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The Southeast Asian scarab beetle genus Peltonotus Burmeister (Scarabaeidae: Dynastinae) is associated with aroid flowers and possesses a unique, articulated maxillary tooth. We describe five new species of Peltonotus: P. animus and P. cybele from Sumatra, P. favonius from Vietnam, P. mushiyaus from Borneo, and P. tigerus from Thailand. The circumscription of P. karubei Muramoto is broadened to include new color variation, and the body size range for the genus is increased with Peltonotus mushiyaus, n. sp., now being the smallest member of the genus. We provide an amended key to species, distribution maps, diagnoses and accompanying comparative images, and discuss classification of the genus within the Scarabaeidae.
Two species of Xyloryctes occur in the United States: X. jamaicensis (Drury) and X. thestalus Bates. Identification and distribution of these species has long been confused but is reviewed and clarified here. Xyloryctes jamaicensis occurs only in the eastern half of the U.S. and not in the southwestern U.S. as previously thought, while X. thestalus occurs in Guatemala and southern Mexico northwards to the southwestern United States. This hypothesis is corroborated by biogeographical and host plant data. Three new synonyms are listed for X. thestalus: X. faunus Casey 1915, X. hebes Casey 1915, and X. thestalus borealis Endrödi. The decline of Fraxinus spp., the food plant of Xyloryctes species, as a result of damage caused by the introduced emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire; Buprestidae) in the United States might portend a similar decline for Xyloryctes species in North America.
Six species of the tribe Oryctini, one species of Agaocephalini, and two species of Dynastini are presently recorded from the Cayo district of western Belize. The following five species are newly recorded from Belize: Heterogomphus mniszechi (Thomson), Strategus longichomperus Ratcliffe, S. jugurtha Burmeister, Spodistes mniszechi (Thomson), and Dynastes hercules (Linnaeus). The following two species are newly recorded from Cayo: Enema endymion Chevrolat and Strategus aloeus (Linnaeus). Biological and distributional comments relating to these records are presented and briefly discussed.
The first New World amber member of the family Lucanidae is described from the Dominican Republic. Its age is presumed to be Miocene (20-30 million YBP). It is also the fourth known amber species, the second Miocene fossil species, the second fossil species in the subfamily Syndesinae, and the first species (fossil or extant) of Lucanidae from the entire Caribbean. It is especially interesting because it is a member of the Australasian genus Syndesus MacLeay. Other such disjunct Dominican amber insect fossils are also discussed.
I provide the first record for the recently described hangingfly, Bittacus monastyrskiyi Bicha, 2007, from Há Tay Province (Ba Vi National Park), Vietnam, along with new seasonal, altitudinal, and habitat data. This is the only described species of bittacid from Vietnam, and this new record extends its range 100 km northnorthwest from its type locality in Cuc Phuong National Park, Thanh Hoa Province.
Novel host records and feeding behaviors are reported for five species in three genera of two cassidine beetle tribes, Hemisphaerotini and Imatidiini, from Ecuador. Carludovica Ruiz and Pav. (Cyclanthaceae) is reported as a new plant family and genus host for two species of Spaethiella Barber and Bridwell. Calathea G. Mey (Marantaceae) is reported as the first host record for Aslamidium capense (Herbst) and Calathea lutea Schult. and Calathea majestica (Linden) H. Kenn. are reported as the first host records for Aslamidium semicirculare (Olivier). Immature stages of Demotispa elaeicola (Aslam) are reported for the first time; larvae are external folivores and both larvae and pupae are solitary and lack exuvio-fecal shields. The adults and larvae of D. elaeicola feed by rasping palm fruits, a rare feeding pattern in Cassidinae.
Geographic variation and subspecific taxonomy of United States populations of the tiger beetle Cicindela obsoleta Say are reviewed. Study of primary types and 1,424 museum specimens indicates that four subspecific entities are present in the U.S., for which the valid names are C. o. obsoleta Say, C. o. santaclarae Bates, C. o. vulturina LeConte, and C. o. neojuvenilis Vogt. All four subspecies are illustrated, including many color variants. ArcView Geographic Information System (GIS) computer software is used to study the distribution of these subspecies in the United States. Cicindela o. obsoleta and C. o. santaclarae are only partially allopatric, with extensive areas in Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas where their distributions overlap. Specimens intermediate in their elytral markings between C. o. obsoleta and C. o. santaclarae are reported from localities in New Mexico and Texas where these two subspecies co-occur. In contrast, C. o. vulturina and C. o. neojuvenilis are largely allopatric and show little intergradation with the C. o. obsoleta - C. o. santaclarae complex. It has been suggested recently that disjunct (but as yet unnamed) populations of C. o. vulturina in Missouri and Arkansas may represent a separate subspecies of C. obsoleta. However, the color and elytral pattern characteristics which have been interpreted as diagnostic features of these disjunct populations are also found in many Texas populations of C. o. vulturina, suggesting that the Arkansas and Missouri populations do not merit recognition as a separate subspecies on the basis of these characters alone.
An annotated list is presented for 81 species of lady beetles (Coccinellidae: Coleoptera) that occur in the state of Iowa, U.S.A., based on literature searches and a review of over 3500 specimens in institutional and private collections. The list includes new state records for Scymnus tenebrosus Mulsant, Diomus debilis (LeConte), Hyperaspis lateralis Mulsant, Hyperaspis deludens Gordon, Epilachna borealis (F.), and Subcoccinella vigintiquatuorpunctata (L.), as well as county records for the non-native species, Harmonia axyridis (Pallas). Collection records are discussed for Nephaspis oculatus (Blatchley), Hyperaspidius militaris (LeConte), Coccinella californica Mannerheim, and S. vigintiquatuorpunctata, which have Iowa records that are disjunct from their larger geographic distributions in North America. I also discuss collection records and the need for additional collecting of coccinellids in Iowa, especially Adalia bipunctata (Schneider), Coccinella transversoguttata richardsoni Brown, and Coccinella novemnotata Herbst, which were once common and widespread but have declined drastically over much of North America, including Iowa.
A taxonomic overview for the fritillary genus Speyeria Scudder (= Argynnis Fabricius) and its placement within the Heliconiinae (Nymphalidae) is presented. Taxonomic accounts, type images, and relevant literature for the 25 subspecies within the Speyeria atlantis (Edwards) and Speyeria hesperis (Edwards) complexes and the 16 nominate Speyeria species are included. Errors in nomenclature are identified, taxonomic, life history, and distributional information are updated, and type locality information is discussed. Images of primary type specimens for all 16 Speyeria species and the 25 subspecies in the atlantis - hesperis complexes appear together in color here for the first time. One new combination of a species-subspecies is created: Speyeria hesperis hanseni Emmel, Emmel, and Matoon, 1998, new combination, which was previously Speyeria atlantis hanseni Emmel, Emmel, and Matoon.
Thirteen species of skippers (six newly described; Lepidoptera: Hesperiidae: Hesperiinae: Hesperiini) from higher elevations of Mexico and Central America are reviewed. These are included in four genera (one newly described), some with proposed new combinations. Onespa Steinhauser, 1974, originally described as monotypic, is shown to include three species in addition to its type species, Onespa nubis Steinhauser, 1974. One of these, Atrytone gala Godman, 1900, that has been misplaced in several genera since its description, represents a new combination. The other two species, distributed in montane habitats in northwestern Mexico and in Costa Rica, are described as new. Buzyges Godman, 1900, distributed in Mexico and Central America and also formerly considered monotypic, is shown to embrace four species. Besides the type species, Buzyges idothea Godman, 1900, two species long placed in Poanes Scudder, 1872, Pamphila rolla Mabille, 1883, and Poanes benito Freeman, 1979, are included as new combinations. Another species, known only from Costa Rica, is described as new. These are united by several superficial characters, but especially by genital morphology of both sexes. Librita Evans, 1955, was described to include three species of which one, Librita raspa Evans, 1955, was subsequently removed. Augiades heras Godman, 1900 is here also removed from Librita and placed in a new genus with three previously undescribed species. This completes the disintegration of Librita, which is now monotypic. The four genera, although exhibiting similarities suggesting potential alliance, differ in their unique combinations of several superficial and genital traits from each other and other hesperiine skippers.
New distribution records for the State of Florida are given for several genera and species of water beetles. These include Dytiscidae: Acilius confusus Bergsten; Dytiscus carolinus Aubé; Matus bicarinatus (Say); Elmidae: Oulimnius nitidulus LeConte; Stenelmis mera Sanderson; S. morsei White; Hydrophilidae: Laccobius minutoides d’Orchymont; Scirtidae: Sarabandus robustus (LeConte); Scirtes oblongus Guérin-Méneville. Additional information is provided on the distribution, morphology and three color forms of S. oblongus which is considered to be a senior synonym of Scirtes sexlineatus Chevrolat and S. interruptus Chevrolat.
We provide new county records for four species of panorpids (Panorpa americana Swederus, Panorpa lugubris Swederus, Panorpa sp. undetermined, and one undescribed species from the Panorpa rufescens Rambur species group) and two species of bittacids (Bittacus pilicornis Westwood, Bittacus punctiger Westwood), and call attention to a previously published county record for another species, Panorpa rufa Gray, in Florida. Additionally, we reject a previously published record for the scorpionfly Panorpa claripennis Hine in Florida, which we overlooked in our 2008 preliminary checklist of Florida mecopterans. The record for P. lugubris in Miami-Dade County is the southernmost record for any panorpid in the continental United States.
The class Diplopoda, represented by the families Spirostreptidae (Spirostreptida) and Paradoxosomatidae (Polydesmida), is recorded from Saudi Arabia for the first time. Archispirostreptus transmarinus Hoffman, 1965 (Spirostreptidae) inhabits the Jabal Al-Hijaz Mountains in the southwest, and the Paradoxosomatidae, represented by an unidentifiable, indigenous female, occurs in a “wadi” in the center of the country. Other Middle Eastern familial records are documented, and occurrences in the Arabian Peninsula are mapped. Males, necessary to identify the paradoxosomatid, may be encountered if samplings are timed to coincide with seasonal rains.
Megatharsis buckleyi Waterhouse, 1891 is newly recorded from Brazil, extending its distributional range beyond Ecuador and Peru. A further new provincial record from Ecuador is presented in detail, and the species’ distribution and habitat is discussed. Color variation within the species, with a possible geographic correlation, is reported here for the first time.
The formerly monotypic weevil genus Platytenes Pascoe (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Cryptorhynchinae: Cryptorhynchini: Cryptorhynchina) as treated here, includes two commonly encountered and broadly distributed species in the eastern Indo-Australian region. Label data indicate that both species are associated with semicultivated betel palm (Areca catechu L., Arecaceae) and human mediated dispersal is suggested to have influenced their present-day distribution. Herein, we provide a diagnosis for Platytenes and redescribe its type species, P. varius Pascoe. We also describe P. occultus Setliff and Larson, a new species from the Solomon Islands. New host and locality records are provided, including the first records of the genus occurring on Ambon Island, the Bismarck Archipelago, D’Entrecasteaux Islands, and many previously unreported localities on New Guinea. A full bibliography, key to species, and distribution map for the genus are also provided.
Recent extensive and intensive field work by the team of M. A. Ivie on the Lesser Antillean island of Montserrat suggests that a mean of 827 beetle species may be expected on that island. This datum makes possible the generation of hypotheses of the probable beetle species diversity on other islands of the Lesser Antilles as a function of the areas of the islands. Figures are given for the presently known, estimated total, and estimated number of unknown species for each principal island. This predicts that many hundreds (if not thousands) of beetle species remain to be discovered. This is of importance to land management and conservation interests on these rapidly changing and ecologically fragile islands.
The classification of the genus Megalographa Lafontaine and Poole, 1991, is reviewed and the five known species diagnosed. The genus is essentially restricted to the New World, although one species M. biloba (Stephens) is migratory and has occasionally straggled to western Europe. A new species (Megalographa talamanca Lafontaine and Sullivan) endemic to the Talamanca Mountain Range in Costa Rica is described. Adults and genitalia are illustrated.
A taxonomic revision was performed on the New World scarabaeoid genus Aegidinus Arrow (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Orphninae). Twelve new species and three previously described species are included in the revision. Keys to New World genera, species of the genus Aegidinus, and distribution maps are provided. Phylogenetic analyses of the world genera of the Orphninae were conducted using 30 adult, morphological characters from representatives of 13 of the 14 genera and three out-group taxa. The subfamily Orphninae is a strongly supported monophyletic group (bootstrap support 88-90%) with respect to the chosen out-group. Characters that support the Orphninae are: mandibles not sickle shaped, molar surface on the mandibles present, lacinia present, and stridulatory comb present. Separate Old and New World lineages are also supported by the phylogeny, when two genera, Goniorphnus Arrow and Stenosternus Karsch, are excluded from the analysis. The new species described are: Aegidinus cornutus Colby, A. crypticus Colby, A. howdenorum Colby, A. howeae Colby, A. oreibates Colby, A. petrovi Colby, A. simulatus Colby, A. sunidgea Colby, A. teamscaraborum Colby, A. tricornis Colby, A. unicus Colby, and A. venezuelensis Colby.
The New World genus Dysmerus Casey, currently with one valid species, is revised. Lectotypes are designated for two species, Dysmerus caseyi (Grouvelle), new status, and Dysmerus sulcicollis Grouvelle, new status. Both are revived from synonymy with D. basalis Casey. Twelve new species are described: Dysmerus boliviensis Thomas, new species, Dysmerus curvicornis Thomas, new species, Dysmerus genaspinosus Thomas, new species, Dysmerus hamaticornis Thomas, new species, Dysmerus impolitus Thomas, new species, Dysmerus skelleyi Thomas, new species, Dysmerus mexicanus Thomas, new species, Dysmerus monstrosus Thomas, new species, Dysmerus politus Thomas, new species, Dysmerus rondoniensis Thomas, new species, Dysmerus symphilus Thomas, new species, and Dysmerus trinidadensis Thomas, new species. A key to adults of the species and illustrations are provided.
The beetle fauna of the island of Barbados is summarized. It is now known to contain 202 genera, and 254 species (in 40 families), of which 232 are named at the species level. Undoubtedly, the actual numbers of species on Barbados are much higher than now known. Nine species are possibly endemic to the island, 15 have been intentionally introduced, and 51 have probably been accidentally introduced through human activity. The remaining 157 named species may occur naturally as a result of natural over-water dispersal processes. These species mostly have a wide distribution in the Antilles and Latin America. The total named fauna is thus about 72% naturally occurring, and 28% the result of human-aided dispersal.
Review of the Natural History of the Handsome Fungus Beetles (Coleoptera: Cucujoidea: Endomychidae)
(2009)
The literature pertaining to natural history of Endomychidae (Coleoptera: Cucujoidea) is reviewed. One hundred fungal host records are provided for 32 endomychid species. Twenty-three records of endomychid yeast endosymbionts are compiled. Summaries are also presented for feeding preferences, interactions with natural enemies, non-lethal symbiotic relationships, and pest activity within the family. Unusual endomychid behaviors and habitats are reviewed, with particular attention to gregariousness and defensive strategies within Endomychidae.
Two samples of the chordeumatidan family Rhiscosomididae (Rhiscosomides mineri Silvestri, 1909) and 35 of the Conotylidae establish these taxa in the Alexander Archipelago and continental parts of the Alaskan Panhandle, USA, and northern coastal British Columbia (BC), Canada. Rhiscosomides mineri is also recorded from southwestern BC and, for the first time, from Washington State, USA. Two conotylids were recovered, a juvenile male of ?Bollmanella Chamberlin, 1941, and 3 males and 33 females of a possibly parthenogenetic form of Taiyutyla Chamberlin, 1952, conforming generally to T. shawi and T. lupus, both by Shear, 2004, on Vancouver Island. Diplopoda are predicted to inhabit the southern Yukon Territory.
This study provides a species-level phylogeny and morphological characterization for the Neotropical brassoline genus Dasyophthalma Westwood, 1851. A revised generic definition is given, and two species groups are proposed. Diagnoses and illustrations of habitus and genitalia are provided for all species. Wing color, male scent organs, and male and female genitalic morphology are characterized and discussed.
Identification of caddisfly specimens from Vietnam collected by scientific field staff of the Royal Ontario Museum and the American Museum of Natural History revealed 19 new country records. All but one species were reported from other Oriental region countries, particularly Thailand and Indonesia. However, Goera kawamotonis Kobayashi 1987 was only known from the East Palaearctic region (Japan and Russian Far East). The total number of species now recorded from Vietnam is 400.
The New World euparine scarab genera Parataenius Balthasar, 1961 and Pseudataenius Brown, 1927 are revised. Ataenius brunneus Schmidt is transferred to the genus Parataenius becoming Parataenius brunneus (Schmidt), new combination. The monospecific genus Ataenioides Petrovitz, 1973, is synonymized with Pseudataenius Brown, 1927, (new synonymy) and the type species, Ataenioides gracilitarsis Petrovitz, is given the new combination Pseudataenius gracilitarsis (Petrovitz). New species of Parataenius are described from southern South America: Parataenius selvae, P. estero, and P. martinezi. Keys for species of both genera are presented and pertinent morphological details are illustrated.
Based on a study of the characters used to define it, the genus Euphoriopsis Casey is placed in synonymy with Euphoria Burmeister. Euphoria punicea Janson is placed in synonymy with Euphoria steinheili Janson. Morphological characters supporting the synonymies, and the species' distributions and biological data are reviewed.
We document the presence of Larra bicolor Fabricius (Hymenoptera: Crabronidae) in 46 of Florida's 67 counties. The species is represented by two stocks. The first (released in 1981) originated in Pará, Brazil, but was obtained from Puerto Rico, and became established in Broward County in southern Florida. The second (released in 1988) originated in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia, and became established in Alachua County in northern Florida. The Bolivian stock, aided by additional satellite releases from Alachua County, is now widely distributed. The species probably occupies all counties in central and northern Florida, but may yet be absent from some southern counties. Introduction was made for classical biological control of invasive mole crickets.
The genus Haroldiataenius Chalumeau, 1981 (Aphodiinae: Eupariini) from southern United States, Mexico, and Central America is revised and nine species are recognized. The subgeneric name Sayloria Chalumeau, 1981 is synonymized with Haroldiataenius (sensu stricto) and Ataenius sabinoi Cartwright, 1974 is synonymized with A. lucanus Horn, 1871. Five species are transferred to Haroldiataenius from the genus Ataenius Harold creating the following new combinations: H. convexus (Robinson), H. griffini (Cartwright), H. lucanus (Horn), H. saramari (Cartwright), and H. semipilosus (Van Dyke). One new species,Haroldiataenius buvexus is described from Texas, USA. A key to species of Haroldiataenius is included and pertinent morphological details are illustrated.
The Oryctini (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Dynastinae) is a large tribe of worldwide distribution with approximately 26 genera and 230 species. Fourteen genera and 113 species are found in the Neotropical region. Knowledge of the tribe in the Neotropics is fragmentary, necessitating further studies that address taxonomy, biology, and geographical distribution patterns. This study surveyed the Oryctini of the Brazilian Amazon. The composition of the group in the study area consisted of 7 genera, 18 species and 2 subspecies found in 7 states, 91 municipal districts, and approximately 167 specific localities. States with larger number of species are Amazonas and Pará, with 17 and 13 species respectively. Heterogomphus eteocles Burmeister, Heterogomphus aidoneus (Perty), Heterogomphus telamon Burmeister, Megaceras crassum Prell, and Megaceras laevipenne Prell are reported for the first time from the study area. Megaceras laevipenne is reported for the first time from Brazil. The taxonomy, descriptions, distribution maps, and biological and ecological data are provided for all species. A character analysis is provided as well as an identification key for all oryctine species that occur in the Brazilian Amazon.
Classificatory changes are made for some taxa of New World Melolonthinae based on the examination of specimens (including type specimens) and a reevaluation of some of the characters used to justify previous classification decisions. Blepharotoma angustata (Blanchard) (new combination) is transferred from the genus Aplodema Blanchard. The Neotropical members of the genus Heteronyx Guérin-Méneville are transferred to the genus Blepharotoma resulting in the following new combinations: Blepharotoma boliviana (Moser), Blepharotoma corumbana (Moser), Blepharotoma cuyabana (Moser), Blepharotoma heynei (Moser), and Blepharotoma schencklingi (Moser). The genus Blepharotoma is transferred from the tribe Liparetrini to the tribe Sericoidini. The genus Aplodema and the junior synonym Haplodema Harold are transferred from the tribe Liparetrini to the tribe Sericoidini and synonymized with the genus Sericoides Guérin-Méneville. Sericoides magellanica (Blanchard) (new combination) is transferred from the genus Aplodema and placed as a senior synonym of Apterodema acuticollis Fairmaire (new synonymy). Ampliodactylus (new genus) is described for two southern South American species: Ampliodactylus marmoratus (Curtis) (new combination) and Ampliodactylus vestitus (Philippi) (new combination). The genus Chremastodus Solier is placed in synonymy with the genus Macrodactylus Dejean (Macrodactylini) and Chremastodus pubescens Solier is placed as a junior synonym of Macrodactylus chilensis Solier (new synonymy). Macrodactylus crassipes Philippi and Macrodactylus nigrinus Philippi are placed as junior synonyms of Macrodactylus farinosus Philippi (new synonymies). The genus Astaenosiagum Martínez is placed in synonymy with the genus Pristerophora Harold (Macrodactylini). Pristerophora longipes (Philippi) (new combination) is transferred from the genus Astaenosiagum and Schizochelus ursulus Philippi is placed as a junior synonym of this species (new synonymy). Pristerophora paulseni (new species) is described. Pristerophora picipennis (Solier) is placed as a senior synonym of Schizochelus breviventris Philippi (new synonymy) and Schizochelus serratus Philippi (new synonymy). Pusiodactylus (new genus) is described for two southern South American species: Pusiodactylus mondacai (new species) and Pusiodactylus flavipennis (Philippi) (new combination). The genus Paulosawaya Martínez and D'Andretta is placed in synonymy with the genus Clavipalpus Laporte (Macrodactylini) resulting in the new combination Clavipalpus ornatissima (Martínez and D'Andretta). The following replacement names are proposed for three junior secondary homonyms the genus Plectris LePeletier and Serville: Plectris evansi (new name) for Plectris cinerascens Moser (junior secondary homonym of Plectris cinerascens (Blanchard)), Plectris katovichi (new name) for Plectris bonariensis Frey (junior secondary homonym of Plectris bonariensis (Bruch)), and Plectris tacoma (new name) for Plectris comata (Blanchard) (junior secondary homonym of Plectris comata (Blanchard)).
New Phycitiplex Porter (Hymenoptera, Ichneumonidae) from Subandean Desert in northwest Argentina
(2008)
Six new species of Phycitiplex (P. obscurior, P. tricinctus, P. unicinctus, P. peralta, P. trichroma, and P. lepidus) are described from material taken by Malaise trap in a humid ravine at Santa Vera Cruz in the Subandean Desert (Monte) of La Rioja Province (Argentina). These are keyed along with several closely related described species. Except for P. eremnus from central Chile, this genus is known only from the semiarid Chaco and Subandean biogeographic provinces in the northern half of Argentina. The only available host record is of Phycitiplex doddi (Cushman) reared from larvae of Cactoblastis cactorum (Berg), a phycitid moth that attacks prickly pear cacti.
Three new species of the albomarginatus species group of the genus Trachysphyrus (T. fidalgoi, T. riojanus, and T. tmetus) are described from the Subandean Desert (Monte) of Northwest Argentina. A key is given to these and to the five described species also known from Neotropic Argentina in the semiarid Prepuna, Subandino, and Chaco Serrano as well as in such wetter habitats as the Chaco Húmedo and Selva Tucumano-Boliviana (Yungas). Four additional species occur in Neantarctic Chile from Santiago south to Magallanes with overlap into the Nothofagus forests of southwest Argentina (Neuquén, Río Negro). Several species have been reared from cocoons of Lepidoptera (Megalopygidae, Psychidae) and others from mud nests of eumenid wasps (Hypodynerus Saussure, Pachymenes Saussure).
The origins of the Cuban bee fauna are reviewed. This fauna began to form 40 million years ago during the Proto Antilles period, through ancestors that arrived in successive invasions from adjacent continental areas. The composition of the Antillean fauna has evolved continuously over millions of years until the present time. The native bee fauna of Cuba is represented by 89 species, contained in 29 genera and 4 families. The number of genera represented per family is as follows: Colletidae (3), Halictidae (8), Megachilidae (4), and Apidae (14). The Cuban apifauna contains four principal groups with distinct biogeographic histories: endemic species of Cuba (43.8%); endemic species of the Antilles shared among multiple islands (33.1%); continental species whose distribution includes the Antilles (16.8%); and species introduced through human activity (6.3%). An analysis of the distributions of Cuban bee species reveals that areas of highest species endemism coincide with the main mountainous nuclei of the East, Center and West. These were: the Sierra Maestra mountain range (with 25 species), Nipe-Sagua-Baracoa (15), the Mountain range of Guaniguanico (14) and the Massif of Guamuaya (14). The distribution of the bees in the Cuban Archipelago was not uniform, possibly due to the ecological conditions of the respective habitats, the diversity and presence of specific food plants, and interspecific competition. The endemism of bees in Greater Antilles is considered high keeping in mind the mobility of the group, as observed not only in Cuba (43.8%) but also Jamaica (50%), Hispaniola (45.6%), and in Puerto Rico and adjacent islands (26.5 %).
In the eastern United States, the genus Cotinis Burmeister previously contained only C. nitida (L.), the common economic pest known as the "Green June Beetle". A new species from the Florida Keys, Cotinis aliena, is here described and illustrated. A checklist is provided for the genus, which includes 27 valid New World species, and 44 synonyms.
The Tetragonoderus (Peronoscelis) quadriguttatus assemblage is a postulated monophyletic part of the intersectus complex. This assemblage is characterized against a background that includes review of a classification of the genus and comparison, in the form of a key, to other unrelated Western Hemisphere genera that share elongate tibial spurs with Tetragonoderus Dejean. The principal, easily observed feature that unites the three members (T. laevigatus Chaudoir, 1876; T. deuvei, new species (type locality: Cuijaba, Mato Grosso, Brazil), and T. quadriguttatus Dejean) of the quadriguttatus assemblage is the four-spotted elytra (two spots per elytron). These species are treated in detail, including key, synonymy (as required), comparisons, description (external and male genitalic features), habitat (if known), locality data, and geographical range map. Also, T. subfasciatus Putzeys, 1846, the elytral color pattern of whose members may be confused with the spotted pattern of the quadriguttatus assemblage, is treated similarly. The following new synonymies were established: T. quadriguttatus Dejean 1829 = T. columbicus Steinheil 1875 = T. lacordairei Chaudoir 1876 = T. tetragrammus Chaudoir 1876; and T. laevigatus Chaudoir 1876 = T. chaudoiri Liebke 1928 (replacement name for the junior homonym, T. unicolor Chaudoir, 1876). Lectotypes are designated for T. unicolor Chaudoir, T. lacordairei Chaudoir, and T. subfasciatus Putzeys. A neotype is designated for T. quadriguttatus Dejean. New distribution records in the West Indies for T. quadriguttatus are recorded for the islands of Grand Cayman, Jamaica and Hispaniola. These records may be the result of recent natural overseas dispersal from northern South America, or they may be the result of human-mediated accidental introduction, or a combination of both. The southern Floridian (Nearctic) records for T. laevigatus probably represent a recent accidental introduction through commerce, followed by dispersal through flights of adults.
The genus Efferia Coquillett from the Bahamas, Cayman Islands, Cuba, and Jamaica is reviewed. The fauna now totals 16 species with 6 new species described (Ef. bellardii n. sp., Ef. bromleyi n. sp., Ef. hinei n. sp., Ef. insula n. sp., Ef. pina n. sp., and Ef. vinalensis n. sp.). Cuba has the greatest diversity with 10 species, Jamaica 3, the Bahamas 2, and the Cayman Islands 1. Efferia stylata (Fabricius) is removed from the species list of these West Indian islands. The wings of Ef. caymanensis Scarbrough and Ef. bromleyi, spermathecae of Ef. bromleyi, Ef. cubensis (Bromley), Ef. insula, Ef. nigritarsis (Hine), and terminalia of all species are illustrated. Keys for the identification of the species are provided. Specimens of two additional species from Cuba are in too poor a condition to be described but their terminalia are illustrated and the species are included in the key to the males.
Australophanus, new genus, is described and illustrated for Cryptamorpha redtenbacheri (Reitter). Platamus Erichson is synonymized under Telephanus Erichson, new synonymy. Euplatamus Sharp, new status, replaces Platamus Erichson as the genus name. Type species are designated for Aplatamus Grouvelle and Euplatamus Sharp. Telephanus velox (Haldeman) is synonymized under Telephanus atricapillus Erichson. A diagnosis of the tribe Telephanini, a key to the described telephanine genera of the world is presented, and a phylogeny of the family Silvanidae is proposed.
A preliminary checklist of Calpini is provided, incorporating corrections and changes to publication dates and nomenclature as presented in the checklists of Poole (1989), Fibiger and Lafontaine (2005), and Holloway (2005). Culasta Moore is removed from synonymy with Calyptra Ochsenheimer. Eudocima talboti (Prout) and Graphigona antica Walker are placed in synonymy with E. cajeta (Cramer) and G. regina (Guenée), respectively. Africalpe Krüger, Ferenta Walker, Gonodonta Hübner, Graphigona Walker, Oraesia Guenée, and Tetrisia Walker, are added to the tribe based on shared characters. The genera Cecharismena Möschler, Goniapteryx Perty, Pharga Walker, Phyprosopus Grote, Psammathodoxa Dyar, and Radara Walker are removed and considered incertae sedis. Hemiceratoides and Phyllodes are not considered to be members of Calpini.
Attempts to clarify the identity of obscure New Zealand spider taxa have lead to the conclusion that six species are best treated as nomina dubia [Philodromus rubrofrontus Urquhart 1891 (Philodromidae); Dictyna urquhartii Roewer 1951, (Dictynidae); Linyphia albiapiata Urquhart 1891, Linyphia cruenta Urquhart 1891, Linyphia multicolor Urquhart 1891, Linyphia pellos Urquhart 1891 (Linyphiidae)]. Four species currently listed in Araneus Clerck 1757 (Araneidae) are re-affirmed as synonyms [Araneus lineaacutus (Urquhart 1887) = Zealaranea crassa (Walckenaer 1842), Araneus powelli (Urquhart 1894) = Novaranea laevigata (Urquhart 1891), Araneus sublutius (Urquhart 1892b) = Zealaranea trinotata (Urquhart 1890), Araneus ventricosellus (Roewer 1942) = Eriophora heroine (L. Koch 1871)]. An old record of Araneus brisbanae (L. Koch 1867b) (Araneidae) from New Zealand is a misidentification of Eriophora decorosa Urquhart 1894. The family Philodromidae, the genera Dictyna Sundevall 1833 (Dictynidae) and Linyphia Latreille 1804 (Linyphiidae), as well as Tharpyna munda L. Koch 1875 (Thomisidae) and Araneus brisbanae (Araneidae) are absent from New Zealand.
The pyrgine genus Porphyrogenes Watson, 1893 (Hesperiidae) is discussed, especially as it occurs in central Rondônia, Brazil. Of eleven species of Porphyrogenes found in Rondônia, four (P. specularis, P. convexus, P. sparus, and P. spadix) are described as new species. Biological details of the genus are discussed. An additional five new species of Porphyrogenes (P. spina, P. sporta, P. splendidus, P. simulator, and P. speciosus) are described from elsewhere. Porphyrogenes cervinus (Plötz, 1883), new synonym of Porphyrogenes ferruginea (Plötz, 1883), reinstated status, is raised from a subspecies of Porphyrogenes despecta (Butler, 1870) to species-level. Porphyrogenes omphale (Butler, 1871), reinstated status, is not synonymous with Porphyrogenes passalus (Herrich-Schäffer, 1869) and becomes a species-level taxon for which no subspecies are recognized; P. passalus was described from a female with no known male. Porphyrogenes sula Williams and Bell, 1940, reinstated status, is raised from synonymy with Porphyrogenes zohra (Möschler, 1879) to species-level. Porphyrogenes stresa Evans, 1952, new status, is raised from a subspecies of P. zohra to species-level. Porphyrogenes immaculata (Skinner, 1920), new synonymy, was described from a male, which we believe is the male of Porphyrogenes sororcula (Mabille and Boullet, 1912). Porphyrogenes suva Evans, 1952, new synonymy, formerly considered a full species, was described from a male which we believe is the male of, and thus synonymous with, Porphyrogenes probus (Möschler, 1877). Porphyrogenes virgatus (Mabille, 1888) and Porphyrogenes eudemus (Mabille, 1888), considered synonyms of P. zohra and Porphyrogenes vulpecula (Plötz, 1882), respectively, without justification by Evans (1952), are removed from those synonymies and retained, along with P. passalus, as females without confirmed affinities. Lectotypes are here designated for Phareas ferruginea Plötz, 1883; Augiades despecta Butler, 1870; Telegonus omphale Butler, 1871; Eudamus pausias Hewitson, 1867; Telegonus probus Möschler, 1877; Telemiades vulpecula Plötz, 1882; Eudamus passalus Herrich-Schäffer, 1869; Thymele virgatus Mabille, 1888; and Thymele eudemus Mabille, 1888. A neotype is designated for Phareas cervinus Plötz, 1883, that being the lectotype of Phareas ferruginea. Types of all taxa in the genus are illustrated. Three named and five unnamed phenotypes of females, not reconciled with males, are identified and described. Twenty-six species are now recognized, making this one of the largest hesperiid genera in the neotropics.
The miscanthus mealybug, Miscanthicoccus miscanthi (Takahashi) (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae), is newly reported as prey for the lady beetle Hyperaspis paludicola Schwarz (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) at the Regan National Airport, Washington, DC (northern range extension). A new armored scale prey, Diaspidiotus ancyclus (Putnam) (Hemiptera: Diaspididae), for the lady beetle Microweisea misella (LeConte) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) is recorded. A range extension for Hyperaspis paludicola is reported.
Preliminary Checklist of the Mecoptera of Florida: Earwigflies, Hangingflies, and Scorpionflies
(2008)
We provide the first species checklist of Mecoptera indigenous to Florida, based upon preliminary data gathered primarily from specimens housed in the Florida State Collection of Arthropods. There are 11 described and one undescribed species of mecopterans, representing three families, inhabiting the state of Florida. These include the recently discovered meropeid (earwigfly), Merope tuber Newman, four species of bittacids (hangingflies), represented by the genus Bittacus Latreille, and 7 species (one undescribed) of panorpids (scorpionflies), represented by the genus Panorpa Linnaeus. We are not certain if one of these, Bittacus texanus Banks, is indigenous, represents a nonindigenous occurrence, or is simply erroneous. Two of the species on our list, Bittacus stigmaterus Say and Panorpa venosa Westwood, represent first state records and one species, Panorpa floridana Byers, is endemic. Six of the species which have been recorded in Florida, M. tuber, Bittacus punctiger Westwood, Panorpa rufa Gray, Panorpa pachymera Byers, Panorpa lugubris Swederus and P. venosa, represent the southernmost records for these species in the continental United States. Perceived diversity and abundance of mecopteran species in Florida are limited by climate, biogeography, and collection bias.
A new species, Aiolopus obariensis sp. n., is described and illustrated from Fezzan Province, Libya. Besides other differentiating characters, the new species is characterized by having a conspicuously short and club-shaped left antenna. A description and a key to Libyan species of Aiolopus Fieber is provided. Some additional characters of male and female genitalia have also been incorporated.
The bee fauna of the Greater Puerto Rico area was studied. A review of the previous relevant studies is presented. An annotated catalog and information about the origin and distributional patterns are also provided. Thirty-nine species of bees occur in Puerto Rico and adjacent islands. This fauna is composed of four elements: exclusive Puerto Rican endemics (26.5%); Antillean endemics occurring on multiple islands (76.5%); continental species that have also colonized the Antilles (23.5%); and species introduced through human activity (12.8%). The bee fauna was both low in its diversity and showed the highest level of disharmony in relation to other faunas of the Greater Antilles. A lectotype is here designated for Agapostemon krugii Wolcott, 1936.
This study provides a species-level phylogeny for the Neotropical brassoline genus Eryphanis Boisduval based on 43 morphological characters. A revised generic definition is given. Three subspecies are elevated to species status and a new species is described; E. bubocula (Butler, 1872), status revised; E. lycomedon (C. Felder and R. Felder, 1862), status revised; E. opimus (Staudinger, 1887), status revised; and E. greeneyi Penz and DeVries, new species. Diagnoses, annotated redescriptions, and illustrations of habitus and genitalia are provided for the nine Eryphanis species.
Two species groups are proposed for Ommatius Wiedemann, normus and tibialis species groups, increasing the number to eight groups from the Americas. The normus group includes six species, two of which are new, O. nebulosus n. sp. and O. tepui n. sp., from Venezuela. This species group thus far extends from Venezuela southward into Paraguay and southern Brazil. Ommatius pulcher (Engel) is redescribed and a neotype designated. The tibialis group includes eight previously described species from eastern and southwestern United States. Ommatius gemma Brimley is transferred to the costatus group. Keys to the eight species groups and the species of the normus group with illustrations of diagnostic characters are provided. Notes and new distribution data are given for previously described species. The spelling of Ommatius norma Curran and O. ruficauda Curran are changed to agree in gender with the genus name, which is masculine.
Six new genera are erected as follows: in the Issini, Argepara gen. n. (type species: Hysteropterum semipellucidum Melichar, 1906), Aztecus gen. n. (type species: Hysteropterum montezuma Kirkaldy, 1913), Incasa gen. n. (type species: Hysteropterum riobambae Schmidt, 1910), Bumaya gen. n. (type species: Bumaya knorozovi sp. n.); and in the Colpopterini, Caudibeccus, gen. n. (type species: Colpoptera carlota Myers, 1928) and Jamaha gen. n. (type species: Poeciloptera elevans Walker, 1858). Four new generic synomymies are proposed: Prothona Caldwell, 1945 and Plummerana Caldwell, 1945 are placed in synonymy under Proteinissus Fowler, 1904. Thionissa Metcalf, 1938 is placed in synonymy under Dracela Signoret, 1861. Hesperophara Kirkaldy, 1904 is placed in synonymy under Colpoptera Burmeister, 1835.
Nineteen species of crepuscular and perhaps nocturnal eudamine skippers (Lepidoptera: Hesperiidae) included in Evans (1952) group "D" genera Bungalotis Watson, Salatis Evans, Sarmientoia Berg, Dyscophellus Godman and Salvin, and Nascus Watson occur in the Cacaulândia area of central Rondônia, Brazil. Their relative abundance and phenology there are given. Taxonomic comments and comparisons with published information are made. Bungalotis lactos Evans, 1952, new status, is considered a species separate from Bungalotis borax Evans, 1952. New genera Nicephellus and Euriphellus are proposed for Eudamus nicephorus Hewitson, 1876, and Papilio euribates Stoll, 1782, respectively, removing both from Dyscophellus and creating new combinations. Discophellus porsena Bell, 1934, reinstated status, is raised from synonymy to a full species of Dyscophellus. The subspecies of Dyscophellus ramusis (Stoll, 1781), as presently recognized, are probably good species; Dyscophellus ramon Evans, 1952, new status, is considered a full species. Pseudonascus, new genus, is proposed for Papilio paulliniae Sepp, [1842], removing this species from Nascus and creating a new combination. Two new species, Bungalotis aureus from Ecuador and Dyscophellus mielkei from Rondônia, Brazil, are described. Male and female genitalia are illustrated for all taxa available from the Rondonian study site plus some from other areas.
A remarkable new species of Zethus Fabricius (Hymenoptera, Vespidae, Eumeninae) from Costa Rica
(2008)
Porter, new species, is described from Costa Rica. It forms a species group of its own, unique in its grotesquely enlarged male mandibles and reduced clypeus, single mid tibial spur, and in having a medio-apical bulge on the second sternite. It was previously identified as Z. magretti Zavattari but reexamination of the type of this species shows that it actually belongs to the coeruleopennis species group.
Ecological and biogeographical observations on Cerambycidae (Coleoptera) from California, USA
(2008)
New ecological and biogeographical observations are presented for the following 32 species of Cerambycidae from California: Atimia confusa dorsalis LeConte, Anelaphus albofasciatus (Linell), Aneflus prolixus prolixus LeConte, Anoplocurius incompletus Linsley, Brothylus conspersus LeConte, Callidiellum virescens Chemsak and Linsley, Calloides lorquini (Buquet), Clytus chemsaki Hovore and Giesbert, Enaphalodes hispicornis (Linnaeus), Methia brevis Fall, Neaneflus fuchsi (Wickham), Neoclytus balteatus LeConte, Plectromerus dentipes (Olivier), Phymatodes decussatus decussatus (LeConte), Phymatodes decussatus australis Chemsak, Purpuricenus dimidiatus LeConte, Rosalia funebris Motschulsky, Schizax senex LeConte, Smodicum pacificum Linsley, Stenaspis solitaria (Say), Tragidion gracilipes Linsley, Brachysomida californica (LeConte), Brachysomida vittigera Linsley and Chemsak, Centrodera osburni Knull, Encyclops californica Van Dyke, Judolia sexspilota (LeConte), Leptalia macilenta (Mannerheim), Leptura hovorei Linsley and Chemsak, Leptura pacifica (Linsley), Necydalis barbarae Rivers, Neobellamira delicata australis Linsley and Chemsak, Pachyta armata LeConte, Stenocorus alteni Giesbert and Hovore.
The Brazilian scarab beetle genus Microchilus Blanchard (Rutelinae: Geniatini) is reviewed. Based on examination of type specimens, Microchilus beckeri Martínez is transferred to the genus Leucothyreus becoming L. beckeri (Martínez), new combination; Leucothyreus bucki Machatschke is a new junior synonym of L. beckeri (Martínez).Microchilus is limited to two species, M. beckeri (Martínez) and a new species,Microchilus rodmani Jameson, here described. Characters that circumscribe the genus, biology, and species distribution are discussed. A key to the species is provided.
The seven genera and 13 species of dynastine scarabs recorded from the Bahamas are reviewed. Two of those species are endemic, including Cyclocephala dolichotarsa Ratcliffe and Cave, new species, described from Great Inagua Island. Eleven species are also known to occur in the USA and/or Cuba. Six species are probably not established based on infrequency of collection.
A generic-level phylogenetic review of the Macrodactylini (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Melolonthinae)
(2007)
A revision of the generic classification of the tribe Macrodactylini is provided using morphological characters of adults. The revision is based on a taxonomic analysis of 80 genera historically placed in the tribe and a cladistic analysis of 32 genera conforming to the new tribal definition. Synapomorphies for the newly defined Macrodactylini include: the length of the fifth ventrite longer than the fourth ventrite when viewed ventrally, fifth ventrite lacking a complete suture between the tergite and sternite, and the metathoracic tibial spurs (if present) offset, allowing the metatarsus to move past them. Thirty-two genera constitute the newly defined Macrodactylini: Agaocnemis Moser, Alvarinus Blanchard, Ancistrosoma Curtis, Anomonyx Saylor, Anoplosiagum Blanchard, Astaenosiagum Martínez, Barybas Blanchard, Calodactylus Blanchard, Ceraspis Le Peletier and Serville, Ceratolontha Arrow, Chariodactylus Moser, Chariodema Blanchard, Chremastodus Solier, Clavipalpus Laporte, Ctenotis Burmeister, Dasyus Le Peletier and Serville, Dicrania Le Peletier and Serville, Gama Blanchard, Gastrohoplus Moser, Hercitis Burmeister, Hieritis Burmeister, Isonychus Mannerheim, Issacaris Fairmaire, Macrodactylus Dejean, Manodactylus Moser, Manopus Laporte, Oedichira Burmeister, Pectinosoma Arrow, Plectris Le Peletier and Serville, Pristerophora Harold, Rhinaspis Perty, and Schizochelus Blanchard. Sixteen genera are removed or their removal is confirmed from the historical Macrodactylini: Coenonycha Horn, Dichelonyx Harris, and Gymnopyge Linell (to Dichelonychini), Homalochilus Blanchard, Homoliogenys Gutiérrez, Liogenys Guérin-Méneville, and Pacuvia Curtis (to Diplotaxini), Diphycerus Deyrolle and Fairmaire (to Diphycerini), Hyperius Deyrolle and Fairmaire (to Melolonthini), Apterodemidea Gutiérrez (to Sericoidini), Blepharotoma Blanchard (to Liparetrini ), Diaphylla Erichson (removed from Macrodactylini, and currently unplaced into existing melolonthine tribes), Hilarianus Blanchard, Manonychus Moser, Pseudoisonychus Frey (removed from Macrodactylini, and currently unplaced into existing melolonthine tribes) and Zabacana Saylor (to Epectinaspis (Rutelinae)). Nine new generic synonyms are proposed: Corminus Burmeister, junior synonym of Alvarinus Blanchard; Ctilocephala Burmeister, Eubarybas Gutiérrez, and Pseudohercitis Moser, each a junior synonym of Barybas Blanchard; Byrasba Harold, Rhinaspoides Moser, and Ulomenes Blanchard, each a junior synonym of Rhinaspis Perty; Demodema Blanchard, a junior synonym of Plectris Le Peletier and Serville; and Pachylotoma Blanchard, junior synonym of Gama Blanchard.
New South American taxa of Odontolochini Stebnicka and Howden (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Aphodiinae)
(2007)
Recently discovered Neotropical taxa belonging in the tribe Odontolochini Stebnicka and Howden (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Aphodiinae) are described. New genera are: Amerilochus, type species Amerilochus cinereus, new species; and Stebnickiella, type species Stebnickiella zosterixys, new species. Three additional new species are: Saprolochus lobatus, Saprolochus tridentatus, and Saprositellus kenodontus. Updated keys are presented to the New World genera of Odontolochini as well as keys to species in the genera Saprolochus Stebnicka and Galante and Saprositellus Balthasar. New country records are presented for Saprositellus ariquemes Stebnicka.
Generic placement of Nearctic species of Ochodaeinae has lagged behind changes in generic concepts in the group. In order to place Nearctic species into the appropriate genus-level taxa, several nomenclatural changes are made. The new generic name Xenochodaeus is proposed for species with an elongate, subparallel sulcus on the propygidium and a longitudinally impressed mentum. The genus contains 6 species. Xenochodaeus americanus (Westwood), new combination, is valid and is removed from synonymy with X. musculus (Say), new combination. A neotype is designated for Odontaeus musculus. Ochodaeus opacus LeConte is synonymized under X. americanus. Other new combinations include Xenochodaeus luscinus (Howden), X. planifrons (Schaeffer), X. simplex (LeConte), and X. ulkei (Horn). The new generic name Cucochodaeus is proposed for species having the propygidial sulcus absent, stridulatory peg absent, and possessing 9 antennomeres. The genus contains 1 species, C. sparsus (LeConte), new combination. Ochodaeus mandibularis Linell is placed into synonymy with C. sparsus. Ochodaeus gnatho Fall is transferred to the genus Codocera Eschscholtz, resulting in C. gnatho (Fall), new combination. Two new combinations result from Nearctic species transferred to Neochodaeus Nikolajev: N. repandus (Fall) and N. striatus (LeConte). Three Nearctic species are transferred to Parochodaeus Nikolajev, resulting in new combinations: Parochodaeus californicus (Horn), P. duplex (LeConte), and P. peninsularis (Horn). A lectotype is designated for Ochodaeus kansanus Fall, and that same specimen is designated as the neotype of Ochodaeus duplex (LeConte), objectively synonymizing O. kansanus with O. duplex. A checklist of Nearctic species and key to Nearctic genera are provided.
Habronyx Foerster occurs in all regions except the Afrotropical and parasitizes lepidopterous larvae (Geometridae, Noctuidae, Saturniidae, Sphingidae, Psychidae). Habronyx albifrons (Spinola) inhabits neantartic Chile and southern Argentina. It is black with a white flagellar annulus and with a strong prepectal carina on the lower half of the mesopleuron. Habronyx albifrons is redescribed and descriptions are given of two new species which belong to a group of their own: Habronyx citrinus Porter, n. sp., from central Chile; and Habronyx punensis Porter, n. sp., from the high Andean steppe of Bolivia, where it attacks noctuid larvae on Chenopodium quinoa Willd. These differ from H. albifrons because the prepectal carina is absent on the mesopleuron, being developed only on the mesosternum, and because they have the flagellum uniformly black and the gaster extensively orange. Habronyx punensis differs from H. citrinus in having a sharp carina on the front, the mesopleural punctures not reticulately confluent, the discoidella weaker and in part desclerotized
Agathymus escalantei Stallings, Turner, and Stallings, 1966 (Lepidoptera: Hesperiidae) is the only described species of Megathyminae known from a single collected individual. To date, the only images of this specimen are poor black and white illustrations published in the original description. This note presents the first color photographs of the holotype.
Nomenclatural errors associated with the nymphalid butterfly, Speyeria atlantis greyi Moeck, have persisted in the literature and electronic databases. We present here a synonymy of the various combinations and misspellings associated with it and clearly indicate the correct name and spelling based on Moecks (1950) original description. Additionally, color images of the holotype and allotype specimens are published herein for the first time.
Descriptions of pupal cases of Dialeurodes schefflerae, new species, as well as distribution records are presented. This species is known to occur in Florida, Hawaii and Puerto Rico appearing to feed only on species of Schefflera Forst and Forst. This restriction to plant hosts in the Asian genus Schefflera, along with its affinities with Dialeurodes agalmae Takahashi, Dialeurodes citri (Ashmead) and Dialeurodes kirkaldyi (Kotinsky), suggests it is an invasive species, probably endemic to the Asian region.
The genus name Drepanocanthoides Schmidt has recently been applied to Australian and North American taxa, based on generic concepts following separate designations of different type species. Drepanocanthoides, type species Aphodius walshii Horn, is a Nearctic genus that is not congeneric with the Australian members. The new name Ozodius, n. gen., is here proposed for the Australian taxa, with Aphodius neglectus Schmidt designated as the type species. All Australian members of Drepanocanthoides are transferred to Ozodius.
This preliminary checklist of Aphodiini south of the United States is prepared to provide published data for a future web-based checklist of all New World Aphodiinae. All species names are used in combination with their currently accepted generic name, creating many new combinations. A few genus-species combinations are discussed. New synonymies based on recent studies of type specimens are made: Aphodius azteca Harold = Aphodius multimaculosus Hinton; Aphodius ornatus Schmidt = Aphodius magnopunctatus Hinton; Aphodius caracaensis Petrovitz = Aphodius brasilicola Balthasar; Aphodius guatemalensis Bates = Aphodius striatipennis Petrovitz; Aphodius kuntzeni Schmidt = Aphodius amplinotum Gordon and Howden = Aphodius michiliensis Deloya; Aphodius bimaculosus Schmidt = Aphodius xalapensis Galante et al.; Aphodius caracanus Balthasar = Aphodius martinsi Petrovitz; Aphodius volxemi Harold = Aphodius squamifer Petrovitz.
The naturalist Edward Newman did not provide an etymology for the mecopteran Merope tuber when he described it in 1838. In 1872 Asa Fitch asserted that the genus was named after Merope one of the Pleiades sisters of Greek mythology; however, he provided no reason for his assumption. We researched several etymological alternatives. We concur with Fitch and conclude that Newman did indeed name the genus Merope after the dullest of the Pleiades sisters.
Three distinct tibial types are recognized within the Rhyparini (Scarabaeidae, Aphodiinae). Based on this, generic limits for the species of Termitodius Wasmann are reevaluated, with the Old World members being transferred to Termitodiellus Nakane. The resulting new combinations are: Termitodiellus besucheti (Paulian), Termitodiellus hammondi (Krikken and Huijbregts), Termitodiellus interruptus (Krikken and Huijbregts), Termitodiellus luzonensis (Howden), Termitodiellus monticola (Krikken and Huijbregts). New World members of Termitodius are split into two genera: Termitodius Wasmann and Aschnarhyparus Makhan. Aschnarhyparus soesilae Makhan is here relegated to a junior synonym of Termitodius peregrinus Hinton, new synonymy, with the resulting new combination being Aschnarhyparus peregrinus (Hinton). A full description of Aschnarhyparus is presented, and Termitodiellus and Termitodius are diagnosed.
A new species of Physoconops Szilady, P. (Pachyconops) weemsi, is described from Florida and Georgia. It is similar to two other species in the southeastern United States, P. floridanus Camras and P. brachyrhynchus Macquart, the main differential character being the shape of the female theca. The female thecae for all three are illustrated and a key to the three related Pachyconops species occurring in the southeastern United States is presented.