Topical application of a synthetic juvenile hormone, 1-(4′-ethylphenoxy)-3,7-dimethyl-6,7-epoxy oct-2-ene, to the eggs of the white pine weevil, Pissodes strobi Peck, inhibits embryonic development. Both embryonic and post-embryonic mortality were observed. The construction of simulated ovipositional twigs used in collecting weevil eggs of known age is described. Possible physiological methods of controlling the weevil are discussed.

Euxoa oberfoelli, closely related to Euxoa obeliscoides Guenée, is described from the Great Plains of western North America.

Honey inhibits esterolytic and proteolytic activity of trypsin from Aedes aegypti, Culex pipiens quinquefasciatus, and cattle. The inhibitor is heat stable and only a portion of the inhibition capacity is lost from the honey by dialysis. Glucose, fructose, and sucrose have no effect upon trypsin but ascorbic acid and riboflavin are inhibitory while gluconic acid is an activator. Nectar from lilies but not from honeysuckles inhibits C. pipiens quinquefasciatus trypsin.

Two new species of the genus Lygus Hahn are described: potentillae from Canada, Alaska, and Colorado; and mexicanus from Mexico and Texas. Lygus abroniae Van Duzee is considered to be a typical member of the genus Lygus. The seasonal colour variations of the three species are noted, their relationships to other species in the genus are discussed, and their host plants are given.

This paper reviews recent work on the higher systematics of insects and summarizes the various phylogenetic concepts advocated. It is evident that there is considerable difference of opinion. This is likely to prevail since the fossil record is inadequate. It is suggested that a numerical analysis of the insects at the Order level might be profitable.

The wood borer Tetropium parvulum Casey is an economically important borer of white and engelmann spruce logs in Alberta. It has a 1-year life cycle. The adults emerge in early summer, the larvae mature by September, overwinter in L-shaped galleries, and pupate in the spring. The L-shaped galleries penetrate the wood to an average of 25–35 mm. Four natural mortality factors were: a suspect disease, the parasite Rhimphoctona alaskensis (Ashmead), excess heat, and woodpeckers. Of these, the suspect disease was the most evident, killing 57% of the mature larvae in one sample.

The relative densities of phytophagous and predacious mites within mature apple trees were examined. The eggs of phytophagous mites Aculus schlechtendali (Nal.) and Panonychus ulmi (Koch) were more numerous in the lower position of the tree while the reverse was true for the predacious mite Zetzellia mali (Ewing) and its eggs.

Odontivalvia n. gen. is described for Noctueliopsis radialis Munroe from Texas.

A sensillum in the shape of a truncate cylindrical peg is present on the apex of the antenna in both sexes of Itoplectis conquisitor (Say). The sensilla occur in distinct fields of 19 to 38 pegs per antenna in males , and 26 to 35 pegs per antenna in females (x = 30.6). The pegs measure 1 to 15 μ, in height in males and 4 to 13 μ in females, and 2 to 6 μ in diameter in males and 2 to 5 μ in females. Pegs in the inside ranks at the very tip of the antenna are shorter than those in outside ranks which are more subterminal in position. This height variation results in the flat to slightly concave tips of the pegs being aligned on approximately the same plane. Innervation was confirmed by light microscope observations of sectioned material. The placement of the pegs at the antennal apex suggests that they perceive stimuli in the act of antennal tapping.

Deraeocoris brevis piceatus Knight overwinters in the adult stage on pear and several other plants. Within pear orchards there are apparently two generations of D. brevis per year. Under laboratory conditions the developmental time from first instar to adult is about 25 days. During this period D. b. piceatus consumed nearly 400 eggs and nymphs of the pear psylla, Psylla pyricola Foerster. Most organophosphate pesticides tested were highly toxic to D. b. piceatus when applied directly to nymphs or adults but 7-day-old residues of these chemicals were only moderately toxic. Nonphosphate pesticides allowed fair to good survival of D. b. piceatus but do not fit into the total summer control program for pear pest control.

The behaviour of individual adult female European red mites was observed on peach leaf discs sprayed with different numbers of 200 micron droplets of nigrosine dye solution, nigrosine plus Carzol miticide, and nigrosine plus dicofol. On nigrosine and Carzol deposits, the relationship between the number of contacts and the number of stains was linear, but the addition of Carzol reduced the slope of the line. Tests of stains containing dicofol were intermediate to those of nigrosine and Carzol.

Insect developmental inhibitors applied to colonies of the green peach aphid, Myzus persicae (Sulzer), on peach trees in early May reduced the production of winged migrants as much as 75% and delayed migration for as long as 15 days. However, these compounds affected mainly the alatoid nymphs and not the reproductive adults; therefore, apterous aphids would be available as prey to the natural enemies that are present on peach trees in the spring. A reduction in the number of aphid migrants and a delay in their migration from peach trees would result in a subsequent reduction in the number of aphids produced on diseased secondary hosts and a delay in the migration of these aphids to host crops. In most cases, this would result in an increase in yield and an economic gain to the growers.

The reproductive behaviour of Chrysopa oculata Say females shows a high degree of dependence on diet. Females remain unmated when maintained on a regimen of sugar and water, whereas they mate and produce fertile eggs when given pea aphids prior to pairing. In contrast, the males do not require a diet other than sugar and water in order to produce fertile matings. Pea aphids constitute suitable prey for continuous rearing.

Cyrtinus araguaensis n. sp. from northern Venezuela and Cyrtinus querci n. sp. from eastern Mexico are described and figured.

Trichocorixella mexicana (Hung.), a corixid, has dextral and sinistral males and bilaterally symmetrical females. The development of this polymorphic form from ovum to adult shows five nymphal instars. Thus, this species must be added to the list of polymorphic Corixidae that have five nymphal instars in their life history.

A trap to detect beetles in stored grain is described and compared with earlier versions and other sampling devices. Being escape-proof the trap can be left in grain for long periods thus increasing its reliability. It is strongly constructed of rust-proof materials to withstand field use. It is economical, light, compact, and simple to use in the field or laboratory. Preliminary trials show that it is highly effective as an insect detector and trap.

There is a correlation between the amount of blood ingested by Aedes aegypti (L.) and the trypsin activity (but not the chymotrypsin activity) in the midgut 16 and 24 hr after feeding. Puromycin and Dactinomycin ingested with a blood meal depress the level of midgut trypsin. Trypsin purified from the midguts of A. aegypti fed upon defibrinated blood containing 14C-amino acids contains radioactivity. Midguts from blood-fed mosquitoes did not produce significant amounts of trypsin when dissected from mosquitoes and maintained in a tissue culture medium for up to 50 hr.

An epizootic of Entomophtora sp. was observed in a population of Cinara curvipes Patch. of an exceptional density in a young stand of Abies balsamea L. (Mill.). The presence of Entomophtora and the epizootic were determined in the field by observing resting spores with a portable mini-microscope and by estimating the number of dead or liquefied aphids.

The fungus attacked most of the aphids. Among the few living females observed in October, only those that did not contain resting spores were able to reach the ground for protection. Observations conducted in the same stand the following year indicated that the epizootic of Entomophtora sp. was responsible for the reduction of C. curvipes in the observed stand.