Revision of the genus Menippus Clark in Australia (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Galerucinae)

Abstract  The genus Menippus is revised for Australia, with six species, three of which are new: M. cynicus Clark, M. darcyi sp. nov. , M. ewani sp. nov. , M. fugitivus (Lea), M. sufi sp. nov. and M. yulensis (Jacoby) comb. nov. (from Diorhabda Weise). Menippus yulensis was described from New Guinea. This species and M. darcyi were formerly confused in Australia with M. fugitivus , which is now considered endemic to Lord Howe Island. The species formerly considered M. fugitivus and protected under the Threatened Species Conservation Act, New South Wales, is now named M. darcyi . A key is provided for the Australian species of Menippus and a lectotype designated for M. yulensis . The composition of Menippus is discussed and three non-Australian species are transferred to this genus: M. inconspicua (Jacoby) comb. nov. (from Diorhabda Weise); M. laterimaculata (Jacoby) comb. nov. ; and M. marginipennis (Jacoby) comb. nov. (from Galerucella Crotch). A revised checklist of Menippus species is given. The recorded foodplants of Menippus are species of Celtis (Ulmaceae).     

Recognition of the genus Hoplosaenidea Laboissière in Australia, with a key to the Australian genera of Galerucini (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Galerucinae)

Abstract The south-east Asian genus Hoplosaenidea Laboissière is recognised in Australia for the first time, with a single species, scutellata sp. n., occurring in north Queensland and New Guinea. A key is provided for identification of the Australian genera of Galerucini.     

中国大萤叶甲属的研究（鞘翅目：叶甲科：萤叶甲亚科）

大萤叶甲属Meristata 为Chapuis 1875年所建立,是东洋区分布的属,在我国主要分布在云南和西藏两省,中名以其体大型而得。目前全世界已知11种,中国有9种。本文对本属征进行了重新厘订,并对中国种类做了系统的研究及记述,它们是褐大萤叶甲Meristata dohrni (Baly), 长大萤叶甲Meristata elongata (Jacoby), 黑斑大萤叶甲Meristata fallax (Harold), 黑胸大萤叶甲Meristata fraternalis fraternalis (Baly), 黑胸大萤叶甲云南亚种Meristata fraternalis yunnanensis (Laboissiere), 象牙大萤叶甲Meristata pulunini (Bryant), 四带大萤叶甲Meristata quadrifasciata (Hope), 六斑大萤叶甲Meristata sexmaculata (Kollar et Redtenbacher), 黄腹大萤叶甲Meristata spilota (Hope)。亦对Meristata fraternalis yunnanensis 的分类地位进行了探讨,根据其鞘翅斑点及其雄性生殖器形状将原Meristata yunnanensis 降为Meristata fraternalis 的亚种。     

Age-stage,two-sex life table and food utilization efficiencies of Galerucella placida Baly (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) on two Polygonaceae weeds

Rumex dentatus L. and Polygonum glabrum Willd. (Polygonaceae) are important weeds of wheat and rice fields, respectively, in India and Pakistan. Adults and larvae of Galerucella placida Baly (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) feed both weeds. Therefore, we studied the biology of G. placida on two weed leaves using age-stage, two-sex life table at 21 °C, 65 ± 5% r.h. and 12L: 12D. We also studied food utilization indices of G. placida on these leaves. Further, we investigated the quantities of nutrients (total carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, amino acids and nitrogen) and antinutrients (total phenols, flavonols and tannins) of the leaves. Correlation analysis suggested that fecundity and the intrinsic rate of increase (r_m) of G. placida were positively correlated with nutrients of leaves, while negatively correlated with antinutrients. Faster larval development, higher longevity of adults and greater fecundity of G. placida were recorded on R. dentatus than P. glabrum. The r_m was higher on R. dentatus than P. glabrum. The nutrients were greater in R. dentatus than P. glabrum, while antinutrients were lower in R. dentatus than P. glabrum. The growth rate and consumption index were greater on R. dentatus than P. glabrum. The above results suggested that better nutritional quality of R. dentatus than P. glabrum influenced faster larval development, higher longevity of adults and greater fecundity of G. placida on R. dentatus. This study concluded that R. dentatus could be used for mass rearing of G. placida in biocontol program prior to release in fields for control of both these weeds.     

Free fatty acids from the weed,Polygonum orientale leaves for attraction of the potential biocontrol agent,Galerucella placida (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)

Extraction, thin layer chromatography and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry of leaf surface waxes of Polygonum orientale L. (Polygonaceae) weed revealed 11, 15 and 11 free fatty acids in young, mature and senescent stages. Oleic acid was the predominant in young leaves (5950 ± 111 µg); whereas palmitic acid was the predominant fatty acids, representing 4247.5 ± 23 and 6644 ± 110 µg in mature and senescent leaves, respectively. Both tridecanoic and heneicosanoic acids were not detected in young and senescent leaves, and myristic and heptadecanoic acids were not identified in young leaves; whereas lauric and nonadecanoic acids were not detected in senescent leaves. The free fatty acids from young, mature and senescent weed leaves, and the mixtures of synthetic fatty acids mimicking free fatty acids of three types of weed leaves attracted female Galerucella placida (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) at the minimal amounts of 2, 1 and 2 leaf equivalent free fatty acids, respectively, in Y-shaped glass tube olfactometer bioassays under laboratory conditions. Individual synthetic pentadecanoic, palmitoleic, stearic, nonadecanoic and docosanoic acids at 44.82, 9.91, 92.22, 18.33 and 15.88 µg, respectively, elicited attraction of the insect. A synthetic blend of 3.59, 7.89, 44.82, 9.91, 32.31, 18.33 and 15.88 µg of lauric, myristic, pentadecanoic, palmitoleic, heptadecanoic, nonadecanoic and docosanoic acids, respectively, indicated highest attraction of the insect.     

Effect of temperature on the demography of Galerucella birmanica (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)

Studies on the effect of temperature on the development of the water chestnut beetle, Galerucella birmanica Jacoby were carried out in the laboratory at seven different temperatures: 16 °C, 19 °C, 22 °C, 25 °C, 28 °C, 31 °C and 34 °C. The developmental time decreased with increase in temperature. The developmental time at 16 °C, 19 °C, 22 °C, 25 °C, 28 °C, 31 °C and 34 °C was 96.60, 80.68, 58.96, 43.48, 35.03, 30.08 and 28.02 days for the period from egg hatching to adult emergence, respectively. The developmental threshold estimated for a generation by linear regression was 10.36 °C. The fecundity per female at 22 °C, 25 °C, 28 °C, 31 °C and 34 °C was 102.3, 134.5, 141.2, 130.1 and 116.2 eggs, respectively. Oviposition period ranged from 15.6 days at 22 °C to 8.6 days at 34 °C. Hatchability of eggs was highest at 31 °C with 76.9% and lowest at 34 °C with 57.1%. The highest generation survival rate was 65.3% at 31 °C, and the intrinsic rate of natural increase ( r _m) for G. birmanica was the highest at 34 °C.     

菱角萤叶甲不同地理种群数量性状变异(鞘翅目:叶甲科)

采用模糊聚类、系统聚类和主成分分析的方法对中国12个不同地理种群菱角萤叶甲Galerucella birmanica Jacoby的形态数据进行了分析,探讨了其数量性状变异和地理分布间的关系,并对菱角萤叶甲亚种的分类地位进行了界定。聚类分析将我国菱角萤叶甲12个地理种群分为6个部分:其中西南云贵高原地区的保山种群为一组,华南地区的广州种群为一组,东北地区的沈阳种群为一组,华中地区的孝感种群为一组,长江以北地区的淮安、扬州、泰安和阜阳种群为一组,长江以南地区的常州、嘉兴、青浦和义乌种群为一组,可见不同地理种群菱角萤叶甲的数量性状变异与地理分布之间具有显著的相关性。主成分分析显示,菱角萤叶甲各器官的长度存在相互促进共同变异的关系,变异与性状具有显著正相关性。采用形态学测量的方法对于确定菱角萤叶甲亚种的地位是可行的。     

Giant-sized chromosomes in genus Phyllobrotica Chevrolat 1837 (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Galerucinae) and parthenogenesis in P. adusta (Creutzer 1799)

Only females were detected in a small population of Phyllobrotica adusta (Creutzer 1799) (Chrysomelidae: Galerucinae) located in a mountain near Kastoria (Greece). Their karyotype, composed of 42 chromosomes, including three giant-sized ones, is assumed to be triploid. Only two giant-sized chromosomes were present in the 37,X/38,XX karyotype of the congeneric sexual species P. quadrimaculata (L. 1758). Although males were described in P. adusta, the abnormal sex ratio, the presumed triploidy and the absence of spermatozoa in the spermatheca strongly suggest a parthenogenetic reproduction of the population studied. Both parthenogenesis and giant-sized chromosomes have been described independently in some species of Neotropical and Palearctic Galerucinae, but never together.     

Reappraisal of the genus Taumacera Thunberg with descriptions of two new species from South-East Asia (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Galerucinae)

The galerucine genus Taumacera Thunberg is reviewed. Platyxantha Baly is placed in synonymy with Taumacera . The Taumacera deusta species-group is defined and two new species are described in this group: Taumacera mohamedsaidi from Borneo and Taumacera evi from Peninsular Malaysia and Sumatra. A new name, Taumacera seminigra , is provided for Taumacera nigripennis (Jacoby 1900a), nec Jacoby 1884, and Taumacera martapurensis Mohamedsaid is synonymised with Taumacera sucki Weise. A key is given for the deusta species-group and a revised checklist presented for all Taumacera species.     

Revision of the genus Paridea Baly, 1886 from Taiwan (Coleoptera,Chrysomelidae, Galerucinae)

The Taiwanese species of the genus Paridea Baly, 1886, are revised. Two new species, Paridea (Semacia) houjayi sp. n. and P. (S.) kaoi sp. n. are described. Both were confused previously with P. (S.) sexmaculata (Laboissière, 1930) and P. (S.) angulicollis (Motschulsky, 1854) respectively. Paridea (P.) sauteri (Chûjô, 1935) and P. (P.) taiwana (Chûjô, 1935) are removed from synonymy with P. (P.) sinensis Laboissière, 1930. The synonymy of Paraulaca flavipennis Chûjô, 1935 with Paridea (Paridea) testacea Gressitt & Kimoto, 1963 is supported. Paridea (Semacia) nigrimarginata Yang, 1991 is regarded as a junior synonym of P. (S.) angulicollis and excluded from the Taiwan fauna. Lectotypes are designated for Paraulaca costata Chûjô, 1935, P. flavipennis Chûjô, 1935, P. taiwana Chûjô, 1935, Semacia nipponensis Laboissière, 1930, and Paridea sinensis Laboissière, 1930.     

Small-scale distributional dynamics of the yellow water-lily and its herbivore Galerucella nymphaeae (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)

Summary I followed the within-generation distribution of a chewing specialist herbivore, the water-lily beetle, on individually marked leaves of the yellow water-lily. Yellow water-lilies produced new leaves steadily throughout the growth season. Average leaf longevity was 3–4 weeks, much shorter than the developmental time of the beetle. The average egg-load of leaves was about 120. Leaf longevity was independent of egg density, but migration rate of the first instar larvae was density-dependent. Beetles occurred in every leaf, but consumed only a fraction (17%) of the available leaf area. However, this caused the leaf to lose its floating ability, so even this low rate of consumption made the leaf unavailable to herbivores. The herbivore population had to redistribute itself throughout the summer, escaping from the drowning leaves to fresh ones. No beetle could survive from egg to adult on a single leaf. The small-scale redistribution of the herbivore strongly affected the damage experienced by the host plant. In general, ability to redistribute depends on the dispersal ability of the herbivore, and thus migration ability may strongly affect the plant-herbivore interaction.     

A worldwide species catalogue and key of Sermyloides (Coleoptera,Chrysomelidae, Galerucinae) with description of two new species from China

In this study, a species catalogue of Sermyloides, including 42 species, is given. Two new species are described: Sermyloides wuyiensis sp. nov. from Fujian, China and Sermyloides bipunctatus sp. nov. from Chongqing, China. A key to species, photographs of aedeagus, habitus of new species and habitus of 14 species of Chinese holotypes are provided.www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:820BDA9F-633B-49D8-B5F0-45610E622C9A.     

Susceptibility of willow clones (Salix spp.) to herbivory by Phyllodecta vulgatissima (L.) and Galerucella lineola (Fab.) (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae)

Levels of damage by mixed natural infestations of the leaf-feeding chrysomelid beetles, Phyllodecta vulgatissima (L.) (the blue willow beetle) and Galerucella lineola (Fab.) (the brown willow beetle), were determined in replicated field plots of 24 Salix clones at Long Ashton (Bristol, UK) during 1993–94. Over the same period, the host plant preferences of both chrysomelids were investigated in a standard multiple-choice laboratory procedure, where beetles were enclosed in Petri dishes with leaf discs cut from young pot-grown trees propagated from shoot cuttings taken from 20 of the 24 willow clones represented in the field study. The laboratory experiments indicated that P. vulgatissima and G. lineola had similar host plant preferences in the range of willows examined (r >0.85). In both field and laboratory, the least preferred Salix clones and hybrids were those of 5. eriocephala, followed by S. purpurea, S. burjatica, S. dasyclados and S. triandra. Clones of S. eriocephala and S. purpurea were frequently rejected altogether in laboratory tests. Most preferred were clones of S. viminalis and several hybrids of S. viminalis, S. aurita, S. caprea and S. cinerea. These results substantiate the reports that P. vulgatissima and G. lineola are deterred from feeding on willows which have relatively high concentrations of phenolic (salicylate) glucosides in the leaves. The least preferred willows, particularly S. eriocephala, S. purpurea and S. burjatica, could be of great potential value in plant breeding for resistance to these willow beetle pests.     

Repeated mating with the same male increases female longevity and fecundity in a polyandrous leaf beetle Galerucella birmanica (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)

Female multiple mating (polyandry) is widespread across Insecta, even if mating can be costly to females. To explain the evolution and maintenance of polyandry, several hypotheses, mainly focusing on the material (direct) and/or the genetic (indirect) benefits, have been proposed and empirically tested in many species. Considering only the direct benefits, repeatedly‐mated females are expected to exhibit the same fitness as multiply‐mated females under the same mating frequency. In the present study, we compare the fitness of females received monandrous repeated mating (MM) and polyandrous multiple mating (PM) in a polyandrous leaf beetle Galerucella birmanica and assess female mate preference with regard to polyandry or monandry. Our data indicate that the longevity and the egg‐laying duration of MM females are significantly longer than that of PM females. MM females produce significantly more hatched eggs than PM females over their lifetime under the same mating frequency, which results from the high hatching rate of eggs produced by MM females. PM females mated with novel virgin males in the second mating suffer decreased longevity and lifetime fecundity compared with PM females mated with novel mated males in the second mating. Once‐mated females are more likely to re‐mate with familiar males than novel males. By contrast to expectations, the results of the present study suggest that repeated mating provides females with more direct benefits than multiple mating in G. birmanica, and females prefer to re‐mate with familiar males. The possible causes of this finding are discussed.     

Notes on black elytron species of Pyrrhalta Joannis and the description of a new species from China (Coleoptera,Chrysomelidae, Galerucinae)

Thirteen species of Pyrrhalta Joannis, 1865 with black elytron are reviewed. A key to species, photographs of aedeagus and habitus are provided. Pyrrhalta qianana sp. n. is described from Guizhou, China. Pyrrhalta martensi Medvedev & Sprecher-Uebersax, 1999 is newly recorded from China (Tibet).     

Laval Descriptions of Five Galerucine Species (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) in Korea and Japan Part I. Non-glanduliferous Group

Abstract The present paper is a part of the studies on the larvae of subfamily Galerucinae in Korea and Japan. Five species belonging to the Non-glanduliferous group in the subfamily Galerucinae were described and illustrated: Lochmaea capreae (Linnaeus), Atrachya menetriesi (Fladermann), Aulacophora indica (Gmelin), Exosoma flaviventre (Motschulsky), Fleutiauxia armata (Baly). A key and taxonomic remarks are also given.     

Revision of the Pepila fuscomaculata species-group and description of four new species from Australia (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Alticinae)

Abstract The Pepila fuscomaculata species-group from Australia, including P. fuscomaculata ( Baly 1877 ), P. hypocrita ( Blackburn 1896 ), P. submetallescens ( Baly 1877 ), P. tumbyensis ( Blackburn 1896 ), P. blackburni sp. n., P. brittoni sp. n., P. nikitini sp. n. and P. reidi sp. n., is analysed. A key to all the species is presented. Line drawings of male and female genitalia of all species are included. Brief ecological and zoogeographical data are also reported.     

The leaf-beetle genus Microdonacia Blackburn (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Galerucinae): revision and systematic placement

Abstract. The genus Microdonacia Blackburn is revised and its systematic position considered. Ten species are treated, seven of which are new ( bidentata, eucryphiae, grevitteae, incurva, octodentata, pilosa, pomaderris ), and lectotypes are designated for two species. Four of the new species are placed in Tantawangalo subgen.n. Microdonacia is compared with the genera Cassena Weise, Licyllus Jacoby and Orthaltica Crotch. The sister-group for Microdonacia is identified as Orthaltica and these genera are placed incertae sedis in the Galerucinae, as used in the sense of Crowson (1967). The proposed phylogeny of the species is illustrated on a cladogram.     

Convergent evolution of cucurbitacin feeding in spatially isolated rootworm taxa (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae; Galerucinae,Luperini)

Historically, chemical ecologists assumed that cucurbitacin feeding and sequestration in rootworm leaf beetles is a remnant of an ancient association between the Luperini (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae; Galerucinae) and Cucurbitaceae (ancestral host hypothesis). Under this premise, rootworms that do not develop on cucurbits but undergo pharmacophagous forays for cucurbitacins are thought to do so to supplement novel host diets that lack these bitter compounds. The ancestral host hypothesis is supported from studies of pyrrolizidine alkaloid pharmacophagy in Lepidoptera but has not been subjected to phylogenetic analysis within the Luperini. New evidence that this feeding behavior is better correlated with an adult affinity for pollen than with larval host offers the possibility that Old and New World rootworm species with an affinity for cucurbitacins converged on this behavior through apomorphic taste receptor modifications (loose receptor hypothesis). Here we test the monophyly of cucurbitacin feeding within the Luperini by using nuclear and mitochondrial sequence data to infer phylogenetic relationships among 49 taxa representing tribes of the Galerucinae and subtribes of the Luperini. The resulting phylogenetic hypothesis is mostly concordant with existing tribal and subtribal delineations within the Subfamily Galerucinae sensu stricto (Galerucinae not including the flea beetles). The establishment of ancestry among the subtribes of the Luperini refutes the monophyly of cucurbitacin feeding and cucurbit specialization, with the New World Diabroticina being paraphyletic to the Old World Aulacophorina and cosmopolitan Luperina. These data unambiguously support the convergent evolution of cucurbitacin feeding in rootworms and are inconsistent with the ancestral host hypothesis.