Israel Journal of Entomology
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Use of the Malaise trap to assess the biodiversity of parasitoids (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) in Israel
Get PDFThis article presents data on the species diversity of eulophids of Israel (63 species from 25 genera), following a one-year study using a Malaise trap. These data are compared with the existing material in Israel, identified over the course of 50 years (44 species from 27 genera). The use of the Malaise trap is a promising method, especially in areas with high aridity. The bimodal seasonal dynamics in the number of specimens was determined. The Shannon index of diversity (H) varies as does the number of specimens and species, diminishing in summer and increasing from October to January. The seasonal fluctuations in Eulophidae parasitoids were recorded in Israel for the first time. The reasons are discussed for these fluctuations, which are associated with a high level of biodiversity (H) and inhomogeneity (low J) in the Eulophidae.
To cite: Yefremova, Z., Kravchenko, V., Strakhova, I. & Yegorenkova, E. 2014 [2013]. Use of the Malaise trap to assess the biodiversity of parasitoids (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) in Israel. Israel Journal of Entomology 43: 81–89.
Biogeography and ecology of sand-dwelling noctuids (Noctuidae: Lepidoptera) in Israel
Get PDFAll together 44 species of Noctuidae are specific to 5 sandy areas in Israel: Arava Valley, Rotem-Yamin Plain, Uvda Valley, Western Negev and Coastal Sand Dunes. The areas are different in temperature and moisture regimes and belong to different biogeographical districts in Israel (Mediterranean, Irano-Turanian and Saharo-Sindian). More than half of the species (26/44) are found only in one of these sandy areas. The highest number of these species is recorded from the sands of the Arava Valley (18 species) including all 8 Israeli species of Anumeta, no unique species were found in the Uvda Valley. Most of the sand-dwelling species are univoltine. On inland sands (Arava, Rotem, Uvda) they fly in November or February until April. On the Coastal Dunes and on adjacent sands of Western Negev the species fly in January because of warm nights (mean minimal temperature per month is 10.1ºC) compared to inland areas (mean minimal temperature of 4ºC). According to their general distribution pattern, most of the species inhabiting inland sands belong to eremic groups. Species inhabiting Coastal Sand Dunes and sands of the Western Negev are all circum-Mediterranean. The reasons for the association of these noctuids with sandy soils are discussed.
To cite: Kravchenko, V.D., Pstygo, I., Speidel, W. & Müller G.C. 2014 [2013]. Biogeography and ecology of sand-dwelling noctuids (Noctuidae: Lepidoptera) in Israel. Israel Journal of Entomology 43: 33–50.
Additions to the Limoniidae of Israel (Diptera)
Get PDFAltogether 18 species of the family Limoniidae are recorded from Israel. Phyllolabis peniculifer n. sp. is described, and its male and female terminalia are illustrated. Dicranomyia (Glochina) sericata (Meigen) is recorded for the first time for Israel.
To cite: Starý, J. 2014 [2013]. Additions to the Limoniidae of Israel (Diptera). Israel Jouranl of Entomology 43: 149–157. 
Obituary: Alexander Shalom Tahori (1919–2013)
No full textAlexander Shalom Tahori was born on 1919 in Memel, Lithuania. He immigrated to Israel in 1938, and attended the Mikve-Israel School of Agriculture where he took advanced courses in agriculture. In 1940, Tahori began to study biology at the Hebrew University-this period of study lasted only one year, because, when the British army established the Jewish Brigade, Tahori left the university to join the British army. He served until the end of World War II, in 1946 he returned to the Hebrew University for another year. He then moved to the University of California at Berkeley, for advanced studies, obtaining a M.Sc. degree and completing his Ph.D. in 1951. ...Tahori passed away on 3 April 2013. He is survived by his wife Hava, two sons Michael and Dani, and three grandsons.
To cite: Galun, R. 2014 [2013]. Obituary: Alexander Shalom Tahori (1919–2013). Israel Journal of Entomology 43: 1–9.
Distribution of two Epomis species (Carabidae, Chlaeniini) in Israel, with notes on their habitat
Get PDFThe records of Epomis dejeani Dejean, 1831 and E. circumscriptus (Duftschmid, 1812) in Israel are summarized and their geographical distribution is described. The two Epomis species are mainly found in the northern and central parts of Israel, but also extend southward to the Central Negev region and Arava Valley. Museum records combined with the present survey data suggest a relatively wide albeit patchy distribution of Epomis in Israel. Whereas the records suggest that E. dejeani is relatively more abundant than E. circumscriptus in Israel, records for other regions in the Palaearctic Region suggest the opposite. However, at least in Italy, E. circumscriptus is rare and recommended for listing as a critically endangered species. In none of the surveys conducted in Israel over four consecutive years were the two species recorded from the same site. None of the habitat parameters examined (vicinity to a water body; soil moisture; vegetation cover; presence of amphibians, or soil type) revealed any prominent difference in habitat choice by the two species. Epomis larvae feed exclusively on amphibians, and indeed we found the beetles sharing their habitat with amphibians during the beetles’ breeding period. In conclusion, in the absence of either a physical barrier or any apparent habitat difference, the segregation of the species to different sites may be a case of sympatric species that do not occur at the same sites.
To cite: Wizen, G., Drees, C. & Gasith, A. 2012. Distribution of two Epomis species (Carabidae, Chlaeniini) in Israel, with notes on their habitat. Israel Journal of Entomology 41–42: 95–106.
New data on thrips (Thysanoptera) in male inflorescences of Phoenix palms in Israel
Get PDFNew local and ivasive thrips species are recorded for the first time from different species of palms from the genus Phoenix in Israel.
To cite: Kuslitzky, W. & zur Strassen, R. 2012. New data on thrips (Thysanoptera) in male inflorescences of Phoenix palms in Israel. Israel Journal of Entomology 41–42: 49–51
A new Phyllolabis from Israel with reduced wings and halteres (Diptera: Limoniidae)
Get PDFPhyllolabis parvihalterata n. sp., a new limoniid species from Israel, is described based on numerous male and female specimens collected along winter pools in the Upper Galilee. This species is compared to P. golanensis Starý and Freidberg, from which it differs primarily by the greatly reduced wings and halteres. These characters also distinguish this species from all other congeners.
To cite: Starý, J., Wizen, G. & Freidberg, A. 2012. A new Phyllolabis from Israel with reduced wings and halteres (Diptera: Limoniidae). Israel Journal of Entomology 41–42: 107–114.
Review of the genus Elasmus Westwood (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) in Israel with description of a new species
Get PDFA review of the genus Elasmus Westwood (Eulophidae) in Israel is presented for the first time. Twelve species are included and keyed, 11 of which are newly recorded from Israel. Elasmus aternalis is described as new to science. The most common species are E. flabellatus (Fonscolombe), E. nudus (Nees), E. viridiceps Thomson and E. westwoodi Giraud. Elasmus africanus Ferriere is a rare species and Israel is the third country in which it was collected.
To cite: Yefremova, Z. & Strakhova, I. 2012. Review of the genus Elasmus Westwood (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) in Israel with description of a new species. Israel Journal of Entomology 41–42: 221–237.
Chloropidae (Diptera) of Turkey with descriptions of new species and new records
Get PDFA list of Chloropidae from Turkey is provided, containing 64 species from 31 genera and 4 subfamilies. Three species are described as new. Two additional species were only identified to genus level. Twelve species are listed based only on literature data. Most species (40) are recorded from Turkey for the first time.
To cite: Nartshuk, E.P. 2012. Chloropidae (Diptera) of Turkey with descriptions of new species and new records. Israel Journal of Entomology 41–42: 115–144
An annotated checklist of the thrips of Israel (Thysanoptera)
Get PDFOne hundred and fifty-seven species of Thysanoptera are recorded from Israel, including 32 newly recorded species. A bibliography on this thrips fauna is provided. The thrips in Israel comprise two groups: the native and the introduced species. The native species mainly comprise typical Mediterranean elements; whereas the introduced species mainly comprise agricultural pests.
To cite: zur Strassen, R. & Kuslitzky, W. 2012. An annotated checklist of the thrips of Israel (Thysanoptera). Israel Journal of Entomology 41–42: 53–66.