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In hemlock stands within eastern US forests, classical biological control has been one of the main strategies used to manage the hemlock woolly adelgid, Adelges tsugae Annand. Specialist predator species may offer a management solution to help regulate A. tsugae populations. In the Pacific Northwest, a suite of specialist predators has been a focus of research and includes 2 species of silver fly, Leucotaraxis argenticollis (Zetterstedt) and Leucotaraxis piniperda (Malloch) (Diptera: Chamaemyiidae). Leucotaraxis spp. phenology has been documented in the Pacific Northwest, but the phenology of either western Leucotaraxis species is unknown in the eastern United States.This study sought to document the phenology of Le. argenticollis in NY in 2021 and in VA in 2021 and 2022. Nylon mesh cages were applied over eastern hemlock branches infested with A. tsugae to contain Le. argenticollis adults. Biweekly and monthly branch samples were taken in 2021 and 2022, documenting all life stages of A. tsugae and of Le. argenticollis that were observed. In 2021 and 2022, Le. argenticollis adults and eggs were present during the oviposition stage of the 2 generations of A. tsugae. In addition, Le. argenticollis larvae were present when A. tsugae ovisacs had eggs and while A. tsugae nymphs of both generations were present.These observations indicate that Le. argenticollis phenology is well synchronized with A. tsugae in the eastern United States. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Medication cost conversations occur less frequently than patients prefer, and it is unclear whether patients have positive experiences with them when they do occur. Objective: To describe patients' experiences discussing their medication costs with their health care team. Design: Cross-sectional survey. Setting: Nationally representative survey fielded in the United States in 2022 (response rate = 48.5%). Patients: 1020 adults over age 65. Measurements: Primary measures were adapted from Clinician and Group Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers Survey visit survey v4.0 and captured patients' experiences of medication cost conversations. Additional measures captured patients' interest in future cost conversations, the type of clinicians with whom they would be comfortable discussing costs, and sociodemographic characteristics. Results: Among 1020 respondents who discussed medication prices with their health care team, 39.3% were 75 or older and 78.6% were non-Hispanic White. Forty-three percent of respondents indicated that their prior medication cost conversation was not easy to understand; 3% indicated their health care team was not respectful and 26% indicated their health care team was somewhat respectful during their last conversation; 48% indicated that there was not enough time. Those reporting that their prior discussion was not easy to understand or that their clinician was not definitely respectful were less likely to be interested in future discussions. Only 6% and 10% of respondents indicated being comfortable discussing medication prices with financial counselors or social workers, respectively. Few differences in responses were observed by survey participant characteristics. Limitations: This cross-sectional survey of prior experiences may be subject to recall bias. Conclusion: Among older adults who engaged in prior medication cost conversations, many report that these conversations are not easy to understand and that almost one-third of clinicians were somewhat or not respectful. Efforts to increase the frequency of medication cost conversations should consider parallel interventions to ensure the discussions are effective at informing prescribing decisions and reducing cost-related medication nonadherence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hemlock woolly adelgid (Adelges tsugae) is the most important pest of hemlocks in the eastern United States, where it completes three generations a year. We investigated the impact of temperature (8, 12, 16, and 20°C) on the estivation and postaestivation stages of the A. tsugae sistens generation. Temperature significantly impacted development and survival of this generation. The highest mortality occurred at the coolest temperature (8°C). Adelges tsugae developed rapidly as the temperature increased and optimum temperatures for development ranged between 17 and 22°C for the different instars. The estimated lower temperature threshold was 0°C for second instar nymphs and 3 –5°C for the other instars and the preoviposition period. Estivating first-instar sistentes resumed development (as evidenced by segments becoming visible) after 40–100 d at the constant temperatures (fastest at 16°C) then required only 105 degree-days (DD) for 50% of the individuals to molt. Subsequent instars developed rapidly (another 470 DD total to reach adult), and oviposition began at ∼623 DD from the time the first instars resumed development. This study provides valuable data required to develop an annual phenology model for A. tsugae which will assist in timing monitoring and control treatments. Graphical Abstract [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Examines the effect of diflubenzuron on the abundance of deciduous forest birds in eastern West Virginia. Diets; Foraging behaviors; Observation of differences in the amount of Lepidoptera larvae in species' diets; Reasons for differences.

The article offers information on the registration of Herald low-phytate six-rowed spring feed barley cultivar, which was developed and released in 2006 by the Agricultural Research Service in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Idaho Agricultural Experiment Station. The Herald cultivars was the first released representative of a novel class of barley germplasm that provides enhanced phosphorus digestibility and mineral nutrition for humans and non-ruminant animals. It was developed via a backcross/pedigree breeding scheme.

The article presents the registration of Creel Barley that was developed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service and the Idaho Agricultural Experiment Station.