Complementary data on the distribution of Nephus (Nephus) incisus (Har. Lindberg, 1950) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) in the Palaearctic and Afrotropical regions.

Nephus incisus has previously been considered to be a species endemic to the Canary Islands. In this note we present data indicating that its range is wider. The newly recorded sites are in northern Algeria, south of mainland Spain and Cape Verde.

Effects of drought stress and plant cultivar type on demographic characteristics of the rose-grain aphid, Metopolophium dirhodum (Hemiptera: Aphididae).

Drought is a substantial threat to cereal production under global climatic change scenarios, albeit its aftermath on arthropod pests is yet contentious. To address this issue, demographic characteristics of Metopolophium dirhodum (Walker, 1849) (Hemiptera: Aphididae) were studied on one drought-susceptible wheat cultivar and one drought-tolerant wheat cultivar under different water treatments. Some physiological and biochemical features of wheat cultivars including leaf soluble sugar and proline contents and antioxidant enzymes activities were also investigated. Significant differences occurred in the developmental period, survival, and fecundity of M. dirhodum between wheat cultivars under various water treatments. The impact of intermediate and severe water stress on M. dirhodum was neutral and negative for the tolerant cultivar and negative for the water-susceptible cultivar, respectively. Under severe water stress, on both wheat cultivars, the aphids had low net reproductive rates and finite and intrinsic rates of increase in comparison with those reared on unstressed plants. In total, drought resulted in lower growth of population and reduced survival of aphids. Hence, in the context of projected climatic changes, acute water deficiency could probably result in reducing the abundance and menace of outburst of M. dirhodum. However, it should be noted that the potential likelihood of M. dirhodum eruptions can be drastically affected by the degree of drought intensity and host plant cultivar.

Revision of the mining bee subgenus Andrena (Longandrena) (Hymenoptera: Apoidea: Andrenidae).

All three hitherto described species of the Palearctic subgenus Andrena (Longandrena Osytshnjuk, 1993), are revised and redescribed. This subgenus is characterized by an unusually long glossa, a rare character among short-tongued bees. A revised diagnosis of this subgenus is given. A key to the species of A. (Longandrena) is provided, and all diagnostic morphological features are illustrated in detail. The Central Asian species Andrena longiceps Morawitz 1895 is recorded for the first time from Iran. The distribution map of the subgenus is also presented.

Phthiria notiosa sp. nov., a new bombyliid species of the tribe Phthiriini (Diptera, Bombyliidae, Phthiriinae) from Kerman province in the south of Iran.

A new species Phthiria notiosa Gharali, Mogbeli Fekrat sp. nov. is described from the southern Iran and its diagnostic features are photographed. The new species belongs to the group of Phthiria species having the dorsal prong of the first flagellomere short. Phthiria notiosa sp. nov. is morphologically similar to Ph. vagans but it is easily distinguished from that widely distributed species in Iran by the completely black scutellum and different genitalic features.

Empidideicus jirofti sp. nov. (Diptera: Mythicomyiidae: Empidideicinae), a new microbombyliid from Kerman province, southern Iran, with a key to species of Empidideicus from Iran.

A new species of the genus Empidideicus, E. jirofti Gharali, Mogbeli Fekrat sp. nov., is described from the south of Iran, and diagnostic morphological and genitalic features are photographed. This species is distinguished by the completely dark brown occiput with yellow spot, completely dark brown scutellum, and dark brown mesonotum with two admedian yellow vittae. A key to the Iranian species of the genus is provided.

The first two complete mitochondrial genome of Dacus bivittatus and Dacus ciliatus (Diptera: Tephritidae) by next-generation sequencing and implications for the higher phylogeny of Tephritidae.

Dacus bivittatus and Dacus ciliatus are destructive pests of Cucurbitaceae crops including cucumber, zucchini and melons. Recent molecular phylogenetic studies conflicted with morphological taxonomy regarding relationships between Bactrocera, Dacus and Zeugodacus. In this study, we sequenced the complete mitochondrial genomes of the above species which are representatives of two subgenera of Dacus (Dacus and Didacus) not previously sequenced and reconstructed the phylogeny of Tephritidae. The mitochondrial genomes of D. bivittatus and D. ciliatus were 15,833 bp and 15,808 bp in length, respectively. The 37 genes, including 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 2 rRNA genes and 22 tRNA genes, with a long non-coding region (A + T-rich control region) were in the same arrangement as the ancestral insect mitochondrial genome. Phylogenetic analysis showed that Dacus has a closer relationship of Zeugodacus rather than Bactrocera. Our phylogenetic results further support the recent proposals that Zeugodacus should be considered as a genus not a subgenus of Bactrocera. Whole mitochondrial genomes of D. bivittatus and D. ciliatus could be useful in further studies for species diagnosis, evolution and phylogeny research within Tephritidae.

The genus Neoheegeria with a new species from Iran exhibiting wing-dimorphism (Thysanoptera: Phlaeothripidae).

Neoheegeria astragali sp.n. is described as the first known member of this genus to exhibit wing-dimorphism. Collected on Astragalus sp. [Fabaceae] in Iran, it is also unique among Neoheegeria species in having the tube unusually short. Neoheegeria sinaitica is recorded from Iran for the first time, and an illustrated key is provided to the five species of Neoheegeria. Wing reduction among Haplothripini is discussed briefly, and it is concluded that most species of Neoheegeria are associated with species of Astragalus.

Rapid identification of Bactrocera zonata (Dip.: Tephritidae) using TaqMan real-time PCR assay.

Tephritid fruit flies are ranked as one of the most damaging groups of insect pests. Morphological identification of fruit flies is mainly performed on adults due to the lack of adequate identification keys for immature stages. The peach fruit fly, Bactrocera zonata (Saunders), infests some of the principal commercial fruits and vegetables. It is, therefore important to avert its global dispersal, particularly by accurately identifying this species at ports of entry. In this study, a TaqMan real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was developed for the accurate identification and sensitive detection of the peach fruit fly. A novel set of primers and probe were designed to specifically identify the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I (COI) gene. All specimens of peach fruit fly (including various life stages) were detected, and no cross reactivity with other tested tephritids were observed. Since this assay performed equally well with crushed insects and purified DNA, we note added efficiency by eliminating DNA extraction step. Considering the speed, specificity as well as sensitivity of the assay, Taqman real-time PCR can be used as a swift and specific method for pest species at ports of entry.

Review of the tribe Chilocorini Mulsant from Iran (Coleoptera, Coccinellidae).

The Iranian checklist of the tribe Chilocorini Mulsant, 1846 (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) is updated. In total, 13 species belonging to four genera (Brumoides Chapin, 1965, Chilocorus Leach, 1815, Exochomus Redtenbacher, 1843, and Parexochomus Barovsky, 1922) are listed from Iran. An identification key to all genera and species currently known from Iran is presented along with illustrations of adult specimens and male genitalia.

Leaf-feeding Mycterothrips: two new species from southern Iran (Thysanoptera: Thripidae).

Mycterothrips doostii sp. n. and Mycterothrips zagrosi sp. n. are described and illustrated from Fars province, southern Iran, on the basis of specimens collected on green leaves of Juglans regia and Amygdalus scoparia respectively. M. doostii is closely related to M. aureus and M. weii, whereas M. zagrosi resembles M. sanubari and M. glycines in color and structure.

Review of the tribe Hyperaspidini Mulsant (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) from Iran.

The Iranian species of the tribe Hyperaspidini Mulsant, 1846 (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) are reviewed. The current list includes 12 species, all placed in a single genus Hyperaspis Chevrolat, 1836. Hyperapsis asiatica Lewis, 1896 and H. pumila Mulsant, 1850 are excluded from the Iranian list of Coccinellidae. Diagnoses of the tribe Hyperaspidini and the genus Hyperaspis are given. Images of adult beetles and diagnostic characters of the male genitalia of all species distributed in Iran are shown. A key to identification of the species is presented. Distribution records are provided for each species along with information on host plants and prey species when available.

An annotated checklist of Microweiseinae and Sticholotidini of Iran (Coleoptera, Coccinellidae).

An updated checklist of the Coccinellidae species of the former subfamily Sticholotidinae recorded from Iran is provided. Eleven species are reported: two species classified presently in the subfamily Microweiseinae (in the genera Paracoelopterus Normand, 1936 and Serangium Blackburn, 1889), and nine species classified in the tribe Sticholotidini of the subfamily Coccinellinae (in the genera Coelopterus Mulsant & Rey, 1852 and Pharoscymnus Bedel, 1906). Pharoscymnus smirnovi Dobzhansky, 1927 is removed from the list of the Coccinellidae of Iran. Distribution of species in Iranian provinces is presented. Data concerning their host plants along with their prey species are also included when known. Morphological features of two rarely collected and poorly known species of Iranian fauna, Pharoscymnus brunneosignatus Mader, 1949 and Pharoscymnus pharoides (Marseul, 1868) are diagnosed and illustrated.

Grass-thrips of the genus Oelschlaegera (Thysanoptera: Thripidae), with the first description of a male.

The Chirothrips-like species are grass-living members of the Thysanoptera family Thripidae. All of these species were assigned to the genus Chirothrips Haliday (1836) until Hood (1954) erected Agrostothrips for a single species from South Africa, and Knechtel (1960) described a new monotypic genus Ereikethrips from Romania. An extensive identification key to the 52 species of Chirothrips then known was published by zur Strassen (1960), and the generic classification remained stable for the next 30 years. However, Bhatti (1990) erected five new genera for several species of this genus (Afrothripella, Arorathrips, Konothrips, Longothrips and Oelschlaegera). Bhatti also included three further species in Agrostothrips, but Minaei & Mound (2010) regarded Agrostothrips as a synonym, and returned all four species to Chirothrips. In the most recent study of the group, Nakahara & Foottit (2012) added one monobasic genus, Unilobothrips, and provided an identification system to the 36 Chirothrips-group species known from the Americas. Thus, eight genera are currently included in this genus group (Table 1).

One new species and two new records of the genus Aeolothrips from Iran (Insecta, Thysanoptera, Aeolothripidae).

Aeolothrips gundeliae sp. n. is described, and two bicolored species of the same genus, Aeolothrips ericae Bagnall and Aeolothrips albithorax Pelikan are newly reported from northeast of Iran. Diagnostic characters are provided for each species as well as illustrations to distinguish these species.

Application of the LAMP Assay as a Diagnostic Technique for Rapid Identification of Thrips tabaci (Thysanoptera: Thripidae).

Rapid and accurate identification of potentially invasive taxa that may cause high economic losses or environmental damage is of critical importance. The onion thrips, Thrips tabaci Lindeman, ranks as one of the world's most destructive agricultural pests and commonly found in imported agricultural products and field samples, but is prone to undetected transport because of its minute size as well as cryptic behavior. Although traditional taxonomic methods are pretty useful in straightforward assignment of specimens to the genus Thrips, identification in the species level is much more difficult and requires expertise, knowledge, and experience. Furthermore, it is often difficult or impossible to identify or distinguish this species from other thrips by using material from other stages of development. Based on the foregoings, use of a molecular technique known as loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) as a rapid and robust alternative species diagnostic tool would be valuable. In this study, a relatively quick and simple method was used to detect the presence of onion thrips DNA rapidly and discriminate it from other species, by using material from different stages of development. Not only LAMP itself required less than 1 h to complete but also amounts of DNA as little as that recovered from a single specimen were adequate for the detection. Another advantage of this identification system is that nonspecialists will be able to make faster and cheaper identifications.

The Holarctic genus Aeolothrips (Thysanoptera: Aeolothripidae) from Iran, with description of two new species.

Two new species of the genus Aeolothrips are described from northeast of Iran. A. bhattii sp.n. from flowering Caroxylon dendroides is remarkable for its strikingly bicolored body with brown head and last three abdominal segments. A. laurencei sp.n. from flowers of Elaeagnus angustifolia is characterized by its large and dark brown body, all yellow tarsi and fore wings with two brown transverse bands connected posteriorly.

The Iranian Dendrothripinae (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) with description of a new genus and species.

Iranodendrothrips kamalii gen. et sp. n. is described from northeast of Iran and the morphological relationships among the closely related genera, Dendrothrips and Filicopsothrips, are discussed. Pseudodendrothrips bhattii is reported for the first time from Iran. Illustrated keys are provided to the genera and species of Dendrothripinae from Iran.

The genus Mycterothrips (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) in Iran, with three new species.

Three new species of Mycterothripsare described from Khorasane Shomali province in Northeast of Iran, M. mahvelatensis sp.n., M. nastarani sp.n. and M. sanubari sp.n.. An identification key is provided for both sexes of the nine species of Mycterothrips known from Iran. Host associations among these Iranian species, as well as the variation in number of pronotal posteromarginal setae, are discussed briefly.