Morpho-ecological characteristic of immature stages of the genus Mydaea (Diptera,Muscidae)

The main characters of immature stages are considered in representatives of the genus Mydaea Rob.-Desv. High similarity of these characters to those of species of the genera Phaonia Rob.-Desv. and Myospila Rond. is emphasized. The immature stages of Mydaea ancilla (Meig.), M. corni (Scop.) and M. setifemur Ringd. are described in detail; the new data are compared with those previously published.     

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.     

On the ecology of Phaonia larvae (Diptera, Muscidae)

The composition and ecological associations of predaceous larvae of more than 20 species of the genus Phaonia Rob.-Desv. from xylobiont communities were studied. The groups of phloeobionts and xylobionts are distinguished, and their associations with the principal wood destroying insects are discussed. Data on autecology of 22 species are presented.     

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.     

Out of South America: phylogeny of non‐biting midges in the genus Labrundinia suggests multiple dispersal events to Central and North America

Non‐biting midges of the genus Labrundinia (Chironomidae: Tanypodinae) are minute dipterans with immature stages living in a variety of unpolluted water bodies, from small streams and ponds to lakes and bays. Extensively recorded in ecological studies, the genus comprises 39 species, all except one described from areas outside the Palearctic region. Internal structure among Labrundinia species was postulated by S. S. Roback, who recognized four species groups based on morphological characters of immature stages. We examined phylogenetic relationships among known Labrundinia species using partial DNA sequences of the nuclear protein‐coding gene CAD and morphological characters. Both analyses with Bayesian inference and parsimony methods recovered the monophyly of Labrundinia, strongly supported by five morphological synapomorphies. Internal relationships within the genus partly supported Roback's species groups with the addition of later described species. Biogeographical inferences were obtained by applying Bayesian binary MCMC (BBM) analysis and favoured a scenario where Labrundinia had its initial diversification in the Neotropical region and that current presence in the Nearctic region and southern South America is due to subsequent dispersal.     

Fungivory of Anatatha lignea, an interesting habit in Noctuidae (Lepidoptera)

The larvae of Anatatha lignea (Butler) were found consuming the brown surface of synthetic logs on which the shiitake mushroom, Lentinula edodes (Berk.) Pegler, formed a thick mycelial coat. Fungivory has been rarely reported in the Noctuidae, and this is the first record of fungivory from the genus Anatatha. The female genitalia and the immature stages of A. lignea are illustrated and described for the first time. Its lectotype is designated and illustrated, and details of the species’ biology is given. The female genitalia of A. misae Sugi, a species closely related to A. lignea, are illustrated and described for the first time.     

DNA barcoding of Bradysia (Diptera: Sciaridae) for detection of the immature stages on agricultural crops

We investigated the usefulness of mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase (COI) DNA barcoding of the genus Bradysia for the detection of immature stages and cryptic species complex. Although the larvae of some species in this genus are agricultural pests, immature stages are rarely identified due to the lack of key morphological characteristics. We constructed partial sequences of the COI gene for 25 species of Bradysia as a first step towards a DNA barcode. Using these data, Bradysia impatiens, B. procera and B. peraffinis were identified from larval specimens collected, respectively, from paprika, ginseng and oak sawdust beds used for cultivating shiitake. Our findings reveal a complex of three species within the B. tilicola group. These species were all identified as important pest B. ocellaris based on the morphology of male genital structures; however, the interspecific genetic divergence of the COI region was significantly greater (16.1–19.4%) than the intraspecific variation in each species. Therefore, B. ocellaris may consist of at least three species. The results demonstrate that COI DNA barcodes are useful for Bradysia species identification.     

Recent genus Notonecta (Insecta: Heteroptera: Notonectidae) in the Lower Cretaceous of San Luis,Argentina: Palaeoecological implications

We describe a new species of the genus Notonecta, i.e. Notonecta mazzoniae n. sp. from the Lower Cretaceous of Argentina. It is the first fossil representative of the family described from South America, demonstrating the great antiquity of the genus, bearing identical ventral chaetal system correlated with respiratory for such a long period. The new species is recorded only by immature stages from the second to the fifth instars. Specimens are considered to be exuviae and not body fossils. Absence of body fossils may be due to taphonomic bias instead of palaeoecological constrains. In addition we found some specimens of Anisopinae, also considered as nymph exuviae, which represent the oldest record of the taxon.     

A record of the Plain Tiger,Danaus chrysippus,in Turkey

Summary

In this publication, a subdivision of the genus Annenica O. Boettger, 1877 sensu Auct. is proposed. One result of our study is the recognition of the genus Sprattia O. Boettger, 1883 for most of the South Anatolian species of the former genus Armenica. The genus Astrogena Szekeres, 1970, which was synonymised by H. NORDSIECK (1975: 98) with Armenica is redefined and used as a subgenus of Armenica for some species. Extensive recent collections contain new species and subspecies of this genus, which are described here.     

Morphology of the adult and juvenile stages of Microtendipes rydalensis (Edw.) comb. nov. (Diptera,Chironomidae)

The adult male of Polypedilum rydalensis (Edw.) is described in greater detail than hitherto and the female, pupa and larva are all described for the first time. On the basis of the morphology of the adult and immature stages rydalensis is placed in the genus Microtendipes Kieffer.     

Lobatiriccardia yunnanensis,sp. nov. (Metzgeriales,Aneuraceae) from Yunnan,China

Abstract

The genus Lobatiriccardia Furuki is reported as new to China, from the Dulong River valley, Gaoligong Shan range, Yunnan Province and this material is described as a new species endemic to China, Lobatiriccardia yunnanensis Furuki & D.G. Long, the fifth known species in the genus. The differences between the new species and the other members of the genus are enumerated, along with a key to all known species of Lobatiriccardia.     

Immature stages of Polytocus costatus (Diptera: Helosciomyzidae) from The Snares islands,New Zealand

Abstract

The mature larva and puparium of Polytocus costatus Harrison are described, illustrated, and compared with immature stages of other cyclorrhaphous Diptera.     

Botryocladius gen.n.: a new transantarctic genus of orthocladiine midge (Diptera: Chironomidae)

A new genus of orthocladiine Chironomidae, Botryocladius (type species B. grapeth sp.n. from eastern Australia) is described and illustrated in all life history stages. All thirteen included species are described as new, six from eastern Australia (B. grapeth, B. brindabella, B. mdfrc, B. collessi, B. tasmania, B. australoalpinus), two from Western Australia (B. bibulmun and B. freemani), one from ephemeral streams in Australia (B. petrophilus) and four from Patagonian Argentina and Chile (B. edwardsi, B. glacialis, B. mapuche and B. tronador). All Australian species are known from at least pupal exuviae, most from adult males and several from larvae. In contrast, only B. edwardsi amongst Neotropical species is known from the adult male; all others are described from pupal exuviae. The immature stages are lotic in Australian permanent and temporary streams and Patagonian glacial streams and rivers, and lentic in Neotropical glacial-fed and Australian subalpine lakes. Botryocladius appears to belong with a grouping centred on two formally undescribed taxa from Australia. The genus evidently demonstrates a vicariant distribution with at least two sister-group relationships between South American and Australian taxa, providing a minimum dating for the clade of 38 Ma., with apparent absence from New Zealand indicating a maximum date of 80 Ma.     

中国棘蝇属三新种记述 (双翅目：蝇科)

报道了采自中国四川地区的棘蝇属Phaonia Robineau Desvoidy,1830三新种：凹铗棘蝇Phaonia holcocerca Feng et Ma,sp.nov.,高巅棘蝇Phaonia supernapica Feng et Ma,sp.onv.,孟氏棘蝇Phaonia Mengi Feng,sp.nov.。后者系纪念我国已故著名昆虫学家孟庆华教授对医学昆虫学研究所作的贡献而命名。模式标本存于北京军事医学科学院微生物流行病研究所。     

Tuyamaella serratistipa S. Hatt. new to the Philippines,with a key to the genus Tuyamaella (Hepaticae,Lejeuneaceae)

Abstract

Tuyamaella serratistipa S. Hatt. is reported as a new generic and specific record for the Philippine bryoflora. A detailed illustration of the species and a distribution map of the genus and the species are presented. A key to all known species of Tuyamaella is also provided, and the taxonomy of the genus discussed.     

Niche separation of African Lissocephala within the Ficus Drosophilid community

Summary The oviposition sites and larval cycle of the African species of Lissocephala, the most primitive genus of Drosophilidae, are described here for the first time. The genus Lissocephala has achieved a novel adaptive direction in the Ethiopian region. All known African species are strictly specialized on Ficus. This species diversity suggests that ecological transfer to Ficus preceded the Lissocephala radiation. Lissocephala larvae breed inside immature figs. The eggs are laid in or near the fig ostiole. First instar larvae enter the fig receptacle though the ostiolar entrance is constantly closed by firmly imbricating bracts. Third instar larvae leave the fig by crawling out between the ostiolar bracts, and drop to the soil where they pupate. Thus Lissocephala species larvae breed inside a sheltered microhabitat, since the numerous other sympatric sycophagous Drosophilids do not have the ability to colonize immature figs. Other groups of Drosophilid species breed successively on the ripening exocarp of the fig following the successive microbial states of the fig. The possibility of coevolution of Lissocephala species, Ficus species and pollinator fig wasp species is discussed. Selection for avoidance of competition increased Lissocephala species' efficiency in exploiting unutilized immature figs and then provided a conspicuous niche separation which contributed to species packing on figs.     

Goats,hares, and rabbits as hosts for the New Zealand cattle tick,Haemaphysalis longicornis

Abstract

Feral goats and hares were commonly infested by immature stages of the New Zealand cattle tick, Haemaphysalis longicornis. No explanation could be found for the low prevalence of adult ticks on these hosts. The ears of both host species were almost the exclusive feeding site of the ticks and this may be a consequence of grooming behaviour. Another potential host, the rabbit, was examined but few were found to be infested.

The less restricted range of non-domesticated hosts, together with feeding habits that differ from domestic stock, make them an important additional source of information on the ecology and seasonal pattern of activity of H. longicornis. Also, they are a source of contamination for tick-free pasture, and could possibly maintain the tick population in the absence of sheep and cattle. It is important that their role as alternative hosts be understood and considered in tick-control programmes.     

New monogeneans from the bathydemersal southern African endemic catshark,Holohalaelurus regani (Gilchrist, 1922)

The catshark genus Holohalaelurus Fowler is currently represented by five species distributed off the southern and eastern parts of the African coast. Very few parasitological records exist for any of these five species, representing a significant knowledge gap. We report the first monogenean species from the bathydemersal species Holohalaelurus regani (Gilchrist): a new species of Microbothriidae Price, 1936, Leptomicrobothrium holohalaelure n. sp. from the dorsal skin surface, and a new species of Hexabothriidae Price, 1942 representing a new genus, Scyliorhinocotyle narvaezae n. gen., n. sp., from the gill lamellae. Both monogenean records represent the first for any member of the catshark genus Holohalaelurus. Previously we focused on the identification of monogenean taxa of emerging veterinary importance for public aquaria. We now begin a focused effort to document a generally unexplored monogenean biodiversity from diverse marine habitats off South Africa.