ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

 I am deeply grateful to my maj or advisor, Dr. Sanford D. Porter, for his guidance,

support, and encouragement while obtaining this degree. I also thank the members of my

committee, Dr. Philip Koehler and Dr. Richard S. Patterson, for their valuable advice,

expertise, and review of this thesis.

 I thank the USDA-ARS Center for Medical, Agricultural & Veterinary Entomology

in Gainesville, Florida, for support of my research efforts. I acknowledge Dr. David Oi

and Eileen Carroll for providing laboratory colonies of ants used in this thesis. Dr.

Roberto Pereira is thanked for providing descriptive data on some of the research sites

used. The Whitehurst Cattle Co., Shelley Mickle, and Morrill farm are thanked for

providing their pastures in this study.

 This research could not have been completed without the assistance of several

individuals. I am grateful to Cynthia Vann, Lloyd Davis, Stacey Knue, and Alvaro

Romero for their help in rearing and collection methods of some of the insects used in

this thesis. Special thanks go to Dr. Juan A. Briano, Dr. Fudd Graham, Dr. Paul Pratt,

Josh King and Lloyd Morrison for their editorial comments on the chapters of this thesis.

Special thanks also go to Debbie Hall for her patience, support and helpful insights into

procedural matters related to the university. Dr. Don Hall and Dr. Winnie Cooke are

thanked for having the confidence in my abilities to tutor at risk athletes at the University

of Florida. Many thanks go to the faculty, students, and staff of the Entomology and

Nematology Department for their advice, guidance, and friendship. Special thanks are