The seasonal activity of adult elaterids (Coleoptera: Elateridae) associated with potato production was studied in Palmer, Alaska (N61.60°, W149.13°) from

Apterous adult morphs of eriosomatine aphids associated with moss (Bryophyta) and/or roots of conifer (Pinaceae) or willow (Salix Linnaeus (Salicaceae)) in forests of the North American Pacific Northwest including Alaska are described, illustrated, and keyed. In total, seven species (Clydesmithia canadensis Danielsson, Melaphis rhois (Fitch) (moss only feeder), Pachypappa rosettei (Maxson), Pachypappa sacculi (Gillette), Prociphilus americanus (Walker) (fir root only feeder), Prociphilus xylostei (De Geer), and Thecabius populimonilis (Riley)) are characterised from their secondary host habitats. Secondary host forms of C. canadensis and T. populimonilis are described for the first time. The morphotypes from the secondary hosts were confirmed through deoxyribonucleic acid sequence matching with those from the primary hosts.

Male-biased aggregations of sugar beet root maggot, Tetanops myopaeformis (Röder) (Diptera: Ulidiidae), flies were observed on utility poles near sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L. [Chenopodiaceae]) fields in southern Idaho; this contrasts with the approximately equal sex ratio typically observed within fields. Peak observation of mating pairs coincided with peak diurnal abundance of flies. Volatiles released by individual male and female flies were sampled from 08:00 to 24:00 hours in the laboratory using solid-phase microextraction and analyzed using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Eleven compounds were uniquely detected from males. Three of these compounds (2-undecanol, 2-decanol, and sec-nonyl acetate) were detected in greater quantities during 12:00–24:00 hours than during 08:00–12:00 hours. The remaining eight compounds uniquely detected from males did not exhibit temporal trends in release. Both sexes produced 2-nonanol, but males produced substantially higher (ca. 80-fold) concentrations of this compound than females, again peaking after 12:00 hours. The temporal synchrony among male aggregation behavior, peak mating rates, and release of certain volatile compounds by males suggest that T. myopaeformis flies exhibit lekking behavior and produce an associated pheromone. Field assays using synthetic blends of the putative aggregation pheromone showed evidence of attraction in both females and males.

Leafhopper transmitted phytoplasma diseases are an emerging problem for potato and vegetable producers in the conterminous US. Due to its geographical isolation and climatic constraints, Alaska is considered relatively free of diseases and insect pests; therefore growers in the state are exploring the potential of producing seed potato for export. However, the biology of agricultural insect pests in the circumpolar region is lacking or poorly understood. Research conducted from 2004 to 2006 in the main potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) production areas of Alaska resulted in the identification of 41 leafhopper species associated with agricultural settings. Twenty species were identified from sweep net samples and adhesive cards in association with potato. Two species, Davisonia snowi (Dorst) and Macrosteles fascifrons (Stål), made up approximately 60% of the total number of individuals collected, representing 34 and 26%, respectively. Both species, M. fascifrons and D. snowi generally arrived in fields by late May to early June and numbers peaked by late June to July, but in all years M. fascifrons populations peaked earlier than D. snowi. Twenty-three percent of the specimens were immature or could not be identified. Three of the species collected [Balclutha punctata (Fabricius), M. fascifrons, and Scaphytopius acutus (Say)] are known vectors of phytoplasmas of potatoes and other agricultural crops or have the potential to cause mechanical damage to potatoes. This report represents the first extensive study of cicadellids from potatoes in Alaska.Resumen Las enfermedades causadas por fitoplasmas trasmitidas por saltahojas son un problema emergente para los productores de hortalizas en los Estados Unidos de América. Debido a su ubicación geográfica y restricciones climáticas, Alaska es considerada relativamente libre de plagas; por tal razón los productores de papa en el estado exploran la posibilidad de producir semilla de papa para exportación. Sin embargo, la biología de las plagas agrícolas en las zonas circumpolares es poco conocida o inexistente. Investigación realizada de 2004 al 2006 en las áreas de mayor producción de papa (Solanum tuberosum L.) en Alaska resultó en la identificación de 41 especies de saltahojas asociadas a sistemas agrícolas. Veinte especies fueron identificadas de muestras capturadas con red entomológica y trampas adhesivas en asociación al cultivo de la papa. Dos especies, Davisonia snowi (Dorst) y Macrosteles fascifrons (Stål) constituyeron aproximadamente el 60% del total de especimenes capturadas, representando el 34 y 26%, respectivamente. Ambas especies, M. fascifrons y D. snowi, generalmente aparecieron en los campos a final de Mayo o inicio de Junio y alcanzaron su mayor número a final de Junio o inicio de Julio, pero en todos los años las poblaciones de M. fascifrons alcanzaron su punto máximo antes que D. snowi. Veintitrés por ciento de los especimenes fueron insectos inmaduros o no pudieron ser identificados. Tres de las especies recolectadas [Balclutha punctata (Fabricius), M. fa...