A brief historical review of the occurrence of the clear-winged grasshopper, Camnula pellucida (Scudd.), is presented as well as recent information pertaining to the biology of its various life stages. In the egg stage, diapause is more successfully terminated by chilling at 5 °C for 70 days than at either 0 or −7 °C. Embryological development proceeded very favourably at incubation temperatures of 30 °C while 35 °C produced excessive mortality especially to pre-blastokinesis embryos. Most embryos in eggs of this species reach the same pre-blastokinesis stage of development more consistently every year than do those of other pest species of grasshopper in Saskatchewan. Thirty days of chilling at −12, −18, and −23 °C reduced the viability of the eggs by about 10, 20, and 50% respectively. Exposure to −29 °C killed all eggs in 3.5 to 5 hours.

The phototactic and thermokinetic reactions of nymphs and adults, leading to aggregation, basking, and dispersal, are discussed and compared with those of other species. Details of nymphal migrations are described and related to such meteorological factors as wind, temperature, and position of the sun. Some further details of mating and oviposition are described, especially aggregation on egg beds and oviposition in stubble fields. Observations of predation by sandhill cranes and skunks are also recorded.

There are two generations of Coccinella novemnotata Herbst per year in central California. The adults of the spring generation aestivate and those of the fall generation hibernate. A field study of the physical and biological factors possibly influencing induction of diapause in the adult was conducted. All stages of the spring generation arc subject to a regime of long, increasing photoperiods and increasing mean temperatures, while all stages of the fall generation are subject to a regime of short, decreasing photoperiods and decreasing mean temperatures. In non-irrigated areas with native vegetation the reproductive cycle of this species is synchronized with the availability of prey species. In irrigated agricultural areas prey species are relatively abundant throughout the summer but the adults of the spring generation still aestivate. It is hypothesized that diapause is induced in the adult by both short and long photoperiods and that intermediate photoperiods are required for reproduction.

The biology of C. novemnotata is described briefly with emphasis on the aggregational behavior of the adult.

Surveys in unsprayed apple orchards indicated that the oriental fruit moth, whose principal hosts are peach and apple, does not occur in continuing populations on apple beyond the range of commercial peach orchards in Ontario. Moths released in an apple orchard 25 mi from the nearest peach orchard did not result in an infestation after the first winter. High winter mortality due to low temperatures and the unsuitability of apple for the first generation of the moth probably are the main reasons it does not establish continuing infestation on apple alone.

The effectiveness of incandescent and cool white and black light fluorescent lamps was compared in traps used to sample biting midges, mainly Culicoides sanguisuga (Coq.), around Lac Serpent, Quebec, between 17 June and 31 July 1966. The ratio of the modified geometric mean nightly catches of the lamps was about 1:1:40, respectively. A New Jersey trap with a fluorescent black light is highly effective, and to some extent selective, for Culicoides spp.

The following four new species of Udea are described: U. decoripennis, Chile; U. soratalis, Bolivia; U. coranialis, Bolivia; U. punoalis, Peru.

The winter moth, Operophtera brumata (L.), a recent introduction to North America, is a serious pest of apple in Nova Scotia. Natural controls, mainly the parasite Cyzenis albicans (Fall.), reduce its rate of increase, and selective chemical controls are applied to maintain economic levels. Its maximum density is limited by its food supply in neglected orchards. The mean freezing point of O. brumata winter eggs is −31°F. Egg mortality increases appreciably with increase of duration of exposure to low temperatures in the −26°F to −34°F vulnerable range. It seems probable that winter moth will continue to spread slowly over much of Eastern North America.

Parapilocrocis n. gen., with type-species A. citribasalis n. sip., is described from Bolivia and Peru, with type locality Alto Palmer, Bolivia, 1100 m.

The garden symphylan (Scutigerella immaculata Newport) population of a field of table beets, Beta vulgaris L., in northwestern Oregon, was studied. The number of symphylans from the samples ranged from 110 to 1131 per cubic foot with an average of 557. Several laboratory tests were conducted to study garden symphylan population increases in soil types treated differently. It was found that garden symphylans reproduce well in soil types such as Felida, Salkum, and Melbourne. Manure added to these soils increases their porosity, probably supplies additional foodstuff, and consequently provides the best rearing medium.

A technique for rearing the root weevil, Hylobius warreni Wood, is described and figured. Plastic cages containing weevils were attached to stumps placed in pans containing moist moss. Observations of adult behaviour and records of eggs deposited, egg mortality, and early larval development are presented as evidence of success of the technique. Third instar larvae were obtained without handling and required only the addition of moisture.

Larvae of Pseudosarcophaga affinis auct. nec Fallén readily discriminated between synthetic diets satisfactory for growth and those that had nutritionally important faults. The faults were lack of an essential amino acid, unsatisfactory ratios of essential and nonessential amino acids, and unsatisfactory proportions of the best amino acid mixture relative to glucose levels. Some of these were made to resemble the proportions of amino acids and glucose found by other workers in tissues of aphid-resistant and -susceptible varieties of peas. All the experiments showed that the diets chosen by larvae were those on which they grew and developed best. That larvae can relate the chemical composition of the selected foodstuff with their nutritional requirements may cast some light on varietal resistance of plants or other foodstuff to insects.

Although additional papers of this series are in preparation, it is considered appropriate to publish the completed ones at this time and to present this interim, tabulated, summary of the preceding five papers to assist the reader in the recognition of the forms with which we have already dealt. Other forms occur on conifers in the mountainous regions of western Canada and the United States that are not well known taxonomically. When studies on them are completed, it is the intention to prepare a final summary of all work that has been done on this subject.

Alternation of generations, or heterogony, wherein progeny resemble their grandparents but not their parents, is a little-known aspect of some cynipid life histories. This study represents the first record of its occurrence within the genus Besbicus, until now recognized solely from agamic females. The bisexual generation described herein has not been described previously. The literature on B. mirabilis (Kinsey) is reviewed briefly and some of the difficulties of cynipid study are assessed. The life history and ecology of both generations is presented and the immediate insect associates are discussed.

Prepupae of Neodiprion sertifer (Geoff.) held in darkness at 21 °C undergo a short normal diapause if exposed as feeding larvae to long photoperiods, but have no diapause if reared in the larval stage under short photoperiods. If cocoons from short-day rearings are exposed to 10 °C instead of 21 °C, a small proportion of the prepupal larvae undergo the normal or short diapause, but the majority enter an intense or prolonged type of diapause which results in three clearly defined periods of adult emergence within the range of 160 to 800 days after cocoon spinning. Mortality increases directly with the prolonged cocoon periods associated with intense diapause at 10 °C and there is a progressive decrease in reproductive potential of the survivors. If cocoons are held at 29 °C normal diapause and morphogenesis are prolonged but there is no evidence that a state of intense diapause is induced. Mortality is extreme, however, and the reproductive potential of the survivors is greatly reduced.

The implication of these findings is discussed in relation to prolonged diapause in nature, a factor critical to the assessment of the seasonal history and population dynamics of the insect.

The pitted ambrosia beetle, Corthylus punctatissimus (Zimm.), was studied during widespread infestations in sugar maple (Acer saccharum Marsh.) stands of southern Ontario and Quebec. A brief description of each stage of the insect is given, and its life history and habits, as well as the damage caused to the host plant are discussed.

The Rhyacionia frustrana group of pine-tip moths consists of at least three species: true R. frustrana (Comstock), which occurs from Central America and northern Florida north to Missouri and Massachusetts; R. sonia n. sp., present from southern Maine west to southern Manitoba; and R. bushnelli Busck, which occurs from New Mexico north to Nebraska and eastern Montana. Adults of all three species are superficially identical. A lectotype is designated to establish the identity of R. frustrana, and R. sonia is described as new to science on the basis of markedly differing genitalia. R. bushnelli, long regarded as a domestic introduction of R. frustrana, seems more likely a distinct species endemic to the western plains because of its differing overwintering habit and size.

Megabombus f. fervidus (F.) queens were successfully hibernated in 1961–62 under artificial conditions that are described in detail. One-half succumbed within 3 days after being removed to conditions allowing resumption of active behavior, and 68.7% perished by the end of 3 weeks. Hibernation and (or) post-hibernation survival are believed to be dependent on the amount of fat bodies metabolized prior to this dispause period. Infertile queens (and possibly large workers) are capable of hibernating. It has been discovered that during hibernation the spermatozoa encyst in the spermatheea of fervidus, and it is probable that this phenomenon is not unusual to most species hibernating under cold conditions.

A trap that excludes grain kernels but permits the entry of grain beetles and mites is described. It may be used as a sampling device to detect insect infestations in stored grain. Sampling may be done with little disturbance to the surrounding grain and since the insects cannot escape, the trap can be left in position for prolonged periods.

The three boreal species of the winter stonefly genus Allocapnia, minima (Newport), pygmaea (Burmeister), and illinoensis Frison are subboreal species whose ranges include a band across eastern Canada from the western end of Lake Superior to the east coast; minima occurs also in Newfoundland. An analysis of variation in pygmaea and illinoensis suggests that during the Wisconsin glacial maximum these two species occurred south of the ice in the Cumberland Plateau region in east-central United States, and that they dispersed first northward through the Appalachians, then east and west into their present range. Geoclimatic evidence suggests that minima did not persist in Newfoundland during the glacial maximum. Its ecological similarity to pygmaea suggests that minima also persisted in the Cumberland Plateau area and dispersed in the same fashion as the other two species.

Mating in Coleophora laricella (Hbn.) took place 1 or 2 days after emergence and was stimulated by decreasing light intensity ranging from 3000 ft-c to 200 ft-c within 2 hours. The female is pro-ovigenic, with peak opposition during the first week. Optimum temperature for egg laying was 70 to 80°F; the average number of eggs deposited was about 66; average longevity of female adults was about 10 days at room temperature, but considerably longer at lower temperatures. A few eggs were laid at 50° and 95°F. Incubation period of the eggs was 12 days at 80° to 85°F and 40 days at 55°F. Hatching of eggs did not occur above 85°F or below 55 °F.

Five species of the genus are discussed and illustrated, including a new species, C. occidentalis from Pelecanus occidentalis. The lectotype is designated for C. unciferum Kellogg, fixing the type-host as Pelecanus erythrorhynchos. A key is given to the species.