Nasal mites (Gamasida: Rhinonyssidae) of Paroaria coronata (Miller) (Passeriformes: Emberezidae)

With the aim of identifying the species of nasal mites of Paroaria coronata (red-crested cardinal), the nasal cavity of 40 birds were examined. The nasal mites were identified as Ptilonyssus sairae de Castro and Sternostoma pirangae Pence, with 50% and 7.5% of prevalence, respectively. This is the first record of these mite species parasitizing P. coronata. This report also amplifies the area of occurrence of S. pirangae for Brazil and that of P. sairae for Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.     

Sericolophus (Pheronematidae) and Hernandeziana (Corythophoridae) are synonyms (Hexactinellida: Porifera)

Eight specimens of Sericolophus reflexus (Ijima) were compared with the holotype of Hernandeziana ijimae (Hernandez) to assess suspected synonymy of these taxa. An extensive morphometric analysis of the spicules available in these specimens of variable condition show that the H. ijimae holotype exhibits characters near the centre of the range of S. reflexus. It is concluded that H. ijimae is a junior synonym of S. reflexus , and that the family Corythophoridae de Laubenfels is invalid by preoccupation of its base generic name.     

Biology of Bactrocera (Zeugodacus) tau (Walker) (Diptera: Tephritidae)

The biology of the fruit fly Bactrocera tau, an important horticultural pest, was studied under laboratory conditions at 25°C and 60–70% relative humidity on Cucurbita maxima. The duration of mating averaged 408.03 ± 235.93 min. After mating, the female fly had a preoviposition period of 11.7 ± 4.49 days. The oviposition rate was 9.9 ± 8.50 eggs and fecundity was 464.6 ± 67.98 eggs/female. Eggs were elliptical, smooth and shiny white, turning darker as hatching approached, and measured 1.30 ± 0.07 mm × 0.24 ± 0.04 mm. The chorion has polygonal microsculpturing and is species-specific with polygonal walls. The egg period lasts for 1.3 ± 0.41 days. The duration of the larval period is 1.2 ± 0.42, 1.7 ± 0.48 and 4.0 ± 0.94 days for first, second and third instars, respectively. Pupation occurs in the sand or soil and pupal periods are 7.0 ± 0.47 days. The life cycle from egg to adult was completed in 14.2 ± 1.69 days; the longevity of mated females and males was 130.33 ± 14.18 and 104.66 ± 31.21 days, respectively. At least two to three generations were observed from June 2008 to June 2009.     

小黑瓢虫对高氏瘤粉虱捕食作用的研究

在高氏瘤粉虱不同虫态共存的条件下,小黑标虫对高氏瘤粉虱各虫态的选择次序为卵＞1龄若虫＞2龄若虫＞3龄若虫＞4龄若虫和拟蛹,对卵的捕食率均最高,有明显的嗜好选择;小黑瓢虫幼虫捕食粉虱卵的数量,随着龄期的增长而递增,其中4龄幼虫的捕食量最大,4龄期捕食量平均为1565．42粒,占全幼虫期总食卵量的45．42％,整个幼虫期可捕食高氏瘤粉虱的卵数平均为3446．5粒。小黑瓢虫3龄幼虫对粉虱卵的捕食作用率在所给的猎物密度（1500粒／皿）条件下,随着自身密度的增加而降低。     

Population dynamics ofTrigoniulus lumbricinus (gerst) (Diplopoda: Trigoniulidae)

The number of the diplopod, Trigoniulus lumbricinus (Gerst ) in the leaf litter varies between months. The annual population peak is reached during May to July after which the population declines. The seasonal population change is statistically correlated with the rainfall, but a causal relationship is difficult to establish: there is no indication that the population is regulated by any density related process either. It is speculated that a long term study of the population in different parts of its distribution range can only clarify the density relations.     

Uroleucon sonchi (Linnaeus) (Hemiptera: Aphididae) in Australia

Uroleucon sonchi, an aphid species of Palaearctic origin, is a recent adventive to Australia. It is now widespread in anthropic areas of all states and the Australian Capital Territory, principally on sowthistles ( Sonchus spp.) but also on lettuce. It is occasionally parasitised by Aphidius sonchi Marshall (Hymenoptera: Braconidae). Its possible economic importance in Australia is discussed. The species is also recorded for the first time from Norfolk and Philip Islands.     

d(CGGTGGT) forms an octameric parallel G-quadruplex via stacking of unusual G(:C):G(:C):G(:C):G(:C) octads

Among non-canonical DNA secondary structures, G-quadruplexes are currently widely studied because of their probable involvement in many pivotal biological roles, and for their potential use in nanotechnology. The overall quadruplex scaffold can exhibit several morphologies through intramolecular or intermolecular organization of G-rich oligodeoxyribonucleic acid strands. In particular, several G-rich strands can form higher order assemblies by multimerization between several G-quadruplex units. Here, we report on the identification of a novel dimerization pathway. Our Nuclear magnetic resonance, circular dichroism, UV, gel electrophoresis and mass spectrometry studies on the DNA sequence dCGGTGGT demonstrate that this sequence forms an octamer when annealed in presence of K(+) or NH(4)(+) ions, through the 5'-5' stacking of two tetramolecular G-quadruplex subunits via unusual G(:C):G(:C):G(:C):G(:C) octads.     

Balboa (Fabaceae: Millettieae) reduced to Cracca (Robinieae)

Balboa diversifolia Liebm., known only from the type collection and hitherto of controversial affinity, is here referred to the genusCracca Benth. As the epithetdiversifolia is preoccupied inCracca, the new nameCracca pacifica is proposed. This species is morphologically most similar to the widespreadCracca caribaea.     

Cladistic analysis of Simulium (Trichodagmia) and Simulium (Thyrsopelma) (Diptera: Simuliidae)

A cladistic analysis of Simulium ( Trichodagmia ) sensu Crosskey and Howard, using 34 morphological characters of larvae (6 characters), pupa (5) and adults (23), yields nine most parsimonious trees under equal weights (length 101 steps CI 0.49 RI 0.73). Successive weighting based on the maximal rescaled consistency index preferred one of the nine (31.37 steps CI 0.62 RI 0.87 total fit_con3= 235.8), which was also one of two trees found under implicit weights with concavity values of 3–6. The cladogram justifies the recognition of two subgenera. Simulium ( Trichodagmia ) sensu stricto (containing S. muiscorum, sumapazense, S. wygodzinskyorum, S. nigrimanum, S. chalcocoma, S. huairayacu and S. lahillei ) is supported by the branchial tip sclerotization and the presence of cibarial teeth, larval body tegument covered with lanceolate hairs, female with simple claw, and gonapophysis size. Simulium ( Thyrsopelma ) (containing S. scutistriatum, S. hirtipupa, S. orbitale, S. guianense, S. perplexum and S. itaunense ) is supported by the hypostomial teeth.     

CHORIZOCOCCUS HERBICOLA (MASKELL) (COMB. N): (HOMOPTERA: PSEUDOCOCCIDAE) A GRASS-INFESTING SPECIES IN AUSTRALIA

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The Maskell species Dactylopius herbicola , a mealybug infesting grass in Australia, is redescribed and designated as a new combination, Chorizococcus herbicola (Maskell).     

A Trichodorus (Triplonchida: Trichodoridae) Nematode from Thrips (Thysanoptera: Panchaetothripinae)

A thrips insect Caliothrips sp. (Thysanoptera: Panchaetothripinae) from persimmon fruit (Ebenaceae: Diospyros sp.) from an unknown origin, possibly Asia, was intercepted in a passenger bag in November 2012 at the Peace Arch Border Crossing from Canada to Blaine, WA, by a USDA-APHIS-PPQ port inspector. Nematodes were attached to the abdomen of the female insect and sent to us in saline. Seven nematodes (five females, two males) were measured and these and others were processed for permanent slides. An adult female and a female juvenile were prepared for PCR. Morphologically these nematodes belonged to the Trichodorus sparsus group, and the 28S rDNA D2-D3 sequence showed greatest similarity to Trichodorus paragiennensis (94%) and T. giennensis (93%), with greatest morphological similarity to the latter species. Among other morphological differences, the innermost uterus width is wider than in related species. Trichodorus spp. are normally found in soil, so this is the first population seen in the atypical habitat of an insect. Morphological and molecular characteristics of Trichodorus sp. are presented, but a putative new species name is not currently advisable because of relatively poor condition of specimens. Ecological associations are also discussed.     

NOTES ON CULISETA (CULICELLA) ATRA (LEE) (DIPTERA: CULICIDAE) IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA

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Adults of Culiseta (Culicella) atra (Lee) are redescribed; the larva is described for the first time and the pupa is figured. The relationships and origin of C. atra are discussed.     

A new podapolipid species (Acari) on Scarabaeus (Scarabaeus) acuticollis (Insecta: Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) from Iran

A new species of mites of the genus Tarsopolipus (Acari: Prostigmata: Podapolipidae) is described from southern Iran. Tarsopolipus husbandi Mortazavi and Hajiqanbar n. sp. is a sub-elytral ectoparasite of the scarabaeid beetle, Scarabaeus (Scarabaeus) acuticollis. The new species is closely related to Tarsopolipus corrugatus Berlese 1911, but is distinguished from it by the following characters. Adult female: presence of vestigial setae v(2) and shorter setae sc(2). Adult male: presence of setae v' on tibia IV and shorter setae sc(2) and c(2). Larval female: shorter cheliceral stylets and longer distance between setae v(1) and ch. Species of Tarsopolipus are currently distributed in Afro-tropical, Palaearctic, and Oriental regions and parasitize species in 3 genera of scarabaeid beetles, i.e., Scarabaeus , Kheper, and Drepanopodes, all belonging to the tribe Scarabaeini.     

Brachymeria pandora (Crawford) (Hymenoptera: Chalcididae) as a New Parasitoid of Thyrinteina leucocerae (Rindge) (Lepidoptera: Geometridae) in Brazil

This is the first report of Brachymeria pandora (Crawford) (Hymenoptera: Chalcididae)-parasitizing pupae of the eucalyptus defoliator Thyrinteina leucocerae (Rindge) (Lepidoptera: Geometridae) in Brazil.     

Record of Podisus nigrispinus (Dallas) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) preying on Metrogaleruca obscura Degeer (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)

Asopines are predators of insects, with several species with potential as biocontrol agents of a number of pests. Metrogaleruca obscura (Degeer), a neotropical species of Galerucini, was introduced in Malaysia, Asia, and Mauritius, Africa, to control the spread of Cordia curassavica (Boraginaceae), a native plant of the neotropics. The occurrence of Podisus nigrispinus (Dallas) preying on M. obscura is recorded, and Cordia verbenacea (Boraginaceae) is mentioned as a host plant for M. obscura. A list of Chrysomelidae attacked by asopines in the neotropical region is also presented.     

Occurrence of Stiretrus decastigmus (Herrich-Schaeffer) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) Preying on Microtheca semilaevis Stal (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)

Microtheca semilaevis Stal is a phythophagous insect associated to Brassicaceae, and frequently occurs with other species of beetles, such as Microtheca ochroloma Stal. Despite its importance to organic farmers, there is no information in the Brazilian literature about its natural enemies. Stiretrus decastigmus (Herrich-Schaeffer) was first found and here reported preying an adult of M. semilaevis in Chinese cabbage in Santa Maria, RS, Brazil (29°43??28??S, 53°43??19??W).     

New records of mango shield scale Milviscutulus mangiferae (Green) (Hemiptera: Coccidae) and Brevennia rehi (Lindinger) (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) in north Queensland

Abstract  The first Australian records of mango shield scale ( Milviscutulus mangiferae ) from north Queensland and additional records from parts of Papua New Guinea are presented. The majority of specimens were collected from mango leaves ( Mangifera indica ). A summary of its known distribution, other hosts, identification and damage levels is also presented. Also, the detection of rice mealybug ( Brevennia rehi ) in far north Queensland is reported for the first time. This pest is known to occur in the Northern Territory. The north Queensland detections are from native grasses. The records presented here, for both species, are regarded as new detections, rather than new incursions.