Newsletter of the Michigan Entomological Society
Volume 60, Numbers 3 & 4 December 2015 Inside this Issue: 62nd Annual MES Meeting: June 10-12, 2016 Robert A. Haack, President-Elect Papaipema Hybrids ... 18-19 PO Box 702, Eastport, MI 49627. Email: [email protected] Hemlock Woolly Adelgid ... 20 The 2016 MES annual conference will take place Poetry ... 20 on 10-12 June 2016 at the Shanty Creek Resorts (http://www.shantycreek.com/) near Bellaire, MES Historical Notes ... 20-21 Antrim County, MI. Shanty Creek is primarily a ski and golf resort covering over 4500 acres, with Mark O’Brien Honored ... 21 many conference room facilities, hotel rooms, and restaurants. Several rooms have been set aside New State Records Request ... 21 for us at Shanty’s “Lakeview Hotel & Conference Center” in the section of the resort known as Martinoptera ... 22-23 Summit Village, which overlooks Lake Bellaire. Mark your calendars and plan to attend. Our featured speaker will be Dr. William Ravlin, Chair of the Entomology Department at MES Board Minutes ... 23, 27 Michigan State University. Bill came to MSU in 2014, after first working at Virginia Tech and most recently at Ohio State University. Bill is an avid insect photographer and that will Dow Gardens Events ... 24 be the topic of his talk: “Macrophotography: Entomology, Science, and Art”. Asian Chestnut Gall Wasp ... 25 The main meeting will occur on Saturday, June 11th, primarily in the morning and early afternoon. We will plan to have a student presentation competition, as well as a few group Elm Seed Bug in MI ... 26 activities to take place before and after the conference (all activities can be done individu- ally as well). For example, we could visit the new Grand Traverse Butterfly House & Bug Mo’s Library for Sale ... 26 Zoo in Williamsburg (http://www.gtbutterflyzoo.com/) on Friday afternoon (see story p. 27). Then on Saturday afternoon, as part of the program, we could visit the Grass River Natural New Butterfly House ... 27 Area (http://www.grassriver.org/) for a brief talk and tour. The GRNA is 1443 ac in size, with over 7 miles of trails and frontage on the Grass River that connects Lake Bellaire and MSU Bug House ... 28 Clam Lake. The GRNA welcomes insect collecting and would encourage MES member to conduct a BioBlitz some day. Other nearby sites of interest include the Jordan River (for a Annual Meeting Abstracts ... 29-35 hike or canoe trip; http://www.michigandnr.com/Publications/PDFS/wildlife/viewingguide/ nlp/49Jordan/index.htm), and/or the Antrim Creek Natural Area (http://www.michigantrail- New Journal Editor Needed ... 36 maps.com/member-profile/3/249/ ). Shanty will allow The MES Newsletter is published as insect collecting in parts of their property. Shanty will four numbers per year extend its conference pricing (currently $135 per night + tax) for 2 days on either side of the meeting for anyone who wishes to stay longer. Besides Shanty Creek, many ISSN 1554-2092 other housing options are available in the area, including BREAKING DIAPAUSE 2016 local motels, B&Bs, cottages, and campgrounds. Details Saturday, March 19 will be provided later in 2016 10:30 am - 2 pm. the BD in 2013 at Varsity Drive, you will be 1) From State Street N - Go south on State 3600 Varsity Drive, Ann Arbor amazed at the changes and upgrades of the Street; shortly after crossing I-94 take the new facility. round-about left onto Ellsworth Road; then Breaking Diapause, an annual gathering of after crossing the RR track, at the next traffic entomologists to to celebrate the vernal equi- Directions. The Collections at Varsity Drive light, turn left onto Varsity Drive. nox and share stories, will be held Saturday, are located south of the intersection of State 2) From I-94 to exit 177 (State Street). Go March 19 at the new University of Michigan Street and I-94 (exit 177, State Street) at 3600 south on State Street to the round-about and museums complex at Varsity Drive. Tours Varsity Drive, which houses collections for turn left on Ellsworth Road; then after cross- will be given of the new collections facility the UM Herbarium, Museum of Zoology, the ing the RR track, at the next traffic light, turn and the meeting will take place in our all-new Museum of Anthropology and the Museum of left onto Varsity Drive. Telephone 734-615- presentation room. For those that attended Paleontology. 6200 . See map - p. 26. . December 2015 NEWSLETTER of the MICHIGAN ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY V60 (3&4) M E S MES Homepage: http://michentsoc.org 17 2015-2016 Officers of MES Hybrids in the Genus Papaipema
Ted Herig President...... Angie Pytel 237 East Pine St, PO Box 201, Elsie, MI 48831. Email: ...... [email protected] [email protected] President-Elect...... Robert Haack ...... [email protected] In my recent article on the Northern Blazing Star Borer (Herig Immediate ...... David Stanton 2014), I briefly presented some cross-breeding studies that were conducted in 2012-13 between two forms of Papaipema beeriana Past President...... [email protected] – one was a southern Michigan form from Monroe County and the Secretary...... Adrienne O’Brien other was a northern Michigan form from Otsego County. In that article, I referred to the southern form as beeriana and the northern ...... [email protected] form as nielseni in honor of Mo Nielsen who first collected this Treasurer...... David Houghton form (Herig 2014)...... [email protected] Many have asked if Papaipema hybrids really exist. This is a question that has perplexed many of us who collect this wonderful Member-at-Large (15-18)....Bernice DeMarco genus of Noctuidae (Herig 2015). The early collectors of Papaipe- ma had little to say on the subject of hybrids, but hybridization was ...... [email protected] suggested by both (Wyatt 1915-1942) and Bird (1923), and more Member-at-Large (14-17) .. Mark VanderWerp recently in my article (Herig 2015). In reference to the present study, on June 19, 2011 a group of ...... [email protected] us (Mo Nielsen, Eric Quinter, Tony Mcbride, and I) were discuss- Member-at-Large (13-16)...... Julie Craves ing Papaipema hybrids at the late Mo Nielsen’s famous hut up in Otsego Co, MI (Casey 2014). Eric, who is one of the top authorities ...... [email protected] on this genus, challenged me to prove that the northern form from Journal Editor...... Therese Poland Otsego Co. was different from the southern form from Monroe Co. by crossing them. Eric said something close to “With all the rearing ...... [email protected] you have done with this genus try cross breeding the two different Associate Journal ...... Anthony Cognato populations and see what if anything happens!” So in 2012, I reared male and female adults from both Otsego [email protected] Editor...... and Monroe Counties. After emerging, the adults were held in a Associate Journal ...... David Houghton cooler for a couple days and then placed into the breeding cages. Editor...... [email protected] In each of the experiments described below, I set up various pairs in cages and placed them outside at dusk for a more natural night Associate Journal ...... Ronald Priest setting. I put a sponge soaked in a 20% honey-water solution in each Editor...... [email protected] cage for the adults to feed on. The adults were left in the cages for 4 nights along with dried leaves of blazing star (the larval host plant) Associate Journal ...... Daniel Swanson and crumpled paper toweling to provide a substrate for oviposition. Editor...... [email protected] After the fourth night the blazing star leaves and paper toweling were checked for ova. All eggs were counted and then stored for Newsletter Editor ...... Robert Haack latter examination. After the pairings were complete, the specimen’s ...... [email protected] bodies and wings were kept for latter evaluation if needed. Webmaster ...... Mark O’Brien Breeding Experiment #1 (June 15, 2012). Two males from Otsego Co paired with two females from Monroe Co. produced 89 ...... [email protected] ova of which all collapsed within 2 weeks when checked on 7/1/12. Similarly, 2 males from Monroe Co. paired with 2 females from Current Annual Dues Schedule Otsego Co produced 76 ova of which all collapsed within 2 weeks when checked on 7/1/12. Student (through Graduate School)..... $12.00 Breeding Experiment #2 (July 4, 2012). New pairings, using Active ...... $25.00 similar methods, were set up with fresh adults on 7/4/12. Overall, Institutional ...... $45.00 two males from Otsego Co. paired with two females from Monroe Sustaining...... $35.00 Co. produced 133 ova of which about one third looked good (not Life ...... $500.00 collapsed) when checked on 7/22/12. Similarly, two males from Monroe Co. crossed with two females from Otsego Co. produced ISSN 1554-2092 157 ova of which all collapsed when checked on 7/22/12. For the two pairings of Otsego Co. males with Monroe Co. females that produced some apparently viable ova, I placed all normal-looking ova in a cooler and placed outdoors until early winter when 23 of the ova were brought indoors on 1 January 2013 to see if any larvae would emerge. I placed the eggs in a petri dish
December 2015 NEWSLETTER of the MICHIGAN ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY V60 (3&4) 18 MES Homepage: http://michentsoc.org M E S Batch 1. Larva emerged 1/11/13. 89 d of Papaipema are looking down and enjoy- larva to pupa. 18 d pupa to adult. 107 d total. ing my efforts to unlock the secrets of these Male. noctuid moths. My thanks go out to the fol- Batch 1, Larva emerged 1/13/13. 93 d lowing friends who have helped me in many larva to pupa. 20 d pupa to adult. 113 d total. ways over the years, including especially my Male. mentor the late Mogens “Mo” Nielsen, also Batch 5. Larva emerged 4/5/13. 94 d Dwayne Badgero, Kyle Johnson, Tony Mc- larva to pupa. 22 d pupa to adult. 116 d total. bride, Eric Quinter, and Jim Wiker. I want to Female. also thank Bob Haack for helpful editing and Overall, out of 133 ova, only 34 larvae to MES for publishing these articles (Herig emerged, of which only 3 adults were 2010, 2014, 2015). I thank you all. Two of the larvae from the pairings of Otsego Co. produced (with 1 larva accidently killed on males (northern form) with Monroe Co. females (southern form). Note the larva on the left is most 4/21/13). In my experience, this relatively References similar to the southern form while the larva on low survival rate is typical in hybrid crosses. Bird H. 1911. New life histories and species in Pa- the right is most similar to the northern form. Moreover, for the larvae that survived, their paipema and Hydroecia. Canadian Entomologist coloration often changed from instar to instar 43: 37-44. Bird H. 1923. New life histories, species and varieties in a laboratory maintained at 24-27º C. The between what is typical in the Otsego and in Papaipema (Lepidoptera) No. 22. Canadian Monroe County forms (Herig 2014), which eggs darkened about 2 days before larval Entomologist 55: 106-109. eclosion. Overall, larvae emerged from only I have also found to be typical in hybrid Casey S. 2014. The hut. Newsletter of the Michigan 6 of the 23 ova. Two emerged on January crosses. As for the three reared adults, and Entomological Society 59 (1-2): 5. 11 (at 8:35 and 9:26 am), two on January 12 using the terminology I proposed in my ear- Herig T. 2010. Observations on the Blazing Star Borer (at around 8:45 am), and two on January 13 lier paper (Herig 2014), they all resembled (Papaipema beeriana) in Michigan. Newsletter of (between 9-10 am). Four of the six larvae female beeriana (i.e., the southern form) in the Michigan Entomological Society. 55 (1-2): 15. soon died, while two were reared to adults. general but with redder wing coloring as in Herig T. 2011a. Potato (Solanum tuberosum) as an the males of the northern form. There were alternative host for rearing Papaipema moths. This process was repeated again start- Newsletter of the Michigan Entomological Society ing January 16, 2013, when 25 ova were no white orbicular or reniform spots on these 56 (1-2): 7. brought indoors and maintained as above. adults which is typical in about 98% of both Herig T. 2011b. Techniques for rearing Papaipema Overall, 8 larvae emerged from these 25 ova male and female nielseni (i.e., the northern larvae. Newsletter of the Michigan Entomological between January 24-25, all died by Janu- form). Society 56 (1-2): 8. ary 28. On January 30, 2013 a third batch The following data, based on my own Herig T. 2014. Northern blazing star borer, a pos- of 28 ova was brought inside of which 4 rearing of larvae on potato under broadly sible new Papaipema species or subspecies of similar laboratory conditions (Herig Papaipema beeriana. Newsletter of the Michigan larvae emerged on February 10, 2013, but Entomological Society. 59 (3-4) 24-26. all were dead by February 11. A fourth 2011a,b), shows the shortest and longest Herig T. 2015. A new species of Papaipema or a hybrid batch of 22 ova was brought indoors on development time from newly-eclosed larvae cross? Newsletter of the Michigan Entomological March 14, 2013, of which 2 larvae emerged to adult emergence for the southern form Society. 60 (1-2): 13. on 3/22/13, and both were dead by March (Papaipema beeriana (Bird)) and the appar- Wyatt, AK. 1915-1942. The Fieldnotes of Alex. K. 23. A final fifth batch of 35 ova was brought ently new northern form nielseni. Wyatt. Part 11. Noctuidae (in part). Noctuinae to indoors on March 27, 2013, of which 14 Papaipema beeriana Bird. Shortest: Amphipyrinae - personal notes bound and stored by the Field Museum of Natural History, Chicago, IL larvae emerged during April 3-5, 2013. Of 74 d larva to pupa. 20 d as pupa. 95 d total. these 14 larvae, 2 would likely have reached Longest: 98 d larva to pupa. 28 d as pupa. the adult stage but one was accidentally 126 d total. killed by author, while the other pupated on Papaipema beeriana form nielseni. July 19, and emerged as an adult female on Shortest: 74 d larva to pupa. 21 d as pupa. 94 August 10, 2013. d total. Longest: 108 d larva to pupa. 28 d For the three individuals that reached as pupa. 136 d total. the adult stage, a summary of their rearing The above rearings were started dur- data is given below. ing January through March and as in past years the eggs had not been exposed to their normal length of cold. Nevertheless, I have reared many other Papaipema species indoors in late winter to full sized adults on potato with no problems and the fact that this can be done indoors is in itself very gratify- ing! To see these moths just after emerging is the final triumph though knowing that the many long hours spent during the past 3-4 months was well worth the effort. Amaz- ing! The above account is just a tiny picture Top: Left = parent female, southern form; Right Parent moths used in some of the crossings. Top of the fascinating yet mostly unknown life = parent male, northern form. Center: shows the row, female (L) and male (R) from Otsego Co. histories of these Papaipema moths. two male offspring from the Batch 1 crossing. Bot- (northern form). Bottom row, female (L) and I would hope that the early researchers tom: shows the female offspring from the Batch 5 male (R) from Monroe Co. (southern form). crossing.
December 2015 NEWSLETTER of the MICHIGAN ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY V60 (3&4) M E S MES Homepage: http://michentsoc.org 19 Hemlock Woolly Adelgid Hemlock Woolly Adelgid Infestation History in Michigan Detected in Two Lower (Year Detected) Peninsula Michigan Counties in 2015
John M. Bedford, Pest Response Program Specialist Muskegon Co. Emmet Co. (2015) (2006, 2007, Michigan Department of Agriculture 2010) and Rural Development, Pesticide and Plant Pest Management Division, 525 Ottawa Co. (2010) W. Allegan, Lansing, MI 48933 Email: [email protected] Ottawa Co. Macomb Co. (2010, 2015) (2010) In 2015, the Michigan Department of Agri- culture and Rural Development announced Allegan Co. that hemlock woolly adelgid was found (2013) infesting hemlock trees on private property at sites in southwestern Ottawa County Berrien Co. Macomb Co. and southwestern Muskegon County. (2010) These detections are the first instances of (2012) HWA occurring in native forest hemlock in Michigan. Future surveys and treatments the Michigan Entomological Society 57 (3-4): 31. are being planned for the infestations in Ot- MDNR (Michigan Department of Natural Resources). MES Historical Notes 2009. Hemlock woolly adelgid update. Newsletter tawa and Muskegon counties with the goal of the Michigan Entomological Society 54 (1-2): 4. of eradication. Philip M. 2007a. Hemlock woolly adelgid in Michigan. Robert A. Haack, Newsletter Editor MDARD and its partners have been Newsletter of the Michigan Entomological Society actively monitoring for HWA since 2001 52 (1-2): 1, 19-20.2. 1990 – 25 years ago. In early 1990, Dick and controlling infestations since 2006 (see Philip M. 2007b. Hemlock woolly adelgid in Michigan: Snider was President; Eugene Kenaga was map). Until this year, all previous HWA in- a summary of activities to date. Newsletter of the Michigan Entomological Society 52 (3-4): 42. President-Elect; Phil Watson was immediate festations found in Michigan were restricted Past-President; Mo Nielsen was Executive to nurseries and landscape trees. All HWA Secretary; Gary Dunn, Mark Scriber and detections prior to 2015 have been treated, Leah Bauer were the three Members-at- often over multiple years, with subsequent Large; Mark O’Brien was Journal Editor; annual surveys after the control activities and Bob Haack and George Heaton were were concluded. Many of the early HWA the Newsletter Editors. The 36th MES An- detections in Michigan, and the related con- Entomomentum nual Meeting was held 1-2 June 1990 at the trol efforts, have been described in earlier is- Chippewa Nature Center near Midland, MI. sues of the MES Newsletter (Philip 2007a,b, As earth keeps revolving The featured speaker was Warren Wagner, MDNR 2009, Bedford 2012a,b). Central to insects will be evolving Professor of Botany at the University of MDARD’s HWA response plan is continued touched by the brush of natural selec- Michigan, who spoke on “Butterflies in surveillance and reporting of new infesta- tion, Biology and Public Education.” Other talks tions. addressed acorn insects, ambrosia beetles, To protect Michigan’s hemlock forests with a propensity for mutation aphid-ant associations, bark beetle-predator and the wildlife – including birds, mammals, and unbridled in procreation, interactions, computerized insect collec- and even fish –MDARD has maintained a gripped by the fingers of sexual selec- tions, drought stress and tree resistance to strict quarantine against out-of-state hemlock tion. borers, federal pesticide registration, gypsy since 2002. Current and past infestations moth, Hydrophilidae, insecticide resistance, in the state are likely the result of hemlock Surely some will go extinct, mosquitoes, and nematology. During the from out-of-state areas being shipped into afternoon the public was invited to the an- Michigan prior to, or in violation of, this while others will become distinct on tangled paths without direction. nual meeting to participate in Buglover’s quarantine. Discovery Day that was organized by Gary Dunn. Some of the activities included References Ken Tennessen 2015 computer insect games; insect safaris; bug Bedford J. 2012a. Hemlock woolly adelgid detected in bingo; microscopic bugs; insect art, and southwest Michigan. Newsletter of the Michigan Contact information: PO Box 585, mealworm races. Annual dues were $8 per Entomological Society 57 (1-2): 12. Wautoma, WI, 54982. year for active members, $4 for students, and Bedford J. 2012b. Update on the hemlock woolly adelgid detection in southwest Michigan. Newsletter of Email: [email protected] $20 for libraries. Journal page charges were
December 2015 NEWSLETTER of the MICHIGAN ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY V60 (3&4) M E S MES Homepage: http://michentsoc.org 20 $30/page. There were 461 members in good Mark F. O’Brien: standing and 160 library subscriptions at the close of 1989 and a balance of $24,766. Honorary Life Member Members of the Michigan Entomological 1965 – 50 years ago. In early 1965, Mo Nielsen was President, John Newman was Society were unanimous in their support of President-Elect, Stanley Gangwere was im- Mark O’Brien’s nomination for Honorary mediate Past-President, and Julian Donahue Life Member of MES earlier in 2015. A was the Executive-Secretary and Editor of the beautiful plaque was prepared for Mark by MES Newsletter. Others that served on the Martin Andree to commemorate this event MES Governing Board as Members at Large and it was presented to Mark by Bob Haack were Irving Cantrall, Henry Townes, and at the 2015 MES Annual Meeting. Arthur Wells. The 11th annual meeting was As stated in the MES Constitution and held at the University of Michigan in Ann Bylaws, Honorary Life Membership can be Arbor on 20 March 1965. The annual meet- conferred on any member who has per- to present. In addition, Mark has hosted the ing was held in conjunction with the Michi- formed long and distinguished service in the MES spring “Breaking Diapause” gathering gan Academy of Sciences annual meeting. field of entomology to the State of Michigan in the past and will again in 2016. Overall, There were 15 MES talks presented on such or to the Society. Mark has clearly excelled of Mark’s 35 years as a member of MES, topics such as Anisoptera, Arctiidae, Cicadae, in both areas. he has served on the MES Governing Board Cimbicidae, Ichneumonidae, Sciomyzidae, Professionally, Mark has served as the for over 29 years. Given the above record, Sphecidae, spittlebugs, ticks, burrowing Insect Division Collections Manager for the Mark O’Brien was certainly deserving of insects, Scots pine pests, 4-H entomology, University of Michigan, Museum of Zoology being elected as a Honorary Life Member of insect digestion, insect mating behavior, and since arriving in Michigan in 1981. In ad- MES. new insect books. MES held a spring collect- dition, Mark has written numerous scientific Robert A. Haack, Newsletter Editor ing trip to the Michigan U.P (and encountered papers with a primary focus on Hymenoptera snow). A contest was announced to design and Odonata; coordinated the Michigan an emblem for MES publications (the win- Odonata Survey since it began in 1997; and ner, announced in 1966, is what we still use assisted the Michigan DNR on multiple oc- today). MES changed its constitution in 1965 casions to review state-listed threatened and so that it would be considered a nonprofit, tax endangered insect species. exempt organization by the IRS. The MES In regards to MES, Mark has served on Governing Board voted to start a journal in the Governing Board in several capacities 1965, which started publication in 1966 as since joining the Society in 1981. Mark was The Michigan Entomologist (now The Great President twice (1985-88 and 2000-03) and Lakes Entomologist). In 1965, MES dues organized the MES Annual Meetings in 1986 were $2 per year for regular members and $1 and 2001. Mark also served as editor of The for students, there were 72 regular members Great Lakes Entomologist for about 11 years and 36 student members, and the Society had during 1988-1998, and most recently has a balance of $382. served as the MES Webmaster from 2001
Requesting New First State of recovery, identifier, photograph, habitat, deadline is December 20, 2015 for stud- and current specimen(s) location. You ies beginning in 2016. Arthropod Reports will be credited for the new record! Send We support both natural history your information and any questions to Ron and experimental science. We are ITS TIME AGAIN TO SET THE RE- Priest at: [email protected] or 243 Nat. Sci. especially eager to support independent CORD STRAIGHT! Have you recovered Bldg., M.S.U., East Lansing, MI 48824- researchers (those lacking institutional an arthropod species not before recorded 1115. I look forward to hearing from you support), but anyone having a U.S. from your state? Perhaps you’ve recovered and seeing your records in print Social Security number may apply. one a few years ago which has not yet been Since 2002, we’ve awarded 211 grants reported in print. Publishing new state worth $202,881 to people in 34 states to records significantly adds to our under- Funding for Prairie Research study insects, plants, mammals, reptiles, standing of species ranges as well as their slime molds, mycorrhizal fungi, spiders, expansion. Submit your record(s) for our Prairie Biotic Research, Inc. is an all- snails, amphibians, birds, fish, invasive next Newsletter (Spring 2016). If you’re volunteer, Wisconsin nonprofit established species, effects of management, and the not sure of the identity of your specimens, in 2000 to foster basic biotic research in human dimensions of conservation. it’s a great reason to attend our next Break- prairies and savannas. We offer a competi- ing Diapause, Saturday, March 19, 2016. tive Small Grants Program that funds grants Include as many of the following points as up to $1000 to individuals for grassland you can: species, common name (if any), studies anywhere in the USA. See details at family; date, location of recovery, method our website (prairiebioticresearch.org). The
December 2015 NEWSLETTER of the MICHIGAN ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY V60 (3&4) M E S MES Homepage: http://michentsoc.org 21 Soaked, sore and bloodied, excitement tightened my chest, a small smile curled at the edges of my mouth and my eyes shone like victory. My brother complained bitterly about losing the bass and Martinoptera something about how I was scaring all of the fish away. Slowly I unfolded the net and there it was. I was not really sure Fudging Science in the Straits of Mackinaw what it was, but it had the required six legs and a body with three distinct body parts and it had wings. Huge wings, with a span of 18 Martin J. Andree inches. And feathers, mostly white, and some tinged in black, others 3990 Four Mile Road NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49525 the color of squid ink. The creature had expired in the fight and I tenderly lifted it out of the netting for a closer look. Was this a flying Email: [email protected] fish? Was it a bird? Was it a bug? Whatever it was, it was all wrong and at the same time, all right with me. It’s never really said out loud, and the topic is tactfully avoided I spread it on the deck; its body had the look of a mayfly, albeit in the polite company of the Annual Meeting, and even during the a huge one. It had a huge false head, like those found on tropical hopeful buzz of Breaking Diapause. It still lurks, however, at the lantern flies, that protruded past the head like a bill. It was the color beginning of each new season, like the insane hope of a prom date of spent dandelion with a distinctive red spot near the tip. The wings with the homecoming queen. It would be improper and somehow were shaped like those of a bat, but were a clear membrane with crass to admit our avarice for fame in such a small, rarefied circle as feathers covering just enough of the area to mimic the feathered area ours, but it is there. of the common, immature Herring Gull. I’m as depraved in this regard as anyone. With me, it usually By Jove, I had the good fortune of discovering an insect gull starts something like this, “Holy Moly, I can’t find anything close to mimic! If this wasn’t “new to science,” nothing was! Besides some this bug…anywhere!” Books fly off shelves, I smash my keyboard tropical Lepidoptera that look vaguely like the face of an angry furiously, as I search the Internet for clues. “Great jumping June owl, and all of that rot about our local saturnids flashing about like Bugs!” I exclaim, as I discover the specimen before me is found the eyes of a raptor, I believed this was a first insect to exhibit such only in certain small mountain top pools of the Caucus Mountains, highly advanced bird mimicry! This was truly a rara avis! I felt like and only between June 11 and June 12. LaConte, like Boisduval, like Linnaeus! My bug was caught in Kent County, Michigan on June 10! It came to me in a flash. Looking down on these creatures from “Can this really be?” I belt out, jumping up and down, wildly peer- above, they would appear to be a gulls. They never aroused any hu- ing into my microscope and trolling through lists, pages and web man suspicion from the Annual Memorial Day Bridge Walkers who sites deep into the night. gazed down at the gulls dancing below. This insect’s disguise was so But, no, once again, I have been fooled by my hopeful pride; convincing, the adult Herring Gulls would protect it, as one of their my bug turns out to be dirt common and is found in just about every own. We were completely ballyhooed. location to the north and south of the equator, including both poles. Upon closer inspection the feathers were actually highly de- It’s been taken on 364 different days of the year. veloped scales with perfect shadow lines and subtle shading. It was Sigh. Will I ever feel the thrill of discovering something, “New difficult not to believe they were not real feathers. I’ve never seen to Science?” Something so profound that they might name a style of such a convincing mimic, and I had discovered it! I immediately drawer or type of box after me, cementing my good name solidly in christened it with the humble moniker, Larus argentatus andree. entomological history? The Andree Box, the Andree Series Drawers In my excitement, I almost overlooked the larvae. I didn’t see or even the Andree Mount comes immediately to mind. them at first, but there they were, clinging to the rocks, just above the Some dreams seem impossible to stamp out. I get horribly water line, just above the freighter wakes. What was this creature’s depressed sometimes and think about switching my interest to col- distribution? Why had it not been discovered before? Surely it must lecting the beer steins of Bavaria or even changing my field of study be north of The Bridge. Surely the great UP must be lousy with from bugs to the study of the rare civets of India. them? Then it happened. My brother and I were fishing from our boat, To test my theory, we carefully motored along the piers of the for small mouth bass along the rock rip rap and massive abutment bridge. There were quite a few until we passed the midway point of bases that hold up the mighty Mackinaw Bridge. The bite was on the Mighty Mac, then their numbers seemed to drop precipitously. and bug fame was far from my mind. Of course I always have a net By the time I got to the last bridgework on the St. Ignace side, there and a few jars in the boat. You just never know. were none to be seen. My brother Pete had just hooked a copper colored lunker that The larvae were about eight inches long and the exact purple breached and then went under the boat. As I as raced for the landing color of a concord grape. They had a slight white film and beads of net, something on the bridge support caught my eye. I froze, the moisture, like you just took the grapes out of the refrigerator on a hot bass flipped the hook, the line went limp, my brother howled in night in August. They were motionless, but I could see their eyes, disappointment and I jumped ship. intelligent and knowing, hundreds of them, unblinking, endlessly Like Indiana Jones, bug net in my mouth like a pirate knife, searching. I dove in and swam the icy currents of The Straits, took a grapple Then, like alligators, laying on the bank, that seem to have been hook out of my belt (you never know), threw it up onto a cable dead since the dawn of extinction, the larvae moved like lightening. support and hoisted myself clear out of the water, netting the crea- Something jolted them into action and they disappeared beneath the ture that had caught my eye, in a lightning move that would have swirling currents. If I waited long enough, I was sure to discover impressed Jackie Chan. their host food. This was a hard and barren environment. Did they Pete maneuvered the boat over to the pylon and I lowered myself dine on fish, on aquatic plants; were they highly specialized at me- with great aplomb onto the deck of the pitching boat. tabolizing a certain algae that colonized the abutments of the bridge?
December 2015 NEWSLETTER of the MICHIGAN ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY V60 (3&4) 22 MES Homepage: http://michentsoc.org M E S After the frenzy, they slowly crawled into the blue and white box. His teeth marks Special Presentation: Mark O’Brien was back onto their perches of stone to take up and thumbprint were still plainly visible on awarded an Honorary Membership in rec- the watch once more. It didn’t take long, the fudge. He was not the kind of man to ognition of his many years of service to the but to tell you the truth, I think I was lucky. I easily give up his fudge. I knew I had to act MES – as President (twice), Journal Editor and saw something swirling towards the rocks in fast. Webmaster. He was given a huge plaque made one of those small back eddies that appears The boat was a total mess of milk, by Martin Andree. Mark was very moved and to make the current run backwards. There leaches and tackle, as I carefully tossed the grateful. Thank you, Mark. were seven or eight larvae on the rocks and fudge box upstream from the larvae. Once Reports: they all moved in unison, as if mechanical, again, like the mechanical movements of Secretary: Adrienne O’Brien – 1. Membership one click at a time as they orientated towards a clock, the gregarious creatures turned in numbers are down a bit – 258 total of Active, the prize. unison towards the bobbing box of fudge, Sustaining, Student, Honorary and Lifetime Bobbing along merrily was none other then slipped into the current to devoured it in members; plus, 49 Institutional Members and than a famous blue and white Marshall’s seconds. I had solved the riddle. 46 Subscription Members. 2. We received a fudge box. I could plainly see the waxed pa- I collected a few voucher specimens very poignant letter with photos from Bob per had been peeled back; the white plastic and called it a day. My brother expertly and Husband, informing the MES that Patricia, his knife was still wedged between the remain- begrudgingly piloted us safely back to the wife of 60 glorious years, died on May 21st, ing fudge and the box. boat docks at Mackinac City. 2015. Memorial contributions may be made “Eureka!” I sagely observed, “chocolate While Pete loaded and cleaned up the to Adrian College. walnut!” In seconds the voracious larvae boat, I walked over to Marshall’s to get some Treasurer: Dave Houghton - no report overcame the box. It sunk out of sight in a fudge for the larvae and for Pete, before Newsletter: Bob Haack – More articles are thrashing frenzy of foam, commotion and heading back to the family cottage. always needed. Please submit. walnuts. Later while writing up the life history of Journal: Therese Poland (given by Bob “Fudge,” I mused smugly. This will my findings for, “The Great Lakes Ento- Haack). Journal is up-to-date, but more short work out nicely when I pen their official mologist,” it finally occurred to me why they articles are needed to complete the next issue. life history. However this was real science have never been found north of The Bridge. Webmaster: Mark O’Brien – Most of the and I needed to be absolutely sure of their We all understand, all too well, that or- Journals and Newsletters are on the MES food preference. After consuming the fudge, ganisms are limited by resources and one of website. Some earlier Newsletters may need the box, the wax paper and even the knife, those resources is food. It’s well known that to be scanned. they were back on their citadel. It wasn’t they will never be too far from their food too long before another box appeared in the source. Old Business: The constitutional amend- swirling flotsam beneath the bridge. I don’t know why I hadn’t thought of ment proposed by John Douglass was further This time, something was amiss. They this detail before? I certainly knew it. It’s discussed and the general membership voted didn’t move, they didn’t even look. Were not like it’s a secret. Everyone knows, it’s to put the proposed change on the ballot for they full? This box was different, I could tell right there on the signs along the route to the next year’s election. The wording will be the fudge was maple cream, at least half; but bridge. We all see them on every trip North fine-tuned, but the gist of the proposal will be the other was certainly chocolate walnut. don’t we? “Last Fudge Before the Bridge.” that the Member-at-Large position be changed Then I noticed the box wasn’t the familiar from a 3 year term to a 2 year term and that blue and white box of Marshall’s, but the there would be 2 people elected each year, for black and white box of Murdick’s Fudge. MES 2015 Annual Meeting a total of 4 Members-at-Large at any one time. It floated by unnoticed. I hung my head in Minutes – June 26-28, 2015 New Business: Elections: abject, scientific despair. 61st Annual Meeting, Rockwell Congratulations to our new Member-at-Large, Meanwhile, my brother had given up on Lake Lodge & G.H. Gordon Bernice DeMarco (2015-18) and President the bass and the leaches and was drinking Biological Station, Luther, MI Elect, Bob Haack. Thank you to the other milk form a cardboard carton and eating the candidates, Toby Petrice and Ashley Wick for fudge we had bought before launching the Present: The General Membership plus Gov- agreeing to be on the ballot. And, finally, thanks boat at Mackinac City. erning Board Members: Bob Haack, Dave to David Cuthrell, Member-at-Large (2012-15) “Gimme that fudge!” I blurted. He Houghton, Adrienne O’Brien, Mark O’Brien, and Martin Andree, Immediate Past President, saw me coming with what he mistook for Ron Priest, Angie Pytel, Dave Stanton for their service to MES. We know that they hunger in my eyes and immediately dropped Undergrad Student Presentations: 1st prize will continue to be involved with the Society. the milk and started cramming as much was given to Kaitlyn Leymaster from Hillsdale Thanks to Angie Pytel for planning and execut- Marshall’s chocolate walnut fudge into his College for her paper on “Case Reconstruction mouth as fast as he could. “No way! No Behavior and Mortality of Pycnopsyche gut- ing the 61st Annual Meeting. It was excellent. fudge for you! You lost my bass!” I made tifer (Trichoptera:Limnephilidae) at Different a mad lunge, upsetting the leach bucket, Temperatures with and without Aeration”; 2nd Submitted by: Adrienne O’Brien, MES barking my knee a good one and managed to prize was given to Emily Mydlowski from Secretary grab his hand just before he stuffed the last Northern Michigan University for her paper on piece into his pie hole. “Mucilage and Herbivore Damage on Brasenia A struggle ensued, rough words were schreberi in Northern Michigan”; 3rd prize to exchanged and tackle boxes overturned, but William Fitch for his paper on “Aquatic Insect I had successfully wrestled the last piece Assemblages of Forest and Floodplain Habitats from his sticky fingers. I carefully put it back of a Pristine River”
December 2015 NEWSLETTER of the MICHIGAN ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY V60 (3&4) 23 MES Homepage: http://michentsoc.org M E S Dow Gardens: Inspiring a New wildlife, as elementary-age students identi- fied less than 50% of backyard creatures Generation of Entomologists correctly. The Dow Gardens exists to continue Elly Maxwell, 1018 West Main St., the mission of Herbert Dow, the founder Midland, MI 58640 of the Dow Chemical Company. He was an innovative man with a creative mind Email: [email protected] that grew hundreds of acres of apples as a hobby, amongst other horticultural projects. I was a child who noticed bugs. As a Sharing the gardens with the community is kindergartener waiting for the bus one fall something rooted in Herbert and Grace Dow. day, I remember being so distracted by a This is my favorite aspect of my job, as I can praying mantis eating a field cricket; I didn’t easily share entomological enthusiasm with Photobooth at Viva la Pollination event in June notice the bus arrive. My mother will tell the community. of 2015. you stories of me collecting jars-full of box For the past seven summers, we have elder bugs. One summer I learned to track hosted a weekly insect collecting class. and witness longwing butterflies roosting in katydids down by their sound, and filled my Students meet each week to observe, collect, clusters in our free-flying butterfly display. dad’s greenhouse with them. I didn’t realize identify, and pin insects. The children are Insects actually do have better special they were polyphagous herbivores and that naturally curious, and one year isn’t enough abilities than Pokémon characters, and Dow his tropical plants might be a preferred host! for many of them. Over the years a second Gardens seizes the opportunity to share I am fortunate enough to be the staff class, a summer insect club, has evolved. this with the public. There is a plethora of entomologist at The Dow Gardens, which Rather than collecting and killing insects, random insect “special abilities” rivaling is the estate of Herbert Henry Dow and his the students are focused on observing and the capabilities of cartoons. Think of the wife Grace. The Dow Gardens, a 110-acre rearing insects. This year we were silk- distance monarchs migrate, the height fleas public botanical garden in Midland, MI, worm crazy. We used female cercopia and can jump, and the business of dung-rolling shares the outdoors with visitors year-round polyphemus moths to call in males and had beetles. The story of triungulin beetle larvae through horticultural experiences, education- more caterpillars than we could keep up with hitching rides on other insects to get around, al opportunities, and leisure-time activities. feeding! phoresy, reads like fiction! Kids are curious and have a natural interest We have collected praying mantids and My favorite story to share with children in insects. Even children that are initially raised them through the summer. One sum- and garden-clubs alike is that of a dragonfly afraid warm up to the programs offered at mer we were lucky enough to find a female nymph. Everybody can identify an adult Dow Gardens, sparking interest and serving northern walkingstick. We put a male in dragonfly, and many know they live near as education for the public. with her, and before we knew it she was water because they lay eggs in ponds. Why In 2002, data were shared in Science laying eggs. We successfully overwintered then do so few folks know the adaptation an about a study done in the U.K., exploring the eggs in perlite, and had babies hatching immature dragonfly has to obtain oxygen? A children’s knowledge of Pokémon characters in spring! We raise monarchs and black few students in class will giggle when I say and common backyard critters (Balmford et swallowtails every year. We have made ant “rectal gills,” but for the most part, a rectum al. 2002) The kids scored very high in iden- farms. One year we made an ant farm in a is not a body part elementary school kids are tifying the fictional Pokémon characters, and big bowl, and although we couldn’t easily familiar with. As I go on to explain that an poorly in common backyard wildlife. Good see ant tunnels, we succeeded in establishing immature dragonfly needs to take water into conclusions were drawn from this study; antlion larvae in the top and rearing them to his rear-end to get oxygen, a class will erupt including young children have an incredible pupation. We have extracted honey, made in laughter! Add to the fact the dragonfly ability to learn about creatures (both fictional mealworm fried rice, and homemade ice nymph expels the water from its rectum and nonfictional); at age 8 identifying nearly cream with roasted crickets at Café Insecta. quickly to jet around in its environment, and 80% of a sample drawn from 150 Pokémon The biggest opportunity for Dow Gar- kids are won over! There are real life stories of insects and nature that are far more clever species. dens to share insects with our community happens each spring. We receive 3,000 but- than the fictional adaptations of Pokémon Also the ex- creatures! posure chil- terflies from all over the world, and let them fly in a conservatory. Everybody has the References dren have Balmford A, Clegg L, Coulson T, Taylor J. 2002. to fictional opportunity to interact with blue morphos, watch an atlas moth emerge from its cocoon, Why conservationists should heed Pokémon. Pokémon Science 295: 2367. characters leaves a more lasting impression than their experience with local Allison Haney showing entomological enthusi- asm with male (left) and female (right) northern Students showcase insects they collected in summer Bumble bee hive that was carefully excavated, walkingsticks on her face. collecting class. moved, and observed by Insect club in 2014.
December 2015 NEWSLETTER of the MICHIGAN ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY V60 (3&4) 24 MES Homepage: http://michentsoc.org M E S Established Populations of Michigan is the leading US state in the References number of chestnut farms and total chestnut Battisti A, I Benvegnu, F Colombari, RA Haack. 2014. the Asian Chestnut Gall Wasp acreage under production (Bricault 2013). Invasion by the chestnut gall wasp in Italy causes Discovered in Michigan Given this prominence and the proximity of significant yield loss in Castanea sativa nut produc- ACGW in nearby Ohio, Michigan chestnut tion. Agricultural and Forest Entomology 16: 75-79. Bricault B. 2013. Chestnuts: growing a food crop and growers were anxious about the potential ar- Robert A. Haack an industry in Michigan. Michigan State University USDA Forest Service, Northern Research rival of ACGW (Haack et al. 2011). In fact, Extension. Online at:
December 2015 NEWSLETTER of the MICHIGAN ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY V60 (3&4) 25 MES Homepage: http://michentsoc.org M E S Recently Introduced Mo Nielsen’s Home them rather than to book collectors or used Elm Seed Bug Shows Up book retailers. Library Holdings Available At the current time there are over one in Michigan hundred items available, including books, Duke Elsner bound reports and special publications. Mark VanderWerp Some are signed by the authors, and over Extension Educator, Michigan a dozen are from the 1930’s or earlier. Rose Pest Solutions, 1130 Liver- State University, 520 W. Front St., There are 22 of the fascicles from the nois Rd, Troy, MI 48099 Suite A, Traverse City, MI 49684. Moths of North America series. The most Email: [email protected] notable items are the 1889 three-volume Email: [email protected] set The Butterflies of the United States and Canada by Scudder and the 1896-1914 set The Elm Seed Bug, Arocatus melano- With the permission of the family of the of Bombycine Moths of North America by cephalus (Fabricius 1798) (Lygaeidae), is a late Mo Nielsen, I have had the privilege Packard. Both of these are in very good European species first found in the U.S. in of being the “curator” of the materials condition. I’ve had the fun of looking over Idaho in 2012. Currently it is known to be from Mo’s home office. I apologize for the these wonderful works in my office long established in Idaho, Oregon (first reported lengthy time it has taken me for sorting and enough, it is time for the sales to begin! in 2013), and Utah (2014). This insect documenting these materials. I still have a If you are interested in looking over primarily feeds on the seeds of elm (Ulmus) long way to go, but the process is moving the list of books that are available, you trees but apparently can attack other trees along. Mo’s family has given me permission can request a listing of titles and prices such as oak (Quercus) and linden (Tilia). to sell the books and most of the profes- from me by email at [email protected] or While this species is not anticipated to be a sional journals. We have decided to offer my regular mail to my office address. The major stressor on its plant hosts it can be a them first to members of MES, and to keep journals are not yet ready for sale, but I’m notorious nuisance pest given that it readily the pricing modest and negotiable; they hoping to finish up sorting these out (and would much rather see the books go directly enters human structures in autumn when copying interesting articles for my files!) to persons that would greatly benefit from adults seek shelter to overwinter. later this year. There are certainly many other insects that behave in a similar manner, often colloquially referred to as “Fall Invaders,” including North American natives like box- elder bugs (Boisea trivittata) and cluster flies (Pollenia spp.) and nonnative spe- cies like the brown marmorated stink bug (Halyomorpha halys) and the multicolored Asian lady beetle (Harmonia axyridis).
During the summer and fall of 2015, insects considered to be A. melanocepha- lus were found at two different residential properties, both within a mile radius of each other, in Birmingham, MI (Oakland Co.). The author has reached out to many others MAP for BREAKING DIAPAUSE 2016. Saturday, March 19 in the area (including pest management 10:30 am - 2 pm, 3600 Varsity Drive, Ann Arbor, MI professional, MES members, and university extension agents) to see if there have been other reports of this insect in Michigan, but References: so far no other positive identifications have http://utahpests.usu.edu/htm/utah-pests-news/utah-pests-news-fall-2014/ been made. Some of the insects collected in Birmingham, MI have recently been sent http://extension.oregonstate.edu/malheur/sites/default/files/spring_2013_esb_fact_sheet. to the USDA APHIS for positive identifica- pdf tion.
December 2015 NEWSLETTER of the MICHIGAN ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY V60 (3&4) M E S MES Homepage: http://michentsoc.org 26 Grand Traverse Butterfly case my private collection and educational of flowering plants. The initial panic was displays. I had been telling my wife there quickly replaced with incredible resolve and House and Insect Zoo ought to be a butterfly house in Traverse City clever decisions—they chilled the remain- Duke Elsner, Extension Educator for decades, so I certainly could not turn ing chrysalides of nectar-feeding butterflies, Michigan State University, 520 W. down this offer. In early 2014 they started but allowed the adults of species that feed Front St., Suite A, Traverse City, MI construction and I began to produce display on fruit juices to emerge and populated the 49684. Email: [email protected] material for “Duke Elsner’s Crawl Space” at display; all of the flowering plants were the future facility. They were only open for removed, with samples of the plant material the month of October in 2014, but the excite- and soil around their root balls kept and sent The Grand Traverse Butterfly House and ment of the public showed a great potential to the Michigan Department of Agriculture Insect Zoo held its grand opening on May for the business. In the off season they did for residue analysis. I made connections 9, 2015. This was the culmination of a long promotional work and educational sessions with my MSU Extension colleagues that and sometimes very difficult effort by a at area elementary schools, which they wish work with the greenhouse and floriculture northern Michigan couple, Cyndie Bobier to make a big part of their activities in the industry to source new plant material. The and Robert Roach. Cyndie first became years ahead. grand opening went on as planned, and it fascinated with insects over 20 years ago Early 2015 brought some real chal- has been a very successful first year for the when she saw me giving a presentation on lenges to the operation. A broken water Grand Traverse Butterfly House and Insect insects in Traverse City. Since that time she pipe went unnoticed for a number of days Zoo. has earned degrees in zoology and business. in the winter, necessitating new drywall and The pesticide residue analysis revealed Cyndie learned the butterfly house business flooring. That was simple compared to the very high levels of imidacloprid in the soil, as an intern at the butterfly house on Macki- next obstacle. It was April 29, just 10 days plant tissues and nectar. Further investiga- nac Island. Rob’s last name was simply a before the scheduled grand opening; all of tions have led to accusations of pesticide coincidence; he turned out to be the “engi- the plants had arrived and were in bloom misuse and poor record keeping by the Ohio neer” of the business, overseeing the design inside the display garden, and the first but- nursery that provided the plants. and construction of the facility and displays. terflies had emerged from their chrysalides. The Grand Traverse Butterfly House and Once they decided to pursue this proj- Within hours, the butterflies were lying on Insect Zoo is located in Williamsburg, about ect, Cyndie tracked me down at my office the ground, twitching and dying. It turned 12 miles east of downtown Traverse City on and gave me her short but sincere ‘elevator out that the supplier of the plants, despite M-72. They are open from May to October, pitch’—about how she wanted to start this specific conversations and the details of the with details available at gtbutterflyzoo.com business called the “Grand Traverse But- plant order, had sent plants that were heav- or look for them on Facebook-- GT Butterfly terfly House and Bug Zoo,” and how she ily treated with imidacloprid, a systemic House & Bug Zoo. wanted to dedicate a space for me to show- insecticide that translocates into the nectar
Fall 2015 Governing Board saddle-stitching through a fold, we require at handle many of the review and layout steps. least 100 pages. Therefore, we are waiting for Therese needs to find out what such services Meeting Minutes – 28 Oct. 2015 revisions to be received from one or two more would cost and if they would work on a journal via Skype, 1-3 PM papers before we can go to press. We hope to with the circulation that MES has. receive revisions of accepted papers to com- 2. John Douglass has proposed that we make Present: Angie Pytel, Dave Houghton, Ron plete the issue very soon. There are also a few the office of President a 2-year term, and not Priest, Julie Craves, Bob Haack, Mark O’Brien, new submissions undergoing review. Typically have a President-elect. This issue has been Therese Poland, Mark VanderWerp, Bernice submissions are slower in the summer and fall raised before, but not moved on. We will DeMarco and Adrienne O’Brien, recording because of field research and the time required discuss it further at the Spring 2016 Breaking secretary to analyze data and summarize the results. Diapause meeting. Minutes from the June 2015 Annual Meet- Old Business: At the Annual Meeting, ap- 3. 2016 Annual Meeting – Bob has settled on ing: Bob moved to approve, Dave seconded, proval was received from the General Member- having the meeting at Shanty Creek. He will all approved ship to send out a ballot for the newly proposed list alternative sites for lodging in the areaif Reports: structure for the Members at Large. John Doug- people feel the room rates are high. Secretary: Adrienne O’Brien – no changes lass proposed having 2 M@L elected each year, 4. Bernice DeMarco may be moving to since June but for 2-year terms only. Bob and Adrienne Washington, DC. The board felt that she could Treasurer: Dave Houghton – Current balance will prepare the ballot language and mail it out continue her duties as Member at Large if she is $20,068 – it is quite stable, with expenses in late 2015 so it can be implemented in 2016. does move. and income fairly even New Business: 5. Adrienne is beginning to receive more Newsletter: Bob Haack – waiting on a few 1. After many years of dedicated work as edi- questions from the subscription services about articles to complete the next issue. Bob will tor of the Great Lakes Entomologist, Therese online access for the journals and newsletters. most-likely have the Fall newsletter out in De- Poland may need to resign due to increasing The question was if there would be a fee or cember. Bob is officially retired from the Forest administrative responsibilities at the Forest Ser- password for anyone to read them. As it stands, Service – WooHoo! Current email is haack@ vice. She is willing to work with the new editor we will not be doing that in the near future. msu.edu or committee during the transition. Therese has 6. Mark VanderWerp noted that there is a new Journal: Therese Poland. The Fall/Winter been researching some alternative strategies for invasive pest in Michigan, the elm seed bug. issue of The Great Lakes Entomologist (48:3- the journal such as working with The Oxford It reproduces rapidly and as the weather turns 4) currently has 13 papers comprising 86 pages University Press or The Cambridge Univer- cold, it enters homes in large numbers. It looks ready to be printed. However, to be able sity Press to publish our journal. They would like a boxelder bug and has a foul odor. to print with book-style binding rather than Meeting was adjourned at 2:55.
December 2015 NEWSLETTER of the MICHIGAN ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY V60 (3&4) M E S MES Homepage: http://michentsoc.org 27 MSU Bug House: Monday evening of every month. We also have special open houses at Halloween and What’s it all About? a holiday open house in December. In the spring, we participate in MSU Science Fest Bernice B. DeMarco with extra open houses, as well as for “Be Department of Entomology, Michi- a Tourist in Your Own Town” in June and Grandparents University in June, as well as gan State University, 288 Farm Lane, others. In addition, we participate in various Room 243, East Lansing, MI 48824. events away from the Bug House, including Email: [email protected] Darwin Discovery Days in February with the MSU Museum, “Bug Day in the Garden” at The Bug House at Michigan State Univer- the Children’s Garden in July, Tollgate Fall sity began in 1997 as a combination educa- Fair in Novi in September and various local tional museum and insect petting zoo under elementary school science fairs. the leadership of Mark Scriber, Wayne Weh- Since its opening, the Bug House has ling and Barb Stinnett. The Bug House had educated, thrilled and helped to dispel fears 865 student visitors that first year. In 1999, about insects to thousands of children and Gary Parsons replaced Wayne, and worked adult visitors. Many teachers bring their with Barb to make outreach in the Bug students year after year, because they see the House exciting for students of all ages. By value in learning about entomology through 2006, there was an average of 6000 visitors our outreach program. We charge fees for per year, and currently, we reach over 11,000 school tours and some special events, which visitors per year between school groups, covers some of our basic costs to maintain open houses and special events, on and off the facility and our animals and to support campus. We host approximately 150 school our student guides. Our open houses are class visits per year, comprising about 4500 free to the public. We see the Bug House students, 700 MSU college students from as playing an important role in STEM our Integrated Biological Science courses, as (Strengthening Tomorrow’s Education in well as kids from daycare programs, summer Measurement) education efforts for future camps, scouting, birthday parties and family students of all ages. visits. Currently, Gary Parsons and Bernice If you would like to support our efforts, DeMarco run the Bug House, with support you can donate easily through our web page, from Carolyn Devereaux and student work- www.bughouse.msu.edu by clicking on “donate’ in the left hand column or by mailing a con- ers in the office and graduate and undergrad- tribution to the Entomology Department at the following address: MSU Bug House, Depart- uate volunteers to help with tours. ment of Entomology, 288 Farm Lane, room 243, East Lansing MI 48824. The Bug House resides at Room 147 in the Natural Sciences Building on MSU’s campus. The facilities consist of two rooms: an outer room with static displays, a butterfly cage and an observation beehive; and an inner room holding cages of live insects and other arthropods. We offer a number of different options for visiting the Bug House. Most grade school students see it through scheduled appointments with their classrooms. For a typical school tour, we start with a presenta- tion about basic body parts and life cycles using a display board and cut outs of bug pieces. Then they can explore our display drawers of insects from around the world showing diversity, habitats, biology, as well observing bee behavior in our observation beehive. Then they get to go to the “live room” where they have the opportunity to hold many live insects, spiders and other arthropods. The second option to visit the Bug House is through open houses. We offer one each month in the summer on a Saturday or a Sunday, and during the school year, there is an open house the second
December 2015 NEWSLETTER of the MICHIGAN ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY V60 (3&4) M E S MES Homepage: http://michentsoc.org 28 Reconstructing the Past: European settlement assemblages for the three orders of aquatic insects most useful Pre-European Settlement for biological monitoring of streams in the Distributions for Mayflies, region: Ephemeroptera (mayflies), Plecop- tera (stoneflies), and Trichoptera (caddis- Stoneflies, and Caddisflies flies) or collectively EPT taxa. We have done in Midwest, USA this by accumulating the most trustworthy distribution data: that from 25 regional museums, records from colleagues with R. E. DeWalt1, Y. Cao1, J. L. taxonomic expertise in the group, and by Robinson1, T. Tweddale1, densely collecting areas from Ohio to Iowa L. Hinz1, and S. A. Grubbs2 and Minnesota to Michigan. These efforts have resulted in a 200,000 specimen record dataset for the region. Maximum Entropy 1University of Illinois, Prairie Re- single species distribution modeling using search Institute, Illinois Natural His- these records, 100 eco-hydrological vari- tory Survey, 1816 S Oak St., Cham- able, and historical vegetation coverage has paign, Illinois 61820 produced predictions of occurrence within 2Western Kentucky University, Biolo- United State Geological Survey Hierarchical Ohio into Iowa. The Plecoptera model is the gy Department, 1906 College Heights Unit Code 12 (HUC12) watersheds (includes best validated, corresponding well to data all waterbodies within moderate sized drain- Blvd., #11080 Bowling Green, KY set aside for validation and with observed age, over 8,000 of which occur in the region) distributions and richness patterns across the 42101-1080 for 426 EPT species. Predictions for each landscape. Ephemeroptera and Trichoptera Email: [email protected] species were summed within watersheds to predicted richness suffers from over-repre- produce regional models for species rich- sentation of specimen data in Ohio and low All flowing water habitats in the Mid- ness. The highest predicted richness is in the representation in Minnesota and Wisconsin, west region of the USA have experienced unglaciated areas in the southern portion of respectively. A logical extension of this work degradation of varying degree due to a host the Midwest region, in heavily forested areas includes prediction of EPT distributions and of human influences. Because of this, the with high slope in NE Ohio and northern richness into the future in relation to climate use of contemporary reference conditions Wisconsin, Michigan, and Minnesota, and change and using the dataset and current (reference streams) by state and federal secondarily along large rivers such as Wa- predicted distributions as two measures of biological monitoring agencies suffers from bash, Illinois, Rock (Illinois), and Wiscon- the regional species pool against which to a lack of historical context. My colleagues sin rivers. Low diversity occurs in the flat monitor EPT stream assemblage changes in and I have attempted to reconstruct pre- glacial lake and till plain habitats from NW the future.
DNA Fingerprinting of EAB gan in 2002. It was most likely transported to Michigan in infested wood packaging, such as pallets or crating. In the last 13 years David Stanton it has spread to 25 US states and 2 Cana- Saginaw Valley State University, dian provinces. EAB larvae damage trees Department of Biology, Univer- by feeding in the cambial region, and have successfully infested and killed all species of sity Center, MI 48710 ash (Fraxinus) so far encountered. Email: [email protected] EAB adults were collected at various locations in Lower Michigan and either frozen at -20ºC or stored in a 70% ethanol he Emerald ash borer (EAB) is native to T until DNA extraction was performed using eastern Asia and was first found in Michi- a DNeasy extraction kit. DNA fingerprint- ing was performed for two loci using PCR with dye labeled primers and capillary electro- phoresis. Data analysis included determination of the number of alleles per locus, allele frequen- cies, observed (Ho) and expected portion of the genetic variation present in (He) heterozygosities, Hardy the native populations of EAB in Asia was Weinberg equilibrium (HWE), introduced to Michigan, suggesting that the genetic distance (D) and popula- final geographic spread of EAB within North tion substructure (FST). The America may be limited due to lack of high results indicate that only a EAB adult (Photo by David Cappaert) genetic diversity.
December 2015 NEWSLETTER of the MICHIGAN ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY V60 (3&4) 29 MES Homepage: http://michentsoc.org M E S Mucilage and Herbivore Damage on Brasenia schreberi in Northern Michigan
Emily A. Mydlowski 1 and Michael C. Rotter 2
1 Department of Biology, Northern Michigan University, Marquette, MI 49855 Email: [email protected] 2 Department of Biological Sciences, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ 86002 Email: [email protected] The ecology of aquatic macrophytes and their herbivore defenses are understudied despite the importance of these plants in Sampling at Harlow Lake (Marquette Co. MI). Leaves of watershield, Brasenia schreberi, are vis- aquatic ecosystems. The leaves of watershield, ible around the canoe, and dominate the submerged zone. Brasenia schreberi, are covered in a thick, clear mucilaginous substance thought to reduce herbivory. vore damage. For each leaf sampled, we removed and weighed the mucilage as well as This study examined the relationship photographed them to estimate the percent of leaf area consumed. We found that herbivory between the amount of mucilage and herbi- decreased as the mucilage content increased. We found at least three insects consuming the leaves, including two Chrysomelidae beetle species (Galerucella nymphaeae and Donacia sp.) and an aquatic Pyralidae moth species. It appeared that the leaf beetles were more commonly found on leaves with higher amounts of mucilage than the aquatic moth larvae. Future studies should focus on plants grown in the laboratory and exposed to herbivores where insect behavior in response to mucilage content could be observed more closely.
Common herbivores of Brasenia schreberi and examples of their damage to leaves: Top. Leaf beetle (Donacia sp.), Center. Aquatic moth (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), Bottom, Waterlily leaf beetle (Galerucella nymphaeae). Larvae illustrations by Jen Koppin.
December 2015 NEWSLETTER of the MICHIGAN ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY V60 (3&4) 30 MES Homepage: http://michentsoc.org M E S Life History Patterns of trunks, and roots, but a few develop in cones, fruit, and seed, and at least one Longhorned Beetles species in New Zealand is a leaf miner (Cerambycidae): Microlamia pygmaea (Martin 2000). A Worldwide Perspective Cerambycid larvae develop in a variety of host tissues within woody plants, including outer bark, inner bark, cambium, Robert A. Haack sapwood, heartwood, and pith. Given that USDA Forest Service, Northern these tissues vary in nutritional quality and Research Station, 3101 Technology defenses (with the inner bark and cam- Blvd., Suite F, Lansing, MI bium being the most nutritious, and the outer bark and heartwood being the least), Email: [email protected] voltinism patterns are affected greatly. 1997). In general, most temperate cerambycid Some cerambycids do not feed as here are more than 35,000 ceram- species that develop primarily in the inner T adults while others feed on flowers, bark, bycid species in the world (Švácha and bark can complete development in 1 year, foliage, cones, sap, fruit, roots, and fungi Lawrence 2014), with over 1000 species, whereas those that develop primarily in (Linsley 1959). Adult females usually representing over 300 genera, in North the outer bark require 2-3 years, and those lay eggs on or in their larval host plants. America. Adult cerambycids vary greatly that develop mostly in the sapwood and Many species oviposit under bark scales in size, from as short as 1.5 mm in length heartwood require 2-5 years (Haack and or in bark crevices, while others, espe- (Decarthria stephensi) to as long as 167 Slansky 1987). But there are exceptions, cially the Lamiinae species, first chew mm (Titanus giganteus) (Haack 2016). such as the wood-infesting Asian long- a pit through the outer bark with their Nearly all cerambycids feed on horned beetle (Anoplophora glabripennis) mandibles and then deposit eggs in the plant tissue as both adults and larvae, but and the citrus longhorned beetle (A. chi- underlying plant tissues. Adult females of cerambycids in the genus Elytroleptus are nensis), which are often univoltine (Haack a few species first girdle a branch or twig one exception whereby they mimic and et al. 2010). By contrast, when infested before ovipositing in it. Species in the subsequently prey on adult lycid beetles trees are later converted to lumber and genus Oberea, typically oviposit below the (Eisner et al. 2008). Most cerambycids used in products such as flooring and fur- girdle (i.e., on the side toward the trunk) develop in woody plants such as trees, niture, the typical generation time can be while in Oncideres, females oviposit shrubs, and woody vines, but some species greatly protracted, such as when an Eburia above the girdle (i.e., toward the branch develop in herbaceous plants, as well as quadrigeminata emerged from a bookcase tip) (Solomon 1995). bamboo, cacti, palms, and yucca (Haack that was constructed over 40 years earlier Most cerambycid species overwinter 2016). Some species are agricultural pests (Jaques 1918). in the larval stage. Pupation usually oc- on crops such as soybeans in U.S. (Dectes The host breadth of cerambycids varies curs at the end of their larval galleries in texanus), bamboo in Asia (Chlorophorus greatly with some species being monopha- cells (where the pupa is in direct contact annularis), and sugarcane in Asia (Dorys- gous (e.g., the locust borer, Megacyllene with the host tissues) or in cocoons (where thenes buqueti). Nearly every part of a robiniae, develops in 1 genus of plants) the larva secretes a calcareous or gum-like tree is attacked by one or more ceramby- while others are highly polyphagous (e.g., substance over the chamber walls) (Duffy cid species, especially the twigs, branches, the redheaded ash borer, Neoclytus acumi- 1953, Linsley 1961). Prior to pupation, natus, develops in larvae often plug their galleries with wood at least 26 genera shavings. Some species exit the host plant of woody plants). prior to pupation and pupate in the soil. A few species There are several species of exotic that have highly cerambycids in the U.S. but only the Asian restricted host longhorned beetle (ALB), Anoplophora ranges have been glabripennis, is currently the target of a used in biocontrol federal quarantine and eradication effort. programs of weeds, The first ALB infestation in the U.S. was such as the Europe- found in New York City in 1996 and an species Oberea several more have followed. A few have erythrocephala that been successfully eradicated, such as the was introduced infestations in Chicago and Boston, but into western North three are still ongoing eradication efforts America to con- in the states of Massachusetts, New York, trol leafy spurge, and Ohio. The two largest infestations in Euphorbia esula the U.S. were the last two discovered: in (Hansen et al. Adult male Asian longhorned beetle, Anoplophora glabripennis 2008 in Worcester, MA, and in 2011 to Photo by Franck Herard the east of Cincinnati, OH. As of early
December 2015 NEWSLETTER of the MICHIGAN ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY V60 (3&4) 31 MES Homepage: http://michentsoc.org M E S October 2015, more than 24,000 ALB- The Bees of Michigan: infested trees have been detected around Worcester and over 17,000 in Ohio. This A Checklist large-scale survey and eradication effort is justified because ALB can infest and Jason Gibbs kill apparently healthy trees in just a few Department of Entomology, Michigan years, and because it has a very wide host State University, 202 Center for Inte- range, infesting especially maples, but also grated Plant Systems, East Lansing, many other hardwoods such as birch, elm, MI 48824. Email: [email protected] horsechestnut, poplar, and willow (Haack et al. 2010). A definitive checklist of the Michigan References bee fauna has never been compiled. To ad- Duffy E. A. J. 1953. A monograph of the immature stages dress this gap, I have been compiling a state of African timber beetles (Cerambycidae). London: checklist of bees (Apoidea: Andrenidae, Api- British Museum (Natural History). dae, Colletidae, Halictidae, Megachilidae, Eisner, T., F. C. Schroeder, N. Snyder, J. B. Grant, D. Melittidae), documenting species richness J. Aneshansley, D. Utterback, J. Meinwald, and M. for each of Michigan’s eighty-three coun- Eisner. 2008. Defensive chemistry of lycid beetles and of mimetic cerambycid beetles that feed on them. Chemoecology, 18:109-119. Haack, R. A. and F. Slansky. 1987. Nutritional ecology of wood-feeding Coleoptera, Lepidoptera, and Hymenoptera. In Nutritional Ecology of Insects, Mites, Spiders and Related Invertebrates, ed. F. Slansky Jr., and J. G. Rodriguez, 449-486. New York, John Wiley. Haack, R. A., F. Hérard, J. Sun, and J. J. Turgeon. 2010. Managing invasive populations of Asian longhorned beetle and citrus longhorned beetle: a worldwide perspective. Annual Review of Entomol- ogy 55:521-546. Nomada articulata Halictus rubicundus Haack RA, MA Keena, and D Eyre. 2016. Life his- tory and population dynamics of Cerambycidae. ties beginning with a comprehensive survey counties have fewer than 50 species re- In Cerambycidae of the World: Biology and Pest of the literature, surveys of major Michigan Management, ed. Q. Wang, in press. Taylor and corded. Some Michigan bees are experienc- collections, and my own fieldwork. The Francis, Boca Raton, FL. ing severe declines (e.g. Bombus affinis) or Hansen, R. W., R. D. Richard, P. E. Parker, and L. E. project is ongoing, but over 450 species have not been collected in Michigan in over Wendel. 1997. Distribution of biological control have been recorded for Michigan to date, 70 years (e.g. Macropis nuda). Any collec- agents of leafy spurge (Euphorbia esula L.) in including 32 new state records. This makes tion effort focused on these species or poorly the United States: 1988-1996. Biological Control Michigan the most species rich state in the sampled counties would be valuable. If you 10:129-142. Great Lakes Region. Ingham and Livings- are interested in contributing to Michigan’s Jaques, H. E. 1918. A long-lifed woodboring beetle. Pro- ton Counties are the best sampled with an ceedings of the Iowa Academy of Science 25:175. list of bees, then please feel free to contact estimated 230 and 205 species, respectively, Linsley, E. G. 1959. Ecology of Cerambycidae. Annual me. I am willing to identify and return any but it is estimated that more than 300 species Review of Entomology 4:99-138. bees collected from Michigan. Linsley, E. G. 1961. The Cerambycidae of North Amer- are likely to occur in counties in southern ica. Part I. Introduction. Berkeley, CA, University Michigan. Most counties (66/83) have less of California Publications in Entomology 18:1-135. than 100 species documented, and Hough- Martin, N. A. 2000. A longicorn leaf miner, Microlamia ton County has a mere 23 species currently pygmaea (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae: Lamiinae) known. Northern counties are typically the found in New Zealand. New Zealand Entomolo- most poorly sampled, but some southern gist 23:86. Solomon, J. D. 1995. Guide to insect borers in North American broadleaf trees and shrubs. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Ser- vice, Agriculture Handbook AH-706. Švácha, P., and J. F. Lawrence. 2014: 2.1 Vesperidae Mulsant, 1839; 2.2 Oxypeltidae Lacordaire, 1868; 2.3 Disteniidae J. Thomson, 1861; 2.4 Ceramby- cidae Latreille, 1802. In Handbook of Zoology, Arthropoda: Insecta; Coleoptera, Beetles, Volume 3: Morphology and systematics (Phytophaga), ed. R. A. B. Leschen, and R. G. Beutel, 16-177. Berlin/ Boston, Walter de Gruyter.
Megachile pugnata Bombus borealis
December 2015 NEWSLETTER of the MICHIGAN ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY V60 (3&4) 32 MES Homepage: http://michentsoc.org M E S An Overview of Oobius America suddenly increased to six known species. Four of these species were native, (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) and two species, O. agrili and O. longoi in North America and (Siscaro) (introduced into California for the control of Eucalyptus longhorned borer), Comments on Two Newly were intentionally introduced. Better Described Species knowledge of our native Oobius species is important to prevent misidentification when
1 1 determining establishment of O. agrili and Toby R. Petrice , Leah S. Bauer , studying its impact on EAB, and also to Serguei V. Triapitsyn2, and monitor for possible nontarget impacts they Michael W. Gates3 may have on hosts of the native Oobius spe- 1USDA Forest Service, Northern Re- cies. In 2014, we initiated a collaboration with Serguei Triapitsyn (the third author of search Station, Lansing, MI this abstract), coincidentally, whose father 2 Entomology Research Museum, Uni- (different spelling but same pronunciation versity of California, Riverside, CA of last name) was the author of the genus 3USDA ARS Systematic Entomology Oobius, to describe two previously unde- Laboratory c/o National Museum of scribed species of Oobius that attack Agrilus Natural History, Washington, D.C. in North America. Descriptions, notes, keys and other Email: [email protected] their small size and the ephemeral and cryp- information on these species and other North tic nature of their agrilid hosts make them American congeneric taxa were published very challenging to collect, identify, and Members of the genus Oobius Trjapitzin in Triapitsyn et al. (2015). Briefly, the first study. (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) are primarily new species was originally reared in 2006 egg parasitoids of wood-boring Coleoptera, from Agrilus subcinctus Gory eggs collected Reerences with the exception of one species that attacks near Brighton, MI, USA, and tentatively Annecke, D.P. 1967. Three new southern African eggs of robber flies (Diptera: Asilidae) (An- identified asAvetianella sp. (Petrice et al. species of Oobius Trjapitzin, 1963 (Hymenoptera: necke 1967). Oobius agrili Zhang & Huang, 2010). Later this same species was reared Encyrtidae). Journal of Natural History 1: 319–325. Bauer, L.S., J.J. Duan, J.G. Gould, R.G. Van Driesche. discovered in China parasitizing the eggs of from Agrilus egenus Gory eggs collected 2015. Progress in the classical biological control emerald ash borer (EAB), Agrilus planipen- in East Lansing, MI, USA, where it over- of Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire (Coleoptera: nis Fairmaire (Coleoptera: Buprestidae) winters as a mature larva within the egg. Buprestidae) in North America. The Canadian (Zhang et al. 2005; Liu et al. 2007), was It is likely that this species also attacks Entomologist 147: 300–317. first introduced into Michigan in 2007 as an other Agrilus species. This new species Liu, H., L.S. Bauer, D.L. Miller, T.H. Zhao, R.-T. Gao, EAB biological control agent (Bauer et al. was named Oobius minusculus Triapitsyn L. Song, Q. Luan, R. Jin, C. Gao. 2007. Seasonal 2015). As of fall 2015, O. agrili and three & Petrice in reference to its minute size, abundance of Agrilus planipennis (Coleoptera: EAB larval parasitoids have been released averaging only 0.5 mm long, and being the Buprestidae) and its natural enemies Oobius agrili (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) and Tetrastichus pla- in the USA as part of a nationwide classical smallest member of this genus currently nipennisi (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) in China. biological program for EAB (Bauer et al. known from North America. Biological Control 42: 61–71. 2015). A second undescribed species was Loerch, C.R., E.A. Cameron. 1983. Natural enemies of Oobius agrili was the only recognized reared from eggs of the bronze birch borer, immature stages of the bronze birch borer, Agrilus Oobius species in North America prior to Agrilus anxius Gory, a native agrilid (Loerch anxius (Coleoptera: Buprestidae), in Pennsylvania. 2010, when Noyes (2010) synonymized and Cameron 1983). This species also Environmental Entomology 12: 1798–1801. three genera (Avetianella Trjapitzin, Szele- was initially identified asAvetianella sp. Petrice, T.R., R.A. Haack, J.A. Strazanac, J.P. Lelito. 2009. Biology and larval morphology of Agrilus nyiola Trjapitzin, and Oophagus Liao) with Re-examination confirmed that this was an subcinctus (Coleoptera: Buprestidae), with com- Oobius. With this taxonomic revision, the undescribed species of Oobius, and it was parisons to the emerald ash borer, Agrilus planipen- number of known Oobius species in North subsequently described and named Oobius nis. The Great Lakes Entomologist 42: 173–184. whiteorum Triapitsyn (after family friends Triapitsyn, S.V., T.R. Petrice, M.W. Gates, L.S. Bauer. of Serguei). Little is known about the 2015. Two new species of Oobius Trjapitzin (Hyme- biology of this species or its role in regulat- noptera, Encyrtidae) egg parasitoids of Agrilus spp. ing bronze birch borer, and possibly other (Coleoptera, Buprestidae) from the USA, including a key and taxonomic notes on other congeneric Nearctic Agrilus species. taxa. ZooKeys 498: 29–50. With the addition of these two newly Zhang, Y.-Z., D.-W. Huang, T.-H. Zhao, H.-P. Liu, L.S. described species, the number of named Bauer. 2005. Two new species of egg parasitoids Oobius species occurring in North America (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) of wood-boring beetle is now eight. There are additional Oobius pests from China. Phytoparasitica 33: 253–260. species which have not yet been described Zuparko, R.L. 2015. Annotated checklist of California from North America [for instance, Zuparko Encyrtidae (Hymenoptera). Zootaxa 4017 (1): 1–126. (2015) mentioned perhaps six undescribed species of this genus in California], and Oobius agrili adult laying ovipositing within the egg of more are likely to be discovered. However, an emerald ash borer (photo by Jian Duan)
December 2015 NEWSLETTER of the MICHIGAN ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY V60 (3&4) 33 MES Homepage: http://michentsoc.org M E S Aquatic Insect Assemblages of Forest Case Reconstruction Behavior and and Floodplain Habitats of a Pristine Mortality of Pycnopsyche guttifer River (Trichoptera: Limnephilidae) at Different Temperatures With and Without Aeration William T. Fitch and David Houghton Hillsdale College, 33 E. College St. Hillsdale, MI 49242 Kaitlyn Leymaster and Angelica Pytel Email: [email protected] Hillsdale College, 33 E. College St. Hillsdale, MI 49242 Email: [email protected] The River Continuum Concept (RCC; Vannote et al 1980) Thermal toler- establishes the paradigm of a linear, continuous, and predictable ance is typically behavior of a river along the entire stretch of the river in both assessed by way of a physiochemical and biological framework. However, some the critical thermal studies have provided evidence of discontinuity in some river maximum (CTM), systems, which was not accounted for in RCC (Thorp et al 2006, a laboratory test Junk et al. 1989, Poff et al. 1997). It is not surprising that mul- that measures tiple possible paradigms have arisen given that many of today’s an acute physi- river and steams have been affected by human activities such as ological response deforestation and irrigation. The main opposing concept to RCC to temperatures is the River Ecosystem Synthesis (RES) developed by Thorp et far higher than al. (2006). what would be My research was conducted on the Black River along the encountered in property owned by the Black River Ranch in northern Lower nature. To test Michigan. This was an ideal place to compare these two compet- behavioral changes ing concepts. The area owned by that may occur if the Black River Ranch has not been river temperatures mostly undisturbed by humans for rise, more natural over 150 years. I tested the continu- temperatures were ity of the stream through the lens of tested in a series of chronic laboratory studies (72 hrs) to contrast the aquatic insect larvae. Aquatic insects acute end point of CTM studies. The ability of Pycnopsyche guttifer are very sensitive to the environmen- larvae to survive and rebuild their tubular, woody cases with and tal factors around them and given without supplemental aeration was observed from May-June, 2013- such sensitivity they make excellent 2015. Five different treatment temperatures were tested: 17, 20, 23, indicators of not only stream health 25, and 29°C. Larvae (N=717) were collected from the Little Man- but continuity as well. For example, istee River (Lake County, Michigan). All specimens were brought abrupt changes in stream sites (i.e., back to the Hillsdale College Biological Station (Luther, MI) and forested to non-forested and back acclimated in a Living Stream ® for a 72-h period at ambient condi- again) can be reflected in changes in tions. Just prior to each round (N = 12) of experimentation half of trophic functional groups. We collect- specimens (N=30) were removed from their cases and provided with ed data at various sites and made comparisons based on species natural substrate for case reconstruction. As a control, some caddis- richness, species density, and percentage of trophic functional flies were left in their natural cases (N=30). Experimental trials (72 groups. We collected aquatic insects by hand sampling and with h) were performed in 2.5 gal tanks with or without aeration, all with a Hess sampler. Data from these samples were tested statistically powerheads and standard tank heaters to maintain experimental tem- using one-way ANOVA to show how the mean values of percent- peratures. Case reconstruction in the 17°C and 20°C treatments was age of trophic functional groups at each site compared to each 75% successful without aeration and 85% successful with supple- other and Detrended Correspondence Analysis to look at relative mental aeration. Specimens exposed to 23°C or 25°C with aeration abundance values along two axes. showed a reduced capacity to reconstruct cases (<45%), and a greater References reduced capacity without supplemental aeration (<25%). Survival at Junk WJ, Bayley PB, Sparks RE. 1989. The Flood Pulse Concept in River 23° or 25°C was similar to that of the lower temperature treatments. Floodplain Systems. Can. Spec. Publ. Fish. Aquat. Sci. 106: 110±127. The 29°C treatment exhibited >70% mortality with cases intact and Poff, N.L., J.D. Allan, M. B. Bain, J.R. Karr, K.L. Prestegaard, B. Richter, R. >90% mortality when cases were removed; mortality was similar Sparks, and J. Stromberg. 1997. The natural flow regime: a new paradigm for aerated trials and those without aeration. Only 8% of individu- for riverine conservation and restoration. BioScience 47:769-784. als were able to reconstruct a case at 29°C with aeration; while there Thorp, J. H., Thoms, M. C. and Delong, M. D. (2006), The Riverine Ecosystem was no successful case reconstruction without aeration at this ex- Synthesis: Biocomplexity in River Networks across Space and Time. River Res. Applic., 22: 123–147. doi: 10.1002/rra.901 tremely high temperature. Since current temperatures in their natural Vannote, R. L., G. W. Minshall, K. W. Cummings, J. R. Sedell, and C. E. Cush- Michigan habitat can approach 23–25°C during the hottest months of ing. 1980. TheRiver Continuum Concept. Canadian Journal of Fisheries the year, it is possible that the summer burrowing behavior seen in P. and Aquatic Sciences 37: 130-137. guttifer may be a response to thermally suboptimal conditions.
December 2015 NEWSLETTER of the MICHIGAN ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY V60 (3&4) M E S MES Homepage: http://michentsoc.org 34 Phylogeny of North American Aphaenogaster Species (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) Reconstructed with Morphological and DNA Data
Bernice B. DeMarco and Anthony I. Cognato Department of Entomology, Aphaenogaster rudis. Michigan State University, 288 Farm limits. These observations suggest that these Lane, Room 243, East Lansing, MI species are not monophyletic. We therefore 48824. Email: [email protected] tested the monophyly of Aphaenogaster in the context of molecular phylogenetic analy- The ant genus Aphaenogaster Mayr is an ses. We used DNA data from five genes: tional taxa, all identified morphologically as ecologically diverse group that is com- CO1, CAD, EF1αF2, Long-wavelength A. rudis, were found to be polyphyletic (De- mon throughout much of North America. Rhodopsin and Wingless to reconstruct phy- Marco and Cognato, in press). A key will be Aphaenogaster has a complicated taxonomic logenies for 44 Aphaenogaster and outgroup published, including photos and illustrations history due to variability of taxonomic species. In the resulting trees, reconstructed and will be available online for the genus characters. Novomessor Emery was previ- using parsimony, maximum likelihood and Aphaenogaster in North America (DeMarco ously synonymized with Aphaenogaster, Bayesian inference, species boundaries as- and Cognato, in prep). which was justified by the partial mesonotal sociate with well-supported monophyletic suture observed in A. ensifera Forel. Previ- clades of individuals collected from multiple References ous studies using Bayesian phylogenies locations. For example, A. carolinensis Bolton, B. (2006). Bolton’s catalogue of ants of the world, with molecular data suggest Aphaenogaster and A. miamiana were monophyletic and a 1758-2005. pp. 1 CD-ROM. Harvard University is polyphyletic. Convergent evolution and missing CAD intron was a diagnostic trait Press, Cambridge, MA. retention of ancestral similarities are two for the clade. However, some clades were DeMarco B.B. & Cognato, A.I. (2015). Phylogenetic major factors contributing to non-monophyly unresolved, and A. picea and A. rudis were analysis of Aphaenogaster supports the resurrec- of Aphaenogaster. Based on 42 multi-state not monophyletic. Given the short branch tion of Novomessor (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). morphological characters and five genes, we lengths, these results suggest that these ants Annals of the Entomological Society of America 108: 201-210. found Novomessor more closely related to have likely recently radiated, and lack of DeMarco, B.B. & Cognato, A.I. (2015). A multiple gene Veromessor Forel and that this clade is sister gene lineage sorting explains the non-mono- phylogeny reveals polyphyly among eastern North to Aphaenogaster. Our results confirm the phyly of species. Conversely, these results American Aphaenogaster species (Hymenoptera: validity of Novomessor stat. r. as a separate may indicate that clades of multiple species Formicidae). Zoologica Scripta, 00,000-000. genus and it is resurrected based on the represent fewer but morphologically varied DeMarco, B.B. & Cognato, A.I. (in press). A multiple combination of new DNA, morphological, species. Additional biological information gene phylogeny reveals polyphyly among eastern behavioral and ecological data. concerning pre- and post-mating barriers is North American Aphaenogaster species (Hymenop- tera: Formicidae). Zoologica Scripta, 00,000-000. With the resurrection of Novomessor, needed before a complete revision of species DeMarco, B.B. & Cognato, A.I. (in prep). Aphaenogas- now twenty-three Aphaenogaster species boundaries for Aphaenogaster. ter (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) of North America: A (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) occur in North Aphaenogaster Mayr 1853, contains key to species using morphology and DNA. America. While morphology and ecology 227 species worldwide (Bolton 2006) with Umphrey, G. J. (1996). Morphometric discrimination define most species, the species limits of 23 valid North American species, several among sibling species in the fulva-rudis-texana a group in the Eastern United States are species of which are hard to separate based complex of the ant genus Aphaenogaster (Hy- unclear. In particular, the morphological and on morphology alone (Umphrey 1996). The menoptera: Formicidae). Canadian Journal of Zoology, 74, 528-559. behavioral characters once thought to define difficulty in identifying some of these spe- A. carolinensis, A. picea and A. rudis do not cies is due to limited diagnostic characters associate with their hypothesized species and to the lack of a comprehensive illus- trated key. A recent analysis (see above) re- turned three species from Aphaenogaster to Novomessor, thus making Aphaenogaster in North America monophyletic (DeMarco and Cognato 2015). While many species have easily identifiable morphological characters (Figure 1), some east coast species within the A. rudis clade in North America are dif- ficult to differentiate. Two of these species, A. carolinensis and A. miamiana, can be diagnosed using DNA. The gene CAD was Montage image of Aphaenogaster megommata missing an intron in those taxa. Four addi- with line drawing in Illustrator superimposed Bernice in lab doing PCR to identify morphological characters. December 2015 NEWSLETTER of the MICHIGAN ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY V60 (3&4) M E S MES Homepage: http://michentsoc.org 35 MICHIGAN ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY NONPROFIT ORG. U. S. POSTAGE PAID East Lansing, MI Department of Entomology PERMIT NO. 14 Michigan State University 288 Farm Lane East Lansing, Michigan 48824
Seeking New Editors for manage the editorial duties for the journal and am resigning after publication of the current issue in December 2015. The Great Lakes Entomologist We are seeking 2 new Editor(s) for The Great Lakes Entomolo- gist. Currently, we have a few associate editors who assist with Therese M. Poland the review process for papers in their areas of expertise (Anthony USDA Forest Service, Northern Research Station, Lansing, Cognato and David Houghton) or with copy-editing and proofing MI. Email: [email protected] (Ron Priest and Dan Swanson). The lead Scientific Editor would be responsible for receiving and tracking submissions, seeking In October 2002, I assumed the responsibility of Editor for The reviewers or assigning to an associate editor, final decisions and Great Lakes Entomologist, at which time the journal was about correspondence with authors. The lead Production Editor would 2 years behind in production schedule. Since then, the journal be responsible for overseeing copy-editing and proofing with has been brought up to date and kept on schedule with a spring/ assistance from associate editors, and arranging for typesetting, summer issue and a fall/winter issue each year. I have overseen printing, and mailing of the journal. scientific review, editing, typesetting and layout, printproduc- Prior to my appointment as Editor, the journal was prepared tion, and mailing of the journal for 15 years-worth of publica- by a typesetting service. To reduce costs and expedite typeset- tions, from Volume 34 (1) Spring 2001 to Volume 48 (3&4) ting, I enlisted my husband, Rod Poland, for this task, who does Fall/Winter 2015. Serving as editor has been a very rewarding this type of work at his place of employment. I am currently experience; I have made connections with hundreds of authors investigating options including professional typesetting services and reviewers and have learned a lot through detailed and critical and on-line only production. I will prepare a summary of options reading of all of the submitted papers. I have recently accepted and recommendations and will assist with the transition during a change in position with the USDA Forest Service with substan- January 2016. Please contact me at [email protected] or 517- tially greater responsibilities; therefore, I am no longer able to 884-8062 if you are interested in serving as lead Scientific Editor, Production Editor, or both!
December 2015 NEWSLETTER of the MICHIGAN ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY V60 (3&4) 36 MES Homepage: http://michentsoc.org M E S