Review of the Lispe caesia-group (Diptera: Muscidae) from Palaearctic and adjacent regions, with redescriptions and one new synonymy.

Species of Lispe caesia-group from Palaearctic and adjacent regions are reviewed. Diagnostic characters of this group are updated. One new synonymy is established: L. frontalis Zielke, 1972, syn. nov. for L. leucocephala Loew, 1856. Key to males of ten species (with two subspecies) from Palaearctic, Oriental and Ethiopian regions is given. Nine species (with two subspecies) are photographed. Six species and one subspecies are redescribed. More detailed ultrastructural or external characters for male swollen hind tarsi and the wing interference patterns are also provided.

Antennal sensory organs of Scathophaga stercoraria (Linnaeus, 1758) (Diptera: Scathophagidae): ultramorphology and phylogenetic implications.

Scathophaga stercoraria (Linnaeus, 1758) is a well-established insect model species involved in numerous investigations on behavior, biology, phylogeny, genetics and evolution. The antennal sensilla of S. stercoraria are examined via scanning electron microscopy in order to emphasize their importance on taxonomy and phylogeny. On antennal scape and pedicel, both microtrichiae and several sharp-tipped mechanoreceptors are observed, while another two structures, setiferous plaques and pedicellar button, are also detected on antennal pedicel. One type of sensory pit and four types of antennal sensilla, including trichoid sensilla, basiconic sensilla, coeloconic sensilla and clavate sensilla, are observed on antennal funiculus. Similarity and disparity of setiferous plaques among different calyptrate groups are analyzed in terms of phylogeny. The phylogenetic results supported by morphology of setiferous plaques strongly accord with the cladistic relations based on known molecular tree, implying the potential taxonomic and phylogenetic implications of the plaques in Calyptratae.

Effect of Yiqi Jianpi plus anticancer herbs on spleen deficiency in colorectal cancer and its anti-tumor role.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of Yiqi Jianpi plus anticancer herbs on spleen deficiency in colorectal cancer and its anti-tumor role. METHODS: Human intestinal cancer cell HT29 xenograft of nude mice model was established. The expression of EGF, VEGF, gastric cancer tumor growth in mice were observed. RESULTS: Protein kinase C expression in in the Yiqi Jianpi group and Yiqi Jianpi anti-tumor group was significantly better than the model group (P<0.01, P<0.05). There was significantly more apoptotic cells in Yiqi Jianpi anti-tumor group than Yiqi Jianpi group and model group (P<0.01). Epidermal growth factor and vascular endothelial growth factor expression in Yiqi Jianpi group was significantly lower than Yiqi Jianpi group and model group (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Tumor can inhibit the expression of PKC inhibition. Yiqi Jianpi and anticancer treatment can reduce this inhibition. Besides this treatment can also inhibit expression of tumor related genes such as epidermal growth factor and vascular endothelial growth factor.

Ultrastructure of antennal sensilla in Hydrotaea armipes (Fallén) (Diptera: Muscidae): new evidence for taxonomy of the genus Hydrotaea.

The morphology and ultrastructure of the antennal sensilla of male Hydrotaea (Hydrotaea) armipes (Fallén) are examined via scanning electron microscopy in order to highlight the importance of antennal sensilla as a source of morphological characters for taxonomy and phylogeny of Hydrotaea. Antennal scape and pedicel have only one type of sensilla, the sharp-tipped chaetic sensilla, whereas antennal funiculus possesses several types of sensilla, including trichoid sensilla, two subtypes of basiconic sensilla, coeloconic sensilla and clavate sensilla. These results are compared with previously published studies on other fly species, especially on H. (H.) irritans (Fallén) and H. (Ophyra) chalcogaster (Wiedemann), and there are possible uniquely derived characters or diagnostic characters examined on antennal pedicel and antennal funiculus, which suggests either affinities and divergence between species at subgenus level. Thus, new morphological evidence is provided, which might help to develop the much disputed taxonomy of genus Hydrotaea Robineau-Desvoidy in future.

Ultrastructure of antennal sensilla of a parasitoid fly, Pales pavida Meigen (Diptera: Tachinidae).

Pales pavida Meigen is obligated polyparasitic fly and important natural enemy of some most damaging forest or agricultural pests, and thus could contribute to the biological control of them. The external morphology of main olfactory organs in this tachinid was examined using stereopic microscopy and scanning electron microscopy, and types, distribution and density of sensilla were provided. The first two antennal segments, antennal scape and pedicel, are covered by microtrichiae and several mechanoreceptors. A pedicellar button is detected on antennal pedicel as well, after its separation with antennal funiculus. On antennal funiculus, five types of sensillar structures are observed including trichoid, basiconic, coeloconic, clavate sensilla and sensory pit with subtype II basiconic sensilla and a type of rarely described coeloconic-like sensilla in it, respectively. There are two specific sensillar characteristics of Pales pavida, two types of sensory pit on antennal funiculus and lower densities of all sensilla types than relatively monoparasitic species, which may serve as applicable evidence on their adaption to environment and lifestyle. Besides, the morphology of pedicellar button in tachinids is first addressed, armed with a discussion of their possible function.

Sensilla on antenna and maxillary palp of predaceous fly, Lispe neimongola Tian et Ma (Diptera: Muscidae).

This study describes aspects of sensilla on the antennae and maxillary palps of an aquatic predator, Lispe neimongola Tian et Ma. Types, distribution and density of sensilla were studied by stereoscopic microscope and scanning electron microscopy. The antennal scape has one type of sensilla, the sharp-tipped chaetic sensilla; whereas, the antennal pedicel possesses two subtypes of these sensilla. Three types of sensilla are found on antennal funiculus: trichoid sensilla, basiconic sensilla (two subtypes) and clavate sensilla. Sensilla found on palpal surface include the third subtype of basiconic sensilla and chaetic sensilla. Two unique sensillar characters of L. neimongola detected are the absence of coeloconic sensilla on antennal funiculus and the greater number of basiconic sensilla on spoon-like palps. These results are compared with equivalent findings in several other Calyptratae fly species of different ecotypes to provide evidence of adaptation to their environment.