The effects on the emerging adult of topical application of 14C-dieldrin to third-instar larvae of Musca domestica L., and the distribution of the insecticide in the fly, the puparial case, and the holding medium, were examined. The dose ranged from 0·04 to ca 13 μg/larva. All flies emerging after treatments of 1 μg and above showed symptoms of poisoning some time after emergence. With the larger doses an increasing number of flies, although they escaped the puparium, were unable to reach the surface of the holding medium. With the two top doses some were unable to escape fully from the puparial case. These flies contained amounts of dieldrin well in excess of the LD99 dose. However, even the highest dose allowed some flies to emerge normally. None of the treatments affected metamorphosis and all flies appeared morphologically normal. The data provided evidence that the transfer of dieldrin to the adult via the pupal stage accounts for the effects in the newly emerged fly.

The more restrictive regulations of pesticides in Europe have led to an increase in conservation biological control (CBC) research. However, little attention has been paid to the main determinants of Lobesia botrana parasitism. The Douro Demarcated Region landscape offers scope for the use of CBC. The study was conducted between 2002 and 2015 aiming at: (i) identifying parasitoids associated with L. botrana and evaluating their impact as biological control agents in each generation of the pest, and (ii) evaluating the effect of both the proportion of ecological infrastructures (EI) near the vineyards, and the impact of management practices (chemical treatments and ground cover) on the parasitism of L. botrana. A total of 3226 larvae/pupae of L. botrana were collected (15% were parasitized and 485 parasitoids emerged). A complex of 16 taxa of parasitoids was identified, the majority belonging to Hymenoptera. The most abundant were Elachertus sp. (Eulophidae), Campoplex capitator Aubert (Ichneumonidae), and Brachymeria tibialis (Walker) (Chalcididae), which represented 62.5, 12.6, and 12.0% of the total assemblage of parasitoids which emerged, respectively. The percentage of parasitism ranged from 0.0 to 61.5% (first generation), from 0.0 to 36.8% (second generation), and from 0.0 to 12.1% (third generation). Importantly, it was found that the parasitism rate was higher in vineyards with ground cover. In addition, EI in the area surrounding the vineyards produced a significant increase in parasitism. These results suggest potential for CBC of L. botrana if EI around vineyards, and ground cover with native perennial plants within vineyards, are encouraged.

Edwards (Bull. Ent. Res., 1930, 21, p. 290) originally described this species from the Belgian Congo. Two further adults from Ndola, N. Rhodesia, were examined by Evans (Mosquitoes of the Ethiopian Region, II, Anophelini, 1938, p. 246) who noted that these differed from the type species in having the costa without a pale sector spot and the third vein with a large dark area at the apex. The present specimens (also from Ndola) show that these differences are not constant; in one of the two females there is a small sector spot present on one wing, the other wing and both wings in the second female have no sector spot, both females have a rather small dark area at the apex of the third vein. In two of the three males a sector spot is present on both wings, while in the third specimen this spot is absent from both wings. On the whole the wings may be said to be darker than those of typical walravensi from the Congo, and these Ndola specimens may be taken as representing a darker form but not worth subspecific rank. Associated with these five adults were four larval pelts and five pupal pelts obtained from isolated specimens. We therefore take this opportunity of describing the larva and pupa.

Reports on the effectiveness of DDT applied to the limewashed interiors of buildings have been conflicting. This question is of importance in the tropics where so many European houses are limewashed. Laboratory tests recorded here were made to determine, firstly, how effective DDT was when applied to limewash, and, secondly, the cause of any loss of toxicity.

Schembria eldana, a new species of goniine Tachinidae, is described (both sexes) from north-eastern Natal, South Africa, where it is parasitic on larvae of the sugarcane borer, Eldana saccharina Walker, in Cyperus papyrus umbels. The genus Schembria Rondani was previously known only from two females of S. meridionalis Rondani from Malta and Israel.

Head continuous with the rostrum, not constricted behind the eyes, which are moderately convex, the forehead as broad as the base of the rostrum. Rostrum narrowing from the base to the antennae ; mandibles squamose, mentum bare. Antennae with the scape exceeding the hind margin of the eye, the distal joints of the funicle elongate, joint 2 longer than 1. Prothorax with the base depressed, at a lower level than the apical margin, sinuate or bisinuate. Elytra obovate, widest behind the middle, with or without shoulders. Legs with only the front femora armed with a small sharp tooth ; front tibiae only finely denticulate and with the dorsal edge curved, hind tibiae with the corbels enclosed and not ascending the dorsal margin ; joint 2 of hind tarsi not transverse ; front coxae nearer to anterior margin of prosternum ; claws free. Sternum with the metasternum not longer than a median coxa. Venter with the intercoxal process about as wide as a hind coxa.

Through the courtesy of Dr. G. A. K. Marshall, F.R.S., I have had the opportunity of examining the new beetle, a description of which is given below. It was sent by Dr. G. Bondar to Dr. Marshall as occurring in Brazil on Elaeis guineensis. This plant, the African oil palm, is a native of tropical Western Africa, where it has a wide geographical distribution from the Gulf of Guinea to the South of Fernando Po. It flourishes in the Island of Zanzibar and along the shores of the Central African lakes, and has been introduced into the Philippine Islands, the West Indies and South America.

The unusual and prolonged drought that we have experienced this year has had a marked effect upon the mosquitos. So much so, that while last year I found no difficulty in obtaining any of the eleven species which so far have been found to exist in this locality, yet for many weeks now it has been impossible to obtain any but a few Anopheles maculipennis (adults), Anopheles bifurcatus (larvae), Culicella morsitans (larvae, pupae, and adults), and Culex pipiens (larvae, pupae and adults).

Cotton-stainers, Dysdercus spp., are most important factors affecting the growing of cotton in the West Indies and elsewhere, on account of the fact that they convey certain bacteria and the spores of various internal boll fungi which cause staining and rotting of the cotton lint.

The productivity of adults of Trogoderma granarium Everts was reduced following fumigation of the larvae with high dosages of carbon tetrachloride, ethylene dibromide or phosphine. Carbon dioxide, ethylene oxide, methyl bromide, methyl iodide and trichloroethylene had little influence on the productivity. From 0 to 23 % of surviving larvae diapaused compared with 3 % of untreated ones.

A gall midge that attacks citrus flower buds in south-western Japan is redescribed under the name Contarinia okadai (Miyoshi) comb. n. and is compared with C. citri Barnes, which was originally described from cultivated citrus in Mauritius. C. okadai, for which a neotype is designated, is distinguished from C. citri by morphological characters of the adult males and females and of the larvae. The known host-plants, biology and distribution of C. okadai are recorded, and new Japanese and English names for the species are proposed. The status of records of C. citri from Sicily, Cyprus, Israel, India, China and Hong Kong is discussed, and the need for further taxonomic research is stressed.

In insecticide trials in 1962–63 in Rhodesia against woolly apple aphid, Eriosoma lanigerum (Hsm.), no appreciable control was achieved by applying ½ fluid oz. of a 40 per cent, emulsifiable concentrate of dimethoate per tree at 2- to 3-week intervals for 16 weeks in any of the following ways: painted directly on the lower trunk; absorbed in a cotton-wool band applied to the trunk, after being diluted 1:3 in water; applied to a furrow around the stem after being diluted in four gallons of water; injected into the soil with a nematicide injector after being diluted 1:4 in water.

A foliage spray of DDT (0·195% active ingredient) had a gradual controlling effect on the aphid and caused no upsurge such as might have occurred had the parasitic activities of Aphelinus mali (Hald.) been suppressed.

Activity of the ant Pheidole megacephala (F.) was immediately halted on trees sprayed with DDT and was suppressed on trees the trunks of which were painted with dimethoate and on those banded with a dimethoate-soaked barrier.

Over a fourteen-month period, the numbers of living aphid colonies fluctuated before decreasing at the same time as the activity of A. mali intensified.

It was decided in May 1942 to make a survey of the Culicine mosquitos of Syria and the Lebanon, but the more important work dealing with the Anophelines prevented a complete and detailed one of the whole of Syria, though that of the Lebanon is more or less complete. Where only one or two records exist for any particular species, it cannot be presumed that these mosquitos are not common, and a subsequent detailed survey would probably reveal not a wider distribution of some species but also the presence of others not recorded here.

Whenever possible, eggs and larvae were bred out and permanent mounts made of the larval and pupal skins, and consequently identification of most of the species was based on larval, pupal and adult characters.

The identification keys used were taken from Marshall's “ British Mosquitoes ” 1938, and Kirkpatrick's “ Mosquitoes of Egypt ” 1925. It was found necessary to alter and to make new additions to these as they did not contain all those species found to be present.

I wish to thank Lieutenant-Colonel MacDonald, R.A.M.C, Malariologist, for permitting me to complete this work, Major H. S. Leeson, R.A.M.C, Entomologist, and Major O. Theodor, R.A.M.C, Entomologist, for their invaluable help in the construction of the keys and the confirmation of the species.

Uranotaenia unguiculata, Edw.-A single female was found resting among the vegetation in the daytime at Ammiq swamp in November, and a single larva was taken there in October. The breeding place was a small clay pit, 6–8 inches deep and containing green algae and a certain amount of vertical vegetation. U. unguiculata has not been found in any other part of Syria or the Lebanon.

External characters enabling the sexes to be distinguished readily in the adult Anobium punctatum (Deg.), popularly known as the common furniture beetle, have been described by Kelsey & others (1945) but no account has yet been published of the external sex characters of the pupae of this Anobiid. In the course of research at the Forest Products Research Laboratory on the biology of this species, a series of larvae in the prepupal stage and of pupae have been examined to determine whether the sexes can easily be recognised in the immature stage. Sex determination, before the adult stage is reached, is of great value for expermental work on breeding techniques and other projects.

The cuticular hydrocarbons of laboratory-bred and wild-caught females of Phlebotomus martini Parrot and P. celiae Minter, originating from southern Ethiopia, were used to distinguish females of the two sympatric and isomorphic species. Field-caught sandflies were dissected for parasites prior to the analysis. A high degree of separation, was achieved between the two species in both laboratory-bred (91.6%) and wild-caught (91.3%) specimens. However, the discriminating hydrocarbon peaks in laboratory reared specimens were different from those of wild-caught specimens, resulting in a high number of misclassiflcations in the pooled analysis of wild and laboratory specimens in each species. High degrees of hydrocarbon differentiation (84.7%–96.7%) between laboratory-bred and wild caught flies within each species were also obtained.

Owing to the courtesy of Miss H. Dombrowski (E. V. Dombrovskaya) of the Zoological Institute of the Academy of Science, Leningrad, U.S.S.R., it is now possible to describe a sixth species of gall midge belonging to the genus Trisopsis Kieffer. Males, females and larvae of this species were received from Russia in April, 1937. The larvae had been found during the previous winter preying on the Flour Mite, Tyroglyphus farinae (Deg.) during laboratory observations on the predaceous mite, Cheyletus eruditus (Schr.), which had been kept with the flour mites in paraffin wax cells at the Institute for Plant Protection, Leningrad (Sorokin, 1938).

♀. Head clothed almost entirely with broad flat scales, though there are a very few narrow curved ones and a few upright forked ones on the nape. Scales at the back of the head mostly light ochreous; a rather broad creamy mid-dorsal stripe, and a conspicuous silvery margin to the eyes; remaining scales on upper part of head forming two large but irregular patches of black; another small black patch low down among the creamy scales on each side. Clypeus bare, dark brown. Eyes well separated. Orbital bristles dark brown. Proboscis blackish, slender, slightly longer than the front femora. Palpi fully one-fourth as long as the proboscis, blackish, with the usual conspicuous silvery apical patch. Tori blackish, with a large patch of silvery-white scales. Thorax with the integument uniformly black. Mesonotum clothed mainly with rather large and coarse, dull brown, narrow, curved scales, those surrounding the ante-scutellar space golden-brown, but scarcely any broader than the others, and not forming definite lines; no mid-dorsal golden line; a small patch of board flat silvery scales in the middle of the front margin, and a small patch of narrower scales in front of the root of each wing; a pair of large crescent-shaped patches of broadly crescent-patches of broadly crescent-shaped silvery-white scales in the anterior half. Scutellum with the median and lateral bodies lobes completely clothed with silvery scales. Prothoracic lobes, pro-epimera bristles, and a large part of the pleurae clothed with silvery-white scales. About five pro-epimeral bristles, and about five post-spiracular; no lower mesepimeral. Abdomen clothed mostly with purplish-black scales; the first tergite, and a basal band on each of tergite, 2–7, creamy white; all tergites with large silvery basal lateral spots, and sternites with silvery basal bands. Eighth segment rather prominent; cerci very short. Legs rather slender. Front femora almost entirely black; mid fermora black except for a small white spot on the anterior side just beyond the middle, and a rather conspicuous silvery-white tip; hind femora all white on the basal fourth, the outer side silvery-white to a little beyond the middle and also rather broadly at the tip. Front and middle tibiae with a small white spot at the base beneath, hind tibiae entirely black. Front and middle tarsi black, with narrow white rings at the bases of the first two segments; hind tarsi with rather narrow white rings at the bases of the first three segments, fourth segment white except for the extreme tip, fifth all black. Front and middle claws toothed; hind simple. Wings normal, the scales ligulate and rather dense. Wing-length 4 mm.

As the tsetse fly, Glossina morsitans morsitans Westwood extricates itself from the puparium and moves upward through the soil the ptilinum expands and contracts rhythmically and thus generates a stereotypic behavioural pattern that persists for up to 10 h if the tsetse fly remains confined. The response, which is easily recorded tensometrically from the movements of the ptilinum, can be exploited as a tool for evaluating the behavioral response of tsetse flies to various neurotoxic agents. The behavioural assay proves useful in providing precise information about the latency of the response and lethal time, and can suggest likely modes of action. For example, sublethal doses of pyrethroids reversibly suppressed the contraction cycles, a response consistent with the peripheral action of this insecticide. In contrast, chlorinated hydrocarbons greatly increased contraction frequency, a result consistent with the action of these agents on the central nervous system (CNS). Assays utilizing eight commercial insecticide preparations (Pybuthrin, K-othrin, Vaztak, Reldan, Safrotin, Acetellic, DDVP, Antrix) demonstrate the utility of this method for detecting subtle perturbations of the CNS and neuromuscular system.

Since 2008, several outbreaks of yellow fever and dengue occurred in Abidjan, the economic capital of Côte d'Ivoire. A better knowledge of the biology of Aedes aegypti populations, the main vector of yellow fever and dengue viruses, is necessary to tailor vector control strategies implemented in the city. This study was designed to determine some biological parameters, occurring during the life cycle of two morphological phenotypes of Ae. aegypti larvae. Mosquitoes were sampled in a suburb of Abidjan (Treichville) using the WHO layer-traps technique. Biological parameters were studied in laboratory under standard conditions of temperature (27°C ± 2°C) and relative humidity (80% ± 10%). Our results indicated that the mean eggs laid by females from ‘brown larvae’ (BL) (85.95, 95% confidence interval (CI 95%) 78.87–93.02) was higher than those from ‘white larvae’ (WL) (64.40%, CI 95% 55.27–73.54). The gonotrophic cycle was 3 and 4 days in females from BL and WL, respectively. The overall yield of breeding mosquitoes from BL (63.88%, CI 95% 62.61–65.14) was higher compared with those of mosquitoes from WL (59.73%, CI 95% 58.35–61.12). The sex ratio (male/female) was 0.95 and 1.68 in Ae. aegypti populations from BL and WL, respectively. Females from BL lived slightly longer than those from WL (t = −2.332; P = 0.021). This study shows that Ae. Aegypti populations from BL and WL present different biological parameters during their life cycle. This could have an implication on their ability to transmit human disease viruses such as dengue and yellow fever. Further molecular studies are needed to determine genetic divergence between these Ae. aegypti populations.

Snellenius manilae (Ashmead) and Meteorus pulchricornis (Wesmael) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) are larval endoparasitoids of Spodoptera litura (Fabricius) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). Both species preferentially parasitize early-instar S. litura and occupy similar ecological niches. Therefore, competition between the two species may occur. In this study, intrinsic competition and cage experiments were conducted to discuss the interactions between S. manilae and M. pulchricornis. The results indicated that in intrinsic competition, M. pulchricornis was always the dominant species. In cage experiments, when the total number of parasitoids was four, the parasitism rates following the release of one species were significantly higher than the release of two species simultaneously. In addition, parasitism rate of eight M. pulchricornis was also significantly higher than the parasitism rate of the treatment released four S. manilae and four M. pulchricornis simultaneously. Therefore, competition occurs between S. manilae and M. pulchricornis, and M. pulchricornis is typically the superior of the two species. The use of M. pulchricornis as a biological agent for S. litura should be considered.