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Burmadryinus cenomanianus gen. & sp. nov. and Pseudodryinus burmensis sp. nov. (Hymenoptera: Dryinidae) are described from Upper Cretaceous (Lower Cenomanian) Burmese amber (Myanmar). A new subfamily, Burmadryininae subfam. nov., is described to include the new genus Burmadryinus gen. nov. The new taxa are compared with other extant and fossil Dryinidae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Embolemidae (Hymenoptera: Chrysidoidea) are parasitoids of Hemiptera Auchenorrhyncha. The genus Ampulicomorpha Ashmead, 1893, is present in all zoogeographical regions and 20 species have been described. Ampulicomorpha sinensis sp. nov. is described from the Nanling National Nature Reserve (Guangdong, China). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Embolemidae (Hymenoptera: Chrysidoidea) are parasitoids of Hemiptera Auchenorrhyncha. The genus Embolemus Westwood, 1833 is present in all zoogeographical regions and 32 species have been described. Embolemus sensitivus sp. nov. is described from the following localities of China: Naban River National Nature Reserve (Yunnan), Mt. Lushan (Taiwan), Mt. Wuyishan (Fujian), Mt. Qinliangfeng and Mt. Wuyanling (Zhejiang). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new species of leafhopper, Arboridia sinensis sp. nov., belonging to the subgenus Arboridia Zachvatkin, 1946 s. str. and closely related to Arboridia (Arboridia) gaurii Thapa, 1989, A. cerna Dworakowska, 1977, and A. soror Dworakowska, 1977, is described from Yunnan, China. It differs from A. gaurii in the body coloration and aedeagus shape, and from A. cerna and A. soror also in the shape of its pygofer process. In Yunnan, China the new species lives on Zanthoxylum bungeanum Maximowicz (Rutaceae). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study on a new species of Aphelopus Dalman from Yunnan Province in China. The researchers examined the types of all 28 Oriental species of Aphelopus and used relative measurements except for the total length from the abdominal tip to the head without the antennae. They also deposited all material studied in the Hymenoptera Collection of South China Agricultural University. They found that the new species is parasitoid of an unidentified species of Alebroides Matsumura 1931, which feeds on Chinese prickly-ash.

Anteon nanlingense sp. nov . and Anteon longum sp. nov. are described from Nanling National Nature Reserve (Guangdong, P.R. China). A check-list of Dryinidae from Nanling National Nature Reserve is presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two new species, Anteon liui sp. nov. and Anteon zhangae sp. nov. , are described from China. The first species was collected in Henan Province, Mt. Baiyunshan, and Zhejiang Province, Mt. Fenyangshan; the second species was collected in Guizhou Province, Mt. Leigongshan. Anteon liui can be recognized from the related Oriental species A. hirashimai Olmi 1993 and A. austini Olmi 1991 by the different length of notauli (reaching about 0.65 length of scutum in A. liui , reaching 0.3-0.4 length of scutum in A. hirashimai and A. austini ). Anteon zhangae can be recognized from the related Oriental species A. muiri Olmi 1984 by the following characters: in A. muiri , notauli reaching about 0.65 length of scutum; scutum weakly punctate; head with OOL more than twice as long as OL; in A. zhangae , notauli reaching about 0.8 length of scutum; scutum sculptured by large and deep punctures similar to areolae; head with OOL slightly longer than OL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two new species, Fiorianteon isoneuron sp. nov and Anteon gaoligongense sp. nov , are described, respectively, from Xiaowutaishan Provincial Nature Reserve (Hebei Province, China) and Gaoligongshan National Nature Reserve (Yunnan Province, China). Fiorianteon isoneuron can be recognized from the related Palaearctic species F. junonium Olmi by the different shape of parameres (without a notch in dorsal view in F. junonium, with a deep notch in F. isoneuron) and stigmal vein (distal part much shorter than proximal part in F. junonium , about as long as in F. isoneuron). Anteon gaoligongense can be recognized from the related Oriental species A. indicum Olmi by the different shape of segment 5 of fore tarsus (with basal part much longer than distal part in A. indicum, slightly shorter than distal part in Anteon gaoligongense). Keys are provided for the determinations of the above species with illustrations of male genitalia and female chelae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The majority of research in genetic diversity yields recommendations rather than actual conservation achievements. We assessed the efficacy of actual in situ and ex situ efforts to conserve Parashorea chinensis (Dipterocarpaceae) against the background of the geographic pattern of genetic variation of this species. Samples from seven natural populations, including three in a nature reserve, and one ex situ conservation population were studied. Across the natural populations, 47.8% of RAPD loci were polymorphic; only 20.8% on average varied at the population level. Mean population genetic diversity was 0.787 within natural populations and 1.410 for the whole species. Significant genetic differentiation among regions and isolation by distance were present on larger scales (among regions). AMOVA revealed that the majority of the among-population variation occurred among regions rather than among populations within regions. Regression analysis, Mantel test, principal coordinates analysis, and cluster analysis consistently demonstrated increasing genetic isolation with increasing geographic distance. Genetic differentiation within the region was quite low compared to that among regions. Multilocus spatial autocorrelation analysis of these three populations revealed random distribution of genetic variation in two populations, but genetic clustering was detected in the third population. The ex situ conserved population contained a medium level of genetic variation compared with the seven natural populations; it contained 77.1% of the total genetic variation of this species and 91% of the moderate to high frequency RAPD fragments (f > 0.05). Exclusive bands were detected in natural populations, but none were found in the ex situ conserved population. The populations protected in the nature reserve contained most of the genetic variation of the whole species, with 81.4% of the total genetic variation and 95.7% of the fragments with moderate to high frequency (f > 0.05) of this species conserved. The results show that the ex situ conserved population does not contain enough genetic variation to meet the need of release in the future, and that more extensive ex situ sampling in natural populations TY, NP, HK, and MG is needed. The in situ conserved population contains representative genetic variation to maintain long-term survival and evolutionary processes of P. chinensis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Montane moist evergreen broad-leaved forest, dominated by Lithocarpus and Castanopsis species, is the most extensive stand of subtropical mountain in Yunnan Province, SW China. Litter production, standing crop of litter on forest floor and nutrient return patterns were studied over nine years (1991–1999) in a stand of primary evergreen broad-leaved forest in northern crest of the Ailao Mountain Range. There were significant yearly variations in litter production, which is mainly related with the masting year of canopy species, and exceptional physical events (strong winds and snow) in the natural forest. The mean annual small litterfall is 7.12 t ha-1 yr-1 of which leaf litter account for 65% of the total litterfall. The seasonality of small litterfall was bia-modal, with the main one in the late dry season (April–May) and a lesser one in early winter (October–November). Decomposition quotient value was relatively low with 0.58 for total small litterfall. Mean large-wood (≥ 2.5 cm in diameter) ranged from 0.21 to 1.41 t ha-1 yr-1 with a mean of 0.52 t ha-1 yr-1. Concentrations of most elements in leaf and twig were slightly greater in wet months than dry months, except for C and K. Woody litter had low N and P concentrations compared with the leaf and reproductive parts. Nutrient return to the soil through small litterfall decrease in the order C>N>Ca>K>Mg>Mn>Al>P>Fe, while nutrient reserve in litter on the forest floor was in the declining sequence C>N>Ca>K>Mg>P>Fe>Al>Mn. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neodryinus lohmani sp. nov. is described from Thailand. Neodryinus lohmani can be distinguished from the related Oriental species N. phuphayonensis Olmi by the different shape of the dorsal process of paramere (scythe-shaped in N. lohmani; not scythe-shaped in N. phuphayonensis). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The larval parasitoid Microplitis manilae Ashmead (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) is a potential biological control agent of Spodoptera exigua (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). To understand the preference and fitness of M. manilae on larval instars of S. exigua, we compared host choice, development, and life table parameters when different larval instars of S. exigua were supplied in the laboratory. Results showed that parasitism of 2nd or 3rd instar larvae was significantly higher compared with other instars. The intrinsic rate of increase (r), finite rate of increase (λ), net reproduction rate (R0) and mean length of a generation (T) were significantly affected by which larval instars were attacked. The maximum values of r, λ, R0 and T were observed when M. manilaeparasitized 2nd instar S. exigua larvae. Therefore, we conclude that the 2nd larval instar of S. exigua represents the optimum host stage and suggest that 2nd larval instar of S. exigua will be the most suitable host stage for mass production of M. manilae as well as the best instar to target for biological control in the field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two new species: Loboscelidia levigata sp. nov. and Loboscelidia striolata sp. nov. from China are described and illustrated. A key to the Chinese species is provided. Specimens are deposited in the Hymenoptera Collection of South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou (SCAU). In addition, L. sinensis and L. guangxiensis are redescribed from material collected with L. levigata and L. striolata . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]