Localized cutaneous leishmaniasis caused by Leishmania (Leishmania) mexicana is endemic in the Yucatán peninsula, Mexico. Lutzomyia olmeca olmeca and Lutzomyia cruciata have been found infected by flagellates. This represents the first report on the detection and identification of Leishmania to the genus and subgenus levels in both sand fly species using the polymerase chain reaction.

Two new species are added to the genus Palingonalia Young, 1977 (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Cicadellinae) from Colombia, P. subta and P. hypera.

The morphology of the metathoracic scent glands of Coreus marginatus (Linnaeus, 1758) (Heteroptera: Coreidae) was studied by scanning electron microscopy. The metathoracic scent glands are composed of a reservoir and a pair of lateral glands that connect to the reservoir through a duct. The metathoracic scent glands open to the surface through paired ostioles located between the 2nd and 3rd coxae in evaporation areas with a mushroom-like structure. Extracts of the volatile fraction from male and female metathoracic gland secretions were analyzed by capillary gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Thirteen and sixteen compounds were detected in males and females, respectively. Most of the chemical compounds are qualitatively similar on each male and female but they differ in their quantity. In the analyses of metathoracic scent glands of females of C. marginatus, n-hexenoic acid (22.46%) was determined at the most and 14-Beta-H-Pregna (0.12%) was determined at the least in all samples. In males, octadecanoic acid (57.78%) was determined at the most and n-hexyl acetate (0.06%) was determined at the least in all samples.

Quercetin is one of the best studied and most abundant flavonoid molecules in plants. Flavonoids are a large group of natural polyphenols that are almost ubiquitously present in the plants. The consumption of fruit and vegetables containing quercetin has been associated with several health benefits. In this study, we examined the impact of dietary quercetin (0, 0.005, 0.05, 0.5 and 1.75% quercetin by weight) on Drosophila melanogaster Meigen, 1830 postembryonic development and histological changes in larvae and females. A possible hormonmimetic (ecdysonergic) activity of quecetin was also studied on polytene chromosomes present in the larval salivary glands. We noticed a decrease in the duration of the larval period of flies raised on 1.75% quercetin diet. Quercetin-fed larvae entered metamorphosis sooner than the control ones. The most dramatic change was observed in larval fat body. Dark round structures were observed in fat body cells from larvae treated with quercetin.

A checklist of 131 species of robber flies from Arkansas is presented. It includes 101 species studied by the authors, of which 66 species are here recorded for the first time from the state. Seven more species have been recorded in the literature, and 23 species that might occur in the state have never been recorded. The Arkansas robber fly fauna has close affinities with the fauna of the eastern United States. Distributional notes are given for several species, and biological notes are presented for Orthogonis stygia. Ceraturgus fasciatus is resurrected from synonymy with C. cruciatus.

Xanthogaleruca subcoerulescens (Weise, 1884), has been rediscovered recently in southern Turkey. Beetles were found feeding on the leaves of Celtis glabrata Steven ex Planchon (Ulmaceae), leaving behind small, round holes. Redescriptions of the male and female are presented. The spermatheca is illustrated for the first time.

During 1988–1989, 72 species of heterocerans (Lepidoptera) were collected and identified in Gökçeada and Bozcaada islands. One species collected on Gökçeada Caradrina ingrata (Staudinger, 1897), is the first record for Turkey and the North Aegean Islands. All identified species are first records for Gökçeada and Bozcaada, whereas 32 of them are first records of heterocerans for the North Aegean Islands.

Larvae of the marine midges Clunio and Pontomyia are reported as epibionts on the carapace of sea turtles. Turtle transportation may be an important factor in the dispersal of flightless marine midges.

Microdon falcatus Williston 1887 (Diptera: Syrphidae) is redescribed. A lectotype is designated for the name and three new synonyms are proposed (Microdon aquilinus Giglio-Tos 1892, Microdon hondanaria Hull 1940, and Microdon mellogutta Hull 1943).

Our study was done to determine if cave crickets (Ceuthophilus gracilipes gracilipes) are able to transport dictyostelid cellular slime molds into and within caves. Large cave crickets were captured from Pigeon Roost Cave in northwestern Arkansas. Crickets were individually washed to remove dictyostelid spores, and fecal pellets collected aseptically from the washed crickets. Five species of dictyostelids, assigned to two genera (Dictyostelium and Polysphondylium), were recovered from the surface of six crickets, and a single species (D. sphaerocephalum) from one sample of fecal pellets. Since cave crickets forage outside the cave, they can introduce dictylostelids to caves from out-side sources, and can serve as vectors for transporting dictyotelids within caves. The present study is the first to demonstrate that cave-dwelling invertebrates are capable of transporting these organisms.

Two new species, Zographetus pangi Fan and Wang sp. nov. from Nanling National Nature Reserve, Guangdong, and Z. hainanensis Fan and Wang sp. nov. from Yinggeling, Hainan, China, are described and illustrated. Z. pangi is allied to Z. rama, but can be easily separated from the latter by forewing lack of swollen vein in the male, and hindwing underside having dark brown spots, as well as the valva of male genitalia without pointed protruding in the upper margin of the harpal process. Z. hainanensis is closely related to Z. pangi, differing from the latter in having the small white spot in space M2 on forewing upperside and that on underside more distinct, the spot in upper cell rather smaller; valva with the harpal process nearly rectangular, the upper margin nearly straight. Female genitalia of Z. satwa de Nicéville is described for the first time.

I report on three lacewings, a dusty wing, Parasemidalis fuscipennis, and two rare myrmeleontids, Myrmecaelurus spectabilis and Distoleon kabulensis, coming from Turkish lacewing fauna. Faunistic data and habitats are provided. Photographs of wings of two ant lions, drawings on male and female external and internal genitalia structure of Myrmecaelurus spectabilis and female genitalia of Distoleon kabulensis are illustrated with 9 figures. The distribution map with new recording sites is also given.