Effects of parental diet on Mormon cricket egg diapause, embryonic development rate, and periodic outbreaks.

Transgenerational phenotypic modification can alter organismal fitness, population demographics, and community interactions. For ectotherms, both dietary composition and temperature have important effects on organismal fitness, but they are rarely investigated together. Mormon crickets Anabrus simplex are capable of diapausing as eggs in the soil for multiple years with duration largely dependent on cumulative heat units or degree days. Because Mormon crickets can be abundant in the landscape in one year and disappear suddenly the next, I asked: does parental nutrition affect the duration of egg diapause? Beginning in the ultimate nymphal instar, Mormon crickets were fed a diet high in protein, one equal in protein to carbohydrate, or a diet high in carbohydrates and the time for eggs to develop after they were laid was measured. If parental nutrition affects temperature-sensitive egg diapause, then that change in sensitivity to temperature might also alter the relationship between embryonic development rate and temperature. I asked: does parental nutrition affect embryonic development rate as a function of temperature? To this end, I manipulated densities of Mormon cricket nymphs and protein-rich prey (grasshoppers) in field cages, collected eggs from the adult Mormon crickets, and measured the optimal temperature, maximum development rate, and thermal breadth for embryonic development of the offspring. I found that Mormon crickets fed a high protein diet laid eggs with shorter diapause. Consistent with this long-term result, those housed with the most grasshoppers to eat laid eggs that had the fastest maximum development rate, whereas those without grasshoppers laid eggs with slower maximum developmental rates but the broadest thermal breadth. Eggs from Mormon crickets housed with intermediate levels of grasshopper densities had a decline in peak development rate with an increase in density. In addition, Mormon crickets housed with more conspecifics laid eggs with faster development rates, whereas thermal breadth and the temperature optima were not affected by cricket density. As predicted, Mormon cricket diets significantly affected egg diapause and development rates. Contrary to expectations based on observed changes in diet preferences during a Mormon cricket outbreak, Mormon crickets fed high protein diets laid eggs with significantly shorter egg diapause and significantly faster egg development rates. Interestingly, doubling of Mormon cricket density caused eggs to develop in nearly half the time. This latter result indicates that Mormon cricket aggregations promote rapid development of progeny. Moreover, the tight, linear structure of migratory bands in which females intermittently stop to lay eggs assures that the progeny hatch and develop in dense cohorts. In this manner, the banding behavior might carry-over into subsequent generations as long as cohorts are dense and protein is available. With band thinning or protein restriction, females spread their bet-hedging and progeny remain longer as eggs in the soil.

Review of the genus Microtachycines Gorochov with two new species (Orthoptera, Rhaphidophoridae, Aemodogryllinae) from China.

This work involves a review of the genus Microtachycines, including descriptions of two new species: Microtachycines elongatus sp. nov., Microtachycines fallax sp. nov.. A key to the species of Microtachycines is presented.

Comments on the genus Zalarnaca Gorochov, 2005 (Orthoptera: Gryllacrididae: Gryllacridinae) with two new combinations and two new synonyms.

Two new combinations of the genus Zalarnaca Gorochov, 2005 are reported and illustrated, i.e. Zalarnaca (Glolarnaca) sinica (Li, Liu & Li, 2016) com. nov.; Zalarnaca (Glolarnaca) hainanica (Li, Liu & Li, 2016) com. nov. Also two synonyms are confirmed: Prosopogryllacris chinensis Li, Liu & Li, 2016 synonymized with Eugryllacris elongata Bian & Shi, 2016, and Prosopogryllacris incisa Li, Liu & Li, 2016 synonymized with Eugryllacris longifissa Bian & Shi, 2016. All material examined is deposited in the Museum of Hebei University.

The type specimen and generic placement of Tridactylus galla Saussure, 1895 (Orthoptera: Caelifera: Tridactylidae).

Tridactylus galla was described by Henri de Saussure (1895) on the basis of a single adult female collected during Vittorio Bottego's first expedition to the Horn of Africa in 1892 and 1893. The species appears in lists compiled by Fenizia (1896), Lucas (1898) and Kirby (1906), but aside from a brief mention by Günther (1995), is entirely overlooked by subsequent authors and is absent from Otte's (1997) catalogue. During the course of compiling an annotated catalogue of the Orthoptera described by Saussure (Hollier and Heads, 2012) we were able to relocate the type of Tridactylus galla in the collection of the Museo Civico di Storia Naturale "Giacomo Doria" in Genova, Italy. Our examination of the specimen confirmed Günther's (1995) assertion that its placement in Tridactylus Olivier, 1789 is erroneous, and the species is herein formally transferred to the genus Xya Latreille, 1809.

Description of a new species of Lutosa Walker, 1869 (Orthoptera: Anostostomatidae: Lutosinae) from the Brazilian Atlantic Forest, with biological and behavioral information.

Lutosa horribilis sp. nov., a new species of Anostostomatidae is described from a Brazilian Atlantic Forest environment. Notes on defensive behavior and diet are also provided.

Orthoptera (Insecta: Tettigonioidea, Pyrgomorphoidea, Acridoidea) of Kafa Biosphere Reserve, Bale Mountains National Park and other areas of conservation interest in Ethiopia.

An annotated checklist of 51 Orthoptera taxa (Tettigonioidea, Pyrgomorphoidea and Acridoidea) of Kafa Biosphere Reserve, Bale Mountains National Park and some additional sites in Ethiopia is presented. Ten species are newly recorded for the country. Four species are new to science: Peropyrrhicia attilioi n. sp., P. keffensis n. sp., P. semiensis n. sp. and Coryphosima danieli n. sp. The status of Peropyrrhicia cooperi Uvarov, 1934 and P. scotti Uvarov, 1934 is revised: both are considered valid species.

Pamphagidae (Orthoptera: Acridoidea) from the Palaearctic Region: taxonomy, classification, keys to genera and a review of the tribe Nocarodeini I.Bolívar.

The very rich material of Palaearctic Pamphagidae preserved in the collections including the type specimens of all taxa, the historical unidentified specimens and newly collected material have been studied. 58 genera and 295 species and subspecies are listed. The higher classification of the family is reviewed mainly based on the male phallic complex as well as the traditional and some new external characters. The tribe Haplotropiidini is transferred to the subfamily Thrinchinae. Previously synonymized subfamily Tropidaucheninae is validated as an independent tribe of Pamphaginae. The tribe Nocarodeini is taxonomically reviewed except the genus Bufonocarodes Mistshenko. The male phallic complex is also used as one of the main characters in decisions of the genus group taxa. The following 10 genera are synonymized: Pseudotmethis Bey-Bienko, 1948 and Paratmethis Zheng & He, 1996 (with Filchnerella Karny, 1908), Sinotmethis Bey-Bienko, 1959 and Kanotmethis Yin, 1994 (with Beybienkia Tsyplenkov, 1956), Paktia Pfadt, 1970 (with Mistshenkoella Cejchan, 1969), Pseudosavalania Demirsoy, 1973 (with Paranocarodes I. Bolívar, 1912), Nocaropsis Ramme, 1951 (with Paranothrotes Mistshenko, 1951), Paranocaracris Mistshenko, 1951 and Oronothrotes Mistshenko, 1951 (with Nocaracris Uvarov, 1928) and Savalania Mistshenko, 1951 (with Nocarodes Fischer von Waldheim, 1846). The genera Mistshenkoella Cejchan and Cryptonothrotes La Greca are proposed as subgenera of Saxetania Mistshenko. The following genera are divided: Eremocharis Saussure into 4 species groups, Paranocarodes I. Bolívar into 2 species groups, Paranothrotes Mistshenko into 4 species groups, Nocaracris Uvarov into 7 species groups and Nocarodes Fischer von Waldheim into 4 species groups. The following 24 species and subspecies are synonymized: Tmethis cinerascus cyanipes Werner, 1939 [with Eremopeza angusta (Uvarov, 1934)], Iranotmethis cyanipennis cyanipes Bey-Bienko, 1951 [with Iranotmethis cyanipennis iranicus (Werner, 1939)], Eremocharis granulosa roseipes Uvarov, 1943 [with Eremocharis granulosa granulosa (Walker, 1871)], Eremocharis subsulcata minor Cejchan, 1969 (with Eremocharis maior Ramme, 1952), Asiotmethis limbatus motasi Ramme, 1951 [with Asiotmethis limbatus (Charpentier, 1845)], Tropidauchen marginatum Bolívar, 1912 (with Tropidauchen escalerai Bolívar, 1912), Paranocarodes straubei serratus Uvarov, 1949, Paranocarodes straubei insularis Ramme, 1951 and Paranocarodes fieberi mytilenensis Ramme, 1951 [with Paranocarodes fieberi (Brunner von Wattenwyl, 1882)], Paranocarodes atympanicus Ramme, 1951 (with Paranocarodes tolunayi tolunayi Ramme, 1949), Paranocarodes cilicicus Ramme, 1951 (with Paranocarodes lubricus Mistshenko, 1951), Paranothrotes opacus hakkariana Demirsoy, 1973 [with Paranothrotes opacus opacus (Brunner von Wattenwyl, 1882)], Paranothrotes tenuicornis sordidus Mistshenko, 1951 and Paranothrotes iranicus (Ramme, 1951) (with Paranothrotes tenuicornis Mistshenko, 1951), Paranothrotes elbursianus (Ramme, 1951) [with Paranothrotes demawendi (Ramme, 1951)], Paranocarodes aserbeidshanicus Ramme, 1951 [with Paranothrotes margaritae (Miram, 1938)], Nocaracris burri obscurata Ramme, 1951 [with Nocaracris furvus furvus (Mistshenko, 1951)], Paranocaracris rimansonae ventosus Mistshenko, 1951 [with Nocaracris rimansonae (Uvarov, 1918)], Paranocaracris rigidus Mistshenko, 1951 (with Nocaracris tauricolus Ramme, 1951), Nocaracris cyanipes tristis Ramme, 1951 [with Nocaracris cyanipes (Motschulsky, 1846)], Nocarodes armenus Ramme, 1951 (with Nocarodes serricollis Fischer von Waldheim, 1846), Nocarodes specialis Mistshenko, 1951 [with Nocarodes iranicus (Werner, 1939)], Nocarodes gibbosus Mistshenko, 1951 (with Nocarodes humerosus Mistshenko, 1951), Nocarodes urmianus carinatus Mistshenko, 1951 (with Nocarodes urmianus Ramme, 1939). One new genus in the tribe Nocarodeini, Turkanocaracris Ünal gen. nov., and the following 29 new species and subspecies in four tribes are described: Eremopeza soltanii Ünal, sp. nov., Eremopeza kashmirensis Ünal, sp. nov., Eremocharis subsulcata beccalonii Ünal, ssp. nov., Orchamus massai Ünal, sp. nov., Paracinipe suezensis Ünal & Massa, sp. nov., Saxetania (Mistshenkoella) gorochovi Ünal, sp. nov., Paranocarodes anatoliensis anamas Ünal, ssp. nov., Paranothrotes buzuldagi Ünal, sp. nov., Paranothrotes dentatus Ünal, sp. nov., Paranothrotes eximius bitlis Ünal, ssp. nov., Paranothrotes siirt Ünal, sp. nov., Nocaracris furvus kazdagi Ünal, ssp. nov., Nocaracris istanbul Ünal, sp. nov., Nocaracris tunceli Ünal, sp. nov., Nocaracris tardus Ünal, Bugrov & Jetybayev, sp. nov., Nocaracris emirdagi Ünal, sp. nov., Nocaracris cejchani Ünal, sp. nov., Nocaracris judithae Ünal, sp. nov., Nocaracris minutus Ünal, sp. nov., Nocaracris karadagi Ünal, sp. nov., Nocaracris palandoken Ünal, sp. nov., Nocaracris monticolus Ünal, sp. nov., Nocaracris van Ünal, sp. nov., Nocaracris dilekensis Ünal, sp. nov., Nocaracris karshitoros Ünal, sp. nov., Nocaracris goektepe Ünal, sp. nov., Nocaracris crassipes Ünal, sp. nov., Turkanocaracris levigatus Ünal, sp. nov., Turkanocaracris davisi Ünal, sp. nov. Lectotypes are designated for the following 12 species: Strumiger desertorum desertorum Zubovski, 1896, Ocnerosthenus brunnerianus (Saussure, 1887), Orchamus gracilis (Brunner von Wattenwyl, 1882), Saxetania iranicum (Werner, 1939) [syn. of Saxetania (s.str.) cultricolle (Saussure, 1887)], Paranocarodes straubei (Fieber, 1853), Paranocarodes fieberi (Brunner von Wattenwyl, 1882), Paranothrotes shelkovnikovi (Uvarov, 1918), Paranothrotes nigripes (Stshelkanovtzev, 1916), Eunothrotes derjugini Adelung, 1907, Nocaracris rimansonae (Uvarov, 1918), Nocaracris tridentatus (Stshelkanovtzev, 1916) and Araxiana woronowi (Uvarov, 1918). Many species are given in new combinations and new statuses. Some taxa are proposed as reverted combinations, reverted statuses, reverted genera, species and subspecies. Nomenclatural problems are discussed under the relevant taxa. The authorship of 4 species are discussed and changed as follow: Eremopeza festiva (I. Bolívar, 1884), Paranocarodes tolunayi tolunayi Ramme, 1949, Nocaracris rubripes (Motschulsky, 1846), Nocaracris cyanipes (Motschulsky, 1846). Identification keys for subfamilies, tribes and genera (except the N. African and European genera of Pamphagini) and for each level of the tribe Nocarodeini are prepared. This study is also a review of the Pamphagidae species of Turkey. Therefore all Turkish species are studied in detail except the two genera recently revised by the author, Glyphotmethis Bey-Bienko and Asiotmethis Uvarov. Geographically this paper includes all Pamphagidae species of the following countries and regions: Bulgaria, Turkey, Cyprus, Syria, Israel, Palestine, Jordan, Iraq, Armenia, Georgia, Nakhichevan, Azerbaijan, Pakistan, Greece (except one species), Lebanon (except two species), Arabian Peninsula (except one species), Afghanistan (except some Saxetania) and Iran (except some Saxetania and Tropidauchen). In addition, 848 original figures including 10 distributional maps are provided.

Additional new species of the genus Obolopteryx Cohn et al. 2014 (Ensifera: Tettigoniidae) from Northeastern Mexico.

The present contribution describes five new species of Phaneropterinae from Northeastern Mexico: Obolopteryx eurycerca n. sp., Barrientos-Lozano & Rocha-Sánchez, O. nigra n. sp., Barrientos-Lozano & Rocha-Sánchez, O. tamaholipana n. sp., Barrientos-Lozano & Rocha-Sánchez, O. huastecana n. sp., Barrientos-Lozano & Rocha-Sánchez, and O. tanchipae n. sp., Barrientos-Lozano & Rocha-Sánchez. Diagnostic characters are illustrated and information on distribution and ecology provided. Polymorphism and geographic variation of the genus Obolopteryx Cohn et al. 2014 are discussed.

Clarification of the katydid genus Uchuca Giglio-tos, 1898 (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae): A new species in the Brazilian Amazon Rainforest.

This paper accomplishes three tasks: Firstly, description of a new species, Uchuca almeirina sp. nov., from the Brazilian Amazon Rainforest, specifically from Monte Dourado, Almeirim, Pará. Secondly, it is proposed that Uchuca macroptera Montealegre-Z & Morris, 2003 be made a synonym of Uchuca ferreirai (Piza, 1976). Thirdly, a compilation of the generic distribution is presented, which includes new records of Uchuca amacayaca Montealegre-Z & Morris (2003) in Brazil and Uchuca similis Montealegre-Z & Morris (2003) in Colombia and Brazil, and the amplification of the occurrences of U. ferreirai.

Hydrolutos piaroa sp.n. (Orthoptera: Anostostomatidae), a new semiaquatic Lutosini species from south-western Venezuelan lowland streams.

Hydrolutos piaroa, a new species of Lutosini (Orthoptera: Anostostomatidae) from Tobogán de la Selva (Puerto Ayacucho region, SW Venezuela) is described and figured. Inhabiting aquatic environment it represents an unusual orthopteran with sternal and pleural area covered by fine microtrichia, forming a plastron. This is the first known Hydrolutos species sampled in lowland streams of Venezuelan Guayana.

A hidden pygmy devil from the Philippines: Arulenus miae sp. nov.-a new species serendipitously discovered in an amateur Facebook post (Tetrigidae: Discotettiginae).

Arulenus miae Skejo & Caballero sp. nov. is described from Buknidon and Davao, Mindanao, the Philippines. The species was serendipitously found in an amateur photo posted in Orthoptera Facebook group by Leif Gabrielsen. Holotype and paratype are deposited in Nederlands Centrum voor Biodiversiteit in Leiden, the Netherlands. Detailed comparison with Arulenus validispinus Stål, 1877 is given. A new diagnosis of the genus and A. validispinus is given. The paper is part of the revision of the subfamily Discotettiginae. This study provides a good example of how social networks can be used as a modern tool of discovering biodiversity if the regulations of the International Code of the Zoological Nomenclature are followed. A brief insight into habitat and ecology of this rainforest and mountainous species is presented.

Review of the genus Apterolarnaca Gorochov (Orthoptera: Gryllacrididae) with proposal of a new synonym and description two new species.

Apterolarnaca ovala Bian & Shi, 2015 is proposed as a synonym of Apotrechus truncatolobus Li & Liu, 2015 and transfers the species to the genus Apterolarnaca Gorochov, 2004. Meanwhile, based on the collection of the Museum of Hebei University, two new Chinese species of Apterolarnaca are described, Apterolarnaca nigrifrontis Bian & Shi sp. nov. and Apterolarnaca quadrimaculata Bian & Shi sp. nov..

Review of the genus Diaphanogryllacris (Orthoptera: Gryllacrididae: Gryllacridinae) with description two new species from China.

Two new species of the genus Diaphanogryllacris from China are described, i.e. Diaphanogryllacris brevispina sp. nov. and Diaphanogryllacris incavatis sp. nov.. In addition, a distribution map of the species of the genus Diaphanogryllacris from China is presented. All material examined is deposited in the Museum of Hebei University.

A new addition to the subfamily Anabropsinae (Orthoptera: Anostostomatidae) from China.

The paper describes one very interesting genus and species, Brevipenna Shi & Bian gen. nov. and B. falcata Shi & Bian sp. nov.. The genus shares similar characters with macropterous genus Pteranabropsis Gorochov, 1988 and apterous or subapterous genus Apteranabropsis Gorochov, 1988 in following: distributed in Asia, presence both tympana, male ninth abdominal tergite with 1 pair of lobes, which continue with the paired hooks of tenth abdominal tergite, and paraproct specialized with 2 long sclerotized processes. The tegmina and hind wings are short, and right and left ones overlapped. Therefore, we conclude the new genus may be intermediate state between the Pteranabropsis and Apteranabropsis. Perhaps, future study will suggest the three genera be combined. All the material is deposited in the Museum of Hebei University.

Studies in Guatemalan Ensifera: Mayacephalus (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae) a new cone-headed katydid genus.

Mayacephalus dickmanorum n. gen. et n. sp., from eastern Guatemala is described in this contribution. This new genus highlights from other related ones by its short tegmina; unusual for the tribe Copiphorini, and only present in three neotropical genera: Toledopizia, Brachycaulopsis and Daedalellus, being closer to the first one.

Description of two new species of the genus Atlanticus from Southern China and their songs (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae; Tettigoniinae).

Two new species Atlanticus (Sinpacificus) jiangyei sp. n. and Atlanticus (Sinpacificus) helleri sp. n. are described, based on morphology and male calling songs. Based on the morphological characters, the closest relative of Atlanticus (Sinpacificus) jiangyei sp. n. and that of Atlanticus (Sinpacificus) helleri sp. n. are separately assumed to be Atlanticus (Sinpacificus) hangfui Liu, and Atlanticus (Sinpacificus) kiangsui Tinkham. Discussion about characteristics of Atlanticus species is also provided.

Comments on the status of Xiphidiopsis quadrinotata Bey-Bienko, 1971 and related species with one new genus and species (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae: Meconematinae).

Based on the collections of the Museum of Hebei University, the paper comments Xiphidiopsis quadrinotata Bey-Bienko, 1971 status and reinstates Xizicus (Axizicus) xizangensis Jiao & Shi, 2013 as a valid species. Meanwhile, Alloteratura (Meconemopsis) Karny, 1924 is redefined and one new genus of Meconematinae, Nigrimacula Shi, Bian & Zhou gen. nov., mainly distributed in South China, is erected. The new genus includes three previously known species: Xiphidiopsis quadrinotata Bey-Bienko, 1971, Xizicus (Axizicus) xizangensis Jiao & Shi, 2013 and Meconemopsis paraquadrinotata Wang, Liu & Li, 2015 and one new species, Nigrimacula binotata Shi, Bian & Zhou sp. nov. The male of Xiphidiopsis quadrinotata Bey-Bienko, 1971 and female of Xizicus (Axizicus) xizangensis Jiao & Shi, 2013 are described for the first time. A key to the species based on the morphology and a distribution map are included.

Contribution to the Chinese subfamily Rhaphidophorinae Walker, 1869 (Orthoptera: Rhaphidophoridae; Rhaphidophorinae): New additions to the genera Eurhaphidophora and Stonychophora.

A key to the genera of Rhaphidophorinae is present. One new species of Eurhaphidophora, E. truncata Bian & Shi sp. nov., and the female sex of E. visibilis Gorochov, 2010 are described from China. Meanwhile, Stonychophora is recorded for the first time in the Chinese fauna and a new species viz., Stonychophora hainanensis, is described from Hainan. The voucher material is deposited in the Museum of Hebei University.

A contribution to the knowledge of Orthoptera diversity from Peninsular Malaysia: Bukit Larut, Perak.

Bukit Larut is a hill station at the southern tip of the Bintang Range, Perak of Peninsular Malaysia. While the biodiversity of Bukit Larut has been previously documented, its entomofauna, including the Orthoptera, remains relatively unknown. A faunistic survey was conducted in 2015 as part of the continuous exploration of the highlands in Malay Peninsula. An annotated species list of 71 (24 Caelifera and 47 Ensifera) species of Orthoptera from ten families (five from each order) is presented here. While the coverage of lineages in the orthopteran phylogeny is well-represented, the diversity in Bukit Larut is dominated by the three main families: Acrididae, Gryllidae and Tettigoniidae. Eight new locality records for Bukit Larut and/or Peninsular Malaysia and potential new species awaiting description highlight that the orthopteran diversity in Bukit Larut is not exhaustive.