Łukasz Junkiert

Sulcia symbiont of the leafhopper Macrosteles laevis (Ribaut, 1927) (Insecta, Hemiptera, Cicadellidae: Deltocephalinae) harbors Arsenophonus bacteria

The leafhopper Macrosteles laevis, like other plant sap-feeding hemipterans, lives in obligate symbiotic association with microorganisms. The symbionts are harbored in the cytoplasm of large cells termed bacteriocytes, which are integrated into huge organs termed bacteriomes. Morphological and molecular investigations have revealed that in the bacteriomes of M. laevis, two types of bacteriocytes are present which are as follows: bacteriocytes with bacterium Sulcia and bacteriocytes with Nasuia symbiont. We observed that in bacteriocytes with Sulcia, some cells of this bacterium contain numerous cells of the bacterium Arsenophonus. All types of symbionts are transmitted transovarially between generations. In the mature female, the bacteria Nasuia, bacteria Sulcia, and Sulcia with Arsenophonus inside are released from the bacteriocytes and start to assemble around the terminal oocytes. Next, the bacteria enter the cytoplasm of follicular cells surrounding the posterior pole of the oocyte. After passing through the follicular cells, the symbionts enter the space between the oocyte and follicular epithelium, forming a characteristic “symbiont ball.”

Current and potential geographical distribution of Platymeris biguttatus (Linnaeus, 1767) with description of nymphs

BackgroundThe description of Platymeris biguttatus (Linnaeus 1767) nymphal instars as well as the prediction of the potentially suitable ecological niche was the main goal of this study. Our research was based on 258 specimens of P. biguttatus species of museum collections. A set of 23 environmental predictor variables covering Africa was used at ecological niche modeling - a method performed using the Maxent software to prepare potential distribution maps for this species.ResultsThe results suggested the most suitable areas seen as potentially suitable ecological niche for P. biguttatus in Africa. A jackknife test showed that temperature seasonality and percentage of tree cover were among the most important environmental variables affecting the distribution of the species. The analysis of climate preferences shows that most of the potentially suitable niches for this species were located in the area of tropical savanna climate, with a small participation of tree vegetation.ConclusionsP. biguttatus was only known to be widely distributed in the tropical part of continental Africa. Thanks to the ecological niche modeling methods and the museum data on the occurrence of the species, we introduced new information about potentially suitable ecological niches and the possible range of distribution.

Symbiotic microorganisms of the leafhopper Deltocephalus pulicaris (Fallén, 1806) (Insecta, Hemiptera, Cicadellidae: Deltocephalinae): molecular characterization, ultrastructure and transovarial transmission*

Abstract The ovaries of the leafhopper Deltocephalus pulicaris are accompanied by large organs termed bacteriomes, which are composed of numerous polyploid cells called bacteriocytes. The cytoplasm of bacteriocytes is tightly packed with symbiotic microorganisms. Ultrastructural and molecular analyses have revealed that bacteriocytes of D. pulicaris contain two types of symbionts: the bacterium “Candidatus Sulcia muelleri” and the bacterium “Candidatus Nasuia deltocephalinicola”. Both symbionts are transovarially transmitted from the mother to the next generation.

A new species of the genus Exphora Signoret, 1860 from Madagascar (Hemiptera: Auchenorrhyncha: Fulgoromorpha: Tropiduchidae)

Abstract A new species of the genus Exphora Signoret, 1860 (Tropiduchidae, Elicinae, Elicini) is described from Madagascar: Exphora linnavuorii sp. n. An identification key to all Exphora species is provided.

Aphids (Hemiptera: Aphidomorpha) of the Botanic Garden of the Jagiellonian University, Kraków.

Abstract The paper presents results of faunistic investigations of aphids (Aphidomorpha) in the Botanic Garden of the Jagiellonian University, Kraków, in the Kraków – Wieluń Upland. During two seasons of research (2011, 2012) two aphid species from the family Adelgidae and 50 species from the family Aphididae, associated with 66 host plants were recorded. The following species – Eriosoma anncharlotteae Danielsson, 1979, Capitophorus elaeagni (Del Guercio, 1894), Rhopalosiphoninus (Neorhopalosiphoninus) staphyleae staphyleae (Koch, 1854), Eulachnus brevipilosus Börner, 1940 and E. cembrae Börner, 1950 – are new for the Kraków – Wieluń Upland. Seven of the species recorded are regarded as alien to Poland.

Trigonocranus emmeae Fieber, 1876 (Hemiptera, Fulgoromorpha, Cixiidae) – a new species for Poland

Abstract Single macropterous female of Trigonocranus emmeae Fieber, 1876 has been found during the faunistic studies in semi-natural plant communities of Oświęcim city in southern Poland. It is the first record of this species in Poland. Trigonocranus emmeae is rarely collected within the wide range of its distribution, mostly due to its hidden life mode.

Periphyllus californiensis Shinji, 1917 (Hemiptera: Aphidoidea) - an invasive aphid species new to Poland

Periphyllus californiensis Shinji, 1917 (Hemiptera: Aphidoidea) - an invasive aphid species new to Poland Periphyllus californiensis Shinji, 1917, an aphid species associated with Acer palmatum and A. japonicum, was recorded in the Botanic Garden of the Jagiellonian University, Kraków, in 2009 and 2010. This invasive species, new to Poland, is presented (apterous viviparous female, alate viviparous female) and described in detail. A key to the Polish species of the genus Periphyllus van der Hoeven, 1863 is provided.