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Research into mosquito-borne illnesses faces hurdles because feeding fresh animal blood to rear female mosquitoes presents logistical, economic, and safety challenges. In this study, a shelf-stable additive (spray-dried porcine blood; SDPB) hypothesized to supply accessible hemoglobin was evaluated within an alternative meal (AM) containing whey powder and PBS for rearing the yellow fever mosquito Aedes aegypti. LC–MS/MS proteomics, microbial assays, and particle reduction techniques confirmed and characterized the functionality of hemoglobin in SDPB, while engorgement, fecundity, egg viability, and meal stability bioassays assessed AM performance. Chemical assays supported hemoglobin as the phagostimulant in SDPB with aggregates partially solubilized in the AM that can be more accessible via particle reduction. Unpaired two-tailed t-tests indicate that the AM stimulates oogenesis (t11 = 13.6, p = 0.003) and is stable under ambient (1+ y; t12 = 0.576, p = 0.575) and aqueous (14 d; t12 = 0.515, p = 0.639) conditions without decreasing fecundity. Egg hatch rates for the ninth generation of AM-reared Ae. aegypti were 50–70+%. With further development, this meal may serve as a platform for mass rearing or studying effects of nutritional additives on mosquito fitness due to its low cost and stability. Future work may examine tuning spray drying parameters and resulting impacts on hemoglobin agglomeration and feeding.

Over the past 13 years IFAS entomologists have been investigating various methods of controlling external parasites on cattle. One technique, forced-use dust bags, has proven to be the best technique available to Florida cattlemen. This document is ENY-281 (first published as LPP No. 12, May 1980), one of a series of the Department of Entomology and Nematology, UF/IFAS Extension. Original publication date September 1996. Revised March 2006. ENY-281/IG135: Forced-Use Dust Bags for Management of External Parasites (ufl.edu)

Two-choice tests were conducted to examine the effect of surface roughness on the resting preference of bed bugs, Cimex lectularius L., on copper, basswood, and acrylic materials. The influence of pyrethroid formulation applications on resting preferences was also evaluated. Bed bugs were given the choice of resting between two sanded halves of each material tested. One half was sanded with a P60 grit sandpaper and the other with a less rough P600 grit sandpaper. A significantly higher proportion of bed bugs chose to rest on the rougher P60 grit sanded half of all materials tested. Pyrethroid applications were made to either the P60 grit half or both halves of acrylic arenas and resting preferences were again assessed. Behavioral responses of bed bugs to pyrethroid formulation applications varied depending on the bed bug strain used and the formulation applied. Bed bugs would still rest on the P60 grit half when Suspend SC formulation (0.06% deltamethrin) was applied; however, an avoidance response was observed from a bed bug strain susceptible to D-Force aerosol formulations (0.06% deltamethrin). The avoidance behavior is likely attributed to one, more than one, or even an interaction of multiple spray constituents and not the active ingredient.

Little evidence has been presented on the usefulness of sticky traps for monitoring bed bugs, Cimex lectularius. We examined how the surface roughness around the adhesive of a sticky trap affects both bed bug behavior and adhesive entrapment. In the first assay, bed bugs were placed onto acetate paper discs with different roughness averages (Ra). Each disc was surrounded by sticky trap adhesive and number of captured bed bugs were recorded. The second assay was set up similarly to the first assay except that the outer portion of the acetate disc had a different Ra than the center. In the third assay, bed bugs were placed into circular acetate arenas where they were surrounded by different Ra treatments. The number of times the bed bugs contacted the Ra treatment but did not cross onto the treatment was recorded. Results of these assays showed that as the acetate surfaces got smoother (lower Ra), bed bugs were more likely to get trapped in sticky trap adhesives but also less likely to travel across the smoother surfaces they encountered. A sticky trap design with a smooth plastic film around the adhesive was tested in the field to see if it could capture bed bugs in apartments with known bed bug activity. This trap was not only able to capture bed bugs but was also able to detect unknown German cockroach, Blattela germanica, infestations. Sticky trap designs with smooth surfaces around an adhesive could be used to monitor not only bed bugs but also German cockroaches.

As of 2012, tawny crazy ants have invaded 24 counties in Florida, parts of southeast Texas, and other areas of the southeastern U.S. The tawny crazy ant is considered a series pest. This species infests buildings and greenhouses, attacks crops, domestic animals, honeybee hives, displaces native ant species, and disrupts electrical equipment. This 3-page fact sheet covers the tawny crazy ant’s distribution, description, colonies, feeding habits, and pest status and control. Written by S. K. Hill, R. W. Baldwin, R. M. Pereira, and P. G. Koehler, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, October 2013. SP486D/IN1076: Tawny Crazy Ant (ufl.edu)

Carpenter ants are in the genus Camponotus, in which up to over 900 species have been described worldwide. They get their common name, “carpenter ant,” because some species excavate nests in wood. Carpenter ants are sometimes called bulldog ants or bull ants. However, not all species in the genus Camponotus are true carpenter ants because some nest in preformed cavities or in soil. This 5-page fact sheet was originally published as part of Pests in and around the Florida Home, and was written by R. J. Vazquez, P. G. Koehler, R. M. Pereira, J. Warner, and R. H. Scheffrahn, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, October 2013.

The warm southern states provide an ideal environment for a wide variety of pests — and because almost everyone has problems with pests, most urban areas are sprayed with pesticides. 30 to 40 percent of pesticide use is in urban areas, but most pesticide applications are unnecessary and can result in environmental contamination and human exposure to pesticides. This 5-page fact sheet from Pests in and around the Southern Home (SP486) introduces integrated pest management practices that can help reduce pesticide use in the home. Written by P.G. Koehler and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, October 2013. SP486A/IN1073: Urban Pests and Pest Management (ufl.edu)

Las chinches de cama se han convertido en un problema de plagas cada vez más común en los Estados Unidos. Se han encontrado en muchos lugares diferentes en donde vive la gente, desde escuelas y restaurantes a consultorios médicos y salas de cine, pero las peores infestaciones son por lo general en lugares donde vive la gente, descansan y duermen como en casas, pisos, apartamentos, hoteles y refugios para desamparados. Las chinches de cama son más comunes en lugares como alrededor de piezas de mobiliario en donde la gente se sienta o acuesta- camas, sillas y sofás. Para descubrir si las chiches están presentes en una habitación o un mueble, el dispositivo llamado trampa interceptora de chinches puede ser útil. Las trampas interceptoras atrapan y recogen las chinches de cama cuando tratan de viajar entre sus huéspedes humanos y sus escondites. Las trampas interceptoras de chinches de cama son fácilmente hechas de artículos del hogar y recipientes de plástico desechables. This 4-page fact sheet was written by Benjamin A. Hottel, Rebecca W. Baldwin, Roberto M. Pereira, and Philip G. Koehler, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, February 2014. ENY-2029-S/IN1026: Cómo hacer una trampa interceptora de chinches de cama de artículos comunes del hogar (ufl.edu)

Bed bugs have become an increasingly common pest problem throughout the United States. To discover whether bed bugs are present in a room or a piece of furniture, you can make interceptor traps out of commonly found household items and disposable plastic containers. This 4-page fact sheet was written by Benjamin A. Hottel, Rebecca W. Baldwin, Roberto M. Pereira, and Philip G. Koehler, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, January 2014. ENY-2029/IN1022: How to Make a Bed Bug Interceptor Trap out of Common Household Items (ufl.edu)

Pest control, like any kind of business, is a joint venture between the company and the customer. As with many businesses, customers may have difficulty judging whether they have received the most skilled efforts for their money. This 4-page fact sheet should help customers objectively look at the service they are buying to determine its merit. Written by P. G. Koehler and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, July 2013. This fact sheet updates a chapter of SP134: Pests in and around the Florida Home, which is available from the IFAS Extension Bookstore. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/mg237

External parasites such as lice, flies, ticks, cattle grubs, and mites are a serious problem to livestock breeders. These pests are most prevalent during spring and summer months; however, Florida's warm climate permits many pests to live year-round. This revised 13-page fact sheet was written by P. E. Kaufman, P. G. Koehler, and J. F. Butler, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, April 2011. ENY-274/IG130: External Parasites on Beef Cattle (ufl.edu)

ENY-856, a 3-page fact sheet by Kenneth T. Gioeli, Philip G. Koehler, R. Leroy Creswell, Jeffrey P. Gellermann, and Edward A. Skvarch, describes a recently developed integrated pest management plan for these tiny mosquito-like pests that can adversely impact the quality of life of residents living near storm water retention ponds. Includes references. Published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, October 2009. ENY-856/IN825: Managing Pestiferous Freshwater Aquatic Midge Emergences from Storm Water Retention Ponds (ufl.edu)

Revised! ENY-209, a 4-page illustrated fact sheet by P. E. Kaufman, P. G. Koehler, and J. F. Butler, describes this disease transmitted by the bite of a tick — symptoms, treatment, prevention, and control. Includes references. Published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, August 2009. ENY-209/MG204: Lyme Disease (ufl.edu)

Revised! ENY-281, a 7-page illustrated fact sheet by P. E. Kaufman, P. G. Koehler, and J. F. Butler, describes this safe, economical, and effective technique for managing external parasites on cattle in Florida — background, directions for hanging commercial dust bags, safety, cost of treatment, and effectiveness. Includes references. Published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, April 2009. ENY-281/IG135: Forced-Use Dust Bags for Management of External Parasites (ufl.edu)

Revised! ENY-251, a 23-page fact sheet by P. E. Kaufman, P. G. Koehler, and J. F. Butler, describes the biology and management of the most important external parasites of dairy cattle in Florida. Includes references and tables of pesticide information. Published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, May 2009. ENY-251/IG050: External Parasites of Dairy Cattle (ufl.edu)

Revised! ENY-227, a 7-page illustrated fact sheet by P. G. Koehler, R. M. Pereira, M. Pfiester, and Jeff Hertz, describes these blood-sucking insects, their life cycles, and control methods. Includes new techniques for bed bug control and a table of insecticides labeled for bed bug control. Published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, November 2008. ENY-227/IG083: Bed Bugs and Blood-Sucking Conenose (ufl.edu)

ENY-145, a 12-page illustrated fact sheet by Michael K. O’Malley, Jamie D. Ellis, and P. G. Koehler, outlines for pest control operators the standard operating procedures for removing swarms and colonies. Includes additional resources and contacts. Published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, November 2008. ENY-145/IN778: Eradication of Swarms and Colonies for Pest Control Operators (ufl.edu)

Revised! ENY-290, a 12-page fact sheet by P. E. Kaufman, P. G. Koehler, and J. F. Butler, describes several external parasites of poultry in Florida, insecticide resistance, and control. Includes tables of pesticides registered in Florida for poultry pests and for insects in poultry houses. Published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, November 2007. ENY-290/IG140: External Parasites of Poultry (ufl.edu)

Revised! ENY-203, an 8-page illustrated fact sheet by P. G. Koehler, R. M. Pereira, and F. M. Oi, provides information about ants in Florida, identification, biology, food preferences, and control. This revision trims off 20 pages of tables listing pesticides registered in Florida for homeowner and commercial use and expands information on prevention. Includes references. Published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, August 2007. ENY203/IG080: Ants (ufl.edu)

Revised! ENY-209, a 3-page illustrated fact sheet by P.E. Kaufman, P.G. Koehler, and J.F. Butler, describes the symptoms, treatment, prevention and control of this disease whose primary vector is the black-legged deer tick. This version expands and updates the previous version to include current statistics and recommendations, and adds illustrations, online resources and a reference list. Part of the Master Gardener Handbook. Published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, August 2006. ENY-209/MG204: Lyme Disease (ufl.edu)

Arthropods are important pests of poultry in Florida, especially where proper management practices are not implemented. Lice and mites are the most common pests of poultry in Florida although the fowl tick and the sticktight flea may also cause serious problems. Though not a parasite of poultry, the house fly is a major concern to poultry producers, especially in caged-layer operations. This document is ENY-290 (IG140), one of a series of the Entomology and Nematology Department, UF/IFAS Extension. Original publication date July 1977. Revised March 2006. ENY-290/IG140: External Parasites of Poultry (ufl.edu)

Arthropod pests limit production in the beef cattle industry by affecting animals in many ways. External parasites are the most serious threat since they feed on body tissues such as blood, skin and hair. The wounds and skin irritation produced by these parasites often result in discomfort and irritation for the animal. More significant, however, is that any blood-sucking arthropod may transmit diseases from infected animals to healthy ones. In addition, arthropod pests also may reduce weight gains, cause losses in milk and meat production, produce general weakness, cause mange and severe dermatitis, and create sites for secondary invasion of disease organisms. In general, infected livestock cannot be healthy or efficiently managed to realize optimum production levels. This document is ENY-274 (IG130), one of a series of the Department of Entomology and Nematology, UF/IFAS Extension. Original publication date May 1995. Revised March 2006. ENY-274/IG130: External Parasites on Beef Cattle (ufl.edu)

The cattle tail louse, Haematopinus quadripertusus (Figure 1), is the most important damaging cattle louse in Florida. In other parts of the United States the short-nosed cattle louse is the major pest. While much information is available for the control of short-nosed cattle lice, only limited information is available specifically on control of the tail louse. Important differences in the biology of these two species require differing control strategies. This document is ENY-271, one of a series of the Department of Entomology and Nematology, UF/IFAS Extension. Original publication date May 1995. Revised December 2005. ENY-271/IG127: Cattle Tail Lice (ufl.edu)

This document is ENY-251 (IG050), one of a series of the Department of Entomology and Nematology, UF/IFAS Extension. Original publication date May 1999. Revised March 2006. ENY-251/IG050: External Parasites of Dairy Cattle (ufl.edu)

Several kinds of non-biting flies can be found in and around animal facilities. These flies can be harmful to animal health and cause annoyance and discomfort. This document is ENY-255 (IG054), one of a series of the Department of Entomology and Nematology, UF/IFAS Extension. Original publication date June 1993. Revised March 2006. ENY-255/IG054: External Parasites around Animal Facilities (ufl.edu)

The northern fowl mite (Figure 1) is the most important external parasite of poultry in Florida and is widely distributed throughout the state. This mite is found throughout many of the temperate regions of the world parasitizing domestic fowl and wild birds. It has been shown to cause economic damage on poultry farms by causing anemia, lower egg production and even death to birds. Also of considerable importance, the mites will bite man (egg handlers) causing itching and irritation to the skin. This document is ENY-286 (IG141), one of a series of the Department of Entomology and Nematology, UF/IFAS Extension. Originally published as Livestock Protection Pointer Number 3, August 1978. Revised March 2006. ENY-286/IG141: Northern Fowl Mite (ufl.edu)

Arthropod pests limit production in the sheep and goat industry in many ways. External parasites feed on body tissue such as blood, skin, and hair. The wounds and skin irritation produced by these parasites result in discomfort and irritation to the animal. Parasites can transmit diseases from sick to healthy animals. They can reduce weight gains and milk production. In general, infested livestock cannot be efficiently managed to realize optimum production levels. This document is ENY-273 (IG129), one of a series of the Department of Entomology and Nematology, UF/IFAS Extension. Original publication date July 1993. Revised March 2006. ENY-273/IG129: External Parasites of Sheep and Goats (ufl.edu)

Arthropod parasites of horses include internal bots that infest the digestive tract, mites that burrow in the skin and feed on the skin surface, ticks that infest the ears as well as the skin, lice that either suck blood or feed on skin, blood sucking flies and mosquitoes that range in size from biting gnats just observable with the naked eye to the large black horse flies which are almost one inch long. Non-biting flies such as house flies and face flies are also important in producing fly worry, irritation and disease transmission. This document is ENY-283 (IG139), one of a series of the Entomology and Nematology Department, UF/IFAS Extension. Original publication date May 1980. Revised March 2006. ENY-283/IG139: External Parasites on Horses (ufl.edu)

Cattle grubs (Figure 1) are the immature stages of warble flies or heel flies (Figure 2). Two species of cattle grubs occur in the United States -- the common cattle grub, Hypoderma lineatum, and the northern cattle grub, Hypoderma bovis. The common cattle grub is found in Florida; however the northern cattle grub is usually found in cattle shipped to Florida from other states. Recent observations have indicated that the northern cattle grub may be becoming established in Florida. This document is ENY-270 (IG126), one of a series of the Entomology and Nematology Department, UF/IFAS Extension. Original publication date: May 1995. Revised: March 2006.

This document is ENY-227, one of a series of the Entomology and Nematology Department, UF/IFAS Extension. Original publication date April 1993. Revised October 2005. ENY-227/IG083: Bed Bugs and Blood-Sucking Conenose (ufl.edu)

This document is 4HENM12 of the Florida 4-H Youth Development Program, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. Reviewed June 2002. https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/4h131

This document is ENY-2001, one of a series of the Entomology and Nematology Department, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. Publication date: July 1998. First revision: February 2002. All graphics by B. Cabrera except Figure 1 by J. Perrier, Ft. Lauderdale-REC. Formosan Subterranean Termite, ENY-216. https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/mg363