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We compared rearing Harmonia dimidiata (F.) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) on four combinations of Aphis gossypii Glover (Hemiptera: Aphididae), and eggs of Bactrocera dorsalis Hendel (Diptera: Tephritidae), using the age-stage, two-sex life table. The four combinations were: both larvae and adults were reared on aphids; larvae were reared on aphids and adults were reared on fresh fruit fly eggs; larvae were reared on lyophilized fruit fly eggs and adults were reared on aphids; and larvae were reared on lyophilized eggs and adults were reared on fresh eggs. The highest intrinsic rate of increase (r = 0.1125 d-1) and net reproductive rate (R0 = 260.7 offspring) were observed when both larval and adult stages of H. dimidiata were reared on A. gossypii. When B. dorsalis eggs were used as rearing media for larvae, adults, or both, the values of r and R0 were significantly decreased. The lowest values (r = 0.0615 d-1 and R0 = 38.6 offspring) were observed when both larvae and adults were reared entirely on B. dorsalis eggs. Despite the lower r and R0 values, our results showed that B. dorsalis eggs could be considered as an adequate, less expensive alternative diet for rearing H. dimidiata because of the time and labor savings resulting from the ease of preparation and the ability to store the eggs for timely usage. The mass-rearing analysis showed that the most economical rearing system was to rear larvae on A. gossypii and adults on B. dorsalis eggs.

The filbert aphid Myzocallis coryli (Goeze) is a serious pest of hazelnut in North America, Italy, Spain, and Turkey. To evaluate the resistance of hazelnut to this insect, aphids were reared on five major cultivars ('Tombul,' 'Palaz,' 'Çakıldak,' 'Foşa,' and 'Mincane') under laboratory conditions. The developmental times of preadult and adult stages, total longevity, reproduction, and life table parameters were analyzed according to age-stage, two-sex life table theory, in which the stage differentiation and variable developmental rates among individuals could be described. The intrinsic rate of increase (r) and finite rate of increase (λ) varied among the cultivars. The highest values were found for aphids reared on Çakıldak (r = 0.2019 d-1, λ = 1.2238 d-1), which did not differ significantly from Mincane (r = 0.1957 d-1, λ = 1.2161 d-1), whereas these parameters were lowest for Palaz (r = 0.1622 d-1, λ = 1.1761 d-1) and Foşa (r = 0.1677 d-1, λ = 1.1826 d-1). Based on longer preadult development time, shorter adult longevity, shorter reproductive period, together with the demographic parameters, Palaz and Foşa provide a relatively unfavorable environment for the filbert aphid. The results obtained from demographic data together with estimates of pest growth potential generated by computer projection based on age-stage, two-sex life table theory, demonstrate that both Palaz and Foşa are resistant cultivars for M. coryli and can be considered in hazelnut integrated pest management and hazelnut breeding programs.

Researchers in ecology and evolutionary biology are increasingly dependent on computational code to conduct research, and the use of efficient methods to share, reproduce, and collaborate on code as well as any research-related documentation has become fundamental. GitHub is an online, cloud-based service that can help researchers track, organize, discuss, share, and collaborate on software and other materials related to research production, including data, code for analyses, and protocols.Despite these benefits, the use of GitHub by EEB researchers is not widespread due to the lack of domain-specific information and guidelines. To help EEB researchers adopt useful features from GitHub in their own workflows, we review twelve practical ways to use the platform. We outline features ranging from low to high technical difficulty: storing code, managing projects, coding collaboratively, conducting peer review, and writing a manuscript. Given that members of a research team may have different technical skills and responsibilities, we describe how the optimal use of GitHub features may vary among members of a research collaboration. As more ecologists and evolutionary biologists establish their workflows using GitHub, the field can continue to push the boundaries of collaborative, transparent, and open research.