Phylogenetic placement of eight poorly known spiders of Microdipoena (Araneae, Mysmenidae), with descriptions of five new species

Ten species of the spider genus Microdipoena Banks, 1895 are reported from China, Laos, Indonesia, Georgia, and Seychelles. DNA sequences of the eight species are obtained to confirm their correct identification. The molecular phylogenetic analysis based on five gene fragments (16S, 18S, 28S, COI, and H3) were used to test the relationships and taxonomic placements of eight Microdipoena species, of which five species are documented as new to science: i.e., M.huisunsp. nov. (♀, China), M.lisusp. nov. (♀, China), M.shenyangsp. nov. (♂♀, China), M.thatitousp. nov. (♀, Laos), and M.zhulinsp. nov. (♂♀, China). Five known species are redescribed: M.elsae Saaristo, 1978 (♂♀, Seychelles), M.gongi (Yin, Peng & Bao, 2004) (♂♀, China), M.menglunensis (Lin & Li, 2008) (♂♀, China), M.jobi (Kraus, 1967) (♂♀, Georgia), and M.yinae (Lin & Li, 2013) (♂♀, China). All but M.menglunensis are diagnosed and illustrated. The family Mysmenidae is also the first recorded from Laos and Georgia.

A new species of Aulacaspis and a revived combination of Diaspididae (Hemiptera, Coccomorpha) from China

A new species of armored scale insect, Aulacaspisfanjingshanensissp. nov. is described and illustrated based on adult female specimens collected on Rosaceae plants in China. A key to the Aulacaspis species known from Guizhou Province of China is provided. Our molecular study suggests that Aulacaspisschizosoma (Takagi, 1970) is not a true member of the genus Aulacaspis; the genus Superturmaspis Chen, 1983 is revived and A.schizosoma is transferred to it as Superturmaspisschizosoma (Takagi, 1970), revived combination, based on a molecular phylogeny.

The genus Eurymeros Bhat (Hymenoptera, Braconidae, Alysiinae) newly recorded from China

Background

Alysiinae Leach is a species-rich subfamily in Braconidae, of which several species play an important role in biological control. The monotypic genus Eurymerostumespiraculum Bhat, 1980 was discovered in Tibet and Yunnan provinces for the first time, representing the first record of the genus Eurymeros Bhat, 1980 (Braconidae, Alysiinae) in China.

New information

The rare genus Eurymeros Bhat, 1980 (Braconidae, Alysiinae) and its only known species, E.tumespiraculum Bhat, 1980, are newly recorded from China. The morphological variation of the Chinese specimens is described and illustrated.

Cavariella Del Guercio (Hemiptera, Aphidinae, Macrosiphini) in China, with a new species, new synonymies, and first country records

The genus Cavariella is distinguished from other Macrosiphini genera (Aphididae, Aphidinae) because it has a supra-caudal process on abdominal tergite VIII which possesses two setae distally. It is Holarctic in distribution, and half of its species are Asian. The Chinese fauna of this genus, 17 species, have been restudied, morphologically and through DNA barcodes. As a result: Cavariellahidaensis Takahashi is transferred to Elatobium; Cavariellasculptura Qiao & Xu, sp. nov. is described from specimens collected on Torilis and Cryptotaenia (Apiaceae); Cavariellacessana Zhang, Chen, Zhong & Li, syn. nov. and Cavariellalargispiracula Zhang, Chen, Zhong & Li, syn. nov. are respectively junior synonyms of Cavariellaaquatica (Gillette & Bragg) and Cavariellasapporoensis Takahashi; Cavariellagilgiana Zhang, Chen, Zhong & Li and Cavariellalhasana Zhang are confirmed as valid species and complete descriptions are provided; Cavariellabhutanensis Chakrabarti & Das, Cavariellanigra Basu, Cavariellapastinacae (Linnaeus), and Cavariellapustula Essig are recorded for the first time from China. Additionally, keys for species of Cavariella known in China are provided and modifications to the key by Blackman and Eastop of aphid species on Angelica (Aphids on World's Plants) are presented.

First record of the genus Pseudaeginella Mayer, 1890 (Crustacea, Amphipoda, Caprellidae) with a new species from Korean waters

A new species of the genus Pseudaeginella Mayer, 1890 belonging to the family Caprellidae Leach, 1814 was collected from the South Sea in Korea. Pseudaeginellacarinaspinosasp. nov. is morphologically similar to related congeners belonging to the genera Paradeutella Mayer, 1890 and Pseudaeginella, in having dorsal projections on pereonites, triarticulate mandibular palp, small or absent molar, and uniarticulate pereopods 3 and 4. However, this new species is distinguished from its congeners by the position and size of dorsal projection. This is the first record of Pseudaeginella from the Northwest Pacific region, including Korea, and a key to species of the genus Pseudaeginella is also provided.

First records of the crane fly genus Helius Lepeletier & Serville (Diptera, Limoniidae) in Guangxi, China with description of one new species

The genus Helius Lepeletier & Serville, 1828 is recorded in Guangxi, China for the first time with the following three species belonging to the subgenus H. (Helius): H. (H.) damingshanussp. nov., H. (H.) nipponensis (Alexander, 1913) and H. (H.) stenorhynchus stenorhynchus Alexander, 1954. Among them, H. (H.) stenorhynchus stenorhynchus is also a new record in China. Their descriptions and illustrations, as well as the first key to Chinese H. (Helius) crane flies, are presented.

Mealybugs (Hemiptera, Coccomorpha, Pseudococcidae) on parasitic plants (Loranthaceae) in Indonesia with description of a new species and a new country record

Parasitic plants have been known to be attacked by insect pests since ancient times. However, little is known about the mealybug (Hemiptera, Coccomorpha, Pseudococcidae) fauna associated with them. A series of surveys of mealybugs found on Loranthaceae, a semi-parasitic plant family, was conducted in several places in Bengkulu Province, southern Sumatra, Indonesia. In the study, 55 mealybug specimens were collected, consisting of eight species belonging to five genera, namely Chorizococcus McKenzie (1 species), Dysmicoccus Ferris (2 species), Ferrisia Fullaway (1 species), Planococcus Ferris (3 species) and Pseudococcus Westwood (1 species). Chorizococcusozeri Zarkani & Kaydan, sp. nov. is new to science, whilst Planococcusbagmaticus Williams represents the first record in Indonesia. In addition, the mealybugs Dysmicoccuslepelleyi (Betrem), Dysmicoccuszeynepae Zarkani & Kaydan, Ferrisiadasylirii (Cockerell), Planococcuslilacinus (Cockerell) and Pseudococcusjackbeardsleyi Gimpel & Miller are newly recorded from plants of the family Loranthaceae. Figures and illustrations of mealybug species with a taxonomic key to Asian Chorizococcus and a new country record based on morphological characters are also updated.

New records of the squat lobster genus Munidopsis Whiteaves, 1874 (Crustacea, Decapoda, Munidopsidae) from the deep sea off Taiwan

Two species of the squat lobster family Munidopsidae, Munidopsisalbatrossae Pequegnat & Pequegnat, 1973 and M.pycnopoda Baba, 2005, are reported from Taiwan for the first time based on specimens collected from lower bathyal depths. The Taiwanese material of M.pycnopoda also represents the first record of the species from the Pacific Ocean and greatly extends this species' geographical range from the western Indian Ocean to western Pacific. The giant Munidopsis specimen from Taiwan is identified as M.albatrossae mainly by DNA barcoding even though M.albatrossae and M.aries (A. Milne-Edwards, 1880) are both morphologically and genetically extremely similar.

Contribution to the Knowledge of Dicranoptychini (Diptera, Tipuloidea, Limoniidae) in China, with the First Mitochondrial Genome of the Tribe and Its Phylogenetic Implications

Dicranoptychini is a tribe in the subfamily Limoniinae (Diptera, Tipuloidea, and Limoniidae) and includes only the genus Dicranoptycha Osten Sacken, 1860. However, the species diversity of the tribe in China was seriously underestimated, and the taxonomic status of Dicranoptycha has long been controversial. In this study, types of Chinese Dicranoptycha species and specimens collected from several localities in China were examined, and the first mitochondrial (mt) genome of the tribe Dicranoptychini is presented. Two Dicranoptycha species, D. jiufengshana sp. nov. and D. shandongensis sp. nov., from China, are described and illustrated as new to science. A Palaearctic species, D. prolongata Alexander, 1938, is recorded in China for the first time. In addition, the complete mt genome of D. shandongensis sp. nov. is sequenced and annotated, indicating that it is a typical circular DNA molecule with a length of 16,157 bp and shows a similar gene order, nucleotide composition, and codon usage to mt genomes of other Tipuloidea species. The two pairs of repeat elements are found in its control region. Phylogenetic results confirm the sister-group relationship between Cylindrotomidae and Tipulidae, question the position of the genus Epiphragma Osten Sacken, 1860 in Limoniidae, and indicate that Dicranoptychini may be a basal lineage within Limoniinae.

Additional record of Tuponia Reuter (Heteroptera, Miridae, Phylinae) from Korea, with a new synonym and discussion on distribution

Background

The genus Tuponia Reuter, 1875 belongs to the subfamily Phylinae and comprises 91 species worldwide. Before this study, only T.koreana Kim & Jung had been recorded from the Korean Peninsula.

New information

Two species of Tuponia Reuter, 1910 are recognised from the Korean Peninsula including the first record of T.mongolica Drapolyuk, 1980. T.koreana Kim & Jung, 2021 is proposed as a junior synonym of T.chinensis Zheng & Li, 1992. The species is identified, based on the dorsal habitus and male and female genitalic structures. A brief discussion of the distribution of Korean Tuponia species also is presented.

First record of the predatory stink bug species Picromerusgriseus (Dallas) (Hemiptera, Heteroptera, Pentatomidae, Asopinae) in Japan, with an illustrated key to the Japanese species of the genus Picromerus Amyot & Serville

Background

The predatory stink bug genus Picromerus Amyot & Serville, 1843 (Hemiptera, Heteroptera, Pentatomidae, Asopinae) comprises 11 species found in the Northern Hemisphere. In Japan, two species have been recorded to date. However, an easy-to-understand identification method, such as an illustrated key, is lacking. Currently, Picromerusgriseus (Dallas, 1851) has been recorded in Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, Indonesia, Myanmar, Pakistan and Taiwan, but not in Japan.

New information

Picromerusgriseus was recorded in Japan for the first time, based on a single individual collected from grasslands around the fields of Ishigaki Island of the Ryukyu Islands, which belong to the Oriental Region. This discovery represents the easternmost record of the species. An illustrated key to the species of Picromerus occurring in Japan is also provided.

First record of the genus Pectapalochrus Tshernyshev, 2016 (Coleoptera, Malachiidae) from China

Background

Pectapalochrus Tshernyshev, 2016 is a small genus belonging to the tribe Apalochrini in the family Malachiidae (Coleoptera, Cleroidea), with four currently known species: P.omega (Evers, 1965) from Mongolia, P.armenus (Iablokoff-Khnzorian, 1978) from Armenia, P.pictus (Motschulsky, 1860) from Russia and P.pectinicornis (Erichson, 1840) from Russia and Mongolia.

New information

Pectapalochrus Tshernyshev, 2016 is newly recorded from China upon the discovery of P.omega (Evers, 1965) from Ningxia Autonomous Region. The morphological characters of the adult are re-described in detail with illustrations of external appearance and relevant characters.

First record of the major termite pest species, Reticulitermes flavipes (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae), in Argentina

Reticulitermes flavipes is the most invasive species in its genus and is responsible for causing significant damage to human structures in areas where it has been introduced. Although it has already become established in Chile and Uruguay, it had not previously been reported in Argentina. In this study, we report the first detection of this species in Buenos Aires, the capital of Argentina. The colony was already producing alates, and species identification was confirmed through both morphology and mitochondrial gene 16S rRNA analysis. Our results, while not conclusive, suggest that this introduction was independent from the one that occurred in Chile and Uruguay, and potentially originated from the United States. The detection of R. flavipes in Argentina is significant because it highlights the potential for this species to establish itself in new regions and underscores the need for future research on and control of R. flavipes in this country.

The Genus Neoseiulus Hughes (Acari: Phytoseiidae) in Shanxi, China

The genus Neoseiulus in Shanxi Province is reviewed and seven species are recorded from the province. Four of these are redescribed and detailed taxonomic information are provided. Neoseiulus paraki (Ehara) is recorded for the first time in China and Neoseiulus neoreticuloides (Liang and Hu) is considered a new junior synonym of Neoseiulus bicaudus (Wainstein). Additionally, a diagnostic key to the known species of Neoseiulus in Shanxi is provided.

Opacoptera Gozmány (Lepidoptera, Lecithoceridae) from China, with descriptions of four new species

The genus Opacoptera Gozmány, 1978 is reviewed. Four species are described as new: O.condensatasp. nov., O.hybocentrasp. nov., O.introflexasp. nov. and O.longissimasp. nov.Opacopterakerastiodes Park, 2021 is newly recorded for China. Images of adults are provided, along with a key to the males of all the known species.

Revision of the genus Atholus Thomson, 1859 (Coleoptera, Histeridae, Histerinae) from the Philippines with additional records

The Philippine species of the genus Atholus Thomson, 1859 are revised and re-examined based on museum as well as freshly collected specimens. Atholustorquatus (Marseul, 1854) is re-described, and SEM micrographs and illustrations of both male and female genitalia are provided. Atholusbakeri (Bickhardt, 1914) and Atholusnitidissimus Desbordes, 1925 are also re-described based on images of syntypes. Atholuspirithous (Marseul, 1873) and A.torquatus (Marseul, 1854) are new to the Philippine archipelago. Atholuscoelestis (Marseul, 1857) and A.philippinensis (Marseul, 1854) are provided with diagnostic descriptions and images. A key to the Philippine species is provided.

First national record of Microhylahmongorum Hoang, Nguyen, Phan, Pham, Ninh, Wang, Jiang, Ziegler and Nguyen, 2022 (Anura, Microhylidae, Microhyla) in China

Background

To date, 10 species of the genus Microhyla have been recorded in China, of which six were distributed in Yunnan Province. Microhylahmongorum Hoang, Nguyen, Phan, Pham, Ninh, Wang, Jiang, Ziegler, and Nguyen, 2022 was also speculated to be distributed in Xishuangbana, Yunnan Province, China. However, there is no evidence of documentation of M.hmongorum.

New information

We report the first country record of Microhylahmongorum, based on specimens collected from Yunnan border region. Morphologically, the specimen was consistent with the original descriptions of M.hmongorum. Phylogenetically, the sequences of the specimens from China clustered with the sequence of type specimens of M.hmongorum from Vietnam, with uncorrected pairwise distances of 0.9% at the 16S gene fragment analysed. Therefore, we report M.hmongorum as a new record species in China.

Flesh Flies (Diptera: Sarcophagidae) of Forensic Importance Collected From Pig Carcasses in the Cerrado of Northeastern Brazil

Sarcophagidae is a family of true flies frequently found colonizing carcasses and corpses as adults and/or larvae, therefore, they are of great forensic value in the medico-legal field. Thus, this study aims to inventory the sarcophagids species and describe their succession process in the decomposition of swine carcasses in the Cerrado (savanna-like vegetation), Brazilian Northeastern region. A total of 10,819 specimens were collected, belonging to 45 sarcophagid species. Of this total, one species was recently described (Helicobia neuzalmeidae Silva, Brasil, De-Souza & Carvalho-Filho), two [Blaesoxipha (Acanthodotheca) denieri (Blanchard) and Dexosarcophaga pusilla Lopes] are new records for the Cerrado biome, five [Argoravinia (Argoravinia) catiae Carvalho Filho & Esposito, B. (A.) denieri, Nephochaetopteryx orbitalis (Curran & Walley), Peckia (Sarcodexia) tridentata (Hall) and Tricharaea (Sarcophagula) ramirezi (Lopes)] are new records for the Northeast region and eight are new records for the state of Maranhão. The species A. (A.) catiae, Blaesoxipha (Gigantotheca) stallengi (Lahille), D. pusilla, H. neuzalmeidae, Lipoptilocnema misella Lopes, Oxysarcodexia bakeri (Aldrich) and Retrocitomyia retrocita (Hall) were collected for the first time in pig carcasses. Peckia (Sarcodexia) lambens (Wiedemann) and Oxysarcodexia thornax (Walker) were the most abundant species. In both collection seasons, five species were carcasses pioneers at an early stage. The majority of species (42 spp.) were collected during the dry season, primarily during the black putrefaction (39 spp.) and butyric fermentation (30 spp.) stages. The greatest number specimens (n = 6,484) were recorded during the rainy season, at the butyric fermentation (n = 2,517) and black putrefaction (n = 2,080).

First Records of Aedeomyia squamipennis in Palm Beach County, Florida, USA

Continuous surveillance, trained personnel, and coordination with other agencies are critical elements of effective nuisance and vector mosquito control. Palm Beach County Mosquito Control, FL, has used routine surveillance to make control decisions and note changes in mosquito populations since the 1940s. In the fall and winter of 2021-2022, Palm Beach County Mosquito Control's surveillance program detected the presence of Aedeomyia squamipennis. This represented the first collection of specimens of Ad. squamipennis in Palm Beach County and the second finding of this species beyond the initial site of detection in Miami-Dade County, FL. Identity was confirmed by morphology and DNA sequencing. Sequenced Ad. squamipennis specimens collected in Palm Beach County were identical (100% sequence similarity) to specimens collected and sequenced from Homestead, Miami-Dade County in 2016. It is suspected that Ad. squamipennis has expanded its range northward from Miami-Dade County into Palm Beach County, a distance of approximately 140 km.

First Report of Colletotrichum fructicola Causing Fruit Rot and Leaf-Tip Dieback on Pineapple in Northern Thailand

Pineapple is one of the most economically important fruits in tropical countries, particularly in Thailand. Canned pineapple is currently Thailand's main exported commodity to many countries, including the United States, Russia, Germany, Poland, and Japan. Fungal diseases are considered a permanent threat to fruits in the pre- and post-harvest stages, leading to considerable economic losses. Fungal disease is one of the primary causes of massive yield losses in pineapples around the world. Colletotrichum species are the most common fungal pathogens affecting different tropical fruits. Although there are many reports regarding Colletotrichum species associated with pineapple, they do not have molecular data to confirm species identification. However, the occurrence of Colletotrichum species on pineapple has not been reported in Thailand so far. In this study, we isolated and identified Colletotrichum fructicola on pineapple in northern Thailand and have proven its pathogenicity to the host. This is the first report of the occurrence of Colletotrichum in pineapple, based on morpho-molecular approaches.

First record of mudskipper Boleophthalmus dussumieri (Gobiidae: Oxudercinae) on the coast of Mozambique and evidence of two putative lineages along its known distribution range

Boleophthalmus dussumieri is one of the most widely distributed mudskippers and is native to the Persian Gulf in Iran down to the northeast of the Arabian Sea and the coast of India. Nonetheless, the present study is the first to confirm the presence of B. dussumieri in the marine areas of the Mozambique coast. In addition, molecular analysis revealed strong evidence for the existence of two lineages with a high level of nucleotide divergence along the sampled area, revealing a still-neglected taxonomic condition for this lineage/species.

Revision of Aplosonyx Chevrolat, 1836 (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae, Galerucinae) from China, with descriptions of three new species

In this study, 21 species of the leaf-beetle genus Aplosonyx in China are described, including three new species, Aplosonyxancorellasp. nov., Aplosonyxnigricornissp. nov. and Aplosonyxwudangensissp. nov., and 1 new record, Aplosonyxduvivieri Jacoby, 1900. Additionally, Aplosonyxancorafulvescens Chen, 1964 is elevated to species. A key to the Chinese species of Aplosonyx is provided.

Review of the Palaearctic species of Miscogasteriella Girault, 1915 (Chalcidoidea, Pteromalidae)

Palaearctic species of the genus Miscogasteriella Girault, 1915 are reviewed. Miscogasteriellaolgaesp. nov. from South Korea and M.vladimirisp. nov. from Japan are described. Type material of M.nigricans (Masi) and M.sulcata (Kamijo) is redescribed and illustrated. Miscogasteriellanigricans is recorded from the Palaearctic region for the first time. An identification key to females of all Palaearctic species of Miscogasteriella is given.

The first record of Propomacrusbimucronatus (Pallas, 1781) (Coleoptera, Scarabaeidae) from Iraq, with notes on its distribution and phenology in the Near East

Background

Propomacrusbimucronatus (Pallas, 1781), the Mediterranean long-armed scarab, is a large saproxylic beetle, occurring in the east Mediterranean and south-east Europe, sparse throughout its entire distributional range, often considered as rare, threatened or extinct species.

New information

Propomacrusbimucronatus is recorded for the first time from Kurdistan, Iraq. The new data on its distribution and phenology in Iraq and in Israel is published for the first time, compared with the previously-published data and analysed.

The Genus Schizoprymnus Förster, 1863 (Hymenoptera, Braconidae, Brachistinae) from China, with Descriptions of Seven New Species

The species of the genus Schizoprymnus Förster, 1863 (Hymenoptera, Braconidae, Brachistinae) from China are revised. Seven new species, namely S. carinatus Yan and Chen, sp. nov., S. glabratus Yan and Chen, sp. nov., S. liui Yan and Chen, sp. nov., S. parvidentatus Yan and van Achterberg, sp. nov., S. punctiscutellaris Yan and Chen, sp. nov., S. septentrionalis Yan and Chen, sp. nov., and S. subspinosus Yan and Chen, sp. nov. are described and illustrated. In addition, S. telengai Tobias, 1976 is reported for the first time from China. An updated key to the Chinese species of the genus Schizoprymnus is included.