Firstline® and Sentricon® Termite Colony Elimination Systems were monitored at 20 residential home sites in Tucson, Arizona for their ability to control Heterotermes aureus (Snyder) infestations. Firstline® and Sentricon® Termite Colony Elimination System were each installed at 10 homes. Five of the homes were designated either as curative (having active infestations) or preventative (having no active infestation). During the 2 year study, 3 residents terminated their involvement in the Firstline®, while all of the Sentricon® Termite Colony Elimination System homes remained in the program. Mean number of days to first hit at curative homes was 84 versus 96 for Firstline® and Sentricon® Termite Colony Elimination System, respectively. Average bait consumption for the Firstline® system was 14% for the curative homes and 10% for the preventative homes. In contrast, the average bait consumption for the Sentricon ® Termite Colony Elimination System was 51% for the curative homes and 58% for the preventative homes, which was significantly different at (P<.05).

The critical features needed for long-standing structural protection against subterranean termites are chemical efficacy and stability of termiticides. Federal regulations concerning minimum product performance of termiticide treatments stress the importance of field-testing existing and candidate termiticides. Field tests are designed to simulate typical application conditions and provide the regulated community non-penetration data. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the termiticide Transport® in terms of providing structural protection and consumer satisfaction against Heterotermes aureus. Five residential structures were selected in Tucson for the study. None of the homes had undergone any treatment for termites within 12 months and all were of one construction type, frame stucco with slab foundations. The effectiveness of the termiticide Transport® in controlling Heterotermes aureus based on the five homes was very good. Termites were cleared in under a month when inspections were performed. Standard difficulties were encounter in gaining access to structures for inspections. Coordination with homeowners varied greatly and required persistence by the inspectors.

The aim of this research is to demonstrate some more efficient approaches to solve the n-1 security constrained optimal power flow (SCOPF) problems by using structure-exploiting primal-dual interior point methods (IPM). Firstly, we consider a DC-SCOPF model, which is a linearized version of AC-SCOPF. One new reformulation of the DC-SCOPF model is suggested, in which most matrices that need to be factorized are constant. Consequently, most numerical factorizations and a large number of back-solve operations only need to be performed once throughout the entire IPM process. In the framework of the structure-exploiting IPM implementation, one of the major computational efforts consists of forming the Schur complement matrix, which is very computationally expensive if no further measure is applied. One remedy is to apply a preconditioned iterative method to solve the corresponding linear systems which appear in assembling the Schur complement matrix. We suggest two main schemes to pick a good and robust preconditioner for SCOPF problems based on combining different “active” contingency scenarios. The numerical results show that our new approaches are much faster than the default structure-exploiting method in OOPS, and also that it requires less memory. The second part of this thesis goes to the standard AC-SCOPF problem, which is a nonlinear and nonconvex optimization problem. We present a new contingency generation algorithm: it starts with solving the basic OPF problem, which is a much smaller problem of the same structure, and then generates contingency scenarios dynamically when needed. Some theoretical analysis of this algorithm is shown for the linear case, while the numerical results are exciting, as this new algorithm works for both AC and DC cases. It can find all the active scenarios and significantly reduce the number of scenarios one needs to contain in the model. As a result, it speeds up the solving process and may require less IPM iterations. Also, some heuristic algorithms are designed and presented to predict the active contingencies for the standard AC-SCOPF, based on the use of AC-OPF or DC-SCOPF. We test our heuristic algorithms on the modified IEEE 24-bus system, and also present their corresponding numerical results in the thesis.

The demand for locally sourced hops from Northeastern microbreweries began the recent resurgence in local hop production. The farming community has increased acreage and improved the quality of hops grown and processed in the Northeast region over the past five years. There was a sharp increase in the number of Northeast hop producers from six in 2009 to over 175 in 2014. Hop growers in the Northeast are new to the crop and have limited experience with pest identification and management. This dissertation encompasses three research projects that were conducted over the 2012-2014 growing seasons. These projects were the first critical steps taken to develop arthropod integrated pest management (IPM) tactics for Northeastern hop growers. First, the arthropod community in seven Vermont hop yards was evaluated. The objectives of Chapter 2 are to 1) present current hop pest biology and management strategies, 2) report the phenology of arthropod pests observed over three growing seasons, 3) report abundance and peak date for each pest, and 4) document natural enemy abundance in Vermont hop yards. The survey indicates that in cool, wet seasons hop aphid (Phorodon humuli Schrank) is expected to be a pest of concern. Two-spotted spider mite (Tetranychus urticae Koch) is expected to be a pest of concern in hot, dry conditions. Potato leafhopper (Empoasca fabae Harris) is an unpredictable pest of special concern for first year hop plants. When hop aphid or potato leafhopper are sprayed for with broad-spectrum insecticide, two-spotted spider mite secondary outbreak can be expected. Second, the abundance of major arthropod pests and their natural enemy groups were evaluated under drive row flowering cover crop treatments. The objectives of this study were to 1) measure the effect of cover crops on natural enemy group abundance, 2) measure the effect of cover crops on the three major Northeastern hop pests, and 3) measure the effect of cover crop presence on hop yield and quality. Natural enemy groups and pests were positively correlated yet cover crop treatments had no significant effect on natural enemy abundance. Red clover cover crop treatments served as a trap crop for potato leafhopper. No significant difference in hop yield or quality was observed between flowering cover crop treatments. Finally, potato leafhopper is a documented but understudied regional pest of hops. The objectives of this study were to 1) measure the physiological response of eight hop cultivars to adult potato leafhopper feeding and 2) measure hop leaf recovery from potato leafhopper injury. Gas exchange (net photosynthesis and transpiration) and chlorophyll content were measured to quantify injury by adult potato leafhopper to first year hop leaves in field and greenhouse studies. Cultivars did not vary significantly in their physiological response to potato leafhopper feeding. Injury significantly reduced gas exchange measures in the field (P < 0.05) and greenhouse (P < 0.05) and when leafhoppers were removed, gas exchange was restored.

O parasitoide Ageniaspis citricola Logvinovskaya é o principal agente de controle biológico do minador-dos-citros Phyllocnistis citrella Stainton. No entanto, com a detecção do huanglongbing houve um aumento no uso de inseticidas nos pomares cítricos e não se conhece seus efeitos à A. citricola. Desta maneira, estudou-se o efeito letal de cinco inseticidas e a persistência aos 3, 7, 10, 17 e 24 dias após a pulverização em mudas de citros mantidas em casa de vegetação ao parasitoide A. citricola, nas dosagens especificadas (g i.a. L-1): imidacloprido 0,04 (Provado&reg; 200 SC), clorpirifós 0,72 (Lorsban&reg; 480 BR), bifentrina 0,02 (Talstar&reg; 100 EC), beta-ciflutrina 0,0125 (Turbo&reg; 50 EC), abamectina 0,0054 (Vertimec&reg;), bem como o efeito subletal no parasitismo em fêmeas expostas por 24 horas aos resíduos de abamectina. Imidacloprido, clorpirifós, bifentrina e beta-ciflutina foram considerados nocivos para adultos de A. citricola (M > 75%), enquanto que, abamectina foi considerado inócuo (M < 25%). Com base na duração do efeito nocivo, clorpirifós e beta-ciflutrina foram considerados de vida curta (< 5 dias), enquanto que, imidacloprido foi levemente persistente (5-15 dias) e bifentrina moderadamente persistente (16-30 dias). Abamectina não alterou a taxa de parasitismo de A. citricola, mas alterou substancialmente a razão sexual (0,11) quando comparado ao tratamento controle (0,5). Os resultados indicam que deve-se ter cautela em recomendar os produtos avaliados, observando-se o efeito residual daqueles produtos considerados nocivos à A. citricola, de forma a explorar a seletividade ecológica. Abamectina, embora inócua a adultos do parasitoide, pode levar a uma redução populacional de A. citricola, devendo-se realizar estudos de campo para elucidar essa questão. / Ageniaspis citricola Logvinovskaya is the main biological control agent of Phyllocnistis citrella Stainton. However, with the huanglongbing report, there was an increase in the use of insecticides in citrus orchards and the effects on A. citricola are not known. Thus, we studied the lethal effects of five insecticides and the persistence on 1, 3, 7, 10, 17 and 24 days post application in seedlings of citrus kept in greenhouse, using the specified dosages (g a.i. L-1): imidacloprid 0.04 (Provado&reg; 200 SC), chlorpyriphos 0.72 (Lorsban&reg; 48 BR), bifenthrin 0.02 (Talstar&reg; 10 EC), beta-cyfluthrin 0.0125 (Turbo&reg; 5 EC), abamectin 0.0054 (Vertimec&reg; 18 EC), as well as the sublethal effect on the parasitism by females exposed to residues of 24 hours of abamectin. Imidacloprid, chlorpyriphos, bifenthrin and beta-cyfluthrin were considered harmful to A. citricola (M > 75%) and abamectin were considered harmless (M < 25%). Chlorpyriphos and beta-cyfluthrin were considered of short life (< 5 days), imidacloprid slightly persistent (5-15 days) and bifenthrin moderately persistent (16-30 days). Abamectin did not affect the parasitism by A. citricola, but the sex ratio, with a sex ratio of 0.11 against 0.5 of the control. The results indicate that we must be careful to recommend the evaluated insecticides, observing the persistence of those classified as harmful to A. citricola, as a manner to explore the ecological selectivity. Even though considered harmless to adult parasitoids, abamectin can lead to population reduction of A. citricola, being necessary field studies to confirm that situation.

O gênero Helicoverpa Hardwick, 1965 (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae: Heliothinae) compreende insetos pragas de distribuição cosmopolita. Historicamente no Brasil, H. zea (Boddie) é a principal praga do gênero, no entanto, em 2013 foi reportado pela primeira vez no território brasileiro H. armigera (Hübner). Estudos filogenéticos, morfológicos e ecológicos têm relacionado estas duas espécies como irmãs. A possibilidade de hibridação entre H. armigera e H. zea em condições naturais desperta interesse sobre os mecanismos genéticos, reprodutivos, de desenvolvimento e comportamentais de especiação dessas espécies. Além disso, H. armigera e H. zea são pragas severas para diversos cultivos, o que torna o entendimento destes processos crucial para o desenvolvimento de estratégias de controle. Dentro deste contexto, nosso objetivo foi confirmar a viabilidade e a adaptabilidade da prole híbrida entre as linhagens brasileiras de H. zea e H. armigera. Associado a isso, nós também testamos a tolerância da linhagem híbrida a deltametrina e plantas geneticamente modificadas (Bt). E por último, aplicamos marcadores moleculares em indivíduos oriundos do campo para identificar a ocorrência natural de possíveis indivíduos híbridos em diferentes cultivos e regiões do território brasileiro. Nossos resultados confirmam a possibilidade de surgimento de uma prole híbrida fértil entre as linhagens brasileiras de H. zea e H. armigera. Assim como os marcadores nucleares sugerem a presença de indivíduos híbridos em condições naturais no território brasileiro. Os mecanismos pré-copulatórios de especiação parecem ser menos efetivos na manutenção do isolamento reprodutivo, visto que os testes de escolha revelaram cruzamentos interespecíficos recíprocos entre as espécies. A linhagens híbridas tiveram um menor intervalo de tempo entre cada geração (T) ao serem comparadas com as linhagens parentais puras, porém a capacidade de fêmeas gerarem fêmeas e a capacidade de manter a população em crescimento (Ro, rm,) foram menores que as linhagens puras, indicando uma tendência à extinção das populações ao longo das gerações. As proles híbridas tiveram índice de sobrevivência a deltametrina equivalente ao da linhagem parental H. armigera, já os indivíduos híbridos da geração F2 (F1xF1) apresentaram menor sobrevivência em relação a H. armigera. Não houve sobrevivência das linhagens parentais e híbridas nos testes de sobrevivência ao algodão Bt. A baixa viabilidade de cruzamentos híbridos em laboratório e a baixa frequência no campo confirmaram isolamento reprodutivo entre H. zea e H. armigera, mesmo que parcial. / The genus Helicoverpa Hardwick, 1965 (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae: Heliothinae) includes insect pests of cosmopolitan distribution. Historically in Brazil, H. zea is the main pest of the genus (Boddie), however in 2013 H. armigera (Hübner was first reported in Brazil). Phylogenetic, morphological and ecological traits have suggested these two species are \"sibling species\". The possibility of hybridization between H. armigera and H. zea under natural conditions arouses interest in genetic, reproductive, developmental and behavioral mechanisms of speciation between these species. In addition, H. armigera and H. zea are severe pests in several crops, which makes the understanding of these processes critical to the development of control strategies. Within this context, our goal was to carry out interspecific bioassays of behavior and development to confirm the viability and fitness of hybrid offspring between Brazilian strains of H. zea and H. armigera. Furthermore, we tested the tolerance of the hybrid strains to deltamethrin and genetically modified cotton plant (Bt). Finally, we applied molecular markers in specimens from different regions and hosts to identify the possible occurrence of natural hybrid specimens in Brazil. Our results confirm the possibility of emergence of a fertile hybrid offspring between Brazilian strains of H. zea and H. armigera. In addition nuclear markers suggest the presence of individual hybrids in natural conditions in Brazil. Pre-copulatory speciation mechanisms are not effective in the maintenance of reproductive isolation, since the choice tests showed reciprocal interspecific crosses between species. The hybrid strains showed lower developmental time among generations (T) when compared with the parental strains. However, hybrid females have lower reproductive capacity and maintaining growing population (Ro, RM, &lambda;), indicating an extinction trend of populations over generations. The hybrid individuals F1 showed equivalent survival to deltamethrin than H. armigera parental strain, however hybrid individuals F2 (F1xF1) showed lower survival to H. armigera. There were no survival of the parental and hybrid strains to Bt cotton. The low viability of interspecific crosses in the laboratory and the low frequency in the field confirmed reproductive isolation between H. zea and H. armigera Brazilian strains, even partial.

Cucurbits (i.e. squash, melons, pumpkins, gourds) are high value crops of global importance. Insect pests in these systems are often controlled by chemical insecticides, which are not always effective and can be damaging to the environment. Many integrated pest management (IPM) techniques have been developed for the control of pests in these systems, with a goal of improving system stability and reducing chemical inputs. The overarching goal of my research was to investigate the impact of select IPM techniques on arthropod populations and yield in organic and conventional cucurbit systems. This dissertation can be divided into three major projects which were conducted between 2013 and 2017. First, an investigation was conducted to understand the impact of two commonly used IPM practices (tillage regime and the use of row covers) on pest insect populations, beneficial arthropod populations, and plant yield. By developing studies in both organic and conventionally managed squash and melon production, four independent studies were conducted and analyzed to provide a broad understanding of these IPM strategies. In all systems, plant yields and pests were greatest in the plasticulture systems, but reduced tillage had a positive impact on the natural enemy arthropods within these crops. Row cover use resulted in larger plants and increased yields, but had an inconsistent influence on arthropods in the systems studied. From these initial studies, an additional investigation was developed to better understand the impacts of cultivation on the specialist pollinator Peponapis pruinosa [Hymenoptera: Apidae]. Nesting site selection was examined in two independent experiments. By conducting choice studies to allow P. pruinosa to select preferred nesting sites, we determined that P. pruinosa prefer to build nests in loose soils and show reduced nest making in compact soils. This poses interesting management challenges since less-compact soils are within high tillage zones. This research supports the need for the development of cultivation management plans that consider of pollinator habitat and reproduction needs. A multi-year, multi-farm study was developed for the comparison of parasitism in cucumber beetles (Acalymma vittatum and Diabrotica undecimpunctata) in organic and conventional growing systems. Parasitoids were reared from beetles collected from working organic and conventional cucurbit farms in central Kentucky. Our results show that there is some seasonal variation in parasitism, but that there is no significant difference between organic and conventional production. We conclude that IPM techniques can be effective in contributing to the control cucurbit pests in agroecosystems and the improvement of crop yields. These studies show that natural enemies and pollinators react differently to IPM practices, which should be considered when developing IPM plans in cucurbit production. By researching these management techniques we are able to develop production systems that have increased stability.

We study four measures of problem instance behavior that might account for the observed differences in interior-point method (IPM) iterations when these methods are used to solve semidefinite programming (SDP) problem instances: (i) an aggregate geometry measure related to the primal and dual feasible regions (aspect ratios) and norms of the optimal solutions, (ii) the (Renegar-) condition measure C(d) of the data instance, (iii) a measure of the near-absence of strict complementarity of the optimal solution, and (iv) the level of degeneracy of the optimal solution. We compute these measures for the SDPLIB suite problem instances and measure the correlation between these measures and IPM iteration counts (solved using the software SDPT3) when the measures have finite values. Our conclusions are roughly as follows: the aggregate geometry measure is highly correlated with IPM iterations (CORR = 0.896), and is a very good predictor of IPM iterations, particularly for problem instances with solutions of small norm and aspect ratio. The condition measure C(d) is also correlated with IPM iterations, but less so than the aggregate geometry measure (CORR = 0.630). The near-absence of strict complementarity is weakly correlated with IPM iterations (CORR = 0.423). The level of degeneracy of the optimal solution is essentially uncorrelated with IPM iterations.

Thesis (M. Environmental Science)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2008.

<p>Although we often study mutualisms (interactions in which both species benefit) at the level of the individual partners, mutualistic interactions take place in the context of populations and communities. Sharing mutualists with others in a population could result in indirect interactions in the form of mutualist-mediated competition or facilitation. In my dissertation work I asked whether intraspecific competition or facilitation for ants might occur in an extrafloral nectary-bearing (EFN) plant, and what the consequences would be for long-term population dynamics of the plant. My focal species was <italic>Colubrina spinosa</italic> (Rhamnaceae), a neotropical treelet on which I observed 69 ant species at La Selva Biological Station, Costa Rica. </p><p> Demonstrating intraspecific competition for mutualists requires that 1) neighbor densities affect mutualist visits to an individual, and 2) change in mutualist visits results in reduced benefit. To determine how mutualist density affects plant benefit, I experimentally manipulated ant abundances on plants over two years and measured growth and survival. To assess competition for mutualists, I excluded ants from conspecific neighbors and followed ant abundance on focal plants. To consider long-term facilitation, in which greater local nectar resources increase local ant abundance, I manipulated nectar resources in a two-year field experiment and estimated ant abundance on <italic>C. spinosa</italic> plants and on baits. </p><p> Considering local neighbor density both within a 1m radius and in 5x5 m plots, ant densities on <italic>C. spinosa</italic> plants showed evidence for a small-scale competition effect and a contrasting plot-level facilitation effect. The small-scale competition was sized-based; smaller plants lost ants to larger plants. Ant benefit to plants also depended on plant size. For larger plants, those with greater size-adjusted ant density had higher growth and survival than those with fewer ants than expected for their size. </p><p> To determine whether these contrasting competition and facilitation effects could impact population growth or densities, I modeled population dynamics with an integral projection model (IPM). Growth and survival were functions of ant density, which in turn depended on conspecific neighbors, plant size, and mean background ants. Results suggest that larger-scale facilitation of mutualists impacts long-term population growth more than small-scale competition. Population growth rate increased with increasing background ant density, which depended on facilitation at the 5x5m plot scale. In contrast, small-scale competition caused a redistribution of mutualist ants among plants of different sizes, but had very little effect on long-term population growth. </p><p> I thus conclude that on the scale of individuals there is evidence of intraspecific competition for ants as well as facilitation in the EFN plant <italic>C. spinosa</italic>, but only facilitation effects lead to appreciable changes in population dynamics. If mutualist-mediated facilitation effects tend to occur over long time scales in other systems as well, facilitation might prove to be more important than competition in other mutualisms.</p> / Dissertation