Helminth community structure of the Mediterranean gull (Ichthyaetus melanocephalus) in Southern Italy

The helminth community of the Mediterranean gull (Ichthyaetus melanocephalus) from the Calabria region in southern Italy was examined. Ten species of helminths, including 2 cestodes (Alcataenia larina and Tetrabothrius cylindraceus), 4 digeneans ( Aporchis massiliensis , Brachylaima fuscatum, Cardiocephaloides longicollis, and Ornithobilharzia canaliculata), and 4 nematodes (Eucoleus contortus, Capillaria sp., Cosmocephalus obvelatus, and Paracuaria adunca), were found. The Mediterranean gull represents new host records for A. larina, A. massiliensis, B. fuscatum, and E. contortus; all species, except C. longicollis and O. canaliculata, constitute new locality records. The gastrointestinal helminth community of I. melanocephalus consisted of 9 species but, at the infracommunity level, species richness, diversity, and total helminth abundance are among the lowest reported from any gull species. Two cestode species accounted for 81% of all helminth specimens found.     

On the pathogens of the spruce bark beetle Ips typographus (Coleoptera: Scolytinae) in the Western Carpathians

Pathogens of spruce bark beetle Ips typographus were compared at eleven sites in Slovakia (the Western Carpathians). Seven different pathogen species were recorded: protozoan species Chytridiopsis typographi, Gregarina typographi, Malamoeba scolyti, nematodes of the genus Neoparasitylenchus and one unidentified nematode species. Presence of the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana was also observed as well as parasitization by hymenopteran parasitoids. High infection rate of G. typographi and the nematode Neoparasitylenchus was detected in almost all sites and lethal impact of M. scolyti by massive infections was observed. The beetles from seven sites were screened for endosymbiotic bacteria Wolbachia, however, with no positive result.     

Occurrence of pathogens in Ips typographus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) and in other spruce bark beetles from the wilderness reserve Dürrenstein (Lower Austria)

The study presents new data on spatial distribution of bark beetle pathogens, on changes in frequency over several years and on their prevalence during different time periods within a year from several locations within the wilderness reserve Dürrenstein (Lower Austria). The occurrence of pathogens was investigated in Ips typographus (during five years), in Pityogenes chalcographus (during two years) and in Ips amitinus (in one year). In total, seven pathogen species could be detected in I. typographus. The most dominant pathogen species were the Ips typographus-Entomopoxvirus (ItEPV), the sporozoan species Gregarina typographi and the microsporidium Chytridiopsis typographi; the latter two pathogen species were recorded every year and at about similar high (G. typographi) or low (C. typographi) rates, the ItEPV in strongly varying rates. The neogregarine Mattesia cf. schwenkei and the two microsporidia Nosema typographi and Unikaryon montanum were found in I. typographus only sporadically and the rhizopodan species Malamoeba scolyti was found once. The number of infected males and females was relatively similar with almost all pathogen species in most of the years except U. montanum, which occurred exclusively in females. Three pathogen species were recorded in P. chalcographus which were Gregarina typographi, Mattesia cf. schwenkei and Chytridiopsis typographi. Two pathogen species were observed in I. amitinus, Gregarina typographi and Chytridiopsis typographi.     

The bacterial community of entomophilic nematodes and host beetles

Insects form the most species‐rich lineage of Eukaryotes and each is a potential host for organisms from multiple phyla, including fungi, protozoa, mites, bacteria and nematodes. In particular, beetles are known to be associated with distinct bacterial communities and entomophilic nematodes. While entomopathogenic nematodes require symbiotic bacteria to kill and reproduce inside their insect hosts, the microbial ecology that facilitates other types of nematode–insect associations is largely unknown. To illuminate detailed patterns of the tritrophic beetle–nematode–bacteria relationship, we surveyed the nematode infestation profiles of scarab beetles in the greater Los Angeles area over a five‐year period and found distinct nematode infestation patterns for certain beetle hosts. Over a single season, we characterized the bacterial communities of beetles and their associated nematodes using high‐throughput sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene. We found significant differences in bacterial community composition among the five prevalent beetle host species, independent of geographical origin. Anaerobes Synergistaceae and sulphate‐reducing Desulfovibrionaceae were most abundant in Amblonoxia beetles, while Enterobacteriaceae and Lachnospiraceae were common in Cyclocephala beetles. Unlike entomopathogenic nematodes that carry bacterial symbionts, insect‐associated nematodes do not alter the beetles' native bacterial communities, nor do their microbiomes differ according to nematode or beetle host species. The conservation of Diplogastrid nematodes associations with Melolonthinae beetles and sulphate‐reducing bacteria suggests a possible link between beetle–bacterial communities and their associated nematodes. Our results establish a starting point towards understanding the dynamic interactions between soil macroinvertebrates and their microbiota in a highly accessible urban environment.     

Helminth fauna of the yellow-legged gull Larus cachinnans in Galicia, north-west Spain

Thirty-six helminth species were found in 324 gulls examined during June 1994 to February 1996 from different localities of Galicia: 25 trematodes (Brachylaima sp., Brachylecithum microtesticulatum, Cardiocephaloides longicollis, Cryptocotyle lingua, Cryptocotyle concavum, Diplostomum spathaceum, Echinostephilla virgula, Galactosomum phalacrocoracis, Gigantobilharzia acotylea, Gymnophallus deliciosus, Gynaecotyla longiintestinata, Himasthla elongata, Himasthla quissetensis, Knipowitschiatrema nicolai, Levinseniella (Levinseniella) propinqua, Maritrema gratiosum, Maritrema linguilla, Microphallus primas, Microphallus similis, Ornithobilharzia canaliculata, Parorchis acanthus, Phagicola minuta, Psilostomum brevicolle, Renicola sp. and Stephanoprora denticulata), four cestodes (Alcataenia micracantha, Microsomacanthus ductilis, Tetrabothrius (Oriana) erostris and Wardium cirrosa), six nematodes (Anisakis simplex, Contracaecum rudolphii, Cosmocephalus obvelatus), Eucoleus contortus, Paracuaria adunca and Tetrameres (Tetrameres) skrjabini) and one acanthocephalan (Arhythmorhynchus longicollis). Tetrabothrius erostris was the most prevalent species (79.6%), followed by C. obvelatus (47.8%), C. lingua (37.4%), G deliciosus (30.9%), G. longiintestinata (22.8%), P. adunca (21.9%), B. microtesticulatum (17.6%), E. contortus (14.5%) and M. similis (9.3%). Microphallus similis was the dominant species, with a Berger-Parker index (BP) of 0.32, followed by T. erostris (BP=0.10). All species presented an aggregated dispersion except G. acotylea and G. phalacrocoracis, which showed a random dispersion. Species that seem to have the greatest predilection for specific sites along the intestine are: C. longicollis and A. micracantha (first third), Brachylaima sp., M. similis and G. longiintestinata (last third) and A. longicollis (second half). Eight species are known to be pathogenic to commercially important fish or molluscan species and several are pathogenic to humans.     

Ophiostomatoid fungi associated with hardwood-infesting bark and ambrosia beetles in Poland: Taxonomic diversity and vector specificity

Fungi in the orders Ophiostomatales and Microascales (Ascomycota), often designated as ophiostomatoid fungi, are frequent associates of scolytine bark and ambrosia beetles that colonize hardwood and coniferous trees. Several species, e.g., Ophiostoma novo-ulmi, are economically damaging pathogens of trees. Because little is known regarding the ophiostomatoid fungi in Europe, we have explored the diversity of these fungi associated with hardwood-infesting beetles in Poland. This study aims to clarify the associations between fungi in the genera Ambrosiella, Graphium (Microascales), Graphilbum, Leptographium, Ophiostoma and Sporothrix (Ophiostomatales) and their beetle vectors in hardwood ecosystems. Samples associated with 18 bark and ambrosia beetle species were collected from 11 stands in Poland. Fungi were isolated from adult beetles and galleries. Isolates were identified based on morphology, DNA sequence comparisons for five gene regions (ITS, LSU, ßT, TEF 1-α, and CAL) and phylogenetic analyses. In total, 36 distinct taxa were identified, including 24 known and 12 currently unknown species. Several associations between fungi and bark and ambrosia beetles were recorded for the first time. In addition, associations between Dryocoetes alni, D. villosus, Hylesinus crenatus, Ernoporus tiliae, Pteleobius vittatus and ophiostomatoid fungi were reported for the first time, and Sporothrix eucastanea was reported for the first time outside of the USA. Among the species of Ophiostomatales, 14 species were in Ophiostoma s. l., two species were in Graphilbum, nine species were in Sporothrix, and seven species were in Leptographium s. l. Among the species of Microascales, three species were in Graphium, and one was in Ambrosiella. Twenty taxa were present on the beetles and in the galleries, twelve only on beetles, and four only in galleries. Bark and ambrosia beetles from hardwoods appear to be regular vectors, with ophiostomatoid fungi present in all the beetle species. Most ophiostomatoid species had a distinct level of vector/host specificity, although Ophiostoma quercus, the most frequently encountered species, also had the greatest range of beetle vectors and tree hosts. Plant pathogenic O. novo-ulmi was found mainly in association with elm-infesting bark beetles (Scolytus multistriatus, S. scolytus, and P. vittatus) and occasionally with H. crenatus on Fraxinus excelsior and with Scolytus intricatus on Quercus robur.     

Four new Ophiostoma species associated with hardwood-infesting bark beetles in Norway and Poland

Ophiostoma spp. (Ophiostomatales, Ascomycota) are well-known fungi associated with bark and ambrosia beetles (Curculionidae: Scolytinae, Platypodinae). Fungi in the Ophiostomatales include serious tree pathogens as well as agents of timber blue-stain. Although these fungi have been extensively studied in the northern hemisphere, very little is known regarding their occurrence on hardwoods in Europe. The aims of the present study were to identify and characterize new Ophiostoma spp. associated with bark and ambrosia beetles infesting hardwoods in Norway and Poland, and to resolve phylogenetic relationships of Ophiostoma spp. related to the Norwegian and Polish isolates, using multigene phylogenetic analyses. Results obtained from five gene regions (ITS, LSU, β-tubulin, calmodulin, translation elongation factor 1-α) revealed four new Ophiostoma spp. These include Ophiostoma hylesinum sp. nov., O. signatum sp. nov., and O. villosum sp. nov. that phylogenetically are positioned within the Ophiostoma ulmi complex. The other new species, Ophiostoma pseudokarelicum sp. nov. reside along with Ophiostoma karelicum in a discrete, well-supported phylogenetic group in Ophiostoma s. stricto. The results of this study clearly show that the diversity and ecology of Ophiostoma spp. on hardwoods in Europe is poorly understood and that further studies are required to enrich our knowledge about these fungi.     

Influences of shrub vegetation on distribution and diversity of a ground beetle community in a Gobi desert ecosystem

In shrubland ecosystems, shrubs as ecosystem engineers play an important role in structuring ground beetle communities. However, the influence of shrub vegetation on the distribution and diversity of ground beetles remains unknown in Gobi desert, northwest China, where shrubland is a major biome type. Using Gobi shrubland dominated by shrub species Nitraria sphaerocarpa and Reaumuria soongorica as a model system, we sampled ground beetle communities using a pitfall trapping method under canopies of both shrubs and in intershrub bare areas during spring, summer and autumn corresponding to the main period of beetle activity. Simultaneously, physical environment of the three microhabitats and plant characteristics of both shrubs were measured. We determined whether shrubs and species identity influence ground beetle distribution and diversity patterns and whether the response of beetles to the presence and species of shrubs is consistent across species. At the community level, total beetle abundance and species richness were significantly greater under shrubs than in intershrub bare areas, whereas more beetles were captured under N. sphaerocarpa than under R. soongorica. At the population level, eight dominant beetle species responded differently to the presence and species of shrubs. The abundance of Anatolica sp., Carabus sp., Cyphogenia chinensis, Microdera sp. and Sternoplax setosa was consistently much greater under shrubs than in intershrub bare areas, whereas the abundance of Blaps gobiensis, Lethrus apterus and Pterocoma reitteri under shrubs was similar to that in intershrub bare areas. The shrub N. sphaerocarpa was commonly preferred by Anatolica sp., C. chinensis and S. setosa, whereas the shrub R. soongorica was commonly preferred by L. apterus, but the abundance of B. gobiensis, Carabus sp., Microdera sp. and P. reitteri was unaffected by shrub species. Differences in the abundance, species richness and composition of ground beetles among microhabitat types were largely related to among-microhabitat differences in the physical environment and resource availability. Our results suggest that shrubs and species identity play key roles in structuring ground beetle communities, but their influence differed between species. This study emphasizes the importance of protecting shrub habitats for the maintenances of beetle biodiversity in this Gobi desert ecosystem.     

Ophiostomatoid fungi including two new fungal species associated with pine root-feeding beetles in northern Spain

Many bark beetles live in a symbiosis with ophiostomatoid fungi but very little is known regarding these fungi in Spain. In this study, we considered the fungi associated with nine bark beetle species and one weevil infesting two native tree species (Pinus sylvestris and Pinus nigra) and one non-native (Pinus radiata) in Cantabria (Northern Spain). This included examination of 239 bark beetles or their galleries. Isolations yielded a total of 110 cultures that included 11 fungal species (five species of Leptographium sensu lato including Leptographium absconditum sp. nov., five species of Ophiostoma sensu lato including Ophiostoma cantabriense sp. nov, and one species of Graphilbum). The most commonly encountered fungal associates of the bark beetles were Grosmannia olivacea, Leptographium procerum, and Ophiostoma canum. The aggressiveness of the collected fungal species was evaluated using inoculations on two-year-old P. radiata seedlings. Leptographium wingfieldii, Leptographium guttulatum, and Ophiostoma ips were the only species capable of causing significant lesions.     

The Chinese species of the genus Ontsira Cameron (Hymenoptera,Braconidae, Doryctinae)

The Chinese species of the genus Ontsira Cameron, 1900 (Hymenoptera: Braconidae, Doryctinae) are reviewed. Eleven species are recognized, of which four new species are described from China and South Korea: O. abbreviata sp. n., O. henana sp. n., O. robusta sp. n., and O. rugivertex sp. n. Two species, O. ignea (Ratzeburg) and O. neantica Belokobylskij et Maetô, are recorded in China for the first time. A key to the Asian species of the genus Ontsira is provided.     

Neoparasitylenchus amvlocercus sp. n. (Tylenchida: Nematodea) from Conophthorus monophyllae (Scolytidae: Coleoptera) in California with a synopsis of the nematode genera found in bark beetles

Neoparasitylenchus amvlocercus sp. n. (Tylenchida: Nematodea) is described as a parasite of the singleleaf pinyon cone beetle, Conophthorus monophyllae (Scolytidae: Coleoptera) in California. In a sample of 21 beetles randomly selected from cones of Pinus monophylla, 62% were parasitized by N. amvlocercus. Heavily infected beetles showed a reduction in fat body, ovaries, and longevity. They were poorly coordinated, flew less, and showed a weaker flight than that of nonparasitized beetles. A summary of the effects of allantonematid nematodes on bark beetles is included and a synopsis of the nematodes occurring inside bark beetles is given, including a key to the genera of Allantonematidae parasitizing scolytids.     

Preliminary results on nematicidal activity from culture filtrates of Basidiomycetes against the pine wood nematode,Bursaphelenchus xylophilus (Aphelenchoididae)

One hundred and eighty one fungal species that were isolated from the fresh fruiting bodies collected in the Mountains of Pu Er County of Yunnan Province, China were tested on the pine wood nematode,Bursaphelenchus xylophilus in vitro. Each fungal species was grown in Czapek broth and potato dextrose broth (PDB). Fifteen filtrates fromAmauroderma austrosinense, Amauroderma macer, Filoboletus sp.,Laccaria tortilis, Lactarius gerardii, Lentinula edodes, Oudemansiella longipes, Oudemansiella mucida, Peziza sp.,Pleurotus sp.,Sinotermitomyces carnosus (two strains),Strobilomyces floccopus, Termitomyces albuminosus, Tylopilus striatulus grown on PDB were found to be pathogenic to the tested nematodes. Eleven filtrates fromAmanita junguillea, Amanita sp.,Daedalea sepiaria, Fistulina hepatica, Omphalotus olearius, Oudemansiella mucida, Peziza sp.,Pleurotus pulmatus, Ramaria sp.,Tricholoma conglobatum, Tylopilus striatulus grown on Czapek broth were also pathogenic to the nematodes. When screening for nematicidal potential of fungi, it is important to study the growth medium conditions necessary to obtain the optimal nematicidal effect as fungal filtrates growing on different liquid media showed a very inconsistent toxicity towards nematodes.     

The Mecyclothorax beetles (Coleoptera,Carabidae, Moriomorphini) of Tahiti,Society Islands

The 101 species of Mecyclothorax Sharp known to inhabit Tahiti Island, French Polynesia are taxonomically revised, including 28 species that are newly described: Mecyclothorax claridgeiae sp. n., Mecyclothorax jeanyvesi sp. n., Mecyclothorax poria sp. n., Mecyclothorax aano sp. n., Mecyclothorax papau sp. n., Mecyclothorax manina sp. n., Mecyclothorax everardi sp. n., Mecyclothorax ramagei sp. n., Mecyclothorax pitohitiensis sp. n., Mecyclothorax curtisi sp. n., Mecyclothorax hoeahiti sp. n., Mecyclothorax ninamu sp. n., Mecyclothorax kokone sp. n., Mecyclothorax paahonu sp. n., Mecyclothorax kayballae sp. n., Mecyclothorax ehu sp. n., Mecyclothorax papuhiti sp. n., Mecyclothorax tuea sp. n., Mecyclothorax taatitore sp. n., Mecyclothorax konemata sp. n., Mecyclothorax arboricola sp. n., Mecyclothorax rahimata sp. n., M. oaoa sp. n., Mecyclothorax maninapopoti sp. n., Mecyclothorax hunapopoti sp. n., Mecyclothorax fefemata sp. n., Mecyclothorax maninamata sp. n., and Mecyclothorax niho sp. n. Mecyclothorax muriauxioides Perrault, 1984 is newly synonymized with Mecyclothorax muriauxi Perrault, 1978. Lectotypes are designated for: Thriscothorax altiusculus Britton, 1938; Thriscothorax bryobius Britton, 1938; Mecyclothorax globosus Britton, 1948: and Mecyclothorax sabulicola Britton, 1948. Dichotomous identification keys augmented by dorsal habitus and male aedeagal photographs are provided to the various species-groups and all included species. The spermatophore of Mecyclothorax papau sp. n. is described, with the ampulla and collar found to correspond dimensionally to the length of the internal sac flagellar plate. Variation among characters of the female reproductive tract is presented for all newly described plus other representative species comprising the radiation. Taxa are assigned to species groups, modified from the classification of G.G. Perrault, based on derived character states polarized using the Australian outgroup taxon Mecyclothorax punctipennis (MacLeay). Much of the species-level diversity on this small Pacific island is partitioned allopatrically over very small distributional ranges. No species is shared between Tahiti Nui and Tahiti Iti, and nearly all species in Tahiti Nui are geographically restricted to one ridgelike massif of that volcano. Cladistically similar species are often distributed on different massifs suggesting that vicariance associated with erosional valley formation has facilitated speciation, however several instances in which sister species occupy sympatric distributions on the same ridge system demonstrate that speciation may also occur across extremely localized landscapes. Such localized differentiation is facilitated by the low vagility of these small-bodied, flightless predators whose fragmented populations can persist and diverge within spatially limited habitat patches. The intense philopatry of Tahitian Mecyclothorax spp. coupled with the highly dissected landscape has produced the geographically densest adaptive radiation on Earth. This radiation has occurred very rapidly, with species durations averaging 300,000 yr; a speciation rate similar to that observed in Hawaiian Oliarus planthoppers and Laupala crickets, and East African Rift lake cichlid fishes.     

Bacillus penetrans n. comb. Causing a virulent disease of plant-parasitic nematodes

The prokaryotic and bacterial nature of the incitant of a lethal disease of economically important plant-parasitic nematodes was confirmed by electron microscopy. The organism (formerly Duboscqia penetrans Thorne, Microsporea: Protozoa) was renamed Bacillus penetrans n. comb., Bacillaceae. B. penetrans produces an endospore typical of Bacillus spp., and its life cycle and spore morphology are similar to B. popilliae and B. lentimorbus, the “milky disease” organisms of insects. It differs from the latter pathogens in spore shape, in the dichotomously-branched colonies formed in the host pseudocoelom by nonseparating vegetative cells, and in that the spores are not known to be ingested by nematodes. Substantial reductions in Pratylenchus scribneri populations and in root-knot disease of tomato were obtained in glasshouse tests with the pathogen. Endospore production in vivo presents the first possibility of biological control of pest nematodes with inoculum of a highly specific virulent pathogen.     

A catalogue of Lithuanian beetles (Insecta, Coleoptera)

This paper presents the first complete and updated list of all 3597 species of beetles (Insecta: Coleoptera) belonging to 92 familiesfound and published in Lithuania until 2011, with comments also provided on the main systematic and nomenclatural changes since the last monographic treatment in two volumes (Pileckis and Monsevičius 1995, 1997). The introductory section provides a general overview of the main features of the territory of Lithuania, the origins and formation of the beetle fauna and their conservation, the faunistic investigations in Lithuania to date revealing the most important stages of the faunistic research process with reference to the most prominent scientists, an overview of their work, and their contribution to Lithuanian coleopteran faunal research.Species recorded in Lithuania by some authors without reliable evidence and requiring further confirmation with new data are presented in a separate list, consisting of 183 species. For the first time, analysis of errors in works of Lithuanian authors concerning data on coleopteran fauna has been conducted and these errors have been corrected. All available published and Internet sources on beetles found in Lithuania have been considered in the current study. Over 630 literature sources on species composition of beetles, their distribution in Lithuania and neighbouring countries, and taxonomic revisions and changes are reviewed and cited. An alphabetical list of these literature sources is presented. After revision of public beetle collections in Lithuania, the authors propose to remove 43 species from the beetle species list of the country on the grounds, that they have been wrongly identified or published by mistake. For reasons of clarity, 19 previously noted but later excluded species are included in the current checklist with comments. Based on faunal data from neighbouring countries, species expected to occur in Lithuania are matnioned. In total 1390 species are attributed to this category and data on their distribution in neighbouring countries is presented. Completion of this study provides evidence that the Lithuanian coleopteran fauna has yet to be completely investigated and it is estimated that approximately 28 % of beetle species remain undiscovered in Lithuania. More than 85% of beetle species expected for Lithuania have been found in the following families: Cerylonidae, Geotrupidae, Haliplidae, Kateridae, Lycidae, Lucanidae, Mycetophagidae, Scarabaeidae and Silphidae. In families with few species such as Alexiidae, Boridae, Byturidae, Dascilidae, Drilidae, Eucinetidae, Lampyridae, Lymexilidae, Megalopodidae, Nemonychidae, Nosodendridae, Noteridae, Orsodacnidae, Pyrochroidae, Pythidae, Psephenidae, Rhysodidae, Sphaeritidae, Sphaeriusidae, Sphindidae, Stenotrahelidae and Trogidae, all possible species have already been discovered. However in some beetle families such as Aderidae, Bothrideridae, Eucnemidae, Laemoploeidae, Mordellidae, Ptiliidae, Scraptidae and Throscidae less than 50% of all possible species are known. At present the beetle species recorded in Lithuania belong to 92 families, with species from 9 other families such as Agyrtidae, Biphylidae, Deradontidae, Mycteridae, Ochodaeidae, Phleophilidae, Phloeostichidae, Prostomidae, Trachypachidae are expected to be found.A bibliography and a index of subfamily and genus levels are provided. The information published in the monograph will serve to further faunistic and distribution research of beetles and will help to avoid confusion in the identificatation of coleopteran fauna of Lithuania.     

Two new species of Chrysomelobia Regenfuss, 1968 (Acariformes: Podapolipidae) from Paropsis charybdis Stål (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)

Two new species of Chrysomelobia Regenfuss, 1968, C. alleni n. sp. and C. intrusus n. sp., are described from Tasmanian specimens of the eucalyptus leaf beetle Paropsis charybdis Stål. This beetle is now known to host three species of Chrysomelobia, the other being Chrysomelobia pagurus Seeman, 2008, which is recorded from Tasmania for the first time. Thus, the three species of Paropsis Olivier known to have podapolipid mites each have three mite species from three separate lineages of Chrysomelobia. Collections of P. charybdis in New Zealand (n = 150), where it is an invasive pest species, failed to locate any infested beetles, suggesting that these populations were established by uninfested beetles. The prospect of using these mites as biocontrol agents is discussed.     

Three new species of Trissolcus ashmead (Hymenoptera: Platygastroidea: Scelionidae) from Bulgaria

Identification key of 20 species of the genus Trissolcus registered in Bulgaria is given. Three species, T. fuscus sp. n., T. simplex sp. n. and T. nigricans sp. n. are described as new for science.     

Association of the Red Ring Nematode and Other Nematode Species with the Palm Weevil,Rhynchophorus palmarum

The palm weevil, Rhynchophorus palmarum (L.), was collected in cocoons from red ring-diseased coconut palms (Cocos nucifera L.) in Trinidad and Tobago. Juveniles of five species of nematodes were extracted from the genitalia and macerated bodies of newly emerged adults of the palm weevil: Rhadinaphelenchus cocophilus (Cobb) Goodey (the red ring nematode), Teratorhabditis sp., Diplogasteritus sp., Mononchoides sp., and Bursaphelenchus sp. Over 90% of newly emerged weevil females and males were infested internally with red ring nematode juveniles, and over 47% of the weevils contained more than 1,000 red ring nematodes each. There was no significant correlation between weevil body length and the number of red ring nematodes carried internally by each weevil. Teratorhabditis sp. and Diplogasteritus sp. were extracted from over 50% of the palm weevils, and Monochoides sp. and Bursaphelenchus sp. were found in a small proportion of the weevils. Field-collected adult weevils were also internally and externally infested with a Rhabditis sp., which was not observed in or on weevils allowed to emerge from field-collected cocoons.     

New jewel beetles (Coleoptera: Buprestidae) from the Cretaceous of Russia,Kazakhstan, and Mongolia

A new jewel beetle genus, with one species (Cretofrontolina kzyldzharica gen. et sp. nov.) from the Upper Cretaceous of Kazakhstan is described based on a body; and three new species of the formal genus Metabuprestium are described based on isolated elytra: Metabuprestium sibiricum sp. nov. and M. arkagalense sp. nov. come from the Arkagala locality (Upper Cretaceous of Russia) and M. ichbogdense sp. nov. is from the Shar Tologoi locality (Lower Cretaceous of Mongolia).