A new species of Habrophorula from Vietnam and an updated key to species of the genus (Hymenoptera, Apidae)

The rare bee genus Habrophorula Lieftinck, 1974 is recorded for the first time from Vietnam. The genus is represented by a new species, Habrophorulabelladeceptrix Tran, Engel & Nguyen, sp. nov., from Cao Bang Province and can be most easily confused with H.nigripes Wu from China. The species is most easily differentiated by the unique form of the male terminalia but can also be distinguished by differences in integumental and setal coloration. A revised key is provided to the species of the genus. Females of the new species were collected at flowers of Saurauiaroxburghii Wall. and Saurauianapaulensis DC. (Actinidiaceae); males were collected at flowers of Lantanacamara L. (Verbenaceae).

Revisionary notes on the genus Aulacocentrum Brues (Hymenoptera, Braconidae, Macrocentrinae) from Vietnam

This paper contains descriptions and illustrations of five new species of the genus Aulacocentrum Brues, 1922, from Vietnam, viz. Aulacocentrumassitum Long & Pham, sp. nov.; A.glabrum Long, sp. nov.; A.imparum Long & van Achterberg, sp. nov.; A.intermedium Long & van Achterberg, sp. nov.; and A.simulatum Long, sp. nov. Additionally, Aulacocentrumseticella van Achterberg & He is newly recorded for Vietnam's braconid fauna. A checklist and a key to the Oriental and East Palaearctic Aulacocentrum species is provided and the in-country distribution of the Vietnamese species is given.

First record of the hippolytid shrimp Hippolyteaustraliensis (Stimpson, 1860) (Crustacea, Decapoda) from China

Background

Two specimens of the genus Hippolyte were examined from the caridean collections of the Marine Biological Museum, Chinese Academy of Sciences. These specimens were captured in the South China Sea in 1987. Detailed inspection revealed that their morphological features closely match the (re)descriptions of Hippolyteaustraliensis, especially in the presence of a long, distinct lateral carina on the rostrum, a dorsally unarmed rostral border, and four prominent terminal spines on the dactylus of the last three pereiopods.

New information

The discovery of Hippolyteaustraliensis in Chinese waters represents a significant expansion of its geographic distribution from the South Pacific to the North Pacific. Furthermore, an additional taxonomical report of H.australiensis is provided since its retrieval in 2001.

New records of Chrysochroinae Laporte de Castelnau, 1835 (Coleoptera, Buprestidae) from China

Background

Chrysochroinae Laporte de Castelnau, 1835 is the very colourful subfamily of Buprestidae. There are 127 species and subspecies of the subfamily which have been recorded in China.

New information

In this paper, we reported three genera, two subgenera and five species of the subfamily Chrysochroinae Laporte de Castelnau, 1835 (Coleoptera, Buprestidae) which are all newly recorded from China. These reported taxa belong to two tribes and four genera: Chrysochroa (Chroodema) corbetti (Kerremans, 1893), Chrysochroa (Pyranthe) fulgens ephippigera White, 1843, Demochroa (Demoxantha) gratiosa indica Csiki, 1900, Xanthocatabonvouloirii (Deyrolle, 1861) (all the above four being Chrysochroini) and Cardiaspismouhotii E. Saunders, 1866 (Dicercini). The five newly-recorded species are briefly described, illustrated and supplemented with relevant biological information.

First report of the genus Woonpaikia Park, 2010 (Lepidoptera, Lecithoceridae) from China, with the description of two new species

The lecithocerid genus Woonpaikia Park, 2010 and Woonpaikiaangoonae Park, 2010 are newly recorded from China. Woonpaikiasimilangoonae Yu & Wang, sp. nov. and W.imperspicua Yu & Wang, sp. nov. are described as new to science. Images of adults of the Chinese Woonpaikia species are provided, along with a key to the males of all the known species of Woonpaikia.

New species in the genera Eumacrocyrtus Schultze, 1923 and Enoplocyrtus Yoshitake, 2017 from Luzon Island, Philippines (Coleoptera, Curculionidae, Entiminae, Pachyrhynchini)

We describe and illustrate two new species from two previously monotypic genera Eumacrocyrtus Schultze, 1923 and Enoplocyrtus Yoshitake, 2017 from Luzon Island, Philippines: Eumacrocyrtusrobertfoxisp. nov., and Enoplocyrtusangelalcalaisp. nov.Eumacrocyrtusrobertfoxisp. nov. serves as a new record for Luzon Island for Eumacrocyrtus which was only previously represented by E.canlaonensis Schultze, 1923 from Negros Island whereas Enoplocyrtusangelalcalaisp. nov. serves as an additional record of Enoplocyrtus in Mountain Province in Luzon Island. The discovery of these two new species from the Zoological Collections of the Philippine National Museum, collected in 1947 and 1985, respectively, highlights the value of natural history collections for the present and future generations of researchers.

Chewing lice of wild birds in Iran: new data and a checklist of avian louse species reported in Iran

Between September 2019 and December 2023, a total of 612 wild birds representing 16 orders, 33 families, 60 genera, and 78 species from nine provinces of Iran with different climates namely Hamedan (n = 54), Sistan-va-Baluchestan (n = 372), Kerman (n = 73), South Khorasan (n = 52), Mazandaran (n = 7), Chaharmahal-va-Bakhtiari (n = 2), Gilan (n = 2), Golestan (n = 18), North Khorasan (n = 9), and Razavi Khorasan (n = 23) were examined for chewing lice infestation. Naked eye examination revealed that 58 birds (9.5%) were infested with at least one chewing louse species. Collected lice specimens belonged to 28 species from the families Philopteridae, Menoponidae and Laemobothriidae including Strigiphilus strigis (n = 55, 15.6%), Falcolipeurus quadripustulatus (n = 41, 11.6%), Craspedorrhynchus platystomus (n = 40, 11.3%), Colpocephalum turbinatum (n = 36, 10.2%), Laemobothrion maximum (n = 25, 7.1%), Nosopon lucidum (n = 20, 5.6%), Degeeriella fulva (n = 18, 5.1%), Colpocephalum eucarenum (n = 16, 4.5%), Laemobothrion vulturis (n = 15, 4.2%), Anaticola crassicornis (n = 13, 3.7%), Craspedorrhynchus aquilinus (n = 9, 2.5%), Degeeriella fusca (n = 7, 2.0%), Aegypoecus trigonoceps (n = 7, 2.0%), Quadraceps obscurus (n = 6, 1.7%), Colpocephalum impressum (n = 6, 1.7%), Trinoton querquedulae (n = 6, 1.7%), Colpocephalum heterosoma (n = 5, 1.4%), Colpocephalum nanum (n = 5, 1.4%), Lunaceps holophaeus (n = 4, 1.1%), Quadraceps spp. (n = 4, 1.1%), Actornithophilus uniseriatus (n = 2, 0.6%), Nosopon chanabense (n = 2, 0.6%), Actornithophilus cornutus (n = 1, 0.3%), Cuclotogaster heterographus (n = 1, 0.3%), Falcolipeurus suturalis (n = 1, 0.3%), Laemobothrion atrum (n = 1, 0.3%), Colpocephalum gypsi (n = 1, 0.3%), and Rallicola cuspidatus (n = 1, 0.3%). All of these species except six, i.e., Trinoton spp., C. aquilinus, L. vulturis, L. maximum, C. impressum, C. turbinatum, and C. heterographus are recorded for the first time from Iran. This study is the largest epidemiological study to date performed in the country. Data reported herein contribute to our knowledge about diversity of avian chewing lice from wild birds in Iran. In this paper, an updated checklist of louse species reported from Iran according to their avian hosts is presented.

A Contribution to the Phylogeny and Taxonomy of Hydnum (Cantharellales, Basidiomycota) from China

Hydnum is a well-characterized genus in the family Hydnaceae of Cantharellales and is characterized by spinose hymenophores. In this study, an ITS phylogenetic overview and a multilocus (ITS-nrLSU-tef1) phylogenetic tree of Hydnum were carried out. On the basis of morphological characteristics and phylogenetic results, seven species from China were confirmed, described, illustrated, and compared with similar species, including three new species, i.e., H. longipes, H. microcarpum, and H. sinorepandum, and four known species, i.e., H. cremeoalbum, H. melitosarxm, H. orientalbidum, and H. pinicola were recorded for the first time in China. A key to the species of Hydnum in China was provided.

A taxonomic study of four rare pteromalid genera: Amblyharma Huang & Tong, Fusta Xiao & Ye, Nazgulia Hedqvist and Platecrizotes Ferrière from the Eastern Palaearctic (Chalcidoidea, Pteromalidae, Pachyneurinae)

The four morphologically similar genera Amblyharma Huang & Tong, 1993, Fusta Xiao & Ye, 2015, Nazgulia Hedqvist, 1973 and Platecrizotes Ferrière, 1934 from the Eastern Palaearctic are reviewed. Redescriptions of genera and all available types of Eastern Palaearctic species are provided. An identification key to genera is given. A new species from South Korea, Platecrizotesjediisp. nov. is described and illustrated.

Argyrotaeniasocoromaensis sp. nov. (Lepidoptera, Tortricidae), a sexually dimorphic micromoth with polyphagous larvae from the arid Andes of northern Chile

Argyrotaeniasocoromaensissp. nov. (Lepidoptera, Tortricidae, Tortricinae, Archipini) from the arid Andes of northern Chile is described and illustrated. Adults are sexually dimorphic, with differences in wing size, shape and pattern. The larvae feed on Steviaphilippiana Hieron. (Asteraceae) and Lupinusoreophilus Phil. (Fabaceae). Genetic distance between DNA barcodes of male and female adults reared from larvae collected on the two hosts was 0-0.2% (K2P). The discovery of A.socoromaensissp. nov. represents the first record of the genus Argyrotaenia Stephens, 1852 and the tribe Archipini for the Chilean fauna of Tortricidae.

First records of non-native species Callitrichedeflexa (Plantaginaceae), which was previously misidentified as C.terrestris in Japan

Background

The cosmopolitan genus Callitriche (Plantaginaceae) is a clade of small herbaceous plants that encompasses terrestrial and aquatic species. In Japan, six Callitriche species have been identified: four native and two naturalised species. Callitricheterrestris, a naturalised terrestrial species, was first reported in 1984 in Kanagawa Prefecture and it is thriving today.

New information

We report the presence of a new naturalised terrestrial species, Callitrichedeflexa, which has been previously misidentified as C.terrestris because of its similar morphology. Callitrichedeflexa can be distinguished from C.terrestris through genetic differences and distinct morphological traits, such as longer pedicels. Re-examination of herbarium specimens in the Kanagawa Prefectural Museum of Natural History confirmed that most of the specimens labelled as C.terrestris, including voucher specimens from the original report, were indeed C.terrestris, but a few were C.deflexa. We also noted that the plants referred to as "C.terrestris" in our previous developmental studies should be corrected to C.deflexa.

Taxonomic review of the genus Nycteola Hübner (Lepidoptera, Nolidae) from Korea including potential invasive pests

Background

The genus Nycteola Hübner has been mainly distributed in the Old World and usually feeds on Fagaceae and Salicaceae, but Myrtaceae and Juglandaceae have also been reported. In Korea, the number of this genus has been changed from four to three after 2007, but three or four species are listed confusingly up to now.

New information

The Japanese endemic species Nycteoladufayi Sugi, 1982 are firstly reported for the Continents with its brief biology. Additionally, Korean fauna of nycteolid species are reviewed.

Corrections and additions to the catalogue of the bees (Hymenoptera, Anthophila) of Russia

The present study is an update to the first catalogue of Russian bees published in 2017. For the Russian fauna, five recently described species are reported, as well as 45 species newly recorded since the first catalogue (including one invasive species), nine species overlooked in this previous Russian checklist, and 17 published synonymies. Original records are provided for nine species previously unknown to Russia and, as a taxonomic act, one species, Anthidiumovasi Warncke, 1980, syn. nov., is synonymised with Icteranthidiumfloripetum (Eversmann, 1852). Additionally, 14 species are excluded from the original catalogue and numerous other taxonomic changes and clarifications are included. The present work revises the total number of genera for Russia to 64 and the total number of species to 1,268.

A survey of pholcid spiders (Araneae, Pholcidae) from Guiyang, Guizhou Province, China

The family Pholcidae C.L. Koch, 1850 is highly diverse in Guizhou Province, southwestern China, and currently contains four genera and 22 species. Nevertheless, the distribution of pholcid spiders is conspicuously patchy in Guizhou. Species from Guiyang are poorly studied, and only Pholcusspilis Zhu & Gong, 1991 has been recorded. A survey was undertaken for the first time to study the pholcids in Guiyang. A total of four species are reported, comprising Belisanayuhaoi Yang & Yao, sp. nov. and three other species: Leptopholcustanikawai Irie, 1999 (new record for Guiyang), Pholcusspilis Zhu & Gong, 1991 and Spermophorasenoculata (Dugès, 1836) (new record for Guizhou).

Review of the genus Liocrobyla (Lepidoptera, Gracillariidae, Ornixolinae) from Korea, with description of one newly-recorded species

Background

Liocrobyla Meyrick, 1916 is a relatively small genus within the family Gracillariidae, consisting of nine species worldwide, including five species in Korea.

New information

In this study, we recognise five species belonging to the genus Liocrobyla Meyrick, 1916 from Korea. Amongst them, one species, L.indigofera Liu, Wang & Wang, 2018, is reported for the first time in Korea. Figures of adults, male and female genitalia, along with a key to the species of Liocrobyla in Korea, are provided.

First report of Culicoides caucoliberensis in Spain: Exploring molecular phylogeny, host-feeding behaviour and avian haemosporidian parasites

Culicoides biting midges (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) are vectors of pathogens that affect wildlife and livestock. Understanding the composition and distribution of vector species is crucial for implementing control strategies and preventing the spread of infectious diseases. This study provides a morphological and molecular characterisation of Culicoides caucoliberensis, which represents the first record for Spain, increasing the number of Culicoides species in the country to 85. A total of 213 specimens were collected using Onderstepoort-ultraviolet down-draught light traps on a rocky coastline in the Balearic Islands during two sampling periods in 2022. Phylogenetic analysis showed that C. caucoliberensis forms a monophyletic cluster within the Maritimus group. Host preferences were determined for the first time and showed propensity to feed on the European shag (Phalacrocorax aristotelis). The vector role of C. caucoliberensis for haemosporidian transmission remains unclear since molecular detection of Haemosporidians (Haemoproteus and Plasmodium) was negative for all the pools of parous and engorged females analysed. This study emphasises the importance of conducting entomofauna studies in lesser-known Mediterranean islet landscapes and highlights the need for research on vectors within the One Health framework.

First report of Diomusguilavoguii Duverger, 1994 (Coleoptera, Coccinellidae, Diomini) predating on papaya mealybug Paracoccusmarginatus from China

Background

Diomusguilavoguii Duverger, 1994, an adventive species, is recorded from Guangzhou (Guangdong Province), China for the first time. Larvae of D.guilavoguii were collected in association with an invasive mealybug, Paracoccusmarginatus Williams & Granara de Willink, 1992, infesting papayas, cassava and several ornamental plants. However, little has been known about the biology of D.guilavoguii, especially the morphology of their larvae since their original descriptions.

New information

Diomusguilavoguii Duverger, 1994, native to Conakry, Guinea (Africa), is recorded as established in Guangdong Province for the first time. However, it is unclear when and how D.guilavoguii spread from Africa to Guangzhou, Guangdong Province. Both the adult and larva feed on the invasive mealybug Paracoccusmarginatus Williams & Granara de Willink (Hemiptera, Pseudococcidae) that infests papaya and ornamental plants. In this paper, the external morphology and male genitalia of adults are re-described. The detailed descriptions of larva and pupa are also provided for the first time. The status of D.guilavoguii and D.hennessyi Fürsch, 1987 are discussed.

Going deeper and further: a range and depth extension for the deep-sea feather star Paratelecrinuscubensis (Carpenter, 1881) (Comatulida, Atelecrinidae), first record from the Western Pacific

A specimen belonging to the deep-sea feather-star family Atelecrinidae was collected in April 2018 at the Kocebu Guyot at 1294 m deep. Based on its morphological characters, the specimen was identified as Paratelecrinuscubensis (Carpenter, 1881). This species of feather star is restricted to the deep sea and was known only from 12 records from the Bahamas and Cuba at depths of 567-892 m. The data represent the first record from the Western Pacific Ocean and the deepest record known, extending the depth where this feather star has been found to beyond 1000 m. The morphological characteristics of the Kocebu Guyot specimen were essentially identical to the morphology of the neotype, with a slight difference in the dorsal spine at the end of the cirri. The phylogenetic analysis based on the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI), 16S rRNA genes, 28S rRNA genes, and 18S rRNA genes reveal a close relationship of P.cubensis with P.wyvilli. Results of our molecular phylogenetic analysis are consistent with our morphological identifications. Our find extends the known geographical distribution of the feather star P.cubensis to the Western Pacific Ocean and provide insights into deep-sea biodiversity in the Kocebu Guyot.

Invasive Haemaphysalis longicornis (Acari: Ixodidae) investigation in South Carolina: new records of establishment, pathogen prevalence, and blood meal analyses

The first established population of the Asian longhorned tick Haemaphysalis longicornis (Neumann, Acari: Ixodidae) was discovered in a northern South Carolina county in June 2022. A coordinated investigation was launched to investigate the invasive tick's pathogen infection prevalence and blood meal preferences. Almost 2,000 Ha. longicornis ticks were collected from one cattle field. A majority of collected ticks had evidence of cattle and dog blood meals, and multiple samples were tested positive for Borrelia burgdorferi s.l. and Theileria orientalis-first reports for these pathogens in this tick species in South Carolina. This investigation was the direct result of a collaborative education campaign and tick surveillance program launched earlier in the year with multiple state partners.

Two new oonopid spider species from Yunnan, China (Araneae, Oonopidae)

The genera Kachinia Tong & Li, 2018 and Promolotra Tong & Li, 2020 are recorded from China for the first time. Two new species, Kachinialonglingsp. nov. (♂♀) and Promolotralushuisp. nov. (♂♀) are described. Descriptions, diagnoses, photographs and keys to Kachinia and Promolotra species are provided.

Molecular Identification and Pathogenicity of Diaporthe eres and D. hongkongensis (Diaporthales, Ascomycota) Associated with Cherry Trunk Diseases in China

This study aimed to identify fungal species associated with trunk diseases of sweet cherries (Prunus avium) in several commercial cherry orchards in Beijing, Guizhou and Shandong provinces, China. In total, eighteen fungal strains that fitted well into the species concept of Diaporthe were isolated. Based on both morphological and multi-locus phylogenetic analyses of internal transcribed spacer region (ITS), beta-tubulin (tub-2), calmodulin (Cal) and translation elongation factor 1-α (tef1-α) sequencing data, fourteen isolates were identified as Diaporthe eres, while four isolates were classified as D. hongkongensis. Here, we report D. hongkongensis causing sweet cherry branch dieback disease and, further, we confirmed the host association of D. eres with sweet cherries in China. A pathogenicity assay revealed the ability of both D. eres and D. hongkongensis to cause shoot necrosis and stem lesions on Prunus avium cv. 'Brooks' (mean lesion lengths of 1.86 cm and 1.56 cm, respectively). The optimal temperature for the growth of both Diaporthe species was tested. The optimal growth temperature for D. hongkongensis was 30 °C, and the 25-28 °C temperatures were the most favorable for the growth of D. eres strains. This research advances the understanding of fungal trunk diseases in fruit crops, particularly gummosis and branch dieback disease in Chinese cherry orchards, and will aid growers in making decisions about cultural practices and disease management.

First report of Aphrialatifrons (Diptera, Tachinidae, Leskiini) in the Canary Islands

Background

The Canary Islands are an archipelago of volcanic origin, located off north-west Africa comprising eight islands. Fuerteventura and Lanzarote are the oldest (20 and 15 millon years old, respectively) and the easternmost islands. The order Diptera is one of the most relevant taxa in the Canary Islands as they constitute the second highest species richness. Within this order, the family Tachinidae is especially interesting as all species are endoparasitoids of arthropods and most species play a key role as pollinators. In the Canary Islands, the family comprises 52 species, with Fuerteventura and Lanzarote harbouring up to 20 species each.

New information

Aphrialatifrons, a Palaearctic tachinid fly, is reported for the first time from the Canary Islands, where it was found on Fuerteventura and Lanzarote. Morphological examination was carried out and the first known barcode of the species is presented. Its potential distribution and source of origin are discussed.

First record of Leptoglossusoccidentalis Heidemann, 1910 (Hemiptera, Coreidae) in the Canary Islands, a novel pine pest detected through citizen science in an oceanic archipelago

Background

The 'western seed bug', known as Leptoglossusoccidentalis, is considered a global invasive species that has experienced a recent rapid expansion worldwide, becoming an important pest species for coniferous forests.

New information

With the 'Canary Islands early-warning network for the detection and intervention of invasive exotic species' (RedEXOS), this species was detected for the first time in the Canarian archipelago in an urban area in the eastern part of the island of Gran Canaria. This early detection is crucial for understanding the potential damage in one of the islands with the highest surface area of natural endemic pine forest.

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.

First record of the genus Medaura Stål (Phasmatodea, Phasmatidae, Clitumninae) from China, with description of a new species

Background

The stick insect tribe, Medaurini in subfamily Clitumniae, contains 11 genera and 75 known species, with species diversity of this tribe being rich in southeast Asia and China, as is reflected in the Phasmida Species File Online [PSF]. The genus Medaura includes four named species and they are distributed over Bangladesh, Indonesia and India. The discovery of this new species in Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture marks the first identification of the genus Medaura in China.

New information

The genus Medaura Stål is reported for the first time from China, based on a new species M.aculeiformis Xie & Qian sp. n. and the identification characteristics of species are described and illustrated in this paper.

Flesh Flies (Diptera: Sarcophagidae) From the Brazilian Amazonian Savannas, a Poorly Sampled and Threatened Environment

The Amazonian region is composed by many kinds of environments, including the Amazonian savannas, which comprise about 5% of the Amazon biome in Brazil. The biota of Amazonian savannas is poorly known, especially for insects. In this study, we performed a faunistic inventory of flesh flies (Diptera: Sarcophagidae) of four Brazilian Amazon savannas, where we recorded two subfamilies, 16 genera, and 40 species, two of which are described as new to science: Lepidodexia (Notochaeta) helenae sp. nov. and Lipoptilocnema augustoi sp. nov. Oxysarcodexia graminifoliaSouza, Pape & Thyssen, 2020 is recorded for the first time for Brazil. Dexosarcophaga paulistanaLopes (1982), Helicobia biplagiataDodge, 1966, Helicobia cearensisTibana, 1976, Oxysarcodexia simplicoides (Lopes, 1933), and Oxyvinia excisa (Lopes, 1950) are newly recorded for the Brazilian Amazon. Oxysarcodexia nitidaSoares & Mello-Patiu, 2010 is a new record for the state of Pará. The species D. paulistana is redescribed, and photographs and detailed illustrations of male terminalia are provided.