Mitochondrial DNA Variation Among Populations of Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) From Pakistan.

The Red Palm Weevil (RPW) Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Olivier) is a voracious pest of palm species. In recent decades its range has expanded greatly, particularly impacting the date palm industry in the Middle East. This has led to conjecture regarding the origins of invasive RPW populations. For example, in parts of the Middle East, RPW is commonly referred to as the "Pakistani weevil" in the belief that it originated there. We sought evidence to support or refute this belief. First reports of RPW in Pakistan were from the Punjab region in 1918, but it is unknown whether it is native or invasive there. We estimated genetic variation across five populations of RPW from two provinces of Pakistan, using sequences of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I gene. Four haplotypes were detected; two (H1 and H5) were abundant, accounting for 88% of specimens across the sampled populations, and were previously known from the Middle East. The remaining haplotypes (H51 and H52) were newly detected (in global terms) and there was no geographic overlap in their distribution within Pakistan. Levels of haplotype diversity were much lower than those previously recorded in accepted parts of the native range of RPW, suggesting that the weevil may be invasive in Pakistan. The affinity of Pakistani haplotypes to those reported from India (and the geographical proximity of the two countries), make the latter a likely "native" source. With regards the validity of the name "Pakistani weevil", we found little genetic evidence to justify it

Complex of primary and secondary parasitoids (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae and Signiphoridae) of Hypogeococcus spp. Mealybugs (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) in the New World

Se informan los resultados de los relevamientos de los parasitoides primarios y secundarios (hiperparasitoides) de Hypogeococcus spp. (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) realizados en el Nuevo Mundo durante el período 2009 para 2017 para obtener enemigos naturales de la cochinilla harinosa de los cactus (Harrisia cactus mealybug) Hypogeococcus sp., que está devastando cactus nativos en Puerto Rico y amenaza a los cactus presentes en Islas del Caribe adyacentes. Se registraron cinco especies de Encyrtidae (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea) como parasitoides primarios de Hypogeococcus spp., incluyendo el recientemente descrito Leptomastidea hypogeococci Triapitsyn sp. n., que es la única especie del género Leptomastidea García Mercet en el Nuevo Mundo cuya clava de la antena de la hembra es contrastantemente blanca. El análisis genético de los individuos de L. hypogeococci de Argentina, Brasil y Puerto Rico (EE. UU.) corrobora los datos morfológicos de que la misma especie se encuentra en América del Sur, las islas del Caribe y Florida (EE. UU.). Se proporciona una clave para las especies del Nuevo Mundo de Leptomastidea. Leptomastidea antillicola Dozier, syn. n. de Puerto Rico es sinonimizado bajo L. abnormis (Girault). Basado en los datos moleculares presentados, Anagyrus ciomperliki Triapitsyn syn. n. (Encyrtidae), originalmente descrito de Puerto Rico, es sinonimizado bajo A. quilmes Triapitsyn, Logarzo & Aguirre, cuyo rango de distribución conocido también se amplía para incluir a Brasil. Anagyrus cachamai Triapitsyn, Logarzo y Aguirre, A. lapachosus Triapitsyn, Aguirre y Logarzo y A. quilmes se registraron recientemente en Paraguay. Se describe el macho previamente desconocido de Prochiloneurus argentinensis (De Santis) (Encyrtidae) de la provincia de Misiones de Argentina, y el de P. narendrani Noyes & Triapitsyn de la Isla de Mona, Puerto Rico. Hasta aquí, Anagyrus cachamai y A. lapachosus se consideran como las principales especies para la introducción desde Argentina y Paraguay a Puerto Rico para el control biológico de la cochinilla harinosa de los cactus. El holotipo de Anagyrus tanystis De Santis de Buenos Aires, Argentina, cuyos hospederos asociados son desconocidos, se ilustra para facilitar su reconocimiento de otras especies congenéricas.Parasitoids, both primary and secondary (hyperparasitoids), of Hypogeococcus spp. mealybugs (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) are reviewed to report results of the surveys in the New World conducted during 2009 to 2017 for prospective natural enemies of the Harrisia cactus mealybug, Hypogeococcus sp., which is devastating native cacti in Puerto Rico and threatening cacti in the adjacent Caribbean islands. Five species of Encyrtidae (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea) are recorded as primary parasitoids of Hypogeococcus spp., including the newly described Leptomastidea hypogeococci Triapitsyn sp. n., which is the only species of the genus Leptomastidea García Mercet in the New World where the clava of the female antenna is contrastingly white. Genetic analysis of the individuals of L. hypogeococci from Argentina, Brazil, and Puerto Rico (USA) corroborates the morphological data that the same species occurs in South America, the Caribbean islands, and Florida (USA). A key to the New World species of Leptomastidea is given and taxonomic notes are provided on its other known species in the Neotropical region. Leptomastidea antillicola Dozier, syn. n. from Puerto Rico is synonymized under L. abnormis (Girault). Based on the presented molecular data, Anagyrus ciomperliki Triapitsyn syn. n. (Encyrtidae), originally described from Puerto Rico, is synonymized under A. quilmes Triapitsyn, Logarzo & Aguirre, where the known distributional range is expanded to also include Brazil. Anagyrus cachamai Triapitsyn, Logarzo & Aguirre, A. lapachosus Triapitsyn, Aguirre & Logarzo, and A. quilmes are newly recorded from Paraguay. The previously unknown male of Prochiloneurus argentinensis (De Santis) (Encyrtidae) is described from Misiones Province of Argentina, and that of P. narendrani Noyes & Triapitsyn is described from Mona Island, Puerto Rico. So far, Anagyrus cachamai and A. lapachosus are considered to be the primary target species for introduction from Argentina and Paraguay into Puerto Rico for the biological control of Harrisia cactus mealybug. The holotype of Anagyrus tanystis De Santis from Buenos Aires, Argentina, host associations are unknown, and is illustrated to facilitate its recognition from other congeneric species.Fil: Triapitsyn, Serguei V.. University of California; Estados UnidosFil: Aguirre, María Belén. Fundación para el Estudio de Especies Invasivas; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Logarzo, Guillermo Alejandro. Fundación para el Estudio de Especies Invasivas; ArgentinaFil: Hight, Stephen D.. United States Department of Agriculture. Agriculture Research Service; Estados UnidosFil: Ciomperlik, Matthew A.. United States Department of Agriculture. Agriculture Research Service; Estados UnidosFil: Rugman Jones, Paul F.. University of California; Estados UnidosFil: Rodrigues, Jose C. Verle. Universidad de Puerto Rico; Puerto Ric

First screening of bacterial communities of Microdon myrmicae and its ant host: do microbes facilitate the invasion of ant colonies by social parasites?

Abstract Many studies have highlighted how numerous bacteria provide their hosts essential nutrients or protection against pathogens, parasites and predators. Nevertheless, the role of symbiotic microorganisms in the interactions between social insects and their parasites is still poorly known. Microdon (Diptera, Syrphidae) is a peculiar fly genus whose larvae are able to successfully infiltrate ant colonies and feed upon the ant brood. Using high throughput 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing, we provide the first microbiome survey of Mi. myrmicae larvae and larvae and workers of its host, Myrmica scabrinodis, collected from two sites in England. We analyzed the microbiome of the external surface of the cuticle and the internal microbiome of the body separately. The results clearly show that the Mi. myrmicae microbiome significantly differs from that of its host, while no substantial dissimilarity was detected across the microbiome of ant workers and ant larvae. Microdon myrmicae microbiome varies across the two analyzed sites suggesting that bacteria communities of Mi. myrmicae are derived from the environment rather than by horizontal transmission between hosts and parasites. Families Streptococcaceae, Carnobacteriaceae and Rizhobiaceae are dominant in My. scabrinodis, and Spiroplasma is dominant in ant workers. Microbiome of Mi. myrmicae larvae is mainly characterized by the family Anaplasmataceae, with Wolbachia as predominant genus. Interestingly, we found Serratia within both Mi. myrmicae and Myrmica larvae. Bacteria of this genus are known to produce a family of pyrazines commonly involved in ant communication, which could play a role in Microdon/ant interaction

Taxon-specific multiplex-PCR for quick, easy, and accurate identification of encyrtid and aphelinid parasitoid species attacking soft scale insects in California citrus groves

Citricola scale, Coccus pseudomagnoliarum Kuwana (Hemiptera: Coccidae), is a serious pest of citrus in California's San Joaquin Valley, but not in southern California where a complex of Metaphycus spp. Mercet (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) suppress it. This has created interest in using these (and other Metaphycus) species for biological control in the San Joaquin Valley. A critical step in assessing an organism's potential for biological control is the ability to accurately identify it. For Metaphycus spp., this currently requires slide mounted adult specimens and expert taxonomic knowledge. We present a simple, quick and accurate method to identify any life stage of the ten major parasitoids of soft scales in California citrus, based on amplification of ribosomal DNA, using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Three multiplex-PCR protocols amplify products of taxon-specific sizes, allowing direct diagnosis of taxa accommodated by the PCR, and reducing identification time to a fraction of that of existing methods

Egg parasitoids of the tea green leafhopper Empoasca onukii (Hemiptera, Cicadellidae) in Japan, with description of a new species of Anagrus (Hymenoptera, Mymaridae)

Fairyfly (Hymenoptera, Mymaridae) egg parasitoids of the tea green leafhopper Empoasca (Matsumurasca) onukii Matsuda (Hemiptera, Cicadellidae), an economically important pest in Asia of the tea plant, Camellia sinensis, were identified from specimens reared in Japan. Using a combination of genetic and morphological evidence, Anagrus (Anagrus) rugmanjonesi Triapitsyn & Adachi-Hagimori, sp. n., is described and illustrated. It is shown to be different from the most similar A. turpanicus Triapitsyn & Hu, an egg parasitoid of a leafhopper pest of cultivated grapes which is known from Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region in China. Mitochondrial and nuclear ribosomal DNA sequence data provide clear evidence for the separation of A. rugmanjonesi from A. turpanicus and other members of the Anagrus incarnatus Haliday species complex. A key to females of the Japanese species of Anagrus Haliday is given. Two other species of Mymaridae, Arescon enocki (Subba Rao & Kaur) and Stethynium empoascae Subba Rao, are also identified, albeit the latter one only tentatively. Both latter taxa are newly recorded from Japan, and E. onukii represents their new host association

Mechanisms and consequences of post-copulatory sexual selection in the Bruchidae

EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo

Anagrus (Anagrus) bakkendorfi Soyka 1946

<i>Anagrus</i> (<i>Anagrus</i>) <i>bakkendorfi</i> Soyka, 1946 <p>(Figs 1–13)</p> <p> <i>Anagrus armatus</i> var. <i>nigriceps</i> Girault 1915: 276. Type locality: Corvallis, Benton County, Oregon, USA. Lectotype female [USNM], designated by Chiappini <i>et al</i>. (1996: 578), on slide; examined (Chiappini <i>et al</i>. 1996: 578).</p> <p> <i>Anagrus bakkendorfi</i> Soyka 1946: 40. Type locality: Valkenburg, Limburg, the Netherlands. Oldest available replacement name for <i>A. nigriceps</i> Girault 1915: 276 (<i>A. armatus</i> var. <i>nigriceps</i>) <i>nec</i> <i>A. nigriceps</i> (Smits van Burgst 1914: 125–127) (<i>Litus nigriceps</i>). Holotype female [NHMW] on W. Soyka’s slide #340; examined (Chiappini & Triapitsyn 1999: 121).</p> <p> <i>Anagrus latipennis</i> Soyka 1956: 24. Type locality (of the lectotype female on W. Soyka’s slide # 417 in NHMW, effectively designated by Chiappini 1989: 107 [an invalid designation of a holotype]): Jettchenshof [as “Jettchens Hof”; a farm adjacent to the woods, ca. 1 km E of Pisede, ca. 53°46’N 12°46’E, 12 m, formerly in Landkreis Demmin], Malchin, Mecklenburgische Seenplatte, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Germany; examined (Chiappini & Triapitsyn 1999: 121). Synonymy with <i>A. bakkendorfi</i> by Chiappini 1989: 106–107.</p> <p> <i>Anagrus avalae</i> Soyka 1956: 24. Type locality (of the lectotype female on W. Soyka’s slide # 338 in NHMW, effectively designated by Chiappini 1989: 108 [an invalid designation of a holotype]): Mt. Avala, Belgrade, Serbia; Chiappini & Triapitsyn, 1999: 120–124 (then oldest available replacement name for <i>A. nigriceps</i> Girault 1915: 276 (<i>A. armatus</i> var. <i>nigriceps</i>) <i>nec</i> <i>Anagrus nigriceps</i> (Smits van Burgst 1914: 125–127) (<i>Litus nigriceps</i>); examined (Chiappini & Triapitsyn 1999: 120). <b>Syn. n.</b></p> <p> <i>Anagrus arcuatus</i> Soyka 1956: 24. Type locality (of the lectotype female on W. Soyka’s slide # 335 in NHMW, effectively designated by Chiappini 1989: 108 [an invalid designation of a holotype]): Europe (possibly an unspecified locality in Burgenland, Austria because of an abbreviation “Bgld.” on the original label); examined (Chiappini & Triapitsyn 1999: 121). Synonymy with <i>A. avalae</i> by Chiappini & Triapitsyn 1999: 120–124. <b>Syn. n.</b></p> <p> <i>Anagrus valkenburgensis</i> Soyka 1956: 24. Type locality (of the lectotype female on W. Soyka’s slide # 494 in NHMW, effectively designated by Chiappini 1989: 107 [an invalid designation of a holotype]): Valkenburg, Limburg, the Netherlands; examined (Chiappini & Triapitsyn 1999: 121). Synonymy with <i>A. avalae</i> by Chiappini & Triapitsyn 1999: 120–124. <b>Syn. n.</b></p> <p> <i>Anagrus diversicornis</i> Soyka 1956: 24. Type locality (of the lectotype female on W. Soyka’s slide # 362 in NHMW, effectively designated by Chiappini 1989: 108 [an invalid designation of a holotype]): Valkenburg, Limburg, the Netherlands; examined (Chiappini & Triapitsyn 1999: 121). Synonymy with <i>A. avalae</i> by Chiappini 1989: 108. <b>Syn. n.</b></p> <p> <i>Anagrus incarnatus</i> ssp. <i>fuscus</i> Boţoc 1963: 99, figs 5a–5d. Type locality (of the lost type (s), not specified): Cluj-Napoca, Cluj, Romania; not examined. Synonymy with <i>A. bakkendorfi</i> by Triapitsyn & Berezovskiy 2004: 29.</p> <p> <i>Anagrus nigriceps</i>: Burks 1979: 1023 (catalog).</p> <p> <i>Anagrus</i> (<i>Anagrus</i>) <i>bakkendorfi</i>: Chiappini 1989:106–107 (synonymy,redescription, type information); Triapitsyn & Berezovskiy 2004: 29–30 (synonymy, distribution, comments); Triapitsyn 2015: 12 (key), 27 (coded redescription, distribution, hosts), 42 (checklist, synonyms); Triapitsyn <i>et al.</i> 2020b: 568 (distribution).</p> <p> <i>Anagrus</i> (<i>Anagrus</i>) <i>avalae</i>: Chiappini 1989: 108 (synonymy, redescription, type information); Triapitsyn 2001: 282–284 (taxonomic history, identification, distribution and hosts in Australia and New Zealand); Triapitsyn & Berezovskiy 2004: 24–25 (distribution, host associations); Triapitsyn 2015: 12 (key), 27 (coded redescription, distribution, hosts), 41 (checklist, synonyms); Triapitsyn <i>et al.</i> 2019: 89 (molecular voucher), 94, 96 (genetic analysis); Triapitsyn <i>et al.</i> 2020a: 141 (host in Japan); Triapitsyn <i>et al.</i> 2020b: 568 (distribution).</p> <p> <i>Anagrus oregonensis</i> Triapitsyn in Chiappini <i>et al</i>. 1996: 578–579, then replacement name for <i>A. nigriceps</i> Girault 1915: 276 (<i>A. armatus</i> var. <i>nigriceps</i>) <i>nec</i> <i>Anagrus nigriceps</i> (Smits van Burgst 1914: 125–127) (<i>Litus nigriceps</i>); synonymy with <i>A. avalae</i> by Chiappini & Triapitsyn 1999: 120–124. <b>Syn. n.</b></p> <p> <i>Anagrus avalae</i>: Chiappini & Triapitsyn 1999: 120–124 (taxonomic history, synonymy, type information, distribution, redescription of both sexes, illustrations, diagnosis, host associations).</p> <p> <i>Anagrus bakkendorfi</i>: Chiappini & Triapitsyn 1999: 121 (type information including for <i>A. latipennis</i>), 124 (diagnosis, comments).</p> <p> <b>Material examined.</b> NEARCTIC. <b>CANADA.</b> BRITISH COLUMBIA: Oliver, Eggert vineyard (Fairview Cellars winery), collected 5.ii.1999, emerged in Summerland 1.iii.1999, T. Lowery, K. Todd, from leafhopper eggs on wild rose [1 ♀ (Fig. 3), 1 ³ (Fig. 4), UCRC] (identified as <i>A. avalae</i> by S. V. Triapitsyn in 1999). Summerland, PARC Entomological Orchard, collected 1.vii.1999, emerged in 28.vii.1999, T. Lowery, K. Todd, from leafhopper eggs on dogwood [1 ♀, UCRC] (identified as <i>A. avalae</i> by S. V. Triapitsyn in 1999). <b>USA.</b> CALIFORNIA: Alameda County, Albany, Gill Tract, 37°53’09’’N 122°17’58’’W, 10 m, S.H. Wilson, collected 28.viii.2013, emerged 30.viii.2013 from unknown host eggs on an unknown tree [1 ♀, UCRC] (identified as <i>A. avalae</i> by S. V. Triapitsyn in 2014). Mendocino County, Fetzer, 13244 Old River Road, 38°59’22’’N 123°06’15’’W, 153 m, S.H. Wilson, collected 30.viii.2013, emerged 8.ix.2013 from unknown host eggs on alder, <i>Alnus</i> sp. [1 ♀, UCRC] (identified as <i>A. avalae</i> by S. V. Triapitsyn in 2014). Sonoma County, Simi Chalk Hill, 38°38’05’’N 122°45’51’’W, 55 m, S.H. Wilson, from unknown host eggs on alder: collected 7.v.2012, emerged 8.v.2012 [1 ♀, UCRC] (identified as <i>A. avalae</i> by S. V. Triapitsyn in 2013); collected 3.xi.2013, emerged 9.xi.2013 [1 ♀, UCRC] (identified as <i>A. avalae</i> by S. V. Triapitsyn in 2015).</p> <p> PALAEARCTIC. <b>RUSSIA.</b> MOSKOVSKAYA OBLAST’, Pushkinskiy rayon, Pushkino, Mamontovka, E.Ya. Shuvakhina, Malaise trap in garden: 10–20.vii.2000 [1 ♀, UCRC (Fig. 5)]; 20–31.vii.2000 [1 ♀, UCRC] (identified as <i>A. avalae</i> by S. V. Triapitsyn in 2000 and 2002, respectively). PRIMORSKIY KRAY, Ussuriyskiy rayon, Gornotayozhnoye, 43.66°N 132.25°E, 200 m, 21–31.vii.2000, M. V. Michailovskaya, Malaise trap [1 ♀, UCRC] (identified as <i>A. avalae</i> by S. V. Triapitsyn in 2002). <b>SPAIN.</b> NAVARRA, Irati Forest, Iratibizkar, E. Baquero: 1120 m (Malaise trap in <i>Fagus sylvatica</i> forest): 26.vii.2000 [1 ♀, MZNA], 10.viii.2000 [1 ♀, MZNA], 23.viii.2000 [11 ♀, MZNA; 5 ♀, UCRC (Fig. 1)], 7.ix.2000 [1 ³, UCRC (Fig. 2)] (identified as <i>A. bakkendorfi</i> by S. V. Triapitsyn in 2004 except for 6 females in MZNA, collected 23.viii.2000, identified by S. V. Triapitsyn in 2004 as <i>A. avalae</i>); 42.970669°N 1.114398°W, 1154 m, 4.ix.2020, E. Baquero, yellow pan traps [3 ♀, MZNA (2, including molecular voucher PR20-511, UCRC _ ENT 00541253), UCRC (1, molecular voucher PR20-512, UCRC _ ENT 00541252)] (identified as <i>A. bakkendorfi</i> by E. Baquero and S. V. Triapitsyn in 2020). <b>UNITED KINGDOM.</b> ENGLAND: Kent County, Sevenoaks, viii.2014, A. Polaszek, yellow pan traps in garden [1 ♀, UCRC, molecular voucher PR15-026, UCRC ENT 311795] (identified as <i>A. avalae</i> by S. V. Triapitsyn in 2015). Surrey County, Woking, 25.vi.1885, F. Enock [1 ♀, MMUE] (on F. Enock’s slide #1332, labeled with his manuscript name “ <i>Anagrus molsoni</i> ”) (identified as <i>A. avalae</i> by S. V. Triapitsyn in 2014).</p> <p> <b>Updated diagnosis.</b> FEMALE. Body color variable, from yellow or light brown except a darker anterior part of mesoscutum, to brown or dark brown except for pale frenum (Figs 1, 3, 5). Antennal funicle with multiporous plate sensilla on F3 (0 or 1) (absent from examined specimens with longer ovipositors that key to <i>A. bakkendorfi</i> in Triapitsyn 2015, Figs 7, 8), F4 (1), F5 (0 (Fig. 8) or 1 (Fig. 7)), F6 (1 or 2). Fore wing (Fig. 9) with 2 rows of setae behind and just beyond apex of venation. Ovipositor (Figs 6, 10–13) of variable length and extent of projection beyond gastral apex, 1.9–3.3× as long as protibia. Otherwise as redescribed by Chiappini & Triapitsyn (1999) for <i>A. avalae</i> and by Triapitsyn (2015) for both <i>A. avalae</i> and <i>A. bakkendorfi</i>.</p> <p> MALE. As described and illustrated for <i>A. avalae</i> by Chiappini & Triapitsyn (1999). Body often notably darker (Figs 2, 4) than for some lighter colored females (Figs 1, 3).</p> <p> <b>Distribution.</b> PALAEARCTIC (? Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iran, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom), AUSTRALASIAN (Australia, New Zealand), NEARCTIC (Canada, USA) (Triapitsyn 2015; Triapitsyn <i>et al.</i> 2020b [also as <i>A. avalae</i>]), and possibly NEOTROPICAL (Chile), according to an unconfirmed record of <i>Anagrus armatus nigriceps</i> Girault by Guilleminot & Apablaza (1986), although this record far more likely results from a misidentification.</p> <p> Almost certainly unintentionally introduced from Europe to Australia and New Zealand (Triapitsyn 2001 [as <i>A. avalae</i>]). It is unclear if its occurrence in the Nearctic region is due to its apparent natural Holarctic distribution or an accidental introduction from Europe; we would guess the latter scenario is more likely because in western North America this species is almost exclusively collected in agricultural and garden environments, which have not been well sampled in the eastern Nearctic region.</p> <p> <b>Hosts.</b> Various Cicadellidae (Hemiptera) listed for <i>A. avalae</i> by Chiappini & Triapitsyn (1999), Triapitsyn (2001), Triapitsyn & Berezovskiy (2004), and Triapitsyn <i>et al.</i> (2020a).</p> <p> <b>Remarks.</b> As expected, based on the morphological predictive assessment (Chiappini & Triapitsyn 1999; Triapitsyn & Berezovskiy 2004), specimens PR20-511 and PR20-512 identified as <i>A. bakkendorfi</i>, in which the ovipositor is 3.0× and 3.3× the length of the protibia, respectively, were found to be genetically very similar to the specimen PR15-026 identified as <i>A. avalae</i>, in which the ovipositor is 2.1× the length of the protibia. Sequences of the nuclear ribosomal ITS2 gene from specimens PR20-511 and PR20-512 (GenBank accessions MW633070 and MW633071, respectively) were the same length (+/- 1bp) as three cloned sequences previously obtained from PR15-026 (MK024915 –17), and were 98.7–99.6% similar, with no consistent substitutions present. Those of the mitochondrial COI gene (MW633277 and MW633278) bore 95.9 % similarity with the single COI sequence from PR15-026 (MK024808). Taken together, these levels of similarity are a strong indication of conspecificity, hence the here proposed synonymy of <i>A. avalae</i> (and its synonyms) with <i>A. bakkendorfi</i>. This corroborates the recent finding that in females of some <i>Anagrus</i> Haliday species, such as <i>A.</i> (<i>Anagrus</i>) <i>atomus</i> (L.), intraspecific variability of the relative length of the ovipositor can be far more pronounced than previously recognized (Triapitsyn <i>et al.</i> 2020c), so by itself it should not be used as the sole species defining feature.</p>Published as part of <i>Triapitsyn, Serguei V., Baquero, Enrique & Rugman-Jones, Paul F., 2021, Anagrus avalae Soyka, 1956, a new synonym of A. bakkendorfi Soyka, 1946 (Hymenoptera: Mymaridae), pp. 594-600 in Zootaxa 4941 (4)</i> on pages 595-599, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4941.4.9, <a href="http://zenodo.org/record/4595775">http://zenodo.org/record/4595775</a&gt

Mitochondrial DNA Variation Among Populations of Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) From Pakistan.

The Red Palm Weevil (RPW) Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Olivier) is a voracious pest of palm species. In recent decades its range has expanded greatly, particularly impacting the date palm industry in the Middle East. This has led to conjecture regarding the origins of invasive RPW populations. For example, in parts of the Middle East, RPW is commonly referred to as the "Pakistani weevil" in the belief that it originated there. We sought evidence to support or refute this belief. First reports of RPW in Pakistan were from the Punjab region in 1918, but it is unknown whether it is native or invasive there. We estimated genetic variation across five populations of RPW from two provinces of Pakistan, using sequences of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I gene. Four haplotypes were detected; two (H1 and H5) were abundant, accounting for 88% of specimens across the sampled populations, and were previously known from the Middle East. The remaining haplotypes (H51 and H52) were newly detected (in global terms) and there was no geographic overlap in their distribution within Pakistan. Levels of haplotype diversity were much lower than those previously recorded in accepted parts of the native range of RPW, suggesting that the weevil may be invasive in Pakistan. The affinity of Pakistani haplotypes to those reported from India (and the geographical proximity of the two countries), make the latter a likely "native" source. With regards the validity of the name "Pakistani weevil", we found little genetic evidence to justify it