The recent introduction of the concept of refuge areas for the management of the Colorado potato beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Say) (Coleoptera : Chrysomelidae), on resistant potato highlighted the existence of important gaps in our knowledge and understanding of this pest's movement within and between habitats. The objective of this review is to synthesize the information available for the benefit of crop managers and to identify subject areas in need of additional research. A traditional, somewhat encyclopedic, review of the old and recent literature on research methods, basics of flight and walking, as well as abiotic and biotic conditions for dispersal, revealed a considerable volume of information accumulated since the early 1900s. There is a consensus on the role of abiotic factors on flight and walking, but a better understanding of the biotic factors will be required before the variability of the dispersal response can be fully explained or predicted. Cybernetic models of orientation proposed in the literature were pulled together into a schematic representation of the orientation process in walking L. decemlineata. The model begins the integration of the different conditions and underlying suggested mechanisms responsible for the orientation of the walking beetle. There is remarkably little information on the orientation of potato beetles during flight. Finally, the seasonality of walking and flight dispersal is reviewed in relation to the host habitat and overwintering sites.

The North American species of the genus Cosmia Ochsenheimer are reviewed and four species are recognized: Cosmia calami (Harvey), C. praeacuta (Smith) comb. nov., C. epipaschia (Grote) comb. nov., and C. elisaesp. nov.Achytonix McDunnough syn. nov. is synonymized with Cosmia subgenus Calymnia Hübner. Namangana praeacuta nigramaculata Barnes et Benjamin and Namangana praeacuta orae Barnes et Benjamin are synonymized with Cosmia praeacuta. Illustrations of adults and genitalia are provided.

The dogwood borer, Synanthedon scitula (Harris) (Lepidoptera: Sesiidae), has the broadest host range of the clearwing moths and is considered to be an economically important pest of many ornamental, fruit, and nut trees. Since the 1980s, dogwood borer has been recognized as an increasingly important, indirect pest of apple, Malus domestica Borkh. (Rosaceae), in eastern North America, owing mainly to increased plantings of apple on size-controlling rootstocks that promote the formation of adventitious root initials (burr knots) on the rootstock and scion. Burr knots appear to be preferred oviposition sites for dogwood borer females, although infestations can also be initiated in wounds, pruning cuts, and crotches on the branches and trunk. Larval feeding in burr knots does not adversely affect the growth and vigor of apple trees, but their mining outward from burr knots into vascular tissue can ultimately cause tree decline and death. Chlorpyrifos is the most effective insecticide for controlling dogwood borer. A supplemental label in the United States permits post-bloom, trunk drench applications of chlorpyrifos specifically for control of borers in apple, with several restrictions that preclude control of infestations higher in the tree. The ongoing review of pesticide tolerances dictated by the 1996 Food Quality Protection Act of the United States of America makes the long-term availability of this chemical uncertain. Cultural practices, such as deeper planting or berming, can reduce the likelihood of infestation of new apple plantings by dogwood borer, although they do not preclude infestations from developing above the graft union. This review and discussion is based on our contention that research toward the development of alternative, behaviorally based management strategies for dogwood borer in apple and other economically important host plants is warranted. Our review and synthesis of the dogwood borer literature revealed important gaps in knowledge about basic aspects of its biology that pertain directly to the development of alternative control tactics based on behavioral manipulation. There is considerable confusion surrounding the sex pheromone of dogwood borer and conflicting results on the response of males to isomers and blends of isomers of its purported pheromone. Studies using sex attractants to monitor its phenology in apple and non-apple habitats have yielded discrepant results and conclusions. Differences in the effectiveness of commercially available pheromone lures for trapping dogwood borer have been reported and the ability of pheromone traps to accurately reflect emergence or population density remains in question. Regardless of pronounced differences in the duration and modality of the seasonal flight of dogwood borer among different geographical regions within its range, the conclusion of univoltinism across most of its range has been perpetuated, based on extremely limited developmental data collected exclusively from individuals that developed on dogwood.

Third-instar larvae and pupae of Macraspis aterrima Waterhouse, Macraspis rufonitida Burmeister, and Macraspis chrysis (Linné) from Mexico and Macraspis festiva Burmeister and Macraspis pseudochrysis Landin from Brazil are described. All larvae and pupae were found in rotten logs or stumps of numerous tree species. Illustrations of diagnostic structures, brief comments on the biology of each species, and a key to the seven larvae of the genus are included.

The tubercles present on the egg chorion of the carrot weevil, Listronotus oregonensis (LeConte), are described and their variability in density quantified between females. Tubercle density varied by a factor of six between females, from 19 000 to 115 000 tubercles per mm2. The average density of tubercles for a given female remained constant throughout its oviposition period. When isofemale lines were created, the average tubercle density remained constant from generation to generation, and crossing experiment suggested that tubercle density was transmitted by the female. Using isofemale lines with low and high densities of tubercles, no effect on egg survival in water or susceptibility to egg parasitism was found. Tubercle density and the heritability of this character suggest a probable reproductive advantage for females that produce eggs with this chorionic pattern even though the precise role of these traits remains to be determined.

Thirteen species of the genus Leucophenga were found from Iriomote Jima of Ryukyu Islands, Japan, including three new records and three new species: L. argentata (de Meijere), L. confluens Duda, L. digmasoma Lin et Wheeler, L. concilia Okada, L. maculata (Dufour), L. meijerei Duda, L. ornata Wheeler, L. orientalis Lin et Wheeler, L. regina Malloch, L. umbratula Duda, L. iriomotensissp. nov., L. multipunctatasp. nov., and L. obscurasp. nov.Leuco phenga regina is redescribed and the three new species are described. A key to all species from Iriomote Jima is provided.

The genus Dietta Sharp, 1876 was previously known in the Neotropics only by D. sharpi Matthews, 1887 from Panama. This paper describes a new subgenus of Dietta, Mesodiettasubgen. nov., occurring in Middle America and northern South America west of the Andes, composed of D. (M.) sharpi Matthews and eight additional new species: D. (M.) esmeraldassp. nov., D. (M.) latidenssp. nov., D. (M.) lobidenssp. nov., D. (M.) mesoamericasp. nov., D. (M.) mexicanussp. nov., D. (M.) puntarenassp. nov., D. (M.) rectispinasp. nov., and D. (M). uncinatasp. nov. Additionally, seven new species of Dietta, subgenus Dietta, are described: D. (D.) argentinensissp. nov., D. (D.) atlanticasp. nov., D. (D.) geraisensissp. nov., D. (D.) guianasp. nov., D. (D.) huanucosp. nov., D. (D.) pauloensissp. nov., and D.(D.) sucumbiossp. nov.

Studies based on presence/absence of a species may provide insight into habitat associations, allowing the distribution of species to be predicted across the landscape. Our objective was to characterize the carabid fauna in three mature boreal forest types (conifer, mixedwood, and deciduous) and a disturbed habitat (clearcut) to provide baseline data on the carabid species inhabiting the major forest types of boreal northwestern Ontario. Only spring-active carabids were considered for logistical reasons. We further identified the coarse woody debris structure and microhabitat characteristics within these stand types to try to refine our ability to predict the within-stand occurrence of carabids. We found the carabid composition of deciduous stands (mixedwood and aspen) similar and typical of the carabid fauna found in mixedwood forest in other nearby studies. The important feature of these forest types may be the presence of a deciduous leaf litter layer. In contrast, spruce stands contained fewer species and individuals and a distinct carabid fauna. As predicted, the clearcut habitats were dominated by open habitat species, although the fauna was dissimilar to what was recorded in clearcut habitats in other studies within northwestern Ontario. Coarse woody debris appeared to be an important habitat attribute for several carabid species in clearcut habitats.

Two Early Eocene hemerobiid species from the Okanagan Highland deposits of western North America are described: Wesmaelius mathewesisp. nov. (Quilchena, British Columbia, Canada) and Cretomerobius wehrisp. nov. (Republic, Washington, United States of America.). A poorly preserved specimen, possibly Hemerobiidae (Driftwood Canyon, British Columbia, Canada) is discussed. The systematic position of the genus Cretomerobius within the Hemerobiidae is unclear, but it appears to belong within (or possibly as the sister group to) the poorly differentiated Drepanacrinae–Megalominae–Drepanepteryginae grade of subfamilies. Wesmaelius mathewesi is the first fossil species to be assigned, although with some uncertainty, to this otherwise speciose and widely distributed extant genus. It also represents the oldest known material of the subfamily Hemerobiinae. Meso hemerobius jeholensis Ping is removed from the Hemerobiidae and treated as Neuroptera incertae sedis.

Three species of Telenomus Haliday are egg parasitoids of the hemlock looper, Lambdina fiscellaria (Guenée), in Canada. Telenomus coloradensis Crawford and Telenomus droozi Muesebeck are redescribed and Telenomus flavotibiaesp.nov. is described and illustrated from material collected in Quebec. Telenomus coloradensis was found to be the predominant egg parasite, followed by T. droozi. Telenomus flavotibiae was found to be an uncommon parasite of hemlock looper eggs. All three species are recorded from Newfoundland to British Columbia. Keys to species of Telenomus associated with the hemlock looper, including two closely related species previously confused in the literature, are also given.

All Cardiophorus species found in Canada and the United States of America east of the Rocky Mountains are keyed and all but those with the majority of their ranges west of the Rocky Mountains are revised. Eleven species are recognized, three of which are new to science (C. catskillensissp. nov., C. destinensissp. nov., and C. panamapolissp. nov.). Cardiophorus floridae Candèze and C. angustatus Blanchard are synonymized under C. convexus (Say). All 11 are described and taxonomically important characters are presented. Distribution maps are presented for each species. The following lectotypes are designated for species that were described from more than one specimen without former holotype designation: C. angustatus, C. floridae, C. erythropus Erichson, C. gagates Erichson, C. togatus Horn, C. robustus LeConte, C. convexulus LeConte, and C. amictus Melsheimer. The following neotypes were designated to replace destroyed type specimens: C. cardisce (Say) and C. convexus.

A revision of the Canadian species of the genus Silusa Erichson is presented. In this contribution, we treat six species recently discovered in Canada, one of which is a new species from Alberta, Silusa langori Klimaszewski sp. nov. The distribution records for two species are greatly expanded. Silusa californica Bernhauer is now known from Alaska, Minnesota, Alberta, Quebec, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia (previous records: British Columbia, California). Silusa vesperis Casey is now known from Washington and British Columbia (previous record: California). For two other species, there are first records for Canada and one new United States state record. Silusa alternans Sachse is now known from Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and New Hampshire (previous records: Georgia, New York), and Silusa densa Fenyes is now known from Alberta (previous record: California). Silusa valens Casey is here considered as a synonym of S. alternans. Silusa rutilans Casey and S. modica Casey are confirmed to belong to Leptusa Kraatz, and both are here considered as new synonyms of Leptusa canonica Casey. Silusa gracilis Sachse and S. nanula Casey are also confirmed to belong to the genus Leptusa. The following lectotypes are newly designated for species described on the basis of syntypes: S. alternans Sachse and S. californica Bernhauer. New data are provided on the systematics, relationships, bionomics, and distribution for all Nearctic species of America north of Mexico. Diagnoses and illustrations of external and genital features are provided for all species, and the distribution of each is discussed and shown on maps. A key to the species occurring in Canada is presented.

The North American species previously treated as Xanthia togata (Esper) is shown to be a distinct species and described as new. Illustrations of adults and genitalia of X. togata and Xanthia tatago are provided.

The species of Aphidini living on Senecio L. in South America are reviewed. Pehuenchaphisgen. nov. is described; it is an Aphidina genus characterized mainly by the siphunculi on abdominal segment VI when present and by its radicicolous way of life. The type species of the genus Pehuenchaphis agilissimasp. nov. is described and the new combination Pehuenchaphis americana for Sene ciobium americana Mier Durante and Ortego is established. Aphis senecionicoides E.E. Blanchard is redescribed and its neotype is established. Aphis papillosasp. nov. with very large marginal papillae and Aphis malalhuinasp. nov. with short siphunculi are described and differentiated from the previously known Aphis intrusa Ortego and A. senecionicoides. A key for the apterous viviparous females of these seven species and Andinaphis paradoxa Mier Durante et al. is given.

A new genus, Mirocaudagen. nov., and a new species, Mirocauda albilineanasp. nov., are described and illustrated. Because of the nature of the post-tibial spur, this genus belongs to the tribe Tropidocephalini. A key to the 17 Chinese genera (including 3 subgenera) of the tribe Tropidocephalini is provided. Two new synonymies are reported: Malaxa aurunca Yang et Yang, 1986 is a junior synonym of Malaxella flava Ding et Hu, 1986 and Specinervures liquida Yang et Yang, 1986 is a junior synonym of Specinervures interrupta Ding et Hu, 1986. A checklist of genera in the tribe Tropidocephalini from the People's Republic of China is appended.

The new genus Totoia Ocampo and two new species, Totoiasplendida Ocampo from Costa Rica and Panama and Totoiabrachycarina Ocampo from Panama and Colombia, are described. Diagnostic characters of the genus and male genitalia of both species are illustrated.

Two new feather mites are described from the Turkey Vulture, Cathartes aura (Linnaeus), in Canada: Ancyralges cathartinussp. nov. (Analgoidea: Analgidae) and Cathartacarus auraegen. nov., sp. nov. (Pterolichoidea: Gabuciniidae). Both species of feather mites have their closest relatives among ectoparasites of the Falconiformes. No species of feather mites related to those which have been found on Ciconiiformes are known to parasitize Cathartidae.

Furia gastropachaecomb. nov. (= Furia crustosa MacLeod et Tyrrell) has long been associated with declines in populations of the forest tent caterpillar, Malacosoma disstria Hübner; however, its prevalence and impact on host populations have never been documented. We clarify the nomenclature for this species, which has previously been called F. crustosa, and describe the morphology of F. gastropachae isolates from Maryland and New York. Epizootics of F. gastropachae were studied in M. disstria populations in New York and Maryland, United States of America. Prevalence (mean ± SE) of F. gastropachae in late fifth instar larvae in New York was 25.6 ± 7.8% compared with 22.2 ± 11.3% infection by virus and 23.3 ± 8.4% parasitism. In Maryland, F. gastropachae was not found in early instars and its incidence in fourth and fifth instars was 14.5 ± 7.3 and 21.6 ± 17.6%, respectively. Dipteran parasitoids were also important natural enemies with 38.3 ± 3.0 and 17.9 ± 1.4% parasitism in fourth and fifth instars, respectively. Virus was found in fewer than 5% of larvae collected. Furia gastropachae showed a marked tendency toward resting spore production in infected larvae, with 100% of larvae collected in New York and >80% of larvae collected in Maryland producing resting spores, either alone or in combination with conidia. The appearance of cadavers of larvae dying from fungal and viral infections was similar. Of 13 species of Lepidoptera exposed to F. gastropachae conidia in host-range bioassays, only 3.3% of Danaus plexippus (L.) (Lepidoptera: Danaidae), 5.6% of Pieris rapae (L.) (Lepidoptera: Pieridae), and 3.7% of Manduca sexta (L.) (Lepidoptera: Sphingidae) were successfully infected by this fungus.

Cirrospilus flavoviridis Crawford, syn. nov., is synonymized under C. vittatus Walker. It is newly recorded as a solitary egg parasitoid from eggs of Neodiprion abietis Harris (Hymenoptera: Diprionidae) on balsam fir, Abies balsamea (L.) Mill. (Pinaceace), in New Brunswick and Newfoundland and from eggs of Neodiprion nanulus nanulus Schedl in Wisconsin.

Dusky wireworms, Agriotes obscurus (L.), aggregated in similar numbers at wheat [Triticum aestivum L. (Gramineae) ‘Max’], oat [Avena sativa L. (Gramineae) ‘Walderen’], barley [Hordeum vulgare L. (Gramineae) ‘Verdin’], and fall rye [Secale cereale L. (Gramineae) ‘Wheeler’ and ‘Prima’] cultivar bait stations containing 100 seeds planted 3 cm deep in 127-cm2 circular bait stations. Similar levels of aggregation also occurred at 11 varieties of wheat planted at 100 seeds/127 cm2. When wheat, oat, barley, and the fall rye cultivars were planted at increasing density (0–180 seeds per bait station), aggregation by A. obscurus increased initially, but reached a plateau at numbers and at seeding rates specific to each grain variety as determined using the asymptotic equation y = B0(1 – e–B1x). Except for barley, this equation predicted wireworm densities within 11% of the densities actually observed at bait stations with 100 seeds/127 cm2. It was concluded that any of the wheat, oat, barley, or fall rye varieties would be suitable for monitoring A. obscurus wireworm populations if planted in bait stations at 100 seeds/127 cm2, as well as for aggregating wireworms by means of a trap crop.