The purpose of the International Database on Insect Disinfestation and Sterilization (IDIDAS:  http://www-ididas.iaea.org/ididas/) website is to collect and share information about radiation doses for disinfestation and reproductive sterilization of arthropods and to perform a comparative analysis and quality assurance check on existing data. IDIDAS was developed based on a literature review and analysis of >2,750 references, published during the past five decades. In total, 309 species of arthropods, mostly of economic importance, from 196 genera, 84 families, 9 insect orders, and 2 arachnid orders, have been subjected to irradiation studies for purposes of (1) research, such as sperm precedence determination and parasitoid-host interaction studies, (2) disinfestation for quarantine or phytosanitary purposes or (3) different pest control applications, including the sterile insect technique (SIT) and biological control programs. Sensitivity to radiation among families, and in particular orders, varies sometimes over two orders of magnitude, with Arctiidae and Pyralidae (Lepidoptera) being the most radioresistant, requiring the highest sterilizing doses (100–300 Gy), and Acrididae (Orthoptera) and Blaberidae (Dictyoptera) the lowest (<5 Gy). Within Diptera, Coleoptera and Hemiptera radiation doses vary widely among families and range from 20 to 200 Gy. Soft Acari species belonging to Ixodidae are more sensitive than hard species of Argasidae and Tetranychidae mites. In general, most insect, mite, and tick families require a sterilizing dose of <200 Gy. Analysis of data shows that, with few exceptions, generic doses of radiation apply to species within the same genus, and thus, there is generally no need to develop radiation biology data for all species. Although the objective of this database is to present the optimum dose for research, disinfestation, or sterilization at the species level, there is some inconsistency in the recorded doses resulting from variation in many factors affecting sensitivity to radiation. Thus, this review highlights the need for further efforts to standardize experimental dosimetry and irradiation procedures for arthropods and provides a suitable platform for guiding future research in this area.

A new feather mite species, Pterotrogus principalis sp. n., is described from the wing plumage of the ivory-billed woodpecker, Campephilus principalis L. This is the first record of a feather mite species from this bird, which was distributed in southeastern North America and Cuba, but is considered to be recently extinct.

The life history of the harpactorine reduviid Sinea spinipes (Herrich-Schaeffer) was studied in southern Illinois from February 2001 to November 2002, and the immature stages were described. The bug also was reared from egg to adult under controlled laboratory conditions. This univoltine species occurred on vegetation along roadsides within forests, in open fields beneath or near scattered trees, and along forest edges. It overwinters as adults, which emerged in mid-April and were found through early September. Nymphs were found from early June through late September. The bug was reared in the laboratory on larval beet armyworm, Spodoptera exigua (Hübner), at 26 ± 3.0°C under a photoperiod of 16:8 (L:D) h. The incubation period averaged 15.13 d; eyespots appeared in ≈7 d. The five stadia averaged 8.15, 9.22, 9.21, 11.43, and 19.59 d, respectively. The total developmental period averaged 72.73 d. Instars can be distinguished by differences in several anatomical features, including body length and width and progressive development of size, number, and pattern of spines.

Larvae and pupae of two Neotropical choreutids, Rhobonda gaurisana Walker and Zodia scintillana (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Choreutidae), are described. Photographs, drawings, and scanning electron micrographs are provided for both species, and observations on larval behavior and biology are reported. The larval head in both genera is reinterpreted as being semiprognathous. The D2 setae on A9 arise from a common middorsal pinaculum in Rhobonda, Zodia, and other choreutid genera. Previously, this character was regarded as one of the defining characters for the Tortricidae. The implications of its presence in choreutids are discussed. The variability of the arrangement of pupal dorsal spines between the Millieriinae and the other two subfamilies Brenthiinae and Choreutinae is so great that the inclusion of the Millieriinae with the Choreutidae is questioned.

Cervantistellus Brailovsky & Barrera, new genus, and two new species (C. guerrerensis and C. insolitus) from México are described in the tribe Acanthocephalini (Coreidae). The nymphs and adults are associated with bamboo. A key to the known species is included.

Five new species of Neotropical Dohrniphora related to D. longirostrata are described: D. apharea, D. bicostula, D. conlanorum, D. oricilla, and D. perpendicularis. Most species differences are found in the area of the ventrobasal concavity of the posterior face of the male hind femur. The D. longirostrata-group is diagnosed, each species illustrated with scanning electron micrographs, and a key to males of all species is presented.

The genus Perischus is known only from Bolivia and included a single species, P. boliviensis Weld. In this article, we describe an additional species from Brazil, P. carinatus n. sp., and provide characters to differentiate it from P. boliviensis.

The five immature stages of Megamelus scutellaris Berg (Hemiptera: Delphacidae) are described and illustrated. The main characters that distinguish the various stages are body size, number of tarsomeres and tibial spines, color, and number of teeth on the metatibial spur. New biological data based on laboratory rearing and field observations show that M. scutellaris can carry out its biological cycle successfully on water hyacinth, Eichhornia crassipes (Martius) Solms Laubach (Pontederiaceae). Mating occurs close to the water level and one to four eggs per scar are laid in apical portion of petiole and pseudolaminae. Ovipositional scars are recognized by three parallel marks. In addition, the efficient rearing in captivity, the high survivorship registered, and overwintering on only water hyacinth suggest M. scutellaris as a potential biocontrol agent of this invasive aquatic weed.

Permocoleus wellingtonensis, new genus and new species, is based on an elytron from the Permian Wellington Formation of Oklahoma and is the only Paleozoic record of the order Coleoptera from North America and the oldest record for the New World. Until now, Permian Coleoptera were known only from Europe, Australia, southern Africa, and South America but were conspicuously absent from North America, despite the Wellington Formation being among the most diverse deposits of Permian insects. Permocoleus provides evidence that early beetles were globally distributed.

The geographical distribution of Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann), is limited to relatively warm regions and does not cross the 41° north latitude. A recent study has demonstrated that, in contrast to the earlier suggested hypothesis, that Mediterranean fruit fly can survive the winter in relatively cold areas, it does not overwinter in such areas but reinvades them annually from adjacent warmer sites. In the present work, we use a large-scale spatial approach to describe the spatiotemporal dynamics of Mediterranean fruit fly in a large heterogeneous landscape as well as discuss the consequences of such dynamics for basic research and control practices. During a 2-yr period (2000–2001), over the central part of Israel (6,875 km²), adult males were monitored and recorded weekly by using Steiner-like traps. Data obtained were incorporated into a geographic information system to produce weekly distribution maps of C. capitata within the study area. The patterns of change in population sizes through time were consistent in both years, suggesting that C. capitata overwinters along the coastal plain and the Jordan Valley. Reinvasion to the higher altitudes is followed by a population increase in the warmer, lower altitudes, during the spring and early summer. By midsummer, flies were found at all sites within the study area. However, flies started disappearing from the high-altitude areas during fall and were absent from these areas during winter. We suggest that understanding such spatiotemporal dynamics has far-reaching consequences for future basic research as well as control and eradication programs.

The distribution and abundance of fire ant decapitating flies (Diptera: Phoridae: Pseudacteon Coquillett) were studied in three regions of southern South America, primarily from September 2002 to September 2004. A total of 2,421 flies belonging to 14 Pseudacteon species were found at 51% of the 662 fire ant mounds examined at 125 collecting sites. Flies occurred in a variety of habitats at altitudes from sea level to 2,280 m. Pseudacteon obtusus Borgmeier (large form) was found at the highest altitude and at the most western longitude. Flies were active between 16 and 37°C, 20 and 90% RH, and 0 and 11.6 km/h wind speed. Pseudacteon curvatus Borgmeier showed the highest abundance and one of the broadest geographical distributions. Pseudacteon tricuspis Borgmeier, P. litoralis Borgmeier, the large form of P. obtusus, P. nudicornis Borgmeier, and P. nocens Borgmeier also were widely distributed. These species seem to be the most generalized within saevissima-group. Pseudacteon solenopsidis Schmitz was only collected attacking isolated workers. A new Pseudacteon species was discovered in northwestern Argentina. Seven fly species were reported for the first time on a new fire ant host in this region. Pseudacteon cultellatus Borgmeier was found for the first time on Solenopsis invicta Buren in Corrientes province in northeastern Argentina, where up to nine fly species have been found to cooccur. Males of P. tricuspis and P. obtusus were the only males normally attracted to disturbed fire ant colonies.

Maternally inherited bacteria that kill male but not female hosts during embryogenesis occur in Harmonia axyridis (Pallas). In two populations in Japan, Fukuyama, Hiroshima, and Muikamachi, Niigata, H. axyridis were infected with male-killing bacteria. According to the sequence analysis of the gene fragment for 16S rDNA, these bacteria belong to the genus Spiroplasma. Tetracycline-treated infected females produced female and male progeny, although untreated females produced only female progeny, demonstrating that H. axyridis is male-killed by the Spiroplasma. The proportion of females infected in Muikamachi and Fukuyama was 0.039 and 0.135, respectively, indicating that prevalence of male-killer in H. axyridis is low in Japan.

The use of elevated temperatures or heat treatments for managing insect pests in food-processing facilities is becoming a popular alternative to methyl bromide fumigation. We found that young larvae (first instars) of red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae), were relatively more tolerant to elevated temperatures than eggs, old larvae, pupae, and adults. Our objective was to determine whether heat shock proteins (HSPs) confer thermotolerance in T. castaneum life stages. Western blot analyses by using HSP 70 antibody showed constitutive expression of HSP 70 in all stages of T. castaneum. However, the expression of HSP 70 in young larvae increased by ≈33%, after the larvae were exposed to 40°C for 1 h. The expression of HSP 70 in other stages did not vary significantly, but for eggs the expression of HSP 70 showed significant reduction at 40°C. Young larvae possessed two distinct HSPs with molecular masses of 70 and 24 kDa, both recognized by a monoclonal anti-bovine brain HSP 70 antibody. Our study suggests that increased thermotolerance in young larvae could be due to increased expression of HSP 70 at higher temperatures. Time- and temperature-dependent expression of HSP 70 showed that the increased thermotolerance in young larvae might last as long as 8 h at 40°C or 30 min at 46°C.

In eggs of many insects there exists a characteristic structure called an oosom that is required for the formation and differentiation of primordial germ cells (PGCs). Thermobia domestica (Packard) belongs to the group of insects in which there are no visible signs of such germ cell determinants and PGCs are formed at the later stages of development. Spontaneous and experimental polyembryony helps to resolve the problem of germ cells determinants existence. The stratification of cytoplasmic inclusions in T. domestica eggs causes the displacement of germ cells determinants. As a result, all twin embryos and some single embryos (experimental polyembryony) have sterile gonads.

The external morphology of coeloconic sensilla (peg-like sense organs protruding from deep pits) on the postpedicel (third antennal segment) and maxillary palp from a female Megaselia scalaris (Loew) is described using scanning electron microscopy. The pegs of the sensilla located on the postpedicel are “starfruit-like” in shape and are completely contained within deep depressions. Transmission electron microscopy showed that each peg has a thick and nonporous wall. The coeloconic sensilla of the maxillary palps are long, linear, and blunt-tipped and protrude over the cuticular surface. Possible functions of the sensilla are discussed.

A dominant mutation, Sergeant (Sr²), which affects expression of a third stripe on the abdomen of the Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann), was recently isolated and the results of an extended genetic analysis are reported here. In addition, field cage data are presented on the mating competitiveness of strains carrying this mutation, including a genetic sexing strain (GSS). The incorporation of a phenotypic marker, such as Sr², in a Mediterranean fruit fly GSS would complement, and could replace, the use of fluorescent dye for monitoring sterile insect technique programs and increase program efficiency by improving sterile and wild fly identification procedures. The mutation is homozygous lethal, and it is located on chromosome 5 at position 78B and 60D on the salivary and trichogen polytene maps, respectively. The development of the Sr² GSS is described here, together with data on fitness and penetrance of the mutation. The field-cage results demonstrated 1) random mating between males and females of laboratory strains carrying or lacking Sr², 2) comparable sexual compatibility of Sr² and non-Sr² GSS with two wild populations, and 3) comparable mating competitiveness of males from Sr² and non-Sr² GSS with wild males. From these results, no significant effects of the mutation on the sexual competitiveness of strains carrying Sr² were detectable. The findings of this study point to a satisfactory overall genetic as well as mating behavior profile of Mediterranean fruit fly strains carrying the Sr² mutation and clearly warrant further evaluation of this mutation in Mediterranean fruit fly GSS.

Although the biology of most genera of allodapine bees is relatively well known, there are only fragmentary data on one African species of a basal genus, Halterapis, and there have been no studies of this genus from Madagascar where it is most speciose. We present the first account of nesting and social biology of a Malagasy species in this genus, Halterapis minutaBrooks & Pauly, based on a sample of 23 nests This species has a unique form of brood provisioning, where a clutch of eggs is mass provisioned with a single, long cylindrical pollen mass, and larvae gradually eat their way along this food store. Most colonies contained more than one adult female, with generational overlap and very strong size-related ovarian differentiation among nestmates, indicating that the species is eusocial. Sex allocation was extremely female biased, and this is probably linked to reproductive skew within colonies. Our findings indicate that the lack of true sociality in the African species Halterapis nigrinervis (Cameron) is apomorphic and not linked to mass provisioning per se, although it may be linked to mass provisioning of individual eggs. The form of sociality in H. minuta emphasizes earlier findings that sociality is frequently very complex in allodapine bees and further indicates that extant members of the tribe Allodapini do not represent early steps in the origin of eusociality.

Females of the subsocial shield bug Parastrachia japonensis Scott progressively provision nymph-containing nests with drupes of the single host tree Schoepfia jasminodora Sieb. et Zull. The resource is unreliable and typically poor, and females invest considerable time in searching for suitable drupes. Earlier observations have indicated that although some females nest under the host tree, most prefer to nest far from the food source, despite the difficulty involved in transporting drupes to a distant nest. Because we have observed females stealing drupes from other females’ nests, we considered that kleptoparasitism might be a factor in determining nest site preference. A manipulated field study was carried out to clarify the prevalence of kleptoparasitism in nests close to and far from the host tree and to determine how these factors affect nest success. Surprisingly, in the year of this study, when drupes were particularly scarce, more drupes were stolen, but females still collected significantly more drupes and had greater nest success, in nests located under the host tree than in those that were 5 m away. The ecological factors relevant to kleptoparasitism and nest site choice are discussed.

Females of the shield bug Parastrachia japonensis Scott (Hemiptera: Parastrachiidae) provision their nymph-containing nests with drupes of the single host tree, Schoepfia jasminodora Sieb. et Zucc (Olacaceae: Rosidae: Santales). We carried out several field experiments to examine the variation in the start of nest abandonment by using field cages set in a copse in Japan. First, in individual cages where female parents could freely provision their nests with drupes provided in abundance in a distant foraging cage, we observed when nymphs began abandoning the nests. Considerable variation was found in the beginning of nest abandonment among nests, with a tendency for it to be delayed in nests where the average number of drupes provided per nymph (average provisioning rate) was high. Second, we excluded females from nests when nymphs were in the second stadium. We then artificially supplied drupes at two levels of abundance to verify whether the delay in the start of nest abandonment was caused by an increase in the nymphal daily food availability. Nymphal nest abandonment started in direct response to the amount of artificially provided food. Finally, a field experiment to determine the ability of nymphs at various developmental stages to reach the foraging site from the nest site revealed that younger independent nymphs were rarely able to succeed. We discuss nymphal nest abandonment with regard to assessing the risk of starvation, attributable to a shortage of food provided by the female parent, and postindependence risk.