Hind Wing Venation Research Articles

A new palaeodictyopterid (Insecta: Palaeodictyoptera: Spilapteridae) from the Upper Carboniferous of China supports a close relationship between insect faunas of Quilianshian (northern China) and Laurussia

Li, Y., Ren D., Pecharová, M. & Prokop, J., 2013. A new palaeodictyopterid (Insecta: Palaeodictyoptera: Spilapteridae) from the Upper Carboniferous of China supports a close relationship between insect faunas of Quilianshian (northern China) and Laurussia. Alcheringa 37, 1–9. ISSN 0311-5518.A new palaeodictyopterid Sinodunbaria jarmilae gen. et sp. nov. (Spilapteridae) is described and illustrated from the Upper Carboniferous (Namurian) Tupo Formation of northern China (Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region). The new taxon, based on the fore- and hindwing venation pattern, is attributed to Spilapteridae and compared with other spilapterid genera within Spilapteroidea. A character matrix was assembled to separate the genera of three families within Spilapteroidea and the systematics of Spilapteridae is re-evaluated. We restore the attribution of Bojoptera (monotypic, B. colorata Kukalová, 1958) to Spilapteridae based on re-examination of the holotype and point out several corrections to the original description. Moreover, owing to fragmentary preservation and a new interpretation of the wing venation of Sheltoweeptera Brauckmann, Chesnut & Jennings, 1993 (based on S. redbirdi from the Middle Pennsylvanian of Kentucky, USA), we consider that genus to be a junior synonym of Homaloneura Brongniart, 1885. Differences between the insect faunas of Euramerica and North China during the early Late Carboniferous (Bashkirian) possibly reflected a faunal contrast between tropical and temperate zones.Yongjun Li [liyongjun_sysu@126.com]. College of Life Science, Capital Normal University, 105 Xisanhuanbeilu, Haidian District, Beijing 100048, China, and State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol and Institute of Entomology, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China. Dong Ren [rendong@mail.cnu.edu.cn], Key Lab of Insect Evolution & Environmental Changes, College of Life Science, Capital Normal University, Beijing 100048, PR China. Martina Pecharová [martina.pecharova@natur.cuni.cz] and Jakub Prokop [jprokop@natur.cuni.cz], Charles University in Prague, Faculty of Science, Department of Zoology, Viničná 7, CZ-128 44, Praha 2, Czech Republic. Received 30.1.2013; revised 25.3.2013; accepted 3.4.2013.

Wing Shape and Size of the Western Corn Rootworm (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) is Related to Sex and Resistance to Soybean-Maize Crop Rotation

The western corn rootworm, Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte, is a major pest of maize in the United States and more recently, Europe. Understanding the dispersal dynamics of this species will provide crucial information for its management. This study used geometric morphometric analysis of hind wing venation based on 13 landmarks in 223 specimens from nine locations in Illinois, Nebraska, Iowa, and Missouri, to assess whether wing shape and size differed between rotated and continuously grown maize where crop rotation-resistant and susceptible individuals are found, respectively. Before assessing differences between rotation-resistant and susceptible individuals, sexual dimorphism was investigated. No significant difference in wing (centroid) size was found between males and females; however, females had significantly different shaped (more elongated) wings compared with males. Wing shape and (centroid) size were significantly larger among individuals from rotated maize where crop-rotation resistance was reported; however, cross-validation of these results revealed that collection site resistance status was an only better than average predictor of shape in males and females. This study provides preliminary evidence of wing shape and size differences in D. v. virgifera from rotated versus continuous maize. Further study is needed to confirm whether wing shape and size can be used to track the movement of rotation-resistant individuals and populations as a means to better inform management strategies.

Nuurcala obesa sp. n. (Blattida, Caloblattinidae) from the Lower Cretaceous Yixian Formation in Liaoning Province, China

Nuurcala obesa sp. n., in the cockroach family Caloblattinidae, is described from the Lower Cretaceous Yixian Formation (Liaoning Province, China) based on a combination of differential characters of fore- and hind wing venation, colouration and body structures. Systematically, Nuurcala (Vršanský, 2003), known from the Cretaceous sediments of Bon Tsagaan and Khurilt, Mongolia, is closely related to other genera of Caloblattinidae known from the Jurassic and Cretaceous localities in other parts of Asia.

Brochocolein beetles (Insecta: Coleoptera) from the Lower Cretaceous of northeast China and southern England

Lower Cretaceous beetles belonging to the extinct tribe Brochocoleini (Coleoptera: Cupedidae: Ommatinae) are revised and five new species proposed in the extinct Eurasian genus Brochocoleus: Brochocoleus yangshuwanziensis sp. nov. (Yixian Formation, China); Brochocoleus crowsonae sp. nov., Brochocoleus keenani sp. nov., Brochocoleus tobini sp. nov. (Weald Clay Group, UK); and Brochocoleus maximus sp. nov. (Purbeck Limestone Group, UK). New morphological data is provided for Brochocoleus impressus and Brochocoleus sulcatus stat. nov. of which Brochocoleus angustus is considered a synonym (Yixian Fm.). The hindwing venation is described for the first time supporting the basal position of this tribe. A simple key is provided to all Cretaceous species of this presumably xylophagous, warm climate genus.

King Crickets, Raspy Crickets and Weta, Their Wings, Their Fossil Relatives

Topographic homology conjectures (= THCs) in fore- and hind wing venation of extant king crickets, raspy crickets and weta are re-evaluated. Based on the premises that topological homology is established so that the amount of transformation that has to be assumed to explain differences between patterns is minimized, a new set of THCs (= STHC), based on morphological data on the species cf. mexicanus de Saussure, 1859: 209, laudatum Johns, 1997, ornata Willemse, 1963, cf. bicornis Karny, 1929a, pinguipes? Rentz in Morton & Rentz, 1983, pinguipes Rentz in Morton & Rentz, 1983, an undetermined species, punctipennis Walker, 1869, and rufovaria Kirby, 1888, is elaborated. Among other transformations, the occurrence of a re-routing of MP along CuA (i.e., the basal M CuA stem splits into MA and MP CuA, instead of into MA MP and CuA) is demonstrated for pinguipes, punctipennis, and rufovaria. Concurrently, intra-specific variability in forewing venation is appreciated for laudatum, ornata, cf. bicornis, pinguipes, punctipennis, and rufovaria. A cladotypic-compliant nomenclatural scheme is elaborated based on the proposed THCs. The taxon Agryllacris nom.-dis.typ. nov. is defined based on the character state ‘in forewing, CuA CuPaα with two distal branches only’; the taxon Tagryllacris nom.-dis.-typ. nov. is defined based on the character state ‘in forewing, M CuA splits into MA and MP CuA’; the taxon Etagryllacris nom.-dis.-typ. nov. is defined based on the character state ‘in forewing, CuA CuPaα keep fused’; the taxon Metagryllacris nom. nov, dis. Zeuner, 1939, typ. nov. is defined based on the character state ‘in forewing, MA fused with R at wing base’. Based on new data, the species †perfecta Sharov, 1968 is identified as a member of the taxon Agryllacris, and the fossil species †megaptera Gorochov, 1987a, isimplicis Gorochov, 1987a, †elongata Gorochov, 1987a, †madygenioides Gorochov, 1987a, †perlonga Gorochov, 1987a, and † devexa Gorochov, 1987a are considered as junior synonyms of †perfecta. The nomenclatural treatment is extended to the unrelated taxon †Bintoniellidae nom. Handlirsch, 1938, dis. Sharov, 1968, typ. nov, defined based on the character state ‘in forewing, no distinct base of CuPaα diverging from CuPa (and fusing with CuA or M CuA)’. Belonging to this taxon, the species †primaria Sharov, 1968 is considered as a junior synonym † triassica Sharov, 1968:168.A consequence of the assignment of †perfecta to Agryllacris is that this group stems in the Triassic, at least, i.e., ca 170 million years earlier than previously assumed. As a result, the loss of the complex ‘tettigonid-gryllid-like’ (i.e., Grylloptera) stridulatory apparatus is no longer needed to account for the morphology of king crickets, raspy crickets and weta forewing. Finally, a refinement of the concept of parallelism is proposed based on transformations observed in the taxa Agryllacris and Bintoniellidae, and on their polarity and frequency of occurrence. The concept of parallelism is narrowed down, those of atavism and reversal discussed, and the concepts of iteronatism, cryptoparallelism, and pronatism proposed.

Early Permian insects from Saar-Nahe Basin of Odernheim town site, Rheinland-Pfalz in Germany (lnsecta, Grylloblattida, Blattinopseida)

ABSTRACT New insect fossils from Early Permian lacustrine deposits of Odernheim town site (Saar-Nahe Basin, Rheinland-Pfalz, Germany) are attributed to Euryptilonidae (Grylloblattida) and Blattinopsidae (stem group of Dictyoptera). Oborella germanica n. sp. is based on fore- and hindwing venation pointing out difficulties of generic separation between Blania Kukalova, 1964 and Oborella Kukalova, 1964. In addition, as first revisors of the genus Blania, we consider it as a junior synonym of Oborella, because the holotype of the type species O. matura Kukalova, 1964 is a better preserved specimen than that of Blania. We also describe another species, Oborella brauckmanni n. sp. Two Blattinopsidae are also described but not named for their incomplete state of preservation, although one is related to Glaphyrophlebia and could well correspond to a new species for its very long stem of posterior radius.

On the edge of parasitoidism: a new Lower Cretaceous woodwasp forming the putative sister group of Xiphydriidae + Euhymenoptera

The fossil woodwasp Cratoenigma articulatagen. et sp.n. (Insecta: Hymenoptera) is described from the Lower Cretaceous Crato formation of Brazil. This fossil cannot be placed in any existing superfamily, but its putative phylogenetic position within Hymenoptera is discussed in detail on the basis of relevant thoracic, abdominal and wing venation characters. These characters are critically evaluated and compared with those of extant and fossil Hymenoptera. The phylogenetic position of C. articulatasp.n. is investigated relative to extant Xyelidae, Tenthredinoidea s.l., Pamphilioidea, Cephidae, Siricoidea, Xiphydriidae, Orussidae and Apocrita, and also to Mesozoic Gigasiricidae, Myrmiciidae, Daohugoidae, Sepulcidae, Anaxyelidae, Paroryssidae and Ephialtitidae. Based on the presence of a synapomorphic transscutal articulation, a plesiomorphic unconcealed mesopostnotum and autapomorphic hindwing venation (cu‐a distinctly basal to fork between M and Cu), C. articulatasp.n. most likely forms the sister group of Xiphydriidae + Euhymenoptera. This would place it well within Unicalcarida, i.e. the clade in which the transition from endophytic to parasitoid lifestyle evolved.

New stem-Phasmatodea from the Middle Jurassic of China

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 10th 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.

Two new species of Sinosmylites Hong (Neuroptera, Berothidae) from the Middle Jurassic of China, with notes on Mesoberothidae

Two new species of the genus Sinosmylites Hong are described from the Middle Jurassic locality at Daohugou (Inner Mongolia, China): Sinosmylites fumosus sp. n. and Sinosmylites rasnitsyni sp. n. This is the oldest known occurrence of the family Berothidae. The berothid affinity of this genus is confirmed by examination of the hind wing venation characteristic of the family. The Late Triassic family Mesoberothidae may represent an early group of Berothidae.

Lecithoceridae (Lepidoptera: Gelechioidea) of New Guinea, Part I:Onnuria, New Genus, with Descriptions of Three New Species

Abstract. This is the first in a series of papers on the Lecithoceridae (Lepidoptera, Gelechioidea) of New Guinea. Onnuria Park, n. gen. is proposed to accommodate three new species: Onnuria xanthochroa Park, n. sp., Onnuria melanotoma Park, n. sp., and Onnuria tenuiella Park, n. sp. The new genus shares with Pectinimura Park, 2008 and Neopectinimura Park, 2010 a similar specialized comblike plate on the valva in the male genitalia. It is differentiated from the aforementioned genera by the unique shape of the labial palpus with a very stout, strongly recurved 3rd segment and highly specialized hind wing venation with M3 and CuA1 coincident and CuA2 arising from before the middle of the cell. A key to the species of the genus is given. Adults, heads, labial palpi, hind wing venation, and male genitalia are illustrated.

The oldest fossil record of Lymexylidae (Insecta: Coleoptera) from the Lower Cretaceous Crato Formation of Brazil

AbstractThe fossil ship-timber beetle Cratoatractocerus grimaldii gen. et sp.n. is described from the Lower Cretaceous of Brazil. The new taxon is placed within Atractocerinae. It is distinguished from all modern genera of the subfamily by a M+Cu fork in the hind wing venation. Cratoatractocerus grimaldii is the oldest known representative of Lymexylidae and considered as the most basal member of Atractocerinae. This fossil proves that this subfamily appeared at least by the Early Cretaceous.

A remarkable new species of Phylloicus (Trichoptera: Calamoceratidae) from Central Amazonia, Brazil

Phylloicus Müller, 1880 and Banyallarga Navás, 1916 are endemic Neotropical genera of Calamoceratidae. Currently, Phylloicus has 55 extant species, 19 of which are recorded from Brazil, and a fossil species from Dominican amber. In this paper, a new species of Phylloicus is described and illustrated from specimens collected in Amazonas State, Brazil. This new species has peculiar hind wing venation, with vein R4 attached basally to the base of R2+3. Therefore, a modified diagnosis to the genus is presented to include Phylloicus dumasi sp. nov. The new species is somewhat similar to P. paprockii Prather, 2003, but can be distinguished from these and other Phylloicus species by the atypical hind wing venation, uniform colouration, and male genitalia with tergum IX produced posteriorly into two wide lobes.

Diabrotica collicola (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), a new species of leaf beetle from Argentina and key to species of the Diabrotica virgifera group and relatives

The new species Diabrotica collicola Cabrera & Cabrera Walsh is described and illustrated based on specimens collected from Balcozna, Catamarca Province (Argentina). A full description is provided and includes adding morphological characters of the mouthparts, hind wing venation, binding patch, metendosternite, and details of male and female genitalia previously overlooked for the genus. Diabrotica collicola is recognized by the following characters: general color parrot green with yellowish vittae, genal space less than 1/4 maximum length of the eye, antennomeres 2 and 3 subequal in males, 3 longer in females, both antennomeres together more than length 1/2 of 4 in both sexes, prothoracic and mesothoracic tarsi of males with ventral adhesive patch, internal sac of the median lobe with four sclerites. Differences with similar species D. mutabilis Baly, D. fulvofasciata Jacoby, D. mapiriensis gussi Krysan & Smith and D. porracea Harold are discussed. A key to D. collicola and similar species is provided.

On the phylogenetic position of the palaeopteran Syntonopteroidea (Insecta: Ephemeroptera), with a new species from the Upper Carboniferous of England

A new syntonopterid, Anglolithoneura magnifica gen. et sp. n., is described from a siderite concretion (nodule) from the Late Carboniferous (Langsettian) of Lancashire County (UK). The new genus is diagnosed on hind wing venation and compared with other syntonopterid genera. The new species is the first syntonopterid formally described from the Late Carboniferous of Europe. The systematic positions of other potential Syntonopteroidea (Miracopteron mirabile, Bojophlebia prokopi, and specimens described in 1985 by J. Kukalova-Peck from Obora in the Czech Republic) are reconsidered. Wing venation synapomorphies are proposed for the Syntonopteroidea (sensu novo), and for a potential clade ((Ephemeroptera+Syntonopteroidea)+Odonatoptera) separated from the Palaeodictyopterida. The close relations of the new species with Lithoneura lameerei Carpenter, 1938 from Mazon Creek (Illinois, USA) provide additional support for a Euramerican connection during the Late Carboniferous.

A new species of Ceryx Wallengren (Lepidoptera: Arctiidae: Syntominae) from the Kumaon Himalaya, India

The genus Ceryx Wallengren is a large genus, with representatives in south and west Africa, through Asia, to Australia. Hampson (1892) reported C. hyalina Moore, C. diptera Fabricius (as Syntomoides incipiens Walker and Syntomoides brachypecten Hampson) and C. cherra Moore (under Syntomis Ochsenheimer) from the Indian subregion. None of the above mentioned species were reported from the western Himalaya. The following is a description of a new species recorded in the western Himalaya, which bears the characteristic hindwing venation lacking veins 3, 5 and 6 (Fig. 1) that distinguishes the monobasic Syntomoides Hampson, Ceryx and Auriculoceryx Holloway from other genera of the sub-family Syntominae. Syntomoides is monobasic, differing from Ceryx in certain features of the male genitalia. Males of the genus Auriculoceryx have filiform antennae. From the illustration of the hindwing venation of S. imaon in Hampson (1892) and Holloway (1988), the present species differs in having vein 4 straight rather than arched. The type material of this and other taxa described by the author (Neptis miah varshneyi; Neptis clinia praedicta; Comostola hauensteini; Dysaethria himalayica, etc.) are in the author’s personal collection at the Butterfly Research Centre, The Retreat, Jones Estate, Bhimtal, Uttarakhand. This collection is the only Indian insect collection on open public display. Some types, eg. of Neptis miah varshneyi (paratype) and Neptis clinia praedicta (holotype) have been deposited in the Indian National Forest Insect Collection at the Forest Research Institute, Dehra Dun, Uttarakhand. Other type material may be deposited in that depository in future, pending a change in chemical preservatives used in that institution.

Alteration of sex-related developmental modules: A case of "feminized" male wing morphology in Creobroter gemmatus (Mantodea: Hymenopodidae)

A particular case of the alteration of the organization of a developmental module is presented, viz. mixed gynandromor- phism in Creobroter gemmatus, in which a male exhibits the usual fore- and hind wing venation and shape of its sex, but patterns of coloration typical of females. Homologies between corresponding areas of the fore- and hind wings are suggested. Feminization is defined as the occurrence of traits typical of the female phenotype in a male, and is suggested as a plausible way in which insect wing morphology may be transformed.

New griffenfly, Bohemiatupus elegans from the Late Carboniferous of western Bohemia in the Czech Republic (Odonatoptera: Meganisoptera: Meganeuridae)

A new griffenfly, Bohemiatupus elegans n. gen., n. sp. (Meganeuridae) is described from the Upper Carboniferous (Bolsovian) deposits of the Ovčín near Radnice in western Bohemia (Czech Republic). The new taxon based on fore- and hindwing venation is compared with the other meganeurid genera. It is the first record of a large griffenfly from the continental basins of the Bohemian Massif supplementing the other giant insects such as Bojophlebia prokopi Kukalová-Peck 1985 or Carbotriplura kukalovae Kluge 1996 from the same strata.

Ascalochrysidae – a new lacewing family from the Mesozoic of China (Insecta: Neuroptera: Chrysopoidea)

Ascalochrysa megaptera gen. et sp. nov. is described from the Yixian Formation (Lower Cretaceous) of China. It is treated as belonging to the new family Ascalochrysidae fam. nov., closely related to Mesochrysopidae but easily distinguished from it in the hindwing venation features: e.g., numerous subcostal crossveins; branches of Rs widely, irregularly spaced and deeply branched; crossvenation rich, irregular; convex vein-like fold (‘M5’) before concave CuA present. The presence of well-developed ‘M5’ in the hind wing is interpreted to be plesiomorphic condition within the order. Ascalochrysidae are considered the sister group of Mesochrysopidae (s.l.).

Morphological and molecular characterization of a new species of Diabrotica (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae, Galerucinae)

The new species Diabrotica wartensis Cabrera & Sosa-Gómez was found feeding on roots and leaves of sunflower and soybean in the north of the state of Paraná. A set of characters of diagnostic value: mouthparts, hind wing venation, binding patch, metendosternite, and details of male and female genitalia previously overlooked in the genus was provided. In addition to the morphological characterization, the molecular analyses of the COI mitochondrial gene and the ITS-1 rDNA nuclear region were included. The analysis of the ITS-1 nuclear region alone suggests proximity of D. wartensis to the Diabrotica fucata group, whereas molecular evidence based on combined analysis of COI and ITS-1 region suggest that this new species is distantly related to the Diabroticina with known sequences deposited in the GenBank.

A New Dragonfly Family from the Upper Cretaceous of France

The new aeshnopteran family Enigmaeshnidae is proposed for Enigmaeshna deprei gen. et sp. nov., the first fossil insect collected as imprint in the Earliest Cenomanian clay of the Puy-Puy quarry at Tormay-Charente (Charente-Maritime, SW France). The bed bearing E. deprei was previously known for its highly diversified fossil plant assemblage. Although this taxon belongs to the much derived clade Aeshnodea, it is characterized by several unique hind wing venation characters, never found in other Aeshnoptera, viz. part of MAb distal of the trigonal planate very long, and presence of five posterior branches of AA directed towards posterior wing margin.