M. B. Malipatil

Barcoding Queensland Fruit Flies (Bactrocera tryoni): impediments and improvements

Identification of adult fruit flies primarily involves microscopic examination of diagnostic morphological characters, while immature stages, such as larvae, can be more problematic. One of the Australia’s most serious horticultural pests, the Queensland Fruit Fly (Bactrocera tryoni: Tephritidae), is of particular biosecurity/quarantine concern as the immature life stages occur within food produce and can be difficult to identify using morphological characteristics. DNA barcoding of the mitochondrial Cytochrome Oxidase I (COI) gene could be employed to increase the accuracy of fruit fly species identifications. In our study, we tested the utility of standard DNA barcoding techniques and found them to be problematic for Queensland Fruit Flies, which (i) possess a nuclear copy (a numt pseudogene) of the barcoding region of COI that can be co‐amplified; and (ii) as in previous COI phylogenetic analyses closely related B. tryoni complex species appear polyphyletic. We found that the presence of a large deletion in the numt copy of COI allowed an alternative primer to be designed to only amplify the mitochondrial COI locus in tephritid fruit flies. Comparisons of alternative commonly utilized mitochondrial genes, Cytochrome Oxidase II and Cytochrome b, revealed a similar level of variation to COI; however, COI is the most informative for DNA barcoding, given the large number of sequences from other tephritid fruit fly species available for comparison. Adopting DNA barcoding for the identification of problematic fly specimens provides a powerful tool to distinguish serious quarantine fruit fly pests (Tephritidae) from endemic fly species of lesser concern.

Conserving herbivorous and predatory insects in urban green spaces

Insects are key components of urban ecological networks and are greatly impacted by anthropogenic activities. Yet, few studies have examined how insect functional groups respond to changes to urban vegetation associated with different management actions. We investigated the response of herbivorous and predatory heteropteran bugs to differences in vegetation structure and diversity in golf courses, gardens and parks. We assessed how the species richness of these groups varied amongst green space types, and the effect of vegetation volume and plant diversity on trophic- and species-specific occupancy. We found that golf courses sustain higher species richness of herbivores and predators than parks and gardens. At the trophic- and species-specific levels, herbivores and predators show strong positive responses to vegetation volume. The effect of plant diversity, however, is distinctly species-specific, with species showing both positive and negative responses. Our findings further suggest that high occupancy of bugs is obtained in green spaces with specific combinations of vegetation structure and diversity. The challenge for managers is to boost green space conservation value through actions promoting synergistic combinations of vegetation structure and diversity. Tackling this conservation challenge could provide enormous benefits for other elements of urban ecological networks and people that live in cities.

Distribution, origin and speciation, wing development, and host‐plant relationships of New Zealand Targaremini (Hemiptera: Lygaeidae)

Three faunal areas—northern (Three Kings Islands, Northland, Auckland, Coromandel Peninsula, and offshore islands), central (most of Nelson, north‐east Buller, Marlborough, Marlborough Sounds, Kaikoura, northern North Canterbury), and southern (Fiordland, southern Otago Lakes, southern Central Otago, southern Dunedin, Southland, Stewart Island) —are each characterised by the local endemicity of about 20% of the total targaremine species of New Zealand. They are separated by areas of no endemicity. Arbitrary subareas are delineated in the northern and southern areas. Species not endemic to a single faunal area have wider ranges covering more than one area. The targaremine faunal areas and subareas are compared with those recognised for other units of the New Zealand biota. Instances of allopatric and parapatric species are listed. All 30 targaremine species in New Zealand are endemic; the effects of Pleistocene cold climate on their distribution and speciation are discussed. Wing development is discussed i...

Phylogenetic analysis of the Australasian paralysis ticks and their relatives (Ixodidae: Ixodes : Sternalixodes )

BackgroundThe Australasian paralysis ticks and their relatives, Ixodes Latrielle, subgenus Sternalixodes Schulze, are some of the most important ticks in the region. However, very little is known about their phylogenetic relationships. The aim of this study was to elucidate the evolutionary relationships of members of the subgenus Sternalixodes by undertaking phylogenetic analyses of morphological and molecular datasets.MethodsAdult females (n = 64) of Sternalixodes, including Ixodes anatis Chilton, 1904, Ixodes confusus Roberts, 1960, Ixodes cornuatus Roberts, 1960, Ixodes cordifer Neumann, 1908, Ixodes dendrolagi Wilson, 1967, Ixodes hirsti Hassall, 1931, Ixodes holocyclus Neumann, 1899, Ixodes myrmecobii Roberts, 1962 and Ixodes trichosuri Roberts, 1960, were examined morphologically. Subsequently, these Ixodes spp. were genetically characterised using cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) gene and the internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS-2) of the rRNA. Both morphological and molecular datasets were analysed using various phylogenetic methods to assess the evolutionary relationship of various members of the subgenus Sternalixodes.ResultsPhylogenetic analyses of the cox1 sequences and morphological characters datasets revealed that the Australian and Papuan Sternalixodes formed a distinct clade with the New Zealand member of the group I. anatis positioned basally, in a separate clade. Ixodes holocyclus, I. cornuatus and I. myrmecobii formed a distinctive clade in both the cox1 and morphological phylogenies. However, based on phylogenetic analysis of the ITS-2 data, I. holocyclus formed a separate clade whereas I. cornuatus and I. myrmecobii grouped in a different clade.ConclusionsThe cox1 and morphological data suggest that the subgenus Sternalixodes is paraphyletic, and I. anatis is not a sternalixodid tick; hence, it should not be included in the subgenus. Based on the phylogenetic analyses of cox1 and ITS-2 sequences, it appears that I. myrmecobii and I. cornuatus are not subspecies of I. holocyclus. Although this study provided better insights into the taxonomic status of the subgenus Sternalixodes, a complete morphological and molecular (using multiple markers) phylogenetic analysis including all members of the subgenus would be required to more accurately elucidate the evolutionary relationships within the subgenus.

The Targaremini of New Zealand (Hemiptera: Lygaeidae) a revision

The following new genera and species are described: Forsterocoris stewartensis n.sp.; Geratarma n.gen. (type‐species G. eylesi n.sp.), G. manapourensis n.sp.; Paratruncala n.gen. (type‐species Tomocoris insularis Woodward, 1953); Truncala insularis n.sp.; Woodwardiana n.gen.(type‐species Regatarma evagorata Woodward, 1953), W. paparia n.sp.; Tomocoris cookensis n.sp. from the Cook Islands. Eminocoris Eyles, 1967, is synonymised with Miller ocoris Eyles, 1967. The subspecies of Regatarma forsteri Woodward, 1953 (except obsolescens Woodward, 1953 and stephensis Woodward, 1953) are raised to species status. In addition, the following new combinations are made: Regatarma salmoni Woodward, 1953 to Forsterocoris; Regatarma notialis Woodward, 1953 and R. nelsonensis Woodward, 1953 to Woodwardiana. Supplementary descriptive details and illustrations, with emphasis on the genitalia, are given for the taxa of Woodward (1953) and Eyles (1967). Targarema stali White, 1878 and T. electa White, 1878 are redescribed. Th...

Additions to the Drymini of New Zealand (Heteroptera: Lygaeidae)

Paradrymus exilirostris and Grossander major are recorded from New Zealand. An abdominal stridulitrum/hind femur plectrum type of stridulatory mechanism is reported from G. major. Some immature stages of P. exilirostris are described. Supplementary descriptions and illustrations are given of these species and Brentiscerus putoni.

Metagerra White (Heteroptera: Lygaeidae); A review

The endemic New Zealand genus Metagerra is reviewed, M. truncata n.sp. is described, and a revised key to the species is given. M. distincta Eyles is synonymised with obscura White, and helmsi (Reuter) is revalidated as a distinct species.

A review of Adelphocoris-Creontiades-Megacoelum complex (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Miridae: Mirini), with descriptions of two new genera and four new species.

The Adelphocoris-Creontiades-Megacoelum complex of genera is reviewed. Diagnostic characters for each included genus and species are provided. Two new genera, Poppiomegacoelum n. gen. and Pseudomegacoelum n. gen., are proposed to accommodate Poppiomegacoelum gearyi n. sp. from Australia and four species from west Palearctic previously classified under Megacoelum Fieber, 1858 respectively. Three new species from Australia, Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands are described: Adelphocorisella rubricornis n. sp., Waucoris solomonensis n. sp. and Waucoris tricolor n. sp. The following new combinations are made: Adelphocorisella brunnescens (Poppius, 1915) [for Adelphocoris brunnescens Poppius, 1915], A. relatum (Distant, 1904) [for Megacoelum relatum Distant, 1904], Macrolygus rubrus (Carvalho, 1987) [for Waucoris rubrus Carvalho, 1987], Miyamotoa mussooriensis (Distant, 1909) [for Megacoelum mussooriense Distant, 1909], Orientomiris ater (Poppius, 1915) [for Creontiades ater Poppius, 1915], O. brunneus (Poppius, 1914) [for Creontiades brunneus Poppius, 1914], O. furhstorferi (Poppius, 1915) [for C. furhstorferi Poppius, 1915], O. maculicollis (Poppius, 1915) [for C. maculicollis Poppius, 1915], O. marginatus (Poppius, 1915) [for C. marginatus Poppius, 1915], O. montanus (Poppius, 1915) [for C. montanus Poppius, 1915], O. monticola (Poppius, 1914) [for Megacoelum monticola Poppius, 1914], O. orientalis (Poppius, 1915) [for Creontiades orientalis Poppius, 1915], O. pallidicornis (Poppius, 1915) [for Megacoelum pallidicorne Poppius, 1915], O. ravana (Kirkaldy, 1909) [for Kangra ravana Kirkaldy, 1909], O. sumatranus (Poppius, 1915) [for Adelphocoris sumatranus Poppius, 1915], O. uzeli (Poppius, 1910) [for Creontiades uzeli Poppius, 1910), Poppiocapsidea tagalica (Poppius, 1915) [for Megacoelum tagalicum Poppius, 1915], Pseudomegacoelum angustum (Wagner, 1965) [for Megacoelum angustum Wagner, 1965], P. beckeri (Fieber, 1870) [for M. beckeri (Fieber, 1870)], P. irbilanum (Linnavuori, 1988) [for M. irbilanum Linnavuori, 1988], P. quercicola (Linnavuori, 1965) [for M. quercicola Linnavuori, 1965], Waucoris poppiusi Chérot & Malipatil [new name and new combination for Megacoelum papuanum Poppius, 1915]. The following new synonymies are established: Creontiades vittipennis Reuter, 1905 (valid name) = Creontiades vitticollis Poppius, 1915 (new subjective synonym), Poppiocapsidea biseratensis (Distant, 1903) (valid name) = Megacoelum townsvillensis Distant, 1904 (new subjective synonym). Cheilocapsidea insignis (Distant, 1909) is recorded from Laos and the male genitalic structures are briefly described for the first time. A lectotype is designated for Capsus antennatus Kirby, 1891, Creontiades ater Poppius, 1915, Creontiades brunneus Poppius, 1914, Creontiades fruhstorferi Poppius, 1915, Creontiades marginatus Poppius, 1915, Creontiades uzeli Poppius, 1910, Megacoelum mussooriensis Distant, 1909, Megacoelum relatum Distant, 1904, and Megacoelum townsvillensis Distant, 1904 (original combinations). A key for the genera included in the Adelphocoris-Creontiades-Megacoelum complex is given.

Chromosome Variation in the Males of Some Australian Lygaeidae (Hemiptera: Heteroptera).

Twenty-one species of Australian lygaeids belonging to six subfamilies have been examined cytologically. The two species of Lygaeinae both have 2n ♂ = 14 including an XY sex chromosome pair. While all the remaining species were also XY in the male, diploid numbers of 12, 14, 16, 20 and 22 were found, which included a minute m-chromosome pair which is not represented in the Lygaeinae. The observed variation in chromosome number and size provides supporting evidence for the occurrence of both fusion and fission within the Heteroptera.

On Nothochromus maoricus Slater, Woodward, & Sweet (Heteroptera: Lygaeidae)

Descriptions are given of nymphal instars 1 and 3–5, and the 5th instar is illustrated. Supplementary descriptive notes on the adult and illustrations of the male genitalia are presented. This new information suggests that Nothochromus is too closely related to the Artheneinae to justify its retention in the monobasic subfamily Nothochrominae.