Review and new data on the aphid fauna (Hemiptera, Aphidoidea) of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam with a description of a new genus and a new species of the family Hormaphididae.

An up-to-date information on aphid fauna (Hemiptera, Aphidoidea) of Vietnam based on literature data and original material is presented. The updated check-list of aphids includes 47 species, and also 15 species identified only to genus level. Protastegopteryx vietnamensis gen. nov., sp. nov. from Bambusa sp., collected in Ct Tin National Park (Dong Nai Province), is described. The species is illustrated and its biometric data is provided. The described aphid genus is closely related to Astegopteryx Karsch, 1890. The taxonomic position of the genus is discussed.

Molecular genetics of Simulium (Wilhelmia) equinum (Linnaeus) (Diptera: Simuliidae) from West Siberia.

The medico-parasitological importance of bloodsucking black flies is high. To assess potential epidemiological risks and develop biological control programs for these bloodsucking Diptera, it is necessary to be informed of their diversity, community structure and the most common and dominant species. The degree of homogeneity of molecular genetic characteristics of one of the most widespread black fly species Simulium (W.) equinum (Linnaeus) in different parts of its range was investigated. The features of S. equinum from West Siberia where the species has become an abundant ecosystem component in recent years have been revealed. Analysis of species-diagnostic DNA-fragments (COI, ITS2 and D2 28S) in the specimens studied from this region, from the Novosibirsk Oblast (Russia) and data from the DNA database revealed four distinct branches tentatively referred to as West-European, East-European, Finland-Turkish, and Novosibirsk. Specimens from the Novosibirsk Branch were closer to the Finland-Turkish branch. We simulated restriction patterns of the standard COI fragment for all the branches. Substantial level of differences among the branches (4.114.8 % by COI sequences) raised the issue of their species status. A further study of S. equinum from West Siberia may clarify the ecological and medico-parasitological features of the Novosibirsk Branch of the species.

Analysis of Anopheles messeae s.l. intron gene polymorphism associated with imidacloprid resistance.

Due to their high solubility and stability, neonicotinoid insecticides are able to accumulate in water bodies, affecting aquatic organisms. The aims of this study were to evaluate resistance (LC50 ) of Anopheles messeae s.l. (Anopheles messeae and An. daciae) to the neonicotinoid imidacloprid and to search for genetic markers associated with insecticide resistance. The LC50 values of these species in the collections during 2017 and 2018 were indistinguishable and were in the range of 0.027-0.051 mg/l. In general, the LC50 values of the mosquitoes were comparable with values of other mosquito species of the Anopheles and Culex genera. Gene polymorphisms of the variations in intron lengths and the presence of restriction sites in introns that were potentially associated with the metabolism of insecticides were studied. Polymorphisms of the studied genes in the pair of closely related species considered overlapped, but allele frequencies were different. Part of the genetic variants arose due to insertions of repetitive elements of the genome. Two variants of the cytochrome P450 gene Cyp6AG1 in An. daciae were associated with increased resistance to imidacloprid. Possible side effects of selection on insecticide resistance in blood-sucking mosquitoes are discussed.

Rubiaphis, a new aphid genus from the Altai Republic (Homoptera: Aphididae, Macrosiphini).

Rubiaphis altaicus gen. nov., sp. nov. from Rubus idaeus, collected in the Altai Republic, is described. The species is illustrated and biometric data are provided. This aphid genus is closely related to Myzaphis van der Goot, 1913. The taxonomic position of the genus is discussed.

Role of social and individual experience in interaction of the meadow ant Formica pratensis (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) with ladybird imagines and hoverfly larvae.

The ability to recognize aphidophages is one of the key points in the protection ants provide aphids against their natural enemies. Behavior of honeydew collectors from nature ("field," control) and laboratory reared "naive" ants of Formica pratensis Retzius, which had never met either "mature" workers or aphids and aphidophages, was observed during their pairwise interactions with ladybird imagines and hoverfly larvae. The majority of the "naive" ants perceived ladybirds as an enemy at their first encounter attacking them immediately without any prior antennation. Ants seem to have a certain innate "enemy image" that lets them react very quickly to protect aphids. Hoverfly larvae were rarely attacked by both "field" and "naive" ants (>15%). During tests with ladybirds ants from nature attacked them and also demonstrated the most aggressive reactions (series of bites and "death grip") less frequently than the "naive" ants. The percentage of ants avoiding aphidophages after a contact with their chemical defense (reflex bleeding and glue-like saliva) was significantly higher in the control group. Whereas the "naive" ants did not learn to avoid danger, foragers from nature usually tried to avoid negative experience and used tactics of "short bites." Overall, experience has been proved to be unimportant for displaying key behavioral reactions underlying ant-ladybird interaction. However, accumulation of experience has been assumed to play an important role in the formation of behavioral strategy that allows honeydew collectors to drive aphidophages away with lower energy costs and avoid or minimize negative consequences of aphidophages' chemical defense.