Systematic emergence trapping in two streams in the Luquillo Mountains Experimental Rainforest in Puerto Rico from 1989 to 1992 produced five new species of aquatic dance flies (Diptera: Empididae: Hemerodromiinae). They are described and illustrated as Hemerodromia marci Masteller new species, Hemerodromia melissa Masteller new species, Hemerodromia oncilla Masteller new species, Hemerodromia prieta Harper new species, and Hemerodromia simonis Harper new species.

Patagonicola Packer new genus is described for two species of xeromelissine bee (Hymenoptera: Colletidae) from Patagonian Argentina. One species, P. graveli Packer new species is described; the second species, P. aenigma (Packer) new combination, originally placed in Chilicola Spinola, 1851 subgenus Chilioediscelis Toro and Moldenke, 1979, is designated as the type species. The new genus is superficially most similar to Xenochilicola Toro and Moldenke, 1979 but possesses none of the derived characteristics that were originally used to define that genus. Results of a phylogenetic analysis, based upon 114 morphological characters, are presented and suggest that the new genus is the sister clade to (Geodiscelis Michener and Rozen, 1999 + Xeromelissa Cockerell, 1926). An illustrated key is provided for the genera of Xeromelissinae and for the two species of Patagonicola.

Mountain pine beetle (MPB) Dendroctonus ponderosae Hopkins (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) attacks and overwhelms the defences of vigorous trees during outbreaks by attacking en masse. Low or endemic populations are regulated by host resistance and restricted to colonising weakened trees, where there is a potential trade off between tree defences and habitat quality. Mountain pine beetle populations are typically in the endemic population phase, but MPB attack behaviour and brood productivity in this phase are poorly understood. We located attacks made by beetles from endemic populations in north-central Alberta, Canada and examined galleries constructed on these trees. The distribution of gallery starts on trees was clustered relative to height on the tree, but not related to aspect on the tree bole. We found no Allee effect associated with mate location as over 99% of galleries were constructed by mated females. Productivity was generally low and brood development rarely reached the pupal stage, with one exception that suggests that endemic populations are capable of rapid increase in certain hosts. Egg galleries constructed by unmated females differed in morphology from galleries created by mated females. To understand the dynamics of this eruptive species, we need to identify the conditions under which endemic populations can persist and periodically increase to densities that result in coordinated mass attacks on healthy trees and lead to outbreaks.

L'influence de différents régimes trophiques sur la capacité de survie et la longévité d'une espèce zoophytophage (Macrolophus pygmaeus Rambur ; Hemiptera : Miridae) a été étudiée. Les différentes sources trophiques, présentées seules ou en combinaison étaient de l'eau libre, une plante (tabac), et une proie (œufs d’Ephestia kuehniella Zeller ; Lepidoptera : Pyralidae). Le régime trophique a fortement influencé la longévité et la survie des adultes quel que soit leur sexe. L'eau, libre ou apportée par la plante, est une ressource indispensable à la survie. La plante, comparée à l'eau libre, n'a pas eu d'effet significatif sur la longévité mais a influencé positivement la survie. On a observé un effet certain de la présence simultanée de l'eau et des œufs.

To characterise their functional diversity and seasonal activity, dung beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeoidea) were collected with baited pitfall traps at three sites for three years on a native grassland in southern Alberta, Canada. The total collection of 125 820 beetles comprised 12 species of which eight were of European origin. For each combination of site and year, assemblages were dominated by two or three core species of European origin that represented 70–95% of total beetles and more than 75% of total biomass, but only 10–30% of species richness. Core species consistently included Onthophagus nuchicornis (Linnaeus) and occasionally Chilothorax distinctus (Müller) and Colobopterus erraticus (Linnaeus). Coexistence of these core species appears to be facilitated by differences in their size, seasonal activity, and life history traits.

An individual-based phenology model for western spruce budworm, Choristoneura occidentalis Freeman (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), was developed using stage-specific rates of development, oviposition, and egg hatch observed under controlled conditions at several temperatures. Model output was compared with age distributions estimated by sampling field populations of budworm at several locations in British Columbia, Canada, over many years. The fit of the model was very good for the entire life cycle of the insect. We further validate the model by comparing output with independent observations of moth flight phenology of C. occidentalis and Choristoneura fumiferana (Clemens) in populations of Cypress Hills, Canada and illustrate spatial variation in the seasonal occurrence of early-stage feeding western spruce budworm over most of its range in western Canada. In addition to serving as the underlying structure for the modelling of population dynamics at the seasonal level, the model can be used to predict the time of occurrence of different life stages for precise timing of pest management operations.

Studies of insect host-parasitoid relationships are often confounded by the difficulties associated with species delimitation in taxonomically challenging groups. Eurytomidae (Hymenoptera) are common parasitoids associated with galls induced by Cynipidae (Hymenoptera) and are difficult to identify due to their small size, morphological conservatism, and unreliable published host records. This study tests the species limits of eurytomids associated with galls induced by Diplolepis Geoffroy (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae) in Canada using an integrative taxonomy approach including adult morphology, the mitochondrial gene cytochrome c oxidase I, host records, and geographical range. Incongruences between morphological and molecular data were found within the Eurytoma discordans Bugbee complex, as Eurytoma discordans, Eurytoma acuta Bugbee, and Eurytoma calcarea Bugbee were shown to be new synonyms. The results also revealed the presence of cryptic species within Eurytoma spongiosa Bugbee. Furthermore, issues that have impeded ecological and biological studies of eurytomids associated with rose galls such as host specificity and sex association were resolved using DNA barcodes, providing new insights into the evolutionary history of this difficult group.

Spring wheat varieties with the Sm1 gene for resistance to wheat midge, Sitodiplosis mosellana (Géhin) (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae), were compared with susceptible wheat (Triticum Linnaeus; Poaceae) with respect to sources of yield loss and reduction in market value from wheat midge feeding damage. Four resistant varietal blends (90% Sm1 wheat plus 10% susceptible refuge) and four susceptible cultivars were grown in replicated experiments at eight locations in western Canada. Frequencies and 1000-kernel weights of undamaged and midge-damaged seeds were assessed before harvest by dissecting samples of ripe spikes, and after harvest in samples of cleaned grain. Spike data were used to estimate yield losses from reduced weight of damaged seeds and loss of severely damaged seeds (⩽8 mg) at harvest. Among midge-damaged seeds in spikes, few were severely damaged in resistant varietal blends, whereas most were severely damaged in susceptible cultivars. Cleaned, harvested grain of resistant varietal blends and susceptible cultivars had similar frequencies of midge damage and were assessed similar market grades. The primary benefit of midge-resistant wheat was reduced yield loss due to seed damage by wheat midge larvae. Resistant wheat did not protect against loss of market grade, but market value could increase due to larger yields.

The obliquebanded leafroller (OBLR), Choristoneura rosaceana (Harris) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), has become a significant pest of tree fruit production in North America within the past 25 years. Control of the OBLR has historically relied upon broad-spectrum insecticides like organophosphates, carbamates, and pyrethroids. However, with evidence of resistance development, newer chemistries have been developed to combat this pest. The effects of novaluron, a chitin synthesis inhibitor, were studied to determine if reduced egg hatch occurs after exposure to adults. The transovarial effects of this compound were tested through laboratory bioassays, looking at decreased egg hatch and also presence of novaluron in egg masses following adult exposure. Results from the study demonstrated a decrease in egg hatch after adult exposure. Analysis of egg mass using HPLC also demonstrated novaluron present in the eggs laid by treated adults. Along with the direct ovicidal and larvicidal properties of novaluron, this transovarial activity provides an important contribution to the overall control seen in the field.