Phylogenetic relationships within the genus Wyeomyia Theobald are presented, based on a cladistic analysis of 88 morphological characters (from adults, larvae, and pupae) of 38 named species and 1 unnamed species and 46 allozyme markers from a subset of 19 of these species. Two taxa are used as outgroup (Sabethes aurescens Lutz and Limatus durhami Theobald). The analysis indicates that, as currently defined, the genus Wyeomyia is not a monophyletic lineage: firstly, the genus Onirion Peyton and Harbach is nested within the genus Wyeomyia, and secondly, the subgenus Phoniomyia Theobald is a monophyletic lineage outside the genus Wyeomyia. Our results also demonstrate that the subgenera Cruzmyia Lane and Cerqueira, Decamyia Dyar, Dendromyia Theobald, Spilonympha Motta and Lourenço-de-Oliveira, and Prosopolepis Lutz are monophyletic lineages nested within the genus Wyeomyia. Triamyia Dyar is resurrected as a subgenus of Wyeomyia to include W. aporonoma Dyar and Knab and W. staminifera Lourenço-de-Oliveira, Motta, and Castro. The subgenus Miamyia Dyar is resurrected to include seven species: W. codiocampa Dyar and Knab, W. lutzi (Costa Lima), W. limai Lane and Cerqueira, W. serrata (Lutz), W. hosautos Dyar and Knab, W. oblita (Lutz), and W. sabethea Lane and Cerqueira.

Mayflies (Ephemeroptera) were collected from 35 sites (streams and tundra ponds) across southern Nunavut in 2002–2005. Nine mayfly species were previously reported for Nunavut: Acentrella feropagus Alba-Tercedor and McCafferty, Acerpenna pygmaea (Hagen), Baetis bundyae Lehmkuhl, B. flavistriga McDunnough, B. foemina McDunnough, Diphetor hageni (Eaton) (Baetidae), Ephemerella aurivillii (Bengtsson) (Ephemerellidae), Leptophlebia nebulosa (Walker) (Leptophlebiidae), and Metretopus borealis (Eaton) (Metrotopidae). We add 7 species to this list, bringing the total to 16: Ameletus inopinatus Eaton (Ameletidae), Acentrella lapponica Bengtsson, Baetis hudsonicus Ide, B. tricaudatus Dodds, Heptagenia solitaria McDunnough (Heptageniidae), Rhithrogena jejuna Eaton (Heptageniidae), and Parameletus chelifer Bengtsson (Siphlonuridae). Based on numbers collected, the dominant mayfly family was Baetidae. Baetis bundyae was the most common mayfly collected, particularly in coastal areas, where larvae were found in permanent and temporary streams and in small or shallow tundra ponds. Larvae hatched 2–3 weeks after ice-out and developed rapidly in 2.5–4 weeks, emerging as adults by early August. All populations containing larvae that were large enough to sex showed female-biased sex ratios, suggesting parthenogenesis. A combination of freeze-tolerant eggs, good dispersal ability, and probable parthenogenesis is probably responsible for the success of Baetidae across the Arctic.

Six species of Trichomalus Thomson were reared as parasitoids of Ceutorhynchinae hosts in Europe during surveys in 2000–2004. Trichomalus rusticus (Walker) is treated as a valid species, resurrected from synonymy under T. lucidus (Walker), and T. lyttus (Walker) is transferred from synonymy under T. lucidus and newly placed in synonymy with T. rusticus. Illustrated keys to females and males are given to differentiate the six species (T. bracteatus (Walker), T. campestris (Walker), T. gynetelus (Walker), T. lucidus, T. perfectus (Walker), and T. rusticus) except for males of T. bracteatus and T. gynetelus. A lectotype female is designated for T. rusticus. Trichomalus campestris is newly recorded as a parasitoid of Ceutorhynchus cardariae Korotyaev. Implications of the host-parasitoid associations recovered by the surveys are discussed relative to introduction of species to North America for classical biological control.

Brassicaceae germplasm (Brassica napus L., Brassica rapa L., Brassica juncea (L.) Czern., Brassica carinata A. Braun, Sinapis alba L., Camelina sativa (L.) Crantz, Crambe species) with cultivar development potential for the prairies was evaluated for resistance to cabbage seedpod weevil (Ceutorhynchus obstrictus (Marsham) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)) infestation under field conditions in southern Alberta from 2001 to 2005. Relative susceptibilities were as follows: B. rapa and B. napus > B. juncea = B. carinata > S. alba. Although some of the germplasm evaluated varied within species in terms of glucosinolate profile, erucic acid level, oil content, and plant height, none of these factors appeared to influence the degree of C. obstrictus damage. A subset of this germplasm was also evaluated in the greenhouse. Although the canola species B. rapa sustained the highest level of damage in the field tests, it was similar to other Brassica genotypes in the greenhouse. All lines of S. alba were virtually immune to weevil attack in both field and greenhouse tests, regardless of glucosinolate profile, suggesting that other factors confer resistance in this species. Synchrony of crop development with weevil activity in the field explains some of the variability in damage observed among genotypes and illustrates the importance of combining field and greenhouse studies when assessing resistance.

This is the first report of the hairy maggot blow fly, Chrysomya rufifacies (Macquart), in Canada since its arrival in the continental United States of America in 1982. Specimens were collected from one swine (Sus scrofa L.) carcass in fall 2004 and again from six swine carcasses at three rural sites within the Windsor/Essex County region of southwestern Ontario in fall 2005. Based upon the biological characteristics of the species and the absence of specimens from spring and summer carrion-insect collections, it is suggested that C. rufifacies is present in southwestern Ontario during the fall season, after range expansion from the midcontinental United States of America during the spring and summer months. However, considering the projected increases in temperature due to global warming, establishment of C. rufifacies is predicted to extend well into southern Ontario and Quebec. Current and predicted distributions based upon the biological temperature requirements of C. rufifacies are depicted through geographic range maps. The potential economic and ecological impacts are discussed, with emphasis upon negative interactions between C. rufifacies and several native blow fly species, particularly Cochliomyia macellaria (Fabr.).

When habitat quality is variable, there should be strong selection for the ability to detect and respond to the variation. Adult females of the parasitoid wasp Nasonia vitripennis (Walker) are known to increase their restlessness (the proportion of time in locomotion) both during and after exposure to a poor quality host. Doing so provides a mechanism for leaving a poor host and potentially finding a better host. This study examined whether restlessness also changes in response to competition as indicated by the presence of adult conspecifics. Both restlessness and the probability of dispersing across an inhospitable environment were greater when a female was with another female than when she was alone. However, restlessness did not remain elevated after the other female was removed. In contrast with females, restlessness of males did not increase either during or after exposure to other males, and the probability of dispersing across an inhospitable environment was unaffected by the presence of another male. The difference between females and males may be related to differences in dispersal ability and in the abundance and distribution of hosts versus mates.

In a field trapping experiment in an abandoned seed orchard of western red-cedar, Thuja plicata Donn × D. Don, in British Columbia, we show that attraction of male red-cedar cone midges, Mayetiola thujae (Hedlin), to the pheromone blend (2S,12S)-, (2S,13S)-, and (2S,14S)-diacetoxyheptadecane is reduced in the presence of a blend of all other stereoisomers, or of the three SR- or RR-stereoisomers. The three RS-stereoisomers, in contrast, had no significant effect. Thus, synthetic pheromone for monitoring M. thujae populations must not contain the SR- or RR-stereoisomers of 2,12-, 2,13-, and 2,14-diacetoxyheptadecane. This result will allow development of a less expensive design for synthesizing the pheromone.

The first investigations of the mite fauna of Sable Island, Nova Scotia, Canada, are reported. Fourteen species have been found. Uropoda orbicularis (Müller) (Uropodidae) and Scarabaspis inexpectatus (Oudemans) (Eviphididae) are newly recorded for North America, Macrocheles nemerdarius Krantz and Whitaker (Macrochelidae) is newly recorded for Canada, and Trichoribates striatus Hammer (Ceratozetidae) is recorded for the first time south of the subarctic zone. Colonization, dispersal, and the zoogeographic origins of the fauna are discussed in the context of the biological, geological, and human history of the island.

In 2002, two types of light traps were compared against sticky yellow cards for efficiency and selectivity in capturing adult swede midge Contarinia nasturtii (Kieffer) (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae). Incandescent light traps were more efficient at capturing swede midge than were sticky traps. Incandescent light traps were more selective than blacklight traps and required less time for processing of samples and identification of captured midges. Emergence (2003 and 2004) and pheromone (2004) traps were used to assess swede midge population dynamics. Captures from emergence traps indicate up to five overlapping emergence events for swede midge each year. Emergence traps captured swede midge earlier in the season than pheromone traps, but pheromone-trap captures continued later in the season than those in emergence traps. Pheromone traps are small and portable, easy to maintain, and capture significantly more swede midge than emergence traps.

The cedar web-spinning sawfly, Cephalcia tannourinensis Chevin (Hymenoptera: Pamphiliidae), is a pest that has been causing serious damage to cedar (Cedrus libani) forests in Lebanon since 1990. The existence of a sex pheromone was shown in field experiments in a cedar forest in Lebanon and in laboratory tests in olfactometers with and without airflow. More males were caught in traps baited either with virgin females or with a hexane extract of the whole female body than in traps baited either with males alone or with mixed males and females. Male and female C. tannourinensis were active during the day. Mating and pheromone production were observed to occur during midday hours (1000–1400) in the field and under laboratory conditions. Olfactometer tests with extracts prepared from different body parts of the female indicated that the pheromone is produced in the abdominal region, and tests with different dilutions of female extract showed that the male response is dose-dependent.

Native parasitoids of the adult Mexican corn leafhopper, Dalbulus elimatus (Ball), and corn leafhopper, Dalbulus maidis (Delong and Wolcott), are described and their rates of parasitism on maize, Zea mays L., common barley, Hordeum vulgare L., and sorghum, Sorghumbicolor (L.) Moench (Poaceae) in central Mexico are determined. The survey was conducted throughout an annual cycle, with sampling of the previous season's crops when they were available. Leafhoppers showing evidence of parasitism were reared individually in the laboratory to obtain adult parasitoids. Adult D. elimatus were parasitized on winter maize, barley, and sorghum by the fly Eudorylas subopacus (Loew) (Diptera: Pipunculidae) and the wasp Gonatopus bartletti Olmi (Hymenoptera: Dryinidae), whereas adult D. maidis were parasitized by these fly and wasp parasitoids on winter maize only. The highest rates of parasitism of D. elimatus by E. subopacus were 57.4% on maize, 39.6% on barley, and 48.8% on sorghum. The highest rate of parasitism of D. maidis by E. subopacus was 20.4% on maize. In contrast, the highest rates of parasitism of D. elimatus by G. bartletti were 9.4% on maize, 2.7% on barley, and 25.8% on sorghum. The highest rate of parasitism of D. maidis by G. bartletti was 7.1% on maize. These results indicate that winter crops are habitats of E. subopacus and G. bartletti during the winter season. This is the first report of D. elimatus and D. maidis being parasitized by E. subopacus and of D. elimatus being parasitized by G. bartletti.

A study was conducted in 2004 and 2005 to test the hypotheses that the severity of damage caused by the soybean aphid, Aphis glycines (Hemiptera: Aphididae), is minimized by the activity of predators and declines with the maturity of soybeans, Glycine max (L.) Merr. (Fabaceae), at the time of infestation. In caged subplots where predators were excluded, aphids attained a high density following experimental infestation of soybeans, resulting in severe reductions of yield, particularly when plants were infested early in the season. A guild of generalist predators consisting predominantly of ladybird beetles colonized plants in uncaged subplots, resulting in a low rate of population growth following infestation of soybeans with aphids and a relatively weak impact on the soybean yield. The soybean yield declined as the density of aphids (number per plant), and the maturity of soybeans at the time of infestation, increased. Our results suggest that A. glycines represents an occasional pest of soybean in Quebec, because of (i) temporal asynchrony between the late-season infestation by aphids and the most susceptible phenological stage of soybeans (vegetative or flowering) and (ii) biological control by natural enemies.

In field studies conducted to improve trapping programs for the white pine cone beetle, Conophthorus coniperda (Schwarz), a twig beetle, Pityophthorus puberulus (LeConte), a common associate of eastern white pine, Pinus strobus L. (Pinaceae), in seed orchards, was also captured. In these experiments, P. puberulus was attracted to traps containing the sex pheromone pityol with or without the monoterpenes (−)-α-pinene and (−)-β-pinene, but attraction to traps was inhibited when S-(−)-limonene was present. We speculate that limonene may play an important role in host recognition and suitability, by indicating a resource suitable for C. coniperda but unsuitable for P. puberulus.

Puparia of house flies, Musca domestica L., and stable flies, Stomoxys calcitrans (L.) (Diptera: Muscidae), were collected on dairy farms in Prince Edward Island (PEI) and New Brunswick (NB) and held for emergence of hymenopterous parasitoids. Percent parasitism for PEI in 2003 and 2004 was 6.7 (n = 10 060 puparia) and 1.0 (n = 36 992 puparia), respectively. Percent parasitism for NB was not determined in 2003, but was 9.1% (n = 3052 puparia) in 2004. A parasitoid provisionally identified as Phygadeuon ?fumator Gravenhörst (Ichneumonidae) predominated in both provinces. Additional species recovered included Aphaereta pallipes (Say) (Braconidae) and Muscidifurax raptor Girault and Saunders, Spalangia cameroni Perkins (PEI only), Spalangianigra Latreille (NB only), Spalangia subpunctata Förster (NB only), Trichomalopsis americana (Gahan) (PEI only), and Urolepis rufipes (Ashmead) (Pteromalidae). Dissection of host puparia from which neither flies nor wasps emerged yielded a relatively large number of additional parasitoids, particularly S. nigra.

Striped maple (Acer pensylvanicum L.) was compared with sugar maple (Acer saccharum Marsh.) for use in rearing Asian longhorned beetles (Anoplophora glabripennis (Motschulsky)). Adult females lived longer when caged with twigs and small bolts harvested from A. pensylvanicum during late spring through early fall than with material from A. saccharum collected at the same time. Females had a shorter life-span when fed plant material from either tree species harvested from late fall through winter than with plant material from A. pensylvanicum harvested from late spring through early fall. Female A. glabripennis laid more viable eggs when provided with A. pensylvanicum rather than A. saccharum. Regardless of which of these two tree species females had experienced previously, they always chose to lay more eggs in A. pensylvanicum than in A. saccharum. Rearing A. glabripennis on A. pensylvanicum is therefore more efficient, especially when twigs and wood collected from late spring through early fall are used.