A new species of the scale insect genus Newsteadia Green (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha: Ortheziidae) from China

Members of the scale insect family Ortheziidae (Hemiptera: Sternorrhyncha: Coccomorpha) occur all over the world but these small, delicate insects are difficult to find. The largest genus in the Ortheziidae is Newsteadia Green. Previous studies have recorded four species of Newsteadia in China. This study describes and illustrates the adult female, male, prepupal male, and first-, second- and third-instar nymphs of a fifth species, Newsteadia fanjingensis sp. n., from Guizhou Province, China, collected above 2000 m altitude under thick moss on the bark of Acer sp. Identification keys are provided to the adult females of Newsteadia species known in China, and the adult males known worldwide.

First records of the Palaestes abruptus Sharp, 1899 and P. nicaraguae Sharp, 1899 (Coleoptera: Cucujidae) from South America, with a checklist of flat bark beetles from the continent

The flat bark beetles (Coleoptera: Cucujidae) is a small insect family with only about 70 species. Most of the species are distributed in Holarctic, Oriental and/or Australasian realms, while in South America, only six species have been recorded, including a single one known from Peru. Two cucujid beetle species, Palaestes abruptus Sharp, 1899 and P. nicaraguae Sharp, 1899, are recorded from South America for the first time. The species are recorded from the Pasco (P. abruptus) and Cusco and Junín (P. nicaraguae) Regions of Peru, based, in part, on data collected through the iNaturalist citizen science database. Habitats of both species are presented in photographs for the first time. A country-level checklist to Cucujidae species currently known from South America is provided.

The Composition, Abundance, and Biodiversity of the Insect Family of the Hymenoptera Order on Swampy Wetlands (SW) and Land Conversion (LC) in Palembang City

Urban development and population growth in the Palembang city, lowland swamps have been converted into swamps (SW) and land conversion (LC). Changes in habitat certainly have an impact on the composition, abundance, and diversity of the insect family of the Hymenoptera order. The purpose of writing this article is to inform the composition, abundance, and diversity of insect families of the Hymenoptera order in the SW and LC lands of Palembang city. This study used a survey method by exploring each research location four times. Determination of the research location using purposive sampling method with the reason to get different habitat conditions. The collection of insects is carried out in two ways, namely trapping and hands collecting. The results showed that 18 families of the Hymenoptera order, namely 4 to 7 families were found in SW land and 8 families were found in LC land. The number of individuals on SW land was 6,351 and on LC land was 2,297. The Apidae, Formicidae, Ichneumonidae, Platygastridae, Sphecidae, and Vespidae families are found in almost all fields. The total abundance index of the Hymenoptera order family in SW land (73.438%) was higher than the index of the total abundance of the Hymenoptera order family in the LC land (26.561%). The highest family abundance index was Formicidae, namely 65.101%, followed by the Vespidae family (26.237%) and the Apidae family (5.087%). The diversity index of the Hymenoptera order in the LC land had a higher value (2.741) than the diversity index in the SW field (2.165). The conclusion is that the composition of the insect family of the Hymenoptera order in LC land was higher than in SW land, but the number of individual insects in SW land was higher than in LC land. The abundance index of the Hymenoptera order in SW land was higher than that in LC land. The insect diversity index of the Hymenoptera order in LC land was higher than in SW land. It is recommended to research the role of various insect species from the Hymenoptera order in the SW land and LC land of the Palembang city.

Chironomidae (Diptera) of Croatia with notes on the diversity and distribution in various habitat types

The family of non-biting midges (Diptera, Chironomidae) represent one of the most common and abundant group in freshwaters, inhabiting a wide variety of habitats and ecological niches. Although there is a long tradition of limnological research in Croatia, to date no extensive species list has been made for this insect family. Thus, we summarized the results of our research and reviewed published data on chironomid fauna of Croatia in various freshwater habitat types, including extreme ones, such as caves, peatbogs or marine littoral. A total of 239 species were recorded representing five subfamilies: Chironominae (125 species) Orthocladiinae (83 species), Tanypodinae (23 species), Diamesinae (6 species) and Prodiamesinae (2 species). The most frequent species were Cricotopus bicinctus, Dicrotendipes nervosus, Synorthocladius semivirens, each found in more than 20% of the studied localities. Ablabesmyia monilis and Procladius choreus represented the most frequent Tanypodinae species, recorded in more than 12% and 17% of the sites, respectively. The research of chironomid ecology, diversity and distribution continues, which will provide new data and information, but this first comprehensive checklist provides a good starting point for those studying Chironomidae or other freshwater Diptera, in Croatia and Europe.

Distribution of gall-inducing arthropods in areas of deciduous seasonal forest of Parque da Sapucaia (Montes Claros, MG, Brazil): effects of anthropization, vegetation structure and seasonality

In the present study, we inventoried gall-inducing arthropod species and evaluated the effects of habitat anthropization, vegetation structure and seasonality on this group in areas of deciduous seasonal forest of Parque da Sapucaia, Montes Claros, MG, Brazil. The gall-inducing fauna was sampled between April 2017 and February 2018 from 20 plots distributed in anthropized and preserved habitats. A total of 29 morphospecies of gall-inducing arthropods and 21 species of host plants were recorded. The Fabaceae plant family had the highest number of gall morphospecies (n = 10), while the Cecidomyiidae (Diptera) insect family induced the most galls (41.3%). Mean gall richness did not differ between preserved and anthropized plots, but was negatively affected by mean vegetation height and density. The total number of gall morphospecies recorded during each sampling did not differ between dry and rainy seasons, but the mean richness of galls per plot was higher in the rainy season. In conclusion, natural factors, such as vegetation structure and seasonality, were more important for the distribution of gall-inducing species than anthropic factors, such as vegetation anthropization level.

New leaf-mine fossil from the Geumgwangdong Formation, Pohang Basin, South Korea, associates pygmy moths (Lepidoptera, Nepticulidae) with beech trees (Fagaceae,Fagus) in the Miocene

A nepticulid leaf-mine ichnofossil,Stigmellites janggiSohn and Nam, n. ichnosp., is described on the basis of a fossil leaf ofFagusfrom the early Miocene Geumgwangdong Formation in Pohang Basin. This mine trace is characterized by a linear-blotch type with a clear centric frass trail composed of closely and randomly dispersed pellets filling the mine width in the early stage. We found traces of a possible egg case and an exit slit from the leaf. These features are most consistent with those produced by members of Nepticulidae. Our record demonstrates for the first time the trophic association of Nepticulidae withFagusin the Miocene and suggests the persistence of a long-term association between the insect family and the plant genus from the Miocene to the present. Other Nepticulidae leaf mines in the Miocene and leaf-mine fossils from the Geumgwangdong Formation are briefly reviewed.UUID:http://zoobank.org/fff951f6-ca82-4cca-a274-863e0d91acaa

Gryllacrididae (Orthoptera: Ensifera) in southern Africa

Although Gryllacrididae are a largely southern hemisphere insect family, they are relatively poorly represented in southern Africa, with three genera (Ametroides Karny, 1928, Glomeremus Karny, 1937, and Stictogryllacris Karny, 1937) and ten species and subspecies recorded from the region. All Ametroides and Glomeremus species are wingless while those of Stictogryllacris are long-winged. All species are arboreal and nocturnal, returning by day to characteristically silk-spun shelters between leaves. Here, we present a diagnosis, key to genera, and high-quality images to assist in identification of Gryllacrididae. By compiling all published information in one place, we hope to facilitate future researchers to investigate this poorly known group.

Recent advances in the study of Chironomidae: An overview

This special issue provides an overview of recent advances in the study of chironomids (Diptera chironomidae), as an outcome of the 20th International Symposium on Chironomidae held in Trento (Italy), in July 2017. it includes 27 selected papers, representative of the six topics of the symposium: genetics and cytogenetics, taxonomy and systematics, autecology and physiology, toxicology and adaptive biology, ecology and biomonitoring, palaeolimnology. Most papers emphasise the value of chironomids in the monitoring programmes, mainly on Europe and case histories from South America and Africa. however, as our title indicates, the reported contemporary studies represent a range from the genetic through the autecological to the ecosystem scale. the aim of the volume is to give new insights on ecology and biology of non-biting midges, the freshwater insect family that comprises the highest number of species in the world, in both lentic and lotic habitats.

Jenis dan habitat “lalat mata bertangkai” (Diptera: Diopsidae) di bogor

Stalk eye flies (Diptera: Diopsidae) is an insect family which has unique eye morphology. Their eyes are in the distal end of a long stalk. The information of species and their habitats is still very limited in Indonesia. Therefore, the objectives of this research were studying species diversity, habitat, and distribution areas of stalk eye flies in soroundings in Bogor. The sample sites are classified into three areas; lowland, middle, and upland. The flies ware taken with two methods: net sweeping and direct capture, then parts of the body were measured. The observation of stalk eye flies activity and behavior was done in the morning, midday, and afternoon. The result of observation indicated that stalk eye flies were found almost in all areas, from lowland to upland. On 15 survey locations, stalk eye flies were found in 10 locations with the same habitat. The species are Cyrtodiopsis dalmanni and Teleopsis sp.. C. dalmanni was found in 5 locations, and Teleopsis sp. in 9 locations. The observation result of stalk eye flies activity and behavior indicated that the number of stalk eye flies which captured in three period of time were not obviously different. Result from measuring stalk eye flies bodyparts indicated that the average size of male and female flies was not obviously different, except the male stalk is longer than female. In addition, C. dalmanni stalks are longer than Teleopsis sp. stalks.