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Ponds are common freshwater habitats in the European landscape that substantially contribute to local and regional biodiversity. Chironomids often dominate invertebrate communities in ponds but are usually disregarded in ecological studies due to relatively complicated taxonomy and identification issues. We present a comprehensive overview of the chironomid diversity in 246 ponds spanning a wide range of conditions extending from the Pannonian Plain to the Carpathians. Altogether, we recorded 225 taxa including 192 species from six subfamilies (Podonominae, Tanypodinae, Diamesinae, Prodiamesinae, Orthocladiinae and Chironominae). However, the chironomid taxa inventory is far from complete and about 16% of the total diversity of pond‐dwelling chironomids remains undetected. Chironomid alpha diversity showed a significant unimodal pattern along the elevation gradient with the highest number of taxa per pond expected around 790 m a.s.l. Gamma diversity also peaked in mid‐elevations (600–800 m), and the common chironomid taxa partitioned the 2100‐m long altitudinal gradient relatively evenly. The heterogeneity of chironomid communities among ponds measured as beta diversity was significantly higher in elevations below 800 m. Temperature and the proportion of surrounding forests significantly influenced alpha diversity of chironomid communities, while urban land cover and pond size had no significant effect. Ponds with a mean annual air temperature of approximately 4.8°C and a low proportion of surrounding forests are expected to harbour the most diverse chironomid communities. Our study showed that chironomids represent a very diverse and often exceptionally rich group of pond‐dwelling macroinvertebrates. Given the high diversity and broad range of occupied niches, chironomids should not be overlooked in pond ecology studies. On the contrary, they should be considered a potential model group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Six new species of Cryptochironomus Kieffer, 1918, C. absum Liu, sp. nov., C. beardi Liu, sp. nov., C. dentatus Liu, sp. nov., C. ferringtoni Liu, sp. nov., C. parallelus Liu, sp. nov. and C. taylorensis Liu, sp. nov., are described and illustrated based on adult males. The specimens were collected from various water systems in the United States and preserved by Dr. Leonard Charles Ferrington Jr. An updated key to adult males of all known Cryptochironomus species in the Nearctic region is also provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Specialized pollination systems frequently match a particular set of floral characteristics. Vincetoxicum spp. (Apocynaceae, Asclepiadoideae) have disk‐shaped flowers with open access to rewards and reproductive organs. Flowers with these traits are usually associated with generalized pollination. However, the highly modified androecium and gynoecium that characterize asclepiads are thought to be associated with specialized pollinators.In V. sangyojarniae, we investigated floral biology, pollination, and the degree of pollinator specialization in two localities in Thailand. We examined floral traits that target legitimate pollinators.Flowers of V. sangyojarniae opened only at night, emitted floral scents containing mainly (E)‐β‐ocimene, 1‐octen‐3‐ol, (E)‐4,8‐dimethyl‐1,3,7‐nonatriene (E‐DMNT) and N‐(3‐methylbutyl)acetamide, and provided sucrose‐dominated nectar openly to insect visitors. Assessment of pollinator effectiveness indicated that V. sangyojarniae is functionally specialized for pollination by cecidomyiid flies. Although various insects, particularly cockroaches, frequently visited flowers, they did not carry pollinaria.Our results suggest that V. sangyojarniae attracts its fly pollinators by emitting floral volatiles bearing olfactory notes associated with the presence of fungi or, less likely, of prey captured by predatory arthropods (food sources of its pollinators) but offers a nectar reward upon insect arrival. Hence, there is a mismatch between the advertisement and the actual reward. Our results also suggest that the size of floral parts constitutes a mechanical filter where reciprocal fit between flower and insect structures ensures that only suitable pollinators can extract the pollinaria, a prerequisite for successful pollination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Ponds are common freshwater habitats in the European landscape that substantially contribute to local and regional biodiversity. Chironomids often dominate invertebrate communities in ponds but are usually disregarded in ecological studies due to relatively complicated taxonomy and identification issues. We present a comprehensive overview of the chironomid diversity in 246 ponds spanning a wide range of conditions extending from the Pannonian Plain to the Carpathians. Altogether, we recorded 225 taxa including 192 species from six subfamilies (Podonominae, Tanypodinae, Diamesinae, Prodiamesinae, Orthocladiinae and Chironominae). However, the chironomid taxa inventory is far from complete and about 16% of the total diversity of pond‐dwelling chironomids remains undetected. Chironomid alpha diversity showed a significant unimodal pattern along the elevation gradient with the highest number of taxa per pond expected around 790 m a.s.l. Gamma diversity also peaked in mid‐elevations (600–800 m), and the common chironomid taxa partitioned the 2100‐m long altitudinal gradient relatively evenly. The heterogeneity of chironomid communities among ponds measured as beta diversity was significantly higher in elevations below 800 m. Temperature and the proportion of surrounding forests significantly influenced alpha diversity of chironomid communities, while urban land cover and pond size had no significant effect. Ponds with a mean annual air temperature of approximately 4.8°C and a low proportion of surrounding forests are expected to harbour the most diverse chironomid communities. Our study showed that chironomids represent a very diverse and often exceptionally rich group of pond‐dwelling macroinvertebrates. Given the high diversity and broad range of occupied niches, chironomids should not be overlooked in pond ecology studies. On the contrary, they should be considered a potential model group.

In this study, presence of ophiostomatiod fungi (absence, presence) on wood cross-section samples (total 72) from freshly cut Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) trees (total 24) at four sites (Valtice, Příšťpo, Brodce, Vrbová Lhota) affected by long-term drought was evaluated in relation to: sampling period (spring, summer, autumn), tree age (30–40, 50–90 years), wood sample origin (bottom trunk, middle trunk, twigs), tree defoliation (>25–60%, >60–99%), and presence of other taxa. Ophiostomatoid fungi were present on 33% wood cross-section samples from 50% trees. Presence of ophiostomatoid fungi was significantly different in relation to sampling period (i.e. the highest in autumn, the lowest in spring), and was directly proportional to both presence of mites and Nematocera larvae; it was insignificantly different in relation to site, tree age, wood sample origin, defoliation, and presence of other taxa. These results show: (1) frequent presence of ophiostomatoid fungi in wood tissues of Scots pine trees, (2) insignificant effect of ophiostomatoid fungi on health status of the trees, (3) relationship of presence of ophiostomatoid fungi with both presence of mites and Nematocera larvae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The complete mitochondrial genome of Limnophyes minimus (Meigen 1818) was sequenced and annotated, and its general features and base composition were analyzed. The phylogenetic relationships of the families Chironomidae, Simuliidae, Sciaridae and Culicidae based on 25 metagenomes were reconstructed using maximum likelihood (ML) methods based on the concatenated nucleotide sequences, the phylogenetic analysis showed that L. minimus belongs family Chironomidae, which is consistent with the traditional morphological classification.

A total of 1672 species of the suborder Nematocera, belonging to 26 families, has been reported from Bulgaria so far. The families Chironomidae (327 species), Mycetophilidae (263 species), Cecidomyiidae (262 species) and Limoniidae (221 species) comprise the greatest number of species. Of the established species, 40 are pests on the forestry or agriculture and 26 species have a human or veterinary medical significance. The distribution of dipterans in the different regions of Bulgaria is presented. The greatest number of species has been found in the zone of the xerothermic oak forests (1087 species or 65.0%). The Nematocera belong to 104 zoogeographical categories, divided into 2 supergroups: 1) species with Mediterranean type of distribution (131 species or 7.8%) – more thermophilic and distributed mainly in the southern parts of the Palaearctic and the lower parts of the mountains; 2) species with Palaearctic and Eurosiberian type of distribution (1541 species or 92.2%) – more eurybiontic and widely distributed. A total of 60 (3.6%) endemics has been found. The distribution of the zoogeographical categories in the separate vegetation belts of Bulgaria is scrutinised. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dominican amber is the fossil resin famous for the best quality of inclusions, exploited in Dominican Republic from the deposits formed in the late Early Miocene, ca. 16 Ma. A new species, Polymera (Polymera) alexanderi sp. n. of the dipteran family Limoniidae is described from this amber. This new limonid belongs to the genus Polymera Wiedemann, 1820 with 63 extant species described mostly from South America. Only three fossil species are known so far from Dominican and Baltic amber. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Different physical structures play a central role in animal camouflage. However, in evolutionary studies of mimicry, the ecological and evolutionary significance of such structures has been poorly investigated. Larvae of long-bodied craneflies, Cylindrotominae, are all obligate herbivores and resemble plants. They are distinctively characterized by possessing numerous elongated cuticular lobes on the integument. A comprehensive overview of the biology and morphology of cylindrotomids, particularly their larval stages, is laid out, providing original data on nine species. To explore the ecological background of moss resemblance, host-plants of most examined species are clarified, revealing that terrestrial moss-feeding species tend to use specific groups of mosses, either belonging to Bryales or Hypnales. However, the evolution of cryptic forms remains paradoxical, due to the apparent absence of visual predators. Based on histological examinations, extensive internal musculatures within the cuticular lobes on the lateral side are discovered, shedding new light on their function in locomotion. Traditional functional explanations for these lobes, particularly as devices for respiration, locomotion and attachment, are challenged. This study promotes our understanding of the ecomorphology of mimicry devices, which is an angle often dismissed in evolutionary studies of mimicry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The complete mitochondrial genome of Chironomus nipponensis Tokunaga, was sequenced and assembled from the whole genome data. The mitochondrial genome length was 16184 bp and contained 22 transfer RNA genes, 13 protein-coding genes, 2 ribosomal RNA genes, and 1 D-loop control region. Phylogenetic and taxonomic analysis based on the concatenated nucleotide sequences of 37 genes from 14 related species was reconstructed. The phylogeny revealed that C. nipponensis is closely related to three other Chironomus species, which is consistent with the traditional morphological studies.

Abstract Background Phlebotomine sand flies (Diptera, Nematocera) are important vectors of several pathogens, including Leishmania parasites, causing serious diseases of humans and dogs. Despite their importance as disease vectors, most aspects of sand fly biology remain unknown including the molecular basis of their reproduction and sex determination, aspects also relevant for the development of novel vector control strategies. Results Using comparative genomics/transcriptomics data mining and transcriptional profiling, we identified the sex determining genes in phlebotomine sand flies and proposed the first model for the sex determination cascade of these insects. For all the genes identified, we produced manually curated gene models, developmental gene expression profile and performed evolutionary molecular analysis. We identified and characterized, for the first time in a Nematocera species, the transformer (tra) homolog which exhibits both conserved and novel features. The analysis of the tra locus in sand flies and its expression pattern suggest that this gene is able to autoregulate its own splicing, as observed in the fruit fly Ceratitis capitata and several other insect species. Conclusions Our results permit to fill the gap about sex determination in sand flies, contribute to a better understanding of this developmental pathway in Nematocera and open the way for the identification of sex determining orthologs in other species of this important Diptera sub-order. Furthermore, the sex determination genes identified in our work also provide the opportunity of future biotechnological applications to control natural population of sand flies, reducing their impact on public health.

The level of resistance to radiation and the developmental and molecular responses can vary between species, and even between developmental stages of one species. For flies (order: Diptera), prior studies concluded that the fungus gnat Bradysia (Sciara) coprophila (sub-order: Nematocera) is more resistant to irradiation-induced mutations that cause visible phenotypes than the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster (sub-order: Brachycera). Therefore, we characterized the effects of and level of resistance to ionizing radiation on B. coprophila throughout its life cycle. Our data show that B. coprophila embryos are highly sensitive to even low doses of gamma-irradiation, whereas late-stage larvae can tolerate up to 80 Gy (compared to 40 Gy for D. melanogaster) and still retain their ability to develop to adulthood, though with a developmental delay. To survey the genes involved in the early transcriptional response to irradiation of B. coprophila larvae, we compared larval RNA-seq profiles with and without radiation treatment. The up-regulated genes were enriched for DNA damage response genes, including those involved in DNA repair, cell cycle arrest, and apoptosis, whereas the down-regulated genes were enriched for developmental regulators, consistent with the developmental delay of irradiated larvae. Interestingly, members of the PARP and AGO families were highly up-regulated in the B. coprophila radiation response. We compared the transcriptome responses in B. coprophila to the transcriptome responses in D. melanogaster from 3 previous studies: whereas pathway responses are highly conserved, specific gene responses are less so. Our study lays the groundwork for future work on the radiation responses in Diptera., Competing Interests: Conflicts of interest The author(s) declare no conflicts of interest., (© The Author(s) 2023. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of The Genetics Society of America. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.)

Background: Insect glutathione S-transferases (GSTs), a multifunctional protein family, play a crucial role in detoxification of plant defensive compounds. However, they have been rarely investigated in Sitodiplosis mosellana, a destructive pest of wheat worldwide. In this study, we characterized for the first time a delta (SmGSTd1) and two epsilon GST genes (SmGSTe1 and SmGSTe2) and analyzed their expression patterns and functions associated with adaptation to host plant defense in this species., Results: Expression of these SmGST genes greatly increased in S. mosellana larvae feeding on resistant wheat varieties Kenong1006, Shanmai139 and Jinmai47 which contain higher tannin and ferulic acid, the major defensive compounds of wheat against this pest, compared with those feeding on susceptible varieties Xinong822, Xinong88 and Xiaoyan22. Their expression was also tissue-specific, most predominant in larval midgut. Recombinant SmGSTs expressed in Escherichia coli could catalyze the conjugation of 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene, with activity peak at pH around 7.0 and temperature between 30 and 40 °C. Notably, they could metabolize tannin and ferulic acid, with the strongest metabolic ability by SmGSTe2 against two compounds, followed by SmGSTd1 on tannin, and SmGSTe1 on ferulic acid., Conclusion: The results suggest that these SmGSTs are important in metabolizing wheat defensive chemicals during feeding, which may be related to host plant adaptation of S. mosellana. Our study has provided information for future investigation and development of strategies such as host-induced gene silencing of insect-detoxifying genes for managing pest adaptation. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry., (© 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.)

The complete mitochondrial genome of Limnophyes minimus (Meigen 1818) was sequenced and annotated, and its general features and base composition were analyzed. The phylogenetic relationships of the families Chironomidae, Simuliidae, Sciaridae and Culicidae based on 25 metagenomes were reconstructed using maximum likelihood (ML) methods based on the concatenated nucleotide sequences, the phylogenetic analysis showed that L. minimus belongs family Chironomidae, which is consistent with the traditional morphological classification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

First Upper Triassic dipterans (Nematocera) are described based on isolated wings from Fuchsberg near Seinstedt (Sevatian, uppermost Norian of Lower Saxony, Germany): Crivoptychoptera nebrias gen. et sp. nov. (Psychodomorpha, Ptychopteridae), Ptychopteridae incertae sedis, Dohloboyia triassica gen. et sp. nov. (Bibionomorpha, Boholdoyidae) and Chironomidae incertae sedis (Culicomorpha). All taxa under discussion present the oldest occurrences of their families. Geological background and composition of the Upper Triassic insect fauna of Seinstedt are briefly discussed.

The paper presents very rare fossil record of crane flies. Inclusions in Baltic amber have documented the second evidence of the existence of the genus Tasiocera (Diptera: Limoniidae: Chioneinae) in ancient epochs of Earth's history. Hypotheses were also introduced regarding the environmental preferences of fossil Dasymolopilus in relation to modern representatives of the subgenus. The genus is numerous in species and widespread in the modern fauna, while only one species, Tasiocera (Dasymolophilus) circumcincta, has been known from the fossil record to date. The paper presents an additional description and graphic documentation of this species based on new materials. The discovery of two other species Tasiocera (Dasymolophilus) gorskii sp. nov. and Tasiocera (Dasymolophilus) baltica sp. nov. in Eocene resins documents the occurence of Tasiocera since Eocene. Interestingly, only subgenus Dasymolophilus is represented both in extinct and extant fauna while subgenus Tasiocera is not known from the fossil record. The new discovery is very significant, and the result of the study adds a brick to our understanding of the evolution of this group of insects and their habitat., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Leptotarsus reyi sp. nov., first representative of the family Tipulidae from the Lower Cretaceous of Lebanon, is characterised, described and illustrated from the Early Barremian dysodile of Jdeidet Bkassine, South Lebanon.

The soybean gall midge, Resseliella maxima Gagné (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae), is a pest that injures soybeans in the Midwest United States. Little is known about the natural enemies of R. maxima or the potential for biological control. Therefore, we performed a 2-yr survey in Minnesota to examine the predator community associated with R. maxima infestations. We found that Orius insidiosus (Say) (Heteroptera: Anthocoridae) and Pterostichus melanarius (Illiger) (Coleoptera: Carabidae) were the most common foliar- and ground-foraging predators, respectively. Some of the commonly encountered predator species were tested in laboratory predation experiments. Harmonia axyridis (Pallas) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) and O. insidiosus represented the foliar-foraging predators tested, and H. axyridis consumed significantly more R. maxima larvae than O. insidiosus. Among the ground-foraging predators, 4 carabids were tested. Poecilus lucublandus (Say) (Coleoptera: Carabidae) and Pt. melanarius consumed significantly more R. maxima larvae than Poecilus chalcites (Say) (Coleoptera: Carabidae) and Bembidion quadrimaculatum oppositum (Say) (Coleoptera: Carabidae). We conclude that Pt. melanarius should receive further attention as a potential biological control agent of R. maxima, due to its high abundance in the soybean fields in this study, temporal overlap with the pest, and high propensity to feed on the pest., (© The Author(s) 2023. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Entomological Society of America. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.)

Background: Soybean gall midge, Resseliella maxima Gagné (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae), is a pest that impacts soybean yield in the Midwest United States. While biological control using parasitoids may be a promising approach for managing this pest, it is crucial to have a deep understanding of parasitism dynamics to ensure effective implementation. We investigated R. maxima parasitism using a combination of three methods: rearing of field-collected hosts, dissection, and molecular assays., Results: We confirmed parasitism of R. maxima by the recently described wasp Synopeas maximum Awad & Talamas (Hymenoptera: Platygastridae) and used our combinatorial approach to observe the spatial and temporal relationships between R. maxima and its parasitoid in the field. The number of R. maxima adults was greater in symptomatic plants on field edges than the field interior, but such a pattern was inconsistent for parasitism rates. Parasitism rates were generally highest early and late in the season, and lower in the middle of the season when the number of R. maxima was highest., Conclusion: In Minnesota, overall season-long parasitism rates of R. maxima were low (< 2%). To facilitate a wider investigation of the biological control of R. maxima, we designed a protocol for high throughput DNA extraction and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) that can be used across a broader geography. Further research should evaluate how parasitism rates by Synopeas maximum could be promoted in production fields. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry., (© 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.)

Japanese species of the genus Dactylolabis Osten Sacken, 1860 are revised. One new species, D. kyororo sp. nov. is described and the two other species of the genus, D. diluta Alexander, 1922 and D. longicauda Alexander, 1922, are redescribed, with images of the habitus and wings, and drawings of the terminalia. A subspecies of D. longicauda Alexander, 1922 described from Yakushima Island, D. longicauda megastylata Alexander, 1930, is synonymized with the nominotypical subspecies. A key to the species is provided.

A new species of Lygistorrhina (Lygistorrhina) Skuse, 1890, Lygistorrhina woodi sp. nov., is described. The specimen was dissected from an alcohol-preserved flower of Ceropegia aristolochioides ssp. deflersiana Bruyns (Apocynaceae, Asclepiadoideae, Ceropegieae) stored in the Kew herbarium. This is the first occurrence of the lygistorrhine gnats in a hot, semi-arid climate. A key to all known species of the subgenus Lygistorrhina (Lygistorrhina) is provided.

Pollination studies of South African Asclepiadeae (Apocynaceae: Asclepiadoideae) have mostly examined species in the moist summer-rainfall grasslands, with limited studies of the early-diverging groups occurring in the drier winter-rainfall habitats. This study examined the pollination and floral traits of Eustegia minuta, an unusual species endemic to the winter-rainfall Greater Cape Floristic Region and representing an early-diverging clade within the Asclepiadeae. Observations of floral visitors in Jonkershoek Nature Reserve showed that this species is visited primarily by a species of March fly, Bibio turneri (Bibionidae). These flies moved actively between plants and carried pollinaria on their mouthparts. In addition, an ant species, Camponotus vestitus (Formicidae), and a single honey bee Apis mellifera capensis (Apidae) individual carried pollinaria and may contribute to pollination. Bagging experiments confirmed that flowers require pollinators for reproduction. Flowers produced small amounts (1.2 µl per flower) of concentrated (32.5% sugar) nectar. Pollination success was low (14.5% of flowers were pollinated and 3.4% of flowers developed fruits). Pollen transfer efficiency (PTE) was 5.2%. The corolla reflectance was similar to that of green leaves, but the gynostegium exhibited a relatively bright human-white spectral curve. Floral scent comprised over 50 compounds, but was dominated by various aromatics along with 2,3-heptandione, (E)-4,8-dimethylnona-1,3,7-triene and several unidentified compounds. We conclude that E. minuta is pollinated primarily by the March fly B. turneri, although ants and possibly honey bees may make a lesser contribution. Pollination by bibionid flies has not previously been reported in asclepiads and is extremely uncommon amongst angiosperms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses a study that examined the key components of the sex determining cascade, identifying the first transformer homolog in a Nematocera species. Topics include the in silico translation of the five cDNAs, the use of Ppesod gene as endogenous positive control, and sand fly life cycle and developmental expression analyses of sex determining genes in Phlebotomus perniciosus.

A new species of the genus Tipulodina Enderlein, 1912, Tipulodina bifurcata Xue & Men, sp. nov. (Guangxi, South China) is described and illustrated. A key to the known species in China is provided. The morphological description of the female internal reproductive system of the new species is provided, which represents the first description for this genus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We revise the Afrotropical species of the genus Dilophus Meigen, redescribing each species. Previous Afrotropical records of the Palaearctic species Dilophus antipedalis Wiedemann and Dilophus femoratus Meigen are found to be erroneous, both these represent undescribed species, the former is distributed in the mountains along the southern Rift Valley and described as Dilophus riftensis sp.n., specimens recorded as the latter from Madagascar is described as Dilophus malagasicus sp.n.. Furthermore, one montane or alpine species apparently endemic to Ethiopia is described, Dilophus baleensis sp.n.. Philia splendens Hardy, 1951 is found to be a junior synonym of Dilophus bicolor Wiedemann, 1821. We summarise what is known about the distribution and phenology of these species in the Afrotropical ecozone.

New inclusions of Trichoneura preserved in Upper Cretaceous (Cenomanian) Kachin amber allow the description of a new subgenus, Burmania subgen. nov., and four new species: Trichoneura (Burmania) burmitensis subgen. et sp. nov., Trichoneura (Burmania) chungkuni subgen. et sp. nov., Trichoneura (Burmania) sevciki subgen. et sp. nov. and Trichoneura (Burmania) wangi subgen. et sp. nov. The species differ mainly by the morphology of the hypopygium or wing venation but also the construction of the antenna. Based on a comparison of the wing venation and the morphology of the hypopygium it was possible to describe features which are characteristic of the new subgenus, especially the presence of vein R 3+4 . Moreover, it was possible to elucidate the evolutionary pattern of Trichoneura with two distinct extant and extinct branches. Trichoneura (Trichoneura) canadensis from Upper Cretaceous Canadian amber is transferred to the new subgenus Burmania., (© 2023. Springer Nature Limited.)

The genera Asindulum Latreille and Macrorrhyncha Winnertz are revised for the Nearctic Region with six species recognized, four in Asindulum and two in Macrorrhyncha: Asindulum coxale Loew generic combination reinstated, A. flavidum n. sp., A. mexicanum n. sp., A. montanum Rder, Macrorrhyncha borealis n. sp., and M. vockerothi n. sp. Asindulum tenuipes Walker should be excluded from future keroplatid works as it belongs to the family Blephariceridae and previous Nearctic records of the Palearctic species Macrorrhyncha flava Winnertz are discussed and concluded to be based on misidentifications. Nearctic taxa are imaged and a key to the species of Asindulum and the Nearctic species of Macrorrhyncha is provided. The two Palearctic species of Asindulum, A. nigrum Latreille and A. theodori Matile, are briefly addressed in the text and the male terminalia of the first species imaged to allow for comparison with the very similar Nearctic species A. coxale.

The feeding habits of Chironomidae in hill streams in the pampean region have not been described. In this study, we analyzed the gut contents of this insect family with an aim at establishing their diet in an intermittent stream in the Ventania-Hill system. We sampled three sites with different habitat characteristics (i. e., altitude, substrate type, and current velocity). Of the total of nine taxa were recorded, the only one present at all sites was Corynoneura sp. 1. The food items found were detritus, diatoms, filamentous chlorophytes, euglenophytes, vascular plants, fungi, and animal remains. Most of the taxa could be classified as gathering collectors, with those having a higher proportion of detritus in the gut contents although the guts of Pentaneura nr. cinerea, Cricotopus sp. 1, and Onconeura analiae included high proportions of animal remains. No differences in the feeding habits were attributable to the location in the stream. This research contributes to our understanding of the trophic habits of Chironomidae in an intermittent hill stream system of South America.

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Jujube gall midge (Dasineura jujubifolia Jiao & Bu) (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) is an important pest in jujube (Ziziphus jujuba Mill.) orchards in Aksu, Xinjiang, China. Yellow sticky traps are the main device used for monitoring jujube gall midge adults, but their efficacy is low. Here, we compared the effectiveness of yellow sticky traps with water pan traps (are commonly used for trapping Diptera insects) to monitor jujube gall midge adults. Yellow sticky traps and pan traps were deployed for 2 consecutive years in jujube orchards in Aksu, Xinjiang, China. The midge's population dynamics as revealed by these 2 trap types were consistent, but the effectiveness of pan traps was about 5 times greater than that of the yellow sticky traps. In addition, pan traps captured fewer non-target species (e.g., parasitic wasps, lacewings, and lady beetles) than yellow sticky traps. Our study suggests that pan trap is an effective device to monitor jujube gall midge adults with minimal harm to natural enemies., (© The Author(s) 2023. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Entomological Society of America. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.)