The genus Eucatops Portevin, 1903 was previously known by 20 described species, all from South America. In this paper we describe 13 new species from Costa Rica, all in the subgenus Eucatops: Eucatops (Eucatops) andersonisp. nov.; E. (E.) antennatussp. nov.; E. (E.) apterussp. nov.; E. (E.) dentatussp. nov.; E. (E.) femoratussp. nov.; E. (E.) globosussp. nov.; E. (E.) magnussp. nov.; E. (E.) minutussp. nov.; E. (E.) montanussp. nov.; E. (E.) osasp. nov.; E. (E.) paramontanussp. nov.; E. (E.) solisisp. nov.; and E. (E.) tenuisaccussp. nov. Some of the species are also reported from neighboring Nicaragua or Panama.

Ceutorhynchus neglectus Blatchley is a weevil that is native to, and widely distributed in, North America. It has life-history characteristics similar to its alien invasive congener, Ceutorhynchus obstrictus (Marsham), the cabbage seedpod weevil. Our study was undertaken to compare the population structure of C. neglectus in North America to that of C. obstrictus, which, in contrast, was introduced only recently to North America and might be expected to have a simpler population structure. We also compared the population structure of C. neglectus to that of Pissodes strobi (Peck), which is known to possess high levels of intraspecific variation and is also a Nearctic weevil. We sequenced a 790-bp fragment of mtDNA (cytochrome oxidase I (COI) gene) and a 117-bp fragment of nuclear DNA (internal transcribed spacer region 1 (ITS1)). Nested clade analysis inferred contiguous range expansion and restricted gene flow with isolation by distance. Analysis of molecular variance also supported restricted gene flow between geographically distant populations. However, within-species variation in C. neglectus was lower than that for other weevil species including C. obstrictus. We also examined DNA divergences and phylogenetic relationships among 10 species of Ceutorhynchus using parsimony analysis of a 2.3-kb fragment of mtDNA (COI–COII) and a 541-bp fragment of nuclear DNA (elongation factor 1α).

Bombus (Subterraneobombus) distinguendus Morawitz, 1869 is recorded from Attu Island, in the western Aleutian archipelago, and is recognised as a species new to both the Alaskan and the New World faunal lists. Colour variation and food plants are described and a key to females of Nearctic Subterraneobombus species is provided.

Three buprestid species, Actenodes acornis (Say, 1836), Dicerca asperata (Laporte et Gory, 1837), and Dicerca lepida LeConte, 1857, are newly recorded from Canada on the basis of a collection of 57 buprestid specimens taken from females of the crabronid wasp Cerceris fumipennis Say, 1837 in Rondeau Provincial Park, Chatham-Kent region, Ontario, in July 2004. Nine additional buprestid species were taken from wasps that were intercepted as they approached their nests, demonstrating the effectiveness of C. fumipennis nest sites as sampling stations for buprestid beetles. We suggest that this sampling method could be applied to efficiently monitor the spread of the emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire) (Coleoptera: Buprestidae) in eastern North America.

The role of vision in the flight initiation sequence of the Colorado potato beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Say) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), was assessed by comparing the behavioral sequences and frequencies of takeoffs of untethered and tethered beetles with and without vision. Results showed that vision plays a critical role in the successful completion of the launch and the maintenance of lift for the adult Colorado potato beetle. The sequence was interrupted immediately before or during the lifting of the mesothoracic legs or before the launch for most blind beetles. Liftoffs of untethered beetles over a 1-h period in a flight chamber were reduced significantly, by 77%, in blind beetles compared with normal beetles. In addition, the preponderance of upward (dispersal) flights following successful liftoffs of normal beetles was replaced by a preponderance of downward (short) flights for blind beetles. Blind beetles that did not have to launch themselves because they were tethered initiated flight as frequently as tethered normal Colorado potato beetles. The duration and repeatability of flights initiated by tethered blind Colorado potato beetles were also similar to those of flights initiated by tethered normal Colorado potato beetles in a stationary environment. Together, the results of the tests with untethered and tethered beetles indicate that vision is a key factor during flight launching and for flight continuation.

Adult Cryptolestes ferrugineus (Stephens) were reared at 30 °C or acclimated to 15, 25, or 35 °C for different periods (2 days or 1, 2, or 5 weeks). Populations 1 day old, 1, 5, 10, or 20 weeks old, or of mixed age were held in 10 cm × 10 cm × 100 cm wheat columns (14.5% ± 0.2% moisture content) with a temperature gradient (10 °C/m, 25–35 °C) or a constant temperature (25 or 30 °C) for 1, 6, or 12 days; movement and distribution were then determined. Acclimation to 25 °C for a short time (less than 2 days) did not influence adults' response to temperature in the wheat column. Adults acclimated to 15 and 35 °C responded differently to temperature in the wheat column, preferring temperatures above 30 and 35 °C, respectively. Increasing the duration of the acclimation to 15 or 35 °C resulted in higher aggregation. Acclimation temperature might be more important than exposure time for influencing insect behaviour. During their movement in the wheat columns, adults were also acclimated to the tested temperatures, and they did not always stay in a warmer area if the "cold" area was warmer than 25 °C. Adults that were 1 day old had a lower response (i.e., less movement) to temperature gradients than the older insects. Among the older insects, the response to temperature gradients did not decrease with increasing age, even at 20 weeks.

The first-instar larvae of Delia radicum (L.) and Delia antiqua (Meigen) enter host plants to feed in galleries. These galleries can be filled by a liquid resulting from the putrefaction of the host. In this study, we show that D. radicum and D. antiqua larvae have a metapneustic respiratory system in the first instar and an amphipneustic respiratory system in the second instar, as observed in the majority of cyclorrhaphous Diptera. In addition, we observed four spatulate, ramified structures on the postabdominal spiracles in all three larval instars. We propose that these structures facilitate gas exchange (CO2 and O2), especially in the first-instar larvae when they feed in liquid-filled galleries.

A new genus, Adenoepicriusgen. nov., is described, with Adenoepicrius magnussp. nov. from Canada designated as type. Also described are A. oconnorisp. nov. (New York, Ontario), A. curtipilussp. nov. (Virginia), and A. virginianussp. nov. (West Virginia). A key to species based on adult females is provided.

Coneworms of the genus Dioryctria Zeller are important lepidopterous pests of conifer cones throughout the Holarctic region. Seventy-nine Dioryctria species are currently recognized and arranged into 11 species groups, but a globally unified classification of these species groups has not been attained. We surveyed 14 Dioryctria species belonging to 7 species groups recognized as being taxonomically problematic. Mitochondrial DNA sequences and morphological characters were used to resolve relationships among and within species groups and species. Sequences were obtained for 2.3 kb of the mitochondrial COI + COII genes and related to 52 morphological characters. Parsimony analyses of separate and combined data showed that (i) the five included Chinese species (D. abietella (Denis and Schiffermüller), D. rubella Hampson, D. nr. rubella, D. magnifica Munroe, and D. yiai Mutuura and Munroe) were distinct from the North American taxa, and their relationships were interspersed among Nearctic and European species; (ii) three of the four species groups represented by more than one species formed robust, well-supported clades (abietella group, sylvestrella group, and zimmermani group) for both mtDNA sequences and morphology; (iii) mtDNA and morphology gave conflicting interspecific and intergroup relationships for the auranticella, schuetzeella, ponderosae, and baumhoferi groups; (iv) all eight species for which more than one specimen was sampled were characterized by discrete clusters of mitochondrial DNA haplotypes, and mtDNA divergences among species in the same species group were generally less than those among species in different species groups; and (v) combining mtDNA data with morphological data increased support for most nodes in the phylogeny, with morphological characters providing support for species groups and mtDNA being essential for distinguishing species within species groups. This study demonstrates the value of a combined analysis of both mtDNA and morphological characters and establishes a phylogenetic framework for broader and more comprehensive studies of Dioryctria species.

The amount of dead wood in forests has decreased owing to modern forest practices, and many species associated with this habitat are currently threatened. In Sweden during the last decade, naturally downed logs have been retained and, at clearcuts, high stumps have been artificially created to maintain saproxylic (dead wood dependent) insects. We tested how much these types of dead wood are used by sampling saproxylic beetles in dead wood of Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.; Pinaceae) in managed forests in central Sweden. To analyse how surveys should be conducted in these kinds of studies, we compared three methods over an entire growing season. We found that the relationship between the type of dead wood and species richness was statistically significant when we used bark sieving and emergence traps, but not when we used window traps. It is impossible to ascertain whether beetles collected with window traps are related to the type of dead wood on which they are found and, therefore, such traps are less useful in studies of specific substrates. The yield from sieving was highest in spring and autumn, whereas species richness in window trap samples peaked in June and July and that in emergence traps peaked from May to July. With emergence traps we collected, on average, about twice the number of species over the whole season as we did by sieving on a single occasion in the spring. Both emergence trapping and sieving reveal what is present in individual pieces of dead wood, but these methods sample partly different faunas. We found fewer species on artificially created high stumps (on clearcuts); however, these stumps seem to be useful for some red-listed species.

Based on circumstantial evidence, Neuragrion mysticum Karsch, 1891 is considered a junior synonym of Heteropodagrion sanguinipes Selys, 1885. Annotated wing scans for H. sanguinipes and Mesagrionleucorrhinum Selys, 1885, species originally compared to N. mysticum, are provided.

The aquatic firefly Luciola substriata Gorham, 1880 (Coleoptera: Lampyridae) was first discovered in mainland China in 2000. The larvae of L. substriata inhabit ponds and lakes rich in aquatic vegetation. We recorded L. substriata feeding on two species of aquatic snails, Lymnaea stagnalis (L., 1758) (Basommatophora: Lymnaeidae) and Gyraulus convexiusculus (Hutton, 1849) (Basommatophora: Planorbidae). Three predators of fireflies were also recorded for the first time: the red swamp crayfish, Procambarus clarkii (Girard, 1852) (Decapoda: Cambaridae), the crab Eriocheir sinensis H. Milne-Edwards, 1853 (Decapoda: Varunidae), and the grass carp, Ctenopharyngodon idellus (Valenciennes in Cuvier et Valenciennes, 1844) (Cypriniformes: Cyprinidae). Egg incubation averaged 11 days at an ambient temperature of 20–25 °C. The prepupal stage of L. substriata lasted 6.2 days, and the pupal stage lasted 4.4 days. The imaginal period lasted from May to September. Courtship light-flashing activity peaked 1 h after sunset. The light spectrum of responsiveness of L. substriata was 425–603 nm, with a peak responsive emission at 504 nm. In addition, we have described and illustrated the morphology of L. substriata.

Traits that function in male–female sexual interactions tend to diverge rapidly compared with other traits. Several hypotheses attempt to explain this evolutionary pattern. Predictions of two of these hypotheses, lock-and-key and sexually antagonistic morphological co-evolution, were tested by examining how two sets of species-specific male structures fit with female structures during courtship and copulation in the fly Sepsis cynipsea (L., 1758). Contrary to predictions of both hypotheses, neither the species-specific modifications of the male's front legs nor those of his genitalic surstyli were matched by modifications of the female structures with which they meshed (wing bases, 6th abdominal sternite); males damaged small patches of microtrichia on the female's wings with their legs, but the morphology of the female's wings and abdomen showed no sign of the defensive designs expected under antagonistic morphological co-evolution. Data regarding the alternative hypothesis of sexually antagonistic behavioral co-evolution by females in response to male morphology were less conclusive, but this hypothesis failed to explain the sustained, apparently stimulatory rhythmic squeezing by the male genitalia and the lack of female defensive responses to this squeezing. These movements of the male surstyli during copulation suggest that they function to stimulate the female. The wing base of the female has apparent sense organs near the sites contacted by the male, as expected under the alternative hypothesis of traditional female choice to explain rapid divergent evolution. The male's genitalic surstyli were also used in novel precopulatory interactions. A pair of previously undescribed processes at the bases of the surstyli probably grasp and may also rhythmically squeeze the female during copulation.

The genus Dioscorea L. (Dioscoreaceae) is widely distributed throughout Africa and Asia and includes 500 to 650 species (Burkill 1960; Miège and Lyonga 1982), almost all of which are dioecious (Terauchi 1990). Pollination of species in this genus has received little attention because many of the cultivated species are propagated vegetatively from tubers. Insect visitors to flowers have been reported for two species, D. alata L. from India (Abraham and Nair 1990) and D. rotundata Poir. from Nigeria (Pitkin 1973; Segnou et al. 1992; Bournier 1994). Dioscorea japonica Thunb. is found throughout Japan, Korea, and China (Ohwi and Kitagawa 1983), but insect visitors to the flowers have not previously been reported. We investigated the insect visitors to flowers of D. japonica because the insect fauna associated with one species of a genus often differs from that associated with other species of the genus and may vary within a single species between different geographic regions (Kobayashi et al. 1999).

The wheat stem sawfly, Cephus cinctus Norton (Hymenoptera: Cephidae), is the most serious insect pest of dryland wheat (Triticum aestivum L.; Poaceae) in the southern Canadian Prairies and the northern Great Plains of the United States. We characterized the spatial distribution pattern of C. cinctus eggs and larvae throughout the adult flight period in three dryland winter wheat fields in Montana. Cephus cinctus females laid eggs in wheat stems until a few weeks before wheat maturity, and most wheat stems received only one egg. Wheat stem samples collected along the field edges represented 12%–16% of the samples but 40%–95% of the infested stems. The highest numbers of C. cinctus eggs and larvae found in a single wheat stem were 16 and 4, respectively. On a field scale, both C. cinctus eggs and larvae were significantly aggregated along field edges in most of the sampling events. A comparison of indices of aggregation revealed that C. cinctus larvae were significantly more spatially aggregated than C. cinctus eggs. Based on our spatiotemporal analysis, we speculate that the majority of the eggs are initially laid along field edges, and ovipositing C. cinctus females do not distinguish between previously infested and uninfested wheat stems. Gradually, these eggs hatch and the larvae begin feeding; at the same time, the later emerging C. cinctus females oviposit farther into the wheat fields. One explanation is that ovipositing C. cinctus females avoid stems containing feeding larvae. The analysis of the temporal changes in the spatial distribution patterns of C. cinctus eggs and larvae is discussed in the context of possible integrated pest management strategies.

The Melyridae (soft-winged flower beetles) are a diverse, abundant, and widespread family of beetles found throughout the world, with more than 300 genera and 6000 species worldwide (Mayor 2002). Melyrids are particularly abundant in dry, temperate regions of the world. Mayor's (2002) synopsis of the North American fauna includes 58 genera and 520 species. Bright (1991) tabulates 49 species in 14 genera in the Canadian fauna. Only one species, the introduced Palearctic Malachius aeneus (L.), was reported for Atlantic Canada, with records in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Newfoundland.

Aphidius smithi Sharma et Subba Rao, an aphidiid parasitoid of the pea aphid, Acyrthosiphon pisum (Harris), was imported into Manitoba, Canada, and over 104 000 adults were released at four sites in 1983–1987. The parasitoid reproduced and overwintered at the 1983 release site and possibly at a second site at which it was released in 1984, and reproduced at two other sites at which it was released in 1985–1987. The parasitoid was found in 1985 up to 11 km from the 1983 release site. Additional studies in 2001 indicated the presence of low densities of A. smithi near one of the 1985 release sites. Although the parasitoid is established, it occurs at densities too low to have an agriculturally useful effect on the pest.

Several scolytid beetles (Coleoptera: Scolytidae) produce conophthorin, (E)-7-methyl-1,6-dioxaspiro[4.5]decane, and use it as an aggregation or antiaggregation pheromone or competition-mediating synomone (Francke et al. 1979; Kohnle et al. 1992; Birgersson et al. 1995; Pierce et al. 1995; de Groot et al. 1998; Dallara et al. 2000; Rappaport et al. 2000). Predators or associates of these beetles may use conophthorin as a host- or habitat-finding kairomone (Kohnle et al. 1992). Other conifer-infesting scolytid and predator species use chalcogran, 2-ethyl-1,6-dioxaspiro[4.4]nonane, a semiochemical with functions similar to those of conophthorin (Francke et al. 1977; Heuer and Vité 1984; Baader 1989; Byers 1993; Byers et al. 1989, 2000).

The intromission of the male's long, flexible, threadlike phallus into the female's similarly long, thin, S-shaped vagina in tephritid flies is mechanically challenging. The male of the Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann, 1824), folds the basal portion of his phallus back on itself, inserts the folded portion into the female, and then gradually unfolds his phallus inside her vagina. The site of the fold in the phallus gradually moves distally, deeper into the female, dragging the distal portion of the phallus into her vagina. At the same time, the male pulls the tip of the female's ovipositor distally with his surstyli, straightening her vagina. The male uses his phallapodeme and asymmetrical syntergosternite to periodically clamp and release portions of his phallus that have not yet entered the female. Once the entire distal portion of the male's phallus is inside the female, he unfolds it and then moves its distal tip even deeper, reaching the inner end of her copulatory bursa. Straightening movements of the phallus due to increases in fluid pressure probably supply at least part of the force that drives the phallus into the female.

Monte-Carlo simulation was used to examine the effects of fire return rates on the equilibrium age structure of a one-million-hectare lodgepole pine forest (Pinus contorta var. latifolia Engelm. ex S. Wats.; Pinaceae) and yielded a mosaic of ages over the one million hectares for each fire regime modelled. These mosaics were used to generate mosaics of susceptibility to mountain pine beetle (MPB) (Dendroctonus ponderosae Hopkins, 1902) attack. This susceptibility was related to the age distribution to calculate the mean susceptibility of the forest. Susceptibility maps were produced for two timber supply areas in British Columbia, as well as for the whole of B.C. In addition, we defined a quality, called traversability, that describes the ability of a beetle population to disperse across a landscape according to defined rules of susceptibility and maximum distance for dispersal through unsuitable habitat. Using each of 40 combinations of susceptibility classifications and dispersal limits, the landscape was categorized as traversable or non-traversable. This represents the suitability of a landscape to the unimpeded spread of an incipient beetle population. It was found that (i) long fire cycles yield an age structure highly susceptible to beetle attack; (ii) fire suppression reduces the frequency of fires and yields an age structure highly susceptible to beetle attack; and (iii) harvesting one age class reduces the mean susceptibility to MPB attack, and this reduction decreases with increasing harvest age and increasing fire cycle length. When fires were limited in size to less than 100 ha, the area was always traversable. For larger fires, traversability declined, and for the largest fires (up to one million hectares), the area was often not traversable. Harvesting reduced the mean susceptibility and traversability, often substantially. Traversability was calculated for the whole of B.C. in blocks of about one million hectares using B.C. Ministry of Forests and Range inventory data for the year 2000. The area most traversable was the area around Tweedsmuir Park and the Lakes Timber Supply Area, where most of the present outbreak of MPB is centred. FRAGSTATS patch metrics were calculated for each of the simulations and were related to traversability using discriminant analysis. This analysis was then applied to the B.C. inventory; the concordance was high, with 93.3% of conditions being correctly classified.