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Though the global community, including China, has adopted multiple actions for biodiversity conservation, the goal of holding the current trend of rapid biodiversity loss before 2010 (the International Year of Biodiversity) promised by the leaders at the UN's 2002 Johannesburg "World Summit on Sustainable Development" has remained unfulfilled. One limitation in reaching this goal may be the ignorance of the important roles that cultural diversity, especially indigenous or ethnic ecological culture diversity, can play in biodiversity conservation. This paper approaches the important roles played by ethnic ecological culture in biodiversity conservation and its sustainable uses using the Xishuangbanna Dai's ecological culture of the southern Yunnan tropical rainforest as an example. This situation is like the two sides of a coin in that they supplement each other; one side cannot be present without the other.

Honey bees are economically important social insect. They are suffering from all kinds of pathogens, especially the virus. In response to pathogens, different immune pathways such as Toll, Imd, Jak-Stat and RNAi are involved. In the present study, the transcription analysis of 32 immune-related genes from Apis cerana challenged by Chinese sacbrood virus (CSBV), the most widely distributed virus in A. cerana, was carried out by qRT-PCR to provide cues for the antiviral mechanism and the effective control of bee viruses. The expression level of 22 genes were statistically changed, including 11 up-regulated genes (catus-2, lys-2, vir, s3a, mta1, faa, vhdl, co-1-iv, ago-1, ago-3, aub) in which 3 (ago-1, ago-3, aub) were related to RNAi pathway, and 11 down-regulated genes (kenny, pgrp-lc, pgrp-s2, abaecin, lys-1, lys-3, domeless, tepa, mlc, dscam, rpl8) related to Toll, Imd, and Jak-Stat pathways. The results indicated CSBV infection in A. cerana may activate a RNA-based antiviral immunity system. This work constituted the first report, under laboratory conditions, about induction of immune related genes in response to CSBV.

利用为主要研究内容的、新的综合性学科——保护 生物学(Conservation Biology)也正在酝酿中。当时, 我国在生物多样性保护方面已经开展了一些工作, 如: (1)截至1991年, 建立的保护区数量已达708个, 面积达56,066,650 ha, 占国土面积的5.54%(中国生 物多样性保护行动计划编写组, 1994); (2)1982年启 动了《中国植物红皮书》的编写工作; (3)我国一些 植物园在80年代初期, 几乎与欧美植物园同步开展 了珍贵、稀有、濒危植物的迁地保护及其研究, 其 研究成果在1985年召开的Botanic Gardens and the World Conservation Strategy大会上报告并被收入会 议论文集(Xu, 1987), 被认为是 “解决了世界核心 问题, ......, 值得其他植物园效仿”(Synge,1987)。尽 管如此, 由于历史原因, 当时我国对于生物多样性 保护及保护生物学的科学问题, 即使在生物科技界

The phenology of temperate plants is vulnerable to climate change. Yet, the phenological responses of tropical plants to climate change are still unclear. In this study, temporal trends (1973–1999) of four phenological events (budburst, growing season, flowering and flowering duration) were studied among 21 plant species in Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden (south-western China). Fourteen species (67%) showed significant phenological trends during the study period. Seven species (33%) presented delaying trends in budburst (average 1.4 d y−1) and such trend was more likely to be presented in those that started budburst earlier in the dry season. Four species (19%) showed trends of extension in growing season (average of 3.5 d y−1). These vegetative events appeared to be mainly influenced by increasing temperature. Rainfall showed little effects directly, however, the effects of temperature seemed to largely depend on the moisture condition. Flowering duration of five species (24%) was shortened by average 2.1 d y−1 which was most likely to be the result of the decline in sunshine duration during the rainy season. Our results suggest that the phenology of tropical plants has changed significantly in response to the regional climate change but these reactions are somewhat different from those of temperate plants.

Eccinetus Muesebeck & Walkley, 1956 (Belytinae) from China is revised, with two species described and illustrated as new species: E. flatiscapus sp. nov. and E. yunnanensis sp. nov. Three species were recorded for the first time from China: E. hardyi Buhl, 1998, E. rectinervis (Kieffer, 1913) and E. seticornis Buhl, 1998. A key to the world species of this genus is provided. The types of new species are deposited in the Hymenoptera Collection of South China Agricultural University (SCAU).

The genus Gribodia Zavattari, 1912, is newly recorded from Vietnam and China. Gribodia nigra sp. nov. (China, Hainan) is described and figured and G. cupreipennis (Bingham) is redescribed. A key to six known species of the genus is provided.

A new species of Megischus Brullé from China, M. aplicatus sp. n., is described and illustrated. A key to the Chinese species of Megischus is added. The holotype is deposited in the Parasitic Hymenoptera Collection of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou.

Both Microplitis prodeniae Rao and Chandry (Hymenoptera: Bracondidae) and Campoletis chlorideae Uchida (Hymenoptera: Ichnumonidae) are major parasitoids of Spodoptera litura (Fabricious) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in tobacco, Nicotiana tabacum L. (Solanales: Solanaceae) at Nanxiong, Guangdong Province, South China. The niches and interspecific competition relationships of the two species were studied. The results show that the competition between the two species for spatial and food resources was very intense, and C. chlorideae was always dominant when the two species compete for spatial and food resources in different periods. Thus C. chlorideae may drive M. prodeniae away when they occupy the same spatial or food resource. The adaptability of C. chlorideae to the environment in the tobacco fields may be greater than that of M. prodeniae, so C. chlorideae can maintain a higher population compared to that of M. prodeniae.

Guangdong is located in south China, which is recognized as a global centre of biodiversity for Gomphidae. Taxonomic and faunistic information is provided for 24 poorly known species of Gomphidae from Guangdong and Hong Kong. A total of 50 gomphid species belonging to 25 genera are enumerated, including 12 newly recorded from Guangdong and one newly recorded from Hong Kong. Four species are synonymised, one subspecies is promoted to species status and new generic combinations are provided for two species. The synonyms comprise: Lamelligomphus jiuquensis Liu 1993 = Lamelligomphus formosanus (Oguma 1926), Lamelligomphus parvulus Zhou and Li 2000 = Lamelligomphus laetus Yang and Davies 1993, Melligomphus moluami Wilson 1995 = Ophiogomphus guandongensis Chao 1994 and Phaeandrogomphus chaoi Zhu & Liang 1994 = Phaenandrogomphus tonkinicus (Fraser 1926). The subspecies Leptogomphus elegans hongkongensis Asahina 1988 is elevated to species status, viz Leptogomphus hongkongensis. Ophiogomphus guandongensis is transferred to Melligomphus Chao 1990 and Nihonogomphus indicus Lahiri 1987 is transferred to Orientogomphus Chao 1990. Keys are provided for the identification of Chinese Lamelligomphus Fraser and all known species of Nihonogomphus Oguma.

Cephalonomia rhizoperthae, n. sp., parasitizing Rhizopertha dominica (F.) from China, is described and illustrated. A key to the Chinese species of Cephalonomia is provided.

Five new species of the leptonyx gorup of genus Exallonyx from China are described: Exallonyx concavus Xu, He et Liu, n. sp., from Shaanxi, Huoditang; E. planus Xu, He et Liu, n. sp., from Guizhou, Fanjingshan; E. areolatus Xu, He et Liu, n. sp., from Zhejiang, Tianmushan; E. longimalus Xu, He et Liu, n. sp., from Guizhou, Fanjinshan; E. wuae Xu, He et Liu, n. sp., from Zhejiang, Qingyuan.

An updated revision of Eastern Palaearctic Dryinidae is presented. Six subfamilies, 17 genera and 160 species are treated. Descriptions, geographic distribution, known hosts, natural enemies and type material of each species are presented, together with illustrations of the main morphological characters and keys to the subfamilies, genera and species. Complete lists of references concerning the Eastern Palaearctic Dryinidae and their hosts are given. The lectotype is designated for Anteon flaviscapus Jansson, 1950. A new combination is proposed for Mirodryinus olmii (Móczár, 1983), comb. nov. (from Radiimancus Móczár). The following new records are reported: Aphelopus prolatus MitaOlmi, 2014 and Gonatopus formicicolus Richards, 1939 from Sweden; Aphelopus querceus Olmi, 1984, Aphelopus serratus Richards, 1939 and Anteon reticulatum Kieffer, 1905 from Bulgaria; Gonatopus nigricans (R. Perkins, 1905) from Solomon Islands; Haplogonatopus oratorius (Westwood, 1833) from Germany and Sweden.

A critical and annotated catalogue of 52 types of Chrysididae belonging to 32 species deposited in the Zoological Museum of Moscow Lomonosov State University is given. The lectotypes of Chrysis sabulosa Radoszkowski, 1877 and Ellampus (Philoctetes) fedtschenkoi Semenov, 1932 are designated. New synonyms are proposed for (valid name first): Omalus imbecillus (Mocsáry, 1889) = Ellampus kozhevnikovi Semenov, 1932, syn. nov., and Chrysis speciosa Radoszkowski, 1877 = C. fulvicornis Mocsáry, 1889, syn. nov. The status of Hedychridium erschovi (Radoszkowski, 1877), stat. resurr. is revalidated.

This paper describes three new species in the obsoletus-group of genus Exallonyx Kieffer from China. These taxa are: E. densirugolosus sp. nov., E. inconditus sp. nov. and E. laevipropodeum sp. nov. All specimens are deposited in the Hymenopteran Collection of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou.

We investigated the acclimation of seedlings of three tropical rain forest sub-canopy Garcinia species (G. xanthochymus, G. cowa, and G. bracteata) after transfer from 4.5 (LI) to 40 % (HI) sunlight and 12.5 (MI) sunlight to HI (LH1 and LH2 denoting transfer from LI to HI and MI to HI transfer, respectively). The changes of chlorophyll (Chl) fluorescence, net photosynthetic rate (PN), dark respiration rate (RD), Chl content per unit area (Chlarea), leaf mass per unit area (LMA), and seedling mortality were monitored over two months after transfer. These parameters together with leaf anatomy of transferred and control seedlings (kept in LI, MI, and HI) were also examined after two months. No seedlings died during the two months. Fv/Fm, PN, and Chlarea of the transferred seedlings decreased in the first 3 to 12 d. LH1 leaves showed larger reduction in Fv/Fm (>23 % vs.

Two new species, Exallonyx strictus and Exallonyx pingbianensis, are described and illustrated herein from China. Both species belong to the formicarius-group of subgenus Exallonyx Kieffer. A key for the Chinese formicarius-group is given.

Odontepyris rufipedis sp. nov., Odontepyris ovatus sp. nov. and Odontepyris obtusus sp. nov. from China are described and illustrated. A key to Chinese species is provided.

Three fragmented rain forests and one primary forest in southern Yunnan were plotted. The microclimate and soil conditions of these forests were also studied. The following conclusions were drawn: (1) The microclimatic differences between inside and outside forest are less in the fragmented forests than in the primary forest, which indicates that the buffer effects to climatic change have been reduced in the fragmented forests. The soil has deteriorated to some extent due to forest fragmentation. (2) In species composition, especially the abundance of some species and the dominant ranks of some families have changed with fragmentation. Barringtonia macrostachya, the most dominant species in the control primary forest, disappeared from the fragmented forests, while Antiaris toxicaria, which is a characteristic but not dominant species in the primary forest, is dominant in fragmented forests. (3) The total number of species per plot was reduced in the fragmented forests and the more seriously disturbed the fragment was, the more the species richness diminished. (4) In life form spectra, the liana and microphanerophyte species increased, but epiphyte, megaphanerophyte, mesophanerophyte and chamaephyte species decreased in the fragmented forests. (5) The plant species diversity is generally lower in the fragmented forests than in the primary forest, although for some life forms it could be higher. (6) The tree species with small populations could be lost first in the process of rain forest fragmentation. (7) The heliophilous or pioneer tree species increased and the shade-tolerant species were reduced in the fragmented forests.

The systematic position of Parashorea chinensis (Dipterocarpaceae) was investigated by using maximum parsimony analysis of nucleotide sequences of matK, trnL intron, and trnL-trnF intergenic spacer region of chloroplast DNA. Previous studies have placed the taxon in Parashorea or Shorea. Analyses indicate that P. chinensis belongs within Parashorea (80% bootstrap) rather than within Shorea. Furthermore, P chinensis Wang Hsie and P. chinensis Wang Hsie var. kwangsiensis Lin Chi are further confirmed to be the same taxon.

Montane moist evergreen broad-leaved forest, dominated by Lithocarpus and Castanopsis species, is the most extensive stand of subtropical mountain in Yunnan Province, SW China. Litter production, standing crop of litter on forest floor and nutrient return patterns were studied over nine years (1991‐1999) in a stand of primary evergreen broad-leaved forest in northern crest of the Ailao Mountain Range. There were significant yearly variations in litter production, which is mainly related with the masting year of canopy species, and exceptional physical events (strong winds and snow) in the natural forest. The mean annual small litterfall is 7.12 t ha 1 yr 1 of which leaf litter account for 65% of the total litterfall. The seasonality of small litterfall was bia-modal, with the main one in the late dry season (April‐May) and a lesser one in early winter (October‐November). Decomposition quotient value was relatively low with 0.58 for total small litterfall. Mean large-wood ( 2.5 cm in diameter) ranged from 0.21 to 1.41 t ha 1 yr 1 with a mean of 0.52 t ha 1 yr 1 . Concentrations of most elements in leaf and twig were slightly greater in wet months than dry months, except for C and K. Woody litter had low N and P concentrations compared with the leaf and reproductive parts. Nutrient return to the soil through small litterfall decrease in the order C>N>Ca>K>Mg>Mn>Al>P>Fe, while nutrient reserve in litter on the forest floor was in the declining sequence C>N>Ca>K>Mg>P>Fe>Al>Mn.

Hydrological fluxes and associated nutrient budget were studied during a 2 year period (1998–99) in a montane moist evergreen broad-leaved forest at Ailao Mountain, Yunnan. Water samples of rainfall, throughfall, and stemflow, and of surface runoff, soil water, and stream flow were collected bimonthly to determine the concentration and fluxes of nutrients. Soil budgets were determined from the difference between precipitation input (including nutrient leaching from canopy) and output via runoff and drainage. The forest was characterized by low canopy interception and surface runoff, and high percolation and stream flow. Concentrations of nutrients were increased in throughfall and stemflow compared with precipitation. Surface runoff and drainage water had higher nutrient concentrations than precipitation and stream water. Total nitrogen and NH4+-N concentrations were higher in soil water than stream water, whereas K+, Ca2+, and Mg2+ concentrations were lower in the former than the latter. Annual nutrient fluxes decreased with soil depth following the pattern of water flux. Annual losses of most nutrient elements via stream flow were less than the corresponding inputs via throughfall and stemflow, except for calcium, for which solute loss was greater than the inputs via precipitation. Leaching losses of that element may be compensated by weathering. Losses of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, sodium, and sulphur could be replaced through atmospheric inputs. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

A study of nutrient movement through rainfall, throughfall and stemflow, as well as epiphytic bryophyte (moss and liverwort) biomass and its effect on nutrient composition of stemflow, was conducted for 2 y in subtropical montane moist forest (Lithocarpus–Castanopsis association) at Xujiaba, Ailao Mountain National Nature Reserve, Yunnan, south-west China. Base cation and fluxes were increased in throughfall, while NH4+-N and NO3--N were reduced relative to precipitation. Annual throughfall inputs of N, P, Ca and S were mainly from precipitation, while most K and two-thirds of Mg throughfall input was due to canopy leaching. Input of Na in the precipitation and throughfall was low in this forest. Net flux (throughfall flux minus bulk precipitation) and deposition ratios (ratio of throughfall flux to bulk precipitation flux) were in the low part of the range reported for other tropical montane rain forests. The throughfall data for this forest reveal generally low cycling rates for mineral elements. Abundant epiphytic bryophytes on bole bark affected the chemical composition of stemflow by selective uptake or release of elements. Relative to trees without epiphytic bryophytes, the annual amounts of total N, NH4+-N, Mg, Na and SO42--S were enhanced, while NO3--N, K, P and Ca were depleted in stemflow. Contributions of N from nitrogen-fixing organisms are likely to be constrained by low temperatures.

Little is known about the breeding systems of tropical perennial ginger species. In this paper, we provide information about the breeding system of Alpinia kwangsiensis in Yunnan, Southwest China, specifically self-com- patibility, mechanisms promoting outcrossing, and the visitation characteristics of pollinators. Popu- lations of A. kwangsiensis have two specific phenotypes that differ in flowering behaviour: 1) ''cataflexistyle'' individuals in which the stigma is held erect above the dehiscent anther when anthe- sis begins in the morning and becomes decurved under the anther at noon and 2) ''anaflexistyle'' individuals in which the receptive stigma is decurved under the indehiscent anther first and moves into a reflexed superior position above the anther as it begins to shed pollen at mid-day. The stigmatic movements in the two floral phenotypes, which occur in a ratio of 1:1 in natural popula- tions, are synchronous and correlate with the foraging behaviour of floral visitors; pollination is effected only between floral forms. Field experi- ments indicate that A. kwangsiensis is self-compat- ible and dependent upon insects for fertilization. This newly reported floral mechanism, which we have named ''flexistyly,'' adds to the repertoire of devices that have evolved in flowering plants to insure outcrossing.

Montane evergreen broad-leaved forest was the natural vegetation of subtropical, mountainous central and southern Yunnan, SW China. Pristine natural forest, dominated by Fagaceae ( Lithocarpus xylocarpus , Lithocarpus chintungensis and Castanopsis wattii ), is still present at Ailao Mountain National Nature Reserve. Within this forest, older stands are of relatively low density, with scattered large trees, compared with stands of higher density. Biomass and nutrient content are examined in this paper for two stands, one each of relatively high and low density. Tree aerial biomass components were calculated from a stand census applied to previously derived regressions of biomass components and tree size. Tree roots were obtained from cores (20 per stand). Other biomass contributions sampled were: live shrubs (five 4 m 2 samples); herb (ten 1 m 2 samples); dead wood (ten 4 m 2 samples); litterfall (fifteen 1 m 2 samples, monthly); forest floor litter (ten 0.25 m 2 samples, 3-monthly). Three nutrient samples were analysed for each tissue per species for both stands. Total live biomass was 503 and 285 t ha −1 for the high and low density stands, respectively. The biomass ratio of stem-wood to branch-wood and leaf biomass was 10:1 and 43.4:1 in the former and 14:1 and 29.7:1 in the latter, respectively. Standing crops of litter and dead wood were both less in the former (10.3 and 46.2 t ha −1 ) than the latter (12.9 and 98.5 t ha −1 ). Litterfall in the high density stand was 5.4 compared with 7.1 t ha −1 in the low density. Total nutrient content in living and dead wood materials was 280 and 195 t ha −1 , respectively. The sequence of inorganic nutrient element content decreased in the order, leaves>branches>roots>stems. Elemental nutrient content of the total stand decreased in the order of C>Ca>N>Mg>Al>P>Fe>Mn. The elements C, Ca and N were mainly in stems, while Al and Fe were mainly in roots. Nutrients in dead wood comprised 9.2 and 40.6% of the total nutrients in living trees and nutrients returned to soil through litterfall were estimated at 3120 and 3699 kg ha −1 yr −1 in high and low density stands, respectively.

In order to reveal levels and distribution of genetic variation within Oryza rufipogon Griff. of Yunnan, China, where one of the centers of genetic diversity for Asian cultivated rice O. sativa L. is located, allozyme variation encoded by 22 loci was electrophoretically analyzed in 149 individuals of all three existing populations as well as five from other regions (Guangxi, Hainan and Jiangxi provinces) of China. As compared to the level of genetic diversity (the mean A = 1.2, P = 24.1%, Ho = 0.045 and He = 0.079) for the populations from other regions, a rather low genetic diversity (the mean A = 1.1, P = 7.6%, Ho = 0.007 and He = 0.011) was found in Yunnan, which may originate from marginal nature of these populations, recent reduction of populations and consequent drift. The result suggests that the current center of genetic diversity for O. rufipogon fail to agree with that for cultivated rice in China. The genetic differentiation for all the eight populations(FST = 0.254) was slightly lower than that for three populations from Yunnan (FST = 0.302), indicating a fairly high genetic differentiation in the region. Finally, a conservation plan for sampling/preserving fewer populations but more individuals from each population for the species was given, and an appropriate strategy for conserving the three surviving populations from Yunnan was proposed.

The Chinese fauna of the family Trigonalyidae Cresson, 1887, is revised, keyed and fully illustrated for the first time. Eight genera of this family (Bakeronymus Rohwer, 1922; Bareogonalos Schulz, 1907; Jezonogonalos Tsuneki, 1991, re-instated; Lycogaster Shuckard, 1841; Orthogonalys Schulz, 1905; Pseudogonalos Schulz, 1906 and Taeniogonalos Schulz, 1906 and Teranishia Tsuneki, 1991) are recorded from China. The genus Ischnogonalos Schulz, 1907, is synonymized with Taeniogonalos Schulz, 1906 syn. n. In total 40 valid species are recognized. Twenty species are new for science: Jezonogonalos elliptifera sp. n., J. jiangliae sp. n., J.luteata sp. n., J. nigrata sp. n., Lycogaster angustula sp. n., L. flavonigrata sp. n., L. nigralva sp.n., Orthogonalys cheni sp. n., O. clypeata sp. n., O. robusta sp. n., Pseudogonalos angusta sp. n., Taeniogonalos bucarinata sp. n., T. cordata sp. n., T. geminata sp. n., T. sculpturata sp. n., T. triangulata sp. n., T. tricolorisoma sp. n., T. uncifera sp. n., Teranishia crenulata sp. n. and T. glabrata sp. n.. Two species are reported new for China: Orthogonalys elongata Teranishi, 1929 and Nanogonalos flavocincta Teranishi, 1929 (renamed to Taeniogonalos subtruncata nom. n.). Seven new synonyms are proposed: Poecilogonalos yuasai Teranishi, 1938, and P. maga taiwana Tsuneki, 1991, of Taeniogonalos taihorina (Bischoff, 1914); Taiwanogonalos minima Tsuneki, 1991, and T. similis Tsuneki, 1991, of Taeniogonalos alticola (Tsuneki,1991), P. intermedia Chen, 1949, and P. unifasciata Chen, 1949, of Taeniogonalos formosana (Bischoff, 1913). Six taxa are recognised as valid species: Bakeronymus seidakka Yamane & Terayama, 1983, Jezonogonalos laeviceps (Tsuneki, 1991), J. satoi (Tsuneki, 1991), Taeniogonalos alticola (Tsuneki, 1991), T. flavoscutellata (Chen, 1949) and T. gestroi (Schulz, 1908). Five new combinations are made: Jezonogonalos laeviceps (Tsuneki, 1991) comb. n., J. satoi (Tsuneki, 1991) comb. n., Taeniogonalos flavoscutellata (Chen, 1949) comb. n., T. gestroi (Schulz, 1908) comb. n. and T. lachrymosa (Westwood, 1874) comb. n.. Lectotypes are designated for Lycogaster violaceipennis Chen, 1949, Poecilogonalos flavoscutellata Chen, 1949, P. rufofasciata Chen, 1949, and P. tricolor Chen, 1949.

Litter decomposition and nutrient release of selected dominant synusiae in an old-growth, evergreen, broad-leaved mossy forest on Ailao Mountain, Yunnan, south-west China, were studied over a 22-month period. The species studied were three dominant tall tree species, Lithocarpus xylocarpus Markg., Lithocarpus chintungensis Hsu et Qian and Castanopsis wattii A. Camus; one dominant understory species (the bamboo Sinarundinaria nitida Nakai); and a mixture of dominant mosses (including Homaliodendron scalpellifolium Fleisch, Symphyodon perrottetti Mont., Herberta longifolissa Steph. and Bazzania albicans Horik.). Fast initial litter decomposition was followed by lower rates. Decomposition rates of canopy species and bamboo leaf litter appear to be controlled by the initial concentration of lignin, nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) more than by morphological features of the leaves. The decay rate of moss litter was less correlated with nutrient composition and lignin concentration in initial mass. The order of decomposition rates was Castanopsis wattii > L. xylocarpus > L. chintungensis > bamboo > moss. The decomposition rate constants (k) of the leaf litter for the canopy species L. xylocarpus, L. chintungensis and Castanopsis wattii were 0.62, 0.50 and 0.64, respectively, and 0.40 and 0.22 for bamboo and moss, respectively. Turnover time (1/k) for the three canopy species was 1.61 years, 2.0 years and 1.55 years, respectively, and 2.50 years and 4.55 years for bamboo and moss, respectively. The N and P concentration in the decomposing leaf litter increased in the first 6 months and then decreased over the remaining period. There was a relatively rapid initial loss of potassium (K), followed by a slight increase. Each of calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) decreased with time whereas iron (Fe) and manganese (Mn) increased with time to some extent. Nutrient release from decomposing leaf litter was in the order of K > Mg > Ca > N > P > Mn > Fe, except for bamboo (Sinarundinaria nitida) K > Ca > P > N > Mg > Mn > Fe.

This paper describes three new species of genus Aphelopus Dalman, 1823: Aphelopus luteoceps sp. nov., Aphelopus niger sp. nov. and Aphelopus albopictoides sp: nov. All the types are deposited in Department of Plant Protection, Zhejiang Agricultural University.

In order to determine genetic diversity of Oryza meyeriana (Zoll. et Mor. ex Steud.) Baill., 12 enzyme systems encoded by 17 loci were electrophoretically analyzed in 164 individuals of seven populations from Simao Prefecture, Yunnan Province, China. In comparison with those seed plants with the same life history and breeding systems, as well as the other species in the genus Oryza, the species shows rather low levels of genetic diversity (A = 1.1,P = 8.0 %, Ho = 0.004 and He = 0.015) within populations and high genetic differentiation among populations. F(st) was up to 0. 649, suggesting that 64. 9% of total genetic variability exists among populations. Considering high genetic differentiation among populations from a limited geographic region, most of the populations of the species are worth being protected, and therefore, great natural protection regions should theoretically be established in which a great deal of populations should be involved for developing in situ conservation management. Meanwhile, some priory localities for in situ conservation of O. meyerzana in Yunnan Province, were proposed.

Lunchodryinw cheni sp. nov. and Anteon ctenoides sp. nov., belonging to the subfamily Anteoninae, and Bocchus sinensis sp. nov., belonging to the subfamily Bocchinae are herein described. The subfamily Bocchinae is firstly recorded from China. All the type specimens are deposited in Zhejiang Agricultural University.

An updated revision of Oriental Dryinidae is presented. Seven subfamilies, 20 genera and 368 species are treated. Eight new species are described: Aphelopus zonalis Xu, OlmiHe, sp. nov. (China, Hainan); Anteon zoilum Xu, OlmiHe, sp. nov. (China, Yunnan), Anteon zonarium Xu, OlmiHe, sp. nov. (China, Yunnan), Anteon zopyrum Xu, OlmiHe, sp. nov. (China, Xizang), Anteon zoroastrum Xu, OlmiHe, sp. nov. (Malaysia, Malaya), Esagonatopus sinensis Xu, OlmiHe, sp. nov. (China, Yunnan), Gonatopus yunnanensis Xu, OlmiHe, sp. nov. (China, Yunnan); Ponomarenkoa ellenbergeri Olmi, XuHe, sp. nov. (Myanmar amber). Descriptions, geographic distribution, known hosts, natural en-emies and type material of each species are presented, together with illustrations of the main morphological characters and keys to the subfamilies, genera and species. Complete lists of references concerning the Oriental Dryinidae and their hosts are given. New synonymies are proposed for Aphelopus albiclypeus Xu, HeOlmi, 1999 (=A. exnotaulices HeXu, 2002, syn. nov.), A. orientalis Olmi, 1984 (=A. albopictoides XuHe, 1999, syn. nov.), A. taiwanensis Olmi, 1991 (=A. compresssus XuYao, 1997, syn. nov.), A. niger XuHe, 1999 (=A. nigricornis Xu, HeOlmi, 1999, syn. nov.), A. penanganus Olmi, 1984 (=A.olmii HeXu, 2002, syn. nov.), Anteon cacumen XuHe, 1997 (=A. longwangshanense XuHe, 1997, syn. nov.), A. hilare Olmi, 1984 (=A. corax Olmi, 1984, syn. nov., =A. javanum Olmi, 1984, syn. nov., =A. serratum XuHe, 1999, syn. nov.), A. lankanum Olmi, 1984 (=A. planum XuHe, 1999, syn. nov.), A. munitum Olmi, 1984 (=A. bauense Olmi, 1984, syn. nov.), A. parapriscum Olmi, 1991 (=A. alpinum HeXu, 2002, syn. nov.), A. peterseni Olmi, 1984 (=A. scrupulosum HeXu, 2002, syn. nov.), A. yuani Xu, HeOlmi, 1998 (=A. yuae HeXu, 2002, syn. nov.), Lonchodryinus bimaculatus XuHe, 1994 (=L. niger HeXu, 2002, syn. nov.), L. ruficornis (Dalman, 1818) (=L. melaphelus XuHe, 1994, syn. nov.), Dryinus indicus (Kieffer, 1914) (=Chlorodryinus koreanus Móczár, 1983, syn. nov., =Dryinus masneri Olmi, 2009, syn. nov.), D. stantoni Ashmead, 1904 (=D. undatomarginis XuHe, 1998, syn. nov., =D. wuyishanensis HeXu, 2002, syn. nov.), Adryinus jini XuYang, 1995 (=A. platycornis XuHe, 1995, syn. nov.), Gonatopus nigricans (R. Perkins, 1905 (=G. fulgori Nakagawa, 1906, syn. nov., =G. insulanus HeXu, 1998, syn. nov., Pseudogonatopus sogatea Rohwer, 1920, syn. nov.; P. pusanus Olmi, 1984, syn. nov.), G. nudus (R. Perkins, 1912) (=G. yangi HeXu, 1998, syn. nov.), G. pedestris Dalman, 1818 (=Epigonatopus sakaii EsakiHashimoto, 1933, syn. nov.), G. rufoniger Olmi, 1993 (=Neodryinus hishimonovorus XuHe, 1997, syn. nov.), G. schen-klingi Strand, 1913 (=G. euscelidivorus XuHe, 1999, syn. nov.). New combinations are proposed for Deinodryinus con-strictus (Olmi, 1998), comb. nov. (from Anteon), Dryinus asiaticus (Olmi, 1984), comb. nov. (from Alphadryinus), D. barbarus (Olmi, 1984), comb. nov. (from Mesodryinus), Gonatopus bengalensis (Olmi, 1984), comb. nov. (from Agona-topoides ), G. bicuspis (Olmi, 1993), comb. nov. (from Pseudogonatopus), G. borneanus (Olmi, 1984), comb. nov. (from Agonatopoides ); G. indicus (Olmi, 1987), comb. nov. (from Donisthorpina), G. insularis (Olmi, 1984), comb. nov. (from Agonatopoides), G. lankae (Ponomarenko, 1981), comb. nov. (from Pseudogonatopus), G. malesiae (Olmi, 1984), comb. nov. (from Pseudogonatopus), G. nepalensis (Olmi, 1986), comb. nov. (from Pseudogonatopus), G. pajanensis (Olmi, 1989), comb. nov. (from Agonatopoides), G. pyrillae (Mani, 1942), comb. nov. (from Agonatopoides), G. sarawakensis (Olmi, 1984), comb. nov. (from Pseudogonatopus), G. validus (Olmi, 1984), comb. nov. (from Pseudogonatopus).

The Chinese fauna of the family Gasteruptiidae is revised, keyed and fully illustrated for the first time. Only one genus of this family, Gasteruption Latreille, 1796, is recorded from China. In total 28 valid species of the genus Gasteruption are recognized. Six species are new to science (Gasteruption angulatum sp. n., G. assectoides sp. n., G. coloratum sp. n., G. latitibia sp. n., G. sinepunctatum sp. n. and G. strigosum sp. n.) and eight species are reported new for China (G. bimaculatum Pasteels, 1958, G. birmanense Pasteels, 1958, G. dimidiatum Semenov, 1892, G. formilis Alekseev, 1995, G. subhamatum Pasteels, 1958, G. tonkinense Pasteels, 1958, G. tournieri Schletterer, 1885, G. transversiceps Pasteels, 1958). Three new synonyms are proposed: G. curiosum Pasteels, 1958, of G. amoyense Pasteels, 1958; G. sinense var. minus Kieffer, 1924, with G. japonicum Cameron, 1888, and G. sinense Kieffer, 1924, of G. sinarum Kieffer, 1911. Lectotypes are designated for Gasteruption corniculigerum Enderlein, 1913, G. sinense Kieffer, 1924, and G. transversiceps Pasteels, 1958. Gasteruption bihamatum Kieffer, 1911, previously reported from South China, is a South American species.

The tropical armyworm, Spodoptera litura (F.) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), is an important pest of tobacco, Nicotiana tabacum L. (Solanales: Solanaceae), in South China that is becoming increasingly resistant to pesticides. Six potential trap crops were evaluated to control S. litura on tobacco. Castor bean, Ricinus communis L. (Malpighiales: Euphorbiaceae), and taro, Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott (Alismatales: Araceae), hosted significantly more S. litura than peanut, Arachis hypogaea L. (Fabales: Fabaceae), sweet potato, Ipomoea batata Lam. (Solanales: Convolvulaceae) or tobacoo in a greenhouse trial, and tobacco field plots with taro rows hosted significantly fewer S. litura than those with rows of other trap crops or without trap crops, provided the taro was in a fast-growing stage. When these crops were grown along with eggplant, Solanum melongena L. (Solanales: Solanaceae), and soybean, Glycines max L. (Fabales: Fabaceae), in separate plots in a randomized matrix, tobacco plots hosted more S. litura than the other crop plots early in the season, but late in the season, taro plots hosted significantly more S. litura than tobacco, soybean, sweet potato, peanut or eggplant plots. In addition, higher rates of S. litura parasitism by Microplitis prodeniae Rao and Chandry (Hymenoptera: Bracondidae) and Campoletis chlorideae Uchida (Ichnumonidae) were observed in taro plots compared to other crop plots. Although taro was an effective trap crop for managing S. litura on tobacco, it did not attract S. litura in the seedling stage, indicating that taro should either be planted 20-30 days before tobacco, or alternative control methods should be employed during the seedling stage.

This paper studied the response of photosynthesis, chlorophyll a fluorescence and 3 antioxygenic enzyme activities in the seedlings of a pioneer species (Mallotus barbatus) and two endangered sub-canopy tree species (Litsea pierrei var. szemaois and L. dilleniifolia) in Xishuangbanna tropical rain forest to different light environments. Three light regimes (50%, 25% and 8% full sunlight) were designed for the seedlings. The largest values of maximum photosynthetic rates (Pmax) of L. pierrei var. szemaois and L. dilleniifolia were documented at 25% and 8% sunlight, respectively, which showed that the two sub-canopy species had poor ability in photosynthetic acclimation to high light. In contrast, the Pmax of M. barbatus increased with light level. During a day, the maximum photochemical efficiency (Fv/Fm) of the photosystem II in all the three species grown under three light levels showed minimum values at noon, and the lowest Fv/Fm values were shown in seedlings at 50% sunlight. Under 50% sunlight, the Fv/Fm values at dawn were lower in L. dilleniifolia than in the same species under other two light levels, indicating that sustained photoinhibition occurred in this case. The contents of malondialdehyde (MDA), H2O2, and activities of ascorbate peroxidase (APX), superoxid dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) of both L. pierrei var. szemaois and M. barbatus increased with stronger irradiance, which revealed that these two species were able to alleviate photodamage under high light stress by increasing their antioxigenic activities. But, high content of MDA revealed that L. dilleniifolia was probably suffered from membrane damage. In conclusion, our data revealed that the pioneer species M. barbatus had a high capacity to acclimate to different light environments, particularly high light, while the two subcanopy Litsea species had poor ability in acclimation to high light. Based on the findings of the present study, we suggest that the small populations and endangered status of both L. pierrei var. szemaois and L. dilleniifolia in natural environment could be partially due to their poor flexibility in response to changed light environment resulted from habitat fragmentation.

The majority of research in genetic diversity yields recommendations rather than actual conservation achievements. We assessed the efficacy of actual in situ and ex situ efforts to conserve Parashorea chinensis (Dipterocarpaceae) against the background of the geographic pattern of genetic variation of this species. Samples from seven natural populations, including three in a nature reserve, and one ex situ conservation population were studied. Across the natural populations, 47.8% of RAPD loci were polymorphic; only 20.8% on average varied at the population level. Mean population genetic diversity was 0.787 within natural populations and 1.410 for the whole species. Significant genetic differentiation among regions and isolation by distance were present on larger scales (among regions). AMOVA revealed that the majority of the among-population variation occurred among regions rather than among populations within regions. Regression analysis, Mantel test, principal coordinates analysis, and cluster analysis consistently demonstrated increasing genetic isolation with increasing geographic distance. Genetic differentiation within the region was quite low compared to that among regions. Multilocus spatial autocorrelation analysis of these three populations revealed random distribution of genetic variation in two populations, but genetic clustering was detected in the third population. The ex situ conserved population contained a medium level of genetic variation compared with the seven natural populations; it contained 77.1% of the total genetic variation of this species and 91% of the moderate to high frequency RAPD fragments (f > 0.05). Exclusive bands were detected in natural populations, but none were found in the ex situ conserved population. The populations protected in the nature reserve contained most of the genetic variation of the whole species, with 81.4% of the total genetic variation and 95.7% of the fragments with moderate to high frequency (f > 0.05) of this species conserved. The results show that the ex situ conserved population does not contain enough genetic variation to meet the need of release in the future, and that more extensive ex situ sampling in natural populations TY, NP, HK, and MG is needed. The in situ conserved population contains representative genetic variation to maintain long-term survival and evolutionary processes of P. chinensis.