The nine species of Coproporus Kraatz and Cilea silphoides (Linné) of America, north of Mexico are revised. No new species are described. Coproporus maneei Scheerpeltz is placed in synonymy with C. ventriculus (Say). Based on examination of type material, a number of Latin American species formerly considered as synonyms, are recognized as valid species. These include convexus (Erichson) and ignavus (Sharp) which are distinct from hepaticus (Erichson); and terminatus (Erichson) which is distinct from rutilus (Erichson).

Coproporus rutilus piceorufus from Argentina and Brasil and C. rutilus obscurior from Panama, both described as aberrations by Bernhauer (1918), are elevated to specific status. Coproporus segnis, formerly known from Mexico and Panama, is reported from the United States for the first time.

The usage of both Coproporus Kraatz and Cilea Jacquelin du Val has been confused in previous publications. The synonymy and priority of Coproporus vs. Erchomus Motschulsky and Cilea vs. Leucoparyphus Kraatz are discussed. Each genus and species is described and the distribution of each species is mapped. The male genitalia of each species are drawn and the major diagnostic characters are illustrated with scanning electron photomicrographs. A diagnostic key to all the taxa is included.

The sequential mode of operation of the various valves and pumps in the foregut of the blowfly Phormia regina Meigen is described for the crop-emptying process. The results of the study are discussed in relation to the results of Gelperin, who showed that the rate of crop emptying was determined by the crop volume and the blood solute concentration. A mechanism by which synchronization of function may be achieved, based on the results of Nagai, and Thomson and Holling, is proposed, i.e. synchronization depends on the activity of stretch-sensitive muscle fibres.

The spider genus-group names Horodromoides Gertsch 1933, Rhysodromus Schick 1965, and Locupletus Schick 1965 are synonymized with Philodromus Walckenaer 1826. Horodromoides validus Gertsch 1933 is the sole North American member of the fuscomarginatus group of Philodromus, other representatives of the group occurring in Eurasia. Rhysodromus histrio (Latreille) 1819, Philodromus mysticus sp. n., Rhysodromus (Locupletus) alascensis (Keyserling) 1884, and one European species constitute the histrio group of Philodromus. P. lentiginosus Keyserling 1882 is synonymized with P. histrio, and Rhysodromus (Locupletus) alascensis dondalei Schick 1965 is synonymized with P. alascensis.

Eight new nearctic deltocephaline leafhoppers are described and illustrated: Palus beirnei, Rosenus pendulus, R. decurvus, R. transarcticus, Laevicephalus saskatchewanensis, Flexamia satilla, Deltocephalus serpentinus, and D. mystax. All known nearctic species of Palus and Rosenus are illustrated and keyed.

Dieldrin resistance has been confirmed in adults of the cabbage maggot, Hylemya brassicae (Bouché), from the Edmonton area of Alberta. The resistance of this heterogeneous strain had increased from 30% in 1967 to about 80% in 1972. The change in resistance is attributed to selection pressures on H. brassicae by dieldrin residues in the soil. Dieldrin resistance is suspected in the Fincastle area but was not detected in the Lethbridge area.

Toxicity data were established for the Lethbridge and Edmonton strains with alternative insecticides currently recommended in Alberta. There were no differences in the toxicity of the alternative insecticides between strains. Carbofuran and chlorfenvinphos were equal to dieldrin whereas fensulfothion was about six times less effective.

A discriminating dose technique for detecting changes in insecticide susceptibility is discussed.

The number of male and female first generation Panonychus ulmi (Koch) were recorded from 13 apple orchards representing widely different levels of mite infestation on four different varieties. The average percentage of males was 27.5. Statistically significant differences were found among orchards, varieties, observers, and their interactions. No relationship between sex ratio and population density was evident.

Factors affecting the extraction and bioassay of the sex pheromone of white-marked tussock moths were evaluated. Dipping the female pheromone glands in a solvent (preferably hexane) to produce a wash containing active material was a particularly effective and reproducible method of obtaining a potent extract. These were most active if obtained from virgin females < 2 days old. Extracts from recently mated females were only slightly less active than those from virgin females. Males were most responsive in bioassays when 2 to 3 days old. The maximum percentage response of males was obtained at 1 × 10−4 FE (female equivalents); beyond this concentration the percentage response decreased. Characteristically, extracts lost their potency within 1–3 weeks of preparation. It is suggested that either an inhibitor or loss of a chemical component of the sex pheromone causes an extract to become inactive.

Adults of predatory carabid beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae) of the species Stenolophus comma Fabricius field-collected from light traps were bioassayed against several soil insecticides along with laboratory reared larvae of the predatory carabid Pterostichus melanarius Illiger. Adult S. comma beetles were exposed to serial dilutions of insecticides using a Potter spray tower; larvae of P. melanarius were exposed to insecticidally treated Plainfield sand. Fensulfothion, phorate, methomyl, carbofuran, and O,O-diethyl-S(tertbutylthio) methyl phosphorodithioate (Counter®) proved to be highly toxic to adult S. comma with a 0.01% solution causing mortalities > 65%. In the bioassay of P. melanarius larvae, Counter®, phorate, heptachlor, aldrin, and O-(2-chloro-1-(2,5-dichlorophenyl)vinyl) O-methyl ethylphosphonothioate (WL 24073) produced mortalities > 75% at 0.1 p.p.m. in Plainfield sand. The Pterostichus larvae which are probably important as predators of pest insects appear quite susceptible to several important soil insecticides. Chlorfenvinphos, leptophos, and p,p′-DDT were fairly innocuous to both adults and larvae.

Two new species of Tachinus are described: T. minor from the Huachuca Mountains, Ariz., and Durango, Mexico, and T. schuhi from Oregon. Tachinus corticinus Gravenhorst, a common Palaearctic species is recorded from North America for the first time and is redescribed. A male of T. vergatus Campbell, previously unknown, is described from an Ontario specimen. The latest key to North and Central American Tachinus (Campbell 1973) is modified to include these additions. The pertinent features of each species are illustrated with line drawings or scanning electron photomicrographs.

Larval ocelli (stemmata) of four species of Lepidoptera (Malacosoma pluviale, M. disstria, Isia isabella and Hypocrita jacobaeae) were examined under the photonic and the scanning electron microscope. Two types of ocelli are present, one with three convexities, the other with a single one. Differences exist between species. Examination of the internal structure reveals the presence of two separate morphological units, related to the external variations. The significance of these observations is discussed in the light of previous findings.

Characters of head profile and abdominal apodemes are used to supplement the variable character of crown shape in determining the nearctic species of Xerophloea. These characters are illustrated for X. peltata (Uhl.), X. minor Laws., X. robusta Laws., X. major Bak., and X. majesta Laws., and a key for species recognition is included. On the basis of these characters, only X. peltata is found in Canada.

This paper presents a sampling plan for estimating populations of Hypera postica (Gyll). cocoons in alfalfa, and of the principal mortality factors during this stage. The plan provides for samples in foliage and ground litter. For samples in foliage, where two-thirds of the cocoons are found, the most appropriate sample unit is a bouquet of 6 stems; for typical weevil densities, estimates with acceptable precision may be obtained by taking 25 bouquets at random from within a field. For litter samples, the appropriate sample unit is a quarter ft2 (232 cm2); acceptably precise estimates may be obtained by taking 20 such units at random from within a field. Total cost for a combined sample is 3.9 man-hours.

The pattern of counts, both in foliage and ground litter, was well described by the negative binomial distribution.

Eight new high altitude species of the subgenera Microsaurus (Steph.) Smet., Quedionuchus Shp., and Raphirus (Steph.) Smet. of the genus Quedius Steph. (Staphylinidae) from Mexico are described as new.

Quedius (Raphirus) advena Shp. is redescribed, and a lectotype is designated.Each species is described and illustrated. A key to all nearctic species of the caseyi-group of the subgenus Microsaurus, and of the aenescens-group of the subgenus Raphirus is given.

The results of surveys of adult and larval mosquitoes in the environs of Chalk River Nuclear Laboratories (CRNL) near Chalk River, Ont., are presented. Twenty-six species were identified, and the succession of major species throughout the summer months has been illustrated. Members of the genus Aedes (A. communis, A. punctor, and A. excrucians) dominated the populations in early and late June. Later, mosquitoes such as Mansonia perturbons and Aedes vexans were the most troublesome.

The life cycle of Ironoquia punctatissima (Walker) is described for a population occurring in a temporary stream in southern Ontario. A description of the hitherto undiscovered pupa is also given.

The premating period in the parasitoid Priopoda nigricollis (Thos.) is about 2 days, and females are receptive for up to 4 days, after which time the oviducts contain mature eggs. Copulation behaviour in specially built chambers, and oviposition pattern are described. The structure of the ovaries is illustrated. Host feeding by adult P. nigricollis was observed, but it is not a prerequisite for initial egg maturation. Hosts are located by random stabbing with the ovipositor into the mines of Fenusa pusilla (Lep.). Data on the age-specific fecundity of this parasite in laboratory experiments are given. The importance of liberating mated parasite populations is emphasized for successful biological control.

Water uptake and embryogenesis were investigated in eggs of Camnula pellucida (Scudd.) kept under a variety of conditions. Under both laboratory and field conditions eggs take in no water for several weeks after oviposition while embryonic growth progresses; then slowly a little water is absorbed as anatrepsis is completed. Following the breaking of diapause by chilling, eggs incubated at 30 °C in the laboratory rapidly take in water; embryonic growth resumes, blastokinesis rapidly takes place, and hatching occurs in about 10 days. In a natural habitat, however, eggs take in most of their required moisture shortly after the snow melts; during this time no embryonic development takes place, presumably because temperatures are too low. As temperatures rise embryonic growth resumes, with hatchlings emerging sooner or later, depending upon seasonal temperatures.

Eggs laid late in the season show little or no embryonic development and most seem unable to survive the winter.

A technique for mass rearing the carrot weevil, Listronotus oregonensis (LeConte), is described. Adults were provided with carrot roots for food and oviposition sites. Larvae developed directly in these roots. Different temperature regimens for larval rearing were tested and best results were obtained using 21 °C for the first 2 weeks of larval development and 27 °C thereafter. Photoperiod was maintained at 16 h and relative humidity at 70%. Under these conditions, 97.6% of adults emerged in 39–42 days.

Bacillus thuringiensis (B.t.) + sublethal doses of the organophosphates fenitrothion or Orthene® were aerially applied to spruce budworm infested white spruce and balsam fir trees. B.t. + fenitrothion applied at 10 BIU + 17.5 g active ingredient in 4.71./ha (4 BIU + 0.25 oz in 0.5 gal/acre) and depositing at 1.5 to 3.0 BIU + 2.1 to 4.9 g/ha (0.03 to 0.07 oz/acre) did not protect the trees in the year of application owing to too low application rates but apparently gave good protection 1 year later without further treatment. A B.t. + Orthene combination applied at 20 BIU + 42 g/ha (8 BIU + 0.6 oz/acre) and depositing at the rate of 6.9 BIU + 12.6 g/ha (2.29 BIU + 0.18 oz/acre) provided good protection for both tree species in the year of spray.

Moth emergence was substantially reduced by 20 to 30 BIU B.t. + Orthene combination treatment. Thuricide fenitrothion, Dipel fenitrothion, and 30 BIU Orthene treatments reduced oviposition rate by at least 62%, 47%, and 47%, respectively. B,t. + a low dose of Orthene apparently had no major destructive effects on larval, pupal, or egg parasites whereas B.t. + a low dose of fenitrothion seriously reduced egg parasitism.

The data indicate the possibility of using B.t. in combination with low doses of chemical insecticides against the spruce budworm as an alternative to high doses of chemical insecticides alone.

A microsporidian infection was found in two females of the red turnip beetle, Entomoscelis americana Brown, preserved for a histological study in 1973. This is the first record of a pathogen in this species. Dr. G. E. Bucher of the Agriculture Canada Research Station, Winnipeg, verified the identity of this pathogen. It could not be classified further, because fresh material was not available.