Morphology of Eogystia sibirica (Alphéraky) (Lepidoptera: Cossidae) attacking Asparagus officinalis in northern China with descriptions of its immature stages

The carpenter moth Eogystia sibirica (Alphéraky) (Lepidoptera: Cossidae) is a serious pest of the garden asparagus Asparagus officinalis (family Liliaceae) in northern China, with its larvae boring in the stem and roots, frequently causing significant damage to the plant. All the life stages of the pest, including egg, larva, pupa and adult, are described and illustrated in detail. The ovoid egg is covered with a reticulate meshwork of ridges on the chorion. The eruciform larva possesses only three stemmata on each side of the head; the reduced abdominal prolegs on segments III–VI each bear 35–55 uniordinal crochets arranged in two transverse bands; the short anal prolegs each bear five to seven uniordinal crochets in a transverse band. The pupa is adecticous and obtect, without cremaster. The reduction of larval stemmata and the invagination of the adult pterosterna are briefly discussed.     

Platygonus sp. (Mammalia: Tayassuidae) in Uruguay (Raigón? Formation; Pliocene–early Pleistocene), comments about its distribution and palaeoenvironmental significance in South America

This study provides the first record of Platygonus in Uruguay (Raigón? Formation, Pliocene–early Pleistocene; Canelones Department). The allocation to the Raigón Formation is tentative because the remains were found in a drill core. It is the oldest record of a tayassuid in Uruguay. The following morphological features clearly indicate that it belongs to Platygonus: simple premolars that are bicuspid, bunolophodont, mesodont and with an enamel cingulum surrounding the entire tooth. This is one of the largest forms among North American and South American Platygonus. The record of Platygonus in the Raigón Formation suggests arid or semi-arid climates, and, as do some associated birds and mammals, open or relatively open environments. A significant level of specific diversity of Platygonus in South America is recognized during the late Pliocene with the lowest diversity occurring during the early–middle Pleistocene.     

The aedeagus,its musculature,and ‘retournement’ in Aspidomorpha miliaris F. (Coleoptera,Phytophaga, Chrysomelidae)

Summary

The aedeagus and its musculature in Aspidomorpha miliaris have been described in detail. They have been found to be closely comparable to those in the Chrysomelid Galerucella birmanica, which has been studied earlier from this standpoint by one of the present authors. In A. miliaris, however, the spiculum has shortened, and consequently the protractors of the aedeagus have been brought close to the proximal retractors of the aedeagus to form a basal muscular bulb for the aedeagus. The muscular bulb seems to help in maintaining the fluid pressure necessary for eversion of the internal sac of the aedeagus during copulation over a long period without strain on the general abdominal musculature. Shortening of the spiculum on the other hand has taken away the function of retraction from the proximal retractors of the aedeagus. The aedeagus is retracted after copulation by repeatedly stroking the protruding aedeagus with the hind legs and by pressing it against the substratum. The aedeagus undergoes ‘retournement’ through 180° after the adult has ecloded from the pupal skin. The ‘retournement’ is due to degeneration of the left member of the pair of protractors of the spiculum, while the right member exerts a unilateral pull on the dorsal surface of the genital tube, bringing about turning of the genital tube, and then survives as an apparently median muscle. In a small percentage of cases the left protractor survives to become the functional and the apparently median protractor of the spiculum, while the right member of the pair degenerates, and the consequent ‘retournement’ of the aedeagus is anti-clockwise.     

An eyespot that “blinks”: an open and shut case of eye mimicry in Eumorpha caterpillars (Lepidoptera: Sphingidae)

We describe the final instars of two tropical Sphingidae caterpillars – Eumorpha phorbas and Eumorpha labruscae – from Area de Conservacion Guanacaste, northwestern Costa Rica, whose anal horn has become a posterior eyespot structure capable of rapid palpitation. When approached or harassed, the caterpillars palpitate this eyespot and produce the effect of a blinking vertebrate eye. We propose that this “blinking” is an extension of eye mimicry or at least draws attention to the eyespot, functioning to startle or intimidate would-be predators. As snakes lack eyelids and do not blink, this suggests that the blinking eye represents a more generalized (or possibly mammalian) eye. Eyespot “blinking” is probably controlled by the same musculature used to wave the anal horn in earlier instars. The extent to which this eyespot is perceived as a blinking eye, and the degree of protection from the caterpillars’ suite of potential predators, remain to be discovered.     

Correlation of heteromorphic life instars in terrestrial Parasitengona mites and its impact on taxonomy – the case of Leptus molochinus (C. L. Koch, 1837) and Leptus ignotus (Oudemans, 1903) (Acari: Trombidiformes: Prostigmata: Erythraeidae)

Preference–performance hypothesis was tested in the butterfly Heliconius erato phyllis under field, insectary and laboratory conditions in a population from southeastern Brazil. Throughout a year, Passiflora capsularis was the host predominantly used for oviposition in the field. Similarly, when host plants were of high quality in the field, H. erato phyllis females that came from this environment laid more eggs on P. capsularis under insectary conditions. In contrast, when host plant quality declined in nature, females did not show preference for any host plant in particular in the insectary. Larvae had superior performances when reared on P. capsularis and Passiflora edulis than on Passiflora jilekii. Overall, our results show a trend towards a positive relationship between oviposition and performance in H. erato phyllis. The factors that might lead to an absence of selection under insectary conditions by females from a poor-quality environment are discussed.     

Colour change in Darwin's frogs (Rhinoderma darwinii,Duméril and Bibron, 1841) (Anura: Rhinodermatidae)

In the laboratory, wild-caught male Rhinoderma darwinii frogs, but not females, changed body colour from brown to green starting with the appearance of green dorsal spots or a greenish dorsal tone on a brown body colour. After a year in captivity, most males exhibited a greenish or complete green dorsal colour, probably induced by the terrarium's swamp (green) vegetation and season.     

A revision of the Chinese species of Encarsia Förster (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae): parasitoids of whiteflies,scale insects and aphids (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae,Diaspididae, Aphidoidea)

The species of Encarsia Förster (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) known from China are revised. This study is based largely on newly-collected material from Fujian and Guangdong provinces in mainland China, and from the island of Taiwan. A total of 76 species are treated, including 29 new species, one new combination and 16 new records for China. All species are fully described or diagnosed, and illustrated. Three new specific synonymies are proposed and two lectotypes are designated. Four species are described from males only, three belonging to the perflava-group (ancistrocera, echinocera, viggianii), having modified antennae, and one (magnivena) in the strenua-group having very unusual fore wings. A key to the Chinese species of Encarsia, based largely on females, is provided.     

The Australian species of Encarsia Förster (Hymenoptera,Chalcidoidea: Aphelinidae), parasitoids of whiteflies (Hemiptera,Sternorrhyncha, Aleyrodidae) and armoured scale insects (Hemiptera,Coccoidea: Diaspididae)

The species of Encarsia Förster known from Australia are revised. This study is based mainly on material collected over the last 10 years. Ninety‐four species are recognized, including 38 new species, and seven new records for Australia. All species are fully described or diagnosed, and illustrated by microphotographs. Seven new specific synonymies are proposed and two lectotypes are designated. A key to the females of Australian species of Encarsia is provided. The known hosts and distribution are summarized. The diversity of the Australian Encarsia fauna is discussed.