bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Reduced food consumption in the grasshopper Melanoplus sanguinipes (Orthoptera: Acrididae) parasitized by Blaesoxipha atlanis (Diptera: Sarcophagidae)
Authors: Danyk Troy , Mackauer Manfred , Johnson Dan L.
Published: April 2009

Blaesoxipha atlanis (Aldrich) is a common parasite of Melanoplus sanguinipes (Fabr.) in western Canada. We tested the hypothesis that parasitism by B. atlanis reduces food consumption by adult M. sanguinipes. Unparasitized grasshoppers serving as controls and grasshoppers infected with a single parasite larva were fed known quantities of freshly cut wheat (Triticum aestivum L. ‘Katepwa’) (Poaceae) leaves in the laboratory. The median development time in hosts of larvae of both male and female B. atlanis was 5.5 days. Two thirds of parasitized grasshoppers died within 9 days of infection, but all control insects survived. The dry mass of leaves consumed each day did not differ between parasitized insects that died and insects that survived parasitism; both groups fed less than unparasitized controls. The influence of parasitism on food consumption differed between host sexes, with feeding being depressed earlier and more severely in female than in male grasshoppers. The reduction in food consumption was most pronounced on day 6 after infection, when parasitized males and females consumed only 10% and 7%, respectively, of the food consumed by unparasitized controls. Parasite sex did not influence food consumption. Grasshoppers that survived parasitism by B. atlanis resumed feeding, consuming as much as unparasitized counterparts. Reduced food consumption limited the ability of grasshoppers to compensate for the nutritional demands of developing parasite larvae. As a consequence, parasitized grasshoppers lost body mass during the interaction. We propose that the temporary reduction in feeding by grasshoppers parasitized by B. atlanis that survive parasitism is not evidence of host regulation, but is consistent with a stress-induced alteration in host behaviour.
(Z,E)-6,8-heneicosadien-11-one: major sex-pheromone component of Orgyia vetusta (Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae)
Authors: Gries R. , Schaefer P.W. , Yoo H.J.S. , Greaves M. , Gries G.
Published: April 2009

The western tussock moth, Orgyia vetusta Boisduval (Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae), formerly known as Hemerocampa vetusta (Boisduval), occurs primarily in coastal areas of central California and south into Mexico, with occasional records east of the central Sacramento and San Joaquin valleys (Ferguson 1978). Two biotypes, feeding on perennial yellow bush lupine, Lupinus arboreus Sims (Fabaceae), or silver dune lupine, Lupinus chamissonis Eschsch. (this study), and on California live oak, Quercus agrifolia Née (Fagaceae), respectively, have been recognized and were originally considered two separate species (Edwards 1881; Ferguson 1978). Various fruit and nut trees have also been reported as host plants (Atkins 1958)
Bark reflectance spectra of conifers and angiosperms: implications for host discrimination by coniferophagous bark and timber beetles
Authors: Campbell Stuart A. , Borden John H.
Published: April 2009

The spectral reflectance of phytophagous insects' host plants is usually quantified between 300–350 nm (ultraviolet, UV) and 700 nm (farred to infrared), and the shape and magnitude of the distribution of reflected light determine the hue, saturation, and intensity perceived by insects (Moericke 1969). Host perception also depends on the distribution of environmental light (Endler 1993) and on the constraints of the insects' visual system, which is usually described as dichromatic, with one type of photoreceptor responding maximally to blue light (λmax = ca. 400–470 nm) and another to green light (λmax = ca. 500–530 nm). UV receptors also appear to be common, if not ubiquitous (Briscoe and Chittka 2001; Mazza et al. 2002). Several phytophagous insects have been shown to use visual cues, including UV reflectance, to locate and (or) discriminate among plants (Prokopy and Owens 1983).
Complete development ofAnoplophora glabripennis(Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) in northern red oak trees
Authors: Morewood W.D. , Hoover K. , Neiner P.R. , Sellmer J.C.
Published: April 2009

The invasive wood-boring beetleAnoplophora glabripennis(Motschulsky) (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) poses a serious threat to deciduous trees in North America and Europe, where it has been introduced in solid wood packing material from China (Haacket al.1997; Krehan 2003). This beetle attacks and ultimately kills a wide variety of hardwood tree species (Nowaket al.2001; Lingafelter and Hoebeke 2002); it has infested urban shade trees in Canada (Canadian Food Inspection Agency 2004), the United States (Haack 2003), and Austria (Tomiczek 2003) and has damaged poplar (PopulusL.; Salicaceae) plantations in its native China (Luoet al.2003).
Neuragrion mysticum(Odonata: Megapodagrionidae) demystified
Authors: Garrison Rosser W. , von Ellenrieder Natalia
Published: April 2009

Based on circumstantial evidence,Neuragrion mysticumKarsch, 1891 is considered a junior synonym ofHeteropodagrion sanguinipesSelys, 1885. Annotated wing scans forH. sanguinipesandMesagrionleucorrhinumSelys, 1885, species originally compared toN.mysticum, are provided.
Cryptoryctes tricornutus sp. nov. from the Northern Territory, Australia (Scarabaeidae, Dynastinae, Oryctini)
Authors: Howden Henry F. , Malý Vladislav
Published: April 2009

Cryptoryctes tricornutussp. nov. from Erldunda (25.13°S, 133.11°E), Northern Territory, Australia, is described and figured. It is compared with a close species, Cryptoryctes trifidus (Blackburn, 1895).
Larval morphology of the Neotropical genusEpispasta(Coleoptera, Meloidae)
Authors: Di Giulio Andrea , Pinto John D. , Bologna Marco A.
Published: April 2009

The first-instar (triungulin), second-instar, and third-instar larvae of the South American monotypic genusEpispastaSelander, 1960 are described and figured. The triungulin ofE. abbreviata(Klug, 1825) is highly adapted for phoresy on bees and resembles the triungulins of several other phoretic genera in the subfamily Meloinae. The second- and third-instar larvae ofEpispastaare unique in that they retain the campodeiform phenotype of the first instar. These instars in other meloid genera are scarabaeiform. A discussion is provided on the similarity of the triungulin ofEpispastato that of other phoretic meloines. We argue that this similarity is a result of morphological convergence correlated with phoretic behavior and is not evidence of a relationship. The position ofEpispastain Meloinae remains questionable, as none of its larval or adult features ally it to any other genus.
Two introduced spider wasps (Hymenoptera: Pompilidae) new to Canada, with notes on nesting habits and the incidence of introductions
Authors: Buck Matthias
Published: April 2009

The European pompilidAgenioideus cinctellus(Spinola, 1808) is recorded for the first time from the New World based on material from Ontario. Another recent Nearctic immigrant,Auplopus carbonarius(Scopoli, 1763), is recorded for the first time from Canada, which extends its known range into southern Ontario. The incidence of new introductions and the possible impact on the community of cavity-nesting aculeate wasps is discussed.
Antennae of Cryptorhynchus lapathi (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) detect two pheromone components of coniferophagous bark beetles in the stems of Salix sitchensis and Salix scouleriana (Salicaceae)
Authors: Broberg Cynthia L. , Borden John H. , Gries Regine
Published: April 2009

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).
Consequences of gall tissues as a food resource for a tortricid moth attacking cecidomyiid galls
Authors: Sugiura Shinji , Yamazaki Kazuo , Osono Takashi
Published: April 2009

Seven species of parasitoids and two species of moths emerged from bud galls induced by two species of gall midges (Asteralobiasoyogo(Kikuti) andA. sasakii(Monzen)) (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) on four species of trees of the genusIlex(I. pedunculosaMiq.,I. crenataThunb.,I. chinensisSims, andI. integraThunb.) (Aquifoliaceae). Larvae of the mothRhopobota ustomaculana(Curtis) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) bored into bud galls induced byA. soyogoandA. sasakiionI. pedunculosaandI. crenata, respectively.Rhopobota ustomaculanalarvae fed on leaves as well as gall tissues ofI. pedunculosa, suggesting thatR. ustomaculanais a facultative cecidophage. To clarify consequences of gall tissues as a food resource for cecidophagous moths, we compared the chemical properties of galls with those of normal plant tissues (leaves) ofI. pedunculosa. Bud galls ofI. pedunculosahad higher water content and lower nitrogen, carbon, and polyphenol (a chemical associated with plant insect defenses) contents than leaves. Therefore, bud galls may be a richer food resource forR. ustomaculanalarvae because of the higher water content and lower carbon and polyphenol contents, although they are a poorer resource in terms of nitrogen content.
Identification ofmariner-like elements inSitodiplosis mosellana(Diptera: Cecidomyiidae)
Authors: Mittapalli O. , Shukle R.H. , Wise I.L.
Published: April 2009

Mariner-like element sequences were recovered from the genome of the orange wheat midge,Sitodiplosis mosellana(Géhin), with degenerate PCR primers designed to conserved regions ofmarinertransposases. The deduced amino acid sequences of themariner-like transposases fromS. mosellanashowed 67% to 78% identity with the peptide sequences of othermarinertransposases. A phylogenetic analysis revealed that themariner-like elements fromS. mosellanagrouped in the mauritiana subfamily ofmarinertransposons. Results from Southern blot analysis suggestmariner-like elements are at a moderate copy number in the genome ofS. mosellana.
First record of a psilid fly feeding on cecidomyiid galls
Authors: Sugiura Shinji , Yamazaki Kazuo
Published: April 2009

We found larvae of Chylizasplendida Iwasa (Diptera: Psilidae) feeding on galls induced by Asphondyliabaca Monzen (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) on the buds of Weigelafloribunda (Sieb. & Zucc.) K. Koch (Caprifoliaceae) in Japan. This is the first confirmed report of cecidophagy in the Psilidae.
Aphid parasitoids infesting cotton, citrus, tobacco, and cereal crops in southeastern Europe: aphid-plant associations and keys
Authors: Kavallieratos Nickolas G. , Tomanović Željko , Athanassiou Christos G. , Starý Petr , Žikić Vladimir , Sarlis George P. , Fasseas Constantin
Published: April 2009

We present new information on the parasitoids (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Aphidiinae) of aphids infesting cotton, tobacco, citrus, and cereal agroecosystems in southeastern Europe. Nineteen species are keyed and illustrated with scanning electron micrographs and line drawings. The aphidiines presented in this work have been identified from 18 aphid taxa. Furthermore, 96 original parasitoid–aphid–plant associations are presented. Cotton, tobacco, and citrus agroecosystems are connected through aphids and their parasitoids, whereas cereal agroecosystems represent a separate group of associations.
Polyurethane foam strips to estimate parasitism of hemlock looper (Lepidoptera: Geometridae) eggs by Telenomus spp. (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae)
Authors: Hébert Christian , Berthiaume Richard , Bordeleau Clément
Published: April 2009

An oviposition trap recently developed to survey hemlock looper (Lambdina fiscellaria (Guenée)) eggs and consisting of a small strip of white polyurethane foam stapled to the tree bole provides reliable estimates of Telenomus spp. parasitism on hemlock looper eggs. Oviposition traps are a standard tool that never varies. They allow us to avoid the tedious and expensive extraction process used when collecting eggs from branches. This new method can be implemented rapidly in a high number of plots and provides the egg parasitism estimates needed in spring to improve hemlock looper population management.
Sexual morphology of male Sepsis cynipsea (Diptera: Sepsidae): lack of support for lock-and-key and sexually antagonistic morphological coevolution hypotheses
Authors: Eberhard William G.
Published: April 2009

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.
Disruption of red turpentine beetle attraction to baited traps by the addition of California fivespined ips pheromone components
Authors: Fettig Christopher J. , Borys Robert R. , Dabney Christopher P. , McKelvey Stephen R. , Cluck Daniel R. , Smith Sherl L.
Published: April 2009

The red turpentine beetle,Dendroctonus valensLeConte (Coleoptera: Scolytidae), is a common bark beetle species found throughout much of North America. In California,D.valensand the California fivespined ips,Ips paraconfususLanier (Coleoptera: Scolytidae), are sympatric and often colonize the same tree. In an unrelated study, we observed thatI.paraconfususattack densities in logging debris were inversely related toD.valensattacks on freshly cut stumps. In this study, we test the hypothesis that allomonal inhibition occurs between these two species. Components of the aggregation pheromone ofI.paraconfusus(racemic ipsenol, (+)-ipsdienol, and (–)-cis-verbenol) inhibited the response ofD.valensto attractant-baited traps. Substitution of racemic ipsdienol for (+)-ipsdienol did not alter this effect. Doubling the release rate did not enhance inhibition. Racemic ipsdienol was not attractive toI.paraconfusus.Temnochila chlorodia(Mannerheim, 1843) (Coleoptera: Trogositidae), a common bark beetle predator, was attracted to theI.paraconfususaggregation pheromone. These results could have important implications for the development of an effective semiochemical-based management tool forD.valens.
Occurrence of Sitodiplosis mosellana (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) and its parasitoid, Macroglenes penetrans (Hymenoptera: Platygasteridae), in northeastern Montana
Authors: Shanower Thomas G.
Published: April 2009

The wheat midge, Sitodiplosis mosellana (Géhin), is an infrequent but devastating pest that has been present in western North America for at least 100 years. This note provides the first published report of the presence of the wheat midge and its parasitoid, Macroglenes penetrans (Kirby), in Montana. Annual surveys were conducted in Daniels, Roosevelt, Sheridan, and Valley counties of northeastern Montana for 5 years (2000–2004) using a systematic soil sampling method to collect overwintering wheat midge larvae. In addition, in 2004, infested wheat heads were collected from 10 fields in Sheridan County, and wheat midges and parasitoids were reared. The wheat midge occurred in all four counties, though at relatively low levels. Densities fluctuated across years and locations, with the highest densities (>200 midge larvae/m2) occurring in Sheridan and Roosevelt counties. Macroglenes penetrans was found at all 10 sample sites and constituted up to 52% of the emerged adults (midges + parasitoids).
Cameraria gaultheriella and C. lobatiella attracted in Canada to (E,Z)-8,10-tetradecadienal, the sex pheromone of the European C. ohridella
Authors: Szöcs Gábor , Otvos Imre S. , Schiller Andrea J. , Bergmann Jan , Francke Wittko
Published: April 2009

Field trapping trials showed that Cameraria gaultheriella Walsingham and C. lobatiella Opler and Davis (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae) were attracted in significant numbers in British Columbia, Canada, to sticky traps baited with 10 µg of (E,Z)-8,10-tetradecadienal (E8Z10-14Ald), the sex pheromone of the European horse chestnut leafminer, C. ohridella Deschka and Dimic. There was perfect specificity in captures at habitats located only about 8 km apart from each other: C. gaultheriella was captured exclusively at a humid habitat covered by the shrub salal, Gaultheria shallon Pursh (Ericaceae), whereas C. lobatiella was trapped at an arid location with Garry oak trees, Quercus garryana Dougl. (Fagaceae). Seasonal flight patterns of these two Canadian Cameraria species, as monitored by pheromone traps, indicated differences in their respective flight periods. The possibility of additional cryptic components in the respective pheromones of these three Cameraria species attracted to E8Z10-14Ald is discussed.
Review ofOxypodaspecies in Canada and Alaska (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae, Aleocharinae): systematics, bionomics, and distribution
Authors: Klimaszewski Jan , Pelletier Georges , Germain Carole , Work Timothy , Hébert Christian
Published: April 2009

A review of the rove beetle species of the genusOxypodaMannerheim from Canada and Alaska is presented. Thirty-seven species are treated, of which 4 have uncertain status, 6 are described as new to science, 8 (excluding new species) represent new distribution records for Canada, 17 (excluding new species) represent new province or territory records, 7 represent new state records, and 15 are newly synonymized. New species areOxypoda canadensisKlimaszewski,sp. nov.,O. chantaliKlimaszewski,sp. nov.,O. longicarinataKlimaszewski,sp. nov.,O. smithiKlimaszewski,sp. nov.,O. vockerothiKlimaszewski,sp. nov., andO. volkeriKlimaszewski,sp. nov.New country records areO. brachyptera(Stephens),O. gatosensisBernhauer,O. gnaraCasey,O. inimicaCasey,O. orbicollisCasey,O. opaca(Gravenhorst),O. opertaSjöberg, andO. perexilisCasey. New synonyms areO. amicaCasey (=O. chillcottiLohsesyn. nov.),O. convergensCasey (=O. iowensisCaseysyn. nov.,O. profectaCaseysyn. nov.),O. dubiaFenyes (=O. teneraBernhauersyn. nov.),O. lucidulaCasey (=O. parafunebrisLohsesyn. nov.),O. manitobaeCasey (=O. lataLohsesyn. nov.),O. mimeticaCasey (=O. truncatellaCasey,O. virginicaCasey,O. canoraCasey,O. latebricolaCaseysyn. nov.),O. perexilisCasey (=O. affectaCasey,O. croceolaCasey,O. molliculaCasey,O. tenuicolaCaseysyn. nov.), andO. subpolarisCasey (=O. hemingiLohsesyn. nov.). The Canadian and AlaskanOxypodaspecies are classified into 14 new species groups reflecting their presumed relationships. All treated species are illustrated, and distribution maps are included. New data on bionomics, distribution, and relationships are presented.Hylota ochraceaCasey is removed fromOxypodaand reinstated to its original combination.
Monitoring and detection of the swede midge (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae)
Authors: Hallett Rebecca H. , Goodfellow Sheila A. , Heal James D.
Published: April 2009

In 2002, two types of light traps were compared against sticky yellow cards for efficiency and selectivity in capturing adult swede midge Contarinia nasturtii (Kieffer) (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae). Incandescent light traps were more efficient at capturing swede midge than were sticky traps. Incandescent light traps were more selective than blacklight traps and required less time for processing of samples and identification of captured midges. Emergence (2003 and 2004) and pheromone (2004) traps were used to assess swede midge population dynamics. Captures from emergence traps indicate up to five overlapping emergence events for swede midge each year. Emergence traps captured swede midge earlier in the season than pheromone traps, but pheromone-trap captures continued later in the season than those in emergence traps. Pheromone traps are small and portable, easy to maintain, and capture significantly more swede midge than emergence traps.
Flies (Diptera) as pollinators of two dioecious plants: behaviour and implications for plant mating
Authors: Borkent Christopher J. , Harder Lawrence D.
Published: April 2009

We consider the role of generalist Diptera in the pollination of two dioecious plant species, Clematis ligusticifolia Nutt. (Ranunculaceae) and Shepherdia canadensis (L.) Nutt. (Elaeagnaceae). In particular, we assess (i) whether or not generalist pollinators are unable to distinguish between the sexes of dioecious species and so visit the sexes at equivalent rates, and (ii) the number of flowers that generalist flies visit and revisit during a foraging bout, which would affect self-pollination if plants were hermaphroditic. We determined the visitation rate to each plant species during 10 min periods and recorded the number of flowers that individual pollinators visited and revisited per foraging bout. Diptera were the main pollinators, visiting both sexes at similar rates for both plant species. The main visitors to C. ligusticifolia were muscoid flies (small and large), Culicidae, and halictid bees. The number of flowers visited in this species varied with pollinator group, but groups did not differ in the frequency of revisits. Visitors to S. canadensis were primarily Syrphidae and Empididae. Neither the number of flowers visited nor the number of revisits differed between these two pollinator groups. The results for each plant species are discussed and contrasted, particularly with other studies of the behaviour of generalist and specialist pollinators. We compare the observed pollinator behaviours, and their implications for plant mating, with the various theories of the role of pollinators in the evolution of the dioecious breeding system in plants.
Two newAthetaspecies (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Aleocharinae) from eastern Canada: taxonomy, bionomics, and distribution
Authors: Klimaszewski Jan , Majka Christopher G.
Published: April 2009

Two new athetine beetles from eastern Canada are described and illustrated:Atheta(Metadimetrota)savardaeKlimaszewski and Majka,sp. nov.(Nova Scotia, Quebec) andAtheta(Datomicra)acadiensisKlimaszewski and Majka,sp. nov.(Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Quebec). Their relationships to other closely related species are discussed, and new data on bionomics and distribution are provided. The new species are presented with a short diagnosis, description, colour habitus images, and black-and-white genital images.
Life cycle and behaviour of the aquatic fireflyLuciola leii(Coleoptera: Lampyridae) from Mainland China
Authors: Fu Xinhua , Nobuyoshi Ohba , Vencl Fredric V. , Lei Chaoliang
Published: April 2009

The aquatic larvae of the fireflyLuciola leiiFu and Ballantyne occur on the substrate of rice fields and ditches in Hubei Province of central China. The behaviour and ecology ofL. leiiare described. We recordedL. leiilarvae attacking four species of aquatic snails:Lymnaea stagnalis(L.) (Basommatophora: Lymnaeidae),Gyraulus convexiusculus(Hutton) (Basommatophora: Planorbidae),Radix auricularia(L.) (Lymnaeidae), andBellamya purificataHeude (Mesogastropoda: Viviparidae). At dusk, flying males produced two types of advertising flashes. One type consisted of a train of 8 rapid, green flashes followed by 2–3 slow, prolonged flashes produced by patrolling males as a long-distance signal. The duration of flashes in the patrolling pattern was 530 ms and the interflash interval was 80 ms. The other type was a short-range signal consisting of a green glow, which was emitted by flying males that had located a female. Once a female had been located, the male landed and switched to a courting pattern. The male courtship pattern consisted of single flashes of about 400 ms duration, delivered every 1.8 s. Females produced single answering flashes of 910 ms duration, with a latency of approximately 630 ms after the male flash.Luciola leiiwas univoltine. Females oviposited 1 to 7 times (mean = 4.78). Females laid, on average, 187.19 eggs. The eggs hatched at 21.52 days. Eggs became luminescent 4 or 5 days before hatching. The larval stage had six instars. Mature larvae climbed onto land to construct pupal cells at the end of April of the next year. The pupal stage lasted, on average, 4.88 days. The imago lasted 10.13 days. No predators of larvae were observed. The spiderTetragnatha praedoniaKoch (Araneae: Tetragnathidae) was frequently observed to capture adult male fireflies in its web.
Morphology ofLaricobius nigrinus(Coleoptera: Derodontidae), a predator of the hemlock woolly adelgid
Authors: Zilahi-Balogh G.M.G. , Humble L.M. , Kok L.T. , Salom S.M.
Published: April 2009

Laricobius nigrinusFender, native to western North America, was first released in 2003 for the biological control of the hemlock woolly adelgid,Adelges tsugaeAnnand (Hemiptera: Adelgidae), in the eastern United States. Members of the genusLaricobiusare known to feed on adelgids, but there is a lack of detailed taxonomic and ecological information on this group of insects. Detailed descriptions and illustrations of various life stages ofL. nigrinusare presented in this study, accompanied by notes on its life history to facilitate its recognition.
Insect adaptations to cold and changing environments
Authors: Danks H.V.
Published: April 2009

A review of insect adaptations for resistance to cold and for life-cycle timing reveals the complexity of the adaptations and their relationships to features of the environment. Cold hardiness is a complex and dynamic state that differs widely among species. Surviving cold depends on habitat choice, relationships with ice and water, and synthesis of a variety of cryoprotectant molecules. Many aspects are time-dependent and are integrated with other factors such as taxonomic affinity, resource availability, natural enemies, and diapause. Timing adaptations reflect the fact that all environments change over many different time frames, from days to thousands of years. Environments differ in severity and in the extent, nature, variability, and predictability of change, as well as in how reliably cues indicate probable conditions in the future. These differences are reflected by a wide range of insect life-cycle systems, life-cycle delays, levels of responsiveness to various environmental signals, genetic systems, and circadian responses. In particular, the degree of environmental change, its predictability on different time frames, and whether it can be monitored effectively dictate the balance between fixed and flexible timing responses. These same environmental features have to be characterized to understand cold hardiness, but this has not yet been done. Therefore, the following key questions must be answered in order to put cold hardiness into the necessary ecological context: How much do conditions change? How consistent is the change? How reliable are environmental signals?
Diet of Dinocras cephalotes and Perla marginata (Plecoptera: Perlidae) in an Apennine stream (northwestern Italy)
Authors: Bo Tiziano , Fenoglio Stefano , Malacarne Giorgio
Published: April 2009

The feeding habits of nymphs of Perla marginata (Panzer) and Dinocras cephalotes (Curtis) were investigated in the Rio Orbarina (northwestern Italy). These species are among the largest European carnivorous freshwater invertebrates and they play an important role in the trophic structure of small, fishless Apennine streams. We examined the gut contents of 60 P. marginata and 60 D. cephalotes nymphs to characterize the diets and evaluate possible feeding differences between the species. In both of these predaceous stoneflies, the diet included vegetable detritus, mainly in the smaller instars. Both species showed trophic preferences, since only a few taxa constituted most of the ingested prey items, independently of their availability in the substratum. Interestingly, there were no clear differences in prey selection between nymphs of the two species.
Host abundance of crane flies (Diptera: Limoniidae) and their role as phoronts of Acari (Arachnida) inhabiting fungal sporophores
Authors: Sueyoshi Masahiro , Okabe Kimiko , Nakamura Takeyuki
Published: April 2009

We examined host abundance of limoniid flies between Agaricales (gill mushrooms) and Aphyllophorales (non-gilled fungi) and the importance of these flies as phoronts of mites inhabiting these fungal orders. Fungal sporophores were collected around transects established in five different-aged (13 to more than 100 years) forest stands from spring to fall in temperate forests of Japan. Limoniid flies and mites were collected from sporophores during transect sampling and reared from sporophores in the laboratory. All 11 limoniid species reared from sporophores used Aphyllophorales and six of these limoniid species also used Agaricales as their hosts. The total number of limoniid flies reared from Aphyllophorales was approximately seven times that reared from Agaricales. Eight of 15 Aphyllophorales species yielded multiple limoniid species. We conclude that Aphyllophorales are more important as hosts for fungivorous limoniid flies than Agaricales. Even a single fungal species can support more than one limoniid or mite species. One or two limoniid species are phoronts for one to three mite species inhabiting sporophores of Agaricales and Aphyllophorales. These flies have an important role as phoronts for some mite genera inhabiting fungal sporophores.
A new species of Capis (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) from Québec, Canada
Authors: Handfield Louis , Handfield Daniel
Published: April 2009

Capis archaiasp. nov., a new species of Noctuidae (Lepidoptera), is described from Québec, Canada. The species is included in the genus Capis Grote, 1882, a trifid genus in the subfamily Eustrotiinae. Adults and genitalia of this species are described and illustrated, as are those of Capis curvata Grote, 1882.
Survival of Sitodiplosis mosellana (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) on wheat (Poaceae) with antibiosis resistance: implication for the evolution of virulence
Authors: Smith M.A.H. , Wise I.L. , Lamb R.J.
Published: April 2009

Small numbers of larval wheat midge, Sitodiplosis mosellana Géhin, survived and matured in each of five field seasons in a plot of spring wheat carrying the Sm1 gene for antibiosis resistance against this insect. Wheat midge developing on resistant wheat had higher survival in the laboratory than in the field, but survival was always very low compared with that of larvae developing on susceptible wheat. The mass of these larvae and their survival during diapause were approximately half those of larvae developing on susceptible wheat in both the laboratory and the field. The survival of some wheat midge larvae on resistant wheat, and their reduced mass, is consistent with the hypothesis that a virulence allele allowing adaptation to Sm1 is present in the population. Assuming this to be the case, the frequency of the allele in the population was estimated to be between 0.8 × 10−4 and 1.6 × 10−2, if surviving larvae are heterozygous for the allele. Although rare, a virulence allele occurring at this frequency would likely allow the wheat midge to overcome the resistance gene Sm1 once resistant wheat is grown over a wide area.
Manipulating pollen supply in honey bee colonies during the fall does not affect the performance of winter bees
Authors: Mattila Heather R. , Otis Gard W.
Published: April 2009

Each fall, honey bee (Apis mellifera L. (Hymenoptera: Apidae)) colonies in northern temperate regions rear a population of long-lived winter bees that maintains a broodless nest throughout the winter and resumes brood-rearing activities in the spring. Pollen supply in colonies is closely tied to this phenomenon; winter bees sequester large reservoirs of pollen-derived nutrients in their bodies and the brood-rearing capacity of colonies is dictated by the availability of pollen. We determined the effects of manipulating pollen supply during the fall on the number of winter bees present in colonies by spring, their mass and protein content before and after winter, and their capacity to rear brood during the spring. Colonies were either supplemented with or partially deprived of pollen during the fall, while a third group of colonies was not manipulated (control). We found that the performance of winter bees was not enhanced by supplementing colonies with pollen in the fall, nor did worker function suffer if pollen supply was restricted. Similar numbers of winter bees survived to spring in colonies and workers had similar physiology and brood-rearing efficiencies. These results suggest that beekeepers would not benefit by investing in fall pollen supplements to maximize colony growth in early spring.
External rostral characters for differentiation of sexes in the biological control agent Mecinus janthinus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)
Authors: Schat Marjolein , Sing Sharlene E. , Peterson Robert K.D.
Published: April 2009

The stem-boring weevil, Mecinus janthinus (Germar), is a promising, well established classical biological control agent for the exotic invasive weed Dalmatian toadflax (Linaria dalmatica (L.) Mill.) (Scrophulariaceae). In this paper we present readily apparent rostral characters that can be used for sex differentiation of live stem-boring weevils at low magnification. These characters can be used by workers with little training to accurately sex weevils and can be used to rapidly determine sex ratios of field populations to improve timing of collection for redistribution.
Evidence of sexual attraction by pheromone in the cedar web-spinning sawfly
Authors: Nemer Nabil , Kawar Nasri S. , Kfoury Linda , Frerot Brigitte
Published: April 2009

The cedar web-spinning sawfly, Cephalcia tannourinensis Chevin (Hymenoptera: Pamphiliidae), is a pest that has been causing serious damage to cedar (Cedrus libani) forests in Lebanon since 1990. The existence of a sex pheromone was shown in field experiments in a cedar forest in Lebanon and in laboratory tests in olfactometers with and without airflow. More males were caught in traps baited either with virgin females or with a hexane extract of the whole female body than in traps baited either with males alone or with mixed males and females. Male and female C. tannourinensis were active during the day. Mating and pheromone production were observed to occur during midday hours (1000–1400) in the field and under laboratory conditions. Olfactometer tests with extracts prepared from different body parts of the female indicated that the pheromone is produced in the abdominal region, and tests with different dilutions of female extract showed that the male response is dose-dependent.
Occurrence of Grapholita molesta (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) in major apple-growing areas of southern Quebec
Authors: Bellerose Sylvie , Chouinard Gérald , Roy Michèle
Published: April 2009

Oriental fruit moth (Grapholita molesta (Busck) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae)) adult males were captured by pheromone traps in 10 of 24 orchards monitored in southern Quebec from 2003 to 2005. Twelve, 22, and 133 oriental fruit moths were captured in 2003, 2004, and 2005, respectively. One oriental fruit moth larva was collected in each of two orchards in 2004. This is the first record of this species in Quebec apple orchards.
New record ofChrysomya rufifacies(Diptera: Calliphoridae) in Canada: predicted range expansion and potential effects on native species
Authors: Rosati J.Y. , VanLaerhoven S.L.
Published: April 2009

This is the first report of the hairy maggot blow fly,Chrysomya rufifacies(Macquart), in Canada since its arrival in the continental United States of America in 1982. Specimens were collected from one swine (Sus scrofaL.) carcass in fall 2004 and again from six swine carcasses at three rural sites within the Windsor/Essex County region of southwestern Ontario in fall 2005. Based upon the biological characteristics of the species and the absence of specimens from spring and summer carrion-insect collections, it is suggested thatC. rufifaciesis present in southwestern Ontario during the fall season, after range expansion from the midcontinental United States of America during the spring and summer months. However, considering the projected increases in temperature due to global warming, establishment ofC. rufifaciesis predicted to extend well into southern Ontario and Quebec. Current and predicted distributions based upon the biological temperature requirements ofC. rufifaciesare depicted through geographic range maps. The potential economic and ecological impacts are discussed, with emphasis upon negative interactions betweenC. rufifaciesand several native blow fly species, particularlyCochliomyia macellaria(Fabr.).
Laboratory studies of the toxicity of spinosad and deltamethrin to Phyllotreta cruciferae (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)
Authors: Elliott R.H. , Benjamin M.C. , Gillott C.
Published: April 2009

Laboratory experiments were conducted to evaluate the contact and oral toxicity of commercial formulations of spinosad and deltamethrin to adults of the crucifer flea beetle, Phyllotreta cruciferae (Goeze). Method of exposure had a significant effect on flea beetle mortality and feeding damage to canola seedlings. Topical treatment of flea beetles with deltamethrin or different concentrations of spinosad resulted in significantly lower mortality and higher feeding damage than exposure to treated canola cotyledons. Results indicated that spinosad was more toxic by ingestion than by topical contact. Mortality from treated cotyledons was significantly higher with 60 ppm deltamethrin than with 80 or 120 ppm spinosad after 24 h exposure but not after 120 h exposure. Delayed mortality in the spinosad treatments did not result in high feeding damage; damage after 120 h was not significantly different in the spinosad and deltamethrin treatments. Low concentrations of spinosad (40 ppm) strongly inhibited feeding activity within 24 h after exposure. Mortality from spinosad was higher after beetles were exposed to treated cotyledons for 120 h than for 24 h. Mortality from spinosad, but not deltamethrin, was significantly higher at 25 °C than at 15 °C. An ionic surfactant, polyethylenimine, increased the toxicity of 40 ppm spinosad. Our study suggests that spinosad has potential for use as an insecticide against crucifer flea beetles on canola.
Hymenopterous parasitoids of house fly and stable fly puparia in Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick, Canada
Authors: Noronha C. , Gibson G.A.P. , Floate K.D.
Published: April 2009

Puparia of house flies, Musca domestica L., and stable flies, Stomoxys calcitrans (L.) (Diptera: Muscidae), were collected on dairy farms in Prince Edward Island (PEI) and New Brunswick (NB) and held for emergence of hymenopterous parasitoids. Percent parasitism for PEI in 2003 and 2004 was 6.7 (n = 10 060 puparia) and 1.0 (n = 36 992 puparia), respectively. Percent parasitism for NB was not determined in 2003, but was 9.1% (n = 3052 puparia) in 2004. A parasitoid provisionally identified as Phygadeuon ?fumator Gravenhörst (Ichneumonidae) predominated in both provinces. Additional species recovered included Aphaereta pallipes (Say) (Braconidae) and Muscidifurax raptor Girault and Saunders, Spalangia cameroni Perkins (PEI only), Spalangianigra Latreille (NB only), Spalangia subpunctata Förster (NB only), Trichomalopsis americana (Gahan) (PEI only), and Urolepis rufipes (Ashmead) (Pteromalidae). Dissection of host puparia from which neither flies nor wasps emerged yielded a relatively large number of additional parasitoids, particularly S. nigra.
Descriptions of flea larvae (Siphonaptera: Hystrichopsyllidae, Ctenophthalmidae, Leptopsyllidae) of the specific parasites of the mountain beaver (Rodentia: Aplodontidae) in North America
Authors: Pilgrim Robert L.C. , Galloway Terry D.
Published: April 2009

The larvae of the four species of primary flea parasites of the mountain beaver,Aplodontia rufa(Rafinesque), are described and illustrated for the first time, and a key to their identification is provided. The larva ofHystrichopsylla schefferiChapin is very large, with a total body length of more than 10 mm in the late third instar. Its mandible, with a series of marginal teeth along a scoop-shaped tip, is characteristic of members of the formerly recognized subgenusHystroceras. The larvae ofParatyphloceras oregonensisEwing andTrichopsylloides oregonensisEwing are very similar to one another, but the former is much larger, with a total body length of about 8 mm in the late third instar, compared with 5 mm for the latter. These two species can also be separated in all instars on the basis of the setation on the abdominal segments. The larva ofDolichopsyllus stylosus(Baker) is extraordinary. The mandible bears two enormous, tusklike setae on a swollen base, the hypopharynx is a spiny, trilobed structure without setae, and there are five processes on the labial palps instead of the four typical in other species.
Oviposition response of spruce budworm (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) to host terpenes and green-leaf volatiles
Authors: Grant Gary G. , Guo Jian , MacDonald Linda , Coppens Melanie D.
Published: April 2009

A dual-choice behavioral bioassay and gas chromatography – electroantennogram detection (GC–EAD) were used to determine the effect of host terpenes and nonhost green-leaf volatiles (GLVs) on the oviposition preference of the spruce budworm, Choristoneura fumiferana (Clemens). Some emphasis was placed on assessing the ability of females to distinguish between enantiomers of chiral monoterpenes because (+)-α-pinene but not (–)-α-pinene or (±)-α-pinene had been shown previously to promote oviposition. Headspace volatiles from white spruce, Picea glauca (Moench) Voss (Pinaceae), and balsam fir, Abies balsamea (L.) Mill. (Pinaceae), were sampled using solid-phase microextraction and identified by gas chromatography – mass spectrometry with the aid of a chiral column. Females deposited significantly more egg masses on filter paper substrate treated with host monoterpenes than on controls. Contrary to expectation, substrates treated with several GLVs were also preferred over the controls. None of the GLVs or terpenes was deterrent. Females showed no significant ability in either the behavioral or the GC–EAD bioassays to distinguish between enantiomers of selected chiral monoterpenes, including α-pinene, in contrast to earlier findings. We conclude that host terpenes serve as general rather than host-specific oviposition stimuli for spruce budworm.
Effects of release pattern and room ventilation on survival of varroa mites and queens during indoor winter fumigation of honey bee colonies with formic acid
Authors: Underwood Robyn M. , Currie Robert W.
Published: April 2009

This study examined the effects of indoor fumigation with formic acid on survival of honey bee, Apis mellifera L. (Hymenoptera: Apidae), queens and varroa mites (Varroa destructor Anderson and Trueman (Acari: Varroidae)). A relationship between cumulative formic acid concentration and varroa mite mortality was established for colonies subjected to high-concentration fumigation while held indoors at 2–4 °C during winter. We also examined the effects of the formic acid release pattern and room ventilation rate on queen loss and treatment efficacy during fumigation. Two experiments were conducted in a wintering building. In both experiments, room air had higher formic acid concentrations than hive air. In experiment 1, 50% and 95% of mites were killed when exposed to in-hive concentration × time combinations of 49 ppm × days (CT50 product) and 111 ppm × days (CT95 product), respectively. No queen loss was observed under either the increasing-concentration or constant high concentration fumigation pattern. In experiment 2, 33% of queens were lost when minimum ventilation was used with room air concentrations of 57 ± 8 ppm (mean ± SE), whereas no queens were lost in controls or colonies exposed to room air concentrations of 27 ± 8 ppm with variable ventilation. Queen loss was associated with peak in-hive formic acid concentrations >20 ppm, but not with CT product, suggesting that queens are affected by acute rather than chronic exposure to formic acid. Formic acid fumigation significantly reduced the mean abundance of mites under both minimum- and variable-ventilation treatments.
Phylogeny of genusWyeomyia(Diptera: Culicidae) inferred from morphological and allozyme data
Authors: Motta Monique Albuquerque , Lourenço-de-Oliveira Ricardo , Sallum Maria Anice Mureb
Published: April 2009

Phylogenetic relationships within the genusWyeomyiaTheobald are presented, based on a cladistic analysis of 88 morphological characters (from adults, larvae, and pupae) of 38 named species and 1 unnamed species and 46 allozyme markers from a subset of 19 of these species. Two taxa are used as outgroup (Sabethes aurescensLutz andLimatus durhamiTheobald). The analysis indicates that, as currently defined, the genusWyeomyiais not a monophyletic lineage: firstly, the genusOnirionPeyton and Harbach is nested within the genusWyeomyia, and secondly, the subgenusPhoniomyiaTheobald is a monophyletic lineage outside the genusWyeomyia. Our results also demonstrate that the subgeneraCruzmyiaLane and Cerqueira,DecamyiaDyar,DendromyiaTheobald,SpilonymphaMotta and Lourenço-de-Oliveira, andProsopolepisLutz are monophyletic lineages nested within the genusWyeomyia.TriamyiaDyar is resurrected as a subgenus ofWyeomyiato includeW. aporonomaDyar and Knab andW.staminiferaLourenço-de-Oliveira, Motta, and Castro. The subgenusMiamyiaDyar is resurrected to include seven species:W. codiocampaDyar and Knab,W. lutzi(Costa Lima),W. limaiLane and Cerqueira,W. serrata(Lutz),W. hosautosDyar and Knab,W. oblita(Lutz), andW. sabetheaLane and Cerqueira.