Virginija Podeniene

The crane fly family Cylindrotomidae (Diptera): newly recorded for Mongolia

ABSTRACT The crane fly family Cylindrotomidae is newly recorded for Mongolia. Four species, Cylindrotoma distinctissima (Meigen, 1818), C. nigriventris Loew, 1849, Diogma glabrata (Meigen, 1818), Phalacrocera replicata (Linnaeus, 1758) are first recorded in Mongolia from sampling during 2002–2006. An illustrated key to identify these species, and the regional C. japonica Alexander, is presented. The two subspecies of Diogma glabrata (Meigen, 1818), D. g. megacauda Alexander 1931 and the nominotypical subspecies, are not supported as distinct.

The last instar larvae and pupae of Tipula (Arctotipula) (Diptera, Tipulidae) from Mongolia

ABSTRACT Descriptions, illustrations and habitat characteristics are given for the previously unknown larvae and pupae of Tipula (Arctotipula) hovsgolensis T. (A.) caliginosa and T. (A.) quadriloba and pupae of T. (A.) salicetorum. In addition the larval stage of Tipula (A.) conjuncta conjuncta is redescribed. For the first time in Tipula (Arctotipula) microscopic hairs on the abdomen, length of the abdominal tubercles, length of the lateral abdominal setae, the arrangement of hairs on the spiracular lobes and the sclerotisation of spiracular field are discovered as the main characters to distinguish the larvae. Pupae of this subgenus can be separated by the shape and arrangement of the spines on the terminal segments. Larvae of most these species develop on the benthic and riparial zones of Mongolian rivers and springs; a few develop in marshy meadows.

First Record of a Crane Fly Larva (Diptera, Limoniidae: Chioneinae) from Baltic Amber

Abstract A description and illustration are given for a Chioneinae (Limoniidae) larva from Baltic amber. This is the first known larva of a crane fly in Baltic amber, and the first known fossil specimen of a Chioneinae larva. The specimen is identified as probably in the genus Ormosia. Possible habitats of this larva were damp mud or leaf litter along watercourses or in woodlands.

An Overview of the Tipulomorpha and Ptychopteromorpha Crane Flies (Diptera) of Mongolia

ABSTRACT. The investigation of crane flies (Diptera: Tipulidae) in the current territory of Mongolia started in 1880 with specimens collected by G. N. Potanin in north-central Mongolia. The most productive period has been during the last 17 years with the sampling and research fostered by the joint American-Mongolian Lake Hovsgol Survey in 1995–1997 and the Mongolian Aquatic Insect Survey (2003–2011). Since 1995, among the true crane flies, the families Cylindrotomidae (4 species) and Trichoceridae (5 species) have been newly discovered in Mongolia, the number of Tipulidae has doubled (now 136 species), the number of Limoniidae tripled (140 species), and nearly eight times more Pediciidae (15 species). In addition, two species of Tanyderidae (primitive crane flies), and one species of Ptychopteridae (phantom crane flies) are known from Mongolia. Most Mongolian species have Palaearctic (29.0%), Eastern Palaearctic (28.7%), or Mongolian Plateau (14.0%) distribution ranges. The peak flight period for adult crane flies is during the first 20 days of July and with highest diversity at altitudes from 1,000 through 1,800 m. Most crane fly species in Mongolia have larvae developing in aquatic habitats (50.8% of species with known larvae). Those species whose larvae develop in terrestrial habitats develop in leaf litter or soil (31.6%), decaying wood (9.9%), fungi (5.8%), or in dung (2.9%).

Larva of Protanyderus stackelbergi Savchenko, 1971 (Diptera: Ptychopteromorpha, Tanyderidae) from Mongolia

ABSTRACT. Description, illustrations and habitat characteristics are given for the previously unknown larva of the eastern palaearctic species Protanyderus stackelbergi (Diptera: Tanyderidae). The larva was found in a Populus leaf “pack”, a habitat not reported previously for the family, in a small stream (braid) of a larger river in Mongolia. Characters of the larval stages of Protanyderus stackelbergi and Protoplasa fitchii are compared and differences between these two genera are discussed.

The first description of the larva of the crane fly genus Gonempeda Alexander, 1924 (Limoniidae: Chioneinae), with new information for understanding the phylogenetic relationships of the genus

Abstract Last instar larvae of two species of the genus Gonempeda Alexander, 1924, the palearctic G. flava (Schummel, 1829) and nearctic G. burra (Alexander, 1924), are described and illustrated for the first time for the genus. The pupa of G. burra is also newly described and compared to the pupa known previously for G. flava. Distinguishing characteristics of the immature stages allowing separation of this genus from other Chioneinae are presented, and the aquatic and semi-aquatic habitats used by the immatures are summarized. Characters of the larvae and pupae indicate that the genus Gonempeda belongs in a clade with Ormosia Rondani, 1856, Rhypholophus Kolenti, 1860 and Scleroprocta Edwards, 1938, but the exact relationships remain unresolved.

The Last Instar Larvae and Pupae of Mongolian Limnophilinae Crane Flies from Genera Eloeophila, Limnophila and Phylidorea (Diptera, Limoniidae)

ABSTRACT. Description, illustrations and habitat characteristics are given for the previously unknown larvae and pupae of Eloeophila persalsa (Alexander, 1940), Limnophila (Limnophila) chinggsiskhani Podenas and Gelhaus, 2001 and Phylidorea (Macrolabina) temelskin Podenas and Gelhaus, 2001 based on specimens from Mongolia. Sclerotisation of the spiracular field, arrangement of the sensory structures on the labrum, length of the antennal segments, and number and shape of the mandible teeth are the main characters found to distinguish the larvae of these genera. The larvae were found in the riparian zone, usually in silt, sand or gravel. Pupae and pupal exuviae of these genera were found in mosses growing on the riverbanks. The female pupal stage is described for the first time for the genus Phylidorea. Eloephila persalsa is recorded from Mongolia for the first time.

Figures 72 – 76 In Limonia Crane Flies (Diptera: Limoniidae) Of Korea

FIGURES 72 – 76. Limonia pia sp. nov. 72: female, general view; 73: wing; 74: male genitalia, dorsal view; 75: male genitalia, ventral view; 76: ovipositor, lateral view.

Review of the last instar larvae and pupae of Hexatoma ( Eriocera ) and Hexatoma ( Hexatoma ) (Diptera, Limoniidae, Limnophilinae)

Description, illustrations and habitat characteristics are given for the previously unknown larvae and pupae of Nearctic species Hexatoma (Eriocera) californica, H. (E.) fuliginosa and East Palaearctic species H. (E.) sachalinensis, H. (E.) stackelbergi, H. (E.) ussuriensis and H. (s.str.) nubeculosa. Hexatoma (E.) sachalinensis, H. (E.) stackelbergi, and H. (s.str.) nubeculosa are reported new for Mongolia based on larval and reared adult collections. There are no distinguishing morphological characters to separate last instar larvae of the subgenera H. (Eriocera) and H. (Hexatoma), while pupae of these subgenera can be separated by the size and shape of the spines on the terminal segments. This study indicates that microscopic setae on the last abdominal segment, length of maxillary palpi, sclerotization of the spiracular field, length of spiracular lobes, length of setae on the apical part of the ventral lobes, the shape of the labrum and the arrangement of sensory structures on the labrum are the main larval characters to distinguish among species in this genus. The shape and length of the respiratory horns, size and number of the horns of the cephalic crest, length of the antennal sheaths, the lengths of the sheaths of the legs, size and shape of tubercles on the antennal scape are the main distinguishing pupal characters for the species of this genus. Nearly all known species of Hexatoma develop in sand or gravel in bottom of large and medium size rivers, smaller streams and creeks while last instar larvae and pupae can be found in the riparian zone, usually in gravel, sand or under stones.