Contact Information

USDA-ARS Southern Insect Management Research Unit
141 Experiment Station Road
P.O. Box 346
Stoneville, MS 38776
Ph: (662) 686-5270
Fax: (662) 686-5421

• Projects

  Insect Control and Resistance Management in Corn, Cotton, Sorghum, Soybean, and Sweet Potato, and Alternative Approaches to Tarnished Plant Bug Control in the Southern United States In-House Appropriated (D)   Accession Number:438523

  Ecologically Sustainable Approaches to Insect Resistance Management in Bt Cotton In-House Appropriated (D)   Accession Number:438533

  Effectiveness of Transgenic Crops Expressing Vegetatively-produced Bt Toxins for Heliothine Control Non-Assistance Cooperative Agreement (S)   Accession Number:444374

  Integrated Management of Insect Pests of Southern Row Crops Non-Assistance Cooperative Agreement (S)   Accession Number:444392

  Evaluation of Transgenic Crops for Economically Sustainable Control of Insect Pests Non-Assistance Cooperative Agreement (S)   Accession Number:444396

• Publications

  • (Clicking on the reprint icon will take you to the publication reprint.)
  • How Crickets Can "Upcycle" Bad Grain Into Useful Animal Feed -(Popular Publication)
    Paulk, R., Abbas, H.K., Rojas, M.G., Morales Ramos, J.A., Busman, M., Little, N., Shier, T.W. 2024. How Crickets Can "Upcycle" Bad Grain Into Useful Animal Feed. Journal of Economic Entomology. pg. 1-6. https://academic.oup.com/jee/advance-article/doi/10.1093/jee/toae025/7611982.
    
  • Evaluating Acheta domesticus (Orthoptera: Gryllidae) for the reduction of fumonisin B1 levels in livestock feed -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Paulk, R.T., Abbas, H.K., Rojas, M.G., Morales Ramos, J.A., Busman, M., Little, N., Shier, T.W. 2024. Evaluating Acheta domesticus (Orthoptera: Gryllidae) for the reduction of fumonisin B1 levels in livestock feed. Journal of Economic Entomology. https://doi.org/10.1093/jee/toae025.
    
  • Acalypha ostryifolia: a natural refuge for Chloridea virescens and Helicoverpa zea (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in the Southern United States -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Allen, K.C., Elkins, B.H., Little, N. 2023. Acalypha ostryifolia: a natural refuge for Chloridea virescens and Helicoverpa zea (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in the Southern United States. Annals of the Entomological Society of America. https://doi.org/10.1093/aesa/saad034.
    
  • Field evaluation of biological and conventional insecticides for managing multiple insect pests in cotton -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Little, N., Elkins, B.H., Portilla, M., Allen, K.C., Read, Q.D., Paulk, R.T. 2024. Field evaluation of biological and conventional insecticides for managing multiple insect pests in cotton. Journal of Entomological Science. https://doi.org/10.18474/JES23-37.
    
  • Combining visual cues and pheromone blends for monitoring and management of the tarnished plant bug, Lygus lineolaris (Hemiptera: Miridae) -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    George, J., Reddy, G.V., Little, N., Arnold, S.E., Hall, D.R. 2023. Combining visual cues and pheromone blends for monitoring and management of the tarnished plant bug, Lygus lineolaris (Hemiptera: Miridae). Pest Management Science. 79:2163-2171. https://doi.org/10.1002/ps.7395.
    
  • Susceptibilities of Helicoverpa zea (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) populations from the Mississippi Delta to a diamide insecticide -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Allen, K.C., Little, N., Perera, O.P. 2022. Susceptibilities of Helicoverpa zea (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) populations from the Mississippi Delta to a diamide insecticide. Journal of Economic Entomology. 116(1):160–167. https://doi.org/10.1093/jee/toac180.
    
  • Efficacy of Bt toxins and foliar insecticides against bollworm, Helicoverpa zea (Boddie), in dried flower corollas of cotton -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Godbold, R.E., Whitney, C.D., Gore, J., Musser, F., Catchot, A.L., Dodds, .M., Cook, D.R., Little, N. 2023. Efficacy of Bt toxins and foliar insecticides against bollworm, Helicoverpa zea (Boddie), in dried flower corollas of cotton. Journal of Cotton Science. 27(1):28-36. https://doi.org/10.56454/ZNAX3626.
    
  • Practical resistance to cry toxins and efficacy of Vip3Aa in bt cotton against helicoverpa zea -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Yang, F., Kerns, D.L., Little, N., Brown, S., Stewart, S., Catchot, A., Cook, D., Gore, J., Crow, W., Lorenz, G., Towles, T., Tabashnik, B.E. 2022. Practical resistance to cry toxins and efficacy of Vip3Aa in bt cotton against helicoverpa zea. Pest Management Science. 1:1-9. https://doi.org/10.1002/ps.7142.
    
  • Field studies on the deterioration of microplastic films from ultra-thin 1 compostable bags in soil -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Accinell, C., Abbas, H.K., Bruno, V., Khambhati, V.H., Little, N., Bellaloui, N., Shier, T.W. 2022. Field studies on the deterioration of microplastic films from ultra-thin 1 compostable bags in soil. Journal of Environmental Management. 305:114407. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2021.114407.
    
  • Feeding behavior and fruiting form damage by bollworm (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in bt cotton -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Godbold, R.E., Crow, W.D., Catchot, A.L., Gore, J., Cook, D.R., Dodds, D.M., Musser, F.M., Little, N. 2021. Feeding behavior and fruiting form damage by bollworm (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in Bt cotton. Journal of Economic Entomology. 115:160-167. https://doi.org/10.1093/jee/toab220.
    
  • Genetic knockouts indicate that the ABCC2 protein in the bollworm Helicoverpa zea is not a major receptor for the Cry1Ac insecticidal protein -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Perera, O.P., Little, N., Abdelgaffar, H., Jurat-Fuentes, J., Reddy, G.V. 2021. Genetic knockouts indicate that the ABCC2 gene in the bollworm Helicoverpa zea is not a major receptor for the Cry1Ac insecticidal protein. Genes. 12(10):1522. https://doi.org/10.3390/genes12101522.
    
  • Early warning of resistance to Bt toxin Vip3Aa in Helicoverpa zea -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Yang, F., Kerns, D.L., Little, N., Santiago Gonzalez, J.C., Tabashnik, B.E. 2021. Early warning of resistance to Bt toxin Vip3Aa in Helicoverpa zea. Toxins. 13(9):618. https://doi.org/10.3390/toxins13090618.
    
  • Termite presence and feeding on loblolly pine wood differs among four root-infecting bluestain (ophiostomatoid) fungal species -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Clay, N.A., Siegert, C., Tang, J.D., Little, N., Eckhardt, L.G., Riggins, J.J. 2021. Termite presence and feeding on loblolly pine wood differs among four root-infecting bluestain (ophiostomatoid) fungal species. Environmental Entomology. https://doi.org/10.1093/ee/nvab052.
    
  • Landscape effects on native bees (Hymenoptera: Anthophila) captured in pheromone traps for heliothine crop pests (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Parys, K.A., Elkins, B.H., Little, N., Allen, K.C., Crow, W., Cook, D., Wright, K.W., Zhu, Y., Griswold, T.L. 2021. Landscape effects on native bees (Hymenoptera: Anthophila) captured in pheromone traps for heliothine crop pests (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). Environmental Entomology. 50(4): 860-867. https://doi.org/10.1093/ee/nvab040.
    
  • Temporal occurrence of plusiinae on soybean in the Mississippi River Delta -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Allen, K.C., Little, N., Perera, O.P. 2021. Temporal occurrence of plusiinae on soybean in the Mississippi River Delta. Journal of Economic Entomology. 114(2):723-727. https://doi.org/10.1093/jee/toaa308.
    
  • Minimizing abrasion losses from film-coated corn seeds -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Accinelli, C., Abbas, H.K., Bruno, V., Khambhati, V.K., Little, N., Ebelhar, W.M., Shier, T.W. 2020. Minimizing abrasion losses from film-coated corn seeds. Journal of Crop Improvement. https://doi.org/10.1080/15427528.2020.1861156.
    
  • Effects of a meridic diet supplemented with cotton leaf tissue on bollworm fitness -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Little, N., Mullen, R.M., Elkins, B.H., Parys, K.A., Allen, K.C. 2020. Effects of a meridic diet supplemented with cotton leaf tissue on bollworm fitness. Southwestern Entomologist. 45(3):1-9. https://doi.org/10.3958/059.045.0302.
    
  • Persistence in soil of microplastic films from ultra-thin compostable plastic bags and implications on Aspergillus flavus population -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Accinelli, C., Abbas, H.K., Bruno, V., Nissen, L., Vicari, A., Bellaloui, N., Little, N., Shier, W.T. 2020. Persistence in soil of microplastic films from ultra-thin compostable plastic bags and implications on Aspergillus flavus population. Waste Management. 113: 312-318. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wasman.2020.06.011.
    
  • First documentation of major Vip3Aa resistance alleles in field populations of Helicoverpa zea (Boddie) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in Texas, USA -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Yang, F., Santiago Gonzalez, J., Little, N., Reisig, D., Payne, G., Dos Santos, R., Jurat-Fuentes, J., Kurtz, R., Kerns, D. 2020. First documentation of major Vip3Aa resistance alleles in field populations of Helicoverpa zea (Boddie) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in Texas, USA. Scientific Reports. 10(1):5867. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-62748-8.
    
  • Response of Bt and non-Bt cottons to high infestations of bollworm (Helicoverpa zea Boddie) and tobacco budworm (Heliothis virescens (F.)) under sprayed and unsprayed conditions -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Allen, K.C., Luttrell, R.G., Little, N., Parys, K.A., Perera, O.P. 2019. Response of Bt and non-Bt cottons to high infestations of bollworm (Helicoverpa zea Boddie) and tobacco budworm (Heliothis virescens (F.)) under sprayed and unsprayed conditions. Agronomy. 9(11):759. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy9110759.
    
  • Degradation of microplastic seed film-coating fragments in soil-(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Accinelli, C., Abbas, H.K., Shier, W., Vicari, A., Little, N. 2019. Degradation of microplastic seed film-coating fragments in soil. Chemosphere. 226:645-650.
    
  • Evaluation of insecticide application intervals to optimize tarnished plant bug control-(Proceedings)
    Gore, J., Catchot, A., Cook, D., Musser, F., Steward, S., Brown, S., Lorenz, G., Studebaker, G., Bateman, N., Thrash, B., Parys, K.A., Little, N. 2019. Evaluation of insecticide application intervals to optimize tarnished plant bug control. National Cotton Council Beltwide Cotton Conference. 682-686.
    
  • Standardized insecticide trial for control of tarnished plant bugs across the mid-south, 2018-(Proceedings)
    Steckel, S., Williams, M., Stewart, S., Lorenz, G., Studebaker, G., Bateman, N., Thrash, B., Catchot, A., Gore, J., Cook, D., Brown, S., Parys, K.A., Little, N., Allen, K.C. 2019. Standardized insecticide trial for control of tarnished plant bugs across the mid-south, 2018. National Cotton Council Beltwide Cotton Conference. 303-306.
    
  • Differences between two populations of bollworm, Helicoverpa zea (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), with variable measurements of laboratory susceptibilities to Bt toxins exposed to Non-Bt and Bt cottons in large field cages -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Little, N., Elkins, B.H., Mullen, R.M., Perera, O.P., Parys, K.A., Allen, K.C., Boykin, D.L. 2019. Differences between two populations of bollworm, Helicoverpa zea (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), with variable measurements of laboratory susceptibilities to Bt toxins exposed to Non-Bt and Bt cottons in large field cages. PLoS One. 14(3). https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0212567.
    
  • Contamination of sesame seed grown in Mississippi with aflatoxin, fumonisin, and mycotoxin-producing fungi-(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Abbas, H.K., Ebelhar, W.M., Bellaloui, N., Mulvancy, M.J., Stoner, G., Kotowicz, J.K., Little, N., Accinelli, C., Shier, W. 2019. Contamination of sesame seed grown in Mississippi with aflatoxin, fumonisin, and mycotoxin-producing fungi. World Mycotoxin Journal. 12(2):123-132.
    
  • Comparative activity of commercial baculovirus formulations against heliothine pests of cotton-(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Little, N., Luttrell, R.G., Mullen, R.M., Allen, K.C., Parys, K.A. 2019. Comparative activity of commercial baculovirus formulations against heliothine pests of cotton. Southwestern Entomologist. 44(1):105-115.
    
  • Comparison of three bioassay methods to estimate levels of tarnished plant bug (Hemiptera: Miridae) susceptibility to acephate, imidacloprid, permethrin, sulfoxaflor, and thiamethoxam -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Portilla, M., Luttrell, R.G., Parys, K.A., Little, N., Allen, K.C. 2018. Comparison of three bioassay methods to estimate levels of tarnished plant bug (Hemiptera: Miridae) susceptibility to acephate, imidacloprid, permethrin, sulfoxaflor, and thiamethoxam. Journal of Economic Entomology. 1-10. https://doi.org/10.1093/jee/toy244.
    
  • Effects of transgenic Bacillus thuringiensis cotton on insecticide use, heliothine counts, plant damage, and cotton yield: A meta-analysis, 1996-2015 -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Fleming, D., Musser, F., Reisig, D., Greene, J., Taylor, S., Parajulee, M., Lorenz, G., Catchot, A., Gore, J., Kerns, D., Stewart, S., Boykin, D.L., Caprio, M., Little, N. 2018. Effects of transgenic Bacillus thuringiensis cotton technologies on heliothine counts, plant damage, and cotton yield: a meta-analysis, 1996-2015. PLoS One. 13(7):e0200131. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0200131.
    
  • CRISPR/Cas9 mediated high efficiency knockout of the eye color gene vermillion in Helicoverpa zea (Boddie) -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Perera, O.P., Little, N., Pierce III, C.A. 2018. CRISPR/Cas9 mediated high efficiency knockout of the eye color gene vermillion in Helicoverpa zea (Boddie). PLoS One. 13(5):e0197567. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0197567.
    
  • Biological control of aflatoxin production in corn using non-aflatoxigenic Aspergillus flavus administered as a bioplastic-based seed coating -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Accinelli, C., Abbas, H.K., Little, N., Kotowicz, J.K., Shier, W.T. 2018. Biological control of aflatoxin production in corn using non-aflatoxigenic Aspergillus flavus administered as a bioplastic-based seed coating. Crop Protection Journal. 107:87-92. https://doi:10.1016/j.cropro.2018.02.004.
    
  • Leaf tissue assay for lepidopteran pests of Bt cotton -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Little, N., Mullen, R.M., Allen, K.C., Tyler, H.L. 2017. Leaf tissue assay for lepidopteran pests of Bt cotton. Southwestern Entomologist. 42(4):953-958. https://doi.org/10.3958/059.042.0414.
    
  • Integration of biological control and transgenic insect protection for mitigation of mycotoxins in corn-(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Weaver, M.A., Abbas, H.K., Brewer, M.J., Prueter, L.S., Little, N. 2017. Integration of biological control and transgenic insect protection for mitigation of mycotoxins in corn. Crop Protection Journal. 98:108-115.
    
  • Supplemental control with diamides for Heliothines1 in Bt Cotton-(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Little, N., Catchot, A.L., Allen, K.C., Gore, J., Musser, F.R., Cook, D.R., Luttrell, R.G. 2017. Supplemental control with diamides for Heliothines1 in Bt Cotton. Southwestern Entomologist. 42(1):15-26. doi:10.3958/059.042.0102.
    
  • Effectiveness of microbial and chemical insecticides for supplemental control of bollworm on Bt and non-Bt cottons-(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Little, N., Luttrell, R.G., Allen, K.C., Perera, O.P., Parys, K.A. 2017. Effectiveness of microbial and chemical insecticides for supplemental control of bollworm on Bt and non-Bt cottons. Journal of Economic Entomology. 110(3):1039-1051. doi:10.1093/jee/tow323.
    
  • First report of soybean pest, Euschistus quadrator (Hempitera: pentatomidae) in Mississippi-(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Blackman, B.D., Allen, K.C., Jones, W.A., Little, N., Grodowitz, M.J., Luttrell, R.G. 2017. First report of soybean pest, Euschistus quadrator (Hempitera: pentatomidae) in Mississippi. Florida Entomologist. 100(1):192-194. doi:10.1653/024.100.0132.
    
  • Inoculation of ophiostomatoid fungi in Loblolly pine trees increases the presence of subterranean termites in fungal lesions-(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Clay, N.A., Little, N., Riggins, J.J. 2016. Inoculation of ophiostomatoid fungi in Loblolly pine trees increases the presence of subterranean termites in fungal lesions. Arthropod-Plant Interactions. 16(3):260-264. doi:10.1111/afe.12053.
    
  • A liquid bioplastic formulation for film coating of agronomic seeds-(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Accinelli, C., Abbas, H.K., Little, N., Kotowicz, J.K., Mencarelli, M., Shier, T.W. 2016. A liquid bioplastic formulation for film coating of agronomic seeds. Crop Protection. 89:123-128.
    
  • Mortality of bollworm and tobacco budworm larvae exposed to microbial and chemical insecticides in treated Bt and non-Bt cotton assays-(Proceedings)
    Luttrell, R.G., Mullen, R.M., Little, N., Allen, K.C., Perera, O.P. 2016. Mortality of bollworm and tobacco budworm larvae exposed to microbial and chemical insecticides in treated Bt and non-Bt cotton assays. National Cotton Council Beltwide Cotton Conference. Memphis, TN. Pp. 168-174.
    
  • Baseline susceptibility of Lygus lineolaris (Hemiptera:Miridae) to novaluron -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Parys, K.A., Snodgrass, G.L., Luttrell, R.G., Allen, K.C., Little, N. 2016. Baseline susceptibility of Lygus lineolaris (Hemiptera:Miridae) to novaluron. Journal of Economic Entomology. 109(1):339-344;doi:10.1093/jee/tov318.
    
  • Rapid identification of Helicoverpa armigera and Helicoverpa zea (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) using ribosomal RNA internal transcribed spacer 1 -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Perera, O.P., Allen, K.C., Jain, D., Purcell, M., Little, N., Luttrell, R.G. 2015. Rapid identification of Helicoverpa armigera and Helicoverpa zea (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) using ribosomal RNA internal transcribed spacer 1. Journal of Insect Science. 15(1):155. doi:1093/jisesa/iev137.
    
  • Survey of subterranean termite (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) utilization of temperate forests-(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Little, N., Blount, N.A., Caprio, M.A., Riggins, J.J. 2014. Survey of subterranean termite (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) utilization of temperate forests. Sociobiology. 61(2):198-206.
    
  • Challenges to monitoring Bt resistance in Helicoverpa zea-(Abstract Only)
    Little, N., Luttrell, R.G., Perera, O.P. 2014. Challenges to monitoring Bt resistance in Helicoverpa zea. National Cotton Council Beltwide Cotton Conference. Proceedings of the Beltwide Cotton Conferences. January 6-8, 2014 New Orleans, LA p.699.
    
  • Hophornbeam copperleaf, an example wild host for Helicoverpa zea-(Proceedings)
    Luttrell, R.G., Little, N., Allen, K.C. 2014. Hophornbeam copperleaf, an example wild host for Helicoverpa zea. National Cotton Council Beltwide Cotton Conference. Proceedings of the Beltwide Cotton Conferences January 6-8, 2014 New Orleans, LA p.693-698.
    
  • Recent evaluations of Bt and non-Bt cotton in the Mississippi Delta-(Abstract Only)
    Allen, K.C., Adams, D.A., Luttrell, R.G., Little, N. 2014. Recent evaluations of Bt and non-Bt cotton in the Mississippi Delta. National Cotton Council Beltwide Cotton Conference. Proceedings of the Beltwide Cotton Conferences, January 6-8, 2014, New Orleans, LA. p.886.
    
  • Correlation between infection by ophiostomatoid fungi and the presence of subterranean termites in Loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) roots-(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Riggins, J.J., Little, N., Eckhardt, L.G. 2014. Correlation between infection by ophiostomatoid fungi and the presence of subterranean termites in Loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) roots. Agricultural and Forest Entomology. 16(3):260-264.
    

• ARS News Articles

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