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At present just about 30% of the waste plastic collected is efficiently recycled, while the rest is incinerated, disposed in landfills, or can end up in compost and be released in the environment, inducing a very negative effect on safety and health of flora and fauna. Sustainable management of hardly recyclable plastic waste generated by light weight single use packaging and agricultural films can be improved by applying biotechnological approaches, combining microorganisms, new enzymes, earthworms, and insects to work collaboratively, not only to promote the degradation of these plastics but also to obtain, by-products of the biodegradation process to be valorized as fertilizers, functional polysaccharides, etc. In order to develop a feasible process, mapping and characterization of the most diffused agri-food waste plastic were conducted isolating the main types of plastic involved. Plastic waste in agriculture is mainly constituted by polyethylene (PE) both linear low density (LLDPE) and high density (HDPE), polypropylene (PP) and polystyrene (PS), whereas in food packaging polyethylene is still present together with a large presence of polypropylene, polystyrene and polyethylene terephthalate (PET). Combining plastic presence and availability of organisms for their degradability, representative samples of plastics (PE, PET, PS) were selected for analysis of deterioration and potential subsequent biodegradation by enzymes and organisms. To monitor the plastic degradability by enzymes, and larvae, methods for the plastic analysis were set, outlining some differences in virgin and post consumer plastic in particular after use in agriculture, assessing the possibility to monitor the degradability of plastic with time and different treatments, in particular, some evidence of polyethylene degradability from larvae of Tenebrio molitor was observed.

First faunistic results of a collaborative study about the terrestrial invertebrates present in three small islands near the coast of the province of Almeria (Spain) are presented. A total of 385 individuals were captured (373 arthropods and 12 mollusks). From these samplings 118 different species have been identified and three others are under study. Our results provide new insight into the invertebrate diversity of these small islands. Of special interest is the finding of several rare species which could represents new taxa for science, namely a chloropid in the genus Conioscinella and a braconid of the subfamily Microgastrinae. Several new reports are also relevant, specially the first European record of the phoretic mite Hypoaspis phyllognathi. With respect to Andalusia, we provide the first record of the encirtid Ericydnus aeneus. Referring to Almería province, we report for the first time the chilopod Algerophilus hispanicus, the springtails Hemisotoma pontica, Xenylla mediterranea and Anurida maritima, and the staflinids Aleochara bipustulata and Atheta pallidicornis. Taxa with morphological differences have been found with respect to their counterparts in the continental zone, and other rare species in the peninsular area, such as Tetragnatha intermedia or Cryptocephalus espanoli. Other records of interest about the dipteran fauna of these small islands, already published previously, are included as a comprehensive summary of the invertebrate fauna of the studied area. By islands, San Andrés and Terreros have presented the greatest variety in taxa, 61 and 60 respectively, while on Isla Negra, only 22 have been recorded. Se presentan los primeros resultados faunísticos del estudio colaborativo sobre los invertebrados terrestres presentes en tres pequeñas islas (isla de San Andrés, isla de Terreros e isla Negra) cercanas a la costa de la provincia de Almería (España). De un total de 385 individuos capturados (373 artrópodos y 12 moluscos, se han identificado entre 118 \ 121 taxones diferentes, destacando la localización de varias especies raras que podrían representar nuevos taxones para la ciencia, un clorópido del género Conioscinella y un bracónido de la subfamilia Microgastrinae. Resultan de interés varios registros nuevos, como la primera cita europea del ácaro forético Hypoaspis phyllognathi. Respecto a Andalucía, aportamos el primer registro del encírtido Ericydnus aeneus, y referente a la provincia de Almería, el quilópodo Algerophilus hispanicus, los colémbolos Hemisotoma pontica, Xenylla mediterranea y Anurida maritima, y los estaflínidos Aleochara bipustulata y Atheta pallidicornis. Se han encontrado taxones con diferencias morfológicas respecto a sus homólogos de la zona continental, y otras especies raras en el ámbito peninsular, como Tetragnatha intermedia o Cryptocephalus espanoli. Se incluyen otros registros de interés sobre la fauna de dípteros de estas pequeñas islas, ya publicados con anterioridad, a modo de resumen integral de la fauna invertebrada del área estudiada. Por islas, San Andrés y Terreros han presentado la mayor variedad en taxones, 61 y 60 respectivamente, mientras que, en isla Negra, solo se han registrado 22

Agriculture is one of the most widespread human activities and has the greatest impact on terrestrial ecosystems, as it transforms natural ecosystems into artificial landscapes using, in many cases, large amounts of pesticides as well as overexploiting natural resources. Therefore, for effective biodiversity conservation, it is necessary to include agricultural systems in conservation programs. In this work, the 50 plant taxa described for Spain as threatened by agricultural use were selected. These were divided according to the type of threat into those affected by crop extension, intensification, or abandonment. In addition, information was obtained concerning their conservation status, level of protection and functional traits (life form, pollination, and dispersal). Finally, the evolution of land use, in the areas near the populations of the selected species, was identified. The selected taxa belong to 21 families and present different life forms and modes of dispersal or pollination. Forty-six percent are endangered (EN) and most are included in legal protection lists. Nearly three-quarters are threatened by crop expansion and land use dynamics, reflecting an expansion of cultivated areas, which adds further pressure to these species. In addition to agricultural expansion, taxa are also at risk, due to important rates of agricultural land abandonment, and mention agricultural intensification. Nevertheless, conservation measures do exist to promote biodiversity in agricultural landscapes that may help to reverse the negative effect of land use dynamics on selected species, but few are specific to threatened flora. Therefore, if threatened plants are to be conserved in agricultural areas, it is necessary to promote a profound transformation of our socioecological systems. One of these transformative changes could come from the human-nature reconnection.

Orthoptera is a very diverse group that has colonized practically all terrestrial ecosystems on the planet. They have adapted to live in the endogenous environment as well as in caves so that some species exhibit troglomorphic characteristics. This group has been extensively studied due to its economic and social importance, however, many basic morphological and biological questions remain to be solved. In this study, a comparative morphological study by scanning electron microscopy of different structures of eight species of micropteran crickets of the tribes Gryllomorphini and Petaloptilini, whose tegmina had lost their flight and song functionality was carried out. Special emphasis was placed on the tegmina and their possible relationship to reproductive functions. In addition, to assess troglomorphism in the genus Petaloptila, the biometric parameters of six other species have been considered. Actualization of the lifestyle of the studied species has also been carried out. The results show structures not previously described in this group (gland openings, setae, pores, or group of campaniform sensilla). Structures not previously described in this group have been detected, and tegmina (glandular openings and devoured tegmina) seem to confer a role in reproduction. Troglomorphisms are only observed in species of the subgenus Zapetaloptila. Statistically, significant differences have been found in characters such as cephalic elongation, ocular reduction, greater length of appendages, and depigmentation.

Este artículo contiene 138 páginas, 213 figuras, 14 tablas., Diplura is a group of entognathous hexapods, often considered a sister group to insects. They play an important role in recycling organic matter in soil and subterranean terrestrial ecosystems. The Campodeidae is the most diverse family, divided into four subfamilies. The subfamily Plusiocampinae has a subterranean life-style with many species distributed in the Euro-Mediterranean area. The incertae sedis tachycampoids (“lignée Tachycampoïde”) is a group within the family Campodeidae that share with the Plusiocampinae a strong preference for subterranean habitats and several morphological characters, such as slender body shape, elongated appendages, considerable increment in the number of antennomeres and cercal articles, and complexity of sensorial structures. The present monograph provides a taxonomic revision of the subfamily Plusiocampinae and the genera belonging to the tachycampoid lineage from Europe and the Mediterranean region. It comprises detailed morphological descriptions and illustrations together with data on the habitats and distributions of 87 species, 10 subspecies and 11 affinis forms. Seven new species are described among those, namely: Plusiocampa (Plusiocampa) apollo Sendra, Giachino & Vailati sp. nov., P. (P.) chiosensis Sendra & Gasparo sp. nov., P. (P.) dublanskii Sendra & Turbanov sp. nov., P. (P.) hoffmanni Sendra & Paragamian sp. nov., P. (P.) rhea Sendra sp. nov., P. (P.) ternovensis Sendra & Borko sp. nov. and P. (Venetocampa) ferrani Sendra & Delić sp. nov., DS’s field trips were funded by the Serbian Ministry of Education, Science and Technology (Grant 173038); KP was partially funded by the HISR project “Conservation of the Cave Fauna of Greece” funded by the MAVA Foundation and WWF Greece; PMG and DV carried out sampling in Greece using permits from the Ministry of Environment no. 124085/1362/2015, 135366/373/2016 and 166238/248/2018; IT was funded within the framework of the state assignment of FASO Russia (themes no. АААА-А18-118012690106-7 and АААА-А18-118012690105), supported in part by RFBR (project no. 17-54-40017Абх_а); sampling efforts by AF and colleagues resulted from various projects on the evolution of cave fauna diversity, some of them funded by the German Research Foundation, DFG (DFG FA 1042/1-1 and DFG BA 2152/14-1); PMG and DV were partly supported by the program “Research Missions in the Mediterranean Basin” sponsored by the World Biodiversity Association onlus XLI contribution; ASPSR was supported by a research grant (15471) from Villum Fonden.

Over the last three decades, intensive sampling of the MSS in the Iberian Peninsula has revealed new records of Leistus (Pogonophorus) puncticeps Fairmaire & Laboulbène, 1854 in previously unknown areas. These new records extend the species geographic range towards southern Mediterranean localities, showing a discontinu­ous distribution pattern across the eastern third of the Iberian Peninsula. Also, some slight variability in the shape of the apical lamina of the edeago is revealed. Abrupt landscape, especially in stony slopes, arises as a favorable habitat for the species. In general, the new localities for L. (P.) puncticeps have low and torrential precipitation, an average rainfall of around 600-700 mm, and remarkable thermal amplitude. The species is collected for the first time in the Mesovoid Sallow Substratum (MSS) using subterranean sampling devices (SSD). The pres­ence of this species in this hypogean habitat across several iberian areas (Sierra del Moncayo, mountains of the north of Alicante province and Sierra de María) indicates its (sub)troglophile condition. The new records, in addition to previously available data, suggest the same evolutionary history for L. (P.) puncticeps as for Leistus (Pogonophorus) montanus Stephens, 1827 and Leistus (Pogonophorus) parvicollis Chaudoir, 1869, being the three species glacial relicts as a result of vicariant speciation. The environmental changes that occurred during the postglacial time period could explain the discontinuous distribution that L. (P.) puncticeps shows at present and its tendency to occupy the MSS. Numerosos muestreos realizados por el territorio peninsular, a lo largo de estas tres últimas décadas, han deparado el hallazgo de Leistus (Pogonophorus) puncticeps Fairmaire & Laboulbène, 1854 en áreas geográfi­cas en las que se desconocía su presencia hasta la fecha. Las nuevas citas amplían la distribución ibérica de la especie hacia enclaves mediterráneos meridionales, perfilando un patrón de distribución discontinuo por el tercio oriental. Al mismo tiempo, estos hallazgos revelan cierta variabilidad, muy leve, en la forma de la lámina apical del edeago. Por otro lado, se confirman los parajes quebrados y abruptos como enclaves potencialmente favorables para la supervivencia de esta especie, especialmente si disponen de laderas pedregosas. En general, las nuevas localidades en donde se ha hallado L. (P.) puncticeps, cuentan con precipitación escasa y torrencial, una pluvio­sidad media que ronda los 600-700 mm, y una notable amplitud térmica. Como novedad, y utilizando Estaciones de Muestreo Subterráneo (EMS), se ha colectado en el Medio Subterráneo Superficial (MSS). El hallazgo de esta especie en este singular medio hipogeo y en diversos enclaves ibéricos (Sierra del Moncayo, formaciones montañosas del norte de la provincia de Alicante y Sierra de María), pone de manifiesto su tendencia troglófila, y más probablemente de tipo subtroglófila. Los nuevos hallazgos, sumados a los ya conocidos, sugieren que L. (P.) puncticeps ha seguido la misma historia evolutiva que Leistus (Pogonophorus) montanus Stephens, 1827 y Leistus (Pogonophorus) parvicollis Chaudoir, 1869, constituyendo una triada de relictos glaciales, resultado de un proceso de especiación por vicarianza. Los cambios acaecidos en el período postglacial explicarían la distribución discontinua que muestra en la actualidad L. (P.) puncticeps, y su tendencia a explorar, en estos enclaves, el MSS.

The mesovoid shallow substratum (MSS) can act as a climatic refuge for invertebrates, as a biogeographic corridor to deeper substrates or as a permanent habitat for some species. This study characterizes the seasonal invertebrate diversity and abundance of MSS ecosystems in central Portugal focusing on Diplopoda, Diplura, Orthoptera and Coleoptera during one year. Sampling was performed with standard MSS pitfalls in scree slopes (colluvial MSS) of karst areas and environmental parameters (temperature, pH, conductivity, water content, organic carbon, nitrate, phosphate and ammonium) were quantified. Our results show that winter was the season with the highest arthropod abundance and that the MSS acts as a permanent habitat for chordeumatidan millipedes and as a climatic refuge for orthopterans and most beetles. All Diplura collected belong to a single species known previously from surface habitats in the Iberian Peninsula, which does not seem to use the Portuguese MSS as a refuge. MSS habitats in central Portugal, classified as western Mediterranean and thermophile deposits protected by the Natura 2000 network based on plant communities and geology, revealed an abundant and diverse invertebrate community that urges characterization and protection.

A new species Eukoenenia amatei sp. nov. is described on the basis of a female captured in a cave in south-eastern Spain. It is characterized by the presence of a single blade on the lateral organ and the absence of a glandular complex on sternites IV and VI. Some of these characters are shared with five other species distributed in Europe, Asia, Africa and South and Central America. The new species is remarkable for the elongation of basitarsus of leg IV which is the second longest in the E. mirabilis group. Only one other species in this group, E. indalica, has similar troglomorphic characters. In addition, formulas of palp and leg chaetotaxy are provided to facilitate species comparison.

Two new species of cavernicolous Collembola belonging to genera Pygmarrhopalites Vargovitsh, 2009 and Pseudosinella Schaffer, 1897 from “Cueva del Saliente” (Almeria, Spain) are described: Pygmarrhopalites crepidinis Jordana & Baquero, n. sp. is characterized by trichobothria A, B and C forming a straight line towards posterior end; Ant. IV with five subsegments; all claws with inner tooth, all empodia with corner tooth, and empodial filaments surpassing tip of corresponding claw; anterior lobe of tenaculum with two apical chaetae; dens with 3, 2, 1,…, 1 anterior chaetae, and one external posterior spine. Pseudosinella najtae Jordana & Baquero, n. sp. is characterized by the absence of eyes; chaetotaxy R0R1R2011/10/0100+2, Abd. IV accessory chaeta s absent, all claws with four teeth, paired teeth at different level (41 and 52% of claw length from basis), all empodia with serrate external edge, labrum with all chaetae ciliated; labium posterior without M1, with M2rEL1L2, r smooth microchaetae; rem...

Although Iberian subsurface terrestrial habitats have been sampled for a half century, they remain poorly known. During the last five years much more sampling of these subsurface habitats has been made, mainly in scree slopes (also called colluvial Mesovoid Shallow Substratum habitats, MSS) but also in alluvial debris of temporal watercourses (alluvial MSS). In our study, diplurans, a basal hexapod group, were extracted from two hundred traps installed in 69 locations in the mountain ranges of six different regions of the Iberian Peninsula, from north to south: Cantabrian, Pyrenees, Iberic System, Central System, Prebaetic and Penibaetic Mountains. A total of 1251 specimens in fifteen dipluran species: thirteen described Campodeidae, one described Japygidae and one new Campodea species inhabiting the alluvial MSS habitats of the watercourses of Prebaetic Mountains. A few populations of these dipluran species show troglobiomorphic features as a consequence of the medium-sized voids of the MSS habitats, such as Campodea grassii Silvestri, 1912, collected in a scree slope connected with a deep subterranean system in Penyas Roset, Prebaetic Mountains. Most species found in MSS habitats are endogean or epiedaphic species living in the area, but this is not the case in Sierra de Guadarrama, where three species (Campodea propinqua Silvestri, 1932, Campodea neusae Sendra & Moreno, 2006 and Campodea zuluetai Silvestri, 1932) unknown in the soil of these mountains have appeared in these subsurface terrestrial habitats., This work has been supported by the research projects CGL2010-19924 and 1143/2014. V.M.O. was supported by the I3 program of the Spanish Ministry of Education and Science, and AJ.-V. was supported by the MINECO Ramón y Cajal Program (RYC-2013-14441).

Summary Although crickets, katydids and grasshoppers (order Orthoptera) are generally considered archetypical examples of herbivory, cumulative evidence shows that they are actually omnivorous, feeding on a wide range of organic matter, including carrion. The present study compiles the collections of 30 Orthoptera species, from both suborders, Ensifera and Caelifera, with the use of carrion-baited traps in different natural habitats of central Spain. Higher numbers of females than males were observed, as well as higher numbers of adults than nymphs. The main part of the captures corresponded to the omnivorous cricket Nemobius sylvestris (Bosc). Possible explanations for necrophagous behaviour in Orthoptera and the observed sex-related differences are discussed.

We describe the effect of a Beauveria bassiana solid formulation on Rhynchophorus ferrugineus infesting naturally canary palms in SE Spain in the field. The formulation included a highly pathogenic strain of B. bassiana derived from R. ferrugineus. The formulation was applied 3 times in 2009 in 2 sites (Catral and El Hondo), at 3-month intervals. Beauveria bassiana caused 70–85% R. ferrugineus mortality. Beauveria bassiana solid formulation with high RPW pathogenicity and persistence, could be applied as a preventive as well as curative treatment for RPW control. Our B. bassiana formulation can be a significant component of an IPM strategy for RPW control.

The taxonomic status of the Iberian species of the genera Pterolepis Rambur, 1838 and Rhacocleis Fieber, 1853 is revised through the study of 126 specimens from different private and institutional collections. Pterolepis grallata (Pantel, 1886) is reinstated as a valid species as a result of morphological studies and phylogenetic analysis. The criterion of Willemse & Willemse (2005) not accepting the use of number of apical spurs of hind tibiae as a character for genera separation is followed, so that all Iberian species included up to now in these genera belong to genus Pterolepis.Se revisa la situación taxonómica de las especies ibéricas encuadradas en los géneros Pterolepis Rambur, 1838 y Rhacocleis Fieber, 1853 mediante el estudio de 126 ejemplares procedentes de diversas instituciones y colecciones. Se restituye Pterolepis grallata (Pantel, 1886) como especie válida en función del estudio morfológico y filogenético. Se acepta el criterio de Willemse & Willemse (2005), descartando la utilización de la espinación apical de las tibias posteriores como carácter para discriminar los géneros, por el que todas las especies ibéricas citadas hasta el momento en esos géneros, pertenecen al género Pterolepis.

The subfamily Pteridopodinae (Chyzeriidae) is reviewed and an updated diagnosis is provided for the family and the subfamily. A new genus, Iberochyzeria gen. nov., is described from mites parasitizing Orthoptera (Acrididae) in southern Spain. In addition, a list of species and a diagnosis for the larvae and postlarval instars are provided for each genus of the subfamily, as well as comments about their taxonomic status. Napassenia Haitlinger, 1999 is synonymized with Parawenhoekia Paoli 1937. A key to the species of Pteridopodinae is presented.

A new species, Balaustium biscutalae sp. n., from the southeast of Spain is described and illustrated. It was captured in two different sampling sessions from the semi-desert area in the province of Almeria, Andalucia. The new species is easily differentiated from all the other species of the group by the presence of two pairs of scutalae on the scutum instead of three.

The new species Eukoenenia maroccana is described from six specimens (two males, two females and two immatures) collected in Kef Aziza Cave, Morocco, and is distinguished from all other Eukoenenia species by the presence of thickened opisthosomal glandular setae in males on sternites IV– VI. The genitalia and chaetotaxy of both adult sexes show differences from other species of Eukoenenia and are discussed in this paper. RESUMEN. Se describe Eukoenenia maroccana a partir de seis ejemplares (dos machos, dos hembras y dos inmaduros) capturados en la gruta de Kef Aziza, Marruecos. Lo mas destacable y del todo singular de esta nueva especie es la particular presencia de setas glandulares esternales engrosadas del macho, la genitalia y resto de quetotaxia de ambos sexos.

Sampling of a Mesovoid Shallow Substratum (MSS) of a scree in the Guadarrama mountains (Madrid, Spain) revealed a population of crickets of the genus Nemobius Serville. A detailed morphological study revealed that the cricket was a new species, Nemobius interstitialis sp. nov., which is principally characterized by the absence of a tympanum in the outer margin of the foreleg tibiae and a peculiar design of venation of the forewing of the male. Sampling of this environment over 1 year using surface and MSS pitfall traps, set at a depth of one meter, allowed study of population dynamics. A population maximum is attained in August. Abiotic (temperature and humidity) and biotic (accompanying fauna) data are given to contextualize the habitat of this new species.

Alhamitrombium tetraseta n. g., n. sp. (Acari: Eutrombidiidae: Eutrombidiinae) is described from two larvae ectoparasitic on Trymosternus bolivari Mateu (Coleoptera: Carabidae) from Almería, Spain. The new genus is distinguished from Hexathrombium Cooreman, 1944 and Beronium Southcott, 1986 on the basis of details of the coxalae. A key to the genera of larval Hexathrombiini is presented.

The evolution of digestive proteases during larval development of Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Olivier, 1790) has been studied. A progressive increase of protease activity has been found. The optimum pH for proteolytic activity against azocasein was determined. Caseinograms revealed an active complex of alkaline proteases from the early stages of the development. From the apparent molecular masses, three groups of proteases have been found - high molecular-mass proteases, medium molecular-mass proteases, and low molecular-mass proteases. Studies using specific protease inhibitors showed the major presence of serine proteases in gut extracts. The results obtained from larvae reared on different substrates have made possible a comparative assessment of the influence of diet on the development of the digestive enzymatic system. Larvae fed on an artificial diet showed a complete pattern of digestive proteases. Data suggest that this diet seems to be suitable for future research with this insect pest.

Eukoenenia indalica sp. nov. is described from a female captured in a cave in the mountains of Almeria, in Andalusia, southeastern Spain. It belongs to the E. mirabilis group, which includes species found in the Mediterranean region, Macaronesia, the Caribbean and, in one case, worldwide. The new species is unique within this group in showing cave-dwelling traits, especially the elongation of the legs. Its IVbta is the third largest known for a palpigrade, after those of Eukoenenia draco and E. sagarana. The chaetotaxy and metric data indicate that E. indalica sp. nov. is related to local endogean species.

Six species have been described in the genus Sphaerotarsus, five from Australia and one from Iran. Only three of them have been described from larvae. The knowledge of this small group is very limited, and here we describe and illustrate the larvae of Sphaerotarsus baenai sp. nov. collected from soil in two provinces of Andalusia, Spain. This is the fourth larval species described in the genus, and the first report of Sphaerotarsus for the European fauna. A key to the species of Sphaerotarsus larvae is provided.

The discovery of several members of the genus Coletinia Wygodzinsky, 1980, from subterranean habitats (endogean and troglobiont), prompted the review of this genus in the Iberian Peninsula. Most of the samples came from caves of the Mediterranean basin of Spain, from Cádiz to the Tarragona province. As a result of this revision, nine new species have been established: C. herculea n. sp., an endogean from Cádiz; C. vergitana n. sp. from the Gádor calcareous mountains in Almería; C. calaforrai n. sp. from the gypsum karst in Almería; C. intermedia n. sp. from caves in Murcia and Alicante; C. diania n. sp., found in the north of the province of Alicante; C. longitibia n. sp. and C. tessella n. sp., both troglobites from Valencia; C. redetecta n. sp. from Castellón caves and finally C. hernandoi n. sp., an endogean from Tarragona. Moreover, Coletinia maggii (Grassi, 1887) is reported for the first time in the Iberian Peninsula, and new data are presented regarding C. mendesi, C. tinautiand C. capolongoi that widen their geographic distribution and enhance the information about their anatomic characteristics and biology. These results increase the number of known species of this genus to 14 in the region and to 21 in the world. The new species are described and compared with the most closely related previously known species of the genus. Characters with the most taxonomic relevance are discussed using optical and scanning microscope studies. A key for the identification of the Iberian Coletinia species and a distribution map including all of them are also provided.

Nevada capileirarum n. g., n. sp. (Acari: Microtrombidiidae: Microtrombidiinae) is described from ectoparasitic larvae parasitising two endemic species of Orthoptera (Tettigoniidae), Baetica ustulata (Rambur) and Pycnogaster inermis (Rambur) from the Sierra Nevada mountain range, Granada, Spain. A key to the larvae of microtrombidiine genera with three dorsal scuta and a coxal setal formula of 2-1-1 is presented.

International audience; A total of 36 larvae were captured parasitizing 4 species of Tettigoniidae (Orthoptera, Ensifera) and two phasmids (Phasmatodea) in the Reserva Biologica Alberto Manuel Brenes in Costa Rica. Here, we report the second capture of two species of mites since their original descriptions Leptus nikanori Haitlinger, 2000 (Erythraeidae) from Costa Rica and Charletonia domawiti Haitlinger, 2004 (Erythraeidae) from Brazil and each only known from a single specimen. We also describe and illustrate Charletonia salazari sp. nov. captured parasitizing Scopiorinus mucronatus (Saussure & Pictet, 1898) (Orthoptera, Tettigoniidae, Pseudophyllinae). A key for the species of the genus Charletonia from the New World is provided.

The Red Palm Weevil (Rhynchophorus ferrugineus) is a devastating pest of palms in the Mediterranean, Middle East, and Eastern countries. No effective control measures are available. R. ferrugineus has been found naturally infected by the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana, but its infection process in this host is unknown. We have studied the infection of R. ferrugineus larvae and adults by B. bassiana using dry conidia and conidia suspensions using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). In early stages, SEM revealed acquisition of B. bassiana conidia by cuticle ornamentation in legs, antennae, and elytra of R. ferrugineus adults. Subsequently, conidia germinated and frequent episodes of hyphal/conidial fusion were found. Appressoria, signs of adhesion and cuticle degradation led to penetration (even direct) and colonization of R. ferrugineus hosts by the fungus. B. bassiana conidiophores were found in a R. ferrugineus cuticle, which indicate the completion of the life cycle of the fungus in the insect host. SEM has proven that dry conidia of B. bassiana is an adequate inoculum for R. ferrugineus infection. SEM revealed that conidia of B. bassiana attached to the cuticle of R. ferrugineus can germinate and differentiate appressoria.

A novel end-point fluorimetric procedure based on the use of rhodamine-110-labeled specific substrate was developed to determine trypsin activities in biological samples. We evaluated the ability of trichloroacetic acid and acetic acid to stop the enzymatic reaction without hindering the detection of the fluorescence of rhodamine-110 released into the reaction mixture from the specific substrate (CBZ-L-alanyl-L-arginine)(2)-rhodamine-110. Trichloroacetic acid decreased markedly the fluorescence of rhodamine-110, even at low concentrations. On the other hand, the addition of 50 mmol/l acetic acid inactivated efficiently trypsin activity, causing minor effects on rhodamine-110 fluorescence. The proposed procedure was more sensitive than the spectrophotometric end-point method using N-alpha-benzoyl-DL-arginine-p-nitroanilide as substrate. The possibility of carrying out end-point fluorimetric assays improves the performance of monocell fluorimeters by setting specific conditions optimal for each enzyme activity independently of the fluorimeter. This method also allows replicate assays to be conducted simultaneously, resulting in considerable time saving and in increased performance of low-cost equipment.

Se establece la situación de las poblaciones de la langosta marroquí mediante el cartografiado en coordenadas utm. Paralelamente se ha caracterizado el hábitat típico de la especie como un pastizal nitrofilo compuesto básicamente por stipa capensis y tres zonas de reserva en la provincia. Se ha estimado la densidad de individuos, su ocupación, dinámica de formación de las manchas, estima del numero de individuos y movolidad en cada uno de los estadios. Así mismo, se ha realizado la monetización del desarrollo postembrionario mediante el ajuste a modelos logísticos. Se han observado otros aspectos de la biología como la oviposicion y desarrollo embrionario, estimando su duración en 472 gda. El estudio de las fases se ha observado utilizando el análisis discriminante para caracterizar cada una de ellas. finalmente se ha realizado un ensayocon i.g.r.s. para evaluar su eficacia, Universidad de Granada. Departamento de Biología Animal, Ecología y Genética. Leída el 18-03-97

Sampling of a Mesovoid Shallow Substratum (MSS) of a scree in the Guadarrama mountains (Madrid, Spain) revealed a population of crickets of the genus Nemobius Serville. A detailed morphological study revealed that the cricket was a new species, Nemobius interstitialis sp. nov. , which is principally characterized by the absence of a tympanum in the outer margin of the foreleg tibiae and a peculiar design of venation of the forewing of the male. Sampling of this environment over 1 year using surface and MSS pitfall traps, set at a depth of one meter, allowed study of population dynamics. A pop-ulation maximum is attained in August. Abiotic (temperature and humidity) and biotic (accompanying fauna) data are giv-en to contextualize the habitat of this new species.

We present a description of the first indigenous member of the arachnid order Palpigradi from Australia. Eukoenenia guzikae, sp. nov. was collected from subterranean environments in the Yilgarn region of Western Australia. The sole male specimen differs from all other members of the genus in several small but significant ways, including by the combined presence of six blades in the prosomal lateral organs, nine pairs of setae on the propeltidium, the presence of a spur on coxa IV, the chaetotaxy of sternites IV–VIII, and the shape of the male genital lobes. It shows some similarities in the male genital region to a group of species found in Madagascar.

The genus Abalakeus was only known from the larval stage parasitic on orthopterans or free-living usually on plants. Some larval specimens of Abalakeus lorestanicus were captured in Andalucia, Spain on Steropleurus andalusius (Rambur, 1838) (Orthoptera, Ephippigerinae) and were reared to the nymphal stage. In this paper, the nymphal stage of Abalakeus is described for the first time.

Eutrombidium sorbasiensis sp. nov. is described from the Gypsum Karst of Sorbas, Almeria. It is similar to E. felmanmuhsamae Feider, 1977 in the lanceolate AL scutalae, but some characters, mainly the leg chetotaxy, allows us to describe a new species. This is the first time a Eutrombidium (larva) is described from Spain.

Forania (Acari: Parasitengona: Erythraeidae) is a poorly known genus parasitic on ants, recorded only twice and not since 1930. In the present work, we re-describe the only described species, Forania mentonensis (André). Some drawings and technical information of the types are published for the first time. A new specimen captured from the south of Spain is described as Forania sendrai sp. nov. In addition, some taxonomic and biological questions of the group are addressed.

[spa] Se realiza un recorrido histórico a través del conocimiento de la entomofauna cavernícola de la Cordillera Bética. Para ello se ha considerado la región biogeográfica Bética de la fauna cavernícola, la cual coincide prácticamente con la Comunidad Autónoma Andaluza. Partimos de las valiosas y pioneras prospecciones del abate Henri Breuil a principios del siglo XX, seguidas de las escasas prospecciones o estudios entomológicos realizados en cavidades andaluzas durante las décadas de la segunda mitad del siglo XX. Finalmente se resalta el importante auge de la investigación bioespeleológica en la última década del pasado siglo y comienzo del actual. El esfuerzo de determinados grupos espeleológicos, investigadores y sobre todo de las Universidades, han proporcionado un gran avance a la Bioespeleología Bética, mediante la ejecución de proyectos de investigación específicos. Todo ello ha generado una importante cantidad de artículos que han incrementado de forma espectacular las especies conocidas y el número de nuevos taxones descritos., [eng] The knowledge of the entomological fauna of the Betic Mountains is made through an historic point of view. In this way it is considered the biogeographic Betic region for the cave dwelling fauna that overlaps with the Andalusian Autonomous Region. We start from the first and valuable samplings of the abbot Henri Breuil at beginning of last century. Followed by scarce prospectings or entomological studies made in Andalusian caves during the last half of XX century. Finally it is rebounded the high development of the biospeological investigation in the last decade of XX century and first years of actually one. The great effort made by several speological associations, Scientists and Universities have conducted to a very big progress for the Betic Biospeology knowledge by the development of specific research projects. All these have generated a considerable number of papers which have increased unexpectedly the known species and new described taxa.