DOI: 10.3897/zoologia.38.e64154

Authors: Nathália Del G. da R. Celli, Lúcia M. Almeida, Daniel S. Basílio, Camila F. Castro

Abstract: Among the predatory ladybird beetles (Coccinellidae: Coleoptera), members of the Coccinellini, predators of aphids and psyllids, stand out. Although the beneficial status of these beetles has been acknowledged by biological control researchers, there are no keys or detailed studies on the immature stages of South American Coccinellidae, especially Coccinellini. We provide descriptions and illustrations of the immatures and adults of major predatory Coccinellini species in southern Brazil along with an identification key for fourth instar larvae and pupae. The following species are included: Cycloneda sanguinea (Linnaeus, 1763), Eriopis connexa (Germar, 1824), Harmonia axyridis (Pallas, 1773), Hippodamia convergens Guérin-Méneville, 1842 and Olla v-nigrum (Mulsant, 1866). The morphological study, which included the use of scanning electron microscopy, revealed new characters such as the type of tarsal claws, spiracles, chalazae, parascoli and strumae. The identification key provided here may be useful in biological control programs.

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DOI: 10.3897/zoologia.36.e31456

Authors: Lisiane Dilli Wendt, Luciane Marinoni

Abstract: A taxonomic revision of Megalothoracha Hendel, 1911 is provided, including a description of Megalothoraca rosalyae Wendt, sp. nov. from Colombia. The genus encompasses large species from Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia (new record), and each species was described based either on males or females. These species can be diagnosed by long and slender mid and hind legs and wing longer than body, vein R2+3 with two strong curves on apical third, and short spurious vein medially. And males have costal vein conspicuously bowed anteriorly and thickened on medial portion. The following nomenclatural changes are made: Megalothoraca hendeli Enderlein, 1912, syn. nov. is a junior synonym of M. pterodontida Hendel, 1911; Batrachophthalmum teleopsis (Hennig, 1938) comb. nov. is transferred from Megalothoraca, and Batrachophthalmum quimbaya Carvalho, Wolff & Wendt, 2011, syn. nov. is a junior synonym of B. teleopsis. A key to species and illustrations of the female and male terminalia are provided.

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DOI: 10.3897/zoologia.35.e21232

Authors: Thereza de Almeida Garbelotto, Ana Paula Leite Kochenborger, Luiz Alexandre Campos

Abstract: Lineostethus Ruckes, 1966 has four species, L. clypeatus (Stål, 1862), L. graziae Hildebrand & Becker, 1982, L. marginellus (Stål, 1872), and L. tenebricornis (Ruckes, 1957); mostly restricted to Central America, but with distribution records in the southern North America. Lineostethus is one of the discocephaline genera with discoid head. The last review of the genus, from the 1980’s, focused on the genital morphology and failed to provide updated descriptions or a key to species. We had access to material from different collections, including several specimens representing new species of Lineostethus, and males of L. marginellus which shows important variations in genital morphology. Here we update the generic description of Lineostethus and its known species and describe the new species Lineostethus acuminatus sp. nov. (holotype male in DZUP: Costa Rica, Guanacaste), Lineostethus auritus sp. nov. (holotype male in AMNH: Mexico, Oaxaca), Lineostethus otarus sp. nov. (holotype male in AMNH: Mexico, Michoacán) and Lineostethus sinuosus sp. nov. (holotype male in DZUP: Mexico, Yucatán). Additionally, we provide identification keys and distribution maps.

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DOI: 10.3897/zoologia.35.e23917

Authors: Geusivam Barbosa Soares, JoãoJoão Flor dos Santos Neto, Marcus Vinicius Domingues

Abstract: Four species of Cosmetocleithrum (three new) and one new species of Vancleaveus are described or reported parasitizing the gills of doradid catfishes (Siluriformes) from Xingu River and related tributaries: Cosmetocleithrum phryctophallus sp. nov. and Cosmetocleithrum bifurcum Mendoza-Franco, Mendoza-Palmero & Scholz, 2016 from Hassar orestis; Cosmetocleithrum leandroi sp. nov. from Hassar gabiru; Cosmetocleithrum akuanduba sp. nov. and Vancleaveus klasseni sp. nov. from Hassar orestis and H. gabiru. Cosmetocleithrum phryctophallus sp. nov. differs from its congeners by possessing a male copulatory organ (MCO) with 2 ½ counterclockwise rings, and an accessory piece with an elongate torch-shaped blade. Cosmetocleithrum leandroi sp. nov. has a MCO comprising a coil of about 3 ½ rings, a sigmoid accessory piece with a cup-shaped distal portion, a single type of hooks, and anchors with poorly differentiated roots. Cosmetocleithrum akuanduba sp. nov. is characterized mainly by having a J-shaped MCO, an elongate accessory piece with sharp distal region, distal portion with a small gutter, and a heavily sclerotized vagina with short “S”-shaped vaginal canal. Vancleaveus klasseni sp. nov. differs from the other species of the genus occurring in doradids by possessing anchors with triangular to subtriangular superficial root, developed deep root, and a coiled MCO with 2 ½ counterclockwise rings. Cosmetocleithrum bifurcum was reported for the first time parasitizing doradids from Brazilian Amazon.

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