Lacconotus punctatus LeConte is reported for the first time from Atlantic Canada from a specimen collected in Bridgewater, Nova Scotia. This is the first record of the family Mycteridae in the region. The bionomics and systematics of the species are briefly discussed. The report is also situated in the context of the developing knowledge of saproxylic beetles in the region.

The distribution, spread, and adaptations of the 81 alien heteropterous species recorded in Canada are summarized. Sixty-nine species had eastern introductions and 47 had western introductions; 35 were introduced separately on both coasts. Most of the alien species are mirids of European origin. Several of these alien mirids have adapted and become pests of fruit and other agricultural crops, and some have become useful predators. Only 3 have adapted and spread across the whole country.

Lygus keltoni Schwartz and Foottit is a species of plant bugs recently recognized as distinct from L. shulli Knight and an important component of the pest complex that attacks a number of field crops such as canola (Brassica napus) and alfalfa (Medicago sativa) in western Canada. The current laboratory study was undertaken to determine basic life-history parameters, such as instar duration, adult longevity, and reproductive potential, required to develop biologically based pest management strategies. At 25–27 °C, males lived around 34 days and females lived around 48 days. Females produced an average of 133 nymphs but up to 306 nymphs during their reproductive life, which averaged around 4 weeks (7-day preoviposition period). Egg incubation lasted around 10 days, instars 1–4 lasted 2–3 days each, and the 5th instar lasted 4 days. The reproductive potential of L. keltoni seems to be lower than that of L. hesperus Knight and L. lineolaris (Palisot de Beauvois), but other life-history parameters of the adults and development times of the nymphs are comparable.

We assess the degree of sequence divergence in the maternally inherited mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) and cytochrome b (CytB) genes between two sister species of field crickets, Gryllus rubens Scudder, 1902 and Gryllus texensis Cade and Otte, 2000. We analyzed 1460 base pairs from 10 individuals of each species; individuals were sampled from areas of both allopatry and sympatry. Overall average pairwise mitochondrial sequence divergence between species was 1.4% ± 0.1% (mean ± SD); however, there was almost an order of magnitude more divergence in COI (2.59% ± 2.25%) than in CytB (0.35% ± 0.24%). Gryllus texensis appears to harbor a much greater level of genetic variation than does G. rubens. Phylogenetic trees constructed from these sequences show reasonable separation of species; however, sequences are not reciprocally monophyletic. Gene tree polyphyly may reflect recent species-level divergence and (or) interspecific gene flow. The pattern of sequence divergence and genetic variation in these taxa is consistent with allopatric or peripatric speciation in Pleistocene glacial refugia in the southeastern (G. rubens ancestral lineage) and southcentral United States (G. texensis ancestral lineage).

The Canadian spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.; Poaceae) cultivar ‘Superb’ was less susceptible to damage by Hessian fly, Mayetiola destructor (Say), than the spring wheat cultivars ‘AC Barrie’, ‘AC Foremost’, ‘McKenzie’, ‘AC Domain’, and ‘Glenlea’ in Manitoba. The partial resistance of ‘Superb’ was similar, at the seedling stage, to that of ‘Guard’, which possesses the resistance gene H18. Females laid eggs readily on all cultivars, providing no evidence for antixenosis, but few larvae developed on seedlings of ‘Superb’ and ‘Guard’, showing that antibiosis against larvae is the mechanism of resistance in these seedlings. In the field, where infestation of spring wheat takes place about 4 weeks after the seedling stage, ‘Guard’ continued to show high levels of resistance, but ‘Superb’ was less resistant, although still more resistant than highly susceptible cultivars. Infested stems of ‘Superb’ and ‘Nordic’ were less likely to break than infested stems of other cultivars, showing that these two cultivars are partially tolerant to infestation. Infested stems of ‘Guard’ and other cultivars showed high levels of stem breakage and are intolerant. Yield losses due to infestation by Hessian fly were mostly caused by the breakage and falling over of infested stems, which prevented the seeds on these stems from being harvested. Infested stems of all susceptible cultivars that remained standing at harvest had lower seed masses and fewer seeds per spike than uninfested stems, which contributed to yield loss. ‘Grandin’, a parent of ‘Superb’, is the probable source of resistance in ‘Superb’, but the pedigree of ‘Grandin’ provides no clue as to the gene(s) involved. The partial antibiosis and tolerance expressed by ‘Superb’ is sufficient to reduce losses to Hessian fly by 65% in comparison with a susceptible cultivar such as ‘AC Barrie’. ‘Superb’ is the first Canadian spring wheat cultivar identified to have an agronomically useful level of resistance to Hessian fly.

Melanism in the sulphur butterfly Colias nastes Boisduval was quantified and related to their ability to remain active under cool or cloudy conditions and to their risk of predation. Darker individuals were more active, moved greater distances, and disappeared from the population at a greater rate. Disappearance of darker individuals was not due to greater predation. Light-coloured individuals suffered greater predation than dark individuals, but only at higher elevations. The broad geographical pattern of increased melanism in Arctic and alpine Colias butterflies is likely a response to the consistent pattern of cooler temperatures in these habitats rather than local variation in predation pressure.

Ontogeny, interspecific homogeneity, and intraspecific variability of female genitalic and other characters of North American Cybaeus L. Koch spiders are described and used to resolve taxonomic problems in the genus. Ontogenetic changes in spermathecal duct morphology occur as females mature and age. Three distinct ontogenetic stages are described: pre-epigynum/pre-vulva, subadult / teneral adult, and mature adult. Concordant with aspects of sexual selection theory, closely related females may be morphologically indistinguishable. Many Cybaeus species exhibit a wide range of body size. Within single species, ontogenetic stages and outlier size classes have been described as separate species. Species with similar females have been lumped under one name. Based on this, 10 new synonyms are proposed for North American Cybaeus: C. adenoides Schenkel = C. grizzlyi Schenkel; C. chaudius Exline and C. hatchi Exline = C. shoshoneus Chamberlin and Ivie; C. exlineae Chamberlin and Ivie = C. bulbosus Exline; C. hystrix Chamberlin and Ivie = C. cribelloides Chamberlin and Ivie; C. janus Chamberlin and Ivie = C. eutypus Chamberlin and Ivie; C. marinensis Chamberlin and Ivie and C. angelus Chamberlin and Ivie = C. consocius Chamberlin and Ivie; and C. olympiae Exline and C. tius Chamberlin and Ivie = C. reticulatus Simon. In addition, four old synonyms are rejected: C. grizzlyi Schenkel and C. adenoides Schenkel ≠ C. adenes Chamberlin and Ivie; C. patritus Bishop and Crosby and C. silicis Barrows ≠ C. giganteus Banks.

The Nitidulidae and Kateretidae of the Maritime provinces of Canada are surveyed. Forty-eight species are now known to occur in the region. Twenty-six are newly recorded in Nova Scotia and nine are newly recorded on Prince Edward Island. One Palearctic species, Soronia grisea (L.), is reported for only the second time in North America. Six other nonnative species have been intercepted. One new synonym, Glischrochilus sanguinolentussanguinolentus (Olivier, 1790) (= Glischrochilus sanguinolentusrubromaculatus (Reitter, 1873) syn. nov.), is designated. Cape Breton and Prince Edward Island appear to have a depauperate fauna, perhaps reflecting an island-related diminution of species, a comparative lack of collection effort, or a combination of both. An examination of the Nova Scotia fauna indicates several distribution patterns within the province. Introduced species constitute a sizeable component of the region's fauna, with four new introductions being reported here.

A taxonomic study of the genus Baaora Dworakowska in China is reported. Seven species are treated, one of which is reported for the first time in China, and five new species, B. dworakowskaesp. nov., B. apicimaculatasp. nov., B. fuscasp. nov., B. nigritergitasp. nov., and B. aberrantasp. nov., are described and illustrated. A checklist of all Chinese species and a key to distinguish them are provided.

Grasshopper population forecasting and monitoring methods in western Canada have traditionally been linked to pest control decisions primarily by providing warnings of the likelihood of crop damage. Risk to crops is categorized as very light (1–4 grasshoppers/m2), light (>4–8 grasshoppers/m2), moderate (>8–12 grasshoppers/m2), severe (>12–24 grasshoppers/m2), or very severe (>24 grasshoppers/m2). A summary of grasshopper infestation by risk category indicated that in 29 of 33 years, infestations warranted ratings of severe or very severe, with the majority of these infestations occurring in the 1980s. Infestations involving the two categories severe and very severe encompassed about 84 900 and 85 600 km2 of agricultural land during the two largest infestations in 1985 and 2002, respectively. Keeping grasshopper populations below economic thresholds through preventative measures is the goal of integrated pest management. To determine when control measures are warranted, producers are asked to monitor grasshopper populations and estimate the number of grasshoppers per square metre. Economic thresholds provide guidance in making a decision as to whether control is warranted in different crops. Using economic thresholds as a guide, this study identified the eco-districts most at risk of crop damage within each of four major eco-regions of Saskatchewan. Overall, risk was highest in five eco-districts of the Mixed Grassland Eco-region. These findings provide guidance for the agriculture industry in relation to grasshopper management and for future survey programs in relation to targeting regions of the province most at risk from grasshoppers.

The Canadian species of Stenocranus Fieber are keyed by external characters correlated with species concepts defined by known genitalic characters. Stenocranus is differentiated from Terauchiana Matsumura (Asian; here reported from the New World for the first time) and Embolophora Stål (from Africa) by the remarkable development of the female pygofers, which completely conceal the ovipositor. Based on both head and genitalic characters, the genus is divided into two subgenera: typical Stenocranus with many Old World species and two Canadian species, and subgenus Codexnov. for other New World species. The type of Delphax dorsalis Fitch, 1851 is a specimen of Stenocranus pallidus Beamer, 1946 syn. nov., and "S. dorsalis" sensu Beamer is S. unipunctatus (Provancher, 1872). A lectotype of Delphax vittata Stål, 1862 is designated for the taxon S. unipunctatus (sensu Beamer, nec Provancher); its paralectotypes are specimens of S. acutus Beamer. The apparent evolutionary relationships of this fauna to other species of the world Stenocranini and within the superficially similar Saccharosydnini reveal numerous homoplasies and dramatic autapomorphies, contrasted with only a few reliable synapomorphies. A hierarchical classification of Delphacidae, based on the most distinctive synapomorphies, defines subfamily Delphacinae as encompassing at least four tribes: Vizcayini, Stenocranini, Tropidocephalini, and Delphacini, with "Kelisiinae" reduced to subtribe of Stenocranini and "Saccharosydnini" placed within Tropidocephalini.

Using 4 years of potato monitoring data containing insect counts, population development of the green peach aphid (Myzus persicae (Sulzer)) (Hemiptera: Aphididae), ladybird beetles (Harmonia axyridis (Pallas) and Coccinella septempunctata L.) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), and hymenopterous aphid parasitoids is described and used to consider revisions to current sampling plans. Depending on the year, field monitoring for aphids commenced between early May and early June. Aphid populations typically increased after 1 July and fluctuated until the end of the monitoring period (September). Winged M. persicae began to appear in sweep-net samples in late May, well in advance of the detection of aphids in visual samples. Aphid counts from field edge and interior sample sites were correlated and edge population levels were slightly and significantly greater than interior levels over the period 10 June – 14 July in 2 of the 4 years analyzed, suggesting a mild but inconsistent edge effect approaching mid season. Using an action threshold of 1 aphid/leaf to restrict the aphid-mediated spread of potato leaf roll virus (PLRV), the earliest whole-field action threshold was exceeded during 18–24 June in 1997. Using an action threshold of 10 aphids/leaf to address aphid-induced yield loss in fields not at risk to PLRV, the earliest whole-field action threshold was exceeded during 16–22 July in 1997. Therefore, monitoring for aphids can begin much later than the time it is currently commenced. A case is presented for monitoring only the edges of potato fields for an action threshold of 10 aphids/leaf, as interior samples rarely exceeded this action threshold when edge samples were below. This would further reduce the effort in sampling potato fields for aphids. Population development of ladybird beetle adults and larvae showed peaks occurring at different times during the growing season, depending on the year. Parasitism of aphids by hymenopterans occurred at low to moderate levels throughout the growing season (13% of total aphids in visual samples, on average), with peak parasitism appearing toward the end of the growing season in each year.

I conducted dual-choice oviposition bioassays to test the hypothesis that spruce budworm, Choristoneura fumiferana (Clemens), prefer the foliage architecture (spatial arrangement of foliage needles) of white spruce (Picea glauca (Moench) Voss; Pinaceae) to that of balsam fir (Abies balsamea (L.) P. Mill.; Pinaceae). Needles of white spruce radiate around the twig axis, giving the foliage a round architecture. Needles of balsam fir typically radiate bilaterally from the twig axis, giving the foliage a flat architecture, although on some trees foliage needles radiate around the twig axis, giving the foliage a round architecture. In bioassays, females showed a 2.4:1 preference for white spruce over "flat" balsam fir foliage, but this preference was reduced significantly to a 1.2:1 ratio when balsam fir had a round architecture. Given a choice between "round" and "flat" balsam fir foliage, females preferred the "round" foliage by a 2.2:1 margin. A similar preference for the round architecture was also observed when artificial (plastic) foliage with the two types of needle arrangements were compared. I conclude that the spatial arrangement of foliage needles is a major factor responsible for the oviposition preference of spruce budworm for white spruce over balsam fir.

Although the extreme winter conditions of Arctic habitats are considered to be important determinants of the faunal composition of Arctic regions, the overwintering biology of most Arctic insects is unknown. A significant proportion of the insect fauna at high latitudes are hymenopterans, yet little information is available on their overwintering strategies. In this study I examined the overwintering strategies of willow gall-forming and catkin-feeding nematine sawflies and their parasitoids. All sawfly species overwintered as prepupae, were freezing-tolerant, and survived exposure to −50 °C. Freezing at high subzero temperatures was initiated by ice nucleators associated with the posterior hind gut wall. Heterogeneity of overwintering habitats with respect to temperature was not a determinant of the overwintering success of these Arctic sawflies. Divergent overwintering mechanisms were evident in the sawfly parasitoid taxa. Endoparasitoid larvae, like their sawfly hosts, were freezing-tolerant. Freezing of immature, feeding endoparasitoid larvae occurred at the freezing point of the host prepupa and was a consequence of the inoculation of the endoparasitoids' fluid compartments by ice crystals growing in the host hemolymph. Peculiarities in the structure of the endoparasitoid larval gut suggest that the site of nucleation is across the gut wall. Outside their hosts, however, endoparasitoid larvae can supercool extensively, and their tolerance of extremely low temperatures is similar to that of their hosts. Overwintering strategies adopted by the ectoparasitoids were also diverse, with both freezing-tolerant and freezing-intolerant species present in the parasitoid community. Freezing-intolerant species could not survive winter temperatures in the field in the absence of an insulating layer of snow.

Capis archaiasp. nov., a new species of Noctuidae (Lepidoptera), is described from Québec, Canada. The species is included in the genus Capis Grote, 1882, a trifid genus in the subfamily Eustrotiinae. Adults and genitalia of this species are described and illustrated, as are those of Capis curvata Grote, 1882.

Management of Leptoglossus occidentalis Heidemann in lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta var. latifolia Engelm.) seed orchards of British Columbia, Canada, would be improved with knowledge of its damage potential at different times of the growing season. Mesh insect-exclusion bags were placed over cones, and adults or nymphs of L. occidentalis were enclosed in different bags for 9 periods of 10 to 38 days between 6 May and 17 September 2004. Feeding by adult females between 6 May and 28 May reduced total extractable seeds, a result of ovule damage before fertilization. Reduction in the number of filled seeds per cone was highest between 6 May and 29 June, with each adult female reducing yield by approximately 1.7 seeds per day. Between 29 June and 10 August, each adult female reduced the number of filled seeds per cone (seed set) by 1.0 to 1.25 per day. Seed set reduction declined to approximately 0.25 filled seeds per adult female per day after 10 August. Third to fifth instars caused seed set reduction between 0.6 and 1.2 filled seeds per cone per nymph feeding day from 29 June to 10 August. Utilizing these findings would improve management of L. occidentalis in a commercial seed orchard setting.

Five new species of the Neotropical geocorid genus Epipolops are recognized, raising to 14 the number of known species. The new species E. angelaesp. nov., E. kathrynaesp. nov., E. scudderisp. nov., E. slaterisp. nov., and E. thomasisp. nov. are described, the identity of E. mucronatus Distant is clarified, and the nine previously known species are diagnosed and redescribed. Photographs, scanning electron photomicrographs, outline illustrations of all pronota and hemelytra, and an identification key are provided to help distinguish species.

Development rate and age-specific fecundity and survival of Ericaphis fimbriata (Richards) virginoparae were determined during the spring on young leaves of blueberry, Vaccinium corymbosum L., as functions of temperature. The same traits were measured during the summer and the autumn on both young and mature leaves at 21.2 °C. The temperature threshold for development was 4.1 ± 0.5 °C (SE). For apterae, development time from birth to adult was 157.7 ± 5.9 day-degrees (dd). Proportional lengths of instars I–IV were 0.16, 0.14, 0.34, and 0.36, respectively. Adult life was 434.5 ± 17.5 dd and proportional lengths of the pre-reproductive, reproductive, and post-reproductive periods were 0.05, 0.74, and 0.21, respectively. Mean fecundity was 23.6 ± 1.0 nymphs per female. Mean survival was 602.9 ± 14.6 dd, and more than 80% of apterae survived the peak reproductive period. Alate fecundity was 16.5 ± 3.2 nymphs per female and alate survival was 460.9 ± 47.5 dd. Leaf type and season of measurement had significant effects on development time and fecundity: development time was 158.2 dd (+4.9 upper asymmetric SE) on young V. corymbosum ‘Duke’ leaves in the spring but 312.4 dd (–16.9 lower asymmetric SE) on mature ‘Bluecrop’ leaves, the dominant leaf type, from a commercial field in the summer. Fecundity for the respective leaf types and seasons was 16.7 (–1.6) and 1.4 (+0.5) nymphs per female. From summer to autumn, development time increased on young ‘Duke’ and ‘Bluecrop’ leaves but decreased on mature ‘Bluecrop’ leaves; fecundity decreased on young ‘Duke’ and ‘Bluecrop’ leaves but remained at low levels on mature ‘Bluecrop’ leaves. A simulation model showed that seasonal changes in development time and fecundity were capable of reducing population growth rates to near zero depending on aphid distribution with respect to young and mature leaves. The results support a combined bottom-up and top-down view of aphid population regulation and suggest that control efforts should focus on the spring, when the population growth rate is maximal.

A new species of aquatic firefly, Luciola leiisp. nov., from Hubei Province in mainland China is described from males, females, and larvae. It is the fifth species of aquatic firefly recorded from China, and it differs significantly from Luciola substriata Gorham. Cuticular plates in the female reproductive system (bursa) are described and their possible functions are discussed.

The cynipid Diplolepis triforma Shorthouse and Ritchie induces a fusiform, multi chambered stem gall from leaf buds on Rosa acicularis Lindl. in central and western Canada. Galls at all stages of development were fixed and sectioned using botanical histological techniques to illustrate, for the first time, the unique host-modifying abilities of gall-inducing cynipids that distinguish them from other phytophagous insects. Key events in gall ontogeny, whereby D. triforma gains control and redirects the development of attacked host tissues to provide larvae with shelter and food, include proliferation of cytoplasmically dense parenchymatous cells within the strands of the procambium at the point of egg contact, appearance of nutritive cells when larvae first begin to feed, formation of new xylem and phloem extending from un affected vascular bundles to the larval chambers, formation of several layers of nutritive cells during the period of larval feeding, and formation of sclerenchyma cells around each larval chamber. The role of these tissues in galler biology is explained.