Roberto A. Pantaleoni

The larvae of European Myrmeleontidae (Neuroptera)

The larvae of the European Myrmeleontidae are reviewed with the aim to ease their identification, covering 15 genera and 28 species. Diagnostic characters and illustrations are given for each taxon. Larvae of the genera Nemoleon and Macronemurus are described for the first time while Megistopus, Neuroleon and Myrmeleon are revised. The larvae of Dendroleon pantherinus (Fabricius), Macronemurus appendiculatus (Latreille), Megistopus lucasi (Navás), Nemoleon notatus (Rambur), Neuroleon arenarius (Navás), Neuroleon assimilis (Navás), Neuroleon nemausiensis (Borkhausen), Cueta lineosa (Rambur) and Myrmeleon gerlindae (Hölzel) are described or accurately depicted for the first time.

The Larvae of European Ascalaphidae (Neuroptera)

The larvae of all the European genera of Ascalaphidae are compared for the first time, highlighting the differential characters for identification purposes. The larva of the genus Ascalaphus is described for the first time while those of Puer, Bubopsis and Deleproctophylla are deeply revised. Actually, the larvae of Ascalaphus festivus (Rambur), Puer maculatus (Olivier), Bubopsis agrionoides (Rambur), Deleproctophylla australis (Rambur), Libelloides latinus (Lefebvre), Libelloides corsicus (Rambur) and Libelloides siculus (Angelini) are described or accurately depicted for the first time. The known larvae of the genus Libelloides are reviewed.

Ethyl acetate: a possible alternative for anaesthetizing insects

Abstract In order to anaesthetize insects in a laboratory, chilling and application of diethyl ether and carbon dioxide are commonly used. However none of the above methods is problem free. In particular, the use of diethyl ether, despite its simplicity, is now limited due to its poor safety. In our research, we evaluated ethyl acetate as an alternative anaesthetic substance. The effects of ethyl acetate anaesthesia were compared with those produced by carbon dioxide on adult green lacewings (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae). The biological parameters measured were longevity and fecundity. No significant differences appeared between the two treatments and the control. Although further research is necessary, the use of ethyl acetate proves to be very promising and presents a valid alternative to the use of diethyl ether and, in many cases, also to carbon dioxide and chilling.

Agadirius trojani gen. et sp. nov.: a new owlfly (Neuroptera: Ascalaphidae) from Morocco

A new owlfly, Agadirius trojani gen. et sp. nov., (Ascalaphidae: Ascalaphinae), is described from the Anti–Atlas Mountains, Morocco. The habitus is unmistakable and differs from all other owlflies, but shares some superficial features with the genus Puer Lefèbvre, 1842. Agadirius gen. nov., belongs to the subfamily Ascalaphinae (split eyed owlflies) and has genitalia consistent with the tribe Ascalaphini as defined by Tjeder and Hansson (1992).

The spurious dragonfly: the intricate nomenclatural problems regarding the names Libelloides and libelluloides (Neuroptera Ascalaphidae et Myrmeleontidae)

Around 1970 Tjeder suggested two changes to the nomenclature of the Ascalaphidae regarding the names Libelloides and libelluloides. To avoid future confusion, we augment Tjeders work by analyzing the nomenclatural status of all taxa related to these names-specifically Libelloides Schäffer, 1763 and Libelloides coccajus ([Denis et Schiffermüller], 1775), Ascalaphidae, and Palpares libelluloides (Linnaeus, 1764), Myrmeleontidae. After a short historical preamble, we treat the three taxa in chronological order of description. Additional information is reported in four Addenda, followed by a list of synonymies. Our conclusions are as follows: 1. Schäffers Das Zwiefalter- oder Afterjüngferchen (1763) is consistent with the Principle of Binomial Nomenclature, thus the names Libelloides and Libellula spuria, therein created, are available [ICZN Code Article 11.4.1.]. 2. Libellula spuria Schäffer, 1763, is a senior synonym of Papilio coccajus [Denis et Schiffermüller], 1775; however, the older name Libellula spuria Schäffer, 1763, is a nomen oblitum with respect to the younger name Papilio coccajus [Denis et Schiffermüller], 1775, which therefore must be considered a nomen protectum [ICNZ Code Article 23.9.2: both Articles 23.9.2.1 and 23.9.2.2 apply]. 3. The name Hemerobius libelloides Linnaeus, 1764, is the correct original spelling [ICNZ Code Article 32.5.1 does not apply], but the subsequent spelling Myrmeleon libelluloides Linnaeus, 1767, even if an unjustified emendation [ICZN Code Article 33.2.1 and 33.2.3], is in prevailing usage and consequently: i) it is deemed to be a justified emendation, and ii) it is attributed to its original author and date [ICZN Code Article 33.2.3.1]. 4. Myrmeleon libelluloides Fuesslin, 1775, being a mere misidentification of the name Myrmeleon libelluloides (Linnaeus, 1764), is unavailable name [ICZN Code Article 49]. 5. Schäffer (1763) is not the author of the name Ascalaphus libelluloides: the authorship must be attributed to van der Weele with the date of description 5th January 1909. 6. Libellula turcica Petiver Empson, 1767, in Ábrahám (2012), is an unavailable name. 7. The original spelling Myrmeleon kolywanense Laxmann, 1770, is the correct original spelling [ICNZ Code Article 32.5.1 does not apply], but the subsequent spelling Ascalaphus kolyvanensis Rambur, 1842, even if an unjustified emendation [ICZN Code Article 33.2.1 and 33.2.3], is in prevailing usage and consequently: i) it is deemed to be a justified emendation, and ii) it is attributed to its original author and date [ICZN Code Article 33.2.3.1]. 8. Fuesslins Verzeichniss der ihm bekannten schweizerischen Insekten (1775) was published between 24th February (date in the second part of the Preface [Vorrede]) and 12th May 1775 (Wyttenbach, 1775), so the date of publication is 12th May 1775 [ICZN Code Article 21.3].

Novel crop, novel pests: Assessment of insect damage to achenes of cardoon grown in a Mediterranean environment

Cardoon (Cynara cardunculus var. altilis) has gained interest as a novel crop for bioenergy, multipurpose uses, and industrial bio‐based productions, also based on the achene yield. However, achenes can be affected by various insects, which are considered as minor pests in traditional Cynara crops. Nonetheless, very little information is available on these pests. The aim of this research was to identify the frequency of different insect species with particular regard to weevils, and to quantify the achene yields and losses caused by these spermophagous insects on cardoon. Field measurements were performed across three consecutive years in Sardinia (Italy). Mature cardoon heads of different insertion orders (primary, secondary, tertiary and quaternary heads, respectively) were manually harvested. For each head, the achenes were counted and weighed, and bare receptacles were scored in terms of damaged areas by weevil larvae (i.e., the percentage of total area). The results highlighted a higher frequency of Larinus scolymi (90%) compared to Larinus cynarae. The total number of achenes per head and the 1000‐achene weight were markedly affected by head order. Actual achene yield ranged from 86.8 to 107.9 g per plant. The estimates of achene yield losses per plant due to Larinus weevils ranged from 36.3 in 2014 to 113.0 g per plant in 2015, corresponding to about 0.4 to 1.1 t per hectare, respectively. Our results showed that achene losses were caused mainly by L. scolymi, indicating that cardoon crop profitability could be jeopardised in the absence of insect controls. Based on the experimental data, appropriate strategies aimed at controlling weevil infestations are needed to preserve cardoon achene yields.