Improvement and Exploration of Teaching Methods for General Entomology in Agriculture and Forestry Colleges and Universities

According to characteristics of General Entomology and existing problems in teaching process,it came up with methods and countermeasures for improving teaching General Entomology,including improving practical ability of students through enhancing all links of practice teaching,and stimulating learning interest of students through improving methods of course examination.

Characterization of insect-fauna of the free-ranging urban dog, Canis domesticus (L.) carcass in tropical region of Pakistan: A tool for forensic entomology

As the authors’ request, the following paper published in Vol.1, No.2, 29-37, 2013 has been withdrawn from the website.

Using DNA Sequences and Phylogenetic Trees as Tools for Teaching Entomology to Undergraduate Students: A Simple Approach

This technical note aims to show how any instructor teaching entomology can use the Basic Local Alignment Search Tool (BLAST) and the “one click” mode of Phylogeny.fr to teach undergraduate students about insect DNA similarity in a simple way. Teaching an entomology course requires the use of numerous tools to help students grasp different concepts. Knowing that there are more than one million described species of insects means that teaching students about insect identification and taxonomy can be challenging. However, here we present two easy exercises that could be used as classroom or take-home assignments to demonstrate various levels of DNA similarity among different insect taxa. Such exercises unlock students’ creativity and break the barrier of fear of bioinformatics. Moreover, they open up new ways for them to understand insect taxonomy through molecular biology and allow them to develop new skills that contribute to strengthening their scientific performance in the future, especially when they do research as graduate students. Finally, this note is an example of how to integrate simple bioinformatics tools into the teaching of entomology.

The uses of Chrysomya megacephala (Fabricius, 1794) (Diptera: Calliphoridae) in forensic entomology

Chrysomya megacephala (Fabricius,1794) occurs on every continent and is closely associated with carrion and decaying material in human environments.Its abilities to find dead bodies and carry pathogens give it a prominence in human affairs that may involve prosecution or litigation,and therefore forensic entomologists.The identification,geographical distribution and biology of the species are reviewed to provide a background for approaches that four branches of forensic entomology (urban,stored-product,medico-criminal and environmental) might take to investigations involving this fly.

Molecular Entomology

Molecular Entomology（ISSN 1925-198X）is an international,open access,peer reviewed journal,committed to publishing and disseminating significant original achievements pertaining to molecular entomology.

Molecular Entomology

Molecular Entomology(ISSN 1925-198X)is an international,open access,peer reviewed journal,committed to publishing and disseminating significant original achievements pertaining to molecular entomology.All papers chosen for publication should be innovative research work in the related field,including genome structure of insects,gene expression

Molecular Entomology

Molecular Entomology(ISSN 1925-198X)is an international,open access,peer reviewed journal,committed to publishing and disseminating significant original achievements pertaining to molecular entomology.All papers chosen for publication should be

Molecular Entomology

Molecular Entomology(ISSN 1925-198X)is an international,open access,peer reviewed journal,committed to publishing and disseminating significant original achievements pertaining to molecular entomology.All papers chosen for publication should be innovative research work in the related field,including genome structure of insects,gene expression and their function analysis,molecular evolution,molecular ecology,molecular genetics。

Molecular Entomology

Molecular Entomology(ISSN 1925-198X)is an international,open access,peer reviewed journal,committed to publishing and disseminating significant original achievements pertaining to molecular entomology.All papers chosen for publication should be innovative research work in the related field,including genome structure of insects,gene expression and their function analysis,molecular evolution,molecular ecology,molecular genetics,insect physiology and biochemistry.Meanwhile we also publish the articles related to

Lucilia sericata(Meigen)and Chrysomya megacephala(Fabricius)(Diptera:Calliphoridae)Development Rate and its Implications for Forensic Entomology

Forensic entomology is basically a science that is based on the scientific study of the invasion and succession pattern of arthropods with their developmental stages of different species found on the decomposed cadavers during legal investigations.The developmental rate of Lucilia sericata and Chrysomya megacephala was studied in beef liver for the correlation of time duration in each phase with the temperature and climate.The obtained data belong to L.sericata at temperatures between 22℃and 26℃(mean‑24℃)and relative humidity 50%±10%and C.megacephala at temperatures between 23℃and 27℃(mean‑25℃)and relative humidity 55%±10%.From the analysis of results,it was observed that in the climatic conditions of the study area,time since death assessment involving L.sericata was found to be with a potential of maximum 10-11 days and C.megacephala with 8-9 days.The data emerged as results from the present work would be beneficial for investigations involving decomposed dead body remains for the assessment of time since death.

An initial study of insect succession on decomposing rabbit carrions in Harare,Zimbabwe

Objective:To investigate insects visiting sun exposed and shaded decomposing rabbit carcasses and to establish the relationship between insects and carcasses which may be of forensic importance in Harare.Methods:Two rabbits weighing 2.3 kg and 2.5 kg were killed by sharp blows on the head.One was exposed to the sun while the other was placed under shade.The carcasses were allowed to decompose and insects were collected twice a day for the first week and thereafter once a day up to the end of the 7 weeks.Maggots were also collected from the decomposing carcasses and reared.Results:Five dipteran families(Galliphoridae,Muscidae,Sarcophagidae,Phoridae and Drosophilidae)were identified from the sun-exposed carcass.Species collected included Lucilia cuprina(L.cuprina),Chrysomya albiceps(C.albiceps),Musca domestica,Sarcophaga sp.and Drosophila sp.Four families(Calliphoridae,Muscidae,Phoridae,Anthomyiidae)were identified from the shaded carcass.Representatives of these families included L cuprina,C.albiceps,Musca domestica,and Hydrotaea sp.Three Coleopteran families(Histeridae,Cleridae and Dermestidae)were identified from hodt carcasses.The observed species were Saprinus sp,Necrobia rufipes and Dermestes sp.Fomicidae(Hymenoptera)was represented by only one species(Pheidoie sp.)Flies which emerged from the rearing units were L cuprina,Lucilia sp.,C.albiceps,Sarcophaga sp.and Sepsis sp.).Conclusions:Of the dipteran species collected during the study,L cuprina and C.albiceps could be important for further forensic studies since they were collected from the carcasses and also observed from the rearing units.

A Biological Restoration Model for Contaminated Coastal Marshes and Islands Using the Life Cycle of Acheta domesticus to Establish Environmental Sustainability

Insects such as Acheta domesticus account for over half of marsh fish and migratory bird diet. Therefore, insects are very important to marsh and island ecosy stems and are susceptible to oil contamination, but little research has been done to study the effects of oil spills on cricket populations. The purpose of this experiment was to determine the effects of an oil spill event on Acheta domesticus mortality and hatch rate to establish environmental sustainability. The treatment groups included 0% oil contamination, 5% oil contamination and 10% oil contamination. The scientist counted the number of deaths in two-week, four-week, and six-week-old crickets after oil contamination. In addition, the scientist counted the number of hatchlings among treated cricket eggs. Error bar lines in the results section supported the scientist’s hypothesis that the crickets would be affected by oil contamination. In fact, over 90% of the 10% oil treatment group died and over 80% of the 5% oil treatment group died after five days of oil contamination in the six-week-old experiment. The scientist used a Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometer to determine if benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, or xylene (total) were present in the sediment samples. BTEX exposure is suspected to possibly cause insect mortality. These volatile organic compounds were present in the samples and were found in higher quantities in samples with higher concentrations of oil. The highest quantity of volatile organic compounds present was xylene. After studying the population dynamics of the tested Acheta domesticus, the scientist found that the two-week and four-week-old crickets’ survivability could fit a linear model while the six-week-old crickets fit an exponential model. The scientist used these models to observe how long it took each treatment group to approach zero, and the oiled groups grew closer to a population of zero significantly faster. For example, it took about twenty-seven days for the 10% treatment group’s population to approach zero whereas the control, 0% treatment group, took about seven days in the two-week-old cricket experiment. Overall, the six-week-old crickets had the highest mortality, and the cricket egg experiment resulted in extremely low hatch rate. Specifically, the highest number of crickets that hatched in an oiled replication either 5% or 10% oil was eight out of the five thousand eggs laid. Since the adult crickets are the most physically able to reproduce and the cricket eggs had low hatch rates, the cricket population would significantly decrease after an oil spill with 5% or more soil contamination. However, if the plant matter that crickets consume is still present in their environment, they may be able to recover.

Influence and Expression of Modern Technological Revolution on Entomological Research

Influence and expression of modern technological revolution on entomological research were analyzed from biotechnology and information technology. The application and expression of transgenic plants, transgenic insects, recombinant microorganism, insect tissue culture and informa- tion technology in entomology were discussed in this study, which showed that modern technological revolution brought about a qualitative leap for entomology with a great pushing effect.

Abnormal Succession of Insect Fauna on Pig Carcasses in Tandil (Argentina, Buenos Aires Province)

This project was an attempt to reconstruct a death in dubious circumstance which happened in December 2002 in Tandil (Buenos Aires Province). Although the body was in open air, the entomological expertise discovered signs of delayed colonization. In this experiment, pig carcasses used as models to reconstruct the case. One was placed in shadow and another in sunlight (control). The hypothesis was that the climate and the topography affect the necrophagous insect succession in a mountain site. The families of Coleoptera found on the baits were: Silphidae, Dermestidae, Cleridae, Histeridae;of Díptera: Calliphoridae, Sarcophagidae;Asilidae;of Hymenoptera: Formicidae, Encyrtidae and Vespidae.

Letter to the Editor

Open-access journals;Advances in

Comparative Evaluation of the Regular Ovitrap vs an Innovated Larvitrap for <i>Aedes</i>Entomological Surveillance in Tapachula

Objective: The objective is to compare a regular ovitrap versus an innovated larvitrap for monitoring Aedes spp. populations. Materials and Methods: A total of 20 regular ovitraps and 20 innovated larvitraps were placed in pairs in 20 houses from the 5 de Febrero neighborhood in Tapachula, Chiapas, Mexico. The innovation consisted in the incorporation of a valve in the lower part of a half tire to drain the contents in a 2 L collection container. The evaluation was carried out during five weeks, collecting eggs and larvae from the ovitraps and innovated larvitraps, respectively. Positivity indexes and insectary production of adult Aedes spp. mosquitoes were compared by collection type. Results: Average positivity index for the five weeks period were 60% for ovitraps and 91.25% for innovated larvitraps. During the five weeks, 4043 Ae. aegypti and 703 Ae. albopictus adult mosquitoes were produced in the insectary from the eggs collected from ovitraps, while from innovated larvitraps were 9014 Ae. aegypti, 1205 Ae. albopictus, and 15 Culex spp. Conclusion: Collection by the innovated larvitrap was more efficient, collecting 3.56 times more Ae. aegypti than with ovitraps, using approximately the same effort in time for replacing the filter paper from traditional 1 L ovitraps. Since the logistics for the storage and placement of larvitraps may still be a disadvantage in comparison with ovitraps, their use could be specifically intended in sentinel sites for mosquito population monitoring for entomological surveillance purposes.

Effect of Bendiocarb (Ficam^®80% WP) on Entomological Indices of Malaria Transmission by Indoor Residual Spraying in Burkina Faso, West Africa

Context: The vector control is essential in malaria prevention strategies in several endemic countries in Africa including Burkina Faso. The high transmission of malaria occurs during the period of high vector abundance (August to October) in Burkina Faso. Therefore, a vector control strategy based on the use of indoor residual spraying targeting this period should provide effective protection against malaria. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of bendiocarb applied in indoor residual spraying on entomological parameters of malaria transmission in a pyrethroid resistance area in southwestern, Burkina Faso. Methods: CDC light trap and early morning collections by pyrethrum spray catches were performed monthly to determine the change in entomological parameter within malaria vector in sprayed (Diebougou) and unsprayed sites (Dano). The female’s malaria vectors collected by both methods were used to determine their blood feeding pattern, biting and sporozoites rates as well as the malaria transmission risk estimated by entomological inoculation rate. Results: A total of 26,276 mosquitoes (13,555 anopheline and 12,721 other culicines) were collected using both CDC light trap (9158 mosquitoes) and PSC collection methods (17,118 mosquitoes) from June to December 2012. An. gambiae complex was the predominant species collected. An. gambiae was the predominant species collected (P = 0.0005), comprising 88% of the total collected and the most infected species. Malaria vectors densities were significantly lower in sprayed villages (n = 4303) compared with unsprayed villages (n = 12,569) during post-spraying period (P = 0.0012). In addition, mean human biting rate of An. gambiae s.l. and An. funestus s.l. were significantly lower in sprayed areas compared to unsprayed areas (P < 0.05). Overall, malaria vector transmission risk was significant four-fold lower in villages which received IRS (P = 0.0001) whatever the malaria vectors species (An. gambiae s.l. and An. An. funestus s.l.). Conclusions: The results showed that in the sprayed area (Diebougou), vector densities, human biting rates and malaria transmission risks were very lower than unsprayed areas (Dano). The findings also showed a change in vector behavior especially within An. funestus s.l. which became more zoophagic following IRS. The indoor residual spraying could be promoted as a control tool in areas where malaria transmission occurs during a given period of year.

Seasonality of insect succession on exposed rabbit carrion in Guangzhou, China

Succession patterns for insect fauna, spanning four seasons, on rabbit carcasses were studied in Guangzhou China from 2006 to 2008. A total of 49 taxa belonging to three orders and 15 families were collected and identified. Four decomposition stages were recognized： fresh, bloated, decay and dry stage. Taxa diversity was higher in bloated and decay stages than fresh and dry stages. Internal and ambient temperatures were measured. Maximum internal temperature arrived earlier in warmer seasons. The sequence of insect succession in this study follows the same general patterns： the Diptera peaked initially, and the Coleoptera peaked later. Chrysomya megacephala was the dominant species in four seasons. Its time point of different development stages on carrion could be the most important indicators for PMI （postmortem interval） estimation in Guangzhou. Yearly and seasonal differences in activities of insects were compared. Alpha diversity indices were calculated. There were no significant differences in Shannon-Wiener index, evenness （J） and dominance （C） between seasons and years. From the Jaccard similarity index, the highest similarity was between winter and spring, while the lowest was between summer and winter. Some species occurring exclusively in one season may be important to characterize different seasons. A list of the insect taxa associated with above-ground rabbit carrion during the four seasons was compiled, which can be used for estimating time since death in similar bio-climate areas.

A brief review of forensically important flesh flies (Diptera: Sarcophagidae)

Forensic entomology could provide valuable data for the minimum postmortem interval (PMImin) estimation and other relevant information,such as causes and circumstances of death.Some representatives of flesh flies are one of the dominant necrophagous insects during early stages of decomposition,demonstrating unique biological characteristics compared with other necrophagous flies.Moreover,they lead to global health concerns as carriers of various pathogenic micro-organisms,and dominantly result in the traumatic myiasis.Thus,sarcophagid flies are considered important in decomposition processes for PMImin estimation.However,the utility of sarcophagid flies has been seriously hampered by limited ecological,biological and taxonomic knowledge of them.The aim of this paper is to provide a brief review on the species,distribution and biological habit of forensically important sarcophagid flies.In addition,the relation between traumatic myiasis and flesh flies,molecular identification methods and developmental pattern of flesh flies are summarized.

Development of Chrysomya megacephala at constant temperatures within its colony range in Yangtze River Delta region of China

Chrysomya megacephala (Fabricius,1794) is the most abundant and predominant species which arrives and colonizes a cadaver first in most parts of China.Therefore,its growth and development patterns have great implications in the estimation of the minimum postmortem interval (PMImin).In this study,C megacephala was collected from the Yangtze River Delta region and reared at seven constant temperatures ranging from 16 ℃ to 34 ℃.The developmental duration and accumulated degree hours,larval body length and morphological changes of C.megacephala were examined.Furthermore,we constructed three developmental models,isomorphen diagram,isomegalen diagram and thermal summation model,which can be used for estimating PMImin.The developmental durations of C.megacephala at 16 ℃,19 ℃,22 ℃,25 ℃,28 ℃,31 ℃ and 34 ℃ are (794.8 ± 14.7),(533.2 ± 10.1),(377.8 ± 16.8),(280.8 ± 15.1),(218.9 ± 8.5),(190.8 ± 10.1) and (171.8 ± 6.8) h,respectively.The developmental threshold temperature D0 is (11.41 ± 0.32) ℃,and the thermal summation constant K is (3 418.7 ± 137.0) degree hours.Regression analysis was conducted to obtain equations of the variation in larval body length with time after hatching,and variation in time after hatching with body length.Moreover,our study divides the intra-puparial morphological changes of C.megacephala into 11 sub-stages,and provides the time range experienced by each sub-stage.The results of this study provide fundamental development data for the use of C.megacephala in PMImin estimations.