Peering into the Darkness: DNA Barcoding Reveals Surprisingly High Diversity of Unknown Species of Diptera (Insecta) in Germany

Determining the size of the German insect fauna requires better knowledge of several megadiverse families of Diptera and Hymenoptera that are taxonomically challenging. This study takes the first step in assessing these “dark taxa” families and provides species estimates for four challenging groups of Diptera (Cecidomyiidae, Chironomidae, Phoridae, and Sciaridae). These estimates are based on more than 48,000 DNA barcodes (COI) from Diptera collected by Malaise traps that were deployed in southern Germany. We assessed the fraction of German species belonging to 11 fly families with well-studied taxonomy in these samples. The resultant ratios were then used to estimate the species richness of the four “dark taxa” families (DT families hereafter). Our results suggest a surprisingly high proportion of undetected biodiversity in a supposedly well-investigated country: at least 1800–2200 species await discovery in Germany in these four families. As this estimate is based on collections from one region of Germany, the species count will likely increase with expanded geographic sampling.

Distribution, diversity and abundance of some insects around a telecommunication mast in Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria

Background The preponderant use of wireless telecommunication in the twenty-first century has enabled ease and efficient communication and a pervasive occurrence of electromagnetic fields (EMFs) that has significantly impacted the ecosystem. This study looks at the effect of radiations from wireless telecommunication EMF on the distribution, diversity and abundance of some insects in Nigeria. The study was undertaken in Ilorin, Kwara State, which is located in the Guinea Savannah belt of Nigeria. The chosen choice of study area was one with a telecommunication mast devoid of residential and human interference within a 10 km radius. Five sampling stations were selected around the mast and a control station. EMR intensity levels and pollinating insect number were monitored daily for 22 weeks using an acoustimeter and malaise traps. Collected insects were identified morphologically using appropriate keys. Results The mean electromagnetic radiation (EMR) intensity was significantly (P < 0.05) highest (1.58 ± 1.52 V/m) at sampling station B, and there was an increase in EMR intensity as the radius reduced around the mast. A total of 1878 insects were recovered from the study with the dominant species in terms of abundance of insects collected from the study being Musca domestica (0.39) followed by Apis mellifera (0.31) and Locusta migratoria (0.30), while the least dominant species Tetramorium caespitum (0.23). Conclusions Indeed, EMR intensity has an effect on the distribution, diversity and abundance of insects and there is a need to reduce the number of masts in use in the environment by encouraging telecommunication service providers to jointly use the same mast in an area for broadcast.

Megalopodidae (Insecta, Coleoptera): new occurrence and host plant records for Brazil

The Brazilian Megalopodidae fauna consists of 147 species from 11 genera, of which Mastostethus Lacordaire is the most diverse, representing about half of the species. Nevertheless, knowledge about species distributions and their relationships with host plants is still scarce. Since this group has endophytic immatures and bore into branches, they are economically important as they mainly damage Solanaceae species. Thus, this study sought to determine the Megalopodidae species that occur in forest fragments of southwestern and western Paraná and associate them with their host plants. For this purpose, we used material collected with Malaise traps and active manual sampling to determine associations with host plants. A total of 170 specimens of 11 species were sampled, of which Pseudhomalopterus carinatus Pic, 1920 was the most abundant and collected in all fragments. Four species were sampled exclusively through manual collections and associated with their host plants, all of which were new association records for Brazilian megalopodides. Mastostethus pantherinus Lacordaire, 1845 was associated with an Asteraceae for the first time. Additionally, Mastostethus minutus Monrós, 1947 is a new record for Brazil.

New records of Pteromalinae (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea, Pteromalidae) from Iran

The specimens of the pteromalid wasps (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea, Ptero-malidae) were caught using Malaise traps and sweeping net in Kerman province of Iran during March 2016 to August 2017. The genus Coelopisthia Förster, 1856 and the species: C. areolata Askew, 1980, Homoporus apharetus (Walker, 1839), Norbanus brevicornis Szelenyi, 1974, Pachyneuron gibbiscuta Thomson, 1878, and Sphegigaster pedunculiventris (Spinola, 1808) are recorded for the first time from Iran. The diagnostic characteristics and illustrations are given for the newly recorded species.

Brown-lacewings (Insecta: Neuroptera: Hemerobiidae) from Brazilian savannah in Central Brazil

In this study were documented the species of brown-lacewings (Neuroptera: Hemerobiidae) found at Parque Nacional da Chapada dos Veadeiros, in Alto Paraíso de Goiás, state of Goiás and at Parque Nacional Grande Sertão Veredas, in Chapada Gaúcha, state of Minas Gerais, both in Brazil, based on a survey carried out with Malaise traps between February 2018 and May 2019. During the samplings 60 specimens of hemerobiids were captured, being 26 of Nusalala tessellata (Gerstaecker, 1888), 13 of Nomerobius argentinensis González Olazo, 1990, eight of Sympherobius amazonicus Penny & Monserrat, 1985, six of Megalomus impudicus (Gerstaecker, 1888), five of Hemerobius hernandezi Monserrat, 1996, one Nomerobius cuspidatus Oswald, 1990 and one of Notiobiella sp. Nomerobius argentinensis and Nom. cuspidatus are reported by the first time to Brazil and H. hernandezi, M. impudicus, Notiobiella sp. and S. amazonicus to the state of Goiás, Brazil.

Coffee crop weeds: refuge and food source for pests’ natural enemies

Weeds in coffee crops have diverse ecosystem services, such as sheltering and feeding natural enemies of pest insects. This study aimed to identify the potential of coffee weeds as food and refuge for natural enemies in shaded and sun coffee crops. Weeds were sampled in a 100 m transect installed in each type of coffee crop. Malaise traps and sweep-nets were both used to capture insects every 15 days for five months. After identifying the dominant weeds, observations and a direct recollection of insects were carried out at three different hours during three days. Faunistic analyses were performed, as well as the Bray and Curtis similarity analysis and the Student's t test. Emilia sonchifolia, Acmella oppositifolia, Bidens pilosa were predominant in the free exposure sun plantation coffee crops and Commelina diffusa, Salvia palifolia, Stachytarpheta cayennensis in under shade coffee crops. High insect activity was found between 11:30 am-12:00 pm. In these weeds, we found about 15 families, the most important were Formicidae, Braconidae, and Coccinellidae. We concluded that the shaded coffee crops exhibited a natural enemy community similar to that of the sun. Through this exploratory study, we verified that weeds harbor a diversity of natural enemies important to the coffee agroecosystems.

Additions to the knowledge of the fauna of the tribe Cryptini Kirby, 1837 (Hymenoptera, Ichneumonidae, Cryptinae) of Iran

Using Malaise traps, sweep nets and yellow pan traps during 2013–2015 in various localities of Iran, 18 species belonging to 11 genera in the tribe Cryptini Kirby, 1837 (Hymenoptera, Ichneumonidae, Cryptinae) were collected. Among them, five species including Aritranis longicauda (Kriechbaumer, 1873), Gambrus ornatus (Gravenhorst, 1829), Mesostenus dentifer (Thomson, 1896), Mesostenus kozlovi Kokujev, 1909 and Stenarella domator (Poda, 1761) are new records for the fauna of Iran. Sixty other species previously recorded from Iran are considered credible, bringing the number of known Iranian Cryptini to 65 species.

Hubungan antara struktur lanskap dan keanekaragaman Hymenoptera parasitoid: Sebuah model interaksi pada pertanaman kacang panjang

Landscape structure and composition are an important part of a landscape’s character which can affect the presence of predators and parasitoids, and influence the effectiveness of biological control. This study aims to examine the relationship between landscape features and the diversity of Hymenoptera parasitoids using long bean plants as a model. Sampling was conducted in a 50 m x 25 m plots. In each plot, 4 transects, each 50 m in length, were used to sample insects. Insects were collected using yellow pan traps, malaise traps, and direct hand collections. Overall, a total of 4.792 individuals of Hymenoptera parasitoids were collected, which consisted of 28 families and 256 species. Results showed that landscape characteristics influence the diversity, abundance, and evenness index. Diversity index and evenness are higher in landscape that is dominated by agricultural class area. The abundance of Hymenoptera parasitoid was higher in the landscape that is characterized by tree class areas compared to the agricultural class area.

Community Structure, Biodiversity and Spatiotemporal Distribution of the Black Flies (Diptera: Simuliidae) Using Malaise Traps on the Highest Mountain in Thailand

Black flies form a group of small blood-sucking insects of medical and veterinary importance. This study aimed to investigate the community structure, biodiversity and spatial and temporal distribution of adult black flies in tropical rain forests, by using malaise traps in Doi Inthanon National Park, northern Thailand. Malaise traps were placed along six elevational gradients (400 m to 2500 m, above sea level) at Doi Inthanon National Park, Chiang Mai province, from December 2013 to November 2014. A total of 9406 adult female black flies belonging to five subgenera—Daviesellum (2%), Gomphostilbia (23%), Montisimulium (11%), Nevermannia (16%) and Simulium (48%)—were collected. Among 44 taxa found, S. tenebrosum complex had the highest relative abundance (11.1%), followed by the S. asakoae species-group (9.6%), the S. striatum species-group (7.7%), S. inthanonense (6.6%), S. doipuiense complex (6.4%), S. chomthongense complex (5.3%), S. chumpornense (5.1%) and S. nigrogilvum (4.1%). Two human-biting species—S. nigrogilvum and species in the S. asakoae species-group—were found in all of the collection sites with 100% species occurrence. Species richness was highest at mid elevation (1400 m), which is represented by 19 black fly species. The peak and lowest seasonal abundance was observed in the rainy and hot season, respectively. Seasonal species richness was highest in the cold season, except for that from elevation sites at 700 m, 1700 m and 2500 m. This study revealed that the malaise trap is effective in providing important data for further monitoring of the effects of environmental changes and conservation planning on the biodiversity of black flies in Doi Inthanon National Park.