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Four palm species, previously unknown hosts for Rhynchophorus palmarum L. (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), were killed by this invasive palm weevil in Balboa Park, San Diego County, California, USA. The 4 new palm species recorded as reproductive hosts for R. palmarum for the first time are Brahea edulis, Jubaea chilensis, Phoenix reclinata, and Sabal bermudana (all Arecaceae). Phoenix canariensis Chabaud (Arecaceae) is the most highly attacked palm species at Balboa Park, and importantly, no attacks on the edible date palm, Phoenix dactylifera L. (Arecaceaae), have been observed. The edible date industry is an important specialty crop in California that may be at risk from R. palmarum. Sumario Cuatro especies de palmeras, anteriormente hospederas desconocidas de Rhynchophorus palmarum L. (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), fueron matadas por este picudo invasor de las palmeras en el Parque Balboa, condado de San Diego, California, EE. UU. Las 4 nuevas especies de palmeras registradas como hospederas reproductoras de R. palmarum por primera vez son Brahea edulis, Jubaea chilensis, Phoenix reclinata, y Sabal bermudana (todas Arecaceae). Phoenix canariensis Chabaud (Arecaceae) es la especie de palmera mas atacada en el Parque Balboa y lo que es mas importante, no se han observado ataques a la palmera datilera comestible, Phoenix dactylifera L. (Aracaceae). La industria de los datiles comestibles es un cultivo importante de especialidad en California que puede estar en riesgo por R. palmarum. Key Words: Brahea edulis; invasive pest; Jubaea chilensis; palm; Phoenix reclinata; Sabal bermudana View this article in BioOne

Oligonychus perseae Tuttle, Baker & Abbatiello (Acari: Tetranychidae) is an economically important foliar pest of avocados from Mexico. Invasive O. perseae populations became established throughout the commercial avocado system in California (USA) during the early 1990s, but the putative geographic origin(s) of the California O. perseae populations has not been investigated. To address this shortcoming, a series of population genetic analyses for O. perseae populations representative of a broad geographic sample range was conducted. This study identified a single mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) haplotype match between O. perseae populations collected in California with those from 4 municipalities in Michoacan, Mexico, part of the presumptive native range of this pest. Interestingly, this haplotype also was collected from avocados at 2 locations in Baja California, Mexico, and it was identified from a representative sample from Israel where O. perseae is an invasive avocado pest. Molecular data confirm the likely Mexican origin of invasive O. perseae populations in California, and may help delimit the geographic area to be searched for coevolved natural enemies of O. perseae that could be introduced into California as part of a future classical biological control program targeting this pest. Moreover, molecular results uncovered significant and concordant genetic divergence in both mitochondrial (COI) and ribosomal DNA markers, i.e.,internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) and a section of the 28S gene region, pointing to the potential occurrence of a cryptic species complex within O. perseae. The implications of these findings on future taxonomic and molecular work for O. perseae are discussed.

A series of 15 species described from specimens collected from the leaves of mango trees at a single site in Mexico are newly placed as synonyms of the California citrus thrips, Scirtothrips citri (Moulton) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae). These species were originally discriminated based on differences in the precise placement of setae in the median area of the pronotum, and this chaetotaxy is here recognized as variable within populations of this thrips from various sites in California and Mexico. Preliminary results from molecular analysis of 2 genes, CO1 and 28S-D2, indicate that there is variation at the molecular level between populations of S. citri. However, this variation is not sufficient to support new species designations, and no consistent morphological divergence between these populations was detected. ResumenUna serie de 15 especies descritas de especimenes recolectadas sobre hojas de arboles de mango en un solo sitio en Mexico han sido recientemente colocadas como sinonimos deltrips de los citricos de California, Scirtothrips citri (Moulton) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae). Estas especies fueron descriminadas originalmente basado en las diferencias en la colocacion precisa de las setas en la zona media del pronoto y esta quetotaxia esta aqui reconocida como variable dentro de las poblaciones de este trips de varios sitios en California y Mexico. Los resultados preliminares de analisis molecular de 2 genes, CO1 y 28S-D2, indican que hay una variacion en el nivel molecular entre las poblaciones de S. citri. Sin embargo, esta variacion no es suficiente para soportar las nuevas designaciones de especies, y no se detecto ninguna divergencia morfologica consistente entre estas poblaciones. View this article in BioOne

The temperature-driven development rates and longevity times of Psyllaphycus diaphorinae Hayat (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae), a hyperaparasitoid of Tamarixia radiata (Waterston) (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) and Diaphorencyrtus aligarhensis (Shafee, Alam & Agarwal) (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae), 2 primary parasitoids of Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (Hemiptera: Liviidae), were quantified. Development times and longevity were investigated at 6 average daily temperatures (15, 18, 20, 25, and 32 °C) that either were constant or fluctuated over 24 h. Thermal performance curves for egg-to-adult development of P. diaphorinae reared on D. aligarhensis were characterized using 1 linear and 2 nonlinear degree-d models (i.e., Ratkowsky and Performance-2). Daily thermal fluctuations had significant effects on development rates and longevity of P. diaphorinae adults. Psyllaphycus diaphorinae reared under fluctuating profiles completed development more slowly (20, 25, and 32 °C), and survived longer (18–32 °C) than those reared under constant profiles with equivalent mean temperatures. In addition, P. diaphorinae emerged from fluctuating but not constant profiles at 15 °C. Estimates of thermal constants (i.e., degree-d to complete development) predicted by the linear model were 36% lower for the constant temperature regimen than the fluctuating temperature regimen. Nonlinear and linear model estimations of the theoretical lower and upper thermal thresholds ranged between −3.7 to 11.9 °C and 33.7 to 34 °C, respectively. The development rate of male and female P. diaphorinae was most favorable at 30 °C. These results demonstrate the significant effects of average temperatures and daily temperature variations on P. diaphorinae life history. Key Words: biological control; development rate; Diaphorina citri; nonlinear regression model; thermal threshold Resumen Se cuantificaron las tasas de desarrollo impulsadas por la temperatura y el tiempo de longevidad de Psyllaphycus diaphorinae Hayat (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae), un hiperparasitoide de Tamarixia radiata (Waterston) (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) y Diaphorencyrtus aligarhensis (Shafee, Alam & Agarwal) (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) dos parasitoides primarios del psilido asiatico de los citricos, Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (Hemiptera: Liviidae). Se investigaron el tiempo de desarrollo y la longevidad a 6 temperaturas promedias diarias (15, 18, 20, 25 y 32 °C) que fueron constantes o fluctuaron durante 24 horas. Se caracterizaron las curvas de rendimiento termico para el desarrollo de huevo a adulto de P. diaphorinae criados sobre D. aligarhensis utilizando 1 modelo lineal y 2 modelos no-lineales dias-grados (Ratkowsky y Performance-2). Las fluctuaciones termicas diarias tuvieron efectos significativos en las tasas de desarrollo y la longevidad de los adultos de P. diaphorinae. Psyllaphycus diaphorinae criado bajo perfiles fluctuantes completo el desarrollo mas lentamente (20, 25 y 32 °C), y sobrevivio mas tiempo (18–32 °C) que aquellos criados bajo perfiles constantes con temperaturas medias equivalentes. Ademas, P. diaphorinae emergio de perfiles fluctuantes pero no constantes a 15 °C. Las estimaciones de las constantes termicas (dias-grados para completar el desarrollo) predichas por el modelo lineal fueron 36% mas bajas para el regimen de temperatura constante que el regimen de temperatura fluctuante. Las estimaciones de modelos lineales y no lineales de los umbrales termicos inferiores y superiores teoricos oscilaron entre −3,7 y 11,9 °C y entre 33,7 y 34 °C, respectivamente. La tasa de desarrollo de los machos y hembras de P. diaphorinae fue mas favorable a 30 °C. Estos resultados demuestran los efectos significativos de las temperaturas medias y las variaciones diarias de temperatura en la historia de vida de P. diaphorinae. Palabras Clave: control biologico; tasa de desarrollo; Diaphorina citri; modelo de regresion no lineal; umbral termal View this article in BioOne

The effect of access to buckwheat flowers (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench; Polygonales: Polygonaceae) or vetch extrafloral nectaries (Vicia sativa L. cv. ‘cahaba white’; Fabales: Fabaceae) on the fitness of Anagyrus pseudococci (Girault) (Hymenotpera: Encyrtidae) (a parasitoid of the vine mealybug, Planococcus ficus [Signoret]) (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) was determined in the laboratory. Female A. pseudococci provided with vetch survived 4 days longer compared with water only. Buckwheat had no effect on the average longevity of A. pseudococci. Anagyrus pseudococci offspring production increased by 132% and 152% when females were provided either vetch or buckwheat, respectively, when compared with water. There was no significant difference in parasitoid longevity or fecundity between plant species. Buckwheat increased the percentage of female A. pseudococci offspring by 15% and 19% when compared with water and vetch, respectively.

Summary Hussain & Nath (1927) stated that 9 species of parasitoids attack nymphs of Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (Hemiptera: Liviidae) in Punjab Province of Pakistan. Foreign exploration for natural enemies of D. citri over Mar 2011 to Mar 2013 in Punjab Pakistan resulted in the collection of 3,675 parasitoids representing at least 13 different species. However, just 2 species of primary parasitoids, Tamarixia radiata (Waterston) (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) (55% of collected specimens) and Diaphorencyrtus aligarhensis (Shafee, Alam & Agarwal) (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) (28% of collected material) attacked D. citri nymphs and 5 species of hyperparasitoids attacked the immature stages of these two primary parasitoids. The remaining 11 parasitoid species that were identified likely attacked unnoticed insect species that co-infested foliage with D. citri nymphs. We conclude that Hussain & Nath (1927) overestimated the number of primary parasitoids attacking D. citri nymphs in Punjab Pakistan.

Two species of suspected hyperparasitoids, Chartocerus sp. and Pachyneuron crassiculme, emerged from parasitized Diaphorina citri nymphs collected in Punjab Pakistan over 15-22 Apr 2013. Exposure tests conducted in quarantine on D. citri nymphs parasitized by Tamarixia radiata and Diaphorencyrtus aligarhensis, as well as unparasitized D. citri nymphs, confirmed that Chartocerus sp. and P. crassiculme are hyperparasitoids. Both Chartocerus sp. and P. crassiculme successfully reproduced on D. aligarhensis, with one instance of P. crassiculme reproducing on T. radiata. There was no emergence from unparasitized D. citri.

Assessing the oviposition preference and offspring performance of 2 parasitoid species being used to establish classical biological control of Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (Hemiptera: Liviidae) infesting citrus may provide important insight into their potential coexistence in California, USA. Tamarixia radiata (Waterston) (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae), an ectoparasitoid, preferred fourth and fifth instar D. citri nymphs for oviposition in both choice and no-choice experiments. Larval development and adult longevity of T. radiata offspring were positively correlated to female oviposition preference. Oviposition preferences of T. radiata were unaffected by conspecific and heterospecific competitors. Diaphorencyrtus aligarhensis (Shafee, Alam & Agarwal) (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae), an endoparasitoid, preferred third and fourth instar hosts in choice experiments and fourth instar hosts in nochoice experiments. Parasitoid larvae that developed in these instars performed better than larvae that developed in second and fifth instars. The oviposition preferences of D. aligarhensis were unaffected by competitors in choice arenas, but were affected in no-choice experiments. Populations of T. radiata and D. aligarhensis from Pakistan, where they exist in sympatry and used in the experiments reported here, demonstrated a shared preference for fourth instar D. citri nymphs, which has not been documented previously for populations of D. aligarhensis from other geographic regions. This shared preference did not affect D. citri mortality rates, but it may affect the ability of D. aligarhensis to establish in areas of California where T. radiata is currently present.

Marietta leopardina and Aprostocteus (Aprostocetus) sp. that emerged from Diaphorina citri nymphs collected from the Pakistani Punjab and exposed in quarantine to D. citri nymphs parasitized by Tamarixia radiata or Diaphorencyrtus aligarhensis successfully emerged from both of these primary parasitoids. Marietta leopardina and A. (Aprostocetus) sp. did not reproduce on unparasitized D. citri nymphs. These exposure experiments confirmed that M. leopardina and A. (Aprostocetus) sp. are obligatory hyperparasitoids of T. radiata and D. aligarhensis in the Diaphorina-Tamarixia-Diaphorencyrtus system. Marietta leopardina y Aprostocteus (Aprostocetus) sp. emergidos de ninfas de Diaphorina citri recolectadas en Punjab de Pakistan fueron expuestos en cuarentena sobre ninfas de D. citri parasitadas por Tamarixia radiata o Diaphorencyrtus aligarhensis, logrando emerge con exito de estos dos parasitoides primarios. Marietta leopardina y A. (Aprostocetus) sp. no se reproducieron en ninfas de D. citri no parasitadas. Estos experimentos de exposicion confirmaron que M. leopardina y A. (Aprostocetus) sp. son hiperparasitoides obligatorios de T. radiata y D. aligarhensis en el sistema de Diaphorina-Tamarixia-Diaphorencyrtus.

The encyrtid wasp, Psyllaphycus diaphorinae Hayat, was reared from nymphs of Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri Kuwayama, on Citrus spp. and Murraya sp. collected in Faisalabad, Punjab, Pakistan. This discovery is a new host record for P. diaphorinae, which previously had been known only from India from a different, congeneric host. Taxonomic notes on this little known species are given, illustrations of both sexes are provided, and its potential as a prospective classical biological control agent against D. citri is discussed. A correction to the diagnosis of the genus Psyllaphycus Hayat is made: both sexes have the mandible with 2 teeth and a wide truncation.

The avocado lace bug, Pseudacysta perseae (Heidemann) (Hemiptera: Tingidae), is a foliar pest of avocados, and the known distribution of P. perseae includes the Caribbean, the southeastern USA, Mexico, Guatemala, Venezuela and French Guyana (Humeres et al. 2009). Pseudacysta perseae was detected for the first time in California (USA) in Sep 2004 from 2 residential avocado trees in Chula Vista and San Diego in San Diego County (Hoddle et al. 2005). We present surveys that delineate the range of P. perseae in California, selected monitoring sites, and long-term monitoring studies to determine population growth trends from 3 years of population data. Two detection surveys for P. perseae with a pest detection grid system established by the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) were performed in San Diego County during spring (Mar 20-Jun 30) and fall (Sep 20-Oct 30) of 2006 to delineate the geographic distribution of this pest. The CDFA grid square used for surveys was 2.6 km2. If P. perseae was present, or if avocado trees exhibited possible symptoms characteristic of P. perseae feeding (e.g., large necrotic areas on mature leaves, or trees were defoliated), samples were collected and sent to the San Diego County Department of Agriculture, Weights and Measures' Entomology Laboratory for official determination.

Three natural enemies naturally present in southern California avocado groves were evaluated against different stages of the avocado lace bug, Pseudacysta perseae (Heidemann), in the laboratory. The natural enemies tested were adult females of a predatory thrips, Franklinothrips orizabensis, second instar green lacewing larvae, Chrysoperla rufilabris, and a predaceous mite, Neoseiulus californiens. The most promising natural enemy from laboratory and subsequent greenhouse evaluations was C. rufilabris. In addition to natural enemies, insecticides were evaluated for P. perseae control. The contact impact of less persistent materials on nymphs in the laboratory was assessed. The most effective insecticides based on residual impact studies were carbaryl, imidacloprid, and fenpropathrin, and 2 materials commonly used on avocados in California, abamectin and spinosad, which were ineffective. Among the insecticides evaluated based on contact activity, a pyrethrin mixture was the best treatment followed...

The holotypes of Scirtothrips aguacatae, S. kupandae, S. manihotifloris, S. tacambarensis, and S. uruapaniensis were examined and compared with specimens of Scirtothrips perseae from Mexico, Guatemala, and California. The chaetotaxy of the pronotum and head of each of these 5 holotypes was found to fall within the range observed on specimens identified as S. perseae based DNA analyses and subsequent slide mounting and morphological examination of the body surface of specimens from which analyzed DNA was extracted. As a result of morphological examination and complementary DNA analyses, these 5 species are considered synonyms of S. perseae. This synonomy should reduce potential quarantine disputes over avocado imports from Mexico that could arise from concerns raised over the large number of Scirtothrips species previously considered as pests of avocados in Mexico that might inadvertently accompany imports.

Oviposition preference of Homalodisca coagulata (Say) and two of its mymarid egg parasitoids, Gonatocerus ashmeadi Girault and G. triguttatus Girault, for two Citrus limon L. cultivars (‘Eureka’ and ‘Lisbon’) was investigated. In laboratory oviposition choice tests, the number of leaves containing H. coagulata egg masses, the number of H. coagulata egg masses, and the total number of H. coagulata eggs were significantly higher at 187.2%, 204.2%, and 181.7%, respectively, on ‘Eureka’ versus ‘Lisbon’. In the field, there was no significant difference in the number of H. coagulata motiles counted in five-minute searches of foliage on ‘Eureka’ and ‘Lisbon’ trees, and numbers of leaves with old (emerged) and new (unemerged) H. coagulata egg masses were equivalent between field-planted cultivars. In the laboratory, parasitism of H. coagulata egg masses by G. ashmeadi and G. triguttatus was 18.6% and 23.2% higher, respectively, for eggs laid on ‘Eureka’ leaves compared to ‘Lisbon’, but these differences...

In California U.S.A., 238 named species of the insect Order Thysanoptera, in 87 genera and eight families, are listed as having been found in this state. Inspection of museum collections indicates many undescribed species of thrips exist. Little is known of the host plants of native California thrips species, due to imprecise collecting methods such as sweep netting swaths of mixed vegetation. At least 40 (∼17%) of the listed species in California are introduced from other parts of the world. Two terebrantian families (Adiheterothripidae and Fauriellidae), and one genus (Orothrips) in a third terebrantian family (Aeolothripidae), have a remarkably disjunct distribution between California and the European Mediterranean region.

Populations of Oligonychus perseae Tuttle, Baker and Abbatiello (Acari: Tetranychidae) were monitored for 37 weeks in an avocado (Persea americana Miller) orchard in Fallbrook California, USA. Three cultural control methods were tested to reduce vertical recolonization of avocado trees by O. perseae. Control methods examined were: (1) Tanglefoot® barriers on tree trunks. (2) Removal of ground cover and leaf litter under tree canopies, and (3) Tanglefoot® barriers combined with ground cover removal. All treatments were compared to control trees that were not subjected to any of the preceding cultural practices. No significant differences in O. perseae populations or O. perseae-induced leaf damage were found among trees receiving different treatments. However, aerial dispersal activity of O. perseae was found to increase as O. perseae populations on monitored avocado trees increased, suggesting that populations could have been augmented as new immigrants arrived from unmonitored avocado trees or other miscellaneous host plants. The phytoseiids Galendromus helveolus (Chant) and G. annectens (De Leon), Amblyseius similoides Buchelos and Pritchard, Euseius hibisci (Chant), and Neoseiulus californicus (McGregor) were also monitored during this study. Natural enemy numbers were not adversely affected by cultural control attempts targeting O. perseae. Aerial applications of abamectin with NR 415 oil for Scirtothrips perseae Nakahara (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) had an adverse effect on Galendromus spp., which are important predators of O. perseae in avocado orchards.

Scientific Notes DISTRIBUTION AND PLANT ASSOCIATION RECORDS FOR HOMALODISCA COAGULATA (HEMIPTERA: CICADELLIDAE) IN FLORIDA M ARK S. H ODDLE 1 , S ERGUEI V. T RIAPITSYN 1 AND D AVID J. W. M ORGAN 2 Department of Entomology, University of California, Riverside, CA 92521 California Department of Food and Agriculture, Mt. Rubidoux Field Station 4500 Glenwood Drive, Riverside, CA 92501 The glassy-winged sharpshooter, Homalodisca coagulata (Say) is the focus of a major classical bi- ological control program in California. This insect presents a serious threat to several agricultural commodities and potentially native plants as well because of its ability to vector the xylem-inhabit- ing bacterium Xylella fastidiosa, the causative or- ganism of “scorch like” diseases such as Pierce’s Disease of grapes and oleander leaf scorch, a seri- ous malady of oleanders (Purcell & Saunders 1999). Homalodisca coagulata is an invasive pest in California and its native range is the southeast- ern and northeastern regions of the USA and Mex- ico, respectively (Triapitsyn & Phillips 2000). Homalodisca coagulata probably was translocated to southern California as egg masses via the move- ment of ornamental plants in the late 1980’s (So- rensen & Gill 1996) and without an accompanying natural enemy fauna; inordinate populations of glassy-winged sharpshooters have resulted. During foreign exploration by MSH and SVT for H. coagulata and associated egg parasitoids in Florida in August 2001, the authors visited the Florida State Collection of Arthropods, Bureau of Entomology, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services in Gainesville. Following discussion with colleagues there, specimen re- ceipt vouchers for H. coagulata were provided that had been sent in for identification by lay peo- ple, ornamental, horticultural, and agricultural growers from around Florida. A total of 229 re- ceipts were catalogued for adult H. coagulata over the period 1958-2001 inclusive, and chits con- tained information on date of collection, locality, host plant, and sex of specimens. These data were used to determine possible host plant records, dis- tribution densities, and submission frequencies for H. coagulata for different areas of Florida. Homalodisca coagulata was collected from at least 72 plant species in 71 genera contained in 37 families and Citrus spp. were the most com- mon plants from which adult H. coagulata were captured (Table 1). Of these plant association records in Table 1 it is uncertain which can sup- port development of H. coagulata from egg to adulthood. Adult H. coagulata are vagile and known to be highly polyphagous while the rela- tively immobile immature stages have a nar- rower host range (Turner & Pollard 1959). Citrus may be over-represented in this dataset because of regular pest surveys in this economically im- portant crop. To determine if regional differences in numbers of H. coagulata specimens sent in for identification existed, Florida was divided into thirds: (1) top third was north of 29° Latitude; (2) middle third was 27°-29°; and (3) the bottom third was south of 29°. Specimen receipts for each county in each section of the state were assumed to have been submitted for identification accord- ing to a poisson distribution and proportions were compared using a Log-likelihood Ratio Test (i.e., G-test). Pair-wise comparisons between regions from which specimens were received were made using χ 2 as sample sizes were large (Sokal & Rohlf 1995). The G-test was also used to determine if the frequency with which samples were submitted from each region significantly differed. Significant differences in the number of specimens received by region existed ( χ 2 = 11.03; df = 2; P = 0.004). Sig- nificantly more specimens were received for iden- tification from north Florida, intermediate numbers from central Florida, and fewest speci- mens came from south Florida (Fig. 1). No signifi- Fig. 1. Proportion (±95% CI) of specimens and sub- missions of adult Homalodisca coagulata from north, central, and south Florida to the Florida State Collec- tion of Arthropods in Gainesville for identification over the period 1958-2001. Bars with the same letters (upper case [specimen comparisons] or lower case [submission comparisons]) are not significantly different from each other at the 0.05 level of significance.

Avocados {Persea americana Miller) (Lau raceae) evolved in the eastern and central high lands of Mexico, Guatemala, and the Pacific Coast of Central America (Knight 2002). Humans moved avocados into northern South America by 4000 BC where plants became naturalized (Knight 2002). In 2007, 4 of the top 10 producing nations were located in the native and natural ized range of avocados, with countries ranked as follows: Mexico (1), Colombia (6), Peru (8), and Guatemala (10) (FAOSTAT 2009). California, the fourth largest producer of avocados in the world (FAOSTAT 2009), with a 2007-2008 season crop worth $327 million (US) (CAC 2008), is experienc ing increasing imports of fresh avocado fruit from areas where this plant is native. The estimated amount of fruit entering California from Mexico in 2008-2009 was 36.3 million kilograms (Morse et al. 2009). Co-evolved herbivores of avocados are poorly documented. Three avocado foliage-feeding pests in California, Tetraleurodes perseae Nakahara (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae), Oligonychus perseae Tuttle, Baker, and Abbatiello (Acari: Tetrany chidae), and Scirtothrips perseae Nakahara (Thysanoptera: Thripidae), were new to science at the time of discovery in the U.S.A. (Hoddle 2004). Morse et al. (2009) recorded 8 species of armored scales on imported avocado fruit entering Califor nia from Mexico of which 3 were new species. Glo bally, 99 species of Lepidoptera from 20 families have a documented association with avocados (HOSTS 2009). The pest status and invasion po tential of Lepidoptera in areas where avocados are native are not well understood. To better un derstand Lepidoptera associated with avocado, we undertook fruit survey work in Guatemala and results are presented here. Fruit collection and rearing studies were con ducted in Guatemala from 1 Nov 2006 to 1 Apr 2007 {n = 23 sites), 13 Nov to 21 Dec 2007 {n = 3 sites), 13 Mar to 1 May 2008 {n = 1 site), and 14 Nov 2008 to 14 Jan 2009 {n = 5 sites). Small im mature Hass fruit (5-25 mm in length, = 1,078), and large mature Hass and non-Hass fruit (s>100 mm in length, = 7,742) were harvested over these 4 different survey periods. Small fruit were held either individually in ventilated plastic vials or commingled and held in ventilated plastic cups labeled by collection site and date. All large fruit were held by collection site and date in collaps ible, ventilated insect rearing cages (BugDorm 2120, 60 cm 60 cm 60 cm, Mega View Science Education Services, Taiwan). All rearing studies was conducted in laboratories at 17-22?C and 41 75% RH under natural daylight of ?12:12 (L:D). As larvae emerged from fruit to pupate they were collected and held individually in labeled venti lated plastic vials until emergence of adult moths. Selected examples of adult moths were killed by freezing, and then pin-mounted with wings spread. Pupal cases were kept and pinned with the adult moth which emerged from it. A total of 1,098 specimens representing 10 moth species from 4 families were reared from harvested avocado fruit in Guatemala. Two tortri cid species, Argyrotaenia urbana (Busck) {n = 2) and Polyortha n. sp. {n = 1), were reared from small immature avocados and grown to maturity on unopened avocado flower clusters after small fruit desiccated. The numbers of each of these 2 species reared from small fruit was underesti mated due to larval mortality resulting from fruit desiccation. From large fruit, 8 different moth species were reared: Amorbia santamar?a Phil lips and Powell (Tortricidae) {n = 5), Cryptaspasma sp. nr. lugubris (Meyrick) (Tortri cidae) {n = 50), Euxoa sorella Schaus (Noctuidae) {n = 1), Histura perseavora Brown (Tortricidae) {n = 35), Holcocera piagatola Adamski (Co leophoridae) {n = 2), Micrathetis triplex Walker (Noctuidae) {n = 1), Netechma pyrrhodelta (Mey rick) (Tortricidae) {n = 1), and Stenoma catenifer Walsingham (Elachistidae) {n ? 1000 specimens). Stenoma catenifer, a well known avocado pest, accounted for 91% of collected material. Tortri cidae had the most representatives with 6 spe cies. At least 2 new moth species were discovered and described from this project, H. perseavora (Brown & Hoddle 2009) and H. piagatola (Adam ski & Hoddle 2009), with possibly a third unde scribed species, Polyortha n. sp. being found also. Polyortha is a very poorly studied genus, and this rearing record from Guatemala is the first host plant data for this undescribed species. Argyro taenis urbana is known primarily from Mexico. This is the first record of this species from Guate mala, and the first host rearing record for this moth. Prior to this study, JS[. pyrrhodelta was known only from Costa Rica where it was reared

Triapitsyn et al. (1998) reported results of the 1997 survey of egg parasitoids of the glassywinged sharpshooter, Homalodisca coagulata (Say) (Homoptera: Cicadellidae), in northern Florida. As part of an on-going classical biological control program against H. coagulata in California, two of the authors conducted a survey of egg parasitoids of proconiine sharpshooters (Cicadellidae: Cicadellinae: Proconiini) throughout Florida in August 2001 (Triapitsyn & Hoddle 2001). Among several species in the families Mymaridae and Trichogrammatidae (both Hymenoptera) that were collected (Triapitsyn & Hoddle 2001), there were two mymarid species on which the previously unknown information is given below. All specimens resulting from this study were determined by S. V. Triapitsyn; the vouchers of parasitoid species were deposited in the Entomology Research Museum, University of California at Riverside, California [UCRC] and those of proconiine sharpshooter species were deposited in the California State Collection of Arthropods, California Department of Food and Agriculture, Sacramento, California; also examined was the collection of Mymaridae at the Florida State Collection of Arthropods in Gainesville, Florida [FSCA]. Gonatocerus triguttatus Girault, originally described from specimens reared from an egg mass of an unidentified leafhopper on orange, Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck, in Trinidad (Girault 1916), was reared recently in northeastern Mexico from egg masses of H. coagulata, Oncometopia clarior (Walker), and an unidentified Oncometopia species (Triapitsyn & Phillips 2000, Triapitsyn et al. 2002). Gonatocerus triguttatus is also known from eggs of H. coagulata in Texas (Jones 2001, Triapitsyn & Hoddle 2001). In Apopka, Florida, we reared two females of G. triguttatus from an egg mass of the blackwinged sharpshooter, Oncometopia nigricans (Walker), laid in a leaf of crape myrtle, Lagerstroemia indica L., in the parking lot of the University of Florida Mid-Florida Research and Education Center. From the same plant and several adjacent crape myrtle trees, we also collected an adult specimen and several nymphs of 0. nigricans, which is the prevalent proconiine sharpshooter species on woody plants in central and southern Florida, whereas relative abundance of H. coagulata decreases from north-central Florida southward (Timmer et al. 1982), although it is known in southern Florida as far as Homestead (Turner & Pollard 1959). Gonatocerus triguttatus has not been known previously from Florida and 0. nigricans is a new host record for this parasitoid. Before our discovery, the only known record of an egg parasitoid of 0. nigricans was by Turner & Pollard (1959) who reported a Gonatocerus sp. (as Lymaenon sp.) in Plant City, Florida, from eggs of Oncometopia undata (Fabricius), that is an obvious misidentification of 0. nigricans following Young (1968). Material Examined. USA, Florida, Orange Co., Apopka, 21-VIII-2001, M. S. Hoddle and S. V. Triapitsyn, 2 females (emerged in UCR quarantine 30-VIII-2001 from an egg mass of 0. nigricans on crape myrtle) [UCRC]. Notes on Aemopolynema sema Schauff. This species was described from a large series of type specimens reared from eggs of the johnsongrass sharpshooter, Homalodisca insolita (Walker), in Fort Valley, Georgia (Schauff 1981). We reared A. sema from egg masses of the same host, laid in Johnson grass, Sorghum halepense (L.) Persoon, collected at the grounds of the University of Florida Everglades Research and Education Center in Belle Glade, Florida, on 19-VIII-2001 and brought under permit into UCR quarantine. Numerous specimens of H. insolita were collected from the same plants on which the egg masses were found. Following emergence, which began within the sealed containers while we still were in Florida and continued en masse in UCR quarantine, female and male parasitoids were given time to mate and then were exposed to H. coagulata eggs laid in leaves of Euonymus japonica Thunberg on 24-VIII-2001. The first generation (n > 100), which consisted of both females and males (the sex ratio was 4.3:1, respectively), was successfully obtained on 10-IX-2001 and exposed to the host on 12-IX-2001. The second generation, which emerged on 29-IX-2001, however, consisted of males only (n > 400), thus our colony ofA. sema was discontinued thereafter. We suspect that this was in response to the fact that H. coagulata is not the natural host for this parasitoid, which prefers to attack egg masses of H. insolita, a species that feeds and lays eggs on grasses (Turner &