Phyllotreta cruciferae (Goeze), an abundant pest in the parklands, is moderately abundant on the open prairie, less common in the southern parts of the boreal forest, and absent elsewhere in the forest. Phyllotreta albionica LeC. occurs in low numbers in parkland and prairie, and is rare in the forest. Phyllotreta robusta (LeC) occurs in low numbers in the parkland, is rare on the prairie, and was not found in the forest. Psylliodes punctulata Melsh., which has a moderately low population in the parkland, occurs in similar numbers on the prairie and perhaps also in the forest. P. cruciferae will likely cause problems in any cruciferous crops grown on the open prairie and eventually in cruciferous crops in newly-cleared forest areas.

The use of artificial illumination in entomological studies is extensive. Incandescent and fluorescent lights are used in mass-rearing insects necessary for physiological and ecological studies, and in photoperiod-controlled as well as in electrophysiological experiments.

One of the main problems facing investigators in the interpretation of their results or in comparing these to preceding reports is the plethora of ways in which experimental conditions involving light are reported. Here are some examples: “The ants were kept under fluorescent light from 0800 to 2000 hours; light intensity on the ants was about 400 lux” (McCluskey 1965).

A 34-question interview relating to the occurrence, distribution, and economic importance of the merchant grain beetle was administered to a random sample of 2341 dwellings in Winnipeg in 1971 and 1152 dwellings in 1980. The results showed that a higher percentage of apartments and other multiple dwellings were infested by this insect than were houses. Using the Winnipeg survey figure, we estimate that the total cost of infestation in Canadian residences was $2.9 million in 1971 and $6 million in 1980. These figures do not include the costs of commercial pest control services. Oatmeal and flour were infested most frequently in 1971 with mixed cereal most frequent in 1980. After food, the next most frequent sources of beetles in kitchens were cupboard shelves and breadboards. Most people who found beetles in a food product discarded the infested product and adjacent foods whether or not they were infested. The results of the surveys suggest that the merchant grain beetle is a widespread and economically important household pest in Canada, particularly in apartments where is it a chronic problem.

The longevity, fecundity, and oviposition rates of Aphelinus semiflavus Howard were determined at densities of 20 and 60 pea aphid hosts per day. Host density had no significant effect on parasite longevity and total fecundity, but it did influence the mean daily oviposition rate (16.5 and 19.5 aphids/day at density 20 and 60, respectively) and the overall proportion of aphids parasitized (82.3% and 32.5%, respectively) during the period of maximum egg laying. The implications of a shift in the fecundity schedule to an earlier reproductive age are discussed.

Feeding activities of freshly hatched larvae of Urophora cardui (L.) cause the formation of callus-filled channels which later serve as the routes by which adults exit their galls. Callus cells of the channels deteriorate the following spring when the gall is wetted by melting snow and rainfall. Establishment of U. cardui as an agent in the biological control of Canada thistle may be impaired in habitats with insufficient moisture to degrade the callus plug.

In western Oregon, Operophtera occidentalis (Hulst) has four larval instars, is univoltine, and polyphagous. Adult activity peaked in early December, eggs overwintered, larvae were present from March to June, and pupae from May to December. Temperature thresholds for egg and larval development were estimated to be 2 °C. Few species of natural enemies were observed and rates of parasitism averaged 2%.

Several types of pheromone-baited traps have been used for trapping males of the spruce budworm, Choristoneura fumiferana (Clem.). Most pheromone traps have sticky surfaces for capturing attracted moths; however, the sticky surface often becomes saturated with moths, moth scales, and debris, thus diminishing the traps' effectiveness. At high population densities, saturation may occur within a few hours after the traps are placed in the field. The Pherocon 1CP® trap found most effective by Sanders (1978) functionally saturates after about 50 spruce budworm moths are caught (Houseweart et al. 1981).

The white pine weevil, Pissodes strobi Peck, is a serious pest of several pines, Pinus sp. and spruces, Picea sp., and is an exceptionally difficult insect to control because its entire life, except for the adult stage, is spent inside the terminal leader of the host tree (Harman and Kulman 1968; MacAloney 1930; Rose and Lindquist 1973; Sullivan 1957). To protect the trees, the weevil must be controlled prior to oviposition; this has been thus far accomplished only by massive, repeated applications of insecticides such as methoxychlor (DeBoo and Campbell 1971, 1972). Application of such a conventional insecticide, however, may have adverse effects on beneficial insects such as pollinators, predators, and parasites as well as some of the non-insect fauna.

A 2-year study was conducted in an organic, essentially pesticide-free orchard and in one which followed a complete pesticide program to assess populations of beneficial arthropods. There were far more beneficial species in the pesticide-free orchard both on the trees and in the cover crop. Spiders increased dramatically in the organic orchard and relatively few spiders were found in the sprayed orchard. Pest species were below treatment thresholds in both orchards with the exception of codling moths. By the second season, codling moth injury was so severe in the organic program that the non-pesticide program had to be abandoned.

Head capsule widths were measured on 962 larvae of Rhyacionia rigidana (Fernald). Five instars were detected using multimodal analysis, and normal distributions of head widths for each instar are given. Regression using an exponential growth model was used to generate mean head widths according to Dyar's rule. These widths did not differ significantly from observed widths.

Adults of the two main rape-infesting flea beetle species in Manitoba, Phyllotreta cruciferae (Goeze) and Phyllotreta striolata (F.), that were parasitized by Microctonus vittatae Mues., emerged earlier from overwintering sites than unparasitized adults of the same species. Early emergence of parasitized beetles ensures early emergence of parasite adults and thereby probably increases the impact of the parasite on the host's population.

In the density sampling of Otiorhynchus ligustici (L.) in the soil, double-depth sampling provided equally precise estimates at lower total costs than conventional sampling in which all sampling units are processed to the same depth.

In five test plots, double-depth sampling with 30 cm first sample depths and 60 cm second depths appeared the most efficient for estimating the number of O. ligustici larvae per 30 cm. These samplings average 72% of the total cost of conventional single-depth sampling.

The life cycle of Corticeus glaber (LeConte) was investigated at 25 °C and 60% R.H. The developmental time from egg to adult for C. glaber ranged from 30 to 41 days and five larval instars were determined from head capsule measurements. The mature larva is described.

On 20 September 1980 a single male gypsy moth, Lymantria (= Porthetria) dispar (L.), was found in a pheromone trap near the Arts and Culture Centre, Corner Brook, Newfoundland. Identification was confirmed by Dr. J. D. Lafontaine, Biosystematics Research Institute, Ottawa. This was the first record of the gypsy moth in Newfoundland, which is separated in the south 144 km from Nova Scotia and in the north 14 km from Labrador.

A reduviid predator, Pristhesancus papuensis Stål, was introduced into South. Carolina from Australia in 1979. Its life history is described. Under laboratory conditions, the average number of eggs per mass was 80. Mean incubation time was 15.6 days at 27 °C. Females deposited an average of 568 eggs in 7.7 masses during their adult lifespan of 124 days. Average male longevity was significantly less (93 days) than that of females (124 days). A preoviposition period of 33.5 days was required, and a single mating was sufficient to insure fertilization during the egg-laying period. Developmental time was determined for each immature stage at 27 °C. Five immature stages and adults are described and illustrated.

Goera schmidi n. sp. from Thailand is described together with drawings of the greatly modified male genitalia and maxillary palpi. SEM micrographs of scales on the wings of Goeridae are presented. Distributional data are given for the Goeridae known to occur in Canada and the United States.

Improvements in the rearing methods for axenic mountain pine beetles were made by standardizing the nutritional and physical composition of a yeast-fortified ground phloem diet. By eliminating handling and possible malnutrition of neonate larvae, and by use of individual rearing units to reduce hazards associated with microbial contamination, one person produced batches of 400–500 axenic beetles. Beetles produced by this method were morphologically and anatomically equivalent to and more fecund than field beetles, were significantly smaller than their parental stocks, and perhaps required more degree hours above 40 °C in developing from egg to adult.

The efficacy of diflubenzuron against the codling moth, Laspeyresia pomonella L., was compared with that of azinphos-methyl in two orchards. Two cover sprays were applied to coincide with peak codling moth activity which was monitored daily with pheromone-baited traps. In the Golden Delicious and mixed cultivar orchards, 187 ppm (mg active ingredient/1.) diflubenzuron provided control comparable to that of 187 ppm azinphos-methyl. In the 47 ppm diflubenzuron treatment, more fruit damage occurred particularly in the mixed cultivar orchard. In this orchard, the addition of Tween 20 to the spray mixture reduced fruit damage markedly.

Diflubenzuron appeared non-toxic to the phytoseiid Typhlodromus occidentalis Nesbitt and stigmaeid Zetzellia mali Ewing. In addition, cover sprays did not increase populations of European red mite, Panonychus ulmi (Koch) or rust mites, Aculus spp.

The efficacy of diflubenzuron against the codling moth and its compatability with integrated mite control suggest that the compound is a promising agent for pest management programs in apple orchards.

Western spruce budworm, Choristoneura occidentalis Freeman, periodically attacks Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirbel) Franco) in British Columbia, causing mortality, deformity, and growth loss. Insect populations are assessed annually by the Canadian Forestry Service's Forest Insect and Disease Survey, by branch sampling for egg mass densities; predictions of population trends and damage are based on these assessments. Eggs, laid in rows in masses affixed to needles, are a preferred stage to sample because they are easily collected, remain fixed in numbers for an extended period, and precede damage by sufficient time to plan suppression or other programs. Numbers of masses alone, however, may not show population trends accurately as egg numbers per mass varies. Thus it is sometimes necessary to count eggs (Miller 1957), which is a formidable task. Fortunately egg numbers can be estimated from the dimensions of egg masses (Washburn and Brickell 1973). In this study, we determined the relationship between egg numbers and egg mass length and number of rows for samples from Douglas-fir stands frequently affected by spruce budworm throughout British Columbia. Data were collected over 3 years, 1977-79, during which time budworm populations were in a period of decline.