Microtendipes globosus sp. nov. (Diptera: Chironomidae) from Xishan Island, China is described and illustrated from a male imago. The new species is characterized by a spherical median volsella with 9–10 long setae, the basal lobe of the superior volsella with 10–12 setae, tergite IX without median seta, and the absence of pigment marks on the wings. An identification key to the males belonging to the genus Microtendipes in China is provided.

The diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Yponomeutidae) is a serious pest of crucifers, worldwide, and has developed high levels of resistance to insecticides including Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt). This serious situation requires the identification of non-chemical, alternate, futuristic pest management strategies, which might involve gene silencing. This would first require the identification of small RNAs and their targets, and later their suitable deployment. Micro RNAs (miRNAs) are a class of small RNAs directly involved in various biological functions by regulating gene expression at the post transcriptional level. Finding new miRNAs and predicting their targets from Insect genome would lead to better understanding of their diverse functions. In the present study we have identified 8 new mature miRNAs of P. xylostella and predicting their mRNA targets by computational methods. The following 4 miRNAs are reported for the first time in arthropods, viz., miR-244, miR-3529, miR-4704, and miR-7267. We have also analyzed the precursor sequences of the newly identified miRNAs, and we have predicted their secondary structure with minimum free energy index, MFEI, which ranges 0.85 to 1.24. The mRNA target predictions for novel miRNAs were carried out using the Miranda program employing the available putative gene set sequences of P. xylostella.

Mexico contains a large diversity of Lepidoptera (14,385 spp.), but it is a contradiction that only two species of butterflies are officially protected and moths are not even contemplated for protection. Among the 240 known species of Mexican wasp moths 10 are endemic to the country. Herein we update the knowledge of the geographical distribution of the wasp moth, Cyanopepla griseldis (Druce 1884) (Lepidoptera: Erebidae: Arctiinae: Ctenuchina), which is endemic to the mountains of central Mexico. We also evaluated C. griseldis's current vulnerability, using a method that allowed us to categorize it as “threatened” based on the corresponding equivalent designation in the Official Mexican Norm for Species Protection (NOM-059). We also propose that the taxon should be included in the Official Mexican Norm for Species Protection.

Botanical extracts can be an alternative to synthetic insecticides for pest management, owing to their efficiency and environmental safety. The lethal times (LT₅₀ and LT₉₀), loss of grain weight, and repellence of Sitophilus zeamais (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) were evaluated when extracts from 5 plant species from the Brazilian Cerrado biome [Adenocalymma nodosum (Bignoniaceae) leaves, astilbin from Dimorphandra mollis (Fabaceae) flowers, Psychotria prunifolia (Rubiaceae) leaves, Senna obtusifolia (Fabaceae) leaves, and Tithonia diversifolia (Asteraceae) flowers] were applied to a surface and to food. The weevils exposed to a surface treated with extracts from T. diversifolia flowers (106.43 h) and P. prunifolia leaves (119.68 h) at 2% (m.v^-1) presented the lowest LT₅₀ and LT₉₀ values, respectively. Corn grains treated with the extract from P. prunifolia leaves at 2% (w.w^-1) exhibited fastest mortality of S. zeamais individuals with lower values of LT₅₀ and LT₉₀ than the other treatments. All the botanical extracts repelled S. zeamais after 30 min of application; however, the extracts from S. obtusifolia leaves, P. prunifolia leaves, and T. diversifolia flowers at 2% (m.v^-1) repelled this insect after 6 min. Moreover, at 90 and 120 min after the beginning of the experiment, the extracts from P. prunifolia leaves and T. diversifolia flowers repelled the adult weevils. The extracts from A. nodosum leaves, P. prunifolia leaves, and T. diversifolia flowers applied to corn grains showed class III repellency according to the Preference Index for S. zeamais and less grain weight loss, when compared with astilbin from D. mollis flowers and S. obtusifolia leaves. Therefore, it was concluded that the extracts from T. diversifolia flowers and P. prunifolia leaves were the most promising in controlling S. zeamais, with the potential for application in programs for the integrated management of this pest.

Two new species of braconid wasps (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) collected in the Mexican Yucatan Peninsula are described. Mirax avena sp. nov. is the first species described of this genus for Mexico, Choreborogas odontofemoralis sp. nov. is the second species of the genus described in the country. The new species are compared with other species in its respective genus and a key is provided for correct determination. Diagnosis and morphological character illustrations are provided.

Injury caused by picture-winged flies or corn silk flies (Diptera: Ulidiidae) is a major limiting factor of corn (Zea mays L.: Poales: Poaceae) yields in Florida. Growers have relied heavily on chemical insecticides for control of these pests. However, we are exploring other methods, such as the use of biological control by predatory arthropods, which may be factors in an integrated pest management (IPM) program. Thus, information on the distribution of the flies and their predators and responses of the predators to the flies is potentially useful. Taylor's Power Law, Iwao's Patchiness Regression, and the Index of Dispersion were used to study distribution patterns of arthropods found on sweet corn ears in 2010. Arthropod groups included eggs and larvae of Euxesta stigmatias (Loew), E. eluta (Loew), E. annonae F. (Diptera: Ulidiidae), nymphs and adults of Orius insidiosus (Say) (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae), and larvae of Anotylus insignitus (Gravenhorst) (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae). In each season in the R1, R2, and/or R3 corn stages, ulidiid eggs and larvae generally had aggregated distributions in corn ears (b, β, & ID > 1; P < 0.05). Orius insidiosus had aggregated distributions on most sampling dates except for random or regular distributions (b, β, & ID ≤ 1) in the R3 stages of the spring and fall. The distribution of A. insignitus larvae was measured only in the summer R3 and was aggregated. In the laboratory, O. insidiosus had a Type III functional response to eggs of E. stigmatias, E. eluta, and E. annonae, and the combination of these species with similar handling times (0.43–0.45 h) and attack constants (0.03–0.05h^-1) for the different prey species. These results for O. insidiosus may be compared to those of Zelus longipes (L.) (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) and other predators, which may help elucidate the effectiveness of these predators in controlling ulidiid flies.

Effective biological control of destructive heliothine larvae via application of microbial entomopathogens or parasitoids is limited by a robust immune response against infection and parasitization. To better understand the immune response of budworms against microbial entomopathogens, several orthologs of antibacterial response proteins were identified and extracted from a tobacco budworm, Heliothis virescens (F.) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), expressed sequence tag database for study of their upregulation by bacterial infection. Transcript sequences corresponding to precursors of 3 antimicrobial peptides from H. virescens hemolymph (virescein, heliomicin and heliocin) have been identified and their induction by bacterial elicitation analyzed. Further, a gloverin-like antibacterial and an H. virescens ortholog of the Lepidopteran hemocytespecific antibacterial Spod-X-Tox have been identified. Induction of these selected antibacterial protein transcripts by bacterial infection were quantitated using quantitative RT-PCR in hemocytes and fat bodies. Transcript levels of all were elevated by bacterial elicitation in both tissues as early as 3 hours post-treatment.

Florida is the second largest producer of fresh-market strawberries (Fragaria × ananassa Duchesne; Rosales: Rosaceae) in the United States. The annual hill “plasticulture” production system used to grow strawberries makes this crop one of the most expensive to produce. The cost of production may be reduced if synthetic mulch can be reused and the dead plants (thatch) from the previous season left in the field, without negatively affecting crop yields. Field studies were conducted during the 2010/2011 and 2011/2012 strawberry growing seasons to evaluate the effect of re-using plastic mulch with or without dead strawberry plants from the previous season on arthropod populations, disease incidence, weeds and strawberry growth, and marketable yields of strawberries. The study was conducted in a commercial field in Citrus County, Florida using 2-yr old synthetic mulch on the bed. Two strawberry varieties ‘Albion’ and ‘Florida Festival’ were planted in 2010/2011 and 2011/2012 growing seasons, respectively. During transplanting, one treatment had all strawberry thatch (dead plant debris from previous season) removed from the soil before planting the new strawberry transplants, while in the second treatment the thatch was left to grow with the transplants. Data were collected throughout the growing seasons on plant growth, spider mites and insect pest populations, weeds, disease incidence, and marketable yield of strawberries. Re-using plastic mulch with or without strawberry thatch had no significant effect on plant size or populations of beneficial and pestiferous arthropods. However, re-using mulch with strawberry thatch reduced weed growth but increased the incidence of fungal diseases. As a result of fungal diseases and plant mortality, marketable yield for the variety “Florida Festival”, but not “Albion” was significantly lower in plots with the strawberry thatch than in those without thatch.

Balaustium leanderi (Haitlinger, 2000) comb. nov. (Actinotrichida: Erythraeidae), previously known only from the larval stage is re-described based on material originating from a laboratory culture of specimens collected in Colombia. This is also the first report of Balaustium leanderi (Haitlinger, 2000) in this country. The taxonomic characters of adult (female), deutonymph and larva are provided. The species re-described in this paper, is one of 37 nominal species presently assigned to the genus. With Balaustium leanderi (Haitlinger, 2000) there are just 6 species known both from larvae and active postlarval forms. Palenqustium Haitlinger (2000) is considered a junior synonym of Balaustium, which is one of 12 genera recognized within the Balaustiinae. A modified diagnosis of Balaustium von Heyden, 1826 is provided.

A cladistic and biogeographic analysis is presented of Heterostylum Macquart (Diptera: Bombyliidae), a New World bee-fly genus with 14 species. A phylogenetic hypothesis was obtained based on a data matrix with 27 characters, using the cladogram analysis and search program, TNT, and the matrix editing and tree viewing program, WINCLADA. Character states were polarized by tree rooting with the following outgroup taxa: Toxophora aurea Macquart, Apiformyia australis Yeates, Triploechus novus Williston, T. bellus Philippi, and T. heteronevrus Macquart. The monophyly of Heterostylum was well supported, and after successive weighting was applied, 2 major clades were found: a Nearctic clade including H. robustum (Osten Sacken), H. helvolum Hall & Evenhuis, H. deani Painter, H. croceum Painter, and H. engelhardti Painter, and a Neotropical clade with H. haemorrhoicum (Loew), H. rufum (Olivier), H. evenhuisi Cunha & Lamas, H. maculipennis Cunha & Lamas, H. ferrugineum (Fabricius), H. hirsutum (Thunberg), and H. pallipes Bigot. For the biogeographic analysis we derived an area cladogram based on the phylogenetic hypothesis obtained to analyze the distributional pattern and spatial diversification of Heterostylum. The divergence between Nearctic and Neotropical clades is associated with a spatial disjunction along the Mexican Transition Zone, which supports evidence that an ancient Caribbean event was mainly responsible for the diversification of major lineages of Heterostylum. This biogeographic scenario, as well as alternative scenarios, was also analyzed and discussed along with the results obtained from an event-based biogeographical analysis (DIVA).

Rapid detection of red imported fire ant (Solenopsis invicta Buren; Hymenoptera: Formicidae) nests is important in assessing the control efforts and for monitoring dispersal of this pest. In this study, spectroscopic techniques were employed to characterize the reflectance spectra of fire ant nest soil and the areas surrounding the nests. The results showed significant differences between nest soil, grass, and bare soil not disturbed by fire ant at the 680 nm wavelength of the electromagnetic spectrum. The reflectance of nest soil was 10% to 15% lower than that of the surrounding non-nest bare soil at wavelengths of 780 to 1000 nm. Furthermore, the reflectance of nest soil was significantly correlated with soil water content (R² = 0.962).

The toxicity of 2 reduced-risk pesticides, 2% horticultural oil with 0.05% Silwet L-77 and Grandevo (Chromobacterium subtsugae Strain PRAA4-1T), to 2 predators: Metaseiulus occidentalis (Nesbitt) (Acari: Phytoseiidae) and Hemicheyletia wellsina DeLeon (Acari: Cheyletidae), and 3 orchid pests: the two-spotted spider mite Tetranychus urticae Koch (Prostigmata: Tetranychidae), the phalaenopsis mite, Tenuipalpus pacificus Baker (Acari: Tenuipalpidae), and the longtailed mealybug Pseudococcus longispinus (Targioni-Tozzetti) (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) were tested. Grandevo did not kill either predator, and it failed to suppress populations of T. urticae and P. longispinus, but it reduced T. pacificus by 84%. The Silwet and horticultural oil mixture caused mortality of at least 82% in all 5 species tested.

Recent aphid-vectored viruses in the northeastern U.S. led to extensive surveys of aphid (Hemiptera: Aphididae) species composition. We report the species composition and richness of alate aphids associated with processing snap bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.; Fabales: Fabaceae) agroecosystems from field surveys conducted during 5 yr in New York and 3 yr in Pennsylvania. Rates of species accumulation were similar between the 2 states, and asymptotic, suggesting reasonably adequate sampling intensity. Our results suggest that about 95 to 100 aphid species are present as alates within these agroecosystems, a surprisingly high percentage (∼14 to 18%) of the total aphid richness. Host records suggest that 61% of the alate aphid species we collected from pan traps placed within snap bean fields were dispersing through this agroecosystem, originating from woody plants in the surrounding landscape. We compiled this information with a recent study of aphid species composition from peach orchards and an exhaustive inspection of museum samples, and present an updated list of the aphid species in Pennsylvania.

Empoasca terminalis Distant (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) is a new and increasingly important pest of soybean in South Sulawesi Province of Indonesia. Soybean producers rely heavily on insecticide use to control the insect; hence there is an urgency of finding alternative control measures that are effective and safer. The use of resistant cultivars well meet these criteria. Field studies were initiated to evaluate the susceptibility of several commercial soybean varieties against the leafhopper. Twelve soybean cultivars: ‘Gepak Kuning’, ‘Kaba’, ‘Mahameru’, ‘Gema’, ‘Detam-2’, ‘Grobogan’, ‘Gepak Ijo’, ‘Willis’, ‘Tidar’, ‘Detam-1’, ‘Argomulyo’, and ‘Anjasmoro’ were evaluated against E. terminalis in 2012 and 2013. The amounts of yield loss due to the leafhopper was also determined in 2012 and 2013. The lowest numbers of adults and nymphs were found on ‘Gepak Kuning’; while the highest numbers of adults and nymphs were found on ‘Mahameru’. Similarly, the lowest and highest scores of hopperburn were also found on these 2 cultivars, respectively. ‘Tidar’, ‘Gepak Ijo’, and ‘Kaba’ were also resistant to the leafhopper. Leafhopper infestation significantly reduced the yields on susceptible cultivars but not on the resistant ones. Our results also showed that trichome density was not associated with the level of resistance of the cultivars to the leafhopper. Our results suggested that ‘Gepak Kuning’, ‘Gepak Ijo’, ‘Tidar’, and ‘Kaba’ are resistant to E. terminalis and should be used by soybean producers to suppress the pest population.

We describe the larval stages of Lixadmontia franki Wood & Cave (Diptera: Tachinidae). The fly is a specialist parasitoid of bromeliad-eating weevils and a potential biological control agent for controlling an invasive bromeliad-eating weevil, Metamasius callizona (Chevrolat) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), in Florida. Morphological characteristics that can be used to distinguish the instars of L. franki, including the mouth hook and cephalopharyngeal skeleton, body size and color, spinulae patterns, and presence and structure of spiracles, are described, measured, and illustrated. Fly larvae live in the host's body cavity and attach their caudal end to the host's tracheal tubes. The first instar builds a respiratory funnel and the second instar remains attached to the same point and builds upon the funnel. The third instar does not build upon the respiratory funnel. The third instar disconnects from the respiratory funnel shortly before exiting the host. First and second instars are metapneustic, but the third instar is amphipneustic.

A list of parasitoids of the genus Coccophagus Westwood that parasitize the soft scale Parasaissetia nigra (Nietner), in the world, is given. Data on the biology of P. nigra in Mexico are presented. A key to species of Coccophagus associated to P. nigra in Mexico, including possible species of parasitoids, was prepared. A new species, Coccophagus minor Myartseva sp. nov., reared from P. nigra on mistletoe, Phoradendron quadrangulare (Kunth) Griseb., growing over leaves and shoots of huisache, Acacia farnesiana (L.) Willd., in Tamaulipas, Mexico, is described.

The genus Dolichocephala Macquart (Diptera: Empididae) is newly recorded from Tibet, which represents the first record of the subfamily Clinocerinae from this region. A new species, Dolichocephala tibetensis sp. nov., is described. Its relationships with other species in neighboring areas are discussed. A key to the species of the genus Dolichocephala from China is presented.

Prey availability for predaceous insects can be uncertain in row crop ecosystems, requiring predators to employ flexible reproductive strategies to maintain their populations. In this study, we examined life history parameters and predatory behavior of the ladybeetle, Tenuisvalvae notata (Mulsant) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) under different conditions of prey availability. Females of T. notata exhibited a type III functional response when preying upon neonate striped mealybug [Ferrisia virgata Cockerell (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae)] nymphs and a type II response when preying upon third instars and female adults. On average, T. notata females consumed 157.9 neonate nymphs, 3.6 third-instar nymphs and 2.2 adult females of F. virgata per day. When subjected to a one-day period of prey deprivation, T. notata females exhibited significant reductions in reproduction and survivorship. After 150 days of exposure 47, 13 and 20% of females were alive when fed daily or subjected to repeated one- or 2-day periods of prey deprivation, respectively. Prey consumption increased as a function of prey availability. Daily oviposition was observed for females fed daily, but a sharp reduction in egg production was observed under conditions of prey scarcity. These findings show that T. notata exhibits a positive response to prey availability preying upon the striped mealybug F. virgata.

The citrus (or orange) spiny whitefly, Aleurocanthus spiniferus (Quaintance) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae), is an important pest of various economic crops such as citrus and tea, causing severe economic losses. However, the population genetics of A. spiniferus is poorly understood, both in China and in other countries. To improve our knowledge of the population structure and genetic variation of this species, 10 polymorphic microsatellite loci for A. spiniferus were developed and characterized using FIASCO (Fast Isolation by AFLP of Sequences Containing Repeats). Our results showed that the polymorphic information contents (PIC) of all 10 loci were greater than 0.5, showing a high degree of polymorphism. The number of alleles ranged from 12 to 27 across 60 individuals from 6 populations. In addition, the expected heterozygosity (H_E) and the observed heterozygosity (H_o) ranged from 0.851 to 0.958 and from 0.621 to 0.850, respectively. Interestingly, all loci deviated from the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, although - according to our study - they were not affected by the species' specific reproductive strategy, and thus must be related to other unknown factors. Furthermore, linkage disequilibrium analysis revealed that C19-2 and D14, and also I20 and F12 showed linkage disequilibrium. Cross-species amplification was also tested in 5 closely related whitefly species (Aleurodicus disperses Russell, Pealius mori (Takahashi), Aleuroclava aucubae (Kuwana), Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) MEAM1 and B. tabaci MED) in this study. Nine pairs of primers were successfully amplified at different levels except for F12. In particular, A21-2, D14, F13-2, and F42-2, coupled with I20 were successfully amplified across all the above species. Consequently, the 10 loci identified here can be used to study the population genetic structure of A. spiniferus and other closely related whitefly species.

Cnaphalocrocis medinalis (Guenée, 1854) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) is an important defoliating insect of rice crops in Asia, and is difficult to rear on artificial diets. The effects of dietary additives in artificial diets on survival and larval growth of C. medinalis were evaluated. Antibiotics, ascorbic acid and vitamin mixture in the medium were indispensable for the survival and growth of C. medinalis larvae. The neonates of C. medinalis did not survive for 5 days on the artificial diets that lacked antibiotics and an antioxidant, and they did not develop to the pupal stage on the diets without the addition of vitamin mixtures. Addition of antibiotics, antioxidant and vitamins at a low level facilitated larval survival and growth. Supplementation with a vitamin mixture promoted larval growth and shortened the duration of larval development. Additions of cholesterol, and sucrose to the artificial diets improved the development of C. medinalis larvae, but excessive amounts of cholesterol and sucrose resulted in inhibition of larval growth. Incorporation of rice or corn leaf powder and plant oils increased larval mortality, and reduced pupation. The addition of Wesson's salt to the artificial diet did not improve larval survival and growth. Therefore, leaf powder, plant oils and Wesson's salt could be omitted from the medium. In addition, the water content had significant effects on larval survival and growth of C. medinalis. Eighty percent water content was the most favorable for larval development, lesser or greater proportions were disadvantageous.

Cytogenetic analyzes were carried out on populations of Pachycondyla harpax (Fabricius, 1804) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Ponerini) in southern Bahia, Brazil. The chromosome number was variable with 2n = 90–92, and the chromosomes, predominantly acrocentric, were characterized by being small in size. The karyotype formulas of the studied populations were: Ilhéus 2K = 16M 76A, Una 2K = 16M 74A and Belmonte 2K = 16M 76A. The karyotype of a fourth population (Igrapiúna) was undetermined. Fluorochrome banding shows the presence of heterochromatic blocks rich in GC in the pericentromeric region of one of the metacentric pairs, indicating the nucleolus organizer regions. The first case of a diploid male in the genus Pachycondyla is reported.

Strategus aloeus (Linnaeus, 1758) (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) is a dangerous pest of oil palms in the Americas, because the adults cause several kinds of damage and kill palm trees. Effective methods for pest management are needed urgently. Bioassays were conducted to compare the toxicity to S. aloeus of the insecticides: fipronil, imidacloprid, lambda-cyhalothrin, spinosad, thiacloprid and thiamethoxam. The toxicity of each insecticide to the adults of S. aloeus was determined as: (1) the LC₅₀ and LC₉₀ under laboratory conditions, after exposure of six concentrations of each insecticide applied in a semi-solid diet and used to feed each insect and (2) the mortality under semi-controlled field conditions after applications of insecticides into the beetle galleries in the oil palm tree. The mortality of S. aloeus was higher with fipronil, imidacloprid, lambda-cyhalothrin and thiamethoxam, while spinosad and thiacloprid were less effective. Higher mortalities were obtained with concentrations of 12.5, 25, 50 µL mL^-1 for determining LC₅₀ values and 50, 100 µL mL^-1 for determining LC₉₀ values during 72 h. The mortalities of S. aloeus had similar tendencies under laboratory and semi-controlled field conditions. Fipronil, imidacloprid, lambdacyhalothrin and thiamethoxam caused substantial mortality in S. aloeus and, thus, can be used rotationally in integrated pest management programs (IPM) against this pest in the oil palm plantations.

The paper describes 5 new species of Meganola Dyar, 1898 (M. paramediana, M. nankunensis, M. wangi, M. donglashanensis and M. longshengensis spp. nov.) from China. Five described species, M. latiscripta László, Ronkay & Witt, 2005, M. tarkabarka László, Ronkay & Witt, 2010, M. semirufa (Hampson, 1894), M. galsworthyi László, Ronkay & Witt, 2010 and M. indistincta (Hampson, 1894) are reported from China for the first time. Adults and genitalia are illustrated.

The sycamore lace bug, Corythucha ciliata (Say) (Hemiptera: Tingididae) of North America, is an invasive pest of plane and sycamore trees (Platanus spp.) (Proteales: Plantanaceae), and has invaded many countries. To explore the population genetic structure and the invasion route by which C. ciliata reached China, we developed 9 highly polymorphic microsatellites loci by the FIASCO method. Polymorphism of the 9 loci was assessed in 48 individuals from 2 populations (Guiyang and Nanjing) in China. The number of alleles per locus ranged from 2 to 13. The observed (H_O) and expected (H_E) heterozygosities varied from 0.146 to 0.958 and 0.290 to 0.849, respectively, in Guiyang population. Likewise H_O and H_E varied from 0.483 to 0.739 and 0.443 to 0.865, respectively, in Nanjing population. Two loci (CA15 and GA365) showed significant deviations from the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (HWE) in Nanjing population. Moreover, loci CA200&GT26, GT26&TG100, and TG100&GA365 showed significant linkage disequilibria (LD) in the Guiyang population (P < 0.01), and loci GT26 and GA5 (P < 0.01) showed significant linkage disequilibria (LD) in the Nanjing population. Finally, we found 2 types of mutational events that could generate the new alleles, but the main mutation mechanism for the newly developed microsatellites was slippage in the repeat motif and in the flanking region. In future work, the nine loci identified here will be used to study the population genetic structures of C. ciliata populations in China and in putative regions of their origin, and investigate the probable route by which the pest reached China.

The green lacewing, Mallada basalis (Walker) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae), is one of the most important natural enemies used in biological control programs for forestry and agricultural pests. However, it is difficult to mass rear M. basalis instars because they are voracious cannibals. This study was conducted to determine the effect of cannibalism on the development and fecundity of M. basalis. We analyzed the developmental parameters of 3rd instars that cannibalized M. basalis eggs and 1st instars, and the relationship between the proportion of each of the 3rd instars cannibalized and the number of folded paper barriers provided in an arena to minimize the frequencies of encounters. In all treatments the green lacewing instars were provided eggs of the pyralid, Corcyra cephalonica (Stainton). In Treatment I the pyralid eggs were supplemented with M. basalis eggs and in Treatment II, the pyralid eggs were supplemented with M. basalis 1st instars. The developmental times of the 3rd instars and pupae of Treatment I and Treatment II were significantly shorter than in the control. The pupal weights, fecundities and egg hatch rates of Treatments I and II were significantly larger than in the control. When 3rd instars cannibalized M. basalis eggs or 1st instars, the pupal weights significantly increased from 10.3 (control) to 11.0 and 10.9 mg, respectively, fecundities significantly increased from 91 (control) to 141 and 121 eggs, respectively, and the egg hatch rates significantly increased from 62% (control) to 70% and 68%, respectively. Moreover, as the number of folded paper barriers per arena increased, the proportions of 3rd instars cannibalized at first tended to decrease but then increased. When the different instars were studied separately, the proportion of 3rd instars cannibalized was larger than the corresponding proportions of 1st and 2nd instars. The research indicated that cannibalism enhances both development and fecundity of M. basalis. The use of paper barriers to frequent encounters reduced cannibalism somewhat, but this method was not adequately effective for the 3rd instars. Our findings may contribute to the mass production of this economically important predatory green lacewing.

Globicornis (Pseudomesalia) emeii Háva & Kadej, sp. nov. is described from China. The habitus, antenna and genitalia are illustrated and compared with those of related species.

Gibbobruchus bergamini Manfio & Ribeiro-Costa sp. nov. (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae, Bruchinae) is described from Brazil (state of Goiás) and it is here included in an updated key to the Gibbobruchus Pic species. The dorsal aspect, male and female pygidium and male genitalia are illustrated. This new species develops in seeds of 6 Bauhinia L. (Fabales: Fabaceae: Caesalpinioideae) species. New host plant records for other 4 species of Gibbobruchus are presented. Considering the host plants of G. bergamini sp. nov., a total of eleven new hosts are added to the genus; with exception of Phanera Lour. (Fabales:Fabaceae)- which we recorded the first time for Gibbobruchus, all Gibbobruchus spp. were collected in Bauhinia seeds. Geographic distribution data and further comments on host plant associations are also included.

Conopomorpha sinensis Bradley (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae) is a destructive pest of litchi (Litchi chinensis Sonn.; Sapindales: Sapindaceae) and longan (Dimocarpus longan Lour.; Sapindales: Sapindaceae). We studied the effects of temperature on the emergence of the litchi fruit borer at 5 temperatures (15, 20, 25, 30, and 35 °C), 80% RH and 14:10 h L:D. Temperature significantly affected the emergence duration and emergence rate, but not the sex ratio and the emergence pattern. The duration of emergence increased as the temperature decreased. The emergence rates at 20, 25, and 30 °C were significantly higher than at 15 and 35 °C. The sex ratio of C. sinensis under the different temperature treatments remained at approximately 1:1, and was unaffected by temperature. The emergence pattern of females was similar to that of males in that both had 2 peaks. Most moths emerged primarily from 20:00 (4 h after the onset of darkness) to early in the morning. More females emerged during a first peak, whereas most males emerged during a second peak. As shown in the 24-h-long record, the greatest emergence per h of females occurred at 20:00, and that of males at 0:00. This pattern did not vary significantly among the various temperatures. This study supports artificial rearing and the forecasting of C. sinensis populations in the field.

The tawny crazy ant, Nylanderia fulva Mayr (formerly Paratrechina fulva) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), is a South American species first recorded in the US in 1938 from Brownsville, Texas. Recent population explosions of N. fulva in parts of the southeastern US have received much media attention, often including predictions of tremendous long-term ecological and economic impacts. Here, we examined the status of on-going population explosions of N. fulva on the island of St. Croix, US Virgin Islands. Beginning in 2002, St. Croix local inhabitants started reporting dense populations of N. fulva. All early reports of N. fulva came from the north-central part of the island. A 2006 study found 3 geographically discrete populations of N. fulva: a main population in north-central St. Croix, and 2 smaller area populations in northwestern and south-central St. Croix. Our new survey in December 2013 indicates that N. fulva populations have expanded tremendously in northwestern St. Croix, while N. fulva populations have completely crashed throughout its 2006 range in northcentral and south-central St. Croix. This pattern of an extreme population boom followed by a bust may be a common characteristic of N. fulva and might distinguish this species from the closely related Nylanderia pubens. It seems likely that the current dense populations of N. fulva at sites in St. Croix and the southeastern US will crash within a few years, leaving little long-term impact, but that new population explosions of this species will arise elsewhere.

Subgenus Neoilliesiella of the genus Heleodromia in the subfamily Trichopezinae (Diptera: Empididae) is distributed only in eastern Europe with 2 known species. Recently this rare subgenus was found in the Oriental Region. One new species, Heleodromia (Neoilliesiella) orientalis sp. nov., is described from southern Tibet. A key to the species of the subgenus is presented.

Sennius Bridwell belongs to the richest tribe of Bruchinae, Bruchini, subtribe Acanthoscelidina, with more than 60 species distributed in the New World. The larval behavior of Sennius species stands out in being strongly associated with Cassiinae L. seeds (Fabaceae: Caesalpinioideae), especially Senna Miller. Eight species-groups were established for Sennius, but some of them are not well defined. The goal of this contribution is to describe 2 new species from Brazil, both closely related to species currently classified in the guttifer group. The new species are Sennius albopygus sp. nov. (Type locality: Brazil, Goiás, Goiânia) and Sennius solum sp. nov. (Type locality: Brazil, Goiás, Niquelândia). We have host records only for Sennius albopygus, as occurring on Senna alata (Linn.) Roxb. and Senna aculeata (Pohl ex Benth.) H. S. Irwin & Barneby. We also include illustrations and geographical distribution records for these species.

The spiralling whitefly Aleurodicus dispersus Russell (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae), a highly polyphagous pest, has since about 2000 been an important pest of agricultural and horticultural crops in India. Despite its economic importance, little is known about the level and patterns of genetic variability in populations of the A. dispersus. In this study, we used the simple sequence repeats - polymerase chain reaction (SSR-PCR) technique was used to study the genetic diversity of A. dispersus in India. The present study is the first of its kind in India to utilize SSR markers for characterizing A. dispersus populations. A total of 356 different bands were scored using 18 primers for amplification. About 66.0% of alleles were polymorphic in A. dispersus populations. The SSR survey clearly detected moderate levels of polymorphism among the whitefly populations; multiple alleles were identified in many markers. The polymorphism information content (PIC) for SSR primers ranged from 0.0000 to 0.9541. Average genetic distances were estimated in our effort to investigate the level of DNA variation among the 7 geographic populations of A. dispersus from southern and northeastern India. The highest average genetic distance (0. 8182) was found between populations from Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh and Meghalaya and Mizoram. An UPGMA dendrogram based on similarity coefficients was constructed for the 7 populations analyzed. The A. dispersus population from Maharashtra was separated from those in the other 6 states viz., Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Mizoram and Meghalaya.

Mass trapping is being developed to control the fruit fly Anastrepha ludens (Loew) (Diptera: Tephritidae) in some citrus-growing areas of Mexico using a trap-lure pack composed of CeraTrap® lure and a specific bait station (MS2®). The technique is based on placing a sufficient density of baited traps so that enough flies are captured to account for an important reduction in fruit infestation in the orchard. Trap-lure efficacy, trap density and cost ratio are crucial for broad implementation of this technique by growers. The use of handmade traps, constructed from 500 mL plastic bottles, with 3 10 mm holes at ⅔ up from the base, had similar attraction but captured more flies under caged conditions than 2 commercial traps sold in Mexico for this purpose. Under field conditions, the capture of A. ludens with plastic bottle traps was statistically superior to that of MS2® traps. When placed at a density of 40 traps per ha in an orange (Citrus sinensis [L.]; Rutaceae) orchard, bottle traps had a significantly higher capture rate than a similar density of MS2 traps and provided satisfactory crop protection, with 0.3- 2.3% of fallen fruits infested at harvest. The low cost of this trap, (∼US$ 0.18), has the potential to greatly reduce mass trapping costs and could favor broad implementation of this strategy in Latin American countries that produce fruit crops affected by A. ludens.

Harmonic radar technology enhances capability to track the movement of individual small insects under field conditions. To maximize the capacity of this technology, it is necessary that radar tags must be securely attached to insects and that the tags remain functional when subjected to mechanical stress. In this study, a series of experiments was carried out to test an improved harmonic radar tag designed to be more resistant to mechanical stresses and to establish that a portable harmonic radar system can effectively detect adult Halyomorpha halys Stål (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) on various structures in different landscapes. The functional resistance of radar tags to ∼1-m free falls on a hard surface was improved significantly by reinforcing the adhesive bond between the radar transponder and the radar wire by application of cyanoacrylate glue. This measure did not affect the detectability of radar tags, and it significantly increased the resistance of radar tags against random mechanical impacts inflicted on the insects and tags. The success rates of locating radar-tagged H. halys were compared among different landscapes, including a mowed grasscovered plot (250 m²), a mature peach tree plot (50 m²), and an unmanaged hedgerow (50 m²). The success rates were > 90% in all landscapes tested. There was no significant difference in the search time needed to locate tagged adults. In general, it took less than 2 min to detect and recover H. halys. The success rates of locating radar-tagged H. halys were also compared among different locations within mature fruit trees. There was no significant difference in the success rates between the inner third (87%) and the outer third of the host tree canopy (100%). However, a significantly longer period of time was required to locate H. halys in the inner canopy (372 s ± 95 SE) compared with the outer canopy (148 s ± 39 SE). When H. halys were concealed in the lower, middle and upper thirds of the outer tree canopy, the success rates of locating tagged adults were consistently 95% or greater at all canopy heights with no significant difference in search times needed to locate tagged adults. The results of this study provide context for researchers to reliably use this radar system in the field to study the dispersal biology of H. halys.

Fruit flies (Tephritidae) and lance flies (Lonchaeidae) are specialized in exploring fruits as resource, and the native Angiospermae represent potential hosts for their frugivorous larvae. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship of fruit fly and lance fly species with native host fruits in the Parque Estadual do Lajeado, Palmas, Tocantins, Brazil. The survey was carried out from May 2011 to Apr 2013, with sampling of fruits to obtain third instar larvae, pupae and adults. We sampled fruits of 18 plant species of which 7 were infested by fruit flies or lance flies, and from which emerged 888 adults of Neosilba spp. (Lonchaeidae), and 81 adults of Anastrepha (Tephritidae). Neosilba zadolicha emerged from fruit of Siparuna camporum, Dyospiros hispida, Annona coreacea, Mouriri pusa, Cheiloclinium cognatum and Salacia crassifolia. Neosilba bifida, N. glaberrima, and Neosilba n. sp.1, emerged from fruits of D. hispida. The species of Anastrepha obtained were: A. serpentina and A. nr. mucronota reared from S. crassifolia and C. cognatum fruits; A. obliqua from S. crassifolia, A. sororcula from Myrcia guianensis, A. turpiniae, and A. zenildae from M. pusa. Of the seven host fruit species, four were infested by Tephritidae, and six by Lonchaeidae. These are the first records for: A. sororcula in fruits of Myrcia guianensis, A. nr. mucronota in Salacia crassifolia and Cheiloclinium cognatum, A. serpentina in Cheiloclinium cognatum, and A. turpiniae and A. zenildae in Mouriri pusa. The associations of fruit flies and lance flies with host fruits is locally and temporally dependent on the flora, since the species of flies require available fruit species. In this survey we observed the highly polyphagous A. obliqua, that in this survey to colonize only one species of fruit.

The pepper weevil, Anthonomus eugenii Cano (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) is a major pest of pepper (Capsicum spp.; Solanales: Solanaceae) in the southern United States, Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean. Feeding and oviposition cause flower and fruit abscission and internal fruit damage resulting in serious yield losses. Females lay eggs in flower buds and small fruits, shielding larvae from contact pesticides, leaving only the adult stage vulnerable. The purpose of this study was to investigate low-risk and organic products for use against the pepper weevil to provide both organic and conventional growers with more control options. A neem product (Ecozin® 1.2% ME), kaolin clay (Surround® WP), diatomaceous earth (Red Lake Earth®) and a product based on plant terpenes (Requiem®), were tested in lab and field trials for efficacy against pepper weevil. The neem product did not reduce feeding or oviposition in lab choice and no choice tests, so it was not tested in the field. Kaolin clay, diatomaceous earth and Requiem reduced feeding and oviposition in lab trials. Spring and fall field tests of these products were conducted in small plots along with a standard pesticide rotation of Actara and Vydate and an untreated control. The only treatment to increase marketable yield was the standard pesticide rotation. In the spring field trial, the standard treatment doubled yield per plant compared to the untreated controls but the yield was not different from those in the kaolin clay and surround plots. While the organic products did not increase marketable yield significantly, they did decrease overall damage, indicating possible usefulness in combination with conventional insecticides or in low population pressure by spraying early and following appropriate cultural practices such as adequate fallow periods and crop destruction. We recommend further testing of diatomaceous earth in particular in combination with conventional and organic insecticides as part of future IPM program research.

The western flower thrips (WFT), Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae), an invasive insect pest in China, causes great economic losses worldwide. To understand the effects of heat shock on WFT population dynamics, we constructed life tables to quantify the effects of heat shock on the growth rate, survival, and fecundity of WFT offspring. WFT adults and 2nd instars were heat shocked at 45 °C, and the treatment was repeated after a 24-h recovery period. Heat-shocked and control insects were reared on the leaves of purple cabbage (Brassica oleracea L.; Brassicales: Brassicaceae), and various lifetable and development parameters of their F1 offspring were evaluated. The duration of the immature period of the offspring of heat-shocked adults was not significantly shorter than that of the control, whereas the duration of the immature period of the offspring of the heatshocked 2nd instars was longer than that of the other treatments, indicating that heat-shock of second instars slowed the development of their offspring. The preoviposition period during the adult stage and the total oviposition period of the F1 offspring of the heat-shocked adults were significantly longer than those of the control. The fecundities of the F1 offspring of the heat-shocked 2nd instars and adults were 81.8 and 70.6 eggs/female, respectively, both of which were significantly less than that of the control (149.1). The use of heated tents might be effective for the prevention and control of WFT infestations in greenhouses. Our life-table analysis of the effects of heat shock on F1 survival and reproduction provides a strong basis for future studies of thermal treatments for the control of WFT.

Species composition and spatio-temporal abundance of Anopheles (Diptera: Culicidae) larvae and their relationship with environmental variables were studied in an endemic malarious area of northwestern Argentina, where Anopheles pseudopunctipennis is the main vector involved in malaria transmission. From Dec 2001 to Dec 2005, we performed monthly samplings of different aquatic larval habitats, such as puddles, irrigation canals, ponds and pools of Mountain Rivers. To determine the relationship among environmental variables and larval abundance, we used Poisson's regression analysis. We collected 5,079 larvae of which An. pseudopunctipennis was the most abundant species followed by Anopheles argyritarsis and Anopheles evansae. The density of Anopheles pseudopunctipennis larvae fluctuated between the end of spring until autumn, when malaria cases occur in the area. Concurrently, the larval densities of the other anophelinae species fluctuated throughout these climatic seasons. Poisson regression revealed that an increase of mean minimum temperature produced an increase in the abundance of An. pseudopunctipennis and An. argyritarsis. The mean maximum temperature and the water temperature greatly influenced the abundance of An. pseudopunctipennis, An. evansae and An. strodei. Increases of these temperature variables produced increases in abundance of these species. These factors should be taken into consideration when control measures for immature mosquitoes are implemented to reduce the number of larval habitats and the production of larvae, which may ultimately result in the elimination of malaria in this area.

The spider genus Mazax O. P.-Cambridge, 1898 (Araneae: Corinnidae: Castianeirinae) is reported from South America for the first time. A new species, M. ramirezi sp. nov., is described and illustrated, and SEM images of the genus Mazax are presented here for the first time. The exclusive morphology of the secondary spermathecae (not oval and lung-shaped) indicates that the specimens described herein clearly belong to a new species of Mazax. An updated dichotomous key to the known species of the genus is provided.

Mosquito surveillance was conducted in 42 underground parking lots in the densely populated metropolitan area of Wuhan, Hubei Province, central China from Aug to Oct 2012. Autogenous Culex p. molestus mosquitoes, which inhabit underground sites elsewhere in China, were identified and recorded for the first time in Hubei Province. Also Culex quinquefasciatus and intermediates (presumably with Cx. p. pallens) were identified from the samples, but Cx. p. pallens, which is known to hybridize with Cx. quinquefasciatus, was not found during the study. We attempted to determine how to differentiate between the subspecies of the Culex pipiens complex in Wuhan. In the female wings of Cx. p molestus, the subcosta intersected the costa beyond or at the furcation of R_{2 3}; however in Cx. quinquefasciatus and intermediates, the subcosta intersected the costa before the furcation of R_{2 3}. In female abdomens of Cx. p. molestus, lateral patches on tergum II reached the posterior margins; however in Cx. quinquefasciatus and intermediates, the lateral spots on tergum II did not reach the posterior margins. In the male genitalia of Cx. p. molestus, the DV/D ratios were -0.125 to 0.104 with a mean of -0.016 (n = 102), and DV/D ratios ≤ 0 were frequently found (68%). The dorsal arm of the phallosome of Cx. quinquefasciatus and intermediates usually was slightly divergent outwardly, and DV/D ratios were 0.316 to 1.571 with a mean of 0.582 (n = 118). Nineteen percent were intermediates with DV/D ratios between 0.2 and 0.4. Eighty-one percent were Cx. quinquefasciatus in which DV/D ratios between 0.4 and 0.6 were found frequently (53%). Culex p. molestus could be distinguished from Cx. quinquefasciatus and intermediates through characteristics of the female wing, the abdominal terga, the male scutum and the phallosomes.

The melon aphid, Aphis gossypii Glover (Hemiptera: Aphididae) has become a serious pest of wide spectrum of crops and is considered to be a potential vector of numerous plant pathogenic viruses worldwide. This pest exhibits color polymorphism in which dark green, pale green and yellow forms exist within a single colony on the same plant and also on different host plants. The co-occurrence of different color forms makes species diagnosis and identification of cryptic species difficult, while they have immense importance in quarantine and biosecurity. Therefore, establishing a tool that facilitates quick and accurate identification of A. gossypii is an urgent need. Molecular diagnosis is the most appropriate and becomes handy because it is independent of sex, polymorphism and life stage, and could be effectively used by person with no or little knowledge in aphid taxonomy. In this study, two mitochondrial markers i.e. cytochrome oxidase subunit gene I (COI) and the tRNA-leucine cytochrome oxidase subunit gene II (tRNA/COII) were tested for species diagnosis. Alignment of partial COI and tRNA/COII sequences from various color forms of A. gossypii collected from 6 different host plants viz., cotton, okra, cucumber, watermelon, aubergine and chili pepper revealed maximum sequence identity (99.7% and 99.4%) suggesting that molecular identification is independent of the color polymorphism in this species. Thus, it is concluded that, color polymorphism does not affect species diagnosis of A. gossypii. The study has unambiguously proved the utility of COI and tRNA/COII for a quick and accurate diagnosis of A. gossypii, which is a critical factor in elucidating virus transmission and implementing biological control.

A new species of Eurybia [Illiger], 1807 (Lepidoptera: Riodinidae: Eurybiini), Eurybia gonzaga sp. nov., is described from the state of Pernambuco, Northeastern Brazil and compared with its closest ally, Eurybia pergaea (Geyer, 1832). Taxonomic comments, illustrations of the adults and male genitalia are provided.

Salvinia molesta D. S. Mitchell (Salviniales: Salviniaceae), a small floating fern introduced from South America, is causing an increasing number of problems in the US. Increased reliance on the biocontrol agent, Cyrtobagous salviniae, in the US is becoming more commonplace and several mass-rearing facilities have been developed. Because of differences in sampling protocols including sample size, reporting parameters, and numbers released, an investigation into sampling efficiency was initiated. A small pond in southern Louisiana was sampled in an effort to understand what constitutes an adequate sample size and methodologies needed to estimate numbers of weevils. A clumped distribution in the pond was identified, which required a large number of samples to be taken to minimize differences in means and variation. When randomly selecting 10 sets of samples where n = 5 for Sep, means varied from a high of 280 weevils/m² to a low of only 50 weevils /m², a difference of nearly 6-fold. However, when randomly selecting 10 sets of samples where n = 20, means were much more consistent and varied from a high of approximately 250 weevils/m² to a low of 125 weevils/m², a difference of only 2-fold. Sampling is expensive and to gain the most information based on the number of samples taken it is recommended that 1) the confidence interval be reported, especially when releasing weevils based on an estimation of population size; 2) understand spatial distribution and sample accordingly; and 3) when possible, initiate pilot sampling programs to acquire prior information on sampling biases, sampling errors, and differences in distribution.

The geographic distribution of the 2 phytotelmatous chironomids Monopelopia caraguata and Phytotelmatocladius delarosai is found to extend southward into Argentina, and the occurrence of parthenogenesis in the latter species is corroborated under laboratory conditions.

This study compared several biological parameters of native cactus moth, Melitara prodenialis, reared on an artificial versus the natural diet of Opuntia spp. cladodes. Results suggest that the current artificial diet developed for mass rearing C. cactorum can provide nutritional value for the rearing of Melitara spp. native cactus moths. Overall, rearing M. prodenialis on the artificial diet was more successful than on Opuntia cladodes and required less time and labor. Mass rearing of M. prodenialis using artificial diet should improve once sub sequent generations become adapted to laboratory rearing conditions.

Mimosa bimucronata (DC.) Kuntze (Fabaceae) is recorded as a host of Oncideres ocularis Thomson, 1868 (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae), and this is the first report of this twig girdler in the southeast region of Brazil. The history of twig girdler beetles as pests of Fabaceae trees indicates that Fabaceae tree species can be damaged in areas where this insect occurs.

Solenopsis invicta virus 3 (SINV-3) is a positive sense, single stranded virus that exhibits host specificity toward saevissima complex fire ants. The virus is being considered for release as a biological control agent in areas in which the virus is absent. This study demonstrates that field transmission is possible.

Laurel wilt, a vascular wilt disease caused by the vascular mycopathogen Raffaelea lauricola T.C. Harr. (Ophiostomatales: Ophiostomataceae), was first confirmed on Persea palustris (Raf.) Sarg. (Laurales: Lauraceae) in the Florida Everglades in Feb 2011. The abundance and range of occupancy of P. palustris symptomatic of laurel wilt were mapped in the Everglades tree islands in Mar 2011 and Jun 2013 using a digital aerial sketch mapping system. The disease's range of occupancy expanded from 4,925 to 133,740 ha during this 26-month period. Canopy disturbance was highly variable ranging from 0 to 50% canopy loss. However, tree island species composition data suggests that additional mortality of P. palustris is likely throughout the Everglades. The rapid loss of P. palustris in tree islands could lead to ecosystem level instability and invasion by exotic plant species.

The red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta Buren (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), is of great concern because of its destructive nature to endemic wildlife, livestock, and people. Various methods for managing this pest are currently being developed, including the use of viruses as biological control agents. In this study, the effectiveness of the Solenopsis invicta virus (SINV-1), (a positive sense, single-stranded RNA virus in the Dicistroviridae family (Genus: Aparavirus) which only infects the Genus Solenopsis) as an effective biological control agent against S. invicta infestation in combination with commonly used insecticides was investigated. Surprisingly, ants treated with the virus experienced significantly greater survival rates than non-infected but chemically treated individuals. SINV-1 might provide some unidentified benefit to aid individual ant survival, however at this point, without fully understanding the virus-ant interaction, the use of SINV-1 as a biological control agent requires further investigation.

A pest survey and subsequent identification confirmed the presence of the spiraling whitefly, Aleurodicus dispersus Russell (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae), in Pinrang District, South Sulawesi Province of Indonesia. This is the first report of the insect in the province and population outbreaks resulting in serious damage to pepper, Capsicum annuum L. (Solanaceae), in Indonesia. In our subsequent survey, A. dispersus was found on pepper in 2 other districts of the province, Pangkep and Wajo. Given its wide host range and dispersal capability, the insect poses a serious threat to pepper in Indonesia. Pepper growers at the survey site applied mixtures of insecticides 2–3 times per week to suppress the pest. Their insecticide choices and application frequencies were based on their own experience in controlling other pests. They urgently need information on effective measures to control this new pest. Therefore, a study on field and laboratory evaluations of selected insecticides against the spiraling whitefly has been completed recently and the results will be published in a separate paper. Surveys for potential biological control agents, such as parasitoid wasps and entomopathogenic fungi, are also underway. Furthermore, given the following phenomena: the presence of high population of A. dispersus concomitant with the high incidence of PepYLCIV, a Begomovirus; low population of its known vector, B. tabaci; and the ability of A. dispersus to transmit a Begomovirus, CBSV in Africa; it is imperative to conduct a study to determine the capability of the spiraling whitefly in transmitting the PepYLCIV in South Sulawesi.

In addition to the major component, 2-methyl- 6-vinylpyrazine, 2,5-dimethyl-3-vinylpyrazine was collected as a minor component from calling male papaya fruit flies Toxotrypana curvicauda Gerstaecker (Diptera: Tephritidae). Volatile chemicals emitted by calling males were identified by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry detector analyses. Attraction response was verified by wind tunnel bioassays for the male volatile collections and for both synthetic pyrazines. The percentages of attraction to the source caused by each pyrazine were similar to those caused by the male volatile collection; however, only a blend of the pyrazines resulted in a similar percentage of landings on the source.

We tested 10 cm × 10 cm mesh egg-sentinel envelopes (ESEs) containing emerald ash borer eggs on filter paper, and assessed how 2 different mesh sizes (0.5 mm and 1 mm) affected parasitism by Oobius agrili in the laboratory, and parasitism and predation in the field. Mesh size significantly affected parasitism in the laboratory, with the 0.5 mm mesh reducing parasitism by approximately 20% relative to the 1 mm mesh. Parasitism was much lower in the field with no significant difference among treatments, but the 0.5 mm mesh did significantly reduce predation by almost 50% in comparison to the 1 mm mesh. To reduce egg predation while enabling detectable levels of parasitism by O. agrili, we therefore recommend using mesh screen 0.5 mm wide to create ESEs for field deployment.

Dysschema sacrifica (Hübner, 1831) (Lepidoptera: Arctiidae) was found feeding on Eremanthus erythropappus (DC.) MacLeish (Asteraceae) plants in Diamantina, Minas Gerais State, Brazil. Eggs, larvae and adults of this insect were collected on this host and sent for identification. This is the first record of D. sacrifica as a defoliator of this plant.