The coffee berry borer (CBB), Hypothenemus hampei (Ferrari), is a multivoltine species closely associated with coffee crops worldwide, causing severe damage to the bean. In Mexico, as in all tropical regions, CBB survives during the inter-harvest period in residual berries on the ground or in dry berries remaining on the branches, and then disperses in search of the first suitable berries. In this study, we investigated how CBB dispersed from the first infested nodes during the fruiting period of Coffea canephora Pierre, which provides a favourable trophic level for this insect. Forty-five branches equally distributed in 15 coffee trees, with one infested node and four uninfested nodes, were selected. The branches were subjected to three treatments over nine weeks: 1) glue between nodes with full protection, 2) glue between nodes without protection, and 3) no glue and no protection. In addition, 45 CBB-free branches were selected and subjected to the same three treatments. CBB colonization can occur in three ways: 1) from an infested node to an uninfested node on the same branch, 2) from infested berries to uninfested berries within the nodes, 3) from branches to other branches. We also found that CBB dispersal between nodes of the same branches never occurred by walking but by flying. Thus, in this context of coffee berry development and ripening, and unlike the phenological situation of the inter-harvest period, CBB continuously travels very short distances, thus limiting its control.

Aedes aegypti (L.) (Diptera: Culicidae) is one of the main vectors of arboviruses, including dengue, Zika, and chikungunya. It almost exclusively inhabits urban areas. Both sexes feed on plant carbohydrates, although for males, this is their only food source. In the case of floral nectars, mosquitoes locate plant sugar sources assisted by volatile compounds. In this work, we found that the floral scent of Senecio madagascariensis elicited a behavioral response in males; therefore, we focused on identifying the volatiles emitted by these flowers. The terpenes (±)-α-pinene, β-pinene, sabinene, and phellandrene and 1-alkenes 1-undecene, and 1-nonene were identified. To determine which compounds are bioactive, pure synthetic lures were assessed using an olfactometer. Only the main compound 1-nonene was an attractant for males. Since our goal was the introduction of synthetic floral-based attractants in toxic sugar-baited traps, we formulated 1-nonene in solid paraffin and stearin matrices to obtain a controlled release system. The bioassay with a toxicological end point showed that the incorporation of a feeding attractant to the toxic sugar trap increased overall mortality. These results suggest that it is possible to use plant volatile compounds or flower cuttings as male Ae. aegypti attractants to improve the efficacy of baited traps.

The brown marmorated stink bug Halyomorpha halys is one of the most harmful invasive species in the world. Native to East Asia, this insect was introduced into North America in the 1990s and into Europe in the 2000s where it subsequently established and spread across the continent. Previous population genetic studies determined the invasion pathways at continental and national levels. However, information on the dynamics on a small-scale is currently scarce. Here we study the genetic diversity and population dynamics of H. halys in South Tyrol, a region in Northern Italy, since its arrival to its widespread establishment over a period of four years. By haplotyping 162 individuals from ten populations (including six previously published individuals) we found a high haplotype diversity in most populations with an increasing diversity across the different years. Most haplotypes were previously found in other regions of Northern Italy, providing evidence for migration from neighboring regions. However, the presence of four previously undescribed haplotypes as well as a haplotype previously found exclusively in Greece highlights additional long-distance dispersal across the continent. Phylogenetic analysis of the haplotypes found in South Tyrol showed that the majority of haplotypes clustered with haplotypes predominantly found in Japan. This suggests a potential recent introduction of H. halys individuals from Japan into Europe, and thus an additional invasion pathway that was previously unidentified.

Tenuisvalvae notata (Mulsant) (Coccinellidae) is a predatory ladybird beetle native to South America. It specializes in mealybugs prey (Pseudococcidae), but relatively little is known about its ecology. In contrast, the ladybird beetle Cryptolaemus montrouzieri Mulsant (Coccinellidae) is indigenous to Australia and has been introduced to many countries worldwide including Brazil for biological control of mealybugs. The potential impacts of these introductions to native coccinellids have rarely been considered. The software CLIMEX estimated the climate suitability for both species as reflected in the Ecoclimatic Index (EI). Much of South America, Africa, and Australia can be considered climatically suitable for both species, but in most cases, the climate is considerably more favorable for C. montrouzieri than T. notata, especially in South America. The CLIMEX model also suggests seasonal differences in growth conditions (e.g. rainfall and temperature) that could affect the phenology of both species. These models suggest that few locations in South America would be expected to provide T. notata climatic refugia from C. montrouzieri. Although other ecological factors will also be important, such as prey availability, this analysis suggests a strong potential for displacement of a native coccinellid throughout most of its range as a consequence of the invasion by an alien competitor.

Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) is one of the most important staple crops for small farmers in the tropics, feeding about 800 million people worldwide. It is currently cultivated in South and Central America, Africa and Asia. The genus Vatiga is widespread throughout the Neotropical region. Its species are sympatric and feed exclusively on cassava. The main objectives of this paper are: (1) to assess the potential distribution of Vatiga, one of the most relevant pests of cassava; (2) to project the resulting models onto the world; (3) to recognize areas with suitable and optimal climates (and thus, high probability) for future colonization, and (4) to compare this model with the harvested area of cassava analyzing the climatic variables required by both the host and the pest species. Species distribution models were built using Maxent (v3.3.3k) with bioclimatic variables from the WorldClim database in 2.5 arc min resolution across the globe. Our model shows that Vatiga has the potential to expand its current distribution into other suitable areas, and could invade other regions where cassava is already cultivated, e.g., Central Africa and Asia. Considering the results and the high host specificity of Vatiga, its recent appearance in Réunion Island (Africa) poses a serious threat, as nearby areas are potentially suitable for invasion and could serve as dispersal routes enabling Vatiga to reach the continent. The present work may help prevention or early detection of Vatiga spp. in areas where cassava is grown.

In Argentina, the mosquito Aedes aegypti (L.) (Diptera: Culicidae) is distributed from subtropical to temperate climates. Here, we hypothesized that the expansion of Ae. aegypti into colder regions is favoured by high-phenotypic plasticity and an adaptive inhibition of egg hatching at low temperatures. Thus, we investigated the hatching response of eggs of three populations: one from a subtropical region (Resistencia) and two from temperate regions (Buenos Aires City and San Bernardo) of Argentina. Eggs collected in the field were raised in three experimental colonies. F1 eggs were acclimated for 7 days prior to immersion at 7.6 or 22°C (control eggs). Five immersion temperatures were tested: 7.6, 10.3, 11.8, 14.1 and 16°C (range of mean winter temperatures of the three localities). A second immersion at 22°C was performed 2 weeks later to assess the inhibition to hatch under favourable conditions. After the first immersion, we compared the proportions of hatched eggs and dead larvae among treatment levels, whereas after the second immersion we compared the hatching response among the three populations. The factors that most influenced the egg hatching response were the geographical origin of the populations and the immersion temperature, but not the acclimation temperature. The proportions of hatching and larval mortality at low temperatures were higher for Resistencia than for Buenos Aires and San Bernardo, whereas the hatching response at ambient temperature was lower for San Bernardo than for Buenos Aires and Resistencia. The results support the hypothesis that populations from colder regions show an adaptive inhibition of egg hatching.

Currently, dengue control relies largely on reactive vector control programmes. Proactive vector-control using a rational, well-balanced integrated vector management approach may prove more successful for dengue control. As part of the development of a cluster randomized controlled epidemiological trial, a study was conducted in Johor Bahru, Malaysia. The study included one control site (three buildings) and three intervention sites which were treated as follows: targeted outdoor residual spraying only (TORS site, two buildings); deployment of autodissemination devices only (ADD site, four buildings); and the previous two treatments combined (TORS + ADD site, three buildings). The primary entomological measurement was per cent of positive ovitraps—ovitrap index (OI). The effect of each intervention on OI was analyzed by a modified ordinary least squares regression model. Relative to the control site, the TORS and ADD sites showed a reduction in the Aedes OI (−6.5%, P = 0.04 and −8.3%, P = 0.10, respectively). Analysis by species showed that, relative to control, the Ae. aegypti OI was lower in ADD (−8.9%, P = 0.03) and in TORS (−10.4%, P = 0.02). No such effect was evident in the TORS + ADD site. The present study provides insights into the methods to be used for the main trial. The combination of multiple insecticides with different modes of action in one package is innovative, although we could not demonstrate the additive effect of TORS + ADD. Further work is required to strengthen our understanding of how these interventions impact dengue vector populations and dengue transmission.

The following notes are based on a small collection of Coccidæ recently received by the Entomological Research Committee from Mr. C. C. Gowdey, the Government Entomologist in Uganda.

1. When studying the effect of intermittent starvation upon the length of development of the larval phase it is necessary to carry out experiments with each stage separately. Ignoring this factor and carrying out experiments on the larval phase as a whole results in serious errors.

2. The shorter the periods of feeding and consequently the longer starvation periods during each 24 hours the stronger their effect upon the length of development of each stage.

3. More than 50 per cent. of larvae fed only for 2 hours a day and starved for 22 hours accomplish their complete metamorphosis and produce moths that are fully capable of living.

4. The length of development of each stage depends upon the feeding regime during the previous stage. Using the same starving regime, development of the last stage is the longer the earlier the stage at which larvae were subjected to this regime.

5. At different stages of development larvae react differently to the same starvation regime. Thus starving for 12 hours a day increases the duration of the development of the 3rd stage by 104 per cent. ; that of the 4th stage does not increase at all, while the development of the 5th stage increases only by 31 per cent.

6. Nature of food greatly influences the length of development under conditions of intermittent starvation. Starving for 8 hours a day when feeding larvae on wormwood results in greater increase of development than starving for 12 hours a day when feeding on goose-foot.

7. All factors influencing the development of the larval phase result in decreasing the weight of the pupae. Decrease in weight of pupae is the greater the longer the starvation periods and the earlier larvae were subjected to starvation effect. Nature of food also highly affects the weight of pupae.

8. Intensity of feeding during feeding periods of starving larvae does not decrease as compared to control. With very strongly starving larvae intensiveness of feeding even increases.

9. There is no direct proportion between the quantity of excrement passed, that is amount of food consumed and the weight of pupae. The longer the development, the more there are feeding periods and consequently the more excrement passed. Owing to the lengthening of development the most part of substances consumed are spent on vegetative functions ; therefore there cannot exist direct connection between the number of excrement passed and the weight of pupae.

Cytochrome P450s (CYPs or P450s) have been long recognized as very important enzymes in the metabolism of xenobiotic and endogenous compounds, but only a few CYPs have been functionally characterized in insects. The effort in functional characterization of insect P450s is heavily hindered by technical difficulties in preparing active, individual P450 enzymes directly from the target insect. In this paper, we describe the functional expression of two additional pyrethroid resistance-associated CYP9A genes (CYP9A12 and CYP9A17) from the polyphagous pest Helicoverpa armigera in the facile Escherichia coli. The functionality of E. coli produced CYP9A12, CYP9A14, and CYP9A17 was investigated and activities of these CYP9As were compared against three probe substrates after reconstitution with NADPH-dependent cytochrome P450 reductase. The results showed that active forms of CYP9A12 and CYP9A17 were expressed in E. coli with a content of about 1.0–1.5 nmol mg−1 protein in membrane preparations. In vitro assays showed that CYP9A14 was capable of catalyzing O-dealkylation of methoxyresorufin (MROD), ethoxyresorufin (EROD), and benzyloxyresorufin (BROD), while CYP9A12 and CYP9A17 exhibited only MROD and EROD activities. Kinetic studies demonstrated that CYP9A14 had the greatest kcat/Km value for MROD, and CYP9A17 for EROD, while the lowest kcat/Km values for both MROD and EROD were observed for CYP9A12. The distinct biochemical traits suggest that the three paralogous CYP9As may play different roles in xenobiotic metabolism in this important pest.

Ecological, population and community studies of arthropod fauna inhabiting dung require large-scale quantitative data to produce statistically adequate results. A mechanized extraction technique is described which recovers fauna accurately and rapidly from large numbers of cattle dung pads. The equipment comprises a motor-driven paddle which agitates the dung sample in a bucket with fine mesh panels inlaid into its walls and through which is passed a continuous flow of water. An electric motor drives five such units simultaneously. Most dipteran puparia and adult arthropods float on water and are recovered following the washing. Puparia are recovered manually, while mites and adult beetles are extracted from the floating debris with heat in modified Berlese-Tullgren funnels. The wash bucket and its drained contents are then immersed in a flotation vat through which a sodium carbonate solution is recirculated. Insect eggs and larvae are floated off into sieves and rinsed before preservation. The resulting samples are fixed and preserved in 70% ethanol for later identification and counting. The procedure recovered 70–90% of most types and stages of dung fauna. Up to 25 complete dung pads can be processed per day with a team of three people.

Groups of Coptotermes acinaciformis (Froggatt) originating from six colonies, three taken from each of two widely separated localities in northern Australia (Townsville and Darwin), were kept at population densities of 0·005, 0·001 or 0·020 g termites/ml. Survival and wood consumption of the groups after eight weeks followed a similar pattern in the colonies from both collection areas. Groups exhibited least vigour at the lowest population density, most vigour at the middle density and slightly less than maximum vigour at the highest density. However, the actual values for survival and wood consumption varied widely between colonies, irrespective of their origin. The implications of these and related results for laboratory experiments which rely on survival and wood consumption as indicators of termite vigour are discussed.

The pupa is bilaterally symmetrical, that is, setae occur in similar situations on each side of the body, so that it will suffice to describe the arrangement on one side only. The setae on the two sides of the same pupa, however, often vary as regards their sub-divisions, and similar variations occur between different individuals; as an example, in Table I are shown some of the variations that were found in ten pupae taken at random. An examination of a larger number would have revealed a wider range. As a rule, a seta which is sometimes single, sometimes divided, is longer when single. For example, in one pupa the seta at the posterior angle of

the seventh segment was single on the right side, double on the left; the former measuring 266μ, and the latter only 159μ in length. This fact is not specifically mentioned in the descriptions which follow, but should be understood.

Monophlebus stebbingi, Green, var. octocaudata, Green, is a large Coccid belonging to the sub-family Monophlebinae. It is found on Mango, Jack Fruit, and species of Ficus, in India, but having, for a Coccid, a long life-history—being but single-brooded—it is rarely a pest. Climatic conditions govern the production of large numbers of individuals, so that outbreaks are irregular, occurring at intervals of a few years.

In insecticide trials in Southern Rhodesia against the woolly apple aphid, Eriosoma lanigerum (Hsm.), using methyl-demeton (0·078 and 0·052 per cent. active ingredient), dimethoate (0·0625 and 0·0417 per cent. active ingredient), diazinon (0·0625 per cent. active ingredient) and malathion (0·1041 per cent. active ingredient) as foliar sprays, all insecticides gave good control of infestations above ground, but methyl-demeton and diazinon gave the best control, and treatments were followed by slower rates of repopulation.

Injecting the lower part of the trunks of trees 25 to 30 years old with ½ fluid ounce of a concentrate of a systemic insecticide, 50 per cent. methyl-demeton or 40 per cent. dimethoate, at a single point gave excellent control where that part of the sap stream supplying the aphid colonies was intercepted. By injecting with a spiral of small holes around the trunk using ½ fl. oz. 50 per cent. methyl-demeton, control of all aphids on the tree could generally be achieved.

Good control of subterranean aphid colonies on 15-year-old trees was achieved by the application to the soil of 4 gal. per tree of a fluid containing 100 cc. of a concentrate containing 75 per cent. of V-C 13 (O,O-diethyl O-2,4-dichlorophenyl phosphorothioate) diluted with water.

Biological control of E. lanigerum in Southern Rhodesia by the Hymenopterous parasite Aphelinus mali (Hald.), which was introduced in 1961, shows great promise.

Aëdes argenteus, Poiret, is a very variable mosquito, and it was thought that it would be interesting to examine a number of freshly-hatched and therefore undamaged specimens and to note how many conformed to the original description. No difficulty was experienced in obtaining the necessary material, as collections of larvae are received daily from the Medical Officer of Health. One thousand of each sex of the species were mounted in the order of their emergence from the pupal case and were examined under the binocular microscope. The one constant feature was found to be the lyre-shaped marking on the thorax, although even here the outline and the centre lines varied in breadth and in colour, and the centre lines varied in length. But as the abdomen and the hind tarsus showed the greatest variations, the present paper is restricted to a description of these.

The genus Stenobracon Szépligeti which contains species of economic importance for biological control of lepidopterous borers of sugarcane, rice and other graminaceous crops in Asia, is revised. Principal components analysis was employed to help delineate species. Six species, distributed from Pakistan to Australia, are recognized. Stenobracon brevis, S. clarus and S. malensis are described as new and Stenobracon nicevillei (Bingham), S. deesae (Cameron) and S. oculatus Szépligeti are redescribed. Illustrated keys for males and females are provided. Phanaulax levituberculatus Cameron is a new junior subjective synonym of S. nicevillei and S. trifasciatus Szépligeti is a new junior subjective synonym of S. oculatus. Elphea flavomaculata Cameron is synonymized with Ischnobracon (Bracon) laboriosus Cameron (comb. n). Host records are summarized.

Eurytoma verbena, sp. n.

♀♂. Black ; abdomen sometimes a little reddish on the sides. Antennae dark brown ; pedicel slightly yellow below. Wings whitish, with the veins very clear yellow. Legs with coxae and femora black, the latter sometimes a little reddish ; tibiae red in the middle, often mixed with black, especially at the hind tibiae ; knees, base and tip of tibiae, and the tarsi whitish.

♀. Head rugulose, face covered with white ciliae, with a carina between the base of antennae and the clypeus, and weaker striae diverging from the mouth. Antennal furrow rather deep, bordered by a carina and reaching almost to the median ocellus. Cheeks as long as half the length of the eyes, finely rugulose. Antennae inserted in the middle of the face ; scape short, reaching very little beyond the top of the antennal furrow ; pedicel not longer than broad ; annelli very small ; funicle joints longer than broad, the 1st almost twice, the 2nd about 1·5 times longer than broad, the following gradually shorter.

Thorax more strongly sculptured than the head, reticulate. Scutellum protruding a little above the postscutellum, which is hidden, and the propodeon ; this latter, seen from the side, has the posterior margin almost vertical. Mesopleurae finely punctate, with some short horizontal striae ; episternum transversely striate, but the striae not reaching to the hind margin, along which it is punctate, like the mesopleurae.

Surveys of egg pods of agriculturally important grasshoppers were carried out in northern Benin between 1992 and 1995. Searches were made of oviposition sites under shrubs of the perennial legume Piliostigma thonningi along field margins. In 1993 and 1995, surveys were extended to include sorghum, Sorghum bicolor, and the perennial thatch grass Vetiveria nigritana. The four principal grasshopper species found at these oviposition sites were Hieroglyphus daganensis Krauss, Cataloipus fuscocoeruleipes Sjöstedt, Kraussaria angulifera (Krauss) and Tylotropidius gracilipes Brancsik comprising 86% of 4545 identified egg pods while 651 egg pods could not be identified to species level. Predation by meloid beetles (Epicauta, Mylabris and Psalydolytta spp.) varied between 0 and 50% for the four dominant grasshopper species. From 1993 and 1994 data, nymphal eclosion from egg pods damaged by meloids was significantly lower than emergence from undamaged egg pods. The hymenopterous parasitoids Scelio africanus Risbec and S. mauriticanus Risbec were reared from the four dominant grasshopper species and parasitism levels of 0.0–3.3% were recorded from these hosts. There were significant differences in nymphal emergences between parasitized and unparasitized egg pods of H. daganensis.