Five formulations of the primary sex pheromone components of the spruce budworm (Choristoneura fumiferana [Clem.]) were evaluated as lures for monitoring spruce budworm populations: Biolures (Consep Membranes Inc.), Luretape plastic flakes (Hercon, Healthchem Corp.), polyethylene vials (International Pheromone Systems), hollow fibers (Albany International), and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pellets. PVC pellets showed significant loss in attractiveness over the required 6-week period. Also, different batches of PVC pellets had very different rates of pheromone release and attraction; the oldest lures, stored for the longest period, were the most attractive. Luretape caught fewer moths than anticipated from the release-rate data and showed wide variation in catch among individual lures. Fibers were inconsistent. Biolures and polyethylene vials showed the lowest decline in attractiveness over time and the lowest variation in catch among individual lures, but their capture rates were higher than necessary.

Omalorphanus new genus is described to include the new species O. aenigma from the Cascade Range of Oregon. The species is tentatively assigned to the subfamily Omaliinae, tribe Anthophagini; the characters on which this assignment is based and the morphological features that distinguish it from other Omaliinae are thoroughly discussed.

Respiration rates and drowning times after complete submergence were observed in diapausing Heliothis zea (Boddie) pupae at 5, 10, 15, 20, and 27°C. Respiration rate in pupae 2.5–12 weeks in diapause increased as an exponential function of temperature. The respiration rate of post-diapause pupae at 27°C increased over 10-fold in an approximately linear fashion during 12 days of pharate adult development. Time to 50% drowning in diapausing pupae decreased with increasing temperature, varying from 22.9 to 4.1 days at 5 and 27°C, respectively. Drowning rates in these pupae increased approximately exponentially with temperature. Diapausing and post-diapause pupae at 27°C had similar times to 50% drowning. An empirical model of drowning fitted the results well at all five temperatures, but a mechanistic model based on respiration predicted drowning considerably before it was observed. When the latter model was modified to allow withdrawal of dissolved oxygen from the water, it predicted longer survival periods, as observed. Our evidence suggests that respiration and drowning rates are closely correlated. Given the long survival times under complete submergence at 5–20°C, we speculate that pupae overwintering in the field in deep diapause are relatively resistant to drowning, whereas pre- and post-diapause pupae, with higher respiration rates, are at much greater risk.

The species of the subgenus Castaneomyzocallis subg. nov. (genus Myzocallis) are found in North America on Castanea. Four species are classified in this subgenus: M. (C.) castaneae (Fitch) (type of subgenus); M. (C.) tissoti nom. nov.; M. (C.) nanae (Tissot); and M. (C.) castaneoides (Baker). The neotype of M. (C.) castaneae is established. The alate viviparae, the embryos, and the alatoid nymphs of M. (C.) castaneae, M. (C.) castaneoides, M. (C.) tissoti, and M. (C.) nanae are described. A key for the identification of the new subgenus is given. Attention is drawn to variations that may be caused by seasonal factors.

The survival and persistence of Nosema locustae Canning in field soils and resident grasshopper populations in Saskatchewan were assessed in a 3-year study. Low levels of N. locustae spores persist in soils but not on vegetation from treated fields. Large numbers of spores were sometimes detected in soil depending on the extent of infection in the resident grasshopper populations. Indigenous soil microorganisms appear to prey upon N. locustae spores or utilize nutrients during spore decomposition. Nosema locustae infection in resident grasshoppers varied, depending on the viability of the spores applied, and its level was higher following repeated (3-year) applications. Low numbers of N. locustae spores persist in soil but large populations probably will not accumulate because of leaching and because of their interaction with soil microorganisms. Spores appeared to leach through soil as a function of water movement.

Studies on the reproductive biology of the spruce budmoth, Zeiraphera canadensis Mut. & Free., were conducted in northern New Brunswick. Observations of adults under insectary conditions revealed that peak mating occurred around midnight, and that copulation lasted on average 4.3 h. The age of males and females at mating as well as their longevity is provided for both years. The pre-oviposition period was similar for both years, 6.1 and 6.3 days in 1984 and 1985, respectively. The oviposition period decreased from 6.1 days in 1984 to 4.4 days in 1985. The total fecundity was 32.9 eggs per female in 1984 and 21.8 eggs per female in 1985. The mean age-specific oviposition rate under 1984 field conditions is also presented. The importance of these results in determining the proper timing of adulticidal sprays against Z. canadensis is discussed.

Canola plants in 0.84-m2 field plots were exposed to 120 bertha army worm larvae per square metre, beginning at mid 5th instar, for increasing durations. Yield loss increased with feeding duration throughout the feeding period whereas the proportion of pods damaged increased rapidly at first then leveled at 45%. Pod damage was negatively correlated with plot yield but the regression was not statistically significant. More seed shelled from plants with damaged pods than from plants with no pod damage under field conditions simulating drying in the swath. Seed from damaged pods had greater proportions of green and broken seeds causing lower seed grade and these defects were evident in seed from plots with 21% or more damaged pods. Although control measures for bertha armyworm should not be undertaken before pod damage is observed, a control decision should be made before 20% of the pods are damaged.

Temperature effects on development were studied for two Alberta populations of Ostrinia nubilalis (Hübner), from the South Saskatchewan River valley and the surrounding plains. Lower developmental thresholds for all life stages of both Alberta populations were determined by linear regression. Thresholds for the egg stage were significantly less for plains borers (9.5°C) than for valley borers (10.8°C), and about 2°C lower than for corn borers from the United States. Thresholds in Alberta populations for the 4th (15.3°C) and 5th (14.0°C, plains) instars, and for post-diapause pupation (12.8°C), were much higher than in populations from the United States. Higher temperature thresholds delay development in Alberta populations, thus reducing midsummer pupation. Valley populations developed significantly faster than plains populations during egg development, during the prepupal period of the 5th instar, and during post-diapause pupation. These results explain why valley populations have a partial second generation in some years.

Adults of the anthomyiid Coenosia tigrina (Fab.), which are predators of flying insects including pest Diptera such as the onion maggot fly, feed on earthworms in the larval stage. The bionomics of C. tigrina females were studied in the laboratory at 15, 20, and 25°C, under different mating regimes. Adult female longevity slightly exceeded 1 month at 25°C and was close to 2 months at 15°C. Oviposition started 1–3 weeks after emergence, the delay tending to decrease with increased male presence. Females laid eggs at intervals of 1 to several days, in batches averaging 10–30 eggs depending on temperature. Fecundity reached an average of 230 eggs at 25°C with the sustained presence of males. Egg hatch decreased with the mother’s age, except when males were present for most of the female’s lifetime. Females exhibited maximal daily rate of predation at 25°C, but maximal lifetime predation was observed at 20°C. Male predation was less than females’, and female predation decreased with age. The time to eclosion decreased from 11 to 5 days as the temperature of egg incubation increased from 15 to 25°C. Larval weight at eclosion decreased with mother’s age. Postembryonic development and larval growth were studied at 15, 20, and 25°C, larvae being fed on four lumbricids. Development times decreased with increasing temperature between 15 and 25°C: from 35 to 15 days for larval development, and 28 to 12 days for pupal development. Males developed at a slower rate than females, but females weighed more at emergence. Larval survival was 30–60% on worm sections, and dropped to 17% on live mature Eisenia foetida (Sav.); but survival reached 90% on live, immature E. foetida 1–2 cm long. The larvae of C. tigrina penetrate the epidermis of earthworms, and feed internally with a preference for circulatory and chlorogogonous tissues.

The balsam gall midge, Paradiplosis tumifex Gagné, oviposits in newly opening buds of balsam fir. Eggs hatch in 2–3 days. First-instar larvae crawl to and usually settle on the proximal adaxial surface of developing needles. Needle tissues near the larva proliferate, and the larva appears to sink into the needle as the gall forms around the feeding site (West and Shorthouse 1982). Another gall midge, Dasineura balsamicola (Lintner), is an inquiline in the gall of P. turnifex. Its eggs are laid at approximately the same time and place as those of P. tumifex, and larvae of both species are often found in the same gall.

Only a few studies have been made on the colonization of coniferous stumps by insects. Studies by Richards (1926), Krogerus (1927), Wallace (1953), and Hayes and Tickell (1984) indicated that beetles were the common insect group in coniferous stumps in Europe.

The purpose of this study was to identify the insect species colonizing lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta Dougl.) stumps in the Hinton area and assisting in their breakdown.

Safflower, Carthamus tinctorius L., is an important drought-tolerant oilseed crop, used for the production of vegetable oil and protein meal. It is one of the few broadleaf crops that can be used for crop rotation in the small grains agroecosystem of the Northern Great Plains. Safflower is currently produced on about 60 000 ha in eastern Montana and northwestern North Dakota and about 10 000 ha in Alberta and Saskatchewan. There is little information available on the pest insect species on safflower in the Northern Great Plains; however, four pest species have been reported from California, including the westem flower thrips (Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande)), lygus bug (Lygus hesperus Knight), green peach aphid (Myzus persicae (Sulzer)), and the bean aphid (Aphis fabae Scopoli) (Carlson 1966, 1972).

The large yellow underwing moth, Noctua pronuba (L.), was first recorded as occurring in Canada by Wright and Neil (1983), when a single specimen was taken at a porch light in Halifax, Nova Scotia, 7 July 1979. Since then the species has become prevalent throughout eastern Nova Scotia. In Newfoundland, this moth was first taken at Kilbride in 1984 in a light trap and in subsequent years it was caught in light traps at Goulds and Mt. Pearl (Table 1). A total of 17 moths have been taken in light traps to date, and all but one were males. In the Palearctic, N. pronuba (L.) has been reported from North Africa through western Europe to Finland and Iceland (Wright and Neil 1983).