Onthophagus cervicornis Kirby, 1825, new synonym under Onthophagus dama (Fabricius, 1798) (Coleoptera,Scarabaeidae, Scarabaeinae)

After examining syntypes of Onthophagus cervicornis Kirby, 1825, previously considered to be a synonym of the North American Onthophagus striatulus (Palisot de Beauvois, 1809), we confirm the true identity and new synonymy under South Asian Onthophagus dama (Fabricius, 1798).     

A new species of Haliplus Latreille, 1802 from Cuba (Coleoptera: Haliplidae)

Haliplus alberti sp. n. is described, based on three specimens collected in Pan de Guajaibon, San Juan de Sagüa, Pinar del Río, Cuba. Morphologically, the new species is similar to H. pseudofasciatus Wallis, 1933 and H. mutchleri Wallis, 1933, both from Florida (USA). The beetles were collected in a permanent lagoon with abundant aquatic vegetation, muddy bottom and macrophytes near the banks. Seven species of Haliplus are now known from Cuba.

http://zoobank.org/urn:zoobank.org:pub:3CE6BA24-9D20-4A4D-8C8A-51687B750244     

Two new species of the genus Endelus Deyrolle, 1864 from China (Coleoptera: Buprestidae)

The genus Endelus Deyrolle, 1864 belongs to the subfamily Agrilinae, tribe Aphanisticini. Two new species, E. (E.) violaceithorax sp. n. from Hainan Island and E. (E.) wangi sp. n. from Guangxi and Yunnan, are herein described and illustrated. A key to separate species of the subgenus Endelus Deyrolle, 1864 from China is provided.www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:CF144204-86FB-401D-AF75-B740CCD020DC.     

New distributional records of Hydrophilidae Latreille, 1802 (Coleoptera: Hydrophiloidea) from Brazil

A survey of the Hydrophilidae (Coleoptera: Hydrophiloidea) from Baixo Parnaíba Sub-basin, north of Piauí (Northeast Region of Brazil) is provided here. A total of 288 specimens, from 7 genera and 13 species, were collected between January 2015 and March 2016 in 15 localities. Six species are recorded for the first time from the State of Piauí: Berosus firmius Orchymont, 1940; Derallus ambitus Orchymont, 1940; Helochares (Helochares) abbreviatus (Fabricius, 1801); Hemiosus (Hemiosus) mornarius Orchymont, 1940; Hydrophilus ensifer Brullé, 1837 and Enochrus (Methydrus) venezuelensis Fernández, 1988. Moreover, the last species aforementioned is recorded for the first time from Brazil.     

New species and new faunistic records of the family Meloidae Gyllenhal, 1810 (Coleoptera: Tenebrionoidea) from China,with a list of meloid species from Xinjiang

Mylabris (Eumylabris) bolognai Pan sp. nov. is described and illustrated. Meanwhile, one newly recorded subgenus, Meloe (Meloegonius) Reitter, 1911, and two newly recorded species, Meloe (Meloegonius) cicatricosus Leach, 1815 and Mylabris (Argabris) impedita impedita (Heyden, 1883), from China are reported and illustrated. Furthermore, a list of meloid species from Xinjiang is carried out, and Euzonitis quadrimaculata (Pallas, 1782) is newly recorded from Xinjiang.     

Male differentiation patterns in two polyphenic sister species of the genus Onthophagus Latreille, 1802 (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae): a geometric morphometric approach

This paper focuses on morphological (both shape and size ) differences that quite similar polyphenic sister species evolve during divergence processes. Traits were analysed using a geometrical morphometric approach, which has the ability to evidence also very subtle differences in shape. As a case study, we considered males of the dung beetle sister species pair Onthophagus taurus and Onthophagus illyricus (Coleoptera, Scarabaeidae); these species represent a typical example of polyphenic trait expression concerning the facultative development of horns and considerable body size differences. External shape morphology failed to discriminate O. taurus from O. illyricus , whereas the reproductive system shape showed significant interspecific discrimination power. However, the head of O. taurus was significantly larger than that of O. illyricus and the reverse was true for the elytra. The two species also showed different allometric values of the head with respect to body size. This complex pattern of interspecific morphological divergence is discussed in the light of the differential trait divergence rate hypothesis. In both species, differences between major and minor forms concern the overall shape of head and pronotum: we suggest that such different forms, which likely reflect morphological readjustment to accommodate horns of considerable bulk and disproportionate length, may be nevertheless advantageously used by the two male morphs in their alternative reproductive tactics. Male genitalia sizes were virtually constant with respect to body size; however, the ratio between phallotheca and body size was significantly higher in minor males, in keeping with the hypothesis of a higher investment in genitalia borne by this morph.     

A new species of Maladera from Jordan (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Sericini)

A new Maladera species is described from Jordan: M. schnitteri sp. n. A key to the species of the subgenus Eusericula is given, and the habitus and genitalia are illustrated.

http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:D41D75B5-D700-4C2B-9058-04D14006C810     

A revision of Dichotomius (Homocanthonides) Luederwaldt, 1929 (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Scarabaeinae)

The monospecific subgenus Dichotomius (Homocanthonides) is revised and its single species, Dichotomius (H.) smaragdinus (Perty, 1830) is redescribed and distinguished from other Dichotomius species. Dichotomius (H.) smaragdinus is a polymorphic species and its distribution comprises the Brazilian Cerrado. For the first time, morphological variation and male genital organ are described and illustrated. We believe that this species might be endangered due to extensive deforestation of Brazilian Cerrado by agricultural and pasture expansion. Thus, we highlight the importance of preserving this very unusual Dichotomius species.     

Taxonomic study of the genus Laena from Sichuan in China,with description of four new species (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae)

The genus Laena Dejean, 1821 belongs to the subfamily Lagriinae, tribe Laenini. Four new species of this genus are described and illustrated from Sichuan under the following name: Laena ceratina Wei & Ren, sp. nov., Laena edentata Zhao & Ren, sp. nov. (from Sichuan and Qinghai), Laena latitarsia Wei & Ren, sp. nov. (from Sichuan and Yunnan) and Laena sufflofemora Wei & Ren, sp. nov.. A key to the known Laena species from Sichuan is provided. www.zoobank.org/urn:urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:8DBFD10F-F968-400C-846B-1C23E8DEC177.     

Seven new species of Cis Latreille (Coleoptera: Ciidae) from southern Africa

Here we describe seven new species of Cis Latreille from southern Africa: Cis aster sp. nov., Cis makebae sp. nov., Cis mandelai sp. nov., Cis masekelai sp. nov., Cis neserorum sp. nov., Cis stalsi sp. nov. and Cis urbanae sp. nov. We also provide information on their host fungi and geographic distributions.     

Dung beetle (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Scarabaeinae) diversity in continuous forest,forest fragments and cattle pastures in a landscape of Chiapas,Mexico: the effects of anthropogenic changes

We studied the diversity of dung beetles in three different habitats in the Lacandona Forest, Chiapas, Mexico. We found a total of 49 species. Of these, 44 were in well-preserved forests (SC) within the limits of the Montes Azules Biosphere Reserve, 42 in fragmented forests (SF), and 13 in cattle pastures (PZ). These two latter habitats were part of a fragmented landscape. Even though the species richness between the two forest habitats is similar, there is a change in guild composition and structure. About 12% of the species were exclusively found in SC, while 4.1% and 2% were exclusive of SF and PZ respectively. β diversity was the most important element for overall diversity (γ), above that of the local richness (α). Within well-preserved forests, species composition changes substantially, even among neighboring sites. Species diversity within the landscape seems to depend on canopy coverage, soil temperature and geographic distance between sites. Functional groups vary with the habitat. Large-bodied, nocturnal species with specific requirements of soil temperature and compaction are more sensitive to anthropogenic changes. In cattle pastures there is a larger number of heliophilic species, with a higher percentage of small-bodied and roller beetles.     

Sub-lethal effects of moxidectin on the Neotropical dung beetle Onthophagus landolti Harold (Coleoptera: Scarabaeinae)

Macrocyclic lactones can have adverse effects in dung beetles exposed to manure containing them. An assessment of the survival and fertility of adult Onthophagus landolti Harold fed with manure from cows treated with moxidectin was performed, as well as the emergence rate of the imagoes from the masses. Three cows (Bos indicus x B. taurus) were subcutaneously injected with 1% moxidectin (0.2 mg kg^?1 b.w.) and another three were injected with 10% moxidectin (1.0 mg/kg^?1 b.w.). Manure was collected from these animals one day prior to moxidectin administration, five days post-treatment in the 1% and 10% treatments, and fourteen days in the 10% treatment. Four bioassays were done: a control using manure without moxidectin; 1% moxidectin at five days post-treatment; 10% moxidectin at five days post-treatment; and 10% moxidectin at fourteen days post-treatment. In each replicate, for each pair of adult O. landolti was daily fed with 30 g manure according to the treatments. No lethal effects were observed in any of the four treatments. Sub-lethal effects (P < .05) were present in the 10% moxidectin treatments at five and fourteen days post-treatment. Fecundity was reduced by 78.2% at five days and 54.9% at fourteen days, and imago emergence was negatively affected at both times. Current moxidectin application methods may have negative effects on the environmental services provided by dung beetles, and therefore need to be modified to minimize any impacts they might have on these vital members of tropical livestock systems.     

Five new species of Stenothemus Bourgeois from Guangxi,China (Coleoptera,Cantharidae)

Five new species of Stenothemus Bourgeois, 1907 from Guangxi, China are described, S. normalis sp. nov., S. flavicans sp. nov., S. nigripennis sp. nov., S. elongaticeps sp. nov. and S. maculaticollis sp. nov.. They are illustrated with habitus photos and aedeagi of males, also abdominal sternites VIII and internal genitalia of females. A key for the identification of the above species is provided.     

中国肿腿蜂属新记录及一新种记述膜翅目：肿腿蜂科，肿腿蜂亚科）

记述了采自我国辽宁省的肿腿蜂属一新种：中华肿腿蜂Bethylus sinensis Xu, He et Terayama, sp. Nov.,这是我国肿腿蜂属的首次记录。模式标本保存于浙江大学植物保护系寄生蜂标本室。     

中国肿腿蜂属新记录及一新种记述膜翅目：肿腿蜂科，肿腿蜂亚科）

 记述了采自我国辽宁省的肿腿蜂属一新种：中华肿腿蜂Bethylus sinensis Xu, He et Terayama, sp. Nov.,这是我国肿腿蜂属的首次记录。模式标本保存于浙江大学 植物保护系寄生蜂标本室。     

Development of Copris tripartitus (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) in Two Different Rearing Media

ABSTRACT Like many other sub-social insects, Copris tripartitus Waterhouse requires parental care during the development period in the brood balls. Mass-rearing is achieved by using indoor rearing systems and adding more dung after taking away the brood balls containing eggs. Without parental care, larvae are often affected by desiccation, as well as by fungal or sciarid fly intrusion of the brood balls. This study developed a good substitute for brood ball rearing medium. A significantly greater number of progeny survived to adulthood from broods produced by beetles reared on vermiculite medium (90.69±10.98%) than on peat moss medium (44.82±13.92%). Results of the study suggest that to protect the brood balls from desiccation and to produce healthy adults, 15-20% moisture content vermiculite must be used as brood ball rearing medium for most species reared in the laboratory.     

Duration and benefits of biparental brood care in the dung beetle Onthophagus vacca (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae)

Abstract.

• 1 Single males, single females or pairs of dung beetles, Onthophagus vacca, were released on artificial small (100 g) or large (1000 g) dung pats in the laboratory. Emigrating beetles were trapped at 12 h intervals, and the number and size of the brood chambers were recorded after each replicate.
• 2 Emigration of males was delayed if females were present in the same dung pats, whereas emigration times of females were independent of the presence or absence of males.
• 3 A residency of 60 h proved to be a threshold value. Females emigrating before this time did not breed, whereas those emigrating later had built at least two brood chambers.
• 4 Females paired with males built more brood chambers than single females.
• 5 The reproductive success of pairs was not influenced by the size of the dung pats.