Search

Abstract The southern green stink bug (SGSB) Nezara viridula L. is one of the most common stink bug species in the United States and can cause significant yield loss in a variety of crops. A suitable marker for the assessment of gene-editing tools in SGSB has yet to be characterized. The white gene, first documented in Drosophila, has been a useful target to assess the efficiency of introduced mutations in many species as it controls pigmentation processes and mutants display readily identifiable phenotypes. In this study we used the RNAi technique to investigate functions and phenotypes associated with the white ortholog in the SGSB and to validate white as a marker for genetic transformation in this species. This study revealed that white may be a suitable marker for germline transformation in the SGSB as white transcript knockdown was not lethal, did not impair embryo development and provided a distinguishable phenotype. Our results demonstrated that the white ortholog in SGSB is involved in the pathway for ommochrome synthesis and suggested additional functions of this gene such as in the integument composition, management of hemolymph compounds and riboflavin mobilization.

There are 20 termite species established in Florida, but not all of them have a pest status, and some invasive termite species affect only parts of the state. This publication highlights where each termite species is known to be established, so that Florida residents, pest control companies and UF/IFAS Extension agents can easily learn the termite risk at any given location within the state. It is a companion resource to the online termite distribution map available at https://flrec.ifas.ufl.edu/termites-in-florida/termite-distribution/. The UF/IFAS termite research team provides identification services to ensure proper treatment of infestations. In addition, as some invasive species continue to spread, there is a need to continue reporting termite samples so that various communities across Florida have access to up-to-date knowledge of what termite species have been reported in their respective areas.

It’s easy to find and collect insects, related arthropods, and other invertebrates from the soil surface using simple materials that are readily available. This 7-page fact sheet describes several collection methods and introduces common invertebrates that are found on the soil surface in agricultural fields and gardens in Florida. It was written by Harsimran K. Gill, Robert McSorley, and Lyle Buss, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, January 2011.

PP-229, a 6-page fact sheet by A.J. Palmateer, C.L. Harmon, A. Hodges, N. Peres, K.R. Chung, P.D. Roberts, L. Buss, W.T.. Crow, J. Xin, R.J. McGovern, J. W. Kimbrough, and M.T. Momol, describes Florida's network of support for the rapid detection, diagnosis, and decision support for pathogens and other pests affecting Florida's agricultural and natural ecosystems. Provides information on diagnostic services, Distance Diagnostic and Identification System (DDIS), First Detector Training, and other services. Published by the UF Plant Pathology Department, April 2006.