Revision of the genera Nemotha Wood-Mason, 1884 and Tricondylomimus Chopard, 1930 stat. rev., with description of a new species (Dictyoptera: Mantodea)

The oriental species previously included in the rarely collected genus Nemotha Wood-Mason, 1884 (Mantodea: Iridopterygidae) are revised. N. coomani (Chopard, 1930) and N. mirabilis Beier, 1933 strongly differ from the type species N. metallica (Westwood, 1845) by family-level morphological features, but share a unique type of forefemoral armament with the genera Hapalopeza Stål, 1877 and Amantis Giglio-Tos, 1915, suggesting Nemotha is of a polyphyletic nature. The genus Tricondylomimus Chopard, 1930 is resurrected from synonymy to accommodate T. coomani, T. mirabilis n. comb. and the species which is newly described in this article, T. intermedius n. sp. The monotypic genus Pseudogousa Tinkham, 1937 and its species P. sinensis Tinkham, 1937 are synonymized with Tricondylomimus and T. mirabilis, respectively. The genus Tricondylomimus is placed in Iridopterygidae, while Nemotha is transferred to Hymenopodidae: Anaxarchini.     

A new subgenus and a new species of the planthopper family lophopidae (Homoptera, Fulgoroidea) from Papua New Guinea

A new subgenus, Acarnana subgen. n. with the type species Acarna karnyi Baker, is established in Acarna Stål. Acarna fulgoroides sp. n. from Papua New Guinea is described in the nominotypical subgenus. The subfamily Acarninae is downgraded to a tribe, its limits are extended.     

Taxonomic review of the genus Amphiareus (Heteroptera: Anthocoridae) in the Korean Peninsula

Four species of the genus Amphiareus (Hemiptera: Anthocoreidae) from the Korean Peninsula are reported, including two new records for this region: Amphiareus ruficollaris Yamada & Hirowatari and A. constrictus (Stål). They are redescribed with diagnoses and illustrations. A key to the species is also presented.     

Statilia maculata (Thunberg, 1784) – the first invasive praying mantis (Mantodea,Mantidae) in the fauna of Russia

Summary

Recent years have seen an increasing number of alien praying mantis species being introduced and establishing populations across Europe. Here we add to this count, reporting a stable and spreading population of an Asian species, Statilia maculata (Thunberg, 1784), in Krasnodar Krai of Southern Russia. This is the first introduced praying mantis species in the Russian fauna and the first representative of the genus Statilia Stål, 1877 in Europe. We review what is known about biology of this species and provide diagnostic characters to distinguish nymphs, adults and oothecae from native and introduced European species of praying mantis. Our attempts at captive breeding identify humidity as one of the most important factors limiting possible spread of S. maculata. Invasion to neighbouring territories and other countries with a humid subtropical climate remains a very real possibility with an unknown outcome for local ecosystems.     

A new species of Zygina from Papua New Guinea,and records of some leafhopper and planthopper species (Homoptera: Cicadelloidea and Delphacidae)

Abstract

Zygina medioborealis n.sp. is described from silver beet and carrots from Papua New Guinea. Indications are that this species, along with its close allies from Australia, New Zealand, and Norfolk Island, forms an incipient genus radically different from Palearctic and Nearctic Zygina Fieber. A few species of leafhopper and planthopper are listed, with their hosts; Cofana nigrilinea (Stål) is a new record for this locality.     

A phylogenetic revision of the true bug genus Heraeus (Hemiptera: Rhyparochromidae: Myodochini), with the description of two new genera and 30 new species

Prior to this study, the genus Heraeus Stål, 1862 included 14 species, all of which are restricted to the Western Hemisphere. Three species are known from the Nearctic Region, nine from the Neotropical Region, and two mainly tropical elements are distributed in both regions. In this contribution, we consider Heraeus cincticornis Stål, 1874 a junior synonym of Heraeus elegans (Walker, 1873), select a lectotype for Heraeus coquilletti Barber, 1914, and neotype for Lygaeus triguttatus Guérin‐Méneville, 1857, and describe 28 new species. In addition, the two new genera, Baranowskiobius gen. nov., to include H. elegans (Baranowskiobius elegans comb. nov.) and two new species, and Paraheraeus gen. nov., to include Heraeus eximius Distant, 1882 (Paraheraeus eximius comb. nov.), are described. Previously described species and new taxa are (re)described and illustrated, including male genitalia. Scanning electron micrographs, general habitus photographs, and distribution maps are included for all species studied. A phylogenetic analysis comprising 46 terminal taxa and 50 morphological characters was performed, and five species groups were hypothesized, including the coquilletti, caliginosus, guttatus, illitus, and plebejus groups. All known species of Heraeus and the new genera are included in the phylogenetic analysis. The type species of the genera Myodocha Latreille, 1807, Orthaea Dallas, 1852, and Paisana Dellapé, 2008 are used as out‐groups.     

Generic revision of the New World tribe Hoplophorionini (Hemiptera: Membracidae: Membracinae)

Abstract. The tribe Hoplophorionini Goding, 1926, includes 105 species of treehoppers in 10 genera. All are apparently subsocial and lack mutualism with honeydew-collecting hymenopterans. In many species, parental investment in offspring is unique because of a specialized kicking defence (described herein) and construction of extra-ovipositional punctures in the host tissue through which nymphs feed. The tribe occurs from Canada to Chile, with most generic diversity in Central America but most species diversity near the equator. Three genera, Stalotypa Metcalf, Ramosella, new genus and Stirpis, new genus, are endemic to the Greater Antilles but do not constitute a monophyletic group; the first two genera appear most closely related to Turrialbia, new genus, from Costa Rica. Host plant specializations and other biological attributes are summarized for genera and species. A phylogenetic analysis of 23 hoplophorionine species produced 9 minimal-length cladograms that were similar in many respects. Potnia Stål appears to have retained the greatest number of ancestral features. Aposematic teneral coloration of adults probably evolved once. The modification of the ancestral kicking behaviour by the first hoplophorionines appears to have released them from a constraint on pronotal form. Diagnoses are given for adults of all genera and, when possible, for immatures. A key is presented for the 10 genera; three are described as New Genera based on the cladistic analysis: Ramosella, Stirpis, and Turrialbia. Three New Species are described: Ramosella thalli, Stirpis jamaicensis, and Turrialbia felina. The genus Micropepla Sakakibara is considered a junior synonym of Ochropepla Stal, New Generic Synonymy. Umbonia terribilis Walker is moved from synonymy under Alchisme virescens (Fairmaire) to a New Synonymy under Umbonia reducta Walker. The subspecies Platycotis vittata vittata (Fabricius), P. vittata lineata (Fairmaire), and P. vittata quadrivittata (Say) are returned to synonymy with Platycotis vittata (Fabricius), Reinstated Specific Synonymies. Three species are Reinstated as valid: Alchisme obscura (Walker) and A. veruta (Fowler), both from synonymy under A. turrita (Germar); and Umbonia reducta Walker, from synonymy under U. crassicomis (Amyot & Serville). Five New Combinations are proposed: Alchisme antigua (Funkhouser), referred from Umbonia; A. sordida (Germar), referred from Platycotis; A. sagittata (Germar), elevated from subspecific rank under Platycotis vittata; Ochropepla mourei (Sakakibara), referred from Micropepla; and Ramosella dominicensis (Ramos), referred from Platycotis. Platycotis nigrorufa (Walker), P. cornuta Plummer, P. salvini (Fowler), and P. fuscata (Fowler) were previously unplaced to subgenus; the first is referred to Platycotis (Lophopelta Stal) and the others to Platycotis (Platycotis Stål). Microschaema nigrostrigata Buckton is moved from synonymy under Alchisme recurva (Stål) to a New Synonymy under Ennya dorsalis (Fairmaire) of the tribe Polyglyptini, subfamily Smiliinae. A checklist with critical synonymies and indexes to hoplophorionine taxa and host plant associations are provided. Lectotypes are designated for Centrotus vittatus Fabricius, Hoplophora lineata Fairmaire, Membracis venosa Germar, Potnia affinis Buckton, and Triquetra obtusa Fowler.     

Microsatellite loci isolated from the Mediterranean species Cicada barbara (Stål) and C. orni L. (Hemiptera,Cicadoidea)

We describe the isolation of six polymorphic microsatellites for Cicada barbara (Stål), four of which are also polymorphic for the closely related Cicada orni L. Cicadas from several sites in the Iberian Peninsula, North Africa (C. barbara) and Greece (C. orni) were genotyped at these loci. Polymorphism is higher than that previously obtained with allozymes for these species. One locus allows species diagnosis (nonoverlapping allele size ranges) between C. barbara and C. orni and the others have some exclusive alleles for each species.     

Reciprocal intraguild predation between two mirid predators,Cyrtorhinus lividipennis and Tytthus chinensis (Hemiptera: Miridae)

Interactions between predator species shape ecological communities and are crucial in the relationship between biodiversity and ecosystem functioning. They contribute to improving the natural biological control. Cyrtorhinus lividipennis Reuter and Tytthus chinensis Stål (Hemiptera: Miridae) are important natural enemies of brown planthopper, Nilaparvata lugens Stål (Hemiptera: Delphacidae), the most destructive rice pest in Asia. Comparative functional responses of both sexes of the two mirids at different development stages were estimated and the direction, symmetry, as well as intensity of intraguild predation (IGP) were studied in the laboratory. Prey preferences of the two mirid species and the influence of alternative prey on functional responses were also evaluated. The mirids exhibited reciprocal IGP in addition to consuming eggs of BPH. All predator–prey combinations exhibited a type II functional response. Females and fourth instar nymphs of C. lividipennis showed greater voracity for eggs of BPH than of T. chinensis. The two mirids were more voracious to intraguild prey than to extraguild prey. Alternative prey released the functional responses of C. lividipennis to both intra- and extraguild prey. In contrast, alternative prey had no effect on the functional response of T. chinensis. RIGP was symmetrical in the absence of extraguild prey. And in the presence of extraguild prey that was common in the field, resulted in different responses by the mirids.     

Polyspora huongiana sp. nov. (Theaceae) from Vietnam and notes on related species

A new species of Polyspora Sweet (Theaceae) endemic to the Bidoup‐Nui Ba National Park, Lam Dong Province, Vietnam, is described and illustrated: Polyspora huongiana Orel, Curry & Luu. The newly described species has variably shaped, coriaceous, narrowly elliptical leaves, terminal, pedicellate, mostly solitary, rather fleshy, dark pink to red flowers, with petals in two whorls; a columnar, seamlessly fused style with 3–5 apical lobes; persistent bracteoles; and a superior 3–4 (–5) chambered ovary. The morphological evidence supports taxonomic placement in the genus Polyspora. A new name is provided and new combinations are made for some other species in the region.     

Cosmosycanus, a new genus of harpactorine assassin bug established for Agriosphodrus perelegans (Heteroptera: Reduviidae)

A new monotypic genus Cosmosycanus is established for Agriosphodrus perelegans Breddin, 1903. This genus is separable from Agriosphodrus Stål, 1867 by the head being much longer than the pronotum, and the posterior pronotal lobe lacking a median depression. The new genus is also distinguished from Sycanus Amyot and Serville, 1843 by the smooth posterior pronotal lobe and the unspined and non‐tuberculate scutellum. The type species, Cosmosycanus perelegans, comb. nov. is redescribed and considered the senior synonym of Sycanus elongatulus Distant, 1919.     

Cicadas (Hemiptera: Cicadidae) from Samar and Leyte,Philippines, with a new species

This paper provides the first faunal checklist for Cicadidae (Hemiptera) from Samar and Leyte, Philippines, comprising 13 species belonging to 7 genera. A new species, Huechys funebris sp. nov., is described from Leyte. Oncotympana pallidiventris Stål, Dundubia vaginata (Fabricius), and Nelcyndana sp. are newly added to the cicada fauna of Samar. Information on geographic distributions is provided.     

Pathological effects of Blastocrithidia triatomae (Trypanosomatidae) on the reduviid bugs Triatoma sordida, T. pallidipennis and Dipetalogaster maxima after coprophagic infection

ABSTRACT. Developmental time and mortality in nymphs of the reduviid bugs Triatoma sordida (Stål), Triatoma pallidipennis (Stål) and Dipetalogaster maxima (Uhler) were studied in uninfected groups and in those infected with Blastocrithidia triatomae Cerisola et al. (Trypanosomatidae). In T. sordida and T. pallidipennis, major vectors of Chagas' disease in Brazil and Mexico respectively, infection with B. triatomae was associated with slight developmental retardations in the final instars, and increased mortality in the pre-adult instar. These effects were less evident in T. pallidipennis, but in this species a total infection rate of only 5–15% was achieved, compared with about 45% in T. sordida. In contrast, D. maxima was strongly affected by B. triatomae: nymphal development was retarded and complete mortality occurred in some groups exposed to infection, although not all bugs were infected.     

Various infection status and molecular evidence for horizontal transmission and recombination of Wolbachia and Cardinium among rice planthoppers and related species

Wolbachia and Cardinium are widely distributed and are considered important for their ability to disturb reproduction and affect other fitness‐related traits of their hosts. By using multilocus sequence typing (MLST), RFLP (restriction fragment length polymorphism) and 16S ribosomal DNA gene sequencing methods, we extensively surveyed Wolbachia and Cardinium infection status of four predominant rice planthoppers and one kind of leafhopper in different rice fields. The results demonstrated that Sogatella furcifera (Horváth) and Laodelphax striatellus (Fallén) were infected with the same Wolbachia strain (wStri), while Nilaparvata lugens (Stål) and its closely related species Nilaparvata muiri China were infected with two phylogeneticlly distant strains, wLug and wMui, respectively. Three new Wolbachia strains (provisionally named wMfas1, wMfas2 and wMfas3) were detected in the leafhopper Macrosteles fascifrons (Stål). Only S. furcifera was co‐infected with Cardinium, which indicated that the distribution of Cardinium in these rice planthoppers was narrower than that of Wolbachia. Unambiguous intragenic recombination events among these Wolbachia strains and incongruent phylogenetic relationships show that the connections between different Wolbachia strains and hosts were more complex than we expected. These results suggest that horizontal transmission and host associated specialization are two factors affecting Wolbachia and Cardinium infections among planthoppers and their related species.     

Tagging the brown planthopper,Nilaparvata lugens,with the stable isotope nitrogen-15; method for labelling and detection

The brown planthopper (BPH), Nilaparvata lugens (***Stål), is a serious pest of rice in tropical Asia (IRRI, 1979).     

On the composition and distribution of the family Acanaloniidae Amyot et Serville (Homoptera, Fulgoroidea)

The composition of the family Acanaloniidae Amyot et Serville, 1843 is revised. According to the synapomorphies in the structure of the male and female genitalia, the family Acanaloniidae s. str. comprises 4 New World genera: Acanalonia Spinola, 1839, Batusa Melichar, 1901, Chlorochara Stål, 1869, and Philatis Stål, 1862. Galapagosana Distant, 1909 and Euthiscia Van Duzee, 1923 are placed in synonymy to Philatis Stål, 1862. The taxonomic position of the genera Aylaella Demir et Ozdikmen, 2009 (replacement name pro Perinetia Lallemand et Synave, 1954), Hemithiscia Schmidt, 1912, Paraphilatis Melichar, 1912, Parathiscia Melichar, 1901, Pseudothiscia Schmidt, 1912, Thinea Melichar, 1912, and Thiscia Stål, 1862 is unclear and needs further study.