Omorgus

Abstract: The South American Trogidae are revised. Three genera, Trox Fabricius, Omorgus Erichson (with two subgenera, Omorgus and Haroldomorgus Scholtz), and Polynoncus Burmeister, and 47 species are recorded from the continent and its islands. Trox is represented by the ubiquitous introduced species T. scaber (L.), Omorgus is represented by 13 species and Polynoncus by 33 species. Five new species are described and all others are re-described. A key to all taxa is provided. Adults of all species and their male genitalia are illustrated and their distributions mapped. Observations are presented on phylogeny, zoogeography and biology. The new species are O. capillaceus, O. indigenus, O. nocheles, P. erugatus and P. gibberosus. Four new synonymies are proposed (synonyms listed first): O. triestinae Pittino = P. suberosus (Fabricius); P. furcifer Pittino = P. bifurcatus (Vaurie); P. parafurcatus occidentalis Pittino and P. furcillifer Pittino = P. parafurcatus Pittino. Omorgus badeni (Harold) is reinstated as a valid...

Abstract: A preliminary study of the parasites of the Pine-shoot Moth, Rhyacionia buoliana , in England was undertaken at the request of the Dominion Entomologist of Canada. In all twenty-eight species of primary and secondary parasites were obtained. Thirteen of these species were represented in our material by not more than two specimens and are probably of little economic importance. Of the remaining fifteen, two ( Habrocytus and Eutelus ) are definitely hyperparasites, and at least two of the Pimplines ( P. ruficollis and P. brevicornis ) are liable to live as hyperparasites under certain conditions. The dominant or “key” parasites in this complex appear to be the Braconid, Orgilus obscurator , and two Ophionines, Cremastus interruptor and Omorgus mutabilis . These were shipped to Canada and the first two have become established there. A brief account is given of the salient facts in the biology of each species and the more important diagnostic characters of the adults are described to facilitate accurate identification, often a very difficult matter. The mature larvae of the commoner species are described in detail, with the particular object of finding satisfactory specific characters. Of the common species the majority attack the larva. Pimpla examinator is the only true pupal parasite which is at all common, but Omorgus mutabilis and Orgilus obscurator , although they are essentially larval parasites, frequently remain in their host and complete their development after it has pupated. Four other species, though normally living as larval parasites, may occasionally emerge from the pupa. One egg-parasite, Trichogramma evanescens , was recorded. None of the common species is confined to R. buoliana , and there is no reason to suppose that the other species, about which less is known, are any more specific. Five of the species reared are new to Great Britain and eighteen constitute new records for this host.

Abstract: The necrophilous Scarabaeldae and Trogidae beeties from the tropical deciduous forest of Tepexco, Puebla, Mexico were studied. Using NTP-80 traps, 12 sampies were obtained between 1989 and 1990, resuiting in the collection of 12 genera, represented by 21 species. The biomass was principally made up of individuais of the species Ateuchus rodriguezi (DeBorre 1886), A halffteri Kohimann 1984, Caithon cyanel/us leConte 1859. Coprophanaeus p/uto HarokJ 1869, Canthidium puncticoHe Haroid 1868 and Omorgus rubricans Robinson 1946, representing 182.02 g per year. A comparison of the copro-necrophagous fauna of Scarabaeidae and Trogidae of the tropical deciduous forest in the forest studied showod a specrfic similarity of 53%. In Tepexco the highest diversity was recorded during the spring and summer, but in Jojutia during summer and autumn.

Abstract: The Australasian species of Trox are revised. Fifty-three species are described and keyed, ten of which are new. Adults of all species and their male genitalia are illustrated and their distributions mapped. Observations are presented on phylogeny, zoogeography and biology. The new species are T. mariae, T. howdenorum, T. aphanocephalus, T. nigroscobinus, T. mariettae, T. pellosomus, T. parvicollis, T. alius, T. carinicollis and T. monteithi. Five new synonymies are proposed (synonyms listed first): T. eremita Blackburn = T. crotchi Harold; T. litigiosus Harold = T. alternans Macleay; T. semmelinki Lansberge and T. speculifer Heller = T. squamosus Macleay; T. novaecaledoniae Balthasar = T. suberosus F. Seventeen lectotypes are designated. *In a recent paper (Scholtz 1986) the subgenus Omorgus Erichson was elevated to genus. Consequently, all native Australasian species belong to Omorgus.