Tests of intertrap variability in catches of moths of the darksided and redbacked cutworms, Euxoa messoria (Harris) and E. ochrogaster (Guenée), were conducted by placing two traps for each species baited with synthetic sex attractants at 1.6 km (1 mi) intervals to form a grid covering 64 km2 (25 mi2) near Domain, Manitoba. These sex attractants were 93 and 99.6% species specific for E. messoria and E. ochrogaster respectively. Moth catches varied between traps and flights, but the ranking of the traps by catch for each species was consistent during any given flight period. Variability in intertrap catches of E. messoria indicated the moths were not evenly distributed throughout the test area and consequently a sex-attractant trap system with 1.6 km trap spacing is not suitable for monitoring population levels. For E. ochrogaster four traps within an area of 64 km2 would be required to give a population estimate within 20% of the true mean. The flights of E. messoria are not related to degree days and started abruptly and at the same time each year suggesting that development may be synchronized by the summer diapause of the prepupae. The flights of E. ochrogaster were related to degree day accumulations above a threshold temperature of 12.5 °C. Crops had no apparent influence on the distribution of moth catches for either species.

The North American species of the genus Acidota Stephens are revised. Three species are recognized, the Holarctic species quadrata (Zetterstedt) and crenata (Fabricius) and the eastern North American species subcarinata Erichson. All major generic and specific characters are illustrated with line drawings and scanning electron photomicrographs. A key is included to aid in identifying the species. Olophrum crenulatum Hatch is placed in synonymy with A. quadrata.

Mites, ticks, and fleas were removed from the fur of 110 specimens of Zapus hudsonius (Zimmermann) from Prince Edward Island, coastal New Brunswick, and northern Nova Scotia. The species which were most abundant and the only ones which occurred on these mice throughout the area were Dermacarus newyorkensis, Neotrombicula harperi, Androlaelaps fahrenholzi, and Ixodes muris. Also examined were 47 specimens of Napaeozapus insignis (Miller) from the above provinces plus Gaspé Peninsula, Quebec. Dermacarus newyorkensis and Neotrombicula harperi were the most abundant ectoparasites. Neotrombicula harperi was the only ectoparasite which occurred on N. insignis throughout the region.

Damage to apple (cv. McIntosh) by five species of phytophagous mind bugs was characterized by confining numbers of them in sleeve-cages placed on apple-bearing branches. Overwintering adults of Lygus lineolaris (P. de B.) pierced apple buds and flowers early in the spring but did little damage after fruit-set. The damage caused to apples by young nymphs of Lygocoris communis (Knight) and Lygidea mendax Reuter was mostly either deep circular depressions or long sinuous scars. Campylomma verbasci (Meyer) and Heterocordylus malinus Reuter were of little importance in the orchard studied. All species did cause circular depressions (“pits”) in fruit and some damage to leaves.

Immunoelectroosmophoresis (IEO) on cellulose polyacetate strips was found to be a rapid, convenient, and highly sensitive procedure for detecting prey antigens (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) in predators (Coleoptera: Carabidae). The antisera employed were induced with whole-body extracts of larvae of Choristoneura rosaceana Harris, Grapholitha molesta Busck, and Cydia pomonella L. Extracts of single larvae gave IEO reactions to a dilution of at least 1/1024 (mg fresh wt./μl diluent), when using as little as 1–3μl of the reactants. Larval antigens of G. molesta, C. pomonella, or C. rosaceana were detectable in laboratory-fed Pterostichus melanarius III. for c. 24, 48, or at least 72 h, respectively. Antigens of all prey species were detectable in Amara sp. and Harpalus affinis Schr. for at least 72 h.All antisera also reacted to some extent with 10–15 other Lepidoptera species and reacted slightly with extracts from starved carabids. Manipulations with the antisera (e.g. dilution, cross-absorption, and (or) antibody selection) eliminated reactions with carabids and species of Lasiocampidae, Gracillariidae, and Geometridae, but not with all species of Tortricidae or Noctuidae. The broad antigenic similarities observed among Lepidoptera appear to preclude reliable use of immunoprecipitin procedures for assessing natural predation on specific prey, unless specific antisera can be produced.

Grasshopper populations were monitored for 2 years in six differentially grazed pastures of native shortgrass prairie, and correlated with floral biomass in these pastures. Total numbers of grasshoppers were significantly higher in high biomass pastures (ungrazed or lightly grazed by cattle), while numbers of grasshoppers in the subfamily Oedipodinae were significantly higher in low biomass pastures (moderately or heavily grazed). Grasshopper numbers in the phytophilous subfamilies Gomphocerinae and Catantopinae were positively correlated with grass and forb biomass, while numbers of the geophilous Oedipodinae were negatively correlated with all biomass components. It would seem possible to modify grasshopper abundance through regulation of cattle grazing intensity, but changes in abundance would also be accompanied by shifts in the grasshopper species complex.

Experiments were performed to determine the role of body weight in the response of last instar western spruce budworm, Choristoneura occidentalis Freeman, to a topically applied juvenile hormone analogue (JHA), Ro 13-5223 (Ethyl [2-(p-phenoxyphenoxy)ethyl] carbamate). The response of males in weight classes from 50 to 130 mg was not proportional to their body weight; susceptibility increased drastically in heavier larvae. The susceptibility of females increased in proportion to their body weight. The results of these experiments suggest that future investigations of JHA effectiveness in last instar Lepidoptera should consider both weight and sex as possible relevant variables. Age of the last instar may not, in itself, be an adequate measure by which to quantify JHA effects.

Dioryctria resinosella, a species feeding on red pine cones or shoots, is described as new and recorded from Maine, southern Ontario, Wisconsin, and Minnesota. The new species is distinguished from D. zimmermani (Grote) and D. banksiella Mutuura & Munroe by the differences in wing markings, genitalia characters, and ecological aspects.

Hybomitra enigmatica n. sp., previously confused with Hybomitra sonomensis (O.S.), is described in larval, pupal, and adult stages and compared with the latter species and with H. phaenops (O.S.). Hybomitra philipi Stone is synonymized with H. sonomensis. The distribution of these species in western North America is given.

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.

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.

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 white cutworm, Euxoa scandens (Riley), is a sporadic pest of tobacco in Quebec (Mailloux and Desrosiers 1978), asparagus in Michigan (A. L. Wells, pers. comm.), and other vegetable crops grown in light sandy soils (Beirne 1971). The immature larvae overwinter and cause serious damage when they resume feeding in the spring (Hudson and Wood 1930). Moths emerge and oviposit from late June until late July (McLeod and Dupré 1981). An efficient monitoring method utilizing the female sex pheromone would be an important aid in estimating the size and distribution of the adult population and would help in planning insecticide control. We report here some results of electroantennogram screening of potential sex attractants and the results of field tests of the most active of these.