Hermes E. Escalona

Generic revision and phylogeny of Microweiseinae (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae)

The monophyly and phylogenetic relationships of the subfamily Microweiseinae were investigated. Twenty‐three in‐group taxa, representing all known genera of Microweiseinae (except for Microcapillata Gordon) were included in a cladistic analysis, based on 45 adult morphological characters. The parsimony analysis of the resulting data matrix supported the monophyly of Microweiseinae, Carinodulini, Serangiini and Microweiseini (inclusive of Sukunahikonini). The recognition of Sukunahikonini renders Microweiseini paraphyletic, and consequently both tribes were synonymized, retaining Microweiseini as a senior family‐group name (syn.n.). Genera and tribes of Microweiseinae are diagnosed thoroughly, illustrated and keys to their identification are provided. The following nomenclatural changes were made: Hikonasukuna Sasaji and Orculus Sicard are synonymized with Scymnomorphus Weise (syn.n.); Gnathoweisea Gordon is synonymized with Microweisea Cockerell (syn.n.); Hikonasukuna monticola Sasaji and Orculus castaneus Sicard are transferred to Scymnomorphus (comb.n.); Smilia planiceps Casey, Gnathoweisea hageni Gordon, Gnathoweisea ferox Gordon, Gnathoweisea micula Gordon and Gnathoweisea texana Gordon are transferred to Microweisea (comb.n). Three new genera are described: Alleniusgen.n. for Allenius californianussp.n. (type species) from Mexico and Allenius ivieisp.n. from U.S.A.; Gordoneusgen.n. (type species Gnathoweisea schwarzi Gordon from U.S.A.); and Cathedranagen.n. (type species Cathedrana natalensissp.n. from South Africa). The first African member of Carinodulini, Carinodulina ruwenzoriisp.n. is described. The genera Microweisea, Coccidophilus, Serangium and Delphastus are well‐known predators of sternorrynchous Hemiptera, such as scale insects (Diaspididae) and whiteflies (Aleyrodidae), and play a significant role in agricultural ecosystems as biocontrol agents. Host data and biological records are summarized for each genus.

Phylogeny and placement of Boganiidae (Coleoptera, Cucujoidea) with a review of Australian and New Caledonian taxa

A phylogeny of the cucujoid family Boganiidae (Coleoptera) is inferred for the first time based on a parsimony analysis of 102 morphological characters (70 adult and 32 larval). The analysis resulted in a monophyletic Boganiidae divided into two main clades, Boganiinae and Paracucujinae, each supported by a series of synapomorphies. The Boganiinae genera recovered were Afroboganium Endrödy‐Younga & Crowson and Boganium Sen Gupta & Crowson, whereas Paracucujinae includes Paracucujus Sen Gupta & Crowson, Metacucujus Endrödy‐Younga & Crowson, Athertonium Crowson and the New Caledonian Dzumacium caledonicum gen.n., sp.n. New specimen data and biological information for the Australian taxa are summarized with overviews on biogeography and comments on the fossil Jurassic Parandrexis Martynov (Parandrexidae). Two new species of Boganium, primarily from the Australian mallee are described: B. malleense sp.n. and B. medioflavum sp.n. Boganium malleense is recorded from flowers of Eucalyptus gracilis F. (Myrtaceae). Adults and larvae of Paracucujus rostratus Sen Gupta & Crowson are redescribed. Athertonium parvum Crowson is redescribed and Athertonium williamsi sp.n. is described from coastal New South Wales. Several host records for Athertonium are also presented.

Sticholotis ruficeps Weise: new synonymies and description of its mature larva (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae: Sticholotidini).

Abstract. The adult and larval stages of a scale insect predator, Sticholotis ruficeps Weise, 1902 are described and illustrated. Sticholotis madagassa Weise, 1909 and Mesopilo soufrierensis Duverger, 2001 are synonyms of S. ruficeps (new synonyms). S. ruficeps has been used in biocontrol programs against various scale insects and it is here recorded from USA (Hawaii), Guadeloupe, Madagascar, Mascarene and Mauritius (Réunion Islands), Singapore, Indonesia, New Caledonia, Australia (Christmas and Cocos-Keeling Islands) and Cook Islands.

Two new species of the ladybird beetle Hong Ślipiński from Chile (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae: Microweiseinae)

The ladybird beetle genus Hong Ślipiński was previously known from a single female specimen from a subtropical forest in South East Queensland, Australia. Hong guerreroi sp. nov. and H. slipinskii sp. nov. from a temperate forests of Central and Southern Chile are described and illustrated. A key for the species of the genus and complementary characters, including the first description of males, are provided.