Search

A new North American genus Randersonia Chamorro with two new species, Randersonia cartwrighti Chamorro & Presnall sp. n. from Prince William County, Virginia, USA and Randersonia schwarzi Chamorro & Presnall sp. n. from Tampico, Tamaulipas, Mexico are described. The unique specimen of R. cartwrighti was collected under deer droppings in 1965 and the only known specimens of R. schwarzi were collected more than 109 years ago in 1912. An updated couplet is provided for use in the key to genera in American Beetles as well as a key to the species of Randersonia. A short discussion is included regarding veracity of collections. Habitus photographs are included.

The use of DNA barcoding has revolutionized biodiversity science, but its application depends on the existence of comprehensive and reliable reference libraries. For many poorly known taxa, such reference sequences are missing even at higher-level taxonomic scales. We harvested the collections of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History (USNM) to generate DNA barcoding sequences for genera of terrestrial arthropods previously not recorded in one or more major public sequence databases. Our workflow used a mix of Sanger and Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) approaches to maximize sequence recovery while ensuring affordable cost. In total, COI sequences were obtained for 5,686 specimens belonging to 3,888 genera and 202 families. Success rates varied widely according to collection data and focal taxon. NGS helped recover sequences of specimens that failed a previous run of Sanger sequencing. Success rates and the optimal balance between Sanger and NGS are the most important drivers to maximize output and minimize cost in future projects. The corresponding sequence and taxonomic data can be accessed through the Barcode of Life Data System, GenBank, the Global Biodiversity Information Facility, the Global Genome Biodiversity Network Data Portal and the NMNH data portal.

Long-distance migration of insects impacts food security, public health, and conservation–issues that are especially significant in Africa. Windborne migration is a key strategy enabling exploitation of ephemeral havens such as the Sahel, however, its knowledge remains sparse. In this first cross-season investigation (3 years) of the aerial fauna over Africa, we sampled insects flying 40–290 m above ground in Mali, using nets mounted on tethered helium-filled balloons. Nearly half a million insects were caught, representing at least 100 families from thirteen orders. Control nets confirmed that the insects were captured at altitude. Thirteen ecologically and phylogenetically diverse species were studied in detail. Migration of all species peaked during the wet season every year across localities, suggesting regular migrations. Species differed in flight altitude, seasonality, and associated weather conditions. All taxa exhibited frequent flights on southerly winds, accounting for the recolonization of the Sahel from southern source populations. “Return” southward movement occurred in most taxa. Estimates of the seasonal number of migrants per species crossing Mali at latitude 14°N were in the trillions, and the nightly distances traversed reached hundreds of kilometers. The magnitude and diversity of windborne insect migration highlight its importance and impacts on Sahelian and neighboring ecosystems.

The golden-headed weevil Compsus auricephalus is a native and fairly widespread species across the southern U.S.A. extending through Central America south to Panama. There are two recognised morphotypes of the species: the typical green form, with pink to cupreous head and part of the legs and the uniformly white to pale brown form. There are other Central and South American species of Compsus and related genera of similar appearance that make it challenging to provide accurate identifications of introduced species at ports of entry. Here, we re-describe the species, provide images of the habitus, miscellaneous morphological structures and male and female genitalia. We discuss the morphological variation of Compsus auricephalus across its distributional range, by revising and updating its distributional range, based on data from entomological collections in the U.S.A. and Canada. The revised distribution of C. auricephalus extends as far south as Zacapa in Guatemala. Records south from there correspond to a different species, with affinities to C. auricephalus that we discuss and illustrate. We also discuss morphological affinities and differences with other similar species. Furthermore, we summarise information regarding the biology, host plants and natural enemies of C. auricephalus.

Despite a relatively recent taxonomic revision, North American weevils of the economically important genus Curculio remain poorly characterized and difficult to distinguish. Given herein is an illustrated key to the 15 species found east of the Mississippi River, including the putatively extinct C. caryatrypes (Boheman) or greater chestnut weevil. This is necessarily a complex key using multiple characteristics, designed to minimize or eliminate difficulties in identification posed by extremes in structural variation in both males and females. Curculio ordinatus (Casey) is transferred from synonymy with C. nasicus (Say) to synonymy with C. strictus (Casey), new synonymy.

The agave snout weevil (AGW) or sisal weevil, Scyphophorus acupunctatus Gyllenhal is here reported for the first time in St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI) where it threatens Agave eggersiana Trel., a USVI endemic and endangered century-plant. We provide molecular, morphological, and behavioral characters to successfully distinguish the two known Scyphophorus species at all developmental stages. We identified seven new larval characters on the mandibles and characters relating to the chaetotaxy of the labrum and labio-maxillary complex as well as new, putatively informative characters for weevil systematics: chitinized arm of mentum (postlabial strut or postlabial bracon) and the presence of 4 ventral malar setae, instead of 5. In the pupae, the difference in number and placement of rostral setae were also found to be diagnostic. We analyzed two genes, mtCO1 and EF1a, to confirm the identity of the immatures. Phylogenetic analysis of both genes separately and together suggests a clear pattern...

Dryophthorinae includes some of the most economically important weevil pests. Feeding damage on host plant occurs primarily during the endophytic larval stages. The immature stages of only approximately 5% of dryophthorine genera are currently known. Traditional Ecological Knowledge of the Dawu People of the island of Lanyu led to the discovery of the immature stages and host plant of the dryophthorine weevil genus Poteriophorus Schoenherr. The larva, pupa, and biology of Poteriophorus uhlemanni (Schultze, 1922) are described for the first time. The newly discovered larva is compared to closely related taxa, including two of the most economically important and commonly encountered genera in Sphenophorina: Metamasius Horn, 1873 and Sphenophorus Schoenherr, 1838. Discovery of the associated larval and pupal stages of P. uhlemanni provides suites of characters for morphologically based phylogenetic studies, insights into the larva's functional morphology of feeding, tunneling, and cocoon-making behavior, and the ability to accurately identify the species at all stages.Knowledge of host preference will inform management strategies for poorly studied endemic species in the area.

The female genitalia of New World Cryptocephalini was studied and illustrated based on representatives of 11 of the 13 genera of the tribe. It was found that female genitalia contain pleurites IX, a rare and apparently primitive feature among leaf beetles. In other features cryptocephaline female genitalia are simpler than genitalia of other leaf beetles in having a poorly sclerotized sternite VIII and lacking the tignum. It is also hypothesized that the vagina is formed by sternites IX (dorsally) and VIII (ventrally), and that sclerotized plate of sternite IX can be homologized with vaginal palpi of flea beetles. A set of characters of diagnostic and of possible phylogenetic value was found. In general, Cryptocephalina and Monachulina bear the greatest affinity in overall morphology of the female genitalia, with Pachybrachina possessing a different set of unique morphological states. Of particular diagnostic and phylogenetic value at the subtribal level, as revealed by this study, are the shape and degree of sclerotization of tergite VIII, tergite IX, and sternite VIII.

The 33 species of Agrilus (Coleoptera: Buprest idae) hypothesized to be most closely related or most similar to Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire (emerald ash borer, EAB), are described and illustrated. Morphology (adults and immatures), biology, distribution, detailed taxonomic history and systematics are presented for each species, along with a full literature review and bibliography. Large, high resolution photos displaying all diagnostic characters are presented as well as an illustrated dichotomous identification key to adult species of Agrilus treated in this work. A general review of Agrilus biology, ecology and buprestid collecting and curation methods is also provided.

This study provides the most detailed description of the immature stages of Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire to date and illustrates suites of larval characters useful in distinguishing among Agrilus Curtis species and instars. Immature stages of eight species of Agrilus were examined and imaged using light and scanning electron microscopy. For A. planipennis all preimaginal stages (egg, instars I-IV, prepupa and pupa) were described. A combination of 14 character states were identified that serve to identify larvae of A. planipennis. Our results support the segregation of Agrilus larvae into two informal assemblages based on characters of the mouthparts, prothorax, and abdomen: the A. viridis and A. ater assemblages, with A. planipennis being more similar to the former. Additional evidence is provided in favor of excluding A. planipennis from the subgenus Uragrilus.