The effects of three factors operating during pre-emergence development period on some characteristics of drones were studied. Weight of newly emerged drones, length of forewing, length of tibia, length of femur, length and width of basitarsus and number of spermatozoa in drones from colonies in which the workers had access to drone brood (A), the size of brood cells differed (B) or the colony had a queen or was queenless (C), were determined. For this purpose, 9 colonies were chosen at random from the test apiary and prepared so that each contained one empty Langstroth frame with six small sub-frames containing drone combs, three of which were used to test the effect of one level and the other three the other level of each factor. The results showed that, colony status had a greater effect on the parameters measured than either the size of the brood cells or whether the workers had access to sealed brood cells. Most of the parameters were significantly different in C, whereas only a few in B and non in A were significantly different. The distance between discriminant scores in each experiment enhanced the previous results, as it was highest in C, followed by B and then A. Optimal drone characteristics may be recorded for colonies in which the queens were induced to lay unfertilized eggs in newly built drone combs, and then removed and the drone brood reared in a queen less colony.

This paper examines some biological aspects and the predatory capacity of Chrysoperla externa fed nymphs of Sipha flava and reared at different temperatures. Recently hatched larvae were placed individually in Petri dishes, fed ad libitum with S. flava and reared at either 12, 16, 20, 24, 28 or 32 ± 1°C, a RH of 70 ± 10% and a 12-h photophase. The experiment was fully randomized with 30 replicates of each treatment. The duration and survival in each instar, and larval and pupal stages (pre-pupa + pupa) were analyzed. To determine the predatory capacity of larvae they were each provided daily with three-day-old nymphs of the aphid, in a number greater than they could consume. Ninety C. externa larvae were kept individually in Petri dishes at 24 ± 1°C, and their daily consumption recorded during development. Temperature influenced the rate of larval and pupal development. There was a decrease in the duration of development with increase in temperature. Regression analyses, based on quadratic equations, were used to describe the effect of temperature on the duration of development in the different instars of C. externa. This revealed that the base temperature increased as the larvae developed towards the adult phase. The survival of larvae in the first and second instars was similar at 12, 16, 20, 24, 28 and 32°C but none of the third instar larvae completed their development at 12°C and 32°C. The average daily and total consumption of aphids by third instar larvae was about 48 times greater than that of first instar larvae. The larvae ate an average of 10, 37 and 479 aphids in the first, second and third instars, respectively.

Although females of the horned beetle, Trypoxylus dichotomus septentrionalis, have only small horns they often fight over access to feeding sites by head-butting each other. In addition, they sometimes show intrasexual mounting. In this study 82 females of different sizes were used to determine the relationship between fighting and mounting. Large females more often won fights and so gained access to food than small females. In contrast, small females more often mounted large females and then gained access to food than large females. These results suggest that female mounting may function as a tactic for reducing intrasexual fighting between small and large females.

Transgenic tobacco plants expressing the Allium porrum L. (leek) agglutinin (called APA) under the control of the 35S constitutive promoter were tested for their insecticidal activity against the cotton leafworm, Spodoptera littoralis (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). Southern blot and PCR analysis confirmed that the APA gene was integrated into the plant genome. Northern and Western blots as well as semi-quantitative agglutination assays revealed lectin expression at various levels in the transgenic lines. Biochemical analyses indicated that the recombinant APA has the same molecular structure as the native lectin. Native and recombinant lectin have the same N-terminal amino acid sequence. Bioassays using detached leaves from transgenic tobacco plants demonstrated that the ectopically expressed APA significantly (p < 0.05) reduced the weight gain of 2nd-instar larvae of S. littoralis. This inhibitory effect was observed throughout the experiment and on day 11 the caterpillars fed on transgenic tobacco leaves were 25-30% lighter in weight than the control caterpillars fed on wild type plants. In addition the lectin retarded the development of the larvae and metamorphosis, reduced pupal weight and increased mortality rate. These findings suggest that APA is a suitable insect resistance protein for integrating into plant genomes for controlling S. littoralis.

Brill, Leiden-Boston, 2009, 299 pp., 46 colour plates. ISBN 978-90-04-16947-0. Price EUR 169.00/USD 250.00.

† Pyrenicocephalus jarzembowskii, gen. et sp. n. (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Enicocephalomorpha: Enicocephalidae: Enicocephalinae) from Early Eocene, London Clay, England, Isle of Sheppey, is described and illustrated according to the unique pyritized adult head reported as a larval enicocephalid head by Jarzembowski (1986). The head anatomy of similar and related genera of Enicocephalinae is compared and the close relationship of the new genus to a clade including the extant genera Oncylocotis, Embolorrhinus and Hoplitocoris is suggested, most probably as the sister genus to Hoplitocoris (presently with Afrotropical, East Palaearctic and Oriental range).

The structure of the holocentric chromosomes of the rosy apple aphid, Dysaphis plantaginea (2n = 12), and pear-grass aphid, Melanaphis pyraria (2n = 8), was studied using C-banding, NOR, Giemsa and fluorochrome staining, and fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH). Contrary to the equilocal distribution of heterochromatin typical of monocentric chromosomes, in both species C-banding evidenced a tendency of highly repetitive DNAs to be restricted to the X chromosomes. Silver staining and FISH, using a 28S rDNA probe, located rDNA genes on one telomere of each X chromosome, the only brightly fluorescent C-positive sites revealed by CMA₃ staining, whereas all other heterochromatic C-bands were DAPI positive. Both species showed a noticeable amount of rDNA heteromorphism. Mitotic recombination is proposed as a possible mechanism responsible for the variation in size of rDNA.

In this paper we review the taxonomy of the genus Zavrelia Kieffer, Thienemann & Bause and present emended generic diagnoses of all major life stages. Illustrated keys to larvae, pupae, adult males and females are presented as well as descriptions of four species new to science. Zavrelia species are only recorded from the northern hemisphere and comprise in total ten small to minute species. The following life stages and species are described: Larva, pupa, adult male and adult female of Zavrelia aristata sp. n., Zavrelia hudsoni sp. n., Zavrelia pentatoma Kieffer & Bause and Zavrelia sinica sp. n.; pupa and adult male of Zavrelia casasi sp. n.; and adult males of Zavrelia clinovolsella Guo & Wang and Zavrelia tusimatijea (Sasa & Suzuki). Zavrelia atrofasciata Kieffer and Stempellina paludosa Goetghebuer are proposed as new junior synonyms of Zavrelia pentatoma and lectotypes of Zavrelia nigritula, Zavrelia pentatoma and Stempellina paludosa are designated.

Two closely related parasitoid wasp species with different host specificities were used for experimental studies on the biology of host finding, a crucial element of parasitoid life history: The habitat and host specialist Nasonia vitripennis and the habitat and host generalist Dibrachys microgastri (Chalcidoidea: Pteromalidae). The host finding parameters tested included reaction to olfactory cues, aspects of locomotor activity, ability to locate hidden hosts and day-night-activity. The results revealed distinct interspecific differences that match the respective host and habitat ranges of the two species. In N. vitripennis host finding is dominated by olfactory reaction to hosts and host habitat, i.e., fly puparia and birds' nests. In D. microgastri olfactory cues have only a minor role. Its host finding is characterized by rapid searching at random. Both species are able to locate hidden hosts. Although still incomplete, these insights into host finding by two parasitoid species with different life history strategies indicate they can be characterized by specific combinations of behavioural host finding features.

Cocoon weight and shell weight are the key economic traits ultimately determining silk yield. In order to detect the main quantitative trait loci (QTL) associated with the cocoon traits of the mulberry silkworm, Bombyx mori, the parents of larvae that produced cocoons that differed greatly in weight and shell weight were screened using 240 primer pairs of single nucleotide polymorphic markers (SNPs) representing all the 28 linkage groups in silkworm. Out of the 240 primer pairs, 48 (20%) revealed distinct polymorphism between the parents, which was confirmed by the co-dominant expression of both polymorphic PCR products in the F₁ generation. The bulked segregant analysis (BSA) was used to compare the SNP profiles of the parents, F₁ and F₂ bulks using the 48 informative SNP primers. This revealed that out of 48 primer pairs, only one pair, i.e., No. 04124 of the linkage group 4 showed clear differences in the amplified products between the bulks corresponding to that of the parents with different cocoon traits suggesting that the DNA regions amplified by this primer pair are closely linked to the QTL controlling the cocoon traits. The results were also confirmed by screening the backcross (BC) progeny. This is the first report of the identification of a QTL using SNPs with BSA. The results of the present study indicate that it might be possible to use SNPs for marker assisted selection (MAS) in silkworm breeding programs aimed at improving cocoon traits.

The aim of this study was to investigate whether haemocytes of Galleria mellonella (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) larvae produce reactive oxygen species (ROS) like human blood phagocytes. The production of ROS was measured first using luminol-enhanced chemiluminescence of un-stimulated and stimulated (four activators with different modes of action) haemolymph or isolated haemocytes. However, spontaneous and activated production of ROS remained at the background level. In subsequent experiments an ultrasensitive fluorescence method using Amplex Red reagent to detect hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) was used. After optimization, Amplex Red was successfully used for determining H₂O₂ production by both un-stimulated and stimulated haemocytes. To determine the affect of pH and ions on the measurement, several diluent solutions were tested. This revealed that Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ ions are less important for the reaction in insect than mammalian cells. Among the activators tested, phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) and calcium ionophore (Ca-I) had the best stimulatory effect on insect samples, while opsonised zymosan particles (OZP) was the best activator for human phagocytes. In conclusion, the haemocytes of G. mellonella produce H₂O₂ as an important innate immunity factor, but under different conditions and in different amounts, which probably results in them being less effective in killing microbes than human phagocytes.

This study reports the results of a molecular phylogenetic analysis of thirty three species of Ennominae (Lepidoptera: Geometridae). The aim of this analysis was to determine the phylogenetic affinities of 13 European species not previously studied using these methods. Fragments of seven nuclear genes, elongation factor 1 alpha (EF-1α), wingless (wgl), isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH), glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), ribosomal protein S5 (RpS5) and expansion segments D1 and D2 of the 28S rRNA gene and fragment of one mitochondrial gene, cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI), were used. In the analysis using Bayesian phylogenetic inference, original gene sequences of the target species were combined with a larger data matrix of 20 species of Ennominae, used in a previous study (Wahlberg et al., 2010, Mol. Phylogenet. Evol. 55: 929-938). Most notably, the results indicate that the representatives of the genera Cepphis, Plagodis, Pseudopanthera and Selenia form a well-supported monophyletic group which appeared as the sister clade to the rest of the "ennomine" group of tribes. On the other hand, Crocallis and Opisthograptis group together with Ennomos. These results conflict with previous tribal subdivisions of the subfamily pointing to the need to reconsider the concepts of Ennomini and Ourapterygini. Within the tribe Macariini, the genus Macaria appears to be more closely related to Itame (= Speranza) than to Chiasmia clathrata. The emerging phylogenetic tree of Ennominae suggests only a limited phylogenetic inertia in body size making this group a promising target for comparative studies on this central life history trait and its correlates.

This is the first study of the morphological and molecular variation in two peripheral populations of the butterfly Jutta Arctic, Oeneis jutta, a glacial relict species endangered by the fragmentation of its habitat in Poland. An analysis of the morphological characteristics indicates that both Polish populations are similar but differ significantly in some characteristics. Levels of genetic variation were assessed using mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) and NADH dehydrogenase subunit 5 (ND5) gene fragments together with a segment of the mtDNA control region (CR) and a nuclear elongation factor-1a (EF-1a) gene sequence. In addition, the pattern of molecular variation in specimens from eastern and northern Europe was examined. Interestingly, the analysis of variation in a 932-bp sequence of the nuclear EF-1a gene in representatives of the populations studied revealed a relatively higher level of diversity than that of mitochondrial genes. There was evidence of divergence between the peripheral populations and lack of gene flow between them. The two closely situated populations had a high F_ST value (0.69), which clearly indicates their isolation. These populations appear to be demographically independent breeding units, with distinctive allele frequencies and consequently should be recognized as separate units for management and conservation. The preliminary results are in accord with an a priori subdivision based on collection areas and suggest that habitat fragmentation has affected the genetic diversity and structure of these populations.

During the last few decades the tree line has shifted upward on Mediterranean mountains. This has resulted in a decrease in the area of the sub-alpine prairie habitat and an increase in the threat to strictly orophilous moths that occur there. This also occurred on the Pollino Massif due to the increase in temperature and decrease in rainfall in Southern Italy. We found that a number of moths present in the alpine prairie at 2000 m appear to be absent from similar habitats at 1500-1700 m. Some of these species are thought to be at the lower latitude margin of their range. Among them, Pareulype berberata and Entephria flavicinctata are estimated to be the most threatened because their populations are isolated and seem to be small in size. The tops of these mountains are inhabited by specialized moth communities, which are strikingly different from those at lower altitudes on the same massif further south. The majority of the species recorded in the sub-alpine prairies studied occur most frequently and abundantly in the core area of the Pollino Massif. Species and, as a consequence, communities found at high altitudes are highly vulnerable to climate warming, and need further monitoring.

We analyzed patterns of geometrid species richness in South Korea to assess the observed and estimated species richness gradient, to determine predictors for the distribution of moths and to investigate the effect of latitude on the species richness of moths in the Korean peninsula. The species richness was analyzed for 541 geometrid moths across 17 quadrates, with each quadrate defined by one degree of latitude and longitude. Two subgroups of geometrid moths were adopted according to their distributional ranges: Palearctic (435 species, 80.4%) and Oriental (106 species, 19.6%). To investigate the relationship between the distribution of geometrid moths and environment, eight variables were used. The estimated species richness of geometrids was calculated using the Chao 2 estimator because there was uneven sampling effort across the quadrates. Due to multicollinearity we used covariance values produced by principal component analysis and the first four axes adopted have eigenvalues >= 1.0. Two models of regression analyses were applied based on multiple linear regression using eight variables (model I) and principal components axes (model II). Of the two subgroups of geometrid moths the Palearctic species richness increased with latitude, but not that of Oriental species richness. A combined effect of abiotic (maximum altitude, temperature, rainfall, and latitude) and biotic (plant species richness and vegetation) variables was indicated by both models of regression analyses. The different effect of each spatial and environmental predictor on the distribution of geometrid moths on the Korean peninsula is discussed. The significant relationship between estimated species richness and latitude indicate a peninsular effect on geometrid moths in South Korea.

The Pselaphinae is a large subfamily of staphylinid beetles with a characteristic habitus and small body size. Detailed morphological and behavioural studies on these beetles are scarce. In this study, specimens of Bryaxis puncticollis (Denny, 1825), Bryaxis bulbifer (Reichenbach, 1816), Bythinus burrelli (Denny, 1825), Brachygluta fossulata (Reichenbach, 1816), Rybaxis longicornis (Leach, 1817), Pselaphus heisei (Herbst, 1792) and Tyrus mucronatus (Panzer, 1803), all collected in Northern Germany, have been examined with regard to their sensory organs (eyes and antennae), mouthparts and method of capturing prey. Scanning electron microscope studies revealed sex-specific differences in the numbers of ommatidia in Bryaxis puncticollis. A multitude of different sensilla on the antennae and great differences in the shape of the mouthparts were observed and peculiarities of the antennae and maxillary palps (e.g., the segment-like appendage) were examined using scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The prey-capture behaviour of these species is described in detail for the first time based on laboratory experiments using Heteromurus nitidus (Templeton, 1835) (Collembola) as prey. This behaviour seems to be tribe specific, ranging from simple seizure with the mandibles (e.g., Rybaxis longicornis, tribe Brachyglutini) to the employment of raptorial legs (Tyrus mucronatus, tribe Tyrini). The two Bryaxis species (tribe Bythinini) even employ their apparently sticky maxillary palps to capture prey. The assumption that a viscous secretion is used by these species is supported by the finding of glandular structures in the interior of their maxillary palps. Prey-capture is preceded by a complicated preparation phase in most of the species and followed by a sequence of prey-handling movements that seem to be adapted to restrain prey such as Collembola. In simple prey-choice experiments the beetles of several species preferred small prey, irrespective of their own body size. In these experiments, Bryaxis bulbifer and Brachygluta fossulata were more successful in capturing prey than Bryaxis puncticollis and Pselaphus heisei. This might be related to their different sensory equipment and different methods of capturing prey.

Adjacivena rasnitsyni gen. n., sp. n., from the Middle Jurassic Jiulongshan Formation (Daohugou Village, Inner Mongolia, China), is described based on a set of well-preserved specimens, interpreted as two females and a male of the same species. The new taxon is assigned to the family Susumaniidae, i.e. is a candidate stem-Phasmatodea. This ordinal assignment is supported by genital elements, chiefly a putative operculum concealing the ovipositor observed in one female specimen and a putative extension of the 10^th tergum with a thorn pad in the male specimen. Variation in the venation of the forewing is appreciated based on more or less complete pairs of wings and a comparison with that in the forewings of male Heteropteryx dilatata (Parkinson, 1798). This material offers new perspectives on the primary homologies of the hind wing venation of stick-insects.

The occurrence of colour polymorphism in wild populations of the necrophagous fly Prochyliza nigrimana (Diptera: Piophilidae) is recorded but never treated in detail. The present paper shows that there is a seasonal distribution in the morphotypes, with the dark morphs emerging in spring and pale morphs emerging later and most abundant in summer. Furthermore, different proportions of each morph occur along altitudinal gradients, with dark morphs significantly more abundant at low altitudes, where mean temperatures are warmer than at high altitudes where the pale coloured morphs were more abundant. Explanations based on the adaptive value of thermal melanism are discussed.

Golf is a popular sport, with increasingly large areas of urban and peri-urban land being designated for golf course development. Yet, more than half of the land area of a typical golf course is considered rough and out-of-play areas that can, if managed appropriately, provide habitats for wildlife. Using pitfall traps, 6944 carabid beetles belonging to 72 species were collected from five urban golf courses and three areas designated for golf course development around the city of Helsinki, Finland in 2007. The courses were rich in carabid species and distinct in their species assemblages. Golf courses were dominated by habitat generalists, species capable of flight and medium to large-sized species. The three courses with areas designated for further golf course development showed that the assemblages of beetles associated with these golf courses have retained many elements from the pre-existing habitats. The oldest golf course is characterised by a more evenly distributed and diverse carabid beetle assemblage, probably due to its higher habitat heterogeneity and longer successional development. However, even this golf course is dominated by generalist species, implying that golf courses may not provide suitable habitats for specialists. It is assumed that the high species richness of golf courses is attributed to the high habitat diversity of these environments, ranging from the strongly human-modified to more natural patches, which provide habitats for many generalist and open-habitat species. Golf courses may, however, with the appropriate management of out-of-play areas provide an opportunity for conserving biodiversity.

The multicoloured Asian lady beetle Harmonia axyridis (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) may potentially exploit a range of "alternative" food sources. The nutritional value of three common non-prey food groups, i.e. fruit, fungi and pollen, is examined in this study. Development, reproduction and survival of the species were assessed in the laboratory on diets of apple, pear and raspberries and the fungi Oidium lycopersicum, Botrytis cinerea, Sclerotinia sclerotiorum and Rhizoctonia solani. When fed exclusively on these foods this ladybird failed to complete its development or reproduce. However, larval and adult survival was prolonged by 4 to 8 days and 55 to 67 days, respectively, when fruit was offered compared with only water. During a field study H. axyridis adults were collected monthly from March to October at two locations near Ghent, Belgium. Gut analysis demonstrated that, despite the continued presence of aphids, over 90% of all the adults collected contained pollen throughout the year. The pollen belonged to 53 different pollen types. Monthly average numbers of pollen grains in the gut varied from 5 to 233 grains. In contrast, there were about 35,000 grains in the guts of H. axyridis females that successfully developed and reproduced in the laboratory on diet that consisted of only pollen. This suggests that in the field in the majority of cases pollinivory mainly only provided complementary nutrients for this coccinellid. The use of alternative non-prey foods like pollen and fruit may play a role in sustaining populations of this coccinellid at times when the optimal prey is absent.

We investigated the ability of females of the aphidophagous chrysopids Chrysopa oculata and Chrysopa perla to distinguish clean substrates from substrates with tracks of chrysopid first instars after ablation of various sensory organs potentially involved in the detection of oviposition-deterring semiochemicals (ODSCs). Also studied were effects of storage time on the degree of oviposition deterrence of substrates contaminated by larvae and by extracts of ODSC in intact females. C. oculata and C. perla laid significantly fewer eggs on substrates with conspecific larval tracks than on simultaneously provided clean substrates. Females of both chrysopids could perceive ODSCs solely through sense organs on the head. The oviposition of each species was significantly lower on contaminated than on clean substrates when any kind of sense organ on the head was completely removed, i.e. antennae, maxillary palpi, or labial palpi. C. oculata could still effectively differentiate substrates after ablation of both maxillary and labial palpi, indicating possible detection of volatiles via the antennae during flight. Only if all three pairs of sensory appendages were removed did females lay similar numbers of eggs on both substrates. In contrast, C. perla laid similar numbers of eggs on clean substrates and substrates with either conspecific or C. oculata larval tracks when maxillary and labial palpi were removed. Substrates with tracks of first instars of C. perla deterred C. oculata from oviposition after one year and conspecific females after 1.5 years from contamination. Both species laid significantly fewer eggs on substrates with tracks of C. oculata first instars than on clean substrates even after three years. Tracks of C. oculata third instars did not deter conspecific females more than tracks of first instars. ODSCs from tracks were easily extracted with water. Thus, precipitation is likely to reduce deterrent effects of contaminated plants. Chloroform extract from C. oculata first instars strongly deterred conspecific females from oviposition. Even after 725 days of storage, we found no statistically significant decline in the effect. The extract could be used to redirect egg laying from constructional parts of rearing cages to exchangeable oviposition substrates in mass rearing of chrysopids used for biological control. The hexane extract of third instars was inactive.

Apollo Books, Stenstrup, 224 pp., ISBN 87-88757-53-6. Price USD 89.50, DKK 420.00.

The pistachio psylla, Agonoscena pistaciae Burckhardt & Lauterer (Hemiptera: Psyllidae), is a major pest of pistachio trees throughout the pistachio producing regions in Iran. The effect of temperature on the developmental rates of eggs and nymphs of A. pistaciae was determined at different constant temperatures, i.e. 15, 20, 25, 30, 32.5 and 35 ± 0.5°C. The relationships between temperature and developmental rates were described by linear and the non-linear Lactin models. These models were evaluated based on R², RSS, AIC and R²_adj. The estimated value of the lower temperature threshold for egg, nymph and egg to adult development based on the linear model was 8.06, 10.38 and 9.97°C, respectively, and based on the Lactin model was 8, 11.55 and 11.2°C, respectively. Thermal constants estimated using the linear model, were 88.5, 243.90 and 333.33 DD, respectively, for egg, nymph and egg to adult development. These results indicate that the linear model gives a better description of the relationship between developmental rate and temperature for A. pistaciae than the non-linear model. These results could be incorporated into forecasting models used in the integrated pest management of this pest.

Chromosomes of the males of five species of Odontura, belonging to the subgenera Odontura and Odonturella, were analyzed. Intensive evolution of the karyotype was recorded, both in terms of changes in the numbers of chromosomes (from 2n = 31 to 27) and the sex chromosome system (from X0 to neo-XY and X0 to neo-X₁X₂Y). Karyotype evolution was accompanied by tandem autosome fusions and interspecific autosomal and sex chromosome differentiation involving changes in the locations of nucleolar organizer regions, NORs, which were revealed by silver impregnation and confirmed by FISH using an 18S rDNA probe. O. (Odonturella) aspericauda is a polytypic species with X0 and neo-X₁X₂Y sex determination. The latter system is not common in tettigoniids. It possibly originated by a translocation of a distal segment of the original X chromosome onto a medium sized autosome, resulting in a shortened neo-X₁ and a metacentric neo-Y. The remaining autosome homologue became the neo-X₂ chromosome. This shift from X0 to neo-X₁X₂Y is supported by the length of the X chromosome and location of the NOR/rDNA.

Effects of two adipokinetic hormones (Pyrap-AKH and Peram-CAH-II) on the presence of diacylglycerol (DG) molecular species and their fatty acid (FA) constituents in the haemolymph of the firebug Pyrrhocoris apterus were investigated using liquid chromatography (HPLC) and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS). The results show that DGs with characteristic FAs are preferentially mobilized from the fat body (FB) by the action of both the AKHs produced by P. apterus. Both the macropterous and brachypterous morphs have similar DG and FA profiles. A difference in the action of the Pyrap-AKH and the Peram-CAH-II, however, results in distinct differences in the distribution of FAs in the macropterous morph. It seems that C16 to a slight extent and unsaturated C18 FAs mainly play a dominant role in the AKH based action, in particular linoleic acid (18:2), which represents 50-60% of the total DG mobilized. The metabolically active C16 and C18 FAs are preferentially absorbed from the linden seeds and accumulated in the FB. The relationships between AKH action and FA distribution in DGs in P. apterus, compared to other insect species are summarized and discussed in detail.

Calopteryx splendens is a widely distributed palaearctic damselfly with a remarkably uniform morphology. Variation in the size and shape of the pigmented spot on the wing is the main diagnostic character used to discriminate subspecies across its huge geographic range. Here, AFLP analysis was used to assess the genetic structure and diversity of nine populations representing 3 putative subspecies and evaluate the pigment spot as a taxonomic marker. Genetic diversity was high, with the number of polymorphic loci per population ranging from 141 to 280 out of a total of 333 variable sites (42.3-84.1%) and Nei's gene diversity from 0.160 to 0.283 (overall 0.299). Overall population genetic differentiation (F_ST = 0.2766) suggests limited gene flow and adaptation to local environments. Restricted gene flow and genetic differentiation among populations are supported by significant F_ST estimates. High levels of gene flow (N_m >1) were only recorded among three Asian populations (Russia - Kazakhstan - Turkey). The patterns of genotypic diversity suggest that a given wing spot size and shape may arise from the hybridization of a limited number, possibly not more than four, ancestral gene pools in different ways and at different times. Clearly, the sample analyzed was not sufficient to capture all of the complex history of C. splendens, but sufficient to indicate the taxa ancilla, waterstoni, and orientalis possibly represent three of the four ancestral gene pools, and originated in western Asia. The origin of the fourth, xanthostoma, is the western Mediterranean.

Heartbeat patterns were monitored in the living bodies of decapitated adult flies using several electrocardiographic methods (pulse-light optocardiography, thermocardiography, strain-gauge cardiography). Unlike other insect species, in which there is a peristaltic segmental propagation of cardiac contractions, Drosophila uses extremely efficient synchronic cardiac contractions. The rate of synchronic cardiac pulsation, which is characterized by simultaneous propagation of anterograde systolic contractions along all the segments of the heart, is relatively fast (~ 4 Hz at room temperature). This pulsation is used mainly for the vigorous pumping of haemolymph into the head and thorax through a narrow elastic tube, the aorta (anterograde I heartbeat). In addition, this synchronic pulsation is also used to enhance the circulation of haemolymph throughout the abdominal body cavity (anterograde II heartbeat). The switch between thoracic (anterograde I) and abdominal (anterograde II) haemolymph circulation is regulated by periodically alternating, tetanic contractions and relaxations of the conical heart chamber (ventricle). In the latter there is a pair of slit-like apertures, which are closed or opened by contraction or relaxation of the organ, respectively. During contraction of the conical chamber, the apertures are tightly constricted for several seconds and haemolymph is pumped forwards into the aorta (anterograde I heartbeat). Conversely, during relaxation of the conical chamber, the apertures are wide open for a few seconds, haemolymph leaves the heart and leaks out through open apertures and circulates from the tail to the base of the abdomen. The backward oriented, retrograde heartbeat recorded in other insects, has a lower frequency (1 to 2 Hz), occurs in Drosophila only sporadically and usually in the form of individual or twinned systolic peaks of large amplitude. Unlike the synchronic nature of the anterograde I and II cardiac contractions, propagation of the relatively slow retrograde heartbeat is by peristalsis. The newly discovered, compact ventricle with atrium and synchronic functioning of the insect heart shows structural and functional analogies with the functioning of the human heart.

The taxonomic status of the aphid parasitoid Aphidius colemani Viereck has been questioned, especially in regard to Aphidius transcaspicus Telenga (Hymenoptera: Braconidae). The genetic association between A. colemani and A. transcaspicus was studied by cross mating individuals of A. colemani and A. transcaspicus (A.c.& × A.t.% and A.c.% × A.t.&) and applying appropriate molecular methods. The cross mating resulted in offspring (female and males) that were fertile. Therefore, the cross mating assays performed in an artificial environment showed that these two populations are potentially compatible. The mean number of mummies that developed and the sex ratio of the offspring of each cross were similar. Most of the male and female offspring from each cross were assigned to A. transcaspicus. Furthermore, the genetic divergence between the ribosomal internal transcribed spacers (ITS2) of the A. colemani and A. transcaspicus studied was 16%. These results indicate that A. colemani might be a complex of species with different morphological and biological characters attacking different host aphids.

After the last glacial retreat in Europe, multiple recolonizations led to intraspecific differentiation in many of the recolonizing taxa. Here we investigate the genetic diversification across central Europe in two recolonizing taxa, the tephritid fruit flies Rhagoletis alternata (Fallén, 1814) and Carpomya schineri (Loew, 1856), which attack rose hips. Analysis of amplified and sequenced fragments of the mitochondrial genes encoding cytochrome oxidase I (800 bp), cytochrome oxidase II (470 bp) and cytochrome b (450 bp), indicate that all the individuals of R. alternata (n = 21) collected from across Europe share the same haplotype. Two individuals of C. schineri form Berlin, which is further north of the range than previously reported in the literature, differ from the other individuals (n = 13) in one nucleotide position on the cytochrome oxidase II gene fragment. This level of genetic variation in sequences with a summed length of 1720 bp is unexpectedly lower than in other insect taxa (n = 63). This might have been caused by a selective sweep by a cytoplasmic symbiont such as Wolbachia, or a recent range expansion associated with a host shift or a single recolonization event.

Life table data of natural enemies are often used to understand their population dynamics and estimate their potential role in the biological control of pests. Macrosiphum euphorbiae (Thomas) (Hemiptera: Aphididae) is an important pest of several crops and its intrinsic rate of population increase (r_m) is 0.282 at 22°C. The life table parameters (immature mortality, developmental time, sex ratio of emerging adults, fecundity and longevity) of Praon volucre (Haliday) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Aphidiinae) parasitizing M. euphorbiae were estimated in a climatic chamber at 22 ± 1°C, RH 70 ± 10% and 12 h photophase. Immature mortality was 8.2%, developmental time of males and females was 13.9 and 14.4 days, respectively, and the sex ratio was 0.55 (= fraction of females). Parasitoid fecundity was 504 eggs and longevity 11 days. The net rate of reproduction (R₀) was 207.5 females and the intrinsic rate of population increase (r_m) 0.281 females/female/day. The time for doubling the population (TD) was 2.45 weeks. P. volucre has a population growth rate similar to that of its host M. euphorbiae and might therefore be a good candidate for the biological control of this aphid.