Entomologist's Monthly Magazine - Vol. 161, No. 3, 2025
Published: 7/25/2025
Article Details for this issue
The Cycad Blue, Chilades (Luthrodes) pandava (Horsfield, [1829]) (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae), has established a permanent hold in the central Levant (East Mediterranean
By: DUBI BENYAMINI, ILAN GREEN-SWISSA & MOSHE LAUDON
Page: 185–195
Type: Paper
Synopsis:
The Cycad Blue, Chilades (Luthrodes) pandava (Horsfield), is an invasive butterfly species, which originated in Southeast Asia and probably arrived in Israel via Egypt and was discovered in Eilat (Israel) during 2015–2016 on cultivated Cycad plants, and then disappeared, apparently due to spraying with pesticides by the municipality in ornamental gardens. In late summer 2019, a small population was discovered in Ashkelon (Israel), a southern Mediterranean coastal city. It did not expand far out of the city and did not survive the winter of 2019–20. In September 2023, a new population was discovered in Upper Galilee (possibly having arrived southwards across the border from Lebanon) and within a few months a rapid spread of the species was observed as far south as the southern Negev desert, the Arava and Eilat. In the current study, we describe Cycad Blue biology, report the rapid expansion of the species in Israel, and discuss its future ecology.
In particular, we note that the Indian DSF (dry season form) of Cycad Blue appears in Israel in the autumn (fall)-winter, which is not a dry season in Israel. This ‘DSF’ form is possibly seasonally induced via photoperiodic cues and is also linked to the larval host plant (LHP)’s sprouting of fresh leaves, rather than to other environmental conditions.
BOOK REVIEW STINGLESS BEE NEST CERUMEN AND PROPOLIS [vols 1 & 2] edited by P. Vit, V. Bankova, M. Popova & D.W. Roubik.
By: MICHAEL S. ENGEL
Page: 196–198
Type: Book Review
Discovery of a new species of Cyrtosia (Diptera: Mythicomyiidae) from the Al Wathba Wetland Reserve, United Arab Emirates
By: BABAK GHARALI, NEAL EVENHUIS & ANTONIUS VAN HARTEN
Page: 199–205
Type: Paper
Synopsis:
A new species of the genus Cyrtosia, Cyrtosia alwathbica sp. n. from the United Arab Emirates, is described and illustrated. This species is closely related to Cyrtosia certozia Evenhuis & Gharali and Cyrtosia panemplio Evenhuis, but is distinguished from both by the presence of a black spot on the scutellum basomedially and a tiny black stripe on the frons.
SHORT NOTE Ormyrus diffinis (Fonscolombe) (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea: Ormyridae) new to Britain
By: M.T. JENNINGS & J.P. BOWDREY
Page: 206–208
Type: Short Notes
Papilio demoleus Linnaeus (Lepidoptera: Papilionidae): results of community science monitoring 2021–2024 imply successful establishment in Cyprus
By: EDDIE JOHN, HASAN BAGLAR, DEMETRIS KOLOKOTRONIS, GEORGE KONSTANTINOU, ELLI TZIRKALLI, ROGER WHITE & PETRA WIJNKER
Page: 209–223
Type: Paper
Synopsis:
Since the northerly dispersal of Papilio demoleus Linnaeus from the Gulf States to inland Syria and south-eastern Turkey (Türkiye), progressive, subsequent spread from Mediterranean Turkey into Mediterranean Syria, Lebanon and Israel, also saw the anticipated arrival of this papilionid on the island of Cyprus in autumn 2021. Monitoring since then, involving reports from 248 observers reporting on 783 observations, has revealed the dispersal of P. demoleus throughout much of the island and has shown the species’ ability to cope with cool winters and summer temperatures rising to ca 40°C. As has been noted in other eastern Mediterranean countries, P. demoleus has adapted well to urban and peri-urban environments, successfully breeding and nectaring on resources in domestic gardens where the presence of this attractive species has been widely encouraged. Importantly, as this species is considered a pest of Citrus ssp. in some SE Asia countries, there have yet to be any concerning reports of damage from commercial enterprises. We can further state with a reasonable degree of confidence that this species has established a permanent presence in the Mediterranean Basin.
Lariophagus rufipes Hedqvist (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea: Pteromalidae) reared from Ptinus sexpunctatus Panzer (Coleoptera: Ptinidae) in nesting tubes occupied by Megachile sp. leaf cutter bees (Hymenoptera: Apoidea) in Kent, England
By: M.T. JENNINGS
Page: 224–228
Type: Paper
Synopsis:
Lariophagus rufipes Hedqvist (Pteromalidae) is reported from Britain as an ectoparasitoid of the larvae of Ptinus sexpunctatus Panzer (Coleoptera) in nests of leaf cutter bees Megachile sp. (Apoidea).
Plebejus argus (Linnaeus) (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae) on an isolated site in Cornwall: metal contamination and wing size
By: ADRIAN SPALDING
Page: 229–240
Type: Paper
Synopsis:
A pilot study of Plebejus argus (Linnaeus) butterflies was conducted on a small, abandoned mine site (Little Beside) in Cornwall. Mean adult P. argus forewing size appeared to be at the lower end of the size range for this species at the study site, which was found to be contaminated by a wide spectrum of metals such as iron, arsenic, aluminium and copper. Plebejus argus was observed feeding as larvae on Calluna vulgaris (L.) Hull and Erica cinerea L. was essential as the only available nectar source when the adult P. argus emerged. Larvae were not found feeding on E. cinerea L. Possible interactions between contaminant metals, host plant / nectar source ecology and butterfly size are discussed in preparation for further study at Little Beside.
A new species of Lonchaeidae (Diptera) from Europe
By: ANDRÉ REIMANN & IAIN MACGOWAN
Page: 241–246
Type: Paper
Synopsis:
A new species of Lonchaeidae in the genus Lonchaea Fallén, namely Lonchaea kallweiti sp. n. is described from Germany and Russia. Distributional and ecological information is supplied and its relationship with other species in the genus Lonchaea is discussed.
First record of Mythenteles Hall & Evenhuis (Mythicomyiinae: Mythicomyiidae: Diptera) from Iran
By: SAMIRA TAHERI, AZIZOLLAH MOKHTARI, BABAK GHARALI* & EHSAN RAKHSHANI
Page: 247–251
Type: Paper
Synopsis:
The genus Mythenteles Hall & Evenhuis is recorded for the first time from Iran. Collected specimens from southern Iran were identified as M. wadimurri Evenhuis & Theodor. A key to the species of the genus known from the Middle East is provided.
SHORT NOTE Observations on Phoridae (Diptera) ecology from a garden in Cambridge, England (2022–25)
By: R. HENRY L. DISNEY
Page: 256
Type: Short Notes
LIVES AND INFLUENCES Personal recollections of Richard Gareth Davies (20 June 1920 to 3 September 2007), an outstanding entomologist, with a summary of his curriculum vitae and publications
By: 257–262
Page: J.A. QUARTAU
Type: Short Notes
BOOK REVIEW A NATURALIST’S GUIDE TO THE BUTTERFLIES OF BORNEO (SABAH, SARAWAK, BRUNEI AND KALIMANTAN) by Honor Phillips
By: ANDREW WAKEHAM-DAWSON
Page: 263–264
Type: Book Review