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The present paper provides taxonomic notes on four taxa of the genus Miramella Dovnar-Zapolskij, 1933. Two species, M. irena (Fruhstorfer) and M. carinthiaca (Obenberger), which have often been confused are keyed out and illustrated. A neotype is designated for M. carinthiaca to provide a firm basis for the application of this name. We also show that this name has wrongly been attributed to Puschnig, 1910 (instead of Obenberger, 1926) by all subsequent authors. The currently accepted interpretation of the two taxa furthermore requires the designation of a lectotype for Pezotettix alpinus collinus Brunner von Wattenwyl in Kunstler, 1864, which is thus fixed as a junior synonym of M. alpina (Kollar, 1833). Finally, the type species of the subgenus Kisella Harz, 1973 of Miramella, M. carinthiaca (Obenberger) [= Podisma alpina carinthiaca Obenberger, 1926], had been misidentified by Harz. We therefore validly fix the taxonomic taxon involved in the misidentification, M. irena (Fruhstorfer) [= Podisma alpina irena Fruhstorfer, 1921], as the type species of Kisella.

In this paper we examine the taxonomy of E. vittiventris (Ectobiinae) and its distribution and phenology in Switzerland. An illustrated key and a diagnosis are provided to separate the adults from synanthropic cockroachesand from some native Ectobius spp. Descriptive notes are included for nymphs and oothecae. We furthermore discuss the taxonomic status of the species and provide information on the type locality and type series, and the same is given for its junior synonyms. In Switzerland E. vittiventris is found on both sides of the Alps. In the northern part it is mainly confined to urban areas of the central plateau. On the southern slopes of the Alps it occurs in the cantons Ticino, Valais and Grisons. Our data indicate a rather recent introduction and colonization of urban areas in northern Switzerland, where the species has been recorded mostly after 1985. The altitudinal distribution generally ranges from 260 to about 700 m, with very few records up to 1400 m in the south. Adults are encountered from May to December, with a peak frequency in August. The presence of very small nymphs in summer and of larger nymphs in winter suggests a two-year life-cycle. E. vittiventris is frequently encountered inside houses, but apparently it cannot survive under such conditions. A special treatment or control is thus unnecessary. Finally, E. vittiventris is recorded for the first time from Germany (Baden-Wurttemberg).

Twelve taxa described by Fruhstorfer are revised, belonging to Blattodea: Blattellidae (1), Ensifera: Phaneropteridae (1), Tettigoniidae (4) and Caelifera: Acrididae (6). Name-bearing types are deposited in the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Zurich (7), the Zoologische Staatssammlung, Munich (1) and the Natural History Museums of Berlin (1) and Geneva (4). Syntype series of two taxa are missing. In seven cases lectotypes are here designated. Four new synonymies are established: Tettigoniidae: Ephippiger ephippiger eustratius Fruhstorfer, 1921 = E. diurnus Dufour, 1841; Ephippiger vicheti Harz, 1966 = E. persicarius Fruhstorfer, 1921 stat. rev.; Thamnotrizon chabrieri malachiticus Fruhstorfer, 1921 = Eupholidoptera chabrieri (Charpentier, 1825). Acrididae: Stenobothrus lineatus fervidior Fruhstorfer, 1921 = Stenobothrus lineatus (Panzer, 1796). The paper provides detailed information on name-bearing types, type localities and the current status of each taxon.

The status of Barbitistes serricauda (Fabricius, 1794) (Ensifera: Phanero- pteridae) - a re-assessment. - In this paper, we examine the taxonomic and nominal status of a widespread species of European bush-cricket, Barbitistes serricauda (Fabricius, 1794) (Ensifera: Phaneropteridae). The name B. serricauda has almost exclusively been applied to a species occur- ring mainly north of the Alps from Spain through Central Europe to the Black Sea. A re-examination of two syntypes of B. serricauda has now re- vealed that they represent a different species occurring on the south side of the Alps in France, Italy and Switzerland, currently treated as B. obtusus Targioni-Tozzetti, 1881. Therefore, the species from the south side of the Alps should be called B. serricauda (instead of B. obtusus), while a new name would have to be found for the species from the north side of the Alps (hitherto B. serricauda). Considering the long established and well-defined use of B. serricauda and B. obtusus, this scenario would inevitably result in severe confusion and nomenclatural instability. Hence, a formal request will be submitted in December 2004 to the International Commission on Zoo- logical Nomenclature to preserve the accustomed use of these names. Meanwhile, we suggest maintaining the prevailing usage in both cases. We furthermore discuss the status of Barbitistes obtusus alpinus Fruhstorfer, 1920, for which an invalid neotype was designated in a recent publication.