Univariate and multivariate one-factor analyses of variance (ANOVA and MANOVA) were applied to examine the effect of the “gender” factor on some measurements of diapausing larva and cocoon in Neodryinus typhlocybae (Ashmead) (Hymenoptera Dryinidae). This species was introduced into Italy in 1987 for the biological control of the Nearctic planthopper Metcalfa pruinosa (Say) (Hemiptera Flatidae). Five measurements were taken of each specimen: length (Le) and width (Wi) of the cocoon wall; length (le) and width (wi) of the larval chamber and length of the diapausing larva (dll). Results of MANOVA indicate that all the considered morphometric variables are influenced by the “gender” factor. Results of ANOVAs indicate that length and width of the larval chamber and the length of the diapausing larva are the variables more strictly correlated with the gender.

New records of Tikuna atramentum (Traver) (Leptophlebiidae) from Costa Rica show that this species can live in both temporary and permanent streams. All known localities are closely associated with Nicoya Complex terranes. Range maps are given for the other known species and an undescribed morphospecies of Tikuna and the biogeography of the genus is discussed.

The blow fly community was surveyed in the coastline of Río de la Plata at an ecological reserve in Buenos Aires city. Samples were taken monthly (September 2003 to August 2004). Dog faeces and rotten cow liver were used as baits and their attractiveness compared regarding overall number, species and sex preferences. Cochliomyia macellaria, Phaenicia cluvia, and Sarconesia chlorogaster were dominant. The remaining species recorded were scarcely represented (< 20 %). Number of specimens taken from faeces and liver did not show significant differences. Numerical trends were similar between both baits. Regarding species' preference, C. macellaria was more abundant on faeces while S. chlorogaster preferred liver, while Phenicia cluvia did not show a definite trend. In total, females were more abundant than males. C. macellaria and P. cluvia's sex ratio was female biased; S. chlorogaster did not exhibit sexual asymmetries. A comment was given on the potential sanitary impact of the dominant species.

Terrestrial isopods are known to increase alternating maze turns in response to adverse environmental conditions, a behavioral pattern presumably associated with efficient escape. The present study investigates whether turning behavior in response to vibration disturbance differs between natural populations inhabiting disturbed and undisturbed areas. Some specimens were collected from urban habitat characterized by construction and heavy automobile traffic, and others from relatively undisturbed rural habitat less than 10 kilometers distant. We examined maze turn alternation in three groups: rural and urban terrestrial isopods exposed to vibration during testing, and rural isopods not exposed to vibration. As predicted, rural isopods exposed to vibration made significantly more turn alternations than rural isopods not exposed to vibration. However, rural vibration-exposed isopods also exhibited significantly greater turn alternation than vibration-exposed urban isopods. There was no significant difference between rural non-exposed and urban vibration-exposed isopods. These results indicate that isopods increase turn alternation when disturbed, but that previous exposure to disturbance is associated with a reduction in the effect. Whether this is due to acclimated or evolved behavioral mechanisms is presently unknown.

Two new aphids, Aphis veroniciphaga sp. nov. and A. vitexicola sp. nov. (Hemiptera: Aphididae), are described from specimens collected on Veronica nakaiana Ohwi (Scrophulariaceae) and Vitex negundo L. (Verbenaceae), respectively, in Korea. They are illustrated and measured for the apterous and alate viviparous females. A key to the species of the genus Aphis on the host plant families Scrophulariaceae and Verbenaceae is presented, including polyphagous Aphis in the Far Eastern Asia.

A complex of native parasitoids has been found to attack the citrus leafminer, Phyllocnistis citrella Stainton, since its introduction into Argentina. Elasmus phyllocnistoides n. sp., an indigenous parasitoid, that achieves parasitism levels of 0.08% to 37.7%, is described, the main morphological characters of both sexes are illustrated, and characters are given to distinguish it from other Elasmus spp. present in the Neotropical region.

Series of reared material from Montana provide the bases for the first descriptions of the adults of Caudatella edmundsi. Male adults are differentiated from congeners based on their having abdominal sterna with dark anterior corners and penes with the gonopores subparallel and projected dorsally. The first description of Caudatella eggs shows them to have a chorion without reticulations. Larvae of C. edmundsi usually are associated with moss in moderate to slow current regions of cool, clear, shaded streams.

Seven species of Baeus occur in the Neotropical and Andean regions: B. achaearaneus Loiácono, B. auraticeps Girault, B. kuscheli Ogloblin, B. latrodecti Dozier, B. metazygiae Loiácono et Margaría, B. platensis (Bréthes), and B. ventricosus Ogloblin. All of them are associated with spiders of the families Araneidae and Theridiidae. In this study, a new species of Baeus is described from egg sacs of Cyclosa morretes (Araneidae) collected in a natural reserve in São Paulo State, Brazil. The spider species is a new host for Baeus. We also evaluated the frequency of attacks and the impact of parasitism on the spider egg sacs.

Two new species of the ant genus Perissomyrmex Smith are described in the paper, i.e. P. guizhouensis sp. nov., P. bidentatus sp. nov. A key based on minor worker caste to all known species in the world is provided.

Two adult Horvathinia pelocoroides Montandon 1911 (Hemiptera, Belostomatidae, Horvathininae) are recorded for the first time in a true wetland habitat. This species, probably the only valid ones in the monobasic subfamily Horvathininae Lauck and Menke 1961, was discovered in a permanent shallow pond near the city of Corrientes, Corrientes Province (27° 28′S, 58° 50′W), Argentina, during surveys conducted on December 29, 2004, and September 23, 2005. At both dates, the specimens were taken from a fresh water marsh densely filled with floating hydrophytes dominated by water hyacinth, Eicchornia crassipes, and water lettuce, Pistia stratiotes. This is the first record of any horvathinine specimen collected in any situation other than flying to light.

A key to all 17 Chinese species of Mimastra Baly and the list of this genus are provided and a new species, Mimastra procerula Zhang et Yang, from Yunnan Province, is described. This new species differs from Mimastra arcuata Baly, 1865 in the shape of the hind margins of third and fourth abdominal sternites, which have a triangular projections in the middle.

Three adventive Coleoptera species are recorded from Baja California, México: Sphaeridium scarabaeoides (Linnaeus), Onthophagus taurus (Schreber) and Aphodius fimetarius (Linnaeus). Sphaeridium scarabaeoides was previously recorded in México City based on specimens collected in 1974, Tepotzotlán, State of México, in 1976 and in Altotonga, Veracruz in 1979. Additional data are provided from specimens collected in Durango, Hidalgo, Jalisco and, Veracruz. Onthophagus taurus is recorded for the first time from México, whereas A. fimetarius are recorded for the first time from Baja California. Distribution maps and photographs are included.

Two species of Elaphropeza, E. nankunshanensis, and E. maoershanensis, are described as new to science. Their diagnostic characteristics are discussed with the closely related congeners.

A new genus, one new species and an unnamed species of fossil cupedids assigned to family Cupedidae, Ovatocupes alienus gen. et sp. nov. and Ovatocupes sp., is described and illustrated from the Late Jurassic Yixian Formation of western Liaoning, China.