Insecta Mundi, Volume 1 (1985/86)
The Bethylidae are a primitive family of aculeate Hymenoptera which presently consists of about 2,200 nominal species. They are worldwide in distribution and all species are primary, external parasites of Lepidoptera and Coleoptera larvae. Due t o their host associations, bethylids are potentially useful for the biological control of various agricultural pests in the aforementioned groups. Unfortunately, the true potential of bethylids in applied biological control cannot be ascertained now because they have been used infrequently. Some species show strong promise, but t h e i r use is handicapped by a relative lack of basic taxonomic and biological knowledge. The most recent world catalog for bethylids is Kieffer (1914). A world catalog is forthcoming (Gordh, in prep.). There has never been a compilation of the world literature.
The only published checklist of the Hydradephaga from the Maryland area is Ulke (1902) who records 65 species from the District of Columbia. The present paper lists 121 species as occurring in Maryland. Comparable lists for other states are as follows: Young (1954), 120 species from Florida; Folkerts (1978), 120 species from New York; and Brigham (1982) and Sanderson (1982), 115 species from North and South Carolina. Some of the identifications are questionable until generic revisions are completed. This is especially true of Hydroporus and Gyrinus.
Presently, only a single species of the genus Diplocentrus is known from northeastern Mexico, D. whitei (Gervais) (Hoffman 1931 ). This species is dark brown to black and is quite large, with adults 65-75 mm long. Recent collecting in the mountains near Monterrey and El Potosi, Nuevo Leon, Mexico has revealed the presence of a much smaller, more lightly-colored species. The description of this new species is the subject of the present paper. Nomenclature and mensuration essentially follows that of Stahnke (1970), with the following exceptions: carinal terminology and cheliceral measurements are after Francke (1975, 1977) and trichobothrial terminology is after Vachon (1974). All measurements were taken with an American Optical Model 569 dissecting microscope equipped with an ocular micrometer calibrated at 10x.
This paper is a catalog of the Ephemeroptera known from the British Crown Colony of Hong Kong. It includes all known references for each species, along with an indication of the type localities and depositions of type specimens. For each reference the stage (male, female, or nymph) is indicated if relevant. Keys which include the species also are indicated. The recorded distribution for each species is listed. For each genus are given the reference to the original description, information on the type species, and any synonyms. Abbreviations of places of type deposition are as follows: (BMNH), British Museum (Natural History), London; (Cornell), Cornell University, Ithaca, New York; (DEI), Deutsches Entomologisches Institut, Eberswalde; (Hamburg), Zoologisches Staatsinstitut und Zoologisches Museum, Hamburg; (Hsu), personal collection of Y.-C. Hsu [the late Prof. Hsu indicated (personal communication) that because of events in China over the past few decades these specimens should be considered destroyed or lost]; (Utah), University of Utah, Salt Lake City. Although the taxonomic knowledge of the Hong Kong mayflies is still somewhat sketchy, there are substantial ecological studies ongoing at this time. Therefore, in order to facilitate future studies and comparisons of data, I have included in this catalog the "morphospecies" of Dudgeon (1982a, b, 1983, 1984a, b). The reader should be aware that many of the taxonomic assignments of these morphospecies are preliminary and actual placement will have to await future taxonomic studies. This paper is one in a continuing series of catalogs of the Ephemeroptera (cf. Hubbard & Peters 1978, Hubbard & Pescador 1978, Hubbard & Savage 1981, Hubbard 1982a,b).
This paper updates and summarizes the ant fauna of Alachua County, Florida, with two basic objectives. The first objective is presentation of a current, documented check-list consistent with existing taxonomy and an insight on species groups where taxonomic changes are likely in subsequent revisions. The second objection objective seeks to identify changes in the fauna since Van Pelt’s pioneer survey of 1948, and provide a basis for similar comparisons in the future. The county consists of 902 square miles in north-central Florida and embraces essentially all inland habitats of the northern peninsula. This rich habitat variability is reflected in its ant fauna of 110 species. Few other regions of comparable size and latitude support a larger ant diversity also documented in part for greater than 50 years. A review of the earlier work, current taxonomic authorities, and questionable or rejected records precede the new list.
This supplement concerns species of the family Sphingidae (pages 425-444) introduced to Hawaii since 1958 and now firmly established. The introductions are connected with the rapid growth of air traffic between Hawaii and SE Asia since the mid-1970s. Of special interest is the fast interisland colonization as reported in the HAWAII COOPERATIVE ECONOMIC INSECT REPORT (HCEIR), published by the State Department of Agriculture, Honolulu, HI until 1980, subsequently called HAWAII PEST REPORT.
The generic name Brachycoryna was first published by Guerin-Meneville (1844) who at that time also described B. pumila which was the only included species (type species by monotypy). The locality data given by Guerin's material is "Carthagene" (Cartagena, Columbia). Guerin correctly receives authorship of Brachycoryna since a single combined description of a new genus and new species published before 1930 is considered an "indication" for each name (Intern. Code 2001. Nomen., Article 12). Some authors (Weise, 1911 a,b; Papp, 1953) had assigned authorship to Baly (1885) who published the first generic description and reported B. pumila from Mexico, Guatemala, and Nicaragua. There have only been two other generic descriptions published: Weise (1911b) and Monros and Viana (1947).
The definition of the Tribe Pheidologetini in the ant subfamily Myrmicinae has always been problematic. Emery (1922) erected the tribe to contain the genera Pheidologeton, Oligomyrmex, Aneleus, Lophomyrmex, Trigonogaster, Ekebomyrma, Carebara and Paedalgus, but Wheeler (1922) put all these genera in the Solenopsidini. Neither Emery nor Wheeler satisfactorily defined either tribe. More recently, Ettershank (1966) proposed the "Pheidologeton genus group" composed of Pheidologeton, Oligomyrmex (including most Aneleus), Lophomyrmex, Carebara, Paedalgus and Anisopheidole, but still uncertainty remains as to relationships of these genera and even the definitions of the genera themselves. New characters and new means of analysis are needed to help resolve this problem.
The receipt, recently, of several requests for information and assistance in rearing blister beetles (Meloidae) has prompted me to prepare the following account of the rearing method used in my laboratory. In order to make the account as useful as possible to new students. I have included a considerable amount of information on meloid bionomics. Larval phases are designated as triungulin (TI, first grub (FG), coarctate (C), and second grub (SG). Where necessary, instar is indicated by a numerical subscript. The pupa and adult are symbolized by P and A, respectively. I assume that the reader has some knowledge of the taxonomy of the Meloidae.
The genera Paratella and Sephena were established by Melichar (1902) for complexes of species having distribution principally in New Guinea. However, three of Melichar’s new species of Paratella, i.e., fumaria, fusconigra and modesta, were known only from localities in Australia and/or New Zealand. Kirkaldy (1906) described Sephena argue, cinerea and rubida from specimens collected in Australia. He commented that they had the appearance of Paratella while having the characters of Sephena assigned by Melichar. Melichar (1923) and Metcalf (1957) each retained the above named species in Paratella and Sephena The type specimens of the species named above were examined in connection with my research on Kirkaldy and Melichar types, results of which are given in articles that have been submitted for publication elsewhere. To avoid duplicate citation of new synonymies, all synonymies given in this article should be considered to have prior designation by Medler, in press.
Fourteen new species of Adelphe are described, from several Caribbean islands, Central and South America.
Crepidodera Chevrolat is a genus of small metallic-colored flea beetles belonging to the family Chrysomelidae. Although these insects are quite common in the field and numerous in museum collections, the members of the genus in North America are, until now, poorly known. Heikertinger (1948-1950) recognized 4 taxa and recently, Lazorko (1974) described 3 additional species. These 7 species were recognized primarily on the basis of genital differences and were otherwise difficult to identify. Examination of a large accumulation of museum material and investigations in the field have indicated the presence of several additional species in the North American fauna. A detailed study of external characters, male genitalia and female spermathecae has revealed, in material previously referred to the Palaearctic species, C. fulvicornis (F.), a complex of closely related species. Essentially nothing was known about the biology of the North American species. General information on host plants was available and the general seasonal occurrence and habits of adults were described by Loan (1967b). However, the immature stages and life histories of all members of the genus were unknown. This has now been remedied with the discovery, during the course of this study, of the larvae of two species. The main purpose of this paper, therefore, is to consolidate the existing information on the genus in North America, describe 8 new species, redefine the previously described species, provide a key and illustrations to aid in their identification, and to describe the immature stages for 2 species. A discussion of the host plant relationships and the general life history of members of the genus is also presented.
Praestochrysis Linsenmaier contains those species of Chrysidinae with five teeth on the posterior margin of tergum III, first flagellomere (F-I) less than 3 times as long as broad (often much shorter), and clypeal length below antennal sockets (subantennal distance) not more than diameter of the midocellus (MOD). The genus is widespread in the Old World, but a majority of the known species are in the Ethiopian Region. Host records are rather few, but it is likely that nearly all species attack moth larvae and emerge from their cocoons. Praestochrysis shanghaiensis (F. Smith) is a well known parasitoid of the silk moth in the Far East.
Descriptions of species in the genus Sclerosococcus are primarily based on the female morphology (McKenzie 1958, Lambdin 1980). The lack of descriptions for males is attributed to their brief seasonal appearances (lasting only a few hours) and their small size that makes collection of adult specimens difficult. As a result, adequate descriptions for only a few males of Asterolecaniidae are available for comparisons. Of those species where males are known, most descriptions are of the tests or general morphological aspects (Russell, 1941). The most comprehensive descriptions for adult males in the family were provided for Asterolecanium proteae (Giliomee 1968) and for two species of Grammococcus (Miller and Lamdin 1978). The genus Sclerosococcus contains 4 species known from the Neotropical Region where they feed on bromelid hosts. Until now, no reference was made as to the existence of males of the species. My objective was to provide a description of the adult male of this rare species to better define the taxa. Measurements and illustration were made by microscopic examination of the allotype male. Terminology used to describe the external morphology, with few exceptions, was adapted from Theron (1958). All measurements are presented in micrometers.
A number of years ago we received a large lot of material collected by Robert G. and Clo M. Wind during their 1939-1940 expedition to the “East Indies” and published on the Danaidae and Satyridae of that trip (L. and J. Miller, 1978). One of the insects that the Winds considered to be of special significance was a male of a thecline that Bob Wind had intended to describe for his then wife. Both Bob and Clo asked us to describe the butterfly, but before we had an opportunity to describe the insect both Bob and Clo died. We now dedicate the description of this magnificent insect to their memories.
GLYPHICNEMIS Foerster is a small Holarctic genus in the subtribe Endaseina of the Gelini. Nearctic species were placed in PHYGADEUON Gravenhorst until Townes (1944) placed them in the subgenus GLYPHICNEMIS within ENDASYS Foerster. However, earlier Cushman (1925) had transferred PHYGADEUON CRASSIPES Provancher, a junior synonym of G. MANDIBULARIS (Cresson), to GLYPHICNEMIS, and the Palearctic species, at first placed in PHYGADEUON, were included by Habermehl (1916) i n GLYPHICNEMIS, reduced t o a subgenus within STYLOCRYPTUS Thomson (1873). This status was continued until Townes (1970) listed and described GLYPHICNEMIS as a seperate genus.
El género Priocnemis SchiØdte no se puede considerar como caracteristico de la Región Neotropical y son pocas las especies descritas que se conocen de ella. Sin embargo en el área extra-tropical sudamericana se halla bastante bien representado por un grupo de especies que presenta características particulares, como veremos más adelante. Son varias las especies presentes en la Argentina, Uruguay y Chile, pero por el momento vamos a referirnosala fauna de este último país. Debemos aclarar que no consideramos aquí las especies correspondientes a Sphictostethus Kohl, que han sido tratadas como Priocnemis por algunos autores, ya que constituye un género bien definido por sí.
The key description and illustrations of mouthparts, ocelli, and terminal abdominal segments by Bovinq & Craighead (1931) have been the only information on the larval stages of the genus Hemipeplus Latreille, except for the observation by van Emden (1942) that individuals of the genus would not key properly in Boving & Craighead's key. Their example was of an undescribed species from Cuba. The semidiagrammatic illustrations make it difficult to identify the species illustrated, although it may be H. marginipennis (LeConte). This paper is based on larvae collected by the authors, in each case associated with adults. From the family diagnosis of larval Mycteridae (Crowson & Viedma 1964). Hemipeplus larvae differ noticeably in the form of the sensorium, which Crowson & Viedma describe as “very short, dome-shaped”; in Hemipeplus it is elongate and conical. From the larva of Mycterus (described by Crowson & Viedma 1964) those of Hemipeplus also differ in having five ocelli on each side (cf. two), mala with an uncus and medial pit (cf. without uncus or medial pit), mola ridged (cf. not ridged), cardines not divided (cf. distinctly divided, labial palpi with only one distinct palpomere (cf. with two palpomeres), abdominal asperities absent (cf. asperities present), and different form of spiracle (compare fig. 13 with fig. 4 in Crowson & Viedma 1964). Larvae of Hemipeplus are more similar to that of Eurypus muelleri Seldlitz (described by Costa & Vanin 1977) than to that of Mycterus. As in Hemipeplus, Eurypus larvae possess five ocelli arranged in rows of three and two on each side; two pairs of tubercles at posterior margin of abdominal sternite IX; mala with an uncus, and cardines divided. Hemipeplus larvae differ from those of Mycterus most notably in the form of abdominal tergite IX (see Costa & Vanin 1977:fig. 2 ) . The uncus is located on the mesal margin of the mala in Hemipeplus, whereas it is located on the ventral aspect of the mala in Eurypus.
A recently found fossil from the old Scudder pit (?) appears to be a large female horntail. It shows the ventral aspect. Compared with modern Siricidae, the length of its ovipositor in relation to the body proper suggests modern Xeris spectrum. Unfortunately the venation is incompletely preserved on both wings. In addition to this the forewings and hindwings overlap to some extent on each side. What venation is decipherable is seen in the two sketches. It does not seem to agree with any of the modern genera examined but approaches that of Sirex more closely than any other. Both antennae are faintly indicated. They are stout, many-segmented and in keeping with those of Siricidae. Both hind legs are preserved faintly almost throughout their length. They are stout, and the individual segments are clearly defined.
The recently increased importance of sunflowers (Helianthus annuus Linnaeus) as a crop has brought with it an increased interest in the sunflower maggot, a long-recognized common name for Strauzia longipennis (Wiedemann). The larva of this species bores downward in the stem and feeds upon the pith of sunflowers. Until recently the genus Strauzia was considered to include only the type-species S. longipennis, with 7 varieties (Foote, 1965). It is now known that some of these varieties should be classed as distinct species, differing morphologically and biologically.