Search

The subtribe Cylindromorphoidina Cobos, 1979, the only representative of tribe Aphanisticini in the Neotropical region, is currently composed of two genera, Eurynodes Théry, 1934 and Cylindromorphoides Kerremans, 1903. The genus Taphroceroides Hespenheide, 2007, originally proposed in Cylindromorphoidina, is currently placed in Brachyina (tribe Tracheini). A detailed morphological comparison of Taphroceroides species with members of Eurynodes and Cylindromorphoides shows similarities that strongly support their transference back to Cylindromorphoidina. A new morphological definition and classification of Cylindromorphoidina is presented along with the description of new species in the three genera: Eurynodes gemmatus sp. nov., E. capillatus sp. nov., Cylindromorphoides ferrugifrons sp. nov., Taphroceroides brunneus sp. nov., and T. brasiliensis sp. nov. Photographs and comments on the type series of previously described species are provided. New biological data and possible association of Cylindromorphoidina species with Bromeliaceae are reported. Finally, a distribution map is provided for all species of Cylindromorphoidina.

Red propolis is a substance produced by bees by mixing resins from plants with wax, oils, and other secretions to protect the hive against natural enemies. Dalbergia ecastaphyllum (L.) Taub. (Fabaceae) is the primary botanical source of the Brazilian red propolis, where bees Apis mellifera L. collect a reddish resin from the stems to produce propolis. This species occurs in coastal dune and mangrove ecosystems, where local beekeepers install their beehives for propolis production. The induction of propolis production was virtually unknown. Previous reports and field evidence suggested that the reddish resin available in D. ecastaphyllum stems was not produced spontaneously but induced by the presence of a parasitic insect that feeds on the plant's stems. Research in the apiaries of the beekeepers' association of Canavieiras, Bahia, Brazil, led to the capture of a jewel beetle of an unknown species of the genus Agrilus Curtis (Buprestidae). It was confirmed that this jewel beetle is a red propolis production inductor. The adult and immature of this new species, Agrilus propolis Migliore, Curletti, and Casari sp. nov. are here described and illustrated. Behavioral information on the biology and chemical ecology confirms that the reddish resin of D. ecastaphyllum is directly related to the beetle attack and only occurs when Agrilus propolis sp. nov. adults emerge from the plant stem. This information is very important for Brazilian propolis producers interested in expanding red propolis production, which can have favorable effects on the economy of mangrove communities, promoting income generation, creating new business opportunities, and helping to sustain local communities and families.

AIM: The Rosalia longicorn (Rosalia alpina) is an internationally protected icon of biodiversity associated with old trees and dead wood. Although the beetle regularly exploits several marginal hosts, its preferred main host is European beech (Fagus sylvatica s.l.). Moreover, the geographical ranges of R. alpina and beech closely overlap. To assess whether their spatial association is mirrored in the genetic patterns of both species, we investigated the phylogeography of Rosalia alpina over its entire geographical range and compared it with the known genetic patterns of its hosts. LOCATION: Europe and western Asia. METHODS: Using both mitochondrial (COI) and nuclear (14 microsatellite loci) markers, we analysed 148 (444, respectively) individuals from 31 (30, respectively) sites. We constructed a Bayesian Inference tree and a haplotype network, calculated the spatial analysis of molecular variance and assessed the population structure of our dataset using two Bayesian clustering methods (STRUCTURE and BAPS). RESULTS: Mitochondrial markers suggested existence of five clades in R. alpina populations. Two of them were endemic to the Italian mainland, one to Sicily, and another to southern Turkey. The remaining clade probably originated in the Balkans and colonized the rest of the species’ range. Nuclear markers supported this division. They also suggested two main recolonization routes from the Balkans; one heading north and then both west and east, the second expanding eastwards as far as the Caucasus. The observed genetic patterns were largely congruent with those of European beech. MAIN CONCLUSIONS: The results of both markers were mostly congruent, suggesting at least four potential refugia for R. alpina located in the southernmost parts of its geographical range. Its populations from a large part of Europe and western Asia, however, were genetically poor, dominated by a single haplotype. Phylogeographies of the beetle and its main host seem to be tightly matched, reflecting their common history.

Forests are complex three-dimensional ecosystems, but little is known about the influence of vertical stratification of forest structure on biodiversity and species turnover. Saproxylic beetles make a substantial contribution to forest biodiversity and ecosystem functions such as nutrient cycling. Management measures aimed at supporting saproxylic biodiversity are becoming an integral part of sustainable forest management practices. Yet, monitoring is carried out under the assumption that saproxylic activity at ground level will be a realistic reflection of saproxylic biodiversity in the forest as a whole. To investigate the validity of this assumption we compare vertical stratification and composition of saproxylic beetle assemblages between three forest types of varying altitude and latitude, including a tropical lowland forest in Panama, a temperate lowland forest and a temperate montane forest, both in the eastern Czech Republic. Beetles were sampled following a standardized sampling protocol using flight intercept traps arranged in vertical transects. Overall, the tropical forest was estimated to harbour two to three times more saproxylic beetle species than the temperate lowland and the montane forest, respectively. However, point richness estimates within vertical strata were remarkably similar between biomes. Species richness was similar in the understorey of all three forests. It peaked in the canopy of the tropical forest but in the understorey of temperate forests. So, while the beetle assemblages were clearly vertically stratified in all three forest types, stratification patterns varied markedly between tropical and temperate forests. This trend is driven primarily by the high richness of saproxylic beetles in the tropical forest canopy. However these richness differences belie the strong similarities in stratification of feeding guild composition observed all three forest types. This would tend to suggest that similar trophic structuring forces might operate across very different forest biomes of the world. Similarities in feeding guild composition suggest that management measures aiming at conserving biodiversity of saproxylic beetles are likely to be effective across different forest types. The differences in vertical stratification, however, suggest that understorey monitoring alone will be insufficient to understand management effects on saproxylic biodiversity. In the tropics, in particular, more emphasis will need to be placed on managing the diverse, three-dimensional structure of forest canopies as habitat for saproxylic beetles.

Agrilus scottoi n. sp. from Cameroun is described. The presence of a long tip at the apex of the last visible tergite, places this species in the subgenus Nigritius Curletti, 1998, although the presence of elytral spots and the apical spines makes it very similar to species placed in the subgenus Pantherina Curletti, 1998.

Agrilus scottoi n. sp. from Cameroun is described. The presence of a long tip at the apex of the last visible tergite, places this species in the subgenus Nigritius Curletti, 1998, although the presence of elytral spots and the apical spines makes it very similar to species placed in the subgenus Pantherina Curletti, 1998.

A large number of invertebrates use dead wood as shelter, food, and as a microclimate refuge. Ecological succession in this substrate depends on primary colonization, stimulating or inhibiting future successions. Twig girdler beetles girdle and lay eggs inside the bark of branches and trunks of different host plants. Branch girdling blocks the phloem flow, making it more nutritive for offspring and future colonizers. This study, in the State Park of Rio Doce (PERD), Minas Gerais, Brazil, is the first report of a secondary colonization by borers on a Sclerolobium sp. branch girdled by Oncideres saga (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae). A Sclerolobium sp. branch, girdled by O. saga was collected in Rio Doce State Park, cut into pieces, and brought to the laboratory, where it was stored in a cardboard box and moistened monthly. A total of 28 adult beetles of 4 species emerged from this branch. Agrilozodes suarezi was found for the first time developing inside a branch of its first host plant. The life history of insects of the genus Agrilozodes is poorly known, because this is the first report of aspects of its biology.

Although numerous adults of the buprestid genus Steraspis Dejean, 1833, have been captured in West Africa, little is known about the biology of the known species, especially about their immature stages. The objective of the present field observations was to increase the knowledge on the biology of a common but localized species in Benin. In early 2012, a field survey was conducted to search for the immature stages of Steraspis species, especially S. fastuosa Gerstaecker, 1871. In May 2012, a nymph of S. fastuosa was found within the taproot of Acacia hockii De Wild (Fabaceae) and also an adult of the same species within the taproot of a nearby A. hockii. This welldeveloped adult was found at 7 cm below the soil surface and ready to emerge from the taproot. Prior to pupation, the mature larva had cut along the collar of the taproot, thus facilitating the emergence of the adult. This is the first report on the developmental biology of this species in West Africa., À propos de la biologie de Steraspis fastuosa Gerstaecker dans l’Atacora (nord Bénin) (Coleoptera, Buprestidae). Bien que de nombreux adultes du genre Steraspis Dejean, 1833, aient été capturés en Afrique de l’Ouest, il existe peu d’information sur la biologie des espèces, spécialement concernant leurs stades préimaginaux. L’objectif du présent travail était d’améliorer la connaissance de la biologie d’une espèce commune, mais localisée, au Bénin. Début 2012, un travail de terrain a été conduit pour rechercher la larve de S. fastuosa Gerstaecker, 1871. Ainsi, en mai 2012, nous avons pu trouver une nymphe de S. fastuosa dans la racine principale d’un Acacia hockii De Wild (Fabaceae) ainsi qu’un adulte de S. fastuosa dans le pivot d’un autre A. hockii voisin. L’adulte était parfaitement formé avec les élytres durcis. Il était situé à 7 cm sous la surface du sol et prêt à quitter le pivot de l’arbre. La larve avait foré un trou ellipsoïde au niveau du collet de l’arbre puis l’avait garni de débris de bois compacté, ce qui facilite la sortie de l’imago du pivot. C’est la première observation concernant la biologie de cette espèce en Afrique de l’Ouest., Vayssières Jean-François, Bellamy Charles L., Goergen Georg, Adandonon Appolinaire, Sinzogan Antonio, Curletti Gianfranco. About the biology of Steraspis fastuosa Gerstaecker in Atacora region, northern Benin (Coleoptera, Buprestidae). In: Bulletin de la Société entomologique de France, volume 118 (4),2013. pp. 427-432.

1 The choice of metrics comparing pristine and disturbed habitats may not be straightforward. We examined the results of a study in Gabon including 21 arthropod focal taxa representing 16 855 individuals separated into 1534 morphospecies. Replication included the understorey of 12 sites representing four stages of land use after logging (old and young forests, savanna and gardens), surveyed for 1 year using three sampling methods. 2 For all focal taxa, we calculated a suite of 13 metrics accounting for the intensity of faunal changes between habitats, namely: abundance; observed, rarefied and estimated species richness; proportion of rare species; additive diversity partitioning; evenness of assemblages; higher taxonomic composition; species turnover; ordination scores of multivariate analyses; nestedness; proportion of site-specific species and ratios of functional guilds. 3 Most metrics showed large differences between forests and non-forest habitats, but were not equally discriminating for particular taxa. Despite higher taxonomic groups being present in most habitats, many insect species were site or habitat specific. There was little evidence that the disturbance gradient represented a series of impoverished habitats derived from older forests. Rather, entire suites of species were being replaced as habitats were modified. 4 Metrics based on species identity had a high sensitivity to disturbance, whereas measurements describing community structure were less discriminating in this regard. We recommend using metrics based on abundance, estimated species richness, species turnover estimated by multivariate analyses and guild structure, to avoid misleading interpretations that may result from comparisons of species richness alone.

Nine new species of Afrotropical Agrilus are described: Agrilus (Personatus) oromo nov. sp. from Somalia, Agrilus (Personatus) berkwae nov. sp. from Ethiopia, Agrilus (Pantherina) uhligi nov. sp. and Agrilus (Agrilus) methneri nov. sp. from Tanzania, Agrilus (Robertius) scurra nov. sp. from Cameroon, Agrilus (Agrilus) barberoi nov. sp. and Agrilus (Agrilus) roseus nov. sp. from Madagascar, Agrilus (Agrilus) makonde nov. sp. from Mozambique, and Agrilus (Agrilus) matoposinus nov. sp. from Zimbabwe. A key to the species of the subgenus Personatus of Agrilus is presented.

We examined the results of a study in Gamba, Gabon, focusing on the impacts of disturbance on arthropods, including more than 400 000 individuals, from which 21 focal taxa were separated into 1534 morphospecies by parataxonomists. Replication included the understorey of three sites in each of four different stages of forest succession and land use (= ‘habitats’) after logging (old and young forests, savanna and gardens), surveyed over a whole year with three sampling methods. Generally, there was a good correspondence between the number of species sorted by taxonomists and the number of morphospecies sorted by parataxonomists. Despite higher taxonomic groups being present in most habitats, a large proportion of insect species was site- or habitat-specific. Anthropogenic modification of habitats did not result in a monotonic decline of abundance and diversity, as many herbivore pests and their associated predators and parasitoids invaded gardens, where plant productivity was kept artificially high year-rou...

To discuss the challenge of monitoring multi-species responses of tropical arthropods to disturbance, we considered a large dataset (4 × 105 individuals; 1,682 morphospecies representing 22 focal taxa) based on the work of parataxonomists to examine the effects of anthropogenic disturbance on arthropods at Gamba, Gabon. Replication included three sites in each of four different stages of forest succession and land use after logging, surveyed during a whole year with four sampling methods: pitfall, Malaise, flight-interception and yellow pan traps. We compared the suitability of each sampling method for biological monitoring and evaluated statistically their reliability for 118 arthropod families. Our results suggest that a range of sampling methods yields more diverse material than any single method operated with high replication. Multivariate analyses indicated that morphospecies composition in trap catches was more strongly influenced by habitat type than by sampling methods. This implies that for multi-species monitoring, differences in trap efficiency between habitats may be neglected, as far as habitat types remain well contrasted. We conclude that for the purpose of monitoring large arthropod assemblages in the long-term, a protocol based on operating a set of different and non-disruptive traps appears superior in design than summing a series of taxa-specific protocols.

Two new species of Agrilus Curtis, 1825 (Coleoptera: Buprestidae): Agrilus (Duttus) marietae sp. n. and Agrilus (Agrilus)naivashensis sp. n. are described from Kenya (East Africa). # 2007 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim IntroductionAccording to Curletti (1993) 34 species and subspe-cies of the genus Agrilus are distributed in Kenya.Subsequently, Curletti (1994, 1998 & 1999) de-scribed and reported 10 additional species and sub-species. With two further species described herein,the total number of known species-group taxa ofAgrilus from Kenya is increased to 46.Specimens were collected during the expeditionof the second author in Kenya in 2004. Holotypesare kept in the collection of Institute of ZoologyBASc Scientific Found –– IZBAS (Sofia, Bulgaria).Paratypes are preserved in the collection of G. Cur-letti (Carmagnola, Italy).Agrilus (Duttus) marietae sp. n.Fig. 1 Type Specimens. Holotype

Agrilus delsinnei n. sp., Agrilus yanzatzanus n. sp., Agrilus touroultinus n. sp, Agrilus quito n. sp. from Ecuador are described.

Quantifying the spatio-temporal distribution of arthropods in tropical rainforests represents a first step towards scrutinizing the global distribution of biodiversity on Earth. To date most studies have focused on narrow taxonomic groups or lack a design that allows partitioning of the components of diversity. Here, we consider an exceptionally large dataset (113,952 individuals representing 5,858 species), obtained from the San Lorenzo forest in Panama, where the phylogenetic breadth of arthropod taxa was surveyed using 14 protocols targeting the soil, litter, understory, lower and upper canopy habitats, replicated across seasons in 2003 and 2004. This dataset is used to explore the relative influence of horizontal, vertical and seasonal drivers of arthropod distribution in this forest. We considered arthropod abundance, observed and estimated species richness, additive decomposition of species richness, multiplicative partitioning of species diversity, variation in species composition, species turnover and guild structure as components of diversity. At the scale of our study (2km of distance, 40m in height and 400 days), the effects related to the vertical and seasonal dimensions were most important. Most adult arthropods were collected from the soil/litter or the upper canopy and species richness was highest in the canopy. We compared the distribution of arthropods and trees within our study system. Effects related to the seasonal dimension were stronger for arthropods than for trees. We conclude that: (1) models of beta diversity developed for tropical trees are unlikely to be applicable to tropical arthropods; (2) it is imperative that estimates of global biodiversity derived from mass collecting of arthropods in tropical rainforests embrace the strong vertical and seasonal partitioning observed here; and (3) given the high species turnover observed between seasons, global climate change may have severe consequences for rainforest arthropods., SCOPUS: ar.j, info:eu-repo/semantics/published

Three new taxa of jewel beetles from Yemen are described: Agrilus (Bubagrilus) brechteli n. sp., Agrilus (Diplolophotus) galiberti levantinus n. ssp., Agrilus (Robertius) kettneri n. sp. With this contribution, the number of species of genus Agrilus Curtis, 1825 known from this country has risen to nine.

Nine known species of Buprestidae are recorded for the first time from Yemen. They were almost without exception collected with the help of Malaise- and light-traps. In addition, two species new to science, Ankareus luciphilus nov. sp. and Agrilus filius nov. sp., are described.

A list of Agrilus spp. (Coleoptera, Buprestidae) now known from Yemen is given. Agrilus yemenita nov. sp. is described. No Afrotropical species were found, the four known species being all of Palaearctic origin. A complete list of Agrilus species which we know to occur in Yemen and its neighbouring countries is given.

A brief trip to Caquetà and Putumayo prov., South Colombia, during the month of November 2016, allowed us to discover two species new to science. The research was undertaken under the auspices of a joint educational/scientific project with the Apostolic Vicariate of the Consolata Fathers in the department of Putumayo (South Colombia).

The abundance, activity and species richness of arthropods, particularly of insect herbivores, were investigated in the upper canopy and understorey of a lowland rainforest at La Makande, Gabon. In total 14 161 arthropods were collected with beating, flight interception and sticky traps, from six canopy sites, during the day and at night, from mid-January to mid-March 1999. The effects of stratum were most important, representing between 40 and 70% of the explained variance in arthropod distribution. Site effects represented between 20 and 40% of the variance and emphasized the need for replication of sampling among canopy sites. Time effects (diel activity) explained a much lower percentage of variance (6–9%). The density and abundance of many arthropod taxa and species were significantly higher in the upper canopy than in the understorey. Arthropod activity was also higher during the day than at night. In particular, insect herbivores were 2.5 times more abundant and twice as speciose in the upper canopy than in the understorey, a probable response to the greater and more diverse food resources in the former stratum. Faunal overlap between the upper canopy and understorey was low. The most dissimilar herbivore communities foraged in the understorey at night and the upper canopy during the day. Further, a taxonomic study of a species-rich genus of herbivore collected there Agrilus , Coleoptera Buprestidae) confirmed that the fauna of the upper canopy was different, diverse and very poorly known in comparison to that of the understorey. Herbivore turnover between day and night was rather high in the upper canopy and no strong influx of insect herbivores from lower foliage to the upper canopy was detected at night. This suggests that insect herbivores of the upper canopy may be resident and well adapted to environmental conditions there.

Assessing Creepy Crawlies Arthropods are the most diverse group of terrestrial animal species, yet estimates of the total number of arthropod species have varied widely, especially for tropical forests. Basset et al. (p. 1481 , see the cover) now provide more reliable estimates of total arthropod species richness in a tropical rainforest in Panama. Intensive sampling of a half hectare of forest yielded just over 6000 arthropod species. Scaling up this result to the whole forest suggests that the total species diversity lies between 17,000 and 40,000 species.

Nine new species of the genus Agrilus are herein described: A. erici n. sp., A. dauberi n. sp., A. goldsteini n. sp., A. ivetteae n. sp., A. semicinctus n. sp., A. glebae n. sp., A. cerrolatus n. sp., A. disparifrons n. sp. from Nicaragua and A. grandinatus n. sp. from Panama.

Searching for indicator taxa representative of diverse assemblages, such as arthropods, is an important objective of many conservation studies. We evaluated the impacts of a wide gradient of disturbance in Gabon on a range of arthropod assemblages representing different feeding guilds. We examined 4 x 10(5) arthropod individuals from which 21 focal taxa were separated into 1534 morphospecies. Replication included the understory of 3 sites in each of 4 different stages of forest succession and land use (i.e., habitats) after logging (old and young forests, savanna, and gardens). We used 3 complementary sampling methods to survey sites throughout the year. Overall differences in arthropod abundance and diversity were greatest between forest and open habitats, and cleared forest invaded by savanna had the lowest abundance and diversity. The magnitude of faunal differences was much smaller between old and young forests. When considered at this local scale, anthropogenic modification of habitats did not result in a monotonous decline of diversity because many herbivore pests and their associated predators and parasitoids were abundant and diverse in gardens, where plant productivity was kept artificially high year-round through watering and crop rotation. We used a variety of response variables to measure the strength of correlations across survey locations among focal taxa. These could be ranked as follows in terms of decreasing number of significant correlations: species turnover > abundance > observed species richness > estimated species richness > percentage of site-specific species. The number of significant correlations was generally low and apparently unrelated to taxonomy or guild structure. Our results emphasize the value of reporting species turnover in conservation studies, as opposed to simply measuring species richness, and that the search for indicator taxa is elusive in the tropics. One promising alternative might be to consider "predictor sets" of a small number of taxa representative of different functional groups, as identified in our study.

The Canopy Raft in the Masoala National Park (Madagascar). 2. -Entomological research in the upper canopy and understorey of the rainforest. Our study deals with the quantitative analysis of the vertical stratification (understorey and canopy) of the entomofauna of nine field sites in tropical rainforests of the Masoala peninsula, east of the Baie d'Antongil (Madagascar). We reached the canopy using the "Bulle à Hélium" (helium balloon)®, the "Icos", the "Luge des Cimes" (canopy sledge)®, and the "Radeau des Cimes" (canopy raft)®. Insects were collected by leaf beating and with yellow sticky traps. Arthropods from the canopy are significantly more abondant than in understory. This vertical stratification of a tropical forest confirms generally, despite a few differences, a model specified in Cameroon, and improved in Gabon. The guild analysis shows than some of these groups have a preferred stratum (in particular leaf-feeders and sap-suckers for the canopy). This is correlated with the vertical distribution of food resources. The guild assignment is a pertinent way to study ecology and vertical stratification of insects in tropical rainforests., Notre étude porte sur l'analyse quantitative de la stratification verticale (sous-bois et canopée supérieure) de l'entomofaune de neuf sites en forêt tropicale humide de la presqu'île de Masoala, sur le rivage oriental de la baie d'Antongil (Madagascar). Nous avons pu accéder à la canopée grâce à la Bulle à Hélium®, à la Luge des Cimes ®, à l'Icos® et au Radeau des Cimes®. Les Insectes ont été collectés par battage du feuillage et avec des pièges jaunes à glu. Les Arthropodes de la canopée supérieure sont significativement plus abondants que dans le sous-bois. Ce type de stratification verticale de l'entomofaune de la forêt tropicale confirme dans ses grandes lignes, malgré quelques différences, le modèle que nous avions établi au Cameroun et affiné au Gabon. L'analyse par guildes montre que certains de ces groupes ont nettement une strate préférentielle (en particulier les Phyllophages et les Piqueurs-suceurs pour la canopée), ce qui est directement fonction de la répartition verticale des ressources alimentaires. L'assignation à une guilde semble être un instrument pertinent pour étudier l'écologie et la stratification verticale des Insectes de la forêt tropicale., Ravoahangimalala Ramilijaona Olga, Aberlenc Henri-Pierre, Barrios Héctor, Andriamanantenina Landinirina, Curletti Gianfranco, Minet Joël, Ollivier Laurence, Liss Rakotoarivony Hantanirina, Randriamasimanana Désiré. Le Radeau des Cimes au Parc national de Masoala (Madagascar). Deuxième partie : recherches entomologiques dans la canopée supérieure et le sous-bois de la forêt humide. In: Bulletin mensuel de la Société linnéenne de Lyon, 76ᵉ année, n°7-8, Septembre-octobre 2007. pp. 165-182.

The Buprestid Beetle Agrilus cytisi Baudi, 1870 was found in France for the first time. Until now, it was known only from North-Western Italia., Le Bupreste Agrilus cytisi Baudi, 1870 est signalé en France pour la première fois. Il n'était connu jusqu'à présent que du nord-ouest de l'Italie., Curletti Gianfranco, Aberlenc Henri-Pierre. Une nouvelle espèce pour la faune de France : Agrilus (Agrilus) cytisi Baudi, 1870 (Coleoptera Buprestidae). In: Bulletin mensuel de la Société linnéenne de Lyon, 74ᵉ année, n°2, février 2005. pp. 55-56.