Microarcsecond instability of the celestial reference frame

The fluctuation of the angular positions of reference extragalactic radio and optical sources under the influence of the irregular gravitational field of visible Galactic stars is considered. It is shown that these angular fluctuations range from a few up to hundreds of microarcseconds. This leads to a small rotation of the celestial reference frame. The nondiagonal coefficients of the rotation matrix are of the order of a microarcsecond. The temporal variation of these coefficients due to the proper motion of the foreground stars is of the order of one microsecond per 20 years. Therefore, the celestial reference frame can be considered inertial and homogeneous only to microarcsecond accuracy. Astrometric catalogues with microarcsecond accuracy will be unstable, and must be reestablished every 20 years.Comment: 5 pages, 2 figures, accepted to MNRA

Origin of grapevine varieties in Crimea and Vitis vinifera subsp. sylvestris classification

Research Not

First record of Pseudohadena argyllostigma (Varga & Ronkay, 1991) for Kazakhstan, with a catalogue of the genus Pseudohadena alphéraky, 1889 of Kazakhstan (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae)

A poorly-known noctuid species Pseudohadena argyllostigma (Varga & Ronkay, 1991) is recorded from North-East Kazakhstan. This is one of the few records of the species since its description, and the first from Kazakhstan. The adults, male and female genitalia and habitat of the species are illustrated, the check-list of species of the genus Pseudohadena Alphéraky, 1889 of Kazakhstan is presented

Description of female of Thargelia leucostigma Varga & L. Ronkay, 1991 with new data on distribution of the species (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

The paper contains description of a female of the poorly known Noctuidae species Thargelia leucostigma Varga & L. Ronkay, 1991 described from South Mongolia. The species is reported for Kazakhstan (Zaisan Depression) for the first time. Populations from SW Mongolia and East Kazakhstan were compared by COI sequences, and have no molecular differences. COI sequence of the species is presented. The map of known localities of the species is presented, adults, male and female genitalia, habitat and adults in nature are illustrated

New data on eastern limits of ranges of Egira anatolica (M. Hering, 1933) and Egira conspicillaris (Linnaeus, 1758) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

The paper contains new data on the easternmost limits of distribution of the noctuid species Egira anatolica (M. Hering, 1933) and Egira conspicillaris (Linnaeus, 1758). E. anatolica was found in eastern and northeastern Kazakhstan for the first time. Known eastern borders of the range of another Egira species, E. conspicillaris (Linnaeus, 1758) are corrected, in addition, the species is reported for Transcaucasia (Georgia) for the first time. The map of collecting localities of E. anatolica is presented, adults and male and female genitalia are illustrated

Check list of noctuid moths (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae and Erebidae excluding Lymantriinae and Arctiinae) from the Saur mountains (East Kazakhstan and North-East China)

The paper contains data on the fauna of the Lepidoptera families Erebidae (excluding subfamilies Lymantriinae and Arctiinae) and Noctuidae of the Saur Mountains (East Kazakhstan). The check list includes 217 species. The map of collecting localities is presented

Lithophane furcifera (Hufnagel, 1766) in Northeastern Kazakhstan (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae)

A West Palaearctic noctuid species Lithophane furcifera (Hufnagel, 1766) is reported from North-East Kazakhstan. This record is a first find of the species in Kazakhstan as well as the easternmost confirmed locality. The distribution of the species in eastern limits of its range is directly related to the distribution of its hostplants, species of the genus Alnus. The adults, male and female genitalia are illustrated

Evaluation of interspecific populations of grapevine in breeding for complex resistance to fungal diseases and phylloxera

Roentgenoscopy was used as a method to determine the quality of hybrid seeds and to predict the development of viable plants from interspecific hybridization. The seeds were grouped into five classes of quality (embryo classes) depending on embryo size and degree of endosperm development As the index number of a class increased, the proportion of plantlets and vigorous plants produced also increased. In order to evaluate genotypic peculiarities of the original forms and seedlings, the seedlings were studied at the juvenile stage of ontogeny. Analysis of development of the hybrids studied during 5-6 years under conditions of complex infection pressure at a special planting site made it possible to evaluate the degree of their resistance to phylloxera, pathogenic soil microflora and fungal diseases and to eliminate susceptible genotypes. The heritability of resistance to fungal diseases (mildew, oidium, grey rot) and phylloxera was studied, conclusions were made concerning the combining ability of the original forms, and these forms were evaluated as donors of the desirable characters. Using transgressive resistant hybrids as donors in backcrossing provided improved quality with a broad range of resistance variability, which made it possible to select promising genotypes

Lepidoptera (Insecta) of proposed specially protected natural area "Belokurikha nature park" (Northern Altai). First results

149 Lepidoptera species from 16 families were reported for the territory of the proposed protected area "Belokurikha Natural Park". This list is the primary data on the fauna of Lepidoptera in the region. Most of the species belongs to Euro-Siberian and Transpalaearctic groups

CHECK LIST OF NOCTUID MOTH (LEPIDOPTERA: NOCTUIDAE AND EREBIDAE EXCLUDING LYMANTRIINAE AND ARCTIINAE) FROM THE SAUR MOUNTAINS (EAST KAZAKHSTAN AND NORTH-EAST CHINA)

The paper contains data on the fauna of the Lepidoptera families Erebidae (excluding subfamilies Lymantriinae and Arctiinae) and Noctuidae of the Saur Mountains (East Kazakhstan). The check list includes 217 species. The map of collecting localities is presented