A new subspecies of Dorcadion fulvum (Scopoli, 1763) (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) from western Ukraine

This study provides a description of Dorcadion fulvum opillicum ssp. nov., which is the fourth subspecies of the central European species Dorcadion fulvum (Scopoli, 1763). The new subspecies was compared with its closest relative, Dorcadion fulvum erythropterum Fischer von Waldheim, 1823. A differential diagnosis and a key to taxa identification are provided. The distribution of all four subspecies of D. fulvum was clarified and mapped with comments on the most contradictory published data.

Spatio-temporal variation of scarab beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) in two oak biotopes of Ouled Bechih Forest, Souk-Ahras region (north-eastern Algeria)

This paper presents the results of a comparative study with the objective of studying the spatio-temporal variation in the abundance and richness of scarab beetles in two oak biotopes (cork oak – Quercus suber and zeen oak – Q. canariensis) of the Ouled Bechih Forest in the Souk-Ahras region of north-eastern Algeria during 2017. Two sampling techniques were used: pitfall traps and bidirectional glass traps. During the study period 6022 individuals were collected and 17 species of the family Scarabaeidae were identified. The results of nonparametric tests (Mann-Whitney U-test and Kruskal-Wallis H-test) show that there is a significant difference in abundance and richness between the two biotopes and from March to August. These two biodiversity parameters were greater in the cork oak than in the zeen oak forests. The activity of the scarab beetles was much higher in the dry season, but lower in the rainy season. The phytophagous species were most influenced by seasonality, especially in the cork oak biotopes, whereas the coprophagous ones remained relatively constant in both habitats.

Systematics and faunistics of Neotropical Euliina, 3: Proathorybia Razowski, 1997 and related genera (Lepidoptera, Tortricidae, Cochylini)

The euliine genera Sagittranstilla Razowski & Becker, 1999 and Proathorybia Razowski, 1997 are discussed. Teapeulia gen. n., Thypsaenia gen. n., Thypsaenia psaenythia sp. n., Sagittranstilla oios sp. n., Teapeulia banhadana sp. n., Teapeulia sepulturae sp. n. and Teapeulia albicota sp. n. are described as new. The new combinations Tortrix minima Walsingham, 1914 and Proathorybia unisignata Razowski & Pelz, 2003 are transferred to Teapeulia. Proathorybia chlidonias Razowski, 1999, Proathorybia meyi Razowski, 2001 are transferred to Teapeulia and Sagittranstilla, respectively. An adult of Proathorybia zonalis Razowski & Becker, 2000 is illustrated.

Developmental biology of Aspavia armigera (Fabricius, 1775) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) on rice (Oryza sativa L.) (Poaceae) and three other hosts in Nigeria

The developmental biology of Aspavia armigera on four rice varieties ITA 301, ITA 305, ITA 307 and ITA 315 was studied under ambient conditions at the Plant Biology Laboratory, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Nigeria. Alternative host plants were also used in the experiment. The results showed that the development of A. armigera depended on its hosts. Oviposition periods were 41.7 days, 30.8 days, 22.6 days and 18.1 days on rice varieties ITA 301, ITA 305, ITA 307 and ITA 315, respectively. Fecundity ranged from 80.3 eggs on ITA 301, 79.6 eggs on ITA 307, 76.1 eggs on ITA 305 and 65.6 eggs on ITA 315. The differences in fecundity were not statistically significant. The eggs incubated for 4 to 6 days before hatching into nymphs on all the varieties. The longevity of mated and unmated males and mated females on the rice varieties were not statistically different, while unmated females lived significantly longer on ITA 305. There were five nymphal instars, which persisted for 16.8-19.5 days depending on the variety. The developmental period was significantly (p<0.05) delayed on ITA 315, and the mean growth ratio of head capsule measurements was 1.27. Oviposition periods ranged between 5 and 20 days on cowpea and 6 and 18 days on rice. A significantly higher number of eggs (fecundity) was laid by mated females of A. armigera fed on soybean than those fed on cowpea. Mean developmental periods were 25.7, 25.5, 21.4, and 20.3 days on soybean, amaranthus, rice and cowpea, respectively. Mated females lived for a significantly shorter period on cowpea (21.9 days) than on the other hosts.

Implication of mating on oocyte development in red cotton bug, Dysdercus koenigii (Fabricius, 1775) (Heteroptera: Pyrrhocoridae)

The ovaries of Dysdercus koenigii are consisted of meroistic telotrophic ovarioles. Each ovariole can be differentiated into tropharium and vitellarium. The tropharium contains stem line oogonia, newly formed oocytes, trophocytes, prefollicular cells and follicular cells. The vitellarium possesses 10-12 developing oocytes. The developing oocytes are connected to the trophocytes, present in the tropharium, by nutritive cords. During premating period, the ovarioles change, resulting in increase the number of oocytes in the vitellarium. The developing oocytes in the initial stage of development are surrounded by columnar follicular cells, which are subsequently changed to cuboidal and squamous cells in a sequence. The process of vitellogenesis was initiated after 48 h of adult development with the appearance of perioocytic space. There was deposition of yolk material at the periphery of oocytes in the ovarioles of 72 h old females. The further development of oocytes and vitellogenesis remained suspended up to 12-14 days in the virgin females. On the other hand, mating stimulates the oocyte development and process of vitellogenesis. There were distinct morphometric and histological changes in the ovarioles as a consequence of mating; dimensions of vitellarium and oocytes of the mated female increased drastically. However, the size of tropharium and number of oocytes present in the vitellarium largely remained unchanged. The process of vitellogenesis also resumed followed by mating stimulus. Therefore, the oocytes were laden with yolk material; at this stage, the surrounded follicular layer is replaced by chorion.

Incidence of cotton whitefly Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius, 1889) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) infesting cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) cultivars with reference to cultivar susceptibilities

Field experiments were carried out in Egypt to investigate the infestation rates of cotton whitefly Bemisia tabaci on five cultivars of cucumbers Cucumis sativus during two consecutive late summer seasons from 11 August to 28 October 2015 and 2016. The susceptibilities of the cultivars to infestation by this pest were examined. The five cultivars – Hayl, Nems, Beit Alpha Zena, Bahi and Wafier – were cultivated on a private farm in Mansheyet Saqqara village, Giza. The results showed that whitefly infestation peaks were high in September and October, but low in November in both seasons. The population densities of Bemisia tabaci eggs, nymphs and adults on all the cultivars were slightly higher in 2015 than in 2016. Numbers of B. tabaci eggs, nymphs and adults rose with increasing the temperatures in both seasons, and mean numbers of nymphs and adults also increased with decreasing RH% on all the cultivars. The combination of temperature and humidity was an important regulatory factor affecting B. tabaci development. The results of this study showed that high infestation peaks of B. tabaci occurred in September and October of both seasons. The present results were used to classify the degrees of susceptibility of these cucumber cultivars to B. tabaci infestation as susceptible (S), low resistant (LR) and moderately resistant (MR). It is important that these degrees of susceptibility be referred to the degree of resistance of each cultivar to insect infestation.

Gedanoleria eocenica – a new genus and species from Eocene Baltic amber (Diptera: Heleomyzidae), with notes on heleomyzid-like flies from African copal

A new genus and species of a handsome heleomyzid fly, Gedanoleria eocenica gen. nov., sp. nov. (Diptera: Heleomyzidae), is described from Baltic amber. The newly described genus is compared with similar extant and extinct genera. The heleomyzid-like flies described by Meunier from African copal are treated as nomina dubia. A checklist and a key to the genera of Heleomyzidae reported from fossil resins are also provided.

Systematics and faunistics of Neotropical Euliina, 2: Direconta gen. n.

The new euliine genus Direconta and its five new Brazilian species (D. gnesia sp. n., D. recondita sp. n., D. barrasiana sp. n., D. curitibana sp. n., and D. lentigana sp. n.) are described and illustrated.

Telmatogeton Schiner, 1866 (Chironomidae: Diptera), a newly recorded genus of chironomid larva for the Egyptian Mediterranean Fauna

Sampling of fouling organisms carried out during January 2019 at Al-Max (west of the city of Alexandria) on the Mediterranean coast of Egypt revealed the presence of larval populations belonging to the genus Telmatogeton (Chironomidae), which is reported for the first time from the Mediterranean coast of Egypt. The larvae were found among clumps of fine filamentous green algae (Enteromorpha compressa). A description of the larva with taxonomic remarks and comments on its ecology and geographical distribution are given.

Evaluation of the chemical composition and bioactivity of essential oils from Cinnamomum camphora (L.) J.Presl. (Lauraceae), Piper nigrum L. (Piperaceae) and Stemona japonica (Miq.) (Stemonaceae) against Oryzaephilus surinamensis (Linnaeus, 1758) (Coleoptera: Silvanidae)

Oryzaephilus surinamensis is a serious insect pest of many stored products. Repellency and fumigation tests were performed to manage it. Essential oils (EO) from three plants – Cinnamomum camphora, Piper nigrum and Stemona japonica – were tested on Oryzaephilus surinamensis in the laboratory. Repellency was tested on filter paper in Petri dishes at a concentration of 31.4 μg/cm2, and 20 adults (10 days old) were observed for repellency behaviour 12, 24, 48 and 96 hours after the bioassay without any food. Cinnamomum camphora EO was the strongest repellent (83.75 ± 1.83%), followed by the Piper nigrum and Stemona japonica EOs. The eggs were obtained by maintaining 20 individuals (males and females) for 24 h in a 100 mL glass jar containing 5 g of diet feed. To evaluate the effect of EO on the development of larvae and adults, a filter paper disc impregnated with 0.1 mL of EO was placed on the inner side of the lid of the jar containing the eggs and diet feed. After 40 days, the number of adults and larvae in the jar was counted. All three EOs exhibited bioactivity against the development of larvae and adults. A relatively low number of larvae and adults was recorded in Cinnamomum camphora, followed by Stemona japonica and Piper nigrum. Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry was used to identify the major compounds in the EOs. Further studies are recommended to evaluate their bioactivity against different insect pests in stored seeds.