Development of red date palm weevil Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Olivier) was evaluated on 4 popular cultivars of date palm, viz., ‘Khalas’, ‘Sukkary’, ‘Khasab’, and ‘Sillaj’ for 2 consecutive generations. The weevils reared on ‘Sukkary’ showed significantly better growth expressed in most parameters such as length, width and weight at larval, pupal and adult stages. Significantly greater numbers of eggs were laid on cv. ‘Sukkary’ as compared to the other 3 cultivars. This might be because of higher sugar content of cv. ‘Sukkary’. Adult lifespan was significantly longer on cv. ‘Khasab’. Though more cocoons were harvested from ‘Khalas’, frequency of adult emergence was better on ‘Sukkary’. Male to female ratio was similar on all date palm cultivars.

Two South American new species of Neophyllaphis Takahashi (Aphididae Neuquenaphidinae) are described, Neophyllaphis cuschensis Nieto Nafría & Delfino sp. nov. collected on Podocarpus glomeratus D. Don in Cusco (Peru) and Neophyllaphis iuiuyensis Mier Durante & Ortego sp. nov. collected on Podocarpus parlatorei Pilg. in San Salvador de Jujuy (Argentina). The apterous and alate viviparous females of N. cuschensis and the apterous and alate viviparous females, as well as the oviparous females and males of N. iuiuyensis are described. The differences between the nominotypical subgenus and Chileaphis and also the differences among the 4 species of subgenus Chileaphis, viz. the 2 new species and those already known and found in Chile, N. michelbacheri Essig and N. podocarpini Carrillo are outlined.

We describe the apterous and alate viviparous females of a new species of the subgenus Lambersius of the genus Uroleucon (Hemiptera Aphididae) from Argentina living on Adesmia (Fabaceae). Uroleucon adesmiae sp. n. is the first South American species of this genus exclusively living on a species of Fabaceae. A previous key for the apterous viviparous females of the Uroleucon species recorded in South America is modified to include the new species.

A systematic survey of Chinese privet foliage, stems, seeds, and roots for associated phytophagous insects was conducted in China during 2005 and 2006 in order to establish basic information about the insect communities that Chinese privet harbors and to evaluate the abundance and damage caused by these insects. A total of 170 phytophagous insect species in 48 families and 5 orders were collected from Chinese privet in China. The insects belong to 4 feeding guilds: foliage, sap, stem, and root feeders. The impact of foliage feeders varied by site and over time. The mean percent defoliation of Chinese privet over all sites and years was 20.5 ± 8.2%, but ranged as high as 48%.

Wireworms are important insect pests of Florida sugarcane. Our objective was to determine the abundance and spatial distribution of wireworms in Florida sugarcane on muck versus sandy soils. Fourteen commercial sugarcane fields were sampled for wireworms on farms in southern Florida. Melanotus communis (Gyllenhal) was the most abundant wireworm found in both soil types. Other less abundant wireworms found and discussed are Conoderus spp., Ischiodontus sp., and Glyphonyx bimarginatus Schaeffer. There were no significant differences in densities of G. bimarginatus, M. communis, or total wireworms of all species in muck versus sand fields. Significantly more Conoderus spp. were found in sandy fields and significantly more Ischiodontus sp. were found in muck fields. The spatial distribution of the wireworms within fields was similar in both soil types. In muck, wireworms in 4 fields were randomly distributed, aggregated in 3 fields, and uniformly distributed in no fields. In sand, wireworms in 3 fields were randomly distributed, aggregated in 4 fields and uniformly distributed in no fields.

Polyandry has been reported for various species of tephritid fruit flies, and efforts to explain this phenomenon have focused primarily on the respective roles of sperm stores and male accessory gland fluids. However, recent research on the Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann), demonstrated that female re-mating propensity was influenced by the “suitability” of available mates; preferred males were more likely to induce female re-mating than were less attractive males. The goal of this study was to determine whether male attractiveness similarly influenced female re-mating in the oriental fruit fly, Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel). Females of this species are known to mate preferentially with males that previously ingested methyl eugenol (ME), a plant-borne compound whose metabolites are used in the synthesis of the male sex pheromone. Females were mated initially (with males denied ME), held isolated from males with access to oviposition substrate, and then offered ME-fed or non-ME-fed males at 1, 2, 3, or 6 weeks after the initial mating. Contrary to the Mediterranean fruit fly, there was no effect of male attractiveness (i.e., ME feeding status) on the re-mating tendency of B. dorsalis females. Also, time elapsed since the initial mating had no effect on the probability of female re-mating. When offered a choice of males, however, non-virgin females, like virgins, displayed a significant preference for ME-fed over non-ME-fed males.

In Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) programs, mass-reared males of the Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann), are maintained on a sugar-agar diet before their release into the environment. Several studies suggest that nitrogenous dietary supplements improve the mating competitiveness of the sterile males, thus increasing the cost effectiveness of SIT. Other research, however, has not supported this notion. Here, we further investigate the potential usefulness of nitrogen-containing diet additives by examining the effect of 4 different nitrogenous materials--yeast hydrolysate, urea, whey protein, and honey--on the mating success of sterile C. capitata males. These materials were mixed directly with the sugar-agar diet in varying concentrations (1, 5, or 10%). Trials conducted in outdoor field-cages generated 2 consistent results across all diets: (1) neither the type nor concentration of nitrogenous material used elevated the mating success of sterile males above that observed for the standard sugar-agar diet, and (2) wild males invariably had a significant mating advantage over sterile males, accounting for an average of 81% of the total matings per replicate. In addition, a field comparison of short-term dispersal from a central release point revealed no significant difference between sterile males fed (i) the sugar-agar diet or (ii) the sugar-agar diet supplemented with yeast hydrolysate (10%) in either the number or spatial distribution of recaptured individuals. Our results do not support the proposal that pre-release nitrogenous dietary supplements improve the field performance of sterile C. capitata males in SIT programs.

The tropical root weevil, Diaprepes abbreviatus (L.), is a major pest of many plants of economic importance, including citrus and ornamentals. It was accidentally introduced from the Caribbean into Florida in the 1960s and its range within the United States now includes Texas and California. No safe and effective control method is available for this species. Studies of the reproductive behavior of field populations may aid the development of effective control strategies and inform laboratory experimental design. We examined mating patterns of individually-marked D. abbreviatus in a plant nursery in Florida over 5 d. Matings occurred throughout the day but tended to peak during the middle of the day. Mating duration ranged from less than 3 h to over 9 h. Most males and females mated repeatedly, sometimes with the same partner multiple times. Both same-sex and extra-pair mountings occurred at low frequencies. In a follow-up study conducted in captivity, we found no short-term direct benefits of multiple mating to females but female fertility decreased dramatically by 2 weeks after mating if females were not allowed to re-mate. Thus, female D. abbreviatus may re-mate, in part, to replenish sperm stores. Our results suggest that the sterile insect technique would not be effective but support previous conclusions that pheromones may be effective attractants in this species because both females and males mate multiple times in the field.

The phenology of butterflies was analyzed in the Calakmul Region (CR) in the state of Campeche, México, over the course of 3 years. Altogether, 60,662 individuals were recorded, consisting of 359 species in 207 genera, 18 subfamilies, 5 families, and 2 superfamilies. Greatest species diversity was recorded during Oct and Nov. Monthly fluctuation in diversity was defined by rare species. Hesperiidae (135 species) and Nymphalidae (111 species) were the most diverse families, and showed the greatest variation with respect to distribution of species richness throughout the year. Papilionidae showed the greatest species richness during the dry season. Pieridae, Nymphalidae, and Lycaenidae showed peaks of greatest species richness and relative abundance during the rainy season. Results were compared to faunal studies of the Sierra de Atoyac de Álvarez, in the state of Guerrero, and of the Sierra de Manantlán, in Jalisco and Colima. Important similarities were observed among phenological patterns in the butterfly fauna of the 3 regions, especially between CR and Manantlán. The phenology of species with greater relative abundance was analyzed in relation to wingspan as a parameter of adult size. The small and medium-sized groups, taken together, showed variations in species richness. An analysis of species seasonality was conducted with NMDS, ANOSIM and SIMPER, in the program PRIMER 4.0. Differences among the composition of butterfly communities with respect to the seasons were found.

The hairy crazy ant, Paratrechina pubens (Forel), is undergoing a population explosion on St. Croix, US Virgin Islands. Here, we evaluate the status of P. pubens on St. Croix. In 2002, residents of Calquohoun and surrounding areas in central St. Croix began reporting large infestations of P. pubens. In 2005 and 2006, we surveyed ants at >100 sites across St. Croix. We found 3 geographically discrete populations of P. pubens occupying ∼5% of the island: a main population centered on Calquohoun spread over ∼9 km² and 2 smaller populations occupying <1 km² each. Locals blamed P. pubens for crop damage due to high densities of plant-feeding Hemiptera that tended the ants. Surveys of trees in areas with and without P. pubens present indicated that P. pubens has a significant negative impact on arboreal-foraging ants. The distribution and chronology of P. pubens records on St. Croix suggest that this species is a recently arrived exotic. It is unknown whether P. pubens will become a more serious pest on St. Croix or whether populations will collapse to inconsequential levels.

Technomyrmex difficilis Forel is an Old World ant often misidentified as the white-footed ant, Technomyrmex albipes (Smith). The earliest New World records of T. difficilis are from Miami-Dade County, Florida, collected beginning in 1986. Since then, it has been found in at least 22 Florida counties. Here, I report T. difficilis from 5 West Indian islands: Antigua, Nevis, Puerto Rico, St. Croix, and St. Thomas. Colonies were widespread only on St. Croix. It is probable that over the next few years T. difficilis will become increasingly important as a pest in Florida and the West Indies.

Cecidomyia lamellata Gagné, new species, is described from adults of both sexes, pupae, and larvae taken from resin in branchlet swellings of baldcypress, Taxodium distichum (L.) Rich. (Taxodiaceae), in Fort Pierce, Florida. Some anatomical characters of the new species depart from the previously known limits of the genus. Baldcypress is the first known non-Pinaceae host of Cecidomyia.

Field experiments were conducted during the 2006-2007 growing season to determine the effect of the predatory mite, Neoseiulus californicus (McGregor) on arthropod community structure when released as a biological control agent for the twospotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch, in north Florida strawberries (Fragaria × ananassa Duchesne). Releases of N. californicus were conducted at approximately 1-month intervals from Dec 2006 to Feb 2007 to compare effects of predator release times on arthropod community structure. Evaluations of community structure were conducted 3 times during the growing season. The Shannon-Weaver index of diversity was used to quantify differences among release and non-release plots. Our results indicate that the release of N. californicus does not affect the arthropod diversity in the strawberry system studied. The generalist feeding behavior of N. californicus, coupled with a high level of richness and diversity in the strawberry ecosystem, may diffuse the measurable effect of N. californicus releases on the arthropod community structure. This makes N. californicus a desirable biological control agent for management of twospotted spider mite in strawberries while preserving arthropod diversity.

A qualitative and quantitative population survey of immature and adult Chironomidae was conducted for 1 year in a country club wetlands in northeast Florida, USA. Glyptotendipes paripes and Goeldichironomus carus were the 2 predominant chironomid species in the wetlands. Adults of these 2 species emerged at nuisance levels from Apr through Jun, and in Aug and Sep. Polypedilum, Cryptochironomus, Tanytarsini, and Tanypodinae collected in low numbers during the survey were not identified to species. In laboratory bioassays, LC₉₀ values of technical grade temephos against G. paripes and G. carus were 0.01 and 0.009 ppm, respectively. For s-methoprene the LC₉₀ values were 0.082 and 0.055 ppm, and for Bacillus thuringiensis serovariety israelensis (Bti) 1.056 and 0.467 ppm, respectively. In experimental field plots in the wetlands, 5% AI Skeeter Abate® (temephos) pellets at 0.1 kg AI/ha reduced midge larvae by 52-86% and at 0.2 kg/ha by 74-92% during 4 weeks posttreatment. Sand formulated technical powder of Bti at 1,000,000 and 2,000,000 ITU (International Toxic Units) Bti/m² reduced midge larvae by 47-52% and 82-88%, respectively, during 6 to 20 days posttreatment. STRIKE® pellets (4.25% AI s-methoprene) at 0.14 kg AI/ha suppressed a maximum of 80% total chironomid adult emergence at 7 days posttreatment; this IGR at 0.28 kg AI/ha reduced adult emergence up to 92% during 15 days posttreatment. Temephos and Bti were more cost-effective and provided midge control for relatively longer period than s-methoprene in the field evaluations.

The biology and development of Lixadmontia franki Wood and Cave (Diptera: Tachinidae), an endoparasitoid of bromeliad-eating weevils in the genus Metamasius, are described. Embryonic development is completed within 8 d post-mating while the egg is held inside the female reproductive system. Neonate larvae actively search for a host and initiate parasitism by penetrating the host’s cuticle. Larval developmental time and pupation at 20°C averaged 17 and 25 d, respectively, with no significant differences observed between genders. Adult males live on average 9 d compared to 17 d for females. Females are capable of parasitizing third to sixth instars of Metamasius quadrilineatus Chevrolat, but the highest levels of parasitism were observed when third and fourth instars were exposed to flies.

The sweetpotato whitefly, Bemisia tabaci B biotype (Gennadius) (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae) also known as Bemisia argentifolii (Bellows and Perring) is a key pest in zucchini squash (Cucurbita pepo L.) causing both direct and indirect damage. A field experiment was conducted in the fall of 2005 and repeated in the fall of 2006 to investigate the effect of mulches alone or in combination with a reduced-risk insecticide, imidacloprid (Admire® 2F) on whiteflies and related problems in zucchini squash. UV-reflective mulch and the living mulch, buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench), with and without imidacloprid, were evaluated in a randomized complete block design with 4 replications. White mulch (standard) was included as a control in the experiment. Mulches in combination with imidacloprid resulted in fewer whiteflies per leaf than those without imidacloprid in 2005 and 2006. More whiteflies were recorded on zucchini plants growing on white synthetic mulch than all other treatments in both years. In the 2006 growing season, these plants also showed the first symptoms of viral infection caused by Cucurbit leaf crumple virus (CuLCrV), a whitefly-transmitted geminivirus. Both living and reflective mulches were more effective than white mulch in reducing the densities of whiteflies and the incidence of CuLCrV on zucchini plants.

Cone emergence cages are used to monitor populations of soil-borne insects, particularly beetles, during adult emergence. Because the cone emergence cage presumably denies access to adult beetles, including adult females, it is thought that a cone emergence cage left in place for longer than the lifecycle of the insect will have few or no beetles emerge in it. The authors tested the premise that a cone emergence cage left in place for 1 year or longer would no longer be useful as a tool to monitor the emergence of adult Phyllophaga vandinei Smyth. Our results indicate not only that cone emergence cages left in place for more than a year (P. vandinei is reported to be univoltine) are still effective at monitoring P. vandinei emergence, but often yield even more adult beetles than cone emergence cages that have been in place for a shorter time. It is not clear if this is a result of when the trap is placed or where the trap is placed. This also raises the question of whether the larvae of P. vandinei may take 1 or more years to complete development.