Description of the larva of Siagona (Coleoptera: Carabidae)

The hitherto unknown larva of Siagona is described from a third instar specimen attributed to S.brunnipes Dejean. The unique features of this larva support the distinctiveness of the subfamily Siagoninae.     

The first fossil Paussine (Coleoptera: Carabidae) from Mexican amber

Eohomopterus simojovelensis n. sp., the first fossil record of the subfamily Paussinae (Coleoptera: Carabidae) from the Miocene amber of the Simojovel area, Chiapas, Mexico, is described. The morphology of the new species is compared withEohomopterus poinari Nagel, 1997 from Dominican amber as well as with extant representatives ofEohomopterus, and the biogeographical implications are discussed.      

A synopsis of the genus Cypholoba Chaudoir (Coleoptera, Carabidae, Anthiini) known to occur in the Republic of South Africa

Nearly one third of the described species of Cypholoba Chaudoir (Coleoptera: Carabidae) are known to inhabit the Republic of South Africa. A key and diagnostic notes are provided for their identification, as well as notes about way of life for some of the species based on observations in the Kruger National Park. Fifteen species and subspecies of the genus are recorded from the Republic of South Africa; adult specimens of each species and subspecies are illustrated and information about the distribution of each species in the Republic of South Africa is summarized and mapped: Cypholoba alstoni (Péringuey), Cypholoba alveolata (Brême), Cypholoba amatonga Péringuey, Cypholoba fritschi (Chaudoir), Cypholoba gracilis gracilis (Dejean), Cypholoba gracilis scrobiculata (Bertoloni), Cypholoba gracilis zuluana Basilewsky, Cypholoba graphipteroides graphipteroides (Guérin-Méneville), Cypholoba leucospilota semilaevis (Chaudoir), Cypholoba macilenta (Olivier), Cypholoba notata (Perroud), Cypholoba oberthueri seruana Strohmeyer, Cypholoba opulenta (Boheman), Cypholoba rutata (Péringuey), and Cypholoba tenuicollis aenigma (Dohrn).     

Serine protease activities in Oxysarcodexia thornax (Walker) (Diptera: Sarcophagidae) first instar larva

We report for the first time the expression of multiple protease activities in the first instar larva (L1) of the flesh fly Oxysarcodexia thornax (Walker). Zymographic analysis of homogenates from freshly obtained L1 revealed a complex proteolytic profile ranging from 21.5 to 136 kDa. Although some activities were detected at pH 3.5 and 5.5, the optimum pH for most of the proteolytic activities was between pH 7.5 and 9.5. Seven of 10 proteases were completely inactivated by phenyl-methyl sulfonyl-fluoride, suggesting that main proteases expressed by L1 belong to serine proteases class. Complete inactivation of all enzymatic activities was obtained using N-p-Tosyl-L-phenylalanine chloromethyl ketone (100 microM), a specific inhibitor of chymotrypsin-like serine proteases.     

Carabidae from Vietnam (Coleoptera)

Members of the Vietnamese carabid fauna are arranged and nomenclaturally revised. As the result, 178 species belonging to 74 genera of 12 subfamilies, Brachininae, Omophroninae, Carabinae, Scaritinae, Bembidiinae, Trechinae, Pterostichinae, Harpalinae, Callistinae, Oodinae, Odacanthinae, and Lebiinae, are recorded from Vietnam. Within these, four species, Abacetus leucocetes Bates, 1873, Ago-nom (Metacolpodes) buchanani Hope, 1831, Steno-lopus (Egadromd) difficilis (Hope, 1845), and Phe-ropsophus {Stenaptinus) beckeri Jedlicka, 1930 are newly recorded. A species checklist with taxonomie information, type localities and worldwide distribution are provided.     

A new species of Omicrus Sharp (Coleoptera: Hydrophilidae) from Puerto Rico and its larva, the first known larva of Omicrini

A remarkable new species of bromeliadicolous Hydrophilidae, Omicrus ingens sp.n., is described from Puerto Rico. Notes on the habitat and occurrence of the species are given. Larvae found in association with adult beetles are assigned to the same species and described as such. It is the first known larva of the sphaeridiine tribe Omicrini. Comparative notes are given to other hydrophilid larvae, particularly Sphaeridiinae, and preliminary keys to larvae are presented for known subfamilies of Hydrophilidae and known tribes of Sphaeridiinae.     

Sensilla on maxillary and labial palps in a helicophagous ground beetle larva (Coleoptera,Carabidae)

Sensilla on the labial and maxillary palp of Carabus lefebvrei Dejean, 1826 larvae were investigated using scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Two identical sets of sensilla were present on the tips of both palp pairs, and four morphological types of sensilla were identified: sensilla basiconica types 1 and 2, sensilla coeloconica and sensilla digitiformia. Ultrastructure indicates that the sensilla basiconica type 1 and coeloconica have a chemical role as gustatory and olfactory receptors, respectively, while sensilla basiconica type 2 are mechanoreceptors and the sensilla digitiformia are probably thermo‐ and hygroreceptors. Their function is discussed in relation to specialized prey detection and habitat adaptations.     

Parasitism of the larvae of some Carabidae (Coleoptera)

An account is given of the species and degree of parasitism by insect and nematode parasites from eight species of Carabidae collected in pitfall traps in arable fields.     

A description of the larva and pupa of Trox mandli (Coleoptera, Trogidae) from the Russian Far East

The previously unknown larvae of Trox mandli Balthasar of the family Trogidae are described and illustrated. The larva of T. mandli Balthasar differs from that of T. sabulosus (Linnaeus) in shape of the setae on abdominal tergite I, and from that of T. scaber (Linnaeus), in the chaetotaxy of the epipharynx. A key to the known larvae of the genus Trox Fabricius from the Russian Far East is given.     

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.     

Taxonomic review of Cratocerus Dejean, 1829 (Coleoptera,Carabidae) with the description of six new species

A diagnosis of the South and Central American genus Cratocerus Dejean (Coleoptera: Carabidae) and a key to all species is provided. Eight species are recognized including six species that are newly described: Cratocerus sinesetosussp. n. from French Guiana and Peru; Cratocerus multisetosussp. n. from Costa Rica and Panama; Cratocerus tanyaesp. n. from Costa Rica, Guatemala, and Mexico; Cratocerus indupalmensissp. n. a species widely distributed throughout Central and South America; Cratocerus kavanaughisp. n. from French Guiana and Peru; and Cratocerus culpepperisp. n. from Peru. A lectotype for Cratocerus sulcatus Chaudoir is designated. Habitus images are provided along with illustrations and images of male genitalia, female genitalia, and diagnostic morphological characters.     

Population metabolism of Nebria brevicollis (F.) (Coleoptera: Carabidae)

Summary The respiratory metabolism of all life stages of a predatory beetle was investigated. Measurements were made throughout the year in a continuously recording respirometer. The Warburg respirometer was used to examine the relationship between oxygen cosumption and temperature.Respiration was affected by several factors. No periodicity in respiration was observed during the 24 hour period. During the breeding season the males showed a significantly higher respiratory rate than the females. Temperature influence was slightly greater on Instar I and adults in a breeding condition. Laboratory data were adjusted to field rates by using field temperature data and the regressions obtained from respiratory measurements made at different temperatures. Population estimates per m² were low. The seasonal trend in population metabolism was related to temperature. Population density and population production did not follow temperature closely.Population metabolism totalled 1735.95 Joules/m², of which 55.0% was due to adults. The production/respiration ratio (P/R) was 1:1. Total annual energy flux through the beetle population was 3365.13 Joules/m². The larvae accounted for 65% of this total.     

Ecological description of ground beetle communities (Coleoptera, Carabidae) in northern taiga meadows of Arkhangelsk Region

Species composition and ecological structure of ground beetle population was studied in northern taiga meadows of the Arkhangelsk Region. Meadows in the northern forest zone proved to harbor 91 ground beetle species. Carabid complexes formed in the intrazonal biocenoses of the northern forest zone can be as rich as the family topical groups in the southern forest zone by the number of species and ecological diversity. Ecological properties of the fauna and ground beetle population proved similar in different parts of the forest zone. The proportion of stenobiotic meadow species proved to decrease while that of ecologically plastic ones increased from south to north. The proportion of the genus Harpalus decreased in the ground beetle population while the number of Amara species remained unaltered and their abundance increased. The changes in the species composition caused no transformation of the ecological structure of ground beetle population since they were limited to a single life form or guild.     

Ecological genetics of the cave beetle Neaphaenops tellkampfii (Coleoptera: Carabidae)

Summary Genetic variability and similarity were examined in eight populations of the Kentucky cave beetle Neaphaenops tellkampfii (Coleoptera: Carabidae) using the technique of polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Results indicate that N. tellkampfii has high genetic variation within and high genetic similarity among local populations. These results are in sharp contrast to the patterns of low variability and similarity reported for other cave dwelling species in the same region. It is concluded that the differences in genetical population structure among cave species in the Central Kentucky Karst are related to ecological differences among the species.     

Phylogenetic analysis of thoracic structures of Carabidae (Coleoptera: Adephaga)

Thoracic structures of adult carabids were examined and analyzed phylogenetically. Geadephaga excl. Trachypachini are considered as a monohyletic unit based on correlated synapomorphic features of the posterior metathoracic region: the metepimeron is parallel-sided and at right angle to the body axis; the metacoxae do not project beyond the lateral margin of the preepisterum. Gehriniini are nor related to Trachypaciini. The metriine-paussine lineage is characterized as monopkyletic by exceptionally long and fairly broad metepimera. The presence of an elytral flange is considered a snapomorphy of Paussinae. The monophyly of Paussinae excluding My-stropomus is sugesred cy extended elytral epipleura, which cover large parts of the metepimera, and by the parallel body outline. The monohyly of Anisochaeta is not supported by conclusive synapomorphic features of the thorax. Cychrini, Carabini, Nebriini, Opistiini, and Notiohi lini seem to form a monophyletic unit, as suggested by the concealed external lamella of the metepimeron. Cicindelinae, Elaphrini, Loricerini, Migadopini, Rhysodini, and Caraboidea Limbata are considered as a monophletic unit based on the following correlated synapomor-phies: meso ‘sternum’ strongl modiled, hexagonal groove reduced, procoxal cavities closed, aex of prosternal process-redced. Caraboidea Limbata (Jeannel 1941–42) excl. Scrobifera are cgaracterized as a monophyletic group by lobate rnetepimera, and conjunct mesocoxal cavities. Caraboidea Limbata excl. Scrobifera and Stylifera (Jeannel 1941–42 are characterized by narrow meseimera. Masoreimorphi, Callistomorphi, Lebiomorphi and Pseudornorphinae are characterizei by biperforate procoxal cavities. It is quite likely that biperforate procoxal cavities are also a groundplan feature of Brachininae.