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Ag Data Commons migration begins October 18, 2023

The Ag Data Commons is migrating to a new platform – an institutional portal on Figshare. Starting October 18 the current system will be available for search and download only. Submissions will resume after the launch of our portal on Figshare in November. Stay tuned for details!

Data from: Distance-based decision-making in oviposition by Tribolium castaneum Herbst (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) on low- and no-gluten flours

    Red flour beetles have been known to readily infest wheat flour but their likelihood to choose other types of flours is unknown. Red flour beetles will lay eggs in many types of flours but their choice to infest low- and no-gluten flours remains to be tested. Here we test a panel of 14 different commercially available flours in three different choice assays. We find that the beetles lay similar amounts of eggs in buckwheat, teff, millet, rice, and rye flours but that they show significant declines in preference for sorghum, potato, quinoa, cassava, oat, amaranth, garbanzo, spelt, and corn flours.

    Data from: Fitness and host use remain stable in biological control agent after many years of hybridization

      This data was generated to test how hybridization of an introduced insect biological control agent impacts host use. The data characterize the species composition of individual *Diorhabda spp.* collected across New Mexico and Texas, USA. Species composition of each individual was determined using genomic methods and Structure. Lab reared colonies were tested for host specificity, by measuring feeding preference in 24-hour feeding tests and measuring frass deposited below three host plants. Data on several attributes were also collected, including body mass, fecundity during the 24-hour feeding trial, and oviposition preference. The larval offspring of these individuals were also reared in families for 12 days on the three host plants and larval survival and mass were measured to quantify larval performance on the hosts.

      Data from: Conditions to terminate reproductive diapause of a univoltine insect: Ceratapion basicorne (Coleoptera: Apionidae), a biological control agent of yellow starthistle

        The data are the number and proportion of female weevils (Ceratapion basicorne) that oviposited after exposure to three different environmental hibernation conditions for three different durations (4, 8 and 11 weeks). The conditions were Greenhouse [ambient temperature and photoperiod], glass door Refrigerator [5°C and ambient photoperiod], and incubator [5°C and 24 h dark]).

        Data from: Host plant water deficit stress impairs reproduction and development of the galling fly (Parafreutreta regalis), a biological control agent of Cape-ivy (Delairea odorata)

          Data from choice and no-choice tests associated with the paper cited below. Drought leading to water deficit stress is known to reduce performance of galling insects. The shoot tip-galling fly Parafreutreta regalis has been released for biological control of Cape-ivy (Delairea odorata) in California. Lack of moisture during the dry season causes wilting of Cape-ivy shoots, and subsequent reduced host quantity and quality could influence the fly’s ability to multiply and establish. We imposed water deficit stress on potted Cape-ivy plants, then measured the plant’s and insect’s response to water deficit compared to fully-watered plants.

          Varroa Pop

            Varroa Pop simulates the growth of Varroa mite population in honey bee colonies. The program demonstratres how Varroa mites influence colony population growth throughout the year. You can change many factors through the menus in the model such as the initial population size, queen egg laying potential, and mite reproduction rates, so you can see how these factors influence both colony and mite population growth. We hope that the model will help you understand the interactions between the honey bee and mite populations and provide insights on how best to control Varroa in colonies.

            Data from: Host specificity of Aphelinus species considered for introduction to control Diuraphis noxia

              These data are results of laboratory experiments on host specificity of ten populations of seven species from two species complexes in the genus Aphelinus. Host specificity was not related to host plant species or the phylogenetic relatedness of the aphids or the parasitoids. From these results, we conclude that A. hordei is an excellent candidate for introduction into the USA to control D. noxia.

              Data from: Pyrosequencing-Based Analysis of the Microbiome Associated with the Horn Fly, Haematobia irritans

                The bacterial 16S tag-encoded FLX-titanium amplicon pyrosequencing (bTEFAP) method was used to carry out the classification analysis of bacterial flora in adult female and male horn flies and horn fly eggs. The bTEFAP method identified 16S rDNA sequences in our samples which allowed the identification of various prokaryotic taxa associated with the life stage examined. This is the first comprehensive report of bacterial flora associated with the horn fly using a culture-independent method. Several rumen, environmental, symbiotic and pathogenic bacteria associated with the horn fly were identified and quantified. This is the first report of the presence of Wolbachia in horn flies of USA origin and is the first report of the presence of Rikenella in an obligatory blood feeding insect.