Instars: A Journal of Undergraduate Research (Texas Digital Library - TDL E-Journals)
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Identification and Analysis of Potential Vectorial Capacity in Post-hurricane Mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) Obtained in Brazos County, Texas
No full textIn late August, Hurricane Harvey devastated Harris County and surrounding areas, leaving behind pools of stagnant water and creating the perfect conditions for mosquitoes to thrive. Flood-borne mosquitoes, such as those belonging to the genus Aedes, are commonly found in the Southern Texas region and are known to vector harmful diseases such as Zika. Therefore, concerns of tropical disease outbreaks in affected areas were a topic of discussion among invested individuals. The conditions of the mosquito population in Brazos County, located within 100 miles of Harris County, were explored in this study to determine the extent of the impact Hurricane Harvey had on the area. Due to the frequent rainfall and minor flooding Brazos County experienced during the hurricane, an increase in flood-borne mosquitoes was expected. Mosquito larvae were collected within a month after Hurricane Harvey from four different locations in the Brazos County area. Within these four locations, four different species were identified: Aedes vexans, Culex quinquefasciatus, Psorophora columbiae, and Culex coronator. Aedes vexans, Culex quinquefasciatus, and Psorophora columbiae are all commonly found in Texas. However, Culex coronator is not native to the Southern Texas region. When present, C. coronator and C. quinquefasciatus are known to vector West Nile virus and St. Louis encephalitis in Texas. A. vexans, a flood-borne mosquito species, is known to be a potential vector of Zika virus. Additionally, P. columbiae is a primary vector of encephalitis
Ecological Survey of Unknown Ladybug Species (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) in Mineola, TX
No full textLadybugs are commonly used as biological control agents against aphids, and typically not found to be invasive. However, the use of these insects might have had a negative effect by creating an invasive pest, Harmonia axyridis. It was hypothesized that the species observed in the area is H. axyridis because of the coloring and circumstances surrounding the collection. It was hypothesized that, at the time of the collection, around 200 ladybug carcasses could be found inside the building. Collection took place on Thursday, March 15, 2018 between the hours of 1:00 and 2:00 PM in Co Rd 3276, Mineola, TX (32.736248, -95.341007). Specimens were collected through careful handling with tweezers, and then placed into a single container. There was an actual value of 273 specimens inside the area. Using the accuracy formula, it was discovered that the estimated value was 73.260073% accurate. It was also hypothesized that all the collected organisms would be from the same species, however with the decay of the insects (greater than 3 weeks), it was difficult to determine, but the organisms presumably all belong to H. axyridis. All the ladybugs collected were found near doors, windowsills, or window panes. It was extremely rare to discover an insect in the middle of the surveyed region, dead or alive
Adult Longevity of Chrysomya rufifacies (Macquart) (Diptera: Calliphoridae) by Sex
No full textChrysomya rufifacies (Macquart) (Diptera: Calliphoridae) is a species of blow fly with significance to the field of forensic entomology due to its use in establishing post mortem intervals. Wild C. rufifacies maggots were collected and allowed to pupate. After emergence, the adults were sexed and lifespans were recorded at death. Results showed males to have a significantly longer lifespan than females.Key Words: Chrysomya rufifacies, Calliphoridae, forensic entomolog
A Comparison of Longevity Between Sexes of Cochliomyia macellaria (Fabricius) (Diptera: Calliphoridae)
No full textComprehension of the lifecycle and life expectancy of Cochliomyia homnivorax (Diptera: Calliphoridae) and Cochliomyia macellaria (Diptera: Calliphoridae), the primary and secondary screwworm, respectively have historically been of the utmost concern to researchers in medical, livestock and entomological research fields. As a notoriously detrimental agricultural pest, C. homnivorax has been strictly monitored for decades since its eradication in the United States, and the less dangerous Cochliomyia macellaria has taken the place of C. macellaria for research purposes given that the two species share markedly similar life histories. In order to develop a thorough compilation of data regarding the primary screwworm, life history must be assessed extensively. This being said, this experiment was designed to determine lifespan differences between the sexes of C. macellaria, and results obtained showed no significant difference between the lifespans of males and females when exposed to laboratory conditions. Given this information, researchers can logically deduce that similar lifespans between the sexes are most conducive to maximized efficiency of C. macellaria, and potentially C. homnivorax.Keywords: Cochliomyia macellaria, myiasis, Cochliomyia homnivorax, longevity, life history
Adult Longevity Test by Sex in Chrysomya rufifacies (Diptera: Calliphoridae)
No full textIn many different species of animals, one gender typically lives longer than the other. Currently, the adult longevity between Chrysomya rufifacies (Macquart) (Diptera: Calliphoridae) has yet to be studied. However, in this study it was found that C. rufifacies males lived longer than females. Obtaining and raising wild larvae in the laboratory to adulthood while keeping track of the number of days each one lives to be and the corresponding gender can be useful in observing this trend.
Population Assay of Tenebrio molitor (Linnaeus) (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae): Growth and Development Analysis
No full textThis experiment focuses on the growth and population development of Tenebrio molitor (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae). The larvae are cylindrical and hard-bodied “false worms” called mealworms. Due to the scavenger nature of this insect, they are typically found under stones, decaying logs, bark or on the ground. However, Tenebrio molitor can be purchased though many bait shops and markets and are a common food source for pets. Measurements of the front of head capsule to the end of abdomen and body weight were taken from larvae, pupae, and adult stages. Data was imputed into a logarithmic program on Excel where the standard deviations, variance, range and averages were determined and compared. It appears that variation in development of T. molitor occurs from the larval to pupal stage where most of the fatalities occurred.
The Effectiveness of Different Brands of Fly Strips on Capturing Musca domestica Specimens in the College Station Area
No full textDifferent brands of fly strips were tested in order to determine which was most effective is capturing specimen of Musca domestica. Five brands of fly traps were placed in two locations for one week per trial for a total of three trials. At the end of each week the number of specimen captured were counted and recorded. The results showed that the brand Quick Strike was most effective in capturing specimen of Musca domestica, and the brand Safer was least effective
Household Methods for Controlling Ctenocephalides felis
No full textFleas are arthropod ectoparasites dependent on a bloodmeal from a vertebrate host at each developmental stage for the completion of their life cycle. This flea feeding cycle impacts animal health by causing damage to hides, secondary infections, immune reactions and diseases caused by transmission of pathogens (Coles & Dryden, 2014). The species Ctenocephalides felis is the most commonly found in the household due to the flea favoring dogs and cats for blood meals. This leads to an infestation in the house and humans as hosts unless there is an exterminator intervention. This can be costly for the average household so this paper will investigate household methods for exterminating these pests. Room A was kept as the control. Room B was tested with Diatomaceous Earth. Room C was tested with Lemon Water Spray. Room D was tested with Dawn Soap and a desk lamp. Each experimental method was tested for a total of 6 days. Room D was the most effective test. Dawn soap and a desk lamp were very effective but future studies may consider how effective the desk lamp is with other household methods. These methods were tested twice in the same apartment during two separate episodes of flea infestation
A Longevity Comparison in Necrophagous Male Flies (Diptera:Calliphoridae) (Fabricus)
No full textAbstract: Blowflies (Diptera: Calliphoridae) are a family of much importance to the fields of forensic and medical entomology. Blowflies can find decomposing flesh within minutes and are an important species used by forensic entomologists in determining a post-mortem interval (PMI). PMI may be used to estimate a time of death for a given individual and is a very common practice in the field of forensics. This study measured the differences in longevity between adult male Chrysoma rufifacies and Cochliomyia macellaria flies. Maggots were reared in a laboratory in order to properly measure their lifespan. A t-test was done to determine a p-value for the given data. It was found that C. macellaria adult male flies (M=27.7931; SD= 10.962) experience a greater longevity than Ch. rufifacies adult male flies (M=21; SD=12.8027). This information can be applicable in determining post-mortem intervals in future forensic entomology cases and for use in secondary myiasis in medical settings. Keywords: Cochliomyia macellaria, Chrysoma rufifaces, forensic entomology, Calliphoridae longevity, post-mortem interval (PMI
Survey of Cockroach Species Infesting Homes in Houston, Texas
No full textThe purpose of this experiment was to determine the species of cockroaches that infest different parts of homes located in north Houston. To do this, cockroach traps were laid out in different rooms of the house. Each night for one week, and the specimen caught within the past twenty-four hours were removed from the traps and their species were determined. The number of cockroaches caught per location per night was recorded. It was concluded that the most prevalent species infesting houses in Houston, Texas was the Periplaneta americana cockroach, commonly known as the American cockroach (Insect Identification 2016). The most infested area of the house was determined to be the attic