DOI: 10.3897/contrib.entomol.76.e190444

Authors: Yung-Kai Shih, Christian Kehlmaier

Abstract: An acrocerid breeding record of an unidentified Ogcodes Latreille, 1796 species from the huntsman spider Gnathopalystes taiwanensis Zhu & Tso, 2006 captured and reared in Taiwan is provided, representing the first breeding record of Acroceridae from Sparassidae. The obtained male Ogcodes is compared to the male holotype of Ogcodes taiwanensis Schlinger, 1971, being currently the sole described representative of the genus known to occur in Taiwan. A species list of the four Acroceridae species known from Taiwan is provided, all of them being endemic to the island.

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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.e139899

Authors: Vareesh Baghela, Kiran Meena, Muskan Kachhwaha, Rajbala Verma, Neetu Kachhwaha

Abstract: Nanoparticles synthesized by chemical and physical methods use toxic reducing agents and expensive equipment. This study’s objective is to create silver nanoparticles through an economical and environmentally-friendly green synthesis method, employing Trachyspermum ammi leaf extract as a capping and reducing agent. The green synthesized silver nanoparticles (TA-AgNPs) were characterized by UV/Visible spectrum (absorbance peak-419 nm), Scanning electron microscopy (15–45 nm), Energy dispersive X-ray analysis (peak at 3 keV), X-ray diffraction (crystalline nature), and FTIR (strong peak at 3122.96 cm-1). Further, the potential of the synthesized silver nanoparticles was subjected against third and fourth larval instar and adult stages of Anopheles stephensi, Aedes aegypti, and Culex quinquefasciatus mosquitoes. The entomological assays were conducted by following WHO guidelines (2005, 2022) at the dose concentrations of 0.5 ppm, 5 ppm, 15 ppm, 25 ppm, 35 ppm, 45 ppm (larvicidal), and 5 ppm, 20 ppm, 35 ppm, 55 ppm, 75 ppm, 95 ppm concentrations (adulticidal) of crude extract and TA-AgNPs. After 24 hours of exposure, the TA-AgNPs treated a group of An. stephensi larvae and adults showed 100% death at their highest dosage. TA-AgNPs demonstrated considerable and superior larvicidal and adulticidal action compared to crude extract. A one-way ANOVA with a p < 0.05 yielded highly significant findings across all genera. The values at the data’s LC50, LC90, and LC95 endpoints were estimated using the probit plane regression analysis. Compared to Ae. aegypti and Cx. quinquefasciatus, the An. stephensi had the highest acute toxicity. TA-AgNPs offered a potent insecticide for limiting epidemics of mosquito-borne diseases.

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DOI: 10.3897/contrib.entomol.75.e145605

Authors: Mitsuaki Sutou, Frank Menzel

Abstract: Taxonomy of the genera Mouffetina Frey and Trichosia Winnertz of black fungus gnats in Japan is studied. Seven new species, M. duopalpus sp. nov., T. stylofornix sp. nov., T. fumoranea sp. nov., T. basiconstricta sp. nov., T. paraborealis sp. nov., T. comprimera sp. nov., and T. montaclaria sp. nov. are described, and six species T. scotica, T. conglobata, T. acrotricha, T. hypertricha, T. lengersdorfi and T. edwardsi are newly recorded from Japan. This study records the species of Mouffetina from Japan for the first time, and increases the number of known Japanese Trichosia from only one species to thirteen species. Intraspecific morphological variability of the widely distributed species is discussed. The larva of T. conglobata is described in detail, and its morphology compared with larvae of other genera of black fungus gnats. Updated world checklist is attached to overview the diversity of the members of these genera.

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DOI: 10.3897/contrib.entomol.75.e138001

Authors: Andreas Krüger, Anke Crecelius, Denise Fischer, Ralf M. Hagen

Abstract: In the three consecutive years of 2022–2024, three female specimens of the phlebotomine sandfly Phlebotomus mascittii were trapped in two locations in the vicinity of Coblenz, western Germany. These records slightly expand the distribution limits of the species in the Federal State of Rhineland-Palatinate to the north, at latitudes 50°18'N and 50°15'N, respectively, and represent the second northernmost Palearctic sandfly locations so far.

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DOI: 10.3897/contrib.entomol.74.e142915

Authors: Joachim Ziegler, Frank Menzel, Andrew Liston, Andreas Taeger

Abstract: Klaus Standfuss passed away in April 2024 at the age of 87. In his professional life, Professor Standfuss worked as a physician and university lecturer in Cologne and Dortmund. Even as an active doctor and especially as a pensioner with diverse scientific interests, he was involved for decades in the ecological reorganisation of his city garden in Dortmund and studied the insect fauna developing there. The transformation of a green wasteland into a botanically rich habitat for insects is regarded in Germany as a prime example of the creation of species-rich natural gardens in inner cities. Klaus Standfuss also became known for his contributions to the insect fauna of Germany and Greece, which he published from 1996 to 2021 together with his wife Lisa Standfuss and other specialists in various insect families. His list of entomological publications includes 42 articles, 31 of which deal with Hymenoptera, 10 with Diptera and one with bibliographical problems. Two species of Hymenoptera were named after the couple Klaus and Lisa Standfuss.

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DOI: 10.3897/contrib.entomol.74.e136784

Authors: Elias Freyhof, Emil Janke

Abstract: Heated greenhouses are a hotspot for introduced species from warmer climates. We studied 24 greenhouses for their invertebrate fauna with a special focus on ants. Identifications were initialised by iNaturalist and its community, followed by literature, COI barcoding and consulting experts in some cases. We report 32 introduced species including eight new records at the regional, national or continental scale, four of which are ants. Technomyrmex difficilis and Solenopsis texana are recorded for the first time in Germany. Plagiolepis alluaudi and Technomyrmex vitiensis are new for Berlin and Brandenburg. Alepia cf. viatrix (Diptera, Psychodidae) is first recorded for continental Eurasia. Cryptotermes cavifrons (Blattodea, Kalotermitidae) and Geonemertes pelaensis (Hoplonemertea, Prosorhochmidae) are recorded the first time for Europe. An unidentified species of the genus Anisorhynchodemus (Tricladida, Geoplanidae) is recorded the first time for Germany. Here, we present records for 37 species (five of the ant species are native), all associated with pictures in iNaturalist. For 33 individuals of 20 species, we also provide COI sequence data supporting their identification. Furthermore, the comparison of greenhouse metadata with species composition showed that the introduced ant species are dependent on a high minimum temperature in the greenhouse.

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DOI: 10.3897/contrib.entomol.74.e123244

Authors: Joan A. van der Velden

Abstract: In a rural garden in the southwest of the Netherlands, 48 species of hoverfly were observed, belonging to 28 genera. All but one species are common in the Netherlands. Gardens are a natural habitat for many hoverflies. Both species diversity and the abundance of hoverflies can be high, making hoverflies good indicators for an ecological garden health index for insects. The potential contribution of citizen science to gain more ecological knowledge of hoverflies in gardens is discussed. This study shows that photographic capture and biometrical identification are suitable for citizen science projects on hoverflies.

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DOI: 10.3897/contrib.entomol.74.e127094

Authors: André Reimann, Björn Rulik

Abstract: The investigation of 331 specimens of the acalypterate dipteran family Lonchaeidae within the GBOL-project resulted in a list of 29 species from which one is new to science, Priscoearomyia bausenbergensis sp. nov., and four species represent new records for Germany. For all voucher specimens detailed metadata are provided including validated DNA barcodes. These barcodes build a sound reference basis for future molecular identification of lonchaeid flies and will also allow the inclusion of female specimens in biodiversity studies, when morphological characters for separating these females are not available.

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DOI: 10.3897/contrib.entomol.74.e125784

Authors: Andreas Krüger

Abstract: A completely bilateral gynandromorph of Aedes (Ochlerotatus) punctor, reared from a larva collected from a natural habitat in the German Volcanic Eifel region, is described and figured. In dorsal view, its right side is of female, the left side of male morphology. Only the external genitalia appear to be a mosaic, with male hypopygia dominating.

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DOI: 10.3897/contrib.entomol.72.e97281

Authors: Eberhard Zielke

Abstract: About 220 Muscidae collected from various locations in Madagascar and belonging to the subfamilies Azeliinae, Muscinae, Mydaeinae and Phaoniinae have been identified. Several specimens of the previously unknown female of Graphomya rossi Zielke, 1974 were found among the material. The female’s taxonomic characters are described in detail, also taking into account the intraspecific variability of some features of the females. The identification of the specimens of Hydrotaea bella Couri, Pont and Penny, 2006 led to the correction of a wrongly described taxonomic feature in the original species description. The notopleura of H. bella are not bare, as stated by the authors, but are covered with several dark setulae. Three species proved new to science and are described as Gymnodia malagasya spec. nov., Helina amboa spec. nov. and Helina hesitancia spec. nov. This means that six Gymnodia and eleven Helina species are now recorded from Madagascar.

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