Thirteen leafhoppers of the genus Batracomorphus Lewis, 1834 were identified from Kibale National Park, Uganda. Five previously recognised species were recorded from Uganda for the first time, and the following seven species are described as new: B. ruthae sp. nov.; B. pardos sp. nov.; B. stictopterus sp. nov.; B. chloros sp. nov.; B. eusemos sp. nov.; B. kibalensis sp. nov.; B. ntomino sp. nov.

The distribution of Araneae, Coleoptera, Hemiptera and Hymenoptera relative to sward islets was investigated using suction sampling in improved grass pastures on 26 farms and in a pasture management experiment in Ireland. Species accumulation curves indicated significant differences between islet and non‐islet sub‐habitats in the number of taxa plotted against sample, but not when plotted against individuals, indicating no difference in overall species richness. Non‐metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) ordination of islet and non‐islet communities indicated marked differences in arthropod community composition. Modelling abundance of specific taxa with islet and sward height data allowed arthropod taxa to be categorised as (i) islet‐positive, (ii) islet‐negative, (iii) taxa showing mixed responses and (iv) taxa showing no significant effects. Most taxa were found to be more abundant within islets. In some instances, this may be best explained by a more generalised response to sward height. Some taxa clearly showed a specifically positive islet effect with no significant response to sward height per se. A minority of taxa clearly occurred more frequently outside islet patches, and few abundant taxa were found to be indifferent to the presence of islets. Differences in distribution relative to islets indicated niche differentiation, most likely based on characteristics of the islets, such as micro‐climate, and nutritional or shelter requirements. Spatial responses to islets clearly generate additional variation within arthropod communities, which contributes to the maintenance of biodiversity within grazed agricultural grasslands.

Phlogis kibalensis sp. nov. from Kibale National Park, Uganda is described and illustrated. It differs from the other species of the genus known from Africa (P. mirabilis) in the shape of the aedeagus, in particular the shape of the sub-apical lateral processes, as well as in style shape and some aspects of colouration.

Abstract Various methods have been used to divide communities into core species and occasional or satellite species. Some methods are somewhat arbitrary, and there is evidence that many communities are more multimodal than bimodal. They also tend to rely on having multiple years of data. A completely novel method is presented that not only has no requirement for long‐term datasets but can divide communities into multiple groups. It is based on probability a species is present, calculated using Simpson's index and the sequential removal of species from the data. The sequential Simpson's index method was applied to species data from a grassland insect community. It was also applied to eleven other datasets that had been divided into core and occasional species in previously published studies. The new method was found not only to be consistent with previous core–occasional assessments but also able to identify multimodality in species abundance distributions. Although ideally used with a measure of persistence (frequency of occurrence) to rank species, community structure is consistently described even with only species abundance data. The method can be applied to short or long‐term datasets and can help identify multimodality and provide valuable insight into how communities change in time or space.

A preference experiment was set up with two planthopper species (Hemiptera: Delphacidae) to test the influence of competition on host plant choice. The delphacidJavesella pellucidawas chosen as a generalist and the rarerRibautodelphax imitansas a monophagous specialist, which feeds on the grass, tall fescueSchedonorus arundinaceus. In the absence of the specialist, the generalist showed a marked preference for tall fescue. In some experiments, however, the introduction of the specialist resulted in a shift of preference to an alternative plant if the specialist was established prior to the introduction of the generalist. This experiment supports the hypothesis that specialist herbivores can potentially alter the host plant choices of generalists, which may lead to differing host plant use patterns in insect communities.

Grazing by domestic stock is widely used in nature reserve management to maintain or restore characteristics of the flora. While the effects on plants are well understood, grazing effects on arthropods are in need of further investigation. We studied the effects of management on grassland arthropod communities at Needingworth, a mixture of grassland and wetland, created after gravel extraction. We hypothesised arthropod abundance and the species richness of Hemiptera and Coleoptera, would be no greater in fenced, ungrazed areas than in cattle-grazed grassland. We used suction sampling to collect grassland arthropods which were initially identified to order level, and then to species or genus level for the Coleoptera and Hemiptera. Abundance of total invertebrates and of all orders, except for Diptera, was greater in ungrazed than grazed grassland. We estimated that the presence of ungrazed grassland resulted in 14.9% greater invertebrate abundance at Needingworth. Community structure showed strong differences in relation to management, particularly in terms number of detritivores. Even the small amount of grassland management at Needingworth had distinct negative impacts arthropod abundance and community structure, and leaving ungrazed areas has the potential to benefit invertebrate biodiversity. We recommend that some grassland patches should remain unmanaged for long periods, as part of a mixed management strategy. Conservation grazing is not the only approach that should be used.

Urban ecosystems are not unique, as the ecological processes and anthropological effects they encapsulate can equally be found in a range of human dominated environments. Applying ecological lessons from both within and outside urban areas is important for insect conservation within our expanding towns and cities. The management of urban grasslands, which in many cases is controlled by private individual and corporate landowners, has the potential to make a large difference to the biodiversity they support. Here we report on an investigation of invertebrate biodiversity within a series of small urban grasslands with contrasting frequency of management by mowing. Seven gardens and five other grassland areas were suction sampled for grassland invertebrates in July 2016. Samples were taken in patches that were regularly cut on a 7-14 day cycle (very short), those cut every six weeks (short) and those than had not been cut since the previous year (long). Invertebrates were mostly identified to order level, with the Hemiptera to species or morphospecies. Invertebrate abundance was significantly inversely related to mowing frequency but overall species richness did not differ between short and very short grasslands. Community structure also was most distinct in the long grasslands. The pattern of abundance varied between different taxonomic groups, with the Hemiptera particularly benefiting from very low levels of management. The value to invertebrates, especially Hemiptera, of reduced grassland management is discussed, with reference to how the owners of gardens and other urban grassy areas can make simple changes to benefit biodiversity on their land.

The PREDICTS project-Projecting Responses of Ecological Diversity In Changing Terrestrial Systems (www.predicts.org.uk)-has collated from published studies a large, reasonably representative database of comparable samples of biodiversity from multiple sites that differ in the nature or intensity of human impacts relating to land use. We have used this evidence base to develop global and regional statistical models of how local biodiversity responds to these measures. We describe and make freely available this 2016 release of the database, containing more than 3.2 million records sampled at over 26,000 locations and representing over 47,000 species. We outline how the database can help in answering a range of questions in ecology and conservation biology. To our knowledge, this is the largest and most geographically and taxonomically representative database of spatial comparisons of biodiversity that has been collated to date; it will be useful to researchers and international efforts wishing to model and understand the global status of biodiversity.

We compared arthropod taxon richness, diversity and community structure of two replicated grassland husbandry experiments to investigate effects of reduced management intensity, as measured by nutrient input levels (390, 224 and 0 kg/ha per year N in one experiment, and 225 and 88 kg/ha per year N in another). Suction sampling was used to collect Araneae, Coleoptera, Hemiptera and Hymenoptera, with Araneae and Coleoptera also sampled with pitfall trapping. Univariate analyses found no significant differences in abundance and species density between treatments. However, with multivariate analysis, there were significant differences in arthropod community structure between treatments in both experiments.Reducing N input and associated stocking rates, as targeted by agri-environment schemes, can significantly alter arthropod communities but without increasing the number of species present. Other approaches that may be necessary to achieve substantial enhancement of sward arthropod biodiversity are suggested.

The cirl bunting (Emberiza cirlus L.) has been the subject of targeted and successful conservation efforts based on agri‐environment schemes (AES) in the UK since 1993. Recent work has suggested that although focused on a single species, there have been wider biodiversity benefits for plants and some invertebrates. In this study we investigated whether a similar pattern could be found for the Auchenorrhyncha (plant‐ and leafhoppers) within agricultural grasslands, where they form an important component of the herbivore community. Sweep netting was used to sample Auchenorrhyncha from AES pastures, on which no pesticide or fertiliser inputs are allowed, and from conventionally grazed and cut (silage) fields at 25 locations in south Devon UK, during 2008. Generalised linear mixed models and non‐metric multidimensional scaling were used to model abundance, species density, and community structure. AES fields had the highest abundance, followed by conventionally grazed and then cut fields. The same pattern occurred for species density, although there was no significant difference between conventionally grazed and cut fields. There was no difference in community structure between field types. Number of plant species, sward age, and nitrogen input were important covariates of field type, suggesting that the limitations on inputs resulting from AES are the likely drivers of the observed differences. The results add to the evidence base that suggests that increased agricultural intensity is inversely related to invertebrate biodiversity. They also provide evidence that AES designed for the cirl bunting have provided wider biodiversity benefits.

Biodiversity continues to decline in the face of increasing anthropogenic pressures such as habitat destruction, exploitation, pollution and introduction of alien species. Existing global databases of species' threat status or population time series are dominated by charismatic species. The collation of datasets with broad taxonomic and biogeographic extents, and that support computation of a range of biodiversity indicators, is necessary to enable better understanding of historical declines and to project - and avert - future declines. We describe and assess a new database of more than 1.6 million samples from 78 countries representing over 28,000 species, collated from existing spatial comparisons of local-scale biodiversity exposed to different intensities and types of anthropogenic pressures, from terrestrial sites around the world. The database contains measurements taken in 208 (of 814) ecoregions, 13 (of 14) biomes, 25 (of 35) biodiversity hotspots and 16 (of 17) megadiverse countries. The database contains more than 1% of the total number of all species described, and more than 1% of the described species within many taxonomic groups - including flowering plants, gymnosperms, birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, beetles, lepidopterans and hymenopterans. The dataset, which is still being added to, is therefore already considerably larger and more representative than those used by previous quantitative models of biodiversity trends and responses. The database is being assembled as part of the PREDICTS project (Projecting Responses of Ecological Diversity In Changing Terrestrial Systems - http://www.predicts.org.uk). We make site-level summary data available alongside this article. The full database will be publicly available in 2015.

The programme comprises three key measures: Sustainable Development, Cleaner Production and Environmental Technologies, and A Healthy Environment; together with two supporting measures: EPA Environmental Research Centre (ERC) and Capacity & Capability Building. The seven principal thematic areas for the programme are Climate Change; Waste, Resource Management and Chemicals; Water Quality and the Aquatic Environment; Air Quality, Atmospheric Deposition and Noise; Impacts on Biodiversity; Soils and Land-use; and Socio-economic Considerations. In addition, other emerging issues will be addressed as the need arises.

. 1.Arthropods, a major component of functional biodiversity within agro-ecosystems, contribute to sustainability through processes including nutrient cycling and pest control. Extensively managed field margins can help protect this functional biodiversity by providing habitat for beneficial species. 2.This 2year study investigated the relative benefits of grassland field margin treatments (Fenced only, Rotavated, and Reseeded (with a grass and wildflower mixture)) on the abundance and taxon richness of five arthropod trophic groups (detritivores, herbivores, predators, parasitoids and hyperparasitoids) from the orders Coleoptera, Hemiptera, Hymenoptera, Diptera and Araneae. 3.The taxon richness and abundance of all trophic groups (with the exception of herbivore abundance) was greater in fenced field margin treatments than in the adjacent grazed field, particularly by the final sampling occasion. However, there were seasonal differences, with abundance and taxon richness generally greater in August than in June. Only detritivores and herbivores responded to the individual fenced field margin treatments. The botanically more species rich, rotavated and reseeded treatments, had greater detritivore and herbivore richness and abundance than the fenced only treatments. 4.Community structure analysis indicated that the grazed (within) field and fenced field margins had two distinct communities for all trophic groups, demonstrating the conservation value of the margins within intensively managed agricultural grasslands. 5.The current Irish agri-environment scheme requires fencing of field margins. Our results highlight how this relatively simple measure can benefit arthropod conservation and functional biodiversity. This may in turn benefit farm productivity through potentially improved nutrient cycling and natural pest control.

Trees are thought to be important for supporting urban biodiversity. However tree species differ considerably in the numbers of invertebrates they support, with potential consequences for higher trophic groups such as birds. In this study the influence of native and non-native trees on the abundance of insects (Hemiptera) and the incidence of insectivorous birds (Paridae) were investigated in the southern English town of Bracknell. The number and species of tree were recorded from each of 17 roundabout and parkland sites. Tree beating was used to sample arboreal Hemiptera and Paridae were recorded either with point counts and transect walks, depending on the size of the site. Due to the great variation between tree species, there was no overall significant difference in species richness or abundance of Hemiptera between native and non-native tree species. However, individual native trees had more species and individuals than non-natives. The proportion of native trees at Bracknell sites was positively related to the abundance of both Hemiptera and the number of Paridae observed. The consequences of vegetation type for insect abundance indicates that in order to sustain and enhance urban biodiversity, careful consideration needs to be given to species of trees present in urban areas.

Abstract.  1. Cattle avoid grazing around their dung. This pattern persists after the decomposition of the initial dung patch leading to the formation of taller grass patches, termed islets. It is known that islets hold a disproportionate amount of the arthropods in grazed grasslands.

Ecologically, potential bioindicator taxa operate at different scales within agricultural ecosystems, and thereby provide a means to investigate the influence of changing management practice on biological diversity at different scales within the agro-ecosystem. Surveys of grassland plant species at field level, parasitoid Hymenoptera at the field and farm scale, and bird populations and habitats at farm scale were carried out on 119 grass-based farms across three regions in the Republic of Ireland. In addition, habitat richness and aquatic macroinvertebrates were quantified at landscape scale. Agricultural intensity on the surveyed farms was quantified by mean farm stocking rate, calculated as livestock units per ha (LU/ha), and generalised linear mixed models used to evaluate relationships between stocking rate and the incidence of chosen bioindicator groups. Field scale bioindicators (plant species richness and parasitoid taxon richness and abundance) were negatively associated with mean farm stocking rate. Over much of its observed range, mean farm stocking rate was positively associated with total bird species richness and abundance, and the species richness and abundance of farmland bird indicator species recorded in the winter season. However, these relationships were quadratic, and above a relatively high upper limit of 2.5-3.5 LU/ha, further increase in farm stocking rate had a negative influence. Results demonstrate that different bioindicators measured at different spatial scales vary in their response to agricultural intensity. The lack of a consistent bioindicator response to farm stocking rate suggests that within predominantly farmed regions, maximising biodiversity requires a careful targeting and monitoring with bioindicator taxa that are informative of influences at relevant operational scales. The insights provided may then be much more informative for the design and implementation of agri-environment measures that maximise biodiversity within farmed landscapes. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.