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After reexamining the syntype series of Perlodinella kozlovi Klapálek, 1912, a new species of Perlodinella, P. tibetensis Huo & Du sp. nov. is proposed, and a lectotype is designated for P. kozlovi. Another monotypic genus of Perlodidae, Rauserodes Zwick (1999), is considered as a synonym of Perlodinella in this paper.

Neuropsychological assessment provides a profound analysis of cognitive functioning in people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Individuals on the autistic spectrum often show a high level of anxiety and are frequently affected by comorbidities that influence their quality of life. Yet, they also have cognitive strengths that should be identified in order to develop effective support strategies. This article presents an overview of five cognitive areas that are essential for neuropsychological evaluation (ie, intelligence, attention, executive function, social cognition, and praxis) and explores the underlying causes of behavioral problems in persons with ASD. Furthermore, it stresses the importance of meticulous neuropsychological testing with regard to cognitive remediation, a method that can help to enhance single cognitive processes in a targeted manner. Objective test results suggest it might be possible to promote an improved sense of coherence. In line with the salutogenic model, this may be fundamental for human health and well-being.La evaluación neuropsicológica facilita un profundo análisis del funcionamiento cognitivo en las personas con trastorno del espectro autista (TEA). Los sujetos con el espectro autista a menudo muestran un alto nivel de ansiedad y presentan con frecuencia comorbilidades que influyen en su calidad de vida. Sin embargo, ellos también tienen fortalezas cognitivas que deben ser identificadas para desarrollar estrategias de soporte efectivas. Este artículo entrega una panorámica de cinco áreas cognitivas que son esenciales para la evaluación neuropsicológica (como inteligencia, atención, función ejecutiva, cognición social y praxis) y explora las causas subyacentes de los problemas conductuales en personas con TEA. Además, se enfatiza la importancia de una evaluación neuropsicológica rigurosa en relación con la remediación cognitiva, un método que puede ayudar a mejorar los procesos cognitivos individuales de una manera específica. Los resultados de las pruebas objetivas sugieren que podría ser posible fomentar un mejor sentido de coherencia en las personas con TEA. En línea con el modelo salutífero, esto puede ser fundamental para la salud y el bienestar humanos.L'évaluation neuropsychologique permet une analyse approfondie du fonctionnement cognitif chez les sujets atteints de trouble du spectre de l'autisme (TSA). Ces derniers présentent souvent une anxiété importante et souffrent fréquemment de comorbidités influant sur leur qualité de vie. Ils ont pourtant également des aptitudes cognitives qui devraient être identifiées afin de développer des stratégies de soutien efficaces. Cet article présente une vue d'ensemble des cinq domaines cognitifs essentiels pour l'évaluation neuropsychologique (c'est-à-dire, l'intelligence, l'attention, la fonction exécutive, la cognition et la pratique sociales) et explore les causes sous-jacentes des problèmes comportementaux chez les sujets atteints de TSA. De plus, l'importance d'une évaluation neuropsychologique rigoureuse y est soulignée en ce qui concerne la remédiation cognitive, une méthode qui peut améliorer de façon ciblée des processus cognitifs particuliers. D'après des résultats objectifs, le sens de la cohérence pourrait être amélioré chez les sujets ayant un TSA. Ceci pourrait s'avérer crucial pour la santé et le bien-être chez l'homme dans le cadre d'une démarche basée sur la salutogenèse (promotion de la santé).

The genus Pachycyphon is erected for marsh beetles (Coleoptera: Scirtidae) from tropical rainforests in Queensland, Australia. The following species are included: P. corpulentus sp. n., P. crassus sp. n., P. elegans sp. n., P. funicularis sp. n., P. gravis sp. n., P. monteithi sp. n., P. obesus sp. n., P. pinguis sp. n., P. serratus sp. n., P. turgidus sp. n. (the type species). Females are wingless and have fossorial ovipositors, a terrestrial larval life is therefore hypothesized. Pachycyphon is compared with other genera, especially probable relatives from temperate rainforests in southeasternAustralia.

The endemic Australasian species of Ypsiloncyphon are the sister group of the combined Asian species groups 1, 2, and 4. The description of the type species, Y. chlorizans (Klausnitzer), is supplemented by details of male and female genitalia. New species are described and illustrated in several genera: Austrocyphon scissus n. sp., Leptocyphon abnormis n. sp., Petrocyphon bonang n. sp., P. lacteus n. sp., P. televisionarius n. sp., Prionocyphon bidentatus n. sp., P. cacatua n. sp., P. laurae n. sp., P. neboissi n. sp., P. serratus n. sp., P. uncatus n. sp., and P. urbanus n. sp. Genus Prionocyphon is distinguished from Oriental genera with similar antennal modifications. However, a synapomorphy of Prionocyphon as presently understood is not known. Supplementary information on various species in the aforementioned genera and in Pachycyphon and Calvarium is provided. A key to the genera of adult Australian Scirtidae: Scirtinae is presented.

Larvae collected in phytotelmata on Palawan, the Philippines, were bred and yielded three new species of genus Exochomoscirtes which are described. Exochomoscirtes pupae are described for the first time, and supplementary descriptions of larvae and females and some biological notes are provided. Scirtes (Curtoscirtes ?) brunneus sp. n. is named from a field-collected male. Larvae of unidentified species of Prionocyphon and Hydrocyphon are also recorded from Palawan.

New taxa and previously unavailable life stages of known species of Diptera: Blephariceridae from New Caledonia are described. Curupirina comosipes sp. n. differs distinctly from the three named species in the genus. However, separating larvae of the other species was not possible. Descriptions of the male and first instar larva of Nesocurupira curtirostris Stuckenberg are added. All life stages of Stuckenbergina hystrix gen. et sp. n. are described. A single larva of it had in the past been reported as possible Paltostomatinae (today classified as a tribe, Paltostomatini). However, all New Caledonian net-winged midges belong to Apistomyiini. All are endemic, and three of them even of restricted distribution on the main island.

There is no consensus about the relations of Plecoptera with other insects. Very different sistergroup relationships have been proposed in the literature, several of which are discussed. The phylogenetic analysis is hampered by the diversity among Plecoptera. In the literature, traits of particular subgroups of Plecoptera have sometimes been mistaken as typical of the entire order. A plea for revived interest in plecopteran morphology is made in order to document the existing diversity and to establish the ground pattern of important structures for meaningful comparisons with other insects. A possible sistergroup relationship between Plecoptera and the remaining Neoptera, on the one hand, and a sistergroup relationship with the Polyneoptera on the other hand, seem most likely. Suggested close relationships of Plecoptera with Embioptera and Phasmatodea are refuted. Molecular data so far also failed to provide robust phylogenetic hypotheses for the placement of Plecoptera.

The conspecificity of putative male B. ventralis described by Zwick and Weinzierl (1995) with the female holotype is confirmed by comparison of fresh Hungarian material. However, the putative larva of B. ventralis is not conspecific but is actually the larva of Besdolus illyricus sp. n. which we describe from Montenegro. Notes on the genus are given.

Morphological and behavioural adaptations enable Scirtes hemisphaericus to pupate under water, using emergent macrophytes as snorkels to breathe atmospheric air. The last instar larva bites into emergent macrophytes until the aerenchym is exposed. The pupa pushes its fore body into the wound, becoming surrounded by an air film in continuity with intracellular and atmospheric air. The pupa lacks normal ecdysial sutures, instead, its cuticle ruptures between the pro- and mesothorax. The fore body cuticle remains in place, preserving the connection to atmospheric air for the immature beetle. Pupation in earthen cells is known only in Elodes. Several other genera pupate under some cover, or freely exposed. Most pupae have 2–4 horn-like pronotal processes and 2–4 caudal attachment organs which differ between genera and sexes. Hydrocyphon (which pupates under water) and S. hemisphaericus pupae lack pronotal horns and attachment organs.

Limonicola hoguei sp. n. is named from Argentina, province Jujuy, and all life stages are described. A lectotype is designated for Paltostoma saltana Edwards and the previously unknown male, pupa and first instar larva are described from new specimens from Tucuman province.

Summary 1. The stonefly Nemurella pictetii has a highly variable life cycle and is semi- and uni-, but also plurivoltine in different geographical areas. 2. The influence of the type of food on growth and maturation of larvae was studied in laboratory experiments. Food preference was also assessed. 3. Larvae of N. pictetii are strongly opportunistic feeders utilising a broad range of food sources. However, biofilm was preferred over detritus (conditioned leaves), green algae and animal food. The highly mobile larvae quickly found the preferred food. Larvae fed on biofilm grew and developed significantly faster than larvae fed on conditioned leaves. 4. Larval growth and maturation in experiments as well as in the field differed with available food qualities. Phases of faster growth and maturation corresponded well with maximum availability of biofilm in the field. This contributes to the interpretations of differences in life cycles in the field.

Madagascar is inhabited by the single stonefly genus, Madenemura Paulian (= Tsaranemura Paulian, new synonymy). The original material of R. Paulian and the types of all nominal species proposed by him are lost. The type species, M. capuroni Paulian is distinct but material is presently not available. Madenemura andringitrensis Paulian (= M. perrieri Paulian, new synonymy), M. descarpentriesi Paulian, and M. culminalis Paulian are redescribed from subjectively identified fresh material. Madenemura pauliani new species is named from two females with overlong ovipositor. Madenemura bezanozano Paulian and M. stuckenbergi Paulian are doubtful species that cannot be recognized among the presently available material.

The genus Pachycyphon is erected for marsh beetles (Coleoptera: Scirtidae) from tropical rainforests in Queensland, Australia. The following species are included: P. corpulentus sp. n., P. crassus sp. n., P. elegans sp. n., P. funicularis sp. n., P. gravis sp. n., P. monteithi sp. n., P. obesus sp. n., P. pinguis sp. n., P. serratus sp. n., P. turgidus sp. n. (the type species). Females are wingless and have fossorial ovipositors, a terrestrial larval life is therefore hypothesized. Pachycyphon is compared with other genera, especially probable relatives from temperate rainforests in southeastern Australia.

The related new genera Austrocyphon and Tasmanocyphon are erected for 42 small Australian marsh beetles resembling members of the genus Cyphon Paykull in habitus. They are distinguished from Cyphon. Only males are known of most species but for two of them larvae and pupae are also available. Austrocyphon species occur in all Australian Federal States, and one species is Australasian and shared with Papua New Guinea. The following species are included: Austrocyphon acaciae sp. n., A. aculeatus sp. n., A. acustropicus sp. n., A. adelaidae (Blackburn), A. asper sp. n., A. bidens sp. n., A. bifidus sp. n., A. charon sp. n., A. crinitus (Klausnitzer), A. curvispina, sp. n., A. deserticola sp. n., A. doctus (Lea), A. enigmaticus sp. n., A. excisus sp. n., A. fenestratus (Blackburn), A. flagellifer sp. n., A. furcatus sp. n., A. hamatus sp. n., A. harpago sp. n., A. leptophallus sp. n., A. linguatus sp. n., A. lobatus sp. n., A. neptunus sp. n., A. noctua sp. n., A. ovensensis (Blackburn), A. papilio sp. n., A. perdoctus sp. n., A. pictus (Blackburn), A. quadridens sp. n., A. quinquespinosus sp. n., A. robustus sp. n., A. setifer sp. n., A. spiculifer sp. n., A. stylatus sp. n., A. stylifer sp. n., A. submersus sp. n., A. tinea sp. n., A. tomweiri sp. n., A. tribulator sp. n., A. tropicus sp. n., A. unguiculatus sp. n., A. wattsi sp. n.Tasmanocyphon is endemic to Tasmania, and only the adult male is known. The genus is monotypic, including only T. heideae, sp. n.

New monotypic genera proposed are: Cygnocyphon ibex n. gen., n. sp., Eximiocyphon excisus n. gen., n. sp., and Paracyphon avicularis n. gen., n. sp. Also proposed are the new genera Leptocyphon n. gen., with L. furcalonga, n. sp. and L. quadricornutus, n. sp., Tectocyphon n. gen., with T. microphallus n. sp., T. hirsutus n. sp., and T. victoriae n. sp. The diagnosis of genus Eurycyphon Watts is amended, E. fulvus Watts and E. aquilus Watts are partly redescribed. New species are: Eurycyphon barringtoni n. sp., E. castaneus n. sp., E. falcatus n. sp., E. parvus n. sp., E. perlatus n. sp., E. thunguttii, n. sp., E. tomweiri n. sp., and E. tricornis n. sp. Species of Nanocyphon are discussed and N. tasmanicus n. sp. is described. Contacyphon forcipatus n. sp. is described and an apparently introduced population of the European Contacyphon putonii Gozis is reported from West Australia. For comparison with some of the new taxa the redescription of Pseudomicrocara orientalis Armstrong, type species of the genus, is supplemented.

The new genus Nothocyphon (type species: Helodes (Cyphon ?) lindensis Blackburn, 1892) is proposed for small Contacyphon-like Australian beetles. The included species exhibit a generalized body structure, lacking the derived character expressions of related genera. Male tergite 9 is very weakly developed, membranous and bare. This is derived but as a reduction only weakly supports the monophyly of Nothocyphon.The new genus includes 39 species, with 37 newly described herein: Nothocyphon alces, n. sp., N. amita, n. sp., N. amphora, n. sp., N. armatus, n. sp., N. armstrongi, n. sp., N. auritus, n. sp., N. banksiae, n. sp., N. biserratus, n. sp., N. brevihamatus, n. sp., N. crux, n. sp., N. denticulatus, n. sp., N. donnabuangi, n. sp., N. esau, n. sp., N. frater (Blackburn), n. comb., N. horridus, n. sp., N. ímitator, n. sp., N. isolaeregis, n. sp., N. lanceolatus, n. sp., N. lindensis (Blackburn), n. comb., N. multidentatus, n. sp., N. naso, n. sp., N. nungatta, n. sp., N. pacificus, n. sp., N. patruelis, n. sp., N. platyphallus, n. sp., N. plicatus, n. sp., N. radula, n. sp., N. sarcophilus, n. sp., N. scutiger, n. sp., N. serratipenis, n. sp., N. signatus, n. sp., N. soror, n. sp., N. taeniatus, n. sp., N. taurus, n. sp., N. thylacinus, n. sp., N. triangulum, n. sp., N. vandiemeni, n. sp., N. wattsi, n. sp., N. ypsilon, n. sp.Lectotypes are designated for N. frater (Blackburn) and N. lindensis (Blackburn). All species are redescribed or described, and illustrated. Several informal species groups are recognized, and identification keys to males are provided.

The characteristic tibial spur structure is proposed as new synapomorphy of subfamily Edwardsininae and of tribe Blepharicerinae: Apistomyiini, respectively. Edwardsina bison (Victoria) and E. fimbriata (New South Wales) are new species described. Supplementary descriptions of several incompletely known species are presented and missing sexes and/or life stages described for Edwardsina bubalus, E. confusa, and Parapistomyia mueller. A second locality for Parapistomyia tropica is reported. Several trends of pupal gill transformation among Australian Edwardsina are viewed in a functional context, and the phylogenetic relations of the species concerned are reconsidered.

Larval structures diagnostic of several Plecoptera families, subfamilies or genera are described and illustrated. They concern the following: distinction of larval Leuctridae from Capniidae; an additional apomorphy of Nemouridae; a synapomorphy of Perlidae and Perlodidae; monophyly of each of the two subfamilies of Chloroperlidae, and the generic limits among Chloroperlidae: Paraperlinae. Paraperla lepnevae Zhiltzova is transferred to Utaperla. Some comments on Notonemouridae are included.

From April 1997 to June 1998 Nemurella pictetii populations were regularly sampled in two springstreams at 220 and 850 m a.s.l., respectively, in Hesse (Germany), at approximately 51°N. Random samples of larvae were taken at three week intervals during the vegetation period, and once a month during winter. Sex, instar, body length, head capsule width and wing pad length of all larvae were recorded. Temperatures were recorded every hour, temporal patterns of temperature agreed closely between sites. Mean winter lows were 3.9 °C at both sites, the mean summer high was 11.9 °C at the lower site, as opposed to 9.6 °C at the mountain site. At both sites, adult emergence started in May. At the mountain site, recruitment started in late July and continued into autumn. There was cohort splitting in the young generation. Some individuals grew rapidly until October–November, but last instar larvae first appeared in March the next year. 1600 degree-days above 0 °C were accumulated during complete development. At the lower site, recruitment began in early July, and cohort splitting also occurred. Fast growing summer recruits emerged as adults in late August, having accumulated only 700 degree-days (above 0 °C). Their offspring hatched in November-December and emerged the next spring, having accumulated also only 700 degree-days. However, only part of the population was bivoltine. Many of the summer recruits grew more slowly and accumulated close to 1900 degree days until they emerged the next spring, together with the offspring of their own fast-growing siblings. Dependence of growth rate on temperature could not be estimated and appears to vary with daylength. For example, 3–6 °C support growth and development provided daylength exceeds 10 hrs of light, or is rising. At both sites and in all cohorts individuals emerging earliest were larger than later emerging ones. The size decline is significantly correlated with number of days after the winter solstice. For the first time it is shown that the decline does not occur shortly before adult emergence but actually takes place several instars before the last. Size differences are then carried on, and amplified, during subsequent molts, until adulthood. The literature presently relates seasonal size declines of insects to high or rising temperatures experienced by larvae approaching adulthood. Our data show that, at least in Nemurella , this explanation fails. On average, females were distinctly larger than males. Differences in mean last instar size were noticed also between sites and years. They remain presently unexplained. The mean sex ratio in both populations was close to 1:1.

Ptychoptera (Paraptychoptera) delmastroi sp. n. is described from North Italy and compared with other species of the subgenus, including structural details of the auxiliary male sexual organ.

Field and laboratory studies of Pteronarcys reticulata (BURMEISTER, 1839) and P. sachalina KLAPALEK, 1908 during several years are combined to elucidate development and life history of these two coexisting Far East Russian stoneflies. They were found to be similar in all studied aspects. Adults fly and oviposit mainly in June. Spontaneous egg development occurs at 16 °C and over; at 12 °C and lower, eggs remain dormant until warming induces development. Speed of development is not distinctly temperature dependent. Ready-to-hatch larvae remain in diapause until warmed again after an exposure to cold, i.e., in the field they apparently hatch the next spring. In the first instar the larva is inactive, its head capsule width (HCW) is 0.4 mm. Qualitative developmental change (gills, pilosity, pronotal corners and abdominal point, antennal and cercal segment numbers, wing pads) is continuous, instars cannot be identified, except the last, mainly by abrupt growth of wing pads. Mode of wing development differs from other Plecoptera studied so far. Larvae in the first two years moult several times per year, larger larvae less; growth is interrupted in winter. In their third summer, larvae enter the penultimate instar and in autumn the last instar which lives for 8-9 months, until adult emergence five years after oviposition. Increment of linear measurements at moults varies individually; average increment is 18 % and little dependent on larval size until specimens prepare visibly for metamorphosis, at HCW > 3 mm. During the last two moults, the increment drops to an average 8%. Specific or sexual differences in growth rate were not detected. The fundamental unsuitability of the standard approach of size class analyses in random population samples using linearly increasing classes is discussed. An alternative geometrically progressing growth model based on first instar HCW and mean increment at moults recognizes 16 hypothetic instars; last instar males (HCW 3.8-4.7 mm) fall into instar 15, females (HCW 4.3-5.6 mm) into instar 16; whether sexes differ by one in actual instar number is uncertain.

The genus Calvarium Pic, 1918 is for the first time recorded from Australia. Six new Australian species are named and described. Calvarium australiense n. sp. and C. superbum n. sp. from the Northern Territory are typical representatives of the genus. A new subgenus, Calvariellum n. subgen., is proposed for four species from NE Queensland which share general body structure with other Calvarium species but have different, less derived male genitalia: Calvarium (Calvariellum) bellendenker n. sp., C. (Calvariellum) cochlearifer n. sp., C. (Calvariellum) hamifer n. sp., and C. (Calvariellum) lancifer n. sp. Papuacyphon darwini n. sp. is described from SW Australia. The genus was previously known only from Papua New Guinea. Species Group 3 of the genus Ypsiloncyphon Klausnitzer, 2009 is first recorded from Australia. It is endemic to the Australasian region. The Australian species Y. angustus n. sp., Y. brevis n. sp., Y. katherinae n. sp., Y. longus n. sp., Y. pusillus n. sp., Y. velatus n. sp., and Y. virgulifer n. sp. are described, the New Guinean species Y. micans (Klausnitzer, 1973) (= Cyphon paramicans Klausnitzer, 1973, n. syn.), Y. mutilatus n. sp., Y. ruficollis n. sp., and Y. rugosus n. sp. are described or redescribed from types, respectively. Three Australian species known only in the female sex are described under informal designations.

Life cycle, survival and production of the univoltine midge Ptychoptera paludosa whose larvae live in fine sandy sediments were studied in a German stream (1989-1990). Growth of the 4th larval instar was linear. Adults emerge from May, for ca 8 weeks (1985-1990); emergence was 0.56 g dry weight m -2 lentic area (1990). Density decreased strongly only when larvae were young; except after an exceptional spate, numbers emerging were independent of discharge. Larval survival was ca 9%; only 10% of the potential offspring of the survivors actually appeared in the next generation. Secondary production (P) was 2.3 g ash free dry weight (AFDW) m -2 y -1 , mean biomass (B) was 0.6 g AFDW m -2 , i.e., the P/B ratio was 3.8.

Pteronarcys macra Ra, Baik et Cho, 1991 from South Korea is a new junior synonym of P. sachalina Klapalek, 1908. P. sachalina is frequently sympatric with P. reticulata Burmeister, 1839, and new characters to distinguish the larvae of both species are presented.

▪ Abstract Information about the phylogenetic relationships of Plecoptera is summarized. The few characters supporting monophyly of the order are outlined. Several characters of possible significance for the search for the closest relatives of the stoneflies are discussed, but the sister-group of the order remains unknown. Numerous characters supporting the presently recognized phylogenetic system of Plecoptera are presented, alternative classifications are discussed, and suggestions for future studies are made. Notes on zoogeography are appended. The order as such is old (Permian fossils), but phylogenetic relationships and global distribution patterns suggest that evolution of the extant suborders started with the breakup of Pangaea. There is evidence of extensive recent speciation in all parts of the world.

Genus Alaskaperla is shown to include two species and be widely disjunct on both sides of the Pacific ocean. A. ovibovis (Ricker, 1965) occurs in Alaska, A. longidentata (Rauser, 1965) in Mongolia. Characters distinguishing males of the two similar species are described and illustrated.

differ in adding a long parallel-sided anterior section to their tube-cases, shortly before pupation. They pupate in the newly built section, discarding the slightly conical larval case. Literature data suggest that two additional species of Micrasema exhibit similar behaviour. Production of a special section of tube-case for pupation is remi­ niscent of the situation in the primitive suborders Annulipalpia and Spicipalpia which build a pupal case which is often the only construction during the entire life cycle. It is uncertain if the behaviour of Micrasema is atavistic, or if it developed indepen­ dently.

Summary Ciliata in sandy bedsediments of the Breitenbach were studied quantitatively. The Breitenbach is an unpolluted foothill stream in Hesse, Germany, which runs through an area of fine-grained sandstone. The stream lacks a porous, continuously oxygenated, hyporheic zone. Sediment cores were collected at monthly intervals, from September 1990 to August 1991, at four sites along the stream, to depths of 10 cm. They were subdivided into 2 cm layers, and live Ciliata were counted directly in diluted samples. Their abundance varied greatly, the observed maximum being about 4000/ml sediment in March 1991. There was no longitudinal gradient of ciliate abundance, and it showed no clear seasonal pattern at one site; but at the other three sites it peaked in spring and early summer. At two sites, bacterivorous Ciliata were normally dominant, but peak abundances resulted from increased numbers of herbivorous species. Depth distribution of Ciliata peaked in the 0–2 cm sediment layer. Some so-called sapropelic taxa (genera Metopus, Brachonella and Caenomorpha ) were normally observed only below 2 cm depth; but during periods of low discharge they also occurred in the top layer of sediment. Biomass was up to 170 μg wet weight/ml sediment. Small ciliata (

A taxonomic treatment of the Australian net-winged midges (Diptera: Blephariceridae) of the tribe Apistomyiini is presented. Characters supporting the monophyly of the tribe are described and illustrated. New taxa are Theischingeria rieki gen. et sp. nov., Parapistomyia mueller sp. nov. and Parapistomyia bulbifera barringtoniana ssp. nov., bringing the total number of Australian Apistomyiini to eight species and subspecies in four genera. the New Guinean Curupirina papuana Zwick and Hortle is transferred to the Australian genus Parapistomyia Zwick; its adult and pupa are described. A morphocline between the two Australian species of Apistomyia is described. New keys to larvae, pupae and adults of all Australian Apistomyiini are presented. the phylogenetic relationships within the tribe are discussed.

Net-winged midges (Diptera: Blephariceridae) are recorded for the first time from Palawan, Republic of the Philippines. The types of the only previously known Philippine species of the family, Blepharicera apoensis (Alexander, 1952) from Mindanao, were examined; B. apoensis remains incompletely known but is distinct from the Palawan species. B. microps sp.n., B. intermedia sp.n. and B. holoptica sp.n. are described from all life stages. The Philippine Blepharicera belong to the Oriental pusilla-group whose definition is expanded. The pusilla-group is an isolated primitive group in the genus, resemblances in genitalia with eastern Nearctic Blepharicera (of the tenuipes-group) are symplesiomorphic. All life stages of three new species of Apistomyia (A. latiforceps sp.n., A. cinnamomea sp.n., A. truncata sp.n.) from Palawan are described. A single male of an additional Apistomyia species is reported from Mt. Apo, Mindanao but is not identified or named.

1. We examined selected aspects of the nutritional ecology of larval Ptychoptera paludosa and their role in nutrient cycling in the Breitenbach, a first-order stream in Hesse, Germany. 2. Food preference experiments demonstrated significant preference for sediments with a high organic matter content and live bacteria. 3. pH was circumneutral in all sections of the gut. 4. Enzymatic activity (β-glucosidase and amino-peptidase) in different parts of the gut was measured using 4-methylumbelliferyl-β-D-glucopyranoside (MUF-Glc) and leucine-4-methylcoumarinyl-7-amide (Leu-MCA). β-glucosidase activity was highest in the hindgut. 5. The mean larval gut passage time was between 7 and 8 h. 6. The egestion rate of last instar larvae was about 0.35 mg dry weight (DW) faeces per larva h–1 and about 1.25 mg ash-free dry weight (AFDW) faeces per mg larval AFDW day–1. 7. Larval faeces contained at least 4–18 times more organic matter than the average in the sediments in which they were feeding, that is, larvae fed selectively, extracting organic matter from sediments. 8. P. paludosa larvae are important in the dynamics of detritus in slow-flowing reaches of the Breitenbach. They gather organic material from the sediment to a depth of 3 cm, and release it as faeces onto the sediment surface. A total of 770 g DW faeces m–2 yr–1, comprising about 16% organic matter, was produced by the Ptychoptera population.

Neohapalothrix acanthonympha (Brodsky, 1954) (from the Altai and the Russian Far East) and N. shirozui Saigusa, 1973 (from Hokkaido) are placed in the synonymy of N. manschukuensis (Mannheims, 1938) (from Manchuria). The genus Neohapalothrix Kitakami seems indeed to be a close relative of the European genus Hapalothrix Loew. The tribal assignment of both genera is discussed.