The parasitoid complex of white-spotted pinion Cosmia diffinis (Linnaeus, 1767) larvae (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) feeding on Ulmus minor in Edirne was studied during the two-year period of 2007–2008. The determined parasitoids were Meteorus colon (Haliday, 1835) and Meteorus rufus (DeGeer, 1778) from Braconidae; Gelis areator (Panzer, 1804), Itoplectis clavicornis (Thomson, 1889) and Phobocampe lymantriae Gupta, 1983 from Ichneumonidae; Brachymeria secundaria (Ruschka, 1922) from Chalcididae; Euplectrus liparidis Ferrière, 1941 from Eulophidae and members of Tachinidae. We report here a new host-parasitoid relationship of C. diffinis with M. colon, M. rufus, I. clavicornis, P. lymantriae, and E. liparidis. The hyperparasitism of G. areator and B. secundaria on parasitoid Meteorus species of Cosmia diffinis is also reported. In addition, M. colon, I. clavicornis, G. areator, P. lymantriae and E. liparidis were determined as new records for Turkey.

During a two-year survey on a wildflower seed farm in southcentral Montana, we collected ∼50 species of bees from 18 genera in sweep samples on cultivated wildflowers and weeds. The two cultivated plant species most intensively sampled attracted different assemblages of bee visitors. Slender white prairie clover (Dalea candida) attracted 27 species, 94% of visitors being Apis mellifera (73%), Lasioglossum spp., Colletes phaceliae, and Bombus spp. Prairie coneflower (Ratibida columnifera) attracted 20 species, the majority being Halictus rubicundus and three Melissodes species; only 3% of visitors to this plant were A. mellifera, despite the fact that the coneflower field was closer to an apiary than were the prairie clover fields. Other apparently non-random plant-bee associations included A. mellifera on Onobrychis viciaefolia, Bombus spp. on Astragalus cicer, and Halictus ligatus and a Melissodes sp. on Symphyotrichum chilensis. Analysis of pollen loads suggests high flower constancy for A. mellifera, Bombus spp., and many of the native solitary bee species foraging on cultivated plants. The low numbers of honey bees on certain plants suggest that native, non-managed bees of such genera as Bombus, Melissodes, Halictus, and Lasioglossum may be critical for plant species for which honey bees show relatively low preference (especially when highly-preferred species such as D. candida are abundant).

A species of Diospilus from Mexico is described and illustrated. Diospilus sisyphus Sánchez, Figueroa and Sharkey new species attacks Anthonomus sisyphus Clark (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) on the fruit of red nanche, Malpighia mexicana A. Juss. A key is included to identify the described species of Diospilus of the New World.

Neochlamisus gibbosus (Fabricius) is a common leaf beetle in eastern and central North America (Karren, 1972). We provide detailed illustrated descriptions of each life stage based on field studies of a population on its host plant, Rubus laudatus Berger (Rosaceae), in Kansas, U.S.A. We found some previous diagnostic characters and some new ones can diagnose the species. We report two hymenopteran parasitoids, Conura sp. (Chalcididae) and Testrastichus sp. (Eulophidae), and one unidentified mite species on the juvenile defensive fecal case. Chemical analysis of the fecal case and host plant found little overlap in chemicals, suggesting that the beetles are manufacturing their own chemicals.

A checklist of the Euglossini of Nicaragua is provided, expanding the previously documented 16 species to 32. New formal records are provided for the following 16 species, all in Euglossa Latreille: Euglossa (Euglossella) cyanura Cockerell, E. (Euglossa) championi Cheesman, E. (E.) cybelia Moure, E. (E.) despecta Moure, E. (E.) hansoni Moure, E. (E.) heterosticta Moure, E. (E.) igniventris Friese, E. (E.) mixta Friese, E. (E.) tridentata Moure, E. (E.) villosiventris Moure, E. (Glossura) allosticta Moure, E. (G.) asarophora Moure and Sakagami, E. (G.) ignita Smith, E. (G.) imperialis Cockerell, E. bursigera Moure, and E. sapphirina Moure, the last two left as subgenus incertae sedis. This summary doubles the known diversity of orchid bees in Nicaragua.

Se presenta una lista faunística de los Euglossini de Nicaragua, incrementando el número de especies documentadas de 16 a 32. Se incluyen datos de nuevos registros formales para las siguientes 16 especies, todas en el género Euglossa Latreille: Euglossa (Euglossella) cyanura Cockerell, E. (Euglossa) championi Cheesman, E. (E.) cybelia Moure, E. (E.) despecta Moure, E. (E.) hansoni Moure, E. (E.) heterosticta Moure, E. (E.) igniventris Friese, E. (E.) mixta Friese, E. (E.) tridentata Moure, E. (E.) villosiventris

The lesser chestnut weevil, Curculio sayi (Gyllenhal), is a key pest of chestnut in the eastern and central United States. Y-tube bioassays and electroantennogram (EAG) studies were conducted on adult C. sayi regarding their behavioral and EAG responses towards odors from different chestnut tissue types (leaf, catkin, bur and nut) to determine the possibility of using host-plant volatiles in monitoring this highly host-specific pest. In behavioral trials, spring emerging weevils (of both sexes) were significantly attracted to odors emanating from catkins (flowers) and burs, with males also attracted to the odors from the nut. In the late-summer, weevils (of both sexes) emerging or returning to chestnut trees were again significantly attracted to the odors from bur and catkin tissues, with females also being attracted nut tissue. Odors emanating from leaves were not attractive to either sex. The EAG trials revealed that weevil antennae responded significantly to odors from bur spikes and the inner bur tissue layer, as well as to odors from catkin and leaf tissues; however, the weevils (regardless of sex or season of collection) were not significantly responsive in EAG tests to odors from the nut tissue (site of oviposition). This study provides key initial data that strongly suggests that chestnut plant volatiles can be successfully utilized as attractants in a semiochemical-based monitoring trap for C. sayi adults.

Investigation of predator-prey relationships that involve aquatic insects has received little attention, and aspects including feeding rates and prey selection of many predators are poorly understood. Adult giant water-bugs, Lethocerus americanus, and larval giant water scavenger beetles, Hydrophilis triangularis, are large predatory aquatic insects that typically inhabit pools or ponds with little to no flow. Both insect predators are known to prey on a variety of aquatic organisms including invertebrates and vertebrates. Laboratory trials were conducted to determine feeding rates and prey selection of fish by adult giant water-bugs and larval giant water scavenger beetles. Six western mosquitofish, Gambusia affinis, of two size classes, juvenile (<20 mm) and adult (>20 mm), were placed in aquaria with a single predator. Once per 24 hour period, predator survival was recorded along with the quantity and size of fish consumed. Each of the insect predators consumed a significantly greater number of mosquitofish from the adult size class with giant water-bugs consuming 0.13 fish per day and water scavenger beetles consuming 0.46 fish per day. Insect predation of small fish species could be substantial and because size selective pressures exist, population structure of fish populations may be affected.

A new species of Miocene crane fly, Tipula paleopannonia, new species, is described and figured from a well preserved forewing. The specimen derives from the Paldau Formation (Early Pannonian, ca. 11.3 Ma) and is the first new species of Tipula described from the Miocene of Europe since the mid-1800's.

Anhand eines gut erhaltenen Vorderflügels wird in vorliegender Arbeit eine neue Schnakenart, Tipula paleopannonia, sp. n., beschrieben. Das Stück stammt aus der Paldau-Formation (Frühes Pannonium, ca. 11,3 Mio.J.) und ist die erste Neubeschreibung einer Tipula-Spezies aus dem Miozän Europas seit Mitte des 19. Jahrhunderts.

A second species of ibaliid wasp (Cynipoidea: Ibaliidae) from Baltic amber is described and figured and represents the first record of the genus Ibalia Latreille from the Eocene. Ibalia (Ibalia) electra Engel and Liu, new species is described on the basis of a single individual preserved in middle Eocene (Lutetian) Baltic amber and exhibits typical features and synapomorphies of the genus Ibalia, subgenus Ibalia. The species is distinguished from its congeners.