Effects of Food Source Availability, Host Egg:Parasitoid Ratios, and Host Exposure Times on the Developmental Biology of Egg Parasitoids.

Parasitoids forage for hosts in dynamic ecosystems and generally have a short period of time to access hosts. The current study examined the optimal reproductive attributes of two egg parasitoids, Dodd (Hymenoptera: Platygastridae) and Ishii (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae), of the kudzu bug, Fabricius (Hemiptera: Plataspidae). The proportion of and adult offspring that emerged from eggs and the sex ratio of the parasitoid offspring were compared among treatments for the effects of different adult parasitoid food sources, host egg-to-adult parasitoid ratios, and host exposure times.

Predation and parasitism of naturally occurring and sentinel stink bug egg masses of Halyomorpha halys (Stål) and Nezara viridula (L.) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) in various southeastern habitats.

Stink bugs, including Halyomorpha halys (Stål) and Nezara viridula (L.), are agricultural pests that feed on fruit in a variety of crops. Monitoring predation and parasitism of stink bug egg masses furthers our understanding of potential biological control tactics.

Direct and Indirect Competitive Interactions between and Parasitizing Egg Patches.

The present study investigated egg parasitoid interspecific interactions between a generalist, Ishii (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) and a specialist, Dodd (Hymenoptera: Platygastridae) in a laboratory setting using kudzu bug ( Fabricius, (Hemiptera: Plataspidae)) eggs as their shared host. Three experiments were conducted to evaluate the emergence of wasps from parasitized hosts after the simultaneous and sequential release of wasps, monitor aggressive behavior of , and quantify intraguild predation of larvae on heterospecific larvae. Results showed that total host egg parasitism was higher when both wasps were released simultaneously than if wasps were released sequentially.

Kudzu Bug (Megacopta cribraria) and Associated Egg Parasitoids Emergence Rates in Alabama are Predicted by Weather Indices.

The kudzu bug, Megacopta cribraria (Fabricius) (Hemiptera: Plataspidae), is a major economic pest of soybean in the southeastern United States. With climate warming, this pest is expected to move northward and cause additional crop damage. Parasitoid biocontrol is a potential method of integrated pest management for kudzu bug.

Cuticular Hydrocarbon Profile of Parasitic Beetles, (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae).

Cuticular hydrocarbons (CHCs) cover insects' bodies and play important roles in chemical communication, including nestmate recognition, for social insects. To enter colonies of a social host species, parasites may acquire host-specific CHCs or covertly maintain their own CHC profile by lowering its quantity. However, the chemical profile of small hive beetles (SHBs), , which are parasites of honey bee, , colonies, and other bee nests, is currently unknown.

First record of (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae) parasitizing (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) in the United States.

Background: A parasitoid wasp, (Wollaston), was recorded parasitizing eggs of the invasive stink bug (Stål) in the United States. This is the first record of this species parasitizing fresh and frozen eggs of in the United States.

New Information: First record of eggs in the United States.

New record of (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae) parasitising (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) in the United States of America.

Background: A parasitoid wasp, Johnson, was recorded parasitising eggs of the invasive stink bug (Stål), in the United States. This is the first record of this species parasitising eggs of .

New Information: First record of parasitising eggs in the United States and first record of in Alabama.

Cuticular hydrocarbon chemistry, an important factor shaping the current distribution pattern of the imported fire ants in the USA.

Two sibling species, Solenopsis richteri and S. invicta, were both introduced into the southern USA from South America in the early 20th century. Today, S.

Management of Yellowmargined Leaf Beetle Microtheca ochroloma (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) Using Turnip as a Trap Crop.

The yellowmargined leaf beetle, Microtheca ochroloma Stål, is a major pest of cruciferous vegetable crops in organic production systems. Very few organically acceptable management options are currently available for this pest. Field studies were conducted at a research station in Alabama and at a commercial organic vegetable farm in Florida to investigate the effectiveness of turnip, Brassica rapa rapa, as a trap crop for M.

Topical and vapor toxicity of saturated fatty acids to the German cockroach (Dictyoptera: Blattellidae).

Topical and fumigant toxicity of saturated aliphatic fatty acids with chain lengths of C1 through C14 were determined against the German cockroach, Blattella germanica (L.). In the C1 to C11 series, topical toxicity (LD50 in milligram per adult male) ranged from 0.

Evaluation of organically acceptable insecticides as stand-alone treatments and in rotation for managing yellowmargined leaf beetle, Microtheca ochroloma (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), in organic crucifer production.

Background: Yellowmargined leaf beetle, Microtheca ochroloma, is the most damaging pest of organic crucifer crops in the southern United States. Experiments were conducted over four growing seasons (2007-2010) in Alabama to evaluate some botanical and microbial insecticides approved by the Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI) against M. ochroloma in organically grown crucifer crops.

Host finding and acceptance preference of the yellowmargined leaf beetle, Microtheca ochroloma (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), on cruciferous crops.

The yellowmargined leaf beetle, Microtheca ochroloma Stål (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), is an introduced pest of cruciferous crops in the southern United States, and arguably the most damaging pest of organic crucifer vegetable production in the region. Studies were conducted in the greenhouse and laboratory to investigate host finding and acceptance preference of M. ochroloma on four commonly grown cruciferous crops: cabbage (Brassica oleracea L.