Helicoverpa zea Boddie (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), the corn earworm, is a key pest of sweet corn (Poales: Poaceae) in many parts of the United States. Integrated pest management (IPM) practices for H. zea in fresh and processing sweet corn use pheromone trap counts of male moths for management decisions. In this study, we examined whether sweet corn could be protected more effectively if insecticides were applied to target the most attractive silking periods for female H. zea oviposition instead of current IPM practices using pheromone trap catches alone. Specifically, we investigated the relationship between insecticide application timing from tassel through silk stages and marketable yield at harvest. We also evaluated the effectiveness of 3 registered insecticide products with different active ingredients (methomyl, chlorantraniliprole, and lambda-cyhalothrin), under various timing scenarios. Results were compared with yields obtained using current IPM recommendations for the northeastern United States. Reduction of H. zea damage in sweet corn among insecticides and timing treatments varied within and between years. In year 1, only interaction effects between insecticide and timing were significant, but in year 2, only main effects of insecticide and timing were significant. Chlorantraniliprole produced inconsistent results in year 1 but had significantly higher percentages of clean sweet corn ears compared with lambda-cyhalothrin in year 2.

This study used field trials to investigate how the fire ant Solenopsis invicta Buren (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) affects the flower-visiting behavior of insects on rapeseed Brassica napus L. (Brassicales: Brassicaceae). Chemicals from fire ants were identified, and their electrophysiological effects on the cabbage white butterfly Pieris rapae (L.) (Lepidoptera: Pieridae) were analyzed by gas chromatography—electroantennogram detection (GC-EAD) bioassays. The results showed that S. invicta significantly reduced the abundance of pollinators. The number of striped flea beetles (Phyllotreta striolata [F.]; Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) and hover flies (Eristalinus quinquestriatus [F.] and E. quinquelineatus [F.]; Diptera: Syrphidae) in fire ant—included and fire-ant-and-aphid-included plots was 43.5 and 39.4% lower, respectively, than in control plots. The visiting duration at a single flower for P. rapae in the plots that had fire ants and aphids excluded was significantly longer than in the fire ant—included (1.42 fold) and fire-ant-and-aphid-included plots (1.29 fold). However, the visiting frequency of P. rapae and of the Chinese honey bee Apis cerana F. (Hymenoptera: Apidae) and the duration of each visit of A. cerana were not significantly changed. Antennae of P. rapae showed obvious electrophysiological reactions to the volatiles of S. invicta, and n-heptacosane elicited the largest EAD response. Our results suggest a negative effect and its chemical mechanism of S. invicta on the behavior of several flower-visiting insects.

Chinese banyan, Ficus microcarpa L. f. (Rosales: Moraceae), is a popular landscape tree in many tropical regions of the world. In Hawaii, these trees are severely infested by 2 host-specific insect species in the family Agaonidae (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea): the Chinese banyan leaf gall wasp, Josephiella microcarpae Beardsley & Rasplus, and the stem gall wasp Josephiella sp. (currently being described). Infestations by these insects result in gall formation on young leaves and shoots, premature leaf drop, new shoot death, poor tree health, and eventually death of the tree. We evaluated the efficacy and persistence of 2 systemic insecticides, imidacloprid and emamectin benzoate, with or without phosphorous acid amendment, delivered through trunk injection to control these 2 wasp species in Honolulu, Hawaii. Although both systemic insecticides had some effect against leaf gall wasps for up to 18 mo post treatment, only emamectin benzoate persisted against stem gall wasps for up to 14 mo post treatment. Phosphorous acid amendment did not provide any benefits for Chinese banyans to mitigate wasp infestations. In conclusion, trunk injection of emamectin benzoate could be a feasible management strategy to control stem and leaf gall wasps on Chinese banyans in Hawaii.

The Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (Hemiptera: Liviidae), is the vector of the pathogen presumably responsible for causing huanglongbing, a devastating disease affecting citrus (Sapindales: Rutaceae). It is well established that D. citri populations decrease significantly during winter because of the diminution of young emerging leaves, which are the only site of egg laying and nymphal development. Therefore, this period could be a weak link in the phenology of D. citri, and populations appear to be more sensitive to responsive actions such as insecticide sprays. However, little is known about the distribution of D. citri adults within citrus orchards during winter. We surveyed populations of D. citri in commercial citrus groves in central Florida over the course of 2 yr. In 4 groves, we sampled the citrus canopy at 3 heights and at the 4 cardinal directions. We also investigated the potential for alternative habitats for D. citri and sampled non-crop vegetation and potential alternative hosts over 2 seasons. We did not find a consistent pattern in the distribution of D. citri adults during winter in citrus, with one exception; canopies facing south harbored more psyllids than those facing north. We found that the presence of young emerging leaves was the major factor driving D. citri population increases during winter, but the abundance of D. citri adults was also positively correlated with relative humidity. We also found that the proportion of psyllids with the green-blue morphotype (the morph with greatest dispersal capability and likely the major driver of spring grove infestations) increased after insecticide application and after cold weather. Finally, we investigated the potential existence of alternative hosts on which D. citri could feed and/or reproduce in the absence of young emerging citrus leaves during winter. We did not find evidence of an alternative host during winter for D. citri in central Florida.

This study reports the spread of 2 major invasive subterranean termite species (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) in metropolitan southeastern Florida: Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki and C. gestroi (Wasmann). Termite records from 1990 to 2015 were analyzed to determine the expansion of their distribution. Our results suggest that the ranges of their distribution have increased exponentially during this time frame. This observation raises concerns about potential structural damage in this urbanized area, which includes 6 million residents. The risk to structures located in an area with known Coptotermes infestation increased from 0.49% in 2000 to 7.3% in 2015, with some species distributional overlap. In addition, several localities that had Coptotermes records before 2000 have registered an increased density of termite infestation and swarming activity. We argue that the subterranean termite problem in metropolitan southeastern Florida is still in its early phase of invasion, and we predict that the distribution and structural infestations by Coptotermes will continue to increase in the years to come, with an estimated 50% of all structures in southeastern Florida at risk by 2040.

Spodoptera litura F. (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) adversely affects important crops such as cotton, okra, tomato, potato, and pumpkin. For the first time, this species was observed in a citrus nursery in the Sargodha Region of Pakistan. The principal objectives of this study were to determine the effects of several citrus (Sapindales: Rutaceae) cultivars, including Citrus reticulata Blanco (Feutrell's Early, Seedless Kinnow, and Fairchild mandarin orange) and Citrus paradisi Macfad. (grapefruit), on feeding by S. litura, and the effects of these plants on the growth of the insect. Based on performance of 3rd instars, Feutrell's Early and Seedless Kinnow supported maximum relative growth rates, high efficiencies of conversion of ingested food, and high levels of leaf consumption and larval weight gain, relative to the other citrus cultivars. Values of these parameters were lowest on grapefruit. Thus, the mandarin oranges Feutrell's Early and Seedless Kinnow were more susceptible to damage than grapefruit.

The citrus leafminer, Phyllocnistis citrella Stainton (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae), is an important pest of all citrus varieties. Larvae damage young leaves, thereby reducing photosynthesis and tree vigor, and may impact yield. Wounds opened by P. citrella larvae may also increase susceptibility to citrus canker disease caused by the bacterium Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. citri (Xanthomonadales: Xanthomonadaceae). Sex pheromones coupled with appropriate traps are used as monitoring tools for this and other lepidopteran pests. Information compiled from trap captures is indicative of seasonal population fluctuations and may be used to guide management practices. Trap density and pheromone dispenser longevity are factors affecting the accuracy of trapping data. Our objectives were to evaluate capture of P. citrella in relation to trap density and duration under field conditions. Almost 2 yr of citrus leafminer monitoring demonstrated that a density of 1 trap per approximately 2 ha yielded similar results to the higher recommended density of 1 trap per 0.4 to 1.6 ha. Trap catch with the 2 pheromone brands tested declined by 25% after 3 to 6 wk and 50% after 6 to 10 wk during the spring through fall growing season in Florida. Therefore, correction factors are required if traps are replaced at 8 to 13 wk intervals. Results of the present study will help optimize monitoring programs that can serve as early warning of potential damaging populations of P. citrella.

Feeding by Frankliniella (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) thrips causes economic damage to strawberry (Fragaria ananassa Duchesne; Rosales: Rosaceae) crops in Florida and in other production regions worldwide. Resistance to spinosyn insecticides, particularly in Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande), is a major concern for strawberry and other crops. Experiments were carried out in 2014 and 2015 to evaluate the effect of 6 insecticide programs on the numbers and species composition of thrips attacking strawberry on a season-long basis in Florida. Five insecticide programs included spinetoram applied once, twice, or 3 times in the rotation, alternated with acetamiprid, cyantraniliprole (Cyazypyr®), novaluron, sulfoxaflor, and/or tolfenpyrad. Also included in the treatments were bifenthrin and a non-treated check. Thrips densities were sampled weekly in flowers, and in both flowers and fruits in 2015, 2 d after treatment applications. The primary thrips species recovered from strawberry flowers and fruit was Frankliniella bispinosa Morgan. Other species included F. occidentalis, Frankliniella schultzei (Trybom), Scirtothrips dorsalis Hood, Scolothrips sp., Thrips spp. (all Thripidae), and Haplothrips gowdeyi (Franklin) (Phlaeothripidae), Frankliniella bispinosa was controlled by all insecticide programs. Numbers of F. occidentalis thrips were not reduced by any spinetoram-based rotation relative to the control in either year. Repeated applications of bifenthrin increased numbers of F. occidentalis thrips relative to the control each year, and increased numbers of F. schultzei thrips relative to the control in 2014. The thrips predator Orius sp. (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae) was not observed in the bifenthrin treatment and was rare in other treatments. Insecticide rotations in Florida strawberry appear to shift the species composition from F. bispinosa to F. occidentalis and other insecticide-tolerant species including F. schultzei. Thrips damage to strawberries may be due to the species that is least susceptible to control rather than the species that is most abundant early in the cropping season. However, the relative importance of various stages or species has yet to be critically determined.

Chemical control is an effective measure for decreasing the numbers of rice planthoppers (Nilaparvata lugens [Stål] and Sogatella furcifera [Horváth]; Hemiptera: Delphacidae) and rice leaffolders (Cnaphalocrocis medinalis Guenée; Lepidoptera: Crambidae), which have caused substantial yield losses of rice in China in recent years. Virtako is a new mixture of insecticides that has low mammalian toxicity and high toxicity to insect pests. We conducted a study of the effectiveness of Virtako (a mixture of chlorantraniliprole and thiamethoxam), versus chlorantraniliprole alone and thiamethoxam alone, for control of rice planthoppers and rice leaffolders, as well as the impact of these insecticides on predator diversity. One and 28 d after application, Virtako treatment (36–60 g a.i./ha) reduced the numbers of planthoppers to 46 to 60% and 59 to 66%, respectively, of the control levels. Virtako also suppressed damage by rice leaffolders, resulting in leaf protection rates of 11 to 46% and 37 to 76% at 7 and 28 d after application, respectively. Both 1 and 2 applications of Virtako per crop cycle caused significant short-term reductions in insect predator populations. However, 21 d after the application of Virtako (36 g a.i./ha), the diversity indices and the total number of predators were similar to those in untreated plots. A single application of Virtako provides good control of insect pests in paddy fields, and predator populations recovered quickly after the Virtako application. Our studies indicated that Virtako might be an effective alternative for the control of planthoppers and rice leaffolders in paddy fields.

The genus Trichogramma Westwood (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) includes insect egg parasitoids that are widely used throughout the world as control agents of pest insects. The aim of this study was to identify the species of Trichogramma naturally associated with the eggs of lepidopteran pests of the following agricultural and horticultural crops: collards, Brassica oleracea L. (Brassicales: Brassicaceae); papaya, Carica papaya L. (Capparales: Caricaceae); tomato, Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. (Solanales: Solanaceae); cassava, Manihot esculenta Crantz (Malpighiales: Euphorbiaceae); banana, Musa sp. L. (Zingiberales: Musaceae); passion fruit, Passiflora sp. Degener (Malpighiales: Passifloraceae); sugarcane, Saccharum sp. L. (Poales: Poaceae); and corn (maize), Zea mays L. (Poales: Poaceae); and an invasive species (Sodom's apple milkweed, Calotropis procera Aiton; Gentianales: Apocynaceae) in the semiarid region of Minas Gerais, Brazil. We report natural parasitism by Trichogramma in eggs of Agraulis vanillae vanillae (L.) (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae), Antichloris eriphia F. (Lepidoptera: Arctiidae), Danaus sp. (L.) (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae), Diatraea saccharalis F. (Lepidoptera: Crambidae), Erinnyis ello L. (Lepidopera: Sphingidae), and Protambulyx strigilis L. (Lepidopera: Sphingidae). In total, 2,242 specimens of Trichogramma were obtained, belonging to the species T. pretiosum Riley, T. manicobai Brun, Moraes & Soares, T. marandobai Brun, Moraes & Soares, and T. galloi Zucchi. These species of Trichogramma may be candidates for biological control programs of lepidopteran pests in the semiarid region of Minas Gerais and in other semiarid regions.

We studied the insecticidal effect of plant extracts against larvae of Scyphophorus acupunctatus Gyllenhal (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), an important pest of Agavaceae. In the bioassays, the organic extracts of Argemone mexicana L. (Ranunculales: Papaveraceae), Allium sativum L. (Asparagales: Amaryllidaceae), Bursera grandifolia (Schltdl.) Engl. (Sapindales: Burseraceae), Chenopodium ambrosioides L. (Caryophyllales: Amaranthaceae), Prosopis laevigata (Willd.) M. C. Johnst. (Fabales: Fabaceae), and Tagetes erecta L. (Asterales: Asteraceae), which were individually incorporated into artificial diet at 500 ppm, were fed to 1st instars. The variables studied were larval, pupal, and adult weight, and larval and pupal mortality. The extracts of A. sativum, A. mexicana, P. laevigata, T. erecta, and B. grandifolia reduced larval weight by at least 50%. The greatest larval mortality was caused by the extracts of A. mexicana (53%), A. sativum (43%), and T. erecta (43%), whereas the greatest mortality of pupae was caused by extracts of T. erecta. The results suggest that A. mexicana, A. sativum, and T. erecta extracts have the greatest potential for insecticidal activity against S. acupunctatus.

The leaf beetle Ambrostoma quadriimpressum Motschulsky (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) is a major pest of elm (Ulmus; Rosales: Ulmaceae) in eastern Asia, and there is currently no effective, environmentally friendly, chemical method for its control. In this study, we measured A. quadriimpressum adults' electrophysiological and behavioral responses to 13 compounds, including 6 plant volatiles (linalool, α-pinene, methyl salicylate, indole, di-n-octyl phthalate, dimethyl naphthalene), 4 semiochemicals (benzyl alcohol, cinnamaldehyde, 1-undecene, anethol) known to elicit responses in closely related species, 2 pungent odorants (methanol, phenol), and 1 analogue (ethyl salicylate) of an elm volatile. Female leaf beetles were highly responsive to phenol and methanol, whereas male beetles responded to di-n-octyl phthalate and dimethyl naphthalene at a concentration of 10 µg/µL. Cinnamaldehyde elicited the highest electroantennogram responses in both male and female beetles. In screenings of semiochemicals, beetles of both sexes were significantly repelled by cinnamaldehyde at 1 µg/µL. In Y-tube olfactometer tests, beetles of both sexes were significantly repelled by cinnamaldehyde, at 1 µg/µL for females and 10 µg/µL for males. In choice tests, 90% of starved beetles chose control leaves over leaves treated with cinnamaldehyde at 10 µg/µL. These results suggest that cinnamaldehyde has potential value for control of this elm pest, acting as an antifeedant compound.

The Cerrado occupies about 23% of the Brazilian territory and is characterized by great diversity of plants and insects and a great degree of endemism, and Caryocar brasiliense A. St.-Hil. (Malpighiales: Caryocaraceae) is widely distributed in this region. The diversity and abundance of hemipterans and their natural enemies were studied on trees of C. brasiliense in the Cerrado, pasture, and anthropic area in Montes Claros, Minas Gerais State, Brazil. We observed 1 rare, 8 common, and 1 frequent species of sucking insects; and 2 rare, 7 common, and 6 frequent species of natural enemies. Sucking insects and their natural enemies were most abundant in the pasture and least abundant in the Cerrado. Increasing diversity indices and numbers of species and individuals of sucking insects were followed by similar trends in the populations of natural enemies. Increasing populations of sucking insects led to greater numbers of individuals of ants, green lacewings, predator thrips, and ladybeetles. Aluminum level positively affected the number of species and individuals, and the pH of the soil reduced those of sucking insects. Leafhoppers had greater numbers on plants on soils with low pH values and high aluminum levels, but the opposite was noted for the aphids.

Tropical montane cloud forests are characterized by a persistent cloud cover at the vegetation level. In central Veracruz, Mexico, these forests are found distributed in several small fragments with differing degrees of disturbance. In this changing ecosystem, the use of indicator groups has been proposed to assess disturbance effects on biodiversity. Ants may serve as bioindicators in various contexts, as they are social insects that have a high response capacity to environmental stimuli. In this study, the relationship of several environmental characteristics to ant diversity was measured in 5 fragments of tropical montane cloud forest in central Veracruz. In total, 5,270 individuals belonging to 75 species, 29 genera, 13 tribes, and 8 subfamilies were collected. The richness, diversity, and evenness increased significantly as a function of the structural complexity of the vegetation. In terms of composition and structure, the assemblages showed high heterogeneity between fragments. The similarity analyses showed high species complementarity between fragments, with a large proportion of unique species to each fragment. A high rate of species turnover is likely due to fragment isolation and its subsequent influence on habitat quality. However, the results demonstrated that overall, the remaining fragments of tropical montane cloud forest sheltered a large ant richness and diversity. In consideration of the observed habitat disturbances, it is necessary to implement measures that would allow for the conservation of the remaining fragments of cloud forest, as they represent an important reservoir of ant species and likely of other organisms as well.

The genus Caryopemon Jekel (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) contains 9 species distributed only in Oriental and Afrotropical regions with 3 of these species from China and Myanmar. Caryopemon luteonotatus Pic and Caryopemon hieroglyphicus Jekel are recorded for the first time in China. Caryopemon giganteus Pic is recorded newly in Myanmar. Re-descriptions, illustrations, and a key for these 3 species are included. Mucuna interrupta Gagnepain and Mucuna macrocarpa Wallich (Fabales: Fabaceae) are reported as host plants of seed beetles for the first time.

We provide the first extensive documentation of insect visitors to buckwheat (Fagropyrum esculentum Moench; Polygonales: Polygonaceae) in Florida. We visually surveyed eight 2 ha fields of buckwheat in north-central Florida and documented 5,300 visits by Apis mellifera L. (Hymenoptera: Apidae)—the western honey bee—and 3,422 non-Apis insect visits, with the majority of non-Apis visitors being wasps native to Florida or the southeastern United States (81.3%), followed by Diptera (12.5%) and non-Apis bees (5.8%). Sixteen families of insects composed of at least 62 species of flower visitors were observed within the buckwheat fields, with the most common species being the wasp Scolia nobilitata F. (Hymenoptera: Scoliidae). Most of the insect species were parasitoid wasps of various arthropod pests, and many parasitoids may also act as pollinators. Our data suggest that buckwheat attracts a great diversity of beneficial parasitoids, predators, and pollinators; thus, buckwheat possibly could be used as a cover crop to enhance biological control of various pest arthropods within cropping systems or augment local pollinator populations.

Rhopalosiphum padi (L.) (Hemiptera: Aphididae) is one of the most significant cereal pests worldwide. Control of R. padi has relied heavily on chemical insecticides. We sampled 12 populations of R. padi from 11 provinces in China and analyzed their regional susceptibilities to 10 insecticides by using the leaf dip method. The R. padi populations showed susceptibility or minor resistance to chlorpyrifos, malathion, thiamethoxam, beta-cypermethrin, acetamiprid, and pymetrozine, but minor to moderate resistance to bifenthrin, decamethrin, and abamectin. Correlation analysis indicated positive and significant correlations between R. padi resistance levels to thiamethoxam and beta-cypermethrin, between R. padi resistance levels to chlorpyrifos and 4 other insecticides (decamethrin, abamectin, acetamiprid, and beta-cypermethrin), and between R. padi resistance levels to acetamiprid and 3 other insecticides (decamethrin, thiamethoxam, and beta-cypermethrin). Due to the widespread and variable nature of resistance in R. padi, we strongly urge rotation of insecticide classes to delay the onset of high levels of resistance.

The fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda Smith & Abbot (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), is a key pest of corn, Zea mays L. (Poales: Poaceae), in Mexico. The development of genetically modified (GM) corn hybrids for resistance to this insect, with the inclusion of several genes coding for proteins Cry1Ab, Vip3Aa20, and mCry3A of Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner (Bacillales: Bacillaceae) (Bt), offer an alternative to conventional insecticides to control this pest. Resistance to fall armyworms of the GM corn hybrids Agrisure 3000 GT, Agrisure Viptera 3110, and Agrisure Viptera 3111 was evaluated in 4 locations at Sinaloa for a 3 yr period. Damage evaluation showed that the maize hybrids with the Bt gene insertion were not affected by the fall armyworm as compared with their respective isolines, which were seriously damaged. The results reaffirm the insect control benefits provided by this technology and provide a baseline for resistance management.

Several studies have shown that the host plant influences the bioecological parameters of both pest insects and their natural enemies; however, few studies have evaluated the effect of varieties of the same plant species. This study evaluated the host-choice behavior (by a free-choice test) of Tamarixia radiata (Waterston) (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) on nymphs of Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (Hemiptera: Liviidae) reared on 4 sweet orange (Sapindales: Rutaceae) varieties (Hamlin, Pêra, Natal, and Valencia), and its development (biology) in nymphs reared on these same varieties, on a mandarin (cv. Ponkan), and on orange jasmine. The host-choice behavior was not affected by the host on which D. citri was reared, showing that T. radiata has a degree of plasticity in interpreting the cues for host location. In the free-choice test, the hosts did not affect the percentage of parasitism. The emergence parameter, regardless of the host used, showed viability (egg to adult) above 80% for all varieties, with the highest level for Pêra sweet orange (90.06%). The parasitoid's development period in nymphs reared on Ponkan (12.4 d) was statistically similar to the period in nymphs reared on orange jasmine (11.80 d) but statistically longer than in nymphs reared on other citrus varieties. No significant difference in the sex ratio was observed. Tamarixia radiata as a biological control agent of D. citri can be an additional component in integrated pest management in citrus groves. It can be used regardless of the citrus variety, because its behavior and biology are similar for the main commercial varieties of citrus grown in São Paulo.

Euschistus servus (Say), Chinavia hilaris (Say), and Nezara viridula (L.) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) are economic pests of row crops. They move within and between closely associated crop and non-crop habitats throughout the growing season in response to deteriorating suitability of their current host plants. This study was conducted to investigate parasitism of naturally occurring C. hilaris and E. servus eggs in woodland habitats and crops alongside these habitats in southwest Georgia, USA. Also, parasitism of sentinel eggs of N. viridula was examined in a woodland habitat. Ten species of parasitoids, including 7 scelionids, 2 eupelmids, and 1 encyrtid, parasitized E. servus eggs. Telenomus podisi Ashmead (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae) was the most prevalent parasitoid of E. servus eggs in each of 3 habitats: woodlands, an early-season crop, and late-season crops. In woodlands, 27.9% of E. servus eggs were parasitized by Anastatus reduvii (Howard) and A. mirabilis (Walsh & Riley) (Hymenoptera: Eupelmidae). Four species of parasitoids, including 1 scelionid, 2 eupelmids, and 1 encyrtid, parasitized C. hilaris eggs. Trissolcus edessae Fouts (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae) was the most prevalent parasitoid of C. hilaris eggs in woodlands and the only parasitoid of C. hilaris eggs in late-season crops. In woodlands, 40.7% of C. hilaris eggs were parasitized by A. reduvii and A. mirabilis. In a woodland habitat, 6.6% of N. viridula sentinel eggs were parasitized by A. reduvii females, Anastatus males, and 1 encyrtid. Anastatus species were the only parasitoids that existed primarily in woodland habitats. In conclusion, a diversity of parasitoid species parasitizes native stink bug eggs in southwest Georgia, and species of parasitoids emerging from stink bug eggs can vary by habitat.

Sogatella furcifera (Horváth) (Hemiptera: Delphacidae), the white-backed planthopper, is a serious pest insect in rice (Poales: Poaceae) paddy fields in China and elsewhere in Asia, and it is primarily controlled using chemical methods. Triazophos is a broad-spectrum, non-systemic organophosphorus insecticide used for pest control in rice paddy fields. In this paper, we examined the sublethal effects of triazophos on nymphal duration and life table parameters of S. furcifera in the laboratory. The results showed that sublethal concentrations of triazophos could significantly prolong nymphal duration in S. furcifera. Relative to the control, exposure to LC10 and LC25 extended the nymphal period by 0.92 and 3.16 d, respectively. A fitness analysis was performed by constructing a life table in the F1 generation and showed that sublethal concentrations of triazophos could stimulate reproduction in S. furcifera populations. Various life table parameters were depressed under sublethal concentrations of triazophos, but fecundity was the exception. The fecundity rates (eggs per female) in LC10 and LC25 triazophos treatments were 116.2 and 131.9%, respectively, that of the control in the 2nd generation. The relative fitness of S. furcifera planthoppers treated with LC10 and LC25 of triazophos was 77.6 and 63.6%, respectively, compared with the control. Sublethal concentrations of triazophos inhibited population growth relative to the control group based on the predicted number of offspring. However, the possibility of oviposition stimulation at sublethal concentrations should be considered carefully if triazophos is applied to control white-backed planthoppers and other rice pests in a rice field habitat.

The effect of height and distribution pattern of traps on the capture of Scyphophorus acupunctatus Gyllenhal (Coleoptera: Dryophthoridae) on blue agave (Asparagales: Asparagaceae) in commercial plantations was studied. Results showed that the trap height and the distribution pattern did not have an effect on the number of captured weevils per trap. In contrast, the inter-trap distance had an effect on the number of captured weevils per trap. For monitoring this weevil in blue agave commercial plantations, we recommend to use the pheromone and agave tissue-baited traps placed at ground level, at 200 m distance between traps, and distributed in a square distribution pattern.

Megacopta cribraria (F.) (Hemiptera: Plataspidae) is a newly invasive, exotic pest of soybean (Glycine max [L.] Merr.; Fabales: Fabaceae) in the southeastern United States. In 2013, the exotic egg parasitoid Paratelenomus saccharalis (Dodd) (Hymenoptera: Platygastridae) was discovered parasitizing eggs of this pest in kudzu (Pueraria montana var. lobata [Willd.] Maesen & S. Almeida; Fabales: Fabaceae) and soybean in 3 states in this region of the United States. We evaluated parasitism of M. cribraria egg masses by P. saccharalis in conventional tillage and no-till organic soybean experimental plots in 2013. Density of M. cribraria egg masses was significantly higher in conventional tillage soybean than in no-till soybean in weeks 2 through 5 for the 7 wk period M. cribraria egg masses were detected on soybean. Percentage of parasitism of M. cribraria egg masses by P. saccharalis was significantly higher in conventional tillage soybean (58.4%) than in no-till soybean (44.9%). In general, parasitism rates of egg masses were higher in conventional tillage soybean, where M. cribraria egg mass density was higher, than in no-till soybean.

Field-collected adult kudzu bugs, Megacopta cribraria (F.) (Heteroptera: Plataspidae), were exposed over a 5 to 6 wk period to 21 potted plant species in a greenhouse. Egg masses were deposited and nymphs completed development to the adult stage on kudzu, soybean, alfalfa, white clover, white sweet clover, red clover, perennial peanut, and American joint vetch. However, corn, sorghum, tomato, bell pepper, Johnsongrass, perennial ryegrass, partridge pea, garden pea, rattlepods, stylo, crimson clover, hairy indigo, and Florida beggarweed were not utilized by the kudzu bug as reproductive hosts. Implications and potential damage to Florida commercial crops and forages are reviewed.

Bittersweet nightshade, Solanum dulcamara L. (Solanales: Solanaceae), was sampled at numerous locations in Washington and Idaho. Adults of 8 species of thrips (Thysanoptera) from 3 families were collected, including the worldwide plant pests Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande) and Thrips tabaci Lindeman (Thripidae), which are vectors of the serious plant viruses in the genus Tospovirus. Aeolothrips fasciatus Hinds (Aeolothripidae), a predator of small insects, also was collected.

A “walker” tool was developed to assist successful placement of Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (Hemiptera: Liviidae) adults at predetermined sites on citrus (Sapindales: Rutaceae) trees in behavioral bioassays. Use of the walker resulted in a significantly higher proportion of successful placements and a significantly lower number of jumps away from the predetermined site compared with the use of a brush, although on average it required an additional 108 s more than the 41 s required with the brush to complete a successful placement. Females and males performed similarly with both devices. Potentially, the walker is a useful placement tool under conditions where it is time and labor intensive to provide large numbers of insects with specific physiological characteristics for testing, e.g., when it is difficult to supply large numbers of D. citri adults of known sex, mating status, and age. Because phototaxis is commonly observed in psyllids, the walker may be of use also for bioassays with other economic pests such as Bactericera cockerelli (Šulc) (Hemiptera: Triozidae).

Female wasps of Tamarixia radiata (Waterston) (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) avoided probing or parasitizing hosts that the same or another female wasp had already parasitized. Furthermore, they discriminated against hosts parasitized by herself versus another female wasp when these were the only choices. Nevertheless, incidence of superparasitism was low under these conditions compared with normal parasitism, underscoring the strength of the deterrent mark.

Thrips (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) are pests of many fruit crops because they cause feeding damage or act as virus vectors. Seven thrips species were collected using Moericke yellow traps in papaya (Brassicales: Caricaceae) orchards, and Selenothrips rubrocinctus (Giard), the most frequent one (76.6%), occurred during all months evaluated. This is the first record of Frankliniella schultzei (Trybom) and F. australis Morgan in papaya orchards. Some of these species are minor pests of papaya, but some of them, such as F. schultzei, were reported as virus vectors to other commercial crops. The importance of these findings and needs for future research are discussed.

Detection of Bactrocera Macquart (Diptera: Tephritidae) fruit flies relies on male-specific lures, methyl eugenol and cue lure, which are presented singly in traps. We compared the efficacy of the standard single-lure treatments against mixtures of methyl eugenol and raspberry ketone (a natural analogue of cue lure) deployed in the same trap. No significant differences were found in captures of Bactrocera cucurbitae (Coquillett) or B. dorsalis (Hendel) male flies over 8 wk intervals between traps baited with a single lure and traps baited with any of the 3 mixtures tested.

Effective assessment of bee (Hymenoptera: Apoidea) diversity is essential for informed bee conservation policies. In this study, the effectiveness of Malaise traps in assessing bee species richness in a westcentral Illinois restored prairie was examined using the Chao1 nonparametric richness estimator. Individual traps varied greatly in abundance and species richness of bees collected, and substantially greater trapping effort would have been needed to achieve Chao1 estimates. Malaise traps provide a potentially effective means of augmenting bowl trap inventories, but more studies on Malaise trap performance and comparisons with bowl traps are needed, particularly in heterogeneous environments.

The varroa mite (Acari: Mesostigmata: Varroidae) has developed resistance to the 2 major miticides (fluvalinate and coumaphos) registered for control of this invasive pest of bees (Hymenoptera: Apidae) in the United States. Comparative studies on miticide toxicity with and without the synergists piperonyl butoxide and formamidine indicated that enhanced metabolism by mixed-function oxidases and altered target site were the major mechanisms of resistance to organophosphorus and pyrethroid insecticides in varroa mite populations of northern Florida.

Natural infestation of fruits of Garcinia acuminata Planch. & Triana and Garcinia brasiliensis C. Martius (Malpighiales: Clusiaceae) by Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann) (Diptera: Tephritidae) is reported for the first time in the state of Pará, Brazil. Garcinia acuminata is reported as a fruit fly host for the first time in Brazil.

The objective of this research was to determine the genetic variability of Spodoptera frugiperda Smith & Abbot (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) larvae from populations collected on maize (Poales: Poaceae) crops from several locations (Sinaloa, Jalisco, Coahuila, and Durango) in Mexico grown under various types of pest management using inter-simple sequence repeats (ISSR) type molecular markers. These ISSR markers amplified 105 loci, with 92.59% being polymorphic, which genetically characterized these populations and related this variability with factors such as pest control management. The most divergent population was from Tlajomulco, Jalisco. This location had the most intense use of chemical insecticides with diverse modes of action, which may account for much of the difference in genetic variability observed among sites in this study.

New morphological characteristics are described to Maderesmus hoogstraali (Chamberlin) (Polydesmida: Cryptodesmidae), which were not described by Chamberlin (1942) at the original description. Further, 2 new distribution localities were recorded for the species.

Often legends go unrecognized for their achievements in science and the betterment of society. In the case of Margaret Collins, it has been almost 20 years since her passing, and except for appreciation by a small cadre of termite experts, her contributions to entomology have received scant notice. However, her work and legacy have stood the test of time, and even today, she is considered, and often cited as, the definitive source for differences in toleration and resistance to drying among species of termites. At her core, Margaret was a field biologist, and she demonstrated it through her travels and termite collection trips to a dozen countries. Her long and illustrious career included publishing of scientific papers, tenured faculty positions, and service as a curator of the termite collection at the National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, in Washington, District of Columbia. Margaret achieved many firsts during her life. She was the first African American female to be awarded a Ph.D. involving entomology at a major university. In addition, she was the first woman graduate student for the legendary isopterist and Professor of Zoology, Alfred E. Emerson. Her passion for termites remains highly visible in her published works. Her passion for her family and her strong support of civil rights for women and African Americans were less visible except to those she knew personally. This is her story.