The host-plant range of twig-girdling beetles (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae: Lamiinae: Onciderini) of the Atlantic rainforest in southeastern Brazil

In this study, the host-plant range of Onciderini beetles was investigated during 4 years in an Atlantic rainforest of southeastern Brazil. Twelve species of Onciderini beetles girdled thirty-six plant species in the study site. In total, 1046 plants were girdled by Onciderini beetles as follows: 44.6% were Vochysiaceae, 15% were Mymosaceae, 12% were Melastomataceae, 9% were Lauraceae, 4% were Anacardiaceae and 15% were distributed among Meliaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Bombacaceae, Fabaceae, Thymelaeaceae, Cecropiaceae, Myrtaceae, Lecythidaceae, and Myrsinaceae. Onciderini beetles did not select hosts randomly. Most of the associations (70%) with host plants were caused by polyphagous beetles and different plant families showed different ratios of polyphagous, oligophagous and monophagous Onciderini in the study site.     

Natural history of Peucetia flava (Araneae,Oxyopidae): seasonal density fluctuation,phenology and sex ratio on the glandular plant Rhyncanthera dichotoma (Melastomataceae)

The seasonal density fluctuation, phenology and sex ratio of Peucetia flava (Oxyopidae) on Rhyncanthera dichotoma (Melastomataceae) were investigated during a year in a swamp in southeastern Brazil. Peucetia flava displayed an unusual non‐seasonal life cycle and the population size varied little over the year. The density of Peucetia spiders increased with the increase in abundance of leaves and number of arthropods adhered to glandular trichomes on R. dichotoma leaves. Our findings suggest that seasonal density fluctuation of Peucetia may be influenced by foraging site availability (i.e. leaves) and prey supply (i.e. arthropods adhering to glandular trichomes). The unusual seasonal stability of P. flava may be related to the type of habitat in which this spider occurs (swamp), because of the constant input of allochthonous resources from the water source, i.e. aquatic insects that migrate to the terrestrial environment.     

Saproxylic beetles (Coleoptera) and hoverflies (Diptera: Syrphidae) from a Mediterranean forest: towards a better understanding of their biology for species conservation

This report represents the first integrative study on saproxylic Coleoptera and Diptera Syrphidae from a representative Mediterranean forest in Cabañeros National Park in Central Spain. We collected 107 beetles, representing 32 families, and 25 species of hoverfly. Two undescribed and numerous rare beetle species were recorded, as were four hoverflies considered to be threatened species in Europe. We compiled biological information for all of the taxa encountered and recorded new data on their feeding habits, breeding microsites, and known tree associations. We found that the saproxylic biodiversity in this National Park was characterized by a significant number of Central European and North African species. Our results on the saproxylic assemblage, comprising many rare and poorly known species, of a typical Mediterranean forest represent a first step toward improved understanding of the saproxylic community and establishing the basis for conservation strategies in this region.     

The morphology and biology of the entomophilic Thripinema fuscum (Tylenchida: Allantonematidae), and the histopathological effects of parasitism on the host Frankliniella fusca (Thysanoptera: Thripidae)

We used light and electron microscopy to detail the in vivo life cycle of the nematode Thripinema fuscum and to determine the effects of parasitism on tissues of the thrips host Frankliniella fusca. The parasitic T. fuscum female produced eggs within 4–5 days after ingress and the host haemocoele became packed with eggs and developing juvenile nematodes. Mature juveniles migrated to the hindgut and fully developed juveniles first emerged from the posterior end of the male or female F. fusca 9 days after parasitization. Parasitization induced a displacement of the host alimentary tract, an atrophy of the ovaries and fat body, and an alteration of energy and waste reserves in host tissues. Our observations reveal a specialized relationship showing that this parasite is well adapted to exploit the host digestive, reproductive and excretory systems.     

New ecological insight on two invasive species: Craspedacusta sowerbii (Coelenterata: Limnomedusae) and Dreissenia polymorpha (Bivalvia: Dreissenidae)

The ecology of polyps of Craspedacusta sowerbii has been poorly investigated. It is known that they live attached to hard surfaces. They have never been linked with any animal, in particular not with Dreissena polymorpha (zebra mussel), which is known to have only endosymbionts. This study was conducted in March 2004 in ?ingi-Lingi Lake. The lake is an oligo-mesotrophic man-made gravel pit in northeast Croatia. During this study, polyps were found singly or in colonies of two to five on willow twigs and on the shells of D. polymorpha collected from 8 m depth and on metal barrels. Brown hydra (Pelmatohydra oligactis) individuals were also present next to polyps of Craspedacusta on zebra mussel shells, collected from metal barrels. The presence of polyps of Craspedacusta and brown hydras together on live bivalve shells is significant, as we suggest that it marks the first record of commensalism of this kind.     

Weevil (Coleoptera: Curculionoidea) seed-predators of Syzygium and Eugenia spp. (Myrtaceae), with description of the Alcidodes expansitarsis species group (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Molytinae: Mecysolobini)

The weevils known to develop in Syzygium and Eugenia (Myrtaceae) fruit are reviewed. These weevils belong to the genera Curculio, Alcidodes, Acythopeus, Apotomorhinus (Curculionidae: Curculioninae, Molytinae and (the last two) Baridinae respectively) and Sitophilus (Dryophthoridae) in the Old World, and Atractomerus (Curculionidae: Anthonominae) in the Neotropics; two undescribed baridine species (one in Australia and the other in the USA) are also known to feed on the fruits, and the Omophorine Teleuropus (Curculionidae: Molytinae) has been found associated with them. Particular attention is paid to species of Alcidodes from aseasonal dipterocarp-dominated forests in South-East Asia. Two Bornean species (Alcidodes janetae sp. n. and A. eugeniophilus sp. n.) are the first of their genus to be reared from the fruit of Syzygium or Eugenia. These species, plus two other (A. expansitarsis sp. n. from Assam, Myanmar, Cambodia and Laos, and A. gymnasticus sp. n. from Malaysia) belong to a previously undescribed species group of Alcidodes; all four species are described and keyed.     

Plagiometriona emarcida (Boheman, 1855) and Plagiometriona forcipata (Boheman, 1855) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Cassidinae), a single species differing in larval performance and adult phenotype

Matings frequently observed between the tortoise beetles Plagiometriona forcipata (Boheman, 1855 Boheman, CH. 1855. “Monographia Cassididarum”. In Tomus Tertius, 543Stockholm: Holmiae.  [Google Scholar]) and Plagiometriona emarcida (Boheman, 1855 Boheman, CH. 1855. “Monographia Cassididarum”. In Tomus Tertius, 543Stockholm: Holmiae.  [Google Scholar]), in the State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, led us to compare the ecology, life history and genetics of these two morphologically distinct species. Host plant censuses revealed P. emarcida was about five times more abundant, while populations of both species responded in parallel to climate. Laboratory-reared immature P. forcipata took 2 days longer to complete development and showed higher mortality rates. No differences were detected in ovipositional behaviour, genitalia morphology or in sex ratio of offspring. The adult offspring of field-caught females of both species contained individuals with both species' elytral patterns. Finally, nearly identical cytochrome oxidase I sequences obtained from individuals of each species suggest that they are a single polymorphic species. Based on these observations and the examination of type material we propose the new synonymy: Plagiometriona forcipata?=?P. emarcida, syn. nov.     

Taxonomy of the genus Gabrius Stephens, 1829 (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Philonthina) from China,with description of two new species

In this paper, two new species of the genus Gabrius from China are described and illustrated: G. zhoui sp. nov. from Sichuan and G. invisus sp. nov. from Beijing, Hubei, Hunan, Henan, Shaanxi, Sichuan and Zhejiang. Gabrius imitator (Fauvel, 1895 Fauvel, A. 1895. Staphylinides nouveaux de l'Inde et de la Malaisie. Rev Entomol, 14: 180–286.  [Google Scholar]), G. lebedevi (Bernhauer, 1910 Bernhauer, M. 1910. Zur Staphylinidenfauna des palaearktischen Gebietes. Soc Entomol, 25: 71–71. 78–79 [Google Scholar]), G. tirolensis (Luze, 1903 Luze, G. 1903. Eine neue Art der Staphyliniden-Gattung Philonthus Curtis aus Mitteleuropa. Verhandlungen der k. k. Zool-botan Gesellschaft Wien, 53: 386 [Google Scholar]), G. kambaitiensis Scheerpeltz, 1965 Scheerpeltz, O. 1965. Wissenschaftliche Ergebnisse der Schwedischen Expedition 1934 nach Indien und Burma. Coleoptera Staphylinidae (except Megalopsidiinae et Steninae). Ark Zool, 17: 93–371.  [Google Scholar], G. cinctiventris Scheerpeltz, 1965 Scheerpeltz, O. 1965. Wissenschaftliche Ergebnisse der Schwedischen Expedition 1934 nach Indien und Burma. Coleoptera Staphylinidae (except Megalopsidiinae et Steninae). Ark Zool, 17: 93–371.  [Google Scholar], G. egens (Sharp, 1874 Sharp, DS. 1874. The Staphylinidae of Japan. Entomol Soc London Trans, : 1–103.  [Google Scholar]), G. smetanai Schillhammer, 1997 Schillhammer, H. 1997. Taxonomic revision of the Oriental species of Gabrius Stephens (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae). Mono Coleop, 1: 1–139.  [Google Scholar] and G. zerchei Schillhammer, 1996 Schillhammer, H. 1996. New genera and species of Asian Staphylinini (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Staphylininae). Koleopterol Rundsch, 66: 59–71.  [Google Scholar] are reported from China for the first time. Thus, a total of 53 species of the genus Gabrius are known from China.     

Patterns of trophic relationships between planthoppers (Hemiptera: Fulgoromorpha) and their host plants on the Mascarene Islands

Following an up‐to‐date synopsis on the planthopper fauna and their associated host‐plants in the Mascarene Islands including numerous new data, a study of host plant and Fulgoromorpha interaction patterns illustrates some remarkable specificities. The endemic fauna remains essentially on endemic plants and exotic planthoppers have not shifted to them, remaining on exotic plants. Two fulgoromorph families are strictly associated with monocotyledons: (1) the Delphacidae represented by widespread species maintain the same host as the continental source populations, especially exotic Poaceae and (2) the Derbidae which displayed a food conservatism for woody plants are found mostly on endemic Arecaceae, Pandanaceae and Liliaceae. These relationships differ from continental Derbidae, which are recorded as much on dicotyledons as on monocotyledons. Other island specificity appears with the endemic species of Meenoplidae from La Réunion, which are recorded on endemic dicotyledons whereas the continental species are recorded on monocotyledons. In La Réunion, a positive correlation between endemic planthopper diversity recorded on different host plants and endemic plant diversity within different plant orders was observed. This result suggests a stochastic distribution of the planthoppers on the available botanical taxa at the time of colonization. In the Mascarenes, disparities appear between Cixiidae from La Réunion and Mauritius. On the latter, the Cixiidae seem to be mainly monophagous and the majority of them are recorded on Rubiaceae.     

Taxonomic review of Coccobius species (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) from China,with notes on their use in biological control of scale insect pests (Hemiptera: Diaspididae), and description of a new species

The Chinese species of the genus Coccobius Ratzeburg (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) are reviewed. Sixteen species, C. abdominis Huang, C. annulicornis Ratzeburg, C. azumai Tachikawa, C. chaoi Huang, C. curtifuniculatus Huang, C. flaviceps (Girault & Dodd), C. flavicornis Compere & Annecke, C. fulvus (Compere & Annecke), C. furviflagellatus Huang, C. furvus Huang, C. languidus Huang, C. longialatus Huang, C. longifuniculatus Huang, C. maculatus Huang, C. wuyiensis Huang, and one new species, Coccobius albiscutellum Wang and Huang sp.nov., are treated. A key is provided for the recognition of the females of all Chinese species of Coccobius, and notes are given on their use in biological control of scale insect pests. http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:F510059B-F176-46BA-B7B5-8252B06BE91F     

A new species of Plagiodontes from Argentina,and new data on the anatomy of four other species in the genus (Gastropoda: Orthalicidae,Odontostominae)

Abstract

Plagiodontes weyrauchi sp. nov. is among the smallest species in the genus Plagiodontes (Doering, 1877). Statistical multivariate analyses confirmed its distinctiveness from other species, mostly because of its high number of whorls (8–9.75), relatively small width, and low proportions of last whorl and aperture length to shell length; multivariate discriminant analysis applied to this species and its most similar relative, P. multiplicatus parvus, correctly identified 100%?of specimens. Pallial and genital anatomy supports P. weyrauchi as a different species, mainly because of the position of the ureteric pore, the small general size of the genital system, the presence of an accessory lobe alongside the verge, and the vaginal internal structure. Internal anatomy of four other small-sized taxa in the genus was studied. Two of them have a verge with no accessory lobe [P. dentatus (Wood, 1828) and P. patagonicus (d'Orbigny, 1835)], while the remaining two have an accessory lobe with different characteristics [P. rocae Doering, 1881 and P. multiplicatus parvus (Hylton-Scott, 1952 Hylton-Scott, M I. 1952. Nuevos moluscos terrestres del norte argentino. Acta Zool Lilloana., 10: 5–29.  [Google Scholar])]. Internal structure of the vagina also shows specific differences among Plagiodontes species; their phylogenetic significance will be further investigated.     

Biological characterization of the obligate symbiosis between Acropyga sauteri Forel (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) and Eumyrmococcus smithii Silvestri (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae: Rhizoecinae) on Okinawa Island,southern Japan

The ant Acropyga sauteri Forel has an obligate, mutualistic symbiosis with a mealybug, Eumyrmococcus smithii Silvestri, on Okinawa Island, southern Japan. The mealybugs live inside ant nests nearly all their lives, and the ants depend on them for food. Alate foundress queens carry mealybugs during their nuptial flights, using them to establish new colonies at new sites. However, important aspects of the symbiosis have not yet been elucidated. The present study characterizes the basic biology of the symbiosis and describes for the first time the morphologies of all growth stages of E. smithii. Our study suggests that E. smithii has only one nymphal stage, followed by a female pupal stage or male prepupal stage. Intensive sampling of ant nests across seasons showed that A. sauteri prefers nest sites 5–20 cm underground. Acropyga sauteri produced reproductive stages mainly in mid‐March or early April, and numbers of both ant workers and mealybugs increased from spring to summer. Experimental determination of colony identity with a method using nestmate recognition by ants suggested that each ant colony rarely has a perimeter greater than 30 cm, that the ants are monogynous, and that different ant colonies are densely aggregated along the root system of a plant, adjacent to each other but not interflowing. Both symbiotic partners were vulnerable to attacks by several common subaerial ant species following physical disturbance to their nests.     

A new genus and species of Conchaspididae (Hemiptera: Coccoidea) from Florida,remarkable in lacking legs

A new genus of Conchaspididae, Asceloconchaspis gen. nov., is described for Asceloconchaspis milleri sp. nov., a new species from Florida, USA. Unlike other conchaspidids, the adult female and second instar of the genus lack legs. The presence of legs is one of the important, distinguishing characters at present separating the Conchaspididae from the Diaspididae. However, the new genus also possesses well-developed antennae and has multilocular disc pores on the abdomen in the adult female; these distinctly conchaspidid characters are never found in the Diaspididae. Asceloconchaspis is closely related to Fagisuga Lindinger, a monotypic genus with primitive characters described from South America on Nothofagus. A key to the four known genera of Conchaspididae is provided, and the morphology and distribution of the Conchaspididae are discussed.     

Relative and seasonal abundance of three bark beetle predators (Coleoptera: Trogositidae, Cleridae) across an elevation gradient in ponderosa pine forests of north central Arizona

We examined abundance and flight periodicity of 3 predators of bark beetles (Coleoptera: Curculionidae, Scolytinae), Temnochila chlorodia (Mannerheim) (Coleoptera: Trogositidae), Enoclerus sphegeus (Fabricius) (Coleoptera: Cleridae), and E. lecontei (Wolcott) (Coleoptera: Cleridae), across an elevational gradient of ponderosa pine ( Pinus ponderosa Lawson) forests in north central Arizona. Predator populations were estimated at 10 sites in each of 3 elevation bands (low: 1600–1736 m; mid: 2058–2230 m; high: 2505–2651 m) for 3 years (2004–2006) using pheromone-baited funnel traps targeting 3 primary bark beetle species. We also investigated how predator abundance and flight seasonality related to those of 5 bark beetle species: Ips pini (Say), I. lecontei Swaine, Dendroctonus frontalis Zimmermann, D. brevicomis LeConte, and D. adjunctus Blandford. Temnochila chlorodia was most abundant in the low- and mid-elevation bands, whereas E. sphegeus was most abundant in the high-elevation band. Enoclerus lecontei showed no consistent elevational trend in abundance. Within each elevation band, changes in annual abundance of pooled predator species tracked shifts in abundance of pooled bark beetle species. In general, predator flight initiation coincided with or closely followed bark beetle flight initiation in the spring, but predator flight terminated before flight activity ended for most bark beetle species in the fall. In addition, the ratio of prey to predators was lowest in the summer and highest in the fall. This suggests that all bark beetle species examined may be provided temporal escape from their predators in the fall. For all 3 predator species, the pheromone-baited trap targeting D. brevicomis was less attractive than the pheromone-baited traps targeting I. pini and I. lecontei.     

Chemical secretion and morpho-histology of the pygidial glands in two Palaearctic predatory ground beetle species: Carabus (Tomocarabus) convexus and C. (Procrustes) coriaceus (Coleoptera: Carabidae)

Although all ground beetles have pygidial glands homologous in structure and function, there are many differences among species, often significant, in terms of chemical composition of the secretion and morphology of the gland components. In this paper, two predatory ground beetle species of the genus Carabus, namely C. (Tomocarabus) convexus and C. (Procrustes) coriaceus, were subjected to chemical, morphological and histological study of their pygidial glands and the glands’ secretions. Altogether, three carboxylic acids were isolated, and the pygidial gland reservoir and other glandular parts are morphologically described in the study. We also tested whether there exist differences in chemical content of the secretion obtained by upsetting the beetles in a traditional way and that obtained directly from intact reservoirs. Detailed data on morphology of the pygidial glands of both species are presented, as well as updated information about the chemical components of the glandular secretions. Apart from tiglic and methacrylic acids, which are typical for Carabus pygidial secretions, we also found benzoic acid as a minor component of the secretion in both species. In addition, a chemotaxonomic overview of Carabus taxa is given in the paper.     

Copulatory courtship and morphology of genitalic coupling in seven Phyllophaga species (Coleoptera: Melolonthidae)

Males in six of seven species of Phyllophaga perform apparent courtship behaviour during copulation. As predicted by the hypothesis that such copulatory courtship is under sexual selection by female choice, behavioural details differ between species. The modified male abdominal sternites, which rub against the female's pygidium during copulation and whose morphology also differs between species, and the flattened, setose tarsi of males of one species probably function as contact courtship devices during copulatory courtship. Observations of events inside copulating beetles were made through the semi-transparent abdominal sternites of females and male genitalia in three species. They revealed cryptic genitalic thrusting behaviour of male genitalia within the female which occurred even when there was little or no external movement of the male genitalia. Dissections of pairs frozen in copula demonstrated that males transfer large quantities of material to females during copulation that is not physically related to sperm transfer. The type of material varied between species. In at least two species most of the transfer apparently occurred after sperm transfer. The possibility that some male genitalic structures function as holdfasts and/or stimulatory devices was suggested by their positions relative to female structures, and/or their movements within the female. Portions of male genitalia with strong bristles tended to lie against setose or more heavily sclerotized portions of the female reproductive duct. Some portions of female genitalia which vary between species seem ill-designed to exclude the genitalia of cross-specific males. The female reproductive tract is partially everted during copulation in one species.     

A new species of mycophagous Rentonium (Coleoptera: Cleroidea: Trogossitidae) based on larvae and adults,and a catalogue of Rentoniinae

Adults and associated larvae of Rentonium bicolor sp. nov. are described from New Zealand (North Island) and represent the first associated larvae of the Rentoniinae. Larvae and adults were found among the fruiting bodies of Hypocrea rufa (Pers.) Fr. (Ascomycota: Hypocreaceae). The larvae are morphologically similar to a previously described and undetermined larva but differ from it by the unpaired, hook-like urogomphus, four stemmata, and the apical antennal seta subequal in length to the antenna. Potential implications for phylogeny of Cleroidea are discussed. A catalogue of the genera and species of Rentoniinae is provided, along with comments about the status of Rentonellum loebli Kolibá?.

http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:936541AB-1802-4C09-9032-7EF1FAAC912E     

Borneodessus zetteli,new genus and new species,notes on biogeography and a checklist of Dytiscidae from Borneo (Insecta: Coleoptera: Dytiscidae)

A new genus of Dytiscidae, Borneodessus gen. n., is described for Borneodessus zetteli zetteli sp. n. (Sabah, East Malaysia) and Borneodessus zetteli kalimantanensis ssp. n. (East Kalimantan, Indonesia). The new genus belongs to the tribe Bidessini because of the presence of two-segmented parameres of the aedeagus. A modified male clypeus is an apomorphy for Borneodessus zetteli. The species habitually resembles some species of Africodytes Biström, 1988 (Africa), Amarodytes Régimbart, 1900 (South America), and some Clypeodytes Régimbart, 1894 (Old World tropics). However, a sister group relation or closer affinities to any of the genera of Bidessini could not be established. Borneodessus is so far the first genus of Dytiscidae which is endemic to Borneo, but we suggest a certain probability of its occurrence in other Sundaic areas. The species is a rheobiont, being collected from forest streams. We briefly address biogeographical aspects and provide a checklist of Bornean Dytiscidae, indicating the currently known degree of endemism.     

Description of Kashmirobroscus gen. nov. with two new species from the Northwest Himalaya,and remarks on the East Asian genus Eobroscus Kryzhanovskij, 1951 (Coleoptera: Carabidae: Broscini)

The ground beetle taxon Kashmirobroscus gen. nov. and two species Kashmirobroscus mirabilis sp. nov. and Kashmirobroscus ortrudae sp. nov. are described from the Northwest Himalaya of Pakistan. Diagnostic characters of both new species are figured and their distributional areas are mapped. Several features of the new genus are discussed to work out its systematic position within Broscini. As a result, Kashmirobroscus is proposed as a sister taxon of the East Asian genus Eobroscus Kryzhanovskij, 1951, of the subtribe Broscina. In addition, new data relating to systematics and distribution of all the known species of the genus Eobroscus are provided. The taxon Orobroscus Morita, 1990 is proposed as a junior synonym of Eobroscus Kryzhanovskij, 1951, and Eobroscus uenoi Morita, 1995 is proposed as a junior synonym of Eobroscus bhutanensis Morvan, 1982, a macropterous species with a wide distribution in the eastern parts of High Asia. http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:1775013D-FE87-41CA-87AF-D730E809331B