We used the aphid parasitoid Aphidius ervi reared in its host Acyrthosiphon pisum to examine if male sexual attractive responses can be conditioned to an odour (vanilla) that is not present in the natural environment. We used prior mating experience (exposure to females) as a non-conditioning stimulus and vanilla odour as a conditioning stimulus. The behavioural responses were tested in a glass Y-olfactometer just after eclosion (i.e., initial response) and after a training experience (i.e., trained response). During the 10-min training period individual males were allowed to copulate with a virgin female with or without vanilla odour present, or were exposed only to vanilla odour. Wing fanning was a recurrent behaviour which denoted increased sexual attraction to a volatile stimulus. Total time and time doing wing fanning in each olfactometer arm were determined. Vanilla odour, which initially did not elicit sexual-related behaviours, triggered strong sexual attractive responses when males were trained to females plus vanilla odour. Neither copulation only nor vanilla odour only treatments elicited such behaviours in trained males. The results are discussed in terms of parasitoid learning ability and its ecological consequences.

The Large Copper butterfly, Lycaena dispar batavus, is extinct in Britain and rapidly declining in Europe, due predominantly to loss of its wetland habitats. Northern populations have more specialised foodplant and habitat requirements than their more southerly counterparts and rely solely on Rumex hydrolapathum, the Great Water Dock, as their hostplants. Southern colonies use a greater range of Rumex. Previous work has shown that specialisation is not due to foodplant chemistry and in this paper we investigate the ability of different Rumex species to support the larval stages of L. d. batavus in a natural environment. Comparisons were also made between a captive colony at Woodwalton Fen, Cambridgeshire, UK and native larvae at De Weerribben, Netherlands. Field experiments using a captive colony revealed that other Rumex hosts can successfully support larvae throughout each of their larval stages in wet grassland and fenland habitats with no significant differences in survival rates compared with their natural hostplant R. hydrolapathum. An overwintering experiment using a native wild population of both butterfly and Rumex species in De Weerribben found 25% of larvae survived on the natural hostplant R. hydrolapathum and no survivors on alternative Rumex hosts. It is suggested that R. crispus and R. obtusifolius growing in their natural habitat may harbour significant competitors to L. d. batavus leading to its specialisation on R. hydrolapathum in fenland habitats.

The aim of this study was to clarify the diet of Ceratomegilla notata (Laicharting), a common species in different mountain habitats of the Palearctic region. In Italy it is found only in alpine ecosystems between 800-1700 m. In these areas, up to 1200 m, various crops (e.g., maize, potatoes) are present. The high meadows are cut for hay. From 2002 to 2003 investigations on the foraging behaviour of this ladybird were carried out in mountain habitats (six near Villabassa, in Bolzano province, and six near Soraga, in Trento province) and in the "Paradisia" Botanic Garden (Gran Paradiso National Park). C. notata adults and larvae were found on the flowering plants, especially those infested by aphids. The study of their diet was done taking random D-Vac samples of 20 adults and 20 larvae/habitat every 15 days, between July and September. The influence of the haymaking on C. notata populations was also evaluated.
In agricultural fields the ladybirds prey on Rhopalosiphum maidis (Fitch), R. padi (L.) on maize and on Acyrthosiphon pisum (Harris) and Therioaphis luteola (Born.) on Trifolium pratense L. In the natural pastures, adults and larvae feed on Cavariella theobaldi G. & B. found on Heracleum sphondylium (Umbelliferae), Sitobion avenae L. on Avena sativa L., Megoura viciae (B.) and A. pisum on Vicia cracca L., Uroleucon jaceae (L.) on Cirsium arvense Scop., U. cichorii (Koch) on Hypochaeris radicata L. and Macrosiphum weberi Born. on Scabiosa sp. A study of the gut contents revealed the presence of aphids, Umbelliferae pollens and spores of fungi (e.g., Alternaria spp., Helminthosporium spp., Puccinia spp.). Statistically significant associations between different food sources were more frequent for adults than for larvae in both 2002 and 2003. Thrips are an important prey of this ladybird in the absence of aphids. C. notata is an important aphidophagous species in Alpine habitats.

The effect of different wavelengths of light, white (control; broad spectrum), blue (ca. 475 nm), yellow (ca. 570 nm) and red (ca. 650 nm), at constant intensity (195 ± 5 lux) on developmental time, reproductive and non-reproductive periods, fecundity, egg viability, prey consumption and fitness of two aphidophagous ladybirds, Cheilomenes sexmaculata and Propylea dissecta were studied. Both ladybird species consumed most aphids, developed fastest and reproduced best when kept under white light, followed by yellow, blue and red light. Fitness of both the ladybirds was highest under white and lowest under red light. There were positive correlations between prey consumption and developmental rate, and prey consumption and fecundity.

We recorded the association between the planthopper Tettigometra laetus Herrich-Schäffer, 1835 (Hemiptera: Fulgoromorpha: Tettigometridae) and three ant species belonging to the subfamilies Myrmicinae and Formicinae in a coastal dune area of Flanders (Belgium). Lasius psammophilus Seifert, Tetramorium caespitum L. and Formica cunicularia Latreille were observed attending and palpating the dorsal glandular area of this planthopper, taking honeydew directly from its anus, herding them and carrying them into their nests when disturbed. The planthopper was rarely found in the absence of ants and probably develops within ant nests, which may provide protection against predation and adverse weather conditions. The natural history of temperate ant-hemipteran relationships is discussed.

The aim of this study was to show that the kind of AKH-mobilized energy substrates in insects can be predicted on the basis of the results obtained with the application of heterologous, i.e. inter-species, AKHs. Four different AKHs, the Locmi-AKH-I inducing hyperlipaemia and hyperglycaemia in Locusta migratoria, Tenmo-HrTH inducing hyperglycaemia in Tenebrio molitor, and Pyrap-AKH and Peram-CAH-II inducing hyperlipaemia in Pyrrhocoris apterus were used, firstly in conspecific tests, secondly in all possible species-AKH combinations, and finally in individual applications on the test species, the cotton bug Dysdercus cingulatus. Since each of the AKHs induced hyperlipaemia in D. cingulatus adults, we predicted that lipids are the only energy substrates which are mobilized in this species by its native AKH. The accuracy of this prediction was subsequently confirmed by the structural identification of the native D. cingulatus AKH and conspecific application tests. The proposed methodical approach can serve as a suitable monitoring system for determination of the kind of energy substrates mobilized by native insect AKHs until the structure of the hormone is identified.

The effect of removing the functional pair of Kalotermes flavicollis from an experimental colony for 12, 24 or 48 h and the repeated removal for a particular number of hours per day (2, 4, 6, 12, 18, 20, and 22 h) was studied. An absence of the functional pair for 12 h had no affect on the development of new neotenics, whereas 24-h absence induced the development of new neotenics in 5 out of 12 experimental groups. A 48-h absence induced development of new neotenics in all 12 experimental groups. Pseudergates and nymphs can be orphaned for up to 12 h a day without being stimulated to differentiate, after which the number of new neotenics increased gradually with the time for which the reproductive pair was absent. This suggests that the inhibitory process is continuous and cumulative. Both sexes showed similar sensitivity to the absence of reproductives. The study also tested, by exchanging pseudergates between groups with functional pairs and orphaned groups, whether pseudergates in experimental groups actively spread inhibitory factors; however, this was not proven. Only pseudergates and nymphs that were in direct contact with the functional pair were inhibited.

The external morphology and chaetotaxy of the larvae of Heterogynidae (Lepidoptera) are described in order to provide information of potential phylogenetic value for the reconstruction of the systematic relationships within the Zygaenoidea. The most outstanding characteristics of heterogynid larvae are their modified habitus during diapause, the presence of an epipharyngeal lamella, the shape of the prothoracic shield, the presence in the first instar of an organ of unknown function on the middorsum of the mesothorax ("Chapman's organ"), the absence of V2, V3 and Va on the head, the absence of V1 on the prothorax and the presence of two primary setae on the inner side of the proleg, the last trait representing an autapomorphy of the family. A number of possible synapomorphies with the Zygaenidae (e.g. presence of cuticular cavities) suggest a close relationship between these two families, but other larval and adult traits are shared only with the "Phaudinae" and limacodid-group families of the Zygaenoidea (viz. absence of V1 on the prothorax with the "Phaudinae", reduced proboscis and absence of ocelli with them all). Nevertheless, a lack of knowledge of the preimaginal instars of species from some zygaenoid families, and of the homology and polarity of given characters of groups within and outside the Zygaenoidea, hamper a thorough comparison of larvae.

Kluwer Academic Publishers, Dordrecht/Boston/London, 2003, viii + 329 pp. ISBN 1-4020-1520-8. Price USD 197.00.

To re-evaluate the taxonomic status of Cheilosia canicularis (Panzer, 1801), C. himantopus (Panzer, 1798) and C. orthotricha Vujić & Claussen, 1994, variation in the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) sequence of the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene and 18 nuclear allozyme genes were surveyed in allopatric and sympatric populations from Serbia and Montenegro. Genetic relationships among five populations of these species from the Fruška Gora (Serbia), Kopaonik (Serbia) and Durmitor (Montenegro) mountains were analyzed. Seven allozyme loci (Aat, Aco, Fum, Idh-1, Idh-2, Mdh-2 and Sdh) were diagnostic for delineating C. orthotricha from the other two species, while only a low, but consistent, genetic differentiation was observed between C. canicularis and C. himantopus. Differentiating all three species was possible based solely on the species-specific alleles at the Est-? locus. Sequence comparisons of 738 bp of the COI gene from eleven specimens was consistent with the variability in nuclear allozymes. Sequence data revealed variation in 5% of the nucleotide sites among C. orthotricha and the C. canicularis/C. himantopus pair, while less variation (0.68%) was observed within the pair C. canicularis/C. himantopus. However, the presence of one diagnostic allozyme locus and five consistently variable nucleotide sites in sympatric populations of C. canicularis and C. himantopus (Durmitor, Montenegro) suggest that these two species have separate gene pools.

In Prorhinotermes simplex, tergal glands are present on the last three tergites (from the 8th to the 10th) in imagoes of both sexes. In addition, males possess posterior sternal glands of the same structure on sternites 8 and 9. The tergal and the posterior sternal glands consist of four cell types: class 1 and class 2 secretory cells, and class 3 cells with corresponding canal cells. The cytoplasm of class 1 cells contains smooth endoplasmic reticulum, elongated mitochondria and numerous microtubules. Apical parts of these cells are formed by dense and long microvilli with a central ductule. Class 2 cells contain predominantly lucent vacuoles (in females) or lipid droplets (in males). The structure of class 3 cells does not differ from class 3 cells found in other body parts.

The first instar larvae (triungulins) of Meloe (Meloegonius Reitter) rufiventris Germar, 1817, M. (Micromeloe Reitter) uralensis Pallas, 1777 and M. (Eurymeloe Reitter) scabriusculus Brandt & Erichson, 1832 are described, which were before unknown. The systematic relationship to closely related species is discussed. A key is included which allows to identify all triungulins of the genus Meloe from Central Europe.

The site of parasitism on a host selected by the ectoparasitic wasp Nasonia vitripennis affected the water composition of developing larvae. Second instar wasp larvae developing on anteriorly-parasitized pharate adults of Sarcophaga bullata contained 12% more water by mass than wasps feeding on the posterior end of the fly. Similar differences, although less pronounced, were detected in third instar larvae and are attributed to a greater dry weight (fat). Regardless of the amount of fat present in wasp larvae, rates of water loss and oxygen consumption were the same. This suggests that variation in parasitoid fat content did not contribute to water conservation. Parasitism resulted in an elevation in the hemolymph and fat body lipid content of Salcophaga bullata, but the induced-hyperlipaemia was most pronounced in posteriorly-parasitized flies. Wasp larvae reared on the latter type of host contained the most extractable lipid, implying that variation in parasitoid Eat content simply reflects differences in host composition. Differences in the quantity of host lipids did not alter the duration of parasitoid development.

The endoparasitoid Glyptapanteles liparidis (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) injects polydnavirus and venom together with eggs into its Lymantria dispar (Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae) host larvae during oviposition. We studied effects of these parasitoid associated factors by means of g-irradiation-induced pseudoparasitization. The application of radiation for sterilization of female wasps as a tool to study interactions between parasitoid associated factors and the host is demonstrated in this paper. When wasps were irradiated at doses ranging from 24 to 96 Gy and then allowed to oviposit into L. dispar larvae, temporary sterilization was produced. On the first day post irradiation they laid 99% sterile eggs, but fertility recovered partially during the following days. Irradiation had no negative effect on the lifespan of wasps, but total fecundity was significantly reduced. Pseudoparasitization of L. dispar by irradiated G. liparidis caused prolonged larval development with supernumerary molts before pupation in females, and higher pupal weights in both sexes. Only 8 to 20% of pseudoparasitized larvae developed into adults; 20 to 33% died as larvae, 55 to 65% in pupae. Abnormities, such as precocious formation of pupal antennal pads in larvae or incomplete sclerotization of pupal cuticle occurred. Pseudoparasitization impaired the immune reactions of L. dispar larvae. Encapsulation of implanted plastic rods by hemocytes was reduced and hemolymph melanization was significantly suppressed 3 and 5 days post pseudoparasitization.

The genus Zabrus Clairville, 1806 is a Holomediterranean taxon that radiated into about a hundred species most likely during the Cenozoic. There are four endemic subgenera on the Iberian Peninsula, which include 28 species, Epomidozabrus (3 spp.), Euryzabrus (1 sp.), Platyzabrus (2 spp.) and Iberozabrus (22 spp.). A mitochondrial fragment comprising part of the cytochrome-oxidase-I, tRNAleu, and part of the cytochrome-oxidase-II genes was sequenced of most of these species. Taxa of other subgenera of Zabrus (Macarozabrus, Polysitus, Zabrus, and Pelor), six species of Amara (the putative sister taxon of Zabrus), and representatives of tribes related to Zabrini were also sequenced. The results show that the genus Zabrus is a monophyletic taxon well separated from Amara. The four subgenera endemic to the Iberian Peninsula also make up a monophyletic clade, which stresses the association between the geographic distribution and the monophyly of many supraspecific taxa within this genus. The species-rich subgenus Iberozabrus seems to be the sister taxon of the clade made up of the three other subgenera endemic to the Iberian Peninsula. The Iberozabrus species-groups proposed by Andújar & Serrano in 2001, based on morphological and geographical grounds, are only partly corroborated by the molecular phylogeny. The lack of congruence between these data sets is mainly between those species-groups with large numbers of species and more complex geographic patterns. Some cases of incongruence are possibly due to homoplasic external characters appeared by convergent evolution.

We analysed the chromosome complement and male meiosis in a natural population of Mepraia gajardoi (Hemiptera: Reduviidae: Triatominae). The normal karyotype of this species is 20 autosomes plus X₁X₂Y in males and X₁X₁X₂X₂ in females. We confirmed that M. gajardoi is cytogenetically strikingly different from M. spinolai (with which it was previously included), which supports the taxonomic separation of these two species. For the first time in the holocentric chromosomes of the subfamily Triatominae, a structural rearrangement was detected. Observations made during meiosis and mitosis indicated that one of eleven individuals had undergone a fusion between two non-homologous chromosomes, probably before germinal cell development. This autosomal translocation resulted in chromosomal irregularities such as an autosomal trivalent, autosomal univalents and chromosomal fragments, which altered the normal segregation of both autosomes and sex chromosomes. The chromosomal fragments resemble supernumerary or B chromosomes, which supports the idea that these chromosomes are remnants of structural rearrangements. The genetic consequences of translocations in holokinetic chromosomes and their role in the evolution of chromosomes in triatomines are also discussed.

Potential involvement of circadian clock genes in so far unknown mechanism of photoperiodic time measurement is an important question of insect life-cycle regulation science. Here we report about the cloning of full-length cDNA of the structural homologue of the Drosophila's timeless gene in Chymomyza costata. Its expression was compared in two strains: a wild-type strain, responding to short days by entering larval diapause and a npd-mutant strain, showing no photoperiodic response. The timeless mRNA transcripts were not detectable by Northern blot analysis in the fly heads of npd-mutants, while they were detectable and showed typical daily oscillations in the wild-type strain. After disrupting the normal process of timeless transcription in the wild-type strain by injection of timeless double-strandRNA into early embryos of wild-type (RNAi method: Kennerdell & Carthew 1998, 2000), a certain proportion of the individuals adopted a npd-mutant phenotype, showing no-diapause in response to short-daylength. Cloning of genomic DNA fragments revealed that npd-mutants carry a different allele, timeless^npd, with a 13-bp insertion in an intron positioned within the 5'-leader sequence. Genetic linkage analysis showed that the 13-bp insertion (a marker for timeless^npd) and the absence of response to short days (a marker for npd-phenotype) are strictly co-inherited in the F2 progeny of the reciprocal crosses between wild-type and npd-mutant flies. Such results indicated that the locus npd could code for the timeless gene in C. costata and its product might thus represent a molecular link between circadian and photoperiodic clock systems in this fly.

Palaearctic species of the genus Gymnophora are reviewed. Four new species, G. amurensis sp. n., G. gornostaevi sp. n., G. perpropinqua sp. n., and G. victoria sp. n., are described from the European Russia, Middle Asia, and Russian Far East. Females of two other species from the Far East are described under code letters. G. laciniata Michailovskaya, 1997 is synonymised under G. prescherweberae Disney, 1997. Lectotypes of G. arcuata (Meigen, 1839) and G. verrucata (Schmitz, 1929) are designated. The latter species is redescribed. Palaearctic females of G. nigripennis demonstrate wide variation of taxonomically important features and may, in fact, represent a group of closely related species. One female of G. nigripennis, which has been caught alive, is recorded to be infected with fungi.

The third instar larva of Anacaena cordobana Knisch, and the egg case of Anacaena lutescens (Stephens) are described and illustrated. The taxonomic status of the immature stages of Anacaenini is clarified by comparing their morphology with that described in the literature. Larval descriptions of Anacaena and Paracymus published by Richmond (1920) are interchanged, as are the identifications of all subsequent authors based on Richmond's work. All Anacaenini genera for which larvae are known are diagnosed. A comparative morphological study of Anacaena larvae shows many similarities between Crenitis and Anacaena larvae, suggesting a close relationship between these two genera.

The wounds inflicted on pupae in capped brood cells of the honey bee, Apis mellifera, infested with a single female of the ectoparasitic mite, Varroa destructor, were investigated after visualisation by vital staining with trypan blue. On average the mites made two integumental perforations for feeding on prepupae and one on pupae. Most of the punctures were on particular ventral sites on the abdomen. Possible reasons for this pronounced preference and the evolutionary aspects of this highly specialised parasite-host relationship are discussed.

A general model of the Dolichopoda cave cricket life cycle was produced using RAMAS/stage simulations based on the Beverton & Holt recruitment function. The model indicates the main population parameters responsible for life cycle adjustments to ecologically different cave habitats. The lack of a uniform rate of oviposition throughout adult life, combined with egg and nymphal diapause, results in regular population growth characterized by adults emerging every two years and cohorts overlapping every other year. This pattern is common in populations living in artificial caves where the scarcity of food is likely to favour individuals that synchronise their activity with the seasonal variations in the epigean habitat. In contrast, a uniform rate of oviposition throughout adult life and no egg or nymphal diapause results in a continuous reproductive activity, and the occurrence of adults all the year round. In this case, it was not possible to distinguish between cohorts. This pattern is well represented in populations inhabiting natural caves with stable food resources. The availability of data for a population that resulted from an experimental colonization allowed us to test this model.

First instar larvae of Polystoechotidae sp., and first and older instar larvae of Ithone fusca Newman and Oliarces clara Banks are described; those of the latter species for the first time. The family Ithonidae is unique in Neuroptera in having grub-like C-shaped older instar larvae. Potential morphological synapomorphies of mature larvae of Ithonidae and Polystoechotidae are the mandibles with exceptionally broad base and markedly thickened apical part; antennal curvature is fixed and rather characteristic in shape; ocular area reduced or absent; cardo and stipes are markedly enlarged with stipes much larger than the cardo; presence of gula (Polystoechotes) or some traces of gular sclerotisation (Ithone, Oliarces). Larvae of Ithone have numerous larval autapomorphies such as C-shaped first instar larva with reduced abdominal segments IX and X; fused tibia and tarsus on all legs and dorsally directed maxillae. Larvae of Ithonidae and Polystoechotidae have some similarities with those of the family Dilaridae, such as no or one pair of stemmata; body not flattened dorso-laterally; mesothoracic spiracle located on fold between prothorax and mesothorax; short and stout mandibles widened at base and tapered apically; robust and elongated fore legs; tarsi on all legs markedly shortened; more than three larval instars. Older instar larvae of Ithonidae are markedly similar to those of the beetle superfamily Scarabaeoidea in having a C-shaped body, at least in older instars; body round in cross-section; sclerites on thorax and abdomen reduced and body surface membranous; each thoracic and abdominal segment subdivided dorsally into two or three fleshy lobes; ventral surface of abdominal apex bears a field of short and stout setae. Chaetotaxy pattern in first instar Ithonidae and Polystoechotidae larvae suggests that it is possible to homologise the sensilla in different genera and provide a system of sensilla designation for Neuroptera larvae. This study is illustrated with 36 morphological drawings.

Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK, 2003, 269 pp. ISBN 0-521-81409-X (hardback), ISBN 0-521-89108-6 (paperback), price: paperback GBP 27.95, hardback GBP 75.00

In warm temperate and subtropical regions an adult summer diapause regulates the timing of oviposition. Epilachna admirabilis is a univoltine phytophagous lady beetle ranging from south to north Japan, Taiwan, China and Myanmar. In Japan the species hibernates in the full-grown larval stage. In cool temperate Sapporo (43°04´N) the adults never enter summer diapause but pass a second winter in diapause. This study revealed that in Kyoto (35°01´N), the adults had a summer diapause induced by an intermediate photoperiodic response; they had a critical photoperiod of approximately 14.5 h light per day. All females entered reproductive diapause under a long photoperiod of 16L (light) : 8D (dark) and 6.7% of them did so under shorter photoperiods of 13L : 11D and 12L : 12D. However, diapause incidence was 40% at 8L : 16D, suggesting the existence of a second critical photoperiod at a photophase slightly less than 8 h. At photophases of 12-15 h, non-diapausing females laid eggs on average between 27.1 to 39.0 days after emergence. Photoperiod reversibly regulated the induction, maintenance and termination of the adult diapause. Temperatures of 20-30°C did not affect the incidence and termination of diapause at 16L : 8D. Adult winter diapause at the higher latitude Sapporo might have originated from adult summer diapause at middle latitude regions such as Kyoto. Selection at increasing latitudes would have forced northerly populations of the species to lose the adult summer diapause in the range of natural day-lengths. Subsequent selection pressure should have favored adults that avoided futile oviposition in late summer or autumn, survived cold winters in diapause and commenced an additional oviposition in the second summer. Thus, a latitudinal difference in photoperiodic responses might have developed.

Attraction of first instar larvae of Spodoptera litura to different colours was studied to determine those that could be used as effective visual attractants for trapping the larvae during dispersal. The larvae were presented with cones of coloured paper. Each cone was placed in the center of a 15-cm Petri dish around the edge of which the larvae were released. Percentage of larvae arriving at the cone was recorded at 5-min intervals over a 15-min period. Differences in the percentages reflected differences in larval attraction to the different colours. The larvae were highly attracted to Foliage Green, Green Bice and Cadmium Yellow. The larvae arrived at the Scarlet Red, Ultramarine Blue, Gray, Orange, White and Black cones in percentages that were almost equal, but lower than at the Foliage Green, Green Bice and Cadmium Yellow cones. Arrival of larvae at the coloured cones increased with time, but their relative preference for different colours remained the same. This study shows that green and yellow can be used as visual attractants in Spodoptera litura larval traps.

More than half of the insects collected on snow in Central Poland were flies (Diptera). Altogether 83 species of Diptera from 27 families were identified, of which 9 families were recorded for the first time. Two thirds of the Diptera belonged to the Mycetophilidae and Trichoceridae, which were also very species-rich. Other families with many species were the Heleomyzidae, Sphaeroceridae and Phoridae.
The peak activity was in the first part of December. Flies were most active on snow when the humidity ranged from 80 to 100%, temperatures between -1 to 5°C and the snow was from 20 to 40 cm deep. The occurrence of Trichoceridae was strictly associated with high humidities, in contrast to Drosophilidae and Heleomyzidae, which were most active at lower humidities. The activity of the flies of the most frequently recorded families was displaced towards either lower (Heleomyzidae and Limoniidae) or higher temperatures (Trichoceridae, Mycetophilidae). In contrast to other families, the supranivean activity of Phoridae was strictly associated with thin snow cover.

The New World genus Ataeniopsis Petrovitz, 1973 is revised. Fifteen species are recognized including three new species: Ataeniopsis carupanoi sp. n. from Venezuela, A. jaltipani sp. n. from Mexico and A. vinacoensis sp. n. from Argentina. Lectotype of A. haroldi (Steinheil, 1872) is designated, the name of type species A. notabilis Petrovitz, 1973 is reestablished, five species are given in a new combination. The taxa are diagnosed, keyed and illustrated, and biological information and distribution data summarized following the species descriptions. A hypothetical phylogenetic analysis of Ataeniopsis based on cladistic analysis is presented.

This paper presents a revision of the genus Dyscia Hübner, [1825] (Lepidoptera, Geometridae: Ennominae). Examination of types and additional material for most described taxa has resulted in several new synonyms: Dyscia ilivolans Wehrli, 1953 syn. n. and Dyscia duanjiao Yang, 1978 syn. n. are new synonyms of Dyscia fagaria (Thunberg, 1784); Dyscia karsholti Wiltshire, 1991 syn. n. is a new synonym of Dyscia galactaria Turati, 1934; Dyscia dagestana Wehrli, 1934 syn. n. is a new synonym of Dyscia malatyana Wehrli, 1934, and Dyscia rjabovi Wardikjan, 1957 syn. n. is a new synonym of Dyscia negrama Wehrli, 1953. One taxon, formerly treated as a species is reassigned to subspecific level, Dyscia conspersaria ssp. sultanica Wehrli, 1936 stat. rev. Dyscia innocentaria sicanaria (Oberthür, 1923) stat. n. and Dyscia malatyana senecai Wiltshire, 1990 stat. n. are downgraded to subspecies-level. On subspecies-level, Dyscia distinctaria perdistincta Herbulot, 1957 syn. n. is a new synonym of Dyscia distinctaria (Bang-Haas, 1910), Dyscia fagaria alvarensis Wahlgren, 1913 syn. n., Dyscia fagaria albescens Lempke, 1952 syn. n., Dyscia fagaria fusca Lempke, 1952 syn. n., and Dyscia fagaria postdelineata Lempke, 1952 syn. n. are new synonyms of Dyscia fagaria. Dyscia fagaria psoricaria (Eversmann, 1848) syn. n. is a new synonym of Dyscia fagaria favillacearia (Hübner, [1799]), Dyscia holli duponti Thierry-Mieg, 1910 syn. n. is a new synonym of Dyscia holli (Oberthür, 1910), Dyscia malatyana nachadira Brandt, 1941 syn. n. and Dyscia malatyana theodoraria Warnecke, 1941 syn. n. are new synonyms of Dyscia malatyana albersaria Warnecke, 1940 stat. n., and Dyscia penulataria naevata Wehrli, 1953 syn. n. is a new synonym of Dyscia penulataria (Hübner, [1819]). Lectotypes for 22 taxa and neotypes for three taxa - Geometra conspersaria [Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775, Geometra favillacearia Hübner, [1799], and Geometra emucidaria Hübner, [1813] - are designated. One species is excluded from Dyscia, Thysanopyga serena (Dognin, 1906) comb. n. From a total of 72 previously described taxa, 19 are recognized as species.

The effect of constant temperatures (5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30°C) on several biological parameters of Noctua atlantica (Warren), a noctuid endemic to the Azores, was studied using an artificial diet as food. At 5 and 30°C no eggs hatched. Developmental time (egg, larval, pupal and egg-to-adult) differed significantly at each temperature. Pupal weight (males and females) was significantly higher at 10°C and lower at 25°C. Adult longevity and the pre-oviposition period were longer at 10 and 15°C and differed significantly from those observed at higher temperatures. The mean number of eggs laid per female (fecundity) was significantly higher at 15°C, and lower at 25°C. Pupal weight (males and females) was positively correlated with larval, pupal, egg-to-adult developmental times and with adult longevity. Female pupal weight was also positively correlated with the pre-oviposition period and with fecundity. Temperatures ranging from 10 to 20°C are the most suitable for the development of N. atlantica, suggesting that this species is well adapted to the climatic conditions found in their natural habitat. The number of day-degrees required for the development from egg to adult emergence was 1428.57 D°, and 117.79 D° for the pre-oviposition period. Thus, N. atlantica can have two generations per year at high altitudes (550 or 800 m) in the Azores.

The taxonomy of European Eristalinus syrphid flies is reviewed. New data on their life histories, biological notes and a key to species using pupal characters are provided. The larvae and puparia of Eristalinus taeniops (Wiedemann, 1818) and Eristalinus megacephalus (Rossi, 1794) are described for the first time, including new morphological characters of the thoracic respiratory process of all species. The morphology of the male genitalia of E. megacephalus is described and compared with that of E. taeniops.
The results of our morphological studies of the male genitalia and molecular data (mitochondrial COI and nuclear 28S rDNA) do not support the traditional adult classification based on the patterning on the eyes (fasciate vs punctate). We present a phylogeny of the species based on molecular data. The molecular and morphological data indicate that the relationship between some species with punctate eyes and those with fasciate eyes may be closer than with other species with punctate eyes. Moreover the results of the molecular studies support two clades, which does not accord with the traditional arrangement of this group of Syrphidae.
Accordingly we propose that the characters of male genitalia stated by Kanervo in 1938 (but subsequently largely ignored) for arranging the European species of the Eristalinus-Eristalodes-Lathyrophthalmus complex, are suitable for classifying these species.