Eight genera and 25 species are recognized among the Nearctic, Mexican, and West Indian Oodini. Four new species are described: Oodinus pseudopiceus (type locality: Hillsborough River St. Pk., Hillsborough Co., Florida); Oodinus similis (type locality: San Quintín, Chiapas, Mexico); Oodinus darlingtoni (type locality: Cauto El Cristo, Oriente, Cuba); and Oodinus edentulus (type locality: 31.8 mi E Francisco Escárcega, Campeche, Mexico). Oodes fluvialis LeConte, 1863, previously recognized as a subspecies of O. americanus Dejean, 1826, is given specific status. The following new synonymies are established: Eulachnocrepis Habu, 1956 with Lachnocrepis LeConte, 1853; Stenocrepis texana (LeConte, 1863), S. chalcas Bates, 1882, and S. chalcochrous Chaudoir, 1883 with S. insulana (Jacquelin du Val, 1857); Stenocrepis quatuordecimstriata (Chaudoir, 1843), S. picipes (LeConte, 1844), S. stenocephala (LaFerté-Sénectère, 1851), and S. sulcata Chevrolat, 1863 with S. mexicana (Chevrolat, 1835). Lectotypes are designated for Oodinus alutaceus (Bates, 1882), Oodes amaroides Dejean, 1831, O. fluvialis LeConte, 1863, O. americanus Dejean, 1826, Stenocrepis texana (LeConte, 1863), S. chalcas Bates, 1882, S. lecontei (Chaudoir, 1857), S. quatuordecimstriata (Chaudoir, 1843), S. picipes (LeConte, 1844), S. cuprea (Chaudoir, 1843), S. tibialis (Chevrolat, 1834), S. femoralis (Chaudoir, 1835), S. elegans (LeConte, 1851), and S. gratiosa (Bates, 1882). The genus-group name Nanodes Habu, 1956, a homonym of Nanodes Schönherr, 1825, is replaced by Nanodiodes, new replacement name. For each genus treated, the following are provided: citation of original description and selected references, notes about synonymy (if required), description, geographical distribution and diversity, and monophyly and phylogenetic relationships. For each species included, the following are given: citation of original description and synonymies, type material, etymology (for new species only), notes about synonymy (if required), diagnosis, description, geographical distribution, bionomics, and phylogenetic relationships (if the genus includes more than two species). Keys to genera and, for each genus, to species are included. The species distributions are mapped, and the important structural features are illustrated.

During the summers of 1928 and 1929 a study was made of the mayfly fauna of several streams and lakes in Ontario, particular attention being given to associating the nymphal stages with the adults by rearing them in cages set in the stseams. In the course of the work the nymphs of twelve species, hitherto unknown in this stage, were found. These are described below. Three new species were taken and are also described.

In the following notes, two European species, one a pest of Lilium, are recorded for the first time from North America; an European pest that was introduced into the United States is recorded from Canadian localities; and a Mexican species not noted previously from the United States is recorded from Texas. The five forms described as new belong to difficult groups in which the species show strong monophagous tendencies.

The high density of the field crickets Gryllus pennsylvanicus (Burmeister) and Nemobius fasciatus (DeGeer) under test trees in an unsprayed orchard, and the high mortality of apple-maggot pupae, Rhagoletis pomonella (Walsh), in test lots at the same time of year, suggested that crickets may have preyed heavily on the pupae and thus have constituted important mortality factors. Laboratory observations showed that crickets can detect, disinter, and consume apple-maggot pupae in simulated natural surroundings.

Field trials were conducted in British Columbia and Oregon in 1972, which demonstrated that trans-11-tetradecenal, a sex attractant for male Choristoneura fumiferana and C. occidentalis, is also a sex attractant for male 2-year-cycle spruce budworm, C. biennis, and that trans-11-tetradecenyl acetate is a sex attractant for male green budworm, C. viridis Free.

Concentrations of organic N and minerals Ca, Fe, K, Mg, Na, P, and S in tissues of galls induced by Diplolepis spinosa (Ashmead) and Diplolepis triforma Shorthouse and Ritchie in growth and maturation phases were compared with those in ungalled tissues of host roses and tissues distal to galls to increase our understanding of nutritional relationships between gall wasps and their host plants (Rosa blanda Aiton and Rosa acicularis Lindley, respectively). Concentrations of N and most mineral nutrients were lower in galls than in ungalled tissues, and tissues distal to galls, suggesting that cynipids regulate rather than concentrate nutrients within their galls. Concentrations of mineral nutrients within the larvae of both species of inducers, and their parasitoids, were determined for galls in the maturation phase. Absolute amounts of most minerals in gall tissues were positively correlated with the number of inhabitants, indicating that control of translocation of nutrients to galls occurs on a per inducer basis. Concentrations of nutrients in mature larvae of parasitoids were the same as concentrations in mature larvae of inducers, which explains why parasitism of gall inducers had no influence on the concentrations or amounts of nutrients in galls. Galls of D. triforma had greater concentrations of N and most mineral nutrients than did galls of D. spinosa. Likewise, larvae of D. triforma, and the parasitoids feeding on D. triforma, had greater concentrations of N and mineral nutrients than did larvae of D. spinosa and its parasitoids. Galls of both species had different concentrations of nutrients compared with ungalled tissues and tissues distal to the galls. Galls of both species also had seasonal decreases in concentrations of nutrients. Parasitoids of each species of inducer were generally similar in mineral composition to their hosts.

Five species of woodpeckers (Piciformes: Picidae) in Manitoba, Canada were examined for chewing lice (Phthiraptera: Amblycera and Ischnocera): downy woodpecker (DOWO) (Picoides pubescens (Linnaeus), n=56), hairy woodpecker (HAWO) (Picoides villosus (Linnaeus), n=32), pileated woodpecker (PIWO) (Dryocopus pileatus (Linnaeus), n=12), northern flicker (NOFL) (Colaptes auratus (Linnaeus), n=223), and yellow-bellied sapsucker (YBSA) (Sphyrapicus varius (Linnaeus), n=192). Seven species of lice were collected (total number=40 613): Menacanthus pici (Denny) from all species of woodpeckers, Brueelia straminea (Denny) from both species of Picoides Lacépède, Penenirmus jungens (Kellogg) from northern flicker, Penenirmus auritus (Scopoli) from all species of woodpeckers examined except northern flickers, Picicola porisma Dalgleish from northern flickers, Picicola snodgrassi (Kellogg) from both species of Picoides, and Picicola marginatulus (Harrison) from pileated woodpeckers. Prevalence for total louse infestation ranged from 32.3% to 85.7% (NOFL>YBSA>PIWO>DOWO>HAWO). Mean intensity for total lice ranged from 29.2 to 232.4 (PIWO>NOFL>HAWO>YBSA>DOWO). Infestation parameters for each louse/host combination are provided. Distribution of louse infestations was highly aggregated. In all louse/host combinations, either females were more prevalent than males or there was no significant deviation from 50:50. There was a tendency for louse species to co-occur on the same host specimen.

The subfulcate primaries ally this group to the Platypteryginœ, and a certain vague resemblance to the Geometridœ may be found in the tendency which the upper surfaces of the wings show to display the same pattern on both wings. The ocelli are absent, the oral structure undeveloped, the hind wings are without frenulum. The species form mostly large cocoons, and the characteristics of the family are pronounced in this sub-family of silk-spinners. The male antennæ are feathered to the tips, each joint bearing a double pectination.

The placement of yellow sticky traps in relation to greenhouse-grown tomato plants affected the number of greenhouse whiteflies captured on traps. Whiteflies were caught on traps close to the ground when the traps were 1.0 m or more from plants, and were caught on traps level with the point from which they started flight when the traps were 0.5 m from plants. Traps 1.0 m from plants primarily caught whiteflies less than 5 days old, and trap catches were not correlated with numbers on plants; traps 0.5 m from plants caught whiteflies of all ages, and trap catches were correlated with numbers on plants. These results suggest that under field conditions greenhouse whiteflies would behave much like other species of whitefly, and would tend to be caught on traps close to the ground. In greenhouses, monitoring traps should be placed close to and slightly below the tops of the plants. Trap counts could be treated as samples from individual plants and used to make an estimate of population size in the greenhouse. Traps placed further from the plants monitor flight activity only.

Cyphocleonus achates (Fahaeus) is a Eurasian, root-feeding weevil introduced into North America for the biological control of spotted knapweed, Centaurea maculosa Lamarck. Stinson et al. (1994) reported that C. achates is one of the most damaging root-feeding insects on knapweed in Eurasia and should be a valuable addition to the biocontrol effort in North America. The biology, host specificity, and potential impact of the weevil were described by Stinson et al. (1994). Larvae mine into the root cortex where they induce formation of a conspicuous root gall. Feeding by older larvae causes much damage, especially to small plants or plants containing several larvae. The weevil overwinters as a larva in the root and emerges as an adult from mid-July to October. Adult weevils are large (14 mm long) and flightless, and feed on knapweed foliage. The weevil has one generation per year.

The nine species of Coproporus Kraatz and Cilea silphoides (Linné) of America, north of Mexico are revised. No new species are described. Coproporus maneei Scheerpeltz is placed in synonymy with C. ventriculus (Say). Based on examination of type material, a number of Latin American species formerly considered as synonyms, are recognized as valid species. These include convexus (Erichson) and ignavus (Sharp) which are distinct from hepaticus (Erichson); and terminatus (Erichson) which is distinct from rutilus (Erichson).

Coproporus rutilus piceorufus from Argentina and Brasil and C. rutilus obscurior from Panama, both described as aberrations by Bernhauer (1918), are elevated to specific status. Coproporus segnis, formerly known from Mexico and Panama, is reported from the United States for the first time.

The usage of both Coproporus Kraatz and Cilea Jacquelin du Val has been confused in previous publications. The synonymy and priority of Coproporus vs. Erchomus Motschulsky and Cilea vs. Leucoparyphus Kraatz are discussed. Each genus and species is described and the distribution of each species is mapped. The male genitalia of each species are drawn and the major diagnostic characters are illustrated with scanning electron photomicrographs. A diagnostic key to all the taxa is included.

Fungus-growing ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: tribe Attini) engage in mutually beneficial symbioses with fungi (Basidiomycota) that serve as their main food source. The leaf-cutters (genera Acromyrmex Mayr and Atta Fabricius), the most derived attine ants, employ elaborate nest-hygiene behaviours, including substrate preparation. By preparing substrate prior to its incorporation into the fungus garden, workers facilitate the physical breakdown of leaf material while reducing the abundance of potentially harmful microbes that contact their fungal mutualist. Despite its importance in ant fungiculture, substrate preparation has not been investigated in other genera of fungus-growing ants. We examined substrate-preparation procedures used by five genera of fungus-growing ants (Apterostigma Mayr, Cyphomyrmex Mayr, Trachymyrmex Forel, Acromyrmex, and Atta) representing most of the phylogenetic range of the Attini. Behavioural observations revealed that all five genera engage in substrate-preparation behaviours. Furthermore, these behaviours vary by genus, with Trachymyrmex, Acromyrmex, and Atta engaging in more elaborate preparation behaviours than the other genera. Additionally, we found that during substrate preparation, leaf-cutting ants inoculate leaf fragments with actinomycetous bacteria. These filamentous bacteria are known to produce antibiotics that suppress fungal pathogens, which suggests that inoculation with the bacterial mutualist during substrate preparation helps protect the fungus gardens of leaf-cutter ants from these parasites. Our finding that substrate-preparation behaviours occur across the phylogenetic range of attine ants suggests that these behaviours are a critical component of successful fungiculture by ants.

Tetrahydrofuran (tetramethylene oxide) has been recommended as a histological dehydrating and clearing agent for use in human pathology by Dahme and Rothemund (1) and more recently by Haust (2). Dahme and Rothemund recommended its use after a search for a non-toxic reagent miscible with both water and molten paraffin wax. These authors state that the toxicity of tetrahydrofuran only approaches that of ethyl ether, whereas dioxane, with similar properties, is highly toxic. Tetrahydrofuran would appear to be as safe for routine laboratory use as toluene and xylene when similar precautions are observed. Haust (1958) gives various schedules for its use on human pathological material, and compares it with the more traditional methods. She concludes that it is simpler to use, and at least equally as efficient as the conventional dehydrating and clearing agents. In our work on insects we have extended its use to a solute for fixing solutions, and for dissolving celloidin in a double embedding technique.

Bryobia praetiosa Koch (1836) was formerly regarded as a complex of closely related species or races similar in morphological characters but varying widely in life-history, host plant specificity, and habits. The authors (30) have recently shown that two species, the clover mite, B. praetiosa Koch, and the brown mite, B. arborea Morgan and Anderson, can be distinguished in British Columbia on the basis of morphological characters. This paper presents ecological data in support of the morphological evidence.

When Hypera postica (Gyll.) was held at 11 constant temperatures, the hatching rate for eggs increased with rise in temperature from 8° to 20 °C and remained maximal to 32 °C. None hatched at 6 °C. Larvae survived at 10° to 35 °C with high mortality only at these limits. Pupae survived at all temperatures above 10 °C but at 35 °C half of the adults were deformed. Duration of all stages decreased with rise in temperature up to 32 °C. Developmental rates plotted against temperature did not deviate significantly from fitted curves of the form 1/y = K/(1 + ea−bx).

The optimum temperature, based on maximal rates of development and survival, for eggs and young larvae was near 32 °C and for older larvae and pupae, 30 °C. Accumulated degree-days above a base of 10 °C during development of H. postica at two Ontario locations did not differ significantly from thermal requirements calculated.

We designed a simple device for physically restraining live Diptera for measurement and marking. This new technique does not involve powders, anaesthetics, or handling with fingers or forceps, and can be adapted for use with flies of any size. We tested it on acalyptrate flies of 1.5–3.0 mm body length, and were able to sex, measure, and mark them with individual codes (enamel paint applied to the thoracic notum) in 5–7 min per fly, with a 96% success rate. This technique may be applicable to a range of behavioural and ecological research.

Attractive frass was produced by female D. pseudotsugae within 2 hours after boring into fresh Douglas-fir logs and peak attraction was reached in 8 hours. Production declined after 2 weeks but increased again if the females were allowed to attack new logs. Frass was collected, stored at −40°C, and extracted in benzene. The extract was distilled and chromatographed on a silica gel column. An olfactometer was developed in which beetles walking toward a light, passed into a narrow air stream. If the air stream contained attractive substances, beetles oriented upwind. Males showed a weak positive response to female frass extract and distillate over a wide range of low stimulus intensities and an abrupt increase at higher intensities. Over 20% of the test beetles responded to concentrations of 5.1 × 10−4 and 2.3 × 10−3 g-equiv of extract and distillate respectively, while stimulus intensities 100 times greater evoked responses over 80%. The silica gel fraction that eluted in the volume between 350 and 400 ml contained a highly attractive component.

The relative toxicity of Kelthane (1,1-bis (p-chlorophenyl) -2,2,2-trichloroethanol), and parathion to Phytoseiulus persimilis Athias-Henriot and its prey, Tetranychus urticae K. (= telarius (L.)), was determined using a Potter Spray Tower. Parathion was found to be far more toxic to P. persimilis than was Kelthane. The LD50 values for Kelthane were 0.051% and 0.29% for T. urticae and P. persimilis respectively, and for parathion were 0.050% and 0.0044% respectively. The LD95 values bore a similar relationship to each other. The two materials were equally toxic to T. urticae. Therefore, use of Kelthane rather than parathion in an environment where P. persimilis and T. urticae were interacting would favour the beneficial species. The statistical aspects of the test method are discussed.

Insect body size and fecundity are frequently reported to be correlated (e.g., Miller 1957; Dempster 1971; Beckwith 1976; Hough and Pimental 1978; Gilbert 1984; Carroll and Quiring 1993; Honek 1993; Spurgeon et al. 1995; Tammaru et al. 1996, 2002; Nylin and Gotthard 1998). The main body of evidence for this relationship stems from laboratory experiments where potential fecundity (or total egg production) is most often measured (Tammaru et al. 1996); very little evidence is available from field studies (Sopow and Quiring 1998). Realized fecundity (or total eggs laid) is affected by many extrinsic factors (e.g., Leather 1988; Carroll and Quiring 1993; Tammaru et al. 1996), suggesting that fecundity measures derived from laboratory experimentation may not be useful in nature where abiotic conditions may be highly variable (Carroll and Quiring 1993; Nylin and Gotthard 1998; Sopow and Quiring 1998).

We propose a sequential sampling plan for adult tuber flea beetles, Epitrix tuberis Gent., in potato fields, which is based on a confidence interval calculated around a critical density value (Iwao 1975) and which uses Taylor’s Power Law (Taylor 1961) to estimate the variance. Because of the highly edge-biased gradients of density displayed by this insect, separate sequential expressions have been calculated for densities at the edges and centers of fields.

In a survey of 12 commercial potato fields, spring-generation E. tuberis densities in centers of fields were always far below the threshold level of one beetle per 10 plants employed at the time of sampling. The survey also indicated that fields that have been sown with potatoes for 2 consecutive years have higher beetle densities than fields sown with potatoes for a 1st year. Edge:center density ratios, however, were the same for the two categories of fields.