bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
FIR CONEWORM, DIORYCTRIA ABIETIVORELLA (GROTÉ) (LEPIDOPTERA: PYRALIDAE), PREFER CONES PREVIOUSLY EXPLOITED BY THE SPRUCE CONE MAGGOTS STROBILOMYIA NEANTHRACINA MICHELSEN AND STROBILOMYIA APPALACHENSIS MICHELSEN (DIPTERA: ANTHOMYIIDAE)
Authors: Fidgen Laura L. , Sweeney Jon D.
Published: November 2009

We tested the prediction that larvae of the fir coneworm, Dioryctria abietivorella (Groté), preferentially exploit cones previously damaged by cone maggots, Strobilomyia spp. In most years sampled, fir coneworm attacked a significantly greater proportion of maggot-damaged than healthy cones of both white spruce and black spruce. The ecological implications for pest management are briefly discussed.
BIOLOGY AND LIFE HISTORY OF EPURAEA OBLIQUUS HATCH (COLEOPTERA: NITIDULIDAE) ON WESTERN GALL RUST
Authors: Currie Cameron R. , Spence John R. , Volney W. Jan A.
Published: November 2009

The life cycle, phenology, and abundance of Epuraea obliquus Hatch was studied near Hinton, Alberta. Most of the life cycle occurs on galls of Endocronartium harknessii (J.P. Moore) Y. Hiratsuka (western gall rust) infecting lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta Dougl. var latifolia Engelm.). Both adults and larvae feed on the spores of the fungus. Individuals of this beetle were found on most galls sampled. Adults overwinter in the soil. They emerge in the spring to seek out and colonize galls. Eggs are laid on the surface of galls, mainly under the periderm, and larvae feed on the fungus, developing through three larval instars. Larvae in the last instar drop from galls to pupate in the soil. Adults leave the soil in late summer and return to feed on inactive galls before overwintering in the soil. The phenology of E. obliquus is closely synchronized with the timing of rust sporulation and the impact of beetle feeding may be an important natural control of western gall rust.
GENETIC RELATIONSHIPS AMONGCHORISTONEURASPECIES (LEPIDOPTERA: TORTRICIDAE) IN NORTH AMERICA AS REVEALED BY ISOZYME STUDIES
Authors: Harvey G.T.
Published: November 2009

Allozymes at several polymorphic loci were assayed in larval collections of 12 recognized species and two possible new species ofChoristoneuraand two species ofArchips. Most of the 48 collections came from high density populations, and those ofC.fumiferana,C.occidentalis, andC.pinusrepresented much of the geographic range of these species. Mean percentage heterozygosity ranged from 2.0 to 18.6%, based on nine polymorphic loci. Three loci are sex-linked inC.fumiferana, two inC.pinusandC.occidentalisand probably in some other members of the group. Allozymes of aspartate transaminase (AAT-1) were most varied among the species and permit identification of individualC.fumiferanain better than 95% of cases. Among the group of coniferophagousChoristoneuraspecies genetic distances were small (max. Nei = 0.232);C.fumiferanawas the most distinct species. Wagner trees based on modified Rogers’ distances supported the above conclusions but indicated that separations amongC.biennis,C.orae,C.occidentalis,C.carnana,C.subretiniana, and the two new species ofChoristoneurawere very small and probably below the species level, based on the allozymes measured.
EFFECT OF QUEEN MANDIBULAR PHEROMONE ON INITIATION AND MAINTENANCE OF QUEEN CELLS IN THE HONEY BEE (APIS MELLIFERA L.)
Authors: Melathopoulos A.P. , Winston M.L. , Pettis J.S. , Pankiw T.
Published: November 2009

Adding queen mandibular pheromone into honey bee colonies earlier than 24 h after queen loss resulted in an inhibition of queen-rearing, but not when added after 4 days. The number of queen cells initiated in each treatment decreased with the addition of the pheromone, although there were no effects on the number of queen cells torn down following pheromone treatment. The effect of adding the pheromone to queenless colonies given newly hatched female larvae under different regimens of queen cell provisioning and cell structure also was investigated. Only colonies in which larvae were presented in unmodified worker comb exhibited significantly lower rates of queen-rearing. Results indicate that queen mandibular pheromone inhibits the initiation of queen-rearing but not the maintenance of established cells.
INFLUENCE OF PLANT QUALITY ON INTERACTIONS BETWEEN THE APHID PARASITOID EPHEDRUS CALIFORNICUS BAKER (HYMENOPTERA: APHIDIIDAE) AND ITS HOST, ACYRTHOSIPHON PISUM (HARRIS) (HOMOPTERA: APHIDIDAE)
Authors: Stadler B. , Mackauer M.
Published: November 2009

We determined variations in selected life-history parameters in a tritrophic system that consisted of a plant (broad bean, Vicia faba L.), an aphid (pea aphid, Acyrthosiphon pisum), and an aphid parasitoid (Ephedras californicus). We manipulated plant and aphid quality by growing bean plants in a high- and a low-quality nutrient solution for three generations. Pea aphids adapted to reduced nutrient availability by differentially allocating resources to somatic and gonadal growth across generations. On low-quality plants, time from birth to adult increased and dry mass decreased. The number of sclerotized embryos was correlated with adult dry mass. By contrast, in E. californicus, variations in dry mass, rate of development, and number of ovarial eggs did not suggest transgenerational adaptations to resource quality as measured by aphid size. The number of mature eggs was dependent on female age. Development time varied with parasitoid sex and was independent of aphid stage at the time of death. In the low-quality treatment, males survived on average longer than females eclosing from the same kinds of hosts.

Aphids and their parasitoids have evolved flexible life-history strategies in response to variations in plant quality. Pea aphids adapted to qualitatively variable resources by optimizing the balance between somatic and gonadal investment across successive generations. But E. californicus responded to low host quality at the level of the individual, rather than across generations; the trade-off pattern was influenced by the host’s growth potential after parasitization.
A REVISION OF THE NEARCTICAMELETUSMAYFLIES BASED ON ADULT MALES, WITH DESCRIPTIONS OF SEVEN NEW SPECIES (EPHEMEROPTERA: AMELETIDAE)
Authors: Zloty Jacek
Published: November 2009

A systematic revision of North American species of the genusAmeletus, excluding parthenogenetic species, is presented. Seven new species are described (A.andersoni,A.bellulus,A.doddsianus,A.edmundsi,A.majusculus,A.pritchardi, andA.tolae), separate keys are given to western and eastern species, annotated accounts of all 30 presently recognized bisexual species are provided, taxonomic characters are illustrated, and distribution data are presented for all species. The following nomenclatural changes are proposed:Ameletus aequivocusis considered a junior synonym ofA.sparsatus; A.alticolusandA.celeroidesjunior synonyms ofA.celer;A.connectinaandA.connectusjunior synonyms ofA.velox;A.facilisa junior synonym ofA.vancouverensis;A.montaa junior synonym ofA.similior;A.querulusa junior synonym ofA.shepherdi. The specific status ofA.tuberculatusis questioned and it is provisionally considered to be the same asA.celer.
FORAGING BEHAVIOUR OF HONEY BEES (APIS MELLIFERAL.) ON STAGHORN SUMAC [RHUS HIRTASUDWORTH (EX-TYPHINAL.)]: DIFFERENCES AND DIOECY
Authors: Greco Carlos F. , Holland Dean , Kevan Peter G.
Published: November 2009

The foraging behaviour of honey bees (Apis melliferaL.) on inflorescences of staghorn sumac [Rhus hirtaSudworth (ex-typhinaL.)] was studied using a “choice table” placed in natural stands of this plant. The choice table consisted of a wooden grid with alternated male and female inflorescences of sumac. Honey bee activity was recorded also on inflorescences of naturally growing plants in which the secretion of nectar was measured and the anther dehiscence recorded. Honey bees were the only common pollinators observed on sumac in the study area. During the morning, both plant sexes secreted little nectar, and pollen was available after the dehiscence of the anthers which took place between 1000 and 1100 hours. Female inflorescences secreted great amounts of nectar during the afternoon, but in male inflorescences there was little secretion. Honey bees seemed to forage according to the circadian availability of resources. Most of their activity concentrated on male inflorescences in the morning and on female ones during the afternoon. Both the occurrence of bees with pollen loads in their corbiculae and the length of the visits to each sex also seemed to be in accordance to the kind of resource exploited at particular times of the day. Most of the bees with pollen loads were observed during the morning and the longest visits to any inflorescences were registered on female ones during the afternoon (by bees foraging for nectar). Despite our results suggesting that the pollination success of staghorn sumac would be impaired by the foraging pattern of honey bees, an explanation is proposed for its reproductive success.
POTATO TRAP CROPS FOR CONTROL OF COLORADO POTATO BEETLE (COLEOPTERA: CHRYSOMELIDAE) IN TOMATOES
Authors: Hunt D.W.A. , Whitfield G.
Published: November 2009

The use of potato as a trap crop for the Colorado potato beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Say), in processing tomatoes was evaluated. The proportion of beetles counted on potato trap rows vs. the tomato crop on a per plant basis was 0.99, 1 week after transplanting, and never fell below 0.93 on any sampling date. In tomato plots that received no insecticides, potato trap rows placed as much as 16 tomato beds apart were effective in reducing beetle numbers on the tomatoes and producing crop yields 61–87% higher than plots without trap rows. Four of six pairs of plots had significantly fewer adult beetles and significantly higher tomato yields when a potato trap crop was present.
THE EFFECTS OF APPLICATION RATE AND SPRAY VOLUME ON EFFICACY OF TWO FORMULATIONS OF BACILLUS THURINGIENSIS BERLINER VAR. KURSTAKI AGAINST CHORISTONEURA ROSACEANA (HARRIS) (LEPIDOPTERA: TORTRICIDAE) ON RASPBERRIES
Authors: Li S.Y. , Fitzpatrick S.M.
Published: November 2009

The relative toxicities of two formulations (Dipel WP and Foray 48B) of Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner var. kurstaki to the obliquebanded leafroller, Choristoneura rosaceana (Harris), were determined in the laboratory. The effects of application rate (BIU per hectare) and spray volume (litres per hectare) on the efficacy of Dipel WP and Foray 48B against C. rosaceana were determined in raspberry fields. Mortality of C. rosaceana increased with application rate, and decreased with an increase in spray volume. Bacillus thuringiensis exhibited significantly longer residual activity al higher application rates and at lower spray volumes. The half-life (time at which 50% of original activity remains) of B. thuringiensis ranged from 2.45 to 6.68 days, depending upon application rate and spray volume. Laboratory and field studies indicate that Dipel WP and Foray 48B are highly and equally effective in killing larvae of C. rosaceana.
UNISEXUAL BROODS IN THE GALL MIDGE CYSTIPHORA SONCHI (BREMI) (DIPTERA: CECIDOMYIIDAE)
Authors: McClay A.S.
Published: November 2009

The gall midge Cystiphora sonchi (Bremi) has been released and established in Alberta and other Canadian provinces as a biological control agent for the introduced weed perennial sow-thistle (Sonchus arvensis L.) (Peschken et al. 1989). Cystiphora sonchi oviposits in the expanding leaves of S. arvensis (DeClerck-Floate and Steeves 1995), where the-larvae form pustule galls, each containing a single larva. They pupate in a cocoon in the gall or sometimes in the soil after exiting from their galls. Adults are short-lived (usually 1 day or less) and do not feed (Peschken 1982). Under field conditions in Alberta, C. sonchi produces three generations a year (Peschken et al. 1989)
NEW SPECIES OF PALMANURA (COLLEMBOLA: NEANURIDAE) FROM MEXICO AND GUATEMALA
Authors: Palacios-Vargas José G.
Published: November 2009

Nine new species and one subspecies of Palmanura from Mexico and Guatemala are described and illustrated: P. matildae, P. lindquisti, P. schusteri, P. lacandonicus, P. curta, P. pascuali, P. wilsoni, P. normae, P. colotlipa, and P. mirabilis longa. Besides the new taxa, new records and a key for the 12 known species of the genus are given. A brief discussion on the distribution and evolution of this and related genera is included.
ARTHROPODS ASSOCIATED WITH A MANZANITA GALL INDUCED BY THE APHIDTAMALIA COWENI(COCKERELL) (HOMOPTERA: APHIDIDAE)
Authors: Valenti Michael A. , Berryman Alan A. , Ferrell George T.
Published: November 2009

Galls induced by the aphidTamalia coweni(Cockerell) were sampled from greenleaf manzanita (Arctostaphylos patulaE. Greene) in Shasta County, California. Thirty galls from each of four sites were collected over a 5-year period (1990–1994) at roughly weekly intervals (N= 5010). The contents of each gall were examined and recorded. ExcludingT.coweni, 25 taxa were encountered representing eight arthropod orders: Acari, Thysanoptera, Hemiptera, Neuroptera, Coleoptera, Diptera, Lepidoptera, and Hymenoptera. All play a minor role in the gall community with the exception of two species of Diptera. The data suggest thatLeucopissp. andHeringiasp. are obligatory predators ofT.coweniand coexist by partitioning the aphid resource with different exploitation strategies.Heringiasp. has a relatively low infestation rate (10.8%) but is a superior competitor.Leucopissp. compensates for its inability to compete effectively withHeringiasp. by maintaining a higher infestation rate (41.4%).
DIFFÉRENCES ENZYMATIQUES ET ÉCOPHYSIOLOGIQUES ENTRE POPULATIONS DESESAMIA NONAGRIOÏDESLEFÈBRE (LÉPIDOPTÈRE: NOCTUIDAE) ORIGINAIRES DE L’OUEST DU BASSIN MÉDITÉRRANÉEN
Authors: Buès Robert , Eizaguirre M. , Toubon J.F. , Albages R.
Published: November 2009

Les analyses enzymatiques de 12 loci, effectuées sur neuf échantillons de populations, prélevés au Maroc, au nord de l’Espagne et dans le sud de la France, font apparaître une hétérogénéité génétique (Fst = 0,0592, Nm = 4 et un testGhautement significatif pour tous les loci polymorphes). Le phénogramme UPGMA, établi d’après les distances génétiques, permet de distinguer deux groupes de populations. Les résultats de l’étude parallèle conduite sur des caractères écophysiologiques (seuils photopériodiques d’induction de la diapause, durée de développement et nombre de stades larvaires à 25°C, différentes photopériodes) de quatre populations, prélevées en France et en Espagne, coïncident en partie avec ceux de l’analyse enzymatique. Si l’on exclue le Maroc, les populations de France et d’Espagne se répartissent en deux groupes, situés soit à l’est soit à l’ouest de la chaine Pyrénéenne. Malgré le caractère sédentaire de l’espèce et la présence de la barrière géographique que constituent les Pyrénées, il est probable qu’il existe un flux génique aux extrémités de la chaine de montagnes, facilité par des courants aériens le long des côtes de l’Atlantique ou de la Méditerranée. D’autre part, malgré une diapause au stade larvaire, la forte mortalité observée dans certaines sous-populations après des hivers rigoureux pourrait également contribuer à la différenciation génétique à partir des populations résiduelles survivantes.
LIFE CYCLE OF LAMBDINA ATHASARIA (WALKER) (LEPIDOPTERA: GEOMETRIDAE) DEVELOPING ON HEMLOCK IN CONNECTICUT
Authors: Maier Chris T. , Lemmon Carol R.
Published: November 2009

During 1992 and 1993, we studied the life cycle of Lambdina athasaria (Walker) developing on eastern hemlock, Tsuga canadensis (L.) Carrière, in Connecticut. The geometrid was univoltine, overwintering as a pupa. Adults emerged during 4 weeks in May and June after hemlock budbreak. Males emerged significantly earlier than females, and both sexes emerged earlier in 1993 than in 1992. Males flew for 4–5 weeks annually. Based on measurements of head capsule width, larvae had five or six instars, which fed from June to October. Early instars ate new growth, and older ones fed on old growth. Until mid-August, larval development was more advanced in 1993 than in 1992. Larvae descended from trees in September and October to pupate in the duff beneath trees. Lambdina athasaria can be distinguished from congeneric species that feed on conifers by its overwintering stage, flight period, larval size, and host.
TWO NEW SPECIES IN THE GENUS DIAPHEROMERA (PHASMATOPTERA: NECROSCIOIDEA: HETERONEMIIDAE: HETERONEMIINAE) FROM BAJA CALIFORNIA, MEXICO
Authors: Vickery Vernon R.
Published: November 2009

Two new species of Diapheromera, D. kevani and D. petita, are described from Mexico, the first record of these species and of the genus from Baja California. They were found while studying the stick insects (Phasmatoptera) of the Baja California Peninsula.
LABORATORY STUDIES OF PREDATION OF GRASSHOPPER EGGS, MELANOPLUS BIVITTATUS (SAY), BY ADULTS OF TWO SPECIES OF PTEROSTICHUS BONELLI (COLEOPTERA: CARABIDAE)
Authors: Songa J.M. , Holliday N.J.
Published: November 2009

In two-choice laboratory feeding trials in Petri dishes, adult carabid beetles, Pterostichus corvus (Leconte) and Pterostichus femoralis (Kirby), ate a higher percentage of grasshopper eggs, Melanoplus bivittatus (Say), than of cat food. Pterostichus corvus ate more eggs than did P. femoralis. Grasshopper eggs buried in soil in terraria were eaten by P. corvus adults at more than twice the rate of eggs exposed on the soil surface; predation rates at depths of 2.5 and 5 cm were the same. In plant-propagation trays, predation by P. corvus of buried grasshopper eggs was studied under three types of ground cover: Nicotiana seedlings, with rosette-form growth habit; barley seedlings, which exhibited upright growth; and bare ground. A significantly higher percentage of eggs was eaten under the Nicotiana than beneath the other types of ground cover, and predation rates did not differ between the barley and bare-ground treatments. Pterostichus corvus appears to be a suitable candidate for enhancement of natural biological control of grasshopper eggs, and manipulation of vegetation cover in grasshopper egg beds may be an effective technique for enhancing predation rates.
A COMPARISON OF THREE METHODS OF MONITORING THE CARROT WEEVIL, LISTRONOTUS OREGONENSIS (LECONTE) (COLEOPTERA: CURCULIONIDAE)
Authors: Stevenson A.B. , Barszcz E.S.
Published: November 2009

The carrot weevil, Listronotus oregonensis (LeConte), was monitored at 11 research or commercial carrot plantings at Holland Marsh, Kettleby, Ontario, using three methods, i.e. wooden plate (Boivin) traps to capture adults, carrot root sections placed in the soil to detect oviposition, and recording the numbers of adults present on carrot root sections. All three methods provided similar records of the seasonal pattern of adult activity. At most sites, thresholds used to determine the need for insecticide applications were reached or exceeded soon after the beginning of monitoring.

There were significant linear relationships among the seasonal activity parameters generated by the three methods and between those parameters and percentage injury at harvest. Control programs that would have resulted from the use of each method are discussed.
SEX-SPECIFIC HABITAT UTILIZATION BY BAGWORMS (LEPIDOPTERA: PSYCHIDAE)
Authors: Rhainds Marc , Gries Gerhard , Saleh Ahmad
Published: November 2009

Bagworms (Lepidoptera: Psychidae) have an unusual life history (Borror et al. 1989). Following eclosion, apterous females stay within their pupal case and the protective bag they constructed as larvae. Females attract winged males by expelling pheromone-impregnated scales outside of their pupal case into the lower extremity of the bag. Sexual segregation of pupation sites has been found in three bagworms, Thyridopteryx ephemeraeformis (Haworth) (Gross andFritz 1982), Oiketicus kirbyi (Guilding) (Rhainds et al. 1995a, 1995b), and Metisa plarza (Mlker) (Rhainds, unpublished). In all three bagworms, proportionately more female than male larvae pupate in the upper strata of trees. Pupation of females in upper sites is adaptive because it may enhance any to all of the following: pheromone dissemination (Gross and Fritz 1982), mate attraction (Rhainds et al. 1995a, 1995b), progeny development (Rhainds, unpublished), and dispersal of neonatal larvae (Cox and Potter 1988). We report habitat segregation between male and female pupae of the bagworm Clania cramerii (Mstwood) (Thangavelu and Ravindranath 1985).
LARVAE AND ADULTS OFAMELETUS MAYFLIES(EPHEMEROPTERA: AMELETIDAE) FROM ALBERTA
Authors: Zloty Jacek , Pritchard Gordon
Published: November 2009

Mayflies of the genusAmeletus(Ephemeroptera: Ameletidae) occur in practically every drainage of western Alberta and in the Cypress Hills, from headwater spring brooks to larger rivers. The genus is speciose and reaches its greatest diversity in the southwestern part of the province where as many as 12 species can occur at a single site. Of the 30 bisexual species currently recognized from North America, 13 have been collected from Alberta (A.bellulus,A.celer,A.cooki,A.majusculus,A.oregonensis,A.pritchardi,A.similior,A.sparsatus,A.subnotatus,A.suffusus,A.validus,A.velox, andA.vernalis), and another,A.inopinatus, is assumed to occur in the northern part of the province. Male adults of all North American species were described previously by Zloty (1996,The Canadian Entomologist128:293–346). In the current paper, we describe late-instar larvae and adult females of all 14 Albertan species, and provide species distributions and keys for identification of male and female adults and larvae. All diagnostic taxonomic characters are described and illustrated. The identification keys can also be used in Saskatchewan, eastern British Columbia, Montana, and the northern parts of Idaho and Washington.
ORIENTATION OFCALOSOMA SYCOPHANTAL. (COLEOPTERA: CARABIDAE) IN FORESTS: INSIGHTS FROM VISUAL RESPONSES TO OBJECTS
Authors: Weseloh Ronald M.
Published: November 2009

Visual responses of adults ofCalosoma sycophantaL., which are predators of the gypsy moth,Lymantria disparL. (Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae), were investigated in laboratory arenas. Beetles moved toward dark cylinders significantly faster than to light ones when the background was white, but no differently when the background was black. Thus,C.sycophantaappears to respond most readily to dark objects, and this response is only slightly modified by contrast with the background. Beetles move toward large-diameter black cylinders more readily than toward small-diameter ones, but object height and shape do not appear to be important characteristics. The visual responses ofC.sycophantawould tend to orient adults toward the base of trees in a forest. Because beetles prey on gypsy moth larvae in trees, this orientation serves to position them where they can most readily find hosts, or perhaps to guide them to objects under which to hide.
FIRST CANADIAN RECORDS OF TROCHOSA RURICOLA (DEGEER), OSTEARIUS MELANOPYGIUS (O. PICKARD-CAMBRIDGE), AND DICTYNA DECAPRINI KASTON (ARANEAE: LYCOSIDAE, LINYPHIIDAE, DICTYNIDAE, RESPECTIVELY)
Authors: Lalongé Sylvain , Redner James H. , Coderre D.
Published: November 2009

During a study on the importance of spiders as predators of the cabbage butterfly Artogeia rapae L. (Lepidoptera: Pieridae) in cultivated cruciferous fields in Quebec, 209 specimens (114 were immatures riding on the back of a female) of Trochosa ruricola (DeGeer) (Lycosidae), 21 specimens of Ostearius melanopygius (O. Pickard-Cambridge) (Linyphiidae), and one specimen of Dictyna decaprini Kaston (Dictynidae) were found by pitfall traps and aspirator at L'Acadie, Quebec (45°20'N, 73°20'W) in cabbage, Brussels sprouts, and broccoli plots. This is the first record of these species in Canada.
LISTRONOTUS MONTANUS DIETZ (COLEOPTERA: CURCULIONIDAE) DAMAGING SPRING WHEAT IN MONTANA
Authors: Blodgett Sue L. , Denke Patricia M. , Ivie Michael A. , O’Brien Charles W. , Lenssen Andrew W.
Published: November 2009

Listronotus montanus (Dietz) is a little known species, distributed in central North America. O'Brien and Wibmer (1982) record its occurrence from Indiana west to Nevada and north to the Prairie Provinces. In Montana, it occurs widely in grasslands east of the Continental Divide (Montana Entomological Collection, unpublished), but is also recorded from Saunders Co. in western Montana (Russell 1968). Nothing has been reported on the biology of this species, but it has been observed on grasses in the Cypress Hills of Alberta (CWOB unpublished). We report the occurrence of this species as a potential pest of small grains.
PALAEOLEPTOCHROMUS SCHAUFUSSI(GEN.NOV., SP.NOV.), A NEW ANTLIKE STONE BEETLE (COLEOPTERA: SCYDMAENIDAE) FROM CANADIAN CRETACEOUS AMBER
Authors: O’Keefe Sean , Pike Ted , Poinar George
Published: November 2009

Palaeoleptochromus schaufussi(gen.nov., sp.nov.) is the first antlike stone beetle (Coleoptera: Scydmaenidae) to be described from Cretaceous amber. The piece of amber containing this specimen was collected in an area near Grassy Lake, Alberta, Canada, and is dated 79 million years old. This new genus is placed within the Mastiginae and is most likely the sister taxon to the recent Neotropical genusLeptochromusMotschulsky.
FIRST RECORD OF A BIG-HEADED FLY,EUDORYLAS ALTERNATUS(CRESSON) (DIPTERA: PIPUNCULIDAE), REARED FROM THE SUBFAMILY CICADELLINAE (HOMOPTERA: CICADELLIDAE), WITH AN OVERVIEW OF PIPUNCULID–HOST ASSOCIATIONS IN THE NEARCTIC REGION
Authors: Skevington Jeff , Marshall S.A.
Published: November 2009

Eudorylas alternatus(Cresson) is recorded as a parasitoid ofCuerna striata(Walker) (Homoptera: Cicadellidae, Cicadellinae), providing the first known example of a big-headed fly parasitizing a cicadelline. Rearing methods and parasitism rates are discussed, and a summary of known Nearctic pipunculid–host associations is presented along with an overview of big-headed fly natural history.
TAXONOMIC REVISION AND PHYLOGENETIC ANALYSIS OF THE GENUS OREODYTES SEIDLITZ (COLEOPTERA: DYTISCIDAE: HYDROPORINAE) BASED ON LARVAL MORPHOLOGY
Authors: Alarie Yves
Published: November 2009

The larval morphology of the dytiscid genus Oreodytes Seidlitz was investigated through a detailed analysis of 16 Nearctic and two Palearctic species. Many structural features, especially those of chaetotaxy and porotaxy of head capsule, head appendages, legs, last abdominal segment, and urogomphi, were found to be useful for taxonomic and phylogenetic comparisons. Within the tribe Hydroporini, it is proposed that Oreodytes shares a monophyletic origin with the genera Deronectes Sharp, Scarodytes Gozis, Nebrioporus Régimbart, and Stictotarsus Zimmermann. A tentative phylogenetic reconstruction of the genus Oreodytes, based on 29 larval characteristics, is provided. The classification of members of Oreodytes indicated by larvae is shown to be only partly reconcilable with the one indicated by adults. Once subdivided into three species-groups, Oreodytes now comprises four species-groups: the O. picturatus, O. obesus, O. scitulus, and O. quadrimaculatus species-groups. Oreodytes quadrimaculatus was found to share a monophyletic origin with the members of the O. picturatus and O. scitulus species-groups. The taxonomic status of the genus-name Neonectes J. Balfour-Browne is reconsidered as the larvae of N. natrix (Sharp) and N. babai Satô are revealed to be most similar morphologically to members of the O. scitulus species-group.
ANTIBIOSIS OF PREFERRED AND NON-PREFERRED HOST-PLANTS FOR THE FLEA BEETLE, PHYLLOTRETA CRUCIFERAE (GOEZE) (COLEOPTERA: CHRYSOMELIDAE)
Authors: Palaniswamy P. , Lamb R.J. , Bodnaryk R.P.
Published: November 2009

The antibiosis of crucifers to flea beetles, Phyllotreta cruciferae (Goeze), was compared for Brassica juncea L., B. napus L., and B. rapa L. with low antixenosis, B. carinata L. and Sinapis alba L. with moderate antixenosis, and Thlaspi arvense L. with high antixenosis. Adult flea beetles collected from the field in early spring fed actively on intact or excised leaves of all plants except T. arvense. The beetles survived, and gained weight and fat on the Brassica species and S. alba, but not on intact foliage of T. arvense. No antibiosis was detected in any of the Brassica species or in S. alba. Intact foliage of T. arvense was so antixenotic that beetles probably starved rather than suffered from antibiosis. A low level of antibiosis was detected in excised foliage of T. arvense where the antixenosis was lost. These experiments show that estimates of beetle survival, dry weight, and fat content can be used in the laboratory to test small numbers of candidate plants for antibiosis. However, the level of antibiosis appears to vary less among Brassica species and related plants than does the level of antixenosis, and so the latter is a more promising type of resistance for use against flea beetles in canola.
COLLEMBOLA (ARTHROPODA) OF BALSAM FIR [ABIES BALSAMEA(L.)] FORESTS OF WESTERN NEWFOUNDLAND
Authors: Puvanendran D.C. , Larson D.J. , Thompson I.D.
Published: November 2009

The Collembola of commercial balsam fir [Abies balsamea(L.)] forests of western Newfoundland were surveyed through Berlese funnel extraction of samples taken from soil and various forest microhabitats and through pit-fall trapping. A total of 64 species representing 30 genera was collected. Twenty-three genera and 47 species are new records for the Island of Newfoundland; eight additional species were identified to genus level only. For each species, the abundance in soil samples and distribution among microhabitats are described. The fauna of Newfoundland is about equivalent in species richness to that of Quebec and almost twice as rich as the recorded fauna of the Maritime Provinces. Few species are common to the three areas. However, this probably reflects the general paucity of knowledge of Canadian Collembola rather than indicating strong regional patterns in faunal composition.
THE SEMIAQUATIC GENUS TEGEOCRANELLUS (ACARI: ORIBATIDA: AMERONOTHROIDEA) OF NORTH AND CENTRAL AMERICA
Authors: Behan-Pelletier Valerie M.
Published: November 2009

Species of the oribatid mite genus Tegeocranellus from North and Central America are discussed, and immatures are described for the first time. Six new species are described and keyed: Tegeocranellus alas from Costa Rica, T. barbarae from Alabama, Mississippi, and Florida, T. kethleyi from Alabama and Mississippi, T. mississippii from Louisiana and Texas, T. muscorum known from Ontario to Florida, and T. mediolamellatus from Guatemala. Descriptions of T. alas, T. barbarae, T. mediolamellatus, and T. muscorum are based on adults and immatures, and those of the other two species on adults only. I expand the generic diagnosis to include information on the apheredermous, plicate immatures, and present a character analysis hypothesizing that the monogeneric family Tegeocranellidae is a member of the Ameronothroidea, closely related to Selenoribatidae and Fortuyniidae.
VISUAL DETERMINATION OF SEX OF DIAMONDBACK MOTH LARVAE
Authors: Liu Yong-Biao , Tabashnik Bruce E.
Published: November 2009

The diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae), is a major worldwide pest of cruciferous vegetables (Talekar and Shelton 1993). Male and female adults of this species can be accurately identified by visible differences in their external genitalia. According to Robertson (1939), the sex of pupae can also be identified, but, in our experience, this approach is more difficult. For some types of research, determination of larval sex would be useful. For example, one could determine sex-specific responses of larvae to a treatment by observing mortality, development rate, or behavior of male and female larvae separately. In studies requiring hybrid mating between different strains of diamondback moth (Tabashnik et al. 1992), one could isolate groups of male larvae separately from female larvae to avoid mating within a strain. Some lepidopteran larvae can be sexed by the gonads being visible through the cuticle of the fifth abdominal segment or by the position of external pits marking the location of the genital discs in the eighth and ninth abdominal segments (Stehr 1987). But, because of their small size, it is not practical to sex diamondback moth larvae by external pits and we have found no studies in which male and female larvae were identified by gonadal form. Herein we report that third- and fourth-instar larvae of diamondback moth can be sexed efficiently and reliably.
FORUM: THE ARBOREAL SUPERHIGHWAY: ARTHROPODS AND LANDSCAPE DYNAMICS
Authors: Winchester Neville N.
Published: November 2009

Species richness of arthropods in northern temperate coastal rain forests far exceeds previous estimates, and the functional significance that these species play in ecosytem processes remains largely unknown. Examination of several species, many of which are not yet described, indicates that these intact ancient rain forests are structurally complex and act as reservoirs for biological diversity. Forest harvesting and resulting fragmentation affects arthropod diversity by altering key patterns of natural processes which are inseparably linked to habitat diversity. Consequences for arthropods may vary but those species which are endemic or inseparably linked to habitat features found only in these forests are particularly vulnerable to fragmentation-induced changes. Several important questions arise. What are the implications of forest fragmentation on ecological processes? What role does dispersal play in arthropod population viability? Given the immense biodiversity of arthropods, what are the functional roles that the species play in these forests and how are these changed when forests are harvested? The lack of empirical evidence makes it difficult to answer these questions and to quantify the functional roles of arthropods in these ecosystems.To address these questions, I suggest that studies should not rely on single-species approaches and the measurement of diversity (i.e. species richness and abundance) but should focus on addressing the functional roles of forest arthropods. To move beyond the basic description of pattern I suggest that studies concentrate on describing species assemblages while including dynamic processes such as dispersal into the framework of how we think about arthropods in ancient forests. The use of feeding guilds in the development of predictive models may give us an understanding of these factors and provide information that could be used to examine functional patterns in community structure.
REDUCTION IN PEAR PSYLLA (HOMOPTERA: PSYLLIDAE) OVIPOSITION AND FEEDING BY FOLIAR APPLICATION OF VARIOUS MATERIALS
Authors: Weissling Thomas J. , Lewis Tamera M. , McDonough Les M. , Horton David R.
Published: November 2009

Several horticultural oils, an insecticidal soap, neem, garlic extract, a sugar ester, and a synthetic insect growth regulator were evaluated under laboratory conditions for their ability to inhibit pear psylla’s [Cacopsylla pyricola (Foerster)] feeding and oviposition. Supreme oil significantly reduced winterform oviposition rates in both choice and no-choice assays and reduced feeding rates in no-choice assays. Supreme oil also reduced oviposition rates of summerform females in choice tests but not in no-choice tests. In addition, summerform oviposition rates were reduced significantly by application of several mineral oils (Orchex 796E, 692, and WS2928) and garlic barrier to pear foliage in no-choice tests, and by all oils, garlic barrier, and M-Pede in choice tests. Summerform feeding rates were reduced by application of mineral oils. Data suggest that "summer type" oils and other compounds may have utility in pear psylla management programs by decreasing feeding and oviposition.
QUEEN REARING BY HIGH AND LOW QUEEN MANDIBULAR PHEROMONE RESPONDING WORKER HONEY BEES (APIS MELLIFERA L.)
Authors: Pankiw T.
Published: November 2009

Strains of workers that were high or low in their retinue attraction response to queen mandibular pheromone (QMP) in a laboratory bioassay were fostered in queenless colonies to measure their differential queen-rearing behaviors. High-strain workers spent proportionately more time working on and in queen cells than low-strain workers, and there were significant age by strain effects for time spent rearing queen cells. No interindividual differences were detected among the strains in the tendency to rear queens. Results from this experiment suggest that QMP retinue attraction response may be a mechanism upon which selection acts for division of queen-rearing labor.
SPECIES COMPOSITION OF ROOT-FEEDING MACROARTHROPODS IN A SUBALPINE GRASSLAND ASSOCIATED WITH PINE FOREST IN MEXICO
Authors: Morón-Ríos A. , Jaramillo V.J. , Dirzo R.
Published: November 2009

Below-ground herbivores have been poorly studied regardless of their importance for the establishment and composition of plant communities. In a subalpine grassland associated with a 3200-m-elevation pine forest in central Mexico, the composition and vertical and horizontal distribution of the macroarthropod root-feeding community was studied for 14 months. The root-feeding community included six species of Coleoptera and one species of Diptera. The dominant species werePhyllophagaspp. (subgenusPhytallus, "macrophylla" group) andTrachyploeomimusaff.spurcusChampion. Mean density and biomass of this community were 101 individuals and 3 g per square metre, respectively. These values were low when compared with those reported for other communities. Species were most abundant in the first 10 cm of the soil all year around. Dominant species showed a clumped horizontal distribution most of the year.
ORIGIN AND DISTRIBUTION OF THE YEW BIG BUD MITE,CECIDOPHYOPSIS PSILASPIS(NALEPA), IN BRITISH COLUMBIA
Authors: Mitchell A.K. , Duncan R.W. , Bown T.A. , Marshall V.G.
Published: November 2009

The distribution of the yew big bud mite,Cecidophyopsis psilaspis(Nalepa), a pest causing severe damage to Pacific yew,Taxus brevifoliaNutt., was determined within British Columbia. From 1992 to 1994, vegetative and reproductive buds on branch samples collected from 38 interior and 43 coastal populations of Pacific yew were examined for the occurrence of the mite. Mite damage was characterized by marked swelling and browning of both vegetative and reproductive buds. Interior Pacific yew populations were found to be mite free, whereas coastal yew populations were mite infested, except at three high-elevation (>700 m) coastal locations which were apparently mite free. At three other sites, individual trees without symptoms of mite attack did harbour low-density, nondamaging mite populations. The hypothesis that this mite is indigenous is less supported than the hypothesis that it was introduced to British Columbia on English yew,Taxus baccataL., and is limited to its present distribution by climatic and mountain barriers.
STRUCTURE, SENSORY EQUIPMENT, AND SECRETIONS OF THE OVIPOSITOR IN A GIANT SPECIES OF HYMENOPTERA: MEGARHYSSA ATRATA F. (ICHNEUMONIDAE, PIMPLINAE)
Authors: Nénon Jean-Pierre , Kacem Nabila , Lannic Joseph Le
Published: November 2009

Megarhyssa atrata F., the largest hymenopteran parasitoid known, is found in the holarctic. The stylus of its ovipositor can reach a length of 142 mm, the longest of all known genitalia in Arthropoda. This pimpline parasitizes its host, Tremex columba L., at a great depth in wood. Valvulae 3, which are always shorter than the stylus, are characterized on their outer side by abundant trichoid sensilla of three different types, and on their inner side by a dense layer of cuticular spines probably used in cleaning and shielding the stylus while at rest. The joint region between stylus and abdominal segments is richly equipped with mechanoreceptive trichoid and campaniform sensilla. The ovipositor canal is located between the two valvulae 1 which are separate for their entire length and supported proximally by the two valvulae 2 which are joined to each other from the base. The distal end of the stylus, shaped like an indented lancet, has secretory pores, the first such to be observed in Hymenoptera, from which accessory gland secretions flow. These secretions reach the end of the stylus by intravalvular canals in valvulae 1 and 2. These substances, which may cause cell lysis and also act as lubricants, can accumulate among the tens of thousands of cuticular formations distributed along the stylus which are thought to be surface storage cavities for the secretions. The sensory equipment of the stylus consists of six rows of approximately 200 mechanoreceptive campaniform sensilla. The ovipositor of M. atrata is thus characterized by almost exclusively mechanoreceptive sensory equipment; chemical stimuli appear to be monitored by two types of trichoid sensilla on valvulae 3. The finding that secretory pores occupy exactly the same sites as chemoreceptors in Ichneumonidae, Chalcidoidea, and Proctotrupoidea demonstrates the importance of studying the ovipositor of this parasitoid adapted to withstanding extreme pressures as it penetrates deep into wood.
BLACK FLIES (DIPTERA: SIMULIIDAE) OF EAST-CENTRAL SASKATCHEWAN, WITH DESCRIPTION OF A NEW SPECIES AND IMPLICATIONS FOR PEST MANAGEMENT
Authors: Adler Peter H. , Mason Peter G.
Published: November 2009

A 5-year study of the black flies of east-central Saskatchewan revealed 21 species, including Simulium incognitum sp.nov. Chromosomal and ecological evidence for reproductive isolation is presented for this new species, formerly known as S. venustum Say CC4, and S. venustum Say CC. All 21 species in the study are associated with productive streams and rivers. As many as nine of these species might comprise the pest assemblage harassing livestock. The major pest, S. luggeri Nicholson and Mickel, is cytologically distinct from populations in the eastern United States on the basis of a two-step, Y-linked inversion in the IIS chromosomal arm. Simulium luggeri is the only livestock pest that breeds almost solely in large streams and rivers. The other eight probable pests breed entirely or partly in streams less than 10 m wide, often below beaver dams, suggesting that management efforts should specifically target these sites.
SCREENING FOUR EXOTIC PARASITOIDS AS POTENTIAL CONTROLS FOR THE EASTERN HEMLOCK LOOPER,LAMBDINA FISCELLARIA FISCELLARIA(GUENÉE) (LEPIDOPTERA: GEOMETRIDAE)
Authors: West R.J. , Kenis M.
Published: November 2009

Among the 20 geometrid species recovered from annual surveys in coniferous forests in the Swiss Alps, three species,Epirrita autumnata(Borkhausen),Agriopis aurantiariaHübner, andPoecilopsis isabellaeHarrison, were identified as sources for parasitoids that might be suitable as candidates for introduction to Newfoundland to control the eastern hemlock looper,Lambdina fiscellaria fiscellaria(Guenée). Four univoltine Hymenoptera were identified as candidates:Dusona contumax(Forster) (Ichneumonidae) fromA.aurantiaria,Dusonasp. fromP.isabellae,Aleiodescf.gastritor(Thunberg) (Braconidae) fromE.autumnata, andAleiodes. sp. fromP.isabellae. The candidate parasitoids were confined with their native hosts in the laboratory and observations made to gather basic biological information and define protocols for screening.

Small numbers of these parasitoids were shipped to Newfoundland and screened in the laboratory against hemlock looper larvae. Although attacks byD.contumax,Dusonasp., andA. cf.gastritorwere observed, parasitoid development did not occur. All parasitoid eggs recovered from the hemlock looper larvae attacked were encapsulated.Dusona contumax,Dusonasp. fromP.isabellae,A. cf.gastritor, andAleoidessp. fromP.isabellaeare not recommended for introduction against the eastern hemlock looper.
EVIDENCE OF HONEYDEW FEEDING IN BLACK FLIES (DEPTERA: SIMULIIDAE)
Authors: Burgin Steven G. , Hunter Fiona F.
Published: November 2009

Black flies (Diptera: Simuliidae) were collected from a tamarack stand,Larix laricina(Du Roi) Koch, heavily infested withAdelges lariciatus(Patch) (Homoptera: Adelgidae). Insect nets were used to sweep the tamarack branches to capture black flies associated with the trees. Six black fly species were sweep-netted, with 85.5% of all flies belonging toSimulium venustumSay complex. Samples of honeydew and the crops and midguts of individual black flies were tested by thin layer chromatography using fructose, glucose, sucrose, turanose, melezitose, raffinose, and stachyose as standards. The sugars fructose, glucose, sucrose, raffinose, and stachyose were found in the adelgid honeydew samples. Of the 201 black flies tested, 194 contained sugars, which occurred in 16 combinations. It is argued that stachyose can be used to indicate when black flies have fed on the adelgid honeydew. We conclude that 49.7% of theS.venustumcollected from the tamarack had fed recently on this honeydew source. In addition, it was observed that black flies reared in the laboratory readily ingested freshly excreted and older (dry) honeydew when presented with branches from the tamarack stand.
ADAPTIVE SIGNIFICANCE OF DENSITY-DEPENDENT BALLOONING BY BAGWORM LARVAE, METISA PLANA (WALKER) (LEPIDOPTERA: PSYCHIDAE)
Authors: Rhainds Marc , Gries Gerhard , Chew Poh Son
Published: November 2009

Experiments conducted in a plantation of oil palms, Elaeis guineensis (Jacquin), infested with bagworms, Metisa plana (Walker), tested the hypotheses that crowding enhances the incidence of larval ballooning and negatively affects the size attained by pupae. Proportions of ballooning larvae increased with increasing densities of larvae per palm. The lengths of bags (and pupal cases) decreased with increasing numbers of bagworms per leaf. Ballooning of larvae from crowded palms is likely adaptive because individuals attaining large size at pupation have proportionately greatest survival, mating success, and fecundity.
COMPARISON OF WATER PAN TRAPS AND STICKY TRAPS FOR MONITORING DELIA SPP. (DIPTERA: ANTHOMYIIDAE) IN CANOLA
Authors: Broatch James S. , Vernon Robert S.
Published: November 2009

Yellow water pan traps and yellow sticky traps were used to collect Delia spp. flies in plots of canola, var. Tobin, for an entire growing season in the Peace River region of Alberta. At one or more times during the growing season, pan traps and sticky traps captured Delia radicum (L.), Delia floralis (Fallen), Delia planipalpis (Stein), or Delia platura (Meigen). Numbers of males and females caught varied dramatically between the two trap styles, both within and between the various species. Prior to the onset of flowering, cumulative captures of each of the four Delia spp. in pan traps were all significantly lower than on sticky traps for females and males. From the onset of flowering until trapping ended on 17 August, cumulative captures of D. radicum, D. floralis, and D. planipalpis females were similar in pan traps and sticky traps. Sticky traps, however, remained significantly better than pan traps for trapping all Delia spp. males, as well as D. platura females. Pan traps were more suitable than sticky traps for collecting intact specimens for positive identifications. Results indicate that a combination of sticky traps and pan traps should be used over an entire growing season when conducting initial surveys for Delia species in crops such as canola. In routine monitoring programs for Delia spp., sticky traps would be more efficacious early in the growing season and more practical than pan traps. The level of expertise required to accurately identify the Delia spp. complex in canola would be higher for sticky traps than for pan traps.