A new species of Neohydatothrips (Thysanoptera: Sericothripinae) from China.

Neohydatothrips stachyurus sp. n. is described from Guizhou, China. Morphologically, this new Sericothripinae species is characterized by the shape of blotch on pronotum and the distribution of microtrichia on abdominal segments. The distribution of Neohydatothrips species from China also is discussed.

The genera Coccus and Prococcus (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha: Coccidae) in China, with two new combinations and descriptions of two new species.

The Chinese soft scale species in the genus Coccus Linnaeus, 1758 (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha: Coccidae) were studied. Coccus cambodiensis Takahashi and the Malaysian species C. cameronensis Takahashi are considered to be non-congeneric with Coccus hesperidum Linnaeus, 1758, the type species of Coccus, and are transferred to Prococcus Avasthi, 1993, as Prococcus cambodiensis (Takahashi, 1942), comb. n. and Prococcus cameronensis (Takahashi, 1952), comb. n. The generic diagnosis of Prococcus is revised. In the genus Coccus, two new species are described and illustrated based on adult females: Coccus nanningensis Cao Feng, sp. n. from Guangxi, China, on Ficus carica (Moraceae), and Coccus cephalotaxus Cao Feng, sp. n. from Shannxi, China, on Cephalotaxus sinensis (Taxaceae). Identification keys to separate adult females of Prococcus from Coccus, the 14 species of Coccus found in China, and all three species of Prococcus are provided.

Distribution patterns of Chinese Cixiidae (Hemiptera, Fulgoroidea), highlight their high endemic diversity.

BACKGROUND: Cixiidae are small strictly phytophagous hemipteran insects worldwide distributed. Ecology and systematics of Chinese fauna remains poorly investigated. For instance, does their distribution follows the patterns of biogeogaphical distribution established for their host plants or other related-taxa because they are all obligatory phytophagous taxa? Do they follow the usual distributional Chinese realms and boundaries already recognized? Which zoogeographical Chinese regions and connections between them do they depict. To investigate these issues, we provide here a referenced and comprehensive checklist of the 250 cixiid species currently reported from China (77 new records), with their precise distribution at the regional level. In the 8 Chinese main zoogeographical regions usually recognized and 2 adjacent areas, we analyzed further their diversity at the tribal, generic, and specific levels using a non-metric multidimensional scaling and an unweighted pairwise group analysis using an arithmetic mean cluster analyses. The observed distribution patterns shown that an intercalary Sino-Japanese realm is recognisable between the Palaearctic and Oriental realms. At the regional level, the South China region clusters more closely with the Southwest, Central and North China regions. Taiwan, clearly separated from the South China region and mainland China, is more closely related to the Qinghai-Tibet region and Indochina countries. Although Central and South China regions remain close to each other, the Qinghai-Tibet region appears singularly different. NEW INFORMATION: An updated checklist of the 250 Cixiidae species, known to occur in China and counting for 10% of the Chinese planthopper fauna, is presented based on literature, recent collections, and museum records. More than 400 records distributed among the 28 provinces and 8 regions in China are extensively provided, including 77 new records. Of these, more than 80% of the species (205 species, 82%) have been only reported from China, and most of them are endemic species, which could reflects the great diversity degree of the Chinese regions and local biotypes highlights the uniqueness of this fauna. These species are found in 8 Chinese zoogeographical regions: The Taiwan region is the most diversified with 161 species and the highest rate of endemic species (69.57%), followed by South China (78 species, 17.95%), Central China (60 species, 33.33%), Southwest China (43 species, 39.53%), North China (29 species, 34.48%), Qinghai-Tibet region (10 species, 20%), Northeast China (8 species, 12.5%), and 5 species found in the Inner Mongolia-Xinjiang region that are not endemic ones. Endemism was analyzed for each region and repeated for species distribution patterns across them, 9 being bi-regionally and tri-regionally distributed. The South China-Taiwan pattern is the most richest one, followed by the Central-South China-Taiwan pattern. Semonini and Pentastirini tribes are widespread among all the zoological regions, representing respectively 21.20% and 17.20% of all the species, while Cixiini being is the most common tribe with 45.20%, remains absent from the North-Eastern China region. Andini with only 5.20% of the species is distributed in the Sino-Japanese - Oriental Region; Eucarpini (6.40%) and Borysthenini (2.00%) are mainly concentrated in the south of the Qingling Mountain-Huai River. The remaining four tribes, Bennini (0.40%), Briixini (0.80%), Oecleini (1.20%) and Stenophlepsiini (0.40%) are relatively rare and restricted to Taiwan. At the generic level, Kuvera (7.2%) is the most widely distributed genus in China while Cixius, Betacixius, Kuvera, Oecleopsis and Andes are the more diversified. One genus (Oliparisca) is distributed only in the Tibet region, while 10 genera are distributed only in the Taiwan region. In addition, nearly half of the genera (16 genera, 48.48%) are distributed south of the Palearctic/Oriental boundary. A non-metric multidimensional scaling and an unweighted pairwise group method analysis using arithmetic mean clustering based on the Jaccard similarity coefficient matrix support a Palaearctic/Sino-Japanese boundary and a South China region closer to the Southwest, Central and North China regions. The Taiwan region appears clearly separated from the South China region and to mainland China, and more closely related to the Qinghai-Tibet region and Indochina countries. The Central and South China regions appear close to each other, but the Qinghai-Tibet region is singularly isolated.

Ultrastructure and morphology of the compound eyes of the predatory bug Montandoniola moraguesi (Insecta: Hemiptera: Anthocoridae).

The morphology and ultrastructure of the compound eye of the predatory bug, Montandoniola moraguesi (Puton, 1986) was investigated using scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Its compound eyes, which contain ∼195 ommatidia per eye, have the following characteristics: each ommatidium possesses a laminated corneal lens measuring ∼9 µm in diameter and ∼7 µm in thickness, a tetrapartite eucone crystalline cone, which is approximately 5.5 µm long, like a dumbbell with the distal end larger than the proximal end, eight clustered retinula cells ∼25.6 µm in length, two primary pigment cells and eight secondary primary pigment cells. The rhabdomeres of the eight retinula cells form a circular, tiered rhabdom of two elongated and six peripheral retinula cells. The rhabdomeres of cells R7 and R8 are distributed along the basolateral surface of the cone and form a centrally-fused rhabdom that spans nearly the full length of the ommatidium. The microvilli of the peripheral rhabdom (R1-R6) are radially arranged and form a bilobed, V-like shape in the central rhabdom. Based on the similarity of the compound eye of M. moraguesi to the eyes of other predatory insect species, the evolution and function of eyes in predators are briefly discussed.

The genus Pulvinaria (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha: Coccidae) in China, with description of a new species and a new record.

A new species of soft scale insect (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha: Coccidae) in the genus Pulvinaria Targioni Tozzetti, 1866 is recorded from Yunnan, China on Pistacia chinensis Bunge. Pulvinaria pistaciae Cao Feng sp. n. is described and illustrated, based on adult female morphology. Pulvinaria decorata Borchsenius, 1957 is recorded for the first time from China (Henan and Shaanxi). A key to the adult females of Pulvinaria species known to occur in China is provided, and a table to show their distributions in various zoogeographical regions in China.

Two new species in the genus Kuvera Distant, 1906 (Hemiptera, Cixiidae, Cixiinae) from China.

Two new species (Kuverahuoditangensis sp. n. and Kuveralongwangshanensis sp. n.) in the family Cixiidae from China are described and illustrated. The generic characteristics are redefined. A checklist to all species of Kuvera worldwide and an identification key to the Chinese species are provided. A map of the geographic distribution of Kuvera species is also provided.

Two new species in the genus Indolipa Emeljanov, 2001 (Hemiptera: Fulgoromorpha: Cixiidae: Pentastirini) from China.

Two new species of the family Cixiidae, Indolipa fopingensis, sp. nov. and Indolipa huapingensis, sp. nov., from China, are described and illustrated. A checklist to all species of this genus in the world and an identification key to Chinese species are provided. Host plants and a map of their geographic distribution are also provided.

Effect of Different Light Spectrum in Helicoverpa armigera Larvae during HearNPV Induced Tree-Top Disease.

Lepidopteran larvae upon infection by baculovirus show positive photo-tactic movement during tree-top disease. In light of many insects exploiting specific spectral information for the different behavioral decision, each spectral wavelength of light is an individual parsimonious candidate for such behavior stimulation. Here, we investigated the responses of third instar Helicoverpa armigera larvae infected by Helicoverpa armigera nucleopolyhedrovirus (HearNPV) to white (broad-spectrum), blue (450⁻490 nm), UVA (320⁻400 nm), and UVB (290⁻320 nm) lights for the tree-top disease. Our findings suggest that tree-top phenomenon is induced only when the light is applied from above. Blue, white and UVA lights from above induced tree-top disease, causing infected larvae to die in an elevated position compared to those larvae living in the complete dark. In contrast, UVB from above did not induce tree-top disease. Blue light exerted the maximum photo-tactic response, significantly (p < 0.01) higher than white light. The magnitude of the response decreased with decreasing wavelength to UVA, and no response at UVB. Our results suggested that the spectral wavelength of the light has a significant effect on the induction of the tree-top disease in H. armigera third instar larvae infected with HearNPV.

Description of a new species of Saissetia from China (Hemiptera, Coccomorpha, Coccidae).

The adult female of a new species of soft scale Saissetiapuerensis Zhang & Feng, sp. n. is described and illustrated from the genus Saissetia Deplanche, 1859. This species was collected on Lithocarpusuvariifolius (Hance) in Yunnan province, China. A key is provided to separate adult females of all Saissetia species known from China. A table is provided showing the distribution of Saissetia in various zoogeographical regions throughout the world.

Comparisons of Expression Levels of Heat Shock Proteins (hsp70 and hsp90) From Anaphothrips obscurus (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) in Polymorphic Adults Exposed to Different Heat Shock Treatments.

Heat shock proteins (Hsps) are prominent proteins that greatly contribute to insect survival under stress conditions. In this study, we cloned two Hsp transcripts (Aohsp70 and Aohsp90) from the grass thrip, Anaphothrips obscurus (Müller) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae), which is a polymorphic winged pest of corn and wheat. The cDNA sequences of Aohsp70 and Aohsp90 are 2382 and 2504 bp long, and encode proteins with calculated molecular weights of 70.02 kDa and 83.40 kDa, respectively. Aohsp90 was highly expressed in adults of both brachypters and macropters. Aohsp70 had different expression patterns in brachypters and macropters and was also highly expressed in the pupae of macropters. After adults were exposed to an ascending series of heat shocks, the expression of both Aohsp70 and Aohsp90 were up-regulated. In macropters and brachypters, the maximum induced levels of Aohsp70 (approximately 90-fold and 280-fold, respectively) were higher than Aohsp90 (approximately 2.4-fold and 1.8-fold, respectively). In addition, the up-regulation of Aohsp70 was significantly higher in brachypters than in macropters. Brachypters had a significantly higher Ltem50 (43.2°C) than macropters (42.5°C), which implied that brachypters are more tolerant to thermal stress than macropters. This study has shown that the expression patterns of Aohsp70 and Aohsp90 are variable among different life stages and thermal stress induced different levels of expressions in macropterous and brachypterous adults.

Identification and Characterisation of Putative Glutathione S-Transferase Genes from Daktulosphaira vitifoliae (Hemiptera: Phylloxeridae).

Glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) in insects are widely known for their role in the detoxification of both endogenous and xenobiotic compounds. Grape phylloxera, Daktulosphaira vitifoliae (Fitch) (Hemiptera: Phylloxeridae) is a serious grape pest, which causes great economic damage in vineyards, and has currently spread throughout the world. In this study, eight putative GST genes were identified by analyzing the transcriptomes of grape phylloxera. Phylogenetic analyses showed that there are seven cytosolic DviGSTs and one microsomal DviGST. These cytosolic DviGSTs are clustered into four different classes including two delta genes, one omega gene, one theta gene, and three sigma genes. Among candidate cytosolic DviGSTs, a conserved N-terminal domain and a less conserved C-terminal domain were identified. For the candidate microsomal DviGST, three transmembrane regions were predicted. Multiple sequence alignment analysis of the candidate microsomal DviGST was conducted with other insect microsomal GSTs and the result showed that there is a conserved sequence pattern. Semiquantitative polymerase chain reaction was used to examine the tissue expression of these transcripts, and the results revealed that DviGSTs were ubiquitously expressed in the head and the body, but DviGSTd1, DviGSTd2, DviGSTs2, and DviGSTs3 were abundantly expressed in the head and body. This is the first study of the molecular characteristics of GST genes in grape phylloxera. Our results will provide a molecular basis for future studies of the detoxification mechanisms in grape phylloxera.

Identification and Expression Profiling of Odorant-Binding Proteins and Chemosensory Proteins of Daktulosphaira vitifoliae (Hemiptera: Phylloxeridae).

In insects, odorant-binding proteins (OBPs) and chemosensory proteins (CSPs) are primary peripheral olfactory proteins playing critical roles in odorant detection. In this study, we present the first identification of OBPs and CSPs from the transcriptome of grape phylloxera Daktulosphaira vitifoliae Fitch, an important pest that damages both roots and leaves of grapes. The OBPs contained six conserved cysteine residues and the CSPs contained four conserved cysteine residues in this insect. Phylogenetic analysis showed that most of the olfactory proteins were closely related to OBPs and CSPs from other aphids. However, DviOBP7 and DviCSP9 were different because they were classified into different independent branches, respectively. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to examine the tissue expression of these transcripts. DviOBP1, DviOBP6, and DviOBP7 were uniquely or primarily expressed in antennae and not in the body. DviOBP2 was more abundantly expressed in the body than in the antennae. The expression levels of OBPs and CSPs of phylloxera varied depending upon where they were expressed in different body tissues.

Performance of arrhenotokous and thelytokous Thrips tabaci (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) on onion and cabbage and its implications on evolution and pest management.

Onion thrips, Thrips tabaci Lindeman (Thysanoptera: Thripidae), is an important pest on onion and cabbage. Two reproductive modes--arrhenotoky and thelytoky--are found in this species and co-occur in the field. We compared life table traits between arrhenotokous and thelytokous T. tabaci on cabbage and onion. Experiments were conducted in cages to determine which reproductive mode is more competitive. Additionally, host adaption of the arrhenotokous and thelytokous T. tabaci between onion and cabbage was investigated. On onion, arrhenotokous T. tabaci performed better than thelytokous T. tabaci, while on cabbage the opposite occurred. When comparing life table and demographic growth parameters (net reproductive rates R(o), mean generation time T, the intrinsic rate of natural increase r(m), finite rate of increase A, and population doubling time T(d)) on different host plants, we found that arrhenotokous T. tabaci performed better on onion than on cabbage, whereas thelytokous T. tabaci performed better on cabbage than on onion. Host-related performance differences in this species suggest that the divergence between two reproductive modes might be associated with host adaption. Pest management strategies for this global pest should recognize that the two reproductive modes can impact population dynamics on different crops.

Post-mating interactions and their effects on fitness of female and male Echinothrips americanus (Thysanoptera: Thripidae), a new insect pest in China.

Post-mating, sexual interactions of opposite sexes differ considerably in different organisms. Post-mating interactions such as re-mating behavior and male harassment can affect the fitness of both sexes. Echinothrips americanus is a new insect pest in Mainland China, and little is known about its post-mating interactions. In this study, we observed re-mating frequency and male harassment frequency and their effects on fitness parameters and offspring sex ratios of E. americanus females. Furthermore, we tested the impact of mating and post-mating interactions on fitness parameters of males. Our results revealed that the re-mating frequency in female adults was extremely low during a 30-day period. However, post-mating interactions between females and males, consisting mainly of male harassment and female resistance, did occur and significantly reduced female longevity and fecundity. Interestingly, increased access to males did not affect the ratio of female offspring. For males, mating dramatically reduced their longevity. However, post-mating interactions with females had no effects on the longevity of mated males. These results enrich our basic knowledge about female and male mating and post-mating behaviors in this species and provide important information about factors that may influence population regulation of this important pest species.

A review of the genus Megapulvinaria Young (Hemiptera, Coccoidea, Coccidae) from China, with a description of a new species.

Prior to this study, only Megapulvinaria maxima (Green) was known from China. However, a new species Megapulvinaria beihaiensis Wang & Feng, sp. n. is described below and Megapulvinaria maxima is redescribed. A key is provided for the five species now placed in this genus.

A new species of Pseudaulacaspis MacGillivray, 1921 from China (Hemiptera, Coccoidea, Diaspididae) with a key to Chinese species.

A new species of armored scale, Pseudaulacaspis zhenyuanensis Wei & Feng, sp. n. is described and illustrated from specimens collected on Spermadictyon suaveolens in China. A key to armored scale species known from China is provided.

Two new species of Megacanthaspis Takagi (Hemiptera, Sternorrhyncha, Coccoidea, Diaspididae) from China.

Two new species of armored scale, Megacanthaspis hangzhouensis Wei & Feng, sp. n. and Megacanthaspis hainanensis Wei & Feng, sp. n. are described and illustrated from specimens collected from China. A key to adult female of Megacanthaspis species is provided.

Comparisons of developmental and reproductive biology between parthenogenetic and sexual Echinothrips americanus (Thysanoptera: Thripidae).

Echinothrips americanus Morgan, an invasive pest on various ornamentals and greenhouse crops, was introduced into mainland China recently, posing a potential threat to ornamentals and greenhouse crops. It exhibits two different reproductive modes: arrhenotokous parthenogenesis and sexual reproduction. Laboratory studies were conducted to compare the developmental and reproductive biology of E. americanus in these two reproductive modes. Results showed that the oviposition period, and longevity of female adults using sexual reproduction were longer than those using parthenogenesis. Furthermore, sexual female adults had higher fecundity and survival rates. However, no significant differences were found among immature stages in the durations of first and second instars, prepupae, and pupae between the two reproductive modes, with the exception of the duration of the egg stadium. The survival rates for eggs and first and second instars were higher in sexual E. americanus whereas there were no survival differences for prepupae and pupae. These results provide valuable insights into the mechanisms of parthenogenesis and sex determination in Thysanoptera.

Characterization of three pheromone-binding proteins (PBPs) of Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) and their binding properties.

Three pheromone-binding proteins of Helicoverpa armigera were cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli. In order to characterize their physiological properties, ligand-binding experiments were performed using five biologically relevant substances including sex pheromones and interspecific signals. The results showed that one of the pheromone-binding proteins, HarmPBP1, binds strongly to each of the two principal pheromone components of H. armigera, (Z)-11-tetradecenal and (Z)-9-hexadecenal, but not to the interspecific signal (Z)-9-tetracecenal. The two remaining pheromone-binding proteins, HarmPBP2 and HarmPBP3, showed only weak affinities with the ligands tested. The 3-D structure of HarmPBP1 was predicted and the docking experiments indicate that the key binding site of (Z)-9-hexadecenal to HarmPBP1 includes Thr112, Lys111, and Phe119 whereas that of (Z)-11-tetradecenal includes Ser9, Trp37, Phe36, and Phe119.

A new species of Coccus (Hemiptera, Coccoidea, Coccidae) from China.

A new species of soft scale, Coccus multisetus Wang & Feng, sp. n. is described and illustrated from Yunnan, China. A key to adult females of all Coccusknown from China is provided.