Thirteen phenolics were tested as ultraviolet (UV) protectants for the nucleopolyhedrovirus (SeMNPV) of the beet armyworm, Spodoptera exigua (Hübner). After 30-minute exposure to UVB radiation (in the 280–320 nm range), eleven SeMNPV/phenolic combinations provided good to excellent UV protection when used at a concentration of 0.050 M. At a concentration of 0.0050 M caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid, esculin, gallic acid, and tannic acid still provided good UV protection. As the concentration was reduced to 0.0005 M, only caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid, and gallic acid provided some UV protection.

Limited information is available concerning the dispersal and frequency of swarming behavior of Zootermopsis laticeps Banks (Isoptera: Termopsidae) in Texas. Almost all information known about this termite species in Texas comes from the extreme western part of the state around the El Paso area. During 1983–1986, light traps were placed at 10 sites within El Paso County to collect Z. laticeps alates during the annual swarming season. Percentage recovery and location of this poorly understood termite were measured. During 1983–1985, 1731 alate termites (97% of the catch) were collected from only two light traps located along the Rio Grande River. Few termites were collected from other collecting sites away from the Rio Grande River. There was no relationship between precipitation and swarming of Z. laticeps. Environmental considerations are discussed for the occurrences of this species in west Texas.

Oviposition behavior is a plastic trait that can be affected by a variety of physical factors and chemical cues. The effects of water color and three chemical compounds on the oviposition behavior of Culex pipiens pallens (Diptera: Culicidae) females were studied under laboratory conditions. Solutions of methylene blue (50 mg/L) and brilliant blue (50 mg/L and 200 mg/L) attracted significantly more gravid C. pipiens pallens females than did the distilled water control. Among the three chemical compounds tested, only 0.1 mg/L acetic acid solution showed significantly greater oviposition attraction activity than the control solutions of distilled water or acetone (25 mg/L) in water. A mixture of 25 mg/L methylene blue plus 0.05 mg/L acetic acid attracted significantly more gravid females to lay eggs than did distilled water, methylene blue solutions alone, or acetic acid solutions alone. A solution of 25 mg/L methylene blue and 0.05 mg/L acetic acid might have potential for use in traps for monitoring population densities of C. pipiens pallens.

The larvicidal potential of the essential oils from Origanum onites L. and O. minutiflorum (O. Schwarz & P. H. Davis) (Labiatae) and their commercially available components (carvacrol, thymol, γ-terpinene, and terpinen-4-ol) was investigated against the brown-tail moth, Euproctis chrysorrhoea (L.) (Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae), an important pest of agricultural and forest crops in southwestern Turkey. This pest is also a public health concern due to the urticating hairs of its larvae. The chemical composition of these essential oils was also determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Carvacrol was the major component of both O. onites and O. minutifulorum essential oil, at 29.6% and 56.1%, respectively. The oils and components were bioassayed against 4^th instars of E. chrysorrhoea at concentrations ranging from 0.0625% to 0.50%. All materials tested showed larvicidal activities in a concentration-dependent manner. Topical applications of the essential oils from O. onites and O. minutiflorum applied at 80 µl of solution per larva were highly toxic, with LC₅₀ values of 522 and 1076 ppm, respectively. Of the four commercial components tested, thymol and carvacrol were the most active (LC₅₀  =  367 and 424 ppm, respectively). The other two components, γ-terpinene and terpinen-4-ol, were also toxic with LC₅₀ values of 1172 and 2126 ppm, respectively. Our overall results suggest that the essential oils from O. onites and O. minutiflorum and their components may be potential alternatives to synthetic insecticides for the control of brown-tail moth larvae.

The tobacco thrips, Frankliniella fusca (Hinds) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae), is generally the most common insect pest of seedling cowpea, Vigna unguiculata (L.), in the south-central USA. Tobacco thrips damage cowpea by puncturing and feeding on the cells of leaves, thereby causing the leaves to curl and yellow. In 2007 field studies, a mean of 0.82 F. fusca were detected per plant and few significant differences in thrips abundance were detected among the planting dates. Emergent (folded) leaves held significantly more immature and adult F. fusca than more-developed and open leaves. In 2008 samples, mean total thrips numbers were 2.28 per plant. Cowpea planted in May and early June held significantly more adult, immature, and total F. fusca per plant than did cowpea planted in late June, July, or August. Again in 2008, new emergent (folded) leaves held significantly more adult and immature F. fusca than either unifoliate or unfolded trifoliate leaves. Unifoliate leaves exhibited little feeding injury from F. fusca; injury to 1st and 2nd trifoliate leaves was greater. Although foliar injury ratings varied greatly, cowpea seedlings from the latest plantings generally sustained less injury than was observed on earlier plantings.