Laboratory of Insect Taxonomy — Department of hemipterans

Department Website (In Russian)

Department of hemipterans unites specialists on the true bugs, cicadas, and psyllids; priority directions of studies include morphology, taxonomy, phylogeny, character of distribution, and historical development of these groups in the world fauna, with the use of both classical descriptive methods, so modern molecular-genetic methods. V.L. Bianki (1857–1920) was the first specialist on hemipterans in the Institute, who had started the establishment of the collection of the department. Later, great contribution to the study of Palaearctic bug fauna was made by A.N. Kirichenko (1884–1971), and also by I.M. Kerzhner (1936–2008), who was also one of the best experts in the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature, creator and editor-in-chief of the journal “Zoosystematica Rossica”. In recent years, bugs in the department are studied by D.A. Gapon and F.V, Konstantinov. M.M. Loginova (1926–1979) was a leading specialist on psyllids; according to her afforts, psyllid collection of the department turned into one of the largest in Europe. A.F. Emelyanov (born in 1936) is a recognized authority in problems of taxonomy, morphology, and evolution of cicadas. At present, fulgoroid cicadas are actively studied by V.M. Gnezdilov, the head of the department. The staff of the department actively participated in expeditions to different regions of the former USSR and Mongolia, and now also to Mediterranean and tropical regions (Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Madagascar, Chile, Australia).

Staff

Vladimir M. Gnezdilov (Head of Department, Leading Researcher, Doctor of Biological Sciences)

Dmitry A. Gapon (Senior Researcher, Candidate of Biological Sciences)

Alexandr F. Emeljanov (Principal Researcher, Doctor of Biological Sciences)

Fedor V. Konstantinov (Senior Researcher, Candidate of Biological Sciences)

Anna A. Namyatova (Senior Researcher, Candidate of Biological Sciences)

Victoria A. Stekolnikova (Senior Collection Keeper, Candidate of Biological Sciences)