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Changes in the abundance and distribution of selected species of beetles in European Russia and in the Caucasus are reported. Most of these species have been recorded from the Northwestern Caucasus in the last 10-15 years. The abundance and distribution during the last two years have changed most sharply in the introduced species, the Harlequin lady beetle Harmonia axyridis and two East Asian bruchids, Megabruchidius dorsalis and M. tonkineus. In 2016, the latter has been found in Georgia for the first time, and Harmonia axyridis was found in St. Petersburg. Abundance of the weevil Alcidodes karelinii with the range situated mostly east of the Caucasus and Volga River remains in Northwestern Caucasus at about the previous level. The flea-weevil species, a leaf miner on Ulmus pumila, misidentified previously as Orchestes mutabilis, is described in this paper as Orchestes steppensis sp. n. based on the material from Russia, Kazakhstan, Mongolia and Northern China; no its further distribution westward in 2015-2016 has been found. This species, rapidly widening its range in North America in the recent decade, is misidentified there as Orchestes alni. A key for differentiation of Orchestes alni, O. mutabilis and O. steppensis sp. n. is provided with photographs of adults of all three species. Magdalis armigera has increased abundance in Northwestern Caucasus in 2016 and was for the first time found in Northwestern Russia (Pskov Province) in 2015. Regular faunistic surveys during several decades provide a possibility of recording considerable changes in the abundance of some common species of Coleoptera, often associated with changes in their distribution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Detailed morphological redescriptions of cockroaches of the subfamily Epilamprinae Brunner von Wattenwyl, 1865 from the New World based on the collection of the Zoological Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences are given. Poeciloderrhis verticalis (Burmeister, 1838), the type species of the genus Poeciloderrhis Stål, 1874; Phoraspis picta (Drury, 1782), the type species of the genus Phoraspis Serville, 1831; Epilampra mexicana Saussure, 1862 and E. sodalis Walker, 1868, the members of the ' mexicana' and ' sodalis' species-groups, respectively, are redescribed. Parapoeciloderrhis dilatatus Anisyutkin, gen. et sp. n. is described from Ecuador. The paper pays special attention to the structures of the male and female genitalia. The hypothetical relationships between the taxa studied are briefly considered. The possible synapomorphies of the group [ Poeciloderrhis, Epilampra, and Phoraspis] are considered. The genus Epilampra is possibly artificial and needs division into several genera. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new species of the genus Mesorhaga from the Ranomafana National Park on Madagascar is described and an identification key to three Madagascan species is provided. Mesorhaga negrobovisp. n. is very close to M. pauliani in habitus, differing clearly in its hypopygial cercus trifurcate at the middle as opposed to cercus trifurcate at apex in M. pauliani. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper continues the series of publications (Medvedev, 2015, 2016) devoted to the analysis of the structural features of fleas. In this part, the structural features of the thoracic setation are analyzed for the first time. Six characters with 53 states were distinguished in the chaetome of the pronotum, mesothorax, and metathorax. The analysis reveals some cases of the formation of externally similar states due to reduction or, by contrast, strengthening of the chaetome in some genera belonging to different superfamilies, in relation to the specific traits of parasitism. In spite of high variation in the number and arrangement of thoracic setae, some character states can be used as markers of flea taxa of the family and superfamily rank. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper focuses on the influence of the day length on larval and pupal development of the dark spectacle Abrostola triplasia (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae: Plusiinae, Abrostolini) in the central European Russia (50°N, 36°E). The long-day qualitative photoperiodic response of diapause induction controls formation of the winter pupal diapause and determines a bivoltine seasonal cycle of the species in the forest-steppe zone. Seasonal development of the local population of A. triplasia has the following peculiarity: if adults of the overwintered generation emerge late (in the second half of June), larvae of the first generation develop under the critical, or threshold, daylength conditions, which results in the presence of both diapausing and non-diapausing fractions of the pupae. The diapausing pupae overwinter, whereas the non-diapausing ones develop into adults that produce the second generation; the pupae of this second generation overwinter. Therefore, the hibernating population of A. triplasia consists of individuals from both generations. Thus, the dark spectacle has a very flexible seasonal development pattern in the forest-steppe zone: the presence of two generations allows the species to fully utilize the resources of the vegetation season; at the same time, the first generation already has a reserved hibernating fraction in case the weather conditions of the particular year are not favorable for completion of two generations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper presents a description of the new species, Thinobius (s. str.) endroedyi from Namibia. The lectotype of Th. (s. str.) iridiventris Bernhauer, 1934 is designated, and a supplemented description of this species is provided. A key to the representatives of the genus Thinobius from tropical Africa is given. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Modeling of expansion of alien species in a new environment has become an important issue in view of the recent environmental conditions. Extensive effects of introduction of invasive species for the food chains of ecosystems are described quite regularly. Rapid changes in the form of a 'population outbreak' are characteristic of certain insects, and their implications are important for agriculture. Monophagous insects are not only agricultural pests but also potential agents of biological weed control. This paper considers the development of a dynamic system for simulating the scenario of population outbreaks of Cardiaspina albitextura Taylor, 1962, described in the ecological literature. We propose a continuous-event driven computing structure of the new model which takes into account the mortality rate variation at different development stages and the factor of abrupt exhaustion of food resources at the peak of the outbreak. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Literary data on the fauna of mosquitoes (family Culicidae) in Belarus since the 1920s have been analyzed together with the original material. The fauna of Belarus comprises 41 mosquito species from 5 genera. Most species (26) belong to the genus Aedes while the genera Anopheles, Culiseta, Culex, and Coquillettidia are represented by 5, 5, 4, and 1 species, respectively. The mass species in the territory of Belarus are Aedes punctor (Kirby, 1837), A. communis (De Geer, 1776), A. cantans (Meigen, 1818), A. cinereus Meigen, 1818, and A. sticticus (Meigen, 1838). The species composition of mosquitoes in Minsk, Gomel, Vitebsk, and Brest provinces has been most completely studied, whereas the data on Mogilev and Grodno provinces are fragmentary, requiring further studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ecies of sawflies of the genus Dolerus Panzer (Hymenoptera: Tenthredinidae) are found in the agricultural landscape of the North-West of Russia. The sawflies of this genus tend to have a highly uneven distribution in the agricultural landscape. Sawflies of the genus Dolerus have their highest species diversity in the agrocenoses of perennial grasses (timothy grass + clover), at field margins and forest edges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The taxonomic problems associated with the validity of the subgeneric names in the genus Omocestus I. Bolívar, 1878 are discussed. The subgeneric names Haplomocestus Tarbinsky, 1940 and Dreuxius Defaut, 1988 proposed after 1930 are unavailable, according to Articles 13.1 and 13.3 of the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature (ICZN, 1999). Here the genus is divided into three subgenera, namely Omocestus s. str. [type species Omocestus viridulus (Linnaeus, 1758), by subsequent designation (Kirby, 1910)], Dirshius Harz, 1975, stat. resurr. [type species Omocestus haemorrhoidalis (Charpentier, 1825), by original designation], and Tarbinskius subgen. n. [type species Omocestus bolivari Chopard, 1939, designated here]. A brief diagnosis and the species composition are given for each subgenus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The efficacy of two predatory phytoseiid mite species, Phytoseiulus persimilis and Transeius montdorensis, against the spider mite Tetranychus urticae on rose plants of Kordana variety was evaluated in the laboratory. All variants of the experiment were carried out in triplicate over 14 days, at a temperature of +25°C and relative air humidity of 70–75%. At the end of the experiment with Ph. persimilis, the density of T. urticae decreased from 20.8 ± 0.9 to 0.9 ± 0.5 ind. per model leaf; the biological efficacy of the predator was 95.7%. In the variant with T. montdorensis, the density of T. urticae decreased from 20.1 ± 1.0 to 8.7 ± 1.1 ind. per leaf, and the biological efficacy did not exceed 63.0%. In the variant without predatory mites, the density of T. urticae increased by the end of the experiment from 22.4 ± 1.0 to 65.6 ± 1.5 ind. per leaf. A single release of Ph. persimilis at a predator : prey ratio of 1 : 10 was effective, but a single release of T. montdorensis failed to produce the expected result. Therefore, the latter species can only be used as an additional predator when other entomoacariphages are present in the greenhouse. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two genera (Pseudocatolaccus Masi, 1908 and Pycnetron Gahan, 1925) and eight species, Lamprotatus hikosanus (Kamijo, 1960) (Miscogasterinae), Homoporus arestor (Walker, 1848), H. destructor (Say, 1817), H. japonicus Ashmead, 1904, H. subniger (Walker, 1835), Pseudocatolaccus sayatamabae Ishii, 1950, Pycnetron curculionidis Gahan, 1925, and Synedrus transiens (Walker, 1835) (Pteromalinae), are recorded for the first time for the fauna of South Korea. The male of Lamprotatus hikosanus is described for the first time. New biological data for P. curculionidis Gahan are reported. The Pteromalidae fauna of South Korea currently comprises 118 species belonging to 62 genera of 4 subfamilies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

New records of 105 species of ichneumonids of the subfamily Ctenopelmatinae from Russia and adjacent territories are provided based on the collection of the Zoological Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences. Among them, 28 species are recorded in Russia for the first time. New data on the distribution of 54 ctenopelmatine species in the European part of Russia, the North Caucasus, Crimea, Siberia, and the Russian Far East are provided. The genera Synomelix Foerster, 1869 (with 3 species) and Bremiella Dalla Torre, 1901 are recorded in Russia for the first time. A replacement name Anoncus bipunctatornom. n. is proposed for the praeoccupied name Mesoleius bipunctatus Brischke. А new synonymy is established: Ctenopelma parvator Aubert, 1985 = Campodorus longicaudatus Hinz, 1969, syn. n. Lectotype of Euryproctus aberrans Woldstedt, 1876 in the ZIN collection is designated. А new combination is formed: Campodorus agilis (Brischke, 1871) (from Mesoleius), comb. n. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of sporal and mycelial VOCs of entomopathogenic fungi of the genus Lecanicillium on primary behavioral responses of the predatory bug Orius laevigatus was studied in laboratory experiments. Free choice of adult Orius bugs between the sporulating mycelium and the nutrient medium without the fungus was evaluated in Petri dishes (24 h, in the presence of S. cerealella eggs and a bean leaf) and in 2-chamber olfactometers (1 h, without food). Repellent response in the bugs was caused by the mycelium of three strains: Lecanicillium lecanii strain Vl 29, L. dimorphum strain ARSEF 2332, and L. attenuatum strain Vit 71, with the index of aggregation IA ranging from −40.7 to −50 (P < 0.05). A significant attractive response with an IA value of +43.3 was caused by L. lecanii strain Vl 5. The response of O. laevigatus to VOCs of Lecanicillium fungi after 1 h in 2-chamber olfactometers was predominantly neutral, with pronounced repellency observed only for L. lecanii strain Vl 29 (IA = −72) and L. dimorphum strain ARSEF 8057 (IA = −36.8). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the subfamily Tryphoninae, the genus Aderaeon Townes et Townes, 1949, stat. resurr. (with five species) and the tribe Exenterini, stat. resurr. (with 15 genera and about 250 species), are resurrected. These taxa were recently synonymized with the genus Erromenus and the tribe Tryphonini, respectively, in the fundamental cladistic revision of the Tryphoninae genera (Bennet, 2015). Both taxa show a high level of morphological isolation and have autapomorphies well separating them not only from other tryphonines, but also from all other Ichneumonidae. Cladistic analysis ignoring such important morphological novelties that constitute high-rank autapomorphies, as well as specific evolutionary trends including the formation of novel morphological types of egg and ovipositor in these groups, would lead to unjustified destruction of the existing system. A new monotypic subgenus Praectenochirasubgen. n. is described in the genus Ctenochira Foerster, 1855 (tribe Tryphonini). The subgenus is established for a morphologically extremely primitive species, C.orientalis Kasparyan, 1993, whose placement in Ctenochira is defined by the presence of areas with sensilla on the ventral side of the flagellomeres, a wide ovipositor sheath, and a sting-like ovipositor typical of this genus; yet three other synapomorphies defining the genus Ctenochira, namely the polished bulge at the mandible base, the transverse depression behind the middle of the second metasomal tergite, and the characteristic dorsal notch at the ovipositor sheath apex, are absent in the new subgenus. Ctenochira basipectinata Lee et Cha, 1993 (December) is synonymized with Ctenochira orientalis Kasparyan, 1993 (October), syn. n. A new genus Orthodoliusgen. n. (type species Cteniscus pectoralis Hellén, 1951) is established in the resurrected tribe Exenterini for two closely related species currently placed in Orthomiscus Mason, 1955 or Kristotomus Mason, 1962: Orthodolius pectoralis (Hellén, 1951), comb. n. and O.amurensis (Kasparyan, 1986), comb. n. The new genus is distinguished from Orthomiscus and Kristotomus by the more primitive structure of the mandibles and the almost unmodified apex of the hind tibia; it differs from all the genera of Exenterini in gregarious parasitism on Cimbicidae sawflies (as established for O.pectoralis). An important diagnostic feature of the genus Exenterus Hartig, 1837 is emphasized, namely the fusion (unmovable fixed connection) of the second and third metasomal tergites. This feature, not included by A. Bennett in his analysis of the subfamily, is extremely rare in Ichneumonidae (found in the genera Polyaulon Foerster, 1869 and Syndipnus Foerster, 1869, as well as in the Rhorusmesoxanthus species-group of the genus Rhorus Foerster, 1869), but constitutes a basic synapomorphy for the family Braconidae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Data on the fauna of Proctotrupidae (Hymenoptera) in some regions (Voronezh, Ulyanovsk, Ryazan, and Penza provinces, the Republic of Mordovia) of the European part of Russia are presented. As a result of the research in 2020–2023, 16 species from seven genera of proctotrupids are recorded for the Republic of Mordovia and adjacent areas. Of these, Exallonyx pallidistigma Morley, 1922 is recorded for the first time from Russia, and E. angulatus Townes, 1981, from the European part of Russia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

New trends in the technologies of mass breeding of entomophages and their use for biological pest control in greenhouses have been analyzed. The widespread use of new crop varieties, the spreading of new cultivation techniques in the Russian greenhouse crop production, and the increasing number of invasive pests make the selection criteria for entomophages more complicated and increase the need for adaptability of predators and parasitoids. The genetic selection methods of improving entomophages become more important in this context, including the methods for obtaining lines resistant to various phytosanitary preparations. The review covers the current range of entomophages and the directions of their further screening. A gap is noted between the current efforts in studying the ecology of entomophages and the information that is urgently needed for effective screening of species and their further adaptation in modern industrial greenhouses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper describes laboratory tests in which the behavior response of adult rice weevils Sitophilus oryzae L. to the presence of seven species of micromycetes of the genus Fusarium ( F. graminearum, F. culmorum, F. cerealis, F. poae, F. sporotrichioides, F. langsethiae, and F. sibiricum; 3 strains for each species) infecting cereals was characterized. The chemicals of unkown structure, released by the fungi, can have both attractive and repellent effects on the weevils; in some cases a neutral response was observed. The strains of Fusarium species characterized as weak pathogens ( F. langsethiae, F. poae, and F. sibiricum) in most cases stimulated attractive and neutral responses. Relatively strong pathogens ( F. cerealis, F. culmorum, F. graminearum, and F. sporotrichioides) generally had a repellent effect. The results obtained are discussed in the context of possible relationships between Fusarium fungi and the rice weevil during their utilization of cereals as a shared food substrate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper reviews the diversity of seasonal cycles known in stink bugs (Heteroptera, Pentatomidae) from the temperate zone and is based on the data of 43 pentatomid species studied in detail up to date (Saulich and Musolin, 2011). All the seasonal cycles realized by pentatomids in the temperate zone can be divided into two large groups: univoltine and multivoltine cycles. In univoltine cycles, only one generation is annually realized. However, univoltinism of a particular species or population can be ensured by different mechanisms: its control can be endogenous (involving an obligate diapause) or exogenous (environmental, involving a facultative diapause). Furthermore, endogenously controlled univoltine seasonal cycles can include obligate embryonic (egg) diapause (e.g., Picromerus bidens and Apateticus cynicus), obligate nymphal diapause (e.g., Pentatoma rufipes) or obligate adult (reproductive) diapause (e.g., Palomena prasina, Palomena angulosa, and Menida scotti). Exogenously controlled seasonal cycles are more flexible. Many species that are multivoltine in the subtropical or warm temperate zones are univoltine further polewards. In this case, their univoltinism is controlled exogenously, or environmentally. The mechanism often involves such seasonal adaptations as photoperiodic response of facultative winter diapause induction with a high thermal optimum (e.g., Arma custos and Dybowskyia reticulata) or a high critical threshold of winter diapause induction response (e.g., Graphosoma lineatum). The seasonal cycles of some species include not only winter diapause (hibernation) but also summer diapause (aestivation). The diapausing stage can be the same (e.g., Nezara antennata has facultative adult winter and summer diapauses) or different (e.g., Picromerus bidens survives winter in obligate embryonic diapause and spends the hottest period of summer in facultative adult aestivation). All the multivoltine cycles follow the same general pattern, with one, two, or even more directly breeding generation(s) followed by a generation that enters winter diapause. However, this sequence may be complicated by incorporation of specific seasonal adaptations such as aestivation, migrations, different forms of seasonal polyphenism or polymorphism (e.g., seasonal changes of body color), etc. Many stink bugs demonstrate geographic clines of voltinism, producing several generations in the subtropical regions (environmentally controlled multivoltine development) and two or only one generation(s) polewards (environmentally controlled bi- or univoltinism). However, some species demonstrate a strictly bivoltine seasonal cycle: they always produce two annual generations, each with either winter or summer diapause. An example is Nezara antennata which produces two generations and enters facultative winter and summer diapauses. Semivoltine seasonal cycles last more than one year. They are not very rare among insects and are known in true bugs, but have not yet been recorded among pentatomids. Examples of different seasonal cycles are described and discussed in detail. Further discussion is focused on the ecological importance of photoperiodic and thermal responses in cases of natural or artificial dispersal of pentatomids beyond their original ranges. The phytophagous Nezara viridula and the predatory Podisus maculiventris and Perillus bioculatus are used as examples. An attempt is made to compare the phylogeny of Pentatomidae and distribution of realized patterns of their seasonal development. However, it is concluded that reconstruction of phylogenetic relationships cannot yet provide a sufficient basis for prediction of realized seasonal cycles. It is suggested that the terms uni-, bi-, multi-, and semivoltinism should refer to populations rather than species, since the realized patterns of seasonal development often differ between the northern and southern populations of the same broadly distributed species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper gives a historical account of investigations of mosquitoes, blackflies, and horseflies at the Laboratory of Parasitology of the Zoological Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences (RAS) supervised by Corresponding Member of RAS, Prof. Yu.S. Balashov, in 1979-1994. The research team of the laboratory studied the local fauna, relative abundance, seasonal dynamics, diel activity, duration of mass flight, annual fluctuations of abundance, and age composition of populations of various species of mosquitoes, blackflies, and horseflies in the territory of Leningrad, Novgorod and Pskov Provinces. The specific traits of attacks of various horsefly species were studied using the individual marking techniques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aphids are pests of agricultural crops and vectors of phytopathogenic viruses. At the same time they make up a very important component of biodiversity; for example, in Moldova only 9% of aphid species are pests. The trophic reactions of aphids related to selection and use of the host plants are far from being well-known. This paper presents an attempt at classification of the aphid host plants, based on analysis of the published data and those obtained by the authors in their studies in Leningrad Province of Russia and in the Republic of Moldova focused on the specific traits of epigenesis and population structure as well as the behavior, feeding, and reproduction of the aphids. The plants are classified by the degree of preference shown by the aphids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mechanism of septic induction of antimicrobial peptide synthesis in insects is well reported in current papers. On the contrary, there is little data on aseptic, particularly hormonal, regulation of immune defense. Insect neuroendocrinology traditionally considers hormones as regulators of development and reproduction, focusing less attention on their role in regulation of defense reactions. In the present study, the direct influence of ecdysones, adipokinetic hormone, and biogenic amines on antimicrobial peptide synthesis in isolated fat body cells of Calliphora vicina was studied. According to the results, low concentrations of α- and β-ecdysones and high doses of adipokinetic hormone and octopamine can stimulate the fat body activity in vitro. Thus, these hormones are key mediators of the adaptive syndrome, hormonal activation of endogenic antibiotic synthesis which probably takes place in response to extreme stimuli. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper presents the first records of the western conifer seed bug Leptoglossus occidentalis Heidemann, 1910 for the fauna of Russia (Rostov Province) and Ukraine (Crimea and Zaporizhia Province). The dependence of the spread of this species on positive and negative temperatures and the availability of food plants is considered. The forecast of further expansion of its range in the Palaearctic Region is given. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]