Linepithema humile is one of the most damaging invasive species worldwide. Although chemical control strategies have proven effective for L. humile, the susceptibility of these invasive ants to the insecticide fipronil differs markedly among genetically different supercolonies. In Japan, five mitochondrial L. humile haplotypes were identified from eleven prefectural regions and cities as of 2010. In 2012, a new population was found in Okayama Prefecture. Here, we analyzed mitochondrial DNA from L. humile workers from the Okayama population to better understand the genetic structure of ants in Japan and develop effective control strategies. According to COI-COII and cytochrome b gene sequences, the L. humile Okayama population haplotype was consistent with the ‘Japanese main’ supercolony—the most invasive supercolony worldwide. Hence, we believe that the Okayama population (Japanese main supercolony) can be easily eradicated because of its early invasion stage, relatively limited distribution range and high sensitivity to fipronil.

The present work was carried out to study the effect of low doses of gamma radiation (25, 50, 75, 100 rads) on mulberry silkworm eggs and pupae. Mortality, larval duration, weights of 3rd, 4th and 5th instar larvae, weight of fresh and dry cocoons, weight and length of silk filament and fecundity and fertility of eggs were studied. The egg hatch was not affected by different low doses of gamma radiation and no abnormalities or mortality were observed during the different life stages. Mortality reached 10% by the 5th instar. The larval duration was affected with different doses of gamma radiation, 25, 50, 75 and 100 rads. The duration was 27, 26, 27 and 28 days respectively, as compared with the control (28 days). The highest mean weights of larvae and cocoons were 3.26g and 1.416g respectively, and the maximum length of the silk filament was 1148m. These values were obtained when eggs were exposed to 50 rads. The lowest mean weights were 2.54g for larvae and 1.134g for pupae, with a minimum length of 853m for the silk filament, obtained at 100 rads. On the other hand, the highest fecundity occurred when eggs and pupae were exposed to 50 rads and showed no difference between irradiated egg only and when both eggs and pupae were irradiated.

Peritroctes bengalensis Thornton and Wong, originally described from West Bengal, India, is first recorded from the Western Hemisphere from three counties in south-central Texas. The description of the apterous female is augmented and the male, macropterous female, micropterous female, and egg are described.

Lacinius insularisRoewer, 1923, is recorded for the first time as part of the Turkish harvestmen fauna. Prior to this, the species was only known from the island of Crete in Greece. The new collections were made on Nif mountain in İzmir Province (far western Turkey). In this study, L. insularis is redescribed based on adults from Turkey. Its detailed description, morphological characteristics, distribution and measurements are given. Also, genitalia, body dorsal view, chelicerae, and pedipalp are illustrated. In addition, this species is compared with similar species.

Gnaphosa lugubris is a ground spider species found from Europe to Central Asia. The difficulties in interpretation of diploid chromosome numbers, sex chromosome systems and the need for modification of the applied method for different species has restricted the number of studies in spider genetics. Despite these difficulties in chromosomal studies, Giemsa staining is the most effective method for studying gnaphosids. This method is carried out in three steps: hypotonic application, fixation and squashing the tissues and air drying. In this study, the chromosomal characteristics of Gnaphosa lugubris were investigated in male specimens which were collected from the central part of Turkey. As a result, the diploid chromosome number and sex chromosome system were determined as ♂X₁X₂/♀X₁X₁X₂X₂ type. All chromosomes were telocentric and the gradual decrease in the lengths of autosome pairs was from 10±0.46% to 4±0.32%. X₁ was medium-sized and X₂ was the smallest element in the karyotype. The results which have been presented for the first time will contribute to increasing our knowledges about cytogenetic properties of the ground spiders.

This paper deals with new records of Chrysomelinae and Cryptocephalinae (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) from Iran. In total, eight species of Chrysomelinae from four genera Chrysolina (five species), Neophaedon (single species), Plagiodera (single species), Timarcha (single species), and 12 species of Cryptocephalinae within four genera Coptocephala Chevrolat (two species), Labidostomis Chevrolat (two species), Smaragdina Chevrolat (two species) and Cryptocephalus Geoffroy (six species) were collected and identified.

The present study aimed to reveal the species, their densities, distribution and short life cycles of wheat stem sawflies in the Southeast Anatolia Region of Turkey. Adult sawfly samplings were conducted in areas of cereal cultivation in four provinces: Adıyaman, Diyarbakır, Mardin, and Şanlıurfa in 2014-2015. One hundred sweep net samples were taken from each wheat field during the adult flight period of sawflies in order to determine the species, their densities and distribution of the wheat stem sawflies. Life cycle studies were done in nature and immature stages of sawflies were also determined.

Three species of wheat stem sawflies, Cephus pygmeus (Linnaeus, 1767), Trachelus tabidus (Fabricius, 1775) and T. libanensis (Andre, 1881), were recorded in cereal fields. The most widespread species was C. pygmeus (77.1% and 63.9% in 2014 and 2015, respectively) and the most narrowly distributed was T. tabidus (22.9% and 36.1% in 2014 and 2015, respectively). While the highest number of adults was determined in Diyarbakır Province (mean 44.15 adults / field), the lowest number was determined in Adıyaman Province (mean 5.73 adults / field). Cephus pygmeus adults emerged at the end of March in Mardin and at the beginning of April in Diyarbakır, Adıyaman and Şanlıurfa Provinces. After adult emergence, the females fed mainly on wild mustard plants (Sinapis arvensis L.) to obtain nutrition. Eggs and newly emerged first instar larvae appeared in May and larvae in diapause were found in cut stubs in the middle of June.

Darpa inopinata Devyatkin is newly recorded from Hainan. This is the third species of Darpa to be recorded from China. The geographical distribution of D. inopinata was previously restricted to central and northern Vietnam but is now extended eastward to Hainan. The phylogeny of Darpa was investigated using DNA barcode region. Notes on conservation of the genus Darpa in China are also provided.

A new species of the flower fly [Diptera: Syrphidae] genus Mallota is described from Oriental China [Zhejiang] and two new synonyms are noted.

This study was carried out in 2011 and 2012 to determine the host plants, distribution areas and infestation rates of Tomato leaf miner (Tuta absoluta) which causes damage in tomato in the Northeast Anatolia Region. Studies were conducted in Erzincan and Iğdır provinces where in greenhouse and fields, tomato was grown extensively. In the surveys, 30-40 plants were randomly selected and all parts of these plants were investigated with a magnifier. In the event of any biological pre-adult stage or signs of damage of the pest on the plants; that area and plant were recorded as infested. To determine the host plants of tomato leaf miner, surveys were made in greenhouse and open field grown tomato and weeds in the inside and the edges of the tomato plant. It was determined that a large part of Erzincan and Iğdır provinces of Northeast Anatolia Region were infested with tomato leaf miner. The infestation rate of tomato leaf miner was 6.13% in Erzincan, 3.08% in Iğdır in 2011; 3.65% in Erzincan, 9.21% in Iğdır in 2012. It was also determined that in addition to tomato, nightshade (Solanum nigrum) was a host plant of tomato leaf miner.

This is the first report for the Pantanal of Ammophila hevansMenke 2004. The species was recorded with the sample of one female in a natural floodplain area and the predictive niche model provides the major expected areas of occurrence, predicting that the warmest and driest regions fit the model.

In a maritime slope bog of Maine, females of Eris militaris (Hentz, 1845) and Synageles canadensisCutler, 1988 nest in distinctly different floral parts of Northern pitcher plant (Sarracenia purpurea L.) (Sarraceniaecae) seed heads. Females of E. militaris spin egg retreats on the umbrella; females of S. canadensis spin egg retreats chiefly within locules of the ovary. In these intrafloral microhabitats, juvenile salticids are more prevalent than adults; females more prevalent than males; overall, multiple occupants are more prevalent than single occupants. Other than body size, the behavioral-structural attributes leading to this microhabitat preference for egg laying are unknown.

This is the first report of a very rare weevil Altonomus vernalis (Iablokoff-Khnzorian, 1957) 60 years after its description. It is a new record for the Turkish fauna and Cirsium arvense (L.) is a first plant association record. Comparative sexually dimorphic characters, measurements, and digital photographs are presented for the first time.