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The vegetable leafminer (Liriomyza sativae [Burgess]) is a highly polyphagous pest that threatens vegetables and horticultural plants. Although sexual communication is a key component of the animal behavioral repertoire, the mechanism underlying sexual communication in L. sativae remains to be elucidated. Here, we used laser vibrometry to characterize the vibrational signals emitted by L. sativae during pair formation. By emitting trains of vibrational pulses (male calling) the male initiated communication on the host plant. The female then became immobile and responded to the male calling by emitting replies (female replies), which in turn triggered male replies consisting of a rapid series of chirps and trills. If the female replied, a continuous exchange of male and female replies ensued, representing a duet. In playback trials, a playback signal caused responses from the opposite sex. Moreover, scanning electron microscopy revealed vibration‐producing stridulatory organs in both male and female individuals. The files in males were more developed than those in females, and older male specimens had more signs of abrasion. The results provide new insight into the mating biology of L. sativae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spatial and temporal patterns of insect damage in relation to aflatoxin contamination in a corn field with plants of uniform genetic background are not well understood. After previous examination of spatial patterns of insect damage and aflatoxin in pre-harvest corn fields, we further examined both spatial and temporal patterns of cob- and kernel-feeding insect damage, and aflatoxin level with two samplings at pre-harvest in 2008 and 2009. The feeding damage by each of the ear/kernel-feeding insects (i.e., corn earworm/fall armyworm damage on the silk/cob, and discoloration of corn kernels by stink bugs) and maize weevil population were assessed at each grid point with five ears. Sampling data showed a field edge effect in both insect damage and aflatoxin contamination in both years. Maize weevils tended toward an aggregated distribution more frequently than either corn earworm or stink bug damage in both years. The frequency of detecting aggregated distribution for aflatoxin level was less than any of the insect damage assessments. Stink bug damage and maize weevil number were more closely associated with aflatoxin level than was corn earworm damage. In addition, the indices of spatial-temporal association (χ) demonstrated that the number of maize weevils was associated between the first (4 weeks pre-harvest) and second (1 week pre-harvest) samplings in both years on all fields. In contrast, corn earworm damage between the first and second samplings from the field on the Belflower Farm, and aflatoxin level and corn earworm damage from the field on the Lang Farm were dissociated in 2009. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]