title: ScaleNet: a literature-based model of scale insect biology and systematics.
abstract: Scale insects (Hemiptera: Coccoidea) are small herbivorous insects found on all continents except Antarctica. They are extremely invasive, and many species are serious agricultural pests. They are also emerging models for studies of the evolution of genetic systems, endosymbiosis and plant-insect interactions. ScaleNet was launched in 1995 to provide insect identifiers, pest managers, insect systematists, evolutionary biologists and ecologists efficient access to information about scale insect biological diversity. It provides comprehensive information on scale insects taken directly from the primary literature. Currently, it draws from 23,477 articles and describes the systematics and biology of 8194 valid species. For 20 years, ScaleNet ran on the same software platform. That platform is no longer viable. Here, we present a new, open-source implementation of ScaleNet. We have normalized the data model, begun the process of correcting invalid data, upgraded the user interface, and added online administrative tools. These improvements make ScaleNet easier to use and maintain and make the ScaleNet data more accurate and extendable. Database URL: http://scalenet.info.
authors: Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, 36849; mzg0043@tigermail.auburn.edu.
authors: Mayrolin
authors: M
authors: García Morales
authors: Systematic Entomology Laboratory, Agricultural Research Service, US Department of Agriculture, Beltsville, MD, 20705;
authors: Barbara D
authors: BD
authors: Denno
authors: Systematic Entomology Laboratory, Agricultural Research Service, US Department of Agriculture, Beltsville, MD, 20705; Division of Plant Industry, Gainesville, FL, 32608-1201.
authors: Douglass R
authors: DR
authors: Miller
authors: Systematic Entomology Laboratory, Agricultural Research Service, US Department of Agriculture, Beltsville, MD, 20705;
authors: Gary L
authors: GL
authors: Miller
authors: Agricultural Research Organization, Volcani Centre, Beit-Dagan, Israel;
authors: Yair
authors: Y
authors: Ben-Dov
authors: Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, 36849;
authors: Nate B
authors: NB
authors: Hardy
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D044822:Biodiversity; D005075:Biological Evolution; D001695:Biology; D019295:Computational Biology / Q000379:methods*; D016206:Databases, Bibliographic; D030541:Databases, Genetic; D004463:Ecology; D005843:Geography; D006430:Hemiptera / Q000502:physiology*; D012984:Software