Stormwater catch basins form part of artificial drainage systems in urban areas and can provide larval habitat for mosquito vector species of West Nile virus (WNv), such as Culex pipiens Linnaeus (Diptera: Culicidae). We evaluated the impact of management techniques and targeted applications of larvicide on larval populations of this potential WNv mosquito vector species in catch basins from the Lower Mainland of Vancouver and on Vancouver Island of British Columbia, Canada. A mixed effects logistic regression model described the relationship between larval presence and larvicide treatment while controlling for other parameters. Parameter estimates showed that larvicide treatment reduced the odds of larvae presence by a factor of ∼7.23. The model also revealed relationships between larval presence and water temperature and adjacent land use but larvicide treatment consistently reduced the presence of larvae regardless of these other factors. This knowledge can now be used to prioritise and target control efforts to most efficiently reduce WNv mosquito vector populations, and most effectively reduce the risk of WNv transmission to humans. A similar research strategy could be applied to emerging threats from other potential mosquito vectors of disease around the world, to help lower the incidence of mosquito-borne disease.

In laboratory and field studies with the codling moth, Cydia pomonella (L.), TH 6043 and TH 6044, experimental benzoylphenyl urea chitin-synthesis inhibitors, were as effective as diflubenzuron in reducing egg hatch and subsequent larval entry when eggs were deposited on previously treated fruits or foliage. All three compounds exhibited extended residual activity, with significant reductions in egg hatch occurring over a 19-week period. TH 6045 exhibited little activity against codling moth. All compounds tested were relatively ineffective in reducing egg hatch or subsequent larval entry when they were applied topically to deposited eggs, except for the red ring stage of development which was slightly affected.

Sequential decision plans based on aphid counts and binomial counts of infested plants (presence or absence of aphids) were developed to guide chemical control decisions for die potato aphid, Macrosiphum euphorbiae, on two growth stages of oilseed flax in western Canada. The plans were derived from studies of aphid dispersion among plants in field plots at two locations over 4 years, and verified in samples from 51 commercial fields, in Manitoba. The relationship between variance (s2) and mean aphid density () perplant was loges2 = 0.790 ± 0.050 + (1.649 ± 0.031) loge (n = 69, r2 = 0.98), for both crop growth stages. Neither sweep samples nor pan samples produced reliable estimates of the number of aphids per plant and, therefore, these sampling tools could not replace aphid counts on individual plants. Aphid counts and the binomial method gave similar control decisions with similar amounts of effort, but the aphid counting method required fewer plants to reach a decision. The same decisions were reached in 85–95% of fields by counting aphids on a minimum sample of 25 plants when the crop was in full bloom, or 20 plants at the green boll stage, as with samples of 50–100 plants.

The influence of temperature and larval density on the flight performance of Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte was quantified in the laboratory using a tethered flight system. Temperature had a significant influence on trivial flight performance in males and in both young (5 day) and older (25 day) females. The proportion of beetles undertaking trivial flight, and trivial flight duration and frequency peaked at temperatures around 20–25°C. Generally, males were more active than females at lower temperatures. Female beetles did not display sustained flight behavior at 15 or 35°C and males did not undertake sustained flight at 30 or 35°C. Sustained flight duration was unaffected by temperature. Rearing larvae at different densities influenced adult size but had only subtle effects on adult flight performance. Larval density significantly influenced trivial flight duration and frequency of older females and flight frequency of males but had no effect on young females. In general, trivial flight performance peaked when larvae were reared at moderate densities (500–750 per primary rearing container). In young females the propensity for sustained flight, but not flight duration, declined with increasing larval density.

The 6th-instar larvae of Noctua pronuba (L.) are described and illustrated. The larvae, although similar to other noctuinae genera, can be distinguished by the hypopharyngeal complex and mandible morphology. Life history notes based on larvae and adults collected in Nova Scotia are also given.

The water mite Albia caerulea Marshall, 1927, is reported from Lake Opinicon, Leeds Co., Ont. Descriptions and figures of larvae and of nymphs reared from them are presented. The occurrence of this mite on caddisflies (Leptocerus americanus (Banks), Trianodes sp., and Leptocella sp.) is recorded.

Over 95% of feeding balsam woolly aphids occur in crevices on balsam fir branches and the highest density occurs within the 3-year tip of branches. The crevices occur under the bud scales at nodes, the base of each season’s growth, and among staminate flower buds or among and within flower bracts. The abundance and survival of aphids as well as mortality factors vary with the location of the nodes in a branch, the type of branch, and aphid generation. The significant differences show that there are 9 to 13 strata within the 3-year tip of a branch. For ecological studies and measuring population levels, the cluster of aphids within a defined crevice, for example under the bud scale at the base of a cluster of shoots, can be selected as a sample unit.

Six systemic and two nonsystemic granular insecticides were evaluated by application in the furrow at planting for control of overwintered tuber flea beetles, Epitrix tuberis Gentner. Studies were conducted from 1986 to 1988 in three soil types in the lower Fraser Valley of British Columbia. Of the registered systemic insecticides tested, phorate and aldicarb gave rapid and consistent control of overwintered adults released on the foliage 24–30 days after planting, whereas disulfoton and carbofuran were either less effective or more variable in their control. Terbufos and cloethocarb, not registered for use on potatoes, gave control of adult beetles similar to that of phorate and aldicarb. Mortality of overwintered generation adults resulting from these systemic insecticides was correlated with numbers of beetles emerging in the summer adult generation. Neither fonofos nor chlorpyrifos, the nonsystemic granular insecticides, gave effective control of overwintered flea beetles. Only fonofos significantly reduced the emergence of beetles of the summer generation, but the control was inconsistent between years. When beetles were released on the foliage 56 and 65 days after planting, the fewest beetles emerged from the phorate and terbufos plots. All treatments were less effective in highly organic soils than in mineral soils. The advantages of using granular systemic insecticides for controlling overwintered E. tuberis, and strategies for improving control in association with integrated pest management programs are discussed.

Cette étude a été menée dans un verger d'olivier Olea europaea (Linnaeus) (Oleaceae), dans la région semi-aride d'Ain Touta (Batna, Nord-est Algérie) au cours de la période allant de janvier 2009 à décembre 2010. Le suivi démo-écologique régulier de la cochenille violette de l'olivier Parlatoria oleae (Colvée) (Hemiptera : Diaspididae) a montré que l'espèce évolue en deux générations annuelles : une génération printanière et l'autre automnale. Contrairement à d'autres régions du monde, la ponte est plus tardive avec une durée plus étalée à Ain Touta. Les pontes moyennes variaient de 10,05 ± 1,96 à 10,47 ± 1,15 œufs/femelle pour la première génération et de 9,9 ± 1,69 à 9,16 ± 2,05 pour la deuxième génération. Ces valeurs sont faibles comparées aux moyennes notées dans d'autres régions. L'analyse statistique a montré une variation significative des effectifs de tous les stades entre les mois, mais seulement des effectifs des L2 et des femelles adultes entre les années. Ceci serait en relation avec le phénomène d'hivernation noté pour les stades L2 et les femelles adultes avec des périodes d’étalement différentes d'une année à une autre. Entre les générations, la variation des effectifs était significative chez les pro-nymphes et nymphes ainsi que chez les mâles adultes.

Neothaumalea atlanticanew genus, new species (Diptera: Thaumaleidae), is described from the state of Santa Catarina in southern Brazil. This represents the first thaumaleid collected east of the Andes mountain range. The egg, larva, pupa, and both adults are described and illustrated, distribution map presented, and phylogenetic affinities discussed. A key to the genera of South America is also provided.

The smaller European elm bark beetle, Scolytus multistriatus (Marsham), had three distinct periods of adult flight annually in Georgia. Adults of the associated native elm bark beetle, Hylurgopinus rufipes Eichhoff, were trapped on elm logs during only one period in the spring, but some adults were reared from infested bolts in the fall. Seasonal abundance of the S. multistriatus parasite Spathius benefactor Matthews (Braconidae) showed little temporal relationship to its host. However, Entedon leucogramma Ratzeburg (Eulophidae) emergence was highly synchronized with S. multistriatus emergence. Scolytus multistriatus overwintered as fully developed larvae as in other parts of its range.

Grasshopper entomopoxviruses are considered to have excellent potential as microbial control agents and are currently undergoing evaluation in a Grasshopper Integrated Pest Management program. Our research has focused on an entomopoxvirus isolated from Melanoplus sanguinipes (F.).

Henry (1975) noted that one characteristic of a microbial control agent of grasshoppers is the potential for mass production. Methods of viral inoculation are varied and depend on the biology of the host and efficiency versus efficacy (Shapiro 1982). In this paper methods of inoculation for mass production of the M. sanguinipes virus in M. sanguinipes are investigated.

Deutonymphs, and male and female adults, of Stygameracarus cooki sp.nov., and a male adult of S. canadensis sp.nov., are described from interstitial habitats associated with small streams in temperate North America. The genus Stygameracarus and the monobasic subfamily Stygameracarinae are proposed and diagnosed, based primarily on the shape of the capitulum and the highly modified structure of the pedipalps in both deutonymphs and adults, and the distinctive structure of the genital field region in adults. Possible relationships between members of the new genus and other Athienemanniidae are discussed, and a new key to the subfamilies of Athienemanniidae is presented.

The thickness of the wall of the puparium of the apple maggot, Rhagoletis pomonella (Walsh), increased as the puparium aged. The force required to pierce the wall of the puparium also increased with age, and this relationship was best described by a cubic polynomial. Increasing thickness and hardness of the wall of the puparium will likely influence the efficacy of the parasite Phygadeuon wiesmanni Sachtl.

The mullein bug, Campylomma verbasci (Meyer), was successfully established on eggplant cv. “Black Beauty” using the twospotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch, as a source of prey for early instars. Colony-raised teneral females lived 17.4±0.8 days (mean±SE) at 25°C, and their progeny averaged 6.7±0.6 nymphs per 48-h oviposition period (range 0–36). Fecundity peaked during days 6–10 and declined steadily beyond day 16. Over their lifespans, females produced eggs that hatched into 37.5±8.2 nymphs (range 2–184). Eggs from a 24-h oviposition period required from 7.2±0.1 days at 27°C to 13.0±0.2 days at 20°C for 100% hatch. An estimated developmental threshold of 9.5°C (r2 = 0.50) was obtained using the equation: rate of development = −0.075 + 0.008 (temperature). The frequency distribution of hatch at each of four constant temperatures was unimodal and approximated a normal distribution. Nymphal development at 22°C required 2.8±0.2, 3.8±0.2, 4.0±0.3, 3.9±0.2, and 6.0±0.3 days for instars 1–5, respectively.

Studies during 1962–64 showed that the mites Siteroptes graminum (Reut.) and Aceria tulipae Keifer, thrips, and the fungus, Fusarium poae (Pk.) Wr., were not causal agents of silver top in the Peace River region, and indicated leafhoppers were probably not involved. The fact that silver top is controlled with insecticides, but not with miticides, constituted strong evidence for insects as causal agents. In 1963, extensive examination of grasses with silver top revealed minute, inconspicuous punctures, 0.01 to 0.04 mm in diameter through leaf sheaths which were typical of chose made by insects with piercing and sucking mouthparts such as plant bugs. In 1964, attempts to produce silver top by infesting grass plants with plant bugs, leafhoppers, and spittlebugs were unsuccessful for reasons in-explainable. Non-appearance of silver top in either infested or uninfested plants, however, indicated the causal agent was not present in the plants or attached soil when collecred from fields in mid-May. Further studies in 1965 showed that grasses affected by silver top were infested with the plant bugs Stenodema trispinosum Reut., S. vicinum (Prov.), Litomiris debilis Uhl., Capsus simulans Stal., and Trigonotylus ruficornis (Geof.). Experimental infestation of plants with these bugs showed that they fed on stems by puncturing through leaf sheaths and so damaging stem tissue as to cause silver top. In 1966, examination of grasses with silver top from southern Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Oregon revealed punctures in leaf sheaths opposite areas of stem injury, indicating that plant bugs probably cause silver top in these regions.

Male. Palpi extremely short and stubby. Antennae slightly compressed laterally but not particularly thickened. Primaries light smoky gay, sprinkled with deeper smoky. Basal space light gray, bordered outwardly by a strong black oblique line which is angled rather sharply below costa and then somewhat concave outwardly to vein I, ending in a small black spot on inner margin.

We tested whether the known bird-biting mosquito, Culex pipiens Linnaeus (Diptera: Culicidae), is attracted to human hosts by placing humans at ground level (∼1.5 m) or in the forest canopy (∼5 m) in a Niagara woodlot. Modified Centers for Disease Control (CDC) miniature light traps (no light, no CO2) were placed next to the human hosts to capture the attracted mosquitoes. The human-baited traps were compared with control traps (standard CDC miniature light traps with CO2, but no light). As expected from previous research, there were more C. pipiens captured at the higher elevation than at ground level. Generally, they were attracted to control traps more than to human-baited traps at 5 m, whereas at 1.5 m there was no difference between the two trap types. As a comparison, most Aedes vexans (Meigen) mosquitoes were captured at the 1.5 m elevation but there were significantly more captured in the control traps than the human-baited traps during all periods. Because C. pipiens is attracted to humans throughout the entire season at the 1.5 m height (where they might encounter humans), it is likely that C. pipiens can serve as a bridge vector of West Nile virus (WNV).

Adult size is the trait most closely correlated with reproductive output in insects, but may also have important selective implications determining additional fitness gains. In longhorn beetles, adult size-mediated ultimate benefits may arise from mate choice, male antennal spread width or male fighting for mates. In this paper, we examined factors potentially shaping adult size of Cerambyx welensii Küster (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae), an emergent oak (Quercus Linnaeus; Fagaceae) pest. Sex ratio and adult length/weight allometric relationships were also explored. Overwintering adults were collected inside oaks in Extremadura (southwestern Spain) during 2011–2017 to ensure that larval development was completed in the wild. Sex, host species, and wood quality affected adult size, though some interactions occurred and among-host differences were weak. Adults collected inside older trees and wider branches were significantly larger. Adult size was unaffected by either elevation, aspect, or population density. There was a robust allometric scaling in both sexes between elytral/adult length and weight, females being heavier than males and males longer than females when adults were large. Female-biased sex ratios occurred in old/veteran trees and in dense/crowded larval populations. We discuss these results from an evolutionary perspective considering the potential impact of C. welensii adult size on population dynamics and management tactics.

The possibility of the above synonymy was suggested in a letter from Mr. W. J. Brown of Ottawa. Through the kindness of Dr. K. G. Blair and Mr. J. Balfour-Browne of the British Museum, I have been able to study a male and a female of A. elongatus (Gyllenhal), and to compare them with two male and two female paratypes of A. bryanti Carr.