On the morphology of the genual part of the hind femur in Orthoptera (Insecta)

The characteristic formation situated in the upper lobe of the apical part of the hind femur in Orthoptera is described. This structure looks like two plates situated on the opposite sides of the lobe. At first, it was found as a fossil imprint in diatomite layers of the Sisian Suite (Armenia); it can serve as a marker for fossil Orthoptera. Some characters of the generic and higher taxonomic levels were revealed on the basis of a comparative morphological analysis and newly collected material. A key to the families Gryllidae, Gryllotalpidae, Tettigoniidae, Tridactylidae, Tetrigidae, and Acrididae on the basis of the mentioned structure is given.     

Fleas of the Moiynkum Desert and their epizootic significance

The species composition of fleas in the Moiynkum Desert (Chu-Talas interfluve) and indices of their domination on different hosts was established on the basis of long-term observations (1973–2000). The most significant and prolonged changes in the population density of mass flea species (Xenopsylla gerbilli minax and Coptopsylla lamellifer, parasites of the great gerbil) occur in association with changes of the population density of rodents. Changes in the population density of rodents are usually observed year after similar changes in the population density of hosts. The leading role in the transmission of the plague vector belongs to the flea X. gerbilli minax.     

Contributions to the knowledge of the fauna of Palaearctic Latridiidae (Coleoptera)

A new species, Dienerella kerzhneri, was described from Kazakhstan. Four species are recorded from new localities: Enicmus atriceps Hansen (recorded from Belarus), Melanophthalma sericea (Mann.) and Migneauxia crassiuscula (Aubé) (the Ukraine), and Corticarina obfuscata Strand (the Caucasus).     

New species of the buprestid genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Endelus</Emphasis> Deyrolle (Coleoptera,Buprestidae) from China,India, and Laos

Endelus (Kubaniellus) indicus sp. n. from India, E. (K.) lao sp. n. and E. (K.) khnzoriani sp. n. from Laos, E. (s. str.) sausai sp. n. from China, and E. (s. str.) dembickyi sp. n. from India are described, the two latter species are included in the Endelus bicarinatus Théry, 1932 species-group recently established by the author. E. collinus Obenberger, 1922 is included in this group; lectotype of this species is designated. Keys to species of the subgenus Kubaniellus and of the E. collinus group are provided. E. (K.) kareni Kalashian is for the first time recorded for Shaanxi Prov., E. pacholatkoi Kalashian, E. smaragdinus Desc. et Vill., and E collinus Obenb., for Laos (the latter species, also for Myanmar).     

A new form of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Kailasius autocrator</Emphasis> (Lepidoptera,Papilionidae) from the eastern Pamirs

A new subspecies, Kailasius autocrator pshartanus, from the eastern Pamirs (the Muzkol Ridge, Sasyk River) is described. The new subspecies is distinguished from the nominative subspecies by the wing pattern and ecology. This subspecies has the most primitive wing pattern in the genus. The range of this species is considered to be the center of Kailasius genus origin.     

A new species of digger wasps of the genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Belomicroides</Emphasis> (Hymenoptera,Crabronidae, Oxybelini) from North Africa

The new species of digger wasps, Belomicroides rufus, is described from North Africa. The new species differs from the all members of the Belomicroides schmiedeknechtii species-group in the pale coloration and dense pubescence of the body.     

Analysis of the species composition of the genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Chrysopilus</Emphasis> (Diptera,Rhagionidae) in the Eastern Palaearctic Region

The species of the genus Chrysopilus, inhabiting Russia and adjacent territories, are analyzed for the first time. The structure of the genitalia is examined, and new diagnostic characters of the species are given. Some species from the boundary areas are considered in detail, since the species composition of the genus has been poorly studied there. The data on 11 species distributed in eastern Russia and Japan are given.     

Effect of experience on response of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Trichogramma buesi</Emphasis> Voeg. and <Emphasis Type="Italic">T. principium</Emphasis> Sug. et Sor. (Hymenoptera,Trichogrammatidae) females to different ages of host eggs

Laboratory experiments have demonstrated that patterns of distribution of T. principium and T. buesi females by the number of mature ovarial eggs is strongly dependent on the age of the host (Sitotroga cerealella) eggs offered for parasitization. The approximate percentage of parasitizing females estimated from these distributions was 1.5–2 times higher for females offered young host eggs than for those offered “old” eggs, that had developed for six days at a temperature of 20°C. In both species, females more often oviposited in old (non-preferred) eggs when they had previously experienced fresh (preferred) eggs. This result contradicts the widely accepted assumption that in insect parasitoids, experience of parasitizing a preferred host decreases the probability of parasitizing a non-preferred host. One might expect that under natural conditions, a rather long time interval also precedes parasitization of less preferred host eggs by Trichogramma females, and duration of this interval may be also dependent on availability of other host species.     

The possibility to use bioacoustic characters in the taxonomy of the jumping plant lice with an example of the genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Craspedolepta</Emphasis> (Homoptera,Psyllinea, Aphalaridae) and description of a new species from Transbaikalia

Oscillograms of calling signals of 14 species of Craspedolepta s. l. are presented. Temporal patterns of the signals in representatives of different species groups are quite similar. Therefore, the use of acoustic characters for distinguishing between genera and subgenera of psyllids appears to be impossible. In certain cases, the structure of signals in different species is almost identical. Nonetheless, in strictly sympatric species occurring in the same territory and living on the host plants of the same species, i.e., involved into acoustic interactions with each other, the signal pattern is always distinctly different. Consequently, the similarity of signals can be considered evidence of the synonymy only in sympatric forms dwelling on the same host plant. On the other hand, distinct differences in the signal patterns indicate conclusively that the forms investigated possess the rank of species. Craspedolepta filifoliae sp. n. collected in the steppe of Transbaikalia on Filifolium sibiricum is described and illustrated. The new species is closely related to the widespread C. malachitica, but differs from it in the pattern of the fore wings and certain details of the genitalia structure. Besides, distinct differences in acoustic characters between these forms provide strong evidence that C. filifoliae sp. n. is a separate (valid) species.