Description of a new genus and species of whitefly (Hemiptera: Sternorrhyncha) infesting Rhynchosia minima (Fabaceae) in Karnataka,India

A new whitefly genus and species, Aleurocryptus rhynchosiae Dubey, are described from Donimalai mining area of Karnataka, India. Habitus, line art and scanning electron microscopic images of the puparium and other immature stages are provided. The puparia of the new genus and species are found to be pit‐forming on their host leaf, Rhynchosia minima (Fabaceae). The cone‐shaped, apically pointed dorsal setae with a smooth surface and fixed in prominent setal alveoli are newly reported from whitefly puparia.     

Ploidy level of the invasive weed Rubus alceifolius (Rosaceae) in its native range and in areas of introduction

 A change in ploidy level could increase invasiveness of introduced plants in insular plant communities. To examine this question for R. alceifolius, we compared its ploidy level in its Asian native range and in the Indian Ocean islands where it has been introduced. We first counted chromosomes on root tips from a Vietnamese individual, which proved to be tetraploid (2n=4x=28). The nuclear DNA content of other individuals from the native range and areas of introduction was estimated using the flow cytometry method. The Vietnamese individual on which chromosomes were counted was added to the sample, to enable deduction of the ploidy level of all individuals from their nuclear DNA content. All individuals were found to be tetraploid, except 10 individuals from a single clone collected in a Vietnamese population, estimated to be triploid, and morphologically different of other individuals of this study. We showed that while polyploidy of the source population may have predisposed this plant to become a successful invader, its introduction into Indian Ocean islands was not associated with any change in ploidy level. Received January 23, 2001 Accepted May 22, 2001     

Description of a new species of the whitefly genus Pealius Quaintance & Baker (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) from China

A new whitefly species, Pealius yunnanensis sp. nov. , collected from Mengzi, Caoba village (Yunnan, China) on Ficus microcarpa Linn. f. (Urticales: Moraceae), is described with morphology, line illustrations, photographs and scanning electron microscope images. In addition, a checklist of Chinese species of Pealius is provided and all Pealius species recorded from Ficus around the world are listed. Specimens have been deposited in the Insect Collection of Zhejiang Agriculture & Forestry University (ZAFU), Lin'an, China.     

Origins and distribution of invasive Rubus fruticosus L. agg. (Rosaceae) clones in the Western United States

In facultatively asexual invasive species, an understanding of the origins and diversity of clones can reveal introduction and invasion pathways and inform management efforts. In this study, we use microsatellite and chloroplast DNA markers to infer clonal diversity of the Rubus fruticosus agg. invasion in the Western United States, determine the relationship of these clones to clones found in other exotic ranges, and determine the geographic and genetic origins of the invasive clones. We found two invasive clones in the Western United States, where the invasion had previously been thought to consist of a single asexual lineage. The most common clone was genetically identical to the microspecies R. armeniacus from the native range of Germany, while the second clone was identical to the microspecies R. anglocandicans in the invaded range of Australia and closely related to samples from the native ranges of England and Serbia. A third distinct clone was identified in a collection from the exotic range of Chile. Our results demonstrate that cryptic genetic diversity may be present in asexual invasions that are thought to be homogeneous. However, the asexual relationships between R. fruticosus agg. clones in the native and multiple exotic ranges indicate that preadaptation has played an important role in invasion success in this species aggregate.     

贵州悬钩子属(蔷薇科)一新种--务川悬钩子

报道了贵州省务川县发现的悬钩子属Rubus（蔷薇科Rosaceae）一新种——务川悬钩子R．wuchuanensis S．Z．He。该种在体态上与锯叶悬钩子R．wuzhianus L．T．Lu＆Boufford相近,区别在于其叶片卵状披针形,边缘疏生小锯齿;叶柄较短,长0．7-1cm;花序为顶生稀疏总状花序,具花8-10朵：花梗长3．55cm;花瓣先端具骤突尖头。     

Rubus ambrosius (Rubus subsect.Rubus, Rosaceae), a new bramble species from the eastern part of Central Europe

Rubus ambrosius Trávní?ek etOklejewicz, a widely distributed species from the eastern part of Central Europe (Czech Republic, Slovakia and Poland), is described.R. ambrosius differs from similar speciesR. sulcatus Vest by more deeply furrowed stems, longer prickles on first-year tems, longer petioles, more prickly petioles, densely hairy leaves beneath and by blunter leaf margin serration with incisions only (2-)1.5–2.5 mm deep. The newly described species is illustrated both by photographs (including the holotype) and a line drawing. A list of localities and a distribution map are presented.     

Laboratory and field evaluation of biological active substances of plant origin against greenhouse whitefly,Trialeurodes vaporariorum Westw. (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae)

Abstract

The behavioural responses of greenhouse whitefly to substances of plant origin were investigated in laboratory and greenhouse conditions. The following species of plants were found to provide the most active chemicals to monitor and control greenhouse whitefly – laurel Laurus nobilis L., mullein Verbascum thapsus L., tansy Tanacetum vulgare L., wormwood Artemisia vulgare L.     

Epiblema tetragonana and Epinotia ustulana (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), two potential biological control agents for the invasive plant,Rubus ellipticus

Himalayan yellow raspberry, Rubus ellipticus is one of the world’s 100 worst invasive alien species. The plant has become a serious problematic weed in Hawaii, USA and is naturalized in many other countries. Screening of potential biological control agents is being conducted in its native region in Asia. In this paper, we report on the field distribution, abundance and host specificity of two leaf-rolling moth species, Epinotia ustulana and Epiblema tetragonana (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae). In larval non-choice tests both species only developed on plants in the genus Rubus. However, in adult choice oviposition tests, both leaf rollers showed a strong preference for R. ellipticus over other species. Furthermore, leaf-rolls by these two insects were only found on R. ellipticus in the field. These results indicate the moths have a narrow host range. Our field surveys also showed that both moth species are widely distributed in Yunnan Province, southeastern China, with up to 115 leaf rolls per plant, suggesting high levels of damage. These findings indicate that the two insects have considerable potential for biological control of R. ellipticus, though further host range tests should be conducted using more native plant species in Hawaii.     

Dietary use of wild plant resources in the Sikkim Himalaya, India

The edible wild plants are greatly valued throughout the Himalayan region and serve as an important source of food for indigenous communities. This paper describes the botanical richness, elevational distribution and dietary use of the edible wild plant resources from the Sikkim Himalaya (Eastern Himalaya), many with promising potential. A total of 190 wild plant species have been screened from the Sikkim Himalaya, this derived from 143 genera and 78 families and accounting for nearly 15% of total edible wild plants resources of India. Of the total, 65% were edible for their fruits, 22% for leaves/shoots, 7% for flowers and 3% for roots/ rhizomes. Nearly 91 wild edible species were recorded from low-hills, 70 from mid-hills and 28 species from high-hill areas. Within Sikkim state, the North and East districts represent maximum diversity of edible wild plants due to the wilderness and inaccessibility to most of the habitats. An average rural family annually consumes nearly 8 types of edible wild plants, and a few species provide over five meals in a season. Selected plants also form a source of earning to a few families that sell them in local markets. It is suggested that the high diversity of edible plants needs to be conserved for future use. Some species may be grown in traditional agroforestry systems and on marginal lands of otherwise low agricultural value. Such measures may help protect wild plant resources in their natural habitats.     

Two new species of Cololejeunea (Spruce) Schiffn. from Western Ghats,India

Introduction. During a recent floristic survey of liverworts from Western Ghats, India, two interesting liverworts of genus Cololejeunea were collected from forests in Mahabaleshwar in the state of Maharashtra.

Methods. After critical investigation, they have been described as new to science and both species, C. ghatensis G.Asthana & A.Srivastava sp. nov. and C. mehrana G.Asthana & A.Srivastava sp. nov. are illustrated and described here.

Key results. Cololejeunea ghatensis is an epiphyllous species growing on angiosperm leaves and has been collected near Chinaman Waterfall, Robbers Cave, Connaught Peak and Polo Ground area. Cololejeunea mehrana has been collected near Monkey point and the latter has an interesting habitat as it was found growing on moss leaves. Cololejeunea ghatensis is monoicous and C. mehrana is dioicous.     

Gentianella tumailica (Gentianaceae) – A new species from cold deserts of northwest Himalaya,India

A new species of Gentianella, G. tumailica sp. nov., from Tumail in the Kargil district of Ladakh, northwest Himalaya, India is described and illustrated. This novelity is morphologically similar to the sympatric G. stoliczka in inflorescence pattern, calyx and corolla shapes, sagitate anthers, more or less rounded seeds, but differs in smaller size of vegetative and floral structures, larger basal leaves, few cauline leaves, leaf apex obtuse to rounded, calyx lobes unequal (2 longer, 3 shorter), inflorescence enveloped by 4 foliaceous bracts, capsule elliptic to oblong and seed coat smooth. In addition, a diagnostic key to all Indian species of Gentianella is presented.     

Rubus canduliger, a new regional species from the Netherlands, with notes on the range structure and dynamics of brambles (Rubus, Rosaceae)

Rubus canduliger is described as a new regional bramble species belonging to the seriesDiscolores. It has been recognized in the Netherlands as a distinct species for more than 70 years but identified as the central EuropeanR. grabowskii. The latter, however, differs by its tapering prickles, regular leaves with longer petiolule of the terminal leaflet, broader, often pyramidal inflorescence, and white or pink flowers with carpels hairy at the top.R. canduliger has a well-defined range north of the Rhine river around Arnhem where it occurs in urban and other disturbed habitats. Historical events, e.g. transport of young trees in the 16th century may explain most records south of the Rhine river, 25–50 km outside the main range. The ecology and phytosociology of the new bramble are discussed. Its distribution is compared toR. trichanthus, another regional species with a similar range asR. canduliger, but occurring in more natural habitats. In pseudogamous European blackberries (Rubus sectionRubus =R. fruticosus agg.), range size is considered to be related to the age of the species. Several widespread species have disjunct distribution ranges that are suggested to be the result of long-distance dispersal by migratory birds but unintentional anthropogenic transport of seeds may be involved as well. We hypothesize that in northwestern Europe fragmentation of continuous ranges of widespread species was caused by ongoing deforestation and subsequent degradation (acidification) of originally base-rich sandy and loamy soils from the Iron Age onward. Many regional species, however, have originated and spread in the resulting man-made landscapes. A classification of range types of brambles differing in size and internal structure is presented.     

A new black fly species of the subgenus Gomphostilbia (Simulium: Simuliidae: Diptera) from India

Simulium (Gomphostilbia) agasthyamalaiense sp. nov. is described based on adults, pupae and mature larvae from a medium-flowing stream of Southern Western Ghats, India. This new species is placed in the Simulium batoense species-group of the subgenus Gomphostilbia Enderlein. This new species is characterized in the female by a scutum with three brownish-black longitudinal vittae and the hind basitarsus 5.7 times as long as wide; in the female by the large facets of upper eye with 20 vertical columns and 19 horizontal rows; in the pupa the respiratory gill with medium-long common basal stalk; and in the larva arrowhead-shaped postgenal cleft. Taxonomic notes are provided for this new species and it can be distinguished from closely related species of S. (G.) peteri. Keys are constructed to distinguish this species from ten species of the batoense species-group recorded in India.www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:1D1CFEE5-A762-4F68-9EAE-9E31133146C0     

Two new species and three new record species of family Limacodidae from northeast India (Lepidoptera: Zygaenoidea)

Caissa kashungii sp. n. and Squamosa wungchanngamii sp. n. are described as new Limacodidae from India. These new species are illustrated with images of the adults and male genitalia and compared with similar species. Additionally, three species S. chalcites Orhant, 2000, Cania (Paracania) robusta Hering, 1931 and Rhamnosa (Rhamnosa) convergens Hering, 1931 are recorded as new to India from Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur. Diagnosis and distribution are provided for all taxa listed and the males and their genitalia are illustrated.LSID codewww.zoobznk.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:32CDB346-275D-4C66-906C-656FC613E195.