Adults of Tenebrio molitor L. can copulate on the second day after eclosion, but the majority of them do not do so until after the third day. Almost all adults copulated at least once within the first 4 to 5 days. Young females initiated copulation at a slightly earlier age than young males. Crowding enhances mating success in young adults, for which there appears to be a critical minimum adult density. The initiation of copulation was not inhibited at very high densities; this suggests that there is not a critical maximum adult density for mating success.

Changes were recorded in dry matter content and in the metabolism of lipids and nitrogen during the postembryonic development of Pseudaletia unipuncta (Haw.) on corn. The study revealed that 22 to 24% of the lipids were used during moulting and pupal–adult transformation and that nitrogen was not lost during such periods. The coefficient of apparent utilization of nitrogen remained more or less constant; however, that of lipids decreased with larval development. No significant difference was evident in the relationship between lipid consumption and weight gain, and nitrogen consumption and weight gain during larval development. A direct linear relationship was obtained between nitrogen and lipid utilization during all instars. In terms of heterauxesis, the accumulation of lipids during larval development was opposed to that of nitrogen.

On 27 August 1970, Mr. G. Mogridge, Kilbride, St. John's West, submitted a large (135 mm wingspan) living moth which he found on the sidewalk near the United Nail and Foundry Building, Hamilton Avenue, St. John's. The moth was identified as Erebus odora Linnaeus and was thought to be a first record for that species in Newfoundland. However, this was a second occurrence (see below).

The mosquitoes Anopheles barberi, Orthopodomyia signifera, and Orthopodomyia alba are recorded for the first time in Canada. All three species were found breeding in the water-filled rot cavities of trees in the deciduous forest of Point Pelee National Park, Ontario. Attention is drawn to the probable rarity of these mosquitoes in Canada and their conservation is recommended.

Sex ratios at emergence of Aedes impiger and A. nigripes in the Hazen Camp area (81°49′ N., 71°18′ W.), northern Ellesmere Island, N.W.T., are given from trap records, mainly for 1963.

There is a marked predominance of females in trap catches from temporary ponds, and an overall slight predominance of females (but with marked pond-to-pond variation) in permanent ponds. The nature of these inter-pond differences favours the inference that, before emergence, males normally survive less well than females, especially under the conditions existing in temporary ponds as they dry up.

Dorsal anterior abdomens of late instar larvae of Trogoderma inclusum Le Conte and T. variabile Ballion were exposed to six doses from each of three lasers. The effects were followed for 183 days after lasing. Ruby (1.6–9.5 j/cm2) and neodymium (4.3–24.9 j/cm2) lasing killed the darker T. variabile larvae at lower doses than those required to kill the paler T. inclusum larvae. Carbon dioxide (2.1–12.7 j/cm2) lasing killed larvae of both species at intermediate and high doses. At sublethal doses, none of the three lasers affected development in terms of feeding, photonegative behavior, diapause, pupation, metamorphosis, reproductive mating behavior, fecundity, or egg development.

Profenusa lucifex (Ross), a blotch-mining sawfly on oak, Quercus L., is occasionally abundant in Ontario. The adults occur on host trees in June. The larvae, which are described and illustrated, mine the leaves from about mid-June to late July with a small partial second generation in the fall. The insect overwinters in the soil. Three species of chalcid parasites are known to attack eggs and larvae.

L'infestation des forêts de sapin (Abies balsamea Mill.) de certaines régions de la province de Québec par l'Arpenteuse de la pruche, Lambdina fiscellaria fiscellaria (Guén.) (Lepidoptera – Geometridae), survient périodiquement. En effet, six épidémies de cet insecte ont été observées depuis les années 1920 et, dans la plupart des cas, des pertes importantes de bois furent rapportées.

Two new species of aphids are described from Manitoba, Acyrthosiphon assiniboinensis new species from Potentilla fruticosa L., and Masonaphis pinawae new species from Ledum groenlandicum Oeder.

The percentage of first-instar cluster-fly larvae successfully penetrating their earthworm hosts, Eisenia rosea (Sav.), remained quite constant at 13 °C when ratios of larvae to worms were from 7.5:1 to 0.5:1. Larvae descended into undisturbed soil only by following naturally occurring pore spaces (inter-ped spaces or those caused by vegetation or earthworms). In disturbed soil lacking natural pores, few earthworms were penetrated by the larvae, partly due to earthworm behaviour of blocking their burrows with casts. The significance of soil conditions and other factors as it affects this parasitic relationship is discussed.

The spruce cone moth, identified as Dioryctria reniculella (Grote) by Heinrich and other authors, is described as D. reniculelloides n. sp. This and D. pseudotsugella Munroe form a compact group closely related to the European D. schuetzeella Fuchs. These three species are characterized. D. reniculella is sunk as a junior synonym of D. abietivorella (Grote), new synonymy.

It was found that five different starches incorporated into artificial diet in place of sucrose made the diets significantly less nutritious for spruce budworm larvae (Choristoneura fumiferana (Clem.)).

The applicability of this to the natural situation — budworm larvae feeding on growing foliage — is unknown.

A study of sampling variation in the white grubs Phyllophaga fusca Froelick and P. anxia LeConte in a permanent meadow showed that inter-plot differences occurred in 70% of the samples. Block differences were rarely significant. For all stages, the most appropriate sample unit was a 1 ft cube of soil and sod. The number of samples required was inversely proportional to population density; this relationship was graphed for three levels of sampling precision.

Baetis bundyi new species is described from nymphs which were collected from tundra ponds in the central Canadian arctic (62.45 N., 94.27 W.). Based on measurements of a series of nymphs the eggs must hatch in early July and adults emerge in August. A table is presented for separating this species from other known arctic Baetis.

Adults of the rusty grain beetle, Cryptolestes ferrugineus (Stephens), were placed on the surface of grain in plastic cylinders. After 48 hours records were taken of the number passing through a perforated brass screen at the bottom of the cylinders and into petri dishes containing wheat inoculated with different species of fungi. More adults were found in dishes of spoiled grain containing a mixture of fungi than in empty (control) dishes or dishes with water. The largest number were found in dishes containing Penicillium corymbiferum and the second largest number in dishes with Scopulariopsis brevicaulis, Fusarium sp., and spoiled grain. The least number occurred in dishes with Streptomyces sp., uninfected wet grain, or dry grain. The response to fungi is probably induced by olfactory stimuli from volatile compounds in the fungi or by-products of fungi.

The fat soluble components of raw wheat germ were extracted with diethyl ether, and the extracts assayed for aggregant or arrestant activity with adults of the confused flour beetle, Tribolium confusum. Some extracts elicited a strong response, others had little effect, and still others were repellent. The concentration of peroxide in the ether was shown to be inversely correlated with the aggregating response evoked by the extract. In the preparation of extracts of biological material, therefore, solvents other than ether should be used unless the peroxide component is completely eliminated immediately before use.

Neocymbopteryx n. gen. type-species N. heitzmani n. sp., is described from Eureka Springs, Arkansas. The genus is a derivative of Cymbopteryx apparently adapted to diurnal activity.

Weevil damage on 12 sources of eastern white pine was measured. Differences between sources at age 13 were significant, but all sources were heavily weeviled. It is doubtful that sources resistant to the white pine weevil will be located.

High correlations between food consumption and excretion in terms of dry matter, calories, lipids, and nitrogen were obtained during the larval stages of Pseudaletia unipuncta (Haw.). The regression coefficients for this relationship in terms of dry matter did not differ significantly from those of calories; this leads to the hypothesis that the ratio of food consumption and excretion in terms of dry matter in a particular larval instar provides an estimate of caloric intake.