@article{torres-barragan_suazo_buhler_cardoza_2011, title={Studies on the entomopathogenicity and bacterial associates of the nematode Oscheius carolinensis}, volume={59}, DOI={10.1016/j.biocontrol.2011.05.020}, abstractNote={The entomopathogenic potential of Oscheius carolinensis (Nematoda: Rhabditidae), a recently described nematode species, was tested on various developmental stages of five insect species. The nematode penetrated, killed, and reproduced in all of the insect species tested; however, some insect developmental stages proved more susceptible to infection than others. O. carolinensis was consistently associated with four bacterial species, one of which, Serratia marcescens, appears to be carried on the cuticle of the nematodes and through its association provides the worms with entomopathogenic potential. In manual inoculation assays, S. marcescens killed fourth-instar Helicoverpa zea larvae within 24 h at concentrations as low as 330 μg/mL (3.96 × 103 CFU). Another species, Enterococcus mundtii, inflicted levels of mortality of 33.3% only after mechanical wounding (pin-pricking) of H. zea and at much higher concentrations. A third species, Achromobacter xylosoxidans, did not cause mortality even at the highest dose tested (500 mg/mL or 6 × 106 CFU), with or without wounding. The fourth species, Providencia rettgeri, predominant in ground-up surface sterilized nematodes, caused low levels of mortality (25%) when manually applied to pin-picked larvae larvae. Nematodes did not performed well on insect hosts after surface sterilization; nonetheless, it is possible that P. rettgeri in combination with S. marcescens is responsible for the facultative insect colonization ability of O. carolinensis. Based on results from this study it would appear that O. carolinensis association with its bacteria allows the nematode a dual life: style as an entomopathogen when associated with S. macescens, and to an extent with P. rettgeri, and as a free-living entity when associated with all others. Further studies of are needed to fully characterize the association between O. carolinensis and S. marcescens, to determine the exact role of the bacterial associates in the nematode’s ecology and to assess this nematode’s applicability for agricultural insect pest management.}, number={2}, journal={Biological Control}, author={Torres-Barragan, Andrea and Suazo, Alonso and Buhler, Wayne G. and Cardoza, Yasmin J.}, year={2011}, month={Jun}, pages={123–129} }
 @article{suazo_gore_schal_2009, title={RNA interference-mediated knock-down ofBla g 1in the German cockroach,Blattella germanicaL., implicates this allergen-encoding gene in digestion and nutrient absorption}, volume={18}, ISSN={0962-1075 1365-2583}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2583.2009.00912.x}, DOI={10.1111/j.1365-2583.2009.00912.x}, abstractNote={Abstract We used RNA interference (RNAi) to silence the expression of a gene encoding Bla g 1, a human allergen produced by the German cockroach, Blattella germanica L., to study its function in cockroach physiology. Females injected with 1 µg of double‐stranded RNA contained 64% less Bla g 1 protein and Bla g 1 mRNA abundance was reduced by 91.4% compared to sham‐injected females. Bla g 1 knockdown slowed the pace of weight gain, midgut growth, and colleterial gland and basal oocyte maturation, resulting in delayed egg case formation and lower fecundity. Exogenous juvenile hormone treatments rescued reproduction in RNAi‐treated females, suggesting that Bla g 1 silencing lowered endogenous juvenile hormone, probably by reducing food intake and nutrient absorption.}, number={6}, journal={Insect Molecular Biology}, publisher={Wiley}, author={Suazo, A. and Gore, C. and Schal, C.}, year={2009}, month={Dec}, pages={727–736} }
 @article{cardoza_vasanthakumar_suazo_raffa_2009, title={Survey and phylogenetic analysis of culturable microbes in the oral secretions of three bark beetle species}, DOI={10.1111/j.1570-7458.2009.00844.x}, abstractNote={Abstract In a recent study, we reported a previously undescribed behavior in which a bark beetle exuded oral secretions containing bacteria that have antifungal properties, and hence defend their galleries against pervasive antagonistic Hyphomycete fungi. Actinobacteria, a group known for their antibiotic properties, were the most effective against fungi that invade the spruce beetle galleries. In the present study, we describe the isolation and identification of microorganisms from oral secretions of three bark beetles (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae): the spruce beetle, Dendroctonus rufipennis Kirby, the mountain pine beetle, Dendroctonus ponderosae Hopkins, and the pine engraver, Ips pini Say. Bacteria isolated from these three species span the major bacterial classes α‐, β‐, and γ‐Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, and Actinobacteria, except for D. ponderosae , which yielded no α‐proteobacteria or Bacteroidetes isolates. Spruce beetles and pine engraver beetles had similar numbers of α‐proteobacteria isolates, but pine engravers yielded twice as many Bacteroidetes isolates as spruce beetles. In contrast, mountain pine beetles yielded more isolates in the β‐ and γ‐proteobacteria than spruce beetles and pine engravers. The highest percentage of Actinobacteria was obtained from spruce beetles, followed by pine engravers and mountain pine beetles. All of the fungal isolates obtained from the three beetle species were Ascomycetes. The greatest fungal diversity was obtained in spruce beetles, which had nine species, followed by pine engravers with five, and mountain pine beetles with one.}, number={2}, journal={Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata}, author={Cardoza, Yasmin J. and Vasanthakumar, Archana and Suazo, Alonso and Raffa, Kenneth F.}, year={2009}, month={Mar} }
 @article{suazo_cave_frank_2008, title={Reproductive Biology and Development of Lixadmontia franki (Diptera: Tachinidae), a Parasitoid of Bromeliad-eating Weevils}, DOI={10.1653/0015-4040(2008)91[453:RBADOL]2.0.CO;2}, abstractNote={Abstract The biology and development of Lixadmontia franki Wood and Cave (Diptera: Tachinidae), an endoparasitoid of bromeliad-eating weevils in the genus Metamasius, are described. Embryonic development is completed within 8 d post-mating while the egg is held inside the female reproductive system. Neonate larvae actively search for a host and initiate parasitism by penetrating the host’s cuticle. Larval developmental time and pupation at 20°C averaged 17 and 25 d, respectively, with no significant differences observed between genders. Adult males live on average 9 d compared to 17 d for females. Females are capable of parasitizing third to sixth instars of Metamasius quadrilineatus Chevrolat, but the highest levels of parasitism were observed when third and fourth instars were exposed to flies.}, number={3}, journal={Florida Entomologist}, author={Suazo, Alonso and Cave, Ronald D. and Frank, J. Howard}, year={2008}, month={Sep} }