Cytogenetic analyses have been widely used to understand evolutionary processes and to resolve taxonomic uncertainties in insects. In particular, the mapping of specific chromosomal regions can provide insights about the genome organisation and interspecific relationships. Considering the importance of this approach and the scarcity of chromosomal data in some groups of Hymenoptera, this study provides the first cytogenetic characterisation of the parasitoid wasp, Brachymeria (Pseudobrachymeria) vesparum Bouček, 1992 (Hymenoptera: Chalcididae). This species was characterised by 2n = 10 metacentric chromosomes. The heterochromatin was located at pericentromeric and terminal regions, being particularly conspicuous due to occupying a large part of chromosomes from pair 2. In addition, guanine–cytosine-rich blocks (GC+) were detected in the interstitial region of two chromosomal pairs. The data obtained were found to be useful for inferring the chromosomal rearrangements involved in speciation within Brachymeria, in addition to providing cytotaxonomic markers for further comparative cytogenetic studies.

The radish fly, Delia planipalpis Linnaeus (Diptera: Anthomyiidae), is an emerging pest of broccoli and brassicaceous crops (Brassicaceae). The fly oviposits close to the stem of broccoli plants, and larvae feed within the stem and then pupate in the soil. Due to D. planipalpis’s recent appearance as a pest, no insecticides are registered for its management in Mexico. This study evaluated the efficacy of 13 synthetic and biological insecticides against different developmental stages through laboratory bioassays. Neonicotinoid-based products were highly toxic to the larvae, especially when applied via root irrigation, with thiamethoxam, clothianidin, and imidacloprid showing systemic activity. Thiamethoxam- and spinetoram-based products were also effective when applied to the stem oviposition site as a spray. A clothianidin-based product demonstrated moderate ovicidal activity, and bifenthrin had moderate residual activity against adult flies. A pyriproxyfen-based product effectively suppressed adult emergence. Products based on spirotetramat, neem (Meliaceae), and Tagetes (marigold) (Asteraceae) extracts and the microbial insecticide Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis (Bacillaceae) were ineffective against this pest. Spinosad and Sterneinema feltiae (Rhabditida: Steinernematidae) were not highly effective but could be used together with other control strategies in organic production. Neonicotinoids, spinetoram, and pyriproxyfen are promising options to validate in field trials for the management of D. planipalpis in broccoli.

We report the first observation of the Dorantes longtail, Thorybes dorantes (Stoll, 1790) (Lepidoptera: Hesperiidae), in Canada. On 16 April 2023, a single adult was observed on the northwest shore of Lake Ontario, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The observation represents a 1500- to 2000-km disjunction from the species’ nearest known populations in North America. After considering several scenarios that could explain the occurrence of the Dorantes longtail in Canada, the most likely explanation is that the observed individual came in on produce through the Ontario Food Terminal, Etobicoke, Ontario, providing another example of the constant pressure of species introductions to the region.

Rising atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) concentrations are a major driver of climate change, posing a significant challenge to global ecosystem functions. This challenge is compounded by the potential effects of elevated CO2 on forest pest insects like the eastern spruce budworm (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), a major mortality agent in Canadian boreal forests. To better understand these impacts, this study investigates how elevated (1000 ppm) and ambient (469 ppm) CO2 concentrations affect budworm development across different life stages. In vitro experiments revealed that budworms exposed to the elevated CO2 concentration exhibited accelerated development, with increased larval weight gain from third to sixth instars, faster pupation and adult emergence, and earlier oviposition compared to those exposed to the ambient condition. However, elevated CO2 concentration led to reduced realised fecundity. These findings highlight the direct impact of elevated CO2 concentrations on budworm biology, with important implications for its role in forest ecosystems under climate change.

Three Cannings brothers describe their intertwined but separate careers in Canadian biology: Rob as an entomologist, Syd as an entomologist and conservation biologist, and Dick as an ornithologist and politician. They emphasise the influence on their lives of the British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley where they grew up, the naturalist family in which they were raised, and the mentors who inspired them in their work. Bird study and nature interpretation in BC Parks were early enthusiasms and influences. Biological research, museum work, nature conservation, public education, and writing have dominated their careers. In Dick’s case, his public life has culminated in a decade of Canadian federal politics as a member of Parliament.

This article is modified from the closing plenary address presented at Entomology 2022, the joint annual meeting of the Entomological Society of America, the Entomological Society of Canada, and the Entomological Society of British Columbia, in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, 16 November 2022. The presentation also acted as the 2022 Heritage Lecture of the Entomological Society of Canada.

Trap colour can be an important consideration in detection programmes for arboreal and saproxylic beetles. Green and purple intercept traps are more attractive than black intercept traps to the emerald ash borer, Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire (Coleoptera: Buprestidae), an invasive species in North America. In four experiments, I tested three commercial multiple-funnel traps (green, purple, and black), baited with various lure blends, to determine the relative effects of trap colour on catches of other bark and woodboring beetles, and their associated predator species, in north–central Georgia, United States of America. I captured numerous species of Cerambycidae (Coleoptera) (n = 51), Curculionidae (Coleoptera) (n = 33), and associated predators (Coleoptera) (n = 22) across the four experiments. However, the majority of the species captured were either unaffected by trap colour or were caught in greater numbers in black and purple traps than in green traps. The two exceptions were the predators Enoclerus ichneumonus (Fabricius) (Coleoptera: Cleridae) and Pycnomerus sulcicollis LeConte (Coleoptera: Zopheridae), which were more abundant in green traps than in black traps. Purple traps performed better than black traps for the following species: Cnestus mutilatus (Blandford) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), Cossonus corticola Say (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), Xylobiops basilaris (Say) (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae), Buprestis lineata Fabricius (Coleoptera: Buprestidae), and Namunaria guttulata (LeConte) (Coleoptera: Zopheridae).

In Michigan, United States of America, where Asian parasitoids were released to manage emerald ash borer, Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire (Coleoptera: Buprestidae), we monitored four native parasitoids that also attack the invasive beetle – Atanycolus cappaerti Marsh and Strazanac, A. simplex (Cresson), and Spathius laflammei Provancher (all Hymenoptera: Braconidae), and Phasgonophora sulcata Westwood (Hymenoptera: Chalcididae) – using yellow pan traps and tree dissections. Adult A. cappaerti, followed by A. simplex, had the broadest seasonal activity, S. laflammei was captured primarily in the first half of the growing season, and P. sulcata was restricted to mid-summer. Adult abundances of native species varied among years but, except for P. sulcata, were never significantly lower than the established Asian emerald ash borer larval parasitoids, Tetrastichus planipennisi Yang (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) and Spathius galinae Belokobylskij and Strazanac (Hymenoptera: Braconidae). Densities of emerald ash borer larvae parasitised by A. cappaerti or P. sulcata did not differ significantly from those of the two Asian species. Although adult A. simplex and S. laflammei were frequently captured, we did not confirm parasitisation of any emerald ash borer larvae by these two species, suggesting that they rarely attack emerald ash borer. We did not find any negative correlations between adult or immature parasitoid abundance of any parasitoid species, suggesting that any interspecific competition that may be occurring is negligible.

Moths are a hyperdiverse taxon and contribute to important ecosystem services, including herbivory, pollination, and as food for other animals. Artificial light is an effective means by which to attract nocturnal moths for ecological study, but many traditional light-trapping approaches require the use of heavy, lead acid batteries, whereas novel light-emitting diodes (LEDs) use much lighter and energy-efficient lithium-ion batteries. Employing replicated forest stands being used for a longer-term study on the effects of Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki (Btk) application, we assessed how traps fitted with either black-light fluorescent (BLF) or LED lights differed in the moth assemblages they attracted. The macromoth assemblages captured by the two light sources differed significantly in their composition, with some species almost exclusively collected by a particular light type. We collected significantly more moths in the BLF traps overall. However, we found a higher diversity of species using the LED light traps but only in the Btk–treated sites. We show that, although these lights appear to attract significantly different species assemblages, LEDs represent an effective, efficient, and environmentally safer approach for attracting macromoths. More empirical studies will help elucidate which species are most attracted to various light sources and if broader phylogenetic patterns exist.

This is the first report of the blow fly, Calliphora stelviana (Brauer and Bergenstamm, 1891) (Diptera: Calliphoridae), at low elevation in southern Canada. Specimens were collected using liver-baited traps in autumn 2020 within the Windsor–Essex County region of southwestern Ontario, Canada. Previously, this species has been known to inhabit Alaska and the higher altitudes of Colorado, in the United States of America, and central Saskatchewan and northern Québec, in Canada.

Temperature is the most significant abiotic factor that affects the growth and behaviour of insects. However, the mechanism by which the olfactory system senses thermal stimulus and combines temperature and chemical signals to trigger certain behavioural outputs is unclear. This study aimed to clarify the mechanism by which environmental temperature affects olfactory perception in Apis cerana cerana (Hymenoptera: Apidae). We used quantitative reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction and western blotting to analyse the expression of AcerOr1 and AcerOr2. We also used electroantennography (EAG) assays to detect bee antennal responses to odorants at different temperatures. The results revealed that the mRNA expression of AcerOr1 and AcerOr2 was significantly influenced by temperature. These genes exhibited both increases and decreases in expression over time, with the most significant differential observed at 25 °C. Protein expression was similarly affected at 2 hours after different temperature treatments. Electroantennography responses from the antennae revealed that six odorant volatiles – N-(4-ethylphenyl)-2-((4-ethyl-5-(3-pyridinyl)-4H-1,2,4-triazol-3-yl)thio)acetamide (VUAA1), linolenic acid, eugenol, hexyl acetate, 1-nonanol, and lauroleic acid – had the most dramatic effect at 25 °C. The results indicate that environmental factors affecting the expression of AcerOr1 and AcerOr2 modulate olfactory recognition behaviour in A. cerana cerana, suggesting that changes in environmental temperature can affect bees’ olfactory preferences.

The hemlock woolly adelgid, Adelges tsugae Annand (Hemiptera: Adelgidae), has distinct native and invasive populations in Canada. On the country’s west coast, the adelgid is a native insect that feeds on western hemlock, Tsuga heterophylla (Rafinesque-Schmaltz) Sargent, and mountain hemlock, Tsuga mertensiana (Bongard) Carrière (Pinaceae). In eastern Canada, the adelgid is an invasive species that attacks and kills eastern hemlock, Tsuga canadensis (Linnaeus) Carrière (Pinaceae). We obtained all Canadian records of A. tsugae in institutional and public databases, developed updated range maps and phenologies for the species in British Columbia and eastern Canada, and developed dispersal estimates for populations in Nova Scotia. In British Columbia, A. tsugae’s observed distribution is centred around the Lower Mainland and on Vancouver Island but with populations in the British Columbia Interior and along the Pacific coast that have been poorly explored. In eastern Canada, the adelgid has invaded southern Nova Scotia, portions of the Niagara region in Ontario as far west as Hamilton, and at least one site on the north shore of Lake Ontario. No populations have been found in New Brunswick, Quebec, or Prince Edward Island, Canada. Finally, we estimated the rate of spread in Nova Scotia at 12.6 ± 8.2 to 20.5 ± 27.21 km/year.

The developmental environment can have an especially large impact on life history plasticity in animals, influencing body size, reproductive success, and longevity. This is because developmental processes interact with environmental factors to determine phenotypes such as body size, sexual investment, and metabolic rate, which in turn can influence longevity and senescence. We investigated how natural differences in the larval environment (discarded moose antlers) influenced development time, survival, and mating success of wild male antler flies, Protopiophila litigata Bonduriansky (Diptera: Piophilidae). Antlers become depleted of resources from year to year, as multiple generations of larvae feed within them. We collected larvae that grew inside nine different shed moose antlers, and we individually tracked them in the field as adults. Moose antlers that were more attractive to adult P. litigata also supported a greater number of larvae, suggesting they are of higher quality. Flies that developed in more attractive antlers completed metamorphosis more quickly but did not differ in body size, longevity, or lifetime mating success. This suggests that the observed differences in larval density may, in part, balance the variation in resource availability among antlers. Regardless of natal antler, large male P. litigata tended to live longer and have higher mating success, as found in previous studies of this species.

The dung-burying activities of paracoprid dung beetles such as Onthophagus nuchicornis Linnaeus (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) are known to improve nutrient cycling, decrease greenhouse gas emissions, and reduce parasite transmission. These benefits are closely associated with the quantity of dung buried and the depth at which the nest is built; however, comparatively little research has focused on the role of underground nest architecture in underpinning ecosystem function. The use of three-dimensional (3D) printing has facilitated the use of innovative models, tools, and methods in recent ecological studies. Although past attempts have been made to construct paracoprid beetle observation chambers from wood, to our knowledge, 3D printing has not yet been used for this purpose. We designed a 3D-printed observation chamber that allowed us to view the placement and rate of brood-ball production. Initial trials of our design indicate that, with adjustment of the chamber interpane width, tunnelling and brood-ball activity can be monitored without limiting the activity of the captive beetles. Noninvasive observation of underground activity using 3D-printed observation chambers is cost and time effective, and it offers a number of practical advantages over traditional wooden designs. These improvements may facilitate observations and contribute to our understanding of ecosystem functions provided by paracoprid dung beetles.

A subfossil robber fly (Diptera: Asilidae) from the genus Lasiopogon Loew is reported from a Beringian rodent, Arctic ground squirrel, Urocitellus parryii Richardson (Rodentia: Sciuridae), midden in the Yukon Territory, Canada, dated to about 16 500 years old. This is the first asilid reported from Quaternary-aged material and represents the first (sub)fossil for this genus and for the subfamily Stichopogoninae.

Outbreaks caused by migrant pests such as the armyworm, Mythimna unipuncta (Haworth, 1809) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), are generally unpredictable. In the province of Quebec, Canada, the arrival and dispersal of armyworms is monitored by capturing males using pheromone traps. Because only males are captured in pheromone-baited traps, trap catch is not predictive of subsequent larval occurrence and damage. We used traps baited with a feeding attractant to capture both male and female armyworm moths and evaluate their flight period at 11 sites across the province in 2018 and 2019. The reproductive status of females was also investigated by dissecting their reproductive apparatus to determine if they were sexually active when captured. The results showed two peak flight periods between May and August but high variation at the different sites and between years. Both sexes migrate in Quebec at the same time but in variable and unpredictable proportions. All spring migrant females had mated before capture, whereas some unmated females were captured later in the season. These results provide useful information to better monitor the armyworm in Quebec and to develop more appropriate integrated pest management strategies.

Gardens have emerged as a key habitat resource for pollinators in cities, but more research is needed to determine the optimal garden characteristics for maximising native pollinator diversity. Syrphid flies (Diptera: Syrphidae) are abundant generalist fly pollinators that have received less study than other pollinators in urban gardens. In this study, we investigated whether flowering plant diversity and the presence of native plants were related to syrphid abundance and diversity in urban street gardens. Over a two-month period, we sampled 12 small public gardens in a residential urban area (Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada) to explore correlations between plant and syrphid assemblages. Gardens reflected the relative scarcity of native plants in our study system, such that gardens with native flowers present ranged from 10 to 60% cover. Although syrphid abundance and richness varied among gardens, neither floral richness nor the presence of native flowers was correlated with syrphid abundance or diversity. Beyond plant diversity and origin, other characteristics may be more important to syrphid visitation at the garden scale. A better understanding of the role of garden characteristics among the complex factors shaping urban syrphid assemblages will offer valuable insights for the improvement of pollinator conservation strategies.

Variation in wild bee assemblages along climatic gradients is still poorly known, particularly in eastern Canada. In this study, we assessed wild bee communities in forest stands that were recently clearcut along a latitudinal bioclimatic gradient. The analyses were conducted at two taxonomic levels: first at the genus level for bees as a whole (Anthophila) and then at the species level for bumble bees (Bombus spp. Latreille) (Hymenoptera: Apidae). Coloured pan traps were used to catch bees and a point-intercept method was used to survey floristic composition at each site. Abundance and richness of Anthophila genera and abundance of bumble bee species were inversely related to latitude, but richness of bumble bee species was not, being instead associated with sections of the gradient. These results indicate that the relationship between wild bee diversity and latitude varies among taxa and that climate and floristic resources probably each play a role. Bombus terricola, a species of concern in eastern Canada, was found in relatively high numbers throughout the study area. To our knowledge, this study provides the first assessment of wild bees in clearcuts in the province of Quebec, showing a clear differentiation of the communities along a spatial bioclimatic gradient.

Ball sampling is an active technique of sampling the upper canopy of hemlock, Tsuga sp. (Pinaceae), to detect the nonnative hemlock woolly adelgid, Adelges tsugae Annand (Hemiptera: Adelgidae). We tested a 7.5-cm-diameter wooden ball fitted with Velcro® with a BigShot® slingshot that sends the ball into the upper hemlock canopy. The 7.5-cm ball detected wool with fewer sampling attempts per tree and had a higher detection rate after 10 sampling attempts than a 5-cm wooden ball using a much smaller HyperDog® slingshot did. However, sampling with the 7.5-cm ball took 20% longer per tree and fatigued shooters after only 30–40 shots due to the size and effort required to use the larger slingshot. A larger sampling device (= greater Velcro® surface area) significantly improved detection of adelgid wool and is recommended, provided a more efficient launching system is developed.

An important component of post-release monitoring of biological control of invasive plants is the tracking of species interactions. During post-release monitoring following the initial releases of the weevil Ceutorhynchus scrobicollis Nerenscheimer and Wagner (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) on garlic mustard, Alliaria petiolata (Marschall von Bieberstein) Cavara and Grande (Brassicaceae), in Ontario, Canada, we identified the presence of larvae of the tumbling flower beetle, Mordellina ancilla Leconte (Coleoptera: Mordellidae), in garlic mustard stems. This study documents the life history of M. ancilla on garlic mustard to assess for potential interactions between M. ancilla and C. scrobicollis as a biological control agent. Garlic mustard stems were sampled at eight sites across southern Ontario and throughout the course of one year to record the prevalence of this association and to observe its life cycle on the plant. We found M. ancilla to be a widespread stem-borer of late second–year and dead garlic mustard plants across sampling locations. This is the first host record for M. ancilla on garlic mustard. The observed life cycle of M. ancilla indicates that it is unlikely to negatively impact the growth and reproduction of garlic mustard and that it is unlikely to affect the use of C. scrobicollis as a biological control agent.

Glyphodes pyloalis Walker (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) is a destructive monophagous pest of mulberry, Morus Linnaeus (Moraceae), trees. In order to identify mulberry cultivars resistant to G. pyloalis, 12 cultivars were examined using field and in vitro testing. Field observations indicated that cultivars AlbapC, BombyL, LaeviT, and CathaB had less than 10.0% damage, with no observed damage on the CathaB cultivar. The life table parameters showed that CathaB cultivar had the longest larval and pupal duration (23.2 days in total), the shortest adult period (5.3 days), the lowest rates of both pupation (55.0%) and adult emergence (69.7%), the highest adult mortality (61.7%), the lowest average weight of pupae (30.4 mg), and the lowest daily oviposition (5.0 eggs/female/day). The larval performance of G. pyloalis in the field revealed that CathaB had the lowest larval density. Correlation analyses confirmed that significant correlations exist between all the performance parameters of G. pyloalis for both the observed damage and larval performance. Leaf characterisation of selected cultivars indicated CathaB had significantly higher values of leaf wax, trichome density, soluble glucose, and protein contents compared to MultiQ. This study would be a valuable reference for evaluating pest-resistant cultivars and establishing a theoretical foundation for managing G. pyloalis.