The morphology and biology of Pterodunga mirabile Daccordi,an unusual subsocial Chrysomeline (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)

New information is provided on the morphology and biology of the Australian leaf‐beetle Pterodunga mirabile Daccordi. This species is unusual in the Chrysomelinae for the following features: adult with deeply grooved prothoracic hypopleuron, laterally pointed elytral margins, concealed mesoventrite and fused abdominal ventrites; female ovoviviparous and without spermatheca; first‐instar larva with lappet‐like sclerites; maternal care; host plant in the Proteaceae. The systematic position and conservation status of Pterodunga are discussed. Maternal care in the Chrysomelinae and Proteaceae‐feeding in the Chrysomelidae are reviewed. The first record of maternal care in Chrysomelinae, for Labidomera suturella Guérin‐Méneville, is shown to be a misidentification of Platyphora selvae Daccordi.     

Interactions among squirrels, mycorrhizal fungi, and coniferous forests in Oregon

We examined the mycophagy (ingestion of fungi) of squirrels of five genera and eight species in the coniferous forests of Oregon. Data from 644 dietary samples demonstrated that squirrels of all eight species are mycophagous and eat the belowground fruiting bodies of at least 26 genera of mycorrhizal fungi. Four species are primarily arboreal and active throughout the year; the other four are primarily terrestrial and hibernate during winter. Of the squirrels examined, only the northern flying squirrel ( Glaucomys sabrinus [Shaw]) is nocturnal and almost exclusively a fungivore. The flying squirrel is used to illustrate the dynamics of all the squirrels in association with hypogeous mycorrhizal fungi, nitrogen-fixing bacteria, yeast, and coniferous trees in Oregon forests because we have studied it the most. Squirrels may prove to be vital links among different processes within temperate coniferous forests.     

Helminth parasites of the white-tailed jackrabbit, Lepus townsendi, from northwestern Colorado and southern Wyoming

Helminth parasites of white - tailed jackrabbits, Lepus townsendi , were surveyed from southern Wyoming and northwestern Colorado. A total of eight helminth species were identified, including two species of adult cestodes, Mosgovoyia pectinata and M. varabilis ; three species of larval cestodes, Multiceps serialis , Taenia pisiformis , and Taenis sp. ; and three species of nematodes, Dermatoxys veliger , Passalurus ambiguus , and a filariid, Micipsella brevicauda . In addition, eggs of an unidentified species of Nematodirus were found in pooled fecal samples. The cysticercus larva of Taenia sp. is a species new to science and will be reported elsewhere. Mosgovoyia varabilis and Micipsella brevicauda are new records for the white - tailed jackrabbit.         

Symbiotic associations between hermit crabs and bryozoans from the Otago region,southeastern New Zealand

Thirteen species of bryozoans (six cyclostomes and seven cheilostomes) occurring off the Otago Peninsula (southeastern New Zealand) form symbiotic, possibly mutualistic, associations with hermit crabs. For all but one of these bryozoan species, such an association has not been reported previously. At most only 3 of the 13 bryozoans are obligate symbionts of hermit crabs. Associations are apparently initiated when a bryozoan larva settles on a gastropod shell occupied by a juvenile hermit crab and develops to form a colony which encrusts the whole shell and then continues to grow out beyond the shell aperture in the form of a helicospiral tube. The tube-building bryozoan colony grows in step with the crab, and tube development appears to be controlled by crab morphology and activity. Of the six species of hermit crabs found occupying bryozoan tubes, four were regular tube occupants, although they could also be found in other shelter types. Hermit crabs occupying bryozoan tubes very rarely indulged in shell exchanges or shell fights. There appear to be no clear cut pairwise correlations between hermit crab species and tube-forming bryozoan species. The following bryozoan species are described for the first time: Heteropora parapelliculata, Borgiola otagoensis, Disporella gordoni, Osthimosia monilifera and O. socialis.     

The preimaginal stages of Minotetrastichus frontalis (Nees) and Chrysocharis laomedon (Walker) (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae), parasitoids associated with Phyllonorycter issikii (Kumata) (Lepidoptera,Gracillariidae)

The biology and morphology of the early larval instars of Minotetrastichus frontalis (Nees) are redescribed and the morphology of the preimaginal stages of Chrysocharis laomedon (Walker) (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) are described in detail for the first time. Both species are larval-pupal parasitoids of Phyllonorycter issikii (Lepidoptera, Gracillariidae), which is associated with Tilia sp. The female of M. frontalis lays her egg beside the host larva and the newly hatched first instar larva moves and has to find the host larva. The larva of P. issikii tries to continue its feeding but never pupates after paralysis. The female of C. laomedon lays its egg inside the cuticle of the larva of P. issikii, but the newly hatched parasitoid larva vacates the host larva and develops externally on its surface as an ectoparasitoid. Such behaviour might be facilitated by the constant temperature and humidity inside the mine. Some peculiarities of parasitoid–host relationships are described and discussed.     

Hypersymbioses in the pinnotherid crabs (Decapoda: Brachyura: Pinnotheridae): a review

Members of the brachyuran family Pinnotheridae are nearly all symbionts of other invertebrates; some crabs are parasitic and others are commensal. Most live inside bivalve molluscs or in the tubes or burrows of polychaetes and other marine organisms. Animals living on or in pinnotherid crabs are considered to be hypersymbiotic and are reviewed here. Hypersymbionts are poorly represented within only 26 members (～8.6%) of the Pinnotheridae (20 species in the subfamily Pinnotherinae and six species in the Pinnothereliinae). Parasitic hypersymbionts are as follows: three species of fungi; one cestode larva (undescribed procercoid of Trypanorhynchida); one trematode metacercaria (undescribed Microphallidae); nematode cysts (undescribed); three species of Nemertea (Carcinonemertidae, two undescribed); two species of rhizocephalan Cirripedia (Sacculinidae; plus five or more undescribed potential sacculinid species); epicaridean Isopoda [13 species of Bopyridae (one undescribed) and four species of entoniscids (Entoniscidae, three undescribed)]. Preliminary biological information on undescribed entoniscids is presented. Several mainly incidental hypersymbioses involving ectosymbionts are known primarily from Pinnixa chaetopterana, a symbiont of polychaete burrows. The ctenostome bryozoan Triticella elongata is the only known obligate ectosymbiont in P. chaetopterana, but it also infests five other species of pinnotherids. Some of the other ectosymbionts (all incidental) on P. chaetopterana are stalked ciliates, hydroids, juvenile polychaetes, bivalve molluscs, balanomorph barnacles, harpacticoid copepods and urochordates. Species of ectosymbionts including an ectoproct bryozoan have been reported from other pinnotherid species. Factors influencing our meagre knowledge of hypersymbioses in the Pinnotheridae are discussed, among them the inaccessibility of crab hosts and research emphasis on taxonomy within the family.     

Helminth parasites of seven anuran species from northwestern Mexico

One hundred eighty-three specimens representing 7 anuran species were examined for helminth parasites: Bufo kelloggi, B. mazatlanensis, Leptodactylus melanonotus, Pachymedusa dacnicolor, Rana forreri, R. magnaocularis, Smilisca baudini . The following species were found: 8 species of Trematoda, Cephalogonimus americanus, Clinostomum attenuatum (larva), Glypthelmins poncedeleoni, G. quieta, Gorgoderina attenuata, Haematoloechus complexus, H. longiplexus , and Megalodiscus temperatus ; 2 species of Cestoda, Cylindrotaenia americana and Nematotaenia dispar ; 13 species of Nematoda, Aplectana incerta, A. itzocanensis, Cosmocerca podicipinus, Cosmocercella haberi, Cosmocercoides variabilis, Foleyellides striatus, Oswaldocruzia pipiens, Rhabdias americanus, R. ranae, Subulascaris falcaustriformis, Physaloptera sp. (larva), Physocephalus sp. (larva), and Spiroxys sp. (larva); and 1 species of Acanthocephala (cystacanth). Helminth species richness was 6.4 ± 2.4 s. Thirty-five new host records are reported.     

Life cycles and host–parasitoid relationships of five species of Leucospis wasps in Argentina (Hymenoptera: Leucospidae)

The genus Leucospis Fabricius is comprised of parasitoid wasps relatively uncommon in nature. Their immature stages develop on aculeate Hymenoptera, in particular solitary bees, but hosts are known for only around 25 Leucospis species (about 20% of 115–120 world species), so the true relationship of this family with bees is largely unknown. Here we report on individuals of five species of Leucospis wasps which emerged from nests of different bee and wasp species during distinct sampling periods during a trap-nesting programme, in two contrasting areas: agro-ecosystems and natural habitats in the Pampean region. Some of these nests were parasitised by L. cayennensis Westwood, L. coxalis Kirby, L. egaia Walker, L. pulchriceps Cameron and L. signifera Bou?ek. Our results expand the available information of host species for L. cayennensis, L. coxalis, L. egaia and L. pulchriceps and represent the first record of hosts associated with L. signifera. The hosts were only bee species of the genera Centris, Tetrapedia (family Apidae) and Megachile (Megachilidae). These species were more abundant in the natural reserve than in agro-ecosystems, suggesting that anthropogenic activities could negatively affect their populations. Most nests were attacked in one (43.7%) or two (40.7%) cells, but the remaining nests (16.5%) had more (up to seven cells). However, the position of the attacked cells was variable, suggesting that females of Leucospis species oviposit in recently built cells, and that the hatching of larvae is delayed, or that the first larval stage waits until the host larva reaches a sufficient size to attack.     

Morphology and feeding behaviour of the leaf-mining larva of Cheilosia semifasciata (Diptera: Syrphidae)

In North Wales the larva of Cheilosia semifasciata (Diptera: Syrphidae) makes full-depth blotch mines in leaves of Umbilicus rupestris. Mines occur mostly on shaded plants with one larva per plant. Each larva mines several leaves to complete development and initiates new mines by curling round the leaf margin and puncturing the epidermis under the leaf. Unlike other dipteran leaf-miners which feed on their sides, only the thorax is turned sideways when feeding. The larva uses a grasping organ on the anal segment to grip the substrate when moving externally on the food-plant. Inside leaf mines, position is further secured by the integumental vestiture which grips the epidermis above the larva. The morphology and behaviour of the larva of C. semifasciata differs markedly from larvae of three congeneric species that tunnel in stems and roots.     

Morphology and chaetotaxy of the immature stages of the scorpionfly Panorpa liui Hua (Mecoptera: Panorpidae) with notes on its biology

The immature stages of the scorpionfly Panorpa liui Hua were obtained through rearing. The egg, larva and pupa were observed using light and scanning electron microscopy with special reference to the chaetotaxy of the first instar larva and pupa. The larva is of the eruciform type, with three pairs of thoracic legs and eight pairs of abdominal prolegs. The head of the larva bears a pair of compound eyes, each of which consists of 26 ommatidia. A fleshy tibial lobe is borne distally on the mesal side of the tibia of the thoracic legs. The telson bears a protrusile sucker of four anal forks. The pupa is exarate and decticous with sexual dimorphism in chaetotaxy and caudal segments. This species completes two generations per year, overwintering as the prepupal stage in the soil. The durations of egg, larva and pupa are 3–4, 13–19 and 8–10 days, respectively.     

Reproduction,planula development,and substratum selection in three species of Stylactaria (Cnidaria: Hydrozoa) from Hokkaido,Japan

Modes of reproduction, morphology and behaviour of planulae, and substratum specificity were studied and compared in three species of the hydrozoan genus Stylactaria from Hokkaido, S. conchicola, S. uchidai, and S. multigranosi. Observed differences in these attributes provide additional characters for discrimination of the three species. Stylactaria conchicola is oviparous, its planulae are sedentary, and its hydroid is substratum specific (living only on shells of the gastropod Homalopoma amussitatum). Stylactaria uchidai differs in being ovoviviparous, in having crawling planulae, and in being a substratum generalist. Stylactaria multigranosi is parthenogenetic, its planulae are sedentary, and it is substratum specific (occurring exclusively on the gastropod Nassarius multigranosus). Only female colonies of S. multigranosi are known, and gonophores of this species differ from those of S. conchicola and S. uchidai in being eumedusoid rather than styloid. Correlations were noted between attributes of the planula larva and substratum specificity in the three species. The cnidome differences between the species suggest that penetrant nematocysts are particularly important for sedentary planulae colonizing moving substrata. These characters are also considered useful in the taxonomy of species of Stylactaria. The phylogenetic significance of different gonophore types in the genus is considered.     

A study on the developmental bionomics of Dineutes indicus Aube (Gyrinidae,Coleoptera)

Australothis volatilis sp. n., the only species of Heliothinae endemic to New Zealand, is described. The larval food plants, Vittadinia spp., are recorded and other biological information is provided. The male and female genitalia, penultimate and final instar larva, pupa, adult, native food plant, and habitat are illustrated.     

The species of the parasitic bee genus Osirinus (Hymenoptera,Apidae)

The species in the genus Osirinus Roig-Alsina are revised. Seven species are recognized, including O. ruficrus, new species, from south-eastern Brazil and O. tarsalis, new species, from western Brazil and Peru. Osiris parvicollis Ducke and O. santiagoi Almeida are transferred for the first time to Osirinus. An identification key based mainly on females is provided.     

The taxonomy and ecology of Orthocladius (Eudactylocladius) fuscimanus (Kieffer), a hygropetric chironomid (Diptera)

The immature stages of Chironomidae (non-biting midges) are important biotic components of the percolating filter beds of sewage works. Orthocladius (Eudactylocladius) fuscimanus (Kieffer) is recorded from a sewage works for the first time, is described in all stages and a neotype designated. Considerable taxonomic and nomenclatural confusion concerning the species and subgenus was resolved by recognition of holotypes of Dactylocladius fuscitarsis Kieffer, D. olivaceus Kieffer, Orthocladius indivisus Kieffer and Eudactylocladius vagans Thienemann, by designation of neotypes for Dactylocladius adauctus Kieffer, D. fontium Kieffer and Orthocladius hygropetricus Kieffer and selection of a lectotype for Eudactylocladius bidenticulatus Thienemann. Orthocladius hygropetricus, O. indivisus, O. bidenticulatus, Dactylocladius adauctus, D. fuscitarsis and D. fontium are all newly synonymized with O. fuscimanus, and Eudactylocladius vagans synonymised with Orthocladius (Eudactylocladius) olivaceus (Kieffer).

The detection of numerous synonyms (and previous misidentifications) revealed a substantial amount of ecological information on the larva of O. fuscimanus. This information is reviewed and reveals that this is a frequent species of hygropetric (thin water film) habitats. A review of the fauna of percolating filters of sewage works indicates that this biotope is the ecological equivalent of naturally occurring hygropetric habitats.     

Revised keys to Paramphiascopsis Lang (Copepoda,Harpacticoida, Diosaccidae) including a new species from deep water off New Zealand

Paramphiascopsis waihonu sp. nov. is described and illustrated from deep water (1116m) off New Zealand. Individuals were retrieved from inside a spent skate (Rajiformes) embryo case in association with the mollusc Choristella sp. The species differs from all others in the genus in segments 3 and 4 of the antennule bearing aesthetascs and inter alia the ornamentation of the abdomen; the P1 basis and general morphology of the male P2 assists in isolating the species. Substantial variability is noted, and revised keys to both sexes of the genus are presented. Brief comments are made on the ecology of the species.     

Improving knowledge of the cyclorrhaphan larva (Diptera)

A significant factor in the evolution of the Cyclorrhapha (Diptera), the most biodiverse of higher dipteran taxa, is the larva. The larva also has wide-ranging trophic and environmental relationships, including positive and negative impacts on human health and wealth. Despite its importance, the larva is neglected and a low proportion of species are known in this stage. In this paper, factors contributing to larval neglect are reviewed, including: poor attitudes leading to cycles of neglect and shallow treatment; taxonomy that uses adult not larval stages; lack of material in collections; rearing barriers, and presumptions of morphological similarity suggesting that characters will be problematic to acquire and analyse. Neglect is pervasive and affects many subjects; those considered here are: species inventories and rarity assessments for biodiversity and conservation, in which larvae are usually ignored although they can be more cost-effective to sample and a richer source of environmental data; determining larval feeding modes where controversies due to conflicting evidence persist unresolved; and reliance on a limited pool of increasingly old publications whose data are repeated rather than tested and updated with new research. In an attempt to reinvigorate interest, which is the main aim of this paper, poorly assessed larval features possibly significant to cyclorrhaphan diversification are also considered. These include: change facilitated by independently evolvable modules; rapid change enabled by labile trophic morphology; shifts between saprophagy and phytophagy due to opportunities provided by angiosperm evolution; and enhanced adaptive potential resulting in derived more than basal taxa developing adaptations that enable access to new and little used resources. Apart from the need to rear more larvae, a major conclusion from this review is that knowledge will improve when the movement capabilities of larvae are used to inform morphological and taxonomic analyses.     

Bionomics,behaviour and immature stages of Pelecotoma fennica (Paykull) (Coleoptera: Rhipiphoridae)

Ptilinus fuscus (Anobiidae) was confirmed as the host species of Pelecotoma fennica (Rhipiphoridae, Pelecotominae). Females of Pelecotoma oviposit into the wood infested by the host larvae. First-instar larvae are elongate, unsclerotized, very different from the triungulinid larvae known in other rhipiphorids. They search actively for the host larvae in the wood; no phoresy is involved in the life cycle. The first-instar larvae temporarily paralyse the host larva and enter its body, overwintering (some perhaps more than once) as an endoparasite. In the spring of the year of emergence, the endoparasite engorges enormously (without moulting) and develops a special sclerotized caudal structure which is then used for perforation of the host's integument. The larva undergoes a further four ectoparasitic instars. The fifth (i.e. fourth ectoparasitic) instar differs considerably from the preceding three, and is capable of boring through the wood to prepare the emergence gallery for the adult. Pupation occurs in the wood. The rate of parasitization may locally far exceed 50%. Superparasitization by the first-instar larvae is possible, but usually only 1 larva survives to the ectoparasitic stage. Larval morphology of Pelecotoma is described and illustrated. Additional data on bionomics and larval morphology are also presented for the genus Metoecus (Rhipiphorinae). Comparing the biology and larval morphology of Pelecotoma with other Rhipiphoridae, it is assumed that ancestral rhipiphorids may have been xylophilous Tenebrionoidea with predaceous or omnivorous larvae, and that the ‘triungulinid’ larvae and phoretic habits may not belong to the groundplan of the family Rhipiphoridae. The widespread opinion considering Rhipiphoridae closely related to the family Mordellidae is questioned.