Morphometry and chaetotaxy of the nymphs of Ectemnostega (Ectemnostegella) quechua (Bachmann 1961) (Insecta: Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Corixidae)

The egg and the five nymphal instars of Ectemnostega quechua are described and illustrated for the first time. The eggs of Ectemnostega have a short stalk, and the shape, size and chorionic structure differ among groups of species. The nymphal characters most useful in identifying instars I–V of Ectemnostega are: body length; number of rostrum sulcations; number of setae on inner surface of protibiotarsus; spines and setae, and spines on posteroventral surface of mesofemur and mesotibia, respectively; setae on posterodorsal surface of mesotibia and mesotarsus; spines and setae on anteroventral surface and setae on posterior surface of metatibia; swimming hairs on anteroventral and posterodorsal surfaces of metatarsus; and the grade of development of wing pads. The nymphs of E. quechua can be easily distinguished from other species of Ectemnostega by the number of spines and setae on the posteroventral surface of mesofemur.     

A new Arietellidae (Copepoda: Calanoida) from the Red Sea

A new species of the calanoid copepod genus Paramisophria T. Scott, 1897 is described from the Egyptian sublittoral zone of the Red Sea. Paramisophria aegypti sp. nov. appears to be closely related to the species Paramisophria ammophila and Paramisophria platysoma. Paramisophria aegypti differs from P. ammophila in having two unequal lateral setae plus one long terminal process and two tiny equal lateral setae plus one long terminal process on the third exopodal segment on the male right and left fifth legs (vs three terminal processes increasing in size inward on both male fifth legs). Paramisophria aegypti can be distinguished from P. platysoma in the following characters: prosome symmetrical (vs extreme asymmetry); third exopod segment of the right leg completely separated from the second segment and bears two unequal lateral setae plus one long terminal process (vs partially fused to the second segment and bears four terminal processes increasing in size inward); third exopod segment of the left leg with two lateral setules and one long terminal process (vs two lateral setules, one short outer medial process and one long terminal process); endopodal lobes of the female legs 5 bear one long plumose seta (vs setae are lacking).http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:C0A92BF9-2306-4A35-AA39-CE3B5865A396     

The use of epiphylls as larval hostplants by the neotropical riodinid butterfly,Sarota gyas

The neotropical riodinid butterfly Sarota gyas is shown to utilize non-nitrogen fixing epiphylls as larval hostplants. The host substrate where the epiphylls grow appears unimportant to oviposition by adults or feeding by larvae. The larva of S. gyas is described and the use of long setae as a defense by amymecophilous riodinids is discussed.     

The larval development of Argulus coregoni Thorell (Crustacea: Branchiura)

Summary

The larval development of Argulus coregoni from the first to the ninth stage was studied, with special reference to the morphological changes of the appendages and some other parts of the body.

A newly hatched larva is a copepodid-form measuring 0·6–0·7 mm long and approaches the shape of the adult after moulting into the second stage (0·7–0·9 mm). Throughout the larval stages, the first maxilla shows the most remarkable modification. The larvae of the first to the fifth stage are equipped with two strong, curved claws, which act as a clasping organ, at the terminal segment of the first maxilla. The basal segment expands considerably at the third stage (0·9–1·1 mm) prior to forming a sucker at the sixth stage (1·7–2·2 mm). The claws start to degenerate at the fifth stage (1·4–1·8 mm), but are still recognizable as a rudiment after the seventh stage (2·2–2·6 mm). The other distinct morphological changes that occurred are: (1) bifurcation of the anterior part of the dorsal ridges on the carapace, (2) development of the male accessory copulatory organ at the basal segments of the second to the fourth legs, (3) number of posteriorly directed minute spines on the ventral surface of the carapace, (4) number of elements in the supporting ribs of the suckers, (5) number of spines found at the first segment of the second maxilla, and (6) number of setae on the four pairs of thoracic legs.

The larval forms of A. coregoni younger than the fourth stage (1·1–1·4 mm) are indistinguishable from those of A. japonicus and A. foliaceus.     

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.     

The systematic positions of Orsodacne Latr. and Syneta Lac. (Coleoptera Chrysomelidae), in relation to characters of larvae,internal anatomy and tarsal vestiture

Summary

The male and female reproductive systems, gut and Malpighian tubules, and ventral nerve cord are described and figured for Orsodacne cerasi L. and Syneta betulae F.; the first instar larva of O. lineola is described and figured, and compared with already described larvae of Syneta betulae and other Chrysomelidae. The adhesive setae of the adult tarsi are described for both species and for representatives of Aulacoscelinae, Megascelinae, Megalopodinae, Sagrinae, Eumolpinae, Hispinae and Camptosomata. The mouthparts of adult Orsodacne and Aulacoscelis are described and figured, with consideration of pollen-eating adaptations in the family. It is concluded that Orsodacne is an isolated and primitive type whose nearest existing relative may be Cucujopsis Crowson in Australia, while Syneta may be allied to both Eumolpinae and Galerucinae. A new key to subfamilies of chrysomelid larvae is provided, and a phyletic dendrogram of the family is figured and discussed.     

The ant associated epidermal organs on the larva of the lycaenid butterfly Curetis regula Evans

The surface ultrastructure of the setae and epidermal organs of the larva of Curetis regula is described. Their possible functions are discussed and comparisons made with similar structures found in other members of the Lycaenidae.     

Immature stages of the apterous fly Badisis ambulans McAlpine (Diptera: Micropezidae)

Morphology of the mature larvae and pupae of the apterous fly, Badisis ambulans McAlpine (Diptera: Micropezidae) are described and illustrated. In addition, the curious commensal habits of the larvae are described. Each spiracular plate of the mature larva is situated at the base of a small horn; similar horns have been described in other micropezid larvae. The posterior spiracles appear to be non-functional with depressions forming the vestiges of the spiracular openings. The larvae were found inside pitchers of the Albany pitcher plant, Cephalotus follicularis (Cephalotaceae) and have a commensal relationship with the plant. They feed on the decaying pitcher plant prey and leave the pitcher to pupate. It is likely that the larva obtains oxygen from the pitcher fluid. This is the first immature micropezid described from Australia.     

Foraminiferan (Protozoa) epizoites on the anthuridean (Crustacea,Isopoda) Calathura brachiata (Stimpson)

Foraminiferan epizoites were studied on the isopod Calathura brachiata (Stimpson). Most individuals found belonged to the genus Cibicides. The foraminiferans were either rare or quite frequent on Calathura brachiata, indicating patchy occurrence of living foraminiferans. They were most frequent on the anterior part of the body (head, first pereonites) and the first two pairs of legs (pereopods). This pattern, which is unusual among foraminiferan epizoites on isopods, is explained by habitat selection of the foraminiferans and the behaviour of the isopod, which presumably rests between feeding with the anterior part of the body held in an upward position, allowing foraminiferans to settle on mouthparts and on the legs (first two pereopods) used in grasping prey. The size range of the foraminiferans indicates that settling of foraminiferans from the water column is more important for the development of foraminiferan epibiosis on Calathura than migration of individuals from the bottom and this may be the general pattern for most isopod species.     

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.     

Notes on Simulium ovazzae Grenier and Mouchet (Diptera: Simuliidae) and river crabs (Malacostraca: Potamidae) and their association

Summary

Collections of crabs in the forest zone of West Cameroon produced three species—Potamonautes africanus, P. orthostylis and P. pobeguini. The P. africanus carried populations of immature Simulium ovazzae.

Analysis of crabs collected by hand and those collected in traps indicates very little overlap in the sizes of the crabs obtained by the two techniques. This problem is discussed.

The infestation rates of S. ovazzae on P. africanus were found to be highest on medium-sized crabs. The attachment sites of the S. ovazzae on the crabs were found to vary with both the size of the crab and the size of the Simulium larva.

The size distributions of S. ovazzae larvae on small crabs were found to be different from those on medium and large crabs. The characteristic deficiency of smaller larvae on medium and large crabs reported for other crab-phoretic species was also found with S. ovazzae but the smaller crabs showed a deficiency of larger larvae. A hypothesis is put forward to explain the dearth of larger larvae on the smaller crabs and the higher infestation rate on medium crabs.

S. ovazzae are shown to arrive on their hosts as single larvae carried by the current.

Six adult S. ovazzae were reared from pupae in the laboratory. Small numbers of presumed S. ovazzae biting man in Cameroon are reported.     

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.     

Differentiation of body form of Protoplophoroidea (Acari: Oribatida) in the light of ontogeny of three species

The differentiation of body form of Protoplophoroidea in the light of ontogeny of Cosmochthonius ponticus Gordeeva, 1980 Gordeeva, EV. 1980. Oribatid mites of the family Cosmochthoniidae (Oribatei). Zool J., 59: 838–850. Russian [Google Scholar], Sphaerochthonius splendidus (Berlese, 1904) and Haplochthonius simplex Willmann, 1930 is investigated. These species have primitive characters, like dorsal transverse scissures on the hysterosoma, four pairs of adanal and anal setae, and two pairs of exobothridial setae. However, in C. ponticus three dorsal scissures occur during ontogeny, in S. splendidus three scissures are present in the juveniles, and one scissure in the adult, while in H. simplex three scissures occur only in the adult. These species also differ by expansion of new segments in the anal region during ontogeny; in S. splendidus this expansion is the smallest, while in H. simplex is the largest. Cosmochthonius ponticus has hypertrophied, erectile setae of the e- and f-series, S. splendidus has armour-like, dorsal, pleural and ventral plates, while H. simplex has thin cuticle and short dorsal setae.     

Two new species of Siphonostomatoida (Copepoda) found on cnidarians in Tokara Islands,Southern Japan

ABSTRACT

Two new species of siphonostomatoid copepods are described based on specimens collected off Tokara Islands located in the northern part of the Ryukyu Islands, Southern Japan. Cholomyzon multisetum sp. nov. (Coralliomyzontidae) found from the orange cup coral Tubastraea coccinea Lesson, 1829 (Hexacorallia: Scleractinia: Dendrophylliidae) has the following characters: armature formula of the antennule of the female; the outer lobe of the maxillule; and numbers of elements on the legs 1 to 3. Another species, Entomopsyllus takara sp. nov. (Entomolepididae), was found from both the Indo-Pacific blue coral Heliopora coerulea (Pallas, 1766) (Octocorallia: Helioporacea: Helioporidae) and the race coral Distichopora violacea (Pallas, 1766) (Hydrozoa: Anthoathecata: Stylasteridae). This new species of the male specimen is characterized by the antennule with shortest sixth segment, the endopod of leg 2 bearing two inner setae on the second segment and five setae on the third segment, the third exopodal and endopodal segments of leg 3 bearing three spines and three setae, respectively, and the third exopodal segment of leg 4 bearing four setae. These two species represented the first records of the families Coralliomyzontidae and Entomolepididae from Japanese waters.

http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:7C8DED0A-9CEB-405D-9BBF-FAF2043B0858     

Thalassarachna and Halacarellus (Halacaridae: Acari): two separate genera

During the last half century, the generic names Halacarellus and Thalassarachna have been used in parallel. The author now proposes to regard them as two separate genera distinguished by the number of dorsal setae on tarsi I and II. Halacarellus s. str., with Halacarus balticus Lohmann as the type species, has three dorsal setae on both tarsi, whilst Thalassarachna s. str., with the type species Acarus basteri Johnston, has five or more dorsal setae on tarsus I and four or more on tarsus II. The number of setae on tarsi I and II is expected to be a valid generic character. Species of the genus Halacarellus s. str. are recorded from both the northern and southern hemispheres; the North Atlantic species are distinct from those in the southern oceans. Thalassarachna s. str. is known only from the North.     

From the subantarctic to the subtropics: a revision of the Davacaridae Kethley, 1977 (Acari: Trigynaspida: Mesostigmata) with the description of a new genus and three new species

The family Davacaridae is shown to consist of at least two genera (Davacarus Hunter, Acanthodavacarus n. gen.) and four species that are distributed from subantarctic islands (D. gressetti Hunter) to Tasmania (D. reginaldi n. sp.), and to mainland Australia (D. lindquisti n. sp., A. klompeni n. sp.) at least as far north as the subtropical rainforests of south-east Queensland. These mites share a number of striking synapomorphies including the paedomorphic retention of the deutonymphal pattern of sclerotized plates in the adult, a secondary thickening of the cuticle around those plates and a lateral cheliceral excrescence that adheres to the cheliceral teeth. Species of Davacarus have lost the pregenital shield, have an intricate endogynium and four pairs of large, sessile opisthosomal glands; species of Acanthodavacarus have a pregenital shield with a pair of setae and two pairs of hypertrophied opisthosomal glands on short horn-like protrusions.     

Aberrations in the larval chaetotaxy of mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) of Iran and a taxonomic note on the seta 1-C (preclypeal seta) of Culex in southwestern Asia

Morphological aberrations of setae 1-C (preclypeal seta), 2-C (inner clypeal seta) and 3-C (outer clypeal seta) observed in third- and fourth-instar larvae of Anopheles dthali, Anopheles maculipennis, Anopheles marteri, Culex hortensis, Culex theileri and Culex tritaeniorhynchus collected in Iran are discussed and illustrated. Variations in the shape, relative thickness, length and pigmentation of seta 1-C of Culex species that occur in southwestern Asia are reviewed.     

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.