Performance of the invasive horse-chestnut leaf miner, Cameraria ohridella Deschka & Dimic, 1986 (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae), was studied on two host plants: the white-flowering horse-chestnut Aesculus hippocastanum L. and the Ohio buckeye Aesculus glabra Willd. C. ohridella developed successfully on both host plants; however, mine density and survival were much higher on A. hippocastanum than on A. glabra. The pupal mass and potential fecundity were strongly affected by the host plant on which the larvae fed. On A. hippocastanum pupae were significantly heavier and females more fecund than those on A. glabra. Furthermore, on both host plants there was a significant positive correlation between the number of oocytes in ovaries and pupal body mass, and as a consequence, heavier females produced more eggs. Our study demonstrates that the mine density, survival, pupal mass and potential fecundity were significantly lower on A. glabra than on A. hippocastanum. The observed lower performance of C. ohridella on the exotic host plant was assumed to be due to its poor food quality (nutritional and chemical composition).

The mitochondrial genome of Mesomelena mesomelaena (Loew, 1848) is the first to be sequenced in the flesh fly subfamily Miltogramminae (Diptera: Sarcophagidae). The 14,559 bp mitogenome contains 37 typical metazoan mitochondrial genes: 13 protein-coding genes, two ribosomal RNA genes and 22 transfer RNA genes, with the same locations as in the insect ground plan. All the protein-coding genes have the start codon ATN, except for cox1 (TCG). Eight protein-coding genes have the stop codon TAA, while the remaining five have the stop codon T (cox1, cox2, nad5, and nad4) or TAG (cytb). Synonymous and non-synonymous substitution rates (Ks and Ka) for each protein-coding gene indicate that these genes evolved primarily under negative (or purifying) selection (Ka < Ks). Phylogeny of Sarcophagidae is proposed based on all the sarcophagid mitogenomes in GenBank, and the subfamily topology is reconstructed as (Sarcophaginae (Paramacronychiinae, Miltogramminae)).

The responses of gnaphosid spiders to an urbanization gradient (urban-suburban-rural areas) were studied using pitfall traps in and near the city of Heraklion, in Crete, Greece, from October 2010 to October 2011. Our results indicate that richness and abundance of species of spiders decreased from the rural area to the center of the city, but not significantly so. Temporal beta diversity was significantly higher in urban areas, which indicates a high temporal variability in species composition of gnaphosid assemblages in the center of the city that takes the form of complementary rather than synchronized phenologies of co-occurring species, as expected in habitats degraded by high levels of disturbance. There was no specific pattern in the body size distribution of the gnaphosids along the urban-rural gradient, and thus the decrease in mean body size with increase in urbanization hypothesis was not supported by our results. However, the species composition recorded in urban areas was very different from that in suburban and rural areas. The percentage of individuals in the catches that were generalist species differed significantly along the gradient. As generalist gnaphosid species made up 72.01% of the total caught in the center of the city, and only 9.53% and 2.07% in suburban and rural areas respectively, our results support the opportunistic species hypothesis. Our analyses indicate that Urozelotes rusticus, a well known synanthropic species recorded for the first time in Greece, is an indicator of high levels of urbanization in Heraklion.

Whilst the overall geographic range of the lesser marbled fritillary, Brenthis ino (Rottemburg, 1775), is currently expanding, this species is patchily distributed at a local spatial scale due to its use of flower rich semi-natural meadows and the aggregated distribution of its host plant. Therefore, understanding the dispersal patterns of this butterfly and the effect of increasing fragmentation of the landscapes in central and Western Europe on its population dynamics is key to determining whether this patchy distribution can lead to metapopulation structuring and dynamics. One way to determine the degree to which local populations are isolated from one another is to use high resolution molecular genetic markers and thence quantify gene flow and genetic drift. Eleven microsatellite loci have previously been developed for this species, but six showed evidence of null alleles, effectively violating key assumptions of the models used to infer gene flow. We therefore developed a set of new primer pairs to amplify a suite of 16 highly polymorphic microsatellite loci (number of alleles ranged from 2-30) of which nine were found to conform to the Hardy-Weinberg's expectations, whilst at the same time not showing any clear signature for the presence of null alleles. We further describe how these primers were optimized for landscape and metapopulation genetics studies in Belgian Ardenne.

Chironomidae, or non-biting midges, are found worldwide in a wide variety of aquatic habitats. During periods of mass adult eclosion they can become a nuisance and health hazard. Current control methods target the aquatic larval stage and include the use of insect growth regulators or insecticides, which may be prohibited in certain environments or affect non-target organisms. The aim of this study was to investigate whether entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) of the families Steinernematidae and Heterorhabditidae, currently employed for control of terrestrial crop pests, could be used as a viable biocontrol for the aquatic larval stages of the Chrionomidae, offering an alternative to current chemical methods. We demonstrate that Steinernema feltiae (Filipjev, 1934), Steinernema carpocapsae (Weiser, 1955), Steinernema kraussei (Steiner, 1923) and Heterorhabditis bacteriophora (Poinar, 1975) are able to survive in water up to 96 h and are able to parasitize and kill Chironomus plumosus (Linnaeus, 1758) larvae, with mortality observed after just 24 h exposure and with < 20% survival after 4 days. We also show that following application to the water column, EPNs sink to the bottom of the lentic water body and can remain alive for more than 96 h. Taken together, we believe that several EPN species could be developed as a valid form of biocontrol for Chironomidae.

Mass provisioning insects have to cope with microbial spoilage of their food supplies. As their fitness is directly linked to the availability of high quality food for their offspring, they have evolved various mechanisms for preserving these resources. The European beewolf, Philanthus triangulum, uses several mechanisms to not only preserve the food for their larvae, paralyzed workers of the European honeybee, Apis mellifera, but also protect the larvae that develop on the stored food. To assess the spectrum of fungi that pose a threat to beewolf brood cells, we manipulated brood cells by removing the insect defenses. We monitored the subsequent fungal infestations that would have been prevented by the beewolf defense mechanisms and isolated and identified the mold fungi. The cosmopolitan and highly competitive species of Aspergillus, in particular A. flavus, dominated the mold in beewolf brood cells. All other infestations could also be attributed to generalist mold fungi that are commonly found in soil and also on insects. Our findings indicate that beewolf brood cells can be colonized by a broad range of opportunistic soil mold fungi. Thus, it seems highly adaptive that beewolves employ general, broad spectrum defense mechanisms.

Many insects masquerade as parts of plants, such as bark or leaves, or mimic poisonous organisms in order to defend themselves against predators. However, recent studies indicate that plants may mimic insects and other arthropods to deter herbivores. Here, I report visually similar white structures of plants and arthropods in Japan and suggest they are part of a mimicry complex. Young shoots covered with white trichomes or waxy substances may mimic wax-producing insects, such as woolly aphids, coccids and caterpillars, potentially resulting in reduced herbivory. Since wax-producing insects would reduce plant quality and quantity, be distasteful and attract natural enemies, herbivorous insects and mammals may avoid such white shoots. Furthermore, fungus-infected insects, gregarious braconid cocoons, spider egg sacs and froth made by froghopper nymphs or blasticotomid sawfly larvae are also conspicuously white and impose risks for herbivorous insects. Thus, these white structures may be mimicry models for white shoots and are likely to be part of a defensive mimicry complex. Although this study focuses on defence against herbivores, there are simultaneous physiological roles for white colouration that will not be discussed in depth here.

Satellite DNAs are the major repetitive DNA components in eukaryotic genomes. Although satellite DNA has long been called "parasite DNA" there is substantial evidence that it could be associated with some functions of chromosome biology. Ladybird beetles (Coccinellidae) are one of the largest and most important groups of beetles. Many ladybirds are of economic interest as biological control agents because they eat some agricultural pests such as aphids and scale insects. However, other species are phytophagous and can damage crops. Despite the ecological importance of the latter group there are no studies on their satellite DNA. A satellite DNA family was isolated and characterized in the ladybird Henosepilachna argus. This satellite DNA is organized in tandem repeats of 658 bp and is A + T rich (67.3%). The recorded high sequence conservation of the monomers together with the detection of putative gene conversion processes indicate concerted evolution. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) revealed that this satellite DNA is transcribed and in situ hybridization its location in the subtelomeric regions of all chromosomes except the long arm of the X chromosome. The presence of this satellite DNA in other species of the genus Henosepilachna and Epilachna was also tested using PCR. The results indicate that this satellite DNA sequence is so far specific to H. argus.

Capsazepine is a competitive antagonist of capsaicin, a TRPV1 agonist responsible for the spicy taste of pepper. TRPV1 agonists and antagonists are known to affect mammalian body temperature, but their action on thermoregulation in insects is poorly known. In this study we evaluated the effect of capsazepine on the thermal preference of the American cockroach, Periplaneta americana using a thermal gradient. Our results revealed that capsazepine in submicromolar concentrations induces a preference for higher ambient temperatures when compared to the control insects. To assess whether capsazepine may act also as an antagonist of capsaicin in insects, we determined this insects' thermal behaviour when capsazepine was applied before capsaicin. The hypothermic response to capsaicin was clearly blocked by pre-treatment with capsazepine only in female American cockroaches. Our results indicate the involvement of structures functionally similar to TRPV1 in insect thermosensation.

The ladybird, Serangium japonicum (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), is one of the most important predators of whiteflies in China, however, the suitability of different kinds of prey and nutritional requirements of this predator are poorly studied. The objectives of the present study were to investigate the pre-imaginal development, percentage survival of immatures, adult longevity and fecundity of S. japonicum when reared on two different species of prey, mixed ages of the cotton whitefly Bemisia tabaci Gennadius (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) biotype-B (i.e., eggs and nymphs) and green peach aphid Myzus persicae (Sulzer) (Hemiptera: Aphididae) in order to quantify their relative suitability as prey under laboratory conditions of 25 ± 1°C, 50 ± 10% RH and a photoperiod of 16L : 8D. The results of this study indicate that the total developmental period (from egg to adult) was shorter when they were fed on B. tabaci (18.29 ± 0.13 days) than on M. persicae (19.85 ± 0.22 days). The percentage survival of the immatures, growth index, development rate, adult fresh weight, fecundity and percentage of eggs hatching were higher and the pre-oviposition period was significantly shorter when S. japonicum were fed on B. tabaci than on M. persicae. In contrast, there was no significant difference in their longevity and oviposition period when fed on B. tabaci and M. persicae. The results indicate that as a diet for S. japonicum M. persicae is inferior to B. tabaci. This is the first record of S. japonicum being able to complete its development feeding exclusively on M. persicae. Since B. tabaci and M. persicae often simultaneously occur in vegetable fields, these results indicate that it is likely that S. japonicum could be utilized to control mixed populations of aphids and whiteflies, and furthers our understanding of ladybird population dynamics in the field in relation to the availability of different species of prey.

A review of the Balkan representatives of the genus Psorodonotus was made with the aim of revealing the relationships between taxa and their systematic arrangement. For this purpose we used morphological (qualitative and quantitavive), acoustic (amplitude-temporal song parameters) and molecular (mtDNA COI gene sequence) data. The analyses and comparisons with other taxa of Psorodonotus support the distinction of three species occurring on the Balkan Peninsula: P. fieberi, P. illyricus and P. macedonicus. Analysis of the COI sequences suggested the following relationships: outgroups + (P. illyricus + (P. fieberi + (P. macedonicus + P. caucasicus))). All available information on the distribution of the Balkan taxa was synthesized and mapped.

The larvae of the diving beetle genus Laccomimus Toledo & Michat, 2015 (Laccophilinae) are studied for the first time, based on detailed descriptions and illustrations of all instars of L. distinctus Toledo & Michat, 2015, with particular emphasis on morphometry and chaetotaxy. The phylogenetic relationships of this genus within the tribe Laccophilini are analyzed cladistically. Laccomimus is recovered as part of a clade that includes the genera Australphilus Watts, 1978, Neptosternus Sharp, 1882 and Laccophilus Leach, 1815 and is characterized by the presence of natatory setae on the tibia and tarsus, and within this clade it is a sister to the other genera. Third-instar larvae of Laccomimus and Africophilus Guignot, 1948 share the mediodistal insertion of the seta CO7 on the meso- and metacoxa, a short and spine-like seta TI6 on the metatibia, a ventrally sclerotized abdominal segment V and a short urogomphus. These characters are considered plesiomorphic and indicate a basal position of both genera within the Laccophilini. All instars of Laccomimus are characterized by the anterolateral lobes of the frontoclypeus clearly projecting beyond the anterior margin and the last abdominal segment strongly elongated. Diagnostic features of the first instar are: frontoclypeus unmodified posteriorly, lamellae clypeales thin and hair-like, pores ANe, MXb-d-f-i, LAb-c and seta TR3 absent, seta LA3 and an additional dorsal pore present on the prementum, abdominal tergites I-VII with anterior transverse carina, and ventral surface of the abdominal segment VI sclerotized.

Strong tolerance of freezing is an important strategy for insects living in extremely cold regions. They produce highly effective cryoprotectant systems consisting of ice-nucleating proteins and polyols, which enables tolerable freezing of the body fluid. Therefore, the measurement of the concentrations of polyols and the activity of ice nucleators in the haemolymph is an essential tool for describing tolerance to ice formation in insects occurring in particularly cold places. This study evaluates three parameters: insect body supercooling point (SCP), haemolymph glycerol content and the profile of haemolymph ice nucleating activity that characterize the strategies of cold adaptation and cold hardiness in two previously unstudied beetles, Chrysolina graminis graminis L. and Galerucella nymphaea L., inhabiting Yakutia (Russian Far East, latitude 62°N). The high SCP values, ice nucleating activity and survival of the chrysomelids after freezing indicate that both species are tolerant of freezing. According to the profiles of ice-nucleating activity, the haemolymph from C. graminis graminis is characterized by a higher nucleating potential than that from G. nymphaea. The glycerol level is also higher in C. graminis graminis. The results indicate that both species develop tolerance to low temperatures, but the cold hardiness potential of C. graminis graminis is greater than that of G. nymphaea. This was revealed by the survival test, in which beetles were frozen to a temperature of -22°C for 30 min; 86% of C. graminis graminis and 72% of G. nymphaea survived the test. Thus, the freeze-tolerance of these beetles seems to be based on the production of an integrated cryoprotectant system, the quality of which apparently influences the range of their cold resistance.

 
Quantitative behavioural traits associated with egg-laying, such as the level of selectivity for host-supports and the size of egg clutches, are generally thought to be of great importance for the subsequent survival and development of offspring. These quantitative traits, however, are often difficult to assess reliably by direct observation in the field. This is particularly the case when the insects are very tiny, which is the case for most galling and leaf mining insects. However, a new approach, the "Melba" procedure, allows the indirect inference of these quantitative traits, using easily recorded field-data only. Application of this diagnostic procedure to a large series of samples of beech leaves (Fagus silvatica), harbouring either a leaf miner, Phyllonorycter maestingella (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae) or one or the other of two galling insects, Mikiola fagi or Hartigiola annulipes (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) indicates that the leaf miner differs significantly from the two species of galling insect in term of combined values of host-acceptance ratio and average clutch-size, while the two gall-inducing species remain substantially undistinguishable from each other according to these traits. Thus, the galling insects (i) show stronger selectivity for a host than does the miner at any given average clutch-size and (ii) show larger average clutch-size at any given level of selectivity. That is, for at least these three species, the galling insects show a greater level of selectivity when choosing leaves to oviposit on but, then, tend to lay larger egg-clutches. These differences may be due (i) to the gall-inducing process requiring far more of leaf tissues than being simply palatable, which makes it likely that galling species will be more selective in their choice of leaves than leaf miners and (ii) to the capacity of galls to become nutrient sinks, which may help explain why the galling insects laid larger egg clutches. However, whether these trends can be regarded as general rather specific to this particular case, depends on the outcome of future studies on other groups of insects with similar life histories.

The complete mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) of Mythimna separata (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) was determined to be 15,329 bp, including 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), two rRNA genes, 22 tRNA genes and an A+T-rich region. The AT skew of this mitogenome was slightly negative and the nucleotide composition was also biased toward A+T nucleotides (81.00%). All PCGs were initiated by ATN codons, except for cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) gene, which was initiated by CGA. Five of the 13 PCGs have the incomplete termination codon, T or TA. All the tRNA genes displayed a typical clover-leaf structure of mitochondrial tRNA. The A+T-rich region of the mitogenome was 372 bp in length and consisted of several features common to the Noctuidae. Phylogenetic analysis confirmed the placement of M. separata within the Noctuidae.

Stridulatory organs in the myrmecophilous carabid beetle tribe Paussini have long been recognized and used as a defining character of some genera and higher level taxa, however their morphology has only roughly been described. Here, we describe the fine morphology of Paussini stridulatory organs using scanning electron (SEM) and focused ion beam (FIB) microscopy. Within this tribe, there are three types of stridulatory organs, each with different positions of the scraper (plectrum) and file (pars stridens). Type I (abdomen-femur type) is located on the abdomen (scraper) and metafemur (file) in the subtribe Paussina (sensu Geiselhardt et al., 2007, Naturwissenschaften 94: 871-894). Type II (thorax-femur type) and Type III (femur-thorax type) are located on the mesothorax and mesofemur in two different genera of the subtribe Platyrhopalina, however in Euplatyrhopalus the scraper is located on the mesothorax and the file is located on the mesofemur (Type II), whereas in the genus Platyrhopalopsis the structures are reversed in that the file is located on the mesothorax and the scaper is located on the mesofemur (Type III). The independent evolution of three types of stridulatory organs in three lineages of Paussini suggests that acoustical communication has played an important role in the evolution of ant nest beetles. While the roles of stridulation in this group remain speculative, we verified that all three types of stridulatory organs are present in both sexes and are similar to stridulatory organs known in their host ants which also use stridulation as a method of communication. We discuss the possibility that the beetles stridulation could (1) facilitate their exploitation of ant colonies, and (2) be involved in mate recognition and courtship.

Nocturnal pollinators such as moths have received less attention than diurnal insects. To elucidate whether nocturnal moths are important pollinators, we observed both the diurnal and nocturnal visitors to the flowers of Uncaria rhynchophylla (Rubiaceae) in a warm-temperate forest in central Japan. The diurnal visitors included various taxonomic groups (e.g., bees, hoverflies and butterflies). The nocturnal visitors were exclusively moths (Geometridae, Erebidae, Noctuidae and Crambidae). Pollen grains of U. rhynchophylla were attached to both diurnal and nocturnal visitors. Although diurnal flower visitors carried pollen grains of other plant species, nocturnal moths did not carry heterospecific pollen grains. These results suggest that nocturnal moths, as well as diurnal insects, are important pollinators of U. rhynchophylla.

The multicoloured Asian ladybird Harmonia axyridis is an invasive insect that can negatively influence biodiversity and human economy in invaded areas. According to the enemy release hypothesis, invasive alien species are often little affected by parasites and other enemies. We studied the prevalence of common parasites of insects infesting and infecting H. axyridis in NW Poland. A large sample of 2351 individuals was collected and divided into two groups: 1180 beetles were dissected and examined for the presence of eugregarines, nematodes and Laboulbeniales fungi, and 751 were checked for phoretic mites. Our results show that H. axyridis is indeed parasitized infrequently. The prevalence of eugregarines and nematodes was very low (1.5% and 0.4%, respectively). No specimens of Laboulbeniales or phoretic mites were found. Our study indicates that in NW Poland H. axyridis is rarely infested or infected by parasites. This paper reports for the first time the infection of H. axyridis by the eugregarine Gregarina barbarara.

Macrocentrus cingulum is an important polyembryonic endoparasitic wasp that attacks larvae of the Asian corn borer, Ostrinia furnacalis (Guenée) and the European corn borer, O. nubilalis (Hübner). Parasitoids use antennae as the main sensory organ to recognize herbivore-induced plant volatiles as host searching cues. The antennal olfaction proteins, odorant receptors (ORs) and ionotropic receptors (IRs) are involved in olfactory signal transduction pathway as a sensory neuron response. In the present study, we constructed a cDNA library from the male and female antennae for identifying the olfaction-related genes in M. cingulum. For that, we sequenced 3160 unique gene sequences and annotated them with gene ontology (GO), cluster of orthologous groups of proteins (COG), and KEGG ontology (KO). Through the homology search, we identified 9 odorant receptors (ORs), 3 ionotropic receptors (IRs) and 1 odorant binding protein (OBP) genes from the cDNA library sequences. Additionally, the expression patterns of these ORs and IRs in different tissues (antennae, heads, thoraxes, abdomens, and legs) were demonstrated by RT-PCR. The qualitative gene expression analyses showed that most of the OR genes were more highly expressed in female than male antennae; whereas IRs, unlike ORs, were more expressed in various male than females tissues. We are the first to report ORs and IRs in M. cingulum, which should help in deciphering the molecular basis of olfaction system in this wasp.

Abstract. In Indian agro-ecosystems Rhynocoris marginatus (F.) is one of the most abundant predatory arthropods and feeds on a wide range of insect pests. We investigated the responses of R. marginatus to six species of cotton pests: Spodoptera litura (F.), Sylepta derogata (F.), Pericallia ricini (F.), Mylabris indica (Thunberg), Mylabris pustulata (Thunberg) and Dysdercus cingulatus (F.), in terms of its predatory behaviour (approach and handling times), weight gain, macromolecular profile (content of carbohydrates, proteins, free aminoacids and lipids) and haemocytic profile. We also determined the predator's reliance on kairomones from different species of prey. Larvae of the species of Lepidoptera studied were approached and captured more quickly than adults of the two meloid coleopteran and one heteropteran pest and were more beneficial to the predator in terms of weight gain. Predators had a higher total protein content when reared on larvae of the three lepidopteran species, higher lipid content when reared on adults of the two meloid coleopteran species and a higher carbohydrate content when reared on adults of one heteropteran species. The number of haemocytes was greater in predators reared on larvae of the Lepidoptera studied, followed by those reared on adults of the heteropteran and lowest in those reared on adults of the two meloid coleopterans. Response to kairomones was strongest for S. litura followed by S. derogata and M. pustulata. We conclude that the Lepidoptera studied tended to be, for this predator, superior prey, with S. litura being especially beneficial and the prey species for which R. marginatus has the highest kairomonal preference. Moreover, we propose that R. marginatus may be useful as a biocontrol agent against lepidopteran cotton pests.

Many species of carabid beetles are important pre- and post-dispersal seed feeders of herbaceous plants. Here we summarise data from dissections, field observations, rearing and "cafeteria" experiments on 55 granivorous and 188 omnivorous species that occur in Italy. We tested the hypothesis that seed feeding carabids are restricted to taxa with pronounced morphological adaptations for manipulating and crushing seeds in both the larval and adult stages. The feeding guilds of carabids were rearranged into the following groups: (i) strict predators with long mandibles and predaceous larvae, often depending also on non-prey food; (ii) omnivorous species with stout mandibles and larvae of a seed-eating morphotype; (iii) granivorous species, feeding only on seeds with larvae sometimes of the scarabeoid c-form type. The seed feeding carabids in the Italian fauna belong to the tribe Zabrini (Amara and Zabrus genera) and to all the Harpalinae (sub)tribes, from Anisodactylini to Ditomina. The time of reproduction seems to be associated with habitat preference; wetland or dry open land, rather than true granivorous versus omnivorous habits, but in stenophagous seed feeders, a phenological coincidence with particular plants is sometimes recorded.

We analyzed the abundance, distribution and niche overlap of species (Pianka's O_jk index) in tenebrionid beetle communities inhabiting different biotopes in Tyrrhenian and Adriatic sand dunes. The rank abundance distribution of the different species has the form of a geometric series in both communities as predicted by the niche preemption hypothesis for communities in harsh environments. Mean niche overlap values did not deviate significantly from null expectations, which indicates random interspecific interactions. These results, coupled with evidence of species habitat preferences, led us to conclude that the community organization of tenebrionid species inhabiting coastal dunes is determined more by habitat preferences than interspecific competition.

This note aims to put on record a hitherto unreported function of caterpillar setae supplementary to those already known. When woolly bear caterpillars of the moth Lemyra imparilis (Butler) have their body hairs removed and are dropped into a bucket of water from a height of 30 cm, they sink immediately. Caterpillars, however, with an intact coat of hairs usually float. This hitherto unreported role of caterpillar setae as life-rafts should depend on a high contact angle θ_e, and thus on the position, density and dimensions of the hairs. An SEM examination of the surface structure of the setae revealed a system of fine grooves and small distally pointing barbs on the hair shaft, which can trap air to support the weight of the insect. Insect setae generally and body hairs of caterpillars in particular are known to possess many functions, but a role as life-rafts for caterpillars in danger of drowning can now be added to the list of possible uses of body hairs.

The delimitation of two ichneumonid species, Spilopteron apicale (Matsumura) and S. tosaense (Uchida), was investigated using DNA sequences of the mitochondrial COI and nuclear 28S rRNA genes, as well as adult morphology. The two species have long been confused and were until recently speculated to be the same species with continuous colour variation. Our molecular and morphological studies reveal that there are two distinct species: a dark species confined to northern or high latitude localities (S. apicale) and a widely distributed species with a marked geographical gradient in body colour (S. tosaense) across the Japanese Archipelago. In the latter species, female body colour became significantly darker with latitude and altitude. A lectotype of Chorischizus apicalis Matsumura, 1912 is designated.

In herbivorous insects plant volatiles have an important role in locating mates and oviposition sites. The aim of this study was to test the antennal and behavioural responses of females of Isoceras sibirica Alpheraky (Lepidoptera: Cossidae) to the volatiles produced by Asparagus officinalis L. Electroantennographs (EAG) revealed that the antennae of I. sibirica respond in a dose dependent way to hexanal, limonene, 2-ethyl-2-hexenal, linalool and α-terpineol. In flight tunnel experiments, 2-ethyl-2-hexenal, α-terpineol, hexanal, ρ-cymene and geraniol were significantly more attractive to females of I. sibirica than other chemicals. These findings indicate that host volatiles are important for host recognition in I. sibirica.

Differences in the time of occurrence of both sexes of adult ladybirds, which reflect differences in the longevity and reproductive strategies of the sexes, is important from the perspective of applied entomology, including biological control, as well as basic entomology. Nevertheless, there is little field census data on this topic. We investigated the seasonal occurrence of both sexes of Cheilomenes sexmaculata (Fabricius) in Osaka City, central Japan, from 2003 to 2011. Female adults tended to appear earlier than males after hibernation or aestivation. That males never appeared earlier than females during the nine year period of this study indicate that protogyny occurs after hibernation and aestivation in this species.

In this study, we investigate the changes in both vascular plant and carabid beetle assemblages in response to reducing the intensity of management of park lawns in the city of Helsinki. Three levels of mowing were applied to patches of previously managed park lawns: (1) intensively mown, (2) mown until the previous season and unmanaged since, and (3) unmanaged for ten years (benign neglect). The lawns were dominated by plants that disperse vegetatively. This treatment gradient had little or no effect on the flight capability, feeding type or body-size of carabid beetles. However, there was an increase in species richness and the numbers of stenotopic species in the benign neglect treatment. We conclude that benign neglect of open grassland vegetation will result in higher levels of biodiversity than in more intensely managed vegetation. However, we consider it likely that the optimal strategy for maintaining urban biodiversity would be to apply a meadow management regime of mowing once or twice per year and leaving some areas of unmanaged grassland to maintain habitat heterogeneity.

A new progonocimicid bug named Cicadocoris parvus sp. n. is described from the mid-Jurassic Haifanggou Formation at Daohugou, Ningcheng County, Inner Mongolia, northeastern China. It differs from other species by being distinctly smaller, veins dSc, R₁ and Rs run parallel to one another and are nearly evenly spaced on left tegmen, widest length of apical half/basal half of left tegmen is 1.1 and that of right tegmen is 1.0. Thus, there are at least three species of Cicadocoris (Progonocimicidae) described from Daohugou. All these species are relatively abundant in the Haifanggou Formation and are remarkable representatives of the early Yanliao biota.

Feeding in codling moth neonate caterpillars was inhibited by 0.67 mM and 2.24 mM concentrations of denatonium benzoate. This inhibitory effect was abolished by phospholipase C inhibitor, U-73122 and the phosphodiesterase inhibitor, Rolipram. Quinine and quinidine did not have inhibitory effects at concentrations as high as 1.64 mM and 0.43 mM, respectively. The inhibitory effect of denatonium was partially reversed in the presence of the calcium ion chelator, EGTA, at concentrations ranging from 2.5 µM to 250 µM. These results indicate that transduction of the taste of denatonium in codling moth neonates relies on signalling pathways that involve phospholipase C, phosphodiesterase and calcium ion influx into cells.

The macrozoobenthos in saline pools at dumps in a former coal mining area was studied over a period of two years. Due to specific environmental conditions these pools are unique in the Czech Republic. Extremely high values of salinity (up to 11‰) along with a low concentration of dissolved phosphorus (0.01-0.1 mg.l^-1) are typical of some of the water in this area. The pools were grouped into three categories based on their conductivity values and treated using cow dung, municipal wastewater treatment sludge and inorganic NPK (nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium) fertilizer at doses recommended for carp ponds. The application of fertilizer had a positive effect on the density and biomass of all the groups in the macrozoobenthos. The highest and the lowest increases in macrozoobenthos biomass were recorded after the application of NPK and cow dung, respectively. However, the application of fertilizer had no effect on the diversity of macrozoobenthos. Chironomus aprilinus, recorded in the Czech Republic for the first time, inhabited all pools with conductivity ranges of between 5,000-16,000 µS.cm^-1. The density of C. aprilinus larvae increased with increasing salinity reaching a maximum of about 17,083 ind.m^-2 (biomass - 82 g.m^-2). Analysis of C. aprilinus phenology revealed a bivoltine pattern with the summer generation of larvae reaching a maximum in June-July and the overwintering generation in October to November.