Location: Stored Product Insect and Engineering Research
2019 Annual Report
Accomplishments
1. Improving effectiveness of aerosol insecticide treatments for food facilities. With the reduced use of structural fumigations for the management of insect pests of stored food, the food industry has increasingly relied on aerosol insecticide applications, primarily reduced risk materials such as pyrethrins and insect growth regulators. Aerosol treatments disperse the insecticide in small droplets that can provide more even coverage, but little information was available on effectiveness of these treatments. Scientists at ARS in Manhattan, Kansas, along with collaborators at Kansas State University and MRI Global, determined how droplet size impacted insecticide efficacy. Small droplets (2 microns) produced limited mortality, while larger droplets (16 microns) were more effective. Smaller droplets do not as readily impinge on surfaces. Measurements of aerosol treatments in food facilities revealed spatial variation in efficacy that was correlated with uneven distribution of aerosol droplets. Inside buildings like mills, processing plants, and warehouses, distance from release point and structural features which block the movement of aerosol droplets both contributed to reduced number of droplets and an overall decrease in size of droplets. Measurement of how droplets settle over time revealed that exposure times after application could be reduced from two or more hours to less than one hour, which is an economic benefit, since it reduces the time a food facility needs to stop operation to apply the treatment. The lost production time associated with treatments typically exceeds the cost of the treatment itself. Different aerosol release strategies influence droplet distribution and can improve the evenness of droplet coverage. This research provides important insights into how aerosol applications can be applied more effectively and at a lower cost while providing better pest management.
2. Netting with incorporated insecticide as a new pest management tactic. Stored product insect infestations lead to contamination issues and average product loss estimates of up to 30%, so preventing insects from entering structures where food is processed or stored is critical. ARS scientists in Manhattan, Kansas, demonstrated that netting material impregnated with a reduced risk insecticide (deltamethrin), originally developed as bed nets for control of mosquitos that spread malaria, has potential for preventing stored product insect infestations. For netting to be an effective tool it must cause a response after only short periods of time in contact with netting. In laboratory testing, short-term exposure to netting did not cause immediate mortality and openings in netting allowed insects to pass through, but insect movement after exposure was greatly reduced. For a variety of pest species and both adults and immature stages, exposure to netting successfully reduced movement by 2–3-fold and stored product insects were unable to reach food as close as 10 inches away. After the initial reduction in mobility, most insects eventually succumb to the effects of insecticide. In larger scale tests, netting prevented food infestation when netting was placed as a barrier between where insects were released and where bagged food was placed. Netting with incorporated insecticide has potential application as a covering over vents and windows to intercept stored product insects as they immigrate from the surrounding landscape. Larger mesh size should increase airflow and reduce dust accumulation which avoids issues found with netting that is fine enough to physically exclude stored product insects. Netting that incorporates insecticide is a promising management tactic that can be layered onto existing pest management programs to prevent pest infestations and need for other more costly treatments such as fumigation.
3. Reference quality insect genome assemblies and genetic resources developed. Current DNA sequencing technology does not allow the genome to be sequenced all at once, so researchers have to align and merge DNA fragments to reconstruct the original sequence in a process called genome assembly. DNA sequencing can be done using short reads or long reads, short reads are less expensive to generate and work better with poorer quality DNA than long read sequencing. Researchers have struggled to obtain high quality genome assemblies using short read sequencing, because short read sequencing assemblies tend to be error prone and incomplete. ARS researchers in Manhattan, Kansas, demonstrated that assemblies of long read and long-range sequencing data resulted in reference quality genome assemblies (assemblies that contained all genes and were assembled at the chromosome level). A limitation encountered in obtaining long read sequencing and reference quality genome sequences was the need to extract DNA that was not fragmented or damaged. A method was developed to obtain consistent high-quality long genomic DNA from insects. This method was used to isolate genomic DNA from six insects, which were sequenced by PacBio long read sequencing, and resulted in chromosome level reference genomes for four stored product insects and two cricket species. Annotation of these genomes has highlighted new gene pathways that may be targeted for control and this approach was also used as part of a collaborative project with industry and North Carolina State University cooperators to improve insects as a food crop, addressing the need for expanded protein resources for animals. These efforts will help the development of new high-quality genome resources for insects that can be used to understand insect biology, identify novel targets for future pest management tools, and improve insects as a food crop.
Review Publications
Mason, C.J., Campbell, A.M., Scully, E.D., Hoover, K. 2019. Bacterial and fungal midgut community dynamics and transfer between mother and brood in the Aisan longhorned beetle (Anoplophora glabipennis), an invasive xylophage. Microbial Ecology. 77(1):230-242. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00248-018-1205-1.
Morrison III, W.R., Blaauw, B.R., Short, B.D., Nielsen, A.L., Bergh, J.C., Krawczyk, G., Park, Y., Butler, B., Khrimian, A., Leskey, T.C. 2018. Successful management of Halyomorpha halys (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) in commercial apple orchards with an attract-and-kill strategy. Pest Management Science. 75(1):104-114. https://doi.org/10.1002/ps.5156.
Shapiro, L.R., Paulson, J.N., Arnold, B.J., Scully, E.D., Zhaxybayeva, O., Pierce, N., Klepac-Ceraj, V., Holton, K. 2018. An introduced crop plant is driving diversification of the virulent plant pathogen Erwinia tracheiphila. mBio. 9(5):e1307-18. https://doi.org/10.1128/mBio.01307-18.
Gerken, A.R., Scully, E.D., Campbell, J.F. 2018. Red flour beetle (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) response to volatile cues varies with strain and behavioral assay. Environmental Entomology. 47(5):1252-1265. https://doi.org/10.1093/ee/nvy107.
Danso, J.K., Osekre, E.A., Opit, G.P., Arthur, F.H., Campbell, J.F., Mbata, G., Manu, N., Armstrong, P.R., McNeill, S.G. 2019. Impact of storage structures on moisture content, insect pests and mycotoxin levels of maize in Ghana. Journal of Stored Products Research. 81:114-120. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jspr.2018.11.012.
Shapiro, L.R., Andrade, A., Scully, E.D., Rocha, J., Paulson, J.N., Kolter, R. 2018. Draft genome sequence of an Erwinia tracheiphila isolate from an infected muskmelon (Cucumis melo). Microbiology Resource Announcements. 7(17):e01058-18. https://doi.org/10.1128/MRA.01058-18.
Arthur, F.H., Hale, B.A., Starkus, L.A., Gerken, A.R., Campbell, J.F., McKay, T. 2019. Development of Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) on rice milling components and by-products: Effects of diet and temperature. Journal of Stored Products Research. 80:85-92. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jspr.2018.11.001.
Amoah, B.A., Mahroof, R.M., Gerken, A.R., Campbell, J.F. 2019. Effect of delayed mating on longevity and reproductive performance of Lasioderma serricorne (F.) (Coleoptera: Anobiidae). Journal of Economic Entomology. 112(1):475-484. https://doi.org/10.1093/jee/toy336.
Nixon, L.J., Tabb, A., Morrison III, W.R., Rice, K.B., Brockerhoff, E.G., Leskey, T.C., van Koten, C., Goldson, S., Rostas, M. 2019. Volatile release, mobility, and mortality of diapausing Halyomorpha halys during simulated shipping movements and temperature changes. Journal of Pest Science. Available: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10340-019-01084-x.
Arthur, F.H. 2019. Efficacy of combinations of methoprene and deltamethrin as long-term commodity protectants. Insects. 10(2):50. https://doi.org/10.3390/insects10020050.
Morrison III, W.R., Bruce, A.I., Wilkins, R.V., Albin, C.E., Arthur, F.H. 2019. Sanitation improves stored product insect pest management. Insects. 10(3):77. https://doi.org/10.3390/insects10030077.
Gerken, A.R., Campbell, J.F. 2019. Using long-term capture data to predict Trogoderma variabile Ballion and Plodia interpunctella (Hübner) population patterns. Insects. 10(4):93. https://doi.org/10.3390/insects10040093.
Cordeiro, E.G., Campbell, J.F., Phillips, T., Akhunov, E. 2019. Isolation by distance, source-sink population dynamics and dispersal facilitation by trade routes: impact on population genetic structure of a stored grain pest. G3, Genes/Genomes/Genetics. 9(5):1457-1468. https://doi.org/10.1534/g3.118.200892.
Lanka, S.K., Arthur, F.H., Campbell, J.F., Zhu, K. 2019. Evaluation of residual efficacy of pyrethrin + methoprene aerosol on two dermestids: Impact of particle size, species and temperature. Insects. 10(5):E142. https://doi.org/10.3390/insects10050142.
Arthur, F.H., Domingue, M.J., Scheff, D.S., Myers, S.W. 2019. Bioassays and methodologies for insecticide tests with larvae of Trogoderma granarium (Everts), the khapra beetle. Insects. 10(5):E145. https://doi.org/10.3390/insects10050145.
McKay, T., Bowombe-Toko, M.P., Starkus, L.A., Arthur, F.H., Campbell, J.F. 2019. Monitoring of Tribolium castaneum (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) in rice mills using pheromone-baited traps. Journal of Economic Entomology. 112(3):1454-1462. https://doi.org/10.1093/jee/toy422.
Tadesse, T., Subramanyam, B., Zhu, K., Campbell, J.F. 2019. Contact toxicity of filter cake and triplex powders from Ethiopia against adults of Sitophilus zeamais (Coleoptera: Curculionidae). Journal of Economic Entomology. 113(3):1469-1475. https://doi.org/10.1093/jee/toz036.
Scheff, D.S., Brabec, D.L., Campbell, J.F., Arthur, F.H. 2019. Case study: A practical application of an aerosol treatment in commercial mill. Insects. 10(5):E150. https://doi.org/10.3390/insects10050150.
Guptar, A.K., Scully, E.D., Palmer, N.A., Geib, S.M., Sarath, G., Hein, G.L., Tatineni, S. 2019. Wheat streak mosaic virus alters the transcriptome of its vector, wheat curl mite (Aceria tosichella Keifer), to enhance mite development and population expansion. Journal of General Virology. 100(5):889-910. https://doi.org/10.1099/jgv.0.001256.
Arthur, F.H. 2019. Residual efficacy of a deltamethrin emulsifiable concentrate formulation against Rhyzopertha dominica (F.) and Sitotroga cerealella (Olivier) after partial treatment of brown rice. Insects. 10(4). https://doi.org/10.3390/insects10040095.
Athanassiou, C.G., Arthur, F.H., Kavallieratos, N.G., Hartzer, K.L. 2018. Susceptibility of different life stage of Tribolium confusum (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) and Oryzaephilus surinamensis (Coleoptera: Silvanidae) to cold treatment. Journal of Economic Entomology. 111(3):1481-1485. https://doi.org/10.1093/jee/toy103.
Morrison III, W.R., Wilkins, R.V., Gerken, A.R., Scheff, D.S., Zhu, K., Arthur, F.H., Campbell, J.F. 2018. Mobility of adult Tribolium castaneum (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) and Rhyzopertha dominica (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae) after exposure to long-lasting insecticide netting. Journal of Economic Entomology. 111(5):2443-2453. https://doi.org/10.1093/jee/toy173.
Scheff, D.S., Campbell, J.F., Arthur, F.H. 2018. Aerosol dispersal patterns and resulting effects on Tribolium confusum (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) adults. Journal of Economic Entomology. 111(5):2435-2442. doi: 10.1093/jee/toy166.
Athanassiou, C.G., Arthur, F.H., Hartzer, K. 2018. Efficacy of low temperatures for the control of all life stages of Plodia interpunctella (and Liposcelis bostrychophila. Journal of Pest Science. 91(4):1363-1369. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10340-018-0982-0.
Ince, I., Ozcan, O., Ilter-Akulke, A.Z., Scully, E.D., Ozgen, A. 2018. Invertebrate iridoviruses: A glance over the last decade. Viruses. 10(4):161. https://doi.org/10.3390/v10040161.
Silva, A.A., Braga, L.S., Correa, A.S., Holmes, V.R., Johnston, J.S., Oppert, B.S., Guedes, R.C., Tavares, M.G. 2018. Comparative cytogenetics and derived phylogenic relationship among Sitophilus grain weevils (Coleoptera, Curculionidae, Dryophthorinae). Comparative Cytogenetics. 12(2):223-245. https://doi.org/10.3897/CompCytogen.v12i2.26412.
Kapantaidaki, D.E., Evangelou, V.I., Morrison III, W.R., Leskey, T.C., Brodeur, J., Milonas, P. 2019. Halyomorpha halys (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) genetic diversity in North America and Europe. Insects. 10(6):174. https://doi.org/10.3390/insects10060174.
Cordeiro, E.G., Campbell, J.F., Phillips, T. 2019. Differences in orientation behavior and female attraction by Rhyzopertha dominica (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae) in a homogeneous resource patch. Environmental Entomology. 48(4):784-791. https://doi.org/10.1093/ee/nvz058.
Arthur, F.H., Starkus, L.A., Gerken, A.R., Campbell, J.F., McKay, T. 2019. Growth and development of Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) on rice flour and brown rice as affected by time and temperature. Journal of Stored Products Research. 83:73-77. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jspr.2019.04.005.
Athanassiou, C.G., Arthur, F.H., Campbell, J.F., Donaldson, J.E. 2019. Particle size matters: Efficacy of aerosols for the control of stored product psocids. Journal of Stored Products Research. 83:148-152. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jspr.2019.05.006.
Athanassiou, C.G., Kavallieratos, N.G., Brabec, D.L., Agrafioti, P., Sakka, M., Campbell, J.F. 2019. Using immobilization as a quick diagnostic indicator for resistance to phosphine. Journal of Stored Products Research. 82:17-26. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jspr.2019.01.004.
Arthur, F.H., Scheff, D.S., Brabec, D.L., Bindel, J. 2019. Aerosol concentration, deposition, particle size, and exposure interval as mortality factors Tribolium confusum Jacquelin du Val (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae). Journal of Stored Products Research. 83:191-199. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jspr.2019.06.005.
Bosomtwe, A., Danso, J.K., Osekre, E.A., Opit, G.P., Mbata, G., Armstrong, P.R., Arthur, F.H., Campbell, J.F., Manu, N., McNeill, S.G., Akowuah, J.O. 2019. Effectiveness of the solar biomass hybrid dryer for drying and disinfestation of maize. Journal of Stored Products Research. 83:66-72. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jspr.2019.05.011.
Manu, N., Osekre, E.A., Opit, G.P., Arthur, F.H., Mbata, G., Armstrong, P.R., Danso, J.K., McNeill, S.G., Campbell, J.F. 2019. Moisture content, insect pests and mycotoxin levels of maize on farms in Tamale environs in the Northern Region of Ghana. Journal of Stored Products Research. 83:153-160. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jspr.2019.05.015.
Manu, N., Opit, G., Osekre, E., Arthur, F.H., Mbata, G., Armstrong, P.R., Danso, J.K., McNeill, S.G., Campbell, J.F. 2019. Moisture content, insect pest infestation and mycotoxin levels of maize in markets in the northern region of Ghana. Journal of Stored Products Research. 80:10-20. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jspr.2018.10.007.
Brabec, D.L., Campbell, J.F., Arthur, F.H., Casada, M.E., Tilley, D.R. 2019. Evaluation of wireless phosphine sensors for monitoring fumigation gas in wheat stored in farm-bins. Insects. 10(5):121. https://doi.org/10.3390/insects10050121.
Arthur, F.H., Morrison III, W.R., Morey, A.C. 2019. Modeling the potential range expansion of larger grain borer, Prostephanus truncatus (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae). Scientific Reports. 9(1):6862. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-42974-5.