Polycentropus cianficconiae sp. n. from Sicily and Descriptions of the Females of the Polycentropus Species Found in Sicily (Trichoptera,Polycentropodidae)

The male and female of Polycentropus cianficconiae sp. n. (Peloritani Mountains, Northeast Sicily) are described. This new species is related to P. divergens Mosely, 1930, of which the variability of some characters of male genitalia is examined. Female genitalia of the new species are compared to those of P. divergens, P. malickyi Moretti, 1981 and P. mortoni Mosely, 1930. The characters of female genitalia are useful for evaluating the relatedness and differences among the species. They agree with the findings of the study on male genitalia.     

Evolution of wing polymorphism and genital asymmetry in the thread‐legged bugs of the tribe Metapterini Stål (Hemiptera,Reduviidae, Emesinae) based on morphological characters

Wing polymorphism and asymmetric male genitalia are intriguing morphological phenomena occurring in insects. Among Emesinae, or thread‐legged bugs, the tribe Metapterini Stål exhibits these two interesting morphological attributes. Nonetheless, evolutionary interpretations of these phenomena cannot be put forward because phylogenetic hypotheses for Emesinae are lacking. Thread‐legged bugs are easily recognized among assassin bugs due to their elongated and seemingly delicate body. The tribe Metapterini has 28 genera and approximately 280 described species. The only available phylogenetic hypothesis among Emesinae tribes was proposed by Wygodzinsky (1966), and it hypothesized Deliastini Villiers as the sister group of Metapterini, although this hypothesis has never been tested with cladistic approaches. Recent analyses using character sets of genitalia and prolegs suggest that Metapterini might not be monophyletic. In order to test these ideas, we compiled a morphological dataset of 138 characters that includes external morphological characters, detailed features of prolegs and genitalia of both sexes for Metapterini, which were analysed cladistically including 55 terminals, comprising 24 genera (85.7% of the generic diversity), 43 species of Metapterini and 12 outgroups. Metapterini was recovered as paraphyletic by the inclusion of Bergemesa Wygodzinsky, Palacus Dohrn and Stalemesa Wygodzinsky, all currently assigned to Deliastini. Gardena Dohrn (Emesini) was recovered as the sister group of Metapterini + Deliastini as suggested by Wygodzinsky (1966). Based on these results, we synonymize Deliastini syn. n. with Metapterini sensu n. and propose two new genera: Bacata Castro‐Huertas & Forero gen. n. , for three Andean species previously placed in Liaghinella Wygodzinsky, and Valkyriella Castro‐Huertas & Forero gen. n. for Ghilianella borgmeieri Wygodzinsky. Ancestral state reconstruction of wing polymorphism indicates that males and females were fully winged in the ancestor of Metapterini sensu n. with two independent evolutionary transitions to the apterous and brachypterous conditions. The analysis of the symmetry of the male genitalia shows an ancestor with symmetric male genitalia and two independent emergences of asymmetrical male genitalia in Metapterini.     

A new species of the genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Stathmopoda</Emphasis> (Lepidoptera: Stathmopodidae) closely related to the persimmon pest, <Emphasis Type="Italic">S. masinissa</Emphasis>, from Ryukyu Islands,Japan

A new species of the genus Stathmopoda from the Ryukyu Islands, Japan, is described. The new species is associated with Diospyros maritima Blume and is very similar to S. masinissa Meyrick, which is a notorious pest of persimmon, D. kaki L., in Japan and Korea. The adult external features, wing venation, and male and female genitalia of both species are illustrated and compared in detail.     

New data on the genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Neostylopyga</Emphasis> Shelford, 1911 (Dictyoptera,Blattidae) with description of a new species from Laos

A new species of the genus Neostylopyga Shelford, 1911, N. laosana sp. n., is described from Laos, and the male genitalia are examined in detail. The type species of the genus Neostylopyga, N. rhombifolia (Stoll, 1813), is redescribed, and the taxonomic position of the genus is discussed.     

Revision of the genus Stichillus Enderlein of Japan (Diptera: Phoridae)

The genus Stichillus in Japan is revised. Three species are recognized: S. japonicus (Matsumura), S. spinosus Liu and Chou and S. cylindratus sp. nov. Stichillus brunneicornis Beyer is excluded from the Japanese fauna. These Japanese species are described and keyed. The male genitalia and the female terminalia are illustrated. Some unique characters of the male genitalia in the genus are reported, and morphology of the male genitalia and the female terminalia is discussed.     

中国圆斑小卷蛾属名录及一新种记述（鳞翅目：卷蛾科：新小卷蛾亚科）

记述中国圆斑小卷蛾属Eudemopsis 昆虫10种,其中包括1新种:狭瓣圆斑小卷蛾E. angustivalvae sp. nov.。该新种的体型较小,前翅长仅4.0-4.5 mm,雄性外生殖器中抱器瓣狭长,毛刺稀疏,很容易与属内其他种区分。文中还给出了分种检索表、新种的形态特征图和生殖器图以及该属种类在中国的地理分布图。研究标本保存在南开大学昆虫标本室。     

Tricalcaria Han gen. nov., a remarkable new genus with three hind‐tibial spurs belonging to the tribe Trichopterygini,with description of a new species from China (Lepidoptera: Geometridae: Larentiinae)

Tricalcaria Han gen. nov. and its type species Tricalcaria stueningi Han sp. nov. are described from China. Morphological characters, including those of the male and female genitalia, are figured. The main diagnostic characters of Tricalcaria are: hind tibia with three spurs in both male and female; ventral margin of costal protrusion bearing a series of long, hook‐like, sclerotized setae in the male genitalia; female papilla analis modified and bearing over part of its surface broad blade‐like sclerotized setae. The wing pattern, venation, and genitalia of this genus are compared with those of the most closely related genera, Tristeirometa Holloway, 1997, Hypocometa Warren, 1896, and Phthonoloba Warren, 1893. Tribal placement is discussed, with the conclusion that the new genus should be placed in the tribe Trichopterygini.     

Interesting findings of rare geometrid species (Lepidoptera,Geometridae) in the Altai

Five rare species, Macaria halituaria (Guenée, [1858]), Chelegnophos ravistriolaria (Wehrli, 1922), Ch. tholeraria (Pungeler, 1901), Scotopteryx transbaicalica (Djakonov, 1955), and Xanthorhoe stupida (Alphéraky, 1897), are described. Chelegnophos tholeraria was found for the first time in the territory of Russia, and Ch. ravistriolaria and S. transbaicalica, in the territory of the Altai. Drawings of genitalia are given for all the species studied, and some differences from closely related species are presented. The male genitalia of X. stupida and Scotopteryx burgaria and the female genitalia of S. transbaicalica are described for the first time.     

Refinements of a key to species of the genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Aedes</Emphasis> Meigen (Diptera,Culicidae) from northwestern Russia based on the male genitalia characters

Additional diagnostic characters of the three-dimensional structure of the male genitalia revealed with the use of scanning electron and light microscopy allowed elaborating a key to Aedes species from northwestern Russia. The key includes 29 species of 5 Aedes subgenera known or possibly occurring in the region.     

Evolution of the male genitalia in the genus Limnebius Leach, 1815 (Coleoptera,Hydraenidae)

We investigated the evolution of the male genitalia of species of Limnebius (Coleoptera, Hydraenidae). This genus is very homogeneous externally but characterized by highly diverse male genitalia, which are in some cases extraordinarily complex. We reconstructed a molecular phylogeny for 70 of the c. 150 known species of the genus with six fragments of mitochondrial and nuclear genes. We found two main lineages of Miocene origin, largely corresponding to the synonymized subgenera Bilimneus and Limnebius, which are here re‐erected. Within the Holarctic Limnebius s.s. we found four well‐supported lineages, although with poorly supported relationships between them: the L. piceus, L. gracilipes, L. parvulus and L. nitidus species groups. We describe the aedeagus and its different appendages in detail based on the study of 116 species, including serial histological sections to reconstruct the internal structure of seven of them. Using Bayesian methods we reconstructed the ancestral Limnebius as having small males (c. 1.2 ± 0.5 mm), with a small aedeagus (c. 0.4 ± 0.3 mm) with a free left paramere, probably an externally fused right paramere, and a possible additional appendage. The species of Bilimneus experienced a reduction in size and a simplification of their genitalia, without free parameres and with a very simple, homogenous structure. Within Limnebius s.s. several independent increases in male body and genital size took place, with a strong correlation as measured with independent contrasts. There was, however, no overall correlation between genital size and number of appendages, even though smaller genitalia tend to be less complex.     

Taxonomic notes on <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pelor</Emphasis> Bonelli,with description of a new species from Greece (Coleoptera: Carabidae: Zabrini)

Based on examination of the male genitalia, in particular the structure of the inner sac, a new species of Pelor is described: Zabrus (Pelor) hiekei sp. n. (type locality: island of Kefalonia, Greece). The new species is an insular endemic and adelphotaxon of Z. (P.) incrassatus. The male genitalia of Z. (P.) incrassatus and Z. (P.) bischoffi are also illustrated and described. Three species are gathered in a distinct subgroup within Pelor. Zabrus (P.) incrassatus tuleschkovi Mařan, 1933 is treated as junior synonym of Z. (P.) incrassatus incrassatus (Ahrens, 1814).     

Holcocera sakura (Lepidoptera: Gelechioidea; Coleophoridae, Blastobasinae), a new species from Japan, associated with Prunus

A new species, Holcocera sakura (Lepidoptera: Coleophoridae: Blastobasinae) that is associated with Prunus is described from Japan. This is the first record of the tribe Holcocerini from Japan. A photograph of the imago, and illustrations of wing venation and male and female genitalia are provided. The taxonomic position of this species is discussed.     

Copulatory wounds in the monandrous ant species <Emphasis Type="Italic">Formica japonica</Emphasis> (Hymenoptera,Formicidae)

Males of several insect species inflict wounds on female genitalia during copulation, but the significance of such copulatory wounds for males is not clear. I compared the genitalia of virgin and mated Formica japonica females and for the first time report the occurrence of copulatory wounds in this monandrous ant species. All inseminated females examined had two types of melanized patches, indicating wound repair, and the serrated penis valves and sharp-pointed volsellar digitus of male genitalia were the likely instruments of these wounds. Physically damaging mating in monandrous species supports the view that copulatory wounds do not necessarily contribute to postcopulatory fitness gains for males via advantages in sperm competition or cryptic female choice. Received 10 September 2007; revised 15 October 2007; accepted 16 October 2007.     

A taxonomic review of Rhabdocosma Meyrick (Lepidoptera,Ypsolophidae) with description of a new species from Japan

The Ypsolophid genus Rhabdocosma Meyrick is reviewed. It comprises two known species: R. aglaophanes Meyrick and R. dolini Gershenson, and one new species from Japan, R. nematopogonites Sohn, sp. nov. Photos of imagoes and male genitalia are provided for all three species of Rhadocosma. A close relationship between R. dolini and the new species, and its significance in the biogeography and world species diversity of Rhabdocosma, are discussed.     

The New World species of the water-beetle genus Notomicrus (Noteridae)*

Eight species of Notomicrus Sharp are recognized and described or partially redescribed with figures of dorsal outlines and external male genitalia: brevicomis Sharp, gracilipes Sharp, huttoni sp.n., malkini sp.n., nanulus (LeConte), reticulatus Zimmermann, sharpi Balfour-Browne, traili Sharp. A key for identification is given, but the main reliance for recognition of the species is on the external male genitalia. New distribution records are given for all species.