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Two new species, Hybos bilobatus sp. nov. and H. constrictus sp. nov., are described from Oriental China. Their relationships with the related species are discussed.

A new Hypenella nanlingensis is described from Guangdong Province, southern China. It is likely to represent a Palaearctic relict in the Oriental Realm. A key to the four species known in the world is given.

Five Tachydromia species are reported from Yunnan province: two species were previously known from Thailand: T. thaica Shamshev et Grootaert, 2005 and T. terricoloides Shamshev et Grootaert, 2005. Three species are described as new for science: T. mengyangensis sp. nov., T. menglunensis sp. nov. and T. yunnanensis sp. nov. A key to the ten known species of China is given.

This paper reviews the available knowledge on sedimentology, hydrodynamics and five major ecosystem components (microphytobenthos, vascular plants, terrestrial arthropods, zoobenthos, and avifauna) of Belgian sandy beaches. It covers the area from the foredunes to the lower foreshore, takes an ecosystem approach to beaches of this specific geographic area. Morphodynamically, Belgian beaches are (ultra-)dissipative, macrotidal, and wide. Characteristic grain sizes are 160‐380 lm. The sand becomes coarser, beach slopes steeper and tidal range smaller towards the south-west, where beaches have also been frequently reshaped by human interference such as nourishment. Beach organisms are highly adapted to this unique environment and can reach high numbers. We show that even on a heavily populated coastline subjected to intense recreational and development pressure, beaches provide critical, yet threatened, habitats. Vascular plants growing near the drift line, on the dry beach and in the embryonic dunes are mostly short-lived and thalassochorous; the most common species include sea rocket (Cakile maritima), prickly saltwort (Salsola kali subsp. kali), and sea sandwort (Honckenya peploides). These zones are habitat to a highly diverse suite of terrestrial arthropods of halobiontic, halophilous and haloxene species; prominent members are sandhoppers (Talitrus saltator) and dipterans (flies). Microphytobenthos, mainly diatoms, is an important primary producer on Belgian beaches but is not well known. The meio- and macrobenthos of Belgian beaches contains specific assemblages such as the Scolelepis squamata–Eurydice pulchra community of the upper intertidal zone. Birds no longer nest on the beaches itself, but Belgian sandy shores continue to function as important resting and foraging areas for birds such as the sanderling Calidris alba. We identify several human pressures on the beach ecosystems arising from recreation, beach management and fisheries.

The genus Nepalomyia is the largest genus in the subfamily Peloropeodinae, with 47 described species. In the present paper the Nepalomyia pallipilosa species group is established for the following three described species and seven new species: Nepalomyia biseta sp. n., N. emeiensis sp. n., N. guangxiensis Zhang et Yang, N. liui sp. n., N. pallipilosa (Yang et Saigusa), N. ruiliensis Wang et Yang, N. sichuanensis sp. n., N. ventralis sp. n., N. yangi sp. n. and N. zengchengensis sp. n. Information on their distribution is also given or updated.

Two new species of Euhybus are described: Eubybus nanlingensis n. sp. and E. xui n. sp. A key to the species from the Oriental Region is given.

The genus Elaphropeza Macquart from the Oriental region is revised. In addition to the 79 known species (including seven new combinations of species previously placed within Drapetis Meigen) 51 new species are described and illustrated. The study is mainly based on freshly collected material in Singapore (544 samples, year cycle in eight stations and numerous hand captures). Smaller samples were available from Malaysia, Thailand and Cambodia. Of the 51 new species only 43 have been given a name: E. acantha sp. nov., E. asexa sp. nov., E. asiophila sp. nov., E. belumut sp. nov., E. benitotani sp. nov., E. bezzii sp. nov., E. bulohensis sp. nov., E. chekjawa sp. nov., E. combinata sp. nov., E. crassicercus sp. nov., E. darrenyeoi sp. nov., E. demeijerei sp. nov., E. equalis sp. nov., E. feminata sp. nov., E. flavicaput sp. nov., E. furca sp. nov., E. limosa sp. nov., E. luanae sp. nov., E. luteoides sp. nov., E. malayensis sp. nov., E. meieri sp. nov., E. melanderi sp. nov., E. modesta sp. nov., E. monacantha sp. nov., E. monospina sp. nov., E. murphyi sp. nov., E. neesoonensis sp. nov., E. ngi sp. nov., E. pauper sp. nov., E. pluriacantha sp. nov., E. riatanae sp. nov., E. sime sp. nov., E. singaporensis sp. nov., E. singulata sp. nov., E. sivasothii sp. nov., E. spicata sp. nov., E. spiralis sp. nov., E. sylvicola sp. nov., E. temasek sp. nov., E. tiomanensis sp. nov., E. ubinensis sp. nov., E. yangi sp. nov., E. yeoi sp. nov. Eight species known only as females are briefly diagnosed but not named. Species (including type materials in most cases) described by C.R. Osten-Sacken, M. Bezzi, J.C.H. de Meijere, R. Senior-White, A.L. Melander and K.G.V. Smith were examined and re-described. Neotypes have been designated for E. calcarifera Bezzi, E. melanura Bezzi, E. formosae Bezzi and E. scutellaris Bezzi. Elaphropeza exul Osten-Sacken, 1882 is transferred as Crossopalpus exul (Osten-Sacken) comb. nov. Elaphropeza formosae Bezzi sensu Quate, 1960 re-described by L.W. Quate from Micronesia, is considered a new species and a new name is given: E. quatei sp. nov. All species of Elaphropeza are divided into two main species groups: E. biuncinata group and E. ephippiata group. Phylogenetic relationships within Elaphropeza are provisionally outlined. Some interesting morphological features and phenology of the species are discussed. Fourteen species have been found exclusively in mangroves. A key is given to the species of the Oriental Region (Indian subcontinent, Southeast Asia, Philippines and Taiwan, but excluding certain species of the Chinese mainland that proved to be different from the rest of the Oriental Region). A check list of the Oriental species is provided.

The following three species of the genus Syneches from Guangdong, South China are described as new to science: S. nanlingensis sp. n., S. sublatus sp. n. and S. xiaohuangshanensis sp. n. An updated key to the species of the genus from Guangdong is presented. (© 2007 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)

The genus Acropsilus Mik, 1878 is reported from China for the first time. Seven species are described as new to science: Acropsilus guangdongensis sp. n., A. guangxiensis sp. n., A. jinxiuensis sp. n., A. luoxiangensis sp. n., A. yunnanensis sp. n., A. zengchengensis sp. n. and A. zhuae sp. n. A key is given to separate these Chinese species.

Phoomyia NaglisGrootaert gen. nov. is described to include two new species of beach-dwelling dolichopodine flies from coastal Sri Lanka and Thailand: Phoontyia srilankensis NaglisBrooks sp. nov. and Phoomnyia thailandensis NaglisGrootaert sp. nov. The new genus is closely related to the genera Argyrochlamys Lamb and Pseudargyrochlamys Grichanov, and is distinguished based on characters of the hind leg, and features of the male and female terminalia. Adults of Phoomyia are found on sandy coastal beaches often near the burrows of ghost crabs.

Currently, 47 species of the genus Platypalpus are known from the Caucasus including fourteen species recorded herein for the first time: P. albicornis (Zetterstedt, 1842), P. baldensis (Strobl, 1899), P. caroli Grootaert, 1987, P. ciliaris (Fallén, 1816), P. clarandus (Collin, 1926), P. collini (Chvála, 1966), P. cothurnatus Macquart, 1827, P. infectus (Collin, 1926), P. longicornis (Meigen, 1822), P. luteicornis (Meigen, 1838), P. nigrinus (Meigen, 1822), P. pseudociliaris (Strobl, 1910), P. ruficornis (von Roser, 1840), and P. smirnovi Kovalev, 1978. In addition, seven new species are described: P. akhunensis sp. nov. (Russia: Krasnodarskiy Territory), P. kintrishiensis sp. nov. (Georgia), P. lantsovi sp. nov. (Georgia), P. pseudosilvahumidus sp. nov. (Russia: Krasnodarskiy Territory, Karachay-Cherkessia), P. sinevi sp. nov. (Russia: Karachay-Cherkessia), P. subcaucasicus sp. nov. (Russia: Krasnodarskiy Territory, Dagestan) and P. teberdaensis sp. nov. (Russia: Karachay-Cherkessia). A key to species of Platypalpus from the Caucasus is presented for the first time.

Three species of Thinophilus Wahlberg are recorded from mangroves near Shenzhen (China). Two species new to science are described and illustrated: T. dongae sp. nov. and T. zhuae sp. nov. In addition, Thinophilus lamellaris Zhu, YangMasunaga originally described from Hainan (China) is reported here. Females of this species are described for the first time and variability in male characters is given. These three species plus 6 additional Thinophilus and three Nanothinophilus species from South China Sea mangroves were COI barcoded and compared to species known from the northern part of the South China Sea.

The genus Ngirhaphium EvenhuisGrootaert, 2002 is reported for the first time from Thailand in particular from mangroves on the coast of the Andaman Sea in southern Thailand. Three species were found: N. murphyi EvenhuisGrootaert, 2002, N. sivasothii GrootaertPuniamoorthy, 2014 and N. chutamasae sp. nov. The latter species is described and illustrated and a key to all four known species is provided. COI barcode data showed that the new species is most closely related to N. murphyi with a genetic distance of 7%. The distance with the other species is 11 to 12%.

The taxonomy and distribution of the genus Hybos Meigen in the Palaearctic Region is reviewed with a special reference to the European fauna. Twenty-three species have been recorded from the Palaearctic, of which only four species are known from Europe. We describe two new species, H. andradei sp. nov. (Portugal) and H. mediasiaticus sp. nov. (Middle Asia). The status of two previously considered doubtful species of Hybos are validated: H. striatellus Villeneuve, 1913 (Algeria) and H. vagans Loew, 1874 (the Caucasus). Both species are re-described, and the lectotype of H. striatellus is designated. A key to species of Hybos from the western Palaearctic is compiled. Numerous new data on distributions of H. culiciformis (Fabricius, 1775), H. femoratus (Müller, 1776), H. grossipes (Linné, 1767) and H. vagans are given. Hybos culiciformis is recorded for the first time from Algeria, Byelorussia, Croatia, Cyprus, Lebanon, and Portugal; H. femoratus-from Estonia, Georgia (including Abkhazia), Kazakhstan, Mongolia and Ukraine; H. grossipes-from Byelorussia, Estonia, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Mongolia, Ukraine; H. vagans-from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia (including Abkhazia), Russia, Turkey. The variation of some characters in H. culiciformis is discussed and is confirmed for Portugese specimens by COI barcoding. Female postabdominal structures are examined and described for H. andradei sp. nov., H. culiciformis, H. femoratus, H. grossipes, H. mediasiaticus sp. nov., and H. striatellus. Possible relationships of the West-Palaearctic species are discussed. A check-list of Hybos from the Palaearctic Realm is provided.

Two new species of Elaphropeza Macquart, 1827 are described from the northeast coast of Bali (Indonesia): Elaphropeza triseta sp. nov. belonging to the ephippiata-group and E. balinensis sp. nov. belonging to the biuncinata-group. A COI Neighbour-Joining tree is given for the Southeast Asian Elaphropeza species showing large genetic distances between the species. The morphological characterisation of the ephippiata-group and the biuncinata-group sensu Shamshev & Grootaert 2007 is confirmed.

A new species, Oedalea nanlingensis sp. n., is described from China. A key to the known species of the genus from Asia is presented.

Two species are described as new to science from Taiwan: Teuchophorus elongatus sp. n. and T. taiwanensis sp. n. Currently three Teuchophorus species are known from Taiwan. A key is given to help identify the Chinese species.

Two species of Elaphropeza, E. nankunshanensis, and E. maoershanensis, are described as new to science. Their diagnostic characteristics are discussed with the closely related congeners.

The first records on the genus Platypalpus Macquart from Thailand are presented including 10 species new to science: P. fai sp. nov., P. gaemluang sp. nov., P. hualuang sp. nov., P. isaanensis sp. nov., P. nuadkhao sp. nov., P. phomyaaw sp. nov., P. seedam sp. nov., P. seeluang sp. nov., P. siamensis sp. nov., and P. thaicus sp. nov.. A key to these species is provided. All species of Platypalpus known from the Oriental Region (totally 54) are arranged into the species groups currently established for the genus. Eight species groups are recognized from the Oriental Realm and the distribution of each group is briefly discussed. The P. albiseta‐group is most diverse in the Orient with 16 species recorded. Two species of this group possess a modified structure and vestiture of certain abdominal segments that is the first record of this phenomenon in Platypalpus. Also, within the P. albiseta‐group a complex of closely related species sharing an apomorphous condition of the hypoproct has been recognized. In th...

Two new species of Paracoroptes Lavoipierre, 1955 (Acariformes: Psoroptidae: Paracoroptinae) are described: Paracoroptes miopithecus sp. n. from Miopithecus talapoin (Schreber) and Paracoroptes piliocolobus sp. n. from Piliocolobus badius (Kerr) (Primates: Cercopithecidae)--both are from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. A key to all 6 species of the genus is provided and host-parasite relationships of its representatives are discussed.

The genus Thambemyia Oldroyd is revised. Five species are recognized. Three new species –T. bisetosa, T. bruneiensis and T. hui– are described, and T. pagdeniOldroyd, 1956 is redescribed. A new subgenus is founded for one new Japanese species, T. (Prothambemyia) japonica. A key to all known species of the genus is provided. Their distributions are also discussed.

Six clades are inferred from a phylogenetic analysis including 42 species belonging to the Empis (Coptophlebia) hyalea-group. These clades are named as follows: E. (C.) acris, E. (C.) aspina, E. (C.) atratata, E. (C.) hyalea, E. (C.) jacobsoni and E. (C.) nahaeoensis. The presence of two dorsal more or less developed epandrial projections is considered autapomorphic for the E. (C.) hyalea-group in addition to two characters previously found to support the monophyly of this group (presence of an unsclerotized zone in the middle of labella and epandrium unpaired). Amongst the cladistically analysed species, 24 are newly described [E. (C.) acris, E. (C.) aspina, E. (C.) cameronensis, E. (C.) duplex, E. (C.) incurva, E. (C.) inferiseta, E. (C.) kuaensis, E. (C.) lachaisei, E. (C.) lamellalta, E. (C.) lata, E. (C.) loici, E. (C.) longiseta, E. (C.) mengyangensis, E. (C.) menglunensis, E. (C.) missai, E. (C.) nimbaensis, E. (C.) padangensis, E. (C.) parvula, E. (C.) projecta, E. (C.) pseudonahaeoensis, E. (C.) submetallica, E. (C.) urumae, E. (C.) vitisalutatoris and E. (C.) woitapensis], five are reviewed [E. (C.) hyalea Melander, E. (C.) jacobsoni De Meijere, E. (C.) ostentator Melander, E. (C.) sinensis Melander and E. (C.) thiasotes Melander] and 13 were recently described in two previous papers. Two additional species, E. (C.) abbrevinervis De Meijere and E. (C.) multipennata Melander, are also reviewed but not included in the cladistic analysis since they are only known from the female. A lectotype is designated for E. (C.) jacobsoni. A key is provided to the six clades of the E. (C.) hyalea-group as well as to species of each clade. A catalogue of the E. (C.) hyalea-group, including 72 species, is given. The taxonomic status of 25 additional species mainly described by Bezzi and Brunetti, from the Oriental and Australasian regions, is discussed. The E. (C.) hyalea-group is firstly recorded from the Palaearctic Region and Australia. Finally, the distribution and the habitats of the species compared with their phylogeny suggest a possible relationship between the diversification of the group and forest fragmentations during the Quaternary. © 2005 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2005, 145, 339–391.

Chelifera nanlingensis sp. n., a new aquatic dance fly of the subfamily Hemerodromiinae (Diptera, Empididae), is described from China. It is placed in the rhombicercus group of Wagner et al., 2004. A key to the species of Chelifera from China is presented.

Dolichocephala guangdongensis sp. n., a new aquatic dance fly (Diptera, Empididae), is described from Guangdong province in China. The relationships with its sister species are discussed. A key to the species of the genus Dolichocephala from China is presented.

The species of the genus Drapetis Meigen from China are reviewed, and a key to the species of the genus from China is presented for the first time. The following new species are described and illustrated: D. guangdongensis and D. nanlingensis.

Forty new Teuchophorus species are described and illustrated from Papua New Guinea, Indonesia and Thailand. New data are given for 14 of the 16 species described from Papua New Guinea by Meuffels and Grootaert in 1986. The genera Mastigomyia Becker, 1924 and Olegonegrobovia Grichanov, 1995 are placed in synonymy with the genus Teuchophorus Loew, 1857. Various species-groups are recognized and described and a phylogenetic relationship is proposed. A key is given for the 63 species occurring in South-East Asia and New Guinea, and a world checklist is added.

The Afrotropical Empidini are reviewed from a phylogenetic point of view. Seven monophyletic groups are recognized within the tribe, namely Empis (Coptophlebia) bivittata, E. (C ) chrysocera, E. (C ) hyalea, E. (C ) namwamba, E. (C ) poecilosoma, E. (Disneyempis) and E. setitarsus. Their monophyly is assessed by comparison with the remaining Empidini. The E. setitarsus-group is cladistically analysed to study the evolution of the length of vein M1 by optimization on the cladogram, and the status of subgenus Coptophlebia Bezzi is discussed. A key to the seven Afrotropical species-groups of Empidini is provided, genus Rhamphomyia is no longer recognized for the Afrotropical Region, and four new species belonging to the E. setitarsus-group, namely E. cinerarius sp.n., E. pseudosetitarsus sp.n., E. spinosa sp.n and E. spungaberaensis sp.n., are described and included in a key to all known species of this group.

The subfamily Onychalginae Fain, 1988 (Acariformes: Pyroglyphidae) is a monophyletic lineage comprising the closest parasitic relatives of the free-living pyroglyphid house dust mites. Onychalgine mites parasitize passerine birds of the families Estrildidae, Passeridae, and Ploceidae in Africa and South America (a single record of Onychalges spinitarsis from a piciform bird requires confirmation). We revise this subfamily based on external morphology of adults and immature stages using light and scanning electron microscopy and give a key to species. Onychalginae includes 2 genera: Onychalges Gaud and Mouchet, 1959 (6 species) and Paramealia Gaud, 1968 (1 species). The genus Kivuicola Fain, 1971 syn. nov. is synonymized with Onychalges, and its single species K. kivuana Fain, 1971 syn. nov. is considered as a putative synonym of O. odonturus Gaud, 1968. Onychalges spinitarsis (Fain and Gaud, 1984) is considered as a species inquirenda.

Six new species of the genus Platypalpus are described from the Caucasus: P. abagoensis sp. nov. (Russia: Republic of Adygea), P. arzanovi sp. nov. (Russia: Krasnodarskiy Territory, Rostov Prov.), P. gazaryani sp. nov. (Russia: Republic of Adygea), P. kamyshanovensis sp. nov. (Russia: Krasnodarskiy Territory), P. odintsovi sp. nov. (Russia: Krasnodarskiy Territory), P. neberdzaensis sp. nov. (Russia: Krasnodarskiy Territory).

To enable use of Empididae s.l. (Diptera) as a tool in nature conservation, a Red Data Book of this taxonomical group was generated for Flanders, Belgium. All distribution data on species in Belgium between 1887 and 1999 were gathered from collections as well as personal sampling efforts by the first two authors. This resulted in about 21,000 records of Empididae, Hybotidae, Microphoridae and Atelestidae with 16,119 records for Flanders (northern Belgium) and 4776 for Wallony (southern Belgium). All species were assigned to Red Data Book categories which are based on a combination of a rarity and a trend criterion. Rarity is expressed as the proportion of the total number of UTM 5 km squares sampled in which the species have been found since 1981. The trend criterion is interpreted as the change of the species rarity between 1887–1980 and 1981–1999. A comparable number of UTM 5 km squares was investigated during the two time periods. A total of 259 species were recorded in Flanders. Twenty-seven or 10% of them are considered as 'extinct in Flanders', 10 (4%) as 'critically endangered', 12 (5%) as 'endangered', 11 (4%) as 'vulnerable', 99 species (38%) as 'susceptible' or 'rare', 65 species (25%) as 'safe' or 'at low risk' and 34 species (13%) are assigned to the category 'data deficient' due to taxonomic problems or a lack of ecological data. Only one of the common species shows a recent decrease of more than 50% and is classified as 'nearly threatened'. Current threats in most species are related to the alteration or destruction of their favoured habitats. The results are discussed in the light of recent criticism of the use of Red Data Books in nature conservation.

The new genus Nanothinophilus is established based on three new species: N. armatus sp. n., type species, N. pauperculus sp. n. and N. dolichurus sp. n., found sympatrically in South Thailand. The related genus Paralleloneurum Becker, 1902 is revised and re-descriptions are given of the two known species: P. cilifemoratum Becker, 1902, type species, and P. pygmaeum de Meijere, 1916.

Hybos bifurcatus sp. n. and H. mengqingae sp. n. are described. The two new species are closely related with Hybos trfurcatus Yang et Yang and H. caesariatus Yang et Yang.

A new species of Tachydromia, T. guangdongensis sp. nov., is described. A key to the species from China is presented for the first time.

The empidid fauna of four small adjacent biotopes bordering a pond was investigated for 2 consecutive years in Brittany (France). Adult activity was studied using yellow water traps, whereas suitable larval habitats were determined using emergence traps. While 24 species emerged from the soils, 45 flew above the four sites. The number of species emerging from each site was nearly identical. However, the highest number of individuals emerged from the heathland and numbers rapidly declined towards the pond banks. On the contrary, the greatest aerial activity occurred in the woodlot and near the pond banks. Fourteen times less flying activity was found above the dry heathland. The latter appeared to be a site of larval growth but mating and feeding of the adults took place in the woodlot. Reproduction sites and space used by the adults differed among the dominant species. The species assemblage could not be fully explained within the spatial limits of the four sites. Considering the species'behaviour, it is suggested that immigration of species and individuals from other sites should explain these differences. The study, which is supported by four other research works, emphasizes the role of key resource played by ecotonal zones between aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems in the persistence of species over a larger set of habitats. Considering the complementarity of habitats is essential to explain diversity patterns in species which need different space units to complete their life-cycle.

The family Listropsoralgidae Fain, 1965 (Acariformes: Sarcoptoidea) is represented by the permanent skin ectoparasites associated with the South American and Australian marsupials (12 species) and the South American rodents of the family Echimyidae (1 species). The phylogenetic relationships of these mites (12 ingroup and 2 outgroup species) are reconstructed on the basis of the maximum parsimony (MP) and Bayesian analyses (BA) of 76 morphological characters. MP analysis confirmed monophyly of the listropsoralgid genera, the strict consensus of 18 trees generated by MP has the following pattern: Petauralges (Listropsoralgoides, Didelphialges, Listropsoralges) with poor resolution among species of the genus Listropsoralges. The same tree was generated by BA. Both successive and implied weighting strategies resulted in 7 MP trees: Petauralges (Listropsoralgoides (Didelphialges (Listropsoralges))). The relationships between species of the genus Listropsoralges received the poorest resolution: L. caenolestes (L. monodelphis, L. vossi, L. faini, L. brevisetosa (L. thylamys (L. marmosa-L. caluromys))). The host-parasite relationships of listropsoralgids are briefly discussed. The family Listropsoralgidae is taxonomically revised and to date includes 13 species in 4 genera. Six species and one genus are described as new: Listropsoralges brevisetosus sp. n. from Marmosa murina (Didelphimorphia: Didelphidae) from Peru, Listropsoralges similis sp. n. from Caluromys derbianus (Didelphidae) from Panama, Listropsoralges thylamys sp. n. from Thylamys venustus (Didelphidae) from Bolivia, Listropsoralges vossi sp. n. from Monodelphis domestica (Didelphidae) from Brazil, Listropsoralges caenolestes sp. n. from Caenolestes fuliginosus (Paucituberculata: Caenolestidae) from Ecuador, and Didelphialges metachirus gen. n., sp. n. from Metachirus nudicaudatus (Didelphidae) from Peru. The female of Listropsoralges faini Bochkov and Wauthy, 2009 is described for the first time.

To advance our restricted knowledge on mosquito biodiversity and distribution in Belgium, a national inventory started in 2007 (MODIRISK) based on a random selection of 936 collection points in three main environmental types: urban, rural and natural areas. Additionally, 64 sites were selected because of the risk of importing a vector or pathogen in these sites. Each site was sampled once between May and October 2007 and once in 2008 using Mosquito Magnet Liberty Plus traps. Diversity in pre-defined habitat types was calculated using three indices. The association between species and environmental types was assessed using a correspondence analysis. Twenty-three mosquito species belonging to traditionally recognized genera were found, including 21 indigenous and two exotic species. Highest species diversity (Simpson 0.765) and species richness (20 species) was observed in natural areas, although urban sites scored also well (Simpson 0.476, 16 species). Four clusters could be distinguished based on the correspondence analysis. The first one is related to human modified landscapes (such as urban, rural and industrial sites). A second is composed of species not associated with a specific habitat type, including the now widely distributedAnopheles plumbeus. A third group includes species commonly found in restored natural or bird migration areas, and a fourth cluster is composed of forest species. Outcomes of this study demonstrate the effectiveness of the designed sampling scheme and support the choice of the trap type. Obtained results of this first country-wide inventory of the Culicidae in Belgium may serve as a basis for risk assessment of emerging mosquito-borne diseases.

The dune landscape along the Belgian coast was evaluated on the basis of its Empidoidea fauna by investigating the faunal composition in different habitat types. The sites selected for sampling were marram dunes, dune grassland, dune slack, scrubby vegetations and three different dune woodlands. White water traps at soil surface level were used to sample five sites from the end of April until November 1989, and four sites from April to August 1992. Data on the most abundant Dolichopodidae, Empididae and Hybotidae were analysed by means of the following multivariate analyses: detrended correspondence analysis (DCA), canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) and two-way indicator species analysis (TWINSPAN). Most sites showed a distinctive species composition, and several species were confined to particular habitat types. Empidoid communities from canopied and open habitats showed the largest contrasts during 1989. Six environmental variables were measured in July and August 1992, and correlations indicated that aerial humidity and, to a lesser extent, soil moisture were probably the main factors explaining dolichopodid distributions. In Empididae, on the contrary, the presence of canopy by scrub or trees appeared to be important for the occurrence of many species. Thus species diversity and abundance increased from dry to humid sites in dolichopodids and from open to canopied sites in empidids. On the other hand, canopied sites appeared to function as home-bases from which certain empidid species colonized more sun-exposed areas. With the Dolichopodidae it was possible to examine the recorded distribution of all species throughout Belgium. Nearly 75% of the dolichpodids appeared to be typical lowland species and in eight species, largest Belgian populations were established in the dune region. Moreover, seven species could be considered as true coastal species as they were almost entirely restricted to this region. These results clearly stress that not merely the coastal dunes themselves but the full diversity of the associated habitats needs to be maintained in order to protect the characteristic dune empidoid communities.

The genus Charadrodromia Melander is reviewed and considered here as a junior synonym of Platypalpus Macquart. All three species originally included in the former group are re-described (P. arnaudi (Melander, 1960) comb. nov., P. microphona (Melander, 1928) comb. nov., P. syletor (Melander, 1928) comb. nov.); the photos of the habitus for each species based on the type specimens are provided; the male of P. syletor is described for the first time; and the lectotype of P. microphona is designated. Also, among unidentified materials assigned to the former Charadrodromia four new species are revealed: P. cummingi Shamshev & Grootaert sp. nov. (USA, California), P. layiaphilus Shamshev & Grootaert sp. nov. (USA, California), P. submicrophona Shamshev & Grootaert sp. nov. (USA, California), P. tanbarkiensis Shamshev & Grootaert sp. nov. (USA, California). The lectotype of the related P. canus Melander, 1902 is designated, the species is re-described, and figures of male terminalia are provided for the first time. The systematic position of species assigned to the former Charadrodromia is discussed and they are provisionally assigned to the P. hackmani group previously known from the Palaearctic. A key to the eight included species is provided.

For the majority of native species, human-created habitats provide a hostile environment that prevents their colonization. However, if the conditions encountered in this novel environment are part of the fundamental niche of a particular species, these low competitive environments may allow strong population expansion of even rare and stenotopic species. If these species are potentially harmful to humans, such anthropogenic habitat alterations may impose strong risks for human health. Here, we report on a recent and severe outbreak of the viciously biting and day-active mosquito Anopheles plumbeus Stephens, 1828, that is caused by a habitat shift toward human-created habitats. Although historic data indicate that the species was previously reported to be rare in Belgium and confined to natural forest habitats, more recent data indicate a strong population expansion all over Belgium and severe nuisance at a local scale. We show that these outbreaks can be explained by a recent larval habitat shift of this species from tree-holes in forests to large manure collecting pits of abandoned and uncleaned pig stables. Further surveys of the colonization and detection of other potential larval breeding places of this mosquito in this artificial environment are of particular importance for human health because the species is known as a experimental vector of West Nile virus and a potential vector of human malaria.

Chersodromia isabellae sp. nov. is described from a sandy beach on the Taman' Peninsula (Krasnodar Territory, Russia). It is closely related to C. nigrosetosa Chvála, 1970 but differs from the latter in having a dorsoapical stylus on a rounded postpedicel and the fore tarsus with tarsomeres 2–5 widened and black. It also resembles C. bureschi Beschovski, 1973 in which only tarsomeres 4 and 5 on the foreleg are black and the male genitalia are slightly different. A key is given for the eight species known from Black Sea and Sea of Azov.

The genus Hybos (Hybotinae) is recorded from Vietnam for the first time with four species. Two species, Hybos medialis sp. nov. and H. vietnamensis sp. nov., are described as new to science while two species, H. hainanensis Yang, 2008 and H. serratus Yang et Yang, 1992, previously only known from China are recorded from Vietnam. These four species are all yellow-legged species. A key to the known species of Hybos from Vietnam is presented.

The horizontal and vertical distribution of dolichopodid flies in a deciduous woodland ecosystem was investigated by means of white-water traps during a nearly 8-month period. Eighteen traps were installed along a light intensity/soil humidity gradient (three zones) and from 0 to 80cm high (six levels). Six environmental features were recorded on several occasions. The dolichopodid data were analysed by means of two multivariate techniques, detrended correspondence analysis (DCA) and two-way indicator species analysis (TWINSPAN). The DCA revealed four distinct species groups, which also proved to be clearly different on a broader ecological basis. The horizontal distributions in many species could be explained by the different environmental conditions in the zones. Although nearly all species were unequally distributed over the traps, their stratification patterns generally showed no significant correlation with the recorded biotic and abiotic features. It is therefore suggested that the observed vertical...

Six new species of the genus Tachydromia Meigen are described from Thailand: T. doi sp. nov., T. monocercus sp. nov., T. ocellata sp. nov., T. phanensis sp. nov., T. phu sp. nov., T. tigeri sp. nov. A new species group within Tachydromia is distinguished and an updated key to the genus from the Oriental Realm is provided.

Seven new pipunculid species are described from Papua New Guinea: Cephalosphaera gymne sp.n., C. immodica sp.n. C. wauensis sp.n., Cephalops bifidus sp.n., C. multidenticulatus sp.n., C. papuaensis sp.n., and C. parmatus sp.n. Cephalops argutus (Hardy) is considered as a true Beckerias sp. and thus placed in a new combination: Beckerias argutus. The phylogenetic relationship of the new species is shortly discussed.

The following seven new species of the genus Neurigona are described and illustrated: Neurigona guangdongensis Wang, Yang and Grootaert sp. nov. , N. guizhouensis Wang, Yang and Grootaert, sp. nov. , N. henana Wang, Yang and Grootaert, sp. nov. , N. jiangsuensis Wang, Yang and Grootaert, sp. nov. , N. wui Wang, Yang and Grootaert, sp. nov. , N. xiaolongmensis Wang, Yang and Grootaert, sp. nov. and N. yunnana Wang, Yang and Grootaert, sp. nov. We examined the male holotype of N. grisea Parent and female holotype of N . chetitarsa deposited in Museum National d’Historie Naturelle, Paris. Also, the new data on distribution are reported for four known species. A key to the species of the genus from Chinese mainland is presented.

Two small species of Chersodromia Walker are described from lowland rain forest in Papua New Guinea and Thailand: C. flavicaput sp. nov. (Papua New Guinea, Thailand) and C. obscura sp. nov. (Thailand). The species are almost completely white, except for the contrastingly black eyes. Although the eyes touching on the face and wing venation suggest affinities with Nanodromia Grootaert, the extended gena, bristling on the apical half of the hind tibia and structure of the male genitalia indicate inclusion in Chersodromia. The new species represent the first non-marine Chersodromia reported from Southeast Asia and Papua New Guinea.

Currently, 47 species of the genus Platypalpus are known from the Caucasus including fourteen species recorded herein for the first time: P. albicornis (Zetterstedt, 1842), P. baldensis (Strobl, 1899), P. caroli Grootaert, 1987, P. ciliaris (Fallen, 1816), P. clarandus (Collin, 1926), P. collini (Chvala, 1966), P. cothurnatus Macquart, 1827, P. infectus (Collin, 1926), P. longicornis (Meigen, 1822), P. luteicornis (Meigen, 1838), P. nigrinus (Meigen, 1822), P. pseudociliaris (Strobl, 1910), P. ruficornis (von Roser, 1840), and P. smirnovi Kovalev, 1978. In addition, seven new species are described: P. akhunensis sp. nov. (Russia: Krasnodarskiy Territory), P. kintrishiensis sp. nov. (Georgia), P. lantsovi sp. nov. (Georgia), P. pseudosilvahumidus sp. nov. (Russia: Krasnodarskiy Territory, Karachay-Cherkessia), P. sinevi sp. nov. (Russia: Karachay-Cherkessia), P. subcaucasicus sp. nov. (Russia: Krasnodarskiy Territory, Dagestan) and P. teberdaensis sp. nov. (Russia: Karachay-Cherkessia). A key to species of Platypalpus from the Caucasus is presented for the first time.