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Recent studies have reported incipient morphological caste dimorphism in the Van der Vecht organ size of some temperate Polistes paper wasps. Whether species other than the temperate ones show a similar pattern remains elusive. Here, we have studied some Neotropical Polistes species. By comparing females collected through the year, we showed caste related differences in the size of the Van der Vecht organ in P. ferreri (body size corrected Van der Vech organ size of queens = 0.45 ± 0.06, workers = 0.38 ± 0.07 mm2, p = 0.0021), P. versicolor (body size corrected Van der Vech organ size of queens = 0.54 ± 0.11, workers = 0.46 ± 0.09 mm2, p = 0.010), but not P. simillimus (body size corrected Van der Vech organ size of queens = 0.52 ± 0.05, workers = 0.49 ± 0.06 mm2, p = 0.238). Therefore, it seems that queens and workers of some Neotropical Polistes have diverged in their ontogenic trajectory of the Van der Vecht organ size, providing clear evidence for incipient morphological caste dimorphism. As Polistes are distributed mostly in the tropics, we propose that physical caste differences may be widespread in the genus. Also, we highlight that morphological divergence in the queen–worker phenotypes may have started through differential selection of body structures, like the Van der Vecht organ. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hierarchies constitute the base of many social groups. Hence, understanding how they are established is critical. Here we examine how hierarchies are formed in foundresses associations of the common paper wasp Polistes dominulus. By comparing field data with computer simulations, we evaluate order of arrival at the nest, body size, facial color patterns, and within-group kinship structure as determinants of inheritance rank. Hierarchies (ranks 1–5) were experimentally inferred for 53 nests. Overall, the order in which foundresses arrived at the nest and their body size were not significantly correlated with rank. A foundresss rank was negatively correlated with the number of full sisters it had in its group. Highly ranked wasps (ranks 1 and 2) were less likely to share a nest with their full sisters than wasps of lower rank. A wasps rank was not determined by the relative rank of its nest-mate sisters. A foundresss rank was significantly correlated with the size of its black clypeal marks, but the number of foundresses with clypeal marks in each nest was small. On 15 of 20 nests where wasps with marks were present, only 1 wasp had such marks. Overall, our results suggest that within-group relatedness structure is important in the establishment of dominance hierarchies in P. dominulus foundress associations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Notiobiella Banks, 1909 is a green-coloured genus of brown lacewing (Hemerobiidae) that is widely distributed in Central and South America, Africa, southeast Asia, Australia and some south-western Pacific islands. There are approximately 49 species of this genus worldwide, with 10 species recorded from China, including one new species that is described in this paper. New information: In this paper, we describe a new species, Notiobiella maculosa sp. n. of the genus Notiobiella Banks, 1909 from Yunnan Province. The morphological characters of the adults are described in detail and illustrated. A key for identification of adults is also provided. All specimens have been deposited in the Entomological Museum of China Agricultural University (CAU), Beijing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents new information on black fungus gnats (Sciaridae) based on field studies at seven localities in Iran. Five sciarid species from the genera Bradysia Winnertz, Corynoptera Winnertz and Lycoriella Frey were collected with Malaise traps, yellow sticky traps, sweep net and an aspirator between 2015 and 2021: Bradysia cellarum Frey, 1948; B. ocellaris (Comstock, 1882); B. tilicola (Loew, 1850); Corynoptera fatigans (Johannsen, 1912); Lycoriella sativae (Johannsen, 1912). All species are first records for the Sistan and Baluchestan province. Bradysia tilicola (Loew) is new to Iran and was recorded for the first time in the Middle East. This brings the number of known sciarid species from Iran to seven. For five species are given a short morphological diagnosis and the global distribution. A map illustrates the distribution of all identified sciarid species in Iran. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: In this paper, we used scanning electron microscopy to describe the morphological types, number of sensilla, and their distributions on the antennae of each nymphal instar and adult of Notobitus meleagris (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Coreidae). The results show that there were eight subtypes of sensilla on the antennae of the nymphs and 11 subtypes of sensilla on the antennae of the adults. With the growth of instars, the type, quantity, and size of the sensilla gradually increased. Sexual dimorphism did not appear in the type of sensilla but existed in the length and diameter of some sensilla. In addition, we also discussed the functions of different types of sensilla through previous published studies, which will be helpful for further research on the behavioral and biological control of N. meleagris. The bamboo bug Notobitus meleagris (Fabricius, 1787) is a serious pest of bamboo shoots in China, India, Myanmar, Vietnam, and Singapore. The antennae of the nymphal instars and adults of N.meleagris are involved in communication among individuals and finding the host plants. In order to understand the morphology of antennal sensilla, their types, and the distribution of sensilla on the antennae of nymphal instars and adults in N. meleagris, we studied the morphology of antennal sensilla with a scanning electron microscope. The antennae of the nymphs and adults comprised the scape, pedicel, and two flagellomeres. Four types and eight subtypes of sensilla were identified in the nymphal instars (sensilla trichodea [St].1, St.2, St.3, sensilla basiconica [Sb].1, Sb.2, sensilla chaetica [Sc].1, Sc.2, sensilla coeloconica [Sco].1), whereas those of the adults had five types and eleven subtypes of sensilla (St.1, St.2, St.3, Sb.1, Sb.2, Sb.3, Sc.1, Sc.2, Sco.1, Sco.2, and sensilla campaniformia [Sca]). There are significant differences in the number, type, and size of the sensilla in different nymphal instars, which increases with the increase in nymphal instars. There was no sexual dimorphism observed in the adult sensilla; however, the length and diameter of St.3, Sb.2, and Sb.3 were sexually dimorphic. The potential functions of each sensillum were discussed based on the morphology and distribution of the antennal sensilla and were compared with similar published studies. Our results provide primary data for further research on the behavioral mechanism, green prevention, and control of N. meleagris. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The updated Checklist of the Diptera Culicidae recorded in Friuli Venezia Giulia (north-eastern Italy) is reported. In addition to already published data since 1920s, recent and original data are provided. The list includes a total of 37 mosquito species (out of 66 species known for Italy) of which 31 currently present. The occurrence of Anopheles hyrcanus, Culex martinii, Culiseta subochrea and Uranotaenia unguiculata needs to be confirmed; Ae. dorsalis is of uncertain identification; An. sacharovi, the main past malaria vector, is presumably locally extinct. The list includes three exotic species, Aedes albopictus widespread in plain and hilly urban areas, Ae. japonicus and Ae. koreicus, both recently detected in some hilly and mountain areas. Data on the geographic distribution in the region and on the ecology of the pre-imaginal stages are provided. Many of the recorded species are of health concern as potential vectors of pathogens. Further studies, conducted mainly in the less investigated mountain areas, will probably enrich the regional mosquito fauna. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To become integrated into an ant society, myrmecophilous parasites must overcome both the defenses and the communication system of their hosts. Some aleocharine staphylinid beetles employ chemical and tactile strategies to invade colonies, where they later consume ant brood and participate in parasitic trophallaxis with host ants. By producing compounds that both appease their hosts and stimulate adoption, the beetles are able to live in and deposit their own eggs in the well defended ant nest. In the current paper, previous findings on the myrmecophilous behavior and morphological features of the staphylinid beetle Lomechusoides (formerly Lomechusa) strumosus are reviewed and re-evaluated. Hitherto unpublished results concerning the beetles’ ability to participate in the social food flow of their host ants are reported. Furthermore, we present an analysis and documentation of the behavioral interactions between beetles and host ants during the adoption process, and we report new histological and scanning electron microscopic analyses of the exocrine glands and morphological adaptations that underlie the myrmecophilous behavior of L. strumosus. The main features of L. strumosus are compared with those of the staphilinid myrmecophile Lomechusa (formerly Atemeles) pubicollis. The paper concludes with a description of the life trajectory of L. strumosus and presents a brief history and discussion of the hypotheses concerning the evolution of myrmecophily in L. strumosus and other highly adapted myrmecophilous parasites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Seed-eater eurytomids of the genus Bruchophagus Ashmead, 1988 were collected from Ardabil and Qazvin provinces in northwest Iran. Various host plants were collected and their seeds were kept in laboratory conditions from 2007 to 2012. Scope of this paper focused on the Bruchophagus species reared from seeds of Astragalus brachydontus Boiss (Fabaceae). We obtained six species of Bruchophagus including B. astragali Fedoseeva. They were B. saxatilis Zerova; B. mutabilis Nikolaskaya; B. nikolskayae (Zerova); B. turkestanicus Zerova, and B. robiniae Zerova. Of which, Bruchophagus saxatilis Zerova, is a new record for the Iranian fauna. New host associations were found for all collected species and it seems a complex biological association that was recorded for the first time. Currently, 11 species of Bruchophagus are occurred inassociated with seeds of A. brachydontus. All previously known species of the genus Bruchophagus in Iran are also tabulated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Despite the recent advancement of faunal research of longhorned beetles in South Korea, the number of tribes of Cerambycinae has remained at 16 during the last 40 years. New information In this paper, two cerambycine tribes, Stenopterini Gistel, 1848 and Thraniini Gahan, 1906, are reported for the first time in Korea by species Merionoeda (Macromolorchus) hirsuta (Mitono & Nishimura, 1936) and Thranius variegatus Bates, 1873, respectively. Morphological comments, biological observations and illustrations of both species are provided. An updated key to tribes of Korean cerambycinae is also provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the highlights of a symposium held at the 2015 Annual Meeting of the Entomological Society of America (ESA) titled "Entomology: Partnering With Small Liberal Arts Colleges." Topics covered include the need for science students to develop scientific writing skills, the examination of insect morphology to distinguish an insect from other types of animals and the importance of knowing the scientific literature and incorporating findings into one's own work.

An annotated and updated checklist of Iranian bee taxa in the Halictus genus-group is presented and synopsized in this paper. Totally 59 species within two genera (Halictus Latreille and Seladonia Robertson) are listed which among them, Seladonia (Pachyceble) petrae (Blüthgen, 1933), Seladonia (Seladonia) mugodjarica (Blüthgen, 1933) and the rare Seladonia (Seladonia) semitecta (Morawitz, 1873), are introduced as new records for the country. Diagnostic morphological features and worldwide distribution information are provided for all new records. Our findings contribute to improve the knowledge about the species diversity and distribution of the halictid bees in Iran. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background With 90 described species, the genus Oecobius Lucas, 1846 is the largest genus of the family Oecobiidae Blackwall, 1862, five of which are known from China. Since Oceobius przewalskyi was described by Hu & Li in 1987, no males of this species have ever been reported. New information The male of Oceobius przewalskyi is described for the first time, based on the specimens collected in Tibet Autonomous Region. Morphological description and illustrations are given. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Steinernema feltiae belongs to the feltiae-kraussei-oregonensis group, clade III, and is an ubiquitarian species of entomopathogenic nematode. It is found in all types of soil and in all types of habitat. Species identification in the entomopathogenic nematodes genera Steinernema is a very complex task, given the broad variability of both morphological and biological traits within populations of a single species. To accomplish this, molecular techniques have been adopted which, however, require additional knowledge. Particularly relevant would be the possibility of testing in a reliable way the variability between different populations of the same species, which might represent different strains with different biological properties. During numerous samplings in Italy, several strains of S. feltiae were isolated. In this paper we analyze the intraspecific variability of the main morphometric and biological data of juveniles and males of 50 Italian populations of S. feltiae. The aim of our work was to determine if morphometric and biological analysis were useful to identify characters having significant diagnostic value, allowing to reliably discriminate among strains. Seven characters routinely computed for morphology (5 morphometrics for infective juveniles, spicula and gubernaculum shapes for males) and 2 biological performances (time to achieve adult stage, reproduction and progeny) were considered. The results showed extreme variability from both morphological and biological points of view [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Occurrence patterns of chrysomelid beetles (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), associated with willow (Salix spp.) at 42 sites across Europe, have previously been described. The sites form a transect from Greece (lat. 38.8 °N) to arctic Norway (lat. 69.7 °N). This paper reports additional records and the results of DNA sequencing in certain genera. Examination of further collections from the transect has added 13 species in the genera Aphthona, Chrysomela, Cryptocephalus, Epitrix, Galerucella (2 spp.), Gonioctena, Phyllotreta (2 spp.), Pachybrachis (3 spp.) and Syneta. We also report the sequencing of the DNA regions cytochrome oxidase 1 (CO1) and cytochrome B (cytB) for a number of samples in the genera Plagiodera, Chrysomela, Gonioctena, Phratora, Galerucella and Crepidodera. The cytB sequences are the first available for some of these taxa. The DNA barcoding largely confirmed previous identifications but allowed a small number of reassignments between related species. Most notably, however, it was evident that the southernmost material (Greece and Bulgaria) of specimens, previously treated as Crepidodera aurata sens. lat., belonged to a distinctive molecular cluster. Morphological reexamination revealed these to be C. nigricoxis Allard, 1878. This is an example of how morphotaxonomy and DNA barcoding can work iteratively to refine identification. Our sequences for C. nigricoxis appear to be the first available for this taxon. Finally, there is little geographic structure evident, even in widely dispersed species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An accurate identification of an insect is essential for the effective pest management program. However, due to the restrictions of phenotypic identification, molecular process (e.g. DNA barcoding) is used to overcome some of these limitations. The present paper was aimed to identify the Jujube fruit fly by morphological characters of the adults and molecular DNA barcoding of the larval stage in southeast Iraq. The adults was morphologically identified as Carpomyia incompleta (Becker, 1903) (Diptera: Tephritidae). Results of the molecular method revealed that the mitochondrial COI - COII marker was successfully identified immature stage of the species. The sequence analysis results identified the specimens (AHL1 and AHL2) as C. incompleta. Sequences of the specimens were recorded in The US National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) under accession numbers (ON045002.1 and ON045003.1, respectively. These results were consistent with the phenotypic identification of the Jujube fruit flies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Neotropical termite genus Uncitermes Rocha & Cancello, 2012 was known from a single species, U. teevani (Emerson, 1925). In this paper a new species, Uncitermes almeriae sp. n., is described and illustrated from worker and soldier castes, along with observations on the Uncitermes nest. A distribution map with the occurrences of both species is presented. The new species is distinguished from its congener by the presence of short bristles covering the head capsule and frontal tube. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new species of Oecanthus is described from Mexico. Oecanthus mhatreae sp. nov. occurs in central Mexico in the understory of tropical deciduous forest. Oecanthus mhatreae sp. nov. is currently known only from the Corregidora area of the Mexican state of Querétaro. The widened tegmina and chirp-like brief trills song are consistent with some members of the rileyi species group; however, this new species of tree cricket is different in several aspects. The chirp-like brief trills are generally irregularly spaced, it does not have the expected grouping of the chirp pulses, and the colors of buff, light olive green, or light brown are vastly different than the four known pale green species in the rileyi species group of the Western Hemisphere. Morphology, habitat, and song details of this new species, with the common name of Otomi tree cricket, are provided in this paper. Video can be viewed at www.oecanthinae.com. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diaphorina citri is a vector of ‘Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus,’ (CLas), associated with Huanglongbing, (HLB, or citrus greening) disease in citrus. D. citri exhibits three different color morph variants, blue, gray and yellow. Blue morphs have a greater capacity for long-distance flight as compared to non-blue morphs, but little else is known about how color morphology influences vector characteristics. In this study, we show that the color morphology of the insect is derived from pigmented cells of the fat body. Blue morphs acquire a lower level of CLas in their bodies from infected trees as compared to their gray and yellow conspecifics, referred to in this paper collectively as non-blue morphs. Accordingly, CLas titer in citrus leaves inoculated by non-blue insects was 6-fold higher than in leaves inoculated by blue insects. Blue color morphs harbored lower titers of Wolbachia and ‘Candidatus Profftella armatura,’ two of the D. citri bacterial endosymbionts. Expression of hemocyanin, a copper-binding oxygen transport protein responsible for the blue coloration of hemolymph of other arthropods and mollusks, was previously correlated with blue color morphology and is highly up-regulated in insects continuously reared on CLas infected citrus trees. Based on our results, we hypothesized that a reduction of hemocyanin expression would reduce the D. citri immune response and an increase in the titer of CLas would be observed. Surprisingly, a specific 3-fold reduction of hemocyanin-1 transcript levels using RNA silencing in blue adult D. citri morphs had an approximately 2-fold reduction on the titer of CLas. These results suggest that hemocyanin signaling from the fat body may have multiple functions in the regulation of bacterial titers in D. citri, and that hemocyanin is one of multiple psyllid genes involved in regulating CLas titer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background The New World genus Trismegistomya Reinhard, 1967b (Diptera: Tachinidae) previously included only the type species Trismegistomya pumilis (Reinhard, 1967a) from Arizona, U.S.A. New information We describe a new species of Trismegistomya, Trismegistomya jimoharai Fleming & Wood sp. n., from Area de Conservación Guanacaste (ACG) in northwestern Costa Rica, reared from wild-caught caterpillars of Melipotis januaris (Guenée, 1852) (Lepidoptera: Erebidae). Our study provides a concise description of the new species using morphology, life history, molecular data and photographic documentation. In addition to the new species description, we provide a redescription of the genus, as well as of its type species Trismegistomya pumilis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present paper deals with the potential of employing Malaise traps for collecting butterflies and moths for morphological analysis and presents a protocol for preparing Macrolepidoptera from Malaise trap samples that were preserved in ethanol. About 80 specimens of Lepidoptera, including Nymphalidae, Geometridae, Hesperiidae, Erebidae, Noctuidae, Pyralidae and Tortricidae, were mounted, following the protocol. All specimens with robust wings and contrasting wing patterns were well suited for the study of external morphology, regardless of the family. The specimens used in this study were collected in highland forest areas of central Vietnam with a little known entomofauna, as part of the German-Vietnamese biodiversity project 'VIETBIO'. The study offers new methodological approaches in an attempt to make the most of the material that was obtained using Malaise traps. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper is a contribution to the knowledge of Saga pedo (Pallas, 1771), summarizing the results of a field study carried out on a population of the Italian W Alps. The peculiar eco-ethological traits of this species make its observation difficult in nature and overall also its biology is little known, especially in Italy. The habitat selection is outlined from 34 unpublished presence data, collected between 2016 and 2018. Moreover, some biometric traits are compared between adult individuals observed in two different and disjointed survey areas. The results show that the environments in which this species lives in Susa Valley should not be referred exclusively to xerothermic oases in strict sense. This species appears to be also associated, in fact, with xeric environments of agricultural origin, mostly abandoned vineyards. These land uses (especially viticulture) could have guaranteed the survival of S. pedo over time. The closure of these open areas by shrub and tree vegetation, constitutes an important threat factor. Phenology and morphology of this species in Susa Valley, seem do not differ from those reported for other European populations. However, from the biometric analysis some significant differences emerge (p < 0.05) among the individuals sampled in the two areas, that are difficult to interpret. The observation of imagoes, always combined with high densities of potential prey and sometimes grouped, suggests some hypotheses that it would be interesting to test, to learn more about the ethology and ecology of this enigmatic protected species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper describes the external structures of the late larval stages of two Palearctic myrmecophilous staphylinids: Amidobia talpa and Oxypoda haemorrhoa associated with the Formica rufa species group. This is the first-ever description of the larva of Amidobia, and the only complete, detailed account of the morphology of this developmental stage in the genus Oxypoda currently available. For the first time in these two genera, 13 and 10 larval diagnostic features, respectively, are proposed. Morphological differences have been established between known and the newly described larvae of five species (genera) of myrmecophilous and one nonmyrmecophilous Aleocharinae, belonging to three tribes. Amidobia talpa and O. haemorrhoa are probably typical, tiny predators, like most other Aleocharinae, including non-myrmecophilous ones. Being very small and highly mobile, they are ignored by worker ants. Not surprisingly, no particular larval morphological modifications were found to enable them to survive among ants. Such features have, however, evolved in the larvae of larger aleocharines, that is, those that are perceived by ants and are wholly integrated with their hosts in the ant nest (e.g. Lomechusa). This comparative analysis of the functional morphology of the larvae of known myrmecophilous Aleocharinae is a springboard to further such studies of these interesting insects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Clubiona Latreille, 1804, with more than 500 named species, is one of the largest genera of Araneae. The genus has 15 synonyms, most of which are not listed in the World Spider Catalog (2018) and unknown to many arachnologists. The most comprehensive survey of Clubiona sensu lato by Wunderlich (2011) also lacked a few synonyms. In this paper all genus group names described in Clubiona are listed with their type species. Most of these names correspond to the species groups recognised in Clubiona sensu lato. We agree that Porrhoclubiona Lohmander, 1944 (= Clubiona genevensis-group) deserves a status of a separate genus and provide the diagnosis of this taxon. Three species of Porrhoclubiona that occur in Central Asia are surveyed, and two of them are described as new to science: P. laudata (O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1885), comb. n. (♂♀, Xinjiang, Tibet, China), P. bosmansi sp. n. (♂♀, Tajikistan), and P. moradmandi sp. n. (♂♀, Fars, Iran). It seems that all records of P. genevensis L. Koch, 1866 from China refer to P. laudata. The records of Clubiona vegeta Simon, 1918 from Tajikistan and Iran refer to P. bosmansi sp. n. and P. moradmandi sp. n., respectively. The following new combinations have been established: Porrhoclubiona decora (Blackwall, 1859), comb. n., P. diniensis (Simon, 1878), comb. n., P. leucaspis (Simon, 1932), comb. n., P. minor (Wunderlich, 1987), comb. n., P. pseudominor (Wunderlich, 1987), comb. n., P. pteronetoides (Deeleman-Reinhold, 2001), comb. n., P. vegeta (Simon, 1918), comb. n., P. viridula (Ono, 1989), comb. n., and P. wunderlichi (Mikhailov 1992), comb. n. (all ex. Clubiona). SEM study of the structure considered earlier as scopula in Clubiona and Porrhoclubiona reveals that it is represented by several lateral rows of movable macrosetae (spines) with a locking mechanism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The European species of Euplectrus Westwood are comprehensively treated for the first time, using a combination of morphological and DNA data (CO1, the barcode). Ten species are included, seven already described: E. bicolor (Swederus), E. flavipes (Fonscolombe), E. intactus Walker, E. liparidis Ferrière, E. maculiventris Westwood, E. nigriceps Ferrière, E. phthorimaeae Ferrière, and three new species: E. carinifer sp. n., E. geometricida sp. n., E. pallidigaster sp. n. To stabilize the nomenclature a neotype is designated for E. bicolor. Euplectrus intactus is removed from synonymy under E. bicolor and E nigriceps from synonymy under E. platyhypenae Howard, and both are re-established as valid species. Several host records are given and presented in a table, and new geographical records are introduced for previously described species. All host records are from exposed Lepidoptera caterpillars and the dominant host groups are Geometridae and Noctuidae. A key including all European species of tribe Euplectrini is presented. Prior to this paper the identification of European Euplectrus species has been difficult and misidentifications have probably been common. Existing host and geographical records in the literature must therefore be treated with great care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As yet little is known of the bionomics of weevils of the genus Cleopomiarus Pierce, 1919; current knowledge is limited to data on the morphology and biology of the preimaginal stages of certain species. This paper includes original information on the life cycle of Cleopomiarus micros (Germar, 1821). It presents the morphology of the egg, last larva (L3) and pupa. Data on the host plant (Jasione montana L.) and breeding plant (Campanula patula L.) and on the oviposition and phenology of the species are updated. The anatomy of the third-stage larva of C. micros shares certain traits with other species of the tribe Mecinini Gistel, 1848. Comparison of the morphology of preimaginal stages of C. micros with those previously described for other species of the genera Cleopomiarus and Miarus Schönherr, 1826 - previously considered the same genus - reveals species differences in larval body length, colour of the body and epicranium, and chaetotaxy of head and body. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent snap-shot surveys for fruit flies in Vietnam in 2015 and 2017 using traps baited with the male Dacinae fruit fly lures methyl eugenol, cue-lure and zingerone, collected 56 species, including 11 new country records and another 11 undescribed species, four of which are described in this paper. This increases the number of described species known to occur in Vietnam from 78 to 93. Species accumulation curves, based on the Chao 2 mean estimate, suggest that we collected 60-85% of the local fauna at the sites sampled, and that species diversity decreases with increasing latitude. The four new species are named: Bactrocera (Tetradacus) ernesti Leblanc & Doorenweerd sp. n., B. (Asiadacus) connecta Leblanc & Doorenweerd sp. n., B. (Parazeugodacus) clarifemur Leblanc & Doorenweerd sp. n., and B. (Bactrocera) adamantea Leblanc & Doorenweerd sp. n. In addition to morphological data COI DNA sequence data of both the COI-5P and COI-3P mitochondrial DNA gene regions is provided. Three of the four newly described species are morphologically and genetically easily distinguished from all other members of Dacini. Bactrocera clarifemur sp. n. is superficially similar to B. pendleburyi (Perkins) based on morphology, but there are several apomorphic characters to distinguish the two. Both COI and a segment of the nuclear gene Elongation Factor 1 alpha separate the two species as well. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The khapra beetle, Trogoderma granarium Everts, is a serious pest of grains and stored dry food stuffs and is the subject of strict quarantine measures in many countries including Australia. Morphologically the khapra beetle can only be reliably identified by dissection by a limited number of skilled taxonomists. Suspect specimens found in grain products are usually the larvae or larval skins which are difficult to diagnose morphologically. Adult specimens are usually scarce and damaged. Due to their similarity, warehouse beetle (Trogoderma variabile) and other native Trogoderma spp. could be mistakenly identified as T. granarium with market access implicatons or could mask an incursion. Molecular diagnostic protocols have been developed for khapra beetle, but remain largely untested against other species of Trogoderma, some also capable of being pests. Western Australia has a broad large, poorly studied native Trogoderma fauna, many of which are still undescribed; their estimated number is possibly over 100 species. Occasionally native Australian species can occur in stored commodities. Their identification and at least separation from the pestiferous exotic Trogoderma presents a serious problem. The work in this paper has been undertaken in an attempt to distinguish T. granarium from Australian native Trogoderma and related Dermestid species by both morphological and molecular methods. Dermestid specimens were sourced mainly from a targeted survey around grain silos throughout Australia, using two trap types, inside and outside facilities. Khapra beetle specimens were sourced from different geographical locations around the world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Being faced with practical problems in pest identification, we present a methodical paper based on artificial neural networks to discriminate morphologically very similar species, Thrips sambuci Heeger, 1854 and Thrips fuscipennis Haliday, 1836 (Thysanoptera: Thripinae), as an applied case for more general use. The artificially intelligent system may be successfully applied as a credible, online, semiautomated identification tool that extracts hidden information from noisy data, even when the standard characters have much overlap and the common morphological keys hint at the practical problem of high morphological plasticity. Statistical analysis of 17 characters, measured or determined for each Thrips fuscipennis and T. sambuci specimen (reared from larvae in our laboratories), including 15 quantitative morphometric variables, was performed to elucidate morphological plasticity, detect eventual outliers, and visualize differences between the studied taxa. The computational strategy applied in this study includes a set of statistical tools (factor analysis, correlation analysis, principal component analysis, and linear discriminant analysis) followed by the application of a multilayer perceptron artificial neural network system, which models functions of almost arbitrary complexity. This complex approach has proven the existence of 2 separate species: T. fuscipennis and T. sambuci. All the specimens could be clearly distinguished with 2 distinct subgroups for each species, determined by sex. In conclusion, the use of an optimal 3-layer ANN architecture (17, 4, 1) enables fast and reliable 100% classification as proven during the extensive verification process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biological mimicry is often multimodal, in that a mimic reinforces its resemblance to another organism via different kinds of signals that can be perceived by a specific target audience. In this paper we describe a novel scenario, in which a mimic deceives at least two distinct audiences, each of which relies primarily on a different sensory modality for decision-making. We have previously shown that Peckhamia picata, a myrmecomorphic spider that morphologically and behaviorally resembles the ant Camponotus nearcticus, experiences reduced predation by visually-oriented jumping spiders. Here we report that Peckhamia also faces reduced aggression from spider-hunting sphecid wasps as well as from its model ant, both of which use chemical cues to identify prey. We also report that Peckhamia does not chemically resemble its model ants, and that its total cuticular hydrocarbons are significantly lower than those of the ants and non-mimic spiders. Although further studies are needed to clarify the basis of Peckhamia's chemically-mediated protection, to our knowledge, such ‘double deception,’ in which a single organism sends misleading visual cues to one set of predators while chemically misleading another set, has not been reported; however, it is likely to be common among what have until now been considered purely visual mimics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three species of stingless bees are documented from Sri Lanka, namely, Tetragonula iridipennis (Smith), Lisotrigona cacciae (Nurse) and the endemic Tetragonula praeterita (Walker). Tetragonula irdipennis is the well-known, widely distributed stingless bee in Sri Lanka while L. cacciae is a recent record of a tear drinking stingless bee from a single site in Sri Lanka. Until the recent rediscovery, T. praeterita was known only from its type specimen deposited in the British Natural History Museum, London with Sri Lanka as its locality and 1860 as its date of description. Location of several stingless bee nests, with an entrance different to that of the well-known T. iridipennis, led to the re-discovery of T. praeterita. Its nesting sites, characteristics of the nest entrance tube and the morphological and morphometric differences of the worker caste compared to those of T. iridipennis are presented in the paper. Eight species of stingless bees have been reported from the Indian subcontinent. It is possible that more than three species of stingless bees occur in Sri Lanka. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many histerid beetles are necrophilous on carrion during both active and advanced stages of decomposition. In this study, 13 species of Saprinus were recorded on carrion from Lebanon, containing eight that are new for the Lebanese fauna. The following Saprinus species are newly recorded from Lebanon: 1) Saprinus (S.) caerulescens caerulescens (Hoffmann, 1803); 2) S. (S.) calatravensis Fuente, 1899; 3) S. (S.) chalcites (Illiger, 1807); 4) S. (S.) godet (Brullé, 1832); 5) S. (S.) maculatus (P. Rossi, 1792); 6) S. (S.) strigil Marseul, 1855; 7) S. (S.) submarginatus J. Sahlberg, 1913; and 8) S. (S.) tenuistrius sparsutus Solsky, 1876. The peak activity was recorded, key for the species is provided, and habitus images and male genitalia are illustrated in order to facilitate their taxonomic identifications. Saprinus species are diverse and common on animal carcass; they were likewise collected from a human cadaver in Lebanon. Preliminary comments on biology and distribution of the studied species are given. Our paper represents the first faunistic study on Histeridae from Lebanon. A rigorous research program regarding the biology of Saprinus in Lebanon and the neighbouring countries would greatly improve the knowledge of the diversity, activity, and possible forensic value of Saprinus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Hymenoptera Research is the property of Pensoft Publishers and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Three species of the subfamily Neanurinae (Collembola: Neanuridae) are recorded from Tianmu Mountain, Zhejiang Province, east China. Two of them, Lobellina fusa sp. n. and Paralobella tianmuna sp. n., are new to science and described in this paper. Lobellina fusa sp. n. can be recognized by the presence of six teeth on mandible and the fusion of dorsointernal tubercles on the head. Paralobella tianmuna sp. n. is characterized by a mandible with seven teeth, the lateral tubercle of Abd. II-III respectively with 7 (6+s) chaetae. Crossodonthina bidentata Luo & Chen, 2009 is widely distributed in the mountain from 300 to 1500 m a.s.l. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The taxon Naarda ineffectalis (Walker, 1859) has had an eventful taxonomic history; in certain periods it was even synonymised with the type species of the genus. Treated recently as a species distinct from Naarda bisignata Walker, 1866, i.e. the type species, its female form has been hitherto unknown. In this paper the female of the species is described and the known range of it is extended by new data from Cambodia, Thailand, Japan, Korea and Sumatra. The species rank of Naarda notata (Hampson, 1891) is formally reinstated (stat. rev.). An identification key to the Naarda species of Korea and main islands of Japan is also given. With 21 figures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A gynander specimen belonging to the genus Dryinus Latreille, 1804 (Hymenoptera: Dryinidae) is described from Ecuador (Zamora Province). It has a female aspect, but with male genitalia, no chelae and no Antennal Dorsal Organs (ADOs). This is the first record of a gynander specimen of Dryininae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The American species, Tylothrips osborni (Hinds) is reported for the first time from Iran and presented with detailed photos. The single macropterous female, which has been collected in the Ilam province, shows an unusual variation regarding the number of sense cones on antennal segment III. This variation affects both antennae in form of a reduction of the number of sense cones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study of insect morphology has recently benefited greatly from the emergence of new digital imaging and analysis technologies such as X-ray Microcomputed tomography (μ-CT), digital 3D reconstruction, and animation. Through interactive gaming and virtual reality, the external morphology of insects can be studied by a broad audience of both entomologists and non-specialists. EntomonVR is a serious game designed to investigate the external morphology of insects with adequate quality for the virtual reality platform. In this research, we discuss the advantages of virtual reality, introduce the EntomonVR new educational game, and conclude about future perspectives, validations, and cost-effectiveness. We tested this game on 25 participants with an entomological background for assessment and improved it based on their feedback. This study demonstrates the efficacy of virtual reality technology for an experimental learning environment in teaching the morphology of insects and the crucial need for advancing an efficient and interactive educational program. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Phegea is the property of Vlaamse Vereniging voor Entomologie and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Insect diversity monitoring is crucial for biological pest control in agriculture and forestry. Modern monitoring of insect species relies heavily on fine-grained image classification models. Fine-grained image classification faces challenges such as small inter-class differences and large intra-class variances, which are even more pronounced in insect scenes where insect species often exhibit significant morphological differences across multiple life stages. To address these challenges, we introduce segmentation and clustering operations into the image classification task and design a novel network model training framework for fine-grained classification of insect images using multi-modality clustering and approximate mask methods, named PCAM-Frame. In the first stage of the framework, we adopt the Polymorphic Clustering Module, and segmentation and clustering operations are employed to distinguish various morphologies of insects at different life stages, allowing the model to differentiate between samples at different life stages during training. The second stage consists of a feature extraction network, called Basenet, which can be any mainstream network that performs well in fine-grained image classification tasks, aiming to provide pre-classification confidence for the next stage. In the third stage, we apply the Approximate Masking Module to mask the common attention regions of the most likely classes and continuously adjust the convergence direction of the model during training using a Deviation Loss function. We apply PCAM-Frame with multiple classification networks as the Basenet in the second stage and conduct extensive experiments on the Insecta dataset of iNaturalist 2017 and IP102 dataset, achieving improvements of 2.2% and 1.4%, respectively. Generalization experiments on other fine-grained image classification datasets such as CUB200-2011 and Stanford Dogs also demonstrate positive effects. These experiments validate the pertinence and effectiveness of our framework PCAM-Frame in fine-grained image classification tasks under complex conditions, particularly in insect scenes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article introduces WingSegment, a MATLAB app‐designed tool employing a hybrid approach of computer vision and graph theory for precise insect wing image segmentation. WingSegment detects cells, junctions, Pterostigma, and venation patterns, measuring geometric features and generating Voronoi patterns. The tool utilizes region‐growing, thinning, and Dijkstra's algorithms for boundary detection, junction identification, and vein path extraction. It provides histograms and box plots of geometric features, facilitating comprehensive wing analysis. WingSegment's efficiency is validated through comparisons with established tools and manual measurements, demonstrating accurate results. The tool further enables exporting detected boundaries as FreeCAD macro files for 3D modeling and printing, supporting finite element analysis. Beyond advancing insect wing morphology understanding, WingSegment holds broader implications for diverse planar structures, including leaves and geocells. This tool not only enhances automated geometric analysis and 3D model generation in insect wing studies but also contributes to the broader advancement of analysis, 3D printing, and modeling technologies across various planar structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper describes the previously unknown larvae of Sericostoma bergeri and S. herakles (Trichoptera: Sericostomatidae) restricted to European Ecoregion 6 (= Hellenic western Balkan). Information on the morphology of the larvae is given, and the most important diagnostic features are illustrated. Sericostoma bergeri and S. herakles can be easily separated from known sericostomatid larvae of Ecoregion 6 (Schizopelex huettingeri, Oecismus monedula, Sericostoma flavicorne and S. personatum) by the shape of the pronotum, presence or lack of a comma-like marking on the lateral protuberance, by the number of setae on abdominal dorsum IX, and by distribution patterns. With respect to the latter, S. bergeri is a microendemic of the Greek Islands of Euboea and Andros whereas S. herakles is an endemic of the Peloponnese. The species are integrated in a dichotomous key including the currently known Sericostomatidae larvae of the Hellenic western Balkan. In addition, ecological information on the two species is provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, Smicridea (Rhyacophylax) repula Oláh & Johanson, 2012 is synonymized with Smicridea (R.) lobata (Ulmer, 1909), and the species Leptonema islamarga Botosaneanu, 2002 is transferred to Smicridea (R.) as a synonym of S. lobata. Additionally, we present more detailed illustrations of the male genitalia of S. (R.) lobata and S. (R.) signata (Banks, 1903), and include notes on their distributions to aid in the identification of these two, often-confused species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The collembolan family Entomobryidae, one of the most numerous, diverse and widely distributed, was recently reviewed in a work that integrated molecular and morphological characters. The new classification includes seven subfamilies, one of which, Nothobryinae, is characterized by the presence of PAO, falcate mucro and a few chaetae on the trochanteral organ. This subfamily is composed of only three genera: Capbrya Barra, 1999 from South Africa, Hispanobrya Jordana & Baquero, 2005 from Spain and Nothobrya Arlé, 1961 from Brazil. Nothobrya (type species N. schubarti, described from the state of Pernambuco) remained monospecific for about half a century, when samples taken from urban areas of Rio de Janeiro city revealed its first record for the Brazilian Southeast. This new species, Nothobrya arlei sp. nov., is described and illustrated based on differences related to trochanteral organ, unguis, tenent hair shape and chateae on tenaculum. In this paper, characteristics of the macrochaetotaxy, sensillar and microsensillar sets and ventral tube chaetotaxy are provided, as well as a table with comparisons of Nothobrya species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Lysiteles Simon, 1895 contains 64 nominal species distributed in East, South and South Asia. It possesses very high species diversity in China (with 46 and 32 endemics), Bhutan (with 9 and 1 endemic) and Nepal (with 8 and 4 endemics). In June 2023, a spider survey of Cibagou National Nature Reserve, Xizang, China was carried out. After examination and morphological comparison, two Lysiteles species were recognised as new to science. New information: Two new species of Lysiteles Simon, 1895 collected from Cibagou National Nature Reserve, Xizang, China are described: L. cibagou sp. nov. (♂♀) and L. tangi sp. nov. (♂♀). Diagnostic photos of habitus and copulatory organs and a distributional map are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The genus Clavicornaltica Scherer 1974 consists of very small, soil-dwelling flea beetles in South, Southeast and East Asia. Due to their diminutive size and morphological similarities, very little is known about their ecology and taxonomical diversity. It is likely that further studies will reveal this genus to be much more speciose than the 30 species currently recognised. New information: A new species of Clavicornaltica from Brunei Darussalam is described, C. mataikanensis Otani et al., sp. nov. This is the second species of this genus recorded from Ulu Temburong National Park. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The male of Hiranetis atra Stål, 1872 is described and illustrated for the first time. In addition, this paper illustrates the female and provides new country records for this species. Photographs of all extant types of species of Hiranetis Spinola, 1840 are presented with taxonomic notes on the other two species of the genus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]