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Trioza turouguei sp. nov., a new species of jumping plant lice (Hemiptera, Triozidae) from Taiwan, is described and illustrated based on adults and immatures. The latter induce pea-shaped galls on the stems of Cinnamomum osmophloeum Kaneh. (Lauraceae). The gall phenology of the new species is described. A list of species of Triozidae associated with Cinnamomum in the Old World is provided. The following nomenclatorial acts are proposed: Trioza inflata Li, 1992 = Trioza xiangicamphorae Li, 1992, syn. nov.; Siphonaleyrodes formosanus Takahashi, 1932, stat. rev., is removed from synonymy with Trioza cinnamomi (Boselli, 1931). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anomoneura taiwanica sp. nov. (Hemiptera, Psylloidea, Psyllidae, Psyllinae) is described based on samples from Taiwan that were previously misidentified as A. mori Schwarz, 1896. Morphological and genetic differences between the two species, as well as their distribution, are detailed and discussed. Comments on the pest status of Anomoneura spp. in East Asia are also provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two types of cecidomyiid leaf galls, cup-shaped and umbrella-shaped, occur on Litsea acuminata (Lauraceae) in Taiwan. Based on the concept of gall shapes as "extended phenotypes" of gall inducers, these two types could be induced by different gall midge species. However, galls with intermediate shapes between the two types were recently discovered, which implies that possible genetic exchanges occur between the gall inducers of both types. To clarify the taxonomic status of gall midges responsible for the two types of galls on L. acuminata, we undertook taxonomic, molecular phylogenetic and ecological studies. Our findings show that the two gall types are induced by the same Bruggmanniella species and the species is new to science. We describe the species forming this range of galls as Bruggmanniella litseae sp. n., and compare their geographical distribution, galling position and morphometry. Based on our results, a possible evolutionary scenario of B. litseae sp. n. is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A taxonomic review of the known Taiwanese taxa of the pericaline Lebiini, this paper includes a key to the genera, keys to species, descriptions, and redescriptions of all species, illustrations, geographic range maps, re-rankings, and new synonymies. In total 34 species are treated, nine of which are described as new. A new genus and new species are as follows: Bellavalentis gen. n., (type species Dolichoctis kuzugamii Shibata, 1967); Amphimenes absensacidus sp. n.; Amphimenes beichatiensis sp. n.; Amphimenes carinacaulis sp. n.; Catascopus (s. str.) asaharti sp. n.; Catascopus (s. str.) viridiorchis sp. n.; Coptodera (Coptoderina) occulta sp. n.; Dolichoctis badiadorsis sp. n.; Dolichoctis dilatata sp. n.; Moctherus obscurabasis sp. n. After close examination of the type material of several species, we were able to determine that Coptoderina chaudoiri anguilipennis (Nakane and Okhura) is a junior synonym of Coptodera (Coptoderina) chaudoiri Andrewes, syn. n. and Coptodera nobilis Jedlička is also a junior synonym of C. chaudoiri, syn. n. Dolichoctis striatus formosanus Habu is a junior synonym of Dolichoctis rotundata (Schmidt-Goebel), syn. n. Dolichoctis (Mochtherus) uenoi Habu is a junior synonym of Mochtherus luctuosus Putzeys, syn. n. Pericalus formosanus Dupuis was recently ranked as a subspecies of Pericalus ornatus formosanus Dupuis. After consideration of the several consistent taxonomic characteristics and also considering its allopatric distribution with all other species of Pericalus, we believe Pericalus formosanus Dupuis to be a valid species, stat. resurr. The monobasic genus Pseudomenarus (type species Pseudomenarus flavomaculatus Shibata, 1964) is established as conspecific with members of the genus Formosiella Jedlička, 1951, comb. n. Species previously recorded from Taiwan that are not present here include: Amphimenes piceolus Bates; Catascopus aequatus Dejean; Catascopus facialis (Wiedemann) Coptodera interrupta Schmidt-Goebel Coptodera flexuosa Schmidt-Goebel and Peripristus ater (Laporte). The pericaline taxa of Taiwan are arranged in 14 genera, five subgenera, and 34 currently known species. Notes on collecting circumstances, habits, and habitat are included when known. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There are three isolated mountain ranges in Taiwan including Hsueshan Range, Central Mountain Range, and Yushan Range. The rise of these mountains has resulted in the isolation of some species and caused allopatric distribution resulting in divergence and speciation events of high mountain carabids, especially the flightless carabids such as Epaphiopsis, Apenetretus, and partial Nebria. Genus Apenetretus Kurnakov (1960) is typically distributed in high mountain areas of Taiwan. Three of the currently known Apenetretus species have been described from different mountain ranges. These species include A. yushanensis Habu, A. nanhutanus Habu, and A. smetanai Zamotajlov and Sciaky. In this study, a new species is described from Hsueshan, a mountain separated from the ranges of the previous known species, Apenetretus hsueshanensis sp. n. A key to the Taiwanese Apenetretus is included. A reconstructed phylogeny of the Taiwanese Apenetretus is introduced with the use of mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene. Molecular data and geographical distribution of Apenetretus support the morphological characteristics observed among those mountain-isolated species and confirms the new species as being distinctly different. Moreover, lineage calibration suggests that the southern A. yushanensis is the most distant one compared to the other three northern Apenetretus at ca. 1.81 million years ago (mya), while the divergence time of A. hsueshanensis to its sister group was dated to 0.94 mya. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Taiwan, an island of approximately 36000 km2 area, includes stunning diversity in both habitat and biota because of its transitional position. Where the Tropic of Cancer cuts across the middle of the island and the east Philippine plate subducts into the Eurasia plate, the landscape and weather are extremely congenial for a highly diverse biota to develop over the years in Taiwan. Such a natural endowment has enabled diverse habitats for wildlife to evolve. Insects are especially abundant in Taiwan. For example, about 400 species of butterflies occur in Taiwan. Export of aesthetically attractive insects, such as butterflies and beetles, is an ongoing key industry in Taiwan right from the early to middle 20th century. As the economic preferences moved towards high technology with a concurrent understanding of biological diversity and the concept of conservation grew strong, use of insect materials have currently moved towards education and entertainment. Besides the exhibition of traditional methods of insect collection, several newly developed insectaria are presently integrated into Taiwanese museums, zoos, and university departments using modern technology for displaying activities of live insects. Summer camps offer plentiful opportunities for children to learn about insects. Volunteers, with appropriate research skills and extensive scientific knowledge are involved in these exhibitions. Rearing of “pet” insects is popular and, consequently, enabled the growth of some specific supply companies. Traditionally, insect resources are used in many aspects, such as in medicine and food and extraction of insect products such as silk and honey; occasionally some of the insects are useful as even game animals. Fighting crickets provide entertainment, and occasionally used in gambling as well. Insects provide diverse and abundant resources and are an excellent material deserved for better exploration in many aspects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]