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In this paper, the subgenus Merocratus Belý, 1989 of the genus Anthaxia Eschscholtz, 1829 from China is reported, which includes three species: Anthaxia (Merocratus) insulaecola, Obenberger from Taiwan, A. (M.) tamdaoensis Bílý, 1998 from Yunnan and A. (M.) zhengyucheni Qi & Song, sp. n. from Hainan. The new species is described and illustrated. The illustrations and information of A. (M.) tamdaoensis from Yunnan are updated. Maclurodendron oligophlebium (Rutaceae) is reported as a new host plant of Merocratus adults in family level. A key to species of the subgenus from China is also provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chrysobothris daveverityi sp. nov. from Guerrero, Morelos, Michoacán, Oaxaca, and Puebla in southwestern Mexico is described and illustrated. The species has been confused with C. acutipennis Chevrolat, 1835 and C. merkelii Horn, 1886, from both of which it can be distinguished by color, surface sculpture, and male genitalia. The new species is diagnosed, figures of dorsal habitus and male genitalia for the three species are provided, and comments are made regarding their relationship and distribution, including three new state records and one new adult host plant record. The new species is named to honor the late David Verity in recognition of his contributions to the knowledge of Buprestidae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was conducted to elucidate the life cycle and the ecological characteristics of Trachys yanoi Y. Kurosawa, an important pest of Zelkova serrata (Thunb.) Makino. Life cycle, mortality rates in developmental stages, annual population dynamics, and early leaf abscission were investigated. Adults emerged from under the bark of Zelkova trees in April and fed on Zelkova leaves. Females laid 49 eggs on average, mainly in May and early June. Eggs hatched after 17 days, and the larvae fed inside the leaves. They developed through three instars. In July, leaves with the final stage of larvae were abscised. Four days after abscission, the larvae pupated. New adults eclosed from pupae seven days after pupation, and the adults emerged from abscised leaves after an additional two days. In total, 1650 adults emerged per 1 m2 of forest floor, resulting in a major population increase. The newly emerged adults fed on the remaining Zelkova leaves, compounding the damage. In October, adults overwintered under the tree bark. Mortality rates in the egg, larval, and pupal stages were 41%, 58%, and 31%, respectively. The mortality rate among overwintering individuals was 43%. Because only Zelkova leaves that were abscised in July contained the larvae, and because only a small number of beetles emerged from non-abscised, mined leaves, the removal of abscised leaves at nine-day intervals over period of early leaf abscission is a simple and effective way to control the beetle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]