Merle Shepard

Biology of a Predaceous Stinkbug, Stiretrus Anchorago, (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae)

Stiretrus anchorago (F.) was collected from S. C. soybean fields and reared at 3 constant temperatures. Larvae of Epilachna varivestis Mulsant were used as prey for S. anchorago in life history studies. Female adults lived an average of 46.0 29.6, and 12.6 days; males 38.2, 24.8, and 22.4 days at constant temperatures of 18.3, 26.7, and 32.2@*C, respectively. Mean numbers of eggs per female were 12.6, 57.3, and 15.0 at 18.3, 26.7, and 32.2@*C, respectively. The immature stages (eggs and instars) completed development in 42.8, 24.6, and 22.6 days at 18.3, 26.7, and 32.2@*C, respectively. Eggs laid by field collected females and held at 26.7@*C were more viable (88.5%) than eggs from laboratory reared females (19.0%). Only infertile eggs were produced by females fed Galleria mellonella (L.) larvae exclusively.

Travelling with tea: a Tuckerella’s tale

Tuckerella japonica Ehara appears strongly associated with tea (Camellia sinensis (L.) Kuntze, Theaceae) and, due to certain cultural practices in tea production, has in fact become a world traveller, accompanying the greatly coveted tea plant as it spread across the planet. The history of tea production and culture, and its arrival in the USA, provides the backdrop for this traveller’s tale. Tuckerella japonica is morphologically similar to T. flabellifera Miller, described from Tasmania in Australia from Bedfordia salicina (Labill.) D.G. (Asteraceae). These two species have historically been misidentified as each other, creating inaccuracies in the collection records. The implications of this in terms of host plant lists and world distribution are discussed further, along with their morphological separation. The male and immature stages of T. japonica are described for the first time. Tuckerella xinglongensis Lin and Fu, from tea in China, is considered a junior synonym of T. japonica. The loss of the ancestral prostigmatan condition of three nymphal stages during ontogeny is confirmed for males of T. flabellifera, which do not retain a tritonymphal stage.

Sampling Ground Predators in Soybean Fields

Ground dwelling arthropod predators constitute a major part of the predatory complex in the soybean ecosystem. However, their role in the suppression of pest populations has not been clearly elucidated. Several studies have shown that many species of “ground predators” feed on and may be capable of reducing populations of certain insect pests of soybean. “Ground predators” are defined as those arthropods that spend a portion of their life histories on the soil surface and have the potential to destroy significant numbers of other arthropods in the soil, on the soil surface, or on the soybean plant. This group is composed primarily of certain ground beetles, earwigs, spiders, (Fig. 26-1) and ants.

Revival of Herbalism and Its Roots in Medicine

ABSTRACT The proper use of phytomedicines in human health care may add a dimension currently lacking in the United States in the treatment of certain diseases and syndromes. Sales of botanicals have been rising for the past few years and are expected to increase 12% to 16% annually for the next few years. As agriculturists, we are developing production techniques using good management practices to grow and process these new crops. However, a fundamental understanding of the genesis of this “new” industry is needed to appreciate the historic use of herbs and significance in society.

Dilemma of regulating dietary supplements.

ABSTRACT The manufacturing of herbal preparations or dietary supplements, has become a multibillion dollar industry in the United States. Presently, dietary supplements are not considered drugs by the government, but are classified as food supplements. The Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994 (DSHEA) has defined dietary supplements as a product intended to supplement the diet that contains one or more of a vitamin, mineral, an herb or other botanical, an amino acid or a dietary substance to supplement the diet by increasing the total dietary intake, or concentrates, metabolites, constituents, extracts or combinations of any ingredients described above. The main limitation of DSHEA is that it deals only with herbs as dietary supplements, i.e., as foods and not as drugs. A quandary still exists among: (1) the consumers who want to use these products safely; (2) the government that wishes to protect its citizens from potential hazards; and (3) the conventional medical community still questioning the safety and efficacy of these products. DSHEA does not appear to be the final verdict on herbal regulation, but just the first step in a long process of interpretation, evaluation, and decision-making required in the U.S. for regulation of any new class of such products. This paper reviews the current status facing the consumer, medical industry, and government in regards to herbal use.

Biological Studies of a Predator, Sycanus Indagator II. Field Survival and Predation Potential

Studies of Pseudoplusia includens (Walker) larvae as prey and an imported predator, Sycanus indagator (Stal) were made in field cages over soybean plants. Predation by 3rd and 4th nymphal instars accounted for 6 to 20% larval mortality after 2 days. Other tests showed about equal results 4 days after introduction of prey and predator on soybeans. Survival of S. indagator in soybean fields was below 50% and nymphs consumed about 1 soybean looper/day with a mean of 29 larvae during predator development. Egg hatch for S. indagator was 93% in the laboratory and was 42% when egg masses were pinned to soybean plants in the field. Predation by S. indagator on cabbage looper larvae, Trichoplusia ni (Hubner), ranged from 29 to 79% in field cages over cabbage plants. Observations of S. indagator feeding on T. ni larvae on cabbage plants showed 48.5% of the larvae were successfully attacked in cages compared to 69% in plastic containers. Survival and larval consumption was too low to suggest success of this predator in Florida cabbage or soybean fields.

A Modified Cone Emergence Trap with Increased Capabilities for Pecan Weevils

A cone emergence trap for the pecan weevil, Curculio caryae (Horn), was constructed of hardware cloth with a Leggett trap top attached to the apex of the cone. This modification enabled the trap to sample pecan weevils emerging beneath it as well as those which crawl up the outside of the cone. With use of pheromones, the traps efficiency could be further increased. The trap was as efficient as the presently used cone traps and collected over 9 times as many weevils during peak emergence than did cone emergence traps without the Leggett top modification. This modified trap also detected weevil emergence later in the season.

Evaluation of Natural Additives to Enhance the Persistence of Spodoptera littoralis (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) Nucleopolyhedrovirus (SpliMNPV) Under Field Conditions in Saudi Arabia

Nucleopolyhedrovirus is an effective biocontrol agent but for its biggest disadvantage of short persistence under sunlight conditions. In this study, 10 plant extracts were evaluated as ultraviolet (UV) protectants to improve the persistence of Spodoptera littoralis multiple-embedded nucleopolyhedrovirus (SpliMNPV) against cotton leafworm (Spodoptera littoralis Boisduval). In the primary lab screening test, 5 out of 10 additives (cloves, henna, green tea, pomegranate, and grape extracts) presented a high rate of virus protection with original activity remaining (OAR) percentage of 100%, 97%, 91%, 90.6%, and 77%, respectively, when used at a concentration of 1% and exposed to UVB for a period of 1 h. A secondary screening was then performed with these best five extracts at a concentration of 0.5% and for an exposure timing of 5 h to UVB. Among these, clove and henna that showed highest protection with OAR values of 96.6% and 76.5%, respectively, were selected for the field trials. When applied on cabbage in the field during sunny summer conditions, clove and henna extracts enhanced the persistence of SpliMNPV by twofold. These findings are encouraging to be applied in the field studies.