Two new species of Sinosmylites Hong (Neuroptera, Berothidae) from the Middle Jurassic of China, with notes on Mesoberothidae

Two new species of the genus Sinosmylites Hong are described from the Middle Jurassic locality at Daohugou (Inner Mongolia, China): Sinosmylites fumosussp. n. and Sinosmylites rasnitsynisp. n. This is the oldest known occurrence of the family Berothidae. The berothid affinity of this genus is confirmed by examination of the hind wing venation characteristic of the family. The Late Triassic family Mesoberothidae may represent an early group of Berothidae.     

A new species of Glenochrysa Esben-Petersen from Australia (Neuroptera,Chrysopidae)

A new species of the charismatic green lacewing genus Glenochrysa Esben-Petersen is described from northern Western Australia. Glenochrysa minima sp. n. represents one of the smallest species of the genus. A key to species of Australian Glenochrysa is presented.     

The rare Chrysopidae (Neuroptera) of southwestern Europe

Quantitative surveys of the chrysopid fauna from southwestern Europe, namely the Iberian and Italian peninsulas, France south of 46° N, and the west-Mediterranean Islands, were analysed. A total of 56 species of Chrysopidae were reported, of which three species were abundant. These, Chrysoperla carnea (Stephens, 1836) sensu lato, Dichochrysa prasina (Burmeister, 1839) and D. flavifrons (Brauer, 1850), comprised a large percentage of the specimens. For the rarer species, comments are made on their distributions, the enhanced geographic range of exotic ones, and on levels of endemism and stenotopy.     

A revision and key to the genera of Afrotropical Mantispidae (Neuropterida, Neuroptera), with the description of a new genus

The Afrotropical Mantispidae genera have previously been neglected and are poorly known. The genera are revised and redescribed. A new genus Afromantispa Snyman and Ohl is described with Afromantispa tenellacomb. n.as type species. Perlamantispa (Handschin, 1960) is synonymised with Sagittalata Handschin, 1959. The new combinations within the genus include Sagittalata austroafricacomb. n., Sagittalata bequaerticomb. n., Sagittalata dorsaliscomb. n., Sagittalata girardicomb. n., Sagittalata nubilacomb. n.,Sagittalata perlacomb. n.,Sagittalata pusillacomb. n., Sagittalata similatacomb. n., Sagittalata royicomb. n., Sagittalata tinctacomb. n. andSagittalata vasseicomb. n. An illustrated key to the genera Afromantispagen. n., Sagittalata Handschin, 1959, Mantispa Illiger, 1798, Cercomantispa Handschin, 1959, Rectinerva Handschin, 1959, Nampista Navás, 1914, and Pseudoclimaciella Handschin, 1960 is provided. The wing venation of Mantispidae is redescribed. Similarities between the genera are discussed. Subsequent studies will focus on revising the taxonomic status of species, which are not dealt with in this study.     

The First Mitochondrial Genomes of Antlion (Neuroptera: Myrmeleontidae) and Split-footed Lacewing (Neuroptera: Nymphidae), with Phylogenetic Implications of Myrmeleontiformia

In the holometabolous insect order Neuroptera (lacewings), the cosmopolitan Myrmeleontidae (antlions) are the most species-rich family, while the closely related Nymphidae (split-footed lacewings) are a small endemic family from the Australian-Malesian region. Both families belong to the suborder Myrmeleontiformia, within which controversial hypotheses on the interfamilial phylogenetic relationships exist. Herein, we describe the complete mitochondrial (mt) genomes of an antlion (Myrmeleon immanis Walker, 1853) and a split-footed lacewing (Nymphes myrmeleonoides Leach, 1814), representing the first mt genomes for both families. These mt genomes are relatively small (respectively composed of 15,799 and 15,713 bp) compared to other lacewing mt genomes, and comprise 37 genes (13 protein coding genes, 22 tRNA genes and two rRNA genes). The arrangement of these two mt genomes is the same as in most derived Neuroptera mt genomes previously sequenced, specifically with a translocation of trnC. The start codons of all PCGs are started by ATN, with an exception of cox1, which is ACG in the M. immanis mt genome and TCG in N. myrmeleonoides. All tRNA genes have a typical clover-leaf structure of mitochondrial tRNA, with the exception of trnS1(AGN). The secondary structures of rrnL and rrnS are similar with those proposed insects and the domain I contains nine helices rather than eight helices, which is common within Neuroptera. A phylogenetic analysis based on the mt genomic data for all Neuropterida sequenced thus far, supports the monophyly of Myrmeleontiformia and the sister relationship between Ascalaphidae and Myrmeleontidae.     

Obligatory ontogenetic colour change correlated with sexual maturity in adult Chrysoperla congrua (Walker) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae)

Soon after pupal eclosion, adult Chrysoperla congrua undergo obligatory ontogenetic colour change. This phenomenon, unique among lacewings to C. congrua , is investigated further and its functional significance is discussed. Four to 5 days after eclosion, adult C. congrua undergo obligatory ontogenetic colour change from yellow-brown to green, which corresponds with maturation of gonads in both sexes. Courtship displays by both sexes involving abdominal tremulation (calling) always occurred soon after colour change. I propose that colour change in adult C. congrua serves not only as camouflage in a dynamic habitat, as suggested by previous authors, but may also serve as a visual cue to conspecifics of sexual maturity and receptiveness to a potential mate.     

A new species of Gillbeea (Cunoniaceae) from north-eastern Queensland, Australia

Gillbeea whypallana sp. nov. is described from the Wet Tropics of North Queensland. This species differs from G. adenopetala in the larger serrate asymmetrical stipules, hirsute leaves and fruits and the number of lateral veindleaflet. Gillbeea adenopetala and G. whypallana both differ from G. papuana in having hairs on the lateral margins of the petals, and in having more than two ovules per carpel. The comparative morphology of the three Gillbeea species is described and illustrated, and the phylogenetic placement of the genus within the Cunoniaceae is discussed briefly.     

A new species of Darwinia (Myrtaceae) from Western Australia

A new species of Darwinia, D. divisa is described. The species is unique in the genus in having divided prominent calyx lobes and densely hairy floral tube. The species has not been re-collected since the type and only collection in 1965.     

A new species of Platysace (Apiaceae) from Northern Australia

A new species of Plafysace, P saxatilis is described. The species is confined to sandstone gorges in northern Western Australia and the Northern Territory.     

A new species of Sisyra Burmeister (Insecta: Neuroptera: Sisyridae) from Lake Pedder, Tasmania

Abstract  Sisyra pedderensis sp.n. is described from Lake Pedder, Tasmania, bringing to seven the number of described species of Sisyridae (Spongillaflies) known from Australia.     

A new genus and species of Elipsocidae (Psocoptera) from Australia

A new genus of Elipsocidae is erected for one new species from Victoria, both sexes of which are macropterous.     

The function and phylogenetic implications of the tentorium in adult Neuroptera (Insecta)

Despite several recent analyses on the phylogeny of Neuroptera some questions still remain to be answered. In the present analysis we address these questions by exploring a hitherto unexplored character complex: the tentorium, the internal cuticular support structure of the insect head. We described in detail the tentoria of representatives of all extant neuropteran families and the muscles originating on the tentorium using 3D microCT images and analyzed differences in combination with a large published matrix based on larval characters. We find that the tentorium and associated musculature are a source of phylogenetically informative characters. The addition of the tentorial characters to the larval matrix causes a basad shift of the Sisyridae and clearly supports a clade of all Neuroptera except Sisyridae and Nevrorthidae. A sister group relationship of Coniopterygidae and the dilarid clade is further corroborated. A general trend toward a reduction of the dorsal tentorial arms and the development of laminatentoria is observed. In addition to the phylogenetic analysis, a correlation among the feeding habits, the development of the maxillary muscles, and the laminatentoria is demonstrated.     

A new species of the brown lacewing genus Zachobiella Banks from China (Neuroptera,Hemerobiidae) with a key to species

The genus Zachobiella Banks, 1920 is reviewed and a new species Zachobiella yunanica sp. n. described from China. All species found in China are redescribed, and Zachobiella submarginata Esben-Petersen, 1929 is recorded from China for the first time. A key to the adults of Zachobiella is provided.     

A new genus and species of Braconinae from Australia (Insecta, Hymenoptera, Braconidae)

Euurobraconoides gen.n. (type-species: Euurobraconoides longicaudis sp.n.) from Australia is described and illustrated. The relationships of Euurobraconoides gen.n. to the Euurobraconini Ashmead and to the Braconini are discussed.     

A new species of freshwater triclad (Platyhelminthes: Tricladida) from Australia

A new species of freshwater triclad, Romankenkius libidinosus sp. nov. , is described from New South Wales, Australia. The species is characterized by a large adenodactyl and unique genito-intestinal connections, and represents the first record of the genus Romankenkius outside Tasmania. The taxonomic and phylogenetic implications of several morphological features of the new species are discussed in the light of a previous phylogenetic study.     

A new species of Bradyidius (Copepoda, Calanoida) from the Gulf of Carpentaria, Australia

A new species of copepod belonging to the family Aetideidae,Bradyidius slyliformis sp. nov. is described and figured. Therelationship of this species to the other 12 members of thegenus is discussed. ¹Present address: 121 Jalan Athinahapan Dua, Taman Tun Dr Ismail,60000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia     

A new species of Pleuridium from Australia

Abstract

A new species, Pleuridium curvisetum, is described. It has an arched seta similar to that of P. arnoldii and was collected, sometimes in association with that species, in alpine country in Australia. P. arnoldii was first recorded from New Zealand. A comparison of the two species revealed some features, including a bistratose margin to the leaf subula, not previously reported for P. arnoldii.     

A new species of Oithona (Copepoda, Cyclopoida) from the neritic waters of Australia

A new species of Oithona predominating in the neritic watersof Australia is described. This species resembles three otherspecies of the genus, but has several unique characters in thefamily Oithonidae. The morphological and geographical relationshipsof this species with allied species are discussed.     

A new species of Brachydontium from Australia

Abstract

A new species (Brachydontium intermedium) is described. It is the first record of the genus for Australia and a comparison is made with the other two species, both from the Northern hemisphere.