The seasonal occurrence of fall army worm (FAW) larvae, [Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith)], was monitored weekly in corn [Zea mays L.], sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.)], signalgrass [Brachiaria decumbens Staph.], and bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L.)] in southeastern Louisiana during 1980–84. The earliest and latest dates of detection of FAW during the study were, respectively, April 19 and August 4 for corn, June 9 and August 18 for sorghum, June 2 and September 21 for signalgrass, and June 8 and October 6 for bermudagrass. FAW generations overlapped in 1980, but in the other years generations were distinguishable and often coincided on the various host plants. The results indicated that there could be at least six generations in one year. In each year there was one major, and usually one or more minor, population peaks on each host plant. The range of dates for the greatest population peak density was June 24 - July 18 in corn, June 17 - July 7 in sorghum, June 30 - August 23 in signalgrass, and July 7 - August 18 in bermudagrass. The highest observed population density was ca. 3 × 10⁵ larvae/ha in corn and 3 × 10⁶ larvae/ha in bermudagrass.

Female alates of the red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta Buren did not develop ovaries when exposed to dosages as low as 0.125, 0.25, 0.5, or 1.0 mg per colony of the insect growth regulator, fenoxycarb [ethyl 2-(4-phenoxyphenoxy) ethyl] carbamate. Development of the bursa, spermatheca, and oviducts was normal. Alate females from treated colonies were about three-fourths to one-half the size of those from control colonies, but were capable of histolyzing their wing muscles and forming an esophageal crop. A large number of intercastes were produced at 8–12 weeks after treatment. Males were not affected by the fenoxycarb treatment.

A laboratory study investigating the combined effects of phosphorus and relative humidity upon reproduction by the European red mite Panonychus ulmi (Koch) was conducted. Phosphorus effects were tested at two levels (Hoagland solution with or without phosphorus) and relative humidity at five levels (6%, 30%, 60%, 75% and 90%). Experiments were run at two temperatures, 21°C and 25°C, and at a day-length regime of 16L:8D. The mites' response to phosphorus was characterized by a significant increase in progeny numbers when the host plant contained “high” levels of this element. Reaction to humidity was characterized by an increase in progeny at relative humidities between 60% and 75%. Under the same RH conditions, higher numbers of progeny were generally obtained from plants containing higher levels of phosphorus; the most favorable treatment was Hoagland solution with phosphorus and 75% RH.

Soybean, Glycine max (L.) Merr., lines isogenic for dense (DE), normal (NL), and no (NO) pubescence developed from the cultivar ‘Tracy-M’ were used in free choice tests to determine their influence on corn earworm (CEW) Heliothis zea (Boddie) oviposition preference and distribution of eggs within plant canopy. Post oviposition performance of the isolines was determined. Of the total eggs deposited by CEW on excised leaves in a greenhouse oviposition arena, 64.5, 29.0, and 6.5% were on the DE, NL, and NO isolines, respectively. In a 614.2 m² field cage study, 57.0, 30.9, and 12.1% of eggs deposited were on the DE, NL, and NO isolines, respectively. Within plant egg distribution was proportionally the same for the DE and NL isolines with 83.7, 13.5, and 3.8% of eggs deposited on leaves, stems, and fruiting structures, respectively. However, the within plant egg distribution on the NO isoline was 90.0, 0.9, and 9.3% deposited on leaves, stems, and fruiting structures, respectively. Isolines with the greater number of eggs senesced later, produced fewer pods and fewer seeds per pod than isolines with fewer eggs. However, isolines with the greater number of eggs produced larger seeds, which resulted in ca. the same total seed weight per plant as isolines with fewer eggs. There were no differences among isolines grown without oviposition for pod number, seed number, or seed weight. The strong ovipositional preference among the isolines, if properly developed and used, has potential for use in insect management programs.

Wheat was surface-treated with acetone extract of dill seed and exposed to rice weevils, Sitophilus oryzae (L.). At 2000 ppm, dill extract provided complete protection 1-day after treatment, and still provided 68.13% reduction of the F₁ generation after treated wheat was stored for 52 weeks. One day after treatment, dosages of 1000 and 500 ppm reduced the F₁ generation 81.86 and 21.99%, respectively, and the effect decreased rapidly.

Survival of the screwworm pupal stage was studied under different ecological conditions over a 12-month period in southern Mexico. Survival (measured as successful adult eclosion) differed only slightly between the wet and dry seasons, but survival was highest (avg. 75%) in sheltered sites and lowest (avg. 23%) in exposed sites. High soil temperatures at exposed sites were probably responsible for high mortalities. Only during the cool months was there any survival at exposed sites. Moisture levels were of minimal influence, though high mortality from especially heavy rains may occur in sheltered sites.

The biology and behavior of Pachylister caffer Erichson were studied to determine the developmental history of this cattle manure-attracted, predaceous beetle and to evaluate its potential for controlling the horn fly, Haematobia irritans (L.). Females deposit eggs singly 0.5–3.0 cm deep in soil beneath cattle manure. Embryonic incubation averaged 3.9 days, larval development (two instars) 37.3 days, and pupal development 16.4 days. Development from oviposition to adult averaged 57.6 days.

Prey consumption of horn fly; stable fly, Stomoxys calcitrans (L.), and house fly, Musca domestica L., pupae by P. caffer larvae was compared. Although the total weight of all prey species consumed was similar, the number of prey consumed and the development time of beetle larvae varied with prey species.

Horn fly pupae accounted for 65.6% of the prey consumed, whereas stable fly and house fly pupae accounted for 26.9% and 7.5%, respectively.

Diapetimorpha introita (Cresson) occurred from May to November and was the primary parasitoid of fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith), pupae in corn fields at Tifton, GA, from 1983 to 1985. Another previously unreported pupal parasitoid of FAW, Cryptus albitarsis (Cresson), occurred only during a single sample conducted in November 1984. Rates of parasitism averaged 5.2% (range 0–23.7%) and 8.4% (range 0–50.0%), respectively, during 1983 and 1984, with the highest rate occurring in September to November of each year. In a limited study conducted in September and October 1985, total pupal parasitism averaged 33.3% (range 0–44.4%). Predation was the primary mortality factor, averaging 44.7, 37.8, and 95.8%, respectively, during 1983, 1984, and 1985. Predators found either in FAW pupation tunnels or feeding directly upon pupae were earwigs, Labidura riparia (Pallas); nonidentified carabid beetles; wireworms, Conoderus sp.; and the imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta Buren. These studies indicate parasitoids and predators of FAW pupae play a primary role in regulating FAW populations following their development in corn and likely significantly reduce the numbers that subsequently disperse into new habitats for oviposition on other crops.

The accuracy, precision and efficiency of stem-count and sweep-net techniques were compared for sampling the pea aphid, Acyrthosiphon pisum (Harris), in alfalfa. Density estimates by both techniques were highly correlated (r = 0.87). Both techniques were similar in sample precision and efficiency, but stem counts provided more accurate density estimates than the sweep net technique. The stem count technique is an accurate and efficient alternative to the sweep net for sampling pea aphids in alfalfa.

Burlap wrapped around western hemlock, Tsuga heterophylla (Raf.) Sarg., trees at breast height was used to trap pupae of the western hemlock looper, Lambdina fiscellaria lugubrosa (Hulst). The number of pupae in the traps was highly variable and was not related to tree diameter or the surface area of the trap. There was a significant relationship between the number of viable pupae per trap and the number of healthy western hemlock looper eggs subsequently laid on lichen in the trees. Sample size requirements are presented.

The discovery of hybrid fire ants, Solenopsis invicta × S. richteri, in northwest Georgia at a more northern latitude than S. invicta led to an investigation into the hybrid's ability to withstand cold temperatures. This study was undertaken to determine if the hybrid would supercool at a lower temperature than either parental species. Major workers, male alates, and female alates of the three ant types were collected, and supercooling points were determined. Of the three castes tested, only male alates of the hybrid and S. richteri had lower supercooling points than did S. invicta. The inhabitance of north Georgia by the hybrid fire ant and not S. invicta does not seem to be determined by supercooling.

The woolly pine scale, Pseudophilippia quaintancii Cockerell, had 2 generations per year in the Georgia coastal plain. Crawler activity peaked in late March-early April and late May to mid-June. First-generation males were wingless and emergence began in late April. Second-generation males were alate and their emergence peaked in early July. Populations of P. quaintancii increased during the first generation and dispersal occurred during the second. Fecundity averaged about 500 offspring per female. Populations were significantly affected by tree clone and crown level, with higher average survival in the upper crown. Parasitism of the woolly pine scale was low.

Calco Red incorporated into the diet of the almond moth larvae, Cadra cautella Walker, stained developing oocytes in virgin females. During oocyte degeneration stained contents from oocytes were traced to the bursa copulatrix. Females of different ages showed a direct correlation between the intensity of stain in the bursa copulatrix and the number of oocytes that were digested. The results indicate that, in some Lepidoptera, the bursa copulatrix is involved in the storage and distribution of metabolites during oosorption.

Studies of competitive foraging for three baits by Paratrechina longicornis Latreille, and Solenopsis invicta Buren were conducted in Brazil. Paratrechina longicornis discovered the foods, honey, meat, and cookie, first and recruited large numbers of foragers, dominating the baits for the first 20–30 min of the tests. Solenopsis invicta was slower to discover the baits but their ability to recruit additional foragers and their aggressive behavior resulted in displacement within 45–60 min of most P. longicornis and other ants from the baits and foraging arena. Four other species of ants observed in the study site: a Mycocepurus sp., an Acromyrmex sp., and two Conomyrma spp. occasionally fed on the baits but were not effective competitors for the former two species.

A survey of peanut fields for thrips on selected and confirmed hosts of the tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) was conducted from November 24, 1986 to April 6, 1987. Berlese separators were utilized to extract thrips from plant samples. The only known thrips vector of TSWV collected during this study was Frankliniella occidentalis. Adult and immature forms of F. occidentalis were common on several weed hosts throughout the winter months. Twelve additional species of thrips were collected during the course of this study.