Checklist of American Coptotriche (Insecta: Lepidoptera: Tischeriidae) with descriptions of two new species from the tropical forest of Belize (Central America)

Two new species are described from the tropical forest of Belize: Coptotriche singularis (host-plant unknown) and C. forsteroniae (leaf-miner on Forsteronia myriantha, Apocynaceae). The external features and male genitalia are figured and described for both species. A checklist of Coptotriche species comprising 31 species currently known from the Americas is given. Most of the species are known from mainland USA and Canada, and only a few from the Neotropics (the Caribbean and Belize).     

Checklist of African Tischeriidae (Insecta: Lepidoptera) with a redescription of the formerly neglected Tischeria urticicolella from Equatorial Africa

Tischeria urticicolella (Ghesquière, 1940)--a poorly studied species from the Democratic Republic of Congo and formerly known as a member of the Gracillariidae--is redescribed and reported as belonging to the Tischeriidae for the first time. The external features and male genitalia are figured and described. A checklist and distribution map for all 18 Tischeriidae species currently recorded from Africa (including the Canary Islands) are given.     

The genitalia of termites (isoptera): Possibilities of using in taxonomy

An attempt has been made to use some structures of the external genitalia in the taxonomy of termites. Twenty-five species of four largest families were examined. Only the female external genitalia appeared to be suitable for identification of species, with some genital structures (medisternite, basivalvae, parasternites, etc.) being most important for these purposes. The taxonomic suitability of these structures is different in different families. In the family Kalotermitidae, the medisternite and spermathecal opening are strongly sclerotized and suitable for the species identification, whereas the basivalvae are reduced or lost. In Hodotermitidae, the basivalvae are well-developed and their shape is different in different species. Structural features of the basivalvae and spermathecal opening are species-specific in Rhinotermitidae, the shape of the basivalvae and position of the spermathecal opening, in Termitidae. In addition, species of Termitidae have a characteristic strigation of the basivalvae. In Macrotermitinae and Nasutitermitinae, the anterior margins of sternite IX are well sclerotized and form parasternites. The structures proposed by us as diagnostic vary only within species.     

A remarkable new species of Stephensia Stainton (Insecta: Lepidoptera: Elachistidae) from Belize rainforest (Central America)

Stephensia armata sp. n., a remarkable species is described from Belize (Central America). The external features and genitalia of the male are figured and described in detail. A distribution map for all six Elachistidae species, currently recorded from tropical America, is given: Perittia smaragdophanes (Meyrick), P. punatensis Kaila, Elachista albisquamella Zeller, E. saccharella (Busck), E. vasrana Kaila and Stephensia armata Sruoga, sp. n.     

Neotropical Emerald moths: a review of the genera (Lepidoptera: Geometridae, Geometrinae)

The classification of the Neotropical genera of the Geometrinae is reviewed and 38 genera are recognized (including one nomen dubium). Seven generic synonyms are newly established and the genus Gnathosocia is described as new. Other changes established in this work include 1 species synonym and 36 new or reinstated combinations. A key to genera, based on external features, is provided for their identification. External features and genitalia of representatives of each genus are illustrated. All the 506 known Neotropical species and subspecies of Geometrinae are catalogued and details of type material, examined extensively, are given.     

A revision of the Afrotropical taxa of the genus Amerila Walker (Lepidoptera: Arctiidae)

This paper comprises a complete revision of the Afrotropical species of the genus Amerila ( Rhodogastria auct.), based on adult morphology. Examination of type material for most described taxa has resulted in numerous taxonomic changes. From a total of forty-seven previously described African taxa, thirty-five species including five newly described species and two new subspecies are recognized. For ten taxa, lectotypes have been selected, and for one species a neotype had to be designated. For each species, in addition to synonymy, a brief diagnosis based on external characters and genitalia is given, and the known distribution summarized. All species are illustrated by photographs and illustrations of male genitalia (except A.rufifemur , the male of which is unknown), and a key for determination of males by external characters is provided.     

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.     

Taxonomic and morphological survey of the Lygephila lusoria (Linnaeus, 1758) species-group with description of a new species (Lepidoptera,Erebidae, Toxocampinae)

The taxa of the Lygephila lusoria (Linnaeus, 1758) species-group are revised. The genital features of all known taxa are described and illustrated with special reference to the structure of vesica. The male genitalia of L. pallida pallida (Bang-Haas, 1907) are described and illustrated for the first time. L. pallida subpicata (Wiltshire, 1971) is treated here as a species, L. pallida subpicata (Wiltshire, 1971), stat. n., distinct from L. pallida. A new species, L. minima, sp. n.,from South Russia is described. Illustrations of the holotype and its genitalia are provided; a diagnostic comparison with L. pallida is given. L. alaica Remm, 1983 is included in the L. lusoria species-group for the first time.     

Copulatory mechanism in a sexually cannibalistic spider with genital mutilation (Araneae: Araneidae: Argiope bruennichi)

Genitalia are among the fastest evolving morphological traits as evidenced by their common function as diagnostic traits in species identification. Even though the main function of genitalia is the successful transfer of spermatozoa, the presence of diverse structures that are obviously not necessary for this suggests that genitalia are a target of sexual selection. The male genitalia of many spider species are extremely complex and equipped with numerous sclerites, plates and spines whose functions are largely unknown. Selection on male genitalia may be particularly strong in sexually cannibalistic spiders, where mating success of males is restricted to a single female. We investigated the copulatory mechanism of the sexually cannibalistic orb weaving spider Argiope bruennichi by shock freezing mating pairs and revealed a complicated interaction between the appendices and sclerites that make up the male gonopods (paired pedipalps). The plate that covers the female genital opening (scape) is secured between two appendices of the male genital bulb, while three sclerites that bear the sperm duct are unfolded and extended into the female copulatory opening. During copulation, females attack and cannibalise the male and males mutilate their genitalia in about 80% of cases. Our study demonstrates that (i) genital coupling is largely accomplished on the external part of the female genitalia, (ii) that the mechanism requires an interaction between several non-sperm-transferring structures and (iii) that there are two predetermined breaking points in the male genitalia. Further comparative work on the genus Argiope will test if the copulatory mechanism with genital mutilation indeed is an adaptation to sexual cannibalism or if cannibalism is a female counter adaptation to male monopolisation through genital plugging.     

A taxonomic revision of the North American species of Stigmella (Lepidoptera: Nepticulidae)

Abstract. A revision of the fifty-one species of the genus Stigmella from North America is presented. Thirty-one species are recorded only from the U.S.A., seventeen species and one subspecies from the U.S.A. and Canada and three species and one subspecies are known only from Canada. Five species are new: Stigmella inconspicuella (U.S.A., California); S.heteromelis (California); S.sclerostylota (Arkansas); S.longisacca (California) and S.plumosetaeella (Arizona). Life histories, mine characteristics and larval habits are given where known. These are collated from field study, material examined, breeding records and the literature. A list of host plants is also provided.
A neotype is designated for Nepticula prunifoliella Clemens, previously considered to be possibly dipterous.
Although most Stigmella species have different genital morphology, some pairs of species do not. In these pairs, however, external features and characteristics of the mine often differ – some pairs also differ in distribution or season. The taxonomic implications are discussed in the individual treatments – not all the problems, however, can be resolved without further rearing studies and collection. Species-groups have been designated on the basis of morphology. Some species are, however, structurally intermediate between species-groups and others may resemble Ectoedemia Busck in aspects of the male genitalia while their female genitalia, external features and venation are typical of Stigmella.     

The morphological and histological characters of the male external genitalia of the house musk shrew, Suncus murinus

External genitalia are the reproductive organs necessary for efficient copulation and internal fertilization in various mammalian species. Their morphogeneses display significant morphological and developmental differences among species. The house musk shrew, Suncus murinus (hereafter described as suncus) is a species of the order Insectivora, which has been considered as primitive and one of the earliest eutheria phylogenetically. Comparative anatomical analyses of phylogenetically different mammals will contribute to the better understanding of morphological diversity of external genitalia. This study performed various anatomical and histological analyses concerning the organization of the external genitalia of male suncus. It was shown that the external genitalia of suncus possessed a muscular structure, which we proposed as musculus ischiocavernosus dorsalis of suncus. The musculus ischiocavernosus dorsalis is originated from the inner surface of the tuber ischiadicum and was allocated adjacent to the corpus cavernosum penis. In addition, a pair of alpha-smooth muscle actin positive muscles was located bilaterally to the urethra. This unique morphology of the external genitalia of suncus males may provide a unique model system to investigate genital morphogenesis.     

Morphological and mitochondrial DNA characters for identification and phylogenetic analysis of the myiasis-causing flesh fly Wohlfahrtia magnifica and its relatives, with a description of Wohlfahrtia monegrosensis sp. n. Wyatt & Hall

Abstract.  Wohlfahrtia magnifica (Schiner) (Diptera: Sarcophagidae) is a major cause of traumatic myiasis in livestock in Central and Eastern Europe and in countries bordering the Mediterranean. The present study explored the utility of external body characters, genitalia characters and mitochondrial DNA characters for identification of this and related species in the subfamily Paramacronychiinae. Sequence analyses of the 3' terminal 273 bp of the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene revealed two lineages of W. magnifica , one from Spain and France and the other from the rest of Eurasia, differing by only two base pairs. Phylogenetic analysis of cytochrome b showed that W. magnifica and Wohlfahrtia vigil Walker were sister species; this conclusion was not contradicted by a phylogenetic analysis of the morphological characters. Based on cytochrome b , the genetic distance between specimens of W. vigil from Europe and North America was sufficiently large to justify the recognition of more than one species. A new species, Wohlfahrtia monegrosensis , from northern Spain, was described, based on morphology and cytochrome b . A unique combination of external body characters of males or females were diagnostic for W. magnifica , the W. vigil group and Wohlfahrtia bella , but only the genitalia characters were diagnostic for all nine species studied.     

Review of the Chinese species of the genus Varma Distant (Hemiptera,Fulgoromorpha, Tropiduchidae), with description of two new species

Two new species of Varma Distant, 1906, V. falcata Chang & Chen, sp. n. (China: Guizhou) and V. lobata Chang & Chen, sp. n. (China: Guizhou) are described and illustrated. The female genitalia of four speices including two known species are described and illustrated for the first time. The diagnostic characters of this genus are redefined. A checklist to the species of Varma in China is given. The Keys on male and female genitalia to the Chinese species of Varma are provided.     

中国波翅青尺蛾属分类研究(鳞翅目:尺蛾科:尺蛾亚科)

波翅青尺蛾属Thalera世界共记录6种和5亚种。中国已知3种和3亚种,本文记述5种和3亚种,其中包括采自四川巴塘1新种淡波翅青尺蛾Thalera simpliria sp.nov.和1新纪录种。文中给出了中国波翅青尺蛾属分种检索表和新种的成虫及外生殖器图。淡波翅青尺蛾,新种Thalera simpliria sp.nov.(图2,3,6,7）新种与Th.lacerataria Graeser,1889相似,但有以下不同：新种前翅外缘在M1与M3之间的缺刻极浅;前后翅外线较圆滑：♂外生殖器抱器瓣基部的三角形骨化片细尖,囊形突较细,钩形突较短粗;♀外生殖器后阴片有一方形弱骨化区域。     

One new and one newly recorded species of the genus Amraica Moore, 1888 (Lepidoptera: Geometridae: Ennominae) from China,with diagnoses of the Chinese species

The genus Amraica Moore, 1888 in China is reviewed. In addition to the four species and three subspecies already known, one new species, A. prolata sp. nov. is described and one newly recorded species, A. ferrolavata ( Walker, 1863 (imprint 1862) ) is redescribed. The generic characters, based on all species, are summarized. Illustrations of external features and genitalia are presented.     

Description of a new species of Sternocoelis from Morocco with proposal of the Sternocoelis marseulii species group (Coleoptera, Histeridae)

TheSternocoelis marseulii species group is proposed based on antennal and prosternal characters. Five species are included in the group:Sternocoelis marseulii (Brisout de Barneville, 1866)(Spain), Sternocoelis viaticus Lewis, 1892 (Algeria), Sternocoelis vaucheri Lewis, 1896 (Morocco), Sternocoelis berberus Lackner & Yélamos, 2001 (Morocco)and Sternocoelis yelamosisp. n. (Morocco). The external morphology of Sternocoelis yelamosisp. n. is described and illustrated, the illustrations of genitalia of all species of the group (except for Sternocoelis vaucheri) are provided and a key to the species of the group is given.     

Analysis of the species composition of the genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Chrysopilus</Emphasis> (Diptera,Rhagionidae) in the Eastern Palaearctic Region

The species of the genus Chrysopilus, inhabiting Russia and adjacent territories, are analyzed for the first time. The structure of the genitalia is examined, and new diagnostic characters of the species are given. Some species from the boundary areas are considered in detail, since the species composition of the genus has been poorly studied there. The data on 11 species distributed in eastern Russia and Japan are given.     

赞青尺蛾属修订及其分布格局分析（鳞翅目：尺蛾科：尺蛾亚科）

本文对赞青尺蛾属Xenozancla Warren, 1893进行研究,重新描述了属、种特征,总结了属的鉴别特征;描述了种内雄外生殖器的变化并附图,提供了成虫形态、外生殖器图。提出银尺蛾属Yinchie Yang, 1978和枣灰银尺蛾Y. zaohuiYang, 1978 分别是赞青尺蛾属Xenozancla 和赞青尺蛾X. vericolor Warren 的新异名,并为赞青尺蛾X. vericolor Warren指定了选模。同时,采用临近距离平均法（mean propinquity method）结合GIS技术绘制了赞青尺蛾属分布格局图,并据此分析了其分布格局和分布特点,结果表明：该属为亚洲东部特有属,呈西南 华北走向;它在中国华北、华中、西南地区至印度可能存在一个连续的分布区,其分布格局应属于东洋界的东南亚热带-亚热带型。