Trichonephila clavata L. Koch (Araneae: Araneidae), the Joro degrees spider, was first observed in Georgia in 2014. This large, colorful spider has received nationwide attention for its potential to disperse through the United States. Community scientists have the potential to contribute important information to spider conservation biologists, and public captivation with this spider might lead to more spider observations by community scientists. The objectives of this study were to determine whether (1) T. clavata was the dominant observed araneid spider, (2) the presence of T. clavata inspired more community scientists to post observations of spiders and other araneids, and (3) the observed araneid communities differed in states where T. clavata was present and absent. Although T. clavata was the most-observed araneid spider in Georgia according to iNaturalist observations, its presence did not lead to more spider and araneid iNaturalist observations in states with T. clavata than those without, but Argiope aurantia Lucas and Trichonephila clavipes L., the other two most-observed spiders, were observed more often in states with T. clavata. Araneid communities recorded to the Global Biodiversity Information Facility did not statistically differ in Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee before and after its first observations in those states. Further observations by community scientists will only help professional scientists, and professional scientists are encouraged to communicate with community scientists about the importance of repeated submissions of observations of all spiders.

Color vision plays a critical role in Diptera behavior, particularly in the detection of oviposition sites. Necrophagous Diptera, like the Calliphoridae, are of forensic importance because the larvae are commonly used to estimate minimum postmortem intervals of human remains. To better understand which species are present, flies are routinely sampled in different habitats using baited traps; however, the influence of trap color on capture efficiency remains poorly understood. In this study, baited bottle traps painted clear, blue, red, and yellow were deployed in wooded habitats to collect adult dipterans. Overall captures were dominated by Lucilia coeruleiviridis (Diptera: Calliphoridae). Clear traps consistently captured a greater diversity of Calliphoridae, Muscidae, and Sarcophagidae. In contrast, yellow traps captured the fewest individuals overall, while red and blue traps yielded intermediate numbers. Dipteran composition in red and yellow traps, however, differed from those in clear traps. Collectively, these results indicate that clear baited traps are more effective for sampling adult necrophagous Diptera, whereas yellow baited traps may be less suitable. Additional investigation is warranted to characterize the complex interactions between visual and olfactory cues underlying attraction and oviposition site selection in necrophagous dipterans.

Different generalist herbivore species within a lineage can differ in their responses to a single plant defensive trait. Herbivore responses to plant defensive traits can also influence their interactions with their own natural enemies. Here, we rear 2 generalist herbivores, Trichoplusia ni Hübner (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) and Chrysodeixis includens (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), on artificial diets containing 0%, 0.01%, 0.05%, and 0.10% xanthotoxin. We measured and compared growth rate, body size, and mortality among these 4 dietary xanthotoxin concentrations. C. includens grew more slowly and was more likely to die before adulthood as dietary xanthotoxin increased and also varied in body size. Trichoplusia ni had a higher mortality rate overall, which increased as dietary xanthotoxin increased; however, there were no effects on growth rate and body size for this species. In a second experiment, the same 4 diets were given to larvae of both species parasitized by the polyembryonic parasitoid Copidosoma floridanum Ashmead (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae), and growth rate, mummy size, and mortality were measured and compared. There were no sublethal effects on growth rate or mummy size, and mortality increased in both herbivore species but was higher in C. includens. These results show that different generalist herbivore species can respond differently to plant defensive traits, possibly due to different levels of adaptations to a specific trait, and these responses can affect higher trophic levels. Further research can compare the multitrophic impacts of variation in responses to plant defensive traits among more generalist herbivores.

Forensic entomologists use insect development, especially in blow flies (Diptera: Calliphoridae), to estimate the minimum postmortem interval (mPMI). Since insect activity is driven mainly by temperature, understanding geographic and seasonal variation in community composition is critical. In the southeastern United States, approximately 10 blow fly species dominate, generally classified as “summer-active” or “winter-active” flies. We studied their presence and abundance during winter/spring and summer/fall transitions across the Georgia Fall Line (GFL), a major geophysical boundary separating the Piedmont and Coastal Plain. Here we show that community structure was shaped more by regional biogeography and seasonal transitions, than by current temperature. Three species; Calliphora livida, Lucilia coeruleiviridis, and Cochliomyia macellaria accounted for over 70% of seasonal variation. Fly communities differed sharply across the GFL and shifted between seasonal transitions. Recognizing these geographic and temporal patterns can help forensic entomologists produce more accurate mPMI estimates in death investigations.

Journal Article Promoting Entomology and Conservation Interests of At-Risk Children through Arthropod Workshops Get access Evan C Lampert, Evan C Lampert https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9000-4296 Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Google Scholar Davison T Sangweme, Davison T Sangweme Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Google Scholar Angelica L Krubeck Angelica L Krubeck Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Google Scholar American Entomologist, Volume 70, Issue 1, Spring 2024, Pages 28–30, https://doi.org/10.1093/ae/tmae007 Published: 21 March 2024

The US state of Georgia includes the range of several periodical cicada broods and is the southernmost state in which Brood X periodical cicadas emerge; however, no research has focused on this brood in this state. We used reports of sightings on social media, communication with the public, and our own searches to determine the geographic range in Georgia and timing of biological events. Both adults and exuviae were identified to species to determine the species makeup at those locations.The first Brood X adult was photographed on April 26 in Lumpkin County, and Magicicada septendecim L. was the most common species. Online records and site visits led to distribution records in nine counties, including six that provided no records in the 2004 emergence. Driving surveys revealed patchy distributions of chorusing adults and species distribution modeling further predicted locations where Brood X can be found in future surveys. We observed cicada oviposition scars at two locations and found no effect of host plant on presence or density of scars. Lastly, collections of dead adults showed female remains were less common and more likely to be dismembered. Further investigations of the periodical cicadas in Georgia are recommended to better understand the phenology, evolution, and ecology of these remarkable insects.

Fragmented landscapes are a mosaic of ecosystems containing diverse communities of plants and herbivorous arthropods. Plant responses to fire in fire-prone ecosystems are well documented, but less is known about how plant-herbivorous arthropod interactions respond to fires. This study compared the responses of plant communities and their interactions with herbivorous arthropods to fire in a highly fragmented fire-prone glade system. Due to the mosaic landscape of the study site, three habitat types were chosen to delineate communities based on plant species composition, geology, and proximity to each other: small enclosed glade, large open glade, mixed hardwood forest, and pine savanna. From 2016-2019, we observed the interspecific interactions between plant and arthropod communities in the Ketona dolomitic glades of Bibb County in central Alabama. We identified plants to genus or species and recorded evidence of herbivory by seven herbivore guilds of arthropods. We used non-Metric Multidimensional Scaling and Analysis of Similarity to determine patterns of change between the habitats and across years for both plant species and interactions with herbivorous arthropods. Plant communities return to pre-burn species diversity within two years. Plant community composition was grouped strongly by habitat type and year, while interactions with herbi-vorous arthropods were homogenous across habitats but grouped strongly by year. Tracking herbi-vorous arthropod guilds using plant association evidence is useful for rapidly and temporally determining overall responses in herbivorous arthropod guild composition. However, it is too coarse to determine changes and responses in herbivorous arthropod guild composition at finer spatial scales.

Native plants may coevolve with native arthropods and may be associated with greater arthropod diversity than non-native plants. Thompson Mills Forest, a state arboretum owned by the University of Georgia and located in Braselton, GA, is home to a variety of oak (Quercus L., Fagacaeae) species. both native and non-native to Georgia. Arthropods were sampled from 20 trees belonging to 12 species, 8 native and 4 non-native, using beat sheets for 10 consecutive weeks in 2018. More than 500 arthropods were collected, with Coleoptera, Araneae, and Psocodea comprising more than 70% of the arthropods collected. Neither abundance nor Shannon index varied among trees of native or non-native origin or among tree species, although both variables peaked during the middle of the sampling period. Multivariate analyses showed similar arthropod communities were associated with native and non-native oaks. The results suggest that non-native plants may naturalize and, if so, may interact with arthropod communities in similar ways as native congeners. Further research into the long-term ecological interactions with non-native plants is recommended.

Microorganisms are diverse, minute, simple life forms that generally cannot be seen by the naked eye and require the use of a microscope to be visualized. They have a great impact on all other life forms. Their tiny size conceals them from us, engendering misunderstanding and fear due to the diseases caused by only a tiny minority of them. We conceptualized and installed an art exhibition called Tiny Enormous with the intent to educate our campus community and correct misconceptions about microorganisms. Tiny Enormous utilized a variety of artistic media, including paint, sculpture, video, and preserved plates, to display the diversity and ubiquity of microbes, and a series of infographics to illustrate key concepts and correct misconceptions. We surveyed visitors at the opening and closing receptions to examine their knowledge about, and perceptions and attitudes toward, microorganisms prior to and after visiting the exhibition. Respondents who had viewed Tiny Enormous demonstrated better knowledge of microbiological terms and concepts and self-reported increased knowledge about microorganisms compared to those who had not. Perceptions that microorganisms were harmful did not differ between subjects prior to and after visiting Tiny Enormous, possibly because of the exhibition's information about "superbugs." Our results suggest that artistic representations of microorganisms are effective educational tools for both academic and nonacademic audiences.

Sequestration of defensive compounds acquired from the environment can be costly to herbivorous insects. The catalpa sphinx, Ceratomia catalpae Boisduval (Lepidoptera: Sphingidae) sequesters the iridoid glycoside catalpol, which it acquires from Catalpa spp. (Lamiales: Bignoniaceae) host plants, at concentrations above those in host plant leaves. Previous research has shown that C. catalpae larvae are avoided by predatory arthropods; however, catalpol sequestration is negatively associated with the larval immune response, suggesting a cost to sequestration. By measuring the mass of C. catalpae larvae, their frass, and their diet, as well as respiration rate and catalpol sequestration, this study aimed to determine whether sequestration is also associated with reduced growth and nutritional efficiency. I found that respiration rate was negatively correlated with the amount of catalpol sequestered and positively correlated with the concentration, or proportion dry mass of catalpol sequestered, and that the amount of catalpol sequestered was positively correlated with three of four measures of nutritional efficiency. Larger larvae that were closer to pupation sequestered very low proportions dry mass of catalpol and had a reduced respiratory rate per unit mass. These results suggest that sequestration has some costs for expenditure of energy, but is positively correlated with several growth and nutrition-related processes. Instead, the immunological cost of sequestration measured in previous studies could be due to direct effects on immune system components. Further research on the potential metabolic costs of chemical defense in other specialist species is recommended.

Forests are excellent "outdoor classrooms" for active learning in ecology and evolution; however, in many areas trees have no leaves or visible animal activity for much of the year. Fallen leaves may preserve evidence of interactions such as herbivory and infectious diseases, although these can be difficult to differentiate from mechanical damage and decomposition in older fallen leaves. I developed an exercise in which students collect fallen leaves and observe several different types of damage to the leaves. I provide images and descriptions of different types of damage and practices to differentiate them. In addition, I provide a list of questions that can be answered by collecting fallen leaves and observations of damage. My students gained valuable quantitative literacy skills by entering data into an online worksheet and performing various calculations and data analysis techniques. This exercise provides many benefits and can be an engaging addition to a high school's or college's outdoor curriculum outside of the growing season.

Carotenoids are fundamental precursors for hormones and antioxidants, and insects must acquire carotenoids from their diet. Previous research has shown that insects can selectively absorb dietary carotenoids, often modifying them qualitatively or quantitatively, and quantities may be proportional to those found in the diet. Trichoplusia ni Hübner is a generalist herbivore with host plants varying greatly in carotenoid profiles and concentrations. Larvae sequester carotenoids in their hemolymph, and carotenoid sequestration contributes to their cryptic green coloration. Our objectives were to compare the types of carotenoids found in T. ni and their host plants to determine whether qualitative changes occurred, and compare the amounts of sequestered carotenoids in T. ni reared upon different host plants to determine whether quantitative variation influences sequestration. To fulfill these objectives, larvae were fed romaine lettuce (Lactuca sativa L. [Asterales: Asteraceae] var. longifolia) or kale (Brassica oleracea L. [Brassicales: Brassicaceae] var. sabellica) for a period of 5 d, and sequestered carotenoids from the entire insect were resolved with thin-layer chromatography and measured with spectrophotometer. All carotenoids resolved from plants were also resolved from larvae, and although the carotenoids of plants differed quantitatively, the sequestered carotenoids did not differ between host plants. Regardless of host plant species, T. ni sequestered carotenoids at concentrations up to 20 times higher than the concentrations found in the plants. Future research may be able to explicitly identify enzyme systems involved in the transport and modification of carotenoids in T. ni and other animals.

The abundance of online resources that students have access to makes it difficult to determine whether the information they find is accurate. Several online sources have claimed that hamburgers from fast-food chains do not decompose, and we developed two exercises that allow students to (1) test this claim, (2) learn about fungi, and (3) reflect on their eating habits. In both exercises, we inoculated fast-food items with the fungus Rhizopus stolonifer. The first exercise was a controlled experiment with hamburgers, and the second was a screening trial in which all students brought in their own fast-food items. In both exercises, animal-based products and fatty baked products (e.g., biscuits) allowed R. stolonifer to grow, while condiments and bread products tended to inhibit growth. Our students indicated that they would be more critical of online information and that they would eat less fast food. These exercises met our objectives and engaged our students, and we encourage others to develop exercises that examine online claims.

Forensic entomologists use insect evidence to estimate the minimum postmortem interval of human remains. However, how different forms of trauma influence insect attraction to, and colonization of, the body is poorly understood. Our objective was to identify the Calliphoridae community present in the Piedmont region (Georgia, USA ), and determine whether postmortem sharp force trauma (none vs. slashed vs. stabbed) altered insect attraction, colonization, and the resulting decomposition rate of stillborn pigs (Suidae). We show that the limited blow fly community is dominated by Lucilia coeruleiviridis Macquart (Diptera: Calliphoridae). Third instars (L3) of L. coeruleiviridis were found on control pigs at 48 h, slashed pigs at 36 h, and stabbed pigs at 24 h. Decomposition rate, as determined by total body score, was greater in the first 12 h in stabbed pigs, compared to control and slashed pigs. Further experimentation is required to determine the effect of different forms of trauma on insect attraction, colonization, and resulting vertebrate decomposition rates.

Animals rely on carotenoids as fundamental precursors for hormones and antioxidants, and animals must acquire carotenoids from their diet. Previous research has shown that insects often absorb carotenoids in amounts proportional to those in their diet, and that carotenoids play key roles in multitrophic interactions. The consumption of diets that provide high levels of antioxidant compounds is associated with high levels of immune responses; however, it is unknown whether individual carotenoids directly influence immune response. Here, the objective of this study was to examine the effect of the carotenoid β-carotene on melanization, a measure of immune response, and growth rate of Trichoplusia ni Hübner (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). To fulfill the objective, a low, medium, and high concentration of β-carotene, representing the range found in typical host plants, were mixed in an artificial diet, and immune response and growth rate were assessed in fifth instar larvae. Immune response was induced by injection of chromatography beads in to the abdomen of the larvae, and percent melanization was measured after injection. Melanization was greatest when larvae were reared on high β-carotene diets. Mass was measured at 5 and 10 d to assess growth rate. Larvae reared on high β-carotene diets initially gained little mass, but after 10 d larvae reared on no and high β-carotene diets were larger than those reared on other diets. This research has shown that β-carotene has the potential to influence the immune response and growth rate of T. ni.

Global human population size and understanding how it has changed and will change in the future are important concepts for students. Here I describe exercises that use online databases provided by the U.S. Census Bureau to show students how both population size and the rate of change vary over time. In the first exercise, the U.S. population clock is used to calculate daily birth, death, and migrant and death rates, and how the world population clock is used to calculate the rate of change. These rates can be used to predict what the population size would be if the rates remained unchanged for a predetermined time interval. In the second exercise, historical data are used to determine the years with the most change in U.S. and world population size, then calculate how much larger the current population would be if those historical rates of change remained constant. These exercises have improved quantitative literacy while showing students current and historical trends in human population.

The increasing prevalence of antibiotic resistance among bacteria is one of the most intractable challenges in 21st-century public health. Dipterans that associate with livestock, livestock waste products and cadavers have the potential to acquire livestock-associated antibiotic-resistant bacteria (LA-ARB) and transmit them to humans. In this study, piglet cadavers were used to attract saprophage dipterans from the environment and those dipterans were sampled for the presence of LA-ARB. In the first trial, culturable microbes resistant to both aminoglycoside and β-lactam antibiotics were found in all cadavers and masses of dipteran larvae, and in three-quarters of adult dipterans. In the second trial, over 130 culturable bacterial colonies resistant to β-lactams were isolated from the cadavers, larval and adult dipterans. Over 100 of those colonies were coliform or metabolically similar bacteria. Adult dipterans carried β-lactam resistant staphylococci, whereas those bacterial types were absent from larval dipterans and cadavers, suggesting they were picked up from elsewhere in the environment. This research indicates that LA-ARB are ubiquitous in pig farms, and dipterans have the potential to carry medically important microbes. Further research is encouraged to determine the extent to which dipterans acquire microbes from animal agriculture relative to other environments.