1) Alloxystinae are major secondary parasitoids of aphids, important in both their ecology and pest management. 2) Two radically differing views of alloxystine taxonomy exist in the literature, in one of which the group is very diverse, in the other it consists of a few variable species. 3) We sequenced a variable nuclear gene region (ITS2) for 28 specimens of a morphologically clearly defined group which, in one view belong to a single species and in the other to four species. We find that the four putative species each carry a different unique allele with no intraspecific variation. We show that the probability of the observed distribution of alleles under the assumption of a single interbreeding population is very small and we reject the view that all specimens belong to a single biological species. 4) We discuss the implications of our results for aphid - parasitoid community ecology and the biological control of aphids with parasitoids.

A nonpigmenting strain of Serratia marcescens Bizio isolated from dead and apparently diseased wild apple maggot flies, Rhagoletis pomonella (Walsh), was shown to be pathogenic to healthy apple maggot flies upon ingestion. The microorganism was detected in live adult alimentary canal organs four days post ingestion but produced death in some flies within 24 h when flies fed on a cell concentration of 4.7 × 104 cfu/ml and within 8 h when flies fed on filter-sterilized culture medium that previously contained a 21 h culture of S. marcescens. Increasing the cell concentration 10,000 fold did not lead to an increased rate of kill. Young flies (7-10 days old) were more susceptible to infection leading to death than were older flies (21-28 days old). The potential use of S. marcescens cells as control agents against apple maggot flies is negated by their pathogenicity to vertebrates; however, the potential use of toxic compounds produced by this strain of S. marcescens is discussed.

Diapause intensity (DI) is a physiological trait represented by the duration of diapause under given conditions of environment. In many species, it is highly variable, probably being controlled by multiple genes and tends to form a cline in response to the latitudinal gradient of selection pressure. DI clines could be established artificially by crossing between lines of a cricket selected for different levels of DI, indicating the importance of genetic factors in the adaptive variation of DI. However, DI may be modified in response to seasonal cues both before and after the onset of diapause. Polymorphism in the intensity of prolonged diapause may split adults of a single population to emerge in different years. A unimodal distribution of DI may also result in polymodal termination of diapause, if DI variation is so large that chilling in one winter is not enough to terminate diapause for all members of a population. Bimodal termination of diapause after overwintering suggests heterogeneity in the final phase of diapause that requires high temperatures in spring. Polymodal termination of diapause subserves a bet-hedging strategy. Variability in DI thus provides insects with an important means of adaptation to their environments changing in space and time.

The influence of cucumber offered as a host plant either alone or with Aphis gossypii Glover (Hemiptera: Aphididae) was studied on the various life table and biological characteristics of the predatory bug Macrolophus pygmaeus Rambur (Hemiptera: Miridae). The nymphal development was studied at 15, 20, 25, 30 and 35°C while adult performance was assessed at 15, 20, 25 and 30°C, using a 16L : 8D photoperiod and 65 ± 5% r.h. Nymphs completed their development at all temperatures except at 35°C. Nymphal development took significantly longer time in the absence than in the presence of prey at 20 and 25°C, but the reverse was true at 15°C. Nymphal mortality was highest at 15°C in the presence of prey and it was mainly recorded at the first and second stages. Females oviposited a small number of eggs at all temperatures but not at 30°C in the absence of prey. The average number of eggs per female was almost similar with or without prey, being highest at 20°C, and adult longevity was highest at 15°C. The results concerning population parameters clearly showed that cucumber with or without prey can not support a population increase of M. pygmaeus. However, it seems that A. gossypii on cucumber inhibits development of M. pygmaeus more than when this aphid species is not present. This adverse effect on this host plant-prey system possibly results from the particular aphid genotype on cucumber, leading to high nymphal mortality, reduced fecundity and short adult life-span of M. pygmaeus.

Two new species of Enclisis Townes, 1970 from Spain are described and illustrated: E. dichroma sp.n. and E. schwarzi sp.n. The new species are distinguished from the closest species E. infernator and E. ornaticeps by head and leg characters and body colour. Data on their phenology and a key to these four European species are presented. External and internal scanning electron microscopy of male tyloids revealed that these structures, in both new species, have a secretory role.

Circellium bacchus is a flightless telecoprid (ball-rolling) dung beetle, endemic to the afrotropical region, where it is found in a few restricted populations in the eastern Cape of South Africa. Its apterous condition and large size (mass ranges from 6 to 12 g) are considered to be adaptations to a semi-arid habitat. This beetle is active in the sun for long periods, walking between widely scattered dung pats, thus is under selection pressure to reduce water loss.
C. bacchus has eight spiracles on each side of the body. The metathoracic spiracle and six abdominal spiracles open into the subelytral cavity, which is closed. The mesothoracic spiracle is the largest and most exposed, occurring ventrally in the membrane connecting the prothorax and mesothorax.
When at rest a cyclic form of respiration, known as discontinuous gas exchange cycle, is used by C. bacchus, releasing a burst of carbon dioxide approximately once an hour when the spiracles open for about 33 minutes. Flow-through respirometry was used to measure water loss from the thorax (being the head, prothorax and mesothorax) and elytral case (containing the metathorax and abdomen) separately. The total water loss of C. bacchus could be divided up as 65% cuticular water loss from the thorax, 35% cuticular water loss from the elytral case, 4% respiratory water loss from the thorax and no measurable respiratory water loss from the elytral case. 1.51 µg of water is lost for every µl of CO₂ emitted during respiration in the thorax. Thus, the main avenue for both respiration and respiratory water loss is via the mesothoracic spiracles, suggesting that the primary function of the subelytral cavity is not to reduce respiratory water loss.

Brill, Leiden- Boston, 673 pp.

Components of daily and seasonal timing systems in insects are reviewed. Photoperiod indicates seasonal position reliably, but signals can be much modified by habitat, latitude and season. Several receptor features and pigment systems are known, with different daily, seasonal and general functions, including differences between circadian and seasonal reception. Clocks can serve several different purposes, functioning as daily oscillators, interval timers or through successive requirements. The molecular functioning of circadian clocks is best known, but even so there is considerable complexity and diversity and much remains to be discovered. We know relatively little about the internal states that provide information for timed responses (such as the photoperiodic "counter"), about the central controlling mechanism, or about the effectors that transmit output signals. Nevertheless, temporal responses serve a very great range of purposes in insects, and the reported complexity in all of the components of timing systems reflects complex ecological needs across daily and seasonal intervals. The variety of components and the complexity of interactions reported (even within species), as well as the diversity of such elements as photosensitive pigments, molecular clock function and potential neurotransmitters, suggests that - unlike some earlier expectations - there is no single master clock for all timing functions in insects.
Insect photoperiodism and rhythmicity have been studied by both observational or direct approaches (examination of system elements or devices, and qualities such as survival), and by inferential or indirect approaches (such as interpretation of various responses to photoperiod, modelling, and estimating fitness). Many students work with only one approach, but the power of different approaches is not equal, and knowledge at one level may not give answers at another. These difficulties tend to limit our understanding of the linkages among components.
This overview suggests several lessons for the study of photoperiodism and rhythmicity. There are multiple elements, complex integration and a diversity of clocks, showing that different processes serve different purposes. The diversity of findings also results from the fact that different investigative approaches, which depend on the question being asked and on the perspective of the investigator, can influence the outcome of the investigation. Given these complexities, I believe that the key to interpreting photoperiodic and circadian responses is their ecological value. Notwithstanding the interest of timing mechanisms or their parts and of specific responses, daily rhythms and seasonal timing are best understood through the essential context provided by the ecological demands on the actual organisms under study.

Emergence of Coenagrion mercuriale and Ceriagrion tenellum was examined in a mixed population at their northern range margin in Britain. Mortality at emergence was quantified in C. mercuriale. Consistent with their larval diapause characteristics, both species had an asynchronous emergence pattern, typical of "summer" species. Daily emergence of C. mercuriale was positively correlated with the duration of sunlight on the previous day (controlling for season) and its emergence period was found to be shorter than that observed in its core populations in Central and Mediterranean Europe. No differences were found between the patterns of emergence of the sexes in either species. Sex ratio at emergence differed significantly from 1:1 (at 1.35 : 1 - males : females) in C. mercuriale but not in Ceriagrion tenellum (at 1.04 : 1). Body size at emergence declined more steeply with time in females than in males of C. mercuriale because large size may confer a greater reproductive advantage in females (larger females may be more fecund) than males in non-territorial odonates. Percentage mortality of C. mercuriale at emergence was low (4.9% including deformed individuals), the main cause of mortality being deformity.

Raphogla rubra gen. n., sp. n., oldest representative of the (Tettigoniidea & Gryllidea) is described from the Upper Permian of the Lodève basin (France). Its phylogenetic relationships within the Ensifera are discussed. The new taxon occupies a very basal position, probably as sister group of the whole group (Tettigoniidea & Gryllidea).

Spring wheat plants were grown in pots at three CO₂ concentrations (350, 550 and 700 ppm) and three soil water levels (40, 60 and 80% of field water capacity) in field open top chambers and were infested with bird cherry-oat aphids (Rhopalosiphum padi Linnaeus). Aphid population dynamics were recorded throughout the growing season and analysis of the chemical composition of spring wheat leaves was conducted at the same time. Results showed that: (1) Aphid populations increased with raised atmospheric CO₂ concentrations. (2) The aphid populations showed different responses to different CO₂ concentrations. The population size, population growth rate and population density found under the 350 ppm CO₂ treatment was far less than those recorded under the 550 and 700 ppm CO₂ treatments. The population size, population growth rate and population density recorded under the 700 ppm CO₂ treatment was slightly higher than those recorded under the 550 ppm CO₂ treatment. (3) The effect of CO₂ concentration on the aphid population was correlated with soil water level. The highest aphid population size was achieved under the 60% soil water treatment. (4) Atmospheric CO₂ and soil moisture had significant effects on the chemical composition of the wheat leaves. (5) Aphid population size correlated positively with the concentration of leaf water content, soluble proteins, soluble carbohydrates and starch, while correlating negatively with the concentration of DIMBOA and tannin.

The species of Testudobracon Quicke from eastern China are revised with four species recognized, including three new species: (Testudobracon flavus sp. n., Testudobracon guangxinensis sp. n. and Testudobracon grandiventris sp. n.). The new species are fully described and illustrated. A key to species of this genus is also provided. The types and other specimens are deposited in the Collection of Parasitic Hymenoptera at the Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.

Ten species of Cixiidae, formerly placed in Trirhacus Fieber, 1875, are redescribed and one additional species is described. They belong to seven genera: Trirhacus s. str. with T. setulosus Fieber, 1876 (type species), T. dubiosus Wagner, 1959, T. biokovensis Dlabola, 1971 and T. peloponnesiacus sp. n., Apartus gen. n. with A. michalki (Wagner, 1948) comb. n. (type species) and A. wagnerianus (Nast, 1965) comb. n., Nanocixius Wagner, 1939 stat. n. with N. discrepans (Fieber, 1876) comb. n., Neocixius Wagner, 1939 stat. n. with N. limbatus (Signoret, 1862) comb. n., Sardocixius gen. n. with S. formosissimus (Costa, 1883) comb. n., Simplicixius gen. n. with S. trichophorus (Melichar, 1914) comb. n. and Sphaerocixius Wagner, 1939 stat. n. with S. globuliferus (Wagner, 1939) comb. n. The phylogenetic relationships of these genera to other Cixiidae are briefly discussed and a key to the genera of European Cixiidae is provided.

Myrmica rubra is a northern, temperate Palaearctic ant species with a geographical range that extends from the Atlantic coast of Europe to central Asia. In Europe, its range covers > 25° of latitude where it lives under a variety of climates that vary from extreme oceanic in the west, to continental in the east. Colonies nest in the soil and their life cycles are known to be highly dependent on ambient temperature and soil moisture. We hypothesised that the brood-rearing behaviour of populations might be focally adapted to climate and that we might detect differences when the ants were reared under \"common-garden\" conditions. Brood-rearing behaviour was compared for 38 colonies of M. rubra drawn from 13 populations representing a range of 6 latitudes: all 6 were represented in eastern Europe and 2 in western Europe. A sample of ants from each colony was used to estimate respiration rate, body mass and fat content at the start of the experiment in spring (immediately post hibernation) and at the end of the experiment (mid summer). Respiration had a linear relationship with latitude, with northern populations having greater respiration rate in spring compared to southern populations. It is suggested that this is an adaptation to different seasonality over the species' range that results in the \"more active\" northern workers rearing fewer brood to maturity more quickly than southern workers. Fat content, a measure of worker \"quality\", had a parabolic relationship with latitude with mid latitude colonies having the fattest workers. Fatter workers appeared to rear heavier brood. This probably represented a functional response to environment with populations living at \"edge of range\" sites being physiologically more stressed and performing brood-rearing tasks less well than centre of range populations. We believe that this is the first demonstration of a consistent, intra-specific trend for Variation in the social physiology of an ant species over its geographic range.

Many species of chironomids undergo their immature development in habitats that rapidly change in suitability, such as rain pools, phytotelmata, freshly filled ponds or soil layers that seasonally dry out. Strategies for the utilization of these habitats can be divided into two groups: i) physiological or behavioral adaptations of larvae, which enable them to survive unsuitable conditions (in situ resistance) or ii) repeated recolonization of temporarily suitable habitats. In situ resistance, includes desiccation or frost resistance, often in combination with cocoon building and migration of larvae into the sediment. Generally, the species that use the recolonization strategy tend to be better at migration and have a higher fertility and shorter development. Recolonization may include only temporary habitats or temporary habitats and some more stable habitats as well.

Despite the impact of parasitoids on insect populations being extensively studied, indirect parasitoid-mediated effects remain rarely documented in natural communities. We examined the influence of shared parasitoids on the interactions between two functionally monophagous moths, Nonagria typhae and Archanara sparganii. The moths showed a considerable variation in terms of relative abundance and the degree of phenological synchrony between the species. On average, parasitism levels caused by shared parasitoids did not differ between the two host species. Relative parasitism levels of the two hosts, however, varied considerably among different samples. Percentage parasitism of the scarcer species, A. sparganii, thus could not be fully explained by that of the dominant species, N. typhae. The results indicated that A. sparganii may benefit from the presence of N. typhae. In particular, both low relative density as well as high phenological synchrony with N. typhae reduced parasitism levels in A. sparganii. The case thus indicates the presence of parasitoid-mediated indirect effects between the coexisting herbivores. The patterns of host use observed in this study are consistent with the scenario of frequency-dependent host use caused by changes in parasitoid behavior. Such a host use by parasitoids is suggested to promote numerical stability and coexistence of the moth species in the system studied.

A new diagnosis of Paronychiurus Bagnall, 1948 is given. P. ramosus (Folsom, 1917) and P. eous (Christiansen & Bellinger, 1980) comb. nov. are redescribed on the basis of the types and new specimens. Two new species are described: P. probus sp. n., P. hubbardi sp. n. A key to the species in this genus is presented.

Monoctonus paulensis is a solitary parasitoid of several species of aphids, including the pea aphid, Acyrthosiphon pisum. We evaluated host-instar selection by comparing the parasitoid's preference for the four nymphal instars of the pea aphid, presented two at a time in dichotomous choice tests. Females parasitized more, and laid more eggs in, the relatively smaller aphids among those available. This preference was independent of aphid instar: L1 > L2 > L3 > L4. Preference was not influenced by female size or age. Normal and anaesthetized aphids were accepted equally. The total time needed by a female to capture, position, and parasitize an aphid varied among host instars, with fourth instars requiring nearly twice as much time as first, second, and third instars. The probability of an attacked aphid escaping or avoiding parasitism increased with aphid instar, from ~10% in first and second instars to ~50% in fourth instars. Although fourth-instar pea aphids contain more resources for offspring development than smaller counterparts, it may not be profitable for a female to invest opportunity time in attacks on large aphids.

While observational studies led to the assumption that water or moisture (W/M) is a prerequisite for diapause development, the experimental research indicates rather the opposite: usually W/M is needed as late as for the post-diapause resumption of morphogenesis. Recent examples for this type of regulation of dormancy are given: Eggs of the tettigoniid Stictophaula armata, eggs of the grasshopper Oedaleus senegalensis, adults of the bruchid Bruchidius atrolineatus, adults of the endomychid Stenotarsus subtilis (= S. rotundus). In the late diapause of the noctuid Busseola fusca and in eggs of the chrysomelid Homichloda barkeri, moisture is assumed to be the diapause terminating cue. Fall in temperature is assumed decisive for termination of pupal diapause in the saturniid Schausiella santarosensis, although the effect of intense rain after a long dry period has not yet been excluded. Effects of intense changes in environmental conditions and of gradual decrease in diapause intensity with time have often been neglected.

The Dermaptera are a small order of insects, marked by reduced forewings, hindwings with a unique and complicated folding pattern, and by pincer-like cerci. Hindwing characters of 25 extant dermapteran species are documented. The highly derived hindwing venation and articulation is accurately homologized with the other pterygote orders for the first time. The hindwing base of Dermaptera contains phylogenetically informative characters. They are compared with their homologues in fossil dermapteran ancestors, and in Plecoptera, Orthoptera (Caelifera), Dictyoptera (Mantodea, Blattodea, Isoptera), Fulgoromorpha and Megaloptera. A fully homologized character matrix of the pterygote wing complex is offered for the first time. The wing venation of the Coleoptera is re-interpreted and slightly modified. The all-pterygote character analysis suggests the following relationships: Pterygota: Palaeoptera + Neoptera; Neoptera: [Pleconeoptera + Orthoneoptera] + [Blattoneoptera + (Hemineoptera + Endoneoptera)]. Blattoneoptera share at least 15 wing apomorphies with the sistergroup Hemineoptera + Endoneoptera and none with the Orthoneoptera and Pleconeoptera; Blattoneoptera: (Grylloblattodea + (Dermaptera + Dictyoptera)); Dictyoptera: (Mantodea + (Blattodea + Isoptera). Dermaptera share 13 wing apomorphies with the sistergroup Dictyoptera. In order to document the intra-ordinal relationships of Dermaptera, 18 new characters of venation and articulation are added to an existing data set and analyzed cladistically. The following relationships are suggested (43 characters, tree length 72, CI 0.819 and RI 0.935). Dermaptera: Karschiellidae + ("Diplatyidae" + ("Pygidicranidae" + (Allostethus indicum + (Anisolabididae + ("Labiduridae" + [Forficulidae + (Chelisochidae + Spongiphoridae)]))))). The taxa in quotation marks are probably paraphyletic. Fossil Dermaptera and "Protelytroptera" show that wing-folding characters were already present in Permian ancestors. The evolution of the dermapteran wing-folding mechanism is discussed and the hindwing is presented as a working "origami" model, which will fold as in living earwigs. The functional role of the wing base in wing folding is examined. Characters in orders and other higher taxa are not independent and cannot be analyzed out of context with their groundplans. Higher systematics is dealing with diametrally different problems than species-level systematics. The necessity of using a different methodology for species-level and higher-level phylogenetics is discussed and recommendations are made.

The effects of body size on mating success and duration of copulation were investigated in Pyrrhocoris apterus. Under laboratory conditions relative mating success of small and large males was investigated in groups of 2 males (majority sex) : 1 female (minority sex). Large males were recorded significantly more often in copulation than small males when the female was large but not when the female was small. This was also the case when the group size was 24 males : 12 females or population density decreased by increasing the area of the experimental arena. In groups of 2females : 1 male, large females were recorded in copulation significantly more often than small females when the male was large but not when the male was small. Proportion of individuals of the minority sex that copulated was similar for males and females, regardless of body size. The average duration of copulation was similar for small and large males, but shorter for small than large females. The difference in the duration of copulation of small and large females was greater when it was with small rather than large males. The prolonged guarding of large females by small males may be explained by a trade-off between increasing the probability of inseminating an uneasily accessible high quality partner and copulating with more females.

Typically, the relationship between insect development and temperature is described by two characteristics: the minimum temperature needed for development to occur (T_min) and the number of day degrees required (DDR) for the completion of development. We investigated these characteristics in three English populations of Thrips major and T. tabaci [Cawood, Yorkshire (N53°49', W1°7'); Boxworth, Cambridgeshire (N52°15', W0°1'); Silwood Park, Berkshire (N51°24', W0°38')], and two populations of Frankliniella occidentalis (Cawood; Silwood Park). While there were no significant differences among populations in either T_min (mean for T. major = 7.0°C; T. tabaci = 5.9°C; F. occidentalis = 6.7°C) or DDR (mean for T. major = 229.9; T. tabaci = 260.8; F. occidentalis = 233.4), there were significant differences in the relationship between temperature and body size, suggesting the presence of geographic variation in this trait. Using published data, in addition to those newly collected, we found a negative relationship between T_min and DDR for F. occidentalis and T. tabaci, supporting the hypothesis that a trade-off between T_min and DDR may constrain adaptation to local climatic conditions.

The genus Anthelephila Hope, 1833 and its type species, Anthelephila cyanea Hope, 1833, are redescribed. Based on examination of the type material, the following new synonymy is proposed, Anthelephila Hope, 1833 (= Formicoma Motschoulsky, 1845 syn. n.) and A. cyanea Hope, 1833 (= Notoxus caeruleus Thunberg, 1787 syn. n.). Five genus-group names are regarded as unjustified emendations and are placed as synonyms: Anthelephila Hope, 1833 (=Anthelephilus LaFerté-Sénectère, 1849; Formicosoma Motschoulsky, 1845; Myrmecosoma Mannerheim, 1846; Formicomus LaFerté-Sénectère, 1849; Orthauchen Krekich-Strassoldo, 1925 syn. n.). A lectotype is designated for Anthelephila cyanea Hope, 1833.

Photoperiodic control of diapause termination was systematically investigated in Pseudopidorus fasciata. In 24 h light-dark cycles, the rate of diapause termination in this species depended on photoperiod. The critical night length (CNL) for diapause termination was 10 h, 0.5 h shorter than that for diapause induction. Night-interruption experiments with T = 24 showed that diapause was effectively terminated when the scotophases separated by light pulse were shorter than the critical night length (10 h); no developing individuals were found if the duration of the pre-interruption scotophase or the post-interruption scotophase exceeded the CNL. A 15-min light pulse was sufficient to reverse the effect of long night when it was placed 8 h after lights-off. Resonance experiments with a constant photophase of 12 h or 16 h and various scotophases of 4-80 h showed an hourglass-type photoperiodic response, where no rhythmicity was found. In another resonance experiment with constant scotophase of 8 h and various photophases of 4-72 h, all individuals developed into cocoons. In the Bünsow experiment, the response curve showed two apparent peaks for diapause termination, one being 8 h after lights-off, and another 8 h before lights-on. However, there was no periodic rhythmicity, which again indicates an hourglass principle. The results lead to the conclusion that the same photoperiodic clock mechanism (a long-night measuring hourglass) is involved in both diapause induction and termination.

Exorista sorbillans, the uzi fly, is a serious tachinid pest of silkworm and is present in all silk producing areas of Asia. Assuming that E.sorbillans was accidentally transported from West Bengal to southern states of India, its population genetic structure was studied using 13 ISSR, 3 RAPD, two sets of universal primers and two sets of primers designed from a lepidopteran repeat sequence. Statistical analyses of DNA markers revealed significant genetic variability between the E. sorbillans populations from 4 different geographic locations (within 400 km of one another) in the southern states and the one from West Bengal (Murshidabad). Multivariate and discriminant function analyses indicate that the E. sorbillans from south India has diverged from the original gene pool of West Bengal and is suitable for studying the microevolution of adaptation to the conditions prevailing in the different cocoon producing areas in India.
Abbreviations used. GP = geographic population; ISSR = Inter Simple Sequence Repeat; PCR = Polymerase Chain Reaction; RAPD = Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA; SPSS = Statistical Package for Social Sciences; UBC = University of British Columbia; UNIV = Universal.

Aquatic Coleoptera in shallow lakes associated with the Canal de Castilla (Palencia Province, Spain) in the northern Iberian Meseta were sampled over the course of a year (spring 1998-winter 1999). These waterbodies are typical plateau wetlands with dense vegetation and vary in permanence and area (from 3.3 ha to 29.35 ha). Oxygen concentration, conductivity and pH were recorded at the time of sampling. Lake area, depth, water permanence and type of vegetation were also taken into account. Ninety two species were collected. Species richness was high in comparison with other wetlands in Spain. The assemblage structure was assessed in terms of three community parameters: richness, abundance and diversity (Shannon index). Their relationships with environmental variables were explored using correlation coefficients. The assemblage composition was analysed by multivariate techniques. First, the sites were classified by means of TWINSPAN. The presence of each species in the different TWINSPAN groups was used to assess their habitat preferences. Second, the sites and species were ordinated by Detrended Correspondence Analysis (DCA) using the CANOCO statistical package. Richness was significantly correlated with water permanence, conductivity and aquatic macrophyte cover. The first DCA axis was significantly correlated with water permanence and conductivity, but not with any of the other parameters. Conductivity was significantly inter-correlated with permanence. Therefore, water permanence and aquatic vegetation cover seem to be the main factors influencing richness, but only water permanence appears to determine species composition.

I investigated the seasonal changes of cold tolerance and polyol content in adults of Harmonia axyridis to elucidate their overwintering strategy. Adults decreased their supercooling point and lower lethal temperature only during the winter. Although the seasonal trends for both values were almost consistent, there seemed to be considerable mortality, without being frozen, at -20°C in mid-winter. The pattern for seasonal change in tolerance at moderately low temperatures differed among the temperatures exposed: the survival time at -5°C peaked in winter, but the time at 5 or 0°C peaked in autumn. Because both autumn and winter adults were completely paralyzed only at -5°C and survived much longer at 0°C than at 5°C, the survival time at -5°C indicates the degree of chilling tolerance, whereas the time at 5 or 0°C seems to show starvation tolerance. This beetle accumulated a relatively large amount of myo-inositol during winter. Myo-inositol content synchronized seasonally with supercooling capacity, the lower lethal temperature and the chilling tolerance, suggesting that myo-inositol may play some role in the control of cold tolerance in this beetle.

The Japanese species of Asteiidae are revised. Six species of Asteia Meigen, 1830, are recorded here in addition to Astiosoma okinawae Sabrosky, 1957, hitherto recorded from Japan. Among them, Asteia gemina, A. longistylus, A. lunaris, and A. nigrigena are described as new to science. Asteia angustipennis Duda, 1934, and A. megalophthalma Duda, 1927, are recorded from Japan for the first time. There are conspicuous morphological differences in the male and female genitalia of the seven species of Asteia. It is suggested that Asteia angustipennis, A. concinna, and A. gemina are very closely related and may be reproductively isolated because of their body markings and male genitalia. These species are assigned to the concinna group of Asteia, newly designated in this study. A key to Japanese species and distribution maps are provided.

Edited by Peter Merrett. Praha, Peres, 2002, 351 pages.

Material of Afrotropical Afrocrania Hincks, 1949 (= Pseudocrania Weise, 1892, not Pseudocrania M'Coy, 1851) is revised, and a redescription of the genus is given. This publication is on Afrocrania species in which males have head cavities or extended elytral extrusions. Species without those sexual dimorphic organs will be revised in a subsequent paper. Material of Pseudocrania latifrons Weise, 1892, Pseudocrania foveolata (Karsch, 1882) (= Monolepta africana Jacoby, 1894, = Pseudocrania nigricornis Weise, 1895), and Pseudocrania assimilis Weise, 1903 was examined; Pseudocrania basalis Jacoby, 1907 is excluded from Afrocrania; Afrocrania kaethae sp. n., A. luciae sp. n., A. kakamegaensis sp. n., A. longicornis sp. n., and A. ubatubae sp. n. are newly described species.