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Pselliophora is widely distributed in Eurasia and China. To explore the characteristics of the mitogenome of Pselliophora and reveal phylogenetic relationships, the mitogenome of Pselliophora bifascipennis Brunetti, 1911 was sequenced and annotated. This is the first complete mitochondrial genome in this genus. Its mitogenome is 15821 bp in length, containing 13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNA and 2 rRNA genes. Nucleotide compositions of its whole mitogenome are 39.09% for A, 38.49% for T, 13.42% for C, and 9.01% for G. Consistent with previous observations of Tipulidae species, the mitogenome of Pselliophora bifascipennis is highly conserved in gene size, organization and codon usage, and secondary structures of tRNAs. Most tRNAs have the typical clover-leaf structure. The control region is 1006 bp long with an A + T content of 92.7%. Phylogenetic tree analysis using the sequences of the mitochondrial genomes of Pselliophora bifascipennis and other Tipulidae species showed that Pselliophora bifascipennis is closely related to Tanyptera hebeiensis. These two species are grouped on the same branch, which is in accordance with the traditional morphological classification. The results of this study lay a foundation for screening molecular markers of mitochondrion for molecular identification and genetic structure research in Tipulidae species.

The genus Helius Lepeletier & Serville, 1828 is globally distributed with 232 species and subspecies, of which 25 have been known to occur in China. Amongst the Chinese Helius crane flies, 24 species are distributed in southern China. The species diversity of Helius in other Chinese regions may be severely underestimated due to a lack of investigation. Some investigations on crane flies in Inner Mongolia, China have been initiated by the authors together with other entomologists, with Helius being one of the key targets of attention.Two Helius species, H. (Helius) flavus (Walker, 1856) and H. (H.) gracillimus Alexander, 1938, are added to the Chinese fauna. The two newly-recorded species also represent the first records of the crane fly tribe Elephantomyiini in Inner Mongolia. Re-descriptions and illustrations of the two newly-recorded species are presented.

Pselliophora is widely distributed in Eurasia and China. To explore the characteristics of the mitogenome of Pselliophora and reveal phylogenetic relationships, the mitogenome of Pselliophora bifascipennis Brunetti, 1911 was sequenced and annotated. This is the first complete mitochondrial genome in this genus. Its mitogenome is 15821 bp in length, containing 13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNA and 2 rRNA genes. Nucleotide compositions of its whole mitogenome are 39.09% for A, 38.49% for T, 13.42% for C, and 9.01% for G. Consistent with previous observations of Tipulidae species, the mitogenome of Pselliophora bifascipennis is highly conserved in gene size, organization and codon usage, and secondary structures of tRNAs. Most tRNAs have the typical clover-leaf structure. The control region is 1006 bp long with an A + T content of 92.7%. Phylogenetic tree analysis using the sequences of the mitochondrial genomes of Pselliophora bifascipennis and other Tipulidae species showed that Pselliophora bifascipennis is closely related to Tanyptera hebeiensis. These two species are grouped on the same branch, which is in accordance with the traditional morphological classification. The results of this study lay a foundation for screening molecular markers of mitochondrion for molecular identification and genetic structure research in Tipulidae species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The complete mitochondrial genomes of Tipula (Pterelachisus) cinereocincta mesacantha Alexander, 1934, T. (P.) legalis Alexander, 1933, T. (P.) varipennis Meigen, 1818, and T. (P.) yasumatsuana Alexander, 1954 are reported, three of them being sequenced for the first time. The mitochondrial genome lengths of the four species are 15,907 bp, 15,625 bp, 15,772 bp, and 15,735 bp, respectively. All genomes exhibit a high AT base composition, with A + T content of 76.7%, 75.0%, 77.8%, and 75.4%, respectively. The newly reported mitogenomes herein show a general similarity in overall structure, gene order, base composition, and nucleotide content to those of the previously studied species within the family Tipulidae. Phylogenetic analyses were conducted to investigate the relationships within Tipulidae, using both Maximum Likelihood and Bayesian Inference approaches. The results show that the four target species of the subgenus T. (Pterelachisus) basically form a monophyletic group within Tipulidae, clustering with species of the Tipula subgenera T. (Lunatipula), T. (Vestiplex), and T. (Formotipula); however, the genus Tipula is not monophyletic. Moreover, neither the tipulid subfamily Tipulinae nor the family Limoniidae is supported to be a monophyletic group. The monophyly of the family Tipulidae, and the sister relationship between Tipulidae and Cylindrotomidae are reconfirmed. These research findings could contribute to deep insights into the systematic and evolutionary patterns of crane flies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The genus Helius Lepeletier & Serville, 1828 is globally distributed with 232 species and subspecies, of which 25 have been known to occur in China. Amongst the Chinese Helius crane flies, 24 species are distributed in southern China. The species diversity of Helius in other Chinese regions may be severely underestimated due to a lack of investigation. Some investigations on crane flies in Inner Mongolia, China have been initiated by the authors together with other entomologists, with Helius being one of the key targets of attention. New information: Two Helius species, H. (Helius)flavus (Walker, 1856) and H. (H.) gracillimus Alexander, 1938, are added to the Chinese fauna. The two newly-recorded species also represent the first records of the crane fly tribe Elephantomyiini in Inner Mongolia. Re-descriptions and illustrations of the two newly-recorded species are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genus Hexatoma Latreille, 1809 is a large group of aquatic crane flies, with almost 600 species worldwide. The largest subgenus is Eriocera Macquart, 1838, which includes all nine species known from the Korean Peninsula. Molecular methods were used to associate Hexatoma larvae with their putative adult species from South Korea. Mitochondrial Cytochrome c Oxidase Subunit I (COI) gene fragment sequences (DNA barcodes) of recently collected adults of H. (E.) gifuensis, H. (E.) ilwola, H. (E.) pernigrina, and H. (E.) pianigra were compared with twelve sequences of Hexatoma larvae. The larvae of H. (E.) pernigrina, H. (E.) pianigra, and H. (E.) gifuensis were associated with their putative adults. The larvae of H. (E.) gifuensis and H. (E.) pianigra and the larvae and pupae of H. (E.) pernigrina are described and illustrated. The larvae of two species not associated with any adult are described, and their COI gene fragment sequences (DNA barcodes) are presented. This paper presents the morphological characteristics suitable for distinguishing larval species. A key for the identification of larvae of the genus Hexatoma on the Korean Peninsula has been compiled. H (E.) sachalinensis is recorded from the Korean Peninsula for the first time. Our study is the first contribution to the Hexatoma larvae taxonomy using phylogenetic analysis based on mitochondrial COI fragment (DNA barcode) and one of the first attempts to reveal phylogenetic relationships between Hexatoma species using molecular markers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Four new crane fly species of the subgenus Tipula (Vestiplex) Bezzi, 1924, T. (V.) medialobata sp. nov. (Yunnan), T. (V.) singularis sp. nov. (Yunnan), T. (V.) cibagouensis sp. nov. (Tibet) and T. (V.) paramonovi sp. nov. (Tibet) are described and illustrated. Redescription and detailed illustrations of T. (V.) nestor Alexander, 1934 are provided with first distributional record in mainland China.

A new species of the Oriental and Afrotropical genus Afrolimnophila is described and illustrated from the North Caucasus. Thus, the genus is recorded from the European part of Russia (Krasnodar Territory, Krasnaya Polyana) for the first time. Afrolimnophila subabludens sp. n. seems to be particularly similar to the endemic Azerbaijan species A. abludens (Savchenko 1971), with which it is compared. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Species of the subgenus Eurhipidia (Insecta, Diptera, Limoniidae, Rhipidia) are recorded from Japan for the first time. • Two new species of the subgenus are described in both male and female. • A key to the Japanese species and the distributions of the species are provided. Species of Rhipidia (Eurhipidia) Alexander, 1965 are found in Japan for the first time. Two new species, R. (E.) honshuensis sp. nov. from Honshu (Palaearctic Region) and R. (E.) okinawensis sp. nov. from Nansei Islands (Oriental Region) are described. The images of the habitus, wings, and terminalia, distribution maps, and a key to the species are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genus Elliptera Schiner, 1863 is represented by ten species worldwide, but immatures of only the European species E. omissa Schiner has been described so far. Molecular methods were used to associate larvae and adults for two East Asian species from South Korea. Elliptera jacoti Alexander and E. zipanguensis zipanguensis Alexander are common species in aquatic, hygropetric habitats in mountainous parts of the Korean peninsula. Elliptera mongolica Podeniene, Podenas & Gelhaus sp. nov. from Mongolia and China (Inner Mongolia) is described based on mitochondrial DNA COI gene barcode sequences and morphological characters of larvae. Larvae of all three species and pupae of E. jacoti are described and illustrated. Morphological characters of the larvae useful for discrimination of species are given. An identification key for East Asian larvae of the genus Elliptera is compiled.

The genus Geranomyia Haliday, 1833 is globally distributed, with 351 known species, of which 26 occur in China. Herein, an overview of the genus Geranomyia from Mount Jiulong, Zhejiang, China, is presented. Two new species are described and illustrated. Geranomyia jiulongensis sp. nov. and G. subablusa sp. nov. are distinguished from other Geranomyia species by the characters of the thorax and male genitalia. An updated key to the Geranomyia of China is presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tipulomorpha are known back to the Triassic but are very rare in the fossil record of that period. The oldest tipuloid genus, Archilimonia Krzemiński & Krzemińska, 2003, is redescribed based on the type and a new species from the Middle Triassic (early Anisian, 242-247 Ma) of the northern Vosges Mountains, NE France. Male terminalia of Triassic Tipulomorpha are described for the first time: a terminal gonostylus divided into a fleshy setose clasper and a lobe in Archilimonia grauvogeliana sp. nov. The systematic position of Archilimonia is investigated based on morphological characters of both extant and extinct taxa of Tipulomorpha and other infraorders. Our cladistic analysis is congruent with the family-level relationships recovered by the most recent phylogenetic studies of Tipulomorpha, and the position of some extinct taxa is discussed. The divided gonostylus is considered a synapomorphy of Tipuloidea except Pediciidae, so in our analyses we place Archilimonia between Pediciidae and other Tipuloidea (Limoniidae + (Tipulidae + Cylindrotomidae), with two other Triassic tipuloid genera (Mabelysia and Metarchilimonia). The family Tipulidae including the Mesozoic genus Tipunia is monophyletic, so Tipulidae has existed since the Late Jurassic. http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:4C0BA500-A928-4C83-ABE1-8B42BB01A803 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pseudoerioptera hubenqii gen. et sp. nov. is described and illustrated from the mid-Cretaceous Burmese amber of northern Myanmar. It differs from its related genus by wing venation and the structure of hypopygium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dictenidia leigongshanensis sp. nov., is described and illustrated. It can be easily distinguished from the regional species by body colors. The new species represents the first record of Dictenidia from Guizhou Province, China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new species of Dicranoptycha Osten Sacken, 1860, Dicranoptycha plicativa sp. nov., and a unassigned species are illustrated and described from Myanmar (Burmese) amber (lowermost Cenomanian, Upper Cretaceous). A complete list of fossil species of the genus Dicranoptycha is summarized. In addition, an updated key to the known fossil species of the Dicranoptycha is provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rediscovery of Rhabdomastix (Rhabdomastix) incapax Starý, 2005 in Sardinia made it possible to update the description of the male and to provide the first description of the female of this species. Notes on the wing reduction, ecology, and behaviour of this species are appended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rhabditidoides humicolus n. sp. is described and illustrated from arthropods associated with decaying tissue from the crown shaft of a living spindle palm, Hyophorbe verschajfeltii, in southern Florida, USA. In addition to its generic character, i.e., the arrangement of male genital papillae, (vl, v2, v3d, CO, v4, (ad, v5, ph, v6), (pd, v7)), the new species is characterised by its small stomatal flaps, a secretory pore-like opening, a pair of deirids, two pairs of post-deirids and small subventral vulval papillae located just anterior to the vulva. Besides those newly found characters, there are only a few typological differences between R. humicolus n. sp. and several previously described species in the genus. However, based on the biological characters, e.g., gonochoristic reproduction, association as dauers with the crane fly, Limonia (Rhipidia) schwarzi (Diptera: Limoniidae), millipedes, an immature cockroach, and staphylinid beetle adults, and distribution in southern Florida, the new species was considered to be different from others in the genus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding large-scale drivers of animal breeding densities and demography has a range of important uses, including informing conservation management. Given the threat of climate change, the importance of developing a process-based understanding of variation in animal populations is increased to inform adaptive management. For a climate-change sensitive species, the European Golden Plover Pluvialis apricaria, we use novel field-collected data on large-scale spatial variation in prey abundance and vegetation structure to understand drivers of breeding abundance and breeding success, and inform potential management responses. The abundance of the key prey, crane flies (Tipulidae), increased with altitude (a surrogate for temperature) and peat depth (a surrogate for soil moisture). Golden plover breeding densities were highest where vegetation was shortest, probably reflecting greater prey accessibility. In contrast, breeding success was not strongly related to vegetation height, but positively correlated with both crane fly abundance and daily minimum temperatures. When combined to model the number of likely successful pairs in any 1 year, the magnitude of vegetation height effect far exceeded that of crane fly abundance. Thus, for golden plover and other shorebirds sharing similar habitats, management to optimize breeding habitat (grazing or burning to promote short vegetation) may differ from management to promote breeding success (drain blocking to increase soil moisture and prey abundance). Adaptive management in the face of climate change should therefore include appropriate vegetation management, as well as maximizing prey abundance. More broadly, as the drivers of breeding density and demographic parameters may differ, we advocate that conservation practitioners collect not just information on species' distributions but also underpinning demographic processes when using science to inform management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new Neotropical species of Trentepohlia (Mongoma) is described from Cuba. This is the first species of the subgenus from the West Indies, whereas the other four Trentepohlia spp. are from the subgenus Paramongoma. Notes on the phenology of this new species are provided. Also, we discuss the transfer of Trentepohlia suberrans Alexander, 1979 to Mongoma and provide a key for the identification of the three species of this subgenus present in the Neotropics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article describes the parasitic behavior of Brevispina tasii on the crane fly. The study was performed through gathering of the crane fly larvae from a leaf litter of the Sam Houston National Forest in Watson Lakes, Texas, where parasite preparations were done by eviscerating the larvae by their alimentary canals. Results showed that the parasite Brevispina tasii is referred to a parasite family, which changes that taxonomic status of tipulid gregarine taxa.

Dead wood is a primary habitat for a large number of insects, including species from many nematoceran ( Diptera) groups. The species living in dead wood must be adapted to the ephemeral and ever-changing nature of their substrate. There is a growing body of knowledge about the effects of dead wood quality and the surrounding landscape on the saproxylic beetle community, but we know very little about the other saproxylic insects. Moreover, we know only very little about the variation in the insect community between different parts of decaying wood pieces., Using emergence traps, we studied the saproxylic nematoceran communities occupying different parts of decaying fallen aspen trunks in a boreal forest. To explain the variation in the detected assemblages, we also studied the variation in the physical environment in different parts of one of the studied trunks during the season., We found out that the overall variation in assemblages was very high and also the similarity between the base and top of the same trunk was usually low. Dissimilarity arose more from differences in species richness than from species turnover. The greatest contrasts in the physical conditions of the study trunk were between the inside and the upper and lower surface of the trunk base., Due to high variation within the trunks and especially between the trunks, the sampling effort in studies on the ecology of saproxylic insects should be high to have a reliable estimate of the local community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Feeding on above- and belowground plant tissues by Tipula paludosa Meigen during the period of rapid growth from second to forth instars is highly damaging to cool-season (C3) turfgrasses. It may be possible to reduce this damage by identifying grass genotypes that increase host plant protection. This study examined the impacts of plant genotype, endophyte infection, and plant ontogeny on host plant and insect responses during whole-plant feeding by T. paludosa. A series of no-choice greenhouse trials were conducted with third instar crane flies to determine 1) host plant tolerance in terms of reductions to above- and belowground plant biomass, 2) antixenosis resistance impacting insect behavior (emigration), and 3) antibiosis resistance impacting insect growth. Results showed that insect infestation level was the primary factor influencing plant biomass reductions. Belowground tissues were more tolerant to feeding than were aboveground tissues, with tall fescues, Festuca arundinacea Schreber, being most resistant to aboveground biomass reduction. Host plant associations with intercellular fungal endophytes (E+) decreased insect weight gain and decreased insect movement, but did not increase host plant tolerance. Plant ontogeny affected this response with insect weight gain significantly decreased on young (28 d) growth E+ grasses but not on old (90 d) growth E+ grasses, however. Host plant genotype and plant ontogeny can have significant impacts to host plant tolerance and insect physiology for T. paludosa larva. Furthermore, plant-endophyte associations have apparent sublethal effects that impact insect fitness and may further enhance host plant protection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses research on the discovery of a new fossil of Miocene crane fly Tipula paleopannonia from the Paldau Formation in the Styrian Basin in Austria. Morphological information on Diptera where crane flies belong is given, noting on their long legs, saprophagous larvae and retractable head capsule. It describes venational features of the crane fly fore wing recovered from the region, citing total length to be 19.7 millimeters as preserved. A photomicrograph of the said fore wing fossil is also presented.

The European crane fly (ECF), Tipula paludosa Meigen feeds on leaves, crowns, and roots of cool-season turfgrasses causing damage to residential lawns and golf courses. A laboratory study was conducted to determine the susceptibility of ECF larvae to four commercial entomopathogenic nematode (EPN) species ( Heterorhabditis marelatus, H. megidis, Steinernema carpocapsae and S. feltiae ). The virulence of four S. feltiae isolates recovered from golf courses in Quebec and Ontario were also compared to a commercial strain. LC 50 values of EPN against late instar ECF larvae were 152, 562, 763, and 3584 for S. feltiae, H. megidis, H. marelatus and S. carpocapsae , respectively. When non-feeding (without grass seedling), ECF larvae mortalities decreased for all nematode species and concentrations tested. At 25°C, LC 50 values for the two most virulent indigenous S. feltiae were 129 and 187 nematodes/larva, not different from the commercial strain. At 5°C, the commercial S. feltiae was more effective than both BIC14A and RE6A isolates against ECF larvae. However, at 15°C, BIC14A was the most virulent at the low concentration of 200 IJs/larva. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]