Instars: A Journal of Undergraduate Research (Texas Digital Library - TDL E-Journals)
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A Comparative Study of Larval Culicid Species at Peach Creek Equestrian Center (College Station, TX)
No full textIt has long been noted that mosquitos pose a substantial threat to humans not only inthe United States, but also on an international land. Deemed the most dangerous animals in theworld, the family Culicidae (Diptera) are highly potent vectors of some of the world’s mostdeadly diseases including but not limited to Malaria, Chikungunya, Dengue Fever, and YellowFever. Given the overall danger associated with these animals, the study of their populations andthe epidemic potential that they pose is of the utmost importance in global public health. Thisstudy focused on establishing a relative population comparison of the bodies of water at PeachCreek Equestrian Center, a relatively isolated ranch south of College Station, TX, and found thatthe only species discovered in three bodies of water was Psorophora sp. (Diptera, Culicidae).Key words: vector, Culicidae, public health, survey, compariso
A Common Method of Barn Fly Control: Debunked
No full textIn the state of Texas, flies cause major damage to livestock facilities statewide. Many southern farmers believe that a simple plastic bag full of water with a penny submerged on the bottom will repel flies for extended periods of time with perceived reasons for success varying. Some believe it blinds the flies, other believe the flies see their reflection magnified and flee from a perceived predator. For the purpose of this experiment, a manner of pest control that has been considered an unconventional urban legend will be evaluated for its effectiveness in repelling flies. The results of this experiment found that there is no correlation with the bag of water and decreased amounts of captured flies and may be used to find an alternate method of insect control
Effect of Caffeine on Post-Mortem Blood Coagulation
No full textThe purpose of this experiment is to determine the effect caffeine has on the coagulation (clotting) of blood post mortem. The experimental design was to use 200 mg of a caffeine pill called Stay Awake by Equate, and mix the crushed pill with blood of the species Bos Taurus (cow blood). Temperature of the blood was also taken into account, and two experiments were conducted with the dependent variable being room temperature and the temperature of a refrigerator. Half of the samples (3/6) contained caffeine, the others did not. The rate of coagulation was measured with data being recorded every hours, then once at the 24 hour and 48 hour mark
Determining an Attacker’s Height from Angle of Stab Wound
No full textIn this experiment, the angle of the knife in a stab wound was analyzed to determine if it correlated with the height of the attacker. The height of the victim was constant for all heights, 155, 165, 177, 187 centimeters, and respective trials. The wound was simulated by stabbing florist’s foam, used in place of flesh, three times at each height. After comparing the angle results with the height, it was found that the height increased along with the bottom angle of the knife. The direct correlation between the height of the attacker and the angle of the knife supported the hypothesis
Effects of Peppermint Oil and Vinegar on killing and preventing the Red Imported Fire Ant, Solenopsis invicta (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in households
No full textSolenopsis invicta (fire ants) have only been present in the United States for about seventy- five years but have proven not only to cause annoyance but also cause fear within the human population. In an attempt to decrease some of this annoyance and fear, two different substances were tested for their effectiveness in terminating these fire ants. The fire ants were collected in College Station, Texas and the substances tested included peppermint oil and vinegar. After experimentation, it was found that the peppermint oil was overwhelmingly more effective than the vinegar, especially when the oil was present in very high concentrations
Foraging Behavior of Female Blow Flies (Diptera: Calliphoridae) Based on Visual Cues
No full textThe attraction of blow flies to different resources can be affected by their ovarian development. For this study, the foraging behavior of the blow fly Calliphora terraenovae Macquart (Diptera: Calliphoridae) and attraction to visual cues mimicking flower colors were examined. Naïve blow flies that have not fed on protein and do not have eggs to lay should be attracted to flower colors that represent nectar resources, such as white, pink, yellow. Naïve male and female blow flies were put into experimental cages and exposed to seven flower water representing various colors for 24 h. After 24 h, the flies were removed and assorted by sex. Based on the results, both male and female flies preferred the color purple. Female flies preferred purple as well, but also showed preference for pink. By understanding the color preference of adult blow flies, forensic entomologists can further their understanding of attraction to various resources, whether for nutrients or as potential oviposition sites
A Survey of Insect Families Attracted to Carbon-Dioxide in Thomas Park and the Surrounding Area in College Station, Texas
No full textIt is very important to be aware of the insects living in or around one’s home for many reasons. Insects can vector numerous diseases, damage structures and plants, and be pests. Knowing what insects are in certain areas can help aid in control and prevention methods. This experiment focused on surveying insect families attracted to carbon dioxide in and around Thomas Park in College Station, Texas. Three insect traps were made, using carbon dioxide producing-yeast as the attractant. The three traps captured 325 insects, a majority of them being vinegar flies. All three traps captured at least one fly from the family Calliphoridae and one from the family Muscidae. Trap 3 captured a beetle belonging to the family Bostrichidae. The flies captured were forensically important because they colonize remains soon after death. The beetle, known as a powderpost beetle, was significant because it was a wood-boring beetle that could cause structural wood damage. By knowing that these insects live in a certain location, proper control measures can be performed to effectively control the population
The Effect of Antibiotic Treatment in Agriculture Production on Fly (Diptera) Attraction
No full textThe use of antibiotics in agricultural production has become a topic of growing concern, as these drugs have facilitated the growth of antibiotic resistant bacteria. Flies have a tendency to mechanically transmit these bacteria, causing potential health problems for humans. It is to our benefit to know the demographics of such flies in order to prevent contamination. Organic livestock is typically raised without antibiotics and has some recorded health benefits. It was hypothesized that organic raised chicken breast will attract more flies than non-organic raised chicken breast. Three of each type of chicken breast were placed outside for a week. Adult Diptera were collected, killed and identified. Phormia regina, Cochliomyia macellaria, Lucilia sericata and a Musca species were identified. There was not a statistically significant difference in the number of flies collected or species breakdown between the two chicken breast types. Many variables could have skewed the results. The null hypothesis was accepted that there was no direct correlation between fly attraction and raising of chicken breast, however it was concluded that further research should be conducted with greater control over the experiment for future investigation
Nutritional Value of Nutrient Source May to Lead Different Preferences of Nezara viridula
No full textThe southern green stinkbug, Nezara viridula (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) is a pest of a wide variety of crops including corn and green beans across the southern United States. Information on its preference for corn over green beans or vice versa is limited and more research should be conducted. Ten N. viridula stinkbugs were utilized in this study and allowed to choose whether to feed upon corn or green beans through a network of containers. Eight trials were conducted over a period of four days. Results suggest N. viridula stinkbugs chose green beans over corn, which could be contributed to the difference in the nutritional content of the green beans and corn. However, this is not an absolute, there are many other other variables that may have added to this result and further research should be conducted.
Determining Species and Sex of Chrysomya rufifacies (Macquart) and Cochliomyia macellaria (Fabricius) (Diptera: Calliphoridae) Based on Pupae Weight Difference
No full textIn both the medical and forensic fields, blow flies (Diptera: Calliphoridae) play an important role as decomposers of carrion. Chrysomya rufifacies (Macquart) (Diptera: Calliphoridae) and Cochliomyia macellaria (Fabricius) (Diptera: Calliphoridae) have both been known to be some of the first insects present in the wild on carrion and can be used to determine the Post Mortem Interval (PMI) in certain cases. The two blow flies are similar in life style and appearance; however a certain size difference in pupae of females and males was noted. Being able to determine the sex and species from the weight of the larvae would allow for scientists to tell early on and not have to wait for them to emerge as adults for this information. This experiment set to test that there was a difference in the weight of the blow fly pupae based on sex and species. Maggots were collected from the wild and the second generation of those flies was used to weigh each species. There was found to be a significant difference (P value < 0.0001) in the weight of Chrysomya rufifacies male (0.043339 grams) and females (0.061941 grams) when compared to those of Cochliomyia macellaria male (0.006990366 grams) and females (0.042606 grams).Key words: Sex, Maggots, carrion, weight, pupa