Review of the genus Thubana Walker (Lepidoptera, Lecithoceridae) from China, with description of one new species

The genus Thubana Walker is reviewed for China. Nine species are recognized, of which Thubana felinaurita Li, sp. n. is described as new; Thubana dialeukos Park, 2003 and Thubana xanthoteles (Meyrick, 1923) are newly recorded for this country; Thubana stenosis (Park, 2003), syn. n. is synonymised with Thubana xanthoteles, and Thubana microcera (Gozmány, 1978), syn. n. with Thubana leucosphena Meyrick, 1931. Images of adults and genitalia are provided. A checklist of Thubana species in China is included, along with a key to these species.     

Minute moss beetles in the Southern Hemisphere: Molecular phylogeny,historical biogeography and habitat shifts (Coleoptera: Hydraenidae)

Minute moss beetles (Hydraenidae) are one of the most speciose and widespread families of aquatic Coleoptera, with an estimated 4000 extant species, found in the majority of aquatic habitats from coastal rock pools to mountain streams and from the Arctic Circle to the Antarctic islands. Molecular phylogenetic works have improved our understanding of the evolutionary history of the megadiverse Hydraena, Limnebius and Ochthebius in recent years, but most genera in the family have not yet been included in any phylogenetic analyses, particularly most of those which are restricted to the Southern Hemisphere. Using a multimarker molecular matrix, sampling over 40% of described species richness and 75% of currently recognized genera, we infer a comprehensive molecular phylogeny of these predominantly Gondwanan Hydraenidae. Whilst the genera we focus on are morphologically diverse, and currently classified across all four hydraenid subfamilies, our phylogenetic analyses suggest that these Gondwanan genera may instead constitute a single clade. As a result of our findings, the African genus Oomtelecopon Perkins syn.n. is shown to nest within Coelometopon Janssens, the New Zealand Homalaena Ordish syn.n. and Podaena Ordish syn.n. are synonymised with Orchymontia Broun, and the South African Pterosthetops Perkins syn.n. is synonymised with Prosthetops Waterhouse, resulting in Pterosthetopini Perkins syn.n. being synonymised with Prosthetopini Perkins. Mesoceratops Bilton & Jäch gen.n. is erected to accommodate six former members of Mesoceration Janssens, which is shown to be polyphyletic. We propose the replacement name Orchymontia ordishi Jäch & Bilton nom.n. for Homalaena dilatata Ordish, 1984 (now a junior homonym); altogether 39 new combinations are proposed. Our Bayesian divergence times infer an origin for this ‘Gondwana group’ of genera in Africa plus Madagascar in the mid-Cretaceous and suggest that both vicariant and dispersal processes, together with extinctions, have shaped the biogeographic history of these beetles in the Southern Hemisphere during the Cretaceous, resulting in geographically conserved extant lineages. Finally, we reconstruct ancestral habitat shifts across our phylogeny, revealing numerous changes in habitat occupancy in these genera, including multiple origins of fully terrestrial, humicolous taxa in different regions.     

The family of huntsman spiders in Israel with annotations on species of the Middle East (Araneae: Sparassidae)

The spiders of the family Sparassidae in Israel have been described and species of the Middle East and from adjacent faunae have been revised. They are amongst the main predatory spiders of the Old World deserts although some also occur in less arid environments. Systematic and ecological information is presented and patterns of their zoogeographic distribution are discussed. Type and non-type material pertinent to the faunae investigated, deposited in a great number of European collections, has been re-examined. Nearly all species have never been adequately described or illustrated. The genus Cerbalus , species of which have never before been recorded in Asia, is revised. Nonianus is likewise a new Asiatic record while Olios and Heteropoda are reported for the first time from Israel. The African Micrommata longipes Bösenberg & Lenz, 1895 is transferred to Pseudomicrommata, Cerbalus concolor Denis,1947 is newly placed in Cerbalopsis , and a new synonymy of the genus Marmarica Caporiacco,1928 with Cerbalus Simon, 1897 has been proved. The following new synonyms are defined: Heteropoda civilis (Reuss, 1834) together with Sparassus tersus (C. L. Koch, 1838), S. validus Thorell, 1875, S. cognatus O.P.-Cambridge, 1876, 5. fontanieri Simon, 1880, and Eusparassus kronebergi Denis,1958 = Sparassus walckenaeri (Audouin, 1827); Cerbalus angustifrons Denis,1960, and C. sahariensis Jézéquel & Junqua,1966 = Cerbalus pulcherrimus (Simon, 1880); Olios impediens Denis,1947 = Olios suavis (O.P.Cambridge, 1876), new combination; Cebrennus sparassoides Caporiacco, 1921 = Cebrennus castaneitarsis Simon, 1880. Two new species are described: Cerbalus psammodes and C. negebensis. Key to the genera and detailed illustrations of diagnostic characters are provided for each species, and are readily applicable to species of adjacent countries.     

New and little known weevils (Coleoptera: Curculionoidea) from the Paleogene and Neogene

A new tribe, Palaeorhopalotriini Legalov, n. tribe, new genera, Electranthribus Legalov, n. gen. (type species: Electranthribus zherikhini n. sp.), Palaeorhopalotria Legalov, n. gen. (type species: Palaeorhopalotria neli n. sp.), Eoceneithycerus Legalov, n. gen. (type species: Eoceneithycerus carpenteri n. sp.), Succinorhynchites Legalov, n. gen. (type species: S. alberti n. sp.), Palaeophelypera Legalov, n. gen. (type species: Palaeophelypera kuscheli n. sp.) and Archaeocallirhopalus Legalov, n. gen. (type species: A. larssoni n. sp.) and new species, Electranthribus zherikhini Legalov, n. sp. (Anthribidae: Anthribinae: Zygaenodini) from Baltic amber, Succinometrioxena bachofeni Legalov, n. sp. from Baltic amber, Palaeorhopalotria neli Legalov, n. sp. (Belidae: Oxycoryninae: Allocorynitae) from Alès-Monteils, Upper Eocene, Eoceneithycerus carpenteri Legalov, n. sp. (Ithyceridae: Ithycerinae) from USA Lower Eocene, Succinorhynchites alberti Legalov, n. sp. (Rhynchitidae: Rhynchitini: Perrhynchitina) from Baltic amber, Ceutorhynchus succinus Legalov, n. sp. (Curculionidae: Baridinae: Ceutorhynchini) from Baltic amber, Palaeophelypera kuscheli Legalov, n. sp. (Entiminae: Hyperini: Cepurina) from Baltic amber, and A. larssoni Legalov, n. sp. (Entiminae: Cneorhinini alaeophelypera) from Baltic amber are described. Isotheinae Scudder 1893, n. syn. is synonymised to the tribe Rhynchitini Gistel, 1848. Trichapiina Alonso-Zarazaga 1990, n. syn. is synonymised to the subtribe Toxorhynchina Scudder 1893. Phialodes durus (Heer 1865), n. placem. and n. comb. is transferred from the genus Attelabus Linnaeus, 1758 to the genus Phialodes Roelofs, 1874.     

A systematic study of Phytalmia (Diptera, Tephritidae) with description of a new genus

The tribe Phytalmiini is defined to include the genera Phytalmia Gerstaecker, Diplochorda Osten Sacken (=Nesadrama Perkins syn.n.) and Sessilina gen.n. (type-species Dacus nigrilinea Walker), with Ortaloptera Edwards as an outlying member; a key is provided to these genera. The tribe is nearly restricted to the Papuan Subregion; the record of Nesadrama petiolata Hardy from the Philippine Islands is questioned, and this species is synonymized with Diplochorda myrmex Osten Sacken syn.n. Nesadrama longistigma Perkins is a synonym of D.turgida (Walker) syn.n. Keys are provided to the six species of Phytalmia: alcicornis (Saunders), antilocapra sp.n., biarmata Malloch, cervicornis Gerstaecker (=prisca Enderlein syn.n.), megalotis Gerstaecker (= wallacei Saunders syn.n.), mouldsi sp.n.; also the three species of Sessilina, horrida sp.n., literata sp.n., nigrilinea (Walker). The enlarged cheek-processes may be greatly reduced in P.biarmata and cervicornis. The morphology of the internal reproduction system of mouldsi females is described.     

New data for a revision of the genus Ctenolepisma (Zygentoma: Lepismatidae): redescription of Ctenolepisma lineata and new status for Ctenolepisma nicoletii

As a starting point for the revision of the genus Ctenolepisma Escherich 1905, the status of its type-species, Ctenolepisma lineata (Fabricius 1775), is clarified. In the present study, this species (originally described from Switzerland) is redescribed by means of many samples from several European countries and a neotype is designated. The constant presence of a third pair of abdominal styli in adult C. lineata s. str. leads to abandon the obsolete name C. lineata var. pilifera (Lucas 1840) for referring to a presumed non-typical variety of this species. The status of Lepisma pilifera Lucas 1840 is discussed, concluding that this name must be treated as a new synonym of Thermobia aegyptiaca (Lucas 1840). After our redefinition of the characters of C. lineata, an examination of many specimens of Ctenolepisma that were previously identified as C. lineata reveals that some of them are actually members of different taxa. This is the case for a species occurring in the Canary Islands, Northwest Africa, the Iberian Peninsula and the Balearic Islands. In this work this species is ascribed to Lepisma nicoletii Lucas 1846, which was described from Algeria and regarded as a synonym of Ctenolepisma lineata by Escherich; this species is now redescribed as Ctenolepisma nicoletii stat. res. This species differs from C. lineata in that it bears only two pairs of abdominal styli, and it also differs in the shape of the prosternum and femoral scales. Lepisma eatoni Ridley 1881, which was described from Morocco and the Canary Islands and subsequently regarded as synonym of C. lineata, is now synonymised with C. nicoletii.     

Molecular systematics of the butterfly tribe Preponini (Nymphalidae: Charaxinae)

The nymphalid butterfly tribe Preponini includes some of the Neotropical region's most spectacular and familiar butterflies, but the taxonomy of the group nevertheless remains unstable. Several recent studies of Nymphalidae phylogeny have suggested that both the tribe itself and several genera might not be monophyletic, but to date taxon sampling has not been sufficiently comprehensive to allow informed revision of the group's systematics. We therefore conducted the first complete species‐level phylogenetic study of the tribe to establish a firm higher classification. We used DNA sequence data from three genes, the two mitochondrial genes cytochrome oxidase subunits I and II (COI and COII), and the nuclear gene elongation factor‐1α (EF‐1α), to reconstruct the phylogeny of the tribe using maximum likelihood (ML), maximum parsimony (MP) and Bayesian inference (BI). We included 48 individuals representing the 22 recognised Preponini species, and an additional 25 out‐group taxa to explore taxonomic limits at different levels. Firstly, we found that Anaeomorpha splendida Rothschild never grouped with remaining Preponini, so that maintaining monophyly of the tribe requires the taxon to be excluded, and we thus reinstate the tribe Anaeomorphini stat.rev. Secondly, we investigated generic limits, in particular the relationship of Noreppa Rydon to Archaeoprepona Fruhstorfer, and that of Agrias Doubleday to Prepona Boisduval. The molecular results coupled with previous morphological studies suggest that Noreppa syn.n should be synonymised with Archaeoprepona, and that Agrias syn.n should be synonymised with Prepona. We found Prepona pheridamas (Cramer) to be sister to all other Prepona, and markedly divergent from them in both morphology and DNA sequences, suggesting the possibility that it should be placed in a separate genus. We also found a number of cases of significant DNA sequence divergence and paraphyly or polyphyly within putative species that require further taxonomic attention, including Prepona claudina (Godart) stat.n. and Prepona narcissus (Staudinger) stat.n., Prepona pylene Hewitson and Prepona deiphile (Godart). Future research should focus on a broader population sampling of widespread, polymorphic Preponini species to thoroughly revise the current species‐level taxonomy, thus creating a solid foundation for studies in ecology and conservation.     

Phylogeny and biogeography of Thyridosmylus (Neuroptera: Osmylidae)

The first phylogenetic analysis of the genus Thyridosmylus Krüger is presented. All species from China were scored in a morphological analysis, along with extralimital species from India (Thyridosmylus pustulatus Kimmins) and Madagascar (Thyridosmylus marmoratus Fraser), and were compared with out‐group exemplars from Spilosmylus Kolbe, Thaumatosmylus Krüger and Osmylus Latreille. A monophyletic Thyridosmylus sister to Spilosmylus is confirmed based on this analysis, with the Malagasy Thyridosmylus marmoratus as sister to the Oriental Thyridosmylus species. Based on the results of this analysis, the biogeography of world Thyridosmylus is discussed. It is proposed that the genus originated in Gondwana no later than the Late Cretaceous (88 Ma) before the break‐up of the Madagascar–India continent. A new species, Thyridosmylus paralangii sp.n., is described from Guangxi Province, whereas two species [Thyridosmylus langii (McLachlan) and Thyridosmylus perspicillaris minor Kimmins] are recorded from China for the first time. Four synonyms are identified: Thyridosmylus laetus Yang et al. syn.n. , Thyridosmylus similaminor Yang syn.n. , Thyridosmylus vulgatus Yang syn.n. and Thyridosmylus mimoroides Yang syn.n. A key to the species of the world is provided.     

Phylogenetic Systematics and Biogeography of the Neoephemeridae (Ephemeroptera: Pannota)

A revision of species of the pannote Holarctic and Oriental mayfly family Neoephemeridae is presented. Three genera are recognized in a strictly phylogenetic classification. Potamanthellus [=Neoephemeropsis Ulmer syn. n.] includes P. caenoides (Ulmer) comb. n., P. amabilis (Eaton) [=N. cuaraoensis Dang syn. n.], P. ganges sp. n., P. chinensis (Hsu) [=P. rarus (Tiunova and Levanidova) syn. n.], P. edmundsi sp. n., and the Oligocene fossil Potamanthellus rubiensis Lewis. Neoephemera [=Leucorhoenanthus Lestage syn. n.] includes N. maxima (Joly), N. purpurea (Traver), N. youngi Berner, N. bicolor McDunnough, and N. compressa Berner. Ochernova gen. n., includes O. tshernovae (Kazlauskas) comb. n. Taxa are described, illustrated and keyed. Species cladistics and biogeography are presented.     

Generic revision and phylogeny of Microweiseinae (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae)

The monophyly and phylogenetic relationships of the subfamily Microweiseinae were investigated. Twenty‐three in‐group taxa, representing all known genera of Microweiseinae (except for Microcapillata Gordon) were included in a cladistic analysis, based on 45 adult morphological characters. The parsimony analysis of the resulting data matrix supported the monophyly of Microweiseinae, Carinodulini, Serangiini and Microweiseini (inclusive of Sukunahikonini). The recognition of Sukunahikonini renders Microweiseini paraphyletic, and consequently both tribes were synonymized, retaining Microweiseini as a senior family‐group name ( syn.n. ). Genera and tribes of Microweiseinae are diagnosed thoroughly, illustrated and keys to their identification are provided. The following nomenclatural changes were made: Hikonasukuna Sasaji and Orculus Sicard are synonymized with Scymnomorphus Weise ( syn.n. ); Gnathoweisea Gordon is synonymized with Microweisea Cockerell ( syn.n. ); Hikonasukuna monticola Sasaji and Orculus castaneus Sicard are transferred to Scymnomorphus ( comb.n. ); Smilia planiceps Casey, Gnathoweisea hageni Gordon, Gnathoweisea ferox Gordon, Gnathoweisea micula Gordon and Gnathoweisea texana Gordon are transferred to Microweisea ( comb.n ). Three new genera are described: Allenius gen.n. for Allenius californianus sp.n. (type species) from Mexico and Allenius iviei sp.n. from U.S.A.; Gordoneus gen.n. (type species Gnathoweisea schwarzi Gordon from U.S.A.); and Cathedrana gen.n. (type species Cathedrana natalensis sp.n. from South Africa). The first African member of Carinodulini, Carinodulina ruwenzorii sp.n. is described. The genera Microweisea, Coccidophilus, Serangium and Delphastus are well‐known predators of sternorrynchous Hemiptera, such as scale insects (Diaspididae) and whiteflies (Aleyrodidae), and play a significant role in agricultural ecosystems as biocontrol agents. Host data and biological records are summarized for each genus.     

Species of the genus Psoroptes (Acari: Psoroptidae): A taxonomic consideration

The biosystematic status of mite species belonging to the genus Psoroptes Gervais, 1841 is difficult to determine by phenotypic methods and has been subject to taxonomic revisions and ongoing debate. At present, the existence of five species, P. cuniculi (Delafond, 1859), P. ovis (Hering, 1838), P. equi (Hering, 1838), P. cervinus Ward, 1915 and P. natalensis Hirst, 1919, is generally accepted. This classification is based mainly on the host species, the localization of the mites on their hosts and morphological characters of male mites. However, a critical review of the literature indicates that the features used to discriminate between the five species are not unequivocal: (a) the localization of mite populations on host animals is not completely strict, (b) the lengths of the outer opisthosomal setae of male mites, which are the main morphological features used for species discrimination, overlap between the five postulated species, and (c) host specificity cannot be deduced from results of transfer experiments. Rather, conspecificity of the members of the genus Psoroptes has to be presumed which is supported by molecular genetic analyses. On these grounds and on rules of priority P. cervinus Ward, 1915, P. cuniculi (Delafond, 1859), P. natalensis Hirst, 1919 and P. ovis (Hering, 1838) are seen as synonyms of P. equi (Hering, 1838).     

The Sarcophagidae (Diptera) of the Middle East

A list of 285 species of Sarcophagidaе in the Middle East countries is presented with distributional data, including Bahrain (3 species), Cyprus (46), Egypt (both African and Asian parts) (114), Iran (83), Iraq (17), Israel (113), Jordan (14), Kuwait (3), Lebanon (13), Oman (2), Gaza Strip (5), Palestinian Authority (42), Quatar (1), Saudi Arabia (37), Syria (42), Turkey (both European and Asian parts) (157), United Arab Emirates (14) and Yemen (15). Three new synonyms are established: Blaesoxipha delilah Lehrer, 2006 = Agriella setosa Salem, 1938, syn. n.; Blaesoxipha nahaliana Lehrer, 2008 = Blaesoxipha popovi Rohdendorf, 1937, syn. n.; and Liosarcophaga daccanella Lehrer, 2008 = Liosarcophaga (s. str.) dux (Thomson, 1869), syn. n. Four new combinations for species names are proposed: Liopygia (Engelisca) adhamae (Lehrer & Abou-Ziad, 2008), comb. n.; Liosarcophaga (s. str.) pedestris (Villeneuve, 1910), comb. n.; Liosarcophaga (Pandelleisca) theodori (Lehrer, 1998), comb. n., and Liosarcophaga (Pharaonops) tewfiki (Salem, 1940), comb. n.     

Putting Parasemia in its phylogenetic place: a molecular analysis of the subtribe Arctiina (Lepidoptera)

Despite being popular among amateur and professional lepidopterologists and posing great opportunities for evolutionary research, the phylogenetic relationships of tiger moths (Erebidae: Arctiinae) are not well resolved. Here we provide the first phylogenetic hypothesis for the subtribe Arctiina with the basic aim of clarifying the phylogenetic position of the Wood Tiger Moth Parasemia plantaginis Hübner, a model species in evolutionary ecology. We sampled 89 species in 52 genera within Arctiina s.l., 11 species of Callimorphina and two outgroup species. We sequenced up to seven nuclear genes (CAD, GAPDH, IDH, MDH, Ef1α, RpS5, Wingless) and one mitochondrial gene (COI) including the barcode region (a total of 5915 bp). Both maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference resulted in a well‐resolved phylogenetic hypothesis, consisting of four clades within Arctiina s.s. and a clade comprising spilosomine species in addition to Callimorphina and outgroups. Based on our results, we present a new classification, where we consider the Diacrisia clade, Chelis clade, Apantesis clade, Micrarctia Seitz and Arctia clade as valid genera within Arctiina s.s., whereas Rhyparia Hübner syn.n. and Rhyparioides Butler syn.n. are synonymized with Diacrisia Hübner; Neoarctia Neumoegen & Dyar syn.n. , Tancrea Püngeler syn.n. , Hyperborea Grum‐Grshimailo syn.n. , Palearctia Ferguson syn.n. , Holoarctia Ferguson syn.n. , Sibirarctia Dubatolov syn.n. and Centrarctia Dubatolov syn.n. are synonymized with Chelis Rambur; Grammia Rambur syn.n. , Orodemnias Wallengren syn.n. , Mimarctia Neumoegen & Dyar syn.n. , Notarctia Smith syn.n. and Holarctia Smith syn.n. are synonymized with Apantesis Walker; and Epicallia Hübner syn.n. , Eucharia Hübner syn.n. , Hyphoraia Hübner syn.n. , Parasemia Hübner syn.n. , Pericallia Hübner syn.n. , Nemeophila Stephens syn.n. , Ammobiota Wallengren syn.n. , Platarctia Packard syn.n. , Chionophila Guenée syn.n. , Eupsychoma Grote syn.n. , Gonerda Moore syn.n. , Platyprepia Dyar syn.n. , Preparctia Hampson syn.n. , Oroncus Seitz syn.n. , Acerbia Sotavalta syn.n. , Pararctia Sotavalta syn.n. , Borearctia Dubatolov syn.n. , Sinoarctia Dubatolov syn.n. and Atlantarctia Dubatolov syn.n. are synonymized with Arctia Schrank, leading to 33 new genus‐level synonymies. Our focal species Arctia plantaginis comb.n. is placed as sister to Arctia festiva comb.n. , another widespread aposematic species showing wing pattern variation. Our molecular hypothesis can be used as a basis when adding more species to the tree and tackling interesting evolutionary questions, such as the evolution of warning signalling and mimicry in tiger moths.     

A revision of the continental species of Copa Simon, 1885 (Araneae,Corinnidae) in the Afrotropical Region

The cryptic ground-dwelling castianeirine genus Copa Simon, 1885 (Araneae: Corinnidae) is revised in the continental Afrotropical Region. The type species of the genus, Copa flavoplumosa Simon, 1885, is redescribed and considered a senior synonym of Copa benina Strand, 1916 syn. n. and Copa benina nigra Lessert, 1933 syn. n. It is widespread throughout the Afrotropical Region but has not been introduced to any of the associated regional islands. A new species, Copa kei sp. n., is described from South Africa. Copa agelenina Simon, 1910, originally described from a subadult female from southern Botswana, is considered a nomen dubium. Copa flavoplumosa is a characteristic species of leaf litter spider assemblages and is particularly prevalent in savanna habitats on the continent, but also occurs in various forest types, grasslands, fynbos and semi-arid Nama Karoo habitats. In contrast, Copa kei sp. n. has only been recorded from Afromontane and coastal forests in south-eastern South Africa.     

The introduced slugs of New Zealand (Gastropoda: Pulmonata)

Abstract

Eleven species of slug introduced into the New Zealand fauna are discussed: Testacellidae - Testacella haliotidea Draparnaud, 1801 (T. vagans Hutton, 1882 n.syn.); Arionidae - Arion intermedius (Normand, 1852), A. hortensis Férussac, 1819 (A. incommodus Hutton, 1879 n.syn.); Milacidae - Milax gagates (Draparnaud, 1801), M. budapestensis (Hazay, 1881), M. sowerbyi (Férussac, 1823); Limacidae - Deroceras reticulatum (Müller, 1774) (Limax molestus Hutton, 1879 n.syn.), D. panormitanum (Lessona & Pollonera, 1882), Limax maximus Linnaeus, 1758, Lehmannia flava (Linnaeus, 1758), L. nyctelia (Bourguignet, 1861). Of these, T. haliotidea, M. budapestensis, M. sowerbyi, D. panormitanum, and L. nyctelia are recorded from New Zealand for the first time. A key for the identification of these species is provided. Species thought to be doubtfully established are discussed, and a list is given of recent interceptions at New Zealand ports.     

A new genus of the tribe Acratini from the continental Neotropical region (Coleoptera: Curculionoidea,Brentidae)

A group of 10 species belonging to the Neotropical tribe Acratini Alonso-Zarazaga, Lyal, Bartolozzi & Sforzi 1999, is shown to be monophyletic by a phylogenetic analysis based on 48 morphological characters. A new genus, Pertusius n. gen., is described, based on three derived characters of external and genital morphology: venter of prorostrum of males with fine median longitudinal carina, base of elytra with deep pit at the place of insertion on mesonotum, and proximal sclerite of endophallus more or less horseshoe-shaped. Eight species were previously known and, according to former authors, belonged to the genera Acratus Lacordaire 1865 [Pertusius apicalis (Sharp 1895), n. comb., P. errabundus (Kleine 1927), n. comb., P. extrarius (Kleine 1927), n. comb., P. fidus (Kleine 1927), n. comb. and P. telesi (Soares & Meyer 1959), n. comb.] and Proteramocerus Kleine 1921 [Pertusius chalcites (Perty 1832), n. comb., P. filum (Sharp 1895), n. comb., and P. laevis (Germar 1824), n. comb.]. Four new synonymies are proposed: Proteramocerus disparilis Soares & Dias 1971, n. syn. for Acratus apicalis Sharp 1895; Teramocerus laevigatus Boheman 1840, n. syn. for Arrhenodes chalcites Perty 1832; Acratus extraordinarius Kleine 1927, n. syn. for Acratus errabundus Kleine 1927; Proteramocerus diringshofeni Soares & Dias 1971, n. syn. for Acratus filum Sharp 1895. Two new species are described: Pertusius guyanensis n. sp. from French Guiana, and P. mexicanus n. sp. from Mexico (Yucatán Peninsula). Pertusius apicalis is newly cited from Bolivia and Peru, P. chalcites from Argentina and Paraguay, P. extrarius from Ecuador, P. fidus from Peru and P. telesi from Trinidad and Tobago and Venezuela. An identification key to species of the genus is provided.     

Genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Chelonus</Emphasis> Jurine (Hymenoptera,Braconidae, Cheloninae) in the fauna of Russia and adjacent territories. <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ch. olgae</Emphasis> Kok. species-group

The Ch. olgae species-group is established in the genus Chelonus characterized by the metasomal carapace narrowing towards the apex (much more strongly than towards the base) and not or weakly incurved. This group is analogous to the M. retusus group of the closely related genus Microchelonus, although some differences in the carapace structure emphasize parallel development of these morphological features in the two genera. New species are described as follows: Ch. borisi sp. n. (Russia: Leningrad Prov.), Ch. cardui sp. n. (Russia: Voronezh Prov.; Moldova), Ch. kokoujevi sp. n. (Russia: Belgorod and Chelyabinsk provinces), Ch. speijeri sp. n. (Spain), Ch. ubsunuricus sp. n. (Russia: Tuva), and Ch. yurii sp. n. (Kazakhstan). Chelonus subannulatus Abdinbekova, 1971 is synonymised with Ch. submuticus Wesmael, 1835(syn. n.).     

Review of the flower beetle genera Neophaedimus Lucas and Herculaisia Seillière (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Cetoniinae) from East Asia

Two remarkable genera, Neophaedimus Lucas, 1870, and Herculaisia Seillière, 1910, that occur in China and Vietnam are reviewed. Neophaedimus castaneus Ma, 1989, n. syn. is regarded as a synonym of N. auzouxi Lucas, 1870. The genus Neophaedimus thus becomes monotypic again. N. auzouxi is newly recorded from Vietnam. Parameres of Herculaisia species, H. melaleuca (Fairmaire, 1899), originally described in Neophaedimus, and H. satanas Seillière, 1910, are illustrated for the first time. Presence in China of H. melaleuca, is confirmed, and its distribution in this country is specified. Color photographs of habitus and diagnostic characters for all species are provided, with comments on intraspecific variation. Lectotypes are designated for Neophaedimus melaleuca Fairmaire, 1899, and N. auzouxi Lucas, 1870, and distribution of each species is summarized.     

A revision of the Afrotropical spider genus Cambalida Simon, 1909 (Araneae,Corinnidae)

The non-mimetic Afrotropical spider genus Cambalida Simon, 1909, placed within a subfamily of predominantly ant-mimicking spiders (Araneae: Corinnidae: Castianeirinae), is revised. Three species are transferred from Castianeira Keyserling, 1879 to Cambalida: Cambalida deminuta (Simon, 1909), comb. n., Cambalida fulvipes (Simon, 1896), comb. n. and Cambalida loricifera (Simon, 1885), comb. n.. A fourth species, Cambalida fagei (Caporiacco, 1939), comb. n., is transferred from Brachyphaea Simon, 1895 to Cambalida. Two species, Castianeira depygata Strand, 1916, syn. n. and Cambalida mestrali Lessert, 1921, syn. n., are considered junior synonyms of Cambalida fulvipes. The males of Cambalida deminuta and Cambalida loricifera are redescribed and their unknown females are described for the first time. The female and male of Cambalida fulvipes and Cambalida coriacea Simon, 1909 are also redescribed. The type material of the type species of the genus, Cambalida insulana Simon, 1909 from Pagalu (Annobon) Island, is lost, and only immature specimens have been subsequently collected from a nearby island. The species is regarded as a nomen dubium until fresh adult material can be collected. A replacement name, Cambalida simoni nom. n. is proposed for Cambalida fulvipes Simon, 1909, the latter being a secondary junior homonym of Cambalida fulvipes (Simon, 1896). The type material of this species is also lost and it is too considered nomen dubium. The following new species are described: Cambalida compressa sp. n. from West Africa, Cambalida dippenaarae sp. n. from southern Africa, Cambalida griswoldi sp. n. and Cambalida lineata sp. n. from Madagascar, and Cambalida unica sp. n. from Cameroon. Notes are provided on the biology of each species and the distribution of the genus in the Afrotropical Region.     

The American scale insect genus Udinia De Lotto (Coccidae)

Udinia, an Ethiopian coccid genus, is redefined and a key is given to the thirteen species now recognised: bruncki sp. n. , catori (Green) comb. n. [= Lecanium subhirsutum Newstead syn. n. ], farquharsoni (Newstead) [= U.exoleta (De Lotto) syn. n. ], glabra De Lotto, ikoyensis sp. n. , lobayana (Balachowsky & Ferrero) comb. n. , newsteadi sp. n. , nigeriensis sp. n. , pattersoni sp. n. , paupercula De Lotto, pterolobina De Lotto, scitula De Lotto, setigera (Newstead). Five species are described as new and three species are redescribed and for these lectotypes are designated. The morphological characters used are discussed and listed and intraspecific variations shown by two of the species are tabulated. The distribution of all the species is recorded on two maps and the literature dealing with associations between ants and Udinia and related coccid genera is briefly reviewed.