Whitebark pine (Pinus albicaulis Engelm.) tree-ring chronologies of 700 to greater than 1,000 years in length were developed for four sites in the Sawtooth-Salmon River region, central Idaho. These ring-width chronologies are used to (1) assess the dendrochronological characteristics of this species, (2) detect annual mortality dates of whitebark pine attributed to a widespread mountain pine beetle (Dendroctonus ponderosae Hopk.) epidemic during the 1909 to 1940 period, and (3) establish the response of whitebark pine tree ring-width growth to climate variables. Crossdating of whitebark pine tree-ring width patterns was verified. Ring-width indices had low mean sensitivity (0.123-0.174) typical of high elevation conifers in western North America, and variable first order autocorrelation (0.206-0.551). Mortality of dominant whitebark pine caused by mountain pine beetle had a maxima at 1930 on all four sites. Response functions and correlation analyses with state divisional weather records indicate that above average radial growth is positively correlated with winter and spring precipitation and inversely correlated with April temperature. These correlations appear to be a response to seasonal snowpack. Whitebark pine is a promising species for dendroclimatic studies.

This study was conducted to determine behavior patterns of the jumping spider Habronattus oregonensis. Time budgets show spiders spend their time out and about, eating, interacting with other spiders, and in hidden behaviors with out and about behaviors dominating. Agonistic encounters occur in the field and were staged in the laboratory. Whether a spider keeps control of the area is determined differently for males than females. In male-male interactions, the size of the spider as measured by weight is important in winning a skirmish regardless of familiarity with an area (residency). For female-female agonistic interactions, however, residency does affect the outcome. In interactions between male-female pairs, the male readily courts the female. Mature virgin females readily accept a mate; other females do not. Finally, experiences from university research were used to develop lesson plans for student study at the secondary level in biology classrooms.

Tree-ring records were used to reconstruct the spatial and temporal patterns of western spruce budworm (Choristoneura occidentalis Freeman) outbreaks in the Rio Grande National Forest (RGNF) of southern Colorado. Reconstructions at 11 host stands showed a synchronous pattern of outbreaks with a peak in the number of trees recording outbreaks over the entire RGNF on average every 24 years. These synchronous periods of outbreaks coincided with periods of increased moisture as indicated by an independently reconstructed summer Palmer Drought Severity Index, while relatively few trees recorded outbreaks during dry periods. The reconstruction on the RGNF does not support the hypothesis that human land use has significantly altered outbreak patterns. Tree response to outbreaks in the RGNF was different from prior studies as reductions in growth were typically detectable only when growth was compared to that of nonhost tree species.

A comparative study was performed to investigate the tolerance levels of beet armyworm to three insecticides, cyfluthrin, profenofos, and methomyl. The field strains were collected from Yuma and Marana, AZ whereas the susceptible laboratory strain was obtained from California. Dosage-mortality data were obtained by topical application on third instar larvae. Compared to the susceptible strain, both Yuma and Marana strains exhibited an increase in the LD50 to cyfluthrin by 15.65 and 5.45-fold, respectively. Both strains also exhibited an increase in the LD50 to profenofos and methomyl by 14.10, 17.77 and 2.95, 8.07-fold, respectively. The cyfluthrin-selected strain (Marana strain) tested for cross resistance to profenofos and methomyl and exhibited an increase in LD50 by 24.68 and 3.32-fold,respectively.

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Forensic entomology is a well-established science linking arthropod biology and ecology to legal investigations. Specifically, immature development on a decomposing corpse may give insight into the minimum time elapsed since death. Until recently, biological variation within a single species has been overlooked when estimating colonization events. Variation in the form of phenotypic plasticity, or the ability of a single genotype to produce multiple phenotypes under alternative stresses, has been documented in genetic and ecological literature and spans across all phyla. Taking this into account, different subpopulations of forensically pertinent insect species should also possess the ability to adapt to changing environments as geographic distribution increases. Thus, plastic responses of a species to alternative stresses may be measured in biological parameters, such as development time. In this research, three geographically distinct strains of the blow fly Cochliomyia macellaria Fabricius (Diptera Calliphoridae) were reared in two distinct environments in order to measure development time, as well as pupal and adult masses. Strains exhibited genetic variance when compared to each other, and each strain exhibited variable responses across environments (phenotypic plasticity). Plasticity in the form of genotype by environment (GxE) interactions was also exhibited by C. macellaria, although consistent adherence to any single rule explaining ontogenetic trends was not apparent. This research supports the existence of intraspecific variation in a common blow fly of forensic importance. Results of this study will impact the forensic entomology community by encouraging the generation of either strain;specific developmental datasets or statistical models to minimize variation caused by genetic, environment, or GxE effects in order to compare developmental data across strains.

Currently three systems are used to categorize honey production regions in the United States, one from the United States Department of Agriculture, one from the American Bee Journal used for its monthly U.S. Honey Crop and Markets report, and one from Bee Culture’s monthly regional honey price report. These systems follow political state boundaries and are based upon climate, bee forage, and regional beekeeping practices. While these systems are popular with the general beekeeping community, to our knowledge, their accuracy has not been studied. Although differing geographic regions can vary in bee forage species availability, states with similar geography and flora should have similar honey production. This is not the case because states within the same honey production region vary in honey production, possibly due to smaller ecotype divisions within the larger honey production regions. Due to this ecotype gradient, some models divide the United States into far more regions based upon ecotypes and disregard political boundaries. While a model based on ecotypes that disregard state political boundaries may be more accurate, it is not currently possible to statistically evaluate them due to how honey production data are collected. This study developed nine novel regional honey production models that regard political boundaries while attempting to satisfy ecotype similarity. The first four alternative models are based solely on Level II ecoregions and were developed by a best fit manual approach that minimized the number of ecoregions per honey production region. The five remaining models were created using statistical k-means partitioning cluster analysis and are purely data based. Also discussed is a linear regression model produced by Page et al. Differences within and between the models were analyzed using descriptive statistics and ANOVA in order to determine an improved model that describes regional honey production in the United States. Many of the models, both preexisting and those developed for this study, had insignificant means and are not viable. Of those that had significant means, a k-means cluster based model was determined to be the statistically superior model and can be considered an improved regional honey production model for the United States.

Science and technology impact most aspects of modern daily life. It is therefore important to create a scientifically literate society. Since the majority of Americans do not take college-level science courses, strong K-12 science education is essential. At the K-5 level, however, many teachers lack the time, resources and background for effective science teaching. Elementary teachers and students may benefit from scientist-led outreach programs created by Cooperative Extension or other institutions. One example is the University of Arizona Insect Discovery Program, which provides short-duration programing that uses insects to support science content learning, teach critical thinking and spark interest in science. We conducted evaluations of the Insect Discovery programming to determine whether the activities offered were accomplishing program goals. Pre-post tests, post program questionnaires for teachers, and novel assessments of children’s drawings were used as assessment tools. Assessments were complicated by the short duration of the program interactions with the children as well as their limited literacy. In spite of these difficulties, results of the pre-post tests indicated a significant impact on content knowledge and critical thinking skills. Based on post-program teacher questionnaires, positive impacts on interest in science learning were noted as much as a month after the children participated in the program. New programming and resources developed to widen the potential for impact are also described.