EJE, vol. 120 (2023)
The effect of conductor wires of different metals on the amount of honey bee (Apis mellifera; Hymenoptera: Apidae) venom collected and its chemical contentOriginal article
Nazim TURAN, Cengiz ERKAN
Eur. J. Entomol. 120: 366-371, 2023 | DOI: 10.14411/eje.2023.040 
Researchers have been interested in honey bee, Apis mellifera L., venom for many years, but the previous studies focused mainly on its pharmacological properties and the factors affecting its production and chemical content were less well evaluated. This research aims to investigate the potential effect of the method of collecting bee venom on its chemical content. To achieve this, brass, steel, aluminium and copper wire conductors were used. This research was carried out at Van YYU Beekeeping Application and Research Centre, where the venom was collected dry on glass plates from 16 Caucasian F1 honey bee colonies. The quantity produced and...
Efficiency of foraging behavior in the ant genus Messor (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Myrmicinae) in response to food distributionOriginal article
Abderrahmane EL BOUKHRISSI, Ahmed TAHERI, Nard BENNAS, Joaquín L. REYES-LÓPEZ
Eur. J. Entomol. 120: 357-365, 2023 | DOI: 10.14411/eje.2023.039
Harvester ants are known to be species that collect seeds of plants and store them in underground chambers. Workers forage solitarily or in groups, and the intensity of their foraging depends, among other things, on the rate of food intake. To evaluate the efficiency of foraging in response to food distribution, we studied the foraging rate on different distributions of seeds in three species of the genus Messor, M. barbarus (Linnaeus, 1767), M. marocanus Santschi, 1927 and M. sanctus Emery, 1921. Foraging rates were higher on more clumped seed distributions in all studied colonies. The number of foragers did not...
Mitochondrial genomes of Bombyliidae (Diptera): Phylogenetic analysis recovers monophyletic Bombyliidae sister to AsilidaeOriginal article
Gang YAO, Yuxin AN, Jun LUO, Zhen ZHANG, Ding YANG, Yuyu WANG
Eur. J. Entomol. 120: 349-356, 2023 | DOI: 10.14411/eje.2023.038
Bombyliidae (bee flies) is a large family in the order Diptera. Their larvae are predators or parasitoids of several insect orders, such as Coleoptera, Lepidoptera, Hymenoptera and Diptera, some species of the genus Systoechus are predators of grasshopper eggs. The adults visit flowers for nectar and mating, which makes them important pollinators. Their classification and systematic position are still strongly debated. There were only two complete mitochondrial (mt) genomes of Bombyliidae. Mt genomes of Villa fasciata, Bombylius candidus, Heteralonia anemosyris, Ligyra guangdongana, Systropus excisus and Exhyalanthrax...
Book review: Sourakov A. & Warren Chadd R. 2022: The Lives of Moths: A Natural History of Our Planet's Moth Life.Book review
M. RINDO©
Eur. J. Entomol. 120: 347-348, 2023 | DOI: 10.14411/eje.2023.037
Sourakov A. & Warren Chadd R. 2022: The Lives of Moths: A Natural History of Our Planet's Moth Life. Princeton University Press, Princeton and Oxford, vii+288 pp. ISBN 978-0-691-22856-3. Hardcover. Price USD 29.95.
Book Review: Marshall S.A. 2023: Hymenoptera. The Natural History & Diversity of Wasps, Bees & Ants.Book review
P. BOGUSCH
Eur. J. Entomol. 120: 346, 2023 | DOI: 10.14411/eje.2023.036
Marshall S.A. 2023: Hymenoptera. The Natural History & Diversity of Wasps, Bees & Ants. Firefly Books, Richmond Hill, ON, 638 pp. ISBN 978-0228103714. Hardback. Price CDN 95.00.
Recent growth in occurrences of Acrida ungarica (Orthoptera: Acrididae) at the northern margin of the species range: Is it the result of global warming?Original article
Zoltán KENYERES, Norbert BAUER, Thomas ZUNA-KRATKY, Máté MAGYARI, Josip SKEJO, Anton KRI©TÍN
Eur. J. Entomol. 120: 338-345, 2023 | DOI: 10.14411/eje.2023.035
The number of records of Acrida ungarica in novel habitats and in places where the species was considered extinct, has markedly increased in recent years. We hypothesized that the newly revealed occurrences, on the northern margin of the species range, were not due to an increase in survey effort, but rather a result of the warming climate in the Carpathian Basin. We studied the occurrence data of Acrida ungarica and the intensity of Orthoptera surveys over the period of 2002-2022 in 1,840 6 × 5.5 km grid cells of the Central European Flora Mapping System. As background variables, we included macroclimatic data and the vegetation cover...
Diversity and relationships between Andean shrubland puna butterflies in the genus Punargentus (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae: Satyrinae)Original article
Tomasz W. PYRCZ, Pierre BOYER, José A. CERDEÑA GUTIERREZ, Oscar MAHECHA JIMENEZ, Jadwiga LORENC-BRUDECKA, Kamila S. ZAJ¡C, Rafa³ GARLACZ, Artur MROZEK, Dorota LACHOWSKA-CIERLIK, Jackie FARFÁN, Christer FÅHRAEUS, Gerardo LAMAS, Marianne ESPELAND
Eur. J. Entomol. 120: 324-337, 2023 | DOI: 10.14411/eje.2023.034
Two new species and two new subspecies of the satyrine butterfly genus Punargentus Heimlich, P. atusparia sp. n., P. heimlichi sp. n., P. blanchardi libertas ssp. n. and P. atusparia yupania ssp. n., are described from north-central Peru (Ancash, Huánuco and La Libertad). The affinities of the new taxa are evaluated based on molecular data obtained using target enrichment and COI barcoding. Punargentus is fully supported and consists of two branches, the P. lamna clade with four species and P. blanchardi clade with three species, two of which are described here. Species in the P. blanchardi...
The effectiveness of Chrysoperla carnea (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) and Beauveria bassiana (Ascomycota: Hypocreales) as control agents of Neophilaenus campestris (Hemiptera: Aphrophoridae) a vector of Xylella fastidiosa Original article
Laura AVIVAR-LOZANO, José María MOLINA, Sergio PÉREZ-GUERRERO
Eur. J. Entomol. 120: 316-323, 2023 | DOI: 10.14411/eje.2023.033
The effectiveness of two biological control agents, Chrysoperla carnea (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) and the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana (Ascomycota: Hypocreales) against nymphs and adults of Neophilaenus campestris (Hemiptera: Aphrophoridae) was determined under laboratory conditions. First, different nymphal stages of N. campestris were presented to different larval stages of C. carnea. Second, the effect of the foam produced by N. campestris nymphs on the larvae of C. carnea predation was evaluated. Finally, four concentrations of a wild strain of B. bassiana, BbGEp1, were sprayed...
The proteins involved in larval colouration in the cuticle and haemolymph of two strains of Antheraea pernyi (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae)Short Communication
Guobao WANG, Jiangrun WANG, Lei NIE
Eur. J. Entomol. 120: 310-315, 2023 | DOI: 10.14411/eje.2023.032
The proteome profiles of the cuticle and haemolymph of two strains of the Chinese Oak silk moth A. pernyi, with cyan and yellow coloured bodies, were compared in order to identify the differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) that determine the differences in the colouration of the two strains. A total of 324 DEPs, including 124 up-regulated and 200 down-regulated proteins, were identified in the cuticles of the cyan and yellow coloured individuals, and 286 DEPs including 79 up-regulated and 207 down-regulated proteins in the haemolymph of the cyan and yellow coloured individuals. Several DEPs associated with the colour of larvae of A. pernyi...
Effect of the nutritional quality of primary food on the development, sex ratio, and size of a parasitoid in a quadri-trophic food webOriginal article
¥udmila ÈERNECKÁ, Stano PEKÁR
Eur. J. Entomol. 120: 304-309, 2023 | DOI: 10.14411/eje.2023.031
This study explores the effect of nutritional composition on the fitness of consumers in a quadri-trophic food web. Specifically, we studied how enrichment of the food of fruit flies Drosophila melanogaster (Meigen, 1830) transfers to the spider Phylloneta impressa (L. Koch) (Theridiidae) and its parasitoid wasp, Zatypota percontatoria Mueller (Ichneumonidae). We reared fruit flies on balanced, protein-enriched, and lipid-enriched diets, and observed several fitness-related traits in both the predator and the parasitoid. In spiders, we did not find significant differences among treatments in their body size and the probability...
Establishment of a primary cell culture of Thrips palmi (Thysanoptera: Thripidae)Short Communication
Amalendu GHOSH, Heena DHALL, Sumit JANGRA
Eur. J. Entomol. 120: 297-303, 2023 | DOI: 10.14411/eje.2023.030
Thrips palmi (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) is an important pest of vegetables, ornamental plants and fruit crops. In addition to the direct damage caused by feeding, it transmits several tospoviruses. The absence of an in vitro assay system is a major bottleneck in investigating thrips-tospovirus interactions. The present study reports the establishment of a primary cell culture of T. palmi, which was initiated using embryonic tissue as an explant in modified Kimura's medium. Fibroblast-like cells began to be produced 3 h after tissue implantation and were the dominant cell type. They grew in size and number and covered most of the surface....
Experimental evidence of polyandry and prolonged copulations in Photinus palaciosi, a synchronous firefly with brachypterous females (Coleoptera: Lampyridae)Original article
Aldair VERGARA, Tania LÓPEZ-PALAFOX, Jaime CAMACHO-GARCÍA, David XOCHIPILTECATL, Crisóstomo MIXTLI, Carlos CORDERO
Eur. J. Entomol. 120: 293-296, 2023 | DOI: 10.14411/eje.2023.029
Males of some species of the firefly Photinus produce nutritious spermatophores (nuptial gifts) the production of which is associated with a specific reproductive morphology. In fireflies and other insects, the production of nuptial gifts favours the evolution of polyandry. On the other hand, in fireflies, wing reduction (brachyptery) in females is associated with the lack of nuptial gifts. P. palaciosi is a synchronous firefly with brachypterous females, which would indicate an absence of nuptial gifts and a monandrous mating system. However, the reproductive morphology of P. palaciosi is like that of species producing nuptial...
Nearctic Anthomyzidae: Genera Mumetopia Melander and Xerocomyza gen. n. (Diptera)Original article
Jindøich ROHÁÈEK, Kevin N. BARBER
Eur. J. Entomol. 120: 254-292, 2023 | DOI: 10.14411/eje.2023.028
The New World genus Mumetopia Melander, 1913 is redefined, redescribed and its relationships are discussed. Its Nearctic type species, M. occipitalis Melander, 1913, is revised with lectotype designation, redescribed and illustrated in detail, and its relationship, biology and distribution are treated using published and numerous new data. A new genus, Xerocomyza gen. n., is described for X. hansoni sp. n., an unusual species from high desert plains in Utah (U.S.A.), and its phylogenetic relationships are discussed: Xerocomyza is recognized as a separate lineage of Anthomyzidae most probably allied to the Carexomyza...
Environmental variables associated with insect richness and nestedness on small islands off the coast of northeastern AlgeriaOriginal article
Lyes AISSAT
Eur. J. Entomol. 120: 244-253, 2023 | DOI: 10.14411/eje.2023.027
This study investigated the association of environmental factors with insect richness and nested patterns in the distribution of species of insects on small islands (northeastern Algeria). Insect species on eleven (11) islands were sampled using pitfall traps, sweep netting and a Japanese umbrella. To explain patterns in insect diversity on small islands, a generalized linear model (GLM) was used to determine the association of the overall richness and that of the dominant orders of insects with environmental variables (altitude, surface area, isolation, plant richness and number of habitats). To determine the nestedness pattern on these islands, the...
Comparative kinetic characterization of the activity of glycosylated and non-glycosylated trypsin-like serine protease isolated from adults of Rhyzopertha dominica (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae) reared on the grain of three different cultivars of wheatOriginal article
Fernanda S. ZAVALA-IBARRA, Aldo A. ARVIZU-FLORES, Oliviert MARTÍNEZ-CRUZ, Pablo S. OSUNA-AMARILLAS, José L. CÁRDENAS-LÓPEZ, Carmen L. DEL-TORO-SÁNCHEZ, Carlos R. GONZÁLEZ-RUIZ, José A. TAPIA-HERNÁNDEZ, Rey D. ITURRALDE-GARCÍA, Francisco J. CINCO-MOROYOQUI
Eur. J. Entomol. 120: 233-243, 2023 | DOI: 10.14411/eje.2023.026
Rhyzopertha dominica is a pest that uses trypsin-like serine protease enzymes to hydrolyse the proteins in the cereal grains on which it feeds. The present study reveals for the first time that that there are both glycosylated and non-glycosylated serine proteases. The progeny of R. dominica reared on the grain three varieties of wheat were used to fractionate their trypsin-like serine proteases using Concanavalin A affinity chromatography. The albumin fractions from the wheat cultivars used in this study were subjected to size exclusion chromatography to fractionate the albumin inhibitors that are highly specific for the serine protease...
Glostatina, a new xyloctonine subtribe for Glostatus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), based on clear genetic and morphological differencesOriginal article
Bjarte H. JORDAL
Eur. J. Entomol. 120: 199-232, 2023 | DOI: 10.14411/eje.2023.025
An integrated taxonomic revision of the Afrotropical Glostatus Schedl, 1939 is presented, which is based on multiple genetic markers and morphological characters. Both types of data clearly distinguish Glostatus from other genera in Xyloctonini and support a separate placement in subtribe Glostatina trib. n. Six new species are described: Glostatus aculeus sp. n., G. acutidentes sp. n., G. paraxyloctonus sp. n., G. procurvus sp. n., G. tenuis sp. n. and G. tuberculatus sp. n. The synonymising of the genus Stephanopodius Schedl, 1941 with Glostatus involved new combinations...
Comparative analysis of the mitochondrial genome of Hypospila bolinoides and Lygephila dorsigera (Lepidoptera: Noctuoidea: Erebidae), with implications for their phylogenyOriginal article
Muzafar RIYAZ, Rauf Ahmad SHAH, Ignacimuthu SAVARIMUTHU, Sivasankaran KUPPUSAMY
Eur. J. Entomol. 120: 187-198, 2023 | DOI: 10.14411/eje.2023.024
To analyse the phylogenetic relationships of members of the family Erebidae, the mitogenomes of two species namely, Hypospila bolinoides Guenée, 1852 and Lygephila dorsigera (Walker, 1865) were sequenced. H. bolinoides and L. dorsigera have circular genomes that are 15,640 bp and 15,567 bp long, respectively. Despite their different lengths, both genomes contain an identical gene order, which includes 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 22 tRNA genes, two rRNA genes and an A+T-rich region. The nucleotide composition of the H. bolinoides mitogenome vis-à-vis the A+T rich region was 80.08%, which is higher than...
Assemblage of entomopathogenic fungi infesting immature stages of Noctuidae (Lepidoptera): High diversity but low effect on host populationsShort Communication
Robin GIELEN, Tiit TEDER, Kadri PÕLDMAA, Toomas TAMMARU
Eur. J. Entomol. 120: 182-186, 2023 | DOI: 10.14411/eje.2023.023
Populations of herbivorous insects are considered to be primarily regulated by natural enemies. However, little is known about the ecological role of entomopathogenic fungi. There is very little data on the diversity and prevalence of fungal pathogens in natural insect populations. In this study, the percentage mortality attributable to fungal pathogens for the immature stages of three noctuid moths feeding inside the stems of the herbaceous plant, Typha latifolia, were determined. The average percentage mortality caused by fungal pathogens was around 8%, with the value never exceeding 20% at any of the studied sites. As many as ten species...
An overview of the pollination interactions between the ginger family (Zingiberaceae) and insects in AsiaReview
Suganthi APPALASAMY, Nivaarani ARUMUGAM, Visweswara Rao PASUPULETI, Sreeramanan SUBRAMANIAM, Jayaraj Vijaya KUMARAN, Maryana Mohamad NOR, Mohammed Abdus SALAM
Eur. J. Entomol. 120: 170-181, 2023 | DOI: 10.14411/eje.2023.022
The plant-biotic pollinator interaction is crucial for the survival of both organisms. Insects are recognised as effective biotic pollinators. As there are few specific studies on the pollination of angiosperms, the emphasis of this review is on understanding the pollination process by reviewing the knowledge of the ginger-insect pollinator interaction in Asia. Currently the plant-pollinator interaction of only 5% of Asian species of Zingiberaceae is evaluated. Previous studies indicate that bees, such as, halictid and blue-banded bees are, among the many floral vistors, the most important pollinators of ginger plants in Asia. Knowledge of non-bee...
Plant essential oils induce expression of heat shock proteins and antioxidant enzyme activity in carob moth, Ectomyelois ceratoniae (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)Original article
Saeed FARAHANI, Ali R. BANDANI
Eur. J. Entomol. 120: 161-169, 2023 | DOI: 10.14411/eje.2023.021
Rising concerns about the negative effects of chemical compounds in pest control have made it increasingly necessary to find new environmentally friendly compounds to combat insect pests. In recent years, the use of plant derivatives, such as, essential oils have proved very promising. Despite the many studies on essential oils, there are very few studies on the effect of these oils on induction of Heat shock proteins (HSPs) and antioxidant enzymes. Therefore, it was hypothesized that the exposure of insects to essential oils induce stress, which it is likely induces the production of heat shock proteins and antioxidant enzymes. Thus, Ectomyelois...
Life and work of Ivo HodekIvo Hodek special issueEditorial article
Oldøich NEDVÌD, Alois HONÌK
Eur. J. Entomol. 120: 157-160, 2023 | DOI: 10.14411/eje.2023.020
Ivo Hodek, who was well-known for his professional work on ladybirds (Coccinellidae) and insect ecophysiology, as well as a teacher or mentor of many entomologists, and the longest serving editor of the European Journal of Entomology died on June 11, 2021, shortly after his ninetieth birthday. Because of his important contribution to the development of European Journal of Entomology, the editorial board decided to dedicate a special virtual issue of the journal to his memory.
Termination of diapause in the lime seed bug Oxycarenus lavaterae (Heteroptera: Lygaeoidea: Oxycarenidae)Ivo Hodek special issueOriginal article
Oldøich NEDVÌD, Plamen KALUSHKOV, Ivo HODEK
Eur. J. Entomol. 120: 150-156, 2023 | DOI: 10.14411/eje.2023.019
The true bug Oxycarenus lavaterae has spread northwards through Europe from the Mediterranean at the beginning of the 21st century. Temperature and photoperiod in particular countries are important for the prediction of further spread. The timing and conditions for the termination of winter diapause in Bulgarian and Czech populations of O. lavaterae were determined. The progress in diapause development in the Bulgarian population was monitored by changes in the duration of the pre-oviposition period under long day (18L : 6D) conditions, which decreased gradually from October to June from 98 to 10 days at 20°C and 62 to 9 days at 25°C....
Book Review: Cohen A.C. 2021: Design, Operation and Control of Insect Rearing Systems. Science, Technology, and Infrastructure.Book review
P. ©ÍPEK
Eur. J. Entomol. 120: 149, 2023 | DOI: 10.14411/eje.2023.018
Cohen A.C. 2021: Design, Operation and Control of Insect Rearing Systems. Science, Technology, and Infrastructure. CRC Press, Boca Raton, xxv + 394 pp., 297 color and 63 b/w illustrations. ISBN 9781138571259. Price GBP 170.00 (hardback), GBP 119.00 (e-book).
Contribution of the public to the modelling of the distributions of species: Occurrence and current and potential distribution of the ant Manica rubida (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)Original article
Patrick KRAPF
Eur. J. Entomol. 120: 137-148, 2023 | DOI: 10.14411/eje.2023.017
Maps and models of the distributions of animals and plants are important for assessing their current and future status. Such models rely on information on the environment and occurrence of species. While data on the environment are often easily gathered that on the occurrence of species is often tedious and expensive to collect. An easy way to gather data on species occurrences is to use online platforms such as GBIF or iNaturalist, which rely on the public. This data can be used to produce maps and develop models of the distributions of various animals, such as ants. Even though there are a few in depth studies on the distributions of ant species,...
Bird nest boxes infested with Carnus hemapterus (Diptera: Carnidae): A perfect arena for the study of trophic interplays with a special focus on parasitoid HymenopteraOriginal article
Ingemar STRUWE, Mattias FORSHAGE, Francisco VALERA
Eur. J. Entomol. 120: 129-136, 2023 | DOI: 10.14411/eje.2023.016
Birds' nests hold rich and diverse communities of invertebrates with complex interspecific interactions whose study could improve our understanding of food webs and resource dynamics. To reach this goal, identification of the participants of such interactions is basic but current knowledge on some key groups such as hymenopteran parasitoids is admittedly poor and unreliable. Here we describe the invertebrate fauna in nests of the Eurasian wryneck Jynx torquilla Linnaeus, 1758 (Piciformes: Picidae) and the relative importance of various trophic guilds. We found a rich community where ectoparasitic Diptera of birds, parasitoid wasps and scavenger...
Book Review: Evans A.V. 2023: The Lives of Beetles: A Natural History of Coleoptera.Book review
P. KOZEL
Eur. J. Entomol. 120: 128, 2023 | DOI: 10.14411/eje.2023.015
Evans A.V. 2023: The Lives of Beetles: A Natural History of Coleoptera. Princeton University Press, Oxford, 288 pp. ISBN 978-0-691-23651-3. Price USD 35.00.
Feeding preferences of the field cricket Scapsipedus icipe (Orthoptera: Gryllidae) for different species of CommelinaOriginal article
Irakiza RUNYAMBO, Darius ANDIKA, Arnold WATAKO, Samuel MWONGA, Collins MWERESA
Eur. J. Entomol. 120: 115-127, 2023 | DOI: 10.14411/eje.2023.014
The field cricket, Scapsipedus icipe Hugel and Tanga (Orthoptera: Gryllidae) is edible and could be used to reduce malnutrition in Sub-Saharan Africa. As the demand for cricket products is increasing, there is a need to find cost-effective ways of rearing this cricket using locally available and affordable sources of food. This study evaluated the feeding preferences of the field cricket S. icipe for 11 species of dayflowers (Commelina spp.; Commelinaceae), using no-choice and multiple-choice experiments in controlled environments. Leaf feeding rates and the nutrient content and phytochemicals of the plants were determined. The...
Immature stages of the remarkable and rare West Palaearctic rove beetle Emus hirtus (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Staphylinini) in the phylogenetic context of the subtribe StaphylininaOriginal article
Qing-Hao ZHAO, Alexey SOLODOVNIKOV
Eur. J. Entomol. 120: 105-114, 2023 | DOI: 10.14411/eje.2023.013
Based on reared material, all the immature stages of Emus hirtus (Linnaeus, 1758) are described. This is an especially interesting species of rove beetle because it looks very striking, hunts dung-inhabiting insects, has a patchy distribution and is a protected species in some countries. Descriptions are supplemented by a few field and laboratory-based observations on adult and larval behaviour and development. Since the phylogeny of the diverse subtribe Staphylinina is poorly known, all available information on the immature stages of the species in this subtribe was summarized and their phylogenetic utility evaluated. Data on Emus and...
Locations of Rab, Allatotropin, Prothoracicotropic hormone and Period in the larval brain, corpus allatum and frontal ganglion of Bombyx mori Original article
Asuka MATSUI, Makoto TOKUSHIGE, Akira MIZOGUCHI, Kengo KANAMARU, Katsuhiko SAKAMOTO, Yuichi UNO, Tomohide UNO
Eur. J. Entomol. 120: 93-104, 2023 | DOI: 10.14411/eje.2023.012
Rab, a low molecular weight GTP-binding protein, regulates the transmission of intracellular proteins. Insect neuropeptides that are directly involved in growth, development, reproduction, homeostasis, courtship, feeding, circadian rhythm and many other physiological processes are synthesized in neurons and ganglia in the brain and secreted by specific neurosecretory cells in tissues such as the corpus allatum and frontal ganglion. To clarify the relationship between Rabs, two neuropeptides, Allatotropin (AT) and Prothoracicotropic hormone (PTTH) and the circadian clock protein, Period (PER), were used to determine the locations of nine Rabs (Rab1,...
Feeding behavior and mobility of carabid beetles in response to perceived risk of predationCarabidological special issueOriginal article
Stefanie E. DE HEIJ, Khaldoun A. ALI, Sean M. PRAGER, Christian J. WILLENBORG
Eur. J. Entomol. 120: 81-92, 2023 | DOI: 10.14411/eje.2023.011
Carabid beetles are common inhabitants of agricultural fields where they encounter a variety of food options - including prey and weed seeds. The feeding behaviors of carabids are often influenced by the physical and chemical traits of prey and seed species, as such traits determine prey or seed species that are suitable for consumption. However, some carabid species may prey upon other carabids, complicating their role as beneficial insects due to consumptive (direct) and non-consumptive (indirect) intra-guild predation effects. The non-consumptive effects of intra-guild predation are expected to influence prey and seed foraging behaviors of carabids...
Stage-specific vulnerability of Harmonia axyridis (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) to intraguild predationIvo Hodek special issueOriginal article
Geneviève LABRIE, Roberto MESEGUER, Eric LUCAS
Eur. J. Entomol. 120: 70-80, 2023 | DOI: 10.14411/eje.2023.010
The multicoloured Asian ladybeetle, Harmonia axyridis (Pallas), is a widespread invasive ladybird. It is considered a top predator among the aphidophagous coccinellids in North America and Europe; thus, it is supposed to be free from predation pressure by other members of the guild. Our study aims to evaluate the stage-specific vulnerability of H. axyridis to intraguild predation (IGP) by the indigenous Coleomegilla maculata lengi Timberlake and the invasive Propylea quatuordecimpunctata Linnaeus. We hypothesised that (1) H. axyridis stages will be less susceptible to IGP than the two other species, (2) vulnerability...
Perennial alternative crops for biogas production increase arthropod abundance and diversity after harvest - results of suction sampling and metabarcodingOriginal article
Johannes BURMEISTER, Bernd PANASSITI, Franziska HEINE, Sebastian WOLFRUM, Jerome MORINIERE
Eur. J. Entomol. 120: 59-69, 2023 | DOI: 10.14411/eje.2023.009
The effects of novel perennial energy crops on arthropod abundance and diversity were tested using three field trials in Bavaria. Established cup plant (Silphium perfoliatum), Virginia mallow (Sida hermaphrodita) and tall wheat grass (Thinopyrum ponticum) plots were sampled in autumn using a modified leaf blower and their arthropod faunas compared with that recorded in maize plots. At the time of sampling, maize, cup plant and Virginia mallow had already been harvested and samples from the remaining stubble were compared with those from open ground. Collembola were the most abundant group. The highest abundance and diversity of...
Bark or crown? Spiders (Araneae) and beetles (Coleoptera) on trees in a city centreOriginal article
Ondøej VANÌK, Jan WALTER, Ivana HRADSKÁ, Zdenìk FALTÝNEK FRIC
Eur. J. Entomol. 120: 52-58, 2023 | DOI: 10.14411/eje.2023.008
Rapid urbanisation during the last century caused declines in species diversity. Cities encompass only a limited number of highly fragmented natural habitats and thus trees remain an important key factor for survival of local invertebrates. In 2021, we surveyed spider and beetle assemblages inhabiting trees in Pilsen city (Czech Republic). We selected 18 deciduous trees in the surroundings of the city centre and sampled bark species using corrugated cardboard bands, and crown species using a sweep net. The recorded species were evaluated using their functional traits such as habitat and humidity preferences, body size, and feeding guilds - i.e., the...
Book Review: Schintlmeister A. 2022: Notodontidae of the Indonesian Archipelago (Lepidoptera). Vol. 1.Book review
M. RINDO©
Eur. J. Entomol. 120: 50-51, 2023 | DOI: 10.14411/eje.2023.007
Schintlmeister A. 2022: Notodontidae of the Indonesian Archipelago (Lepidoptera). Vol. 1. Brill NV, Leiden, xii+441 pp. ISBN 978-90-04-35424-1. Price EUR 153.70.
First fossil representative of the tribe Amphignomini (Hemiptera: Fulgoromorpha: Achilidae) from mid-Cretaceous Kachin amber and its significanceOriginal article
Alicja Magdalena BRYSZ, Patrick MÜLLER, Jacek SZWEDO
Eur. J. Entomol. 120: 42-49, 2023 | DOI: 10.14411/eje.2023.006
A new genus Amphignokachinia Brysz & Szwedo, gen. n. and species Amphignokachinia subversa Brysz & Szwedo, sp. n. of Achilidae (Hemiptera) planthoppers of the tribe Amphignomini are described. It is the second genus and first fossil representative of the tribe Amphignomini coming from the Cenomanian amber in Kachin State, Myanmar. Diagnosis of the tribe is revised and its position in respect of fossils in the family Achilidae is discussed.
Response of moth communities (Lepidoptera) to forest management strategies after disturbanceOriginal article
Britta UHL, Václav POUSKA, Jaroslav ÈERVENKA, Peter KARASCH, Claus BÄSSLER
Eur. J. Entomol. 120: 35-41, 2023 | DOI: 10.14411/eje.2023.005
Spruce forests face many threats such as climate change and bark beetle outbreaks. Yet, bark beetle dynamics have a long co-evolutionary history strongly linked to spruce forest structural dynamics. Disturbed spruce forest sites resulting from bark beetle outbreaks therefore should not be regarded as degraded land, but as early successional stages following natural forest dynamics. Three post-bark-beetle disturbance sites and one closed-canopy site in the Bavarian Forest and ©umava National Parks were investigated with the focus on moth communities. The three disturbed sites had undergone different post-disturbance management regimes, with one being...
Distribution, host range and host preferences of Dinocampus coccinellae (Hymenoptera: Braconidae): A worldwide databaseIvo Hodek special issueReview
Piotr CERYNGIER, Kamila W. FRANZ, Jerzy ROMANOWSKI
Eur. J. Entomol. 120: 26-34, 2023 | DOI: 10.14411/eje.2023.004
Dinocampus coccinellae (Schrank) is a braconid parasitoid of ladybird beetles (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) and has exceptionally wide geographical and host ranges. Based on published and unpublished sources Dinocampus coccinellae probably occurs throughout the temperate, subtropical and tropical climatic zones, but some regions, such as sub-Saharan Africa (except its southernmost part) and the Malay Archipelago, have not so far been surveyed for this wasp. In most of its extensive range D. coccinellae was present before the widespread use of classical biological control. It is likely, however, to have reached some oceanic islands...
Characterization, expression analysis and RNAi-mediated knockdown of two aquaporin genes in the cotton leafworm, Spodoptera littoralis (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)Original article
Sayed KHALIL, Shimaa EL-GAMAL, Samir IBRAHIM, Sawsan ELATEEK
Eur. J. Entomol. 120: 15-25, 2023 | DOI: 10.14411/eje.2023.003
Aquaporins (AQPs) are integral membrane proteins that can transport water and small molecules across cell membranes in organisms. In a previous report, we identified an AQP (SlAQP1) gene of the cotton leafworm, Spodoptera littoralis. In the current study, we identify and characterize two more SlAQP genes and their developmental and tissues expression. Predicted amino acid sequence and phylogenetic analysis revealed that SlAQP2 is a glycerol channel belonging to the insect specific Eglp subfamily, whereas SlAQP3 is a water specific channel belonging to the Prip subfamily. SlAQP2 expression was detected mainly in the first four larval instars...
Comparative micro-computed tomographic analysis of the structure of brood cells and its effect on the development of the pupae of honey bee (Apis mellifera)Original article
Tamás SIPOS, Tamás DONKÓ, Ádám CSÓKA, Tamás KISS, Sándor KESZTHELYI
Eur. J. Entomol. 120: 9-14, 2023 | DOI: 10.14411/eje.2023.002
Most beekeepers worldwide use the same combs in their hives for many years, which can result in alterations in the inner volume of the comb cells. The objective of this survey using microcomputed tomography was to reveal developmental disorders caused by this beekeeping practice. The extent of the thickening of the wall of brood cells that occurs as a result of the long-term use of the combs was determined. This alteration resulted in a reduction in the inner volume of the comb cells, which had a significant effect on the size of the pupae and possibly the health of the imagoes. The walls of the cells can be divided into two well-determined parts,...
Effects of male age, body size and mating status on female mate preference and offspring sex ratio in Pachycrepoideus vindemmiae (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae)Original article
Jing LI, Yu WANG, Yong-Zhuo CHEN, Peng-Cheng LIU, Hao-Yuan HU
Eur. J. Entomol. 120: 1-8, 2023 | DOI: 10.14411/eje.2023.001
Mate choice is one of the main components of sexual selection, with females usually considered to be the selective sex. Male status is an important factor that affects female choice and to a large extent female mating preference. Pachycrepoideus vindemmiae (Rondani) (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) is an important solitary ectoparasitic idiobiont parasitoid that attacks several fly species and thus can be used as a biological control agent. We explored the influence of male status on mate selection, fecundity and offspring sex ratio. The results show that (1) P. vindemmiae females prefer to mate with young and large males and tended to choose...