A new species of Psylliodes (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Galerucinae: Alticini), P. cervinoi, is described and illustrated from Galicia, northwest Spain. The new Psylliodes, a wingless montane species, is compared with related micropterous taxa, and its relationship with the P. picinus Marsham species group is hypothesized. A key to the seven wingless species of Psylliodes occurring in the Iberian peninsula is provided, along with figures showing the spermathecae of all species. Male and female genitalia of P. gougeleti Allard, an Iberian wingless species, are illustrated for the first time.

The phylogenetic relationships among members of the Odonates were inferred from mitochondrial DNA 12S ribosomal RNA sequence data. These data show support for a monophyletic Anisoptera suborder, which are consistent with previous phylogenetic work performed on the group. However, the Zygoptera are paraphyletic based on mitochondrial DNA evidence. In particular, the family Lestidae appears more closely related to the Anisoptera then the Zygoptera.

Diagnostic characters for the New World leafhopper subfamily Neocoelidiinae are reviewed. Krocodona Kramer (with new synonym Krocobella Kramer), Krocozzota Kramer, and the fossil genus Krocarites Dietrich and Vega, previously placed in Nirvaninae based on their depressed, strongly produced heads, are transferred to Neocoelidiinae (new placements) based on characters of the head, wing venation, leg chaetotaxy, and male genitalia. The related neocoelidiine leafhopper genera Retrolidia, new genus, based on three new species, and Krocolidia, new genus, based on two new species, all from South America; four new South American species of Krocodona; and a new species of Krocozzota (including the first known male of the genus) are described and illustrated. Keys to Krocodona and Retrolidia species and a checklist of neocoelidiine genera are provided.

Yucca moths are widely recognized for their role as highly specific pollinators and seed-eaters on yuccas, making them part of one of the major models of obligate mutualism. Here we describe Tegeticula antithetica Pellmyr (Lepidoptera: Prodoxidae), a new pollinator species of Yucca brevifolia (Joshua tree). Biological information is provided. Molecular phylogenetic data show the two pollinators of Y. brevifolia to be sister taxa, and a molecular clock estimates their divergence to ≈10.7 million years ago. This is the first documented instance of pollinator moth divergence and speciation within a host plant. The known geographic ranges of the two species do not overlap. We discuss the historical biogeography of Y. brevifolia and its implications for moth diversification.

A new pest species of Ferrisia (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae), Ferrisia gilli Gullan, is described and illustrated based on the adult female, third-instar female, and first- and second-instar nymphs. Observation of pharate third-instar males and females failed to reveal sexual dimorphism of the second instar. Diagnosis of this new species was facilitated by the collection of nucleotide sequence data from fragments of a mitochondrial gene (COI) and two nuclear genes (EF-1α and 28S). The first phylogenetic study of Ferrisia is presented; combined and separate analyses of the three gene regions support monophyly of F. gilli and suggest that Ferrisia virgata (Cockerell) is a species complex. The known distribution of F. gilli from California and the southeastern United States is reported. It may be native to the southeastern states. This mealybug seems to be polyphagous because it feeds on a variety of species of woody plants, both evergreen and deciduous, as well as on monocots. It has at least three generations annually in central California, where it is newly recognized as a pest in pistachio and almond orchards, but has been present in northern California since at least 1968. The main problems caused by this mealybug in pistachio orchards are contamination of foliage and fruit with honeydew and the concomitant promotion of two major fungal pathogens.

The North American genus Ammonaios Irwin and Lyneborg is revised, and the three new species, A. confusus sp. n., A. mexicanus sp. n., and A. sabulosus sp. n., are described. The limits of the genus are redefined; a key to the species, descriptions of the pupae of three species, and distribution maps are provided. A cladistic analysis provides hypotheses of phylogenetic relationships within the genus, and the monophyly of Ammonaios was affirmed when tested with respect to species within its putatively closely related genera.

Based on comparative morphology, the leafhopper tribe Grypotini Haupt 1929 is considered a junior synonym of Koebeliini Baker 1897 (new synonymy). Features uniting these taxa include ocelli below crown margin and not visible from above, distant from the compound eyes; anteclypeus long, narrow, and tapered; platellae present on the plantar surface of metathoracic tarsomere I; and nymphs with reduced abdominal chaetotaxy. Koebeliinae is considered a synonym of Deltocephalinae Dallas 1870, and Koebeliini is placed as a tribe within Deltocephalinae based largely on the male and female genitalia. Tribe Koebeliini as here defined includes subtribes Koebeliina, including only Koebelia Baker, and Grypotina, including Grypotes Fieber, Grypotellus Emeljanov, Pinopona Viraktamath and Sohi, Shivapona Ghauri and Viraktamath, and Sohipona Ghauri and Viraktamath. Thamnotettix sinae Stål is transferred to Pinopona. A redescription of Koebeliini and key to genera are provided. Species of this tribe seem to feed primarily on Pinus spp. (Pinaceae). Subtribe Koebeliina is restricted to the western Nearctic region. Species of Grypotina occur primarily in the Himalayan region, with two species distributed in the western Palearctic.

The life history of the assassin bug Sinea diadema (F.) was studied in southern Illinois from February 2001 to November 2002, and the immature stages were described. The bug also was reared under controlled laboratory conditions. This bivoltine species occurs in herbaceous fields, often in association with leaves and stems of Solidago missouriensis Nuttall, and preys primarily on small bugs and beetles. It apparently overwinters as eggs. Nymphs emerged in mid-April and were found until mid-September. Adults were found from the third week of May until early October. The bug was reared in the laboratory on larval beet armyworm, Spodoptera exigua (Hübner), at 26 ± 3.0°C under a 16:8 (L:D) h photoperiod. The incubation period averaged 13.87 d; eyespots appeared in ≈7 d. The five stadia averaged 9.59, 7.80, 8.95, 11.80, and 12.97 d, respectively. Instars can be distinguished by differences in several anatomical features, including body length and width and progressive development of size, number, and pattern of spines.

We investigated ovipositional preference of Helicoverpa armigera (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) for a range of host plants, larval performance on a range of host plants, dispersion rate of a concentrated population of fifth instar larvae, the fitness consequences of cannibalism at two levels of food availability, and the frequencies of cannibalism between larvae of different instars. Eggs laid by adult females were concentrated on some specific plants, despite the wide range of host plants of H. armigera. However, the larvae dispersed when they reached high larval density and eventually exhibited a uniform spatial distribution. Cannibalism frequently occurred under poorer nutritional conditions or greater larval rearing density. The effect of cannibalism on development and pupal weight differed between rich and poor nutritional rearing conditions. The cannibals’ fitness was decreased under suitable food conditions, whereas larvae with a low frequency of cannibalism increased their pupal weight, a potential fitness trait, in unsuitable conditions. These results suggest that cannibalism is a behavior of larval H. armigera that has evolved to remove potential intraspecific competitors and thus to avoid unsuitable conditions.

Lycaeides melissa samuelis Nabokov, the Karner blue butterfly, is a federally endangered species that has two generations per year in oak savanna habitats. The significance of “subhabitat” variation, formed by variable tree canopy cover, in creating high-quality habitat for this butterfly was evaluated. Subhabitats were characterized by percent canopy cover as open (0–15%), partial (16–75%), and closed (76–100%). Habitat quality was assessed by measuring egg distribution and larval and pupal survival, in each subhabitat at sites in Wisconsin and Minnesota for as long as 3 yr. Estimates of mortality rates were used to project adult production for each subhabitat in each generation at the two Wisconsin sites (Sawyer and Fishery). At the Sawyer site, the largest number of eggs tended to occur in open subhabitats, ranging in number from 16,460 to 665,860. Similarly, during the second flight at the Fishery site, a greater number of eggs were observed in the open subhabitat; for two of the five sample periods, egg numbers ranged from 61,470 to 173,430. However, in other years and/or broods, partial subhabitats had greatest number of eggs at the Fishery site, ranging from 24,850 to 88,160 eggs. The fewest total eggs were laid in closed subhabitat, ranging from 20 to 12,740, where larval survival rates were the highest. Therefore, the subhabitat with the highest immature survival rates typically received the lowest total number of eggs. However, we predicted greater adult production per stem to occur in partial and closed subhabitats. The unique attributes of all three subhabitats and their potential influences on population dynamics suggest that all subhabitats studied may be essential for the long-term persistence of healthy L. m. samuelis populations.

Polygyne (multiple queen) colony social organization in the fire ant Solenopsis invicta Buren is always associated with the presence of a particular class of alleles at the gene Gp-9. We used diagnostic polymerase chain reaction assays capable of distinguishing these alleles to determine the location of polygyne populations in the native South American range of this species. We found that polygyny occurs in a mosaic pattern with respect to the more common monogyne (single queen) social form, a pattern superficially similar to that seen in the introduced range in the United States. However, polygyny appears to be relatively restricted in its geographical prevalence in the native range compared with the introduced range. This difference may stem from higher dispersal rates in the introduced range, which are associated with greater opportunities for human-mediated transport of mated queens or colony fragments. On the basis of our distributional data and results from other studies, the southern part of the native range of S. invicta, particularly northeastern Argentina, is emerging as the most likely geographic source of the founders of the U.S. population.

Populations of Rhagoletis mendax with novel late flight period, in August–September, have been found in two commercial highbush blueberry fields in New Jersey, thriving in fruit left behind after the harvest of a late blueberry cultivar. A small number of flies with similar late flight period have also been captured in several locations where blueberry maggot infests wild hosts. Using allozyme markers, we found that allele frequencies in wild blueberry maggot populations are constant from June to September, and distinct from those found in populations infesting the two commercial fields. The populations in the commercial fields present a pattern of decreased genetic diversity, including lower heterozygosity and distortions in allele frequency distribution. These data suggest that a founder effect, the loss of genetic diversity caused by the establishment of a small sample of individuals as a newly isolated entity, is responsible for the genetic differences between the populations in the commercial fields and in wild areas. The founder effect most likely occurred because only a small proportion of the flies present in wild areas possesses the late phenology required for the colonization of the commercial fields. The seasonal asynchrony between the populations in commercial fields and those in wild areas may also have contributed to maintain the founder effect by limiting gene flow. This study suggests that early in a phenological transition, if the onset of prezygotic reproductive isolation is relatively fast, evolution at the genetic level might be caused mostly by genetic drift. This study further confirms that the flight period is plastic in the blueberry maggot.

The diurnal flights of Reticulitermes spp. have been reported to occur in the spring and early fall in northern California. From the spring of 1994 until the fall of 2001, we collected hundreds of alates of Reticulitermes spp. cuticular hydrocarbon phenotypes CA-A/A′ and CA-D during flights from multiple locations in the San Francisco Bay Area. As predicted, there were two flight seasons: one in the spring from February to May and one in the fall from October to December. The flights in the spring were made only by phenotypes CA-A/A′; those in the fall exclusively included phenotype CA-D. These disparate flight times indicate that reproductive isolation is complete and provide further biological evidence that phenotypes CA-A and CA-A′ are variants of one taxon and are distinct from CA-D.

We discovered an undescribed species of Leiophron parasitizing mirid nymphs in Argentina and Paraguay; this euphorine braconid is described as Leiophron argentinensis Shaw n. sp. Wasps were reared from several mirid species collected on numerous host plants, but most parasitoids (>85%) were reared from Taylorilygus apicalis (Fieber), which was the most abundant mirid. Parasitism rates ranged from 0 to 37% and averaged ≈7% for the entire study. Excluding samples where parasitism was not observed, parasitism rates averaged ≈9%. Parasitism levels were highest in the summer. Host plant species significantly influenced parasitism levels of T. apicalis; nymphs on Conyza spp. suffered ≈16% parasitism, significantly more than nymphs on other host plants. L. argentinensis was collected throughout the study area (≈22–35° S), although the entire geographic range of this species is not yet known. We observed a transition from a male-biased sex ratio in the summer to a female-biased sex ratio in the fall. L. argentinensis has several generations per year and apparently produces some diapausing individuals in each generation. The incidence of diapause was lowest in the summer (≈40%). In laboratory trials, L. argentinensis readily parasitized Lygus lineolaris (Palisot de Beauvois) and Lygus hesperus Knight, suggesting that L. argentinensis has potential as a biological control agent for these pests in the United States.

The temporal and spatial distribution and abundance of 15 rare to uncommon species of plusiine moths were compared across a watershed landscape dominated by a coniferous forest located on the western slope of the Cascade Mountains in Oregon. The 5-yr study assessed the species in the context of functional roles related to caterpillar host plants categorized into three guilds: conifer, hardwood tree and shrub, and herbaceous-feeding species. Also, the landscape was considered in the context of five geographic zones based on elevation and habitat type. Species richness and abundance were highest within the herb-feeding guild, seven (47%) species and 74 (47%) individuals. The conifer-feeding guild consisted of four species (27%) and 64 (40%) individuals, whereas the hardwood tree and shrub guild consisted of four species (27%) and 21 (13%) individuals. In combination, zones II, III, and IV, high elevation sites with extensive subalpine meadow habitat, exhibited a species richness of 14 (93%) and 119 (75%) individuals. Six species occurred in only one of the five zones, and three of these species occurred in zone II, a mid to high elevation zone with a total of nine plusiine species. Only 3 of the 15 species occurred in all five zones; each of these species represented one of the three feeding guilds and exhibited their highest abundance in zone III, a high elevation site with extensive subalpine meadow habitat. The presence of subalpine meadows contributed to increasing landscape heterogeneity across the watershed and was the primary factor contributing to the overall species richness among the Plusiinae within the H.J. Andrews Experimental Forest by providing a suitable environment for species in the herb-feeding guild. We suggest that, in a context that may be generalized to other environments and other taxa, the additive effects of rare and uncommon species with special or restricted habitat requirements provide an important contribution to the biodiversity within a local landscape. Furthermore, environments with a relatively high degree of temporal variability, such as meadows and other early successional plant communities, can be a major factor in contributing to the biodiversity within a local landscape.

Physonota helianthi Randall feeds exclusively on a native sunflower, Helianthus grosseserratus Martens, in southeastern South Dakota. Helianthus grosseserratus populations are highly fragmented by agriculture and their patchy distribution presents the hypothesis that host-plant fragmentation results in genetic structuring in P. helianthi. In contrast, another cassidine beetle, Chelymorpha cassidea F., feeds on common bindweeds (Convolvulus arvensis L. and Calystegia sepium (L.) R. Br.) and therefore may not exhibit such genetic structuring. We sampled patches of host plants for P. helianthi and C. cassidea. Families were reared in the laboratory through adult emergence and assayed with starch-gel electrophoresis. Genetic variability within and among beetle families from different patches was compared for both species. For P. helianthi, 15 loci were used to evaluate allele frequencies in 30 families from five sites. For C. cassidea, we assayed 13 loci from 25 families from five sites. We determined the relative magnitude of genetic variance within a hierarchy that included families, patches, and total sample. For P. helianthi, slightly more genetic variation existed within families from the same patch than among families from different patches, but overall, variability was low (x̄ heterozygosity = 0.048). Paternity of individual egg masses was more than one in most cases. Chelymorpha cassidea was more variable (x̄ heterozygosity = 0.072) but showed less differentiation among patches. Multiple paternity was less frequent in this species than in P. helianthi. Differences in genetic structuring of these two species are likely because of their contrasting host-plant distributions and mating structure.

Parasitoids of the Cotesia flavipes complex (C. flavipes and Cotesia sesamiae) are natural enemies of stemboring lepidopteran pests in sub-Saharan Africa. The two species are difficult to differentiate using morphological markers, and a quick, reliable test was sought for their correct identification. After numerous, unsuccessful attempts at developing species-specific monoclonal antibodies that could differentiate between the two species, we were successful in using near-infrared spectroscopy to distinguish the cocoons of the two species with an accuracy of better than 85%. Calibrations were established using partial least squares analysis, enabling identification of cocoons of known species, cocoons from an alternative host, as well as in blind tests. This technology would greatly expedite identification of field-caught insects used to determine ecological parameters and parasitization rates of an individual species.

Belostoma lutarium (Stål) is semiaquatic predator common to vegetated ponds, lakes, and bayous throughout eastern North America. We used scanning electron microscopy and histological cross sections to show that the morphology of the feeding structures of B. lutarium agrees with the general hemipteran feeding plan. Slight deviations from the previously reported observations for other Nepomorpha include the structure of the triturating devices, feeding stylets, and the efferent salivary duct. Furthermore, interrupted feeding trials indicate that B. lutarium is able to feed on large prey for over 2 h and not deplete its supply of salivary enzymes. All three productive components of the salivary gland (main, lateral, and accessory glands) empty most of their salivary products during the first 2 h of feeding, and begin regenerating their secretions during the feeding process. Essentially, no latency period for saliva production exists in this species. The structure and function of the mouthparts and salivary gland are adapted for the predaceous feeding habits of Belostomatidae.

Chemical communication mediated by pheromones is a crucial aspect in the life cycle of beetles in the genus Dendroctonus. This communication plays an important role in mate location and in the colonization of host conifers. The study of the alimentary canal of these species is of importance not only because this organ is involved in the processes of digestion, detoxification, nutrient absorption, and transport, but also in the production of semiochemical compounds, such as pheromones. To better understand these functions and where they occur, the ultrastructural differences between the anterior and posterior midgut and the hindgut and their different cellular types were characterized. Adult specimens of both sexes from eight species were dissected and the alimentary canal was removed. It was sectioned into three parts: anterior midgut, posterior midgut, and hindgut, and analyzed by transmission electron microscopy. Results show that the epithelial tissue of the midgut possesses ultrastructural characteristics that permit differentiation of the anterior and posterior midgut. There are no ultrastructural differences within sexes of the same species, but differences exist among species. The ultrastructural characteristics of the hindgut do not differ between sexes or among species, but they do differ from those of the midgut.

Genetic variation of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and the nuclear ribosomal spacer, ITS1, in local and dispersed geographical populations of northern corn rootworm, Diabrotica barberi Smith & Lawrence was examined. Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) was used for mtDNA and DNA sequencing plus PCR-RFLP analysis was used for ITS1. Insects were collected in 10 states ranging from Pennsylvania to the Great Plains. Sequencing of the ITS1 amplicon revealed three potential polymorphic sites, one of which altered a restriction site for the restriction enzyme BclI. PCR-RFLP analysis with BclI detected three genotypes. Many beetles had heterogeneity at the nucleotide site recognized by BclI, which was supported by DNA sequence data. There appears to be a phylogeographic pattern of ITS1 genetic diversity. Eastern populations were homogeneous for one genotype, populations from central and northern locations had two genotypes, and western populations were composed of all three genotypes. The mtDNA had 58 haplotypes that displayed a strong east-west geographical partition. The region of overlap occurred in a few counties of east-central Illinois. Populations to the east had less variability than those to the west. A network of restriction site changes and trees based on genetic distance measurements of the mtDNA produced two distinct clades. One clade contained all the eastern haplotypes along with a group of haplotypes from the northern Great Plains. The other clade included the remaining western haplotypes. Possible reasons for this population structure including expansion from different glacial relicts, historic host plant differences, and endosymbiont driven reproductive incompatibilities are discussed.

To explore the relationship between spiders and insects in agroecosytems, we ran two laboratory experiments to determine if pest insects reduced their foraging activity in the presence of spiders or cues left by spiders. First, we quantified the damage to soybean leaves [Glycine max L. (Merrill); Fabaceae] caused by Japanese beetles [Coleoptera; Scarabeidae; Popilliae japonica (Newman)] and Mexican bean beetles [Coleoptera; Coccinellidae; Epilachna varivestis (Mulsant)] in the presence of either the tangle weaver, Achaearanea tepidariorum (C.L. Koch) (Araneae; Theridiidae), or the orb weaver, Arigope trifasciata (Forskal) (Araneae; Araneidae). Although most beetles survived, they consumed less of the soybean leaf than the beetles in control containers with no spiders. In a second experiment, we attempted to determine if Japanese beetles responded to the cues (e.g., silk draglines and feces) left by three species of wolf spider [Araneae; Lycosidae: Pardosa milvina Hentz, Rabidosa rabida Walckenaer, and Hogna helluo (Walckenaer)] that differed in size and therefore in the risk they posed to the beetle. Wolf spiders were allowed to deposit cues in a container with a soybean leaf for 24 h. The spider was then removed, and a Japanese beetle was allowed to forage for an additional 24 h. Plant biomass was positively affected by cues from all three wolf spider species, but the strongest foraging response of the beetle occurred in the presence of cues from the largest wolf spider species. These results demonstrate that spiders can have an effect on plant production even if they do not consume herbivores directly, which can have important implications for biological control programs.

The larva of the gypsy moth, Lymantria dispar (L.) (Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae), is considered to be one of the most serious forest pests of North America. We investigated the feeding preferences of fifth-instar larvae to seven overstory tree species in eastern Maryland, including sweet gum, Liquidambar styraciflua (L.); sugar maple, Acer saccharum (Marsh.); tulip poplar, Liriodendron tulipifera (L.); American beech, Fagus grandifolia (Ehrh.); American basswood, Tilia americana (L.); red oak, Quercus rubra (L.); and black walnut, Juglans nigra (L.), using two-choice bioassays. Feeding of larvae was determined for all possible pairings of plant species. Tests showed that sweet gum and red oak were the most highly acceptable species. Sugar maple and basswood were secondarily favored, whereas beech and black walnut were least favored. Tulip poplar was generally strongly rejected. These findings indicate that fifth-instar gypsy moth larvae exhibit a clear hierarchical feeding preference.