Location: Systematic Entomology Laboratory
2022 Annual Report
Objectives
Objective 1: Conduct integrative systematic research of molecular (including Ag100Pests data) and morphological data to: determine species boundaries; recognize, describe, and illustrate new and invasive species; develop identification keys; hypothesize phylogenetic relationships among the respective groups for the purpose of stabilizing classification; and investigate host use and specificity of Aphidomorpha (aphids), Membracoidea (leafhoppers and treehoppers), Aleyrodomorpha (whiteflies), Coccomorpha (scale insects), and Heteroptera (true bugs) that are pests of or beneficial to U.S. agriculture. [NP304, C1 PS1A; C2 PS2B; C3 PS3A and 3B]
Objective 2: Develop web-searchable electronic databases, tools, and images of aphids, whiteflies, scale insects (Sternorrhyncha), leafhoppers (Auchenorrhyncha), and true bugs (Heteroptera) in the U.S. National Insect and Mite Collection and obtained through field exploration. This includes developing web-based resources to improve technology transfer of research products and disseminating this information to a broad group of stakeholders (e.g., quarantine, conservation, and biological control personnel). The proposed products will include searchable databases of certain hemipteran families. [NP304, C1 PS1A; C2 PS2B; C3 PS3A and 3B]
Objective 3: Provide expert identifications of specimens submitted by stakeholders worldwide, and manage and curate assigned portions of the U.S. National Insect and Mite Collection, including all taxa in the suborders Heteroptera, Auchenorrhyncha, Sternorrhyncha, and Coleorrhyncha, which involve more than one and a half million specimens housed in more than 3,000 insect drawers and mounted on hundreds of thousands of microscope slides. [NP304, C1 PS1A; C2 PS2B; C3 PS3A and 3B]
Approach
ARS will undertake the taxonomic research on agriculturally and economically
important aphids, leafhoppers, plant bugs, termites, and thrips, using both
morphological and molecular data to create species concepts and develop hypotheses about relationships. This information will be used to develop comprehensive revisions, including generic and species diagnoses and descriptions, illustrations of adults and diagnostic characters using light and electron microscopy, and dichotomous identification keys that will facilitate accurate identification. This information will be made available through publications, including hard-copy books, online pdf files, websites, and other media. Timely, accurate identifications of aphids, bugs, leafhoppers, termites, and thrips submitted by APHIS/PPQ, other state and Federal agencies, and a wide range of researchers will be provided. Large portions of the United States National Collection of Insects will be maintained and expanded.
Progress Report
This is the final report for 8042-22000-316-00D. For further information (post-PDRAM approval date) see report for project 8042-22000-313-00D.
We continued sorting and identifying undetermined New World Isometopinae, with approximately four new genera and approximately 35 new species recognized so far. Partially completed diagnoses of 11 previously described New World genera and 40 previously described species, and have begun building keys to the tribes, genera, and known species.
Acquiring field-collected specimens of Utamphorophora was not successful due to travel restrictions during. However, research on the deep relationships between subfamilies was conducted as ancillary foundational work. This published work was important since it showed the aphid subfamilies reflect gene tree discordance and introgression which affect our current ideas of aphid relationships.
In collaboration with Texas A & M, the world-wide literature search of the Neuropterida/ Sternorrhyncha (predator/prey) associations has been expanded and included into a test website with parameters for searching. Parasitoid information from the collaborator has still not been added to date.
A first pass of amplification and sequencing has been completed for two-thirds of aspidiotine samples. Troubleshooting and sequencing of the remaining specimens is currently in progress. Nine new species descriptions have been published to date in relation to this project.
Throughout maximum telework, priority has been given to projects that did not require regular access to the collections and equipment on site. In lieu of this milestone, new species descriptions and comprehensive keys to the aspidiotine fauna of Argentina and Panama were published as well as publications relating to other scale insects of agricultural importance, including Roseau cane scale and root mealybugs.
The “raindrop” Darnini—9 genera and 44 described species—is severely understudied. I have scored the data matrix for 673 morphospecies, begun genitalic dissections, and obtained 230 habitus images (57 morphospecies). I have about 500 additional specimens that I have begun sort to morphospecies and need to photograph and add to the matrix.
Throughout maximum and situational telework, priority has been given to projects that did not require regular access to the collections and equipment on site. In lieu of milestone 2, additional effort was directed toward milestone 1 and to other new descriptions of new Auchenorrhyncha species and their immature stages.
Using my Membracoidea of the World Database, a 327-page world generic checklist of membracoid families Cicadellidae, Myserslopiidae, and Archijassidae was prepared and submitted to Smithsonian Contributions to Zoology
Made 435 identifications of Sternorryncha, including 305 urgents; 250 identifications of Heteroptera, including 188 urgents; and 152 identifications of Auchenorrhyncha, including 116 urgents.
Accomplishments
2. Tracing the origins of Roseau Cane Scale. ARS scientists and collaborators identified the origins of the non-native Roseau Cane Scale (Nipponaclerda biwakoensis), a damaging insect pest of common reed threatening the Mississippi River Delta. Genetic and climatic data are providing critical guidance to focus future biocontrol efforts. Roseau Cane Scale has contributed toward extensive die-off of common reeds in Louisiana, which protect the marsh ecosystem from erosion and storm-related impacts, stabilize shipping channels, and shield critical infrastructure. USDA scientists from ARS and APHIS led a multinational effort to identify the origins of the introduced population. Genetic data from East Asian and U.S. populations were used to pinpoint northeastern China as the likely original source of the invasion. Ecological niche modeling was used to compare the pests’ native range against the MRD and match for climatic similarity. The combined results provide critical guidance to focus future biological control efforts, narrowing the search for natural enemies that may be successfully introduced to control Roseau Cane Scale in Louisiana. This research contributes toward the protection and restoration of a critical natural resource and gateway to a major shipping hub in the United States.
Review Publications
Skvarla, M.J., Schneider, S.A. 2022. First record of crapemyrtle bark scale (Hemiptera: Eriococcidae: Acanthococcus lagerstroemiae) from Pennsylvania. Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington. 123:(4)862-868. https://doi.org/10.4289/0013-8797.123.4.862.
Zack, R.S., Henry, T.J., Monzon, S.J. 2021. A checklist of the stilt bugs (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Berytidae) of Guatemala, with new country records. Pan-Pacific Entomologist. 97(4):210-219. https://doi.org/10.3956/2021-97.4.210.
Mahas, J.W., Hamilton, F.B., Roberts, P.M., Ray, C., Miller, G.L., Sharman, M., Conner, K., Bag, S., Blythe, E., Toews, M., Jacobson, A.L. 2022. Investigating the effects of planting date and Aphis gossypii management on reducing the final incidence of Cotton leafroll dwarf virus. Pest Management Science. 158. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cropro.2022.106005.
Mckamey, S.H., Wallner, A.W. 2022. The immatures of the tribe Quadrinareini Deitz (Hemiptera: Membracidae: Smiliinae). ZooKeys. 123(4):802-807. https://doi.org/10.4289/0013-8797.123.4.802.
Miller, G.L., Miller, M.K. 2022. Cultural entomology from the golden age of postcards. American Entomologist. 68(1):36-47. https://doi.org/10.1093/ae/tmac009.
Moore, M., Halbert, S., Mcvay, J., Miller, G.L. 2022. Thelaxes suberi, an oak aphid (Hemiptera: Aphididae: Thelaxinae) new to the Western hemisphere. Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington. 123(4):808-819. https://doi.org/10.4289/0013-8797.123.4.808.
Owen, C.L., Miller, G.L. 2022. Phylogenomics of the Aphidoidea: deep relationships between subfamilies clouded by gene tree discordance, introgression, and the gene tree anomaly zone. Systematic Entomology. 47(3):1-17. https://doi.org/10.1111/syen.12542.
Schneider, S.A., Sodano, J., Lapolla, J.S. 2022. Distinguishing symbiotic partners of Acropyga ants from free-living soil inhabitants. Neotropical Entomology. 2022. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13744-022-00948-9.
Zahniser, J.N., Henry, T.J., Schumm, Z., Spears, L., Nischwitz, C., Scow, B., Volesky, N. 2022. Centrocoris volxemi (Puton) (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Coreidae), first records for North America and second species of the genus established in the United States. Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington. 123 (4):878-888. https://doi.org/10.4289/0013-8797.123.4.878.
Henry, T.J. 2022. Revision of the New World plant bug genus Cyrtocapsus (Heteroptera: Miirdae: Bryocorinae: Eccritotarsini), with new and revised synonymies, lectotype designations, and descriptions of new species. Zootaxa. 5154:1-48. https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5154.1.1.
Henry, T.J., Ascuntar-Osnas, O. 2022. A new species of the stalk-eyed bug genus Epipolops from Colombia, with clarification on the identity and a redescription of E. quadrispinus Stål (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Geocoridae). Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington. 123(4):784-791. https://doi.org/4289/0013-8797.123.4.784.
