A revision of the New World species of Paragus is presented. Seven Nearctic species (6 new) of the subgenus Paragus and 1 Holarctic species of the subgenus Pandasyopthalmus are recognized. Figures of the male terminalia and a distribution map are given for each species.

The generic name Metasyrphus Matsumura is synonymized with Eupeodes Osten Sacken. Thirteen new combinations are proposed in Eupeodes. Fourteen new synonyms are noted in the genera Eupeodes and Dasysyrphus and 9 lectotypes are designated. Notes on unrecognized species in both genera are given.

Twenty-three characters or character systems of adults and larvae of Terebrantes are analyzed for evidence of monophyly and phyletic relationships of Chalcidoidea, Mymaridae, and Mymarommatidae. The taxa are considered to be a monophyletic group based on 3 hypothesized synapomorphies: mesotrochanteral depressor without fu2-tr2 or mesoscutal portion of t2-tr2; axillar phragma as site of origin for all or part of t,-tr2 muscle; and independent basal ring absent from male genitalia. The family Mymaridae is considered to be monophyletic based on at least 3 apomorphies: fore wing with hypochaeta; head with frontal, median, and supraorbital sulci; and toruli distinctly closer to inner margin of eye than to each other. Chalcidoidea, including Mymaridae, is considered to be a monophyletic taxon based on 3 apomorphies: prepectus externally visible, at least dorsally adjacent to lateral edge of mesoscutum; mesothoracic spiracle positioned at exposed lateral edge of mesoscutum; and multiporous plate sensilla of antenna with unique structure, as described in text. Mymarommatidae is considered to be the monophyletic sister group of Chalcidoidea based on several apomorphies, including 4 autapomorphies: head composed of frontal and occipital sclerites, which are connected by pleated membrane along hyperoccipital region; hind wing stalk-like, without membrane and terminated in bifurcation that clasps fore wing; fore wing with reticulate pattern formed by raised lineations of membrane; and axillar portion of t2-tr2 muscle absent. Phyletic relationship of Serphitidae with Mymarommatidae is deemed inconclusive because relevant internal character states of amber fossil serphitids cannot be determined. It is suggested that mymarommatids be accorded family status, but not be assigned to superfamily until phyletic relationships are more accurately determined in Terebrantes. A matrix summarizes character-state distribution of most characters analyzed for Terebrantes, and a cladogram illustrates hypotheses of character-state evolution and proposed relationships.

Two techniques for measuring size of ingested blood meal and 5 methods of measuring proteinase activity in the midgut of Aedes aegypti are compared. Protein, measured after trichloroacetic acid precipitation, was found to be most suitable for determining blood meal size and loss of protein from the gut. Of 5 proteinase substrates tested (BAPNA (benzoyl-DL-arginine-p-nitroanilide), hemoglobin, casein, azocasein, and hide powder azure), BAPNA was considered most suitable for trypsin measurements. These techniques were used to show that virgin females, 6 and 10 days after eclosion, consumed smaller meals than mated females. Virgin females also showed delays in both onset of protein loss from the gut and the increase in proteinase activity after blood feeding.

The chalcidoid wasp, Hemadas nubilipennis (Ashmead), induces a reniform gall on the adventitious shoots of lowbush blueberry. Eggs are laid within shoot tissues 5–15 mm below the tip and then the female destroys the apex of the shoot by stabbing with her ovipositor. Stabbing terminates growth of the shoot, and as a result all nutrients flowing into the shoot are redirected towards the gall tissues and larvae. This is a rare example of an insect damaging tissues of the host plant for the benefit of the offspring. It also is suggested that stabbing and gall formation have a pruning effect on the host plant.

The 9 species of the Lasionycta leucocycla complex are reviewed and the number of species reduced to 4. Populations of these species are arranged in 18 subspecies, of which 3 are described as new: L. leucocycla magadanensis Kononenko and Lafontaine, from Magadanskaya Oblast’, L. staudingeri sajanensis Kononenko, from southern Siberia, and L. quadrilunata yukona Lafontaine, from northwestern Canada. Lasionycta dovrensis (Wocke), of the Palaearctic region, is treated as a subspecies of L. leucocycla. Characters to distinguish the species and subspecies, and their distributions are given. The larva of L. staudingeri is described.