Orchestes fagi (Linnaeus) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) is a pest of beech trees (Fagus sylvatica Linnaeus; Fagaceae) in Europe that has recently become established and invasive on American beech (Fagus grandifolia Ehrhart) in Nova Scotia, Canada. We tested the effects of trap type, trap colour, trap height, and lure on the numbers of O. fagi captured per trap with the objective of developing a survey tool to monitor the weevil’s spread. We captured O. fagi in significantly greater numbers on yellow, green, or white traps than on light blue, dark blue, or red traps. There were no significant interactions between trap colour and trap design. Sticky triangular prism traps caught significantly more O. fagi than did nonsticky intercept traps regardless of colour. No effect of trap height was observed. Mean catch of O. fagi was significantly greater on yellow sticky triangular prism traps than on commercially sourced yellow sticky cards. Baiting yellow, green, or white sticky prism traps with the host volatile 9-geranyl-p-cymene did not increase catch of O. fagi. Our results suggest that yellow, green, or white sticky prism traps are a useful tool for detecting O. fagi adults and monitoring the spread of this species in Canada.

Outside of pest control reports, little attention has been paid to interior ecosystems in high-latitude regions. Opportunistic sampling of live arthropods captured inside the University of Alaska Museum Fairbanks, Alaska, United States of America allowed us to describe and analyse one such interior ecosystem. We document a minimum of 77 arthropod species over 18 years. Beetles, spiders, and booklice represented 80% of the total abundance. Of those captured, synanthropes consisted primarily of fungivores and detritivores, seasonals consisted primarily of predators and omnivores, and transients consisted primarily of predators and had greater diet and species diversity than the synanthropes and transients. January was the most common month for capturing synanthropes, September for capturing seasonals, and July for capturing transients. Four synanthropic species not previously known from Alaska, which appear to have breeding populations inside the museum, were found: Dorypteryx domestica (Smithers, 1958) (Psocodea: Psyllipsocidae), Cartodere constricta (Gyllenhal, 1827), Dienerella filum (Aubé, 1850), and Corticaria serrata (Paykull 1800) (Coleoptera: Latridiidae). Three transient and one synanthrope species previously unreported from Alaska, with no evidence of breeding populations, were also found: the click beetle Danosoma obtectum (Say, 1839) (Coleoptera: Elateridae), a spider in the genus Phantyna, probably the species P. bicornis (Emerton, 1915) (Araneae: Dictynidae), two Colobopsis sp. ant specimens (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), and the synanthropic spider Oecobius cellariorum (Dugès, 1836) (Araneae: Oecobiidae).

Carrot weevil, Listronotus oregonensis (LeConte) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), is a pest of carrot (Daucus carota var. sativus Hoffmann; Apiaceae) throughout eastern Canada. Carrot weevil emergence and oviposition were monitored in commercial carrot fields in Nova Scotia. Cumulative degree days were calculated using a base temperature of 7 °C (DD7), and models were developed to predict cumulative emergence and oviposition using nonlinear regression. Cumulative emergence and oviposition were adequately explained as functions of DD7 by a three-parameter sigmoidal Hill equation. Our emergence model predicted initial and peak adult emergence at 35 and 387 DD7, respectively, with oviposition on carrot baits occurring as early as 42 DD7. Models were then validated to evaluate how well they performed. Oviposition on carrot plants began at the fourth true-leaf stage (342 DD7) and continued until eleventh true-leaf stage. Growers using these models can identify their window of opportunity to manage their carrot weevil populations targeting the majority of emerged adults before oviposition begins in the field.

Blueberry maggot (Rhagoletis mendax Curran (Diptera: Tephritidae)) is a pest of blueberries (Vaccinium Linnaeus (Ericaceae)). Tephritid flies, including Rhagoletis Loew species, are susceptible to entomopathogenic fungi, but mortality levels depend on life stage targeted. We tested Metarhizium anisopliae (Metschnikoff) (Clavicipitaceae) strain S54 by application to pupae in the laboratory and using soil drenches in the laboratory and field. We hypothesised that younger (pre-diapause) pupae would be more susceptible to infection than older (post-diapause) pupae. In the laboratory, R. mendax emergence was reduced from 80% in the control to 57–60% with M. anisopliae. Rhagoletis mendax longevity was reduced by two days for both application timings, and mycosed cadavers increased by 9% and 27% with applications to younger and older pupae, respectively, compared to controls. In the field, R. mendax emergence was reduced by 50% with application to younger pupae compared to controls and applications to older pupae. The surfactant Silwet L77 caused reduced R. mendax emergence when pupae were dipped in suspensions. Even though M. anisopliae S54 did not greatly reduce emergence or longevity, infection was successful and younger pupae may be more susceptible than older pupae. Research with other M. anisopliae isolates against multiple life stages should be conducted and effects of soil variables on pathogenicity determined.

This study examined the use of degree-day models to predict alfalfa weevil Hypera postica (Gyllenhal) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) population development on the Canadian prairies. Air temperatures, alfalfa weevil abundance, and instar data were collected in 2013 and 2014 from 13 alfalfa (Medicago sativa Linnaeus; Fabaceae) fields across Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba. We coupled three alfalfa weevil population prediction models with three temperature data sources to determine which combination most closely aligned with results observed. Our objective was to find the best prediction of peak occurrence of second instar alfalfa weevils, the optimum time for management decisions. Of the parameters analysed, prediction model had the greatest effect on the accuracy of peak instar prediction, with Harcourt and North Dakota models better at predicting population peaks than the Guppy–Mukerji model. Interactions between temperature source and prediction model significantly affected prediction accuracy. The probability of accurate prediction of population peaks to within 3.5 days of actual occurrence using in-field and multiple-site temperature data sets, combined with Harcourt and North Dakota development models, was 0.45–0.70. Lower predictability was found from fields in the Mixed Grass Ecoregion than in other ecoregions. The use of the recommended models can assist growers in timing their monitoring activities and deciding if pest management action is warranted.

Drosophila suzukii Matsumura (Diptera: Drosophilidae) is a cosmopolitan polyphagous pest on unripe soft-skinned fruits. We sought to determine (1) temperature treatments that could be used to kill immature D. suzukii in fruit or packaging and (2) whether development on different fruits led to differences in cold tolerance of immature D. suzukii. We reared animals from egg on a banana-based laboratory diet and diets made of apple (Malus domestica Borkhausen; Rosaceae), blueberry (Vaccinium Linnaeus; Ericaceae), cherry (Prunus avium Linnaeus; Rosaceae), grape (Vitis Linnaeus; Vitaceae), orange (Citrus × sinensis (Linnaeus) Osbeck; Rutaceae), raspberry (Rubus Linnaeus; Rosaceae), or strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duchesne; Rosaceae) homogenate in agar and measured development time, adult body size, and cold tolerance. Diet type had complex effects on development time; in particular, D. suzukii reared on apple-based or blueberry-based diets developed more slowly to a smaller adult body size than those on other diets. Cold exposure killed eggs and both first and second instars. Survival of 24 hours at +4 °C by feeding third instars was lowest in blueberry and cherry. Five days at +0.6 °C killed all feeding third instars; this treatment is likely sufficient for targeting D. suzukii in fruit. Two hours at −5 °C or −6 °C killed all wandering third instars and pupae; this exposure could be sufficient for sanitation of packaging.

Populations of native North American parasitoids attacking Agrilus Curtis (Coleoptera: Buprestidae) species have recently been considered as part of an augmentative biological control programme in an attempt to manage emerald ash borer, Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire, a destructive wood-boring beetle discovered in North America in 2002. We evaluate trapping methods to detect and monitor populations of two important native larval parasitoids, Phasgonophora sulcata Westwood (Hymenoptera: Chalcididae) and Atanycolus Förster (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) species, attacking emerald ash borer in its introduced range. We found that purple prism traps captured more P. sulcata than green prism traps, yellow pan traps, and log samples and thus were considered better for detecting and monitoring P. sulcata populations. Trap type did not affect the number of captures of Atanycolus species. Surprisingly, baiting prism traps with a green leaf volatile or manuka oil did not significantly increase captures of P. sulcata or Atanycolus species. Based on these results, unbaited purple prism traps would be optimal for sampling these native emerald ash borer parasitoids in long-term management programmes.

Continued range expansion of Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura) (Diptera: Drosophilidae) is exposing new species of soft fruits and berries to potential infestation. Our understanding of cues that drive host-finding and selection in this highly polyphagous pest insect is still incomplete. Fruit firmness influences host choice behaviour by limiting suitability for oviposition and larval development. Other factors such as fruit sweetness and acidity act as cues for fruit ripening. Here we assess the role of these cues and fruit colour on host selection. We demonstrate that the use of objective and nonanthropocentric methods of quantifying colour in studies of colour preference is critical to understanding the cues evoking responses from insects. Acidity but not sweetness increased D. suzukii attraction and larval success. Differences in D. suzukii attraction were most strongly correlated with short-wavelength reflectance (blue, cyan, and green (470–560 nm)). Growers could select for fruit varieties with relatively higher reflectance values upon maturity to reduce susceptibility to D. suzukii.

The cyclamen mite (Phytonemus pallidus Banks; Acari: Tarsonemidae) has recently become a more important pest in Canadian strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duchesne ex Rozier; Rosaceae) production with the withdrawal of the pesticide endosulfan in 2016, yet its phenology under field conditions in Canada is poorly known. Moreover, while its biological control with predatory mites has shown potential, the effectiveness of this method has never been investigated under eastern Canadian field conditions. The objectives of this study were to (1) monitor populations of P. pallidus in strawberries for two consecutive years; and (2) evaluate the in-field potential of the predatory mite Neoseiulus cucumeris Oudemans (Acari: Phytoseiidae). Monitoring cyclamen mite populations in the field revealed new critical knowledge about its phenology in eastern Canada, such as activity until late November. The predator N. cucumeris was able to effectively suppress cyclamen mites the first year, but appeared to be too cold-sensitive to maintain adequate control towards the end of the season. Furthermore, the high rates of predator release required would most likely be cost prohibitive for commercial use. Control of the cyclamen mite in strawberries remains a complex issue that will require further research.

Gall wasps in the cynipid genus Diplolepis Geoffroy (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae) attack various species of native and introduced roses in Canada. Although gall forms are diverse, gall wasps are parasitised by highly concordant complexes of parasitoids and inquilines. Many species of gall wasps attack the same host plants and develop over the same periods in the season, suggesting that opportunistic parasitoids may be exploiting a range of hosts rather than specialising. We sampled larvae of Eurytoma Illiger (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae) from galls of D. variabilis (Bassett) and D. rosaefolii (Cockerell), gall inducers that develop fairly synchronously late in the growing season on leaves of Rosa woodsii Lindl. (Rosaceae) in the Okanagan Valley of central British Columbia, Canada. Galls were sampled at five different sites along a gradient from the north end of the valley to the Canada–United States border, a distance of 100 km. We extracted DNA, then amplified and sequenced the cytochrome b segment for each Eurytoma larva. We identified two well-supported clades that were differentiated by neither sampling location nor host. Instead, at least two species of Eurytoma, E. imminuta Bugbee and E. longavena Bugbee, exist at these localities, and both exploit at least two of the Diplolepis hosts found at these sites.

Understanding what drives insect movement is crucial to understanding how they might be affected by environmental or human disturbances. Methods that measure movement can be expensive, and few are available that do not rely on some sort of video footage. We developed a relatively inexpensive method that allows the user to see the full path of the individual insects within an arena after a certain amount of time, which can be captured with a photograph and later analysed with computer software applications. In our proof-of-concept experiment, we found that the ground beetle, Harpalus rufipes (Coleoptera: Carabidae), was more active in darkness and in light than in ultraviolet light and that it displayed different movement patterns under all three light treatments.

Many biological processes are partitioned among organs and tissues, necessitating tissue-specific or organ-specific analysis (particularly for comparative -omics studies). Standardised techniques for tissue identification and dissection are therefore imperative for comparing among studies. Here we describe dissection protocols for isolating six key tissues/organs from larvae of the Asian longhorned beetle, Anoplophora glabripennis (Motschulsky) (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae): the supraoesophageal ganglion, posterior midgut, hindgut, Malpighian tubules, fat body, and thoracic muscle. We also describe how to extract haemolymph and preserve whole larvae for measurements such as protein, lipid, and carbohydrate content. We include dissection protocols for both fresh-killed and previously frozen specimens. Although this protocol is developed for A. glabripennis, it should allow standardised tissue collection from larvae of other cerambycids and be readily transferrable to other beetle taxa with similar larval morphology.

We examined the use of bulk mass to predict the number of individuals in samples of the dung beetle Chilothorax distinctus (Müller) (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Aphodiinae: Aphodiini). We first developed linear regression equations to characterise the relationship between the number of beetles in a sample and sample wet mass, air-dried mass, or oven-dried mass. We then applied these equations to samples containing unknown numbers of beetles to obtain a predicted number. The predicted number was subsequently compared to the number obtained by counting each beetle by hand. Wet mass was as suitable as air-dried or oven-dried mass to estimate beetle numbers and was quicker to obtain. The predicted number of beetles in individual samples based on wet mass deviated from the actual number by 0.6–19.9%. For results combined across samples, the discrepancy was 2.2%. We conclude that quantifying C. distinctus by bulk wet mass rather than by hand count provides a reasonable alternative that accelerates the pace of sample processing while providing substantial cost savings. These results add to the small body of literature assessing the accuracy of bulk insect mass as a predictor for the actual number of individuals in large samples of conspecifics.

The sterile insect technique is a new approach for the integrated management of Drosophila suzukii Matsumura (Diptera: Drosophilidae), an invasive pest in North America. We evaluated, under laboratory conditions, the mating capacities and success of male D. suzukii, irradiated at a dose of 120 Gy, with and without competition. We also explored the tendency of females to remate depending if their first mate was irradiated or not. We observed that irradiated males have the same mating capacity as control males, copulating with, respectively, 6.4 ± 1.9 females versus 6.9 ± 2.0 females in a 24-hour period. Irradiated males won the competition 37.5% of times, which is not significantly different from competiveness of control males. Female remating can be considered infrequent and not significantly influenced by male treatment: 7.4% of the females first mated with control males and 18.8% of the females first mated with irradiated males remated when given the opportunity two days and four days after the first mating. Latency before mating and mating duration were not significantly influenced by male treatment, but by presence of male competition. Overall, irradiated males thus seem to be as performant as control males, which is an important condition for a successful sterile insect technique programme.