Canadian Cretaceous amber belongs to the Taber Coal Zone, and was deposited in beds of coal and shale saturated with organic matter. It is upper Campanian (~76–72 million years ago), and the source of the original resin is predominantly the plant genus Parataxodium Arnold and Lowther (Cupressaceae). We describe the first oribatid mite from this amber, Megeremaeus cretaceousnew species (Acari: Oribatida: Megeremaeidae). We provide a key to all described species of Megeremaeus Higgins and Woolley, 1965, and discuss the advantages that confocal microscopy provides for the study of dark, resin-filled, miniature amber inclusions.

Two aberrant ground beetle (Coleoptera: Carabidae) specimens from the genus Calosoma Weber, 1801 were collected in Waco, Texas, United States of America, in 2012–2013. The specimens, which are morphologically most similar to Calosoma wilcoxi LeConte, 1848, but are dark blue-black instead of the typical metallic green. We employed DNA barcoding and phylogenetic methods to confirm the identities of the aberrant specimens. Preliminary phylogenetic analyses of cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 (COI) sequences of central Texas and southwestern species place the aberrant specimens with 100% confidence as C. wilcoxi. The new variant of C. wilcoxi presumably occurs at low densities. Frequent collecting from 2011 to 2014 resulted in the discovery of only two of the aberrant coloured individuals among hundreds of typical green specimens. These specimens (to our knowledge) represent the first published record of melanistic Calosoma from North America. While the majority of North American species in the genus are naturally black, two of the most widely distributed and abundant species, C. scrutator (Fabricius, 1775) and C. wilcoxi, are typically green. We sequenced the aberrant form as well as all species co-occurring with the new colour morph at the collection locality and used records from GenBank and the Barcode of Life Data System to generate a preliminary phylogeny of the genus, which suggested that some of the currently established subgenera are likely not monophyletic.

The paper provides a review of the subfamily Panchaetothripinae (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) in China, including descriptions of two new species: Helionothrips rugatus Mirab-balou and Tong new species and Panchaetothrips bifurcus Mirab-balou and Tong new species. Rhipiphorothrips concoloratus Zhang and Tong, originally described in Chinese, is re-described based on type specimens. Identification keys to 13 genera and 32 species of Chinese panchaetothripine are presented.

The introduction of invasive species may result in important ecological, environmental, and economic impacts. Extensive study of Auchenorrhyncha (Hemiptera) fauna in a wine-growing region in southern Switzerland revealed, for the first time, presence of the Nearctic leafhopper Osbornellus auronitens (Provancher) (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) in the vicinity of Stabio (Canton of Ticino). The species identity of the collected specimens was confirmed using morphological and molecular characters. All specimens of O. auronitens were collected in a forest of Castanea sativa Miller (Fagaceae), Corylus avellana Linnaeus (Betulaceae), and Alnus glutinosa (Linnaeus) Gaertner (Betulaceae) intermixed with Cornus sanguinea Linnaeus (Cornaceae), Salix Linnaeus (Salicaceae), and Rubus Linnaeus (Rosaceae). In its native range this leafhopper is polyphagous and a relatively common visitor in vineyards. Based on analysis of the barcoding region of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I gene of the collected O. auronitens, 100% identity with specimens of the same species originating from Canada was determined. Osbornellus auronitens is morphologically similar to Scaphoideus titanus Ball (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae), another introduced Nearctic leafhopper, which was involved in severe outbreaks of disease caused by the Grapevine flavescence dorée phytoplasma (Bacteria: Acholeplasmataceae) in European viticultural regions since the 1960s. In this paper, we report the morphological features to distinguish O. auronitens from S. titanus, and discuss the possible implications of its expected spread across the Old World.

The taxonomic status of Dendroctonus vitei Wood (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae) and Dendroctonus mexicanus Hopkins is supported by biological and morphological data. However, the differentiation of these species has been extremely difficult because most of the morphological characters have not been well illustrated and some of them are geographically variable. Seminal rod shape has been the only reliable characteristic to identify these species. The main purpose of this study was to look for new morphological characters for the identification of these species as well as to evaluate geographic variation of those previously reported characters in order to produce a comprehensive redescription of D. vitei. A total of 33 morphological characters from antenna, stridulatory apparatus, male and female genitalia, and external morphology were compared between the similar species D. vitei and D. mexicanus, and we identified five novel diagnostic characters and confirmed previously reported characters that differentiate these two species from each other and from other species in the Dendroctonus frontalis Zimmermann complex (sensu stricto). Furthermore, these characters and those of the seminal rod allowed us to re-evaluate some previously reported records for other species to broaden the known distribution of D. vitei.

In this study, we explore the low-temperature thresholds of a pest of apple (Malus pumila Miller; Rosaceae), the eyespotted bud moth, Spilonota ocellana Denis and Schiffermüller (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), in the context of spring frost. Spilonota ocellana overwinters as a larva, resuming activity and feeding early in the growing season when it could be vulnerable to unexpected freezing temperatures. We determined that the mean supercooling point of spring instars did not differ for larvae within or outside leaf shelters and ranged from −9.1±0.2 °C for fourth instars, to −7.9±0.2 °C for sixth instars. Larval weight increased with instar and was positively related to the supercooling point. As some insects are freeze tolerant and able to recover from freezing, we also exposed larvae to brief freeze events between −4.5 °C and −9.5 °C and found that the median lower lethal temperature, was −7.3±0.4 °C across all instars; indicating that S. ocellana spring instars are susceptible to freezing temperatures above their supercooling point. These low-temperature thresholds suggest that in the spring, S. ocellana larvae are chill susceptible, and a hard frost (<−7 °C) would be necessary to cause significant larval mortality.

To determine the effect of larval crowding on induction of diapause in Monochamus alternatus alternatus Hope (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae), newly hatched larvae were inoculated singly (density 1) or in pairs (density 2) on Pinus thunbergii Parlatore (Pinaceae) bolts and reared at 25 °C and 16 light:8 dark hour photoperiod. Adults emerged at density 1 and 2 between 75 and 139 days after the inoculation. About 150 days after larval inoculation, dissection of pine bolts indicated the incidence of larval diapause was greater at density 1 (0.536) than at density 2 (0.222), indicating inversely density-dependent induction of diapause. For both larval densities, the probability of entering diapause increased as bark surface area per larva (a proxy for per capita amount of food available) increased, showing that diapause induction can be explained by the amount of food available per larva. Adults that emerged at density 1 were heavier than those at density 2. When diapause and nondiapause insects occurred in the same pine bolts, six heavy adults had experienced diapause whereas three heavy adults had not, indicating that bark surface area affected the induction of diapause indirectly through larval interaction. The relationship between two different manners of density-dependent diapause induction and food supply is discussed.

Four new species of the Aleiodes apicalis (Brullé) species group (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Rogadinae) from the Neotropical Region are described and illustrated: Aleiodes ambrosiaenew species. from Peru, A. aquilesinew species from Costa Rica, and A. sachambrosiaenew species and A. tapirapenew species from Brazil. We also add new distribution records for Aleiodes molestus Cresson, from Costa Rica. With the addition of the new species, the A. apicalis species group has 11 species from the New World, six of which are recorded from Neotropical Region.

Mites of the family Epidermoptidae (Acariformes) are permanent parasites dwelling on or in the skin of birds. Myialges Trouessart species are epidermoptids that have a hyperparasitic relationship with chewing lice (Phthiraptera) or louse flies (Diptera: Hippoboscidae). During 1993–2016 in Manitoba, Canada, 668 ducks (20 species), geese (five species), and swans (two species) were examined for lice. A total of 157 males, 191 females, and 539 nymphs of the menoponid louse Trinoton querquedulae (Linnaeus) (Phthiraptera: Menoponidae) were collected, of which 25 adult lice from three hosts (Mergus merganser Linnaeus, Lophodytes cucullatus (Linnaeus), Anas platyrhynchos Linnaeus; Aves: Anatidae) were infested with 38 female Myialges trinotoni (Cooreman). Overall prevalence and intensity of M. trinotoni was low, and mites showed no statistically significant preference between male and female lice. Myialges trinotoni is recorded from Canada (Manitoba) and United States of America (Alaska) for the first time, and two novel avian host species records (Lophodytes cucullatus and Anas platyrhynchos) are reported. The male of M. trinotoni (loose in bird washing) is illustrated and described. The barcode region of cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) was amplified from M. trinoton and compared with that of Myialges caulotoon Speiser, the only congeneric species for which COI is available, and interspecific divergence was high (25%).

Micracidini (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae) is an unusual tribe of mainly bigynous bark beetles found in dry forests and scrublands in Afrotropical and Neotropical regions. Their phylogenetic relationship to other bark beetle groups is poorly known with few clues from external morphology. Hence, a phylogenetic analysis of five genes (COI, EF-1a, 28S, CAD, ArgK) and morphological (internal and external) data was conducted to test potential sister group relationships, including 56 outgroup genera in 22 tribes, and 18 species in 10 genera of Micracidini. Cactopinus Schwarz – a genus with many cactus feeding species – was nested within a clade of all Neotropical and Nearctic genera. The New World was colonised by an Afrotropical ancestor about 75–85 million years ago, where cactus feeding in Cactopinus evolved much later. All analyses indicated a paraphyletic clade of Afrotropical micracidines, strongly supporting inclusion of the Ipini genus Dendrochilus Schedl in Afromicracis Schedl. Hypoborini appear to be one of the more plausible sistergroup candidates to Micracidini, and revealed morphological similarity in protibial and proventricular characters. Most phylogenetic results were supported independently by morphological and molecular data and therefore document the power of thorough examination of morphological characters analysed properly in a phylogenetic context.

For 40 years, the Biological Survey of Canada (BSC) has encouraged and organised studies of the arthropod fauna of Canada, through the wide involvement of the scientific community and the leadership of an expert steering committee. The benefits of the BSC to science include the completion of major cooperative projects to acquire and synthesise knowledge (documenting faunas in the Yukon, Canadian grasslands, and other significant regions and habitats), the assembly and organisation of information and specimens, and improved communication among entomologists. Its efforts have led to valuable monographs, scientific briefs, newsletters, and other products summarised here, including documents that are also useful to those outside entomology. Key operating principles of the BSC are identified. In particular, decisions come from broadly based scientific considerations, an approach to understanding the fauna that guarantees the scientific relevance of the work and is not offset by political or other influences. Core work is planned over the long term to ensure collaboration, focus, efficiency, integrity, quality, productivity, and delivery. The achievements of the BSC over many years confirm the effectiveness of this model for scientific cooperation.

A new species, Onthophagus contrapositus (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Scarabaeinae: Onthophagini), belonging to the New World O. dicranius species group is described and illustrated. Photographs of cephalic and pronotal configurations of all known females are presented for the first time to ease identification. A replacement name is proposed, Onthophagus kohlmanninew name, for the secondary junior homonym Onthophagus xiphias Solís and Kohlmann, 2003.

This laboratory study confirmed that the strategy of adult terrestrial Colorado potato beetle (Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Say); Coleoptera Chrysomelidae) to survive the threat of drowning in water is based on avoidance of water crossings. It also showed that beetles at the surface of a body of water after failing to avoid it, long considered limited to passive floating and phoretic transport were in fact likely to rely on a complex fight or flee response. Beetles showed capacity to swim in a pattern similar to land foraging beetles. Beetles also tolerated submergence and walked underwater. These active behaviours should improve their probability of finding shore or refuge for longer survival. Results confirmed that Colorado potato beetles are likely to accumulate near water features in the potato agro-ecosystem landscape but suggest that successful crossings and colonisation of crops on the other side are more likely than previously expected. On a larger scale, new information provided by this study combined with our knowledge of dominant winds and currents should make it possible for future research to better predict the probability of surviving encounters with water and the orientation of invasive Colorado potato beetle colonisers dispersing at the surface of bodies of water.

Volumosinanew genus (Diptera: Sphaeroceridae: Limosininae) is described to accomodate the enigmatic Nearctic species Herniosina voluminosa Marshall, 1987 and its relationships are discussed. Based on morphological characters Volumosina is treated as part of the Limosina genus group along with Apteromyia Vimmer, 1929, Gigalimosina Roháček, 1983, Herniosina Roháček, 1983, and Limosina Macquart, 1835 but its position within the group remains unresolved. Volumosina voluminosa (Marshall, 1987) new combination is recorded from Canada and redescribed with new distributional and natural history data suggesting that it is an old-growth specialist associated with large woody debris. The gigantism of the male aedeagal complex of V. voluminosa is discussed.

Many aphid species (Hemiptera: Aphididae) that feed on herbaceous crops exhibit a rise and then sudden decline in abundance. Data from a nine-year study of Uroleucon rudbeckiae (Fitch) on Rudbeckia laciniata Linnaeus (Asteraceae) are used to investigate this pattern of seasonal abundance in a non-agricultural aphid. Aphids on a population of tagged and numbered flower stems were counted weekly. Abundance (mean aphids per stem) was partitioned into prevalence (proportion of stems colonised) and mean intensity (aphids per colonised stem), and also considered as the sum of the aphids in individual colonies. Abundance rose in mid-summer to late summer and then declined, peaking between the end of July and mid-September, earlier in years when the peak was higher. Prevalence showed a more uniform and consistent peak than mean intensity. Most of the 949 colonies were small and short-lived, but a small proportion were long-lived and reached 1000 aphids. Large colonies declined more slowly than moderately-sized colonies. Severe weather, shortening day-length, decline in host quality, density-dependent effects on rate of increase, and emigration failed to explain the population decline. An early rise and later decline in immigration, in conjunction with increasing predation through the summer, were consistent with the decline.

The Biological Survey of Canada initiated a project in 1979 to collect and synthesise information on the native arthropod fauna of the vanishing grassland habitats of Canada. At that time, it was thought that the Canadian arthropod fauna might comprise about 66 000 species. Recent studies suggest that the fauna may exceed 100 000 species, of which >25% may occur in the Prairies Ecozone. Results of this near 40-year project have been published in four volumes of the Arthropods of Canadian Grasslands monograph series of the Biological Survey of Canada. Here, the editors of this series review the grasslands project of the Biological Survey of Canada, summarise the contents of the volumes, and discuss current knowledge on the diversity of the grasslands arthropods of Canada. Whereas information on the species richness of some groups in the Prairies Ecozone is largely complete, information on the diversity of many other groups remains sparse. Reviewing the steps between initiation and publication of the Arthropods of Canadian Grasslands series may aid development of similar projects elsewhere. Identifying knowledge gaps will direct future research efforts. Identifying the diversity of grassland arthropods, their distribution and abundance, and the ecosystem services that they provide will facilitate efforts to conserve the remaining grassland habitats in Canada.

Four new Cerambycidae (Coleoptera) species and two new genera are described from Ecuador: Blabia albosetanew species (Lamiinae: Desmiphorini); Alloblabianew genus, type species, A. praecipuanew species (Lamiinae: Desmiphorini); Alicalnew genus, type species, A. tuberculatusnew species (Lamiinae: Calliini); and Piola schiffinew species (Lamiinae: Phacellini). The new species of Blabia Thomson, 1864 and Piola Marinoni, 1974, and Alical are included in modified published keys.

The study presents information about the taxonomy, natural history, and distribution of orchid weevils (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) in Canada. Native are Stethobaris ovata (LeConte, 1869) (=S. congermana Casey, 1892restored synonymy;=S. convergens Casey, 1920new synonymy), S. incompta Casey, 1892 (=S. commixta Blatchley, 1916 new synonymy), and S. sacajaweae Prena, new species, with all of them also being present in the adjacent temperate zone of the United States of America. Orchidophilus aterrimus (Waterhouse, 1874) and S. laevimargo (Champion, 1916) have been found on imported orchid cultivars but did not become established in natural habitats.

Intraguild predation is a notable factor to proper application of biocontrol agents to reduce pest populations. Intraguild predation was studied between Typhlodromus bagdasarjani Wainstein and Arutunjan (Acari: Phytoseiidae) and Phytoseiulus persimilis Athias-Henriot (Acari: Phytoseiidae) in presence and absence of Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acari: Tetranychidae) as well as pollen. Intraguild predation between two predators was bidirectional. The highest and the lowest predation rates of both predators in absence and presence of T. urticae as well as in the pollen treatments were on heterospecific eggs and deutonymphs, respectively. Typhlodromus bagdasarjani consumed more heterospecific eggs compared with P. persimilis. When pollen was added, predation of T. bagdasarjani significantly reduced on heterospecific eggs and deutonymphs in absence and presence of T. urticae treatments, respectively. However, predation rate of P. persimilis on heterospecific stages was not significantly affected by pollen addition. Oviposition of both predators was higher in presence of T. urticae than in its absence and oviposition of P. persimilis was significantly higher on heterospecific stages than T. bagdasarjani. Pollen addition had a significant effect on increasing the oviposition rate of T. bagdasarjani. Extraguild prey presence had a nonsignificant effect on the consumption rate of intraguild prey by the intraguild predators. However, presence of extraguild prey led to a significant increase in oviposition rate of both predators.