In this paper, Angarotipula Savchenko, 1961 (Diptera: Tipulidae) is redescribed and differentiated from other genera in Tipulidae and subgenera of Tipula Linnaeus, 1758, where this taxon was previously placed. Angarotipula tumidicornis (Lundström, 1907) is synonymised with Angarotipula parrioides (Alexander, 1919) (new synonym), the latter is a junior synonym. A lectotype is designated for A. tumidicornis. The female and first instar of Angarotipula illustris (Doane, 1901) and the pupa of A. tumidicornis are described and illustrated for the first time. Keys to adults, larvae, and pupae of the two North American species are presented. A close relationship between Angarotipula and Prionocera Loew, 1844 is suggested based on shared character states.

Melaphis rhois Fitch (Hemiptera: Aphididae) has been considered the only North American representative of the aphid subtribe Melaphidina. Molecular and morphometric analysis indicates that there are at least three sympatric cryptic melaphidine species in North America. Melaphis asafitchinew species is described and M. rhois is redefined and a neotype designated. The name Melaphis minuta Baker cannot be assigned to either of these species. Details of the life cycles of Melaphis Walsh species, including the existence of ovoviviparity in sexual females, is discussed.

Crucifer flea beetle, Phyllotreta cruciferae (Goeze) and striped flea beetle, Phyllotreta striolata (Fabricius) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) are the most chronic and economically important flea beetle pests of cruciferous (Brassicaceae) crops in western Canada. There have been reports that populations of P. striolata are increasing in numbers and expanding their geographic range. Climate is the fundamental factor regulating the distribution and abundance of most insect species. Bioclimate simulation models of the two flea beetle species were developed to assess climatic factors influencing shifts in their geographic distribution and density. The results fostered a better understanding of how the two species responded to selected climate variables. Growing seasons with above average precipitation were predicted to favour the geographic distribution of P. striolata more than P. cruciferae. Both P. cruciferae and P. striolata were sensitive to temperature changes in the range of −2 °C to +2 °C. The ecoclimatic index (suitability index) for P. cruciferae increased with increasing temperatures, whereas the index for P. striolata declined with increasing temperatures. This study highlights the regions of the Prairies and Boreal Plains Ecozones that are most sensitive to shifts of the two populations and which may require changes in insecticidal seed treatments for effective control.

Long-term trap catches of seedcorn maggot, Delia platura (Meigen), onion maggot, Delia antiqua (Meigen), and cabbage maggot, Delia radicum (Linnaeus) (Diptera: Anthomyiidae), were used to test the hypothesis that related species have more similar population variability than unrelated ones. Annual abundance was estimated from trap catches for 32 years (two species) or 17 years (one species). Population variability was quantified as PV, a proportion between 0 and 1. The three Delia Robineau-Desvoidy species had PV values of 0.51–0.55 that did not differ significantly. These PV values were found to differ significantly from two unrelated species studied over the same time period in the same habitat, which had PV values of 0.39 and 0.67. The hypothesis that related species have more similar population variabilities than unrelated species in the same habitat was supported. These data strengthen the view that PV is a species-specific trait reflecting the adaptation of life histories to their habitat, with related species showing more similar adaptations than unrelated species. The polyphagous and saprophagous seedcorn maggot had PV similar to the two oligophagous herbivores, casting doubt on the hypothesis that more generalist feeders have less variable populations than more specialised feeders.

An assessment of the effects of competitive behaviour and sex on seven selected life history traits of Drosophila melanogaster Meigen (Diptera: Drosophilidae) was made under precisely regulated larval density. Contrary to the conditions of crowding, as considered in many previous studies, the low scale of density enabled assessment of the life history traits at the individual level with higher precision and low variations. The 0-day-old first instars were reared with the relative density of 1,2, 3, and 4 individuals with optimal food until the adults emerged. The life history traits like age at pupation, age at eclosion, adult body weight, adult body length, wing length, and adult survival were used as response variables. Both the density and sex of the competitors were considered as predictors of the life history traits and a stronger effect was evident in the female sex than in males, which is statistically significant. Result also revealed the effect of competitive behaviour was more intense in case of same sex competitors than of opposite sex. In all instances, the life history traits exhibited a trend of decreasing function with the increasing larval rearing density, in compliance with the norms of density-dependent effects on development of Drosophila Fallén and similar insects.

Flea beetle (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) species and numbers were determined from yellow sticky traps (n=11 180) set out in canola (Brassica Linnaeus, Brassicaceae) fields at 300 site years and 15 ecoregions across the Canadian Prairie provinces in each spring of 2007–2011 and in North Dakota, United States of America in 2010–2011. Peak numbers and relative species abundance varied with year, site, and ecoregion. Phyllotreta striolata (Fabricius) was most common in northern ecoregions, whereas Phyllotreta cruciferae (Goeze) dominated nearer the 49th parallel. The proportion of P. striolata in northern areas increased dramatically compared with surveys in the 1970s. Phyllotreta striolata displaced Psylliodes punctulata Melsheimer as the most common flea beetle in the Peace River Lowlands, displaced P. cruciferae as the most common flea beetle in the Aspen Parkland of central Alberta, Canada, and increased in proportion in central Saskatchewan and much of Manitoba, Canada. Once rare in southern ecoregions, P. striolata was found there in increasing numbers. Temperature was the most consistent weather parameter to predict occurrence of both P. cruciferae and P. striolata. Although P. striolata became more numerous over years in four of seven principal ecoregions, P. cruciferae remained the predominant species on traps with the highest numbers of flea beetles.

Predicting mango mealybug, Rastrococcus iceryoides (Green) (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae), populations in an organic mango (Mangiferaindica Linnaeus; Anacardiaceae) ecosystem well in advance with reasonable accuracy, will facilitate biological control. In this study, an attempt was made to predict the population of mango mealybug using abiotic weather parameters as independent variables. The study was conducted at the Indian Council of Agricultural Research – Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Bengaluru, India (12°8'N; 77°35'E). Among the abiotic variables, maximum temperature was found relevant for predicting the population of the mealybug based on significant correlations. It was found that a prediction model using maximum temperature as independent variable with R2 is most ideal. This prediction model, when considered three to four weeks in advance of an infestation, could help farmers to gear up with biological control.

Grylloblatta campodeiformis campodeiformis Walker (Grylloblattodea: Grylloblattidae) was commonly collected during summer from trees killed by the mountain pine beetle, Dendroctonus ponderosae Hopkins (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), in subalpine forests of Alberta, Canada. Gut content analysis revealed that the grylloblattids fed on subcortical invertebrates. This newly reported habitat association shows that this species is not limited to strictly alpine habitats and glacial margins, and thus may be more widespread and common than suggested by earlier reports.

We examined the effect of biopesticides used alone, mixed with other biopesticides, or in conjunction with an imidacloprid against wireworms (Coleoptera: Elateridae) in spring wheat Triticum aestivum Linnaeus (Poaceae) (variety: Duclair). The study was conducted at Ledger and Valier, Montana, United States of America in 2015 and 2016. Ten biopesticides (spinosad, azadirachtin, pyrethrin, Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo-Crivelli) Vuillemin (Fungi: Clavicipitaceae) GHA (Mycotrol), B. bassiana ANT-03 (BioCeres), Chromobacterium subtsugae Martin et al. (Bacteria: Neisseriaceae), Burkholderia Yabuuchi et al. (Burkholderiaceae) species, Metarhizium brunneum Petch (Fungi: Clavicipitaceae) ESC1 (MbESC1), and M. brunneum F52 (MetF52) as microsclerotial and corn grit-based granules) were tested in addition to thimet and imidacloprid. Treatment efficacy was based on plant stand protection, wireworm populations, and yield. In 2015, there was considerable variation between sites in treatment efficacy. Mycotrol, BioCeres, MetF52+spinosad, and MetF52+imidacloprid applications protected seedlings from wireworm damage better than the control at Ledger, while only MetF52 at Valier. Wireworm populations were significantly higher with Mycotrol, spinosad, MetF52+spinosad, MbESC1 (25 g/L), and MetF52 treatments, compared with control, at 14 and 28 days post application at Ledger, but without effect at Valier, 2015. We found significantly higher yield in plots treated with imidacloprid+MetF52 and Mycotrol+azadirachtin (Xpulse) compared with control at Ledger. In 2016, no significant treatment effects were observed at either site. In summary, this study provides insight on what treatments should be explored in more detail despite variable results.