The efficiency of two sticky-bottomed traps and seven high-capacity, nonsticky traps in catching male spruce budworm [Choristoneura fumiferana (Clem.)] moths was evaluated in a wind tunnel. The place where the male moths first contacted the trap, the length of time that passed until they entered the trap, and the number remaining in the trap after 5 min were recorded. The most efficient traps were the Pherocon 1 C, a sticky-bottomed trap, and the Multi-Pher and Uni-trap, both nonsticky traps with internal funnel-shaped baffles that prevent moths from escaping. As sticky traps become saturated at relatively low densities they are not suitable for monitoring wide changes in population density. The Multi-Pher and Uni-trap are therefore recommended for monitoring population changes of the spruce budworm, establishing thresholds for management action, and estimating population density.

One hundred and four primary types of Symphyta housed in the Canadian National Collection were examined and listed. These were contributed by the following authors: Harrington (18), MacGillivray (19), Provancher (17), Smith (9), Goulet (8), Ross (7), Wong (4), Wong and Ross (4), Benson (3), Gibson (3), Middlekauff (3), Curran (2), Garlick (2), Peck (2), Burdick (1), Ries (1), and Wong and Milliron (1).

Population fluctuations of adults of the rusty grain beetle, Cryptolestes ferrugineus (Stephens), in wheat stored in a steel granary were monitored using insect detection traps 35 cm below the surface of the grain during the fall of 1983, and the spring, summer, and fall of 1984. In both years, the peak population occurred from the beginning of September to the third week in October. In 1984, no beetles were found in the traps until early June. The number of beetles in each trap increased slowly until late August (range 0 to 315), and then rapidly until late October (range 91 to 1212), and then decreased rapidly thereafter until mid-November (range 236 to 2). No beetles were caught during the winters after 30 November 1983 and 19 November 1984. The absence of beetles in the traps before June or after November and the small catches before July or in early November were attributed to the combined effects of low population levels and reduced movement of adults at low grain temperatures. A few beetles were caught at a grain temperature of 8°C but none at temperatures lower than 4°C. Approximately 65% of adults found in samples of grain at −7°C in February 1985 were alive and became active in the laboratory. Practical recommendations for monitoring insect pests of stored grain are given, based on the results.

A review of Nearctic Apotomis Hübner (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae: Olethreutini) is presented. Seventeen species are recognized, of which the following are new: coloradensis, trifida, and spurinfida. Apotomis strigosa Heinrich, 1926 is considered a new synonym of tertiana McDunnough, 1922, and dextrana McDunnough, 1923 of removana Kearfott, 1907. Descriptions, distribution maps, and a key to species are provided. Illustrations of male and female genitalia and photographs of distinctive wing patterns are included. Scanning electron micrographs reveal that setae on digitus of male genitalia are taxonomically important.

Mesothoracic skeletomusculature of male and female Eupelminae is described and compared with that of other Eupelmidae, Chalcidoidea, and Hymenoptera. Various external mesopleural features and structural dimorphism between the sexes are explained by differences in muscle form and placement. A set of terms for mesothoracic structure is proposed that is equally applicable to male and female eupelmines and to other chalcidoids. Mechanics of flight and jumping in male eupelmines, and of jumping in females, is also described. The flight mechanism of males is similar to that previously described in other hymenopterans and is structurally independent of the jumping mechanism. Contraction of large mesotergal-mesotrochanteral muscles, originating from the axillae and axillar phragmata, act directly to retract the mesotrochanters into the mesocoxae for jumping. Females have coadapted the flight and jumping mechanisms into a single mechanism to improve jumping greatly. The mesotergal-mesotrochanteral muscles are reduced to slender, tendon-like muscles originating from the anteroventral angle of each lateral axillar surface. Jumping in females results from contraction of large mesopleural-mesotergal muscles that insert into anterolateral processes of the mesoscutum by pads of resilin. The pads are stretched during contraction of the mesopleural-mesotergal muscles and the potential energy thus stored is subsequently released to flex the mesonotum along the transscutal articulation. The first and second axillary sclerites are modified to function as a hinge to control mesonotal flexing for jumping. Flexing the mesonotum rotates the lateral axillar surfaces anteriorly and dorsally, thereby pulling up on the mesotergal-mesotrochanteral muscles and changing a horizontally directed force into a vertical force that is used to retract the mesotrochanters for jumping. A mesothoracic lock mechanism to prevent initial mesonotal flexing is proposed, but is not documented. “Contortion” of female eupelmines is described, and is a consequence of the increased degree of mesonotal flexing required for their jumping mechanism. The modified mesocoxal articulation of females is hypothesized to function in rotating the middle legs cephalad to protect the head and antennae during landing. It is questioned whether female eupelmines can fly, and the adaptive significance of enhancement of jumping at the expense of flight in females, and of sexual dimorphism in the subfamily, is discussed.

During the course of a census of arthropods in a collard crop (Brassica oleracea var. acephala) (Cruciferae) in central New York State in summer 1985, the authors witnessed frequent incidents of unusual feeding behavior in mirid bugs. In late July and early August, numerous observations were made by three of the authors (TWC, OSN, and BAC) of apparent feeding by nymphal (2nd–4th instar) and adult tarnished plant bugs, Lygus linolaris (Palisot de Beauvois), on cocoons of Apanteles glomeratus (L.), a braconid parasitoid of the imported cabbageworm, Pieris rapae (L.). The predation occurred in a period of unusually high P. rapae population densities (estimated at 150 000 ha−1), when A. glomeratus cocoons were abundant on collard leaves.

On three occasions in late August 1985, during the course of a study of the arthropod community associated with collards (Brassica oleracea var. acephala) (Cruciferae) in central New York State, two species of predaceous Heteroptera, the spined soldier bug, Podisus maculiventris (Say), and Nabicula americolimbata (Carayon), were observed feeding on adult flea beetles of the genus Phyllotreta. Evidence for predation on adult flea beetles is rare. Tahvanainen and Root (1972) and Kareiva (1985) reported practically no predation on adult Phyllotreta cruciferae (Goeze) in central New York, but scattered observations in Canada have documented occasional attacks on adult crucifer-infesting flea beetles by various insect predators (Gerber and Osgood 1975; Burgess 1977, 1980, 1982). This is the first record of predation on adult flea beetles by P. muculiventris and N. americolimbata. Burgess (1982) noted predation on adult P. cruciferae by another nabid, Nabis alternatus Parshley.

The confused flour beetle, Tribolium confusum J. du Val, is a cosmopolitan pest of stored products and is widely distributed in Canada, primarily in flour and feed mills. This insect prefers some grain products or cultivars to others (Loschiavo 1952) and seems to be attracted mainly by an olfactory response to certain fatty acids (Loschiavo 1965) and triglycerides (Starratt and Loschiavo 1972; Tamaki et al. 1971). Differential effects of diets on the rate of development of T. confusum are directly related to temperature, being greatest near the optimal temperature for development (Lamb and Loschiavo 1981). Crowding also affects development and size (Park 1938).