Cyrtomenus bergi Froeschner (Hemiptera: Cydnidae) is a polyphagous subterranean burrower bug reported on various crops and weeds in the field. Bionomics and population growth statistics of C. bergi while feeding on peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.), pinto peanut (Arachis pintoi, Krapovickas et Gregory), maize (Zea mays L.), sorghum (Sorghum bicolor [L.] Moench), welsh onion (Allium fistulosum L.),and sweet and bitter cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) were calculated from development time, survival of immature stages, and reproduction and female longevity under laboratory conditions. Free-choice host plant selection among peanut, maize and sweet cassava was recorded with separate rearings of C. bergi from the different hosts. Optimal performance ofC. bergi as measured by fecundity, survival, and intrinsic rate of population increase occurred on peanut and pinto peanut followed by maize. Sweet cassava, sorghum, and welsh onion were not favorable hosts, and C. bergi was unable to complete its life cycle on bitter cassava. In the free-choice test, insects reared on peanut and maize prior to the experiments were less active in their search for food, whereas insects reared on cassava prior to the experiment showed a clear preference for peanut and maize over cassava. Our results show that C. bergi is highly polyphagous, however, some host plants are strongly preferred over others. Cassava is not a preferred host and weeds in and around the cassava field may serve as alternative host plants that could maintain populations of C. bergi in cassava.

Abundance of Cyrtomenus bergi Froeschner has been reported regularly under moist and damp conditions. The influence of temperature and soil moisture on development time and mortality of first, third, and fifth instars, longevity and fecundity of C. bergi adult females, as well as hatching time and rate of eggs were determined under laboratory conditions at different temperature and soil moisture levels. Population growth is optimal around 26°C (constant temperature) and a soil moisture regime ranging from moist (field capacity) to wet soil (between field capacity and water saturation). Wet soil (44% gravimetric soil water) promotes high mean fecundity in young adult females, reducing generation time and favoring population growth compared to that seen in moist soil (33.5% gravimetric soil water, field capacity). The lower temperature threshold for development was 14.7°C. Neither egg hatching nor molting from fifth instars to adults occurred above 31°C. The lower soil moisture threshold for immature development was between dusty (19% gravimetric soil water) and very dry soil (22% gravimetric soil water) and between very dry and dry (25.5% gravimetric soil water, wilting point) for adult female survival and oviposition. Third instars were most tolerant to extreme temperatures. These abiotic limitations to population growth together with other findings concerning host plant regime and movement in soil may explain patterns of local and regional abundance.

Two new species of Caristianus Distant (Hemiptera: Fulgoroidae: Achilidae), C. maolanensis Chen and Li sp. nov. and C. liaoi Chen and Tsai sp. nov., are described from specimens collected in Maolan National Nature Reserve in Guizhou Province, China. Male genitalia of the new species are illustrated and a dorsal habitus is provided for the male of C. maolanensis. A key for identifying the species of Caristianus is included.

Morphological examination of soldiers and imagos assigned to Nasutitermes polygynus from New Guinea were determined to be conspecific with the neotropical species, N. corniger. A portion of the mtDNA 16S rRNA gene was sequenced from nine N. corniger samples and found to be congruent with that reported for N. polygynus. Complementary biological, behavioral, chemical, and reproductive ecology data further support this synonymy. Nasutitermes corniger was likely introduced to New Guinea as a result of accidental human transport.

Two colorful medium-sized moths, Camptoloma kishidai sp. nov. and C. bella sp. nov., from South China, are described and illustrated. C. kishidai can be recognized from the related species C. carum Kishida, from Taiwan by the reddish yellow-ground color on the forewing upperside, the tornal area without an irregular red pink patch, and by antemedian and postmedian fasciae connected at their lower ends by a longitudinal fascia. C. bella is distinguished from the allied species C. interiorata (Walker) by the characteristics of a reddish patch, and discocellular, antemedian and postmedian fasciae. A key to the species of the genus is supplied. All the type specimens are deposited in the Laboratory of Insect Ecology, South China Agricultural University.

Body weights and egg loads of field populations of the spined soldier bug, Podisus maculiventris (Say) (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) were studied from grape vineyards in Florida from April to November, 2003. Two main generation peaks were found in June and September. Mean female body weight throughout the year was similar to those obtained in various crops in Indiana. In both studies, body weights were comparable to those found in laboratory experiments where females were fed 1 prey item every 3 to 9 days. Egg loads in Florida were similar to those found in field populations in Indiana. The increase in numbers of immature eggs later in the Florida season may be an indication of continued egg production in older females. We interpret this as possible evidence of synovigeny in the field. This result is consistent with previous laboratory data showing that immature eggs are continuously produced throughout female lifetime. Larger females predictably had higher mean egg loads. The similarity in biological characteristics found in field populations in Indiana and Florida suggest that the predator has similar impacts on pest species by low feeding rates.

Two new species of the genus Coccophagus from Mexico, neocomperei sp. nov. and debachi sp. nov. are described and illustrated. The redini species-group is proposed for the genus Coccophagus, based on three species with unusual setation on the axillae. A key to identify both sexes of members of the redini group is provided.

Dibrachys pelos (Grissell) is an occasional gregarious ectoparasitoid of Sceliphron caementarium (Drury). We report the second record of this host association, collected in western Nebraska, and present results of laboratory experiments on host suitability and utilization. When D. pelos was reared alone on prepupae of 6 possible hosts, 4 proved entirely suitable: the mud dauber wasps Sceliphron caementarium and Trypoxylon politum Say, and two of their parasitoids, a velvet ant, Sphaeropthalma pensylvanica (Lepeletier) and a bee fly, Anthraxsp. On these hosts D. pelos completed development in 2-4 weeks, with average clutch sizes of 33-57, of which 24.7% were males. The other two hosts tested, the flesh fly Neobellieria bullata (Parker) and the leaf-cutter bee Megachile rotundata (Say), proved marginal, with very few adult progeny produced. When reared on these same 6 hosts with the addition of a competing parasitoid, Melittobia digitata Dahms, D. pelos fared poorly, being the sole offspring producer in at most 30% of the trials (on Anthrax hosts) and failing to prevail at all on T. politum hosts. Comparative data on host conversion efficiency indicated that M. digitata was more efficient than D. pelos on every host except Anthrax.

Larval populations of the corn earworm, Helicoverpa zea (Boddie), were surveyed in soybeans from 1995 to 1997 to catalogue larval parasites and quantify rates of parasitism. In addition, the relationship between moth captures in black-light traps and larval densities in soybeans was examined. Parasitism was consistently high throughout the region averaging 80.3%, 82.3%, and 73.1% for all dates in 1995, 1996, and 1997, respectively, and appeared to suppress H. zea populations. The predominate parasite species was Microplitis croceipes (Cresson) with some parasitism by Cotesia marginiventris (Cresson), Meterous autographae Meusebeck, and Winthemia rufopicta (Bigot). The date of the peak weekly capture of moths explained 99.7% of subsequent larval densities in soybeans, while the average weekly moth catches did not. The earlier moth peak in 1995 corresponded with higher populations of larvae, while the later peaks in 1996 and 1997 were followed by very low, sub-economic larval populations. Departures from normal for precipitation and temperature during August explained 99.8% and 95.3%, respectively, of the variation in the date of peak moth capture.

A new species of the genus Fidiobia reared from the eggs of Diaprepes doublierii collected in Dominica is described and illustrated. A key to the New World species of the genus Fidiobia, a host and distribution table of the 13 known Fidiobia species, and a summary of the efforts made to introduce natural enemies of Diaprepes species into Florida are provided.

Biological traits of a prospective candidate for biological control of the glassy-winged sharpshooter (GWSS), Homalodisca coagulata (Say) (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae), in the United States are herein reported. The mymarid wasp, Gonatocerus tuberculifemur (Ogloblin), is an egg-parasitoid native to Argentina and its first known host is Tapajosa rubromarginata (Signoret), a species related to GWSS. Laboratory studies were made in Tucumán and Buenos Aires Provinces, Argentina. Seven generations were maintained in the laboratory, and only one adult emerged per host egg. The average parasitism rate was 71.6% of total eggs. Although eggs of all ages (4 to 190 h old) were parasitized, wasps did not emerge from eggs over 96 h old. The percentage of wasp emergence was 66.5% from eggs between 4 and 72 h old. Over the seven generations that G. tuberculifemur was reared, the parasitism rate ranged between 55-84%. This percentage of emergence increased as the parasitoid generations progressed. The duration of development from oviposition to adult emergence of G. tuberculifemur was 12.6 ± 1.8 days (range 11.4-13.0) at 22.5-27.5°C and 70-80% RH. The duration of development was significantly affected by sex and temperature. Males developed faster than females (12.2 vs. 12.8, respectively).The sex ratio was not significantly different from 1:1. Average adult longevity was 6.73 ± 3.93 days fed on honey. Male and female longevity was not significantly different. Oviposition and mating behavior are described.

Diabroticina (Chrysomelidae: Galerucinae: Luperini) beetles were sampled under field conditions on two host plants of the family Cucurbitaceae, Cucurbita okeechobeensis ssp. martinezii L. Bailey (bitter, wild cucurbit) and C. moschata (Lam.) Poiret (non bitter, cultivated cucurbit). Seventeen species of Diabroticina were collected. Acalymma blomorum Munroe & Smith was the most abundant species on both host plants. The only parasitoid found was Celatoria compressa Wulp (Diptera: Tachinidae). This parasitoid attacked more beetle species on the cultivated cucurbit (65%) than on the bitter cucurbit (20%). However, the percentages of parasitism observed in all species were low (0.4% to 12.5%). These data suggest that host plant species might have an effect on parasitism.

Parasitism of Diaprepes abbreviatus (L.) eggs by Ceratogramma etiennei Delvare as influenced by host age, age of the female parasitoid, and host plant preference was evaluated under laboratory or greenhouse tests. Percent parasitism of D. abbreviatus eggs by C. etiennei decreased as eggs matured. The optimal age of C. etiennei for successful parasitism ranged from 1-2-d old. Host plant leaf thickness, leaf pubescence, and plant strata probably played a role on the parasitism by C. etiennei. This parasitoid is diurnal and spent approximately 5 min searching for eggs laid in cryptic locations, 46 min parasitizing an egg mass and 24 min resting. This biological information is relevant in evaluating the potential of C. etiennei in the classical biological control of D. abbreviatus.

Effects of elevation and host fruit availability on the distribution of the Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann), were evaluated with cylindrical traps baited with a female-biased food-based synthetic lure. Tests were conducted in the Santa María valley, Guatemala during a sterile male release program. Traps were placed in or near host trees (primarily coffee and citrus) and in non-host trees when no hosts were available. Trap locations were grouped according to elevation every 170 m. Elevation group midpoints were 1103, 1273, 1443, and 1613 m above sea level. The spatial distributions of sterile males, wild males, and females were clumped throughout the 13 wk of sampling. More wild female flies were captured in coffee in the 1273 m elevation and on non-host trees in the 1103 m elevation. The number of wild males was directly related to the number of wild females captured, and the sex ratio (female: male) was highest at the 1443 and 1613 m elevation ranges. There was no relationship between the number of sterile males and number of wild females in the traps at any elevation. At all elevation ranges, an inverse relationship was observed between the numbers of wild females and males with the mean numbers of sterile males per trap. Wild C. capitata populations appeared to decrease when 40 sterile males were captured per trap with wild females per week. The results indicated that, during the sampling period evaluated, coffee appeared to be the main host plant for the wild population, C. capitata were more abundant at the 1273 m elevation range than at other elevations. Additional or alternative host species may harbor the female population at other times.

Sunflowers (Helianthus spp.) are listed in many extension factsheets and other such publications as excellent plants to attract beneficial insects in addition to those known to be important pollinators. We performed a 2-year study at a number of organic farms in Alachua County, Florida to determine if the presence of sunflower rows included in a polyculture system increased the occurrence and abundance of beneficial insects in cropped fields. The occurrence of beneficial insects was significantly greater on sunflower than on crop vegetation in control blocks and crop vegetation greater than 10 m distant from sunflowers. While crop vegetation 10 m distant from sunflowers harbored significantly fewer beneficial insects, this difference in occurrence was not seen in crop vegetation 1 m distant from sunflowers. Our results indicate that sunflowers indeed attract and play host to numerous beneficial insects suggesting that sunflower plantings within rows of vegetable crops may indeed be an effective way to attract beneficial insects into cropped fields. However, further study is required to fully describe the distances key beneficial insects move from sunflowers and the impact these beneficial insects have on crop pests.