Jatropha curcas Linné is a nonedible oleaginous plant in the family Euphorbiaceae. Its seeds provide oil for industrial use, such as biofuels, and contribute to the livelihoods of small-scale farmers in rural areas. J. curcas is attacked by many insect pests, including Calidea spp., a heteropteran pest of its fruit and flowers. This insect was surveyed from May 2013 to January 2014 in the Sissili province of southern Burkina Faso. Calidea spp. were collected from J. curcas plantations within a radius of 15 km around the Léo township and bred in the laboratory under similar conditions. The mean ratio of fertility was 20.3% and the mean fecundity was 132 eggs. The biological cycle of the insect is composed of one egg stadium, five larval instars, and one adult stadium. Egg incubation took 6.2–8.3 d, and the five larval instars lasted between 27.1 and 30.1 d. The average life span of Calidea spp. adults was 114.6 d for females and 98.1 d for males. The female had an average size of 17.6 mm against 16.6 mm for the male. These findings are the first reported on this insect pest in Burkina Faso.

We studied the behavior, life cycle, and reproductive biology of the sciarid fly Scatopsciara cunicularius (Lengersdorf, 1943) under two constant temperatures. The sciarid was reared at 12.3 ± 0.6°C and 22 ± 1.7°C on its host, the liverwort Marchantia polymorpha L. Our results show that the sciarid fly is able to complete its life cycle with liverwort tissue as its only source of food. The egg-laying potential of the insect ranged from 70–174 eggs per female (mean 110 ± 31 eggs). Reproduction was digenic, meaning that one female can produce both male and female progeny. The overall sex ratio did not depart from 1:1, although the progeny sex ratio was highly variable. The developmental period of S. cunicularius was considerably longer in the colder than the warmer temperature. Mean development time of the egg, larva, and pupal stages, and adult longevity in the warm regime was 4, 20, 4, and 5 d, whereas mean development time of each juvenile stage and adult longevity in the cold regime was 13, 95, 11, and 8 d, respectively. The results suggest that the phenology of S. cunicularius is temperature dependent. Scatopsciara cunicularius could constitute a promising agent for biological control of M. polymorpha.

Vitellogenin proteins (Vgs) are precursors of the major egg yolk proteins in many oviparous vertebrates and invertebrates. Here we cloned the full-length cDNA of the Vg gene of Apolygus lucorum, an omnivorous mirid bug that feeds on various agricultural crops and small insects. The gene has 6,131 base pairs (bp) with an open reading frame (ORF) of 5,988 bp, encoding a protein with 1,996 amino acids, with molecular mass 218.3 kDa and isoelectric point 9.02. Phylogenetic analysis showed that Vg gene has a high similarity with that in Hemiptera insects and was most closely related to the rice leaf bug, Trigonotylus caelestialium. The expression of Vg gene was significantly higher in the fat body than in other tissues in females (ovary, hemolymph, gut, and malpighian tubule). Vg gene expression was extremely low in newly emerged adult females and increased with age. The effect of different food sources on the expression level of Vg in adult females was investigated after they were fed on green bean pods (Gb), H. armigera eggs (He), or a combination of green bean pods and H. armigera eggs (GbHe). The results showed that transcript level of Vg gene in females was significantly higher on the GbHe diet than on Gb or He. Our results demonstrate that A. lucorum can acquire nutrients from both plant and animal origin food sources, and the combined food sources significantly facilitated Vg synthesis.

Neptis hesione podarces Matsumura (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae) is a rare nymphalid butterfly in Taiwan. Bionomics and immature morphology of this rare species are given in detail in the present article. Its larvae are monophagous, consuming leaves of a climbing fig Ficus sarmantosa (Moraceae). Seven instars are required to complete larval development. We found that younger larvae of N. h. podarces make frass chains, a behavior that has not been found in other Neptis species. Here we test the antipredator function of this larval behavior and provide details on nest building.

Aedes albopictus (Skuse) is a secondary vector of dengue and has naturally occurring Wolbachia, which is an intracellular bacteria found in most nematodes and arthropods. Previous findings demonstrated that 91.60% of Malaysian Ae. albopictus were superinfected with two major Wolbachia supergroups, namely, wAlbA and wAlbB. Wolbachia has been associated with manipulation of reproductive phenotypes of their host such as male killing, parthenogenesis, feminization, and cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI). Cytoplasmic incompatibility is when no viable offspring are produced between Wolbachia-infected male and Wolbachia uninfected or differently infected female host. To evaluate CI, we performed a study in the laboratory using Wolbachia-free and Wolbachia-infected Ae. albopictus. Four different crosses were made, and viable eggs produced from each cross were recorded. The percentage of viable offspring produced were compared and analyzed. Results obtained suggest that native Wolbachia causes strong unidirectional CI in Malaysian Ae. albopictus. Perhaps this can be used as a possible vector control or suppression tool.

The duration of the evolutionary association between a pathogen and vector can be inferred based on the strength of their mutualistic interactions. A well-adapted pathogen is likely to confer some benefit or, at a minimum, exhibit low pathogenicity toward its host vector. Coevolution of the two toward a mutually beneficial association appears to have occurred between the citrus greening disease pathogen, Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus (Las), and its insect vector, the Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri (Kuwayama). To better understand the dynamics facilitating transmission, we evaluated the effects of Las infection on the fitness of its vector. Diaphorina citri harboring Las were more fecund than their uninfected counterparts; however, their nymphal development rate and adult survival were comparatively reduced. The finite rate of population increase and net reproductive rate were both greater among Las-infected D. citri as compared with uninfected counterparts, indicating that overall population fitness of infected psyllids was improved given the greater number of offspring produced. Previous reports of transovarial transmission, in conjunction with increased fecundity and population growth rates of Las-positive D. citri found in the current investigation, suggest a long evolutionary relationship between pathogen and vector. The survival of Las-infected adult D. citri was lower compared with uninfected D. citri, which suggests that there may be a fitness trade-off in response to Las infection. A beneficial effect of a plant pathogen on vector fitness may indicate that the pathogen developed a relationship with the insect before secondarily moving to plants.

The mahogany shoot borer Hypsipyla grandella (Zeller) is one of the worst neotropical forest pests. Currently there is no control method that effectively reduces levels of infestation to an economically acceptable threshold. Basic knowledge on the sexual behavior of this pest is required to develop control methods. However, so far reproduction in this species has only been achieved in captivity and studied using outdoor mating cages. Here we describe for the first time, as far as we know, the precopulatory and copulatory behavior of H. grandella under controlled conditions. We found males and females performed a short and long wing-fanning behavior. Furthermore, we evaluated each behavior at three different sex ratios (3♂:1♀, 2♂:2♀, and 1♂:3♀), and studied the effect of male and female adult size on copulatory success. We observed 50% of copulations in the equal sex ratio, but found no significant effect of male or female size on the probability of mating. Copulations under laboratory conditions lasted almost two hours. These results are comparable to studies in outdoor cages. Detailed observations on the mating behavior under controlled conditions, and what factors affect mating success, can contribute toward a better understanding of H. grandella to expedite development of control methods.

Antherina suraka (Boisduval, 1833) (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae) is endemic to Madagascar and the Comoros. Investigations in the 1950s and 1960s found slight morphological differences between typical populations and those from dry areas of Madagascar, a “form”—australis—that was not given formal taxonomic recognition. In the Comoros, A. suraka is represented by a distinct subspecies, A. suraka comoranaViette 1965. The goal of this study was to increase insight into the biological significance of intraspecific variation within A. suraka by studying male genitalia and flight times, and DNA barcode sequences. We also tested whether genetic divergence between sites was correlated with geographic distances or host use. No differences in male genitalia were found. Moths from western Madagascar were found typically flying 2 h earlier in the evening than eastern moths. A Bayesian phylogeny derived from the mtDNA barcode sequences supported: 1) a western clade comprising the “australis” populations, 2) a clade composed mainly of specimens from eastern/central Madagascar, and 3) a third unit in the Comoros representing the subspecies comorana. While these results could be viewed as supporting the existence of more than one species within A. suraka, recovery of eastern haplotypes in western areas, and the presence of genetic isolation by distance, weaken the case for taxonomic division: more genetic data are needed. Regardless of exactly how the systematic status of this species is resolved, the presence of three distinct populations of A. suraka living in different habitats illustrates the importance of protecting forests in this biodiversity hotspot.

Stink bugs (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) that occur in Minnesota wheat have received little attention. Due to the invasion of Halyomorpha halys (Stål) and the increasing abundance of native stink bugs in the region, a 2-yr statewide survey and 2-yr season-long survey were conducted to characterize the species composition, abundance, and seasonal dynamics of Pentatomidae in wheat. Surveys were performed using sweep-net sampling in wheat fields. Fourteen species of Pentatomidae (thirteen herbivorous and one predatory) were detected across both surveys. The recent invader, H. halys, was not collected in either survey. In the statewide survey, Euschistus variolarius (Palisot de Beauvois) was the most abundant species (63.08 and 75.33% of adults in 2011 and 2012, respectively) and the most prevalent species (collected from 10.53 and 51.54% of fields in 2011 and 2012, respectively). Species of intermediate abundance and prevalence were Euschistus servus euschistoides (Vollenhoven), Euschistus ictericus (L.), and Podisus maculiventris (Say). Across both years of the season-long survey, adults of herbivorous species first appeared in fields in early June followed by the appearance of herbivorous nymphs in early July. The abundance of nymphs peaked in late July to the beginning of August in 2013 and in early July in 2014. Adults were detected in fields throughout the season. The results presented here provide baseline information on the species composition, abundance, and seasonal dynamics of Pentatomidae in Minnesota wheat and will be necessary for documentation of changes to this fauna.

Scale insects are one of the most fascinating and unusual types of organisms on Earth. Many species have been found in China, but the diversity and distribution patterns of Chinese scale insects are not well understood. To evaluate the diversity and distribution of scale insects in China, we compiled geographic distribution data from museum specimens and published literature and plotted these data using a Geographical Information System. Distribution centers of scale insects were identified by counting the number of species in each grid cell. Values were extracted from each environmental data set from each point and then the relationships between the distribution of scale insects and environment variables were explored using principal component analysis. There are 1,186 species of scale insects recorded in China belonging to 16 recognized families with an overall endemism of scale insect species of ∼48%. However, species-description accumulation curves of scale insects suggest that a full inventory of these taxa is far from complete. None of the species accumulation curves yet drawn have reached an asymptote, indicating that current sampling procedures are still not sufficiently intensive to capture most species present within each cell. Results suggest that the number of identified species of scale insects in China is underestimated by previous inventories, and their distribution is governed by complex ecological factors. Furthermore, it was confirmed that climate is the predominant environmental determinants affecting the distribution and diversity patterns of scale insects in China.

Nardonella (gamma-proteobacteria) are a group of ancient endosymbiotic bacteria that occur only in weevils (superfamily Curculionoidea). Despite the extensive surveys of their existence and phylogeny done in a number of weevil subfamilies, little is known about their strain diversity, quantitative dynamics, and biological roles in the ontogeny of hosts. Here, based on the cloning and analyses of bacterial 16S RNA gene sequences from nine geographic populations of rice water weevil, Lissorhoptrus oryzophilus Kuschel (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), we identified two distinct Nardonella lineages. One lineage was widespread, occurring in each of the L. oryzophilus populations investigated, whereas the other was much geographically limited and found in only one population. These bacteria had a low density in both larval and pupal stages of the weevil; however, they increased substantially as adults emerged. In female adults, they were harbored dominantly in ovary; guts were also infected, but the density was very low. By treating adult females with various antibiotics (rifampicin, tetracycline, and gentamycin) and observing their fecundity, egg viability, as well as the density of Nardonella and the other two bacteria (Wolbachia and Rickettsia) present in the ovary, we found females did not produce viable eggs despite the presence of abundant Nardonella. This suggests that Nardonella might be not playing critical roles in the reproduction of L. oryzophilus. The results are expected to extend our knowledge of the biology of Nardonella and their associations with weevils' reproduction.

Larval populations of the sagebrush defoliating moth Aroga websteri Clarke (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) were sampled in a montane stand of big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata Nutall) in northern Utah during 2008–2012 to develop degree-day (DD) estimates for moth phenology (single-sine method, base temperature 5°C). Degree-day estimates were determined also for populations studied previously (in 1972–1975) in a lowland valley stand of big sagebrush on the Utah–Idaho border. Peak larval abundances (of mostly first and second instars, and ranging from 0–2.8 larvae per 15 cm of terminal stem at individual locations in northern Utah in 2008–2012) occurred on average at 239 DD (accumulated beginning 1 January). Differences in DD accumulation and precipitation among years with endemic (low) and population irruption levels of the Aroga moth were examined using data from these sites and from historical accounts from Alturas, CA, during 1962–1964. The DD accumulation during mid-May through mid-June (when early instars of the moth are developing) was intermediate in years of population irruptions versus in endemic years with cooler or warmer late springs–early summers. Years with population irruptions were also characterized by high precipitation in June and July during late stage larval development. Thus, it appears that periodic population irruptions of the defoliator are associated with distinctive weather conditions. Additional research is needed to test whether these conditions can promote increased larval survivorship as associated with high nutritional value and palatability of sagebrush foliage for the moth.

Tamarixia radiata (Waterston) (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) spread rapidly in Florida following first release in 1999 for control of the Asian citrus psyllid Diaphorina citri (Kuwayama) (Hemiptera: Psylloidea). However, rapid spread of huanglongbing (HLB) has created a need for more effective biological control through augmentation and thus the necessity to better understand the potential of this parasitoid. Therefore, the functional response of fecundity to host density was evaluated to provide a possible indicator of success and useful information for mass rearing of T. radiata. The experimental unit consisted of a single 3-d-old female in a centrifuge tube with a young Murraya paniculata (L.) Jack (Rutaceae) shoot infested with a range of 1–60 fourth-instar D. citri nymphs. Shoots were changed daily for 5 d and the nymphs containing one or more parasitoid eggs noted. The number of hosts parasitized daily increased from 0.7 to 11.2 on average as host density increased from 1 to 40, above which it remained relatively constant. Percent parasitism was as high as 73.3% at density 1, but decreased at greater host densities. A random parasite equation was selected as the best-fit model, from which we obtained an attack coefficient of 12.7cm²/h, and handling time of 0.873 hour per host. We proposed the term “adjusted searching efficiency” to express the attack coefficient as a function of searching area. Similarities and differences with previous studies are discussed, as well as the need to reconcile parameters with actual behavior of T. radiata.

Mealybugs (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) are an insect group that feeds on plant sap; many are major pests of ornamental plants and crops worldwide. The difficulty of morphological identification of mealybugs points to a need for a rapid and effective identification method, like DNA barcoding, to assist morphological taxonomy. Here, we employed diverse methods (best close match [BCM], Neighbor-Joining [NJ] tree, Barcoding with LOGic formulas [BLOG], Poisson Tree Process [PTP] Species Delimitation Method) to test the efficiency of two molecular markers (mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase I [COI] and large ribosomal subunit gene [28S]) that could be used for species identification of 54 mealybug species that commonly occur in China. Two hundred six COI barcodes (47 species) and 242 28S sequences (53 species) were recovered from 246 individuals. In both the COI and 28S data sets, species except for Planococcus citri and P. minor were unambiguously identified by all the methods. The PTP analysis based on COI sequences generated more putative species in Antonina tesquorum, Atrococcus paludinus, and Formicococcus sp. than morphological identification. Among these three cases, the sequences of At. paludinus showed 3.55% variation at the 28S locus, possibly reflecting cryptic diversity in this taxon. Our study corroborates the utility of the COI and 28S genes in the rapid identification of mealybugs, and the barcode library we provide will create an effective identification system for mealybug pest management in China.

The morphology and ultrastructure of the male reproductive system were investigated in two species of sharpshooter leafhoppers, Cicadella viridis (L.) and Kolla paulula (Walker), using light microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The gross morphology and ultrastructure of the male reproductive system in the two species is similar to those of other Cicadellidae and related Auchenorrhyncha. The two species differ in the number and shape of testicular follicles, the shape of the seminal vesicle, and the size and color of the accessory gland. The testicular follicle consists of the epithelium lying on a thick basal lamina surrounded by a connective sheath, and a wide lumen filled with germ cells. Large numbers of vesicles and granular materials are observed in the epithelial cell. The two seminal vesicles close-set under a common tunica are composed of the basal lamina, the thick muscular-connective sheath, a mono-layered epithelium, and the vesicular lumen. The vesicles and granules are extensive in the cytoplasm of the flattened epithelial cell, whose apical surface usually has numerous microvilli. The accessory gland is made up of thin muscular-connective sheath, the basal lamina, the epithelium, and the tubular lumen. The epithelial cell with secretory granules has abundant rough endoplasmic reticulum and small vesicles, and its cytoplasm abounds with arrays of three types of granules. Spermiogenesis and sperm ultrastructure of K. paulula was also observed, whose sperm can be distinguished from those of other Cicadellidae by the accessory bodies and mitochondrial derivatives with gap region.

Two new species—Stigmaeopsis temporalis n. sp. collected in Kochi, Japan, and S. tegmentalis n. sp. collected in Fuzhou, China—both from bamboo plants, are described. In addition, four new life types (WN-p, WN-h, WN-n, and CW-g) in five species—S. temporalis, Stigmaeopsis tenuinidus Zhang et Zhang, S. tegmentalis, Neonidulus tereotus Beard et Walter, and Eotetranychus asiaticus Ehara—are documented in relation to their supposed functions.

Ornamental trees are valuable natural elements which provide several economic, aesthetic, and ecological benefits to humans. They are seriously infested by numerous pests and diseases, among which aphids are of high importance. Here we present a comprehensive list of Aphidiinae parasitoid species that attack aphids on ornamental trees in southeastern Europe, some of which are potential biocontrol agents. Thirty-eight species of Aphidiinae are recorded, keyed, and illustrated. Fifty-six out of 120 recorded tritrophic (parasitoid–aphid–plant) associations were previously unknown. The results are discussed in relation to the overall parasitoid–aphid–tree associations in the target region, as well as potential of parasitoid use in biological control programs.

A new treehopper genus Selenacentrus (Membracidae: Centrotinae), and new species, S. wallacei, from the southwestern United States and northern Mexico, are described and illustrated. This genus lacks key characteristics of currently recognized New World centrotine tribes including the dorsoapical and ventral lobes of the male lateral plate and cucullate setae of the mesothoracic femora (characteristic of the Boocerini). It also lacks the additional m-cu crossvein and broadened second valvulae characteristic of Platycentrini. The narrow, curved second valvulae, with prominent dorsal teeth, and lateral exposure of the scutellar apices resemble those of some endemic Antillean centrotines (Monobelini, Nessorhinini); however, Selenacentrus differs from these groups in characters of the forewing and male genitalia.

Loreta (Bahitella) takiyaesp. n. is described from Peru and the type species of the genus, L. ornaticeps Linnavuori, is re-illustrated. Three species previously included in the genus, i.e., L. bifasciata Linnavuori & DeLong, L. sexmaculata Linnavuori & DeLong, and L. vista DeLong, are considered species incertae sedis. Two previously described species are transferred to other genera, i.e., L. albopunctata DeLong is transferred to Tumupasa (Deltocephalini) and L. fiski DeLong is transferred to Haldorus (Deltocephalini). A key to the retained species is provided for males.