Aphis gossypii Glover (Hemiptera: Aphididae) is one of the major pests of okra. Damage severity and high levels of infestation have led to widespread use of chemical insecticides. Okra is ranked fourth in Cameroon among vegetable crops on which chemical insecticides are applied. The objectives of this study were to evaluate resistant okra accessions identified in previous studies, to identify their categories of resistance, and to assess their effects on the non-preference, development, and reproduction of A. gossypii. Results showed that VI041210 was resistant to aphid infestation during the first season, and VI057245 and Gombo caféier were resistant during the second season. Kirikou and VI060794 had the highest yields during the first season, although Kirikou was moderately susceptible to aphid infestation. VI041210 was susceptible to aphid infestation during the second season but produced the highest yield. These results indicate that tolerance occurred in some of the accessions. Aphids did not discriminate between resistant and susceptible accessions, indicating that antixenosis (non-preference) was not a category of resistance found in these accessions. VI041210, VI057245, and Gombo caféier were the most resistant due to lower infestation levels, probably due to their antibiotic properties. Considering constitutive resistance, aphid development was poor, with the longest molting and generation time (To = 15.9) on VI057245 at the vegetative plant growth stage, leading to poor reproduction (lowest intrinsic and finite rates of natural increases: 0.25 and 1.3 aphids, respectively). Considering induced resistance, observed only in VI041210, nymphal development time was longest (14.2 d) leading to one of the lowest net reproductive rates at the vegetative and reproductive plant growth stages, 27.1 and 27.8, respectively. Thus, tolerance and antibiosis were categories of resistance found in these accessions, but antixenosis was not documented.

Cactoblastis cactorum Berg (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) has been extensively studied since its initial use as a biological control agent for invasive populations of Opuntia Mill. The moth is native to several South American countries including Argentina where the exotic Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill. (Cactaceae) is grown as a commercial crop. Recently C. cactorum has attracted considerable attention following its non-intentional establishment in Florida, because it now threatens the highly diverse and economically important Opuntia taxa of the southern USA and Mexico. To elucidate several aspects of this system, we recorded phenological data and parasitoid activity from Argentina across an annual cycle. We reared several generations of moths to better document the life cycle, described several formerly unpublished larval stages and morphological characters, and compared developmental parameters from samples collected from different sites. We found that C. cactorum has 3 overlapping generations across a 9 mo growth period with winter quiescence at the larval VI instar or pupal stage. The most common natural enemy of larvae was the parasitoid Apanteles opuntiarum (Martínez and Berta) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae). Information is given on its development and percentages of parasitism throughout the year. No egg parasitoids were found in field-collected eggsticks or on experimental eggsticks. There were no significant differences between developmental stages and times of C. cactorum from Tucumán and Córdoba in Argentina. We found intermediate C. cactorum damage on low-density cultivated Opuntia, but much lower damage in commercial plantations with high densities of plants. Surprisingly, we found that a “black spot” fungal infection (Alternaria Nees) (Pleosporaceae) produced a higher level of damage in commercial plantations in Córdoba, as well as in natural settings in Tucumán

The tomato leafminer, Tuta absoluta Meyrick (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae), a devastating pest of tomato, invaded Tanzania in 2014. There is now a pressing need to determine the extent of T. absoluta infestations in tomato, other solanaceous crops, and wild plants of Tanzania, to support research and to develop pest management programs. In Sep and Oct 2015, we visited 15 randomly selected villages in 4 leading tomato-producing districts (Arumeru, Lushoto, Kilolo, and Mvomero) and sampled fields representing 9 solanaceous crops and weeds. Tuta absoluta was present in all 4 districts. Overall, in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) T. absoluta established 1.0 ± 1.3 (mean ± standard deviation) mines per leaf and damaged 15 ± 15% of fruits; in eggplant (aubergine) (Solanum melongena L.) it established 0.3 ± 0.7 mines per leaf and damaged 0 ± 0% of fruits; in potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) T. absoluta established 0.17 ± 0.1 mines per leaf; and in 2 African nightshades (Solanum nigrum L. and Solanum americanum Mill.) T. absoluta established 0.02 ± 0.03 mines per leaf (fruits of the latter 2 were not sampled). Pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) and African eggplant (Solanum aethiopicum L.) were not affected by T. absoluta. We found 3 solanaceous weeds in the vicinity of T. absoluta-infested fields in Arumeru District: Solanum incanum L., Datura stramonium L., and Nicandara physalodes (L.) Gaertn. None of these species were infested by T. absoluta; however, the latter 2 were infested by Phthorimaea operculella Zeller (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae), which has habits and larvae that resemble those of T. absoluta.

Potato taste defect is a potato-like smell found in green and roasted coffee beans. Potato taste defect reduces the flavor experience of finished coffee and causes it to be rejected by consumers. The presence of potato taste defect has been associated with insect damage, especially damage from the Antestia bug, Antestiopsis thunbergii (Gremlin) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae). A 2-yr study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of integrated pest management using pruning alone or in combination with several commercially available insecticides to control a field population of Antestia bug and to assess the relationship between these treatments and the occurrence of potato taste defect in coffee using laboratory and field tests. Field trials were conducted in 3 major coffee growing regions of Rwanda: Rubona, Gakenke, and Kirehe. In laboratory bioassays, significant differences were found between insecticides on the percentage mortality of adult bugs. The percent mortality was higher for pyrethroid, Fastac (Alpha-cypermethrin), and pyrethrins (Pyrethrum 5EW, Pyrethrum EWC + Sesame and Agroblaster) than for the neonicotinoid, imidacloprid. Mortality from imidacloprid increased over time, providing a lower mortality than Pyrethrum 5EW and Agroblaster 12 h post-treatment. In the field, the highest mean mortality was achieved with Pyrethrum 5EW, Fastac, and Pyrethrum EWC applied to pruned coffee trees. Additionally, pruning alone registered a statistically higher mean insect mortality than unpruned coffee trees without insecticides application. Multiple logistic regression analysis indicated that potato taste defect was positively associated with the bug density and the extent of damage caused by Antestia bug. The study suggests that pruning combined with insecticide application, especially Fastac, provides better control of Antestia bug and significantly reduces potato taste defect compared to either pruning or insecticide application alone.

Tibraca limbativentris Stål (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) is a major pest causing economic losses to rice cultivation in Brazil. The objectives of this work were to assess different sources of silicon in the induction of plant resistance, to examine the interaction of rice varieties with silicon-based resistance, and to determine the effects of varieties and silicon on stink bug biology. The interaction of rice cultivars BRS Esmeralda, IRGA 429 (widely cultivated in Brazil), and Canela de Ferro (a resistant cultivar), and 2 sources of silicon (K silicate, and Ca + Mg silicate) were studied. Plant parameters measured were percentage of damaged stems, chlorophyll content at 50 and 65 d after emergence, and silicon content. Insect biological parameters measured were the number of live insects, total dry mass, individual insect dry mass, total body surface area, and individual insect body surface area. The interaction between BRS Esmeralda with K silicate and Ca + Mg silicate provided greater plant silicon content and resulted in a lower level of stink bug-damaged stems. These results show that it is possible to increase resistance in rice plants susceptible to T. limbativentris by increasing silicon content.

Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) and Oryzaephilus surinamensis (L.) (Coleoptera: Silvanidae) cause extensive damage to many stored products, thereby reducing their nutritional and economic value. However, controlling these pests with insecticides can have an impact on the environment as well as on human health. Thus, it is important to identify more environmentally safe compounds, such as plant oils, that can be used as an alternative means of pest control. In this study, we investigated the toxicity of 5 plant oils isolated from lavender (Lavandula angustifolia Mill., Lamiaceae), onion (Allium cepa L., Amaryllidaceae), flax (Linum usitatissimum Mill., Linaceae), caraway (Carum carvi [Lindl.] H. Wolff, Apiaceae), and brown galingale (Cyperus fuscus, or saad L., Cyperaceae) for use on the stored-products insect pests T. castaneum and O. surinamensis. The efficacy of these oils was evaluated at concentrations of 1, 2, 3, and 4 µL per mL and at an exposure time of 24 h. Results indicated that O. surinamensis was more susceptible to plant oils than T. castaneum, which showed a greater resistance to these natural products. Results also revealed that caraway and lavender oils were the most toxic of all treatments rendered for T. castaneum, with 50% lethal concentration (LT₅₀) values of 1.2 and 2.4 µL per mL, respectively. The onion and lavender oils displayed the highest efficacy on O. surinamensis with insect mortality reaching 100% with onion oil and an LT₅₀ value for lavender oil of 0.6 µL per mL. These results suggest that onion, lavender, and caraway oils are potentially promising and environmentally acceptable alternatives for the control of T. castaneum and O. surinamensis.

Thaumastocoris peregrinus Carpintero and Dellapé, or bronze bug (Hemiptera: Thaumastocoridae), is a pest found in eucalyptus plantations worldwide. Use of entomopathogenic fungi has emerged recently as an alternative means of control for T. peregrinus. Here we report laboratory experiments conducted to select isolates of entomopathogenic fungi for use to control this pest. Seven isolates of Beauveria bassiana (Bals.-Criv.) Vuill. (Hypocreales: Cordycipitaceae), 3 of Metarhizium anisopliae (Metschn.) Sorokīn (Hypocreales: Clavicipitaceae), 2 of Metarhizium robertsii J.F. Bisch., S.A. Rehner & Humber (Hypocreales: Clavicipitaceae), and 2 of Isaria fumosorosea Wize (Hypocreales: Cordycipitaceae) at a concentration of 1 × 10⁸ conidia per mL were assessed for their virulence to adults of T. peregrinus. In vitro growth and sporulation of the isolates also were evaluated through the analysis of colony development and conidia production in PDA culture medium, at 26 ± 1 °C, 70% RH, and a 12:12 h (L:D) photoperiod. All tested isolates were found to be pathogenic to T. peregrinus. The isolates Bb3, Bb4, Bb7, Ma1, Ma2, Mr2, and If1 exhibited significant virulence to the insect. The greatest growth (longest mean diam of colony) was for the isolate Ma2, whereas the highest sporulation rates were observed in the isolates If2 and Ma2. This study demonstrated that isolates of Beauveria, Metarhizium, and Isaria can cause infection in T. peregrinus. The Ma2 isolate of Metarhizium stood out for its pathogenic effect on the adult insect, as well as for its capacity to grow rapidly and produce large numbers of conidia on an artificial medium, indicating its potential for use as a microbial control agent for T. peregrinus, and its suitability for mass production.

Two new species of the tribe Alycaulini, Alycaulus hexadentatussp. nov. and Meunieriella spinosasp. nov. (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae), are described from Brazil, using morphological characters from the adult and immature stages. Their biology and associations with the host-plant species are discussed.

Rugose spiraling whitefly, Aleurodicus rugioperculatus Martin (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae), is an invasive species that underwent a period of outbreak in southern Florida (Miami-Dade, Palm Beach, Broward, Martin, and Monroe counties) between 2010 and 2013. It infested numerous plant species in the landscape and nurseries of southern Florida and became a nuisance and economically damaging species in many urban areas. In order to study its oviposition preference, an experiment was conducted in a shadehouse using 5 known host plant species, namely coconut, Cocos nucifera L. (Aurecaceae); gumbo limbo, Bursera simaruba (L.) Sarg. (Burceraceae); avocado, Persea americana Mill. (Lauraceae); black olive, Bucida buceras L. (Combretaceae) var. ‘Shady Lady;' and giant white bird of paradise, Strelitzia nicolai Regel & Körn (Strelitziaceae). Gumbo limbo was the most preferred and giant white bird of paradise was the least preferred of the host plant species. This is consistent with survey data on frequency of plants serving on hosts provided by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services-Division of Plant Industry. There was a significant difference between the number of eggs per spiral among host species with gumbo limbo having the highest number of eggs per spiral. No significant correlation was found between the leaf size and the number of eggs on each host species. A strong and significant correlation was found between the number of spirals and the number of eggs per plant species. Adult females deposited the first eggs on source plants, and later oviposited on test host plants, but always returned back to their eclosion site on the source plant. No statistically significant difference was found among the survival of rugose spiraling whitefly on different host plant species tested.

Effective control of Chrysomya rufifacies (Macquart) (Diptera: Calliphoridae), a blow fly species of medical and forensic importance, requires information on seasonal prevalence and bionomics. Therefore, daily and seasonal activity patterns of C. rufifacies were studied in 3 locations representing different microhabitats (palm plantation, forested area, longan orchard) in a suburban area of Chiang Mai Province, northern Thailand. Investigations were conducted hourly for 24 h using a semi-automatic trap baited with 1–d-old beef offal (300 g). Collections were carried out twice per mo from Jul 2013 to Jun 2014. A total of 55,966 adult C. rufifacies were collected, with 52.4% of individuals trapped in the forested area. Chrysomya rufifacies was present in collections throughout the yr with peak abundance in summer. This species was active during the d with peak activity in late afternoon (3:00 to 6:00 PM). Fly abundance in traps was positively correlated with temperature (r = 0.391; P < 0.001) but negatively correlated with relative humidity (r = −0.388; P < 0.001). Female flies were more abundant in collections (0.26 male per female sex ratio), with 80% of individuals being nongravid. The baseline information provided by our study suggests that C. rufifacies is well-adapted to variable climatic conditions present in northern Thailand, specifically suburban Chiang Mai Province.

Vector-borne diseases are of great public health concern in Mexico. Timely surveillance and control measures require methods to quickly detect mosquito population fluctuations. Surveillance is important also to detect the establishment of uncommon mosquito species. Ovitraps have been a convenient way to detect the presence of female mosquitoes. For these reasons, the Mexican Ministry of Health adopted a mosquito surveillance program using ovitraps in the country. In this study, we present the checklist of 12 target and non-target species that have been collected nationwide in ovitraps since 2013. We include distributional and ecological notes as well as the medical importance of each species. Our results showed that ovitraps can be used to estimate mosquito diversity in urban and semi-urban areas.

Cassava and cacao are 2 of the most important crops grown in Costa Rica, and also are major sources of income for rural farmers. These crops are frequently attacked by Corynothrips stenopterus Williams and redbanded thrips, Selenothrips rubrocinctus Giard (Thysanoptera: Thripidae). Most farmers who grow these crops apply synthetic insecticides on a calendar basis, but there are no well-established studies on the effectiveness or toxicity of different chemical insecticides on these species of thrips. The objective of this study was to determine the toxicity of 8 insecticides with different modes of action that are used in the control of other thrips species. Commercial formulations of chlorfenapyr, imidacloprid, chlorpyrifos, spinosad, malathion, thiamethoxam, spinetoram, and α-cypermethrin were evaluated on adults of both thrips species under laboratory conditions. Probit analyses showed that spinetoram, spinosad, and chlorfenapyr were the most effective against both thrips species, with median lethal dosages of 50% below 1 µg per mL for both species: 0.12, 0.08, and 0.21 µg per mL for C. stenopterus, and 6 × 10^-3, 0.06, and 0.53 µg per mL for S. rubrocinctus. For the other 5 insecticides tested, C. stenopterus had a higher susceptibility than S. rubrocinctus. Among all the insecticides tested, malathion was the least efficacious against both thrips species. The mortality rate in the control treatments never exceeded 10%. The results of this study suggest that spinetoram, spinosad, and chlorfenapyr are the most efficacious insecticides for the control of both thrips species. These results should be complemented with field trials for confirmation.

The sea grape flatid, Petrusa epilepsis (Kirkaldy) (Hemiptera: Flatidae) is a polyphagous, widespread planthopper in the Caribbean that infests common ornamental plants, as well as some of agricultural importance. In 2015, P. epilepsis was found in Florida for the first time, and was confirmed to be established in 2017 by the detection of eggs and nymphs on various ornamental plants located at the University of Florida's Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Center in Davie, Florida, USA. In this study, 9 new host plants are reported with 1 representing a new host family (Araliaceae). Additionally, the presence of adults, eggs, and nymphs of various sizes suggests that there are overlapping generations. Molecular analysis reveals no genetic variation of the COI gene. This study records establishment of another invasive species that has the potential to become a pest due to the large number of ornamental plants that are grown in South Florida that could serve as hosts of P. epilepsis elsewhere in Florida and the Caribbean.

Palm weevils are notorious insect pests of coconut palms in Indonesia and other palm species worldwide. Indonesian palm weevils exhibiting a rusty red marking on the pronotum are classified as the red palm weevil (Rhynchophorus ferrugineus Olivier; Coleoptera: Dryophthoridae). However, morphology-based identification and crossbreeding studies suggested that these insects are color morphs of the Asiatic palm weevil (Rhynchophorus vulneratus Panzer; Coleoptera: Dryophthoridae). The purpose of this study was to clarify the presence of undescribed color polymorphisms of the Asiatic palm weevil from Indonesia using a partial sequence of the cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) gene. The COIs of 107 specimens of palm weevils collected from Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan were amplified using Folmer primers. COI analysis revealed high intraspecific variability in palm weevils from Indonesia and Saudi Arabia. Although Folmer primers of COI are powerful species identification tools in many taxa, they were unsuitable in this research for Indonesian palm weevils because interspecific variation was lower than intraspecific variation. This study concluded that undescribed color polymorphisms exist in the Asiatic palm weevil. The rusty red polymorphisms of the Asian palm weevil might be erroneously identified as R. ferrugineus.

The Asian needle ant, Brachyponera chinensis (Emery) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), is an East Asian species currently spreading through the eastern US. Although not aggressive, B. chinensis has a painful sting that can induce a severe allergic reaction in humans and disrupt native ecological communities. To document the global distribution of B. chinensis and evaluate its potential for further spread, we compiled specimen records from over 780 sites in its native and introduced ranges. Unfortunately, in its native range, B. chinensis often has been confused with morphologically similar species, resulting in some unreliable published distribution records. Therefore, we designated confirmed identification records as “B. chinensis s.s.” (sensu stricto). Our report chronicles the earliest known records of B. chinensis for 50 geographic areas in the Old World (36 countries and island groups) and New World (17 states in the US) and the recent expansion of B. chinensis into the eastern coast of the Black Sea along with new state distribution records from the US. We also provide new information on the phenology of B. chinensis. This ant species represents a potentially serious public health threat that warrants more epidemiological study.

Cryptotermes garifunae sp. nov. (Isoptera: Kalotermitidae) is described from a single colony sample collected on the coast of Honduras. This species represents the twenty-second Cryptotermes species known from the Caribbean Basin and West Indies. The C. garifunae soldier and imago are the smallest of the New World Cryptotermes. Distribution maps, constructed from 1,452 new records, are given for all 31 species of New World Cryptotermes.

Chironomidae (Diptera) are among the most diverse and widespread aquatic insects, with roughly 5,500 described species inhabiting an enormous variety of aquatic ecosystems, ranging from moist soils to lakes and rivers, and even marine ecosystems. Despite its ubiquity, the group remains underrepresented in studies addressing aquatic insect assemblages of high-altitude systems, either glacier-fed or non-glacial, particularly in South America. Glacier-fed streams possibly are one of the harshest ecosystems in nature, and present a distinct downstream pattern in species distribution and diversity away from the constraining influence of the glacier. In this context, the goal of our study was to provide data on the chironomid fauna of glacier-fed streams, together with neighboring non-glacial streams in Ecuador, in order to contribute to the overall knowledge of tropical fauna in high Andean regions. Also, we sought to provide an identification key and photography material for future studies. Collections of non-biting midges were made in Ecuador during Jan 2008. In total, 1,412 specimens belonging to 16 genera and at least 23 species within the subfamilies Chironominae (3 taxa), Diamesinae (3 taxa), Podonominae (3 taxa), Orthocladiinae (13 taxa), and Tanypodinae (1 taxon) were found. The subfamilies Podonominae and Orthocladiinae predominated in terms of abundance. Parochlus was the most widespread genus of Chironomidae, while Cricotopus was the most diverse. This study contributes to the knowledge of the chironomid fauna in the high-altitude streams in Ecuador, and hopefully will motivate further studies in the area.

Xyleborus volvulus is a polyphagous beetle that can carry Raffaelea lauricola, a phytopathogenic fungus that causes laurel wilt disease. In Mexico, the insect has been associated with damage to cedar, cacao, and avocado plantations. Here, we report mango trees infested by X. volvulus in a mango orchard with a history of having avocado trees were removed due to infestation by X. volvulus.

Halyomorpha halys (Stål) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), the brown marmorated stink bug, an invasive agricultural pest in America and Europe, is reaching a global distribution. In the US, the first detection of H. halys was in the mid–1990s, and it has become a serious pest in multiple crop systems. In 2014, an exotic egg parasitoid, Trissolcus japonicus (Ashmead) (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae), was documented parasitizing sentinel H. halys egg masses in a wooded habitat in Beltsville, Maryland, USA. The parasitoid has since been reported in several other locations in the eastern and western US, and its population appears to be expanding in geographic range. However, there have been no reports of T. japonicus parasitizing H. halys egg masses within cultivated crops in the US. Whereas attack of H. halys in non-agricultural habitat may provide important biological control services in the landscape, if T. japonicus is not able to successfully forage for H. halys eggs within crops, its impact as a biological control agent may be limited. Here we report on successful parasitism of egg masses deployed in 2 peach orchards in New Jersey, USA. Egg masses were deployed as part of an experiment investigating the efficacy of an integrated pest management (IPM) strategy utilizing border insecticide sprays in apple and peach. While overall egg parasitism was low, the majority of successfully developing parasitoids (97.4% of total adult parasitoids emerging, and from 75% of successfully parasitized sentinel egg masses) were T. japonicus.

Ephestia kuehniella Zeller (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) and Sitotroga cerealella Olivier (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) are considered important pests of stored products in Brazil. The purpose of this study was to determine if E. kuehniella and S. cerealella feed on Brazil nuts, and to identify the type of damage caused by these insects. The damage caused by these insects starts as a scratched surface that evolves into deep tunnels until a complete change in the shape of the nut occurs. Due to their ability to injure intact nuts, and their capacity to produce severe damage and economic losses, E. kuehniella and S. cerealella have the potential to be among the primary pests of stored Brazil nuts.

In Brazil, characterization of the natural occurrence of insect predators and parasites affecting phytophagous pests of Phaseolus lunatus is limited. Our objective was to identify which natural enemies were present in lima bean fields in northeast Brazil. Also, this is the first report of the natural occurrence of thrips and mite predators on lima bean. The following species were identified as predators of Aphis craccivora: Scymnus rubicundus (Coccinelidae), Pseudodoros clavatus (Syrphidae), as well as the parasitoid Aphelinus sp. (Aphelinidae). In addition, Franklinothrips vespiformis (Aeolothripidae) was collected along with its prey, the phytophagous mite Tetranychus neocaledonicus, and the phytophagous thrips Caliothrips phaseoli. Predatory mites were identified as Euseius concordis (Phytoseiidae), Proctolaelaps bickleyi (Ascidae), and Amblyseius tamatavensis (Phytoseiidae). These 3 mite species were observed to prey on T. neocaledonicus and represents the first report of these predators occurring on P. lunatus in Brazil.

(Z) -11-Hexadecenal (Z11-16ALD) is a component of the sex pheromone, or a sex attractant, of a number of moth species. Traps baited with this compound in early spring in eastern Washington State captured numbers of males of Egira rubrica (Harvey), Stretchia plusiaeformis (H. Edwards), and Annaphila danisticta (Grote) (all Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), indicating its function as a sex attractant for these species. This new knowledge may be important to pest managers that monitor moths with Z11-16ALD because such non-target responders to a lure can increase monitoring costs and be counted as “false positives” for pest species.

An emergence trap was developed to test the hypothesis that Dasineura oxycoccana Johnson (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) adults in cranberry, Vaccinium macrocarpon Aiton (Ericaceae), emerge from overwintering as larvae in soil throughout the spring and summer. The trap was constructed from 2 white plastic cylinders made from buckets, with the inner bucket telescoping into the support bucket. A mesh lid allowed penetration of rain and irrigation water. Wire support pegs and a skirt of landscape cloth anchored the trap to soil to prevent escape of target insects and ingress of others without damaging the mat of woody cranberry vines. Overwintered cranberry tipworms and their parasitoids were trapped on a yellow sticky card suspended inside the emergence trap. In the first year of testing, the trap detected overwintered tipworms every wk from early May to mid Aug, and overwintered parasitoids of 4 genera most wk from late May to mid Aug. It is probable that overwintered insects inside the traps emerged slightly ahead of those outside because temperatures inside traps were warmer than outside. We found that overwintered cranberry tipworms, and their parasitoids, emerge and add to the field population throughout the growing season in British Columbia, Canada.

Mandarin (Citrus reticulata) is an economically important fruit for farmers of the inter-Andean valleys of Ecuador, South America. Insectinfested fruits were sampled in the locality of Perucho (Pichincha Province). The larvae obtained from the interior of the fruit were cultured in insect cages to obtain adults. Morphological observations of characteristics of the larval stage, and male and female genitalia at the adult stage confirmed the taxonomic description of the species Gynmandrosoma aurantianum (Lima) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae). According to our knowledge, this is the first report of mandarin being infested by G. aurantianum in Ecuador.

Salpingogaster nigra is a promising species for biological control of the spittlebug Mahanarva spectabilis Distant (Hemiptera: Cercopidae). This study determined the biology of the immature stage, as well as aspects of S. nigra adult behavior. Female fertility, egg viability, and the duration and viability of the larval and pupal stages were evaluated. Behavioral aspects were studied by the olfactory response of mated females, with a Y-type olfactometer. We assessed predator response to spittlebug nymphs vs. clean air; spittlebug nymphs vs. spittlebug foam, and spittlebug foam vs. clean air. Female fecundity reached 25.1 ± 6.1 (SE) eggs per female per d, and egg viability was 64.0% ± 4.5%. Duration and viability of the larval period were 10.5 ± 0.4 d and 10.0 ± 2.1%, respectively. Duration of the pupal stage was 10.7 ± 0.2 d, and viability was 88.1% ± 5.1%. Significant preference was observed for odors from nymphs in contrast to clean air. Results show that although S. nigra adults, eggs, and pupae may be kept in the laboratory, the mass breeding of the predator presently is not feasible due to low larval viability.

Ferrisia dasylirii (Cockerell) and Planococcus minor (Maskell) (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) were recorded for the first time infesting rosettes of Coffea canephora Pierre ex Froehner (Rubiaceae) in the state of Rondônia, Brazil. Ferrisia dasylirii was observed in coffee crops in the municipalities of Rolim de Moura and Nova Brasilândia d'Oeste, and P. minor only in Rolim de Moura. Ferrisia dasylirii is reported for the first time on a host plant of the Rubiaceae family.

Halyomorpha halys has expanded its invasive range in the USA southward into Georgia, but prior to 2018 established reproducing populations have not been reported in Florida. Yellow pyramid traps placed in peach orchards detected adult H. halys in 2016, 2017, and 2018, with the number of positive sites and specimens captured increasing each year. During 2018, nymphs and eggs of H. halys were observed at a peach orchard in Lake County, Florida. This represents the first evidence of a reproducing population of H. halys in Florida. The range expansion into Florida is the lowest latitude observed in the invasive range of H. halys, suggesting this temperate species may be able to overcome the barriers to range expansion posed by the temperature and photoperiod regimes found at lower latitudes.

A total of 194 specimens were collected (160 larvae, 34 pupae) representing 6 species from 4 genera (Aedes aegypti, Ae. scapularis, Culex coronator, Cx. nigripalpus, Haemagogus anastasionis, and Limatus durhamii). In the study, a total of 18 larvae of Li. durhamii (9.28%) were collected in natural and artificial breeding sites in the municipalities of Campeche (3), Escárcega (6), Hecelchakán (6), and Tenabo (3). We report here the first collection record of Li. durhamii for the state of Campeche in southern Mexico. Further studies are necessary to investigate the geographic distribution of Li. durhamii throughout the country.