Morphological and Spatial Diversity of the Discal Spot on the Hindwings of Nymphalid Butterflies: Revision of the Nymphalid Groundplan

Diverse butterfly wing color patterns are understood through the nymphalid groundplan, which mainly consists of central, border, and basal symmetry systems and a discal spot. However, the status of the discal spot remains unexplored. Here, the morphological and spatial diversity of the discal spot was studied in nymphalid hindwings. The discal spot is expressed as a small or narrow spot, a pair of parallel bands, a diamond or oval structure, a large dark spot, a few fragmented spots, or a white structure. In some cases, the discal spot is morphologically similar to and integrated with the central symmetry system (CSS). The discal spot is always located in a distal portion of the discal cell defined by the wing veins, which is sandwiched by the distal and proximal bands of the CSS (dBC and pBC) and is rarely occupied by border ocelli. The CSS occasionally has the central band (cBC), which differs from the discal spot. These results suggest that the discal spot is an independent and diverse miniature symmetry system nested within the CSS and that the locations of the discal spot and the CSS are determined by the wing veins at the early stage of wing development.

A new species of Mathania Oberthür, 1890 from Peru (Lepidoptera, Pieridae)

A new species of the genus Mathania Oberthür, 1890, M. hughesi Lamas, Farfán & Cerdeña, sp. n. is described from the southwestern slopes of the Andes of Peru, associated with xerophytic environments, between 2300 and 3500 m elevation. This new species is distinguishable from its congeners by the following external character: a black band on forewing dorsal surface at the end of the discal cell, extending from the costal margin to the base of cell M3-CuA1. Adults and male and female genitalia are illustrated and compared to other species of Mathania. In addition, we report Ligaria cuneifolia (R. et P.) Tiegh. (Loranthaceae) as host plant of M. hughesi.

Analysis of some morphological characters of Elzunia Bryk, 1937 (Nymphalidae: Danainae: Ithomiini) results in a revised classification

We propose a revised classification for the genus Elzunia Bryk, 1937, with four species and 20 subspecies. We describe two new subspecies, Elzunia humboldt carlosi Le Crom and Llorente, ssp. nov., and Elzunia humboldt willmotti Le Crom, Llorente and Andrade, ssp. nov. We recognize five additional unnamed subspecies but do not describe them because they are represented by too little material. A detailed examination of 854 specimens from 31 collections allowed us to define 24 stable phenotypes and delimit their geographic distribution. We present a diagnosis and description for each taxon and provide images of the wing coloration pattern and male genitalia, and a distribution map. We also present a key for all the species and subspecies. We conducted a multivariate statistical analysis of measurements of the discal cell (DC) veins, and with this we explore the species groupings by these characters. Lastly, we discuss mimetic interactions of this genus with species of other Ithomiini and Heliconiinae.

Cretevania bechlyi sp. nov., from Cretaceous Burmese amber (Hymenoptera: Evaniidae)

The fossil evaniid wasp Cretevania bechlyi sp. nov., is described based on a well preserved female specimen from Creta-ceous Burmese amber. The new species is placed in the genus Cretevania Rasnitsyn, 1975 based on the elongation of the mid and hind trochantellus, the fore wing venation (e.g. first marginal cell triangular and broad, 2m-cu absent, second sub-marginal cell separated from first discal cell), the shape of the petiole (subcylindrical with distal extension) and other dis-tinct morphological features. Cretevania bechlyi sp. nov. differs from all previously described species in having just 10 flagellomeres (11 in other members of the genus) and in the presence of notauli (absent in other species). The new species represents the first species of Cretevania from Burmese amber and significantly expands the known morphological diver-sity of Mesozoic Evaniidae.

First female and new species of Phaenicocleus (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Enicocephalidae) from Sabah and a key to genera of Enicocephalidae without forewing basal cell

A new species of Enicocephalidae: Enicocephalinae, Phaenicocleus granulosus sp. n. (based on a female), is described from Sabah and compared with the other three species of the genus (based on males). Autapomorphies of the genus (particularly reduced armature of fore tibia and tarsus, interrupted posterior claval vein AA3+4, striking occurrence of large setigerous tubercles the latter shared with Australian Usingeriella) are stressed and partly discussed. A new key to genera of Enicocephalidae with forewing basal cell absent and closed discal cell present is provided.

Two new species of the genus Apolysis (Apolysini, Bombyliidae, Diptera) from the north of Iran

Two new species of the genus Apolysis, A. glabrifrons sp. nov. and A. pusilloides sp. nov. are described from the north of Iran. These species belong to a group of eleven Palaearctic species with a closed discal cell. A key for identifying species of Apolysis in Iran is provided. Species of the genus Apolysis with a closed discal cell in Palaearctic region and the presence of a complex of species within it are briefly discussed.

New genus of Enicocephalinae (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Enicocephalomorpha) from Sabah based on three new species

A new genus and three new species of Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Enicocephalomorpha: Enicocephalidae: Enicocephalinae are described from Malaysia: Sabah, viz. Phaenicocleus n. gen. sabahensis n. sp. (type species), P. schwendingeri n. sp. and P. minor n. sp. (all species male-based). The new genus is macropterous and belongs to that group of Enicocephalinae characterized by presence of large, closed discal cell and absence of basal cell in forewing. The species are distinct in the character states of the median of pronotum, shape of unpaired sclerite of the pro-eusternum, and shape and length of a median keel of meta-eusternum – these are characters previously unemployed as diagnostic in the Enicocephalidae.

Trichoceridae (Dipt.) from the Baltic Amber

Several amber collections have been surveyed for Trichoceridae and the two specimens, one male and one female, mentioned by Loew (I850:37) are here described under separate species in a new genus, Oligotrichocera. The systematic position of the family within the Tipuloidea is stressed. The characters for generic assignment in the subfamily Trichocerinae are tabulated. Some wing vein characters, such as the shape of the discal cell (IstM2), the position of sc1 and sc2, and the variation in the medial field are discussed in relation to fossils of tipulid stock and the wing venation of Kawasemyia. The rarity of trichocerids in Baltic amber may not merely be accidental, since the occurrence of adults may not have coincided with the highest amber production during the annual temperature cycle.