The success of agriculture relies on healthy bees to pollinate crops. Commercially managed pollinators are often kept under temperature-controlled conditions to better control development and optimize field performance. One such pollinator, the alfalfa leafcutting bee, Megachile rotundata, is the most widely used solitary bee in agriculture. Problematically, very little is known about the thermal physiology of M. rotundata or the consequences of artificial thermal regimes used in commercial management practices. Therefore, we took a broad look at the thermal performance of M. rotundata across development and the effects of commonly used commercial thermal regimes on adult bee physiology. After the termination of diapause, we hypothesized thermal sensitivity would vary across pupal metamorphosis. Our data show that bees in the post-diapause quiescent stage were more tolerant of low temperatures compared to bees in active development. We found that commercial practices applied during development decrease the likelihood of a bee recovering from another bout of thermal stress in adulthood, thereby decreasing their resilience. Lastly, commercial regimes applied during development affected the number of days to adult emergence, but the time of day that adults emerged was unaffected. Our data demonstrate the complex interactions between bee development and thermal regimes used in management. This knowledge can help improve the commercial management of these bees by optimizing the thermal regimes used and the timing of their application to alleviate negative downstream effects on adult performance.

Global warming is exposing many organisms to severe thermal conditions and is having impacts at multiple levels of biological organisation, from individuals to species and beyond. Biotic and abiotic factors can influence organismal thermal tolerance, shaping responses to climate change. In eusocial ants, thermal tolerance can be measured at the colony level (among workers within colonies), the population level (among colonies within species), and the community level (among species). We analysed critical thermal maxima (CTmax) across these three levels for ants in a semiarid region of northeastern Brazil. We examined the individual and combined effects of phylogeny, body size (BS), and nesting microhabitat on community-level CTmax and the individual effects of BS on population- and colony-level CTmax. We sampled 1864 workers from 99 ant colonies across 47 species, for which we characterised CTmax, nesting microhabitat, BS, and phylogenetic history. Among species, CTmax ranged from 39.3 to 49.7°C, and community-level differences were best explained by phylogeny and BS. For more than half of the species, CTmax differed significantly among colonies in a way that was not explained by BS. Notably, there was almost as much variability in CTmax within colonies as within the entire community. Monomorphic and polymorphic species exhibited similar levels of CTmax variability within colonies, a pattern not always explained by BS. This vital intra- and inter-colony variability in thermal tolerance is likely allows tropical ant species to better cope with climate change. Our results underscore why ecological research must examine multiple levels of biological organisation.

So much has been said about insects since the War began that it is, I think, advisable that some attempt should be made to summarise our knowledge of the more important insect-borne diseases and their vectors. While insects have long been suspected of being responsible for the transmission of serious diseases, it may be said that practically the whole of our knowledge of insects in this rôle has been acquired within the past twenty years. So rapidly, however, has the charge on this offence been made out against them that, although it is common knowledge that they have been proved guilty, it is not generally realised upon how many counts the verdict rests.

The present paper contains the descriptions of two new species of mosquitos from North Queensland, Mucidus chrysogaster and Aëdes (Finlaya) mackerrasi. The former, the second Australian species of the genus, is a very interesting and most beautiful insect, of which only the female is so far known ; the latter is also of interest in that it adds yet another species to the closely interwoven group of Australian Finlaya.

My thanks are specially due to Dr. I. M. Mackerras, B.Sc., for his kind assistance in the determination of the latter species, since I was unable to do so myself, as the Institute does not possess a male specimen of Aëdes (Finlaya) occidentalis (Skuse). The comparative notes on the genitalia are from his pen.

(1) Up to 35 per cent, of adult Dysdercus nigrofasciatus from a heavily infested late cotton crop at Barberton were found to be parasitised by Tachinid larvae at the end of the season.

(2) The predominant Tachinid species was Alophora nasalis; Bogosilla fasciata was present in smaller numbers, and appears to be more common in regions of higher rainfall.

(3) The development of the Tachinid larva within the stainer was a protracted process under local winter conditions, the larval period of A. nasalis being of the order of 2–3 months, and parasitised stainers were correspondingly long-lived.

(4) The possible economic significance of the parasites is discussed.

The material on which the following report is based was received by the Imperial Bureau of Entomology some months ago, but without any note as to the host attachment of the examples forwarded or any other indication of their special importance. For this reason the two species of Chalcids recorded below remained unworked for some time. A more recent letter from Dr. J. J. Simpson disclosed the interesting fact that both had been bred from puparia of Glossina; and although I am unable at present to deal fully with them, it seems advisable to publish some notes and a preliminary description of one species which seems certainly new.

Simulium bancrofti, Taylor (Plate V, figs. 1–5).

Head : Width of the frons slightly less than half that of the whole head ; antennae short, about two-thirds the width of the head ; first three segments cyathiform, the first slightly broader than long, a little less than half the length, and slightly more than half the width of the third ; second segment one-third longer than wide ; segments 4–7 inclusive approximately the same length ; the fourth a little wider than segments 5–7, which are all of about the same width ; penultimate longer than 4–7 individually ; apical segment moderately long and somewhat cone-shaped. Palpi five-jointed ; first joint cyathiform, with an apical row of four bristles, the two outer ones longer than the second segment ; the latter oblong, its sides nearly parallel, also with an apical row of bristles of about the length of the inner two on the first segment ; first and second segments together half the length of the third, the latter somewhat obovate, tapering slightly distally ; fourth almost pear-shaped, tapering basally, shorter than the third (11 : 14) ; fifth fusiform, tapering to a blunt point at both extremities and very little longer than the third, with a few scattered hairs, especially on its apex. Legs : fore femora and tibiae dilated ; first tarsal joint tapering very slightly at its base, a little more than half the length of the tibia (27 : 46), outer edge with a dense fringe of spinules, except on its basal fifth, apex with a stout spine on its outer apical angle ; base of second joint narrower than apex, lower surface with numerous spinules, especially on the distal two-thirds, apex with two stout spines, one on either side ; third and fourth joints cyathiform, the former one-third longer than the latter ; fourth with a deep median depression for almost half the length of the tarsus, forming the socket of the fifth ; third joint with numerous spinules on its distal two-thirds and an apical row of moderately long spines, the outermost the longest ; fourth joint sparsely covered with fairly long hairs, apex with four long, stout bristles, two on either side of the base of the fifth joint ; the latter pear-shaped, a little more than twice the length of the fourth, with a few fairly long hairs on its distal half ; claws short, almost straight, not toothed. Mid leg with the tibiae dilated, with a long, stout, external, apical spine ; first tarsal joint not dilated, a fringe of spinules along its outer margin and a few scattered ones over its ventral surface ; second joint with the spinules on the outer margin increasing in length and stoutness apically ; third joint similar to that of fore leg and without spinules ; fourth and fifth similar to those of fore leg ; joints 2 to 5 distinctly hairy.

Twelve species of termites occurring in the British Solomon Islands Protectorate are listed, and an illustrated key to their soldier castes is provided. An analysis of the 114 records has been made in order to indicate, in a general way, the relative abundance of the various species. Notes are given on distribution within the islands, on habitats and nests, and on the occurrence of termites on coconut palms and in buildings. Damage to buildings is discussed and suggestions made for control measures applicable to local conditions.

It has been proposed that the existing Organisation Internationale de Lutte Biologique (a mainly western European and Mediterranean body) should be enlarged and restructured to form a world-wide International Organisation for Biological Control. IOBC would be open to individual as well as institutional members, and would have largely autonomous regional sections in different parts of the world. IOBC is expected to come into being early in 1971.

Dermatodes cinchonae, sp. n.

♂♀. Derm black or piceous, with uniform dense brown scaling above, becoming paler laterally and beneath.

A correction is made to a paper by Nash (1955) in which Syntomosphyrum glossinae Wtstn., a Chalcid parasite of the pupae of tsetse flies, was wrongly recorded as parasitising the oöthecae of Periplaneta americana (L.). The parasite in question was almost certainly the very similar Tetrastichua hagenowii (Ratz.)which is a world-wide parasite of P. americana. There is no evidence that eitherparasite can attack both P. americana and Glossina palpalis (R.-D.).

The range of the moth Zeiraphera diniana Guénée and the regions where high population densities are infrequent and unpredictable are thought to be determined by high temperatures during egg pre-diapause. Exposure of eggs to incubation temperatures known to be optimal for Z. diniana elsewhere resulted in a pre-diapause mortality of 13% which corresponds to known rates of egg mortality in British forests. Evidence suggests that high temperature and its duration are both important determinants of pre-diapause egg mortality which, if experienced in forest conditions, may prevent populations from reaching outbreak levels. Historical records of outbreaks were associated with lower than average August temperature. However, high temperatures on their own are unlikely to determine the range of the insect in Britain since a high proportion of eggs survives extremes; more than 70% of British eggs survived 24 h exposure to a temperature of 30°C. Variations in egg mortality among families of moths suggests a genetic basis for differences in thermal tolerance. Furthermore, there may be selection for thermally-tolerant eggs in British forest environments and this could be connected with other forms of genetic differentiation in budmoth populations.

The following paper is the result of the study of material recently received by the Entomological Research Committee, by which the types of two of the species described below have been presented to the British Museum (Natural History): the type of Chrysops centurionis has been handed over to the National Collection by its discoverer, Captain A. D. Fraser, R.A.M.C.

The susceptibilities to DDT and to dieldrin of one-day-old teneral examples of Glossina palpalis (R. -D.), obtained from pupae collected from the field, were measured in the laboratory in Nigeria by two methods, one recommended by the W.H.O. Expert Committee on Insecticides (1963) and the other described by Kernaghan & Johnston (1962).

Pupae were kept in dry sand at a controlled temperature of 78–79°F. and 70–80 per cent. relative humidity until the adult flies emerged, and the latter were then kept individually in 3 × 1 in. glass tubes. All exposures to insecticides were carries out at room temperatures. Five flies were exposed together for one hour in the W.H.O. method, and flies were exposed individually for 1 1/2 minutes in the other method. After exposure, they were kept in a cabinet at 78–79°F. and 60–70 per cent. relative humidity. Mortalities were assessed 8, 24 and 48 hr. after the end of exposure, but only the 24-hr. results are presented. Regression lines and values for LC50’s were calculated by the method of probits

The mortalities amongst untreated flies averaged 5.6 per cent. for males and 5.1 for females, the latter value being insignifiantly affected by the method used. Dieldrin was far more toxic than DDT to both sexes, and females were apparently more susceptible than males to both insecticides; it is suggested that females pick up relatively more of a given deposit because of their greater weight.

The slope of the regression line relating mortality to insecticide concentration was steeper for long exposures than for short ones; it is suggested that this comes about because some insecticide picked up by the flies is lost after they are removed from the treated surface, the loss being relatively greater when greater discussed, and it is concluded that exposure for 1 1/2 minutes is long for satisfactory assessment of susceptibility when continuous contact with the insecticide is ensured (as in the method used for this period), but that exposure for 1 hour, ensuring 100 per cent. mortality at some concentrations, is preferable for detection of resistance. Although mortality from an insecticide may not be completed until 72 hr. after exposure, observations 24 hr. after are considered adequate.

The relative merits of the two methods of testing susceptibility are discussed. It is concluded than the method of Kernaghan & Johnston, which involves less handling and therefore less stimulation of the flies, is the more precise. The impregnated papers available from W.H.O. are a convenient means of exposing flies to known deposits of insecticide.

A description is given of a new species of Elachertus, E. agonoxenae (Chalci-Doidea, Eulophidae), on the basis of adults reared from larvae of Agonoxena pyrogramma Meyr. in New Guinea and Agonoxena sp. in Queensland. This species has been imported into Fiji for trial in controlling A. argaula Meyr., a pest of coconut palms. The new species is compared with E. argissa (Wlk.) and E. artaeus (Wlk.), two British species for which lectotypes are here selected.

Belonging to the reptans group; thorax dark dove-grey with a faint greenish tinge; abdomen dark green, shining; legs entirely black; wings hyaline, iridescent, with pale veins, squama whitish with white fringes, halteres pale yellow with a darkened stem.