Quinoa, Chenopodium quinoa Willdenow (Amaranthaceae), cultivation has expanded beyond its historical range in South America into Europe and North America due to its high nutritional properties for human consumption. With the introduction of a crop into a novel range comes the potential for insect pest issues. Here, using traditional morphology and DNA barcoding we identify larvae of Scrobipalpa atriplicella (von Röslerstamm) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae), an introduced Eurasian moth, feeding on quinoa throughout the Prairie region of western Canada. Larvae can feed within the stem, on foliage, and directly on seed within the panicles, which can result in up to a 100% yield loss. We summarise distinguishing adult characteristics, potential host plants, and give initial remarks on the life cycle of this moth and its known host range in Canada. The potential for high yield losses makes further investigation of S. atriplicella a priority to maintain and expand sustainable quinoa production in Canada.

The armyworm Spodoptera litura (Fabricius) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) is a serious pest of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum Linnaeus; Malvaceae), tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum Linnaeus; Solanaceae), and vegetables. Frequent application of various insecticides applied for its control has resulted in the development of a multiple resistance against commonly used insecticides. In the current study, field populations of S. litura were monitored in Pakistan for their susceptibility to diverse chemical classes, namely insect growth regulators (chlorfluazuron, lufenuron, flufenoxuron, triflumuron, methoxyfenozide), diamides (chlorantraniliprole, flubendiamide), spinosyns (spinosad, spinetoram), avermectins (abamectin, emamectin benzoate), indoxacarb, and thiocyclam by using a diet overlay bioassay during 2008–2013. Generally, no or a very low resistance was recorded to chlorfluazuron, lufenuron, triflumuron, methoxyfenozide, chlorantraniliprole, flubendiamide, spinosad, spinetoram, emamectin benzoate, indoxacarb, and thiocyclam. Resistance to flufenoxuron and abamectin was low to moderate in some populations of S. litura. The insecticides, showing no, very low, or low resistance can be used in rotation, along with other integrated pest management practices, to mitigate resistance to conventional as well as new chemistry insecticides in S. litura.

Flight capacity of codling moths, Cydia pomonella (Linnaeus) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), was measured with computer-linked flight mills following exposure to one of two temperature regimes. Codling moth adults were held for 24 hours before flight under either chilled (2 °C) or unchilled (24 °C) conditions. The chilling treatment emulated conditions that codling moths are exposed to pre-release in the Okanagan Sterile Insect Release (SIR) Programme. Moths were assayed on flight mills for eight hours to obtain a measure of flight capacity based on total flight distance. Energy use was assessed by weight loss during flight and post-flight body lipid content compared with similarly treated moths that did not fly. Flight distance did not vary with pre-flight temperature treatment, however moth pre-flight weight influenced flight capacity; heavier moths flew further. Moths chilled before the bioassay used less energy based on reduced weight loss and higher lipid content post bioassay as compared with unchilled moths. The current cold storage procedure used in the SIR Programme does not negatively influence subsequent flight capacity and reduces energy use during flight. Codling moths can fly on average between 7–10km in an eight-hour flight mill bioassay and lipids, at least in part, are used to fuel flight.

We investigated the potential for human-mediated range expansion of an exotic beech leaf-mining weevil, Orchestes fagi (Linnaeus) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Curculioninae: Rhamphini) (formerly known as Rhynchaenus fagi) on timber or firewood, which for eight to nine months of the year may harbour adults in diapause. In both relatively low-density and high-density populations, adults were found on the base, middle, and upper boles of the primary host, American beech (Fagus grandifolia Ehrhart; Fagaceae), as well as red maple (Acer rubrum Linnaeus; Sapindaceae) and red spruce (Picea rubens Sargent; Pinaceae) in the vicinity. Comparatively few individuals were found on tree branches, or in the moss, duff, or soil collected beneath beech trees. Overwintering adults appeared to favour parts of trees with relatively high bark roughness. Our study suggests that, between the months of July through May, any woody stems near areas having O. fagi outbreaks are likely to harbour adults. Moreover, as all of the trees studied are common sources of timber or firewood, the harvest and transport of wood from these areas may facilitate outbreak spread; this may explain the multiple, distantly distributed populations of O. fagi that have been reported in eastern Nova Scotia, Canada in recent years.

Spilonota ocellana (Denis and Schiffermüller) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) can be a serious pest of organic apples (Malus domestica Borkhausen (Rosaceae)) in British Columbia, Canada. Recent discovery that S. ocellana moths are attracted by a lure combining acetic acid (AA) and benzyl nitrile (BN), identified as a caterpillar-induced apple leaf volatile, provides an opportunity to develop bisexual mass-trapping or monitoring systems. Sticky white delta traps baited with benzyl nitrile (10 mg/red rubber septum) and an acetic-acid co-lure (3 mL AA/3-mm open 8-mL vial) caught significantly more moths than either component alone. Acetic-acid co-lures were weakly attractive but benzyl-nitrile-loaded septa were not attractive. Moth catches with AA+BN lures were unaffected by the size and type of rubber septum used to release benzyl nitrile, but catches increased with increasing loads of benzyl nitrile. Male and total moth catches were maximised using membrane release devices loaded with a mixture of benzyl nitrile and a second caterpillar-induced volatile, 2-phenylethanol (PET), in combination with an acetic-acid co-lure (AA+BN-PET). Female catches with AA+BN-PET and AA+BN lures were equivalent. Placing AA+BN lures in traps baited with female sex pheromone lures reduced male catches, but female catches were unchanged. When sticky liners were replaced weekly, white delta traps baited with AA+BN lures caught more moths than similarly baited white Multipher®-I bucket traps, or transparent UnitrapsTM. Multipher-I traps with a propylene glycol killing agent (250 mL) caught more moths than those with Vapona insecticide strips. In apple orchards treated with mating disruption sex pheromones, traps baited with AA+BN caught slightly more total moths than traps baited with sex pheromone. Weekly, total male+female moth catches with either AA+BN or sex pheromone lures showed similar seasonal patterns in both untreated and pheromone-disrupted orchards, respectively. Long-lasting release devices and an organic killing agent are needed to develop certified organic mass-trapping technologies for management of S. ocellana with the AA+BN kairomone.

Cutworms (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) constitute an important insect pest complex that causes damage to a variety of crops across western Canada and particularly in canola (Brassica napus Linnaeus; Brassicaceae) crops in recent years. However, individual cutworms are very difficult to identify to species based on morphology alone, particularly at the larval stage. Problems with pest identification can lead to difficulties in recommending appropriate management strategies for specific cutworm infestations. In the current study we have developed and applied a single-step multiplex polymerase chain reaction assay, based on the rRNA ITS2 genomic sequence, which can be used to identify, to the species level, individuals of the following five key cutworm species: Agrotis orthogonia Morrison, Euxoa auxiliaris (Grote), Euxoa ochrogaster (Guenée), Feltia jaculifera (Guenée), and Lacinipolia renigera (Stephens). This molecular identification tool will be a valuable asset in agronomic and ecological studies of cutworm infestations in the canola cropping system across western Canada and potentially could be used as a timely identification tool for determining pest infestations to the species level during outbreaks.

The status of insecticide resistance in field populations of eggplant fruit and shoot borer, Leucinodes orbonalis (Guenée) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) from the major vegetable growing regions of India was determined during the cropping seasons of 2009–2010 and 2010–2011. Six commonly used insecticides: carbaryl, chlorpyriphos, deltamethrin, endosulfan, fenvalerate, and profenofos were tested against L. orbonalis larvae. The resistance ratios (RR) at the lethal dosage (LD)50 levels were estimated as RR=LD50 field strain/LD50 susceptible strain. The L. orbonalis populations exhibited widespread resistance to tested insecticides. The highest average RR in the two-year study was observed in the assays of populations with deltamethrin (21.50–82.42-fold) followed by assays conducted with endosulfan (24.47–68.26-fold), chlorpyriphos (22.17–63.14-fold), carbaryl (39.18–49.09-fold), and fenvalerate (14.00–44.66-fold); and the lowest average RRs were observed in the assays with profenofos (16.65–39.43-fold). The high levels of LD50 values can be attributed to the long-term indiscriminate use of these insecticides in eggplant (Solanum melongena Linnaeus; Solanaceae) growing regions.

Methods for detection and monitoring invasive insect species are continually being refined and developed. Detecting invasive pests early can improve chances of eradication or management of populations. Aerial malaise traps are successfully used in monitoring for insects such as longhorned beetles (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) and bark and ambrosia beetles (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae). These traps have both a top and bottom collecting cup. The bottom portion of these traps leading to the collection cup collects canopy litter at a high rate, greatly increasing time required to sort through and possibly affecting the diversity and abundance of insects captured. Traps with top and bottom collecting cups were compared with traps with only top collecting cups to determine the effect on species richness and abundance of cerambycids and scolytines. There was no significant difference in species richness and abundance of cerambycids, and abundance of scolytines, however species richness of scolytines was significantly higher in top/bottom traps. We conclude that removing the bottoms from aerial malaise traps would benefit monitoring programmes that use this type of trap in combination with funnel traps, albeit with the potential loss of information on scolytine richness.

Spodoptera littoralis (Boisduval) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) is one of the most destructive agricultural pests. We investigated the cumulative lethal effects of two nanostructure materials by feeding nanostructural form of copper oxide (CuO) or copper oxide doped with silver (CuO:Ag), nanosheets-treated diet to third and/or fifth instars of S. littoralis until pupation. Nanosheet concentrations were individually incorporated into 150 mL of artificial diet and offered as treated food. Both nanosheets had no immediate effect but caused cumulative larval mortality. At high concentrations and longer exposure times, nanosheet had a significant insecticidal effect against S. littoralis larvae. Nanosheets at 300 mg had the highest insect mortality effect, reaching 97.6% and 100% among CuO-treated third and fifth instars compared with 57.6% and 48.2% among the same instar treated with CuO:Ag. Treated larvae exhibited higher pupal mortality, and pupal and moth deformities compared with untreated larvae. There were more deformities among those fed CuO:Ag. Incorporation of nanosheets into the diet had a significant effect on the timing of larval development. Results showed that CuO was more influential than CuO:Ag at all concentrations and with similar exposure durations. Our results suggest that nanosheets may have important implications on the population dynamics of S. littoralis.