Austral Entomology最新文献

The identification of the Gonipterus scutellatus complex species, known as the eucalyptus snout beetle, remained confusing for several years worldwide. Currently, the species Gonipterus platensis and Gonipterus pulverulentus are cited as present in Brazil. However, precise Gonipterus species identification, geographic distribution and economic importance in Brazil are unknown. Thus, our objectives were (i) to confirm the identification of Gonipterus species from different localities in Brazil using the sequencing of COI gene fragment, (ii) design a specific multiplex PCR marker for rapid molecular identification of Gonipterus species present in Brazil and (iii) apply a phylogeographic approach to assess the genetic diversity, demographic parameters and genetic structure of G. platensis population in Brazil. We confirmed the presence of G. platensis and G. pulverulentus in Brazilian territory. The species show different distribution, where G. platensis is widely distributed and G. pulverulentus is restricted to the south region. Gonipterus platensis populations are in spatial expansion, probably associated with the growth of Eucalyptus-cultivated areas in Brazilian territory. Significant regional genetic population structure reinforces that the long dispersion processes of G. platensis within Brazilian territory is mediated by human activities. Thus, quarantine practices must be maintained and implemented to prevent new domestic and international introductions of Gonipterus specimens in Eucalyptus fields in Brazil.

The relationship between herbivorous insects and plants is an example of an ‘evolutionary arms race’. Understanding the relationship between insects and their host plants makes it possible to determine critical points in the bioecology of these herbivores. In this relationship, insects and plants use strategies to overcome, avoid and mitigate the actions of the other. Insect-induced galls are one of the great examples of this ‘arms race’. Psyllids (Hemiptera: Psylloidea) are among the most important gall-inducing insects. The psyllid Triozoida limbata (Triozidae) is an important pest of guava (Psidium guajava) in the Neotropics. Thus, this work aimed to determine the morphological, anatomical, and biochemical changes in guava leaves caused by T. limbata to study the ‘arms race’ between these two organisms. Therefore, the process of gall formation on guava leaves during the psyllid life cycle was described. A comparative study of the anatomy and levels of phytohormones in leaves attacked and not attacked by the psyllid was carried out. It was found that the psyllid attack triggered the plant's defence by increasing the jasmonic acid content in the leaves. The psyllid attack caused anatomical changes in the leaves (such as cell non-differentiation), allowing the insect to survive feeding on the plant. In addition, the psyllid-induced galls provided shelter for the psyllid.

Details of feeding behaviour of Australian sawfly species on eucalypt hosts are not well known. In this study, we report new findings on two pergid sawflies, Lophyrotoma interrupta and an unidentified species of Lophyrotoma, after observing larvae feed. We confirmed both daily and nightly feeding regimes, with L. interrupta and Lophyrotoma sp. engaged in feeding-related activities 92.2% and 67.0% of the time, respectively. A colony sometimes splits into subcolonies as a leaf depletes; individuals leave singly and explore surrounding leaves before joining the rest of the colony feeding on the new leaf. As a specific feeding behaviour, the larvae of both species cut midveins on surrounding leaves in one of several ways before and during feeding. Larvae used pre-processed cut leaves at a ratio ranging from 0.64 to 0.88 of the whole leaves eaten. Of the leaves cut prior to feeding, approximately half were not consumed, whereas the remaining were consumed 2 days after cutting (median time). We observed a decreasing trend of further cuttings when the proportion of damaged leaves in the surrounding area was increased. Feeding of Lophyrotoma sp. followed a clear pattern: Usually, the last individual remaining on the leaf severed the leaf petiole as it left. This petiole snipping occurred in over half the leaves that larvae had used; however, this behaviour was not observed in L. interrupta.

No abstract is available for this article.

Dolichozelia gen. nov. and its type species Dolichozelia caete gen. et sp. nov. from the subfamily Dexiinae are described from São Paulo (Brazil). The description of Neozelia alini Guimarães, 1975 was the last description of a new genus of Neotropical Dexiini; and after almost 50 years, the description of Dolichozelia gen. nov. constitutes the first new genus of Dexiini from the Neotropical region since Guimarães’ contribution. Prior to this study, 64 genera of Dexiini were known from the Neotropics, the larger tribe of Dexiinae. Herein, a diagnostic key for the Zelia group of genera is given, with the inclusion of Dolichozelia gen. nov. In addition, a brief systematic discussion on dexiines is given in order to further discuss the systematic position of Dolichozelia gen. nov. in the tribe Dexiini. The new genus can be easily distinguished from the other genera in the tribe, mainly by the following combination of characters: legs very elongate, about 3× the length of the abdomen; abdomen about 3× the length of the thorax; syntergite 1 + 2 with a pair of marginal median setae and tergite 3 with two to three equal sized pairs of discal setae; tergite 5 elongate, ending in conical structure. Finally, a description and illustration of the male terminalia is provided for the new genus and species.

New Caledonia is a biodiversity hotspot, but its gall midge fauna remains poorly known. In this study, we describe a gall midge Neocaledonidiplosis neoaryterae Elsayed, gen. et sp. nov. (Cecidomyiinae: Cecidomyiini) inducing leaf galls on Neoarytera chartacea (Sapindaceae) in Noumea, New Caledonia. The new genus is closely related to the catch-all genus Contarinia, but distinguishable by the shorter ovipositor, longer aedeagus that bears sensoria and presence of the occipital protuberance. Molecular phylogenetic analysis was conducted and supported the close relationship of the new genus with Contarinia. This is the first example of a gall midge belonging to the tribe Cecidomyiini to be reported on Sapindaceae.

Lord Howe Island is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with a highly endemic biota and a history of recent species extinction. During the 2017 and 2018 Australian Geographic Society expeditions to Lord Howe Island, spider wasps in the genus Ctenostegus Haupt, 1930 were collected from various sites. A new species – C. hansoni sp. nov. – is described based on this material. The external morphology and male genitalic features are illustrated for all constituents of the C. immitis species-group, for which an identification key is provided. New distribution data for the Hymenoptera of Lord Howe Island include an additional genus of Pompilidae (Fabriogenia sp.) and the first record for the family Mutillidae (Ephutomorpha sp.). Ctenostegus hansoni sp. nov. is one of the few spider wasps restricted to an oceanic island and constitutes an intriguing new record of long-distance dispersal from mainland Australia followed by speciation.

The lacebug tribe Ceratocaderini (Tingidae: Cantacaderinae) is reviewed. The tribe comprises five genera from the Southern Hemisphere: Allocader Drake, Australocader Lis, Caledoderus Guilbert, Ceratocader Drake, and Coolacader gen. nov. The tribe is restricted to the Australian and New Caledonian regions. This revision includes the description of a new genus, Coolacader gen. nov. and six new species from three other genera: Australocader porchi sp. nov., Ceratocader piae sp. nov., Ceratocader spiculas sp. nov., Coolacader cupido sp. nov., Coolacader kardia sp. nov. and Coolacader valentine sp. nov. The nymph of Ceratocader is detailed for the first time, and the nymphs of three species of Coolacader gen. nov. are described. Allocader cordatus (Hacker, 1927) is transferred to Coolacader gen. nov., resulting in a new combination Coolacader cordatus (Hacker, 1927) comb. nov., and Allocader nesiotes Drake & Ruhoff, 1962 is transferred to the genus Caledoderus, resulting in a new combination Caledoderus nesiotes (Drake & Ruhoff, 1962) comb. nov.. This work increases the number of species in the tribe from 13 to 19. A revised key to the genera and species of the Ceratocaderini is provided.

Calliphora augur (Fabricius) and Calliphora dubia (Macquart) are two widespread and endemic Australian blowflies of applied importance. In order to better understand the biology of these species, this study used historical, field and laboratory data to determine and interpret their distributions. Locality records from insect collections and the literature were used to determine the known distributions of each species. The resultant maps were partially verified with field trapping data for each species. Calliphora augur was found to dominate in the east of Australia, while C. dubia dominates in the west. Comparative laboratory and field experiments were also used to derive parameters defining the distributions of these two closely related species, particularly in relation to temperature and moisture. Calliphora dubia had a greater tolerance for dry stress and high temperatures than C. augur, although maggots of both species displayed similar developmental temperature preferences. No difference was seen between species in the impact of low temperatures on the development of maggots through to the pupal stage. The greater ability of C. dubia to tolerate adverse environmental conditions is most likely linked to the shared evolutionary history of both species, in which increased aridity in central Australia is proposed to have triggered speciation by separating ancestral populations: C. dubia evolved in the hot, dry conditions in the west of Australia, while C. augur evolved in the cooler, moist environment of the east. Improved understanding of the influences on the distributions of these common Australian blowflies will assist in the further study of their application to agriculture and forensic science.