ABSTRACT We report for the first time a tritrophic relationship (host-parasitoid-hyperparasitoid) among Conocephalus saltator (Sausurre, 1859) (Orthoptera, Tettigoniidae), Ormia cfr. crespoi Tavares, 1965 (Diptera, Tachinidae), and Perilampus sp. (Hymenoptera, Perilampidae). Specimens of C. saltator were collected at the Parque Nacional do Iguaçu (Foz do Iguaçu, Paraná, Brazil) and reared in the laboratory, in order to detect eventual parasitoids. We collected and reared 904 katydids, with 113 of them parasitized, producing 123 fly puparia, and 18 puparia that developed to adults of Ormia cfr. crespoi. We also recorded the emergence of four hyperparasitoid wasps, Perilampus sp., from the fly puparia. hostparasitoidhyperparasitoid host parasitoid (host-parasitoid-hyperparasitoid Sausurre, Sausurre (Sausurre 1859 Orthoptera, Orthoptera (Orthoptera Tettigoniidae, Tettigoniidae , Tettigoniidae) cfr Tavares 196 Diptera, Diptera (Diptera Tachinidae, Tachinidae Tachinidae) sp Hymenoptera, Hymenoptera (Hymenoptera Perilampidae. Perilampidae . Perilampidae) C Foz Paraná Brazil laboratory parasitoids 90 katydids 11 parasitized 12 1 wasps 185 19 9

Abstract In the Neotropical Region, Phlugidini is the most diverse tribe of Meconematinae, with 62 valid species in 10 genera, six of them recorded from Brazil. Brachyphlugis gen. nov. is described herein based on two new species, Brachyphlugis longicercalis sp. nov. (type species) and Brachyphlugis curvata sp. nov., collected in Parque Nacional do Itatiaia and Reserva Biológica do Tinguá, both in the Atlantic Forest of Rio de Janeiro State. The new genus is most similar to Neophlugis, but it can be distinguished from the latter and other neotropical Phlugidini by the following combination of characteristics: (1) mandibles symmetrical; (2) tegmen extending beyond metanotum; (3) pronotal disk posterior margin convex; (4) tenth tergite strongly projected and downcurved; (5) male cercus pronounced with a larger base and acuminate apex; (6) paraproct modified with developed spine; (7) male subgenital plate with two distolateral projections connected to a pair of styles; and (8) female subgenital plate wider than long, posterior margin with two projections. An up-to-date key to neotropical Phlugidini genera is also provided. Region Meconematinae 6 1 Brazil gen nov sp type Tinguá State Neophlugis characteristics (1 symmetrical 2 (2 metanotum 3 (3 convex 4 (4 downcurved 5 (5 apex (6 spine 7 (7 styles 8 (8 long uptodate up date provided (

Plangia gramínea, locally known as a katydid or "krompokkel", is a minor pest of vineyards in the Western Cape province of South Africa. It feeds on leaves, and sporadically on the skin of grapevine berries. Under natural conditions, katydids are not of much agricultural importance, but pest outbreaks during favourable conditions can result in significant foliar damage. Observations indicate an increase in katydid abundance and damage intensity in recent years. Currently, no agrochemicals are registered for the control of this species, and its present natural enemies are unlikely to provide sufficient control without augmentation. In this study, 12 entomopathogenic nematode (EPN) species were evaluated against the nymphs of Plangia graminea in laboratory bioassays, and mortality by infection was investigated. Seven locally occurring nematode species achieved significant mortality, with H. zealandica, H. indica, S. jeffreyense and S. yirgalemense being found to perform the best (> 90% mortality).

Abstract Here we describe a new katydid species, Phylloptera jaci sp. nov., from the Iguaçu National Park, a large Atlantic Forest protected remnant in southern Brazil. This is the first record of a species of Phylloptera of the picta species group both for Brazil and the Atlantic Forest. We also designate the lectotype for Phylloptera picta, from Peru, and present a complementary description of this species. An occurrence map for the species of Phylloptera of the picta species group are also presented.

Resumen Objetivo: Determinar el grado de variación de los componentes estructurales de la tegmina izquierda en relación a la tegmina derecha, y como es el patrón de variación de estos dentro y entre taxones de Tettigoniidae. Métodos: Se disecaron 192 especímenes provenientes de la Región Andina colombiana, la Amazonia y la Floresta Atlántica brasilera. Las tegminas fueron fotografiadas y sobre ellas se localizaron seis puntos anatómicos, los cuales fueron usados para realizar los análisis morfométricos ANOVA Procrustes y componentes principales obtenidos de las matrices de las covarianzas del efecto simétrico y asimétrico. Resultados: La asimetría es altamente significativa tanto en la superfamilia como en las subfamilias. Sin embargo, la diferenciación de grupo por lado fue significativa para la familia y también dentro de las subfamilias, con excepción de Pseudophyllinae. Conclusiones: cada subfamilia y la mayoría de las tribus estudiadas presentan patrones morfológicos específicos que pueden ser incluso utilizados como caracteres taxonómicos.

Abstract Objective: to determine the degree of variation of the structural components of the left tegmina in relation to the right tegmina, and how their pattern of variation is within and among taxa of Tettigoniidae. Methods: A total of 192 specimens from the Colombian Andean Region, the Amazon, and the Brazilian Atlantic Forest were dissected. Th e tegminas were photographed and six anatomical points were located on them, which were used to perform ANOVA Procrustes morphometric analyzes and main components obtained from the matrices of the covariance of the symmetric and asymmetric effect. Results: Asymmetry is highly significant both for the superfamily and the subfamilies level. However, the group differentiation by side was very significant for the family and in the subfamilies except for Pseudophyllinae. Conclusions: Each subfamily and most of the tribes studied present specific morphological patterns that can even be used as taxonomic characters.

Abstract Four subfamilies, 17 genera and 22 species of Tettigoniidae are reported; of these, 11 are new records for the state of Hidalgo. The Shannon index showed that the study area presents a high and uniform diversity: Oak Forest (BE) H'= 2.78, Rain Forest (SM) H'= 2.23 and Mountain Cloud Forest (BMM) H'= 2.13. The subfamily Phaneropterinae showed the highest abundance (N) with 103 individuals, representing 53% of the total collected specimens (195). This subfamily also showed the highest richness (S) with 67% (14 taxa) of the total species (22) collected. The Sorensen index, modified by Bray Curtis showed that similarity in the faunal composition between the ecosystems is as follows: BE-SM (0.36), SM-BMM (0.49) and BMM-BE (0.33). The Morisita-Horn Index resulted in a similarity of 77% between BE-SM, 62% between SM-BMM and 76% between BE-BMM. Both, N and S showed a negative relationship in reference to the elevational gradient, which occurs in other insect groups.

Resumen Se reportan cuatro subfamilias, 17 géneros y 22 especies de Tettigoniidae; de éstos, 11 son nuevos registros para el Estado de Hidalgo. El índice de Shannon mostró que el área de estudio presenta una diversidad elevada y uniforme: Bosque de Encino (BE) H´=2.78, Selva Media (SM) H´=2.23 y Bosque Mesófilo de Montaña (BMM) H´=2.13. La subfamilia Phaneropterinae mostró la mayor abundancia (N) con 103 individuos, que representan el 53% del total de ejemplares recolectados (195). Esta subfamilia mostró también la mayor riqueza (S) con 67% (14 taxa) del total de especies (22) recolectadas. El índice de Sorensen, modificado por Bray Curtis mostró que la similitud en la composición faunística entre los ecosistemas es la siguiente: BE-SM (0.36), SM-BMM (0.49) y BMM-BE (0.33). El Índice de Morisita-Horn dio como resultado una similitud de 77 % entre BE-SM, 62 % entre SM-BMM y 76 % entre BE-BMM. Tanto N como S mostraron una relación negativa en referencia al gradiente altitudinal, lo cual ocurre en otros grupos de insectos.

Los machos de Tettigoniidae producen sonido frotando las alas anteriores para atraer a sus hembras coespecíficas con fines reproductivos (mecanismo conocido como estridulación). Un borde esclerotizado (o raspador) en el ala derecha es frotado sobre una vena modificada con dientecillos en el ala izquierda. Durante la estridulación las alas abren y cierran, pero es durante el cierre que el raspador contacta los dientecillos de la lima y produce vibraciones que son amplificadas por celdas adyacentes especializadas para radiar sonido. Sonidos que superen los 20 000Hz, se consideran ultrasónicos, en los Tettigoniidae, la mayoría de los cantos superan el umbral sónico y pueden ocurrir a más de 40 000Hz, con casos extremos de hasta 148 000Hz. La esencia de este trabajo es el estudio de esta gama espectacular de frecuencias de la familia Tettigoniidae y su relación con la distribución vertical de los individuos en las especies que habitan en Gorgona. Se muestrearon 16 árboles a cuatro niveles diferentes de altitud entre 1 y ~20m sobre el sotobosque, instalando sabanas colectoras a intervalos de 4-5m. Los insectos se colectaron mediante el método de nebulización térmica. El análisis indica que no hay correlación entre la distribución vertical de las especies y la frecuencia del canto. Sin embargo se observó una preferencia por espacios abiertos en especies que cantan a frecuencias extremas. Este estudio representa la primera descripción cuantitativa de la distribución vertical de Tettigoniidae Neotropicales y su relación con la frecuencia del canto.

Male Tettigoniidae emit sound to attract conspecific females. The sound is produced by stridulation. During stridulation the forewings open and close, but it is during the closing stroke that the scraper contacts the file teeth to generate the predominant sound components, which are amplified by adjacent wing cells specialized in sound radiation. The sounds usually exceed the sonic boundary and might occur above 40 kHz, reaching extreme ultrasonic frequencies of 150kHz in some species. Here we test the hypothesis that Tettigoniidae species should prefer microhabitats that favour efficient signal transmission, i.e. that there is a relationship of sound frequency with the vertical distribution of the species (from ground to canopy) at Gorgona National Natural Park, Colombia. We sampled 16 trees and four different altitudinal levels between 1 and 20m above the understory vegetation. We placed collecting blankets separated by vertical distances of 5m, and knocked insects down using the technique known as fogging. We found no correlation between vertical distribution and carrier frequency, but there was a preference for open spaces (below the canopy and above the understory) in species using extreme ultrasound. This is the first quantitative description of the vertical distribution in neotropical species of the family Tettigoniidae and its relationship to the calling song frequency. Rev. Biol. Trop. 62 (Suppl. 1): 289-296. Epub 2014 February 01.

The species Aphractus acuminatus Brunner von Wattenwyl, 1895 is redescribed. The male, eggs, spermateca, spermatophore, and defense strategy are described for the first time. Geographical distribution is presented and genital morphology is discussed.

Se redescribe la especie Aphractus acuminatus Brunner von Wattenwyl, 1895. Se describen por primera vez el macho, el huevo, la espermateca, el espermatóforo y la estrategia de defensa. Se presenta la distribución geográfica y se discute la morfología genital.