Sampling Optimization and Crop Interface Effects on Lygus lineolaris Populations in Southeastern USA Cotton

Tarnished plant bug, Lygus lineolaris (Hemiptera: Miridae), is an economically damaging pest in cotton production systems across the southern United States. We systematically scouted 120 commercial cotton fields across five southeastern states during susceptible growth stages in 2019 and 2020 to investigate sampling optimization and the effect of interface crop and landscape composition on L. lineolaris abundance. Variance component analysis determined field and within-field spatial scales, compared with agricultural district and state, accounted for more variation in L. lineolaris density using sweep net and drop cloth sampling. This result highlights the importance of field-level scouting efforts. Using within-field samples, a fixed-precision sampling plan determined 8 and 23 sampling units were needed to determine L. lineolaris population estimates with 0.25 precision for sweep net (100 sweeps per unit) and drop cloth (1.5 row-m per unit) sampling, respectively. A spatial Bayesian hierarchical model was developed to determine local landscape (<0.5 km from field edges) effects on L. lineolaris in cotton. The proportion of agricultural area and double-crop wheat and soybeans were positively associated with L. lineolaris density, and fields with more contiguous cotton areas negatively predicted L. lineolaris populations. These results will improve L. lineolaris monitoring programs and treatment management decisions in southeastern USA cotton.

Biodiversity of orb-web spiders (family: araneidae) of buner valley, Pakistan

The present research was carried out to explore the spider fauna of Buner valley with taxonomic study from February 2018 to January 2019. For this purpose samples were collected, four times at each month from 4 tehsils: Daggar, Gagra, Mandan and Totalai. Two methods were used, hand picking and sweep net for collection of samples. During day and night, three habitats, arid area, agriculture land and building area were search for collection. A total of 534 samples of spider were collected from four sampling sites, in which 379 were belonging to family Araniedae. After confirmation, the identified species were belonging to 8 genera (Neoscona, Argiope, Cyclosa, Araneus, Cyrtophora, Larinia, Erivoxia and Poltys) and 19 species. 18 of them were identified to specie level while a single specie to its generic level. The genus Neoscona was the dominant genus 26.31% having 5 species while the genus Argiope 21.05% is the second dominant having 4 species followed by Cyclosa 15.78% having 3 species followed by Cyrtophora and Araneus 10.52% having two species both. The Poltys and Larinia 5.26% are the rarest genera represent single-single specie both. Statistical analysis show that specie richness (D) = 5.77, Simpson index (1-D) = 0.87, Shannon index (H) = 2.33. Diversity of spiders was evenly distributed and calculated Evenness value was H/InS = 0.5408. There is also few atypical species and Fisher alpha estimate high value (Fisher α) = 4.42. Chao-1 estimated we have reported 22 species.

Biodiversity And Arthropod Abundance In Organic Semi Rice In Swamp Lowland in Palangka Raya City

Palangka Raya has the potential for swamp lowland to be used for rice farming. For this purpose, knowledge of arthropod biodiversity is required. The study aims to determine the biodiversity and abundance of arthropods and arthropods dominant in semi-organic rice plantations in swamp lowlands. The study was conducted from September to November 2019 in Palangka Raya City. The study was carried out on 1.148m2 farmer's paddy fields. The land is divided into three trial plots, each measuring 28x13 m2. Observations were made at the age of 8-15 WAP. Samples were taken using a net trap (Sweep net). Arthropod biodiversity was analyzed using the Shannon-Weaver diversity index (H'). The results showed that in the semi-organic rice ecosystem were obtained 10 orders, 58 families with a total of 8973 individuals, consisting of pests 92.61%, predators 6.59%, parasitoids 0.28%, pollinators 0.06%, Detrivore 0.35%, and 0.07% neutral insects. Diversity index (H') is low to moderate (0.10-2.19), dominance index (C) is in the low to high (0.18-0.97); Evenness index shows that the community is depressed until unstable (0.04-0.67); and The abundance index on the criteria of less to very much (8.96-25.03). The dominant arthropods are dominated by the Rice bug (Leptocorisa acuta).

Assemblages of Social Wasps (Hymenoptera, Vespidae, Polistinae) in the Veredas of Central Brazil

Social wasps are widely distributed in Brazil, and their distribution is intimately linked to habitats and the vegetation structure. Veredas (Brazilian Palm swamps) occur in moist soils and are characterized by the almost monodominant presence of Buriti palms (Maurítia flexuosa). The insect fauna of these environments is poorly known, especially in Central Brazil. Some studies assessing the diversity of social wasps were carried out in the State of Mato Grosso, however, there are no studies performed in the palm swamps of this region. Thus, we aim in this study to investigate the composition of wasp species in six vereda environments throughout 24 months of sampling, from august 2017 to July 2019; The specimens were collected using a sweep net, in 200m transects that were subdivided into 10 3m2 parcels. To attract the wasps, we sprayed each parcel (using a backpack sprayer) with an insect attractant made from five spoons of granulated sugar and one spoon of salt dissolved in 5 liters of water. After spraying the plot, we waited 10 minutes before starting the collections and stayed another 10 minutes to sample in each plot, totaling 200 minutes of sampling per palm swamp. A total of 1062 social wasp specimens were collected, distributed in 10 genera and 36 species. The most abundant species were Polybia cf. ruficeps xantops (Richards, 1978), Angiopolybia pallens (Lepeletier, 1836), Polybia rejecta (Lepeletier, 1836), and Mischocyttarus sp. 2, which accounted for 57% of the total collected specimens in the 60 parcels. The estimated richness for the Vereda environments was 38,88 ± 0,627, approximately 41% of the 88 species of Polistinae wasps found in the Cerrado of eastern Mato Grosso.

Diversity of Butterflies (Hexapoda: Lepidoptera: Rhopalocera) Around Campus 4 of Universitas Ahmad Dahlan

The conversion of land functions can result in a decrease of environmental quality, which can reduce the diversity of butterflies. This study aimed to determine the diversity level and to find the most abundant and less abundant butterfly species around campus 4 UAD. The sampling was done at campus area, vacant land, rice fields and housing sites. Each of these sites had 2 plots and consisted of 5 subplots, respectively. Sampling was carried out four times, which was done in the morning at 08.00 - 11.00 and in the afternoon at 15.00 - 17.00. Butterflies caught using a sweep net. The data were analyzed by inferential analysis, namely Pearson correlation test. The calculation of the diversity level of butterflies was carried out by calculating the importance value index, the diversity Shannon-Wiener index, and the Simpson dominance index. The results showed that the diversity level of Shannon Wiener index of butterflies around the campus 4 UAD showed a low level (0.67). The species of butterflies found around campus 4 UAD were Acraea violae, Aphrissa statira, Appias libythea, Appias olferna, Catopsilia pyranthe, Catopsilia Scylla, Danaus Chrysippus, Elymnias hypermnestra, Junonia almana, and Junonia atlites. The most abundant butterfly was C. pyranthe with 125 individuals whereas the least abundant was A. libythea with 1 individual. This suggested that the ecosystem around campus 4 UAD is disturbed category; causing instability of the diversity that exists, including butterflies.

A preliminary research and notes on Orthoptera (Insecta) Fauna of Hakkari Province

To date several studies have been carried out on Orthoptera fauna throughout Anatolia; however, there is no comprehensive study on the Orthoptera fauna of Hakkari Province. This study is a preliminary comprehensive research that deals with the less known Orthoptera (Insecta) fauna of Hakkari Province. In this respect, the records and possible localities were examined between the years 2018–2020 (except Kurdia uvarovi) for the Hakkari Province. Specimens were collected with the help of an insect sweep net or by hand. As a result of the field studies and literature research, it has been determined that the Orthoptera fauna in the province is represented by 51 genera and 69 species/subspecies belonging to 19 subfamilies in 8 families. In the study, 24 new records were noted for Hakkari Orthoptera fauna and Isophya iraca Maran, 1977 (syn. n), which is established as a new synonym of I. hakkarica Karabag, 1962. According to our preliminary research, the Orthoptera fauna of Hakkari includes 32 Ensiferan and 37 Caeliferan members. In the Ensifera suborder (long antennae katydids, crickets and allies), 25 species belonging to the Tettigoniidae, 5 species belonging to Gryllidae, and one species for the each of Myrmecophilidae and Gryllotalpidae families have been identified. Caelifera suborder includes 26 species belonging to the Acrididae, 9 species belonging to the Pamphagidae, and one species for each of the Pyrgomorphidae and Tetrigidae families. During the field studies, it was observed that the Uvarovistia satunini (Uvarov, 1916), Uvarovistia zebra (Uvarov, 1916) and, Bradyporus (Callimenus) latipes (Stål, 1875) species have high population densities. They “swarm” and damage the agricultural areas especially in the Durankaya, Bayköy, Bağışlı, and Kırıkdağ regions. For this reason, it is suggested that the populations of these species should be routinely monitored in agricultural areas.

First record of Mahanarva spectabilis (Distant) (Hemiptera: Cercopidae) in the state of Acre, Brazil

Spittlebugs are among the main insect pests of forage grasses in Brazil. In February 2021, a spittlebug infestation was verified in Xaraés palisadegrass (Brachiaria brizantha cv. Xaraés) in the municipality of Senador Guiomard, Acre state, Brazil. The specimens were captured with an entomological sweep net and identified as Notozulia entreriana (Berg) and Mahanarva spectabilis (Distant) (Hemiptera: Cercopidae). Notozulia entreriana is frequently captured in studies with spittlebugs in Acre state, though this is the first record of M. spectabilis in the state. This new record expands the species known geographical distribution in Brazil and the number of species of Mahanarva occurring in Acre state.

Partial mowing of urban lawns supports higher abundances and diversities of insects

Within the citizen science project “Flowering meadows for Saxonian butterflies”, more than 640 meadows are partially and at maximum three times annually mowed in order to change urban lawns into habitats for insects. In 2019, insect diversity was evaluated using the 100 sweep net technique during five visits at nine butterfly meadows (BM) and nine intensively mowed lawns (IML). The mean arthropod biomass of these five visits per site is significantly higher on BM compared to IML. All adult individuals of Apidae, Coleoptera, Heteroptera, Orthoptera, Papilionoidea as well as Asilidae and Syrphidae have been identified morphologically, revealing 260 species from all study sites. The mean number of species per visit is significantly higher on BM compared to IML. 90 species are recorded as larva and the mean number of species per visit is significantly higher on BM compared to IML. 42 species are recorded as larva as well as adult. The records of larvae provide evidence for reproduction on the meadows. Implications for insect conservation Our results clearly demonstrate that a reduced mowing frequency together with an always partial mowing of the area support higher biomass, abundances and diversities of insects as well as reproduction of insects on urban lawns. Therefore, reduced mowing frequency together with partial mowing is recommended for urban lawns as well as meadows in the countryside and conservation areas to foster insect diversity.

Activity of biochemical biomarkers in grasshoppers Abracris flavolineata (De Geer, 1773) (Orthoptera: Acrididae: Ommatolampidinae)

Biochemical biomarkers are commonly used in environmental monitoring programs due to their sensitivity to certain pollutants. From this perspective, their responses can be used as indicators of environmental quality. The present study aimed to determine the activity of the catalase (CAT) and glutathione-S-transferase (GST) enzymes in grasshoppers Abracris flavolineata (De Geer, 1773) from two forest remnant areas in Serra da Jiboia (BA) and compare them between males and females. The specimens were collected at two sites in Serra da Jiboia (Bahia, Brasil), named ‘Baixa de Areia’ and ‘Baixa Grande’. The animals were actively collected in the morning using a sweep net and a 2.5 h sampling effort. In total, 160 individuals were collected, with 80 individuals from each sampling site, 50 males and 30 females. After identification, an incision was made in the lateral region of the abdomen to remove the midgut, which was used to extract the CAT and GST enzymes. The results obtained demonstrated that CAT and GST activity did not vary significantly between sampling areas. However, with regard to sex, enzyme activity was significantly higher in males (p<0.005) in both locations. This is a pioneer study on the responses of CAT and GST activity in grasshoppers in Brazil.

IDENTIFIKASI DAN KEANEKARAGAMAN JENIS SERANGGA DI HUTAN KOTA BUNGKIRIT KABUPATEN KUNINGAN JAWA BARAT

Serangga atau insekta merupakan kelompok dari hewan beruas arthopoda yang berkaki enam. Sehingga ditemukan hampir disemua ekosistem, semakin banyak tempat dengan berbagai penggolongan jenis serangga berdasarkan aktivitasnya dikenal serangga yang aktif di siang hari dan serangga yang aktif di malam hari. Keberadaan jenis serangga di hutan bungkirit sangat penting karena hutan kota bungkirit memiliki fungsi sebagai area lingkungan yang menjaga ekosistem dan keanekaragaman hayati di Kota Kuningan serta memiliki fungsi sebagai sumber daya alam yang sangat tinggi berupa Flora Dan Fauna. Tujuan dari penelitian ini untuk mengidentifikasi jenis serangga di areal hutan kota bungkirit Kabupaten Kuningan dan untuk mengetahui tingkat keanekaragaman jenis serangga yang terdapat di areal Hutan Kota Bungkirit Kabupaten Kuningan. Penetian ini dilakukan dengan menggunakan metode Sweep Net dan Light Trap. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan terdapat 14 jenis serangga, nilai indeks keanekaragamannya (H’) adalah 2,31, indeks kemerataan pada lokasi sawah 0,90 mendapat nilai tertinggi sedangkan pada lokasi hutan campuran terdapat 0,88. Hasil perhitungan indeks sorenson mengetahui kesamaan jenis serangga pada lokasi penelitian sawah dan hutan campuran ditunjukkan dengan adanya kesamaan setiap lokasi penelitian sebesar 31% (sedang). Kata Kunci: Serangga, Hutan Kota, Sweep Net, Light Trap