The New World whirligig beetles of the genus Dineutus Macleay, 1825 (Coleoptera,Gyrinidae, Gyrininae,Dineutini)

All New World members of the whirligig beetle genus Dineutus Macleay, 1825 are treated. The New World Dineutus are found to be composed of 18 species and 6 subspecies: one species, Dineutusmexicanus Ochs, 1925, stat. n. is elevated from subspecies to species rank, and the subspecies Dineutuscarolinusmutchleri Ochs, 1925, syn. n. is synonymized here with the typical form. Lectotypes are designated for Dineutusdiscolor Aubé, 1838, Dineutesmetallicus Aubé, 1838, Dineutussolitarius Aubé, 1838, Dineutesanalis Régimbart, 1883, and Gyrinuslongimanus Olivier, 1795. Each taxonomic unit is provided with a taxonomic history, type locality, diagnosis, distribution, habitat information, and a discussion section. The aedeagus and male mesotarsal claws are illustrated, and dorsal and ventral habitus images of both sexes, for each species and subspecies are provided. General distribution maps are provided for all taxonimc units. A key to the genera of New World Gyrinidae, as well as all the New World Dineutus species is provided. General Dineutus anatomy as well as a clarification of homology and anatomical terms is included.     

Alarm substance in Gyrinus aeratus (Coleoptera,Gyrinidae)

Gyrinid beetles are common in ponds and lakes in Sweden, where they aggregate in open areas of the surface. Gyrinid beetles have pygidial glands which produce compounds rendering them unpalatable to fish. This study examines whether the pygidial secretion can be used for alarm purposes in addition to other functions. Experiments showed that gyrinid beetles responded to water prepared with the pygidial compounds by evasive behaviour. The beetles did not respond when the compound was mediated by air. One component of the defense system of gyrinids is how they advertise their presence. The aggregation of dark beetles with their typical motion pattern when alerted is very conspicuous and easily identified by an experienced predator. We suggest that this aspect of gyrinid defence can be characterized as aposematic.     

A taxonomic review of the Gyrinidae (Coleoptera) in Korea

A taxonomic review of Korean Gyrinidae is presented. Seven species [Dineutus orientalis (Modeer, 1776), Gyrinus gestroi Régimbart, 1883, Gyrinus japonicus Sharp, 1873, Gyrinus pullatus Zaitzev, 1908, Orectochilus punctipennis Sharp, 1884, Orectochilus Regimbarti Sharp, 1884 and Orectochilus villosus (Müller, 1776)] in three genera are recognized, one of which (Orectochilus punctipennis Sharp, 1884) is reported for the first time in Korea. We also found that Gyrinus curtus Motschulsky, 1866 previously recorded in Korea was an incorrect identification of Gyrinus pullatus Zaitzev, 1908. Habitus and SEM photographs, distribution maps, keys, and diagnoses of genera and species are provided.     

Ground beetles of the Ukraine (Coleoptera, Carabidae)

A review of the ground beetles of the Ukrainian fauna is given. Almost 750 species from 117 genera of Carabidae are known to occur in the Ukraine. Approximately 450 species of ground beetles are registered in the Carpathian region. No less than 300 species of ground beetles are found in the forest zone. Approximately 400 species of Carabidae present in the forest-steppe zone are relatively similar in species composition to those in the forest territories. Some 450 species of Carabidae are inhabitants of the steppe zone. Representatives of many other regions of heterogeneous biotopes such as forest, semi desert, intrazonal, etc. can be found in the steppe areas. The fauna of Carabidae (ca. 100 species) of the lowlands of southern Ukraine (sandy biotopes), situated mostly in the Kherson region, is very peculiar. The fauna of the Crimean mountains contains about 300 species. Conservation measures for the Carabidae are discussed.     

Feeding behavior of leaf beetles (Coleoptera,Chrysomelidae)

The feeding behavior of adult leaf beetles (41 species from 18 genera and 8 subfamilies) was studied for the first time. Beetles of the genera Chrysolina, Chrysomela, Cryptocephalus, Galeruca, Gastrophysa, Labidostomis, Leptinotarsa, Timarcha, and Cassida stigmatica gnaw a leaf from the edge, whereas the representatives of Donacia, Galerucella, Lema, Lilioceris, Oulema, Phyllobrotica, Plagiodera, Zeugophora, Hypocassida, and most species of Cassida gnaw the leaf plane. In addition, adults of Lilioceris merdigera and Donacia clavipes feed on young leaves rolled into a tube. New host plants are reported for the first time: Hyoscyamus niger for the larvae of the Colorado potato beetle and Naumburgia thyrsiflora for Galerucella grisescens.     

New mesozoic Ithyceridae beetles (Coleoptera)

A new subfamily, Mongolocarinae subfam. nov. of the family Ithyceridae, from the Middle-Upper Jurassic and Lower Cretaceous of Asia is described. It includes five genera with five species: Palaeocar gen. nov. (with P. princeps sp. nov.), Mongolocar gen. nov. (M. orcinus sp. nov.), Praecar gen. nov. (P. stolidus sp. nov.), Karacar gen. nov. (M. contractus sp. nov.), and Baissacar gen. nov. (B. passarius sp. nov.).     

A catalogue of Lithuanian beetles (Insecta, Coleoptera)

This paper presents the first complete and updated list of all 3597 species of beetles (Insecta: Coleoptera) belonging to 92 familiesfound and published in Lithuania until 2011, with comments also provided on the main systematic and nomenclatural changes since the last monographic treatment in two volumes (Pileckis and Monsevičius 1995, 1997). The introductory section provides a general overview of the main features of the territory of Lithuania, the origins and formation of the beetle fauna and their conservation, the faunistic investigations in Lithuania to date revealing the most important stages of the faunistic research process with reference to the most prominent scientists, an overview of their work, and their contribution to Lithuanian coleopteran faunal research.Species recorded in Lithuania by some authors without reliable evidence and requiring further confirmation with new data are presented in a separate list, consisting of 183 species. For the first time, analysis of errors in works of Lithuanian authors concerning data on coleopteran fauna has been conducted and these errors have been corrected. All available published and Internet sources on beetles found in Lithuania have been considered in the current study. Over 630 literature sources on species composition of beetles, their distribution in Lithuania and neighbouring countries, and taxonomic revisions and changes are reviewed and cited. An alphabetical list of these literature sources is presented. After revision of public beetle collections in Lithuania, the authors propose to remove 43 species from the beetle species list of the country on the grounds, that they have been wrongly identified or published by mistake. For reasons of clarity, 19 previously noted but later excluded species are included in the current checklist with comments. Based on faunal data from neighbouring countries, species expected to occur in Lithuania are matnioned. In total 1390 species are attributed to this category and data on their distribution in neighbouring countries is presented. Completion of this study provides evidence that the Lithuanian coleopteran fauna has yet to be completely investigated and it is estimated that approximately 28 % of beetle species remain undiscovered in Lithuania. More than 85% of beetle species expected for Lithuania have been found in the following families: Cerylonidae, Geotrupidae, Haliplidae, Kateridae, Lycidae, Lucanidae, Mycetophagidae, Scarabaeidae and Silphidae. In families with few species such as Alexiidae, Boridae, Byturidae, Dascilidae, Drilidae, Eucinetidae, Lampyridae, Lymexilidae, Megalopodidae, Nemonychidae, Nosodendridae, Noteridae, Orsodacnidae, Pyrochroidae, Pythidae, Psephenidae, Rhysodidae, Sphaeritidae, Sphaeriusidae, Sphindidae, Stenotrahelidae and Trogidae, all possible species have already been discovered. However in some beetle families such as Aderidae, Bothrideridae, Eucnemidae, Laemoploeidae, Mordellidae, Ptiliidae, Scraptidae and Throscidae less than 50% of all possible species are known. At present the beetle species recorded in Lithuania belong to 92 families, with species from 9 other families such as Agyrtidae, Biphylidae, Deradontidae, Mycteridae, Ochodaeidae, Phleophilidae, Phloeostichidae, Prostomidae, Trachypachidae are expected to be found.A bibliography and a index of subfamily and genus levels are provided. The information published in the monograph will serve to further faunistic and distribution research of beetles and will help to avoid confusion in the identificatation of coleopteran fauna of Lithuania.     

Anthophagy in the leaf beetles (Coleoptera,Chrysomelidae)

Laboratory experiments were performed on leaf beetles collected on flowers. Flower consumption (anthophagy) was demonstrated for adults of Donacia bicolora, D. brevitarsis, D. obscura, D. thalassina, Plateumaris discolor, Cryptocephalus laetus, C. sericeus, C. solivagus, Labidostomis longimana, Hydrothassa marginella, Phaedon concinnus, Galerucella nymphaeae, Neocrepidodera femorata, Altica oleracea, Aphthona lutescens, Longitarsus pellucidus, and larvae of Entomoscelis adonidis, H. marginella, and G. nymphaeae for the first time for all the species except for P. discolor, L. longimana, and C. sericeus. The feeding behavior was described, and the mouthparts of adults were studied. The mandibles and maxillae of the Donacia, Plateumaris, and Orsodacne species mentioned are adapted to consuming pollen. Some questions of ecology and evolution of anthophagy are discussed. An overview of literature on anthophagy in the leaf beetles is presented.     

On the systematic position of the family Gyrinidae (Coleoptera: Adephaga)

Various characters of adult and larval members of Adephaga and Cupedidae were analyzed, and suggest that Gyrinidae are the sister-group of the remaining Adephaga, and are not closely related to the remaining aquatic Adephaga. The aquatic families Noteridae, Amphizoidae, Hygrobiidae and Dytiscidae seem to form a well founded monophyletic unit. The following characters are considered as synapomorphies of Adephaga excluding Gyrinidae: bifurcate condition of the muscle (= M.) tentoriopraementalis inferior, reduction of hypopharynx, strongly developed prosternal process, reduction in size and specialized modification of the ventral sclerite of the mesothorax, strongly developed mesofurcal arms, a high mesopleural ridge, globular mesocoxae restricted to rotatory movements, invaginated sternum VIII (coxostemum), the strongly curved base of the median lobe of the aedeagus, which articulates with the parameres, the rotated position of the aedeagus in repose, fusion of the larval clypeolabrum with the frons and reduction of the larval lacinia. Mesal shifting of M. episterno-coxalis prothoracis, and the fusion of the apical portions of the malpighian tubules of either side are considered as synapomorphies of Adephaga excluding Rhysodidae and Gyrinidae. Lateral reduction of the meta “sternal” transverse ridge and the presence of the subcubital setal binding patch of the hind wing are considered as synapomorphic characters of Trachypachidae, Noteridae, Amphizoidae, Hygrobiidae and Dytiscidae. We postulate that the metacoxal fusion occurred independently in gyrmids and the common ancestor of Trachypachidae, Noteridae, Amphizoidae, Hygrobiidae and Dytiscidae. Consequently we consider this character state as another synapomorphy of Trachypachidae and Hydradephaga excluding Haliplidae and Gyrinidae. The following characters are considered as synapomorphies of Noteridae, Amphizoidae, Hygrobiidae and Dytiscidae: Loss of tactile setae on the head capsule, metafurcal origin on the intercoxal wall, expansion of the intercoxal wall, elongation of the subcubital setal binding patch, loss of Mm. furca-coxale anterior and posterior, reduction of the larval abdominal segments IX and X, and the shifting of the uropmphi onto the ventral side of segment VIII. Presence of M. tentorio-mandibularis and M. stipitopalpalis intemus are certainly primitive features of adult gyrinids but the distribution of these character states among most members of Adephaga is yet unclear. Chemical defence gland constituents point towards a very isolated position of Gyrinidae. The old age of the group, documented by a larva found in upper Permian deposits, may support the hypothesis of a sister-group relation-ship between Gyrinidae and the remainder of Adephaga.     

The ladybird beetles (Coleoptera,Coccinellidae) of Moscow Province

Data on the fauna and ecology of the ladybird beetles (Coleoptera, Coccinellidae) of Moscow Province are summarized. In total, 60 species of 29 genera are recorded for this region. The paper is provided with 30 original color photographs of 29 species representing all the genera known from Moscow Province.     

New mesozoic diving beetles (Coleoptera,Dytiscidae) from China

A new subfamily of predaceous diving beetles, Liadytiscinae subfam. nov., including two genera and four species, Liadytiscus gen. nov. (L. cretaceus sp. nov., L. longitibialis sp. nov., and L. latus sp. nov.) and Liadroporus gen. nov. (L. elegans sp. nov.), from the Late Tithonian-Berriasian (Huangbanjigou, Yixian Formation) of China is described. Two new genera, Mesoderus gen. nov. with two species, M. magnus sp. nov. and M. ventralis sp. nov., and Sinoporus gen. nov. with one species, S. lineatus sp. nov., are also described; their position in the system of Dytiscidae remains uncertain. Relationships of the taxa described with Recent and fossil taxa of the same rank and some presumable ecological features of the new taxa are discussed.     

Habitat selection and grouping of beetles (Coleoptera)

Beetles were collected by pitfall trapping for a two-year period in seven adjacent habitats in an upland site in North Wales. Positive correlations were demonstrated between number of beetle species and number and diversity of plant species. Similar correlations were shown between beetle numbers and plant species. However, only 15% of the beetle species were herbivores requiring host plants. The degree of habitat selection by individual beetle species was demonstrated, ranging from habitat specialist, being found in one habitat, lo habitat generalist, being found in most habitats. Herbivores were significantly more habitat specialist than predators or scavengers. The grouping of beetles, demonstrated by ordination analysis, was similar to, but less precise than, the grouping of plant species. The beetle groups reflect habitat selection preferences by individual species rather than a functional relationship between beetle species. They provide an example of the centrifugal structure of habitat selection theory.     

Righting kinematics in beetles (Insecta: Coleoptera)

Twenty modes of stereotyped righting motions were observed in 116 representative species of coleoptera. Methods included cine and stereocine recording with further frame by frame analysis, stereogrammetry, inverse kinematic reconstruction of joint angles, stroboscopic photography, recording of electromyograms, 3D measurements of the articulations, etc. The basic mode consists of a search phase, ending up with grasping the substrate, and a righting, overturning phase. Leg coordination within the search cycle differs from the walking cycle with respect to phasing of certain muscle groups. Search movements of all legs appear chaotic, but the tendency to move in antiphase is still present in adjacent ipsilateral and contralateral leg pairs. The system of leg coordination might be split: legs of one side might search, while contralateral legs walk, or fore and middle legs walk while hind legs search. Elaborated types of righting include somersaults with the aid of contralateral or diagonal legs, pitch on elytra, jumps with previous energy storage with the aid of unbending between thoracic segments (well-known for Elateridae), or quick folding of elytra (originally described in Histeridae). Righting in beetles is compared with righting modes known in locusts and cockroaches. Search in a righting beetle is directed dorsad, while a walking insect searches for the ground downwards. Main righting modes were schematized for possible application to robotics.     

Sex-specific differences in the chasing behaviour of houseflies (Musca)

Flies were filmed simultaneously from above and from the side. Their flight tracks were analyzed frame by frame. Male and female flies were found to chase other flies. But female chases are brief and poorly controlled as compared to male chases. Female flies use the lower frontal part of their visual field for tracking other flies. Male flies use the upper frontal part of their visual field for that purpose. Male flies are capable of controlling their forward velocity roughly proportional to the distance to their target. Implications for the function of recently found sexdimorph visual interneurones are discussed.     

How glyphosate altered the behaviour of agrobiont spiders (Araneae: Lycosidae) and beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae)

Cultivation of herbicide-tolerant strain of GM corn involves applications of a non-selective herbicide. Mortality of arthropod natural enemies resulting from the application of herbicides is negligible. But nothing is known how herbicides affect the behaviour of natural enemies and thus alter their pest control efficacy. Aim of the study was to assess the effect of the Roundup residues on the predatory, defensive, locomotory and reproductive behaviour of epigeic spiders and carabid beetles. Specimens of Pardosa agricola (Araneae: Lycosidae) and Poecilus cupreus (Coleoptera: Carabidae) were exposed for 2 h to the fresh and 1-day old residues of Roundup Biaktiv (Monsanto, IPA 480 g/l). Predation rate was similar for all treatments in both spiders and beetles. Spiders did not avoid surface treated with herbicide residues more than the control surface, but beetles slightly avoided surface with fresh residues. The speed of locomotion of spiders was not altered by herbicide residues, but beetles exposed to residues crawled at significantly lower speed than the control group. Herbicide residues did not affect the escape efficacy of spiders from a predator. Residues had no detrimental effect on the courtship, mating frequency and duration in spiders. Roundup Bioaktiv thus appears to be harmless to lycosid spiders and only slightly harmful to carabid beetles. The biological control potential of both predators should not be reduced by the application of Roundup Bioaktiv.     

First records of hindwings of Permian beetles (Coleoptera)

Three isolated hindwings of beetles are described from the locality of Isady, late Middle Permian of northern European Russia. The wings share all main features characteristic of beetles and combine plesiomorphic and apomorphic states of characters found in different suborders. The wings most probably belonged to beetles of the families Asiocoleidae and/or Taldycupedidae.     

Some Adaptive Features in the Respiratory System of Dineutes indicus Aubé (Coleoptera, Gyrinidae)

The spiracular structure characterized with a system of snarling dense outgrowths, has been studied in order to elucidate their reinterpreted role in respiration. The tracheal anatomy has undergone modifications to subserve a secondary function of reducing the metabolic heat in the thorax—a region of relatively high metabolic activity. Tracheation is so arranged as to enable this insect to lead successfully an amphibious existence. The rate of its oxygen consumption and its capacity to remain under water with an air bubble which functions as an efficient physical gill with temperature as an important limiting factor has been studied. Attempts have been made to analyse the anatomy of the respiratory system with reference to the insect's behaviour in its environment.     

Biogeography of the phoracanthine beetles (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae)

Six biogeographic subregions of the phoracanthine beetles are proposed on the basis of 136 valid species in all eleven genera of this Australasian group of insects: the Kosciuskan, Western, Eyrean, Torresian, Timorian and New Guinean. Both phenetic and cladistic approaches are employed in the biogeographic study of these beetles. Phenetically, the Kosciuskan and Torresian fauna are the most similar and the least faunal similarity occurs between the New Guinean subregion and all others. Cladistically, two distinct peripheral faunas are divided: the southern Western+Kosciuskan and the northern New Guinean+Torresian+Timorian. The Eyrean fauna in the central Australian continent is more distantly related to the remainder than the latter are to each other. Biogeographic history of the phoracanthine beetles is discussed extensively.