Review of the species of Macrodactylus Dejean (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Melolonthinae) from Costa Rica and Panama.

Fifteen species of Macrodactylus Dejean (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Melolonthinae: Macrodactylini) from Costa Rica and Panama are described and illustrated, including eight new species: M. latreillei new species., M. pseudothoracicus new species. and M. dejeani new species from Costa Rica; M. solisi new species from Costa Rica and Panama; M. martinezi new species from Costa Rica and Venezuela; M. chiriquiensis new species and M. kunayalaensis new species from Panama; and M. moroni new species from Costa Rica, and Panama. Diagnosis for seven species previously recorded in Costa Rica and Panama are included, and a key to all known species of Macrodactylus in these countries is provided.

Four new species of Phyllophaga Harris (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Melolonthinae) from western Cuba.

Four new species in the genus Phyllophaga Harris 1827, subgenus Cnemarachis Saylor 1942 (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Melolonthinae) from Cuba are described: Phyllophaga barroi new species, Phyllophaga guanahacabibensis new species, Phyllophaga pauli new species, and Phyllophaga sabanalamarensis new species. Each species is illustrated using photographs of the habitus, diagnostic features, and male aedeagi. A map is provided showing the geographical distributions of the new species.

A taxonomic revision of Liogenys occurring in Brazil with an interactive key and remarks on New World Diplotaxini (Coleoptera, Melolonthidae).

Liogenys Guérin-Méneville, 1831 is the major genus of Neotropical Diplotaxini, with 78 species distributed from Panama to southern Argentina and Chile, except for Ecuador. Due to the large numbers of both described and undescribed species, as well as its agricultural importance, mainly of those in Brazil, Liogenys was redefined and redescribed. Nine new species are described: L. cavifrons Cherman, sp. n., L. femella Cherman, sp. n., L. piauiensis Cherman, sp. n., L. rotundicollis Cherman, sp. n., L. pseudosanctaecrucis Cherman, sp. n., L. grossii Cherman, sp. n., L. pseudospiniventris Cherman, sp. n., L. sulcoventris Cherman, sp. n., and L. freyi Cherman, sp. n. All the new species are Brazilian, except for the last one, which is Argentinian. Twenty-three Brazilian species are redescribed and illustrated. Five new synonyms are proposed, and 19 lectotypes are designated. New geographical distribution records for 19 species are presented, as well as a key to New World Diplotaxini and Brazilian species of Liogenys.

Description of the third instar larva of Saccharoscaptus laminifer (Dechambre) (Coleoptera: Melolonthidae: Dynastinae)

Abstract The larva of pentodontine S. laminifer is described for first time based on specimens collected under roots of sugarcane in Santa Cruz, Bolivia. Diagnostic structures are illustrated and the differences and similarities with other previously described larvae of South American genera of Pentodontini are outlined. A key to the larvae of some American genera of pentodontines is included.

Description of immature stages of Platycoelia valida Burmeister, 1844 (Coleoptera: Melolonthidae: Rutelinae: Anoplognathini)

Abstract Description of immature stages of Platycoelia valida Burmeister, 1844 (Coleoptera: Melolonthidae: Rutelinae: Anoplognathini). Third instar larva and pupa of P. valida are described for the first time based on specimens collected in soils of yucca and coffee fields in Cundinamarca, Colombia. Illustrations of diagnostic structures and keys to the known third-stage larvae of Rutelinae tribes and Platycoelia species are included. Data on the biology and distribution of P. valida in Colombia are also commented.

Comparación entre ensambles de Phyllophaga (Coleoptera: Melolonthidae) del Occidente de Cuba / Comparison between Phyllophaga (Coleoptera: Melolonthidae) assemblages in Western Cuba

ResumenEl archipiélago cubano cuenta con 79 especies de Phyllophaga (Coleoptera: Melolonthidae), con un 98.6 % de endemismo, lo cual le confiere al grupo importancia desde el punto de vista de biodiversidad y económica, al ser algunas especies plagas de cultivos. El objetivo de este trabajo fue determinar la relación entre la composición y estructura de los ensambles de Phyllophaga y el tipo de hábitat (en cuanto a formación vegetal y grado de alteración humana). Durante la estación de lluvia fueron muestreadas 17 localidades del occidente de Cuba, las que difieren en cuanto al tipo de hábitat y grado de alteración. Las recolectas fueron realizadas con una trampa de luz tipo pantalla (McFarland, 1966). Se recolectaron 1 153 ejemplares de 24 especies de Phyllophaga. La abundancia total de individuos recolectados varió entre 10 y 306 y la riqueza de especies entre dos y nueve especies. Phyllophaga dissimilis (Chevrolat) fue la especie más abundante y la de mayor frecuencia de ocurrencia. De manera general, las localidades menos antropizadas reflejaron comunidades más ricas y equitativas, aunque estas características también la tuvieron dos sitios que tienen grado de alteración intermedia. El escalado multidimensional no métrico, reflejó que las muestras más semejantes entre sí fueron las pertenecientes a lugares muy antropizados, esta semejanza estuvo dada principalmente por la abundancia de Phyllophaga dissimilis, P. insulaepinorum y P. puberula. La distancia geográfica no se relacionó con la similitud de los ensambles.

Abstract:The Cuban archipelago has 79 Phyllophaga species with a 98.6 % of endemism, which makes the group ecologically and economically important, as some species are classified as crop pests. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between the composition and structure of the Phyllophaga assemblages with their habitat type, considering both plant structure and level of human habitat disturbance. A total of 17 locations were sampled in Western Cuba during the rainy seasons of the period from 2011 to 2015; these differed in habitat types (forests and agroecosystems). Samplings followed standard methods and were made once with a light trap screen in each locality. A total of 1 153 individuals of 24 Phyllophaga species were collected. The total abundance of collected individuals varied between 10 and 306, and species richness between two and nine species. The most abundant species was Phyllophaga dissimilis (Chevrolat) which also had the highest frequency of occurrence. Generally, less anthropized sites reflected richer and equitative communities; although these characteristics appeared in two sites that showed intermediate degree of disturbance. The non-metric multidimensional scaling showed that the most similar samples were those of the very anthropized sites; this similarity was given mainly by the abundance of Phyllophaga dissimilis, P. insualepinorum and P. puberula. Besides, the geographical distance was not related to the similarity of these assemblages. Rev. Biol. Trop. 65 (1): 351-363. Epub 2017 March 01.

[Comparison between Phyllophaga (Coleoptera: Melolonthidae) assemblages in Western Cuba]. / Comparación entre ensambles de Phyllophaga (Coleoptera: Melolonthidae) del Occidente de Cuba.

The Cuban archipelago has 79 Phyllophaga species with a 98.6 % of endemism, which makes the group ecologically and economically important, as some species are classified as crop pests. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between the composition and structure of the Phyllophaga assemblages with their habitat type, considering both plant structure and level of human habitat disturbance. A total of 17 locations were sampled in Western Cuba during the rainy seasons of the period from 2011 to 2015; these differed in habitat types (forests and agroecosystems). Samplings followed standard methods and were made once with a light trap screen in each locality. A total of 1153 individuals of 24 Phyllophaga species were collected. The total abundance of collected individuals varied between 10 and 306, and species richness between two and nine species. The most abundant species was Phyllophaga dissimilis (Chevrolat) which also had the highest frequency of occurrence. Generally, less anthropized sites reflected richer and equitative communities; although these characteristics appeared in two sites that showed intermediate degree of disturbance. The non-metric multidimensional scaling showed that the most similar samples were those of the very anthropized sites; this similarity was given mainly by the abundance of Phyllophaga dissimilis, P. insualepinorum and P. puberula. Besides, the geographical distance was not related to the similarity of these assemblages.

Morphology of immature stages and mating behavior in Liogenys fusca (Blanchard) (Coleoptera, Melolonthidae, Melolonthinae)

ABSTRACT Liogenys fusca is a rizophagous insect pest in various crops of economic importance in Brazil. Here we investigated the morphology of immature stages and mating behavior of this species. The redescription of the 3rd instar larvae of L. fusca in this work allows identification and registration of occurrence independently of adults, which occur sporadically in a certain period of the year. Male and female of L. fusca remained confined in the soil during the day and exited between 19:00 and 23:30 h. The copulations occurred between 19:30 and 21:00 h, and were characterized by a typical behavioral sequence. Copulation durations in L. fusca lasted on average 512.23 s. Adults were observed feeding before the copulations on leaves and inflorescences of plant species belonging to the family Anacardiaceae, Myracrodruon urundeuva, Schinus terebinthifolius, Astronium fraxinifolium and Anacardium occidentale.

Description of immature stages of Hoplia mexicana Harold and H. squamifera Burmeister (Coleoptera, Melolonthidae, Hopliinae)

ABSTRACT Third stage larvae and pupae are described based on specimens collected in Mexico: Oaxaca (Cerro Zempoaltepetl), and Chiapas (Amatenango), respectively. Pupal characters are described for the first time for American Hopliinae. Habitus images and figures of diagnostic characters as well as comments on the differences between these larvae and those of Hoplia callipyge LeConte, 1856 and H. equina LeConte, 1880, the only Hopliinae larvae previously known in New World, are also included.

Biology and description of immature stages of Gymnetis rufilateris (Illiger, 1800) (Coleoptera: Cetoniidae: Cetoniinae) / Biologia e descrição dos estágios imaturos de Gymnetis rufilateris (Illiger, 1800) (Coleoptera: Cetoniidae: Cetoniinae)

Abstract Larvae, pupae and adults of Gymnetis rufilateris (Illiger, 1800) (Coleoptera: Cetoniidae: Cetoniinae) were collected in the municipality of Rochedo, Mato Grosso do Sul State. Studies on biology and morphology were conducted at the Laboratory of Entomology of the Universidade Estadual de Mato Grosso do Sul in Aquidauana, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. Females of couples formed in the laboratory oviposited and allowed the biology studies. The eggs lasted for 15.5 days. Larvae of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd instars lasted 13.5, 30.6 and 113.1 days, respectively. The pupal period lasted 12.8 days. The egg-to-adult period lasts 186.8 days. The larvae fed on decomposing feces of poultry. In the laboratory, adults fed on ripe banana (Musa sp.) (Musaceae). Descriptions of the 3rd larval instar and pupa of G. rufilateris are presented. A key to known larvae of Gymnetis is also included.

Resumo Larvas, pupas e adultos de Gymnetis rufilateris (Illiger, 1800) (Coleoptera: Cetoniidae: Cetoniinae) foram coletados em Rochedo, MS. Estudos sobre a biologia e morfologia foram conduzidos no Laboratório de Entomologia da Universidade Estadual de Mato Grosso do Sul em Aquidauana, MS. Fêmeas de casais formados em laboratório ovipositaram e foram iniciados os estudos de biologia. O período embrionário dura 15,5 dias. As larvas de primeiro, segundo e terceiro instares duram 13,5, 30,6 e 113,1 dias, respectivamente. O período pupal dura 12,8 dias. O período de ovo a adulto completa-se em 186,8 dias. As larvas se alimentam de fezes de aves em decomposição. Em laboratório, os adultos foram alimentados com pedaços de banana (Musa sp.) (Musaceae) madura. As descrições da larva de terceiro instar e pupa de G. rufilateris são apresentadas. Uma chave para larvas de Gymnetis conhecidas também está incluída.

Análise populacional de corós-praga e de outras espécies no planalto do Rio Grande do Sul / Populational analysis of white grub pest and other species in planalto of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil

O objetivo deste trabalho foi determinar a relação entre a densidade populacional de espécies de corós (Coleoptera: Melolonthidae) reconhecidas como pragas e as outras espécies da mesma família que ocorrem em áreas cultivadas e não cultivadas no planalto, ao norte do Rio Grande do Sul. Foram realizadas amostragens em 23 municípios no período de julho a setembro, nos anos 2009 e 2010, em uma área cultivada e outra sem cultivo. Em cada área, foram abertas trincheiras de 50x25x30cm de profundidade. As larvas coletadas foram identificadas e reunidas em dois grupos: corós-praga e corós de outras espécies. Comparou-se a densidade populacional (no de larvas m-2) entre os dois grupos nas áreas cultivadas e não cultivadas. A densidade de outras espécies foi superior à densidade de espécies-praga, tanto nas áreas cultivadas (9,0 e 3,9 larvas m-2, respectivamente) quanto nas áreas não cultivadas (6,6 e 3,9 larvas m-2, respectivamente). Não há diferença na densidade populacional média de corós-praga entre áreas cultivadas e não cultivadas.

This study aimed to determine the relationship between the population density of pest and other species of white grubs (Coleoptera: Melolonthidae) occurring in cultivated and uncultivated fields in the planalto region, in northern Rio Grande do Sul. Sampling was carried through 23 municipalities, from July to September 2009 and 2010 in two areas, one cultivated and another noncultivated, In each area, trenches of 50x25x30cm were opened. Melolontid larvae collected were identified and gathered in two groups: "pest-species" and "other species". Populational density (no of larvae m-2) of the two groups were compared between cultivated and noncultivated areas. The "other species" density was higher than pest community in both cultivated (9,0 e 3,9 larvae m-2) and noncultivated areas (6,6 e 3,9 larvae m-2 respectively). There is no difference between means of pest species population density between cultivated and noncultivated areas.

New species and records of Macrodactylus Dejean (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Melolonthinae: Macrodactylini) from Bolivia.

Two new species of Macrodactylus Dejean (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Melolonthinae) from Bolivia are described and illustrated: M. megaphyllus new species (from Comarapa, Santa Cruz and Sehuenca, Cochabamba) and M. yunganus new species (from Mairana and Comarapa, Santa Cruz). In addition, the species Macrodactylus bolivianus Moser, M. gracilis Moser, and M. nobilis Frey are redescribed and illustrated to help facilitate identification of these species. A key to the 10 species of Macrodactylus presently known from Bolivia is provided. 

Biological aspects of Leucothyreus ambrosius Blanchard (Coleoptera, Melolonthidae, Rutelinae)

Biological aspects of Leucothyreus ambrosius Blanchard (Coleoptera, Melolonthidae, Rutelinae). Coleopterans of the family Melolonthidae comprise a large group of species that feed on different food sources, including plant roots, stems, and leaves, in addition to plant materials at different decomposition stages. Several species are found in the genus Leucothyreus, occurring in different regions of Brazil, including the various biomes in the country. Information on the biology of species of the genus Leucothyreus is scarce, therefore, we conducted studies on the biological aspects of Leucothyreus ambrosius Blanchard, 1850. The period of adult occurrence was determined with a light trap installed between a cropped and pasture area in the municipality of Aquidauana, Mato Grosso do Sul State, Brazil. Adults collected in the field were used to form insect pairs and the studies were initiated in the entomology laboratory as the adults began ovipositing. Adults were observed flying in the field from October to December. Eggs were obtained as pairs were formed and a colony was established, the embryonic period lasting 14.6 days on average. The larval period in the 1st instar lasted 21.6 days, in the 2nd instar 19.6 days, and in the 3rd instar, 85.6 days. The head capsule width was 1.48 mm in the 1st instar, 2.44 mm in the 2nd, and 3.83 mm in 3rd larval instar. The pupal stage had an average duration of 35.5 days. The egg to adult period lasted 173.3 days. Morphometric information for the larval and adult stages is presented in this study.

CARACTERIZACIÓN DE LAS LARVAS DE DOS ESPECIES DE ParanomalaY UNA ESPECIE DE Strigoderma (COLEOPTERA: MELOLONTHIDAE: RUTELINAE) DE PUEBLA, MÉXICO / Descriptions of the Larvae of Two Species of Paranomala and One Species of Strigoderma (Coleoptera: Melolonthidae: Rutelinae) from Puebla, Mexico

Se presentan las descripciones de la larva de tercer estadio de Paranomala flavilla (Bates), P. hoepfneri (Bates) y Strigoderma costulipennis Bates, recolectadas en el estado de Puebla, México, en suelos con cultivo de amaranto (Amaranthus hypochondriacus L.). Se incluyen ilustraciones distintivas y comentarios sobre las diferencias con las larvas de otras especies de los géneros estudiados en México.

The third instar larvae of Paranomala flavilla (Bates), P. hoepfneri (Bates) and Strigoderma costulipennis Bates, collected in Puebla, Mexico, in soils cultivated with amaranth are described. Illustrations of the diagnostic structures and comments on the differences with other larvae of the genera studied in Mexico are included.

Biological aspects of Leucothyreus alvarengai Frey and Leucothyreus aff. semipruinosus Ohaus (Coleoptera, Melolonthidae, Rutelinae) in crop succession at central Brazil

Biological aspects of Leucothyreus alvarengai Frey and Leucothyreus aff. semipruinosus Ohaus (Coleoptera, Melolonthidae, Rutelinae) in crop succession at central Brazil. Beetles of the family Melolonthidae make up a large group and some species are considered pests of planted crops. Little information is available on the basic biological aspects of the genus Leucothyreus, such as association with cultivated crops and their occurrence periods. Therefore studies were developed in soybean and corn crops in Tangará da Serra, Mato Grosso, Brazil, with the objective of studying the occurrence and biological aspects of Leucothyreus alvarengai Frey and Leucothyreus aff. semipruinosus Ohaus. For acquisition of immature specimens of both species, in April 2011 sampling was performed in corn fields, in July and October in the fallow area, and in soybeans fields planted in December; in 2012 sampling was performed in January and February in soybean fields and in March in corn fields. In 2011 the total number of larvae obtained in April, July, October and December were 100, 6, 30 and 27, and in January, February and March of 2012 these quantities were 32, 52 and 65 larvae, respectively. In all sampling events the larvae of L. alvarengai were collected in greater quantity. At the beginning of the reproductive period of L. alvarengai and L. aff. semipruinosus, it was observed that the adults began to fly and soon after started oviposition in the field in September. The appearance of larvae coincides with the time of soybean planting in the field, thus the larvae feed on roots of soybean plants at the beginning of their development and the cycle from egg to adult of the two species was completed in one year.

A new species of Callistethus from Mexico (Coleoptera, Melolonthidae, Rutelinae) / Una nueva especie de Callistethus de México (Coleoptera, Melolonthidae, Rutelinae)

Callistethus tlapanecus, a new species collected in pine forest located at 2160 meters of altitude in eastern mountains of the state of Guerrero, Mexico is described. The morphological characters that distinguish it from other Mexican and Central American species are discussed. The diagnostic characters are illustrated, and a key to Mexican species of Callistethus is also included.

Se describe Callistethus tlapanecus, nueva especie colectada en bosques de pino situados a 2160 metros de altitud en las montañas orientales del estado de Guerrero, México. Se comentan los caracteres morfológicos que distinguen a esta especie de otras especies mexicanas y centroamericanas de Callistethus. Se ilustran los caracteres diagnósticos y se incluye una clave para separar las especies mexicanas de Callistethus.