Dietary honey bee royal jelly increases insect growth rates and adult body size. Royal jelly as a dietary supplement could enhance mass insect production by increasing the body size of mass-reared model species. To determine the effect of royal jelly on a cricket species, Gryllodes sigillatus Walker (Orthoptera: Gryllidae), farmed for human consumption, we ran two experiments. We tested the dose-dependent response of G. sigillatus to royal jelly using a range of diets across 0–30% w/w royal jelly. We also measured the individual-level life history responses to royal jelly over time by individually rearing G. sigillatus nymphs on two separate diets: half were fed a commercial cricket diet, and half were fed the same diet mixed with 15% w/w fresh royal jelly. We found sex-dependent effects: females fed the royal jelly diet were 30% heavier, and this effect was driven by significantly longer abdomens containing 67% more eggs compared to those fed the standard diet. Female mass was optimised at approximately 17% w/w royal jelly. Our results reveal that although a royal jelly dietary supplement can increase the yield of mass-reared insects, the life history responses are species and sex specific.

The Poweshiek skipperling (Oarisma poweshiek) is endemic to the tall grass prairie in North America and is now critically endangered globally. Existing populations are scattered among tall grass prairie remnants. However, the host food plants eaten by Poweshiek skipperling larvae, the vegetative and microclimatic descriptions of immature and adult microhabitats, and O. poweshiek behaviour in Manitoba are unknown. We followed Poweshiek skipperling adults in their natural habitat to locate microhabitats where eggs were laid and to observe larval foraging behaviour and development. We measured vegetative, structural, and microclimatic characteristics of microhabitats used by immatures and documented the host species larvae consumed, their general behaviour (on plants; movement within microhabitats), and their developmental schedules. Larvae ate Andropogon gerardi, Muhlenbergia richardsonis, Sporobolus heterolepis, and Schizachyrium scoparium (all Poaceae) in natural tall grass prairie. Larvae appeared to navigate microhabitats to locate host food plants, alternating between shoots of various species throughout their development. Microhabitats seemed to be more open, with drier microclimates, than areas where eggs were not laid. This improved understanding of larval feeding patterns, adult behaviours, and microhabitat attributes may help local grassland stewards and researchers reduce the list of possible causes of decline and identify potential solutions to recover the Poweshiek skipperling.

The pea leaf weevil, Sitona lineatus Linnaeus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), is an invasive pest of field pea, Pisum sativum Linnaeus, and faba bean, Vicia faba Linnaeus (Fabaceae). Larvae feed on leguminous root nodules and associated Rhizobium leguminosarum Frank (Rhizobiacea) nitrogen-fixing bacteria. Larval feeding causes economic damage, but the current method to assess nodule damage is laborious. Leghaemoglobin, the oxygen-carrying molecule in root nodules, is degraded as larvae feed. Measurement of leghaemoglobin could be an alternative method to estimate larval damage. Here, we developed a fluorometric assay to measure the variation in haem fluorescence, which relates to leghaemoglobin content, from nodulated roots. Roots were collected from caged faba bean plants with or without weevil infestation. Faba bean yield and haem fluorescence were inversely correlated with the percent damaged nodules. A plant growth score was positively correlated with haem fluorescence. This method can be used to assess nodule damage in pulse crops from pea leaf weevil and potentially from other biotic stresses, and it may have wider application to studies of nitrogen fixation.

The emerald ash borer, Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire (Coleoptera: Buprestidae), is a serious pest of ash (Fraxinus spp.) (Oleaceae) in North America. Control of emerald ash borer is difficult in natural forest settings; therefore, a classical biological control programme is the most feasible management option for this invasive, nonnative insect. Here, we report the first Canadian release and establishment of parasitoids Tetrastichus planipennisi Yang (Hymeoptera: Eulophinae), Oobius agrili Zhang and Huang (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae), and Spathius galinae Belokobylskij and Strazanac (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) in natural forests in Ontario, Quebec, and New Brunswick, Canada for the control of emerald ash borer. Releases of T. planipennisi were made from 2013 to 2019, O. agrili from 2015 to 2019, and S. galinae from 2017 to 2019. Trees from release sites were destructively sampled to rear out adult emerald ash borers and parasitoids 1–3 years after parasitoid release. Recoveries of T. planipennisi were made at 81% of release sites (13 of 16) 1–2 years after release, and O. agili were recovered from 29% of release sites (4 of 14) 1–3 years after release. Spathius galinae was not recovered. These data provide important information for the development and deployment of a successful biological control programme for the management of emerald ash borer in Canada.

The distribution and diversity of fauna of remote regions, including much of the boreal forest, are incompletely known. We took part in extensive biodiversity surveys in the Far North of Ontario (north of 51° N), Canada from 2009 to 2015. In the family Carabidae Latreille (Coleoptera), we report new records and range extensions for 600 specimens representing 99 species. We documented the first record for Canada of one species, the first records for Ontario of 11 species, and range extensions (> 100 km from the known range) for 70 species. The range extensions were largely in a northwards direction, with a median distance of 650 km and a positive skew in the distribution of these distances. These new records fill an important gap in knowledge of the distribution of this family.

Wrangel Island, Russia, because of its geographic position, harsh climate, yet surprising biodiversity, has been geobotanically studied and divided into various subzones. The distributions of the three species of the subgenus Tipula (Arctotipula) (Diptera: Tipulidae) that have been collected on Wrangel Island are related to these subzones. The predominantly Nearctic species, T. (A.) besselsoides Alexander, 1919, is newly recorded for Russia as well as on this island, where it was found to be the most widespread of the three species. The Holarctic species, T. (A.) salicetorum Siebke, 1870, is rarer, being found mostly in the climatically harsh northern and eastern areas of the island. The third species, T. (A.) oklandi Alexander, 1922, which was thought to have been more widespread formerly, is here confirmed only for Russia. It was collected in the warmest part of the island, and the female is illustrated for the first time. An illustrated key to both male and female adults is presented. Distribution maps are provided for all species, and the data on the distribution of oklandi have been adjusted.

In the Canadian Maritimes, many beekeepers rent honey bee, Apis mellifera Linnaeus (Hymenoptera: Apidae), hives to growers of lowbush blueberry, Vaccinium angustifolium (Ericaceae), for pollination services. Anecdotally, hives have less vigour following pollination, potentially due to higher Nosema spp. (Nosematidae) spore loads, the microsporidian causing nosemosis. We undertook a study to determine whether sending honey bee hives to lowbush blueberry fields for pollination (blueberry hives) results in higher Nosema spp. spore loads relative to hives remaining in apiaries (home hives). Nosema spp. spore loads were quantified using light microscopy. Nosema apis and Nosema ceranae were differentiated using polymerase chain reaction and sequencing. Nosema spp. spore loads were greatest in April and May and declined to low levels from June to September. Ninety-eight per cent of Nosema detections were positive for N. ceranae. In April, blueberry hives had a lower spore load than home hives did; however, in June, spore loads were significantly higher in blueberry hives. No other differences in Nosema spp. spore loads were observed between hive types. We conclude that Nosema ceranae is the dominant Nosema species in the Canadian Maritimes and that using hives for lowbush blueberry pollination does not appear to influence long-term Nosema spp. spore loads.

Swede midge, Contarinia nasturtii (Kieffer) (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae), causes severe economic losses in Brassica Linnaeus (Brassicaceae) crops in its invasive range in North America. Larvae feed within the meristem of their host plants, causing deformed heads, stems, and leaves. Pheromone-mediated mating disruption is particularly promising for swede midge management in high-value vegetable crops because its use is allowed in organic production. However, a major challenge to developing economically viable mating disruption is that the stereospecific three-component swede midge pheromone is costly to synthesise. In broccoli (Brassica oleracea Linnaeus var. italica) field plots, we tested whether stereospecific, lower-cost racemic, and single-component pheromone blends resulted in trap shutdown and reduced crop damage compared to nontreated controls. We found a significant reduction in males caught in three-component stereospecific and racemic pheromone–treated plots but not in the single-component treatments. Although marketable broccoli yields were not higher overall in the pheromone-treated plots compared with those in the controls, yields were significantly higher in the three-component stereospecific treatment in year 2. Therefore, the three-component stereospecific blend shows promise as a pheromone blend for swede midge mating disruption. However, due to high cost and levels of crop damage across all treatments, additional research is necessary to optimise swede midge mating disruption.

The alder bark beetle, Alniphagus aspericollis (LeConte), is known to overwinter as larvae and adults in the main stems of red alder, Alnus rubra (Bongard). Observations of adult alder bark beetles in the branch and bud nodes of planted saplings during the winter led to the hypothesis that these microhabitats represent alternative overwintering sites for the beetle in mature trees. To test this hypothesis, we surveyed crown branches at three coastal British Columbia locations, sampling three trees in 2003 and 2004 and three additional trees (nine branches per tree) in 2018–2019. Adult beetles were found overwintering inside sites excavated in the branch and bud nodes throughout the crowns of mature trees. Branch type, defined by growth class, and tree affected the overall distribution and likelihood of overwintering site occupancy among the three trees sampled intensively in 2018–2019, whereas overwintering site age (old versus new (current year)) affected the frequency of site occupancy across all six trees. We suggest that overwintering in tree crowns evolved from late-summer maturation feeding in new shoots and that the majority of beetles abandon terminal shoots as temperatures fall, moving deeper into the crown to overwinter preferentially in older branch tissues that offer greater thermal protection.

Fossil insects have been collected and described from the early Eocene Allenby Formation of southern British Columbia, Canada for over a century, but these have never included Odonata. We describe the first members of that order from the formation: Allenbya holmesae, new genus and species, most likely belonging to the Dysagrionidae (suborder Cephalozygoptera), and a torn, folded, and incomplete wing assigned to the Aeshnidae (suborder Anisoptera) that cannot be identified below family level. In other regional deposits of the early Eocene Okanagan Highlands series of lacustrine shales, the Dysagrionidae is by far the most common odonate family, followed by the Aeshnidae.

We provide a thorough historical account of the genus Pollenia Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830 (Diptera: Polleniidae) in North America through published records beginning in 1849. From this, we have gleaned insights into their presence on this continent, how they were perceived as pests, and studies of their biology to better frame current work on this genus. Further, we report on our own study of Pollenia spp. distribution across Canada from our collection of 2211 specimens that include all six North American species collected in seven provinces between 2011 and 2013. We report first provincial records for Pollenia angustigena Wainwright, 1940 and P. labialis Robineau-Desvoidy, 1863. We also discuss knowledge gaps and provide suggestions for future research.

A reproductive population of the Asian longhorned beetle, Anoplophora glabripennis (Motschulsky) (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae), an adventive insect from Asia, was discovered in 2003 in an urban landscape in Ontario, Canada. This polyphagous beetle, which attacks maples, Acer spp. (Sapindaceae), had the potential to seriously and permanently alter the composition and structure of forests in eastern North America. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) developed and implemented an eradication programme, with partners from various agencies in both Canada and the United States of America. Surveys were used to delineate the infestation and establish a regulated area around it. Treatment consisted of removing and destroying both trees with signs of A. glabripennis injury and trees assumed at high risk of being injured within the regulated area. After nine years of monitoring the regulated area, the CFIA declared A. glabripennis eradicated on 5 April 2013. Herein, we detail the response undertaken, summarise lessons learned, and provide preliminary observations and results pertaining to the arrival, establishment, and spread of A. glabripennis in Ontario.

Knowing the biology and ecology of Drosophila suzukii (Diptera: Drosophilidae) is important to predict its potential for permanent establishment in cold climatic regions. We studied the reproductive potential of postdiapause male and female flies collected in lowbush blueberry fields in late season over two years. After being submitted to a six-month cold-winter regime, survivors were exposed to a simulated springtime warming regime to monitor reproductive potential and expected population growth. Overwintered fly survivors of both sexes that were aged up to nine months after field capture reproduced successfully in spring and early summer when mated to nondiapause flies experimentally made available for mating as potential migrant colonisers from lower latitudes. Relative to control nondiapause flies, the lifetime fertility of postdiapause flies was reduced by 84% in females and 70% in males, revealing large fitness costs of reproductive diapause under cold stress. Modelling potential reproduction of overwintered flies in warming conditions using models parametrised for age-dependent fertility rate and diapause status showed that nondiapause migrant flies would be strongly advantaged over locally overwintered postdiapause flies due to precocious reproductive maturity, broader pattern of age-specific fertility, and higher lifetime fertility.

The parasitic mite Varroa destructor (Mesostigmata: Varroidae) is the main culprit of honey bee (Hymenoptera: Apidae) colony mortality in Ontario, Canada. Most beekeepers use synthetic acaricides to control V. destructor infestations in their colonies, but the use of these products increases the risk of V. destructor developing resistance to the active ingredients, which is a growing concern. This study sought to determine the efficacy of three synthetic acaricides approved for use in Canada for control of V. destructor infestations, amitraz (Apivar™), tau-fluvalinate (Apistan®), and flumethrin (Bayvarol®), using the Pettis test. The mite mortality rate in populations of V. destructor differed for the acaricides tested. Amitraz caused a significantly higher mite mortality rate (92%) than flumethrin (78%) and tau-fluvalinate (72%) did. Amitraz was classified as “mostly effective” (90–97%), whereas flumethrin and tau-fluvalinate were classified as “minimally effective” (< 80%) for V. destructor control in the mite populations studied. Variation in mite mortality due to acaricide exposure was observed between apiaries and regions. The results highlight the importance of periodically assessing the varroacidal activity of acaricides to inform decisions to control the parasite when implementing integrated pest management strategies.

Over the past 20 years, ash trees (Oleaceae) in parts of the western United States of America and Canada have been subject to infestations with the psyllid Psyllopsis discrepans (Flor) (Hemiptera: Psyllidae). Infested trees show a series of symptoms, including pseudogalls, canopy loss, and in many cases, tree death. This is an expensive problem for urban forests, particularly in the context of emerald ash borer (Coleoptera: Buprestidae) and Dutch elm disease (Ophiostomataceae), which also impact the diversity of urban forests. This paper presents results from a study on the efficacy of two tree-injected insecticides, Orthene® (acephate) and TreeAzin® (azadirachtin). Trees were treated with these insecticides, and egg and adult psyllids were counted. In addition, canopy cover and severity of pseudogalling were visually assessed. Orthene reduced canopy loss and severity and amount of pseudogalling compared to what occurred on control trees; however, there were more eggs on Orthene-treated trees, indicating that any potential benefit was offset by higher egg counts after treatment. Due to the rapid decline of the ash trees, TreeAzin could not be successfully injected.

Diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (Linnaeus) (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae), a globally important pest of Brassicaceae crops, migrates into all provinces of Canada annually. Life tables were used to determine the mortality levels contributed by the parasitoid complexes associated with diamondback moth in British Columbia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, and insular Newfoundland. Overall, diamondback moth populations showed high generational mortality (> 90%) in all provinces, although parasitism levels were generally low. The net reproductive rate of increase in diamondback moth was less than 1.0 (populations declined) in both years in British Columbia and in each of two years in Newfoundland and Ontario, but it was greater than 1.0 in all three years in Prince Edward Island. Lower parasitism levels were found in Prince Edward Island (3.0–6.3%) compared with other provinces (8.4–17.6%, except one year in British Columbia). Diadegma insulare was the main larval parasitoid found; it was present in all provinces. Microplitis plutellae was present in all provinces except British Columbia. Oomyzus sokolowskii was found in British Columbia and Ontario. The parasitoid community documented from sentinel sampling was less diverse than that found through destructive sampling. Hypotheses are provided to explain the presence of major parasitoids. Increasing larval parasitism would have the largest effect on diamondback moth population growth in Canada.

Many caterpillars exhibit patterns of ultraviolet (UV) fluorescence, although its purpose is unclear. We used realistic plasticine models of a fluorescing caterpillar species, the Polyphemus moth, Antheraea polyphemus (Lepidoptera; Saturniidae), adorned with fluorescent paint treatments and unpainted controls to quantify bird predation in two hardwood forested regions of New York State, United States of America. In separate field studies, significantly more birds struck deployed model caterpillars that had no UV fluorescence. More strikes on unpainted and clear paint treatments suggest paint itself did not impact predation, whereas similar predation attempts on bird and human-visible fluorescent dummies suggest that UV fluorescence and not UV reflectance was responsible for the observed effect. A second study found the dummy’s location on the tree was also important, but the low number of bird strikes limited analyses. Although our results do not identify a mechanism, fluorescence may function to deter or avoid predation. Our study contributes to a growing body of work investigating the importance of UV patterns in arthropods and highlights a potentially fruitful area of future research on predator–prey relations.

Litter-dwelling arthropods play an important role in maintaining forest ecosystem function. This study was designed to understand seasonal variations and diversity of litter-dwelling adult beetles, one of the most diverse groups of arthropods. Sampling was conducted in mixed-wood forests of South Korea between March and December 2019, covering all seasons, including winter. We used a sifting method and a Berlese funnel to collect arthropods living in leaf litter and soil. We collected a total of 5820 invertebrates representing six orders, of which 1422 were beetles representing 24 families and minimum 141 species. Beetle species richness was highest in spring and lowest in summer based on rarefaction and extrapolation. However, beetle abundance was lowest in spring, but abundance was similar among the other seasons. Beetle assemblage composition was correlated significantly with soil surface and atmospheric temperature. The assemblage composition differed among seasons, except between spring and winter, which overlapped slightly. The combined sifting–Berlese funnel method showed great advantages for investigating the diversity of overwintering arthropods. Continued study of the relationship between arthropods and the leaf-litter environment is essential to understand this microecosystem and will increase the chance of discovering new beetle species.

A revised key to the 94 species of Lasioglossum (Dialictus) currently known to occur in Canada is presented, incorporating new species and taxonomic updates since the publication of the first key in 2010. Two new species, Lasioglossum (Dialictus) immigrans and Lasioglossum (Dialictus) onuferkoi, are described from Canada. Lasioglossum (D.) ascheri, L. (D.) stictaspis, and L. (D.) tegulariforme are reported or confirmed from Canada for the first time. Lasioglossum (D.) gaudiale (Sandhouse, 1924) and L. (D.) helianthi (Cockerell, 1916) are resurrected from synonymy with L. (D.) tegulariforme (Crawford, 1907). The following five new synonymies are established: L. (D.) stictaspis (Sandhouse, 1923) (= L. (D.) albuquerquense (Michener, 1937)); L. (D.) ascheri Gibbs, 2011 (= L. (D.) curculum Gibbs, 2011); L. (D.) helianthi (Cockerell, 1916) (= L. (D.) imbrex Gibbs, 2010); L. (D.) megastictum (Cockerell, 1937) (= L. (D.) punctiferellum (Cockerell, 1937)); and L. (D.) obnubilum (Sandhouse, 1924) (= L. (D.) lilliputense Gibbs, 2010). Previously undescribed males of L. (D.) helianthi, L. (D.) reasbeckae, L. (D.) tegulariforme, and L. (D.) weemsi are diagnosed and figured.

The elm zigzag sawfly, Aproceros leucopoda Takeuchi (Hymenoptera: Argidae), was reported for the first time in North America during the summer of 2020. Characteristic zigzag defoliation was reported in the province of Québec, Canada, on the community science website, iNaturalist. Field trips conducted to the site resulted in the collection of live specimens (a few larvae and a cocoon from which an adult emerged) and onsite observation of diagnostic defoliation and empty cocoons, confirming the presence of this exotic species in Canada. Subsequent inspection of elm trees by naturalists and scientists in the south of the province led to the conclusion that the species is more widely distributed than first expected and that the invasion is not localised to a small area. Preliminary genetic data pointed to a possible European origin of the Canadian population, but conclusive assignment to source will require examination of more specimens and the collection of reference sequences from different European and Asian populations. This is a good example of the importance of community science in the detection of new invasive species.