Pitfall trapping revealed that the European fire ant, Myrmica rubra (Linnaeus) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), represents an unusual example of a temperate invasive ant species. In British Columbia, Canada, M. rubra populations are associated with a decreased incidence and abundance of other ant species in three different plant communities when compared with M. rubra-free control areas. M. rubra represented more than 99.99% of the total ant fauna caught in the infested areas, and the numbers of M. rubra captured in the plant communities ranged from over 10 times to over 1300 times the total number of all ants collected in corresponding M. rubra-free areas. Total numbers of some taxa of insects and non-insect arthropods, including those likely to be competitors or prey of M. rubra, were reduced where the invasive species was present. Biodiversity indexes for the overall suite of captured arthropod species were lower where M. rubra was present in all three plant communities but most of this decrease can be attributed to the difference in the ant fauna.

Gynaephora groenlandica (Wocke) (Lepidoptera: Erebidae) is a cold-adapted species, whose life history traits are dictated by cold and short Arctic summers. We used a recently discovered alpine tundra population in southwestern Yukon, Canada to investigate local adaptations to habitats with different environmental conditions (alpine versus Arctic). Using cafeteria-type experiments and field observations we examined the diet breadth of alpine populations of G. groenlandica beringiana Schmidt and Cannings, and compared these to published data on High Arctic populations of G. groenlandica groenlandica and to the closely related G. rossii Curtis. Gynaephora groenlandica beringiana appears to have a broader diet than High Arctic populations, but similar to that exhibited by alpine populations of G. rossii. Such trends could emerge from reduced synchrony between herbivores and their host plants in less extreme environments, and possibly from a reduced incidence of parasitoids in the life cycle of these populations. Our findings indicate the larval host plant plasticity of G. groenlandica in different environments, and are relevant to predictions regarding the fate of these populations under climate warming scenarios.

Wolbachia Hertig (Rickettsiales: Rickettsiaceae) is a genus of endosymbionts that are widespread in insects and can have important implications on population dynamics through cytoplasmic incompatibility or sex-ratio distortion. We considered Wolbachia as a possible explanation for female-biased sex ratios often observed in mountain pine beetle populations, Dendroctonus ponderosae Hopkins (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae), a major pest species in western Canada whose most recent outbreak and range expansion has killed many millions of mature lodgepole pine, Pinus contorta var. latifolia Engelmann (Pinaceae). We used wsp primers to screen for Wolbachia in 10 mountain pine beetle populations with varying degrees of female bias in southeast British Columbia and southwest Alberta, Canada. We found no evidence of Wolbachia in these populations and suggest that other factors may explain the sex-ratio bias.

The crucifer flea beetle, Phyllotreta cruciferae (Goeze) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), is the most important pest of seedling canola, Brassica napus Linnaeus (Brassicaceae), in North America, yet effects of weather on its dispersal and flight activity are not completely understood. We investigated effects of ambient temperature, relative humidity, wind speed, atmospheric pressure, barometric flux, and precipitation on capture heights of P. cruciferae over four site-years in Alberta and Saskatchewan, Canada. Capture heights increased with mean ambient temperatures for both generations of beetles, with 15°C determined as an estimated minimum temperature for flight. Although capture heights decreased with greater minimum relative humidity, and atmospheric pressure, and increased with greater mean wind speed, the contributions of these factors were determined to be minor relative to that of mean temperature. Results of the current study will contribute to more accurate predictions of the invasion of canola crops by P. cruciferae and contribute to improved integrated management of this important pest species.

Eastern larch beetles, Dendroctonus simplex LeConte (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae), are monophagous, phloem-feeding herbivores of eastern larch (tamarack), Larix laricina (Du Roi) Koch (Pinaceae). Recently dead or moribund trees are preferentially colonised. Outbreaks of eastern larch beetles are generally localised and short-lived, although a large outbreak has been occurring in the Great Lakes region of North America since 2000. The beetle is reported as univoltine, with a single, spring-emergent, reproductive parent generation establishing one to three sibling broods per year. Some progeny emerging during summer or fall re-enter the tree bole close to ground level to overwinter, while remaining brood adults overwinter within pupal chambers in situ. Owing to these behaviours, eastern larch beetles have been suggested to possess an obligate overwintering reproductive diapause. However, studies have not confirmed this hypothesis. We tested the reproductive viability of non-overwintered progeny in three laboratory experiments. Non-overwintered progeny were reproductively viable, suggesting that a portion of the population may exhibit a facultative adult overwintering diapause. Progeny that emerged naturally from the host (i.e., putative fall-emergers) demonstrated reproductive rates almost six-fold those of manually extracted insects demonstrating a propensity to remain in situ (i.e., putative spring-emergers). These results shed new light onto the reproductive behaviour of eastern larch beetles, and suggest that future population dynamics may be influenced by a warming climate.

Streams draining the Cypress Hills support unique and understudied macroinvertebrate communities in Saskatchewan, Canada. Here, we report the discovery of a species of caddisfly new to the Cypress Hills and Saskatchewan, Neophylax splendens Denning (Trichoptera: Thremmatidae). Larvae were collected early in May 2012, and are found to enter pre-pupal diapause in mid-June until mid-September. Larvae were identified as N. splendens by morphological characters and verified with genetic analysis. Its occurrence strengthens the biogeographical link between the montane regions in British Columbia, Canada and Utah, United States of America with the southwest corner of Saskatchewan. This study highlights the importance of seasonal sampling, resolute species level identifications in biological surveys and the use of genetic analyses to obtain this level of identification.

Early detection of emerald ash borer (EAB) (Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire; Coleoptera: Buprestidae) infestation is problematic, with visual indicators not appearing until late during an infestation, and detection methods often requiring substantial trade-offs between information yielded and cost. Decision makers must determine which detection methods provide sufficiently valuable information that matches their objectives and adhere to budget constraints. Notably, decision makers from different organisations often have different objectives; hence their perceptions of costs and benefits of these choices can vary. Economic thought and analysis can provide useful insights for decision makers concerned with understanding and balancing costs and benefits associated with detection strategies. Here we provide a brief review of economic studies of EAB and present a conceptual framework on the detection strategy problem drawing on “information economics”.

The invasive stink bug Halyomorpha halys Stål (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) has recently become established in Canada, but little information is available regarding the ability of natural enemies to attack this pest in its invaded range. We tested the capacity of several life stages of three generalist predators, Chrysoperla carnea (Stephens) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae), Coleomegilla maculata De Geer (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), and Podisus maculiventris (Say) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), to attack H. halys eggs. The relative susceptibility of H. halys eggs to predator attack was compared to P. maculiventris eggs. We found evidence for differential ability to consume H. halys and P. maculiventris eggs both among predator species and within species among life stages. The most H. halys eggs were consumed by late-instar C. carnea, while fewest were consumed by second-instar and adult C. maculata, and second-instar C. carnea. The susceptibility of H. halys eggs to predators was similar to that of P. maculiventris eggs, with only early-instar P. maculiventris nymphs consuming significantly less H. halys eggs than P. maculiventris eggs. Our results provide a baseline for further testing of generalist predators against H. halys and illustrate the potential importance of considering the breadth of ontogeny across which candidates are able to attack the invasive pest.

Many Neotropical species whose range is restricted to tropical montane cloud forests (TMCF) are in danger of local or total extinction due to warming and drying as air warmed by climate change ascends these mountains. While the species richness of many arthropod higher taxa declines at high elevations, those species that do reside in TMCF are often highly specialised and endemic, rendering their natural history especially interesting. However, we know little about these TMCF arthropods. One genus of ants, Adelomyrmex Emery, 1897 (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), is characteristic of many TMCFs in Central America, and exemplifies this pattern. While workers of this genus are very common in leaf litter samples, winged males and winged queens have been unknown and nests have never been observed for most species. Here we report how a combination of affordable digital field microscopes and DNA barcoding has allowed nest discovery and documentation and linked male and worker Adelomyrmex. Based on this work, we have now learned that male Adelomyrmex can be quite abundant locally.

The small hive beetle (SHB), Aethina tumida Murray (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae), is a non-native pest of honey bees (Apis mellifera Linnaeus (Hymenoptera: Apidae)) newly introduced to Canada. The effectiveness of three in-hive traps was tested in springtime in West-Montérégie (southern Québec, Canada) and in late summer in Essex County (southern Ontario, Canada): AJ’s Beetle Eater™ (AJ’s Beetle Eater), Beetle Barn™ (Rossmann Apiaries), and Hood™ trap (Brushy Mountain Bee Farm). Traps were placed in the brood chamber of 12 colonies in West-Montérégie, and in 48 colonies in the top honey super in Essex County. In-hive traps were effective in reducing SHB populations without compromising the bee population or colony weight gain. In West-Montérégie, the Beetle Barn™ was the most effective trap during the first week, when SHB populations were high. It was less effective when honey bees sealed trap openings with propolis. In Essex County, the AJ’s Beetle Eater™ was the most effective throughout the trial. There was no difference in efficacy between the various solutions used in the Hood™ trap (mineral oil versus mineral oil and apple cider vinegar).

Apple clearwing moth (ACM), Synanthedon myopaeformis (Borkhausen) (Lepidoptera: Sesiidae), is an invasive species and destructive pest of commercial apple trees in British Columbia (BC), Canada. Mass trapping with Concord grape juice and sex pheromone is being developed as an organic pest management tactic. We quantified the diversity and abundance of arthropod by-catch in these traps during the 2009 flight (13 June–31 July) of ACM. Paired traps were deployed in organic and conventionally managed apple orchards planted using different tree densities representing the extremes of the current BC apple industry. Using seasonal by-catch and community-level statistical analyses we determined that family communities of arthropods caught in juice-baited and pheromone-baited traps differed significantly. Yellow juice-baited traps caught a greater variety of arthropod families in greater abundance than pheromone-baited yellow Unitraps®. We show that for each trap type, family communities caught in organic versus conventional orchards were significantly different. Organic orchard management affected abundance of some beneficial taxa, but the sign of the difference depended on the taxon examined (e.g., ladybeetles increased versus lacewings declined). Tree density had no effect on by-catch. Managing ACM by mass trapping may be detrimental to ecosystem services because many nontarget beneficial species are caught. A balanced risk-to-benefit approach should be taken before this technology is widely implemented against ACM.

Lowbush blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium Aiton (Ericaceae)) production is highly dependent on insect pollination to maximise yields. The current losses in honey bee (Apis mellifera Linnaeus (Hymenoptera: Apidae)) colonies pose a serious threat to the blueberry industry, raising interest in alternative pollinators. Abundance and diversity of native pollinators usually decreases with distance from natural habitats. In this study, we evaluated the effects of distance from wooded habitats such as windbreaks and forest borders on the presence of native pollinators in blueberry fields in Lac-St-Jean (Québec, Canada). Four treatments were compared: single-row, double-row, natural windbreaks, and forest borders. Pan-traps were placed at 5, 30, and 60 m from the windbreak or forest border. A total of 3878 native pollinators were collected and 81% were ground-nesting bees. The forest border was the only treatment with higher abundance and species richness on the periphery (5 m) of the field than at further distances, supporting the hypothesis that the presence of pollinators is favoured by habitats potentially offering more abundant and diverse nutritional resources. Our overall results reveal that native pollinators are distributed quite homogeneously in blueberry fields, suggesting that windbreaks are beneficial to native pollinator communities.

The emerald ash borer (EAB), Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire (Coleoptera: Buprestidae), is a destructive invasive pest that threatens North American ash (Fraxinus (Oleaceae)) and inflicts substantial aesthetic, ecological, and economic damage in urban forests and rural woodlands. Understanding adult EAB dispersal and spread of infestations is critical to effectively manage and mitigate its potential impact in North America and elsewhere. Challenges of quantifying short-distance and long-distance movement of adult EAB in the field remain exceptionally difficult. Here we review our current understanding of EAB spread. Research to date suggests natural spread of EAB populations is variable and influenced by local environmental conditions, but limited to only a few km per year. In contrast, long-distance spread resulting from anthropogenic movement of infested ash material, such as nursery trees or firewood, can greatly increase local and regional rate of spread through the formation of satellite populations. Key areas in need of future research are highlighted.

Aedes japonicus japonicus (Theobald) (Diptera: Culicidae), the Asian bush mosquito, is a keen biter linked to the transmission to humans of a variety of diseases. It has moved significantly from its historical Asian distribution, with its arrival in North America first noted in 1998 in New York and New Jersey, United States of America. Here we report the presence of A. j. japonicus within our collections of mosquitoes in the capital city of the easternmost province in Canada: St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, in 2013. This observation provides further evidence of this mosquito’s ability to significantly expand its geographic range, potentially affecting connectivity between subpopulations globally.

Three studies were performed to assess the likelihood of establishing the dung beetle Onthophagus taurus (Schreber) (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) in southern Alberta, Canada. This European species was first reported in Florida in the 1970s and now occurs as far north as Michigan, United States of America. Its ability to establish in Canada is unknown, but is desired to accelerate the degradation of cattle dung on pastures. The first study examined egg-to-adult development at temperatures of 10–32 °C (in increments of 2 °C) to develop degree-day models for O. taurus and for two other closely related species of dung beetles. Onthophagus nuchicornis (Linnaeus), used as a positive control, is a European species common across Canada. Digitonthophagus gazella (Fabricius), used as a negative control, is an Afro-Asian species whose distribution is restricted in North America to the southern United States of America. The second study examined the overwintering ability of O. taurus and D. gazella in outdoor field cages. The third study compared climate parameters between southern Alberta and the northernmost recorded distribution of O. taurus. Results combined across the three studies show that O. taurus can complete egg-to-adult development and overwinter in southern Alberta. However, high overwintering mortality is predicted to prevent establishment of O. taurus in the region.

Dryocoetes krivolutzkajae Mandelshtam (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), a scolytine bark beetle previously known only from the Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia was discovered in Labrador and New Brunswick, Canada. It is unknown whether the Canadian populations represent an introduction or the natural range of D. krivolutzkajae. The habit of this beetle is particular because it is one of the few scolytines that complete their lifecycle within herbaceous roots. This species feeds on the rhizomes of Rhodiola rosea Linnaeus (Crassulaceae) an important natural medicinal plant. Currently it is unknown if, and how rhizome infestation affects the active chemical constituents. The impact of D. krivolutzkajae on the quantity and quality of R. rosea rhizomes requires study.

The straw itch mite, Pyemotes tritici Lagrèze-Fossat and Montané (Acari: Pyemotidae), was discovered parasitising the goldspotted oak borer, Agrilus auroguttatus Schaeffer (Coleoptera: Buprestidae), an invasive exotic species to California, United States of America, and the Mexican goldspotted oak borer, Agrilus coxalis Waterhouse (Coleoptera: Buprestidae), during surveys for natural enemies for a classical biological control programme for A. auroguttatus. Pyemotes tritici caused low levels of mortality to each species of flatheaded borer, but it will likely not be a good candidate for a biological control programme because it is a generalist parasitoid with deleterious human health effects.

The paraphyletic grouping “Symphyta” (8353 described species) represents the basal lineages of the insect order Hymenoptera. The most species-rich superfamily in Symphyta is Tenthredinoidea (7390 species), with six extant families. Most of tenthredinoids species are phytophagous at the larval stage, and the species using angiosperms as a host are more numerous (6265 species) than those using gymnosperms (140 species) or pteridophytes (985 species). In this study, we investigated whether diversification of Tenthredinoidea could be attributed to their use of angiosperms as hosts by examining host plant usage by lineage. We performed molecular phylogenetic and divergence time estimation analyses using molecular data (~2 kilobase sequence in five DNA regions) and conducted a diversification analysis. Our results suggest that Tenthredinoidea (excluding Blasticotomidae) had used angiosperms since its origin; the phylogeny of Tenthredinoidea showed a significant shift in diversification at two nodes, and those nodes overlap with the periods of origin and diversification of angiosperms.

Practical and effective strategies to manage emerald ash borer (EAB) (Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire; Coleoptera: Buprestidae) are increasingly important given economic and ecological impacts of this invader. While EAB detection remains challenging, tactics are available to protect individual ash (Fraxinus Linnaeus; Oleaceae) trees and slow EAB population growth, thereby delaying ash mortality. Simulations with a coupled map lattice model, parameterised with data from numerous field studies, showed treating trees with a highly effective systemic insecticide (TREE-äge™; emamectin benzoate), would be more effective in slowing EAB population growth than girdling trees to attract ovipositing females then destroying trees before larvae develop, while harvesting ash to reduce available phloem would have the least effect. From 2008 to 2012, cooperators participated in a pilot project to implement an integrated strategy for an EAB infestation in Upper Michigan, United States of America. Ash was inventoried and EAB density monitored using girdled ash detection trees supplemented with baited artificial traps across the >750 km2 project area. While only a tiny fraction of ash trees in the project area were girdled (444–855 trees annually) or injected with TREE-äge™ (<360 roadside trees annually), and treatment distribution was restricted, both treatments slowed EAB population growth. Coupling TREE-äge™ injections with other tactics will likely yield additive or synergistic outcomes.

Semi-field experiments were used to compare the curative activity of insecticides on spotted-wing drosophila (Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura) (Diptera: Drosophilidae)) and blueberry maggot (Rhagoletis mendax Curran (Diptera: Tephritidae)) in blueberry fruit. The organophosphate phosmet, the spinosyn spinetoram, and neonicotinoids imidacloprid, acetamiprid, and thiamethoxam showed significant lethality on spotted-wing drosophila and blueberry maggot larvae and eggs, when applied topically to blueberry fruit post-infestation. The pyrethroids fenpropathrin and zeta-cypermethrin showed high levels of post-infestation activity on spotted-wing drosophila larvae or eggs, and indoxacarb showed statistically weaker activity. Curative activity is a previously unrecognised contributor to the overall means by which blueberry growers may achieve control of spotted-wing drosophila and blueberry maggot with the use of insecticides in blueberries.