In the paper wasp, Polistes metricus Say, subordinates and single foundresses of early colonies (< 16 days old) nesting in the same habitat were very similar in size, reproductive condition, and probability of being fertilized suggesting that these types of foundresses are comparable in reproductive potential. Queens of multiple foundress, early colonies were significantly larger, had larger ovaries, and more oocytes than their subordinates. In late colonies (> 30 days old) the differences in reproductive condition between queens and their subordinates were more pronounced. Reproductive condition and body size are likely to be important characters for sorting foundresses into hierarchies.

The last instar larvae of the tribe Pyraustini of America north of Mexico are described. Thirty-five species and 19 genera are included in this study, Munroeodes Amsel—1 species, Saucrobotys Munroe—1 species, Epicorsia Hübner—1 species, Oenobotys Munroe—1 species, Crocidophora Lederer—1 species, Ostrinia Hübner—3 species, Fumibotys Munroe—1 species, Eurrhypara Hübner—1 species, Phlyctaenia Hübner—1 species, Nealgedonia Munroe—1 species, Mutuuraia Munroe—1 species, Anania Hübner—1 species, Hahncappsia Munroe—5 species, Achyra Guenée—2 species, Helvibotys Munroe—1 species, Sitochroa Hübner—1 species, Uresiphita Hübner—1 species, Loxostege Hübner—5 species, and Pyrausta Schrank—6 species. The last instar larvae of 10 species are described for the first time, Munroeodes thalesalis (Walker), Oenobotys vinotinctalis (Hampson), Crocidophora pustuliferalis Lederer, Nealgedonia extricalis (Guenée), Pyrausta dapalis (Grote), P. fodinalis (Lederer), P. sp. near laticlavia (Grote and Robinson), P. orphisalis Walker, P. tyralis (Guenée), P. unifascialis (Packard). The relationships between the adults and the larvae are discussed. Key to the genera for last instar larvae is given, and the larval characters illustrated.

Ptychopsis phalara new genus, new species of Banchinae from Ecuador is described and figured. Reasons for placement of the genus in the tribe Lissonotini are discussed.

In laboratory tests, Ravinia lherminieri (Robineau-Desvoidy) larvae significantly reduced the numbers of face fly, Musca autumnalis De Geer, eggs or larvae (98% mortality), in 100 ml of bovine feces at R. lherminieri to face fly ratios down to 10:200. Face fly immature mortality due to R. lherminieri decreased from 98% to 0% as the volume of feces per larva increased from 10 ml to 80 ml. Although R. lherminieri larvae survived on feces alone, their survival increased 26% (63% vs. 89%) when face fly immatures were added to the feces.

The effects of three trap variables (age, saturation, and density) on catches of male spruce budworm moths were tested using Pherocon 1CP® traps baited with synthetic sex attractant in high-density budworm populations in Maine and low-density populations in Ontario. As trap age increased, the number of moths captured decreased significantly; traps aged 2, 10, and 16 days caught an average of 5.4, 28, and 27% fewer moths than unaged traps. Traps functionally saturate and trapping efficiency diminishes in both high and low density populations after ca. 50 moths are caught, although maximum observed catch was 193 moths/day. Density or spacing of traps also affects trap efficiency. Traps spaced 5 m apart may act as a single attraction source. Interference between traps was evident for traps spaced 10, 20, and 30 m apart, while traps spaced at 40 m had the least interference. However, interference at all spacings was noted during peak moth flight in 1978 when mean catch was ca. 140 moths/trap/day.

Pherocon 1CP traps can be used for detecting and monitoring spruce budworm populations; however, influences of trap age, timing of trap placement, trap saturation, spacing of traps, and lure strength should be taken into account.

Six species of aphids belonging to four genera were measured for 12 morphological features at five developmental stages. It was concluded that reliable identification of species based on morphological features is possible only at adult stages. Samples were also analyzed for seven enzymes by gel electrophoresis. There were no enzyme pattern differences among developmental stages in any species. Three enzymes, malic dehydrogenase, malic enzyme and tetrazolium oxidase, showed the same band pattern in all species. The other four, acid phosphatase, alkaline phosphatase, esterase and leucine-alanine peptidase, showed “diagnostic” patterns specific to a given species. All species are easily identifiable by their esterase pattern which could be confirmed by acid phosphatase, alkaline phosphatase, and leucine-alanine peptidase patterns. The enzyme pattern differences were used to establish a dendrogram of genetic relationship among species which was compared with a dendrogram of morphological similarities. The close genetic similarity among species suggests that significant adaptive differentiation leading to speciation may have occurred within the context of relatively few genie changes. This is compatible with speciation in aphids being due primarily to their obligate parthenogenetic reproduction, frequent bottlenecks (drastic reduction in number), and host plant specificity.

Three colonies of Polistes fuscatus (Fabricius), each with two foundresses, were bisected during the pre-emergence stage and separated for 20 days. In the absence of the dominant, each subordinate foundrss became an egg-laying queen on her half of the nest. The dominant foundress did not exhibit superior reproductive productivity. The split colonies were reunited by placing the nests approximately 4.0 cm apart in a single nest box. Each foundress and all workers were observed tending both half-colonies, and the original dominance hierarchy was apparently restored in two of the three colonies.

Field experiments tested lineatin, the aggregation pheromone of Trypodendron lineatum (Olivier), in combination with either S-(+)- or (±)-sulcatol, the pheromones of Gnathotrichus retusus (LeConte) and G. sulcatus (LeConte), respectively. Beetles of each species responded maximally to their own pheromone alone or in a binary combination. Slight, but significant cross attraction between Gnathotrichus spp. was evident, and G. retusus was slightly attracted to lineatin. Both Gnathotrichus spp., but not T. lineatum, responded to α-pinene with ethanol. These two compounds had no effect on the allelochemic activity of the pheromones. While mutually inhibitory communication would be of adaptive advantage in bark beetles which compete for an essentially 2-dimensional host, the phloem tissue, little selection pressure would occur among ambrosia beetles which share a more bountiful host, the 3-dimensional sapwood; hence the lack of mutual inhibition between Gnathotrichus spp. and T. lineatum. On the other hand, enantiomer-based specificity in pheromone communication between Gnathotrichus spp. may have been at least a partial basis for speciation. Compatibility of lineatin with either S-(+)- or (±)-sulcatol indicates that in pheromone-based pest management, 2-binary pheromone stimulus release systems can be used instead of 3 single ones.

The subjective synonymies of Hylastes rufipes Eichhoff with Hylesinus opaculus Leconte and Hylastes salebrosus Eichhoff with Hylurgus scabripennis Zimmermann have been generally accepted (Eichhoff 1896; Wood 1979), but there has been disagreement about priority owing to differences in opinion about publication dates of Eichhoff's descriptions. Recently, Wood (1979) gave priority to Hylastes opaculus Leconte and Hylurgus scabripennis Zimmermann. This note reaffirms the priority of Eichhoff's names.

Stephen S. Beare, Department of Zoology, University of Alberta, studied martens (Martes americana) in the Evelyn Creek area, Nisutlin River drainage, near the Canol Road, 60°47′; 133°15′ in 1980 and collected a marten flea and a woodchuck flea from them. In addition, he trapped other small mammals from 15 July to 28 September and collected 109 flea specimens of nine taxa from them.