Entomology

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Research from the Department of Entomology. The department is part of the School of Natural Resources, and their website may be found at https://www.ndsu.edu/snrs/

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Browsing Entomology by browse.metadata.department "Natural Resource Sciences"

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    Influence of Neonicotinoid Seed Treatment on Two Co-Occuring Arthropod Pests, Two-Spotted Spider Mite (Tetranychus urticae) and Western Flower Thrips (Frankliniella occidentalis)
    (North Dakota State University, 2019) Brenner, Robert J
    Insecticidal neonicotinoid seed treatments in agriculture is a common insect pest management strategy. Seed treatments have systemic and residual toxicity, which are effective against target insect pests. However, effects on other arthropod pests is less straightforward. We evaluated the effects of a neonicotinoid seed treatment, thiamethoxam, on two soybean pests, herbivorous two-spotted spider mites (Tetranychus urticae Koch) and an omnivore and facultative predator of spider mite eggs, western flower thrips (Frankliniella occidentalis Pergande). We used greenhouse and laboratory experiments to evaluate thiamethoxam soybean seed treatments on spider mite densities and thrips omnivorous feeding behavior. Our results suggest seed treatment may encourage spider mite reproduction and influence thrips herbivory over egg predation when both resources are available. Implications of this study highlight the use of thiamethoxam soybean seed treatment as a potential contributor to increased spider mite populations, thrips reduced role as spider mite predator, and increased role as herbivorous pest.
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    Spatiotemporal Dynamics of Butterflies and Their Floral Resources
    (North Dakota State University, 2020) Antonsen, Adrienne Kendra
    Butterflies fulfill a unique role among insect pollinators as long-distance flyers. This makes butterflies particularly valuable as vectors of genetic diversity among spatially isolated plant populations. Like many insects, though, butterfly populations have experienced significant declines in recent years. To help inform conservation efforts, and to investigate community and species level dynamics, I studied butterflies and their floral resources as part of a three year pollinator survey across the state of North Dakota. At the community level, I analyzed butterfly-flower interaction networks across space and time. I then examined the specialization of individual species within those networks and their contributions to network structure. I also evaluated spatial and temporal distribution patterns of monarch butterflies, regal fritillaries, and their plant resources. Results revealed dynamic spatiotemporal relationships between butterflies and their plant resources that have important implications for conservation efforts and the study of ecological communities.