Biology of Blepharida-group flea beetles with first notes on natural history of Podontia congregata Baly, 1865 an endemic flea beetle from southern India (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae, Galerucinae, Alticini)

This is a publisher's version, also available electronically at http://www.pensoft.net/index.php.The biology, host plants, and pest status of Podontia Dalman, 1824 species are reviewed. Natural history of Podontia congregata Baly, 1865 a flea beetle endemic to southern India, is reported for the first time. It is distributed from the Western Ghats Mountains westward to the plains. Clusiaceae is reported as a new host plant family for Blepharida-group species, with Garcinia gummi-gutta (L.) N. Robson (Clusiaceae) as the host plant for P. congregata. Pentatomid bugs attack the larvae but not eggs, pupae, or adults. A new egg parasitoid species, Ooencyrtus keralensis Hayat and Prathapan, 2010 (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae), was discovered. Aspects of P. congregata host selection, life cycle, and larval fecal defenses are consistent with its inclusion in the Blepharida-genus group

A NEW SPECIES-GROUP IN APHTHONA CHEVROLAT (COLEOPTERA: CHRYSOMELIDAE) WITH A DESCRIPTION OF A NEW SPECIES FROM SOUTHERN INDIA

A new species-group in the flea beetle genus Aphthona Chevrolat is defined and Aphthona yercaudensis Prathapan and Konstantinov, new species, from southern India is described. A key to Aphthona species-groups in the Oriental Region is provided. Herbaceous species of Phyllanthus L. (Euphorbiaceae) are recorded as the host plants of Aphthona bombayensis Scherer

Orisaltata, a new genus of flea beetles from the Oriental Region (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)

A new genus, Orisaltata, with the type species Aphthona azurea Jacoby (the only known species) from the Oriental Region is described and illustrated. Comparative notes and host plant information are provided. Aphthona babai Kimoto is synonymized with Orisaltata azurea

Descriptions of eight new species of Phaelota (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) with a new generic synonymy and a key to species of Indian subcontinent

Six new species of Phaelota Jacoby from India viz. P. assamensis, P. kottigehara, P. maculipennis, P. mauliki, P. saluki, and P. viridipennis and two new species from Sri Lanka viz. P. ogloblini and P. schereri are described and illustrated. Thrylaea Jacoby is treated as a new junior synonym of Phaelota. A lectotype for Phaelota variabilis (Jacoby) is desig- nated and the species is removed from the synonyms of P. flavipennis (Motschulsky). The consequences of loss of flight on host plant selection in Phaelota are discussed and a key to the species of the Indian subcontinent is provided

Risk and Recurrence of Serious Adverse Outcomes in the First and Second Pregnancies of Women With Preexisting Diabetes

OBJECTIVE: Women with preexisting (type 1 or type 2) diabetes experience an increased risk of serious adverse pregnancy outcomes. It is not known, however, how these risks change between the first and second pregnancy andwhether there is an increased risk of recurrence. This study describes the absolute risks and recurrence of serious adverse pregnancy outcomes in 220 women with preexisting diabetes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: A total of 440 pregnancies occurring in 220 women with preexisting diabetes who delivered successive singleton pregnancies in the North of England during 1996-2008 were identified fromtheNorthern Diabetes in Pregnancy Survey (NorDIP). Predictors of serious adverse outcome were estimated by competing-risks regression. RESULTS: Sixty-seven first pregnancies (30.5%) ended in serious adverse outcome, including 14 (6.4%) with congenital anomalies and 53 (24.1%) additional fetal or infant deaths. Thirty-seven second pregnancies (16.8%) ended in serious adverse outcomedhalf the rate among first pregnancies (P = 0.0004)dincluding 21 (9.5%) with congenital anomalies and 16 (7.3%) additional fetal or infant deaths. Serious adverse outcomes in the second pregnancy occurred twice as frequently in women who experienced a previous adverse outcome than in those who did not (26.9% vs. 12.4%, P = 0.004), but previous adverse outcome was not associated with preparation for the following pregnancy. CONCLUSIONS: Serious adverse outcomes are less common in the second pregnancies of women with preexisting diabetes, although the risk is comparable in those whose first pregnancy ends in adverse outcome. Reducing the risk of recurrence may require more support in the immediate period after an adverse pregnancy outcome

Natural History and Leaf Shelter Construction of the Asian Rice Leptispa Beetle Leptispa pygmaea Baly (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Cassidinae: Leptispini)

This is the published version, also available here: http://zoolstud.sinica.edu.tw/Journals/48.5/625.pdf.Kaniyarikkal Divakaran Prathapan, Caroline S. Chaboo, and Kolandaivelu Karthikeyan (2009) Natural history and leaf shelter construction of the Asian rice leptispa beetle, Leptispa pygmaea Baly (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Cassidinae: Leptispini). Zoological Studies 48(5): 625-631. The leaf-roll construction by the Asian rice leptispa beetle Leptispa pygmaea Baly (Cassidinae: Leptispini) was studied. Consistent adult feeding on the adaxial side of tender rice leaves Oryza sativa Linnaeus (Poaceae) induces partial upward rolling of the leaf lamina. Adult leaf rolls are ephemeral and not apparent, and they unfurl once the beetle leaves the leaf. Females oviposit clutches of up to 8 eggs mostly on the adaxial side of the leaf within such rolls. Neonate larvae migrate to the base of the leaf axil and feed by scraping, which induces formation of leaf rolls from the base where the leaf is already curled up. All 5 larval instars feed in this manner, migrating to new leaves and forming new leaf rolls. Pupation occurs within the leaf roll of the 5th instar. Adult leaf rolls are partial and ephemeral, and therefore offer only limited protection to eggs and adults. In contrast, larval leaf rolls are well formed and cohesive compared to those of adults. This is probably due to the sedentary nature and active feeding of the larvae resulting in a greater reduction in leaf turgidity. The host plant, leaf curling, and leaf-roll architecture of Leptispa Baly differ from the leaf ‘sandwiches’ built by some Neotropical cassidines, of the Imatidiini, that glue together Inga leaves (Fabaceae). Two terms, leaf rolls for Leptispini and leaf case shelters for Imatidiini, are proposed to reflect the lack of homology of these structures, although both function as shelters. We also propose that Leptispa feeding probably induces loss of turgor pressure that in turn induces inward curling of the leaf to produce an elongated leaf roll. This may be regarded as an ideal example of cost-effective shelter building by an insect. http://zoolstud.sinica.edu.tw/Journals/48.5/625.pd

Notes on identity, new synonymy and larva of Ivalia Jacoby (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) with description of a new species

Genus Ivalia Jacoby is characterized morphologically, and Amphimeloides Jacoby syn. nov. and Taizonia Chen syn. nov. are junior synonyms with it. Several Ivalia species are figured, including Ivalia bella (Chen) comb. nov., I. dorsalis (Jacoby) comb. nov., and I. viridipennis Jacoby. A new species of Ivalia from the Nilgiri Hills in south India, I. korakundah sp. nov., is described and illustrated, including the larvae. Larvae were associated with adults by sequencing a fragment of the mitochondrial gene cytochrome oxidase I. Larval morphology is discussed and compared with that of other flea beetles

Notes on identity, new synonymy and larva of Ivalia Jacoby (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) with description of a new species

Genus Ivalia Jacoby is characterized morphologically, and Amphimeloides Jacoby syn. nov. and Taizonia Chen syn. nov. are junior synonyms with it. Several Ivalia species are figured, including Ivalia bella (Chen) comb. nov., I. dorsalis (Jacoby) comb. nov., and I. viridipennis Jacoby. A new species of Ivalia from the Nilgiri Hills in south India, I. korakundah sp. nov., is described and illustrated, including the larvae. Larvae were associated with adults by sequencing a fragment of the mitochondrial gene cytochrome oxidase I. Larval morphology is discussed and compared with that of other flea beetles

On Farm Validation of Organic Farming Technology in Elephant foot yam (Amorphophallus paeoniifolius (Dennst.) Nicolson)

Currently alternative agricultural systems, like organic farming, that are less chemical intensive, less exploitative and that can conserve the environment are gaining popularity. Tuber crops, especially aroids, like elephant foot yam, respond well to organic manures and offer scope for organic production. However, lack of package of practices recommendations hinders the promotion of this viable alternative farming practice. Hence, the organic farming technology for elephant foot yam developed at CTCRI was validated through on farm trials under State Horticulture Mission funded programme. Demonstration trials were conducted during 2008-2009 in 10 farmers’ sites to cover an area of 5 ha in Kollam and Pathanamthitta districts of Kerala to compare the yield, quality, economics and soil fertility under the organic management practices with the existing farmers’ practice and conventional practice (present package of practices recommendations) in elephant foot yam. Organic farming resulted in higher corm yield (34.60 t ha-1) and additional income (Rs. 43,651 ha-1) over conventional farming. Organically produced corms had significantly higher dry matter and Mg contents and significantly lower oxalate content. The chemical properties of the soil, especially K, were also seen favoured under organic farming. The organic farming technology standardized for elephant foot yam includes the application of farmyard manure (FYM) @ 36 t ha-1, green manuring with cowpea to generate 20-25 t ha-1 of green matter in 45-60 days, neem cake @ 1 t ha-1 and ash @ 3 t ha-1.FYM and neem cake are to be applied in pits at the time of planting. Ash may be applied at the time of incorporation of green manure at 45-60 days after planting

Post-flood outbreak of Xylosandrus crassiusculus and Diuncus corpulentus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae: Xyleborini) on tree spices in Kerala

Massive outbreak of Xylosandrus crassiusculus and Diuncus corpulentus (Coleopera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae: Xyleborini) on clove (Syzygium aromaticum) and nutmeg (Myristica fragrans) is reported from Kerala, India. Infestation results in drying up of branches and death of trees. This is the first report of the ambrosia beetle genera Xylosandrus and Diuncus on clove and nutmeg