Instars: A Journal of Undergraduate Research (Texas Digital Library - TDL E-Journals)
Not a member yet
220 research outputs found
Sort by
The Sensitivity of Luminol to Common Household Produce Regarding Forensic Use
No full textAbstract. 3-Aminophthalhydrazide, later coined luminol in 1934 by Ernest H. Huntress, is a well-known chemical used in the detection of blood at a crime scene. For almost a century, it has been utilized as a presumptive for blood in scenes of crimes and laboratories. While luminol is useful as it is extremely sensitive to the presence of hemoglobin and hematin, there are also known false positives that can skew the interpretation of a crime scene. As a result, an experiment was conducted in which common household fruits and vegetables were sprayed with a luminol mixture to test if they would result in a false positive identification for blood. In this study, the produce was separated into their individual parts: skin, leaves, and flesh, and juiced. Each of these parts were then sprayed independently with a luminol mixture and observed in darkness to check if chemiluminescence was present. The results indicated that out of the nine different types of produce tested (navel orange, lime, red grapefruit, beet, radish, kale, spinach, rainbow swiss chard, broccoli), only radishes reacted with the luminol mixture. However, since the duration of the luminescence and the intensity of the luminescence differed heavily from the duration and intensity of luminescence from a luminol and blood reaction, it is highly unlikely that radishes will result in a false positive identification for blood at the scene of a crime. Thus, none of the nine different types of produce tested were deemed likely to result in a false positive identification at the scene of a crime. This study is a foundation for the extent of false positives on household fruits and vegetables sprayed with luminol; however, several questions need a wider array of the Brassicaceae family to check if more than just radishes react to luminol
Efficacy of Larvicidal Liquid Additive Against Mosquito Larvae
No full textDuring the dry fall and winter months, mosquito prevalence tends to falter as the climate is cooler and water is sparse. However, once the rainy season begins and temperatures warm (March to September), mosquitoes become active and the risks associated with disease transmission heighten. Along with environmental factors, an increase in mosquito population is also influenced by urbanization and application of DDT. In efforts to control mosquito-borne diseases, such as West Nile Virus and yellow fever, we conducted a vector management experiment. For female oviposition to occur, a source of water, whether that be standing water or flood water, must be present. As eggs were laid on or near the surface of water and hatched into larvae, homemade mosquito dunks were utilized on three species: Culex quinquefasciatus, Aedes aegypti, and Aedes albopictus. This study aimed to determine whether common household chemicals would be effective in killing mosquito larvae. Our study challenges the stigma that Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and costly insecticides must be implemented in order to effectively combat the vectors for mosquito-borne diseases
Survey of Effectiveness in Catching Pest Insects in Southeast Texas Using Various Homemade Traps
No full textThe presence of pests in Southeast Texas is not uncommon given the primarilymarsh biome it encompasses. A result of this is the nuisance that is having many insectspresent near human habitations. A good portion of these insects tends to become pestsand interrupt everyday life and potentially cause disease. This study has the intent ofsearching for a reliable trap to exterminate these pests in the convenience of a residentialspace and its materials. Three different types of traps were used in this experiment: abowl filled with vinegar, plastic wrap, and side-door bottle trap. Each trap was studied forthree trials, with a total of nine traps set across three locations in Southeast Texas. Trapswere set for 24 hours each trial in a period from November 26 to November 29, 2021.There was a total of 111 insects caught, all in the order Diptera. Among this order, therewere three families present: 109 in Drosophilidae, one in Calliphoridae, and one inCulicidae. Insects higher in quantity and diversity found a significantly stronger attractionto and mortality rate with the vinegar bowl trap most likely due to its ability to drown thepests
The Effects of Blood Glucose Levels on the Attraction of Forensically Important Flies
No full textAbstract: Necrophagous flies are flies that feed on decaying flesh. The two main families of flies that feed on decaying remains are Calliphoridae and Sarcophagidae, and these particular families can aid in forensic investigation due to their attraction to decaying matter such as human remains. This experiment focused on the attraction of forensically important flies to different blood glucose levels and attempts to answer the question of whether someone with elevated blood glucose levels at the time of death would attract more flies than someone with normal blood glucose levels at death. This information could be especially applicable to remains with open wounds or crime scenes in which lots of blood is present. To investigate this, fly traps containing bovine blood of different glucose levels were set outside for six days at a time. At the end of each six-day period, the flies from each trap were collected, counted, frozen, and analyzed to determine each specimen’s family. It was determined that elevated blood glucose levels do attract more flies, particularly Calliphoridae, than normal blood glucose levels, as the most flies were found in one of the increased glucose level traps for all three trials
The Effects of pH on the Decay of Animal Bones
No full textIt is a well-known fact in the forensic community that the process of soft tissue decomposition lasts much longer when the cadaver is submerged in an aqueous environment. Studies of this nature with skeletal remains are less frequently produced, and therefore there is not much supported knowledge about whether human bones would face similar effects. The human skeleton potentially undergoes physical changes over various environmental conditions, but their changes in liquid conditions are poorly understood. This experiment was a study on the macroscopic effects that pH may have on the degradation of animal bones. Various small animal bones were placed in common household solutions of differing pH for the purpose of recording any physical changes. The only notable changes observed over the course of the experiment were the drastic discoloration of solutions with higher acidity, as well as the production of sediment-like residue in the saltwater solution. Further investigation into this in the context of potential body disposal could prove useful for the future of forensic science
Comparative Analysis of Fragrances and Commercially Available Attractants to Insects
No full text The attractiveness of different chemicals to insects is needed for developing effectivebaits for commercial traps. In addition, the use of personal fragrance could inadvertently increaseattractiveness to biting insects. Our objective was to evaluate the attractiveness of three differentpersonal fragrances and one commercial attractant for different insect orders in College Station,Texas. Traps captured a total of 1228 individual insects from eight different orders. The mostconsistent treatment in attractiveness was jasmine and the most commonly attracted insect orderwas Thysanoptera. We found that the mean abundance of most insect orders did not differ fromthe un-baited control group, indicating that the different baits did not significantly differ in theirattractiveness. This study helps identify baits for insect traps to increase effectiveness
Evaluating Vinegar-Based and Honey-Based Attractants as Trapping Solutions for Drosophila Suzukii (Diptera: Drosophilidae)
No full textSpotted wing drosophila, also known as Drosophila suzukii (Diptera: Drosophilidae) are invasive insects to crops and a nuisance to humans. Because of their prevalence, studies were conducted to determine the most optimal trapping solution. Types of vinegar and types of honey were tested to determine the most effective natural and non-toxic trapping solution. Five different 250 mL solutions either containing spring water, local honey, store-bought honey, regular vinegar, and apple cider vinegar contained in a red, plastic cup were tested for their effectiveness in trapping Drosophila suzukii. Specimens were strained from each trap solution after each trial and were recorded to determine which solution trapped the most flies. Overall, the trap containing apple cider vinegar was the most effective at trapping Drosophila suzukii. This data demonstrates that Spotted wing drosophila are most attracted to acidic solutions, and therefore, make the best home- made traps
A Comparison of Different Sugar Baits for the Capture of Diptera in Texas
No full textIdentifying the most effective baits to attract Diptera flies is critical for surveillance and control activities. Four different baits consisting of sugar-water, molasses and water, a vinegar-syrup mixture, and a mango mosquito lure were used inside funnel kill traps and placed in various locations in the city of College Station, Tx and left out for five days at a time. Lucilia sericata (Meigen) was the most prevalent species collected, but others included Musca domestica (Linnaeus) and Drosophila melanogaster (Morgan). The molasses bait was the most effective trap, with sugar-water in a close second. The syrup-vinegar mixture did not effectively attract anything.
Key Words: Diptera, Lucilia sericata, fly traps, funnel trap
Comparing Natural Insect Repellents Effectiveness in Preventing the House Cricket, Acheta domestica from Consuming Crops from Gardens
No full textAcheta domestica poses a problem to agriculture and indoor living, as they feed on crops and fabrics. Preventing an infestation begins with preventing this pest from entering susceptible areas in the first place, therefore an effective repellent is necessary. Using a naturally occurring plant ensures little to no harm to the ecology around a garden, farm, or home, unlike using large, scheduled doses of pesticides. The experiment was performed within a cardboard enclosure, wherein a food and water source were surrounded by a ring of natural repellent, which was composed of either chili powder, minced garlic, or nicotine powder. Of the three repellents, chili powder performed the best with 67% success, discouraging the cricket from approaching the food and water. Because Acheta domestica is not the only species of cricket that troubles crop production, additional experiments need to be performed to find a natural repellent that works effectively across multiple species on a larger scale
Household Ingredients to Control Ant Populations
No full text:
Ant infestation is a common issue worldwide. These insects are a nuisance and pose a threat to children, pets, and the elderly. Although pesticides prove to be the most efficient form of killing these insects, the chemicals found in them can be harmful to humans. In addition, ants are becoming more and more resistant to pesticides, meaning that harsher chemicals are becoming necessary. This experiment studies inexpensive, non-toxic household ingredients that can be used as alternative pest control methods. It was hypothesized that the black pepper solution would result in the greatest number of ant deaths. The ant subjects used were identified as Tetramorium caespitum (Hymenopter: Formicidae, L.), more commonly known as pavement ants, belonging to the order Hymenoptera and family Formicidae. The specimens were collected using two different baits: honey and peanut butter, of which peanut butter proved to be a more successful bait. Ants were placed in three containers with three different solutions of ground cumin, black pepper, and cinnamon. The ants were observed, and results were collected at different time intervals. Upon review of the data, ground black pepper seemed to control the sample population the best. Therefore, it was concluded that the most effective household ingredient tested was black pepper