The following seven new species of Miridae from British Columbia and Alaska are described and documented with scanning electron micrographs, illustrations of the male genitalia, and dorsal habitus photographs: Dichaetocoris gillespiei n. sp., Macrotylus shelabenae n. sp., Melanotrichus robineaui n. sp., Parthenicus lalannei n. sp., P. thibodeaui n. sp., Orthotylus flemingi n. sp., and Tupiocoris killamae n. sp., The new synonymy Adelphocoris rapidus (Say) 1832 [Capus] = Adelphocoris superbus (Uhler) 1875 [Calocoris], Adelphocoris superbus var. borealis Van Duzee 1917, Adelphocoris dinsmorei Bliven, 1959, and Adelphocoris idahoensis Bliven, 1959 is proposed.

Three new genera of Hyaliodini are described in the subfamily Deraeocorinae. The new genus Dicyphanisca is described to accommodate the new species D. marginella from Ecuador; the new genus Froeschnerisca, for Hyaliodocoris (described in Hyaliodomiris Carvalho) andinus (Carvalho), n. comb.; and the new genus Paracarniella, for Paracarnus cubanus Bruner (type species), n. comb., Paracarnus mexicanus Distant, n. comb., Hyaliodes sabaensis Carvalho, n. comb., and the new species P. dominicanensis from the Dominican Republic and P. puertoricensis from Puerto Rico. Hyaliodes azteca Carvalho is considered a new junior synonym of Paracarnus mexicanus Distant. Provided for each taxon are a dorsal and lateral adult photograph, selected scanning electron photomicrographs, illustrations of male and female genitalia, and descriptions and diagnoses to help distinguish these new taxa from other Hyaliodini.

The phyline genus Platyscytisca Costa and Henry is reviewed and one new species, P. nelsoni, is described from Bahia, Brazil. Platyscytisca nelsoni, the second species recognized in the genus, represents a considerable northern range extension for the genus from the state of São Paulo. Provided for P. bergmannae Costa and Henry and P. nelsoni are illustrations of the adults, figures of male genitalia, and a key to help separate these two species.

The life cycle of Repipta flavicans and R. taurus was studied under laboratory conditions. The laboratory biology was studied at two temperatures for R. flavicans and one for R. taurus. A rearing method for both species was established. Descriptions and illustrations of all immature stages are presented for the first time. Notes on field biology are also included.

The concept of the Australian genus Phanuromyia Dodd is expanded to include 9 species: P. bidentata n. sp., P. flavescens (Dodd) new combination, P. hysteropteri (Bin) new combination, P. necopinata Dodd, P. obscuripes (Pélov) new combination, P. oocida (Pélov) new combination, P. pulcherrima (Dodd) new combination, P. rufobasalis Dodd, and P. sacchii (Ogloblin) new combination. Representatives have been found worldwide, but the greatest diversity is in the Old World. The known hosts are eggs of Issidae and Fulgoridae (Hemiptera: Fulgoromorpha). The genus is contrasted with the crassiclava species group of Telenomus, another group also known to attack species of fulgoromorphs.

Crossocerus (Ablepharipus) rugosilateralis n. sp. from Tibet and Yunnan, China, and Crossocerus (Ablepharipus) sulcatus n. sp. from Sichuen and Hubei, China, are described and illustrated. A reference key to the species of the subgenus from China is provided.

Early steps of nest foundation and development were studied in the Neotropical swarm-founding paper wasp, Polybia paulista. During early colony foundation P. paulista wasps gather into tight clusters adjacent to the newly established nest-site. While the period ranging from swarm settlement to nest construction took about 12 days in summer swarms, this period tended to be longer in winter swarms. In all colonies we observed, eggs were observed in at least one comb, which was not yet completely covered by the envelope. Among seven studied cases, two swarms built multiple initial combs, of which combs were fused into a single one within a few days. On account of rarity in Polybia, it's difficult to conclude if this unusual habit is anomalous, or not. However, since comb fusion develops so efficiently and rapidly, it seems likely to be included in the building repertory of the species under concern.

The effect of the sexually dimorphic face color as a visual stimulus during courtship was tested by painting male faces of laboratory-reared Ceratitis capitata. Experimental males were less successful copulating, due to their lower courtship activity. However, female responses in all the courtship steps were similar to both experimental and control males. Dimorphic face color may have lost relevance in sexual selection by the females of this species during courtship. Examination by scanning electron microscopy and a light stereoscope suggest that this sexually dimorphic character is caused by differences in cuticle color between males and females and is not related to structural differences or microtrichia density of the male face.