Herbivory is a major fitness pressure for plants and a key driver of crop losses in agroecosystems. Dense monocultures are expected to favor specialist herbivorous insects, particularly those who primarily consume crop species; yet, levels and types of herbivory are not uniform within regional cropping systems. It is essential to determine which local and regional ecological factors drive variation in herbivory in order to support functional agroecosystems that rely less on chemical inputs. Crops in the genus Cucurbita host a suite of both generalist and specialist herbivores that inflict significant damage, yet little is known about the relative contribution of these herbivores to variation in herbivory and how local- and landscape-scale Cucurbita resource concentrations, management practices, and natural enemies mediate this relationship. In this study, we tested whether three foundational ecological hypotheses influenced Cucurbita herbivory across 20 pumpkin fields in the semi-arid Southern High Plains Region of Texas. We used generalized linear mixed models and confirmatory path analysis to assess whether the Density-dependent Herbivory Hypothesis, Resource Concentration Hypothesis, or the Natural Enemies Hypothesis, could explain variation in Cucurbita herbivory and insect dynamics in the context of conventional agronomic practices. We found that herbivory increased over time, indicating that herbivores were causing sustained damage throughout the growing season. We also found that fields with higher local Cucurbita resources had lower herbivory, suggesting a resource dilution effect. Natural enemy communities were more abundant and taxonomically rich in sites with greater generalist herbivore abundance, though predator abundance declined over time, indicating that late-season crop fields are most at risk given high herbivory and low natural enemy-based control. Our findings also suggest that while local resource availability may drive the abundance and richness of arthropod communities, additional agronomic and phenological information is needed to anticipate herbivory risk in an agriculturally dominated landscape.

We found four indicative traits of innate immunity. Sorghum-resistant varieties had a greater trichome, stomatal and chloroplast density, and smaller mesophyll intercellular width than susceptible varieties. The sorghum aphid (SA), Melanaphis sorghi (Theobald), can severely reduce sorghum yield. The contribution of structural traits to SA resistance has not been extensively studied. Moreover, the current screening method for resistance is inherently subjective for resistance and requires infestation in plants. Quantifying the microanatomical basis of innate SA resistance is crucial for developing reliable screening tools requiring no infestation. The goal of this study was to identify structural traits linked to physical innate SA resistance in sorghum. We conducted controlled environment and field experiments under no SA infestation conditions, with two resistant (R. LBK1 and R. Tx2783) and two susceptible (R. Tx7000 and R. Tx430) varieties. Leaf tissues collected at the fifth leaf stage in the controlled environment experiment were analyzed for the epidermal and mesophyll traits using light and transmission electron microscopy. Leaf tissues collected at physiological maturity in the field experiment were analyzed for surface traits using scanning electron microscopy. Our results showed that stomatal density, trichome density, trichome length, and chloroplast density are key leaf structural traits indicative of physical innate SA resistance. We found that resistant varieties had a greater density of trichomes (39

The ability to colonize new habitat is essential for wild populations affected by disturbance or other forms of habitat change. For aquatic insects in small streams, overland flight is an important strategy for dispersal when barriers to in-stream migration exist and when populations are isolated in upland habitats. Two Ozark-endemic water beetles (Heterosternuta sulphuria and Heterosternuta phoebeae) have shown little overlap in distributions, with the former frequently occurring in small upland watersheds and the latter occurring in aquatic habitats farther downstream in larger watersheds. Because H. sulphuria has been associated with perennial aquatic habitats, we hypothesized that H. sulphuria individuals could exhibit low capacity for flight, thereby affecting population distributions over time. Laboratory flight observations showed that zero individuals of H. sulphuria flew (n = 67), whereas 17 of 76 individuals of H. phoebeae were observed to fly. Stream habitat drying experiments provided further evidence of the weak capacity for flight and overland migration of H. sulphuria, with low probabilities of survivorship in microhabitats exposed to drying. Weak flight capacity and apparent intolerance to habitat drying have important implications for the evolutionary history and conservation of H. sulphuria in small Ozark streams exposed to variable flow regimes and stream margins vulnerable to disturbances.

The larvae of the Tenebrionidae-family beetles, i.e., mealworms, have been identified as potential consumers of polystyrene (PS). This may have major implications for reduction of PS waste in the environment. However, there is a lack of information on the ability of mealworms to consume other types of plastics beyond PS and quantify their degradation rates. The purpose of this work is to systematically determine the ability of mealworms to consume other sources of commonly used commercial plastics [e.g., polypropylene (PP), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), high density polyethylene (HDPE), and low-density polyethylene (LDPE)] over various periods of time (e.g., 10-, 20-, and 30-days). Additionally, this work addresses the effects of specific plastic type on changes in mealworm mass and viability. Mealworms from three different commercial sources were used. All five plastics were discovered to be consumable by mealworms to various degrees. Overall, PS was consumed most, with average consumption rates of 7.02 (+/- 0.66), 7.13 (+/- 2.37), and 8.70 (+/- 1.38) mg plastic consumed per 100 mealworms per day from three different sources. This was followed by PP, which had average consumption rates of 2.53 (+/- 0.03), 4.55 (+/- 2.97), and 3.21 (+/- 1.39) mg plastic consumed per 100 mealworms per day. Overall, 9.11 mg PS were consumed by 100 mealworms per day, and 0.85 mg PS were consumed by 1 g mealworm per day. The other three plastics (PVC, HDPE, and LDPE) were the least favorable for mealworm consumption. Novel findings from this work indicate that mealworms lost mass during the first 10 days of the experimental time period, yet they still consumed plastics. Additionally, larger-sized mealworms displayed a lower viability rate. Overall, this work contributes new understanding for the capabilities of mealworms to degrade several common and environmentally problematic (i.e., recalcitrant) plastics. Additionally, it provides critical information, such as Specific Consumption Rates (SCRs), for several plastics that have not been previously reported.

Controlling container inhabiting mosquitoes such as Aedes aegypti and Ae. albopictus is often difficult because of the requirement to treat small and inaccessible cryptic sources of water where larvae are located. Autodissemination approaches based on the dissemination of insect growth regulators (IGRs) have been demonstrated as an effective means to treat these cryptic larval habitats and provide population control. Autodissemination approaches are attractive because they are based on the mosquitoes disseminating small amounts of IGRs compared to more traditional insecticide applications. While dissemination of small amounts of IGRs seems like an advantage, these approaches could lead to unintended transfer and effects on nontarget insect pollinators by delivering highly potent IGRs to nectar sources. Here we looked for the indirect and direct transfer of pyriproxyfen (PPF) to natural and artificial nectar sources and painted lady butterflies, Vanessa cardui, in semifield cages using the release of treated Ae. albopictus males or an autodissemination station. We also performed persistence tests of PPF in oviposition containers and natural and artificial nectar sources when exposed to laboratory and natural conditions. The data suggest that there is direct and indirect transfer to nectar sources and V. cardui associated with the use of autodissemination approaches. We discuss the results in the context of using autodissemination approaches for mosquito control and the potential risks these approaches may pose to nontarget insect pollinators.

The Rio Grande in Texas is the geopolitical boundary between the United States and Mexico. Considered one of the world's most at-risk rivers, it has been impacted by intensified management by both countries sharing its watershed. Invasion by Arundo donax (Linnaeus) (Poales: Poaceae), giant reed, has been extensive in the riparian corridor, with potential impacts on native wildlife. A need exists to better understand the ecological communities in these habitats to support strategies for enhancing resources for pollinators. We sampled bee and flowering plant communities monthly over 2 yr along a 3.22 km stretch of the lower Rio Grande in Webb County, TX. Bee and plant richness and abundance were bimodal with peaks in March-April and September in both riparian and upland habitats. The bee community was similar across habitats and sampling dates and dominated by a few common species. Anthophora occidentalis (Cresson) (Hymenoptera: Apidae) and Lasioglossum sp. L (Curtis) (Hymenoptera: Apidae) were indicator species of the riparian habitat, and Halictus ligatus (Say) (Hymenoptera: Halictidae) was an indicator species of the upland habitat. Three plant species were indicator species in riparian habitats, spiny pricklepoppy (Argemone sanguinea Greene) (Papaverales: Papaveraceae), spotted beebalm (Monarda punctata Linnaeus) (Lamiales: Lamiaceae), and Pennsylvania cudweed (Gamochaeta pensylvanica Willdenow) (Asterales: Asteraceae). Analysis showed a positive relationship between bee richness and abundance with flowering plant diversity, increasing bee richness within an optimal temperature range 25-30°C, and higher bee abundance with increased average monthly precipitation. This geographically extensive riparian corridor could be managed using ecological restoration to enhance resources for pollinators.

Urban and rural landscapes are important for providing floral resources to pollinating insects, yet determining the attractiveness of specific plants to a variety of pollinators remains a need in many regions. The objective of this study was to determine the attractiveness of 30 different plants to foraging insects. On 14 dates in 2016 and 2017, floral abundances were measured and the number of insect visitors recorded. A total of 57 insect morphospecies were recorded, with bees (Apoidea: Anthophila) the most abundant pollinator and honey bees the most frequently observed forager. Russian sage (Salvia farinacea) and Catmint (Nepeta x faassenii 'Walker's Low') attracted the greatest number of pollinators. Native plants adapted to the region attracted the highest diversity of pollinators. Thirteen plants, some that are considered good pollinator plants, attracted low numbers of insects. Five pollinator taxa (Anthophora californica/urbana, Apis mellifera, Agapostemon angelicus/texanus, Lasioglossum spp., and Bombyliidae) were attracted to 10 or more different plants, while approximately 65 percent of the taxa were attracted to three or fewer plants. Results support strategies for both grassland restoration and the selection of plants when resources and habitat for pollinators are considered in the management of urban green spaces.

The rapid decline in water supply for irrigation in the Texas High Plains is encouraging some growers to convert a portion of their irrigated cropland including cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) to the production of water-frugal perennial forages such as ‘WW-B.Dahl’ old world bluestem [Bothriochloa bladhii (Retz) S.T. Blake, OWB]. WW-B.Dahl OWB is a persistent pasture grass, which has strong inhibitory effects on soil-dwelling ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae); however, effects of OWB on pollinators in cotton-dominated agroecosystems are not clear. We characterized bees and other pollinators of OWB and an adjacent cotton monoculture at four sampling dates in fall of 2018 using the bee bowls. Fifteen families from four insect orders were recovered. Sweat bee (Hymenoptera: Halictidae) was the most abundant family composing 67% of the total individuals recovered. The next abundant family was hover flies (Diptera: Syrphidae), constituting 11% of the total numbers. Total number of pollinators was consistently greater in OWB than in cotton at all sampling dates. Despite the fact that insects are not needed for pollination, presence of fairly high numbers of bees and other pollinators in OWB and cotton suggests that both crops may be providing habitat and food resources for pollinators in semi-arid Texas High Plains.

The frequency of arboviral disease epidemics is increasing and vector control remains the primary mechanism to limit arboviral transmission. Container inhabiting mosquitoes such as Aedes albopictus and Aedes aegypti are the primary vectors of dengue, chikungunya, and Zika viruses. Current vector control methods for these species are often ineffective, suggesting the need for novel control approaches. A proposed novel approach is autodissemination of insect growth regulators (IGRs). The advantage of autodissemination approaches is small amounts of active ingredients compared to traditional insecticide applications are used to impact mosquito populations. While the direct targeting of cryptic locations via autodissemination seems like a significant advantage over large scale applications of insecticides, this approach could actually affect nontarget organisms by delivering these highly potent long lasting growth inhibitors such as pyriproxyfen (PPF) to the exact locations that other beneficial insects visit, such as a nectar source. Here we tested the hypothesis that PPF treated male Ae. albopictus will contaminate nectar sources, which results in the indirect transfer of PPF to European honey bees (Apis mellifera). We performed bioassays, fluorescent imaging, and mass spectrometry on insect and artificial nectar source materials to examine for intra- and interspecific transfer of PPF. Data suggests there is direct transfer of PPF from Ae. albopictus PPF treated males and indirect transfer of PPF to A. mellifera from artificial nectar sources. In addition, we show a reduction in fecundity in Ae. albopictus and Drosophila melanogaster when exposed to sublethal doses of PPF. The observed transfer of PPF to A. mellifera suggests the need for further investigation of autodissemination approaches in a more field like setting to examine for risks to insect pollinators.

Cavity nesting bees are proficient and important pollinators that can augment or replace honey bee pollination services for some crops. Relatively little is known about specific pesticide concentrations present in cavity nesting insect reed matrices and associated potential risks to cavity nesting bees. Nesting substrates (Phragmites australis reeds in bundles) were deployed in an agriculturally intensive landscape to evaluate colonization and agrochemical exposure among cavity nesting pollinators over two consecutive field seasons. Composition of insect species colonizing reeds within nest bundles varied considerably; those placed near beef cattle feed yards were dominated by wasps (93% of the total number of individuals occupying reed nest bundles), whereas nest bundles deployed in cropland-dominated landscapes were colonized primarily by leaf cutter bees (71%). All nesting/brood matrices in reeds (mud, leaves, brood, pollen) contained agrochemicals. Mud used in brood chamber construction at feed yard sites contained 21 of 23 agrochemicals included in analysis and >70% of leaf substrate stored in reeds contained at least one agrochemical. Moxidectin was most frequently detected across all reed matrices from feed yard sites, and moxidectin concentrations in nonviable larvae were more than four times higher than those quantified in viable larvae. Agrochemical concentrations in leaf material and pollen were also quantified at levels that may have induced toxic effects among developing larvae. To our knowledge, this is the first study to characterize agrochemical concentrations in multiple reed matrices provisioned by cavity-nesting insects. Use of nest bundles revealed that cavity nesting pollinators in agriculturally intensive regions are exposed to agrochemicals during all life stages, at relatively high frequencies, and at potentially lethal concentrations. These results demonstrate the utility of nest bundles for characterizing risks to cavity nesting insects inhabiting agriculturally intensive regions.

A saprophytic soil fungus, Aspergillus flavus, produces aflatoxin (toxigenic strains) in the kernels of corn (Zea mays L.) and seeds of many other crops. Many strains of A. flavus do not produce toxigenic aflatoxin, and soil application of these atoxigenic strains is a suppressive control tactic to assist in controlling toxigenic conspecifics. Effects of atoxigenic A. flavus applications on honey bees (Apis mellifera L.) and other bees are unknown, and basic information on bee occurrences in cornfields treated with and without this biological agent is needed to inform integrated pest management in corn. Fields receiving atoxigenic A. flavus applications of FourSure (TM) were compared to nearby control fields in three counties in corn production regions in eastern Texas. In each cornfield, 20 bee bowl traps were deployed along four equal transects located between corn rows, with contents of the bowls (i.e., bees) retrieved after 24 h. Eleven bee genera from four families were collected from cornfields, with only two honey bees collected and zero honey bees observed in transects. The sweat bee genus Agapostemon (primarily composed of the Texas striped sweat bee A. texanus) was most abundant in cornfields (44% of the total number of bees collected), followed by long-horned bees (Melissodes spp., 24%). The southernmost county (i.e., San Patricio) produced over 80% of the total number of bees collected. Bee numbers occurring in cornfields with applications of atoxigenic A. flavus applications were not significantly different from those of nearby control fields. Although not statistically significant, total numbers of bees tended to be lower in FourSure-treated fields than in control fields. More extensive research on bee abundances in relation to the effect of atoxigenic A. flavus is warranted.

Exposure to pesticides is a major threat to insect pollinators, potentially leading to negative effects that could compromise pollination services and biodiversity. The objectives of this study were to quantify neonicotinoid concentrations among different bee genera and to examine differences attributable to body size and surrounding land use. During the period of cotton planting (May-June), 282 wild bees were collected from habitat patches associated with cropland, grassland, and urban land cover and analyzed for three neonicotinoids (thiamethoxam, clothianidin, and imidacloprid). Twenty bees among eight genera contained one or more of the neonicotinoid compounds and detections occurred in all landscape types, yet with the most detections occurring in cropland-associated habitats. Apis Linnaeus (Hymenoptera: Apidae), Melissodes Latreille (Apidae), Perdita Smith (Andrenidae), and Lasioglossum Curtis (Halictidae) had multiple individuals with neonicotinoid detections. Two of the largest bees (Apis and Melissodes) had the greatest number of detections within genera, yet the relatively small-bodied genus Perdita had the three highest neonicotinoid concentrations reported. The number of detections within a genus and average generic body mass showed a marginally significant trend towards larger bees having a greater frequency of neonicotinoid detections. Overall, the relatively low percentage of detections across taxa suggests practices aimed at conserving grassland remnants in intensified agricultural regions could assist in mitigating exposure of wild bees to agrochemicals, while differences in bee traits and resource use could in part drive exposure. Further work is needed to address variable agrochemical exposures among pollinators, to support strategies for conservation and habitat restoration in affected landscapes.

Turfgrasses benefit the environment through conversion of CO2 into stable C stored in soils. Limited research on the sequestration potential of bermudagrass (Cynodon spp.) has been conducted in semiarid climates. The objective of this study was to evaluate soil physiochemical properties of golf courses in Lubbock, TX, to determine C sequestration potential and longevity. Soil was obtained from fairways of five golf courses ranging in age from 13 to 93 yr. Shallow (0-7.5 cm) and deeper (7.5-15 cm) soil depths were tested for soil pH, electrical conductivity, soil organic matter, soil organic C (SOC), inorganic C, total N, inorganic N, and texture. After ANOVA and mean separation, principal component analysis (PCA) was used to group golf courses by soil depth or age. Soil organic matter and SOC decreased with depth, but the rate of SOC accumulation (0.22 Mg C ha(-1) yr(-1)) was lower when compared with previous studies. Maximal C (35.1 and 23.7 Mg C ha(-1) in the upper and lower depths) was consistent with previous studies, indicating that C accumulated for a longer period of time. The PCA explained 52.7% of variability in soil physiochemical properties on two axes, but PCA more effectively differentiated soil sampling depth than golf course age. High variability in data among fairways at a single golf course likely resulted in limited grouping capabilities. Including a broader regional representation of golf courses or sampling golf courses between 40 and 70 yr to quantify soils near maximal accumulation would strengthen future studies.

Aspergillus flavus refers to a diverse group of saprophytic soil fungi that includes strains producing aflatoxins (toxigenic strains) in the kernels of corn (Zea mays L.) and other crops, causing pre-harvest and post-harvest aflatoxin contamination. Some A. flavus strains are atoxigenic, and the introduction of such strains into the crop environment helps reduce toxigenic aflatoxin contamination. Corn growers in Texas have used the product FourSure™, which contains four atoxigenic strains of A. flavus; however, effects on soil microbial communities associated with these applications are unknown. We compared soil fungal and bacterial communities in corn fields treated with FourSure™ to nearby untreated (control) corn fields in Texas during the summer of 2019. Analysis of soil microbial community structure showed that total fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs), fungal, and bacterial populations were not significantly different (p = 0.31) between the FourSure™-treated and control fields, yet corn fields located in the northern counties had more (p < 0.05) Gram—bacteria, actinobacteria, and total bacteria than fields in the southernmost county. The Gram—bacteria and actinobacteria were positively correlated (p = 0.04; r = 0.48 and 0.49, respectively) with soil water content. Similar fungal and bacterial abundances between FourSure™-treated and control fields indicated that atoxigenic A. flavus had no negative effects on soil microbial communities.

Soil organic matter (SOM) accumulation and carbon (C) sequestration are ecosystem services (ESs) provided by urban landscapes that are dominated by continuous grass cover, such as residential lawns. Organic matter and C sequestration are expected to increase over time, but few studies have determined potential soil organic carbon (SOC) accumulation from residential lawns in semiarid climates. The objectives were to evaluate physiochemical attributes of urban soils established under turfgrass landscapes of different ages and determine soil factors that differentiate urban soils in semiarid climate of Lubbock, TX. Soil samples (0−10 cm) were obtained from 10 residential lawns of homes built: pre-1970 (oldest), 1971−1990 (middle), 1991−2010 (newer), and after 2011 (newest). Soil texture, bulk density, extractable nutrients [phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), and iron (Fe)], pH, SOM, SOC, and total nitrogen (TN) were determined. Bulk density and pH were highest in newest homes and lowest in oldest homes. Increasing years of lawn establishment increased SOM, SOC, and TN content. Linear regression determined 0.036 % annual increase in SOM for residential lawns, but SOC accumulated at 0.021 kg C m−2 yr-1 for 53.6 yr. In principal component (PC) analysis, SOM, SOC, and TN contributed most to PC1 (36.2 %) reflecting components separating residential lawns by years of establishment, and primarily soil texture components for PC2 (22.5 %). The results of this study show that home age is a strong determinant of soil carbon content in semiarid urban turfgrass systems, with the greatest accumulation threshold in oldest homes over 50 years of age.

Depending on study objectives, numerous types of devices are available to sample insect communities and populations (Samways et al. 2010). Investigations aimed at acquiring information on seasonal adult emergences, distributions, or habitat associations will benefit from UV light-trapping when focal species are positively phototaxic. In some cases, light-trapping is a preferred method of sampling when adult insects are difficult to collect because of cryptic behaviors or occurrences in remote habitats. Light-trapping is routinely used in investigations involving mosquitoes (e.g., Ryan et al. 2004) and has been used in a multitude of other entomological applications (Muirhead-Thomson 1991). A variety of baited and unbaited solarpowered light traps have been used to monitor insect populations (Steinbauer 2003; Hanson et al. 2012; Oria et al. 2014; Homan et al. 2016), yet monitoring multiple species or communities using UV light traps has been conducted less frequently. When monitoring over time, solar-charged light traps can reduce the amount of labor required to operate and can increase the number of traps deployed across an area of interest (Hanson et al. 2012). The Monahans sandhills, located in Ward and Winkler Counties, western Texas, are home to a unique insect community with several species more or less restricted to this region. In 2013, we initiated a series of studies to provide information on the phenologies, distributions, and habitat associations of a group of focal insect species including four strong-flying beetles: Prionus spinipennisHovore and Turnbow (Cerambycidae); Prionus arenarius Hovore (Cerambycidae); Polyphylla pottsorum Hardy (Scarabaeidae); and Polyphylla monahansensisHardy and Andrews (Scarabaeidae). The sandy terrain and isolation of habitats within backcountry areas required a passive sampling device to both withstand harsh environmental conditions (e.g., sun, wind, and blowing sand) and be operated for long periods of time with minimal maintenance. For this application, our research team developed a system for continuous day-charging of batteries, which operated a standard 5-gallon (18.93L) bucketUV light trapwith propylene glycol killing/preserving agent (Figs. 1–2). The trap was designed to collect insects over consecutive nights at pre-determined sampling intervals based on study objectives and monitoring needs. Here, we provide an overview of the trap including its components, basic operation, and observations related to its use over a period of two years at the Monahans Sandhills State Park in seven semi-permanent locations. Trap components can be purchased at various home hardware and entomological supply stores for a cost of approximately US$422 per trap (Table 1). One person can assemble the trap in less than one hour in the following process. First, a proper location to install the light trap is selected where the solar panel can receive optimal unobstructed sunlight. The solar panel (Fig. 1j) is mounted with multipurpose steel wire into a frame made of four 1.83 m long pieces of #4 steel rebar (1.27 cm diameter) (Fig. 2). The solar panel should be angled at approximately 45° to the ground and faced true south based on our latitude and according to manufacturer recommendations. After mounting the solar panel, we connect a solar charge regulator (Fig. 1o) designed to control the charging from the solar panel into the 12V DC, 35 Ah solar rechargeable battery (Fig. 1n), providing overcharge

This study examined the ability of acidic and neutral/alkaline fractions of a methanolic extract from giant reed (Arundo donax) and of two of its constituents, gramine and skatole, to inhibit growth of the ichthyotoxic golden alga (Prymnesium parvum) in batch culture. For this study, growth suppression was defined as inhibition of maximum cell density, algicidal activity as early occurrence of negative growth, and algistatic activity as lack of net growth. The acidic fraction did not affect algal growth. The neutral/alkaline fraction showed growth-suppressing and algicidal activities but no signs of algistatic activity - namely, cells in cultures surviving a partial-algicidal exposure concentration (causing transient negative growth) were later able to initiate positive growth but at higher concentrations, algicidal activity was full and irreversible. Gramine suppressed growth more effectively than skatole and at the highest concentration tested, gramine also showed partial-algicidal and algistatic activity. While the partial-algicidal activities of the neutral/alkaline fraction and of gramine were short-lived (≤6days) and thus may share similar mechanisms, algistatic activity was unique to gramine and persisted for >3 weeks. Given gramine's reported concentration in the neutral/alkaline fraction, its corresponding level of algicidal activity is much lower than the fraction's suggesting the latter contains additional potent algicides. Inhibition of maximum cell density by all test compounds was associated with reductions in exponential growth rate, and in the case of the neutral/alkaline fraction and gramine also reductions in early (pre-exponential) growth. These results indicate that giant reed is a potential source of natural products to control golden alga blooms. Giant reed is an invasive species in North America, thus also providing incentive for research into strategies to couple management efforts for both species.

A variety of veterinary pharmaceuticals and pesticides are used on beef cattle feed yards to enhance growth and health of cattle and to control unwanted pests and parasites. Because growth promoters and antibiotics have recently been detected on particulate matter emanating from feed yards, we examined wildflowers collected near feed yards in the Southern Great Plains for the occurrence of antibiotics, beta-agonists, other feed yard-related agrochemicals, and neonicotinoids used on regionally grown row crops. Wildflowers contained detectable concentrations of moxidectin, abamectin, monensin, ractopamine, and neonicotinoids (imidacloprid, thiamethoxam, and clothianidin). All wildflower samples contained at least one target analyte, while the majority (82%) contained multiple pharmaceuticals and/or pesticides, including 12% of wildflowers containing moxidectin, monensin, ractopamine, and a neonicotinoid. This preliminary survey demonstrates the potential for insect pollinators occurring near feed yards to become exposed to mixtures of agrochemicals derived from beef cattle feed yards and pesticides from row crop-based agriculture.

Four springs were surveyed at Hobbs State Park-Conservation Area to provide an initial bioassessment and to determine occurrences of two endemic predaceous diving beetles of concern, Heterosternuta sulphuria and Sanfilippodytes sp. Habitat in the four spring runs were dominated by bedrock and gravel substrate with heavy accumulations of leaf litter. Thirty-three taxa representing 11 orders were collected from the four springs. Non-insect taxa included Oligochaeta, Physidae, and Isopoda, and predominant insect orders included Ephemeroptera, Coleoptera, Diptera, and Trichoptera. The total number of taxa across springs ranged from seven to 19, with total abundances ranging from 39 to 86 individuals. No individual taxon occurred across all four springs. Percent tolerant organisms and the Hilsenhoff Biotic Index showed that spring communities were dominated by taxa tolerant to organic pollution, likely because of low flows and heavy accumulations of leaves. Predators were the dominant functional group followed by shredders. The endemic, predaceous diving beetle Heterosternuta sulphuria was collected from two springs and Sanfilippodytes sp. was collected from three springs. One spring contained the largest number of Sanfilippodytes sp. individuals recorded among all other aquatic habitats surveyed to date. Findings highlight the importance of spring systems at Hobbs State Park Conservation Area for endemic-species conservation, while information on the invertebrate community provides a baseline for future monitoring and comparison.