Copris incertus Say, 1835 (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Scarabaeinae: Coprini) has been described as a New World coprophagous scarab distributed from Mexico to Ecuador with large discontinuities in its range between the Yucatán province and Costa Rica. The C. incertus species complex of the Copris minutus (Drury, 1773) species group consists of C. incertus, Copris laeviceps Harold, 1869, and Copris lugubris Boheman, 1858. Based on external morphology and male genitalia, we discovered that multiple species have been classified as C. incertus. Of these species, five are new: Copris amazonicusnew species, Copris brevicornisnew species, Copris davidinew species, Copris moroninew species, and Copris susanaenew species. Herein, we revise the organisation of the C. incertus species complex and propose a new species complex, the C. laeviceps species complex, which includes: C. davidi, Copris igualensis Warner, 1990, and C. laeviceps, formerly included in the C. incertus species complex. We provide an identification key along with species distribution maps, images of habitus, and diagnostic characters.

The Phaloriini (Orthoptera: Phalangopsidae: Phaloriinae) species are tropical crickets distributed in Southeast Asia, northern Australia, western Oceania, Seychelles, Gabon, and Tanzania, whose body appears lute-like and brown with dark patches and whose legs are ornamented with ring-like patches. This tribe includes 12 genera and three of them, Gorochovius Xie, Zheng, and Li, 2004, Trellius Gorochov, 1988, and Vescelia Stål, 1877, are found in China. Gorochovius trinervus Xie et al. 2004, Phaloria liangi Xie and Zheng, 2003, and Vescelia pieli (Chopard, 1939) were the only species of Phaloriini recorded in China in previous studies. Here, P. liangi is transferred into the genus Vescelia based on genitalia features, three new distribution records regarding genus and subgenera are reported, and two new species, Trellius (Trellius) guangdongensis Ma and Jing, new species and Trellius (Neotrellius) yunnanensis Ma and Jing, new species are described. Five Chinese Phaloriini species are described and illustrated here, and a key to female Phaloriini worldwide genera and subgenera is provided.

The filamentous spermatozoa of scale insects (Hemiptera) are highly modified compared with those of typical insects. Here, we investigate the morphology of the testes, sperm bundles, spermatozoa, and spermatogenesis of the wingless Kerria chinensis (Mahdihassan) (Hemiptera: Kerriidae), a shellac-producing scale insect. Each testis contains two antiparallel groups of several hundred syncytial sperm bundles. In each spermatocyte cyst, 16 primary spermatocytes divide via inverted meiosis, resulting in 16 quadrinucleated spermatids, each having two euchromatic and two heterochromatic nuclei. During spermiogenesis, each spermatid produces two spermatozoa protruding out of the spermatid close to the two euchromatic nuclei and their tails then grow in opposite directions. In each cyst, the 32 spermatozoa form two sperm bundles lying in an antiparallel direction oriented to different ends of the testis. Each spermatozoon has three distinct regions, an apex, a filamentous region and a tail. The spermatozoa have long thread-like nuclear cores that occupy about one-fourth of the sperm body length, located primarily in the posterior half. At the anterior end of the spermatozoon is a translucent, swollen vesicle and a distal, densely-stained structure; a putative acrosome of a type not previously reported in the spermatozoa of scale insects.

Two distinct experiments were carried out to assess the trans-generational and within-generational effects of the parasiticides ivermectin and moxidectin to dung beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae). In the first experiment, the fertility of Euoniticellus intermedius (Reiche) (Scarabaeinae) was assessed for individuals developing in dung containing 10 µg ivermectin/kg fresh dung, a residue concentration previously shown to be sublethal to larval development. Our results showed that the fertility of adults exposed to these residues as larvae was unaffected. In the second experiment, the fertility of Agrilinus constans (Duftschmid) (Aphodiinae) was determined after females were allowed to feed for three weeks on dung containing different concentrations of moxidectin residues (five concentrations ranging from 0.32–32.00 mg/kg dry dung). The fertility of females was not affected, regardless of the concentration to which they were exposed, even when they were exposed to high moxidectin residues that killed all the offspring. The combined findings of these two experiments emphasise that sublethal effects should be included in models that assess the nontarget effects of faecal residues to insects breeding in dung of livestock treated with veterinary medicinal products.

Investigations of light sensitivity and its physiological effects on insects developing within subcortical tree tissues are limited, presumably due to the assumption that cryptic microhabitats are completely devoid of light. In this study, we documented light-mediated behaviour and opsin gene expression in larvae of the mountain pine beetle, Dendroctonus ponderosae Hopkins (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae), an extremely important forest insect that is well adapted for development beneath the bark of pine (Pinus Linnaeus; Pinaceae) trees and is eyeless in the larval stage. Larvae were negatively phototactic, as they selected dark over light microhabitats in phototaxis assays. We recovered long-wavelength opsin transcripts from all life stages, including eggs and larvae, suggesting that D. ponderosae is photosensitive throughout its entire life cycle. Our results imply that photosensitivity contributes to immature D. ponderosae survival and that extraocular photoreception could be common among bark beetle larvae.

The pine needle scale, Chionaspis pinifoliae (Fitch) (Hemiptera: Diaspididae), has the status of an emerging pest in Christmas tree (Pinaceae) plantations in Québec, Canada. The scale is not known to cause any significant damage yet and is not generally monitored by growers. However, it can be an obstacle for exportation to Christmas tree markets where scale insects are strictly regulated. In this study, we describe its life cycle in Christmas tree plantations in southern Québec. We confirm the presence of both parthenogenetic and sexual forms of the scale on Fraser fir Abies fraseri (Pursh) Poiret (Pinaceae) grown as Christmas trees, and of parasitoid and Coccinellidae (Coleoptera) specialists that could contribute to its control.

To determine resistance of Brassicaceae field crops to Contarinia Róndani (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) midge complex (Contarinia nasturtii Kieffer and Contarinia undescribed species), field trials of two different host assemblages were undertaken near Melfort, Saskatchewan, Canada in 2014 and repeated in 2015. In both years the first midge adults appeared in early July, when most plants were starting to flower, and a second generation occurred in mid-August, past the period of crop susceptibility. In a trial studying 18 lines of six brassicaceous species, the lowest probability of midge injury was found on Camelina sativa (Linnaeus) Crantz lines in both years. No differences were found in the probability of midge injury among any of the 13 Brassica Linnaeus species lines tested, including commercial glyphosate-resistant and glufosinate-resistant Brassica napus Linnaeus canola lines, Ethiopian mustard (Brassica carinata Braun), brown or oriental mustard (Brassica juncea (Linnaeus) Czernajew), or Polish canola (Brassica rapa Linnaeus) lines. Probability of midge injury on Sinapis alba Linnaeus yellow mustard lines reached levels between those on Camelina sativa lines and those on Brassica lines. A second trial examining 14 current commercial glyphosate-resistant Brassica napus canola cultivars found no differences in susceptibility to midge feeding among any cultivars tested. More plants were damaged in 2015 in both studies, and damage reached maximum levels earlier in 2015 than in 2014.

The Dakota skipper, Hesperia dacotae (Skinner, 1911) (Lepidoptera: Hesperiidae), is an at-risk butterfly that inhabits mesic mixed-grass prairie. Loss of native prairie is the main factor driving declines in Dakota skipper abundance. Currently, there is little knowledge on the environmental and habitat requirements of Saskatchewan, Canada populations. Our objective was to determine environmental associations of Dakota skipper in Saskatchewan through landscape, vegetation, soil, climate, microclimate, and Hesperiidae butterfly occupancy. Data collection was conducted in 2015 and 2016; a total of 46 sites were surveyed; nine of these were Dakota skipper positive (i.e., present) sites and 37 were negative (i.e., non-detected) sites. Results indicate that plant composition is not a significant predictor of Dakota skipper presence, but three plant species are significantly associated with the species; Pediomelum argophyllum (Pursh) Grimes (Fabaceae), Zizia aptera (Gray) Fernald (Apiaceae), and Schizachyrium scoparium (Michaux) Nash (Poaceae). No soil or climate variables were significant predictors of Dakota skipper presence; however it is significantly associated with steep slopes. Warmer maximum and average ground-level temperatures are also associated with Dakota skipper presence. Findings indicate that additional Dakota skipper populations are likely in Saskatchewan and future targeted surveys will allow for a full evaluation of the distribution of this species and conservation status.

Delia Robineau-Desvoidy (Diptera: Anthomyiidae), including Delia platura (Meigen), are known pests of vegetable crops. Here, three studies were conducted to examine the relationship between Delia species and Phaseolus vulgaris Linnaeus (Fabaceae). Field studies documented a relationship between planting date and occurrence of Delia damage on P. vulgaris. Plantings in mid-June resulted in higher crop yields (mean bean pods per plant) and reduced damage ratings compared with earlier plantings. Late-May and early-June planting dates were not favourable, as they resulted in high damage ratings and low plant survival. Late-June and July plantings resulted in low damage ratings but low crops yields. Growth chamber experiments examined oviposition preference of D. platura females at eight phenological stages for two varieties of P. vulgaris. Results indicated significantly higher oviposition rates on bean plants at early phenological growth stages, with no significant varietal preference shown by maggots. Laboratory experiments quantified the impact of D. platura larval infestation on two P. vulgaris varieties at two growth stages. Results indicated no significant difference in variety choice. Recommendation for planting P. vulgaris to coincide with Delia phenology using a degree-day model is discussed.

The wheat midge, Sitodiplosis mosellana Géhin (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae), is a serious pest of spring wheat in North America. Currently, most commercial cultivars in the state of Montana, United States of America are susceptible. A study was conducted to assess the variability of adapted spring wheat cultivars to wheat midge infestations. A secondary objective was to determine the relationship between wheat midge infestation levels and spring wheat agronomic traits, including yield, test weight, grain protein, plant height, and heading date. This relationship was determined by evaluating 16 hard red spring wheat cultivars over a six-year period at the Northwestern Agricultural Research Center, near Kalispell, Montana. Levels of infestation had a negative impact on grain yield and test weight. Overall, the average infestation level was 40 larvae/spike with the lowest being observed with “Reeder” and the highest for “Thatcher”. Concurrently, “Reeder” had the highest yield, whereas “Thatcher” had the lowest yield and the highest grain protein, demonstrating that wheat midge infestations were positively associated with grain protein. Heading date had a positive association with midge density with higher infestations associated with later maturing cultivars. The economic injury level was estimated at 12 and 20 midge larvae/spike for a market price of USD $0.27 and USD $0.16/kg, respectively.