SYNTHESIS OF 3,7-DIMETHYL-2-TRIDECANYL ACETATE--Active Component of Sex Pheromone of Pine Sawfly Diprion pini

The total synthesis of 3,7 dimethyl 2 tridecanyl acetate,the active component of the sex pheromone of diprion pini,was investigated in this paper.The two key synthins blocks,2 methyl octan 1 yl lithium and 3,4 dimethyl γ butyrolactone,were obtained from diethyl malonate and 2,3 epoxybutane.2 Methyl octan 1 yl lithium reacted with 3,4 dimethyl γ butyrolactone to yield the ketoalcohol and then followed by Huang Minlong reduction to afford 3,7 dimethyl 2 tridecanol,acylated with acetic anhydide to give 3,7 dimethyl 2 tridecanyl acetate.

On the systematic position of Cacosyndya Kirby(Hymenoptera:Tenthredinidae)with redescription of Cacosyndya dimorpha Freymuth

A peculiar sawfly genus from middle Asia,Cacosyndya Kirby,1883 and the type species Cacosyndya dimorpha(Freymuth,1870)are redescribed and illustrated.The systematic position of this genus in Tenthredinidae is discussed.The females in the genus are apterous,the only known apterous Symphytan,but the male is normally winged.Cacosyndya is not a member of Fenusinae or Heterarthrinae,but a member of Phymatocerini of Blennocampinae,Tenthredinidae as shown by the structure of the antenna,wing venation and body structure.The relationship between Cacosyndya and members of Phymatocerini is briefly discussed.

Assessing temporal dynamics of predation and effectiveness of caterpillar visual defense using sawfly larval color and resting posture as a model

Caterpillars(Lepidoptera and Symphyta larvae)employ diverse visual defensive tactics,and effectiveness of such tactics may be highly dynamic across time due to seasonal changes in the predator assemblages and their preferences.However,this has rarely been studied especially in tropical regions.Here we assessed temporal changes in the defensive value of caterpillar color and shape,using six types of plasticine dummy caterpillars:three colors(green,black,and white)x two shapes(curled and straight).These dummy caterpillars were deployed five times over different seasons in tropical forests of Xishuangbanna(China)and,as a comparison,twice in a temperate forest of Hirosaki(Japan).The colors and shapes of dummy caterpillars simulate visual traits of black sawfly larvae which take the curled resting posture in tropical rainforests of Xishuangbanna,apparently masquerading excrements commonly found on plants,while in Hirosaki there is no black-curled sawfly larvae and few excrements on plants.Wc found no significant effects of caterpillar colors or shapes on predation in Hirosaki.In contrast,black and curled caterpillars received significantly lower predation by birds in Xishuangbanna constantly across time.However,we were unable to provide evidence that the black-curled sawfly larvae are masquerading as excrements.Shapes of the dummy caterpillars also affected the predation by ants and parasitoid wasps at certain times.This is the first report on ecological function of the curled posture of sawfly larvae,and we demonstrated the importance to assess the temporal dynamics of predation and effectiveness of defensive tactics in tropical forests.

Taxonomic study of the Macrophya ligustri group with two new species of Macrophya Dahlbom(Hymenoptera: Tenthredinidae) from China

Two new species of the Macrophya ligustri group of the genus Macrophya Dahlbom（Hymenoptera： Tenthredinidae） from China are described, namely, M. megapunctata Li, Liu Wei sp. nov. and M. southa Li, Ji Wei sp. nov. The division of the M. ligustri group is briefly discussed and a key to all known species of the M. ligustri group from China is provided.

A new species of Macrophya Dahlbom(Hymenoptera:Tenthredinidae) with a key to species of the Macrophya sibirica group from China

A new species of the Macrophya sibirica group, Macrophya harbina Li, Liu Wei sp. nov. from China is described. This new species is similar to M. revertana Wei, 1998, but differs from the latter in the posterior margin of pronotum and center of mesoscutellum white; postocellar area 1.5 times broader than long;mesepisternum not entirely black, center of posterior margin with a small white macula; mesepisternum minutely and densely punctured, not coarse, interspaces between punctures distinct; dorsum of mesoscutellum without carina, with very sparse and shallow punctures; hind femur largely black, base with white macula on dorsal side; posterior margin of abdominal tergum 1 with distinct white maculae; middle serrulae of lancet each with 2 proximal and 9–11 distal teeth. A key to all known species of the Macrophya sibirica group from China is provided.

Two new species of the ligustri group in Macrophya Dahlbom(Hymenoptera:Tenthredinidae) from Anhui and Jiangxi,China

Two new species of the ligustri group in Maerophya Dahlbom （Hymenoptera： Tenthredinidae） from Anhui and Jiangxi Provinces in China are described： M. guanshanicus Li, Liu ＆ Wei sp. nov. and M. nigroseapila Li, Liu ＆ Wei sp. nov.

Two new species of the imitator group in Macrophya Dahlbom(Hymenoptera:Tenthredinidae) from Sichuan,China

Two new species of the imitator group in Macrophya Dahlbom, from Sichuan Province, China are described： Macrophya omeialpina Li, Jiang ＆ Wei sp. nov. and M. semipunctata Li, Liu ＆ Wei sp. nov.

A new species of Gilpinia Benson(Hymenoptera: Diprionidae) from China

Gilpinia wui Wang & Wei sp. nov. of Diprionidae is described from China. The species was ever mentioned as Gilpinia wui Xin, nom. nud. without description, figures and diagnosis, and the type was also not designated. The larvae of G. wui feed on Pinus tabulaeformis Carr. The new species is similar to G.massoniana G. Xiao, 1992 from China but differs in clypeus laterally yellow marked, the posterior femur yellowish, the angle formed by the dorsal line between the upper end of the second ctenidium and the lancet apex with the ventral line between the apex of the second serrula and the lancet apex about 25 degrees, the 6 th annulus clearly broader, the ventral apical margin of penis valve multitoothed and the larvae feeding on Pinus tabulaeformis.

Taxonomic study of the histrio group with a new species of Macrophya Dahlbom (Hymenoptera:Tenthredinidae) from China

In this paper, the relationships and characteristics of the M. histrio group, which now includes eight known species worldwide, are briefly discussed. A key to the five known species of the M. histrio group known from China is provided. Macrophya latidentata Li, Liu Wei sp. nov. of the M. histrio group from Guangdong in China is described. It is similar to M. histrioides Wei, 1998.

Taxonomic study of the Macrophya malaisei group with two new species(Hymenoptera: Tenthredinidae) in China

In this paper, the relationships and characteristics of the M. malaisei group, which now includes four known species worldwide, are briefly discussed. A key to the five known species of the M. malaisei group from China is provided, including two new species of the M. malaisei group, M. diqingensis Li, Liu ＆ Wei sp. nov. and M. tenuitarsalina Li, Liu ＆ Wei sp. nov.

Two new species of Macrophya Dahlbom(Hymenoptera:Tenthredinidae) with a key to species of the Macrophya annulitibia group from China

In the genus Macrophya, the annulitibia group is proposed to include five species from China, lnala and Japan. Two new species belonging to this species group are described from China： Macrophya shengi Li ＆ Chu sp. nov. from Sichuan and Macrophya xinan Li ＆ Liu sp. nov. from Tibet and Sichuan. Descriptions and illustrations are given to separate them from the other species of the annulitibia group. A key to all known species of the annulitibia group from China is provided. Type specimens are deposited in the Insect Collection of Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha, Hunan, China.

Three new species and a key to species of the Siobla grahami group(Hymenoptera:Tenthredinidae)from China

Three new species,namely Siobla dianzangica Niu&Wei sp.nov.,S.melanogaster Niu&Wei sp.nov.,and S.trilineata Niu&Wei sp.nov.,are described and illustrated.A key to species and distribution maps of the Siobla grahami group are given.

A new species of Aprosthema Konow(Hymenoptera:Argidae)with a key to Chinese species

A new species of Sterictiphorinae of Argidae is described from Zhejiang,China:Aprosthema brevivertexis Wei sp.nov.This new species is similar to A.tianmunicum Wei&Wen,2000 from Zhejiang,but differs from it by the following characters:the fore wing with a broad smoky band below pterostigma,the cell 1 Rs clearly longer than cell 2 Rs,the second abscissa of the vein Rs 1.3 times as long as the third abscissa of Rs,the postocellar area weakly elevated and about 2.2 times as broad as long,the malar space clearly shorter than diameter of median ocellus,the mesoscutal middle lobe without middle furrow and with a fine middle carina,the lobes of the apical sheath in dorsal view far remote from each other,and in lateral view the apex of sheath strongly acuminated.

A new species of Spinarge Wei(Hymenoptera:Argidae)from China with a key to Chinese species

Spinarge lishui Liu,Li&Wei sp.nov.is described and illustrated from Jiulong National Wetland Park in Lishui City,Zhejiang Province,China.A key to the species groups and the seven Chinese species of Spinarge is given.

Two new species of the genus Macrophya Dahlbom(Hymenoptera: Tenthredinidae) from China

Two new species of the genus Macrophya Dahlbom（Hymenoptera： Tenthredinidae） from China are described： M. glabrifrons Li, Liu Wei sp. nov. and M. shangae Li, Liu Wei sp. nov. The former belongs to the M. malaisei group; the latter belongs to the M. coxalis group.

Key to the species of the Pachyprotasis rapae group(Hymenoptera: Tenthredinidae) in China with descriptions of four new species

An updated key to the species-groups of Pachyprotasis is provided, proposing the P. melanosoma group addition for species formerly placed in the P rapae group. A key to the species of the Pachyprotasis rapae group from China is provided, and four new species are described： P. motuoensis Zhong, Li ＆ Wei sp. nov., R paraneixiangensis Zhong, Li ＆ Wei sp. nov., P prismatiscutellum Zhong, Li ＆ Wei sp. nov. and P zejiani Zhong, Li ＆ Wei sp. nov. The subspecies P. antennata lui is raised to species P. lui.

New species and new synonyms of Conaspidia Konow(Hymenoptera:Tenthredinidae) with keys to species of the Conaspidia bicuspis group and Japanese species

Conaspidia qinlingia Wei sp. nov. and C. wangi Wei sp. nov. are described from China. Characters of Conaspidia bicuspis group are briefly discussed and a key to the species of the group is provided. Conaspidia murotai Togashi, 1984 and Conaspidia ishikawai Togashi, 2005 are new synonyms of Conaspidia guttata （Matsumura, 1912）, the latter is briefly redescribed and illustrated. A key to Japanese species of Conaspidia is also provided.

Taxonomic study of the Macrophya annulitibia group with five new species of Macrophya Dahlbom(Hymenoptera: Tenthredinidae) from China

Five new species of the Macrophya annulitibia group of the genus Macrophya Dahlbom （Hymenoptera： Tenthredinidae） from China are described： M. cloudae Li, Liu ＆ Wei sp. nov., M. gongshana Li, Liu ＆ Wei sp. nov., M. niuae Li, Liu ＆ Wei sp. nov., M. spinoserrula Li, Liu ＆ Wei sp. nov. and M. tenuisoma Li, Liu ＆ Wei sp. nov. A key to all known species of the M. annulitibia group from China is provided.

Three new species of the Macrophya histrio group(Hymenoptera: Tenthredinidae) with a key to species from China

Three new species, Macrophya nigrihistrio Li, Liu & Wei sp. nov., M. parahistrioides Li, Liu & Wei sp. nov. and M. tianquanensis Li, Liu & Wei sp. nov., of the genus Macrophya Dahlbom(Hymenoptera: Tenthredinidae) from China are described. A key to Chinese species of the Macrophya histrio group is provided.

Two new species of the Macrophya flavomaculata group (Hymenoptera: Tenthredinidae) from China

Two new species of the Macrophya flavomaculata group from Zhejiang and Taiwan, China are described, namely M. hejunhuai Li, Liu & Wei sp. nov. and M. lalashanica Li, Liu & Wei sp. nov. The type specimens of these new species are deposited in the Insect Collection of Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha, Hunan, China.