurbits. We suggest that comparison of kairomones and allomones from watermelon and related cucurbits would be very useful for determining the combination resulting in the lowest risk of damage to the more susceptible cucurbits (assuming the levels can be modified without seriously affecting the crops).

Distribution of Zelus longipes (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) in south Florida corn fields and its functional response to corn-infesting picture-winged flies (Diptera: Ulidiidae).

The milkweed assassin bug, Zelus longipes (L.) (Hemiptera: Reduviidae), is a generalist predator and a potential biological control agent of picture-winged flies (Diptera: Ulidiidae), which cause considerable economic damage to sweet corn yields in Florida. We studied the potential of Z. longipes as a biocontrol agent of four ulidiid pests in corn fields: Euxesta stigmatias Loew, Euxesta eluta Loew, Euxesta annonae F., and Chaetopsis massyla Walker. Within-plant and within-field distributions of Z. longipes and ulidiids and functional responses of Z. longipes to ulidiid prey were determined. Highest numbers of Z. longipes and ulidiids in the R1, R2, and R3 corn stages were generally in the basal or middle leaves at 09:00 h EST, ears at 13:00 h EST, and top and tassel at 17:00 h EST. Hence, there seemed to be a coordinated migration of Z. longipes and ulidiids from the lowest to the highest parts of the corn plant during the day. Within the corn field, aggregated (clumped) distributions were most common for Z. longipes and ulidiids especially in the later R2 and R3 stages based on Taylor's power law, Iwao's patchiness regression, index of dispersion, and Lloyd's patchiness indices of dispersion. However, predator and prey populations were lower in the R1 stage, and there were inconsistent results for dispersion indices among times of day and between predators and prey. Ulidiid distributions in R1 were mostly regular (uniform) at 13:00 h EST, but aggregated at 09:00 h and 17:00 h. However, Z. longipes R1 distributions were mostly aggregated at 13:00 h, but random or regular at 09:00 h and 17:00 h EST. Handling times for male and female Z. longipes were 1.0-1.39 h and 0.67-0.97 h, respectively, and each had a type II functional response to E. stigmatias, E. eluta, and E. annonae and consumed about five flies per day. Although the population abundance of Z. longipes can vary between seasons, it appears to be a promising biocontrol agent of ulidiid flies in corn.

Insecticidal activity of photoactive dyes to American and migratory grasshoppers (Orthoptera: Acrididae).

Many photoactive dyes are relatively nontoxic to vertebrates despite their insecticidal properties. Several photoactive dyes known to be toxic to some groups of insects were evaluated at various concentrations for toxicity to American and migratory grasshoppers in laboratory and field studies. Rose bengal and phloxine B were effective at inducing mortality of grasshoppers when applied at 2 and 5% to bran bait, though erythrosin B and uranine were ineffective. Partial replacement of phloxine with uranine in dye mixtures resulted in no significant loss of efficacy. Some indication of feeding inhibition was observed at high dye concentrations, so minimum effective dosages, probably 2%, are optimal. Phloxine B and rose bengal appeared to be stable upon exposure to sunlight, and able to withstand at least 24 h of sunlight without significant degradation. Dyes such as phloxine B could be a viable grasshopper control agent for small or medium-sized grasshopper species because mortality can be induced by consumption of a single flake dusted with 5% dye, and yet pose little hazard to vertebrates. Large species such as American grasshopper must consume several flakes before mortality is induced.

Changes in western wheatgrass foliage quality following defoliation: consequences for a graminivorous grasshopper.

We determined the effects of defoliation by a graminivorous grasshopper on the foliage quality of the C3 plant, western wheatgrass (Pascopyrum smithii [Rydb] A. Love). Additionally, we determined the effects of this defoliation upon the subsequent feeding of the graminivorous grasshopper Phoetaliotes nebrascensis Thomas (Orthoptera: Acrididae). In field and greenhouse studies, graminivorous grasshopper herbivory altered the quality of remaining western wheatgrass foliage. In the greenhouse, severe (50% foliage removal) grasshopper grazing (638 grasshoppers/m2 for 72h) resulted in decreased foliar nitrogen (-12%), carbohydrate (-11%) and water (-2.5%) concentrations, and increased phenolic concentrations (+43%). These changes were associated with decreased adult female grasshopper mass gain, consumption rate, approximate digestibility, and food conversion efficiencies. In the field, moderate (14% foliage removal) grasshopper grazing (20 grasshoppers/m2 for 20 days) led to a 10% reduction in foliar nitrogen concentrations. Foliage quality changes in the field were not associated with any reductions in grasshopper mass gain, consumption rates, food digestibility, or conversion efficiencies. The results presented here are consistent with the hypothesis that defoliation leads to a reallocation of carbon and nitrogen compounds within the plant such that foliage quality for P. nebrascensis is reduced.

Quantification of Invasion of Two Strains of Steinernema carpocapsae (Weiser) into Three Lepidopteran Larvae.

Studies with last instar larvae of the fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith), the black cutworm, Agrotis ipsilon (Hufnagel), and the greater wax moth, Galleria mellonella (L.) were used to quantify the invasive ability of two strains (All and Mexican) of Steinernema carpocapsae and to determine how factors in the bioassay procedure affect both nematode invasion and host mortality. Nematode invasive ability was variable, with 10-50% of nematodes successfully infecting the host. The percentage of infectives invading the host (invasion efficiency) was positively related to increases in length of host exposure time and number of hosts per arena, negatively related to increases in substrate surface area per host, and not affected by nematode concentration. There was a direct relationship between concentration applied and the number of nematodes invading the host. Mortality was less affected than invasion efficiency by bioassay conditions and appears to be a much less sensitive index of nematode activity than invasive ability.

Chemical basis for host selection byHemileuca oliviae : Role of tannins in preference of C4 grasses.

When provided a choice between grass species with C3 or C4 photosynthetic pathways, larvae of range caterpillar,Hemileuca oliviae Cockerell, selected C4 grasses. The basis for host selection was examined by conducting analyses of moisture, crude protein, total available carbohydrate, sucrose, glucose, astringency, condensed tannin, silica, and pubescence of 14 grass species, and correlating host plant chemical characteristics with host preference. Most of the variation in host preference was explained by tannin characteristics (astringency and condensed tannin); C3 grass species had significantly higher tannin levels than C4 species.