Heide Zwick

The taxonomy and nomenclature of the blackflies (Diptera: Simuliidae) described by J. W. Meigen

Abstract The Simuliidae described by J. W. Meigen are taxonomically revised after a study of his collection, descriptions and illustrations, and other relevant data. Of the 23 species names proposed by Meigen 11 are considered valid for currently recognized species and 12 are treated as synonyms. The revision necessitates only three changes to species nomenclature recently in use: Simulium argyreatum Meigen is shown to be misinterpreted by recent authors and to be a senior synonym of S. rheophilum (Knoz); S. posticatum Meigen is brought into use as the valid senior synonym of S. austeni Edwards; and Helodon rufus (Meigen) is considered to be a valid name supplanting H. ferrugineus (Wahlberg). Simulium noelleri Friederichs is restored as the valid name for the lake‐outlet species with 8‐filamented pupal gill, consequent upon the finding that the name argyreatum has been misapplied to this species. Lectotypes are designated for six of Meigens nominal species based upon existing syntypes, and also for Booph...

Terrestrial Mass-Oviposition of Prosimulium-Species (Diptera: Simuliidae)

Prosimulium hirtipes (Fries), P. tomosvaryi (Enderlein) and P. subrufipes Knoz together oviposit in June onto terrestrial moist moss, ca. 20 cm above streams. Batches may remain separate, but huge terrestrial egg masses with up to 56∗ 106 eggs, 2∗ 104 eggs cm2, may also be formed. Eggs do not survive complete desiccation. There is continuous slow development at all temperatures, until early eye‐spot formation in late summer. Thereafter, falling temperatures induce, high temperatures prevent, rapid complete development. Single fully developed larvae inside eggs first occur in late September and become dominant after late October, when many larvae hatch upon wetting of the batch, e.g. by autumn rain. However, many other larvae hatch only after the winter which they spend on land. The fan‐less first instar larvae feed as scrapers and live for 5 to 11 days at 10°C. However, single 3rd instar larvae were observed as early as the 8th day of life.

New faunal records, with taxonomic annotations, for the blackflies of Turkey (Diptera, Simuliidae)

Abstract This paper presents the morphotaxonomic findings for a collection of Simuliidae (blackflies) made at 43 lotic breeding sites in Turkey (Asia Minor). A total of 22 named species were identified in the material, of which nine represent new records for Turkey. No new species were found. A brief review is provided of previous works on blackflies in Turkey and a checklist is included for the 40 identified species recorded from the country to the present time (2007). Taxonomy and nomenclature of the recorded taxa are critically evaluated.

Contribution to the European blackfly taxa (Diptera: Simuliidae) named by Enderlein

G. Enderlein named many new blackfly taxa. Types of European species group names were examined. Lectotypes (LT) were designated, also for several senior synonyms described by other authors, e.g., Friederichs and Lundstrom. The true identity of S. pallipes Fries, 1824, was established. Only few of Enderleins names are valid, many more are synonyms of taxa named by other authors. Previous use of names proposed by Enderlein in the literature is often in conflict with the actual identity, e.g., Rubzov (1959–1964); this is discussed. In a Table, the list of taxa studied is confronted with the use of the same names in a recent catalogue (Rubzov and Yankovsky, 1988), which is often still different. The following names are: Valid: Prosimulium tomosvaryi End. (= P. nigripes (End.), P. pexifrons End., P. balcanicum End.); P. latimucro (End.); S. (N.) lundstromi (End.) (= N. kerteszi End.); S. parvum End., holotype; S. janzeni End., LT; S. (Wilhelmia) balcanicum (End., LT). Synonyms: P. macropyga Lundstrom (= Helli...

Scirtes hemisphaericus uses macrophyte snorkels to pupate under water. With notes on pupae of additional European genera of Scirtidae (Coleoptera)

Morphological and behavioural adaptations enable Scirtes hemisphaericus to pupate under water, using emergent macrophytes as snorkels to breathe atmospheric air. The last instar larva bites into emergent macrophytes until the aerenchym is exposed. The pupa pushes its fore body into the wound, becoming surrounded by an air film in continuity with intracellular and atmospheric air. The pupa lacks normal ecdysial sutures, instead, its cuticle ruptures between the pro- and mesothorax. The fore body cuticle remains in place, preserving the connection to atmospheric air for the immature beetle. Pupation in earthen cells is known only in Elodes. Several other genera pupate under some cover, or freely exposed. Most pupae have 2–4 horn-like pronotal processes and 2–4 caudal attachment organs which differ between genera and sexes. Hydrocyphon (which pupates under water) and S. hemisphaericus pupae lack pronotal horns and attachment organs.