World distribution and host range of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Podapolipoides</Emphasis> spp. (Acari: Heterostigmatina: Podapolipidae), with the description of a new species

The ectoparasitic mite Podapolipoides anacridii n. sp. (Heterostigmatina: Podapolipidae), collected from the basal hindwings of Anacridium sp. (Orthoptera: Acrididae) in central Iran, is described. Podapolipoides Regenfuss, 1968 is defined, and the distribution, host-specificity and host range of its constituent species are discussed.     

蝗科高级阶元的分子系统发育(英文）

迄今,蝗科内各分类阶元之间的系统发生关系大部分是未知的。本文用来自中国24种蝗科昆虫的12SrDNA和16SrDNA2个基因的联合序列(共795bp)数据,以锥头蝗科的锥头蝗(Pyrgomorpha conica)为外群,重建了分子系统树。研究结果表明,在12SrDNA与16SrDNA组成的联合数据中,转换的替代速率明显比颠换的替代速率高得多,核酸的替代已经发生了饱和。分子系统树表明:斑翅蝗亚科是一单系群,该亚科是一个合法的亚科,但斑腿蝗亚科和蝗亚科都不是单系群;斑翅蝗亚科在蝗科内是一个相对原始的类群,而稻蝗亚科比斑翅蝗亚科相对进化,比蝗科的其他亚科的种类相对原始。     

Two new species of Eutrombidium Verdun, 1909 (Acari: Prostigmata: Eutrombidiidae) from Asia and a new host record for this genus

Two new species of larval mites are described Eutrombidium laosanum n. sp. ectoparasitic on undetermined Gryllidae (Orthoptera) from Laos and Indonesia (Lingga Islands) and E. sigirijanum n. sp. ectoparasitic on undetermined Tenebrionidae (Coleoptera) from Sri Lanka.     

Erythraeid mites (Prostigmata,Erythraeidae) from Saudi Arabia,description of three new species and a new record

Three erythraeid genera Balaustium von Heyden, Charletonia Oudemans, and Erythraeus Latreille (Trombidiformes: Prostigmata) are reported for first time from Saudi Arabia based on three new larval species, Balaustium yousifi sp. n., Charletonia bahaensis sp. n., and Erythraeus (Erythraeus) uhadi sp. n. and one new record Erythraeus (Zaracarus) lancifer Southcott. All the three new species are described and illustrated from larvae.     

A molecular phylogenetic and phylogeographic study of two forms of Calliptamus barbarus (Costa 1836) (Orthoptera: Acrididae,Calliptaminae) from two regions of Algeria

Calliptamus barbarus (Orthoptera: Acrididae) is the most polymorphic species within the genus Calliptamus. It shows a morphological polymorphism (three hind femoral spots, or only one hind femoral spot). Several studies have been made in order to distinguish the two forms: morphometry, number of ovarioles, sound production, protein and enzyme system. The aim of our work is to assess whether the two forms can be considered as different taxa and to perform a molecular phylogenetic study of two populations of C. barbarus collected from two different Algerian localities. No clear genetic differentiation was found between the samples with different morphologies. Additionally, the samples from Algeria do not form a monophyletic sister clade compared to the one formed by the sequences from GenBank from other geographical regions. Despite the morphological differences shown between the two populations, our molecular study indicates that there are no differences at a molecular level using the two mitochondrial genes COI and 16S.     

新疆西部雏蝗属一新种记述（直翅目：网翅蝗科）

记述采自新疆西部网翅蝗科雏蝗属 Chorthippus 1新种,即新源雏蝗 Ch. xinyuanensis sp. nov.。新种近似于狭窝雏蝗Ch. foveatus Xia & Jin, 1982和长角雏蝗Ch. longicornis (Latreille),1804。与二者的主要区别为:前胸背板沟前区与沟后区等长;前胸背板侧隆线间最宽处为最狭处的1.7倍;前翅到达第6节背板中部(♂);中脉域约与肘脉域等宽(♂)。模式标本保存于陕西师范大学动物研究所标本室。     

Comparative mitogenome analysis of three species and monophyletic inference of Catantopinae (Orthoptera: Acridoidea)

To enrich the genomic database of Catantopinae (Orthoptera: Acrididae), mitogenomes of three species from different genera, Traulia nigritibialis (15,701 bp), Choroedocus capensis (16,293 bp) and Stenocatantops splendens (15,574 bp), were characterized and compared with those of other grasshoppers in the subfamily. All 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs) were initiated by ATN codons except COI with ACC (C. capensis and S.splendens) and ND6 with TTG (S. splendens). All transfer RNA (tRNA) genes had a typical clover-leaf structure, except tRNA^Ser(AGN) in which the base pairs of the dihydrouridine (DHU) arm were reduced. The phylogenetic relationships were constructed among 22 species from four subfamiles of Acrididae by classical classifications based on two datasets of their mitogenomes using both Bayesian Inference (BI) and Maximum Likelihood (ML). The phylogenetic analysis confirmed the monophyly of the three other subfamilies, but did not provided support of the monophyly of Catantopinae.     

Food plants of the Moroccan locust Dociostaurus maroccanus (Thunberg, 1815) (Orthoptera,Acrididae) in Turkmenistan

Trophic relationships of the Moroccan locust Dociostaurus maroccanus (Thunberg, 1815) (Orthoptera, Acrididae) hoppers and adults in Turkmenistan are discussed. It was established that food preferences of the locust may vary according to the climatic conditions. Nine species of wild and cultivated plants are recorded as hosts for the Moroccan locust for the first time.     

Ecological and morphological characteristics of endoparasitoids on Elcysma westwoodii (Vollenhoven) (Lepidoptera: Zygaenidae)

Six species of insect endoparasitoids were identified from Elcysma westwoodii, which is the most damaging lepidopteran pest of Prunus yedoensis. From Hymenoptera, two species were identified: a species in Braconidae and Charops striatus in Ichneumonidae. From Diptera, there were four species in Tachinidae: Compsilura concinnata, Exorista sp., Pales sp. and Tachinidae spp. The parasitic ratio was 4.86% (45 of 926 larvae). The hymenopterans were parasitic on 31 individuals of E. westwoodii (68.9%) and the dipterans were parasitic on 14 individuals (31.1%). It was found that parasitoids from the larvae of E. westwoodii were all either endoparasitoids or larval parasitoids. However, Exorista sp. of Tachinidae was found to be either a larval parasitoid or larval-pupal parasitoid. Additionally, all the identified parasitoids were solitary parasitoids, as only one parasite occurred in a larva of E. westwoodii. Because the larva of E. westwoodii eats and molts after it is parasitized, all the parasitoids were identified as koinobionts. There were no big differences in morphological characteristics and life histories between C. striatus and C. concinnata. However, for Exorista sp. and Pales sp., males took 3–5 days longer to emerge from their pupae and had remarkably longer body lengths than females.     

Fat body changes in a locust,Chortoicetes terminifera (Walker) (Orthoptera: Acrididae), parasitized by a nemestrinid fly

The fat body of Chortoicetes terminifera (Walker) (Orthoptera: Acrididae) parasitized by Trichopsidea oestracea (Westwood) (Diptera: Nemestrinidae) was hypertrophied and showed extensive cytological and functional changes. Lipid content (as a percentage of dry weight) was significantly higher in parasitized locusts. Regression of lipid content against parasitoid weight was quadratic in female hosts and linear (negative) in male hosts. The fatty acid composition of C. terminifera was not affected by parasitization. Parasitized male locusts had lower body weight than nonparasitized males and contained less soluble protein. Results indicated that egg development was inhibited in parasitized female locusts. These conditions may be related to changes in the host's fat body.     

基于线粒体基因Cytb和COI的蝗科中五亚科分子系统发育关系分析（直翅目: 蝗总科）（英文）

本研究基于Cytb 基因和COI基因的部分序列来推断17种蝗虫之间的系统发育关系。这17种蝗虫均采自国内,代表了蝗科(Acrididae)5个亚科：黑蝗亚科(Melanoplinae)、斑腿蝗亚科(Catantopinae)、刺胸蝗亚科(Cyrtacanthacridinae)、斑翅蝗亚科(Oedipodinae)和大足蝗亚科(Gomphocerinae)。采用联合序列方法进行分析,结果显示：Cytb 和COI联合序列长度为1 998 bp,其中A和T总含量为72.13%,G和C总含量为27.87%。联合序列共包含了889个保守位点,1 109个变异位点,在这些变异位点中有838个简约信息位点。系统发生树采用邻接法（NJ）、最大简约法（MP）和最大似然法（ML）进行构建。使用蜢总科的变色乌蜢Erianthus versicolor 和 Erianthus sp. 两个种作为外群。结果表明：大足蝗亚科和斑腿蝗亚科的单系性没有得到支持。斑翅蝗亚科内部各种聚成一个大支,在本研究中该亚科的单系性得到支持,与前人的研究结论相同。大足蝗亚科、斑腿蝗亚科、刺胸蝗亚科和黑蝗亚科这4科关系非常近,可以考虑将其合并为一个亚科。同时,我们发现基于Cytb和COI基因联合序列推断蝗科内各亚科间的系统发生关系并不十分可靠。     

Evidence from traditional and new technologies for northward migrations of Australian plague locusts (Chortoicetes terminifera) (Walker) (Orthoptera: Acrididae) to western Queensland

Abstract The development of recent infestations of the Australian plague locust (Chortoicetes terminifera) (Walker) (Orthoptera: Acrididae) has been traced using traditional survey data combined with information from several modern technologies including simulation of windborne transport trajectories, direct observation with entomological radar and satellite imagery. The results indicate that migration from spring generations in the southern and eastern parts of the species range, including agricultural areas, to the summer rainfall areas in arid western Queensland (Qld) has contributed to the development of infestations on several occasions. Migration from swarm populations in New South Wales to western Qld in November and December 1999 contributed to a rapid population increase that, over a sequence of generations, led to the major infestation of agricultural areas in March and April 2000. There is evidence that northward migrations also occurred in 1995, 1997 and 2000. These contributed to the early summer populations in Qld, but did not result in large migrations to the south in autumn. These observations suggest that a pattern of exchange migration across much of the geographical range of the species between regions of winter and summer rainfall characterizes the spatial dynamics of this species. This pattern appears to be adaptive and suggests migration in C. terminifera is sustained by contemporary natural selection.     

Low levels of chromosomal differentiation between the grasshoppers Chorthippus brunneus and Chorthippusjacobsi (Orthoptera; Acrididae) in northern Spain

The grasshopper species Chorthippus brunneus and C. jacobsi (Orthoptera: Acrididae) form a hybrid zone in northern Spain. These species probably diverged while isolated in southern refugia during one of the recent ice ages, and are clearly distinguished by morphology and male calling song. However, in contrast to other Chorthippus taxa that form hybrid zones in Europe, these two species cannot be reliably distinguished on the basis of characteristics of the karyotype such as heterochromatin banding patterns and composition, as revealed by C-banding and fluorochrome staining. Silver staining also reveals the presence of two autosomal nucleolar organiser regions (NORs) in both species. However, differentiation between C. brunneus and C. jacobsi was revealed on the X chromosome using fluorescent in situ hybridisation (FISH). C. brunneus individuals showed additional rDNA sequences on the X chromosome that were not observed in any C. jacobsi individuals. These sequences are not transcribed, indicating either mutational silencing of an ancestral NOR on the X chromosome, or the transposition of non-functional sequences from the autosomes. The implications of these results for the evolution of NOR number in Chorthippus are discussed.     

Eleven polymorphic microsatellite markers for Oedaleus decorus (Orthoptera, Acrididae), an endangered grasshopper in Central Europe

We isolated and characterized 11 microsatellite loci in the grasshopper Oedaleus decorus (Orthoptera: Acrididae), an endangered species in Central Europe. Polymorphism was studied from two populations, one out of two populations known from Switzerland (n = 20 individuals) and one site from south of France (n = 20). The number of alleles and the expected heterozygosity ranged from five to 12 and from 0.559 to 0.898, respectively, in the Swiss population, and from 14 to 23 and from 0.895 to 0.974, respectively, in the French population. These microsatellite markers are suitable for further conservation genetic studies of O. decorus.     

Development,reproductive capacity and diet of the Mediterranean grasshopper Arcyptera brevipennis vicheti Harz 1975 (Orthoptera: Caelifera: Acrididae: Gomphocerinae)

Arcyptera brevipennis vicheti Harz 1975 (Orthoptera: Acrididae) is a rare grasshopper native to Mediterranean grassland habitats in the Languedoc-Roussillon region of southern France. Changes in land-use have modified these unique habitats, thus threatening the survival of A. b. vicheti populations. To improve the conservation of this species this study aimed to describe important aspects of its biology and ecology. Development of nymphs passed through five instars after hatching and was closely associated with the Mediterranean spring season. A prominent sexual size dimorphism is highlighted, but the larger females developed in the same number of instars as males. Hind femur length and number of antenna segments were useful characters when distinguishing between nymphal instars. All individuals were brachypterous, indicating that A. b. vicheti is unable to fly. Adult females laid 15 eggs on average and deposited no more than two egg pods in their lifetime. Grass debris made up 93% of faecal content of both sexes. Our results provide valuable information for the conservation of this highly endangered grasshopper species.     

Phylogenetic analyses of band‐winged grasshoppers (Orthoptera,Acrididae, Oedipodinae) reveal convergence of wing morphology

Husemann, M., Namkung, S., Habel, J.C., Danley, P.D. & Hochkirch, A. (2012). Phylogenetic analyses of band‐winged grasshoppers (Orthoptera, Acrididae, Oedipodinae) reveal convergence of wing morphology. —Zoologica Scripta, 41, 515–526. Historically, morphological traits have been used to examine the relationships of distantly related taxa with global distributions. The use of such traits, however, may be misleading and may not provide the resolution needed to distinguish various hypotheses that may explain the distribution patterns of widely distributed taxa. One such taxon, the Oedipodine grasshoppers, contains two tribes principally defined by wing morphologies: the Bryodemini have broad wings whereas Sphingonotini are narrow‐winged. Through the use of morphological features alone, hypotheses concerning the evolution of these tribes cannot be distinguished. To differentiate hypotheses that may explain the distribution of Oedipodines, such as vicariance, natural dispersal and anthropogenic translocation, we used two mitochondrial and three nuclear gene fragments to reconstruct the phylogenetic relationships within and between the two tribes, and employed a molecular clock to evaluate the hypotheses of vicariance and dispersal. Our results clearly reject monophyly of the tribes and revealed monophyletic Old and New World clades, which is in agreement with previous molecular studies. The split between both clades was dated at 35 Ma (±12 Ma). This clearly rejects the vicariance hypothesis and supports a single invasion via the Beringian land bridge. In addition, our data clearly show that the similarities in wing morphology used for distinguishing both tribes are the result of at least one convergent event. Our study shows that interpretations of relationships based on the currently accepted taxonomy in the study groups will be error prone. We suggest that future revisions that consider our findings are required.     

Differential susceptibility of two locust pests to the microsporidium Paranosema (Antonospora) locustae at suboptimal rearing temperature

Paranosema (Antonospora) locustae (Canning) is a microsporidium with an extensive host range including >100 reported insect hosts from the order Orthoptera. The susceptibility of two species of locusts (Orthoptera: Acrididae) – the migratory locust, Locusta migratoria subsp. migratorioides (Fairmaire & Reiche), and the desert locust, Schistocerca gregaria Forsskål – to P. locustae was compared under laboratory conditions at a decreased temperature of 27 °C to enhance susceptibility to infection. Locusta migratoria was found highly vulnerable as infection percentages exceeded 70% at 10⁴, 10⁵, and 10⁶ spores per insect, and mortality increased with increasing dosage. Conversely, P. locustae spores were not found in S. gregaria throughout the experiment. Only at 10⁷ spores per insect, as many as 20% of S. gregaria were infected. This suggests that the desert locust is resistant to P. locustae infection, as opposed to the migratory locust. The laboratory models of these parasite–host systems may be useful for elucidating mechanisms of insect immunity to microsporidia.     

新疆巴里坤草原优势种蝗虫食性与蝗科中亚科分类系统关系的研究

本文报道了作者于１９７６、１９７９年在巴里坤草原自然和罩笼条件下,观察优势种蝗虫取食范围、取食程度等研究结果。根据斑腿蝗亚科蝗虫主要取食双子叶植物,蝗亚科蝗虫取食单子叶植物,而斑翅蝗亚科中一部分种类取食双子叶植物,一部分取食单子叶植物这个事实,提出：斑腿蝗亚科较原始,蝗亚科最进化,斑翅蝗亚科介于两者之间。这种系统是否与蝗虫的头部形态结构有关,值得深入研究。