Many fruit boring insect pests are difficult to control because of the short time span during which the damaging stage can be targeted before it becomes protected by the host fruit. We investigated the host location behaviour of the codling moth Cydia pomonella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Totricidae) to its apple host ( Malus domestica Mill.) in the laboratory, with a view to the potential for extending...

Nonindigenous forest insects and pathogens affect a range of ecosystems, industries, and property owners in the United States. Evaluating temporal patterns in the accumulation of these nonindigenous forest pests can inform regulatory and policy decisions. We compiled a comprehensive species list to assess the accumulation rates of nonindigenous forest insects and pathogens established in the Un...

Experiments on fruit flies are shedding new light on the evolution and development of the nervous system in metamorphosing insects.

A community of frugivorous insects was studied by rearing of 25565 individual insects representing three orders (Coleoptera, Lepidoptera and Diptera except Drosophilidae) from 326 woody plant species in a lowland rainforest in Papua New Guinea. Fruits from 19.3% of plant species were not attacked by any insect order, 33.4% of plant species were attacked by a single order, 30% by two orders and ...

The research presented describes how a technology called Controlled Atmosphere Temperature Treatment System (CATTS), can be used as a quarantine treatment against insect pests of apples, pears and sweet cherries. High temperature forced air has not been useful for these temperate fruit because the heat dose required to kill the target insect pests (codling moth and western cherry fruit fly) cau...

Okro and Peppper were intercropped in a randomised complete block design with three replicates to assess the effect of this on the population of several insect pest of Okro. Five pests of Okro were recorded: Podagrica uniforma; Podagrica sjostedti; Oxycarenus hyalipennis; Cosmophila flava and Dysdercus superstitiosus. However, there were no significant difference in the population of these inse...

Without sensory feedback, flies cannot fly. Exactly how various feedback controls work in insects is a complex puzzle to solve. What do insects measure to stabilize their flight? How often and how fast must insects adjust their wings to remain stable? To gain insights into algorithms used by insects to control their dynamic instability, we develop a simulation tool to study free flight. To stab...

In recent years, an undescribed species of Unaspis MacGillivray (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha: Diaspididae) has become a damaging pest on the fruit crop Lansium domesticum Corrêa (family Meliaceae) in the Philippines.

The diet of Saguinus midas is characterised by analysis of stomach contents samples on an annual and seasonal basis. The diet comprises significant proportions of both fruit and insects all year round, although fruit use shows important seasonal variations. The tamarins reduce their use of fruit resources during the peak fruiting season and instead exploit increased opportunities for insectivor...