Cytotaxonomy of the triatominae (Reduviidae: Hemiptera)

The chromosome number and meiotic cycle of 20 species of Triatominae have been investigated. In the male, there are five types of chromosome complement: 20+XY, 20+X₁X₂Y, 20+X₁X₂X₃Y, 18+XY and 22+XY.The cytological data suggest that the type number for the subfamily is 22 (20+XY). In the hybrids: Triatoma barberi () and T. protracta (), anomalous behavior of certain chromosomes has been observed. Phylogenetic relationships based on chromosome evidence in the subfamily have been discussed. It is suggested that fragmentation is the major factor for chromosome evolution in the group.     

Sampling of Cacopsylla pyri (Hemiptera: Psyllidae) and Pilophorus gallicus (Hemiptera: Miridae) in pear orchards

The psyllid Cacopsylla pyri L. (Hemiptera: Psyllidae), is one of the principal pests of pear (Pyrus spp.) orchards and, along with its natural enemies, needs to be carefully monitored for correct integrate pest management and biological pest control decision making. We compare sampling techniques and develop sampling methods for C. pyri and Pilophorus gallicus Remane (Heteroptera: Miridae). Four pear orchards were sampled periodically from 2007 to 2010 in southern Spain by beating branches into funnels or 45-cm-diameter nets and taking shoot samples. Different sampling techniques were compared, and several sampling methods were assayed for adults and nymphs of C. pyri and P. gallicus. Psylla adult and P. gallicus counts in the nets and funnels were similar and closely correlated. Counts of C. pyri adults in the funnels and nets were higher than on shoots, but all measures were closely correlated. The number of nymphs on shoots and leaves was correlated, as were the counts on leaves within shoots. A guide for choosing the sampling unit in cost/precision terms is given. C. pyri nymphs and adults showed an aggregated distribution, whereas P. gallicus had a less-crowded spatial distribution. Enumerative sequential sampling was evaluated for both insects by using the different sampling techniques by resampling experimental data. The negative binomial distribution fitted the experimental data gathered using the different sampling techniques for C. pyri adults and P. gallicus. The use of binomial sampling is discussed for the two insects and the costs involved are compared with those implied in the sequential enumerative method.     

Evolution of the planthoppers (Insecta: Hemiptera: Fulgoroidea)

The planthopper superfamily Fulgoroidea (Insecta: Hemiptera) comprises approximately 20 described insect families, depending on which classification is followed. Multiple competing hypotheses of fulgoroid phylogeny have been published, based on either morphological character coding or DNA sequence data; however, those hypotheses disagree in several key aspects regarding the evolution of planthoppers. The current paper seeks to test these hypotheses, including the Asche (Asche, M. 1987. Preliminary thoughts on the phylogeny of Fulgoromorpha (Homoptera Auchenorrhyncha). In: Proceedings of the 6th Auchenorrhyncha Meeting, Turin, Italy, 7-11 September, 1987, pp. 47-53.) hypothesis of a trend in ovipositor structure, which may be correlated with planthopper feeding ecology. Presented here are phylogenetic reconstructions of Fulgoroidea based on analysis of DNA nucleotide sequence data from four loci (18S rDNA, 28S rDNA, Histone 3, and Wingless) sequenced from 83 exemplar taxa representing 18 planthopper families and outgroups. Data sets were analyzed separately and in various combinations under the maximum parsimony criterion, and the total combined dataset was analyzed via both maximum parsimony and partitioned Bayesian criteria; results of the combined analyses were concordant across reconstruction paradigms. Relationships recovered suggest several major planthopper lineages, including: (1) Delphacidae+Cixiidae; (2) Kinnaridae+Meenoplidae; (3) Fulgoridae+Dictyopharidae; (4) Lophopidae+Eurybrachidae (possibly+Flatidae); (5) Ricaniidae+Caliscelidae (possibly+Tropiduchidae). Results also suggest the placement of Achilixiidae outside of Cixiidae and of Tettigometridae as one of the more recently diversified lineages within Fulgoroidea. The resulting phylogeny supports Asche's (1987) hypothesis of a functional trend in ovipositor structure across families.     

Host plant use for oviposition by Trigonotylus caelestialium (Hemiptera: Miridae) and Stenotus rubrovittatus (Hemiptera: Miridae)

The main hosts and sites of oviposition for the two bugs, Trigonotylus caelestialium (Kirkaldy) (Hemiptera: Miridae) and Stenotus rubrovittatus (Matsumura) (Hemiptera: Miridae), that cause pecky rice were investigated in 24 poaceous plants. Nymphs of T. caelestialium emerged from both spikelets and leaf sheaths, while nymphs of S. rubrovittatus emerged almost exclusively from spikelets. Suitable plants for oviposition by T. caelestialium are Lolium multiflorum, Digitaria violascens and Hordeum murinum, while Poa annua, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Alopecurus aequalis and D. violascens were preferentially used by S. rubrovittatus. There was a greater difference in the number of nymphs emerging from different plants for S. rubrovittatus than for T. caelestialium. This difference may be because T. caelestialium can oviposit on leaf sheaths if the spikelets are not suitable for oviposition, whereas S. rubrovittatus only oviposits on spikelets. Although both bugs oviposited on spikelets, the internal oviposition sites were different. In D. ciliaris, T. caelestialium laid all eggs between the lemma of the first floret and the second floret, whereas S. rubrovittatus laid eggs almost exclusively inside the second floret. In contrast, in P. annua, T. caelestialium laid all eggs inside the florets, whereas S. rubrovittatus laid eggs both between and inside the florets.     

True bugs (Hemiptera,Heteroptera) as psyllid predators (Hemiptera,Psylloidea)

Data on natural enemies of psyllids are rare and can usually be found in papers about economically significant species. During an investigation of psyllid fauna in Serbia, natural enemies were investigated, too. True bugs were the most numerous among them. From 28 psyllid species, 21 species of true bugs from families Anthocoridae and Miridae were reared. Seven species of Anthocoridae were identified: Anthocoris amplicollis (Horváth, 1839), Anthocoris confusus Reuter, 1884, Anthocoris nemoralis (Fabricius, 1794), Anthocoris nemorum (Linnaeus, 1761), Orius majusculus Reuter, 1884, Orius minutus (Linnaeus, 1758) and Orius niger Wolff, 1811. The following 14 species of Miridae were identified: Atractotomus mali Meyer-Dür, 1843, Campylomma verbasci (Meyer-Dür, 1843), Deraeocoris flavilinea (A. Costa, 1862), Deraeocoris ruber (Linnaeus, 1758), Deraeocoris lutescens (Schilling, 1836), Heterocordylus genistae (Scopoli, 1763), Hypseloecus visci (Puton, 1888), Malacocoris chlorizans Panzer, 1794, Miris striatus (Linnaeus, 1758), Orthotylus marginalis Reuter, 1884, Psallus assimilis Stichel, 1956, Psallus quercus Kirschbaum, 1856, Psallus flavellus Stichel, 1933 and Pseudoloxops coccinea (Meyer-Dür, 1843). The aim of the research was to provide list of true bugs recorded as predators of psyllids in order to preserve their diversity and significance, especially on cultivated plants.     

Role of different habitats for the functional response of Crytorrhinus lividipennis (Hemiptera: Miridae) on Nilaparvata lugens (Hemiptera: Delphacidae)

The functional response of a predator, Cyrtorrhinus lividipennis, on the brown planthopper, Nilaparvata lugens, was investigated in two different experimental habitats: a piece of tiller in a petri dish (5.5?cm in diameter) and a rice plant in a net cage (5.5?cm diameter?×?43?cm height) for 24?h at room temperature. In the petri dish experiment, 2nd–5th instar nymphs, adult male, and female C. lividipennis were introduced in separate experiments to eggs of N. lugens at densities of five, 10, 20, 30, and 40 eggs per piece of rice. In the rice plant experiment, each C. lividipennis was introduced to a cage with a rice plant containing N. lugens eggs. After 24?h, the number of dead eggs and remaining eggs were counted and data fitted to three functional response models. Among the three types of functional responses, Type II best described the predator response to host densities in N. lugens in both experimental habitats, according to the logistic regression analysis value. The results showed that C. lividipennis was a more effective predator in the rice plant experiment compared to the disc experiment. Additionally, the searching efficiency and handling time parameters were different in the two different experimental habitats. This may cause errors when applying the functional response to biological control and predator–prey models. Different habitats and other environmental conditions from the experiment and natural rice field have to be considered.     

Uroleucon sonchi (Linnaeus) (Hemiptera: Aphididae) in Australia

Uroleucon sonchi, an aphid species of Palaearctic origin, is a recent adventive to Australia. It is now widespread in anthropic areas of all states and the Australian Capital Territory, principally on sowthistles ( Sonchus spp.) but also on lettuce. It is occasionally parasitised by Aphidius sonchi Marshall (Hymenoptera: Braconidae). Its possible economic importance in Australia is discussed. The species is also recorded for the first time from Norfolk and Philip Islands.     

Review of the Australian aphrophorid spittlebugs (Hemiptera: Aphrophoridae)

Abstract A review of the Aphrophoridae (Hemiptera: Auchenorrhyncha: Cercopoidea) occurring in Australia has revealed closer links between the Australian fauna and those of the Pacific region than were previously acknowledged. A key to the Australian genera is provided along with a diagnosis for each genus and a list of described Australian species with notes on each. Taxonomic changes proposed are: Neoaphrophora China synonymised with Anyllis Kirkaldy; Eurycercopis Kirkaldy synonymised with Interocrea Walker; Aphrophora rufiventris Walker and Philagra vittata Metcalf and Horton synonymised with Philagra parva (Donovan). New combinations proposed are: Amarusa australis (Jacobi) (from Eoptyelus ); Anyllis tiegsi (China) (from Neoaphrophora ); Interocrea nigrofasciata (Kirkaldy) (from Eurycercopis ); Interocrea regalis (Lallemand) (from Clovia ); Liorhina loxosema (Hacker) (from Clovia ). To provide a single reference point for the species and, for species described by Hacker (1926) and Jacobi (1928) , to validate apparent holotype intentions by those authors, lectotypes are designated for: Ptyelus homochrous Hacker; Eurycercopis nigrofasciata Kirkaldy; Clovia regalis Lallemand; Clovia loxosema Hacker; Philagra concolor Hacker; Philagra fulvida Hacker; Philagra recurva Jacobi. The probable whereabouts of the type specimen of Philagra parva (Donovan) are discussed. The origin of the holotype of Novaphrophara tasmaniae Lallemand is discussed; the Australian record is almost certainly incorrect.     

鞭蝽次目分类学研究进展

鞭蝽次目是异翅亚目(蝽类昆虫)的7个次目之一,由于其体型微小、颜色暗淡、生活习性隐秘等特点,导致其成为蝽类昆虫中目前研究最少、资料最不详尽的类群。该类群在异翅亚目中处在近基部的位置,对于研究异翅亚目的系统发育关系具有重要作用。本文简述了鞭蝽次目的分类学研究历史,回顾了世界及中国的研究概况,并且从经典分类学、比较形态学以及分子系统学等方面对鞭蝽次目最新的研究进展进行综述,简要讨论了目前研究中存在的问题和研究前景。     

Revision of the Neotropical genus Nyttum (Hemiptera: Coreidae)

Abstract The Neotropical genus Nyttum, belonging to the wholly New World tribe Acanthocephalini of the plant-feeding heteropterous family Coreidae, is redescribed. Its distribution is shown to extend from Mexico to Uruguay. Nyttum limbatum Spinola, from Brazil, and N.punctatum (Dallas), widespread in South and Central America, are redescribed; Anasa perfusa Distant is synonymized with N.punctatum. Seven new species are described: Nyttum amaralae, from Uruguay; N.beckeri, from Brazil and 'West Indies' N.nigrum, from Venezuela; N.pallens, from Mexico; N.pulchrum, from Peru; N.rubrum, from Brazil; and N.spinolai from Brazil and Guyana. A key to the species is included. Placoscelis is regarded as the genus most closely related to Nyttum and it is shown that the same two types of paramere and the same two types of aedaegus occur in both genera.  

Resumen

. Se redescribe el género neotropical Nyttum, perteneciente a la tribu Acanthocephalini que se encuentra exclusivamente en el Nuevo Mundo, dentro de la familia Coreidae (Hemiptera-Heteroptera) que se alimenta exclusivamente de vegetales. Se indica que la distribución de este género se extiende desde Mexico al Uruguay. Se redescriben Nyttum limbatum Spinola del Brasil y N.punctatum (Dallas), de amplia distribución en América del Sur y Central. Anasa perfusa Distant es sinonimizada con N.punctatum. Se describen siete neuvas especies: Nyttum amaralae, del Uruguay; N.beckeri, del Brasil e 'Indias Occindentales' N.nigrum, de Venezuela; N.pallens, de Mexico; N.pulchrum, de Perú; N.rubrum, de Brasil; y N.spinolai, de Brasil y Guyana. Se incluye una clava para la separation de las especies. Se considera que Placoscelis es el género mas cercano a Nyttum, y se indica que los mismos dos tipos de parameros y los mismos dos tipos de aedeagus se encuentran en ambos.     

Ultrastructure of the kinetochore inGraphosoma italicum (Hemiptera: Heteroptera)

Summary Ultrastructural analysis of the centromere in the germ-line ofGraphosoma italicum (Hemiptera: Heteroptera) (2n=12 + XY) revealed differences between mitotic and meiotic chromosomes. In mitotic spermatogonial divisions a trilaminar kinetochore plate extending almost the entire length of the chromosomes is present. Meiotic chromosomes, on the contrary, lack trilamellar kinetochore plate, although one chromosome end exhibits a round structure which is denser than the remainder chromatin and resembles a ball and cup kinetochore. These structures are orientated towards the poles and sometimes show associated microtubules. Additionally, the meiotic chromosomes are surrounded by a complex system of membranes. The possible role of the round structure and of the complex membrane system in meiotic segregation is discussed.     

麦长管蚜虫龄鉴别特征

【目的】为明确麦长管蚜Sitobion avenae (Fabricius)虫龄鉴别特征, 达到快速鉴别的目的。【方法】在成像观察的基础上, 测定无翅型和有翅型个体不同虫龄的体长、 体宽、 头壳宽、 触角长、 腹管长和后足胫节长6项指标。【结果】麦长管蚜不同翅型个体的体长、 体宽、 头壳宽、 触角长、 腹管长和后足胫节长在虫龄间均存在显著差异, 其中体长、 体宽、 头壳宽和触角长在相邻虫龄之间重叠程度大, 后足胫节长的重叠百分比极小或无重叠; 除有翅型个体4龄若蚜和成蚜之间存在13.93%的重叠外, 腹管长在不同翅型的其他相邻虫龄之间重叠百分比均极小或无重叠, 说明后足胫节长和腹管长可作为虫龄鉴定的主要特征。翅、 触角和尾片的其他外部形态特征在虫龄间也存在一定差异： 3-4龄有翅型若蚜和成蚜虫个体前胸的膨大程度及其翅的长度明显大于同一龄期的无翅型个体, 可用于蚜虫翅型的分辨以及3-4龄有翅若蚜和成蚜的鉴别; 麦长管蚜1和2龄若蚜触角均为5节, 3-4龄若蚜和成蚜的触角均为6节; 同时, 除了成蚜具有完整的尾片外, 1-4龄若蚜尾片均不发达, 说明触角的节数和尾片的发达程度可作为麦长管蚜不同龄期形态鉴别的辅助特征。【结论】以腹管和后足胫节作为麦长管蚜虫龄鉴别的主要特征, 配合其他辅助特征, 如翅的大小、 触角的节数以及尾片的发达程度等, 可达到快速鉴别不同翅型不同龄期蚜虫的目的。     

A revision of Neomegalotomus (Hemiptera: Alydidae)

We recognize two species in Neomegalotomus, N. parvus (Westwood), the type species; and N. rufipes (Westwood). The two species are redescribed from type specimens, and are keyed. We synonymize the following species with Neomegalotomus parvus: N. simplex (Westwood), N. latifascia (Berg), and N. pallescens (St?l) (all new synonymies). We synonymize N. jamaicensis (Westwood) with N. rufipes (new synonymy). The type specimens of all species hitherto placed in the genus are also redescribed, except those of N. debilis (Walker) and N. vicinus (Westwood). N. parvus occurs from México through Central America into northern Argentina and east into Venezuela and adjacent Caribbean islands. N. rufipes is widespread in the Caribbean south towards Venezuela. The two species overlap in distribution: N. parvus is found on St. Vincent and Tobago, whereas N. rufipes occurs on Grenada, which lies between those two islands.     

DNA barcodes for two scale insect families, mealybugs (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) and armored scales (Hemiptera: Diaspididae)

Although DNA barcode coverage has grown rapidly for many insect orders, there are some groups, such as scale insects, where sequence recovery has been difficult. However, using a recently developed primer set, we recovered barcode records from 373 specimens, providing coverage for 75 species from 31 genera in two families. Overall success was >90% for mealybugs and >80% for armored scale species. The G·C content was very low in most species, averaging just 16.3%. Sequence divergences (K2P) between congeneric species averaged 10.7%, while intra-specific divergences averaged 0.97%. However, the latter value was inflated by high intra-specific divergence in nine taxa, cases that may indicate species overlooked by current taxonomic treatments. Our study establishes the feasibility of developing a comprehensive barcode library for scale insects and indicates that its construction will both create an effective system for identifying scale insects and reveal taxonomic situations worthy of deeper analysis.     

Suitability of Aphis craccivora (Hemiptera: Aphididae) and Bemisia tabaci (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) biotype-B as prey for Chrysopa pallens (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae)

The suitability of Aphis craccivora Koch (Hemiptera: Aphididae) and Bemisia tabaci Gennadius (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) biotype-B eggs and nymphs as prey for pre-imaginal development and survival, adult longevity, and fecundity of the lacewing, Chrysopa pallens (Rambur) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) was evaluated under laboratory conditions at 25±1°C, 50±10% RH and a photoperiod of 16 h L:8 h D. Survival of C. pallens from first instar to adult eclosion was significantly different between the larvae that fed on the two prey species. C. pallens fed on A. craccivora completed development from egg to adult emergence, but those fed on eggs and nymphs of B. tabaci could not complete development, resulting in abnormal pupae and no normal adults emerged. The net reproductive rate (R ₀), intrinsic rate of natural population increase (r _m ), finite rate of increase (λ), mean generation time (T), index of population trend (I), doubling time (DT), and gross reproductive of rate (GRR) of C. pallens that fed on A. craccivora were 201.9 eggs per female, 0.13/d, 1.1/d, 40.1 d, 68.5, 5.2 d, 203.1 eggs per female, respectively. These results could be useful for mass-rearing of C. pallens and for understanding its population dynamics in the field in relation to the availability of different prey species.     

New records of mango shield scale Milviscutulus mangiferae (Green) (Hemiptera: Coccidae) and Brevennia rehi (Lindinger) (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) in north Queensland

Abstract  The first Australian records of mango shield scale ( Milviscutulus mangiferae ) from north Queensland and additional records from parts of Papua New Guinea are presented. The majority of specimens were collected from mango leaves ( Mangifera indica ). A summary of its known distribution, other hosts, identification and damage levels is also presented. Also, the detection of rice mealybug ( Brevennia rehi ) in far north Queensland is reported for the first time. This pest is known to occur in the Northern Territory. The north Queensland detections are from native grasses. The records presented here, for both species, are regarded as new detections, rather than new incursions.