DOI: 10.3897/contrib.entomol.76.e189279

Authors: João Campôa, Mariana Estorninho, Quelvina Fortes, Rita Simões, Helena Patrício, Otília Correia, Cristina Máguas, Isabel Miranda, Teresa Calvão, Carla S. Pimentel

Abstract: Synchronization between larval development and peak resource quality drives life-history evolution in forest defoliators from cold-temperate regions but is less considered in other ecosystems, such as those in the Mediterranean region. Studies on Thaumetopoea pityocampa, the main Mediterranean pine defoliator, which typically develops during winter (winter population [WP]), have mostly focused on climate. In the present work, the hypothesis that resource matching drives the evolution of this defoliator was tested, alongside the alternative hypothesis that climatic factors are the primary drivers. Seasonal changes in pine foliage quality and defoliator phenology were examined across WPs and a recently evolved summer population (SP) restricted to a section of an otherwise WP-occupied continuous forest. All studied forests consisted of Pinus pinaster monocultures in coastal Portugal, where P. pinaster is the only host available for T. pityocampa. In WP distribution areas, larval development coincided with increasing foliage nitrogen and declining C:N ratios during autumn and winter. In contrast, the SP forest was characterized by poor winter foliage quality, which did not exceed summer leaf quality. Overall, WP development aligns with Mediterranean pine physiology, and the shift in the life cycle to summer in a region with low winter leaf quality provides some support for the resource-matching hypothesis. The mild climate of central coastal Portugal does not appear to constrain life history in this moth. This work provides evidence that interactions between resource availability and climate may contribute to life-history evolution in this forest defoliator. It illustrates a pathway through which insects can diversify life cycles to optimize resource use.

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DOI: 10.3897/contrib.entomol.76.e189193

Authors: Peter H. Roos

Abstract: Larval growth strategies and trajectories were analyzed in the genus Erebia Dalman 1816 in order to understand the interspecies variability in growth increments in connection with Dyar’s rule. For this, the number of larval moults and the size increments per moult were comparatively analyzed for the first time in a large number of phylogenetically closely related species, in this case within a single genus. Growth increments and trajectories were determined by measuring head capsule widths of each instar and the subsequent calculation of Dyar’s constant as well as by mathematical modeling, applying exponential, logarithmic and second order polynomial functions. Calculated parameters of the exponential and log functions were well suited for inter-species comparison. The frequency distributions of the growth increment parameters derived from 34 data sets are discontinuous, exhibiting four clear cut groups which can be attributed to the number of larval instars. Accordingly, variability of growth increments, expressed as Dyar’s constant, and of parameters derived from mathematical functions can be explained by the different number of moults. Developmental polymorphism has been shown for some species. In these cases, the different number of required instars, 4 or 5 of the same species, is associated to an altered growth increment, ultimately leading, however, to the same size in the last instar. The number of moults in an Erebia species is related to its life history, namely, to the number of hibernations in the larval stage. There is no association between instar numbers and phylogenetically defined species clusters.

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DOI: 10.3897/contrib.entomol.75.e155016

Authors: Maria Fungomeli, Martin Wiemers, Lucia Calderini, Alessandro Chiarucci

Abstract: Community structures, including butterfly diversity, are shaped by both biotic and abiotic factors, with forest type exerting a significant influence. The Arabuko Sokoke Forest (ASF), the largest remaining coastal forest fragment in Kenya and East Africa, is rich in biodiversity and endemic species. Given its varied forest types, ASF provides a unique opportunity to examine how these differences affect butterfly community structure. This study aims to investigate how vegetation diversity and structure influence butterfly community structures and species richness within ASF. We conducted butterfly and woody plant surveys during the dry season across four distinct forest types in ASF: Cynometra forest, Brachystegia woodland, mixed forest and the forest edge. Butterfly populations were sampled using transects measuring 10 m × 100 m and woody plant species were surveyed along overlapping transects. A total of 6,050 butterfly individuals were recorded, representing 86 species across 38 genera and five families. The woody vegetation comprised 178 species, belonging to 78 genera and 34 families. Significant differences in butterfly species abundance were observed across the forest types, though no significant differences were found in species richness. Beta diversity analyses revealed consistently high community dissimilarity across all forest types, driven predominantly by balanced variation in species abundances rather than nestedness. Brachystegia forest exhibited the highest total beta diversity, while forest edge exhibited the lowest. This indicates that species turnover, rather than richness differences, is the primary mechanism structuring butterfly communities at the landscape scale in Arabuko Sokoke Forest. Butterfly species diversity showed a strong correlation with plant species diversity. Additionally, butterfly wingspan size varied significantly amongst forest types. Our findings underscore the crucial role of natural plant forest diversity in supporting butterfly diversity and highlight the synergistic functions of the mixed forest and Brachystegia forest as key habitats. There is need for conservation strategies that account for multiple dimensions of biodiversity. While mixed forest serves as a reservoir of high species richness and abundance, Brachystegia forest offers critical value through their contribution to beta diversity at the landscape level. These results highlight the fundamental importance of conservation efforts directed to protect high plant diversity and structural heterogeneity to provide a broad spectrum of ecological niches and habitat connectivity for butterflies. Such strategies will enhance butterfly diversity and contribute to effective conservation in fragmented forests and especially in Arabuko Sokoke Forest.

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DOI: 10.3897/contrib.entomol.75.e159632

Authors: André Silva Fernandes, Joab Cardoso Guedes, Tiago Kutter Krolow

Abstract: Entomological collections face significant challenges in storing and preserving dissected structures of insects (especially the most delicate and tiny ones). For pinned specimens, few alternatives are available to keep dissected parts along with their source specimens, with pinnable microvials commonly used. However, world suppliers for these special microvials are scarce and their cost may reasonably impact the budget of less wealthy institutions. To provide a low-cost alternative, we designed a reliable entomological dissection microvial, based on materials easily found in most local office and laboratory equipment suppliers. Our microvials are based on two main items, Polypropylene (PP) microcentrifuge tubes and Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (EVA) hot-melt glue. Their manufacturing process is very simple and is described and illustrated in detail. The proposed microvials tend to have good ability for archiving, since the materials used for their main parts (PP and EVA) show good chemical adhesion and PP microcentrifuge tubes can safely contain most common preserving solutions for an indefinite time. Their endurance was tested under normal use conditions in our collection for the past five years and materials showed no degradation. Moreover, all components are classified as non-toxic and are safe for manipulation, storage and disposal by any educational or research facility. Finally, they fit into the category of sustainable solutions once they are long-lasting, reusable and can be manufactured from used microvials that would be discharged.

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DOI: 10.3897/contrib.entomol.75.e153035

Authors: Wolfram Mey

Abstract: book review

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DOI: 10.3897/contrib.entomol.74.e120116

Authors: Arnold Richert

Abstract: Die Entwicklung der Großschmetterlingsfauna der Diluviallandschaften um Eberswalde wird bis zum Jahre 2023 fortgeschrieben: Veränderungen im Artenbestand: Vierzehn Arten wurden im Beobachtungszeitraum erstmals im Gebiet nachgewiesen: Pieris mannii (Pieridae), Korscheltellus lupulina (Hepialidae), Synanthedon mesiaeformis (zugleich Erstfund in Deutschland und im Land Brandenburg), Pyropteron triannuliformis (Sesiidae), Lasiocampa quercus (Lasiocampidae), Eilema caniola, Eublemma purpurina (Erebidae), Amphipyra perflua, Caradrina kadenii, Dicycla oo, Mythimna vitellina (Noctuidae), Isturgia arenacearia, Idaea rusticata, Horisme radicaria (Geometridae). Für weitere vier Arten liegen inzwischen sichere Erstnachweise aus früherer Zeit vor: Pyronia tithonus (Nymphalidae, Satyrinae; historischer Fund), Morpho helenor peleides (Nymphalidae; Verschleppung), Euplagia quadripunctaria (Erebidae), Spodoptera exigua (Noctuidae; Verschleppung). Zehn im Gebiet verschollene Arten wurden wiederentdeckt, darunter als besonders bemerkenswerte Wiederfunde der Augenfalter Lasiommata maera nach 66 Jahren und die Eulenfalter Schrankia taenialis nach 36 Jahren, Hyppa rectilinea nach 33 Jahren, Apamea furva nach 23 Jahren, Hadena perplexa nach 27 Jahren. Neun Arten des bisherigen Bestandes werden als verschollen gemeldet. Die Kenntnisse zur Biologie der Arten, ihrer Verbreitung im Gebiet sowie zu aktuellen Veränderungen der Phänologie werden ergänzt.

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DOI: 10.3897/contrib.entomol.74.e117994

Authors: Tom Jamonneau

Abstract: This note is grounded in the examination of Afrotropical butterflies belonging to the entomological collections at CBGP, Montpellier, France. In the course of historical specimen referencing, the species Stempfferia insulana (Aurivillius, 1923; Lycaenidae) was recorded from Gabon. This is the first report of this species for this country, and the most western data for this Central-Western African species.

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DOI: 10.3897/contrib.entomol.73.e115628

Authors: Zoltán Varga, László Ronkay, László Rákosy

Abstract: We studied the types of sensilla on the pectinated antennae of Ctenoceratoda species (Noctuinae, Hadenini) using scanning electron microscopy. These ultrastructures are described, illustrated and analysed in four distinct species groups of the genus. The group features distinguishing the four lineages of the genus and their taxonomic importance are discussed.

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DOI: 10.3897/contrib.entomol.73.e108068

Authors: Kseniia T. Abu Diiak, Mikhail Yu. Valuyskiy, Stanislav I. Melnitsky, Vladimir D. Ivanov

Abstract: Comparative study of sensory structures on maxillary and labial palps in 71 species from 14 families by scanning electron microscopy and light microscopy revealed significant diversity of sensory structures. Seven principal types of sensory structures were found: pointed trichoid, blunt chaetoid, campaniform, thin basiconic, thick basiconic, petaloid, and pseudoplacoid sensilla. Pointed trichoid and blunt chaetoid sensilla occur on every palp segment. First and, especially, second segments of maxillary palps have bunches of very large blunt chaetoid sensilla on medial surfaces. Campaniform sensilla were found only on basal segments. Pseudoplacoid sensilla are common on the terminal segments of both labial and maxillary palps except for Ptilocolepidae and Hydroptilidae. The petaloid sensilla forming the sensory fields are found in groups surrounded by the soft cuticle, generally in depressions, on the apical segments either on maxillary and labial palps in Hydrobiosidae and Rhyacophilidae, only on labial palps in other studied Integripalpia, or on apical labial palp segment and third and fourth maxillary palp segments in Annulipalpia. The pointed tips of both maxillary and labial palps in lower families have apical sensory complexes looking like small conical outgrowths without microtrichia, each with one large thick basiconic sensilla on its tip and several shorter thick basiconic sensilla on lateral surfaces. We consider these seven types of sensilla along with the apical sensory complex and the assemblage of the petaloid sensilla as a part of Trichoptera ground plan. This primitive diversity changes in evolution so the apical sensory complex, the fields of petaloid sensilla, the groups of very long blunt trichoid sensilla of basal segments, and the pseudoplacoid sensilla disappear in some advanced instances, more often on the maxillary palps. Interspecific variations of sensilla might be important for species discrimination, while the distribution of certain sensory structures is important for higher taxonomy.

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DOI: 10.3897/contrib.entomol.73.e104072

Authors: Zoltán Varga, László Ronkay, László Rákosy

Abstract: We studied the types of sensilla on the pectinated antennae of Ctenoceratoda species (Noctuinae, Hadenini) using scanning electron microscopy. These ultrastructures are described, illustrated and analysed in four distinct species groups of the genus. The group features distinguishing the four lineages of the genus and their taxonomic importance are discussed.

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DOI: 10.3897/contrib.entomol.72.e87214

Authors: Reinhard Gaedike

Abstract: The material collected in Asante Sana contains three species, one of them, Epermenia lutulenta, is a new species. Additionally are described as new: Epermenia aureomaculata; Epermenia nigrodentata; Ochromolopis cederbergensis and Ochromolopis lobata. New country records are established for Phaulernis montuosa Gaedike, 2013 (Uganda) and for Ochromolopis namibica Gaedike, 2004 ( South Africa). 

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DOI: 10.3897/contrib.entomol.72.e87196

Authors: Zoltán Varga

Abstract: The oreal fauna is connected with orographically limited non-arboreal habitats. Its chorological centres can be recognised by the high species-diversity of numerous typical genera, and by the accumulated occurrence of endemic species and/or subspecies of disjunct species. The oreal fauna is partitioned to the alpine type, as the faunal type of humid high-mountains with strong connections to the tundral zonobiome, and the xeromontane type, as the faunal type of arid high-mountains with close connections to the eremic zonobiomes. As the results of revisions of several Noctuinae genera, species groups and/or sister species were recognised and their distributions were mapped. The restricted areas of allopatric sister species, often described by us as new for science, fulfil the criteria of the “areas of endemism”. Core areas of the Palaearctic xeromontane Noctuidae, outlined by the distribution of endemic species, have been proven by the occurrence of allopatric subspecies of polytypic species, and/or by the presence of allopatric sister species. In the revised genera of Noctuidae several types of allopatric speciation have been identified based on the analysis of the areas of endemism and of vicariance patterns. As a result of these analyses, it is proved that allopatric sister species, as elementary monophyletic supraspecific units, are suitable for phylogenetic biogeographical surveys. Although the major part of the xeromontane fauna appears to be range-restricted, a considerable fraction of the species could have expanded into the steppic zonobiome due to adaptive changes of their life cycles. High diversity of cold-adapted species originated from the Sino-Himalayan mountains by passing two main filtercorridors. One track of this bifurcation was directed across the “Rhododendron-corridor” to the Holarctic taiga zone while the other one, across the “Xeromontane filter-corridor” to the mountain systems of Central and Inner Asia. This bifurcation becomes apparent from the taxonomic division of the genera, composing both of these main faunal types. Supposedly, the faunal movements of the xeromontanean species in the West Palaearctic had been shaped by the Messinian salinity crisis and, additionally, significantly influenced by the Mid-Pleistocene climatic transition which deeply transformed the zonality of the vegetation by cooling and aridisation of vast areas.

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