Ross H. Miller

Bio: Ross H. Miller is an academic researcher from University of Guam. The author has contributed to research in topics: Braconidae & Aphid. The author has an hindex of 11, co-authored 23 publications receiving 726 citations.

Host range and habitats of the aphid parasitoid Diaeretiella rapae (Hymenoptera: Aphidiidae) in Washington State.

Abstract: Host aphids of the parasitoid Diaeretiella rapae (M’Intosh,) are defined for Washington State, together with a listing of world findings. Specifics are given on host habitats frequented by the parasitoid, comparative population abundance, associated parasitoid species, and host switching. D. rapae is a common parasitoid of Brachycorynella asparagi (Mordvilko), Hayhurstia atriplicis (L.), Brevicoryne brassicae (L.), Diuraphis noxia (Kurdjumov), and sometimes Myzus persicae (Sulzer). In total, 19 species of aphids were positively linked with D. rapae and 6 are reported as hosts for the first time— Acyrthosiphon lactucae (Passerini), Phorodon humuli (Schrank), Dysaphis plantaginea (Passerini), Brachycaudus tragopogonis (Kaltenbach), Uroleucon ivae Robinson, and Braggia sp. D. rapae was shown to switch or alternate successfully between hosts, which suggests that certain host habitats might be used in conjunction with farmlands to enhance host opportunities for the parasitoid and improve its population stability. Two of its primary aphid hosts, B. asparagi and D. noxia, reached pest status shortly after their arrival in Washington but are less problematic today, in part at least because of host switching and acceptance by D. rapae.

Automated Identification of Optically Sensed Aphid (Homoptera: Aphidae) Wingbeat Waveforms

Abstract: An optical sensor was used to make digital recordings of wingbeat waveforms for the five most common aphids found on Guam: Aphis craccivora Koch, A. gossypii Glover, A. nerii Fonscolombe, Pentalonia nigronervosa Coquerel, and Toxoptera citricida (Kirkaldy). Wingbeat frequencies for each species overlapped all other species. However, mean wingbeat frequencies were significantly different for all species. Wingbeat frequencies and harmonic patterns were extracted from the recordings and submitted to cluster analysis, which failed to separate species completely. Several nearest neighbor and probabilistic neural network classifiers were built using time series, frequency spectra, wingbeat frequencies, and harmonic patterns as input variables. These classifiers were evaluated by having them identify wingbeat waveforms from aphids collected and recorded after their construction. The best performing classifier model was a probabilistic artificial neural network trained using 256-bin frequency spectra as input. Sixty-nine percent of the waveforms presented to this network were identified correctly. This study demonstrates the feasibility of developing an insect flight monitor that automatically counts and identifies individual flying insects. Essential components of the monitoring system are a photosensor, a multimedia personal computer, and software that identifies wingbeat frequency spectra using an artificial neural network.

The identity of Pentalonia nigronervosa Coquerel and P. caladii van der Goot (Hemiptera: Aphididae) based on molecular and morphometric analysis

Abstract: Pentalonia nigronervosa (sensu Hardy 1931) samples from banana and from Zingiberaceae and Araceae species exhibit fixed differences in DNA sequence in mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 (“DNA barcode”) and in the nuclear gene elongation factor 1α, and have morphometric differences, including non-overlapping ranges in the length of the distal rostral segment. It is thus proposed that the name P. nigronervosa Coquerel be restricted to banana-feeding ‘nigronervosa’ specimens, and that the name Pentalonia caladii van der Goot be restored to full species status for specimens typically feeding on Zingiberaceae and Araceae.

Automated species identification: why not?

Abstract: Where possible, automation has been a common response of humankind to many activities that have to be repeated numerous times. The routine identification of specimens of previously described species has many of the characteristics of other activities that have been automated, and poses a major constraint on studies in many areas of both pure and applied biology. In this paper, we consider some of the reasons why automated species identification has not become widely employed, and whether it is a realistic option, addressing the notions that it is too difficult, too threatening, too different or too costly. Although recognizing that there are some very real technical obstacles yet to be overcome, we argue that progress in the development of automated species identification is extremely encouraging that such an approach has the potential to make a valuable contribution to reducing the burden of routine identifications. Vision and enterprise are perhaps more limiting at present than practical constraints on what might possibly be achieved.

Impact of the invasive brown marmorated stink bug in North America and Europe: History, biology, ecology, and management.

Abstract: The brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB), Halyomorpha halys (Stal), is an invasive pentatomid introduced from Asia into the United States, Canada, multiple European countries, and Chile. In 2010, BMSB populations in the mid-Atlantic United States reached outbreak levels and subsequent feeding severely damaged tree fruit as well as other crops. Significant nuisance issues from adults overwintering inside homes were common. BMSB is a highly polyphagous species with a strong dispersal capacity and high reproductive output, potentially enabling its spread and success in invaded regions. A greater understanding of BMSB biology and ecology and its natural enemies, the identification of the male-produced aggregation pheromone, and the recognition that BMSB disperses into crops from adjacent wooded habitats have led to the development of behavior-based integrated pest management (IPM) tactics. Much is still unknown about BMSB, and continued long-term collaborative studies are necessary to refine crop-specific IPM pr...

Identifying key cereal aphid predators by molecular gut analysis

Abstract: We describe polymerase chain reaction (PCR) primers for gut analysis of aphid predators. The primers amplify aphid mitochondrial COII fragments ranging in size from 77 to 386 bp. Using these primers, we were able to distinguish six species of US Great Plains cereal aphids, including two congeners, Rhopalosiphum maidis (Fitch) and R. padi (L.), and to detect them in extracts of coccinellid and chrysopid predators. We devised a protocol for deriving half-lives of detectability for the DNA of a single aphid consumed by predators maintained under simulated field dietary and temperature conditions. Using this protocol and primers that amplify a 198-bp fragment, we determined statistically different half-lives of detectability for a single R. maidis of 3.95 h in Chrysoperla plorabunda (Fitch) and 8. 78 h in Hippodamia convergens Guerin. The detectability half-life for a 339-bp R. maidis fragment was statistically longer in C. plorabunda but not in H. convergens. The sensitivity of the assay for the 198-bp fragment is 10-7 aphid equivalents. For species-specific predator gut analysis, PCR is superior to monoclonal antibody technology, giving comparable detectability half-lives with lower expense, much shorter development times, and greater certainty of a successful outcome.