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The first list of the aphidiid wasp species (Hymenoptera, Braconidae, Aphidiinae) of the Russian Republic of Mordovia is provided; it includes 74 species from 12 genera. Aphidius ribi Starý, 1962, A. schimitscheki (Starý, 1960), and A. silvaticus Starý, 1962 are recorded for the first time from Russia; six species: Aphidius artemisicola Tizado et Núñez-Pérez, 1995, Areopraon rasnitsyni Davidian, 2011, Binodoxys genistae Mackauer, 1960, Pauesia salignae (Watanabe, 1939), Trioxys longicaudi Starý, 1978, and T. parauctus Starý, 1960, are recorded for the first time from the European part of Russia. The occurrence of the little-known Trioxys macroceratus Starý, 1960 in Russia has been confirmed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A catalog of the type specimens of Conopidae (Diptera) described by Th. Becker and L.V. Zimina and deposited in the Zoological Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences in St. Petersburg is given. Lectotypes of Physocephala laeta Becker, 1913, Ph. persica Becker, 1913, and Ph. pugioniformis Becker, 1913 are designated. Photographs of the type specimens and their original labels are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A review of the subgenera Askocarpolus Kirejtshuk, 2008, Gaplocarpolus Kirejtshuk, 2008, Megacarpolus Reitter, 1919, and Semocarpolus Kirejtshuk, 2008 of the genus Carpophilus Stephens, 1829 is given including data on the formerly described and descriptions of new species from the Himalaya, North Indochina, and other Asian territories and neigboring insular systems: C. (Askocarpolus) bursiferussp. n., C. (A.) hartmannisp. n., C. (A.) longulussp. n., C. (A.) marsupiferussp. n., C. (A.) vicariussp. n., C. (Gaplocarpolus) lucidussp. n., C. (G.) transgressussp. n., C. (Megacarpolus) annaesp. n., and C. (Semocarpolus) adjunctussp. n. Keys to species of the mentioned subgenera are elaborated. Type series of the members of these subgenera were examined, and the lectotypes of Carpophilus cuneiformis Murray, 1864, C. marginellus Motschulsky, 1858, C. rubescens Murray, 1864, C. suturalis Lea, 1921 and C. variolosus Murray, 1864 are designated. Neotype of Carpophilus funereus Murray, 1864 is designated. The synonymy of Carpophilus marginellus Motschulsky, 1858 and C. suturalis Lea, 1921, syn. n. is established. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new species of dance flies (Diptera, Empididae) of the Empis subgenus Pachymeria Stephens, 1829, E. (P.) roditakisi sp. n. from Greece is described and illustrated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Data on new findings of 14 rare weevil species (Curculionidae) in European Russia are provided, this information significantly complementing the knowledge of their distributions. Icaris sparganii pertinax, Ceutorhynchus nanus, Platypteronyx auritus, Platygasteronyx solskyi, Pseudorchestes asiaticus, and Phacephorus hirtellus are recorded for the first time for the Volga Upland, and Ph.hirtellus is reliably recorded for the first time for the fauna of Europe. Ceutorhynchus nanus, Oprohinus suturalis, Tychius pumilus, Orchestes quedenfeldtii, and Pseudorchestes exiguus are recorded for the first time for the Oka-Don Lowland. Eight species are listed for the first time for Saratov Province, six species for Voronezh Province, and one species for Volgograd Province. New data on host plants are provided for some species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Data on 17 species from seven families of the Coleoptera from the south of Primorskii Territory are provided. Six species, Pterostichus lutschniki (Carabidae), Silvanolomus brevis (Silvanidae), Tritoma gangwonensis (Erotylidae), Serangium contortum (Coccinellidae), Chilopeltis laevipennis (Salpingidae), Xanthalia serrifera (Tenebrionidae), and genus Caenocryptorrhynchus Morimoto (Curculionidae), with a new species Caenocryptorrhynchus zherichini Korotyaev, sp. n., are recorded for the Russian fauna for the first time. New data are provided for eight rare or little-known species of the Russian fauna: Anchomenus leucopus, Euplynes batesi, Chlaenius suvorovi (all Carabidae), Sumnius nigrofuscus (Coccinellidae), Salpingoides thoracicus, Salpingus depressifrons, Lissodema plagiatum (all Salpingidae), and Shirahoshizo rufescens (Curculionidae). Differential diagnoses or keys are provided for the species new to the Russian fauna. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The composition, diagnostic characters, and some species of two genera of the tribe Holochlorini (Psyrana Uvarov, 1940 and Pseudopsyra Hebard, 1922) are considered. Each of these genera is subdivided into two subgenera, and the following new taxa are described: Adentipsyrasubgen. n. (in Psyrana s. l.), Psyrana (Psyrana) simulatorsp. n.,Psyrana (Psyrana) imitativasp. n.,Psyrana (Psyrana) cercomorphasp. n.,Psyrana (Psyrana) estrinisp. n.,Psyrana (Psyrana) tamdaosp. n.,Psyrana (Psyrana) papuasp. n.,Psyrana (Psyrana) papua halmaherasubsp. n.,Psyrana (Psyrana) signatasp. n.,Psyrana (Psyrana) parasignatasp. n.,Psyrana (Psyrana) parasignata simplexsubsp. n.,Psyrana (Psyrana) striatasp. n.,Psyrana (Psyrana) parastriatasp. n.,Psyrana (Psyrana) amplasp. n.,Psyrana (Psyrana) ministriatasp. n.,Psyrana (Adentipsyra) pulchrasp. n.,Psyrana (Adentipsyra) pulchra proximasubsp. n.,Diapsyrasubgen. n. (in Pseudopsyra s. l.), Pseudopsyra (Pseudopsyra) carinatasp. n.,Pseudopsyra (Pseudopsyra) spinatasp. n.,Pseudopsyra (Pseudopsyra) dentatasp. n.,Pseudopsyra (Pseudopsyra) curvatasp. n.,Pseudopsyra (Pseudopsyra) fomichevisp. n.,Pseudopsyra (Diapsyra) thaiensissp. n.,Pseudopsyra (Diapsyra) vietensissp. n., and Pseudopsyra (Diapsyra) latasp. n. The lectotype of Pseudopsyra (Pseudopsyra) sondaica (Carl, 1921), comb. n. is designated, the female of Pseudopsyra (Pseudopsyra) taksini Tan et al., 2017 is described for the first time, and some other new data on a few previously described species are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A catalog of the types (holotypes, paratypes, lectotypes, paralectotypes) of the species of the family Xylophagidae (Diptera), described by F.D. Pleske (Th. Pleske), N.P. Krivosheina and B.M. Mamaev, and also by V.G. Kovalev, which are stored in the collection of the Zoological Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences in St. Petersburg, is presented. Photographs of the holotypes and lectotypes and of their labels are given. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Catalog of the type specimens (holotypes, syntypes) of species of the family Mydidae (Diptera) described by A.P. Semenov-Tian-Shanskij and I.A. Porchinsky which are stored in the collection of the Zoological Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences in St. Petersburg is presented. Photographs of the specimens and their labels are given. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new material of the genus Hercostomus Loew, 1857 has been recently found and identified. Hercostomus tomkovichisp. n. from Meghalaya State of eastern India is described and illustrated. The new species differs from other representatives of the genus mainly in the morphology of the male hind leg and genitalia. Gymnopternus bitinctus (Becker, 1922), comb. n., is declared as a nomen dubium; Gymnopternus gregalis (Becker, 1922), comb. n., is excluded from the Indian list; Hercostomus geminatus Becker, 1922 is transferred to the genus Pseudohercostomus Stackelberg, 1931; hence a new combination is made: Pseudohercostomus geminatus (Becker, 1922), comb. n. Now, nine Hercostomus species are known from the country. An identification key to species of Hercostomus from India is provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oulema duftschmidi (Redtenbacher, 1874), Phyllotreta astrachanica Lopatin, 1977, and Ph. procera (Redtenbacher, 1849) are recorded for the first time for Uzbekistan; Longitarsus stragulatus dichrous Khnzorian, 1962 is recorded for the first time for Tajikistan. The geographic distribution of Acolastus pallidus (Lopatin, 1956) and Aphilenia ornata Reitter, 1889 is clarified. For all the taxa considered, images of the adult habitus and male genitalia (for some of them) are given. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Six species of Chrysomelidae (Coleoptera) are recorded for the first time from Omsk Province: Oulema septentrionis (Weise, 1880), Cryptocephalus caerulescens C.R. Sahlberg, 1839, C. frenatus Laicharting, 1781, C. punctiger Paykull, 1799, Aphthona franzi Heikertinger, 1944, and Longitarsus kutscherai (Rye, 1872). Of these, O. septentrionis, A. franzi, and L. kutscherai are also recorded for the first time from West Siberia. Some notes on the host plants are given. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new species Diplocolenus (Verdanulus) stepposussp. n. with a Ponto-Kazakhstanian steppe distribution is described. The species is monophagous on the Volga fescue Festuca valesiaca (Poaceae). Arguments in support of the distinctness of the subgenus Verdanulus are given. Some morphological transformations of the male genitalia in the genus Diplocolenus as a whole are discussed. It is hypothesized that the subgenera Diplocolenus s. str. and Verdanus Oman spread into the Nearctic independently and at different times. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The assemblage of hymenopteran parasitoids associated with the invasive lime leaf miner Phyllonorycter issikii (Lepidoptera, Gracillariidae), developing on the lime Tilia cordata, was studied in Kurgan Province (Lake Medvezhye) and in the cities of Tobolsk, Omsk, and Novosibirsk during 2018–2019. Twenty-one species of parasitoids of Ph. issikii were recorded: Pteromalus sp. (Pteromalidae), Cirrospilus diallus, Elachertus sp., Hyssopus geniculatus, H. nigritulus, Pnigalio mediterraneus, Pnigalio sp., Sympiesis dolichogaster, S. gordius, S. sericeicornis, Chrysocharis laomedon, Ch. pentheus, Ch. pubicornis, Ch. viridis, Chrysocharis sp., Neochrysocharis formosus, Minotetrastichus frontalis (Eulophidae), Colastes braconius, Apanteles sp., Pholetesor circumscriptus, and Cotesia sp. (Braconidae). Chrysocharis viridis was recorded as a parasitoid of lime leaf miner for the first time. The role of parasitoids in the miner mortality was negligible, the mortality rate ranging from 1.9 ± 0.4% (Novosibirsk) to 23.7 ± 3.3% (Omsk). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The fungal component of the microbiome associated with the six-toothed bark beetle Ips sexdentatus (Börner, 1776) in the territory of Belarus was studied in order to clarify the role of this xylophage as a vector of dangerous phytopathogenic fungi. More than 360 pure fungal cultures isolated from the surface and hemocoel of I. sexdentatus were analyzed by morphological and molecular genetic methods, and 35 species from 25 genera, 17 families, and 3 divisions of fungi were identified. All these species were conventionally classified into three groups based on their impact on wood: (1) fungi that cause wood discoloration (mold, blue stain, etc.), (2) fungi that cause rot in living trees and cut wood, and (3) fungi whose effect on harvested timber remains unclear. Five species of Ophiostomataceae fungi associated with blue rot were identified: Leptographium Lagerb. & Melin sp., Ophiostoma ips (Rumbold) Nannf., O. minus (Hedgc.) Syd. & P. Syd., O. canum (Münch) Syd. & P. Syd., and O. piceae (Münch) Syd. & P. Syd. The root rot agent Heterobasidion annosum (Fr.) Bref. was detected in 7.8% of the studied fungal samples. The fairly high occurrence of I. sexdentatus confirms its participation in the development of complex pine dieback foci in Belarus. A considerable level of infection with four species of entomopathogenic fungi (11.4%) was recorded in the I. sexdentatus population by molecular genetic methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Consortive associations of insects and springtails with the Asian globeflower Trollius asiaticus L. (Ranunculaceae) were studied in the field and in the Bioresource Scientific Collection of the Central Siberian Botanical Garden (Siberian Branch, Russian Academy of Science; USU no. 440534) in 2017–2021. A total of 106 arthropod species were recorded, which were classified into the following groups: (1) anthophiles, (2) herbivores (phyllophages and carpophages), (3) detritophages, and (4) entomophages. Their diversity was the highest during plant blossoming, when the consortium was dominated by anthophilous forms, including pollinators and non-pollinating nectar consumers. The seeds were damaged by fly larvae of the genus Chiastocheta (Anthomyiidae) and by numerous true bugs. The phyllophages did not cause any considerable damage to the Asian globeflower. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The gall midge Asphondylia miki Wachtl (Diptera, Cecidomyiidae) was studied in crops of alfalfa (Medicago sativa ssp. × varia) in 2018–2022 in the forest-steppe of Samara Province. Galls were counted from the beginning of their formation to the end of the crop growing season in plots 0.1 to 1 m2 in area. The data were processed using ANOVA. The gall midge had two annual generations in the alfalfa fields sown in spring and in the perennial crops; when alfalfa was sown in summer, A. miki produced one generation during the first year. The pupae overwintered in galls, and adults of the overwintered generation emerged in April. The highest rate of damage to alfalfa by A. miki larvae (40–68% of generative shoots) and the highest density of galls (500–830 ind./m2) were observed during the first year of the summer-sown crop, when the flight peak coincided with the alfalfa budding phase; the seed loss was considerable (13–81%). On average, parasitoid wasps destroyed the larvae and pupae of A. miki in 60% of its galls in the summer-sown crops not treated with chemical pesticides. The gregarious ectoparasitoid Sigmophora brevicornis (Eulophidae), mainly infesting larvae, accounted for about 77% of the identified parasitoid specimens. The males and females in the S. brevicornis population had similar body coloration and belonged to three phenotypes: the lightest brownish yellow, yellowish brown, and dark, which comprised 53, 28, and 19% of the specimens, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The combinations of structural characters previously used to substantiate various classifications of the order Siphonaptera are analyzed. The adaptive and phyletic morphotypes marking assemblages or phylogenetically close groups of flea families are considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Laboratory experiments revealed considerable individual variability in the rates of day and night movement activity in starved and fed adults of the predatory ladybird Cheilomenes propinqua. Statistical analysis of the experimental data showed that (1) individual variability of day and night movement activity was determined by different parameters of Ch.propinqua adults, (2) environmental factors differently affected the level of individual variability of day and night movement activity, and (3) the effects of temperature and starvation on modifications of day and night movement activity were also different. These results suggest that the day and night movement activities of Ch.propinqua adults are determined by different physiological mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper provides a list of 125 species from 22 families of Microlepidoptera collected in the south of Krasnoyarsk Territory and in the Republic ofKhakassia, with 63 species (50%) and 2 families (Bucculatricidae and Elachistidae) recorded in the region for the first time, and 11 species from 6 families being new to Siberia: Cauchas fibulella, Nemophora fasciella, N. minimella (Adelidae), Phyllonorycter sorbicola, Phyllocnistis extrematrix (Gracillariidae), Cosmiotes freyerella, Elachista subocellea (Elachistidae), Caryocolum alsinella, Scrobipalpula diffluella (Gelechiidae), Agonopterix intersecta (Depressariidae), and Ypsolopha horridella (Ypsolophidae). Three species are new to science: Phyllonorycter sp. and Phyllocnistis verae (Gracillariidae) from the suburbs of Krasnoyarsk and Chrysoesthia sp. (Gelechiidae) from the Republic of Khakassia. Almost half of the faunistic findings belong to two families, Gelechiidae (34 species) and Gracillariidae (24 species). In the former family, the number of species distributed in Krasnoyarsk Territory and/or Khakassia was increased by 1.5 times based on our collection. Trophic specialization remains unknown only for 7 of the 125 species. Most (90%) of the remaining 118 species are phytophagous, the others are saprophagous; 53 species are known as leaf miners. Phytophagous species feed on plants of 36 families and 21 orders. The largest number of microlepidopteran species inhabit plants of the orders Rosales and Fagales (25 and 24 species, respectively). Twelve species are known as pests: Tineidae (4 species), Gracillariidae, Gelechiidae (2 species in each), Argyresthiidae, Choreutidae, Lyonetiidae, and Plutellidae (one species in each). Four pest species have expanded beyond the Palaearctic in the last century: Choreutis pariana (Choreutidae), Scrobipalpa atriplicella (Gelechiidae), Plutella xylostella (Plutellidae), and Niditinea fuscella (Tineidae). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Apocathema zapallarensis sp. n. is described from a hygrophilous forest in coastal central Chile, being the second species of its genus. It differs from Apocathema lukashevitshae Emeljanov, 2016 by the more basally positioned, shorter, and cranially concave lobes of the styli and unforked apex of the ventral process of the penis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 2021 and 2022, three species of weevils (Coleoptera: Curculionidae, Nanophyidae)—Nanomimuscircumscriptus (Aubé), Mononychuspunctumalbum (Herbst) and Curculio glandium Marsham, 1802, new to Northwestern Russia, were discovered in St. Petersburg and Leningrad Province. In 1990, a single specimen of Otiorhynchus aurosparsus Germar was found in St. Petersburg. Liophloeustessulatus (O.F. Müller) has been sporadically found in this region since the 19th century. A predominantly steppe species, Polydrusus inustus (Germar), also occurs in small numbers since the early 19th century in the southwestern part of St. Petersburg and is not known from the neighboring regions of the Russian North-West and the Baltic states. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diving beetles were collected in July 2018 in the most typical water bodies and other habitats in the vicinity of Amderma (the Kara Sea coast, northern Yugorsky Peninsula). The revealed fauna of Dytiscidae comprised 15 species from 7 genera, the most diverse of which were Agabus and Hydroporus. The record of Dytiscus lapponicus was the northernmost for the species, while the records of Hydroporus cf. fuscipennis and Agabus pallens were the northernmost for the Palaearctic parts of their ranges. Original photographs illustrate peculiar specimens of D.lapponicus with dark head, pronotum, and scutellum. Most of the recorded species have vast Holarctic arctic-boreal or arcticboreo-montane distributions. The species composition of Dytiscidae was quite similar to that in the northernmost mainland regions (Pakhancheskaya Bay, Kara Tundra, and Pamal) and Vaigach and Dolgy islands, and less similar to that of the southern tundra regions (Kanin Peninsula, Bolvanskaya Bay, Antipayuta village area, and Gyda Peninsula). Among the habitats studied, thermokarst lakes had the most diverse assemblage of diving beetles, with up to 14 species and the highest recorded density of 1150 ind./100 trap-days. In contrast, only 2 or 3 species were recorded on salt marshes, and their density was significantly lower, 1.8–3.6 ind./100 trap-days. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The taxonomic diversity, distribution patterns, and host-parasite relationships of fleas of the genus Xenopsylla (Pulicidae) are analyzed. Six species and two subspecies of Xenopsylla, associated with gerbils in the territory of Russia and adjacent countries, are known as the main, accessory, or occasional vectors of the plague pathogen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have previously studied the musculature of the male genitalia in one species of Psilidae—Chyliza vittata Meigen, 1826. Here, we describe for the first time the male genital muscles of Imantimyia nigrifrons (Macquart, 1835), Loxocera aristata (Panzer, 1801), Chamaepsila humeralis (Zetterstedt, 1847), Psilosoma audouini (Zetterstedt, 1835), and Psila nigripalpis Shatalkin, 1983. It is shown that Psilidae are characterized by secondary symmetry of the pregenital and genital sclerites and muscles, and by reduction of the syntergosternite VII + VIII, which is correlated with reduction of the ejaculatory apodeme (apomorphy); the muscles M25 are also absent. The family shows compaction of the pregenital and genital skeleton and muscles realized in different ways. Clades [[[Chyliza] + [[Imantimyia + Loxocera] + [Chamaepsila + [Psilosoma + Psila]]] are supported by several synapomorphies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During epizootological examination of Popov Island (Primorskii Territory) in May 23–25, 2022, a total of 651 specimens of 4 species of ixodid ticks were collected off vegetation: Ixodes pavlovskyi pavlovskyi Pomerantzev, 1946 (77.5% of the total number), Ixodes persulcatus Schulze, 1930 (15.3%), Haemaphysalis concinna Koch, 1844 (4.5%), and Haemaphysalis japonica douglasi Nuttall et Warburton, 1915 (2.7%). These four tick species had been also recorded on the island previously, in 1982 and 2014. The ticks were distributed unevenly over the island; in particular, a local site (Cape Likander) was found where the density of ixodid ticks reached 100 ind./flag-h. In an individual PCR study of 387 ticks, RNA or DNA of human pathogens was detected only in specimens of the genus Ixodes. The tick-borne encephalitis virus was detected in 0.9 ± 0.50% of the ticks, borreliae, in 37.0 ± 2.60%, the human monocytic ehrlichiosis pathogen, in 9.0 ± 1.54%, and the human anaplasmosis pathogen, in 7.2 ± 1.39%. The observed population density of ixodid ticks and the level of their infection with pathogens do not allow Popov Island to be classified as an epidemiologically low-risk area; therefore, a complex of preventive measures is required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A catalogue of type specimens (holotypes, paratypes, lectotypes, and paralectotypes) of species of the family Scathophagidae (Diptera) described by Th. Becker, I.A. Portschinsky, A.A. Stackelberg, K.B. Gorodkov, A.L. Ozerov, and M.G. Krivosheina, which are deposited in the collection of the Zoological Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences in St. Petersburg, Russia, is presented. Photographs of the specimens and labels of the holotypes and lectotypes are given. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Results of the study of fleas associated with four insectivore and rodent species in northern Karelia are reported. Fleas were collected in August–September 2001, 2003–2004, 2006–2009, 2011, 2015, and 2019 in the environs of the White Sea Biological Station "Kartesh" (Zoological Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences). The published data on distribution, host-parasite associations, and seasonal dynamics of eight flea species present in Northwestern European Russia are summarized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three new species of the genus Bibio Geoffroy, 1762, B. amurensissp. n.,B. arboricolasp. n. and B. continentalissp. n., are described from the Russian Far East. Development of the latter two species was found to take place under the bark and in decaying wood of deciduous trees. The species B. medianus Hardy et Takahashi, 1960, new to the Russian fauna, is recorded. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new species, Pityophthorus kataevisp. n. (Coleoptera, Curculionidae: Scolytinae), is described from Peru based on the material from Junin Region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The results of the study of the fauna of parasitoid wasps of the family Ichneumonidae in Vologda Province are presented. The work summarizes the published data (1921–2019) and the original material predominantly collected by the authors in 1995–2019. A total of 191 species are recorded, 112 of which are reported for Vologda Province for the first time. Three species are recorded for the Russian fauna for the first time: Lissonota transversostriata, Hoplocryptus murarius, and Daschia brevitarsis, and 14 species, for the North of the European part of Russia: Adelognathus chrysopygus, Dolichomitus cephalotes, Exetastes geniculosus, Glypta elongata, G. nigricornis, Lissonota histrio, Metopius citratus, M. fuscipennis, Phradis minutus, Pimpla illecebrator, Poemenia brachyura, Therion brevicorne, Tersilochus striola, and T. triangularis. Of the 71 species reported in the 1920s, only 11 are present in the new material. Several of the reported Ichneumonidae species have the northern distribution border passing through Vologda Province. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new species of ichneumonids, Leptacoenitestarbagataicussp. n., is described from Eastern Kazakhstan and Mongolia. Its similarity with the closely related genus Cumatocinetus Sheng, 2002 from China is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genital and pregenital skeleton and musculature were studied in males of the following species of the muscid subfamily Phaoniinae: Helinaluteisquama (Zetterstedt, 1845), H. bohemani (Ringdahl, 1916), Phaoniameigeni Pont, 1986, Ph. hybrida (Schnabl, 1888), and Ph. lugubris (Meigen, 1826). The examined species are very similar in the structure of the sclerites and muscles of their terminal segments. The structure of pregenital muscles in Phaoniinae is similar to that in the subfamily Azeliinae, which occupies the basal position within Muscidae. The fewer muscles of the phallapodeme, surstyli, and subepandrial sclerites in Phaoniinae constitute the apomorphic character states and do not allow this subfamily to be placed at the base of the Muscidae branch. In general, the structure of the male pregenital musculature in Phaoniinae is most similar to that in Mydaeinae, and both Phaoniinae and Mydaeinae occupy an intermediate position between the basal Azeliinae and the derived Muscinae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The predatory bug Orius laevigatus is a promising agent for biological control of aphids, thrips, whiteflies, spider mites, and other pests of vegetables and berries. Its use in greenhouses is limited by a high rearing cost, mostly due to the use of such expensive food as eggs of moths, e.g., the grain moth Sitotroga cerealella. Laboratory experiments show that O. laevigatus nymphs and adults can feed on much cheaper cysts of the brine shrimp, Artemia salina. When fed alternately on A. salina cysts and S. cerealella eggs, nymph survival and female fecundity were less than 20% lower than on grain moth eggs alone. Considering a much more substantial (10–15 times) difference in the cost of these foods, we conclude that alternation of S. cerealella eggs with A. salina cysts is a promising method to increase the economic feasibility of O. laevigatus use for biological control of pests in greenhouses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Female mosquitoes possess a complex auditory system whose biological function is not yet fully understood. When approaching one another, male and female mosquitoes are known to adjust their wingbeat frequencies. To make such interaction possible, the insects need to hear one another and to be able to discriminate frequencies. Some recent data indicate that female mosquitoes can also detect their hosts using the acoustic channel. In the latter case, the parameters of mosquito's hearing can be expected to match the acoustic properties of noises or other sounds emitted by the host animals. A question arises whether mosquitoes can detect humans by their voices. We studied females of Aedes (Ochlerotatus) excrucians Walker, a species abundant in the biotopes where people are likely to be found, such as river banks, woodland patches, and parks adjoining residential areas. The frequency-threshold characteristics of mosquito's auditory receptors were measured in electrophysiological experiments. The highest sensitivity of most receptors in female A. excrucians was found to lie in the frequency range from 40 to 140 Hz, with minimum threshold values of 32–40 dB SPVL (Sound Particle Velocity Level). Comparison of the frequency-threshold characteristics of mosquito's auditory receptors with the averaged spectra of human speech shows that, in most cases, female mosquitoes can hear human voices and can use them as a cue for locating and attacking humans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thirteen species of leaf beetles of the genus Colaspoides Laporte are described as new to science: Colaspoides cameronensissp. n.,C. asarovisp. n.,C. nikandrovitshisp. n.,C. pahangensissp. n. from the Malay Peninsula, and Colaspoides aeneoviridissp. n.,C. borneomontanasp. n.,C. bruneiensissp. n.,C. metallactussp. n.,C. costipennissp. n.,C. gunungensissp. n.,C. latipalpissp. n.,C. paraviolaceasp. n., and C. vityukovaesp. n. from the island of Borneo. New keys are proposed for the species complexes of C. cognata Baly, 1867 and C. cognatella L. Medvedev, 2004, C. borneomontanasp. n., and C. viridimarginata Baly, 1867. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thinodromus (s. str.) excisiussp. n. is described from Pahang State, Malacca Peninsula, Malaysia. The new species belongs to the Thinodromus lunatus group widespread in Southeast Asia. Within this group, the species seems to be most similar to Thinodromus (s. str.) cattiensis Gildenkov, 2017, Thinodromus (s. str.) spotus Gildenkov, 2017, Thinodromus (s. str.) batuensis Gildenkov, 2021, and Thinodromus (s. str.) bruneiensis Gildenkov, 2021 in the structure of the unpaired anterior shield of the internal sac of the aedeagus but clearly differs from these and from the other species of the lunatus group in the structure of the parameres with a characteristic emargination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]