Tirathaba rufivena Walker (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) is an important pest of areca palm, Areca catechu L. (Arecaceae), in China. The effects of azadirachtin on the development and mortality of T. rufivena were determined. All larval instars were susceptible to azadirachtin, but the stomach and contact toxicities diminished as the larvae matured. The LC₂₅ and LC₅₀ dosages had no effect on larval hatch when applied directly to the eggs on different days after deposition, but the LC₉₀ treatment retarded hatch from eggs treated 1 to 3 d after deposition. The tested concentrations significantly affected the survival of neonate larvae from treated eggs, especially larvae that emerged from eggs treated 3 d after deposition. Azadirachtin also prolonged larval development and duration of the pupal stage. The percentage of adult emergence decreased, and longevity of the emerged adults was shortened, following treatment. Also, egg production and viability from females treated as larvae with azadirachtin were significantly affected.

Insects are excellent indicator species for documenting changes in ecosystems and biodiversity, and south Florida is a recognized “hotspot” for hundreds of rare and endemic taxa. The capacity of native invertebrate species to adapt to changing ecological factors may be the dynamic that either strengthens their fitness or drives their extirpation or extinction. Variable life strategies may evolve that enable those taxa to persist, in spite of, or in response to, unstable or stochastic features in their changing ecosystems. Florida insects are subject to many extremes: drought, flooding, hurricanes, and high-wind tropical storms, as well as urban threats such as pesticide use and fragmented remnant habitats. The Atala, Eumaeus atala (Poey) (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae), which was once believed to be extinct, is still considered to be an insect of conservation concern in southeast Florida for those reasons. In this study, environmental chambers were programmed to simulate the widely varying climatic conditions found in southeast Miami, Florida, to understand the ranges in the life history and development of the Atala. Results indicated that pupal and adult male polyphenism and variations in development time are determined by seasonal changes in temperature, humidity, and photoperiod; these factors may indicate stressadaptive responses increasing pupal survival and male mating success.

Lepidopteran crop pests like Spodoptera litura (F.) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), Chilo partellus (Swinhoe) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae), Plutella xylostella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae), and Maruca vitrata (F.) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) are the major constraints for crop production and productivity. They are polyphagous and feed on tobacco, millets, cruciferous crops, and leguminous crops, respectively. Sensory structures and sensory genes are the key players responsible for their preference for particular crop species. Sensory genes code for the chemoreceptors present in the dendritic membrane of the neuron, which interpret the signal perceived by the insect nervous system that is responsible for insect behavior. In this study, we examined the distribution and morphology of sensory structures present on larval antennae and mouthparts of 4 lepidopteran crop pest species using scanning electron microscopy. We found that the mouthparts of lepidopteran larvae all possess sensory structures and organs such as sensilla chaetica, sensilla basiconica, and sensilla styloconica involved in gustatory and olfactory functions. The only difference between species lies in the external appearance, position, distribution, and number of sensory organs. Sensilla chaetica alone were observed on the labrum and mandibles, whereas sensilla styloconica and sensilla chaetica were present on the labium. All 3 types of sensilla were observed on the maxilla of S. litura, C. partellus, P. xylostella, and M. vitrata with varied numbers and morphology. Mainly, sensilla basiconica were present on antennae and apical maxillary palps, which are involved in olfactory and gustatory functions, respectively. In addition, we compared the sensory gene odorant receptor co-receptor (Or83b), which is pivotal in olfactory reception, among the 4 lepidopteran species and found that Or83b is conserved, showing the ancestral relationship among the 4 species.

Several morphologically similar species of picture-winged flies (the silk fly complex, Diptera: Ulidiidae) are severe primary pests of sweet corn (Zea mays L.; Poaceae) in Florida. Monitoring traps for these pests may aid threshold development and species complex determination in the field. This study evaluated floral lures, some previously used to monitor pest Lepidoptera, and liquid protein baits, used for other pest Diptera, for efficacy in attraction of silk flies. Baited universal moth traps were deployed for several weeks and placed in a summer fallow field (field trial 1), a fall sweet corn field (field trial 2), and a spring sweet corn field (field trial 3). Flies were removed weekly during each experiment. In field trial 1, traps baited with 1,4-dimethoxybenzene captured the most flies. The majority of flies captured were Chaetopsis massyla Walker. In field trial 2, aged torula yeast—baited traps captured more flies than other treatments, (1,4-dimethoxybenzene, geraniol, phenylacetaldehyde, and fresh torula yeast). The majority of captured flies were Euxesta stigmatias Loew. In field trial 3, the aged torula yeast treatment resulted in greater fly capture than all other treatments (1,4-dimethoxybenzene, acetoin, anisole, and benzaldehyde). Euxesta eluta Loew was the dominant species captured in the spring. More females than males were captured from all 3 experiments and all treatments. These experiments demonstrate that all 3 silk fly species can be captured in traps currently used for pest monitoring. Torula yeast was the best attractant evaluated, and further semiochemical investigations of torula yeast are warranted.

Ambrosia beetles frequently invade non-native regions but are typically of no concern because most species live in dead trees and culture nonpathogenic symbiotic fungal gardens. Recently, however, several ambrosia beetle—fungus complexes have invaded non-native regions and killed large numbers of host trees. Such tree-killing invasions have occurred unexpectedly, and the mechanism of the ecological switch from dead trees to live trees has been left unexplained, or termed an “evolutionary mismatch.” We demonstrate that the mismatch hypothesis is not supported in the redbay ambrosia beetle, Xyleborus glabratus Eichhoff (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), because this beetle is able to colonize live trees also in its native range and its symbiotic fungus acts as a pathogen in some native hosts. We further synthesized findings from recent literature and unpublished observations on several other invasive fungus-associated beetles such as Euwallacea fornicatus (Eggers) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), Platypus quercivorus Murayama (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), and Pityophthorus juglandis Blackman (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) to present an alternative to the “evolutionary mismatch” hypothesis. The revised hypothesis is that the majority of destructive ambrosia beetle species that have invaded new regions are already capable of colonizing living tree tissues in their native habitats. Furthermore, associated fungi are typically mildly to strongly pathogenic to native host tree species. A predisposition to colonize living tree tissues occurs in very few ambrosia beetle species, but these species predictably act as pests in invaded regions. Thus, simple screening of ambrosia beetle—fungus pairs for this particular ecological trait—colonization of live tree tissues—in their native habitats could help discriminate future tree-killing invasive pests from the majority of species that likely remain harmless.

The red palm weevil, Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Olivier) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), is an invasive and injurious pest of palms that has extended its native range from Asia to Africa, the Middle East, and the Mediterranean Basin. In 2010, the morphologically indistinguishable Rhynchophorus vulneratus (Panzer) was detected and subsequently eradicated in California, USA. In 2011, a population of palm weevils was detected in ornamental palms in Tunis, Tunisia. Uncertainty over the identity of the weevil population in Tunisia led to conflicting speculation that the source populations emerged from infested palms illegally imported from either the USA or Italy. Mitochondrial haplotypes of specimens collected at multiple sites around Tunis were compared with haplotypes from global populations of R. ferrugineus and R. vulneratus, confirming that the Tunisian populations were R. ferrugineus. Moreover, the Tunisian populations had the same fixed mitochondrial haplotype ubiquitous in invasive populations throughout the Mediterranean Basin, and we conclude that the Tunisian populations most likely originated from imported infested palms from Europe, and not from palms imported from the USA.

The yellowjacket, Vespula squamosa (Drury) (Hymenoptera: Vespidae), is the only eusocial wasp that commonly has 2 social forms (monogyne and polygyne nests), has annual and perennial nests, facultatively usurps the nests of conspecifics, and parasitizes other vespine species. Thus, V. squamosa is ideally suited for examining various phenotypic and genetic variables as they relate to different social alternatives in the context of kin selection theory. In this study, we compared various metrics relating to reproduction for queens in monogyne versus polygyne nests including queen abdominal weight, fertility, egg number, egg size, and worker relatedness. Monogyne nests (N = 7) and polygyne nests (N = 5) were collected from Georgia and Florida, USA. Examination of nest comb material indicated all polygyne nests were perennial; the number of workers in these nests varied from approximately 700 to 36,379. All monogyne nests were annual and had fewer than 1,500 workers. Single queens were more physogastric than their polygyne counterparts and had significantly more mature eggs per ovary. Polygyne queens, however, had significantly larger eggs but produced smaller workers. Twelve percent of the queens in polygyne nests were either devoid of sperm or did not have full spermathecae (n = 142), whereas the spermathecae of single queens (n = 7) were replete with spermatozoa. Mean genetic relatedness among workers in perennial, polygyne nests suggests these nests include multiple egg-laying queens.

The oriental fruit fly, Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel) (Diptera: Tephritidae), is one of the most important economic pests in tropical and subtropical areas of the world, where it causes serious damage to fruit production. This study aimed to investigate the criteria for dividing the instars of B. dorsalis, which will be fundamental for the control and forecasting of development rates, as well as the development of efficient control measures for B. dorsalis. Five morphological variables, including the body length, the length and width of mouth hooks, and the length and width of the pharyngeal sclerite of the larvae, were measured. The Crosby growth rule was used in determining that B. dorsalis has 3 instars. The length of the pharyngeal sclerite is the best morphological variable for distinguishing the instars of B. dorsalis, whereas the length and the width of mouth hooks and the width of the pharyngeal sclerite can be used as additional characteristics. There was an overlap in the body length between the adjacent instars of B. dorsalis, and therefore body length cannot be used to separate the instars accurately.

The identity of the citrus leaf mining flea beetle in northeast India, hitherto misidentified as Sebaethe fulvipennis (Illiger) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), is corrected as Podagricomela nigripes Medvedev. Following the merger of Clitea Baly and Throscoryssa Maulik with Amphimela Chapuis, Amphimela mauliki Prathapan, new name is proposed as the replacement name for Throscoryssa citri Maulik, as Amphimela citri (Maulik, 1928) is a junior secondary homonym of Amphimela citri (Bryant, 1922). Amphimela ceylonica (Chen), new combination is proposed for Clitea ceylonica Chen.

Syllophopsis sechellensis (Emery) (formerly Monomorium sechellense) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) is a small, inconspicuous ant species, native to the Old World tropics, but has spread by human commerce to other parts of the world. The extent of its original native range is unclear. Here, we examined the worldwide distribution of S. sechellensis, particularly its spread to the New World. We compiled published and unpublished S. sechellensis specimen records from >160 sites. We documented the earliest known S. sechellensis records for 43 geographic areas (countries, island groups, and West Indian islands), including many islands for which we found no previously published records, in Southeast Asia (Singapore), the Indian Ocean (Comoro Islands, Îles Éparses, Mascarene Islands), Pacific Ocean (Palau), Atlantic Ocean (Cape Verde Islands), and the Caribbean (Guadeloupe, Grenada, Martinique, Mona, Puerto Rico, St. Croix, St. Lucia, St. Martin, St. Thomas, St. Vincent, and Trinidad). The geographic ranges of S. sechellensis and other Syllophopsis species suggest that S. sechellensis may be native to Madagascar and neighboring islands in the western Indian Ocean or to Southeast Asia or both. The earliest known record of S. sechellensis in the New World was collected in Barbados in 2003. We recorded this species on 11 additional West Indian islands. This finding might indicate that S. sechellensis is rapidly spreading through the West Indies. Alternatively, it may be that this inconspicuous ant has simply been overlooked or misidentified in this region.

An updated description of the last larval instar (based on the exuvia) of Reesa vespulae (Milliron, 1939) (Coleoptera: Dermestidae) is presented. The paper is fully illustrated and includes some important additions to extend the poorly illustrated, short notes for this species available in the references. Summarized data about biology, economic importance, and distribution of R. vespulae are also provided.

Efforts to document species of longhorned beetles (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) occurring in Tennessee have not been updated since 1973. To address this knowledge gap, institutional, research, and private collections in Tennessee were reviewed to provide faunal distribution assessments and seasonal activity data for the cerambycid beetle species active in Tennessee. Examinations of 9,918 specimens and records yielded a list of 230 cerambycid beetle species within 5 subfamilies. Twenty-seven species are reported as new state records from Tennessee. Adult seasonal activity data that were recorded on specimen labels are presented. Where available, notes on collection method, adult resources, and larval host plants are provided for species within a supplementary table. Supplemental figures report the distribution for species collected across the state and from 85 of the 95 Tennessee counties, as well as the ecoregions from which each species is reported. The bias-corrected Chao1 species richness estimator predicts another 11 species remain to be identified across the state. Future collection efforts in the Central Appalachian, Mississippi Alluvial and Valley Loess Plains, Southeastern Plains, and western portions of the Interior Plateau ecoregions could yield additional new state records. Developmental host and adult resource plants, collection methods, as well as regional collection notes from adjacent states are discussed for several additional candidate longhorned beetle species.

The morphology of the female reproductive system in Megamelus scutellaris Berg (Hemiptera: Delphacidae), a biological control agent of Eichhornia crassipes (Mart.) Solms (Pontederiaceae), was examined with standard light microscopy techniques. Ovaries extracted from individuals dissected in phosphate buffered saline were examined with both stereo and compound microscopy. This species was typical of other delphacid planthoppers in that the reproductive system was composed of 2 ovaries with each consisting of 11 to 13 tubular ovarioles. The lateral oviduct from each ovary led to a common oviduct. Ovaries were of the telotrophic meroistic type wherein nurse cells were within the distal germarium. an enlarged sac-like bursa copulatrix opened to the common oviduct just posterior to the spermatheca. The bursa copulatrix contained globular structures that we interpreted to be spermatophores. More mature follicles contained a yolk-filled oocyte with a distinct germinal vesicle or enlarged nucleus present in the distal region of the follicle. Each oocyte was surrounded by a single layer of cells, termed the follicular epithelium, and the entire ovariole was surrounded by a thin membranous layer, the ovariole sheath. A unique structure, surrounding the most distal portion of the lateral oviduct and appearing as a loose grouping of cells that opened proximally, was visible at the base of each ovariole in reproductive females. This structure, which we termed the “collar,” did not appear to be attached to the ovarioles or the lateral oviduct tissues and has not previously been reported in other planthopper or insect species. The continuum of ovarian development was divided into 3 nulliparous and 3 parous stages based on ovariole differentiation, presence and appearance of follicular relics, and collar length, which increased linearly with increasing numbers of ovulations. Taken together, these characteristics can be used to estimate the reproductive condition and number of ovulations of this biocontrol agent.

Two new species of Americanura (Collembola: Neanuridae) from Belize are described and illustrated, A. belicensis sp. nov. and A. denisi sp. nov. Americanura belicensis sp. nov. has long barbulate setae and the dorso-internal tubercles chaetotaxy formula 033/2222, whereas A. denisi sp. nov. has short and less barbulate setae, and with a reduced chaetotaxy formula of dorso-internal tubercles of 011/1111.

We conducted a survey of frugivorous flies (Diptera: Tephritidae and Lonchaeidae), their host plants, and associated parasitoids in the extreme north of Amapá State, Brazil. Fruit were collected from various plant species between May 2011 and Jul 2013. In total, 218 fruit samples were collected (3,915 fruits, 115.6 kg), from 33 plant species (12 native and 21 introduced) in 22 families. Infestation by fruit flies was observed in 69 samples, representing 17 plant species in 13 families. In total, 3,480 puparia were obtained, from which emerged specimens of Anastrepha Schiner (6 species; Tephritidae), Neosilba McAlpine (4 species; Lonchaeidae), and Bactrocera carambolae Drew & Hancock (Tephritidae), as well as wasp parasitoids in the family Braconidae (3 species). This work adds new records of frugivorous flies in the studied area and establishes new relationships between species of frugivorous flies and host plants in the Brazilian Amazon.

We sampled 526 dooryard, 18 varietal block, and 784 commercial citrus trees in Florida between May 2009 and Apr 2014 for eriophyoid mites including Diptilomiopus floridanus Craemer & Amrine, Aceria sheldoni (Ewing), Aculops pelekassi (Keifer), and Phyllocoptruta oleivora (Ashmead). In total, 1,423 D. floridanus individuals were collected from dooryard citrus trees and 1 each from the lemon cultivar ‘Bearss’ and sweet lime trees from the Florida Citrus Arboretum in Winter Haven. Diptilomiopus floridanus was collected from dooryard citrus in the following counties in Florida: Broward, Collier, Dade, Indian River, Lee, Martin, Palm Beach, Pinellas, Polk, Sarasota, and St. Lucie. The mite was not observed in Charlotte, Hardee, Hendry, Highlands, Manatee, or Okeechobee counties (Florida). Percentages of the eriophyoid mite species collected from dooryard citrus trees and varietal blocks were: A. pelekassi 3.2%, A. sheldoni 9.1%, D. floridanus 17.3%, and P. oleivora 84.2%. The 6 counties with the highest percentages of D. floridanus on dooryard trees were: Collier 36%, Broward 25%, Indian River 25%, Palm Beach 25%, Martin 23%, and St. Lucie 22%. In commercial citrus, A. sheldoni was collected less than 1.0%, A. pelekassi 4.0%, and P. oleivora 75.5%, of the time. Diptilomiopus floridanus was not collected in commercial citrus orchards during this survey. Diptilomiopus floridanus had significantly greater infestation rates on lime and lemon trees compared with grapefruit, tangerine, tangelo, sweet orange, and pummelo trees. However, infestation rates on lime and lemon trees were not significantly different from those on sour orange trees.

The tobacco budworm, Heliothis virescens (F.) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), damages soybean crops by feeding on the leaves, pods, and terminal buds. The purpose of this study was to evaluate antibiosis resistance to H. virescens by different soybean cultivars. Soybean cultivars evaluated were P 98Y30 RR, NA 7337 RR, SYN 1163 RR, NK 7059 RR, ANTA 82 RR, M 7110 IPRO, BRS 8160 RR, BRSGO Jataí, and IAC 100. The variables analyzed were duration of the larval stage, percentage of larval survival, larval weight at 10 d, duration of the prepupal stage, percentage of prepupae survival, duration of the pupal stage, percentage of pupal survival, pupal weight at 24 h, total duration of the life cycle, overall survival, and adult longevity. The cultivars BRS 8160 RR, BRSGO Jataí, and P 98Y30 RR were highly susceptible to tobacco budworm, whereas IAC 100 and M 7110 IPRO showed antibiosis resistance to H. virescens.

The effects of 2 concentrations (15 and 30%) of ethanolic Argemone ochroleuca Sweet (Papaveraceae) extracts were determined on the feeding behavior and development of 3rd instar larvae of the fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) through their continuous ingestion of treated maize leaves for 48 h. The extracts were obtained from dried whole plants including stems, leaves, and flowers. Armyworm food consumption was slightly reduced (by 13 to 14%) at both concentrations compared with the controls. Larval growth was significantly affected only at the highest concentration, with a 23% reduction in larval weight after 48 h of feeding on the treated leaves and a 38% reduction after another 48 h of feeding on an untreated artificial diet. By contrast, the duration of the larval and pupal stages was prolonged by 43% (from 13.5 to 19.4 d) and by 8% (from 2.1 to 2.2 d), respectively. Total larval mortality was also higher at the highest concentration (31%) than in controls (10%). During the pupal stage, neither the number of pupae that formed nor their mortality or weight was significantly affected by the treatments. However, both of the bioassay concentrations significantly lengthened the duration of the pupal stage in males, whereas in females, only the higher concentration did. In addition, no effect was observed on the adult emergence, sex ratio, and fecundity. In summary, the primary effect of ethanolic A. ochroleuca extracts appears to be a reduction in feeding, which simultaneously slows larval growth and increases mortality.

Essential oil of Pogostemon cablin (Blanco) Bentham (Lamiaceae), known as patchouli oil, has been reported to display strong insecticidal activities, but few studies have focused on the insecticidal activity of its principal constituent, pogostone. The present work was designed to evaluate the insecticidal, repellent, and antifeedant activities of pogostone against Myzus persicae (Sulzer) (Hemiptera: Aphididae). In a choice test, pogostone had strong repellent activity against M. persicae. Pogostone also showed pronounced contact toxicity (LC₅₀ of 1,694 mg/L) to this piercing—sucking insect, as well as powerful antifeedant activity. Pogostone may partly account for the insecticidal activity of patchouli oil, but it also has other valuable properties. This study demonstrated the potential of pogostone as a promising candidate for managing agricultural insects.

The spiraling whitefly, Aleurodicus dispersus Russell (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae), is a destructive invasive pest in many parts of the world. Topical spray and dry film contact assays were conducted to measure the toxicity of 8 plant extracts and their mixtures traditionally used as insecticides in South Asian countries such as Bangladesh, India, and Nepal. The highest mortality (100%) of adults was recorded for neem (Azadirachta indica A. Juss.; Meliaceae) (ethanol) extract (500 mg/L) at 6 h after topical spray. This was followed by 5-leaved chaste tree (Vitex negundo L.; Lamiaceae) (ethanol), sweet sop (Annona squamosa L.; Annonaceae) (acetone), water pepper (Polygonum hydropiper L.; Polygonaceae) (acetone), banyan (Ficus benghalensis L.; Moraceae) (ethanol), banyan (acetone), and crown flower (Calotropis gigantea [L.] W. T. Aiton; Apocynaceae) (ethanol) extracts at 500 mg/L at 12 h after the spray. For the dry film method, the highest mortality (100%) of adults was also recorded for neem (ethanol) extract (500 mg/L) at 18 h after the treatment. Bioassay results indicate that neem (ethanol) extract mixed with crown flower (acetone), oleander (Nerium indicum Mill.; Apocynaceae) (acetone), or sweet sop (ethanol) (in the ratio of 1:1, 1:2, and 1:3 for each plant extract) showed synergism. Neem (ethanol) extract also showed the highest mean repellency rate (93%). In conclusion, neem, 5-leaved chaste tree, sweet sop, water pepper, banyan, and crown flower extracts showed good potential to control A. dispersus, and the mixtures of these plant extracts showed synergistic activity against A. dispersus.

The use of insecticide baits is one of the most common and efficient methods worldwide to control fruit flies (Diptera: Tephritidae). However, this strategy has commonly been associated with environmental contamination and undesirable effects on non-target organisms. The use of lure-and-kill devices (bait stations) or mass trapping could be alternative control methods to overcome these ecological concerns. In this study, we evaluated several mass trapping devices and attractants in comparison with ground-applied insecticide bait sprays for the control of Anastrepha obliqua (Macquart) and Anastrepha ludens (Loew) (Diptera: Tephritidae) in mango orchards in Chiapas, Mexico. Among the bait stations evaluated, we found that a wide-mouth 2 L plastic bottle baited with Cera Trap®, an enzymatic hydrolyzed protein, and used at the density of 25 traps per ha was most efficient at reducing the fruit fly populations. Our results showed that bait stations to control fruit flies, in addition to using less insecticide, were as effective as ground sprays and were superior under rainy conditions. These properties represent a great advantage considering the tropical conditions in several mango production zones around the world.

Insects are important components in coastal marsh ecosystems and can be used as an indicator of marsh health. Collections of insects in coastal marshes are usually made using either sweep nets or insect vacuums. Differences in these 2 methods have not been compared within the marsh ecosystem. Therefore, we compared collections made using these methods in oiled and non-oiled marshes along multiple transects on the Louisiana coast. We found that sweep net collections accounted for 5.9 times more individual arthropods and more total insect taxa when compared with the insect vacuum collections. Oiled marshes had greater total insect richness but similar abundance and average richness as non-oiled sites; however, we found some changes in insect community composition between sites. These results indicate that sweep net collections are an effective means to sample insects in marsh environments and that oil intrusion can lead to changes in arthropod community structure in coastal marshes.

Efficient strategies to control the bronze bug Thaumastocoris peregrinus Carpintero and Dellapé (Hemiptera: Thaumastocoridae) are unavailable, but Cleruchoides noackae Lin and Huber (Hymenoptera: Mymaridae) parasitizes eggs of this pest. The parasitism and number of parasitoids that emerged from the eggs of T. peregrinus were evaluated in the laboratory and from eggs of this pest collected in the field in an area of approximately 2 ha. Collections were done 1 yr after the first release of C. noackae to check for field establishment of this parasitoid in eucalyptus plantations in Minas Gerais State, Brazil. The emergence of C. noackae was 53 and 52% from eggs parasitized in the laboratory and in the field, respectively. This natural enemy was recorded for all sampling points from the field collections, which were up to 10 km from the place it had been released. The C. noackae establishment in the field, and the potential for biological control of T. peregrinus by this parasitoid were confirmed.

Telenomus pachycoris (Johnson) (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae) is a parasitoid of eggs of Pachycoris torridus (Scopoli) (Hemiptera: Scutelleridae), a main pest of physic nut (Jatropha curcas L.; Euphorbiaceae). The objective of this work was to know the biology of T. pachycoris in P. torridus eggs under various conditions in order to develop a rearing technique for this parasitoid in the laboratory. We offered eggs of P. torridus to T. pachycoris during 4 exposition periods (6, 12, 18, and 24 h), as well as eggs of different ages (1 to 11 d), to evaluate, in both experiments, the number of parasitized eggs, duration of the egg-to-adult period, percentage of emergence, and sex ratio. We also evaluated the effect of constant temperatures (18, 20, 22, 25, 28, and 30 °C) and determined the duration of the egg-to-adult period, percentage of emergence, and sex ratio and estimated the thermal requirements and the number of generations per yr of T. pachycoris at each temperature. Parasitism of eggs was the highest at 12 h of exposure. Eggs up to 3 d old were the most parasitized, and the parasitism was zero on day 11. The duration of the egg-to-adult period was inversely proportional to temperature, ranging from 33.6 d at 18 °C to 9.8 d at 30 °C. The threshold temperature estimated for T. pachycoris was 12.9 °C, and the estimated thermal constant was 163.9 degree-days. The number of generations of T. pachycoris ranged from 11.3 to 38.1 per yr at 18 and 30 °C, respectively. The results may contribute to developing techniques for rearing T. pachycoris in the laboratory.

The management of Hylesia nanus Walker (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae), a defoliator of Eucalyptus species (Myrtales: Myrtaceae), was evaluated on the northern coast of Bahia State, Brazil, by performing 3 connected experiments: (1) monitoring of H. nanus moths by using light traps; (2) biological control of H. nanus pupae by releasing the endoparasitoid Palmistichus elaeisis Delvare & La Salle (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae); and (3) chemical control of H. nanus larvae with 1 spraying of bifenthrin etilenoxi. The light traps effectively assisted the monitoring and control of H. nanus moths, with a mean population peak (± SE) of 801 ± 438 individuals collected per trap in a 23 d nocturnal period. Palmistichus elaeisis was recovered from the H. nanus pupae 96 h post release, with a parasitism rate of 23 ± 3%, indicating an ability to parasitize and contribute to insect suppression. Release of this parasitoid can be integrated with monitoring using light traps. Chemical control was highly effective against the last instar H. nanus larvae, with only 11 ± 3 larval survivors per tree trunk 24 h post spraying. Thus, the monitoring of moths by using light traps, control of pupae by releasing P. elaeisis, and chemical control of last instar larvae are methods that could be integrated into a management plan for H. nanus.

Recently, an outbreak of the peach fruit fly, Bactrocera zonata (Saunders) (Diptera: Tephritidae), in the metropolitan area of Tel Aviv in central Israel was reported. The default action taken in response was the intensive use of the male attractant methyl eugenol applied together with the organophosphate insecticide malathion, which is toxic to a wide range of insects. In agricultural groves, the spinosad bait formulation GF-120™ is routinely used to control the Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann) (Diptera: Tephritidae). In this study, we evaluated the toxicity of malathion and spinosad to B. zonata and C. capitata in Israel following both contact exposure (tactile) and feeding (insecticides mixed with bait). Whereas doses of 1,000 and 2,000 ppm of malathion were highly toxic to C. capitata both upon contact and when eaten with bait, a dose of 10,000 ppm (1%) caused only 10 to 35% mortality of B. zonata. This insensitivity to the toxicant cannot be explained by feeding avoidance. On the other hand, the toxicity of spinosad to B. zonata was high with LC₈₀, LC₉₀, and LC₉₉ values of 12.28, 17.67, and 33.62 ppm, respectively. This result suggests that the spinosadbased control measures routinely taken against C. capitata in Israel could be effective against B. zonata.

Field experiments were conducted in a mango orchard in Croix-des-Bouquets, Haiti, to compare the effectiveness of 2 inexpensive artisanal trap types and the standard McPhail trap (Great Lakes IPM, Inc., Vestaburg, Michigan) for capturing fruit flies Anastrepha obliqua (Macquart) and Anastrepha suspensa (Loew) (Diptera: Tephitidae) and to ascertain the optimal trap density for mass trapping these flies. Two artisanal trap designs were constructed from inexpensive plastic soda bottles. In 1 design the plastic bottle was clear, and in the other design the plastic bottle had the bottom 20% painted yellow. These 2 traps and 1 McPhail trap were placed in replicated groups in the mango orchard. The mean number of flies captured in clear artisanal traps (13 flies) was similar to that captured in the McPhail trap (16 flies), but the cost of 20 artisanal traps (US $70) was less than 1 third of the cost of 20 McPhail traps (US $220). A 2nd field trial was implemented to compare the number of flies captured in 24 McPhail traps per ha (236 flies) to the number of flies captured in 36 clear artisanal traps per ha (239 flies). The number of flies captured did not differ significantly between the 2 trap type densities. A 3rd experiment evaluated the optimal trap density for mass trapping fruit flies. Our data indicated that a density of 25 traps per ha is adequate to protect a mango orchard through the maturation phase of the mango season. These results indicated that cost-effective artisanal traps can replace the McPhail trap for mass trapping fruit flies in Haiti.

The introduction of the honey bee, Apis mellifera L. (Hymenoptera: Apidae), into the arid environments of Mexico has affected the behavioral ecology of native bees. We described the behavioral repertoire and interactions between A. mellifera and the native bee Lithurgus littoralis Cockerell (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae) on Opuntia huajuapensis Bravo (Cactaceae) flowers in a semiarid environment. We filmed the bees in 150 cactus flowers to obtain the diversity of behaviors and their durations and thereby quantify the interactions. The behavior accumulation curve (Clench model) showed differences in the behavioral repertoire between the 2 bee species and between the sexes of L. littoralis. We found that A. mellifera and L. littoralis females invested more time in feeding behavior than L. littoralis males and recorded a wider repertoire of agonistic behaviors in male compared with female bees. Native male bees often perched in flowers and were inactive for long periods. The results indicate a possible interference competition between native and non-native bee species that are visiting the flowers of O. huajuapensis.

Fruit flies and associated parasitoids were determined in native and introduced fruit species in the state of Amapá, Brazil. Fruits were collected every 30 d, from Jan to Dec 2012, on 3 small farms in the municipalities of Mazagão, Porto Grande, and Santana. We collected 412 samples (78 species of plants belonging to 32 families and consisting of 4,554 fruits weighing 323.4 kg) and obtained 5,252 Anastrepha (Diptera: Tephritidae) puparia from 107 infested samples (20 plant species from 13 botanical families). We report here the occurrence of 11 species of Anastrepha and 5 species of parasitoids (4 Braconidae and 1 Figitidae species; both families in the order Hymenoptera). New hosts for Anastrepha distincta Greene, Anastrepha leptozona Hendel, Anastrepha obliqua (Macquart), and Anastrepha serpentina (Wiedemann) were documented in Brazil.

Plant volatiles can act as chemical signals that influence the behavior and distribution of insects. Although considerable information has been acquired on the effects of plant volatiles emitted from plants on herbivorous insects and their natural enemies, practical implementation of this knowledge is still lacking. We investigated 3 aromatic plant species, French marigold, Tagetes patula L. (Asteraceae), ageratum, Ageratum houstonianum Mill. (Asteraceae), and catnip, Nepeta cataria L. (Lamiaceae), to test their effectiveness in repelling or attracting spirea aphid, Aphis citricola van der Goot (Hemiptera: Aphididae), and its natural enemy, the multicolored Asian lady beetle, Harmonia axyridis (Pallas) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), in the field and the laboratory. We found that intercropping apple trees Malus spp. (Rosaceae) with aromatic plants in an orchard significantly reduced the number of A. citricola aphids present, but had the opposite effect on H. axyridis. In addition, the association between H. axyridis and A. citricola numbers was strengthened when the intercropping included French marigold. Using an H-tube olfactometer, we found that A. citricola was repelled by French marigold and catnip, whereas H. axyridis was attracted most by French marigold. Volatile analysis revealed that the sesquiterpenes Dlimonene and terpinolene and the alcohol 2-ethyl-1-hexanol were the most abundant volatile compounds released by French marigold and catnip. Harmonia axyridis was significantly attracted by 12.5 µL/L D-limonene, 50 µL/L terpinolene, and 25 µL/L of a 1:1 mixture of the 2 compounds, but was repelled by higher concentrations of D-limonene. The results suggest that aromatic plants increase the resistance of apple trees to A. citricola both directly, by reducing the population of A. citricola through chemical repulsion, and indirectly, by increasing the H. axyridis population through chemical attraction.

Sweet corn grown in Florida that is not well protected by insecticides often becomes heavily infested by maggots of picture-winged flies (Diptera: Ulidiidae). Additionally, after marketable ears are harvested, remaining ears are left unprotected and can be exploited by female flies. Larvae leave the ears to pupate in the soil. Occasionally, crop residue removal is delayed, sometimes for several weeks. Sweet corn plots were established in Fall 2015 and Spring 2016 to determine how various crop destruction techniques might impact the successful completion of the corn-infesting picture-winged fly life cycle. After harvest maturity, untreated sweet corn plots were partially mowed, disked once, disked twice, or left standing in the fall. In the spring, plots were partially plowed, disked twice, or left standing. Emergence cages were erected over the soil to intercept newly emerging adults. In the fall, crop destruction did not reduce adult emergence compared with the standing corn plots. In the spring, both plowing and disking significantly reduced adult fly emergence from the soil. The species complex emerging from the soil in the spring after crop destruction differed from the adult species complex present earlier during the spring corn's reproductive stages. Seasonal differences may have contributed to this inconsistency. Crop destruction does not initially appear to be a reliable method to reduce 1st generation adult fly emergence from ears post-harvest, highlighting the importance of timely crop destruction to deny females an unprotected host in which to oviposit.

In Brazil, pastures of Brachiaria grasses are often attacked by the spittlebug Mahanarva spectabilis (Distant) (Hemiptera: Cercopidae). Biological control of this pest insect is rarely used, in part because of a lack of diversity in commercialized pathogens effective against such pests. However, fungal infection of M. spectabilis has been noted in some tropical silvopastoral systems, which rarely have problems with pest insects. This study surveyed the fungi found in association with M. spectabilis in a silvopastoral system in Brazil and made a preliminary assessment of their virulence. Infected spittlebugs were collected in a silvopastoral system in Brazil, from which 5 types of fungi were isolated and identified by morphological analysis. Conidia of each wild fungus and a commercial strain of Metarhizum anisopliae (Metschn.) Sorokin (Clavicipitaceae) were diluted in a 1% NaCl solution at a concentration of 1×104 conidia per mL. In the laboratory, eggs and nymphs of M. spectabilis were placed in acrylic boxes within a climate-controlled chamber at 25 °C. In a non-acclimatized greenhouse, eggs and nymphs were placed on potted Brachiaria decumbens Stapf (Poaceae). Solutions of the 6 fungi and a control (pure saline) were applied to M. spectabilis in both conditions (acrylic box in laboratory and potted Brachiaria in a greenhouse). The most virulent fungi (UFMG 11443 and 11444) caused more than 90% of unviable eggs and mortality of nymphs. Other fungi tested (UFMG 11440, 11441, and 11442) were equally or more effective than the commercial M. anisopliae, causing over 50% unviable eggs or nymph mortality. All isolated fungi showed potential for use as biological control agents against M. spectabilis.

The closely related genera Acerentulus Berlese, 1908 and Acerentuloides Ewing, 1921 are represented in the USA by only 3 species: Acerentulus confinis (Berlese, 1908), Acerentulus christensoni (Ewing, 1940), and Acerentuloides americanus (Ewing, 1924). Study of proturan material from North America yielded a new species belonging to Acerentuloides. The new species is characterized by the absence of seta sd4 on the head, presence of a minute apical median seta on abdominal legs II and III, unique shape of maxillary gland with distal row of clustered globules, presence of setae modified as short, thickened sensilla (sd5 on head, β1 and δ4 on foretarsus, setae P4 on metanotum and A2 on thoracic sterna, and accessory setae on tergites and sternites I–VI), absence of seta P1a on abdominal tergites I–VI, foretarsal sensillum b longer than c, and presence of psl pores only on tergite VI. Molecular sequences for several Acerentomidae, including A. confinis, were used to develop hypotheses about species relationships within Acerentomidae.

The pteromalid pupal parasitoids Muscidifurax raptor Girault & Sanders and Spalangia cameroni Perkins (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) are commonly released on livestock farms for management of house flies, Musca domestica L. (Diptera: Muscidae). To be effective, parasitoids must be able to locate live host puparia in complex environments that may include dead or formerly parasitized hosts and non-host physical objects. In this study, both species of parasitoids were examined for their ability to kill and parasitize live house fly puparia either alone or in mixtures with formerly parasitized (dead) hosts or similarly sized acrylic beads. Muscidifurax raptor killed significantly fewer hosts and produced fewer progeny when the parasitoids were provided with hosts that were mixed with formerly parasitized puparia. Spalangia cameroni was unaffected by the presence of formerly parasitized puparia for any of the measured variables. When beads were used as a decoy instead of formerly parasitized puparia, high bead-to-live-host ratios (90% decoys) resulted in significantly fewer numbers of hosts killed by M. raptor compared with the other treatments (50% and no decoys). Residual host mortality at the high bead-to-live-host ratio (90% decoys) was lower (31.2%) than in ratios of 50:50 and with no decoys (51.6 and 59.3%, respectively), so that progeny production by M. raptor was unaffected by the presence of beads. Spalangia cameroni killed over twice as many hosts and produced twice as many progeny in the absence of bead decoys than when beads made up 90% of the decoy—host mixture. The results support the scatter method for deploying parasitized puparia during releases, because the presence of formerly parasitized hosts did not interfere substantially with the ability of S. cameroni and M. raptor to locate and parasitize live pupae.

Halyomorpha halys Stål (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) is an invasive insect that causes severe economic damage to multiple agricultural commodities. Several monitoring tools, including pheromone and light-baited black pyramid traps, have been developed to monitor H. halys. Here, we evaluated the attractiveness of these traps baited with only light, only pheromone, or the combination in comparison with unbaited traps throughout the growing season in regions with high and low H. halys population densities. In regions with high population densities in the Mid-Atlantic, all traps baited with pheromone or lights performed better than control traps. During mid-season, traps containing lights captured more H. halys adults, whereas pheromone-baited traps captured greater numbers during the late season. In low density regions in the Pacific Northwest, traps with lights or pheromone captured more H. halys adults than control traps. In addition, we evaluated the influence of competing light sources associated with anthropogenic structures. When light traps were deployed next to these additional light sources, H. halys captures in pyramid traps baited with light were not significantly reduced. Overall, our results indicate that both light and pheromone traps can be used to detect H. halys activity in low and high density populations.

A dichotomous key is presented to aid in the identification of adult and larval stages of 20 thrips species commonly associated with horticultural crops in Florida.

Fruit flies (Diptera: Tephritidae) are considered to be one of the principal groups of pests in fruit culture worldwide. The objective of this study was to investigate oviposition by Anastrepha fraterculus (Wiedemann) and Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann) in citrus fruits and to assess the development of these species in relation to the maturity of orange fruits. The experiments were carried out under controlled temperature conditions (25 ± 2 °C), RH (70 ± 10%), and photoperiod (12:12 h L:D). Oviposition was evaluated by exposure (with and without choice) to fruits of ‘Navelina’orange [Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck], ‘Clemenules’ tangerine (C. reticulata Blanco), and ‘Siciliano’ lemon [C. limon (L.)] (Rutaceae). Insect development was studied on Navelina orange at 4 stages of maturity (I: 5 cm in diameter, II: 6 to 7 cm in diameter, III: skin with color change, and IV: yellow-orange skin). We evaluated oviposition by counting the number of eggs, and we assessed biological parameters of the immature and adult stages. The number of eggs deposited in orange and tangerine by both fruit fly species did not differ significantly, and oviposition did not occur in lemon. Anastrepha fraterculus preferred to oviposit in tangerine fruits, whereas C. capitata showed preference for orange fruits. Development from egg to adult by A. fraterculus and C. capitata occurred only in stage IV oranges, and required 30.9 and 31.0 d, respectively. Females of A. fraterculus and C. capitata developing in mature orange fruits produced a mean of 378.7 and 183.5 eggs, respectively.

The regal moth (Citheronia regalis F.; Lepidoptera: Saturniidae) is reported for the first time feeding on foliage of the American smoketree (Cotinus obovatus Raf.; Anacardiaceae), an endemic tree with a relictual distribution on calcareous soils in the southern United States. This record constitutes the third lepidopteran species known to feed on this rare tree in a natural setting.

This study evaluated the survival and fertility of the huanglongbing vector Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (Hemiptera: Liviidae) on 2 species of the family Rutaceae, Murraya exotica L. (Sapindales: Rutaceae) and Helietta apiculata Bentham (Sapindales: Rutaceae). Females of D. citri oviposited on both hosts. The survival of D. citri was similar on both hosts until day 7 of confinement on the plants. Helietta apiculata can support D. citri in regions where the vector's main host (M. exotica) or citrus groves are absent, a potential factor in the dispersal and epidemiology of huanglongbing.

Blackberries are a relatively new crop to Florida, and little is known about which pests will become key pests in the system. This study was conducted to determine the pest potential of flower thrips in blackberries in Florida. Flower thrips were present in large numbers, particularly in early flowering cultivars. Frankliniella bispinosa Morgan (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) was the dominant species found in blackberries. Flower thrips populations behaved in a density dependent manner with Orius sp. (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae) populations, so Orius sp. may be an important predator of flower thrips in this system.

For the first time in the United States, Bemisia tabaci MED (Q biotype of B. tabaci [Gennadius]; Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) was detected outside of greenhouse or nursery environments when it was collected from 10 residential landscape and 2 open field environments in Florida. Bemisia tabaci MED was also detected in 8 wholesale nurseries from 4 counties and 17 retail nurseries from 8 counties in Florida. Hibiscus was the host plant driver for B. tabaci MED whitefly infestations in retail and wholesale nurseries and in Florida residential landscapes. One mint sample from a retail nursery contained a single New World whitefly and represents the first detection of New World B. tabaci in Florida since it was displaced by B. tabaci Middle Eastern Asia Minor 1 in the mid-1980s.

Apparently because of mulch buildup and abstinence from pesticide use, an organically managed citrus grove in Vero Beach, Florida, can support large populations of long-legged flies (Diptera: Dolichopodidae) that impose predation pressure on inundative releases of Tamarixia radiata (Waterston) (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) parasitoid wasps to control the Asian citrus psyllid (Hemiptera: Liviidae). During peak activity, flies on wing characteristically hawk wasps in mid-air as the wasps are sprinkled from shipment containers onto the leaves of citrus plants. Flies on leaves enter into entrained scramble competition for prey by systematically “canvassing” upper leaf surfaces in rapid, jerked movements and, albeit infrequently, attack and eat wasps when encountered during this behavior.

This is the first reported use of root plates by Anthophora abrupta Say (Hymenoptera: Apidae). Previous reported nesting sites were vertical riverbanks and several man-made clay structures. Root plates in forested habitats may be the preferred nesting site for A. abrupta.

A new parasitoid-host association between Davidsonaspis aguacatae (Evans, Watson & Miller) (Hemiptera: Diaspididae) and Encarsia lounsburyi (Berlese & Paoli) (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) is documented, and an overview of armored scales infesting Hass avocados intercepted in Florida is given. An observation of the occurrence of crawler scales developing inside a parasitized female scale is discussed.

The African thrips Ceratothripoides brunneus Bagnall (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) is reported for the first time from North America, collected from flowers of Asystasia gangetica (L.) T. Anderson (Acanthaceae) in Miami-Dade County, Florida. The affinity of C. brunneus for solanaceous plants in other regions of the world suggests that future detection in Florida commercial tomato, pepper, and eggplant production areas is possible. A literature summary of geographic distribution and biology and a morphological description of adults are provided.