Structure of the coxa and homeosis of legs in Nematocera (Insecta: Diptera)

Construction of the middle and hind coxae was investigated in 95 species of 30 nematoceran families. As a rule, the middle coxa contains a separate coxite, the mediocoxite, articulated to the sternal process. In most families, this coxite is movably articulated to the eucoxite and to the distocoxite area; the coxa is radially split twice. Some groups are characterized by a single split. The coxa in flies is restricted in its rotation owing to a partial junction either between the meron and the pleurite or between the eucoxite and the meropleurite. Hence the coxa is fastened to the thorax not only by two pivots (to the pleural ridge and the sternal process), but at the junction named above. Rotation is impossible without deformations; the role of hinges between coxites is to absorb deformations. This adaptive principle is confirmed by physical modelling. Middle coxae of limoniid tribes Eriopterini and Molophilini are compact, constructed by the template of hind coxae. On the contrary, hind coxae in all families of Mycetophiloidea and in Psychodidae s.l. are constructed like middle ones, with the separate mediocoxite, centrally suspended at the sternal process. These cases are considered as homeotic mutations, substituting one structure with a no less efficient one.     

A revision of West Palaearctic species of the Micropsectra atrofasciata species group (Diptera: Chironomidae)

Phylogenetic relations among selected Micropsectra (Diptera: Chironomidae) species are inferred using mitochondrial COII gene sequences and morphological characters. Both maximum parsimony and Bayesian analyses indicate a monophyletic atrofasciata species group. However, some species morphologically similar to M. atrofasciata (Kieffer) in the adult male, i.e. M. appendica sp. nov. and M. logani (Johannsen), are placed outside the atrofasciata group in the gene trees. The phylogenetic hypotheses based on parsimony analyses of the combined molecular and morphological data sets weakly support a monophyletic atrofasciata group including M. appendica sp. nov. and M. logani if third positions in the COII gene sequences are excluded. In the taxonomic part of this study, adult males, pupae and larvae of Micropsectra aristata Pinder, M. atrofasciata, M. bavarica sp. nov., M. klinki sp. nov., M. logani, M. pallidula (Meigen) and M. schrankelae sp. nov. , and adult males and pupae of M. appendica sp. nov. and M. sofiae sp. nov. as well as adult males of M. andalusiaca Marcuzzi, M. calcifontis sp. nov., M. freyi Storå, M. longicrista sp. nov., M. robusta sp. nov. , and M. zernyi Marcuzzi are described and diagnosed. Micropsectra bidentata (Goetghebuer), M. jokaquarta Sasa & Ogata, M. miki Marcuzzi, M. pallida Goetghebuer, M. subnitens Goetghebuer, M. suecica (Kieffer) and M. shouharasima Sasa are new junior synonyms of M. atrofasciata; Micropsectra groenlandica Andersen and M. utonaitertia Sasa are new junior synonyms of M. logani; Micropsectra candida Chaudhuri & Datta, M. franzi Goetghebuer and M. viridiscutellata Goetghebuer are new junior synonyms of M. pallidula. Comments on the ecology, distribution and systematics of each species are provided. Keys to all known life stages are presented, as well as an annotated list of species morphologically similar to species in the atrofasciata group and nomina dubia in the atrofasciata group. Chironomus mimulus Holmgren is transferred to the genus Micropsectra. © 2006 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2006, 146 , 165–225.     

Immature stages of the bee fly Ligyra satyrus (F.) (Diptera: Bombyliidae): A hyperparasitoid of canegrubs (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae)

We describe the third- and fourth-instar larva, pupa and biology of the hyperparasitoid bee fly Ligyra satyrus (Fabricius). The larval and pupal morphology of the bee fly is typical for members of the subfamily Anthracinae. The bee fly larvae are found inside cocoons of the scoliid Campsomeris tasmaniensis Saussure, an external parasite of canegrubs (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) in sugarcane fields at Ayr and Bundaberg, Queensland. Ligyra satyrus has been recorded attacking only C. tasmaniensis . Ligyra and its relatives are all parasites of predatory and parasitic, ground-nesting aculeate Hymenoptera such as Sphecidae, Pompilidae, Tiphiidae and Scoliidae. Larval morphology of the hyperparasite is similar to other ectoparasitic Bombyliidae and pupal morphology is compared to that of species in the same and related subfamilies. Rates of hyperparasitism at Gordonvale reported in the early 1900s are relatively high, but our results show that currently they are very low at Ayr and Bundaberg. These results suggest that the impact of the bee fly on natural control of the canegrubs by scoliids varies considerably.     

History of tachinid classification (Diptera,Tachinidae)

The history of the classification of the Tachinidae (Diptera) is traced from Meigen to the present. The contributions of Robineau-Desvoidy, Townsend, Villeneuve, Mesnil, Herting, Wood and many others are discussed within a chronological, taxonomic, and geographic context. The gradual development of the Tachinidae into its modern concept as a family of the Oestroidea and the emergence of the classificatory scheme of tribes and subfamilies in use today are reviewed. Certain taxa that have in the past been difficult to place, or continue to be of uncertain affinity, are considered and some are given in a table to show their varied historical treatments. The more significant systematic works published on the Tachinidae in recent decades are enumerated chronologically.     

The winged Antarctic midge Parochlus steinenii (Gerke) (Diptera: Chironomidae) in the South Shetland Islands

The morphological variation of adult Parochlus steinenii (Gerke) is described from measurements of two populations from the South Shetland Islands. Morphologically, the population from Ardley Island is significantly larger than the population from Livingston Island, and in both populations variation in forefemur length is generally greater than variation in either antennal or wing length. The final instar larva of P. steinenii is described in detail. A consideration of the species' distribution in three geographically isolated areas, as well as of the greater morphological variation in polar as opposed to temperate populations, indicates that a flexible life history strategy in the larval stage may be important for survival in extreme environments.     

Toxicity of Fipronil to the Predatory Lacewing Chrysoperla carnea (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae)

All the developmental stages of Chrysoperla carnea (Stephens) were treated with fipronil using different modes of exposure under laboratory conditions. Eggs were dipped in an aqueous range of concentrations and no effects were recorded, except at the highest concentration. Pupae treated topically on the silk cocoon moulted to healthy adults, without any deleterious effects on their reproduction. In contrast, larvae and adults were killed by the compound, irrespective of the mode of treatment, even at rates below the maximum field recommended rate in Spain (30 g c.p./ha). Sublethal concentrations of fipronil did not affect the fecundity or fertility of survivors. We conclude that fipronil is very toxic under laboratory conditions to this predatory lacewing.     

The Pupa and Larva of Propsilocerus taihuensis (Wen,Zhou & Rong) (Diptera: Chironomidae), with Complete Keys to all Immatures of the Genus Propsilocerus

The pupa and larva of Propsilocerus taihuensis (Wen, Zhou & Rong, 1994) are described for the first time. Both are close to P. akamusi (Tokunaga). The phylogenetic argumentation of the genus outlined in Sæther and Wang (1996) is confirmed. Revised keys to larvae and pupae of the genus are given. The main morphological characters of the different species of the genus are compared in tables.     

Apioceridae (Insecta: Diptera): cladistic reappraisal and biogeography

Twenty members of the fly families Apioceridae and Mydidae are compared in terms of 77 adult characters. Cladistic analysis of 91 synapomorphies provides a well corroborated reconstruction of lineage relationships, and reveals that the Apioceridae is paraphyletic with respect to the Mydidae. In order to render the Apioceridae monophyletic, the genus Rhaphiomidas and the subfamily Megascelinae of the Apioceridae are transferred to the Mydidae. The subfamily Rhaphiomidinae is reinstated to accommodate Rhaphiomidas , comprising the most plesiomorphic mydids. The relationships of the remaining subfamilies of Mydidae are discussed in the context of these findings. The genus Apiocera is divided into four subgenera, the type subgenus Apiocera Westwood in Australia, Pyrocera subgen. nov. in North America, and the subgenera Ripidosyrma Hermann and Anypenus Philippi are applied to the South African and South American species, respectively. A key to the four subgenera of Apiocera is provided. The biogeographic relationships of the subgenera and genera of the Apioceridae and the Megascelinae are discussed. Although considered an example of a transantarctic or Gondwanan group, we argue that the distribution of the Apioceridae predates the Mesozoic supercontinent Gondwanaland and extends onto sections of Pangaea, and should be termed 'Pangaean'. The cladistic relationships between the genera of Apioceridae and Megascelinae are consistent with the geological vicariance of the fragments of Pangaea on which they now occur.     

Sexual dimorphism in the visual system of flies: The divided brain of male Bibionidae (Diptera)

Summary The mapping of the compound eyes onto the visual neuropils and the cell types in the lamina and the lobula complex of Bibionidae (Diptera) were studied by means of extracellular cobalt injections and Golgi impregnations. Dorsal and ventral eyes in males map into separate dorsal-and ventral neuropils up to the level of the lobula complex. The dorsal-eye lamina is unilayered, while the ventral-eye lamina in males and the lamina in females are multilayered: layers A and C are invaded by en-passant terminals of long visual fibres, layer B by the terminals of short visual fibres. Long visual fibres have a short and a long terminal in the ventral medulla with terminal specialisations in three distinct layers. Only one type of receptor ending exists in the dorsal medulla, the terminal branches of which are restricted to one layer only. Arrays of contralateral neurones are found in the medial part of the dorsal lobula, which receives input from the zone of binocular vision of the ipsilateral dorsal eye, and in the posterior dorsal lobula and lobula plate. The dorsal lobula plate contains large tangential neurones, the dendritic arborisations of which are revealed by cobalt injection into the thoracic ganglia. The divided brain of male bibionids offers the opportunity to investigate separately the nervous systems involved in sex-specific visually guided flight behaviour and in general visually guided flight control.     

桔小实蝇自然种群蛹和越冬成虫的耐寒性

本文通过过冷却点和低温耐寒能力的测定,研究了我国桔小实蝇Boctrocera dorsalis (Hendel)不同季节种群和地理种群蛹的耐寒性规律。结果表明：桔小实蝇自然种群蛹的低温存活力有明显的季节规律,冬前种群的耐寒性显著强于夏季种群。如在0℃低温下暴露2天,夏季种群基本全部死亡,而冬前种群存活率仍为61.4%。2005-2006年不同月份桔小实蝇1日龄蛹过冷却点差异明显,以2月份均值最高,为-9.26℃,8月份最低,为-15.20℃;且2月份桔小实蝇蛹个体过冷却点值出现明显的分化现象,分别在-15℃左右和-6℃左右出现两个明显的聚集区。所研究的5个桔小实蝇地理区域种群没有出现明显的耐寒性分化。结合本文结果,文中还就桔小实蝇自然种群耐寒性影响因素进行了讨论。     

Contribution to the knowledge of the genus Metrichia Ross from Argentina (Trichoptera: Hydroptilidae: Ochrotrichiini)

Metrichia cuniapiru, sp. n. (tribe Ochrotrichiini, family Hydroptilidae) from Misiones Province is described. Main characters useful for recognition of females of different species of Metrichia and keys for the males and larvae are provided. The pupa of M. neotropicalis is also described.     

大头金蝇营养成分分析

分析大头金蝇Chrysomya megacephala(Fabricius)的营养成分。结果表明,大头金蝇幼虫、蛹、成虫干粉水分含量分别是6.83,2.07和3.70%,干体粗蛋白含量分别为63.72,76.81和70.54%,粗脂肪分别为16.43,12.82和7.23%。蛋白质中氨基酸总量百分比分别为56.39,55.61和59.12%,其中必需氨基酸占氨基酸总量(E%)的48.34,53.08和43.91%,必需氨基酸与非必需氨基酸之比(E/N)分别为0.94,1.13,0.81,E/T为3.22,3.54,2.93。大头金蝇幼虫、蛹、成虫不饱和脂肪酸占总脂肪酸含量依次是68.1,61.9和65.9%。含有人和动物所必需的常量和微量元素,但没有检测到有毒重金属镉(Cd)、铅(Pb)。大头金蝇与鱼粉、舍蝇幼虫、柞蚕蛹相比,营养成分指标较高,属于理想的昆虫蛋白资源。     

异斑酷大蚕蛾幼虫、蛹和成虫的性别鉴定

本文描述了一种准确、快速鉴定异斑酷大蚕蛾末龄幼虫、蛹和成虫性别的方法。通过对蛹和成虫性别特征比较可知,雌虫生殖孔位于第8和第9腹节,且第8腹节不愈合,雄虫生殖孔仅位于第9腹节上,且生殖孔两侧有瘤状突起。雌性末龄幼虫头壳的蜕裂线附近浅色区域较多,雄性浅色区域较少,且雌性后唇基区域的颜色较雄性更浅。雌雄成虫差异较大,雄虫触角羽状,前翅一般无透明斑或透明斑很小;雌虫为近丝状的羽状触角,前翅有3个较大且连续排列的透明斑。经过对30对雌雄蛹的测量后,发现在蛹长、蛹宽与蛹重等体型数据上,雌雄蛹之间都存在显著性差异（P＜0.05）。     

浙江古田山倒毛摇蚊属一新种记述（双翅目：摇蚊科）

记述采自中国浙江古田山倒毛摇蚊属1新种:短小倒毛摇蚊Microtendipes brevissimus sp.nov.。对其特征作了描述,绘制了雄成虫的特征图。新种的主要鉴别特征为:肛尖短小,无中附器,生殖节的第9背板中部无刚毛。     

寡脉摇蚊亚科中国新记录属——近北摇蚊属记述（双翅目：摇蚊科）

记述中国双翅目摇蚊科寡脉摇蚊亚科1新记录属--近北摇蚊属Paraboreochlus Thienemann,1939,对新记录种--冲绳近北摇蚊P.okinawanus Kobayshi&Kuranishi进行了重新描述;提供了世界上该属雄虫分种检索表和地理分布图。     

A new species of Gadirtha Walker (Nolidae,Eligminae): a proposed biological control agent of Chinese tallow (Triadica sebifera (L.) Small) (Euphorbiaceae) in the United States

Gadirtha fusca sp. n., is described from Guangxi Province, China. Gadirtha fusca differs in forewing color and pattern, male and female genitalia, and in larval pattern from all other species of Gadirtha. Gadirtha fusca has been evaluated as a potential biological control agent for Chinese tallow (Triadica sebifera (L.) Small, Euphorbiaceae) in the southeastern United States. Adult, male and female genitalia, larva, and pupa are described, illustrated, and compared with Gadirtha impingens Walker.     

Phytogeny of genusGlossina (Diptera:Glossinidae) according to ITS2 sequences

The flies of genusGlossina (Diptera: Glossinidae) are an important vector of African trypanosomiases which cause diseases in humans and animals. The ribosomal DNA Internal Transcribed Spacer-2 (ITS-2) region sequences from differentGlossina species were PCR-amplified and analyzed in order to construct a molecular phylogeny for genusGlossina. Trees generated by parsimony confirmed the monophyletic taxonomic placement of genusGlossina wherefusca group species formed the deepest branch followed bymorsitans andpalpalis groups, respectively. The placement ofGlossina austeni by both the traditional morphological and biochemical criteria has been controversial. Results presented here, based on ITS-2 locus sequence analysis, suggest thatGlossina austeni can be placed into a separate subgenerus which forms a sister-group relationship with themorsitans group species.     

Global diversity of dipteran families (Insecta Diptera) in freshwater (excluding Simulidae, Culicidae, Chironomidae, Tipulidae and Tabanidae)

Today’s knowledge of worldwide species diversity of 19 families of aquatic Diptera in Continental Waters is presented. Nevertheless, we have to face for certain in most groups a restricted knowledge about distribution, ecology and systematic, particularly in the tropical environments. At the same time we realize a dramatically decline or even lack of specialists being able, having the time or the opportunity to extend or even secure the present information. The respective families with approximate numbers of aquatic species are: Blephariceridae (308), Deuterophlebiidae (14), Nyphomyiidae (7), Psychodidae (∼2.000), Scatopsidae (∼5), Tanyderidae (41), Ptychopteridae (69), Dixidae (173), Corethrellidae (97), Chaoboridae (∼50), Thaumaleidae (∼170), Ceratopogonidae (∼6.000), Stratiomyidae (∼43), Empididae (∼660), Lonchopteridae (2), Syrphidae (∼1.080), Sciomyzidae (∼190), Ephydridae (∼1.500), Muscidae (∼870). Numbers of aquatic species will surely increase with increased ecological and taxonomical efforts. Guest editors: E. V. Balian, C. Lévêque, H. Segers & K. Martens Freshwater Animal Diversity Assessment