On finding a single-clawed aphid, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Germaraphis ungulata</Emphasis> (Homoptera,Aphidinea), in a syninclusion with the ant <Emphasis Type="Italic">Monomorium mayrianum</Emphasis> (Hymenoptera,Formicidae) in the Saxonian amber

The first syninclusion of the myrmicine Monomorium mayrianum Wheeler (two workers) and the aphid Germaraphis ungulata Heie (one nymph) is described from the Bitterfeld amber. Additionally, G. ungulata is recorded in a syninclusion with Ctenobethylus goepperti (Mayr) in the Rovno amber for the first time.     

Dynamic changes in energy metabolism and electron transport of photosystem II in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Nicotiana tabacum</Emphasis> infested by nymphs of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bemisia tabaci</Emphasis> (Middle East-Asia Minor 1)

Bemisia tabaci Middle East-Asia Minor 1 (MEAM1) infestation adversely affected photosynthesis of host plants. In the current study, chlorophyll a fluorescence was measured to determine the effects of MEAM1 nymph infestation of tobacco local and systemic leaves on energy metabolism and electron transport of photosystemII(PSII). The results showed that the density of PSII reaction centres per excited cross section (CS) (RC/CS) of infested and systemic leaves was reduced at 14 and 20 days. In systemic leaves, the number of PSII closed reaction centres (1-qP) increased significantly at 14 and 20 days. Absorption flux per Q_A^? reducing PSII reaction centre (RC) (ABS/RC), trapped energy flux per RC (TRo/RC), and electron transport per RC (ETo/RC) of infested and systemic leaves increased with MEAM1 nymph infestation. The most obvious increase in absorption flux per CS (ABS/CSo) and trapped energy flux per CS (TRo/CSo) of infested and systemic leaves occurred at 14 days. MEAM1 nymph infestation significantly reduced the energy required for PSII Q_A to be completely reduced (Sm) in tobacco leaves. These results suggested that MEAM1 nymph infestation caused changes in light-harvesting antenna system and deactivation of the reaction centre, resulting in the reduction of photons absorbed by reaction centres per unit area. MEAM1 nymph infestation, particularly the 3rd instar nymphs, decreased light utilization ability and increased excess excitation energy in tobacco leaves. With MEAM1 nymph infestation, the relative electron transport capacity of the entire electron transport chain decreased, and more light energy was used to reduce Q_A.     

Musculature of the ovipositor of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Oxyna parietina</Emphasis> (Linnaeus, 1758) (Diptera,Tephritidae) and its relation to the larval habits

The structure of the ovipositor sclerites and muscles was studied in the tephritid fly Oxyna parietina (Linnaeus, 1758) inducing galls on the stems of Artemisia vulgaris. Adaptations of the ovipositor structure associated with changes of the oviposition substrate due to new larval habits are analyzed. The ovipositor muscles of Oxyna parietina are compared to those of Campiglossa. The genera Oxyna Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830 and Campiglossa Rondani, 1870 belong to the same genus-group of Tephritini, but differ in their host associations and oviposition habits: the larvae of Campiglossa plantaginis (Haliday, 1833) develop in the capitula of Aster tripolium and other asters (Asteraceae). The ovipositor sclerites and muscles are similar in the two genera. Progression of hemolymph into the membranous sheath of the ovipositor and protraction of the aculeus are necessary conditions for laying eggs into the capitula of Asteraceae (Campiglossa plantaginis), as well as for insertion of eggs into the axils of Artemisia leaves (Oxyna parietina). The most significant characters of Oxyna and Campiglossa include the presence of the hyaline apodeme and associated muscles MVM 6 and MVM 7 (instead of the median apodeme in Urophora). Thus, in other tephritid flies similarity in the structure of the ovipositor muscles may reflect similar morphofunctional adaptations to laying eggs into similar substrates, but similarity of Campiglossa and Oxyna in the structure of the ovipositor muscles is due to their close relations.     

Features of the structure of hymenoptera associated with miniaturization: 1. Anatomy of the fairyfly <Emphasis Type="Italic">Anaphes flavipes</Emphasis> (Hymenoptera,Mymaridae)

Anatomy of the adult fairyfly Anaphes flavipes (Hymenoptera, Mymaridae) is described in detail for the first time, based on series of sections and 3D computer reconstruction. Despite its tiny size, A. flavipes does not demonstrate strong morphological simplification, except for the merging of certain skeletal elements, a slight simplification of endoskeleton, lack of midgut muscles, a reduced number of Malpighian tubules, simplification of the tracheal and circulatory systems, asymmetry of the central nervous system, and the absence of several muscles.     

Description of the nymph of a Caucasian stonefly, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Taeniopteryx caucasica</Emphasis> Zhiltzova (Plecoptera,Taeniopterygidae)

The nymph of Taeniopteryx caucasica is described and illustrated for the first time. Supplementary data on the distribution of T. caucasica in the Caucasus are given.     

The male abdominal,genital and pregenital sclerites and musculature in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Neria commutata</Emphasis> (Czerny, 1930) (Diptera,Micropezidae)

The muscles of the male abdomen and genitalia of Micropezidae were studied for the first time by the example of Neria commutata (Czerny, 1930). Based on analysis of the sclerites and musculature of the male genitalia of Micropezidae as compared to those of the previously studied Acalyptratae and Aschiza, we revealed several apomorphies of this group. The hypandrial complex is characterized by the presence of the phallic retractors and protractors M1 and M2, and the epandrial complex, by the presence of muscles M3 of the subepandrial sclerite, muscles M4 of the surstyli, muscles M7 of the cerci, and also the tergosternal muscles M5; all these muscles correspond to the ground plan of Cyclorrhapha. The following characters are considered apomorphic: the splitting of intersegmental sternal muscles ISM5–6 into 4 pairs that ensure the functioning of the forcipate appendages of sternite V; development of syntergosternite VII and reduction of muscles ISM6–7; the splitting of muscles M3 of the subepandrial sclerite into 4 pairs, enhancing the function of this sclerite; the appearance of pregonites with the associated muscles M42, which probably occurred independently several times in the evolution of different groups of Cyclorrhapha; asymmetry of syntergosternites VII and VIII and their muscles. The sclerites and muscles of the epandrium and hypandrium are characterized by complete symmetry.     

The musculoskeletal system of male genitalia in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Curetis bulis</Emphasis> Westwood, 1851 (Lepidoptera,Lycaenidae: Curetinae) and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Paralaxita damajanti</Emphasis> (C. Felder et R. Felder, 1860) (Lepidoptera,Riodinidae: Nemeobiinae)

The muscles of the male genitalia were studied for the first time in two species endemic to the Oriental zoogeographical region, namely Curetis bulis from the subfamily Curetinae (Lycaenidae) and Paralaxita damajanti from the tribe Abisarini (Riodinidae). Both taxa possess a common plan of musculature reflected in the positions of muscles m1, m2(10), m5(7), m7(6), m21, and m28. Two new autapomorphies of Curetis bulis were discovered: the splitting of m4 into two muscles and a shift of the attachment site of one of these muscles onto the dorsal area of the anellus. Apomorphic differences in the position of the genital muscles were found between Paralaxita damajanti and the previously studied Polycaena tamerlana from the family Riodinidae. A new synapomorphy between the latter two species, namely splitting of the aedeagus protractors m6(5), was also found.     

Changes in defense allomone compositions of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Eutrichodesmus elegans</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Eutrichodesmus</Emphasis><Emphasis Type="Italic">armatus</Emphasis> (Polydesmida: Haplodesmidae) during different stages of their life cycles

A mixture of E- and Z-(2-nitrovinyl)benzenes is a known allomone of two adult haplodesmid millipedes, Eutrichodesmus elegans (Miyosi) (Polydesmida: Haplodesmidae) and Eutrichodesmus armatus (Miyosi), as is (2-nitroethyl)benzene in E. armatus. However, the proportions of these compounds have not yet been studied in detail at the nymph stage. In the present study, the ratios of these three nitro compounds were shown to change during ontogenetic development. (2-Nitroethyl)benzene was newly detected as the second major component of the mixture in both species at stage I, just after eggs hatched (mean 43.0% in E. armatus and 7.8% in E. elegans), decreasing rapidly to less than 0.1% during growth. These changes occurred in a species-specific manner; field-collected E. armatus maintained a characteristic mixture of E- and Z-(2-nitrovinyl)benzenes (59.9–98.2 and 40.0–1.4%, respectively) during all stages including the adult stage. On the other hand, E. elegans contained E-(2-nitrovinyl)benzene as the major component (98.7–99.7%) with Z-(2-nitrovinyl)benzene as a trace component (less than 1.2%), while a minute amount of (2-nitroethyl)benzene was always retained during all nymph and adult stages. No volatiles were detected in eggs before hatching, and sequential changes of composition were observed among the three compounds after emergence in both species.     

Phylogenetic insights on Mediterranean and Afrotropical <Emphasis Type="Italic">Rhipicephalus</Emphasis> species (Acari: Ixodida) based on mitochondrial DNA

This study was performed to determine the tick species that infest cattle and humans throughout an altitudinal gradient in the Yungas Biogeographic Province of Argentina. The presence of tick-borne bacteria of the genera Rickettsia, Ehrlichia and Borrelia in the collected ticks was also evaluated. Samples of ticks parasitizing cattle and humans were carried out in different seasons. Questing ticks (adults and nymphs) were collected from vegetation and analyzed to detect the presence of Rickettsia, Ehrlichia and Borrelia by a battery of different PCRs. Five species of hard ticks were found parasitizing cattle: Amblyomma sculptum, Amblyomma tonelliae, Amblyomma hadanii, Haemaphysalis juxtakochi and Ixodes pararicinus. Amblyomma sculptum (immature and adults), A. tonelliae (immature and adults), A. hadanii (larvae) and one nymph of I. pararicinus were found attached to humans. Rickettsia amblyommatis was detected in one nymph of A. hadanii. DNA of a Borrelia genospecies belonging to the B. burgdorferi s.l. complex (phylogenetically related to haplotypes previously reported in Ixodes aragaoi from Uruguay and I. pararicinus from Argentina) was detected in adults of I. pararicinus. Amblyomma sculptum and I. pararicinus appear to be the tick species more frequent on cattle in the YBP from Argentina, and A. sculptum and A. tonelliae, were the main ticks found attached to humans. The medical importance of the bacteria of the genus Rickettsia and Borrelia detected in this work remains unknown.     

Morphological description of four species belonging to the genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Nigrobaetis</Emphasis> (Ephemeroptera: Baetidae) from Japan

We associated imagoes and nymphs of four Nigrobaetis species from Japan and described their morphological characters. We found that N. sp. P comprised two Nigrobaetis species in Kanto Plain and in Ishigaki Island, which we described as N. apterus Fujitani n. sp. and N. ishigakiensis Fujitani n. sp., respectively. We also described N. sp. I as N. latus Fujitani n. sp. We recorded N. acinaciger (Kluge), the nymph of which had been confused with N. chocoratus (Gose), from Japan for the first time. We provide identification keys for eight Nigrobaetis species of Japan.     

Musculature of the Male Abdominal Segments and Terminalia in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Musca autumnalis</Emphasis> De Geer, 1776 and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pyrellia rapax</Emphasis> (Harris, 1780) (Diptera,Muscidae: Muscini)

The structure of the abdominal and pregenital segments and genitalia of males was studied in Pyrellia rapax (Harris, 1780) and Musca autumnalis De Geer, 1776 (Muscidae, Muscini). The musculature of these species is compared with that in Musca domestica Linnaeus, 1758 (Muscidae) and Scathophaga stercoraria (Linnaeus, 1758) (Scathophagidae), previously investigated by O.G. Ovtshinnikova. Morphological analysis of sclerites and muscles of abdominal and pregenital segments and genitalia of males in Pyrellia rapax, Musca autumnalis, and M. domestica demonstrates processes of reduction in Musca as compared with P. rapax and S. stercoraria.     

Soybean aphid, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Aphis glycines</Emphasis> (Hemiptera: Aphididae), developmental and reproductive capacity on white clover, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Trifolium repens</Emphasis> (Rosales: Leguminosae), in northeast China

Nymphs of Aphis glycines Matsumura were individually reared to adults in the laboratory on detached leaf discs of Trifolium repens L. (white clover) mounted on agar medium. Adults of A. glycines were fed T. repens within small clip cages in the field. Development, reproduction and intrinsic rates of increase of A. glycines were studied. These data were compared to those of controls fed known host plants including cultivated soybean Glycine max (L.) Merr. and the wild soybean species Glycine soja Sieb & Zucc. The results demonstrated that nymphs of A. glycines successfully developed into adults and reproduced efficiently when reared on T. repens in the laboratory. The lower development temperature threshold for nymphs fed T. repens was estimated as 8.27 °C, and the effective cumulative temperature for A. glycines development from nymph to adult was 90.91 degree-days. Adults of A. glycines could also survive on T. repens in the field, but only a few nymphs were produced.     

Virulence of the entomopathogenic fungus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Metarhizium anisopliae</Emphasis> using soybean oil formulation for control of the cotton stainer bug, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Dysdercus peruvianus</Emphasis>

The cotton stainer bug Dysdercus peruvianus (Hemiptera: Pyrrhocoridae) is an insect pest that causes heavy losses in cotton plantations. The need to reduce the use of insecticides for control of this pest has increased steadily, and Metarhizium anisopliae (Ascomycota: Clavicipitaceae) could be an important biopesticide candidate to control this pest. The effect of M. anisopliae on D. peruvianus nymphs and adults using formulations with soybean oil and Agral^® was evaluated. Formulation using 10% soybean oil added to 10⁸ conidia mL^?1 (grown on used and reused rice) was the most effective for nymph and adult, causing 100% mortality 6 and 7 days after exposure, respectively. The SEM analysis of infected insects showed that M. anisopliae conidia were able to adhere anywhere on the exoskeleton, but were more abundant between the joints. Using the same rice for two batches of growth may be an option for improving commercial conidial production of M. anisopliae and may reduce overall costs. Its effect on D. peruvianus adults opens a new possibility for using this fungus as an alternative to chemical pesticides and the use of M. anisopliae in association with integrate pest management.     

New species of the buprestid genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Endelus</Emphasis> Deyrolle (Coleoptera,Buprestidae) from China,India, and Laos

Endelus (Kubaniellus) indicus sp. n. from India, E. (K.) lao sp. n. and E. (K.) khnzoriani sp. n. from Laos, E. (s. str.) sausai sp. n. from China, and E. (s. str.) dembickyi sp. n. from India are described, the two latter species are included in the Endelus bicarinatus Théry, 1932 species-group recently established by the author. E. collinus Obenberger, 1922 is included in this group; lectotype of this species is designated. Keys to species of the subgenus Kubaniellus and of the E. collinus group are provided. E. (K.) kareni Kalashian is for the first time recorded for Shaanxi Prov., E. pacholatkoi Kalashian, E. smaragdinus Desc. et Vill., and E collinus Obenb., for Laos (the latter species, also for Myanmar).     

New data on the taxonomy,distribution, and ecology of the weevil genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Otiorhynchus</Emphasis> germar (Coleoptera,Curculionidae)

The subgenus Pocusogetus Rtt. of the genus Otiorhynchus Germ. is revised. The subgenus includes O. rosti Strl., O. shapovalovi Davidian et Yunakov, O. obsulcatus Strl., O. fischtensis Rtt., and O. gusakovi sp. n. closely related to O. fischtensis (both from Mt. Fisht, the Western Caucasus). O. fischtensis is transferred from the subgenus Vicoranius Rtt., its lectotype is designated. A key to species of Pocusogetus is given. The systematic position of the subgenera Pocusogetus and Vicoranius in the genus Otiorhynchus is discussed. New data on the geographical distribution and ecology of the little-known species of the subgenera Obvoderus Rtt., Pseudoprovadilus Magnano, and Clypeorhynchus Yunakov et Arzanov are given. Some features of ecological differentiation between Otiorhynchus species in the alpine and subalpine zones of the Caucasus are discussed.     

A review of the genera <Emphasis Type="Italic">Calotelea,Calliscelio</Emphasis>, and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Oxyscelio</Emphasis> (Scelioninae,Scelionidae, Proctotrupoidea) from the Palaearctic fauna

Nine new species of scelionids collected in Japan, Israel, and the Ukraine, Calotelea shimurai Kononova et Fursov, C. japonica Kononova, C. stellae Kononova, Calliscelio recens Kononova, C. floridum Kononova, C. parilis Kononova, C. ordo Kononova, Oxyscelio florum Kononova, and O. perpensum Kononova, are described. A brief morphological characteristics of the mentioned genera and some data on the geographical distribution of these species are given. Calotelea shimurai differs from C. striola Kononova in the sculpture of the metasoma (tergites I–III striate, whereas in C. striola striation present only on tergites I and II), fore-wing venation (stigmal vein of C. shimurai 0.43 times as long as postmarginal vein and 1.75 times as long as marginal one; in C. striola, stigmal vein 0.52 times as long as postmarginal vein and 1.3 times as long as marginal one), and the length of the metasoma (in C. shimurai and C. striola, metasoma 4.0 and 2.3 times as long as wide, respectively). Calotelea shimurai parasitizes in eggs of the dragonflies Aeshna nigroflava Martin, Planaeschna milnei Selys, and Boyeria macachlani (Aeshnidae, Odonata). C. japonica is closely related to C. originalis Kozlov and Kononova, but differs from it in the sculpture of the metasoma (metasomal tergites with longitudinal wrinkles against the bright smooth background; in C. originalis, tergites I and II with longitudinal wrinkles against the alveolate background), in the coloration of fore wing (infuscate in C. japonica and dark, with dark transverse stripes in C. originalis). C. stellae differs from C. artus Kozlov and Kononova in the more flattened mesoscutum (C. artus with protruding mesoscutum) and the sculpture of the metasomal tergites (in C. stellae, only petiolus and tergite II striate, while in C. artus, such striation present on tergites I–IV). C. stellae was reared from eggs of unidentified Orthoptera. C. recens is closely related to C. parilis Kononova. It can be distinguished by the fore-wing venation (C. recens has stigmal vein, which is twice as long as marginal vein and 0.66 times as long as postmarginal one; stigmal vein of C. parilis is 3 times as long as marginal vein and 0.83 times as long as postmarginal one), by the sculpture of the metasoma, and coloration of the coxae (yellow in C. recens and black in C. parilis). C. floridum is similar to C. mediterranea Kieffer, but can be identified by the length of the postmarginal vein, which is 3 times as long as the stigmal vein, whereas C. mediterranea has the postmarginal vein, which is only twice as long as the stigmal one. C. floridum also differs in the sculpture of the metasoma (C. floridum has all the metasomal tergites with longitudinal lines, while C. mediterranea has only metasomal petiolus with the same sculpture and tergites II–IV with alveolate sculpture, tergites V and VI are slightly stippled) and in the coloration of the legs, which are yellow (as coxae), while C. mediterranea has brownish black legs. C. parilis resembles C. recens, but differs from it in the fore-wing venation, sculpture of the metasoma, and coloration of the coxae. C. ordo differs from the closely related C. ruficollis Kozlov et Kononova in the head sculpture, which is finely alveolate in C. ordo and finely granulate in C. ruficollis. Oxyscelio florum is closely related to O. perpensum, but differs from it in the coloration of the body and size of the antennal segments, stigmal and postmarginal veins, and metasomal tergites. O. perpensum is closely related to O. florum. The main distinguishing morphological characters are similar to those in O. florum. O. perpensum was reared from eggs of unidentified Orthoptera.     

New palaearctic species of the subgenus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Telenomus</Emphasis> (Hymenoptera,Scelionidae, Telenominae), having the mesoscutum with parapsidal furrows

Five new species of the genus Telenomus, subgenus Telenomus [Telenomus (T.) decoratus Kononova, sp. n., T. (T.) erectus Kononova, sp. n., T. (T.) notus Kononova, sp. n., T. (T.) clarus Kononova, sp. n., and T. (T.) gratus Kononova, sp. n.], collected from the Ukraine, Bulgaria, and Russia (Kunashir Island), are described for the first time. T. (T.) decoratus differs from the species with the mesoscutum bearing parapsidal furrows in the oblong tergite II with alveolate sculpture. T. (T.) erectus is closely related to T. (T.) lachesis Kozlov et Kononova and can be distinguished by the longer thorax and abdominal tergite I with longitudinal rugae. T. (T.) notus differs from the similar T. (T.) erectus in the sculpture and shape of the abdomen and coloration of the legs. T. (T.) clarus differs from T. (T.) lineolatus Kozlov in the sculpture of the frontal depression: granulate in T. (T.) clarus and smooth and lustrous in T. (T.) lineolatus. T. (T.) gratus is similar to T. (T.) atropos; its specific features are the head much wider than long and the smooth and lustrous tergite I.     

Revision of the shield-bug genera <Emphasis Type="Italic">Holcostethus</Emphasis> Fieber and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Peribalus</Emphasis> Mulsant et Rey (Heteroptera,Pentatomidae) of the Palaearctic Region

A complex of the heteropteran genera centering around Peribalus Mulsant et Rey and Holcostethus Fieber is considered. The genus Dryadocoris Kirkaldy reveals no relationship with the above genera and is believed to represent a separate clade of the family Pentatomidae. The genera Peribalus and Holcostethus are revised. The former includes three subgenera: Peribalus s. str. with two species, Asioperibalus subgen. n. (type species Cimex inclusus Dohrn) with six species, and Tianocoris subgen. n. (type species Holcostethus manifestus Kiritshenko) with two species. Holcostethus embraces two subgenera: Holcostethus s. str. and the monotypic Enigmocoris subgen. n. (type species H. fissiceps Horváth). Two new species are described: Peribalus tianshanicus sp. n. from the Tien Shan Mts. and P. przewalskii sp. n. from the northern part of China (Huan He River). P. capitatus Jakovlev and P. vernalis (Wolff) are downgraded to subspecies of P. strictus (F.). P. ovatus Jakovlev is synonymized with P. inclusus (Dohrn). Two new monotypic genera related to the revised complex of genera are established, Paraholcostethus gen. n. (type species Peribalus breviceps Horváth) and Himalayastethus gen. n. (type species H. pilosus sp. n. from Kashmir). A key to, and morphometric characters for all the taxa considered are provided. The key characters, including both male and female genitalia, are illustrated, and distributional maps are given.     

Revision of the carabid genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Meroctenus</Emphasis> Gemminger et Harold,with a new status of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Xenodochus</Emphasis> Andrewes (Coleoptera,Carabidae: Harpalini)

Originally described as a monotypical genus with unclear taxonomic position from Sudan, Meroctenus Gemminger et Harold, 1868 is treated as a polytypical genus of the Selenophori genus group with two subgenera: Meroctenus s. str. and Xenodochus Andrewes, 1941, stat. n. (the latter was previously considered a distinct genus). Within Meroctenus, two species are recognized: M. (Meroctenus) crenulatus Chaudoir, 1843 (type species) and M. (M.) mediocris (Andrewes, 1936), comb, n., transferred to Meroctenus s. str. from Xenodochus. A new subspecies M. (M.) crenulatus orientalis subsp. n. is described from Pakistan. Diagnoses of the genus Meroctenus in new interpretation as well as of its two subgenera are discussed, and a taxonomic review of the subgenus Meroctenus s. str. with a key to the species and subspecies is provided. The following synonymy is proposed: Meroctenus Gemminger et Harold, 1868 = Paregaploa Müller, 1947, syn. n.; Meroctenus crenulatus (Chaudoir, 1843) = Egaploa (Paregaploa) conviva Müller, 1947, syn. n. Lectotypes are designated for Ctenomerus crenulatus Chaudoir, 1843 and Xenodus mediocris Andrewes, 1936.