The Oriental helotrephid genus Idiotrephes Lundblad, 1933, is taxonomically revised. Species discrimination is based on male genitalia and female terminalia. Three species groups are recognized. The I. chinai group contains I. chinai Lundblad, 1933 (type species; from Sumatra, Borneo, and West Malaysia) and three newly described species; I. asiaticus sp. n. (from Vietnam, Thailand, and west Malaysia); I. yupae sp. n., and I. polhemusi sp. n. (both from Thailand). The I. maior group contains I. maior Papáček, 1994; I. meszarosi Papáček, 1995 (both from Vietnam), and I. hainanensis sp. n. (from Hainan, China). The I. thai group consists of two newly described species from north and northeast Thailand, I. thai sp. n. and I. shepardi sp. n. In addition, some features of biology and morphology of the ovipositor are also included.

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.

The third instar larvae of three Anisoplia species, Anisoplia baetica Erichson, 1847, Anisoplia depressa Erichson, 1847 and Anisoplia remota Reitter, 1889 are described and illustrated to show the diagnostic characters of the species. The third instar larva of the monospecific genus Anthoplia, represented by Anthoplia floricola (F., 1787) is also described and illustrated. These four species are included in a revised key to the larvae of Anisopliini, which now includes four genera, and ten species. The taxonomic status of Anthoplia based on the larval morphology, is discussed.

Version 1.0 for MS-Windows, CSIRO Publishing, Melbourne, 1999.

The Old World ladybird Coccinella septempunctata has rapidly established itself as an abundant, widespread species throughout North America. Overwintering individuals of this species, and of native ladybirds, were collected from early season alfalfa in northern Utah during the period of initial establishment of the invader (1989 to 1999), and were measured for body size. Adult body size can vary widely within insect species, often reflecting differential success of individuals as immatures in obtaining food. Here I examine patterns of ladybird body size to address two questions associated with the establishment of C. septempunctata: (1) is there evidence for adverse impact on native species?, and (2) why has the invader has been so successful in establishment? As an indirect test of adverse competitive effect of the invader on native species, I determined whether mean body size of adults of the five most common native species (Coccinella tranversoguttata, Hippodamia convergens, H. quinquesignata, H. sinuata, and H. tredecimpunctata) declined over the period 1991-1997 as the invader increased rapidly in abundance. No such decline was observed for any of these species, thus providing no evidence that the invader's establishment has significantly increased scramble competition for food among immature ladybirds. I also compared body size distribution of the invading species with that of native species. The invader was distinctive in having particularly large variation in body size among individuals (i.e., in having relatively high proportions of both unusually large and small individuals). Such results are consistent with the hypothesis that the invader's success derives from being a generalist with much "ecological flexibility" in regard to the conditions under which it engages and succeeds in reproduction.

Larvae of 13 species of the bembidiine subtribes Tachyina (the genera Tachyta Kirby, Tachys Dejean, Polyderis Motschulsky, Elaphropus Motschulsky, Sphaerotachys G. Müller, Paratachys Casey, Porotachys Netolitzky) and Xystosomina (the genus Mioptachys Bates) were studied. Larvae of all studied taxa are described, diagnosed and illustrated. A key to genera is provided separately for the first- and older-instar larvae. Monophyly and phylogenetic position of the subtribes and genera are discussed on the basis of presumably apomorphic character states of larvae. Based on at least six synapomorphic character states the subtribes Tachyina and Xystosomina appear to form a monophyletic group. On the other hand, there are no synapomorphies to propose a sister-group relationship between Tachyina and Xystosomina within the supertribe Trechitae.

The species of the genus Tiarodes Burmeister from China are reviewed. Three species are recognized, described or redescribed, illustrated and keyed. T. venenatus Cai et Sun and T. pictus Cai et Tomokuni are described as new species. The T. versicolor (Laporte) previously reported from China by Hua is in fact T. salvazai Miller.

Academic Press, San Diego, San Francisco, New York, Boston, London, Sydney, Tokyo, 1999, 1046 pp.

An analysis of morphometric and bionomic data (as well as the genetic evidence discussed in a companion paper) clearly shows that Meligethes matronalis Audisio & Spornraft, 1990 and M. subaeneus Sturm, 1845 (members of the Meligethes coracinus complex: Coleoptera, Nitidulidae, Meligethinae), recently synonymised by Kirejtshuk (1997), are distinct species. The two species are also compared with the closely related M. coracinus Sturm, 1845. Meligethes matronalis is strictly associated with Hesperis matronalis L. (Brassicaceae) in early Summer, whereas the larvae of the frequently syntopic M. subaeneus develop on Cardamine spp. (Brassicaceae) in Spring; M. coracinus is a more polyphagous species, developing from early Spring to late Summer mostly on Brassica spp., Sinapis spp., Barbarea spp. and Sisymbrium spp. (Brassicaceae).

A new genus, Vindobonella gen. n. (Acerentomidae s. l.), and a new species, Vindobonella leopoldina sp. n., are described from Vienna. The new genus belongs to a group characterized by a reduced labial palp and a non-modified striate band on abdominal segment VIII.

A revision of species of the Australian burrower bug genus Blaena Walker, 1868 is presented. Eight previously known species are redescribed and four new ones, B. hirta n. sp. (Queensland), B. parathroposa n. sp. (Queensland), B. pseudosetosa n. sp. (Western Australia), and B. serrata n. sp. (Northern Territory, Queensland, Western Australia) are described and illustrated. The male and female genitalia of all the species of the genus are studied for the first time. A key for species determination is also provided.

This study investigates the thermal requirements, nymphal development rates and the fecundity of both alate and apterous adults of the giant willow aphid, Tuberolachnus salignus (Gmelin) at several temperatures. Nymphal development rate increased linearly with temperature. It was estimated that 196 ± 4 degree-days above a threshold temperature of 5.5 ± 0.3°C were required for apterae to complete development from birth to final ecdysis. The alate morph was significantly less fecund than the apterous morph and its fecundity did not vary with temperature. The apterous morph displayed highest fecundity at 20°C. Survival to reproduction was lower in the alate morph, but temperature had no effect on the proportion reproducing in either morph.

Pea aphids (Acyrthosiphon pisum) have been reported to produce winged offspring in the presence of predatory ladybirds. These offspring may leave host plants by flight after they have developed into winged adults. The inter-generational nature of this response raises the question about the chances of survival of aphids developing in attacked colonies. We studied the behaviour of predatory ladybirds on host plants by releasing adult 7-spot ladybirds (Coccinella septempunctata) on bean plants hosting either no prey individuals or colonies of 10 or 30 pea aphids. Interactions between predator and prey were recorded until the ladybird left the plant. Ladybird patch residence time increased with the number of aphids present on a plant but beetles generally left a plant before all aphids were eaten. The time budget of the ladybirds revealed a high proportion of time not spent in feeding activities. Predation rate was about one aphid killed per 10min residence time in both treatments with aphid-infested plants. Aphids that survived an attack by the predator or that were alarmed when a conspecific was attacked often emigrated from the host plant, and their number was of the same magnitude as the number of aphids killed by the predator. On average, pea aphid numbers at the end of an experiment were reduced to less than a third of the initial value. The results of the experiment show that attack by single ladybirds does on average not cause immediate extinction of small aphid colonies. The short patch residence times of on average less than two hours show that a predator individual that induces winged-offspring production in an aphid colony will not any longer be present in the colony when the induced offspring mature. To understand the adaptiveness of predator-induced wing development in pea aphids the probabilities of subsequent attacks on an aphid colony need to be investigated.

I review the effects of habitat fragmentation on carabid beetles (Coleoptera, Carabidae) and examine whether the taxon could be used as an indicator of fragmentation. Related to this, I study the conservation needs of carabids. The reviewed studies showed that habitat fragmentation affects carabid assemblages. Many species that require habitat types found in interiors of fragments are threatened by fragmentation. On the other hand, the species composition of small fragments of habitat (up to a few hectares) is often altered by species invading from the surroundings. Recommendations for mitigating these adverse effects include maintenance of large habitat patches and connections between them. Furthermore, landscape homogenisation should be avoided by maintaining heterogeneity of habitat types. It appears that at least in the Northern Hemisphere there is enough data about carabids for them to be fruitfully used to signal changes in land use practices. Many carabid species have been classified as threatened. Maintenance of the red-listed carabids in the landscape requires species-specific or assemblage-specific measures.

Centre suisse de cartographie de la faune (CSCF), Neuchâtel, 219 pp., 280 figs, 98 distribution maps.

Some features of the biology and feeding relationships of small waterbugs (Notonectidae, Corixidae, Pleidae, Helotrephidae, Aphelocheiridae) and ripicolous bugs (Gelastocoridae, Ochteridae) are reviewed. Individual families are discussed as predators or as prey of other animals. Special attention is given to characteristics and relationships that affect human beings directly or indirectly. The most important relationships from the economic point of view are: bugs and blood-sucking Diptera, bugs and fish, bugs and some endangered or protected amphibians and water birds. Of less importance is the occasional use of some aquatic bugs as saprobity bioindicators. It seems that the economic importance of these bugs has been underestimated.

This report describes 7 new species of Drosophila found in the Eastern Arc mountains and on Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania: D. baucipyga, D. gata, D. kilimanjarica, D. neogata, D. paragata, D. pilocornuta and D. usambarensis spp.n. Two new species complexes, the megapyga species complex (Sophophora subgenus, melanogaster group, montium subgroup) and the gata species complex (Drosophila subgenus) are introduced. Only one species, D. baucipyga of the montium subgroup, has a geographical range matching the whole Eastern Arc, from the Usambara Mts. in the north-east of Tanzania to Mt. Uzungwa in the south-south west of the country. Five others, including one representative of the dentissima group of the Sophophora subgenus, D. usambarensis, and four representatives of the Drosophila subgenus, D. gata, D. neogata, D. paragata and D. pilocornuta, were found only in the Usambara Mts. Two of these five, D. usambarensis and D. pilocornuta were found only in West-Usambara, while two other related species, D. gata and D. paragata, were found only in East-Usambara. Only the distribution of D. neogata covers the whole of the Usambara mountains. Outside the Eastern Arc, another representative of the dentissima group, D. kilimanjarica, was found only on Mount Kilimanjaro. This new, highly specific, montane fauna of Drosophila further contributes to the unique biological diversity of the Eastern Arc Mts. The biogeographic affinities of the new taxa suggest past connections with the Virunga and Ruwenzori ranges and further west with the Cameroon Volcanic Line. It indicates, in particular, that the Eastern Arc forests have passed through a succession of coalescence and fragmentation events.

Cassis G. & Gordon G. 1995: Hemiptera: Heteroptera (Coleorrhyncha to Cimicomorpha). In Houston W.W.K. & Maynard G.V. (eds): Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Vol. 27.3A. CSIRO Melbourne, xv + 506 pp.

Wells A. 1996 (ed.):  Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Vol. 26. Psocoptera, Phthiraptera, Thysanoptera. CSIRO, Melbourne, xiii + 418 pp.
Wells A. 1996 (ed.):  Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Vol. 28. Neuroptera, Strepsiptera, Mecoptera, Siphonaptera. CSIRO Melbourne, xii + 230 pp.

The development of a B-biotype Bemisia tabaci Italian colony was studied on bean at 9 constant temperatures (15, 16, 17, 20, 23, 26, 29, 32, 35°C). The developmental time from egg-to-adult varied from 70 days at 16°C to 22 at 26°C and higher temperatures. A thermal requirement for egg-to-adult development of 307 day-degrees was calculated, based on a lower developmental threshold of 11.53°C. The survival of egg, nymph and adult whiteflies was investigated at 0, 2, 4, and 6°C on broad bean for periods of 1-8 days. The adult was the most cold-sensitive stage, while the egg and nymph showed a similar level of cold resistance. The effect of sub-lethal cold stress of 4-8 days at 4°C on eggs and nymphs was studied. After exposure to low temperatures, whiteflies needed longer developmental times, from 5 to 8 days more. The presence of B. tabaci under outdoor conditions in Italy was investigated with field surveys and correlated with climatic data; the whitefly species was found in open field conditions only south of the 41° parallel, in areas characterised by less than 5 frost days per winter and by annual mean temperatures >16°C.

In the mid fifth-larval-instar tobacco hornworm, Manduca sexta, the midgut has high ecdysone 20-monooxygenase (E20MO) activity, with a peak at the onset of wandering on day five. Activities of E20MO, present both in mitochondria and in microsomes, were determined around the time of the peak. During the day preceding the peak the microsomal E20MO increased 60-fold (total activity) or 115-fold (specific activity), and it decreased to one half or less of the peak activities within two days after the peak. The mitochondrial E20MO increased only 1.3 to 2.4-fold (total and specific activities, respectively) before the peak, but declined more rapidly than the microsomal E20MO after the peak. It is concluded that mitochondrial and microsomal E20MO activities are controlled independently and that changes in the physiological rate of ecdysone 20-hydroxylation are effected primarily by changes of the microsomal E20MO activities.

Dispersal of the sevenspotted lady beetle, Coccinella septempunctata, was measured in a series of mark-release-recapture experiments in Utah alfalfa. In three experiments, samples were taken in a radial pattern around the release point. Released beetles for the most part left the 0.36 ha (68 m diameter) sample area within 24 hours, and their average residence time in the sample area was calculated as 12, 6 and 1.6 h in the three experiments, respectively. The spatial distribution of beetles around the point of release could be described with normal distributions whose variance increased linearly in time with 3.8, 1.1 and 0.34 m² per hour. In three additional field experiments the departure of marked beetles was compared between sugar-sprayed plots and control plots. Residence time was 20-30% longer in sugar-sprayed plots than in control plots, with mean residences of 5.3, 3.6, and 2.9 h in the sugar-sprayed plots in the three experiments, respectively, and means of 4.4, 2.7, and 2.4 h in the control plots. The density of unmarked beetles rose by a factor of 10-20 in the sugar sprayed plots during the first 4 to 6 hours following early morning spraying of sugar. This rapid and substantial increase in density cannot be explained by the slightly longer residence time in sugar-sprayed plots. We hypothesize that the aggregation in sugar-sprayed plots is mostly due to greatly increased immigration into those plots, in response to volatiles produced by the plant-pest-predator assembly.

Aphis triglochinis and A. grossulariae clones from southern Poland produced fertile hybrid eggs under experimental conditions. Established hybrid clones expressed normal parthenogenetic reproduction but bisexual generations were obtained only in three hybrid clones out of twenty six. Fertile F₁ hybrid eggs were obtained in one hybrid clone. Morphological and host-specificity features of A. grossulariae dominated in the majority of hybrid clones. The present results do not exclude the possibility of natural hybridisation of studied aphid species. Natural hybrids may be difficult to detect because of their "pure" morphological and host-specificity features.

The parasitoid, Anagyrus kamali Moursi (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae), has been recently introduced into the Caribbean as a biological control agent against the hibiscus mealybug (HMB), Maconellicoccus hirsutus Green (Homoptera: Pseudococcidae). Storage of A. kamali that is essential for its use in biological control did not affect the longevity of female and male parasitoids (40.3 ± 14.07 and 31.7 ± 9.57 days, respectively) when kept at 20 ± 2°C in absence of hosts and fed ad libitum with droplets of pure honey. At a storage temperature of 27 ± 2°C the longevity decreased by about 10 days. Fed females did not resorb eggs during the first two weeks of storage at 20 ± 2°. Parasitoid ovogenesis ceased when ovarioles/lateral oviducts were full. The lifetime fecundity was not significantly affected by a storage at 20 ± 2°C of up to 14 days. Foraging activities and oviposition were the main factors influencing the lifespan of female A. kamali.

The foraging behaviour of individual females of Aphidius uzbekistanicus Luzhetski (Hymenoptera: Aphidiidae) on oat plants with one colony of the grain aphid Sitobion avenae F. (Homoptera: Aphididae) was examined in laboratory experiments. Patch time allocation was analysed under semi-natural conditions when individual hyperparasitoid females, Alloxysta victrix Westwood (Hymenoptera: Alloxystidae) or their volatiles 6-methyl-5-hepten-2-one or a mixture of iridoid substances soaked on vermiculite dummies were present simultaneously. Patch residence times of foraging primary parasitoid females were significantly reduced in all analysed treatment groups. Attack numbers on aphids and resulting aphid mummies were also significantly reduced. The presence of hyperparasitoids or their volatiles had no influence on the proportion of time spent engaged in different behaviour by the primary parasitoid. After encounters with hyperparasitoid females or vermiculite dispensers, which had been soaked with the synthetical iridoids, A.uzbekistanicus females changed their behaviour more frequently, and they left the aphid colony at a higher rate than in the controls, where dispensers had been soaked with only pure pentane. The identification of the associated iridoid substances, produced in the hyperparasitoid mandibular glands, is briefly described and their biological significance is discussed.

Development and survival of larvae of two predatory ladybird species, Harmonia axyridis (Pallas) and Coccinella septempunctata L. on hibiscus (Hibiscus syridis L.) trees was followed daily outdoors during four seasons. Data were analysed and stage-specific mortality in a stage-structured model was estimated using Manly's (1997) method. Subsequently, key factor analysis was used to determine the life stages in which the daily mortality was best correlated with the total mortality during larval life. Consistently with the results from the first two years, the larvae suffered the greatest mortality during the first and fourth instars. The k-values for these two instars were also best correlated with those for the whole larval life, especially in H. axyridis.

SSCP (single-strand conformation polymorphism) analyses of ubiquitin genes were used to investigate evolutionary relationships within the subgenus Orinocarabus of the genus Carabus. After SSCP electrophoresis of PCR-amplified ubiquitin copies, population-specific band patterns were obtained. Ubiquitin-SSCP-analyses of the six central European Orinocarabus species, including three subspecies and thirteen populations, resulted in a dendrogram that differed from that based on morphology. Phylogenetic analysis of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) did not support the SSCP dendrogram, but was in good accordance with the taxonomy based on morphological characters. The reason for the discrepancies seems to be evolutionary conservation of the ubiquitin genes. The time that elapsed since the evolution of the closely related Orinocarabus species is too short for concerted evolution of the ubiquitin genes.

Although there are few studies of the sexual life of coccinellids these phenomena have attracted the interest of isolated groups of coccinellidologists. Probably the most important finding is that at least some coccinellid species (Adalia bipunctata and Harmonia axyridis) do not mate at random with the females prefering certain males. This phenomenon was first observed in Adalia bipunctata by Lusis and then studied in detail by Majerus, O'Donald, de Jong and others. In Japan, Harmonia axyridis was similarly studied by Osawa and Ueno. While the former author found that in this species (as in A. bipunctata) the colour of the elytra is most important in mate choice by females, the latter stresses that size and activity are important. Sperm competition is another interesting phenomenon, most often the sperm of the last male fertilizes the eggs (Ueno, Katakura). Obata and Hidaka have contributed in an important way to elucidating the function of the spermatophore in mating. The studies by Hodek and Ceryngier recorded the maturation and regression of testicular follicles and the relation of mating activity to diapause in four coccinellid species. In contrast to females, where induction of diapause prevents maturation of ovaries, in diapausing males the tissue of testicular follicles remains active until the temperatures decrease in late autumn. Dissection of spermathecae revealed principal difference in autumn mating activity between Coccinella septempunctata, in which 40-60% of the beetles mated before hibernation and Ceratomegilla (syn. Semiadalia) undecimnotata, which does not mate in autumn.

The univoltine leaf miner Chromatomyia fuscula Zetterstedt is a Scandinavian cereal pest. We wanted to compare the phenology of C. fuscula in southern Norway with that of its most important natural enemies: 15 parasitoids of the families Eulophidae and Pteromalidae (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea). The use of two Malaise traps in an organically-grown spring barley field and its boundary through 6 seasons (1992-1997) also allowed us to compare these two habitats and to observe the effect of harvesting on the parasitoid activity without interference from pesticides. C. fuscula overwinters as an adult and oviposits in May/June. Few specimens of the next generation, emerging in the crop, were caught in the boundary traps, suggesting the fly hibernates elsewhere. In contrast, the F₁ generation of the parasitoids was caught in considerable amounts both in the crop and boundary. The abundance of parasitoids was highest in July/August; in the crop it usually started decreasing well before harvesting; in the boundary it peaked two weeks or more after harvesting. The results suggest that many parasitoids (especially females) move from the crop to the boundary (or beyond) before harvesting. In both habitats parasitoid species richness usually increased until harvesting, and thereafter decreased. The pooled parasitoid female proportion was 0.36; in crop and boundary it was 0.30 and 0.66, respectively, and the majority of species had a higher proportion of females in the boundary than in the crop. The phenology of two of the most common parasitoids is presented: The pupal parasitoid Cyrtogaster vulgaris Walker (Pteromalidae) had a high activity in the boundary, also very early (females only) and late (both sexes) in the season. The larval parasitoid Diglyphus begini (Ashmead) (Eulophidae) was less active early and late in the season, and had a much smaller boundary activity than C. vulgaris. Both sexes were present throughout the season. The annual sex ratio of D. begini was density dependent, being highly male biased in the two years with highest catches. In C. vulgaris neither density nor habitat explained the sex ratio. D. begini probably overwinters inside the mine as a preadult, having one generation on C. fuscula in the crop and another one in an alternate host away from the habitats sampled here. C. vulgaris overwinters as fertilized females in the border habitat.

The south east Asian pest thrips, Thrips parvispinus is recorded breeding in Europe for the first time, damaging Gardenia plants in Greece. Morphological variation in this species from various Asian countries is recorded and compared to the type specimens. As a result Isoneurothrips jenseni Karny, 1925 and Thrips (Isoneurothrips) taiwanus Takahashi, 1936 are placed as synonyms of Thrips parvispinus (Karny, 1922). In contrast, Thrips compressicornis (Sakimura), a species from the Marquesa Islands of the Pacific that has previously been associated with these taxa, represents a very different species. The quarantine significance of T. parvispinus is emphasised.

Adalia bipunctata is a well-known predaceous ladybird distributed in Europe, Central Asia and North America. This species has not been recorded in Japan. Recently, we found this species in the Osaka Bay area in central Japan, and assume that it was imported with goods such as timber by ships. We studied the life history and the distribution in the Osaka Bay area since the initial discovery. The larvae and adults preyed on aphids (mainly, Periphyllus viridis) on trees such as Acer buergerianum and Rhaphiolepis umbellata. The over-wintered adults appeared in March and laid eggs. The adults emerged in spring, and were in the rolled leaves throughout the rest of the year. Thus, in Japan this ladybird is univoltine with long inactivity in adult. The life history of Japanese population of A. bipunctata differs considerably from other areas where populations are multivoltine. The developmental threshold was estimated to be 6.3°C and the sum of effective temperatures was 322.6 day-degrees for the period from egg to adult emergence. Predation on prepupae of A. bipunctata by the larvae of native species such as Harmonia axyridis was observed occasionally.