Psyche: A Journal of Entomology 

About: Psyche: A Journal of Entomology is an academic journal. The journal publishes majorly in the area(s): Genus & Foraging. Over the lifetime, 480 publications have been published receiving 5470 citations.

Impact of the Invasive Brown Marmorated Stink Bug, Halyomorpha halys (Stål), in Mid-Atlantic Tree Fruit Orchards in the United States: Case Studies of Commercial Management

Abstract: Four commercial orchards in the mid-Atlantic region of the United States were surveyed weekly in 2010 and 2011 for the presence of brown marmorated stink bug and the injury caused to both apple and peaches. Among tested sampling techniques, pyramid traps baited with the aggregation pheromone of Plautia stali Scott, methyl-(2E,4E,6Z)-decatrienoate, yielded the most brown marmorated stink bug adults and nymphs, followed by visual observations. Brown marmorated stink bugs began to feed on apples and peaches soon after fruit set and continued to feed on fruit throughout the growing season. Injury to apple was relatively inconsequential until after mid-June, whereas feeding on peaches resulted in immediate economic injury as the surface became distorted, dented, discolored, and the flesh beneath turned brown. Significantly more apples were injured and with greater severity in 2010 than in 2011. Likewise, percent injury on the exterior portion of each apple plot was significantly greater than injury reported from the interior in both years. Growers increased the number of insecticide applications nearly 4-fold from 2010 to 2011. In addition to the increased number of targeted insecticide applications, growers also reduced the interval between treatments in 2011. A metric was created to compare the relative intensity of each grower's commercial management program between seasons and amongst each other.

Temperature-Driven Models for Insect Development and Vital Thermal Requirements

Abstract: Since 1730 when Reaumut introduced the concept of heat units, many methods of calculating thermal physiological time heat have been used to simulate the phenology of poikilothermic organisms in biological and agricultural sciences. Most of these models are grounded on the concept of the “law of total effective temperatures”, which abstracts the temperature responses of a particular species, in which a specific amount of thermal units should be accumulated above a temperature threshold, to complete a certain developmental event. However, the above temperature summation rule is valid within the species-specific temperature range of development and therefore several empirical linear and nonlinear regression models, including the derivation of the biophysical models as well, have been proposed to define these critical temperatures for development. Additionally, several statistical measures based on ordinary least squares instead of likelihoods, have been also proposed for parameter estimation and model comparison. Given the importance of predicting distribution of insects, for insect ecology and pest management, this article reviews representative temperature-driven models, heat accumulation systems and statistical model evaluation criteria, in an attempt to describe continuous and progressive improvement of the physiological time concept in current entomological science and to infer the ecological consequences for insect spatiotemporal arrangements.

Territoriality, Nest Dispersion,and Community Structure in Ants

Abstract: The dispersion patterns of ant colonies have been reported for a variety of species having very different ecological characteristics (Pontin 1961; Yasuno 1963, 1964a,b, 1965; Brian 1964; Brian et al. 1965, 1966; Greenslade 1971; Room 1971, 1975a,b; Bernstein and Gobbel 1979; Levings and Franks 1982), and typically, spacing studies involve discussions of territoriality. Recently, Holldobler and Lumsden (1980), using a cost/ benefit approach, examined the importance of the economic defensibility of territories and its influence on the use of space and dispersion patterns. Holldobler (1974, 1976a, 1979a,b) demonstrated the relationship between resource distribution, territory shape and nest spacing. These studies also emphasize that in order to understand thoroughly territoriality and other intraand interspecific relationships, it is necessary to comprehend the role of social design in the establishment and maintenance of territory. Without such a combined approach of behavior and ecology, it is difficult to assess accurately the significance of territoriality in social species such as ants. In many studies there have been problems in the application of the term territoriality and discrepancies in the identification of territorial phenomena. Terms describing the use of foraging area such as territory and home range have been rather poorly defined and vary in meaning between authors. Territory to some authors denotes a defended area (Baroni-Urbani 1979; Holldobler 1974, 1976a; Holldober and Wilson 1977a,b; Holldobler and Lumsden 1980) whereas to others it is synonymous with home range or is casually used (Dobrzanska 1958, 1966). There are also problems with the application of information on territoriality in the interpretation of spacing patterns. For example, mathematical evidence of

Botanicals as Grain Protectants

Abstract: Prevention of food losses during postharvest storage is of paramount economic importance. Integrated pest management is now a widely accepted strategy in pest control including postharvest infestation control which involves the use of chemical (contact/residual) insecticides along with fumigants. The use of synthetic chemical insecticides is either not permitted or used restrictively because of the residue problem and health risks to consumers. In view of the above, there is a need for plants that may provide potential alternatives to the currently used insect control agents as they constitute a rich source of bioactive molecules. Available literature indicates that plant could be source for new insecticides. Therefore, there is a great potential for a plant-derived insecticidal compounds. This paper focuses on the current state of the botanical insecticides as grain protectants and its mode of action.

Spider-Ant Associations: An Updated Review of Myrmecomorphy, Myrmecophily, and Myrmecophagy in Spiders

Abstract: This paper provides a summary of the extensive theoretical and empirical work that has been carried out in recent years testing the adaptational significance of various spider-ant associations. Hundreds of species of spiders have evolved close relationships with ants and can be classified as myrmecomorphs, myrmecophiles, or myrmecophages. Myrmecomorphs are Batesian mimics. Their close morphological and behavioral resemblance to ants confers strong survival advantages against visually hunting predators. Some species of spiders have become integrated into the ant society as myrmecophiles or symbionts. These spider myrmecophiles gain protection against their own predators, live in an environment with a stable climate, and are typically surrounded by abundant food resources. The adaptations by which this integration is made possible are poorly known, although it is hypothesized that most spider myrmecophiles are chemical mimics and some are even phoretic on their hosts. The third type of spider-ant association discussed is myrmecophagy—or predatory specialization on ants. A table of known spider myrmecophages is provided as is information on their biology and hunting strategies. Myrmecophagy provides these predators with an essentially unlimited food supply and may even confer other protections to the spiders.