Evaluation of Plastic Shipping Bags for Hypothenemus hampei (Ferrari) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) Containment

Hypothenemus hampei (Ferrari) is a major pest of coffee worldwide that is believed to be capable of chewing through the plastic bags used to ship coffee. However, a test of H. hampei escape ability from plastic coffee shipping bags has not been performed. In this study, nine bag treatments were tested to measure H. hampei escape rate from shipping bags. In addition, the activity following seven drying treatments was measured to determine if mechanical drying methods reduce H. hampei survival in infested coffee prior to shipping in escape-proof bags. This study determined that H. hampei can chew through and escape from some plastic shipping bags, but adequate drying methods may be useful in reducing survival prior to shipping. These results may have quarantine implications for shipping unroasted coffee and other commodities in plastic shipping bags that contain potentially infested materials

Statewide Survey of Insects Found on Coffee in Hawaii

Hawaii is home to a high number of endemic species, but the state is also considered a hotbed of invasive species. Coffee, like many crops grown in Hawaii, is particularly valuable and susceptible to a number of injurious pest insects not yet established in the islands. A comprehensive statewide survey of insects found on coffee plants has never been undertaken. Cultivated and feral coffee, at 46 sites on the six main Hawaiian Islands, was systematically surveyed for pest and innocuous insects. Surveys identified 152 unique insect species or morphotypes in 12 orders associated with coffee throughout the state. Some are major pests of coffee, such as the coffee berry borer, Hypothenemus hampei, while others have little impact on coffee production. This survey identified no new state records but is the first to document the association of many of these insects with coffee plants

Comparative Genomic Analysis of Drosophila melanogaster and Vector Mosquito Developmental Genes

Genome sequencing projects have presented the opportunity for analysis of developmental genes in three vector mosquito species: Aedes aegypti, Culex quinquefasciatus, and Anopheles gambiae. A comparative genomic analysis of developmental genes in Drosophila melanogaster and these three important vectors of human disease was performed in this investigation. While the study was comprehensive, special emphasis centered on genes that 1) are components of developmental signaling pathways, 2) regulate fundamental developmental processes, 3) are critical for the development of tissues of vector importance, 4) function in developmental processes known to have diverged within insects, and 5) encode microRNAs (miRNAs) that regulate developmental transcripts in Drosophila. While most fruit fly developmental genes are conserved in the three vector mosquito species, several genes known to be critical for Drosophila development were not identified in one or more mosquito genomes. In other cases, mosquito lineage-specific gene gains with respect to D. melanogaster were noted. Sequence analyses also revealed that numerous repetitive sequences are a common structural feature of Drosophila and mosquito developmental genes. Finally, analysis of predicted miRNA binding sites in fruit fly and mosquito developmental genes suggests that the repertoire of developmental genes targeted by miRNAs is species-specific. The results of this study provide insight into the evolution of developmental genes and processes in dipterans and other arthropods, serve as a resource for those pursuing analysis of mosquito development, and will promote the design and refinement of functional analysis experiments

The supernatural characters and powers of sacred trees in the Holy Land

This article surveys the beliefs concerning the supernatural characteristics and powers of sacred trees in Israel; it is based on a field study as well as a survey of the literature and includes 118 interviews with Muslims and Druze. Both the Muslims and Druze in this study attribute supernatural dimensions to sacred trees which are directly related to ancient, deep-rooted pagan traditions. The Muslims attribute similar divine powers to sacred trees as they do to the graves of their saints; the graves and the trees are both considered to be the abode of the soul of a saint which is the source of their miraculous powers. Any violation of a sacred tree would be strictly punished while leaving the opportunity for atonement and forgiveness. The Druze, who believe in the transmigration of souls, have similar traditions concerning sacred trees but with a different religious background. In polytheistic religions the sacred grove/forest is a centre of the community's official worship; any violation of the trees is regarded as a threat to the well being of the community. Punishments may thus be collective. In the monotheistic world (including Christianity, Islam and Druze) the pagan worship of trees was converted into the worship/adoration of saints/prophets; it is not a part of the official religion but rather a personal act and the punishments are exerted only on the violating individual

Curtiss et al. Plume Reach Data file

ABSTRACT: Cydia pomonella (L.) dispersion in mating disrupted commercial apple orchards has been little studied. Males’ dispersion is better understood from non-mating disrupted orchards; female dispersion is not well explored, nor if mating disruption alters male dispersion. Sterile C. pomonella recapture data from single-trap multiple-release experiments using PHEROCON® CM-DA COMBO™ Lure + AA Lure-baited orange Pherocon VI delta traps was interpreted to determine pheromone/kairomone lure-baited trap effective area, trap deployment density for effective monitoring, and absolute male and female C. pomonella density in mating disrupted Washington commercial apple orchards. The maximum plume reach of the pheromone/kairomone lure in mating disrupted orchards was C. pomonella in mating disrupted orchards was 106 and 135 meters for males and females, yielding trapping areas of 3.87 ha and 6.16 ha, respectively. Estimates were consistent across three growing seasons and represent the first records of male and female dispersal distance and monitoring trap efficacy from commercial C. pomonella mating disrupted apple orchards. With relevance to commercial monitoring programs and economic thresholds in mating disrupted orchards, traps should be deployed at a density of one per 3-6 hectares; capture of a single male or female C. pomonella corresponds to at least 82-104 C. pomonella within the 3-6 ha trapping area. This refined C. pomonella capture interpretation in pheromone/kairomone-baited traps in mating disrupted commercial apple orchards yields more precise damage estimates and assists in insecticide-use decision making.&nbsp;</p

Curtiss et al. Lacewing Attractants datafile, 2023

ABSTRACT: Green and brown lacewings (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae and Hemerobiidae, respectively) are important generalist predators in Pacific Northwest, United States pear and apple orchards. Both lacewing groups are recognized by orchardists and pest managers for their role in biological control, but the species complex and monitoring strategies within and around orchards is not well defined. The two studies detailed herein sought to describe the lacewing species complex and their response to lure-baited traps in Washington State pear and apple orchards and surrounding native vegetation. Experiment one compared Neuroptera capture (species composition and overall capture) among yellow sticky traps baited with and without methyl salicylate (MeSa) containing amber glass vial lures in pear orchards, apple orchards, and surrounding native vegetation. Experiment two compared capture among four lure treatments (glass vial MeSa lures, glass vial squalene lures, “dual-lures” with both glass vial squalene and MeSa lures, and commercially-constructed controlled-release MeSa lures) on yellow sticky traps against a check in pear orchards and surrounding native habitat. MeSa lures were attractive to a broad range of Chrysopidae (Chrysopa nigricornis Burmeister, Chrysopa coloradensis Banks, and Chrysoperla plorabunda (Fitch)) in both experiments and all habitats, while in experiment two, squalene was highly attractive to only C. nigricornis. The “dual-lure” treatment attracted significantly more C. nigricornis than other lures, and C. coloradensis was significantly more attracted to MeSa lures than other lures. Our findings demonstrate that monitoring traps baited with both squalene and MeSa can improve capture of some Chrysopidae.</p

Curtiss et al. Net Effect Dataset, 2023

ABSTRACT: Orchard shade netting is commonly used in Washington State to protect apples from sunburn. Shade netting may also act as a physical barrier to colonization by pest insects and may interfere with the dispersal of pest insects and those intentionally released under netted orchards. Sterile Cydia pomonella (L.) were released into commercial apple orchards with shade net to compare their dispersion under nets 2.4 m high, 6.1 m high, and in orchards without nets. Recapture of released sterile C. pomonella was suppressed by both tested net heights compared to open orchards. Population aggregation increased as net height and tree canopy became closer. Sterile C. pomonella were recaptured at all trap distances in orchard plots with both net heights and in open orchards indicating that their direction of dispersion was random. The compatibility of the sterile insect technique for C. pomonella and protective netting is discussed.</p