Bedbugs: infestations on the rise

You may have heard that blood-sucking bedbugs are spreading throughout the country and world, years after they were thought to have been largely eradicated in the United States.

Bedbugs are insects in the Cimicidae family.
Unfortunately, the 'common bedbug' Cimex lectularius now shows resistance to multiple types of pesticides.  Luckily, however, they have not been found to act as human disease vectors.

Online:

* Bed Bugs in Wisconsin [2008 UW Extension publication]

* Insect resistance management: biology, economics, and prediction

* Encyclopedia of insects

* How to control bed bugs [1976 USDA publication]

* Results of experiments with miscellaneous substances against bedbugs, cockroaches, clothes moths, and carpet beetles [1918 USDA publication]

* Bedbug [1916 USDA publication]

* Treatise on the Cimex lectularius; or, bed bug [1793]

Journals:

 

* Journal of Economic Entomology

* Journal of Medical Entomology

* Medical and Veterinary Entomology

In the libraries:

* Global pesticide resistance in arthropods

* Dark banquet: blood and the curious lives of blood-feeding creatures

* Battling resistance to antibiotics and pesticides: an economic approach

* Colour atlas of medical entomology

* Evolution explosion: how humans cause rapid evolutionary change

* Medical insects and arachnids

* Biochemical sites of insecticide action and resistance

* Plague of the Philistines, and other medical-historical essays

* Insecticide resistance: from mechanisms to management

* Monograph of Cimicidae (Hemiptera, Heteroptera)

* Morphology and functional anatomy of the male and female reproductive systems of Cimex lectularius Linn.


* Get rid of bedbugs for a clean house [1967 USDA publication]

* Bed bugs: how to control them [1953 USDA publication]

* Bedbug: its habits and life history and methods of control [1944 US Public Health Office publication]

[Image: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.0 Generic. louento.pix - http://www.flickr.com/photos/lou_bugs_pix/324776034/ ]

Precision agriculture

Journals:

• Applied Engineering in Agriculture

• Computers and Electronics in Agriculture

• Precision Agriculture

• Transactions of the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers

Highly-cited Articles:

• Wang, N., Zhang, N.Q., Wang, M.H. (2006). Wireless sensors in agriculture and food industry: Recent development and future perspective. Computers and Electronics in Agriculture, 50(1): 1-14.

• McBratney, A.,Whelan, B., Ancev, T., Bouma, J. (2005). Future directions of precision agriculture. Precision Agriculture, 6(1): 7-23.

• Bongiovanni, R. Lowenberg-DeBoer, J. (2004). Precision agriculture and sustainability. Precision Agriculture, 5(4): 359-387.

• Pinter, P.J., Hatfield, J.L., Schepers, J.S., Barnes, E.M., Moran, M.S., Daughtry, C.S.T., Upchurch, D.R. (2003). Remote sensing for crop management. Photogrammetric Engineering and Remote Sensing, 69(6): 647-664.

• Haboudane, D., Miller, J.R., Tremblay, N., Zarco-Tejada, P.J., Dextraze, L. (2002). Integrated narrow-band vegetation indices for prediction of crop chlorophyll content for application to precision agriculture. Remote Sensing of Environment, 81(2-3): 416-426.

• Cassman, K.G. (1999). Ecological intensification of cereal production systems: Yield potential, soil quality, and precision agriculture. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 96(11): 5952-5959.

• Pierce, F.J., Nowak, P. (1999). Aspects of precision agriculture. Advances in Agronomy, 65: 1-85.

Books, Proceedings, Theses, Documents:

• "Spatial variable importance assessment for yield prediction in precision agriculture" in Advances in intelligent data analysis IX: 9th international symposium, Tucson, AZ, May 19-21, 2010

• Decision support systems for C management across the U.S. Corn Belt using NASA remote sensing data products ... annual report (2009) 

• Systems and technologies for sustainable site-specific soil and crop management ... annual report (2009)

• Geomorphometry: concepts, software, applications (2009)

• Proceedings of the International Symposium on Application of Precision Agriculture for Fruits and Vegetables: Orlando, Florida, USA January 6-9, 2008

• Handbook of agricultural geophysics (2008)

• Tillage x rotation interaction and precision farming analysis (2008)

• Use of in-field sensors to evaluate temporal and spatial patterns of hydrologically active areas in agricultural fields

• Handbook of precision agriculture: principles and applications (2006)

• Precision agriculture (2006)

• European Conference on Precision Agriculture (5th : 2005 : Uppsala, Sweden)

Trial journal subscriptions at UW-Madison

The following trial subscriptions aren't guaranteed to last...

But the more you use them, the more likely it is that they'll stick around!

Analytical Methods - a new monthly peer-reviewed journal from the Royal Society of Chemistry, communicating research on the advancement of analytical techniques for use by the wider scientific community.

Example article: Clarke, D.B. (2010). Glucosinolates, structures and analysis in food,  Anal. Methods, 2(4): 310-325.

Integrative Biology - publishes research that contributes to a quantitative understanding of how component properties at one level in the dimensional scale (nano to macro) determine biosystem behavior at a higher level of complexity.  New journal from the Royal Society of Chemistry.

Example article: Kämpf, M.M. and Weber, W. (2010). Synthetic biology in the analysis and engineering of signaling processes, Integr. Biol., 2(1): 12-24.

Journal of Systematics and Evolution - this plant-focused journal covers descriptions of new taxa, monographic revision, phylogenetics, molecular evolution and genome evolution, evolutionary developmental biology, evolutionary ecology, population biology, conservation biology, biogeography, paleobiology, evolutionary theories, and related subjects.  Formerly titled Acta Phytotaxonomica Sinica.

Example article: Ning, S.Z., Chen, Q.J., Yuan, Z.W., Zhang, L.Q., Yan, Z.H., Zheng, Y.L., and Liu, D.C. (2009). Characterization of WAP2 gene in Aegilops tauschii and comparison with homoeologous loci in wheat, Journal of Systematics and Evolution, 47(6): 543-551.


Metallomics - a new frontier in the investigation of trace elements in biology; expected to develop as an interdisciplinary science complementary to genomics and proteomics. This new journal from the Royal Society of Chemistry covers research fields related to metals and biometals in biological, environmental, and clinical systems.

Example article: Ogra, Y., Okubo, E., and Takahira, M. (2010). Distinct uptake of tellurate from selenate in a selenium accumulator, Indian mustard (Brassica juncea), Metallomics, 2(5): 328-333.


Nanoscale - a collaborative venture between the Royal Society of Chemistry and the National Center for Nanoscience and Technology (NCNST) in Beijing, China.

Example article: Sun, D., Yang, J., and Wang, X. (2010). Bacterial cellulose/TiO₂ hybrid nanofibers prepared by the surface hydrolysis method with molecular precision, Nanoscale, 2(2): 287-292.

Statistical Analysis and Data Mining - addresses data analysis, including data mining algorithms, statistical approaches, and practical applications. Topics include problems involving massive and complex datasets, solutions utilizing innovative algorithms and/or novel statistical approaches, and the objective evaluation of analyses and solutions.

Example article: Doddareddy, M.R., van Westen, G.J.P., van der Horst, E., Peironcely, J.E., Corthals, F., Ijzerman, A.P., Emmerich, M., Jenkins, J.L., and Bender, A. (2009). Chemogenomics: Looking at biology through the lens of chemistry. Statistical Analysis and Data Mining, 2(3): 149-160.

Insects and Biofuels

Researchers are studying the interactions of insects, plants, fungi & microbes for clues to maximizing the production and efficiency of biofuels...

• Special issue of Insect Science (June 2010): "Exploring and integrating cellulolytic systems of insects to advance biofuel technology"

• UW Libraries Research Guide - Bioenergy: Plants and Microbes

• Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center

More resources:

• Journal of Economic Entomology

• Insect Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

• Journal of Insect Physiology

• Biotechnology for Biofuels

• Biomass & Bioenergy

• Bioresource Technology

• Bioenergy Research

• Global Change Biology Bioenergy

2009 Plant & insect science journal impact factors released

Thomson Reuters has just published the 2009 Journal Citation Reports (JCR), available by online subscription to UW-Madison library users. These metrics, including the "impact factor," can be used to compare journal performance. JCR compares 9,100+ peer-reviewed journals from 2,200 publishers in 78 countries.

New features:

• 1,055+ journals with their first published impact factor
  
• Updated 5-year impact factors and Eigenfactor metrics
  
• "Rank in category" for each journal's subject area, along with a box plot of impact factor distribution for all journals in that category
• Journal "self-citations" and analysis of their effect on impact factor

Top Agronomy journals by impact factor:

1. Advances in Agronomy
2. Theoretical and Applied Genetics
3. Agricultural and Forest Meteorology
4. Plant and Soil
5. European Journal of Agronomy
6. Plant Pathology
7. Field Crops Research
8. Postharvest Biology and Technology
9. Journal of Agronomy and Crop Science
10. Molecular Breeding

Top Entomology journals by impact factor:

1. Annual Review of Entomology
2. Advances in Insect Physiology
3. Insect Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
4. Insect Conservation and Diversity
5. Insect Molecular Biology
6. Systematic Entomology
7. Journal of Insect Physiology
8. Pest Management Science
9. Medical and Veterinary Entomology
10. Journal of Medical Entomology

Top Horticulture journals by impact factor:

1. Theoretical and Applied Genetics
2. Postharvest Biology and Technology
3. Molecular Breeding
4. Tree Genetics and Genomes
5. European Journal of Plant Pathology (print only 1994-96, 2004-05)
6. Australian Journal of Grape and Wine Research
7. Euphytica
8. Scientia Horticulturae
9. American Journal of Enology and Viticulture (print only)
10. Journal of the Japanese Society for Horticultural Science

Top Plant Sciences journals by impact factor:

1. Annual Review of Plant Biology
2. Annual Review of Phytopathology
3. Current Opinion in Plant Biology 
4. Trends in Plant Science 
5. Plant Cell
6. Plant Journal
7. Plant Physiology
8. New Phytologist
9. Plant, Cell & Environment
10. Critical Reviews in Plant Sciences 

Top Soil Science journals by impact factor:

1. Soil Biology and Biochemistry 
2. Soil & Tillage Research 
3. Journal of Soils and Sediments (no subscription)
4. Plant and Soil 
5. Geoderma
6. Pedobiologia 
7. Soil Science Society of America Journal
8. European Journal of Soil Science 
9. Applied Soil Ecology
10. Soil Use and Management 

Top Multidisciplinary Agriculture journals by impact factor:

1. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment
2. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry
3. Agricultural Systems
4. Annals of Applied Biology
5. Journal of Agricultural Science
6. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture
7. Computers and Electronics in Agriculture
8. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research (ends 2008)
9. Agriculture and Human Values
10. Precision Agriculture 

Updated: Crop Protection Compendium

UW-Madison Libraries subscribe to the Crop Protection Compendium database from CABI, which is now available on their new interface in beta.

This online multi-media resource can be searched by keyword, or browsed by animals (arachnids, molluscs, nematodes, birds, mammals), bacteria, fungi, oomycetes, plants, protozoa, unknown aetiology, and viruses.  It includes:

* 2,800+ detailed data sheets on crops, crop pests, diseases, weeds, invasive plants, natural enemies, pesticides and biopesticides

* Information on an additional 27,000 species, including distribution maps

* 8,000+ pictures to allow for easy identification and teaching

* 200,000 article records from the CAB Abstracts database (updated weekly), including 6,500 full-text journal and conference articles

* 9,000+ term interactive glossary

FFA beyond high school

Did you know that FFA (Future Farmers of America) doesn't have to end after high school? The National FFA Organization offers many programs and scholarships as well as activities at national convention and connections to future employers for internships and full-time positions. You might also be interested in volunteering or mentoring for your local chapter. Until June 30, alumni over the age of 18 who sign up for the "FFA Beyond High School" e-newsletter will be entered into a drawing for an iPad. The e-newsletter will provide information about scholarships, internships, Collegiate FFA and alumni opportunities.  Go to http://www.ffa.org/beyondhighschool to sign up for the e-newsletter.  [Source: National FFA Organization]

You may also be interested in:

* FFA new horizons (1952-2009)

* Handbook on agricultural education in public schools (2008)

* Focus, news, agricultural education (Wisconsin Assn. of FFA, 1988-1999)

* 100 years of agricultural education: FFA in Wisconsin (1994)

* Wisconsin FFA alumni handbook (1985)

* Future Farmers of America and career education (1978)

* The FFA and you; your guide to learning (1962)

* Official manual for Future Farmers of America (1951)

* Future Farmers of America in action (1945)

* Fun and work for future farmers, FFA: a collection of games, programs, and community activities with practical ideas and suggestions for social and recreational programs for rural boys’ organizations (1934)

* The Dunn County future farmer (1930)

Plant Management Network: journals and more

UW-Madison is a partner of the Plant Management Network, managed by the American Phytopathological Society, American Society of Agronomy, and Crop Science Society of America.  Students, staff and faculty have full access to the site, including:

• Plant Health Progress - peer-reviewed journal focusing on plant protection; covers plant disease, entomology, and nematology of crops and ornamentals.

• Crop Management - peer-reviewed journal covering crop management practices, crop nutrients, and production agriculture; focuses on maximizing crop yield and value.

• Forage and Grazinglands - peer-reviewed journal covering animal nutrition and rangeland management.

• Applied Turfgrass Science - peer-reviewed journal covering the many aspects of turfgrass management.

• Plant Disease Management Reports - More than 5,000 searchable efficacy reports on various means of pest control, such as fungicides, nematicides, and biological controls. PDMR’s purpose is to help users determine the most effective chemicals and nonchemical pest management agents and to ensure maximum effectiveness/minimum use in terms of application. Reports cover various crops, ornamentals, turf and forage.

• Arthropod Management Tests - Efficacy reports of insecticides and other means of insect control. Helps users determine the most effective chemicals and brands in managing insects and also to ensure maximum effectiveness/minimum use in terms of application rates. Reports cover crops, ornamentals, turf and forage.

• Symposium/Meeting Proceedings - A collection of proceedings on topics related to agriculture and horticulture.

• Focus on Soybean - An online portal for growers, crop consultants, and researchers seeking information on producing healthy, high-yielding soybean crops. Features webcasts from noted extension agents on soybean crop production, protection, and management.

• Focus on Potato - An online portal for growers, crop consultants, and researchers seeking information on producing healthy, high-yielding potato crops. Features webcasts from noted extension agents on potato crop production, protection, and management.

• Focus on Ag Practitioners - A one-stop portal of agricultural resources for certified crop advisers, independent consultants, and other ag practitioners.

• PMN Image Collections - A collection of more than 4,000 plant disease and agricultural images for disease identification, class illustrations, and presentations.

New soybean pest: Trochanter mealybug

Infestations of the trochanter mealybug (Pseudococcus sorghiellus, in the Order Hemiptera, Suborder Homoptera, Superfamily Coccoidea and Family Pseudococcidae), an unarmored scale insect, were first identified in Midwestern soybean crops in 2008.  They can be found on the roots of soybeans that appear to be suffering from potassium deficiency (yellowing of the leaves).

See also...

* USDA NIFA grant - "Critical Issues: Emerging and New Plant and Animal Pests and Diseases"

* Wisconsin Pest Bulletin (v.54 n.1, 4/23/2010)

Related books & documents at UW-Madison:

* A systematic catalogue of the mealybugs of the world (Insecta, Homoptera, Coccoidea, Pseudococcidae and Putoidae) : with data on geographical distribution, host plants, biology, and economic importance

* Systematic analysis of the mealybugs in the Pseudococcus maritimus complex (Homoptera: Pseudococcidae)

* Handbook of soybean insect pests

* Pest management in soybean

* Soybean pest management in Wisconsin

* Pest management in Wisconsin field crops : a guide to managing weeds, insects, and diseases in corn, soybeans, forages, and small grains

* Some aspects of the biology and ecology of Orius insidiosus (Say) (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae) and a survey of arthropods on soybeans in south central Wisconsin

* Sulfhydryl-dependent inducible phytoalexins in juvenile soybeans predict insect resistance in fully developed plants

* Low-cost technology for controlling soybean insect pests in Indonesia

* Appraisal of insect-resistant soybeans, in Economic, environmental, and social benefits of resistance in field crops

* Two-spotted spider mite management in soybean and corn

* A nucleopolyhedrovirus for control of velvetbean caterpillar in Brazilian soybeans, in Biological control : a global perspective : case studies from around the world

* Biology and management of the soybean cyst nematode

* Soybean resistance to stem-mining agromyzid beanflies (Diptera: Agromyzidae) 

* American Soybean Association diagnostic guide

* Sampling methods in soybean entomology

Related research articles:

* Biswas, J., Ghosh, A.B.. (2000). Biology of the mealybug, Planococcus minor (Maskell) on various host plants. Environment and Ecology, 18(4): 929-932.

* Thippaiah, M.; Kumar, N.G. (1999). Dysmicoccus sp. (Pseudococcidae: Homoptera): a pest of soybean in Karnataka. Insect Environment, 5(2): 70.

* Jadhav, R.G.; Madane, N.P.; Kathamale, D.K. (1996). Record of soybean as a new host in India for citrus mealybug. Insect Environment, 2(3): 90.

* Kadiata, B.D.; Mulongoy, K.; Ntonifor, N.N. (1992). A severe mealybug infestation on some tree legumes. Nitrogen fixing tree research reports, 10: 70-72.

* Srivastava, O.S. (1972). Soybean, a new host record of mealy bug, Nipaecoccus vastator (Mask.) (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) in India. Indian Journal of Entomology, 34(3): 351-352.

"Communities Take Root" contest

"Communities Take Root" Contest

Edy's Fruit Bars and the Fruit Tree Planting Foundation are sponsoring a contest among communities across the country vying for your vote in order to win their own orchard!

You can vote one time each day until August 31st. 5 winners will be announced on the first of each month, from May 1st - Sept 1st.

Six Wisconsin locations are among those competing for your vote, and one of them is currently in 5th place nationwide - the brand new Bock Community Forest and Garden in Middleton, WI.