An overview of data from five research groups participating in a 3-year pilot test on the efficacy of foliar applications of Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo) Vuillemin for control of Colorado potato beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Say), populations in the northern United States is presented. Four treatments were used at each site: high and low B. bassiana dosages (5 × 1013 colony forming units (CFU) per hectare (ha) and 5 × 1012 CFU/ha), the recommended insecticide for each region, and an untreated check. The primary response variable was potato yield. For analyses considering test sites as replicates, during all 3 years the highest yields were produced in plots treated with insecticides. Within test sites, yields from plots receiving B. bassiana applications were greater than control plot yields in 8 of 24 trials but in only two of these instances, B. bassiana plot yields also did not differ from insecticide plot yields. Evaluating 1983 data from all states together, no differences were found between either high or low B. bassiana treatments and controls. The 1983 study design allowed no plot replication within states. In 1985, an altered plot design providing within-site replication demonstrated increased yield with increased dosage of B. bassiana when initial egg density was used as a covariate.

Potato yields greater than control plot yields were noted with a minimum of 5.39 and 6.62 × 1011 CFU/ha B. bassiana. The lowest B. bassiana concentration producing yields not significantly different from insecticide plot yields was 6.62 × 1012 CFU/ha (Rhode Island, 1984). Defoliation ratings did not differ between B. bassiana treatments and controls in 1984 and 1985, although variability was found between yields.

Overwintered adults of Dendroctonus simplex LeConte emerged in May and June. One generation and two broods were produced in both 1983 and 1984. Females initiated attacks and males arrived within 2 days. One to four pairs of beetles used each entrance hole but each pair constructed a separate egg gallery.

Emergence, host attack, and re-emergence occurred between 1030 and 1700 hours NDT and at mean air temperatures above 4°C. Peaks of attack, which reflect flight peaks, occurred at temperatures above 10°C. About 90% of all parents re-emerged from first brood trees and 61% from second brood trees.

Only adults overwintered. Freezing temperatures caused complete mortality of immature stages. Thirty-five percent of new brood adults emerged in the fall and re-entered galleries at the base of trees for hibernation. Adult tolerance to cold increased from early fall to mid-winter.

Overwintered adults of Dendroctorms simplex LeConte emerged in May and June and produced one generation and two broods in 1983 and 1984. Egg galleries were vertical, slightly sinuous, and significantly longer in first brood trees than in second brood trees . Females laid zero to four eggs per niche . The average number of eggs per gallery was significantly higher in first brood trees (48) than in second brood trees (31). Mean number of eggs per centimetre of gallery was 1.2 for both broods. Mean brood density was significantly higher in first brood trees (50 individuals per 100 cm2) than in second brood trees (23 per 100 cm2).

Dendroctonus simplex has four larval instars. Development from egg to adult in the field averaged 60 and 70 days for first and second broods, respectively. Total development at 12, 18, and 24°C in the laboratory averaged 80, 42, and 39 days, respectively. Adult males were significantly smaller than females.

Noctua pronuba L. is now abundant in central Nova Scotia and has become established throughout the province, on Sable Island, Prince Edward Island, and in Newfoundland. Sporadic records indicate that this species has become established in New Brunswick and is spreading into Maine. Light-trap records illustrate the rapid population increase in Nova Scotia and the spread throughout the Atlantic Provinces.

The genus Praon is revised. Thirteen North American species north of Mexico are recognized, including one new to science: P. carinum sp. nov. Praon cerasaphis (Fitch) and P. coloradense Ashmead are retained as Species inquirende. The female of P. alaskense Ashmead and the male of P. artemisaphis Smith are described for the first time. Praon nanus Baker, P. exsoletum palitans Muesebeck, P. aguti Smith, and P. negundinus Smith are placed in synonymy. The genus Parapraon Stary is considered a synonym of Praon Haliday. A generic diagnosis of Praon Haliday is given, and a key, diagnoses, and illustrations of North American species are provided.

Anthobioides pubescens, an unusual new genus and new species of rove beetle, is described from the Olympic and Mt. Rainier National Parks, WA. The genus is assigned to the Anthobium-group of genera in the tribe Anthophagini, subfamily Omaliinae. The new genus represents the sister group of the genus Camioleum Lewis from Japan. The phylogeny of Anthobioides and Camioleum and their relationship to the other four genera assigned to the Anthobium-group is discussed. All pertinent characters of Anthobioides are illustrated by line drawings or scanning electron photomicrographs.

A number of recent publications have been produced on North American orthopteroid insects. These publications differ in some respects in dealing with the northern, particularly Canadian, orthopteroid fauna. This paper details the changes in names of taxa at nearly all levels, together with the present accepted names, and explanations and reasons for the changes.

The pea aphid, Acyrthosiphon pisum (Harris), is an important pest of alfalfa, Medicago sativa L., in Wisconsin because of its characteristic potential for exponential population growth (Hutchison and Hogg 1984, 1985) and the subsequent damage in both hay quality and quantity inflicted by high populations (Cuperus et al. 1982). In Wisconsin, as in most alfalfa-producing states, there is a vast complex of natural enemies (Hutchison and Hogg 1985) that influence pea aphid population dynamics, including the hymenopteran primary parasitoids from the Aphidiidae. These primary species, however, are also attacked by several secondary parasitoids from the families Megaspilidae, Pteromalidae, and Alloxystidae.