The genus Dohrniphora Dahl 1898 (Diptera: Phoridae) is an extremely diverse assemblage of species that exhibit fascinating larval lifestyles, including, scavenging, fungivory, kleptoparasitism, predation, and parasitism. Moreover, some species are known to exhibit interesting associations with social insects. Here we report on the first in-depth molecular phylogenetic study of the genus Dohrniphora based on 2,327 bp of DNA sequence data from portions of the nuclear CAD (rudimentary) and mitochondrial ND1, CO1, and 16S rDNA genes. Maximum parsimony and Bayesian analysis each recovered Dohrniphora as a monophyletic group. Within Dohrniphora, the New World species were paraphyletic with respect to the Old World clade. We also provide evidence that members of the termite-parasitizing genus Dicranopteron Schmitz 1931 are simply highly specialized members of Dohrniphora and revive the species status of Dohrniphora obscuriventris Borgmeier 1925. Finally, biogeography and hind femoral morphology are examined in a phylogenetic context.

Hybridization between apple maggot, Rhagoletis pomonella (Walsh), and Rhagoletis zephyria Snow (Diptera: Tephritidae) occurs in Washington State, complicating fly identifications. Here, experimentally generated F₁ hybrids of R. pomonella and R. zephyria were classified using morphometric methods. Five of nine mean body size measurements of hybrids from crossing female R. pomonella × male R. zephyria were intermediate between those of nonhybrids. Aculeus lengths of hybrid females were intermediate or were more similar to those of R. pomonella than R. zephyria. Based on six or seven body size measures, 25.0% of female and 44.4% of male hybrids were correctly classified. Misclassified female and male hybrids resembled R. pomonella and one or the other parental species, respectively. Mean wing shapes of hybrid females based on landmark measurements were novel, whereas those of males were intermediate between those of nonhybrids. Based on wing shapes natural log (In) centroid size, 90.9% of female and 66.7% of male hybrids were correctly classified. Hybrid females were misclassified as R. pomonella and more hybrid males as R. zephyria. Based on surstylus shape, 27.7% of male hybrids were correctly classified, with more being misclassified as R. pomonella. Results show wing shape In centroid size is the most useful measure for identifying female and male hybrids and that R. pomonella traits for aculeus length and/or wing shape appear dominant to those of R. zephyria in hybrid females.

Ceraspis ajonjoli Mora-Aguilar, Delgado, and Vallejo, new species, from the Central Andes Mountains in Colombia is described and illustrated. Modifications of the Frey's key to species of this genus are provided to include this new species. A new key to separate the species of Ceraspis Lepeletier and Serville from Colombia is presented. The previously unknown male of Ceraspis ruehli Brenske is described and their genitalia are illustrated.

Williams et al. (Syst. Entomol. 36: 180–191) discovered that all former members of the Dasymutilla bioculata species-group were synonymous. Here we present a study of Mexican and Caribbean species that closely resemble D. bioculata (Cresson). Dasymutilla bouveiri (André), Dasymutilla chionothrix Manley & Pitts, Dasymutilla concordia Manley & Pitts, Dasymutilla insulana Mickel, Dasymutilla latebalteata (Cameron), Dasymutilla nocticaro Manley & Pitts, Dasymutilla truxali Manley & Pitts, and Dasymutilla Veracruz Manley & Pitts are transferred to the D. bioculata species-group based on morphological similarities with D. bioculata. Placement in the D. bioculata species-group, coupled with overlapping disparate ranges, facilitate the following synonymies. D. truxali is a junior synonym of D. chionothrix. D. Veracruz is a junior synonym of D. latebalteata. D. concordia is a junior synonym of D. nocticaro. Genaro (Caribbean J. Sci. 33: 263–268) provided a key to the males of the Caribbean species, including Dasymutilla bouvieri and D. insulana, but these males were not satisfactorily described. Full descriptions are given for these males and diagnoses are provided for all members of the D. bioculata species-group.

A species of the tribe Synergini (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae) was reared from a gall collected in China on Castanea mollissima Blume and Castanea seguinii Dode. The morphological features of this gall wasp indicate that it is an undescribed species belonging to the genus Synergus and is herein described as a new species, Synergus castaneus Pujade-Villar, Bernardo et Viggiani sp. nov. (Hymenoptera Cynipidae: Synergini). This is the first known instance of a species of Synergus emerging from Castanea galls (Fagaceae). Data on the diagnosis, distribution, and biology of the new species are given. Morphological features of this species are discussed and illustrated. No other known gall-inducing species emerged from the collected galls, whereas tens of specimens of parasitoids and adults of the inquiline micromoth Andrioplecta pulverula Meyrick (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) did. 28S-D2 and COI sequences confirmed that S. castaneus is a distinct species belonging to the genus Synergus.

We examined changes of site selection by the mantid Tenodera aridifolia (Stoll) according to its developmental stage. We investigated the vegetation characteristics selected by mantids of different developmental stages at three field sites. The height of vegetation and height at which mantids were found on vegetation tended to be higher for later-instar mantids than early instars. Mantids tended to prefer the upper part of vegetation regardless of their developmental stage or the site. Later-instar mantids also tended to select larger-sized leaves for perching compared with early instar mantids. Height above ground, vegetation height, and leaf sizes selected by mantids differed among the three sites. In addition, the preferred plant species used by mantids also changed with their developmental stage. Thus, our results indicate that T. aridifolia has varying preferences for site selection and specific vegetation according to its developmental stage.

The Formosan subterranean termite, Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki, was studied for its ability to suppress two entomopathogenic bacteria, Bacillus thuringiensis subspecies israelensis (Bti) and thuringiensis (Btt). Different group sizes (50, 25, 10, and no termites [control]) of C. formosanus were placed on well-grown Bti or Btt agar plates. On day 1, the diameters of Bti and Btt colonies in the three treatments containing termites were significantly smaller than in the controls. The diameters of Bti and Btt colonies in the 50-termite treatment were significantly smaller than in the 10-termite treatment. However, neither was significantly different from the 25-termite treatment. This group sized dependent suppression was even more distinct on day 2. On day 5, inhibitory zones were observed in all three treatments containing termites where Bti or Btt colonies originally grew. The Bti and Btt cells from these inhibitory zones regenerated on new plates after transfer from 25- and 10-termite treatments as did the controls, but no regeneration was observed after transfer from 50-termite treatment. Results show that the presence of C. formosanus can suppress the growth of Bti and Btt and the suppression effect enhanced with increased of group size. Moreover, antagonistic tests show that natural bacteria carried by termites play a role in the suppression of Bti and Btt.

Culicoides biting midges are medically important haematophagous flies that transmit diseases to animals and humans. This work deals with the basic ecology of Culicoides populations in northeastern Brazil. Adult biting midge populations in and around urban and rural communities were sampled monthly from September 2007 to October 2008 with light traps. In total, 10,803 Culicoides midges representing 17 species were collected. The most frequently collected species were Culicoides paucienfuscatus (83%), Culicoides leopoldoi (12%), Culicoides insignis (2%), and Culicoides paraensis (1%). Trap catches and species diversity were highest in chicken shelters at both urban and rural sites, followed by pigsties. The Culicoides fauna is composed chiefly of species broadly distributed in the Neotropics. Domestic animals are important factors for attracting and maintaining biting midge populations in peridomiciliary areas, especially C. paucienfuscatus. Further work is needed to better understand abiotic and biotic factors affecting Culicoides populations of northeastern Brazil.

Grape mealybug, Pseudococcus maritimus (Ehrhorn) (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae), is a pest of grape vines, Vitis vinifera (Vitales: Vitaceae) and a known vector of several strains of grapevine leafroll-associated virus. Seasonal increase and decline of Ps. maritimus populations on wine grapes is described in each of three important grape growing regions in Oregon using pheromonebaited traps and visual monitoring. Delta traps and genomic verification of collected sessile stages found that only Ps. maritimus is present in Oregon vineyards. Seasonal pheromone-baited trapping and visual surveys during 2010 and 2011 identified two population peaks for adult male flight and sessile developmental stages on vines in Southern Oregon and the Columbia Basin. Willamette Valley vineyards identified one peak male flight period using pheromone-baited traps but no sessile individuals were found in visual surveys. Seasonal developmental stages are described for Southern Oregon and the Columbia Basin. First instar stages generally were observed one month before peak male flight and were less abundant during peak flight. Adult females and late instar stages were found on vines at the peak of male flight. Pheromone monitoring identified the presence of mealybug populations in viticultural areas, even when intensive visual surveys were unable to do so.

Strumigenys hexamera (Brown) is a terrestrial ant nesting exclusively in the soil and specialized in predation on diplurans and small-sized myriapods (symphyllans and centipedes). Its colony is monogynous and previous dissections of the queens had suggested that they were uninseminated, thus they could reproduce thelytokously. In the current study, first, the spermathecae of the queens (dealate gynes) from worker-containing colonies were examined histologically in details. All specimens examined had no spermatozoa in the spermatheca. Second, alate gynes were reared with workers in the laboratory and whether they lay eggs that produce female offspring was studied. In all of 10 culture replicates, new workers were produced from eggs those gynes had laid. No spermatozoa in their spermathecae and no ovary in the worker caste were confirmed histologically after rearing experiments. These results reveal that S. hexamera is thelytokous at least for a studied population in central Japan.

Reproductive biology, including mode of attack and egg maturation, has not been described for the leafroller (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) parasitoids Nemorilla pyste (Coquillett) and Nilea erecta (Walker) (Diptera: Tachinidae). Mode of host attack is an important character for understanding evolutionary relationships in Tachinidae, and is an important consideration for biological control. In parasitic Hymenoptera, egg maturation strategy is predictive of many life-history variables, but these predictions have not been tested in other parasitoid groups. In this article, observations on the mode of attack of N. erecta and N. pyste that were acquired through the rearing of these species in the laboratory are described. The study also used dissections to examine internal reproductive physiology and obtain fecundity data for flies of different ages. Fecundity data from the dissections and from cage experiments were used to estimate the ovigeny index of the two species. N. pyste was found to be a highly synovigenic oviparous species, whereas N. erecta was found to be moderately synovigenic and ovolarviparous. Life-history associations of hymenopteran parasitoids with egg maturation strategy appeared not to apply to these tachinids.

Tropical soda apple (Solanum viarum Dunal) is a major exotic weed in pastures and conservation areas in subtropical regions. Anthonomus tenebrosus Boheman (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) was found feeding on the flowers of tropical soda apple in southern Brazil and was considered a potential biological control agent. The objectives of this study were to examine the life history and host specificity of A. tenebrosus. The development from egg to adult was measured at eight constant temperatures in growth chambers. The presence of reproductive diapause was measured by using a two-way factorial design with three temperatures (20, 22.5, and 25°C) and two photoperiods (14:10 and 10:14 [L:D] h). Temperature influenced the developmental time from egg to adult of A. tenebrosus, which ranged from 49.6 d at 16°C to 13.6 d at 28°C. The longevity of males ranged from 64 to 190 d, whereas females lived from 44 to 204 d. When exposed to 10:14 (L:D) h and 20°C, 35% of females entered reproductive diapause. The fundamental host range of A. tenebrosus—based on several life-history aspects, including adult longevity, oogenesis, and oviposition—and immature development of A. tenebrosus were studied. Under no-choice conditions, ≈80% of adults survived for 30 d on several Solanum melongena L. varieties, Solanum capsicoides, S. viarum, and Solanum carolinense L. A. tenebrosus completed development from egg to adult on a number of S. melongena varieties, the native plant S. carolinense, and the exotic plants S. capsicoides All, S. viarum, and Solanum tampicense Dunal. Under paired-choice conditions, adult feeding occurred on all species, whereas oviposition occurred only on S. viarum, S. capsicoides, and S. carolinense. Because of the nontarget attack to S. melongena and a native plant, A. tenebrosus should not be considered for release as a biological control agent of tropical soda apple in the United States.

Class B scavenger receptors can combine with various kinds of ligands and are involved in lipid metabolism. They play an important role in a series of physiological processes, such as atherosclerosis formation or inhibition, congenital immune defense, apoptotic cell clearance, carotenoid transport, and pheromone transduction. In this study, based on a whole-genome database of the silkworm (Bombyx mori (L.)), the full-length CDS of BmSCRBQ1, a class B scavenger receptor gene, was cloned. BmSCRBQ1 consists of 10 exons and 9 introns, with an open reading frame of 1,482 bp encoding 493 amino acids. BmSCRBQ1 mRNA and protein were expressed in most tissues of larval B. mori strain Dazao and the silkworm cell lines BmN and BmE, suggesting that BmSCRBQ1 may have certain ubiquitous functions. Immunohistochemical staining showed that BmSCRBQ1 protein is located in the constitutive membranes or cell membranes of the testes, ovaries, fat body, blood cells, and the middle silk gland of larval B. mori Dazao, indicating that its function could be related to lipid metabolism; the binding, transport, and phagocytosis of exogenous materials; and signal transduction in these tissue types.

For the first time, antennal sensorial organs of Leptoglossus zonatus (Dallas) (Heteroptera: Coreidae) are described through scanning electron microscopy. The antennae are formed by a scape, pedicel, and a flagellum that is composed of two flagellomeres and is the main bearer of sensorial organs. Five types of sensory structures were identified: Trichoid sensilla, basiconic sensilla, coeloconic sensilla, campaniform sensilla, and placoid sensilla. Trichoid sensilla were divided into five subtypes. The large striated trichoid sensilla have almost straight longitudinally striated cuticles and were present throughout the antenna. Flattened trichoid sensilla were variable-sized curved hairs distributed from the base of the scape to the distal end of the first flagellomere. Small striated trichoid sensilla were found mainly on the antenna distal flagellomeres. Smooth trichoid sensilla were located at the distal end of the scape and along the entire length of the pedicel, and are the least abundant type on the antenna. Small smooth trichoid sensilla were found precisely on the joints between the pedicel and scape. Based on size and shape, the basiconic sensilla were also divided into five subtypes (Bs1, Bs2, Bs3, Bs4, and Bs5). These all are rod-shaped. Coeloconic sensilla were found exclusively on the second flagellomere of the flagellum. Just one campaniform sensilla on each antenna was located on the second flagellomere of the flagellum. Finally, a group of 10 oval placoid organs were found at the scape base, in proximity to the joint connecting the antenna to the insect's head.

In the Japanese horned beetle, Trypoxylus dichotomus (L.), males have a long forked head horn that they use in fights with other males over access to sap sites that attract females. Because of the high risk of injury from these contests, males should assess the fighting potential of their rivals before escalating to direct combat. Indeed, male rhinoceros beetles only escalate to intense fighting when matched with equal-sized rivals. Males often tap their opponents with their head horn before and during fights, so it is likely that beetles assess the size of their competitors via sensory input from their horns. Here, we used scanning electron microscopy to examine the density and distribution of sensory hairs along the length of the males’ horn. To assess the potential functional significance of variation in hair density, we combined our microscopy observations with a behavioral analysis of how males use their horns during fights. We found a strong correlation between the density of sensory hairs and the regions of the horns that were used most during combat. The distal tips of the horns had the highest hair density, and were also the region of the horn most frequently in contact with an opponent. Given the shaft and socket morphology of these hairs, which is the characteristic morphology of mechanoreceptors, we expect that they provide mechanosensory input. Thus, although beetle horns are often described as dedicated weapons, our results suggest that the head horns of T. dichotomus also play an important sensory role.

Electrical penetration graph (EPG) monitoring has been used extensively to elucidate mechanisms of resistance in plants to insect herbivores with piercing-sucking mouthparts. Characterization of waveforms produced by insects during stylet probing is essential to the application of this technology. In the studies described herein, a four-channel Backus and Bennett AC-DC monitor was used to characterize EPG waveforms produced by adults of two economically important chinch bug species: southern chinch bug, Blissus insuhris Barber, feeding on St. Augustinegrass, and western chinch bug, Blissus occiduus Barber, feeding on buffalograss. This is only the third time a heteropteran species has been recorded by using EPG; it is also the first recording of adult heteropterans, and the first of Blissidae. Probing of chinch bugs was recorded with either AC or DC applied voltage, no applied voltage, or voltage switched between AC and DC mid-recording, at input impedances ranging from 10⁶ to 10¹⁰ Ω, plus 10¹³ Ω, to develop a waveform library. Waveforms exhibited by western and southern chinch bugs were similar, and both showed long periods of putative pathway and ingestion phases (typical of salivary sheath feeders) interspersed with shorter phases, termed transitional J wave and interruption. The J wave is suspected to be an Χ; wave, that is, in EPG parlance, a stereotypical transition waveform that marks contact with a preferred ingestion tissue. The flexibility of using multiple input impedances with the AC-DC monitor was valuable for determining the electrical origin (resistance vs. electromotive force components) of the chinch bug waveforms. It was concluded that an input impedance of 10⁷ Ω, with either DC or AC applied voltage, is optimal to detect all resistanceand electromotive force-component waveforms produced during chinch bug probing. Knowledge of electrical origins suggested hypothesized biological meanings of the waveforms, before time-intensive future correlation experiments by using histology, microscopy, and other techniques.