The Khapra beetle, Trogoderma granarium Everts (Coleoptera: Dermestidae), is known as one of the world's most damaging pests of wheat and other stored products. The life cycle, nutritional indices, and digestive enzymatic activity of T. granarium in response to feeding on six wheat cultivars (Arg, Morvarid, Nai 60, Parsi, Pishtaz, and Shanghai) were evaluated under laboratory conditions (33 ± 1′ C, 65 ± 5% relative humidity, and a photoperiod of 14:10 [L:D] h). In this research, delayed developmental time of T. granarium immature stages was detected on cultivars Parsi and Morvarid. The highest survival rate of immature stages was on cultivar Arg, and the lowest was on cultivars Morvarid and Parsi. Moreover, the highest mean larval weight and weight gain of larvae were on cultivar Arg, while the lowest ones were on cultivars Parsi and Morvarid. In addition, the lowest values of relative growth rate and proteolytic activity were detected when larvae were fed with cultivars Morvarid and Parsi. Based on the obtained results, it can be concluded that cultivars Parsi and Morvarid were the most unsuitable cultivars for the development and feeding of T. granarium. The resistant cultivars can be recommended to be grown in areas where the damage of T. granarium is high for protecting or at least delaying wheat infestation by this pest.

Tannins are ubiquitous secondary plant compounds that reduce the biological performance of herbivores by impeding protein metabolism. They may also impact the third trophic level when parasitoids or predators ingest herbivore tissues containing tannins. Microplitis mediator (Haliday) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) is an important parasitoid of polyphagous moth species such as Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). In this study, we analyzed the direct and indirect effects of tannic acid on M. mediator development and longevity when wasps either fed directly on tannic acid in honey solution, or developed in H. armigera larvae reared on diet containing tannic acid. The longevity of both male and female M. mediator was shortened when they fed on honey solution containing various concentrations of tannic acid. Transgenerational effects were also evident, as fewer F1 offspring cocooned successfully, and those that did so often had extended developmental times and lower mass of cocoon. When parasitoid larvae developed in host larvae fed tannic acid in their diet, the percentage cocooning successfully, mass of cocoon, and cocoon time were all negatively impacted, although developmental times were unaffected. Surprisingly, the longevity of both male and female parasitoids was extended by the highest tannic acid concentration (5 mg/g of host larva). We conclude that both direct and indirect consumption of tannic acid can negatively affect the fitness of M. mediator, and thus breeding for tannin content in cotton to impede herbivore performance may have unintended effects on the third trophic level that may reduce the agronomic benefits.

The baridinos have gained importance in agriculture; however, many of them are yet to be described, as is the case for those affecting orchids. It is for this reason that the aim of this research was to identify the insect causing the wilting of petals on orchids belonging to the Catasetum integerrimum species at a site at La Estanzuela, municipality of Emilian Zapata, and El Espinal, municipality of Naolinco, in the state of Veracruz, Mexico. Orchids of the species C. integerrimum in specimens with flowers affected were monitored, as insects cause damage to these at the time of flowering. Thus, according to the morphological characteristics of larvae and adults and of the male and female genitals observed in vegetative material, as well as larvae and adults present on the flowers, it was confirmed that the species of curculionid that attacks the orchid is Stethobaroides nudiventris Champion, 1907. This is the first report of this curculionid as the agent causing wilting on C. integerrimum petals.

Mandibles and genae of adult females of most members in the genus Doubledaya (Coleoptera: Erotylidae: Languriinae) exhibit distinct left–right asymmetry, i.e., the left side of the traits is larger than the right, which may facilitate boring into hard materials for oviposition; females of D. bucculenta and D. sinuata excavate holes or relatively deep depressions with their mandibles on internodes of dead bamboos to deposit the eggs on the inner surface of internode cavities. To determine the relationship between the degrees of mandibular and genal asymmetry and hardness of oviposition substrates, we measured the mandibular length and genal width of D. tonkinensis and D. sinuata, both of which oviposit on Sinobambusa sat bamboos, and examined the structure of their oviposition holes. For D. tonkinensis, we additionally examined the features of host culms. D. tonkinensis females showed a slight degree of left-directional asymmetry in the mandibles compared to males. By contrast, D. sinuata females showed distinctly marked left-directional asymmetry in the mandibles and genae. Females of D. tonkinensis excavated soft walls of internodes of weakened, young bamboo culms, whereas D. sinuata excavated hard internode walls. Cross sections revealed that the holes of D. tonkinensis and D. sinuata were funnel-shaped, indicating that the females first excavate a cone-shaped depression in the internode using mandibles followed by ovipositor's penetrating wall from the bottom of the depression to the inner surface of the internode cavity. The results strongly suggest that the markedly asymmetric mandibles of Doubledaya females facilitate oviposition into hard substrates.

Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (Hemiptera: Liviidae), is an invasive citrus pest in California that vectors a bacterium that causes the deadly citrus disease huanglongbing. From 2014–2015, 116 experimental D. citri cohorts were monitored to determine survivorship, life table parameters, and marginal rates of mortality of immature D. citri at three sites in Riverside County, CA. D. citri cohorts of ∼200 eggs were established on potted Citrus volkameriana (Rutaceae) plants. Field deployed cohorts were protected with fine or coarse mesh enclosures, sticky barriers, or left unprotected. Egg through adult emergence rates were used to assess the relative importance of biotic and abiotic factors on psyllid survivorship rates by life stage. Predation of immature D. citri by larvae of Allograpta sp. (Diptera: Syrphidae) and Chrysoperla sp. (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) comprised 86% of all observed predation mortality. When protected from all other arthropods, parasitism by Tamarixia radiata (Waterston) (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) comprised 21% of the total marginal rate of immature D. citri mortality from September to November in 2014 and 2015. Overall, D. citri net reproductive rates were reduced by 55–95% when exposed to natural enemies, indicating the importance of the classical biological control agent, T. radiata, and generalist predators in reducing D. citri densities in urban areas of southern California.

Cerambycid beetles (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) can locate suitable hosts and mates by sensing pheromones and plant volatiles. Many cerambycid pheromone components have been identified and are now produced synthetically for trap lures. The range over which these lures attract cerambycids within a forest, and the tendency for cerambycids to move out of a forest in response to lures, have not been explored previously. We conducted two field experiments using baited and unbaited panel traps in northern Delaware to investigate these questions. Within forest fragments, unbaited traps that were 2 m from a baited trap captured more beetles than unbaited control traps, suggesting increased cerambycid activity leading to more by-catch in unbaited traps at 2 m from the pheromone source. Traps at further distances from a baited trap did not catch significantly more beetles than equivalent controls. In contrast, male Prionus laticollis (Drury), which were attracted by the likely female-produced sex pheromone 3,5-dimethyldodecanoic acid, were rarely collected in unbaited traps at any distance from baited traps. Outside the forest, baited traps attracted significantly more cerambycids than unbaited traps at distances up to 40 m from the forest edge, with catch generally decreasing between 8 and 40 m from the forest. Some cerambycids were collected in both baited and unbaited traps at all distances from the forest edge, indicating that at least some species dispersed out of the forest independent of any pheromonal attractants. Our results provide context to previous studies that used these pheromone lures, and offer insights into cerambycid dispersal behavior.

The maize weevil Sitophilus zeamais Motschulsky is one of the most serious stored-product pests worldwide. It causes significant damage and major post-harvest losses in global production as a result of adults and larvae feeding on stored grains and contaminating food products. The fine structural morphology of mouthparts, including the distribution of sensilla in adult S. zeamais, was observed using a scanning electron microscope. The mandibulate mouthparts are situated at the tip of the long rostrum. The sclerotized mandibles are irregular, serving as pincers. The maxillae are bilaterally flattened and lay almost perpendicular to the segmented venter, situated in longitudinal clefts with a four-segmented palp on each side of the labium. The cardo, stipes, palpifer, lacinia, and galea are described in detail. The tongue-like labium is considerably specialized with a pair of three-segmented palps. Four types of sensilla basiconica occur in the distal cavity of the maxillary palp and digitiform sensilla are located on the distal maxillary segment. Two types of sensilla basiconica with a 4 + 3 arrangement are present in the distal cavity of the labial palp, whereas a kind of sensilla basiconica is present at the base of the labial palp. The evolution of the mouthpart morphology and the putative functional significance of their sensilla are discussed, providing insight into the feeding mechanism.

This paper reports complex lipids and sterols in the leaves of Eucalyptus macrorhyncha, the dedicated host of an unnamed species of Glycaspis (Synglycaspis) (hereafter referred as Synglycaspis), exploring their role in Synglycaspis's specificity to leaves of E. macrorhyncha. Seeking an answer to the above, we evaluated the levels of lipids and sterols in the leaves of Eucalyptus rossii and Eucalyptus dives the chosen “closest” relatives of E. macrorhyncha from Orange region in the South-eastern Highlands Bioregion of New South Wales. Low levels of mono- and di-glycerides in the leaves of E. macrorhyncha appear to be a key factor in regulating the choice of E. macrorhyncha by Synglycaspis. An LC–MS/MS analysis revealed incidence of sitosterol, ergosterol, and stigmasterol. Sitosterol and certain undetermined sterols with apparent molecular weights corresponding to 354, 382, and 440 g mol ^{– 1} occur maximally in the leaves of E. macrorhyncha. Increased levels of ergosterol in galls housing the second, third, and fourth instars and its decreased levels in galls with fifth instars of Synglycaspis indicate the production of this sterol particularly during gall growth and possible utilization by the developing instars of the gall-inducing species of Synglycaspis. The 440 g mol ^{– 1} sterol was highly represented in young leaves of E. macrorhyncha as against in the leaves of E. rossii and E. dives, and this sterol could be a key factor in the preference of young leaves of E. macrorhyncha by the gravid female of Synglycaspis for oviposition and ensuing gall development.

The ricaniid planthopper Ricania speculum (Walker) (Hemiptera: Fulgoroidea) was recently introduced to Italy, apparently from southeast Asia. This species has the potential to become a significant agricultural pest, as it feeds on > 60 species of plants, some of which are of economic importance. Here we describe and illustrate the adult male and female genitalia and the first- through fifth-instar nymphs.

Acoustic signals function as a critical prereproductive isolation factor among singing insects and can serve as a valuable tool in insect systematics. Acoustic recognition of psylloids is crucial in establishing duets. However, research focused on acoustic divergence and specific recognition of closely related psylloid species is scarce. Moreover, active adult psylloids may exhibit acoustic behavior on nonhost plants in natural conditions even though the majority of species is highly host specific. Acoustic signals transmitted among different host plants with various structural properties may be affected and thereafter influence the mating behavior of psylloids. We studied the acoustic behavior of two sympatric and closely related species of Trioza Foerster (Triozidae), each of whose host plant is a different species of Neolitsea (Benth. & Hook.) Merr. (Lauraceae), to examine their acoustic recognition and the host versus nonhost plant effects on acoustic signals and behavior. We found that the chirp duration varied significantly between the two selected species of Trioza. These two species exhibited features of prereproductive isolation through acoustic recognition, as demonstrated by infrequent duets and mating between interspecific pairs. Both species of Trioza, especially males, exhibited a shorter chirp duration on nonhost plants compared with the chirp duration on host plants. However, the dominant frequency of the two species of Trioza was less influenced by plant effects. Lastly, acoustic characteristics along with morphological and biological characteristics provided clear evidence that one of the two species of Trioza is novel. A description of this new species is provided.