Instars: A Journal of Undergraduate Research (Texas Digital Library - TDL E-Journals)
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A comparison of follicle mite (Demodex sp.) collection methods.
No full textDemodex is a genus of microscopic mites that live on human hosts, feeding on sebum and dead skin. They are classified as arachnids with an elongated abdomen that allows them to dwell in pores and hair follicles. The mites do not commonly cause any problems but a diseased state may arise if their population suddenly increases, leading to rosacea, blepharitis, and general dermatitis. Collecting the mites can be difficult and two collection methods were compared. The first method was spreading super glue onto a microscope slide and adhering it to the forehead for five minutes. The second was done by scraping the area on the forehead and transferring the debris onto another slide. For the eight participants, only one Demodex was found overall, using the super glue method. Our study concluded that, although mostly ineffective, the super glue method was best to collect and observe Demodex from human skin
Diet-based Sodium Regulation in Sixth-Instar Grasshoppers, Schistocerca americana (Drury) (Orthoptera: Acrididae)
No full textThis study analyzed sodium intake by Schistocerca americana (Drury) (Orthoptera: Acrididae) grasshoppers using three different seedling wheatgrass based diet treatments to simulate a natural food source. Sodium is a key nutrient for grasshopper cells, nerves, and reproduction. Grasshoppers acquire sodium from plants that they consume. However, it is unclear if grasshoppers self-regulate their sodium intake. Additionally, if grasshoppers self-regulate their sodium intake, the extent to which they do is uncertain. Newly molted sixth-instar grasshoppers were fed one of three diets in which the level of sodium that they had access to was varied. The S. americana grasshoppers consumed significantly less of the 0.5 M added sodium only diet when presented with an option to choose between this diet and a no-sodium-added diet (t = 9.6026, df = 7, P < 0.0001). Grasshoppers in the 0.5 M added sodium only treatment consumed a significantly lower amount of food (P < 0.0001) and gained a significantly lower mean mass (P < 0.0001), compared to the grasshoppers in the no-sodium-added only treatment. Our results generally correlated with previous studies on Locusta migratoria (L.) (Orthoptera: Acrididae), and information about the ecological tolerances and nutritional requirements of grasshoppers. Our data suggests that S. americana grasshoppers are capable of self-regulating their sodium intake. Additionally, we show that high concentrations of sodium in grasshopper diets have a negative effect on body mass. Our study illustrates that diet-based sodium regulation is a factor in the relationship between insect herbivores and their environments
Attractiveness of Solenopsis Ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) to Assorted Sugars and Oils
No full textFire ants (Solenopsis spp.) are bothersome insects to both humans and the environment alike. Due to their prevalence in areas near human habitation, we sought to determine a substance that the ants find attractive that could be used in future control methods. To answer our question, we designed a simple experiment in which Solenopsis sp. specimens were each given the opportunity to choose from a variety of sugars and oils that were presented on a piece of paper in front of them. It was determined that fire ants have a stronger attraction to substances higher in fatty acids, such as cooking oils, than carbohydrates. These results have shown that when devising a home remedy for controlling these insects, individuals would have the most success if they were to use an oil-based product in their control method
Evaluation of Funnel Cone Traps with Different Baits for Capturing Nuisance Arthropods in College Station, Texas
No full textThe intent of this study was to test the effectiveness of small funnel traps in attracting and killing nuisance arthropods such as various species of flies, ants, and cockroaches in College Station, Texas. A total number of 6 plastic funnel traps were placed across the campus of Texas A&M University, in five different locations. Three of the units had blue cones and three had glow cones and three different baits were used. Traps were set for 36 hours between checking and trapping was conducted from March 27 to April 28, 2018. Insects were overall more attracted to the molasses bait most likely due to its high sugar content and sweet smell. Among all the insects collected, the most common were ants were Brachymyrmex patagonicus (rover ant) followed by Solenopsis invicta (red imported fire ant). Among all the nuisance arthropods collected, this was the first report of Nylanderia fulva (tawny crazy ant) being present on the campus of Texas A&M University (Lebrun, et al 2017).
A Survey of Mosquito Larvae in the Bryan-College Station Area
No full textThe vast amount of mosquito in different bodies of water is very apparent in this region. These mosquitoes can transmit a multitude of diseases including Malaria, West Nile Virus, and Zika Virus. In this survey, mosquitoes were captured from various bodies of water in the Bryan/College Station area in order to determine which mosquitoes were more prevalent in these areas. The objective of this was to identify these species to understand what bodies of water in this area contain which species and therefore protect ourselves from. Mosquito larvae were attempted to be gathered from 4 different locations that were 4 different types of water in this region, however larvae were only successfully collected in one of our locations. Different tools and containers were used to obtain these samples including rearing containers, measuring cups, etc. From these locations, the species that was identified was the male Culex quinquefasciatus. Due to this species being the only one identified from the various locations, it was concluded that it is a prevalent one in the Bryan/College Station area
When Medical History is Not Enough: A Targeted Questionnaire for the Investigation of Novel Vector-Borne Diseases
No full textA Study of the General Populations’ Knowledge of Mosquitoes and West Nile
No full textThe purpose of this study is to evaluate the lack of understanding by the public about the West Nile Virus and if there are common factors that influence people’s knowledge about this virus. We hypothesized that there is a lack of knowledge about West Nile Virus and a few factors might reveal the reason behind the gap in the public\u27s understanding of this subject. A google form survey was sent out to 112 people. The survey contained questions about age, gender, education level, college major/concentration, and a questionnaire about West Nile Virus. The survey was sent to mostly people that had a connection with the students in the Texas A&M entomology 423 course. According to our data collected, the majority of people are from the age range of 18 to 27 and have some college education. Most responses stated that they are from College Station or Bryan or the state of Texas in general, and they answered most of the West Nile questions in the survey correctly. These correct answers led to the change in the purpose and hypothesis from lack of knowledge to surplus of knowledge. Based on the responses received, education level and location of current residence were common factors that could explain the extensive knowledge of the general public regarding West Nile.
Nutrient preferences in invasive ant species in various environments at Texas A&M University
No full textThis study served to provide information on how environmental conditions affected food preferences in different environments. It was hypothesized that a difference between food preference would arise between the urban and rural environments. Eugenol based mouse traps were placed at three different locations around Texas A&M University: Legett Hall, Research Park, and between Appelt and The Commons. At each location, potato, hot dogs, and sugar water were used as baits for the traps. These served as bases to test for preferences towards protein, starch, and glucose. The traps were placed during the month of November for four trials, which each lasted four days. Fire ants (Solenopsis invicta) were collected and identified at every location. Tawny crazy ants (Nylanderia fulva) were collected and identified during the second trial at the location between Appelt and The Commons. There was a preference shown towards the protein source in the more urban area around Legett Hall and a preference towards the glucose in the more rural Research Park as well as the location between Appelt and The Commons. S. invicta was found to be the most prevalent species of ants at Texas A&M University, making up 317 of the 328 total ant specimens collected. The species differentiation proved insignificant in the conclusions drawn from this study. The lack of native Texas species of ants indicated a dominance of invasive ant species at the Texas A&M University campus. In these invasive ant populations, it was determined that there were differences in food preference in different environmental setting on the Texas A&M University campus. Ants in more rural environment preferred the glucose in the sugar water source and ants in the more urban environment preferred protein in the chicken and pork hot dogs
The Effects of Black Objects and Carbon Dioxide on Horse and Deer Fly (Dipetra: Tabanidae) Trap Success in Brazos County, Texas
No full textThis study analyzed the effectiveness of traps for horse and deer flies (Diptera: Tabanidae) in Brazos County, Texas, U.S.A., using black objects and carbon dioxide (CO2). Tabanid flies vector several important livestock diseases and can be pests to humans. Heliothis cone traps were modified and placed at four approximate locations on one site, the Riley Estate in Brazos County, Texas. Four different trap styles were randomly tested at the locations on eight days between 24 March and 14 April 2015. Seventeen individual tabanids representing two species, Chrysops callidus Osten Sacken and Tabanus lineola F., were collected and the former species was the most abundant. A one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) calculation revealed that the combined black object and CO2 trap had a positive trend for being the most effective style for capturing tabanid flies out of those tested. Trap location was determined to be insignificant compared to the number of tabanid flies captured. While more data is required to determine if the difference between the trap styles is significant, the traps have the potential to be used to collect behavioral data, measure biodiversity and relative abundance of tabanid flies, as well as control their populations in areas where they cause irritation and spread disease
The Effect of House Cleaners on Keeping Ants In Their Environment
No full textThis experiment was designed to determine which household cleaner is most effective at providing a chemical barrier in which ants would not cross. The four household cleaners that were tested included a 50/50 mixture of bleach and water, Comet powder, 409 multipurpose cleaner, and Pinesol. These were individually placed into a spray bottle and sprayed in a line across the entire doorway. It was concluded that Comet was the most effective at only letting four ants into the house during the three day testing period. Pinesol was the second most effective with ten ants , bleach/water next with fourteen, and 409 last with twenty two ants. It was concluded that the active ingredients in the cleansers may have been what kept the ants out and Comet was the best one for this particular use (all numbers have been averaged and rounded up for practical purposes)