Small Bugs Research Articles

Length–biomass equations to allow rapid assessment of semi‐aquatic bug biomass in tropical streams

AbstractLength–biomass equations are relatively easy and cost‐effective for deriving insect biomass. However, the exact relationship can vary between taxa and geographical regions. Semi‐aquatic bugs are abundant and are indicators of freshwater quality, but there are no studies investigating the effect of habitat disturbance on their biomass, although it is useful in assessing ecological processes. We identified the best‐fit length–biomass models to predict the biomass of semi‐aquatic bugs (Hemiptera, Gerromorpha) collected from streams in Sabah, Malaysia. We used 259 juvenile and adult semi‐aquatic bugs to compare a range of plausible length–biomass functions, and to assess whether relationships differed across the following families and body forms: (1) Cylindrostethinae, Gerrinae, and Ptilomerinae, which are subfamilies within Gerridae consisting of small‐to‐large bugs that have long and slender bodies, (2) Halobatinae, a subfamily within Gerridae, consisting of small‐to‐medium bugs with wide heads and thoraxes as well as short abdomens, and (3) Veliidae, which are small bugs with stout bodies. Estimation used five fitting functions – linear regression, polynomial regression order 2, 3, and 4, and power regression – on the following groupings: three body forms combined; each body form with life stages (juvenile and adult) combined; and each body form with life stages separated. Power regressions were the best fit in predicting the biomass of semi‐aquatic bugs across life stages and body forms, and the predictive power of models was higher when the biomass of different body forms was calculated separately (specifically for Halobatinae and Veliidae). Splitting by life stages did not always result in additional improvement. The equations from this study expand the scope of possible future ecological research on semi‐aquatic bugs, particularly in Southeast Asia, by allowing more studies to consider biomass‐related questions.

Under pressure: phenotypic divergence and convergence associated with microhabitat adaptations in Triatominae

BackgroundTriatomine bugs, the vectors of Chagas disease, associate with vertebrate hosts in highly diverse ecotopes. It has been proposed that occupation of new microhabitats may trigger selection for distinct phenotypic variants in these blood-sucking bugs. Although understanding phenotypic variation is key to the study of adaptive evolution and central to phenotype-based taxonomy, the drivers of phenotypic change and diversity in triatomines remain poorly understood.Methods/resultsWe combined a detailed phenotypic appraisal (including morphology and morphometrics) with mitochondrial cytb and nuclear ITS2 DNA sequence analyses to study Rhodnius ecuadoriensis populations from across the species’ range. We found three major, naked-eye phenotypic variants. Southern-Andean bugs primarily from vertebrate-nest microhabitats (Ecuador/Peru) are typical, light-colored, small bugs with short heads/wings. Northern-Andean bugs from wet-forest palms (Ecuador) are dark, large bugs with long heads/wings. Finally, northern-lowland bugs primarily from dry-forest palms (Ecuador) are light-colored and medium-sized. Wing and (size-free) head shapes are similar across Ecuadorian populations, regardless of habitat or phenotype, but distinct in Peruvian bugs. Bayesian phylogenetic and multispecies-coalescent DNA sequence analyses strongly suggest that Ecuadorian and Peruvian populations are two independently evolving lineages, with little within-lineage phylogeographic structuring or differentiation.ConclusionsWe report sharp naked-eye phenotypic divergence of genetically similar Ecuadorian R. ecuadoriensis (nest-dwelling southern-Andean vs palm-dwelling northern bugs; and palm-dwelling Andean vs lowland), and sharp naked-eye phenotypic similarity of typical, yet genetically distinct, southern-Andean bugs primarily from vertebrate-nest (but not palm) microhabitats. This remarkable phenotypic diversity within a single nominal species likely stems from microhabitat adaptations possibly involving predator-driven selection (yielding substrate-matching camouflage coloration) and a shift from palm-crown to vertebrate-nest microhabitats (yielding smaller bodies and shorter and stouter heads). These findings shed new light on the origins of phenotypic diversity in triatomines, warn against excess reliance on phenotype-based triatomine-bug taxonomy, and confirm the Triatominae as an informative model system for the study of phenotypic change under ecological pressure.Graphical

Automatic mantispid egg detection and counting using image nature

Mantispids are small brown bugs about 1.5 cm in length. Mantispid eggs are produced in large quantities, with about 1000 eggs per spawning, and are tiny and densely packed. Traditionally, mantispid eggs are counted manually. However, counting such a large quantity of eggs is difficult. To provide accurate data for researchers, we detail methods to accurately detect and count the number of mantispid eggs using image processing. The following methods were used to count the mantispid eggs: background estimation, morphological image processing, background subtraction, stretching, image thresholding, gray-level transformation, labeling and counting. The results of automated counting were compared with the results of manual counting. The segmentation results were verified, and the accuracy of the mantispid egg counts was determined to be 100%. This provides a useful resource for mantispid egg counting. The automatic counting system cannot only count mantispid eggs, it can also be used to count other similar insect eggs.

Impact of nanosystems in Staphylococcus aureus biofilms treatment.

ABSTRACT Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) is considered by the World Health Organization as a high priority pathogen for which new therapies are needed. This is particularly important for biofilm implant-associated infections once the only available treatment option implies a surgical procedure combined with antibiotic therapy. Consequently, these infections represent an economic burden for Healthcare Systems. A new strategy has emerged to tackle this problem: for small bugs, small particles. Here, we describe how nanotechnology-based systems have been studied to treat S. aureus biofilms. Their features, drawbacks and potentialities to impact the treatment of these infections are highlighted. Furthermore, we also outline biofilm models and assays required for preclinical validation of those nanosystems to smooth the process of clinical translation.

How the Asian Longhorn Beetle updates our understanding of political CSR theory in the digital age

This paper examines political CSR (PCSR) theory by unveiling and addressing three challenges: ‘the failed state controversy,’ PCSR’s ‘unresolved arrival in the Digital Age,’ and its ‘lack of attention to systemic risks.’ We do so by taking the Asian Longhorn Beetle infestation as a threat to businesses, the environment, and society. Systemic risks often remain beneath the radar of public and scholarly attention until they develop into a severe issue. Invasive alien species (IAS) such as the starry sky beetle (Asian Longhorn beetle) are amongst those risks. The wood boring insect represents the downside of international trade, posing a major threat to public and private tree populations in Europe and North America and thereby jeopardizing business and society. Along the example of the beetle three research gaps are discussed to advance the theory of organizations and the environment: we outline that political actions of the business firm are not limited to situations, where governments are unable or unwilling to regulate or protect public goods. We argue that the corporation as a ‘political actor’ as claimed by PCSR theory can contribute to the resolution of global issues that cannot be addressed by a single nation-state or associations of countries. Thus, we advocate an extension of the current research agenda of PCSR 2.0 (Scherer, Rasche, Palazzo, & Spicer, 2016) and position our contribution to the ongoing debate as a light update 2.1, which helps to eradicate ‘small bugs’ from the existing system.

The Swiss Society of Microbiology: Small Bugs, Big Questions and Cool Answers.

The Swiss Society for Microbiology (SSM) represents around 700 scientists working in the fields of medical (human and veterinary), microbial biotechnology as well as fundamental, environmental, and food microbiology. Five sections: Clinical Microbiology, Environmental Microbiology, Mycology, Prokaryotic Biology, and Virology reflects the main interests of the membership.

Small bugs with a big impact: linking plankton ecology with ecosystem processes

Small bugs with a big impact: linking plankton ecology with ecosystem processes

First record of a pygmy backswimmer (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Pleidae) from Micronesia

Pygmy backswimmers, pleids, can be common in aquatic habitats with stagnant or slow-moving water that is rich in vegetation. They are small bugs, usually less than 3.5 mm in length and confine themselves to the vegetation in which they hide and where they prey on mosquito larvae and other small arthropods (Schuh and Slater 1995). The family is represented by 37 species in three genera: Plea, confined to the Old World; Neoplea confined to the New World; and Paraplea, the largest and most widely distributed genus (Schuh and Slater 1995).

The genus Microvelia Westwood in Australia (Hemiptera : Heteroptera : Veliidae)

Water striders and their allies (Hemiptera, Gerromorpha) are familiar inhabitants of water surfaces throughout the world. One of the most species-rich groups is the subfamily Microveliinae (Veliidae) and, in particular, the genus Microvelia Westwood, 1834. This genus comprises small or very small bugs inhabiting the nearshore areas of stagnant or slow-flowing fresh water. Accumulation of material during the past 30 years has shown that the Australian fauna of Microvelia is much richer and more diverse than previously recognised. In the present paper we discuss the subgeneric classification of the genus Microvelia based on the results of a phylogenetic analysis using maximum parsimony, describe three new subgenera and redescribe all previously known Australian species of the genus. The new taxa are: Microvelia (Austromicrovelia), subgen. nov. (type species: Microvelia mjobergi Hale, 1925) with the species Microvelia (Austromicrovelia) spurgeon, M. hypipamee, M. margaretae, M.�monteithi, M. tuberculata, M. myorensis, M. woodwardi, M. carnarvon, M. annemarieae, M. mossman, spp. nov. (all from Queensland), M. eborensis and M. milleri, spp. nov. (New South Wales), M. queenslandiae, M.�ventrospinosa, spp. nov. (New South Wales, Queensland), M. angelesi, M. alisonae, M. odontogaster, spp. nov. (Northern Territory), M. apunctata, sp. nov. (Northern Territory, Queensland), M. pennicilla, sp. nov. (Northern Territory, Western Australia), M. herberti, M. malipatili, M. torresiana, and M. australiensis, spp. nov. (Northern Territory, Queensland, Western Australia), Microvelia (Barbivelia), subgen. nov. (type species: Microvelia barbifer, sp. nov.) with the species Microvelia (Barbivelia) barbifer, sp. nov. (Queensland) and M. falcifer, sp. nov. (Northern Territory); Microvelia (Pacificovelia), subgen. nov. (type species: Microvelia oceanica Distant, 1914) with the species M. tasmaniensis, sp. nov. (Tasmania), M. lilliput, and M. kakadu, spp. nov. (Northern Territory, Queensland, Western Australia). We further recognise the subgenus Microvelia (Picaultia), stat. nov. (type species: Picaultia pronotalis Distant, 1913), and describe the following new species: Microvelia (Picaultia) justi and M. paramega, spp. nov. (Northern Territory, Queensland, Western Australia), and M. cassisi, sp. nov. (New South Wales). Finally, Microvelia fluvialis weiri Malipatil, 1980, is synonymised with Microvelia fluvialis Malipatil, 1980. Keys to adults of all species are provided and their distributions mapped.

New genera of Veliidae (Hemiptera : Heteroptera) from Australia, with notes on the generic classification of the subfamily Microveliinae

Water striders and their allies (Hemiptera, Gerromorpha) are familiarinhabitants of water surfaces throughout the world. One of the mostspecies-rich groups is the subfamily Microveliinae (Veliidae) that comprisessmall or very small bugs inhabiting the nearshore areas of stagnant orslow-flowing freshwater. Accumulation of material during the past 30 years hasshown that the Australian fauna of Microveliinae is much richer and morediverse than previously recognised. In the present paper we discuss thegeneric classification of the subfamily and describe three new genera forspecies previously classified in the genus MicroveliaWestwood as well as three other new genera and nine new species. The new taxaare: Drepanovelia, gen. nov. (type-species:Microvelia dubia Hale),D. millennium (NSW, Queensland),D. biceros (NSW), and D. nielseni(Queensland) spp. nov., Lacertovelia hirsuta, gen. etsp. nov. (NSW), Petrovelia, gen. nov.,P. agilis (Queensland) andP. katherinae (NT) spp. nov.,Nesidovelia, gen. nov. (type species:Microvelia howense Hale),Microvelopsis, gen. nov. (type species:Microvelia melancholica Hale),M. exuberans (Queensland) andM. minor (Queensland) spp. nov.,Tarsoveloides brevitarsus, gen. et sp. nov.(Queensland). We also redescribe and give additional Australian records fortwo species of the genus Phoreticovelia D. Polhemus & J. Polhemus. Keys to adults of all species are provided and theirdistributions mapped.

Small bugs, big business: The economic power of the microbe

The versatility of microbial biosynthesis is enormous. The most industrially important primary metabolites are the amino acids, nucleotides, vitamins, solvents, and organic acids. Millions of tons of amino acids are produced each year with a total multibillion dollar market. Many synthetic vitamin production processes are being replaced by microbial fermentations. In addition to the multiple reaction sequences of fermentations, microorganisms are extremely useful in carrying out biotransformation processes. These are becoming essential to the fine chemical industry in the production of single-isomer intermediates. Microbially produced secondary metabolites are extremely important to our health and nutrition. As a group, they have tremendous economic importance. The antibiotic market amounts to almost 30 billion dollars and includes about 160 antibiotics and derivatives such as the β-lactam peptide antibiotics, the macrolide polyketide erythromycin, tetracyclines, aminoglycosides and others. Other important pharmaceutical products produced by microrganisms are hypocholesterolemic agents, enzyme inhibitors, immunosuppressants and antitumor compounds, some having markets of over 1 billion dollars per year. Agriculturally important secondary metabolites include coccidiostats, animal growth promotants, antihelmintics and biopesticides. The modern biotechnology industry has made a major impact in the business world, biopharmaceuticals (recombinant protein drugs, vaccines and monoclonal antibodies) having a market of 15 billion dollars. Recombinant DNA technology has also produced a revolution in agriculture and has markedly increased markets for microbial enzymes. Molecular manipulations have been added to mutational techniques as means of increasing titers and yields of microbial procresses and in discovery of new drugs. Today, microbiology is a major participant in global industry. The best is yet to come as microbes move into the environmental and energy sectors.

A Tale of Big Game and Small Bugs

Animal populations undergo repetitive cycles of rising and falling numbers. In a Perspective, [Ranta and colleagues][1] discuss the value of time-series analyses for examining the changing dynamics of animal populations. A large time series gathered by the Hudson Bay Company based on the fur trade has provided invaluable data on the rise and fall of the Canadian lynx population from 1821 to the present. Analysis of this time series reveals that climate as well as factors influencing birth and death rates are important in regulating the lynx population ([ Stenseth et al .][2]). In a separate study, mathematical modeling combined with fieldwork revealed the importance of predators in determining the population fluctuations of the southern pine beetle ([ Turchin et al .][3]) [1]: http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/full/285/5430/1022 [2]: http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/short/285/5430/1071 [3]: http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/short/285/5430/1068

Reliability-estimation and stopping-rules for software testing, based on repeated appearances of bugs

Software-testing (debugging) is one of the most important components in software development. An important question in the debugging process is, when to stop. The choice is usually based on one of two decision criteria: (1) when the reliability has reached a given threshold, and (2) when the gain in reliability cannot justify the testing cost. Various stopping rules and software reliability models are compared by their ability to deal with these two criteria. Two new stopping rules, initiated by theoretical study of the optimal stopping rule based on cost, are more stable than other rules for a large variety of bug structures. The 1-step-ahead stopping rules based on the Musa et. al. basic execution and logarithmic Poisson models, as well as the stopping rule by Dalal and Mallows (1990), work well for software with many relatively small bugs (bugs with very low occurrence rates). The comparison was done by simulation. >

Alpha particle radiography of small insects

Radiographies of ants, mosquitos, cock roaches and small bugs have been done with a radio-isotope 244Cm alpha source. Energy of alpha particles was varied by attenuating the 5.81 MeV alpha particles with adjustable air spacings from the source to the sample. The LR-115 was used to register radiographs. The image of the insect registered on the LR-115 was etched out in a 2.5 N NaOH solution at 52°C for certain minutes depending on various irradiation conditions for the insects. For larger insects, a scanning device for the alpha particle irradiation has been fabricated to take the radiograph of whole body of the insect, and the scanning period can be selected to give desired irradiation dosage. A CCDTV camera system connected to a microscope interfacing to a IBM/AT computer is used to register the microscopic image of the radiograph and to print out it with a vedio copy processor.

Food level reaction norms in size‐selected milkweed bugs (Oncopeltus fasciatus)

Abstract. 1. The hypothesis that the small size of nonmigratory milkweed bugs from Puerto Rico (relative to large migratory bugs from Iowa) might be an adaptation to low food levels was tested with bugs selected for large and small size as the consequence of positive genetic correlation between body size and wing length. The test involved examining reaction norms of life history traits to different food levels.2. When nymphs were reared on 3 milkweed seeds per nymph from hatch to adult eclosion, large bugs were adversely affected with only 50% and 60% in each of two replicates reaching adulthood. Control (unselected) and small bugs, however, were unaffected at this food level. None of the lines was affected at levels of 6 and 12 seeds per nymph.3. When adults were reared from eclosion on 12, 18 or 24 milkweed seeds per bug, large bugs were adversely affected relative to control and small bugs at all three food levels. At each food level fewer large bugs produced eggs than either small or control bugs which did not differ.4. The evidence from the food level reaction norms suggests that larger bugs will be selected against during periods of food shortage of the sort likely to occur in Puerto Rico.

Rat Mite Bite

To the Editor.— The communication titled Rat Mite Dermatitis ( 215 : 1499, 1971) should be of great interest to every physician, as it is not a rare problem. A 54-year-old chemical engineer reported in 1968 that he and his two sons were afflicted with numerous 'insect bites on their extremities, thorax, buttocks, and genitalia. He had noticed 'small bugs crawling all over me, and he brought four of them to the office for study. Mr. William Waldron, senior biologist-entomologist of the Los Angeles County Health Department, made the identification of Liponyssus bacoti . Eradication of rats in the attic eventually solved the problem. A 73-year-old white woman residing in an apartment over a store handling food items was seen with numerous 'insect bites widely distributed over the body. History revealed that pestcontrol operators had spread poison, killing numerous rats in the building, and that the patient had found a dead rat in

A Visual Test for Infants

There are occasions in ophthalmic practice when it is desirable to demonstrate the visual efficiency of an infant. Although it is possible to make accurate eyeground studies and measurements of the refractive error and although the examiner may be able to form a general opinion satisfactory to himself, the parents are more satisfied if the ophthalmologist can actually demonstrate the child's ability to see. The illiterate E symbol turned at different axes is often useful for this purpose in children of three years of age or older and occasionally in children somewhat younger. There is a wide gap between the newborn babe and the period when the illiterate E is useful. We are not taking full advantage of our opportunities in our study of visual response in this earliest age group. The device herein described gives ample support to this statement. We have all seen these very small infants picking at minute specks on the coverlet and they seem particularly interested in small bugs or moving objects. In order to take advantage of this infantile curiosity, the test object as advocated for angioscotometry was quite successful in demonstrating the vision of these children. This minute white ball mounted upon a black stem is moved about against a black background. The idea of using minute dots for testing vision is, of course, not new. Grains of pollen were sometimes used in the days before Jaeger advocated type sizes. It seemed more advantageous, however, to employ a means by which the examiner's hand would not appear in the field of the subject's vision, thereby distracting attention. To this end a small tray (six inches by six inches with a oneinch rim) with replaceable white opaque plastic bottom was devised as a background for the test. The test objects themselves at present are iron filings. These are caused to move about on the