Bionomic Data Research Articles

Entomological monitoring data driving decision-making for appropriate and sustainable malaria vector control in Côte d’Ivoire

BackgroundEntomological surveillance provides critical information on vectors for appropriate malaria vector control and strategic decision-making. The widely documented insecticide resistance of malaria vectors in Côte d’Ivoire requires that any vector control intervention deployment be driven by entomological data to optimize its effectiveness and appropriate resource allocations.To achieve this goal, this study documents the results of monthly vector surveillance and insecticide susceptibility tests conducted in 2019 and a review of all previous entomological monitoring data used to guide vector control decision making. Furthermore, susceptibility to pirimiphos-methyl and clothianidin was assessed in addition to chlorfenapyr and pyrethroids (intensity and piperonyl butoxide (PBO) synergism) tests previously reported. Vector bionomic data were conducted monthly in four sites (Sakassou, Béoumi, Dabakala and Nassian) that were selected based on their reported high malaria incidence. Adult mosquitoes were collected using human landing catches (HLCs), pyrethrum spray catches (PSCs), and human-baited CDC light traps to assess vector density, behaviour, species composition and sporozoite infectivity.ResultsPirimiphos-methyl and clothianidin susceptibility was observed in 8 and 10 sites, respectively, while previous data reported chlorfenapyr (200 µg/bottle) susceptibility in 13 of the sites, high pyrethroid resistance intensity and increased mortality with PBO pre-exposure at all 17 tested sites.Anopheles gambiae sensu lato was the predominant malaria vector collected in all four bionomic sites. Vector density was relatively higher in Sakassou throughout the year with mean biting rates of 278.2 bites per person per night (b/p/n) compared to Béoumi, Dabakala and Nassian (mean of 48.5, 81.4 and 26.6 b/p/n, respectively). The mean entomological inoculation rate (EIR) was 4.44 infective bites per person per night (ib/p/n) in Sakassou, 0.34 ib/p/n in Beoumi, 1.17 ib/p/n in Dabakala and 1.02 ib/p/n in Nassian. The highest EIRs were recorded in October in Béoumi (1.71 ib/p/n) and Nassian (3.22 ib/p/n), in July in Dabakala (4.46 ib/p/n) and in May in Sakassou (15.6 ib/p/n).ConclusionBased on all results and data review, the National Malaria Control Programme developed and implemented a stratified insecticide-treated net (ITN) mass distribution in 2021 considering new generation ITNs. These results also supported the selection of clothianidin-based products and an optimal spraying time for the first indoor residual spraying (IRS) campaign in Sakassou and Nassian in 2020.

A survey of the tribe Ectinoderini (Hemiptera: Reduviidae: Harpactorinae) of China, with the description of a new Ectinoderus species

• The resin assassin bug tribe Ectinoderini of China is documented; • Amulius malayus Stål is redescribed and illustrated; • A new species, Ectinoderus sinicus sp. nov., is described and illustrated; • DNA barcodes and bionomic data of the two species are provided. The two resin assassin bugs belonging to the tribe Ectinoderini (Hemiptera: Reduviidae: Harpactorinae) occurring in China are documented: Amulius malayus Stål, 1867 is redescribed and Ectinoderus sinicus Chen & Cai, sp. nov. is described as new. The discovery of the new species extends the distribution of the genus and the tribe northwards from tropical Southeast Asia to southern mainland China. A key to the two ectinoderine genera and species from China is provided to facilitate their identification. DNA barcodes and bionomic data are provided for the species concerned, and their conservation is briefly discussed. http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:A7F7402E-E9A8-4FAD-B72A-4B1C9B2A7276

Revision of Quedius sensu stricto (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae)

We here present the first integrative revision of the subgenus Quedius Stephens, 1829 sensu stricto where taxonomic decisions are based on morphology, genomic phylogeny (published elsewhere) and single locus DNA evidence. The subgenus is restricted to the Holarctic region and includes some of the largest, most robust members of the genus Quedius. For species delimitation, a total of 200 COI barcodes covering nearly all species within the subgenus were evaluated through phylogenetic, cluster and network analysis. Taxonomic, distributional and bionomic data, all hitherto published and new are synthesized and an identification key is constructed for all species. All 20 species of Quedius s. str. are divided into five species groups based on genomic phylogeny, morphology, distributional patterns and practical considerations. Overall, there was good congruence among various lines of evidence. As exceptions, high COI barcode variability was found within the wingless and patchily distributed Q. unicolor Kiesenwetter, 1847 and Q. sundukovi Smetana, 2003 (3 and 5 BOLD BINs, respectively) from the Q. molochinus-group without corresponding morphological or geographic patterns. On the contrary, in the Q. pallipes-group very little divergence in the COI barcode was found between clearly morphologically separated species. From the taxonomically challenging Nearctic Quedius molochinoides-group, Quedius altanai Hansen & Brunke sp. nov. is described as new species from the central and southern Rockies, rendering Q. lanei Hatch, 1957 to be restricted to the eastern foothills of the Cascades, Sierra Nevada and Blue Mountains. In the case of Q. subunicolor and Q. altaicus, continuous morphological and COI variation firmly established the earlier suspected synonymy Quedius subunicolor Korge, 1961 = Quedius altaicus Korge, 1962 syn. nov. Other new synonyms established here are: Quedius pallipes Lucas, 1849 = Quedius simplicifrons Fairmaire, 1861 syn. nov. = Quedius levasseuri Coiffait, 1964 syn. nov.; Quedius hispanicus Bernhauer, 1898 stat. reinstituted = Quedius cobosi Coiffait, 1964 syn. nov.; Quedius fuliginosus (Gravenhorst, 1802) = Quedius latus Hochhuth, 1851 syn. nov. = Quedius viduus Sawada, 1965, syn. nov. Quedius gracilis Stephens, 1832 syn. rev. is moved from synonymy with Q. fuliginosus and placed into synonymy with Q. curtipennis Bernhauer, 1908, the younger being the valid name due to prevailing usage in accordance with the ICZN Article 23.9; Quedius hammianus Sharp, 1911 syn. revid., Q. secundus Last, 1952 syn. revid., and Q. rufulus Blümml, 1898 syn. revid., are moved from synonymy with Q. simplicifrons and placed into synonymy with Q. hispanicus Bernhauer, 1898; Quedius sardous Gridelli, 1924 syn. revid., and Q. leonhardi Bernhauer, 1914 syn. revid., are moved from synonymy with Q. molochinus (Gravenhorst, 1806) to synonymy with Q. pallipes. Human mediated dispersals, most likely through the historical transport of ship ballast, are noted as regular phenomenon for some members of the subgenus. Quedius fuliginosus, Q. curtipennis and Q. molochinus, introduced from the Palearctic to the Nearctic, are the most noticeable examples.

Emergence dynamics of adult Culicoides biting midges at two farms in south-east England

BackgroundCulicoides biting midges (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) are biological vectors of livestock arboviruses that cause diseases with significant economic, social and welfare impacts. Within temperate regions, livestock movement during arbovirus outbreaks can be facilitated by declaring a ‘seasonal vector-free period’ (SVFP) during winter when adult Culicoides are not active. In this study we carry out long-term monitoring of Culicoides adult emergence from larval development habitats at two farms in the UK to validate current definitions of the SVFP and to provide novel bionomic data for known vector species.MethodsStandard emergence traps were used to collect emerging adult Culicoides from dung heaps at two cattle farms in the south-east of England from June to November 2016 and March 2017 to May 2018. Culicoides were morphologically identified to species or complex level and count data were analysed using a simple population dynamic model for pre-adult Culicoides that included meteorological components.ResultsMore than 96,000 Culicoides were identified from 267 emergence trapping events across 2 years, revealing clear evidence of bivoltinism from peaks of male populations of Culicoidesobsoletus emerging from dung heaps. This pattern was also reflected in the emergence of adult female Obsoletus complex populations, which dominated the collections (64.4% of total catch) and emerged throughout the adult active period. Adult male C. obsoletus were observed emerging earlier than females (protandry) and emergence of both sexes occurred throughout the year. Culicoides chiopterus and Culicoides scoticus were also identified in spring emergence collections, providing the first evidence for the overwintering of larvae in dung heaps for these species.ConclusionsThis study demonstrates continual and highly variable rates of emergence of Culicoides throughout the year. A lack of evidence for mass emergence in spring along with the ability to observe male generations highlights the need for complementary surveillance techniques in addition to light-trap data when investigating seasonality and phenology. Evidence was found of other vector species, C. chiopterus and C. scoticus, utilising cattle dung heaps as an overwintering habitat, further highlighting the importance of these habitats on farms.Graphical

Biologia e parasitologia do morcego insetívoro aéreo Myotis nigricans (Schinz, 1821) (Chiroptera, Vespertilionidae) no município do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil

Myotis nigricans (Schinz, 1821) é um morcego insetívoro aéreo amplamente distribuído na região neotropical, encontrado em todos os biomas brasileiros e adaptado aos centros urbanos. Apresentamos dados bionômicos, reprodutivos, de dieta e parasitológicos de 28 exemplares de Myotis nigricans capturados em áreas de Mata Atlântica no município do Rio de Janeiro, Sudeste do Brasil, com o propósito de oferecer mais informações sobre as interações ecológicas, especialmente aquelas oriundas de parques urbanos. Os exemplares apresentaram medidas semelhantes às descritas para a espécie, estando sexualmente ativos na primavera (outubro). Fragmentos de insetos das ordens Diptera, Coleoptera, Hemiptera e Lepidoptera foram encontrados nas amostras fecais examinadas. Cinco indivíduos estavam infestados por Basilia sp. (Diptera, Nycteribiidae), e helmintos das classes Trematoda e Cestoda foram encontrados no trato gastrointestinal, estes constituindo o primeiro registro para M. nigricans. Apesar da ampla distribuição desta espécie, os dados sobre bionomia e interações ecológicas são fragmentados e pontuais. Desta forma, os resultados aqui apresentados reforçam a importância da realização de acompanhamentos sistemáticos para a compreensão das relações estabelecidas por esses animais em ambientes florestados e antropizados.

Why do bugs perish? Range size and local vulnerability traits as surrogates of Odonata extinction risk.

Despite claims of an insect decline worldwide, our understanding of extinction risk in insects is incomplete. Using bionomic data of all odonate (603 dragonflies and damselflies) North American species, we assessed (i) regional extinction risk and whether this is related to local extirpation; (ii) whether these two patterns are similar altitudinally and latitudinally; and (iii) the areas of conservation concern. We used geographic range size as a predictor of regional extinction risk and body size, thermal limits and habitat association as predictors of local extirpation. We found that (i) greater regional extinction risk is related to narrow thermal limits, lotic habitat use and large body size (this in damselflies but not dragonflies); (ii) southern species are more climate tolerant but with more limited geographic range size than northern species; and (iii) two priority areas for odonate conservation are the cold temperate to sub-boreal northeastern USA and the transversal neo-volcanic system. Our approach can be used to estimate insect extinction risk as it compensates for the lack of abundance data.

Anthobiomorphus, a new genus of Anthophagini Thomson, 1859 (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Omaliinae), with description of two new species from China, India and Nepal.

A new omaliine genus assigned to the Anthobium group of genera of the tribe Anthophagini Thomson, 1859, Anthobiomorphus Shavrin Smetana, gen.n. is described. Two new species, A. rougemonti Shavrin Smetana, sp.n. (China, Yunnan) and A. makranczyi Shavrin Smetana, sp.n. (India: West Bengal and eastern Nepal) are described and illustrated. The main morphological features of the new genus and its taxonomic relationships with other related genera are briefly discussed. All available bionomic and distributional data and a key are presented.

A new species and a new record of the genus Scymbalopsis (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Paederinae: Paederini)

Abstract A new species, Scymbalopsis persica sp. nov. (Staphylinidae: Paederinae: Paederini), is described and illustrated based on three specimens collected in Lorestan province, Iran. The new species can be distinguished from the remaining species of the genus by the paler coloration, moderately wide forebody with dense and long setation, and other details of the morphology of the body and aedeagus. Detailed bionomic data for S. persica sp. nov. are presented. An additional record from Kyrgyzstan and photograph of the habitus of S. kirghizica Gusarov, 1994, and a key to the species of Scymbalopsis Reitter, 1909 are provided. The genus is recorded for the first time from Iran.

A taxonomic synopsis of Chrysomydas Wilcox, Papavero amp; Pimentel(Diptera: Mydidae: Mydinae), with first bionomic records for the genus and description of a new species from Brazil.

Chrysomydas Wilcox, Papavero Pimentel, 1989 (Diptera, Mydidae, Mydinae, Stratiomydina), is a poorly known monotypic genus, with the type-species, C. nitidulus (Olivier, 1811), recorded from Brazil, French Guiana, Guyana, and Suriname. The present work aims to provide an updated diagnosis for the genus and type-species, C. nitidulus, along with the description of C. phoenix Calhau Lamas sp. nov. from the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, based on a male imago and associated pupal exuviae. Additionally, the first bionomic data for the genus are reported, with the rearing of adult C. nitidulus in the laboratory from larvae collected under the decaying trunk of a coconut palm (Cocos nucifera L.) in the state of Amazonas, Brazil. The new species is easily distinguished from C. nitidulus by the predominantly black tergal and scutal setulae, which are golden in the type-species. They also differ by the male genitalia and shape of the proboscis.

Morphology and bionomy of immature stages and description of the adult male of Catachlorops (C.) rufescens (Fabricius, 1805) (Diptera: Tabanidae) from the Central Amazon, Brazil

Larvae of Catachlorops (C.) rufescens (Fabricius) were sampled in streams in the municipalities of Iranduba, Manacapuru, Manaus, Novo Airão, Presidente Figueiredo, and Rio Preto da Eva in the state of Amazonas, Brazil. Sampling was conducted in 2002 and between July 2007 and October 2008. Larvae were found entangled in sand on the underwater roots of riparian vegetation. A total of 169 larvae were collected, from which 93 were reared to obtain 64 imagoes (33 males and 31 females). The larval and pupal stages lasted an average of 88.2 days (±64.7) and 12.6 days (±2.9), respectively. A total of sixteen larval instars were estimated according to Dyar's Law. The larva, pupa and adult male were described, while bionomic data were provided for the larval stage under natural and controlled environmental conditions.

On the affinities and systematic position of Pachytychius Jekel, a genus currently incertae sedis in Coleoptera, Curculionidae: Evidence from immature stages and the COI gene support its placement in Smicronychini

The affinities and systematic position of Pachytychius Jekel, a genus currently incertae sedis in Coleoptera, Curculionidae, are assessed using new evidence from the immature stages and DNA sequences from the COI gene. The taxonomic history of genus Pachytychius denotes uncertainty in tribal placements from Erirhinini to various tribes of Curculioninae. In this paper, immature stages of genus Pachytychius are described and illustrated for the first time, including the mature larva of the type species, Pachytychius sparsutus (Olivier), and the larva and pupa of Pachytychius haematocephalus (Gyllenhal). The structural features of the larva and pupa of Pachytychius, as well as bionomic data, agree with those commonly found in subfamily Curculioninae and are consistent with a close relationship with Smicronyx Schoenherr. In addition, we used sequences from the 5′region of the COI gene, available in genetic databases, to test phylogenetic relationships of Pachytychius with other genera with which affinities had been suggested (77 terminal taxa including outgroups). Results from maximum likelihood and parsimony analyses agree: Pachytychius is not closely related to the erirhinines with pedo-tectal male genitalia, and belongs among the curculionine weevils, forming a clade with Smicronyx. Finally, the systematic position of Pachytychius suggested by the immature stages and the COI hypothesis results corroborated when adult morphological characters are re-evaluated, and can be extended to genus Aubeonymus Jacquelin du Val for its clear affinity to Pachytychius. The New placements are: Pachytychius Jekel, 1861 and Aubeonymus Jacquelin du Val, 1855 to Smicronychini from Curculioninae i. sed. (Curculionidae).

Review of the genera Agelosus Sharp, 1889, Apostenolinus Bernhauer, 1934 and Apecholinus Bernhauer, 1933 (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Staphylinini: Staphylinina).

A taxonomic review of the genera Agelosus Sharp, 1889, Apostenolinus Bernhauer, 1934 and Apecholinus Bernhauer, 1933 is presented, including taxonomic history of the genera, their descriptions and keys to the species where applicable. Each species is described and illustrated, and all available bionomic and distributional data are presented. Agelosus caerulescens sp.n. (Yunnan), A. distigma sp.n. (China: Zhejiang), A. haeckeli sp.n. (Nepal), A. longicornis sp.n. (Japan: Shikoku), A. nigricollis sp.n. (China: Beijing Municipality, Hubei, Sichuan; North Korea), and A. schillhammeri sp.n. (China: Hubei) are described as new.Xanthocypus J. Müller, 1925 is removed from synonymy with Ocypus Leach, 1819 and moved as a resurrected synonym to Agelosus Sharp, 1889 (stat.res.)Ocypus fraternus Fairmaire, 1891, Agelosus ohkurai Hayashi, 1973, Ocypus aglaosemanticus He Zhou, 2017, Ocypus liui He Zhou, 2017 and Ocypus pterosemanticus He Zhou, 2017 are transferred from Agelosus to Apecholinus Bernhauer, 1933 (comb.nov.), and Agelosus ohkurai and Agelosus pterosematicus are placed in synonymy with Apecholinus fraternus (syn.nov.).Staphylinus auroguttatus Cameron, 1932, Staphylinus bimaculatus Cameron, 1932 and Ocypus cameroni Smetana Davies, 2000 (replacement name for bimaculatus Cameron, 1932) are transferred from Ocypus to Agelosus (comb.nov.) and placed in synonymy with Agelosus sikkimensis Bernhauer, 1920 (syn.nov.).Agelosus brevipennis Naomi, 1983, described as subspecies of Agelosus carinatus (Sharp, 1874), is placed in synonymy with Agelosus carinatus (syn.nov.).Agelosus chinensis J. Li, 1992 is transferred from Agelosus to Apecholinus Bernhauer, 1933 (comb.nov.) and placed in synonymy with Apecholinus fraternus (syn.nov.).Agelosus fushunicus J. Li, 2015 is placed in synonymy with Ocypus coreanus J. Müller, 1925 (syn.nov.).Agelosus unicolor masaoi Hyashi, 1991 is elevated to species rank (stat.nov,).Lectotype is designated for Ocypus weisei Harold, 1877.

A tentative evaluation for population establishment of Bactrocera dorsalis (Diptera: Tephritidae) by its population modeling: Considering the temporal distribution of host plants in a selected area in Jeju, Korea

The Oriental fruit fly, Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel) (Diptera: Tephritidae) is a destructive fruit pest in a wide range of cultivated fruit crops and wild plants. This species is a potentially highly invasive fruit fly to Jeju area of Korea. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of host plants distributed temporally on the population development of B. dorsalis. The temperature-dependent bionomic data for a synonymous group of B. dorsalis, including B. philippinensis, B. papayae, and B. invadens were collected from previous publications and combined to construct a population model of this pest and its thermal constant. We developed a stage-transition model of eggs, larvae and pupae, and an oviposition model for basic population modeling of the four common strains. We investigated the abundance of the host plants of B. dorsalis in a selected site in Jeju and parameterized them in terms of temporal availability to incorporate into the population model. The contribution of host plants for the population growth of B. dorsalis in the selected site was different according to the group of host plants. For example, B. dorsalis populations largely decreased by 93%, when host plants belong to Moraceae (mainly Ficus sp.) were removed in the simulation. Also, we found that the host plants of Prunus persica, Ficus carica, P. mume, Eriobotrya japonica in this order contributed greatly to population abundance of B. dorsalis in the selected area, which was important in terms of mid-season host plants connecting the early adult population of B. dorsalis to citrus plants in the late season. Finally, we discussed a seasonal management strategy against B. dorsalis while considering the availability of host plants and the biology of this fruit fly in an invaded area.

Redescription of Bursaphelenchus eucarpus Rühm, 1956 (Nematoda: Aphelenchoididae) associated with the apple bark beetle, Scolytus mali Bechstein, and the shothole borer, S. rugulosus Müller

Summary New morphological, molecular and bionomic data are added to update the description of Bursaphelenchus eucarpus. The nematode was isolated from larval galleries and adults of the apple bark beetle, Scolytus mali, and the shothole borer, S. rugulosus, present under the bark of the bird cherry, Prunus padus, and the common European plum, P. domestica, in Poland. Detailed male, female and dispersal juvenile morphology and morphometrics are documented and compared with the original description. From partial 18S, ITS1/2 and partial 28S D2-D3 sequences and morphological features (three lateral lines, position of caudal papillae, shape of the delicate spicules with dorsally bent condylus, lack of vulval flap, a long post-uterine branch and a hyaline region at the female tail tip) it can be concluded that B. eucarpus belongs to the eremus group of Bursaphelenchus. The differentiation from related species of the eremus group is discussed.

Morphological evidence from immature stages further suggests Lignyodina being close to Tychiina (Coleoptera, Curculionidae, Curculioninae, Tychiini)

The relationship between the subtribes Lignyodina and Tychiina of the Tychiini were tested on the basis of morphological characters from the immature stages. The mature larvae of Lignyodes bischoffi (Blatchley, 1916) and L. enucleator (Panzer, 1798) (Curculionidae, Curculioninae, Tychiini, Lignyodina) and the pupae of L. bischoffi are described in detail for the first time. To be sure about the correct taxonomic identification of the larvae, DNA sequences were obtained and compared for both the larvae and adults of these two species. Molecular data show that the two studied species of Lignyodes Dejean, 1835 strongly differ in mitochondrial COI and 16S rRNA. The immature stages (larva and pupa) of Lignyodes bischoffi and L. enucleator were compared with each other and with those known for other taxa representative of the tribe Tychiini and other tribes of Curculioninae. The larvae of Lignyodes bischoffi and L. enucleator differ in a few but important characters. The larvae and pupae of these two species belonging to Lignyodes s. str. are morphologically very similar to those of species in the other two subgenera of Lignyodes, Neotylopterus Clark, Whitehead & Warner, 1977 and Chionanthobius Pierce, 1912. On the basis of the detailed morphology of larvae and pupae, we agree that Lignyodes belong to Tychiini, sharing more features with species of this tribe than with those of other tribes of Curculioninae. New bionomic data concerning larval and pupal development and adult emergence are reported for both described species and confirm close relationships between the subtribes Lignyodina and Tychiina. On the other hand, strong molecular differences, corroborated by some relevant larval differences, between L. enucleator and L. bischoffi open up the issue whether Palaearctic and Nearctic species presently included in Lignyodes s. str. actually belong to the same subgenus.

Description of the immature stages of two Mononychus species (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Ceutorhynchinae) and a study of the host preferences of M. punctumalbum for Iris species in central Europe

AbstractLast larval instars and pupae of Mononychus punctumalbum (Herbst, 1784) and Mononychus schoenherri Kolenati, 1859 (Curculionidae, Ceutorhynchinae) are described in detail for the first time. No immatures of other species of this genus had previously been described. The immatures of Mononychus were compared with available data on immatures of all genera in the subfamily Ceutorhynchinae. Both the larvae and pupae of the two Mononychus species are very distinctive, having distinct characters from other genera in the subfamily Ceutorhynchinae. New bionomic data for M. punctumalbum concerning its host preferences for Iris species in central Europe can be used to verify literature data indicating the important role of the iris weevil in the dramatic decline in the plant's abundance in natural habitats as well as in gardens and other anthropogenic associations.

Bursaphelenchus crenati Rühm, 1956 (Tylenchina: Aphelenchoididae), a nematode associated with the Greater ash bark beetle, Hylesinus crenatus Fabricius, in dying ash, Fraxinus excelsior L., in Europe

New morphological, molecular and bionomic data are added to update the description of Bursaphelenchus crenati. The nematode was isolated from larval galleries and adults of the Greater ash bark beetle, Hylesinus crenatus Fabricius, present in bark of older trees of European ash, Fraxinus excelsior L., in Poland. Detailed female and male morphology are documented in this paper and compared with the original description. From ITS1/2, partial 28S D2-D3 and partial 18S sequences, ITS-RFLP patterns and morphological analysis, B. crenati is suggested to be temporarily placed into the sexdentati group, close to B. andrassyi, B. vallesianus, B. sexdentati, B. pinophilus, B. poligraphi, B. fuchsi, B. incurvus, B. piniperdae, and B. pityogeni. However, B. crenati can be distinguished from these species by the strongly ventrally curved body and the presence of three incisures in the lateral fields.

Immatures of Palaearctic species of the weevil genus Sibinia (Coleoptera, Curculionidae): new descriptions and new bionomic data with suggestions on their potential value in a phylogenetic reconstruction of the genus.

The larvae and pupae of six species of the Palaearctic genus Sibinia Germar, 1817 are described in detail for the first time. Five of them develop in seeds of Caryophyllaceae and belong to Sibinia (s. str.): S. attalica Gyllenhal, 1835; S. femoralis Germar, 1824; S. tibialis Gyllenhal, 1835; and S. viscariae (Linnaeus, 1760), which are included in the S. femoralis group, and S. sicana Ragusa, 1908, which is included in the S. unicolor Fåhraeus, 1843 group. The sixth species is S. sodalis Germar, 1824, which develops in seeds of Plumbaginaceae and belongs to the subgenus Dichotychius Bedel, 1885. The larvae and pupae of these species are compared with those previously described for some species of the third subgenus, Microtychius Casey, 1910 from the Americas. Some larval characters, but no pupal ones, are useful to support the three subgenera and the two previously mentioned groups of Sibinia s. str., which were previously postulated based on a few adult morphological characters. The immatures of Sibinia are also compared with those of the closely related genus Tychius Germar, 1817, providing some distinctive characters between both genera. New bionomic data on larval and pupal development and adult emergence are reported for all the described species. These data suggest that species in this genus are highly homogeneous in life history traits.

Male secondary sexual characters resolve taxonomic uncertainty: five new species and a review of the formerly monotypic rove beetle genus Mimosticus Sharp (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Staphylininae).

The hitherto poorly known Neotropical rove beetle genus Mimosticus is reviewed. Five new species are described from the Andes, Mimosticus aeneipennis sp. n., Mimosticus latens sp. n., Mimosticus pseudosharpi sp. n., Mimosticus sharpi sp. n. and Mimosticus tenuiformis sp. n. The widely distributed type species of the genus, Mimosticus viridipennis Sharp, 1884, is redescribed. Aedeagal characters traditionally used to delimit species in Staphylinidae exhibited only subtle inter-specific differences in Mimosticus but were corroborated by distinct differences in male secondary sexual characters. A modern description and morphological diagnosis of the genus are provided, distribution and bionomic data are summarized, and the placement of Mimosticus in the Staphylinini subtribe Amblyopinina is justified in the context of recent, character-based phylogenetic hypotheses.

Immatures of Palaearctic species of the weevil genus Tychius (Coleoptera, Curculionidae): new descriptions and new bionomic data with an evaluation of their value in a phylogenetic reconstruction of the genus.

Larvae of 14 species and pupae of 12 species of Palaearctic Tychius Germar, 1817 are described for the first time. Larvae and pupae of T.meliloti Stephens, 1831, T. squamulatus Gyllenhal, 1835 and T. quinquepunctatus (Linnaeus, 1758), are redescribed with addition of new characters. They belong to 10 of 22 groups of species assembled through adult morphological characters in this region and, like all other Tychius with known biology, the studied species live on Leguminosae Papilionoideae, belonging to the tribes Genisteae, Loteae, Galegeae, Trifolieae and Vicieae. Generally larvae, but not pupae, show a few characters useful to support some groupings previously postulated on adult morphology, and also suggest some phylogenetic relationships among groups although these are partly weak because of several clear parallelisms or convergences. One of the most numerous and better known group of species, the T. stephensi group living on Trifolieae, is supported by two distinctive larval character states, whereas all the other groups seem to be distinguishable from each other at least by a unique larval character state. New bionomic data concerning larval and pupal development and adult emergence are reported for all the described species. These data confirm that this genus is highly homogeneous in habits and times of development, with unique adaptive differences in adult emergence and overwintering according to the single or double seasonal flowering of the host plant. On the basis of morphological characters of immatures and adults, a possible concordance between the evolution of Tychius and that of their host plants is discussed.