Fragmenta entomologica

Red wood Ants (Formica rufa-group) prefer mature pine forests in Variscan granite environments (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

Gabriele M. Berberich, Martin B. Berberich, Matthias Gibhardt — Sun, 15 May 2022 00:00:00 +0000

We used presence/absence data of 5,160 red wood ant nests (RWA; Formica polyctena) acquired in a systematic large-scale area-wide survey in two study areas (≈350 ha) in the Oberpfalz, NE Bavaria, Germany to explore for the first time the influence of variable (e.g., forest type, tree age) and quasi-invariant factors (e.g., tectonics, geochemical composition of the bedrock) on nest size and spatial distribution for Variscan granites. A combination of the forest type (mature pine-dominated forests (≈80–140 years) as main variable factor and the geochemical property of the Variscan granites with their high natural Radon potential and moderate heat production as main quasi-invariant factor could explain the high nest numbers in both study areas. In addition, the spatially clustered distribution patterns of the observed nests suggest a strong interaction between nests and their quasi-invariant environment, especially the directionality of the present-day stress field and the direction of the tectonically formed “Erbendorfer Line”. In general, such a combination of variable and quasi-invariant factors can be addressed as particularly favorable RWA habitats.

Updates on the little-known Firminus maltensis, with revisited classification based on the anatomy of everted endophallus (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae, Melolonthinae)

Marco Uliana, Valerio Gallerati — Sun, 15 May 2022 00:00:00 +0000

New information on the almost unknown rhizotrogine Firminus maltensis Rössner & Zorn, 2013, endemic to the Maltese Archipelago, is provided, based on new specimens recently collected. The species is transferred to the genus Rhizotrogus, introducing Rhizotrogus maltensis (Rössner & Zorn, 2013) as comb. nov., based on new evidence provided by the morphology of the endophallus, whose everted structure is addressed for the first time in the genera Firminus and Rhizotrogus. A comparative diagnostic characterization for the endophalli of the two genera is proposed. Some morphological traits are also discussed, and the first behavioural and ecological observations are provided.

New and less known Orthoptera from biodiversity hotspots of Mozambique and Zambia (Tettigoniidae; Acrididae)

Bruno Massa — Sun, 15 May 2022 00:00:00 +0000

The study of a lot of specimens collected in Mozambique and Zambia by the African Naturalist Research Trust allowed to find out four new species, namely: Conocephalus (Anisoptera) maputensis n. sp. (from Mozambique), Eulioptera zambesiana n. sp. (from Zambia), Melidia pif n. sp. (from Zambia), and Plangia geroi n. sp. (from Zambia). Further eleven species are newly recorded from Zambia or Mozambique.

Orthopteran diversity and distribution in the Monviso Natural Park (Western Italian Alps) (Insecta: Orthoptera)

Davide Giuliano — Sun, 15 May 2022 00:00:00 +0000

The Alps represent a biodiversity hotspot in Europe, especially due to the occurrence of many endemic plant and animal species. In particular, the southwestern portions of the Alpine range have been identified as a centre of endemism for many taxa, including Orthoptera, thanks to the peculiar biogeographical history of this area. In this research, the orthopteran fauna living in one of the main massifs of the Italian western Alps (Monviso massif, Cottian Alps) was investigated, focusing on the Monviso Natural Park and the SAC/SPA IT1160058 “Gruppo del Monviso e Bosco dell’Alevé” territories. Merging field data with information gathered from bibliographical sources, public and private databases, a checklist of 51 species was compiled for the study area, including 7 W-Alpine endemic species and 4 Near-threatened taxa according to the European IUCN orthopteran Red List. Species distribution has been mapped in detail within the park, identifying core areas for endemic and near-threatened species, as well as for the overall orthopteran diversity, where desirable research and conservation efforts should be focused in future. In addition, combining field data with the information obtained by means of a little systematic review, the known elevation extremes of 43 orthopteran species observed in the study area are updated for the W-Alpine region, significantly improving the current knowledge on their altitudinal distribution in this area, especially in view of the upward range shifts expected in the ongoing climate change scenario.

Characteristics of thermal processes in ant nests built under stones (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

Stanislav Stukalyuk, Yury Radchenko — Sun, 15 May 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Ants prefer to nest under stones. This is due to temperature regimes favorable to the development of ant broods. In this paper, we investigated the influence of stone and ambient parameters on ant nests and created a model of thermal processes in ant nests under stones. The simulation results were compared with temperature measurements. Temperature was measured under 20 stones under different illumination conditions (sun, penumbra and shade) for 3 ant species (Myrmica rubra, Formica cinerea, Lasius niger) in Ukraine from April to August 2021. Stones were categorized as hot, warm and cold. Each stone was checked once a week for the number of workers and brood. Under two stones, temperature was measured using loggers. The number of workers under hot stones in spring increased three weeks earlier than under cold and warm ones. In May-June, the maximum number of workers was recorded under hot stones. In July, the number of ants was minimal under all categories of stones. Larvae appeared under hot stones two weeks earlier than under other categories of stones. In August, the number of pupae under cold and warm stones was greater than under hot ones. Number of larvae and pupae was positively influenced by the diameter of the stone, whereas stone height did not exert an important role. Ants preferred to inhabit nests under large flat stones, which are easily heated in spring and warm the soil under them. Another important characteristic was the location of the stones. The highest brood development was noted in nests under stones in open areas well lit by the sun in the daytime. In summer ants migrated from under hot stones, because soil under it dry and warmed. Stones and their position may be important factors in accelerating the development of brood in colonies of ant species that do not have active thermoregulation.

Shore fly (Diptera: Ephydridae) communities from Ria de Aveiro, with new records for Portugal

Catarina Prado e Castro, Vasco Santos, Olga M.C.C. Ameixa — Sun, 15 May 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Saltmarshes are considered one of the most productive habitats in the world and exhibit a spatial zonation of its vegetation, from the intertidal flats to the seawall or dunes providing habitats to specific invertebrate assemblage adapted to regular submergence by seawater, and the resulting high soil salinity. These ecotones are essential to support coastal food webs and in providing nursery areas, for fish, crustaceans, and birds. Ria de Aveiro costal lagoon has been the focus of considerable research, but despite being part of Nature 2000 network, and being a Long-Term Ecological Research (LTER) site, insects have been systematically neglected. In this work we present new shore flies (Ephydridae) records from Ria de Aveiro saltmarshes, Portugal. Field collections were carried in seven locations along Ria de Aveiro saltmarshes areas by sweep-netting the dominating halophyte vegetation in September 2020. A total of 283 Ephydridae specimens from 8 genus and 17 species were collected. From these, 9 species are new records for Portuguese territory, 3 of them to the Iberian Peninsula. This work contributes to increase the dipterological knowledge regarding Ephydridae diversity in southern Europe, and to identify potential halophyte plant pests since several Ephydridae species are phytophagous.

The coccid-tending ant genus Acropyga Roger (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) and its obligate associated myrmecophilous scale insect genus Eumyrmococcus Silvestri (Hemiptera: Xenococcidae) new to Italy

Antonio Scupola, Antonio Durante, Francesco Giannuzzi, Giuseppina Pellizzari — Sun, 15 May 2022 00:00:00 +0000

The ant genus Acropyga Roger, 1862 (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) and its associated myrmecophilous scale insect genus Eumyrmococcus Silvestri, 1926 (Hemiptera: Xenococcidae) are reported from Italy for the first time. These records are based on some alates of Acropyga paleartica Menozzi, 1936 with females of Eumyrmococcus corinthiacus Williams, 1993 carried in their mandibles, collected in Salento area (Apulia region, South Eastern Italy) in 2020.

New records of acalyptrate Diptera from Sicily (Brachycera, Muscomorpha: Asteiidae, Aulacigastridae, Carnidae, Lonchaeidae, Odiniidae, Pallopteridae, Periscelididae, Piophilidae, Sciomyzidae, Ulidiidae)

Martin J. Ebejer, Giuseppe Nicolosi — Sun, 15 May 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Four families with five species of acalyptrate Diptera are recorded for the first time from Sicily: Aulacigastridae [Aulacigaster falcata Papp, A. leucopeza (Meigen)], Odiniidae [Odinia trinotata Robineau-Desvoidy], Periscelididae [Periscelis annulata (Fallén)] and Carnidae [Meoneura freta Collin]. In six families that were previously known from Sicily, an additional nine new species records are given. The lists of species of Meoneura Rondani of Italy and of Herina Robineau-Desvoidy (Ulidiidae) of Sicily are updated.

Taxonomic notes on some species of genus Charopus Erichson, 1840 in the Mediterranean Region (Coleoptera: Cleroidea, Melyridae, Malachiinae)

Gabriele Franzini — Sun, 15 May 2022 00:00:00 +0000

The results of the study of several hundred specimens of the genus Charopus, preserved in public and private collections from the Mediterranean region are here presented. For C. rotundatus Erichson, 1840 the neotype is here described. C. nitidus Küster, 1849 stat. rest. and C. multicaudis Kiesenwetter, 1866 stat. rest. are resurrected from synonymy with C. rotundatus and regarded as valid species. For C. nitidus Küster, 1849 stat. rest. a neotype is designated and described. Charopus varipes Baudi di Selve, 1872 stat. rest. is resurrected from synonymy with C. pallipes (A.G. Olivier, 1790) and regarded as a valid species. Elements for identification of the above mentioned species are provided in the form of comparative tables, and distributional data; list of known localities are also supplied. The distributions of Charopus apicalis Kiesenwetter, 1859, C. concolor (Fabricius, 1801) and C. flavipes (Paykull, 1798) are also briefly discussed. The new synonymy Cyrtosus (Oogynes) reitteri Abeille de Perrin, 1890 = Charopus crassicornis Wittmer, 1975 is proposed. A partial key to known males of Western Palaearctic species is also provided.

Two new species of Acanthocreagris from Corsica and mainland France, and notes on some congeneric species (Pseudoscorpiones: Neobisiidae)

Giulio Gardini — Sun, 15 May 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Two new species of the genus Acanthocreagris Mahnert, 1974 are described from Corsica (Acanthocreagris cyrnea sp. n.) and from the French department of Var (Acanthocreagris heurtaultae sp. n.). Specimens of Acanthocreagris cf. foghesa Gardini, 2018 and Acanthocreagris ruffoi (Lazzeroni, 1969) from Sardinia and Sicily, respectively, are described and depicted. Acanthocreagris lanzai (Beier, 1961) is newly recorded from Piedmont, Acanthocreagris microphthalma Callaini, 1986 from Marche and Umbria, Acanthocreagris ruffoi from Marche and Campania.

Notes on Paratrichius Janson, 1881 inhabiting Hainan Island, with description of a new species and the definition of two new junior synonyms (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae, Cetoniinae)

Enrico Ricchiardi, Yuanyuan Lu, Sha Li, Bai Ming — Sun, 15 May 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Nearly three decades ago two new species belonging to the genus Paratrichius Janson, 1881 were described from Hainan Island (SW China): Paratrichius papilionaceus Ma, 1990 and P. rufescens Ma, 1990. The present paper increases the number of Paratrichius species known from Hainan Island to four, with the description of a new species (P. pilosus Ricchiardi and Lu, n. sp.), and a new regional record for P. elegantulus (Moser, 1902), thus far known from N Indochina and continental SW China only. Additionally, Paratrichius papilionaceus Ma, 1990 is here proposed as junior synonym of Paratrichius marmoreus (Moser, 1902), described from northern Vietnam (n. syn.), and Paratrichius brevifolius Kobayashi and Fujioka, 2013, described from northern Vietnam, is here proposed as junior synonym of the above cited Paratrichius elegantulus (Moser, 1902) (n. syn.). Among the four Paratrichius species now listed from Hainan, two (P. pilous and P. rufescens) are very likely endemic to the island’s highlands, while other two inhabit the highlands of northern Vietnam, too.

New records of Tarucus balkanicus at the northern limit of its distribution along the Adriatic coast (Lepidoptera: Papilionoidea, Lycaenidae)

Sun, 15 May 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Occurrences of the Little Tiger Blue, Tarucus balkanicus (Freyer, 1844) in Croatia and Bosnia & Herzegovina represent the northern and western distribution limits of this species in its entire range. During our surveys the species was observed at 27 locations in Croatia and two new locations in Bosnia & Herzegovina. The most interesting records are from the three northern Adriatic islands: Cres, Rab and Pag, which represent a significant northward extension in the known range of the species in Croatia. While the records from Bosnia & Herzegovina fall into their known range, they represent the only observations of the species in more than 30 years. We redefined the distribution limits of its range in the Balkan Peninsula, including four Adriatic islands. Its habitat in the region is not under direct threat, at least in the short-term. Moreover, its hostplant P. spina-christi Mill., thrives in abandoned pastures and grasslands in Mediterranean and submediterranean regions in both countries and is one of the more successful colonizers of such abandoned areas. Thus, the species is not considered threatened at least in Croatia and could benefit from ongoing abandonment of the pastures and grasslands as well as climate change.

Contributions to the knowledge of tiger beetles in Paraguay, with new country and departmental records (Coleoptera: Cicindelidae)

Brogan L Pett, Paul Smith, Mr, Rufus Wyer — Sun, 15 May 2022 00:00:00 +0000

We report on four new country records of tiger beetles in Paraguay and 22 new departmental records based on specimens in Paraguayan collections. We also provide substantial increases to the knowledge on distributions of numerous species in the country through additional specimen records. The first tiger beetle records from south- western Ñeembucú are also provided. New country records are illustrated and comments on previous works dealing with the Paraguayan Cicindelid fauna are summarised.

Nest architectures of myrmecophilous stingless bees, Trigona cfr. cilipes and Paratrigona sp., from Peruvian Amazon

Sun, 15 May 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Stingless bees (Hymenoptera: Meliponini) are corbiculate and eusocial bees, including over 500 species distributed in the tropical and sub-tropical regions of the world. They establish perennial colonies using a large variety of nesting sites, as well as colonies of ants, wasps and termites. Compared to termitophily, myrmecophily is an uncommon feature and little studied aspect among Meliponini. In Peru there are few records relating to these types of associations, and in general little is known about the architecture of the nests of bees and ants that live together. For the first time, the nest architecture of Trigona cfr. cilipes in association with Dolichoderus quadridenticulatus is described from the Peruvian Amazon. The record of another association, Paratrigona sp. - Camponotus sp. is also reported. As the nests are arranged, the types of building materials used and some behavioral defense observations of ants and bees are also provided.

First record of two palearctic leafhoppers Euscelis ohausi and Euscelidius variegatus for the island of Crete, Greece (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae)

Sun, 15 May 2022 00:00:00 +0000

The island of Crete, due to the favorable temperate environmental conditions, is known for its high insect species biodiversity. In this contribution we report the occurrence of two cosmopolitan leafhoppers in Crete, Greece, Euscelis ohausi and Euscelidius variegatus, during systematic surveys for Auchenorrhyncha performed from 2017 to 2019. This study represents the first record of these leafhopper species for the island of Crete. Data on their distribution and bioecology on the island are included.

Corrigendum to “A new hypothesis on the evolution of the hybosorid beetle capacity to conglobate their bodies into a tight ball (Coleoptera: Scarabaeoidea)”

Vasily V. Grebennikov, Andrew B.T. Smith — Sun, 15 May 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Corrigendum to “A new hypothesis on the evolution of the hybosorid beetle capacity to conglobate their bodies into a tight ball (Coleoptera: Scarabaeoidea)”

Trapping methods and apparent commonness and rarity of small carrion beetles (Coleoptera: Leiodidae, Cholevinae)

Menno Schilthuizen — Sun, 15 May 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Generalised trapping methods are often used for unbiased sampling of specific taxa or guilds. Two previously unpublished data sets on small carrion beetles from the Netherlands show strikingly different species abundance distributions, which probably are largely the result of methods capturing different aspects of beetle activity.

La Araña toro, Macrothele calpeiana, repeatedly imported to Germany (Araneae: Macrothelidae)

Tobias Bauer, Ingo Wendt — Sun, 15 May 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Macrothele calpeiana (Walckenaer, 1805) is one the largest and most noticeable spiders that frequently “hitchhikes” with ornamental plants, a major vector for alien species, to areas outside its natural distribution. Two further imports of this species are presented herein, which were both found in Germany (Central Europe). While one specimen has been imported with an olive tree, the other spider was found in a potted citrus tree from Andalusia. The olive tree supposedly originates from Crete, for which no records of M. calpeiana are currently known. Both records probably represent only a small percentage of the specimens recently introduced To Germany (and Central Europe) by ornamental tree trade, as several postings on online spider boards and press articles suggest.

First record of Mordellistena algeriensis Ermisch, 1966 in Italy (Coleoptera: Mordellidae)

Dávid Selnekovič, Ján Kodada — Sun, 15 May 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Mordellistena algeriensis Ermisch, 1966, so far known from Algeria and Tunisia, is now being reported from Italy for the first time, based on the two specimens collected recently in Sardinia. Details of the new record, differential diagnosis of the species, figures of the diagnostic characters, and habitus images are provided.

Capnodis cariosa (Pallas, 1776) found in a new Romanian location at the northern limit of its distribution range (Coleoptera: Buprestidae)

Adrian Ruicanescu, Amalia Dumbravă, Andreea Drăghici — Sun, 15 May 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Here we report a new population of Capnodis cariosa from the South-Western Romania, at the border with the Republic of Serbia (Danube’s Defile). The presence of this species was reported in the past from Southern Dobroudja (South-Eastern Romania, near the Bulgarian border), this being its only, yet nowadays probably extinct, local Romanian population. In our citizen science-based investigations, which started in the spring of 2020, we found 16 specimens in the area of the Iron Gates Natural Park, between Dubova and Svinița (Danube’s Defile, Mehedinți County). This location represents the northernmost one for this species in Europe and the only verified present-day location for this species in Romania. Some considerations about biology, ecology and distribution of Capnodis cariosa are also provided. Two updated distribution maps of this species in Romania, in the Danube’s Defile and in the whole Mediterranean areas, are also presented.

First record of Aphaereta difficilis Nixon, 1939 from Italy with a key to the Italian species of the genus (Hymenoptera: Braconidae, Alysiinae)

Erminio Rolli, Francisco Javier Peris-Felipo — Sun, 15 May 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Abstract

The present article reports the first discovery of Aphaereta difficilis Nixon, 1939 (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Alysiinae) in Italy. The specimens were captured on the external wall of a house on the outskirts of the city of Galatone (province of Lecce, South-Eastern Italy) at the end of October 2020. They formed an aggregation of about eight specimens, all females, and they were in the immediate vicinity of pieces of rotting meat, so it is plausible to assume that the specimens came out of some Diptera-Cyclorrapha chrysalis. These finds represent a significant contribution towards a better knowledge of the distribution of members of the genus Aphaereta in Italy. Moreover, a key to the Italian Aphaereta species is provided.

Arsipoda reidi, a new replacement name for Arsipoda montana D’Alessandro, Samuelson & Biondi (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)

Maurizio Biondi, Paola D'Alessandro — Sun, 15 May 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Arsipoda reidi nom. nov. is proposed for Arsipoda montana D’Alessandro, Samuelson & Biondi, 2016 because the specific name was preoccupied by the species Arsipoda montana Oke, 1932.

A new species of Reticulana from the Bismarck Archipelago (Lepidoptera: Erebidae)

Alberto Zilli — Sun, 15 May 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Reticulana sculpta sp. n., a second species of the hitherto monobasic genus Reticulana, is described from New Ireland (Bismarck Archipelago). The new species is similar to the congener R. costilinea from New Guinea, from which it can easily be distinguished by features of the wing pattern and the genitalia