The spider genus Oecobius (Araneae: Oecobiidae) in Israel, with description of a new species and new synonymies

An annotated list of nine species of Oecobius Lucas, 1846, known from Israel to date, is given. Five of them are recorded in the country for the first time; the previous tentative records of another two species in Israel are confirmed. Two names, Hersiliola brachyplura Strand, 1913 and Hersiliola b. demaculata Strand, 1914 are considered junior subjective synonyms of the widespread O. navus Blackwall, 1859. A new species, O. armiachi n. sp. is described from Israel based on both sexes. The new species differs from all congeners by the shape of the copulatory organs, and most likely represents a yet undescribed genus. To cite: Marusik, Y.M. & Zonstein, S. 2024. The spider genus Oecobius (Araneae: Oecobiidae) in Israel, with description of a new species and new synonymies. Israel Journal of Entomology 53: 49–62. DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.11532642 urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:6647631F-72F4-4296-AF10-931178178DD

A new endemic species of Baridinae (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) from the Mount Olympus on Cyprus

A new baridine species, Melanobaris troodi Stüben, n. sp., associated with Odontarrhena troodi (Boiss.) Španiel, Al-Shehbaz, D.A. German & Marhold (Brassicaceae) is described from Mt Olympus (‘Chionístra’) of the Troodos massif in Cyprus. The new species has been distinguished morphologically and molecularly from its sister taxa M. margaritae Korotyaev & Friedman and M. amanicola (Pic) from the Middle Eastern mainland, using traditional and innovative (such as 3D-scanning) optical microscopy methods within the framework of integrative taxonomy. A Neighbour-joining tree and Bayesian tree for the mtCO1 gene are presented and a p-distance matrix is compiled for 12 related species of the genus Melanobaris Alonso-Zarazaga & Lyal, mainly from the Mediterranean Region. It is pointed out that a high endemism rate can be assumed for many ground-dwelling, flightless Melanobaris species in isolated mountain massifs and on islands. Morphological methods alone are certainly not helpful for recognition of these very similar, often cryptic, species. Molecular analysis is indispensable in such cases, above all in new descriptions. To cite: Stüben, P. E., Friedman, A.-L.-L. & Braun, C. 2024. A new endemic species of Baridinae (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) from the Mount Olympus on Cyprus. Israel Journal of Entomology 53: 131–152. DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.14552434urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:2FDE2515-3482-4CF6-B4CE-1B31FE3EAA0

Errata to Eskov et al. (2024)

While all possible care was exercised during preparation of the article by Eskov et al. (2024), most unfortunate errors crept inadvertently into the caption to Fig. 1 and in the text (p. 94).  The caption should read (highlighted in bold):Fig. 1: Clavate trichobothria of Liphistiidae and Mygalomorphae on tarsus III (A–C, E, F) and II, showing also filiform trichobothria (D): (A, C) Liphistius desultor (Liphistiidae), (C) same, enlarged, (D) Hapalopus formosus (Theraphosidae), (E) Ummidia gandjinoi (Halonoproctidae), (F) Ischnocolus meron (Theraphosidae). The text on page 94 should read (highlighted in bold):“However, the above-mentioned morphological differences seem overrated. In Liphistius the clavate trichobothria, in fact, are “interspersed among the filiform ones” in the same way as in mygalomorphs (Fig. 1A cf. Fig. 1D). In theraphosids and barychelids “rows of tiny spikes” on setal shaft surface clearly differ from the Liphistius ones, being sufficiently smaller and arranged in longitudinal (non-oblique) rows (Fig. 1C cf. Fig. 1F; Guadanucci 2012, figs 18, 134), whereas the clavate trichobothria of the halonoproctid genus Ummidia Thorell, 1875 (Fig. 1E) and the idiopid genus Prothemenops (Schwendinger & Hongpadharakiree 2014, fig. 1C) seem indistinguishable in this respect from the Liphistius ones (Fig. 1C).”The authors and editorial office apologise for any inconvenience these mistakes might have caused. REFERENCESEskov, K.Y., Zonstein, S.L. & Marusik, Y.M. 2024. On the liphistiomorph trichobothria and the significance of their structure for tracking the bothria evolution in the order Araneae. Israel Journal of Entomology 53: 93–112. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.12790018 To cite: [Editorial Office]. 2024. Errata to Eskov et al. (2024). Israel Journal of Entomology 53: 113.  DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.13254196urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:96D556B5-E781-49CF-91BF-37CC8750F1D

Myrmecophilus jordanicus, a new species of ant cricket from Jordan and Israel, with notes on the synonymy of Myrmecophilus nigricornis (Orthoptera: Myrmecophilidae)

A new species of ant cricket, Myrmecophilus (Myrmophilina) jordanicus n. sp., is described from Israel and Jordan. Detailed information is provided about the host ant species of this myrmecophilous species and its habitat. Myrmecophilus nigricornis Chopard, 1963, n. syn., is considered a junior synonym of Myrmeco­philus ochraceus Fischer, 1853, and the fate of the type specimens of the latter is discussed. To cite: Stalling, Th. 2024. Myrmecophilus jordanicus, a new species of ant cricket from Jordan and Israel, with notes on the synonymy of Myrmecophilus nigricornis (Orthoptera: Myrmecophilidae). Israel Journal of Entomology 53: 25–32.DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.11163758urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:CCD7B354-2C30-47DB-9F1D-D75911004A2

Population dynamics of common filth flies (Diptera: Muscidae) on dairy farms: Importance of manure removal and mass release of parasitoids

In the dairy industry confined cattle produce large amount of manure in a short time, thus providing optimal conditions for the breeding of the common filth fly pests (Diptera: Muscidae), mainly houseflies Musca domestica Linnaeus and stable flies Stomoxys calcitrans (Linnaeus). Filth-fly control relies largely on manure management practices, mass trapping, use of insecticides, and augmentative release of chalcidoid pupal parasitoids. The effectiveness of the last measure was variable and mostly limited in previous studies performed over limited temporal and spatial scales. The objectives of the current study were to follow the population dynamics of these two major pests on dairy farms, and to test the effect of natural parasitism and mass-released parasitoids on fly populations over a larger scale. In two consecutive years, we monitored fly numbers on ten dairy farms in south-western Israel and released Muscidifurax raptor Girault & Sanders (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) and Spalangia cameroni Perkins (Hymenoptera: Spalangiidae) parasitoids (ca. 1:1 ratio) on five of the farms in the second year. In both years and on all the farms, housefly numbers were ten-fold higher than those of stable flies. Although the populations sizes of both fly species differed significantly among farms, they showed similar seasonal dynamics with significant differences among sampling dates. Housefly populations started to peak in April in both years, with a decline in June and mid-July in the first and second years, respectively. Stable fly numbers decreased from April to July, probably reflecting an earlier population peak that preceded the monitoring period in this study. These temporal population dynamics of the flies may reflect changes in manure moisture levels. The clearing frequency of the manure pits on the study farms had an inconsistent effect on fly numbers. The release of parasitoid wasps did not affect adult housefly abundance significantly, possibly because the wasps were released too late in the season. The study provides useful information on temporal occurrence of two fly species on dairy farms, which is essential for the employment of site-specific preventive control measures to suppress fly populations. To cite: Sercovich, D., Schuldiner-Harpaz, T., Chiel, E., Coll, M. & Gottlieb, Y. 2024. Population dynamics of common filth flies (Diptera: Muscidae) on dairy farms: Importance of manure removal and mass release of parasitoids. Israel Journal of Entomology 53: 33–48. DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.11353797urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:2F279B40-D7C3-4E74-9EF1-C61A2BCFEFF

New data on the spider genus Steriphopus, with description of a new species from India (Araneae: Palpimanidae)

The Paleotropical spider genus Steriphopus Simon, 1887, previously known from Sri Lanka, Myanmar and Seychelles, is recorded from India for the first time. In view of new data, the genus is rediagnosed and redescribed, and its diagnostic characters are reconsidered. A poorly known Seychelles species, S. lacertosus Simon, 1898, is redescribed from the conspecific female and depicted for the first time. The newly discovered Indian representative, S. benjamini n. sp., is diagnosed, depicted and described based on the holotype female and a few additional subadult specimens. The two species distinguish from each other, as well as from other congeners, in either their eye pattern or the structure of the endogyne. To cite: Zonstein, S. & Marusik, Y. 2023. New data on the spider genus Steriphopus, with description of a new species from India (Araneae: Palpimanidae). Israel Journal of Entomology 52: 41–50.  DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.1043597

The first Levantine record of Megaselia sandhui Disney (Diptera: Phoridae), a pest of cultivated mushrooms (Agaricales: Agaricaceae)

Megaselia sandhui Disney, 1981, a pest of cultivated mushrooms (Agaricales: Agaricaceae), known previously from the southern part of the Palaearctic Region (Arabian Peninsula, Iran and India (Punjab)), has been recorded for the first time in Israel, in the southern part of the 'Arava Valley.  To cite: Mostovski, M.B. 2023. The first Levantine record of Megaselia sandhui Disney (Diptera: Phoridae), a pest of cultivated mushrooms (Agaricales: Agaricaceae). Israel Journal of Entomology 52: 63–65. DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.1050833

Rachel Galun (1926—2023)

Professor Rachel Galun (1926—2023) was a highly respected figure in medical, veterinary, and agricultural entomology, a brilliant scientist, mentor, and leader. Prof. Galun contributed significantly to the study of medically relevant insects and ticks, expanded our understanding of vector-borne diseases and provided valuable insights into the interactions between these arthropods and the pathogens they transmit. She researched the mechanisms behind mosquitoes' ability to identify the blood of their hosts by detecting ATP; the stimulation of ticks' cheliceral sensillae by sensing glutathione in the blood that induce ticks to feed; demonstrated the capability of tsetse flies and mosquitoes to inhibit the host's local immune response for blood-feeding purposes. Her research included radiation, radioisotopes, insect pest rearing methods, sterile male techniques for tsetse flies, the physiology and control of the medfly, and the role of purinergic receptors in hematophagous insects' blood meals, the development of artificial feeding methods to study sensory responses in insects, particularly mosquitoes. Prof. Rachel Galun did her research at the Israel Institute for Biological Research and at the Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, and lectured at the Tel Aviv University, Haifa Medical School, Techinion, Haifa and the Hebrew University of Jerusalem; at the latter she became a Professor of Zoology and served as head of the department. Prof. Galun conducted seminars at the World Health Organization in Geneva, the International Atomic Energy Agency in Vienna, and the International Center of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE) in Nairobi, where she also served as a member of the Board of Directors. She was a member of the Council for the International Congresses of Entomology (ICE) for both the ICE meetings in 1992 (Beijing, China) and 1966 (Firenze, Italy). Prof. Galun was one of the important founders of the Entomological Society of Israel. Many of her students and mentees are continuing to make significant contributions to entomology. To cite: Mumcuoglu, K.Y. 2023. Rachel Galun (1926—2023). Israel Journal of Entomology 52: 9–19. DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.1026157

A new and the southernmost species of Zaitunia Lehtinen, 1967 (Araneae: Filistatidae) from the United Arab Emirates

Zaitunia arabica n. sp., the southernmost member of the genus, is described from Rub ‘Al Khali Desert, the United Arab Emirates. The new species is assigned to Z. persica species-group, and it is most similar to Z. medica Brignoli, 1982 in having solid receptacles, which are wider than long and have no stalks. Zaitunia arabica n. sp. differs from the latter species by the lack of a carapace pattern, having no leg annulation, by much smaller size, as well as by a different shape of the receptacles and by a smaller distance between them. To cite: Marusik, Y. & Zonstein, S. 2023. A new and the southernmost species of Zaitunia Lehtinen, 1967 (Araneae: Filistatidae) from the United Arab Emirates. Israel Journal of Entomology 52: 29–33. DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.1039678

First record of the leafhopper Neoaliturus grandidentis Gnezdilov (Auchenorrhyncha: Cicadellidae) in Israel

Leafhopper Neoaliturus grandidentis Gnezdilov, 2022 is reported from Israel for the first time. A recording of the male call of this species is provided; the syllable of N. grandidentis is longer by a magnitude compared to published male calls produced by several other Neoaliturus species. The hitherto unknown female of N. grandidentis is described. To cite: Sinaiko, G. & Dietrich, C.S. 2023. First record of the leafhopper Neoaliturus grandidentis Gnezdilov (Auchenorrhyncha: Cicadellidae) in Israel. Israel Journal of Entomology 52: 67–73.  DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.10566720 SupplementsS1: Oscillogram and spectrogram of Neoaliturus grandidentis male:DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.10561268S2: A live leafhopper Neoaliturus grandidentisDOI: 10.5281/zenodo.1056210