Bioassays were developed to test plant selection of fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith)) host strains to corn (Zea mays L.) and stargrass, a forage grass closely related to bermudagrass (Cynodon nlemfuensis Vanderyst var. nlemfuensis). Neonate larvae from 3 corn strain and 3 rice strain colonies preferentially selected corn over stargrass in petri dish choice tests. However, bioassays of whole plants and whole plant volatiles showed that selection of a particular host was not clear and there were no significant differences in plant choice. Two additional bioassays were conducted to determine if larvae would continue to disperse once they came in contact with a plant source. One colony was always biased towards corn regardless of which plant was encountered first. For 4 colonies, the attraction to corn was reduced such that when stargrass was first contacted, equal or greater numbers of larvae stayed and did not migrate to corn. Finally, the attraction to corn was lowest in 1 colony in which significantly more larvae moved away from corn even when it was presented first. Results of our study, along with behavioral and feeding trials from other studies, suggest that there is a consistent attraction of neonates to damaged corn regardless of “strain” designation, but substantial variability in the strength of that attraction if they come in contact with another plant host first. These differences among colonies most likely reflect genetic and phenotypic variation in wild populations. More information at  http://www.ars.usda.gov/pandp/people/people.htm?personid=11809

A new species, Anteon tucumanense, is described from San Miguel de Tucumán (Tucumán Province, Argentina). This new species can be distinguished from the related Neotropical species A. molle Olmi and A. parkeri Olmi by differences in segment 5 of the fore tarsus (distal part large and straight in A. tucumanense, slender and curved in the other 2 species). A key is provided for the determinations of the above species with an illustration of the female chela of the new species.

Polymorphism appears to be fundamental in Melittobia wasps, but uncertainty exists as to its extent and form. Most researchers recognize 2 basic female forms--a long-winged dispersive “type form” and an early-maturing, short-winged gravid “second form.” However, some investigators have recognized two macropterous forms, “jumpers” and “flyers.” Many others have suggested that males, which normally comprise only about 5% of the population, also may exist in 2 forms in various Melittobia species. This study examined the role of maturational factors in 2 widespread representatives of different species groups, M. australica (hawaiiensis group) and M. digitata (acasta group). Individuals of both sexes from different points in the emergence curve were examined and measured immediately after eclosion and 5 d later. Both sets of measurements supported the existence of 2 clearly defined female morphs. However, when newly eclosed macropterous females were randomly assigned to 5-d placements in empty vials or with prepupal hosts (Trypoxylon politum Say), subsequent tests in a flight arena demonstrated that “jumpers” and “flyers” were simple reflections of macropterous female physiological state, with heavier, gravid females reluctant to do more than a slow crawl, and lighter, more nutritionally stressed females being more inclined to fly. Thus we conclude that there is no justification for recognizing a “jumper” morph. Male morphometrics indicated continuous variability in size and pigmentation of simple eyes and ocelli, but no morphologically distinctive male morphs at any point in the emergence curve. However, reports of distinct male morphs in other Melittobia species cannot be dismissed.

The larvae, pupa, adults, and venom apparatus of Dacnusa cicerina sp. n., an endoparasitoid of Liriomyza cicerina (Rondani), found on Cicer arietinum Linnaeus in Spain, are described, illustrated, and compared with those of allied species. The mature larva of Eurytoma sp., possibly a hyperparasitoid of D. cicerina, also is described, illustrated, and compared with those of allied species. Keys to discriminate adults are provided and morphological structures of phylogenetic value are discussed. The adults of D. cicerina are similar to those of Dacnusa rodriguezi Docavo & Tormos (1997). The immature larvae are similar to those of Dacnusa areolaris (Nees) and Dacnusa dryas (Nixon), and the mature larva is very similar to that of D. dryas, from which it differs in having scale-like sensilla (“setae”) on the thorax and abdomen. The cast skin of the final instar, like those described for Dacnusa Haliday, has a pleurostoma with well differentiated mandible processes and a long stipital sclerite. The venom apparatus of this species is very similar to that of Dacnusa flavicoxa Thomson, differing from it in length of the reservoir and the number of gland filaments. The mature larva of Eurytoma Illiger described here, despite its endoparasitoid nature, has well differentiated pleural and ventral setae.

The role of the self-sown shrubs Vitex agnus castus and Euphorbia characias ssp. wulfenii as reservoirs of aphid parasitoids was investigated. In field studies, V. a. castus grew adjacent to an orchard of Citrus sinensis and E. characias ssp. wulfenii adjacent to an orchard of Prunus dulcis. The relative abundance of the parasitoids of Aphis viticis Ferrari on V. a. castus, Toxoptera aurantii (Boyer de Fonscolombe) on C. sinensis, Aphis euphorbiae Kaltenbach on E. characias ssp. wulfenii and Brachycaudus amygdalinus (Schouteden) on P. dulcis in various parts of Greece was assessed during 1996-2005. Aphidius colemani Viereck predominated on A. viticis and T. aurantii in all sampling cases. In contrast, Ephedrus persicae Froggatt was the dominant species parasitizing A. euphorbiae on E. characias ssp. wulfenii and B. amygdalinus on P. dulcis. Furthermore, to illustrate the agro-ecosystem relationships through the reservoirs, we present the distribution and host range patterns of parasitoids associated with aphids on V. a. castus and Euphorbia spp. in southeastern Europe. A key for the identification of aphid parasitoids on V. a. castus and Euphorbia spp. is provided.

We counted Hesperopsis gracielae (MacNeill) (Lepidoptera: Hesperiidae) eggs on Atriplex lentiformis (Torrey) S. Watson (Chenopodiaceae) plants on 3 dates during 2006-2007 next to the lower Colorado River in Cibola Valley, Arizona. The skipper has received conservation interest due to its restricted geographic range and apparent rarity. Atriplex lentiformis, the skipper’s only known host species, is a large shrub capable of C₄ photosynthesis and N₂ fixation. We measured the size (canopy radius) and percent water of plants and the percent nitrogen of leaves. Percentages of water and nitrogen were partially correlated, whereas plant size was not partially correlated with the percentage of water or nitrogen. Skipper eggs were more likely to be present on shrubs with greater canopy radius, water content, or nitrogen concentration. Likelihood of egg presence also increased with plant size when percent nitrogen was controlled and increased with percent nitrogen when plant size was controlled. Numbers of eggs, adjusted for canopy radius, on shrubs with at least 1 egg were not related to the percentage of water or nitrogen. Ovipositing H. gracielae appear to select host plants when thresholds of plant size and water or nitrogen content are exceeded. These plant characteristics should be considered when surveying or restoring the skipper’s habitat.

Three new species of Phyllophaga from Mexico are described: P. (Phytalus) balli, new species collected in pine and oak forests toward the northwest of Oaxaca valley; P. (Phyllophaga) navidad, new species obtained in tropical deciduous forests in the Pacific coast of Jalisco; and P. (Phyllophaga) potosisalta, new species collected in tropical subdeciduous forest of eastern San Luis Potosi. Illustrations of diagnostic characters are included.

A new genus, Chrysonasma Park, of Lecithoceridae (Gelechioidea) is described based on C. cassiterota (Meyrick) and a new species, C. caliginosa, from the Philippines. The genus is separable from its allies by the colorful wing-pattern with leaden metallic longitudinal streaks. A key to the 2 species of the genus is given. Illustrations of the imagos, forewing venation, and male and female genitalia are provided.

Antifreeze is often used as the capture liquid in insect traps for its preservative and evaporative attributes. In tests reported herein, fruit fly traps using non-toxic recreational vehicle (RV) propylene glycol based antifreeze captured significantly more Anastrepha ludens (Loew) than did traps with the automotive antifreeze. Automotive antifreeze has a characteristic odor due to the additive tolytriazole. The odor may have been mildly repellent. Whether better or equal in efficacy, fruit fly trapping programs should consider using the non-toxic formulation as an environmentally friendly alternative over the automotive antifreeze, which contains a number of hazardous compounds.

A small Baradinae weevil that feeds on amaryllis plants has been known in Florida for over 15 years. It is yet to be named taxonomically and its life history has not been studied previously. Observations on weevil damage were made on containerized amaryllis (Hippeastrum hybrids) plants naturally infested in a greenhouse or used for colony rearing. Laboratory studies were conducted at ambient room temperature (75°C) with excised leaves to obtain information on weevil life history. Adults lived about 3 months, and fed on basal versus apical leaf tissue. Females inserted eggs near the thickened leaf base, and eggs were 0.65 ± 0.02 mm long by 0.40 ± 0.01 mm wide. Females laid >400 eggs over their lifetime, with egg production increasing over the first 7 weeks and then tending to decline. Eclosion ranged from 51% for eggs removed from host tissue within 24 h to 84% for eggs removed from host tissue after 24 h of oviposition. In tests with excised leaf tissue, eggs hatched after 7.1 d and larval development was complete after 28.8 d, of which 9.9 d were spent as prepupae. In no-choice tests, survival was lower and pupal developmental time period was longer when larvae were reared on excised bulb versus excised leaf tissue. Although larval development was poorer on bulbs versus leaves in the laboratory studies, in intact plants larvae tunnel through leaf tissue towards the bulb where they feed and complete development. In severe infestations, larvae hollow out the inside of the bulb and may cause plant death. Adult damage is primarily to the foliage through feeding and oviposition. This is the first report to quantify the life history of this weevil.

Parasitoids of Anastrepha fraterculus (Wiedemann) were monitored on ripe fruit of 3 native and 1 exotic, wild Myrtaceae species in the Province of Entre Rios, NE Argentina, between Jan and Mar 1993 and 1994 with the aim of identifying indigenous parasitoid species and determining natural parasitization rates and fruit infestation levels. The fruit species surveyed were Psidium guajava L. (common guava), Feijoa sellowiana (O. Berg) O. Berg (feijoa), Eugenia uniflora L. (Surinam cherry), and Myrcianthes pungens (Berg) Legrand (mato). Altogether 2,186 tephritid puparia were obtained, 95% of which were A. fraterculus and 5% of which were Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann). Of 1,667 adult insects that emerged from these puparia, 1,378 were A. fraterculus, 89 C. capitata, and 200 larval-pupal parasitoids, representing 4 species of 2 Hymenoptera families: Doryctobracon areolatus (Szépligeti), D. brasiliensis (Szépligeti), Utetes anastrephae (Viereck) (all Braconidae, Opiinae), and Aganaspis pelleranoi (Brèthes) (Figitidae, Eucoilinae). All these parasitoid species are new reports for Entre Rios. Moreover, these records represent the southernmost natural distribution range in the Americas for these species. Doryctobracon areolatus and A. pelleranoi were recovered from all of the Myrtaceae species sampled, and they were the most abundant parasitoid species. Infestation patterns by A. fraterculus in mato, Surinam cherry, guava, and feijoa varied from 15.2 to 41.8, 21.3 to 49.4, 34.1 to 109.2, and 78.9 to 140.6 larvae per kg of fruit, respectively. Highest levels of parasitism were recorded in P. guajava, whereas M. pungens had the lowest parasitization rates. However, overall mean parasitism levels (i.e., considering all parasitoid species) did not appear to have great differences when comparing Myrtaceae species, collection sites, and years. The relative abundance and parasitization rates data of the recovered parasitoids in the 4 Myrtaceae species suggest some degree of host plant preference by U. anastrephae and D. brasiliensis.

Fruit of litchi, Litchi chinensis, and rambutan, Nephelium lappaceum, were collected from the field in 2006 and 2007 and monitored for the emergence of West Indian fruit flies, Anastrepha obliqua. Fruit clusters of rambutan and litchi, with a piece of the peel removed to allow access to ovipositing females, were also placed in cages and exposed to 12-d-old post-eclosion male and female West Indian fruit flies for 48 h. These exposed fruit were then monitored for the emergence of A. obliqua. Mango fruit were simultaneously exposed to male and female A. obliqua in separate cages and monitored for the emergence of A. obliqua. Fruit fly traps baited with putrescine and ammonium acetate were placed in orchards of litchi and rambutan, as well as an adjacent orchard of carambola, Averrhoa carambola, to demonstrate the presence of fruit flies while litchi and rambutan were fruiting. Although we collected 3732 ripe litchi fruit (40.34 kg) and 5534 ripe rambutan fruit (166.60 kg), none of these yielded tephritid larvae. Litchi and rambutan fruit exposed to adult fruit flies in cages did not yield tephritid larvae, though similarly exposed mangoes did. We conclude that litchi and rambutan have an undetectably low probability of being infested by A. obliqua in Puerto Rico.

In this research we describe Holopothrips tabebuia new species based on specimens collected from Puerto Rico, Florida, and Dominican Republic. Holopothrips tabebuia differs from the closely allied H. inquilinus (Bournier) in shape and reticulation patterns of the metanotum, and in the number of epimeral setae. Most specimens have been collected from Bignonaceae, particularly from host plants in the genus Tabebuia. Thus, we have chosen the epithet tabebuia to denote its relationship with these plants.

Supplementary material (color pictures) on line at  http://www.fcla.edu/FlaEnt/fe912.htm

The biology and the life cycle of Issoria lathonia (Nymphalidae) (Linnaeus 1758) on its host plant, Viola tricolor L. (Violaceae), are described from laboratory studies. In the laboratory eggs are laid singly on the host plant leaves as well as on the surfaces of plastic screen cages. Newly hatched larvae aggregate and feed on the host plant leaves. Later instars disperse on the plant and continue to feed on leaves and flowers. Head capsule widths, and weight and size measurements show that larvae develop through 5 instars. The larvae crawl off the host plant and pupate off the host. The life cycle from egg to adult requires 23-31 d at 26°C, and 16:8 (L:D) photoperiod in the laboratory. The butterfly has been reared continuously in the laboratory for about 2 years.

Rhynchophorus (curculionid) larvae produce economic damage to ornamental and date palm crops that could be mitigated significantly by early detection and treatment. Acoustic technology enables early detection, but often it is difficult to distinguish insect sounds from background noise containing energy at the resonant frequencies of stiff, fibrous structures in trees and other plants. Tests were conducted with currently available acoustic instrumentation and software to assess the capability of these methods to discriminate curculionid, cerambycid, and buprestid larval sounds from background noise in woody structures. An approach to the discrimination problem is to monitor the temporal patterns of the 3-10-ms sound impulses produced by locomotory and feeding activities. Playback and computer analyses of larval sounds revealed trains of impulses separated by intervals of less than 500 ms that experienced listeners frequently use as indications of potential insect sounds. Further analyses identified a subgroup of trains, denoted as bursts, containing > 6 and < 200 impulses, which occurred frequently when larvae were present but only rarely when larvae were absent. The incorporation of bursts into the analysis process significantly improved the capability to distinguish sounds produced by beetle larvae from background noise when these insects were hidden in stiff, fibrous structures, and likely will be of assistance also in other applications where consistent activity patterns of hidden pests can be identified.

Cotton leaf curl virus (CLCuV) is a group of whitefly-transmitted Geminiviruses that cause extensive damage to cotton in India and Pakistan. Begomoviruses have a complex association with their whitefly vector. To further understand these relationships, fecundity and life history parameters of Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) were compared on 5, 20, 35 d post inoculated (DPI), CLCuV infected and healthy cotton plants to determine the effect of virus on its vector. Cotton leaf curl virus infection increased percent egg viability of B. tabaci. Whiteflies deposited significantly fewer eggs on virus infected plants compared to healthy plants. The development time of whiteflies from egg to adulthood was significantly reduced on CLCuV infected plants with shorter nymphal and pupal duration. Male and female whiteflies had shorter longevity on CLCuV infected plants compared with healthy plants. The egg duration was similar on CLCuV infected and healthy plants regardless of DPI of plants.

Four new species, Largulus refulgens (Greater Antilles: Jamaica), Theraneis saphisa (Ecuador) Theraneis napoana (Ecuador), and Theraneis furtiva (Panama) are described. New distribution data are provided for Theraneis petri Stehlik, Theraneis pulchra Distant, and Theraneis schuhi Stehlik. Theraneis isobel Hussey is synonymized with Theraneis pulchra Distant. Keys to the known species of Largulus and Theraneis are provided, along with dorsal illustrations and drawings of male genital capsules of some species.

Volatiles from a Concord grape juice produced in Mexico were identified, tested for attractiveness, and mixed into an attractive blend. Volatiles were sampled with solid phase microextraction (SPME). Chemicals were analyzed by gas chromatography and identified by mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Identified chemicals were ethanol, ethyl propionate, ethyl butyrate, ethyl 2-methylbutyrate, ethyl decanoate, ethyl dodecanoate, D-limonene, sorbic acid, benzoic acid, methyl anthranilate, and dimethyl anthranilate. Chemicals were tested at 2 concentrations, 1 μg and 100 ng, for attractiveness to Mexican fruit flies (Anastrepha ludens) in laboratory cage-top bioassays. All test chemicals except sorbic acid were attractive to either sugar-fed or sugar-starved flies over both concentrations tested. A nine-component synthetic grape essence mixture was developed that matched the headspace volatiles profile of the grape juice. Attractiveness of the mixture was equal to that of the grape juice in laboratory bioassays. The mixture was 70% as attractive as the juice in traps in field tests. Results demonstrate that most of the attractive principals of the juice were identified.

Residual and bait product efficacies were compared against foraging ant populations in a field test for efficacy against bigheaded ants, Pheidole megacephala. At 7 d after exposure (DAE), the residual product Transport (23% acetamiprid with 27% bifenthrin), Advion fire ant bait (0.045% indoxacarb), and Siesta fire ant bait (0.063% metaflumizone) had significantly fewer ants than Arena 50WP (50% clothianidin) and MaxForce fire ant bait (0.0005% fipronil) which did not differ significantly from each other. All products had fewer ants than the controls. At 14 DAE, Transport had fewer ants than the controls and other products, while Arena was not different from Advion or Siesta. At 28 DAE, MaxForce had fewer ants than the controls and other treatments with the exception of Advion, which did not have fewer ants than the controls. Residual treatments will likely need greater water volume to penetrate ground covers and soil to reach subterranean ants, and combined with a longer acting bait such as MaxForce, should suppress BHA populations for at least 3 weeks.

Five new species of the genus Microplitis Foerster (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Microgastrinae) are described and illustrated: Microplitis basipallescentis, sp. nov., M. brevispina, sp. nov., M. carinata, sp. nov., M. changbaishana, sp. nov. and M. crassiantenna, sp. nov. All specimens are deposited in the College of Biosafety Science and Technology, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, China.

A molecular survey of endosymbionts was conducted in Florida populations of the Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (Hemiptera: Psyllidae), and its parasitoids Tamarixia radiata (Waterston) (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) and Diaphorencyrtus aligarhensis (Shafee, Alam and Agarwal) (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae). Using a high-fidelity polymerase chain reaction (PCR), we detected 3 eubacterial species each in D. citri (the primary symbiont Candidatus Carsonella rudii, a secondary symbiont related to Oxalobacter and Herbaspirillum species, and Wolbachia), and T. radiata (Caulobacter sp., Methylobacterium sp. and a bacterium in the family Alcaligenaceae), whereas only 1 species was identified in D. aligarhensis (Wolbachia). Each eubacterial symbiont of D. citri was detected in the eggs, which is indicative of transovarial transmission. However, none of the eubacterial symbionts of T. radiata were detected in the eggs, suggesting that they are only transient associates. Stable horizontal transfer of these eubacterial species likely has not occurred between the host and its parasitoids because each insect hosts a different complement of Eubacteria. For example, different strains of Wolbachia were detected in D. citri and D. aligarhensis, based on evidence from the 16S rRNA and wsp gene sequences. Also, the orf7 gene of the bacteriophage WO associated with Wolbachia was detected in D. citri but not in D. aligarhensis. No endosymbiotic Archaea, Helicosporidia, Microsporidia, Fungi, or Yeast-like symbionts were detected with PCR in these populations of D. citri or its parasitoids.

Research was conducted in Florida to assess the phenology of pink hibiscus mealybug, Maconellicoccus hirsutus (Green), based on numbers of adult males captured in traps baited with a synthetic pheromone. Trapping was conducted at 3 locations in east central Florida in ornamental plantings of hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis L.) infested by the mealybug, with traps hung directly within plants. Trapping was also conducted in southeast Florida near Miami in a tropical fruit tree planting. Males were highly attracted to traps baited with the lure, consistent with reports in the literature. Numbers of adult males captured in traps indicated that M. hirsutus was consistently most abundant during late summer and early fall with peak populations occurring anytime during late Aug through early Oct. Populations of M. hirsutus, based on captures of males, were consistently low during winter and spring from Jan through mid Apr.