Progress 07/01/99 to 06/30/05
Outputs
SEM and TEM of the piercing and sucking mouthparts on chinch bug adults and nymphs revealed that the 11 uniporous sensory pegs are similar in structure and the number of sensory neurons.After chemically abalating the mouthpart sensilla,the statistical analysis of the behavioral choice experiments showed that the sensilla were involved in the selection of the corn host plant.The antennae on the white grub larva of the green June beetle have two types of sensilla;eight thick walled sensory pegs and six sensilla placodea and each type with two neurons.Chemical abalation of the sensilla and choice tests showed that the sensilla are used to detect their turfgrass host.
Impacts
The behavioral and ultrastructural evidence clearly show that the sensilla on these two pest species are involved in host plant selection and the next step would be to do electrophysiological experiments to isolate the attractant chemicals given off by the host plant.
Publications
- Baker, G.T., Chen, X. and Ma, P.W.K. 2006. Functional morphology of sensilla on the chinch bug (Hemiptera:Blissidae):morpological and behavioral evidence. Entomological Science (in press)
- Baker, G.T., Chen, X. and Ma, P.W.K. 2006. Labial tip sensilla of Blissus leucopterus leucopterus(Say) (Hemiptera:Blissidae).Entomological Science (in press)
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Progress 01/01/04 to 12/30/04
Outputs
Scanning and transmission electronic microscopy were used to study the structure and distribution of cuticular sensilla on the end of the chinch bug's (Blissus leucopterus) piercing and sucking mouthparts. There was no significant difference in the number of contact chemoreceptors between nymphs and adults and between females and males. The 11 uniporous, peg-like sensilla that are situated on each lobe at the labial tip are uniporous and have 2-3 sensory neurons. The behavioral experiments which used chemical abalation indicated that these sensilla are used in food acceptance. Preliminary work has begun on the adult and larval stages of a white grub species that attacks various types of turfgrass. The light microscopy work has been completed and the SEM and TEM has begun.
Impacts
Now that the ultrastructural and behavioral work is completed, electrophysiological (EAD) experiments on the identified volatiles from the host plant can proceed in order to find out the most attractive volatiles to the chinch bug.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 01/01/03 to 12/31/03
Outputs
The ultrastructural and behavioral studies of the sensilla on the antennae of the chinch bug (Blissus leucopterus) are completed. There are several types of olfactory and contact chemoreceptors on the antennae of nymphs and adults. A significant difference in the total number of sensilla occurred between each nymphal instar and the adults but no difference between females and males. Behavioral tests showed that the nymphs and adults are attracted to the corn seedlings and chemical abalation of the antennal sensilla disrupts the chinch bug's ability to pickup olfactory cues from the host plant.
Impacts
Now that the ultrastructural and behavioral work is completed, electrophysiological (EAD) experiments on the identified volatiles from the host plant can proceed in order to find out the most attractive volatiles to the chinch bug.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 01/01/02 to 12/31/02
Outputs
The mapping of sensilla chaetica, basiconica and trichodea on the antennae and mouthparts of Blissus leucopterous is completed. This was accomplished by using a silver staining technique along with a digital imaging and analysis system. Scanning and transmission electron microscopy is being employed to provide detailed observations on the external and internal structure of the various sensilla. Also some behavioral experiments which will complement the fine structure information is in progress.
Impacts
The morphological and behavioral work on the sensilla of the mouthparts and antennae is an important prerequisite that is needed so that future electrophysiological work can proceed.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 01/01/01 to 12/31/01
Outputs
The external morphology and distribution of sensilla on the maxillary and labial palpi are described for the towny mole cricket Scapteriscus vicinus Scudder (Gryllotalpidae). The apex of the maxillary palpus contains 905-960 (males) and 1180-1235 (females) sensilla whereas the labial palpus has 285-310 (males) and 370-405 (females) sensilla. The maxillary and labial palpi have similar types of sensilla with two kinds of sensilla basiconica and sensilla trichodea and one type of sensilla chaetica.
Impacts
Now the sensilla types and distributions are known for the maxillary and labial palpi, this lays the groundwork for possible behavioral and electrophysiological studies on chemical stimulants in food sources.
Publications
- Ma, P.W.K., G.T. Baker, J.H. Jarratt and S.M. Baird. 2001. Sensilla on the female, male and worker antennae of Solenopis invicta, the red imported fire ant (RIFA) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). 4th Asia-Pacific Conference of Entomology, Kuala Lumpa Malaysia. August 2001.
- Ma, P.W.K., G.T. Baker and S.M. Baird. 2001. Facet number and morphology of the compound eyes of Solenopis spp. MEA Pest Control Meetings, November 2001.
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Progress 01/01/00 to 12/31/00
Outputs
Research on the distribution pattern and types of sensilla on the antennae of two species of fire ants and their hybrid is completed. There is no difference in the types of sensilla on the antennae of the two species but the distribution pattern of sensilla does differ between them. The sensilla on the labial and maxillary palps of two mole cricket species differ in their number of certain types of sensilla and also in their distribution patterns. Work on the antennal sensilla will begin in the near future in order to find out if any differences occur in morphological types of sensilla and their distribution patterns.
Impacts
Morphology, number and distribution of sensilla on the antennae and mouthparts are important prerequisites that need to be known in order to do electrophysiological and behavioral studies in the future.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 01/01/99 to 12/31/99
Outputs
This project is only six months old so preliminary work has started on the two species of mole cricket and one species of white grub that are found associated with turfgrasses.The peliminary work involves the mapping of the distribution patterns of sensilla on the antennae and mouthparts and detailing the morphology of the various sensilla.This will involve the use of silver nitrate and cobalt chloride staining,scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy.
Impacts
The morphological work on the sensilla of the antennae and mouthparts is an important prerequiste that needs to be completed befofe any electrophysiological work can proceed.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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