The following key and descriptive notes have been prepared in an endeavor to lessen the difficulties involved in the identification of the various species of Ptinid beetles that occur, usually as pests of stored products, in dwellings and warehouses in Canada. For a number of years, Mr. H. E. Gray of the Division of Entomology has been collecting these beetles from flour sheds and other types of warehouses throughout Canada. Most of the material on which the key is based was supplied by Mr. Gray, and much of the data on the distribution of several of the species is a result of Mr. Gray's observations.

The balsam twig aphid Mindarus abietinus Koch (Hemiptera: Aphididae) is a major pest of economic importance for the Christmas tree industry. Global warming during the 21st century could potentially increase local population densities and reinforce the pest status of this aphid in commercial fir (Abies Miller; Pinaceae) plantations in Québec, Canada. During this study, we tested the effects of a warmer environment on colony growth rates of M. abietinus and aphid morph composition during the second generation of its cycle, which is key to colony size growth and potential damage to Christmas trees. We monitored M. abietinus populations on two host fir species and one host fir variety, in order to understand the early season dynamics of this aphid and its host tree. It was possible to distinguish the two overlapping generations of winged aphids leaving colonies, which led to observing a much higher proportion of wingless daughters, produced by the stem mother, than what had previously been reported. Colony growth rates were significantly higher in a warmer environment than in the nearby plantation, suggesting that warmer temperatures in late spring and early summer may provide the suitable conditions required for M. abietinus colonies of greater density.

Smith and Coppel (in preparation) listed the releases and reviewed the bionomics in Europe of insect predators of the balsam woolly aphid, Adelges piceae (Ratz.), recently introduced into Canada. The most promising species released since 1951 are Aphidecta obliterata (L.) and Pullus impexus (Muls.) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) ,Cremifania nigrocellulata Cz.(Diptera: Chamaemyiidae), and Laricobius erichsonii Rosenh. (Coleoptera: Derodontidae). All these species, with the possible exception of A. obliterata, are established near Fredericton, New Brunswick. Investigations in co-operation with the Forest Biology Laboratory, Fredericton, were begun in 1951 on the behaviour and initial establishment of the introduced predators (Clark, Brown, and Smith, 1954). The present paper contains field and laboratory observations on the development, feeding habits, and predator-prey relations of the four promising species.

A study on techniques for rearing Glischrochilus quadrisignatus (Say) in the laboratory showed that provision of adequate moisture and control of fungal diseases were essential. Most field-collected adult females oviposited regardless of when the collections were made, but there were large variations in the preoviposition periods. Hibernating beetles collected in the spring had a much shorter preoviposition period than beetles collected in the autumn and early winter. The high viability of eggs laid by overwintering females kept separate from males indicated that the beetles mated in the fall. Three consecutive generations occurred when beetles were reared in crocks supplied with corn and tomatoes in a greenhouse. At 21°C, the incubation period for eggs averaged 4.1 days, the larval period 21–22 days, and the pupation period 11.8 days. Newly developed adults remained in the soil for an average of 11.2 days before emerging.

The midge, Phytophaga thujae Hedlin, is a common pest in cones of western red cedar, Thuja plicata Donn. In some years nearly 100% of cones in localities on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, are infested.

Adults emerge in March and April to oviposit on young cones. Eggs hatch during April and May. Larvae feed on seeds and scales, and in late summer spin cocoons in the cones, in which to overwinter. Prepupal and pupal development occur during winter.

Mortality factors include parasites and competition. Species of Torymus and Tetrastichus parasitize larvae of the midge. In years of severe infestation, competition in early stages can cause considerable mortality.

A portion of the population may remain in diapause in the larval stage each year.

(E)-11,13-Tetradecadienal (E11,13-14:Ald) is the major component of the sex pheromone of the western blackheaded budworm (WBB), Acleris gloverana Walsingham. The compound was identified in extracts of the female’s pheromone gland by coupled gas chromatographic - electroantennographic detection (GC-EAD) and coupled GC - mass spectrometry in selected ion monitoring mode. In field experiments, E11,13-14:Ald by itself was attractive, but addition of (Z)-11,13-tetradecadienal doubled trap catches of male WBB. (E)-11,13-Tetradecadienol or (E)-11,13-tetradecadienyl acetate in binary or ternary combination with E11,13-14:Ald did not enhance attractiveness of the bait. In comparative assessments of five different trap designs, Uni-traps appeared to be the most suitable for use in pheromone-based monitoring of populations of WBB.

In the past twenty years or so many investigators have studied amplified electrical activity from nerve fibers supplving sensory receptors in many animals, including insects (see 2, 5, 8, 16, 19). With this technique much information has been secured concerning the characreristics of mechanical receptors (touch, pressure, sound, etc.) and photoreceptors. To a much lesser extent temperature, pain, taste and other chemical receptor activity in vertebrates has been studied although no electrical potentials appear to have been recorded from individual olfactory nerve fibers in any organism.

The spatial and temporal distribution of microsympatric species of marsh-inhabiting Agonum were investigated in central Alberta. Agonum nigriceps LeC., A. ferruginosum Dej., A. thoreyi Dej., and A. lutulentum (LeC.) were the most abundant carabid species in the emergent vegetation of the flooded zone. Agonum nigriceps was segregated from the other species through habitat use, being most abundant in emergent sedge tussocks. Agonum ferruginosum was most abundant in floating cattail mats, whereas A. thoreyi was rather evenly distributed across macrohabitats. Within flooded macrohabitats both A. ferruginosum and A. thoreyi predominantly occupied microsites with emergent substrate or clumps of dead vegetation. In one marsh where A. ferruginosum co-occurred with A. lutulentum, their macrohabitat distributions were mutually exclusive. Reproduction began earlier and teneral adults emerged earlier for both A. nigriceps and A. ferruginosum than for A. thoreyi. Agonum nigriceps, A. ferruginosum, and A. thoreyi were all nocturnal and showed no differences in daily activity pattern. In laboratory experiments, adults of A. nigriceps displayed the highest propensity to climb on narrow vertical structures, a behavior correlated with their main habitat association with structurally simple emergent sedge habitat. Adults of A. nigriceps are cryptically colored to blend into their habitat background.

Adults of Phytoptus oculatus n. sp. are described. These are unusual among Eriophyoidea in possessing eye-like structures lateral to the prodorsal shield. Diagnoses for the genus Phytoptus and two provisional species groups within the genus are included.

The population densities of several major apple pests and their natural enemies were studied in an insecticide-free young bearing orchard and in an older orchard of semidwarf trees on an integrated control program. In mature orchards of standard size trees, greater natural mortality occurs than that reported in this study. Over a 5-year period most pests, with notable exceptions, increased rapidly under insecticide-free conditions whereas occasional numerical surges of certain pest species occurred under the mild insecticide program. Insect damage on fruit at harvest averaged 24% in the insecticide-free orchard and 8% in the integrated control orchard which had 2.4 times more harvested fruit.

The effectiveness of 16 experimental compounds as soil insecticides was assessed under laboratory conditions. Chlorpyrifos, carbofuran, and dieldrin were included as standard insecticides. Spectrum of activity as contact insecticides was determined using 24–48 h nymphs of the field cricket, Acheta pennsylvanicus (Burmeister), 24–48 h onion maggot adults, Hylemya antiqua (Meigen), third stage darksided cutworms, Euxoa messoria (Harris), northern corn rootworm adults, Diabrotica longicornis (Say), and honeybees, Apis mellifera L. First stage crickets were used to assess the biological activity of experimental compounds relative to soil type, moisture, and temperature and also their volatility in moist sand and persistence of biological activity over a 48 week period. All of the insecticides showed broad spectrum contact activity. Twelve showed fair to very good potential in soil. Four insecticides, Shell WL 24794 (O,O-dimethyl-S-1-[3-(5-methyl-1,2,4-oxadiazolyl)] ethyl phosphorodithioate), Shell WL 25735 (O-[2-chloro-1-(2,5-dichlorophenyl) vinyl] O-methyl methylphosphonothioate), Shell WL 26738 (O-[1-(2,4-dichlorophenyl) vinyl] O-methyl ethylphosphonothioate), and chlorpyrifos-methyl showed good potential. Two others, Counter® (S-[(tert-butylthio) methyl] O,O-diethyl phosphorodithioate) and Shell WL 24073 (O-[2-chloro-1-(2,5-dichlorophenyl) vinyl] O-methyl ethylphosphonothioate) were considered to have very good potential as soil insecticides.

A mark–recapture study examined Trypodendron lineatum (Olivier) spring flight dispersal in a coastal forested valley in British Columbia. Pheromone-baited traps were placed throughout the valley in five separate experiments. Recapture patterns of marked beetles were related to weather, topography, vegetative cover, and source of attractants.

Wind direction within the forest setting, 350 m from the closest open site, was quite variable with a beetle recapture pattern mat was non-directional. At a forest setting less than 50 m from an open site and road, diurnal up-valley winds resulted in an upwind beetle recapture pattern at 25 m from the release site. Beetles were recaptured at distances as far as 1.9 km downwind and 1 km upwind from the release site. Most beetles were recaptured within 2 h of release at distances up to 50 m. In traps at distances of 350–700 m, similar numbers of beetles were recaptured on the day of release as were recaptured during the following week. At distances greater than 1 km, almost all beetles took longer than 1 day to be recaptured.

The development of spruce cone axis midge, Dasineura rachiphaga Tripp, and its parasitoids, Platygaster lucida Fouts and Torymus sp., was studied in relation to the availability and development stage of black spruce, Picea mariana (Mill.) B.S.P., cones.

Spruce cone axis midge inhabiting black spruce cones appeared to undergo an extended diapause. This phenomenon probably was related to the production of cones. Platygaster lucida also appeared to undergo extended diapause and the proportion of P. lucida extending their diapause paralleled that of spruce cone axis midge which suggested a close dependance to their host.

Spruce cone axis midge, P. lucida, and Torymus sp. emerged from mature cones about the same time and were closely synchronized with the availability of black spruce flowers.

External morphological characters of the spruce cone axis midge that separate the two sexes in the pupal stage were described.

Early season infestations of adult tuber flea beetles, Epitrix tuberis Gentner, usually are concentrated at the edges of potato fields, and it generally has been assumed that they move into potato fields from the outside inward. This edge-effect suggests that tuber flea beetles overwinter outside potato fields, and other species of flea beetles have been reported to behave similarly (Wolfenbarger 1940; Dominick 1971; Burgess 1981). This may not be true of E. tuberis, however. Hoerner and Gillette (1928), in Colorado, noted that potatoinfesting flea beetles [probably E. cucurneris (Harris), E. subcrinata (Lec.), or E. tuberis] often congregated under piles of old potato vines in potato fields, and Hill and Tate (1942) observed flea beetles feeding on cull tubers in a potato field after harvest. These observations suggest, but do not confirm, that some flea beetles including E. tuberis may remain in harvested potato fields during winter.

Dissections of flies caught attacking cattle and flying over the Athabasca River (14 June through 11 September 1974) revealed two large peaks of nulliparous females and two peaks of parous females. In both cases, peak numbers of nullipars preceded the peaks in pars. A small third cohort emerged in late August, and some nullipars were collected over the river on all sampling dates.

Around cattle, nullipars had two prominent, but brief, peaks, followed by two subsequent prolonged periods when pars were most abundant. Parity of captured females was typical of the expected seasonal pattern of parity for an anautogenous species and corroborated our previous determination of obligate anautogeny of laboratory-reared females.

Females examined for parity status were categorized as being teneral, blood-fed, gravid/ovipositing, or parasitized with a mermithid parasite (Isomermis spp.). Dissection of 2414 flies caught over the river revealed little difference in the infection rates of males and females throughout the season. Mermithids occurred primarily in nulliparous flies of the first generation and retarded the development of the reproductive organs in both sexes. Parasitism did not prevent nulliparous females from mating, nor feeding on carbohydrate or blood. A blood meal actually seemed required for maturation of the mermithid parasite. Blood-engorged females with mermithids were collected both around cattle and flying over the Athabasca River. When parasitized females with digested blood meals joined swarms of ovipositing females, mermithids were returned to the river. Nearly all flies harbored just one worm; of the 1435 parous females examined for parity, only 1 had a small mermithid. By killing flies from which they exited, the worms prevented females from taking a second blood meal.

Although flies were killed by exit of the mermithid, this parasite is ineffective against the major pest species, Simulium arcticum Malloch, because it does not prevent parasitized females from seeking and taking a blood meal and thereby harassing cattle. However, in years when nearly 50% of the emerged adults are parasitized (like 1974), this mermithid may be a principal factor regulating the population density of the S. arcticum population in subsequent years.

Egg-laying patterns of the European earwig, Forficula auricularia Linnaeus (Dermaptera: Forficulidae), from three climatologically different areas; Montréal, Québec, Canada, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, and San Francisco, California, United States of America; were compared in laboratory. Three different egg-laying patterns were observed. Among the biotic parameters studied; previtellogenic follicular atresia, number of oocytes per ovariole at imaginal moult, female life expectancy, and ovarian activity explained female successful responses to local weather conditions. Follicular atresia, combined with a low number of oocytes, impeded oviposition in a low percentage of females from Montréal. It also impedes the production of a third brood in the Vancouver population, and of a fourth brood in the San Francisco population. Both female life expectancy and length of ovarian activity also had a significant impact on the oviposition pattern in the three climatic regions. Under the cold temperate climate of the Montréal area, only one brood was produced due to the short period of female fertility. Longer period of fertility and life expectancy enabled females to produce two broods in the milder temperate climate of Vancouver, and three broods in the San Francisco climate. Our results strongly suggest an exaptation enabling the native European populations of F. auricularia to adapt successfully in North America.

The purpose of this paper is to provide a name for an undescribed species of the platygasterine genus Allotropa which has been encountered in Canada as a parasite of the mealybug Phenacoccus aceris (Sign.). Brief notes are also given on the single previously known Nearctic species of Allotropa and on another species which was erroneously described in that genus.

Viable egg masses were obtained from adult caddisflies during revival from CO2 anesthetization. The egg masses were maintained in aerated water and the eggs hatched in 1 or 2 days. Larvae were supplied various food sources (bacteria, algae, and invertebrates) and case building materials. This technique permits casemaking and other aspects of larval behavior to be observed, and allows for complete description of associated larvae.

Parker et al. (1955) reported the spectacular outbreaks and migrations of the migratory grasshopper, Melanoplus bilituratus (Wlk.) in 1938 and 1939 in the north-central states of South Dakota, North Dakota and Montana, U.S.A. They recorded the extension of the flights northward into the Canadian provinces of Manitoba Saskatchewan and Alberta, and mentioned that the progeny of the migrants invading southern Saskatchewan in 1939 moved further north in 1940.