ABSTRACT We report the first occurrence in Australia of the poison hemlock moth Agonopterix alstroemeriana (Clerck), a monophage on the environmental weed Conium maculatum L. (Apiaceae). The hostplant, also of European origin, is a familiar toxic weed in southern Australia and the moth may have some potential as a biocontrol agent. It joins a list of other Palaearctic species undergoing range expansion

Social wasps are amongst the most loathed exotic predators in New Zealand, with widespread adverse impacts on native ecosystems and fauna. Sustainable alternatives to pesticides are sorely needed in Fuscospora (beech) forests. We tested a new semiochemical evaluation protocol to assess the extent of high-density trap competition as an indicator of mass trapping, in an open landscape adjacent to a beech

Pitfall traps are commonly used to sample surface-active invertebrates, although the efficiency of the technique varies among taxa. We investigated how baiting pitfall traps with squid influenced sampling of some ground-dwelling invertebrates in New Zealand forests. The study was conducted across a total of 21 sets of seven lethal pitfall traps established between November 2012 and November 2015 in

The New Zealand endemic genus Simkinion Park and Pearce, 1962 is redescribed and diagnosed to include six species, four of which are new: S. convexum sp. n., S. corniculum sp. n., S. schomannae sp. n. and S. tepaki sp. n. Two species are redescribed: S. bimanum Park and Pearce and S. prelaticum Park and Pearce. Sexes are dimorphic, with males having the vertex and the first visible tergite conspicuously

The New Zealand endemic southern ant (Monomorium antarcticum) excavates subterranean nests in various soil types, with brood distributed throughout excavated cavities connected by tunnels. Because cavities are often constructed near the soil surface, variation in rainfall patterns will affect soil moisture, and potentially lead to regular flooding of cavities. We examined how M. antarcticum make colony

(2020). Obituary. New Zealand Entomologist: Vol. 43, No. 1, pp. 62-64.

The armoured scale insect Oceanaspidiotus spinosus (Comstock 1883) (Hemiptera: Diaspididae) was found on kiwifruit from the Bay of Plenty in April 2019. This is the first record from New Zealand. Subsequent surveys have confirmed O. spinosus at multiple locations in the Bay of Plenty and Gisborne regions and it is now considered to be established. Previously, only three armoured scale species: Hemiberlesia

For Māori the kūmara symbolises the extensive voyages from the ancestral home of Hawaiki to Aotearoa New Zealand and the ingenuity needed to adapt growing practices for a tropical crop to the climate of New Zealand. From the thirteenth century, kūmara cultivation occurred along the coastlines in the warmer regions of New Zealand where its associated pests were controlled by traditional methods. In

The first records of Tuberolachnus salignus (Gmelin), the giant willow aphid, were reported from New Zealand and Australia in December 2013 and March 2014 respectively. The host plants are various members of Salix and Populus. The pathway used by the aphid to enter Australasia remains unknown, but natural aerial dispersal across the Tasman Sea is proposed to explain its first appearance within 3 months

The advantage for camouflage of variation in colour forms (binary, multi, or continuous) is a topic of increasing interest, but there are few long-term studies. We found that the ratios of colour forms of 337 polymorphic Manuka moths (Declana floccosa), recorded at one location, did not change over 42 years. This unexpected stability, in the face of probable bird predation against commoner forms and

Farming intensification negatively effects native habitat and associated biodiversity in New Zealand. Planting native species around field margins has been proposed as a means of restoring biodiversity within this highly modified landscape. To test this hypothesis, we collected invertebrates on a dairy farm at Lincoln, Canterbury, in three habitat types: native plantings in field corners, native plantings

The terrestrial invertebrates found in association with marine strandlines constitute a world-wide ecological system. This study examined the beetle assemblages (Insecta: Coleoptera) in strandlines on New Brighton beach near Christchurch and at 35 other sites on Banks Peninsula in the South Island of New Zealand. In a total of 535 thirty-minute hand searches, 81 distinct beetle taxa (identified species

The Eumolpinae (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) from New Zealand are poorly known in terms of species diversity and, logically, of any downstream understanding of species features, including species distribution or ecology. This is true even though some of the species have been recognised as agricultural pests and associated with economic losses in the country. In this work, I have analysed the diversity

This paper records an exotic collembolan the species, Anurophorus laricis Nicolet, 1842, found for the first time in New Zealand. Its specific identity is confirmed using morphological data. The record is significant because it is the first for the genus Anurophorus in the Southern Hemisphere. Moreover, the species was found fairly abundantly on the native shrub, manuka, at 300 m asl, an unusual habitat

Two endemic Australophlebotomus species have been recorded in New Caledonia: Au. notteghemae Léger & Pesson and Au. maduloae Léger & Pesson, as reported in 1993. At that time, the authors mainly based their description on male holotypes, and tentatively associated two different females called ‘A’ and ‘B’ to each male. Very scarce in New Caledonia, these two species have been reported on very few occasions

Metaspathius gorgasoma Quicke & Ward sp. n. is described from specimens collected from litter samples. It is mainly characterised by the mesoscutum being strongly declivous anteriorly, a derived morphological feature not found in congeners. Wing structure of the new species including shape and loss of posterior longitudinal flexion lines (claval furrows) of both fore and hind wings indicate its close

Nomenclatural stability is a key challenge within the area of tick taxonomy due to the widescale loss of old type material, errors in the designation and usage of binomials, and the common description of synonymous species, historically. Ixodes anatis is an important co-endangered tick species endemic to New Zealand and its nomenclatural stability is crucial for those studying its ecology and conservation

Mealybugs damage a variety of crops worldwide, vectoring viruses and causing problems from sooty mould. The identification of the citrophilous mealybug (Pseudococcus calceolariae, CMB) female sex pheromone has created opportunities for its use as a pest management tool that could potentially result in a reduced reliance on insecticides. Mass trapping is a pest management technique that uses baited

The bethylid genus Sierola is large and widespread, but largely undescribed. Two new species are described from New Zealand, the endemic Sierola houdiniae sp. nov. and presumed adventive S. thorpei sp. nov. The Australian S. antipoda Ashmead is also re-described from the type and characters to distinguish it from S. houdiniae given. http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:8ADE582D-A372-4AF0-8FB2-97AFF03F1B39

(2018). Rowan Mark Emberson, B.For.Sc [Hons] (Edinburgh), PhD (McGill), 21July 1941–7 October 2018. New Zealand Entomologist: Vol. 41, No. 2, pp. 72-74.

The endemic New Zealand cyclostome braconid wasp genus Metaspathius Brues, which was previously only known from a single specimen, an apterous female, is revised. Four new species, including three with fully winged females, are described and illustrated: Metaspathius chathamicus Ward, sp. nov.; M. hemipterus Belokobylskij, sp. nov.; M. kuscheli Ward & Belokobylskij, sp. nov.; and M. sharkeyi Quicke

Crop covers made from polymer meshes have proved successful in protecting potatoes from tomato potato psyllid in New Zealand. However recent field trials indicated that aphids could penetrate these mesh covers resulting in high levels of aphid plant infestation. The current study used a laboratory assay to examine the mesh pore dimensions required to prevent penetration by apterous adults of two species

Mastrus ridens (Horstmann) (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae) was imported into New Zealand quarantine from Argentina in 2009 as a potential biocontrol agent for codling moth (CM), Cydia pomonella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae). A laboratory population of M. ridens had been maintained at the New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research Limited in Auckland since 2009 on diapausing CM cocooned in corrugated

Zecicindela tekapoensis sp. nov. (Coleoptera: Carabidae: Cicindelinae) is described. It is placed in the endemic genus Zecicindela Larochelle & Larivière, even though it is the only known species in the genus with a tridentate labrum. The specimens were found on a very dry, barren terrace surface near the Tekapo River, in the Mackenzie Basin.

(2018). Obituary. New Zealand Entomologist: Vol. 41, No. 1, pp. 34-36.

Radiotransmitters have been used successfully to track and recapture giant wētā (Deinacrida species) in part to assess mating success. We report the successful use of very light transmitters (0.2 g) to track male Wellington tree wētā, Hemideina crassidens, over several nights to daytime refuges in burrows and tree galleries. Male Hemideina species sport lengthy mandibles used as weapons in fights with

The brown marmorated stinkbug (BMSB), Halyomorpha halys Stål (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), is native to Asia and is characterised by its polyphagous feeding habits and high hitchhiking potential. In invaded areas, such as the eastern USA, economic damage to agricultural crops by BMSB has been significant. In northern Italy, where BMSB is invasive, feeding damage has been recorded in commercial kiwifruit

The effectiveness of four different fluorescent light sources, used to attract adult aquatic insects (Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, Trichoptera) and co-occurring terrestrial insects (Lepidoptera, Coleoptera, Diptera), was investigated. Blacklight (BL), blacklight-blue (BLB), cold white light (CW) and a blacklight/cold white light (BL/CW) combination were compared in a field trial with a fully-crossed

(2017). Corrigendum. New Zealand Entomologist: Vol. 40, No. 2, pp. (iii)-(iii).

(2017). Editorial Board. New Zealand Entomologist: Vol. 40, No. 2, pp. ebi-ebi.

(2017). Guillermo (Willy) Kuschel (13 July 1918–1 August 2017) New Zealand Entomologist: Vol. 40, No. 2, pp. 92-97.

(2017). Graeme William Ramsay (7 September 1932–23 June 2017) New Zealand Entomologist: Vol. 40, No. 2, pp. 98-100.

We provide a comprehensive list of species of Cerambycidae (Insecta: Coleoptera), excluding Lamiinae, known to be present in New Zealand. We also reinstate the following genera: Drotus, Epheus, Navomorpha, Pseudocalliprason and Stenopotes; all of these are monotypic except for Navomorpha, which has four described species. Coptomma marrisi is tranferred to Navomorpha (new combination). Full synonymies

Type specimens of six species of the genus Folsomia Willem, 1902 described by J. Salmon were examined. Folsomia pusilla Salmon, 1944 syn. nov. is synonymised with Mucrosomia caeca (Wahlgren, 1906). Synonymy of Folsomia lunata Salmon, 1943 with M. caeca is verified. Three species are transferred from the genus Folsomia to other genera, resulting in Mucrosomia novaezealandiae (Salmon, 1943) comb. nov

Hylastes ater and Hylurgus ligniperda, two exotic pine bark beetles in New Zealand, have recently been collected at locations far from pine plantations or other dead pine host material. We investigated if dispersing beetles are reproducing in the roots and root collars of damaged pine trees of shelterbelts (windbreaks) that are common in New Zealand’s agricultural landscapes. The ability of these bark

Lusius malfoyi n. sp. (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae) is described. It is an endemic New Zealand species and the first species of the genus to be described from the Australasian region. Zoobank.org:pub:21DCEA3E-C32B-4915-A02B-0212A35E496D

(2017). Erratum. New Zealand Entomologist. Ahead of Print.

The endemic New Zealand beetle genus Tarphiomimus Wollaston is revised with two new species described. A total of five species are included in the genus: Tarphiomimus indentatus Wollaston, 1873 Wollaston TV. 1873. On two new genera of Colydiidae from New Zealand. Entomologist’s Monthly Magazine 10: 9–13. [Google Scholar]; T. wollastoni Sharp, 1882 Sharp D. 1882. On some New Zealand Coleoptera. Transactions

The polyphagous ectoparasitoid, Rhopalicus tutela (Walker), introduced to New Zealand as a biological control agent of Hylastes ater (Paykull) during the 1970s, has recently been collected from a forest park in Canterbury. Researchers previously thought that the species had failed to establish at release sites around the North Island. Monitoring of the species was ceased in 1985 and research into its

The majority (65%–94%) of mealybugs collected from harvested apples in Nelson, New Zealand, orchards between 2008 and 2011 were Pseudococcus longispinus. The remainder (35%–6%) were P. calceolariae, although a few P. viburni were occasionally found. Traps baited with newly developed synthetic pheromone of P. calceolariae were deployed in orchards in 2011 and attracted females of the mealybug parasitoid

Although Drosophilidae and associated hymenopterous parasitoids have been the subject of much field and laboratory ecology in many parts of the world, the system has been relatively neglected in New Zealand. This study investigated the seasonality of Drosophila, Scaptodrosophila and associated hymenopterous parasitoids in Canterbury by using traps baited with banana, orange, mushrooms, other fruits

An illustrated key is provided for the identification of third and fourth instar larvae of the nine mosquito species known to occur in the Tongatapu island group, Kingdom of Tonga. This includes five Aedes species: Ae. aegypti (Linnaeus, 1762), Ae. albopictus (Skuse, 1895), Ae. horrescens Edwards, 1935, Ae. tongae Edwards, 1926, and Ae. vexans nocturnus (Theobald, 1903) and four Culex species: Cx.

(2016). On the obligations of authors to correctly register works in ZooBank in advance of online publication of taxonomic works. New Zealand Entomologist: Vol. 39, No. 2, pp. 63-63.

(2016). Corrigendum. New Zealand Entomologist: Vol. 39, No. 2, pp. i-i.

(2016). Editorial Board. New Zealand Entomologist: Vol. 39, No. 2, pp. ebi-ebi.

Colour changing is a well-known phenomenon exhibited by a number of terrestrial arthropods. Non-random ‘morphing’ of the visible phenotype has generally been associated with changes in response to the environment. This article describes a previously unrecognised class of colour change which occurs as a result of endogenous rather than exogenous changes: specifically, moulting. The tomocerid springtail

White (1846) described Rhisotrogus zealandicus from two syntypes, however no lectotype has since been designated. When the genus Costelytra Given 1952 was described, with Rhisotrogus zealandicus White 1846 as its type species, Given’s description of this species was based on 400 specimens collected at different localities in New Zealand as White’s syntypes were not available to him. Later, Given (1960)

This study investigated predatory behaviour of the mite Anystis baccarum on nymphs of the tomato potato psyllid Bactericera cockerelli. In 30-minute laboratory bioassays, predation rates per individual mite were low if late instar psyllid nymphs were ‘braced’ or ‘sealed’ tightly to a leaf, with only one nymph from twelve being successfully attacked and eaten in the presence of psyllid sugars (wax covered

(2016). John Brigham Ward PhD, 10 January 1928–5 April 2016. New Zealand Entomologist: Vol. 39, No. 2, pp. 147-149.

A number of species of Hymenoptera are associated with marine strandlines or wrack, where they are generally parasitoids of dipteran larvae and/or pupae. However, few records appear to exist of Hymenoptera associated with strandlines in New Zealand. We recorded the adult Hymenoptera obtained in 30 minute hand searches in strandlines at 36 sites at Christchurch and Banks Peninsula over the course of

A new species of endemic colletid bee in Leioproctus (Leioproctus) is described from two areas in the Mackenzie Country (MK), South Island, New Zealand. Features distinguishing the species from other species are outlined and available biological data for the new species are presented. The recognition of L. (L.) hukarere as a new species restores the number of species of Leioproctus present in New Zealand

The sciarid fauna of New Zealand is not well known and only two major studies have dealt with this group. The present study is based on material from the later of the two studies as well as new material. Six species are recognised as new to science and are here described: Bradysia novaeseelandiae sp. nov., Corynoptera aggregata sp. nov., Corynoptera catrinjaschhofae sp. nov., Ctenosciara etorutao sp

(2016). Corrigendum. New Zealand Entomologist: Vol. 39, No. 1, pp. 62-62.

In the early twentieth century, three species of ticks – Haemaphysalis leachii, Hyalomma aegyptium and Ixodes ricinus – were originally thought to be part of the New Zealand fauna. In the absence of any firm evidence for their continued existence in this country, and without any satisfactory explanation for their original appearance, they were deleted from faunal lists about 60 years later. After consulting

The formation of New Zealand's terrestrial biota is a subject where conclusions depend strongly on the properties of the focal organisms. Here, we bring the systematic knowledge of the New Zealand fauna of the very diverse rove beetle tribe Staphylinini closer to the level appropriate for biogeographic research. In particular, the hitherto puzzling New Zealand endemic genus Cafioquedus is considered

Granite sand plains constitute one of New Zealand's 72 historically rare ecosystems. They occur in the alpine zone of the South Island and are known from only four sites. Invertebrates were sampled by pitfall trapping, netting and hand searching by day in two areas: the sand plains of the Lookout Range, Nelson, on 9–17 January 2008; and Mt Titiroa, Fiordland, on 3–10 February 2009. Sampling was of

The burnt pine longhorn beetle, Arhopalus ferus (Mulsant) (Cerambycidae: Coleoptera), is an introduced species in New Zealand that can occur as a hitch-hiker in association with export logs and sawn timber. Its life cycle is completed in decaying pine. We determined the effect of 14 constant temperatures from 3 to 41 °C on the development and survival of burnt pine longhorn eggs. The lower temperature

The potential of two native and three exotic insect predators residing in potato crops at Pukekohe to control Bactericera cockerelli (tomato potato psyllid; TPP) was assessed in no-choice and choice voracity laboratory assays. Rates of consumption and ability to predate on different life stages of B. cockerelli compared with the aphid species Myzus persicae were examined. All five species, brown lacewing

Captive rearing can be a successful short-term strategy for protecting species threatened with extinction, by bolstering existing populations, or establishing new ones. Improving the success of captive rearing requires specific prior ecological knowledge, for example habitat and climatic requirements. Here, we report on the captive rearing of the critically endangered Canterbury knobbled weevil Hadramphus

A new species of louse, Anatoecus singhi, is described and illustrated from specimens collected from black swans, Cygnus atratus, in New Zealand. The shape of the head places A. singhi in a group with three other species exclusively parasitic on swans (Cygnus spp.). A list of the species/subspecies of Anatoecus recorded from swans worldwide is also included.