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Several populations of a species of death camas (Anticlea elegans) (Melanthiaceae) were found growing and flowering above treeline in the remote Lemhi Mountains of southeastern Idaho USA. The predominant floral visitors were flies representing four families, particularly the Syrphidae. Many individual flies bore visible loads of Anticlea pollen. Various native bees were seen foraging in the locale, but all visited flowers other than Anticlea. The flies, as well as ants, fed from the tepal nectaries. Despite the plant’s common name, no foragers appeared to be impaired by imbibing its nectar. High in a neighbouring mountain range, A. elegans was being used as a trysting site by numerous Tenthredo sawflies. This is the first report of floral visitors to any Anticlea and among the first for any wildflower population above treeline in the vast US Intermountain West.

Three species of Euura (Hymenoptera: Tenthredinidae) are reported for the first time from Denmark: Euura acutifoliae (Zinovjev, 1985) and Euura plicadaphnoides (Kopelke, 2007) from Salix daphnoides Vill., and Euura anglica (Cameron, 1877) from Salix viminalis L. Distribution and biology of each species is briefly presented and possible historical records of these species are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article "Dolerus nigrominutus Haris, 1998, new record for Slovakia with description of its female" by Attila Haris discusses the discovery and description of the female specimen of Dolerus nigrominutus, a species of Hymenoptera, in Cerova Vrchovina, Slovakia. The article compares the morphology of Dolerus nigrominutus with other similar species and concludes that it is a valid species. The article "Taxonomy and nomenclature of some Fennoscandian Sawflies, with descriptions of two new species" by Liston et al. focuses on the classification and naming of Sawflies found in Fennoscandia. The study introduces two new species of Sawflies and provides details about their characteristics. The article was published in the Deutsche Entomologische Zeitschrift in 2022. [Extracted from the article]

Birch tree Betula pendula Roth. is an important ornamental and forest plant, which has a distribution in many parts of the world and has about 40 species. In Turkey, it is frequently encountered in North Anatolia and East Anatolia regions. There are many harmful insect species known to damage birch trees. Samples of the pest species that are the subject of this study were taken from Erzurum Center, Atatürk University Campus, Merkez Teke Stream and Aziziye Campus. The aim of the study is to determine the biology and damage of Nematus (=Croesus) septentrionalis (L., 1758) on birch trees. Samples were collected between 20 June and 20 September 2019 and 2020. A preliminary assessment study was conducted in 2018 to determine the pest's ecology. The adult specimen of the insect was collected from birch trees on sunny days. The larvae were collected by cutting with the help of pruning shears together with the leaves of the branches they ate. Pupae were obtained by digging the soil to a depth of 4 fingers (10-15 cm) with the help of a hoe. The collected adults were placed in jars and killed with ethyl acetate. Dead samples were transferred to a small cardboard box, brought to the laboratory, taped and labeled with the location, size and date of sample collection written on the box. The larvae were placed in a desiccator with the soil at the bottom together with the leaves they will feed on, absorbent cotton moistened with water was left on the ground and fresh leaves were brought to the laboratory every other day to feed and mature the larvae. As a result of the research, spawning time, larval stage and number of generations of Nematus (=Croesus) septentrionalis were determined under natural living conditions. While the number of damaged trees was determined to obtain the parasitism ratio, the damaged leaves on the branches of randomly selected trees were also counted to determine the number of eggs and larvae on the leaves. In this study, the biology of Nematus (=Croesus) septentrionalis and its damage to birch trees were investigated. Useful information has been uncovered for future researchers working on this topic. It was determined that the pest gave one generation per year in Erzurum conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eriocampa Hartig, 1837 is a small genus of Tenthredinidae and its systematic position has never been fully assessed. The complete mitochondrial genome of Eriocampa ovata Linné, 1760 was described. The circular genome is 16,293 bp in length with an A + T content of 80.6%. It contains 37 genes and a 1254 bp control region with a 405 bp repetitive sequence. All the 13 protein-coding genes initiate with a typical ATN. The CR - trnI (+)- trnQ (−)- trnM(+) cluster rearranges to trnQ (−)- trnM (+)- CR -trnI(+). Phylogenetic analysis demonstrates that E. ovata and Conaspidia wangi Wei, 2015 are closely related within the subfamily of Tenthredinidae.

IntroductionInsect oviposition can enhance plant defenses and decrease plant quality in response to future feeding damage by hatched larvae. Induced resistance triggered by egg deposition and its negative effect on insect herbivore performance is known for several annual plants but has been much less studied in woody perennials, such as species of the Salicaceae. Here we studied the response of the willow Salix babylonica to oviposition by the specialist willow sawfly Nematus oligospilus and its impact on insect performance.MethodsWe measured the effect of oviposition on larval feeding and pupa formation and evaluated its influence on plant phytohormones and volatile emission profile.ResultsWe showed that oviposition reduced neonate larval growth and increased the proportion of prepupae that delayed their transition to pupae, thus extending the length of the sawfly cocoon phase. Oviposited willows increased jasmonic acid levels and changed their volatile profile through enhanced concentrations of the terpenoids, (E/E)-α-farnesene, (Z)- and (E)-β-ocimene. Volatile profiles were characteristic for each type of insect damage (oviposition vs. feeding), but no priming effect was found.DiscussionWe demonstrated that willows could perceive sawfly oviposition per se as a primary factor activating defense signaling via the jasmonic acid pathway. This induced response ultimately determined changes in pupation dynamics that may affect the whole insect population cycle.

Simple Summary: In the current era of data explosion, the use of genetic information is increasingly being applied across numerous biological questions. One application has been to develop more robust evolutionary frameworks. Such well-resolved phylogenetic relationships are currently lacking from many of the basal branches of diversity-rich taxa. This is most pronounced at the base of the thentredinoid, especially Athalia. This study reviews earlier comparative morphological studies and advances in phylogenetic studies based on morphological characters and short sequence fragments, using both mitochondrial and nuclear genetic sequences as well as genomic structural evidence to define the family Athaliidae in several dimensions and clarify its phylogenetic position. As a result, Athaliidae no longer belongs to the Tenthredinidae but is independent and distant from it. This study clarifies a hurdle to solve the scientific problem of hymenopteran evolution. The systematic status of the genus Athalia and related genera is a perennial controversy in sawfly taxonomy. Several authors have hypothesized that the placement of Athalia within the Tenthredinidae is artificial, but no studies have focused on this topic. If the hypothesis that Athalia does not belong to Tenthredinidae can be supported, the taxonomic framework of Tenthredinoidea needs revision. We present a comprehensive phylogenomic study of Tenthredinoidae, focusing on the positions of Athalia and related genera by sampling 80 representatives mainly of the Tenthredinoidea, including Heptamelinae and Blasticotomidae. Our phylogenetic reconstructions based on nuclear genes and mitochondrial (mt) sequences support Athalia and related genera as a distinct clade sister to Tenthredinidae + (Cimbicidae + Diprionidae). A comparison of symphytan mitochondrial genomes reveals an innovative gene rearrangement pattern in Athaliidae, in which Dentathalia demonstrates a more ancestral pattern than Athalia and Hypsathalia. The lineage specificity of mt rRNA secondary structures also provides sufficient support to consider Athaliidae as a separate family. In summary, the phylogeny and genomic structural changes unanimously support the taxonomic treatment of Athaliidae as a family and the re-establishment of Dentathalia as a valid genus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While working on an identification guide to the sawflies of Fennoscandia, we encountered numerous taxonomic problems, for some of which we present solutions. Dicrostema Benson, 1952 is a new synonym of Phymatoceropsis Rohwer, 1916, and not congeneric with Paracharactus MacGillivray, 1908. Two species occurring in Europe are transferred to Phymatoceropsis. Dolerus aericepsellus Heidemaa and Mutanen sp. nov. and Heptamelus viitasaarii Liston, Mutanen and Prous sp. nov. are described from Finland. Abia brevicornis Leach, 1817 nom. rev. is the valid name of Abia nitens auct. nec Linnaeus, and Abia nitens (Linnaeus, 1758) is the valid name for what has recently been called Abia sericea (Linnaeus, 1767). Tenthredo haemorrhoidalis Fabricius, 1781 is treated as an unplaced species of Hymenoptera, possibly Ichneumonoidea. Calameuta variabilis (Mocsáry, 1886) is the valid name of the species recently generally called C. haemorrhoidalis. Claremontia confusa (Konow, 1886) sp. rev. and Claremontia brevicornis (Brischke, 1883) are distinct species. Dolerus coracinus (Klug, 1818) is the valid name for D. anthracinus auct. Dolerus anthracinus (Klug, 1818) is a valid species similar to D. nitens Zaddach, 1859. Dolerus coruscans Konow, 1890 sp. rev. is a valid species. Dolerus junci (Stephens, 1835) is the valid name for Dolerus cothurnatus auct. Dolerus timidus (Klug, 1818) sp. rev. is distinguished from the similar D. pratensis (Linnaeus, 1758). A neotype is designated for Astatus punctatus Klug, 1803. Lectotypes are designated for 39 nominal species. 29 species group names are new junior synonyms. We present data on some species recently collected for the first time in Finland, including first records for the Palaearctic and West Palaearctic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We sequenced the complete mitochondrial genome of Moricella rufonota Rohwer, (Tenthredinidae: Nematinae). The mitogenome is 15,731 bp in length with an A + T content of 81.9%, 37 typical animal mitochondrial genes, and a 386 bp control region. All the 13 protein-coding genes initiate with a typical ATN and end with TAA. The trnI(+)-trnQ(−)-trnM(+) cluster rearranged as trnM(+)-trnQ(−)-trnI(+) cluster, and the trnW(+)-trnC(−)-trnY(−) cluster rearranged as trnC(+)-trnW(+)-trnY(−) cluster. Phylogenetic analysis confirmed that the Nematinae is the basal lineage of Tenthredinidae, and Moricella rufonota is the basal lineage of Nematinae.

Eriocampa Hartig, 1837 is a small genus of Tenthredinidae and its systematic position has never been fully assessed. The complete mitochondrial genome of Eriocampa ovata Linné, 1760 was described. The circular genome is 16,293 bp in length with an A + T content of 80.6%. It contains 37 genes and a 1254 bp control region with a 405 bp repetitive sequence. All the 13 protein-coding genes initiate with a typical ATN. The CR - trnI (+)- trnQ (−)- trnM(+) cluster rearranges to trnQ (−)- trnM (+)- CR -trnI(+). Phylogenetic analysis demonstrates that E. ovata and Conaspidia wangi Wei, 2015 are closely related within the subfamily of Tenthredinidae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Галоутворювальні комахи розвиваються в тканинах рослин, індукуючи на них патологічні утвори – гали. Представники різних груп галоутворювачів є численною й функціонально значущою компонентою ентомофауни національних парків. У роботі наведено дані щодо поширення, чисельності, біології та екології восьми видів галоутворювальних комах, виявлених на території Ківерцівського національного природного парку «Цуманська пуща» під час попередніх досліджень, проведених у 2018 р. Дослідження здійснювали як у лісових (переважно дубових) насадженнях, так і на відкритих ділянках парку (лісових галявинах, вирубках, берегах річок, схилах пагорбів). Матеріал отримували методом польового збору галів і суцвіть. Під час виведення імаго із суцвіть Centaurea spp. використовували резервуари окремо для кожного суцвіття, що дало змогу достовірно встановити приналежність до певного виду. Відзначено, що п’ять видів належать до ряду Hymenoptera (чотири види горіхотворок й один – пильщика); три види належать до ряду Diptera (два – мух-осетниць та один – галиці). Установлено чіткий розподіл виявлених видів за ярусами кормових рослин. Так, три види галоутворювачів (Andricus foecundatrix (Hartig, 1840), Cynips quercusfolii Linnaeus, 1758, Neuroterus numismalis (Geoffroy, 1785) населяють деревний ярус; два (Euura amerinae (Linnaeus, 1758), Lasioptera rubi (Schrank, 1803)) пов’язані з чагарниками; три (Urophora cardui, U. quadrifasciata, Aulacidea hieracii (Linnaeus, 1758)) паразитують на трав’янистій рослинності. За трофічною спеціалізацією всі види є олігофагами. Виявлено, що серед досліджуваних видів галоутворювачів є такі, що розвиваються на бур’янах, пригнічуючи їх розвиток (Urophora cardui (Linnaeus, 1758), Urophora guadrifasciata (Meigen, 1826)), а є види, які уражують господарсько важливі види рослин (A. foecundatrix, C. quercusfolii, N. numismalis, Lasioptera rubi (Schrank, 1803)). Галоутворювальні двокрилі, як і галоутворювальні перетинчастокрилі займають важливе місце в комплексі фітофагів у зв’язку з високою специфічністю, що унеможливлює перехід представників цих груп на інші види рослин.

The systematic status of the genus Athalia and related genera is a perennial controversy in sawfly taxonomy. Several authors have hypothesized that the placement of Athalia within the Tenthredinidae is artificial, but no studies have focused on this topic. If the hypothesis that Athalia does not belong to Tenthredinidae can be supported, the taxonomic framework of Tenthredinoidea needs revision. We present a comprehensive phylogenomic study of Tenthredinoidae, focusing on the positions of Athalia and related genera by sampling 80 representatives mainly of the Tenthredinoidea, including Heptamelinae and Blasticotomidae. Our phylogenetic reconstructions based on nuclear genes and mitochondrial (mt) sequences support Athalia and related genera as a distinct clade sister to Tenthredinidae + (Cimbicidae + Diprionidae). A comparison of symphytan mitochondrial genomes reveals an innovative gene rearrangement pattern in Athaliidae, in which Dentathalia demonstrates a more ancestral pattern than Athalia and Hypsathalia. The lineage specificity of mt rRNA secondary structures also provides sufficient support to consider Athaliidae as a separate family. In summary, the phylogeny and genomic structural changes unanimously support the taxonomic treatment of Athaliidae as a family and the re-establishment of Dentathalia as a valid genus.

Outbreaks of lesser spruce sawfly, Pristiphora abietina (Christ) (Hymenoptera: Tenthredinidae), on conifers regularly occur in Turkey and other European countries. Chemical pesticides have been used to contain outbreaks, but those may damage the forest and disturb natural enemies. To minimize the use of chemical pesticides in the management of this forest pest, we identified the entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) that naturally occur on P. abietina and tested their efficacy against the pest under laboratory and semi‐field conditions. Using morphological and molecular techniques, 13 EPF isolates were obtained from the pest and identified as Beauveria bassiana (Bals.‐Criv.) Vuill., Beauveria pseudobassiana S.A. Rehner & Humber, and Lecanicillium muscarium (Petch.) Zare & W. Gams. A laboratory screening test at 106 conidia ml−1 showed that all isolates caused 59‐100% mortality after 14 days. Further experiments were performed with the three most effective isolates, all belonging to B. bassiana. For these isolates, an increase in conidia dose increased pest mortality. Also, the ability of horizontal transmission in the pest population was shown. All three isolates were effective in killing P. abietina on spruce under semi‐field conditions. These data will contribute to the development of an integrated pest management program for P. abietina based on microbial biological control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A total of 60 species of Symphyta were identified and listed from the Hayk Mirzayans Insect Museum, Iran, of which the species Abia candens Konow, 1887; Pristiphora appendiculata (Hartig, 1837); Macrophya chrysura (Klug, 1817) and Tenthredopsis nassata (Geoffroy, 1785) are newly recorded from Iran. Distribution data and host plants are here presented for 37 sawfly species.

Azalea Sawfly (Euura lipovskyi) larvae found feeding on foliage and flowers of cultivated Flame Azalea (Rhododendron calendulaceum) in Ottawa, Ontario, in late May 2021 are the first records of this sawfly in Canada. The native range of Azalea Sawfly includes the eastern United States, but the species has extended its distribution recently to the Pacific northwest of North America and Europe. Recorded foodplants include Rhododendron calendulaceum, Rhododendron luteum, Rhododendron obtrusum, Rhododendron occidentale, Rhododendron molle, Rhododendron viscosum, and possibly Early Azalea (Rhododendron prinophyllum), all in Rhododendron section Pentanthera. The new combinations Euura lipovskyi and Euura azaleae are proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The willow sawfly, Nematus oligospilus (Förster), is a pest in Salix commercial forests and has been reported worldwide. Female adults must recognize a suitable host plant to oviposit, since her offspring lack the ability to move to another host. We evaluated the effect of conspecific herbivory on the oviposition choices of N. oligospilus females by providing damaged (DP) and undamaged (UP) plants of Salix humboldtiana, a native willow from South America, as oviposition substrates. Local and systemic effects were studied. For the local treatment, a twig from the DP with damaged leaves was contrasted to a twig from a UP in dual choice experiments. For systemic treatment, a twig from the DP with intact leaves was contrasted to a twig from a UP. We estimated the use of olfactory and contact cues by comparing volatile emission of DP and UP, and by analysing the behaviour of the females during host recognition after landing on the leaf surface. In the context of the preference–performance hypothesis (PPH), we also tested if oviposition site selection maximizes offspring fitness by evaluating neonate hatching, larval performance and survival of larvae that were born and bred on either DP or UP. Our results demonstrate that previous conspecific herbivory on S. humboldtiana has a dramatic impact on female oviposition choices and offspring performance of the sawfly N. oligospilus. Females showed a marked preference for laying eggs on UP of S. humboldtiana. This preference was found for both local and systemic treatments. Volatile emission was quantitatively changed after conspecific damage suggesting that it could be related to N. oligospilus avoidance. In the dual choice preference experiments, the analysis of the behaviour of the females once landing on the leaf surface suggested the use of contact cues triggering egg laying on leaves from UP and avoidance of leaves from DP. Furthermore, 48 h of previous conspecific feeding was sufficient to dramatically impair neonate hatching, as well as larval development and survival, suggesting a rapid and effective reaction of the induced resistance mechanisms of the tree. In agreement with the PPH, these results support the idea that decisions made by colonizing females may result in optimal outcomes for their offspring in a barely studied insect model, and also opens the opportunity for studying tree-induced defences in the unexplored South American willow S. humboldtiana. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the Republic of Moldova, the ash tree is a common forest species, used in the reforestation and afforestation of woods and territories, and widely used as an ornamental tree in cities and along roads. For more than ten years. our ash tree woods have been severely defoliated by the ash weevil Stereonychusfrarini ( De Geer, 1775 ) from Curculionidae family . In the vegetation period of 2018 and 2019, defoliation was seen on ash trees, caused by unknown sawfly larvae species from the Tenthredinidae family. The analyses showed that these pests belong to the Hymenoptera order - the privet sawfly - Macrophya punctumalbum ( Linnaeus, 1767 ), and Tomostethus nigritus (Fabricius, 1804), the last one being a new species for the fauna of the Republic of Moldova . The biggest ash defoliations caused by the Tomostethus nigritus larvae were recorded in the centre of the country, especially in the Nisporeni and Tighina Forest Enterprises and in the "Plaiul Fagului" Scientific Reserve, as well as in the urban space. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The nearly complete mitochondrial genome of Eutomostethus vegetus Konow, 1898 was high-quality assembled. Several gene rearrangement events were observed in IQM gene cluster by comparing with the inferred insect ancestral mitochondrial genome. Phylogenetic analysis demonstrated the position of Eutomostethus vegetus in the Tenthredinidae and showed that Blennocampinae is a sister group to Fenusinae.

We assembled the near-complete mitochondrial genome of Colochela zhongi Wei, 2016 with next-generation sequencing (NGS). The total genome size of C. zhongi was 15,095 bp with 80.6% A + T content, containing 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 22 tRNA genes, and two rRNA genes. Three tRNA genes rearrangements were found compared to the ancestral organization. Phylogenetic analysis results based on heterogeneity models of 46 Symphytan and two Apocritan strongly supported that C. zhongi was closely related to Siobla xizangensis.

During field studies conducted in 2014 and 2017, Rhogogaster (Cytisogaster) chambersi was found in the Mordovia State Nature Reserve (Republic of Mordovia, Russia). Data on this record are presented here. The studied species has been found for the first time in Russia. We present data of the Russian location and some information on the species distribution.

The nearly complete mitochondrial genome of Trichiosoma vitellina is 15,245 bp long. It has the A + T content of 81.6% and contains 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 22 tRNA genes, and 2 rRNA genes. Gene rearrangement is present in the mitogenome of T. vitellina. All PCGs use standard ATN as start codons, and most PCGs have complete TAN as stop codons. Phylogenetic analysis demonstrates the position of T. vitellina in the Tenthredinoidea. This study provides essential data for the conservation genetics of T. vitellina and advances the understanding of the phylogeny of Cimbicidae.

We sequenced the complete mitochondrial genome of Moricella rufonota Rohwer, 1916 (Tenthredinidae: Nematinae). The mitogenome is 15,731 bp in length with an A + T content of 81.9%, 37 typical animal mitochondrial genes, and a 386 bp control region. All the 13 protein-coding genes initiate with a typical ATN and end with TAA. The trnI(+)-trnQ(−)-trnM(+) cluster rearranged as trnM(+)-trnQ(−)-trnI(+) cluster, and the trnW(+)-trnC(−)-trnY(−) cluster rearranged as trnC(+)-trnW(+)-trnY(−) cluster. Phylogenetic analysis confirmed that the Nematinae is the basal lineage of Tenthredinidae, and Moricella rufonota is the basal lineage of Nematinae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new species, Macrophyra pseudocoxalis Li, Liu & Wei, sp. nov., of the genus Macrophya Dahlbom (Hymenptera: Tenthredinidae) from China is described. A key to known Chinese species of the Macrophya coxalis group is provided. The type specimens of the new species are deposited in the Lishui Academy of Forestry, Lishui, Zhejiang, China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Macrophya maculitibia group is proposed and defined. Five species are reported from China, among them three new species, Macrophya longifossa sp. n., M. motuoa sp. n., and M. yunnana sp. n., and two known species, M. maculitibia Takeuchi, 1933, and M. jiuzhaina Chen & Wei, 2005. A key to the Chinese species of the M. maculitibia group is provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The nearly complete mitochondrial genome of Athalia proxima is 15852 bp in size, containing 13 protein-coding genes, 22 transfer RNAs, 2 ribosomal RNAs, and a partial control region. Compared to ancestral organization, seven tRNA genes were rearranged. Bayesian and maximum-likelihood trees recovered the monophyly of Tenthredinidae and A. proxima was the basal lineage. The mitogenome sequence provided fundamental data for resolving phylogenetic and genetic problems of Tenthredinidae.

The nearly complete mitochondrial genome of Birmella discoidalisa Wei, has been sequenced and the genome was revised with more comprehensively sequenced to near completion. The new mitogenome sequences were constructed using two separate assembly approaches, both yielding consistent results. Compared with the sequence previously reported (MF197548.1), the trnI (+) and trnQ (−) genes were assembled, and the trnI (+)–trnQ (−) genes were rearranged compared with the ancestral type. The systematic classification of B. discoidalisa was examined to provide a basis for allocation into Tenthredinidae phylogeny.

In this study we review the phylogenetic grouping of the sawfly genus Siobla within the superfamily Tenthredinoidea. Using Next Generation Sequencing (NGS), we describe the complete mitochondrial genome of Siobla xizangensis Xiao, Huang & Zhou, . The assembled mitochondrial genome of S. xizangensis was found to be 15015 bp, with three tRNA genes rearranged compared to the ancestral organization. The overall nucleotide composition was 42.6% for A, 11.4% for C, 7.7% for G and 38.3% for T. The phylogenetic tree based on heterogeneity models of 36 Symphytan and two Apocritan recovered the monophyly of Tenthredinidae, and S. xizangensis was identified as the sister group of Tenthredo.

A new non-native species of sawfly Nematus lipovskyi Smith, 1974, previously known only in the USA, has heavily infested the ornamental azalea plant, Rhododendron molle, in the Czech Republic since at least 2010. The data on this species in the USA is briefly summarized. The larva and hitherto unknown male are newly described and illustrated. The life cycle is described based on field observations and the rearing of larvae collected in Charles University Botanic Garden in Prague. The host plants are listed and include the first record of a European species of azalea (Rhododendron luteum). The current distribution of Nematus lipovskyi in the Czech Republic based on the results of a preliminary monitoring project carried out by Charles University in Prague and the State Phytosanitary Administration is presented. The pathways of its introduction and spread, potential phytosanitary measures and its effect on the environment are briefly discussed.

Telomeric repeats in two members of the sawfly family Tenthredinidae (Hymenoptera), namely, Tenthredo omissa (Förster, 1844) and Taxonus agrorum (Fallén, 1808) (both have n = 10), were studied using fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). Chromosomes of both species were demonstrated to contain the canonical TTAGG insect telomeric repeat, which constitutes the first report of the (TTAGG)n telomeric motif for the Tenthredinidae as well as for the clade Eusymphyta and the suborder Symphyta in general. Taken together with the presence of this repeat in many other Holometabola as well as in the hymenopteran families Formicidae and Apidae from the suborder Apocrita, these results collectively suggest the ancestral nature of the (TTAGG)n telomeric motif in the Hymenoptera as well as its subsequent loss within the clade Unicalcarida and independent reappearance in ants and bees. If this is true, the loss of the TTAGG repeat can be considered as a synapomorphy of the corresponding clade. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]