Instars: A Journal of Undergraduate Research (Texas Digital Library - TDL E-Journals)
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Level of Insecticide Control in Pseudomyrmex brunneus Using Raid
No full textAnts have been considered major household pests for some time, leading to the introduction of several different insecticides to protect against them. These insecticides have proven to be harmful to mammals in multiple metabolic functions. In this experiment, the ant species Pseudomyrmex brunneus, of the order Hymenoptera and the family Formicidae, was used as a test subject to show the effectiveness of different insecticides. The three different insecticides tested were Raid, Spectracide, and a home remedy. The first experiment performed had many methodological flaws that resulted from not using a correct time frame for recording ant death and improper use of Spectracide. Due to these experimental errors, a second experiment was performed in which dilutions of Raid with water were used to test which would be most effective in killing the ants. This resulted in the 1:1 dilution being most effective and the 1:3 dilution being least effective in regards to time of death, but all three dilutions did result in 100% ant death in less than six minutes. This result is important because it shows that dilutions of a common household insecticide can be used to kill the same number of ants and could possibly be safer for those who are exposed to the insecticide in the home
Identification by Pupal Weight Using Cochliomyia macellaria and Chrysomya rufifacies (Diptera: Calliphoridae)
No full textIn the case of homicides, forensic entomologists are very useful for pinpointing the post mortem interval. In order to accurately do this, they must possess a thorough knowledge of the morphology of blow flies as well as blow fly development. This experiment studies the difference in pupal weight amongst and across the two species of Cochliomyia macellaria and Chrysomya rufifacies in order to have a comparison. Maggots were collected from carrion and allowed to pupate. Once the pupae emerged, their weights were documented. The blow flies were sexed once they had reached adulthood. It was found that both male and female Chrysomya rufifacies weigh more in the pupal stage than do their Cochliomyia macellaria counterparts and are larger in size. By using pupal weight to more quickly identify the species, forensic entomologists will ultimately be able to estimate a PMI in a more timely manner
Mortality of Lucilia sericata (Meigan) (Diptera: Calliphoridae) Eggs after Submergence
No full textLucilia sericata is a very important species both forensically and medically. It was observed that this species was often found on dry bodies, so it was predicted that it may not be able to tolerate small amounts water. Lucilia sericata eggs were reared and submerged in 10 ml of distilled water for varying amounts of time. The treatments consisted of one, three, five, seven, and ten minutes of submergence. The percentage of eggs hatched ranged from 47.34% to 52.17%. An ANOVA test showed that there was no significance between the percentage of eggs hatched of the treatments and the control (p > 0.05). Due to no significant difference being observed between any of the treatments, it was concluded that the water did not have a negative effect on the hatching of the eggs. Further experimentation could determine if the water could increase the percentage of eggs that were hatched
POISONING OF WILDLIFE IN ENVIRONMENAL PARKS OF BRAZIL
No full textThe city of Anapolis located in the state of Goiás, Brazil, has several environmental parks that serve as habitat and refuge for many wild animals. The parks represent the last refuge for some wild animals such asmarmoset, possum, armadillo, capuchin monkey, owl, lapwing, among others. In addition, the parks play an important role for climate mitigation and preservation of the ecosystem, and represent an important recreational area for residents. Recently, mortality rates have increased in non-human primates, including capuchin monkeys and marmosets,as well as skunks from environmental parks as Ipiranga, Matinha, and Central Park. Based on history and clinical signs - rapid onset, tetanic seizures and pupils dilated -strychnine poisoning was suspected. Necropsies were done in 15 marmosets (Callithrix penicillata). Of a total of 13marmosets from Central Park, nine showed petechiae in the pancreas, and presence of green strychnine-laced grain in the digestive tract.However, marmosets from Matinha and Ipiranga parks showed no specific necropsy lesions. Conducting monitoring of the Central Park showed that it undergoes reform. The hypothesis was that the employees were poisoning the marmosets since the animals constantly stole employees’ meals. Thus, an environmental education program was held in all three parks of the city. Employees and visitors of the parks were instructed about importanceofwildlifeconservation and biodiversity maintenance.A positive result was obtained after education program since no more animal deathshave beenobserved in the parks
The Effect of Temperature on Ants and their Foraging Habits in Central Texas.
No full textThe Imported Red Fire Ant Solenopsis invicta is not only a painful nuisance to your sunday picnic but also of great importance to medical professionals and those with allergies associated with its painful bite. This study is aimed at providing information about S. invicta and their foraging habits in different temperatures in order to better control them in the College Station area. In order to collect data, six traps were placed next to ant piles throughout a grassy field indigenous to S. invicta over a period of about three weeks. These traps were baited with hot dog meat and set for a period of approximately 2 hours at the hottest time of day (2 P.M. - 4 P.M.) then collected and the ants were counted. This was done twice per week over the three week period. The resulting data showed that there was some correlation between temperature and amount of ants foraging, higher temperature related to higher amount of ants accounted for. Discrepancies in this trend were addressed by assessing additional climatic variables which may have caused interference, and a relationship was established between ant foraging behavior and mean wind speed. The size of the ant hills provided another clue into the number of ants found in each trap. The larger the ant bed the trap was placed to, the larger amount of ants were found foraging for food.
Determining the most prevalent parasitic worms found in canines surrounding the Bryan/College Station Area
No full textParasitic worm incidences are common in canines but can typically be contained with existing treatments. When not contained, these can go on to infect humans and cause different medical problems depending on the parasite. Therefore, further researching was conducted on the following parasitic worms in canines, Isospora (coccidia), Toxocara canis (roundworms), Trichuris vulpis (whipworms), Dipylidium caninum (tapeworms), and Ancylostoma caninum (canine hookworm). We decided to test canine fecal samples to determine the prevalence of each in the Bryan/College Station area. The samples collected were tested for the presence of oocytes and eggs from parasitic worms using Fecasol solution as part of a fecal flotation test. The results indicated over half of the samples collected tested positive for a parasitic worm infection of a certain species. The highest number of positive cases were from those infected with hookworms. In canines with more than one parasitic worm, the most common grouping was hookworms with roundworms. This research emphasized the need for greater public awareness on worm treatments to prevent possible spread to humans via zoonotic disease and to maintain dog health. This information can also be included as part of a public awareness campaign to address the risks of canine to canine transmission and canine to human transmission when dogs are not treated with preventatives
The Protease Activity in the Digestion Tract of Schistocerca americana (Drury) (Orthoptera: Acrididae)
No full textThe insect digestive tract has been identified to contain three major part identified as foregut, midgut and hindgut. These three region partake in the digestion of food but not at equal levels. A grasshopper identified as Schistocerca americana was used to determine the highest levels of digestion via protease activity in the alimentary tract. The grasshopper was given wheat and left to digest it. Afterwards the digestive tract were removed and then divided by each distinct section and place in a spectrophotometer. Protease activity showed higher abundance in the fore gut than mid or hindgut concluding to higher digestion levels in the foregut
The Life Table of Psyllids (Hemiptera:Triozidae) on Tomato Leaves
No full textBactericera cockerelli is a very destructive pest that transmits Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum (Lso). An effective strategy does not exist to control the Candidatus Liberibacter species for plant protection. The management practices that do exist practice on limiting the spread of infection. When irradiation technology has been used, it has shown a great promise to disinfest pests. It is currently not clear how eBeam dosage impacts the psyllids life cycle. This experiment focuses on the life cycle of psyllids under laboratory conditions without eBeam treatment. It is meant to set the foundation for further research at Texas A&M University. Seeds were germinated and transplanted at the Texas A&M Institute for Plant Genomics and Biotechnology. Psyllids from a colony provided were placed on tomato leaves and the developmental times of 60 psyllids were documented. The average developmental time for an egg to become an adult was 21 days. The average developmental time for each instar stage was between 3 to 4 days. Further research will be conducted by Texas A&M University to evaluate the effects of eBeam irradiation at various doses on psyllid growth, developmental time and reproduction
Effectiveness of Meat Tenderizer in Removal of Blood from Fabric
No full textA technique involving bromelain-based, powdered meat tenderizer was used to remove stains caused by human blood from three common fabrics. Groups of fabric samples were stained with blood and treated with a meat tenderizer mixture for different amounts of time and compared to a control group treated with water alone. The results of this process suggested that meat tenderizer could be used to remove blood stains and that longer amounts of time were favorable for this method. Additionally, it was found that this technique differs from treatment with water alone by breaking down and transferring the stains from the fabric rather than just diluting them to reduce their appearance
