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Six new species of spider beetle are described from southwestern Peru: Cordielytrum silvae, sp. n., C. inca, sp. n., C. fimbriatum, sp. n., C. obscurum, sp. n., C. adustum, sp. n., and C. globuloides, sp. n. The potential for undescribed diversity in this genus is discussed, as well as the geographic distribution and biology of species.

A new genus and species of spider beetle from Peru is described. One specimen is known to have come from South Chincha Island, while others were intercepted in a guano shipment in Texas, USA. Unusual characters of this genus include a small cavity laterally on each side of the metepisternum and very broad spacing between the antennae. The potential biology and evolutionary relationships of this genus are briefly discussed

A new endemic Madagascan genus and species of spider beetle from Toliara Province in southwest Madagascar is described. The genus Kelypitnus gen. nov. is characterized by its small size and dark brownish-black color, a short lateral margin on the pronotum, a concave proventrite, 10-segmented antennae, and the presence of a small, conspicuous raised ring with a central cavity on the first abdominal ventrite in the male. The single species, Kelypitnus steineri sp. nov. is diagnosed, described, and illustrated and compared to the two most similar genera known, Neoptinus Gahan and Pitnus Gorham. Key words: Kelypitnus, Coleoptera, Ptinidae, new genus, Madagascar, Bostrichoidea, endemic

A new genus name Notaferrum n. gen. is proposed for Ptinus natalensisPic, 1906. The taxon is diagnosed and described and the only known species redescribed. This taxon, well outside the concept of the genus Ptinus Linnaeus, 1766, is most distinctly characterized by a pair of longitudinal and vertically oriented blade-like ridges located medially on the pronotum, a previously unknown feature in the spider beetles and the more inclusive Bostrichoidea Latreille, 1802. This species is a probable symphile of the African species of weaver ant (Oecophylla longinoda Latreille, 1802), based on both a collection record from inside an ant nest as well as the presence of distinct trichomes on the pronotum. This taxon represents the first record of a spider beetle associated with weaver ants.

The previously known spider beetle fauna of Socotra comprises four endemic species (Mezium erinaceus Belles, Sphaericus hirsutus Belles, Ptinus bertranpetiti Belles, and Silisoptinus inermicollis Belles) and Dignomus mesopotamicus (Pic), which is also known from Arabia and Mesopotamia. The study of new material has resulted in the discovery of a new genus and two new species, and many new localities of the previously known species. Here, a synopsis is presented that brings together all information available on the fauna of spider beetles of the Socotra archipelago, including updated distributions and ecological and biogeographical considerations of all species. http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:3EB99992-B352-42AD-A33D-C01EF494666C., This work was supported by the Catalan Government (grants 2014 SGR 619, and 2017 SGR 1030).

A new genus of flightless spider beetle from Peru with two new species is described. It is characterized by unique heart-shaped fused elytra and a broad pronotum with five basal depressions. The characters of this new genus and species are illustrated and discussed and the possible phylogenetic placement of this taxon is also included.

Meziomorphum montagu Trimboli and Philips, new species, from Montagu Cave near the town of the same name in South Africa is described. This species, like all others within the genus, is characterized by an unusual pronotal setal structure composed of a thin inflated shell covering the surface to various degrees, as well as stout, erect leg and elytral spines. It is suspected to be a cave endemic, the only species in this genus with this characteristic currently known.

A new species of Ptinus, collected in the Dominican Republic, is described and compared to the known West Indian fauna. The species is distinguished by the pronotum with 2 lateral spines and dorsally with 2 loose setal tufts medially on rounded protuberances, and an elytral setal pattern approximately in a triangular or heart-shaped outline. A checklist of the known West Indies Ptinidae (excluding the Anobiidae) is given.

A spider beetle, Mezium colossosetum Philips and Dickmann, new species, is described from the Western Cape, South Africa. We also propose the synonymy of Mezium namibiensis Belles with Mezium gracilicorne Pic and discuss the possibility of a second synonym within the genus. Documentation of the variation within M. gracilicorne is illustrated and discussed. All distribution records known for the species of Mezium Curtis are listed, and the origin of the genus is hypothesized based on both morphological and preliminary molecular data.

Pocapharaptinus gen. nov. and eight new species, P. müllerae sp. nov., P. harrisoni sp. nov., P. akotsenorum sp. nov., P. capensis sp. nov., P. soutpanensis sp. nov., P. lachnos sp. nov., P. aboakyer sp. nov., and P. acanthus sp. nov. are described from South Africa. The genus is distinguished by the pronotal surface being densely covered with flocculent, wooly, tan colored setae obscuring the cuticular surface except anteriomedially, where the bare cuticle is variably triangular in shape. All species are illustrated, described, diagnosed and an identification key provided. The biogeography and relationships of this genus to other Ptinidae are also discussed.

The southern African myrmecophilous ptinine genus, Diplocotidus Peringuey, is redescribed, and two new species are described. New species and collection localities increase the known distribution from the Cape region to the Kruger National Park in the east, and central Namibia in the west. There is little doubt that the species are associated with ants in some manner as typified by the trichomes located on the pronota.

The Palearctic spider beetle, Ptinus sexpunctatus Panzer (Anobiidae: Ptininae), is newly recorded in North America from collections in Nova Scotia, Canada, and Pennsylvania and Utah in the United States. It is also newly recorded in association with the native blue orchard mason bee, Osmia lignaria Say (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae). Its presence on the continent is briefly discussed in the context of mechanisms of introduction of invertebrates to North America.

Moisture requirements were evaluated for female adults of spider beetles Mezium affine Boieldieu and Gibbium aequinoctiale Boieldieu to determine how they are differentially adapted for life in a dry environment. Features showing extreme desiccation resistance of M. affine were an impermeable cuticle wherein activation energies (43 kJ/mol) were suppressed, daily water losses as little as 0.3%/day with an associated group effect, a low 64% water content and an impressive ability to survive nearly 3 months with no food and water. Behaviorally, the extended period of water stress and fasting was marked by long intervals of physical inactivity (quiescence), as though dead. These characteristics emphasizing water retention rather than gain are shared by G. aequinoctiale and reflect a typical xerophilic water balance profile. Water uptake was restricted to imbibing liquid, as evidenced by uptake of dye-stained droplets of free water and a critical equilibrium activity of 1.00 a v , where the inability to absorb water vapor from the air fails to equilibrate declining water levels (gain≠loss) except at saturation. Four-fold reduction in survival time within dry air and accelerated water loss rates with high activation energies for female adults of the closely related winged Prostephanus truncatus (Say) suggest that the enhanced water conservation of spider beetles is due, in part, to fusion of their elytra supplemented by entering into quiescence.

Natural enemies are known from many cultural heritage pests, but their potential for biological control has been marginally exploited only. In this publication, examples of practical and commercial application of parasitoids of beetles and moths are compiled as well as laboratory research that contributes to the development of guidelines for parasitoid releases. One the one hand there are parasitoids found to occur simultaneously with the pests in buildings, on the other hand there are parasitoids that were never found to be associated with the respective pests but accept them if brought into the cultural heritage environments. An example for the latter is the egg parasitoid Trichogramma evanescens euproctidis, a parasitoid of moth eggs including those of the cloth moth Tineola bisselliella. In semi-field trials it was shown that inundative releases of the egg parasitoids are necessary and that effectiveness is reduced on thick cloth with long strand. Trichogramma release units have to be placed directly on the cloth to be protected. A naturally occuring parasitoid of Anobiid beetles is the pteromalid larval parasitoid Lariophagus distinguendus. This parasitoid was applied against the drugstore beetle Stegobium paniceum in historic libraries and against spider beetles (Ptininae) in historic buildings. A simulation model for the population-dynamics of L. distinguendus and the golden spider beetle Niptus hololeucus is presented. Finally, monitoring of the Braconid larval parasitoid Spathius exarator used for indirect monitoring of the common furniture beetle Anobium punctatum is described. The future potential of parasitoids to control cultural heritage pests is discussed.

Cryptopeniculus nigrosetus, a new genus and species of spider beetle from Namaqualand, western South Africa, is described. It is characterized by a unique pronotal vestiture composed of a V shaped flocculant pale brown setal tuft covering most of the dorsal surface that is partially obscured by an outer layer of thick darker colored setae forming two peaks. Characteristics differentiating this new genus and species from all others are discussed and illustrated and the probable biology hypothesized.

Lachnoniptus lindae, a new genus and new species from the Virgin Islands, is described. It appears most similar to Trigonogenius, and characters differentiating the two genera are given. The habitat and probable biology are discussed.

The cosmopolitan pantry pests, in their perambulations around the world, have not missed Alaska, but specific reports of their occurrence are relatively scarce. Chamberlin (1949) mentioned 11 species and, without giving distributional data, noted that 3 were common: Mediterranean flour moth, a spider beetle, and the saw-tooth grain beetle. List 1 is a compilation of all known records of stored-food insects in Alaska.

SynopsisThe chromosome constitution of the bisexual beetle Ptinus clavipes Panzer (2n = 18) and of its gynogenetic form P. clavipes f. mobilis Moore (3n = 27) have been investigated. The triploid mobilis lives in close association with the bisexual species and mates freely with the males. Eggs from virgin females never pass beyond the metaphase stage and successful completion of maturation is dependent on the presence of sperm. An endomitotic split is apparent in prophase chromosomes and leads to the formation of twenty-seven pseudobivalents which undergo a pseudomeiotic division. Only one maturation division has been observed. Although the fate of the activating sperm has not been resolved it is thought that sperm nuclei give rise to isolated haploid nuclei in some eggs and interfere with normal cleavage in others. Since the triploid form may also mate with males of Ptinus pusillus Sturm and P. fur. L. with reduced numbers of progeny the affinities of the gynogenetic form is discussed. This is the only known case of gynogenesis in Coleoptera.

SynopsisThe mature Ptinid sperm examined under the light microscope is found to be specialised in that the chromatin is not contained within a sperm head but is distributed along a central axis. The migration of chromatin resembles that found in Coccids by Hughes-Schrader (1948). Surrounding the axis is a more flexible helical membrane extending the whole length of the sperm.Under the electron microscope the membrane appears to consist of eighteen or twenty thin fibres and two thick fibres with striated sheaths. Near the posterior end of the membrane the fibres are surrounded by a ring. The structure is simpler than that of mammalian and avian sperms examined by other workers with similar techniques. Under the electron microscope, stages in the migration of chromatin in the immature sperm show a number of discrete opaque bodies which may be chromosomes. The approximate dimensions of the various structures are given.

The identification of spider beetles found in storage premises, especially of species ofPtinus s.l.andMeziumhas frequently been incorrect. The inadequacy of the present descriptions of genera and subgenera of spider beetles is pointed out. Grouping of the storage species by adult and larval characters corresponds well. The recorded world distribution of species is shown in a Table.Species of spider beetle considered to be native to Britain arePtinus lichenumMarsham,P. palliatusPerris andP. subpilosusSturm, which are not found in storage premises, andP. fur(L.),P. sexpunctatusPanz. andTipnus unicolor(Pill. & Mitt.), which may be found in warehouses. Eight species and a gyno-genetic form have been imported into Britain and have succeeded in becoming established,Mezium affineBoield.,Gibbium psylloides(Czenp.) andNiptus hololeucus(Fald.), early in the nineteenth century,Ptinus clavipesPanz. and also its triploid formmobilisMoore (=P. latro, auct.) later in the nineteenth century,Ptinus tectusBoield.,Trigonogenius globulusSol. andPtinus pusillusSturm about the turn of the century, and finallyPseudeurostus hilleri(Rttr.) about 20 years ago. The status and distribution of each species is discussed. OnlyPtinus tectusis a widespread pest in Britain.The wide variety of food suitable for scavenging species which will utilise substances of both animal and vegetable origin is stressed. Spider beetles are especially attracted to moisture and excrement and as a result will occur in the protected nests of other species of animal. Published records of associations of spider beetles with nests are summarised in a Table. Animal droppings and dead insects enable spider beetles to grow rapidly. Wool, hair and feathers, textile fabrics, old wood and a number of apparently non-nutritive substances are damaged by spider beetle larvae which seem to be able to grow on some of these substances.Damage caused by spider beetles is mainly indirect, contamination due to frass, silk and fragments of dead insects, the boring of holes in containers and spinning of cocoons on the containers. Actual loss of weight due to feeding is small unless the beetle population is enormous.A large proportion of the adult spider-beetle population of a warehouse inhabits cracks in the floors or walls and spreads from there to the peripheral part of stacks of produce where eggs are laid, producing a superficial infestation. Adult spider beetles are chiefly active at night. Parasites and predators recorded as attacking spider beetles are listed, and methods of culturing species are described.Spider beetles usually have three larval instars, but adverse conditions may increase their number. The total developmental period is long compared with other families of warehouse beetles. Most spider beetles have a normal life-cycle but some species ofPtinushave a facultative larval diapause and an adult dormant period preceding emergence from the cocoon. The diapause and dormancy enable adults of these species to emerge in the autumn regardless of the weather during the previous season. Adults live from 6 to 15 months. At constant temperature, eggs are laid at a steady rate, the number being laid varying from under 50 in some species ofPtinusto nearly 1,000 inP. tectus.The influences of temperature, humidity, food, population density and of diapause and dormancy on the rate of increase of spider-beetle species is discussed. The most rapid increase possible for these species in Britain is doubling in three weeks byP. tectus. It is concluded thatP. tectusis unlikely to be superseded as the most important spider beetle of cool temperate areas and that, elsewhere, spider beetles will not attain the importance of this species.Grouping the species on their biological features corresponds with the taxonomic relationships of the family.

The effects of seven gamma radiation dosages from 5 to 100 krad on all metamorphic stages of the spider beetle, Gibbium psylloides (Czenpinski), were studied. Five kilorads prevented development of adults from treated eggs and larvae. Some adults emerged from the pupal cocoon at all treatment levels except 50 and 100 krad, but their longevity was greatly reduced. Adults were fairly resistant to sterilizing effects of the radiation. Twenty kilokrads was not completely sterilizing to either males or females, but fecundity was greatly reduced. The longevity of treated adults was significantly reduced, but some survived for 20 weeks after a 20-krad exposure. Adults and pupae of this species were more radiation resistant than were most other stored-product Coleoptera.

In the peculiar type of spermateleosis briefly described in 10 stages, the spermatid nucleus progressively elongates and is finally transformed directly into the mature ‘all head’ spermatozoon. A cytoplasmic ‘tail’, which appeared in the early spermatid and grew to a considerable length, was later discarded. No nuclear material was ever observed in the ‘tail’ and all the cytoplasm of the spermatid was lost except that which later formed the delicate membrane of the mature spermatozoon and the short tail remnant.

Water traps and dry traps were used to assess the locomotor activity of the hairy spider beetle, Ptinus villager (Reiter), at the surface of stored wheat. Insects were counted in the traps at 3-hr intervals for 45 hr. More insects were taken in water traps than in dry traps. Insect locomotor activity at the grain surface was arrhythmic according to counts in dry traps. Water-trap counts indicated that the intensity of the humidity response of P. villiger was greater in the late morning than at other times.

Quaternary insect fossils are readily preserved in packrat middens, although few have been systematically studied. Late Wisconsin and Holocene age middens from the San Andres and Fra Cristobal mountains of New Mexico have yielded insect fossil assemblages for paleoenvironmental analysis. While the fossil insect faunas from individual sites are limited in diversity, a paleoenvironmental scenario is constructed which closely agrees with the interpretations of plant macrofossil records from the region. Late Wisconsin climate in south- central New Mexico was cooler and wetter than present, corresponding to an apparent downward elevational displacement of about 1,000 m. A shift to more xeric conditions occurred in the early Holocene. Desert-grassland gave way to desertscrub in the vicinity by Mid-Holocene, and Late Holocene climatic conditions were perhaps the most severe of the last 100,000 years. REsuMEN-Insectos f6siles contenidos en dep6sitos de Neotoma (packrat middens) de edad Tardiglacial (Wisconsin Superior) y Postglacial, han sido estudiados con el objeto de lograr la reconstrucci6n paleoambiental del centro-sur de New Mexico. El material entomol6gico motivo de estudio proviene de distintos sitios muestreados en las sierras de San Andres y Fra Cristobal, New Mexico. Si bien el numero de especies observadas en los dep6sitos es limitado, los espectros obtenidos permiten su correlaci6n con previos estudios paleobotinicos en la region. El Pleistoceno Final se habria caracterizado por un clima mis frio y humedo que el actual, correspondiendo a '1 un desplazamiento altitudinal de la vegetaci6n de aproximadamente 1,000 m. Condiciones mais xericas habrian predominado hacia los inicios del Holoceno, mientras que un matorral desertico habria reemplazado una pradera desertica hacia el Holoceno Medio. Las condiciones ambientales que presenta el Holoceno Superior son las mis severas de los ultimos 100,000 afios. Plant macrofossils and pollen have been analyzed from a large number of packrat (Neotoma) middens throughout desert in the Southwest in recent years. These studies have shed a great deal of light on Quaternary vegetation and climatic change in this region, because of the large number of plant taxa that have been preserved in middens. Insect exoskeletons are also frequently preserved in packrat middens, but these fossils have not been systematically studied until recently. Ashworth (1973) discussed four beetle taxa from a packrat midden in western Texas, and Spilman (1976) described a new species of spider beetle (Ptinidae) from middens in Californina and Arizona. The aim of this study was to provide the first paleoenvironmental analysis of a series of Late Quaternary sites, based on a number of insect fossil assemblages from packrat middens.

IN a recent communication in Nature by Moore, Woodroffe and Sanderson1, it was shown that the spider beetle Ptinus latro Fab. exists only as females and that these require to be inseminated by males of the allied Ptinus hirtellus Sturm in order to produce viable eggs. Insemination by sterilized males was ineffective. The details of the cytological phenomena involved were communicated at the Tenth International Congress of Entomology, 1956 2. Since no conclusions could be reached as to whether the sperm enters the yolk of the P. latro egg, it is proposed to carry out experiments using labelled sperm and autoradiography. Meanwhile, the following is a report on results of experiments on artificial activation of the virgin egg. The methods employed involved cold and heat treatments, exposure to ether vapour, and puncturing with a fine glass needle, but the best results were obtained with the needle puncture method or traumatization. It was found that the maturation division proceeded as far as telophase (Fig. 1) in 50–60 per cent of the 200 eggs treated. Eggs were squashed in aceto-orcein from 10 to 120 min. after puncture and it was observed that the maturation division is complete usually after 30 min. However, no onset of cleavage was seen up to 2 hr., after which time the eggs tend to dry up. In untreated eggs from virgin females, the development is usually blocked at the first metaphase (Fig. 2). The chromosomes may remain in this stage up to a period of five days, and then degenerate. From the remarkably high percentage of eggs activated by traumatization, it seems reasonable to assume that the role of the sperm in initiating activation is mainly of a physical nature. Further work is in progress and will be reported elsewhere.