The effects of age, egg development, and mating on calling behavior of the bertha armyworm, Mamestra configurata Walker, were studied at 20°C, 60% RH, and a 16-h L: 8-h D photoperiod. Most virgin females called and copulated for the first time during the second or third scotophase after emergence. The first copulation was 17.0 ± 0.2 h (mean±SE) long and was terminated within 1 h after lights off in the scotophase following the initiation of copulation. The ovaries contained the first chorionated eggs before the beginning of the second scotophase after emergence. The first egg laying occurred during the same scotophase in which the first copulation was terminated, i.e. scotophase three or four. Almost 75% of the eggs were laid by the end of the seventh scotophase after emergence. Mated females resumed calling after a refractory period of about 2 days. Once calling was resumed after copulation, most females laid eggs and called nightly, with egg laying occurring during the first 5–6 h and calling during the last 2–3 h of the scotophase. Mated females called for a shorter period during each scotophase than virgin females of the same age (1–3 h vs. 4–6 h). In virgin females, the diel periodicity of calling was advanced and the length of the daily calling period was increased with age until the seventh scotophase after emergence; thereafter, both remained relatively unchanged.

Two hundred and thirty-nine primary types of Ceraphronoidea (11), Evanioidea (1), Proctotrupoidea (226), and Trigonaloidea (1) housed in the Canadian National Collection were examined and listed. These were contributed by the following authors: Masner (108), Townes (41), Muesebeck (25), Harrington (16), Johnson (9), Dessart (7), Huggert and Masner (6), Masner and Huggert (5), MacGown (5), Johnson and Masner (3), Ritchie and Masner (3), Mineo (2), Provancher (2), Ashmead (1), Bin and Johnson (1), Dessart and Bin (1), Fouts (1), MacGown and Nebeker(1), Sharkey (1), and Viereck (1). Lectotypes are designated by L. Masner for the following Harrington species: Aphanogmus salicicola, Lygocerus pallipes, Aclista caudata, Eritrissomerus pallipes, Sactogaster varipes, Baryconus bicolor, and Baryconus cinctus; and for Pentacantha canadensis Ashmead. The following new generic combinations are also proposed by L. Masner: Acanosema caudata (Harrington) and A. crassicornis (Harrington) from Aclista; Amblyaspis pallipes (Harrington) from Eritrissomerus; and Trimorus canadensis (Ashmead) from Pentacantha.

The cold-hardiness of Pissodes strobi (Peck) and of its insect associates in leaders of Picea sitchensis (Bong.) Carr. was tested to determine whether the insect associates could be retrieved free of P. strobi for use in biological control attempts on P. strobi. Leaders were stored at −8, −16, or −26°C for periods from 1 to 14 days. All P. strobi were dead after 14 days at −16°C, whereas their dipteran predator, Lonchaea corticis Taylor, and hymenopteran parasites, Eurytoma pissodis Girault and Rhopalicus pulchripennis (Crawford), continued development after storage at −26°C. The scarcer Dolichomitus terebrans (Ratzeburg) (Ichneumonidae) survived similarly although we did not always find it in our samples; and the equally scarce Bracon pini (Muesebeck) (Braconidae) seemed susceptible to −26°C but continued development at −16°C. Of the few Allodorus crassigaster (Provancher) (Braconidae) obtained one adult emerged after 7 days at −16°C. These results show that in leader clipping operations now used for attempted control of P. strobi, most of the insect associates could be retrieved from the leaders after suitable cold treatment. Additional tests showed that cold-treated leaders could be stored outdoors in temperatures at least down to −20°C with little effect on adult emergence of insect associates. The field testing also showed that few P. strobi in leaders of P. sitchensis can survive overnight temperatures near −20°C.

Two hundred and nineteen primary types of Aculeata housed in the Canadian National Collection were examined and listed. These were contributed by the following authors: Olmi (56), Evans (31), Viereck (27), Allen (23), Cockerell (21), van Lith (10), Sladen (10), Timberlake (6), Mickel (5), Carter (4), Provancher (4), Williams (3), Francoeur (2), Michener (2), Townes (2), Atwood (1), Bequaert (1), Bohart (1), Finnamore (1), Huber (1), Krombein (1), Laberge and Bouseman (1), Mitchell (1), Ponomarenko (1), Sandhouse (1), Say (1), Shanks (1), and Siri and Bohart (1).

The temporal aspects of the effect of feeding damage to canola seedlings by adult flea beetles on yield were determined by protecting plants in 0.836-m2 field plots from beetle attack with screen cages for varying periods. Yield was reduced most when plants were damaged during stages 1.0–2.2, 5–10 days after germination, but was not reduced when they were damaged after reaching stages 2.3–2.4, 20 days after germination. Plots exposed to attack for periods greater than 5 days before protection had smaller yields and fewer plants than plots protected from the time of germination for 5 or more days before exposure to flea beetle attack. Yield losses caused by larvae were measured by growing plants inside field cages to stage 2.3–2.4 before exposing them to feral adults to establish larval populations; yields of plots treated subsequently with drenches of carbofuran to kill larvae were then compared with yields of untreated plots. A yield loss of 5% was observed at larval densities of 0.16/cm2, estimated from soil core samples and captures of adults in emergence cages. The results confirm that continuous protection of canola during and after germination is superior to post-germination protection and suggest that activities of flea beetle larvae reduce yield.

The multivariate statistical techniques of canonical correlation and canonical redundancy analyses were used to assess the population structure of larvae of Sitona hispidulus (F.) in alfalfa field soil. A series of rhizosphere variables was correlated with a series of insect variables that represented the developmental stages of the insect to identify relationships between the insect and rhizosphere. Results indicated that 1st and 2nd-instar larvae were correlated with small root nodules and soil moisture, but not with taproot biomass. Third- and 4th-instar larvae and pupae were not correlated with any of the rhizosphere components measured. Fifth-instar larvae were associated with taproot biomass.

The genus Pharpa is erected to include three species of Braconidae in the subfamily Agathidinae, viz. P. dubiosum (Szépligeti), P. basimacula (Cameron), and P. simulatrix (Cameron) all new combinations. Microdus albitarsis Cameron is newly synonymized with P. basimacula (Cameron). The genus Pharpa is distributed widely throughout the neotropics from southern Mexico to northern Argentina. Phylogenetic relationships with other agathidine genera are discussed, as is the possibility that the various species represent a polytypic, conspecific, mimetic complex.

In free-choice trials with Liriomyza trifolii (Burgess), a serious greenhouse pest, and 16 species of weeds commonly found near greenhouses in Nova Scotia, the leafminer produced feeding punctures and mines in every weed tested. There were wide variations in mean numbers of punctures per plant and larval mines per plant and less pronounced variations in the mean ratios of punctures to mines. In single-host trials, development time and survival of larval and pupal L. trifolii were determined on 10 of these weeds and on Chrysanthemum morifolium cv. White Marble. Pupal survival with all weeds was as high or higher than with chrysanthemum and larval survival was as high or higher than with chrysanthemum in 6 of the 10 weeds. Time from oviposition to adult emergence was as short as that on chrysanthemum on two weeds and shorter on six others. Only creeping Charlie, Glechoma hederacea, was an unsuitable host with no larvae developing to the pupal stage. The ability of L. trifolii to use common weeds as alternate hosts indicates that weed control in and around greenhouses should be included in any program to protect greenhouse chrysanthemums from this leafminer.

Commercial Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki (B.t.k.) (Dipel 132® and Thuricide 48 LV®) were bioassayed at 20 and 25°C against 3rd- (L3), 4th- (L4), 5th- (L5), and 6th- (L6) instar larvae of the bertha armyworm, Mamestra configurata Walker, on greenhouse-grown canola, Brassica napus L. cv. Westar. The L4 was the most susceptible stage to B.t.k. but it was much less susceptible than the spruce budworm, Choristoneura fumiferana (Clem.), a species against which this bacterium is currently used. The lethal time of B.t.k. to the larvae was inversely related to dosage applied. Younger instars (L3 to L4) were more sensitive to Dipel than older instars (L5 to L6) at 20°C but the reverse was true for Thuricide-treated larvae. All B.t.k. treatments reduced weight gain and frass deposition (by inference feeding activity) compared with untreated controls. The LC50 concentration of B.t.k. for larvae reduced survival to adult emergence by 87–100%.

Twenty-three characters or character systems of adults and larvae of Terebrantes are analyzed for evidence of monophyly and phyletic relationships of Chalcidoidea, Mymaridae, and Mymarommatidae. The taxa are considered to be a monophyletic group based on 3 hypothesized synapomorphies: mesotrochanteral depressor without fu2-tr2 or mesoscutal portion of t2-tr2; axillar phragma as site of origin for all or part of t,-tr2 muscle; and independent basal ring absent from male genitalia. The family Mymaridae is considered to be monophyletic based on at least 3 apomorphies: fore wing with hypochaeta; head with frontal, median, and supraorbital sulci; and toruli distinctly closer to inner margin of eye than to each other. Chalcidoidea, including Mymaridae, is considered to be a monophyletic taxon based on 3 apomorphies: prepectus externally visible, at least dorsally adjacent to lateral edge of mesoscutum; mesothoracic spiracle positioned at exposed lateral edge of mesoscutum; and multiporous plate sensilla of antenna with unique structure, as described in text. Mymarommatidae is considered to be the monophyletic sister group of Chalcidoidea based on several apomorphies, including 4 autapomorphies: head composed of frontal and occipital sclerites, which are connected by pleated membrane along hyperoccipital region; hind wing stalk-like, without membrane and terminated in bifurcation that clasps fore wing; fore wing with reticulate pattern formed by raised lineations of membrane; and axillar portion of t2-tr2 muscle absent. Phyletic relationship of Serphitidae with Mymarommatidae is deemed inconclusive because relevant internal character states of amber fossil serphitids cannot be determined. It is suggested that mymarommatids be accorded family status, but not be assigned to superfamily until phyletic relationships are more accurately determined in Terebrantes. A matrix summarizes character-state distribution of most characters analyzed for Terebrantes, and a cladogram illustrates hypotheses of character-state evolution and proposed relationships.

Reflectivity of solar radiation was found to be greater for the diurnal tiger beetle Cicindela repanda Déjean than for the nocturnal carabid beetle Agonum decentis Say. Elytra of both species reflected some ultraviolet radiation. The absolute intensity of reflections was not determined and it is not known whether amounts reflected were sufficient to imply any function of body coloration of C. repanda.

Larval color morph frequencies were observed in the offspring of hybrid and backcross matings between pure Choristoneura occidentalis Freeman and C. retiniana (Walsingham) laboratory lines. Offspring of hybrid matings were mostly brown larval forms but intermediate and green larvae also occurred. Progeny of backcrosses to C. occidentalis were almost entirely brown larvae. Backcrosses to C. retiniana yielded mostly green larvae but a substantial number of intermediate and brown larvae also were in the progeny. There was no evidence that larval color is sex-linked or sex-limited.

Population fluctuations of adults of the rusty grain beetle, Cryptolestes ferrugineus (Stephens), in wheat stored in a steel granary were monitored using insect detection traps 35 cm below the surface of the grain during the fall of 1983, and the spring, summer, and fall of 1984. In both years, the peak population occurred from the beginning of September to the third week in October. In 1984, no beetles were found in the traps until early June. The number of beetles in each trap increased slowly until late August (range 0 to 315), and then rapidly until late October (range 91 to 1212), and then decreased rapidly thereafter until mid-November (range 236 to 2). No beetles were caught during the winters after 30 November 1983 and 19 November 1984. The absence of beetles in the traps before June or after November and the small catches before July or in early November were attributed to the combined effects of low population levels and reduced movement of adults at low grain temperatures. A few beetles were caught at a grain temperature of 8°C but none at temperatures lower than 4°C. Approximately 65% of adults found in samples of grain at −7°C in February 1985 were alive and became active in the laboratory. Practical recommendations for monitoring insect pests of stored grain are given, based on the results.

Representatives of the oribatid mite family Ceratozetidae of subarctic western North America, including 14 species in eight genera, are treated. A new genus Laminizetes, and eight new species, Diapterobates siccatus, Trichoribates ogilviensis, Laminizetes fortispinosus, Ceratozetes inupiaq, C. kutchin, C. fjellbergi, Sphaerozetes firthensis, and Melanozetes tanana, are proposed, and Dentizetes rudentiger Hammer, Diapterobates humeralis (Hermann), Neogymnobates luteus (Hammer), Trichoribates striatus Hammer, Sphaerozetes castaneus Hammer, and Melanozetes meridianus Sellnick are redescribed. Immatures of Dentizetes rudentiger and Sphaerozetes firthensis are described. A key to the adults of the 31 species of Ceratozetidae recorded from the western North American arctic and subarctic is given. Relationships among the 12 genera in the Ceratozetidae recorded from the North American arctic and subarctic are discussed.

Resistance to pyrethroid insecticides, identified previously in adults of Phyllonorycter blancardella (Fabr.), was shown to extend to both egg and larval stages. Eggs of both resistant and susceptible strains were more susceptible than larvae to various pyrethroid insecticides. Eggs treated 0–2 days post oviposition were more susceptible than 4- to 6-day-old eggs and/or larvae for both strains. Older larvae, especially from resistant strains, were less susceptible than early instars. For eggs and 1st-instar larvae, differences between resistant and susceptible strains were largely overcome by treatment with higher concentrations of permethrin. In the field, low levels of resistance were overcome by applications of permethrin at 212.5 g AI/ha diluted in 3370 L water/ha timed for first hatch of eggs.

The life stages of Phyllonorycter blancardella (Fabr.) were monitored in an orchard at Guelph, Ontario in 1981 and 1982 and the results showed discrepancies with the previous concept of a trivoltine species occurring throughout its range in eastern North America. Sleeve cages were used to monitor the development of the second, mid-summer generation of leaf miners in a low-maintenance orchard at Guelph in 1982 and 1984 and 2 commercial orchards at Simcoe, Ontario in 1984. The flight period of the first-generation adults occurred over approximately a 6-week period. From eggs laid early in the flight period, a large proportion of the larvae developed quickly and emerged to give a second-generation adult flight. As the flight period continued, there was an increase in the number of progeny whose development was delayed in the early instars. These larvae did not pupate until late fall and overwintered as pupae. Of the second-generation larvae, about 70–90% at Guelph and 35% at Simcoe had a delayed development (summer diapause) and formed a large proportion of the overwintering population.

Seasonal and daily patterns of ballooning, and behavioral processes involved in aerial dispersal of the bagworm, Thyridopteryx ephemeraeformis (Haworth), were studied on Juniperus virginiana L. in Kentucky. The aerial dispersal period began in mid-May 1983 and lasted ca. 1 month. About 75% of dispersing larvae ballooned after making a bag. Settling velocities were determined for larvae with and without bags and trailing varying lengths of silk; a model was then developed that predicts dispersal distance for a particular wind speed and departure height. Most aerial dispersal is probably short-range. The bag reduced potential dispersal distance, but larvae with bags survived ca. 2 days longer than those without bags when exposed to abiotic factors off of a host. Larvae without bags ballooned mostly in morning, whereas 80% of the larvae dispersing with a bag ballooned in the afternoon. These patterns may be related to the diel periodicity of emergence of neonate larvae from old female bags, and the subsequent behavior of 1st instars prior to dispersal. A large proportion of each cohort emigrates regardless of host condition.

Cyromazine was effective in controlling Liriomyza trifolii (Burgess) (Diptera: Agromyzidae) larvae within chrysanthemum leaves. Ovipositor puncturing was not deterred by this larvicide. Adult emergence was inhibited when 3rd-instar larvae were exposed to cyromazine. Reduced dosages of 0.003, 0.030, and 0.300 g AI/L did not inhibit initiation of mines, but at the highest rate caused significant mortality. Diflubenzuron reduced L. trifolii ovipositor punctures but did not cause larval mortality. Methomyl applied at 0.5 mL/L gave significant control of larvae. Neither larvicide proved phytotoxic to a range of cultivars tested in a commercial greenhouse. Aldicarb applied to the soil at rates ranging from 28.8 to 575.0 g AI/100 m2 was found effective against L. trifolii larvae but severe phytotoxicity resulted from single applications at the two highest rates. Ovipositor punctures were not reduced as treatment rates increased, but oviposition tended to diminish in response to dosage. Complete leafminer control from a single application would require a highly phytotoxic dosage.

The false chinch bug, Nysius ericae (Schilling), was reared successfully in clear polystyrene containers in the laboratory. Nymphs were fed hulled sunflower seeds and radish slices; adults were fed hulled sunflower seeds and seedlings of Brassica juncea mustard or B. napus canola. Eggs were laid in rolls of compacted cotton, stored at 5 ± 1°C, and brought out to room temperature for hatching.

A review of Nearctic Apotomis Hübner (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae: Olethreutini) is presented. Seventeen species are recognized, of which the following are new: coloradensis, trifida, and spurinfida. Apotomis strigosa Heinrich, 1926 is considered a new synonym of tertiana McDunnough, 1922, and dextrana McDunnough, 1923 of removana Kearfott, 1907. Descriptions, distribution maps, and a key to species are provided. Illustrations of male and female genitalia and photographs of distinctive wing patterns are included. Scanning electron micrographs reveal that setae on digitus of male genitalia are taxonomically important.