One of the most important recent changes in sugarcane cultural practices in Tucumán, Argentina, is the adoption of the practice of green-cane harvesting, which involves harvesting the sugarcane crop in the absence of burning. The objective of this study was to assess the impact of the post-harvest crop residue (also sometimes known as “trash blanket”) on Elasmopalpus lignosellus (Zeller) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) and Pseudaletia unipuncta Haworth (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) population dynamics in sugarcane. The study was conducted in ratoon crops for 3 growing seasons (2011, 2012, and 2013) and at 3 locations in the state of Tucumán, Argentina. The treatments consisted of rows with the crop residue burned and the crop residue retained. Removal of the crop residue by burning, compared with retention, resulted in significantly greater crop damage by E. lignosellus in all locations and years. In contrast, damage by P. unipuncta was observed exclusively on plots where crop residue was retained. Comparing the pest status of 2 insects, E. lignosellus seems to be more consistently deleterious to sugarcane yield than P. unipuncta, and chemical control of this species is not very effective. Therefore, leaving the crop residue in place seems to be the most appropriate crop management approach, although it is important also to monitor P. unipuncta populations in order to implement control should it be necessary.

Brazilian peppertree, Schinus terebinthifolia Raddi (Sapindales: Anacardiaceae), is one of the most invasive weeds in Florida and Hawaii. In the invaded range, this fast-growing weed from South America poses a threat to agriculture and cattle production and decreases the biodiveristy of natural areas. The thrips Pseudophilothrips ichini (Hood) (Thysanoptera: Phlaeothripidae) is being studied as a potential agent for the biological control of this weed. The laboratory life history and native range of P. ichini in Brazil were examined over 10 yr. The thrips life history includes 2 feeding larval stages that occur on the plant and 3 non-feeding pupal stages that occur in the soil. Development time, body length, and distinct features of each life stage are described. The larva-to-adult development required 20 d, and adults lived for an average of 50 d. Pseudophilothrips ichini had a wide latitudinal range in Brazil along the eastern coast from Bahia (11.4°S) south to Santa Catarina State (27.1°S). It was collected from sea level to 1,329 m elevation. Observations in Brazil indicated that this thrips occurs year round and may occasionally reach high densities (>20 thrips/leaf). Despite searches in its native range of related plants, the thrips was found only on Brazilian peppertree. Considering the short generation time, broad environmental tolerance, host specificity, and damage caused to the host if this thrips is released for biological control, it will contribute significantly to the management of Brazilian peppertree.

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) produced by the neem tree (Azadirachta indica A. Juss.; Sapindales: Meliaceae) are known to alter growth and development of several insects. Additionally, the insect's gut microbiota and immune response are key components in insect development and have been linked to increased resistance to insecticides. In the present study, larval mortality, immune response, and intestinal bacteria changes in the cabbage looper, Trichoplusia ni (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), induced by VOCs of dried and milled neem leaves, stems, and bark were investigated. Exposure of neonates to 10 g of mixed dried leaves and stems resulted in 79 and 63% mortality of laboratory and field T. ni strains, respectively. In addition, differences were observed in larval weights and pupal sizes during 30 d of incubation. Further studies included transcript amplification of enterobacteria genes and genes related to immune responses and chemical synthetic insecticide resistance. Midguts from the VOC-exposed laboratory strain of T. ni larvae over-transcribed cytochrome P450 (CYP4L4), PGRP, lysozyme, attacin, cecropin, defensin, gallerimycin, and lebocin, compared with unexposed control larvae, whereas ribosomal protein S5 (internal control) and caspase transcripts did not show changes. These samples revealed reduced enterobacteria transcript amplification (27%), suggesting bacterial repression. The effect of neem VOCs on the immune response may in part explain the inhibitory effect on the molting process, in which chitin is broken down to release the old cuticle between instars. Because neem leaves, stems, and bark are widely used as fertilizers, their potential application in pest management programs for controlling T. ni on host crops (cauliflower, broccoli, or cabbage) is discussed.

The pink hibiscus mealybug, Maconellicoccus hirsutus (Green) (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae), occurs widely in Brazil, causing damage to some crops. However, information on beneficial insects acting to control populations of this pest in Brazil is practically non-existent. A survey was conducted in the state of São Paulo. The insect associates of M. hirsutus recorded on Hibiscus rosa-sinensis L. (Malvales: Malvaceae) were the parasitoid Gyranusoidea indica Shafee, Alam & Agarwal (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) and the predators Cycloneda sanguinea (L.), Cryptolaemus montrouzieri Mulsant, Chilocorus nigrita (F.), Exoplectra sp., Harmonia axyridis (Pallas), Tenuisvalvae notata (Mulsant) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), and Ceraeochrysa sp. (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae). Cryptolaemus montrouzieri was the most commonly collected species on populations of M. hirsutus infesting plants of H. rosa-sinensis. Chilocorus nigrita, Exoplectra sp., H. axyridis, T. notata, and Ceraeochrysa sp. were associated for the first time with M. hirsutus, and G. indica was recorded for the first time in Brazil.

We report the results from surveys conducted in 2013 and 2014 to monitor insecticide susceptibility in Florida field populations of the Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (Hemiptera: Liviidae). These surveys are a component of the insecticide resistance management program for D. citri, which is the vector of ‘Candidatus’ Liberibacter asiaticus. ‘Candidatus’ Liberibacter asiaticus is the plant pathogen that causes citrus greening disease. The insecticides evaluated (carbaryl, chlorpyrifos, dimethoate, fenpropathrin, flupyradifurone, imidacloprid, and thiamethoxam) represent several modes of action and are among those that are currently used to manage D. citri in commercial groves in Florida. The 2013 and 2014 surveys revealed a decrease in the resistance ratios at the 50% response level (RR50) as compared with the 2009 survey, which was the last time this parameter was investigated. The results of the 2013 and 2014 surveys suggest a reversal to pre-2009 susceptibility levels in D. citri populations statewide for all modes of action tested. These results suggest that implementation of effective rotations and area-wide management of this pathogen vector may have contributed to insecticide stewardship.

Thaumastocoris peregrinus Carpintero and Dellapé (Hemiptera: Thaumastocoridae), damages eucalyptus plants by sucking their sap. This pest can be controlled by releases of the egg parasitoid Cleruchoides noackae Lin and Huber (Hymenoptera: Mymaridae). Increasing the survival of this parasitoid is critically important for its mass rearing in order to release large numbers in integrated programs to manage T. peregrinus. The aim of this study was to evaluate the longevity of C. noackae adults fed various honey concentrations at 6 constant temperatures. The longevity of C. noackae was studied by keeping adults in a 1st experiment with 100, 50, or 10% honey solution, with distilled water, or without water and food in climate-controlled chambers at 25 ± 2 °C, 70 ± 10% RH, and a 12:12 h L:D photoperiod and—in a 2nd experiment—with 100% honey at constant temperatures of 15, 18, 21, 25, 28, or 31 °C in a climatic chamber at 70 ± 10% RH and a 12:12 h L:D photoperiod. Each adult parasitoid was held individually in a glass tube capped with plastic wrap under the conditions described, and the survival of adults was recorded daily. The longevity of C. noackae varied with food and temperature such that longevity was enhanced by all honey concentrations and temperatures of 25 °C and below. When fed honey, this parasitoid lived 2 to 3 fold longer when kept at 15, 18, 21, and 25 °C than at 28 and 31 °C. Thus, the parasitoid C. noackae should be mass reared with honey at temperatures from 15 to 25 °C for subsequent distribution of parasitoid adults in eucalyptus plantations for suppressing T. peregrinus.

Crape myrtle, Lagerstroemia species (Myrtales: Lythraceae), has become a dominant flowering plant in the ecosystems of the southeastern USA. Examination of flower records for bees shows few records of pollinators visiting these species even though they produce dimorphic pollen. Sampling of bees from a multi-cultivar crape myrtle planting at the University of Florida's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, North Florida Research & Education Center in Quincy, Florida, via established transect walks in 2009 and 2010, and intensive net collecting in 2011, indicated that bee species from several functional groups (based on taxonomy, body size, and sociality) visited crape myrtle. Results also indicated that crape myrtle cultivars were used differently by the following major bee species (Hymenoptera: Apidae): the honey bee, Apis mellifera L.; the bumble bees Bombus impatiens Cresson and Bombus fraternus (Smith); and the carpenter bees Xylocopa micans Lepeletier and Xylocopa virginica (L.). Numbers of the native bumble bee species varied significantly between years whereas those of honey bees did not. All bee species displayed a marked preference for specific cultivars through time. Bombus impatiens exhibited a very patchy distribution related to the availability of bahiagrass flowering in the understory; these bees used bahiagrass but quickly returned to crape myrtle when bahiagrass was mowed. This suggests that the relationship between this pollinator and the non-native crape myrtle is a weak interaction and a number of unstudied factors may be affecting it. The presence of artificial colonies of B. impatiens resulted in a patchy distribution of these bees nearest the colonies. In contrast, the presence of a honey bee colony near the plot had no effect on honey bee numbers or distribution within the plot. Crape myrtle appears to provide a pollen source for several native bee species as well as for honey bees. Evidence suggests that certain combinations of crape myrtle cultivars could provide additional spatial and temporal support for a diversity of functional groups of pollinators and may augment pollinator species richness. Moreover, as crape myrtle blooms during summer months when other pollen sources are scarce, it has great potential to alleviate stress on pollinators due to food shortages. This work is congruent with previous research demonstrating that crape myrtle supports a large number of beneficial insects, and it further defines the importance of this non-native plant species in impacting several regulating ecosystem services.

The spotted lanternfly, Lycorma delicatula (White) (Hemiptera: Fulgoridae), has recently emerged as an invasive pest in the United States, threatening the grape and tree fruit industries. The biology of L. delicatula is poorly known. This invasive pest has rapidly spread and established itself in new regions (e.g., South Korea), taking advantage of a wide range of host plants, but virtually no studies of the dispersal capacity and patterns of the species have been published. Harmonic radar tracking provides a new tool to study the dispersal of small animals such as insects in natural field settings. In this study, we discuss procedures that allow secure attachment of harmonic radar tags on the 4th instar nymphs of L. delicatula. The adhesive bond strength between the radar tag and the nymph was sufficiently great for operational use, yielding 431.10 ± 43.37 g forces (mean ± SE). Variations in L. delicatula body size of did not affect the adhesive bond strength. Neither horizontal mobility nor vertical climbing ability of L. delicatula was affected by radar tagging when compared with untagged controls. Also, there was no significant difference in the jumping ability of radar-tagged and untagged insects. Finally, radar tagging did not affect the survivorship of L. delicatula over a 3 d test period. The results of this study indicate that the harmonic radar system can be applied successfully to 4th instars of L. delicatula without changing their mobility and survivorship. This technology facilitates study of the dispersal capacity and behavior of this invasive species under natural field conditions, and this information can serve as a basis for the development of effective monitoring and management strategies.

The morphology and distribution of sensilla on the antennal flagella of male and female adults of Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae), were investigated by using scanning and transmission electron microscopy (SEM and TEM). Behavioral responses of male and female adults were measured with 12 host-plant and leaf-volatile stimuli. No sexual dimorphism was observed in the distribution and types of sensilla. Two types of sensilla, trichodea and basiconica, were observed on the antennae. Sensilla trichodea were distributed on all antennal segments but were most abundant on the last 3 segments. In contrast, sensilla basiconica were found exclusively on the last 3 segments of the antenna. TEM cross sections showed sensilla trichodea to have a thick cuticular wall and regular point-shaped pores around the cuticular wall. Sensilla basiconica possessed a thin wall and continuous pores and dendrites. The pores on the walls of the sensilla indicate that they play a role in sensing chemical stimuli and in olfactory functions. Female and male adults of T. castaneum showed broad overlap in their behavioral responses to various odors. Preference for some volatiles was noted, but after removal of the 3 terminal antennal segments, there was no significant preference for any compound that had been previously attractive to the beetles when tested with the complete antennae.

The Japanese pine sawyer, Monochamus alternatus Hope (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae), is a major pest of coniferous forests. Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner (Bacillales: Bacillaceae) (Bt) is an ecosystem-friendly agent for the control of pest insects. To identify the genes that are potentially associated with Bt toxicology, differentially expressed gene (DGE) libraries of M. alternatus after 20 h of exposure to a sublethal concentration of Bt were prepared from dissected midgut tissue. The transcripts were sequenced using the Illumina sequencing platform. After quality checks, the total numbers of clean reads were 29.20 and 41.53 million in the control and Bt-exposed libraries, respectively. We found that 947 and 8,895 unique genes were significantly up- and down-regulated, respectively. The annotation of the non-redundant sequences using the Gene Ontology database identified 3,837 sequences involved in cellular components, 3,190 sequences involved in molecular functions, and 6,930 sequences involved in biological processes, and showed that the genes were distributed across 50 categories. The Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway enrichment analysis indicated that the top 20 enriched pathways included metabolism of xenobiotics by the cytochrome P450 pathway and steroid hormone biosynthesis. Seventy-four DEGs were enriched in the metabolism of xenobiotics by the cytochrome P450 pathway, including the DEGs encoding Cyp1A1 (cytochrome P450, family 1, subfamily A, polypeptide 1), Cyp1A2 (cytochrome P450, family 1, subfamily A, polypeptide 2), Cyp3A (cytochrome P450, family 3, subfamily A), aldehyde dehydrogenase (NAD[P] ) and ADH1_7 (alcohol dehydrogenase 1/7), all of which were up-regulated. However, the DEGs encoding cathepsin L and CBR1 (carbonyl reductase 1) were down-regulated. Therefore, the effects of Bt on M. alternatus are complex and time dependent. This study is a first step toward achieving an understanding of the profile of the secondary targets of Bt in M. alternatus, and the results may provide insights for further exploration of the functions of the target genes in detoxification and resistance to Bt.

Stored product pests account for as much as 10% of food loss worldwide. Insects such as the confused flour beetle, Tribolium confusum Jacquelin du Val (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae), are major pests of small grain in storage bins and grain elevators in Montana. Cold winters and dry summers have traditionally helped reduce levels of T. confusum in storage bins. However, with change in winter temperatures, this pest has become harder to manage using physical measures such as desiccation. The alternative, the chemical insecticide aluminum phosphide, is effective at controlling T. confusum in grain stores but is highly toxic to mammals, and recently there has been development of resistance in grain pests. Newly approved biologically based insecticides can provide appreciable levels of control without the drawbacks of aluminum phosphide. In this study, we tested the short-term effectiveness of spinosad (extracts of Saccharopolyspora spinosa Mertz and Yao; Actinomycetales: Pseudonocardiaceae) and Beauveria bassiana (Bals.-Criv.) Vuill. (Hypocreales: Cordycipitaceae) (a fungus-based insecticide) for their effectiveness against T. confusum under various temperature regimes. Insects exposed to low temperature (8 °C) sustained high rates of mortality (about 80% for the control and both treatments). When held at 16 °C, mortality was low for both biologically based insecticide treatments and the control. At 22 °C, spinosad induced high mortality, whereas at 25 °C, B. bassiana induced mortality. Overall, our results indicate that temperature affected the effectiveness of these biologically based insecticides against the confused flour beetle and may be important when considering implementation of control programs in grain stores.

The objective of this study was to compare growth and development of Helicoverpa zea Boddie and Helicoverpa armigera Hübner (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) larvae that were feeding on an artificial diet. Neonate larvae of H. zea and H. armigera were collected in maize fields cultivated at the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation, Embrapa Maize & Sorghum, in Sete Lagoas (Minas Gerais) and in farmers' cotton fields in Luís Eduardo Magalhães (Bahia), respectively. Bioassays were conducted in the laboratory using individual larvae in 50 mL plastic cups fed a white bean—based artificial diet and maintained at a temperature of 26 ± 2 °C and a relative humidity of 47 ± 10%. The following larval biological parameters were evaluated: number and duration of instars, survival of larval instars and pupae, larval biomass, larval head capsule size, and larval length. An adaptation index was computed for comparison of development of the 2 species. Significant differences were observed between the species for all variables except for the number of instars and pupal survival. Although H. armigera larvae developed faster and were smaller than H. zea larvae, the diet tested can be considered adequate for rearing both species in the laboratory.

Two chemotypes of Melaleuca quinquenervia (Cav.) S. T. Blake (Myrtales: Myrtaceae) saplings were planted in a common garden under 2 water treatments and exposed to either restricted or unrestricted herbivory from 2 insect herbivores. Chemotypes consisted of either a predominately E-nerolidol terpenoid complex or one that consisted primarily of viridiflorol; both types had influenced the performance or preference of both insect herbivores in laboratory studies. The densities of the 2 specialist herbivores Boreioglycaspis melaleucae Moore (Hemiptera: Psyllidae) and Oxyops vitiosa Pascoe (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) were monitored regularly as they colonized the plantings, as were plant responses like leaf abscission and tree height. Neither the chemotype nor the water treatments influenced the densities of B. melaleucae and O. vitiosa. Trees subjected to unrestricted herbivory shed more leaf biomass than those protected by insecticides from herbivory. There was no relationship between the amount of biomass shed via abscission and the density of either herbivore despite a significant correlation with a damage rating developed for O. vitiosa. There was a chemotype response to herbivory whereby more leaf biomass was shed by the E-nerolidol chemotype than by the viridiflorol chemotype when subjected to unrestricted herbivory. Tree height was influenced by herbivory but not chemotype or water, although there were separate 2-way interactions between all factors. Thus, despite equal herbivore pressure, the response of young M. quinquenervia trees to abiotic and biotic forces diverged at the plant variant level.

Spartina alterniflora Loisel. (Poales: Poaceae) salt marshes provide unique conditions for organisms to develop specialized morphological and behavioral traits. Crematogaster pilosa Emery (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) ants nest in S. alterniflora stems and display polydomy (i.e., multiple nests per colony), which has not been observed in terrestrial populations of this species. We identified new colonies of C. pilosa in S. alterniflora dominated salt marshes of Sapelo Island, Georgia (USA), and characterized the vegetation structure associated with ant presence. Crematogaster pilosa colonies were found most often 2 to 10 m from tidal creek channels in areas with expansive intermediate-height S. alterniflora. Marsh patches with abundant brown leaf vegetation above the high water level were most likely to have ants present (P = 0.03). These areas have extensive vegetation that remains dry during tidal advances, are protected from tidal surges, and most often occur along depositional banks of tidal creeks. Ant populations do not occur in the upland portion of the S. alterniflora marsh, presumably due to a lack of elevated habitat. Persistence of C. pilosa within S. alterniflora salt marshes is tied to the availability of connected habitat that avoids tidal submersion. The narrow band of intermediate-height S. alterniflora plants along tidal creeks provides both the needed horizontal structure and dry vegetation, allowing a terrestrial ant to colonize this seemingly atypical environment.

The nesting biology and some foraging activities of the familiar, brilliant metallic green, small carpenter bee Ceratina (Pithitis) smaragdula (F.) (Hymenoptera: Apidae) is documented from the northwestern-most extent of its natural distribution, as the species is a potentially important pollinator of leguminous and cucurbit crops in the region. Numerous nests around the village of Ismaila, Swabi, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province, Pakistan, were observed and sampled from Jun through Aug 2012. Nest details were recorded and foraging times on various floral species were documented, with bees preferentially nesting in wooden stalks of Ravenna grass (Saccharum ravennae L.; Poales: Poaceae), life cycles lasting 28 to 32 d, and conditions offering the potential for easy management. The importance of such studies on wild bees in Pakistan is stressed, as are the development of biotic surveys on bees and the training of regional melittologists, coupled with outreach activities.

Scyphophorus acupunctatus Gyllenhal (Coleoptera: Dryophthoridae) is one of the most important insect pests of wild and cultivated agaves in Mexico. For managing this weevil, it is important to have a method for detecting and sampling its population density. The weevil's life cycle takes place inside the agave plant, which makes sampling of the weevil difficult. The use of traps baited with synthetic pheromone plus agave tissue is a useful tool for sampling the population density of this pest. Using the capture-mark-release-recapture method, we investigated the attraction range of traps baited with synthetic pheromone plus agave tissue to capture S. acupunctatus. We also evaluated several inter-trap distances to determine the best density of traps for monitoring this insect. Our results showed that these traps attracted S. acupunctatus up to a range of 120 m. In addition, we found that the cardinal point at which weevils were released affected their recapture. The results also showed that, in general, experiments with the longest inter-trap distances captured the most weevils. Thus, traps placed at 100 m in the 1st experiment, 200 m in the 2nd experiment, and 250 m in the 3rd experiment captured more weevils than traps placed at shorter distances. Based on our results of attraction range and inter-trap distances, we suggest that these pheromone-baited traps could be used for monitoring S. acupunctatus at densities of 1 trap per 6 ha of blue agave crop.

Dectes texanus LeConte (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) is a stem-boring cerambycid that is an agricultural pest of soybean and cultivated sunflower. For D. texanus, cultivated sunflower is thought to be nutritionally superior to soybean and preferred over soybean. This study compared the macronutrient levels in overwintering larvae and the pith of the host plants to determine if soybean is an inferior host. The levels of total protein, total carbohydrates, and total lipids were measured in larvae from sunflower and soybean; larval head capsule width and larval mass also were compared. There were no differences between levels of total protein and total carbohydrates per unit mass between larvae from the 2 hosts; however, larvae from sunflower had significantly higher levels of lipids than larvae from soybean. A comparison of head capsule width indicated that larvae from soybean had significantly larger head capsule widths than those from sunflower, suggesting that soybean-fed larvae were larger or were in a later instar. Larvae from soybean and sunflower did not have significantly different masses, unlike what was found in pupae in previous studies. Soybean pith had significantly higher protein and carbohydrate levels whereas sunflower pith had a significantly higher level of lipids. The results suggest that the nutritional differences between the 2 host plants did affect the nutritional content and possibly growth or development rates in D. texanus before diapause.

As in many other parts of the world, in El Salvador, few sea turtle (Testudines: Cheloniidae) eggs develop and hatch in situ on nesting beaches. Instead, conservationists relocate most sea turtle eggs to hatcheries for protection. Hatchery managers incubate the eggs in artificial nests within protected enclosures and then release the hatchling sea turtles into the ocean. We surveyed ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) on 2 sea turtle nesting beaches and at 14 sea turtle hatchery sites in El Salvador to evaluate the potential threat of predaceous ant species to sea turtle eggs and hatchlings. Of the ant species we found, only the tropical fire ant, Solenopsis geminata (F.) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), is a known threat to sea turtle hatchlings. We found S. geminata at 5 of 7 (71%) and 7 of 30 (23%) baits along sea turtle nesting beaches at Las Bocanitas and Las Isletas, respectively, and within the nest enclosures at 7 of 14 (50%) hatchery sites. Given the widespread use of hatcheries for protecting sea turtle eggs worldwide, we believe it is important for hatchery managers to recognize the potential threat that predaceous ants pose to hatchling sea turtles. Hatchery managers may be unknowingly releasing apparently healthy but stung hatchlings to the ocean, only to have the hatchlings soon die from sting-related impairment. Fortunately, because of the small size of the incubation enclosures, controlling ants at hatcheries by using chemicals that have low toxicity to vertebrates and that degrade quickly (e.g., hydramethylnon) should be safe, simple, and relatively inexpensive.

We demonstrated procedures to securely attach harmonic radar tags on adult Riptortus pedestris (F.) (Hemiptera: Alydidae) and verified that there were no detectable adverse effects of radar tag attachment on insect survivorship, or on walking or flight capacity. Thus, future studies should focus on individual-based tracking of R. pedestris to understand the dispersal capacity and pattern of this pest at landscape levels. These efforts will help us enhance monitoring and management tools for R. pedestris.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the toxicity of aqueous extracts of Annona squamosa L. (Magnoliales: Annonaceae), Azadirachta indica A. Juss (Sapindales: Meliaceae), Corymbia citriodora Hook. (Myrtales: Myrtaceae), Cymbopogon winterianus Jowitt ex Bor (Poales: Poaceae), Lippia sidoides Cham. (Lamiales: Verbenaceae), Mentha arvensis L. (Lamiales: Lamiaceae), Ricinus communis L. (Malpighiales: Euphorbiaceae), and Sapindus saponaria L. (Sapindales: Sapindaceae) on the developmental stages (eggs, 5th instars, and adults) of a generalist predator Podisus nigrispinus (Dallas) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae). The eggs were dipped in extract concentrations of 0, 1, 3, 5, 7, and 10%, and the nymphs and adults received 1 µL of each extract on the dorsal thorax. The extracts affected hatching, with the extracts of A. indica (flowers), A. squamosa, and R. communis being the most toxic. None of the extracts affected the mortality in the nymphal stage, whereas S. saponaria, A. indica (flowers), and L. sidoides extracts caused relatively high mortality rates in adults. Due to the insecticidal effect of these extracts, they need to be used with care because they affect the life cycle of the predator P. nigrispinus.

Three single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers were developed that were completely diagnostic in distinguishing the 2 fire ant species Solenopsis invicta Buren and Solenopsis richteri Forel (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Although a 4th marker was not fully diagnostic, it was still useful given that one of the variants was confined to S. richteri. Joint use of these markers was shown to consistently distinguish hybrids from the 2 parental species. The development of these SNP markers distinguishing the 2 introduced fire ant species and their hybrids represents a significant advance over existing methods because this method is robust, easily transferable, and cost effective.

The planthopper subfamily Asiracinae (Hemiptera: Auchenorrhyncha: Delphacidae) and the species Copicerus irroratus Swartz are reported for the first time for Colombia from an agricultural landscape at the Andean region (Villamaría, Caldas). Relevant diagnostic and biological features of the species are discussed. A key to the species of Copicerus is also provided.

The red palm mite, Raoiella indica Hirst (Acari: Tenuipalpidae), was found for the first time in the urban area of Dracena, state of São Paulo, southeastern Brazil, in May 2015, on Cocos nucifera L., Phoenix roebelenii O'Brien, and Rhapis excelsa (Thunb.) A. Henry (Arecales: Arecaceae). Raoiella indica was first reported in Brazil in the state of Roraima, in 2009, and subsequently found in Manaus, Amazonas State, in 2011. Discovery of R. indica in Dracena, about 2,300 km southeast of Manaus, represents a major range expansion, suggesting that its arrival in northeastern Brazil is imminent, where hosts and climate conditions are favorable to its development. Coconut is an important crop in this region of Brazil and may incur major loss.

In Sep 2013, nopal growers in Teotihuacan, Mexico, reported resinous secretions emerging from the base of the spines of mature cladodes. Cladodes with symptoms were collected, and the weevil species Cylindrocopturus biradiatus Champion and Cylindrocopturus ganglbaueri Heller (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) emerged. This work confirms the presence of both species, and it provides illustrations and descriptions for their diagnosis.

Flower thrips tend to form areas of high population, termed ‘hot spots,’ in blueberry plantings. This study provided evidence that thrips density may be correlated with flower density in space. Further understanding of the relationship between flower density and thrips numbers could lead to better scouting and management programs.

Agraulis vanillae vanillae L. (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae) is a pest of Passiflora species (Malpighiales: Passifloraceae). The parasitism of A. vanillae vanillae pupae by Palmistichus elaeisis Delvare & LaSalle (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) was evaluated. Ten 72-h-old mated P. elaeisis females were confined for 48 h with each 24-h-old A. vanillae vanillae pupa. These exposed pupae were transferred to glass tubes until the emergence of the parasitoid adults. The percentages of parasitism and emergence, number that emerged, sex ratio, body size, width of the head capsule, and longevity of P. elaeisis females and males were similar to those of P. elaeisis reared with various other hosts. These results this indicated that it is practical to rear this parasitoid with A. vanillae vanillae pupae to provide the parasitoid for use in biological control programs.

The aim of this study was to identify egg parasitoids of Diatrea saccharalis F., sensu Guenée (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) in sugarcane in Tucumán, Argentina. We report a new host—parasitoid association of Trichogramma atopovirilia Oatman & Platner (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) attacking D. saccharalis and the first record of Trichogramma galloi Zucchi from Argentina. Additionally, Trichogramma pretiosum Riley was recorded in this survey.

El objetivo de este estudio fue identificar los parasitoides de huevos de Diatraea saccharalis F., sensu Guenée (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) en caña de azúcar en Tucumán, Argentina. Se reporta una nueva asociación hospedero parasitoide de Trichogramma atopovirilia Oatman & Platner (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) sobre D. saccharalis y es el primer registro de Trichogramma galloi Zucchi para Argentina. Además, se registró la presencia Trichogramma pretiosum Riley en este relevamiento.

Camouflage is a strategy widely used by various insects in the wild. However, the use of plant material to construct nests is not a widespread habit among the Polistinae. In this study, we describe the nest of Mischocyttarus iheringi Zikán (Hymenoptera: Vespidae) with notes on the use of plant material and the wasps' behavior.

The poorly known stink bug, Edessa loxdalii Westwood (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) was intercepted in Francisco Beltrão, Paraná State, Brazil (26.0808333°S, 53.0547222°W) feeding and reproducing on soybean, Glycine max (L.) Merrill (Fabales: Fabaceae), on oriental raisin tree, Hovenia dulcis Thunb. (Rosales: Rhamnaceae), and on the wild solanaceous plant Solanum corymbiflorum (Sendtn.) Bohs. (Solanales: Solanaceae). Preliminary data obtained in the laboratory on a mixture of natural foods indicated a delayed development time and high nymphal mortality.

An adventive herbivore of the invasive weed Chinese tallowtree (Triadica sebifera [L.] Small; Malpighiales: Euphorbiaceae) first appeared in North America in 2004. Identified as a Caloptilia triadicae Davis (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae), this leaf miner was found damaging T. sebifera saplings. In Gainesville, Florida, we exposed naturalized populations of C. triadicae to Chinese tallowtree and related plant species in multiple-choice tests. Our findings indicated that the larvae of this species had a narrow host range as they readily fed and completed development on Chinese tallowtree leaves. The only exception to this specificity was larval feeding and development on the native oysterwood, Gymnanthes lucida Sw. (Malpighiales: Euphorbiaceae). Naturalized populations of C. triadicae were also found in Miami-Dade and Broward Counties, Florida, feeding and developing on ornamental populations of G. lucida.

Damage caused by thrips (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) to several plant species in Brazil is described and illustrated for the first time, namely: Caliothrips phaseoli (Hood) and Dinurothrips hookeri Hood to Mentha sp. (Lamiales: Lamiaceae); Frankliniella insularis (Franklin) to varieties of Rosa × grandiflora Lindl. (Rosales: Rosaceae); Heliothrips haemorrhoidalis (Bouché) to Plumeria sp. (Gentianales: Apocynaceae); Retithrips syriacus (Mayet) to Terminalia catappa L. (Myrtales: Combretaceae) and Rosa sp.; and Selenothrips rubrocinctus (Giard) to Calophyllum brasiliense Cambess (Malpighiales: Calophyllaceae) and Liquidambar styraciflua L. (Saxifragales: Altingiaceae). The associations between R. syriacus and plants have been reported previously, but information on damage caused by this species is sparse or nonexistent. All other plant associations herein mentioned are first records.

The rugose spiraling whitefly, Aleurodicus rugioperculatus Martin (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae), is a polyphagous pest that has caused significant damage in the Florida landscape. Various plants have been identified as primary hosts in affected areas. Rugose spiraling whitefly was confirmed in 22 counties, and surveys for biological control agents have found several important natural enemies and other species that collectively provide appreciable control of this whitefly pest.

This study demonstrated that early instars of Lilioceris cheni Gressitt and Kimoto (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) larvae survived on air potato (Dioscorea bulbifera L.; Dioscoreales: Dioscoreaceae) leaves, whereas older larvae successfully developed on leaves and bulbils. However, leaves provided a superior diet to bulbils for older larvae based on a shorter development time. Survival from 3rd instar to adult was not different on leaves and brown bulbils, but for unknown reasons, survival was very poor on tan bulbils.