Encarsia (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) parasitoids of Bemisia species in Taiwan (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae)

The whitefly genus Bemisia (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) is represented by five species in Taiwan, including the notorious global pest Bemisia tabaci. A catalogue of Encarsia species attacking these whiteflies, based almost entirely on previously unpublished records, is provided. A key for the identification of the 17 Encarsia species known to parasitize Bemisia species in Taiwan is provided. Three new species, E. guangxingana Shih, Ko and Polaszek sp. nov., E. lineolata Shih, Ko and Polaszek sp. nov. and E. magnalata Shih, Ko and Polaszek sp. nov., are described from Taiwan. These new species were all reared from Bemisia giffardi.     

Casinaria,a paraphyletic ichneumonid genus (Hymenoptera), and a revision of the Australian species

The Australian species of the campoplegine ichneumonid genus Casinaria are revised and an illustrated key is provided for their identification. Eleven species are recognized, but one is not formally named. The Australian species are referable to two morphologically and biologically distinct groups, the meridionalis species-group (containing amarilla sp. nov., hesperiophaga sp. nov. and meridionalis (Turner)) which are parasitoids of hesperiid larvae, and the siccata species-group (containing eremica sp. nov., micra sp. nov., mythologica sp. nov., pavlova sp. nov., siccata sp. nov., virgata sp. nov., woowonga sp. nov. and species A) which parasitize the larvae of a variety of smaller moths. The holophyly of each of the two species-groups is demonstrated, but characters supporting the holophyly of the genus could not be found, suggesting that Casinaria, as currently recognized, may either be paraphyletic or polyphyletic.     

The genus Platypalpus Macquart (Diptera: Hybotidae) from Northeast Thailand with comments on the species groups in the Oriental region

The first records on the genus Platypalpus Macquart from Thailand are presented including 10 species new to science: P. fai sp. nov., P. gaemluang sp. nov., P. hualuang sp. nov., P. isaanensis sp. nov., P. nuadkhao sp. nov., P. phomyaaw sp. nov., P. seedam sp. nov., P. seeluang sp. nov., P. siamensis sp. nov., and P. thaicus sp. nov.. A key to these species is provided. All species of Platypalpus known from the Oriental Region (totally 54) are arranged into the species groups currently established for the genus. Eight species groups are recognized from the Oriental Realm and the distribution of each group is briefly discussed. The P. albiseta‐group is most diverse in the Orient with 16 species recorded. Two species of this group possess a modified structure and vestiture of certain abdominal segments that is the first record of this phenomenon in Platypalpus. Also, within the P. albiseta‐group a complex of closely related species sharing an apomorphous condition of the hypoproct has been recognized. In these species the structure of the hypoproct is likely to deal with clasping during copulation instead of the cerci and epandrial lamellae.     

New species of ptyctimous mites (Acari,Oribatida) from Cuba

Five new species of two genera of ptyctimous, soil mites (Acari, Oribatida, Steganacaridae) are described: Protophthiracarus aethes sp. nov., Protophthiracarus pinarensis sp. nov., Protophthiracarus ruseki sp. nov., Notophthiracarus granpiedraensis sp. nov. and Notophthiracarus obturatus sp. nov. The identification key for determination of Protophthiracarus species of Cuba is provided. One of the genera, Notophthiracarus, is newly found in the Antilles. New described species have increased the number of endemic species for Cuba and increased the number of the known species of ptyctimous mites to 47.     

Review of the genus Helcystogramma Zeller (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae: Dichomeridinae) from China

The genus Helcystogramma Zeller from China is reviewed. Of the 20 species treated in this paper, nine are described as new: H. imagibicuneum sp. nov., H. flavifuscum sp. nov., H. brevinodium sp. nov., H. albilepidotum sp. nov., H. angustum sp. nov., H. flavistictum sp. nov., H. furvimaculare sp. nov., H. imagitrijunctum sp. nov. and H. rectangulum sp. nov.; six are newly recorded for this country: H. flavilineolella Ponomarenko, H. bicuneum (Meyrick), H. epicentra (Meyrick), H. perelegans (Omelko et Omelko), H. fuscomarginatum Ueda and H. lutatella (Herrich-Schäffer); the previously unknown females of H. epicentra (Meyrick) and H. hassenzanensis Park et Hodges are described for the first time; H. bicuneum (Meyrick) and H. epicentra (Meyrick) are redescribed; and the misidentification of H. trijunctum (Meyrick) is clarified. These species are arranged into five species groups based on the forewing patterns and the genital characters: the flavilineolella group, the hibisci group, the perelegans group, the triannulella group and the trijunctum group. Images of the adults and the illustrations of the male and female genitalia are provided. A key to distinguish the Chinese species and three maps to show the localities of these species are included.     

Ten new species of the subgenus Steganina (Diptera: Drosophilidae: Stegana) from southern China

Ten new species of the subgenus Stegana (Steganina) are described from southern to south-western China: S. (S.) convena sp. nov., S. (S.) cylindrica sp. nov., S. (S.) eurystoma sp. nov., S. (S.) hamata sp. nov., S. (S.) hirticeps sp. nov., S. (S.) latigena sp. nov., S. (S.) planiceps sp. nov., S. (S.) rhomboica sp. nov., S. (S.) setivena sp. nov. and S. (S.) sphaerica sp. nov. They cannot be placed under any established species groups. http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:D4B6C5A7-3700-4B0C-8355-E4564C2A7296     

Psocoptera of the Togo-Benin Gap,West Africa

Summary

The first major collection of Psocoptera from the Togo-Benin Gap containing 28 species, in 16 genera is described. Twelve of the species are new (Rhyopsocus plesiafer sp. nov., Caecilius propinquifallax sp. nov., C. fuscolineus sp. nov., Lachesilla mutabilis sp. nov., L. nigripalpa sp. nov., Ectopsocus maculosus sp. nov., Peripsocus marginatus sp. nov., P. acuminatus sp. nov., P. togoensis sp. nov., Pseudoscottiella forcipiforma sp. nov., Blaste togoensis sp. nov., and Trichadenotecnum colesae sp. nov.). Blaste muiri Smithers is synonymized with B. medleri New. The previously described psocid species, together with affinities which the new species have with the psocid fauna of other countries, are discussed in the light of the zoogeographical interest in this area.     

A new genus with three new species of copepods from the family Diaixidae (Crustacea: Calanoida), and a redefinition of the family

Plankton samples taken in the Gulf of Carpentaria, Australia, yielded material of a new genus containing 3 new species: Anawekia spinosa gen. nov. et sp. nov., A. robusta sp. nov. and A. bilobata sp. nov., which are described herein. The family Diaixidae now contains 12 described species in 2 genera, 9 being in the genus Diaixis. It is noted that 3 of the Diaixis species (including the type species) share some features which are not shared with the remaining 6 species, and that these latter species should probably be placed into a third genus. An amplified redefinition of the family is given.     

A review of the genus Gynaecoserica Brenske, 1896 (Coleoptera,Scarabaeidae, Sericini)

The present paper gives a review of the species so far assigned to the genus Gynaecoserica Brenske, 1896 Brenske, E. 1896. Insectes du Bengale. Melolonthidae. Ann Soc Entomol Belg., 40: 150–164.  [Google Scholar]. Thirty-two new species are described: Gynaecoserica alma sp. nov., G. amara sp. nov., G. arunachalensis sp. nov., G. barclayi sp. nov., G. bicolorata sp. nov., G. bocaki sp. nov., G. bomdilana sp. nov., G. compacta sp. nov., G. densipunctata sp. nov., G. digna sp. nov., G. dirangensis sp. nov., G. exilis sp. nov., G. gisionensis sp. nov., G. hirsuta sp. nov., G. ignobilis sp. nov., G. jelineki sp. nov., G. keithi sp. nov., G. lobiceps sp. nov., G. lohitensis sp. nov., G. lomsakensis sp. nov., G. lubosi sp. nov., G. luteata sp. nov., G. maekasana sp. nov., G. maymyoensis sp. nov., G. nahangensis sp. nov., G. namtamaiensis sp. nov., G. obliqua sp. nov., G. rostrata sp. nov., G. schima sp. nov., G. seinghkuensis sp. nov., G. vogleri sp. nov. and G. ziyardamensis sp. nov. The genitalia of the new species are figured and the distribution of the species is illustrated. Two new combinations are established: G. marginipes (Brenske, 1896 Brenske, E. 1896. Insectes du Bengale. Melolonthidae. Ann Soc Entomol Belg., 40: 150–164.  [Google Scholar]) comb. nov. and G. felina (Arrow, 1946 Arrow, GJ. 1946. Entomological results from the Swedish expedition 1934 to Burma and British India. Coleoptera, Melolonthidae. Ark Zool., 38A(9): 1–33.  [Google Scholar]) comb. nov.; the lectotype of the latter is designated. In addition to the species diagnoses a key to all so far known Gynaecoserica species is provided.     

Revision of the Madagascan genus Madecorphnus Paulian (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Orphninae)

A scarab beetle genus, Madecorphnus Paulian, endemic to Madagascar, is revised. Nine new species are described: M. brunneus sp. nov., M. dentatus sp. nov., M. montreuili sp. nov., M. niger sp. nov., M. pauliani sp. nov., M. perinetensis sp. nov., M. peyrierasi sp. nov., M. punctatus sp. nov., M. simplex sp. nov. Diagnosis of the genus is clarified. Distribution map and a diagnostic key to all species are presented.     

A revision of the genus Ceratomerus (Diptera: Empididae: Ceratomerinae) of New Zealand

The genus Ceratomerus Philippi (Diptera: Empididae; Ceratomerinae) of New Zealand is revised and a key to species given. Thirteen species are recognized and the following new species are proposed: C. biseriatus sp. nov., C. flavus sp. nov., C. earlyi sp. nov., C. melaneus sp. nov., C. brevifurcatus sp. nov., C. tarsalis sp. nov. and C. vittatus sp. nov. The biology and phylogeny are briefly discussed.     

“Typhloplanoida” (Platyhelminthes: Rhabdocoela) from the Indian Ocean,with the description of six new taxa

Seven typhloplanoids from the Indian Ocean are discussed; six of them are new to science. We place four of the new species within the Trigonostomidae. Gandalfia bilunata gen. nov. sp. nov. is characterized by a tubiform stylet and two semilunar structures in the afferent duct. Mahurubia clava gen. nov. sp. nov. has a gutter‐shaped stylet and a club‐shaped mouthpiece on the bursa. Parapharyngiella involucrum gen. nov. sp. nov. is characterized by a stylet in the form of a question mark and a bursal mouthpiece with a club‐shaped and a barrel‐shaped part. Poseidoplanella halleti gen. nov. sp. nov. is characterized by an unpaired ovary, a funnel‐shaped stylet connected with a plate, and a small, tubular bursal mouthpiece. Furthermore, new data are given on Ceratopera axi. The two other new species belong to the Typhloplanidae. Aegira annabellae gen. nov. sp. nov., a marine species, is characterized by a box‐shaped stylet and a long, pseudocuticularized ejaculatory duct. Castrada trispina sp., a freshwater species, has a copulatory bursa with three spines. Mahurubia clava gen. nov. sp. nov. and Parapharyngiella involucrum gen. nov. sp. nov. occur at Zanzibar, Tanzania. The other five species have been found on Kerguelen.     

Three new species of the subgenus Ashima (Diptera: Drosophildae: Phortica) from south-western China,with DNA barcoding information

Three new species of the subgenus Phortica (Ashima), P. (A.) libo sp. nov., P. (A.) yalianae sp. nov. and P. (A.) yiqini sp. nov., are described from south-western China. DNA sequences of the mitochondrial cytochrom c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene with BOLD Process ID and GenBank accession numbers are provided for 29 specimens of 13 species. A key to the Chinese species of the subgenus Ashima is provided based on morphological characters.

http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:F6FF55B2-B1D8-4B79-B559-68654CAF286C     

Taxonomic study on Sathytes Westwood (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Pselaphinae) from China. Part I

This is the first part of a series dealing with the taxonomy of the genus Sathytes Westwood from China. Fifteen Chinese species are recognized and all described here as new: Sathytes cristatus sp.nov., Sathytes excertus sp.nov., Sathytes perpusillus sp.nov., Sathytes rarus sp.nov., Sathytes tangliangi sp.nov., Sathytes tibialis sp.nov., Sathytes usitatus sp.nov. and Sathytes yunanicus sp.nov. from Yunnan; Sathytes larinus sp.nov. and Sathytes wuyishanus sp.nov. from Fujian; Sathytes longitrabis sp.nov. from Shaanxi; Sathytes longwangshanus sp.nov. and Sathytes paulus sp.nov. from Zhejiang; Sathytes magnus sp.nov. from Xizang; and Sathytes sichuanicus sp.nov. from Sichuan. Illustrations of major diagnostic characters of the new species are given. A total of 33 species worldwide are placed into seven newly defined groups. A checklist of Sathytes is also provided.     

Classification,reconstructed phylogeny and geographic history of the Neotropical phorid flies of the genus Gymnophora (Diptera: Phoridae)

The Neotropical species of Gymnophora are revised to include 28 species, 17 of which are new. Two subgenera, Cerocratia (in a revised sense) and Gymnophora s.s. are recognized. Cerocratia includes Gymnophora triangularis sp. nov., G. acutangula Schmitz, G. latibrachia sp. nov., G. lacertosa sp. nov., G. chilensis Borgmeier, G. parachilensis sp. nov., G. aemula Borgmeier, G. forticornis Schmitz, and doubtfully G. colona Brues. G. adumbrata Borgmeier is considered as a junior synonym of G. aemula (syn. nov.). Within Gymnophora s.s. there are four major lineages, the G. commotria-group, the G. carina-group, the G. cymatoneura-group and the G. quartomollis-group. Of these, the G. carina-group and the G. quartomollis-group are known only from the Holarctic Region. The G. commotria-group consists of the G. forcipis-series, containing G. forcipis sp. nov., subuncata sp. nov. and uncata sp. nov., and G. damula-series, whose species are further organized into the G. strigula-subseries, containing G. strigula sp. nov. and G. unidentata sp. nov., plus the G. falciformis-subseries, containing G. alces sp. nov., damula sp. nov. and falciformis sp. nov. Also included in the G. commotria-group are eight residual species whose relationships cannot be deduced at this time. Three of these species, G. commotria Schmitz, penai sp. nov. and quadrata sp. nov. are more closely related to each other than to G. auricula sp. nov., brasiliensis Borgmeier, heteroneura Schmitz, inusitata sp. nov. and trispina sp. nov. The G. cymatoneura-group contains G. cymatoneura Enderlein and G. spiracularis Borgmeier, and the male of G. spiracularis is described for the first time. A key is given that permits identification of males of most species, but females cannot be identified with certainty. A partially sequenced classification of the genus indicates the relationships of most of the included species. The genus may have originated in the Neotropical Region, although the evidence is tenuous, and shows some similarity of distribution to Andean-centered plant groups.