Ricardo Jiménez-Peydró

Microgastrinae (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) in the Forest State of Artikutza (Navarra: Spain): Diversity and Community Structure.

Microgastrinae is one of the largest subfamilies of the Braconidae with about 2,000 described species worldwide. These wasps are of enormous ecological interest due to their role in controlling the caterpillar populations. This study analyses diversity and community structure within the Microgastrinae in the Artikutza Forest, located in the Peñas de Aia Natural Park, western Pyrenees, Spain. The specimens were collected in two different habitats: mixed forest and beech forest. A total of 524 specimens, belonging to nine separate genera and 27 species were captured. Alpha, beta and gamma diversity were analyzed. Additionally, the relationship between Microgastrinae phenology and climatic conditions were studied.

DIVERSITY AND COMMUNITY STRUCTURE OF OPIINAE (HYMENOPTERA: BRACONIDAE) IN THE FOREST ESTATE OF ARTIKUTZA (SPAIN)

ABSTRACT The present work analyses the diversity of Opiinae (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) in the forest of the Artikutza Estate, within the Natural Park, Peñas de Aya, in the western Pyrenees. Specimens belonging to this subfamily were collected throughout two cycles and in two different habitats: mixed forest and beech forest. A total of 105 specimens, including 20 different species, were collected. Diversity and structure analysis indicated higher diversity for the beech forest habitat, although the community is composed of a few abundant species and many rare species. A relationship between the presence of Opiinae and an increase in temperature was also ascertained.

Biodiversity within the subfamily Alyssinae (Hymenoptera, Braconidae) in the Natural Park Peñas de Aya (Spain)

Biodiversity within the subfamily Alyssinae (Hymenoptera, Braconidae) in the Natural Park Penas de Aya (Spain). The study of parasitoid Hymenoptera is of significance for the assessment of diversity in a given area because of their role in the regulation of insects populations. The present work analyses diversity within Alysiinae (Hymenoptera, Braconidae) in the Forested Estate of Artikutza, located in the Natural Park Penas de Aya, western Pyrenees, Spain. Collection of specimens was spread over two years and was carried out in two different habitats: mixed forest and beech forest. A total of 2,270 specimens, belonging to 22 separate genera, were captured. Subsequently, alpha, beta and gamma diversities were analysed, and the beech forest was proven to host greater diversity than the mixed forest. A sampling strategy was adopted for the analysis of Alysiinae phenology and its relationship with environmental climatic conditions; as a result, a direct relationship between phenology and temperature was attested.

Classification of Spanish Mosquitoes in Functional Groups

Abstract We present a classification of Spanish mosquitoes according to their different life cycles. The bio-ecological parameters analyzed in our study were oviposition sites, overwintering stages, preferred hosts, and number of generations per year for each species. The results revealed 13 different functional groups. To assess the validity and robustness of the classification system, we analyzed the data from an intensive sampling carried out over a period of 4 years (2005–08) in eastern Spain. In this area, 9 of the 13 functional groups were found. The Jaccard cluster and the principal components analysis (between-group analysis method) revealed 3 different mosquito groups: the tree hole species, the aedine species (except dendrolimnic ones), and the rest of the non-dendrolimnic culicid species. The importance of the different overwintering patterns in distinguishing these 3 classes is also discussed.

GENUS ADELPHENALDIS FISCHER, 2003 (HYMENOPTERA: BRACONIDAE: ALYSIINAE) IN SPAIN, WITH A KEY TO THE WORLD SPECIES

Abstract. The Spanish species of the genus Adelphenaldis Fischer is reviewed. The description of a new species, A. maxfischeri sp. nov., and redescriptions of the recorded for Spain for the first time A. globipes (Fischer 1962) (comb. nov.) and A. spiritalis (Tobias 1992) (comb. nov.) are proposed. Synaldis georgica Fischer 1993 is synonymised with S. globipes Fischer 1962 (syn. nov.). The following new combinations are suggested: Adelphenaldis acutidentata (Fischer), comb. nov., A. cultrata (Belokobylskij), comb. nov., A. moniliata (Belokobylskij), comb. nov., A. pacifica (Belokobylskij), comb. nov., A. paraclypealis (Fischer), comb. nov., A. parvicornis (Thomson), comb. nov., A. ryukyuensis (Belokobylskij), comb. nov., A. spasskensis (Belokobylskij), comb. nov. A key to the world species of the genus Adelphenaldis is given.

Global change and human vulnerability to vector-borne diseases

This e-book presents a collection of research and review articles related to the spread, control and basic understanding of vector borne diseases all over the world. It is well known that a multidisciplinary point of view is necessary in order to develop a global vision of this emergent problem. Therefore, in order to promote this holistic approach to the knowledge of vector borne diseases, this e-book contains a total of 19 collaborations of entomologists, epidemiologists, virologists, parasitologists, bacteriologists, zoologists and veterinarians of Europe, Africa, Asia, and America. The title perfectly reflects some of the global factors that are behind the emergence and/or reemergence of vector borne diseases. It is now well known that several climatic, environmental and sociodemographic changes that have occurred over the past years are some of the most important causes for the resurgence of many diseases worldwide. However, global change, defined as the impact of human activity on the fundamental mechanisms of biosphere functioning, includes not only climate change, but also habitat transformation, water cycle modification, biodiversity loss, synanthropic incursion of alien species into new territories, or the introduction of new chemicals in nature. Although there is a large and varied group of vectors worldwide, in this e-book we have examined the two most important disease vectors in our opinion: mosquitoes and ticks. Studies about the presence and transmission rates of viruses like West Nile, assays about mosquito control with new and encouraging methods, studies related to the importance of vector control strategies, research results about the role of asymptomatic cases of anthroponosis like Dengue, and investigations about the impact of climate trends on diseases transmitted by ticks and mosquitoes, are some of the issues that can be found in this Research Topic. As editors of this Research Topic, we would like to acknowledge sincerely all coauthors for their valuable and interesting contributions and we wish the readers of this e-book a productive and enjoyable reading of some of the most innovative work related to vector borne diseases.

New Western Palaearctic Species of the Genus Dinotrema Foerster, 1862 with Widely Sculptured Propodeum (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Alysiinae)

Abstract. Descriptions of seven new species of the genus Dinotrema Foerster with widely sculptured propodeum are suggested: D. agaricophagum sp. nov. (Denmark and Ireland), D. curtisetum sp. nov. (Denmark), D. deprane sp. nov. (Denmark), D. haeselbarthi sp. nov. (Denmark and Italy), D. lobatum sp. nov. (Denmark, Finland and Portugal), D. paludellae sp. nov. (Denmark) and D. setaceum sp. nov. (Germany). The comparisons of the these new species with the most similar Palaearctic Dinotrema taxa are given.

Seven new Spanish species of the genus Synaldis (Hymenoptera, Braconidae, Alysiinae) with mesoscutal pit.

Descriptions of seven new species of the alysiine genus Synaldis having mesoscutal pit from Spain are given: Synaldis berbegalae sp. nov., S. falcoi sp. nov., S. gilaberti sp. nov., S. jujisae sp. nov., S. lozanoae sp. nov., S. martinezae sp. nov., and S. navarroae sp. nov.

Aspilota-group (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Alysiinae) diversity in Mediterranean Natural Parks of Spain

Abstract This work analyses the biodiversity of the Aspilota-group (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Alysiinae) in three Mediterranean Natural parks: Natural Park of La Font Roja, Natural Park of Las Lagunas de la Mata-Torrevieja and Natural Park of La Tinença de Benifassà. Samples were carried out from April 2004 to December 2007. In total, 822 specimens, belonging to 52 species, were collected. Alpha, beta and gamma diversities were analysed, and the Tinença Park was proven to have higher diversity than the Font Roja and Torrevieja. Also, the structure of the Aspilota-group community was analysed.

New Contributions to Pseudonapomyza (Diptera: Agromyzidae) from Spain: Addition of Three New Species

Abstract The genus Pseudonapomyza (Diptera: Agromyzidae) includes the main leafminer pests for monocots. Three new species are described that were captured using Malaise traps in “Tinença de Benifassà”, “Font Roja” and “Lagunas de La Mata-Torrevieja” (Spain) Natural Parks: Pseudonapomyza curvata n. sp., P. longitata n. sp., and P. sicicornis n. sp. Systematics. Ecological data are discussed.