Two new species of the Longitarsusviolentus group from China (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae, Galerucinae, Alticini).

Two new species of Longitarsus Latreille, 1829 from China are described: L.pekingensis Liang, Konstantinov & Ge, sp. nov. (Beijing) and L.xinjiangensis Liang, Konstantinov & Ge, sp. nov. (Xinjiang). Images of dorsal and lateral habitus, pronotum, head, and male and female genitalia are provided. The records of Longitarsusviolentus Weise, 1893 and Longitarsusweisei Guillebeau, 1895 in China are discussed. Holotypes of L.marguzoricus Konstantinov in Konstantinov & Lopatin, 2000 and L.violentoides Konstantinov in Konstantinov & Lopatin, 2000 are illustrated with images of pronotum and median lobe of aedeagus. A key to species of L.violentus species group is provided.

Description of three new species of Benedictus (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae, Galerucinae, Alticini) from China, with comments on their biology and modified ethanol traps for collecting flea beetles.

The diversity and biology of the moss and leaf litter-inhabiting flea beetles are still poorly known. In this study, three new species of Benedictus are described from China: Benedictusfuanensis Ruan & Konstantinov, sp. nov., Benedictusquadrimaculatus Ruan & Konstantinov, sp. nov., and Benedictuswangi Ruan & Konstantinov, sp. nov. Comments on their biology are given. Benedictusquadrimaculatus has a highly unusual morphological feature not reported before in flea beetles: black spots on the abdominal tergites that are visible through the elytra. Traditional and modified ethanol traps were tested and proven useful for collecting leaf litter- and moss-inhabiting flea beetles. Based on our tests, eight traps could collect one specimen each day in the testing sites in Fujian Province; three traps could collect one specimen each day in the testing sites in Guangdong Province.

CO1 barcodes resolve an asymmetric biphyletic clade for Diabrotica undecimpunctata subspecies and provide nucleotide variants for differentiation from related lineages using real-time PCR.

Diabrotica undecimpunctata is a multivoltine polyphagous beetle species that has long been documented as a significant agricultural pest throughout its native range in North America. This beetle can vector bacterial and viral plant pathogens that result in major losses to crops such as cucumber and soybean. Many countries outside the Americas treat D. undecimpunctata as a species of quarantine importance, while in the USA only the subspecies D. u. duodecimnotata is subject to quarantine, to prevent introduction from Mexico. Identification of D. undecimpunctata on the basis of morphology alone can be complicated given the use of conflicting characters in the description of some subspecific taxa. To better understand relationships among D. undecimpunctata subspecies and other related species, we sequenced mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase 1 (CO1) and nuclear internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) DNA from individuals in different subspecific taxa and across different parts of the species range using museum samples and interceptions. When our data were combined with publicly available Diabrotica data, no pattern of divergence consistent with the currently recognized subspecific designations was found. In addition, we compared phylogenetic patterns in CO1 data from the congener D. virgifera to demonstrate the utility of mitochondrial data in resolving subspecies. From the CO1 data, a diagnostic real-time PCR assay was developed that could successfully identify all haplotypes within the large D. undecimpunctata clade for use in surveys and identification at ports of entry. These findings underscore the need to resolve molecular and morphological datasets into cogent, lineage-based groupings. Such efforts will provide an evolutionary context for the study of agriculturally important attributes of Diabrotica such as host preferences, xenobiotic metabolism, and natural and anthropogenic patterns of dispersal.

Trapping of Crucifer-Feeding Flea Beetles (Phyllotreta spp.) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) With Pheromones and Plant Kairomones.

Flea beetles (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) of the genus Phyllotreta are major pests of cole crops, canola, and related crops in the mustard family (Brassicaceae). Adults may damage seedlings or larger crop plants, impairing crop growth, rendering crops unmarketable, or killing seedlings outright. The two major North American crucifer pest species, Phyllotreta striolata (F.) and Phyllotreta cruciferae (Goeze), have male-produced pheromones attractive to both female and male adults. We tested the racemic synthetic pheromones, himachaladiene and hydroxyhimachalanone, as well as the host-plant-produced allyl isothiocyanate, alone and in combination, with experimental trapping in Maryland, Virginia, and North Dakota, using clear and yellow sticky traps and the ground-based 'rocket' trap (modified from boll weevil trap). Phyllotreta striolata was consistently attracted to the hydroxyketone, and captures were often enhanced by allyl isothiocyanate (AITC), but its response to pheromones, AITC, and trap color were variable from state to state. Phyllotreta cruciferae was strongly attracted to AITC, but its response to pheromone components varied by state, and this species was found rarely at the Maryland site. Phyllotreta bipustulata (F.) was attracted to the diene component, a new finding for this species. Several other genera of flea beetles were captured, some showing response to the semiochemicals and/or color. Results will be helpful in monitoring and possibly population suppression; however, further research is necessary to develop more efficient syntheses, optimal lure loadings, combinations, and controlled release methods.

Discovery of the first leaf litter inhabiting flea beetles in Brazil (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Galerucinae) with description of two new genera and three new species.

Two new genera of flea beetles are described and illustrated: Brasilplatus Oliveira, Linzmeier Konstantinov new genus, monotypic, type species B. bahianus Oliveira, Linzmeier Konstantinov new species, and Tupiniquim Linzmeier, Oliveira Konstantinov new genus, containing two species, T. pronotalis Linzmeier, Oliveira Konstantinov new species and T. confusa Linzmeier, Oliveira Konstantinov new species and type species of the genus. These are the first described genera of flea beetles inhabiting leaf litter in Brazil. Brasilplatus belongs to the subtribe Monoplatina and is compared to other Monoplatina genera known to occur in leaf litter or moss cushions: Andersonaltica Linzmeier Konstantinov, 2012, Apleuraltica Bechyn, 1956 and Ulrica Scherer, 1962. Tupiniquim is unique among New World flea beetles, it allies cannot be immediately identified. Here it is compared to several New World and Old World genera.

Flea beetles of the West Indies: the genus Hemilactica Blake, 1937 (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae, Galerucinae, Alticini).

The West Indian flea beetle genus Hemilactica Blake, 1937 is reviewed. Two new species, both from the Dominican Republic are described and illustrated: H. erwini sp. nov. and H. sierramatringarcia sp. nov. In addition, images of the holotypes of H. portoricensis Blake, H. pulchella Blake, and H. rugosa Blake are provided. Lactica megaspila (Blake) is transferred to Hemilactica. A lectotype of H. quatuordecimpunctata (Suffrian, 1868) is designated and illustrated, and a key to the Hemilactica species and a key for identification of Hemilactica and related genera occurring in the Western Hemisphere are provided.

Moss inhabiting flea beetles (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Galerucinae: Alticini) of the West Indies II: Menudos, a new genus from Puerto Rico and description of methods to collect moss inhabiting flea beetles.

Menudos Linzmeier Konstantinov, a new genus of moss inhabiting flea beetles, containing five species, three of them are new (M. illariosus, M. maricao, and M. toronegro-the type species of the genus), from Puerto Rico is described and illustrated. The new genus is compared to Aedmon Clark, Apleuraltica Bechyne, Andersonaltica Linzmeier Konstantinov, Distigmoptera Blake and Ulrica Scherer. Aedmon barberi (Blake, 1943b) and Distigmoptera chamorrae Konstantinov Konstantinova, 2011 are transferred to Menudos. A key to Menudos species identification is provided. Methods for collecting moss inhabiting flea beetles and other arthropods are described in detail for the first time.

Blakealtica, a new genus of flea beetles (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae, Galerucinae, Alticini) from the Dominican Republic.

Blakealtica fusca a new genus and new species from the Dominican Republic is described and illustrated. In addition to external features, beetle thoracic sclerites (including metendosternite) are fully examined and illustrated. Blakealtica is similar to Monomacra Chevrolat,1836 and related genera (Disonycha Chevrolat, 1836, Hemilactica Blake, 1937, Myrmeconycha Konstantinov & Tishechkin, 2017, Parchicola Bechyne & Bechyne, 1975, Pseudodisonycha Blake, 1954, and Rosalactica Bechyne & Bechyne, 1977) as all studied representatives of these genera are missing the sclerotized vaginal palpi or have them membranous and otherwise poorly developed. This feature may be unique for the Monomacra group of genera as it has not been seen anywhere else in flea beetles.

Moss inhabiting flea beetles of the West Indies III: Erinaceialtica, a new genus from Hispaniola (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae, Galerucinae, Alticini).

Erinaceialtica Konstantinov & Linzmeier, a new genus of moss inhabiting flea beetles, containing seven species from the Dominican Republic and Haiti is described and illustrated. Five species are new (E. gabbysalazarae, E. janestanleyae, E. rickstanleyi (the type species), E. rileyi, and E. thomasi) and two species are transferred from Aedmon: A. albicincta (Blake) and A. hugonis (Blake) comb. nov. The new genus is compared to Aedmon Clark, Apleuraltica Bechyne, Andersonaltica Linzmeier & Konstantinov, Distigmoptera Blake, and Ulrica Scherer. Keys to Erinaceialtica and related genera and to Erinaceialtica species are provided.

The Biology and Immature Stages of the Moss-Eating Flea Beetle Cangshanaltica fuanensis sp. nov. (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae, Galerucinae, Alticini), with Description of a Fan-Driven High-Power Berlese Funnel.

The biology of the moss and leaf litter inhabiting flea beetles is poorly understood. In this study, a new species of moss-eating flea beetles Cangshanaltica fuanensis sp. nov. is described; the morphology of adult and immature stages is examined and illustrated. Its life history and biology are studied. The remarkable and unique biological features are revealed: (1) females deposit one large egg at a time, egg length equals 0.4-0.5 times the female body length, these are unusual in Chrysomelidae; (2) females have only two ovarioles on each side of the ovary, which has not been reported in other Chrysomelidae species; (3) females lay and hide each egg under a spoon-shaped moss leaf; (4) cannibalism of a second instar larva on an egg was observed. Both adults and larvae feed on moss and are polyphagous; their feces mainly consist of un-digested moss fragments; high humidity is essential for the survival of eggs and larvae and expedites the hatching. In addition, a modified fan-driven Berlese funnel is designed for faster extraction of moss inhabiting flea beetles. This device could also be used for collecting other ground-dwelling arthropods. Its working diagram is illustrated and described.

The jumping mechanism of flea beetles (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae, Alticini), its application to bionics and preliminary design for a robotic jumping leg.

Flea beetles (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae, Galerucinae, Alticini) are a hyperdiverse group of organisms with approximately 9900 species worldwide. In addition to walking as most insects do, nearly all the species of flea beetles have an ability to jump and this ability is commonly understood as one of the key adaptations responsible for its diversity. Our investigation of flea beetle jumping is based on high-speed filming, micro-CT scans and 3D reconstructions, and provides a mechanical description of the jump. We reveal that the flea beetle jumping mechanism is a catapult in nature and is enabled by a small structure in the hind femur called an 'elastic plate' which powers the explosive jump and protects other structures from potential injury. The explosive catapult jump of flea beetles involves a unique 'high-efficiency mechanism' and 'positive feedback mechanism'. As this catapult mechanism could inspire the design of bionic jumping limbs, we provide a preliminary design for a robotic jumping leg, which could be a resource for the bionics industry.

A review of the genus Lankaphthona Medvedev, 2001, with comments on the modified phallobase and the unique abdominal appendage of L.binotata (Baly) (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae, Galerucinae, Alticini).

The flea beetle genus Lankaphthona Medvedev, 2001 is redescribed and a new species L.yunnantarsella sp. nov. Ruan, Konstantinov & Prathapan is described. Longitarsella Medvedev, 2009, syn. nov. and Philotarsa Medvedev, 2009, syn. nov. are newly synonymized with Lankaphthona. Philotarsalaosica Medvedev, 2009, syn. nov. is synonymized with Lankaphthonaphuketensis (Gruev, 1989). The following new combinations are proposed: Lankaphthonabinotata (Baly, 1876), comb. nov.; Lankaphthonacostata (Medvedev, 2016), comb. nov.; Lankaphthonacyanipennis (Medvedev, 2017), comb. nov.; Lankaphthonanigronotata (Jacoby, 1896), comb. nov.; Lankaphthonanotatipennis (Medvedev, 2009), comb. nov.; and Lankaphthonaphuketensis (Gruev, 1989), comb. nov., status restored. A highly specialized spoon-shaped 'appendage' is discovered on the first abdominal ventrite of males of Lankaphthonabinotata. Aedeagus of the same species has aberrant sheath-shaped phallobase encircling the median lobe. Morphology and possible function of these structures are discussed. Menispermaceae are newly reported as the host plants of the genus.

Revision of the Oriental Chaetocnema species (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae, Galerucinae, Alticini).

The Oriental species of Chaetocnema Stephens, 1831 are revised. There are 85 valid species, including 19 new species: C. angustifrons sp. nov.; C. appendiculata sp. nov.; C. baoshanica sp. nov.; C. dapitanica sp. nov.; C. glabra sp. nov.; C. greenica sp. nov.; C. jinxiuensis sp. nov.; C. hongkongensis sp. nov.; C. latapronota sp. nov.; C. midimpunctata sp. nov.; C. nigrilata sp. nov.; C. parafusiformis sp. nov.; C. paragreenica sp. nov.; C. paraumesaoi sp. nov.; C. purerulea sp. nov.; C. reteimpunctata sp. nov.; C. sabahensis sp. nov.; C. subbasalis sp. nov.; C. trapezoida sp. nov.                Fifteen new synonyms are proposed: C. assamensis Scherer, 1969 (syn. nov.) = C. hainanensis Chen, 1932; C. birmanica Jacoby, 1892 (syn. nov.) = C. malayana Baly, 1877; C. ebenina Warchalowski, 1973 (syn. nov.) = C. yiei Kimoto, 1970; C. flavipennis Medvedev, 1996 (syn. nov.) = C. granulicollis Jacoby, 1896; C. harita Maulik, 1926 (syn. nov.) = C. westwoodi Baly, 1877; C. himalayana Medvedev, 1993 (syn. nov.) = C. melonae Chen, 1934; C. kwangsiensis Chen, 1939 (syn. nov.) = C. hainanensis Chen, 1932; C. loriae Jacoby, 1905 (syn. nov.) = C. nigrica Motschulsky, 1858; C. nepalensis Scherer, 1969 (syn. nov.) = C. bella Baly, 1877; C. nitens Baly, 1877 (syn. nov.) = C. nigrica Motschulsky, 1858; C. placida Jacoby, 1896 (syn. nov.) = C. bella Baly 1877; C. shanensis Bryant, 1939 (syn. nov.) = C. bella Baly 1877; C. subcostata Jacoby, 1889 (syn. nov.) = C. wallacei Baly, 1877; C. vietnamica Chen Wang, 1980 (syn. nov.) = C. modigliani Jacoby, 1896; C. vietnamica Medvedev, 2009 (syn. nov.) = C. wallacei Baly, 1877.                C. vietnamica Medvedev, 2001 is a new junior homonym of C. vietnamica Chen Wang, 1980.                C. melonae Chen, 1934 status restored and resurrected from synonymy with C. duvivieri Jacoby, 1892 in Medvedev, 2001: 613. Two subspecies are raised to species level: C. taiwanensis Chûjô, 1965 new status for C. tonkinensis taiwanensis Chûjô, 1965 and C. yunnanica Heikertinger, 1951 new status for C. discreta yunnanica Heikertinger, 1951.                Lectotypes are designated for 25 species: C. minuta Jacoby, 1896; C. granulicollis Jacoby, 1896; C. kwangsiensis Chen, 1939; C. longipunctata Maulik, 1926; C. montivaga Maulik, 1926; C. basalis Baly, 1877; C. parvula Baly, 1877; C. nitens Baly, 1877; C. geniculata Jacoby, 1896; C. simplicifrons (Baly, 1876); C. sticta Maulik, 1926; C. sumatrana Jacoby, 1896; C. wallacei Baly, 1877; C. alticola Maulik, 1926; C. belli Jacoby 1904; C. cognata Baly, 1877; C. squarrosa Baly, 1877; C. concinnipennis Baly, 1877; C. malayana Baly, 1877; C. birmanica Jacoby, 1892; C. merguiensis Bryant, 1941; C. pusaensis Maulik, 1926; C. singala Maulik, 1926; C. westwoodi Baly, 1877; C. harita Maulik, 1926.

Chewing Holes for Camouflage.

Camouflaged objects are harder to detect if the background itself is more heterogeneous, and search becomes increasingly inefficient when the scene contains multiple items resembling the target. Some adult leaf beetles (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) with highly specialized habits make holes on host plant leaves while feeding. We propose that leaf beetles camouflage themselves with their feeding holes. The presence of holes makes predators' visual search harder, thus giving beetles more time to escape from the leaf surface either by jumping (Galerucinae: Alticini) or rolling (rest of Chrysomelidae). Based on behavioral observations and analysis of 25 photographs of feeding leaf beetles (15 species), we demonstrate that adult leaf beetles camouflage themselves by creating holes of uniform size, approximately half of the beetle body size. Observation of the feeding behavior and anatomy of a typical hole-feeding beetle (Altica cirsicola) showed that the foregut volume and head-prothorax mobility of beetles are the two major factors that constrain the hole size. A computer-simulated visual search test showed that the greater the number of holes, and the more each hole approached beetle body size, the longer it took humans (as models) to locate a beetle on a leaf. This study reports a newly discovered kind of camouflage, hole-feeding camouflage, in leaf beetles, which makes visual detection or recognition more difficult by changing the environmental background. This type of camouflage may open up a range of new possibilities for studies in animal cognition analysis and evolution of anti-predation defenses.

New contributions to the knowledge of Chinese flea beetle fauna (III): revision of Meishania Chen Wang with description of five new species (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Galerucinae).

The flea beetle genus Meishania Chen Wang is revised and five new species-M. cangshanensis sp. nov., M. flavipennis sp. nov., M. fulvotigera sp. nov., and M. sichuanica sp. nov. from China and M. bhutanensis sp. nov. from Bhutan-are described. All species of Meishania are illustrated and a key to species is provided.

Andersonoplatus, a new, remarkable leaf litter inhabiting genus of Monoplatina (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae, Galerucinae, Alticini).

Andersonoplatus, a new genus with 16 new species from Venezuela (A. andersoni, A. bechyneorum, A. castaneus, A. flavus, A. jolyi, A. laculata, A. lagunanegra, A. macubaji, A. merga, A. merida, A. microoculus, A. peck, A. rosalesi, A. sanare, A. saviniae) and Panama (A. baru), is described and illustrated. All the specimens were collected in leaf litter by R. Anderson and S. and J. Peck. Andersonoplatus is compared to Andersonaltica Linzmeier & Konstantinov, Apleuraltica Bechyne, Distigmoptera Blake and Ulrica Scherer.

Contributions to the knowledge of Chinese flea beetle fauna (II): Baoshanaltica new genus and Sinosphaera new genus (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae, Galerucinae, Alticini).

Two new genera: Baoshanalticagen. n. and Sinosphaeragen. n., and two new species: Baoshanaltica minutasp. n. and Sinosphaera apterasp. n. from south-west China are described and illustrated. Baoshanaltica is compared to the allied moss-inhabiting genera Cangshanaltica Konstantinov et al. and Phaelota Jacoby, in addition to Minota Kutschera. Sinosphaera is compared to Sphaeroderma Stephens, Omeisphaera Chen & Zia, Jacobyana Maulik, and Kamala Maulik.

Possible living fossil in Bolivia: A new genus of flea beetles with modified hind legs (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae, Galerucinae, Alticini).

A new genus (Chanealtica) with three new species (Chanealtica cuevas, Chanealtica ellimon, and Chanealtica maxi) from Bolivia is described and illustrated. It is compared with Aphthonoides Jacoby, 1885, Argopistes Motschulsky, 1860, Metroserrapha Bechyne, 1958, Psylliodes Berthold, 1827 and Psyllototus Nadein, 2010. Remarkably, based on the available characters, among all the flea beetles, Chanealtica is mostly similar to an extinct genus Psyllototus. A discussion of diversity and function of the hind leg in flea beetles is provided.

Ceramic Ti-B Composites Synthesized by Combustion Followed by High-Temperature Deformation.

Long compact cylindrical rods, which consist of a titanium monoboride-based TiB-30 wt % Ti ceramic composite material, are synthesized during combustion of the initial components (titanium, boron) followed by high-temperature deformation. High-temperature deformation is found to affect the orientation of the hardening titanium monoboride phase in the sample volume and the phase composition of the sample. The combustion temperature is studied as a function of the relative density of the initial workpiece under the experimental conditions.

Penghou, a new genus of flea beetles from China (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Galerucinae: Alticini).

A new genus (Penghou) with a single new species (P. yulongshan) from Yunnan Province in China is described and illustrated. It is compared to Hespera Weise, Hesperomorpha Ogloblin, Laotzeus Chen, Luperomorpha Weise, Mandarella Duvivier, Omeiana Chen, Stenoluperus Ogloblin and Taiwanohespera Kimoto.