E. Richard Hoebeke

Citizen scientist rediscovers rare nine-spotted lady beetle, Coccinella novemnotata, in eastern North America

A single adult Coccinella novemnotata (the nine-spotted lady beetle) was recently discovered by a Cornell University student amongst a series of specimens collected in early October 2006 in Arlington, Virginia. The specimen is the first individual collected in eastern North America in over fourteen years and is only the sixth of its species known to be collected anywhere in North America in the last ten years. This discovery reopens questions regarding the current status of this once common species. Interactions with exotic species, global climate change, and shifting land use patterns have all been postulated as possible factors in this species decline. This discovery is the first in a new program in the USA designed to educate the public regarding biodiversity and conservation and to engage them in a survey of native and exotic lady beetle species.

Trap Type, Lure Placement, and Habitat Effects on Cerambycidae and Scolytinae (Coleoptera) Catches in the Northeastern United States

ABSTRACT Semiochemical-based exotic species surveys targeting forest Coleoptera have gradually expanded in North America and elsewhere. Determining how various factors affect trap catches and increase species richness in traps is important for maximizing the efficacy of survey efforts. Studies were conducted in southern Maine and New Hampshire by using ethanol and &agr;-pinene as lures to determine the influence of trap type, lure placement and size, and habitat type on catches of Scolytinae and Cerambycidae in coniferous forests. Three trap types (canopy malaise, intercept panel, and multiple-funnel), three lure placements/sizes (standard placement, above trap, and enlarged), and two habitat types (margins of clearcuts and shelterwood) were tested in three experiments. The three trap types performed equally well in terms of average number of species captured, but the canopy malaise caught more unique species than the other traps. In most cases, traps with lures placed above traps caught fewer beetles than lures hanging from the side of traps or with an expanded surface area. Generally, more insects were captured in shelterwood treatments versus the margins of clearcuts.

Arboreal insects associated with herbicide-stressed Pinus resinosa and Pinus sylvestris used as Sirex noctilio trap trees in New York.

ABSTRACT In September of 2004, Sirex noctilio F. (Hymenoptera: Siricidae) was detected in New York State and later found to be established over a larger area, including parts of southeastern Canada and the northeastern United States. A key component of S. noctilio detection and management plans in other parts of the world where S. noctilio has become established are chemically girdled trap trees. Trap tree usage in North America is confounded by the presence of diverse communities of organisms that inhabit dead and dying trees. We trapped a portion of the arboreal insect community arriving at Pinus resinosa Ait. and Pinus sylvestris L., trap trees girdled 3 mo before (April), one month before (June), and at S. noctilio flight (July) in central New York. Multiple-funnel traps attached to trap trees captured 30,031 individuals from 109 species of Scolytinae, Cerambycidae, and Siricidae. Ipspini (Say) and Ips grandicollis (Eichhoff) accounted for almost 50% of the scolytines captured at trap trees and were present on all girdling dates. Significantly more scolytines and cerambycids were captured on P. sylvestris compared with P. resinosa, but species richness of captured insects did not differ between the two trees. More total and conifer-inhabiting scolytines and cerambycids were captured in traps on trees girdled in April and June and higher observed species richness was found on trees girdled in April and controls. Results from this study suggest a large community of arboreal insects and associated organisms are attracted to chemically girdled trap trees and likely interact with S. noctilio.

Xyleborus seriatus Blandford (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae), An Asian Ambrosia Beetle New to North America

Abstract Xyleborus seriatus Blandford, an ambrosia beetle described from Japan, is reported for the first time from North America, based on specimens examined from Massachusetts. A re-description and diagnosis of the adult female, a summary of known distribution and biology, a revision to an existing key to North American xyleborine species to include this newly detected immigrant, and photographs of the adult habitus and other diagnostic morphological features are presented.

Chemical defense and aposematism: the case of Utetheisa galapagensis

Summary. The moth Utetheisa galapagensis (Lepidoptera, Arctiidae) is an endemic of the Galápagos Islands. Unlike other species of Utetheisa, which are gaudily aposematic, it is uniformly grayish in appearance. Our initial presumption that U. galapagensis lacks the plant-derived systemic pyrrolizidine alkaloids that account for the aposematism of its congeners was erroneous. U. galapagensis feeds on species of Tournefortia (Boraginaceae), one of which, T. rufo-sericeae, was found to contain pyrrolizidine alkaloids (5% of dry weight). U. galapagensis of both sexes contain these compounds. The drabness of U. galapagensis may be attributable to the fact that the moth is nocturnal, unlike its aposematic congeners. Two additional species of Utetheisa from the Galápagos (U. devriesi, and U. perryi) are also non-aposematic. Whether the three Galápagos Utetheisa are primitively drab, or whether their cryptic condition is secondarily derived from an aposematic ancestry, remains unsettled.

Rugilus ceylanensis (Kraatz) (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Paederinae): a South Asian Rove Beetle New to North America

Abstract The South Asian rove beetle Rugilis ceylanensis (Kraatz) is reported for the first time from North America based on collections from two Canadian provinces and 14 U.S. states. This paederine staphylinid represents the fourth adventive Rugilus species documented in North America. It also is reported new for Hawaii. North American records are mapped, and a diagnosis, brief description, photographs of the adult, and line drawings of the male genitalia and associated terga and sterna are provided to facilitate its recognition among the Nearctic Rugilus fauna. A lectotype is designated from the syntype series for Stilicus ceylanensis Kraatz.

Conomelus anceps (Germar) (Hemiptera: Fulgoromorpha: Delphacidae) New To North America, with Records of Four Other Delphacid Planthoppers New to Newfoundland

Abstract The common European planthopper Conomelus anceps (Germar) is reported from the Avalon Peninsula of Newfoundland, Canada, and Washington State, U.S.A., as the first North American records of this delphacid. Nymphs and adults were found in Newfoundland at 16 localities on common or soft rush, Juncus effusus ssp. effusus L., and at a site in Washington on J. effusus ssp. pacificus (Fernald & Wiegand) Lint ex Zika (Juncaceae). Although the distributional status is equivocal, we consider C. anceps an immigrant in Newfoundland and the Pacific Northwest. Also newly recorded for the Atlantic provinces of Canada are the Nearctic planthopper Phyllodinus nervatus Van Duzee, collected from common hairgrass, Deschampsia flexuosa (L.) Trin. (Poaceae); the Holarctic Megamelus flavus Crawford, which was found on the sedge Carex buxbaumii Wahlenberg (Cyperaceae); and the Nearctic Muellerianella laminalis (Van Duzee), swept from grasses. Pissonotus basalis Van Duzee, a Nearctic delphacid known previously in the Atlantic provinces from Nova Scotia, was found on Aster novi-belgii L. (Asteraceae). Diagnoses, brief descriptions, and habitus photographs of the adults are provided to facilitate identification of these delphacids.

NEW RECORDS OF QUEDIUS CRUENTUS (OLIVIER), A PALEARCTIC ROVE BEETLE (COLEOPTERA: STAPHYLINIDAE), IN NORTHEASTERN NORTH AMERICA

Abstract Specimens of the Palearctic rove beetle Quedius cruentus have been collected in seven northeastern states (Michigan, Ohio, New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Maine, Pennsylvania) and one eastern Canadian province (Quebec) from 2001 to the present as a result of exotic bark beetle surveillance projects. Earliest specimen records, based on collections in New York, date back to the early 1980s. The Quebec records are the first for this immigrant species in Canada. All locality records are listed and mapped. Recognition features are described and illustrated, and a summary of its known biology is provided.

ARCHIPS XYLOSTEANA (L.) (LEPIDOPTERA: TORTRICIDAE), A PALEARCTIC LEAFROLLER NEW TO NORTH AMERICA

Abstract Archips xylosteana (L.), a widespread Palearctic tortricid moth, is reported from four localities in St. Johns, Newfoundland, the first records of this species in North America. Adults were found on a variety of ornamental trees and shrubs on the campus of Memorial University in August 2005 and 2006. This immigrant tortricid, a minor pest of rosaceous fruit trees and shrubs, is redescribed and diagnosed. Photographs of the adult male and female are provided to facilitate its recognition. Its worldwide distribution and biology are summarized.