Description Of Mature Larva Research Articles

Description of mature larvae and ecological notes on Gasteruption Latreille (Hymenoptera, Evanioidea, Gasteruptiidae) parasitizing hymenopterans nesting in reed galls

Wasps of the genusGasteruptionare predator-inquilines of bees nesting in cavities in wood, stems, galls, and vertical soil surfaces. During studies of hymenopterans associated with reed galls caused by flies of the genusLiparawe recorded three species. We provide the evidence that a rare European speciesGasteruptionphragmiticolais a specialized predator-inquiline of an equally rare wetland beeHylaeuspectoralis.Gasteruptionnigrescensis a predator-inquiline of bees of the family Megachilidae, using the common beeHoplitisleucomelanaas the main host.Gasteruptionassectatoris a less specialized predator-inquiline of multiple groups of bees. The first two species,G.phragmiticolaandG.nigrescens, are usually present at well-preserved reed beds associated with meadows rich in flowering plants whileG.assectatordoes not prefer any specific habitat. Mature larvae ofGasteruptiontypically have a dorsoventrally flattened body and lateral lobes, small head with only slightly sclerotized mouthparts and tridentate mandibles. The larvae of these three species differ only slightly from one another, at most by the sclerotization of the mouthparts, colour, and position of setae on the head capsule and the shape of the mandible. As previous descriptions are insufficient, we provide first detailed descriptions with figures.

Larval Diversity in the Bee GenusMegachile(Hymenoptera: Apoidea: Megachilidae)

ABSTRACT Mature larvae of five species representing each of the three principal groups within the genus Megachile sensu lato (i.e., including Creightonella and Chalicodoma, which are often recognized at generic rank) are described and are revealed to be quite similar to one another. On the basis of their descriptions a larval description of the genus is formulated. This, in turn, is compared with and found quite similar to a previously published Preliminary Description of Mature Larvae of the Megachilini based on study of larval representatives of the three genera in the tribe: Megachile, all species of which are pollen-collecting, and Coelioxys and Radoszkowskiana, both of which are cleptoparasitic, usually with Megachile hosts.

The morphology of the immature stages of two rare Lixus species (Coleoptera, Curculionidae, Lixinae) and notes on their biology.

The mature larvae and pupae of Lixus (Ortholixus) bituberculatus Smreczyński, 1968 and Lixus (Dilixellus) neglectus Fremuth, 1983 (Curculionidae: Lixinae: Lixini) are described and compared with known larvae of 21 other Lixus and 2 Hypolixus taxa. The mature larva and pupa of Lixus bituberculatus are the first immature stages described representing the subgenus Ortholixus. The larva of Lixus neglectus, in the subgenus Dilixellus, is distinguished from the known larvae of four species in this subgenus by having more pigmented sclerites on the larval body. All descriptions of mature larvae from the tribe Lixini, as do all known species from the tribe Cleonini, fit the diagnosis of the mature larva of the Lixinae subfamily. Furthermore, new biological information of these species in the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Romania is provided. For Lixus bituberculatus, a chicory, Cichorium intybus L. (Asteraceae), is identified as a host plant, and Lixus neglectus is found on dock Rumex thyrsiflorus Fingerh. (Polygonaceae). Both species are probably monophagous or oligophagous. Adults of Lixus bituberculatus often inhabit host plants growing in active, dry and sunny pastures with sparse patches without vegetation, being mostly active during the night in April/May and then again in September, when the highest activity levels are observed. Adults of Lixus neglectus inhabit dry grasslands on sandy soils with host plants, being active during the day from May to September, with the highest level of activity in May/June and September. The larvae of both species are borers in the stem and root of the host plant, and they pupate in root or root neck. Adults leave the pupation cells at the end of summer and do not hibernate in the host plants. Finally, Romania is a new geographic record for Lixus bituberculatus.

Descriptions of Mature Larvae of the Bee Tribe Emphorini and Its Subtribes (Hymenoptera, Apidae, Apinae)

A description of the mature larvae of the bee tribe Emphorini based on representatives of six genera is presented herein. The two included subtribes, Ancyloscelidina and Emphorina, are also characterized and distinguished from one another primarily by their mandibular anatomy. The anatomy of abdominal segments 9 and 10 is investigated and appears to have distinctive features that distinguish the larvae of the tribe from those of related apine tribes.

Descriptions of mature larvae and pupae of the genus Larinus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae, Lixinae)

Descriptions of mature larvae of four species of the genus Larinus Dejean, 1821 are given: larvae of L. (Larinomesius) obtusus Gyllenhal, 1835 and L. (Phyllonomeus) turbinatus Gyllenhal, 1836 are described for the first time, and larvae of L. (s. str.) pollinis (Laicharting, 1781) and L. (Phyllonomeus) sturnus (Schaller, 1783) are described for the first time in detail. A revised identification key for the mature larvae and a new key for pupae are presented.

First record of the genus Anisocentropus McLachlan (Trichoptera: Calamoceratidae) from Nigeria, with description of mature larva

First record of the genus Anisocentropus McLachlan (Trichoptera: Calamoceratidae) from Nigeria, with description of mature larva

Descriptions of Mature Larvae of Two Amiseginae, with a Discussion of Larval Characters in the Chrysididae (Hymenoptera)

The mature larvae of 2 species of Amiseginae— Adelphe anisomoiyhae Krombein and Mynnecomimesis bispinosiis (Riek)—are described. These larvae share with other Chrysididae and with Bethylidae a simple atrium and an opening toward the unarmed subatrium. As in the Bethylidae, they lack a coronal suture and parietal bands. Several characters are shared with Cleptinae and Chrysidinae (Chrysididae): a labrum with sensilla and a notched anterior margin, and a welldeveloped peritreme. The presence of 2 antennal sensilla, and the absence of setae on labrum and maxillae are, among the Chrysididae, exclusive to Amiseginae. The phylogenetic importance of these preimaginal structures is discussed.