Gross decomposition (wt./cal) losses of rabbit feces colonized by larvae of the sciarid fly Lycoriella mali Fitch as contrasted with feces incubated without fly larvae were studied in the laboratory. Under conditions of high larval density and intense grazing pressure, fecal weight and calorie losses (30 days) were double those from fecal samples incubated without flies. Decomposition losses among the samples in a given treatment showed limited variation although the number of emergent adults varied greatly. Although published caloric values obtained for microflora and flies are significantly higher than those recorded for the rabbit feces used in this study (4837 cal/g), feces colonized by flies and feces incubated without flies had caloric values equivalent to that of the unincubated control. Larvae consumed both the mycelium and sporocarps of coprophilous fungi.

Foliage on potted trees or cut branches of western larch, Larix occidentalis Nutt., served as food for rearing Coleophora laricella (Hbn.) during winter and spring. Potted trees were induced to flush by laboratory simulation of fall, winter, and spring to provide foliage the year around. The treatment was 2 months at a short-day photoperiod (SD = 12-h light: 12-h dark), followed by 2 months of darkness at 2 °C, then growth in a greenhouse at long day (LD = 18-h light: 6-h dark). C. laricella could be collected from the field for further rearing during much of the year. Year-round availability of all stages, however, was realized by rearings starting from laboratory-mated moths and eggs laid on potted trees. To promote continued development to the adult stage, a SD-LD-SD sequence of 6 weeks – 2 weeks – 3 weeks duration, then LD was imposed.

Mortality factors affecting populations of the leafminers Argyresthia thuiella (Pack.) and Pulicalvaria thujaella (Kft.), on eastern white cedar in the area of Guelph, Ontario were identified and summarized in life tables. During the two annual generations studied from 1975 to 1977, overwintering mortality varied widely. Winterkill increased from 6.8% to 62.9% for A. thuiella and from 8.1% to 54.6% for P. thujaella, from 1976 to 1977. Several parasitoids produced substantial mortality of each host species, but their effect may have been superseded by winterkill in 1977. Data indicate that both populations of leafminers increased from 1975 to 1976 but decreased substantially from 1976 to 1977.

Brooksella n. gen. is described (type-species, Asciodema inconspicua Uhler). Lectotypes are designated for Asciodema inconspicua Uhler and Orthotylus viridicatus Uhler. The following North American species currently in Melanotrichus Reuter are transferred to Brooksella: Asciodema inconspicua Uhler (= M. atricornis Knight, n. syn.), M. chelifer Knight (= M. brevirostris Knight, M. custeri Knight, n. syn.), M. azteci Knight, M. incurvus Knight, M. malvastri Knight, M. nevadensis Knight, M. nicholi Knight, M. shoshonea Knight, Orthotylus althaeae Hussey, O. ferox Van Duzee, O. tibialis Van Duzee, and O. viridicatus Uhler. Male genitalia and tergal process are illustrated for each species and a key to separate them is provided.

Larvae picked up wettable powder particles on legs, setae, and mouth parts. Phosmet was 5 times more toxic in small droplets than in large droplets to first instar codling moth, but small droplets required 2.5 times the number/cm2. With large droplets, a larger treated area was required to produce 50% mortality. For any percentage area covered small droplets gave higher mortality. Speed of toxic action was related to amount of phosmet/cm2 and to no. of droplets/cm2.

A rotating wheel olfactometer was adapted for laboratory evaluation of oviposition attractants for the navel orangeworm, Paramyelois transitella (Walker). The bioassays were conducted inside a large screen cage in a glasshouse with controlled temperature and humidity. Flying female moths responded to attractant volatiles emitted from egg traps on the olfactometer and oviposited on the surface of the traps.

In laboratory tests on the spruce budworm, Choristoneura fumiferana (Clemens), EL-494®, a new moult-inhibiting insect growth regulator, was found to be more active than Dimilin. The EC50 determined by diet tests was 0.205 ppm for the 3rd, 0.249 for the 4th, 0.287 for the 5th, and 0.486 for the 6th instars. Stadial sensitivity was not detected.

In greenhouse tests this compound was found to be resistant to leaching and UV-degradation; the compound remained active on spruce foliage for at least 15 days. In preliminary field tests EL-494 showed good potential as a control agent.

Stomachs of mature brook trout, Salvelinus fontinalis Mitch., from sprayed and unsprayed streams were analyzed for arthropods. Within 48 h after exposure to aerial applications of 560 g/ha acephate (Orthene®) against spruce budworm, Choristoneura fumiferana (Clem.), fish consumed many more spiders and other arthropods. Caged spiders in an acephate-sprayed forest behaved abnormally and had low survival.

Satin moth, Leucoma salicis (L), larvae from parents which fed on eastern cottonwood and largetooth aspen were laboratory-reared from eclosion to diapause (3rd stage) on fresh foliage of seven poplar and one willow species. Larvae from parents which fed on eastern cottonwood weighed more at eclosion, developed more rapidly, had higher survival, and gained more weight by the onset of diapause relative to larvae from aspen-fed parents. Larvae which were fed the host foliage of their parents developed more rapidly. The highest survival and greatest weight gains occurred where progeny of individuals that developed on eastern cottonwood were reared on that host. Lombardy poplar and eastern cottonwood were the most suitable host species, while white, Simon, and balsam poplars were the least suitable.

A description of the previously unknown larva of Ischnura erratica Calvert is presented. In addition, information on larval habitat, and on the emergence and breeding behaviour of the adults is documented.

The postbloom and summer sprays recommended in Florida commercial citrus cultures for management of insect and mite pests and phytopathogenic diseases caused a significant (P < 0.05) reduction of citrus blackfly, Aleurocanthus woglumi Ashby, infesting urban dooryard citrus. There were no observed adverse chronic effects on populations of the parasite Amitus hesperidum Silvestri, or the predator complex consisting of spiders, chrysopids, and coccinellids attributable to the chemical treatments. The absence of chronic pesticide-induced interference with biological control agents was interpreted as an indication of the potential for development of integrated control strategies against A. woglumi should this insect invade commercial citrus areas in Florida.

Last-stage larvae of Coleophora laricella (Hbn.) were transferred to foliated Larix occidentalis Nutt. trees in four stages of growth for feeding. Based on insect survival, development rate, and size, trees with newly flushing foliage were best for rearing; trees which had completed shoot elongation were nearly as favorable. Both were distinctly superior to trees with elongating shoots and to trees with foliage so old that the current year’s buds were breaking. It is important to recognize the effects of tree growth stage when rearing C. laricella parasites in the laboratory, because parasite survival and sex ratio can be significantly influenced.

A study was conducted to determine if the pecan weevil, Curculio caryae, showed a preference for a particular nut cluster size for feeding and oviposition. Data indicated that selection of nuts for feeding and oviposition appeared to be a random process, without preference toward any particular nut cluster size.

The pear rust mite, Epitrimerus pyri (Nal.), overwinters in a semi-active state in old leaf scar crevices and under bud chips of the leaf clusters. It becomes active within the bud in mid-April, as soon as the weather warms, and passes through three generations in the growing season as indicated by distinct peak egg populations observed in May, June, and July. The first generation eggs are laid within the swelling bud. The mites feed on the ventral surface of the leaves causing bronzing and on the calyx end of the fruit resulting in russeting of the epidermal tissue. Deutogynes of the third generation begin to enter hibernation by mid-August. Occasionally population levels reach economic injury level resulting in the downgrading of fruit.

A vehicle-mounted trap for collecting airborne insects is described. Air enters at 1.9 m wide × 0.7 m high funnel and escapes through 12.5 mesh/cm nylon netting; insects are concentrated and directed into a removable receiving bag. The trap is durable, inexpensive, simple to construct and install, and can be transported in a station wagon or pickup truck.

Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of the thoraces of adult Glossina morsitans morsitans Westwood revealed five octanol dehydrogenase (ODH, E.C. 1.1.1.73) phenotypes (and a sixth was predicted) in males and females, two arginine phosphokinase (APK, E.C. 2.7.3.3) phenotypes in males and three APK phenotypes in females. Each enzyme was postulated to be under the control of a single locus; Odh with three alleles on an autosome and Apk with two alleles on the X-chromosome. Allele frequencies were in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium in our colony, and breeding experiments provided direct evidence for single locus control of each enzyme. The polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis technique described permits determination of banding patterns for xanthine oxidase, aldehyde oxidase, ODH, and APK from a single individual.

Phoretic hypopi of the mite genera Anoetus (Anoetidae), Sancassania, Kuzinia and Schwiebea (Acaridae) were commonly found on 11 species of carabids. Deutonymphs of Poecilochirus sp. were also phoretic on the carabids. Other mite genera were present infrequently on the carabids. Mites were found mainly on ventral surfaces of large carabids and rarely under elytra.

Further experiments were done in an attempt to ascertain the significance of the mandibular glands of nurse bees in female caste differentiation. Groups of 200, 10-day-old nurse bees, with their mandibular glands removed, fed female larvae for 80 h in plastic queen cell cups in the laboratory. After this, each larva finished feeding in a 4-day-old queen cell containing "royal jelly"; final development occurred in an artificial pupation dish. Because four adults, classified as "queenlike intermediates," were reared it appears that (1) mandibular gland secretion is less important as a larval food than that of the hypopharyngeal glands, and (2) if a "queen determining substance" exists the mandibular glands are not its only source.

Adult Euxoa tristicula (Morrison) males were specifically attracted to traps baited with Z-9-dodecenyl acetate (Z9-12:Ac) + n-dodecyl acetate (12:Ac). Best attractancy was obtained with 1:3 ratios of these components. Z-5- and Z-7-dodecenyl acetates and Z-9-tetradecenyl acetate inhibited lure attractancy. In electroantennogram measurements strong antennal responses were obtained only with 12:Ac, Z9-12:AC, and E9-12:Ac.

Ametropus neavei McDunnough populations apparently inhabit only large rivers. In the Athabasca River of northeastern Alberta, Canada, the species has an univoltine life cycle, with some overlap of generations. There appears to be an extended emergence period (June and July), the nymphs are found in flowing water at depths greater than 0.5 m, and the population is almost entirely small-particle detritivores.