Trialeurodes abutiloneus (Haldeman) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae), a species long present but never officially recorded in Canada

Trialeurodes abutiloneus (Haldeman) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) is known to have been present in Canada since 1973. Despite this, the species has until now not been officially recorded; a surprising fact considering the close association of the species with economically important crops. The historic distribution expands from Mexico to southern New York and Michigan in the United States of America. In 2016, all life stages of T. abutiloneus were collected again on soybean (Glycine max (Linnaeus) Merrill; Fabaceae) plants grown in research greenhouses in southwestern Ontario, Canada. Specimens were morphologically and genetically identified to confirm their identity as T. abutiloneus. Thereafter, the barcode sequence for this species was also identified from the barcode of life data system, informing on the prior detection of this species from specimens collected at Point Pelee National Park, Ontario, Canada in 2012 during a barcode of life collection. Although this species is not considered a major pest on crops in Canada, it is related to other common pests within the same genus and can potentially transmit similar plant diseases. We provide the barcode COI sequence for the species, give an overview of the documented host range pertinent to Canada, and provide information concerning its natural enemies.

Trap response and genetic structure of eastern subterranean termites (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) in Point Pelee National Park, Ontario, Canada

Reticulitermes flavipes (Kollar) is best known throughout southwestern counties of Ontario, Canada, as an urban pest. Little is known, however, of the presence of this termite in nonurban settings in Ontario. In this study, we confirmed the existence of a population of R. flavipes on the shores of Lake Erie within Point Pelee National Park. A systematic trap survey conducted along the park's semi-vegetated west beach revealed several zones of termite activity. An analysis of trap response at one location indicated an association between termite activity and smaller sized, moderately decayed woody debris. Further, microsatellite DNA analysis suggested the presence of at least three genetically distinct colonies, each likely headed by multiple inbred reproductives. Together these data suggest that termite activity is linked to food quality, and that single colonies are potentially long-lived through multiple generations of inbreeding. Assuming it is derived from a population reported from Point Pelee in 1929, the study population is the oldest known eastern subterranean termite population in Ontario.