Igor Malenovský

Thrips (Thysanoptera) identification using artificial neural networks.

We studied the use of a supervised artificial neural network (ANN) model for semi-automated identification of 18 common European species of Thysanoptera from four genera: Aeolothrips Haliday (Aeolothripidae), Chirothrips Haliday, Dendrothrips Uzel, and Limothrips Haliday (all Thripidae). As input data, we entered 17 continuous morphometric and two qualitative two-state characters measured or determined on different parts of the thrips body (head, pronotum, forewing and ovipositor) and the sex. Our experimental data set included 498 thrips specimens. A relatively simple ANN architecture (multilayer perceptrons with a single hidden layer) enabled a 97% correct simultaneous identification of both males and females of all the 18 species in an independent test. This high reliability of classification is promising for a wider application of ANN in the practice of Thysanoptera identification.

Artificial intelligence in pest insect monitoring

Abstract Global problems of hunger and malnutrition induced us to introduce a new tool for semi‐automated pest insect identification and monitoring: an artificial neural network system. Multilayer perceptrons, an artificial intelligence method, seem to be efficient for this purpose. We evaluated 101 European economically important thrips (Thysanoptera) species: extrapolation of the verification test data indicated 95% reliability at least for some taxa analysed. Mainly quantitative morphometric characters, such as head, clavus, wing, ovipositor length and width, formed the input variable computation set in a Trajan neural network simulator. The technique may be combined with digital image analysis.

Artificial neural networks for fly identification: A case study from the genera Tachina and Ectophasia (Diptera, Tachinidae)

The classification methodology based on morphometric data and supervised artificial neural networks (ANN) was tested on five fly species of the parasitoid genera Tachina and Ectophasia (Diptera, Tachinidae). Objects were initially photographed, then digitalized; consequently the picture was scaled and measured by means of an image analyser. The 16 variables used for classification included length of different wing veins or their parts and width of antennal segments. The sex was found to have some influence on the data and was included in the study as another input variable. Better and reliable classification was obtained when data from both the right and left wings were entered, the data from one wing were however found to be sufficient. The prediction success (correct identification of unknown test samples) varied from 88 to 100% throughout the study depending especially on the number of specimens in the training set. Classification of the studied Diptera species using ANN is possible assuming a sufficiently high number (tens) of specimens of each species is available for the ANN training. The methodology proposed is quite general and can be applied for all biological objects where it is possible to define adequate diagnostic characters and create the appropriate database.

Jumping plant‐lice of the family Phacopteronidae (Hemiptera: Psylloidea) from Cameroon

Nine species of the family Phacopteronidae are recorded from Cameroon. All are assigned to the large pan‐tropical genus Pseudophacopteron. Eight species are described as new, and P. electum Capener is redescribed. The species are diagnosed and illustrated, and keys for the identification of adults and fifth instar larvae are provided. Information is given on distribution, host plants, and biology. Eight species are associated with plants of the order Rutales/Sapindales (three Sapindaceae, one Burseraceae, one Burseraceae or Anacardiaceae, one Meliaceae, one Rutaceae, and one Anacardiaceae/Simaroubaceae); host plants of one species remain unknown. Four species, namely P. electum, P. fuscivenosum sp. n., P. lecaniodisci sp. n., and P. morion sp. n., induce nut or pit galls on the leaves.

Three new species of gall-forming psyllids (Hemiptera: Psylloidea) from Papua New Guinea, with new records and notes on related species

ABSTRACT Three new species of gall-forming psyllids (Hemiptera: Psylloidea) in the families Triozidae and Phacopteronidae are described from Papua New Guinea: Trioza incrustata Percy, sp. nov. makes enclosed leaf margin galls on Celtis philippensis (Cannabaceae), Trioza grallata Percy, sp. nov. makes enclosed leaf surface galls on Elaeocarpus schlechterianus (Elaeocarpaceae), and Cornegenapsylla allophyli Malenovský and Percy, sp. nov. makes enclosed leaf margin galls on Allophylus cobbe (Sapindaceae). Descriptions of the adult and immature morphology for these new species are provided, and differences in adult and immature morphology between Cornegenapsylla allophyli and Cornegenapsylla sinica Yang and Li, 1982 (the type species of Cornegenapsylla) are illustrated. We report new records for Papua New Guinea of Pseudophacopteron tuberculatum (Crawford, 1912) on Alstonia sp. (Apocynaceae), Pauropsylla triozoptera Crawford, 1913 on Ficus trachypison (Moraceae) and Pauropsylla udei Rübsaamen, 1899 on Ficus variegata, with descriptions of the variation found in the latter two widespread Asian species. Pauropsylla reticulata Mathur, 1975 is synonymized with P. udei. Mitochondrial DNA barcodes for the new species, as well as for P. triozoptera and P. udei are provided.

Kirkamflata, a New Planthopper Genus from Socotra Island (Hemiptera: Fulgoromorpha: Flatidae)

Abstract. The paper describes a new genus of the Hemiptera: Fulgoromorpha: Flatidae, Kirkamflata gen. nov., and a new species K. socotrana sp. nov. from the Hagher Mountains in central Socotra island (Yemen). Habitus, external morphology, male and female terminalia and internal genital structures of the new species are illustrated. The new genus is similar to Latois Stål, 1866 in head morphology, wing shape and venation, male and female terminalia but differs in a rudimentary median carina on pronotum and mesonotum, longer apical cells of tegmen and details of the male reproductive parts: style, periandrium, aedeagus, as well as female ones: gonapophysis VIII and diverticulum ductus.

Revision of the Afrotropical genus Fernandea Melichar, 1912 (Hemiptera: Fulgoromorpha: Dictyopharidae), with description of a new species from Equatorial Guinea

The Afrotropical planthopper genus Fernandea Melichar, 1912 (Hemiptera: Fulgoromorpha: Dictyopharidae: Dictyopharinae: Orthopagini) is revised to include two species: F. conradti Melichar, 1912 (the type species), with material studied from Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea (Bioko island) and Togo, and F. latifemorata sp. nov., described as new from mainland Equatorial Guinea. A lectotype is designated and a redescription is provided for F. conradti together with habitus photographs and detailed illustrations of the male and female terminalia which are published for the first time.

Insect community on Jurinea cyanoides (Asteraceae), a plant species protected under NATURA 2000

Abstract The plant Jurinea cyanoides (L.) Reichenbach (Asteraceae), protected under the European Commission Directive on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora (92/43/EEC), is critically endangered in Central Europe. The centre of its continuous range of distribution is in Ukraine and in a part of European Russia. Natural isolated populations have refugial distribution in the Czech Republic and Germany. Interactions of insects from different feeding guilds (i.e., phytophages, pollinators, parasitoids, predators) with J. cyanoides were studied in central Ukraine, Czech Republic and Germany. The insect community identified on J. cyanoides and differences in its composition on robust populations of plant in contrast to sparsely populated periphery of its range are discussed. Altogether 78 species belonging to six orders (Coleoptera, Diptera, Hemiptera, Hymenoptera, Lepidoptera and Neuroptera) were recorded. Larvae of the pyralid moth (genus Dioryctria), tephritid fruit flies (Acanthiophilus helianthi), and several polyphagous Heteroptera species are identified as main taxa feeding on inflorescences and seeds of J. cyanoides, with a potential to reduce the plant’s sexual reproduction. The impact of phytophagous insects is, however, considered only a secondary reason for the decline of the Czech populations of J. cyanoides on which a fairly low number of insect species were recorded in comparison with Ukraine and Germany; habitat loss and inbreeding effect are probably major negative factors. Several new host plant-insect and host-parasitoid associations are reported for insects on J. cyanoides.

Odomas linnavuorii, a new ground-dwelling leafhopper species from West Africa, with a nomenclatural note on the genus Coronophtus Van Stalle (Hemiptera: Auchenorrhyncha: Cicadellidae: Megophthalminae)

Abstract A new leafhopper, Odomas linnavuorii sp. nov. (Cicadellidae: Megophthalminae: Megophthalmini), is described based on a brachypterous female collected in the subalpine grassland in the highest part of the Mt Nimba massif, Guinea, West Africa. The new species has a highly derived head and wing structure and is densely covered with chalazal setae. As these features are unique both within the genus and tribe the morphology and the systematic placement of O. linnavuorii are discussed in the context of other ground-dwelling taxa of Membracoidea. In addition, the monotypic Afrotropical genus Coronophtus Van Stalle, 1983 is removed from Cicadellidae: Megophthalminae and synonymised with Listrophora Boulard, 1971 (Cicadellidae: Deltocephalinae: Chiasmini), resulting in one new combination, Listrophora cervus (Van Stalle, 1983), comb. nov.

Taxonomic approach to the tachinid flies Dinera carinifrons (Fallén) (Diptera: Tachinidae) and Dinera fuscata Zhang and Shima using molecular and morphometric data.

Abstract Molecular phylogenetic and traditional morphometric methods were applied to examine six Palaearctic taxa of the taxonomically difficult tachinid fly genus Dinera Robineau-Desvoidy (Diptera: Tachinidae), with particular reference to D. carinifrons (Fallén) and D. fuscata Zhang and Shima. Results of a phylogenetic analysis based on the mitochondrial markers 12S and 16S rDNA and multivariate statistical analyses of 19 morphometric characters were used to delimit both species. A lectotype was designated for D. carinifrons to stabilize the nomenclature in the group. Dinera carinifrons has a transpalaearctic distribution and is present in Central Europe, especially in high altitudes of the Alps. It differs from the similar and closely related D. fuscata in that it has a slightly larger body size, a dense greyish microtrichosity on the body, and different head proportions. Dinera fuscata, as delimited here, is widespread in the Palaearctic region, including Europe. Slight differences in both molecular and morphometric characters were found between western (Europe and Iran) and eastern (China and Japan) populations of D. fuscata, which are interpreted as an intraspecific variation. Differential diagnosis between D. carinifrons and D. fuscata is provided in the form of a revised portion of the determination key to the Palaearctic Dinera by Zhang and Shima (2006).