The glassy-winged sharpshooter, Homalodisca vitripennis (Germar) [= H. coagulata (Say)] (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Proconiini), invaded Tahiti in 1999 and at the time of writing this pest was widespread in French Polynesia being extremely abundant in Tahiti and Moorea. Homalodisca vitripennis is a major threat for agriculture and biodiversity. In 2004, a classical biological control program against H. vitripennis was initiated with the goal of introducing and establishing the exotic egg parasitoid Gonatocerus ashmeadi Girault (Hymenoptera: Mymaridae) in French Polynesia. As part of the preliminary studies for this program, a survey was conducted of existing natural enemies, in particular egg parasitoids of H. vitripennis. Pan trap surveys and monitoring parasitism of H. vitripennis egg masses was performed in Tahiti. The results of the pan trap surveys provide the first record of the presence of Gonatocerus dolichocerus Ashmead (Hymenoptera: Mymaridae) in French Polynesia, but surveys of H. vitripennis egg masses revealed that it does not attack eggs of this pest. However, H. vitripennis egg masses were found to be parasitized by three parasitoid species: Centrodora sp. (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) (on average 30%) as well as Palaeoneura sp. (> 1%) and an undescribed species of Anagrus Haliday (Hymenoptera: Mymaridae) (> 1%). All three parasitoid species were recorded for the first time in French Polynesia. Implications of these results for the biological control program of H. vitripennis are discussed.

Ten species of the subgenus Empoasca (Distantasca) Dworakowska from China are reported, two of which, E. (D.) paraterminalis sp. nov. and E. (D.) serratipenis sp. nov. are described and illustrated. Seven species are recorded for the first time from China, viz., E. (D.) rokasa, E. (D.) tiaca, E.(D.) atika, E. (D.) riora, E. (D.) bulbosa, E.(D.) faciata and E. (D.) latava. A key to all Chinese species based on the male genitalia is provided.

The slug caterpillar Parasa lepida (Lepidoptera: Limacodidae) is an introduced pest to urban trees in western Japan. The spatial distribution pattern of P. lepida cocoons was examined on cherry trees along an urban coastal avenue with reference to the effects of distance from the sea, dieback of trees, and avian predation. Stepwise multiple regression analysis revealed that cocoon density increased and tree dieback decreased with distance from the sea. These results suggest that salt spray from the sea and the resulting plant stress may negatively affect the moth. Avian predation rate increased with cocoon density per tree, suggesting density-dependent predation. Also, the predation rate was higher on cocoons between 0.5 and 1.5 m above ground, where the twigs were cleared and prop wood was fixed. These spatial distribution patterns are discussed with regard to pest control.

The resurrection of the Chilean genus Mecothorax Solier 1851, type species: M. castanipennis Solier 1851 (by original monotypy) with 15 included species is here redescribed, illustrated and mapped: Mecothorax castanipennis Solier 1851, vulgaris (Solier 1851) comb. nov., anticura sp. nov., calafquen sp. nov., carmenjuliae sp. nov., duahatao sp. nov., girardai sp. nov., lanin sp. nov., maipoensis sp. nov., maturanai sp. nov., pichinahuel sp. nov., pucatrihue sp. nov., valdiviensis sp. nov., valparaisensis sp. nov., and villarricensis sp. nov. Mecothorax belongs to the subfamily Elaterinae and tribe Pomachiliini.

A new species of Pero from Mexico is described and illustrated. Pero macneilli Brown, sp. nov. (Geometridae) has been compared to the holotype and paratype of Pero pima Poole, 1987 (Geometridae). Pero macneilli Brown, sp. nov. is related closely to P. pima based on the genitalia and wing pattern.

The legume pod borer, Maruca vitrata (Fabricius, 1787) is a serious pantropical insect pest of grain legumes. The emergence and mating rhythms of the legume pod borer adults were investigated at 29±1°C and 75–80% r.h. under 14L:10D. The results showed that emergence activity of M .vitrata occurred throughout the day, 86% of females and 73% of males emerged at night. The highest emergence frequency occurred at 2300–2400 h and 0200–0300 h for females and males, respectively. The highest mating frequency occurred between 2300 and 2400 h for 3-day-old moths. Single mating peaks were observed for 1-, 6-and 7-day-old moths and double mating peaks were observed for 2- to 5-day-old moths. The percentage of pairs mating at the first peak was higher than at the second peak. More time was spent in mating during the first half of scotophase than the second one. The mating behaviour of M. vitrata was age-dependent. Young and old pairs spent more time in mating than middle-aged pairs. Advanced onset of time and peak for mating were observed directly by older moths. The emergence activities of both sexes were almost synchronous. Emergence peaks were almost synchronous with the two peaks of mating at different time of day.

Nymphal developmental periods and mortality of Bemisia tabaci when exposed to two parasitoids Encarsia bimaculata and Eretmocerus sp. nr. furuhashii at different nymphal stages were studied in the laboratory. Developmental periods of various nymphal instars were significantly delayed among instars when parasitized by E. bimaculata and Eretmocerus sp. nr. furuhashii. Developmental periods of 1st–4th nymphal instars when originally parasitized by E. bimaculata were 20.13, 19.19, 18.65 and 17.93 days, respectively. Developmental periods were protracted when instars were parasitized by Er. sp. nr. furushashii with values of 23.16, 21.37, 20.76 and 20.31 days. However, averaged developmental periods of B. tabaci immatures without parasitism were 14.10 days. Mortalities of B. tabaci immatures were significantly different among instars when parasitized by E. bimaculata or Er. sp. nr. furuhashii. Mortality was highest at the 3rd instar and lowest at the 1st instar when parasitized by E. bimaculata, whereas when parasitized by Er. sp. nr. furuhashii, the highest mortality was found at the 3rd instar and the lowest was at the 4th instar. Mortality of B. tabaci caused by parasitoids host feeding was higher on 1st and the 4th nymphal stages than on 2nd and the 3rd stages, regardless of the species of wasps. These results indicated that deleterious effects of parasitism on whitefly development occurred on the instar that followed the instar at which parasitism has occurred; parasitism and host feeding by the aphelinid wasps are important factors that significantly influence whitefly mortality.

The whitefly species, Aleyrodes shizuokensis Kuwana 1911 is re-recorded from Taiwan for the first time since Takahashi (1935). The puparia and adults of two morphologically similar species, A. proletella (Linnaeus 1758) and A. shizuokensis Kuwana 1911, are redescribed and illustrated. A detailed morphological comparison between the species is made.

Two species of Ceratophysella Börner, 1932 were studied. Ceratophysella baichengensis sp.nov is described, it is closely related to C. denticulata Bagnall, 1941, but differs from the latter by the apical bulb on Ant. IV, and proportion anal spines on the inner edge of the claw. Ceratophysella succinea (Gisin 1949), is newly recorded from China and is redescribed and illustrated together with C. cf. succinea. A key to the Chinese Ceratophysella is provided.