In temperate areas, microclimate is a key factor affecting the population dynamics of insects, but very few studies have examined the potential significance of microclimate in diverse tropical insect communities. We quantified the diversity and structure of butterfly communities in 2 different microhabitats, over seasons, and examined which abiotic (microclimate) and biotic (vegetation structure) components affected community composition. The study was performed from Jun 2009 to May 2010 at a dry forest in Ecuador, a globally threatened habitat with high levels of endemism. Two transects were established, one in each microhabitat, where baited traps were located in the understory and canopy to record butterfly species abundance. Humidity and temperature were recorded during the sampling period and vegetation variables were measured. A total of 3,731 individuals representing 93 species were collected. Higher species richness and abundances were found during the wet season. Linear regression models and CCA analyses showed microclimatic variability and vegetation structure (e.g., vegetation density) were significant predictors of the composition and abundance of butterfly communities. Major lineages of butterflies differed in their response to microclimate and microhabitat, explaining some of the spatial variation in community structure. In addition, some of the most abundant species changed their microhabitat preferences in the dry season. The tight relationship between butterfly communities, microclimate and microhabitat suggests that global climate change and habitat alteration are likely to act synergistically on tropical dry forest insect faunas, and these processes should thus be considered together in predicting future impacts on biodiversity.

Improving parasitoid mass rearing techniques is important to reduce costs of biological control programs and supply natural enemies at times of high demand. The objective of this study was to evaluate the suitability of Anagasta kuehniella (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) eggs stored at 5 °C for different time periods as a host for Trichogrammatoidea annulata (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) and for 9 Trichogramma species (T. acacioi, T. atopovirilia, T. benneti, T. brasiliensis, T. bruni, T. demoraesi, T. galloi, T. pretiosum, and T. soaresi). The experiment had a factorial design with 10 parasitoid species, 9 host storage periods (5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35 and 40 days, and a no storage control) and 20 replications, each consisting of one card (0.4 × 2.0 cm) with 40.70 ± 0.03 eggs of A. kuehniella. Trichogrammatoidea annulata, T. acacioi, T. brasiliensis, T. bruni, T. pretiosum, and T. soaresi parasitized eggs of A. kuehniella stored up to 24 days; T. atopovirilia parasitized eggs stored up to 16 days. Trichogramma demoraesi and T. benneti parasitized eggs stored for 15 days and T. galloi parasitized eggs stored for up to 13 days. The percentage of parasitized eggs decreased when the storage period increased. Among the tested parasitoids T. acacioi parasitized eggs stored for longer periods and showed the highest percentage both of parasitism and adult emergence.

An outbreak of a looper, identified as Perixera illepidaria (Lepidoptera: Geometridae) was observed on litchi trees in Bihar state of India during Sep to Nov both in 2011 and 2012. Loopers fed voraciously on young leaves leaving behind only the midribs. During Oct 2011, trees having highly damaged canopies (> 50% top foliage damage) ranged between 0.7 to 29.4%, while partially damaged (< 50% foliage damage) tree were 1.4 to 20.8% at the Experimental Farm of National Research Centre for Litchi, Bihar, India. During Oct 2012, the incidence of looper infested trees in farmers' field varied from 34.1 to 84.5%., and up to 39.4% trees were in the 81–100% damaged foliage category. The mean number of larvae per 10 leaflets varied from 0.6 to 14.7. The developmental period from larvae to adult ranged from 15 to 19 days. The geographical range of this species had been N.E. Himalaya, Hong Kong, Sundaland, Philippines, Sulawesi and Guam. This is the first report on the occurrence of P. illepidaria on litchi in India.

A new Cryptorhynchinae weevil Viraktamathia gen. nov. and srinivasa sp. nov. from India is described and illustrated. This genus is unique among the Cryptorhynchinae in the concavity of the ventrite 1 combined with the character of the pair of knobs on the uncus of the hind tibia.

The eastern lubber grasshopper, Romalea microptera (Palisot de Beauvois) (Orthoptera: Romaleidae)[also known as R. guttata (Houttuyn)], is known to be polyphagous, but little else is known about its diet. Choice and no-choice tests were conducted to determine plant preference. In choice tests, 104 different plants were presented and relative preference was determined using ‘Romaine’ lettuce (Lactuca sativa L. var. longifolia; Asteraceae) as a standard. These included representative plants from several categories, including ornamental plants, weeds, shrubs, trees, vines, aquatic or semiaquatic plants, and vegetable crops. The grasshoppers did not display a statistically significant difference in selection, relative to ‘Romaine’ lettuce, for 20% of the plants evaluated; these should be considered very susceptible to injury because lettuce is a readily accepted plant. A few plants (3%) were more preferred than lettuce, and of course would also be at high risk for consumption. The majority of plants tested (77%) were significantly less preferred, but even some of these are at risk because, like other polyphagous insects, lubbers sometimes will feed on less acceptable plants when preferred plants are not available. A subset of these (n = 25) was also presented in no-choice tests, and the choice and no-choice responses compared. Plant preference in choice and no-choice tests was significantly correlated. A selection of ornamental plants (n = 10) that scored least-preferred in choice tests was assessed in no-choice ‘starvation’ tests, and 9 of the 10 proved to be quite resistant to grasshopper feeding. Several plants (n = 5) that produce foliage asynchronously were assessed in choice tests, with the grasshoppers preferring young foliage relative to old foliage. In field cage studies, the acceptability of plants significantly affected the efficacy of insecticide-containing baits, with significantly higher mortality found in cages containing non-preferred plants. Thus, host plant selection affects damage directly by regulating the amount of feeding, and indirectly by influencing acceptance of bait.

Tomato borers, especially Tuta absoluta (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae), a pest introduced in southern Europe, northern Africa and the Middle East, and diseases can damage tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) fruit. This study tested the economic and technical feasibility of bagging tomato fruits clusters during organic production to protect them against insects and diseases. The experiment was randomized complete block (5 blocks) and 5 treatments: bagging with organza fabric, tissue non-tissue (TNT) covering, a micro-perforated plastic, brown paper bags and no bagging (control). Four clusters were bagged/ plant at flowering, and evaluated for flower abortion, the total number of fruits set and the number of fruits damaged by insects or diseases during the sampling period. At harvest we evaluated fresh weight, size and color of the fruits and we determined their Brix degrees postharvest. Bagging of fruit with either organza fabric or TNT reduced insect borer damage by 99.7% and disease damage by 84.7%. Bagging fruit did not affect flower abortion, skin color and fruit fresh weight (average of 91.87g), but bagging either with organza or TNT delayed the harvest period by 3 days. About 350% more large fruits were produced either with TNT or organza fabric bags than in the non-bagged control. This difference represents about 30 tonnes/ha, which at an average price for organic tomatoes of US $5.15/kg, resulted in a net return of US $113,161/ha. Bagging of tomato fruit clusters with TNT or organza fabric may be an excellent option to reduce damage by insect borers and diseases for a significant economic gain. Additionally, these 2 bagging materials did not negatively affect the major qualitative and quantitative characteristics of tomato fruit.

A new Panamanian species of scarab beetle of the subfamily Scarabaeinae, Onthophagus cambrai sp. nov., is described and illustrated. The character states of this species do not allow it to be placed in a known species-group of the New World. A revised key to the 26 species known from Panama is presented.

In this paper, 2 new species, Macromotettix nanshana sp. nov. and Coptotettix guangxiensis sp. nov. of Tetrigidae (Orthoptera) are described from China. Type specimens were deposited at the Institute of Entomology, Sun Yat-sen University, and College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, China.

The froghopper Mahanarva indentata (Walker) (Hemiptera: Cercopidae) is an economically important pest of sugarcane in Brazil. With the purpose of complementing various biological studies of the froghopper species associated with sugarcane, this research was developed to describe the morphology, and development of the eggs, nymphs and adults of M. indentata, as well as aspects of its reproductive biology and oviposition site preference. The study was conducted in a greenhouse of the Department of Agronomy, Federal University of Viçosa (UFV). Sugarcane plants of the cultivar, ‘RB867515’, at 60 days after planting were used to feed the insects. The information was obtained at 26 ± 2 °C, 70% ± 10% RH and 14:10 h L:D. Mean egg development lasted 36 days with 95% of egg viability. The nymphal phase with 5 instars lasted an average of 62 days with 65.84% survival. Adult males and females lived 12 and 20 days respectively. The durations of the pre-oviposition, oviposition and post-oviposition periods were 9.57 ± 0.80 days, 7.78 ± 1.14 days and 2.60 ± 0.57 days, respectively. Average fecundity was 38.2 eggs per female and total generation time (adult - egg) was 99 days. All adult females showed an oviposition preference for the abaxial surface of the sugarcane leaf and specifically for the basal portion of the leaf where 72% of the eggs were deposited. The newly acquired information on M. indentata reinforces the need to define differences between the various Mahanarva species related to their biology and management, since this is a very important pest of the sugarcane production in Brazil.

The present work expands knowledge of 6 species of Blattodea under 5 genera belonging to 3 families, viz., Blattellidae, Blattidae and Blaberidae, represented by 3, 2 and 1 species, respectively, in the Kolhapur District, Maharashtra, India. These 6 species are Blatella humbertiana (Saussure, 1863), Blatella germanica (Linnaeus, 1767), Pycnoscelus surinamensis (Linnaeus, 1758), Periplaneta americana (Linnaeus, 1758), Neostylopyga rhomobifolia (Stål, 1813)and Supella (Supella) longipalpa (Fabricius). Supella (Supella) longipalpa was recorded for the first time and is a new addition to the fauna of Maharashtra state. Information on localities and dates of collection of all 6 species are provided.

The African fig fly, Zaprionus indianus Gupta (Diptera: Drosophilidae), is an invasive fruit pest that has spread rapidly through much of the eastern United States. Tests were conducted in southern Florida that recorded the response of Z. indianus to baits that included Merlot wine, rice vinegar, ethanol and acetic acid, alone and in combination. The flies were attracted to the wine but not to the vinegar or unbaited traps and were most strongly attracted to the combination of wine and vinegar. More flies were captured in traps baited with the combination of ethanol and acetic acid, the most abundant volatiles of wine and vinegar respectively, than in traps baited with either chemical alone or in unbaited traps. A subsequent test found that traps baited with wine plus acetic acid were as attractive as traps baited with wine plus vinegar. In this test, there was no difference in capture in unbaited traps or traps baited with ethanol plus acetic acid, and intermediate capture was obtained in traps baited with vinegar plus ethanol. These findings suggest that it may be possible to develop a synthetic chemical lure for Z. indianus that is based on volatiles from wine used in combination with acetic acid alone or in combination with other volatiles from vinegar.

Planthoppers (Hemiptera: Fulgoroidea) have been implicated in transmission of phytoplasmas that cause lethal decline in palms. Surveys of insects feeding on palms located in Florida resulted in the discovery of Omolicna joi sp. nov., described here. Patara albida (Hemiptera: Derbidae), a palm feeder, has become established in South Florida. Haplaxius crudus (Hemiptera: Cixiidae), the proven vector of the phytoplasma that causes lethal yellows (LY ), was thought to be restricted to the southern tier of Florida counties, thus limiting the distribution of LY . We found that H. crudus can overwinter consistently as far north as Gainesville (N 29.63380° W -82.37200°). Thus, the northern limit of LY might be a function of the physiology of the pathogens rather than the distribution of the vector.

A new species of bloodsucking Culicoides Latreille of the subgenus Avaritiais described and illustrated based on female specimens from China. The new species is compared with its congener, C. trimaculatus McDonald and Lu, 1972.

Mango (Mangifera indica L.) is an intensively cultivated fruit in Mexico, the leading exporter of this product in the world. One important limiting factor in mango production is the white mango scale (Aulacaspis tubercularis Newstead; Hemiptera: Diaspididae). White mango scale infestation causes irreversible leaf yellowing and death, and it lowers fruit quality below export requirements. Feeding mechanisms of these diaspidids have not been extensively studied; no histological studies on this subject are known. We histologically analyzed leaf tissues penetrated by the stylet bundle (SB) of white mango scale females, in order to follow the SB cellular path, to observe the extent of visually-detectable leaf cell damage, and to determine if this insect feeds on phloem sap. Mango plants of cv. ‘Manila' were artificially infested with this insect in the laboratory. Histological slices from infested leaves were processed for microscope observation of the intact SB. Through this process a complete SB could not be observed, so its full accurate length could not be reported. However, the SB length was estimated at 3 mm, i.e., 3 times the total length of the female body length, which was 1 mm. The SB path inside the leaf was mostly intracellular through the mesophyll, but it also pierced lignified xylem cells and nutrient-rich phloem tissues in the vascular bundles. Thick red masses were formed along the SB path, possibly containing phenolic compounds. Cell lysis or collapse was not observed in the SB-injured leaf tissue.

Tetranychus marianae McGregor (Acari: Tetranychidae) is a pest of several perennial crops and is widespread in the Pacific Basin, including the Mariana Islands where it was first reported. The mite is also present in the West Indies, Bahamas, southern USA, Nicaragua, Argentina, Brazil and Southeast Asia. Eggplant growers apply carbaryl 10 to 15 times against this pest during each cropping period. Some growers no longer cultivate eggplant and tomato because of uncontrollable mite infestations. Previous indoor studies have shown petroleum spray oil (PSO) to be effective against T. marianae. We therefore examined the comparative effectiveness of PSO (Sun-spray 6E®) at the rate of 5mL/liter, and carbaryl at the rate of 1.5 mL/liter, against T. marianae on eggplant at 2 locations in Guam. The mean percentages of mite infested leaves and the population densities of T. marianae at both the locations were significantly higher in control plots than in treatment plots. PSO treatments with 6 and 15 sprays more effectively reduced the number of T. marianae-infested leaves and populations of T. marianae than carbaryl treatments. Marketable yields of eggplant from PSO treated plots were significantly higher than from the other plots. We recommend 6 applications of PSO at 15, 25, 35, 45, 55 and 65 days of after transplanting for managing T. marianae on eggplant.

The third-instar larvae and pupae of Aegopsis curvicornis Burmeister, and A. bolboceridus (Thomson) are described for the first time based on specimens collected and reared in Cundinamarca, Colombia and Planaltina, DF, Brazil, respectively. A key to the known thirdinstar larvae of the Agaocephalini is provided. Some data on the biology of both species are also included.

The Old World ant cricket Myrmecophilus americanus Saussure (Orthoptera, Myrmecophilidae) inhabits nests of the Old World tramp ant Paratrechina longicornis (Latreille) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Paratrechina longicornis has spread worldwide through human commerce, whereas M. americanus has been reported from sites in Asia, Oceania, South America, the West Indies, and the Mediterranean region. Here, we report the first North American records of M. americanus, all from peninsular Florida and the Florida Keys. In addition to older unpublished records of M. americanus from Archbold Biological Station (N 27.2°) and Gainesville (N 29.7°), we collected M. americanus from 5 of 13 P. longicornis nests surveyed in southernmost Florida (N 24.5–26.0°), but only from 1 of 20 P. longicornis nests surveyed further north (N 26.5–27.3°) in Florida. Although P. longicornis is common throughout most of Florida south of N 30°, its symbiont M. americanus appears to be common only in southernmost Florida. If climate limits populations of M. americanus in northern Florida, then it is likely that the higher latitude records reported as M. americanus from subtropical semi-arid Mediterranean sites (Egypt, Libya, and Israel; N 30–32°) are actually misidentifications of one or more distinct species, possibly Myrmecophilus cottami Chopard and/or Myrmecophilus surcoufi Chopard.

The red widow spider, Latrodectus bishopi Kaston, is a species of conservation concern because it is narrowly endemic to threatened palmetto scrub found only on ancient sand ridges in peninsular Florida. We hypothesized that this spider might feed extensively on insects that also are scrub specialists. To ascertain the prey of red widow spiders, we collected arthropods trapped in webs of adult females (n = 30 per season) located in native oak-palmetto scrub at the Archbold Biological Station after dawn and before dusk for 5 consecutive days in early spring (Mar 1989) and in late spring (May 2003). We identifed a total of 42 species among the 98 specimens collected. Using published regression equations, we converted the size of each specimen to dry mass. We found that 5 species of scarab beetles endemic to Florida scrub accounted for 65% of prey by weight even though their numbers were modest (22% of prey items). In early spring red widow spiders fed predominantly on nocturnally captured coleopterans (78% of prey items), but in late spring when palmetto flowers were blooming near webs day-active hymenopterans were added to the diet. Frequency analysis showed that temporal patterns of prey capture by individual spiders were infrequent (≤ 0.4 prey per day) and statistically random.

The Lepidoptera are among the insect groups with the greatest species diversity and ecological services. The distribution, abundance and variation in time and space of species in natural communities are important. The occurrence of pests (primary pest species) and those species with potential to cause damage (secondary pest species), plus other species, are studied in monitoring programs in forest plantations as groups I, II and III, respectively. The objective of this work was to study alpha and beta diversity patterns, and the effect of native forest in these indexes by monitoring Lepidoptera in eucalyptus plantations in the Amazonian region of Brazil. Surveys were conducted with light traps at 4 sites in this region. Alpha diversity was calculated with the Jackknife first-order procedure and beta diversity with the Jaccard index in order to estimate the dissimilarity per point and the effect of the distance between the native forest and the plantations on the Lepidoptera fauna. The richness showed 10 or 11 species of group I; 9 or 10 species of II and 378 to 409 species of III, without differences per group between regions. The curves of accumulated number of primary pest species stabilized between the 15th and 35th samplings and those for secondary pest species stabilized in the range from 20th to 70th samplings, with variations among sites. The estimation of richness for species of group III ranged from 50 to 100 species with a steep slope of the curve until approximately the 60th sampling with a slow increase and a tendency of stabilization in the 4 areas after this date. The primary pest species were the same in all areas and therefore their beta diversity was zero. The dissimilarity of secondary pests was similar between areas except for Felipe. Group III showed lower dissimilarity between Caracuru and Ponte Maria (14.88%) and highest values between Felipe and Pacanari (21.64%). The lower number of individuals of group I in Felipe and Ponte Maria and lower species richness of group III in Felipe can be explained by the proximity of eucalyptus plantations to the native forest. The knowledge of population dynamics and species richness of Lepidoptera defoliators is important for pest management. These indexes allow a better detection of species with a history of damage and decision-making with the most appropriate preventive measures for each situation.

Some insecticides can be used jointly with entomopathogenic fungi, and therefore the combination of chemical and biological control measures can be a safe and effective method to control insect pests. The aim of this study was to evaluate the costs and efficacy of combinations of Metarhizium anisopliae (Metschnikoff) Sorokin (Hypocreales: Clavicipitaceae) with thiamethoxam and imidacloprid on spittlebug (Mahanarua fimbriolata (Stål); Hemiptera: Cercopidae) control on sugarcane. The experiment was conducted as a randomized block design (RBD) with 10 treatments and 4 replications. The treatments included a control (untreated), thiamethoxam (250 g ha^-1), imidacloprid (700 g ha^-1), M. anisopliae (M. a.) (3 × 10¹² conidia ha^-1), A1 (3 × 10¹² M. a. conidia ha^-1 65 g ha^-1 of thiamethoxam), A2 (3 × 10¹² M. a. conidia ha^-1 125 g ha^-1 of thiamethoxam), A3 (3 × 10¹² M. a. conidia ha^-1 187.5 g ha^-1 of thiamethoxam), A4 (3 × 10¹² M. a. conidia ha^-1 175 g ha^-1 of imidacloprid), A5 (3 × 10¹² M. a. conidia ha^-1 350 g ha^-1of imidacloprid), and A6 (3 × 10¹² M. a. conidia ha^-1 525g ha^-1 of imidacloprid). The reductions in the numbers of M. fimbriolata nymphs per treatment compared to the control were similar at 15 DAT (days after treatment) in all treatments except combination A5 (M. anisopliae and thiamethoxam). At 30 DAT, the numbers of nymphs were significantly reduced in all treatments except A3, and their effectiveness ranged from 14.28% to 92.85%. At 45 DAT the numbers of M. fimbriolata nymphs per treatment were significantly reduced in the following treatments: imidacloprid alone at 700g ha^-1, A1, A2, A3, A4 and A6; and the combinations A1 and A2 caused the lowest M. fimbriolata nymph infestations and effectiveness rates of 77.41 and 87.09 %, respectively. At 75 DAT the 2 best control efficacies occurred in treatments A1 (3 × 10¹² M. a. conidia ha^-1 of 65g ha^-1 of thiamethoxam) (82.1%) and A5 (78.6%) (3 × 10¹² M. a. conidia ha^-1 350 g ha^-1of imidacloprid). At 90 DAT the number of nymphs in the control had increased 2.8 fold over the number at 75 DAT. Very good control efficacies at 90 DAT occurred in all treatments with the combination of the fungus with an insecticide. At 105 DAT the numbers of nymphs had surged in all treatments, and no treatment provided effective control. The treatments with the highest earnings per hectare were A1 (3 × 10¹² M. a. conidia ha^-1 65 g thiamethoxam) and M. anisopliae alone at the recommended dose of 3 × 10 ¹² M. a. conidia ha^-1. Our findings demonstrate the effectiveness of using either thiamethoxam or imidacloprid in combination with M. anisopliae to control M. fimbriolata nymphs on sugarcane, but greater net earnings per hectare occurred with the lowest rate of the thiamethoxam combination than with any of the imidacloprid combinations.

Field surveys for the Bemisia tabaci complex were conducted from 2009 to 2013 in Korea, and the results were compared with published data of the B. tabaci complex. Three species, MED, MEAM1, and JpL, were collected from several provinces. The MED was mainly collected in greenhouses, displacing the earlier invasive species, MEAM1, and the JpL species was collected in the field. JpL is newly confirmed as a unique species of B. tabaci species complex in Korea and Japan.

First occurrence of the invasive aphid species, Wahlgreniella nervata (Gillette) (Hemiptera: Aphididae) is reported from material collected in Bengaluru, India. Apterous and alate viviparous females were found feeding on tender shoots, young leaves and flower buds of rose (Rosaceae). The identity of this aphid species is supported by morphometrics (aptera and alata) corroborated with molecular analysis based on a fragment of the mitochondrial DNA containing the 5′ region of the cytochrome c oxidase 1 (mtCOI). Diagnostic characters to differentiate W. nervata from other major aphid species viz., Macrosiphum rosae (Linnaeus) and Sitobion rosaeiformis (Das), on Rosa spp., its host plants, distribution and natural enemies are provided. This is a new distributional record of W. nervata. The invasive species compendium developed by CAB International, 2013 has listed W. nervata as invasive in nature.

Since the 1960s, the USA has led all other countries in the production of sweet corn (Zea mays L.), and Florida has often led the nation, such as from 2004 to 2009. Picture-winged flies, or corn silk flies, including Euxesta stigmatias Loew, E. eluta Loew, E. annonae F., and Chaetopsis massyla Walker (Diptera: Ulidiidae), are serious pests of field and sweet corn in southern Florida. Control has focused on the use of chemical insecticides, but efforts have begun to explore other control methods, such as using predatory arthropods. We studied the timing, abundance, identification, and predatory status of ulidiids and other arthropod species associated with corn ears growing in the field in the spring, summer, and fall of 2010. Predators of ulidiids included Orius insidiosus Say (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae), Anotylus insignitus (Gravenhorst) (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae), Chrysoperla carnea Smith (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae), Zelus longipes (L.) (Hemiptera: Reduviidae), and potentially other arthropod species. Larvae of A. insignitus, C. carnea, and nymphs and adults of O. insidiosus consumed eggs and larvae of ulidiids in laboratory no-choice tests. Other than ulidiid eggs and/or larvae, O. insidiosus was the most abundant arthropod species in the silking (R1) stage of corn in all 3 seasons. Sap beetle larvae or adults (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae) were the most abundant arthropod groups in the spring blister stage (R2) and in milk stages (R3) of the spring and fall. The most abundant groups in the summer R2 and R3 stages included A. insignitus larvae and sap beetle larvae and adults, and in the summer R2, also O. insidiosus. The most abundant groups in the fall R2 were O. insidiosus, sap beetle adults, Thrips sp. (Thysanoptera: Thripidae), and mites. Chrysoperla carnea was found only in the summer, and Z. longipes only in the fall. In all 3 seasons, ulidiid eggs were more abundant than larvae in the R1 stage, but larvae usually outnumbered eggs in the R2 and R3 stages. Each of the groups, O. insidiosus and eggs and larvae of ulidiids, were most abundant in the summer followed by the fall and least abundant in the spring. These findings may help in determining spatial distributions and functional responses of these predators to further evaluate their potential to control ulidiid flies.

Tropical soda apple (Solanum viarum Dunal) (Solanaceae) is a small shrub native to South America that is invasive in pastures and conservation areas across Florida. Dense patches of tropical soda apple not only reduce cattle stocking rates and limit their movement, but also serve as reservoirs for pests of solanaceous crops. A classical biological control program was initiated in 1994 with exploration for natural enemies of tropical soda apple in Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay. Host specificity tests conducted under laboratory and field conditions demonstrated that the leaf feeding beetle Gratiana boliviana Dunal (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) was a specialist herbivore that completes development only on the target weed. After obtaining appropriate permits, field releases of G. boliviana were initiated in Florida in May of 2003. Larvae and adults of G. boliviana feed on tropical soda apple leaves and may completely defoliate their host plants, resulting in reduced growth and fruit production. Mass rearing facilities for the beetle were established in northern, central and southern Florida, and adults were either hand-carried or transported to release sites by overnight courier. From 2003 to 2011, a total of 250,723 beetles were released and they became established throughout Florida, however, their impact is more noticeable in regions below latitude 29 °N. Reductions of tropical soda apple densities caused by damage by the beetle were visible 2-3 yr after initial release, or in some cases, within a few months. Various methods of technology transfer were used to inform the public, land owners, funding agencies and scientists about the biological control program, including articles in trade magazines, extension publications, websites, videos, field days and scientific publications. The project was successful because of the coordinated efforts of personnel from federal, state and county agencies.

In order to optimally time the application of control measures to reduce populations of malaria vectors, program managers need to know precisely when the vulnerable larval stage will be most abundant at each specific breeding site. Therefore at 4 different breeding sites of the malaria vectors, Anopheles pseudopunctipennis Theobald and Anopheles argyritarsis Robineau-Desvoidy in northwestern Argentina, we recorded the calendar dates during spring and summer when different life stages appeared, and in each of these 2 seasons, we measured the duration of each life stage and the probability that it would transition to the subsequent stage or die. Larval samples were collected during the spring and summer of 2008-2009 at 4 localities in northwestern Argentina. These larvae were reared individually in plastic containers in which the volume of water was kept constant, temperature and photoperiod were controlled, and a standard amount of food was provided each day. The data were analyzed by multistate models, a nonparametric model of survival without covariates, a survival model with covariates, a Cox-type survival model with specific co-variates, and models of reduced rank. We collected 1,643 larvae of which 1,404 reached adulthood. Of these 1,119 were An. pseudopunctipennis, and 285 were An. argyritarsis. Both An. pseudopunctipennis and An. argyritarsis were abundant in autumn (55.3% and 66.7%, respectively). Considerably more individuals transitioned from larvae to pupae than from pupae to adults. The probability of an individual remaining in the larval stage for the first 2 days was close to 100% and then decreased. The transition from the larval stage to death was significant in the summer. The breeding site at Rosario de la Frontera exhibited a particularly significant effect on the transition from the larval stage to death, i.e., greatly increased larval mortality. The results obtained in the present study are substantial contributions to the bionomics of An. pseudopunctipennis and An. argyritarsis. According to our results, mosquito source management programs should be focused on the larval stage during the summer season and principally at Rosario de la Frontera River. These actions could substantially reduce the production of the adult vectors and potentially reduce transmission of malaria in northwestern Argentina.

The late-instar larva of Phucobius simulator Sharp is described for the first time, being also the first larval description of the genus Phucobius Sharp. Nine unknown larvae were collected in association with adults of P. simulator from seashores of Korea and Japan. The unknown larvae were identified as P. simulator by DNA sequencing. Diagnostic characters of the species are provided, with illustrations.

The redbay ambrosia beetle, Xyleborus glabratus Eichhoff, vectors laurel wilt, Raffaelea lauricola T.C. Harr., Fraedrich & Aghayeva, that quickly kills all large diam (> 2.5cm) redbay trees [Persea borbonia (L.) Sprengel] in an area but smaller diam trees (< 2.5cm) survive for years. We measured densities of X. glabratus attacks on hanging bolts of freshly cut mature redbay annually for 5 yr (2007–2011) at 7 locations varying in age of infestation from newly infested in 2007 to those that were among the oldest infested areas (infested in 2002 or earlier), to determine if populations persist after mature host trees are gone. Attack densities on redbay bolts at the field sites varied from 10–25 X. glabratus attacks/100cm² where large dying redbay trees were still present, to < 1 attack/100cm² at sites where few or no trees > 2.5 cm diam near ground level were still living at the beginning of the study in 2007. Despite having no large trees available, populations of the beetle persisted at 2 of the 3 oldest infested sites throughout the 5-year survey period (2007–2011). In 2012 we studied X. glabratus utilization of small diam redbay wood as a possible explanation of how populations might survive in these areas in the absence of larger trees. In laboratory trials, X. glabratus produced 27.8 ± 6.63 adults/gallery (± SE) from 18 galleries constructed in portions of redbay trees that averaged 3.2 ± 0.02 cm diam at the point of attack. The smallest stem section to support a successful gallery was 1.7 cm diam but it produced only 2 adults. In field trials no attacks occurred in portions of stems < 1.6 cm diam. Upon stem dissection, more brood was found in stem sections near the ground (0–10 cm) than in those over 80 cm above ground. In addition, brood abundance in10 cm long tree sections exhibited a positive non-linear relationship (cubic polynomial; R² = 0.21) with section diam. Our data suggest that X. glabratus can maintain low populations in areas devoid of large redbay by utilizing 2–3 cm diam portions of small trees primarily near ground level.

By influencing the exchange of pollen, floral visitor behavior largely promotes the reproductive success of the plants. Pontederia sagittata (C. Presl) (Commelinales: Pontederiaceae) is a tristylous species whose morphs (long-styled L, mid-styled M and short-styled S) differ in the arrangement of reproductive organs and the amounts and accessibility for food for pollinating insects. We evaluated the behavior of 2 common contemporary visitors to inflorescences, the exotic bee Apis mellifera (L.) (Apidae), a not historical pollinator, and the flower fly Lycastrirhyncha nitens (Bigot) (Syrphidae), a frequent visitor already reported on this aquatic plant, based on HD video records of the number of individuals and the frequency and duration of their visits to 300 inflorescences. Both species of insects preferred to visit S-morph inflorescences. Pollen collection and nectar feeding were the most important activities of the bees, whereas flower flies were observed fed only on nectar. Thus, these behaviors could play an important role in reproduction in the study population of P. sagittata.

The sugarcane borer, Diatraea saccharalis (F.) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae), which attacks sugarcane, corn, sorghum, sudan grass and rice, is a major agronomic pest in the southeastern United States. This study was conducted to investigate the efficacy of different rates of Dermacor-X-100® (active ingredient, chlorantraniliprole) seed treatments on D. saccharalis in rice in the laboratory, greenhouse and field. In laboratory assays using cut stems, Dermacor-X-100® resulted in 40–50% more mortality than in the control, while in greenhouse intact plant assays Dermacor-X-100® resulted in approximately 70–80% higher mortality compared to controls. In the field study, Dermacor-X-100® seed treatment resulted in significantly lower numbers of borer entry and exit holes per plant. Results from this study suggest that Dermacor-X-100® seed treatment could be used as a valuable component of integrated pest management program for stem borers in Louisiana rice. As the boring behavior of larvae, life cycle and injury caused by most stem borers are generally similar, and because the active ingredient in Dermacor-X-100® is highly efficacious against lepidopteran pests, results for D. saccharalis may extend to management of other stem boring species as well.

We tested lures in Washington and Georgia containing methyl (E,E,Z)-2,4,6-decatrienoate and/or methyl (E,Z)-2,4-decadienoate for capturing stink bug species (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae). In both states, we consistently captured adult females of the digger wasp Astata occidentalis Cresson (Hymenoptera: Sphecidae) in traps with lures that contained methyl (E,E,Z)-2,4,6-decatrienoate but not in traps with lures that contained only methyl (E,Z)-2,4-decadienoate. Astata occidentalis is a predator of pentatomid stink bugs (Hemiptera) and apparently uses methyl (E,E,Z)-2,4,6-decatrienoate as a host-finding kairomone. Methyl (E,E,Z)-2,4,6-decatrienoate is an aggregation pheromone of Plauti stali Scott (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) that is also attractive to, and used for monitoring, the exotic brown marmorated stink bug, Halyomorpha halys Stål (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae). Wasps were captured from Jul through Sep with peak response in Aug in Washington. In Georgia, wasp capture was highest as soon as traps were deployed in late May/early Jun, and then capture peaked again during Jul.

Solenopsis invicta, a fire ant originally from the grasslands of South America, has become an important exotic pest in the USA, East Asia, and elsewhere. This species arrived by ship in Mobile, Alabama in the 1930s and has since spread across much of the southern USA. Beginning in 1981, S. invicta has been reported from a growing number of West Indian islands, including Puerto Rico (1981), the Virgin Islands (1988), the Bahamas (1993), Antigua (2000), Caicos Islands (2001), Anguilla (2006), St Martin (2006), Barbuda (2007), Montserrat (2007), Nevis (2007), St Kitts (2007), Aruba (2007), and Jamaica (2010). In the present study, we examined the status of S. invicta on the island of Trinidad.

Although the first published record of S. invicta in Trinidad dates to 2000, we have reliable records of this species from sugarcane and rice growing areas of west-central Trinidad dating to 1991 and specimens collected in 1993. In 2003–2004, we surveyed ants at sites all over Trinidad to document the distribution of S. invicta and its congener, Solenopsis geminata. We collected S. invicta at 60 sites, all in west-central Trinidad. In contrast, we collected Solenopsis geminata at 158 sites spread across all 7 counties of Trinidad. The highest densities S. invicta populations occurred in County Caroni, with scattered populations extending into disturbed areas of County St. George to the north and east, and County Victoria to the south. As of 2004, S. invicta occupied ∼10% of the island, but we see no reason why this species will not spread throughout most open, disturbed sites in Trinidad, displacing S. geminata as the dominant fire ant on the island.

Evolutionary and biological patterns can be obscured by inadequate or ill-defined terminology. An example is the generally very specific relationship between the sap-feeding hemipteran group, psyllids, and their breeding plants, commonly called host-plants. The literature is clogged with references to so called ‘hosts’, which are often merely plants on which psyllids were found accidentally, and no immature development was detected. Recently the term host has also been applied by some authors to any plant on which immature or adults feed. Here we propose a terminology to clarify associated plant definitions, and we suggest restricting the use of the term host-plant to plants on which a psyllid species completes its immature to adult life cycle. For the other plant associations we suggest the terms overwintering or shelter plant (plants on which adult psyllids overwinter and on which they may feed), food plant (plants on which adult psyllids feed, but do not breed and do not spend an extended period of time) and casual plant (plants on which adult psyllids land but do not feed).

The description of two new species of the genus Deuteraphorura Absolon, 1901 from Doftana Valley, Romania is given. Deuteraphorura dianae sp. nov. has the pseudocellar formula dorsally: 32/033/33353 and ventrally: 3/011/3112. Deuteraphorura doftana sp. nov. is characterized by its dorsal (33/033/33354) and ventral (3/011/3212) pseudocellar formulae. A proposed key to the all species of Deuteraphorura from the world without pseudocelli on the thoracic tergum I is also presented.

Raoiella indica Hirst (Acari: Tenuipalpidae), a pest of coconut and other species of palms, recently invaded the Western Hemisphere. Amblyseius largoensis (Muma) (Acari: Phytoseiidae), is a predatory mite found associated with R. indica in different parts of the world. Exclusion and release tactics were used to obtain coconut palms with varying levels of A. largoensis in order to quantify their effects on R. indica densities. Four treatments consisting of 4 rates of release of A. largoensis females (0 = control, 1:10, 1:20 and 1:30 A. largoensis: R. indica) were tested. The releases of A. largoensis resulted in a significant reduction of R. indica densities and less damaged leaf area in the treated coconut palms compared to the controls within 3 months. The largest pest density reduction (∼92%) was observed at the highest predator release rate (1:10 A. largoensis: R. indica). The other 2 release rates (1:20 and 1:30 A. largoensis: R. indica) caused significant and equivalent reductions in pest densities (55 and 43%, respectively). Results of this study support the hypothesis that A. largoensis is an important mortality factor of R. indica and should be considered as a key biological control agent in IPM programs targeting R. indica.

A new species of the genus Synersaga Gozmány, Synersaga atriptera Xu & Wang sp. nov. (Lepidoptera: Lecithoceridae) is described from China. Adults, wing venation and male genitalia are illustrated. The new species is similar to S. nigriptera, but is distinguished by the wing venation and the male genitalia. The ground color of wings of S. atriptera sp. nov. is darker than that of the wings of S. nigriptera, especially the hind wings; the forewing of S. atriptera sp. nov. has a broad and blackish transverse outer line, which it is not present in S. nigriptera; and the fringe of S. nigriptera has a paler basal line, which it is not obvious in S. atriptera sp. nov. Juxta of S. atriptera sp. nov. has a pair of claviform lateral lobes, which are separated at the base. Juxta of S. nigriptera also has a pair of claviform lateral lobes, but they are connected at the base by a heavily sclerotized band. Type specimens were deposited in the Insect Collection of the Department of Entomology, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China.