Biology and quality assessment of Telenomus remus (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae) and Trichogramma spp. (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) in eggs of Spodoptera spp. for augmentative biological control programs.

The Spodoptera complex of the family Noctuidae, represented here by S. frugiperda (J.E. Smith), S. eridania (Stoll), S. albula (Walker), and S. cosmioides (Walker), is an important group of crop pests in Brazil. Spodoptera frugiperda and S. eridania are invasive in Africa, and the former also in Asia and Oceania. The egg parasitoids Telenomus remus Nixon (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae) and Trichogramma spp. (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) are potential control agents for field use against these noctuids. We evaluated the parasitism efficiency, development, and flight capacity of an isofemale line and a regular line of T. remus, and 2 genetically variable populations of Trichogramma pretiosum Riley and Trichogramma atopovirilia Oatman and Platner (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) in these 4 members of the Spodoptera complex. All parasitoids were able to develop in the 4 hosts. The parasitoids showed good flight capacity, except for the regular line of T. remus. The Trichogramma species, despite having high viability and female:male sex ratios, showed poorer parasitism performances than T. remus. The regular T. remus line also showed good parasitism capacity and high viability but had a predominance of males. In general, the isofemale line of T. remus showed good rates of parasitism and flight capacity as well as a high viability and sex ratio, proving to be a potential candidate for an augmentative biological-control program for Spodoptera spp Guenée (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae).

Assessment of the risk of imidaclothiz to the dominant aphid parasitoid Binodoxys communis (Hymenoptera: Braconidae).

The neonicotinoid of imidaclothiz insecticide with low resistance and high efficiency, has great potential for application in pest control in specifically cotton field. In this systematically evaluate the effects of sublethal doses of imidaclothiz (LC10: 11.48 mg/L; LC30: 28.03 mg/L) on the biology, transcriptome, and microbiome of Binodoxys communis, the predominant primary parasitic natural enemy of aphids. The findings indicated that imidaclothiz has significant deleterious effects on the survival rate, parasitic rate, and survival time of B. communis. Additionally, there was a marked reduction in the survival rate and survival time of the F1 generation, that is, the negative effect of imidaclothiz on B. communis was continuous and trans-generational. Transcriptome analysis revealed that imidaclothiz treatment elicited alterations in the expression of genes associated with energy and detoxification metabolism. In addition, 16S rRNA analysis revealed a significant increase in the relative abundance of Rhodococcus and Pantoea, which are associated with detoxification metabolism, due to imidaclothiz exposure. These findings provide evidence that B. communis may regulate gene expression in conjunction with symbiotic bacteria to enhance adaptation to imidaclothiz. Finally, this study precise evaluation of imidaclothiz's potential risk to B. communis and provides crucial theoretical support for increasing the assessment of imidaclothiz in integrated pest management.

Sensitivity of the Neotropical Solitary Bee Centris analis F. (Hymenoptera, Apidae) to the Reference Insecticide Dimethoate for Pesticide Risk Assessment.

Currently, only Apis mellifera is used in environmental regulation to evaluate the hazard of pesticides to pollinators. The low representativeness of pollinators and bee diversity in this approach may result in insufficient protection for the wild species. This scenario is intensified in tropical environments, where little is known about the effects of pesticides on solitary bees. We aimed to calculate the medium lethal dose (LD50) and medium lethal concentration (LC50) of the insecticide dimethoate in the Neotropical solitary bee Centris analis, a cavity-nesting, oil-collecting bee distributed from Brazil to Mexico. Males and females of C. analis were exposed orally to dimethoate for 48 h under laboratory conditions. Lethality was assessed every 24 h until 144 h after the beginning of the test. After the LD50 calculation, we compared the value with available LD50 values in the literature of other bee species using the species sensitivity distribution curve. In 48 h of exposure, males showed an LD50 value 1.33 times lower than females (32.78 and 43.84 ng active ingredient/bee, respectively). Centris analis was more sensitive to dimethoate than the model species A. mellifera and the solitary bee from temperate zones, Osmia lignaria. However, on a body weight basis, C. analis and A. mellifera had similar LD50 values. Ours is the first study that calculated an LD50 for a Neotropical solitary bee. Besides, the results are of crucial importance for a better understanding of the effects of pesticides on the tropical bee fauna and will help to improve the risk assessment of pesticides to bees under tropical conditions, giving attention to wild species, which are commonly neglected. Environ Toxicol Chem 2023;42:2758-2767. © 2023 SETAC.

Postrelease assessment of Oobius agrili (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) establishment and persistence in Michigan and the Northeastern United States.

The emerald ash borer (EAB), Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire (Coleoptera: Buprestidae), is an invasive woodboring pest of ash trees (Fraxinus sp.) in North America. Among the Asiatic parasitoids being released for the management of EAB in North America, Oobius agrili Zhang and Huang (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) is the only EAB egg parasitoid. To date, more than 2.5 million O. agrili have been released in North America; however, few studies have examined its success as a biological control agent of EAB. We conducted studies to assess O. agrili establishment, persistence, spread, and EAB egg parasitism rates in Michigan at the earliest release sites (2007-2010), as well as at more recent release sites (2015-2016) in 3 Northeastern United States (Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York). In both regions, we documented successful O. agrili establishment at all but one release site. In Michigan, O. agrili has persisted at release sites for over a decade and spread to all control sites located 0.6-3.8 km from release sites. Overall, EAB egg parasitism ranged from 1.5% to 51.2% (mean of 21.4%) during 2016-2020 in Michigan and from 2.6% to 29.2% (mean of 16.1%) during 2018-2020 in the Northeastern states. Future research efforts should focus on factors affecting the spatiotemporal variation in EAB egg parasitism rates by O. agrili, as well as its potential range in North America.

Toxicity assessment of common acaricides and mineral oils on Anagyrus vladimiri, an effective biocontrol agent of citrus mealybug.

Chemical pesticides, while playing an important role in the suppression of insect pests, should be used in a manner that minimizes negative effects on natural enemies. The parasitoid, Anagyrus vladimiri Triapitsyn (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae), plays an important role in the management of mealybug pests of citrus groves in the Mediterranean region. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of commonly used acaricides (Spirodiclofen, Spirotetramat, Sulfur, Fenpyroximate, Abamectin) and mineral oils (Levanola, EOS, JMS, and Ultrapaz) on acute mortality of A. vladimiri. Toxicity was assessed in 4 cases: (i) direct spray application on adults, (ii) pesticide application on the mummified host, (iii) feeding with contaminated food, and (iv) contact with pesticide residue. The pesticide Abamectin, applied alone and with Levanola oil was highly toxic to adults in all bioassays, with the exception of direct spray application on the mummified host. Fenpyroximate was found to be highly toxic only when sprayed directly on adults, and sulfur was slightly harmful. Mineral oils were harmful when ingested with food; otherwise, they did not cause appreciable adult mortality. The findings of the present study suggest that all tested materials, with the exception of Abamectin and Fenpyroximate, are compatible with the survival of A. vladimiri. Direct ingestion of oils can, however, cause a degree of mortality. Given that indiscriminate use of these pesticides may affect the population ecology of A. vladimiri, they should be used with caution.

Quality assessment of Telenomus remus successively reared on Spodoptera litura eggs for 30 generations.

BACKGROUND: Telenomus remus (Nixon) is a dominant natural enemy controlling the invasive pest Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith). Continuous rearing of egg parasitoids on alternative hosts is crucial for mass production and cost reduction. However, to ensure the effectiveness of natural enemy products against target pests in the field, it is necessary to evaluate the parasitoid quality during the mass-rearing process. Despite the successful rearing of this parasitoid on the alternative host Spodoptera litura (Fabricius) eggs, less attention has been paid to the quality of parasitoids continuously reared for multiple generations. Therefore, we evaluated the performance of T. remus reared on S. litura eggs for 30 generations via morphological characteristics, flight ability, and life table analysis. RESULTS: Wing length, wing width, body length, and right hind tibia length of T. remus did not differ among the different generations. However, the body length of female parasitoids was significantly longer than that of males for any generation. Although the proportion of 'flyers' and 'deformed' T. remus varied among generations, the flight ability did not decline significantly after rearing on S. litura eggs. Moreover, T. remus continuously reared on S. litura eggs maintained stable parasitism performance and life table parameters on the target host S. frugiperda eggs. CONCLUSION: S. litura eggs are suitable hosts for the mass-rearing of T. remus. This study can be subsequently used to guide the production and facilitate the application of T. remus in the control of S. frugiperda. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

Ecological Drivers and Consequences of Bumble Bee Body Size Variation.

Body size is arguably one of the most important traits influencing the physiology and ecology of animals. Shifts in animal body size have been observed in response to climate change, including in bumble bees (Bombus spp. [Hymenoptera: Apidae]). Bumble bee size shifts have occurred concurrently with the precipitous population declines of several species, which appear to be related, in part, to their size. Body size variation is central to the ecology of bumble bees, from their social organization to the pollination services they provide to plants. If bumble bee size is shifted or constrained, there may be consequences for the pollination services they provide and for our ability to predict their responses to global change. Yet, there are still many aspects of the breadth and role of bumble bee body size variation that require more study. To this end, we review the current evidence of the ecological drivers of size variation in bumble bees and the consequences of that variation on bumble bee fitness, foraging, and species interactions. In total we review: (1) the proximate determinants and physiological consequences of size variation in bumble bees; (2) the environmental drivers and ecological consequences of size variation; and (3) synthesize our understanding of size variation in predicting how bumble bees will respond to future changes in climate and land use. As global change intensifies, a better understanding of the factors influencing the size distributions of bumble bees, and the consequences of those distributions, will allow us to better predict future responses of these pollinators.

A Comparison of Pollen and Syrup Exposure Routes in Bombus impatiens (Hymenoptera: Apidae) Microcolonies: Implications for Pesticide Risk Assessment.

Bumble bees are important pollinators for both native plants and managed agricultural systems. Accumulating evidence has shown that pesticides, including neonicotinoids, can have a range of adverse effects on bumble bee health. Most laboratory studies that assess the effects of chronic neonicotinoid exposure on bumble bees use syrup as the delivery vehicle, rather than pollen. However, in the field, it is likely that bumble bees are exposed to neonicotinoids in both nectar (syrup) and pollen. To examine the potential for different effects based on the vehicle, we compared two studies of chronic exposure to the neonicotinoid acetamiprid in Bombus impatiens microcolonies. We examined correlations between microcolony endpoints and identified associations between the timing of colony pollen and syrup consumption and drone production. Furthermore, in line with previous results, we found that average drone weight was affected at a range of doses only when microcolonies were exposed to acetamiprid via pollen. In general, our analyses point to the importance of the treatment vehicle and suggest that critical effects on developing brood could be missed when neonicotinoid exposure occurs only through syrup.

Assessment of genetic variation in Apis mellifera jemenitica (Hymenoptera: Apidae) based on mitochondrial Cytochrome Oxidase Subunit II and III.

Morphometric and genetic characterization of many Apis mellifera subspecies are well-documented. A. m. jemenetica occurs naturally in Africa and Asia. In this study, genetic variation of mitochondrial Cytochrome Oxidase II (COII) and III (COIII) were analysed in 133 specimens of the endemic honeybee colonies within Saudi Arabia. The COII gene sequence length was 684 bp comprising nine synonymous (1.3%) and two non-synonymous single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) (0.87%). Five variants of COII were not previously documented, one variant (MT755968) showed an extra restriction site when subjected to type II restriction endonuclease from Arthrobacter protophormiae (Apol) or to Haemophilus influenzae Rf (Hinf1). Changes in COII sequence separated samples into three haplogroups. Whereas, COIII gene sequence length was 780 bp, including 18 synonymous and five non-synonymous SNPs. Furthermore, variation in COII sequence was more informative based on restriction profiles and on amino acid changes compared with COIII gene sequence. Variants of COIII showed identical restriction sites when subjected to type II restriction endonuclease from Deinococcus radiophilus (DraI), and revealed high similarity to African subspecies. Results of this study are very useful in understanding genetic diversity and characterization of A. mellifera subspecies.

Distribution of galling insects and their parasitoids on Caryocar brasiliense tree crowns / Distribuição de insetos galhadores e seus parasitoides em copas de pequizeiros (Caryocar brasiliense)

Caryocar brasiliense Camb. (Malpighiales: Caryocaraceae) is widely distributed in the Brazilian savanna and its fruits are used by humans for food, production of cosmetics, lubricants, and in the pharmaceutical industry. This plant is damaged by galling insects. Number of these galling insects and their parasitoids was recorded, in the field (galls) and in the laboratory (adults emerged from the galls), from three C. brasiliense crown heights, during three years. Numbers of adults of Eurytoma sp. (Hymenoptera: Eurytomidae), galling insect (younger attack) and Sycophila sp. (Hymenoptera: Eurytomidae) (a parasitoid of Eurytoma sp.), were greater on the apical parts of C. brasiliense tree crowns. Numbers and groups of Eurytoma sp. globoid galls (older attack) were higher in the median and basal crown parts. The numbers of Eurytoma sp. galls were higher on apical part of C. brasiliense tree crown and also of their parasitoids.

Caryocar brasiliense Camb. (Malpighiales: Caryocaraceae) é, amplamente, distribuída no cerrado brasileiro e seus frutos são utilizados para alimentação humana, produção de cosméticos, lubrificantes e na indústria farmacêutica, no entanto, é danificada por insetos galhadores. O número de insetos galhadores e seus parasitoides foram avaliados, em campo (galhas) e em laboratório (emergência de adultos das galhas), em três alturas do dossel de C. brasiliense, durante três anos. Os números de adultos Eurytoma sp. (Hymenoptera: Eurytomidae), inseto galhador (galhas novas) e de Sycophila sp. (Hymenoptera: Eurytomidae), parasitoide de Eurytoma sp., foram maiores na parte apical do dossel da copa de árvores de C. brasiliense. A quantidade de galhas globoides de Eurytoma sp., isoladas ou em grupo (galhas velhas), foi maior na parte mediana e basal da copa. Os números de adultos do galhador Eurytoma sp. e de seus parasitoides, que os seguem, foram maiores na parte apical da copa de árvores de C. brasiliense.

Development and preliminary application of novel genomewide SSR markers for genetic diversity analysis of an economically important bio-control agent Platygaster robiniae (Hymenoptera: Platygastridae).

Platygaster robiniae Buhl and Duso (Hymenoptera: Platygastridae) is an egg-larvae parasitoid of the black locust gall midge (Obolodiplosis robiniae) (Haldeman) (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) which is a serious invasive pest in China, where it attacks an important hardwood species, the black locust tree, Robini pseudoacacia L. (Fabales: Fabaceae). Despite the use of P. robiniae as an effective biocontrol agent, the absence of sequence data and other molecular markers have limited its genetic applications for pest management in forests. Simple-sequence repeats (SSRs) are valuable molecular markers for population genetic structure studies. In the present study, we identified 14,123 SSRs, of which 7799 SSR primer pairs were successfully designed. Subsequently, 240 SSR were chosen and tested with 48 P. robiniae accessions from two geographically separated populations in north and south China. Of these, 34 were polymorphic, with an average of three alleles (Na) and four genotypes (NG) each. The average values of observed heterozygosity (Ho) was 0.3514, expected heterozygosity (He) 0.4167, Shannon's information index (I) 0.7143, and polymorphism information content (PIC) 0.3558, respectively. Neighbour joining analysis (bootstrap 1000) revealed that Chengdu (CD) and Dangdong (DD) popluations clustered into two main divisions, and some individuals from two popluations clustered together as the third devision, which indicated the gene flow and genetic differentiation were present between two populations. Our finding indicates that these SSR markers will be useful for further studies on the genotype identification and genetic mapping of the genus Platygaster.

Halyomorpha halys (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) on Kiwifruit in Northern Italy: Phenology, Infestation, and Natural Enemies Assessment.

The brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB), Halyomorpha halys (Stål) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), is an Asian invasive plant-feeding insect and an emerging kiwifruit pest. Knowledge about the BMSB dynamics and damage to kiwifruit outside the bug native range is scarce. This 2-yr study was aimed at describing phenology and infestation dynamics of BMSB in green-fleshed and yellow-fleshed kiwifruits. Natural enemies were investigated as well. Field surveys were performed weekly in two sites in Northern Italy by pheromone-baited traps and visual samplings, from early Spring to mid-Autumn. All BMSB life stages were collected and kept under observation to assess occurrence of parasitoids. A sample of fruit was dissected weekly to detect BMSB feeding injuries. In 2018-2019, BMSB was found throughout the growing season with two generations per year with a large overlapping of all life stages. Pheromone-baited traps and visual samplings gave consistent results and can be both considered effective sampling methods on kiwifruit. Fruit injuries were significantly related to kiwifruit development stage, weekly captures of BMSBs by traps, and cultivar. Several BMSB egg masses were found on kiwifruit leaves. Anastatus bifasciatus Geoffroy (Hymenoptera: Eupelmidae), a native egg parasitoid with Palearctic distribution, emerged from 20.14% of eggs in 2018, but the percent parasitism dropped to 0.47% in 2019. In both years, other natural enemies were found exerting negligible pressure on BMSB populations. The determination of reliable economic thresholds for BMSB on kiwifruit is urgently needed to develop a robust and sustainable integrated pest management (IPM) strategy, and this study provides data towards that direction.

Assessment of Toxicity Risk of Selected Insecticides Used in Pistachio Ecosystem on Two Egg Parasitoids (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae) of Stink Bugs (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae).

Psix saccharicola (Mani) and Trissolcus semistriatus (Nees) are the most abundant eggs parasitoids of the stink bug, Acrosternum arabicum Wagner, in pistachio orchards and have the potential to contribute to their suppression. However, treatment of orchards with broad-spectrum insecticides may greatly reduce populations of these beneficial natural enemies. Therefore, we conducted risk assessments and evaluated sublethal impacts of two insecticides routinely used in pistachio orchards: the organophosphate fenitrothion and a formulated mixture of the neonicotinoid thiamethoxam and the pyrethroid lambda-cyhalothrin on parasitism success, emergence and sex ratio of P. saccharicola and T. semistriatus. Based on the values of their risk quotients (RQ), which are derived from toxicity data, the two insecticide products would be classified as slightly-to-moderately toxic although an alternative metric, the safety factor (SF), showed them to be highly risky. Assessments of sublethal effects on adult wasps showed that insecticide exposure significantly reduced their ability to successfully parasitize stink bug eggs, and exposure of adult females reduced the emergence, survival, and proportion of females of their progeny, which could disrupt biological control for an extended period of time. Analysis of the decreased emergence and parasitism for P. saccharicola and T. semistriatus in accordance with the standards of the International Organization for Biological Control (IOBC) indicate that fenitrothion is slightly harmful to both parasitoid species whereas the mixture of thiamethoxam + lambda-cyhalothrin is moderately harmful. These findings will be useful for integrating insecticides and egg parasitoids into a comprehensive integrated pest management program for managing stink bugs populations in pistachio orchards.

The gall wasp fauna of Iran (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae: Cynipinae): species checklist and biogeographical assessment.

We provide a checklist of the gall wasps (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae: Cynipinae) of Iran, and place these records in a biogeographical perspective on three spatial scales, comprising (i) the Western Palaearctic, (ii) Western Asia (Turkey, the southern Caucasus and the Middle East) and (iii) regions within Iran. We present distribution and biological data for 121 species in 24 genera, representing nine of the 12 known cynipid gall wasp tribes. The most species-rich tribe in Iran is the oak gall wasp tribe Cynipini, with 74 species and 11 genera. Cynipid species richness is highest in the central and northern Zagros, with a distinctively different fauna in the forests along the southern shores of the Caspian Sea. Of the species found in Iran, 63 have distributions that extend westwards far into Europe, and can be considered Western Palaearctic species. Twenty four species comprise a distinct eastern component within the Western Palaearctic, with distributions that include Iran and some or all of Turkey, the Middle East and the Caucasus. Twenty one species are apparently endemic to Iran, with distinct Zagros and Caspian components. We highlight biological and phylogeographic processes that may underlie these patterns.

Transgenerational phenotypic plasticity of diapause induction and related fitness cost in a commercial strain of the parasitoid Aphidius ervi Haliday.

Diapause is an adaptation that insects have evolved to synchronize their life cycle with that of seasonal climatic changes and resources availability. However, cues for its induction are not always clear and, in some cases, a maternal effect may be involved. At the population level, just a part of the individuals may exhibit diapause with important consequences in terms of winter survival. Moreover, clear indicators of diapause state are difficult to identify. Diapause induction was thus investigated in the aphid parasitoid species Aphidius ervi Haliday (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) developing in the aphid Sitobion avenae (Hemiptera: Aphididae) at four crossed photothermal regimes (16 °C and 8 °C, 16:8 h L:D and 8:16 h L:D), and during 2 successive generations. We analyzed the reliability of changes in mummy color to assess for the diapausing state compared to dissections, and we measured parasitoid morphological and physiological traits. We observed that the proportion of dark brown mummies increased after one generation under low photothermal regime compared to other regimes. No diapause was recorded at 16 °C, 16:8 h L:D, while we observed 16.2% and 67.5% diapause incidence at 8 °C, 8:16 h L:D, at 1st and 2nd generation, respectively. Diapause induction is thus increased by short day-length conditions and low temperatures as well as by maternal effects. All parasitoid life-history traits (weight, size, fat content, water content, egg-load, and longevity) were affected by the photothermal regime and/or the generation. These results raise new questions on the environmental thresholds needed to induce diapause and on survival and adaptation potential of commercially available parasitoid strains in different environments.

Taxonomic assessment of the inquiline fauna (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae: Synergini, Ceroptresini) reared from cynipid galls on oaks (Quercus spp.) from South Korea.

A complete taxonomic assessment of the inquiline fauna (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae: Synergini, Ceroptresini) reared from cynipid oak galls collected in South Korea is conducted for the first time. Previously, six species were known from this country (Ceroptres kovalevi Belizin, 1973; Synergus chinensis Melika, Ács Bechtold, 2004; Synergus japonicus Walker, 1874; Ufo koreanus Melika, Pujade-Villar Choi, 2007; and presumably, Saphonecrus chaodongzhui Melika, Ács Bechtold, 2004 and Ufo cerroneuroteri Tang Melika, 2012). The study of new material reared from cynipid galls collected from oaks (Quercus spp.) from various locations throughout South Korea has increased the total number of inquiline species known from this country to 14, of which seven are new country records (Saphonecrus shirakashii (Shinji, 1940); Sa. symbioticus Melika Schwéger, 2015; Synergus abei Melika Schwéger, 2015; S. belizinellus Schwéger Melika 2015; S. formosanus Schwéger Melika, 2015; S. ishikarii Melika Schwéger, 2015; and S. symbioticus Schwéger Melika, 2015), and one is a new species: Synergus minutus Lobato-Vila Pujade-Villar, sp. nov. The new species is formally described and illustrated. New biological and distribution data are provided for both the newly recorded species and the other reared species. The Korean fauna is compared with that from other countries within the Eastern Palearctic and the Oriental regions.

Hymenoptera venom allergy among children in Italy: time for pediatricians to take action.

Hymenoptera venom allergy (HVA) is one of the most frequent causes of anaphylaxis following a bee, vespid or ant sting. Real-life data regarding the management of HVA in children are lacking. To address this unmet need, we carried out a survey defining the current management of HVA in children among pediatric allergists in Italy. Educational investments on the improvement of the management of pediatric patients with HVA are urgently needed, and our analysis represents a relevant instrument in targeting a roadmap with this aim. The time for pediatric allergists to take action has come, and a task force from the Rare Allergic Diseases Commission of the Italian Society of Pediatric Allergy and Immunology is working on the topic to improve pediatricians' knowledge and optimize the care of these patients.

Assessment of Hymenoptera and Non-Hymenoptera Insect Bite and Sting Allergy Among Patients of Tropical Region of West Bengal, India.

West Bengal, India, is inhabited by abundance and variety of insects that triggers sensitization in some humans to inhalant allergens and/or insect stings/venoms. Lack of research on this topic prevented accurate diagnosis and proper follow-up treatments to patients suffering from insect-induced allergies. The aim of our study was to identify the allergy-causing insects and evaluate resulting sensitization among a study population in West Bengal, India. The skin prick test (SPT) evaluated sensitivity of 450 patients who sought treatment at the Allergy and Asthma Research Center from July 2017 to June 2018. Eight insect allergens were tested: Common Black Ant (Lasius niger, Linnaeus 1758), Fire Ant (Solenopsis invicta, Buren 1972), Honey Bee (Apis cerana indica, Fabricius 1798), Common Wasp (Vespula vulgaris, Linnaeus 1758), Mosquito (Aedes aegypti, Linnaeus in Hasselquist 1762), American Cockroach (Periplaneta americana, Linnaeus 1758), House Fly (Musca domestica, Linnaeus 1758), and Grasshopper (Gesonula punctifrons, Stal 1861). From a total of 450 patients evaluated, 370 patients had positive SPT reaction from at least one of the 8 insect allergens tested. Sensitivity to some Hymenoptera insects (common black ant, 87.62%; fire ant, 84.59%; and honey bee, 67.02%) was found in higher proportion than non-Hymenoptera group (mosquito, 66.67%; American cockroach, 33.33%; house fly, 10.41%; and grasshopper, 5.14%). There was significant difference in sensitivity among child, adolescent, and adult (P < 0.001). While female patients showed more sensitivity than males to SPT, the difference was statistically insignificant. In regards to occupation, farmers and bee keepers were most sensitive of field workers sensitive to Hymenoptera-derived allergens.

Nontarget Host Risk Assessment of the Egg Parasitoid Trichogrammatoidea cryptophlebiae (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) for Classical Biological Control of the False Codling Moth (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) in Israel.

The false codling moth Thaumatotibia leucotreta (Meyrick), is an invasive species in Israel. In order to carry out a classical biological control program, the African egg parasitoid Trichogrammatoidea cryptophlebiae (Nagaraja) was recently introduced into Israel, and nontarget host risk assessment was performed as required. In no-choice tests we determined that T. cryptophlebiae was unable to develop in eggs of four nontarget Lepidopteran species: Pectinophora gossypiella (Saunders), Spodoptora littoralis (Boisduval), Ephestia kuehniella (Zeller), and Belenois aurota (Fabricius). Conversely, it developed in three Lepidopteran species eggs of the Tortricidae family: Cydia pomonella (Linnaeus), Lobesia botrana (Denis and Schiffermüller), and Epiblema strenuana (Walker). Epiblema strenuana eggs showed the lowest parasitism level among all tested moth eggs of the Tortricidae family. The progeny production of parasitized false codling moth eggs was similar to that of C. pomonella eggs, but smaller than that of L. botrana eggs. However, moth egg and parasitoid clutch sizes were smallest on L. botrana eggs and largest on C. pomonella eggs. In choice bioassays, T. cryptophlebiae significantly preferred to parasitize T. leucotreta eggs over the eggs of C. pomonella, L. botrana, and E. strenuana. Moreover, the choice of T. leucotreta eggs over the eggs of L. botrana was not affected by the parasitoids' rearing histories. Our data support the assumption that T. cryptophlebiae develops only in moth species of the Tortricidae family. Thus, the risk that it may attack nontarget species is low.

The arctic and alpine bumblebees of the subgenus Alpinobombus revised from integrative assessment of species' gene coalescents and morphology (Hymenoptera, Apidae, Bombus).

The bumblebees of the subgenus Alpinobombus of the genus Bombus are unusual among bees for specialising in many of the most northerly vegetated arctic habitats on Earth. Most named taxa in this group (37 available names from a total of 67 names) were described originally from differences in the colour patterns of the hair. Previous revisions have shown unusually little agreement, recognising a range of 6‒9 species, in part because of pronounced intraspecific variation in both skeletal morphology and in the colour patterns of the hair. Here we examine variation among 4622 specimens from throughout the group's global range. Bayesian inference of the gene tree for the fast evolving mitochondrial COI gene combined with Poisson-tree-process analysis of this tree shows support for 10 gene lineages as candidates for being putative species lineages. Integrative assessment shows that the interpretation of these results is not straightforward. Evidence from the fast evolving mitochondrial 16S ribosomal RNA gene supports two of the COI gene alleles (from the samples B. kluanensis s. str. and 'unnamed2') as being associated with just one 16S allele. Double COI bands on the PCR gels for these individuals and double peaks on sequence traces (in one case with both COI alleles sequenced from one individual) identifies this as a likely case of COI paralogy that has resulted in mitochondrial heteroplasmy. Evidence from morphology also supports only the remaining nine lineages as separate. Evidence from extracts of cephalic labial gland secretions (CLGS, with components believed to function as sex pheromones) reported by others shows small diagnostic differences between all of the candidate species examined (although B. kluanensis s. l. was not examined) and shows larger differences between all of the species pairs that we find are likely to have co-occurred at least in the past, revealing a likely limitation to the CLGS approach in cases of recent and continuously allopatric species. Consequently we infer nine species in the subgenus Alpinobombus (so that B. kluanensis s. str. and 'unnamed2' are interpreted as conspecific, as B. kluanensis s. l.). We provide distribution maps and identification keys for the nine species. The morphology of the male of B. kluanensis is described for the first time, including a unique, unusually dense pad of short hair on the mandible that may have a function involving CLGS in mate-searching behaviour. In seeking to identify the valid names for these species, seven new lectotypes are designated and support is provided for synonymizing 10 names as proposed in a recent summary table of names. The prevailing usage of Bombus balteatus Dahlbom is maintained as valid by proposing Bombus nivalis Dahlbom and Bombus tricolor Dahlbom as nomina oblita and by proposing Bombus balteatus Dahlbom as a nomen protectum. The prevailing usage of Bombus hyperboreus Schönherr is maintained as valid by supporting Apis arctica Quensel as a nomen oblitum and by supporting Bombus hyperboreus Schönherr as a nomen protectum. We then use sequence data from COI and 16S together with nuclear PEPCK and opsin genes to estimate dated phylogenetic relationships among the nine species, allowing for incongruent gene trees with *BEAST. If crown-group divergence within the subgenus Alpinobombus coincided with the global climate cooling and with the growth of the northern ice sheets at the end of the Miocene at ca 7.2 Ma, then divergences between each of the three pairs of sister species are likely to have coincided with fluctuations in vegetated land connections across the Bering Strait after ca 2.5 Ma.