Dr. James Throne Research Entomologist (Research Leader) Biological Research Unit Grain Marketing & Production Research Center 1515 College Ave. Manhattan, KS 66502 Voice: (785) 776-2796 Fax: (785) 537-5584 james.throne@ars.usda.gov ars.usda.gov/npa/gmprc/bru/throne

Research Interests

James E. Throne is a research entomologist with the USDA-ARS at the Grain Marketing and Production Research Center in Manhattan, Kansas. He received his Ph.D. in Entomology from Cornell University in 1983; was a postdoctoral research associate at North Carolina State University from 1983 to 1985; and was at the USDA-ARS Stored-Product Insects Research and Development Laboratory in Savannah, Georgia, from 1985 to 1994. He specializes in the bionomics and management of stored-product insect pests, with emphasis on insect ecology and development of computer simulation models.

Current Research Projects

- Investigate ecology of psocids occurring in stored grain and grain processing facilities, including studies on species occurrence, spatial and temporal distribution, and effects of environmental conditions on life history, behavior, and control. (Cooperators: Drs. Frank Arthur, Christos Athanassiou, James Campbell, Raul Narciso Guedes, George Opit, and Kun Yan Zhu)

Project Information

Chronological Age-Grading of Three Species of Stored-Product Beetles by Near-Infrared Spectroscopy

The objectives of this study were to determine if NIRS could be used for determination of chronological age in these three long- lived species of beetles, to determine the role of cuticular lipids in the ability of NIRS to age-grade adult S. oryzae, and to determine whether water content in adult weevils varies with age and if NIR wavelengths that are absorbed by water have any effect on the ability to determine age.
     Research Paper      Poster

Detection of Stored-Grain Insect Infestation in Wheat Transported in Railroad Hopper-Cars

The specific objectives of this study were to determine (1) if IDK counts are indicative of insect infestation levels; (2) the age structure of the insect population in the infested railcars; and (3) the spatial distribution of insects and IDK in the grain mass.
     Research Paper      Poster

Effect of Wheat Infestation by Different Stages of the Lesser Grain Borer on Final Counts of Insect Fragments in Milled Flour

The number of insect fragments produced in flour was directly proportional to the internal level of infestation with larvae, pupae, or newly emerged adults. Wheat samples containing a single kernel infested with one adult contributed 24.4? and 13.7? as many fragments as wheat kernels infested with one larva or pupa, respectively. More than 92% of flour samples containing 30 or less fragments were correctly classified as having less than 60 fragments by the NIR-models generated from flour infested with larvae or pupae. 82% of flour samples were correctly classified as having 60 or less fragments by the combined NIR-model developed with the QTA instrument.
     Poster

Physiological Age-Grading, Ovarian Physiology, and Egg Resorption in the Rice Weevil, Sitophilus oryzae (L.) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

We describe changes in the rice weevil ovarian system as a function of weevil age. We also characterize oocyte resorption induced by starvation of reproductive females. Finally, we present a model for age-grading the female rice weevil based on the degree of ovarian development and follicular relic accumulation.
     Research Paper      Poster

Protection of Stored Corn From Insect Pests, Using a Two-Component Biological Control Method Consisting of a Hymenopteran Parasitoid, and Transgenic Avidin Corn Powder

The combination treatment of avidin corn powder plus the release of parasitoid wasps was superior to either treatment alone when tested against mixed populations of the internal feeder, S. zeamais, and the external feeders, T. castaneum and C. ferrugineus. Normally, multiple beetle species that are both external and internal feeders are found in stored grain. While avidin corn powder is fairly effective as an insecticide against the external feeders, it is not very effective against the internal feeders. By using the combination treatment, stored grain managers would be assured of protection from both internal and external feeders.
     Research Paper      Poster

Stored-product Psocid Identification Website

Welcome to the stored-product psocid identification website. Over the last decade, psocids have emerged worldwide as serious stored-product pests. Most psocid pests of stored products are in the genus Liposcelis (Liposcelididae). It is common knowledge that effective pest management begins with proper pest identification. In the case of psocids, which are tiny and infestations usually comprise multiple species, identification is not straightforward. Therefore, the goal of this website is to facilitate identification of stored-product psocids and to provide information on psocid biology and control.
     Web Page

Tritrophic Interactions and Storage Pest Control: Interaction of the Fungus Beauveria bassiana with Resistant Oat Varieties for Control of Oryzaephilus surinamensis

The sawtoothed grain beetle, Oryzaephilus surinamensis (Coleoptera: Silvanidae), is a common pest of stored oats. Use of resistant cultivars or entomopathogenic fungi each provide partial control of this pest. We tested the hypothesis that the entomopathogenic fungus, Beauveria bassiana, would be more efficacious on oat cultivars on which the immature development period of the sawtoothed grain beetle was prolonged. We also conducted dose-response tests with the fungus to determine optimal application rates for control of O. surinamensis on cracked and whole oats.
     Poster

Agricultural Research Service (ARS) News

Magazine Articles

From Granaries to Insectaries: NIR Technology Helps Human Health

Monitoring System Counts Insects, Identifies Species

Avidin: An Egg-Citing Insecticidal Protein in Corn

NIR Detects, Destroys Insect Pests

Model Helps Time Stored Pest Fumigation

News, Miscellaneous

Not All Bugs Are Bad

Tiny Bug Could Bring Big Relief to Grain Producers

New Corn Lines Resist Aflatoxin, Weevils

Test to Detect Grain Insects Tops List of Postdoc Projects

Timing is Everything When Controlling Insects

Near-Infrared Means “Lights Out” for Stored-Grain Insects

Probit analysis programs We have developed programs for statistical analysis of data from bioassay studies. There is a program for analysis of serial time-mortality data. There are also accessory programs for transforming probit-transformed data back to proportion of test organisms responding to a stimulus, thus enabling graphing of observed and predicted data to assess goodness-of-fit of the probit line; a program for calculating relative potency of two lethal doses; and a program for determining whether slopes and intercepts from two probit equations are different. Note: The probit programs were updated in February 2006 to simplify comparisons of slopes and intercepts and calculating relative potency by including slopes, intercepts, and their standard errors and covariances in the output file for cutting and pasting into other programs. WordPerfect files describing the numerical methods used were converted to pdf files. Also, the programs were updated in October 2007 to address changes in Mathematica version 6.0. When using older versions of the programs in Mathematica 6.0, the graphs do not print correctly and several error messages are generated, but numerical output is correct. Two versions of the programs are now available - for Mathematica version 6.0 and higher, and for previous Mathematica versions. Download time-mortality and accessory programs here You may also download the program PriProbit that was developed by Dr. Masayuki Sakuma at Kyoto University in Japan. This program is for probit analysis of preference data, such as might be obtained in behavioral studies, but can also be used for analysis of dose-mortality data from bioassay studies. This program is supported by Dr. Sakuma, not USDA. USDA provides the program at this site only for the convenience of our customers. USDA does not guarantee the suitability of the program for data analysis. Questions about PriProbit and requests for support for PriProbit should be addressed to Dr. Sakuma at sakuma@kais.kyoto-u.ac.jp. The method upon which the program is based is described in:  Sakuma, M. 1998. Probit analysis of preference data. Appl. Entomol. Zool. 33: 339-347. Download PriProbit program here. Not sure which program you need? Click here. Papers describing the techniques used:   PDF  Throne, J. E., Weaver, D. K., Chew, V., and Baker, J. E. 1995. Probit analysis of correlated data: Multiple observations over time at one concentration. J. Econ. Entomol. 88: 1510-1512.   PDF  Throne, J. E., Weaver, D. K., and Baker, J. E. 1995. Probit analysis: Assessing goodness-of-fit based on backtransformation and residuals. J. Econ. Entomol. 88: 1513-1516.

Recent Publications

To list all publications and request reprints for which no PDF file is available, click here.
	Arthur, F.H., J.E. Throne, and Y. Chanbang. 2008. Combination treatments with diatomaceous earth and methoprene to control Rhyzopertha dominica, the lesser grain borer, in stored rough rice. Contribution for Integrated Management of Stored Rice Pests (handbook). pp. 260-268.
PDF	Chanbang, Y., F.H. Arthur, G.E. Wilde, and J.E. Throne. 2008. Hull characteristics as related to susceptibility of different varieties of rough rice to Rhyzopertha dominica (F.) (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae). J. Stored Prod. Res. 44: 205-212.
PDF	Chanbang, Y., F.H. Arthur, G.E. Wilde, J.E. Throne, and B. Subramanyam. 2008. Susceptibility of eggs and adult fecundity of the lesser grain borer, Rhyzopertha dominica, exposed to methoprene. J. Insect Sci. 8: 48, 6 pp.
PDF	Chanbang, Y., F.H. Arthur, G.E. Wilde, J.E. Throne, and B.H. Subramanyam. 2008. Methodology for assessing rice varieties for resistance to the lesser grain borer, Rhyzopertha dominica. J. Insect Sci. 8: 16, 5 pp.
	Flinn, P.W., G.P. Opit, and J.E. Throne. 2008. Automatic monitoring of insect pests in stored grains and rice. Contribution for Integrated Management of Stored Rice Pests (handbook). pp. 158-167.
PDF	Ni, X., G. Gunawan, S.L. Brown, P.E. Sumner, J.R. Ruberson, G.D. Buntin, C.C. Holbrook, R.D. Lee, D.A. Streett, J.E. Throne, and J.F. Campbell. 2008. Insect-attracting and antimicrobial properties of antifreeze for monitoring insect pests and natural enemies in stored corn. J. Econ. Entomol. 101: 631-636.
PDF	Opit, G.P., and J.E. Throne. 2008. Population growth and development of psocid Lepinotus reticulatus at constant temperatures and relative humidities. J. Econ. Entomol. 101: 605-615.
PDF	Opit, G.P., and J.E. Throne. 2008. Effects of diet on population growth of psocids Lepinotus reticulatus and Liposcelis entomophila. J. Econ. Entomol. 101: 616-622.
	Throne, J.E., and T.C. Pearson. 2008. Detection of insects in grain. Contribution for Integrated Management of Stored Rice Pests (handbook). pp. 123-136.
PDF	Chanbang, Y., F.H. Arthur, G.E. Wilde, and J.E. Throne. 2007. Efficacy of diatomaceous earth to control Rhyzopertha dominica (F.) (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae) in rough rice: Impacts of temperature and relative humidity. Crop Protection 26: 923-929.
PDF	Chanbang, Y., F.H. Arthur, G.E. Wilde, and J.E. Throne. 2007. Efficacy of diatomaceous earth and methoprene, alone and in combination, against Rhyzopertha dominica (F.) (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae) in rough rice. J. Stored Prod. Res. 43: 396-401.
PDF	Mohandass, S., F.H. Arthur, K.Y. Zhu, and J.E. Throne. 2007. Biology and management of Plodia interpunctella (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) in stored products. J. Stored Prod. Res. 43: 302-311.
PDF	Opit, G.P., and J.E. Throne. 2007. Influence of maternal age on the fitness of progeny in the rice weevil, Sitophilus oryzae (Coleoptera: Curculionidae). Environ. Entomol. 36: 83-89.
	Throne, J.E., J. Perez-Mendoza, E.B. Maghirang, F.E. Dowell, and J.E. Baker. 2007. Insect fragments in flour: relationship to lesser grain borer (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae) infestation level in wheat and rapid detection using near-infrared spectroscopy. Integrated Protection of Stored Products IOBC/wprs Bulletin 30: 99-109.
PDF	Toews, M.D., J. Perez-Mendoza, J.E. Throne, F.E. Dowell, E. Maghirang, F.H. Arthur, and J.F. Campbell. 2007. Rapid assessment of insect fragments in flour milled from wheat infested with known densities of immature and adult Sitophilus oryzae (Coleoptera: Curculionidae). J. Econ. Entomol. 100: 1714-1723.
	Flinn, P.W., G.P. Opit, and J.E. Throne. 2006. Integrating the Stored Grain Advisor Pro expert system with an automated electronic grain probe trapping system. Proceedings of the 9th International Working Conference on Stored Product Protection. Brazilian Post-harvest Association-ABRAPOS, P. 408-413.
PDF	Flinn, P.W., K.J. Kramer, J.E. Throne, and T.D. Morgan. 2006. Protection of stored maize from insect pests using a two-component biological control method consisting of a hymenopteran parasitoid, Theocolax elegans, and transgenic avidin maize powder. J. Stored Prod. Res. 42: 218-225.
PDF	Mohandass, S., F.H. Arthur, K.Y. Zhu, and J.E. Throne. 2006. Hydroprene prolongs developmental time and increases mortality in wandering-phase Indianmeal moth (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) larvae. J. Econ. Entomol. 99: 1509-1519.
PDF	Mohandass, S., F.H. Arthur, K.Y. Zhu, and J.E. Throne. 2006. Hydroprene prolongs developmental time and increases mortality of Indianmeal moth (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) eggs. J. Econ. Entomol. 99: 1007-1016.
PDF	Mohandass, S.M., F.H. Arthur, K.Y. Zhu, and J.E. Throne. 2006. Hydroprene: mode of action, current status in stored-product pest management, insect resistance, and future prospects. Crop Protection 25: 902-909.
PDF	Qureshi, J.A., L.L. Buschman, J.E. Throne, and S.B. Ramaswamy. 2006. Dispersal of adult Diatraea grandiosella (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) and its implications for corn borer resistance management in Bacillus thuringiensis maize. Ann. Entomol. Soc. Am. 99: 279-291.
	Throne, J.E., G.P. Opit, and P.W. Flinn. 2006. Seasonal distribution of psocids in stored wheat. Proceedings of the 9th International Working Conference on Stored Product Protection. Brazilian Post-harvest Association - ABRAPOS, p. 1095-1103.
PDF	Weaver, D.K., G.P. Opit, L.J. Mason, and J.E. Throne. 2006. Gravimetric method for determining stage of an obligate internally feeding stored-product insect pest, the cowpea weevil. Environ. Entomol. 35: 1483-1490.
PDF	Perez-Mendoza, J., J.E. Throne, E.B. Maghirang, F.E. Dowell, and J.E. Baker. 2005. Insect fragments in flour: relationship to lesser grain borer (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae) infestation level in wheat and rapid detection using near-infrared spectroscopy. J. Econ. Entomol. 98: 2282-2291.
PDF	Qureshi, J.A., L.L. Buschman, J.E. Throne, and S.B. Ramaswamy. 2005. Adult dispersal of Ostrinia nubilalis Hubner (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) and its implications for resistance management in Bt-maize. J. Appl. Entomol. 129: 281-292.
PDF	Rintoul, D.A., L.M. Krueger, C. Woodard, and J.E. Throne. 2005. Carrion beetles (Coleoptera: Silphidae) of the Konza Prairie Biological Station. J. Kans. Entomol. Soc. 78: 124-133.
	Rodriguez-del-Bosque, L.A., F. Silvestre, V.M. Hernandez, H. Quiroz, and J.E. Throne. 2005. Pathogenicity of Metarhizium anisopliae and Beauveria bassiana against Phyllophaga crinita and Anomala flavipennis (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae). J. Entomol. Sci. 40: 67-73.
PDF	Perez-Mendoza, J., D.K. Weaver, and J.E. Throne. 2004. Development and survivorship of immature Angoumois grain moth (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) on stored corn. Environ. Entomol. 33: 807-814.
PDF	Perez-Mendoza, J., J.E. Throne, and J.E. Baker. 2004. Ovarian physiology and age-grading in the rice weevil, Sitophilus oryzae (Coleoptera: Curculionidae). J. Stored Prod. Res. 40: 179-196.
PDF	Perez-Mendoza, J., J.E. Throne, F.E. Dowell, and J.E. Baker. 2004. Chronological age-grading of three species of stored-product beetles by using near-infrared spectroscopy. J. Econ. Entomol. 97: 1159-1167.
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