主要研究 今天

复杂的分类学世界, involving the discovery and classification of new species, plays a crucial role in understanding and managing biodiversity. 例如, 主要研究的昆虫收藏 在12年多的时间里扮演了关键角色,000种昆虫和其他节肢动物, making key discoveries – including the identification of new invasive pests to the region like the 亚洲长角蜱 和 南松甲虫 – that can help inform management practices and outreach efforts. One of the latest discoveries, made by COLSA research technician 莫妮卡·雷蒙德，19岁，23G, has been the novel identification of species within the 蓝莓瘿蚊复合物（BGMC） – a group of closely related species of fly (known as gall midges) that feeds on and damages blueberry crops. This finding – and others like it made by natural history collections – underscores the critical role of taxonomy in both scientific and practical domains.

雷蒙德，刚从澳门葡京网赌游戏毕业 master’s degree in integrative and organismal biology program, 领导了一项蓝莓瘿蚊的研究, which are an emerging pest in both high- and lowbush blueberry plants. The pest group is currently comprised of two main species, 黑尾蛇与牛痘proplosis, and infestations of these species can result in up to 80% flower and leaf bud loss in some regions. A key component of Raymond’s research centered on being able to accurately identify and monitor for these two species, which is critical for effective integrated pest management (IPM) strategies to work.

“Accurate and effective identification of invasive pests affecting agriculture, 林业, and health requires access to reference collection to compare and determine potential biological control agents.” ~ 什巫女, collections manager, 联合国儿童基金会昆虫和其他节肢动物收藏

“Current monitoring methods really struggle to detect these species, often due to the cryptic nature of the microscopic larvae and a lack of identification resources,雷蒙德描述道。. “没有精确的物种身份, developing effective IPM protocols tailored for these pests – as well as their natural enemies –becomes incredibly difficult.”

One such IPM strategy that Raymond explored in her study involved the use of parasitoid wasps from the Platygastridae家庭. These parasitoids are specialized to attack gall midges and offer a promising alternative to chemical insecticides, which are often ineffective and harmful to non-target species, 包括传粉者. Specimens held in the 主要研究 Insect Collection proved critical to determining the identities of these wasps and allowed Raymond to publish a key to platygastrids in blueberry as part of her thesis.

“通过准确识别鸭嘴兽类寄生物, we can better underst和ir interactions with gall midges and develop more effective biological control strategies for the latter,雷蒙德解释道. "This not only helps in reducing the pest population but also promotes sustainable agriculture by minimizing the use of harmful chemicals."

最终, this research provides valuable insights into the management of BGMC and underscores the need for ongoing efforts to develop and implement sustainable pest control methods in blueberry cultivation. This study highlights how taxonomy and natural history collections are key to practical applications, such as developing IPM strategies for the region's cash crops and reducing environmental impacts.

Invasive insects can cause about $70 billion in global crop losses annually 还有巨大的减排成本, 具有明显的生态影响, 什巫女指出, collections manager for 主要研究的昆虫收藏 and a research scientist with COLSA.

"Accurate and effective identification of invasive pests affecting agriculture, 林业, and health requires access to reference collection to compare and determine potential biological control agents,Miko补充道。. “赠地大学, 像中, train entomologists and provide diagnostic services but constantly face pressure to justify the resources and space needed to maintain their natural history collections."

在论文中阅读更多澳门葡京网赌游戏这项研究的内容 The Blueberry Gall Midge Complex and its Specialist Parasitoids.