Three species are recognized in the North American genus Megetra LeConte. The most distinctive of these anatomically and ecologically is M. cancellata (Brandt and Erichson), which ranges discontinuously from Arizona and New Mexico to the state of Hidalgo in México and occurs in limited sympatry with both of its congeners. Megetra vittata (LeConte) ranges from northern Arizona to western Texas. It appears to be strictly allopatric with, and similar ecologically to, M. punctata, new species, which ranges from southern Arizona and New Mexico to Durango, México. Specific diagnoses are made on the basis of characters of adult and, for M. cancellata and M. punctata, larval anatomy. Intraspecific variation in several adult characters is analyzed. Notes on the seasonal distribution, habitat, and behavior of the adult beetles are included.

Gastromermis boophthorae is distinguished from related species by its longer spicule, its characteristic lateral cord, numerous and small cells in the head region, and longer proximal reflex of the vagina. This species is divided into six varieties that are based mainly on differences occurring in the free-living postparasitic stages. It is recognized that the term “variety” is seldom used in nematology and is unprotected nomenclatorially, but its use here seems justified to designate infraspecific populations that appear at present to be sympatric and anatomically discontinuous, and that can only be recognized as immature nematodes. Six species of blackflies were found to be hosts and infection is reported from May until August in the Leningrad region. Percent infection ranged from 1 to 10 but reached 100% in one sample. Synchronization of host and parasite development is probably important in determining incidence of parasitism.

The results of sampling to determine the vertical distribution of white grubs in the soil and the frequency distribution of grubs per 1-square-foot sample unit are presented. It was found that the optimum sampling period is during June and July, when most of the grubs are in the upper foot of soil. The negative binomial distribution with a k value of 1.5936 fitted most of the data well and was used to devise two sequential sampling methods: one for classifying white grub populations as light, moderate or severe; the other for pre-planting surveys to determine whether or not control measures are required.

The status of the genus Plega is discussed and a preliminary survey of the North American species is presented. Plega yucatanae, a new species reared from the cells of Megachile exaltata Smith, is described and compared with its near relatives. The immature stages are described and biological information is given.

The larva of Orygmophora mediofoveata Hampson is described. It has an unusual combination of features, including modifications of the spinneret, spiracles, thoracic and abdominal setae, and the tenth abdominal tergum. The most striking of these, the heavily armored anal plate, permits ready field identification.

In all but the flattest terrain, differences in relief produce recurrent and consistent patterns of cloudiness during turbulent or convective weather. The basic patterns consist of fixed patches or lines of low clouds that persist in an otherwise clear sky. But their outlines may even appear in the higher layers of cloud that cross the region during the passage of larger weather systems. Consequently, the areas beneath them experience predictably higher frequencies of cloudiness and rainfall than the terrain outside their borders. Thus their outlines can be used to draw boundaries that separate areas with different climates.

The information above can be used to develop a system of direct observations of changes in local weather that can be applied in several ways during studies of natural populations. Visual methods of observing the weather are always simpler than methods that involve instruments. Where population phenomena are concerned, they also may be more meaningful; and they leave more time free for biological observations. Instruments are essential, however, in any investigation of the properties or requirements of individuals; e.g., in physiological or behavioral studies.

Investigations of the bionomics and populations of Cyzenis albicans (Fall.), in relation to its principal host, Operophtera brumata (L.), were carried out during 1962–1963 in two stands of red oak in Nova Scotia. C. albicans was well synchronized with its host and oviposited only on leaves damaged by the host or by other defoliators. C. albicans was found experimentally to develop in larvae of a native species, Operophtera bruceata (Hulst). The distributions per leaf cluster of parasite eggs and host larvae were of the negative binomial type and it sampling technique employing 12 leaf clusters per tree produced standard errors which varied between 18 and 33% of the mean for average densities of 12 to 2 eggs per cluster. Parasite eggs per leaf cluster and percentage parasitism increased as host density increased. An associated defoliator, Pseudexentera cressoniana Clem., because it apparently stimulated parasite oviposition but was not itself susceptible to parasitism, had a detrimental effect on the efficiency of the parasite.

Descriptions and figures are presented of both adult and immature stages of a new species, Fannia moseri, from nests of Atta texana in Louisiana; and the female and larvae of F. binotata Chillcott, and mature larvae of F. americana Malloch, from nests of Bombus spp.

The internal reproductive organs of both sexes are described with regard to their functions during mating and the transfer, storage and use of sperm during oviposition. Although generally hymenopteran in structure they differ in some details from species previously described. The sperm storage organ and glands in the oviducts are more precisely defined and an account given of a structure which regulates the number of sperm entering the sperm bundle prior to its transfer to the female.

During copulation thread-like sperm with helical heads are deposited in bundles of 300 in a funnel-like extension of the oviducts produced by a single contraction of the ovaries. Sperm move along the duct to the sperm capsule largely by their own motility. Sperm remain active in the capsule with their heads toward the opening where they are prevented from escaping by a U-shaped loop in the duct. The loop straightens when ova pass through the oviducts, allowing sperm to descend one at a time. Although the precise mechanism by which the storage organ releases sperm is not fully understood, it is unlikely that discontinuity in the release of sperm is the regulating mechanism involved in the production of haploid males in this species.

Eight species of Ciconiphilus from the Ciconiiformes and Anseriformes are discussed and illustrated; two of these are newly described: melanolophi. (type-host: Gorsachius m. melanolophus) and cygni (type-host: Cygnus cygnus). New synonymies include: quadripustulatus (Burm.) (= maculipes Gieb., planiceps Piag., cingulatum Piag.); temporalis (Piag.) (= femoratum Piag.); decimfasciatus (B. & L.) (= nyctarde Denny, obscurum Gieb., castaneum Piag., boisduvali Eichler, doriabagla Ausari). C. matosi (Tendeiro) is a new combination. A key is given to the species.

The original larval description of Epinotia criddleana Kearfott (MacKay 1959) was based on misidentified material, and a description and illustration of the true larva of this species is presented here. The eastern Pseudexentera sp. and the western Pseudexentera oregonana Wlshm., both feeding on trembling aspen, are now considered to be one species, P. oregonana Wlshm. The identity of P. oregonana has been confirmed by comparison of adults with the Walsingham type in the British Museum (Natural History).

A species of Cupressobium Börner is described. The aphid was collected from Cryptomeria japonica, the Japanese Cedar, on the Island of Maui, Hawaii. This species differs from the others in the genus in that the terminal process of antennal segment VI is much longer than the diameter of the main rhinarium of this segment while the length of rostral segments IV + V exceeds that of antennal VI.