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Keys to genera and species of the tribe Aleocharini Fleming are provided. A review of the 35 species of Aleochara Gravenhorst and four species of Amarochara C.G. Thomson recorded in eastern Canada is presented. The following is provided for each species: a morphological diagnosis, distribution, information about habitat and methods of collection, key references, colour images of the habitus, and black and white images of the genitalia (median lobe of the aedeagus, spermatheca) and terminal segments of both sexes.

Keys to genera and species of the tribe Homalotini Heer are provided. A review of the species of Agaricochara Kraatz (1 sp.); Agaricomorpha Ashe (1 sp.), Anomognathus Solier (1 sp.), Cyphea Fenyes (1 sp.), Eumicrota Casey (2 spp.), Gyrophaena Mannerheim (32 spp.), Homalota Mannerheim (1 sp.), Leptusa Kraatz (9 spp.), Neotobia Casey (1 sp.), Phanerota Casey (1 sp.), Phymatura J. Sahlberg (1 sp.), Pleurotobia Casey (2 spp.), Silusa Erichson (5 spp.), Silusida Casey (1 sp.), and Thecturota Casey (2 spp). A new subgenus of Leptusa, Gatineauleptusa Klimaszewski, is erected. Each species is provided with major references, diagnosis, distribution, collection and habitat data, and illustrated by colour images of habitus, and black and white images of median lobe of aedeagus, spermatheca and male and female tergite and sternite VIII.

Keys to genera and species of the tribe Falagrini Mulsant and Rey are provided. A review of the species of Aleodorus Say (2 spp.), Borboropora Kraatz (1 sp.); Cordalia Jacobs (1 sp.), Falagria Leach (2 spp.), Myrmecocephalus MacLeay (3 spp.), and Myrmecopora Saulcy (1 sp.) recorded in eastern Canada is presented. The following is provided for each species: a morphological diagnosis, distribution, information about habitat and methods of collection, key references, colour images of the habitus, and black and white images of the genitalia (median lobe of the aedeagus, spermatheca) and terminal segments of both sexes.

Keys to genera and species of the tribe Gymnusini Heer are provided. A review of the seven species of Gymnusa Gravenhorst and four species of Deinopsis Matthews recorded in eastern Canada is presented. The following is provided for each species: a morphological diagnosis, distribution, information about habitat and methods of collection, key references, colour images of the habitus, and black and white images of the genitalia (median lobe of the aedeagus, spermatheca) and terminal segments of both sexes where known.

Tranosema rostrale (Brischke) (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae) is an important parasitoid of low-density spruce budworm Choristoneura fumiferana (Clemens) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) populations. To investigate the effectiveness of this parasitoid in attacking low-density spruce budworm populations, we conducted a detailed laboratory study on its reproductive biology and behavior including mating behavior, potential fecundity, longevity, host searching, and oviposition behavior. We found that the occurrence of mating increases with the number of males present in the cage but that it drastically decreases when females mated previously. Females may mate multiple times with different males in one breeding session and mating duration is significantly longer when a male mates the second time with the same female. Dissections of T. rostrale’s oviducts showed that it is a synovigenic species emerging with about 17 % of its lifetime egg load and develops most of its eggs in the first three days after emergence at 20 °C. Sugar, but not pollen, significantly increased the insect’s longevity compared to water. Spruce budworm larvae, silk from larvae and damaged balsam fir foliage triggered probing in T. rostrale females significantly more often than larval feces. The sequence of the parasitoid’s behaviors leading to successful attack is described as antennation, probing, insertion of the ovipositor, oviposition, and subsequent disinterest or resuming of the sequence. Defense mechanisms of the host larva such as vigorous movements, biting, and/or regurgitation and behavioral countermeasures by T. rostrale are described in detail.

Two new species, Atheta pseudovestita Klimaszewski & Langor, sp. n., Silusa prettyae Klimaszewski & Langor, sp. n., are described, and 16 new provincial records, including one new country record, of aleocharine beetles are presented for the province of Newfoundland and Labrador. Diagnostics, images of habitus and genital structures, distribution, bionomics information and new locality data are provided for the newly recorded species. A new checklist with 189 species of aleocharines recorded from the province is presented.

This paper treats the discovery of new species and new records of aleocharine beetles for the province of New Brunswick. We report here 27 species new to science, one new North American record, six new Canadian records, and 29 new provincial records. The following are the new species: Acrotona brachyoptera Klimaszewski & Webster, sp. n., Acrotona sphagnorum Klimaszewski & Webster, sp. n., Atheta (Dimetrota) alphacrenuliventris Klimaszewski & Webster, sp. n., Atheta (Dimetrota) chartersensis Klimaszewski & Webster, sp. n., Atheta (Dimetrota) cranberriensis Klimaszewski & Webster, sp. n., Atheta (Dimetrota) bubo Klimaszewski & Webster, sp. n., Atheta (Dimetrota) mcalpinei Klimaszewski & Webster, sp. n., Atheta (Dimetrota) makepeacei Klimaszewski & Webster, sp. n., Atheta (Dimetrota) giguereae Klimaszewski & Webster, sp. n., Atheta (Dimetrota) petitcapensis Klimaszewski & Webster, sp. n., Atheta (sensu lato) pseudoschistoglossa Klimaszewski & Webster, sp. n., Atheta (sensu lato) sphagnicola Klimaszewski & Webster, sp. n., Atheta (sensu lato) thujae Klimaszewski & Webster, sp. n., Atheta (Pseudota) pseudoklagesi Klimaszewski & Webster, sp. n., Philhygra atypicalis Klimaszewski & Webster, sp. n., Schistoglossa (Schistoglossa) pelletieri Klimaszewski & Webster, sp. n., Thamiaraea corverae Klimaszewski & Webster, sp. n., Thamiaraea claydeni Klimaszewski & Webster, sp. n., Pleurotobia bourdonae Klimaszewski & Webster, sp. n., Pleurotobia brunswickensis Klimaszewski & Webster, sp. n., Agaricomorpha vincenti Klimaszewski & Webster, sp. n., Gyrophaena (Gyrophaena) aldersonae Klimaszewski & Webster, sp. n., Oligota polyporicola Klimaszewski & Webster, sp. n., Oligota sevogle Klimaszewski & Webster, sp. n., Hylota cryptica Klimaszewski & Webster, sp. n., Oxypoda sunpokeana Klimaszewski & Webster, sp. n., and Phloeopora gilbertae Klimaszewski & Webster, sp. n. The spermatheca of Dinaraea curtipenis Klimaszewski & Webster, Dinaraea longipenis Klimaszewski & Webster, and Dinaraea subdepressa (Bernhauer) are illustrated for the first time. Male specimens of Mniusa odelli Klimaszewski & Webster were confirmed and are illustrated. Color habitus images and black and white images of the median lobe of the aedeagus, the spermatheca, and tergite and sternite VIII are provided for all species. New or additional habitat data are provided for most of the species treated in this contribution.

A diagnosis of the subfamily Aleocharinae is provided, as well as a key to the 16 tribes of eastern Canadian Aleocharinae.

Key to British Columbian species of the genus Autalia Leach, of the tribe Autaliini C. G. Thomson, is provided. Three species are included in this account. The following is provided for each species: a morphological diagnosis, distribution, information about habitat and methods of collection, key references, colour images of the habitus, and black and white images of the genitalia (median lobe of the aedeagus, spermatheca) and terminal segments of both sexes.

Keys to genera and 12 species of the tribe Tachyusini C.G. Thomson are provided. A review of the species of Brachyusa Mulsant and Rey (2 spp.), Gnypeta C.G. Thomson (6 spp.), Paradilacra Bernhauer (1 sp.), and Tachyusa Erichson (3 spp.) recorded in British Columbia is presented. The following is provided for each species: a morphological diagnosis, distribution, information about habitat and methods of collection, key references, colour images of the habitus, and black and white images of the genitalia (median lobe of the aedeagus, spermatheca) and terminal segments of both sexes.

Keys to genera and 44 species of the tribe Oxypodini C.G. Thomson are provided. Calodera bennetti Klimaszewski, sp. n., is described as a new species with the first record of the genus Calodera in BC. A review of BC species of Alfocalea Klimaszewski (1 sp.), Betocalea Klimaszewski (1 sp.), Blepharhymenus Solier (1 sp.), Calodera Mannerheim (1), Crataraea C.G. Thomson (1 sp.), Devia Blackwelder (1 sp.), Gnathusa Fenyes (2 spp.), Megocalea Klimaszewski (1 sp.), Meotica Mulsant and Rey (1 sp), Metocalea Klimaszewski (1 sp.), Mniusa Mulsant and Rey (1 sp.), Neoisoglossa Casey (1 sp.), Neothetalia Klimaszewski (6 spp.), Ocalea Erichson(1sp), Ocyusa Kraatz (1 sp.), Oxypoda Mannerheim (19 spp.), Parocalea Bernhauer (1 sp.), and Phloeopora C.G. Thomson (3 spp.) is presented. The following is provided for each species: a morphological diagnosis, distribution, information about habitat and methods of collection, key references, colour images of the habitus, and black and white images of the genitalia (median lobe of the aedeagus, spermatheca) and terminal segments of both sexes.

One species of the tribe Boreocyphini Klimaszewski and Langor recorded in eastern Canada is presented. The following is provided for the species: a morphological diagnosis, distribution, information about habitat and methods of collection, key references, colour images of the habitus, and black and white images of the genitalia (median lobe of the aedeagus, spermatheca) and terminal segments of both sexes.

One species of Halobrecta C.G. Thomson, of the tribe Taxicerini Lohse is treated herein. The following is provided: a morphological diagnosis, distribution, information about habitat and methods of collection, key references, colour images of the habitus, and black and white images of the genitalia (median lobe of the aedeagus, spermatheca) and terminal segments of both sexes.

A checklist of eastern Canadian species of Aleocharinae is provided. The fauna currently accounts for 407 verified recorded species (including one new record) in 96 genera, and 16 tribes. The taxonomic arrangement reflects the latest knowledge of the classification of this group of beetles. Tribes are arranged in taxonomic order; genera are either in taxonomic order or in alphabetical order depending on the current knowledge of the particular taxon; and species within genera are grouped in species groups or are listed alphabetically. The composition of the fauna is presented in a compact linear form with each tribe followed by genera in alphabetical order and number of species in brackets after the genus name.

Progress on the study of aleocharine beetles in eastern Canada during the 26 years since the first Canadian checklist was published is discussed and the accumulation of recorded species during this period is graphically illustrated. The fauna of New Brunswick has gone from nearly unknown (19 species) in 1991 to the most diverse in Canada with 299 species—a more than 15-fold increase. Other provincial faunas that have seen incredible growth in terms of known species composition include Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Ontario.

One species of Bryothinusa Casey of the tribe Diglottini Jakobson, is treated herein. The following is provided for the species: a morphological diagnosis, distribution, information about habitat and methods of collection, key references, colour images of the habitus, and black and white images of the genitalia (median lobe of the aedeagus, spermatheca) and terminal segments of both sexes.

Keys to genera and species of the tribe Placusini Mulsant and Rey are provided. A review of one species of Euvira Sharp and seven species of Placusa Erichson recorded in eastern Canada is presented. The following is provided for each species: a morphological diagnosis, distribution, information about habitat and methods of collection, key references, colour images of the habitus, and black and white images of the genitalia (median lobe of the aedeagus, spermatheca) and terminal segments of both sexes.

Keys to genera and species of the tribe Hoplandriini Casey are provided. A review of the four species of Hoplandria Kraatz and one species of Platandria Casey recorded in eastern Canada is presented. The following is provided for each species: a morphological diagnosis, distribution, information about habitat and methods of collection, key references, colour images of the habitus, and black and white images of the genitalia (median lobe of the aedeagus, spermatheca) and terminal segments of both sexes.

Keys to genera and species of the tribe Lomechusini Fleming are provided. A review of Drusilla Leach (1 sp.), Myrmedonota Cameron (1 sp.), Myrmoecia Mulsant and Rey (1 sp.), Pella Stephens (6 spp.), Platyusa Casey [removed from fauna of Canada], Zyras Stephens (2 spp.), and Xenodusa Wasmann (2 spp.) recorded in eastern Canada is presented. The following is provided for each species: a morphological diagnosis, distribution, information about habitat and methods of collection, key references, colour images of the habitus, and black and white images of the genitalia (median lobe of the aedeagus, spermatheca) and terminal segments of both sexes.

Keys to the genera and three species of the tribe Hypocyphtini Laporte are provided. A review of species of Cypha Leach, Holobus Solier, and Oligota Mannerheim, recorded in British Columbia is presented. The following is provided for each species: a morphological diagnosis, distribution, information about habitat and methods of collection, key references, colour images of the habitus, and black and white images of the genitalia (median lobe of the aedeagus, spermatheca) and terminal segments of both sexes.

A total of 231 species placed in 54 genera and 12 tribes of Aleocharinae are reported from Subarctic and Arctic North America, and an additional seven species are reported as occurring in transitional areas between the softwood shield (5.1) and taiga shield (3.4, subarctic) forests of Labrador. This assemblage represents about 37% of the total aleocharine fauna of Canada and Alaska. Forty-four species are known only from the Subarctic and Arctic in North America, though many of these are Holarctic. The fauna is composed mainly of species in the Athetini, Oxypodini and Tachyusini. Overall, the Arctic (103 species, 30 genera) is much less diverse than the Subarctic (166 species, 40 genera). Diversity of aleocharine species, genera and tribes declines steadily with increasing latitude. Most of the 40 Holarctic aleocharines are wetland species or generalists, though a few are halophilic intertidal species. With only 3% of the fauna confirmed as adventive, the unfavorable climate of the Taiga and, to a lesser extent, the Boreal Cordillera may be a deterrent to the establishment of these species. We could not confirm that adventive species have become established on the North American tundra and future taxonomic research is needed. Much of the North American Arctic and Subarctic remains to be sampled for Aleocharinae and 14 species have not been collected outside of the type material, including seven that have not been collected since at least 1984.

This paper treats 13 species of the subgenus Microdota Mulsant & Rey of Atheta Thomson and 3 species of the genus Clusiota Casey in Canada and Alaska. We report here 4 species new to science, and 3 new provincial records. The following species are new to science: Atheta (Microdota) curtipenis Klimaszewski & Webster, sp. n., Atheta (Microdota) formicaensis Klimaszewski & Webster, sp. n., Atheta (Microdota) macesi Klimaszewski & Webster, sp. n., and Clusiota grandipenis Klimaszewski & Webster, sp. n. The new provincial records are: Atheta (Microdota) pseudosubtilis Klimaszewski & Langor, new to AB, and Atheta (Microdota) subtilis (Scriba), an adventive Palaearctic species new to North America, first reported in LB and NB. The two Clusiota Casey species are reviewed, and their distribution is revised. A female Clusiota impressicollis was discovered in Ontario and is illustrated here for the first time. A key to all Canadian species of the subgenus Microdota and genus Clusiota are provided. Atheta (Microdota) holmbergi Bernhauer and Atheta (Microdota) alesi Klimaszewski & Brunke are transferred here to the subgenus Dimetrota Mulsant & Rey.

One hundred twenty species of aleocharine beetles (Staphylinidae) are recognized in the province of Saskatchewan. Sixty-five new provincial records, including twelve new species and one new North American record, are presented. Oligota inflata (Mannerheim), a Palearctic species, is newly recorded for North America. The following twelve species are described as new to science: Acrotona pseudopygmaea Klimaszewski & Larson, sp. n., Agaricomorpha pulchra Klimaszewski & Larson, sp. n. (new genus record for Canadian fauna), Aleochara elisabethae Klimaszewski & Larson, sp. n., Atheta (Dimetrota) larsonae Klimaszewski & Larson, sp. n., Atheta (Microdota) pseudopittionii Klimaszewski & Larson, sp. n., Atheta (Microdota) spermathecorum Klimaszewski & Larson, sp. n., Atheta (sensu lato) richardsoni Klimaszewski & Larson, sp. n., Brachyusa saskatchewanae Klimaszewski & Larson, sp. n., Dochmonota langori Klimaszewski & Larson, sp. n., Dochmonota simulans Klimaszewski & Larson, sp. n., Dochmonota websteri Klimaszewski & Larson, sp. n., and Oxypoda domestica Klimaszewski & Larson, sp. n. Colour images of habitus and black and white images of the median lobe of the aedeagus, spermatheca, and tergite and sternite VIII are presented for all new species, Oligota inflata Mannerheim and Dochmonota rudiventris (Eppelsheim). A new synonymy is established: Tetralina filitarsus Casey, syn. n. = Tetralina helenae Casey, now placed in the genus Brachyusa Mulsant & Rey.

The foraging decisions involved in acquiring a meal can have an impact on an animal’s spatial distribution, as well as affect other animal species and plant communities. Thus, understanding how the foraging process varies over space and time has broad ecological implications, and optimal foraging theory can be used to identify key factors controlling foraging decisions. Optimality models are based on currencies, options and constraints. Using examples from research on free-ranging bison (Bison bison), we show how variations in these model elements can yield strong spatio-temporal variation in expected foraging decisions. First, we present a simple optimal foraging model to investigate the temporal scale of foraging decisions. On the basis of this model, we identify the foraging currency and demonstrate that such a simple model can be successful at predicting animal distribution across ecosystems. We then modify the model by changing (1) the forager’s option, from the selection of individual plants to the selection of food bites that may include more than one plant species, (2) its constraints, from being omniscient to having incomplete information of resource quality and distribution and (3) its currency, from the maximisation of energy intake rate (E) to the maximisation of the ratio between E and mortality risk (u).We also show that, where the maximisation of E fails, the maximisation of E/u can explain the circadian rhythm in the diet and movements of bison. Simple optimal foraging-theory models thus can explain changes in dietary choice of bison within a foraging patch and during the course of a day.