Abstract Three Cannings brothers describe their intertwined but separate careers in Canadian biology: Rob as an entomologist, Syd as an entomologist and conservation biologist, and Dick as an ornithologist and politician. They emphasise the influence on their lives of the British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley where they grew up, the naturalist family in which they were raised, and the mentors who inspired them in their work. Bird study and nature interpretation in BC Parks were early enthusiasms and influences. Biological research, museum work, nature conservation, public education, and writing have dominated their careers. In Dick’s case, his public life has culminated in a decade of Canadian federal politics as a member of Parliament. This article is modified from the closing plenary address presented at Entomology 2022, the joint annual meeting of the Entomological Society of America, the Entomological Society of Canada, and the Entomological Society of British Columbia, in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, 16 November 2022. The presentation also acted as the 2022 Heritage Lecture of the Entomological Society of Canada.

Abstract Nonnative earthworm species are invading the boreal forest in North America. Oribatid mites are key detritivores in boreal forest soils, initiating litter decomposition and maintaining forest floor structure. Earthworms are also detritivores and are considered ecosystem engineers. When introduced into nonendemic environments, earthworms may alter soil biogeochemical cycling and adversely affect oribatid mite communities. However, to our knowledge, no field studies in boreal forests have investigated invasive earthworms and their impacts on oribatid mites. The present study was conducted in a boreal trembling aspen, Populus tremuloides Michaux (Salicaceae), stand near Wolf Lake, Alberta, Canada. After assessing the current state of earthworm invasion, we identified an area with a lower density of earthworms that was invaded by one species, Dendrobaena octaedra Savigny (Crassiclitellata: Lumbricidae), and an area with a higher density of earthworms that was invaded by multiple species, D. octaedra (Crassiclitellata: Lumbricidae) and Aporrectodea spp. (Crassiclitellata: Lumbricidae). The higher-density area was associated with lower understorey vegetation species richness and with thinner forest floors characterised by higher bulk density but lower total organic carbon and nitrogen stocks. Oribatid mite community composition differed between the two areas, and their richness significantly decreased with higher earthworm density. Our findings suggest that earthworm invasion is substantially disrupting habitat for oribatid mites and might affect the overall boreal ecosystem equilibrium in the long term.

Abstract Two new species of giant lacewings (Neuroptera: Polystoechotidae) are described from Ypresian Okanagan Highlands localities in western North America: Palaeopsychops goodwinisp. nov. and Palaeopsychops barthaesp. nov., both from Republic, Washington, United States of America, and a less well-preserved specimen is treated as Palaeopsychopssp. indet., the first occurrence of the family at McAbee, British Columbia, Canada. These share distinctive wing colouration – dark with a single pale, broad fascia mid-wing.

Abstract In this study, changes in physiological characteristics of Coridius chinensis (Hemiptera: Dinidoridae) during diapause and post-diapause development period were determined. The moisture content of C. chinensis at the beginning of diapause was significantly lower than that at any other stage, and the moisture content during post-diapause development period was significantly higher than that from October to December 2021 and in February and April of the following year. The fat content gradually declined over time. The glycogen content remained at lower levels during diapause but rose sharply during the post-diapause development period, when it became significantly higher than that during diapause. The trehalose content gradually declined in the early stages of diapause but rose greatly in the middle stage, followed by a gradual decline in the late stages and a significant increase during the post-diapause development period. The protein content was at lower levels in the early stages of diapause, significantly lower than that in the middle and late stages of diapause and that during post-diapause development period. The results indicated significant differences in changes in the moisture, fat, carbohydrate, and protein contents between the diapause and post-diapause development periods, with obvious stage characteristics. This study provides a scientific basis for further research on the diapause physiology of C. chinensis.

Abstract Outbreaks caused by migrant pests such as the armyworm, Mythimna unipuncta (Haworth, 1809) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), are generally unpredictable. In the province of Quebec, Canada, the arrival and dispersal of armyworms is monitored by capturing males using pheromone traps. Because only males are captured in pheromone-baited traps, trap catch is not predictive of subsequent larval occurrence and damage. We used traps baited with a feeding attractant to capture both male and female armyworm moths and evaluate their flight period at 11 sites across the province in 2018 and 2019. The reproductive status of females was also investigated by dissecting their reproductive apparatus to determine if they were sexually active when captured. The results showed two peak flight periods between May and August but high variation at the different sites and between years. Both sexes migrate in Quebec at the same time but in variable and unpredictable proportions. All spring migrant females had mated before capture, whereas some unmated females were captured later in the season. These results provide useful information to better monitor the armyworm in Quebec and to develop more appropriate integrated pest management strategies.

Abstract We report the first observation of the Dorantes longtail, Thorybes dorantes (Stoll, 1790) (Lepidoptera: Hesperiidae), in Canada. On 16 April 2023, a single adult was observed on the northwest shore of Lake Ontario, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The observation represents a 1500- to 2000-km disjunction from the species’ nearest known populations in North America. After considering several scenarios that could explain the occurrence of the Dorantes longtail in Canada, the most likely explanation is that the observed individual came in on produce through the Ontario Food Terminal, Etobicoke, Ontario, providing another example of the constant pressure of species introductions to the region.

Abstract The Noctuidae (Lepidoptera) comprise the most diverse and abundant lepidopteran families in the Canadian Prairie Ecozone. Within this group, some species are agricultural pests that require monitoring. Pheromone lures target specific species, whereas food-bait lures attract a broader range. This study reports the diversity and abundance of noctuid moths captured in traps baited with female sex pheromones of pest species and with food-bait lures consisting of acetic acid and 3-methyl-1-butanol (AAMB) with fermented byproduct or floral volatile compounds. Food-bait lures that attract pests and nonpest species can provide insight into moth populations and species richness in human-managed ecosystems. We trapped moths in wheat (Poaceae) and canola (Brassicaceae) fields in central Alberta, Canada. We captured and identified to species approximately 7900 noctuid moths. Community composition was similar in both crops. Sex pheromone–baited traps had variable specificity and low nontarget diversity. Traps baited with AAMB captured greater moth diversity than unbaited traps did. Noctuinae were the most diverse and abundant in AAMB-baited traps (62 species across 8 tribes). The AAMB lures captured more cutworm and armyworm pests than unbaited traps did. Fermented byproduct food–bait lures captured more noctuid pests than floral volatiles did. The AAMB lures can be implemented to monitor Noctuinae diversity and potentially assess local noctuid pest density in agroecosystems on the Canadian prairies.

Abstract While an experimental colony of rice root aphids, Rhopalosiphum rufiabdominale (Sasaki) (Hemiptera: Aphididae) was being reared, hymenopteran parasitoids found their way into the colony and caused substantial aphid mortality. We identified the parasitoids as Aphelinus varipes (Förster) (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) and further investigated the ability of A. varipes to parasitise rice root aphids and cannabis aphids, Phorodon cannabis Passerini (Hemiptera: Aphididae), both pests of commercial cannabis plants, Cannabis sativa Linnaeus (Cannabaceae). In experiments with different densities of aphid hosts, female A. varipes parasitised both rice root aphids and cannabis aphids. The rate of parasitism did not exceed 21% for either aphid species but may exceed this in unconstrained operational settings. Aphelinus varipes should be investigated further as a potential biocontrol agent of rice root aphids and cannabis aphids.

Abstract The developmental environment can have an especially large impact on life history plasticity in animals, influencing body size, reproductive success, and longevity. This is because developmental processes interact with environmental factors to determine phenotypes such as body size, sexual investment, and metabolic rate, which in turn can influence longevity and senescence. We investigated how natural differences in the larval environment (discarded moose antlers) influenced development time, survival, and mating success of wild male antler flies, Protopiophila litigata Bonduriansky (Diptera: Piophilidae). Antlers become depleted of resources from year to year, as multiple generations of larvae feed within them. We collected larvae that grew inside nine different shed moose antlers, and we individually tracked them in the field as adults. Moose antlers that were more attractive to adult P. litigata also supported a greater number of larvae, suggesting they are of higher quality. Flies that developed in more attractive antlers completed metamorphosis more quickly but did not differ in body size, longevity, or lifetime mating success. This suggests that the observed differences in larval density may, in part, balance the variation in resource availability among antlers. Regardless of natal antler, large male P. litigata tended to live longer and have higher mating success, as found in previous studies of this species.

Abstract Little is known about the distribution and natural history of hoverflies (Diptera: Syrphidae) in western Canada. Filling in knowledge gaps and tracking this potentially changing fauna are important because hoverflies are likely important pollinators and are natural pest control agents for crops. Hoverflies were collected using Malaise traps placed near fields seeded to canola in central Alberta from May to August 2021. Platycheirus varipes Curran represents a new species record for Alberta. Two species of conservation concern and two species with extremely limited collection records were also collected. A species that was previously found only in mountainous regions and another three species whose Albertan records consisted only of iNaturalist records were found.