Description Of Larva Research Articles

First zoeal stage of the partner shrimp Periclimenes paivai Chace, with remarks on the genus Periclimenes O.G. Costa (Caridea, Palaemonidae.

The morphology of the first zoeal stage of Periclimenes paivai Chace is described and illustrated for the first time. Larvae were obtained from three females with embryos, caught in the type locality (Cananéia, São Paulo state, Brazil). The morphological characters are detailed and compared with all previous descriptions of larvae in the genus (P. amethysteus, P. brevicarpalis, P. diversipes, P. pandionis, P. sagittifer and P. soror). The zoeae I of Periclimenes species are very similar, but P. paivai can be separated from the other six species by means of five characteristics: 8 plumose setae on the inner margin of the antennal scale, one spine on the endopod of the maxillule, one cuspidate seta on the basal endite of the maxilulle, one plumose seta on the single coxal endite of the maxilla, and one plumose seta on the endopod of the maxilla. Remarks from a comparative analysis of available descriptions of the genus are furnished.

The Larvae of Chironomidae of the Holarctic Region – Keys and diagnoses

The Wiederholm 1983 key to the larvae of the Holarctic Chironomidae was by far the most used book during my PhD and my post-doctoral years. It shaped my understanding of chironomid classification and identification, and provided the basis for most of my work as a chironomid ecologist and palaeoecologist. It is, therefore, with high expectations (will there be new taxa?) and some dread (will I have to rethink my classification?) that I opened the copy of the revised “Chironomidae of the Holarctic region. Key and diagnoses Larvae” that was kindly provided to me by Lennart Cederholm at Scandinavian Entomology Ltd. At first glance, the book, edited by Trond Andersen, Pete Cranston, and John Epler, does not look much different than the original edited by Torgny Wiederholm. It has the same cover, color, and is similarly massive, although the format has changed the book has now become several centimeters broader. My first impression was one of slight disappointment. Many of the figures are obviously identical as in the 1983 version, but not as well reproduced. In many sections the text also remains more or less the same, especially in the larval descriptions for the different genera. The chapters are presented in a similar order, starting with an introduction and a section describing the morphology of the larvae, followed by a key to the different subfamilies. These initial chapters are followed by sections dealing with the different subfamilies: Buchonomyiinae, Podonominae, Tanypodinae, Telmatogetoninae, Diamesinae, Prodiamesinae, Orthocladiinae, and Chironominae. The book also includes a foreword and an index of the discussed Holarctic chironomid taxa.

Immature argasid ticks: diagnosis and keys for Neotropical region

Many argasid tick species are known only through their larval descriptions, in which the chaetotaxy, together with other external morphological characteristics, has been used to separate genera and species. However, the illustrations of these features are based on optical microscopy alone and many of these features are not clearly defined. Because of the difficulties in determining the larval and nymph stages of some genera, we have prepared illustrated keys for the immature stages of argasids, including an up-to-date list of the known species of the Neotropical region. We have also included an illustrated key for larvae of the Ornithodoros species from Brazil, based on scanning electron microscopy.

Petasiger Dietz, 1909 (Trematoda: Echinostomatidae) in Birds and Mollusks from Brazil

Species of Petasiger Dietz, 1909 are intestinal trematodes of aquatic birds. Despite the diversity of described species in Europe and North America, only two South American species are known and no species have been previously reported in birds from Brazil. During a study of helminths recovered from the Least Grebe, Tachybaptus dominicus (Linnaeus, 1766), from the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil, adult trematodes identified as Petasiger novemdecim Lutz, 1928 were found. The prevalence of infection was 55% (5/9), and the mean intensity of infection was 8 (1-32) parasites. Additionally, Biomphalaria straminea (Dunker, 1848) and Biomphalaria tenagophila (d'Orbigny, 1835) obtained from aquatic collections in the same state were found to harbor two species of echinostome cercariae of the Magnacauda group. These cercariae developed into metacercariae in experimentally infected Poecilia reticulata Peters, 1859. Attempts to obtain adult parasites in vertebrate host models (mice, chickens, ducks and canaries) were unsuccessful. The present study is the first report of Petasiger in Brazilian birds and the first morphological description of larvae of these parasites in Brazilian mollusks. Taxonomic aspects related to South American species of Petasiger are discussed. It is suggested that, based on significant morphological differences observed in larval stages (i.e., larval dimensions) and adult parasites (i.e., disposition of the testes), Petasiger caribbensis Nassi, 1980 should be reconsidered as a distinct species from P. novemdecim.

A new species of the genus Ambrostoma Motschulsky (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae, Chrysomelinae) from South Korea, with larval descriptions and biological notes

Ambrostoma koreana sp. n. is described from South Korea. Detailed descriptions and illustrations of adult and all larval instars are provided and differences to closely related species are discussed. Ovoviviparity is reported for the first time in the genus Ambrostoma. Notes on distribution, host plant and biology are also provided.

A new species of Cephaloleia from Panama with description of larva and first record of orchid-feeding in Cephaloleiini (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Cassidinae)

A new species of Cephaloleia from Panama with description of larva and first record of orchid-feeding in Cephaloleiini (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Cassidinae)

Eucnemid Larvae of the Nearctic Region. Part III: Mature Larval Descriptions for Three Species ofOnichodonNewman, 1838 (Coleoptera: Eucnemidae: Macraulacinae: Macraulacini), with Notes on Their Biology

Descriptions and illustrations of the fifth instars of Onichodon canadensis (Brown, 1940), Onichodon orchesides Newman, 1838, and Onichodon rugicollis (Fall, 1928) (Coleoptera: Eucnemidae: Macraulacinae: Macraulacini), all endemic in the Nearctic region, are given. These are the first larval descriptions for the genus Onichodon Newman, 1838. The descriptions are based on larvae collected from pieces of rotten wood. Adults for one of the three species were reared from those pieces placed in plastic bags and associated with preserved larvae found earlier in the field. Identity of O. rugicollis larvae were verified through a comparative study with larval exuviae from a previous project. Biological information is provided and larval morphology is briefly discussed among O. canadensis, O. orchesides, O. rugicollis, and other previously described larvae in other genera.

Description of larvae of the Feather Blenny, Hypsoblennius hentz (Pisces: Blenniidae), from New York Waters.

Hypsoblennius hentz (Lesueur) larvae are described from specimens recently collected in the vicinity of New York Harbor and Raritan Bay. Previous descriptions (Hildebrand and Cable 1938) were erroneous and additionally we provide the first yolk-sac larval descriptions for Western Atlantic Hypsoblennius. H. hentz larvae are distinguished from the other Atlantic species by the size and distribution of preopercular spines.

Description of larvae of four Haliplus species from Australia (Coleoptera: Haliplidae)

The third instar larvae of Haliplus fortescueensis Watts & McRae, 2010, H. halsei Watts & McRae, 2010, H. pilbaraensis Watts & McRae, 2010 and H. pinderi Watts & McRae, 2010 are described, together with the first instar larva of H. halsei Watts & McRae, 2010. A key to the six known third stage larvae of Australian Haliplidae is given and notes are given on subgeneric placement of the species.

Morphology of preimaginal stages of Lipara lucens (Diptera, Chloropidae) – a gall‐forming fly in the common reed (Phragmites australis)

AbstractThe article contains a complete description of the preimaginal stages of Lipara lucens Meigen, 1830, illustrated with 38 drawings. Previously published data on larval morphology are verified, and missing data are added. In descriptions of larvae, particular attention is paid to the facial mask, cephaloskeleton, anterior and posterior spiracles as well as locomotory structures. The morphological descriptions of the egg and pupa are supplemented with formerly unknown details. The article forms a basis for a complete description of the life history of this fly.

The Chironomidae collection at the Zoological Institute (St Petersburg): history, current state and role for further research

This paper briefly reviews the collection of Chironomidae (Diptera) housed at the Zoological Institute of Russian Academy of Sciences in St Petersburg (ZIN). Although it is the oldest and one of the largest Chironomidae collections in Russia, most of the collection has been unknown to specialists for decades. The collection consists of three main parts: dry specimens (about 20000 pinned adults), material in ethanol (over 25000 vials with larvae, pupae and adults) and permanent slides (over 12000 slides with larvae, pupae and adults). Based on a study of the collection itself, published sources and archival data, major periods for the formation of the collection are here described. Collectors and expeditions, whose contributions were most important, are listed, as well as the regions where the material was collected. The role of chironomid researchers, who made important contributions to the creation, enrichment or study of the collection, is also described. The contributions by Aleksei Chernovskii and Vera Pankratova are considered in more detail. According to a preliminary estimate, the collection contains type specimens of no less than 150 species described by 24 authors, and thousands of specimens determined by experts. The Chironomidae collection of ZIN is particularly important because it hopefully will enable us to correctly interpret many species names proposed in 1930-1980’s, mostly based on brief descriptions of larvae and currently often considered nomina dubia. In addition, the collection includes the unprocessed material from vast territory of the former Soviet Union, including many distant regions, which are still difficult to access. doi: 10.5324/fn.v31i0.1402.Published online: 17 October 2012.

Description of the larva ofTrineuragrion percostaleRis (Odonata: Megapodagrionidae) with a key to the larvae of New Caledonian genera of Megapodagrionidae

The larva of Trineuragrion percostale is described and illustrated based on an exuvia collected with the teneral female. Four more exuviae sampled without imagines are added for comparison and discussion of morphological variations. This is the first time the larva has been associated with the correct species, although the larval description was given earlier. Lieftinck

Eucnemid Larvae of the Nearctic Region. Part I: Description of the Larva ofRhagomicrus Bonvouloiri(Horn, 1886) (Coleoptera: Eucnemidae: Melasinae: Dirrhagini), With Notes on Its Biology

ABSTRACT A description and illustrations of the mature larva of Rhagomicrus bonvouloiri (Horn, 1886) (Coleoptera: Eucnemidae: Melasinae: Dirrhagini) are given. The description is based on mature larvae collected from pieces of rotten sugar maple wood (Acer saccharum Marshall). Adults were reared from those pieces placed in plastic bags and associated with larvae found in the field and preserved. Biological information is provided, based on literature records and personal observations. Historical accounts of larval discriptions in the Nearctic region are briefly discussed. This is the first larval description for Rhagomicrus Fleutiaux, 1902.

Eucnemid Larvae of the Nearctic Region. Part II: Description of the Mature Larva ofDeltometopus amoenicornis(Say, 1836) (Coleoptera: Eucnemidae: Macraulacinae: Macraulacini), with Notes on Its Biology

ABSTRACT A description and illustrations of the mature larva of Deltometopus amoenicornis (Say, 1836) (Coleoptera: Eucnemidae: Macraulacinae: Macraulacini), endemic in the Nearctic region, are given. The description is based on mature larvae collected from pieces of rotten sugar maple wood (Acer saccharum Marshall). Adults were reared from larvae in wood placed in plastic bags and associated with larvae found earlier in the field and preserved. Biological information is provided based on literature records and personal observations. Comparative morphology among larvae of Deltometopus Bonvouloir, 1871 and two other eucnemid genera is briefly discussed. This is the first larval description for Deltometopus.

Description of immature stages of Phelypera schuppeli (Boheman, 1834) with comments on natural history (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Hyperinae)

Immatures of the Phelypera schuppeli (Boheman, 1834) (Curculionidae; Hyperinae; Cepurini) are described, illustrated and compared with available descriptions of larvae and pupae of Hyperini. Immatures and adults from midwest (Dourados, Mato Grosso do Sul; Pirenópolis, Goiás) and southeast Brazil (Bauru, São Paulo) were found on leaves of the host plant, Pachira aquatica Aubl. ( Malvaceae, formerly Bombacaceae), a tree used as an ornamental plant in many Brazilian frost-free cities. Larvae of P. schuppeli are exophytic, brightly colored, eruciform and possess abdominal ambulatory ampullae, resembling larvae of Lepidoptera. Mature larvae can spin globular lattice-like cocoons where pupation takes place. Data in the field and under laboratory conditions confirmed previously published biological observations on P. schuppeli. Additional information about defensive behaviors, process of cocoon construction and natural enemies, such as the larval predator Supputius cinticeps (Stål, 1860) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) and the prepupal and pupal parasitoid Jaliscoa nudipennis Bouček, 1993 (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae), are reported.

Nuttalliella namaqua (Ixodoidea: Nuttalliellidae): First Description of the Male, Immature Stages and Re-Description of the Female

Nuttalliella namaqua is the only species of the enigmatic third tick family. Females possess features of hard and soft ticks and have been designated as the “missing link” between the main tick families. Its position at the base of the tick tree suggests that some of the features unique to hard and soft ticks were present in the ancestral tick lineage. Larvae, nymphae and males have not been described to date and questions regarding their biological affinities to the main tick families remain unclear. The current study addressed these questions via the description of larvae, nymphae and males and resolved issues pertaining to female morphology. Field collected as well as laboratory-engorged females laid eggs and viable larvae subsequently hatched. The larvae possess morphological structures not present in subsequent stages: namely, a sclerotized scutum, pores on the dorsal surface of legs and a dentate anal plate. The last two characters are not present in ixodids and argasids. N. namaqua larvae and nymphae show a similar morphology to females: a unique hypostomal structure i.e., bluntly rounded apically in nymphae and females and ball-like in the larvae. A re-description of some structures in female N. namaqua has resolved differences in the original descriptions, namely that N. namaqua have 4 palpal segments as found in ixodids and argasids and posthypostomal setae. The male was discovered for the first time and described. Characteristic male features include: a pseudoscutum over most of the dorsum, an outgrowth on the chelicerae forming a unique rod-like structure similar to a spematodactyl in mites and medial extension of palpal segment 2 forming a large ventral crib for segment 4. All life stages possess some features found in hard and soft ticks and its status as the “missing link” between the tick families remains.

Los estadios larvarios de los Crisópidos ibéricos (Insecta, Neuroptera, Chrysopidae), nuevos elementos sobre la morfología larvaria aplicables a la sistemática de la familia

Tras una breve introducción sobre la evolución en el conocimiento de las fases juveniles de la familia Chrysopidae, sobre su biología, comportamiento y características morfológicas más interesantes, se realiza una revisión de los estadios preimaginales de las especies ibéricas (38 de las 49 especies, pertenecientes a los 13 géneros ibéricos), tanto en base a la información existente en la bibliografía, como en las descripciones realizadas por los autores tras la recolección de hembras grávidas, obtención de las puestas y cultivo de sus larvas. Se ofrece nueva información sobre la biología, comportamiento, aspecto, pigmentación y quetotaxia detallada de la larva neonata y de la larva madura de estas 38 especies, y se describen por primera vez los estadios preimaginales de Chrysopa dorsalis, Nineta guadarramensis, Suarius iberiensis e Italochrysa stigmatica. Se proponen una serie de caracteres morfológicos especialmente válidos para la diferenciación de las larvas ibéricas a nivel de subfamilia, tribu, género y especie. A nivel de subfamilia: morfología de la antena y número de sensilas del último segmento del palpo labial. A nivel de género: quetotaxia cefálica, presencia o ausencia de una hilera transversal de setas en el mesonoto, número de tubérculos dorsales y laterodorsales en el abdomen, morfología y desarrollo de los tubérculos laterales del tórax y morfología de las setas. Y a nivel de especie: pigmentación cefálica, morfología de la uña, forma del espiráculo mesotorácico, del esclerito laterodorsal protorácico, número y longitud de las setas de los tubérculos laterales y laterodorsales del abdomen, número de setas de la hilera posteroventral del segmento abdominal X y coloración tegumentaria. En base a estos caracteres, se ofrece una clave de subfamilias, géneros y especies ibéricas que posibilitan su identificación. Comprobamos que el empleo de caracteres morfológicos larvarios apoya, de forma general, la actual clasificación basada en los imagos, aunque el estudio de la morfología larvaria de todas estas especies, nos ha permitido detectar una serie de anomalías que cuestionan la validez o la identidad taxonómica de lo que hasta ahora entendíamos sobre algunas especies ibéricas (Pseudomallada prasinus, Chrysopa nigricostata, Chrysopa phyllochroma y Chrysopa viridana). A nivel global, el desconocimiento general sobre la morfología larvaria de muchos géneros de esta familia limita, por ahora, la utilización de caracteres morfológicos larvarios en estudios taxonómicos y sistemáticos generales, haciéndose necesaria la realización de descripciones más detalladas y completas en un mayor número de especies de un mayor número de géneros/tribus/subfamilias a nivel mundial. Como complemento a este estudio, y tras más de treinta años de toma de nuevos datos, se recopila y actualiza la información existente sobre la biología, preferencia de sustrato vegetal, distribución geográfica, altitudinal y fenológica de las especies de crisopas ibéricas.

Association of larvae and adults of Mexican species of Macrelmis (Coleoptera: Elmidae): a preliminary analysis using DNA sequences

Insect life stages are known imperfectly in many cases, and classifications are usually based on adult morphology. This isunfortunate as information on other life stages may be useful for biomonitoring. The major impediment to using elmid(Coleoptera) larvae for freshwater biomonitoring is the lack of larval descriptions and illustrations. Reliable molecular proto-cols may be used to associate larvae and adults. After adults of seven species of Mexican Macrelmis were identified morpho-logically, seven larval specimens were associated to them based on two gene fragments: Cox1 and Cob. The phylogeneticanalysis allowed identifying the larval specimens as Macrelmis leonilae, M. scutellaris, M. species 7, M. species 10, and M.species 11. Two species based on adults associated uncertainly with one larva, and one larva did not match with any adult. Adult/larval association in elmids using DNA sequence data seems to be promising in terms of speed and reliability.

The Nearctic-Caribbean species Leptotrachelus dorsalis (Fabricius, 1801): Larval descriptions with a diagnosis of immature Ctenodactylini and natural history notes on the genus and tribe (Coleoptera, Carabidae)

Adults and larvae of Leptotrachelus dorsalis (Fabricius), the Sugarcane Savior Beetle, live in association with grasses, the larvae in the appressed leaf axils. Both adult and larval Leptotrachelus dorsalis eat larvae of the Sugarcane Borer, Diatraea saccharalis (Fabricius), and perhaps other insects living in the confines of the leaf sheaths of that and other grass-like species. The geographic range of Leptotrachelus dorsalis extends from Kansas in the west to the Atlantic seaboard, north as far as Ontario, Canada and south to Cuba; it is an eastern species of North America and the Caribbean. Larval character attributes that are shared with a related ctenodactyline, Askalaphium depressum (Bates), provide a preliminary basis for characterization of the immatures of tribe Ctenodactylini.

Missouri State Record forPolypedilum(Pentapedilum)TritumWalker (Diptera: Chironomidae) Based on Larval Identifications from Wadeable Streams

INTRODUCTION Polypedilum (Pentapedilum) tritum (Walker) has a widespread Holarctic dis tribution (Stone et al., 1965; Oliver et al., 1990; Caldwell et al., 1997; Oyewo and Saether, 2008). However, Epler (2001) noted the name P. tritum may represent more than one species in the southeastern USA. We identified larvae of P. tritum in samples collected from 27 of 224 wadeable streams sampled in Missouri during the years 2008-2010. Streams where specimens of P. tritum were collected were sampled during 28 March and 16 to 18 September, 2008, 31 March and 1 April, 2009, and 23 March to 6 April, 2010 in the Osage Plains, Ozark Highlands, and Central Dissected Till Plains ecological sections of Missouri (Cleland et al., 1997; Nigh and Schroeder 2002) (Fig. 1). Our records of P. tritum represent the first for this species in Missouri, although larvae of this species may have been misidentified as members of the Polypedilum illinoense group in earlier collections. The undeveloped posterior lobe in the ventromental plates, antennae with vestigial Lauterborn organs and long segments 3 and 4, and the sunken first lateral teeth of the mentum should be a unique set of characters to distinguish larvae of P. tritum from larvae of other described species (for full description see Oyewo and Saether, 2008). However, there are 52 recognized species in the subgenus Pentapedilum, but only 11 of those have larval descriptions (Oyewo and Saether, 2008). Although undescribed larvae of some Polypedilum species may, possibly, have characteristics in common with some diagnostic characteristics of larval P. tritum, we are confident in our identifications of lar val P. tritum based upon the description for larvae of this species provided by Oyewo and Saether (2008). Volume 122, Number 2, March and April 2011 165