A description is given of the life history, biology and feeding habits of the cetoniine beetle Pachnoda interrupta (Olivier) (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) studied in pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum) fields in north-west Mali. The third instar larva of this beetle, reared from the progeny of field captured adults, is also described and figured. Yield losses to a range of beetle densities (1-5 and 10 beetles/head) on millet heads have been estimated to range from 9 to 48% in caged trial experiments. The regression equation generated from these data may be used to establish economic injury thresholds and predict losses resulting from varying beetle densities.

Genetics studies gave an insight into the evolutionary systematics of theS. americana complex. Chemical analysis and comparison of the cuticular hydrocarbons of five species of this complex (S. gregaria, cancellata,americana, piceifrons, andpallens) confirmed the species status previously established by hybridization and also revealed new elements. We have shown the existence of two groups of species:S. gregaria andS. cancellata on one hand,S. americana andS. piceifrons on the other.S. pallens does not fit into either of these groups. These analyses thus have shed some light on the possible origins ofS. gregaria vis-à-visS. cancellata for which an explanation is proposed.

An account is given detailing some aspects of the biology and economic importance of Psalydolytta pilipes Maklin in pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum) fields in north-west Mali. Descriptions of the triungulin larval stage, together with drawings of larval development from the first grub stage to the coarctate larval stage, are given for two Psalydolytta species, P. pilipes and P. vestita Dufour. First grub phase larvae were successfully reared through to coarctates from eggs obtained from field captured adult beetles, on egg-pods obtained from a selection of commonly occurring grasshopper species. Yield losses resulting from cage trial experiments showed that whole millet candles can be destroyed during one night's feeding at densities approaching 12 beetles per head.

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The African forest dwelling Hemiacridine grasshopper genus Kassongia 1. Bolivar, 1908, is revised. Keys are provided to the males of the species and subspecies. Three new species, maculifemur sp.n., rufogeniculata s p a . , subfuscata sp.n., and one subspecies, flavovittata microptera subsp.n., are described.Labidioloryma gen.n., with type-species Labidioloryma strictoforcepts sp.n. from Malawi, is described and allocated to the Loryma genusgroup (sensu Brown, 1959Brown, , 1973.