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The chive gnat, Bradysia odoriphaga, is a notorious pest of Allium species in China. Colour trapping is an established method for monitoring and control of Bradysia species. In order to clarify the effect of colour preference of B. odoriphaga for the perched substrate, multiple-choice tests were used to assess the response of the chive gnat to different colour hues and brightness levels under different intensities of white illumination and two spectrally different illuminations. Given the choice among four colours differing in hue under different intensities of white illumination and two spectrally different illuminations, chive gnat adults significant preferred the black substrate, a lesser preference to brown and green substrates, and the least preference to orange substrate irrespective of illumination. Given the choice among four levels of brightness under the same illumination conditions as those in the previous experiment (different intensities of white illumination and two spectrally different illuminations), chive gnats preferred black substrate over dark grey, light grey and white substrates. Meanwhile, both virgin and mated adults significantly preferred black over other colour hues and brightness. Based on our results, we conclude that the chive gnat adults significantly prefer black substrates irrespective of colour hues and brightness. This behaviour does not alter with ambient light condition changes. No difference observed between choices of female and male adults. Our results provide new insight for understanding the colour choice behaviour in chive gnat and pave a way to improve monitoring and control of chive gnats and management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two new species of Stenochironomus Kieffer (Diptera: Chironomidae: Chironominae), S. brevissimus sp. n. and S. linanensis sp. n., are described from China and the male imagines are illustrated. S. brevissimus sp. n. can be separated from the so far known species by having very short and small, spatulate superior volsella with two long setae, whereas S. linanensis sp. n. is easily separated from the other species of Stenochironomus by the following characters: wings transparent, body yellow, superior volsella finger-like, with nine long setae, elongated inferior volsella with four long setae and one well developed terminal spine; tergite IX with 10-15 long setae medially. A key to the males of Stenochironomus occurring in China is given. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three species of Michotamia are recorded from China. Of these M. aurata (Fabricius, 1794) was previously reported from Hainan and Taiwan. M. assamensis Joseph & Parui, 1995 is recorded from China and Laos for the first time, and M. yunnanensis sp. n., is described and figured. A key to the known species from China is provided. A new name, Michotamia subnigra, is given to Michotamia nigra Scarbrough & Hill, 2000, which is preoccupied by Michotamia nigra (Meijere, 1911). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lower brachyceran flies are abundant in the Late Mesozoic of China. Many extant and extinct members of that have been found in Inner Mongolia, Liaoning, Hebei and Shandong provinces. A new family, Origoasilidae fam. nov., belonging to the lower Brachycera, is built based on a new specimen from the Yixian Formation and is a representative of the Jehol Biota. The new endemic Mesozoic family possesses several unique characters in the wing. The relationship among the Origoasilidae fam. nov. and relative known lower brachyceran flies has been discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Chinese fauna of the Fannia postica-group Chillcott (1961) is reviewed, the diagnostic features of this group are redefined, one new species, Fannia nudifemorata sp. n., is described, and a key to the males of nine known species is given. One new junior synonym, F. tigripeda Xue, Wang & Li, syn. n. for F. stigi Rognes is established. To facilitate comparisons of the species, Fannia aethiops Malloch, F. ardua Nishida, F. discoculea Xue, F. ringdahlana Collin, F. postica (Stein), F. spathiophora Malloch, and F. stigi Rognes are redescribed and illustrated. The geographic distribution of the known Chinese species is updated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]