The black squash mirid, Pycnoderes quadrimaculatus Guérin-Méneville, 1857, was recently found feeding on chayote squash, Sechium edule (Jacq.) Sw. (Cucurbitaceae), under cultivation in Campo Grande, Veracruz, Mexico. Based on the economic importance of this plant in the region, research under laboratory conditions was initiated to study essential aspects of the biology (duration of life cycle and survival) and basic morphology of this pest insect. The duration of the egg, immature (instars 1–5), and adult stages lasted 14.2, 14.1, and 31 days, respectively. Elongated, slightly curved eggs, without respiratory projections, were inserted in the main and secondary veins of chayote leaves. All nymphal instars were yellowish to pale greenish with distinct black regions and black setae scattered over the dorsum, except for the hyaline to whitish and smooth first instar. Sexual dimorphism was not present in P. quadrimaculatus. The probability of survival for males and females feeding on chayote squash was estimated to be 100% at 3 and 21 days, respectively. Subsequently, survival decreased without significant differences between the sexes. This is the first report of aspects of the life cycle, morphology, and survival of P. quadrimaculatus.

Mandible and maxillary stylet lengths in adult female thrips were measured in eight species of herbivores, six species of predators, and one species of a fungivore. Species studied live in the Mojave Desert or adjacent habitat in southern Nevada or western Arizona. Lengths of each structure were compared between Terebrantia and Tubulifera and between herbivores and predators in each suborder. Mandibles were longer in Terebrantia and in predators compared with herbivores in the suborder. Mandible length did not differ between diets in Tubulifera. Maxillary stylets were longer in Tubulifera, in herbivores compared with predators in the suborder, and in predators compared with herbivores in Terebrantia. Longer mandibles in the predatory Terebrantia may be related to greater thickness or hardness of arthropod cuticles compared with plant cuticles. Longer stylets in the herbivorous Tubulifera would enable thrips to feed on deeper plant tissues. Stylet length in predators approximated mandible length in four of the species, suggesting the stylets only exceed the arthropod cuticle to withdraw food. The mandible in the fungivorous species was longer than in other Tubulifera, and maxillary stylet length in the species was similar to herbivores in the suborder. Examination of a greater number and diversity of species of thrips may detect similar differences in mouthpart structure between herbivores and predators.

The present study is based upon soldier flies (Diptera: Stratiomyidae) collected from Turkey between 1996 and 2007. A total of 21 species in seven genera belonging to the subfamilies Hermetiinae, Sarginae, Stratiomyinae, and Nemotelinae are presented, with the first records of Exochostoma ornatum Lindner, 1974, Odontomyia annulata (Meigen, 1822), Stratiomys singularior (Harris, 1778), and Nemotelus aerosus Gimmerthal, 1847 for the Turkish fauna. New distribution records for previously reported species are given. Photographs of the species are provided, and a zoogeography characterization for each species is discussed.

Alligator weed, Alternanthera philoxeroides (Mart.) Griseb. (Amaranthaceae) is an aggressive invader in waterways and pastures throughout most of the southeastern U.S.A., and California. Three insect biological control agents have provided substantial control of aquatic A. philoxeroides in the warmer parts of its range in the U.S.A. However, these insects are less effective against A. philoxeroides in riparian-terrestrial habitats. In this study, the host specificity of Disonycha argentinensis Jacoby, 1991, was investigated to determine its suitability as a biocontrol agent of A. philoxeroides in the U.S.A. No-choice and multiple-choice tests were conducted using 19 test plant species. Complete development of larvae took place only on A. philoxeroides and on a native plant, Alternanthera maritima (Mart.) A. St.-Hil. Larval survival on A. philoxeroides (0.55 ± 0.05) did not differ from A. maritima (0.35 ± 0.15), but development time (days) from first instar to adult was faster on A. philoxeroides (21.78 ± 0.67) than on A. maritima (27.64 ± 0.70). No-choice oviposition tests showed that fecundity was higher on A. philoxeroides (400.6 ± 115.2 eggs) than on A. maritima (93.5 ± 23.5 eggs), but egg viability (proportion) did not differ between A. philoxeroides (0.40 ± 0.14) and A. maritima (0.60 ± 0.19). In multiple-choice tests, D. argentinensis oviposited indiscriminately on all plant species tested. Collectively, these results indicate that the native A. maritima is within the ecological host range of D. argentinensis and further tests (e.g., field studies) are necessary to determine if predicted non-target impacts will be transitory or persistent.

The genus Kirinua Li & Lin, 2021 belonging to the family Symphytognathidae was established based on the type species, Kirinua maguai Li & Lin, 2021. A total of three cave-dwelling Kirinua species were recorded from Guangxi, China. In this paper, another new troglobitic spider species from the limestone Jinlong Cave in southern China is described under the name Kirinua jinlong sp. nov. Detailed descriptions, illustrations, and diagnosis are given to this new species, as well as a distribution map for all known species of the genus Kirinua.

The previously unknown female of Psilochorus inyo Slowik, 2009 is described and illustrated. Determination of the species was validated using DNA barcoding as well as collection occurrences. Collection data for females collected in northeastern California and information on the species habitat and distribution are provided.