A new species of the short-horned grasshopper genus Heteropternis Stål, 1873 (Orthoptera: Acrididae) from Central India

Heteropternis raipurensis n. sp. is described from Barnawapara Wildlife Sanctuary (Raipur, Chhattisgarh, India), and compared to H. respondens (Walker, 1859). An identification key to Asian species of Heteropternis is provided.     

Sequence-based species delineation and molecular phylogenetics of the transitional Nearctic–Neotropical grasshopper genus Taeniopoda (Orthoptera,Romaleidae)

Taeniopoda is a genus of grasshoppers currently represented by 12 species distributed from southern USA to Panama, with most of them occurring along the transitional Nearctic–Neotropical region in central and southern Mexico. Despite being a small group of conspicuous, colourful species, the systematics of Taeniopoda has been largely neglected, including its phylogenetic affinity with the morphologically similar, monotypic genus Romalea. Here, we assessed the species limits in 11 of the species of Teniopoda based on two mitochondrial (mt) markers (COI, cyt b). Phylogenetic relationships were reconstructed adding two nuclear gene markers (28S, H3). A relaxed molecular clock analysis was performed based on the mt markers. We detected nuclear mt paralogues (numts) and the probable introgression of T. tamaulipensis mtDNA in specimens of T. eques from central Mexico. Between six and 14 species of Taeniopoda were delimited by the sequence-based approaches performed (COI divergence with thresholds of 1 and 2%; General Mixed Yule-Coalescent (GMYC) model). The GMYC and 1% threshold analyses with COI were more congruent with the currently recognized morphology-based taxonomy with 10 and 11 putative species, respectively. Four of these species were regarded as ‘stable’, since they were supported by at least one of the molecular analyses and by diagnostic morphological features. The species-based phylogeny recovered Taeniopoda as paraphyletic with respect to the monotypic genus Romalea. Three morphologically and geographically congruent major clades were recovered, two with species having a considerably elevated pronotal crest and one with its members having it less elevated. The origin and subsequent diversification of Taeniopoda were estimated to occur from the mid and late Miocene to Pliocene, respectively. The current species diversity in Taeniopoda was estimated to occur during the Pleistocene, which was probably influenced by the climatic oscillations that occurred during this period and the uplift of mountain ranges in Central America.     

First record of the genus Phradis Förster (Hymenoptera, Ichneumonidae, Tersilochinae) from the Neotropical Region

One new species of the genus Phradis, Phradis peruvianussp. n., from the mountainous part of Peruvian Amazonia, is described and illustrated. This is the first record of the genus from South America and the Neotropical region.     

Systematics of the parasitic wasp genus Oxyscelio Kieffer (Hymenoptera,Platygastridae s.l.), part II: the?Australian and southwest Pacific fauna

The Australasian and southwest Pacific species of Oxyscelio (Hymenoptera: Platygastridae s.l.) are revised. A total of 80 species are recognized as valid, 13 of which are redescribed: O. atricoxa (Dodd), O. concoloripes (Dodd), O. flavipes (Kieffer), O. grandis (Dodd), O. hyalinipennis (Dodd), O. magniclava (Dodd), O. mirellus (Dodd), O. montanus (Dodd), O. nigriclava (Dodd), O. nigricoxa (Dodd), O. rugulosus (Dodd), O. shakespearei (Girault), and O. solitarius (Dodd). Oxyscelio glabriscutellum (Dodd) syn. n. is placed as a subjective junior synonym of O. rugulosus. Sixty-seven new species are described, many representing new distributional records for the genus - O. aciculae Burks, sp. n., O. anfractus Burks, sp. n., O. bellariorum Burks, sp. n., O. bicoloripedis Burks, sp. n., O. brevitas Burks, sp. n., O. catenae Burks, sp. n., O. caudarum Burks, sp. n., O. circulorum Burks, sp. n., O. clivi Burks, sp. n., O. clupei Burks, sp. n., O. conjuncti Burks, sp. n., O. contusionis Burks, sp. n., O. corrugationis Burks, sp. n., O. croci Burks, sp. n., O. cuspidis Burks, sp. n., O. densitatis Burks, sp. n., O. dissimulationis Burks, sp. n., O. divisionis Burks, sp. n., O. exiguitatis Burks, sp. n., O. fluctuum Burks, sp. n., O. foliorum Burks, sp. n., O. funis Burks, sp. n., O. gressus Burks, sp. n., O. hamorum Burks, sp. n., O. incisurae Burks, sp. n., O. lenitatis Burks, sp. n., O. leviventris Burks, sp. n., O. limbi Burks, sp. n., O. liminis Burks, sp. n., O. linguae Burks, sp. n., O. lintris Burks, sp. n., O. livens Burks, sp. n., O. mystacis Burks, sp. n., O. nasi Burks, sp. n., O. nitoris Burks, sp. n., O. obliquiatis Burks, sp. n., O. oblongiclypei Burks, sp. n., O. obturationis Burks, sp. n., O. oculi Burks, sp. n., O. palati Burks, sp. n., O. pectinis Burks, sp. n., O. pollicis Burks, sp. n., O. proceritatis Burks, sp. n., O. productionis Burks, sp. n., O. radii Burks, sp. n., O. rami Burks, sp. n., O. rupturae Burks, sp. n., O. sarcinae Burks, sp. n., O. scismatis Burks, sp. n., O. sciuri Burks, sp. n., O. scutorum Burks, sp. n., O. sepisessor Burks, sp. n., O. sinuationis Burks, sp. n., O. sordes Burks, sp. n., O. spatula Burks, sp. n., O. stipulae Burks, sp. n., O. stringerae Burks, sp. n., O. tenuitatis Burks, sp. n., O. truncationis Burks, sp. n., O. tubi Burks, sp. n., O. umbonis Burks, sp. n., O. uncinorum Burks, sp. n., O. valdecatenae Burks, sp. n., O. velamenti Burks, sp. n., O. verrucae Burks, sp. n., O. viator Burks, sp. n., and O. wa Burks, sp. n. The fauna is divided into nine diagnostic species groups, with five species unplaced to group.     

A revision of the genus Kaszabister Mazur (Histeridae, Histerinae, Exosternini)

We revise the four species of Kaszabister Mazur, 1972, one of which, Kaszabister barrigaisp. n., is described as new. The other species in the genus are Kaszabister rubellus (Erichson, 1834), Kaszabister ferrugineus (Kirsch, 1873) and Kaszabister carinatus (Lewis, 1888). The species are principally known from the subtropics of South America, with one in Central America. Lectotypes are designated for Kaszabister rubellus and Kaszabister ferrugineus, and a key is provided for all the species. Ants of the genus Solenopsis Westwood, mainly Solenopsis invicta Buren and Solenopsis saevissima (Smith), are documented as hosts of three of the four species.     

Chromosome evolution and phylogeny in Ronderosia (Orthoptera,Acrididae, Melanoplinae): clues of survivors to the challenge of sympatry?

In an attempt to unveil the origin of neo‐sex chromosomes in Ronderosia Cigliano grasshoppers, we performed a combined phylogenetic analysis based on morphological (external morphology and male genitalia) and molecular data (COI, COII, 16S and ITS2) to explore the chromosome evolution within the genus. We also analysed the distributional patterns of the various Ronderosia species and considered the possible role of chromosome rearrangements (CRs) in speciation processes within the genus in the light of ‘suppressed‐recombination’ models. We mapped the states of three chromosomal characters on the combined tree topology. The combined evidence supported Ronderosia as a monophyletic group. The cytogenetic analyses of the genus demonstrated the importance of rearranged karyotypes with single, complex and multiples neo‐sex chromosome determination systems in all species. The chromosome character optimisation suggests X‐autosome centric fusion as the mechanism responsible for neo‐sex chromosome formation in most Ronderosia species, except in R. dubia and R. bergii. Similar autosomes were involved in fusions with the ancestral X chromosome in Ronderosia, supporting previous hypotheses on the unique origin of X‐autosome fusion for the sex chromosome in the genus. As a source of chromosome variation, autosome‐autosome centric fusion played a secondary role in Ronderosia compared with other Dichroplini. Given the homogeneity in the morphological features, the sympatric distribution of closely related species and the intrinsic property of centric fusion as suppressors of the crossing over, we suggest that CRs may have played a key role during the speciation process within Ronderosia.     

Chill injury in the eggs of the migratory locust, Locusta migratoria （Orthoptera： Acrididae）： the time-temperature relationship with high-temperature interruption

Abstract Mortality of the overwintering egg of the migratory locust, Locusta migratoria L. , was attributed to chill injury because of its occurrence well above the egg's super cooling point. In this study, two parameters, upper limit of chill injury zone (ULCIZ) and sum of the injurious temperature (SIT), were used to examine the locust egg's cold hardiness. The value of ULCIZ for the locust egg is 1.06 ± 0.54°C, and the SIT is -329.7 (hour · degree). The superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities changed dramatically after cold stress, indicating that oxygen and hydroxide free radicals are probably efficiently detoxified at low temperatures. It was suggested that the nature of chill injury in locust egg might be a complex of metabolic disorder and a non-proportional decrease in enzymatic reaction and transports, because the LDH activity at low temperature increased significantly and the ATPase activity decreased with prolonged duration of exposure to low temperatures. The results from high temperature interruption revealed that the high temperature intervals significantly increased the survival of locust eggs.     

The fine structure of the terminal sensilla on the maxillary palps of Schistocerca gregaria (Forskål) (Orthoptera,Acrididae)

Summary The fine structure of the terminal sensilla on the maxillary palps of Schistocerca gregaria has been investigated. Most organules include six neurons with dendrites extending to the tip of the cuticular peg, the opening of which is controlled so that the dendrites are not always exposed. The neurons are isolated from each other by a neurilemma cell and two other glial cells, while typical epidermal cells containing dense bundles of microtubules support the whole group of cells. At the poles of the neurons are specialised areas in which the cytoplasm is differentiated from that elsewhere. It contains a large number of mitochondria and small helical structures, while close to it are characteristic spheres of membranes, termed onion bodies, in various stages of development.It is suggested that the fluid bathing the distal parts of the dendrites and exuding from the tip of the peg has a number of specialised functions. It is probably concerned in forcing open the tip of the peg by hydrostatic pressure, it prevents the exposed tips of the dendrites from desiccating and it acts as a transmitter in which chemicals on the surfaces touched by the sensillum must dissolve before reaching the dendrites. This fluid may be produced by the neurilemma cell or by the neurons themselves. Closure of the pegs does not seem to produce any material reduction in the overall loss of water by the insect.Each neuron sends an axon to the brain; there is no peripheral fusion of axons. Possibly one neuron has a mechanoreceptor function, although no specialised terminal at the base of the peg has been observed. The concentration of mitochondria at either end of the neuron may be concerned in the production of action potentials, while the cavity of the peg and tormogen cell perhaps has a role in the conduction of the receptor potential to the perikaryon. Intercellular connections are such as to give mechanical stability to the cells of the organule and permit transport between the cells. Extracellular tubules extending from the wall of the peg into the cell complex may serve to anchor the peg during the moulting process.We are grateful to the Royal Society for a grant for the purchase of an ultramicrotome, to the Anti-Locust Research Centre for supplying the locusts, and to various colleagues for assistance and advice. We are also indebted to the Cambridge Instrument Company Ltd. for permission to publish Figs. 2 and 3.     

A synoptic review of the genus Thaumaspis Bolívar (Orthoptera,Tettigoniidae, Meconematinae) with the description of a new genus and four new species

Two new species of the new genus Athaumaspisgen. n., Athaumaspisminutussp. n. and Athaumaspistibetanussp. n. from Vietnam and China are described. The subgenus Pseudothaumaspis of Thaumaspis is elevated to generic status and another two new species Pseudothaumaspisbispinosussp. n. and Pseudothaumaspisfurcocercussp. n. are described, the remaining species of Thaumaspis are reviewed and keyed with the four new species.     

Glandular pouches of the genital chamber of female Schistocerca gregaria (Forskål) (Orthoptera : Acrididae)

Females of the desert locust, Schistocerca gregaria, have a pair of conspicuous glandular pouches associated with the genital chamber and gonoducts. Each pouch consists of a cuticular sac with an epithelium comprising at least 3 types of cells, namely epidermal cells, vacuolated secretory cells, and duct cells. The vacuole of each secretory cell is connected to the cavity of the pouch by a long, convoluted, cuticular duct some 1 μm in diameter, which runs through the cuticle. Each duct has an accompanying duct cell closely situated. The cuticle is perforated also by numerous fine ducts that do not extend into the epithelium: these appear to be large pore canals. Plates of secretion with a wax-like appearance are found in some pouch cavities, often forming close replicas of the latter. All the major features mentioned above are found in females with undeveloped ovaries as well as those with mature oöcytes: the pouches show little alteration in structure with advancing maturity. The nature of the pouches is compared with that of other Acrididae, and their functions are discussed.     

Species of the genus Mastrus Förster (Hymenoptera, Ichneumonidae) of China with descriptions of two new species parasitizing sawflies (Hymenoptera)

Four species of Mastrus Förster, 1869 are reported from China. Two, Mastrus nigrus Sheng & Zeng, sp. n. reared from Arge pullata (Zaddach) and Mastrus rugotergalis Sheng & Zeng, sp. n. reared from Diprion jingyuanensis Xiao & Zhang, are new to science. One, Mastrus deminuens (Hartig, 1838), is a parasitoid of Pachynematus itoi Okutani. A key to species of Mastrus Förster known in China is provided.     

Feeding patterns of the aquatic grasshopper Cornops aquaticum (Bruner) (Orthoptera: Acrididae) in the middle Paraná river, Argentina

The aquatic grasshopper Cornops aquaticum (Bruner) is native to South America and inhabits lowlands from southern Mexico to Central Argentina and Uruguay. This grasshopper is host-specific to aquatic plants of the genera Eichhornia and Pontederia. The objectives of this study were to analyze the feeding patterns of the aquatic grasshopper C. aquaticum in relationship to development stages and sex and to determine the food consumption rate in their host plant, Eichhornia crassipes. Samples were collected from April 2006 to May 2007 in different floodplain lakes of the Middle Parana River. The average consumption was greater in the females (0.127 g food/day ± 0.051) than in the males (0.060 g food/day ± 0.025). The feces of 361 nymphs and adults of this locust were examined and the most common tissue fragments found were of the water hyacinth (E. crassipes). In the initial nymphal stages (I, II and III), an exclusive consumption of E. crassipes was registered, while in the IV and V stages the choice included also other macrophytes. In summary, C. aquaticum presents polyphagy in the field, feeding on six macrophytes of different classes and families.     

Acetate esters of saturated and unsaturated alcohols (C12–C20) are major components in Dufour glands of Bracon cephi and Bracon lissogaster (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), parasitoids of the wheat stem sawfly,Cephus cinctus (Hymenoptera: Cephidae)

Chemistry of Dufour glands associated with the venom complex in Bracon cephi (Gahan) and Bracon lissogaster Muesebeck (Hymenoptera; Braconidae), two parasitoids of the wheat stem sawfly, Cephus cinctus Norton (Hymenoptera: Cephidae), was examined by solid phase micro-extraction (SPME) and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Homologous series of five chemical classes were detected in individual glands from each species. Major classes included: (1) acetate esters of saturated and unsaturated primary alcohols with parent chain lengths from C₁₂ to C₂₀. Hexadecanyl acetate, octadecanyl acetate, and octadecenyl acetate were major components in B. cephi. The composition of the acetate series in B. lissogaster was similar except that the octadecanyl acetate was only a minor component. (2) A homologous series of monoenes from C_23:1 to C_35:1 were detected in both species, with C_29:1, C_31:1 and C_33:1 being the major components. Dienes from C_31:2 to C_35:2 and trienes (C_33:3–C_35:3) were also detected in both species. (3) A homologous series of n-alkanes from C₁₉ to C₃₁ was detected in both species. n-Tricosane was the major component. Minor components in both species included homologous series of both mono- and dimethyl branched alkanes. The Dufour gland hydrocarbon components in both B. cephi and B. lissogaster have some similarities to the composition of cuticular hydrocarbons of their host C. cinctus, a species with a complex pheromonal signaling system.     

Calling Behavior and Morphology of the Stridulatory Apparatus in Neotropical Grasshoppers (Aleuas Stål; Orthoptera)

The sound production and sound producing apparatus of two species of grasshoppers, A. lineatus Stål, 1878 and A. vitticollis Stål, 1878 (Orthoptera, Acrididae, Copiocerinae) have been studied. For both species oscillograms and other physical data on sounds are presented for the first time. The sound producing behavior is described and the stridulation apparatus mechanism is illustrated. In the case of A. vitticollis these data are the first known on its sound production and general acoustic behavior.     

On the origin of the desert locust Schistocerca gregaria (Forskål) (Orthoptera: Acrididae: Cyrtacanthacridinae)

The locust genus Schistocerca (Stål) has a transatlantic disjunction, which has been controversial for more than a century. Among 50 species within the genus, only one species, the desert locust (S. gregaria Forskål), occurs in the Old World, and the rest occur in the New World. Earlier taxonomists suggested that the desert locust is a migrant from America, but this view was strongly challenged when a large swarm of the desert locust successfully crossed the Atlantic Ocean from West Africa to the West Indies in 1988. The currently accepted view, supported by this incident, is that the New World species are descendants of a gregaria-like ancestor, and the desert locust would be ancestral to the rest of the genus. However, there is surprisingly little evidence to support this view other than the 1988 swarm. I present the most comprehensive phylogenetic study that suggests that the desert locust originated from the New World, contrary to the accepted view. I also present a hypothesis about how the ancestral Schistocerca might have colonized the New World in the first place in light of phylogenetic relationships with other cyrtacanthacridine genera.     

A review of species of the genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Oobius</Emphasis> Trjapitzin, 1963 (Hymenoptera,Encyrtidae)—Egg parasitoids of jewel beetles,longicorn beetles (Coleoptera,Buprestidae, Cerambycidae), and robber flies (Diptera,Asilidae)

The review contains diagnosis of the genus Oobius Trjapitzin, 1963 (Hymenoptera, Encyrtidae), a key to the females of its 9 species described in the world fauna, and synopsis of the species with data on their distribution and hosts. Special attention is paid to an economically important species, Oobius agrili Zhang et Wang, 2005, introduced from China into USA and Canada for biological control of the emerald ash borer Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire (Coleoptera, Buprestidae), a very dangerous pest of ashes (Fraxinus spp.). This buprestid has also recently penetrated into Russia, which necessitates introduction of its egg parasitoid, O. agrili. Coccidencyrtus pinicola Mercet, 1921 from Spain is transferred to the genus Oobius, hence a new combination, O. pinicola (Mercet), comb. n., is proposed. The lectotype of Tyndarichus rudnevi S. Nowicki, 1928 (type species of the genus Oobius) is designated in the collection of the National Museum of Natural Sciences in Madrid and this is formally fixated in the present review. The material of Oobius has been studied in depositories of St. Petersburg, Warsaw, Madrid, and Monterrey (Mexico).     

Are egg parasitoids of the genus Trichogramma (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) promising biological control agents for regulating the invasive Box tree pyralid,Cydalima perspectalis (Lepidoptera: Crambidae)?

The Box tree pyralid, Cydalima perspectalis Walker (Lepidoptera: Crambidae), is an invasive species in Europe, not yet regulated by natural enemies. It is highly destructive to ornamental and native Buxus due to defoliation by larval feeding. The ability of eight Trichogramma species (T. brassicae Bezdenko, T. bourarachae Pintureau & Babault, T. cacoeciae Marchal, T. cordubensis Vargas & Cabello, T. dendrolimi Matsumura, T. evanescens Westwood, T. nerudai Pintureau & Gerding and T. pintoi Voegele) to parasitise and locate eggs of C. perspectalis was assessed in the laboratory. In direct observation tests, all species started to examine and oviposit into exposed eggs. Resulting egg parasitism was low and ranged between 4% and 20% for most of the parasitoid species after three days of exposure. Only T. dendrolimi parasitised significantly more host eggs with parasitism rates above 40%. On average, two to three progeny emerged from one host egg and the resulting sex ratio was female-biased, indicating suitability of the target host for progeny production. In subsequent cage tests on potted Buxus plants, again T. dendrolimi was the most efficient species in locating host eggs on foliage. We conclude that C. perspectalis eggs are attractive to various Trichogramma species. T. pintoi had the highest number of egg encounters and active females. T. dendrolimi females were most able to locate host eggs and to oviposit and produce successfully on them. Nonetheless, further study is needed to clarify the suspected role of potentially egg defensive mechanisms that may impede higher parasitisation in C. perspectalis.     

Population genetic structure of two primary parasitoids of Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera), Chelonus insularis and Campoletis sonorensis (Hymenoptera): to what extent is the host plant important?

Plant chemistry can strongly influence interactions between herbivores and their natural enemies, either by providing volatile compounds that serve as foraging cues for parasitoids or predators, or by affecting the quality of herbivores as hosts or prey. Through these effects plants may influence parasitoid population genetic structure. We tested for a possible specialization on specific crop plants in Chelonus insularis and Campoletis sonorensis, two primary parasitoids of the fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda. Throughout Mexico, S. frugiperda larvae were collected from their main host plants, maize and sorghum and parasitoids that emerged from the larvae were used for subsequent comparison by molecular analysis. Genetic variation at eight and 11 microsatellites were respectively assayed for C. insularis and C. sonorensis to examine isolation by distance, host plant and regional effects. Kinship analyses were also performed to assess female migration among host‐plants. The analyses showed considerable within population variation and revealed a significant regional effect. No effect of host plant on population structure of either of the two parasitoid species was found. Isolation by distance was observed at the individual level, but not at the population level. Kinship analyses revealed significantly more genetically related—or kin—individuals on the same plant species than on different plant species, suggesting that locally, mothers preferentially stay on the same plant species. Although the standard population genetics parameters showed no effect of plant species on population structure, the kinship analyses revealed that mothers exhibit plant species fidelity, which may speed up divergence if adaptation were to occur.