A new species of the genus Tagasta Bolivar, 1905 (Orthoptera: Pyrgomorphidae) from India

Tagasta mizoramensis sp. nov. is described from Dampa Wildlife Sanctuary, Mizoram, India. The type specimens are deposited in the Central Entomological Laboratory, Zoological survey of India.

First Record of Cacopsylla pulchella (Hemiptera, Psyllidae) in Croatia

The aim of this study is to identify plant lice Cacopsylla pulchella a new alien insect in the fauna of Croatia. We propose a new method of infestation level assessment in order to assess the potential of this insect as a pest. In May 2020 samples were collected from eleven locations in Croatia, where Cercis siliquastrum is grown in parks. Adults and nymphs of C. pulchella were collected together with a plant material and brought to entomological laboratory for further analysis. Field research was performed in order to assess the distribution and infestation intensity across various localities in Croatia. The intensity of infestation was assessed heuristically by visual examination and was categorized in four categories: 0) no infestation, 1) low, 2) moderate and 3) high infestation. C. pulchella was confirmed on C. siliquastrum in eleven localities in Croatia. Most of the infested trees had a low or moderate intensity of infestation. Damages caused by this insect are due to the emission of honey dew, a small spherical drop covered with waxy secretion causing necrotic areas which could lead to the premature fall of the leaves. It is not known what kind of progress in infestation intensity could be expected so infested trees found in this study should be checked closely in the coming years. It is strongly suggested to continue the monitoring of this alien insect on C. siliquastrum in Croatia and to estimate its potential of become an invasive pest which could endanger ornamental and other values of its hosts.

Taxonomic notes on Physoderinae (Heteroptera: Reduviidae) from China

Species of the small reduviid subfamily Physoderinae from China are reviewed and two species are recognized in the genus Physoderes Westwood. Physoderes esakii is formally described for Esaki’s (1931) Epirodera latithorax nom. nud. based on his unique specimen kept in the Entomological Laboratory of Kyushu University. Physoderes impexa Distant, 1903 is recorded for the first time from China with a detailed redescription. A key for these two species is also given.

A contribution to the study of biology of Curculio elephas Gyll. (Coleoptera, Curculionidae)

One of the insects that feeds on pedunculate oak acorns and reduces its seed yield is Curculio elephas Gyll. The study of Curculio elephas Gyll is necessary because of the severe damages caused by this insect and also owing to its insufficiently investigated biology. The research was conducted in the common oak seed orchard at Banov Brod, forest estate ?Sremska Mitrovica?, and in the entomological laboratory. The adults emerge from the soil chambers from mid July till the beginning of September. The presence of adults, as determined by crown fogging, ranged from the end of July till the beginning of September with the highest number in mid August. After emerging from the soil, females are already fertile with the developed eggs in the ovaries. They start egg laying after 1 to 8 days and they lay from one to seven eggs per day. Egg laying period lasts from 7 to 20 days. Fertility of C. elephas females ranges from 5 to 40 eggs, while their fecundity ranges from 19 to 45 eggs. At the end of the larval stage, larvae bore into the soil and stay there from one to three years. The species hibernates only in the larval stage. C. elephas has a one-year life cycle, while a minor part of the population has a two or three-year life cycle.

A Rearing Cabinet with Temperature and Humidity Controls

A series of rearing chambers that have given satisfactory control of temperature and humidity have been in use in the entomological laboratory at Kentville during the past three years. The unit requires very little attention except a service check of the cabinets every two or three months.The dimensions are given in Fig. 1 except for the depth, which is 30 inches on the outside. The cabinet is constructed of 3/4-inch plywood without a supporting frame. Trays with perforated steel bottoms are arranged inside the cabinet on adjustable shelf brackets. The cabinet is provided with an upper and a lower door with removable jamb between them that may be removed when installing the trays in the cabinet. The doors are provided with a double glass window, which in turn is covered by a plywood door. A thermostat and a hygrostat are installed on the inside wall of the chamber about one foot from the bottom. The cabinet sets on a 15-inch base as shown in Fig. 1. The cabinet is painted inside with a steam-resistant paint to facilitate cleaning, and is provided with two 15-watt fluorescent lights inside at the top.