Search

Neohydatothrips stachyurus sp. n. is described from Guizhou, China. Morphologically, this new Sericothripinae species is characterized by the shape of blotch on pronotum and the distribution of microtrichia on abdominal segments. The distribution of Neohydatothrips species from China also is discussed.

To better understand the semiochemical detection and reception mechanisms that involved in intra- and interspecific communication, host selection and mating behavior of Echinothrips americanus (Thysanoptera: Thripidae), scanning electron microscopy was used to examine the external morphology, distribution and ultrastructure of the sensilla on antennae and mouthparts. According to serial SEM images, seven types of antennal sensilla in total were observed in both sexes. Sensilla on mouthparts were observed concentrating on the maxillary palps, labial palps, and paraglossa, which is consistent with the previous conclusions. Possible function of the external sensilla is also discussed.

The Chinese soft scale species in the genus Coccus Linnaeus, 1758 (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha: Coccidae) were studied. Coccus cambodiensis Takahashi and the Malaysian species C. cameronensis Takahashi are considered to be non-congeneric with Coccus hesperidum Linnaeus, 1758, the type species of Coccus, and are transferred to Prococcus Avasthi, 1993, as Prococcus cambodiensis (Takahashi, 1942), comb. n. and Prococcus cameronensis (Takahashi, 1952), comb. n. The generic diagnosis of Prococcus is revised. In the genus Coccus, two new species are described and illustrated based on adult females: Coccus nanningensis Cao & Feng, sp. n. from Guangxi, China, on Ficus carica (Moraceae), and Coccus cephalotaxus Cao & Feng, sp. n. from Shannxi, China, on Cephalotaxus sinensis (Taxaceae). Identification keys to separate adult females of Prococcus from Coccus, the 14 species of Coccus found in China, and all three species of Prococcus are provided.

Three new genera and species of Cenomanian Cixiidae from Kachin amber (Myanmar) are described: Acrotiara Bourgoin & Luo gen. nov., type species A. multigranulata Luo & Bourgoin sp. nov., Delphitiara Bourgoin & Luo gen. nov., type species D. tibiocoronata Luo & Bourgoin sp. nov., and Pentacarinus Bourgoin & Luo gen. nov., type species P. kachinensis Luo & Bourgoin sp. nov. A key to identification of these new genera is provided. These cixiids with a pentacarinated mesonotum belong to a new tribe Acrotiarini Bourgoin & Luo trib. nov., type genus Acrotiara gen. nov., which is characterized by a specific set of characters, some being unique in the family Cixiidae such as the paired sublaterofrontal carinae and the arched RA on the tegmina. This new taxon prompts discussion of the current classification and phylogeny of the family, which remains widely unexplored, and of the evaluation of the placement of two older cixiid fossils currently known, Karebodopoides aptianus (Fennah, 1987) and Cixius petrinus Fennah, 1961. A new genus, Barremixius Bourgoin & Szwedo gen. nov., is proposed for the latter, resulting in the new combination Barremixius petrinus (Fennah, 1987). Karebodopoides Szwedo, 2001 and Barremixius gen. nov. are provisionally recognized as the oldest Cixiidae, respectively representative of the oecleinian lineage (including Bothriocerini trib. stat. nov.) and of the cixiinian lineage. Acrotiarini trib. nov. belongs to the pentastirinian lineage (including Borysthenini stat. nov.). All these fossils depict that the first main division that occurred in Cixiidae, occurred much earlier during the Cretaceous

Glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) in insects are widely known for their role in the detoxification of both endogenous and xenobiotic compounds. Grape phylloxera, Daktulosphaira vitifoliae (Fitch) (Hemiptera: Phylloxeridae) is a serious grape pest, which causes great economic damage in vineyards, and has currently spread throughout the world. In this study, eight putative GST genes were identified by analyzing the transcriptomes of grape phylloxera. Phylogenetic analyses showed that there are seven cytosolic DviGSTs and one microsomal DviGST. These cytosolic DviGSTs are clustered into four different classes including two delta genes, one omega gene, one theta gene, and three sigma genes. Among candidate cytosolic DviGSTs, a conserved N-terminal domain and a less conserved C-terminal domain were identified. For the candidate microsomal DviGST, three transmembrane regions were predicted. Multiple sequence alignment analysis of the candidate microsomal DviGST was conducted with other insect microsomal GSTs and the result showed that there is a conserved sequence pattern. Semiquantitative polymerase chain reaction was used to examine the tissue expression of these transcripts, and the results revealed that DviGSTs were ubiquitously expressed in the head and the body, but DviGSTd1, DviGSTd2, DviGSTs2, and DviGSTs3 were abundantly expressed in the head and body. This is the first study of the molecular characteristics of GST genes in grape phylloxera. Our results will provide a molecular basis for future studies of the detoxification mechanisms in grape phylloxera.

Numerous studies have reported that larval experience can affect subsequent host plants selection and future oviposition decisions of many different species, but the investigation of pre-imaginal experiences on host preference of adults has rarely been tested for soil-dwelling insects. In this study, we present evidence that larval feeding experience can affect adult host preference in the onion maggot, Delia antiqua. By rearing D. antiqua on different host plants, we were able to examine the role of the natal host of different generations and the effect of larval density on host-choice behaviour. We also performed bioassays by means of switched host treatment to evaluate the host-selection principle. Choice bioassays among the three host species demonstrated that D. antiqua females preferred to oviposit on their natal host in each generation and host-switching treatments. Additionally, increasing larval density could intensify this ovipositional preference on the natal host. The overall results showed that host preference of female D. antiqua is determined by larval experience and density. These findings also add support for the controversial Hopkins’ host-selection principle.

Stenchaetothrips gaomiaoensis sp. nov. is described from bamboo in southwestern China. Stenchaetothrips bambusicola Mound 2011, collected from Poaceae grasses, is newly recorded from China. An identification key to the twenty-one species of Stenchaetothrips from China is also provided.

Sensory neuron membrane proteins (SNMPs) in insects are critical peripheral olfactory proteins and act as markers for pheromone detection. However, the SNMPs for onion maggot, Delia antiqua Meigen, a world-wide subterranean pest, have not been previously characterized. In this study, we first report the cloning and characterization of two novel SNMPs from D. antiqua, DantSNMP1 and DantSNMP2. Sequence alignment and phylogenetic analysis showed that DantSNMP1 and DantSNMP2 are very similar to the previously reported SNMP1 and SNMP2 isolated from other dipteran insects but they share low identity with each other. Further expression profile experiments showed that DantSNMP1 is antenna-specific, while DantSNMP2 is expressed both in antennae and nonantennal tissues. Immunocytochemical localization experiments showed that DantSNMP1 was expressed only in sensilla trichodae, which suggests that this protein is involved in pheromone reception in insect olfaction.

A new species of armoured scale insect, Megacanthaspisguiyangensissp. nov. is described and illustrated. The new species is morphologically similar to M.hangzhouensis. Megacanthaspisguiyangenis infests leaves of Oligostachyumlubricum in China. A key to all eight species of Megacanthaspis now known is provided.

The morphology and ultrastructure of the compound eye of the predatory bug, Montandoniola moraguesi (Puton, 1986) was investigated using scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Its compound eyes, which contain ∼195 ommatidia per eye, have the following characteristics: each ommatidium possesses a laminated corneal lens measuring ∼9 μm in diameter and ∼7 μm in thickness, a tetrapartite eucone crystalline cone, which is approximately 5.5 μm long, like a dumbbell with the distal end larger than the proximal end, eight clustered retinula cells ∼25.6 μm in length, two primary pigment cells and eight secondary primary pigment cells. The rhabdomeres of the eight retinula cells form a circular, tiered rhabdom of two elongated and six peripheral retinula cells. The rhabdomeres of cells R7 and R8 are distributed along the basolateral surface of the cone and form a centrally-fused rhabdom that spans nearly the full length of the ommatidium. The microvilli of the peripheral rhabdom (R1–R6) are radially arranged and form a bilobed, V-like shape in the central rhabdom. Based on the similarity of the compound eye of M. moraguesi to the eyes of other predatory insect species, the evolution and function of eyes in predators are briefly discussed.

Anaphothrips obscurus is a cosmopolitan pest feeding on cereals and other grasses. The effects of constant temperatures on the biology of A. obscurus are not well known. Laboratory studies were conducted to assess the effects of temperature on the development, survival, longevity, fecundity and population parameter of A. obscurus at six constant temperatures (15, 20, 25, 30, 32, 35 °C). The hatchability was the lowest at 15 °C, the highest at 25 °C and no eggs hatched at 35 °C. Developmental rates increased linearly as the temperature increased. The lower developmental threshold temperature was 10.6 °C and 200 degree-days were required to complete development from egg to adult. Adult longevity decreased with increasing temperature, and ranged from 68.87 d at 15 °C to 16.41 d at 32 °C. The highest total fecundity occurred at 20 °C with 162 eggs per female. The temperature-dependent total fecundity, age-specific oviposition rate, and age-specific survival rate models were described. The intrinsic rate of increase (rm) was significantly higher at 30 and 32 °C (0.239 and 0.250) than at other temperatures. This study suggests that optimal developmental and reproductive temperatures for A. obscurus ranges between 25 and 30 °C and this may help this species adapt to warmer areas and widen its distribution and potential for damage in response to global warming. These findings will also be useful in developing monitoring programs, population dynamic models, and timing of control measures for A. obscurus.

Saissetia kunmingensis Cao & Feng, sp. nov., a member of the genus Saissetia Kanda, 1960, is a new species in China that is described and illustrated in this study, based on adult females. This species was found on Osmanthus fragrans (Oleaceae) plants from Kunming, Yunnan Province (China). An updated key to females of the eight species of Saissetia which occur in China was developed.

The adult female of a new species of soft scale Saissetiapuerensis Zhang & Feng, sp. n. is described and illustrated from the genus Saissetia Deplanche, 1859. This species was collected on Lithocarpusuvariifolius (Hance) in Yunnan province, China. A key is provided to separate adult females of all Saissetia species known from China. A table is provided showing the distribution of Saissetia in various zoogeographical regions throughout the world.

Two new species (Kuverahuoditangensissp. n. and Kuveralongwangshanensissp. n.) in the family Cixiidae from China are described and illustrated. The generic characteristics are redefined. A checklist to all species of Kuvera worldwide and an identification key to the Chinese species are provided. A map of the geographic distribution of Kuvera species is also provided.

Heat shock proteins (Hsps) are prominent proteins that greatly contribute to insect survival under stress conditions. In this study, we cloned two Hsp transcripts (Aohsp70 and Aohsp90) from the grass thrip, Anaphothrips obscurus (Müller) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae), which is a polymorphic winged pest of corn and wheat. The cDNA sequences of Aohsp70 and Aohsp90 are 2382 and 2504 bp long, and encode proteins with calculated molecular weights of 70.02 kDa and 83.40 kDa, respectively. Aohsp90 was highly expressed in adults of both brachypters and macropters. Aohsp70 had different expression patterns in brachypters and macropters and was also highly expressed in the pupae of macropters. After adults were exposed to an ascending series of heat shocks, the expression of both Aohsp70 and Aohsp90 were up-regulated. In macropters and brachypters, the maximum induced levels of Aohsp70 (approximately 90-fold and 280-fold, respectively) were higher than Aohsp90 (approximately 2.4-fold and 1.8-fold, respectively). In addition, the up-regulation of Aohsp70 was significantly higher in brachypters than in macropters. Brachypters had a significantly higher Ltem50 (43.2°C) than macropters (42.5°C), which implied that brachypters are more tolerant to thermal stress than macropters. This study has shown that the expression patterns of Aohsp70 and Aohsp90 are variable among different life stages and thermal stress induced different levels of expressions in macropterous and brachypterous adults.

Anaphothrips obscurus (Muller) is a cosmopolitan pest feeding on cereal crops and grasses. This species exhibits wing polyphenism. Differences in the life history traits of female macropterous and brachypterous A. obscurus were compared in the laboratory for this study. Experiments were performed in climate chambers set at 20 and 25 ± 1 °C, 60 ± 10% RH under a 16 L:8D photoperiod. The duration of total pre-adult stage, adult pre-oviposition period and total pre-oviposition period of macropterous morphs were significantly longer than in the brachypterous morphs both at 20 and 25 °C. No significant differences were found in adult longevity, survival rate or total fecundity between the two wing morphs, while early fecundity was significantly higher for brachypterous females compared with that for macropterous females at two temperatures.

A new species of armoured scale insect Parlatoria menglaensis sp. n. is described and illustrated which infests leaves of Cinnamomum camphora in China. A key to the Parlatoria species occurring in China is provided.

In insects, odorant-binding proteins (OBPs) and chemosensory proteins (CSPs) are primary peripheral olfactory proteins playing critical roles in odorant detection. In this study, we present the first identification of OBPs and CSPs from the transcriptome of grape phylloxera Daktulosphaira vitifoliae Fitch, an important pest that damages both roots and leaves of grapes. The OBPs contained six conserved cysteine residues and the CSPs contained four conserved cysteine residues in this insect. Phylogenetic analysis showed that most of the olfactory proteins were closely related to OBPs and CSPs from other aphids. However, DviOBP7 and DviCSP9 were different because they were classified into different independent branches, respectively. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to examine the tissue expression of these transcripts. DviOBP1, DviOBP6, and DviOBP7 were uniquely or primarily expressed in antennae and not in the body. DviOBP2 was more abundantly expressed in the body than in the antennae. The expression levels of OBPs and CSPs of phylloxera varied depending upon where they were expressed in different body tissues.

Cydia pomonella (L.) was firstly reported in China in the 1950s and considered as one of the most serious invasive pest in fruit orchards of China. It spread rapidly from the original site in Xinjiang to other northwestern regions. The pest has further penetrated northeastern China since 2006. With its rapid invasion rate, most pome fruit production areas of China are being threatened. As yet there has been no research into the genetic diversity and structure of the codling moth population in China. We investigated the genetic variations of 12 C. pomonella populations collected from the main distribution regions (Xinjiang, Gansu and Heilongjiang Provinces) in China and compared them with one German and one Swiss population using eight microsatellites loci to infer the characteristics of genetic diversity and genetic structure. We observed sequential loss of genetic diversity and significant structuring associated with distribution but no significant correlation between genetic distance and geographic distance among northwestern populations. There was no genetic evidence for bottleneck effects in any of the populations. The results suggest that the loss of genetic diversity in C. pomonella populations resulted from the successive colonization of founder populations. Recent invasion history led to the lack of any bottleneck effect. The high level of population genetic structuring is related to the weak flight capacity of the codling moth and the human-aided dispersal rather than to geographic distance. These genetic data not only provide us with an understanding of the micro-evolutionary processes related to successful biological invasions, but also provide guidance for pest management strategies.

Three pheromone-binding proteins of Helicoverpa armigera were cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli. In order to characterize their physiological properties, ligand-binding experiments were performed using five biologically relevant substances including sex pheromones and interspecific signals. The results showed that one of the pheromone-binding proteins, HarmPBP1, binds strongly to each of the two principal pheromone components of H. armigera, (Z)-11-tetradecenal and (Z)-9-hexadecenal, but not to the interspecific signal (Z)-9-tetracecenal. The two remaining pheromone-binding proteins, HarmPBP2 and HarmPBP3, showed only weak affinities with the ligands tested. The 3-D structure of HarmPBP1 was predicted and the docking experiments indicate that the key binding site of (Z)-9-hexadecenal to HarmPBP1 includes Thr112, Lys111, and Phe119 whereas that of (Z)-11-tetradecenal includes Ser9, Trp37, Phe36, and Phe119.

The genus Chortinaspis Ferris from China is reviewed and a new species, Chortinaspis tianmuensis Wei & Feng, sp. nov., is described. Chortinaspis biloba Maskell is also redescribed from specimens collected in China. A key to the species of Chortinaspis and a checklist of all known species of the world is provided.

This paper describes one new species P. cycasae sp. nov. of Pseudaonidia from China. A key to species of the genus Pseudaonidia from the Oriental Region is proposed and a checklist of Oriental Region species is provided.

One new species of the Oriental planthopper genus Varma Distant (1906) (Hemiptera: Fulgoroidea: Tropiduchidae), V. serrata Men & Qin, sp. nov. (southern China: Yunnan) is described and illustrated. A checklist of known species of the genus Varma along with a key to known species are provided. The type specimens of the new species are deposited in the Entomological Museum, Northwest A & F University, Yangling, Shaanxi Province, China (NWAFU).

This paper reviews the cixiid planthopper genus Oecleopsis Emeljanov, 1971. Twelve species are recognized in the genus worldwide, of which three new species from China are described and illustrated: O. spinosus sp. nov., O. tiantaiensis sp. nov., O. wuyiensis sp. nov. A key to all known species of this genus is presented.

Climate change will markedly impact biology, population ecology, and spatial distribution patterns of insect pests because of the influence of future greenhouse effects on insect development and population dynamics. Onion maggot, Delia antiqua, larvae are subterranean pests with limited mobility, that directly feed on bulbs of Allium sp. and render them completely unmarketable. Modeling the spatial distribution of such a widespread and damaging pest is crucial not only to identify current potentially suitable climactic areas but also to predict where the pest is likely to spread in the future so that appropriate monitoring and management programs can be developed. In this study, Maximum Entropy Niche Modeling was used to estimate the current potential distribution of D. antiqua and to predict the future distribution of this species in 2030, 2050, 2070 and 2080 by using emission scenario (A2) with 7 climate variables. The results of this study show that currently highly suitable habitats for D.antiqua occur throughout most of East Asia, some regions of North America, Western Europe, and Western Asian countries near the Caspian sea and Black Sea. In the future, we predict an even broader distribution of this pest spread more extensively throughout Asia, North America and Europe, particularly in most of European countries, Central regions of United States and much of East Asia. Our present day and future predictions can enhance strategic planning of agricultural organizations by identifying regions that will need to develop Integrated Pest Management programs to manage the onion maggot. The distribution forecasts will also help governments to optimize economic investments in management programs for this pest by identifying regions that are or will become less suitable for current and future infestations.

Onion thrips, Thrips tabaci Lindeman (Thysanoptera: Thripidae), is an important pest on onion and cabbage. Two reproductive modes--arrhenotoky and thelytoky--are found in this species and co-occur in the field. We compared life table traits between arrhenotokous and thelytokous T. tabaci on cabbage and onion. Experiments were conducted in cages to determine which reproductive mode is more competitive. Additionally, host adaption of the arrhenotokous and thelytokous T. tabaci between onion and cabbage was investigated. On onion, arrhenotokous T. tabaci performed better than thelytokous T. tabaci, while on cabbage the opposite occurred. When comparing life table and demographic growth parameters (net reproductive rates R(o), mean generation time T, the intrinsic rate of natural increase r(m), finite rate of increase A, and population doubling time T(d)) on different host plants, we found that arrhenotokous T. tabaci performed better on onion than on cabbage, whereas thelytokous T. tabaci performed better on cabbage than on onion. Host-related performance differences in this species suggest that the divergence between two reproductive modes might be associated with host adaption. Pest management strategies for this global pest should recognize that the two reproductive modes can impact population dynamics on different crops.

Post-mating, sexual interactions of opposite sexes differ considerably in different organisms. Post-mating interactions such as re-mating behavior and male harassment can affect the fitness of both sexes. Echinothrips americanus is a new insect pest in Mainland China, and little is known about its post-mating interactions. In this study, we observed re-mating frequency and male harassment frequency and their effects on fitness parameters and offspring sex ratios of E. americanus females. Furthermore, we tested the impact of mating and post-mating interactions on fitness parameters of males. Our results revealed that the re-mating frequency in female adults was extremely low during a 30-day period. However, post-mating interactions between females and males, consisting mainly of male harassment and female resistance, did occur and significantly reduced female longevity and fecundity. Interestingly, increased access to males did not affect the ratio of female offspring. For males, mating dramatically reduced their longevity. However, post-mating interactions with females had no effects on the longevity of mated males. These results enrich our basic knowledge about female and male mating and post-mating behaviors in this species and provide important information about factors that may influence population regulation of this important pest species.

Ctenothrips niger Kudo, collected from Ailao Mountain, is a newly recorded species in China. Both males and females were collected. The male of the species is herein described and illustrated in detail for the first time.

A new species of soft scale, Coccus multisetus Wang & Feng, sp. n. is described and illustrated from Yunnan, China. A key to adult females of all Coccus known from China is provided.

Echinothrips americanus Morgan, an invasive pest on various ornamentals and greenhouse crops, was introduced into mainland China recently, posing a potential threat to ornamentals and greenhouse crops. It exhibits two different reproductive modes: arrhenotokous parthenogenesis and sexual reproduction. Laboratory studies were conducted to compare the developmental and reproductive biology of E. americanus in these two reproductive modes. Results showed that the oviposition period, and longevity of female adults using sexual reproduction were longer than those using parthenogenesis. Furthermore, sexual female adults had higher fecundity and survival rates. However, no significant differences were found among immature stages in the durations of first and second instars, prepupae, and pupae between the two reproductive modes, with the exception of the duration of the egg stadium. The survival rates for eggs and first and second instars were higher in sexual E. americanus whereas there were no survival differences for prepupae and pupae. These results provide valuable insights into the mechanisms of parthenogenesis and sex determination in Thysanoptera.

A new species of armored scale, Pseudaulacaspis zhenyuanensis Wei & Feng, sp. n. is described and illustrated from specimens collected on Spermadictyon suaveolens in China. A key to armored scale species known from China is provided.

One new species of subfamily Sericothripinae (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) is described and illustrated: Hydatothrips longjingensis sp. n., and H. abdominalis (Kurosawa) is newly recorded from China. The following taxonomic changes are established: Sericothrips houji (Chou & Feng) comb. n. (from Hydatothrips).

The three Chinese species of the tropiduchid genus Epora Walker are revised, including one new species, E. biprolata sp. nov. from Hainan Province, China. Morphological description or diagnoses and illustrations for Chinese Epora and an identification key for all nine species worldwide are provided.