Research projects of the Hemiptera Section

Auchenorrhyncha

Heteroptera

Orthoptera

Phasmatodea

Hymenoptera

Catalogue of the types of Heteroptera

The bug collection of Gustav Seidenstücker housed in the zoological collection of bavaria (ZSM) is compiled. The collection of G. Seidenstücker (1912 to 1989) contains about 75.000 individuals of 2.240 species. G. Seidenstücker himself described many taxa, but also taxa by other authors are included. Alltogether type material from 215 species or subspecies of Heteroptera is listed.

Publications

Kothe, T., G. Blazi & K. Schönitzer (2004): Katalog der Wanzen-Typen von Gustav Seidentücker (1912 - 1989) in der Zoologischen Staatssammlung München (Heteroptera). 61. Bericht der Naturforschenden Ges. Augsburg (219) 1-90; (mit 102 Farbabbildungen).

This publication may be purchased at: Geschäftstelle der Naturforschenden Gesellschaft Augsburg: Hofangerstr. 22a, D-81735 München, Tel. 089/4991150.

Contribution to the faunistics of Heteroptera in Bavaria

Together with Dipl.-Biol. Markus Bräu and students the Bavarian true bugs are registered in data banks. It is planned to register and publish all individuals of the rare species of Heteroptera in Bavaria. There are already data stes of the Pentatomidae (compiled by S. Scheidl) as well as of Rhopalidae and Coreidae (compiled by F. Schmolke).

Publications

Bräu, M. (2001): Stand der Wanzen-Faunistik in Bayern (inkl. Mitteilung einiger Funde bemerkenswerter Arten). - Heteropteron. (11), 25-32.

Bräu M. & Schwibinger, M. (2004): Beitrag zur Wanzen-Faunistik in Bayern mit Kommentaren zur Neufassung der Roten Liste (Insecta: Heteroptera, Geocorisae). - Beitr. bayer. Entomofaunistik 6, 95-216.

Scheidl, S. (2000): Interaktiver Bestimmungsschlüssel und Beitrag zur Faunistik der Baumwanzen (Pentatomidae) in Bayern. Zulassungsarbeit, LMU München.

Schmolke, F. (2003): Beitrag zur Faunistik der Coreidae und Rhopalidae in Bayern (Heteroptera). Diplomarbeit, LMU München.

Schmolke, F., M. Bräu & K. Schönitzer (2006): Interessante Wanzenfunde aus Bayern unter besonderer Berücksichtigung der Coreoidea (Insecta: Heteroptera, Ceocorisae) in Deutschland. Beitr. z. bayerischen Entomofaunistik 8, 131-181.

Werner, D. J. (2002): Die Verbreitung der Bauchkielwanze Cyphostethus tristriatus (Heroptera: Acanthosmatidae) an Zypressengewächsen (Cupressaceae) in Deutschland. - Heteropteron (14), 7-25.

Werner, D. J. (2003): Die Verbreitung der Grauen Gartenwanze Rhaphiaster nebulosa (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) in Deutschland. - Heteropteron. (16), S. 5-20.

Taxonomic Studies on Phasmatodea

The research associates of the ZSM Oskar Conle und Frank Hennemann are currently investigating the taxonomy and systematics of Phasmatodea (stick insects). On the base of many excursions they have the largest collection of stick insects of the world and have determined the material of the ZSM. Their bilingual website on Phasmatodea is the most comprehensive one of the world.

Several revisions and publications are in progress. For contact: conle@phasmatodea.com & hennemann@phasmatodea.com

Selected literature

Conle, O. V. & Hennemann, F. H. (2002): Revision neotropischer Phasmatodea: Die Tribus Anisomorphini sensu Bradley & Galil 1977 (Insecta,Phasmatodea, Pseudophasmatidae) - Spixiana, Supplement 28, 141 pp.,pls. 1-19.

Conle, O. V. & Hennemann, F. H. (2005): Studies on neotropical Phasmatodea I: A remarkable new species of Peruphasma Conle & Hennemann, 2002 from Northern Peru (Phasmatodea: Pseudophasmatidae: Pseudophasmatinae).- Zootaxa, 1068: 59-68. 

Conle,O. V., Hennemann, F. H. & Perez, D. E. (in press): Studies on neotropical Phasmatodea II: Revision of the genus Malacomorpha Rehn, 1906 (Phasmatodea: Pseudophasmatidae: Pseudophasmatinae).- Zootaxa.

Conle, O.V., Hennemann,F. H. & Perez, D. E. (in press): Studies on neotropical Phasmatodea III: A new species of the genus Anisomorpha Gray, 1835 from Hispaniola (Phasmatodea: Pseudophasmatidae: Pseudophasmatinae).- Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington.

Hennemann, F. H. (2002): Notes on the Phasmatodea of Sri Lanka (Orthoptera). - Mitteilungen der Münchner Entomologischen Gesellschaft, 92: 37-76.

Hennemann, F. H. & Conle, O. V. (2003): Notes on rarely known Phasmatodea from Sarawak with the description of two new species and studies on the genus Gargantuoidea Redtenbacher, 1908 (Orthoptera: Phasmatodea). - Mitteilungen der Münchner Entomologischen Gesellschaft, 93: 11-24.

Hennemann, F. H. & Conle, O. V. (2004): Paractenomorpha baehri n. gen., n. sp. - a new Phasmid from South Australia (Insecta, Phasmatodea, Phasmatinae, Phasmatini). - Spixiana, 27(1): 15-18.

Hennemann, F. H. & Conle,O. V. (2004): Revision of the tribe Achriopterini Bradley & Galil, 1977 with the description of a new genus, three new species and a new subspecies from Madagascar (Phasmatodea: Phasmatidae: Phasmatinae). - Mitteilungen der Münchner Entomologischen Gesellschaft, 94: 5-54.

Hennemann, F. H. & Conle, O. V. (in press): The genus Paracyphocrania Redtenbacher, 1908 (Phasmatodea, Phasmatinae, Phasmatini).- Zoologische Mededelingen Leiden.

Hennemann, F. H. & Conle, O. V. (in press): Revision of Oriental Phasmatodea: The tribe Pharnaciini Günther,1953, with a review of the subfamily Phasmatinae and keys to the tribes (Insecta, Phasmatodea, Phasmatidae).- Zootaxa.

Contribution to the faunistics of Orthoptera in Bavaria (Germany).

The faunistic data of Orthoptera (Ensifera and Caelifera) of the Bavarian material in the stocks of ZSM were compiled in data banks. The data were used for comprehensive publications and are important as base for natural protection.

Publications

Breitsameter, T. Kothe & K. Schönitzer (1999): Bemerkenswerte Heuschrecken aus Bayern in der Zoologischen Staatssammlung München.- 58. Bericht der Naturforschenden Gesellschaft Augsburg, 1 - 26.

Weis, A. & K. Schönitzer (2002): Bestimmung von Populationsgrößen bei Heuschrecken in einem Kleinbiotop - ein Methodenvergleich. Mitt. Dt. Ges. allg. angew. Ent. (2001) 13, 611-614.

Maas, S., P. Detzel & A. Staudt (2002): Gefährdungsanalyse der Heuschrecken Deutschlands. Verbreitungsatlas, Gefährdungseinstufung und Schutzkonzepte. Bundesamt f. Naturschutz, Bonn/Bad Godesberg, 401 S.

Schlumprecht, H. & G. Waeber (2003): Heuschrecken in Bayern. E. Ulmer Verl., Stuttgart, 515 S.

Fauna of Hymenoptera (Symphyta, Aculeata) in the north of Dachau, Bavaria (Germany).

In two areas in the North of Dachau, the former shooting range at Herbertshausen and Leitenberg at Etzenhausen, as well as in some areas nearby Hymenoptera were investigated. The sites were studied during 1999 and intermittently in following and preceeding years. Faunistic records from the following families are presented: Argidae (9 species), Cephidae (8), Cimbicidae (3), Diprionidae (1), Pamphiliidae (1), Tenthredinidae (61), Gasteruptiidae (1), Chrysididae (8), Tiphiidae (1), Mutillidae (1) Vespidae (15), Crabronidae (34), Colletidae (11), Andrenidae (32), Halictidae (29), Melittidae (4), Megachilidae (21) and Apidae (35). Altogether 59 of the recorded species are registered in the new Red List of Bavaria. The following species are considered as strongly endangered according to the actual Bavarian Red List: Andrena nycthemera, Rhophitoides canus, Sphecodes niger, Anthophora quadrimaculata and Chrysis sybarita. The sawflies Abia aenea, A. fas data, Cimbex femoratus, Dolerus triplicatus, Janus compressus, Macrophya erythrocnema, M. rufipes, and Tenthredopsis lactiflua are considered as endangered in Bavaria and/or Germany. The number of recorded species is remarkably high for southern Bavaria, therefore the investigated areas clearly should be protected.

Faunistic investigations on bees in Munich and its surroundings are made together with J. Schuberth. (Link)

Publications

Dubitzky, A., S. M. Blank & K. Schönitzer (2005):Linzer biol. Beitr. 37/1, 235-314.

Bembé, B., G. Gerlach, J. Schuberth & K. Schönitzer (2001): Die Wildbienen im Botanischen Garten München (Hymenoptera, Apidae). NachrBl. bayer. Ent. 50, 30-41.

Taxonomy of the Genus Stenodontus (Ichneumonidae: Ichneumoninae: Phaeogenini).

The taxonomy and distribution of the genus Stenodontus Berthoumieu, 1896, belonging to the Subtribe Stenodontina of the tribus Phaeogenini, formerly called Alomyini, was investigated. Two species from the Philippines, Stenodontus philippinator Diller sp. nov. and Stenodontus tagalogator Diller spec. nov. are described. The oriental distribution of the genus Stenodontus Berthoumieu, 1896 is extended by the discovery of these new species. A new species, Stenodontus himalayator Diller sp. nov., belonging to the tribe Phaeogenini, subtribe Stenodontina, from Nepal and India is described. A new record of Stenodontus regieri Diller, 1996 from Nepal is given. Stenodontus marginellus (Gravenhorst, 1829) and Stenodontus malaisei Roman, 1925 are new records from Japan.

Publications

Diller & Schönitzer (2004): Entomofauna Vol. 25, nos. 24 and 26, 357-364 and 373-380.

Taxonomy and nomenclature of the genus Colpognathus (Ichneumonidae: Ichneumoninae: Phaeogenini)

In this investigation, Colpognathus armatus Thomson, 1891 and Colpognathus divisus Thomson, 1891 are revised and lectotypes are designated. The correct name of Colpognathus armatus Thomson, 1891 syn. nov. is Colpognathus celerator (Gravenhorst, 1807). A new species, Colpognathus heinzelleri Diller, 2003 spec. nov. from U.S.A. is described and illustrated with scanning fotos. Phaeogenes jucundus Wesmael, [1845] is included in the genus Tycherus Foerster,[1869] now with the correct name: Tycherus jucundus (Wesmael, [1845]) comb. nov. Colpognathus atricornis Pic, 1914 is syn. nov. of Colpognathus celerator ((Gravenhorst, 1807).

Publication

E. Diller & K. Schönitzer (2003): Entomofauna 24 (24), 333-342.

Taxomomy and morphology of the genus Dirophanes (Ichneumonidae: Ichneumoninae: Phaeogenini)

In the present paper a revision of the genus Dirophanes Foerster, 1889 is presented. For most of the known species (the three species found in Japan could not be studied) detailed scanning-EM-descriptions are provided. Two further species, Dirophanes benjamini spec. nov. from Eastern Turkey and Dirophanes anoukae spec. nov. from Russia are described as new. Dirophanes coryphaeus (Wesmael, [1845]) comb. nov., Dirophanes foveolatus (Perkins, 1953) comb. nov., Dirophanes mellinus (Provancher, 1875) comb. nov. and Dirophanes mysticus (Wesmael, 1855) comb. nov., previously included in the genus Phaeogenes are transferred to the genus Dirophanes. Faunistic data are given for all species investigatet. Phylogenetic relationships within Dirophanes are discussed; female morphology indicates the presence of three monophyletic species groups: (D. maculicornis, D. hariolus) - [(D. mellinus, (D. coryphaeus (D. muricifer, D. mysticus))) - D. regenerator, (D. benjamini, D. fulvitarsis, D. invisor) (D. foveolatus, D. callopus)].

Publication

Schönitzer,K., E. Hower, R. R. Melzer, E. Diller (2006): Mitt. Münch. Ent. Ges. 95,87-142.

Phylogeny of the bee genus Andrena (Hymenoptera: Apoidea: Andrenidae)

The holarctic bee genus Andrena comprises probably more than 1.500 species and currently 99 subgenera are recognized. Although the genus is well known as such, there are numerous taxonomic problems within this very large genus which deserve investigation. The palaearctic species are - up to now - not investigated phylogenetically at all. Especially the Central Asiatic and East-Palaearctic species are only very little known.

Several new species are described and the phylogenetic position of several species is discussed (see publications).

For a morphological phylogenetic investigation 100 species were chosen, representing 84 subgenera. As far as possible the type species of the subgenera or species which are representative to a group of species were chosen for the analysis. Species for which only one sex was available had to be excluded from the analysis, for some subgenera no material was available at all. 

For outgroup comparison representatives of all genera of Andreninae (Euherbstia, Orphana, Megandrena, Ancylandrena) were used, and additionally the character state in other short tongued bees was compared. A set of 162 characters comprising 452 character states of the external morphology was used for the analysis. Male genitalia, hidden sterna as well as female head capsule and mouthparts had to be dissected. The following 11 taxa had a stable topology within the tree (subgenerera mentioned, in cases of poliphyletic subgenera the sinvestigated species):

1. Poecilandrena, (A. proxima, (Aenandrena, Corandrena))

2. Osychnyukandrena, Calcarandrena

3. Callandrena,(Poliandrena, Lepidandrena)

4. Simandrena, (Zonandrena, (Hyperandrena, Melandrena))

5. Brachyandrena, Campylogaster

6. Cryptandrena, Holandrena

7. Aciandrena, Graeandrena

8. Derandrena, Oreomelissa

9. Opandrena, Notandrena

10. Hoplandrena, (Tylandrena, (A. vetula, (Cnemidandrena, (Anchandena, (Archiandrena, Andrena)))))

11. Augandrena, (Conandrena, Mellitoides)).

Group 10 is paraphyletic, the others monophyletic.

Andrena (Cubiandrena) cubiceps proved to be either the sister group of all other species of Andrena or part of the outgroup. Therefore this species probably ought to be excluded from Andrena and Cubiandrena should be considered as a separate genus. 

Several subgenera proved to be polyphyletic and have to be split: Lepidandrena, Didonia, Micrandrena and Ptilandrena. Several groups of subgenera proved to be clearly monophyletic: (Margandrena, Charitandrena and Pallandrena), (Zonandrena, Hyperandrena and Melandrena) and (Leucandrena, Parandrena Gonandrena and Larandrena). 

A molecular analysis of the mitochondrial COI of representatives of 27 species (representing 20 subgenera) and 7 outgroup species was performed additionally in cooperation with the DNA tax lab of our institute. The mtD8 and mtD12 primers proved to be useful. In the final analysis with Nona the characters were treated equally weighted and multistate characters were treated as non-additive. Six most parsimonious trees were obtained for the strict concensus tree. The molecular data are compared to the morphological analysis, they coincide fairly well.

Publications

Dubitzky, A. & Schönitzer, K. 2001: The propodeal corbicula of Andrena proxima and allied species (Hymenoptera, Andrenidae) - Apidologie, 32, 429-434.

Dubitzky, A. 2002 : A new sandbee from the mountain region of central Taiwan: Andrena taiwanella spec. nov. (Insecta, Hymenoptera, Andrenidae) - Spixiana, 25, 69-77

Dubitzky, A. 2005: Studies in phylogeny and biosystematics of bees: The bee genus Andrena (Andrenidae) and the tribe Anthophorini (Apidae); Diss. LMU München, 214 S.

Schönitzer , K. & Dubitzky, A. 2002: Sandbienen des Kugitang Gebirges in Turkmenistan und Beschreibung einer neuen Art: Andrena lehmanni spec. nov. (Hymenoptera Apoidea, Andrenidae) - Entomologische Zeitschrift, 112 (7), 206-212

Schuberth, J., W. Grünwaldt & K. Schönitzer 2001: Klärung und Neubeschreibung der Sandbiene Andrena asiatica Friese, 192 (Hymenoptera: Apidae, Andrenidae). Beitr. Ent. 51 65-71.

Fauna of Ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in the eastern part of the National Park Berchtesgaden, southern Bavaria (Germany).

Only german version.