On the morphology and ecology of the previously unknown larva of the short-palped crane fly <Emphasis Type="Italic">Nasiternella varinervis</Emphasis> (Zetterstedt, 1851) (Diptera,Pediciidae)

The larval morphology of the crane fly Nasiternella varinervis (Zetterstedt) is described for the first time. The larva is closely related to that of Tricyphona immaculata Mg. in the structure of the stigmal plate, but differs in the presence of creeping welts on abdominal segment III; the medial teeth of the hypostomal plate of Nasiternella varinervis being of the same size as the rest teeth, and the antennae being only 2.5 times as long as wide (4 times as long as wide in Tricyphona immaculata). The larvae develop in the dead wood of fallen trunks of deciduous and coniferous trees and are not associated with strongly moistened substrates.     

Life history and description of larva and pupa of Platyphileurus felscheanus Ohaus, 1910, a scarabaeid feeding on bromeliad tissues in Brazil,to be excluded from Phileurini (Coleoptera,Scarabaeidae, Dynastinae)

The third instar larvae and the pupae of Platyphileurus felscheanus Ohaus, 1910 (Phileurini), recently synonymized with Surutu jelineki Endrődi, 1975 (Cyclocephalini), are described and illustrated, and some life history information is given. The larvae were collected and reared in bromeliads in rain forests of Santa Catarina state in southern Brazil. The systematic position of this monotypic genus is reassessed at the tribe level by considering larval and adult morphological characters. Both character sets, being described and illustrated, suggest the placement of Platyphileurus in the tribe Oryctini.     

The larva of Eustra (Coleoptera, Paussinae, Ozaenini):a facultative associate of ants

Larvae of the ground beetle genus Eustra Schmidt-Goebel are described and illustrated for the first time and some biological notes are reported. One specimen of an unknown Eustra species was collected while excavating a nest of the ant Pachycondyla javana Mayr, in Taiwan, which is the first report of a paussine associated with a member of the ant subfamily Ponerinae. Several larvae and adults of a second species, Eustra chinensis Bänninger, were collected in Shanghai under bark with no association with ants. First instar larvae of the latter species were also reared in the lab. The occurrence of larvae of the genus Eustra both inside and outside ant nests, together with a report of adults collected inside a nest in Taiwan, suggests that members of this genus may be facultative predators or facultative symbionts of ants, an attribute that has never been reported for this genus. The larvae of Eustra show several unique features, including a peculiar bidentate mandibular apex, an extremely long galea, one of two tarsal claws greatly reduced, abdominal setae (including those of terminal disk) elongate and clavate at apex, urogomphi wide and flattened, and inflated sensilla S-I. Larvae were studied by both optical and scanning electron microscopy, their morphological features are compared with those of other described Paussinae larvae, and their potential phylogenetic and functional significance are discussed.     

Morphological study on the immature stages of the Banana fruit caterpillar,Tiracola plagiata (Walker, 1857) and its close relative,Tiracola aureata Holloway, 1989 (Noctuidae: Noctuinae: Leucaniini) with their host plant information

Imature stages of the Banana fruit caterpillar, Tiracola plagiata (Walker, 1857) and its close relative, Tiracola aureata Holloway, 1989 are described and illustrated. We revealed the following four facts. 1: The sixth instar is estimated to be the last instar larvae in both species based on the width of head capsules. 2: Morphologically they are distinguishable in the third to sixth instar larvae, but not distinguishable in the eggs, first to second instar larvae and pupae by our study. 3: Both species are polyphagous. 4: Some of the formerly known host plant records of T. plagiata should be excluded because they are revealed to be the hostplants of T. aureata.     

Distribution, Abundance and Molecular Analysis of Genus Barbadocladius Cranston & Krosch (Diptera, Chironomidae) in Tropical, High Altitude Andean Streams and Rivers

The distribution of the genus Barbadocladius Cranston & Krosch (Diptera: Chironomidae), previously reported from Chile to Bolivia, has extended northwards. Larvae, pupae and pupal exuviae of this genus have been found in the high mountain tropical streams of Peru to 9°22′56″, but are restricted to very high altitude streams (altitudes over 3,278 m asl) compared to the lower altitude streams (below 1,100 m asl) in which the genus is reported in Chile and Argentina. Based on morphological studies, both described species in the genus, Barbadocladius andinus Cranston & Krosch and Barbadocladius limay Cranston & Krosch, have been found in Peru as pupae or pupal exuviae. Morphological analysis of the larvae and pupae revealed no differences between the two described species from Patagonia and Peru, which are of similar size and with a similar armament of hooklets and spines in pupal tergites and sternites. However, molecular analysis of larvae and pupae revealed that in Peru, there are at least two different evolutionary lines, one distributed widely and another restricted to one site. Phylogenetic analysis (using cox1 mitochondrial sequences) of all available sequences of Barbadocladius shows that the Chilean and Argentinean material differs from that of Peru. Therefore, a total of four molecular segregates are identified, although morphologically, neither larvae nor the pupae may be differentiated.     

A description of the larva and pupa of Trox mandli (Coleoptera, Trogidae) from the Russian Far East

The previously unknown larvae of Trox mandli Balthasar of the family Trogidae are described and illustrated. The larva of T. mandli Balthasar differs from that of T. sabulosus (Linnaeus) in shape of the setae on abdominal tergite I, and from that of T. scaber (Linnaeus), in the chaetotaxy of the epipharynx. A key to the known larvae of the genus Trox Fabricius from the Russian Far East is given.     

A Redescription of Calicotyle australis Johnston, 1934 (Monogenea: Monocotylidae) from the Type-host Trygonorrhina Fasciata (Rhinobatidae) off Adelaide, South Australia, Including Descriptions of Live and Silver Stained Larvae

Calicotyle australis Johnston, 1934 (Monogenea Monxocotylidae) is redescribed from the cloaca of the type-host, the southern fiddler ray Trygonorrhina fasciata (Rhinobatidae) off Adelaide, South Australia. Lobed glands joining the oötype are reported for the first time and may be characteristic of the genus. The presence of an appendix associated with the seminal vesicle in C. australis, previously reported as absent, is confirmed. The anatomy of the oncomiracidium of C. australis is described from observations of live larvae, and the number and distribution of ciliated epidermal cells and sensilla, revealed by silver staining larvae, is also described. Use of larval characters to distinguish between species of Calicotyle Diesing, 1850 and other closely related monocotylids is discussed.     

Redescription and Life History of Contortylenchus brevicomi,a Parasite of the Southern Pine Beetle Dendroctonus frontalis

Larval and adult life stages are described for Contortylenchus brevicomi (Massey) Rühm parasitizing a Mississippi population of Dendroctonus frontalis, the southern pine beetle. Fourth-stage larvae and free-living adult females of this species are identified and described for the first time. The life cycle of C. brevicomi can be reconstructed from this study. The adult female nematode lays eggs in a mature beetle. Larval development progresses within the hemocoel until fourth-stage larvae exit the host. Mating occurs in beetle galleries and only females enter an immature beetle host.     

Lipid nutritional indices,regioisomeric distribution,and thermal properties of Tenebrio molitor and Hermetia illucens larvae fat

The fatty acid (FA) profile, nutritional index, and thermal properties of lipids from Tenebrio molitor and Hermetia illucens larvae were studied. T. molitor and H. illucens larvae had high lipid contents (respectively 28.8% and 42.6%), saturated (25.0% and 55.8%), monounsaturated (MUFA) (39.2% and 28.3%), and polyunsaturated (PUFA) fatty acids (35.8% and 15.9%). Both larvae fats contained beneficial ω-3, ω-6, and ω-9 FA. For T. molitor and H. illucens, the lipid nutritional indices were atherogenicity indices 0.68 and 2.75, thrombogenicity indices 0.58 and 0.74, and health-promoting indices 3.51 and 0.80 hypocholesterolemic/hypercholesterolemic acid ratio 1.38 and 0.23, suggesting the nutritional superiority of T. molitor larvae fat. Regioisomeric distribution analysis showed that PUFA in H. illucens larvae fat are concentrated on the sn-1,3 positions, whereas those in T. molitor larvae fat are distributed in all three positions. The thermal stability and crystallisation profiles differed for both larvae fats and demonstrated their potential use in thermally processed foods.     

The morphology of larvae and systematics of the leaf-beetles Chrysolina tundralis and Chrysolina roddi (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae, Chrysomelinae)

The 1st- and 4th-instar larvae of Chrysolina tundralis and Ch. roddi and the egg of the latter species are described for the first time; the instar-related changes of the larval morphology are discussed. The 4th-instar larva of Ch. tundralis is very similar to that of Ch. septentrionalis, but differs in the smaller sclerite-like plates of the abdominal segments and wider spaces between them (4–7 times as wide as a sclerite-like plate). The 4th-instar larva of Ch. roddi is very similar to that of Ch. pedestris, but differs in the dark brown coloration of the body and a fewer number of setae (9–12) in the dorsolateral areas of the meso- and metathorax. Data on the habitats and host plants of the larvae are given.     

Larvae of phoronids (Phoronida) from Terpeniya Bay (Southeastern Sakhalin)

Phoronid larvae were found in planktonic samples from the northern coast of Terpeniya Bay. In some samples, their density was up to 220 specimens/m³. Larval stages having 10, 12, 16, 20, and 22 tentacles are described. Larvae were identified as Actinotrocha branchiata and belong to the species Phoronis muelleri Selys-Longchamps, 1903. However, unlike the Ph. muelleri larvae described in the literature, the larvae we found are smaller (not more than 900 μm) before metamorphosis and have fewer tentacles (24). They lack paired vacuolated diverticula of the stomach, which are characteristic of Ph. muelleri larvae. However, judging by all other characters, namely transparency, the absence of coelomic cylinder in the preoral lobe, and the presence of adult tentacle primordia, one pair of blood cell aggregations, and a pyriform organ, these larvae are similar to the previously described larvae of Ph. muelleri. Adult forms of Ph. muelleri were previously found in Terpeniya Bay and described by Mamkaev (1962) and Emig (1984).     

On the morphology, biology, and distribution of Lobogynioides andreinii (Acari, Mesostigmata, Diplogyniidae)

Mesostigmatic mites Lobogynioides andreinii (Berlese, 1910) are reported for the first time from Eastern Europe (Ukraine: Odessa and Zakarpattia Provinces, Crimea) and Caucasus (Russia: Krasnodar Territory). The generic confinedness of this species needs clarification. The family Diplogyniidae is mentioned for the fauna of Ukraine for the first time. Adult mites were found on adults of Hololepta plana (Sulzer, 1776) (Coleoptera, Histeridae) and on larvae of Cucujus sp. (Coleoptera, Cucujidae) and Pyrochroa sp. (Coleoptera, Pyrochroidae) under the bark of poplar (rarely, alder). The juvenile stages of L. andreinii obtained in the laboratory are described for the first time. In the laboratory, beetles H. plana and mature L. andreinii were fed on drosophilid larvae. Adult L. andreinii mites, phoresing on H. plana, demonstrate kleptoparasitic behavior, consuming part of prey of their beetle hosts. The juvenile stages of L. andreinii are free living predators; in the laboratory, they feed on nematodes. The development of L. andreinii from egg to adult takes 48–60 and more days at 18–22°C. The phoresy of L. andreinii is characterized as an obligatory ecoethological phoresy according to Camerik (2009); H. plana is the preferable host of L. andreinii.     

Taxonomic notes on Cryptamorpha sculptifrons Reitter (Coleoptera,Silvanidae), with description of its larval morphology

Cryptamorpha sculptifrons Reitter, 1889 is redescribed and a lectotype and paralectotype are designated. The mature larva of C. sculptifrons is described. It is hypothesized that a variety described by Grouvelle (1908), C. sculptifrons var. punctifrons from India, might not be conspecific with Japanese C. sculptifrons. It is also suggested that larvae of Cryptamorpha can be distinguished from larvae of the tribe Brontini by the relatively thick antennae and the 3rd antennomere which is less than 3/4 of the length of the 2nd.     

Larval morphology of the weevil genus Ceutorhynchus (Coleoptera, Curculionidae) from Middle Asia

Larvae of three species of the weevil genus Ceutorhynchus (C. subtilirostris Schultze., C. viator Faust, and C. setosellus Voss) are described from Middle Asia for the first time. The larvae differ in the shape of frons, structure of the labrum, and chaetotaxy of the epicranium, frons, and lacinia. A key to the species described is given.     

Immature stages of leaf beetles of the genera Octodonta and Pystosia (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae, Hispinae) from Vietnam

The morphology of larvae and pupae of two leaf beetle species, Octodonta depressa Chap. and Pystosia dactyliferae Maulik, is described. Some aspects of their ecology are considered.     

Musculature of the ovipositor of Lenitovena trigona (Matsumura) (Diptera, Tephritidae) with reference to the larval saprophagy

The larvae of most Tephritidae are endobiotic in various living plants and are therefore convenient objects for analysis of the associations of this dipteran family with seed plants. The structure of the sclerites and musculature of the ovipositor of Lenitovena trigona (Matsumura) a Far Eastern tephritid of the tribe Acanthonevrini with initially saprobiont larva, was investigated to facilitate understanding of the morphological changes in the adults associated with larval shift from saprophagous to herbivorous habit. Differences between the ovipositor of L. trigona and those of species of the genera Urophora, Ceratitis, and Rhagoletis with endophytic larvae have been found; the ovipositor musculature of these genera has been described by Dean (1935), Nanna (1938), and Berube and Zacharuk (1983).     

Morphology of juvenile stages of Kuschelina bergi (Harold) with biological information (Coleoptera,Chrysomelidae, Alticini)

Kuschelina bergi (Harold, 1881) is being studied to be evaluated as a natural enemy of Phyla nodiflora var. minor (Hook.) N. O’Leary & Múlgura (Verbenaceae), an invasive weed in Australia. Eggs, and 1^st and 3^rd instar larvae are described and illustrated for the first time. The following characters distinguish Kuschelina bergi: presence of two medial setae in prosternum, mesosternum and metasternum, absence of tubercle on sternum I and eight setae in abdominal segment IX. The 3^rd instar larvae of Kuschelina bergi resemble Kuschelina gibbitarsa (Say) larvae: the body shape and details of mouthparts are similar, but the morphology of the mandible is different, as is the tarsungulus which has a single seta. Differences between Kuschelina bergi and other known larvae of Oedionychina are discussed. New biological data based on laboratory rearing and field observation are also presented and discussed.