Monthly Archives: March 2016

An Alluring Argentine Ant Attractant

Posted on March 24, 2016 by jjneal

The Argentine Ant is an invasive pest of agricultural fields and urban dwellings, especially in California. Homeowners often rely on slow acting baits that are consumed by ant foragers and carried back to the nest. Once ants find and accept … Continue reading →

Posted in behavior, by jjneal, Pest Management | Leave a comment

March Midge-ness

Posted on March 23, 2016 by jjneal

The first warm days of spring in the Midwest bring a variety of flies. Many species of flies are tiny, less than a couple of mm in length. Among the tiny flies are midges of the family Chironomidae. The Chironomids … Continue reading →

Posted in by jjneal, Environment | Leave a comment

Living With Detours

Posted on March 22, 2016 by jjneal

Infrastructure spending leads to detours and our Greater Lafayette cities have seemingly deployed every orange barrel between here and the east coast to create a confusing maze. The “trending” answer: “You can’t get there from here.” How good are arthropods … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment

Maryland Knocks Neonicotinoids

Posted on March 21, 2016 by jjneal

Neonicotinoids are a class of insecticides that provides protection from insect herbivores by entering plant vascular systems. Neonicotinoids are especially good for controlling sucking insect pests such aphids and whiteflies. Neonicotinoids are selectively toxic to insects and are safe enough for … Continue reading →

Posted in by jjneal, Environment, News, Policy | 1 Comment

Fashion Danger

Posted on March 20, 2016 by jjneal

The Miss Uñas beauty salon in Durango, Mexico has launched a fingernail fashion statement. To provide that exotic and dangerous look, immature scorpions, Centruroides suffusus, are glued to fingernails as decorations. Care must be used in handling the venomous scorpions … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, by jjneal, fashion | Leave a comment

An Aphrodisiac Blend

Posted on March 19, 2016 by jjneal

The pheromones of female moths have been extensively studied. Many contain blends of the isomers of a single chemical. The correct ratio of the isomers is necessary to maximize a behavioral response. In many butterflies, the male, not the female … Continue reading →

Posted in behavior, Biomaterials, by jjneal | Leave a comment

Invasive Species Come Together

Posted on March 18, 2016 by jjneal

The cabbage white butterfly, Pieris rapae, is an invasive species that long ago established in North America. Likewise, Garlic Mustard, Alliaria petiolata, is an invasive plant that displaces native North American wild flowers in forests and understory shaded areas. Garlic … Continue reading →

Posted in by jjneal, Caterpillar Blogging, Environment, Invasive Species | Leave a comment