A review of the genus Aleurolobus Quaintance and Baker (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) from Taiwan, based mainly on pupal morphology with a description of a new species

The whitefly species of the genus Aleurolobus Quaintance and Baker are reviewed from Taiwan. A total of nine species are included. Aleurolobus shiiae Takahashi is new to Taiwan. Aleurolobus osmanthi Young is considered as a junior synonym of Aleurolobus taonabae (Kuwana). A new species, Aleurolobus rubus Dubey and Ko, is described, and the puparia of the new species are diagnosed in a combination of characters: the dorsal pores scattered over dorsum; each located on a large subcircular, chitinised cuticular dorsal marking; faint eye spots; broader submargin; and the vasiform orifice set anterior to the caudal end of puparium by nearly twice of its own length. The record of Aleurolobus philippinensis Quaintance and Baker, and Aleurolobus setigerus Quaintance and Baker from Taiwan is discussed. The puparial diagnosis of each species, identification key to species so far known from Taiwan and illustrations for each species are provided.     

Regiominutus ventralis gen. et sp. nov. (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) infesting Aglaia elaeagnoides (Meliaceae) on the Andaman archipelago,India

Puparia and third instar of a new diminutive whitefly, Regiominutus ventralis gen. et sp. nov. found infesting underside leaves of Aglaia elaeagnoides (A. Juss) (Meliaceae) on the Andaman Islands, India, are diagnosed, described and discussed. Regiominutus gen. nov. differs from allied genera, Aleuroclava Singh, Aericerus Dubey, Aleuroparvus Dubey, Aleuropleurocelus Drews and Sampson and Tetralicia Harrison in having a submarginal ventral groove, from the former two in having a deflexed submargin and smaller ventral surface and from the latter two in having a caudal furrow. Affinities and differences of the new genus shared with related genera are discussed. Puparium characters observed in slide mounts versus scanning electron microscope (SEM) images are presented. Line drawings, habitus images and SEM, microphotographs of the type specimens are given for the new taxa. This is the first whitefly species to be recorded from this host plant.     

New species of Dialeurodes Cockerell (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) with diagnoses and keys to puparia and adults from Taiwan

Adult and immature stages of a new whitefly species Dialeurodes swidi Ko are described and illustrated. It can be distinguished from other species by the abundant large tubercles scattered over its dorsum, each of them bearing a geminate pore. The biology, comparative notes and identification keys to puparia and adults of Dialeurodes species of Taiwan are provided.     

Cales (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea): morphology of an enigmatic taxon with a review of species

Calesinae is a small group of Chalcidoidea (Hymenoptera) that are parasitoids of whiteflies (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae). One species, Cales noacki Howard, has been introduced from South America into citrus‐growing regions of North America, the Mediterranean and Africa for biological control. The remaining species are found in Australia and New Zealand: a classic Gondwanan disjunction. The subfamily consists of a single genus, Cales, which is currently unplaced within Chalcidoidea. Its taxonomic position has historically been unstable, although most often Cales is associated with Aphelinidae. Here, we present a detailed morphological study of the group with an emphasis on Australian species. Although Cales shares many characteristics with Aphelinidae, especially Coccophaginae and Eretmocerus, more studies of character systems across Chalcidoidea are needed to determine which features may be synapomorphic. Consequently, we leave Cales incertae sedis within Chalcidoidea. We also describe a new species from New Zealand, Cales berryi sp.n. , reared from the whitefly Asterochiton pittospori on lemonwood, Pittosporum eugenioides, and we present a key and review the four known species of Cales.     

Forty‐nine new host plant species for Bemisia tabaci (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae)

The sweetpotato whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius), is a worldwide pest of numerous agricultural and ornamental crops. In addition to directly feeding on plants, it also acts as a vector of plant viruses of cultivated and uncultivated host plant species. Moreover, host plants can affect the population dynamics of whiteflies. An open‐choice screening experiment was conducted with B‐biotype B. tabaci on a diverse collection of crops, weeds, and other indigenous plant species. Five of the plant species were further evaluated in choice or no‐choice tests in the laboratory. The results reveal 49 new reproductive host plant species for B. tabaci. This includes 11 new genera of host plants (Arenaria, Avena, Carduus, Dichondra, Glechoma, Gnaphalium, Molugo, Panicum, Parthenocissus, Trianthema, and Triticum) for this whitefly. All species that served as hosts were acceptable for feeding, oviposition, and development to the adult stage by B. tabaci. The new hosts include three cultivated crops [oats (Avena sativa L.), proso millet (Panicum miliaceum L.), and winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)], weeds and other wild species, including 32 Ipomoea species, which are relatives of sweetpotato [I. batatas (L.) Lam.)]. Yellow nutsedge, Cyperus esculentus L., did not serve as a host for B. tabaci in either open‐choice or no‐choice tests. The results presented herein have implications for whitefly ecology and the numerous viruses that B. tabaci spreads to and among cultivated plants.     

Systematics of the Protohermes xanthodes species-group in eastern Asia (Megaloptera: Corydalidae)

A new species‐group of the dobsonfly genus Protohermes is proposed, the Protohermes xanthodes species‐group. Three species from eastern Asia belonging to the new species‐group are redescribed and illustrated. Phylogenetic relationships among the species in this group, as well as the biogeography of these species, are discussed on the basis of a cladistic analysis.     

Increasing distribution and damage to palms by the Neotropical whitefly,Aleurotrachelus atratus (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae)

In recent years, the coconut whitefly, Aleurotrachelus atratus Hempel, has been recorded from various islands in the southwestern Indian Ocean. Field surveys in La Réunion, the Seychelles, the Comoros and glasshouses in Paris have allowed us to record this whitefly on 56 palm species, some of which are endemic and/or threatened species. Most of trees showed low infestation levels, except for the coconut palm that is its main host plant. Such a wide host range has facilitated the rapid geographical dissemination of this whitefly. A field study was conducted in 2006 in La Réunion, to gain a better understanding of the bioecology of A. atratus in a tropical insular ecosystem. The whitefly was found throughout the island, from sea level to 800‐m altitude. Five parasitoid species (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) were found associated with the populations of this pest, with Eretmocerus cocois Delvare being the dominant one. A laboratory study showed that the pre‐imaginal development of A. atratus is around 48 days at 25–27°C, which is relatively long compared to other whitefly species. With a sex ratio of one male per 1022 females collected in La Réunion, it appears that the whitefly reproduces by thelytoky. It represents a threat to ornamental and agricultural palms as well as to natural palm ecosystems in the absence of effective parasitoids.     

Taxonomy of the New Zealand genus Eulimnia,and biology and immature stages of E. philpotti (Diptera: Sciomyzidae)

Abstract

The endemic New Zealand genus Eulimnia and its two species are redescribed. Data are presented on the life cycle of E. philpotti Tonnoir & Malloch, and the habitat, geographical distribution, phenology, and biological features of adults and immature stages are discussed. Adults are found in permanently wet marshes, where the larvae prey on fingernail clams (Bivalvia: Sphaeriidae) while completely submerged. Mature larvae form puparia among vegetation or debris above the water level. The immature stages of E. philpotti are described. The genus is placed in tribe Tetanocerini, and its taxonomic position is discussed.     

Revision of the Cales noacki species complex (Hymenoptera,Chalcidoidea, Aphelinidae)

The genus Cales (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) includes 13 species worldwide, of which 10 form a highly morphologically uniform species complex with a native range in the Neotropical region. We recognize ten species previously attributed to a single Neotropical species, Cales noacki Howard, which in the strict sense is a species broadly disseminated to control woolly whitefly. A neotype is designated for C. noacki, and it is redescribed based on specimens molecularly determined to be conspecific with the neotype. Newly described species include: C. bicolor Mottern, n.sp ., C. breviclava Mottern, n.sp ., C. brevisensillum Mottern n.sp ., C. curvigladius Mottern, n.sp ., C. longiseta Mottern, n.sp ., C. multisensillum Mottern n.sp ., C. noyesi Mottern, n.sp ., C. parvigladius Mottern, n.sp . and C. rosei Mottern, n.sp . Species are delimited based on a combination of morphological and molecular data (28S‐D2 rDNA and COI). Additional specimens are included in the phylogenetic analyses and although these likely represent several new species, we lack sufficient specimen sampling to describe them at this time. Cales are highly morphologically conserved and character‐poor, resulting in several cryptic species. A molecular phylogeny of the known Neotropical species based on 28S‐D2–5 rDNA and a 390‐bp segment of COI is included, and identification keys to males and females are provided. This published work has been registered in ZooBank, http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:7FEB0479‐9B2E‐48E8‐8603‐4B7C2759D4EC .     

Systematics and cladistics of a new Naupactini genus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Entiminae) from the Andes of Colombia and Ecuador

A new genus of broad‐nosed weevils belonging to the tribe Naupactini (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) is described, based on six species from the Páramo–Puna subregion (Andean region) of South America. Three species are new and three have been transferred from the genus Asymmathetes (Asymmathetes nigrans, Asymmathetes rugicollis, and Asymmathetes vulcanorum). The new genus is recognized by the black, denuded, and shiny tegument, the well‐developed pre‐epistome, the elytral base curved backwards on middle, the reduction of the hindwings, and the widely separated procoxae, closer to the anterior than to the posterior margin of the prosternum. A cladistic analysis of the six species of the new genus plus five out‐groups (Amitrus, Amphideritus, Asymmathetes, Melanocyphus, and Trichocyphus), using 49 morphological characters, resulted in a single cladogram. © 2012 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2012, 166 , 54–71.     

Effects of temperature and other environmental factors on the post‐diapause development of walnut husk fly Rhagoletis completa (Diptera: Tephritidae)

To more effectively manage walnut husk fly Rhagoletis completa (Diptera: Tephritidae), in California walnut orchards, it is important to understand the factors that affect the timing of adult emergence. In the present study, we examine the effects of incubation temperature, pre‐chill and chill durations, latitude, cultivar and size on the post‐diapause development of R. completa puparia. The lower developmental threshold, upper developmental threshold and optimal temperature for puparial development are estimated to be 4, 34 and 26.6 °C, respectively. The thermal requirement for adult emergence after 120 days of chilling is estimated to be 2024 degree days. Percentage adult emergence declines at both higher and lower incubation temperatures. Chill duration at 5 °C for diapausing puparia has a nonlinear negative effect on the thermal requirement but no effect on percentage emergence. Insufficient chilling leads to poor synchronization of adult emergence. Greater pre‐chill duration at room temperature increases the thermal requirement and slightly decreased percentage emergence. Latitude has a negative effect on the thermal requirement. Puparia from northern California black walnut (Juglans hindsii) have a slightly greater thermal requirement than puparia from cultivated walnut (Julgans regia). There is no significant difference in puparial fresh weight or mean thermal requirement between males and females, although the positive correlation between thermal requirement and puparial fresh weight is stronger for females than males. The effects of temperature and other environmental factors on the post‐diapause development of R. completa are discussed in relation to observations from other Rhagoletis species.     

Revision of the New Zealand genus Novothymbris (Homoptera: Cicadellidae)

The genus Novothymbris Evans is endemic to New Zealand, and is the only representative in this country of the subfamily Ledrinae. The genus and the known species are redescribed; dunensis (Myers) is synonymised with hinemoa (Myers), and hudsonica (Myers) with maorica (Myers). Eleven new species are described; three species‐groups are indicated. A key to species is given.     

Isolation and characterization of nine polymorphic microsatellite markers in the two‐banded sea bream (Diplodus vulgaris) and cross‐species amplification in the white sea bream (Diplodus sargus) and the saddled bream (Oblada melanura)

We have developed nine new microsatellite markers for the two‐banded sea bream (Diplodus vulgaris) from an enriched genome library protocol. All these loci are polymorphic, with mean allelic diversity of 13 (range 5 –21), and expected and observed heterozygosities from 0.641 to 0.932 and 0.428 to 0.914, respectively. Cross‐species tests in two close‐related species of the genus Diplodus (D. sargus and O. melanura) revealed successful amplifications at 8 out of 9 loci, with mean allele number of 4.75 (range 2–8) and 5.50 (range 3 –10), respectively. These results are consistent with the close phylogenetic relationships between the three species, indicating this set of primers might prove useful for studying the levels of genetic diversity and population differentiation in these three species and in other phylogenetically close species of the genus Diplodus and Sparus.     

New genera and species of pheretimoid earthworms (Clitellata: Megascolecidae) from southern Luzon,Philippines

Collections made in montane forests of the Bicol region of the Philippine island Luzon contained earthworm species new to science. The new genus Dendropheretima has intestinal caeca paired in xxv, lamellar oesophageal pouches in xi‐xiii, testes free of sacs, and last hearts in xii. The two species, D. banahawensis and D. bicolensis, are both arboreal. A second new genus Isarogoscolex contains two species, Isarogoscolex abiadai and I. albayensis which are also arboreal but have more posteriorly located caeca and more pairs of caeca, have only meganephridia in the intestinal segments, and the lamellar oesophageal pouches are arranged differently from Dendropheretima. Among the other genera of the Pheretima complex, these new taxa may be closest to the Australo‐Papuan Begemius.     

A new genus of Entiminae from North Africa,supported by a phylogenetic analysis (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Entiminae)

The genus Holcophloeus gen. nov. is here proposed to include Trachyphloeus cruciatus Seidlitz, 1868, and two new species native to North Africa, based on a phylogenetic analysis and an evaluation of the diagnostic characters. The taxonomic position of Holcophloeus in relation to the tribes Trachyphloeini Lacordaire, 1863, and Holcorhinini Desbrochers, 1898, is discussed, and the new genus is attributed to the Holcorhinini. Holcophloeus laurae sp. nov. from south‐eastern Morocco and Holcophloeus weilli sp. nov. from northern Libya are described and illustrated and a key to the species of the new genus is given. The lectotype of Trachyphloeus cruciatus Seidlitz, 1868, is designated. The genus Massimiellus Borovec, 2009, is transferred from Trachyphloeini to Holcorhinini. © 2013 The Linnean Society of London     

Four new species of Typhlocharis (baetica group) (Coleoptera: Carabidae: Anillini) from southwestern Iberian Peninsula with notes on their biogeographical and morphological implications

Four new species of Typhlocharis (Carabidae: Anillini) are described from the southwest of the Iberian Peninsula, assigned to the baetica species group. T. prima sp.n. , T. secunda sp.n. and T. tertia sp.n. (from La Palma del Condado, Huelva, Spain) are syntopic, and T. quarta sp.n. (from Barrancos, Beja, Portugal) is the first species of the group with umbilicate series 4 + 4. They represent, respectively, the southernmost and westernmost distribution data for the group. The baetica group remains well defined and includes ten species. The diagnosis is simplified, with the confirmation that many morphological features characteristic of this group are widespread within the genus. The defining character is the presence of denticles in apical margin of elytra, not associated to the seventh stria or to the elytral suture. The new species provide morphological data that suggest the baetica and silvanoides groups are closely related. Distribution of both groups in the south of the Iberian Peninsula and the presence of morphological characters that are considered plesiomorphic are coherent with the hypothesis of betic‐riffain origin of the genus. They also support the hypothesis of easy alteration of the umbilicate pattern between closely related species and the independent origin of apical denticles in the group compared with those present in other species of the genus. The presence of three well‐differentiated size ranges in syntopic populations suggest ecological diversification to avoid interspecific competition.     

Fungus gnats of the genus Urytalpa Edwards (Diptera: Keroplatidae) in Japan

Three Japanese species of the genus Urytalpa are examined. Urytalpa sapporoensis (Okada) is transferred from Zelmira. Urytalpa yoshidai and U. crassicauda are described as new to science. Morphological characters indicate that U. yoshidai is closely related to Asindulum montanum Röder, and the genus Urytalpa is indicated to be non‐monophyletic. A key to the Japanese species is given.