Identification of potential western bean cutworm (Striacosta albicosta) predators in field corn through molecular gut-content analysis
Data files
Dec 17, 2025 version files 237.01 KB
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README.md
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Westen_for_Dryad_(5-29-25).xlsx
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Abstract
Western bean cutworm, Striacosta albicosta (Smith; Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), is a major pest of corn and dry beans in its historic and expanded ranges in the North American western Great Plains and Great Lakes Region, respectively. In corn, S. albicosta ear feeding damage can significantly reduce yield and introduce avenues for secondary fungal infections. Management practices currently rely on transgenic crops expressing effective Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) protein, of which only the VIP3A protein is effective against S. albicosta, and/or labor-intensive scouting and chemical control. However, limited research on biological control options for this critical pest has been conducted. This study identifies key trophic interactions between S. albicosta and predatory arthropods in corn fields. Field surveys identified a community of 21 predator taxa present in Nebraska corn fields where S. albicosta eggs and larvae were present. The most common taxa were: Hippodamia convergens (Guérin-Méneville; Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), Coleomegilla maculata (De Geer; Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), Orius insidiosus (Say; Hemiptera: Anthocoridae), and green lacewings (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae). Additionally, molecular gut-content analysis via PCR confirmed the predation of S. albicosta by several well-known biological control agents, including H. convergens, O. insidiosus, C. maculata, Chrysopidae larvae and adults, and others. Coleomegilla maculata consumed more S. albicosta eggs and larvae than H. convergens in feeding trials, although egg consumption by C. maculata was unaffected by the presence of corn pollen, an important supplemental food for this species. Exploring the trophic interactions between S. albicosta and its predators will provide information necessary to improve conservation biological control for S. albicosta integrated pest management.
Dataset DOI: 10.5061/dryad.4xgxd25nn
Description of the data and file structure
In this study, we seek to identify predation on Striacosta albicosta in field corn to quantify what predators contribute to conservation biological control ecosystem services. Predatory populations were surveyed in field corn to determine their diversity, abundance, and population dynamics during periods of S. albicosta infestation. The frequency of predation was determined through molecular gut-content analysis by using a newly designed species-specific primer set to detect S. albicosta DNA.
Files and variables
File: Westen_for_Dryad_(5-29-25).xlsx
Description: Results from molecular gut-content analysis
Variables
- Sample # = a number assigned consecutively to every arthropod sample collected for this study. This would be of value to identify the physical samples of DNA extractions stored in our lab.
- Date = the date on which the arthropod was collected from the corn field.
- Year = the year in which the arthropod was collected from the corn field.
- Identification = the taxonomic category to which the arthropod has been identified.
- PCR result (0=neg; 1=pos) = the result of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis using a species-specific primer pair to detect the presence of Striacosta albicosta DNA. A zero (0) indicates a negative result (no band appearing in gel electrophoresis) and a one (1) indicates a positive result (the appearance of a band of the correct basepair length in gel electrophoresis).
Code/software
This data was uploaded as a Microsoft Excel file.
Access information
Other publicly accessible locations of the data:
- The full data set is not publicly available elsewhere.
Data was derived from the following sources:
- The thesis of Mr. Westen Archibald (note the addition of erratum material): https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/entomologydiss/49/
