The three larval instars of Megadytes (Paramegadytes) glaucus (Brullé, 1838) and the third-instar larvae of M. (Bifurcitus) magnus Trémouilles & Bachmann, 1980 and M. (Trifurcitus) robustus (Aubé, 1838) are described and illustrated for the first time, with particular emphasis on the morphometry and chaetotaxy. A key to the subgenera of Megadytes Sharp, 1882 is presented. In a cladistic analysis of third-instar larval characters, Megadytes is resolved as non-monophyletic; the species of Cybistrini studied, except those included in the subgenus Trifurcitus Brinck, 1945, share three synapomorphies: (i) medial projection of frontoclypeus truncate apically, with many apical setae directed forwards; (ii) lateral projections of frontoclypeus project forwards, not flattened; and (iii) median process of prementum rounded apically. The clade composed of the subgenera Megadytes s. str., Paramegadytes Trémouilles & Bachmann, 1980 and Bifurcitus Brinck, 1945 along with Cybister lateralimarginalis (De Geer, 1774) is well supported by three synapomorphies: (i) head capsule subrectangular and (ii) distal third of mandible more strongly projected inwards, (iii) with a ring of long, hair-like setae. The two species of the subgenus Paramegadytes have bilobed lateral projections on the frontoclypeus. Megadytes (M.) marginithorax (Perty, 1830) is characterized by the very narrow notches between the medial and lateral projections of frontoclypeus. No synapomorphies were discovered to group together the two species of the subgenus Bifurcitus.
The larvae of Netocia morio (Fabricius, 1781), Netocia oblonga (Gory & Percheron, 1833), Potosia opaca (Fabricius, 1787) and Potosia cuprea brancoi Baraud 1992 are described. Comparison of the morphology of both genera revealed important differences in raster structure, mandibles and frontal setae. The systematic position of both genera based on larval characteristics is discussed. Some aspects of larval biology are discussed.
The external morphology and chaetotaxy of the larvae of Heterogynidae (Lepidoptera) are described in order to provide information of potential phylogenetic value for the reconstruction of the systematic relationships within the Zygaenoidea. The most outstanding characteristics of heterogynid larvae are their modified habitus during diapause, the presence of an epipharyngeal lamella, the shape of the prothoracic shield, the presence in the first instar of an organ of unknown function on the middorsum of the mesothorax ("Chapman's organ"), the absence of V2, V3 and Va on the head, the absence of V1 on the prothorax and the presence of two primary setae on the inner side of the proleg, the last trait representing an autapomorphy of the family. A number of possible synapomorphies with the Zygaenidae (e.g. presence of cuticular cavities) suggest a close relationship between these two families, but other larval and adult traits are shared only with the "Phaudinae" and limacodid-group families of the Zygaenoidea (viz. absence of V1 on the prothorax with the "Phaudinae", reduced proboscis and absence of ocelli with them all). Nevertheless, a lack of knowledge of the preimaginal instars of species from some zygaenoid families, and of the homology and polarity of given characters of groups within and outside the Zygaenoidea, hamper a thorough comparison of larvae.
Morphology of mature larvae of two Central European species of Scydmaenus Latreille is described and illustrated: S. (s. str.) tarsatus Müller & Kunze and S. (Cholerus) hellwigii (Herbst). Inaccuracies in previous descriptions of S. tarsatus are discussed and the following combination of characters is defined as diagnostic for Scydmaenus: epicranial sutures reaching posteromedian margins of antennal insertions; presence of a single pair of stemmata and epicranial supraantennal pits; anterior row of subtriangular teeth on epipharynx; mandibles falciform and without mesal teeth; antennomere 3 rudimentary; antennal sensory appendage subconical and asymmetrical; maxilla with galea and lacinia; labium strongly constricted between mentum and prementum; thoracic tergites undivided along midline; head capsule, thoracic tergites, laterotergites and abdominal segments except sternite 1 densely setose; thoracic sternites and abdominal sternite1 largely asetose; and lack of urogomphi. We also describe the feeding behaviour of immature S. tarsatus and demonstrate for the first time that Scydmaeninae larvae can feed on live springtails and not armoured mites. In the introduction we provide a summary of the literature on all hitherto known preimaginal stages of Scydmaeninae., Pawel Jaloszynski, Aleksandra Kilian., and Obsahuje seznam literatury
Hyssopus pallidus (Askew) (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) is a gregarious ectoparasitoid of late larvae of the codling moth, Cydia pomonella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae). In the present work reproduction and the development and morphology of the immature stages were studied. Five larval instars were differentiated by the shape and size of the mandibles. The larvae are hymenopteriform with a weakly sclerotized head and 13 segments. The first instar has four pairs of spiracles, while the other four instars have nine pairs. Under laboratory conditions of 22-24°C and 60-80% RH the egg stage lasted 1.5 days, the larval instars 6.3 days, and the pupal stage 7.9 days in females and 7.2 days in males. The duration of each of the five larval instars (L1-L5) is approximately 1, 0.5, 0.75, 0.75 and 3.5 days, respectively. Male and female development time does not differ significantly in the egg and larval stages, but differences are highly significant in the pupal stage. Male and female pupae can be differentiated by their sexual rudiments. Copulation takes place immediately upon emergence of the females between siblings, adult males appearing before the females. Females in culture with access to an energy source can survive for more than 60 days. They are synovigenic: they emerge with no mature eggs in their ovaries and take the first two days after emergence to mature the full set of around 24-30 eggs. They continue paralyzing hosts, ovipositing and maturing eggs for as long as they live. After an oviposition a female needs two to three days to mature a new full set of eggs. Age and feeding influence egg load. Oösorption is significant in starved females, but also occurs in older fed females with no host contact.
The blister beetle genus Teratolytta, belonging to the tribe Lyttini, is revised and a classification is proposed. Two main sections of the genus - one including five groups of species and the other three groups - are tentatively defined. Four new species from Eastern and Southern Anatolia are described (T. carlae sp. n., T. dvoraki sp. n., T. monticola sp. n., T. taurica sp. n.), and a key to the 17 recognized species is proposed. A diagnosis of the species as well as taxonomic remarks are proposed, and a catalogue of localities is presented. In particular, Teratolytta tricolor (Haag-Rutenberg, 1880) comb. n. is re-established as a distinct species, T. cooensis G. Müller, 1936 is confirmed as a synonym of T. gentilis (Frivaldszky, 1877), T. bytinskii Kaszab, 1957 as a synonym of T. senilis (Abeille de Perrin, 1895), and T. holzschuhi Dvořák, 1983 is proposed as a synonym of T. eylandti Semenow, 1894; some infraspecific forms are referred to the variability of T. gentilis and T. flavipes (Mulsant & Rey, 1858). The first instar larva of T. gentilis is described and figured, and the sexual behaviour of this species is also briefly studied.