Povilas Ivinskis

Cossidae of the Socotra Archipelago (Yemen)

Abstract The faunistic composition of the family Cossidae (Lepidoptera) of the Socotra Archipelago is revised. Five species are recognized, including two new species (Mormogystia brandstetteri and Meharia hackeri), and dubious identifications and records are discussed. Adults and genitalia are illustrated and bionomic details, DNA barcodes and a synonymic checklist for Socotran cossids are provided. A review of their distribution reveals that at least 80 percent of Socotra’s cossids are unique to the archipelago, which is renowned for its endemism. A checklist listing all the species from generas Meharia, Mormogystia, Aethalopteryx, Azygophleps, as well as the synonymy and distribution is provided.

Sex pheromone of the spotted tentiform leafminer moth Phyllonorycter blancardella (Fabr.) (Lep., Gracillariidae)

Dodecyl acetate (12:OAc) (E)‐10‐dodecenyl acetate (E10‐12:OAc) and (E)‐10‐dodecenol (E10‐12:OH) in the ratio 8 : 80 : 12 were collected by solid phase micro‐extraction of the volatiles emitted by virgin signalling females of the spotted tentiform leafminer moth, Phyllonorycter blancardella. The same compounds in the ratio 8 : 79 : 13 were extracted from the sex pheromone glands of virgin signalling females of the same species. The chemical structures of the compounds were identified by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. Trapping results obtained from field tests using synthetic components of the sex pheromone demonstrated that only one component, E10–12:OAc, was essential for the attraction of conspecific males and should be considered as a sex pheromone.

Chemocommunication in Phyllonorycter ulmifoliella (HBN.) (Lepidoptera : Gracillariidae) : Periodicity, sex pheromone, and inhibitors

Abstract(Z)-10-Tetradecenyl acetate (Z10-14:OAc) from abdominal tip extracts of virgin females of the tentiform leafminer moth Phyllonorycter ulmifoliella (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae) was identified by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. The biological activity of the component was confirmed by field tests with synthetic compounds. As a sex pheromone component this ester is novel both in the family Gracillariidae and in the superfamily Gracillarioidea. Field trapping of P. ulmifoliella with synthetic Z10-14: OAc at dosages of 1 and 0.2 mg/dispenser led to catches of approximately 9000 and 3000 male moths, respectively. The attractivity of the Z10-14:OAc was strongly inhibited by a 10% admixture of either (Z)-9-tetradecenyl acetate (Z9-14:OAc), (E)-9-tetradecenyl acetate (E9-14:OAc), or (E)-11-tetradecenyl acetate (E11-14:OAc). Addition of 10% (E)-10-tetradecenyl acetate (E10-14:OAc) to the sex pheromone reduced attractivity, but significantly less than the inhibitors previously mentioned. The pheromone releasing (or “calling”) behavior of virgin P. ulmifoliella females was recorded under laboratory conditions. Calling activity started about half an hour before lightson and the maximum number of calling females was registered half an hour after the start of photophase. A high level of pheromone releasing activity lasted for about 2 hr and ceased about 5 hr after the start of photophase. Chemocommunication activity in the light period of day is assumed to be an adaptation which allows this phyllonoryctid to avoid inhibitors emitted as pheromones by many other species. A scheme of probable interactions by means of semiochemicals between P. ulmifoliella and other lepidopterans is presented and the appearance of Z10-14: OAc as a sex pheromone component in Lepidoptera during evolution of the order is discussed.

C18 Dienes as attractants for eighteen clearwing (Sesiidae), tineid (Tineidae), and choreutid (Choreutidae) moth species

By screening singly and binary mixed 2,13- and 3,13-octadecadien-yl acetates and alcohols (2,13- and 3,13-18: Ac/OH)in Lithuania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, and the far east of Russia, sex attractants were discovered for 12 Sesiidae, four Tineidae, and one Choreutidae moth species. Males ofSesia yezoensis andBembecia puella as well asNemapogon flavifrons were attracted by mixture ofZ3,Z13-18:Ac/OH in a ratio of 9∶1,Pyropteron sp. n. by the same mixture (ratio 1∶9),Bembecia romanovi andB. zuwandica byZ3,Z13-18:Ac andE3,Z13-18:Ac (9∶1),Synanthedon caucasicum by the same mixture in the opposite ratio (1∶9),B. scopigera by 23,213-18:Ac andE2,Z13-18:OH in a ratio 9∶1,Synasphecia triannuliformis byZ3,Z13-18:OH andE3,Z13-18:OH (9∶1),Similipepsis takizawai andArchimeessia sp. n. byE3,Z13-18:OH andE2,Z13-18:Ac (1∶1),Prochoreutis sechestediana by a mixture ofE3,Z13-18:Ac plusE2,Z13-18:OH (1∶),Microsphecia brosiformis byE3,Z13-18:Ac,Synanthedon conopiformis by the analogous alcohol,Synanthedon scoliaeformis andNemaxera betulinella byE2,Z13-18:Ac,Triaxomera fulvimitrella byZ3,Z13-18:Ac. An analogous alcohol component is essential for the attraction ofB. ichneumoniformis males. Inhibitors forB. romanovi, B. scopigera andB. zuwandica attraction were discovered. Preliminary data on attractants for six other species as well as on the diurnal rhythm of sexual activity of three species are presented. A new method for the stereoselective synthesis of 3,13–18:Ac/OH andE2,Z13-18:Ac/OH is described.

The Horse-Chestnut Leafminer (Cameraria Ohridella Deschka & Dimic 1986) Lepidoptera, Gracillariidae in Lithuania

A review of distribution of the horse-chestnut leafminer (Cameraria ohridella) in Lithuania was made on the basis of observations carried out in various Lithuanian cities, towns and settlements in 2002–2006. The first record of the species in Lithuania was made in the Curonian Spit in 2002. Currently, Cameraria ohridella can be found in 39 Lithuanian cities, towns and settlements. In some areas, the species forms massive infestation foci. Until 2006 the autumnal generation was only known in Lithuania, whereas in 2006 the summer generation was registered.

Search for American bollworm (Heliothis armigera HB.) (Noctuidae, Lepidoptera) with pheromone and light traps and analysis of pheromone catches in Lithuania.

During 1995 and 1999–2001 investigations the quarantine pest Heliothis armigera was registered in two new sites of two Lithuanian districts. Moths of 75 species belonging to 14 families were caught with pheromone traps for H. armigera during 1999–2001 with species rare for Lithuania (Agonopterix liturosa, Anarsia lineatella, Argyresthia sorbiella, A. curvella, A. albistria, Calybites phasianipennella, Coleophora graminicolella, Cydia lunulana, Heliothela wulfeniana, Pammene spiniana, Platyptilia calodactyla) among them. Moths most frequently caught with H. armigera pheromone traps were elucidated. New localities of Simyra albovenosa and Xanthia gilvago were ascertained, one for each of the species.

Data on Noctuidae (Lepidoptera) of Turkmenistan

In this paper we present a short survey of Noctuidae (Lepidoptera) studies, localities of investigations and the check list of found and designated 176 species, 15 of which are new for Turkmenistan and 2 are presumed to be new for science.

Orthetrum Brunneum (Fonscolombe, 1837), A New Dragonfly Species in Lithuania (Odonata: Libellulidae)

Orthetrum brunneum, a new species in Lithuania, was recorded in two localities in the years 2001–2003. The northernmost position of these localities, probably of the whole species’ range, is shown and discussed with reference to climate-related changes in the range and numbers of this species and some other species. The habitat is described and discussed in comparison with the data from central Europe. The establishing of more permanent populations of O. brunneum in these latitudes is questionable; its occurrence in Lithuania seems to be dependent on allochthonous nomadic individuals.

Some Aspects on Biodiversity of Insect Fauna in Lithuanian LTER Sites

The paper generalises the original data of more than 30 years of investigations in the Lithuanian LTER sites (the Baltic Sea coastal area, Cepkeliai State Strict Nature Reserve, Kamanos State Strict Nature Reserve and the environs of Lake Drūksiai). Over 3,000 insect species belonging to nine orders were recorded, with Lepidoptera and Ichneumonidae (Hymenoptera) as the most properly investigated insect group in the four LTER sites. The greatest number of Lepidoptera species was registered in the Cepkeliai State Strict Nature Reserve (1,020 species) and the Baltic Sea coastal area (800). In each LTER site we found by almost 50 moth families, with prevalence of Noctuidae, Geometridae, Tortricidae and Pyralidae families holding the largest number of species. The greatest (257) number of Ichneumonidae species was found in the Kamanos State Strict Nature Reserve, Baltic Sea coast area (252), with Cryptinae as a predominant subfamily. The abundance, diversity and composition of Trichoptera species represent dif...

Baltic Seashore as a Unique Habitat For Insects

The Baltic seashore is one of important sites of insect biodiversity in Lithuania. Seashore habitats, such as dunes, dry grasslands, sand heaths, are unique and unstable. Research on insect fauna was carried out in seashore habitats of the Curonian Spit and Klaipėda–Sventoji zone in 1974–2004. The whole list embraced more than 2,000 species of insects. 90% of them were common for all Lithuania, but the remaining part of species were dwelling exclusively in seashore habitats or on special plants. New, often southern species firstly establish in Lithuanian seashore habitats and only later spread all over Lithuania. The case of Dichelia histrionana Frol. is a good illustration of insect immigration and spread from the Baltic seashore to other territories. The change of a habitat is an impendence that the size of the seashore insect population will go down or certain species can disappear, as is the case with Bactra suedana Bengts., Filatima ukrainica Pisk., Maculinea teleius Bergstr., Lymantria dispar Hw.