We describe the morphology of the alimentary canal in adult Acalymma vittata (F.), the vector of Erwinia tracheiphila (Smith) Bergey et al. emend. Hauben et al. (Enterobacteriaceae), the causal agent of bacterial wilt in cucurbits (Cucurbitaceae). The foregut includes a pre-oral cavity, pharynx, oesophagus, and crop but lacks a well-developed proventriculus. The midgut occupies approximately 65% of the length of the gut, has distinctive ventricular crypts throughout its length, and is lined with a peritrophic membrane, but lacks caeca for harboring symbionts. The hindgut comprises the colon and rectum and four Malpighian tubules. The cuticular intima of both foregut and hindgut bears rows of spines and is thrown into numerous folds. Transmission electron microscopy showed bacteria resembling E. tracheiphila within the hindgut 1 and 30 d after the beetles fed on E. tracheiphila spread between cotyledons of cucumber, Cucumis sativus L. (Cucurbitaceae). Our observations suggest that the midgut is not appropriate for long-term retention of E. tracheiphila because of the absence of caeca and the presence of a peritrophic membrane. Temporary and long-term pathogen retention may be associated with rows of spines and numerous folds within the foregut and hindgut.

The world species of Urolepis Walker are reviewed and a key is given to differentiate females of Urolepis singularis (Ashmead) and males and females of Urolepis maritima (Walker) and Urolepis rufipes (Ashmead). Lectotypes are designated for U. rufipes and U. singularis. Biological literature relating to parasitism of house flies and stable flies by U. maritima and U. rufipes is summarized, and known hosts of the three species and collection records within the Nearctic region are given. Urolepis maritima is recorded for the first time from the Nearctic region, and U. rufipes is confirmed from northern Europe (Denmark and Germany).

In the 1960s, the prediction that synthetic juvenile hormones (JHs) and their analogs would form the basis of a new generation of insecticides with enhanced target specificity greatly stimulated research on this hormone. Although JH-based insecticides were found to be effective against certain groups of insect pests, their shortcomings soon became apparent; however, current JH research provides new opportunities and ideas for the development of innovative integrated pest management (IPM) tools and strategies aimed at disrupting JH functions. Interfering with JH endocrinology requires that we either artificially increase JH titers at stages of development when titers are normally low or artificially reduce JH titers at stages of development when titers are normally high. Our discussion is organized around these two conceptual approaches and covers such areas as (i) the isolation and cloning of JH receptors; (ii) the characterization of polydnavirus and entomopoxvirus gene products responsible for the inhibition of host metamorphosis; (iii) the isolation and molecular cloning of allatostatins and the design of allatostatic pseudopeptides; (iv) the characterization of JH biosynthetic enzymes specific to the Lepidoptera; (v) the characterization of regulatory material originating from parasitic wasps of the genus Chelonus Panzer (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), which induce precocious metamorphosis in their hosts; (vi) a tree resistance mechanism involving anti-JH effects resulting in the failure of female insects to produce and lay eggs; and (vii) the cloning of JH esterase and epoxide hydrolase cDNAs and the production of recombinant baculoviruses that overexpress these JH-degradative enzymes.

Four new species of the Neotropical scarabaeid genus Bdelyrus Harold are described: Bdelyrus asheisp.nov., Bdelyrus cochabambaesp.nov., Bdelyrus iquitosensissp.nov., and Bdelyrus ecuadoraesp.nov. This brings the total to 27 species of Bdelyrus. Bdelyrus lagopus Harold is redescribed and illustrated. A key to all known species of Bdelyrus is provided. Illustrations, a range map, and a revised phylogenetic tree are included. Inclusion of these new species in the revised phylogenetic analysis did not alter significantly the relationships among the 23 species included in the original analysis.

Monelliopsis bissellisp.nov., Monelliopsis pallidasp.nov., and Monelliopsis quadrimaculatasp.nov. are described and their relationship with other known species is discussed. The taxonomic position of the genus Monelliopsis Richards is assessed and a key for the identification of the species of this aphid genus is presented.

In this overview we compare the significance and evolutionary history of two interacting biological systems, the conifer-feeding bark beetles (Coleoptera: Scolytidae) and their host conifers (Gymnospermae: Coniferales and Taxales). Isoprenoid natural products play key roles in the aggregation of the bark beetles and in the defence of the conifers. Our approach is to couple the most recent advances in the biochemical and molecular literature on these systems with ecological and behavioral data to compare monoterpenoid pheromone biosynthesis in scolytids with monoterpene biosynthesis in conifers. This synthesis reveals and evaluates the evolutionary redundancy occurring in the biochemical systems of the insect and host. Although host monoterpenes may be utilized directly or as derivatives in aggregation by scolytids, oxygenated monoterpenes that are behaviorally active for scolytids have been rarely identified from their coniferous hosts. De novo monoterpenoid biosynthesis in the Scolytidae, a process that is likely to be rare among metazoans, is substantially different from monoterpene biosynthesis in the conifers. The pathways appear to be shared only at the late-stage reactions that follow the formation of isopentenyl diphosphate. Little is known of the regulation of monoterpene biosynthesis in conifers, but scolytids positively regulate monoterpenoid biosynthesis using a sesquiterpenoid hormone, juvenile hormone, which does not occur in conifers. Little is known of the subcellular site of synthesis of monoterpenoids in scolytids, but conifer monoterpene biosynthesis is compartmentalized in the plastids, which do not occur in scolytid cells. In addition to bark beetles and conifers, the vertebrate model presents one of the few systems in which isoprenoid synthesis has been studied enough to provide a meaningful comparison. Possible unique features of monoterpenoid pheromone biosynthesis in scolytids relative to isoprenoid biosynthesis in vertebrates include the following: (1) a monoterpenoid end product; (2) a hypothetically scolytid-specific prenyl transferase (= geranyl diphosphate synthase) that catalyzes the condensation of two five-carbon (C5) units, but does not catalyze additional condensation reactions with the C5 monomelic unit; (3) a scolytid-specific monoterpene (myrcene) synthase; and (4) a scolytid-specific, transcriptional-level sesquiterpenoid isoprenoid regulatory mechanism. Features 2 and 3 may be shared with conifers. This review also updates the 1985 landmark scientific paper by John Borden by listing the references and species of coniferophagous Scolytidae for which aggregation pheromones have been identified since 1985.

Descriptions are provided for larvae of nine species of Ceratophyllus Curtis for which swallows in North America, north of Mexico, are recorded hosts. A detailed description is provided for the larva of Ceratophyllus celsus celsus Jordan and for other species only where there are significant differences from C. c. celsus. Ceratophyllus celsus celsus, Ceratophyllus scopulorum Holland, and Ceratophyllus petrochelidoni Wagner are characterized by a large number of anal comb (25–42) and anal mound (13–23) setae, but among themselves have not proved separable; Ceratophyllus styx riparius Jordan and Rothschild is remarkable in having two ventral plate setae on all thoracic segments as well as on the eighth and occasionally the ninth abdominal segments; Ceratophyllus idius Jordan and Rothschild and Ceratophyllus niger C. Fox characteristically display stout ventral plate setae on the thoracic segments, as seen in C. c. celsus, but have fewer anal comb and mound setae. We are unable to separate larvae of C. idius and C. niger from each other. Ceratophyllus gallinae (Schrank) also has few comb and mound setae, but the ventral plate setae are more slender than evident in other species treated here. Ceratophyllus diffinis Jordan and Ceratophyllus garei Rothschild, the sole Nearctic representatives of the subgenus Emmareus Smit, are characterized by their short, slender, thoracic ventral plate setae, but have not been separated from each other here. Redescriptions are provided for larvae of C. gallinae and C. garei. Descriptions for all other taxa are provided for the first time. A key is provided to the known larvae of species associated with swallows in North America, north of Mexico.

The Aphodiine fauna of the Galápagos Islands, Ecuador, is reviewed. Ten species in two genera are now recorded for the archipelago. Two species, Ataenius cristobalensissp.nov. and Ataenius floreanaesp.nov., are described. Ataenius leleupi Petrovitz is placed in synonymy. Two previously described species, Ataenius gracilis (Melsheimer) and Ataenius liogaster Bates, are newly recorded as recent introductions to the islands. A key to species is included. We hypothesize that wing dimorphism for the species of the genus Ataenius Harold endemic to the Galápagos underwent the following evolutionary stages: (1) colonization, (2) adaptation to high-elevation moist forest, and (3) speciation and extinction.

Six species of oribatid mites (Acari: Ceratozetidae) in six genera were recorded from a variety of arboreal habitats in western Canada, including the canopy of temperate rainforest, montane forest, and the leaves of shrubs. Four of these species are new to science and are described: Sphaerozetes winchesterisp.nov., on the basis of adults; and Dentizetes ledensissp.nov., Melanozetes crossleyisp.nov., and Neogymnobates marilynaesp.nov., on the basis of adults and immatures. Jugatala tuberosa Ewing is redescribed from both adults and immatures, a new observation being that adults have seven pairs of notogastral porose areas. The placement of the genus Jugatala Ewing in Ceratozetidae is confirmed. Latilamellobates baloghi (Mahunka) is newly recorded from North America, and the taxonomy of the genus is discussed. The major differences among these six species are presented in tabular format.

Platypus bordenisp.nov. and Platypus namosianussp.nov. are described from the island of Viti Levu, Fiji, breeding in Syzygium ?curvistylum (Gillespie) Merr. and Perry (Myrtaceae). A key is provided to nine species of Platypodidae from the South Pacific islands. A review of the economic importance of Platypodidae in the region and possible management strategies is provided.

Liparocephalus litoralis Kirschenblatt is redescribed from specimens recently collected and illustrated. Additional data on its geographical distribution (Kuril Islands, Russia, and Hokkaido, Japan) are added. A modified key is provided to differentiate L. litoralis from the other recognized species of the genus Liparocephalus Mäklin.

The North American species of Lauxania Latreille are revised. The genus contains five Nearctic species: L. albiseta Coquillett, L. glabrifronssp.nov., L. kafaristasp.nov., L. nigrimana Coquillett, and L. shewellisp.nov. All Nearctic species are illustrated and keyed. Consistent genitalic differences between Nearctic and Palaearctic specimens of the species usually identified as Lauxania cylindricornis (Fabricius) justify the recognition of the Nearctic specimens as a distinct species (L. shewelli). The male genitalia of Lauxania represent two types: the apparently plesiomorphic type has a simple rodlike phallapodeme, membranous phallus, and pointed unbranched postgonites; the apomorphic type has the phallapodeme expanded into a sclerotized hood surrounding the base of the phallus, a convoluted sclerotized phallus, and branched postgonites. These two genitalic types also occur in the related genus Calliopum Strand, which provides strong evidence that these genera, as currently recognized, may not be monophyletic relative to one another.

The new species Neurocordulia michaelisp.nov. from New Brunswick and Maine differs from other northeastern species in the genus in its short mesotibial keel and from all congeners in the great width of its abdomen. The species is obligate crepuscular and can be locally abundant at its riverine habitat. Larvae of the species have the lowest dorsal spines in the genus and cling to the underside of rocks in rapids.

New-world leafhoppers with strongly flattened heads are here assigned to three tribes: Deltocephalini (six genera), Dorycephalini (two genera), and Hecalini (seven genera). Revised keys are presented to the new-world genera, and 44 new-world species of the Nearctic genera Attenuipyga Oman (Dorycephalini) and Neohecalus Linnavuori, the Holarctic genera Hecalus Stål and Memnonia Ball, and the widespread new-world genus Spangbergiella Signoret (Hecalini). In Dorycephalini, Attenuipyga (with subgenus Dorycara Emeljanov, stat.nov.) has nine species, including Attenuipyga (s.s.) joyceaesp.nov. from Manitoba and Dorycephalus sinuatus Beamer, 1942b = Dorycephalus minor Osborn, 1920, syn.nov. In Hecalini, 10 species in Hecalus, 3 in Neohecalus, and 15 in Memnonia are recognized, including 20 species formerly in Parabolocratus Fieber, plus Hecalus finnamoreisp.nov., Neohecalus magnificussp.nov., Memnonia anthalopussp.nov., Memnonia maiasp.nov., and Memnonia panzerisp.nov. from the northern prairies and Memnonia leptaleasp.nov. from the Gulf states. Parabolocratus continuus DeLong, 1938 and Parabolocratus planus Shaw, 1932 are reduced to subspecific status in Hecalus montanus, and three names are synonymized: Parabolocratus inflatus DeLong, 1938 = Hecalus montanus (Ball, 1900); Parabolocratus rotundus DeLong, 1938 = Hecalus major (Osborn, 1915); and Parabolocratus elongatus DeLong, 1938 = Memnonia grandis (Shaw, 1932) syn.nov.

Seven species of mites (Acari: Tarsenomidae) were associated with two local outbreaks of the southern pine beetle, Dendroctonus frontalis Zimmerman, in Chiapas, Mexico; three of these species were new records for Mexico and Central America. The morphology and phoretic behavior of these mites differed little between the western and southern populations from the United States. One major difference was that the hyperphoretic ascospores of the southern pine beetle mycangial fungus, Ceratocystiopsis sp. (Ophiostomataceae), were common in sporothecae of Tarsonemus krantzi Smiley and Moser (Acari: Tarsonemidae) and Tarsonemus ips Lindquist in Chiapas, Mexico, whereas the ascospores of the blue stain fungus, Ophiostoma minus (Hedgcock) H. and P. Sydow (Ophiostomataceae), were rare; this situation in the southern United States is reversed. The paucity of behavioral and morphological differences between the two southern pine beetle populations and the relevant historical climatology suggest that the appearance of D. frontalis in the southern United States may be a recent event.

Monoterpenes affected the attraction of three sympatric species of bark beetles (Coleoptera: Scolytidae) to pheromone-baited multiple-funnel traps in stands of lodgepole pine. Catches of Ips pini (Say) in traps baited with its pheromone, ipsdienol, were directly related to the release rates of 3-carene, β-phellandrene, and β-pinene. Catches of Dendroctonus ponderosae Hopkins in traps baited with exo-brevicomin and cis- and trans-verbenol were directly related to the release rates of 3-carene, myrcene, and β-phellandrene. Ips latidens (LeConte) exhibited preferences for traps baited with ipsenol and β-phellandrene or β-pinene but not in a dose-dependent fashion. Catches of I. latidens in traps baited with its pheromone, ipsenol, were inversely proportional to the release rates of 3-carene, myrcene, and terpinolene. Similarly, catches of I. pini in traps baited with its pheromone, ipsdienol, were inversely proportional to the release rates of myrcene and terpinolene. These results demonstrate a degree of species specificity among three phloeophagous species with respect to preferred host odours. The bark beetle predators–associates Lasconotus complex LeConte (Coleoptera: Colydiidae) and Corticeus Piller and Mitterpacher sp. (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) demonstrated some measure of specificity to monoterpenes in their responses to ipsdienol-baited funnel traps. γ-Terpinene increased attraction of L. complex but had no effect on Corticeus sp., whereas α- and β-pinene increased attraction of Corticeus sp. but had no effect on L. complex.

A droplet-imbibing assay was used to assess the susceptibility of third-instar larvae of the spruce budworm, Choristoneura fumiferana Clemens, to Foray 48B, a commercial formulation of Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki containing 12.7 billion international units (IU) per litre. We observed an LD50 of 1.17 IU/larva for third instars, as compared with 3.96 IU/larva for fifth instars. Comparison with previously published data on susceptibility of later instars revealed that third instars were two-to three-fold more susceptible to Foray 48B than fourth and fifth instars and about eightfold more susceptible than sixth instars. Vulnerability of third instars to simulated aerial spray deposits was investigated by using potted balsam firs, Abies balsamea L. Potted trees were infested in the greenhouse when the buds were starting to swell, using a density of about one newly emerged second-instar larva per bud. When 90% of the larvae had reached the third instar and 52% of the buds were breaking (4 d after infesting), infested twigs were harvested and sprayed with undiluted Foray 48B in a spray chamber. Spray droplets on the buds measured between 25 and 125 μm in diameter, with 80% having a diameter of 80 μm or less. A density of 4.2 ± 1.0 droplets per bud resulted in spruce budworm mortality of 83.4 ± 4.0% and a corresponding reduction in larval density of 86.5 ± 3.9% (means ± SD, n = 6) after 5 d at 25 °C. Results of the spray chamber test suggest that third-instar spruce budworms were able to acquire a lethal dose, despite their concealed feeding habits.

A new species of Thoronidea Masner and Huggert, Thoronidea cerradensissp.nov., is described from the central Brazilian state of Goiás. This species is closely associated with stream habitats in cerrado (savanna) vegetation and probably parasitizes the eggs of aquatic Hemiptera. The male of the genus is described for the first time. The male antenna of T. cerradensis is 11-merous and A4 is exaggerated. The original generic diagnosis is modified to accommodate this new species.

Data from 18 studies carried out on dung beetles from temperate North America (north of 25 ° latitude) are compared to verify the existence of some geographical pattern in the variation of three parameters: (1) species number, (2) taxonomic composition, and (3) number of introduced species. Southern localities are characterized by a larger number of species and a significantly higher number of scarabaeine species than northern localities (only southern communities located inside the Chihuahuan desert do not conform to this pattern). To explain the latitudinal pattern in faunistic composition and number of species, historical factors are postulated. Foreign species of the tribe Aphodiini seem to be more frequent in the northern localities where more aphodiine native species occur. In contrast, foreign species of the subfamily Scarabaeinae are not more frequent in the southern localities with a greater number of native scarabaeine species. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that the more diverse assemblages of native dung beetle are more resistant to invasion by foreign species.

We examined oviposition behaviour in 49 species representing 19 genera of Aphidiinae. All species are solitary parasitoids of aphids (Hemiptera: Aphidoidea). Six general types are described that differ in oviposition time, behaviour, and morphology. The Ephedrini have the least specialized oviposition behaviour within the subfamily, with Praini and Aphidiini displaying various adaptations for host capture and oviposition. Use of the forelegs to grasp and orient aphids for oviposition has arisen twice, in Praini and, independently, in the genus Monoctonus Haliday (Aphidiini: Monoctonina). Morphological modifications of the terminal abdominal segments for host capture are found in Trioxina and in several species of Pauesia Quilis (Aphidiina). A “quick” sting is characteristic of species in the genus Aphidius Nees and related genera. The greatest degree of behavioural diversification occurred among Pauesia species, including cryptic behaviour, ant mimicry, and “sneak” oviposition. Acquired chemical camouflage and mimicry of the host’s cuticular hydrocarbon pattern to avoid detection by guarding ants is found in Aclitus obscuripennis Foerster, the genus Paralipsis Foerster, and the two closely related genera Adialytus Foerster and Lysiphlebus Foerster. It is suggested that the main driving forces in the evolution of parasitoid oviposition behaviour were aphid defensive behaviour and avoidance of aggression by trophobiotic ants. The results are compared with phylogenetic relationships inferred from morphological and molecular data.