Systematic Entomology

Review of the genus Nalassus Mulsant, 1854 fauna of Daghestan with geographic distribution and ecology of each species is give. There are 4 species are distribute in Daghestan. Nalassus (Caucasonotus) avaricus sp. n. is a – new species from Southern Daghestan, closely related to N. (Caucasonotus) zakatalensis Nabozhenko, 2001, from which it differs in the form and punctation of pronotum, as well as in the structure of male genitalia. Male of N. zakatalensis is described. The lectotype of Helops impressicollis Faldermann, 1837 is designated.

The 19 species of Coleoptera Carabidae that are known from the Volcán Chiles and surrounding area (Ecuador, province Carchi) are reviewed taxonomically. A key is provided for identification of genera and species. One species is described as new in the genus Oxytrechus Jeannel and seven more in the genus Dyscolus Dejean. The available biogeographic and ecological data are then summarized and discussed. The sixteen species that are restricted to páramo habitats are flightless nocturnal predators. Specific diversity is the highest at medium elevations (3800-4100 m), though more information would be needed to reconstruct the altitudinal distribution of every species. The composition of this Carabid community suggests that the microclimate of the Chiles area is among the wetest in Ecuadorian páramos. None of the seventeen flightless species found on the Chiles has been recorded from other páramos at the south of the Mira river. These distributional data point to the Mira xeric depression, south of Carchi, as a major biogeographic barreer in the Northern Andes.

Three new basal species of Odonatoptera from the upper Serpukhovian (325-324 Ma) of Guandacol 1 locality, Quebrada de las Libélulas, Guandacol Formation, La Rioja province, central West Argentina, are described. Two known species also from the Serpukhovian, Eugeropteron lunatum Riek, 1983 and Geropteron arcuatum Riek, 1983, from Cuestita de La Herradura, Malanzán Formation, La Rioja province, are discussed. Several higher taxa are nominated to include these species, resulting in a new classification: 1 Superorder Odonatoptera, 1.1 Eugeroptera ord. nov., 1.1.1 Eugeropteridae, 1.1.1.1 Eugeropteron, 1.1.1.1.1 Eugeropteron lunatum, 1.1.1.1.2 Tupacsala niunamenos gen. nov. et sp. nov., 1.2 Palaeodonatoptera taxon nov., 1.2.1 Kukaloptera ord. nov., 1.2.1.1 Kirchneralidae fam. nov., 1.2.1.1.1 Kirchnerala treintamil gen. nov. et sp. nov., 1.2.2 Plesiodonatoptera taxon nov., 1.2.2.1 Argentinoptera ord. nov., 1.2.2.1.1 Argentinalidae fam. nov., 1.2.2.1.1.1 Argentinala cristinae gen. nov. et sp. nov., 1.2.2.2 Apodonatoptera taxon nov., 1.2.2.2.1 Order Geroptera, 1.2.2.2.1.1 Geropteridae fam. nov., 1.2.2.2.1.1.1 Geropteron, 1.2.2.2.1.1.1.1 Geropteron arcuatum, 1.2.2.2.2 Neodonatoptera.

Butterflies play vital role in the ecosystem, there is co-evolutionary relationship between butterflies and plants, their lives are interlinked. Butterflies are also called flying flower, displaying its beauty. These insects enhance the aesthetic value of the environments by their exquisite wing colors. Butterflies are the wild indicators of the ecosystem; these insects tell us everything about the healthier ecosystem. These are effective pollinators, butterflies visit the flower to eat nectar and this is mutually beneficial relationship. Some species of butterflies migrate over long distance; carry pollen to be shared across plants which are far apart from one another. This migration of pollens induces genetic variation in plants species and give a better chance at survival against different disease. These insects also provide food for other organisms, for example; birds, reptiles amphibians and also acts as biological pest control. But the population of these insects decline rapidly due to human activities, habitat destruction, uses of pesticides and unawareness of people about the importance of flying flowers.

The Mongolian Plateau is the part of the Central Asian Plateau which is situated between 87 0 40'-122 0 15'N and 37 0 46'-53 0 08'E. Territory area is approximately2.6 million square kilometers. It is boundary by the Greater Hyangan mountains to the east, the Yin mountains to the south, the Altai mountains to the west and the Sayan and Khentii mountains to the north. Natural zone is divided into forest steppe, steppe, desert steppe and desert.

New species of the genus Nalassus (tribe Helopini) are described from the Caucasus, Crimea and Turkey: N. kaszabi, N. dissonus, N. lutshniki, N. romashovi, N. kalashiani, N. abkhasicus, N. zakatalensis, N. ludmilae, N. colchicus, N. arcanus spp. n. New synonymy is established: Odocnemis Allard, 1876 = Omaleis Allard, 1877; Nalassus brevicollis (Krynicky, 1832) = Helops gilvipes Ménétriés, 1848; Nalassus faldermanni (Faldermann, 1837) = Cylindronotus ambrosius Reitter, 1922 = Cylindronotus eligius Reitter, 1922; Nalassus lineatus (Allard, 1877) = Stenomax vexator Reitter, 1887. The ranges of all genera and subgenera discussed in the paper are described.

The present experiment was conducted on diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (Linnaeus) (Insecta: Lepidoptera: Plutellidae), their ecology and integrated management with the objectives of arriving at the crucial conclusion on the most suitable techniques to decrease pest infestation for higher yield and productivity with least damage to the environment. Therefore, up to date knowledge about the diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (L.) and their natural enemies on cabbage, Brassica oleracea, is a prerequisite for implementation of an effective and successful management tactics against them. The judicious use of chemicals with novel mode of action needs to be implemented to manage this insect pest. There are many insecticides which have different mode of action than the conventional ones. These novel insecticides in conjunction with other IPM approaches may play a pivotal role in devising effective management strategy against diamondback moth. Introduction The diamondback moth (Plutella xylostella L.) is a major pest insect in more than 100 countries across the globe; it affects cruciferous plants, especially Brassica oleracea crops such as cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, Brussels sprout and turnip. It is a globally important pest, causing serious yield losses to crucifers. In India the estimated annual crop losses due to this pest amount to 16 million USD [31]. It was first observed in North America in 1854. The most important insect pest of cabbage crop is Diamondback moth (DBM) P. xylostella (Plutellidae: Lepidoptera), recorded from more than 128 countries of the world [49]. Cabbage (Brassica oleracea L. var. capitata) is being grown in an area of 3088 hectares with production of 8.75 million tonnes. Major cabbage growing states in the country are Uttar Pradesh, Orissa, Bihar, West Bengal, Assam, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Tamil Nadu [13, 30] recorded this pest for the first time in India on cruciferous vegetables and perusal of literature revealed that the pest is distributed all over India. In India, diamondback moth has national importance on cabbage as it causes 50-80% annual loss in the marketable yield [12, 4, 22] also reported that there is 52% loss in yield due to the attack of diamondback moth. The most devastating pest that causes severe damage in cabbage production is the diamondback moth (DBM) [24]. In others words, for over three decades, the insecticide market has been dominated by organophosphates, carbamates and synthetic pyrethroids, while only 1% of the global insecticide market is occupied by the two bio-insecticides (Bt based products) and insecticides of plant origin (pyrethrum and neem based products) [17]. Toxicity and development of resistance issues have limited the use of these synthetic insecticides. Therefore, it is desirable to develop alternative methods for pest management based on biological pesticides, which are safe to both humans and the environment [40]. We want the DBM to co-exist with us and this paper deals with the India experience in coming up with DBM with fewer offspring causing only moderate to slight damage. This paper reviewed relevant literatures from the time DBM was first recorded. The relevant data of a survey on the current practices of cabbage growers and the kind of pesticides that are being sold for DBM by pesticide dealers were also presented. The researchers, mostly coming from the academe, conduct efficacy trials, not only in the laboratory or experimental plots but also

Parasites (ectoparasites or endoparasites) are a major cause of diseases in man, his live‐ stock and crops, leading to poor yield and great economic loss. To overcome some of the major limitations of chemical control methods such as rising resistance, environmen‐ tal and health risks, and the adverse effect on non‐target organisms, biological control (biocontrol) is now at the forefront of parasite (pests) control. Biocontrol is now a core component of the integrated pest management. Biocontrol is defined as " the study and uses of parasites, predators and pathogens for the regulation of host (pest) densities ". Considerable successes have been achieved in the implementation of biocontrol strate‐ gies in the past. This chapter presents a review of the history of biocontrol, its advantages and disadvantages; the different types of biological control agents (BCAs) including predators, parasites (parasitoids) and pathogens (fungi, bacteria, viruses and virus‐like particles, protozoa and nematodes); the effect of biocontrol on native biodiversity; a few case studies of the successful implementation of biocontrol methods and the challenges encountered with the implementation of biocontrol and future perspectives.

The integration of altruism, about which the article mainly pursues information, has a key dependency on the ‗how the receiver receives the benefits' either that is directly or indirectly. As the altruist and receiver are the two main components of the altruism, the whole set of action depends upon them. Here the terms interspecies and interspecies are for understanding the role of the altruist i.e. both are of the same species or from two different species. If there is returning of the benefit by the receiver to altruist in future, then it is known to be reciprocal altruism. The classes or type of the mechanism like Guarding, Alarming, feeding Protection has a basis that receiver get benefit instantly and individually or not.

The ant fauna of the State of Qatar is reviewed based on collected material and literature. In total, 23 species, belonging to 12 genera and four subfamilies, were reported from the country. Given that Messor arenarius diabolus Santschi, 1938 is endemic in Egypt, and it was recorded by mistake in Qatar, we excluded it from the country faunal list.
Six genera are recorded for the first time from the country, Cardiocondyla Emery, 1896, Crematogaster Lund, 1831, Lepisiota Santschi, 1926, Monomorium Mayr, 1855, Paratrechina Motschoulsky, 1863, and Pheidole Westwood, 1839. Fourteen species are recorded for the first time from Qatar, namely, Camponotus oasium Forel, 1890, Cardiocondyla emeryi Forel, 1881, Cataglyphis livida (André, 1881), Cataglyphis arenaria Finzi, 1940, Cataglyphis nigra (André, 1881), Lepisiota bipartita (Smith,1861), Lepisiota gracilicornis (Forel, 1892), Monomorium abeillei André, 1881, Monomorium areniphilum Santschi, 1911, Monomorium subopacum (Smith, 1858), Monomorium venustum (Smith, 1858), Pheidole sinaitica Mayr, 1862. Tapinoma melanocephalum (Fabricius, 1793), and Tapinoma simrothi Krausse, 1911. Preliminary analysis of the zoogeography of Qatar’s ants reveals the remarkable predominance of Palearctic faunal elements (13 species/ ~57%), followed by minor proportions of Afrotropical (4 species/ ~17%) and Indomalayan (1 species/ ~4%) species, while the five invasive species (~22%) reflect human impacts on the country. Monomorium tumaire Collingwood & Agosti, 1996 is known as endemic in the Arabian Peninsula. No species are considered endemic to Qatar. Ecological and biological notes on species are provided when
available.

Cassidini Gyllenhal is the most diverse tribe in Cassidinae and the only one with worldwide distribution. Aspidimorphini have shown a close relationship with Cassidini in different studies, but phylogenetic studies to date have not clarified the relationship between these tribes. A cladistic analysis based on morphological characters was conducted to test the monophyly of Cassidini. Genera distributed in the New and Old World were sampled. The parsimony analysis includes 56 ingroup species, 37 outgroup species and 97 morphological characters. The results show no support for the monophyly of Cassidini, and Aspidimorphini is synonymized with Cassidini syn.n. Moreover, Ischyrosonychini should be also included in Cassidini. Most of the genera represented in the analysis by more than one species were not recovered as monophyletic. Thus, the current internal classification of Cassidini s.l. needs a profound revision before taxonomy reflects natural groupings. The inclusion of evidence from immature stages, bionomics and molecular data should provide a better resolution of the relationships in Cassidini s.l.

The article is the review of the fauna and distribution of the species of genus Omophron Latr. (Coleoptera: Carabidae) found in the Palearctic. It presents the list of the species, in which every species of the genus Omophron Latr. found in the Palearctic is given a general description, the information on the distribution of the species is provided, the data concerning
the material processed and the most significant bibliography sources are indicated. In total there are 19 species indicated for the Palearctic in the article. Three species (O. brettinghamae
Pasc., O. interruptum Chaud., O. testudo Andr.) are indicated for the Palearctic for the first time.

Diversity and composition of dung beetles (Scarabaeidae: Scarabaeinae and Aphodiinae) assemblages were sampled, analyzed and studied in Singhori Wildlife Sanctuary (SWLS), Madhya Pradesh. Collection of specimens yielded a total of 669 beetles representing 26 species belonging to 12 genera and two subfamilies. The subfamily Scarabaeinae with 24 species is dominating (71.59% of total individuals) over Aphodiinae (27.40%) with two species. Twenty species were collected in mixed forests (n=398) and nineteen species in agricultural lands (n=271), wherein thirteen species were present in both the habitats. Though the species richness is almost similar in SWLS, but there is significant difference in guild structure and composition. Tunnellers were the most speciose (22 species) and abundant (55.3%) followed by dwellers which constitute three species with 42.8% abundance in the assemblage.

An updated list of ant species (Formicidae) known from Oman is provided, including both published records and recently collected material, and bringing the total number to 123 species belonging to 24 genera and four subfamilies. In the present study thirty-four ant species were collected from Oman during expeditions in 2016 and 2017. Ten ant species are recorded for the first time in Oman : Cardiocondyla breviscapa Seifert, 2003, C. mauritanica Forel, 1890, C. yemeni Collingwood & Agosti, 1996, Erromyrma latinodis (Mayr, 1872), Hypoponera abeillei (André, 1881), Lepisiota opaciventris (Finzi, 1936), Monomorium dichroum Forel, 1902, Pheidole parva Mayr, 1865, Plagiolepis boltoni Sharaf, Aldawood & Taylor, 2011, and Tetramorium lanuginosum Mayr, 1870. The genus Aphaenogaster is recorded for the first time from Oman, and two new species of Aphaenogaster are described based on the worker caste: A. sarae sp. n. and A. asmaae sp. n. The first key to the Arabian Aphaenogaster is presented. The genus Erromyrma Bolton & Fisher, 2016 is recorded for the first time from Oman and the Arabian Peninsula by the sole species E. latinodis (Mayr, 1872). The queen caste of Pl. boltoni Sharaf, Aldawood & Taylor, 2011 is also described for the first time from Masfat Al-Ebreien, Oman. New distributional records are given with biological notes for species when available.

The syntypes of Thecla coronata Hewitson, 1865 and holotype of Thecla watkinsi Lathy, 1926 were examined and their identity is discussed. A lectotype is designated for Thecla coronata Hewitson, 1865 in order to stabilise the nomenclature. A new Andean species, Evenus felix sp. nov., is described. Distribution data indicate extensive sympatry of both species in the eastern Andes. We present diagnostic characters for the new species including differences in wing pattern, male modified wing scale patches and genitalic brush organs, and mitochondrial COI DNA “barcode” sequences. A discussion and natural history notes follow for both species. We document adults and their genitalia, and distribution data and maps are provided.