Symphyla Research Articles

Redescription of the enigmatic myriapod Hanseniellachilensis (Hansen, 1903) (Symphyla, Scutigerellidae) based on scanning electron microscope images of Chilean specimens.

Hanseniellachilensis is the only myriapod of the class Symphyla known from Chile. This garden centipede, or pseudocentipede, was described more than 120 years ago based on morphologically incomplete specimens collected in central Chile, a well-known biodiversity hotspot. In this study, we redescribe this species based on morphologically complete specimens collected near the type locality using scanning electron microscope images. Our study provides the description of diagnostic characters hitherto unknown in this species such as macrochaetae of the tergites and spinnerets of the cerci. We also include a new record from central Chile and discuss the presumed presence of this species in Argentina and Madagascar.

The first records of Symphyla (Myriapoda) in Siberia, Russia

The first records of Symphyla (Myriapoda) in Siberia, Russia

Pauropoda (Myriapoda) from Sabah (East Malaysia) (Pauropoda and Symphyla of the Geneva Museum XI)

A collection of Pauropoda from Sabah, the East Malaysian part of Borneo, contains 64 specimens from 14 species. They belong to the genera Allopauropus, Stylopauropus, Pauropus, Hemipauropus, Brachypauropoides, Samarangopus and Sphaeropauropus. The following nine species are described as new to science: Allopauropus kinabaluensis sp. n., Allopauropus yoshii sp. n., Pauropus borneensis sp. n., Brachypauropoides prolatus sp. n., Samarangopus longipenes sp. n., Samarangopus ternarius sp. n., Samarangopus proekes sp. n., Sphaeropauropus penicillius sp. n. and Sphaeropauropus arcuatus sp. n.

The Pauropoda and Symphyla of the Geneva Museum VIII. Pauropoda collected in Greece by Dr. Bernd Hauser (Myriapoda)

The Pauropoda and Symphyla of the Geneva Museum VIII. Pauropoda collected in Greece by Dr. Bernd Hauser (Myriapoda)

Cave Symphyla from Switzerland

Cave Symphyla from Switzerland

Movement and Seasonal Populations of the Garden Centipede in Greenhouse Soil

Movement and Seasonal Populations of the Garden Centipede in Greenhouse Soil

A Synopsis of the Genus Scutigerella (Symphyla: Scutigerellidae)

For a number of years the writer has made an effort to obtain examples of the garden centipede, Scutigerella immaculata (Newp.) from different parts of the world. As a result, specimens of this genus have now been received from Europe and Palestine as well as from several localities in North America. An examination of this material has shown that several species are involved and that, in a number of cases, they have been previously referred to by various authors as S. immaculata . One factor contributing to this situation is the fact that S. immaculata is a variable species. Michelbacher (1938) has previously shown that individuals molt from time to time during their entire life. Following the sixth molt they have 12 pairs of legs and the full number of scuta, but additional changes occur with the following molts, and these are particularly marked during the seventh to eleventh instars. The number of setae occuring on various parts of the body increase, anatomical proportions change, antennal segments are added, and there is an increase in body size. Thus it is no wonder then that considerable difficulty may be encountered in properly placing a species.

Seasonal Variation in the Distribution of Two Species of Symphyla Found in California

The members of the class Symphyla are widely distributed throughout the world and have been encountered in population studies conducted by Morris (1922, 1927), Thompson (1924), Edwards (1929), Sawa (1930) and Williams (1931). The garden centipede, Scutigerella immaculata (Newp.), may occur in great numbers in many localities and has been reported as doing serious damage to growing crops in the United States, England, France, Portugal and the Hawaiian Islands. While working with this species in the delta region of the Sacramento River, the writer noted marked variations in populations. An investigation was therefore undertaken to determine the cause of these fluctuations.

Two new Victorian Symphyla of the genus Hansenella

Two new Victorian Symphyla of the genus Hansenella

The biology of the garden centipede,Scutigerella immaculata

does not appear. First page follows. Introduction An attempt has been made in this study, not only to extend the knowledge concerning the garden centipede, Scutigerella immaculata (Newp.), but also to bring together much of the literature pertaining to it. The entire field is so extensive that it has not been possible to make a complete study of it. For this reason some of the material given has been obtained wholly from the literature. The fields most thoroughly studied are those which deal with the biological aspects. Many of the activities of the garden centipede have never been investigated thoroughly, and since the organism is a serious economic pest, it seemed probable that a better understanding of its biology might aid in directing control measures. During the present investigation the garden centipede has been studied under a great variety of conditions, including those of the laboratory, field, and greenhouse. Most of the field studies were confined to the low, rich, delta lands of the lower Sacramento River (fig. 1). Conditions over much of this area appear to be ideal for all the requirements of this animal. The Division of Soil Technology of the University of California characterizes the delta area as follows: it is low and flat and, for the most part, divided naturally into rather large islands surrounded by high levees which prevent them from being flooded. Most of this land is close to sea level, ranging from less than 10 feet above to 15 feet below sea level.

Control of the Garden Centipede in California

Control of the Garden Centipede in California

Observations on the Habits and Control of the Garden Centipede, Scutigerella Immaculata Newport, a pest in Greenhouses

The garden centipede, Scutigerella Immaculata Newport, is becoming a serious pest in greenhouses. This paper discusses some of the habits of this pest and deals with some of the control measures which have been tried and found to be of value.

An Analysis of Some of California's Major Entomological Problems

Because of the great variety of crops grown commercially in California, the economic entomologist must specialize to a large degree in order best to serve. There is much waste and injury in the use of insecticides when a proper scientific basis for action is lacking. In this, both the farmer and the entomologist are often at fault. An unbiased investigation of the fundamental principles of insect control will in some instances at least, reveal astonishing discrepancies in our present methods of procedure. Intensive laboratory experiments coupled with carefully planned field investigations are essential. Thus experiments with newly hatched codling moth larvae which attack both the apple and English walnut in California, indicate that the efficacy of lead arsenate in protecting apples in particular against side entrances and stings has been greatly overestimated. Greater attention to orchard and packing house sanitation is urged. With what appears to be a gradual development of resistance of the black scale of oranges to hyrocyanic acid gas and the well known resistance of the citrus red spiders to the same gas, oil sprays are now being used quite extensively in the citrus areas of California. A strong tendency to use oil sprays against red spiders on prunes is evident in many parts. The use of oil sprays presents many difficult problems such as possible injury to the tree and discoloration of the fruit, but much trouble has already been obviated by the development of a quick breaking emulsion of highly refined lubricating oils. The large amount of damage done by the garden centipede to asparagus and that of certain soil infesting nematodes has created a strong demand for soil fumigants. It has been found, however, that the damage to asparagus done by the garden centipede can be entirely overcome by proper flooding where that is possible. On the other hand, an effective soil fumigant is now available in the xanthates which are valuable when properly employed on account of the decomposition product, carbon disulfide. Sugar beets, one of the pioneer crops of California, have been threatened for some years by a disease known as curly-top which is carried by a very small leafhopper. The control of this insect presents much difficulty on account of its migratory habits. Cotton is one of the newer crops of California but is already valued at over $10,000,000. To keep this crop free from the pests so prevalent in the South is one of our problems, and to prevent native insects from transferring their affections from wild vegetation to this valuable crop is another. California beekeepers have long disagreed as to the nectar value of the California buckeye. It is now known that when severe droughts curtail the nectar possibilities of other plants and bees are compelled to use the buckeye alone, poisoning of the bees is pretty sure to follow, while mixed with nectar from other plants, that of the buckeye is harmless. Similar climatic peculiarities limit the use of top minnows (Gambusia) in anopheline mosquito control. Great differences in topography within a short distance, likewise ocean and desert influences within a narrow range, greatly influence climate and make it dangerous to generalize in control recommendations.

The Garden Centipede, Scutigerella Immaculata (Newport), a Pest of Economic Importance in the West

The garden centipede, Scutigerella immaculate (Newport), is found widely distributed throughout the world and has been studied by zoologists for many years in relation to the supposedly ancestral characters of insects, chilopods and diplopods. In recent years it has been considered by economic entomologists of California, Oregon and Utah as among the most important and destructive pests in many truck crop sections of these States. In California it is particularly destructive to asparagus shoots and seedlings of beans, peas, melons, etc., the injury being due to the pest's eating numerous small holes in the host. All stages in the life history of the little animals have been found in the intensively cultivated asparagus fields. Para dichlorobenzene and calcium cyanide as soil fumigants have given encouraging results in controlling the symphylid and other soil pests and more extensive experiments with these chemicals are in progress. In the asparagus fields of the Delta region of the Sacramento River, flooding has proven quite practical as a control in several cases. Best results from flooding have been obtained where the fields were kept thoroughly and continuously covered to a depth of a foot or more for from two to three weeks.

XLIII.—Records of some British Symphyla

XLIII.—<i>Records of some British</i> Symphyla