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Insect Taxonomy - Science topic
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Questions related to Insect Taxonomy
I have three field margin types (grassy/shrubby/tree) and each type have 5 sites. I need to calculate Shannon index for insect counts from each field margin type....
Q1. In my case how should I calculate Shannon index? Should I calculate first for each sites and giving their mean in my table(refer attachment) or neglecting the sites and taking the total count among each field margin types to calculate Shannon index.. Which one will be the perfect?
Q2. And also I need to test the statistical significance of Shannon index between various field margin types.. which test will be best to compare Shannon indices?
Please refer my attached table to get idea of what I need exactly.
Thank you very much
All having characteristic of Dermacentor marginatus e.g., palp articles 2 posterior spur length is short on the dorsal surface.
Dear all, could someone help me to identify this species ? (photos)
It is a weevil that causes damage to our sweet potatoes in the field.
Thanks
Dear colleagues
A colleague photographed and preserved this single specimen in ethanol 96%. It is collected in a small freshwater lake in the Netherlands. We think it belongs to the genus Prostoma. Can anybody confirm our ID? and would somebody be interested in this material for DNA analysis?
Thanks
About 5 years ago,I found one Gomphus species that had a intermediate position between some other described Gomphus species. Some characters of this species are resemble to Gomphus simillimus, G. schneideri, G. kinzelbachi, or even G. vulgatissimus.
If anyone have a idea about this species or is a expert person can help me. Compare plate with resemble species is attached.
My research topic is to explore the biogeograpgic patterns of species richness of insects. I have the regional richness data of all insects and different orders from many locations. It's well known that insects include c. 30 orders with different numbers of species and phylogenies. I want to group different insect orders into several groups, and make a clear description of their diversity patterns. The problem is in grouping different insect orders into several groups.
I'm also looking for someone interested in this project. Please contact me if you want to join me.
A friend is sending me 15 Blattidae sp. "African Bullet" roaches so that I can formally ID them and publish the species description in a scientific paper. The roaches originate from a domestic colony- founding members were collected from a log at the base of Mt. Kilimanjaro. This species has been commonly misidentified as Bantua robusta.
This is my first time writing a species description paper. Does anyone have links to existing papers that would make good examples/templates for my paper? Or advice that I could use when going about this project?
I have the details about exactly how I will perform my dissections more or less straightened out. What I am less familiar with is the process of writing the paper, and exactly what information is usually included in these papers.
Unfortunately I am in a situation where I do not have the strength to leave my house due to an infection with a serious case of late-stage Lyme disease + co-infections. I figured this might be an important factor to mention.
I am hoping to write this paper as a sort of "screw you" to my disease, and so I can continue to make progress even while I cannot attend college. Any help that anyone could offer would be incredibly valuable, and I thank you in advance!
I am interested in the size of Lepidoptera (moths and butterflies) and would like to know what is the smallest known species of this group of insects. It is probably a Nepticulidae (pigmy moths). The species in my figure below (unidentified) measures about 4 mm with the wings spread, and its dry body weight was 0.3 micrograms (0.03 mg).
We are generally more impressed by the higher figures (the oldest tree, the heaviest vertebrate…) than by the minima. Thus for instance one can read about the largest moths (Thysannia, Attacus: http://entnemdept.ifas.ufl.edu/walker/ufbir/index.shtml). However 'smallness' has interesting biological implications (see the recent book by A. Polilov 'At the Size Limit - Effects of Miniaturization in Insects'). I have seen descriptions of other nepticulids in the same range of size as 'my' species (around 4 mm: Dooren weerd et al.: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/syen.12212/full). Perhaps there are slightly smaller European species (some Stigmella spp., e.g.: http://lepiforum.de/lepiwiki.pl?Stigmella_Magdalenae).
So, does anybody know of any moth smaller than 3.5 / 4.0 mm?
Thanks!
These mites were found on strawberry plants (Belgium). Anybody an idea of the Family or Superfamily? Or recommended keys of mesostigmata?
Based on the many publications from several decades, we came across many classifications of Insects. Among them which one is more updated and approved classification that can be used for research, academics and teaching purpose?
Thank you.....
On July 20, 2020 at 2 p.m., 20 days before his eightieth birthday, the heart of Andrey Lvovich Lobanov stopped beating.
ANDREY LVOVICH LOBANOV - Leading Researcher of the Laboratory of Insect Taxonomy, Candidate of Biological Sciences, founder and permanent editor and webmaster of the supersite "Beetles (Coleoptera) and Coleopterologists".
I have a problem confirming some specimens which identified as B. neocognata using the Dorsalis CD-ROM however the costal bands of my specimens are confluent R+3. In many references such as Dorsalis CD-ROM, Drew & Hancock, 1994, and Drew & Romig, 2013, it's written that B. neocognata costal band is overlapping or slightly overlapping R2+3. Is there any chance of B. neocognata with costal band confluent to R+3?
Thank you very much.
The insect was sighted in Mbarara - Uganda (Tropical Climate).
Coordinates of region sighted: 0.6072° S, 30.6545° E.
Feeding: The insect seems to be a pest preferring spicy vegetables and plants such as Rosemary (Salvia Rosmarinus), Spinach (Spinacia oleracea), Vegetable-Dodo (amaranth), & mint species.
Observable traits (see photographs attached): 3 pairs of Legs, a pair of short antennae (2 – 5 mm), no pronounced wing growth, and exo-skelton or outer cuticle soft to the touch.
This Amegilla bee was observed foraging on small plant in suburban area of south Punjab, Pakistan. Will you please help me to identify its species? South Punjab climate is mostly hot and arid with annual precipitation of about 100-150 mm.
Despite of its economic importance little seems to be known about the development of the frequency of Hylotrupes bajulus (European House borer, house longhorn beetle, old house borer). In the fantastic study of Lindhe et al. (2010) evidence for a dramatic decline of the beetle in the last 100 years in Sweden was presented. A questionnaire returned by 104 experts allows the estimation of a similar decline in Germany (to be published 2016 or 2017). Does anybody know of data or estimates for other countries? Even a simple statement of your personal estimation of the development of Hylotrupes in your own country would be helpful. Thank you
Lindhe, A.; Jeppsson, T.; Ehnström, B. (2010): Longhorn beetles in Sweden - changes in distribution and abundance over the last two hundred years. Entomologisk Tidskrift 2010 Vol. 131 No. 4 pp. 241-508. ISSN 0013-886X .
All these moths (Family Erebidae) were photographed from Bhutan. About 140 species were photographed, of which around 120 has been identified. I am looking for a person who can help me to authenticate my identifications and suggest ID for the remaining unidentified species. (Unfortunately, all the moths are in photographs as the voucher collection in Bhutan is illegal)
Applied entomology, Research work, PhD project
I found these insect pests on the Sal (Shorea robusta) trees. I found these trees were dying due to an unknown pest. I found these two pest only on the affected trees. These does not seem to be Sal borers are they? Can anybody identify these pests for me please?
Thanks in advance
+1
A recent analysis made on Cerambycids sold by a local seller as collected in "Saraburi" during the late 80s years revealed that they are all Malayan or even Bornean species.
Moreover, the collection dates correspond to a season where no insect can be found on flowers in southern Thailand.
The "impossibility" to find such species in Saraburi is confirmed by the fact that Chrysomelidae collected in Saraburi in the 50s years (Kimoto & Gressitt, 1979; 1981) does not include Bornean species, but only Indo-Chinese ones.
This problem concerns many species recorded as new for Thailand and even new species, whose original locality is "Saraburi".
The same problem can also concern all other group of insects subject to commercial trade, with patent biogeographic and/or taxonomic dramatic consequences..
Do you have further informations?
We have as many as 6000 samples of insects (dragonfly, grasshoppers, moth, butterfly, beetles) in our insectarium. We are looking for collaboration to identify and publish them.
During my field studies of water- and saproxylic- Coleoptera of Serbia I regularly use some non selective methods for attracting and collecting beetles (light traps, baited traps, pitfall traps…). Usually I separate all beetles from samples, including the representatives of families that I am not interested. The separated material I conserve and pack; mainly in paper cylinders but also in 70% alcohol. Over time, a large number of individuals and species (Carabidae, Staphylinidae, Aphodidae etc…) were accumulated. I am ready to provide this material to interested researches for further study. In return, I am not asking for anything. Only the list of identified species for my database.
This green metallic bug with red abdomen was found on Coffea arabica plants in Colombia. Need to know the family and species. Thanks.
DNA barcoding has various advantages over the conventional taxonomy in identifying a species. Can it eliminate the insect taxonomy in future?
Dear researchers, Dr and Prof.
I'm currently working on the abundance and diversity of insects of MUST, Mbeya region, in Tanzania. Anyone please assist to identify the attached insects
Please help me sharing some information on the identification keys of soil organisms in genera and species level
topics
Soil organisms, ants, termites, and earthworms in tropical soils
I have found this structure attached to the abdominal sclerites of Hydraena (Coleoptera: Hydraenidae), from a high mountain river in north Spain. The beetle has about 2 mm length and the structure about 0,1-0,2 mm. Could it be a kind of ephippia?
Thank you for your help
Maria
Anyone does have this paper ? I don't find it on Internet:
Mutin, Va, 1983: A review of the genus Graptomyza Wiedemann, 1820 (Diptera, Syrphidae) in the USSR. Entomological review 62(3): 170-174
Thanks in advance !
V.N.
Specimens come from the Crimea peninsula, but age is unknown (presumably Eocene).
+2
May someone help me in the identification of this specimen caught in Tuscany in June. Thanks!
Dear all,
This moth was pictured some days ago resting on the lowest branches of an old spruce in a mountain area in northern part of Norway. The camouflage on its back was absolutely perfect compared to the lichen growing on the stem and branches. Does anyone have a suggestion for a name?
Regards,
Jostein Lorås
This beetle has been reared from one of the numerous larvae that a colleague of mine collected from bee corpses (Apis mellifera) found on a hive bottom board. Size: ca. 1.5mm. Location: NE Ukraine.
To my layman's eye, this looks like a Cryptophagus sp. (some species of which have been reported from bee hives), but I am not sure. So any help in its identification would be much appreciated.
+2
I obtained three parasitoids from the same batch of eggs from a Reduviidae bug from Colombia possibly from the Platygastridae family. There are few published records of parasitoids in Reduviidae eggs. I would like to know if anyone knows what genus and species are? The yellow individual may be an hyperparasitoid. If you have published records please let me know.
I found bark beetle, probably Hypothenemus eruditus Westwood, 1836 (Curculionidae: Scolytinae), but I can't find any identification key to confirm it.
If anyone has it I will be grateful for sharing.
I am Ph.D. Scholar working on biology of little millet shoot fly (Atherigona sp.). I need taxonomic keys for genus Atherigona for species level characters
Can somebody please help me with collecting specimens of brackish water serpulid Ficopomatus miamiensis in it type locality, Miami River, FL, USA?
I would like any kind of information about Culex identification. Keys, points, suggestions...
Dear all;
I have recently found this insect near a lake. I want to recognize the species and the impacts on human.
Sincerely
does anyone knows ıd of these insects
the first three pictures equal. From Muğla/Turkey and about 1,5 cm
also the second two pictures equal. From Manisa/Turkey
please
Does anybody has experience with measuring the wing length of large living beetles? Of course without damaging them so they can be released and followed up?
I am currently planning a study on identifying the prey of a recently discovered Hydraena species in the Philippines using DNA-based methods. I have been looking for references on the diet of water beetles in general and on more specific taxa that Hydraena is a part, to no avail. Most studies I have found were descriptions of the morphology and habitat of water beetles. What could be the possible diet of a Hydraena species located in Southeast Asia?
I am working to identify local drosophila species morphologically. For Identification, I have " Drosophila: A Guide to Species Identification and Use Book by Patrick M. O'Grady and T.A. Markow ". It's a nice and comprehensive book.
Can you provide names of some other books/articles/materials, that can be helpful for Drosophila identification?
My workshop's external siding seems to attract various kinds of things that do at least some of their growing inside a case of twigs, stones, or other junk. Some of them look like fine felt. Yesterday one of the cases was abandoned but not too far from where it had been, I saw a creature that was about the color (orange) as the occupant of the case. It looked like a big ant but with interesting patterns in its wings. I snapped picture after picture (It was running around). When I was cropping them, I saw that it seemed to have a pair of flies or wasps probably mating underneath its wings. I wonder if this is a case of parasitoid flies or wasps whose female will lay her eggs in the abdomen of the host. Anything you can tell me will be so helpful! The creature was about a 10 mm in length....Much larger than the ~6 mm case.
Dear Dr. Notton, I am very interested on resultes of your works on parasitoids' Hymenoptera. Excuse my "ignorance" about the gebnus Heriades. Is it truly one Hymenoptera'genus? Sincerely yours and best wishes. a-panis@orange.fr
Purposes:
1. Take the picture of an insect from the ARP system;
2. Compare this picture with those in a image database;
3. Provide relevant results if the image is similar to some insect images;
4. Collect GPS data while confirm some interesting insect groups;
5. Automatic raise the question on the taxonomy informations if the previous image was possibly wrongly identified.
6. Share the image with taxonomy if the author would like to do it for other public media.
I wrote a blog in Chinese asking the same question below -
I have a collection of wasps of the superfamilies Platygastroidea and Proctotrupoidea from various regions of Poland. The material is preserved in alcohol. Can anybody help with the identifications? I can mount the specimens if it is necessary.
Entomology, Phytopathology, Integrated Pest Management
This freshwater organism found in our lab. Having 3pairs of leg but appearance quite different then insect and so can't identity accurately.
This insect collected from storage products in southern Iraq. Any help for identification will be appreciated. Thanks
Ali
This assassin bug (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) of the genus Arilus is from Colombia, It looks similar to Arilus cristatus, carinatus and gallus. Thank you.
Here I have attached to genitalia photograph of 2 Loepa sp.
Location: Naga Hills, Manipur, NE India.
Date of collection: July 2016
I collected a tick specimen from a rescued Eastern Swamp Deer (Rucervus duvaucelii ranjitsinhi) in Kaziranga National Park, Assam during August, 2016. Can anyone help me with the identification based on few photographs of the same clicked under 4X magnified compound microscope? The photographs have been attached herewith.
Regards
I need to identify adult Bradysia, does anyone know of identification keys?
An image from Java (Serang: Bulakan: Rawa lake National Park, 120-340m asl. 13.III.2011. author: Guido Bohne) found in Flickr shows a 'squid pygmy grasshopper' (Phaesticus mellerborgi, family Tetrigidae) standing on a leaf and having parasitoid hymenopteran (family Eulophidae, ID provided by @Doug Yanega) on its discus of the pronotum.
First of all, I would like to know if anybody is has any information on identity of this tiny wasp (grasshopper is 10-14 mm in length without antennae). If not, I would lke to know if experts think that the tiny wasp is P. mellerborgi specific parasitoid?
Secondly, I would like to get any information on parasitoids of Tetrigidae, published and observed.
Some further information: Phaesticus mellerborgi is species living in peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra, and Java (on Borneo there is P. insularis). Species incuded in this genus have nymphs that are squid-like in appearance, with coloration. The species live in wet habitats , on the ground, eating detritus algae and mosses.
I am currently planning to measure the compound eye of dozens of closely related insect species and wanted to get some sense of the best metrics. As a start, I had planned to count ommatidia. I also wanted to generate a metric related to % of head the compound eye covers, and to comparatively measure the optic lobe relative to head size. Any advice would be greatly appreciated! Cheers!
the specimen was taken from a decomposing meat
wing pattern suggests muscidae
I am not sure whether this larva belongs to genus Fissimentum or Nilodosis based on its mid-cleft mentum.
I'm a looking for a good dataset of european beetles that could be used for calibrate a method. Thank you
We are looking for an entomologist / taxonomist who is willing to identify this Phytomiptera species (Diptera: Tachinidae) that we encounter in the Bolivian Altiplano.
This Phytomiptera is an endemic parasitoid of Eurysacca quinoae (Gelechiidae). Eurysacca larvae cause damage in quinoa crop cultivation.
Since PROINPA is a Bolivian NGO, we are not able to pay you for this job. But of course the scientific credits if it turns out to be a new species are yours!
(Dead samples send upon request)