Disjunct distribution of Hesperotettixspeciosus (Orthoptera, Acrididae) from the Black Belt Prairie of Alabama, United States.

Inventories of the flora and insect fauna of the Black Belt Prairie of Mississippi and Alabama have documented disjunct populations of species broadly distributed in the Great Plains, including two grasshopper species. During a recent survey of a large privately-owned prairie remnant in Sumter Co., Alabama, we documented a disjunct population of a third grasshopper species - Hesperotettixspeciosus, extending the known distribution of this species significantly eastwards. The discovery of this population is surprising due to the number of previous survey efforts of the Black Belt, Alabama and Mississippi overall and exemplifies the importance of conservation on private lands.

Heilipussquamosus (LeConte, 1824): clarification of the correct name for the "avocado tree girdler" with updates on its biology and distribution (Coleoptera, Curculionidae, Molytinae, Hylobiini).

Background: A single species of the genus Heilipus Germar, 1824 is native to the south-eastern United States and was a pest of avocado in Florida in the mid-20th century. Two names-Heilipusapiatus (Olivier, 1807) and H.squamosus (LeConte, 1824)-have both recently been used as the valid name for this species, with H.apiatus also being recently used as the valid name for a species from French Guiana. Confusion surrounding the correct application of these names and the distribution of these species traces back to an erroneous distribution given in Olivier's 1807 description of H.apiatus and, although some authors clarified this previously, there continues to be confusion concerning the correct name. Outside of avocado-producing areas, this species was rarely collected and little was known about its biology. Recent observations on iNaturalist and BugGuide suggest the species is more widely distributed in the United States and less rare than it was previously thought to be. New information: Heilipussquamosus (LeConte, 1824) is recognised as the valid name for the sole species of Heilipus occurring in the United States, while Heilipusapiatus (Olivier, 1807) is a very different species from French Guiana. Heilipussquamosus was previously recorded from eight States in the south-eastern United States and, after examining records from natural history collections, iNaturalist, BugGuide and literature sources, the species is newly recorded from an additional seven States: Arkansas, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Missouri, Oklahoma and Texas. Though native host plants have been unconfirmed by rearing records, the evidence indicating the possible host plants in the plant family Lauraceae is reviewed.

Highlights of Medical Entomology 2018: The Importance of Sustainable Surveillance of Vectors and Vector-Borne Pathogens.

The theme of the 2018 Entomological Society of America, Entomological Society of Canada, and Entomological Society of British Columbia Joint Annual Meeting was Crossing Borders: Entomology in a Changing World. Following the theme of the meeting, papers selected for the 2018 'Highlights of Medical Entomology' included reports of expanded ranges for Aedes albopictus (Skuse) (Diptera: Culicidae), Aedes japonicus japonicus (Theobald) (Diptera: Culicidae), Culex coronator Dyar and Knab (Diptera: Culicidae), Mansonia titillans (Walker) (Diptera: Culicidae), and Wyeomyia mitchellii (Theobald) (Diptera: Culicidae); a first report of mosquito feeding on earthworms and leeches; Cache Valley virus detection in Ae. j. japonicus; surveillance in high-risk areas of Canada for Lyme Disease; and increasing lone-star tick detections in Connecticut. The selection of papers served as a reminder of the increasingly difficult challenge of sustaining vector surveillance programs. Fluctuating funding and a decline in vector taxonomists and identification expertise contribute to the erosion of vector surveillance.

Checklist of bees (Hymenoptera: Apoidea) from managed emergent wetlands in the lower Mississippi Alluvial Valley of Arkansas.

BACKGROUND: Here we present the results from a two-year bee survey conducted on 18 managed emergent wetlands in the lower Mississippi Alluvial Valley of Arkansas, USA. Sample methods included pan traps, sweep netting and blue-vane traps. We document 83 bee species and morphospecies in 5 families and 31 genera, of which 37 species represent first published state records for Arkansas. The majority of species were opportunistic wetland species; only a small number were wetland-dependent species or species largely restricted to alluvial plains. NEW INFORMATION: We present new distributional records for bee species not previously recorded in managed emergent wetlands and report specimens of thirty-seven species for which no published Arkansas records exist, expanding the known ranges of Ceratina cockerelli, Diadasia enavata, Lasioglossum creberrimum, Svastra cressonii and Dieunomia triangulifera. We also distinguish opportunistic wetland bee species from wetland-dependent and alluvial plain-restricted species.

Nine true bugs (Heteroptera) newly-discovered in Illinois.

Six heteropteran species are reported for the first time from Illinois based on recently caught specimens from various bioinventories: the flat bug Neuroctenus pseudonymus Bergroth (Aradidae: Mezirinae), the stilt bug Metacanthus multispinus (Ashmead) (Berytidae: Metacanthinae), the leaf-footed bugs Anasa repetita Heidemann and Chelinidea vittiger Uhler (Coreidae: Coreinae), the ambush bug Phymata fasciata fasciata (Gray) (Reduviidae: Phymatinae), and the scentless plant bug Arhyssus nigristernum (Signoret) (Rhopalidae: Rhopalinae). Additionally, three more records for the flat bug Nannium pusio Heidemann (Aradidae) and the scentless plant bugs Aufeius impressicollis Stål and Niesthrea louisianica Sailer (Rhopalidae) are newly-reported for the state based on material in the Illinois Natural History Insect Collection (INHS). Supplementing these notes are dichotomous keys to the species of Mezirinae, Berytidae, Coreidae, Phymatinae, and Rhopalidae of Illinois.

Terrestrial arthropods of Steel Creek, Buffalo National River, Arkansas. II. Sawflies (Insecta: Hymenoptera: "Symphyta").

BACKGROUND: This is the second in a series of papers detailing the terrestrial arthropods collected during an intensive survey of a site near Steel Creek campground along the Buffalo National River in Arkansas. The survey was conducted over a period of eight and a half months using twelve trap types - Malaise traps, canopy traps (upper and lower collector), Lindgren multifunnel traps (black, green, and purple), pan traps (blue, purple, red, white, and yellow), and pitfall traps - and Berlese-Tullgren extraction of leaf litter. NEW INFORMATION: We provide collection records for 47 species of "Symphyta" (Insecta: Hymenoptera), 30 of which are new state records for Arkansas: (Argidae) Sterictiphora serotina; (Cimbicidae) Abia americana; (Diprionidae) Monoctenus fulvus; (Orussidae) Orussus terminalis; (Pamphiliidae) Onycholyda luteicornis, Pamphilius ocreatus, P. persicum, P. rileyi; (Pergidae) Acordulecera dorsalis, A. mellina, A. pellucida; (Tenthredinidae) Caliroa quercuscoccineae, Empria coryli, Hoplocampa marlatti, Macrophya cassandra, Monophadnoides conspiculatus, Monophadnus bakeri, Nematus abbotii, Neopareophora litura, Pachynematus corniger, Paracharactus rudis, Periclista marginicollis, Pristiphora banski, P. chlorea, Strongylogaster impressata, S. remota, Taxonus epicera, Thrinax albidopictus, T. multicinctus, Zaschizonyx montana; (Xiphydriidae) Xiphydria tibialis.

Arthropods of Steel Creek, Buffalo National River, Arkansas. III. Heteroptera (Insecta: Hemiptera).

BACKGROUND: This is the third in a series of papers detailing the terrestrial arthropods collected during an intensive survey of a site near Steel Creek campground along the Buffalo National River in Arkansas. The survey was conducted over a period of eight and a half months using twelve trap types - Malaise traps, canopy traps (upper and lower collector), Lindgren multifunnel traps (black, green, and purple), pan traps (blue, purple, red, white, and yellow), and pitfall traps - and Berlese-Tullgren extraction of leaf litter. NEW INFORMATION: We provide collection records for 54 species of Heteroptera, 11 of which were new state records for Arkansas: (Aradidae) Aradus approximatus, Aradus duzeei, Aradus ornatus, Neuroctenus elongatus, Neuroctenus pseudonymus, Notapictinus aurivilli; (Cydnidae) Sehirus cinctus; (Lygaeidae) Nysius raphanus; (Miridae) Prepops insitivus; (Reduviidae) Zelus tetracanthus; (Rhyparochromidae) Kolenetrus plenus.

New records of Orussus minutus Middlekauff, 1983 (Hymenoptera: Orussidae) represent a significant western range expansion.

BACKGROUND: Orussus minutus is an uncommonly collected parasitoid sawfly known from the eastern United States. NEW INFORMATION: We report specimens Orussus minutus Middlekauff, 1983, from Arkansas, Iowa, Minnesota, and Manitoba, which represent new state and province records and significantly expand the known range of the species west from previous records; provide collection information for unpublished specimens housed in the United States National Museum collection, which includes new state records for West Virginia and Michigan; and report two specimens housed in the Biological Museum at Lund University that represent new state records for Connecticut.

Terrestrial arthropods of Steel Creek, Buffalo National River, Arkansas. I. Select beetles (Coleoptera: Buprestidae, Carabidae, Cerambycidae, Curculionoidea excluding Scolytinae).

BACKGROUND: The Ozark Mountains are a region with high endemism and biodiversity, yet few invertebrate inventories have been made and few sites extensively studied. We surveyed a site near Steel Creek Campground, along the Buffalo National River in Arkansas, using twelve trap types - Malaise traps, canopy traps (upper and lower collector), Lindgren multifunnel traps (black, green, and purple), pan traps (blue, purple, red, white, and yellow), and pitfall traps - and Berlese-Tullgren extraction for eight and half months. NEW INFORMATION: We provide collection records of beetle species belonging to eight families collected at the site. Thirty one species represent new state records: (Buprestidae) Actenodes acornis, Agrilus cephalicus, Agrilus ohioensis, Agrilus paracelti, Taphrocerus nicolayi; (Carabidae) Agonum punctiforme, Synuchus impunctatus; (Curculionidae) Acalles clavatus, Acalles minutissimus, Acoptus suturalis, Anthonomus juniperinus, Anametis granulata, Idiostethus subcalvus, Eudociminus mannerheimii, Madarellus undulatus, Magdalis armicollis, Magdalis barbita, Mecinus pascuorum, Myrmex chevrolatii, Myrmex myrmex, Nicentrus lecontei, Otiorhynchus rugosostriatus, Piazorhinus pictus, Phyllotrox ferrugineus, Plocamus hispidulus, Pseudobaris nigrina, Pseudopentarthrum simplex, Rhinoncus pericarpius, Sitona lineatus, Stenoscelis brevis, Tomolips quericola. Additionally, three endemic carabids, two of which are known only from the type series, were collected.