The study of biological invasions is not only essential to regulate their vast potential for ecological and economical harm, they offer a unique opportunity to study adaptive evolution in the context of recent range expansions into novel environments. The North American invasion of the gypsy moth, Lymantria dispar L., since its introduction in 1869 to Massachusetts, has expanded westward to Minnesota, northward to Canada, and southward to North Carolina. Fluctuating range dynamics at the southern invasive edge are heavily influenced by heat exposure over their optimal (supraoptimal) during the larval stage of development. We coupled genomic sequencing with reciprocal transplant and laboratory-rearing experiments to examine the interactions of phenotypic, genetic, and environmental variation under selective supraoptimal regimes. We demonstrate that while there is no evidence to support local adaptation in the fitness-related physiological traits we measured, there are clear genomic patterns of adaptation due to differential survival in higher temperatures. Mapping of loci identified as contributing to local adaptation in a selective environment and those associated with phenotypic variation highlighted that variation in larval development time is partly driven by pleiotropic loci also affecting survival. Overall, I highlight the necessity and inferential power gained through replicating environmental conditions using both phenotypic and genome-wide analyses.

Master of Science / Department of Entomology / Frank Arthur / The control of Indianmeal moth [Plodia interpunctella (Hübner)], a commonly found serious stored product pest around the world, relies mainly upon chemical control methods. Because of recent changes in the laws and regulations governing pesticide usage in the United States, there is an increasing need for finding safer chemicals to control insect pests. Hydroprene, an insect growth regulator, is considered to be a safe alternative. In this study, I quantified the effects of hydroprene on two critical life stages of Indianmeal moth, the eggs and 5th instar wandering phase larvae. Maximum development time in the untreated controls was 13.6 ± 0.6 d at 16°C and minimum development time was 2.3 ± 0.4 d at 32°C. At 20°C and 24°C, the effect of hydroprene on egg development became more evident; development time generally increased with exposure interval, with some variability in the data. The mean egg mortality among all temperatures was 7.3 ± 4.6%. Among the treatments, mortality of eggs increased as the exposure periods increased within any given temperature, with a dramatic increase in mortality with increase in temperature. Egg mortality was lowest at 16°C when exposed for 1 h (0 ± 3%), but mortality gradually increased up to 32 ± 3% when exposed for 18 h. Within each exposure interval, there was a direct increase in mortality as the temperatures increased. For the 5th instar wandering phase larvae, the longest development time among the treatments of 47.2 ± 1.3 d occurred at 16ºC when the larvae were exposed for 30 h, whereas the shortest development time of 7.0 ± 0.5 d occurred when the larvae were exposed for 1 h at 32ºC. Among treatments, the greatest larval mortality (82.0 ± 0.1%) occurred when larvae were exposed for 30 h at 28ºC, while the minimum mortality of 0.0 ± 0.5% occurred at 16ºC when larvae were exposed for 1 h. Response-surface models derived from this study can be used in simulation models to estimate the potential consequences of hydroprene on Indianmeal moth population dynamics.

Please read the abstract in the section 00front of this document. Also note that an abstract is provided for each chapter as well / Thesis (DPhil (Entomology))--University of Pretoria, 2005. / Zoology and Entomology / unrestricted

Aspergillus fumigatus has long been a focus of research, as it is the cause of the majority of Aspergillus infections. A. fumigatus is widely distributed in the environment and mainly distributed in air as conidia and is the main source of lung infection. A. fumigatus airborne counts were determined monthly during two years from the outside air environment at the University of Manchester campus and compared to total fungal airborne counts. Total fungal airborne counts were strongly seasonally associated with peak counts occurring during the summer months reaching 1,100-1400 CFU m-3and were correlated positively with mean temperature (R2=0.697). In contrast, Aspergillus fumigatus counts were not seasonally associated and gave persistent low levels of between 3-20 CFU m-3and were not correlated with mean temperature. A random selection of Manchester environmental isolates collected over one year along with clinical patient isolates and environmental isolates from the air from Dublin were analysed for genetic diversity using two combined RAPD primers. RAPD analysis revealed that the Manchester environmental isolates represented a genetically diverse population while the clinical isolates were less diverse and formed three major clusters. The Dublin isolates were the least diverse, probably due to their isolation at a single time point. When the pathogenicity of clinical and Dublin isolates were compared with a random selection of Manchester isolates in a wax moth model, as a group, clinical isolates were significantly more pathogenic than environmental isolates. Moreover, when relative pathogenicity of individual isolates was compared, clinical isolates were the most pathogenic, Dublin isolates the least pathogenic and Manchester isolates showed a range of pathogenicities suggesting that selection for the most pathogenic isolates from the environment occurs during patient infection. When the expression of secreted phospholipases in vitro during wax moth larvae of a range of isolates displaying varying degrees of pathogenicity was compared, two phospholipase C genes, AfplcA and AfplcC were strongly correlated with pathogenicity. AfplcC was by far the most highly expressed, however a ΔAfplcC knockout strain did not show attenuated virulence compared to the wild type in wax moth larvae.

The African Wild Silk moths (Gonometa spp., Lasiocampidae) are species that are presently of particular economic interest in southern Africa. Both Gonometa postica and G. rufobrunnea, two species of African Wild Silk moth native to southern Africa, have been shown to possess a silk fibre of exceptional quality. A small-scale cottage industry utilizing the silk of Gonometa species currently exists in southern Africa, yet a consistent complaint is the lack of supply of cocoons. The Gonometa species in southern Africa have been shown to exhibit large inter-annual population fluctuations. However, it is uncertain whether eruptions are only the result of local populations experiencing ideal conditions or whether current eruptions are initiated by dispersal of individuals from eruptive populations in previous generations. A second observation, regarding eruptions, is that they are patchily distributed at both the local (within outbreaks) and regional scale (across southern Africa). In this thesis I have studied population eruptions through distribution analysis of three years of presence/absence data, and through spatial and temporal population genetic analysis. The analysis of population genetic data allows the inference of population demographic parameters such as population size fluctuations and migrations. In particular, the use of microsatellite markers allows a high-resolution analysis of the connectivity of populations, and provides signal of population size fluctuations. I utilise both mitochondrial DNA control region sequences and polymorphic microsatellite loci to make inferences of population processes in G. postica, using a combination of both analytical and simulation model analysis approaches. The results, in general, indicate that dispersal of moths across South Africa is extensive. These results are further considered in light of the effects of population size fluctuations on spatial genetic pattern, where the potential exists for unstable population demography to influence the inference of dispersal from population genetic data. The population genetic analyses presented here allow the inference of the extent of a local population/outbreak, and the degree of movement between local populations. Given that a large-scale population dynamics project based on G. postica is currently under development, the results determine the geographical extent at which the population dynamics study should be conducted. Furthermore, the population genetics data generated will contribute to the construction of a population dynamics model, including abiotic and biotic variables, which will allow a better understanding of eruptions in this species. / Thesis (PhD (Genetics))--University of Pretoria, 2006. / Genetics / unrestricted

Submitted by biblioteca unifenas (biblioteca@unifenas.br) on 2016-07-06T20:33:59Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Domicio Pereira da Costa JuniorDissertacao.pdf: 1369630 bytes, checksum: 4e4dd1f99195d8559cc26002937d5d72 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-07-06T20:34:00Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Domicio Pereira da Costa JuniorDissertacao.pdf: 1369630 bytes, checksum: 4e4dd1f99195d8559cc26002937d5d72 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-12-16 / One of the main causes of loss in production Anagasta kuehniella (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) in biofactories is the attack of a ectoparasitoid of larvae, the Bracon hebetor (Hymenoptera: Braconidae). The production of Anagasta kuehniella eggs in a biofactory can be reduced by 69% due to the attack of this ectoparasitoid. What can totally destroy an creation of these insects. The aim of this study was to evaluate a new method of creating the moth-the-flour (Anagasta kuehniella), aimed at isolating the parasitoid Bracon hebetor and compare the production of the creation method, already used (conventional), with the production of proposed method (experimental). To this end, it used sulfite role in trying to isolate the parasitoid Bracon hebetor, of creating Anagasta kuehniella, which it obtained 100% efficiency, while all plots of conventional treatment were attacked. With regard to production, there was no significant difference in the production of adult and eggs of Anagasta kuehniella in both the treatments. Both methods were efficient in the production and productivity. The proposed method was considered the most efficient in this work by effectively isolating the said parasitoid attacks da mass rearing of insect host. / Uma das principais causas de perda na produção de Anagasta kuehniella (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), Traça-da-farinha, em biofábricas é o ataque de um ectoparasitoide de larvas, o Bracon hebetor (Hymenoptera: Braconidae). A produção de ovos de Anagasta kuehniella em uma biofábrica pode ser reduzida em 69% devido ao ataque deste ectoparasitoide, podendo chegar à destruição total da criação desse inseto. O objetivo do presente trabalho foi avaliar uma nova metodologia de criação da Traça-da-farinha (Anagasta Kuehniella) visando o isolamento do parasitoide Bracon hebetor e a comparação da produção entre o método de criação já utilizado (convencional) e o método proposto (experimental). Para tanto, foi utilizado papel Sulfite na tentativa de isolar o parasitoide Bracon hebetor frente à criação de Anagasta kuehniella, do qual se obteve 100% de eficiência, enquanto que todas as parcelas do tratamento convencional foram atacadas. Em relação à produção, não houve diferença significativa na produção de adultos e de ovos de Anagasta Kuehniella em ambos os tratamentos avaliados. Ambos os métodos foram considerados eficientes, quanto à produção e produtividade. O método proposto foi o mais eficiente neste trabalho por isolar com eficiência os ataques do referido parasitoide, da criação massal do hospedeiro.

Submitted by Nadir Basilio (nadirsb@uninove.br) on 2016-06-16T21:15:17Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Gustavo Viegas Rodrigues.pdf: 1163684 bytes, checksum: 71d37115db9e647b4ddc1e42b8011e46 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-06-16T21:15:17Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Gustavo Viegas Rodrigues.pdf: 1163684 bytes, checksum: 71d37115db9e647b4ddc1e42b8011e46 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-08-13 / This work has investigated the interaction between two word-of-mouth’s-source-related factors with products’ purchase intention, either hedonic or utilitarian products. The interaction between communication source’s expertise and social ties with the receptor of the communication and product type was analyzed using an experiment. The results allow for the conclusion that, regardless of product type, only the recommendation given by an expert is capable of increasing the receptor’s purchase intention. The same does not apply if the person whom recommends has a stronger (or weaker) social tie with the one receiving the recommendation. This study’s contribution may support marketing managers to rethink their word-of-mouth communication strategies, focusing on experts; and it may help academics, by offering another evidence that expertise is the most relevant factor in that kind of communication. / Este trabalho investigou a interação de dois fatores ligados ao emissor de comunicação boca-a-boca com a intenção de se comprar produtos, sejam eles hedônicos ou utilitários. A interação entre expertise e o laço social da fonte da comunicação com o receptor da recomendação do produto e o tipo do produto foi analisada por meio de experimentos. Os resultados permitem concluir que, independentemente do tipo de produto, apenas a recomendação vinda de um expert tem capacidade de aumentar a intenção de compra de quem recebe a recomendação. O mesmo não acontece se a pessoa que recomenda tem um laço social mais forte com quem recebeu a recomendação. A contribuição deste estudo auxilia gestores de marketing a repensarem suas estratégias de comunicação boca-a-boca, enfocando-as nos experts; e auxilia acadêmicos ao oferecer mais uma evidência de que expertise é o fator mais importante nesse tipo de comunicação.

This diploma thesis is focused on the silk production of invertebrates. The aim of the work is to systematically introduce important species and describe the purpose of their silk production. The ability to produce silk is widespread in many insect families. The production of proteinaceous fibers also occurs in arachnids and (in the form of byssus threads) also in mollusks. The Domestic Silk Moth (Bombyx mori) is an economically important insect, being a primary producer of silk. Hence, an integral part of the thesis focuses on Domestic Silk Moth. In this thesis all developmental stages of Silk Moth (from an egg to an adult) are described. In the past, efforts to breed silkworms also appeared in the Czech lands. Therefore, a short chapter of the thesis is devoted to the history of sericulture. Furthermore, this thesis describes methods of rearing silkworm larvae. For students of Natural Sciences and Biology, it is crucial to be in touch with live objects. Because the silkworm rearing is quite simple, it is possible to incorporate this topic to the school projects about holometabolous insects. The practical part of this thesis contains schedule of practical exercise about silk moths. And in final section of practical part, worksheets for lower-secondary students are presented. Keywords: silkworm...

ROBEX is a unique research project combining Airbus Defence and Space’s robotics expertise with deep-sea exploration technology to discover more about the most extreme environments environments known to man. As a part of this project, a deep-sea glider called MOTH, is under development with the objective to determine whether gliders can be used as a platform for bathymetric and electromagnetic soundings of the seafloor as well as for new water column research. This master’s thesis aims to design and implement the MOTH glider’s control system. The glider will have an independent emergency system, a power unit, an on-board computer (OBC), actuators, navigation sensors and scientific measurement instruments which can be swopped between missions and are connected via remote terminal units. The selected OBC is a Linux embedded Axotec GX-6300 with RS232 and CAN bus interfaces, as selected in the electrical architecture, and the chosen operative system is Linux Debian. The glider communicates with GNS/Iridium antenna and also has an ethernet cable link for ground station operations and a future option of an acoustic transceiver. To control actuation, the glider is equipped with a rudder, a left and a right wing flap, a moveable mass and a buoyancy tank. It travels in sawtooth patterns and is therefore always descending, ascending or transitioning during operation and at times ascending all the way to the surface to transmit and receive data via satellite communication. A model based feedback controller for longitudinal control has been programmed based on the equations of motion described in this report. The modelled longitudinal trajectory is as desired until a transition point is reached, the model is, presumable because of the uncertainty of the model parameters, unstable as the actuators are unable to correct the pitch angle. An AHRS navigation sensor emulator and an OBC emulator have been programmed to simulate the communication between these two and the emulated system is well operating both as a continuous stream and for polling data. The emulator and the pitch controller, when updated parameter values are available, will be used for simulation and verification tests in the laboratory environment. The ROBEX alliance will, if the objectives with the MOTH glider are met, continue to design gliders with the aim to increase the maximum duration time and speed in order to reach greater depths of the oceans.

This collection of short stories spans subjects and characters from all around this world and the next. From Himalayan moth girls to swamp princesses and alligator wrestlers, The Ballad of Sparrowfoot offers a unique glimpse inside real and imagined communities and the people who live there. Search for pirate treasure on a magical island, join the cast of fairy tale princesses being raised in a convent, and experience the tribulations of the a bird-footed girl in Louisiana as she searches for her genealogical roots.