The tetramerous Aphelinidae (Hymenoptera) of Girault from Australia, with a key to the world genera

Abstract. Type specimens have been examined of eleven Australian species of the tetramerous Aphelinidae described by Girault in the genera Apteroptrbc, Metacasca, Neocasca, Oa and Pteroptrixella. Apteroptrix and Oa are synonym-ized with Archenomus. O. biguttata is considered a nomen dubium. M. copemici is transferred to Neocasca. Dahmsiella genji. is proposed for N. shillingsworthi. Pteroptrixella is suspected of being a senior synonym of Metacasca , but the former genus is represented by an incomplete specimen. A key is given to the tetramerous genera of the Aphelinidae.     

Parasitic mites of Surinam. XXX, New observations on the Genera Chirnyssoides and Notoedres from bats (Sarcoptiformes: Sarcoptidae).

The authors describle 5 new species of mites of the family Sarcoptidae. Among these psecies 4 belong to the genus Chirnyssoides and one to the genus Notoedres, subgenus Bakeracarus. They correct and complete their previous observations on these genera of mites.     

New genera of philopotine spider flies (Diptera, Acroceridae) with a key to living and fossil genera

Information on the three previously described species of Halocoryza Alluaud is updated and a new species for the genus from Isla Carmen, Sea of Cortés, Baja California Sur, México is described. Halocoryza whiteheadianasp. n. was found at UV light on a beach of that island. This species does not fit the profile of the other three species, i.e., living on coralline beach sands, or in the Mangrove intertidal zone. Two alternative possibilities as to why this is so are suggested and a study plan for testing these possibilities is proposed.     

New findings of gamasid mites belonging to families Laelapidae,Hirstionyssidae, and Haemogamasidae (Acari: Mesostigmata: Gamasina) on bats (Chiroptera)

Our own and previous data concerning the findings of parasitic gamasid mites (Mesostigmata: Gamasina) on bats (Chiroptera), which are not a principal host for them, are analyzed. The gamasid mites under study belong to the following families: Laelapidae Berlese, 1892; Hirstionyssidae Evans, Till, 1966; and Haemogamasidae Oudemans, 1926. In total, 27 species of parasites of the analyzed groups were found on bats. Among them, two species were described for bats for the first time. The medicinal value of this exchange is considered. Possible places where bats have contact with other mammals are discussed.     

Two new species of oribatid mites of Lasiobelba (Acari,Oribatida, Oppiidae) from Nepal,including a key to all species of the genus

Two new species of oribatid mites of the genus Lasiobelba (Oribatida, Oppiidae), Lasiobelba (Lasiobelba) daamsae sp. n. and Lasiobelba (Antennoppia) nepalica sp. n., are described from eastern Nepal. Lasiobelba (L.) daamsae sp. n. is most similar to L. (L.) remota Aoki, 1959 and L. (L.) gibbosa (Mahunka, 1985), however, it differs from both by the anterior part of pedotecta I specifically curved, rostrum pointed and exobothridial setae not shorter than bothridial setae. Lasiobelba (Antennoppia) nepalica sp. n. is most similar to L. (A.) granulata (Mahunka, 1986), however, it differs from the latter by the larger body size, exobothridial setae longer than rostral setae and bothridial setae not longer than interlamellar setae. An identification key to known species of Lasiobelba is given.     

Laelapine mites (Acari: Laelapidae) associated with small mammals from Amazonas, Brazil, including a new species from marsupials

An intensive survey of ectoparasitic arthropods associated with small mammals in upland forests near Manaus, Brazil, provides information on the taxonomy and host distribution of laelapine mites in the Amazonian Region. We identified 5 genera and 21 species of these mites by comparison with representative museum specimens, the taxonomic literature, and, when possible, the original type specimens. These mites are host specific, with associations ranging from strict monoxeny (18 species) to oligoxeny (1 species) and pleioxeny (2 species). Marsupials were infested with species of Androlaelaps, echimyid rodents with Tur, and sigmodontine rodents with Gigantolaelaps, Laelaps, and Mysolaelaps. Androlaelaps bergalloi, a new species of Laelapinae, is described from the pelage of the marsupial Monodelphis brevicaudata.     

An illustrated key to the genera of Thripinae (Thysanoptera,Thripidae) from Iran

An illustrated key is provided for the identification of 35 genera of Thripinae (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) from Iran with comments for each genus. Chirothrips maximi Ananthakrishnan and Limothrips cerealium Haliday are recorded from Iran for the first time. A checklist is provided of Thripinae recorded from this country.     

Further studies on water mites from Korea,with description of two new species (Acari,Hydrachnidia)

New records of water mites (Acari: Hydrachnidia) from streams in South Korea are presented. Two species are described as new to science: Torrenticola neodentifera sp. n. (Torrenticolidae) and Atractides ermilovi sp. n. (Hygrobatidae). Five species are reported as first records for Korea: Wandesia (Wandesia) reducta Tuzovskij, 1987, Wandesia (Wandesia) cf. rara Tuzovskij, 1990, Sperchon (Sperchon) orientalis Tuzovskij, 1990, Feltria (Feltria) kuluensis Tuzovskij, 1988 and Atractides (Atractides) constrictus (Sokolow, 1934). The latter species is redescribed and elevated to species rank based on new material from the Russian Far East.     

A new genus of Chlidanotini (Lepidoptera, Tortricidae) from New Caledonia, with a key to genera and check-list of species

Abstract Iconostigma gen.n., with included species tryphaenu sp.n. (typespecies) and morosa sp.n., is described from New Caledonia. A key to males of the world genera and a check-list of the world species of Chlidanotini are provided. The relationship of the Chlidanotini to the Polyorthini and Hilarographini is discussed, with particular reference to Iconostigma . It is suggested that the hair-pencils of the eighth abdominal segment, and the invaginations in the male valvae into which each hair-pencil is inserted, are apomorphic characters which unite these three tribes. Panegyru Diakonoff is transferred to the Tortricini and Polemograptis flavicostana (Walsingham) is transferred to Panegyra , comb.n. Archimaga euplocamis Meyrick is synonymized with Metrernis ochrolina Meyrick, syn.n.     

A remarkable new genus of stiletto flies from Egypt, with a key to Palaearctic genera of Phycinae (Diptera, Therevidae)

An unusual new genus (Salwaea burgensisgen. n., sp. n.) of phycine stiletto flies is described from Egypt. A key to Palaearctic genera of Phycinae is presented.     

Iranotrichia gen. n., a new genus of Scenopinidae (Diptera) from Iran, with a key to window fly genera of the world

An unusual new genus of Scenopinidae, Iranotrichia gen. n., comprising two newly discovered species (Iranotrichia insolita sp. n. and Iranotrichia nigra sp. n.), is described from Iran. Iranotrichia gen. n. are scenopinine window flies with a habitus reminiscent of certain bee fly genera (Bombyliidae), based on colouration and elongate mouthparts and antennae. The phylogenetic placement of this distinctive new genus is discussed and a dichotomous key to world genera is presented. The genus name Kelseyana nom. n. is proposed to replace Caenoneura Kröber, 1924, which was found to be preoccupied by Thomson (1870: 270) (Hymenoptera) and Kirby (1890: 136) (Odonata).     

Response of soil mites (Acari,Mesostigmata) to long-term Norway spruce plantation along a mountain stream

Hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) and hydroxyl radicals (HO·) are generated through partial reduction of oxygen. The HO· are the most reactive and have a shorter half-life than H₂O₂, they are produced from comparatively stable H₂O₂ through Fenton reaction. Although controlling HO· is important and biologically advantageous for organisms, it may be difficult. Ticks are obligate hematophagous arthropods that need blood feeding for development. Ticks feed on vertebrate blood containing high levels of iron. Ticks also concentrate iron-containing host blood, leading to high levels of iron in ticks. Host-derived iron may react with oxygen in the tick body, resulting in high concentrations of H₂O₂. On the other hand, ticks have antioxidant enzymes, such as peroxiredoxins (Prxs), to scavenge H₂O₂. Gene silencing of Prxs in ticks affects their blood feeding, oviposition, and H₂O₂ concentration. Therefore, Prxs could play important roles in ticks’ blood feeding and oviposition through the regulation of the H₂O₂ concentration. This review discusses the current knowledge of Prxs in hard ticks. Tick Prxs are also multifunctional molecules related to antioxidants and immunity like other organisms. In addition, tick Prxs play a role in regulating the host immune response for ticks’ survival in the host body. Tick Prx also can induce Th2 immune response in the host. Thus, this review would contribute to the further understanding of the tick’s antioxidant responses during blood feeding and the search for a candidate target for tick control.     

Immatures of the New World treehopper tribe Amastrini (Hemiptera,Membracidae, Smiliinae) with a key to genera

The immatures stages of 8 of the 11 genera (Amastris Stål, Bajulata Ball, Erosne Stål, Harmonides Kirkaldy, Idioderma Van Duzee, Neotynelia Creão-Duarte & Sakakibara, Tynelia Stål, and Vanduzea Goding) of the tribe Amastrini are described for the first time along with brief diagnoses of Membracidae and the subfamily Smiliinae. A key to genera and notes on biology are provided. Multiple species of most genera are illustrated. Based on its distinct nymphal morphology, Vanduzea laeta nolina Ball is elevated to specific rank as Vanduzea nolina stat. n., and Bajulata, despite the superficial similarity of its adults to those of Vanduzea, is confirmed as warranting generic rank based on its unique nymphal morphology. Colombia is a new country record for Tynelia.     

Two new species of Tovlinius Zaitzev, from China, with a key to the genera of Bombyliinae from China and a second key to the world species (Diptera, Bombyliidae, Bombyliinae, Bombyliini)

The genus Tovlinius Zaitzev is a Palaearctic genus with just one previously described species, Tovlinius albissimus Zaitzev. Tovlinius is here recorded from China for the first time, and two new species Tovlinius pyramidatussp. n. and Tovlinius turriformissp. n. are described and illustrated. A key to the genera of Bombyliinae from China and a second key to the World species of Tovlinius are also presented herein.