Mark D. Shelton

Metabolic Heat: A New Way of Looking at How Controlled Atmospheres Kill Insects

A. Carpenter et al. — Wed, 07 May 2008 11:15:37 PDT

The use of calorimetry as a tool to understand the effects of controlled atmospheres (CA) on insects is briefly reviewed. A variety of data are presented to illustrate the various types of information that calorimetry can make available to researchers. The use of a calorimeter connected to a mass spectrometer to determine the occurrence of anaerobic respiration is described and reported. We conclude that calorimetry is a useful tool to simplify the experimental options when developing new insecticidal CA treatments. It can also be used for development of other treatments such as fumigants.

Review of Entomology & Pest Management, by Larry P. Pedigo, 4th Edition

Mark D. Shelton — Wed, 07 May 2008 11:14:25 PDT

Review of Entomology & Pest Management by Larry P. Pedigo, 4th edition, Prentice Hall, 2002, 742 pp., Hardbound. $78.75.

Navel Orangeworm (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) Development in Sunburned Walnuts

Mark D. Shelton et al. — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 11:27:16 PDT

Navel orangeworrns, Amyelois transitella (Walker), completed development in sunburned walnuts late in the growing season, but moths did not emerge until after harvest. Sunburned walnuts were not attractive to ovipositing moths until considerable hull damage occurred. Only sunburned walnuts with undamaged kernels were suitable for larval development. Navel orangeworrn infestation levels up to 38% were recorded in sunburned walnut samples from the San Joaquin Valley, CA. Nut hull tissue damaged by sunburn was not selected over undamaged hull tissue for moth oviposition. Mean kernel temperatures of sunburned walnuts were higher than both undamaged walnuts and ambient air temperature. Premature hullsplit occurred in sunburned walnuts of both early and later maturity varieties. These data suggest that, although sunburned walnuts contribute to the seasonal buildup of navel orangeworms, the late development of navel orangeworms in these nuts reduces the incidence of infestation in hullsplit, new crop nuts.

Beekeeping Laboratory Manual

Mark D. Shelton et al. — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 11:26:26 PDT

Beekeeping Laboratory Manual: FRSC 123.

Occurrence of Farming Practices in Idaho: With Special Reference to Remote Sensing

Mark D. Shelton et al. — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 15:29:40 PDT

This survey of information was initiated and compiled because of the needs of remote sensing interpreters to identify crops throughout the year on various types of remote sensing imagery. A fairly comprehensive guide to what crops grow in a county and the specific cropping practices has been developed.

Phenology of the Western Cherry Fruit Fly (Diptera: Tephritidae) in Utah and Washington

Vincent P. Jones et al. — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 15:29:33 PDT

The flight period of the western cherry fruit fly, Rhagoletis indifferens Curran, was investigated in Utah tart cherry, Prunus cerasus L., orchards from 1983 to 1989 and in Washington sweet cherry, Prunus avium L., orchards between 1982 and 1988. In Utah, flies were first detected on 31 May 1989, but the average time of first detection was 9 June across nine site-years. In Washington, the first fly was detected on 23 May 1988, with an average first detection time of 1 June in the three site-years. On a degree-day (DD) scale (lower threshold of 5°C and no upper threshold), detection of the first fly averaged 573 ± 19.0 DD (x̄ ± SEM) in Utah and 592 ± 42.1 DD in Washington. A degree-day model using the combined data for Utah and Washington consistently predicted emergence for all but one Utah site without synchronization of the model based on capture of the first fly.

Introduction to Fly Fishing

Mark D. Shelton — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 15:29:17 PDT

Perceptions of Agriculture and Natural Resource M.S. Graduates Regarding Program Quality and Learning Outcomes Attainment

Mark D. Shelton et al. — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 15:28:28 PDT

Master's degree recipients from the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences (CAFES) at Cal Poly State University were surveyed to assess 1) their satisfaction with the M.S. program, and 2) the extent to which key learning outcomes were attained. Emphasis was placed on the graduate's perception of the value of their thesis or creative project experience in developing technical competency and skills in communication, critical thinking, problem-solving, leadership, and decision making.

CAFES M.S. alumni were generally positive in their perception of the graduate program, though written comments indicated dissatisfaction with various program aspects among some graduates. Most respondents felt their professionally related skills (e.g. communication, leadership, problem-solving, etc.) were enhanced by their graduate school experience.

Students who completed a thesis reported significantly higher levels of skill development in writing, analytical methods, and research competency, compared to non-thesis students. Further, the educational value and challenge of a written thesis were considered significantly greater by students than for creative projects or internships.

Most respondents were satisfied with faculty mentoring and considered the M.S. program helpful in career advancement.

Effects of Weeds on the Diversity and Abundance of Insects in Soybeans

Mark D. Shelton et al. — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 14:10:38 PDT

Sweep-net sampling and pitfall trapping were used to survey insects in weedy and weed-free soybean habitats. Weedy soybean habitats consisted of (1) grassy soybeans; (2) soybeans with broadleaf weeds; and (3) soybeans with broadleaf weeds and grasses. Insect species diversity was greater in weedy soybean habitats than in weed-free soybeans. Greatest diversity of species occurred in the mixed-weed soybean habitat. The most important phytophagous insect on soybeans in Indiana, the Mexican bean beetle, Epilachna varivestis Mulsant, was most abundant in weed-free soybeans. Predators were most ahundant in weedy soybeans. Coleomegilla maculata (DeGeer) was most abundant in weedy soybean habitats, whereas Orius insidiosus (Say) and Nabis spp. were most abundant in soybean habitats with grasses and mixed weeds. In the pitfall trapping study, Harpalus spp. were more abundant in soybean habitats with grasses and mixed broadleaf and grass weeds.

Enterprise Projects: Experiential Learning in Applied Entomology

Mark D. Shelton — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 14:10:09 PDT

During 1924, when jobs for college students were difficult to find in San Luis Obispo, Calif., a group of entrepreneurial students at the California Polytechnic School negotiated an $80 bank loan from a local lender to raise chickens. Parents and college faculty cosigned the loan, and thus was born the Agricultural Enterprise Program.

High-Temperature Controlled Atmosphere for Post-Harvest Control of Indian Meal Moth (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) on Preserved Flowers

Jodi A. Sauer et al. — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 14:09:40 PDT

High carbon dioxide atmospheres combined with high temperature were effective for controlling Indian meal moth, Plodia interpunctella (Hübner) pupae. Pupae were exposed to atmospheres of 60, 80, or 98% carbon dioxide (CO₂) in nitrogen (N₂), or 60 or 80% CO₂in air at temperatures of 26.7°C or 32.2°C and 60% RH. Controlled atmosphere treatments at 32.2°C controlled pupae faster than the same treatments at the lower temperature. At both temperatures high CO₂ concentration treatments combined with nitrogen killed pupae faster than high CO₂ concentration treatments combined with air. Exposure to 80% carbon dioxide mixed with nitrogen was the most effective treatment causing 100% mortality in 12 h at 32.2°C and 93.3% mortality in 18 h at 26.6°C. High-temperature controlled atmosphere treatments had no adverse effects on quality of two preserved floral products, Limonium sinuatum (L.) and Gypsophila elegans (Bieb.), tested for 12, 18, and 24 h according to industry standards.