@article{wulff_hickner_watson_denning_belikoff_scott_2024, title={Antennal transcriptome analysis reveals sensory receptors potentially associated with host detection in the livestock pest <i>Lucilia cuprina</i>}, volume={17}, ISSN={["1756-3305"]}, DOI={10.1186/s13071-024-06391-6}, abstractNote={Abstract Background Lucilia cuprina (Wiedemann, 1830) (Diptera: Calliphoridae) is the main causative agent of flystrike of sheep in Australia and New Zealand. Female flies lay eggs in an open wound or natural orifice, and the developing larvae eat the host’s tissues, a condition called myiasis. To improve our understanding of host-seeking behavior, we quantified gene expression in male and female antennae based on their behavior. Methods A spatial olfactometer was used to evaluate the olfactory response of L. cuprina mated males and gravid females to fresh or rotting beef. Antennal RNA-Seq analysis was used to identify sensory receptors differentially expressed between groups. Results Lucilia cuprina females were more attracted to rotten compared to fresh beef (> fivefold increase). However, males and some females did not respond to either type of beef. RNA-Seq analysis was performed on antennae dissected from attracted females, non-attracted females and males. Transcripts encoding sensory receptors from 11 gene families were identified above a threshold (≥ 5 transcript per million) including 49 ATP-binding cassette transporters (ABCs), two ammonium transporters (AMTs), 37 odorant receptors (ORs), 16 ionotropic receptors (IRs), 5 gustatory receptors (GRs), 22 odorant-binding proteins (OBPs), 9 CD36-sensory neuron membrane proteins (CD36/SNMPs), 4 chemosensory proteins (CSPs), 4 myeloid lipid-recognition (ML) and Niemann-Pick C2 disease proteins (ML/NPC2), 2 pickpocket receptors (PPKs) and 3 transient receptor potential channels (TRPs). Differential expression analyses identified sex-biased sensory receptors. Conclusions We identified sensory receptors that were differentially expressed between the antennae of both sexes and hence may be associated with host detection by female flies. The most promising for future investigations were as follows: an odorant receptor (LcupOR46) which is female-biased in L. cuprina and Cochliomyia hominivorax Coquerel, 1858; an ABC transporter (ABC G23.1) that was the sole sensory receptor upregulated in the antennae of females attracted to rotting beef compared to non-attracted females; a female-biased ammonia transporter (AMT_Rh50), which was previously associated with ammonium detection in Drosophila melanogaster Meigen, 1830. This is the first report suggesting a possible role for ABC transporters in L. cuprina olfaction and potentially in other insects. Graphical Abstract}, number={1}, journal={PARASITES & VECTORS}, author={Wulff, Juan P. and Hickner, Paul V. and Watson, David W. and Denning, Steven S. and Belikoff, Esther J. and Scott, Maxwell J.}, year={2024}, month={Jul} }
 @article{chen_deguenon_cave_denning_reiskind_watson_stewart_gittins_zheng_liu_et al._2021, title={New thinking for filth fly control: residual, non-chemical wall spray from volcanic glass}, volume={35}, ISSN={["1365-2915"]}, DOI={10.1111/mve.12521}, abstractNote={AbstractFilth flies are of medical and veterinary importance because of the transfer of disease organisms to animals and humans. The traditional control methods include the use of chemical insecticides. A novel mechanical insecticide made from volcanic glass and originally developed to control mosquitoes (Imergard™ WP; ImG) was investigated for control of adult grey flesh flies, Sarcophaga bullata (Parker), secondary screwworms, Cochliomyia macellaria (F.), and house flies, Musca domestica L. In a modified WHO cone test device, the time to 50% mortality (LT50) when applied at 5 g/m2 (tested at 30 °C and 50% relative humidity (rH)) was 7.1, 4.3 and 3.2 h, respectively. When knockdown was included, the LT50s were 5.5, 1.5 and 2.8 h, respectively. Application rates of 1.25 and greater g/m2 had the shortest LT50s. The time to the LT50 increased for M. domestica as rH increased, but ImG was still active at the highest rH tested of 70%. Scanning electron micrographs showed ImG was present on all body parts, unlike that for mosquitoes where it was found mostly on the lower legs. These first studies on the use of Imergard WP against flies suggest this could be an alternative method for filth fly control.}, number={3}, journal={MEDICAL AND VETERINARY ENTOMOLOGY}, author={Chen, K. and Deguenon, J. M. and Cave, G. and Denning, S. S. and Reiskind, M. H. and Watson, D. W. and Stewart, D. A. and Gittins, D. and Zheng, Y. and Liu, X. and et al.}, year={2021}, month={Sep}, pages={451–461} }
 @article{fowler_denning_hu_watson_schmidt_2020, title={Carbon Neutral: The Failure of Dung Beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) to Affect Dung-Generated Greenhouse Gases in the Pasture}, volume={49}, ISSN={["1938-2936"]}, DOI={10.1093/ee/nvaa094}, abstractNote={AbstractResearch suggests dung beetles can churn, aerate, and desiccate dung in ways that influence the dung and soil microbes producing greenhouse gases (GHGs). We examined the impacts of the tunneling beetle, Onthophagus taurus (Schreber), and the dwelling beetle, Labarrus pseudolividus (Balthasar), on the carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and nitrous oxide (N2O) emitted from pasture-laid bovine dung as well as their sum-total (CO2 + CH4 + N2O) effect on global warming, or their carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e). Despite dung beetles potential effects on CH4 and N2O, the existing literature shows no ultimate CO2e reductions. We hypothesized that more dung beetles would degrade pats faster and reduce CO2e, and so we increased the average dung beetle biomass per dung volume 6.22× above previously published records, and visually documented any dung damage. However, the time effects were 2–5× greater for any GHG and CO2e (E = 0.27–0.77) than dung beetle effects alone (E = 0.09–0.24). This suggests that dung beetle communities cannot adequately reduce GHGs unless they can accelerate dung decomposition faster than time alone.}, number={5}, journal={ENVIRONMENTAL ENTOMOLOGY}, author={Fowler, Fallon and Denning, Steve and Hu, Shuijin and Watson, Wes and Schmidt, Jason}, year={2020}, month={Oct}, pages={1105–1116} }