A new genus and species of dryophthorid weevils (Coleoptera,Dryophthoridae: Stromboscerinae) from the Rovno amber

Stenommatomorphus hexarthrus gen. et sp. nov. (Dryophthoridae: Stromboscerinae) is described from the Late Eocene Rovno amber. This is the first fossil representative of the subfamily. The new genus is most close to Synommatus Pascoe, from which it differs in the pronotum and elytra less coarsely sculptured, the intervals not carinate, and the scutellum present.     

Pollination of Anthurium (Araceae) by derelomine flower weevils (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

Cyclanthura flower weevils (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Derelomini) are identified for the first time as pollinators of multiple species of Anthurium (Araceae) in Costa Rica. The weevils are present on the inflorescences in small numbers during the pistillate and staminate phase of anthesis, and consume plant tissues and pollen. The individuals of one species of Cyclanthura can visit several Anthurium species within the same locality. They also engage in reproductive activities and are likely to oviposit into the flowers. The mating strategies suggest that sperm precedence selects males that are able to secure their position as the last partner prior to oviposition.     

New species of bark beetles from the Rovno amber (Insecta: Coleoptera: Scolytidae)

Two new species of bark beetles are described from the Late Eocene Rovno amber. Xylechinus mozolevskae sp. nov. (Hylesininae: Tomicini) is the first fossil representative of this genus, differing from recent species in having large triangular scales along the suture. Taphramites rovnoensis sp. nov. (Scolytinae: Dryocoetini) differs from the closest species, T. gnathotrichus from Baltic amber, in the presence of short thin hairs on the elytra.     

New Weevils (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) from Rovno Amber

Paleontological Journal - A new genus Rovnoslonik Legalov, Nazarenko and Perkovsky gen. nov. (type species Rovnoslonik damzeni Legalov, Nazarenko and Perkovsky sp. nov.; tribe Stromboscerini,...     

New species of the genus Glaesotropis (Insecta: Coleoptera: Anthribidae) from Rovno amber

A new species of the fungus weevil genus Glaesotropis is described from the Late Eocene Rovno amber. G. diadiasashai sp. nov. differs from G. weitschati and G. minor described from Baltic amber in having a longer rostrum and in the structure of its antennae, with the third and fourth antennomeres being longer than the first and second ones. Additionally, the new species differs from G. weitschati in being smaller, in having unswollen frons, and weakly and smoothly concave elytral margin near hind coxae. The new species also differs from G. minor in having an uninterrupted posterior transverse carina on the pronotum, elytra less convex longitudinally, and a slightly broadened rostrum at the attachment of antennae.     

New weevils (Curculionidae) in Baltic amber

The new subtribes Palaeorhamphina subtrib. nov. of the tribe Rhamphini and Eocenesibiniina subtrib. nov. of the tribe Tychiini, new genera Archaeoeugnomus gen. nov. (type species A. balticus sp. nov.), Palaeorhamphus gen. nov. (type species P. primitivus sp. nov.), and Eocenesibinia gen. nov. (type species E. prussica sp. nov.), new subgenus Palaeoleiosoma subgen. nov. (type species L. klebsi sp. nov.) of the genus Leiosoma Stephens, and new species Leiosoma klebsi sp. nov., Caulophilus rarus sp. nov., C. squamosus sp. nov., Ceutorhynchus alekseevi sp. nov., C. electrinus sp. nov., Dorytomus nudus sp. nov., Pachytychius eocenicus sp. nov., Archaeoeugnomus balticus sp. nov., Palaeorhamphus primitivus sp. nov., Orchestes tatjanae sp. nov., and Eocenesibinia prussica sp. nov. are described. Electrotribus Hustache, 1942 placem. nov. is transferred from the tribe Derelomini of the subfamily Curculioninae to the tribe Acicnemidini of the subfamily Molytinae. Succinostyphlus erectosquamata (Rheinheimer, 2007) placem. nov. et comb. nov. is transferred from the genus Electrotribus Hustache, 1942 to the genus Succinostyphlus Ku?ka, 1996. These are the first records of representatives of the tribes Plinthini, Acicnemidini, Eugnomini, and Rhamphini in the Baltic amber.     

New genus and species of broad-nosed weevils from Baltic amber and notes on fossils of the subfamily Entiminae (Coleoptera, Curculionidae)

Arostropsis groehnigen. et sp. n. is described from Baltic amber and temporarily placed in the tribe Naupactini. It differs from all recent Naupactini genera with open corbels by very short and flattened scape, distinct lateral carina of the pronotum and elytra, and the rostrum distinctly narrower than the head capsule. The shape of head in the extinct genus is somewhat similar to that of the extant Naupactini genera with enclosed corbels (Platyomus Sahlberg, 1823 and Aptolemus Schoenherr, 1842), but differs in the slender body, open corbels, very short antennal scape and epifrons without a median sulcus (only a longitudinal depression is slightly visible). It is also similar to the Tanymecine genus Pandeleteius Schoenherr, 1834 in general appearance, but distinct by the straight anterior edge of the pronotum, lack of postocular spurs, lobes, and vibrissae, a slightly sloping elytral declivity, lateral ridges on the pronotum, subflattened antennal scape, elongate rostrum, and sparsely setose epistome. A new synonymy of the generic names Protonaupactus Zherikhin, 1971 and Sucinophyllobius Wanat & Borowiec, 1986, syn. n., is established. The Madagascan genus Corecaulus Fairmaire, 1903 is transferred from the tribe Naupactini to the Brachyderini because of its connate claws and the similarity in chaetotaxy of the epistomal area with African and Madagascar Brachyderini genera. A key to the identification of known Baltic amber genera of Entiminae is proposed. A checklist of the prepleistocene fossil Entiminae, based on V.V. Zherikhin's data, with remarks and corrections, is presented.     

New species of sub-fossil weevils (Coleoptera,Curculionidae) in Madagascar copal

Two new species of the subfamily Cossoninae are described from Madagascar copal. Pentarthrum inclusus sp. nov. is similar to P. alpinum Hustache, 1933 but differs in the smaller body size, almost straight rostrum, almost flat eyes, temples with smooth punctures, and the shorter 3rd antennomere. Cossonus shevnini sp. nov. is similar to C. suturalis Boheman, 1838, differing in the unicolorous body, uniformly punctured pronotum, and more convex eyes.     

A study of the chromosomes of thirty-four species of Japanese weevils (Coleoptera:Curculionidae)

The chromosomes of 34 Japanese weevils belonging to 13 subfamilies were investigated in male and/or female germ line cells using squash preparations with the exception of one species studied by sectioning. The results are summarised in Table 1. Excluding two species with Neo-XY, the other 32 species have an Xy_p sex-determining mechanism.

     

A revised study of the chromosomes of twenty-four species of Japanese weevils (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

The chromosomes of 24 Japanese weevils were reinvestigated in the male germ line using squash preparations. The results are summarized in Table 1. All species have an Xy_p sex-determining mechanism.     

A new species of the genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Caulophilus</Emphasis> Woll. (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Cossoninae) from the Rovno amber

Caulophilus zherikhini, sp. nov. (Curculionidae: Cossoninae) is described from the Late Eocene Rovno amber. The new species is distinguished from all known species of the genus by its longer rostrum. It is especially similar to C. falini Davis et Engel, 2007 from Dominican amber, from which it probably differs also in the more strongly curved rostrum, less flattened body, longer and narrower profemur, and shorter elytral setae.     

A New Genus and Species of Scolytinae (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) from the Rovno Amber

A new genus, Klesovia gen. nov., with the species K. pubescens sp. nov. (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) are described from the Rovno amber. The new genus is closely related to Xylechinus (tribe Hylurgini) and distinguished by the wide flattened ovoid antennal club with rounded apex and the metepisternum covered with long thin sparse setae; it differs from other genera of Hylurgini in having a five-segmented funicle, four-segmented club, and large distance between the procoxa.     

A new species of Diochus from Baltic amber (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae, Diochini)

The first fossil of the staphylinine tribe Diochini Casey is described and figured from an inclusion in mid-Eocene (Lutetian) Baltic amber. Diochus electrussp. n. is distinguished from its congeners and the diversity of rove beetles (Staphylinidae s.l.) is summarized briefly.     

Third contribution on Rovno amber silken fungus beetles: a new Eocene species of Cryptophagus (Coleoptera, Clavicornia, Cryptophagidae)

Cryptophagus alexagrestis Lyubarsky & Perkovsky, sp. n. is described based on a fossil inclusion in Late Eocene Rovno amber (Ukraine). The new species is similar to the extant Cryptophagus skalitzkyi Reitter and Cryptophagus dilutus Reitter, differing from the latter by having a very transverse, short and dilated 10th antennal segment, and from the former by the very elongate segments of the flagellum.     

Seven new species of caddisflies (Insecta: Trichoptera) from the Rovno amber (Eocene of Ukraine)

Seven new caddisfly species of the families Polycentropodidae, Psychomyiidae, and Lepidostomatidae are described from the Late Eocene Rovno amber: Holocentropus kobodok sp. nov., H. zhiltsovae sp. nov., Plectrocnemia nastigermania sp. nov., P. ucrainica sp. nov., Nyctiophylax terreusbos sp. nov., Lype essentia sp. nov., and Lepidostoma quasitypica sp. nov.     

A model for long-distance dispersal of boll weevils (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

The boll weevil, Anthonomus grandis (Boheman), has been a major insect pest of cotton production in the US, accounting for yield losses and control costs on the order of several billion US dollars since the introduction of the pest in 1892. Boll weevil eradication programs have eliminated reproducing populations in nearly 94%, and progressed toward eradication within the remaining 6%, of cotton production areas. However, the ability of weevils to disperse and reinfest eradicated zones threatens to undermine the previous investment toward eradication of this pest. In this study, the HYSPLIT atmospheric dispersion model was used to simulate daily wind-aided dispersal of weevils from the Lower Rio Grande Valley (LRGV) of southern Texas and northeastern Mexico. Simulated weevil dispersal was compared with weekly capture of weevils in pheromone traps along highway trap lines between the LRGV and the South Texas / Winter Garden zone of the Texas Boll Weevil Eradication Program. A logistic regression model was fit to the probability of capturing at least one weevil in individual pheromone traps relative to specific values of simulated weevil dispersal, which resulted in 60.4% concordance, 21.3% discordance, and 18.3% ties in estimating captures and non-captures. During the first full year of active eradication with widespread insecticide applications in 2006, the dispersal model accurately estimated 71.8%, erroneously estimated 12.5%, and tied 15.7% of capture and non-capture events. Model simulations provide a temporal risk assessment over large areas of weevil reinfestation resulting from dispersal by prevailing winds. Eradication program managers can use the model risk assessment information to effectively schedule and target enhanced trapping, crop scouting, and insecticide applications.     

Dispersal of boll weevils (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) from cotton modules before ginning

We characterized the level of risk of boll weevil, Anthonomus grandis grandis Boheman, reintroduction to an eradication zone posed by dispersal from cotton modules during and after transport to the gin. Mark-release-recapture experiments in August and September in Texas indicated that most weevils disperse rapidly from the module surface, temperature permitting, unless confined under a module tarp, where most died. Nevertheless, 1-5% of released weevils were recovered alive after 24 h on the side and top surfaces of modules, representing potential dispersants. Mortality of boll weevils caged on the top surface of a module was 95-100% after 1-4 d when maximum air temperatures were > or = 33 degrees C and 72-100% when minimum temperatures were -7 degrees C or lower, but a few survived even after experiencing a minimum daily temperature of -12 degrees C. Under warm (daily maximum temperatures > or = 25 degrees C) and cold (daily minimum temperatures < or = 0 degrees C) weather conditions, survival was higher under the tarp than on the open surface of the module (20 versus 7% and 42 versus 26%, respectively), but mortality was 100% in both locations when temperatures reached 34 degrees C. Our results indicate that although the threat to an eradication zone posed by boll weevil dispersal from an infested module is very low under most environmental conditions, it is probably greatest when 1) a module is constructed and transported from an infested zone during weather too cool for flight, followed by warm weather favorable for flight at the gin yard; or 2) such a module is transported immediately after construction in moderate-to-warm weather.     

A new genus and nine new species of Eugnomini (Coleoptera,Curculionidae) from New Caledonia

The genus Rasilinus gen. n. is described (type species Rasilinus tchambicus sp. n.). Nine new species: Rasilinus bicolor sp. n., Rasilinus bifurcatus sp. n., Rasilinus bimaculatus sp. n., Rasilinus grandidens sp. n., Rasilinus longulus sp. n., Rasilinus subgemellus sp. n., Rasilinus subnodulus sp. n., Rasilinus tchambicus sp. n., Rasilinus virgatus sp. n. are described from New Caledonia. Illustrations of the external morphology, male and female terminalia, dorsal habitus colour photographs of the adults, key to species and distribution map of the new genus Rasilinus are provided.     

New data on the cytology of parthenogenetic weevils (Coleoptera,Curculionidae)

Parthenogenesis and, in particular, polyploidy are rare in animals. A number of cases, known among weevils, represent apomictic parthenogenesis-a reproductive mode in which eggs undergo one maturation division, the chromosomes divide equationally, and no reduction takes place. Among parthenogenetic weevils there are two diploids, 48 triploids, 18 tetraploids, six pentaploids, three hexaploids and one decaploid. Eight examined parthenogenetic species are triploids with 33 chromosomes of different morphology, confirming that triploidy is the most common level of ploidy in weevils. The karyotypes are heterogeneous with the presence of meta-, submeta-, subtelo- and acrocentric chromosomes. The C-banding method showed that only two species possess a large amount of heterochromatin visible as a band around the centromere during mitotic metaphase. This agrees with observations that weevils are characterized by a small amount of heterochromatin, undetectable in metaphase plates after C-banding. In three species an atypical course of apomictic oogenesis occurs with stages similar to meiosis, in which chromosomes form bivalents and multivalent clusters. This association of chromosomes probably represents the remnants of meiosis, although these events have nothing to do with recombination. The results support the hypothesis that the evolution of apomictic parthenogenesis in weevils has proceeded through a stage of automixis.     

A study of polyploidy in races of Japanese weevils (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

The chromosomes of two Japanese weevils, Blosyrus japonicus Sharp and Callirhopalus (= Pseudocneorhinus) obesus Roelofs, were studied. The former consists of four races: one 2n and bisexual (= Blosyrus falcatus Faust) and three parthenogenetic-4n, 5n, and 6n. In general the races are allopatric. The latter species has two races: 4n and 6n, again with distinct geographical distributions.